The Orlesian Empire is probably best known for two things—being the birthplace of the Chantry and for its extravagant royalty and nobility. Orlais has a large aristocracy famed for its excess, in particular the fashionable use of cosmetics and complicated clothing, from colorful shoes to elaborate masks.[1]
The Grand Game[]
- Main article: The Grand Game
Among the Orlesian nobility, status and appearance are set above all things. Orlesian culture is renowned for its infighting, with every family engaging in what is known as the Grand Game whose object is to one-up rival nobles.[2]
Ennoblement[]
Outside of Orlais, it is believed that the lower classes find nobility and the Game contemptible. In truth, most Orlesians aspire to become its participants – even Briala's parents were players of the Game,[3] even though they were only servants, and elven ones at that. Some say that Orlais is a kind of meritocracy, and it is true that anyone could conceivably join the ranks of nobility if they become wealthy enough. For example, a lucky merchant with a powerful patron could gain a title through the Council of Heralds. However, it is exceptionally rare and for most commoners ennoblement remains an unattainable goal.[2]
Titles[]
Emperor Drakon, the founder of the Empire, abolished all noble titles with the exception of Lord, Lady and Emperor, fearing that the Grand Game would tear the nation apart. It did not end the Game as Drakon had intended and only made it worse. The nobles began to find other ways to state their superiority and even collect unofficial titles, such as "the exalted patron of Tassus Klay" or "uncle to the champion of Tremmes".[4] With this failure the official titles would later be restored.[5]
Titles other than Lord and Lady were abolished again in 8:29 Blessed by Emperor Reville. He decreed that no noble of Orlais was the equal of the Imperial family and thus all would only carry the title of Lord or Lady in his presence. This resulted again in the use of unofficial titles among the nobles. Outside of the Imperial court, the use of both, the traditional titles and the ornate, unofficial ones, continued as a social matter. Reville also bestowed new titles to certain nobles during this period.[6]
When Reville died in 8:51 Blessed, many among the gentry hoped their titles would be restored. Many nobles with pre-existing, traditional titles claimed the new Lords and Ladies only deserved their new title, which naturally placed them lowest in the hierarchy of the Game. This nearly sparked civil war within the empire. It took the assassination of Emperor Etienne II[7] to decree that courtly titles would be maintained—with tacit recognition of “unofficial” titles being handled through the use of the Council of Heralds.[6]
Titles are granted by the Orlesian Council of Heralds.
Aristocratic titles and appropriate forms of address[8] Masculine Feminine Form of address Usage Emperor Empress Your Radiance,
Your Imperial MajestyTitle for the Orlesian ruler and his or her spouse. Prince Princess Your Imperial Highness Title for direct family members of the ruler, including their children and siblings. Grand Duke Grand Duchess Your Highness Title for those who were once princes or princesses but are no longer directly related to the emperor. Not hereditary. Duke Duchess Your Grace The highest noble title. Marquis Marquise Your Grace Noble title. Lower than duke/duchess. Comte Comtesse Your Lordship/Ladyship Noble title. Lower than marquis/marquise. Baron Baroness Your Lordship/Ladyship Lowest noble title, often considered the equivalent of lord or lady. Lord Lady Monsieur/Madame,
"de" or "du" honorificCourtesy title for spouses of Dukes, Marquis's, Comte's, and Baron's. Acceptable address for any nobility, no matter the rank, but not royalty. Chevalier Dame Ser Title reserved for the order of Orlesian knights.
