#geldauran

[zaahvi]

— "I am Anaris. They call me—" — "A Forgotten One."

[mogwaei]

If anyone reading my fic wants to know how I've been envisioning Geldauran, look no further than Ganondorf from LoZ. Why am I confessing this now instead of 2+ years ago when I first wrote him?

...because I have major Ganon brainrot right now :3

[dreadfutures]

I think we're supposed to take the Forgotten Ones as Just Elven Warlords and idk how I feel about it.

Early in Bellara's recruitment, outside the ruins with the Nadas Dirthalen, one of Elgar'nan's servants speaks of "the usurper's" archive spirit and how it was not made by the Dread Wolf. Bellara talks about how an armory/these ruins generally belonged to warlords ("they had a lot of them").

Anaris is trying to... I guess build an army of enslaved demons/servants from elves, with the help (control) of Cyrian. Cyrian really believes Anaris has power to rival a god, which I think we really don't see (I frankly do not see Anaris as having the ability to, say, cause a mcfreakin' eclipse). Unclear as to what the plan is with that army - go up against Elgar'nan in an incredibly hilarious but probably at most vaguely annoying attempt at conquest? lol Anaris never came across in that quest as particularly powerful or villainous...

Gods of pestilence and misfortune? Gods? The Evanuris thought that perhaps the Dread Wolf was conspiring with them but Solas never ever mentions them I think and he probably wasn't? They weren't sealed away by the Veil and they weren't connected to the Archdemons so like, what was their deal at all? Where has Anaris been for centuries? Was he in uthenera? Was he just puttering around waiting for someone to put on his mask and feel his teenage angst and help him out?

The whole deal is just... Egotistical megalomaniac with nothing to back it up comes out of nowhere after being a no one for about 10,000 years or more and the whole world barely notices.

Geldauran, one of his ilk, has what is essentially a tomb in the Frostback Basin and I guess... we're supposed to assume he's dead? He sounded just as egotistical and ineffective as Anaris, then, I guess.

[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

[felassan]

"There are no gods. There is only the subject and the object, the actor and the acted upon. Those with will to earn dominance over others gain title not by nature but by deed. I am Geldauran, and I refuse those who would exert will upon me. Let Andruil's bow crack, let June's fire grow cold. Let them build temples and lure the faithful with promises. Their pride will consume them, and I, forgotten, will claim power of my own, apart from them until I strike in mastery."

... geldauran if you’re reading this i am free on thursday night. if you would like to hang out i am free on thursday night when i am free to hang out. i am free to hang out on thursday night so if you want to hang out on thursday night i am free.

[queenaeducan]

If people are experiencing Elvhen Rebellion feelings and Felassan feelings, may I recommend:

Comrades in Arms, Brothers in Broken Chains by @dreadfutures

Pairing: Felassan & Agent(s) of Fen'Harel

Characters: Felassan, Geldauran, Agent(s) of Fen'Harel

"Faith is what leads the weak to follow false gods," Geldauran snapped. "Faith is for those who have no trust in their own nobility, and strength. We would do well to cast it off, as we all should cast off our chains!"

"Ah, but it is faith that led us here." Felassan smiled. "What can compel a slave to stand against a god, if not faith in oneself, and in each other, above all?"

Written for me and @rosella-writes as a gift for the Arlathan Exchange! Still one of my fave rebellion era fics 🥺

[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.

[bodysnatch3r]

mien'harel [gen; adult]

CHARACTERS: Solas; Felassan; Mythal; Ghilan'nain; Andruil; Imshael; Geldauran; Anaris; Abelas; Original Elvhen Characters.

RELATIONSHIPS: Solas & Felassan; Solas/Felassan (Slow Burn); Solas & Mythal; Solas & Original Elvhen Characters.

RATING & WARNINGS: Mature; Graphic Depictions of Violence; Major Character Death. This fic does not follow Veilguard's established lore for Solas, as it was drafted much earlier than the game's release.

A spirit is called from the world that dreams into the world that wakes. He is given the name Solas, and then he is told to forget he ever was a spirit at all. He grows up as the son of a scullery maid, a servant of Mythal the All-Mother, and knows no life but the life of the incarnated. Until his brother is kidnapped by Andruil, on the hunt for fresh blood to feed her Champion's vile experiments. Solas attempts to petition Mythal for his brother's release, but is offered an alternative instead: work for the Mother of the Evanuris, rise through the ranks, and gain enough power to free his brother himself. But unknown to him, and to the other Evanuris, history is being nudged (or perhaps shoved), and Solas will soon find himself in the position to change the course of Elvhenan forever.

