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The Tevinter Imperium, or simply Tevinter, is the oldest extant human nation. It is located in northern Thedas between the Anderfels to the west, Nevarra and the Free Marches to the south, Antiva to the east and the Nocen Sea to the north. Additionally, it claims sovereignty over the isle of Seheron.[1] In ancient times, the Imperium had uncontested dominion over the entirety of Thedas and though it has lost much of its power, it remains an influential nation. Today the Imperium is nominally ruled by an Archon, but most power effectively lays in the hands of the Magisterium, the magocratic upper chamber of the Imperial Senate.[2][3] Minrathous, the largest city in Thedas, serves as the Imperium's capital.[4][5]

The first humans, which arrived in Thedas around -3100 Ancient, were all part of the Neromenian tribe and settled the coast of the Nocen Sea, in what is now Tevinter.[6] The elves progressively withdrew following their arrival, and humans were able to spread unchecked across the continent.[7] From -2800 Ancient, the worship of the Old Gods spread among the Neromenians, who learned their magic.[8] The Neromenians split into four kingdoms in -1700 Ancient. In -1195, the kingdoms were reunited by Darinius who became the first Archon. This marks the year 0 TE of the Imperial calendar.[9] He created what would go on to become the Magisterium and established contact and trade networks with the dwarves.[10] In -998 Ancient, following increased border tensions with the elves, the Imperium invaded Arlathan and sacked Elvhenan.[11] The Imperium was empowered by the enslaving of elvenkind[12] and spread rapidly across Thedas, subjugating many local human tribes and reaching the lands of the Avvar by -715 Ancient.[13] Between -692 and -620 Ancient, the Imperium was embroiled in a civil war over beliefs surrounding magic.[14] At its greatest extent the Imperium encompassed the majority of Thedas. During this period the construction of the Imperial Highway began, in an aim to connect the lands of the Imperium. A second civil war between -575 and -555 Ancient marked the end of the Imperium's golden age.

In -395 Ancient, following a ritual of massive proportions, a group of magisters unleashed the First Blight upon the world. The Blight, led by the now-corrupted Old God Dumat, lasted for nearly two centuries and ravaged the Imperium.[15] The Imperium was nearly defeated but was ultimately saved by the newly-formed Grey Wardens.[16] The Imperium was severely weakened by the conflict, and its weakness would be exploited by Andraste during the Exalted March against the Tevinter Imperium from -180 to -170 Ancient, expelling the Imperium from southern Thedas.[17] Rivain also waged a war against the Imperium and eventually became free in this period.[18] During the Second Blight, the Imperium abandoned the Anderfels in 1:05 Divine in an effort to protect Tevinter proper.[19] The Imperium converted to Andrastianism, adapting it to the Imperium's political needs. However, when the Chantry was formed in Orlais in 1:01 Divine, the Imperium accepted to transfer some of the religious powers of the Archon to the grand clerics to reduce the powers of mages within the Imperium. This would prove unsatisfactory and the Imperium ultimately split from the Orlesian Chantry in 3:87 Towers, creating the Imperial Chantry.[20][21] The Orlesian Chantry attempted to destroy the Imperial Chantry in four Exalted Marches between 4:40 and 5:10 Exalted.[22] In 6:30 Steel, the Imperium was invaded by the Qunari.[23] The Imperial Chantry allied with the Orlesian Chantry during the New Exalted Marches from 7:25 to 7:84 Storm and reclaimed much of the territory lost to the Qunari. The Imperium was the only human nation not to sign the Llomerryn Accords which ended the war, meaning it has remained in a perpetual conflict with the Qunari since. The mages, which had been slowly retaking power since the Schism, were officially reinstated in 7:34 Storm as the principal rulers of the Imperium.[21]

The Imperium is the oldest human nation in Thedas and for a milennia was the only human nation of the continent. Despite having lost much of its power, the Imperium remains a major nation in Thedas to this day. Its culture is distinguished by the importance of mages, the Imperial Chantry as well as the open practice of slavery within the Imperium. The Imperium is generally disliked outside of its borders for all of these reasons. Tevinter has highly pronounced class divisions between mages and non-mages, as well as between various groups of mages.

