#many thoughts about Celene and Mantillon’s relationship

[linka-from-captain-planet]

“Celene—sixteen and hollow-eyed…

… orphaned and alone in Val Royeaux”

Celene was only ten when the adults in her life decided she would be Empress, and only sixteen when that decision costed her parents… and left her alone to play the Game with its master, Lady Mantillon.

[dalishious]

@briannamorley Well I wasn’t going to respond to all your replies, but then I figured hell, if you felt the need to go through all my anti Celene shit to leave messages saying you disagreed, you must really value my opinion of your opinion, so who would I be not to?

briannamorley replied to your post “What ending should I take in WEWH? Last time I played I hadn't read...”

Love the page; disagree about Celine and Briala's relationship being toxic--save for her killing Bria's parents. I personally always reconcile them even if you weigh her over Gaspard, she's the lesser of two evils. Gaspard would do way more killing then a 1k elves plus, as far as the abuse we don't know the extent all Bria says is on days she was cruel, she imagined them being amongst the Dalish with Celine having to serve her.

So like... if having her parents murdered doesn’t cross a line for you into toxic territory, what does, then?

And re: “We don’t know the extent” of Celene’s treatment of Briala...

The black curls lightened to grey with the pre-dawn light, then slid to the light brown of cinnamon as the sun brought colour to the room. Dirt-brown, Celene had called it, when Briala had waited upon her as a girl. Horse-dung brown, an ugly shadow of Celene’s spun-gold locks. -pg 27

Briala, a WOC, grew up serving Celene, a white woman, comparing her hair to horse-dung. And had to just grin and bare it because that was her job, and her mother instructed her to be Celene’s friend.

“Maker, I envy you sometimes.” She knew immediately that she had said something wrong. She felt Briala stiffen, though her arms didn’t move, and Briala’s voice was light as she said, “The empress of Orlais envies an elven handmaid?” “You know what I mean, Bria.” Still holding her, Celene patted Briala’s back. “You could leave here, become someone else.” “As long as that someone is an elf,” Briala said with a dimpled smile, but Celene knew she was still hurt. “Yes, I know. But I... I was born to sit on that throne. I can’t do anything else. Since my parents and Lady Mantillon...” She trailed off. This time, Briala pulled away. “You would make a wonderful scholar,” she said as she stood and pulled her robe on, “at least until Emperor Gaspard made a decision you found objectionable. Then, I believe trouble would ensue.” She smiled over her shoulder. “You are probably right, my love.” Celene rose as well and pulled her own robe on, as if nothing were wrong. “And... I will consider Remache.” Briala nodded and slipped her mask into place, then left through the passage behind the mirror, and Celene sighed and fetched her little magical pot. She would be making her own tea this morning, it seemed. -pg 59

Celene hurts Briala, and her thought is how she’ll have to make her own tea.

Briala sat. “...The elves in Halamshiral are angry. Lord Mainserai killed a tradesman without justification, and the elves are calling for mien’harel.” At Celene’s silence, Briala added, “It is an elven word. When the humans go too far, the elves remind them that even a short blade must be respected. They—” “They will rebel,” Celene said, the words cutting through the chilly autumn air. “Against me. Now.” “It is not rebellion, Your Majesty.” Briala bowed her head and took a shaky breath, clutching at the griffon-head arm of her chair. This was exactly what she had feared. “The elves of Halamshiral have never seen you. Their grievance is with neither you nor Orlais. They only wish justice for a man of your empire who died without cause.” “What they wish is irrelevant.” Celene turned and stalked away from the window. “I am already fighting a war on two fronts. I cannot be seen to fight a war on three.” “Then don’t.” Briala rose, putting herself in Celene’s path. “Give them justice.” “A lord for the death of an elf? I... damn this thing.” With a quick jerk, Celene tore the mask from her face. Her face was flushed beneath, her eyes red from another night of little sleep. “Shall I declare the elves equal citizens before the Maker and the throne as well, while I’m at it?” “Why not?” Briala took her own mask off, stealing a quick moment to steady herself. “Unless you don’t believe that, and I’m just a jumped-up kitchen slut you haven’t tired of yet.” Celene turned away, tossing her mask onto an overstuffed couch and stalking to the great amber wall. “You know I cannot do that, Bria. I might as well engrave Gaspard’s initials on the throne.” Against the wall of gold and red, Briala’s empress and lover looked pale and wan. Celene had always seen sleep as an enemy, or at most a necessary evil, from what Briala could tell, and since the events in Kirkwall the stress of rising tensions had her awake before dawn almost every morning. If it were early enough, Briala could sometimes coax her into lovemaking, and the warm and drowsy bliss afterward would let Celene steal a few more hours of rest. Lately, even that had not been enough. Briala sighed. “I do know.” Instead of going to Celene, she went to the small table where Celene’s teapot sat, forever just shy of boiling. She poured Celene a cup of tea, brought it over, and gently touched Celene’s shoulder. It was not quite an apology. -pg 62

