Changes: Starkhaven

Revision as of 11:56, 24 March 2020

Starkhaven is an independent and prominent city-state of the Free Marches that lies on the banks of the Minanter River. It's the largest city of the Free Marches and the most influential along with Kirkwall and Tantervale.

Starkhaven heraldry DA2 — Starkhaven heraldry

Background

Starkhaven is the largest city in the Free Marches and one of the wealthiest. The independent city-state of Starkhaven is ruled by the Vael family and has strong ties to the Chantry in its governance.

The city has imposing walls: a curved mountain of earth crowned with concentric rings of tall gray stone. On the northern side, the Minanter River rushes through the water gate. The city itself is glimpsed from afar as a glory of marble palaces set on green hills and ringed by broad boulevards.^[1]

It is a place of wealth and opulence, with many kingly estates with fountains and granite paths. Large sections of the city are decorated in fine materials like marble and gold. The royal palace in the heart of the city is made of marble, and the path to it is paved in granite.^[2]

Starkhaven is also famed for its superb cuisine, with its most famous dish being fish and egg pie. It is made with three deboned fresh fish, boiled eggs, dried fruit, spices, and thickened cream, topped with a light crust.

According to Sebastian Vael, Kirkwall is the city's largest trading partner.

History

In 1:95 Divine, the last battle of the Second Blight was fought at Starkhaven with a human army led by the Grey Wardens.^[3] Both sides suffered heavy losses, but Zazikel was slain by the Grey Warden Corin, ending the Second Blight.^[4]

In 2:15 Glory Starkhaven's King Fyruss, with backing from Tevinter allies, launched a series of military campaigns in an effort to unite the Free Marches under his banner and build his own empire. The other Marcher cities united to fight him off and Fyruss failed to conquer any of the neighboring city-states. His expansionist inspirations were not limited to the Free Marches; he also invaded some of Antiva's southernmost cities.^[5] Antiva's cities similarly united to defend themselves against Fyruss in 2:33 Glory. In 2:45, due to his failure to conquer any of the Marcher city-states and the diplomatic liability created by his invasion of Antiva, Fyruss' Tevinter allies betrayed him and ousted him from Starkhaven; the Tevinter Imperium conquered his city in result. This led the Chantry to declare an Exalted March to liberate Starkhaven from the Imperium in 2:80 Glory. The following battle for the independence of Starkhaven was short, but bloody.^[6]

In 5:12 Exalted, during the Fourth Blight, Starkhaven accepted a large group of refugees from Wycome who were fleeing the Darkspawn.^[7]

It is known to have had at least one Champion rise to prominence. They assisted the Grey Wardens with the evacuation of civilians from Kirkwall during the Fourth Blight and later participated in the Battle of Ayesleigh in 5:24 Exalted at which the Archdemon Andoral was slain.^[8]

In 7:56 Storm, the Qunari landed near Ostwick and launched assaults against Starkhaven and Kirkwall. Starkhaven was besieged by Qunari invaders who hoped to cut off trade to the north, only to be repelled, but Kirkwall fell due to the magic of the Saarebas.^[9]

Starkhaven's Circle of Magi tower was burned down in 9:31 Dragon.

Involvement

Dragon Age II

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.

Most members of the ruling family were murdered in 9:31 Dragon by Flint Company mercenaries in a brutal coup d'etat engineered by Lady Johane Harimann of Kirkwall. The Harimanns intended to usurp the Vaels, placing the malleable Goran Vael, a distant cousin of the main family, upon the throne.

Before the coup d'etat, the Vael family had committed their youngest son, Sebastian, to the Kirkwall Chantry to live a chaste life in service to Andraste. The young Vael avenged his parents, killing both Johane Harimann and the Flint Company Mercenaries, though Goran Vael still ruled the city.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Sebastian Vael recruited by Hawke, Anders survived, and the Inquisitor accepts Sebastian's offer of friendship:

Sebastian Vael reclaimed his title as Prince of Starkhaven and in 9:41 led an invasion of Kirkwall. In the mission Annexing Kirkwall, Sebastian requested support from the Inquisition in helping him suppress the city's resistance forces led by Guard-Captain Aveline Vallen and hunt down Anders and his associates. The Inquisitor can choose to send Leliana's agents to bolster Sebastian's forces and strong-arm Aveline to back down or send Cullen's military to bolster Aveline's resistance forces and repel Sebastian's occupation forces back to Starkhaven.

