A/N: This is a quick summary of events over the past two stories for those who either want a refresher, or who are interested in reading this without reading through the others. I will also include a bit of a "where are they now" section at the end to talk about certain people who featured in the actual game, and how they have since been effected. And as always, if there are specific questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to get back to you.
Also of course, just a reminder that this is told from both a limited and biased perspective, more than one in this story. If two narrators contradict each other, get details wrong etc. it is probably because one (or both) is lying or simply incorrect. I might occasionally interject clarify a detail that both missed to make events make more sense, but this will overall be rare, except in the historical segments.
Introduction:
Taken from: Selected Important Dates in Fereldan History
by Michael Hart
Published 10.26 SA. University of Denerim Press
Dragon…
9.30:
Beginning of the Fifth Blight in the Korcari Wilds. King Cailan I Therein gathers a royal army to combat the surge of darkspawn on the surface, alongside the contingent of Fereldan Wardens. Loghain Mac Tir betrays the King and abandons the army to die, resulting in some eight thousand dead. Darkspawn losses are never counted, but official estimated place the numbers at between ten and fifteen thousand. Following the battle Darkspawn forces retreat back into the Deep Roads to gather more forces.
Two survivors of the army, Alistair Therein and William Clark escape the destruction of the army through the intervention of an apostate within the Wilds. Through the actions of King Alistair a demon occupation of Redcliffe is defeated and an attempted rebellion in the Circle is removed. The future Arlessa Solona Amell formally undertakes the Joining.
Other survivors of Ostagar include Garrett Hawke and Commander Cauthrien…
9.31
The Urn of Sacred Ashes is recovered from its resting place in the Frostback Mountains. The Urn is used to heal the poisoning of Arl Eamon Guerrin of Redcliffe, who promptly calls a Landsmeet. The Landsmeet sides with Alistair's claim to the throne, and he is crowned King Alistair I Therein.
King Bhelen is crowned by the Paragon Caridin.
Outside the city of Denerim the Archdemon's army is destroyed. Following a series of disagreements between the crown and the Grey Wardens King Alistair orders the group expelled from Fereldan[1].
9.32
The Chantry issues a sum of money to Fereldan to rebuild the Highways leading to the Urn, and build a Temple in its place. The money rapidly runs out, recent audits of the Fereldan expense reports suggests it is likely virtually every expense reported was inflated by at least 100%. Due to the Fereldans utilizing a more modern form of bookkeeping (and one unfamiliar to the Chantry) these went unnoticed by any except those involved. What happened to the money remains a historical mystery.
9.34
Rebellious nobles led by Arl Lendon vote to remove the King from power, a vote which is promptly ignored. The Landsmeet Crisis begins, and ultimately ends with a noble surrender as their army deserts them. Following the Crisis the membership of the Landsmeet is increased significantly, primarily through the introduction of wealthy freeholders and other supporters of the Crown. While mostly a measure to curb the Landsmeet's power the expansion of the franchise would lay the basis for the eventual Fereldan Senate.
9.35:
Following elven riots in the city Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons puts down the city, precipitated a confrontation between the Fereldan Navy and Orlesian army. Though casualties are light the Orlesian Court responds with uproar, which worsens after Fereldan's response is a sharply worded and defiant letter demanding Orlesian compensation. Shortly after receiving the letter Empress Celene declares war upon Fereldan. Major battles are fought in the port of Val Royeaux and off the coast of Amaranthine. Fereldan advances seize control of much of southeastern Orlais.
The Battle of Halamshiral occurs near the end of the year and is a decisive Fereldan victory. By the end of the year half of the Dales are under nominal Fereldan control…
9.36:
Nevarra declares war on Orlais. Two armies strike across the border toward Orlesian strongpoints. Orlesian border forces, depleted by the battles against Fereldan are quickly overrun. Rapidly transferred soldiers blunt the Nevarran advance, dealing a tactical defeat to Nevarran forces along the northern border and in the Blasted Hills.
Fereldan forces deal another pair of decisive defeats to Orlesian forces, wiping out the best Chevaliers in Orlais. The battles also see the mercenary companies of Thedas devastated. Some, such as Kirkwall's Red Iron, are completely destroyed. Gaspard de Chalons is killed in a Fereldan artillery barrage near Val Foret. Total Orlesian casualties surpass one hundred thousand.
