#halla keeper

[soloragoldsun]

Completed the first of many fics about Finn Lavellan!

[lyriumsings]

The first thing you must understand about the halla is that they are not our servants. They are not our pets. They are our brothers and sisters. Remember that Ghilan'nain, the first halla and mother of them all, was once a huntress of the People. Without the halla, there would be no Dalish.

[whiskeredbats]

my dragon age inquisitor has earned a lil ref sheet from me :)

[glassarrows]

for all his complex feelings about clans, matthias is very comfortable in his identity as dalish. he feels most at peace when out in the wilds, especially in the emerald graves and close to where he grew up (though with a little apprehension he may run into people he knew). despite his elvish not being the best, his expression will light up if someone starts talking to him in it and he’ll carry on the conversation as best he can. he craves that small knit sense of community that comes from being in a clan and having a defined role with a tangible impact. he still invokes andruil and mythal’s names when going out on missions. matthias would never be fully satisfied living out a life in a city or big settlement, only with a simple life and the feeling of earth under bare foot.

[attractthecrows]

reposting them because

GIRLS!!!!

[enigmalea]

Before Veilguard's release I was theorizing the Veilguard companion characters might have been designed to be parallels to the known Evanuris, but I couldn't place all of them.

Now that I've played the game (almost twice) I think I've figured them all out.

Rook - Elgar'nan, the leader. Controller of light and dark. The one who influences the others.

Neve - Mythal, who can be a fierce protector or a source of inspiration and hope.

Harding - Andruil, the hunter, who went mad from the Void and had to fight her way back

Bellara - June, the inventor. Master of magical artifact.

Lucanis - Dirthamen, keeper of secrets, who mastered the twin ravens of Fear and Deceit, and returned from death.

Davrin - Ghilan'nain, Master of Monsters, Keeper of Halla.

Emmrich - Falon'Din, the necromancer. Friend of the dead.

Taash - Sylaise, who's fire cannot be quenched.

Which leaves Solas to play the role he always has - Fen'Harel, the trickster and betrayer, who could ally with them, if only they will listen to his advice and try to protect their world as best as they can.

[hyperions-light]

screaming and crying and throwing up because Davrin and Lucanis can’t be friends until their fundamental conceptions of who they are and how the world works are destroyed

Davrin the Monster Hunter meets Lucanis, the Demon of Vyrantium, and he sees a Monster. The first thing Davrin says to him is that if Spite takes over he will kill him, and Lucanis responds with more than typical ire for him, because he agrees— he IS the monster (in his own mind) and Davrin has identified what he’s trying to ignore. (Harding also threatens to kill him, but Lucanis never reacts in that way to her).

Davrin conceptualizes himself as a bulwark against the darkness, the grim defender. He IS Weisshaupt, and Weisshaupt cannot fall, but it does. He stabs an Archdemon and does not die, and he doesn’t know why. What is he if not this? He did not protect anyone, he did not save anyone; he did not succeed in preserving anything he valued.

Lucanis has lost everything, but he is still a professional, he is still a Crow, and if he is now a monster he can use that to his advantage. He can control it; he WILL control it. He will go back to work and make things right the way he knows how. But when it’s time to do what he has trained for, he fails. What is he if he cannot even do the thing for which he was made? The only thing he has left?

And then Davrin goes to the Cauldron, and he finds the Gloom Howler, and she was a Person. She was a Warden, and an elf and the keeper of griffons, just like Davrin. Suddenly, she’s not a monster anymore; she’s Isseya, and she’s hurt.

And Lucanis goes to Treviso to kill Zara, and it’s taken from him and he loses control. He has to ask Rook for help, which he has been trying not to do, because he hasn’t confronted the real problem. And in that moment, he loses everything he had left; Illario, because he sees him for what he is, and his cloak of professionalism, because if it had been a job he would have stopped. But her death was not enough, and now he’s not a Crow, and he’s not in control, so what is he?

AND NOW that everything that can be broken has been broken and every bad thing they were afraid of actually happened and the world is ending, NOW they can be friends! Now they can rebuild themselves together ! Because Davrin isn’t ONLY the Monster Hunter, he’s also the man who raises Assan and sings to the halla and talks Isseya down! And Lucanis is not a monster at all. He’s just a man who goes grocery shopping for his friends and cooks special meals for everyone and loves his family no matter how much they hurt him.

Shokra toh ebra! You must struggle with what you are, but you can struggle TOGETHER !!

