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[ChaosMorning]

Her Imperial Radiance, Empress Celene Valmont I, the Lioness of Orlais

 

“Sitting on my throne, I see every city in the empire. If I must burn one to save the rest, I will weep, but I will light the torch!”

 

While this is of course open to discuss (the wonderful queer, patron of the arts, introduce-r of the Renaissance, master manipulator. and all around bamf that is) Celene in general, first off what I'm wondering is if this

 

is supposed to be the Empress. I mean, if it is I can see some similarities but...

 

 

This is the only other (technically the only official) image we have of Empress Celene.  The new image (which may or may not be her) is from the most recent update to the website. The new image just looks a little drab in comparison - and that mask she's holding in the second/original image is way cooler. Meh.

 

About Celene:

- Her first appearance (outside of codex, convesation, etc) was in the most recent DA novel The Masked Empire

 

- If we are correct in assuming that Dragon Age: Inquisition will at least begin in 9:40 Dragon, then Celene will be thirty six years old (she was born (9:4 Dragon)

 

- She ascended to the Imperial Throne at the age of sixteen by gaining the support of Dowager Lady Mantillon and Duke Prosper (yes, that Duke Prosper. They're presumably first cousins once removed).  Through various moves in the Grand Game she had (this is a bit sketchy, I don't remember the exact details so I went to the wiki) Mantillon assassinate Emperor Florian (the two were once rumoured lovers) and later became the Empress

 

- Her rule has been dominated by changes to Orlesian society in terms of the arts and education; in ME it is revealed that Celene wishes her legacy to be one of a sort of Enlightened Monarch who preserved and improved Orlesian culture

 

- Until recently her spymaster, handmaiden, and childhood companion Briala was her lover. Towards the end of ME the two have a falling out, though Celene reveals how much she still cares for her

 

- In comparison to Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons, Celene is the more 'liberal' choice.  She loves the arts, she wants to secure peace (as was mentioned in the Return to Ostagar DLC and in The Masked Empire) with Ferelden.  She is still, however, very manipulative (IE read what happened to her lover's parents - and her entire rule in general), less direct, does not have the strict honour system that Gaspard has. She does, however, wish for greater equality for the elves. She won't do as much as she told Briala she would, I think, but she will seek some changes.

 

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Now more importantly... the new update on the Orlesian Civil War states that Celene made it back to Val Royeaux (with a hundred mad stories explaining how, or something). But really how the heck could she get from the Winter Palace near Halamshiral in the Dales, across the ocean or all the way through Gaspard's forces and back to the capital?  

 

That was pretty much the plot of ME, her trying to get back to Val Royeaux and Briala purposefully sending her back to Halamshiral through the Eluvian network so she couldn't quickly end the war from the capital.

[In Exile]

The shorter hair I think is an important tip, since it looks like the engine can't handle long hair. 

[ChaosMorning]

The shorter hair I think is an important tip, since it looks like the engine can't handle long hair. 

 

I believe it was stated that the new engine was supporting a lot more hairstyles (I'll try and find the tweet)

[In Exile]

I believe it was stated that the new engine was supporting a lot more hairstyles (I'll try and find the tweet)

 

They say that, but so far we've not seen a single character with long hair. 

[Mister Gusty]

The top image is definitely Celene, IMO, she looks pretty identical to the image below it, except for the short hair of course. Also I am pretty sure in the top image her outfit and mask are from the Masked Empire, I remember reading something about a blue dress with gold, and a gold mask decorated with sapphire. 

 

On how she managed to get back to Val Royeaux, I would assume with the Winter Palace in Halamshiral being so close to the waking sea that she sailed to Val Royeaux, as it is a shorter route by far than going by foot/horse on the Imperial Highway, which also would be swarming with Gaspard's troops. I would assume the Palace would have its own kind of dock or something, and if it didn't,she has the support of Comte Pierre who is in-charge of Halamshiral, and he would surely be able to acquire a boat for her, if she couldn't.