Sebastian Vael recruited by Hawke, Anders executed, and the Inquisitor accepts Sebastian's offer of friendship:

Sebastian Vael reclaimed his title as Prince of Starkhaven and in 9:41 decided to aid in the reconstruction of Kirkwall, which continued to suffer from Anders' actions. In the mission Aiding Kirkwall, Sebastian requested that the Inquisition send in soldiers and workers. The Inquisitor can choose to heed Leliana's advice and ignore the request in order to focus resources on defeating Corypheus, have Josephine appeal to noble allies to help Kirkwall, or order Cullen to send in troops to expunge red lyrium from the Gallows and further rebuild the city.

Dragon Age: Knight Errant

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Knight Errant.

The plot follows BioWare's own canon, meaning it may not follow some of the player's choices in the games.

The Inquisition arranges for an invitation to Prince Sebastian's birthday for Vaea and Ser Aaron, giving the former a secret assignment to free two of their agents, Tessa Forsythia and Marius, who were captured breaking into the castle to steal a dangerous document from Sebastian, ostensibly an ally of the Inquisition. They are accompanied on this visit by Varric Tethras, now the Viscount of Kirkwall, who assists Vaea on her secret mission.

Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights.

The plot follows BioWare's own canon, meaning it may not follow some of the player's choices in the games.

Starkhaven hosts the Grand Tourney. During the tournament, a healing amulet is stolen by Lords of Fortune and their hired help, as is the Celebrant. Starkhaven knights and guards pursue the thieves, but though the Celebrant is retrieved, the amulet isn't, and eventually given to Vaea who takes it to Tevinter.

Governance

Starkhaven is governed by a prince. Starkhaven has been ruled by the Vael family since the ousting of the self-anointed "King Ironfist," the last in a series of low-born warlords claiming sovereignty over the city. The first Prince Vael was proclaimed prince when he refused the title of king. The title is hereditary.

Trivia

According to Varric, Starkhaven is "pretentious".
Most inhabitants of Starkhaven encountered so far, including Sebastian, Rylen, Belinda Darrow, and Bram Kenric, seem to share a Scottish accent.
If in Act III female Hawke rivals and flirts with Sebastian, he says "The prince of Starkhaven and the viscountess of Kirkwall? It would be the strongest alliance the Free Marches has ever seen."

References

↑ Dragon Age: Last Flight, Chapter 8.
↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 70
↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 156-157
↑ Codex entry: Vestments of Sacrifice
↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 42
↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 13
↑ Dragon Age: Last Flight p.92
↑ Dragon Age: Last Flight p.211,http://forum.bioware.com/topic/497430-dragon-age-last-flight/page-8, Interview with Liane Merciel, "This is an error...Hawke is the first Champion of Kirkwall...wrote "Champion of Kirkwall" instead of "Champion of Starkhaven"...But in either case that is a mistake and it should be Starkhaven."
↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 118

[1] Dragon Age: Last Flight, Chapter 8.

[2] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 70

[3] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 156-157

[4] Codex entry: Vestments of Sacrifice

[5] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 42

[6] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 13

[7] Dragon Age: Last Flight p.92

[8] Dragon Age: Last Flight p.211,http://forum.bioware.com/topic/497430-dragon-age-last-flight/page-8, Interview with Liane Merciel, "This is an error...Hawke is the first Champion of Kirkwall...wrote "Champion of Kirkwall" instead of "Champion of Starkhaven"...But in either case that is a mistake and it should be Starkhaven."

