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“Unlike other cities, where the people are the life-blood and the character, Val Royeaux was her own person, and her people little more than decorations. There was always music in Val Royeaux, streaming from the many windows—quiet refrains and triumphant choruses. And always, floating above that all, the Chant, coming from the Grand Cathedral. It was magnificent.” ―Leliana

Val Royeaux is the capital-city of Orlais and seat of the Orlesian Chantry. It lies on the northern coast of the far inland tip of the Waking Sea. It is one of the largest cities in Thedas.[1] The city's residents refer to themselves as "Royans."[2]

Background[]

Val Royeaux is not only the secular capital of Orlais, but also the capital of the Chantry, the seat of the Divine being located at the Grand Cathedral of Val Royeaux. Inside the Cathedral, members of the Chantry perform a ritual where the entire Chant of Light is sung, a process thought to take about a fortnight to complete. From the White Spire, the Knight-Vigilant of the templars directs the Order. Val Royeaux is also where aging templars retire to when they can no longer adequately perform their services due to mental deterioration caused by long-term lyrium dependency.

The city can be entered through two different gates—the imposing Sun Gates made of steel covered with golden façade, and the more modest Night Gate. In times of crisis, the entrances are sealed. During the Dragon Age, the city was closed off at least twice—in 9:22 when dragons attacked the Grand Cathedral, and then in 9:40 as the Orlesian Civil War began.[3]

Val Royeaux is home to the University of Orlais, a major center of learning that attracts young nobles from all over Thedas with the best education money can buy. It is a relatively modern institution whose liberal-minded professors have already clashed with religious conservatives over the content of their classes.

The Alienage of Val Royeaux is the most populated and dilapidated in Thedas, with over ten thousand elves living in an area roughly equivalent in size to the market in Denerim.[4]

History[]

The area of Val Royeaux was once populated by the tribes of the Ciriane. At the end of Andraste's Exalted March, these lands were granted to Isorath, eldest of Andraste's adopted sons. In -155 Ancient, to centralize trade and power, Isorath ordered sweeping changes in trade and forced relocations to break old allegiances in a moment known as the Grand Unification.[5] Several existing cities were leveled to make space for a capital worthy of his new nation: Val Royeaux.[6]

In 2:10 Glory, the elven army's capture of Montsimmard and march towards Val Royeaux prompted Divine Renata I to order the Exalted March of the Dales. Val Royeaux was eventually sacked by the elves in 2:14 Glory,[7] but was liberated later during the war.[8]

Involvement[]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


The Inquisitor may visit Val Royeaux anytime after speaking with Giselle in the Hinterlands during The Threat Remains and obtaining 4 Power. They go there in order to talk to the remaining Chantry mothers regarding their accusations and hoping that at least some of them will grow doubtful of the Chantry's claims about the newly formed Inquisition. After Revered Mother Hevara publicly denounces the Inquisition and declares its followers heretics, Lord Seeker Lucius interrupts her speech and one of the Templars under his command knocks her out. He mocks the Chantry mothers and dismisses any idea of allying with the Inquisition before leading all Templar forces out of the city, claiming it is not worthy of their protection.

Following this incident, the Inquisitor receives an official invitation by Imperial enchanter Vivienne to attend a party at the Duke Ghislain's estate, as well as instructions to meet Friends of Red Jenny member Sera in a secluded courtyard. Upon leaving the city, Grand Enchanter Fiona approaches the Inquisitor, explaining her rebel mages might be open to an alliance, if the Inquisitor comes to Redcliffe Village to negotiate.

The Inquisitor has no more official business in Val Royeaux, but may visit the capital again for shopping or on business related to or on behalf of their inner circle.


Places[]

Seeker hq

Seeker headquarters

Ico Area Map The Academie des Chevaliers[9]
Ico Area Map Avenue of the Sun[10]
Ico Area Map Belle Marché[11][12]
Boisvert Mansion Boisvert Mansion
Ghislain Estate Ghislain Estate
Grand Cathedral Grand Cathedral
Grande Royeaux Theater Grande Royeaux Theater[13][14]
Ico Area Map Headquarters for the Seekers of Truth
Ico Area Map The Imperial Palace[12]
Ico Area Map Lady Sennova's Manor
Ico Area Map The Night Gate[15][3]
Secluded Courtyard Secluded Courtyard
Summer Bazaar Summer Bazaar
Ico Area Map The Sun Gates[16][3]
Ico Area Map Sweetsong Brandy Parlour[17]
University of Orlais University of Orlais
Val Royeaux Prison Val Royeaux Prison
Vicinius's Home Vicinius's Home
White Spire White Spire

Characters[]

Merchants[]

Quests[]

A Friend of Red Jenny A Friend of Red Jenny
Heraldry from a Herald Heraldry from a Herald
The Imperial Enchanter The Imperial Enchanter
The Magister's Birthright The Magister's Birthright
Of Somewhat Fallen Fortune Of Somewhat Fallen Fortune
Revelations Revelations
The Threat Remains The Threat Remains
Under Her Skin Under Her Skin
An Unexpected Engagement An Unexpected Engagement

Collections[]

Skyhold Customizations[]

Chantry Banner Crown Chantry Banner Crown - available at the Skyhold Customization Merchant for 356 Currency (Inquisition) if the Herb Garden major upgrade was selected in Skyhold.
Circle of Magi Banner Crown Circle of Magi Banner Crown - available at the Skyhold Customization Merchant for 356 Currency (Inquisition) if the Templar Tower major upgrade was selected in Skyhold.
Templar Order Banner Crown Templar Order Banner Crown - available at the Skyhold Customization Merchant for 356 Currency (Inquisition) if the Mage Tower major upgrade was selected in Skyhold.