Briala fears having to ask Celene to enact justice. Celene says what the elves want is of no care to her. She then mocks the idea of elven freedoms. And “It was not quite an apology” my ass - Briala has nothing to apologize for.

What had happened at Halamshiral was a still-painful ache, but the elves had rebelled. Celene had done what she had to do. Had Briala been there, she might have been able to turn Celene to a different course, but Briala herself was the one who had left. It was not Celene’s fault that she had been manoeuvred into doing what she had done, any more than it was Briala’s fault for leaving Celene without the guidance she had wanted. -pg 167

Celene even has Briala convinced that she’s to blame for Halamshiral, because she wasn’t there to tell Celene otherwise. If one person in a relationship relies solely on another to guide their morals, yes, I would indeed call that toxic.

But anyway, these are just a few samples of Celene’s dismissive behaviour towards Briala. She only does the bare minimum to keep Briala at her side; she does not truly care about the elves.

briannamorley replied to your post “What ending should I take in WEWH? Last time I played I hadn't read...”

Also Bria has accepted that neither the city or Dalish elves see her as part of them; letting her rule with him as her mask--much like forcing them to work together--while interesting in theory, wouldn't last I don't think anyway. Ppl would get suspicious; Gaspard is a military strategist not an adept ruler

Briala goes from this:

Briala could not afford to spare tears for inevitable deaths. In that respect, she supposed that she was more like the nobles she served than the elves in the marketplace. The thought sometimes sickened her, but again, not as much as the thought of deaths she could have prevented. -pg 61

to this:

She had been in Celene’s court for too long. Too many years being called “rabbit,” too many years ducking her head and working from the shadows. Too many years of being proud of who she was, a feeling she could cling to like a floating log in a rushing river. It had kept her head above water, but it had never let her steer her own course. She would fight for her people, because nobody else would, and Fen’Harel take whoever got in her way. -pg 144

Briala’s whole character arc is about discovering who she is as her own person, and reconnecting with her people. Unless “has” was a typo for “had.”

Also, why is it unrealistic for Dalish and city elves to work together? Dalish elves go to the city, and city elves go to the Dalish all the time. In some cases you have clans that have very strong relationships with nearby alienages, such as Clan Boranehn and the Edgehall alienage in Knight Errant, for example.

briannamorley replied to your post “grandenchanterfiona: I don’t hate Celene because she’s a woman. I...”

Disagree not about the genocide or lying to Bria but everything else

...K?

briannamorley replied to your post “grandenchanterfiona: That’s it. Until proven otherwise the Masked...”

Nope to each their own though

...K?

briannamorley replied to your post “grandenchanterfiona: Celene is a straight guy’s idea of a lesbian....”

Stop... I can see if you were equating this to RR Martin but really???

Yes really lol

briannamorley replied to your post “I just read The Masked Empire and even though I knew how bad Celene...”

Theres disliking something and then there's bashing it to the point it becomes infuriating

Sorry guess we never received the guidelines one has to follow in terms of disliking something. Tell me, does it include going through a blog’s tags and leaving reply after reply that says basically the same thing?

briannamorley replied to your post “mllemaenad: jocelyntorrent: mllemaenad: … Okay, I don’t get it. ...”

Disagree but crazy tired so to each their own

Good thing you left another just plain ‘disagree,’ otherwise I might have gotten confused.

briannamorley replied to your post “So this by no means excuses Celene's actions whatsoever, but I noticed...”

Love orlais but again, to each their own

Cool cool I hate Orlais but to each their own. Perhaps I should find some random Orlais fan and spam their email notifications with replies saying as such, to make sure they know!

briannamorley replied to your post “lmao no, about 300 elves were brutally slaughtered, sweet summer...”

More than 300 but it does border on bashing

WTF does this one even mean?

briannamorley replied to your post “grandenchanterfiona: Celene has absolute power; she does not have a...”

