With the Dragon's Breath disrupted and any hope of a swift victory dashed, the Qunari retreated back to the North. Few knew what debates waged in Par Vollen, but not long after the Exalted Council, the Qunari launched new attacks against Tevinter. Their aggression caught the already unstable Imperium off guard. Tevinter was soon mired in a war many feared could spread across Thedas. Yet rumors began that in ancient temples, something was listening.
The Exalted Council remained intact, advising Divine Victoria on important matters. Cassandra served for several years. Cassandra also spent time in the Hunterhorn Mountains north of Orlais, where she worked to rebuild the Seekers. For a time, the new Seekers remained reclusive, showing no interest in worldly affairs and working to a purpose few outside their order could guess.
The end of the Inquisition as it had been sent shock waves through the College of Enchanters. Madam de Fer ably played on the mages' fears. Her followers united to build a new Circle - with Vivienne as its Grand Enchanter - in direct competition with the College. What the Circle lacked in numbers, they made up for in political connections; soon they were a force to be reckoned with. The two institutions settled into an uneasy coexistence across the South, vying for power.
After the Exalted Council, Leliana devoted herself fully to the Sunburst Throne, and her dream of reshaping the Chantry. Within a year, she removed restrictions surrounding Chantry priesthood, allowing men and women of all races to be initiated and ordained. This decree was followed swiftly by her decision to return the Canticle of Shartan to the canonical chant, a move that divided Andrastians deeply. A rebellion to renounce her and return the Chantry to its former state arose, beginning first in Orlais, then spreading to other parts of Thedas. Divine Victoria was resolute, holding her ground even after several unsuccessful attempts on her life. Seemingly unconcerned with the assassination attempts, she held up the hostility leveled against her as proof that she was on the right path.
More than one assassin found themselves at the mercy of the Divine's Raven. Brehan continued his open affair with the Divine, and was often seen at her side. Eventually, Divine Victoria decreed that all members of the Chantry, from initiate to Divine, would be allowed to engage in romantic relationships. When questioned, the Divine pointed to Andraste, who served the Maker while wed to a mortal spouse. In time, many in the Chantry came to accept the Divine's decree that 'love is the Maker's best gift and is infinite.' During a visit to Kirkwall, Brehan and Varric drunkenly penned 'the Ballad of the Inquisition' with the help of Caleb Hawke. It was promptly banned by all polite society.
With the Inquisition now answering to the Divine, Sera joined the Inquisitor in officially retiring from scaring people in high places. By formal account and agreement, both would lead boring, safe lives nowhere special doing not much at all. And with that comforting lie, those in power continued their fragile lives as though all was back to normal. Meanwhile, Red Jenny, an entirely separate person not at all collectively embodied by Sera, the Inquisitor, and countless friends continued to make a difference, or just have fun, where and when the impulse struck. With frequent visits to her Widdle, of course. Perhaps most unnerving was Sera's standing offer to the Divine: 'When the nobs piss about with your Left Hand or Right, call on Red Jenny to give them two fingers.'
Varric took up the role of Viscount and, with the help of his friend Hawke, rebuilt Kirkwall's damaged infrastructure. Under his rule, the city-state finally resumed its place as the major trade hub of the Free Marches. He continued to ignore all mail from both the Merchants Guild and the Prince of Starkhaven. Carver and Merrill, along with their griffins, worked with Aveline to turn the Kirkwall guard from merely tough to the stuff of legend. Three years after giving birth to her daughter Leandra, Merrill had a son. She did, indeed, name him Varric. When asked about their new facial decorations, both Merrill and Carver gave the same response. 'What tattoo?'
With the Inquisition in its new role, the Bull's Chargers returned to taking jobs throughout Orlais and Ferelden. Fighting demons and clearing out the remains of the Venatori forces, the Iron Bull did his part to restore order to Thedas. Many of the jobs brought the Chargers close to the Imperium's border, where, from time to time, in a border-town villa, Bull and a certain Tevinter magister would spend a few hours together before life pulled them apart again.
