#Abelas means 'Sorrow'

[robotslenderman]

Sudden thought: If Solas is playing an advisory role (as opposed to losing his shit at Rook for fucking shit up so epicly and having a tantrum) then he's basically going from being in a position of Pride to being in a position of Wisdom.

If Solas really is a spirit like Cole then that has interesting implications.

[thedinanshiral]

What's in a name? A (very) simple guide to find your Rook's name.

I’ve seen some people are wondering how some of us already have named Rooks, others have no idea how to get names or which names could be good, and since i kinda overdid it and have 11 Rooks already planned and named i thought i’d share some of my process and drop some ideas. This works for me, but maybe it can help others find their Rook’s name(s).

Keep in mind these are also fantasy names, they don’t have to make sense or have a specific meaning, you can literally make them up. I also take into consideration known naming conventions, for example in Elven we have Solas and Abelas’ names, with specific meanings (Pride, Sorrow) and judging by what Solas tells Abelas, it’d seem ancient elvhen would change their names according to roles or events in their life. Similarly in the Qun, we know their names aren’t names as we understand them but simply descriptors of the role that is assigned to them within the Qun.

It’s probably easier when it comes to human nations in Thedas: Orlesians are likely to have French names, Fereldans to have anglo names, Antivans to have Spanish and Italian names. Tevinter is a bit trickier because it’s based on the Roman empire and Latin is a pretty dead language, but they sure liked to make records so we have names there too.

Elvhen names:

I literally opened a tab with the Elven language DA wiki page and read everything -for the bazillionth time tbh-; DA elven language is a cipher, not a conlang, so feel free to make things up because we don’t have the full cipher -i’m not even sure BW does- .

For Elven names i check the wiki for words that i like the sound of, the meaning of, ideally both. If i feel something is “missing” i may add a letter or combine different words into a new one.

Here are some examples:

Athima, from athim, humility

Atisha, from Atish'an, atisha is peace

Sethena, from Sethen'a or Setheneran, land of waking dreams or where the veil is thin, aka the Fade.

Revaren, from Revas, freedom, and Renan, voice.

Alasan, from alas, earth/dirt, and suffix an, place.

Sulahni, from sulahn, sing.

Samahli, from samahl, laughter.

Vardanehn, lit. Our little joy.

Mir'as, Banal'ras is shadows, implying ras refers to light, Mir is mine. Lit. "my light".

Qunlat names:

Same process as elven, but trying to modify as less as possible, keeping in mind the Qunari are very rigid in their ways and can be very literal as well.

Anaan, victory

Asaarash, rivaini horsebreed used by the antaam.

Kaaras, navigator.

Asaara-kaaras, wind navigator, wind rider.

Saar, dangerous. Saar-asaara, dangerous wind. Saar-meraad, dangerous tide.

Sata-kasi, mauler.

Vattic-kos, vat is fire, tic is cold and kos refers to nature damage, all three words are in reference to damage done with a mage staff. So Vattic-kos could be elemental damage.

Shokra, shok is struggle or war, shokrakar is rebel.

Antivan names:

These were way easier as i’m Latina of Spanish and Italian descent which in this case feels a bit like cheating. I think any Spanish and Italian name could work, these are just some i like.

Vittoria/Victoria

Chiara

Alessandro/a

Stefan

Dante

Aria

Tevinter names:

I literally googled for Latin names for this one, and also checked previous Tevinter characters’ names. Some of this could also work for an Antivan Rook.

Aelius

Amadis

Bastian

Caelus

Camilla

Dena

Dante

Desideria

Ella

Enora

Favian

Fausto, Faustino, Faustus

Gaius

Gloria

Grazia

Klaudia

Laurena

Lavinia

Liberia

Merit/Mérita/Mérito

Remus

Salena

Sarina

Sidonia

Sollemnia

Tatius

Terentius

Tiberius

Urbano, Urbanus

Valentio

Varinia

Viatrix

Virgilio, Virgil

Vitus

Xandros

I’m leaving out the numerals like Primo, Segundo, Quintus, Octavio... check Cesars' names, that could work too. I think you could just search the scientific name of any fauna (hello House Pavus) or flora and pick whatever sounds nice too. Also we recently got a new Magister’s name in the Dragon Age: Vows & Vengeance trailer, Magister Andante. Y’know what “Andante” means? Walking. Magister Walking. Fear nothing and go wild with these names, seriously.

You could also check other cultures and native names, respectfully of course. Here are some guaraní and mapuche names i like, i didn’t modify these at all.

Kerana, guaraní “goddess of sleep”, or sleepy one.

Karai, guaraní, “respectable man”.

Luriel, guaraní, “lord of the wind”.

Amaru, guaraní, “rain”.

Anahí, guaraní, from a legend, the name of a young woman burned at the stake by the conquistadors, after which she is transformed into the flowering tree.

Newén, mapuche, "strength"

Nahuel, mapuche, “jaguar”

Ayelén, mapuche, “laughing”.

Tahiel, mapuche, “hombre libre”

For Dwarven names, i am deeply sorry i haven't decided on a Dwarf Rook yet so i haven't done my dwarven research, but the same process applies: check the canon dwarf names we got so far, if the lore says anything about dwarven naming conventions, if they're a commoner or noble, if there are caste-specific names too, and so on. And if you want to name your dwarf Rook Bob, that's fine too! ( if DUNE can have Paul and Jessica, why couldn't we have a dwarf named Bob?? like i said, go wild, name freely, be happy)

I understand some people don't want to or aren't sure about naming their Rooks until we learn what the different canon surnames will be, and i totally get that, i felt the same way. But i couldn't resist until we got that info so i overdid it, particularly with my Tevinter-Nevarran mage whose name i picked clearly inspired by Cassandra's full name, only for me to end up calling her by the first of her five names that i kinda struggle to remember. So far we've only seen one canon surname, "Thorne", and since surnames are defined by factions, Thorne seems to be the Grey Wardens' canon surname. The elf Grey Warden champion seen in the recent high-level combat gameplay is named Esha Thorne.

I think maybe surnames should depend on what they're now calling lineage (elven, qunari, human, dwarf) rather than on factions, or they could have offered options, one per lineage and one per faction, and let us decide which one to keep. An elf named Thorne sounds a bit odd to me, even if they're a Grey Warden. Will any of my chosen names match the canon surnames? Probably not, but at least i had fun while naming them. My only GW for now is Favian and Favian Thorne doesn't sound bad.

Anyway, I hope this helps those who are a bit lost to find names that works for you and your Rooks, have fun!

[bloedewir]

I failed to remember but instead I decided to recreate the "dream" theory (it was done once so presumably I can do it again).

The main point was: the only difference between modern elves and an ancient elvhen is a spirit.

(It does make sense in a way it possibly can explain the power of magic, knowledge now lost and forgotten, and longtime life close to immortality).

Some doubtful arguments:

If ancient elvhen have a connection with spirits it can explain why Cole isn't surprise to meet Fen'Harel and didn't ask any questions. It's not strange but quite normal to him and needs no explanations. In fact, Cole is far more excited about Cassandra: "Oh. That makes more sense. ... I'm a spirit that touched a body, you're a body that touched a spirit. We're the same but backwards!" because it isn't a common thing among humans.

Breach feels different for the elves. It affected them more than humans, dwarves or qunari.

One of Sera's comments is:"It just feels like I've seen this. Exactly this. It happens" and then: "Have we been here? I mean right here, doing exactly this? It feels weird" and Cole responded: "Yes. But not how you mean. In the soft thin places, spirits push with memories that didn't happen. Or did. Or might".

Another dialogue with Solas about the colour of the sky, Sera answers with: "Greenish? Then clear a long ways, and kind of...felt like falling".

Cole also said: "Pushing through (the Veil) makes you be yourself. You can hold onto the you. Being pulled through means you don't have enough you. You become what batters you, bruises your being".

And with Solas': "You are the furthest from what you were meant to be" it can be trancrypted as 'spirit whose purpose was perverted'.

Not so convincing is it? Could be a coincidence.

Enough of Sera. What about other elves?

City elves are more far from their roots than dalish. But dalish have vallaslin, so as ancient elvhen had.

Vallaslin is the blood writing. For what purposes does blood magic exist among others? Summoning demons.

Cassandra' comment: "I knew demons and spirits were similar". Solas' respond: "Not similar, Seeker. The same. ... The nature is, and always has been, grey. A spirit is a purpose. A demon is that purpose perverted".

Vallaslin is the blood mark, carved into a flesh permanently. But not in a rage or desperation and by different purposes. Dalish think it's a privilege and a tradition, Solas said it's a slave markings, but what if there's another meaning?

Could it be possible that a certain vallaslin represents a certain group of spirits? A noticeable enter sign so to speak?

Also Tevinter Imperium (famous stealers of elvhen culture and advanced enthusiasts of blood magic) using spirits as servants. Dorian asked: "Do you use spirits as servants, Solas? You'd have no trouble capturing them". Solas: "No. They are intelligent, living creatures. Binding them against their will is reprehensible". Where did Tevinter learn how to capture spirits? I suppose it could be another ancient elvhen technique they discovered once.

If vallaslin is for summoning a certain type of spirits, it presumably means each evanuris had their own type of servants depending on their goals or purpose. (Solas/Pride or Abelas/Sorrow)

We've seen Mythal. Let she be an example. The Great Protector who also can be vengeful. So.. justice and vengeance. Sound familiar.

Once again, Cassandra: "I knew demons and spirits were similar". Solas: "Not similar, Seeker. The same. ... The nature is, and always has been, grey. A spirit is a purpose. A demon is that purpose perverted".

In that case each evanuris could be a manifestation of a strongest idea/feeling. And such things as Hunger, Fear, Justice, Desire, etc can't be just removed from the world because the idea itself is strong enough. You can't just delete Fear once and for all.

Solas: "You met Mythal, did you not? The first of my people do not die so easily".

So, if the elvhen "gods" are some kind of a strongest ideas it would explain: their immortality; invincibility; the fact they didn't actually die during the time they were trapped in the Fade; their need for slaves/admirers to keep the original idea strong.

Yet Fen'Harel raised against them. As a guess, because they became too perverted from an original purpose. Went too far from the balance and it isn't supposed to be that way.

And the Veil is some kind of a try to bring the balance back. Instead, the world became a "tranquil" as Solas sees it because strong 'feelings' are gone, trapped behind the Veil and Thedas gets just an echoes of those 'feelings'.

And if the Veil will be off elves can bring back their original essence and become they meant to be. A vessels for a strong feelings/ideas having understanding and knowledge. A purpose.

So by that Solas can fulfil his original purpose: "[I believe in] cause and effect. Wisdom as its own reward, and the inherent right of all free willed people to exist".

If so there's almost zero chance to talk him down, because, firstly, he won't allow to pervert his purpose (and disapproves when Inquisitor 'perverted' Cole's purpose by making him more human), and secondly, "While the world may exert a pull in one direction or another, the choice is ultimately yours" (dialogue with Cole).

I don't know if I'm right on something or utterly wrong but anyways it was an interesting topic to speculate with.

[a-driftamongopenstars]

not quite a theory, but a thought bit about elvhen names in dragon age.

when you have Solas with you during the Well of Sorrows quest, he explains Abelas' name, "Sorrow", and further explains he wished for him to find another name after the Well is gone.

i wonder if this is a common thing in the ancient elvhen culture, that names have a powerful meaning and they're able to change/choose them to reflect their reality. if names are less 'names' as we know them, but titles and concepts.

a lot of Dalish gods also have such names, but while one could think of them as conceptual god names from a culture long gone, we now know those were actual people.

beyond that, a lot of those names are reminiscent of spirit names from the Fade.

nothing to conclude here, but I am chewing this thought.

[lasatfat]

Hey welcome to DADWC

"A hand mirror, its glass irreparably shattered" from the artefacts of thedas list. For Gideon Lavellan/Dorian

artefacts of Thedas | @dadrunkwriting

Risk My Hands to Pick Up Shards

“Ouch!”

Dorian snatches his hand back, and instinctively shoves his stinging finger into his mouth. The taste of copper tells him that he has, indeed, drawn blood, and apparently rather a lot of it. With his good hand, he fishes a handkerchief from his pocket, and wraps it around the wound.

“Fasta vass, and thank you very much!” he tells the offending box of…well, he was still in the process of ascertaining what exactly was in the box when something inside decided to fight back. A lot of useless trinkets, so far. Peering in, he can see the culprit: a shard of mirror glass, now bearing a glob of carefully curated Tevinter blood, sticking haphazardly out of a rather handsome frame. Shame, it would be a pretty thing, if it wasn’t now a collection of shards and glittering dust.

The door creaks open behind him. “Dorian? Are you alright?”

Oh, joy of joys. Of course the universe would conspire to make Dorian look like either an incompetent fool or a dishonest blood mage in front of the Herald of Andraste. The former is marginally less damaging, so he decides to push for that interpretation.

“Gideon!” he says, brightly. He holds up his covered finger, as the handkerchief is rapidly becoming saturated. “I wonder if you might be able to help me. I’ve finally met a mirror that doesn’t like me.”

The joke might have landed, if Gideon had been less concerned. He hurries over, and kneels beside him. “Let me see.”

He pulls back the handkerchief, examining the cut with sharp eyes. Fresh blood oozes over Dorian’s finger. The wound is not quite as large as he’d thought, but it seems to go rather deep. Even so, Gideon appears less worried than he had before. He pulls a fresh cloth from a pocket on his belt, folds it over the handkerchief, and squeezes tight, drawing a hiss of pain past Dorian’s teeth.

“Ir ab…sorry,” Gideon mutters. He lifts Dorian’s hand over their heads, his grip like a vice. “I need to stop the bleeding.”

They sit in that odd position, in an uncomfortable silence. Gideon may be new to the political game, but he has perfected the impassive mask essential for navigating it. He watches Dorian’s elevated hand, his brow furrowed slightly in thought. Dorian can’t parse anything from him now, other than maybe he’s concentrating on the job at hand.

“What were you saying there?” he asks, if only for something to talk about. “Ir ab?”

“Oh, ir abelas. It means, ‘I’m sorry,’” Gideon explains. “I didn’t think you’d know much Elvhen.”

“Not as much as I’d like.”

“Well, the exact translation is ‘I am filled with sorrow for you,’ but that’s a little overly dramatic.” Gideon smiles, companionably, and Dorian smirks in return. “In any case, I am sorry I hurt you. I can heal this up in no time, but not while it’s bleeding like that.”

Dorian chuckles. “Yes, I know. It’s not the first time I’ve sliced myself open on something. Accidentally, of course,” he adds, hurriedly.

“I assumed as much,” Gideon replies. “I imagine if you’d done it on purpose, you wouldn’t have shouted ‘ouch.’”

“No, I’d imagine not.”

The time passes a little more pleasantly after that. Gideon teaches him ‘andaran atish’an’ and ‘dareth shiral,’ and Dorian teaches him ‘avanna’ and ‘vitae benefaria’ in return – while Trade is the common tongue in Tevinter these days, a little Tevene might go a long way. Eventually, Gideon cleans the wound – he pulls the stopper from his waterskin with his teeth, which is far more alluring than it has any right to be – and suddenly, it looks more like Dorian has suffered a small cut and less like he has been savaged by a wild animal.

Gideon meets his gaze, soberly. “Would you like me to heal it for you?”

Perhaps it’s a courtesy to ask in the South, or among the Dalish. Perhaps it’s simply a quirk of personality. Either way, it’s quite endearing. “By all means,” Dorian replies.

With a small nod, Gideon rests Dorian’s hand on his marked one, and passes his right over the both of them. A soft, blue glow suffuses their gathered hands, settling in the divide in his flesh, shrinking to a thinner and thinner line as it pulls the split pieces together. Finally it disappears, as the skin closes.

Dorian lifts his hand, examines the finger from all angles. “Not even a scar,” he says. “Excellent work.”

“Thank you.” Gideon looks over his shoulder, into the box, and his gaze falls on the shattered mirror. “That’s seven years of bad luck, isn’t it?”

Dorian laughs. When Gideon stands, and offers a hand to help him up, it feels like the furthest thing from bad luck.

[seeker-ophelia]

My Fortune-Teller Predictions for Dragon Age Lore

Ahead of Veilguard, Just In Case Im Right

and if I'm completely off base I can delete this post and pretend I never existed

*Its a baby Penguin, Caught on an Iceberg!

Ophelia’s DA:TV Hot Takes 

History: 

Originally Thedas had two races, Elvhen and Dwarves 

There were two Great Powers, the Sky and the Stone 

Dragons and Titans - They lived in relative peace 

Until the Elvhen got greedy, started fighting Great dragons. 

Elvhen defeated the dragons 

How? Just lots of lives? Unsure. 

Why? Greed or Protection… unsure 

But more importantly the figured out how to trap Dragon Souls to get their power 

And they were like, you know, how about we amass more power? What’s up with those Titan dudes? 

Cue war with Titans. 

Titans lose (or do they?) 

Titan create blight to hurt Evanuris 

To become a God (Evanuris), you need a Ancient Dragon Spirit (OGB) and a Titan ‘heart’ (foci) 

Ghilly is the mad scientist who made the blight 

Andruil maybe brought it back from the Abyss/the Void, but Ghilly shaped it to what it is now 

Ghilly made the Qunari as an elf/dragon hybrid race 

But she made them with the exclusive purpose of being more powerful beings to use in her blood magic rituals 

Qunari have no names because of this 

This is the same reason why Solas’ name is Pride and Abelas’ name is Sorrow, because the enslaved Elvhen had no purpose except for to their masters, the did not deserve names 

Evanuris want to weaponize Blight, Mythal does not, so they blight her. 

June is a Dwarf 

The Evanuris used blood magic to gain power 

Vallaslin was (is?) blood magic so that the gods can control their populace 

Solas is an elf-spirit and a Dwarf-spirit hybrid  

His titan sings in HM (Hallelujah metre) 

Solavelan Crestwood happened in Fade-Crestwood - Solas can only remove the Vallaslin in the Fade. 

Sandal is an Evanuris (A Dragon Soul) 

Mythal is Andraste 

All theses words mean the same thing: 

Spirit = Demon = Soul = Memory = Song = Dream 

Everything In The Fade Is A Memory. 

Whats A Penguin??

Hotter Takes 

Rqh ri wzr wklqjv lv wuxh:

1) Gudjrqv duh wr wkh Hoykhq dv Wlwdqv duh wr Gzduiv

Erwk Ehlqjv kdyh Obulxp iru eorrg

Erwk Ehlqj vkduh d eudlq/frqvflrxvqhvv (wkh idgh)

2) D Wlwdq lv Wkh Pdnhu, wkh Idgh lv d vxqghuhg sduw ri lw

RQH

Vskhuhv, Irfl, Ruev, Doo ri lw, duh Gzduykhq phprulhv (vslulwv) erxqg wr d skbvlfdo lwhp, wkdw’v krz d pdjh fdq jhw pruh srzhu, froohfw pruh irfl.

Pbwkdo ‘vxqghuhg’ wlwdqv (uhpryhg phprub/pdjlf) iurp Gzduyhv wkh vdph zdb...

Vrodv ‘vxqghuhg’ Hoykhq (uhpryhg idgh/pdjlf) iurp Hoykhq/Gdolvk

Doehlw Vrodv’ lv d “yhlo” (pruh wudqvsduhqw) wkdq Pbwkdov Rsdtxh Eduulhu Zdoo

*Wklv zrxog dovr phdq wkdw Vrdov lv xvlqj erxqg (gzduykhq) vslulwv, L grq’w olnh wklv wkhrub ehfdxvh diwhu WQ zh doo nqrz klv rslqlrq rq wkdw.

Juhdw (Rog) Gudjrqv kdyh obulxp (ru obulxp-hvtxh) eorrg

Juhdw Gudjrqv duh Vxq/Vnb “Wlwdqv” (z/ obulxp eorrg)

Dqg Hduwk Wlwdqv duh Gzdui Wlwdqv (z/ obulxp eorrg)

Erwk vkduh wkh vdph “Idgh”

WZR:

D Wlwdq lv Pdgh ri 3 sduwv:

D flufxodwrub vbvwhp, (obulxp & khduw)

D ergb (Wkh Hduwk)

D khdg/eudlq/frqvflrxvqhvv

Wkh Eudlq lv Wkh Idgh (hbh)

Wkh Hbh lv Wkh Eudlq

Vslulwv (Hprwlrq Phprub) olyh lq wkh idgh dqg Vrqjv (Hyhqw Phprulhv) olyh lq obulxp (ovdqd)  

Ru wkhb duh wkh Vdph dqg Lqwhufkdqjhdeoh

Obulxp lv wkh Kljkzdb, wkh Eulgjh, wkh Exv Vwdwlrq, li brx zloo, wr wudqvihu Phprulhv (Vslulwv/Vrqjv/Hprwlrqv/Hwf) iurp wkh Idgh (Eudlq) wr wkh Hduwk (Ergb)

Doo wkh Errnv lq Ylu Gluwkdud duh Hyhqw Phprulhv (Obulxp Phprulhv)

Whats An Iceberg?!?

Burning Hot Takes  (The bottom of the iceberg)

Fuhdwlqj wkh Yhlo Fuhdwhg Kxpdqv

Kxpdqv duh d udfh wkdw Gluwkdphq dqg Idorq’Glq fuhdwhg, vshflilfdoob Whylqwhu kxpdqv

Wkh Vhhnhuv ri Wuxwk duh d vhfw ri Gluwkdpdq-lvp zkr vhdufkhg iru nqrzohgjh wkurxjk wkh phprulhv khog lq wkh obulxp ri Juhdw Gudjrq eorrg

Gluwk vwroh wkh phprub ri vslulwv zkhq Idorq’glq vkhskhughg wkhp wr klp lq wkh idgh

Hyhub Hydqxulv Ergb lv Kdoi ri d Zkroh

Dqguxlo & Jklolq’qdlq

Idorq & Gluwk

Hojdu & Pbwkdo

Mxqh & Vbodvh

Rqh kdoi lv Hoi Vslulw, wkh rwkhu kdoi lv Gzdui phprub.

Wrjhwkhu wkhb ehfrph d Jrg

Wkh uhdvrq zkb Vrodv ihhov vr forvh wr Odyhoodq (dqg wkh rqob uhdvrq zkb zh fdq rqob urpdqfh vrodv dv dq Hoi) lv ehfdxvh Vrodv lv wkh Gzduykhq sduw. Odyhoodq lv klv rwkhu jrg kdoi.

Khu prp kdg dq RJE ulwxdo shuiruphg rq khu yld Bdydqd

Wkdw zrxog pdnh d wrwdo ri 10 jrgv, 5 sdluv.

Se you all on the other side

Dareth Shiral

[amaryllis-sagitta]

Cut for thoughts on the DATV world state

Shame. Real shame. I understand drawing a fine line with decisions that are localized in Southern Thedas - the [White] Divine, the future of Southern Mages and Templars, the future of Orlais, Ferelden and Orzammar, most companion decisions. But they're bringing back characters from older games, there's so much material to add flavor to the story in subtler ways.

The Inquisitor is returning and it won't matter whether they're potentially controlled by Solas who slurped up FleMythal's powers and near merged with her? Or did they quietly make the choice that Morrigan drank from The Well so she can be the superior exposition dump source?

Whether the Orlesian Wardens were subjugated or exiled to the North could also affect the obviously large Weisshaupt arc in some way. We've known for a while that Hawke/ a Warden might still be in the Fade and Rook might have means to search for them through the Crossroads, but that was announced as irrelevant to DATV a while ago.

In DAI alone, the Well of Sorrows situation generated a 2x2 state crossover with the OGB situation in DAO, and they pulled it off by adding flavor to the Flemeth encounter. In the world state where Kieran exists as the OGB, we got a cutscene that fleshed out the Morrigan/ Flemeth relationship dynamic after the years. That was neat. Now, they can't do the same for what, 4 permutations that affect 2 recurring characters in one shot?

Having an Inquisitor who spared the ancient elvhen sentinels and showed reverence in the Temple of Mythal should soften Solas, or bring back Abelas as his ally or critic.

What happened to Bartrand and the idol in DA 2 could ripple through Varric's recovery in the Lighthouse, alter the conversations, affect his regrets.

