The Theirins are the royal family of Ferelden. The Theirin bloodline stems from King Calenhad, meaning his descendants have almost always sat upon the throne of Ferelden, the exception being during the occupation by Orlais which began during the Blessed Age.
History
Calenhad's Conquest
The first notable Theirin was undoubtedly Calenhad. He became teyrn of Denerim (when Denerim was still a teyrnir) in 5:33 Exalted. By some feat of skill or luck, he convinced the Circle of Magi to craft him an enchanted suit of silver-white armour (Calenhad to this day is referred to as "The Silver Knight"), which seemed to deflect both arrow and blade. He then became the first person to successfully lay siege to Redcliffe and conquer it. Following this feat, he presented himself to the Landsmeet in 5:42 Exalted, flanked by Ash Warriors and Circle mages, and declared himself king. Every Clayne lord and lady present knelt before him. He blazed through Ferelden, uniting the entire land behind him as king.[1]
Later on, Lady Shayna, one of Calenhad's closest companions, admitted to using magical love potions to facilitate her seduction of Calenhad. Their affair was discovered by Calenhad's wife, Queen Mairyn, who fled Calenhad's company to take up residence with her father, Arl Myrddin. Sensing that the tension between Myrddin and Calenhad would destroy the nascent kingdom, Lady Shayna approached Queen Mairyn to plead for peace and reconciliation of the royal couple[2], but was slain by Myrddin. Calenhad regretfully challenged Myrddin to a duel and slew him to avenge her death, sparking outrage amongst the other arls and nobles. To preserve the peace, Calenhad abdicated his throne in favor of his and Mairyn's son, Weylan I,[3] and left Ferelden in search of his estranged friend, Aldenon. Neither Calenhad nor Aldenon were ever seen again.[4]
Queen Fionne
In 6:18 Steel, the Bannorn united to crown Fionne Theirin the queen of Ferelden. Yet their solidarity soon disippated and the prickly Bannorn fell back to infighting. Queen Fionne once wrote of the Bannorn: "There have been three wars this year fought over elopements. Five fought over wool. And one started by an apple tree. It isn't even winter yet. Who would believe that these same banns, now trying so hard to kill one another, just last year united to give me the crown?"[5]
Fionne also had a commoner as a lover called Caliban, who became a famous dragon hunter.[6]
King Arland exiles the Grey Wardens
Prior to Arland Theirin's coronation in 7:5 Storm, there was no clear successor to the throne. Both Arland and his cousin Arlessa Sophia Dryden had a strong claim to the crown. According to Dryden's journal, Arland was chosen instead of her because he was young and thought by the arls and teyrns to be easily manipulated. She, however, had seen something in the boy's eyes that terrified her.
"Sophia Dryden is Ferelden's light and her most brilliant jewel; nothing on this earth can ever quench her fire."
Arlessa Sophia Dryden was the young Arland's rival for the throne of Ferelden. Dryden was a strong and charismatic leader with much support from the Bannorn. When Arland finally won the crown, Dryden refused to relent. She pushed her claim, was caught, and accused of treason. Her sympathizers continued to support her, however. In order to appease them, Dryden was spared execution, and forced to join the Grey Wardens instead.
Dryden survived the Joining and dazzled the Grey Wardens at Soldier's Peak with her leadership skills and charm. She eventually rose through the ranks to become Warden-Commander of Ferelden. Before Commander Dryden, the Grey Wardens were seen as a relic of an older time and an unnecessary drain on the nobles' coffers. Dryden, though, with her political connections, reinvigorated the Wardens and rapidly increased their numbers.
In the meantime, Arland proved himself a devious king, willing to go to brutal lengths to silence his opponents. Arland's reign of terror grew worse with each passing year, and some of the banns approached Commander Dryden in desperation, begging her to intercede. She agreed, and thus was the rebellion against King Arland born.
Arland learned of the rebellion and took steps to end it. He publicly suspended all tithing to the Grey Wardens and declared they were no longer welcome in Ferelden. Some of the Wardens, mindful that they were supposed to remain politically neutral, felt disgraced by Dryden's involvement in Fereldan politics and left her side even as the king's forces lay siege to Soldier's Peak. The siege took months and ended with the death of Sophia Dryden.