[9] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 118

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[2]

[3]

[4]

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@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 |name        = [[Starkhaven]]
 |icon        = Ico_World_Map.png
-|image       = Starkhaven.jpg
+|image       = Starkhaven bird eye.png
 |terrain     = Urban
 |location    = Northern [[Free Marches]]
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 |px          = 270px
 |type        = Principality/City-State
-|appearances = [[Dragon Age II]] <small>(mentioned)</small>
+|appearances = [[Dragon Age II]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br>[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Dragon Age: Last Flight]]<br> [[Dragon Age: Knight Errant]]<br>[[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]
 }}</onlyinclude>
-'''Starkhaven''' is an independent and prominent city-state of the [[Free Marches]], which lies close to the [[Minanter River]]. It's the largest city the [[Free Marches]] and the most influential along with [[Kirkwall]] and [[Tantervale]].
+'''Starkhaven''' is an independent and prominent city-state of the [[Free Marches]] that lies on the banks of the [[Minanter River]]. It's the largest city of the [[Free Marches]] and the most influential along with [[Kirkwall]] and [[Tantervale]].
 [[File:Starkhaven heraldry DA2.png|thumb|tight|Starkhaven heraldry]]
 == Background ==
+Starkhaven is the largest city in the [[Free Marches]] and one of the wealthiest. The independent city-state of Starkhaven is ruled by the [[Codex entry: The Vael Family|Vael family]] and has strong ties to the [[Chantry]] in its governance.
-In 1:95 [[Divine Age|Divine]], the last battle of the [[Second Blight]] was fought at Starkhaven with a human army led by the [[Grey Warden]]s.<ref>{{Cite wot|156-157}}</ref> Both sides suffered heavy losses, but [[Zazikel]] was slain by the Grey Warden [[Corin]], ending the Second Blight.<ref>[[Codex entry: Vestments of Sacrifice]]</ref>
+The city has imposing walls: a curved mountain of earth crowned with concentric rings of tall gray stone. On the northern side, the Minanter River rushes through the water gate. The city itself is glimpsed from afar as a glory of marble palaces set on green hills and ringed by broad boulevards.<ref>[[Dragon Age: Last Flight]], Chapter 8.</ref>
-In 2:15–2:45 [[Glory Age|Glory]] Starkhaven arose and prompted its king, Fyruss, in attempt to unite the Free Marches under his banner and build his own empire. In 2:80 Glory, Fyruss  was betrayed by his Tevinter allies and ousted from Starkhaven; the [[Tevinter Imperium]] conquered his city in result. This led the [[Chantry]] to declare an [[Exalted Marches|Exalted March]] to liberate Starkhaven from the Imperium. The following battle for the independence of Starkhaven was short, but bloody.<ref>{{Cite wot|13}}</ref>
+It is a place of wealth and opulence, with many kingly estates with fountains and granite paths. Large sections of the city are decorated in fine materials like marble and gold. The royal palace in the heart of the city is made of marble, and the path to it is paved in granite.<ref>{{Cite wot|70}}</ref>
-Now, the largest city in the [[Free Marches]], the independent city-state of Starkhaven is ruled by the [[Codex entry: The Vael Family|Vael family]] and has strong ties to the [[Chantry]] in its governance. It sits on the Minanter River in the northeast and borders [[Antiva]].
+Starkhaven is also famed for its superb cuisine, with its most famous dish being fish and egg pie. It is made with three deboned fresh fish, boiled eggs, dried fruit, spices, and thickened cream, topped with a light crust.
-It is known to have had at least one [[Codex entry: Stonehammer's Gift|Champion]] rise to prominence who participated in the [[Fourth Blight|Battle of Ayesleigh]] in 5:24 [[Exalted Age|Exalted]].
+According to [[Sebastian Vael]], [[Kirkwall]] is the city's largest trading partner.
-In 7:56 [[Storm Age|Storm]], the Qunari landed near Ostwick and launched assaults against Starkhaven and [[Kirkwall]]. Starkhaven was besieged by [[Qunari]] invaders who hoped to cut off trade to the north, only to be repelled, but Kirkwall fell due to the magic of the [[Saarebas]].<ref>{{Cite wot|118}}</ref>
+== History ==
