Factions

[The Maker]

Southern countries
The main focus on this forum lies on these places below.

The Orlesian Empire
Orlais, a land of classy people and nobles with eye for fashion and marvelous architecture, famous for their many titles and the grand game they all play, where everyone try to rise higher in wealth and power by causing scandals and rumors. These people see themselves in high regard and many hate them for it, especially Ferelden and Nevarra whom they have often fought in the past. It is within their Empire that the White Divine of the Andrastian Chantry lives and oversees the loyal children to the Maker, from where peace is sought greatly after.

In the two recent years the Orlesian people have found themselves surrounded by civil war, torn apart by two sides of the same coin, the loyalists of Empress Celene I and the allies of Grand Duke Gespard de Chalons. Empress Celene has ruled Orlais since the death of her uncle Florian and she have led Orlais into a cultural renaissance where education, fashion and architecture has flourished, but now with a Mage-Templar war threatening the stability of the world many believes Empress Celene unfit to rule. Many has therefor turned to Grand Duke Gespard, the older Cousin of the Empress, whom for years has tried to escape the rumors claiming that he was one of many who planned the assassination of his own father, Emperor Florian, a rumor planted by Empress Celene herself. Along with his allies the Grand Duke plans to seek redemption and vengeance, standing side by side with those who wants to see an end to Celene`s rule, the end of the Mage Rebellion and the expansion of the Orlesian Empire.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Orlais

Ferelden
The Fereldans are a puzzle. As a people, they are one bad day away from reverting to barbarism. They repelled invasions from Tevinter during the height of the Imperium with nothing but dogs and their own obstinate disposition. They are the coarse, willful, dirty, disorganized people who somehow gave rise to our prophet, ushered in an era of enlightenment, and toppled the greatest empire in history. One can assume a few things in dealing with these people: First, they value loyalty above all things, beyond wealth, power, and reason. Second, although few things in their country are remarkable to outsiders, they are extremely proud of their accomplishments. Third, if one insults their dogs, they are likely to declare war. And finally, one has underestimated Fereldans when he thinks he has come to understand them.

Since the days when the Fifth Blight ravaged Ferelden, the people have focused on rebuilding their fallen territories under the leadership of King Alistair and Queen Anora. The people have faced many threats, such as small rivalries between Humans and Elves, Darkspawn in Amarathine, a Chasind Raid and Orlesian influence. It is today a country full of fear, especially when it comes to rumors about the King and Queen and its foreign borders. There are claims that the King has been unfaithful to his Queen and that he is supporting the rebellious Mages, there are also claims telling that Anora cannot give birth to a child and that she still holds a grudge for the death of her father, whom was executed for his crimes by Aedan Cousland, The Hero of Ferelden who killed the Archdemon and the Brood Mother, but who shortly after disappeared. As the threats rises around them, the people fear most of all that Ferelden may one day stand without an heir loyal to the country and it`s people.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Ferelden

The Free Marches
The Free Marches is not a kingdom or even a nation in the most basic sense. People from that region dislike even being lumped together as "Marchers." Rather, they are a collection of independent city-states united only when it suits them. Because of this, the Free Marches have no capital, and what passes for a central government exists only sporadically, a sort of Landsmeet that convenes only during times of crisis. Each free city holds an elected ruler, often supported by the Chantry, with a title adopted from somewhere else. With a loose based grip on the people, it attracts all sorts of folk, most of them criminals, refuges, deserters or someone who seeks a better life.

It was in the free city Kirkwall that the Mage-Templar war began and since those days life has been difficult in the Free Marches. With no Viscount to take the lead in Kirkwall, Knight-Commander Cullen has been given authority to lead the Templars within the region. It has now become a persecution for the Templars, where the rebellious Mages are hiding and traveling to reach safe havens. The Prince of Starkhaven has also joined forces with Cullen`s forces and together they have formed the largest force within the region, but since Lord Seeker Lambert declared a separation between the Chantry and the Templars, they have been fored to choose with whom their loyalty lies, either with the White Divine who seeks a peaceful end, or with the Seekers and Templars whom wishes to see a bloody end.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Free Marches

Beyond the map countries
The focus of this forum does not lie entirely on these places, but can be drawn in as the population increases in the south.

Nevarra
The Nevarrans, a proud folk of many clans, famous for their dragon hunters who were thought to have eradicated dragonkind until the beginning of the current age. The romance of such deeds exerts a strong pull on the young and since the day they are born, the Nevarrans teaches their children to build their own tomb and to complete it with the adventure and fame of their own lives, wanting them to bring honor to themselves and their family. The country of Nevarra is known to hold many mercenaries and the people have since their dawn of civilization had a rivalry with the Orlesians.

