#basile de serault

[bigfan-fanfic]

The Scholar with the Glass Crown

Lord Basile de Serault, Chatelaine of Windron, Formerly His Grace, the Marquis Basile Apollon Francoeur de Serault, Lord of Glass, Keeper of the Tower of Glass

“I always wondered if I was worthy of being Marquis. I wanted nothing more than to stay among my books and read, occasionally visiting my little sister’s horses with her. How could I have been ready to lead my people? But over and over I proved myself. And though the world saw only the Shame, you saw me for what I am. And you gave my people a new chance in Skyhold. And then a new life here in Windron. I thank you, your Worship. Your trust in me shall never be misplaced, I swear it.“

-Basile, swearing fealty to Tash upon being appointed chatelaine of Windron. 

[servesorlais]

Ever wanted to know who the ruler of a certain Orlesian city is? Need connections for your Orlesian OC, but weren’t sure where to start? Look no further! Here I have attempted to compile a list of the named & notable Orlesians found in the Dragon Age games, primarily those that are alive during the events of the games & tie-in novels  ( although a few historical figures are also included for reference. )  Note that it only includes individuals; families that are referred to by the family name, but with no individuals singled out, are not included, nor are unnamed NPCs. Characters that live in Orlais but would likely identify with heritage from elsewhere are not included ( i.e. Josephine would be considered Antivan rather than Orlesian. )  Lastly, some characters may fit under more than one subheading, but are only listed once  ( i.e. Gaspard is both royalty and a chevalier, but is only under the former heading. ) 

Shoutout to Erran for the Fereldan and DAO NPC List, which served as inspiration to compile a similar reference for Orlais. Given the scarcity of Orlesian blogs in the rp fandom, this won’t serve as a masterlist of rpers, but I can make a second list if that interests anyone!

List will be periodically updated, as it’s by no means complete yet! If you notice a particular character is missing, feel free to reblog and mention the name(s) in a comment / the tags on a reblog, or send it in a message. Reference a source if possible  ( game, war table mission, book, etc. ) And with that ...

ROYALTY

Empress Celene Valmont – Empress of Orlais Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons – Celene’s cousin Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons – Gaspard’s younger sister Emperor Florian Valmont – Celene’s uncle, former Emperor Prince Reynaud Valmont – Celene’s father, Florian’s brother  Duchess Clarisse de Montfort – Celene’s mother Duke Theodore de Chalons – Gaspard and Florianne’s father Princess Melisande Valmont – Gaspard and Florianne’s mother Calienne de Chalons – Gaspard’s wife King Meghren Dufayel – Former Orlesian King of Ferelden, cousin of Florian Emperor Judicael I – Florian’s father, Celene and Gaspard’s grandfather Emperor Judicael II – Florian’s older brother, Celene and Gaspard’s uncle

THE COUNCIL OF HERALDS

Duke Bastien de Ghislain – Vivienne’s lover, head of the Council of Heralds Duke Laurent de Ghislain – Duke of Ghislain following Bastien de Ghislain’s death Duke Prosper de Montfort – Duke of Montfort, one of Celene’s closest allies Duke Cyril de Montfort – Prosper’s son, youngest member of the Council of Heralds Duke Germain de Chalons – Gaspard’s uncle Marquis Etienne de Chevin – One of Celene’s closest allies, Marquis of Val Chevin Marquise Mantillon – “The Dowager” Comte Lothair Doucy – Member of the Council of Heralds Comtesse Solange Montbelliard – “The Silver Lady of Churneau”

