Orlais

Orlais
Type	Absolute monarchy
Location	Southwestern Thedas
Capital	Val Royeaux
Appearances	Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker Dragon Age: Origins (referenced) Leliana's Song (referenced Dragon Age II (referenced) Dragon Age: Asunder

Founded by Emperor Kordillus Drakon, the Orlesian Empire or simply Orlais is currently the biggest and the most powerful nation in Thedas. Val Royeaux is the capital of Orlais, as well as the Chantry's seat of power and home to the Divine. Amongst its previous rulers were Emperor Reville and Emperor Florian. Orlais conquered Ferelden in 8:44 Blessed, but was expelled before the beginning of the Dragon Age by King Maric Theirin.

History

Before rise of Orlais on southern part of Thedas lived tribes of Ciriane. Like Alamari, Avars and Chasinds they were at war with Tevinter Imperium.

800 TE or -395 Ancient the First Blight started and Ciriane defended themselves from darkspawn.

1170 TE or -25 Ancient: As the borders of the Imperium recede, Emerius becomes one of their lone outposts within a distant and violent frontier. The city is surrounded by the Kingdom of Ciriane, the barbarian Free Marches, the Alamarri, as well as the new elven homeland of the Dales. Despite its isolation, the city fought off many invading armies and did not fall until the slaves within the city finally rebelled, executing their Tevinter rulers in an orgy of violence. Possession of the fortress city remained contested for centuries to come, but it would never again rejoin the Imperium. No longer under Tevinter rule, the city changed name to Kirkwall, and became part of the Free Marches.

1184 TE or -11 Ancient: The cults of the Maker spread quickly in the southern lands, resulting in the beginning of building of the first great temple in Val Royeaux which becomes the major center of worship for the new faith. One of its most fervent followers is the young king of Orlais, Kordillus Drakon. Drakon begins a series of holy wars in the name of the Maker, quickly proving himself to be one of the greatest generals in history

Culture and society

File:Orlesian masks1.jpg

Examples of Orlesian masks

Ambitious and wealthy, Orlais is the most powerful single human nation in Thedas. Under its current ruler, Empress Celene I, Orlais has a large aristocracy famed for its culture and extravagance. Celene shares the expansionist dream of Orlais's founder, Kordilius Drakon, that the nation's borders should stretch to the edges of the continent.

Another characteristic of the noble class is their penchant for high fashion, often copied in other lands such as Nevarra and the Free Marches but always at its most extreme within Orlais. Both men and women wear cosmetics of various kinds, with subtle differences that indicate social standing. In public, they are also prone to wearing very elaborate masks. These are hereditary and identify one's family almost as uniquely as the heraldry on a crest. Servants also wear masks in public that are simpler and not so elaborate as their masters' which indicate the noble household they serve.

Aristocratic society is vicious and marked by fawning envy to the powerful. Bards often entertain nobles in their courts despite their roles as spies, assassins and saboteurs for their employers (usually other nobles). Nobles welcome such entertainers with full knowledge that any could be a bard; the thrill of outwitting a spy is a notion the Orlesian aristocracy can hardly resist.

A typical Orlesian alley

The capital city is Val Royeaux, which boasts the University of Orlais: a major center of learning that attracts young nobles from all over Thedas with the best education one can buy. The University is a relatively modern institution, whose liberal-minded professors have already clashed with religious conservatives over the content of their classes. This is likely to become a much larger issue in the future.

The Summerday holiday is particularly holy in Orlais. This holiday celebrates the beginning of summer and on this day children who come of age wear white tunics and gowns and join a procession to the local chantry. When they reach it, they are taught the responsibilities of being an adult. It is celebrated at the beginning of Molioris.

Politics

Orlesian heraldry

In Orlais, land is owned exclusively by the aristocracy and titles are granted by the Council of Heralds. Power rests solely in the Emperor or Empress as in many monarchies in Thedas where power descends from the throne, unlike Ferelden whose power derives from the support of freeholders.

Many Orlesian nobles belong to its renowned knightly order, the Chevaliers. The martial training of the Chevaliers is legendarily harsh, instilling in the knights a fierce discipline and code of honor that takes precedence over the value of their own lives. The penalty for dishonor is death, something that a Chevalier would welcome if he or she has failed their lord. They are honored by many and are considered amongst the best of all soldiers but they also have unlimited rights when it comes to handling the peasantry; a cause of many conflicts.

During the years leading to The Mage-Templar War, many Orlesian nobles began to plot to re-conquer Ferelden. This was against Empress Celene's wishes, who did what she could to hold the peace and bring her nobles under control, but seditious plots were still whispered, increasing tension with many Fereldans.

