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Cumberland is an influential port-city in the nation of Nevarra, seated alongside the Waking Sea. Its location gives it access to trade with the Free Marches and beyond. Over the last century, Cumberland has taken advantage of this to expand into one of the largest cities in Thedas.[1] Cumberland is also where the College of Magi routinely convene and is the seat of the Grand Enchanter. While Cumberland is a major metropolis, Nevarra City is the capital of the nation.

History[]

In 1:16 Divine, during the Second Blight, the Orlesian army under the command of Emperor Kordillus Drakon I won a hard-fought victory against the darkspawn horde in the Battle of Cumberland.[2]

Divine Amalthea II created the Conclave of Cumberland to establish Chantry canon.[3]

Cumberland used to be a Free Marches city at least until the Fourth Blight.[4] At some point in time, likely later in the Exalted Age, Cumberland became part of the Kingdom of Nevarra.[5]

The current Duke of Cumberland is Sandral Anaxas.[6]

Architecture and culture[]

Cumberland WoT2

A sketch of Cumberland by Brother Genitivi[7]

BioWare canon
The following information is only mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop. Certain portions of this media may no longer reflect currently established lore.

The city is crossed by River Cumber. Its roads are paved with cobblestones, the streets typically lined with three-story buildings, many of which have ornate facades[8] In the older portions of the city the streets are narrow, but most are spacious to accommodate carts and traders. Nevarran veneration of the dead is seen in the city by the skillfully crafted statues of heroes past that fill the city's many courtyards.

Armed guards stand watch outside of the wealthy districts of the city and inhabitants and visitors are therefore not allowed to walk about armed. Those who appear uncouth or of low standing are looked upon with disdain.[9]

Places[]

  • College of Magi[10] – a massive, elaborately designed structure featuring a spired golden dome called the Sun Dome; once the palatial home of a Duchess,[11] it is here that First Enchanters gather to elect the Grand Enchanter, their representative to the Chantry and their chief adviser on all matters magical; the building features an entryway with sandstone busts of every Grand Enchanter to hold the office for the last 600 years on display, and the "red auditorium," a grand meeting space with a mahogany dome.[11]
  • Forsythia Ancestral Estate[12] – the residence of the noble Forsythia family
BioWare canon
The following information is only mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop. Certain portions of this media may no longer reflect currently established lore.

  • The Diamond Lass[13] – a lavish inn in The Dragon's Den district; drinks are served in crystal goblets worked with runes to keep the beverages chilled
  • The "Dragons' Den"[14] – the city's dwarven trade enclave; a walled-off area several blocks square and adjacent to the wealthy human neighborhoods; all the enclave's buildings are made of stone and designed in the dwarven architectural style
  • Tournament Grounds[8] – an arena for tests of combat, both magical and melee

Trivia[]

BioWare canon
The following information is only mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop. Certain portions of this media may no longer reflect currently established lore.

  • The name of the dwarven enclave derives from the Nevarrans' nickname for their gold currency: "dragons."[14]
  • Cumberland is so large the city of Denerim could be contained three times in its borders.[9]

References[]

  1. Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide, p. 347
  2. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 61
  3. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 61
  4. Dragon Age: Last Flight, Chapter 21: "[...] when they came to evacuate Cumberland and Kirkwall and all the other struggling Marcher cities [...]".
  5. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 51. Nevarra used to be a Marcher city-state as well, it greatly expanded in the Exalted Age.
  6. The College of Magi war table operation
  7. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 131
  8. 8.0 8.1 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide, set 2, p. 49
  9. 9.0 9.1 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide, set 2, p. 51
  10. Codex entry: Circles Within Circles
  11. 11.0 11.1 Dragon Age: Asunder, p. 392-393, ISBN 978-0-7653-6670-2
  12. Dragon Age: Magekiller, Issue 3, p. 1
  13. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide, set 2, p. 54
  14. 14.0 14.1 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide, set 2, p. 50
  15. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 234
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