Thom Rainier was shown mercy where none was deserved, and set on a path of redemption. This gift, so compassionately given, needed to be shared. Freed from his obligations to the Inquisition, Rainier traveled Thedas, giving hope to the condemned and the forgotten. In the deepest prisons and pits of Thedas, he found, if not goodness itself, its potential. By showing faith in those who had none, Rainier lifted them up and made them into something better than they were.
After easing the Inquisition's transition into the Chantry, Josephine returned to Antiva and her family. Thanks to the Inquisitor's help, the Montilyets were once again permitted to trade in Orlais. The next few years were a busy time, as many ships with the Montilyet crest were built and set sail again from Antivan harbors. Soon, Rivaini pirate captains with an ancient feud against Josephine's ancestors took to the seas, determined to rekindle the rivalry. Lady Montilyet took the development in stride. After making arrangements with a particular Rivaini pirate queen, rumors cropped up regarding a relationship between Lady Montilyet and a former Kirkwall templar turned pirate. With the help of Yvette's artistic talents, Otwin's scholarly treatises soon found many audiences, and the pair frequently traveled Thedas.
Dorian returned to Tevinter to take his father's place in the Magisterium. As rumors flew about the Imperium's infighting, Dorian was spoken of often as a voice of resistance against corruption. Along with Magister Maevaris Tilani, he formed a group called the Lucerni to restore and redeem Tevinter - a fight many thought hopeless. Those fighting by Magister Pavus's side noted that he kept in constant communication with the Inquisitor via message crystal. Whether for vital information or for moral support, these talks seemed to give Dorian the strength to continue his fight. On one occasion, Venatori forces ambushed Dorian, who likely would have died had not an unnamed mercenary band led by a Tal-Vashoth warrior crossed Tevinter's border and mounted a dangerous rescue operation. The mercenaries left a trail of freed slaves and dead Venatori in their wake, enabling Dorian to escape. When asked about the Tal-Vashoth in question, Magister Pavus declined to comment.
Cole took to the road with Maryden to find a new life and a new way to be human. Wherever Maryden went to sing, people found old pains eased and hearts made happier... even if they didn't understand why. Much to Cole's delight, Chitters the raccoon and his mate were perfectly willing to come along for the trip.
In Ferelden, the griffins thrived. Vigil's Keep regained its prominence as a Warden stronghold, and the ancient order began to rebuild under Warden-Commander Saitada. Those who had reached the end of their service moved on with their lives, freed from the taint. When asked how this was accomplished, the Wardens gave no reply. The Wardens of the South move as a separate organization now, no longer answering to Weisshaupt.
Despite her age and the common belief that she was barren, Teyrna Anora Mac Tir gave birth to a son. Considerable speculation has arisen as to the identity as to the child's father. Teyrna Mac Tir has refused to comment on the matter, save to express her happiness that the line of Mac Tir will continue. Gwaren continues its cordial relationship with the elven settlement, and the Teyrna's personal guard includes a squad of elven griffin-riders under the command of a Captain Caronel.
After the events of the Winter Palace, elves left the Inquisition under mysterious circumstances, as did elven servants across Thedas. None could say where they went, but those who believed the Inquisitor's story about Fen'Harel wondered just how large the Dread Wolf's forces were, and what the ancient elven rebel had planned.
Rumors abound regarding the second disappearance of Warden-Commander Jerath Tabris. Those who bear the dragon-mark refuse to speculate on his whereabouts, or those of Loghain Mac Tir, Nathaniel Howe, or Anders. Those who go to seek out the Witch of the Wilds do not return. The Inquisition has held its own silence on the matter.
After the Inquisition transitioned to a peacekeeping role, Cullen and the Inquisitor were able to spend more time together. They named their firstborn Gavren. Cullen continued to serve as commander of the Inquisition forces, aiding the Inquisitor in service to Divine Victoria. That is, after a long-overdue visit to Cullen's siblings, who were overjoyed to meet their new sister-in-law. Lukas Trevelyan settled for challenging his new brother-in-law to a drinking contest. Cullen lost.
A journey ends.
Another begins.