9.37:
Fereldan armies meet Nevarran forces outside Val Royeayx. After an order from King Alistair the Fereldan commander, Aedan Cousland, orders the use of lyrium rockets against the Orlesian capital. Much of the city is devastated by fires which sweep the city. Afterward Cousland and Oliver Pentaghast order the city to be stormed. After significant Orlesian losses Empress Celene surrenders the city.
Orlais surrenders to Fereldan and Nevarra, giving up significant portions of territory to both nations. Total casualties exceed 300,000 with nearly one third in the attack on Val Royeaux alone.
Maximillian Arras launches the Heartlands Revolt, which quickly spirals into an Orlesian Civil War.
9.38:
After discovering evidence of the First Enchanter of Kirkwall being a maleficarum Knight Commander Meredith is killed attempting to bring the Circle under control. The City falls soon after...
Taken from The Dragon Age in Review
By Eric Davies.
Published, 10.00 SA. University of Minrathrous Press. Kingdom of the Anderfels.
Introduction:
The Dragon Age is over. Thank the Maker…
Has any age since Andraste seen more change than the Dragon Age? More destruction?
The Dragon Age marked the fall of the three pre-eiminent powers of the previous Ages. Tevinter, Orlais, and Seheron and Par Vollen [2] had dominated Thedas for hundreds of years; none of them exist today.
At the beginning of the Dragon Age Fereldan and the Perivantium Empire did not exist [3], the Free Marches and the Anderfels were a set of barely organized and disunited feudal states, Antiva had no military. Only Nevarra retained the same relative position in the world, and even it had suffered through a succession war during the early half of the 9.50s…
Many had hoped that the Dragon Age would mark the end of seemingly constant conflict in Thedas, and for a time they were apparently right. After the ceasefire between Fereldan and Orlais the continent was relatively peaceful. The ongoing war between Tevinter and the Qunari continued its normal fitful state, the Anderfels nobles fought among themselves, but elsewhere there was peace…
Chapter 3: The Decade of Ravens: 9.35-9.45 DA
The uneasy world which emerged from the Fifth Blight was shattered by the tensions between Orlais and Fereldan in 9.35 Dragon, marking the beginning of what was to the time the most devastating series of conflicts in Thedan history. The Fereldan-Orlesian War saw over three hundred thousand people dead, almost one third in the final clash of the war alone, most of them Orlesian, the power of the Orlesian upper class destroyed, and the people of Orlais in open revolt…
Barely any time afterward revolt broke out in Tevinter as the slave Fenris seized control of Minrathrous from within, securing the three juggernauts which guarded the city, and Tevinter entered its final collapse…
The same year the revolt began in Kirkwall, and quickly spread to Circles across Thedas…
And, even after the final defeat of Orsino and his master, there was still one final great conflict on the horizon to finish out the decade…
Taken from: Black and White: The Development of the Southern and Northern Chantries
By Dorian Flavin
Published 10.61 SA. University of Minrathrous Press. Kingdom of the Anderfels.
Be aware that owning this work is a capital offense in Nevarra, the Free Marches, and Antiva.
…The First Unification War naturally began in the south…
…With the fall of Antiva seemingly inevitable the Orlesian Divine [4] made one last desperate move, attempting to draw in the neutral mages in southern Thedas, in particular those of Ostwick and Fereldan. Drawing in the Fereldan mages, virtually a nationalized force after the unifying force of the Fifth Blight, would mean drawing in the Kingdom of Fereldan as well.
Following the performance of both the Fereldan army and navy during the late war, it was also thought that drawing in Fereldan would put significant military forces to the Chantry's side as well…
The Divine's conference was held in the natural location for the southern Chantry, the Temple of Sacred Ashes, technically a misnomer due to the…
Unfortunately for Justinia V her plan was a near total failure, or so it seemed. King Alistair was too ill to appear at the Conference, sending his Chancellor instead, a man utterly devoid of any apparent diplomatic skill whatsoever. Even assuming the Conclave was not attacked it almost certainly would have failed. Ironically the destruction would ultimately bring about a final victory in the war…
This is a short section detailing the fates of certain characters who have appeared throughout the story, and some who would have appeared in Inquisition, but will not for various reason (normally because they are dead). I haven't included people who are going to either be major parts of Inquisition (as they will have time to establish themselves later) or who I've simply forgotten about. In addition, those who have died through the course of the previous two stories are included for new readers to reference. If there's anyone you think is missing let me know, and I will either add them, or plan to include them within this story.