Of the 3 Inquisitor-related choices we get, the keep-disband one doesn't feel quite as story-relevant as the result of the Temple of Mythal quest. There might be reinforcements from the Inquisitor in the final battle, there might be some ambient reactivity, some cameos like Charter, or a mention in Harding's arc. I feel like the status of the Inquisition could be one of the things "left in the South" in favor of another choice that really inevitably comes back in the DATV story.

[galadrieljones]

Veilguard spoilers ahead!

After seeing images of Solas when he was young, with his full head of hair, I wonder if there will be Samson parallels. Samson was blessed by God with enormous power. When the Angel of the Lord came to Samson's mother to tell her that she was pregnant, he gave her specific rules, as Samson would be born a Nazirite, aka: a person with a special loyalty and connection to God. Most importantly, she was never to cut his hair. He was going to be the one to deliver the Israelites from the hand of the Philistines.

Samson had supernatural strength and power, though he was a man. There are stories of Samson vanquishing a lion, and one where he brandished the jaw bone of a donkey, which he used to slay 1,000 men. Samson was famously betrayed by the prostitute Delilah. He had a playful nature, and his interactions with Delilah communicate a "tricky" and arrogant sensibility. But one night, she seduced him into revealing his power source to her: his hair. Having been compromised by the Philistines, she had her servants remove it as he slept.

While he was nearly sacrificed to Dagon, Samson's hair began to miraculously grow again, as he was so eternally blessed, and he died bringing down the temple upon both himself and his captors. Samson was a judge for the Israelites, one of the last ones in the Book of Judges, and this basically means that he was a major military leader in a time of war and crisis. While we don't know exactly what Solas did yet, back in the days of Elvhenan, there is the suggestion that he was essentially brought into "being" by Mythal, because she needed him to lead. These Samson examples do remind me of Solas, especially because Mythal was the Goddess of Justice, and because Solas, in creating the Veil, did seem to do so as an act of "judgment." Fen'Harel was also the spiritual and military leader of a rebellion.

The story of Samson and the lion is especially interesting. It chronicles the time he slayed a lion with his bare hands in a vineyard, a testament to enormous, supernatural strength. When he came back upon the lion at a later time, it had been colonized by bees, who were making honey. This informed a bizarre riddle, which he coined on his wedding day: "Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet." Bees do play a role in Inquisition. There is something about bees and Sera, and her strange connection to Solas and the Veil. People used to wonder if Sera had some sort of ancient power inside her, without her knowledge, particularly that of Andruil, the huntress. While I have no theories about that, it's clear that she does have some sort of connection to Solas, even if it's just thematic, to show that all elves are sort of gifted in this way, and all elves are connected to Solas.

In Inquisition, Sera has a War Table mission that revolves around getting special "grenades" which are essentially jars of bees. The mission comes with a little poem:

Know what ruins a party? Bees. I know a man who teaches how to jar them safe but angry. Stingy, no good for honey, but great for throwing! He’s somewhere south.

The "bee" thing is totally random. There's no obvious connotations related to Sera that would suggest a connection to bees. So where did they get that? Of course it could just be for silliness, as Sera is a silly character, but it could also be meaningful. It could be both.

Anyway, the comparison is not perfect, but it's interesting. I don't necessarily think there is a definitive reason Solas lost his hair, and it may just be a thing where they handwave it somehow, but the question is there, and they definitely could use it to characterize his journey. When he lost his hair, was that a part of how he lost his power? Like was he betrayed in some way? Or did he have to make a bargain? Did he lose his hair as he slept in Uthenara? If he did, then why aren't Abelas and the other Sentinels at the Well of Sorrows also bald? Maybe this is just me overanalyzing lol but I find it interesting

[tea42]

Dragon Age Thoughts: the nature of the original Vallaslin and Fenris is a Spirit, a coalescence of my theories

This in a culmination of two other theories I have had and some other information I have recently processed.

My first theory can be read here. To summarized it, the Vallaslin are ‘blood writing’. The Dalish use their own blood to make it but lyrium is the blood of the titans and I think that was the original ‘blood’ referred to. That they are lyrium and with the multiple uses of the word ‘chains’ by Flemeth to Fenris in DA2 and with Solas made me believe they are not just markings or a source of power, but are meant to tie to the marked to one of the Evanuris.

I postulated that Fenris’s markings are an original Vallaslin and were to bind him to an Elvhen god. If it was to one that was locked away when they became unbound Fenris might become in their thrall,  but my favorite for this is Fen'Harel. That his markings are so unique supports this because Solas would have removed the markings for himself first and most easily. That ‘Fenris’ means ‘little wolf’ could be a joke on his markings being for ‘the Dread Wolf’ from Danarius.

See here in the Mural of Fen’Harel removing the original Vallaslin they are blue like lyrium, like Fenris’s markings.

My other theory can be read here. This is probably the most upsetting thery I have in DA fandom. To summarize I think that the original Leto died in Danarius’s experiment and that the Markings actually bound a Spirit into mortal form in the same way that the Spirit that became Cole formed. The markings don’t actually give Fenris his unique powers. That was another lie from Danarius. He has his powers because he is like Cole.

In the Romance scene with Fenris he is overwelped with a return of his memories but then forgets them again. I think that was the same ability Cole has being exercised in a panic.

To add on to this, I think Danarius’s previous experiment may have failed for the following reasons:

1. The mortal subject was unwilling or flinched (not flinching is a enduring part of the Dalish rite)

2. The Spirit pulled was twisted from it’s purpose or went mad crossing the veil

Another source of information that makes me think the original Vallaslin was a way to make spirits/demons corporeal is Abelas. Even his name means ‘sorrow’ like a spirit/demon.

There is talk of him changing names in a codex:

‘I shed my name the day I began her service. I shed my new one again, now that she rests. I will only be known by the sorrow that cuts my heart’ 

Solas also says he hopes Abelas will find a new name.

The name of a Spirit is tied to it’s essence and/or purpose.  I think his name changing is a changing of his nature.

Also here is the concept art of Abelas/ the Sentinels of the Temple:

The Vallaslin are blue, like lyrium, like Fenris’s markings.

I think that Fenris will be in DA dreadwolf and that his nature will be revealed to him. How he handles it and what Solas does with the information I think will be determined by our choices in the previous games.

I’m going to go be melancholy about this one for a bit.

[mossarchives]

Veiltober day 4 - Lucanis

Name: Leo Mahariel Pronouns: He/Him Race/Class: Elven Veilranger Faction: The Gray Wardens Background: One of the former Heroes of Fereldan, joined with a spirit of Sorrow, now looped back into saving the world from the Blight.

Sorrow and Spite are like oil and water. 

Leo watches the purple apparition circle the ghostly remembrance of Tamlen, who tries its best to avoid eye contact. As always, the tears that spill unceasing from Sorrow’s eyes disappear as they fall from its cheeks, but Sprite’s prodding has made them flow fast and hot. 

“Your elgar is harassing mine,” Leo says, knocking his knee into Lucanis’s thigh. The two men are sitting together in the library while the others rest. 

The antivan looks up from his book, frowning, at the conflict in question. “Spite, contain yourself. Sorrow is miserable enough.” 

The demon snarls at its host, but a pointed glare from both men sends him prowling away. He fades through the wall and off into some other part of the Lighthouse, giving the remaining three a change to sigh. 

“I dislike that spirit.” Sorrow crouches, folding in on itself. 

“You and me both.” Lucanis says under his breath, shaking his head.

Leo tucks his thumb between the pages of his book and lets it fall closed as he looks over the spirit. It seems fine, aside from how odd it still is for him to see it so solid and physical in a space. 

“You’ll be alright, Abelas.” The elf leans back and sets his book back on his knees. He looks sidelong at his companion. “And so will you, Lucanis.” 

Embarrassment passes over the man’s face for a moment, as if he hadn’t been expecting his words to be heard. He attempts to smooth it over with a cough, returning his dark gaze to the pages of his book, but Leo takes the opportunity to study his face. His cheeks are brushed pink, traveling down his neck and he absently runs the thumb of his free hand against the pads of his fingertips. 

He does motions like that a lot, flexing his hands or pressing his fingers together. At first glance it seems like any normal stretch a seasoned assassin might do, but Leo can’t help but wonder if there’s something else to it. A reminder of how his own skin feels stretched over his bones after everything he’s been through. 

Lucanis catches him looking and Leo holds his gaze. The man’s eyes are intense even without him trying, and Leo might have flinched away had the two met years ago. He was older now, though, not so quick to crack beneath the stare of an attractive man. 

Lucanis breaks the silence first. “What does ‘abelas’ mean?”

“It means ‘sorrow’. I have been away from my clan, and other Dalish, for many years.” Aside from Bellara and Davrin, now. The two younger Dalish have been a breath of fresh air, despite their high energy keeping him on his toes.”I try to keep my elvish in tact by naming those close to me. Sorrow is abelas, Morrigan is ma vehnan, and you…” 

He tries to think of something to call Lucanis in Elvish, something personal. It would be easy to label him Mi or Din'an, but Leo will not reduce him to a weapon. He is more than death, more than spite, more than just a crow. Leo is more than just a warden, more than his bow, and more than sorrow. 

“Mirthadra.” Leo decides. “Honored.” 

[daitranscripts]

Sera Romance: What Pride Had Wrought

Elfy Shite

Sera Masterpost Related Quest: What Pride Had Wrought

Before heading to the Arbor Wilds Sera: Marching the Lot of us right up an ancient elf hole? Can’t wait to see more… woods.

The PC opens the door to Sera’s room in the Herald’s Rest.

Choice dependent dialogue:

PC drank [1]

Morrigan drank, asked Abelas about ancient elves [2]

Morrigan drank, did not ask Abelas about elves [3]

1 - PC drank Sera: Oh, hi, yeah? Listen, stand there. Right there.

She draws her bow and points an arrow at the PC

Sera: Now, about Mythal.

Dialogue options:

Anxious: Put that away! [4]

Angry: I just wanted to talk! [5]

Confused: What should my reaction be? [6]

4 - Anxious: Put that away! PC: Sera, whatever’s wrong, we can talk about it! Sera: Oh, for… ! Don’t piss yourself, I just wanted to make sure it was you in there! [7]

5 - Angry: I just wanted to talk! PC: Don’t aim that in my face, Sera! What is wrong with you! Sera: What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? If that is you. [7]

6 - Confused: What should my reaction be? PC: Sera, I don’t know what reaction you want, but can this be it so we can be done? a: All right, so maybe it’s still you. Someone needed to do something. [7]

7 - Scene continues.

Sera puts her bow away.

Sera: I mean, you went wading into a “Well of Sorrows.” Who hears that and thinks, “Well, dunk a butt, let’s have a go!”

Sera (asked about ancient elves): Even mad old Abelas said elves destroyed themselves. The only believable bit in a sea of clear demon bait. Sera (did not ask about ancient elves): I mean, that whole place, clearly demon bait. Top to bottom.

Sera: It makes messing with their relics real stupid. So! Test done, you’re still you. We can leave these lies behind. [12]

2 - Morrigan drank, asked Abelas about ancient elves Sera: (Stifled laugh.) I’m sorry. Oh, wait, no, I’m not. It’s just the funniest, innit? That creaky old Abelas in Mythal saying the elves weren’t destroyed by Tevinter?

General: A painful admission for him. [8]

General: You’re gloating? [9]

General: What’s so funny about it? [10]

8 - General: A painful admission for him. PC: An admission that did not come easy. Sera: Course it didn’t, because that’s elfy elves’ thing, being the sore losers of history. I never hear the end of it. [11]

9 - General: You’re gloating? PC: That’s some “long dead” you’re gloating over. Sera: Pfft, about time I got mine back. Elfy elves have shoved “victim” in my face a million times. [11]

10 - General: What’s so funny about it? PC: If that’s a joke, I don’t get it. Sera: Everyone is always, “Oh, poor elves, victims of this and whatever.” But the empire ate itself. Love it. [11]

11 - Scene continues.

Sera (Dalish PC): We’re not “proper” if we aren’t sad about the grand history “stolen” from us. Turns out we’re no better than anyone else. Sera (non-Dalish PC): Like being sad makes them better than me. Turns out, they’re not victims. They’re the same as everyone else: arseholes.

Sera: Plus, a big, old temple full of demon-worshipping lies. Grand, that. [12]

3 - Morrigan drank, did not ask Abelas about elves Sera: Oh, hi, you! Strange days, right? Weird elves and Morrigan going wading. Better her than you. Glad to be back where things make sense after the demon-worshipping lies of Mythal. When do we go after What’s-his-lumps? [12]

12 - Dialogue options:

Investigate (PC drank): This threat was a test? [13]

General: You think Mythal was all lies? [14]

General: This was about demon worship? [15]

General: What do you mean? [16]

13 - Investigate: This threat was a test? PC: How was aiming an arrow at my face a test? Sera: I heard once that if you’re possessed, the demon will defend itself against attack. Sounds stupid to say it out loud. I don’t know. I don’t know demons. At least if it’s true, the arrow’s right there. I’m sorry, yeah? Morrigan’s probably got better ways, but who can trust her?

Dialogue options:

Special: Never again, you hear me? [17] -Sera slightly disapproves

[Back to 12]

17 - Special: Never again, you hear me? PC: You never do that to me again. Sera: Fine, all right. Sorry I don’t know how to deal with rubbish no one was meant to. [back to 12]

14 - General: You think Mythal was all lies? PC: You seem pretty certain. You don’t believe anything from Mythal? Sera: Course not. What, I should believe all that stuff “because elves”?

15 - General: This was about demon worship? PC: So your main takeaway is that elves worshipped demons? Sera: Well, they never call them that, yeah? But that’s what it had to be.

16 - General: What do you mean? PC: Why are you dismissing what happened in Mythal? Sera: Of course. None of it holds up.

18 - Scene continues.

Sera: I mean, it was impressive and all. Makes the Dalish look like tits for living in the woods. But so what? There can’t be a bunch of gods and the Maker. Don’t matter how much or little you believe, those don’t fit. So call me stupid, but I believe the stuff not made up by dead people who failed. Mythal is a ruin full of demons. I mean, it just makes sense, right?

Choice dependent dialogue:

Non-Dalish PC [19] Dalish PC [20]

19 - Non-Dalish PC Dialogue options:

General: But what if even some is true? PC: There’s so much history there. What if some of it is true? -Sera slightly disapproves ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

General: I believe it was all true. PC: The evidence is hard to ignore. I believe it. -Sera slightly disapproves ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

General: I agree it was all lies. [31] +Sera greatly approves

Sera: No, now you’re stupid. You can’t think that, because it’s stupid.

PC: But everything we saw?

Sera: Why believe it? Because Abelas looked weird? If that’s all it takes, Coryphy-shitheel is full of lumpy truth.

Sera: You’re not even an elf. Why are you being so damned elfy? I mean, I’ve dated some right tits, but you’re the Herald of Andraste! You keep saying this, you’ll sound like an idiot.

Dialogue options:

General: Will this affect us? [21] General: So, are you mad or what? [22] General: I don’t like your tone. [23]

21 - General: Will this affect us? PC: You’re upset. Will this come between us? Sera: Pfft! If I gave up on everybody who believed stupid stuff.

22 - General: So, are you mad or what? PC: Is this a fight? Because you’re calling me a lot of names. Sera: It’s not a fight. You can believe whatever stupid stuff you want.

23 - General: I don’t like your tone. PC: I don’t appreciate that. What if this is important to me? Sera: You can think whatever you want.

24 - Scene continues.

Sera: I mean, I can like you as an idiot, but maybe the Inquisition expects more? Maybe keep quiet? Sera: I mean, Qunari probably have weird horn gods, but you’ll keep quiet while leading the Inquisition, right? Sera: I mean, dwarves kiss rocks or something, but you’ll keep quiet while leading the Inquisition, right?

Dialogue options:

Flirt: Let’s both shut up. You first. (Continue the relationship) [25] +Sera greatly approves

Too far, Sera. We’re done. (End the relationship.) [26] -Sera greatly disapproves

25 - Flirt: Let’s both shut up. You first. PC: Right, you want me to be quiet, set an example. Shut it. Sera: Pfft. Charmer. Come on, let’s get ready for Lumpy. And by “Lumpy” I mean Coryphishit, not your bits, because that would be gross. Lumpy bits. So yeah… I’m done. Food? Scene ends.

26 - Too far, Sera. We’re done. PC: That’s what you think of me? Sera: What? You don’t know everything. PC: I expect support. I expect better. I think we’re done. Sera: We’re… ? But I didn’t… ? Right, fine. You know what, you know so much? Go know it yourself. I don’t need this. And I don’t need you either. Fuck. Scene ends.

20 - Dalish PC Dialogue options:

Dalish: You’re insulting our heritage PC: That’s the legacy of our people you’re insulting! -Sera disapproves ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

General: But what if even some is true? PC: There’s so much history there. What if some of it is true? -Sera slightly disapproves ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

General: I believe it was all true. PC: The evidence is hard to ignore. I believe it. -Sera slightly disapproves ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

General: I agree it was all lies. [31] +Sera greatly approves

Sera: Frig. You’re going elfy.

PC: What?

Sera: It’s when fairy stories make your ears droop for “lost glory,” but “glory” squats in the woods and smells like halla arse.

Sera: I knew it was coming, knew I shouldn’t start to like you. I said it, right? This doesn’t fit. It can’t fit. I’m not elfy. So say you’re kidding, and we can go back to our weird-enough normal? Please, [Honey Tongue/Buckles/Tadwinks/Shiny/’Teetness/Inky]?

27 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why is this too much for you? [28]

Flirt: For you, anything. (Agree with Sera. Relationship continues.) [29] +Sera greatly approves (after investigate) +Sera approves (did not investigate)

I’m an elf. I can’t look away. (Disagree with Sera. Relationship ends.) [30] -Sera greatly disapproves

28 - Investigate: Why is this too much for you? PC: You’ll really end our relationship over what I think of some ruins? Sera: Maybe I don’t believe much or understand it, but some people think too much and can bend anything to fit anything. Some things just don’t fit. Yes, you can explain it, and no, I won’t get it. But I don’t care. Some things don’t fit. So take it back. Just say you’d rather look ahead. That’s all. [back to 27]

29 - Flirt: For you, anything. PC: You’re right. A temple full of nonsense. You and I, we don’t need it. Sera: Frigging right, we don’t. Confusing bunch of… You know what we need? How about we go someplace alive and live? Can’t find that in a hole in the ground. Scene ends.

30 - I’m an elf. I can’t look away. PC: I’m sorry, Sera, but I believe this is important for our fellow elves. Sera: And say the other bit. PC: What? Sera: “You’d get it if you were smarter. If you understood what it ‘meant to be elven.’” Take your elves. I’m just people. Tell me when we’re kicking Coryphy’s arse. The rest, we don’t do anymore. Fuck. Scene ends.

31 - General: I agree it was all lies. PC: I’m with you, everything in that temple was highly suspect. Sera: Oh, good. I was worried you were going elfy on me. Come on, let’s get ready for Lumpy. And by “Lumpy,” I mean Coryphishit, not your bits, because that would be gross. Lumpy bits. So, yeah… I’m done. Food? Scene ends.

[elvhenprince]

586 words arvel mahariel visits clan sabrae briefly. paivel observes the change in this lost youth.

“How dare you come back like nothing’s happened!” Fenarel’s voice was raised, drawing the attention of the other clan members nearby. With the words spoken, tension rose amongst Clan Sabrae, expecting to see their wayward First - only to lie their eyes on the other wayward youth of their clan.

Mahariel, who had been sent away to the Blight and never to be seen again, until now.

“Alright then,” came the quiet reply, and Arvel Mahariel turned to walk away until Hahren Paivel rushed forward as quickly as he could.

“Da’len, please.”

The hahren shook his head at Fenarel, requesting him to stand down. “It has been.. trying for the clan since you left us. Please, stay a while. We do not mean to turn you away.”

“That is not an apology,” Arvel noted, voice still soft and yet - there was a sharpness to it that Paivel did not recognise.

He was taken aback. Once, Arvel would have never spoken like this. It was this moment then that he took the time to properly observe Arvel - his stance, his expression. Even though there was still that slight smile to his face as always, it no longer reached his eyes. His stance spoke of a confidence earned from battle, and it was then Paivel remembered that the gentle soul he once knew had been drafted to war, and fought against an archdemon.

“Ir abelas,” Paivel said, not just as an apology for his words.

Arvel tosses a bag to the ground, and all eyes around widened when gold coins spilled out of it.

“Get away from here. Buy horses or a dozen mabari, or join Ashalle in the Hinterlands. Or stay, I suppose.”

It was then a laughter cut through the silence, emanating from their guest. The blond city elf that came by- and he stepped forward to embrace Arvel, kissing him on both cheeks before pulling back.

“You just want to see mabari pulling the aravels, mi amor,” Zevran teased.

In that moment it seemed a shade of Arvel’s old self returned, face lighting up and pose relaxing in his lover's arms.

Paivel had always been wary of the guest- Zevran, after all, made no secret of being a wanted assassin. Yet he was quick to gain favour with the hunters by teaching them a few tricks, doing so with a practised charm.

The two made to leave, but before they could-

“That's it, you're leaving?” “Lethallin, please stay for dinner-” A few of the other youth, the ones that had grown with Arvel, all spoke up finally, having just gotten their tongue back after the initial shock.

“I'd rather have dinner with Merrill,” Arvel said, waving casually in farewell.

“What, lethallin, she-” Fenarel began to protest, but Arvel cut him off.

“Believe it or not, there are worse things than blood mages and a mountain full of dead. By the Creators, I hope you never need to know just what.”

Whatever other protests there were to be had, Arvel did not hear any more of it, only turning away to leave. Paivel can only watch in sorrow, even as Ilen came to put a hand on his shoulder.

“I've been saying to leave this cursed mountain for years,” Ilen said, grimly watching his former apprentice leave. “We have the opportunity now. We should start actually moving on.”

Clan Sabrae packed up, then, that night, finally free to roam again. But if they could ever truly leave the weight of their grief behind… Paivel could only hope.

[nightmarist]

Solas tells Abelas "Malas amelin ne halam abelas" He tells the party it means "i hope you find a new name." I trust that's what he intended, but it's not the literal translation.

"Malas amelin ne halam abelas"

Mala — (Now) Your Amelin — Name (?), Final (?) (officially unknown)* Ne — possible "will" or otherwise a particle Halam — End Abelas — Sorrows

Tentatively: "Your name will end" or "Now your sorrows will (finally?) end."

Sadly amelin doesn't have an official translation yet.

-in (lin?) is a suffix to indicate a male is being spoken to (such as in Lethalin). it could be something else as well, as it is seen in the words Suledin, Enasalin, Lethalin, Ellasin, Emmasalin, and Nuvenin, but its application is all over the place (enasal - joy, enasalin - victory, nuvenin - to say, lethallin - beloved, etc but it could offer a state of being?)

Amel could come from Melana to therefore make Amelin (state of being in time? such as "final" or "at last")

My final potential translation would be:

"At last your sorrows will end."

Addendum:

If -in/-lin refers to personhood, amelin could just be the word for "name" or "identity" (which I think is the generally acccepted HC anyway) thus offers another possibility:

"Your identity as Sorrow ends" / (lit.) "Your identity will end (as) sorrow"

I enjoy the fact it has this double meaning that an Elvhen god is giving Abelas permission to change his name but also leave behind the sorrows he was named after.

[thequeendomhq]

NAME. Ikaros AGE & BIRTH DATE. 567 & June 15th, 2457 GENDER & PRONOUNS. Cismale & He/Him NATIONALITY. Avalonian SPECIES. High Elvhen FACTION. N/A OCCUPATION. Prince of Avalon FACE CLAIM. Matthew Daddario

biography

( tw: n/a )

To reach out through time, through what is seen and felt, is a gift. That’s what Ikaros’ grandmother would whisper to him as he sat on her knee as a child, on the highest branch of the Laurelin where it seemed like the stars could fit in the palm of their hands. The monarch was a gentle soul, whose radiance passed to her daughter, and finally her grandson – Ikaros. The one who touches the sky, his name held meaning, as he reached with her under Mythal’s glade, a broken Eluvian not far from their spot. This was the honor that Ikaros was raised with.

An ambitious mother, a kind father – one that would let him down in more ways than one. His father frequented the glade, but that wasn’t Ikaros’ issue as a child. Nothing that he ever considered strange until it was too late, perhaps. As a child, Ikaros would run through the branches of the Laurelin, Arvandoril being his home. Yet the call of all the different sights to see, as magic created small biomes for him to uncover. There was nothing that could harm him within Avalon, though the Moongate was always barred to him. He was never allowed to pass through, not unless in the presence of another that would take him. Finding someone proved difficult, but it was for his own good, perhaps. 

His ability manifested itself when he was deep within Mythal’s Glade. When another child went to shove and he simply moved out of the way, having seen that coming moments prior. It was a natural instinct, a reaction that he didn’t know how to control. The child fell, and a laugh escaped Ikaros before he could stop it. It was hard enough to remain friends with others, some remorseful part of Ikaros after being chastised by his family. He was heir to the throne, that was never an attitude befitting of a prince. So he learned the hard way. He learned to try and repress what his sight would show him, ignoring it at times if it meant another could win, or another could reap what they wouldn’t be able to with his help. Or sometimes he’d let them fail, a young and naive part of him glad that he could say I told you so. 

What he didn’t see coming, however, was the sorrow that would befall his mother. His father had wandering eyes, no longer a noble spirit – and Ikaros turned away. He stood behind Titania, a young adult now that could see what was right and wrong. Though pieces of the puzzle made sense. Oberon’s time in Mythal’s Glade, a bastard who now had a bastard son to be raised on one of the highest branches. Ikaros’ favorite escape, somewhat tainted by the actions of his family. A shattered picture of perfection, Oberon was sent on his way – there was no hell like the wrath of Titania. Either way, Ikaros had a brother, someone that could not be blamed for the actions of their parents. Perhaps his only true friend, Ikaros held on to Abelas in the hopes that they wouldn’t have to have some weird generational issue.

As Ikaros got older, he learned that his precognition would simply take what it wanted. He could focus on something that he wanted, receive the vision that he desperately asked for. And as it kept going, the worse his headache would get. Visions would become unreliable, he wouldn’t be able to see straight, either. Fatigue that would leave him out of the light for days, locked away in the palace so he couldn’t be bothered. His grandmother would tell him that even gifts require penance, and while the gods had given the Elvhen an Oracle, he had to take care of himself, as well.

When Titania had deemed Ikaros old enough to venture out into Taravell on his own, it was with a warning. To not get too close, to make sure that he returned, there was a timeframe on everything. Ikaros would do as asked, though he wished to travel and learn what he could. He’d been to the Tower, he’d seen a crumbling Legionnaire Keep, and he’d seen Caribella. The places he’d heard of, the places he’d wanted to see and bring back to Avalon. He’d been to Lorien’dal, to live amongst the Silver Elvhen – all things his mother had done centuries upon centuries prior, only to be called back as distress filled his heart.

His grandmother had turned ill, a few days short of his three hundredth summer, the Blight having taken hold finally. His mother was crowned, and Ikaros was there to be the first to bend the knee to their new monarch. Titania was loved, and as her mother began to get more ill, there was terror that filled the hearts of the Elvhen. The Blight had been spreading so quickly, things that had normally seemed untouchable to the Elvhen becoming the things of waking nightmares.

Ikaros had watched as visions began to swarm his head, as nightmares began to become real. Blighted hands, a dying tree – the earth would shake as one fell from the Laurelin, another remembrance of a time where there was peace, and how it had shattered. Ikaros could feel the new weight of tradition and life fall on his shoulders, and while he would spend his time trying to give other Elvhen answers, he had to pull away. Titania would tell him that his time would come, he could help others but only if he took care of himself. Frustration would boil, and Ikaros would have to wonder if he would spend his life attempting to grasp at futures that weren’t his own.

Blighted hand after blighted hand, nightmares that would come to fruition – the more time he spent caged, Ikaros would wonder if he would ever see the sky again. So he did what he could within Avalon, told his mother and grandmother that he would return, and set out for answers within Taravell.  

personality

+ observant, patient, perseverant – pessimistic, spoiled, manipulative

played by lauren. ???. she/her.

[lairofdragonagelore]

Somewhere[DLC Trespasser]: Elven Ruins

These Elven Ruins are a massive, isolated city from the time of Elvhenan. Nothing is known about these ruins; they seem to be ancient and are adorned with a large number of statues and mosaics dedicated to Fen'Harel mostly. In fact it looks like a city in his honour but also a city he protected/guarded. It’s not clear if this is a pocket space or part of Thedas. By the amount of eluvians found in here, one may suspects it was a Nexus of eluvians. 

This are is composed of

Overgrown Path

Gully

Long Bridge

Shrine to the Dread Wolf

[This is part of the series “Playing DA like an archaeologist”]

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore]

Overgrown Path and Gully

Through the Darvaarad  we access to this new space. So far we see, it’s an enormous, mysterious elvhen city in the middle of a range of mountains, evidently only accessible through eluvians. It’s not clear if it belongs to the Waking World or a pocket space in the in-between. What stands out from afar is a gigantic eluvian in the middle of the city, which destiny we don’t know.

The city is decorated with many abandoned/decayed mosaics that are almost impossible to distinguish. I assume this gives us the idea that this place belongs to the Waking World, since in any other place it would have been preserved naturally due to the remnants of Fade magic at work [read the section Preservation of the Waking World in Miscellaneous].  After some careful overlapping, I can assure these old, decaying mosaics are Fen’Harel’s. 

It’s curious that the mosaic is presented in the same shape that the gate frames we saw in the Temple of Mythal. They are associated with her dragon shape. Since these mosaics are presented with the same shape, I wonder if this abandoned elven city is an equivalent to a “Temple of Fen’Harel”, but instead of having servants to protect it and take care of it [like Abelas], it was an empty Nexus to offer paths to the People. 

This shape also appears in the big yellow mosaic of most temples. Maybe this kind of shape for temple gates represents “nexus of eluvians”, since the eluvians with some decorations have a similar outline. One may argue that the The Temple of Mythal was not a nexus, but it certainly had a series of eluvians around the Well of Sorrow. 

This place shows elvhenan patterns in all its structures; clearly an elvhenan city in the middle of the mountains, filled with statues of Sitting Fen'Harels and Howling Fen'Harels. The majority of these statues are displayed in pairs, and in positions of “guardian”, not as central figures in any chamber. In general, we have the idea that every corner of this city was watched and protected by Fen’Harel. 

When we reach to this point, having seen the amount of eluvians we did, we begin to suspect this was a Nexus city. So far, we only visited one of these in The Masked Empire, and in that case it was more related to burials and tombs. This place has not shown any sarcophagi or death-related item in all my exploration. 

There are also Elven Archers and Elven hart statues. Again, these statues cannot be strongly associated with the rest of the Evanuris, since I don't think they would show up in a city like this, with such a strong presence of Fen'Harel. Another extremely curious detail of this city: it has no elvhen paintings. I mean, there is none of the paintings already commented in  Nation Art: Elvhen, which usually are present in all the Temples and elvhenan buildings we visited, including the Temple of Mythal. 

At the Gully, we meet Saarath, the ex scholar who became Saarebas as an adult, which letter to Tallis can be read in the Research Tower. Now we find him as a living experiment with lyrium.

Long Bridge

As we keep exploring this confusing and enormous place, we find a single Elven Owl statue along the main bridge of the city [a bridge that only connects two eluvians]

The imposing figure of Howling Fen'Harel statues while the path is guided by  Elven hart statues or Elven Archers.

The path towards Solas is filled with petrified Qunari. 

Cole comments about Solas’ feelings. Again, we are confirmed for n-th time that Solas is not a monster.

Shrine to the Dread Wolf

We reach to a place called “Shrine” to the Dread Wolf, not Temple. Temples and Shrines are both sacred places, but there is some differences between them: 

A shrine often refers to a church or an altar sacred to a saint or a holy person. It is a holy place connected with the life and beliefs of such person. The word shrine often is called as a ‘tomb’ too, so a shrine may also refer to the place where a holy person was buried. The word has attained importance and significance in the historical point of view. It is a more private space.

A temple refers to a sacred place for the believers of any given form of religion. It is a place that the believers accept as the abode of the god. It is a place of more public display.

 There are Howling Fen'Harel statues and Elven Archers all over the shrine, guiding us.

The whole city displays the same banner that we saw in the Temple of Mythal: this brown flag with different points in groups and a flower associated with each group.

