Kirkwall

Kirkwall, also known as the City of Chains and historically as Emerius, is a coastal city-state and a major population center located in the Free Marches. It is on the southern edge of the Vimmark Mountains, east of the Planasene Forest, and north across the Waking Sea from Ferelden. 
== Background ==
Kirkwall has changed hands many times and has always been a valuable port, the nexus of nearly all trade that flows between the Free Marches and Ferelden. Natives of Kirkwall are known as "Kirkwallers".Codex entry: A Badly Copied Leaflet
== History ==
=== Imperial slave outpost ===
The area of Kirkwall was once inhabited by a barbarian people, though the histories are unclear on whether these were Alamarri, Daefads, or another group.
Kirkwall was founded on the edge of the Tevinter Imperium under the name Emerius in -620 Ancient, after its founder Magister Emerius Krayvan. The quarries of Emerius provided Minrathous with the jet stone it needed to build its mighty temples,Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1 though later research shows that the Imperium was unaware of Kirkwall's mineral wealth at the time of its founding. 
After a slave rebellion in Minrathous and a failed assassination attempt on Archon Vanarius Issar by an elven slave, it was decided that a center for the slave trade would need to be established away from the heart of the Imperium. As the new slave outpost would become incredibly wealthy, a vicious competition between prospects raged for over two decades, allegedly resulting in the deaths of more than half the slaves in existence at the time. Emerius was finally chosen after Magister Krayvan's son married the archon's daughter. The Krayvan family would go on to patronize the next three archons and push for the expansion of the Imperial Highway into the Fereldan Valley, a move which cost them a lot of influence when the Imperium met with Alamarri resistance.
At its height, Emerius was one of the mightiest Imperial cities, with nearly a million slaves living and working in the city, producing jet stone and steel. It was guarded by the Fourteenth Cadre, more commonly known as The Black Cadre. It was considered one of the worst postings in the Imperium.
During Andraste's Exalted March against the Tevinter Imperium, Emerius was the site of a slave uprising. Three magisters, including Magister Parthalan, and their legions were sent to quell the revolt before it spread, but they mysteriously vanished before reaching the city.Codex entry: Staff of Parthalan In the wake of the First Blight and Andraste's invasion, the Imperium's borders receded. Numerous warlords tried to consolidate their power into a single kingdom, but Emerius held out for almost a century. The magisters were finally overthrown in -25 Ancient, after their assassination of a popular Alamarri slave named Radun led to a massive slave revolt. The magisters were hanged, the city burned, Hightown sacked. Emerius was renamed Kirkwall after its jet stone cliffs ("kirk" meaning black). The new city plunged into anarchy for over a decade. Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 2 
=== Fourth Blight ===
Kirkwall declared the common nug a noxious vermin in 5:20 Exalted over fears that the animals carried the Blight. The extermination became known as the Battle of Squealing Plains, though it is not spoken of in polite company.Mentioned in a Dragon Age II loading screen. The next year, at the height of the Fourth Blight, Kirkwall was one of several cities in the Free Marches threatened by the advance of the darkspawn horde. The Grey Wardens were able to evacuate many thousands of refugees from the city to a safe haven in the Vimmark Mountains, albeit at a high cost in Warden lives.Dragon Age: Last Flight, ch. 14, 16–19
=== Qunari Wars ===
In 7:56 Storm, during the third New Exalted March, Qunari invaders took Kirkwall in a night raid. They occupied Kirkwall for four years, forcibly converting much of the populace to the Qun and making them work in labor camps previously manned by slaves. It was liberated by Orlesians under the chevalier Michel Lafaille, who was appointed Viscount in 7:60 by the emperor. He pursued a campaign of religious reeducation and formed the Kirkwall City Guard to act as the city's defenders. Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 3
In 8:05 Blessed, Kirkwall rebelled against Orlesian rule and gained independence, but maintained the title of viscount as its ruler.
=== Threnhold vs Templars ===
At the onset of the Dragon Age, Chivalry Threnhold became Viscount of the city. Historical accounts paint him as a vicious thug who took power through a campaign of intimidation. His son Perrin succeeded him in 9:14. After he used the harbor's ancient chains to block sea traffic in the Waking Sea and charge exorbitant fees from Orlesian ships, Divine Beatrix III ordered the city's templars to pressure him into reopening the Waking Sea passage.Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 4 As a result, in 9:21 Dragon, Viscount Perrin Threnhold attempted to expel the Templar Order from Kirkwall, killing Knight-Commander Guylian in the raid of the Templar stronghold. Knight-Captain Meredith Stannard and a group of her best templars marched on the Viscount's Keep and had him arrested, thrown in his own dungeons and stripped of his title. She was promoted to Knight-Commander by Grand Cleric Elthina soon after. With the Chantry's support, Meredith appointed Marlowe Dumar to succeed Perrin, though she remained the true authority in the city from the Gallows.
