House Vael is the ruling family of the city-state of Starkhaven in the
Free Marches.
Known Members
Note: † means deceased.
- Artesian Vael †, the man who opposed King Ironfist and who became the first Prince of Starkhaven.
- Corbinian Vael †, the third Prince of Starkhaven and father of Sebastien, Meghan, and Fedras. Won the The Grand Tourney with his family when it was in Starkhaven. He was murdered by the White Company.
- Fedras Vael †, he was supposed to be the heir to the throne before he was murdered by the White Company.
- Meghan Vael †, she was the youngest member of the Vael bloodline and had strong diplomatic ties with Antiva. She was murdered by the White Company.
- Regineld Vael †, second Prince of Starkhaven and architect of the concentric ringed walls that surround Starkhaven and serve as its defense.
- Sebastien Vael, fourth and current Prince of Starkhaven and the only prominent survivor from the White Company's execution of the Vael family.
History
Prior to the Vaels' ascension to the throne, Starkhaven was in a state of ongoing coup d'état, with warlords repeatedly seizing power before being overthrown themselves in rapid succession. In this way, it wasn't very different than
Ferelden before its unification.
A Lord Artesian of House Vael organized a peaceful protest against the ruler of "King Ironfist", the latest self-declared "King of Starkhaven". The protest involved going to each of the guards employed by Ironfist and giving them a flower, specifically a crystal grace. Tied to each flower was a piece of canvas with a powerful phrase from the
Chant of Light.
Inspired by Lord Vael's piety, many of Ironfist's soldiers began to desert and Ironfist himself was forced to flee Starkhaven. Afterwards by popular acclaim, Lord Vael was offered the title of King but he refused, feeling he had no claim to the title. Instead he was declared Prince of Starkhaven, which has remained the ruling title in the city ever since. This protest inspired a yearly event in Starkhaven: every Fall, one is supposed to find an enemy or rival and to give them a crystal grace flower.
The House also devoutly believed in the
Maker and thus
the Chantry has a strong presence in Starkhaven. It has been tradition since the family rose in prominence for at least member of the family to become a cleric or brother of the Chantry.
Unfortunately, after several generations of the Vael family bringing peace and prosperity to Starkhaven, the entire family was massacred. It was recently found out, however, that the youngest child of the previous Prince was sent away to Ferelden on a religious journey. When Sebastien returned to claim his family's title, he let out a call for the White Company to come and finish the job of executing his family. In a one-sided and bloody brawl, Sebastien murdered the entire organization in the heart of Starkhaven. The tragic murder of the majority of the Vael family is now referred to as the "Red Winter".
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