PART ONE: ALL NEW

CHAPTER NINE

The marriage of flesh to Fade was one Solas had never had to think about. But ever since they'd walked into these caves, the edges of what he knew as real were growing thinner by the minute. The world was now covered by a muslin veil, was covered by the thinnest layer of lyrium dust, cast about his perception of things as they were and not as they should have been. Imshael was taking that veil and bending it to its will. It plucked it like a chord. It brought it crashing down upon Solas' head, suffocated him with it, cast it tight over his mouth and face and pulled and pulled until he could not breathe. He inhaled, and the magic the demon had cast filled his mouth with cotton. He could not bid his body to move. He could not bid his magic to blossom. He watched in horror as the thing that led them there crawled through the air and gripped Felassan's mouth open with an approximation of hands, clawed and grey. Slack-jawed, vacant Felassan. Felassan whose violet eyes had turned white, whose irises had vanished, whose pupils were specks. “What are you doing to him?” Solas thought he howled. He had no way of moving his mouth. No vocal chords to vibrate, everything gone pale and terrible and dying. And still. The horror burning through him, and the world just standing still.

READ FROM THE BEGINNING

[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:

[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

[amaryllis-sagitta]

[Old reposts] Some thoughts about Ghilan’nain’s and Fen’Harel’s apotheosis

The myth of Ghilan’nains ascension tells that

“[Andruil] approached Ghilan'nain with an offer: the gods would share their power with Ghilan'nain, but only if she destroyed her creations”. (Codex: The Ascension of Ghilan’nain)

Dalish lore also points at Ghilan’nain being especially faithful to Andruil’s moral path and, in turn, favoured by her. The offer of apotheosis itself was extended by none other that Andruil.

This opens up a rare possibility of patronage being granted by the Evanuris to their chosen subjects. Eventually, the Evanuris agreed to “share their power with Ghilan’nain”. It likely involved some sort of social rite of passing: she received a domain, a sacred shapeshifting form (perhaps shapeshifting was reserved for the Evanuris only altogether?), probably much more than that, but she had to enter the clique and adjust to their group dynamic.

It is confirmed by Fen’Harel in Trespasser DLC that godhood among the elvhen was a matter of acquired power. The Evanuris climbed the ladder of power and esteem until they were worshipped as gods. This suggests an enormous disparity between the Evanuris and the common people of the Elvhenan in peak moments before Mythal’s murder - a disparity that Fen’Harel would have sworn to even out.

He could walk among both the Evanuris and the Forgotten Ones, but only the latter are said to have recognized him as their equal.

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: Fen’Harel, The Dread Wolf)

It is implied from Cole’s remark from Trespasser DLC that Solas used to wear the vallaslin, presumably Mythal’s, but removed it from his own face:

He did not want a body. But she asked him to come. He left a scar when he burned her off his face.

I’ll leave aside the possibility of him being chosen as Mythal’s beneficiary at some point in history. What interests me is the tricky position: Fen’Harel being “kin” to the Evanuris, but being excluded from the pantheon; always separated as the double-dealing, lone walker, recognized by the Forgotten Ones, but not quite one of them either.

My guess is that Solas broke free from Mythal while she was still alive because, in his earlier years, he was this kind of archetypal chaotic rogue who couldn’t stand any restrictions, or follow any rules for dear life. Thus, he received a trickster moniker that seems to gather all meanings around betrayal, chaos, deceit, duplicity, havoc, revolt, etc. etc. The ostracization of Solas/ Fen’Harel would have begun long before he started his revolt, for one specific reason: he probably despised both cliques, defied their rules and inner dynamics altogether, and rose to power by plucking whatever bit he wanted to pry away from them to undermine the existing dynamic. For all it’s worth, he operated like a Forgotten One.

