Today we’re carrying on with my new mini-series paving the road for the anticipated release of the next Dragon Age game. As, I’ve said before, through these videos, I’ll be delving into very particular honed-in lore and plot threads that are rather telling for the future narrative of Dragon Age.
Last episode I discussed our once beloved friend as he schemes a cataclysmic plot that will shake the very heavens if he succeeds. Continuing from that, today I’m exploring the motherland that once belonged to the ancient elves before the Veil’s creation and the elves decimation. In Thedas today, this land has been conquered by humans, as an empire of powerful mages rule over this most prideful nation known as the Tevinter Imperium.
History:
Throughout the ages, Tevinter and its countrymen have built-up quite the formidable reputation with their hubris:
It is said the mages of Tevinter destroyed the legendary elven city of Arlathan, and took the remaining elves as slaves, resulting in the death of elven culture.
“It was Tevinter who destroyed the legendary elven city of Arlathan and who first took the elves as slaves, resulting in the death of elven culture.” (WoT. V1)
The ancient Tevinter’s magisters are the ones who take the fall for the creation of the darkspawn and the start of the blights, as they usurped the very heavens, destroying the Golden City.
“The ancient Tevinter magisters are also blamed for the creation of the darkspawn and the start of the Blights, as they are said to have turned the Golden City black by trying to enter it.” (WoT. V1)
And Tevinter priests, following the Old God religion executed the so-called “Bride of the Maker” who aimed to liberate the Imperium with the Maker’s word, setting slaves free from their captives.
“Andraste was tied to a stake and burned while her earthly husband turned his armies aside and did nothing, for his heart had been devoured.” (Codex entry: Andraste: Bride of the Maker)
Although the Imperium today is a shadow of its former self, because of its history as a conqueror, Tevinter is seen as the most demonized nation throughout all of Thedas.
While the conquering days are over, many fundamental things about the Imperium haven’t changed since its formation.
Slavery in the lmperium is still actively practiced, and uprisings happen, often.
Blood magic was lawfully banned in the Imperium; however, it's still openly practiced by dreamers and diviners.
And many malicious cults still follow the Old God worship.
Most recently, Tevinter’s land currently face a wide-spread invasion of many Qunari forces, as an unsanctioned military body of the Qun; known as the Antaam, ravage the nation without acknowledgement from the Airshock.
The cities’ Ventus and Carastes lay waste to the Qun’s demand, the remaining survivors either convert to the Qun’s way of life, or face immediate execution.
While this unauthorised assault on Northern Thedas continues, many bodies within the Qun disagree with the Antaam’s transgressions, like the Ben-Hassrath who’ve decided to remain a neutral effort in this war. In any regard, the Qunari Antaam will not stop their invasion, even when commanded to by their superiors.
Culture:
While smaller parts of the nation face the hoarding Qunari forces, life in Tevinter’s metropolitan cities has its own drama. The culture of the Imperium is proud and full of hubris. Ambition, prestige, the ruling elite and magical ability are the pillars of Tevinter society.
“The society's mage leaders, known as magisters, do as they please.” (WoT. V1)
There's a saying that "humans are lucky to be born and mages lucky to be born in Tevinter."
The Tevinter lmperium, in sharp contrast to much of Thedas, celebrates magic use among its people. The ability to wield magic is seen as a mark of favour from the Maker, and the Old Gods before him. Because of this, political and religious leaders in the lmperium are all mages.
“The Imperium and its Imperial Chantry embrace magic, which permeates all aspects of Tevintcr society.” (WoT. V1)
Tevinter clergy preach that magic must rule over man, and not the other way around. Their chantry is very different to the south’s chantry teachings. Tevinter consider their country the Holy Land, as Andraste had lived and died there.
Because of this, Tevinter follows a reformed version of the Andrastian Chantry, called the Imperial Chantry.
Following a new law, Tevinter’s chantry elect their own divine, known as the “Black Divine”. While most aspects of the Imperial Chantry's teachings are the same, all issues against magic have been dropped and male priests are quite prevalent.
