University of Orlais

The University of Orlais in Val Royeaux is one of the oldest universities in Thedas. It is a major center of learning that attracts young nobles from all over Thedas as it provides some of the best education one can buy. The university is a relatively progressive institution whose liberal-minded professors have clashed with religious conservatives over the content of classes. In theory, commoners, including elves, are allowed to attend if sponsored by a noble patron.
== Background ==
The university was founded by one of the former rulers of Orlais. For many ages, it was just a way to get rid of unpromising children, with the Chantry snapping up all of the greatest minds. Under political and religious pressures, the school could only study what none of the former had problems with, thus producing little more than harsh critiques of other nations and occasional mathematical findings. This changed when newly crowned Empress Celene announced that she would study at the university to learn from the greatest minds of the nation. In truth, her duties meant that she was only able to visit with the professors, but thanks to Celene's influence, the university became one of the most respected learning institutions in all of Thedas. With the empress' public support, it soon became fashionable for even the eldest children of noble families to study at the University of Orlais, both for scholarly pursuits and as a field of play in the Grand Game. The heightened prestige of the university attracted students not only from Orlais, but all across Thedas, including Nevarra, the Free Marches, and the Tevinter Imperium.
Fearing that religious and political pressure might hinder the university's capacity for innovation and research, Empress Celene has made a concerted effort to ensure that the University is free of any such constraining interests. When the Chantry objected to the university's plan to study changes to the Chant of Light over the ages, Celene declared that as long as the research dealt only in history, it was the domain of mortals and not the Maker, and that inquiries into the means by which the Chant was perfected could lead to better understanding of the Chant. This support, along with a substantial donation to the Chantry, waylaid any further concerns. Celene's efforts to transform the university into a respected institution is regarded by some as the most vehemently opposed project in Orlesian history, successful only because of her ability to win the support of even the most bitter rivals.Codex entry: Empress Celene Valmont An ardent patron of the arts, she hoped the university would be her legacy.Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, ch. 9
In recent years, Celene has been strongly encouraging the university to overlook the lack of status and rank for individuals who show prodigious talent or potential which could help further the interests and prestige of the Orlesian Empire, provided a noble sponsors them. Most recently, this has even extended to Celene personally interceding in support of an elven math prodigy, Lennan, who was sponsored by Comtesse Helene. Elves are now allowed into the university, although it is common for their work to go unacknowledged and uncredited.According to Colette. In addition to humans and elves, the University of Orlais is also home to several dwarven academics.Requisition table description for Serpentstone Survey in the Oasis 
The university offers classes on nature, magic, history, mathematics, and the arts that are respected throughout the world. Home to some of the best scholars in Thedas, it also offers lectures from visiting scholars such as renowned Chantry scholar Ferdinand GenitiviWorld of Thedas – Volume 1: An Erratum by Brother Genitivi and Mother Clothilde.Codex entry: Temple of Sacred Ashes, Rediscovered Although it is an infamously liberal institution, at least one brilliant scholar has been thrown out for radical and revolutionary political ideas.A Travelling Scholar
The grounds of the university include a great Chantry Courtyard, as well as the Great Library, one of the largest libraries in the world and rivalled in Orlais only by those at the Imperial Palace and the Winter Palace in Halamshiral.Codex entry: Winter Palace The university and library's collections include a detailed series of woodcuts on the anatomy of various livestock and other creatures (such as nugs) by Ambrose Dumont, now used as a primary reference by visiting naturalists, a wide variety of texts containing possible references to the fortress of Skyhold in the Frostback Mountains,Codex entry: On Skyhold and the personal library of Comte Brevin de Chalons, donated upon his death.Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, ch. 4
== Involvement ==
=== Dragon Age: The Masked Empire ===
=== Dragon Age: The Last Court ===
A Travelling Scholar who was thrown out of the University for his unorthodox views eventually makes his way to Serault and seeks patronage from the Marquis of Serault.
=== Dragon Age: Inquisition ===
== Known faculty and students ==
=== Faculty ===
* Professor Bram Kenric – specialized in early Chantry history
* Cedric Marquette – adjunct scholar; specializes in archaeology and the recovery of historical artifacts
* Professor Cheval LaurantNote: A Neatly Penned Note
* Professor Doucy
* Professor Frederic of Serault – Professor of Draconology
* Lord Ghippin – university Archivist
* Chancellor Henri Morrac 
* Chancellor Jurgen Haulis – current university Chancellor (9:41)According to the war table operation the University of Orlais
* Karsten Groeke – Philosopher-poetCodex entry: What is Green?
* Senallen Tavernier – author of A Treaty on the Pagan and Heretical Customs of the ElvenCodex entry: Twins in Shadow
=== Students ===
* Professor Auffret – a naturalist studying at the universityCodex entry: Shadow
* Empress Celene Valmont I – publicly declared her intent to study at the university, though only met with a few professors due to her obligations as empress
* Colette – Professor Kenric's research assistant
* Felix Alexius – studied mathematics at the university after his magical talents proved to be negligible
* Jace TurbotAccording to Scout Grandin.
* JeanetteNote: Almost Illegible Note
* Lennan – a math prodigy; first elf allowed to attend the university 
* Marcus 
== Publications ==
The University of Orlais publishes a variety of scholary works, including:
* A Study of the Southern Draconids by Frederic of SeraultCodex entry: Varghest 
* A Treaty on the Pagan and Heretical Customs of the Elven by Senallen Tavernier and commissioned by Empress Celene
* The Lion and the Bull: Racial Bias and Oversimplification of Qunari Societal Roles in the Orlesian Court, author unknownCodex entry: Qunari: Ben-Hassrath
* A New Perspective on the Exalted March by an anonymous authorCodex entry: The Exalted March of the Dales
* Orlesian Musical Tradition by Sister RosetteCodex entry: The Girl in Red Crossing
== Codex entries ==
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== Note texts ==
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== Trivia ==
* By decree of Divine Renata I, any Chantry art in Orlais depicting elves was destroyed save a single mural of Shartan. A reproduction of this mural is depicted at the university, albeit with Shartan's ears cropped. This was the Divine's sole concession.Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, ch. 1
* Brother Ferdinand Genitivi lectured at the university on the conflict between fact and belief.
* The University of Orlais is one of the few institutions of higher learning mentioned in the series that is not a Circle of Magi.
* The University's chantry is the tallest building in the university, nicknamed the "bosom of Andraste" by students because of its twin bronze domes.
== See also ==
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== References ==
Category:Locations
Category:Dragon Age: The Masked Empire locations
Category:Orlais
uk:Орлейський університет