#jader

“Neither of us could become the person we wanted to be, but we managed to make our way through the shadows.” — Célestine to Andarateia, some years after their meeting.

Born roughly a decade after the Orlesian occupation in Ferelden ended, Célestine was raised in a local Chantry of Jader, in Orlais. The two country remained tense until Florian Valmont — the Emperor of Orlais at the time — died when she was a young kid. Jader is a city right between the two countries, mixing traditions both Orlesian and Fereldan, but also populated by both citizens. It is also a trading town, situated at the meeting point of many places, but more importantly, a coastal city. Célestine grew up in the Chantry. The monastery where she was raised often welcomed war veterans, Grey Wardens halting in the city, Chevaliers doing their duty for the Emperor — and then, the Empress… but sometimes, scoundrels, rogues who sought for a place to respite. She used to help the Chantry sisters taking care of them, listening to their stories. She met Kristoff and Riordan, leading both of them to the warden stronghold of Jader when she was barely a teenager, impressed by their battles and goals. They made her promise never to join their ranks, as soon as her eyes began to shine from listening to their stories. They knew she idealised the Wardens, thus revealed a few facts that would disenchant her, without sharing any warden secrets. She kept her promise, especially after the Fifth Blight, learning what happened to them from Aura — Kristoff’s widow. She thought about becoming a Templar, at first. But she never completed her training. For years, she trained in order to bercome a Chevalier. Célestine knew only nobles could get that status, but she wanted to try, anyways. Of course, while impressed by her capacities, she never became a Dame. But that didn’t stop her practice. At this point, she knew how to wield most martial weapons, from bows, daggers, swords, shields and polearms. She became very adaptable, completing little jobs on the ****Chanter's Board in order to get a coin or two. When the War of the Lions started, she enrolled to serve Empress Célène Valmont. She lost her arm by a surprise attack of Gaspard’s men, while protecting the Empress. Her training and devotion finally came to fruition, and she got the honorific title of “Lady” from the Chevalier Michel de Chevin, alongside plenty of gold to get her wound treated, and a fancy prosthetic for her services. When she recovered, she joined the Inquisition. Lady Seryl of Jader sent her to the Exalted Plains to assist her new commander, Jehan, at la citadelle du Corbeau. After the Inquisition was dismissed by the Chantry, she knew they were still active in the shadows, becoming one of their spymaster, sending ravens between Leliana, Josephine and more members from what remained of the Inquisition. Her services extended to fellow bards across southern Thedas, Friends of Red Jenny, a few Grey Wardens updating each other and even Antivan Crows.

She met Andarateia Cantori when she intercepted one of her cyphered message. The two worked together, befriend… and a little more.

Some random facts about her:

Ingredients

Two cups of mulberries

Half a cup of ground almonds

One-quarter cup of breadcrumbs

A pinch of ginger, pepper and nutmeg

White wine vinegar, as needed

Directions

Mix together the mulberries, almonds and breadcrumbs. Grind ingredients, then strain through a sieve. 

Add spices to taste, plus enough vinegar to make the consistency of a sauce. Simmer over medium-low heat for five minutes.

Serve warm over roast chicken, duck, partridge or goose.

Notes

Although mulberries were abundant around Jader, blackberries are a commonly-used alternative.