“We will be shepherds, and Serault our lamb. We shall see her to sunlit pastures. We shall stone the wolves who threaten her.”
The Elegant Abbess is the leader of the Abbey of the Bans, an unorthodox Chantry in Serault. She is quite charismatic. Although a comely Chanter always walks at her left hand, and a watchful shield-maiden in a green hauberk at her right, no-one looks at them. Everyone looks at the Abbess.
The Abbess is a member of the des Guenoles family and is the sister of The Muttering Banker. She forsook the life of nobility to join the chantry.
Card Description[]
A comely Chanter always walks at her left hand, and a watchful shield-maiden in a green hauberk at her right. But no-one looks at them. Everyone looks at the Abbess.
She rules the secluded Abbey of the Bans, where unorthodox Serault traditions coalesce with Andrastian worship. The Grand Cathedral would not approve, but it is very far away.
Involvement[]
This section contains spoilers for: Dragon Age: The Last Court.
She can be called upon to provide counsel to the player and can become a Lover after she becomes a counsellor to the Marquis of Serault.
Upon becoming counsellor:
“She seems surprised at the offer, and there is sadness in her smile. "I will miss my beautiful abbey, and the sweet chanting of my novices. But of course I will serve. We will be shepherds, and Serault our lamb. We shall see her to sunlit pastures. We shall stone the wolves who threaten her."”
Upon requesting wines from the Abbey:
“The Abbess has several choice barrels delivered to your cellars. A southern wine, black as pitch. A rich red to accompany venison. And a yellow wine of her own vintage, regarding which she is charmingly modest. The topic warms her, and she shares several rumors that have found their way to her lately."”
Upon becoming your lover:
“You share a goblet of wine atop the Foal's Tower. Serault is spread beneath you - the sharp-roofed town at your feet, the patchwork fields beyond, in the distance the long shadow of the forest. Your conversation turns from business to more personal matters, then falters. More goes unsaid than said. You don't remember what impulse moved you forward, but she came eagerly into your arms. Her lips found yours. The night was warm, the stars bright, and the chantry's bell was ringing.”
Seeking solace from your lover:
“She tends to your wounds with baths, herbs and unguents. She tends to your spirit with tenderness, humor and passion. You spend a few days secluded in her company. She leaves you with a wistful kiss and several books from her personal library. Most are works of long-dead poets, but the last is the private journal of an empress of Tevinter, minutely detailing not only her rule but also her extraordinarily licentious affairs.”
The Abbess discovers a wounded man outside the abbey. After ascertaining his identity, she brings him before the Marquis of Serault and states that he purports to be Carver Hawke, brother to Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall.
Later the Abbess requests the Marquis of Serault's aid in establishing a road through the forest connecting the Abbey of the Bans to Claose.
The Elegant Abbess is also secretly the leader of the cult of Masked Andraste.
“On the third night you don your antlered mask and ride into the woods. The disciples of the Masked Andraste await you, clad in chantry habits and black masks of charred wood. Their idol is an ancient wooden statue hung in the boughs of a slumping oak. Perhaps the face beneath its mask is that of Andraste. Perhaps it is best not to look too closely. Their leader approaches you. She is masked like the others, but you recognise the calm smile and the gentle fingers that press to your lips. 'There are no names here.' the Elegant Abbess whispers. 'No faces. Only old ways, and a bargain kept.' The moon is dark, the firelight coy. You witness the rites in flickering glimpses. The stag, trussed to a pole. The arrowhead, bronze and bright. The priestess' mouth, red in the night. When the ceremony is done, the leaves of the forest sigh like a lover and are still. The disciples bow to you and depart. In the days that follow Serault becomes a cornucopia of woodland bounty. Sweet fruit, nuts and rich game flow to your hall.”
Ask the Abbess about events in Serault Sin and salvation: the great secrets.
Result: Eyes on the ground The Abbey's priests travel across Serault wherever they are needed. They hear the plights of pauper and baron; merchant, miller and thief. The Abbess passes on the choicest pieces of information; or at least the ones she chooses to share.
+5 Clues
Result (alternate): The secrets of the confessional The Abbess accompanies you on a walk along the battlements, above the reach of prying ears. When one of Serault's elite wishes to discuss the state of their soul, they go to the Abbess. She is too discreet to reveal their secrets, of course, but she alludes carefully to a number of delicate situations you hadn't known about.