History[]

Ancient history[]

Tevinter Imperium heraldry (small)

Heraldry of the Tevinter Imperium[24]

When humans first came to mainland Thedas around -3100 Ancient,[25] they belonged to a single tribe known as the Neromenians.[26] They settled along the coastline of the Nocen Sea, where they were met with hostility from the ruling elves. By -2850 Ancient, legend says that the elves had distanced themselves from the humans, whom they called "quicklings," fearing that human contact was depriving them of their immortality. This gave the Neromenians free reign to expand further into the continent.[7]

It's believed that around -2800 Ancient, the Old Gods began whispering to humanity from the Golden City. They taught the Dreamers of the Neromenian tribes magic, and those mages became the priests and rulers of their people.[27] In -1700 Ancient,[28] the Neromenian tribes eventually split into four kingdoms: Neromenian, Qarinus, Tevinter, and Barindur.[7] By -1610 Ancient, Barindur had disappeared under mysterious circumstances; legend says that it was destroyed by the Old God Dumat for scorning his High Priest.[29]

In -1595 Ancient, Thalsian, First Priest of Dumat, claimed to have personally contacted Dumat in visions and learned blood magic,[30] which he used to declare himself king of Neromenian. Though Thalsian is often believed to be the first blood mage, mages of the Imperial Chantry now believe that blood magic was actually learned from the elves of Arlathan rather than the Old Gods. Thalsian established temples to worship Dumat, turning dragons into a symbol of divine power and popularizing worship of the Old Gods. He is also credited for creating a mage ruling class, as many of his own pupils founded the noble houses that still rule over Tevinter to this day.[31] In the kingdom of Tevinter, mages established the first Circles of Magi as closed societies, presumably to train and study their magical talents. They established a council of their most talented mages, known as the Court of Magisters, which convened in Minrathous and mandated the use of magic throughout the kingdom.[32]

In -1207 Ancient, Darinius, the High King of Neromenian, took the Tevinter throne from his uncle, uniting the kingdoms of Neromenian and Tevinter under his rule, laying foundations for the Imperium.[33] During Darinius' reign, the Court of Magisters became the royal court, with the magisters as the only recognized noble class.[32] In -1200 Ancient, Darinius also became the first human to successfully ally with the dwarves of Kal-Sharok[34] when he went into the Deep Roads and forged an alliance with the dwarven king Endrin Stonehammer, establishing significant trade between their kingdoms.[10] A body of dwarven representatives titled "Ambassadoria" was established at that time to advise the Tevinter leaders and manage trade relations between the Imperium and the dwarven kingdoms.[35][36]

In -1195 Ancient, marked as O TE in the Tevinter Calendar,[37] Darinius married Queen Rathana of Qarinus, joining his kingdoms to hers and founding the Tevinter Imperium. Darinius declared himself the first Archon.[10]

Destruction of Elvhenan[]

Sack

The destruction of Elvhenan

As the empire grew eastward, settlers started to encounter elven scouts at the edge of Arlathan Forest, which they had previously believed to be uninhabited. As it had been more than two millennia since the elves had retreated into their own kingdom, it's possible that memory of first contact had been lost to time. When the Imperium realized that the settlers' claims of a magic-using nonhuman race were real, they sent emissaries into the forest. When none returned alive, they built a fortress near the border and set up a permanent watch.

Contact between the two races became more frequent–and more violent–over the next few decades. In the summer of -998 Ancient, several Tevinter settlements vanished into the forest.[12] This led to Archon Thalasian declaring war in -981 Ancient,[11] marching into Arlathan Forest to lay siege to the capital of Elvhenan, allegedly with demons and dragon thralls at their side.[38] Six years later, as the Inghirsh tribes took advantage of the war with the elves to attack Tevinter's southern settlements, Archon Thalasian and the magisters sank the city into the ground with blood magic to bring a swift end to the conflict. Elven survivors were enslaved, adding a vast population of slaves to the Imperium almost overnight.[12][11]

By the year -895 Ancient, the Tevinter Imperium had expanded widely, bolstered by its new elven slaves. The Imperium claimed nearly all of northern Thedas and started conquering lands across the Waking Sea, settling the island of Estwatch in -880 Ancient and staging several campaigns to subjugate the Alamarri and the Avvar around -715 Ancient.[39][40]

Civil wars and expansion[]

The magisters believed that magic was a favor of the Old Gods rather than an accident of birth, and refused to acknowledge the mage underclass of elves and newly liberated foreigners. When Archon Almadrius chose Tidarion, a lowborn mage of Planasene blood, as his apprentice, the resulting outrage from the Magisterium led to Almadrius' assassination in -692 Ancient[41] and a civil war that lasted for over seventy years. Mages fought against mages for the first time since the fall of Arlathan. The civil war finally ended in -620 Ancient[42] when Archon Parthenius, former high priest of Dumat, finally admitted the Laetans to the temples and gave them three seats in the Magisterium.[43]

Imperial highway

The Imperial Highway

During its expansion, the Imperium conquered as far south as Ferelden and as far east as Rivain, subjugating the local tribes with brutal force.[13] It commissioned the construction of the Imperial Highway to connect all lands under their rule for the purpose of trade, though the project was never completed due to resistance from the Alamarri tribes.[13][44] Between -575 to -555 Ancient (620-640 TE), a large civil war erupted when the two most influential magisters warred for the vacant Archon's throne, threatening to split the empire. Though order was eventually restored, this conflict marked the end of the Imperium's golden age.[13]