Known royalty[]
Emperors and Empresses (dated reigns)[]
- Emperor Kordillus Drakon I – the first Emperor of Orlais; ruled from -3 Ancient to 1:45 Divine
- Empress Area Drakon – the wife of Kordillus I[9]
- Emperor Kordillus Drakon II – the son of Kordillus I and the second Emperor of Orlais, crowned in 1:45 Divine
- Empress Jeaneve Drakon I – one of the early Orlesian rulers; she created many of the traditions and practices of the imperial court; her guard, the Empress's Arm, were one of the main predecessors of the chevaliers[10]
- Emperor Xavier Drakon – deposed by Alphonse Valmont in the late Exalted Age; he was the last of the Drakon dynasty to hold the Orlesian throne
- Emperor Alphonse Valmont – the first of the Valmont dynasty to rule Orlais
- Empress Merise Valmont – ruled from 6:19–6:43 Steel[11]
- Emperor Freyan Valmont – ascended to the throne in 7:44 Storm; known for abolishing the law that disallowed women from joining the Orlesian knighthood[12]
- Emperor Cyril Valmont – ruler during the liberation of Kirkwall from the Qunari in 7:60 Storm[13][14]
- Emperor Etienne Valmont I – the Emperor who presided over the end of the Exalted Marches against the Qunari;[15] he ruled from 7:71 Storm to 8:21 Blessed [16][17]
- Empress Sotiria Pentaghast – second wife of Emperor Etienne I between 7:82-7:97 Storm
- Empress Yvette – third wife of Emperor Etienne I between 7:97 Storm-8:21 Blessed (his death)
- Emperor Reville Valmont – known as the "Mad Emperor"; he ruled from 8:21–8:51 Blessed and ordered the second and successful invasion of Ferelden[18][16][19]
- Emperor Etienne Valmont II – ruled from 8:51–8:55 Blessed;[16][20] he lost his life amidst the political turmoil left by Reville[7]
- Emperor Judicael Valmont I – ruled from 8:55–8:70 Blessed;[16][21] he rebuilt the Winter Palace in Halamshiral
- Emperor Judicael Valmont II – ruled from 8:70–8:84 Blessed[16][22]
- Emperor Florian Valmont – ruled from 8:84 Blessed to 9:19 Dragon;[23][24] lost Ferelden to a rebellion
- Empress Justinia – wife of Emperor Florian[25]
- Empress Celene Valmont I – crowned Empress in 9:20 Dragon after her uncle Florian died of natural causes; current ruler of Orlais as of 9:41 Dragon
- Emperor Gaspard de Chalons (conditional) – can be crowned Emperor in 9:41 Dragon if his cousin Celene I is assassinated;[26] first ruler of Chalons dynasty
Emperors and Empresses (undated reigns)[]
- Empress Aimee[27]
- Empress Celeste[28]
- Emperor Corentine[29]
- Empress Vougienev[30]
- Emperor Leandre I[31]
- Emperor Leandre II[31]
- Empress Michele de la Tour de Fermin[32]
Princes and Princesses[]
- Crown Prince Etienne III – one of Emperor Judicael II's twin sons; he died during the Hundred Days Cough of 8:77 Blessed[33]
- Crown Prince Leopold – one of Emperor Judicael II's twin sons; he died during the Hundred Days Cough of 8:77 Blessed[33]
- Princess Evangeline – daughter of Emperor Florian; she died during the Hundred Days Cough of 8:77 Blessed[33]
Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses[]
- Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons – challenged Celene I's rule sparking a civil war
- Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons – sister of Gaspard; Grand Duchess of Lydes[34]
- Grand Duke Gratien – brother of Mad Emperor Reville, who ordered the murder of Gratien, his wife, children, and grandchildren out of fear of Gratien as a rival[35]
- Grand Duchess Leontine – daughter of Emperor Reville and sister to Emperors Etienne II and Judicael I[36]
- Grand Duke Reynaud – youngest son of Emperor Judicael I; brother to Emperors Judicael II and Florian; father of Empress Celene I[37]
- Grand Duchess Melisande – daughter of Emperor Judicael I; younger sister to Grand Duke Reynaud, Emperor Judicael II and Emperor Florian; mother to Grand Duke Gaspard and Grand Duchess Florianne[38]
Other known royalty[]
Known nobility[]
Dukes and Duchesses[]
- Duke Isidore d'Arlesans – younger brother of Emperor Alphonse Valmont[25][39]
- Duke Yvon of Savrenne – younger brother of Emperor Alphonse Valmont[25][39]
- Duke Stephan of Val Montaigne – younger brother of Emperor Alphonse Valmont[25][39]
- Duchess Clarisse de Montfort – mother of Empress Celene I
- Duke Cyril de Montfort – the youngest member of the Council of Heralds;[40] son of Duke Prosper[41]
- Duke Prosper de Montfort – a close friend and cousin of Celene I[37]