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This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Asunder.

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In 9:38 Dragon Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons moved against Empress Celene I, starting the Orlesian Civil War.

The Grand Game

Main article: The Grand Game

File:Orlais heraldry.jpg

Orlesian heraldry

"The game" refers to the perpetual competition for influence and esteem between the Orlesian nobles. Every Orlesian of noble birth is subject to their peers' manipulation, if not as a player, then as a pawn, and the only way out seems to be joining the Chantry (or affiliated organizations, such as the Templar Order and the Circle of Magi).

The goals of the game are personal prestige, reputation, and patronage, and its "rules" are as simple as "anything goes". Nobles often employ assassins or, more often, bards to accomplish these goals. Social engineering is also important in this aspect of Orlesian culture, and masks, elaborate dress and social engagements are important tools to further the Game.

Royalty and nobility

Main article: Orlesian royalty and nobility

Despite Emperor Kordillus Drakon abolishing all noble titles, with the exception of Lord, Lady and Emperor, there remains an established list of aristocratic titles along with appropriate forms of address. The extent of the titles official or ceremonial capacity is unclear.

Titles are granted by the Orlesian Council of Heralds.

Geography

Cities and towns

The streets of Val Royeaux

• Val Royeaux - Capital, location of the first Circle of Magi in White Spire, Grand Cathedral and headquarters for the Seekers of Truth.
• Arlesans
• Churneau
• Ghislain
• Halamshiral - Former capital of The Dales and home of Empress Celene's "Winter Palace".
• Jader - Nearest major Orlesian city to Ferelden.
• Lydes
• Mont-de-glace
• Montfort - Ancestral home of the Montfort noble family.
• Montsimmard - Headquarters of the Orlesian Grey Wardens and a second Circle of Magi.
• Val Chevin
• Val Firmin
• Val Foret
• Velun - a small town
• Verchiel

Fortresses

Map of the Orlesian Empire

• Andoral's Reach
• Adamant fortress

Regions

• The Arbor Wilds
• Lake Celestine
• The Dales
• Deauvin Flats
• The Heartlands
• Gamordan Peaks
• Nahashin Marshes
• Urthemiel Plateau
• Western Approach with The Abyssal Reach (also called the Abyssal Rift)

Notable people with Orlesian origins

File:LelianaDress.png

Leliana, culturally Orlesian.

For a complete list, see [[::Category:Orlesians]].

• Aveline, Knight of Orlais
• Empress Celene I
• Gascard DuPuis
• Dorothea
• Erlina
• Isolde
• Jeshavis, Mother of Orlais, first female gjoya, or chieftan, of the unified proto-Orlesian tribe and creator of the Game
• Julien
• Leliana
• Liselle
• Marjolaine
• Nicolas
• Prosper
• Riordan
• Sketch
• Stroud
• The Baroness
• The Warden-Commander (depending on player's choice; new character)
• Tug
• Vivienne

Trivia

• Orlais is based on the real-world nation of France (note how its name is similar to Orléans), with which it shares cultural, social, and political aspects.
  • Most importantly, the relation between Orlais and Ferelden is modeled on the one between medieval France and England, with the latter being conquered by French Normans just like Orlais occupied Ferelden (but the in-game counterpart was later drawn away from Ferelden).
  • The great political prominence of a cultured and self-indulging nobility, the chevaliers (which is French for "knights")
  • Orlesian given names resemble French given names and Orlesian characters speak with a French accent.
  • It is also interesting to note that Orlesian toponyms include French words, such as the ancient val meaning "valley", mont, meaning "mount", and so on.
• Orlais was once called Arles. The name was changed because Arles is a real town in France.
• Leliana is culturally Orlesian. She was born and raised there but considers herself a Fereldan because her mother came from Denerim. She often remarks of the fashionable shoes of Orlais compared to the rugged boots of Ferelden.
• In the expansion pack Awakening, if the player chooses not to import a previous Warden character, they have the option to play as a new Grey Warden character from Orlais, starting at level 18.
• Orlais was given its name by one of the sons of Andraste and Maferath, after her betrayal and death.
• Orlais is home to the University of Orlais. Noted Chantry scholar Brother Genitivi has lectured there about his travels.

Gallery

Concept art of an Orlesian exile

Chevaliers

An elaborate clock

Orlesian city WOT.jpg

Concept art of an Orlesian city

Concept art

Concept art (2).jpg

Concept art

Concept art (3).jpg

Concept art

Noble

See also

Codex entry: The Orlesian Empire

Codex entry: The Orlesian Game of Intrigue

Codex entry: Shadow of the Empire

Codex entry: The Chevaliers

References

• The Official Mini Guide