—From the personal files of Levi Dryden, merchant
Soldier's Peak was claimed by demons while Sophia Dryden was never heard of again, nor were any of her Wardens or Fereldan soldiers who went there. King Arland declared his triumph over her by exiling the Grey Wardens from Ferelden and stripping the Drydens of all lands and titles.
No physical evidence exists to corroborate Sophia Dryden's noble intentions and the only firsthand accounts come from dubious sources: the demon-possessed corpse of Sophia Dryden and Sophia's maleficar ally, Avernus. Most modern Fereldans believe that Sophia Dryden's rebellion was a Grey Warden invasion under the pretext of restoring order and that their exile was deserved.[7] The Grey Warden Order retained a villainous reputation in Ferelden for 200 years, until King Maric Theirin permitted the Wardens back into his nation.
Little is known of what followed Arland's rule, as a civil war for the throne occurred soon after his death. The war lasted a decade and wiped away most records of his reign.
Brandel the Defeated and Moira the Rebel Queen
In 8:24 Blessed, the Orlesian Empire, under the rule of Emperor Reville, invaded Ferelden.[8] King Vanedrin Theirin rode out to defend his lands but fell in the Battle of Lothering, alongside Ardal Cousland, Teyrn of Highever.[9]
Following Calenhad's conquest, the Theirins ruled Ferelden for over three hundred years, until in 8:44 Blessed, the Orlesian Empire sacked Denerim and conquered Ferelden. The ruling Theirin king and son of the late King Vanedrin Theirin, Brandel, was deposed and fled the capital.[10] An Orlesian puppet king was installed on the Fereldan throne, answering to the emperor in Val Royeaux. In the latter years of the occupation, that king was Meghren, first cousin and alleged spurned lover of Emperor Florian. Since the Fereldan rebels were suffering from a series of defeats to the Orlesians and Brandel could do nothing but run and hide, Brandel lost the support of many of his nobles and the Fereldan rebellion began to waver. His daughter Moira, however, proved herself to be a far better leader and later recovered the rebel cause.[11]
Involvement
Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne
The deposed King Brandel Theirin unsuccessfully continued fighting the Orlesians, until his death. During the Orlesian occupation, Moira Theirin, daughter of the overthrown King Brandel (commonly known as Brandel the Defeated) inspired and led the rebellion, along with several rebel lords. She was betrayed by a group of banns who had pretended to support the rebellion, and was murdered in 8:96 Blessed (a crime that was avenged three years later). Her head was mounted above the doors of the Royal Palace. Despite never being crowned, Moira was well-loved and well-respected among Fereldans, remembered fondly as "The Rebel Queen".
Moira's son, Maric Theirin, took up his mother's rebellion despite heavy losses suffered by the rebels. He waged war alongside a skilled farmer named Loghain Mac Tir who saved his life, and Rowan, the daughter of Arl Rendorn Guerrin and the woman to whom he was betrothed. Maric led the army to a victory at Gwaren, and again managed to defend the town from Orlesian forces despite the significantly reduced numbers of the rebel army. The turning point however, came when the rebels were rallied at the River Dane, and a major victory against Orlais was won at that battle.
The rebellion successfully pushed back the occupiers for three more years, before laying siege to Denerim, where the usurper King Meghren was personally slain by Maric atop Fort Drakon in 9:2 Dragon. Maric was dubbed "Maric the Savior", and was later crowned.
King Maric married his betrothed, Rowan, with whom he had one child, Cailan. Cailan ascended the throne after his father was lost at sea in 9:25 Dragon, and married Anora Mac Tir, daughter of Loghain (made Teyrn of Gwaren for his part in the rebellion) who had helped to raise Cailan.
Dragon Age: The Calling
Dragon Age: Origins
The death of King Cailan Theirin
Though the land was peaceful, rumours surrounded the reign of King Cailan. Many speculated that it was Queen Anora who truly ruled, while others speculated that she was barren due to their marriage being childless after five years. Five years into Cailan's reign, in 9:30 Dragon, the Fifth Blight broke out in southern Ferelden. King Cailan rallied his armies and led them to the old Tevinter fortress of Ostagar, where he led the battle against the darkspawn. Cailan won several battles, and massed his armies for one final assault against the darkspawn which he hoped would end the Blight. The surprise infiltration of darkspawn into the beacon tower stopped the beacon from being lit in time to signal a successful attack, and Teyrn Loghain quit the field at the crucial battle, leading to the armies' defeat.