If so say that from jump don't go on and on going from legitimate gripe to bashing... like damn I like both of y'alls pages but FUCK me this is exhausting

Then why are you reading through all this? And seriously, what is with this “bashing?” Is there some kind of internet slang I’m unfamiliar with? Because if you just mean bashing as in criticism that hell fucking yes I am critical of Celene. She has a lot of reasons for me to be.

briannamorley replied to your post “Remember that time when Michel de Chevin partook in the Academie des...”

Sigh... y es it was an oversight by them that shouldn't have happened but goddamn

“But goddamn...” what? Why is there a but? Why is there a but goddamn? Just... why, period?

Anyway, TL;DR:

[mavericus-maleficus]

Inquisitor as a Companion.

Basics; —

Inquisitor’s Name: Aerdes Lavellan.

Race, Class, & Specialization: Elf, Mage, Arcane Warrior; Fire, and frost favour.

Varric’s Nickname for them: Rosy.

Default Tarot Card: The Empress.

Title: The Inquisitor (unofficially, post Trespasser), Keeper, First to the Keeper (formerly).

Birthday: Eluviesta, 9:23 Dragon.

Race: Elf (Dalish).

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual.

Relationship Status: Married to Iron Bull (presumably).

Religion: Old Elven.

Family: Nerite Lavellan (cousin), Clan Lavellan, Gérard de Noailles (adopted father), Penelope de Noailles (adopted mother), Mariette de Noailles (adopted sister).

Biological Age: 17-18 at the start of Inquisition, 21 at the end of events in Trespasser.

Eye Colour: Hazel.

Hair Colour: Dark brown.

Height/Weight: 163cm/55kg.

Build: Slim, and petite.

Skin Tone: Tan.

Distinguishing Features: Aerdes’ Vallaslin was originally a tattoo in respect to Mythal, however was later modified to resemble an Orlesian mask, imprinted onto her face. She also has a beauty mark under her lips, and a large scar going through her left eye.

—————

Personality; —

Aerdes is both the wind, and the mountain — She is flexible, and able to change her opinion on matters, yet at the same time is immovable if her mind is properly set on something. She is described as compassionate, as most of her actions are beneficial to others. Though, to the all-seeing eye, it should be noted that Aerdes’ actions also benefit her in some way. This is most likely from her time spent in Orlais.

However, Aerdes’ cunning and skills of manipulation aren’t negative, and more often than not meet the best interest in many others, as well as not harming them. Still, she does everything a certain way for a reason, always having an ulterior motive despite having the best intentions at heart. Perhaps the most selfless thing she has ever done was risking her life in the standoff between Corypheus and his Lyrium-infused Dragon, so that the others could survive Haven.

—————

Pre-Inquisition.

Born with magic pumping through her veins, Aerdes was appointed First to the Keeper at a ripe age of 13. Her magical capabilities, talents and ability to harness them were perfected at an early stage.

Her cousin, Nerite, was born within the same year as her, and were both coincidentally mages. However, Clan Lavellan didn’t send the latter away, and rather Nerite was appointed to be Keeper Deshanna’s Second.

This sparked a bit of a friendly rivalry between Aerdes and Nerite, however this is mostly one-sided on Nerite’s end.

The Lavellan Clan moved from place to place very often, and Aerdes was happy in the wild for the most part, however always wanted a little more adventure and not necessarily live as a vagrant.

Her wishes were sparked to life when a high ranking noble family from Orlais had lost their way through the woods after a failed assassination attempt, and were saved from Aerdes and Nerite from being attacked by wolves.

The house head, Gérard, and his wife, Penelope, were both grateful and fond of their Elven saviours, for their rescue saved them both as well as their young daughter Mariette.

After the clan had tended, sheltered, and aided the Noailles family, the head of the household offered a favour in return: Taking in one of the Lavellan clan’s members to experience living in Orlais, under the safety of the noble family. Aerdes was the only one keen to go, and through persuasion skills, the Keeper Deshanna and the Elders eventually let her go — Albeit with a great deal of hesitance.

Aerdes convinced her higher ups that her going to Orlais would prove beneficial for their clan, giving them more insight, connections, and perhaps a chance to better the opinions of City Elves and Orlesian nobles of the Dalish.

Gérard was the first person to notice the potential in Aerdes’ conversation and charismatic skills, and knew that she was capable of being moulded into a powerful player in The Grand Game.

For her protection of being both a mage and a Dalish elf in Orlais, Gérard suggested giving Aerdes’s Vallaslin a modification. Though not traditional, and perhaps disrespectful, the survival of their newly appointed, and future Keeper was vital. As every slave/servant in Orlais needed to wear a mask of their owners, Aerdes’ unique ‘tattoos’ would prevent her from being harmed in the city, for if she was killed and her body was found, people would know that she belonged to the Noailles.

