Orlais
War and Nobility
The Orlesian Empire, or simply Orlais, is currently the largest and most powerful nation in Thedas. It was founded by Kordilius Drakon I and its capital is Val Royeaux, which is where the second-in-command resides for the Chantry. Orlais is ruled by an Emperor or Empress.
They are a proud people with a culture priding highly upon noble status. Their history has been filled with many incidents of warmongering.
Culture and Society
Orlais is famed for its culture and extravagance. Emperor Kordilius Drakon I's legacy continues to heavily influence Orlesian laws and social customs. The capital city is Val Royeaux, which boasts the University of Orlais: a major centering of learning that attracts young nobles from all over Thedas with the best education one can buy. The University is a relatively modern institution with many liberal-minded professors. Professors have clashed with religious conservatives over the content of their classes, though most of the content is still kept under watch by the Chantry. It is likely that this will become a much larger issue in the future. The Summerday holiday is particularly holy in Orlais. This holiday celebrates the beginning of summer and on this day children who come of age wear white tunics and gowns and join a procession to the local Chantry. When they reach it, they are taught the responsibilities of being an adult. In their personal lives, many Orlesians favor habits such as indulging in alcohol or smoking pipes. They also tend to prefer small "toy dogs" as companions, as opposed to the hearty Mabari wardogs favored in Ferelden.Art
Art is particularly prized in Orlais, and has been the focus of the recent empress' reign. She has inspired something of a cultural renaissance within her nation. Under her, restrictions on artistic expression imposed by the Chantry have been mostly lifted, leading to a resurgence in her the popularity of theatre. Though theatrical works reflect central themes of Orlesian culture, such as disdain towards Fereldens and reverence for Kordilius Drakon, a few striking contrasts can also be found. In a country where The Grand Game can be a matter of life and death, a character's importance to the play and their gender is clearly defined by the appearance of their mask, an article which once donned, is understood to be absolutely them. The Grande Royeaux Theater in Val Royeaux is an important representation of Orlesian cultural heritage.Class Divide
Orlais is a nation where class and social politics frequently rule the day. As such, the concerns and lives of the various classes can differ greatly. Among the nobility a penchant for high fashion is common, often copied in other lands such as Nevarra and the Free Marches but always at its most extreme within Orlais. Both men and women wear cosmetics of various kinds, with subtle differences that indicate social standing. In public, they are also prone to wearing very elaborate masks. These are hereditary and identify one's family almost as uniquely as the heraldry on a crest. Servants also wear masks in public that are simpler and not so elaborate as their masters' which indicate the noble household they serve. Aristocratic society is vicious and marked by fawning envy to the powerful. Bards often entertain nobles in their courts despite their roles as spies, assassins and saboteurs for their employers who are usually other nobles. Nobles welcome such entertainers with full knowledge that any could be a bard; the thrill of outwitting a spy is a notion the Orlesian aristocracy can hardly resist. The lives of Orlesian nobility may give the impression that life is easy and prosperous for all. However, the lives of commoners are often much more difficult, while all aspire to the lives of the noble class. Many Orlesians are hardly well-to-do and work as freeholders, or else laborers on another's property, often leading to general discontent and simmering resentment. For a class of people with little besides belief in the Chant of Light to uplift their lives, this discontent may cause friction with those seen as having unfair privileges or else upsetting their routine or religious beliefs, such as mages.Fashion
A bare face in Orlais is considered gauche, especially in the presence of a foreigner or a commoner. The Orlesian nobility, and those who serve publicly, are prone to wearing very intricate--as opposed to simply gaudy--masks in public. These masks, often half-masks specifically, are hereditary and identify one's family and social class almost as uniquely as the heraldry on a crest: a family might be associated with a lion crest, and matching lion masks will identify them in public. Retainers and servants wear a simpler form of a family's mask. Family symbols are well known among the Orlesian public, and anyone attempting to wear a mask that doesn't belong to their house runs the risk of a quick death if discovered.Politics
Under the rule of the legendary Kordilius Drakon I, the fledgling nation of Orlais rose to prominence. While modern Orlais is nowhere near as large as it was under Drakon, it remains the most powerful nation in Thedas. In Orlais, land is owned exclusively by the aristocracy and titles are granted by the Council of Heralds. Power rests solely in the Emperor or Empress as in many monarchies in Thedas where power descends from the throne, unlike Ferelden whose power derives from the support of freeholders. Many Orlesian nobles belong to its renowned knightly order, the chevaliers. The martial training of the chevaliers is legendarily harsh, instilling in the knights a fierce discipline and code of honor that takes precedence over the value of their own lives. The penalty for dishonor is death, something that a chevalier would welcome if he or she has failed their lord. They are honored by many and are considered amongst the best of all soldiers but they also have unlimited rights when it comes to handling the peasantry; a cause of many conflicts.The Grand Game