NOBILITY

Duke Remache de Lydes – Ally of Gaspard’s Monette de Lydes – Duke Remache’s daughter, brought up in Chantry service Duchess Caralina de Lydes – Remache’s cousin Duke Stefan de Firmin – Lady Caralina’s husband, Duke of Val Firmin Lady Seryl – Lady of Jader, an ally of Celene Comte Pierre – Lord of Halamshiral, an ally of Celene Lord Mainserai – A nobleman of Halamshiral, known for his cruelness towards elves Lord Montsimmard – Chevalier and ally of Gaspard Lady Montsimmard – Friendly with the Circle of Magi in Montsimmard Evariste Lemarque, “Fairbanks” – Found caring for refugees of the civil war in the Emerald Graves Lord Esmeral Abernache – Hired by the Inquisition to appeal to the Templars in Therinfal Redoubt Arlessa Isolde – Married to Arl Eamon Guerrin, daughter of the Orlesian governer of Redcliffe during the Occupation Alban Poulin – Ruler of Sahrnia in Emprise du Lion Baron Edouard Desjardins – Friend of Josephine Montilyet’s father, given command of Suledin Keep with the Inquisition Baron Havard-Pierre d’Amortisan – Studies Thedosian beasts, author of numerous books on the subject Comtesse Lynette Dionne – Noblewoman who is requested to sponsor the Du Paraquettes, asks for news about her mage lover Gascard Dupuis – Orlesian noble blood mage living in Kirkwall  Baron Arlange – Invited to Prosper de Montfort’s wyvern hunt Lady Couteau – Lady-in-waiting to Celene Lady Colombe – Lady-in-waiting to Celene Lady Fleur – Lady-in-waiting to Celene Lord Chancer de Lion – Trainer of the Champion specialization in Skyhold Lady Marcelette – Court historian in Halamshiral  Marquis de Serault – Player-created character in The Last Court   Marquis d’Alyons – Neighbor and rival of the Marquis of Serault Lord Remi Vascal – “The Black Fox,” noble who became a legendary thief and rogue Lady Servana de Montfort – The Black Fox’s lover, may have been a Circle mage Baron Arlange – Invited to Prosper de Montfort’s wyvern hunt Gascard Dupuis – Orlesian noble blood mage living in Kirkwall  Comte Guillaume de Launcet – Nobleman living in Kirkwall Comtesse Dulci de Launcet – Wife of Comte Guillaume  Emile de Launcet – Guillaume and Dulci’s son, a mage escaped from the Circle in Kirkwall Fifi & Babbette de Launcet – Emile’s sisters Ghyslain de Carrac – Nobleman living in Kirkwall whose wife Ninette goes missing Marquise DuRellion – Nobleman with claims to the land around Haven  Comte Brevin de Chalons – Relative of Gaspard, sponsor of Michel de Chevin “The Baroness” – A blood mage, ruler of the Blackmarsh in Ferelden during the Occupation  Lord Vincent Callier – General of Celene’s army, murdered by Thom Rainier Vicomtesse Elodie de Morreau – Friend of Vivienne, Josephine, and Leliana Lady Ducette Maron – Joins the Inquisition in Emprise du Lion disguised as a villager Lord Basile Maron – Ducette’s father, a minor noble Duchess Nicole de Val Montaigne – Head of the Orlesian Society for the Protection of Historic Architecture Duke Alvin Blanchard – Lord of Val Montaigne, ally of Florianne and the Venatori Duke Valere Fontaine – Claims to be indebted to Josephine Marquise Effiloche Bouffon – Ruler of Val Gamord in the Western Approach Comte Boisvert – A lord of Val Royeaux Lord Pel Harmond – A lord of Verchiel Leontine Pontival – Killed at Therinfal Redoubt Vicomte Tremane Pontival – Leontine’s aggrieved brother Comte Renald de Mourier – Distant relation of Celene’s Marquis de Courtemance – A rich nobleman in the Heartlands, discovered to be smuggling red lyrium to the nobility  Judge Auld – Fond of hunting Minister Bellise – Royal minister, able to approve or deny noble titles Marquis Wiscotte – Nobleman in the Dales Lord Pierren DesRosier – From a traditional and old money family in Val Royeaux Lady Velise Thibault – Head of a new money family of wealthy merchants Celeste Thibault – Lady Velise’s daughter Jecin Leandre – Celeste Thibault’s lover Lady Eustache Richelieu – Known for proposing arranged marriages  Comte Marius de Poisson – Interested in invading the Ylenn Basin near Verchiel  Lady Cybile Maronn of Baisne – A minor but very wealthy noblewoman who plotted against Divine Justinia and was socially disgraced

