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The leader of Kirkwallâs Templars, Meredith rose through the ranks of the Order quickly and became a powerful, accomplished warrior, skilled with the two-handed greatsword and anti-mage combat. When the former Viscount, Perrin Threnhold, attempted to oust the Order from the city ten years ago, Meredith strongly retaliated. The current Knight-Commander, Guylian, had been hung, and so Meredith led the Templars to an eventual arrest of the Viscount, after the city guard abandoned him. The Grand Cleric then promoted her to Knight-Commander. She has since governed the Templars with an iron fist. Her influence is not merely contained to the Order, however, as the current Viscount has no wishes to end up like his predecessor, and typically heeds her counsel. She deeply distrusts mages, for reasons unknown, but it is obvious that the Circle will not be receiving any further freedoms whilst Meredith leads the Templars.
The Circle is one of the few places in which elves are not discriminated. This is evidenced by the fact that the First Enchanter of Kirkwallâs Circle is an elf, and a man in good standing among his peers. He is typically kind to all he encounters, not wishing to give the mages a worse name than they already have, but he is firm in his efforts to improve his organizationâs lot in the city. Heâs rarely seen outside of the Gallows, however, as he fears too much venturing into the city will lead to accusations of inciting rebellion from Meredith, and he is well aware that his actions reflect upon the Circle, as well as all mages.
Assuming power after a man who was eliminated for seeking to expel the Templar Order is no easy task, and Marlowe Dumar has certainly struggled with it. His chief concern has been simply keeping order, but with all the varying tensions building in his city, it is proving an impossible task. Combine this with the fact that the Templar Order cut off his ability to effectively inact his will, and the Viscount ends up pleasing no one. The recent arrival of the Qunari in the city has only served to add another problem, and the Viscount fears events will spiral out of control soon if something is not done. His reputation has weakened as rumors of family struggles have surfaced, and with his lack of military authority, Viscount Dumar seems little more than a warm body to sit on the throne while the Templars rule the city.
The Arishok is a member of the Qunari triumvirate, one of the three leaders of their people. While the Arigena leads the craftsmen, and the Ariqun leads the priesthood, the Arishok leads the armies and fleets of the Qunari people. He represents the body of the Qunari, and is one of the most respected individuals among all the Qunari. So itâs no wonder the Viscount dreads having him stuck in his city, waiting for a ship to take him home along with his warriors. Like all Qunari, he is referred to by his rank, which becomes his name. The Arishok currently resides in the compound the Qunari established within the Docks after his fleet was shipwrecked off the Wounded Coast. His reasons for being in the area are unknown, but for the time being, the Arishok and his warriors are stuck in Kirkwall. He is a supreme warrior, far beyond the capabilities of perhaps anyone in the city, and he is utterly devoted to the Qun. He views Kirkwall as a disgusting place filled with pathetic individuals who lead pointless lives. He is not hostile to outsiders without provocation, but he typically keeps his gates shut, preferring the company of his own people.
As Grand Cleric of the Free Marches, which consist of major population centers such as Kirkwall, Starkhaven, and Tantervale, Elthina is one of the most powerful people in the region, though she is most often very cautious with how she uses that power. She was taken in by the Chantry after her parents died of fever, and she became a lay sister in time. After rising through the ranks, and proving to be a very devout Andrastian, Elthina was appointed Grand Cleric by the Divine herself. She resides within the Kirkwall Chantry, where she is well-loved by the majority of the city. She is a mother to those within the cityâs Chantry, but some within the city claim she is too inactive to serve much of a purpose, and quietly call for the Divine to appoint a replacement. There are no signs, however, that the Divine plans to do so.
Marethari is the Keeper of the Sabrae Clan of Dalish elves, the ones currently camped at the base of Sundermount a ways outside of Kirkwall. She led her clan north from Ferelden in order to escape the Blight, as well as growing tensions with a neighboring human settlement. As is the case with all Dalish Keepers, Marethari has knowledge of magic, and the ability to use it. She is perhaps the kindest and most caring individual within the clan, and is like a mother to many of the Dalish. Her patience can sometimes put her at odds with more action-oriented individuals, but typically her logical approach to things wins out in the end.
Being one of the few Templars to survive the disaster that occurred at the Circle Tower in Ferelden, it's no wonder that Cullen has developed a stricter attitude towards mages than most of his brethren, but all things considered, it's actually surprising how reasonable he is. He was imprisoned, tortured physically and psychologically, and forced to watch the slaughter of his fellow Templars at the hands of the possessed blood mage Uldred and those working with him. It was only due to the Warden's intervention that he survived at all. His zeal alarmed the Ferelden Knight-Commander somewhat, and thus he was sent to serve under Kirkwall's Knight-Commander, Meredith, where he has served loyally and effectively. In essence, he is perhaps the ideal of the Templar: strong, faithful, devoted, but not without mercy or reason. He firmly believes it is the Templars duty to protect the mages from themselves as much as others.
Viscount Marlowe Dumar's second child and only son is intelligent, strong-willed, and highly rebellious. He also possesses just as much, if not more, of a sensitive side than his sister does. He is very open-minded, which tends to land him in trouble among the strict lifestyles of the Hightown nobility. He and his father disagree on just about everything, and Saemus has come to greatly resent his position as the Viscount's son, and respects anyone who can see him as a person rather than a title.
He was recently reported missing, and a mercenary group tracked him to the Wounded Coast, claiming to have seen a Qunari with him, likely his captor.
The administrative assistant and chief advisor to Viscount Marlowe Dumar, as well as being responsible for the management of Kirkwall's bureaucratic establishment, Bran is a very busy man, one who is rarely seen out of his office in the Viscount's Keep in Hightown, though he has been known to make the occasional trip to the Blooming Rose. Arrogant, vain, and disdainful towards his social lessers, Bran is the very picture of the Hightown nobleman in personality. He is an excellent politician, and typically a cynical realist with his views, always attempting to find the course of action that benefits the office of the Viscount the most, sometimes regardless of what would be best for the city. He has been seen to have a bit of a soft spot for the members of the Viscount's family, however.
Ser Thrask is a Templar under the command of Knight-Commander Meredith. He's been known for being a moderate among the Order, being oddly supportive of mages where some of his brothers and sisters are fanatical in their views. Not much else is known about him yet, other than that he has been seen about the Alienage as of let, inquiring about the missing elven boy, Feynriel.