+5 Clues
2.
Ask the Elegant Abbess about the Elusive Iconoclast
(Requires Flames of Freedom) There is a religious dimension to the Iconoclast's revolution.
Result: A kind offer "Some poor lunatic, no doubt," the Abbess sighs. "It is easy to mistake madness for visitations. You have so many troubles; let me help you with this one. Though her sedition is secular, her heresy is not. Should you capture her, let her be the Chantry's problem. With care, prayer and seclusion she may even repent her errors." There's something she's not saying.
+8 Clues
3.
Tell her of the strangeness that troubles Serault The unfelt wind that stirs the leaves. Tales of maleficarum. The secrets that hide in the heart of the wood.
Result: Intercession Her lips curl into a smile. She adjusts her mask. "Be at ease your Grace. The Maker provided us with tools to overcome any labor. I will offer a chant to Andraste. She will not suffer this malevolence to endure." She summons her sisters. As they take their leave, they are deep in whispers. Within a few days, the portents abate. Serault feels ordinary again. Or as ordinary as things get, here at the edge of the world.
-(100-Twilight) in Clues, -10 Twilight
4.
Grant Land to the Abbey The Abbey, with its white walls and rose-gardens, is always first in her heart.
Result: A radiant smile "If you hear your name being whispered tonight, Scholar/Huntress, it has been carried to you on my prayers. Thank you. Now tell me, how do you think my fair abbey could best put your gift to use? A red orchard of apples? A mill and a pond of leaping fish? A field of golden corn?" She kisses your cheek. Her lips are soft as a butterfly, as warm as spiced wine.
-20 Prosperity, -4 Bags of Royals, +1 Favor
5.
Invite her to become your counselor She brings with her the Chantry's wisdom. And, importantly, its authority.
Result: A new advisor She seems surprised at the offer, and there is sadness in her smile. "I will miss my beautiful abbey, and the sweet chanting of my novices. But of course I will serve. We will be shepherds, and Serault our lamb. We shall see her to sunlit pastures. We shall stone the wolves who threaten her."
-2 Favor, Abbess becomes Counselor with +20 Scholarship
6.
Request wines from the Abbey
(Requires Abbess as Counselor) The Abbess keeps a small vineyard, and trades its product for other, more exotic, wines from across Orlais.
Result: Viands The Abbess has several choice barrels delivered to your cellars. A southern wine, black as pitch. A rich red to accompany venison. And a yellow wine of her own vintage, regarding which she is charmingly modest. The topic warms her, and she shares several rumors that have found their way to her lately.
+1 Viand, -1 Favor
7.
Confess your affection for the Elegant Abbess
(Requires Abbess as Counselor) You've been spending much time in each other's company, lately. There is a new fondness in her eyes.
Difficulty: Dignity*6/5, (uses 3 actions)
Success: The union of church and state You share a goblet of wine atop the Foal's Tower. Serault is spread beneath you - the sharp-roofed town at your feet, the patchwork fields beyond, in the distance the long shadow of the forest. Your conversation turns from business to more personal matters, then falters. More goes unsaid than said. You don't remember what impulse moved you forward, but she came eagerly into your arms. Her lips found yours. The night was warm, the stars bright, and the chantry's bell was ringing.
-2 Authority, Abbess becomes Lover with +20 Scholarship, The Abbess is no longer your counsellor, The Abbess is never far from your thoughts, You have taken a lover, You do not have a counsellor. Perhaps you could recruit one from the visitors to your court?
Failure: Not the right time You arrange a private supper of fresh fruits and sharp, white wine. The Abbess joins you, but she keeps the conversation to matters of business and trivia, deflecting your attempts to deepen it. The right moment never appears. When she departs, she leaves you with the scent of roses and the memory of her delicate fingers on your cheek.
-1 Authority
8.
Seek solace with the Abbess
(Requires Abbess as Lover) There are many demands upon her, but she always has time for you.
Result: Solace She tends to your wounds with herbs, baths and unguents. She tends to your spirit with tenderness, humor and passion. You spend a few days secluded in her company. She leaves you with a wistful kiss and several books from her personal library. Most are works of long-dead poets, but the last is the private journal of an empress of Tevinter, minutely detailing not only her rule but also her extraordinarily licentious affairs.
-1 Favor, +30-50 Health, +1 Scholarship, +(9 to 12) Clues