[teh DRUMPf!!]

If there's a movie, David Bowie should play her.

 

Or Cate Blanchett.

[ChaosMorning]

Yeah, probably is her.

 

That's what I'd expect, going by sea was would be the easiest way, presumably.  

 

Or Cate Blanchett.

 

 

I would be extraordinarily okay with that.

[sandalisthemaker]

Yeah, that hair.... not a good look befitting an empress of Orlais, especially since Celene had 'long hair down her back' in the novel. 

 

I really hope she wears a fabulous sky-high powdered wig or something- that doesn't need to move or flow- in game.  

 

It really does appear that they are going out of their way to make sure none of the characters/companions have much hair.  Grey Warden seems to have the longest, at shoulder length.  Even at that length his hair should theoretically move when he does, so I'm curious to see what it does in game. As far as the Inquisitor, I'm not holding my breath for anything long in the CC, but long hair isn't something I really want for my characters anyway.

[Jedi Master of Orion]

That paler skin color makes her look more old and sickly.

[PlasmaCheese]

She looks dead. That skin-tone.... I don't know.. These pictures of her aren't really flattering.

[Mister Sunshine]

That dress slays. Please tell me we can wear dresses like that in the game.

[Dracarys]

She looks just like Tilda Swinton (who looks a lot like David Bowie herself). I like it!

[dragondreamer]

She kinda looks like Tilda Swinton...I approve. 

 

Celene's family colors are gold and violet, and although that looks more blue to me, I could see that...

[Hanako Ikezawa]

I believe it was stated that the new engine was supporting a lot more hairstyles (I'll try and find the tweet)

And it just so happens they'll be supporting a lot more short hairstyles.

[PrinceofTime]

She looks waaayyyyy better in the lattter picture, and thats not saying much. Oh well.

[Crunchycarp]

She's described as pale in the masked empire but I would never think that pale. Does she never go outside anymore?

[The Night Haunter]

She's described as pale in the masked empire but I would never think that pale. Does she never go outside anymore?

As Empress she is always in a body covering dress and her face (most of her head) is always covered by her mask.

[sandalisthemaker]

To elaborate on the hair:

 

Short hair is utilitarian, low-maintenance, and practical, which is perfect for someone like Cassandra, however Celene is the Empress of frikin' Orlais. 

 

Orlesian fashion is the exact opposite. It is extravagant, high-maintenance, and impractical. Celene should embody the ideals and fashion of her empire, not contradict it. 

 

Vivienne's hats fit Orlesian fashion to a T, and Celene should follow suit, except with amazing wigs IMO.

 

 

Please Bioware, make it so. 

[CARPOOL]

What I wonder is if she is the one Gwendoline Christie did the voice recording session for. She certainly looks similar to her in this most recent illustration. And horns up doesn't have to mean horns like Qunari horns, it could be the sound of horns announcing the arrival of someone important. (Something I recall happening a lot in cartoons/animated movies I watched when I was younger.)

[Eveangaline]

To elaborate on the hair:

 

Short hair is utilitarian, low-maintenance, and practical, which is perfect for someone like Cassandra, however Celene is the Empress of frikin' Orlais. 

 

Orlesian fashion is the exact opposite. It is extravagant, high-maintenance, and impractical. Celene should embody the ideals and fashion of her empire, not contradict it. 

 

Vivienne's hats fit Orlesian fashion to a T, and Celene should follow suit, except with amazing wigs IMO.

 

 

Please Bioware, make it so. 

Lots of preposterous wigs and hats are only wearable because people keep their natural hair short. That's probably why her natural hair is like that.

[Crunchycarp]

I think Gwendoline Christie is voicing Viv. Not sure though.

[CARPOOL]

I think she's voicing Viv. Not sure though.

It is something to ponder, that's for sure. At first I had hoped she'd do one of the female Inquisitor voices. However, one of the companions or important NPCs is beginning to seem more plausible.