CHEVALIERS

Ser Michel de Chevin – Celene’s champion Ser Bastien Proulx – Commander of Gaspard’s military forces Dame Jehan – Commander of Celene’s military forces Dame Fabienne – Chevalier under Jehan’s command in the Exalted Plains Ser Jean-Gaspard de Lydes – Brother of Duke Remache; revealed to be the bastard son of a travelling Grey Warden Ser Benoit du Lac – Aveline Vallen’s father Chevalier Ducet – A commander in the Imperial Army Chevalier Auguste – A chevalier who defected to join the Freemen of the Dales Ser Michel Lafaille – First Viscount of Kirkwall, drove out Qunari occupation in the Storm Age Ser Aveline – First female chevalier

BARDS

Leliana – Left Hand of the Divine Marjolaine – Leliana’s tutor and former lover Melcendre – Bard working for Gaspard de Chalons Katriel – An elven bard, Maric Theirin’s lover

ELVES

Briala – Spymaster and lover of Empress Celene Felassan – Seemingly Dalish elf, mentor of Briala Colette – Elven assistant to Professor Bram Kenric at the University of Orlais Threnn – A leader in the elven rebellion in Halamshiral Lemet – Threnn’s friend, a tradesman from Halamshiral whose death sparks a rebellion Erlina – Queen Anora’s handmaiden

MAGES

Vivienne de Fer – Court Enchanter to Celene Valmont Fiona – Grand Enchanter of the Circle of Magi, former Grey Warden Lienne de Montsimmard – Apostate, ally of Gaspard de Chalons Edmonde – First Enchanter of the White Spire in Val Royeaux Adrian – Part of the Libertarian Fraternity in the Circle of Magi First Enchanter Remille – First Enchanter of Kinloch Hold in Ferelden ZITHER! – Mage, minstrel, and Inquisition agent

WARDENS

Clarel de Chanson – Warden-Commander of Orlais Jean-Marc Stroud – Former chevalier, Inquisition’s warden contact Warden-Commander Caron – Human Warden-Commander of Ferelden Warden-Commander Andras – Elf Warden-Commander of Ferelden Warden-Commander Kader – Dwarf Warden-Commander of Ferelden Fontaine – predecessor of Clarel de Chanson Genevieve – Warden-Commander before Fontaine Bregan – Genevieve’s brother, Warden-Commander before her Guy – Genevieve’s fiancé Julien – An Orlesian human Warden, Nicolas’s lover Nicolas – An Orlesian human Warden, Julien’s lover

OTHER

Bonny Sims – Inquisition merchant Belle – Inquisition merchant Corporal Rosselin – Soldier in Gaspard’s army in the Exalted Plains Chancellor Jurgen Haulis – Head of the University of Orlais in Val Royeaux Cedric Marquette – A professor at the University, specializes in archaeology  Frederic de Serault – Dragonologist studying in the Western Approach Hubert Bartiere – Orlesian merchant, owner of the Bone Pit in Kirkwall  Lieutenant Suzanne Cloche-sec – Inquisition agent  Clara – A farmer driven off her land by the Freemen of the Dales in the Emerald Graves Gertrude – A merchant, taken captive by the Freemen of the Dales Maliphant – General of the Freemen of the Dales in the Emerald Graves Duhaime – A commander of the Freemen of the Dales in the Emerald Graves Sister Costeau – A leader of the Freemen of the Dales Willvan – A book merchant in Val Royeaux Pierre-Marie – Merchant in Val Royeaux  Liselle – A merchant from Val Royeaux who fled to Denerim with her brother after being assaulted by a chevalier Jovi Merice – Fled Orlais to Denerim after making accusations about Orlesian nobles Argent – Formerly an assassin hired by nobles, now works for the Inquisition

