faderifting | Beyond Kirkwall (Reply)

BEYOND KIRKWALL

(Click here to view the full map in detail.)
The Inquisition and its allies are engaged in a continent-spanning conflict against Corypheus and his allies. Open hostilities are currently focused on border region among Orlais, Tevinter, Nevarra, and the Anderfels. In the above map, country names are colored to indicate their relationship with the Inquisition: blue countries are explicit allies cooperating with the Inquisition's efforts, purple countries are friendly to its goals but haven't formally aligned with them, orange countries are in jeopardy or hostile to the Inquisition to some degree, and red countries are (at least at the top of their governments) openly opposed to it. Lines represent fronts in the war: red for enemies, blue for allies, green for Inquisition, with solid lines representing impassable fronts and dotted lines indicating areas that are patrolled or otherwise treacherous but still passable if caution is exercised. Green icons indicate places where the Inquisition has a significant presence, whether a fortress/keep or stationed force. Red icons indicate the same for Corypheus' allies.

While Fade Rift as a game focuses on those assigned to Kirkwall, Skyhold is the Inquisition's main base of operations and the center of both its authority and the majority of its personnel. Those in the Gallows have been tasked with some specific, specialized efforts that are vital to the war, but the majority of the Inquisition's forces are based elsewhere, and efforts to maintain order and prevent incursions into the South are ongoing.

↠ Inquisition Strongholds
↠ The Free Marches
↠ Northeastern Thedas
↠ Northwestern Thedas
↠ Southern Thedas

Inquisition Strongholds

Skyhold

LOCATION: High in the Frostback Mountains between Ferelden and Orlais.
FOCUS: This is the Inquisition's headquarters and primary stronghold. All the organization's operations are ultimately directed from here, and it is also the site where most rank-and-file Inquisition members are first trained.
STATUS: The restoration of Skyhold is essentially complete, and it is a strong, well-fortified base that is difficult to reach, magically shielded, and defended by the majority of Inquisition personnel. There is probably no safer place in Thedas. More information about Skyhold and its residents can be found here.

Suledin Keep

LOCATION: In Emprise du Lion, a region of the foothills on the western (Orlesian) side of the Frostback Mountains.
FOCUS: Providing a base for merchant activity between Orlais and Skyhold, and a staging ground for missions in eastern Orlais, the day-to-day business of the keep is providing security for travelers through the mountains and the Dales, as well as keeping an eye on the former front in the recent War of the Lions as things begin to return to normal
STATUS: A sprawling, half-ruined keep defended and operated by a small force, it has had issues with straggling Red Templars, Freemen of the Dales, and tainted wildlife.

Caer Bronach

LOCATION: Crestwood, a hilly region north of Lake Calenhad in Ferelden
FOCUS: the Fereldan equivalent of Suledin Keep, Caer Bronach's primary functions are providing a base for merchant activity between the east and Skyhold, a staging ground for missions in Ferelden, and providing security for travelers through the region.
STATUS: A sturdy and relatively new keep manned by a small force, it has been unthreatened so far, dealing with nothing more dangerous than scattered bandit issues.

Griffon Wing Keep

LOCATION: The Western Approach, a desert in the far west of Orlais.
FOCUS: Monitoring enemy activity in the far west and fending off attempts to resume mining operations.
STATUS: A small outpost with a skeleton crew garrison.

The Free Marches

Ansburg
MARGAVE JAN ALDERWEIRELD

RELATIONSHIP: About as removed from the conflict as possible, Ansburg hasn't expressed any strong opinion one way or another. Some merchants there may be disappointed to lose the high crop prices that decimation of the Orlesian heartland has caused, but that's mostly a problem for the future.
STATUS: Stable.

Bastion
MARSHAL MAURIZIO ACOSTA

RELATIONSHIP: Originally a military outpost, Bastion remains a heavily-fortified and strictly regimented city. Increasingly wary of the growing unrest in the world and new prevalence of supernatural threats, and very skeptical of the Inquisition's role in all of it.
STATUS: Stable.

Estwatch
N/A

RELATIONSHIP: Estwatch has no formal leader, and intelligence is currently too sparse to determine the de facto ruler. As a pirate haven, Estwatch has no use for the Inquisition nor any love for its stabilizing mission.
STATUS: Questionable. While it has no rifts nor any specific reports of activity by allies of Corypheus, Estwatch's status as a lawless island of cutthroat mercenaries is concerning, and it's possible that enemy agents may attempt to use that to their advantage.

Hasmal
GRAND VIZIER REKAM ANTONIUS

RELATIONSHIP: If the Inquisition starts a war with Tevinter, Hasmal will likely be the first casualty. It's made the Inquisition unpopular, seen as a reckless rogue organization with no regard for its potential impact on others. The Grand Vizier is reasonably intelligent and pragmatic, very internally focused, has cultivated good relationships with more-powerful neighbors, including Tevinter.
STATUS: Questionable.

