#daern'thal

[faded-mage]

New chapters of The Theory of Being over on AO3.

The Forgotten Ones weren't always... well, forgotten. The stories were likely partially true, the tales of cruelty and hiding in the darkness. They were everything they shouldn't have been - those who caused terror, pain, despair. The woman the world would eventually know as Inquisitor Lavellan was, in fact, a Forgotten One.

Somehow Isathe was not imprisoned by the Dread Wolf in the abyss with the rest of them. Whatever the reason, the former spirit of Curiosity coaxed into physical form was stuck in the aftermath of that event. She felt the moment the Veil was created and pulled her even farther from her home. Then she slept. Slept for thousands of years until she woke in a world where elves were no longer what they had been. She had to find a way to stay alive and adjust to the world that formed from the Betrayal so long ago.

Chapter 20: One Who Shares Their Wine

Chapter 21: One Who is Bound to Another

Full Story: The Theory of Being

[zaahvi]

PLEASE TELL US YOUR EVANURIS/FORGOTTEN ONES HCS!! 🤲

hii!! i'm so thrilled people are interested in hearing them, i'd be happy to share! i have a lot and got another ask after this one, so i'll share my forgotten ones hcs in this ask and some evanuris ones in the next!

firstly i just want to say, that the purpose of me writing these headcanons is to add some depth to the evanuris & forgotten ones. i do not believe that people, or spirits, are born evil and so i didn't really appreciate veilguard's portrayal of elgar'nan, ghilan'nain & anaris as "they're evil just because". i think the evanuris & forgotten ones both became what they are because of events that happened to them, not because they were born that way, so my main focus in these headcanons is exploring how that happened! anyway let's get into it.

Anaris

so in veilguard anaris is kind of a loser, is obsessed with power and yeah that's about it. there was also a post john epler made on bsky where he said (paraphrasing) anaris hates elgar'nan but also wants to be like him, so i'm using this info to inform my headcanon:

i think anaris was a general alongside the evanuris in the war, maybe even coming close to being raised as a god alongside them, but for some reason or another was not.

he remained a general under the command of andruil - i linked these two together because anaris' horned helmet kinda reminds me of andruil's symbol, and because of felassan's story in the masked empire. anaris was powerful enough to fight andruil, an incredibly powerful warrior, equally, remember...

still, anaris was bitter that he wasn't accepted into the evanuris, and started to resent and grow jealous of them. eventually, using his demon idea, he staged an attack on andruil's gauntlet from within, which was pushed back by ghilan'nain (who was in andruil's servitude and a pupil of anaris',) and solas, who was her friend at the time.

that little story ends with anaris being imprisoned by andruil, but solas quietly breaks him out as an act of mercy, also removing his vallaslin.

Geldauran

i mentioned when making my design that i headcanon'ed geldauran as a noble in arlathan, but there's more...

geldauran was once a spirit of that one emotion that elgar'nan wiped from existence.

the reason he did this is- well, remember the mysterious evanuris called "the healer" that is mentioned in a random codex? their name was magically erased, at least once by elgar'nan's order, and with irelin theorising it was due to an unforgivable transgression. i liked the idea that the healer was also a spirit manifested from that emotion, and that after whatever transgression she had committed, elgar'nan wiped the emotion so that after the evanuris executed her, she could not re-manifest (as spirits do).

so, the spirits of this emotion eventually faded away, and after they did, those who had already made bodies for themselves pretty much started going insane, because their existences were contradictory: their spirits were not allowed to exist, so they became twisted into other things, essentially becoming demons in their elven forms. because these elves were basically abominations now, madly attacking people for no reason, elgar'nan lead a purge of them, slaughtering every one.....

except... geldauran. geldauran was one of the last few who held on tightly to their spirits, but to everyone else it was only a matter of time before they turned. elgar'nan's forces would not spare them. however, the executioner who came knocking on geldauran's door was particularly sympathetic, and when geldauran pleaded with them, they listened.

Daern'thal

nothing is known of daern'thal at all, with only two mentions of their name in the lore. one of these mentions is in a codex talking about the helm of the solar, a torture device belonging to elgar'nan. the codex is written by someone who "renounced daern'thal". does that mean the two are linked? eh, probably not. in my headcanon though? oh yeah. they absolutely are.

daern'thal was one of elgar'nan's generals in the titan war, and afterwards was kinda pushed into the role of torturer/executioner for him. they complied because all the horrors of the war had kinda numbed them to suffering, and they just needed a purpose. but fighting massive titans capable of mass destruction was one thing... torturing and killing fellow elves for petty transgressions was another. they were not happy with their job.

so when they got called to purge those elves, and one of them pleaded for their life, daern'thal listened. they helped geldauran escape through an eluvian, where geldauran ran and never looked back, eventually ending up in a place now known as the frostback basin. (here, in isolation, geldauran wasn't able to hold on to their old spirit anymore - though instead of going mad like the others, because they knew what had happened, all their rage and spite were directed at the evanuris exclusively.)

