Everyone who's played a human noble is quite familiar with Castle Cousland, but I was wondering if there was any information out there about the town of Highever. Over on the Warden's Vigil roleplaying forum, we're looking to set up some stories in Highever, and we'd like to get some idea of the population of the town, the layout, the size, etc. I've checked the dragonage.wikia.com site and there doesn't seem to be any information on those specifics.
For example, would it be reasonable to assume Highever was the second largest settlement next to Denerim? There seems to be a fair number of NPCs in-game from there (Duncan, Jory, etc.). If so, could we assume that it would have districts similar to Denerim, but on a smaller scale?
If any of the devs would be so kind as to provide some info, if possible, I would greatly appreciate it! A thousand internets to you.
<3
The Town of Highever - Help me visualize it!
Débuté par
Freckles04
, avril 26 2010 10:21
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#2
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 10:29
LadyDamodred
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Fascinating questions, and ones I have pondered myself. I think the key question is deciding how big it would be population wise. I do think it is probably the biggest town/city outside of Denerim, but as to the exact population, I am unsure. Even if the number you come up with in non-canonical, as long as it is consistant, I don't see a problem. Maybe decide how big Denerim is and make the population of Highever about 2/3s of it?
I don't see it having districts, though. In my head, it's always seemed like a revolutionary-era Boston sort of place to me. Aside from the Alienage, there isn't too much seperation. I can see a sort of commerical district, crafting district, etc... but nothing definitive. Denerim has the noble district, market, district, palace district, I don't see Highever needing any of those except for maybe a market district.
I don't see it having districts, though. In my head, it's always seemed like a revolutionary-era Boston sort of place to me. Aside from the Alienage, there isn't too much seperation. I can see a sort of commerical district, crafting district, etc... but nothing definitive. Denerim has the noble district, market, district, palace district, I don't see Highever needing any of those except for maybe a market district.
#3
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 10:34
Aisynia
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Adding to and supporting what Lady Damodred said...
It's the "capitol" of a Teyrnir and it's large enough to contain an alienage. By comparison, Amaranthine, the "capitol" of a fairly large arling isn't large enough to have an alienage (that we know of, though arguably there seems to be part of the city we can't enter).
I would say it's somewhere between the size of Amaranthine and Denerim.
It's the "capitol" of a Teyrnir and it's large enough to contain an alienage. By comparison, Amaranthine, the "capitol" of a fairly large arling isn't large enough to have an alienage (that we know of, though arguably there seems to be part of the city we can't enter).
I would say it's somewhere between the size of Amaranthine and Denerim.
#4
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 10:40
Aisynia
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Also, was thinking. Purely conjecture, but Highever probably has at least a small arena or an area that can be used as one, as Ser Jory won a tournament there which impressed Duncan.
#5
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 10:54
LadyDamodred
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Tournaments could also be held on templar or soldier training grounds. I don't think we're seen any arena type areas outside of Orzammar, have we?
#6
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 10:58
Patriciachr34
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Would Highever have a port? If you look on a map or Ferelden it seems to be on the coast. If it has access to the sea it would probably have a dock area and/or a warehouse area.
#7
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:02
LadyDamodred
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I always assumed so. Hence old town Boston association for me. Important port city, seat of power, etc...
#8
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:02
Aisynia
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If it IS on the sea, then almost certainly. We have no evidence either way, but my guess is.. yes.
Modifié par Aisynia, 26 avril 2010 - 11:02 .
#9
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:02
Miliat
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Patriciachr34 wrote...
Would Highever have a port? If you look on a map or Ferelden it seems to be on the coast. If it has access to the sea it would probably have a dock area and/or a warehouse area.
We are going with the assumption that it does have a port.
Thank you guys, so far this information is extremely helpful. Keep it coming
#10
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:04
Aisynia
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LadyDamodred wrote...
Tournaments could also be held on templar or soldier training grounds. I don't think we're seen any arena type areas outside of Orzammar, have we?
Which is why I said "or an area that can be used as one".
Then again, Highever might have the only arena in Ferelden, lol never know, but I doubt it.
#11
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:16
LadyDamodred
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*wanders over to the site to check it out*
#12
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:17
Raiil
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I imagine it as being more stonecraft than wood built buildings, and being slightly more medieval than Denerim. But fairly bustling, and I agree that it could have an arena.