-It is a place of wealth and opulance, with many kingly estates with fountains of marble and paths of granite. It is also famed for its superb cuisine, with its most famous dish being fish and egg pie. It is made with three deboned fresh fish, boiled eggs, dried fruit, spices, and thickened cream, topped with a light crust.
+In 1:95 [[Divine Age|Divine]], the last battle of the [[Second Blight]] was fought at Starkhaven with a human army led by the [[Grey Warden]]s.<ref>{{Cite wot|156-157}}</ref> Both sides suffered heavy losses, but [[Zazikel]] was slain by the Grey Warden [[Corin]], ending the Second Blight.<ref>[[Codex entry: Vestments of Sacrifice]]</ref>
+[[File:Starkhaven.jpg|thumb|250px|The Palace of Starkhaven interior]]
+In 2:15 [[Glory Age|Glory]] Starkhaven's King Fyruss, with backing from [[Tevinter]] allies, launched a series of military campaigns in an effort to unite the Free Marches under his banner and build his own empire. The other Marcher cities united to fight him off and Fyruss failed to conquer any of the neighboring city-states. His expansionist inspirations were not limited to the Free Marches; he also invaded some of [[Antiva]]'s southernmost cities.<ref>{{Cite wot2|42}}</ref> Antiva's cities similarly united to defend themselves against Fyruss in 2:33 Glory. In 2:45, due to his failure to conquer any of the Marcher city-states and the diplomatic liability created by his invasion of Antiva, Fyruss' Tevinter allies betrayed him and ousted him from Starkhaven; the [[Tevinter Imperium]] conquered his city in result. This led the [[Chantry]] to declare an [[Exalted Marches|Exalted March]] to liberate Starkhaven from the Imperium in 2:80 Glory. The following battle for the independence of Starkhaven was short, but bloody.<ref>{{Cite wot|13}}</ref>
+In 5:12 [[Exalted Age|Exalted]], during the [[Fourth Blight]], Starkhaven accepted a large group of refugees from [[Wycome]] who were fleeing the [[Darkspawn]].<ref>[[Dragon Age: Last Flight]] p.92</ref>
-Starkhaven was the location of one of the two [[Circle of Magi|Circles of Magi]] in the Free Marches (the other being in [[Kirkwall]]), but its tower was burned down in 9:31 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]].
+It is known to have had at least one [[Codex entry: Stonehammer's Gift|Champion]] rise to prominence. They assisted the Grey Wardens with the evacuation of civilians from [[Kirkwall]] during the Fourth Blight and later participated in the Battle of Ayesleigh in 5:24 Exalted at which the [[Archdemons|Archdemon]] [[Andoral]] was slain.<ref>[[Dragon Age: Last Flight]] p.211,http://forum.bioware.com/topic/497430-dragon-age-last-flight/page-8, Interview with Liane Merciel, "This is an error...Hawke is the first Champion of Kirkwall...wrote "Champion of Kirkwall" instead of "Champion of Starkhaven"...But in either case that is a mistake and it should be Starkhaven."</ref>
-According to [[Sebastian Vael]], [[Kirkwall]] is the city's largest trading partner.
+In 7:56 [[Storm Age|Storm]], the Qunari landed near Ostwick and launched assaults against Starkhaven and [[Kirkwall]]. Starkhaven was besieged by [[Qunari]] invaders who hoped to cut off trade to the north, only to be repelled, but Kirkwall fell due to the magic of the [[Saarebas]].<ref>{{Cite wot|118}}</ref>
-== Governance ==
-Being the largest of the Free Marches' many city-states, Starkhaven is governed by a prince. Starkhaven has been ruled by the Vael family since the ousting of the self-anointed "King Ironfist," the last in a series of low-born warlords claiming sovereignty over the city. The first Prince Vael was proclaimed prince when he refused the title of king.
+Starkhaven's [[Circle of Magi]] tower was burned down in 9:31 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]].
+== Involvement ==
+=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
 {{SpoilerDA2|
-Most members of the ruling family were murdered in 9:31 Dragon by [[Flint Company]] mercenaries in a brutal coup d'etat engineered by Lady [[Johane Harimann]] of [[Kirkwall]]. The Harimanns intended to usurp the Vaels, placing the maleable Goran Vael, a distant cousin of the main family, upon the throne.
+Most members of the ruling family were murdered in 9:31 Dragon by [[Flint Company]] mercenaries in a brutal coup d'etat engineered by Lady [[Johane Harimann]] of [[Kirkwall]]. The [[Harimann family|Harimanns]] intended to usurp the Vaels, placing the malleable Goran Vael, a distant cousin of the main family, upon the throne.