"The game" refers to the perpetual competition for influence and esteem between the Orlesian nobles. Every Orlesian of noble birth is subject to their peers' manipulation, if not as a player, then as a pawn, and the only way out seems to be joining the Chantry or affiliated organizations such as the Templar Order and the Circle of Magi. The goals of the game are personal prestige, reputation, and patronage, and its "rules" are as simple as "anything goes". Nobles often employ assassins or, more often, bards to accomplish these goals. Social engineering is also important in this aspect of Orlesian culture, and masks, elaborate dress and social engagements are important tools to further the Game. The lower classes of Orlesian society also attempt to participate in the Game, even though it would be assumed they would view it with contempt. However, despite the Game offering a veneer of genuine social mobility through accumulated wealth and patronage, with the ultimate aim of a title, the chances of this happening are in reality very slim. Though it appears meritocratic, the Grand Game offers most commoners only a faint hope that "is enough to keep the poor preoccupied and the rich in power."History
Two of the human tribes that traveled to Thedas, the Ciriane and Inghirsh, first settled this region. The Ciriane people were loosely defined, though culturally very rich. Just prior to the First Exalted March, the Cirianese people saw that the age of nations was soon to come. In a move of power, they united into an empire in a moment known as the Grand Unification. This happened due to fear that the Andrastian army would destroy the Tevinter Imperium and then come from Cerianese land next. This invasion never came to pass, but the nation found itself together. Not long after the death of Andraste at the hands of Tevinter magistrates, her closest apostates began cults dedicated to the Maker. Ironically, the unification of the Cerianese people ended up making the spread of her teachings even faster, allowing them to spread quickly in the southern lands. The religion's first great temple was built in Val Royeaux, which was to become a major center of worship for this new faith. One of its fervent followers, a promising general, Kordilius Drakon, began a series of holy wars in the name of the Maker. Quickly, he proved himself to be one of the greatest generals in all of history. Within eight years, he conquered several neighboring city-states and forced others to submit to his overlordship. Drakon was crowned as emperor and formalized the empire into Orlais. During his reign, the Chantry was formed as the Maker's cult became the official religion. Drakon sent missionaries all over Thedas in an attempt to spread the Chantry's teachings. With Augustina I becoming the first Divine of the Chantry, the free use of magic was declared illegal in Orlais except by those mages operating under the direct auspices of the Chantry. This lead to the creation of the Circle of Magi. This belief later forced itself into other societies and is now commonplace in most nations across Thedas. Several centuries later, Orlais' size came to rival the Tevinter Imperium. Border skirmishes between the Dales and Orlais increase in number. No one truly knows which side instigated the war, but Orlais (specifically the Chantry) declared it. Surprisingly, the elves managed to quickly capture Orlesian cities until reaching Val Royeaux. It was the Dalish's hardest fought victory, but eventually they did take over the Orlesian capital. At this point, the Chantry called for the beginning of the Second Exalted March against the Dalish. Never did the Orlesian people feel so unified as that moment. It took months of preparation and skirmish fighting, but eventually the Orlesian people brought the fight back to the Dalish. This was one of the most decisive battles of the war. Even though they had ransacked the Orlesian capital, the Dalish had run low on supplies and were massacred. This did not stop the Orlesians. They continued their assault against the Dalish, eventually pushing them all the way back to their own capital. By this point, hundreds of thousands if not millions of Dalish had been killed. In what is now known as the Plain of Tears, the remaining Dalish forces attempted to hold their sacred land. Due to the awful 12-to-1 odds, it is no surprise they lost. Refusing to betray their beliefs, the remaining Dalish general Joslasan (who was only a general due to higher-ups dying) issued a challenge to the Orlesian general. The two were meant to face one-another in a fair duel. Elves claim that the Orlesian general cheated and had crossbowmen kill Joslasan during their fight. Prior to his own death, however, Joslasan managed to kill the Orlesian general as well. Orlais annexed the Dales to become part of the Orlesian Empire. Alienages were created for the Dalish population who submitted. Approximately fifty years ago, Orlais began a war with the Alamarri tribes to their East. The "Mad Emperor" Reville invaded the lands now regarded as Ferelden. Foolishly, he had expected them to fall as easily as the Dalish. After crossing the Frostback Mountains, Orlais' army began conquering everything they could get their hands on. The Alamarri people, too proud to unite as one, were no match for the military might of Orlais. After about fifteen years of occupation, the Alamarri were united under their future king, King Calenhad. Unable to sustain a longer war due to the winters of the Frostback Mountains, Orlais had to retreat. After losing support of the fellow nobles, Emperor Reville locked himself in a private room in the Orlais' Grand Cathedral. He feared that assassins were out to murder him. Ironically, he died after two weeks.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Demonym
Orlesian
Currency
Pennies/Crowns/Royals
Subsidiary Organizations
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Location: Southwestern Thedas
Government: Absolute monarchy
Capital: Val Royeaux
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