Blaen Pallier

"Did you miss me?"

Blaen Pallier is a minor Orlesian Noble with a reputation. He's the leader of an underground Lyrium smuggling ring, that he leads from Val Royeaux. This man is full of spite and narcissism and if he wants something he'll find a way to get it.

## Overview

### **Physical Appearance**

Blaen is 5'9" and has a rather slim built. He doesn't have many muscles, as he's not a fighter, despite his background as Chevalier. A large electrical burn scar goes across the entire left half of his face, from a fight with the dragon in the exalted plains. His hair is platinum blonde (probably dyed) with a short undercut on either side of his face. He keeps it long enough to put up in a ponytail.

### **Personality**

The short version would be: Bastard

Blaen's an incredibly ambition driven and self-centered person. The only person he really cares about is himself and he does not tolerate disrespect from anyone. He's vain and has a short fuse. But he's also cunning and can come across incredibly charming if you don't know him too closely.

He would do anything short of actually killing to get to his goals. (Although he would hire assassins if he really wanted to get rid of someone. He just hates getting his own hands dirty).

### **Talents and Skills**

Blaen is incredibly good at striking deals in his favor. That#s how he managed to built up an entire lyrium smuggling ring right in the heart of Val Royeaux. He does not care if he deals with mages or templars. To him, both factions are just a means to make money.

What he's not so good at is controlling his temper. He can play the game rather well, but if intimidation fails, he's not great at salvaging a situation and his anger outbursts have been known to ruin one or the other deal before.

## **Biography**

Blaen grew up as an only child to parents who wanted the perfect son. They spoilt him until he joined the Chevalier program. That upbringing would later lead to his parents' utter disappointment in him. When he got injured in a fight with a dragon and couldn't be a Chevalier anymore, they cut all ties with their son, as he had failed to live up to their expectations. Blaen was left having to build himself up. At first, he just hustled people for money but then he found a way into the lyrium smuggling business and grew his own operation until he was a rather reputable dealer in Orlais.

Now he's set his sights on becoming an important person in the ranks of Orlesian royalty, aiming to get into the Empresses inner circle.

### **Chevaliers**

During his time as a chevalier, Blaen really only made one friend: Marcus DuLoupain. The other men didn't respect Blaen, as he was rather short and weak. He tried to prove himself during a raid in the alienage in Val Royeaux and ended up killing several elves together with Marcus. Both men were quite distraught after that. Marcus more so than Blaen.

Blaen pushed all the guilt he might've felt deep, deep down into his subconscious, where it was to be locked away forever.

Blaen also developed a crush on Marcus, which was reciprocated but their relationship was strained, by having to be kept quiet. And when Blaen came up with the idea to check out a dragon, Marcus had to drag him out of danger. Both of them ended up losing their ability to fight that day.

This and several other dumb things Blaen said and did ultimately destroyed their relationship until Blaen was left all alone.

### **Inquisition**

Blaen has tried becoming the Inquisitions Lyrium dealer, as his ex-partner Cyriel is now one of the Inquisitors, but he got a letter of rejection.

Now he's trying to get back at her for that, one way or another.

## **Relationships**

Inquisitor Cyriel:

Blaen's relationship to Cyriel is a complicated and toxic one. He hired her back when she was just a simple elven thief trying to make some money and very quickly realized he could exploit her. He offered her a position as his personal assistant, which then turned into a more sexual relationship. Both were trying to exploit the other for personal gain. Cyriel was clearly the weaker party in this arrangement, however both now harbor complicated feelings for each other. While Cyriel would rather not see him again, he refuses to just be ignored.

Marcus DuLoupain:

Marcus is an ex-lover and ex-best friend. Blaen wishes he could somehow mend their relationship but no matter what he says or does, Marcus seemingly isn't willing to listen. Blaen for the life of him can't figure out why.