Alistair, bastard of King Maric and the last known surviving Theirin in Thedas
With the death of the childless Cailan, the Theirin line had seemingly become extinct. The throne passed to Queen Anora, who declared her father, Loghain, regent. Many speculated that Loghain would soon be declared king in his own right, though Ferelden was plunged into a civil war between Loghain and his enemies, while the Blight continued to rage across the country.
It emerged that King Maric had in fact sired a bastard, Alistair, who was put forward by Arl Eamon Guerrin, Cailan's uncle, as a viable Theirin candidate for the throne. A Landsmeet was called to decide on this, though Queen Anora put herself forward as a rival candidate.
The Landsmeet which decided the fate of the Theirins as the royal family
It is possible for Alistair to father a child with Morrigan.
Alistair can die slaying the Archdemon, Urthemiel.
If Alistair is made king, rules alone, and was in a romance with a Warden other than a human noble prior to the Landsmeet, he will end their relationship citing the inability of two Grey Wardens to produce an heir. He also clearly states that, as king, he will need to marry and have a child, leaving open the possibility of Alistair continuing the Theirin bloodline as king.
Dragon Age: The Silent Grove
Thirteen years following the declaration of King Maric's death after he was lost at sea, rumors persisted about him being held in a prison somewhere. King Alistair and his companions, Varric Tethras and Captain Isabela, follow up on these rumors and infiltrate an Antivan Crows prison, the Velabanchel. Maric's former cellmate reveals that Maric was held at the prison for a time, but he was freed by Yavana, a Witch of the Wilds. Alistair is later captured by Prince Claudio Valisti, who is under orders to deliver him to his mysterious master. Varric and Isabela regroup, free Alistair, and also kill Claudio. Yavana, who has a vested interest in the Theirin bloodline, aids Alistair by summoning Claudio Valisti's spirit and coerces him to reveal the identity of his master. Claudio tells them that his master is Magister Aurelian Titus—a promising lead in their pursuit of Maric.
Yavana reveals she and Maric were fulfilling a promise to Flemeth to use his Theirin blood to awaken the Great dragons, but Aurelian Titus stole him from her before they could accomplish their quest. Yavana attempts to seduce Alistair into taking Maric's role and finish the quest he started. Alistair instead kills Yavana for taking Maric away from Ferelden and also because he is annoyed by the Witches of the Wilds' machinations.
Dragon Age: Until We Sleep
Dragon Age: Inquisition
King Alistair Theirin was crowned the ruler of Ferelden after the end of the Fifth Blight; his people consider him a hero for fighting against the darkspawn as a Grey Warden. Few Wardens have ever left the secretive order, and he is the only of those who went on to rule a nation; Queen Anora, daughter of the legendary Teyrn Loghain, rules at his side. Although Ferelden has prospered under their reign, it was greatly weakened by the Blight. Tensions with neighboring Orlais have been high, and many believe a renewal of their long-standing conflict is inevitable.
King Alistair Theirin was crowned the ruler of Ferelden after the end of the Fifth Blight, and is considered a hero among his people for having fought against the darkspawn as a Grey Warden. He is one of the few known to have ever left the secretive order, never mind one who went on to rule a nation afterward. Some in Ferelden claim that the Theirin line ended with the death of King Cailan and that the existence of an unknown bastard was a lie imposed upon the people to overthrow Queen Anora. As such, Alistair's rule has been plagued with trouble... both within his own lands as well as with neighboring Orlais. The Blight greatly weakened Ferelden, and many believe that a renewal of the long-standing rivalry between the two nations is inevitable.
