Josephine Montilyet

She allied with the House of Repose.

## History

### Early Life

Josephine is the eldest daughter and heir of the noble Montilyet family from Antiva. She is an eminent figure in diplomacy, forging relations with grace, charm and careful favors. Josephine worked for years as chief ambassador from Antiva to Orlais and as such is very familiar with Orlesian politics. She possesses a good mind for administration and understands that restoring the Inquisition to its former glory is an impossible task without the backing of Thedas's most influential figures. Fortunately, Josephine enjoys a challenge and is committed in her belief that the Inquisitor is Thedas's last, best chance at halting the chaos that engulfs it.
The Montilyets were one of the major naval powers in Antiva until the start of the Blessed Age. They had vessels numbering in the hundreds, including a large contingent of warships, ostensibly at the disposal of the royal navy, actually charged with keeping their merchant vessels safe. Their cargo was the target of many Rivaini pirates and they became entangled in many rivalries and vendettas against them. They also had strong ties in Orlais until their falling out with the Du Paraquettes over a question of marriage and fidelity led to vicious infighting, shocking betrayals and public duels. They were exiled from Orlais, which greatly crippled their fortune. When Josephine attempts to restore her family's landed trader status in Orlais, she becomes a target of assassins from the House of Repose.
Josephine was a former bard who got into the life with a bunch of other nobles from Antiva, enticed by the romanticism. However, during the mission, she encountered a rival bard and killed him by accident. When she removed the man's mask, she saw that it had been a former friend of hers. This caused her to renounce the life, and violence in general.

## Involvement

Leliana, an old friend of Josephine, enlisted her as the newly created Inquisition's diplomatic advisor and emissary. She refers to Josephine as "Josie."

After meeting the Herald of Andraste, Josephine becomes engaged in a debate with Marquis DuRellion, who politely protests the Inquisition's presence in Haven. Regardless of the Herald's response, Josephine performs a shrewd diplomatic word play to get the Marquis to reconsider his stance.

After being forced out of Haven by Corypheus, Josephine joins the rest of the Inquisition as they journey to Skyhold. Upon arrival, as the Herald is elevated to the rank of Inquisitor, Cassandra calls out to Josephine, asking if their people have been told. Josephine confirms it and promises that the world will soon know. Josephine then lets out a small cheer with the rest of the assembled before catching herself.

As the eldest child of the Montilyet family, Josephine must oversee her family's merchant business in addition to her duties to the Inquisition. To improve their financial standing, she attempts to restore their former place as traders in Orlais. However, her messengers are intercepted and murdered, and the documents permitting the restoration are destroyed. Comte Boisvert in Val Royeaux says that he can provide some information on the subject, in exchange for the Inquisitor's presence at the meeting. Once the Inquisitor agrees to go with Josephine, they journey to Val Royeaux and the estate of Comte Boisvert. Upon meeting the Comte, he produces a copy of a contract of the House of Repose assassins guild, instructing them to target anyone attempting to reinstate the Montilyets in Orlais. The family responsible, the Du Paraquettes, lost their noble status sixty years ago; however, they put out the contract one hundred and nine years ago. A little thing like the death of the contractor is not enough to nullify the bond. Josephine cunningly deduces that the "Comte" is an impostor given how well informed he is. The Repose assassin admits to having bound and gagged the real comte in the closet nearby, and says that the House of Repose wanted to grant Josephine the courtesy of an explanation, as her situation is so unusual. Afterwards, the Inquisitor can either let him go or kill him. If allowed to leave, the assassin politely observes that he hopes he and Josephine never meet again, and wishes her luck in her plan to have the contract voided.

Afterwards, Josephine seeks to restore the Du Paraquettes' titles to get them to annul the contract. However, Leliana suggests that she send agents into the House of Repose to steal the contract on her life so the guild would not have any cause to attack her, an option that Josephine is opposed to. The Inquisitor can either authorize Leliana's spies for an infiltration mission at the risk of their lives or go with Josephine's intended plan of bludgeoning through bureaucracy.

During the ball at the Winter Palace, Josephine is forced to put up with her sister Yvette, and interrupts every time she attempts to talk about her past. Josephine also advocates preserving Empress Celene's claim to the throne.

Upon returning to Skyhold, Josephine is accosted by a cleric, who insists on having Leliana and Cassandra stand as candidates for the Divine. Josephine politely tells the cleric that the Inquisition needs them for the time being.

During What Pride Had Wrought, Josephine is seen at the forward camp, possibly talking with Empress Celene about events in the Empire as the final battle rages in the background. She worries for the Inquisitor and hopes for their safe return.

During Doom Upon All the World, she posits that Corypheus's pet dragon may be coming for the Deep Roads and suggest contacting Orzammar for support, when she is interrupted by the Breach re-opening in the Valley of Sacred Ashes. When the Inquisitor returns to Skyhold victorious, she curtsies before her leader (and then embraces her lover, if romanced) and spends the rest of the evening fretting over the details of the celebratory banquet, yet she is relieved she had to prepare for this instead of the end of the world.

#### *Trespasser*

Josephine returns during the events of the *Trespasser* DLC, set two years after Corypheus' defeat. Riding into the Winter Palace under honor guard, she provides exposition to Cullen about the shift in the political climate since Corypheus was defeated, specifically how Orlais wishes to leash the Inquisition to the Empire's interests and Ferelden seeks to disband the organization entirely.

Romanced or not, Josephine lures the Inquisitor away from the bustle of the main courtyard with discussion about the Exalted Council, before inviting them to the opera. She cites her disappointment that the Inquisitor had never been able to partake in Orlesian culture in all the time marching across the nation fighting against Corypheus.