daern'thal returned to elgar'nan though, fearing they would get caught if they ran and therefore would have to face his wrath.

i haven't thought of how this story ends lol but there is probably an incident™ and somehow daern'thal manages to flee and make their way to geldauran. and then anaris finds them too

so that is my take on the forgotten ones! just three people who were all wronged by the evanuris and then eventually became as bad as them.

my idea of their dynamics is that anaris is the "i know better than you" kinda guy, geldauran is unhinged and wants to bite and maim, and daern'thal is just.there. daer is angy and tired and is just there to slay (as in kill not serve cunt.) also geldauran and anaris definitely fight all the time, mostly about which of them is the defacto forgottenones leader (daern'thal will say it's anaris and geldauran gets super mad abt it)

[rpgchoices]

spoilers for ending of veilguard (post credits scene)

the implication that the future villains in future games are the forgotten ones (other elven gods cast into the Void) is so funny because the people in Thedas are living their normal lives and every couple of years the elven lore attacks

Anaris, Daern'thal and Geldauran in the next game:

The Devouring Storm:

[dreadfutures]

those big evanurisy strokes are definitely filled in and i am having a blast

desperately gotta get this fic finished before all my lore theories are proven true lmao

[atimefordragons]

CINEMATIC PARALLELS: THE EVANURIS & THE VALAR ↳ FEN'HAREL & MAIRON

The legend says that before the fall of Arlathan, the gods we know and revere fought an endless war with others of their kind. There is not a hahren among us who remembers these others: Only in dreams do we hear whispered the names of Geldauran and Daern'thal and Anaris, for they are the Forgotten Ones, the gods of terror and malice, spite and pestilence. In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear among both our gods and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is kin to the gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways, and saw him as one of their own. — CODEX ENTRY: FEN'HAREL: THE DREAD WOLF

With the Valar came other spirits whose being also began before the World, of the same order as the Valar but of less degree. These are the Maiar, the people of the Valar, and their servants and helpers. Their number is not known to the Elves, and few have names in any of the tongues of the Children of Ilúvatar; for though it is otherwise in Aman, in Middle-earth the Maiar have seldom appeared in form visible to Elves and Men. — VALAQUENTA: OF THE MAIAR

I pulled you from the Fade you loved and sent you into war. I used your wisdom as a weapon… and it broke you. [The things that I have done…] Are not for you alone to bear, my friend. The many wrongs we did, we did together. I release you from my service. — MYTHAL, THE DREAD WOLF RISES

And there is Sauron. In the Silmarillion and Tales of the First Age Sauron was a being of Valinor perverted to the service of the Enemy and becoming his chief captain and servant. He repents in fear when the First Enemy is utterly defeated, but in the end does not do as was commanded, return to the judgement of the gods. He lingers in Middle-earth. Very slowly, beginning with fair motives: the reorganising and rehabilitation of the ruin of Middle-earth, ‘neglected by the gods’, he becomes a re-incarnation of Evil, and a thing lusting for Complete Power – and so consumed ever more fiercely with hate (especially of gods and Elves). — FROM A LETTER BY J.R.R. TOLKIEN TO MILTON WALDMAN, 1951

Among those of his servants that have names the greatest was that spirit whom the Eldar called Sauron, or Gorthaur the Cruel. In his beginning he was of the Maiar of Aulë, and he remained mighty in the lore of that people. In all the deeds of Melkor the Morgoth upon Arda, in his vast works and in the deceits of his cunning, Sauron had a part, and was only less evil than his master in that for long he served another and not himself. But in after years he rose like a shadow of Morgoth and a ghost of his malice, and walked behind him on the same ruinous path down into the Void. — VALAQUENTA: OF THE ENEMIES

And that is how Fen'Harel tricked them. Our gods saw him as a brother, and they trusted him when he said that they must keep to the heavens while he arranged a truce. And the Forgotten Ones trusted him also when he said he would arrange for the defeat of our gods, if only the Forgotten Ones would return to the abyss for a time. They trusted Fen'Harel, and they were all of them betrayed. And Fen'Harel sealed them away so they could never again walk among the People. — CODEX ENTRY: FEN'HAREL: THE DREAD WOLF

It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven to the Dwarf-Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and the will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived, for another ring was made. Deep in the land of Mordor, in the Fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged a master ring, and into this ring he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. One ring to rule them all. — GALADRIEL, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, 2001

[petchic101]

DA Elvish

I separated all of Dragon Age's known Elvish into Nouns, idioms ect

Nouns

Titles/Types of people/Groups

Anaris: – according to an old tale, he was once tricked by Fen'Harel while dueling the Great Hunter Andruil

Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt is the elven Goddess of the Hunt, known also as "blood and force" and the "great hunter."

Arlathvhen: Meeting of the Dalish clans that occurs every ten years. Means "for love of the people."