CHANTRY & TEMPLARS

Divine Justinia – Head of the Chantry   Mother Giselle – Revered Mother in Jader’s Chantry Mother Renette – Serves in Lydes’ Chantry, tutor to Monette de Lydes Mother Hevara – Revered Mother in Val Royeaux, candidate for Divine Mother Anette – Val Foret Chantry Sister Natalie – Chantry sister, opposes Leliana Sister Andrea – Sister in Val Royeaux Sister Antoinette – Sister in Val Royeaux Lord Seeker Lambert van Reeves – Head of the Seekers Lord Seeker Lucius Corin – Assumes lead of the Seekers after Lambert’s death Knight-Captain Evangeline de Brassard – Knight-Captain at the White Spire in Val Royeaux Knight-Captain Fornier – One of the Red Templars in Emprise du Lion Lieutenant Coutte – Another Red Templar in Emprise du Lion

[bigfan-fanfic]

Windron (or Val d’Espoir)

Thanks to everyone who helped me decide on a city plan! History of the city and the layout description below!

Windron

History

In granting Lord Inquisitor Tash Adaar his own dukedom in the form of the Ylenn Basin, the Council of Heralds (and, indeed, Celene Valmont, Gaspard de Chalons, and Briala of the Dales) only really gave their approval in appointing the first Qunari nobleman in Orlais in order to piggyback on the overwhelming popularity of the young Inquisitor and appease him so he would turn his gaze away from the Empire’s throne. They gave him the seat at Windron Citadel, a fortress in the Basin that eventually developed a small town around it. A fertile and prosperous place, Ylenn could bankroll the Inquisition on its own. “Let that satisfy the little ox,” they thought.

How misguided they were. 

Working with Ambassador Montilyet, Tash negotiated his rights to rule all of Ylenn Basin as he pleased, within the legislation of the Empire, of course. As Celene, Gaspard, and Briala had kept secret their defeat in the Game at the hands of the young Inquisitor, the Council of Heralds underestimated Tash and gave him written confirmation of his right to rule as he saw fit. 

Tash proceeded to impose his own style and ideology on the city of Windron, which was alternately known as Val d’Espoir, and eventually over all of Ylenn Basin. And any time any noble was foolish or daring enough to complain, Tash or his network of allied nobles would flaunt his charter signed by all twelve of the Council of Heralds at them. 

It was the first region in Orlais to have no alienages, for elves and all non-humans were provided the same rights as human citizens. Ylenn became a haven not only for elves, but for Tal-Vashoth and Vashoth refugees, surface dwarves, and mages. 

The refugees led by the Marquis de Serault took sanctuary in Windron, and Lord Basile de Serault was appointed chatelaine of the city. His sister Sylvie rode through town with a squadron of fighters of all races to defend the region from bandits. In addition, the Valo-Kas have a standing appointment as an occasional supplemental police force, as well as the Bull’s Chargers and the Sutherland Adventuring Company.

Though some flocked to the Divine’s new College of Enchanters, and some to Madame Vivienne’s New Circles, many mages traveled to Windron to gain sanctuary and found their talents were valued by their neighbors. A combination of Serualt glassmakers and free mages were able to recreate the ancient Towers of Light, providing the city with it’s signature glow. These towers sit atop the existing towers on the city’s battlements and shine in a beautiful display when the sun refract light through them, and at night, when mages are utilized to light mage lights.

Tash also offered Windron to Cullen Rutherford as a place where retired Templars needing rehabilitation or residence after getting off of lyrium could live in peace.

In honor of Duke Tash, who brought so many their freedom and created a prosperous and safe haven for all peoples, Ylenn Basin holds three day Carnival of Light each year at the end of the harvest. Those in the hamlets and villages of Ylenn Basin send up paper lanterns (inscribed with a special magical rune) into the air with messages of encouragement and love attached to them and watch them travel through the night sky. Guided by magic, the lantern makes its way to someone else in Ylenn, and they take the message and are blessed by its message for the year.