Unlike the Chantry, the Imperial Chantry allows males to become priests. (WoT. V1)
As magic is celebrated as art, and pervades the Imperium lifestyle - everything from religion to fashion to architecture is dictated by magic, and its usage.
“Magic rules the Imperium and their clothing reflects this. Dark robes, hoods, and light armor are commonplace in Tevinter. Some of it is practical, allowing the movement necessary to cast spells while protecting from the odd blade edge. Still, Tevinter nobles arc not above the impractical, sharing some of the Orlesian love for fabric volume, if not color.” (WoT. V1)
While the country may sound quite unpleasant, I can assure you the kingdom is full of many wonders:
The capital city of Minrathous was built on an island of rock not far from the shore, because of this design, the city has never faced an invasion.
Another wonder is the city's massive arena, known as the Proving Grounds. The architectural marvel, built as a triangular prism, takes its concept from the dwarves.
What differentiates Tevinter’s constructions from the other nations, is that they frequently incorporate magic into their structures. Foundations of important buildings may be raised directly out of the earth by mages. Having direct ties to the elven world certainly has its charms!
Society:
Likewise, magic permeates all aspects of Tevinter society, when living here, it’s all about your magical prowess which dictates your class and social ranking. Which are broken down into four distinct classes, magical and two non-magical:
Magic
Altus: The ruling class of Tevinter mages. Altus mages are said to be descendants of the original Tevinter magisters who were said to communicate with the Old Gods in the Fade. Their magical bloodlines are still respected, and their ranks form the upper crust of Tevinter nobility.
Laetans: The core of the Lactan class are mages born to families with no prior history of magic or to mage families who have practiced magic for generations, but cannot trace their ancestry to the Dreamers. However, many Laetans are known to viciously prove themselves just as worthy as the Altus class.
Non-Magic
Soporati: The mundane, non-magic user class. “Soporati” is Tevene for ‘sleeper’, a derogatory term for someone with no magic capabilities. While they can buy land and enlist in the military, Soporati’s do not have a say in governmental or chantry matters.
Liberati/Slaves: The lowest of classes in Tevinter society, slaves are not allowed to own property or serve in the military. Slaves can only legally be set free before a judge, with the owner present to formally state the slaves have been granted freedom, or by the owner's will upon his or her death.
It is legal for elves and humans and even Qunari to be sold into slavery in Tevinter, uprisings are frequent but rarely successful, as are attempts by Tevinter politicians to abolish the practice.
Social classes are highly important in Tevinter because the nation is ruled by a powerful magocracy; a legislative body known as the Magisterium.
The mage elites of Tevinter's Magisterium regularly gather to govern the lmperium. (WoT. V1)
Members of the Magisterium are called Magisters, while the supreme leader known as the Imperial Archon has the final word on legislation throughout the empire.
Typically, Magisters spend time engaging in elaborate political schemes to prove their superiority over each other as they do actually making decisions for the good of the country. I can only imagine the conversations that ensue regarding the Qunari invasion.
While not every mage can be a Magister in the Imperium, another huge part of society regards finding the perfect compatible partner to breed the most powerful mage offspring, so that child can have a chance at success in the Imperium when old enough.
Marriage in Tevinter doesn't sound very romantic. We can grasp from Dorian's story that arranged marriages seem to be the norm in Tevinter.
Same-sex relationships between nobles are largely hidden, but nowhere prohibited. These relationships are encouraged with favored slaves. Individuals born one gender but who identify as another likewise face no official persecution or legal repercussions, although such individuals living openly amongst the upper classes such as Maevaris Tilani can cause a scandal.
“The view on indulging lusts with a member of the same gender varies from land to land. In Tevinter, it is considered selfish and deviant behavior among nobles, but actively encouraged with favored slaves. Nowhere is it forbidden, and sex of any kind is only considered worthy of judgment when taken to awful excess or performed in the public eye.” (From ln Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of a Chantry Scholar, by Brother Genitivi).
We can gather that the people of the Imperium range from a whirlpool of different classes and social rankings, as mages flourish throughout the land, non-magic users are treated with no respect.
it's generally well known that “Tevinters themselves view the rest of Thedas as barely civilized savages who lack proper reverence for tradition and respect for authority.” (WoT. V1)
…Ironically.