#13
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:29
Patriciachr34
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Do we know anything about the terrain that may affect the type of commerce in the city? Gwaren had a lumber industry as it was in the Mountains. Perhaps we should look at the surrounding country side to see if there is any Highever specific commodity. This could affect how the town functions and what types of commerce take place here. I keep remembering the comment that Redcliffe smelled of fish. This is it's primary commerce being next to Lake Calenhad (sp?).
#14
Posté 26 avril 2010 - 11:55
Raiil
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Well, going by this: http://dragonage.wik...elden_Map_1.jpg
It's near the coast and the mountains, so perhaps mining would be feasible. That would make sense, and provide of money. There could also be a strong fishing industry. And if it extends a bit south, there's plenty of room for farming and such.
It's near the coast and the mountains, so perhaps mining would be feasible. That would make sense, and provide of money. There could also be a strong fishing industry. And if it extends a bit south, there's plenty of room for farming and such.
#15
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 12:48
odiedragon
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The only thing I see in my head, after seeing Amranthine vrs Vigil's Keep in Awakening, is that Highever is the town on the sea, while Castle Cousland is more up in the hills a ways. Maybe like half a days walk away, or something.
#16
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 12:49
Kerendar
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I'm not sure, I think I read it in one of the books, but if I remember correctly than ferelden was lacking a [large enough] port when the orlesians conquered it. They then built one in amaranthine. That would mean that if there's a port now, it will probably be the newest part of the town.
Someone correct me if my memory is messing things up
If there's a port highever would be a trading post connecting ferelden to the free marches, orlais (since it's closer than amaranthine),... In such a position you are barely dependent on your own primary production anyway. A little toll on trading...
plus, being on the north coast of the south-eastern-most nation of thedas it can have a pretty colorful population.
Oh, and there's hills west of highever, not actual mountains. the map is a bit misleading.
Someone correct me if my memory is messing things up
If there's a port highever would be a trading post connecting ferelden to the free marches, orlais (since it's closer than amaranthine),... In such a position you are barely dependent on your own primary production anyway. A little toll on trading...
plus, being on the north coast of the south-eastern-most nation of thedas it can have a pretty colorful population.
Oh, and there's hills west of highever, not actual mountains. the map is a bit misleading.
#17
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 12:57
Kerendar
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You can hardly coompare the two. The "Fort of a thousand Vigils" or something like that was not intended as a seat of power, it's there because the location is perfect for an outpost and later a keep.odiedragon wrote...
The only thing I see in my head, after seeing Amranthine vrs Vigil's Keep in Awakening, is that Highever is the town on the sea, while Castle Cousland is more up in the hills a ways. Maybe like half a days walk away, or something.
The Castle of Highever could be in the hills or it could be close to the city like redcliffe caste, maybe even adjacent. that would depend on history and terrain and we know nothing of either...
Modifié par Kerendar, 27 avril 2010 - 12:58 .
#18
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 01:35
MEUTRIERE
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I assume Highever would also have a warmer climate (at least compared most of Fereldan), being the northernmost town. At least, from what I assumed, as you go more north and east in Thedas it gets warmer, seeing as how the Frostback Mountains, Anderfels, and Korcari Wilds are cold, and Antiva is warm.
We can also assume, as Kerendar said, Highever would have a relatively diverse population. Seeing as how Duncan is half-Rivaini and Rivain is far in the north, it seems likely that other nations would also come to Highever.
Furthermore, upon reading the Wiki, Highever is supposedly loosely-based off of Ireland. Whether or not that translates geographically I'm unsure, but if so, then Highever may be very green and hilly. That said, the heraldic device has a raindrop on it, which could perhaps mean it is very wet there. Otherwise, it may just be a symbol of the coast.
The The Map of Thedas also seems to show the city of Highever being on cliffs too, since it is a dark brown around there.
We can also assume, as Kerendar said, Highever would have a relatively diverse population. Seeing as how Duncan is half-Rivaini and Rivain is far in the north, it seems likely that other nations would also come to Highever.
Furthermore, upon reading the Wiki, Highever is supposedly loosely-based off of Ireland. Whether or not that translates geographically I'm unsure, but if so, then Highever may be very green and hilly. That said, the heraldic device has a raindrop on it, which could perhaps mean it is very wet there. Otherwise, it may just be a symbol of the coast.