- Duke Remache of Lydes – Gaspard de Chalons' ally during the Orlesian Civil War; his death sparked a succession crisis between his daughter Monette, his brother Jean-Gaspard and his cousin Caralina[42]
- Duchess Marissa de Ghislain – died in 8:96 Blessed of the blue death; she was later succeeded by her younger brother Bastien
- Duke Bastien de Ghislain – Grand Duke Gaspard's father-in-law; [37] head of the Council of Heralds and the lover of Madame Vivienne
- Duchess Nicoline – Duke Bastien's wife and Grand Duke Gaspard's mother-in-law
- Duke Laurent de Ghislain – son of Duke Bastien de Ghislain and Duchess Nicoline; member of the Council of Heralds
- Duke Germain de Chalons – member of the Council of Heralds; paternal uncle to Grand Duke Gaspard[43]
- Duke Theodore de Chalons – husband of Grand Duchess Melisande; father of Grand Duke Gaspard and Grand Duchess Florianne
- Duke Stefan de Firmin – duke of Val Firmin and husband of Duke Remache's cousin Caralina[42]
- Duke de Freyen – a dignitary paying tribute to the Inquisition[44]
- Duchess Yvonne Blanchard – duchess of Val Montaigne and a Chevalier; she fought at the battle of White River during the Fereldan Rebellion
- Duke Alvin Blanchard of Val Montaigne – a cousin of the Imperial Family with connections to Florianne de Chalons and the Venatori[34]
- Duke Valere Fontaine[45][34]
- Duchess Nicole de Val Montaigne – a member of the Orlesian Society for the Protection of Historic Architecture interested in restoring Judicael's Crossing in Emprise du Lion[46]
- Duke Eneas[47]
- Duke Genelle[48]
- Duchess de Savrenne – unnamed duchess who, in 9:41 Dragon, had originally ordered stone from Sahrnia—she later changed her mind and donated to the building of a fountain in honor of Celene's war efforts[49]
Marquis and Marquises[]
- Marquis de Chevin – one of Celene's closest allies; along with Houses Ghislain, Morrac and d'Argent, he makes up the "northern host" of the Empress' supporters[50]
- Marquis de Montsimmard – joint ruler, with his wife Cosinne, of Montsimmard; they have strong ties to the Montsimmard Circle of Magi;[51] father of Lienne de Montsimmard
- Marquise Cosinne de Montsimmard – wife of Marquis de Montsimmard; mother of Lienne de Montsimmard
- Marquis DuRellion
- Lady Mantillon – an elite player of the Grand Game[52]
- Marquise Mantillon – a member of the Council of Heralds[53]
- Marquis of Salmont – a friend of Meghren[54]
- Marquis Etienne de Chevin – a member of the Council of Heralds[40]
- Marquis Lambert Valmont – father of Alphonse Valmont; the first Valmont Emperor; served in the Orlesian Imperial Army as a Captain during the Fourth Blight
- The "Shame of Serault" – great grandfather to the current Marquis of Serault; he was secretly an Apostate aage who became an Abomination
- Marquis of Serault – the young ruler of Serault in western Orlais in 9:40 Dragon; protagonist of Dragon Age: The Last Court
- Marquise Yvette – Empress and third wife of Emperor Etienne Valmont I; she held the title of Marquise during the reign of her son, Emperor Reville[55]
- Marquis of Alyons – better known as "His Dour Lordship"
- Briala – Marquise of the Dales; granted ruler-ship over the Dales[56]
- Marquise Effiloche Bouffon – ruler of Val Gamord and a Venatori associate[57]
- Marquis Wiscotte[58]
- Marquis Pellantaise – a collector from Ghislain[59]
- Marquis d'Archambon – an explorer killed by a bogfisher[60]
- Marquis Reginald Montclair – granted a marquisate by Emperor Cyril Valmont for administration of Halamshiral in the Storm Age[13]
- Marquis d'Lussard – author of "The Further Journeys of Marquis d'Lussard, with an Emphasis on Food and Drink, with Full Illustrations by the Author"[61]
- Marquise Courtemance – a marquise from the Heartlands[62]
- Marquise Freyette – writer of the play "The Sword of Drakon: an Examination of the Life and History of the Father of Orlais"[63]
- Marquis Etienne – a supposedly very handsome noble attending the Winter Palace[64]
- Marquise Solange Levesque of Montvent – ambassador of Orlais to Nevarra[65]
- Marquise Hedinelle – a noblewoman who has many allergies and is a dignitary to the Inquisition
- Marquis Alphonse – nephew to the Vicomtesse of Mont-de-glace
Comtes and Comtesses[]
- Comte Alphonse Valmont
- Comte Reynaud de Launcet – father of Guillaume de Launcet
- Comte Guillaume de Launcet – was once engaged to Leandra Amell of Kirkwall