This is how Aerdes got her more mask-like pattern for her Vallaslin, as opposed to the typical style; Ironically, her Vallaslin literally became slave markings.

Although recognized as a slave to the public, Aerdes was treated like a second daughter to Gérard and Penelope, and like an older sister to Mariette. The arrangement was beneficial to both Aerdes and the Noailles. As Aerdes was given access to books on old magics, as well being able to pick up whatever else other apostate children of nobles were learning, and additionally learning and experiencing The Grand Game and how it worked firsthand. As for Gérard and his family, owning a Dalish slave was admirable, and having branded Aerdes with her mask was seen as humiliating to other nobles.

Aerdes being a mage was suspected by many others outside the family, however there was never enough proof for this to be discovered.

She spent several years with the Noailles, up until she was 17. Afterwards, she returned to her clan, where she would later be propositioned with another ‘infiltration’ of sorts.

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.

Aerdes’ sharp tongue and wit is perfectly displayed in The Winter Palace in Halamshiral, where she outplays everyone with power or say (notably Empress Celene and Grand Duke Gaspard).

Upon arrival at the palace, many of the nobility recognized Aerdes by her distinguishing Vallaslin, however under the protection of the Inquisition and Gaspard de Chalons, neither Aerdes nor Gérard lost face in the discovery that the Inquisitor was a mage.

Initially receiving disapproval for both her race and her being a mage, Aerdes paid little mind to her comments of being a ‘knife-ear’ or an ‘abomination.’ Rather, she vividly displays her true colours in front of her associates, who realize there is more to her than they originally thought.

The first instance is in Aerdes finding Montbelliard’s Ring for a noblewoman, where the Inquisitor dances around the subject.

Prior to entering the palace, Aerdes’ snooping for secrets and eavesdropping did not go unnoticed to the Spymaster, who began to confirm her assumptions of the Inquisitor’s past and stay in Orlais.

While her suspicion and coy way of playing earned the approval of a few members of the court, to some of her companions, Aerdes seemed well in her element amongst the nobles — Even with Gaspard’s initial warning, Lavellan appeared to be far too comfortable in playing cunning.

After having entered The Winter Palace and proceeding to the ballroom, Aerdes was introduced as ‘Lady Inquisitor Aerdes Lavellan, formerly of House Naoilles.’

She speaks to Gaspard, Briala, Celene and her ladies-in-waiting shortly after the introduction. While seen as a ‘formality,’ it was also an opportunity to see things in each one of their perspectives.

Before speaking to Leliana, she mingles with the nobility. Some familiar faces remark that they she is very good at keeping secrets and covering her tracks, while others speak ill of her thinking that she can associate in their ranks. Regardless, Aerdes still manages to strike a deal with Lady Mantillon. Other Elven servants also interact with Aerdes, warning her of strange things happening in the Servant Quarters.

After the Inquisitor speaks to Leliana, they then discuss plans on what to do, as well as to be on the look out for Celene’s Arcane Advisor.

Once the attention around her had died down, and her companions began to get on the move, Aerdes then did investigations of her own: Starting with the Guest Wing, and later the Grand Library as well.

At one point, while returning to the ballroom for show, Aerdes meets Morrigan, the occult advisor mentioned by Leliana. She explains that she was attacked by a Tevinter agent, and passes the keys to the servant quarters.

Aerdes then takes her small party of companions with her to investigate the servant quarters and later the Grand Apartments, where they are greeted with a Venatori attack. They hunt down the Harlequin, and are later joined by Briala.

Briala states that she has noticed how ‘busy’ Aerdes had been, and thanks her and her companions for avenging her people that had been slaughtered. She offers the Inquisitor her alliance, along with her underlings, believing that Aerdes would be having a hefty say in the outcome of the negotiations.

Though vague, Aerdes implies that she might fancy Briala and her allies being on the Inquisition’s side, particularly because they both want better for their people as a whole, not just the City Elves or the Dalish.

Once the party returns to the ballroom, Florianna de Chalons requests a dance with Aerdes, saying that others cannot hear them on the dance floor.

After her dance with Florianne, Aerdes discusses their options with her advisors, who all give suggestions on who to save, and who to slay; Aerdes, however, believes there must be a reason the Duchess is throwing her own brother under the bus.

