Orlais

Orlais is a country that features in Dragon Age.

History

Orlais was a human nation that formed in the lands of Thedas. Its origins were traced to when two human tribes named the Ciriane and the Inghirsh arrived in the region. The Ciriane came to settle in the region of central Orlais with them being loosely defined but culturally rich. Meanwhile, the Inghrish moved to northern Orlais who had been easily defeated n their conflict against the Neromenians leading to them becoming a decentralised and nomadic people. The survivors were absorbed into the Ciriane or Planasene who were a tribe in present-day Nevarra. The Ciriane who were largely isolated came to be a strong and distinct group until the founding of Orlais where their culture began to disappear over time.

At the outbreak of the First Blight, the Ciriane fought besides the Tevinters and the Grey Wardens in order to defeat the Archdemon Dumat. Later on, during the Exalted March against the Tevinter Imperium, Andraste expelled the Tevinters from a large portion of Orlais. In -165 Ancient, after the end of the war, Maferath divided the lands of southern Thedas between himself and his sons. His eldest, Isorath, was put in charge of the lands west of the Fereldan Valley and tasked with unifying the disparate Ciriane tribes.

When Archon Hessarian revealed Maferath's betrayal of Andraste in -160 Ancient, Isorath initially managed to retain control of Orlais. However, his brother Verald lost control of Nevarra City and fled to Orlais, engaging in a lengthy power struggle to take it from his older brother. In -155 Ancient, the Ciriane united into a kingdom in a moment known as the Grand Unification, a forced campaign of sweeping changes meant to favor centralized trade and power in an attempt to create more efficient barriers against the likelihood of a Tevinter return to conquest. He leveled several existing cities to create Val Royeaux, the capital of his new nation, which he named Orlais. Jeshavis, angered by the forced unification of her people and unwilling to be ruled by the Alamarri, manipulated Verald into murdering his brother and all his direct children. After he married her to bring legitimacy to his claim, Jeshavis had him killed as well and became the first female chieftain of the Ciriane, or gyðja.

For almost two ages after Jeshavis, a gothi, or queen, chosen by the tribes of the Ciriana and Alamarri would rule the nation of Orlais. The process of choosing a new queen became deadlier each time, as old hatreds between clans grew stronger. In -36 Ancient, Castana, the daughter of a prominent chieftain and wife of Lord Septimus Drakon of Tevinter, was named queen. At the time, the nation she ruled over was not even half the size of modern-day Orlais. Their son was born shortly afterwards where he was named Kordillus Drakon. In -15 Ancient, a young king Kordilius Drakon of Orlais came to construct a great temple dedicated to the Maker and declared that by the time it was completed he would have united the warring southern city-states and brought Andrastian beliefs to the world.

By -3 Ancient, the temple was complete and Drakon was crowned the first ruler of the Empire of Orlais where his first act was to formally declare the Andrastian religion the primary faith of the state thus founding the Chantry.

Overview

Locations in Orlais included:

• Val Royeaux : the capital of Orlais which was the seat of the White Spire and home of the Grand Cathedral.
• Arlesans :
• Churneau :
• Ghislain :
• Halamshiral :
• Arbor Wilds :
• Lake Celestine :
• Adamant Fortress :

As a people, the Orlasians were famed for their culture and extravagance. There was an old Orlesian saying which said, "In uncertainty, find infinite possibility".

The humans of the kingdom came to establish the Orlesian Empire. One body established by a previous emperor was the Council of Heralds that was to be the arbiter over disputing involving titles and had the power to even overrule the commands of the monarch.

Bards often entertained nobles in their courts despite their roles as spies, assassins and saboteurs for their employers who were usually other nobles.

The Summerday holiday is particularly holy in Orlais. This holiday celebrates the beginning of summer and on this day children who come of age wear white tunics and gowns and join a procession to the local Chantry. When they reach it, they are taught the responsibilities of being an adult. It was celebrated at the beginning of Molioris.

An aristocracy existed within Orlais though this one different from the one in lands such as Ferelden as the Orlesians believed their right to rule stemmed from the Maker. There was no concept of rule by merit or slightest idea of rebellion as people were either nobles or aspired to become one through patronage. A system of noble titles existed in Orlais with it being far extending as individual titles included barons, baronnes, baronets, sur-barons and a host of others. Legally, titles and heraldry of the Orlesian nobility were banned but these persisted due to thousands of years of culture and tradition. The family lines could trace their ancestry to ancient great houses who would not give up on their titles. This led to numerous contesting claims of birth right and inheritance thus miring the claims over title. The Orlesian aristocracy was not only ancient but thus prone to competition amongst the nobles. The reformation of the system regarding titles was made to end the conflict but instead it changed as the nobles had now fought over unofficial titles.

Under Celene's rule, the restrictions on artistic expression imposed by the Chantry or the current ruler on theater were lifted, leading to a resurgence in popularity. The sphere of theater is a close reflection of the political climate of the country. Many a social scandal will even find itself immortalized as a play. Though theatrical works reflect central themes of Orlesian culture, such as disdain towards Fereldens and reverence for Kordilius Drakon, a few striking contrasts can also be found. In a country where The Grand Game can be a matter of life and death, a character's importance to the play and their gender is clearly defined by the appearance of their mask, an article which once donned, is understood to be absolutely them. Elves have also done well in the theaters of Orlais, and are not only allowed to hold main parts and play humans but can also socially progress upon becoming famous.

Orlais also has traditions of puppetry, many of which were taken from Antiva. The most famous puppet shows are baroquely ornate creations created for high opera or religious festivals. In the Dragon Age, shadow puppetry has risen in popularity.

All nobles thus participated in the Grand Game whether they were aware of it or not. This was a game that determined a nobles reputation and patronage with rumour and scandals being the primary weapon. It was said that more blood was drawn through the Grand Game than in battles fought. They were able operate within the Orlesian aristocratic life where they could act as palace servants, ladies-in-waiting and even as the chamberlain.

The throne of Orlais was protected by a personal cadre of assassins with these being the Shadows of the Emperor.

Within the empire were a group of warriors that joined the ranks of the Order of Chevaliers who were a knighthood dedicated in to protecting Orlais. Upon joining, the knights dedicating their lives to the empire with it being open to both men and women. However, it was rare for women to choose the harsh life of a Chevalier over one of comfort that could be achieved through marriage with children or peace of the Chantry. The rare few women that do join do so by following the path laid by Aveline who was the first female knight. Becoming one of these knights was said to be a true means of improving a nobles standing with this being a common choice for those nobles without land or those that lacked an heir to inherit their line. Most members of the Orlesian aristocracy were said to hold ties to the Order of Chevaliers. It was said that some Chevaliers abused their power and committed atrocities whilst using their position within the order.

The University of Orlais located in Val Royeaux was one of the oldest universities in Thedas and was a major center of learning that attracted young nobles from all over Thedas as it provided some of the best education one could buy.

Members

• Kordillus Drakon I :
• Jeshavis:
• Florian Valmont :
• Celene I :
• Gaspard de Chalons :
• Leliana :
• Aveline :

Notes

• Orlais was created by BioWare where it featured in the setting of the Dragon Age universe.

Appearances

• Dragon Age: Origins:
• Dragon Age II:
• Dragon Age: Inquisition:

External Links

• Dragon Age Wiki Entry

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