- Comte Dorian – he owned Fiona and abused her as a slave—he was eventually slain by her with magic[66]
- Comtesse Dulci de Launcet – wife of Comte Guillaume de Launcet
- Comtesse Jeannevere[67]
- Comte Brevin de Chalons of Montfort[68]
- Comte Guy de Montfort – provided Ser Michel de Chevin's letter of introduction to the Academie des Chevaliers[69]
- Comte Pierre of Halamshiral – ruler of Halamshiral and a nobleman somewhat sympathetic to the elven plight[70]
- Comte Chantral of Velun – an ardent suitor for Celene's hand[71]
- Comtesse d'Argent – an ally of Celene I[50]
- Comtesse Elodie
- Comtesse Helene – a patron of learning attempting to sponsor an elven math prodigy named Lennan being accepted into the University of Orlais[72]
- Comtesse Solange Montbelliard – also known as "The Silver Lady of Churneau" and a member of the Council of Heralds[73][40]
- Comte Evram de Morrac – ruler of Val Firmin during the late Exalted Age along with his wife Louise; previous owners of the orlesian mask—the Curse of Morrac
- Comte Renald de Mourier – a distant relation of Empress Celene[62][74]
- Comte Boisvert – owner of the Boisvert Mansion in Val Royeaux
- Comte Gerard of Jader[75]
- Comte Marius de Poisson – a comte with lands bordering the Ylenn Basin[76][40]
- Comte Etienne – sponsored Lord Seeker Lambert van Reeves into the Templar Order
- Comte Lothaire Doucy – member of the Council of Heralds[7][40]
- Comtesse de Bayard[77]
- Comtesse d'Arnee[78]
- Comtesse Simone of Savrenne – one of the previous owners of the Misfortune's Bite axe
- Comtesse Lutetia – a dignitary with a peculiar obsession with butterflies and patron of the arts; she was once a visitor and guest of the Inquisition
- Comtesse Dauvern[79]
Vicomtes and Vicomtesses[]
- Vicomte de Melun – rumored to have been conducting an affair with his stepdaughter[80]
- Vicomte Tremane Pontival – brother to Leontine Pontival—who died during the events at Therinfal; challenged Commander Cullen to a duel[81]
- Vicomtesse Elodie de Morreau – a friend and associate of both Josephine and First Enchanter Vivienne[82][34][74]
- Vicomtesse Solange – the Vicomtesse of Mont-de-glace
Barons and Baronesses[]
- Baron Arlange
- "The Cheery Baron"
- Baron Edouard Desjardins
- Baron Remille Doucy – the original owner of the Mask of the Baron
- Baron Havard-Pierre d'Amortisan
- Baron Severin Doucy of Jader[65]
- Baroness Natale de Lasouche – Josephine's friend who helped the Inquisition defeat Marquise Bouffon[83]
- Baron of Rosfort – a tyrannical baron who lived during the Exalted Age[84]
Lords and Ladies[]
- Lord Esmeral Abernache
- Lord Fortier of House Aigle[47]
- Lady Alcyone – author of "The Dowager's Field Guide to Good Society" and "A Guide to Good Society"
- Lady Corinne d'Ameride[85]
- Lord Bellien[86]
- Lord Bencour – a nobleman of Halamshiral; considered by the City elves something of a deadbeat regarding payment of his debts[87]
- Lady Wilhelmina Bonchance – author of the portrait book "The Gallery of Knaves"[29]
- Lord Vincent Callier – an ally of Empress Celene; he was murdered along his entire family in 9:35 Dragon[88]
- Lady Cambienne – a guest at the Winter Palace; her family is known to have lost some of their holdings but they somehow managed to hold onto their titles[89]
- Lady Castine[90]
- Lady Colombe – handmaiden to Empress Celene I
- Lady Couteau – handmaiden to Empress Celene I
- Lady Dever[86]
- Lord Emile Deveraux – "the Golden Prince" of the Summer War[91]
- Lady Arlette Doucy – wife of Baron Severin Doucy of Jader[65]
- Lord Edmond Doucy – son of Baron Severin Doucy of Jader and Lady Arlette; student to the composer Emeline of Montsimmard[65]
- Lord Durand – father of Mother Petrice
- Lady Elspeth[92]
- Lord Ezoire – ruler of Ezoire[93]
- Lady Ivaline Fernande[94]
- Lady Fleur – handmaiden to Empress Celene I
- Lord Ademar Garde-Haut – royal historian and author of several codex entries[36][95][96]
- Lord Benoit Gelinaux[97]
- Lady Simone Therese Germaine – author of "An Illumination of the Art and Artifacts of the Imperial Court of Orlais"[98]
- Lady Calienne de Ghislain – wife of Grand Duke Gaspard
- Lord Norbert de la Haine – ordered the construction of Chateau Haine in the Black Age[99]
- Lord Halevine[90]
- Lady Seryl of Jader – a loyal ally of Empress Celene I[100]
- Lord Werner Jauquin – author of "Tales of Val Royeaux"[101]
