#her belief in the elven pantheon

[gutshift]

the central thing you need to know about sera is that she is just...deeply insecure and lacks any kind of meaningful confidence in herself or her beliefs, and that's why she reads every minor disagreement or even someone believing differently than she does as an attack and rejection. she lacks the confidence in herself to say "i believe in the maker, and i'm secure enough in that belief that others believing differently doesn't threaten my own sense of faith."

[raviollies]

Theta is an incredibly old Hag having been able to survive for a millennium, her true age unknown as she herself stopped counting. Thus amongst Hags, not only does she rank as a Grandmother but a very powerful one at that, her only misfortune having been the last of her coven, the group having cannibalized itself in a struggle for power.

Such old Hags exist but are a rarity, and in some isolated pockets of rural areas they are worshipped as deities of the natural cycle of decomposition and as the group for life. Though this practice is few and far between and generally discouraged in favour of the standard pantheon and generally labeled as a false or old god. Their domains consist of ancient forests older than civilizations, not unlike Silvanus, though where they differ is that the Fae have a propensity to grant wishes and desires, for a price of course, rather than keeping a distance for the sake of balance (Often times this involves body parts [ a la what Auntie Ethel does in BG3, where they would be granted sight or hearing through your body] or living beings).

Theta's reasoning for pursuing Blythe is nothing special - she was simply seeking out Elven women with a potential, ones that have not awakened or honed their magical skills as to be molded and influenced (She sees it as teaching a chick to fly).

Like other Hags, Theta believes in the obscenity of love; patron of obsession and possession. She encourages Elven mages to cannibalize their lovers - and is staunch in the belief that consuming another grants their power. Whether or not that belief is fact or fiction is dubious.

[zyana-wyvern]

✨Let's talk about OCs!✨How would you describe your OC's personality/aesthetic? What's your favourite thing about them? Tell us a fun fact(s) about your OC or their creation!❤️Send this to at least 3 people to spread some OC appreciation!❤️

First of all, thank you so much for the ask @yennefer-of-vengerbergs! 💞

How would you describe your OC's personality/aesthetic?

Her personality is...for lack of a better word, complex. She's Chaotic Good to Chaotic Neutral, though later in her life, after the events of Baldur's Gate 3, you could argue she could be considered somewhat leaning towards evil, especially by people who do not know her, or her backstory.

She means so much to me and I've had her story swirling in my head for a year. Everything just came together on its own in the span of a few months, which has never happened to me before.

She's a Dream Circle Druid, which makes her directly connected to the Feywild. As a Half Elf, she was raised by her Elven father, who is a Cleric of Corellon, in quite an isolated elven realm, called Tar Nordho (King Oak in Quenya Elvish).

DnD Half Elves are usually raised by their Human or Elven side, depending on what the parents and family decide. Her mother, a Lathanderite Flaming Fist, gave her away to her father, where she knew she would have a more stable family home and good education. Most inhabitants of Tar Nordho were either clerics of the Seldarine pantheon, or Dream Druids (still worshipping the Seldarine).

Idunn became one of the most skilled Dream Druids of her generation, due to an almost unnatural openness to the Feywild, the weave and the ability to tune in to different realms, enter dreams, shape dreams, open portals and communicate with Faes of all kind. She focused all her lifeforce and magic into this ethereal craft, being underdeveloped in other Druidic areas, such as wildshapping. She did love to turn into a white shewolf, or at times a white doe and she had great control over these. The wolf shape in particular was like a second nature to her. Her history is very long, so I won't get into all of it now, but her archfae teacher (all Dream Druids of the realm had an appointed fae or archfae who acted as a fount of knowledge and magic) and a young elven man she loved, were the catalysts to her getting into a contract with said archfae.

Said contract and its consequences, led to exile, where the leaders (who are reflections of the Seldarine gods on the Material Plane), banned her from Tar Nordho and also made a mockery of her father. This, along with the passing away of her human mother, the fear of a short life, and death itself, the uncertainty over where her soul would go after death, considering she's Half Elven, plus the ongoing guilt related to the various things she did, has pushed her into a lifetime of fighting and opposing death and aging itself, while also fixing her mistakes.

The Feywild and its temptations of ultimate bliss and the source of all magic and the true origin of Elves is what drives her, even when her heart breaks for creatures of all races, or when she tries to help everyone during Baldur's Gate events.

She is terrified of what the Absolute wants to bring and abhors it, due to it being the end of all freedom, but at the same time she would love to see the Feywild swallow all of Toril and end death itself, though she is aware some lives would be lost in the process.

So, her personality has been shaped by all these complications that ultimately she brough upon herself, but were also placed on her back by the circumstances of her very existence. What she truly wants is an utopia, where everyone is free and immortal and she is indeed willing to do a lot to reach it.

Astarion and his very existence and drive to escape his trauma and move on, challenge her beliefs and for a while she slows down, loves him deeply, like she never loved someone before. He's an oddity to her - a High Elf man with the trappings of a human almost, and also with the curse of the vampire upon him. To her he seems disconnected from his true nature, and yet a respite and oasis for her own turmoil.

He even finds (steals with Jaheira's approval) the Scroll of Timeless Body for her, knowing of her fear of death, promises to her that they'll find a cure for his vampirism. For a while she's sated, but the Fae contract is still there and one day she has to confront her Archafe master himself, but also her own, unbreakable yearnings and goals.

Had to write all of this because without them its hard to describe her personality.

She's good, she's emotional, sentimental, tender and wise, but also intense, profound, sometimes manipulative, proud and very stubborn. Poor Astarion, right?lol But I hc that through her he grows too, because while during BG3 events she was the one helping and guiding him, reigniting his self esteem, afterwards he will be her rock and True North, her home and the only one who could heal the turmoil and calm the storm. Succeeding all of that and more will be a great accomplishment for him.

Her aesthetics are usually conceived in such a way to fit the situation, with an added little detail that is truly her. For example she might wear some simple, functional armour, but always keep her Feywild amulet and earrings on, or add an enchanted flower that never wilts in her hair. She does have a weakness for purples and muted golds, brass etc, and she does miss the luxury of the elven court while she's on the road, but in her years of exile she learned to adapt and find joys wherever she can.

Also the wolf motif will appear and sometimes the deer too (fur, antlers, a fang etc). They stand as externalizations of the two sides of herself she finds hard to reconcile, though the deer is the influence of her Archafe master too, who wears stag antlers.

What's your favourite thing about them?

Her drive and ambition. It is misguided often, but it is also a force of nature and I see it as the thing that will in the end save her and those she loves.

How deeply attuned she is to the subtle and natural magic of the Feywild is also something I love. She can shape reality to a certain degree when she's more advanced.

Tell us a fun fact(s) about your OC or their creation!

Her eyes are a pale lilac/mauve, but when she signed the contract with the Archfae, part of the price she had to pay was her right eye, and in exchange he gave her a simulacrum of his own eyes, a golden one, while he kept hers in an ornate jar. Lovely, right?😅 So she doesn't really have heterochromia, but just a bad case of questionable life choices. Ultimately, when she is released from the contract she will probably receive her eye back.

She inherited her father's hair colour, which is a brown-mauve. Many Moon Elves have dark hair with subtle undertones, like blue, silver or purple, so that's where I got inspired from.

Her name represents the Norse goddess Idunn, the one who was responsible for the immortality of the gods, by feeding them apples from her garden. When I named her, I didn't intend for her to go the route of "eternal life and youth". It all just happened on its own and ideas for her came on their own, almost magically.

This year I discovered that she's eerily similar to a certain, well known game character and I am floored by this. It was a coincidence that I cannot explain, but which I am absolutely fascinated by and I adore it...and said character, since discovering him. I'll leave it to you to figure out who it is.

[heylavellan]

Elwyn Lavellan

He definitely wasn't the best candidate for Inquisitor, but he was the one who stepped up. Elwyn had little idea of how to lead an organisation that big, but the Inquisition showed him that he had capabilities beyond what he knew. Every follower who called him stupid or silly were still deeply loyal to their Inquisitor, a leader for the people.

˚∘⊰⋆ about ⋆⊱∘˚

age: 34 (by the end of Trespasser)

pronouns: he/they

class: assassin rogue

beliefs: elven pantheon. his vallaslin honour mythal, though he also values ghilan'nain

strengths: devoted, considerate, fair

weaknesses: insecure, blunt, aloof

the clan: The Dalish live in clans, and as such they are his family. Although he never fell in love, he did his duty to the Clan and helped his sister Mairin and her wife Clodagh have children as their sperm donor. His besties are Pallas (warrior), Mairin (first, sister), Clodagh (crafter), Elrath (hunter), and Amoriel (second). He often helps mediate between the hunters and the Keeper, so they often get into unheated arguments.

˚∘⊰⋆ thoughts on companions ⋆⊱∘˚

romance: dorian, solas, krem, or cullen (does not date women)

best friends: dorian, cullen, sera

close: solas, varric, the iron bull

neutral: vivienne, leliana, josephine, cassandra, blackwall

˚∘⊰⋆ outside the inquisition ⋆⊱∘˚

deshanna: "She held our Clan together, guided us across the Marches. I... wish I could have saved her."

merrill: "We took in some of the people of her Clan after what she did to them. I hope Dirthamen has revealed to her something worth the loss of her Clan."

velanna: "She helped us recover Amoriel when they were lost in the Deep Roads. I owe her so much."

˚∘⊰⋆ related works ⋆⊱∘˚

The Little Things - Elwyn and Dorian have recently gotten together, and figuring out how to be together is still a fight.

[saanphoenix]

I do sometimes think about Veilguard's scenarios with the world-shattering revelations. Like, "Oh, the elven pantheon was real and they were assholes and now two of them are trying to win the Asshole Awards. Bellara is freaking out about it and feels guilty because she's a little too empathetic for her own good. How do you, fellow Dalish, respond to her about this information?"

And I'm just like, "Eh. I'm not the Evanuris. And they're not my gods anymore. So, chill, girl. Go save puppies or something."

And the game's like, "Is that your final answer? To remove yourself from the traditions and religion--"

"Homie, they evil. It's really not that hard for me to go, 'Welp! There goes that belief system! *yeet*' in this scenario here."

And then you have Harding wondering why she isn't more angry about the whole Titan thing. She SHOULD be angrier.

And I'm like, "Eh. That was thousands of years ago. And you technically wouldn't exist right now had that unfortunate fate not befallen them. And also you're Andrastrian. So, I'm not surprised you're not--"

And then multiple Dwarven players I observe in passing screech to the heavens, "JUSTICE FOR THE TITANS!!!"

And I go, "...Okay, maybe I'M the weird one here."

[broodwolf221]

It's Fridayyyy~ For DADWC: "kenopsia [ the eerie atmosphere of a place that is usually bustling with people but now abandoned ] " for Solas/Cassandra, maybe?

themmmm :') oh man these two give me so many feelings!!! ty for this, it was a lot of fun 💖 @dadrunkwriting 1603 words cws: none

Honestly, she should not be surprised any longer. When had her life ever led in a predictable direction? She was the daughter of royalty—nevermind how removed and how unremarkable she was in Nevarra’s convoluted web of politics—but had taken chosen the most challenging, demanding path available to her. And even in that she was naive, unaware of true challenges, of true adversity. Still, she had struggled… and when her struggles would have been eased by cooperating, by turning away from what she found morally questionable, she had chosen to stand tall against it instead. She had faced a dragon with mages, those who others saw as non-beings, and together they had triumphed. She had defected from the Seekers of Truth when their path took them somewhere she could not follow in good conscience. Alongside Leliana, she had begun the Inquisition when all hope seemed lost after the failure of Justinia’s conclave. Had followed a young Dalish hunter as she led the world forward.

