“"Peons," she remarks, "are experts largely in the matter of mud. I will seek their counsel when I require assistance with mud. Or " - and something ignites in her eyes - "in the matter of arson and murder."”
The Acerbic Dowager is the widow of a former vassal of Serault who was apparently overthrown by his subjects. The previous Marquis, mother of the current ruler, gave her sanctuary at their Château.
The Acerbic Dowager was once a scholar as she collected letters, journals, and edicts written by Orlais' emperors and empresses. She is known to be a direct and decisive counselor.
Card Description[]
"Peons," she remarks, "are experts largely in the matters of mud. I will seek their counsel when I require assistance with mud. Or " - and something ignites in her eyes - "in the matter of arson and murder."
The Dowager's husband was a vassal of Serault... until he permitted his peasants too many liberties. Her home is a ruined haunt of outlaws now. Your mother gave her sanctuary in the Château.
Involvement[]
This section is incomplete and requires expansion.
This section contains spoilers for: Dragon Age: The Last Court.
The Dowager falls ill several days before the arrival of DivineJustinia V. Eventually the Marquis discovers that she has been poisoned by one of her ladies in waiting with Wyvern poison. The Marquis tracks down and slays a Wyvern to create an anti-venom and saves the Dowager's life.
As she is returning from her prayers at the Chantry, the Dowager is pelted with dung by a pair of peasants. In a fury she has them apprehended and brought before the Marquis for judgment.
Take wine with the Dowager She's canny, critical, and has a surfeit of spare time. No human failing escapes her notice.
Result: Strict counsel You spend an hour absorbing her minutely-detailed opinion on the state of Serault. Even after you've sifted out her more vigorous opinions, much remains of use. "Of course," she says, "if this was the old Serault - the Serault of my youth - I could be of more help to you. But I've a limited understanding of the affairs of prostitutes and pig-farmers." If you increase Serault's Dignity, the Dowager's advice will become more lucrative.
+(3 to 5) clues
2.
Dine with the Dowager
(Requires Dignity > 50) As Serault grows in sophistication, she has settled at the centre of a web of social engagements and privileged connections.
Result: An educational evening She chose the other guests carefully. The food is good, the wine strong, and the mood is one of companionable honesty. You learn many things you'd never have heard by other means.
+(5 to 7) Clues
3.
Listen to her tales of long-dead Emperors Three cups of Serault cider loosens her tongue. She was quite the scholar before she married, collecting letters, journals, and edicts written by Orlais' emperors and empresses.
Result: "Don't make Reville's mistakes. Caution is wise. Fear is poison." You debate the wisdom and - more commonly - the follies of Orlais' rulers, and how they pertain to the current situation in Serault. The Dowager is frank. The cider's flush peeps rosily through the powder she uses to pale her cheeks. As the evening winds on, she frees the hard bun of her hair. It's long and grey, reaching past her waist. She spurns your invitation to remove her mask, though. "These aren't the Korcari Wilds," she reproaches.
-(Rulership) in Clues, +3 Rulership
Result (alternate): "Drakon's faith was pragmatic, not revelatory..." You argue long into the evening. Should Etienne I have ended the Exalted March against the Qunari when he did? Was Florian's appointment of his own cousin Meghren as King of Ferelden motivated by his head or his heart? Did Emperor Reville suffer from a deficiency of restraint, or an excess of prudence?
-(Rulership) in Clues, +3 Rulership
4.
Flatter her with gifts She has a soft spot for animals. A swift merlin or soft-furred marten might improve her disposition.
Result: Natural philosophy She strokes and coos over your gift. "Do you know why I like animals so much? They understand their place. Feed a falcon and it will hunt for you. Pet a cat and it will purr. "But a peasant will eat what he is given then take his master's food from the plate. He will return kindness with rebellion. It is a consequence of circumstance and breeding. But they are what they are."
-5 Bags of Royals, +1 Favor
Result (alternate): The Dowager's sorrow "Thank you, my deer. The company of furred and feathered things is a solace to my loneliness. I miss my husband so. He was too good a man for this world. "He cared deeply for the small folk and their improvement. He even granted them voice in his counsel. But they are not equipped for it, poor things. Wilfulness flourished. Fields went untended. Order collapsed. And the meadows of our beloved Pastulaire were devoured by the forest."
-5 Bags of Royals, +1 Favor
5.
Invite her to become your counselor She is accustomed to rule. Her counsel will be direct and decisive.
Result: A new advisor "It would be an honor," she gives you a congratulatory smile, as if you'd finally come to your senses. "These are turbulent times, but together we can undo some of the damage of recent years."
-2 Favor, Dowager becomes Counselor with +20 Rulership, The Dowager's smile is triumphant as she moves to stand beside your high seat
6.
Ask the Dowager to visit a recalcitrant vassal
(Requires Dowager as Counselor) She sniffs. "I do not travel well. But if you deem it important, I will bear the discomfort in silence."
Result: "I hear the heat there is intolerable..." In fact, she bears the discomfort very loudly. The château breathes a unanimous sigh of relief when her carriage trundles through the gates and out of earshot. . Her sojourn is brief, though. She returns with your vassal's renewed fealty and a number of minutely-scrutinised observations about their fief.
+1 Rulership, +10-11 Clues, +22 Dignity, +Authority, -1 Favor