The First Blight[]

In -395 Ancient, in a misguided attempt at apotheosis, a group of magisters sacrificed hundreds of slaves and used up two-thirds of the lyrium in the entire empire to physically enter the Golden City in the Fade, returning as the first Darkspawn.[45][46] The Archdemon Dumat led the First Blight for nearly two hundred years, ravaging the empire and shattering its power. Civil unrest added to complications until the newly founded Grey Wardens finally defeated the darkspawn.[47][48]

Wars of independence[]

With their vulnerabilities exposed to the world, the severely weakened Imperium became the target of the first Exalted March, led by the former slave Andraste and her husband Maferath. In -180 Ancient, they brought an army of Alamarri from across the Waking Sea to destroy the empire and spread word of their god, the Maker. Andraste's campaign inspired elven slave revolts in cities throughout the Imperium, compounding the threat of the encroaching Alamarri armies.[49] The invasion ended when Andraste was publicly executed with her generals in -170 Ancient, after being sold out to the Imperium by her husband in exchange for the lands of southern Thedas.[50] In -160 Ancient, Archon Hessarian, the ruler at the time of Andraste's revolt and the one who had executed her, forcibly converted the Imperium to the faith of the Maker and revealed Maferath's betrayal in a period known as the Transfiguration.[51] Many magisters who refused to convert were violently overthrown.

In -120 Ancient, Rivain's war for independence from the Imperium began, which distracted the Empire from reconquering the Free Marches. Eastern cities of the Free Marches rallied to help Rivain,[52] and after the Battle of Temerin in -53 Ancient, the Imperium abandoned its eastern territories.[53]

Chantry Schism[]

When Emperor Drakon I founded the Chantry in -3 Ancient and declared Divine Justinia I the official head of the Andrastian religion in 1:1 Divine, it caused great consternation in Tevinter, which had been organizing the religion on its own terms for over a century. Though they initially tried to appease the newly formed Chantry by reducing the Archon's authority over the faith and transferring it to the grand clerics, relations between the two were strained from the beginning. In 2:80 Glory, the Chantry of Orlais called for an Exalted March on Starkhaven, which had been under Tevinter rule since 2:45.

In 3:87 Towers, the Imperium split from the Orlesian Chantry and formed its own Imperial Chantry under a mage, Divine Valhail, primarily over disagreements on the meaning of the Maker's second commandment, "Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him."[54][21] The Black Age and Exalted Age saw several Exalted Marches ordered against the Tevinter Imperium by the White Divine when tensions between the Orlesian and Imperial Chantries grew heated. Between 4:40 Black and 5:10 Exalted, the Orlesian Chantry declared four Exalted Marches in an attempt to force the Imperial Chantry back into the fold.[55] The Exalted Marches only stopped because of the advent of the Fourth Blight in 5:12 Exalted. In retaliation for these assaults, Tevinter refused to send aid to the other nations of Thedas against the encroaching darkspawn.[56]

Qunari wars[]

Tevinter landscape

Tevinter landscape[57]

Thedas was first attacked by the Qunari in 6:30 Steel.[58] By 6:42 Steel, much of the Imperium had been conquered in the conflicts.[59] Determined to retake its lost territories, the Imperial Chantry took part in the New Exalted Marches alongside the Orlesian Chantry during the Storm Age (7:25–7:84). In total, three Exalted Marches were declared against the Qunari.[60][61] In 7:84 Storm, the Imperium, alone out of all the human nations, refused to sign the Llomerryn Accords, the armistice which ended the war with the Qunari.[62] As such, Tevinter remains at war with the Qunari to this day, vying for dominance of northern Thedas. The island of Seheron has been a particular point of focus throughout the centuries.[63]

In 7:34 Storm, Archon Nomaran was elected directly from the Circle of Magi. He abolished laws that prohibited mages from participating in government, allowing the magisters to openly retake their place as the true rulers of the Imperium.[21]

Involvement[]

Dragon Age: Inquisition[]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


In 9:41 Dragon, the Imperium is governed by Archon Radonis. In regards to the ongoing war with the so-called 'Elder One' and his Venatori, Tevinter has no official ties to the cult itself, and one member of the magisterium brings a matter of officially condemning the Venatori before the Imperial Senate; the Imperium is also on the verge of renewed conflict with its southern neighbor, Nevarra.


Trespasser[]


This section contains spoilers for:
Trespasser.


Soon after the Exalted Council, following the disruption of the Dragon's Breath plot, the Qunari launch new attacks against Tevinter. Their aggression catches the already unstable Imperium off guard. Tevinter is soon mired in conflict.[64]


Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights[]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights.