[deilmo]

Fen'Harel and the Halla

"After his millenia long slumber, Fen'Harel awoke in a world that felt foreign to him: the world of old, the veiled world. In trying to stop the Gods he had doomed the world to an existence devoid of magic. Alone and weakened, he couldn't act alone. That is when he met the lone Halla. It was born of this new foreign land that the wolf despised so, but it possessed unique wisdom and patience. It listened intently to what the wolf told him of worlds gone and forgotten and in turn the halla taught the rebel god about this world and the wolf listened. What the wolf couldn't forsee was to grow fond of the halla. In such a desolate and strange world, it was a beacon of hope and open-mindness. It had taught the God patience and understanding for the wretched world he had created. But Fen'Harel couldn't be driven off his path of duty, every new day that passed was a painful reminder of it. His journey was a dangerous, one that he should take alone. And so, one night he tore off his own heart, leaving a hole in its place, and ran without looking back. The halla wouldn't be deterred, ever so patient and understanding. It trailed him and found the rebel god again, so the wolf in despair chewed off one of its leg and fled where it couldn't follow, hoping it wouldn't. For years he walked the world in search of the wisdom he needed to free all magic but when he thought he did, the slumbering Gods imprisoned him as he had done millenia past. With the wolf locked into the very prison he had made for his ennemies, all hope of freedom had been lost for the People. But true to itself as ever, a three-legged halla persevered. In all the years the lone wolf took stalking the earth in search of wisdom, the halla trailed close behind in search of the god, in search of knowledge to help him. When Fen'Harel was finally freed from his prison, and once he freed all magic and felled his foes, the halla stood there, watching. When the wolf finally approached it, it dropped something at his feet without a word. His heart. All those years it had persevered to give back what the god had torn from himself. And he placed back his heart in the hole its absence had created. And that is the story of the Halla that chased the Wolf in the Veiled world and how it appeased the regret and guilt of a god. Da'len, if you ever see a statue of Fen'Harel somewhere, look close. For you might see a lone halla grazing near it. - Keeper Shirallas of the restored Elvhenan, Lathbora viran - 14:23 Sea.

Close up:

[princehendir]

Marethari: Merrill should be avoided. She plays with dark magic and is infected with the same Blight that took Tamlen. She is dangerous. But also we can't move the clan even though everyone wants to because what if she comes back.

Clan: what?

Marethari: and she will come back. Trust me. I'm going to make her.

Marethari: now if you'll all excuse me I'm going to go into this mountain cave to commune with nothing in particular.

Marethari: No one. I meant. Nothing is happening. Don't worry about it. But tell me if Merrill shows up. But don't be nice to her. Okay.

Clan: Keeper we need new Halla.

Mage who transferred from another clan to replace Merrill: so I'm just now walking into this

[too-many-lavellans]

Venui Lavellan

Halla Keeper Non-Combatant

[felassan]

Codex entry: Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla

"They say Ghilan'nain was one of the People, in the days before Arlathan, and the chosen of Andruil the Huntress. She was very beautiful—with hair of snowy white—and as graceful as a gazelle. She kept always to Andruil's Ways, and Andruil favored her above all others. One day, while hunting in the forest, Ghilan'nain came across a hunter she did not know. At his feet lay a hawk, shot through the heart by an arrow. Ghilan'nain was filled with rage, for the hawk—along with the hare—is an animal much beloved of Andruil. Ghilan'nain demanded that the hunter make an offering to Andruil, in exchange for taking the life of one of her creatures. The hunter refused, and Ghilan'nain called upon the goddess to curse him, so that he could never again hunt and kill a living creature. Ghilan'nain's curse took hold, and the hunter found that he was unable to hunt. His prey would dart out of sight and his arrows would fly astray. His friends and family began to mock him for his impotence, for what use is a hunter who cannot hunt? Ashamed, the hunter swore he would find Ghilan'nain and repay her for what she had done to him. He found Ghilan'nain while she was out on a hunt with her sisters, and lured her away from them with lies and false words. He told Ghilan'nain that he had learned his lesson and begged her to come with him, so she could teach him to make a proper offering to Andruil. Moved by his plea, Ghilan'nain followed the hunter, and when they were away from all of her sisters, the hunter turned on Ghilan'nain. He blinded her first, and then bound her as one would bind a kill fresh from the hunt. But because he was cursed, the hunter could not kill her. Instead he left her for dead in the forest. And Ghilan'nain prayed to the gods for help. She prayed to Elgar'nan for vengeance, to Mother Mythal to protect her, but above all she prayed to Andruil. Andruil sent her hares to Ghilan'nain and they chewed through the ropes that bound her, but Ghilan'nain was still wounded and blind, and could not find her way home. So Andruil turned her into a beautiful white deer—the first halla. And Ghilan'nain found her way back to her sisters, and led them to the hunter, who was brought to justice. And since that day, the halla have guided the People, and have never led us astray, for they listen to the voice of Ghilan'nain. — From The Tale of Ghilan'nain, as told by Gisharel, keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves"

[vigilskeep]

is it reasonable to say griffons are probably another of ghilan’nain’s creatures? they are weird hybrids. i was just reading about how they’re always equals and partners, never servants or slaves, and it sounds so like the relationship halla have with their keepers. it feels like it’s going to be plot relevant what with bringing them back for veilguard and giving davrin ghilan’nain’s vallaslin. can’t wait for him and one of her own creatures to take her down <3

[stitchzin]

Viago and Rook De Riva

It's in my head how much Astraea Rook De Riva was sad and defeated to leave home.

Viago saw that wild dalish tiny thing, with a very recent Vallaslin, still hurting and reddish, with some parts bleeding. Astraea as a good eye on the street. She would collect intel for his jobs, watch his exits until Viago finally could bring her in the house because she was wild and untamed.

Viago knows he never tamed her, she just trusted and liked him enough to addapt to him. In the game, Rook's idiot act is always brought up, but it's loyalty is never a question.

Regardless, she choose Viago, and later Viago had to choose to send her away. She might be out for nearly a year.

In her absence he starts to wonder how does a recent full grown dalish ends up in treviso streets. He investigates but the best he get are her friends in town who are a street artist, a botanist and a dressmaker. They say the same, she came out of nowhere.

Is only after Ghil'lanin fight that Lucanis tell him, that she was avoiding Treviso now because her former clan was in the area and they were helping those injuried. Viago goes to check on them, and give some supplies.

The Keeper tells Viago, Teia and Lucanis, who was already charmed by her, that she was banished at the age of 13, because she was in the woods collecting mushrooms and humans spotted her, she run to the camp and the humans came after the dalish making them run for their lives loosing people on the attack. She was considered a danger to the clan and casted a side, she had a Vallaslin, she was considered an adult thus, punished as one.

She was a prodigy, the youngest in their history to get a Vallaslin, a mythal vallaslin, modest on the face. And had other much more complex Vallaslin on her hands. Not a single tear, not a single cry on the hours that took to complete the hand and face process.

But a mistake was enough to erase that. There was no guilty, they still think it was the best choice.

They didn't saw what Viago had saw, a child. Not an adult. A kid.

Viago has realised he did the same. After years of perfect score, one mistake exiled her, but he was trying to keep her safe. He was. He is.

But now he wonders if she sees like that.

Lucanis goes back to the lighthouse to see Rook, he had in hand good chocolate, Halla milk, her favorite cookies, plus some clothes. He said Viago send it. Plus a good pair of boots, those came from Teia.

She gives a huge smile, with some tears.

He tells Viago.

On the next day she shares the sweet with Lucanis, and only Lucanis. Nothing ever tasted so sweet to him.

[deartys]

Connecting the Evanuris with Spirits and Demons

The Evanuris are very interesting to think about and its neat that Solas gets bigger and has purple eyes in Veilguard, visually similar to the Pride Demon.

Ancient elves might not be spirits no longer but they hold a similar narrow thinking, not too different from their Spirit selves, and their archdemons explore that even further. Now without further ado:

Code- Blue: Canon, Orange: Headcanon

Solas, The Dread Wolf

Archdemon: N/A

Spirit: Wisdom

Demon: Pride

Mythal, the All-Mother

Archdemon: N/A

Spirit: Justice that shattered to both Benevolence and Retribuiton

Demon: Vengeance

Or

Spirit: Love

Demon: Envy

Note: Flemeth mentions that she wants to see Mythal Avenged, Mythal is drawn to those who have been betrayed and/or wronged. She is both called has the Goddess of Love, and Goddess of Justice.

Elgar'nan, God of the Sun

Archdemon: Lusacan, Dragon of Night

Spirit: (edit)Tyranny

Demon: Hunger

notes: Any of the vices would apply to him, but he is more complex than Rage, and more blunt than Desire. And i see Hunger as an all consuming need to try fill the void, similar to greed. A tyrant who is never satisfied.

Ghilan'ain, Goddess of the Halla

Archdemon: Razikale, Dragon of Mysteries

Spirit: not originally a Spirit, risen by Andruil

Notes: I just enjoy that originally born from a body is the One that uses flesh like a tool.

Andruil, Goddess of the Hunt

Archdemon: Andoral, Dragon of Slaves

Spirit: Purpose

Demon: Desire

Note: She has a single mindedness to her, and Desire usually works with deals, and she was the one to strike one with Ghilan'ain and rise her to godhood

June, God of Craft

Archdemon: Urthemiel, Dragon of Beauty

Spirit: Learning or Curiosity

Demon: Sloth

Note: He stops being the active creator and becomes the passive watcher

Sylaise, the Hearthkeeper

Archdemon: Toth, Dragon of Fire

Spirit: Valor

Demon: Rage

Note: again, unsure about her Spirit form but Rage is fire and destruction, with no clear goal. Valor creates weapons aided by fire.