She had grown close to one of their number. The mysterious and humble elven apostate, disarming and discerning. There was a time when that had been the most surprising thing to her, that she had found herself growing so close with an apostate—and not an apostate like all mages had become apostates, but one who had never been in a Circle and never would. One who did not believe in the Maker. One who made her question her own belief… and then one who made her resolve all the stronger. When she had asked, he had told her he believed in people, and it had given her pause. She had expected him to cite the elven gods, as their Inquisitor had. Instead he seemed to believe in no gods at all. But his lack of faith never became a condescension of it, nor did he appear to begrudge her prayers or invocations to the Maker. 

She supposed wryly that it all made sense now. The Inquisitor had said that he did not consider himself a god, nor the rest of the elven pantheon; according to him, those ancient figures had all been nothing more than powerful mages, and it was the twists of history that had painted them in godhood. There was a time that she had believed in history, in the comfort of fact and certainty. Having lived what would become history had soured her trust in it. Her own role in saving the Divine had been exaggerated to an unrecognizable degree, and even while the Inquisition was active their stories had been twisted and altered to suit the teller’s purpose, making them grander or weaker, brutal or merciful, villainous or defenders.

After everything, she had not expected to see him again save, perhaps, in combat. But a day had come where she was all but alone in Skyhold, this place the Inquisition was hanging onto by a hair's breadth, and he had appeared. Seated in her room before the hearth when she entered, as if he lived there alongside her. For a moment she had wondered if this was a demon in disguise, if Desire had come to show her the life they might have had, to torment her with her buried want for some kind of peace. But Desire would not have met her eyes with such sorrow as his held, nor would it have said what he said.

He had not stayed long. Just time enough to apologize and to entreat her to not follow him, to let him go. He had to do this, he said. There was no other option, he said. She knew the weight of those words on her own tongue, felt the truth of it from him—the truth that he believed this, if nothing else—and knew there was nothing she could say to lead him from the path he had chosen. Nor could she walk it beside him. She was not willing to doom this world for no better reason than her own pleasure, than this fantasy of a soft domesticity that would suit neither of them.

She had thought these things would be the most surprising to her, but no. Not his truth. Not that visit.

This was. This, here, now—him, here, now. In the center of Skyhold, staring up at the empty throne, his wolf-skin cloak cutting a striking figure from the back. She blinked and expected him to have disappeared when she opened her eyes again, but there he remained. At last he turned to face her, smiling with a depth she could not hope to navigate, not with her own mind reeling. Why was he here?

“Why are you here?” Her straightforward curiosity, her straightforward question… cause and effect, predictable as few other things in her life had been. But why was he here? And why was he here? It was one thing to meet her in the privacy of her rooms, but this… this was bold in a way she had never expected from him.

“Would you believe me if I said I was nostalgic?” It disturbed her to realize that, yes, she might have. And how naive that would be, how utterly foolish to believe someone who had been deceiving her, deceiving them all, from the very first. He was the one who had set it all in motion. The one who had led to the Divine’s death, whatever his intentions had been. He was the true reason the Inquisition had formed. And here she was, so lovesick that she would take him at his word?

A part of her wished he had said it, that she could know whether she would believe or doubt. But the moment was past and there was no use chasing it. “Why are you here?” She asked again, her voice harder this time, her demand clearer. His smile widened, although it did not reach his eyes.

“The truth, then. I left something here. Something very important.” He tilted his head at her and she realized her surprise must have shown, trying to school her face to nonchalance. A useless endeavor, she was sure. “I have already retrieved it. I was going to leave, to disappear again, as if I had never come, and yet…” now he looked away with a self-deprecating laugh and her chest felt horribly tight. She missed his laughter. “Here I am.”

“Here you are,” she repeated blankly, as if trying to confirm its truth. He met her eyes again and nodded.

“I have sought you in dreams,” he said abruptly, then a look passed over his face too fast for her to place it. Regret? Had he spoken hastily, unintentionally? Yet he pressed on as if nothing had happened, so perhaps she only wanted it to be unintentional. Wanted some evidence that he was the same fallible man she had known… or had thought she’d known. “But you do not sleep often, Seeker.”

“No,” she agreed. She did not sleep often at all.

“You are rebuilding the Seekers of Truth, are you not?” She hesitated before nodding stiffly. It was useless to try and hide the matter, after all. “You have not been at Skyhold for quite some time. When I felt you approach… well.” A lopsided smile. “As I said: here I am.”

