Starting State for Thedas

In the vein of Dragon Age: Inquisition, we'll decide how the uber-plot ended for the purpose of this game. Questions we need to discuss are below (and should be based on the end state wiki). I'll update this post with our decisions:

Who is the new Divine? Choices include Vivienne (pro-circle mage), Leliana (likes mages to be free), Cassandra (ex-seeker, wants a better way)

Is the new Divine rebuilding the Chantry in western Fereldan?

Is the Inquisition still active? If so, how powerful is that army? Is it controlling any territory?

What happened to the Grey Wardens? They could be: disbanded/banished from Orlais, or both factions at war with each other.

Did the Qunari invade? If so, what is the state of that action? Have they taken any territory? Were they repelled?

Who rules Orlais? Celene, or Gaspard, or Gaspard as a pawn of Briala?

This is entirely my opinion, but just to get it out and start discussion:

The Divine: Leliana is both the sensible and 'best' choice for Divine in the games, and in this vein, it'd be interesting to see free mages - Just because they're free, doesn't mean people's opinions of them have changed. In fact, they may have gotten worse. There may be templars or even mages who are still in favor of the Circles, and may try to enforce such rules harshly even with no ground to stand on.

The Chantry's a big part of the lore, and also a pretty huge political power in Ferelden. It makes sense that it'd be being rebuilt, even only from a meta-ish point of view where it gives us a pretty big body to interact or tie our characters to in some way.

I can't see the Inquisition controlling any territory beyond Skyhold, if they're even still active. By the end of Trespasser, it's quite clear that even if they have the will of the people behind them, they simply don't have the political clout to keep going. Even if they were allowed to remain active, I'm pretty sure a lot of politicians would be moving to make them fade out of existence. If they are still active, they might be helping rebuild areas affected by the fighting and other such relief efforts.

Grey Wardens would most likely be disbanded and fade into legend. They done goofed, hardcore. Some wardens might remain as a kind of underground, unofficial organization, many might have fled the hatred of the public and become hermits or such. A few, I could see, might even have gone to the Deep Roads to fight the Darkspawn alongside the dwarven Legion of the Dead.

If the Qunari invaded, pretty sure it'd still be going, and it'd have messed up a lot of stuff. Also not sure Orlais or Ferelden could've actually won that fight - The Qun is nigh unstoppable once it gets going. I think their invasion should be stumped before it began.

With Orlais I'm gonna say Celene. Not for any real reason, other than the fact that I still have nightmares about that mission and can't remember their policies particularly well.

Well, that's my thoughts on it, not saying it should be verbatim, hopefully it's at least a starting point for discussion :)

I’m happy with Leliana as Divine, or Cassandra. Vivienne is a little to rigid for my taste.

I like the idea of having the grey wardens as opposing factions, stronghold vs the ones who stayed in Orlais. That leaves more open threads for us to run into.

I agree with no Qunari, they are too overpowering.

For Orlais, I much prefer Gaspard over Celene, though I think I’m in the minority there. He’s more Militant and structured, but she’s quite vicious and cruel when need be.

Leliana gets my vote as well, as I think it makes for the most interesting setting (plus, it lets people play mages a little more open). She would definitely rebuild the Chantry.

I would probably prefer the Inquisition to be disbanded, as it leaves a little bit of a power vacuum in the setting. Also leaves room for ex-Inquisition character backgrounds.

I don't have much of a preference for the Grey Wardens, since no matter what they kinda vanish. It would be cool to see some of the reformed/Inquisition Wardens though, especially since we'll be near the Abyssal Rift.

I'll be the third voice against a Qunari invasion.

Finally, Orlais. I actually just read The Masked Empire yesterday, meaning I've got Orlesian politics on the brain. My personal preference is probably Briala ruling through Gaspard. It's the biggest social upheaval: the Empress of 20 years is dead, her assassin's brother (a 70 year-old man with no heirs) now sits on the throne, with an elven peasant as the power behind him. This is a fundamental shift in Orlesian society on two fronts; one, elves will experience more privileges than ever before, and two, Gaspard's sense of honor and duty will likely change the way the Grand Game is played.

Some pretty good responses. I'll give you all until tonight to weigh in before finalizing the initial state. Then we'll review your characters in context of the political situation, and work on finalizing those.

Leliana as divine, seems the more level headed of the choices.

The Inquisition was all ready moving towards disbanding so them being disbanded makes more since.

The Grey Wardens could be reformed but still unwelcome in most places but the Deep Roads.

A Qunari invasion seems to much on top of everything else.

I have no preference who sits on Orlais' throne. They were all awful candidates in my opinion and probably wouldn't last to long.

Based partially on your feedback, here is the starting political status:

Orlais
Gaspard is emperor. Consider the mighty Empire of Orlais, where Gaspard has ascended to the golden throne.

His rule continues only so long as he bows to the will of Briala - the first elf to be granted titles and land.

Soon, new rights are granted to elves throughout the land. Plans are made to tear down alienage walls.

The emperor chafes under her command, but can do nothing - even as an alliance of nobles considers open rebellion.

---

The Chantry

Leliana is the new Divine. One month after the defeat of Corypheus, the Chantry names Leliana as successor to the Sunburst Throne.

Given the name Divine Victoria, she first declares an end to the Circle of Magi; the mages will now govern themselves.

She opens the priesthood to other races, declares support for the Inquisition, and rededicates the Chantry to the principle of charity.

Divine Victoria is controversial from the start, several new sects arise, resisting her reforms and declaring her rule a threat to the faith.
She does not fight them, and it is not long before the Chantry's fractures threaten to tear it apart forever.

---

Grey Wardens

The Grey Wardens were banished from Orlais. Those Grey Wardens who survived the battle at Adamant ventured north into exile.

They returned to the mighty fortress of Weisshaupt, and word slowly spreads that a battle for control of the Order has erupted.

Whether Hawke reached Weisshaupt with them is unknown. Indeed, before long, all news out of Weisshaupt ends. Slowly, the Wardens withdraw from across the north as well. Some believe the ancient order is on the verge of vanishing forever.

---

The Circle of Mages

When Leliana disbands the Circles, they leave the Inquisition and reform the College of Enchanters as a new order.

The College, they say, will allow mages of the South to gather in peace and seek new solutions to age-old problems.

For the moment, it appears to be working – mages are enjoying unprecedented acceptance throughout Thedas.

---

The Inquisition

Disbanded. The secrets and influence they wrought echo yet in the kingdom halls, but the army and the leaders have all gone their separate ways.

---

The Templars

Those Templars of the Inquisition who were recruited at Therinfal Redoubt are left with a choice.

The Seekers were not rebuilt. This allows the Templars to leave and reform the Templar Order to truly serve the people, independent of outside control.

---

The Qun

The Qunari invasion seemed imminent. Tales of skirmishes at sea echo throughout the land, with the Qun taking victory too often. Until they withdraw suddenly. It is unknown what force or calling drew them off to seek some other fate.