In Dragon Age: Inquisition, allowing Empress Celene to die during the “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” quest is not necessarily the “bad” choice. While saving Celene usually preserves stability in Orlais, allowing her assassination can lead to different political outcomes depending on whether you support Gaspard, Briala, or another arrangement.
The decision depends on whether you value stability, military strength, reform, or removing a ruler with a morally complicated history.
Celene’s Rule Is Not As Ideal As It Appears
Celene is presented as an intelligent and diplomatic ruler, but her leadership is built around manipulation, secrecy, and political calculation. She is highly skilled at the Orlesian “Game,” yet many of her decisions involve sacrificing people or making difficult compromises to maintain power.
Reasons some players choose not to save her include:
- Her willingness to use ruthless political strategies
- Her complicated relationship with Briala
- Her focus on maintaining control over Orlais
- Her history of making morally questionable decisions
Celene’s supporters see her as a stabilizing influence, while critics view her as another noble protecting the interests of the ruling class.
Gaspard Can Be A Stronger Military Leader
One argument for allowing Celene to die is that Gaspard may be better suited to lead Orlais during a time of war.
Gaspard represents:
- Military strength
- Traditional leadership
- A direct approach to external threats
- A focus on rebuilding Orlais’ armies
Players who believe Orlais needs a strong commander may prefer Gaspard, especially with the threat posed by Corypheus.
However, Gaspard also represents a more traditional and conservative vision for Orlais, which may conflict with players who want social reform.
It Gives Briala More Political Influence
If Celene dies and Briala remains involved in the outcome, the balance of power in Orlais can shift.
Briala’s goals include:
- Improving the position of elves in Orlais
- Reducing the influence of human nobles
- Creating more political power for an oppressed group
Some players view Celene’s removal as an opportunity for meaningful change, especially if Briala gains influence over the future leadership of Orlais.
Celene Is Not Always The Best Outcome For The Inquisition
Keeping Celene on the throne creates a more traditional political arrangement, but it does not guarantee the best long-term relationship with the Inquisition.
Some players believe Celene’s support is based more on political advantage than genuine loyalty. Others argue that her diplomatic skills make her one of the safest choices during a crisis.
The outcome depends heavily on how you view political stability versus long-term reform.
The Best Choice Depends On Your Goals
There is no perfect ruler for Orlais. Each possible outcome comes with advantages and disadvantages.
Choose Celene if you want:
- Political stability
- A diplomatic ruler
- Continuation of the existing system
Choose Gaspard if you want:
- A stronger military-focused empire
- A traditional leader
- A more aggressive approach to threats
Support Briala’s influence if you want:
- Greater attention toward elven rights
- Political change in Orlais
- A challenge to the existing noble structure
The game intentionally avoids presenting a simple good or evil choice. Every option involves compromises.
Things To Consider Before Choosing
The decision is less about who deserves the throne and more about what future you want for Orlais.
Consider:
- Do you value stability or reform?
- Should Orlais prioritize diplomacy or military power?
- Is preserving the current system worth the cost?
- Should marginalized groups gain more influence?
The choice also reflects the beliefs and personality of your Inquisitor rather than having one objectively correct answer.
Join The Discussion
Who do you think should rule Orlais after “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” — Celene, Gaspard, Briala’s influence, or a different compromise? Did your choice come from political strategy, character loyalty, or your Inquisitor’s personal beliefs? Share your decisions, reasoning, and the different outcomes you experienced.