As words spread about the Mage Rebellion in Kirkwall, Nevarra became one the first countries to feel its shockwaves. In order to prevent any further conspiracy, the Chantry closed the doors to the Collage of Magi in Cumberland and tightened the grip on the imprisoned Mages. It later proved catastrophic as the Mages only became more angered and in the end they broke free, all fleeing to gather at Andoral`s Reach. Since then Nevarra have had some problems concerning the Templars pursuit for the Mages, but with a civil war now going on in Orlais there are many Nevarrans who wishes to use the opportunity to start a new war, long desired by some members of the ruling Pentaghast clan.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Nevarra

Antiva
The people of Antiva are dangerous and seductive, clouded with mystery whom has no army, but the worlds most skilled assassins, the Antivan Crows. Unlike any other country, these people are ruled by a plutocracy, where the wealthiest rule side by side with the royal family. Because of their interest in culture, one may think to believe these have much in common with the Orlesians, however among the Antivans the women have strictly defined roles in Antiva, where they are considered pure and delicate and not allowed to participate in combat, among other things.

Since the Mage-Templar war begun, the Antivans have felt an economic rise and fall. They are now forced to choose whom to support and many sees it both beneficial and dangerous. There are rumors within that have recently caused unrest, and the Antivan Crows are wavering. Stories are telling that an Elven assassin has returned and that he has come to put an end to his persecution. Among the Antivan Crows, he is named Zevran. Whether or not he has come to end it or to become the new leader among the Crows, it only remains to be seen.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Antiva

Rivain
Setting foot upon the land of Rivain is like stepping into a different world. Where it`s dark-skinned humans, the Rivaini, have a peaceful relationship with the Elves, whom nearly knows nothing about the Chantry`s teachings, though who rather favors the teaching of the Qun. The Rivani are often seen primitive, but are led by village seers, old women who acts as witches. The higher ranked one is, the more decoration the person has, whether its tattoos or jewelry. Because many Rivaini`s love to wander and explore, there are many of them who has chosen the pirate life. Where civilization has reached their shores, they often tend to gather.

After the Mages rebelled in the circle within Rivain, the Templars have no longer wanted to enter its land, as they were by the locals driven out. Since then many Mages have sought refuge among them, but in the north something else is stirring. Within the city Kont-aar, a city mostly governed by the Qunari, there has been mysterious activates, though no one wishes to investigate it, it is clearly that something big is about to happen.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Rivain

The Tevinter Imperium
Since the arrival of men, the Tevinters have been portrayed corrupt and dangerous, favoring magic above all else. These people were the first to establish a nation and they destroyed the home of the Elves, enslaving them, causing the Blight and killed the favored Prophet Andraste. Since then they have been in numerous wars and they have long been the rival to the Orlesian people and the Qunari of Par Vollen, holding a male Black Divine, with a senate and an Archon drawn from the ranks of Mages. Even they now have grown less in strength; they still hold much power in the north with a large army consisting of soldiers, Mages and Elephants, where slavery is still important for their economy.

For years the Tevinters have tried to reconquer their lost island Seheron and their fallen provinces in the south, but so far it has proved unsuccessful due to the war with the Qunari. Every day they lunches assaults upon the island, hoping to reclaim it, but so far it has only lead to death and suffering for everyone involved. Many believe that the Qunari could have conquered the Tevinters whenever they wanted, but the Tevinters do not believe it. Now with a Mage-Templar War threatening the peace of the world, the Tevinters sees an opportunity never offered before, offering help to those in need for the right price.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Tevinter Imperium


Anderfels
The Anders, a people of shocking extremes, a people who have suffered and survived two blights, whom has both felt and seen its disease upon the land. These are a tough and hardy folk, who live upon the great steppes and whom has long put their trust among the Gray Wardens. Their land is still infested by Darkspawn, but in the recent years there has been less and less activity, a mystery that has made many curious.

The old weak King of Anderfels have died and the Kingdom has now fallen to his son Mark, a greedy and a violent man, a man married with a strong minded Tevinter woman. He has blamed the Gray Wardens for the death of his father and has accused them for using blood magic. With the support of Lord Seeker Lambert`s Templar order, they have together taken the First Warden Aleric captive. Now Gray Warden Anna has taken the role as the First Warden and in Waisshaupt she prepares to protect the Gray Warden order against false claims, wishing to free her mentor. Anderfels now stand on the brink of a civil war, between those who support the Wardens and by those who support the new King.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Anderfels

Par Vollen
Upon the island in the far north of Thedas lives the followers of the Qun, occupied by the Kossith since their arrival, who has dominated the native Fex. In the past they have tried to conquer all of Thedas, but after heavy defeat a peace treaty were made, except with those from Tevinter. Since then the Qunari and the Tevinter`s have been at war, fighting for dominance with no pause. The followers of the Qun are a warlike people, who wish to bring order and stability to the world with their faith.

With a Mage-Templar War now causing a great unrest among the people of Thedas, and with the death of their Arishok, the Qunari sees it as their duty to interfere, wanting to put an end to all chaos that roams. For years they have observed the people with great frustration and for centuries have they been in war with the Tevinters. With a new Arishok on the rise and with a united Triumvirate, the Qunari believes it is soon time for them to act. Since their first arrival and retreat, they have honored the peace treaty, but no longer do they wish to see the people in needless war. In secret they are now planning a mass scaled invasion.

For more information about their culture, go to:
Codex: Par Vollen