-Before the coup d'etat, the Vael family had committed their youngest son, [[Sebastian]], to the Kirkwall [[Chantry]] to live a chaste life in service to [[Andraste]]. The young Vael avenged his parents, killing both Johane Harimann and the Flint Company Mercenaries, though Goran Vael still rules the city.
+Before the coup d'etat, the Vael family had committed their youngest son, [[Sebastian]], to the Kirkwall [[Chantry]] to live a chaste life in service to [[Andraste]]. The young Vael avenged his parents, killing both Johane Harimann and the Flint Company Mercenaries, though Goran Vael still ruled the city.
 }}
+=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
-== Trivia ==
+{{SpoilerDAI|
+{{CodexConditionalParagraph|Sebastian Vael recruited by Hawke, Anders survived, and the Inquisitor accepts Sebastian's offer of friendship|}}
+[[Sebastian Vael]] reclaimed his title as Prince of [[Starkhaven]] and in 9:41 led an invasion of Kirkwall. In the mission [[Annexing Kirkwall]], Sebastian requested support from the [[Inquisition]] in helping him suppress the city's resistance forces led by Guard-Captain [[Aveline Vallen]] and hunt down Anders and his associates. The [[Inquisitor]] can choose to send [[Leliana]]'s agents to bolster Sebastian's forces and strong-arm Aveline to back down or send [[Cullen]]'s military to bolster Aveline's resistance forces and repel Sebastian's occupation forces back to [[Starkhaven]].
+{{CodexConditionalParagraph|Sebastian Vael recruited by Hawke, Anders executed, and the Inquisitor accepts Sebastian's offer of friendship|}}
+[[Sebastian Vael]] reclaimed his title as Prince of Starkhaven and in 9:41 decided to aid in the reconstruction of Kirkwall, which continued to suffer from Anders' actions. In the mission [[Aiding Kirkwall]], Sebastian requested that the Inquisition send in soldiers and workers. The Inquisitor can choose to heed Leliana's advice and ignore the request in order to focus resources on defeating [[Corypheus]], have Josephine appeal to noble allies to help Kirkwall, or order Cullen to send in troops to expunge [[red lyrium]] from the Gallows and further rebuild the city.
+}}
+=== ''Dragon Age: Knight Errant'' ===
+{{SpoilerKE|
+{{BioWare canon}}
+The Inquisition arranges for an invitation to Prince Sebastian's birthday for [[Vaea]] and [[Ser Aaron]], giving the former a secret assignment to free two of their agents, [[Tessa Forsythia]] and [[Marius]], who were captured breaking into the castle to steal a dangerous document from Sebastian, ostensibly an ally of the Inquisition. They are accompanied on this visit by [[Varric Tethras]], now the Viscount of Kirkwall, who assists Vaea on her secret mission.
+}}
+=== ''Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights ===
+{{SpoilerTN|
+{{BioWare canon}}
+Starkhaven hosts the [[Free Marches#Culture and society|Grand Tourney]]. During the tournament, a healing amulet is stolen by [[Lords of Fortune]] and their hired help, as is [[the Celebrant]]. Starkhaven knights and guards pursue the thieves, but though the Celebrant is retrieved, the amulet isn't, and eventually given to [[Vaea]] who takes it to [[Tevinter Imperium|Tevinter]].
+}}
+== Governance ==
+Starkhaven is governed by a prince. Starkhaven has been ruled by the Vael family since the ousting of the self-anointed "King Ironfist," the last in a series of low-born warlords claiming sovereignty over the city. The first Prince Vael was proclaimed prince when he refused the title of king. The title is hereditary.
+== Trivia ==
 * According to Varric, Starkhaven is "pretentious".
+* Most inhabitants of Starkhaven encountered so far, including Sebastian, [[Rylen]], [[Belinda Darrow]], and [[Bram Kenric]], seem to share a Scottish accent.
-* If in Act III female Hawke rivals and flirts with Sebastian, he says "The prince of Starkhaven and the viscountess of Kirkwall? It would be the strongest alliance the Free Marches ever had".
+* If in Act III female Hawke rivals and flirts with Sebastian, he says "The prince of Starkhaven and the viscountess of Kirkwall? It would be the strongest alliance the Free Marches has ever seen."
 == See also ==
@@ Line 53: / Line 86: @@
 {{Thedas}}
+[[Category:Locations]]
+[[Category:Dragon Age: Last Flight locations]]
+[[Category:Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights locations]]
 [[Category:Cities]]
 [[Category:Free Marches]]