Asha'bellanar: "The Woman of Many Years." How the Dalish refer to Flemeth.

Da'len: Little child; little one.

Daern'thal: Known Forgotten One

Din: The dead.

Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets, is the twin brother of Falon'Din and is the elven god of secrets and knowledge, and master of the ravens Fear and Deceit. Dirthamen gave to elves the gift of knowledge and taught them loyalty and faith in family.

Elgar: Spirit.

Dirth'ena enasalin: "Knowledge that led to victory"; the Elvish term for the Arcane Warrior or, more recently, Knight Enchanter disciplines.

Durgen’len: Children of the stone; the Ancient Elvish term for the dwarves.

Elgar'nan: God of Vengeance also known as the All-Father, the Eldest of the Sun and He Who Overthrew His Father—represents fatherhood and vengeance, and leads the pantheon with the goddess Mythal.

Elvhen: Elven name for their own race; our people.

Elvhenan: The name of the elven civilization before the arrival of humans in Thedas; the place of our people.

Era'harel: Demon-mage; similar to an arcane horror.

Evanuris: Leader; Translated by Dorian in context as "mage leader"; what the elvhen called their gods.

Falon: Friend.

Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide is the elven God of Death and Fortune and guides the dead to the Beyond. He and his twin brother, Dirthamen, are the eldest children of Elgar'nan the All-Father and Mythal the Protector.

Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf is an enigmatic trickster god of the elves, whose supposed betrayal of both the benevolent Creators and the malefic Forgotten Ones is the only explanation most elves have for the destruction of Arlathan. Dalish clans view him with wariness and seek to protect themselves and their kin from his treachery. It is revealed by Solas in Mythal's temple that this could be a misinterpretation by the Dalish and instead he was the god of rebellion.

Geldauran: Known Forgotten One

Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla is called the Mother of the halla—white deer-like creatures revered by the Dalish and used to pull their aravel, or "landships"—and goddess of navigation.

Ghil-Dirthalen: "One who guides seekers of knowledge true."

Ghilan'him banal'vhen: "The path that leads astray": a derogatory term for Arcane Warriors among those elves who eschewed physical combat.

Hahren'al: A gathering of hahrens during the Arlathvhen.

Hahren: Elder; used as a term of respect by the Dalish as well as by city elves for the leader of an alienage.

Harillen: Opposition.

June: God of the Craft is the elven Master of Crafts. He is variously described either as a brother to Andruil and Sylaise or as Sylaise's husband. He taught the elves to make bows, arrows, and knives to hunt Andruil's gifts.

Lethallin/Lethallan/Lethallen: Casual reference used for someone with whom one is familiar; generally, lethallin is used for males while lethallan is used for females; lethallen has been stated to be the appropriate gender neutral term unless otherwise stated later in canon, though it is likely to remain the same. Note: Though "lethallin" is usually used for males and "lethallan" for females, as stated above

Lethanavir: Another appellation of Falon'Din the elven god of death and fortune who guides the dead to the Beyond.

Mien'harel: Rebellion; depending on the interpretation, a violent call for justice; a concept that when humans push the elven population too far they must remind them that even a "short blade" must be respected; most commonly a term used by city elf.

Mythal: the Great Protector, the Protector and the All-Mother, and goddess of love, is the patron of motherhood and justice and leads the pantheon with her male counterpart, Elgar'nan.

Shemlen: The original name elves use for the human race; continues to see use as a slang term amongst the City Elves ("shems") even though its meaning has largely been lost; literally "quick children".

Somniari: Dreamer.

Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper is the goddess of all the domestic arts and the sister of Andruil the Huntress. Sylaise gave the elves fire, and taught them how to weave rope and thread, and to use herbs and magic for healing purposes.

Vhenallin: Friends of the People.

Nature

Adahl/Adhal: Tree.

Adahlen: Wood.

Alas: Earth, dirt.citation needed

Dahl'amythal: Tree of Mythal from which Dalish Keepers’ staves are cut.

Durgen: Stone.citation needed

Elgara: Sun.

Felandaris: Demon weed.

Vallas: Set, as in the setting of the sun.

Vallasdahlen: Trees planted in remembrance of those who dedicated their lives to the Dalish kingdom that grew into a mighty wood; life-trees.

Vhenadahl: The tree of the people.

Vhen'alas: The land itself, as in "the ground"; literally "our earth".citation needed

Vunin: Day.

Animal

Fen: Wolf.

Hallas: are a type of horned stag; some are herded by the Dalish—who use them to pull their aravels, or landships. Their milk is also made into cheese and butter.[2] The Dalish do not consider them beasts of burden but noble companions. To get them to accompany a clan, the Dalish elves ask rather than force them to.

Hanal'ghilan: Elven name for the mythical golden halla said by the Dalish to appear during times of great need; the pathfinder.

Body/Self

Banal'ras: Shadow.

Renan: Voice.

Taren: Mind.