At the end of the events of the DLC, Josephine finishes out her tenure with the Inquisition and returns to Antiva to take up her place as head of the Montilyet family.
*If the Montilyets' trading status in Orlais was restored:*Josephine sets about rebuilding the family's trading fleet, restoring its wealth and renown throughout Antiva. In time, a group of Rivaini pirate captains look to restart an ancient rivalry with the Montilyets, and aside from her sister, Yvette, almost eloping with such a captain, Josephine takes the rivalry in stride. If Leliana's assassins were utilized to destroy the House of Repose's contracts against the Montilyets, it is revealed that the House, impressed by her besting them, offers their services to the former Ambassador. While she refuses to actively utilize the House's talents against her enemies, she does employ them to protect the Montilyets' ships; any pirates that attack them soon find out the hard way that the House of Repose, and the Montilyet family, are not to be trifled with.

## Relationships

Josephine can be romanced by a male or female Inquisitor of any race.

It is possible to dance with Josephine at the ball during Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts after deciding what happens to the Empress Celene (and the others).

The romance can be initiated at the close of the first personal quest for Josephine. Should the Inquisitor pursue a romance, Leliana will caution against it, claiming that Josephine does not see their attraction to her and that she's "innocent in love". When the Inquisitor later brings this up with Josephine, it is an opportunity to cement the relationship, resulting in a kiss.

Later, if the Inquisitor asks if her ancestors were Orlesian, Josephine will confirm it and mention her desire to see her family's lost ancestral crest. This prompts a war table operation to recover this crest. Once complete, the Inquisitor can purchase it from a vendor in Val Royeaux and present it to Josephine, to her delight.

The relationship hits a snag when Josephine receives word that her parents had engaged her to Lord Adorno Ciel Otranto of Antiva. She asks the Inquisitor to put their relationship on hold while she tries to find a way out of the engagement. However, she lets slip that one option would be to challenge Otranto to a duel. The Inquisitor then arranges for a duel against Otranto without Josephine's knowledge. However, Josephine arrives in the middle of the duel and chastises the Inquisitor for risking their life. She demands to know why the Inquisitor would risk their life and everything they've built with the Inquisition, at which point the Inquisitor can break off the relationship or admit to doing so because he/she loves her. For the latter option, Josephine reciprocates her love and the pair share a kiss. Otranto admits that he initially believed their relationship to be an affair of passion, and that he knows better than to get in the way of true love, withdrawing his family's betrothal.

Back at Skyhold, the Inquisitor and Josephine share a tender moment by the fireplace.

After the final battle, Josephine shares a hug with the Inquisitor. When the Inquisitor chooses to retire from the festivities, Josephine joins her lover and they hold hands on the bedroom balcony.

If neither Blackwall nor Josephine are romanced, banter between Blackwall and other companions suggests that he has feelings for Josephine. Both Josephine and Blackwall acknowledge that they have feelings for each other, but cannot consummate it, as it would be inappropriate since they are of different stations. They seem content to flirt in subtle ways, such as exchanging romantic tokens or looks to express their fondness for one another, yet always in secret. According to Josephine, they are in what the Orlesians refer to as "la splendeur des coeurs perdus"- the splendor of lost hearts, they may court but can never consummate their romance, their love acknowledged but nothing more.

### *Trespasser*

During the events of the *Trespasser* DLC, Blackwall can be asked about his flirtations with Josephine, to which he responds that it has been years, and they both knew it was a momentary infatuation and nothing more.

## Relationships

### Kaaras Adaar

Advocates (INFJs) look for depth and meaning in their relationships – and their romantic relationships are no different. This is a personality type known for having a vibrant, vivid imagination, but few Advocates can imagine themselves settling for a match founded on anything less than true love.

It can take time for Advocates to find a compatible partner. Some people might think that Advocates are too choosy, and it’s true that these personalities can be prone to unrealistic expectations. With their perfectionistic, idealistic nature, Advocates might be tempted to hold out for a “perfect” partner or relationship that ultimately doesn’t exist. The good news? Advocates’ idealism – if balanced with just enough realism – can actually enhance their love life.

## Is This for Real?

Advocates tend to be attuned to their core values, keenly aware of what matters to them on a soul level. This helps them look beyond surface-level attraction and understand whether they’re compatible with someone on a deeper, more meaningful level. These insights are essential for helping Advocates avoid matches that aren’t founded on authenticity or shared principles.

Advocates care about integrity, and they tend to bristle when people try to change them or talk them into something that they don’t believe. As a result, Advocate personalities gravitate toward partners who appreciate them as they are.

As romantic partners, Advocates are warm, caring, honest, and insightful – and they patiently work to uncover their loved one’s innermost needs and desires.

Once Advocates *do* find a suitable relationship, they rarely take it for granted. Instead, they tend to look for ways to grow as individuals and strengthen their connection with their partner. This can help Advocates’ relationships reach a level of depth and sincerity of which many people can only dream.

## The Power of Love

People with this personality type create a depth to their relationships that can hardly be described in conventional terms. Because of their sensitivity and insight, Advocates can make their partners feel heard and understood in beautiful ways. Advocates aren’t afraid to express their love, and they feel it with all their hearts.

One of the things that Advocates find most important is establishing genuine, deep connections with the people they care about.

Advocates tend to recognize that love isn’t a passive emotion but rather an opportunity to grow and learn, and they expect their partners to share this mindset. As a result, relationships with these personalities are not for the uncommitted or the shallow. Advocates are intensely passionate in ways that transcend the present moment, and what truly fulfills them is the way that a loving, meaningful relationship evolves and deepens over time.

In their heart of hearts, people with the Advocate personality type crave an emotional and even spiritual connection with their partner. They cherish not just the act of being in a relationship but also what it means to become one with another person in mind, body, and soul.