In more or less alphabetical order:
Arlessa Solona Amell, Commander of the Silver: After being given a second chance in the Mage Tower Solona has pursued her duties to the Kingdom of Fereldan with remarkable dedication, and her personal loyalty to the king is very nearly unmatched among anyone in the entire realm. Solona spends most of her time in the Vigil researching whatever happens to strike her fancy, in particular red lyrium and the Eluvians for their connections to the Blight.
Arl Aedan Cousland: Younger brother of Teyrn Fergus Cousland Aedan is the general in charge of Fereldan's armies. Widely viewed as a tactical genius Aedan is actually merely talented while working with significant advantages his foes cannot guess, in particular the tactics of commanders Thedas has never heard of. Aedan Cousland is married to Arlessa Alfstanna of Dragon's Peak, the couple currently has one child.
Anders: Executed by Solona Amell at Vigil's Keep. His death was the first major point of disagreement between Lord Commander Harrowmont and Chancellor Clark.
Avernus: Continues to experiment in Soldier's Peak, though with significant restrictions placed upon his work. The primary focus is combating and eventually eliminating the Calling through more ethical approaches.
Queen Anora Mac Tir: Forced into the Chantry following the Fifth Blight (the alternative was execution for treason, being an accessory to murder, being an accessory to the slave trade, etc.) Was stationed in Starkhaven shortly before the Mage Rebellion, and subsequently died there when the city fell.
Blackwall: Was one of the few men to escape the Battle of Halamshiral, rejoined Orlesian forces moving south the next year, only to be driven into Lake Celestine by Fereldan forces where his heavy armor led to drowning alongside thousands of his comrades.
Ser Cauthrien: Joined the Grey Wardens following the Fifth Blight, only to be exiled following the defeat of the Architect. Currently commanding a Warden garrison along the northern border of the Anderfels.
Grand Duke Gaspared de Chalons: Killed by Fereldan artillery fire during the Battle of Foret.
Knight Captain Cullen: Killed in Kirkwall during the revolt.
Dagna: left Orzammar during the chaos preceeding Bhelen's coronation. Eventually made her way to the Circle to study. Currently Dagna is one of the chief engineers in the Fereldan Army, and is working in Highever.
Sophia Dryden: Killed by Solona Amell during the purge of Vigil's Keep.
Fenris: Recaptured by Denarius in Kirkwall. His sister would later have a change of heart and free her brother, who led a revolt against the Magisters. Currently the theoretical leader of the slaves in charge of Minrathrous and the surrounding environs. In reality Fenris barely maintains order in the city as reprisals and terror grip the surrounding area.
Bann Teagan Guerrin: Former ambassador to Orlais, currently holding that position to Nevarra. He married Katelyn in 9.34, and they have two children. His brother-in-law is currently a lieutenant in the Fereldan Army stationed in Mont-de-glace.
Arl Conner Guerrin: Was enrolled in the Circle following his exposure as a mage. Given the boy's status he was ruled not guilty of any wrongdoing by tribunal held by Knight Commander Gregoir and First Enchanter Irving. Conner passed his Harrowing in 9.38, and was transferred to the Redcliffe Circle (established earlier that year) as a senior Enchanter, but resigned to take up the role of Arl following his father's death.
Arl Eamon Guerrin: Took responsibility for his wife's actions in keeping Conner's magic secret. At his trial Eamon was sentenced to an eighty sovereign fine and had to build a new Chantry in Redcliffe. This building is currently under construction and is the largest in Fereldan apart from the Temple of Sacred Ashes itself. Passed away in 9.37 from heart problems.