Layout

1. The Farmer’s District, formerly Catgate, now known as the Golden Ring. A rural district of small huts and scattered buildings where many of Ylenn’s farmers come to trade crops and techniques come harvest time. Also where many elves who have left other cities come to reside. Most residents leave to the nearby fields to farm. The name comes from the ring of golden magic lights that shines at the perimeter of the district, creating a magical barrier during times of distress. Dalish clans often send delegations of aravels to Windron that stay in the Golden Ring during the duration of their visit, in an area now known as the Aravel Park, a well-tended glade of trees where halla are known to graze and are protected from hunting by city law.

2. Noble Residential District, formerly the Old District, now the Lightsquare neighborhood. This district was left nearly abandoned as outraged Orlesian nobles left en masse in protest of not only their new horned ruler but his policies. Which gave Tash the opportunity to provide sturdy and accommodating housing for refugees, allowing elves and Tal-Vashoth to live in the fancy mansions and gilded houses. Lightsquare is known for its group housing, in which multiple families, oftentimes of different races, live in and care for their shared large house. The entire area is lit up by a soft glow, from lights that wrap around the trees, flicker on the fountains, and float past open windows.

3. Military Barracks and Mage Tower District, formerly the Castle Ward, now Knights’ Water. The most fortified of the districts, Knights’ Water provides numerous modest homes for the city’s knights and guards. There are also homes for displaced mages, and a mage tower where there is a thriving home for magical learning and experimentation independent of the Circle or College. The mage tower, known as the Obelisk, provides the main decorative feature of Knights’ Water: an eternal waterfall down the walls of the tower, the lights within refracting pleasantly in the square.

4. Peasant and Main District, The Valley.So named for the dip in elevation, the Valley is home to more traditional peasant dwellings. The citizens are mostly those who did not leave Windron, mainly the lower-class Orlesians who were already oppressed by the departing nobles. Enjoying the prosperity brought to them by Duke Tash, they accept his radical new ideology. The Valley is unique in Windron as being the only place where any overtly Andrastian iconography is found, as well as the only Chantry buildings within the city walls. The Valley boasts the greatest number of seedy inns and taverns, and is where the black market resides. The Valley is the least-altered area of the city by Tash, the only major change being the floating lanterns that glide along the streets to light the way.

5. The Artisan’s District, Bright Well neighborhood. Oddly for a town of this size, the guildhalls are all placed outside the city walls. Most of the refugees from Serault also gathered to live in this district, building houses to accommodate themselves. Serault glassmaking has found a new home in Bright Well, along with many surface dwarf artisans, former Qunari smiths, and elf crafters both Dalish and otherwise. A new tradition of crafting and smithing has formed that combines the techniques of all races which comes to be known as the Windron style.

6. Windron Citadel, or Palais du Petit Dragon, Seat of Duke Tash. The towers in the walls around the citadel provide soft illumination to the exterior of the palace during the night hours. The inside is an eclectic mix of decoration from every culture in Thedas that somehow fits together quite nicely, and is also lit well in the same manner as Tash’s Skyhold. The walls are hung with soft blue banners with his personal crest on them.

[bigfan-fanfic]

★

Some more OCs who haven’t gotten the creative love from me.

Ophelia Filius [Aishwarya Rai]

A former Tevinter altus of the city of Ventus, and current acting-Warden-Commander of Ferelden. A powerful necromancer who studied with the Mortalitasi, Ophelia works to recruit Fereldan Wardens in order to boost the numbers from the deficit caused during the Blight. She takes over while Reyn Caron searches for the cure to the Taint. Headstrong and clever, Ophelia has no desire to see Tevinter succeed, and denounces the practice of slavery, having realized its despicable nature after her own brother was sold into slavery against his will and experimented on by a magister. Ophelia is currently attempting to redefine the between-Blight Grey Wardens as a force for assisting the common good, protecting roads and helping the oppressed, and is willing to march on Weisshaupt with her fellow Wardens if the Order needs to be... cleansed of Corypheus’ influence.