Vallaslin: Blood writing; The art of tattooing adopted by some elves to more prominently display their worship of the traditional elven pantheon.

Vhenan: Heart; often used as a term of endearment.

Concept

Abelas: Sorrow; to be sorry.

Aravel: A wagon used by the Dalish; also a physical and spiritual path, a journey with purpose. Humans call them "landships."

Atish’an: Peace.

Athim: Humility.

Bellanaris: Eternity.

Din'an: Death; end.

Din'anshiral: A journey of death.

Dirth: A term for knowledge or secrets; tell; speak.citation needed

Enasalin: Victory.

Enansal: Blessing.

Enaste: Favor.

Halani: Help.

Hamin: Rest.

Harellan: Trickster; used by the Dalish to mean "traitor to one's kin".

Melana: Time.

Melanada: All time. 

Melava: Time;

Revas: Freedom.

Shiral: Journey.

Sulahn'nehn: Rejoice; joy.

Sulevin: Purpose.

Vir: Way; we.

Weapons/Equipment

Assan: Arrow.

Bor'assan: Bow.

Felassan: Slow arrow.

Mi: Blade.citation needed

Places

Arlathan: The major city of Elvhenan, original homeland of the elves; from the phrase "ar lath’an" meaning, "This place of love".

Banalhan: A name for the Blight or its place of origin; the place of nothing.

Dirthavaren: The promise; the Elven name for the Exalted Plains.

Halamshiral: The capital of the second elven homeland in the Dales; the end of the journey.

Setheneran: Land of waking dreams; a place where the Veil is thin.

Tarasyl'an Te'las: The place where the sky was held back; Ancient Elven name for Skyhold.

Vhenas: Home.

Vir'abelasan: The place of the way of sorrows; refers to the Well of Sorrows.

Other

Aravel: A wagon used by the Dalish; also a physical and spiritual path, a journey with purpose. Humans call them "landships."

Banalhan: A name for the Blight or its place of origin; the place of nothing.

Elgar'arla: Spirit-trap; a binding circle to hold a spirit or demon.

Eluvian: Mirror; literally "seeing glass."

Mi'durgen: Diamond; literally 'blade stone'.

Adjective

Eth: Safe.citation needed

Mirthadra: Honored.

Sa: One; one more.

Shem: Quick.

Tan: Three.

Then: Awake; alert.citation needed

Verb

Abelas: Sorrow; to be sorry.

Dirth: A term for knowledge or secrets; tell; speak.citation needed

Dirthara: Learn;

Dirthera: To tell tales.

Enfenim: To fear.

Ghilana: To guide.

Ghilas: To go.

Harel: To trick or deceive;

Him: Become.

Las: Grant; give.

Lasa ghilan: Grant/give guidance.

Lath: Love of being; to be in love.

Numin: Cry.

Nuvenin: Say, as in “as you say”.

Samahl: Laugh.

Somniar: To dream.

Sulahn'nehn: Rejoice; joy.

Sulahn: Sing.

Uthenera: The name of the ancient practice of immortal elves who would "sleep" once they tired of life; immortal; waking sleep; literally "eternal waking dream".citation needed

Pronoun

Ar: First person pronoun; I, me.

Mala: Your.

Mir: My.

Var: Our.

Vir: Way; we.

Ect

Banal: Never.

Dar: To be.citation needed

In: In.

Ir: I am.

Iras: Where.

Irassal: Wherever.

La: And.

Na: Is.

Pre/Suffix

-an: Suffix indicating place or location.

Da: Diminutive prefix; small.

Idioms

Andaran atish’an: "Enter this place in peace." A formal elven greeting.

Aneth ara: A sociable or friendly greeting, more commonly used among the Dalish themselves rather than with outsiders.

Ara seranna-ma: A way to excuse oneself, such as after a sneeze or belch.

Banal nadas: Nothing is known for certain./Not necessarily.

Boranehn: Lost joy.

Dareth shiral: farewell; literally "Safe journey."

Enasal: Joy in triumph over loss; a variation of joyful relief.

Falon’Din enasal enaste: A prayer for the dead.

Fen'Harel enansal: The Dread Wolf's blessing.

Fen'Harel ma ghilana: "Dread Wolf guides you." Indicates someone being misled.

Halam'shivanas: The sweet sacrifice of duty.

Hellathen: Noble struggle.

Ir abelas: I am sorry.

Lathbora viran: Roughly translated as "the path to a place of lost love," a longing for a thing one can never really know.

Nadas: Inevitability; something that must be; used as an expression of obligation, i.e. "must".

Ma nuvenin: As you say.

Ma vhenan: My heart; sometimes shortened simply to vhenan, "heart"; a term of endearment.

Ma serannas: My thanks./Thank you.

Mana. Ma halani: Help me. 

Mythal'enaste: Mythal's favor.

Penshra! Ghilas vellathan!: Politely translated as "I prefer that you remain close."

Revasan: The place where freedom dwells.

Sahlin: Now; is come.

Sa'vunin: One more day.

Solas: Pride; to stand tall.

Solasan: A prideful place.

Suledin: The concept of finding strength in enduring loss or pain; endure.

Tel'abelas: I'm not sorry.

Telanadas: Nothing is inevitable.

Var lath vir suledin!: Our love will endure

Vir enasalin!: We will win!

Vir sumeil: We are close.

Commands/Threats/Curses

Bellanaris Din'an Heem: "Make you dead."

Dirthara-ma: "May you learn." Used as a curse.

Fenedhis: Meaning officially undefined as of yet; a common curse.

Fenedhis lasa: Meaning officially undefined as of yet. A common curse.

Fen'Harel ma halam: "Dread Wolf ends you." A threat.

Garas: Come.

Garas quenathra: "Why are you here?/Why have you come?" Spoken by the voices of the Vir'abelasan

Masal din'an: A threat, meaning unknown.

Na abelas: You'll be sorry.

Na din'an sahlin!: Your death is come!

Na melana sahlin: Your time is come.

Specific Sentences

Ar lasa mala revas: "You are free." More literally "I give you your freedom."

Ar lath ma, vhenan: "I love you, heart/my heart"

Ar-melana dirthavaren. Revas vir-anaris: Fen'Harel’s secret greeting. Meaning unknown.

Atish'all Vir Abelasan: "Enter the path of the Well of Sorrows."

Dirth ma banal. Mar solas ena mar din: "You have learned nothing. Your pride will be your death/downfall." A Dalish saying.

Dirth ma, harellan. Ma banal enasalin. Mar solas ena mar din: Roughly means: "Your pride is responsible for everything that has gone wrong; you will die alone."

Ir abelas, ma vhenan: "I am filled with sorrow for your loss, my heart."

Ir tel'him: I'm me again.

Ma banal las halamshir var vhen: You do nothing to further our people. 

Ma harel, da’len: You lie, child.

Ma harel lasa!: You lied to me.

Ma ghilana mir din'an: Guide me into death.

Ma melava halani: You helped me.

Mala suledin nadas: Now you must endure.

Malas amelin ne halam: I hope you find a new name.

Melana en athim las enaste: Now let humility grant favor.

Sulevin ghilana hanin: Roughly translates to "purpose guides to glory". This is an inscription on the back of the Dalish shield called "The Path to Glory".

Sylaise enaste var aravel. Lama, ara las mir lath. Bellanaris.: Dalish marriage vows.

Tel garas solasan: Come not to a prideful place.

[hoboblaidd]

Evanuris Lore Dump a collection of lore with brief synopses of each entry

Codex pdfs: DAO DA2 DAI DAV Solas dialogue

Pantheon Proper

Andruil - the huntress, and goddess of sacrifice Dirthamen - master of secrets Elgar'nan - the All-Father Falon'din - friend of the dead Ghilan'nain - mother of the halla Mythal - the All-Mother June - master of the craft Sylaise - hearthkeeper

Forgotten Ones no individual posts, sorry Anaris

Anaris Geldauran Daern'thal

Forbidden Ones only Imshael has an individual post

Gaxkang Xebenkeck Imshael The Formless One

Outliers

Fen'harel - the Dread Wolf the Healer - though not a "Forgotten One", the healer was an Evanuris or Evanuris-adjacent, linked with Sylaise, who was rarely mentioned in records of Elvhenan and whose name had been struck from ancient etchings on the order of Elgar'nan.

[mako-designated-driver]

Codex Entry #98: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf

There is precious little we know about Fen'Harel, for they say he did not care for our people. Elgar'nan and Mythal created the world as we know it, Andruil taught us the Ways of the Hunter, Sylaise and June gave us fire and crafting, but Fen'Harel kept to himself and plotted the betrayal of all the gods. And after the destruction of Arlathan, when the gods could no longer hear our prayers, it is said that Fen'Harel spent centuries in a far corner of the earth, giggling madly and hugging himself in glee.

The legend says that before the fall of Arlathan, the gods we know and revere fought an endless war with others of their kind. There is not a hahren among us who remembers these others: Only in dreams do we hear whispered the names of Geldauran and Daern'thal and Anaris, for they are the Forgotten Ones, the gods of terror and malice, spite and pestilence. In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear among both our gods and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is kin to the gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways, and saw him as one of their own.

And that is how Fen'Harel tricked them. Our gods saw him as a brother, and they trusted him when he said that they must keep to the heavens while he arranged a truce. And the Forgotten Ones trusted him also when he said he would arrange for the defeat of our gods, if only the Forgotten Ones would return to the abyss for a time. They trusted Fen'Harel, and they were all of them betrayed. And Fen'Harel sealed them away so they could never again walk among the People.

—From The Tale of Fen'Harel's Triumph, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves

[dragon-age-codex-entries]

Codex entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf

"There is precious little we know about Fen'Harel, for they say he did not care for our people. Elgar'nan and Mythal created the world as we know it, Andruil taught us the Ways of the Hunter, Sylaise and June gave us fire and crafting, but Fen'Harel kept to himself and plotted the betrayal of all the gods. And after the destruction of Arlathan, when the gods could no longer hear our prayers, it is said that Fen'Harel spent centuries in a far corner of the earth, giggling madly and hugging himself in glee.

The legend says that before the fall of Arlathan, the gods we know and revere fought an endless war with others of their kind. There is not a hahren among us who remembers these others: Only in dreams do we hear whispered the names of Geldauran and Daern'thal and Anaris, for they are the Forgotten Ones, the gods of terror and malice, spite and pestilence. In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear among both our gods and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is kin to the gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways, and saw him as one of their own.

And that is how Fen'Harel tricked them. Our gods saw him as a brother, and they trusted him when he said that they must keep to the heavens while he arranged a truce. And the Forgotten Ones trusted him also when he said he would arrange for the defeat of our gods, if only the Forgotten Ones would return to the abyss for a time. They trusted Fen'Harel, and they were all of them betrayed. And Fen'Harel sealed them away so they could never again walk among the People."

—From The Tale of Fen'Harel's Triumph, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves

[trebuchet151]

4 + 9 for your Rook? c:

oh honey you have no idea the magnitude of the can of worms you just opened

Disclaimer: Ithelanas is the product of YEARS of headcanons and my now incorrect assumption there would never actually be a DA4. He's an oc that is being shoved into the role of Rook and idk if any of this will wind up being canon.

His backstory is canon compliant (before veilguard anyway), just....very self indulgent lmao

So

Putting this under a cut bc it's going to be a lot

Warning for obnoxious lore dump and massive spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn't played inquisition and its DLCs

4. Where were they born? Where did they grow up?

Ithelanas was born and raised IN the Tirashan forest. He comes from a group of elves mentioned a few times in the codex, who are heavily implied to worship the forgotten ones. His vallaslin is for Daern'thal.

“During the Exalted Council, Leliana relays to the Inquisitor that she has been receiving reports of "strange elves", resembling in some way the Sentinel elves of the Arbor Wilds, being active in the Tirashan.”  https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Tirashan

“Success: The Forgotten Ones Your soldiers clash with elven archers at the forest's edge. The elves are cold-eyed, with tattoos of brilliant crimson. They extract a red price from your warriors before fleeing into the deeps. For a time, the border is untroubled. "I've fought the Dalish before," mutters a scarred sergeant. "I've heard them call on their gods in battle. Elgar'nan for vengeance. Fen'Harel when they think all is lost. But these ones called out to no gods I've ever heard of before. They weren't calling out for aid; they were offering us up. Like pigs on a platter.'” https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Sylvan_Raids

“The Forgotten Ones belong to the ancient Elven pantheon, but their names were lost after the Great Betrayal. Their worship continued in the shadows, despite efforts to stamp it out in the old Dalish kingdom. This staff belonged to a priest of those gods, specifically Daern'thal.”

https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Pyre_of_the_Forgotten

Daern’thal means “one who brings nightmares”

https://fenxshiral.tumblr.com/post/115789078148/does-the-name-daernthal-actually-mean-something

I think the nightmare demon in the fade at adamant is Daern'thal. Ithelanas's vallaslin is designed after that demon bc of this unhinged pet theory of mine :)

9. Where did they learn their skills? Who trained them?

Ithelanas is a rift mage and a dreamer (he was made as a love interest for my Lavellan, making him a dreamer maximized the angsty parallel between inquisitor Ameridan/Telana and Suli/Lanas). He had a mentor that taught him the fundamentals for awhile that I need to flesh out more character wise, but he learned most of his more advanced magic skills from his mom. He has a great relationship with his former mentor, and a terrible relationship with his mom. She's a kick ass mage and a great teacher though, he learned a lot even if it was traumatizing.

[vh-rp]

The Tirashan Elves

These elves of the Tirashan forest do not consider themselves dalish, and the dalish elves would agree. The Tirashan seek revenge against humans for their affronts to the elven people and rather than call upon the blessing of the Pantheon Gods, they have instead sought the Forgotten Ones out through hidden, dark cults. According to the Dalish, these individuals have committed a great crime and forsaken their people in return for the keys to a twisted and terrible strength.

These vicious elves wear vallaslin of bright red which is thought to be tainted by red lyrium, though somehow they have not succumbed to its terrible effects. These elves don't just chase humans off their land, they hunt them for sport and often offer them up as sacrifices to their Gods.

PHYSIOLOGY/VALLALSIN The Tirashan are not physically any different from the typical dalish elf, however, they seem to have a strange resistance to red lyrium. This could be because they tattoo small amounts into their skin and build up immunity, but no one really knows. Their vallaslin are homages not to the Pantheon, but to their own Gods.

