The Dragon Age series takes place in the fantastical land called Thedas. There are around fifteen recognized kingdoms in the world, but none that the average player knows so well as Ferelden and Orlais. In Dragon Age 4, players are excited to explore Tevinter for the first time.
Dragon Age features Ferelden more than any other kingdom — Dragon Age: Origins takes place there exclusively, and Dragon Age: Inquisition features it heavily. Though you’ll spend Dragon Age 2 in Kirkwall, Hawke was born and raised in Ferelden. Orlais is understood because you get to explore it in Dragon Age: Inquisition, and it’s often referenced in other ways as the antithesis of Ferelden.
14 Fereldens: Recently Civilized
Compared to other kingdoms of Thedas, like Orlais and Tevinter, Ferelden is a kingdom in its toddler years. Modern Fereldens draw their ancestry from ancient Alamarri tribes, who fought vicious wars against one another, as well as against foreign powers.
Fereldens are thus considered to be rather uncivilized by foreign standards. Their buildings — even Denerim, their capital — seem barbaric, and their preference for hard labor and honest work over artistic pursuits seems primitive.
13 Orlesians: Extravagant
Orlais became a unified kingdom in -155 Ancient, and has been rife with political scandal and war ever since. However, this also means their society had lots of time to develop, and by modern-day, it has blossomed into a lavish cultural hub.
Their capital, Val Royeaux, boasts the University of Orlais; there, young nobles from all over Thedas earn the best education money can buy. It’s described as a liberal institution that tends to clash with religious conservative powers.
12 Fereldens: Distrustful Of Law Enforcement
Fereldens tend to have a strong desire for freedom. They had a strong, militaristic culture until a few centuries ago, and once they did form a kingdom, they struggled in wars against the Orlesians and even under Orlesian rule.
As a result, they adopt laissez-faire attitudes in their society. The worst offenses are thwarted by authorities, but Fereldens are generally expected to take care of themselves. Their cities have been described as “virtually anarchic” by outsiders.
11 Orlesians: Renowned Knightly Order
The ‘Chevalier’ wasn’t a specialization for warriors in Dragon Age: Inquisition, but it would be an interesting option for the next game. These men and women are an order of renowned warriors who come exclusively from the noble class, and their training is brutal.
The knights are instilled with a sense of fierce discipline and loyalty to the empire. They are well-respected among the people, but do not always live up to that respect; chevaliers seem to be allowed great liberties with commoners, up to and including murder or sexual assault.
10 Fereldens: Make A Name For Yourself Through Hard Work
In Ferelden, it’s not uncommon for people to move up the social ladder through their hard work. For example, crafters can become experts in their fields, making their skills priceless and highly sought-after. These people can even come to control certain industries. Or, consider how soldiers who serve valiantly may be honoured with their own land and a title — like Teryn Loghain. There are no “serfs” — it’s looked down upon if you don’t pay someone for their work, be it with gold or through trade.
9 Orlesians: Make A Name For Yourself By Playing The Game
In Orlais, it’s incredibly difficult to escape whatever class you are born into. Everyone envies someone who has more power than they do, be that a servant envying their master or a noble envying the Empress. Most Orlesians work a richer person’s land for them, with no hope of bettering their own circumstances.
Those who do manage to rise in the social hierarchy do so by marriage or by playing the Game (a word used for the delicate politics in Orlais of making friends, winning deals, and more). A thief may find work as a Bard, for example, and Bards are often hired by nobility to help in their machinations. Though, those people who rise up from very low classes to be around the nobility are seldom able to be front-and-centre, like others. They simply work in the shadows and reap the rewards in private.
8 Fereldens: Dog Lovers
Fereldens and Mabari war hounds have a bond that spans generations. Their Alamarri ancestors used dogs because they could tell whether someone was a werewolf even in human form, and the bond grew until there was a hound on every farm.