Hercinia
COUNT RAINIER LLORIS

RELATIONSHIP: The many rich people resident in this palatial city-state do not presently give a shit except to the extent that the Inquisition is messing with a world order that has historically proven very beneficial to them. But right now it really hasn't done that much to upset things and a peaceful Orlais is good for business long-term, so they remain neutral.
STATUS: Stable.

Kaiten
VISCOUNT SERGE DAVINSON

RELATIONSHIP: One of the smaller and poorer marcher states, Kaiten is too concerned with scrabbling to get by to take much notice of events far beyond its borders, and the large dwarven population encourages isolationist leanings. But the fall of the local Circle hit hard here, so it's glad to see the Inquisition putting an end to the Mage/Templar war.
STATUS: Stable.

Kirkwall
PROVISIONAL VISCOUNT BRAN CAVIN

RELATIONSHIP: See the Setting page
STATUS: Stable, as much as Kirkwall ever is.

Markham
GRAND DUCHESS ALIX TRIPPIER

RELATIONSHIP: A diverse, cosmopolitan population defies consensus opinion, but on average the Inquisition's reputed tolerance and role in restoring peace to Orlais are generally supported, even as its interventionism, occupation of territory, and its deep Chantry ties are distrusted.
STATUS: Stable.

Ostwick
TERYN FERNAND PENVENNAN

RELATIONSHIP: Ostwick proudly counted the Herald as one of their own and supported the Inquisition as a result. Some continue to do so, but others have taken offense at how quickly the Inquisition seems to have moved on from her.
STATUS: Stable.

Starkhaven
PRINCE SEBASTIAN VAEL

RELATIONSHIP: Uncertain. As a devout supporter of the Chantry Prince Vael has expressed support for the Inquisition in theory, but a stronger relationship has not yet b.een forged, and the continuing divide between the Inquisition and the Chantry is a troubling matter.
STATUS: Stable.

Tantervale
LADY CHANCELLOR DAVINA CROUCH

RELATIONSHIP: Divided. The citizens of Tantervale are deeply religious, which cuts both ways. Some were deep believers in the Herald or trust the Hands of the Divine and the Inquisition founded around them, while others think it's a rogue organization that must submit to complete Chantry control. Neither fact ion supports its tolerance of mages, elves, and Qunari, and support on the whole is waning.
STATUS: Stable.

Wildervale
COUNTESS JILESSA BALE

RELATIONSHIP: As one of Kirkwall's nearest neighbors, Wildervale worries what could happen if the Inquisition's presence draws greater enemy attention to the region. But by the same token, if there were a Tevinter attack or other issue they're fairly confident that the nearby Inquisition would quickly come help. Whether they come down for or against will probably depend which happens first.
STATUS: Stable.

Wycome
DUKE LORENZO ARISSIAN

RELATIONSHIP: As the party capital of Thedas, Wycome gives even less of a shit than Hercinia, but peace is more conducive to a good time than war, so that's probably a plus.
STATUS: Stable.

Northeastern Thedas

Antiva
KING FULGENO II

RELATIONSHIP: Antiva's lifeblood is trade, so its main interest is whether the Inquisition can help return stability on that front. Its role in ending the War of the Lions has pleased many, though the few that were profiting off that war are less thrilled. Many questions remain about how the Inquisition might impact the markets in the long-term, but for now the general feeling is cautiously positive.
POLITICAL NOTES: King Fulgeno II "the Merry" is middle-aged and best known for his lavish lifestyle, opulent parties, and inattention to affairs of state. Has six children from two wives and more illegitimate. The true power in Antiva is currently merchant Guidobaldo Montefelto, risen to prominence on the back of successful investment in war-related industry and a lifestyle of strict moderation in sharp contrast to the king's excesses. The politics of Antiva have become increasingly chaotic due to the near-extinction of the Antivan Crows, who were, if nothing else, a stabilizing force.
STATUS: Stable, with regard to Corypheus. There have yet to be any rift sightings in Antiva, and Corypheus' presence is believed to be minimal, limited to some occasional red lyrium smuggling through the ports.

Rivain
QUEEN YALENA BAKKAR

RELATIONSHIP: Rivain, victim of several Exalted Marches in the Storm Age and a recent massacre of mages, is intensely skeptical of the Inquisition given its status as a religiously-motivated Chantry-affiliated army. (That the Chantry doesn't seem to currently have a leash on the organization doesn't necessarily make them feel any better.) On the other hand, the Inquisition's apparent acceptance of an extremely diverse group of members is promising and something that Rivain, more than any other nation, approves. They've kept their distance to date, offering no formal overtures and not offering the Inquisition leave to travel through or work in their lands.
STATUS: Stable.

Northwestern Thedas

Anderfels
KING REGENT VIDAL

RELATIONSHIP: The Anderfels recently launched an invasion of Orlais, with no prior warning or diplomatic demands. Previously, the Anderfels crown—now held by the First Warden—had been hostile to the Inquisition due to the competing narratives the two are promoting. In the Anderfels, it is widely publicized that a new Blight is impending, as shown by the sighting of an Archdemon, and the Wardens have taken power to protect the people, while the Inquisition and other Thedas nations fear that the Wardens are under Corypheus' control.
POLITICAL NOTES: The young prince of the Anderfels vanished shortly after the coup. In the Anderfels he is believed dead; in actuality, the Inquisition briefly housed him before placing him with a trusted noble family for his safety.
STATUS: Alarming.

