#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

[caffeinosis]

It makes no sense that Elgar'nan does this but leaves 5000 statues of the guy who rebelled against him

[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.

[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.

[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

[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:

[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.

[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

[flossingh]

Thinking about the conversation where Solas warns against power-sharing - that one person may wield it wisely, but it is inevitable that a group will be corrupted - and the codex in DAO about Fen'Harel being able to walk freely amongst both the elven gods and the Forgotten Ones, and the codex by Geldauran in JoH, and Sera and Solas' banter about revolutions, and wondering:

Did Fen'Harel, after Mythal's murder, initially ally with the Forgotten Ones to... neutralise/kill/imprison the other gods, only for the Forgotten Ones to turn around and decide that they would replace the old pantheon and become gods themselves?

[magebutts]

alright, secret ending stuff compilation coming up squad here we go

so, to preface i got the secret ending on my own on my first playthrough without realizing it bc i was determined to 100% the game on my first run, so i had no idea what i was even looking for or stumbling on. im currently on my second run, still very early on, but piecing some stuff together

so first thing, while running around minrathous very early on (before the dragon attacks), i encountered some ambient dialogue from two mages standing outside what will one day become the black emporium.

i will note, this was 3 or 4 separate dialogues you get when you pass by them, so its possible to miss them or just not remember the context. i only found it notable on my second run, specifically because of the ending. and realized that oh my gosh, that secret room in the alleys of minrathous?

i have a feeling it might have belonged to that colleague who disappeared, as it seems the room isn't being used since we can just... walk into it, and no one is ever there, no changes happen to it.

whoever this room belonged to connected hooded figures to the warden, to kirkwall, to the inquisition, and the dagger. and considering that a scholar in minrathous had dug into this and disappeared... it seems safe to assume this was their research sanctum as it were, and that they had discovered the same hooded figures we encounter in the epilogue and their connections to previous major events in thedas

they mention the sun dimmed and the storm quelled in addition to the wolf defanged, which i can only imagine the sun means Anaris and the storm meaning... whatever qunari disaster Taash discovers in their personal quest?

how many figures there are remains unclear, we only see two together at a time in the ending shots, so while there could be more, i get the feeling that it is actually just two of them, and that they're the two remaining forgotten ones, Dern'thal and Geldauran, especially given their focus on mentioning that Anaris and Solas are gone (although what their beef with Anaris is I'm not sure)

and i get the feeling that the forgotten ones were also the ancient enemy the qunari faced and consumed dragon blood to defeat, but again not really sure what the Devouring Storm is. but if the figures say it's been quelled, i guess it's probably not a concern anymore..... maybe? it could be solas's plans to tear down the veil and destroy the world, or anaris' plans to.... i dont even know what actually? he was trying to form a demon army and gain a physical form, but when he dies, you get this dialogue:

so i suppose maybe that could be the beef the forgotten ones had with him? he wasnt cooperative, too self absorbed and set on his own goals for control and annihilation. which certainly fits with what Bellara gleans of his character from his nadas dirthalen. again, mostly unclear at the moment.

not entirely sure what the deal with the events of inquisition are either, that they weren't guiding there but that the events that happened are necessary to their plans. i get the feeling they probably also want the veil taken down to be freed, but in the codices it says they were locked away in the abyss while the evanuris were locked in the heavens, which turned out to be the fade... so is there somewhere else still that they're still trapped in? another realm besides the physical world and the fade? i suppose it's possible, maybe a realm beyond it, but I think it's just as likely they're trapped in the fade as well, but then again, we have to account for the circles and the codex entries and notes that accompany them as well, the unsettling feeling around them, and the oil-y feel. i don't believe other fade disruptions have been described like that in the past.

but its also strange, because as wrong as these circles feel, both as a player and as the characters in-game note how wrong they make them feel.... they don't seem malevolent towards Rook? no caped entities appear, no harm comes to them, the circles just... dissipate. and seem pleased to have not only been found by rook, but that they're disrupting exactly what the circles want them to disrupt.

and i worry that it's going to be another "the path to hell is paved with good intentions" scenario. because yes, in the end, the evanuris are thwarted, the veil remains intact and the world is.... well, that's the issue. it was saved, but nearly destroyed in the process. the horrors ferelden saw in the fifth blight and under loghain, the terror and destruction in kirkwall, everything that happened over the course of inquisition and veilguard. thedas has been completely, utterly devastated and we can only hope it will recover from the blight. so did the hooded figures guide the world to the events that led us here? yes. but at a terrible cost, but does that matter if there's still a world to exist to debate that cost?

of course it does, but these beings dont see it that way. and i think perhaps the reason they dont attack rook is ultimately pride, a sense of importance. because yes, rook can see this. it is only right that they find the circles, speak the the entities. they are a hero, they're enacting the plans that have been set into motion. not the dalish who found them before, or the scholar who got to close. it was not their information to know, so it must be buried. and perhaps, because they knew what they were looking for, there was a risk that they'd find something that these beings wanted to stay buried.

i dunno! i need to go to bed! will update in the future as i continue my replay if i find anything else i think is relevant

[dreadfutures]

Comrades in Arms, Brothers in Broken Chains Rated: T | Length: 2k, oneshot | Felassan & Agent(s) of Fen'Harel

At a secret refuge, Fen'Harel's Slow Arrow awaits the return of their agents from a vital mission. When things go awry, a furious ally points fingers at those in their ranks who still choose to wear their vallaslin. Felassan speaks on their behalf.

"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?"

by youworeblue (me) | narrated here by @rosella-writes partially based on codex entry Geldauran's Claim, and also inspired by @queenaeducan-writes for the Arlathan eXchange 2022: "In Masked Empire Felassan still possesses vallaslin, which may give us indication that the choice to get the markings removed was just that—a choice."

[dolores-slay]

Geldauran in DA5 be like while you were busy raising then sundering the Veil and having interpersonal drama I studied the blade. so anyone wanna fight right now ?