True. Anora and Kieran Mac Tir. I'd love to see them meet each other, especially if Morrigan was there too.
I just want to see the look on everyone's face at this happy family reunion. Especially if Alistair marries Anora.
With the family connection Amell had to Hawke and Trevelyan had to Dorian, I wonder if a hypothetical HN Tevinter PC would be related to a mage family we heard of? The Alexius family or Danarius, perhaps? Erasthenes?
Playing as Danarius's niece/nephew and meeting Fenris would be amazing.
I just want to see the look on everyone's face at this happy family reunion. Especially if Alistair marries Anora.
Champions and Heroes did a comic strip of this.
As far as it all being coincidence, some of it may be simply because it's easier for the narrative.
I am willing to bet money that this is the main reason why there are so few kids in the story. Kids don't play a big part, so kids aren't written in except in mentions. They aren't important. And there's another thing to consider- these people live in a medieval-esqe time period, and in those days miscarriages and stillborn children were very common, and the infancy and childhood mortality rates were astronomical compared to today. People behaved towards their children differently than we do today because there was a really good chance that they could die young. It wasn't that they didn't care that their child could die, or did die- but it was a part of life. You had to pick up and move on.
Now, that STILL doesn't account for the fact that we've seen maybe a dozen children throughout all 3 games, but ultimately I'm going to say that BW just didn't feel like writing them in. There are people from big families though- Cullen is one of four (though to my mind, that's not even that big a family, my father was one of six). Also, Dorian was probably an only child because his parents hated each other. When he talks about his family, he alludes that his parents married for the sake of power and despised each other outright. This probably means that they only slept together for the sake of having an heir, and once they had Dorian they didn't bother going through the ordeal again.
And there's another thing to consider- these people live in a medieval-esqe time period, and in those days miscarriages and stillborn children were very common, and the infancy and childhood mortality rates were astronomical compared to today.
I am willing to bet money that this is the main reason why there are so few kids in the story. Kids don't play a big part, so kids aren't written in except in mentions. They aren't important.
...
Now, that STILL doesn't account for the fact that we've seen maybe a dozen children throughout all 3 games, but ultimately I'm going to say that BW just didn't feel like writing them in.
When he talks about his family, he alludes that his parents married for the sake of power and despised each other outright. This probably means that they only slept together for the sake of having an heir, and once they had Dorian they didn't bother going through the ordeal again.
Champions and Heroes did a comic strip of this.
I don't think this can not be my canon, now.Playing as Danarius's niece/nephew and meeting Fenris would be amazing.
Holy ****, thank you introducing this to my life.
I love these comics. There's one about how on the Templar path, no-one seems bothered by letting Dorian into Haven, despite a Tevinter mage appearing right before an army of mages lead by Tevinter, would realistically have been arrested as a potential spy?
Cullen: No-one so handsome could be an enemy!
Dorian: I am very handsome.
While this is accurate, don't forget that Thedas isn't presented as a true medieval setting. Not only are women significantly more empowered, but the general populace seems to be more educated than reality would suggest.
Alexius though... he and his wife were actually in love, so that doesn't apply in his case.
For the first point- yes, this is true. It is a fantasy based on a medieval setting. BUT, even with empowered women and seemingly more education, they still wouldn't have the benefit of science to help them keep sick infants alive or prevent a woman from miscarrying. Now, they do have mages with magic who can help with that. But if we go by Wynne's dialogue in Origins, she says that mages with that kind of healing talent are fairly rare and are kept in circles or in armies where they can heal the injured.
As far as Alexius and his wife go- you can always headcanon that they just couldn't have more children. Or they had more children that passed away when they were very young, which would make Alexius even more desperate to keep Felix alive.
But regardless, there's no satisfying answer to why there's so few children, other than the writers didn't want to deal with them. It's common enough in games and books alike.