Rumored to be King Maric of Ferelden's bastard son, there was a moment during the recent Fifth Blight where Alistair could have ascended to the throne. Instead, the throne was given to Queen Anora, daughter of the traitorous Teyrn Loghain—the very man responsible for the death of almost every Grey Warden in Ferelden at the infamous Battle of Ostagar. Disgusted, Alistair abandoned the Grey Wardens, and for years lived in disgraced exile in the Free Marches. Several years ago, Alistair was retrieved from his exile, sobered up, and eventually re-admitted to the order... though he chose to do so in Orlais rather than his homeland.
A hero of the recent Fifth Blight, the Grey Warden Alistair is credited alongside the Hero of Ferelden with slaying the Archdemon and sparing Thedas the ravages of the darkspawn. Rumor has it that he is an heir to the Fereldan throne, but that he turned it down in deference to Queen Anora, daughter to the traitorous Teyrn Loghain.
After the Champion of Kirkwall's sacrifice in the Fade, giving him and the Inquisitor a chance to escape, Alistair left to report to the Grey Warden leadership at the fortress of Weisshaupt in the Anderfels.
Currently, Alistair is either dead or lost in the Fade, having sacrificed himself to give the Inquisitor and the Champion of Kirkwall a chance to escape.
Known members
- King Calenhad Theirin – better known as Calenhad the Great; first King of Ferelden; married to Queen Mairyn
- Weylan I – the son of Calenhad Theirin[16]
- Fionne Theirin – ascended to the throne in 6:18 Steel;[5] she was the lover of Caliban, a famous dragon hunter[17]
- King Arland Theirin
- King Vanedrin Theirin
- King Brandel Theirin
- Moira Theirin
- Maric Theirin – married to Rowan Guerrin; father of Cailan and Alistair
- King Cailan Theirin – married to Anora
- Alistair Theirin – a Grey Warden; Cailan Theirin's half brother; companion of the Warden; slayer of the Urthemiel (conditional); King of Ferelden (conditional); married to Anora (conditional); married to the Hero of Ferelden (conditional)
- The Human Noble – if the Warden is Lady Cousland and the Hero of Ferelden, she may become the wife and Queen Consort to King Alistair Theirin (conditional)
- Kieran – son of Alistair Theirin (conditional)
Family tree
| Calenhad Theirin | Queen Mairyn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weylan Theirin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fionne Theirin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ? | ? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arland Theirin | Sophia Dryden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanedrin Theirin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brandel Theirin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moira Theirin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rowan Guerrin | Maric Theirin | Fiona | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anora Mac Tir | Cailan Theirin | Alistair | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Codex entries
Alistair
Alistair
Alistair- Anora
- King Cailan Theirin
- Cailan's Documents - Page 1 of 3
- Cailan's Documents - Page 2 of 3
- Cailan's Documents - Page 3 of 3
- Grand Enchanter Fiona
- Hero of Ferelden
- Katriel's Grasp
- The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 3
- Queen Anora Mac Tir
- Sophia Dryden
- Sophia Dryden's Journal
Trivia
- Some people believe that when the last Fereldan king dies, the Dragon's Peak, a mountain located near Denerim, is going to erupt, filling the sky with ash and fire.[18]
- King Calenhad possessed a sword called Nemetos which was lost in 8:24 Blessed when King Vanedrin was killed during the Second Orlesian Invasion of Ferelden.[19]
See also
Gallery
References
- ↑ Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1
- ↑ Avenger
- ↑ Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 3
- ↑ Robes of the Pretender
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Codex entry: The Bannorn
- ↑ Caliban
- ↑ According to Arl Teagan's dialogue in Trespasser: "Invading under the pretext of restoring order is exactly what the Grey Wardens did to us [Fereldans] centuries ago, and we exiled them!"
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 123
- ↑ Shield of Highever
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 125
- ↑ Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 2
- ↑ Ashe (Lady Insanity) (July 9, 2014). "Bioware Q&A + Raptr Wrap Up" Lady Insanity.
- ↑
Mike Laidlaw (July 8, 2014). "Sorry. Thought it was pretty obvious and widely known. It's never been a secret." (archive). Twitter.
- ↑ Codex entry: Alistair (Inquisition)
- ↑ Codex entry: Queen Anora Mac Tir
- ↑ Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 3
- ↑ Per description of Caliban unique sword.
- ↑ Codex entry: Denerim
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 124