Arlessa Isolde Guerrin: Excused for her actions during the Fifth Blight under the recommendation of King Alistair and plea by her husband. She bore Eamon a second son in 9.34 Dragon, a boy who is currently being trained in the Calenhad Circle (there is not currently enough manpower within the Circle system to train children outside of Calenhad), and who is expected to pass his final exams in a few years with flying colors, allowing a transfer to the Redcliffe Circle. Isolde survived her husband and currently spends much of her time as an advocate for expanding mage rights farther with the Divine. The remainder is spent with her children.
Justice: Destroyed by the Baroness.
Gamlen Hawke: Killed by Qunari poison gas.
Garrett Hawke: Former Champion of Kirkwall, disappeared somewhere in the north after the revolt.
Lady Leandra Hawke: Resides in Denerim as the personal guest of King Alistair. She serves as a major spokeswoman for Free Marches intervention.
Lord Pyral Harrowmont: Banished from Fereldan following the defeat of the Architect, currently working with the Gray Wardens of Orlais.
Idunna: After being spared in Kirkwall, Idunna successfully undertook the Joining. She was kept in Amaranthine for the first years of Joining, but has since been dispatched on a number of missions. Currently holds a rank equivalent to Captain of the Silver Guardians. While viewed with some suspicion at first Idunna has served faithfully for nearly eight years.
Isabella: Killed by Idunna to secure the Tome of Koslun for Fereldan.
Teyrnessa Lanaya: Accepted a position as Teyrn of the Dales following the Fereldan/Orlesian War, a move she now recognizes may have been an error since it clearly established which side her clan, and those who followed them will take in future conflicts. Many of the Dalish are now effectively permanently tied to the Fereldan crown. In addition, her efforts to reestablish the Dalish religion have largely been a failure despite state Toleration. To her unending frustration most of the elves who relocated or already lived in the Dales are dedicated Andrastians, who while wanting to live under an elf ruler are still more comfortable in Chantry's than forests; and who view her as Teyrn first and Keeper second, if at all.
Lily: Imprisoned at the beginning of the Fifth Blight following Alim Surana turning in both Lily and Jowan. Later pardoned by King Alistair at the recommendation of both Chancellor Clark and Enchanter Surana. Currently serves as a Cleric in Highever.
Knight Commander Meredith: Killed by Orsino during the Kirkwall Revolt.
Merrill: Stood with the Kirkwall Guard to give Hawke enough time to escape (well dragged out while unconscious). Presumed dead.
Corporal Rosselin: Originally a young soldier in the service of Gaspard de Chalons Rosselin was crushed when de Chalons fell at Foret, and constantly believed that if his lord had been in command from the beginning then the corporal's family, which had fled to Val Royeaux would not have died in the inferno which swept over the city. After being ordered to crush a rebellion in the Heartlands of Orlais Rosselin defected, and has since come to serve as the commander of Maximillian Arras's entire military force.
Sera: Sera was unfortunate enough for her formative years to take place in a country devastated by war, and has grown significantly more hardened than would otherwise have occurred. The relatively small scale opposition to nobility has transformed into full-blown revolutionary zeal. As one of Arras's earliest followers Sera acts as effective spymaster for the Orlesian rebellion.
Shianni: Promoted to Arl of the Denerim Alienage following the Fifth Blight (her cousin turned the job down to go back to Redcliffe). Shianni is a constant irritant amongst the nobles of Fereldan, and many think she has the king's ear on too many issues.
Sten: Attempted to seize control of the heroes of Fereldan. Attacked by Clark and Leliana after defeating Alistair in a duel and presumed dead. No body was ever recovered.
Alim Surana: An arcane warrior without peer Alim is also the First Enchanter of the Lake Calenhad Circle, and therefore the Grand Enchanter of Fereldan, following Enchanter Irving's retirement. Surana is a significant proponent of Mage rights, and serves on a committee with Knight Commander Gregoir, who is planning on stepping down, and a Grand Cleric of the Chantry which oversees the function of the Fereldan Circle system. As Grand Enchanter he also occupies a seat in the Landsmeet.
Darrian Tabris: After the Fifth Blight Darrian was offered rule over the Arling of the Denerim alienage, but turned the post down to return to Redcliffe and his wife. They live quiet lives as relatively well-off merchants (an increasingly powerful social class in Fereldan), dealing primarily in arms made in Redcliffe's foundries (the town has become a major center of both cannon and powder production). The couple are well respected by the community, many of whom remember Darrian's efforts during the Blight, and have three children. The influence of the Tabris family was highly influential in passing multiple elven rights laws. Redcliffe is viewed as one of the friendliest cities for elves outside of the Dales.