The attitude to having kids may vary from one Thedas culture to another. Sebastian says that the family generally feel obliged to have "an heir and a spare". Any above that number are then considered surplus to requirements and either left to do their own thing or packed off to the Chantry (depending on the piety of the family). It is noticeable that many of the multiple offspring families we have encountered have originated in the Freemarches. However, our Cousland Warden was the second child and Fergus might well have had more children with his first wife if she hadn't been murdered. Rendon Howe also had two children. So it is likely that where there are sole offspring in Ferelden, other factors are likely involved; whether infertility or infant mortality. Gaspard was married when younger but his wife was killed by Celene's father, so may be this was before she could produce offspring. Then Gaspard was leaving himself single in order to hold out the possibility of a connection by marriage to his supporters. Celene was doing the same but in the end people either saw through her ruse or just got tired of waiting.
The main difference between men and women in this is that it is far easier for the man to have a mistress and produce offspring with her, who he can then recognise as his heir should he wish to do so, if he has no legitimate heirs. It is rather more difficult for a woman to take a male lover because her husband is going to unhappy about the possibility of his heir not actually being his. However, if she suspects her husband is infertile but doesn't publicise it, she could get away with having a child by a different father so long as they are discrete. Most men are not going to want to admit they are the infertile one, so provided they have been sleeping with their wife, will likely accept any child as their own.
To my mind it is highly likely that Tevinter Altus will have children by other women than their wives, particularly if they don't get on with them, because of the availability of slaves for that purpose. The problems would only occur if such children possess magical ability as they could be a threat to the legitimate heir. However, if they have no heir then they would either recognise their illegitimate children or possibly adopt from another family of a close relative. Many positions in Tevinter seem hereditary. The Archon is one such but if there are no blood relatives, then the Archon can simply nominate one of their apprentices as their heir. The priests in the Imperial Chantry generally do marry and most of the work again runs in families. The Magisterium likewise is for the most part hereditary. I would have thought that the stability of the system would require you to ensure there was someone to whom you could pass on your position when you die. So I would think the families of Dorian, Felix and Maevaris were unusual in not having a "spare", although Alexius had not accepted the fact that Felix was going to die and the problem over the family inheritance was really something that Dorian and Maevaris would have to deal with more than their parents, since they were both legitimate heirs. I would imagine that both could overcome the problem by adoption.
I'm not sure if Celene is gay or bi. Her supposed attempt to unite Orlais and Ferelden with Cailan doesn't necessarily speak to her sexuality, but only her ambition. Otherwise, she seems too independent to take a husband and become pregnant.
She is, IIRC, lesbian.
Didn't Celene have a naked guy tied to her bed?
Didn't Celene have a naked guy tied to her bed?
Because he was a security risk.
Celene is definitely a lesbian, but her considering marriage to Cailan and Gaspard (briefly) suggests that she'd enter into a political marriage if she felt it would be the most politically advantageous or benefit Orlais. The only reason she turned down Gaspard is that she knew being consort would further legitimise his claim to the throne if she suddenly ended up dead after the honeymoon.
Celene reminds me a lot of Elizabeth I of England, who remained single despite countless proposals, in part because it allowed her to better manipulate all the people jockeying for her favour and her hand in marriage. Masked Empire shows that Celene uses this tactic as part of the Game and to keep most of the unmarried nobles in Orlais in check.
For the first point- yes, this is true. It is a fantasy based on a medieval setting. BUT, even with empowered women and seemingly more education, they still wouldn't have the benefit of science to help them keep sick infants alive or prevent a woman from miscarrying. Now, they do have mages with magic who can help with that. But if we go by Wynne's dialogue in Origins, she says that mages with that kind of healing talent are fairly rare and are kept in circles or in armies where they can heal the injured.
As far as Alexius and his wife go- you can always headcanon that they just couldn't have more children. Or they had more children that passed away when they were very young, which would make Alexius even more desperate to keep Felix alive.
To my mind it is highly likely that Tevinter Altus will have children by other women than their wives, particularly if they don't get on with them, because of the availability of slaves for that purpose.
