Cian Vael, Prince of Starkhaven

"One day I pray I can return Starkhaven to the Chantry’s fold."

Quick Facts

 * Location: Palace of Princes, Starkhaven
 * Gender: Male
 * Race: Human
 * Age: 26 (as of 9:52)

History
Born to a lesser son of house Vael, Cian never stood a chance at inheriting the throne, not with so many before him in the line of succession. Being no one of any great import, he was often overlooked and pushed to the sidelines by his extended family. In fact, the only remarkable thing about him was that he shared a surname with Starkhaven’s royal family. Ironically, it was this anonymity that saved his life during the coup against the Vaels in 9:31; while every other Vael was slaughtered, Cian and his mother escaped the massacre, fleeing to Tantervale in search of sanctuary, eventually finding asylum in the city’s chantry. With the near extinction of the Vael name, the line of succession got dramatically shorter. Overnight, Cian went from being a nobody to being fourth in line for the throne of Starkhaven. With the abdication of Sebastian in 9:36, the throne’s only remaining direct and legitimate heir (who favored the simple life of a Chantry brother), two of Cian’s older cousins were left to battle for the seat. Goran, who was acting Prince at the time, and Corbinian Vael the true heir to Starkhaven, waged a political war against each other that lasted for the better part of a year before being cut short by Starkhaven’s nobility, who, lead by the fierce Tristan Delaval, sided with Corbinian and ousted Goran from power, welcoming the younger cousin into the city as their true prince. It was around this time that Cian and his mother were invited back to Starkhaven, perhaps largely because the boy, then 10, had fallen next in line to inherit the throne. He was important for the first time in his life, at least, of course, until Corbinian could produce a legitimate heir.

Finally, the city was at peace; a new Prince and a stable line of succession brought a feeling of prosperity to the Marcher city, and Starkhaven entered a time of plenty.Though the new found serenity was shattered with the outbreak of the Mage-Templar war. The city became a war zone as the flames of rebellion spread across the Free Marches and indeed all over Thedas. The Vael’s always being devout Andrastian believed the mages should be put in their place sided with the Templars. The city was brought to its knees as the fierce fighting carried on from both sides. Ultimately the mages proved superior and the Templars were defeated. The battle of Starkhaven claimed many lives, including Prince Corbinian. And so it was that Cian came to be Prince of Starkhaven.

Being only eleven at the time, his mother lady Regina Vael, was named regent and ruled in her son's stead with the aid of a council of advisers. Surprising everyone, Regina was a strong and capable ruler, who alone held the city together in one of the darkest times in Starkhaven’s history. Not only did she have the strength of will to pull the city from the ashes, but also gather the support of the people. Being a devout Andrastian, a deep faith she instilled into her son, Regina began to turn her attention to the Libertarians. She secretly plotted against them with some of the other more faithful nobles who longed for a return of The Chantry and The Templar Order. Eventually The Libertarian Order realised just the threat the new regent possessed, when they saw their support was waning. With that in mind they sought to neutralize Regina.

Their coup went off without a hitch, and Regina and her supporters where exiled from the city, returned to Tantervale. The woman swore revenge on the mages and vowed to ruin them even if it brought Starkhaven to the brink of collapse. But her idle threats were dismissed and they installed a group of noble advisers to Prince Cian to act as the boys regent until he came of age. Without his mother's support and guidance Cian became a puppet ruler for the noble families of Starkhaven. However the boy never lost his faith and was somewhat defiant against the mages, allowing the Chantry and a limited number of Templars into the city once more. This was a move that the Libertarians perceived as a threat, and considered removing the Prince from power, however they quickly reconsidered when they felt the people would turn on them if they removed the last Vael from the throne of Starkhaven. It was the only notable thing young Prince Cian has done since he was officially coronated in 9:42. It turned out to be a very unpopular move, with many people fearing it would only cause more violence. But Cian refused to reconsider his stance and lost many supporters because of it, but his faith held firm.

Now Cian is simply a figurehead in Starkhaven with little real authority.The real power in the city lies with the mages and the heads of the powerful noble families.

Allies

 * House Delaval
 * Chantry
 * Templars
 * Tantervale
 * Kirkwall

Enemies

 * Resolutionists
 * Libertarians

Timeline

 * 9:26 - Born in Starkhaven.
 * 9:31 - Vael family massacred, Cian and his mother seek refuge in Tantervale.
 * 9:36 - Returns to Starkhaven.
 * 9:37 - Becomes Prince of Starkhaven with his mother, Lady Regina, acting as regent.
 * 9:42 - Officially crowned Prince Cian Vael, first of his name.
 * 9:44 - Allows the Chantry and the Templars to return to Starkhaven.
 * 9:47 - Marries Cerena Di Prous, the daughter of the Lord Chancellor of Tantervale.
 * 9:52 - After three daughters, Cian and Cerena finally have a baby boy, whom they name Corbinian after the late Prince.