Regalia - what form does it take in Dragon Age?

[varelishawt]

Okay, so I've been thinking about this on and off - we know that, even though we don't see it in the game, Alistair and Anora presumably have crowns, given all the references to "I'll take the crown". But do the other nobles have any regalia at all? Maybe not as fancy as these collars of office, but something like it for maybe the teyrn and arls? The lower the rank, of course, the less fancy it gets, probably. They also had livery collars, maybe worn by those part of a coalition of nobles.

The reason I'm posting this here is if you guys think it's plausible for the Warden-Commander to wear one, as he/she is also the arl/arlessa of Amaranthine. I think they would definitely wear these things in Orlais, but I am unsure about Ferelden - much is made of the pragmatism and practicality of Fereldans.

Comments

[niniane]

I'm guessing that any regalia that exists in Ferelden is pretty limited just in that they seem to be a poor country with a somewhat chaotic governing body. While I definitely see Orlais having regalia, sumptory laws, etc. I'm guessing that Ferelden did not.

That said, if you go for it, I think that it would make perfect sense for a Warden to wear whatever the Arl/Arlessa regalia was for formal events. (Although he/she might hate it!)

[valiasedai]

Eh... maybe given a couple of centuries. I don't really see them using anything fancier/blingier than a signet ring which doubles as a seal. Their practicality comes out of necessity, not simple desire for it, and I think it would be a while before they start devoting time/energy into specific marks of office that are that much of a waste of resources in terms of material wealth. I never get the sense that the nobility is particularly wealthy at this point.

[jannifer]

You might think in terms of a circlet rather than a crown or diadem also. I like the idea of a sash for military orders such as the Wardens. Perhaps the nobles would wear something like a ceremonial cloak rather than specific clothing. A cloak could be the half circle kind that goes only over one shoulder and be fairly short in the ban's or arl's colors with his/her emblem embroidered and appliqued on it. Fabric could vary depending on the noble's wealth -- anything from fine Ferelden wool to Orlesian silks to Navarran velvets. Circlets don't require as much metal as heavier crowns and could be made from silverite, bronze, silver, gold or even well-crafted dragonbone. There could actually be two signet rings (which was common) -- a personal and/or family ring and another ring of rank. In other words, Alistair would have his personal seal, perhaps of the Theirin family, and the monarch's seal. While Wardens do leave family ties behind when they Join, it wouldn't be unreasonable for a Warden Commander to design or have designed a personal seal with some symbol important to him/her. I think Anders' should have a depiction of the Tower fronted by a Templar shield, don't you? *wicked grin*

[sleepyowlet]

I went with livery collars for Teyrns and Arls in my fic. The Grey Wardens... well, they're so notorious and independent - I don't think they would need any signs of office other than the griffin/double griffin in their heraldry. Signet rings are very likely too, I guess.
King: crown.

[darkrose]

We do know that the Fereldens use heraldry, so I've always figured that on formal occasions, you wear something in the appropriate color. I also tend to imagine my WC as wearing armor, because even though she's the arlessa, that title is secondary, in a way, to her being the Commander of the Grey.

[biffmclaughlin]

So this got me to thinking...if you're following me on FF, minor spoiler alert here for the next instalment, but nothing related to the major plot. Gone now? Okay...

Let's say the Ferelden arls and banns do wear livery collars, something super flashy with lots of jewels and gold and hoo ha hey. And let's say the arling is in a state and the arl's looking at the gaudy collar thinking it could turn a fair bit of coin or whatever else one might think to justify selling it. How many sovereigns do you think it's worth, either as a whole or in pieces?