What, you mean the Skyhold surgeon's enthusiasm for this new trepanning technique isn't sound medical science? What about leeches? I hear those are the cure for pretty much everything; have to re-balance those humors, ya know?
This is why the Chantry's apparent blanket-ban on anatomical research is extremely short-sighted. They'd let countless innocent people die because they don't have the proper medical knowledge to treat them, all for fear that the knowledge would give maleficarum ideas for how to use blood magic.
What, you mean the Skyhold surgeon's enthusiasm for this new trepanning technique isn't sound medical science? What about leeches? I hear those are the cure for pretty much everything; have to re-balance those humors, ya know?
I was drinking water when I read this, and then I had to clean off my computer screen, and also my nose hurts now. Thank you for that.
Why would they use birth control on slaves? Effectively they are breeding the next generation; much cheaper than buying them and you get to train them up how you want. If they turn out to have magical ability, then you just trade them to the nearest Circle for agreed reciprocal benefits, or wait until the next time you need a bit of magical blood to impress/defeat your rivals.
Birth control is used in the southern Circles because they don't want to breed too many mages and I imagine it might well be an option if a noble is conducting an affair with another noble if their spouse isn't sleeping with them but other than that, I imagine it would only be among peasants who don't want any more mouths to feed.
Not accurate about Orlais. Emperor Emperor Judicael II had twin sons. His brother, Florian, had a daughter. All three of these died as a result of the Hundred Days Cough. Judicael II lost interest in ruling and died in a horse accident, leading Florian to succeed him. When Florian died, Celene became empress.
I'm speaking of recent history, where 3 different succession crises are about to strike in Southern Thedas.
Why would they use birth control on slaves? Effectively they are breeding the next generation; much cheaper than buying them and you get to train them up how you want. If they turn out to have magical ability, then you just trade them to the nearest Circle for agreed reciprocal benefits, or wait until the next time you need a bit of magical blood to impress/defeat your rivals.
Birth control is used in the southern Circles because they don't want to breed too many mages and I imagine it might well be an option if a noble is conducting an affair with another noble if their spouse isn't sleeping with them but other than that, I imagine it would only be among peasants who don't want any more mouths to feed.
Your post was about an altus siring heirs on their slaves while using said slaves for pleasure purposes. You don't use birth control for slaves having sex with other slaves, you use it when you are screwing your own slaves to avoid unwanted heirs that can needlessly complicate succession.
Also, the use of birth control allows female slave owners to partake as well, since they might not risk it otherwise.
This is a horrendous topic of conversation.
Alright lets move on from magical breeding and eugenics. With the Qunari war heating up again, and Solas on the loose, Tevinter will likely be his next target, if the ancient Tevinters have scavenged enough magical relics and artifacts from the Elves, then things will definitely be getting hectic in Tevinter. The question is, what should the Imperium do to combat the threat posed by the Qunari and the Dread Wolf.
^ Why would Solas attack Tevinter? It's just extra work when whatever he plans with the Veil will likely destroy civilization (as we know it). At most, I think he will try underground recruitment of elven slaves and servants.
As for what they should do, there really isn't anything they can do other than what they already do in their efforts against the Qunari. What they will need is help, but as we know, they are too proud to ask for it.
^ Why would Solas attack Tevinter? It's just extra work when whatever he plans with the Veil will likely destroy civilization (as we know it). At most, I think he will try underground recruitment of elven slaves and servants.
As for what they should do, there really isn't anything they can do other than what they already do in their efforts against the Qunari. What they will need is help, but as we know, they are too proud to ask for it.
Tevinter has more magic than the rest of Thedas combined. Getting them out of the way would be a big concern for Solas. They probably have relics and artifacts from the ancient Elves that Solas might use for his plans.
Obviously this is where this 'Inquisition' comes in to help. They can't be seen doing it officially, but they will funnel resources to Tevinter to help them in the war against the Qunari and combat Solas.
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