Nevarra
KING MARKUS PENTAGHAST

RELATIONSHIP: Nevarra isn't a huge fan of the Inquisition's close ties to hated rival Orlais and fears it is at worst a tool of Imperial expansion in disguise, or at best a rogue group directly meddling in sovereign affairs to unknown ends. The Inquisition's trip to Nevarra in early 9:44 began well, with opinions beginning to improve, but it ended in near-disaster after the corpses of the revered dead in the Grand Necropolis attacked an Inquisition tour group...and they set much of the place on fire as a result. Many now think the Inquisition reckless and disrespectful of sacred Nevarran customs; they are unlikely to be invited back anytime soon.
POLITICAL NOTES: Old and childless, King Markus Pentaghast will be be succeeded by his also-old younger brother--Ferdinand the apolitical dragon hunter--unless one of his several dozen other potential heirs makes a move first. After early attempts to provoke war with Orlais failed, his reign has been stable to the point of boring until the last few months. New evidence of decades-old crimes recently led to the execution of one of Nevarra's elder statesmen and the patriarch of the Van Markham family, perennial rivals for the throne. The Van Markhams have retired to their estate and gathered their supporters, but have not yet made a move.
STATUS: Jeopardized. In addition to the looming threat of civil war, there have been reports of rifts appearing deeper into the country, and given its fragile state it's likely that Nevarra may become a prime target for Corypheus and his army.

Tevinter
~~ARCHON RADONIS~~

RELATIONSHIP: Partially on fire.
STATUS: Alarming.

Southern Thedas

Ferelden
QUEEN ANORA MAC TIR

RELATIONSHIP: Ferelden distrusts the Inquisition as a tool of Orlais, especially after their recent role in propping up Empress Celene. Inquisition efforts in the Hinterlands have built a base of support among commoners in the west, and before her death the Herald was quite popular, but on the whole many are wary of the intervention, which often looks a lot like an army occupying captured territory.
STATUS: Guarded. There are still rifts in the western parts, but no sightings in the eastern half of the kingdom. Many of those in the west have been closed by the Inquisition, which currently holds positions in the Hinterlands, Fallow Mire, and Crestwood. There have been few sightings of Corypheus' followers.
POLITICAL NOTES: The Queen's Prince-Consort Jonas Cousland was missing for over a year before being confirmed dead in mid-9:43. Her popularity has waxed and waned over the years, but she is generally regarded as shrewd and devoted to her duty, though persistent whispers that she had Jonas killed have damaged her standing with the common people (and reminded some of her father's alleged hand in the death of her first husband). Now that the manner of the king's death in Deep Roads is known, those rumors have quieted, but lingering suspicion remains (though mostly only among those who never liked her to begin with). She has no heir, and the matter of a new marriage is a popular subject of gossip and concern.

Orlais
EMPRESS CELENE I "THE LIONESS" VALMONT

RELATIONSHIP: Orlais has generally positive feelings about the Inquisition given their role in ending the War of the Lions and the founders' close ties to the late Divine, and the Inquisition operates without much resistance throughout the Empire. But there are concerns about their meddling and about their policy of accepting elves, apostates and demon rifters, and a significant portion of the population wants the organization to submit to greater Chantry control.
STATUS: Jeopardized. The Anderfels, presumably guided by Corypheus, have recently launched an invasion of the country's northern territory. While Orlais has regained enough stability since its civil war to meet the threat, it requires significant Inquisition assistance to have a chance of matching it. Additionally, while Emprise du Lion and the Western Approach are under Inquisition control, rifts remain scattered throughout the rest of the country and stability is jeopardized further by tumultuous internal politics, particularly related to peasant unrest (embodied most clearly by the lingering Freemen of the Dales) and elven rights.
POLITICAL NOTES: Empress Celene defeated her cousin Gaspard's attempt to usurp the throne, with the Inquisition's assistance. She's popular for her championing of art and culture, and her hold on the throne is presently secure, but her reputation among her own people has suffered due to the years of civil war and her radical stance on elves. Has no heirs.

Orzammar
KING BHELEN AEDUCAN

RELATIONSHIP: Bhelen is a reformer and given that and his experiences with Jonas Cousland, Orzammar currently takes more interest in Surfacer events than previously. But all the same, those events have had little to no effect on the dwarven kingdom to date, and they have their hands full dealing with the usual darkspawn and backstabbing along with increasing social unrest as a result of Bhelen's policies. They're happy to sell to the Inquisition, but haven't yet been persuaded that they should take a more active role. The recent appearance of the first known rift in Orzammar (closed by an Inquisition team) may provide an opportunity to change that.
STATUS: Questionable. So far it's just been the single rift, but who knows, and the lack of current Inquisition presence means slower response times.

—NAVIGATION↠

Beyond Kirkwall

Post a comment in response: