Finnegan "Finn" Vael

Finnegan "Finn" Vael né Amell is the Prince-Consort of Starkhaven and a formerly Tranquil mage, as well as the second cousin of Aster Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall.

Background

Finn was born in 9:04 Dragon to Lady Revka Amell and Nerian, an relatively well-off elven carpenter. He was the fourth child of five, though he does not remember any of his siblings. His earliest memories are of being taken from his father and siblings, around 9:12 Dragon according to Circle records. His only memento of them is a carved handheld ram, that has been well-worn over the years.

He made his first and only escape from the Ansburg Circle only a year after arriving, seeking his father. He did not get very far, and was transferred to Kinloch Hold in Ferelden as punishment, though he attempted to escape a further two times in the three years after. In Kinloch Hold, he made friends with Dyanne Surana and Jowan, and spent most of his time with them. He passed his Harrowing in 9:26 Dragon, and spent less and less time with them afterwards, as the Templars feared him attempting to escape again. Finn did his best to try to appease the Templars, and became a star pupil to First Enchanter Irving.

Involvement

Origins

While Jowan had asked both Dyanne and Finn to help him escape, Finn refused, not wishing to face further punishment or ire from the Templars, though he did not attempt to intervene until realizing he was serious. Knowing what happened to those who were caught and that the punishments were worse for escapees caught outside the Circle, he reported him to First Enchanter Irving. They caught Jowan, but were unable to contain him, and he fled the Circle with Dyanne.

Finn remained at Kinloch Hold, and was present during Senior Enchanter Uldred's uprising, with the Circle overrun with demons and abominations. He survived the ordeal by hiding in a closet on the second floor, and was not discovered until after the unexpected Grey Wardens entered the Circle and destroyed the demons, and the remaining Templars swept through for survivors. The events left him severely traumatized, and he was unable to readjust to a normal life in Kinloch Hold. As such, he was transferred to the Gallows in Kirkwall alongside Templar Cullen Rutherford.

Dragon Age II

After being sent to the Kirkwall Gallows, he gained permission from First Enchanter Orsino to serve in Kirkwall's Chantry, under the terms that he be overseen by Grand Cleric Elthina directly. He believed that living in a Chantry as opposed to a Circle would allow him both the means to both recover from his trauma and to remain faithful to Andraste's teachings. He spent most of his time studying history and the Chant, and occasionally assisting in services. It is there that he met Sebastian Vael, and the two became friends and eventually lovers, though he did not learn of his heritage until months later, when Sebastian learned of his family's deaths. Finn became acquainted with Aster Hawke through Sebastian, as they had assisted him in tracking down his family's killers.

Following Leandra Amell's death in 9:34 Dragon, he learned that he was second cousins with Aster, and began to investigate his parentage. He learned of his mother, father, and four siblings that were all sent to various Circles around Thedas. Unfortunately, his mother, Lady Revka Amell, had passed away in 9:11 Dragon from cholera, and he was unable to contact other Circles to learn of his siblings. His father, Nerian, had reportedly fled the city with Finn and two of his siblings. He was unable to get any further leads on this information.

By 9:37 Dragon, Finn's permission to reside in the Chantry was revoked by Knight-Commander Meredith, and he was forced to return to the Gallows. When he could, he would sneak letters between him and Sebastian, though they were infrequent at best, oftentimes going weeks without hearing from one another. Sebastian had not heard from Finn for two months when Anders blew up the Chantry. While he assisted Aster in defending Kirkwall's mages from Knight-Commander Meredith and the Templars, they learned that Finn had been made Tranquil— illegally, as he had passed his Harrowing over a decade prior. Finn accompanied Sebastian to Starkhaven as he sought to reclaim his place as the city-state's Prince.

Inquisition

By 9:41 Sebastian Vael has reclaimed his title as Prince of Starkhaven, with Finn serving as an advisor. Starkhaven became allies with the Inquisition, and worked together to aid in rebuilding Kirkwall, which still had not recovered after Anders' actions. When rumors reach Starkhaven that there is a cure for Tranquility, Sebastian presses the Inquisition for more information. After Corypheus' defeat, Finn and Sebastian travel to Starkhaven to test the cure; it is successful, and Finn begins down a long road of recovery.

Trespasser

Finn marries Sebastian Vael, becoming Prince-Consort of Starkhaven, following Divine Victoria's decree that all members of the Chantry can marry.

Trivia

• Varric's nickname for Finn is "Fishy".
• By 9:41 Dragon, Finn is the only surviving child of Revka Amell and Nerian. His siblings fates are as follows:
• Maeve Amell, the eldest child and born 8:96 Blessed, developed her magic in 9:07 Dragon and was sent to the Kirkwall Gallows. She was killed in 9:20 Dragon after failing her Harrowing.
• Bridgette Amell, born 8:99 Blessed, was sent to the Cumberland Circle. She was a successful Enchanter and supported mage rebellion. She briefly visited Finn in Starkhaven before attending the Conclave at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. She did not survive the explosion.
• Fiona Amell, Finn's twin, was sent to the Antivan Circle and later the Dairsmund Circle. She was killed when the Dairsmund Circle was annulled in 9:40 Dragon.
• Ronan Amell, the youngest and born 9:06 Dragon, and was sent to the Starkhaven Circle. He was killed in 9:31 Dragon when the Circle burned to the ground.

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