Ducard

Ducard is a rich and powerful noble from Orlais whose accomplishments and accolades include Orlesian aristocrat, Chevalier ally, advisor to the Empress of Orlais and Arl of Denerim. In the year 9:40 Dragon, Ducard takes over as Arl of Denerim nine years after the Battle of Denerim destroys the city. Ducard was the son of a wealthy aristocrat in Orlais and his mother was a bard. Two years after Ducard first attended the University of Orlais, his parents were killed by assassins. Ducard left the University and became a high ruling noble in Orlais and close advisor the Empress. Figuring out who hired the assassins, Ducard sent a contingent of Chevaliers to the assassins hideout and oversaw the annihilation of the assassins. Before the end, Ducard personally killed the assassins who murdered his parents. After three years of service to the Empress, Ducard was sent to Fereldan to begin negotiations with King Cailan, but was unable to reach the King and when he did reach Ostagar, he found it overrun by darkspawn and turned back. He bided his time and when the Blight was over returned to Fereldan and began getting close to the new King and Queen of Fereldan. After nine years, he was made Arl of Denerim. The King and Queen decided to take a leave of absence and left Ducard in charge. Ducard's first decree as acting ruler of Fereldan was to ban the Grey Wardens from leaving their bases of operation and importing Chevaliers to take over the role of Fereldan's protectors. His second decree was to cease communications with the dwarves of Orzammar and stop trade and aid for the dwarves. Angered by this decree, King Harrowmont sent a battalion of dwarven soldiers along with an ambassador to Vigil's Keep in Amaranthine to discuss a solution to the growing problem. Three days later, an army of dwarves and Grey Wardens marched into Denerim and a stalemate began between the Chevaliers and the Dwarf/Grey Warden army. Hearing this news, the King and Queen returned to Fereldan and removed Ducard from his position as Arl of Denerim and sent the Chevaliers back to Orlais. The King and Queen undid what Ducard had done and for his actions, Ducard was sent to be locked up in Fort Drakon.