From Geldauran’s Claim we can derive that at least one of the Forgotten Ones recognized accomplishments of power and rejected the Evanuris as a group with their pretence to set the rules for others. We don’t know if the Forgotten Ones themselves showed any pretence to define themselves as a group, not just defiant individuals reconciled with their fate to be obscured by history as long as it’s dictated by the Evanuris:

Let Andruil’s bow crack, let June’s fire grow cold. Let them build temples and lure the faithful with promises. Their pride will consume them, and I, forgotten, will claim power of my own, apart from them until I strike in mastery. (Codex: Geldauran’s Claim, JOH)

The myth of Fen’Harel and the Tree shows him between a rock and a hard place, having wronged both Andruil and Anaris the Forgotten One. Which implies, our boy could have been really busy pissing everyone off and usually finding a way to escape retribution by the skin of his teeth. The question remains why Fen’Harel was somehow remembered as a separate entity, not just labelled another Forgotten One.

A possible answer is that his remarkable skill in deceit and double-dealing gave him an immunity pass of a spy mastermind who had a hook on everyone. Which leads us to another possible answer: it’s quite possible that he surpassed both groups, and they reluctantly had to reckon with him while trying to keep the common people away from his area of influence. If he truly managed to imprison both groups of the elvhen “gods”, then for a brief moment he might have been, effectively, the most powerful elvhen to ever exist.

So, here’s a contrast between Ghilan’nain, who obeyed the Evanuris and destroyed the majority of her creation in exchange for power and inclusion (possibly, also the mandate to keep making her creatures on a lesser scale, with better resources and infrastructure, under other Evanuris’ scrutiny), and Fen’Harel who disregarded their rules and quite literally remained a self-made figure. Apotheosis as a token of recognition and as a rise in reputation, and apotheosis as a claim for tangible control.

[dreadfutures]

❛ keep your wits about you. if you need anything, ask me. ❜ (felassan - rebel/lighthouse era?)

For @dadrunkwriting

In my Elvhenan AU, Dirthamen regretted the invention of mind-control vallaslin and collaborated with Fen'Harel's rebellion from inside the Evanuris' ranks - until he was one day betrayed. Here's some aftermath.

-:-:-

The Lighthouse cloaked them in shadow, responding eagerly to their need for privacy. Anyone might pass by their clandestine alcove none the wiser.

“I don’t like this, Solas,” Felassan said under his breath. It did not matter that he trusted the Lighthouse to silence his voice outside their hiding spot—the bitter words were once he did not wish to speak, so he kept them a whisper. “How did they get Dirthamen? No one keeps a secret better than the Secret Keeper. It could not have been his own carelessness.”

Solas’s blue eyes were trained on the walkway on the other side of the illusion, but he dipped his chin in acknowledgment of Felassan’s concern. “Someone betrayed him,” he said plainly. “Betrayed us. And unless Geldauran and his ilk left listening spells here after their departure… it must have been one of our people.”

Felassan clenched his fists. “Please tell me you have sniffed out the traitor already. We’ve suffered so many losses recently, and this one… What the Evanuris will do to make an example of their own… I worry about morale.”

“I know,” Solas replied with a sigh. He met his gaze, and Felassan knew immediately that Solas had not yet found a lead. Perhaps in response to his visible dismay, Solas reached for his shoulder. “It is a dark time, my friend. I will not deny it. I know of little that will raise our people’s spirits but victory—and we will not have that unless we can root out this traitor.”

Felassan covered Solas’s hand with his own. “So what do we do?”

A small smile tilted the corner of Solas’s mouth, and Felassan immediately knew he would not like whatever he was about to say.

“Let the traitor fear my Slow Arrow,” he said. “Observe. Take note. Everyone and anyone might be an enemy—how they respond to our trials and our successes will give you some insight, and their movements about the Lighthouse and the Crossroads. Perhaps we may be able to provoke them into the light. But I must rely on you to do so, Felassan. Without Dirthamen’s inside knowledge, our only hope of progress lies out in the field. I must dedicate my attention to finding Ghilan’nain’s other labs.”

Felassan wished that Solas’s touch was more of a comfort as it once had been, that the faith in his gaze would buoy him rather than weigh him down. Felassan’s grip on Solas’s wrist was tight, but all he could feel through his glove was the cold metal of his gauntlet, and the weariness and worry in Solas’s eyes were no comfort at all.

As if sensing that his uncertainty was contagious, Solas bowed his head. For a moment, they stood there at arm’s length—touching, but separated by a distance that felt far greater than Solas’s reach. Felassan longed to close that distance. It would do them both some good, and they had forgone comfort for so long in this war, they must deserve a moment alone. A moment of trust, faith, comfort in each other.