GODS The gods of terror and malice, spite and pestilence. In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear among both the Evanuris and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is kin to the gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways, and saw him as one of their own. Where the Creators are gods of justice, knowledge and craft, who seek to guide and protect the elven people, the Forgotten Ones are a dark mirror presiding over the worst aspects of existence: disease, terror, spite and malevolence. They serve not as shepherds of the elves, but rather as figures of fear and dread. They may have greatly resented the Creator gods, and in fact asserted that there are no "gods" and that the right of dominance over others comes from deeds rather than nature.

ANARIS - God of Terror/Fear DAERN'THAL - God of Disease/Pestilence FEN'HAREL - God of Betrayal/Trickery GELDAURAN - God of Spite/Malevolence

[faded-mage]

Isathe & Solas Curiosity & Wisdom Desire & Pride

The Theory of Being

Someone asked me about the (very hard to read) elven:

Solas: "Mar isathe himem ma" - Your hunger has changed you. Isathe: "Mar solas ladarem ma" - Your pride has healed you.

Lines from my fic. 🥺

[zaahvi]

first forgotten ones design is geldauran! my fave :) doing a little "before & after" with these, with some light headcanons because we still don't have that much info on the forgotten ones.

also, while i've seen most people assume geldauran is male, i couldn't actually find any info about their gender (daern'thal's too, for that matter) so i'm just gonna keep it ambiguous. they can be whatever gender or lack thereof you want them to be :)

// for my evanuris designs check my tag: #evanuris designs

[telleskyggene]

Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf

There is precious little we know about Fen'Harel, for they say he did not care for our people. Elgar'nan and Mythal created the world as we know it, Andruil taught us the Ways of the Hunter, Sylaise and June gave us fire and crafting, but Fen'Harel kept to himself and plotted the betrayal of all the gods. And after the destruction of Arlathan, when the gods could no longer hear our prayers, it is said that Fen'Harel spent centuries in a far corner of the earth, giggling madly and hugging himself in glee. The legend says that before the fall of Arlathan, the gods we know and revere fought an endless war with others of their kind. There is not a hahren among us who remembers these others: Only in dreams do we hear whispered the names of Geldauran and Daern'thal and Anaris, for they are the Forgotten Ones, the gods of terror and malice, spite and pestilence. In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear among both our gods and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is kin to the gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways, and saw him as one of their own. And that is how Fen'Harel tricked them. Our gods saw him as a brother, and they trusted him when he said that they must keep to the heavens while he arranged a truce. And the Forgotten Ones trusted him also when he said he would arrange for the defeat of our gods, if only the Forgotten Ones would return to the abyss for a time. They trusted Fen'Harel, and they were all of them betrayed. And Fen'Harel sealed them away so they could never again walk among the People.

—From The Tale of Fen'Harel's Triumph, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves.

[shaken-veil]

WIP Folder

Tagged by @seigephoenix for the game. Usually I don't do this stuff on Tumblr anymore but since Seige asked, anything for her xD I actively really only write for one ship currently, with a few others sprinkled here and there.

rules: make a new post will the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous and tag as many people as you have WIPs. People send an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then you post a snippet or tell them something about it!

First Time - Miri x Lucanis

Cutscene Rewrites

Miri - Blighted Treviso AU

Rivaini Sunsets, Treviso Nights

Miri x Lucanis, Still Untitled Post Game

Drabble Collection

Rookery Banter (With Seige)

Brave New World - Daern'thal x Anaris

Tagging everyone else who wants to play!

[karnesada]

Forgotten Ones Lore

Codex pdf download: DAO DA2 DAI DAV

Dalish myths

fen'harel, the dread wolf - during the endless civil wars in Elvhenan, a group of 'evanuris' called the Forgotten Ones included Geldauran, Daern'thal, and Anaris. They were the gods of terror, malice, spite, and pestilence. Fen'harel was considered one of their own because of his "cunning ways." The Forgotten Ones trusted that Fen'harel could arrange the defeat of the Evanuris proper. He asked the Forgotten Ones to "return to the abyss", and then betrayed them.

arlathan, part two - Fen'harel bade the "lords of evil" to exile themselves to the abyss, so neither Evanuris nor Forgotten One would ever again enter the others' lands. The Forgotten Ones were sealed in "the abyss."

the abyss (or, the Void) - nebulous and unclear. This was the home of the Forgotten Ones, the gods of disease, terror, spite, and malevolence. It was dangerous to the Evanuris, and corrupted Andruil (the corruption was the Blight). Possibly related to "the earth's sorrow" when the sun burned the creations of the earth to ashes and Elgar'nan temporarily buried the sun in the abyss. [Note: this is all very likely related to the Titans.]

veneration - priests of the Forgotten Ones were persecuted during the time of the elven Dales, yet secret worship of them endures in hidden, dark cults. Prayers are usually related to revenge.

