Ferelden

**Ferelden** is a kingdom located in southeastern Thedas. It borders Orlais along the Frostback Mountains to the west, the Amaranthine Ocean to the east, the Waking Sea to the north and the Korcari Wilds to the south. Most of the nation is dominated by a vast plain known as the Bannorn. The eastern third of the nation is dominated by the Brecilian Forest, whilst the west of the nation comprises Lake Calenhad. The nation is a feudal elective monarchy. It is ruled by a king or queen who is elected by the Landsmeet. Its capital is Denerim.

The area now corresponding to Ferelden was first settled in the third millenium Ancient by the Alamarri tribes. Parts of Ferelden were for a time part of the Tevinter Imperium. Andraste, the principal figure of Andrastianism, was born in Denerim around -203 Ancient. She led the Alamarri in the First Exalted March against Tevinter. During the Exalted Age, Calenhad Theirin united the Alamarri tribes and became the first king of Ferelden. Orlais invaded and annexed Ferelden during the early Blessed Age. Starting during the second half of the Blessed Age and continuing into the Dragon Age, the Fereldan Rebellion under the leadership of Maric Theirin and Loghain Mac Tir was able to defeat the Orlesians and to obtain independence.

Citizens of Ferelden are known as Fereldans.

## History

### Unification

Main article: Unification of Ferelden
When the Alamarri peoples first split from Neromenians, they migrated southeast and crossed the Frostback Mountains in -2415 Ancient. There, they found a new homeland that would eventually become "Ferelden", which means "fertile valley" in the Alamarri tongue. However, the fertile valley did not become a sovereign nation for almost 3000 years. This period of time is littered with numerous wars the Alamarri tribes waged, both with foreign powers such as the Tevinter Imperium and Orlais, as well as their fellow tribes. During that time the Alamarri developed their own political system which remains largely intact to this day. With time, powerful nobles would turn their land into bannorns, then arlings, and finally teyrnirs. The nobles continued the Alamarri tradition of infighting and continued to fight with each other over petty and personal matters in order to gain more power. A few of the most powerful nobles put forward their bid for kingship over the Alamarri, but without success.

Then in the Exalted Age came a man named Calenhad who was born to a merchant. Through a series of events he got involved in the war for kingship, during which time he first became a servant to one of the candidates for the throne. When his master decided to use him to gain advantage against other nobles, Calenhad acted honourably; and through his actions gained respect and command of the armies of his former master. He married his master's noble daughter, and became a teyrn—and a candidate for king himself.

As he was leading his men more joined his side, for he was known to be more honourable than other true nobles. Calenhad also gained followers in the Circle of Magi, as well as the Ash Warriors. By then, Andrastianism had become very popular in other lands. Calenhad gained the trust of those amongst the Alamarri who followed the faith, as he was said to be a devoted Andrastian himself.

In 5:42 Exalted a Landsmeet was called and Calenhad made an appearance with his army, including mages of the Circle, templars and the Ash Warriors. With allies at his side, Calenhad challenged the biggest threat to his rule, the most powerful noble—Simeon, the teyrn of Denerim. Calenhad was matched in combat and wounded, but ultimately Simeon was defeated by Lady Shayna. The nobles voted Calenhad to be king, and the fertile valley became the nation of Ferelden. Calenhad Theirin started the royal family of Theirins who sat on the Fereldan Throne for the next three centuries.

### Grey Warden Rebellion

Main article: Battle of Soldier's Peak
In 7:5 Storm, King Arland Theirin, who earned the reputation of a tyrant, ascended to the throne. Some banns approached Warden-Commander Sophia Dryden, who previously held a claim to the throne, to intercede, and she agreed. She violated the Grey Wardens' neutrality by gathering allies to rebel against the king. Arland discovered the plot and his forces eventually routed Sophia and her followers at Soldier's Peak, where the Wardens held out for a brief time, despite being outnumbered. After defeating the Wardens at Soldier's Peak, Arland banished them from Ferelden. The Order would have no presence in Ferelden for another two centuries.

Little is known of what followed Arland's rule, as a civil war for the throne occurred soon after his death. The war lasted a decade and wiped away most records of his reign.

### Orlesian Invasion

Main article: Second Orlesian Invasion of Ferelden
The nation was invaded by Orlais in 8:24 Blessed and fully conquered 20 years later. The Theirins were forced into hiding, but the rebellion against the invaders persisted. For the next several decades, the nation was under Orlesian occupation. Orlesian noble Meghren was installed as the king of Ferelden during the late years of the occupation.