Around 9:44-9:45, the Antaam launches an invasion into Tevinter, unsanctioned by the rest of the Triumvirate.[65] The cities of Ventus, Carastes[66], and Neromenian[67] quickly fall to the Qunari forces.

Meanwhile, remnants of the Venatori still attempt to restore the ancient Tevinter Imperium, despite Corypheus' death. They are opposed by Dorian Pavus and Maevaris Tilani and their fledgling faction within the Magisterium, the Lucerni.


Geography[]

Settlements[]

Qarinus - Dragon Age Those Who Speak

The city of Ventus

FortViridian BlueWraith

Fort Viridan

Regions[]

  • Arlathan Forest
  • Eyes of Nocen
  • The High Reaches
  • The Hundred Pillars – Massive pillars made of a strong material identified only as a "hard dust"; the material isn't stone, and is similar to a mortar (concrete)[71]
  • The Silent Plains
  • Valarian Fields
  • Ventosus Straits

Fortresses[]

Culture[]

Tevinter mage and sword

Armored Tevinter mage[72]

Altus mage

Altus mage[57]

Tevinter garments

Tevinter noble dress[73]

To those outside of the Tevinter Imperium it is easy to imagine a society filled with mages and elven slaves and little else. In truth, there are three different Tevinters, each of them a world completely separated from the others. There are the mages, the land's nobility, completely obsessed with competing for supremacy with each other—almost to the exclusion of paying any heed to the nation's enemies, such as the Qunari. The well-bred altus sneer at the laetans, who in turn sneer at the praeteri. They vie for dominance in the Magisterium, where factions shift and flow on a daily basis with deadly consequences, requiring every family to put on a veneer of perfect citizenship or face scandal and censure.

Then there are the so-called soporati, the "sleepers." These are the non-magical citizens who vastly outnumber the mages, yet are beholden to their whims. Many are resentful of this status, plotting in secret, even as they secretly hope their children will possess magical talent—an enticing lure, since the talent could conceivably show up in anyone, even a slave. It would be easy to forget that Tevinter possesses a massive class of publicans, the civil servants and leaders of the Legionnaires. It has an enormous merchant class, enough teeming poor to drown any other nation in Thedas, and the shadowy thieves called "praesumptor" who are practically treated with respect.

And then there are the slaves. One would think they, at least, see each other as equals, but it is not so. The divide between the freed liberati, those who act as personal servants to magisters, those who work on farms and factories, and the "servus publicus" who do all the tasks proper citizens will not—it is all but insurmountable, but perhaps in emulation of those who own them, Imperial slaves will connive and scheme to try anyhow. Outsiders might see it as futile, but to Tevinter citizens, their nation's social classes are the most mutable and rewarding of merit in all of Thedas.

—From In Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of a Chantry Scholar by Brother Genitivi

From Codex entry: Tevinter Society

Tevinter society is notoriously decadent[74] yet also takes great pride in their history and achievements. The Imperium treasures their past and preserves it, as indicated that everything they've built has been carefully preserved and renovated.[75] Ambition and magical ability are the hallmarks of its ruling elite, the magisters. The ancient magister lords ruled the Imperium in the Circles of Magi (before their modern incarnation), maintaining a tight hold over its people through the power to infiltrate their dreams using blood magic. Though blood magic is now banned in the Imperium, mages who practice it are quietly acknowledged as the most proficient dreamers and diviners.[76] The ban is really only paid lip service to; even the most devout mages in Tevinter know at least the basics. This circumvention is often necessary in order to simply survive the deadly rivalries and competitions for power and influence amongst the Tevinter noble families, who only ever put aside their constant bickering to unify in the event of a major crisis such as acts of sedition amongst the indentured populace.

The centuries-long war with the Qunari has taxed the Imperium significantly as resources are strained, with hundreds of refugees fleeing to the capital of Minrathous, the splendor of which is chafing greatly everywhere outside the spires that house the Imperium's Circles of Magi.[77]

In Tevinter, same-sex relationships between nobles are largely hidden, but nowhere prohibited. These relationships are encouraged with favored slaves.[78] Transgender individuals likewise face no official persecution or legal repercussions, although such individuals living openly amongst the upper classes (such as Maevaris Tilani) can cause a scandal.[79] In the army however rules are more strict and identify people based on their biological sex.[80]

Tevinter architecture uses strong horizontals and verticals, accentuated with high-contrast materials. Much of their buildings are made with the help of magic, allowing them to raise massive pillars from the earth, and make use of dramatic designs. Tevinter also has access to vast quantities of precious stones and metals, which they make good use of.[81]