We finally reach Solas, seeing a path filled with petrified Qunari. We see he does it without even casting, or seeing; with the same effect that we saw Flemeth displayed when she controlled the Drinker of the Well [The Fade - Flemeth: Part 2].

The same effect is used in his eyes when he stops the Anchor from killing the Inquisitor, giving them time to talk. Things we learn with his last conversation:

He always knew how to control the Anchor because it is his own orb, which accumulated energy. He was only weak from his slumber to do it properly. Now he can because “he is stronger” after the absorption of Mythal’s accumulated power.

He was Solas in the beginning of the days. Fen’Harel is a title that came later, earned as an insult from his enemies [Evanuris] that he took with pride. This title inspired hope in friends and fear in enemies.

This is a parallel/reflection with the Inquisitor, where the legend of the title eats up the person: a title that erases the personal name and attaches a divinity that, it seems, the person has been rejecting since the beginning.

Solas is not like Flemeth, he is not a “piece” of Fen’Harel. He is how he has always been.

He freed his people from slavery of the Evanuris and let them join his resistance.

When the Evanuris “went too far”; he created the Veil and banished them forever.  He doesn’t say how.

The cause for this measure [he says before a suspicious chuckle] was the death of Mythal. We know thanks to the Mural “the Death of a Titan” that there is more to it. But he keeps it as a secret; he wants that knowledge to be forgotten for safety reasons, so nobody else is tempted to use it.

To banish the Evanuris and create the Veil, he had to take part of the elvhen nature and remove it from his people. Elvhen began to age thanks to this process. 

He speaks about Mythal as the best of the Evanuris: she cared for her people, protected them, and was reasonable.

The Evanuris wanted more power so they killed her. This may imply that Mythal had a special nature [like I said in Evanuris, she is the only mosaic that shows a halo behind her head] or she knew about the secret of divinity/power from a Titan's heart, according the mural.

Despite his love for the Fade, Solas created the Veil because there was no other way, since what the Evanuris released was meant to destroy the world. This confirms some of the interpretations of the structure of the World talked in Murals in DAI: Basics, where the Veil seems to contain another darker sphere or a red sphere, with an unknown danger in it.

There is a difference between banishment and death. Apparently Solas implies that the Evanuris cannot be killed. I wonder if this is related to some “effective immortality” similar to the one displayed by Corypheus. When he saw that power at work, he was not surprised of the procedure per se, he even gave us a name for it [effective immortality]. He only seemed surprised that a Magister could use it. We know through Hakkon DLC and via the Avvar that the spirits are reborn after dying but change in the process. The Evanuris may have a similar system, but apparently, they do not change as it is expected from spirits. Maybe because they have this system of effective immortality?

A curious wording: I’m not sure if he speaks of Mythal in particular or the  the Evanuris in general: “The first of my people”. This would represent a small difference in nature between “Solas’ people” and the Evanuris. And what means “first”. First because a magical hierarchy or first because the first alive creatures in the beginning of the world?

Solas explains how the Evanuris turned into Gods: it started with a War [probably the one related to the Titans]. The fear of war breeds a desire for simplicity, for seeings things in black and white. With the end of the war [probably when Elgar’nan and Mythal killed those titans we read in codices and saw in the mural] the generals became respected elders, then kings, and finally Gods.

The Shattered Library was intrinsically tied to the Fade. Many other places tied to Fade were destroyed when he created the Veil.

Solas confirms that the process of quickening that suffered the Elvhen was not due to the presence of humans, but the creation of the Veil. It seems to be that the Veil feeds from the nature of the elves to sustain itself.

Then, Solas explains his time after the creations of the Veil:

He went to slumber, dreaming in the Fade after the creation of the Veil since it had weakened him severely. I like to highlight that Solas always speaks of slumber, and never of Uthenera, even when he met Flemeth.

He woke up a year before the Breach, which means, Solas has been slumbering for millennia. This removes any possibility of seeing Solas as part of any other event in the history of Thedas. He probably may have stayed informed of the events in the Waking World using agents and spirits, since it’s clear he had communication with his agents despite his slumber.

He wants to restore his people to their real nature. This has to do with Solas seeing elves in the present almost like “tranquils”. There is an emphasis that Solas does not see Thedosians as people for this reason, and I cannot avoid linking this situation with the codex Old Elven Writing, where dwarves are considered witless, soulless, and the reason for that may be due to their disconnection to the Fade as well. 

He also explains in other alternative conversations that Skyhold was once his.

We also learn that he instructed his agents to give information to Corypheus to locate the orb. The idea was for him to unlock it and die in the process.

The orb had built up energy while he was slumbering, and he needed a powerful mage to unlock it. He could not do it himself because he was weak, he repeats.

If the plan would have worked as Solas intended, then he would have had the orb and would have used its power to destroy the Veil.

With the Veil gone, it is implied that the Evanuris will be free.

Solas confirms that he was never the romanticised figure that his mosaics in Fen’Harel’s mountain ruins claim him to be. A rebel gets his hands bloody whether they like it or not.

He shares his sadness and frustration of waking up in a world where everyone else feels like a tranquil. He sacrificed the Veil, and the nature of his people, to give them freedom. And the truth is, that he severed them from the Fade. He made them victims of these limitations, suffering ageing and, in the end, a secondary slavery at the hands of Tevinter. Nothing of what he had planned went as he wanted. His people was free from the Evanuris to find new slavers in the Humans and lose so much of their History that they ended up worshipping the original cruel slavers and their tools of slavery.

With a romanced Inquisitor, Solas even feels pain that his name Fen’Harel has become an insult and a curse among the Dalish.

Solas recognises to have used people to reach his goals in his time of a Rebel.

Here, Solas repeats that he is not a monster. He feels he has a duty towards his people to restore them, but knowing that will destroy this world doesn’t make it easier, but he will endure the regret. Until that moment, he wants for the people in Thedas to have a peaceful and comfortable life. That’s why he helped the Inquisition against the Qunari invasion.

Now he controls the network of eluvians. He talks about Felassan as an agent who “failed” in getting the password from Briala, previous owner of the network [which technically is true, although the situation is quite more complex than this as I showed it in The Masked Empire]. Solas ended up overriding the magic in them to take control of the network.

Curiously, the Qunari managed to have access to the network independently, despite the terrible work procedures they displayed when we visited their isle.

More information about this will be in the post called “Solas sharing Lore”.

As a detail, Solas is walking us to an enormous eluvian, which is bigger than then one he was in front of when he absorbed Flemeth.

After that long conversation, we return to the Winter Palace, the Inquisitor loses their hand, and we can decide if the Inquisition is dissolved or continues existing under the command of the Chantry. This is the set up for the next Game DA:D.

[darethxshiral]

DARETH-SHIRAL

"Abelas, it means sorrow. I told him: I hope you find a new name."

THE END

Abelas: Trained by his father, Queen Yidhra's warder was the first of their kind. Brutally brought up under the blade, whatever childhood Dareth was meant to have was traded with the proficiency necessary to serve the Crown.

Commonborn: Born with very little magic, Dareth-Shiral learned to make the most out of what he had. Where noble eladrins are used to abundance he became very skilled with precision, once he gained a larger supply he was naturally good at complex forms of magic that came with a great cost.

Warder: Bonded to Aegnor and then later Meryasek, he fights now at the side of the DaemonKing and is apt at a variety of wide-range spells meant for protection and assault. Familiar with the different battle styles of the fey, drow, denizens of the mortal realm, and creatures of the Underdark he's rarely caught off guard.

Underdark: Killed in combat, Dareth awoke in the Underdark and rose through the ranks of the priesthood. Trained in assassination, deception, and murder, when he returned to Meryasek's Court he brought these lessons along with him.

Bluntsword: Forged by Nirvaan, and called Kabutowari by the nerd. The 'sword' consists of a singled-sided axe and a hammer joined by a length of chain, when used together it is said to crush any defence. The chain is long enough that each weapon can be used independently.

Aasimar: Scarlet wings and an ethereal crown denote Dareth's newly-minted nature, an aasimar is the proto-version of seraphim. The result of inhumane experiments conducted by the elves, their immortal souls were infused with immense celestial energy that would later be called Grace. Dareth is able to create seraph blades and can manipulate esoteric shadows as well.