Songs[]

Song icon Three Little Empresses - obtained from a note attached to the bunk beds found inside the Skyhold Customization Merchant's store located on the Main Level.
Song icon She of the Highwaymen Repents - acquired from the note nailed to the gallows.

The following songs can be heard near Le Masque du Lion Café:

Song icon "Empress of Fire"
Song icon "Enchanters"
Song icon "I Am The One"
Song icon "Maker"
Song icon "Nightingale's Eyes"
Song icon "Oh, Grey Warden"
Song icon "Once We Were"
Song icon "Rise"
Song icon "Samson's Tale"
Song icon "Sera Was Never"

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: The Avenue of Her Reflective Thought Codex entry: The Avenue of Her Reflective Thought
Codex entry: Emperor Florian Codex entry: Emperor Florian
Codex entry: The Folly of General Not-Sheritan Codex entry: The Folly of General Not-Sheritan (part 3)
Codex entry: The Head of Madame Snappy-Snips Codex entry: The Head of Madame Snappy-Snips
Codex entry: La Pomme Vie et Morte Codex entry: La Pomme Vie et Morte
Codex entry: The Lover's Alcove Codex entry: The Lover's Alcove
Codex entry: Miroir de la Mère, Reville's Folly Codex entry: Miroir de la Mère, Reville's Folly
Codex entry: The Mystery and Meaning of Eight Silks Codex entry: The Mystery and Meaning of Eight Silks
Codex entry: Not of Heroes: The Death of Diversity Codex entry: Not of Heroes: The Death of Diversity
Codex entry: Not of Heroes: Division and Distance Codex entry: Not of Heroes: Division and Distance
Codex entry: Not of Heroes: Maferath and Sacrifice Codex entry: Not of Heroes: Maferath and Sacrifice
Codex entry: Not of Heroes: United in Hatred Codex entry: Not of Heroes: United in Hatred
Codex entry: The Randy Dowager Quarterly Codex entry: The Randy Dowager Quarterly (Spring, Winter & New Year)
Codex entry: A Season of the Four Afoul Codex entry: A Season of the Four Afoul
Codex entry: She of the Highwaymen Repents Codex entry: She of the Highwaymen Repents
Codex entry: The Summer Bazaar Codex entry: The Summer Bazaar
Codex entry: Val Royeaux Codex entry: Val Royeaux

Le Masque du Lion Café[]

Codex entry: "Empress of Fire" Codex entry: "Empress of Fire"
Codex entry: "Enchanters" Codex entry: "Enchanters"
Codex entry: "I Am The One" Codex entry: "I Am The One"
Codex entry: "Maker" Codex entry: "Maker"
Codex entry: "Nightingale's Eyes" Codex entry: "Nightingale's Eyes"
Codex entry: "Oh, Grey Warden" Codex entry: "Oh, Grey Warden"
Codex entry: "Once We Were" Codex entry: "Once We Were"
Codex entry: "Rise" Codex entry: "Rise"
Codex entry: "Samson's Tale" Codex entry: "Samson's Tale"
Codex entry: "Sera Was Never" Codex entry: "Sera Was Never"

Secluded Courtyard[]

Codex entry: The Friends of Red Jenny Codex entry: The Friends of Red Jenny
Codex entry: Sera Codex entry: Sera

Vicinius's Home[]

Codex entry: Charred Notebook Codex entry: Charred Notebook
Codex entry: Letter to a Slaver Codex entry: Letter to a Slaver

Note texts[]

Academic Notes Academic Notes (conditional)
The Avenue of Her Reflective Thought The Avenue of Her Reflective Thought
Difficult Time For Those Who Have Lost Difficult Time For Those Who Have Lost
The Emporium of Mortal Means The Emporium of Mortal Means
Favors for Favors for Friends Favors for Favors for Friends
Grace of the Empire Grace of the Empire
Her Majesty's Convenience Her Majesty's Convenience
Invitation: First Enchanter Vivienne Invitation: First Enchanter Vivienne
Le Masque du Lion Le Masque du Lion
The Lions of Orlais The Lions of Orlais
Longing and the Upper Court Longing and the Upper Court
Pillars of Her Everlasting Flame Pillars of Her Everlasting Flame
Reservoir Stocking Evaluation Reservoir Stocking Evaluation
The Summer Home of Messere Glubs The Summer Home of Messere Glubs
Victory and Shade Victory and Shade
The Waiting Alcove The Waiting Alcove

Vicinius's Home[]

Invoice for Slaves Invoice for Slaves

Trivia[]

  • Although the upper market is divided into four quarters, the southeast quarter does not have a fast travel door and is thus unreachable.

See also[]

Codex entry: The Orlesian Empire Codex entry: The Orlesian Empire
Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 4 Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 4

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. "Interactive Map of Thedas". GameInformer. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  2. Dragon Age: Inquisition load screen card.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dragon Age: Asunder, p. 288
  4. Codex Entry: Alienage Culture
  5. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 67
  6. Codex entry: Not of Heroes: The Death of Diversity
  7. Shield of the Emperor
  8. Bane of Red Crossing
  9. Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, Chapter 2
  10. A major thoroughfare.
  11. A bustling marketplace.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Dragon Age: Asunder, p. 236
  13. The Empire's most renowned theater.
  14. Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, p. 106
  15. A less imposing entrance to Val Royeaux.
  16. Impressive entrances into the city; made of steel and covered in a golden facade depicting the rise of Emperor Kordillus Drakon and said to blind an attacking army in full daylight.
  17. A popular tavern among the Orlesian Nobility.
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