A strange and unrecognizable meat dish known as "unidentified meat" is commonly available in Tevinter taverns, often with a large side of Nevarran flat bread. The dish is prone to being over exaggerated; in at least one instance it simply turned out to be chicken legs.[82][83] The bread itself is a no-rise bread that takes only a few minutes to be made from dough. It can also be eaten unaccompanied, with dips, or brushed with oil.[84] A traditional and common tavern appetizer in Tevinter is stuffed vine leaves. These are tender leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat. They can be topped with lemon juice and tzatziki sauce.[85]

As for sweet treats, poison stings are a Tevinter travel sweet that is comprised of chocolate-coated orange peels. They have a crunchy yet chewy texture and taste both sour and sweet. "Poison stings" is the colloquial name. This food was eaten by Dorian Pavus when he was traveling from Tevinter to Ferelden.[86] Cherry cupcakes are small, luxurious pink cakes often served in a selection of treats in the Tevinter theater, carried by stilted servants who offer them to spectators in private loges. Historically these cakes were used to poison people.[87][88] Another sweet dish is pumpkin bread, a baked good made in a pan from a small number of ingredients. Pumpkin bread is said to be one of Dorian's favorite foods.[89]

Religion[]

Main article: Imperial Chantry

The Imperial Chantry is now the main religious organization in Tevinter, replacing the abandoned worship of the Old Gods. Unlike its southern counterpart, the Imperial Chantry is accepting of magic and allows men into the priesthood.[21]

Social classes[]

Tevinter society is highly stratified, with citizens classified into different levels depending on their ancestry and magical ability.

Soporati[]

All common citizens of the Imperium who are non-mages are considered part of the Soporati ("sleepers") social class. This is a mainly human class which is allowed to own property and serve in Tevinter's military but they have no real power in the nation's governance and are unable to attain a higher rank in the Imperial Chantry than mother or father. Often they are found to be merchants or publicans (civil servants and leaders of the Legionnaires). However, when a Soporati family produces a mage child — this is greatly desired in Tevinter, unlike within the rest of Thedas — it allows them entrance into the Laetan class and thus a higher social standing. In general, the Soporati and ruling mage classes exist in a state of tension due to the inequality of their standing in the nation.[57]

Laetans[]

The next highest social level is that of Laetans, who are mages born into families that had up to that point shown no magical ability or who have been mages for generations but have no link to the higher Altus or Dreamer class. One third of the Archons throughout history have been Laetans.[57] Archon Tidarion was the first Laetan to become Archon, and the outrage that this caused among the Magisterium led to a civil war that lasted over seventy years. The magisters believed that magic was a favor of the Old Gods rather than an accident of birth, and refused to acknowledge the mage underclass of elves and newly liberated foreigners. The civil war was only ended in -620 Ancient when Archon Parthenius, former high priest of Dumat, finally admitted the Laetans to the temples and gave them three seats in the Magisterium.[43]

Altus[]

Altus mages are believed to be descendents of the dreamers or magisters who possessed the ability to speak to the Old Gods in the Fade. The Old Gods are no longer objects of worship but the descendents of these powerful mages are still held in esteem and often are the most high-ranking mages in the Imperium; indeed the majority of magisters are Altus. Interestingly, there was a time in which these Altus mages were scorned for their seeming part in creating the Blights as the corruption of the Golden City transformed these mages into the first darkspawn. As a result, many such mages were slain during the period of Transfiguration when the Imperium became Andrastian. Since then, the Altus mages have returned to the upper echelon of Tevinter society.[57]

Slaves and Liberati[]

Main article: Slavery

In Tevinter, slavery is not only legal but officially sanctioned.[90] While Tevinter slaves used to be predominantly elven, they are now mostly a mix of elves and humans, though even dwarves[91] and Qunari[92] can become slaves. Mages can also be enslaved.[93] While slavery is officially outlawed everywhere outside of Tevinter, slavers operate throughout Thedas, luring and kidnapping people to sell them into slavery in Tevinter.[94][95]

Slave uprisings are frequent but rarely successful, as are attempts by Tevinter politicians to abolish the practice.[96]

Slaves can only be legally freed before a judge, with their owner present to make the decree, or by the owner's will upon their death. However, freed slaves are still not considered citizens of Tevinter. Those who achieve freedom are instead sectioned into another class known as the Liberati. The Liberati functions as a subclass, and those within it are granted limited rights. Liberati are able to act as an apprentice in a trade or join a Circle of Magi. Liberati are also able to own land and property, but they cannot join the military and rarely have a say in governance.[97]

Most of the Siccari, Tevinter's elite spies,[98] come from slave families. Their families are kept safe, as a promise and a threat, to ensure that the Siccari never flinch from their duties.[99]

Politics[]

Main article: Circle of Magi (Imperial Chantry)
Main article: Magister
Circle tower transfiguration