Mabari were trained and magically bred by Tevinter magisters who brought them to invade Ferelden, but the Mabari decided that they liked the tribesmen, and stayed as their companions after the magisters were defeated.
7 Orlesians: Artists
The only dogs that Orlesians use are the petite ones that could fit in a purse. They prefer to spend their time perfecting the arts. Some of their most famous historical figures were artists, like Henri de Lydes, who painted an exquisite mural of Andraste and her disciples.
When Empress Celene entered power, she made art a focus of her reign. Indeed, she’s inspired quite the cultural renaissance in Orlais. Most notably, she lifted restrictions that the Chantry had placed on what art could depict.
6 Fereldens: Not Picky Eaters
Ferelden food is often described as “hearty” and “humble.” One wouldn’t usually use words like “delicious” or “colorful.” Foreigners love to mock Fereldens’ foods as grey, unappetizing, and bland — but they don’t mind much.
They seem to favor stews most of all, such as the traditional Lamb and Pie Stew, or Turnip and Barley Stew. However, one mustn’t forget that they’re also known for ripe cheeses and rich pies. Ale is common to wash everything down with.
5 Orlesians: Only The Best Food Will Do
Orlesians often spend hours creating beautiful dishes to delight the palate, such as the Nug-Nug, which is meant to look like the adorable rodent creature the Nug, which has appeared elsewhere in Dragon Age. Foreigners (especially Fereldens) sometimes describe their food as “frilly” and “pretentious.”
The Orlesians also appreciate excellent wine; there are several prestigious Orlesian vineyards, but they also import the best from Antiva. Spiced wine in particular is a favorite at the Winter Palace. Even elves, who often occupy the lowest classes, enjoy dandelion wine.
4 Fereldens: Complicated Relationship With The Grey Wardens
Two centuries before the time of Dragon Age: Origins, a Warden-Commander named Sophia Dryden became involved in Ferelden politics because she had once held a claim to the throne. By getting involved, she’d violated the Grey Wardens’ promise to stay neutral and the King of Ferelden turned on her. After assaulting their fortress he banned all Grey Wardens from Ferelden — the people of Ferelden did not remember them fondly.
King Maric, Alistair and Cailin’s father, was the one to allow them back into his country, 20 years before the first Dragon Age game. However (if the persecution your character faces from Loghain and others during the course of Dragon Age: Origins didn’t clue you in), the distrust and resentment were still brewing under the surface.
3 Orlesians: No Problem With Grey Wardens
Between the time that Wardens were banned from Ferelden and the time that they returned, Orlais was still housing the Grey Wardens in the Adamant Fortress, Griffon Wing Keep, etc. Indeed, Riordan — the Grey Warden who appears at the end of the first game — came from Orlais to help out.
Orlesians don’t have any particular grudge against the Grey Wardens and the two groups didn’t come into conflict much, except perhaps when the Grey Wardens pressured them into joining a few wars. Still, there’s no active ill will like what exists in Ferelden.
2 Fereldens: Ruled By A Number Of Nobles
While the King and Queen of Ferelden are important figureheads of the country, and heavily influence foreign relations, they don’t hold a ton of power in the country. The nobles are divided into Teryns/Terynas, Arls/Arlessas, Banns, Lords/Ladies, and Knights.
These people are known as ‘freeholders’ who all have varying amounts of land ownership and local power. The crown’s power is only strong so long as they have the support of these freeholders.
1 Orlesians: Power Rests In The Empresses’ Hands
Fans got a chance to see Orlesian politics first-hand in Dragon Age: Inquisition’s quest, Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts. Compared to Ferelden, Orlais’ hierarchy is more traditional and common in Thedas. Power comes down from the Empress, who grants land and titles to aristocrats.
In the mind of Orlesians, the Empress’ right to rule stems from the Maker’s will. As a result, it’s noted that rebellion is not even a thought in the mind of modern Orlesians, since that would be to rebel against the Maker himself.
NEXT: Dragon Age Inquisition: Things You Didn’t Know About The Main Story