== Involvement ==
=== Dragon Age II ===
=== Dragon Age: Inquisition ===
==== Trespasser ====
== City crest ==
Kirkwall's coat of arms is a stylized knot work representation of a dragon. It evolved from a symbol of rebellion from the time when Kirkwall was a center for the Tevinter slave trade. It was an image that catalyzed the slaves to overthrow the ruling magisters. While the symbol has changed over time, its message has not: Kirkwall is a city unto itself, beholden to no one.Kirkwall pendant
== Governance ==
Kirkwall has been governed by a Viscount since the Orlesian occupation of the city, as the title itself is Orlesian. It has never truly been free to determine its own course, and after the ousting of Perrin Threnhold, the Templar Order has held considerable influence over his successor, Marlowe Dumar, and the city. The new truth is the Templar Order embodies security in Kirkwall and while they don't openly declare a preference in Kirkwall's politics, it is no secret that their support is a prerequisite for those who desire to rule Kirkwall.
If the ruling line of a Viscount dies out due to no living heirs or is judged unfit, then the nobility of Kirkwall will gather to elect a new line from their ranks. Normally, a consensus of the nobility is required for a willing nominee to be eligible for the position.
=== Known Viscounts ===
* Ser Michel Lafaille – an Orlesian who led an army of chevaliers against the Qunari occupying Kirkwall; for his efforts he was appointed as the first Viscount of Kirkwall by the Emperor in 7:60 Storm
* Chivalry Threnhold – the father of Perrin Threnhold; he became Viscount at the beginning of the Dragon Age
* Perrin Threnhold – assumed the title in 9:14; he was notorious for attempting to expel the Templar Order from Kirkwall in 9:21, as a result of which he was ousted and imprisoned until his death by poison two years later
== Food ==
Kirkwall is know for its crab cakes, considered one of the city's "classic" dishes. There exists a creative rendition of the dish made by the Fereldan cook Devon that is shaped like a crab while honoring the original recipe's taste.Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 21 Other foods commonly enjoyed in Kirkwall are beer nuts,Mentioned by Varric in the The Hanged Man the Hanged Man's mystery meat stew,Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 57 pig oat mash, roast turkey,Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 97 salads, and sausages.Dragon Age: Knight Errant
== Map ==
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rect 388 738 437 766 Lowtown
rect 778 381 826 409 Hightown
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== Notable residents ==
* Guard-Captain Aveline Vallen
* Bartrand Tethras
* Bran Cavin
* Donnic Hendyr
* Grand Cleric Elthina
* Hawke
* Gamlen Amell
* Leandra Amell
* Viscount Marlowe Dumar
* Knight-Commander Meredith Stannard
* First Enchanter Orsino
* Saemus Dumar
* Varric Tethras
== Banter ==
Party banter may be triggered at the following locations:
* Just outside the Hawke Estate
* Inside the Kirkwall Chantry, in front of the main door
* On the stairs leading to the Viscount's Keep
* At the base of the stairway leading from Lowtown to Hightown
* In front of the Hanged Man
* In Darktown, near the elevator leading to Lowtown
== Codex entries ==
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== Trivia ==
* Several of the nobles in Kirkwall are of Orlesian origin, such as the de Launcet and de Carrac families.
* Kirkwall, the real world capital of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, also had a Viscount, who was traditionally the heir of the Earl of Orkney.
* Kirkwall's key to the city controls one of the giant chain nets in the harbor.
* Kirkwall neighbourhoods follow old fault lines and veins in the rock. Longtime residents still get lost, with only dwarves never experiencing this problem.Dragon Age: Hard in Hightown, p. 31
* The noble Hightown neighbourhood is colloquially known as “the Garden.” There are no house numbers, instead metal plaques with family heraldry hang over the lintels of estate doors.Dragon Age: Hard in Hightown, pp. 9-11
* While Kirkwall's most famous entrance is the port, there is a road leading into the city (one of only a few) that passes through the Wounded Coast.
== Gallery ==
Kirkwall concept art.jpg|Kirkwall concept art
Kirkwall concept art 3.jpg|Kirkwall concept art
Kirkwall concept art 4.jpg|Kirkwall concept art
HawkeStatue.png|A statue representing victory over the qunari at the docks.
DA2_Kirkwall_-_dark_corridor_Twins_of_Kirkwall_statues.jpg|The twins of Kirkwall
Hanged man graffiti.png|Graffiti in The Hanged Man shows the old Tevinter heraldry roughly painted over the newer Kirkwall heraldry.
The Champion of Kirkwall tarot.png|Tarot Card Depicting Kirkwall's City Map
Kirkwall Absolution.jpg|Kirkwall as depicted in Dragon Age: Absolution.
== References ==
Category:Locations
Category:Dragon Age II locations
Category:Dragon Age: Last Flight locations
Category:Dragon Age: Hard in Hightown locations
Category:Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights locations
Category:Dragon Age: The Missing locations
Category:Cities
Category:Free Marches
ru:Киркволл