- Lady Ginette Lagaspe – allied with Marquise Bouffon[57]
- Lord Rudalt de Lancre – has a company of soldiers[102]
- Lord Jecin Leandre – lover of Lady Celeste Thibault and ally to the Inquisition.[103]
- Lord Giroux Lemarque – father of Bernice Lemarque and Fairbanks' grandfather[104][105]
- Lord Evariste Lemarque – more commonly known as "Fairbanks"[106][105]
- Lady Adele Lescot[107]
- Lord Chancer de Lion – a trainer for the Inquisition
- Lady Madeline – renowned author and poet; daughter of Marquise Solange Levesque of Montvent[65]
- Lord Francois Maigny – author of "Aveline, Knight of Orlais"[108]
- Lord Mainserai – a little-liked nobleman of Halamshiral[109]
- Lady Marcellette – Imperial Court Historian and Personal Court Historian to Empress Celene I
- Lord Roux Marchette – declared himself king of the Nahashin Marshes during the Glory Age[110]
- Lord Basile Maron[111]
- Lady Ducette Maron – Lord Basile's daughter[111]
- Lord Ramond Maurel – owner of Villa Maurel, located in the Emerald Graves
- Lady Amelie de Montfort – wife of Duke Prosper de Montfort and mother to Cyril de Montfort
- Lord Joffrey of Montfort – a courtier who left his wife, Lady Chantal, to become a Chantry initiate[112]
- Lady Chantal of Val Chevin – former wife of Lord Joffrey of Montfort[112]
- Lord Montlaures – father of Area—the wife of Kordillus Drakon I
- Lord Aurelien of Montsimmard – commissioned the Summer Sword for his youngest son Luis in 8:84 Blessed[113]
- Lord Avery of Montsimmard[114]
- Lady Nester[115]
- Lord D'Onterre – owner of Chateau d'Onterre located in the Graves[116]
- Lord Firmin – Grand Cleric Victoire's cousin[117]
- Lady Pendell[118]
- Lord Ignace Poulenc – he and his wife discovered the beneficial properties of "Salubrious Embrium"[119]
- Lord Renaures – author of "A short primer of Orlais' most excellent and inspiring history"[120]
- Lady Eustace Richelieu – a noble matchmaker[121]
- Lord Pierren desRosier – possible ally to the Inquisition[122]
- Lady Sennova[123][124]
- Lady Jonquil Severin – author of "Lifestyles of the Wealthy and Politically Influential"[125]
- Lady Sidonia[126]
- Lady Marchellette – Lady Sidonia's daughter[126]
- Lady Vauclain of House Souris[47]
- Lady Velise Thibault – possible ally to the Inquisition[122]
- Lady Celeste Thibault – Lady Velise's daughter; lover of Jecin Leandre[127]
- Lady Amandine du Val[29]
- Lord Eustace of Val Foret – bosom companion of Florian the Glorious and Principal Patron of Leorande the Younger[128]
- Lady Cerise – wife of Lord Eustace[128]
- Lord Remi Vascal – more commonly known as the Black Fox
- Lady Cecilie Vasseur – lover of music and guardian of Leliana following the death of Oisine—Leliana's mother and Cecilie's handmaiden;[129] she and her household left Ferelden following the Fereldan Rebellion[130]
- Lord Pierre of House Veneur[47]
- Lord and Lady Verchin[94]
- Lady Guinevere Volant – an Inquisition agent[131]
Note texts[]
Notes[]
- Although Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1 says the title of prince/princess is reserved for direct relatives of the current ruler, including siblings and children, and grand duke/grand duchess is conferred upon former princes and princesses who are no longer directly related to the present ruler,[8] the distinction in practice appears slightly different:
- Gratien Valmont,[55] Leontine Valmont,[133] and Florian Valmont were all referred by the title of grand duke/grand duchess during their elder brothers’ reigns.[24]
- While Florian’s younger siblings, Reynaud and Melisande, are most commonly referred to as prince and princess,[134][33] they are also referred to as grand duke and grand duchess.[135][136]
- Gaspard[137] and Celene[138] both previously held the title of prince and princess as nephew and niece to Emperor Florian.
- Florian's only daughter, Evangeline, is named as princess, despite the fact that she died before her father became emperor, and thus when he still used the title of grand duke.[33]
- This suggests that children of grand dukes/grand duchesses are also given the title of prince/princess, and not only the children of the current ruler, and that a prince/princess becomes grand duke/grand duchess when one of their generational princes or princesses (i.e. a sibling or first cousin) assumes the throne.
- Gaspard de Chalons retains his title of "Grand Duke" as one of his titles if he becomes Emperor of Orlais.[139]