But at the same time, Felassan could not bring himself to move closer. They could be together when the war was over. When the world was safe, it would be safe for them, too.

And until then, they had work to do.

Felassan swallowed hard. “Alright. I will work on things here. Just… make sure you take care of yourself out there, Solas.”

Solas squeezed his shoulder once more, then slipped out of his grasp. “Keep your wits about you, lethallin. If you need anything, ask me.”

“And if you need me, just say the word,” Felassan replied.

Solas said nothing and did not meet his eye again before disappearing through the illusion and down the stairs toward the eluvian.

[lyriumrebel]

Okay hear me out because i've been thinking on this and researching

We know these are the same figures. I've seen popular theory

If it's the evanuris the worst would be Elgar'nan. He's powerful, he's the father or the sun god or the patriarch. He's going to be powerful and he's shown to be keen for vengeance.

Then probably Andruil because she was always shown as mad, prideful and spiteful.

Ghilan'nain was the mother of beasts so I see where the fan theory is coming from, looking at the tentacles and weirdness.

I keep looking at the Forgotten Ones who opposed the Evanuris, may have been on Fen'Harel's side in the rebellion to free the enslaved but if he still was behind locking them away they're not going to be happy

We know the name Geldauran from codices. That's the main one that actually has an entry?

But i'm still sticking with Evanuris. It makes sense for the look of terror on Solas' face. Rook's interference messed up his ritual and they got through when Solas tried to break down the Veil while keeping them inside.

For the more basic looking dude on the right - yeah i agree Elgar'Nan makes sense.

This is a skull representing Elgar'Nan from DA2(?) Spy the little pointy horns which certainly match the crescent headpiece

As for the unearthly shapes of the person on the left. I believe it's Andruil. One, she was driven mad by spending time in the Void hunting the Forgotten Ones. She has the potential to be a terrifying and unhinged villain. Two, her codex entry says that she cloaked herself in armour made from the void itself, masking herself so that people forgot her face.

"She made weapons of darkness, and plague ate her lands." That's metal

Also her mosaic is pretty tentacle-y

[karnesada]

June Lore

Codex pdf download: DAO DA2 DAI DAV

Dalish myths

fen'harel, the dread wolf - Sylaise and June gave us fire and crafting.

june god of the craft - the elves wandered without purpose and were cold and hungry, for they had no fire or crafts. Sylaise the Hearthkeeper gave them fire and taught them how to feed fire with wood. June taught them to fashion bows, arrows, and knives so they could hunt. The elves learned how to hunt and to use the skins and furs. Now, the elves dedicate all their crafts to June.

World tales

the mystery of june - Orlesians struggle to understand what aspect of Elvhenan that June is a "metaphor" for. June appears least seldom of all the gods. The oldest depictions of June don't have the tools the Dalish associate with him. The Orlesians theorize that June's role may have changed or isn't something understandable in the modern age because Tevinter didn't concern itself with preserving Dalish culture.

constellation bellitanus - once thought to be a constellation of Urthemiel, the old god of beauty. Depictions vary across ages, likely as standards of beauty shift.

Ancient legends

song to sylaise (found in the temple of mythal) - Sylaise's faithful praise her skill that "rivals June's craft."

raising the sonallium (found in vir dirthara) - a gift from Sylaise to June, the Grand Sonallium was a sphere made from the raw essence of the Fade that showed a world of indigo waterfalls, rust-red jungles, and a masterful temple palace. It was made thousands of elves channeling the raw essence of the Fade, and its creation included "well-dressed elves" fighting each other.

pantomime theater mask of june - "In narrative, he is the means, and the tools by which needs are met or obstacles conquered. His will hides in the actions of the others."

geldauran's claim (found in the Frostback Basin) - Forgotten One Geldauran curses the gods, and says "let June's fire grow cold."

Solas' dialogue

To Elgar'nan: "[Your new empire] will not have eluvians, will it? June built those, and he is dead."

Modern studies (Veilguard analysis)

elven gods and tevinter gods - June (craft, invention) = Urthemiel, Dragon of Beauty

june's mirror - Strife's studies of eluvians confirms that a very early version of June's symbol that was carved in the lyrium fragment. They think it logical that June created the first eluvian. June used a single lyrium crystal perfectly split in two to link the mirrors, and that each piece resonated with its counterpart. June may have enchanted the lyrium fragments.