Official Name: Orlesian Empire
Demonym: Orlesian
Government: Monarchy
Capital: Val Royeaux
Religion: Chantry (majority)
Orlais is a country in southwest Thedas known for its culture of extravagant nobility and as the birthplace of the Chantry. Ambitious and wealthy, Orlais is the most powerful human nation in Thedas.
The Orlesian capital, Val Royeaux, is home to the Chantry's Grand Cathedral, the center of the Andrastian relgion's power. Over multiple Blights, the Orlesians have used the Chantry to expand their influence beyond the nation's impressive borders, notably to the north into Tevinter territory and southeast through Ferelden.
Orlais has a large noble class famed for its excess, and in particular, the fashionable use of cosmetics and elaborate masks. Their clothing too tends to be complicated and colorful. Orlais is also home to spectacular architecture. The Grand Cathedral, as well as the University of Orlais, both in Val Royeaux are noteworthy for their grandious style and construction. The Cathedral originally a fortress was converted to a place of worship with ample gold and stained glass.
Ages of expansionist aggression have done little to endear Orlais to its neighbors. Much of Thedas looks at Orlais with disrespect and even contempt. The Orlesians have squandered favor with the Free Marches, battled with Nevarra, and invaded Ferelden. They also crushed the Dales, the last true home of elves in Thedas, in the name of Andraste.
Orlais is particularly at odds with the Tevinter lmperium. The lmperium and its Imperial Chantry embrace magic, which permeates all aspects of Tevinter society. Orlais, and by extension the Chantry, has sought instead to suppress and control magic, seeing it as dangerous and corruptible.
Perhaps the only people with whom Orlais has maintained goodwill are the dwarves of Orzammar. Orlais has long shared a border with dwarven territory in the Frostbacks and benefits from trade in lyrium and minerals, as well as smithing. The Chantry's templars, who use lyrium to bolster their power, are especially reliant on these strong ties with the dwarves
Among the Orlesian nobility, status and appearance arc set above all things. Orlesian culture is renowned for its infighting, with every family engaging on some level in what's known as the Grand Game.
The object of the Game is to one-up rival nobles. Ambitious members of the country's bloated aristocracy maneuver within social circles to increase their own influence. The rules are simple: anything is acceptable, so long as they don't get caught. A nobleman could get away with murder, so long as there's no evidence of his involvement. It is important, however, for the nobility to at least suspect his involvement. Indeed, this suspicion is liable to earn the nobleman respect and standing. Should actual evidence come to light, however, the rest of the nobility would immediately that no one would falsely pretend to such a title for fear of condemn him for his immoral act, if only to better their own standing. This Game often breeds more losers than winners.
Outside of Orlais, it is believed that the lower classes must find the Game contemptible. In truth, most Orlesians aspire to be nobility-anyone even the lowliest of peasant, could conceivably join their ranks if they become wealthy enough. A lucky merchant with a powerful patron could gain a title through the Council of Heralds, their commoner status forgotten to make way for entry into the elite classes. This is exceptionally rare, but still a possibility. Thus, many believe Orlais is a kind of meritocracy. In reality, the faint hope of achieving great things is enough to keep the poor preoccupied and rich in power.
Many of the nobility in Orlais are members of its infamous knightly order, the chevaliers. Joining the chevaliers is a good way to improve social standing, a useful path for lesser, landless nobles and noble children not in line to inherit. The chevaliers include both men and women, although women are not often encouraged to take up arms.
The legendary training of the chevaliers is harsh, instilling in its knights a fierce discipline and code of honor that sur-passes even value in their own lives. The chevaliers are said to be fearless and their loyalty to the empire absolute. The penalty for dishonor is death, something a chevalier should welcome if he or she has failed the order.
Chevaliers hold absolute power over those of commoner rank. The brutality of certain members of the chevaliers is infamous, and considering that the knighthood is above legal reproach, the lower Orlesian classes fear the knighthood as much as those of higher standing adore it.
A bare face in Orlais is considered gauche, especially in the presence of a foreigner or, Maker forbid, a commoner.
The Orlesian nobility is "prone to wearing very elaborate masks in public," Genitivi once observed. "These masks are hereditary and identify one's family almost as uniquely as the heraldry on a crest." One family might be associated with a lion crest, and matching lion masks will identify them in public. Retainers and servants wear a simpler form of a family's mask. Family symbols are well known among the Orlesian public, and anyone attempting to wear a mask that doesn't belong to their house runs the risk of a quick death if discovered.
Wearing makeup is another popular tradition for both men and women in Orlais. Even chevaliers may wear cosmetics. There is both masculine and feminine makeup, although outsiders may have trouble telling the difference. Makeup can be a strong indicator of social standing. The quality and rarity of one's makeup- uncommon hues and consistencies are prized- speak volumes of one's status.
The quintessential Orlesian style of dress is extravagant, elaborate, and colorful. In Orlais, the quality of one's garments measures standing: the more ostentatious the clothing, the more patrician the noble. Often copied in Nevvara and the Free Marches, Orlesian fashion is the epitome of form over function.
While Orlais is nowhere near as large as it was under Drakon, it remains the most powerful nation in Thedas, and Drakon's legacy continues to heavily influence Orlesian laws and social
The current Orlesian ruler, Empress Celene, ascended to the throne in 9:20 Dragon after the death of her uncle Florian the previous year. Many accused Celene, only sixteen at the time, of arranging the assassination of her uncle. These same nobles also consider her claim to the title tenuous at best.
Celene's ascendancy marked a period of intense struggle intense struggle in the empire, as nobles positioned themselves to overthrow her. Most said Celene was too young and inexperienced to hold power. She hinted at the possibility of marriage to several powerful families, and while ultimately marrying no one, Celene has maintained alliances with families of would-be suitors to hold the throne for herself.
An adept player of the Game, the progressive Celene has grown into an amateur scholar and a patron of both education and the arts. She inspired something of a cultural renaissance in the Orlesian Empire, and many call her "the Lioness." Today, there are still many nobles who consider Celene's rule illegitimate. As she grows older and the likelihood of an heir by birth decreases, the movement to replace her grows.