The The Map of Thedas also seems to show the city of Highever being on cliffs too, since it is a dark brown around there.
Modifié par MEUTRIERE, 27 avril 2010 - 01:47 .
#19
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 01:39
Aisynia
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We know that Soldier's Peak is somewhat nearby, and you have to pass very close to Highever to get to Soldier's Peak, which appears to be high up in a set of coastal mountains.
#20
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 01:46
Raiil
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Aisynia wrote...
We know that Soldier's Peak is somewhat nearby, and you have to pass very close to Highever to get to Soldier's Peak, which appears to be high up in a set of coastal mountains.
Possibly, but it may be that Soldier's Peak is far higher up than Highever is. It's so close to the coastline that it might be more balmy.
I don't know, I see the layout, in my mind's eye, as being not too far above sea level (the city, not Castle Cousland) and being something along the lines of medieval Edinburgh.
#21
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 01:50
Aisynia
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Well I'm not saying Highever is at the same elevation as Soldier's Peak, only that it's nearby.
We also have to wonder whether it's called HIGHever because it's on the northern coast, or because it's up on a hill.
I'm starting to think that it may not be a port town, with what was brought up regarding Orlais' development of Amaranthine.. then again, it may simply be that Amaranthine was in a strategically better spot for their purposes (not to mention its ties to Andrastian religion).. hard to say.
We also have to wonder whether it's called HIGHever because it's on the northern coast, or because it's up on a hill.
I'm starting to think that it may not be a port town, with what was brought up regarding Orlais' development of Amaranthine.. then again, it may simply be that Amaranthine was in a strategically better spot for their purposes (not to mention its ties to Andrastian religion).. hard to say.
#22
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 02:04
Raiil
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It would make sense for Highever to be a port town simply due to the income it would draw (since capital cities tend to be bigger and more prosperous) but you're right, it would be odd for them to pick Amaranthine.
On the other hand, looking at a map of Thedas, Amaranthine would be much more easily reached from ships carrying cargo from Antiva, Rivain, or the Free Marches (the Imperium is a toss up because it might be more feasible for a merchant to travel through Orlais rather than go the long way around the coast). Even coming from Orlais, coming from Val Royeaux means coming through the Waking Sea and passing through a relatively narrow channel, which would be dangerous. Amaranthine is easier to access for foreign trade from half of the other countries.
On the other hand, looking at a map of Thedas, Amaranthine would be much more easily reached from ships carrying cargo from Antiva, Rivain, or the Free Marches (the Imperium is a toss up because it might be more feasible for a merchant to travel through Orlais rather than go the long way around the coast). Even coming from Orlais, coming from Val Royeaux means coming through the Waking Sea and passing through a relatively narrow channel, which would be dangerous. Amaranthine is easier to access for foreign trade from half of the other countries.
#23
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 10:03
fongiel24
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I'm not convinced Highever is as big a town as some people believe. It's undoubtedly an important centre, but Amaranthine may possibly be a larger centre. Amaranthine is mentioned as a holy city due to it having been from where Maferath set out to fight the Tevinter Imperium meaning it is at least as old as Denerim. We don't know how old Highever is. Highever being the main city of a Teyrnir does not necessarily imply size either. Gwaren is also the main city of a Teyrnir yet is not supposed to be a very large centre according to Loghain.
#24
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 10:44
Lord Leland
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ya, I hope so, may the Highever and Solider's peak is accessible in the Awakening DLC.
#25
Posté 27 avril 2010 - 10:50
Aisynia
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fongiel24 wrote...
I'm not convinced Highever is as big a town as some people believe. It's undoubtedly an important centre, but Amaranthine may possibly be a larger centre. Amaranthine is mentioned as a holy city due to it having been from where Maferath set out to fight the Tevinter Imperium meaning it is at least as old as Denerim. We don't know how old Highever is. Highever being the main city of a Teyrnir does not necessarily imply size either. Gwaren is also the main city of a Teyrnir yet is not supposed to be a very large centre according to Loghain.
No, being the main town of a Teyrnir does not imply it's large, as Gwaren is apparently small, but it's large enough to have an alienage, which Amaranthine doesn't have as far as we know.
Also, Amaranthine, pilgrimage site or not, was a run down hole in the wall until the Orlesians developed it during the occupation.