We’re about to witness some culture-shock if we take a visit down Minrathous’s streets ourselves! Regardless, as materialistic as Tevinter seems, there’s a lot of ongoing tension in the air, that even the slaves can sense. We’ve got many lingering plot threads that await an answer in the next Dragon Age game.
Dorian’s Father’s Murder Conspiracy
Dorian Pavus left the Inquisition to take-over his father’s position in the Magisterium, not because he wanted to, but rather he had too. Halward Pavus was assassinated. Surely a great mystery follows his timely death.
Tevinter Siccari
The Imperium have their own intelligence network of spies who’re investigated the Dread Wolf, they have not divulged any of their information they’ve collated on the Wolf to the rest of Thedas’ war effort against him. They may know something about Solas that the majority of Thedas doesn’t know. They could prove to be a force that helps us, or destroys us.
“Tevinter’s intelligence network declined to answer our request.” (Tevinter Nights)
Seven Magisters
The fabled seven Magisters that breeched the Golden City and wrought the blight onto Thedas are more than just stories you tell your kids at night before going to sleep. As we know, from our own encounters, the seven exist in Thedas today, and while two of them may seem out of the picture at the moment, five remain, untouched, scattered throughout the world.
A talking darkspawn, polite as you please, who fed him and gave him water and evidently chatted with him about surfacers... Reminds me of a story my grandsire used to tell, about something his grandsire did. Said he once came upon a group of three darkspawn in the Deeper Roads, each twice the size of any dwarf—bigger than humans, even—and dressed up like kings. He watched from the shadows and said they talked, like people, about things he couldn't understand. A city gone black, and they blamed each other for things but could barely remember for what. (Codex entry: A Different Darkspawn?)
Demons & Monsters
There are many demons and other monstrosities lurking beneath the shadows of Tevinter’s streets. It is said that a great demon dwells just underneath the city Minrathous, the remaining Venatori attempted to unleash the beast on the city in the name of Corypheus. While unsuccessful, the demon still remains.
“There’s a demon sealed beneath the city. If it’s let out . . .” He made a dismissive gesture, as if tossing Minrathous aside. “Corypheus would rebuild. That was the plan.” (Tevinter Nights)
Not to mention the Cekorax, which was another diabolical creature that lurked in Minrathous’s gardens, while it was defeated, who knows what other beings lurk out there...
Tevinter Cults
Many cults still follow the Old God worship and enact their rituals out, perusing blood magic and other necromantic spells. While their well-hidden, one must be careful in the outer areas of Tevinter.
No member of a dragon cult has ever been taken alive, and what accounts exist from the days of the Nevarran hunters record only mad rants and impossible tales of godhood. With dragons only recently reappearing and still incredibly rare, we may never know the truth, but the question remains. (From Flame and Scale, by Brother Florian, Chantry scholar, 9:28 Dragon.)
Absurd Magics
As the use magic is not discouraged, Tevinter mages have delved far deeper into magic's potential, spells developed in the northern nation exceed what mages elsewhere would ever dream of casting. While that sounds certainly swell for the advancements of society, many magisters twist magic for their own pride.
Like the manipulation of time, blood magic abuse, binding spirits, etc. Only Tevinter knows what spells their magisters will scheme up next, that will most certainly cause calamity for the rest of the world.
The Elvhen War
Not only does Tevinter face an ongoing feud with the Qunari Antamm, but an elvhen siege awaits the land of Tevinter, as it was once home to the ancient elves. With Solas’s scheme in motion, the elves will surely want their land back from the prideful people of the Imperium.
Soon, Tevinter will be in the midst of its greatest onslaught, while the Qunari invade, another conquest awaits the nation, as the ancient elves rally from the shadows. Taking what’s rightfully theirs, seeking justice for the elven enslavement.
With that, Tevinter has so much in store for the next plotline of Dragon Age. Hopefully we’ll be visiting the Imperium during all of its hectic-ness. I’m certainly eager to see what lies ahead for this prideful nation, as many conquests raze the land.