Oly Aeducan [Jason Momoa]

A dwarf prince, disgraced by his brother’s murder and then exalted as a Paragon for his role in ending the Fifth Blight. He takes advantage of the dwarven resilience to lyrium to grant himself Templar powers, carefully rationing himself to ensure he does not become addicted. Husband of Skadi Brosca. He sets up permanent residence in Ferelden, near his friend King Alistair. A surprisingly skilled painter. He is a total pushover when it comes to his son with Skadi, Duncan Aeducan.

Skadi Brosca [Shantel VanSanten]

A former fixer for an Orzammar crime lord and the sister of a noble hunter (and the current wife of King Bhelen Aeducan), Skadi is intelligent, humble, and a vicious fighter. She’s generally a nice person, considering her occupation, but has a worryingly lax attitude towards crime. Do NOT play her at chess. Or Wicked Grace. Or Diamondback. Don’t play games with her. You will not win. She is the only dwarf in history to reject the title of Paragon in favor of remaining Casteless.

Konrad Cadash [Chris Evans]

An ex-Carta bruiser, he also was once a boxer in an underground fighting ring (sometimes literally; the Carta would send him to fighting Orzammar dwarves in prize fights. Was technically adopted by Oly Aeducan and Skadi Brosca. Has been taught some Legion of the Dead fighting style. He actually prefers the surface to Orzammar, and once killed a troll on his own. Becomes Leliana’s aide during Inquisition, and stays on as part of the spy network after Tash steps down.

Riona Mac Tir [Rachel Weisz]

Bastard mage daughter of Loghain and older half-sister to Anora. Senior Enchanter of Kinloch Hold and current Regent of Gwaren Teyrnir. Riona adapted the physical focusing movements taught to mages in Kinloch into a martial art not requiring magic, and later developed its use with folding fans. Traveling with the Hero of Ferelden after Broken Circle, Riona became friends with Alistair due to them both being bastards and sharing a dislike of her father. She is Ferelden’s answer to Madame de Fer, and acts as Tash’s escort to Halamshiral. She loves dogs, like many Fereldans, and owns a Mabari hound named Aofie.

Basile and Sylvie de Serault [Chris Hemsworth and Kathryn Newton]

The former Marquis of Serault and his sister, Basile and Sylvie are Orlesian nobles of the disgraced Serault, home to the Shame, a maleficar of note who passed some of his powers down to them, imbuing them with latent magical abilities, although not enough to consider them mages. Basile is a bookish and slightly shy man who would rather not be a ruler, but dutifully accepts and excels in the role as keeper of Ylenn Basin when Duke Tash is elsewhere. He loves his studies, and is no slouch in combat, although he only ever fights as a last resort. Once had a fling with the Prince of the Forest and is actually well-versed in glass-making. Sylvie is an adventurous and slightly boisterous young woman who enjoys hunting and exploring. She hates having to conform at court and enjoys her role as Lady Protector of Ylenn Basin. She has a custom made Serault weapon, a knife made of Serault glass attached to a fine chain, that she can whirl through the air nigh-invisibly, with deadly accuracy.

[bigfan-fanfic]

The Jagged Edge of Broken Glass

Lady Protector Sylvie de Serault, the Huntress of Ylenn Basin, formerly Her Grace, the Lady Sylviane Manon Marguerite de Serault, Lady of Glass [face claim Kathryn Newton]  

“I can take care of myself just fine. I’m not the little girl in the gardens anymore, daydreaming her life away. I protect our people now, Basile. In Serault, in Skyhold, even here in Windron, I protect our people. I am their Huntress and Protector. And if you let me help you, we can make life better for all the people in this city, and in this land. Lord Tash believes in me. Our people believe in me. Do you?“

-Sylvie to her brother Basile, on her position as Lady Protector of Ylenn Basin