Character Empress Celene I
Race:	Human
Gender:	Female
Title:	Empress
Appearances:	Dragon Age: Origins (mentioned) Dragon Age II (mentioned) Dragon Age: Asunder (mentioned) Dragon Age: The Masked Empire (will appear)

The current Empress of the Orlesian Empire, Empress Celene I lives up to the memory of her predecessors.

Background Edit

Celene was sixteen when she ascended to the Orlesian throne in 9:20 Dragon, and she has never married.^[1] Her ascension is swathed in rumours, with some Orlesians claiming that she organized the assassination of her uncle to seize power.

Celene is an amateur scholar and her patronage of education and the arts has led to a cultural renaissance in her empire.

She is willing to put historical disputes behind her, and enter into an alliance with Ferelden, though it should be said this alliance would ultimately benefit her. She was a close contact of King Cailan Theirin, and the two of them were united in their stance against the Fifth Blight, with Celene even sending a legion of Chevaliers to aid Ferelden.

Involvement Edit

Dragon Age: Origins Edit

“We now have a dog and Alistair is still the dumbest one in the party.” — Morrigan This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: Origins. Click here to reveal them.

While Celene is not directly featured in the game, she is referenced several times. In the Return to Ostagar DLC, it is revealed that the Empress and King's relationship was more than political. Confidential letters found in Cailan's chest at Ostagar reveal that Celene was indeed prepared to enter into an alliance with Ferelden, though it would be an alliance of marriage. Cailan intended to divorce his current wife, Queen Anora, and marry Celene.

Depending on player's choices, a possible epilogue slide mentions that a dark haired sorceress has insinuated herself into the Empress' royal court.

Dragon Age II Edit

“There are men who embrace destiny; these are the ones that change the world forever.” — Flemeth This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age II. Click here to reveal them.

Celene is referenced many times in Dragon Age II, such as when the merchant Hubert claimed that he once sold a seat cushion to her. Celene is also mentioned to be trying to mend fences with Ferelden but some Orlesian nobility are looking forward to reconquer the valley due to it being weakened by the Blight.

By 9:37, Bodahn Feddic mentions to Hawke that Celene has heard of Sandal's (his son's) unique enchantments, and become extremely interested in them. She extends an invitation to Bodahn and Sandal to visit her court, so she can witness Sandal's abilities first hand.

Dragon Age: Asunder Edit

“I spent my time cleaning. Like a servant.” — Shale This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: Asunder. Click here to reveal them.

Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons has conspired to overthrow Empress Celene. The Grand Duke lured Celene out of Val Royeaux with news of an elven rebellion in Halamshiral. With Celene out in the open in the east and not expecting a coup d'etat, she was vulnerable to the Grand Duke's ambush. Rumors from the east whisper that she's been killed, while others say she's been captured. Still others say she's holed up with her army at Jader, and that Gaspard has cut off the western highway. Her allies have assembled the northern host in preparation for civil war.

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire Edit

Celene is known to play a major role in the upcoming novel, Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, where she struggles to keep mages under control, as well has having to deal with an elven uprising and the threat of a rebellion led by Chevalier Grand Duke Gaspard.^[2]

Trivia Edit

• David Gaider revealed that the original plot for Origins included a visit by Celene to Denerim. There it would have been learned that Cailan had planned to divorce Anora in favour of the Empress, and that Teyrn Loghain had discovered this scheme.^[3]

Codex entries Edit

References Edit

1. ↑ Gaider, David. "How old is Empress Celene?" Bioware Social Network. Retrieved 28 March, 2012.
2. ↑ Tor Books [1]
3. ↑ Gaider, David. Interview at PAX in Sep 2010.