World tales

the enigma of kirkwall - explorations into Kirkwall's Tevene history by the 'Band of Three', a group of Seekers. They touch on whether the Forgotten Ones were real and connected to the Forbidden Ones (spoiler alert, they're not the same). The ancient magisters seemed to have been trying to summon one of the demons like the Forbidden Ones.

Ancient legends

elven god andruil - (found in the Arbor Wilds). Andruil, having grown tired of hunting "mortal men and beasts", began stalking the Forgotten Ones, "wicked things that thrive in the abyss." Every time Andruil entered the Void (so presumably after they were "sealed" by Fen'harel(?)), she suffered longer and longer periods of madness from the blight.

fen'harel and the tree - (cw: sexual assault). Andruil captured Fen'harel. As she made camp that night, "the dark god Anaris" found them and swore he'd kill Fen'harel for crimes against the Forgotten Ones. Andruil and Anaris agreed to duel for the right to claim the Dread Wolf. Fen'harel aided Anaris in the fight, calling out a weak point in Andruil's armor. Anaris felled Andruil, but Fen'harel told Anaris that he owed him freedom for giving Anaris victory. Anaris was "so affronted by Fen'harel's audacity that he turned and shouted insults at the prisoner." He got an arrow in the back for it, and both Andruil and Anaris slumbered to heal their wounds.

tales of the forgotten ones - in this ancient propaganda, Anaris is styled as the Light of Elvhenan, Champion of the People, Noblest of Nobles. Despite being "changed/moved", his army still "carried the blood of his people." Anaris rode forth to war upon Elvhenan in "his fight for freedom."

Primary sources (letters, dialogue, etc.)

[mostly about Anaris, with one codex entry by Geldauran and another by one who renounced Daern'thal.

on divine imperatives (found in the lighthouse) - an agent of Fen'harel - Shirahn, One Who Renounced Daern'thal, muses on the wills of the evanuris seeping into their creations, including those of the agents' "Wolf-Lord." Elgar'nan's favorite torture device, the Helm of the Solar, was destroyed, but fire begets fire. The agent remarks that "the light of divinity is uncontainable", a questions "Even as he [Fen'harel] saves us, what does he impart upon us?"

geldauran's claim (found in the Frostback Basin)- there are no gods, and those with will to earn dominance over others gain title by deed, not nature. Geldauran refuses to bow to Andruil, June, or the other Evanuris luring the faithful with promises. Geldauran will claim power of their own, apart from the Evanuris until they "strike in mastery."

the nadas dirthalen - built by Anaris, speaks in Anaris propaganda.

re: Anaris, "as "one of the greatest of Elvhenan, a steward of her glory." re: Fen'harel, an ideologue and a fool who will soon pay the price. When Anaris dispatches the Evanuris, he will spare a thought for Fen'harel. re: the Evanuris, a group of cowards, hiding behind their more 'powerful' magic and 'superior' numbers. Their jealousy of Anaris was palpable, their war is unending. But Anaris will prevail.

mystery substance - this is a series of four scrolls found in Arlathan, written by Anaris

mystery substance - Anaris' disciple Atrahel found a vial of a bloodline liquid that glows yellow and is always ice cold, and nullifies (literally, "devours") all but the most powerful magic. Anaris, in hiding, wants to learn to nullify magic the same way to strike down the Evanuris and "claim what is rightfully mine." notes on a mystery substance - Anaris tested the substance of his "dull" disciple, Atrahel. Despite its nullification properties, Atrahel got renewed vim and vigor from it. further notes - Atrahel's strength did not diminish, but he changed. Sharper, but speaks less, and when he does speak Anaris hears "the voice of another presence joined with us." Atrahel's strength surpasses even Anaris'. final notes - Atrahel consumed the rest of the substance and his form changed - "it rippled, and grew, and shone with an unnatural light." Atrahel was more powerful beyond anything Anaris had seen, decimated everyone (not even dust remained) but Anaris, who shielded himself. Anaris got the hell out of dodge since the other Evanuris would likely catch wind of that power.

the ritual - Anaris wants a physical body to bring him "succor from the storm" and allow him to escape "the Eye."

the fragment of Mythal: the Evanuris were flawed, but they were better than the others who threatened the People; selfish fools like Anaris. Anaris is a monster.

solas: the spirits sang Bellara's praises for her defeat of Anaris.

Modern studies (Veilguard analysis)

a letter from strife - Dalish clans only know the Fen'harel betrayal story or the stories of the Forgotten Ones' wars with the Evanuris. There's little else Strife can gather, other than that Anaris is powerful.

bellara dialogue - the Dalish were told that the Forgotten Ones were the "bad" gods and they couldn't speak their names. The legends used to say Solas was a Forgotten One.

cyrian's farewell note - in ancient times, Anaris turned the elven people into demon soldiers for his army. In the Dragon Age, he was just a spirit who needed a living elf to complete the ritual to get him a body.