Falon'Din, Friend of the Dead

Archdemon : Zazikel , Dragon of Chaos

Spirit: fragmented alongside Dirthamen (probably Compassion or Hope)

Demon: Fear

Note: Terror also applies, being both Fear demons. Compassion makes sense by being able to feel other's pain. His archdemon led the most bloodthirsty blight that led to the griffon extintion.

Dirthamen, Keeper of Secrets

Archdemon: Dumat, Dragon of Silence

Spirit: fragmented alongside Falon'Din (probably Hope or Compassion)

Demon: Despair

Notes: The first archdemon that taugth humans blood magic, the first and longest blight, the God that relished in the Despair his Silence creates.

-

Feel free to comment any further insight, I myself feel unsure about the spirits in many cases

[bloedewir]

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Elvhen pantheon mosaics

(guesses based on "traditional" dalish lore)

Elgar'nan (Eldest of the Sun) and Mythal (The Great Protector)

Ghilan'nain (Mother of the Halla) and Andruil (Goddess of the Hunt)

Falon'Din (Friend of the Dead) and Dirthamen (Keeper of Secrets)

June (God of the Craft) and Sylaise (The Hearthkeeper)

Fen'Harel (The Dread Wolf)

[came-out-of-the-coffin-desisted]

not to out of left field dragon age post, but i’m thinking of replaying origins and it made me think about how like. mahariel and tamlen are definitely old enough to be married/bonded by dalish standards, and they’ve been friends for at least a fews years if not their whole lives (and it’s probably their whole lives honestly) so they’ve had time to get bonded.

so the implication is that either a) they haven’t gotten their shit together enough to tell each other how they feel much before like. the week origins begins OR b) the elders wouldn’t allow them to bond, the way they wouldn’t let mahariel’s parents bond, and eventually they relented. and i know a lot of people like the first one and i agree that it is like. nicer to the characters. but the second one makes me go INSANE because it’s like. we think you’re too immature, or maybe just one of you is, you’re too impetuous, you don’t think before you act, and you egg each other on, or one of you is too devoted to hold the other one back. whichever it is, it’s a matter of worrying they won’t be good for each other— they don’t approve of the match.

until someone (probably ashalle or marethari herself) intervenes, and the FIRST thing, the very first thing that happens is they find that cave. no matter how it happened— if tamlen refused to go back to prove that he was worthy, if they egged each other on, if mahariel led tamlen forward— they WERE bad for each other, but not out of malice. out of love. and afterwards, when mahariel is a warden and tamlen is gone from them forever (even if they will, unbeknownst to them, see him again, just in the most horrifying way possible,) i can just imagine them sitting up nights, afraid to sleep because of the horrible dreams, alternatively blaming the elders for not letting them be together sooner and blaming themselves for not going back, for not making him go back.

in the gauntlet, the spirit or demon or whatever it is takes the form of tamlen, taunts them about their failure, about their waking fucking nightmare.

and months later, when there have been so many loses that they’re sort of numb to it all, when they’ve made a new family and maybe fallen in love again, when they’re living every day like it could be their last (because it could be,) they wake up one night in a cold sweat, or they’re in the middle of ~something~ with their new partner, and shrieks ambush their camp. they have to come out and fight, back to back with their new family, with their lover— they finish the fight covered in blood, every inch the warden, every inch the hero of ferelden. and in the aftermath, there he is. the ghost of the one person they never thought they’d lose, their best friend, the soulmate they were /supposed/ to have. and he’s a ghoul, he’s dying, and if they don’t kill him, the blight will force their hand.

and then there’s one fucking line with alistair about it. you can’t follow up on it. …but imagine if you could. imagine if the warden absolutely melts down afterward. imagine if they got to feel, for once, the ENORMITY of what they’ve lost, the enormity of what the blight took from them, which they’ll never get back, even if they have people they love. even if they live through it all, they save the world, now they’re the warden commander and they get to live free of fear—they’ll still never be one half of the happy elder couple who laughs and jokes and says ‘yes’ to every match because they believe in love over all. they’ll never get to see merrill become keeper and tease her about how pompous she was as a kid, they’ll never have children. they’ll never hunt again, never sit with the halla and smile about the beauty of the world.

in a lot of ways i think that the elven wardens lose the least, because they gain power they’d otherwise never have— but they still lose things. there is no easy way to become a warden. the only way that a warden loses nothing by joining is if they had nothing to lose at all.