Main article: Ferelden Rebellion
Ferelden was freed through the efforts of Maric Theirin, who was the rightful heir to the throne, with the help of Loghain Mac Tir and Rowan Guerrin. They mustered the remaning rebels against the occupier. A large number of Orlesian forces was defeated at the Battle of River Dane, forcing Emperor Florian to withdraw all support for Meghren. Eventually by 9:00 Dragon, King Meghren and the remnants of his court fled to and barricaded themselves inside Fort Drakon. Maric challenged Meghren to a duel and killed him in single combat, ending his rule and the Orlesian occupation. Maric then married Rowan and set out to rebuild Ferelden.

## Geography

Ferelden is located in southeast Thedas, itself located in the southern hemisphere. Its climate is harsh and varied.

Dividing Ferelden from Orlais to the west are the Frostback Mountains, where tribes of Avvar can be found. To the North, the Waking Sea separates it from the Free Marches. The southeast holds the Brecilian Forest, where clans of Dalish elves can be found (as of 9:30 Dragon). To the far south are the forbidding forests, swamps and eventually tundra of the Korcari Wilds where the Chasind still live. To the north of the Wilds lie the Southron Hills and the Hinterlands. The central region of Ferelden contains Lake Calenhad and the Bannorn. It is Ferelden's "bread-basket." In the far northern region are the Coastlands, which include more swamps and forests. To the east is the Amaranthine Ocean.

Ferelden has two islands off its northeast coast: one containing the city of Alamar and another named Brandel's Reach. Alamar is considered rather independent of Fereldan politics. This could be explained by the rocky Brandel's Reach reputedly being a haven for raiders, making Alamar an unpopular place to live or visit.

### Settlements

* Alamar
* Amaranthine
* Crestwood
* Dales End
* Denerim: Capital of Ferelden.
* Elmridge: Small town in West Hills.
* Fisher's End: Small abandoned town in Fallow Mire.
* Greenfell
* Gwaren
* Harper's Ford
* Haven
* Highever
* Honnleath
* Jainen: Settled on an island, west of West Hill in the Waking Sea Bannorn. Home of a Circle of Magi.
* Killarney
* Logerswold
* Lothering
* Portsmouth
* Redcliffe Village
* Rossleigh
* Sothmere: Found within the Southron Hills, bordering the Hinterlands and part of the Stenhold arling.
* South Reach: East of Lothering. Part of the South Reach arling.
* Vintiver: Found within the Southron Hills.
* Wichford
* Wutherford: Near Lake Calenhad docks.
* Wulverton

### Fortresses

* Aeonar
* Caer Bronoch (Crestwood)
* Caer Oswin (Bann Loren's Lands)
* Castle Cousland (Highever)
* Fort Connor (Hinterlands)
* Fort Drakon (Denerim)
* Grand Forest Villa (Hinterlands)
* Hargrave Keep (Fallow Mire)
* Kinloch Hold (Lake Calenhad)
* Ostagar
* Redcliffe Castle (Hinterlands)
* Soldier's Peak
* Stenhold (on the border of the Korcari Wilds)
* Therinfal Redoubt
* Vigil's Keep (Arling of Amaranthine)
* West Hill
* Winterwatch Tower (Hinterlands)

### Regions

#### Teyrnirs

* Gwaren
* Highever

#### Arlings

* Amaranthine
	+ Aralt Ridge
	+ Blackmarsh
	+ The Coastlands
	+ Dragonbone Wastes
	+ Feravel Plains
	+ Knotwood Hills
	+ Pilgrim's Path
	+ Tarcaisne Ridge
	+ Wending Wood
* Denerim
* Edgehall: Located west of Lake Calenhad.
* Redcliffe
* South Reach: Located between Lothering and Denerim.
* West Hills: Located south of Redcliffe.
* Stenhold

#### Bannorns

* Calon: Under the domain of the Arling of Redcliffe.
* City of Amaranthine
* Dragon's Peak: A solitary mountain that stands above Denerim.
* Dragonmount
* Oswin: Also known as Bann Loren's Lands.
* Portsmouth
* Rainesfere
* Southern Bannorn: Located on the eastern shore of Lake Calenhad.
* Storm Coast
* Waking Sea: Located on the northern shore of Ferelden.
* West Hill
* White River
* Winter's Breath