This section contains spoilers for: Dragon Age: The Last Court.
The Sorceress arrives in Serault bearing a letter from Empress Celene, stating that she is to be afforded every aid and courtesy and is to be allowed to research at the Glassworks. Her real name is Morrigan.
If Morrigan is permitted to research in Serault...
Morrigan takes up residence in Chateau Serault while she conducts her mysterious research. She occasionally encounters the Marquis of Serault and the two develop a limited rapport.
Morrigan leaves Serault two weeks prior to DivineJustinia V's arrival after completing the repairs on the Eluvian. As she departs she offers the Marquis of Serault her aid in gratitude.
If Morrigan is turned away by the Marquis of Serault...
Morrigan seemingly leaves Serault immediately, but the glassworks become haunted, hinting she works on repairing the Eluvian there regardless. Every attempt to investigate the source of the haunting fails, until one day the Marquis has a chance to send their soldiers in. Should they do it and the action succeeds, soldiers report they saw a figure changing into a spider. They shoot at the spider when it tries to flee, wounding it and finding a staff in the glassworks, which the Marquis claims as a trophy.
Card Description[]
The Empress' 'occult advisor' is rarely seen about the château. She spends most of her time conducting her mysterious research at the glassworker's guild, but occasionally your paths cross.
You may gain clues, and learn more about your guest.
Available actions[]
1.
Invite her to go riding with you The Applewoods are charming today: speckled with sunlight and livened with birdsong.
Difficulty: Woods-wise*2
Success: She leans down in her saddle as a low branch crosses the trail. "This reminds me of home," she murmurs, looking into the green, delving spaces between the trees. She shakes her head, suddenly angry. "How is it possible I am nostalgic for the Korcari Wilds, of all places? The heart is a treacherous thing, your Grace. Never trust it." She tells you of her homeland, the beasts that dwell there, and the things that are worse than beasts.
+1 Woods-wise
Failure: "I grew up somewhere like this," she tells you, looking thoughtfully at the knotted trees and narrow shafts of sunlight. "Somewhere wild and remote. Not remote enough, sometimes. I remember once, a band of Templars came hunting for my mother and I. They thought that they would put an end to the Witches of the Wilds." She smiles, grimly, and tells you what happened to them. It's not a pretty memory.
+5 Twilight
2.
You find her in the library, idly examining a history of your family She points at the charred stain where the Shame's name has been seared from your family tree. "Tell me about him."
Difficulty: Scholarship*2
Success: You tell her stories you heard from your mother. The sorceress listens intently as the candles burn down, chuckling at the Shame's audacity. "I had heard of the Shame of Serault, of course, but I had no idea he was so entertaining. It must be nerve wracking to have that blood flowing in your veins." Her eyes are sharp. "To wonder if, one day, your ambition will turn out to be madness..."
+1 Authority, +1 Rulership
Failure: She listens carefully as the fire burns low and the shadows grow long. When you tell her of the Shame's fate - abomination, persecution, execution - she shakes her head. "Power is a difficult steed to ride. Not everyone can stay in the saddle." She studies you closely. Is she wondering if you're like him? Tainted with madness?
+5 Twilight
3.
Ask her about her work Dinner is served in the great hall. She sits alone at the far end of a table, her eyes dark with shadows. She coughs, the hoarse way the glassworkers do after a day at the ovens.
Difficulty: Freedom*6/5
Success: She smiles at your enquiries. "These are the Empress' secrets, not mine. All I can say is this: I am trying to mend something, and Serault is the perfect place to do it. Both for its mastery of glass, and for its discretion," she pointedly stresses the last word.
+6-9 Clues
Failure: She has little to say. "I am poor company this evening. The ovens were hot, glass is an intolerably wilful substance, and the glassworks are an unhappy place. I imagine they are what a Circle feels like. Gifted people, trapped in a cage." She snorts.
+7-10 Clues, +10 Rumors of Revolution
4.
Ask about her family She sits in the courtyard, watching the courtiers' children play at Wardens and Darkspawn.
Difficulty: Rulership*6/7
Success: You ask if she has children of her own. She does not answer. You ask about her parents, instead. She chuckles. "My mother is Flemeth, the Witch of the Wilds. Aye, I know a thing or two about having a notorious ancestor, your Grace." You trade tales of your predecessors and their long shadows. Sometimes a burden, sometimes a boon.
+7-10 Clues
Failure: She looks at you with a half-grin, but her eyes are hard. She gestures at the children. "This is not a childhood I recognise," she says. "The games my mother encouraged were less innocent. She spent most of her time trying to make me into something that would please her." At the mention of her mother, the last of her smile fades. She says no more, but sits and broods.
+10 Twilight, +6-10 Clues
5.
Ask her about magic You meet her in the corridor late one night, returning to her room after her day's work. Her staff glows with a clear blue flame, picking out every drifting mote of dust.
Difficulty: Derring-Do*2
Success: The blue flame blazes, then dims to a cool ember. "Magic thrives on use. A mage who fears her magic cannot master it. When the demons come calling, she will not have the strength to deny them. The Circles are a cage made from fear. I cannot decide who is more stupid: the ones who built the cage, or the ones who allow themselves to be put in it."
+6-10 Clues
Failure: The light snuffs out. The corridor is dark as pitch. "Magic?" her voice says from the dark, and you can hear her grin. "I don't know what you mean."
+5 Twilight, +7 Clues
6.
Ask about the Empress Her wine glass is empty. Her cheeks are flushed. Will she let something slip?
Difficulty: Cunning*6/5
Success: "The Empress likes to surround herself with exceptional people. She has impeccable taste in advisors, naturally. She and Grand Duke Gaspard have been at each other's throats all year. They refuse to call it a war, but there has been no shortage of casualties. On both sides."
+9-10 Clues
Failure: "Tell me, your Grace. When the Grand Duke makes his move - and perhaps he already has - who will you stand with? Gaspard or Celene? On second thought don't tell me. You never know who is listening, and today's answer could be tomorrow's treason."
+6-8 Clues, +1 Peril
7.
Ask about her mask Why doesn't she wear one?
Difficulty: Rulership*2
Success: She laughs. "Because I do not play games, your Grace, be they Great or otherwise." She shares several outrageous tales regarding the masked courtiers at the Empress' palace. "People find it easier to intrigue behind a mask. It is weakness. I commit my crimes barefaced."
+6-10 Clues
Failure: "My mask?" She leans close, whispers, "This is the mask, Scholar/Huntress. I thought I should wear something pretty."
+5 Twilight, +7-9 Clues
