I’m having such Big Brain thoughts for Dragon Age verse.
So, at the bare bones of it, the Brindleback family is based off aspects of the FLDS and polygamy (primarily the happenings with Warren Jeffs).
They are an old Ferelden family and have quietly practiced plural marriages for many years (two wives at most). Somewhat kept to themselves but never cut off completely from the world; it would be common for a flock of Brindleback men to work for another family or Lord and take to money home to everyone.
It wasn’t until the current Warden Robrecht Brindleback caused a ruckus did everything start escalating. Robrecht disagreed that a girl as young as twelve should have been married off and killed the highest man in the family. Stepping out of line like this was unheard of, Robrecht was stripped of everything, set to hang, and then was recruited by Duncan or another Warden due to the strength of his own virtues and able to go against something at strong as his own blood. This is 15-20+ before the Inquisition/Charlie and the Red Riders storyline.
But what if this is what really ties together the Howard’s, Liselotte/Philippe, and Louis?
Charlie and Liselotte both have older brothers who die; Franklin’s passing is maybe a year fresh before the Inquisition, and Liselotte’s brother may be a few years before. What if those two older brothers were helping young girls and discarded sons escape the Brindleback family, who is only ramping up with marrying off many young girls to older men. Liselotte’s brother was definitely targeted for this. Franklin was fine until he included pregnant servants whose unborn babies were being used for lyrium testing. Then his was targeted and taken out.
And when Liselotte was married off the Philippe, Louis got land. Which means this Orlesian man had a pocket of Ferelden land, because that is where Liselotte originates from: Ferelden. And when her father passes, Louis absorbs it completely. And what did I say he plans to build there? Versailles; a literal church to himself.
But what if he has made promises to the Brindlebacks and Versailles will act as a marker for their true division from the Chantry and where they can practice this unethical version of old polygamy and plural marriage in peace (similar to modern day FLDS and their holdings in Utah).
And this is why Liselotte and Philippe are so strained with Louis and Liselotte plays up her ability to be a Favorite of Empress Celene; for family safety and stability.
And this is why, somehow, Philippe and Warden Brindleback get together. Philippe needs to stop Louis, who is slowly making himself a new aged prophet for this religion. And Warden Brindleback has his own brother who supports Louis and this religious expansion.