In Tevinter, temples to the Old Gods became Circles of Magi.[100]

The Tevinter Imperium is still governed by powerful magic-users through a form of magocracy. It is almost universally reviled by other nations. Its nobility is known to be over-indulgent, and slavery is still practiced. The Imperium is the center of the black market, smuggling (including the harboring of mage fugitives from other lands) and the slave trade. Tevinter would crumble without slaves, given that it is the only way to support their economy. History shows how deeply committed they are to the practice; when an archon once outlawed slavery, the archon was quickly assassinated. Though slave rebellions occur frequently, the Imperial Senate unites in the face of "sedition" to suppress them. Though merely a shadow of its former glory, the Imperium is still a very powerful nation with considerable military might. It would turn on the southern nations were it not diverted by the constant wars with the Qunari.[76]

The Imperium draws a variety of soldiers from its territories to form an impressive army. Most noted throughout Thedas, however, is the use of elephant mounts that have been imported into Tevinter for centuries through the coastal colonies near the northwestern jungles. Their cavalry fights on the backs of dracolisks. As well, Minrathous is famously protected by a trio of gigantic war golems purchased from the dwarves known as the Juggernauts.[76] Women's roles in the Tevinter military are restricted and they may only serve in certain ranks and disciplines.[101]

Tevinter art

The Imperium's capital is Minrathous. It is located at the northern end of the Imperial Highway. Tevinter has its own versions of the Chantry and Circles of Magi, both led by a male Divine, unofficially known as the Black Divine; his authority, and indeed the existence of the Imperial Chantry, is not recognized by the Chantry in Orlais. Likewise, the Imperial Chantry refuses to recognize the authority of the Orlesian Chantry and its "White Divine."[21] The Chantry calendar is in use everywhere except the Imperium, although the empire used it briefly when it was introduced.[13]

The legislative body of Tevinter is known as the Imperial Senate. The Senate is divided into two houses: the Magisterium and the Publicanium. The Magisterium is the upper house and is responsible for making laws and choosing a new Archon if there is no approved heir. Members of the Magisterium are known as magisters. The Publicanium is the lower house, and in contrast with the Magisterium it holds no true power and is considered a bureaucratic body. Senators of the Publicanium are elected officials.[102]

Magisters constantly compete with their fellows to rise into a higher position on the Magisterium, though they come together to put down slave rebellions, which they view as sedition. Raising one's position can be achieved through wealth, magical prowess and/or support by fellow senators but almost always requires relying on forbidden magic.[103] There are various means by which an enterprising mage may enter this august company. For example, in a complaint made between two magisters in 9:35 Dragon regarding Maevaris Tilani's disruption of the Magisterium's traditions, one of the aggrieved magisters mentions her buying off every vulgatis and honoratus in the eastern empire.[104] It is unknown specifically what these terms mean, though it can be assumed they hold enough power in the Imperium to sway public opinion. Furthermore, each of the seven Circles within Tevinter selects a magister for the Magisterium, and this mage is often an older Senior Enchanter but never a First Enchanter as they are not eligible for a seat. Each of the grand clerics of the Imperial Chantry and the Divine himself hold a seat as well. A mage may also inherit a seat from a magister rather than earn it through magical ability or station within the Chantry. A final means by which a mage enters the Magisterium is by being appointed directly by the Archon, which is a power the Archon may exercise at any time.[105]

H impchanta 0

Imperial Chantry heraldry

The Archon is the true ruler of Tevinter and the magic he wields gives him a god-given authority over others, whether that god is one of the Old Gods or the Maker.[105] As noted above he may appoint magisters to the Magisterium at any time and has final say on any laws under consideration. The role of Archon is generally an inherited one and oftentimes these men are relatives or perhaps the apprentices of the previous Archon. In the event that an Archon passes without an appointed heir, the Magisterium steps in and names the next ruler provided he is not already part of the Magisterium or a member of the Chantry. Prior to the Black Age, however, the Archon had been allowed to be a magister or hold rank in the Imperial Chantry.[105]

Relations with other nations[]

Because of its history as conquerors and slavers, the role magisters played in starting the Blights, and the current Schism with the Divine in Orlais, the Tevinter Imperium is the most maligned and demonized nation in Thedas. It is virtually impossible to find writings from Tevinter outside its borders that have not been heavily altered or outright forged. To most Theodosians it is a corrupt and degenerate magocracy that must be feared until it can be converted.

Tevinters themselves view the rest of Thedas as barely civilized savages who lack proper reverence for tradition and respect for authority.[106]

Though the elves no longer have a nation per se, the general relationship between them and the Imperium is largely self-explanatory, and very poor.

