Dragon Age: The Masked Empire
Tie-in novel detailing the Orlesian civil war.
Dragon Age: The Masked Empire is a fantasy novel by Patrick Weekes, released on April 8, 2014. The story takes place in the Orlesian Empire on the continent of Thedas, the world of the Dragon Age video game series. It details the events that lead to the Orlesian civil war between Empress Celene I of House Valmont and her cousin, Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons, and functions as a tie-in to Dragon Age: Inquisition. Key characters introduced in the book who later appear in the game include Celene’s elven handmaiden and secret lover Briala, her champion Michel de Chevin, the Dalish survivor Mihris, and the ancient demon Imshael. At the Winter Palace in Val Royeaux, Celene asks Leliana, the Left Hand of the Divine, to urge Divine Justinia V to intervene in the rising tensions between mages and templars. They agree the Divine will make a declaration at a ball in her honor within a month. Briala, Celene’s elven servant for many years, works with her in secret—both as a spymaster using city elves as informants and as a lover, a relationship that must remain hidden due to scandal. Celene promised Briala she would one day free the elves of Orlais. With the help of her chevalier champion, Ser Michel, Celene holds the throne against her scheming cousin, Grand Duke Gaspard. Gaspard launches a coup at the Winter Palace in Val Royeaux, forcing Celene and her group to evade his agents as they try to return to Val Royeux to rally loyal forces. Along the way, they encounter a Dalish clan that summons a powerful demon, the magical mirror artifacts called Eluvians, and are even forced to ally with Gaspard to survive. Reviewer Liz Bourke found the novel read more like a prologue for a future game than a complete story, but called it enjoyable, praising Weekes as a “significantly better prose writer than David Gaider,” author of earlier Dragon Age tie-ins. She concluded it was entertaining despite “the flaws of its source material.” Dominika “Mara” Bieńkowska of the Polish site Nerdheim gave it a 9 out of 10.
- Author
- Patrick Weekes
Lore & Background
The plot begins at the Winter Palace in Val Royeaux, where Empress Celene meets with Leliana, the Left Hand of the Divine, to request that Divine Justinia V act to ease tensions between mages and templars. Celene's elven handmaiden and secret lover Briala serves as her spymaster, using city elves as eyes and ears, while chevalier champion Ser Michel protects the Empress. Grand Duke Gaspard launches a coup at the Winter Palace in Val Royeaux, forcing Celene and her entourage to hide and attempt to return to Val Royeux to rally loyal forces. Along the way, they encounter a Dalish clan that has summoned a powerful demon, the magical Eluvian mirrors, and are forced to work alongside Gaspard for mutual survival.
Reader's Guide
The Masked Empire is significant as a tie-in novel that provides essential context for Dragon Age: Inquisition, particularly the 'Wicked Eyes, Wicked Hearts' quest and the backstory of how Michel freed the demon Imshael. Reviewer Liz Bourke noted the novel felt like a prologue for a future game but praised Weekes as a better prose writer than previous tie-in author David Gaider. Dominika Bieńkowska scored it 9 out of 10. The novel is cited as a notable example of BioWare's approach to publishing works that introduce locations, characters, and quest lines leading up to new releases, advancing the series narrative beyond a single game protagonist. A deluxe hardcover edition with illustrations was published by Dark Horse Books on June 18, 2019.
Did You Know?
- A preview of the deluxe hardcover edition, featuring three pages of prose and illustrations, was released on June 1, 2019.
- The novel introduces characters who later appear in Inquisition, including Briala, Michel de Chevin, Mihris, and the demon Imshael.
- Reviewer Liz Bourke found the novel enjoyable despite feeling it read like a prologue for a future game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Dragon Age: The Masked Empire and when was it published?
Patrick Weekes authored the novel, and it was released on April 8, 2014. It stands as a standalone fantasy work set within the Dragon Age universe.
What is the central conflict in Dragon Age: The Masked Empire?
The plot revolves around the deepening rift between Empress Celene I of House Valmont and her cousin, Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons, as their rivalry spirals into open civil war. The novel traces the court intrigue, betrayals, and power struggles that fracture the Orlesian Empire from within.
Which characters from Dragon Age: The Masked Empire carry over into Dragon Age: Inquisition?
The book introduces several figures who later appear in the game, notably Celene's elven handmaiden and secret lover Briala, her champion Michel de Chevin, and the Dalish survivor Mihris. Their storylines established in the novel feed directly into the Inquisition's narrative.
How does Dragon Age: The Masked Empire tie into Dragon Age: Inquisition?
It functions as a tie-in novel that lays the groundwork for the Orlesian civil war players encounter in the game. The political upheaval and interpersonal dramas the book depicts set the stage for events unfolding during the Inquisition's timeline.
Where and when is Dragon Age: The Masked Empire set?
The story takes place within the Orlesian Empire on the continent of Thedas, the shared world of the Dragon Age series. Its events occur prior to the main storyline of Dragon Age: Inquisition, focusing on the empire's internal political crisis.
More in Canadian fantasy novels 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced