The Ballroom

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Optional

Back to Main Dialogue

Back to Directory

Back to Quest Select

Ladies in Waiting

The PC approaches the empress’s ladies-in-waiting in the ballroom.

Choice dependent dialogue:

First time speaking [1]
Spoken to before [2]

1 - First time speaking: Lady Fleur: Inquisitor, to what do we owe this honor?

Lady Colombe (high court approval): We are always delighted to speak with you, of course. Lady Colombe (neutral court approval): We will be happy to assist you, if we can. Lady Colombe (low court approval): We cannot… be seen speaking with you for long.

Lady Couteau: Her Imperial Majesty is unfortunately occupied at the moment. [3]

2 - If spoken to before: Lady Fleur: Is there something we may do for you?

Lady Colombe (high court approval): We do so enjoy speaking with you. Lady Colombe (neutral court approval): We are here to assist. Lady Colombe (low court approval): Please be brief.

Lady Couteau: We will speak to the empress on your behalf. [3]

3 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Let’s discuss an alliance. [4]
Investigate: I have questions. [5]
Investigate: Can I ask about the talks? [6]
Investigate (any clue against Gaspard/Briala found): I found something. [7]
General: Goodbye. [8]

4 - Investigate: Let’s discuss an alliance. PC: If the evening ends favorably for the empress, how does the Inquisition benefit? Lady Fleur: Her Imperial Majesty brings the might of the Orlesian Empire with her friendship. Lady Colombe: She is also a respected diplomat and world leader. She can forge alliances for you with Rivain, Antiva, the Anderfels… Lady Couteau: And she throws the pest parties.

5 - Investigate: I have questions. PC: Perhaps you could tell be something, then.

9 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Who are you ladies? [10]
Investigate: Tell me about Celene. [11]
[Back to 3]

11 - Investigate: Who are you ladies? PC: We haven’t been properly introduced. Lady Couteau: How rude of us to forget! Lady Colombe (female PC): Milady/Inquisitor, May I present Lady Couteau? Lady Colombe (male PC): My Lord Inquisitor, allow me to present Lady Couteau. Lady Fleur: And Lady Colombe. Lady Colombe: And of course, Lady Fleur. We are the empress’s ladies-in-waiting. [Back to 9]

12 - Investigate: Tell me about Celene. PC: I’d like to know more about Empress Celene. Lady Fleur: Her Majesty has held the throne since she was just sixteen years old. Lady Colombe: She is respected and beloved not just in Orlais, but across Thedas. Lady Couteau: She doesn’t care much for liver, and she drinks her tea black. [Back to 9]

6 - Investigate: Can I ask about the talks? PC: I’d like to know more about the negotiations.

12 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why hold a ball? [13]
Investigate: Tell me about the other leaders. [14]
Investigate: What are Celene’s goals? [15]
Investigate (after dancing with Florianne): How are the talks going? [16]
[Back to 3]

13- Investigate: Why hold a ball? PC: It seems strange to hold peace talks during a ball. Lady Fleur: The nobility must do things very differently in Ostwick. Lady Fleur: Oh! Do your people have no customs surrounding great occasions? How sad! Lady Colombe: By Orlesian tradition, moments of great solemnity are celebrated with revels and feasts. Lady Couteau: While joyous occasions are given time for reflection and contemplations. Lady Colombe: We must never forget that life is both bitter and sweet. Lady Fleur: The ball is an opportunity to celebrate life and hope for the future while we mourn the killed in the war. [Back to 12]

14 - Investigate: Tell me about the other leaders. PC: What can you tell me about the other parties involved in the talks? Lady Fleur: Gaspard is a decorated general, much beloved by the Imperial army and a legend among chevaliers. Lady Colombe: He is better suited to the battlefield than the throne, and he would gladly make his palace a war camp. Lady Couteau: He is also fiendishly charming. Lady Colombe: Lady Briala has great intentions to change the lives of elves for the better. Lady Couteau: Even if her plans could never work and would only provoke hate crimes against alienages. Lady Fleur: She’s an idealist, but her lack of patience could prove disastrous. [Back to 12]

15 - Investigate: What are Celene’s goals? PC: What is the empress trying to accomplish with the negotiations? Lady Fleur: Peace is her only objective, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: Gaspard and Briala are driven by personal ambitions, but those desires threaten the safety of all Orlesians. Lady Couteau: The war must end tonight. We must conclude this to deal with the larger crisis. [Back to 12]

16 - Investigate: How are the talks going? PC: What’s happening with the peace talks now? Lady Fleur: Things do not look promising. Lady Colombe: The grand duke is stubborn as always. He will not accept anything but victory in battle. Lady Couteau: But the night is young, and Her Majesty will do everything she can to persuade him. [Back to 12]

7 - Investigate: I found something. PC: My investigations turned up something interesting.

17 - Dialogue options:

General: It’s about Gaspard. [18]
General: It’s about Briala. [19]
[Back to 3]

18 - General: It’s about Gaspard. PC: It concerns the grand duke.

20 - Dialogue options:

General (spoke with Gaspard’s vassal): He threatened the council. [21]

General (found secret orders in trophy room): He’s sneaking soldiers in. [22]

General (found knife in servants’ quarters): I think he’s a traitor. [23]

21 - General: He threatened the council. PC: He’s made a lot of threats to the Council of Heralds. Lady Fleur: The grand duke is all talk, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: Very loud talk. Accompanied by swords. Lady Couteau: He has never had any skill at the game. [Back to 20]

22 - General: He’s sneaking soldiers in. PC: I intercepted orders to his general to sneak soldiers into the palace tonight. Lady Fleur: How could he behave so dishonorably? Lady Colombe: He would attack the empress and break all the binding rules of hospitality? Lady Couteau: I thought there were more handsome chevaliers on the dance floor than there should be. [Back to 20]

23 - General: I think he’s a traitor. PC: I found Gaspard’s knife in the servants’ quarters. It was used to murder a council emissary. Lady Fleur: Are you quite certain of this? Lady Colombe: That would be treason! Lady Couteau: How scandalous! Lady Fleur: There must be some mistake. Lady Couteau: Do you have proof of this? Something Her Majesty can take to the nobles? Lady Colombe: You must find proof so she can arrest Gaspard! She would never call off negotiations, even to save her own life! [Back to 20]

19 - General: It’s about Briala. PC: It concerns Ambassador Briala.

24 - Dialogue options:

General (found the negotiations/letter): She’s killed negotiators. [25]

General (found the cylinder seal): The servants spy for her. [26]

25 - General: She’s killed negotiators. PC: She’s killed ambassadors from both Celene and Gaspard, and forged documents to both sides. Lady Fleur: How despicable! Lady Colombe: After the empress extended her hospitality! Lady Couteau: She’s better at the Game than we thought. [Back to 24]

26 - General: The servants spy for her. PC: Her people have infiltrated every part of the Winter Palace. Lady Fleur: This is extremely alarming, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: She could be spying on our every word! Lady Couteau: How exciting! [Back to 24]

8 - General: Goodbye. PC: Good evening. Lady Fleur: Until next time, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: Do take care. Lady Couteau: Enjoy the masquerade.

An Elven Locket

The PC speaks to the empress’s ladies-in-waiting after finding an elven locket in the palace.

Dialogue options:

Special: I found Celene’s elven locket. PC: I made a fascinating discovery: an elven locket, in the empress’s vault.

Lady Couteau: Oh dear.

Lady Colombe: That is very interesting…

Lady Fleur: I’ll get Her Majesty.

The PC meets with Celene.

Celene: Inquisitor, I regret that we did not have time to speak earlier. No doubt you have questions about many things.

Dialogue options:

General: You valued that locket. [1]
General: That locket was from Briala. [2]
General: You shouldn’t have kept it. [3]

1 - General: You valued that locket. PC: I found an elven locket sealed in the palace vault. You must have considered it quite valuable. Celene: It was… sentimental. [4]

2 - General: That locket was from Briala. PC: The locket I found… it was a gift from Briala, wasn’t it? Celene: She gave it to me for my coronation. [4]

3 - General: You shouldn’t have kept it. PC: If the nobles knew you were keeping elven trinkets in the royal vault, it would cause a scandal. Celene: You are right, of course. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Celene: I don’t know why I kept it. It was a foolish thing to do.

5 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why did you two part ways? [6]
General: You still love her. [7]
General: We all do foolish things. [8]
General: It’s a dangerous weakness. [9]

6 - Investigate: Why did you two part ways? PC: What made the two of you part ways? Celene: She wanted change. And she thought I should deliver it. My word is law, Inquisitor, but laws don’t command people’s hearts. Culture does not transform itself overnight. Celene: I failed her. I should have dared more. But the past, like so many things, is beyond my command. [Back to 5]

7 - General: You still love her. PC: Maybe you kept it because you still care for Briala. Celene: Perhaps I do. But I cannot put her above all the people of my empire. Dispose of the locket however you like. It means nothing to me. [10]

8 - General: We all do foolish things. PC: It’s nice to see that the empress of Orlais makes mistakes. Celene: Thank you for coming tonight, Inquisitor. I have business to attend, but I hope we will speak again. [10]

9 - General: It’s a dangerous weakness. PC: The Empress of Orlais can’t afford that kind of sentimentality. Celene: Indeed. It is a relic of another life, Inquisitor. One that is over. [10]

10 - Scene ends.

The Elven Ambassador

The PC approaches Briala on a balcony off the ballroom.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Met Briala in the servants’ quarters [1]
Never met Briala before [2]
Speaking to Briala on the balcony again [3]

1 - Met Briala in the servants’ quarters: Briala: Inquisitor. Briala (high court approval): Becoming the darling of the court, I see. How can I help you? Briala (neutral court approval): Something on your mind? Briala (low court approval): Did you want some advice? You seem to need it. [4]

2 - Never met Briala before: Briala (Qunari PC): Inquisitor Adaar. The stories claimed you were barely capable of speech. Briala (Dwarf PC): You must be Inquisitor Cadash. I’ve heard stories. Briala (Dalish PC): Inquisitor Lavellan. How many of the guests have mistaken you for a kitchen servant? Briala (Human PC): Inquisitor Trevelyan. Slumming even more than usual, I see.

Briala (high court approval): You’ve charmed some of the nobles. We’ll see how long you can keep their favor. Briala (neutral court approval): You haven’t dazzled the court this evening, but at least you’ve avoided embarrassing yourself. Well done. Briala (low court approval): You haven’t exactly impressed anyone this evening. Maybe you need another miracle? [4]

3 - Speaking to Briala on the balcony again Briala: We meet again. Given any thought to what I said? [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Briala: What brings you to me?

5 - Dialogue options:

Investigate (spoken to after dance with Florianne): Let’s discuss an alliance. [6]
Investigate: Can I ask about the talks? [7]
Investigate: I want to know more about you. [8]
Investigate: I have learned some things. [9]
Special: Is this your locket? [10]
General: We’ll talk later. [11]

6 - Investigate: Let’s discuss an alliance. PC: What exactly would the Inquisition get by… moving things in your favor? Briala: My spy network doesn’t just span the Dales, Inquisitor. It spans the empire. And even expands beyond its borders. Ears like these don’t miss much. Help us, and the secrets of half of Thedas could be within your grasp.

7 - Investigate: Can I ask about the talks? PC: I want to know more about the peace talks.

12 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Tell me about the leaders. [13]
Investigate: What are your goals [14]
Investigate: What if the empress is killed? [15]
[Back to 5]

13 - Investigate: Tell me about the leaders. PC: What can you tell me about Celene and Gaspard? Briala: Gaspard is a warmonger. He served in the war against Ferelden and fought a dozen skirmishes on the Nevarran border. He is a simple man. Simple men aren’t hard to manipulate. Briala: Celene is the voice of reason in the empire. But reason is cautious. Reason looks for compromise. Reason doesn’t choose radical change. However sorely it may be needed. [Back to 12]

> 14 - Investigate: What are your goals

PC: What are you hoping to gain from tonight’s negotiations? Briala: A voice. Simple enough, isn’t it? My people have none. We’ve lived two centuries amid the lowest ranks of society. No one hears us. No one sees us. If the elves of Halamshiral were elevated… if we an an elven noble at court? We’d have recognition, a voice.

15 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: One noble can make a difference? [16] Investigate: How will you accomplish that? [17] General: That sounds reasonable. [18] General: And you’ll be the noble. [19] General: Your plan won’t work. [20]

16 - Investigate: One noble can make a difference? PC: How much can a single member of the court do? Briala: It won’t remake the world overnight, if that’s what your asking. Our problem is invisibility. The people in power ignoring us. We’re not actors, we’re scenery. [Back to 15]

17 - Investigate: How will you accomplish that? PC: How will you persuade the empress to elevate an elf to nobility? Briala: It is already in place. Celene knows she needs up to tip the balance of the civil war in her favor. All we have to do is wait. She’ll exhaust her other options and come to us for help. Then we’ll name our price. [Back to 15]

18 - General: That sounds reasonable. PC: Everyone should have representation in their government. Briala: A start. Something humans can’t ignore, and something elves aspire to. [21]

19 - General: And you’ll be the noble. PC: I assume the role of elevated noble will fall to you, milady Briala. Briala: Let’s be honest, Inquisitor. The sole elven noble in court isn’t going to have a position of power and luxury. [21]

20 - General: Your plan won’t work. PC: You won’t change anything. The empress has all the power. You’ll just be a target for bigots. Briala: Even if it ends in my assassination, it will be something no one, human or elven, can ignore. [21]

21 - Scene continues. Briala: But that’s the future. We need to focus on the task at hand. [Back to 12]

15 - Investigate: What if the empress is killed? PC: If Celene were killed, what would happen to your plans? Briala: Assuming I’m not the one blamed? It would be precarious, I’ve been working on Gaspard, but he’s like a charging bull. It would be easier to reign him in if I had something that could hurt him. [Back to 12]

8 - Investigate: I want to know more about you. PC: I had a question about you, Briala. Briala: I’m an elf, Inquisitor. That should tell you everything you need to know about my life. I’m good at what I do. That’s all that matters. I will help my people no matter the cost.

22 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: You and Celene were lovers? [23]
Investigate: Who are you? [24]
[Back to 5]

23 - Investigate: You and Celene were lovers? PC: I’ve been told you were romantically involved with the empress. Briala: I didn’t take you for a gossipmonger, Inquisitor. I suppose your spies have already briefed you, so there’s no point in pretending. Yes. Celene and I were lovers once. But we’ve gone out separate ways now. [Back to 22]

24 - Investigate: Who are you? PC: What’s your story? How is an elf invited to the empress’s ball as an ambassador? Briala: Empress Celene and I have… history. There was a time when I put my spies at her disposal. She knows my qualifications. We had a falling out. Now we’re negotiating to determine whether I return to her side in the war.

25 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: What happened? [26] Investigate: And if the negotiations fail? [27] General: That’s remarkably honest. [28] General: You know how that sounds. [29] General: You have no loyalty. [30]

26 - Investigate: What happened? PC: What do you mean “We had a falling out”? Briala: She betrayed me. Turned me over to the guards on a trumped-up charge to save her political reputation. It wasn’t personal. It’s the Game. That’s how Orlesians justify these things to themselves. It wouldn’t do to let the court know she had an elven… friend. [Back to 23]

27 - Investigate: And if the negotiations fail? PC: If she doesn’t win you back to her side, what do you intend to do? Briala: I have contingency plans. I’m not a child, putting all my hopes on a single ball. This evening gives me access to Duke Gaspard. He’s challenging, not as progressive or persuadable as his cousin. But with sufficient blackmail… he might work with us.

28 - General: That’s remarkably honest. PC: I’m surprised you’d admit that, considering the circumstances. [31]

29 - General: You know how that sounds. PC: You just told me you have reason to betray the empress. [31]

30 - General: You have no loyalty. PC: You’d turn against Celene without a thought. [31]

31 - Scene continues. Briala: I know it’s incriminating. Few harbor more resentment against Celene than I. But if she died after inviting me here, the court would certainly pin her death on me. [Back to 22]

9 - Investigate: I have learned some things. PC: You might be interested in what I’ve found.

32 - Dialogue options:

General: It’s something on Gaspard. [33]
General: It’s incriminating. [34]

33 - General: It’s something on Gaspard. PC: It’s about Gaspard.

35 - Dialogue options:

General (spoke to Gaspard’s vassal): He threatened the council. [36] General (found secret orders): He’s sneaking in troops. [37] General (found the knife in the servants’ quartes): About the servants’ wing… [38] [Back to 32]

36 - General: He threatened the council. PC: He’s been threatening the nobles on the Council of Heralds. Briala: Typical. Gaspard’s always been a bully, regardless of the chevalier code. [Back to 35]

37 - General: He’s sneaking in troops. PC: I found orders issued to his general to sneak troops into the palace. Briala: My people reported chevaliers skulking around where they shouldn’t be. It’s a foolish move if he doesn’t succeed. Sneaking men in is easy. Getting them out unnoticed is not. [Back to 35]

38 - General: About the servants’ wing… PC: You think Gaspard was behind the murder of that council emissary and the Tevinter agents in the servants’ wing? Briala: Gaspard is ruthless. He wants the throne but to conspire with Tevinter? That’s low even for him. If you intend to stop him, you’ll need irrefutable proof. His supporters will accept nothing less. Celene will never end the talks until she has no other choice. [Back to 35]

34 - General: It’s incriminating. PC: It’s about you, actually.

39 - Dialogue options:

General (found the negotiations): I found the ambassadors. [40] General (found the cylinder seal): You’ve infiltrated the palace. [41] [Back to 32]

40 - General: I found the ambassadors. PC: You murdered negotiators and stole their documents. Briala: In Orlesian politics, Inquisitor, murder and intrigue barely counts as trying. If that shocked you, wait until Celene shows her hand. [Back to 39]

41 - General: You’ve infiltrated the palace. PC: I found the drop point, Briala. I know your people are hidden all over the palace. Briala: Of course they are. I’d be a poor spymaster if I didn’t have spies, Inquisitor. [Back to 39]

10 - Special: Is this your locket? PC: I found an elven locket hidden among Celene’s things. This isn’t yours, is it? Briala: Let me see that. She kept this? What was she thinking? If Gaspard had found this, it would have ruined her.

Dialogue options:

General: Maybe it’s sentimental [42]
General: It was yours, then. [43]
General: Blackmail, probably. [44]

42 - General: Maybe it’s sentimental PC: It might have meant something to her. Briala: Maybe it did. [Back to 5]

43 - General: It was yours, then. PC: So, this did belong to you. Briala: It was my mother’s. Carved from vhenadahl wood. I gave it to Celene in… Happier times. She held on to it… [Back to 5]

44 - General: Blackmail, probably. PC: She thought she could use it against you, perhaps. Briala: Perhaps you’re right. [Back to 5]

11 - General: We’ll talk later. PC: We’ll speak more later, ambassador. Briala: Another time, Inquisitor.

Speak to Gaspard

The PC finds Gaspard on one of the balconies in the ballroom

Choice dependent dialogue:

First time speaking [1]
Spoken to before [2]

1- First time speaking: Gaspard: My friend! Come in! Have a drink! What can I do for you?

Gaspard (high court approval): You’ve been busily charming the court, I see. Gaspard (neutral court approval): If you’re as “delighted” by the court as I am, there’s a decanter of port around here. Gaspard (low court approval): Not winning over the court? You’re in good company, at least. [3]

2 - Spoken to before: Gaspard: It is always good to see you, my friend.

Gaspard (high court approval): You seem better at making friends among the nobility than I. Well done. Gaspard (neutral court approval): Navigating the intrigues all right? Nobody’s poisoned you yet, have they? Gaspard (low court approval): The nobles may hate you, Inquisitor, but when I am emperor, I’ll have most of them beheaded. [3]

3 - Dialogue options:

Champion: We have something in common. [4] +20 court approval
Investigate: I’d like to know about you. [5]
Investigate: Let’s talk politics. [6]
Investigate: I found something interesting. [7]
General: Goodbye. [8]

4 - Champion: We have something in common. PC: I understand you’re a chevalier. I’ve undergone similar training. Gaspard: Ah, yes—a popular topic of conversation, PC: Oh? Gaspard: You may not wear the title, but to study… Gaspard (Qunari PC): When one thinks of chevaliers, yours is not the image conjured. Gaspard (dwarf PC): Your colorful background makes it all the more intriguing. Gaspard (Dalish PC): You’d be more of a scandal, were it not for Briala. Gaspard (human PC): The Free Marcher turned knight. You’ve captured imaginations.

Dialogue options:

General: Does my background matter? [9]
General: I match the best. [10]
General: I don’t need to prove myself. [11]

9 - General: Does my background matter? Human PC: I respect the honor and discipline required. There’s nothing remarkable in that. Non-human PC: I might not look the part of a knight, but I respect the discipline and skill required. Gaspard: Such reserve! You’ve taken up the sword in pursuit of glory—what could be nobler? [12]

10 - General: I match the best. PC: Minor details. I could best the finest chevaliers. Gaspard: (Laughs.) You have the arrogance for it. [12]

11 - General: I don’t need to prove myself. PC: I don’t need to prove myself to them. Gaspard (high court approval): The court must find your candor novel. Or do you save it for me? Gaspard (neutral/low approval): Such delightful indifference! I doubt the court shared that opinion. [12]

12 - Scene continues.

Gaspard: Come, my lady! My comrades-in-arms are rarely so charming. Gaspard: Come! We are kindred spirits, you and I. Brothers-in-arms must stand together.

Gaspard: Find a drink, and we shall toast to it. [Back to 3]

5 - Investigate: I’d like to know about you. PC: I’d like to know more about you. Gaspard: All of Orlais knows my story. But you, are far too sensible to be Orlesian. The heart of it is simple: I am the rightful heir to the throne of Orlais. But my cousin Celene is a politician, while I am a man of action. She charmed the council of Heralds. They gave the crown to her. And while it looks fetching on her, I intend to take it back.

13 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: You’re the true heir? [14]
Investigate: How did Celene take power? [15]
General: You’re here to negotiate. [16]
General: The crown, or her head? [17]
General: Fair enough. [18]

14 - Investigate: You’re the true heir? PC: What’s your claim to the throne? Gaspard: The Hundred Days Cough swept Val Royeaux in 8:77. It killed thousands of children—royalty and commoner alike. There are only three living grandchildren of Emperor Judicael the First: myself, my sister Florianne, and Celene. And I am the eldest. By rights, the crown should have passed to me. [Back to 13]

15 - Investigate: How did Celene take power? PC: If you’re the rightful heir, how did Celene become empress? Gaspard: I am the oldest, but I lack the Valmont name. My mother was the late emperor’s sister. Celene is a Valmont. her honored father was my mother’s brother. But she is the youngest. When there is any doubt surrounding the line of succession, the matter falls to the Council of Heralds. Celene outplayed me, forming alliances on the council for support. So they passed over me in her favor. [Back to 13]

16 - General: You’re here to negotiate. PC: So you intend to out-negotiate your cousin. Gaspard: It will take heroic effort on my part, Inquisitor. And a lot of brandy. The talks will take most of the evening. Maker willing, we will emerge triumphant. [Back to 3]

17 - General: The crown, or her head? PC: Just what are you claiming? Her crown, or her head? Gaspard: If Celene loses her head, it will not be my doing. I want my empire. I do not wish harm on my cousin, but I would not weep at her demise. [Back to 3]

18 - General: Fair enough. PC: A straightforward goal. Gaspard: We are straightforward people, you and I. But at court, twists and turns are in fashion. We must navigate a maze of vipers, my friend. Maker willing, there will be enough port. [Back to 3]

6 - Investigate: Let’s talk politics. PC: I have a question about the peace talks.

19 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: What do you get out of this? [20]
Investigate: Tell me about your politics. [21]
Investigate: If Celene dies, what happens? [22]
Investigate: How are the talks going? [23]
Investigate (danced with Florianne): Your sister names you traitor. [24]

20 - Investigate: What do you get out of this? PC: You didn’t extend this invitation out of the goodness of your heart, Grand Duke. Gaspard: As you might have guessed, I am not the most political man. If the nobles believe the Inquisition supports me, it will help in negotiations. And I take little joy in watching the scandalized expressions when they see us together.

25 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Tell me about the others. [26] Investigate: Tell me about the peace talks. [27] [Back to 19]

26 - Investigate: Tell me about the others. PC: What can you tell me about Celene and Briala? Gaspard: Briala may be called “ambassador,” but she is purely a spy. She works toward some hidden agenda. Elves have no place in politics. Her presence here is suspicious. Celene is a skilled player in the Game. She knows how to het her way with a few words an a smile. But the Game is a farce. I will prove that a few hundred chevaliers are better than diplomacy. [Back to 25]

27 - Investigate: Tell me about the peace talks. PC: What will be going on in these negotiations? Gaspard: We will whittle one another down with words until we are bored into agreement. Celene will talk circles around us, that elf will glower and cast suspicion everywhere, and I will get very drunk. Somehow, but the time they stop serving drinks, a war will be ended. Politics, my friend. (Sighs.)

Dialogue options:

General: You sound less than pleased. [28] General: And if the drinks run out? [29] General: What a waste of time. [30]

28 - General: You sound less than pleased. PC: I get the distinct impression that you don’t enjoy politics, Duke Gaspard. Gaspard: In Orlais, the call it “the Great Game.” They believe it is something you can play and win. But there are no winners. Like dogs playing Wicked Grace, it is a mockery of action.[31]

29 - General: And if the drinks run out? PC: What calamities befall us if they stop serving drinks early? Gaspard: If we’re lucky? Another war will break out. I cannot abide by “the Game,” my friend. I prefer my enemies armed and facing me. I like clear winners and losers. [31]

30 - General: What a waste of time. PC: We have a giant whole in the sky. None of this matters. Gaspard: You and I are in complete agreement, my friend. The court sees this as the Game, but it is nothing of the sort. [31]

31 - Scene continues.

Gaspard: Give me a battlefield, Inquisitor. I will show you who the victors are. When I am emperor, there will be changes. No more of this courtier’s nonsense. The nobles may not like it, but after a few lose their heads, they’ll fall in line. [Back to 25]

21 - Investigate: Tell me about your politics. PC: What are you hoping to achieve at the negotiations? Gaspard: I intend to take back what is rightfully mine. Celene stole the crown through politicking, but I am the rightful Emperor of Orlais. The empress has been mired in intrigue for too long. We need a clear course of action.

32 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: What course of action? [33] General: But you’re here for politics. [34] General: You want to fight more wars. [35] General: That makes sense. [36]

33 - Investigate: What course of action? PC: What action did you have in mind? Gaspard: The empire is declining. We cannot allow Nevarra and Ferelden to chip away at our borders. I will see Orlais return to glory as the strongest nation in Thedas. [Back to 32]

34 - General: But you’re here for politics. PC: You say you hate politics, but you’re here to negotiate. Gaspard: I can play the Game when I must. If I couldn’t, I’d be dead by now, Inquisitor. But it is not my choice. Celene has my sister involved in this mess. I would prefer to settle this on the battlefield, but for Florianne… I will sit and talk. [Back to 25]

35 - General: You want to fight more wars. PC: You intend to return to expansionism. Gaspard: I like to solve problems in the simplest answer, my friend. [Back to 25]

36 - General: That makes sense. PC: I can understand that. Gaspard: I knew we were both called to action, my friend. [Back to 25]

22 - Investigate: If Celene dies, what happens? PC: If something were to happen to the empress, how would that change your plans? Gaspard: Celene has not declared an heir. If the Maker called her home, the crown would fall to me. But the Council of Heralds would try to implicate me in any misfortune. If they succeeded, the crown could pass to my sister or one of our more distant cousin.

23 - Investigate: How are the talks going? PC: How have the negotiations been so far? Gaspard: The port won’t last the evening, I’m afraid. We will end the night will nothing settled. Which should surprise nobody, but it will disappoint my sister. I don’t know why she had such high hopes for this ball. Florianne always was hopelessly optimistic.

24 - Investigate: Your sister names you traitor. PC: The grad duchess says you’re plotting to kill Celene. Gaspard: Resorting to rumormongering, Inquisitor? Come, we are beyond such childish stratagems. My sister would never say that. There are no words to convince me that Florianne would turn on me.

7 - Investigate: I found something interesting. PC: I discovered something you might be interested in.

37 - Dialogue options:

General (found elven locket): I’ve got something on Celene. [38]
General: I’ve got something on Briala. [39]
General: I found something on you. [40]

38 - General: I’ve got something on Celene. PC: It’s about Celene.

Dialogue option:

General: Celene kept an elven locket. [41] [Back to 37]

41 - General: Celene kept an elven locket. PC: She had an elven locket sealed in the vault. Gaspard: Briala’s no doubt. What that sentiment, Celene? How unlike you. Blackmail, perhaps. Not quite damning enough for a scandal, but such a trinket could be useful leverage against one or both of them. [Back to 38]

39 - General: I’ve got something on Briala. PC: It’s about Briala.

42 - Dialogue options:

General (found negotiations): Briala’s sabotaging the talks. [43] General (found cylinder seal): Some servants spy for Briala. [44] [Back to 37]

43 - General: Briala’s sabotaging the talks. PC; She’s killed ambassadors and changed their documents. Gaspard: You can prove this? Now that is interesting. What is she trying to accomplish? She bears closer watching than I thought. [Back to 42]

44 - General: Some servants spy for Briala. PC: She’s got people hidden among the servants all over the place. Gaspard: I suspected as much, but couldn’t confirm it. She’s difficult adversary to predict. There’s no telling what move she intends to make. [Back to 42]

40 - General: I found something on you. PC: It’s about you, in fact.

45 - Dialogue options:

General (spoke to his vassal): You threatened the council. [46] General (found secret orders): You snuck men in tonight. [47] General (found dagger in servants’ quarters): You killed a council emissary. [48]

46 - General: You threatened the council. PC: Want to tell me why you were threatening the members of the Council of Heralds? Gaspard: The language of politics, Inquisitor. If you cannot bribe politicians, you threaten them into backing down. Most of the council are Celene’s lapdogs. There was little chance I could win their support any other way. [Back to 45]

47 - General: You snuck men in tonight. PC: I have the orders issued to your general to sneak troops into the palace. Gaspard: Of course I did. The Winter Palace is hardly neutral ground for a peace talk. I would be disappointed in Celene if she were not using this opportunity to set a trap. And while we rarely agree on anything, I have never yet been disappointed in out empress. [Back to 45]

48 - General: You killed a council emissary. PC: There’s a Council of Heralds emissary in the servants’ quarters. Stabbed to death with your knife. Gaspard: No, that’s impossible. Who would try to pin such a crime on me? The elf? It seems unlike Celene. [Back to 45]

8 - General: Goodbye. PC: We’ll speak later, Duke Gaspard. Gaspard: Another time, friend.

Dance with the Dowager

The PC approaches The Dowager (Council) in the ballroom.

Lady Mantillon (low court approval): Oh, you don’t want to speak with me darling. Lady Mantillon (neutral court approval): Perhaps we can speak later, Inquisitor.

Lady Mantillon (high court approval): You are an interesting one. Lady Mantillon (Quanri PC): An eloquent Qunari! Nobody saw that coming, I assure you. Lady Mantillon (Dalish PC): A Dalish in the Winter Palace, more genteel than the grand duke. That’s put this lot in their place, hasn’t it? Lady Mantillon (dwarf PC): A dwarf from the Carta, of all places, with the manners of a noble. The Merchant Guild will be outraged. Lady Mantillon (human PC): You have quite the silver tongue, Inquisitor. I do hope you put it to good use.

Lady Mantillon: [Lord/Lady] Inquisitor.

1 - Dialogue Options:

Investigate: What do you think of the ball? [2]
Investigate: Seen anything interesting? [3]
Nobility: Care to Dance? [4] +5 Court approval
General: Goodbye. [5]

2 - Investigate: What do you think of the ball? PC: I’d like your opinion of this gathering, my lady. Lady Mantillon: It’s doomed to fail, of course. Celene knows that. At least it should be amusing. We haven’t had such a menagerie at court in living memory. [Back to 1]

3 - Investigate: Seen anything interesting? PC: Have you noticed anything odd this evening? Lady Mantillon: Too few imperial guards stand in attendance, my dear. A shame. They’re so pleasantly decorative. [Back to 1]

4 - Nobility: Care to Dance? PC: Would you care to dance, Lady Mantillon? Lady Mantillon: You, Inquisitor, are a delight. One does not often find foreigners so well versed in the Game. But you have other dances to perform first. Perhaps you will save me a dance for later. [Back to 1]

5 - General: Goodbye. PC: Good evening, milady. [6]

6 - Scene continues.

Lady Mantillon: Run along, Inquisitor. Lady Mantillon: Another time, perhaps.

Ambient

Lady Mantillon: Laurent was the love of my life. You remember my husband? Poor darling, killed in the war with Ferelden.

Lady Mantillon: I still remember the day they came to tell me that my second husband, Phillippe, was thrown from his horse…

Lady Mantillon: When my third husband, Pierre, lost his life to rossalia, I swore off marriage forever!

Lady Mantillon: Maximillian swept me off my feet. It was such a scandal! A fourth marriage to a man almost half my age! Lady Mantillon: My dear Maximillian… it took four chevaliers to hunt down the bear that killed him.

Lady Mantillon: Poor, sweet Gerard! My fifth husband fell to his death from the bell tower of the Grand Cathedral. To this day, no one knows why he was up there.

Lady Mantillon: You were acquainted with my darling Hervé, weren’t you? I still cannot believe he was allergic to bees… We should never have put in that rose garden. They are such drab flowers.

Lady Mantillon: I told my seventh husband, Renard, “Never drink aquae lucidius on an empty stomach!” Three glasses poisoned him. But at least he died at Chateau Haine!

Lady Mantillon: Then my eighth husband, Nazaire, tragically crushed by a cartload of fine handbags…

Lady Mantillon: I am still mourning for my beloved Etienne. No one has ever seen such a violent tailor accident… But enough talk of the past. Shall we dance?