Dwarves[]

Tevinter has enjoyed a long and fruitful alliance with the dwarven empire since ancient times, in which both empires were at the height of their power. The lyrium trade is the primary reason for their close alliance, and the magic-centric Imperium is mainly dependent on Orzammar to meet its immense demand.[107] Dwarves also provided the Imperium with golems, the most notable of which are the trio of Juggernauts that protects Minrathous. Besides the trade alliance, it is also known that the dwarves helped Tevinter during the Fourth Blight by lifting the siege of Marnas Pell and they received many accolades of the ruling Archon, one dwarf even became a Paragon.[108]

Many surface dwarves live in the Imperium, not considered citizens but rather foreign dignitaries, even if their houses have existed in the Imperium for ages. The Tevinter Imperium hosts numerous dwarven embassies since the days of Archon Darinius and his alliance with the founding kings of the dwarven empire, Orseck Garal and Endrin Stonehammer. There are dwarven embassies in every major city, much like dwarven settlements in other countries in Thedas. However, unlike dwarves in other countries, Tevinter dwarves have their own branch of government, the Ambassadoria. The representatives of the Ambassadoria are elected by the dwarves to advise the Archon and the Magisterium.[107] The Ambassadoria is more of a lobbying group than a parliament.

Dwarven embassies in Minrathous, Neromenian, and Qarinus are situated entirely underground and are considered by dwarves to reside within the Stone, allowing those in the embassy to retain their caste. Some dwarves serving in Tevinter embassies never leave these underground fastnesses. No dwarves are known to be kept as slaves in the Imperium, presumably due to their fundamental importance to the Imperium in providing lyrium. They can also be hired by homes as overseers to the household's slaves.

Despite this close alliance, there are two known cases in which some of the dwarves secretly breached this pact. The first was with providing safe harbor in Cadash Thaig for the ancient elves who were fleeing after the destruction of Arlathan. The dwarves of Kal-Sharok were informed of this so they attacked Cadash thaig and killed everyone in order to hide all the evidence from the Imperium.[109] The second occasion was when Amaranthine was held by the Avvars. The Imperium at that time were trying to conquer Ferelden and the dwarves secretly traded with the Avvars beneath Amaranthine.[110]

Qunari[]

After the Qunari Wars on Llomerryn a peace treaty was signed between Qunari and the rest of Thedas. However, Tevinter refused to accept it and has continued the war against the Qunari ever since.

Tevinter contracted the Raiders of the Waking Sea to steal the Tome of Koslun, a historical tome of immense value to their enemies. Isabela manage to steal the tome, however she was shipwrecked and the Tome somehow wound up in Kirkwall. The text ended up in the hands of a local thief who arranged to trade the relic to Tevinter agents but the meeting was disrupted by the Qunari and text slipped through the Imperium's grasp.


This section contains spoilers for:
Trespasser.


Conflict with the Qunari was renewed following the disruption of the Dragon's Breath plot in 9:44 Dragon.


Imperial language[]

Main article: Tevene

Notable Tevinters[]

Danarius

Danarius, a Tevinter magister

TevinterWarrior

A Tevinter Warrior in Heroes of Dragon Age

Dorian-new2

Dorian Pavus

For a complete list, see Category:Tevinters.
Note: The list below can include people of either Tevinter ancestry or Tevinter nationality.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: The Tevinter Imperium Codex entry: The Tevinter Imperium
Codex entry: The Tevinter Imperium Codex entry: The Tevinter Imperium
Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium
Codex entry: The Archon's Blades Codex entry: The Archon's Blades
Codex entry: Astrariums Codex entry: Astrariums
Codex entry: Blade of Mercy Codex entry: Blade of Mercy
Codex entry: Dorian Pavus Codex entry: Dorian Pavus
Codex entry: Dorian and the Last Few Years Codex entry: Dorian and the Last Few Years
Codex entry: Drake's Fall Codex entry: Drake's Fall
Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry
Codex entry: The Litany of Adralla Codex entry: The Litany of Adralla
Codex entry: Magister Gereon Alexius Codex entry: Magister Gereon Alexius
Codex entry: The Magisterium Codex entry: The Magisterium
Codex entry: Slavery in the Tevinter Imperium Codex entry: Slavery in the Tevinter Imperium
Codex entry: Tevinter: The Magisters Codex entry: Tevinter: The Magisters
Codex entry: Tevinter Society Codex entry: Tevinter Society

Note texts[]

Ancient Tevinter Ancient Tevinter

Trivia[]

  • The Imperial Highway goes from Minrathous to Vol Dorma and then southeast until one branch ends in Perivantium and another expands into Nevarra. The highway also extends into Orlais and Ferelden. Ostagar is its southmost point.[111]
  • According to Dagna, the Imperial Magister Lords kept records of the genealogies of human families which were known to produce a mage child. Dorian Pavus confirms that the Altus class takes bloodlines very seriously (he will tell a Trevelyan that they are distant cousins based on the genealogy he has memorized). He calls himself the "disappointing" result of careful breeding among these bloodlines, because despite being a powerful mage, as a homosexual man he has no inclination to perpetuate them.
  • The city of "Teraevyn" is spelled "Taraevyn" in Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1.[112]
  • Dracolisks have been integral to the Imperium's cavalry since the Steel Age.[113]
  • The narrator of the Dragon Age: Official Cookbook includes a cross-cultural recipe for lentil soup which is derived from traditional Tevinter tastes and a soup commonly enjoyed across alienages by city elves.[114]

See also[]

Aurora's Freedom Aurora's Freedom
Cowl of the Overseer Cowl of the Overseer

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Codex entry: Battleground State
  2. Codex entry: The Magisterium
  3. Per conversation with Dorian.
  4. According to Trifles Minutiae.
  5. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 78
  6. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 11
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 26
  8. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 14
  9. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 23
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 18
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 21
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, pp. 36-38
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide
  14. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 25
  15. Codex entry: The First Blight: Chapter 3
  16. Codex entry: The First Blight: Chapter 4
  17. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 44
  18. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 51
  19. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 61
  20. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 87-88
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry
  22. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 93,97
  23. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 109
  24. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 7
  25. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 11
  26. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 25
  27. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 12
  28. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 13
  29. Codex entry: The Lost City of Barindur
  30. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 14
  31. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 37
  32. 32.0 32.1 Codex entry: Tevinter: The Magisters
  33. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 15
  34. Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium
  35. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 79
  36. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 176
  37. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 23
  38. Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two
  39. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 22
  40. Codex entry: The Mountain-Father's Haft
  41. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 24
  42. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 25
  43. 43.0 43.1 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 38
  44. Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1
  45. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 27
  46. Codex entry: The Cardinal Rules of Magic
  47. Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 1
  48. Codex entry: The First Blight: Chapter 1
  49. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 42
  50. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 44
  51. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 46
  52. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 50
  53. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 51
  54. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 87-88
  55. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 93,97
  56. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 99
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 57.4 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 77
  58. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 109
  59. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 110
  60. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 85
  61. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 114-120
  62. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 121
  63. Codex entry: Seheron
  64. Epilogue (Trespasser)#The Qunari Threat
  65. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Three Trees to Midnight
  66. Dragon Age: Blue Wraith
  67. Dragon Age: Dark Fortress
  68. Unmask "Those Across the Sea"
  69. Dragon Age: Asunder, p. 150
  70. Antor Banris is a presumed wealthy patrician of Vol Dorma.
  71. Mentioned by Gatsi concerning the material of the collectible Tevinter mosaics.
  72. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 102
  73. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 73
  74. Mike Laidlaw. Dragon Age 3 Teasers NYCC. YouTube. Retrieved on April 7, 2014.
  75. Conversation with Dorian Pavus
  76. 76.0 76.1 76.2 Dragon Age II: The Complete Official Guide, "Tevinter Imperium"
  77. Codex entry: The Tevinter Imperium
  78. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 72
  79. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 44
  80. As is the case with Cremisius Aclassi.
  81. The Art of Dragon Age Inquisition, pg 157-159
  82. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 37
  83. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 105
  84. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 109
  85. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 105
  86. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 115
  87. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 139
  88. Depicted in the background of Dragon Age: Magekiller
  89. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 151
  90. According to Fenris, the Imperial Chantry receives a tithe for every slave sold.
  91. Dwarven Slaves in Venatori Hands
  92. Based on an image of a Qunari slave on Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 78
  93. According to the dialogue of Fenris and Dorian Pavus, and also as evidenced by Calpernia
  94. Codex entry: Slavery in the Tevinter Imperium
  95. During Dragon Age: Origins, the Warden discovers that Loghain allowed Tevinter slavers to operate within the Denerim Alienage in exchange for gold.
  96. According to Fenris, Tevinters who attempt to limit or end the practice are often assassinated while slave uprisings are usually ended quickly and violently.
  97. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 78-79
  98. Codex entry: Seheron
  99. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, The Dread Wolf Take You
  100. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 124
  101. Revealed in conversation between The Inquisitor and Cremisius Aclassi in Dragon Age: Inquisition
  102. Codex entry: The Magisterium
  103. Blade of Mercy (Fenris)
  104. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 44
  105. 105.0 105.1 105.2 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 76
  106. 106.0 106.1 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 75
  107. 107.0 107.1 107.2 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 79
  108. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, p. 363
  109. Codex entry: Letters from the Past
  110. Codex entry: The Vigil
  111. According to this map.
  112. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 136
  113. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 299
  114. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 63
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