Andraste Amell

Codex: The Amell Curse
The fate of the Amell family is a common one of Kirkwall; a steadfast reminder that luck, wealth, and influences rises as surely as it falls with the tides.

The Amell family's presence in Kirkwall can be dated back tot he fourth Blight, where the Amell family tree notes that three children became Wardens and lost their lives when evacuating the city into the Vimmark Mountains. While the Amell family settled in Kirkwall after the end of the Fourth Blight, running a small fleet of merchant ships it wasn't until the Blessed Age that they truly began to make a name for themselves (and a fortune) shipping supplies for the Orlesian Military during the Ferelden Rebellion.

Their fleet, over the course of a year, was cut to one third its size being sunk by Ferelden warships.

Passively cultivating their influence and wealth, Aristrade Amell was looking to be set up to become the next Viscount of Kirkwall when tragedy struck the Amell Family. Leandra Amell eloped to Ferelden, Revka Amell's first born child was found to be a mage while she attempted to flee to Rivain with them, and Damion was found to be guilty of smuggling. Healers believe that Aristrade died due to the stress, though Nobles believe it was just another link in the chain of bad luck the Amells were suffering. Bethann died a year later of a weak heart.

There's rumors that Revka Amell's four other children were found to be mages some years later, but no one has seen hide nor hair of her in years now, not that there's much left of the family legacy as the ships have been sold or gambled away now.

- Notes of Gossip from a Kirkwall Tea Room in a personal journal