She later dances with Iron Bull, which shocks the court, but also fascinated them — especially after the Inquisitor’s dance with Florianne de Chalons. The attention and gossip about them humoured Bull quite a deal, remarking about how the Orlesians were struggling to piece together that the two were involved.

Needless to say, wagging tongues wouldn’t cease whispering about an Elven apostate with a Qunari mercenary.

Before the Inquisitor investigates the Royal Wing with her party, she approaches Gaspard and Briala with the material she has on them thus far.

In the Royal Wing, a hefty amount of dirt on Briala, Celene, and Gaspard land ever-so-nicely on Aerdes’ lap, properly sealing each of their fates in her hand.

Upon rescuing the Elf being attacked by the Harlequin, she receives blackmail material on Briala. In Celene’s private quarters, she discovers material on the Empress. And in the courtyard, she learns something vital about Gaspard.

She was later pressed and questioned by the three advisors on how well she was able to ‘fit in’ with the Orlesians, and beat them at their own game. Though Dalish by birth, and a firm follower of the old ways, Aerdes is as Orlesian as any noble. It is here where more light is shed on her past time in Orlais to her companions and her advisors.

Aerdes then tells the truth about her time as a temporary ‘slave’ in Orlais under the Noailles family educated her in the ways of The Grand Game, which thus explains how she managed to execute things to her favour, and get the ending she wanted: Celene remaining in power, with Briala putting in heavy input at her side. As for Gaspard? The bastard was beheaded, probably.

Leliana comments to Josephine and Cullen that Aerdes had possibly been playing all of them all along.

On the balcony, after the events have subsided, Aerdes and Iron Bull share a moment. She tells him that although the political games were fun, the highlight of her night was being reunited with adopted family. Bull then offers to make her night even better, and the pair of them dance for the second time in the ballroom (and also try to find more snacks).

————— —————

Where they are in Haven: In the apothecary.

Where they are in Skyhold: In the gardens.

Things they Generally Approve of: Reuniting Briala and Celene (major approval),

Side-quests or in conversation: helping the Dalish, not looking down on elves.

Things they Generally Disapprove of:

Feelings on the Mages:

Feelings on the Templars:

Friends in the Inquisition: Vivienne, Iron Bull, Dorian, Varric, Cole, Leliana —

Generally, Aerdes gets along with everyone. Her and Cassandra have differing views, but have a mutual respect for each other. Once specializations have been unlocked, party banter reveals that occasionally the two spar/train together. Aerdes changes Cassandra’s views on magic greatly, and similarly Cassandra makes Aerdes realize that there needs to be some restraints on magic.

Aerdes is particularly fond of Iron Bull, often flirting with him in a cheeky, albeit less than subtle manner. Bull entertains this, and comments on how forward Aerdes is for being so ‘inexperienced.’ If neither are romanced, and Dorian and Bull’s romance hasn’t been triggered, the two will eventually get together. Bull strictly calls Aerdes ‘Kadan’ after it has been locked in, and Aerdes calls him ‘Vhenan.’

Vivienne has a surprisingly good relationship with Aerdes. Originally starting out rocky, with Vivienne being a supporter of Circles and Templars, and Aerdes being more of an apostate. However, the two soon find common ground in their love of Orlais, and The Game. Aerdes being a terrific player impresses Vivienne, and the two tend to talk about their reputations in Orlais.

—————

Banter; —

When she sees a Dragon: 

Travel Banter with Canon Companions of your choice:

Aerdes: So, Madame de Fer.

Vivienne: La Dame Peinte.

Aerdes: I wasn’t aware gossip of me would reach the ears of the Enchanters. I’m almost honoured.

Vivienne: My dear, gossip of you spread like wildfire in Orlais. You’re lucky the Noailles family are practically royalty. I’m surprised that news of an Elven apostate practically being an entertainer in the Imperial Court hasn’t cost you your life.

Aerdes: I was still more a servant like the other elves than anything else. Besides, I think the branding on my face seemed like a punishment to the Orlesians. Even though it’s a mask I wear with pride.

Vivienne: Once again, I’m curious as to how the other nobility didn’t try to get rid of you, my dear.

—————

Vivienne: You certainly have a way of charming the nobles in Skyhold, don’t you?

Aerdes: You mean for a Dalish Elf that was once a servant? (Laughs.) It’s easier when they’re out of Orlais. The more eyes that are watching them that aren’t Orlesian, the more vulnerable they are.

Vivienne: Are you sure you aren’t Orlesian by blood?

—————