Qun

The Qun is a fictional philosophical and political code that guides the Qunari people in the Dragon Age series. It is presented as a universal system that shapes both private life and public governance, and it is central to Qunari identity in the games.

Core to the Qun is the belief in the primacy of the collective over the individual. The Qun prescribes a rigid framework for social organization, duty, and behavior, aiming to bring about order, efficiency, and harmony. Adherents are expected to accept their place within a social order and to pursue duties that serve the whole rather than personal ambition or desire. The code covers aspects of morality, law, religion, education, and daily conduct, and it is interpreted and enforced by Qunari authorities and institutions.

Society under the Qun is organized around designated roles and paths of life, with individuals trained or indoctrinated from youth for specific tasks such as military service, governance, or religious practice. This system emphasizes discipline, loyalty, and self-denial, with a strong emphasis on conformity to the Qun’s dictates and on fidelity to the Qunari community and its leadership.

The Qun has significant cultural and political implications within the Dragon Age world. It influences Qunari diplomacy, military organization, and relations with other civilizations. Conflicts over Qunari ideology often appear in inter-cultural encounters, and internal debates about flexibility versus strict adherence appear in the narrative across the games. Notable figures associated with the Qun include leaders and emissaries who represent the Qunari in various regions and storylines.

In the games, the Qun is introduced through various Qunari characters and factions, illustrating its appeal to some and its perceived rigidity to others. It remains a defining element of Qunari identity and a recurring source of thematic tension in Dragon Age lore.