King Alistair I Therein: Current king of Fereldan. Not currently married, but pressure is rapidly mounting for him to take a wife. The king has currently withdrawn from the public eye, bringing rumors of severe illness. He has put in only four appearances in Denerim since 9.39, even missing special Chantry services to commemorate the end of the Fifth Blight and Recovery of the Urn.
Aveline Vallen: Made a last stand against the mages during the Kirkwall Revolt. Presumed dead.
Vivienne: Died in the destruction of the White Spire during the Fereldan/Nevarran assault on Val Royeaux.
And finally, a little segment showing a bit of where the world is going:
Taken from: The Ages of Thedas
By Michael Bates
Published 11.21 SA. University of Denerim Press. Denerim, Imperial Federation of Fereldan.
Sky Age:
10.00-10.99
Coined by Divine Julia II in the year 9.99 after being present at the first public demonstration of heavier than air flight. The Divine's announcement cut short speculation that the Age would be referred to as either the Popular Age, or the Fire Age which had been the previous candidates…
The Fire Age, one possibility for the Sky Age's name would of course return as the name of the following age, named for a key moment in the Divine War…
Taken from: Black and White: The Development of the Southern and Northern Chantries
By Dorian Flavin
Published 10.61 SA. University of Minrathrous Press. Kingdom of the Anderfels.
…Conflict has existed between the Black Divine and the White Divine almost from the moment the Chantry came into being. What was then the Tevinter Imperium refused to recognize the Orlesian upstarts in the south setting up a sovereign religious body, in particular one which blame on the Tevinter magisters as the cause of the Maker's Wrath…Within a few years of forming the two Divine's excommunicated one another…
Following the collapse of Tevinter it seemed the Imperial Chantry was doomed to die, the Black Divine died upon the blade of Fenris the Scourge , and each breakaway state set up a new Black Divine to take his place…[5]
The new southern Divine not only had her own nation, but she was known to be a close friend to multiple Fereldan high officials, including the king, queen, and three teyrns. To the Ander lords it seemed to be switching out one puppet for a puppet controlled by slightly more distant masters. This presented a unique opportunity however, and the most powerful lords of the Anderfels took the chance to break with Val Royeaux completely. This left the simple question of where to turn for the people's spiritual guidance. Fortunately the ongoing rise of Perivantium offered a once in a lifetime opportunity…
[1]: The existence of the Mother and the Architect is not deemed important enough by Mr. Hart to include. Even amongst the most detail oriented historians of Fereldan their defeat is at most a historical footnote.
[2]: Most historians do not consider the Qunari to have had two separate nations, instead they are considered essentially extended parts of the same government.
[3]: Davies is exaggerating here. Fereldan had existed for a short time, but his general point stands.
[4]: In the future the southern (or white) Divine is largely viewed as a puppet of the various southern kingdoms, at the moment Orlais. This is countered by the Black Divine, who of course was a puppet of the Tevinters, though for obvious reasons the current Black Divine no longer lives in Minrathrous.
[5]: More on this following the downfall of Corypheus, and the Arran Wars.
To guest 12: You are quite right that the destruction of the Urn of Sacred Ashes WOULD be a major blow to Fereldan international prestige…
And no, William will not be particularly fond of the divine intervention explanation, not because he doesn't believe its impossible (his position quite clearly indicates that SOMETHING exists at the very least. While he will explain his views a bit more thoroughly later on, primarily in piercing the Herald's ego, they can be summed up like so: 1. Bioware wouldn't put that into a game, and 2. He doesn't believe in the Maker. That second bit is important, while Leliana might view the Christian God and the Andrastian Maker as the same being (more on this later too), William does not. The first is a change from his previous attitude, largely brought about by events in Kirkwall, and he is essentially theorizing that the situation they find themselves in is at least similar to what would have happened in a third game, a time equivalent to a Seldon Crisis from the Foundation, or a Prophecy Event from the Belgariad. Since unlike previous installments he has no idea what is coming there really is no plan, even in the short term.