“Why are you here, then?” Her voice was harder than she meant it to be, now. Hard and blunt: she like a bludgeon against his gentle flow. She would never catch him, could never weave the kind of web around him that he could with her, but she had to try something. She would not regret complacency in this moment: she already knew she would have regrets enough about this, once it was past. As it would inevitably pass. His smile faded and… well, she could admit in the privacy of her own mind that she missed it.

“You continue to pursue me. All of you do.” There was a raw edge to his voice now, something almost pleading. “You must stop. Please. This is a delicate time, and I am trying to do what is necessary and do it right, with the least harm, but…” He sighed heavily, brow furrowed. “It is dangerous. All things strain against my control and my attention, and I fear you will find a way in when I am at the precipice. Your attempts to preserve this life you know, to hold fast to the way it is now, may well destroy it and any future.” He took a step forward, then another, but stopped after that. She could stretch an arm and a blade out and not quite touch him. It was deliberate. “Cassandra, please. Lay down your sword. Focus on your duty to the Seekers, and permit me to focus on mine.”

“You can’t really believe this would work? That you could just ask nicely and we’d all let you go on your merry way?” His expression tightened before he sighed, stepping back.

“I suppose not.” He shook his head. “I was hopeful, but… you are right.” He smiled at her again, wry. “Do you know how unpleasant it is to be your enemy, Seeker?”

She had opened her mouth to reply, to say that he need not be her enemy, but—he was gone. As if he had never been there, as if she had been speaking to an empty room the entire time. She had felt no surge of magic. Was he so powerful? Or had this been a sending, something unreal?

She growled and stormed out of the main hall, ignoring the swell of chaotic feeling blooming hot in her chest.

[star--nymph]

look man you can do whatever you want with Inquisitions narrative all you want but the fact that it leans perfectly into the dehumanization of worship and becoming a symbol is perfect for Eurydice, who has been an object all her life

the constant unpredictability of her father, calling her his 'jewel' one second and his 'empty thing' the next, either a object of pride or abuse, but either way always an object, a thing, a mistake, a piece of a beautiful, broken piece of property 

the rejection by the clan that refused to see her parents for her they were and therefore refused to see her as a full child or person--just a strange bird at best, a troublemaker, creepy, cold, cruel, damaged, dangerous, a shadow to gawk at and level suspicious glares at, because Lycus and Ismene speak of the trouble with that one, that one causes them such headaches, that one's eyes are off, that one must be as dull as she looks, it's a shame to her parent's names, but at least that one is beautiful. At least she's nice to look at occasionally.

being placed in the position of the First despite the discontent in the clan, robotically going through the motions for duty's sake because duty is all she has, loyalty to the clan, to her family, to her Keeper, that if she performs right, there will be a nod of approval, she will be liked, left alone to her own devices, maybe even understood, but it never comes. She is a good student but a poor First--they whisper to each other that they hope a mage is born among them soon, or they must go to another clan for a new one. Can't have that one be the Keeper. Deshanna is mad and blinded by her own affection. She can't see what that is.

she leaves, for duty, she gets a taste of personhood for a few months, she wanders the world and feels an identity being grown past daughter, sister, mage, first, jewel, thing--

and then conclave explodes and the shemlings capture her, the imprison, they worship her, and they crown her

and she's only a fully realized person to a few of them--and even then there's a habit of them still trying to dehumanization her for the sake of the Inquisition as an agenda--Sera talks about the little people and how Eury can't forget about them, but she has issues seeing Eurydice past her position as "elfy" or "Inky. Vivienne, Mother Giselle, and Varric struggle between Eurydice the Inquisitor and Eurydice the Person; they both recognize that her personhood doesn't matter here, as much as it should. Eurydice as a person can't survive against the persona of the Inquisitor and as much they both want to tell her to save herself, in order for the Inquisition to prosper, she can't BE an individual, she has to be a commodity that keeps the world captivated. Something akin to a holy relic. 

Cassandra and on a lesser note, Leliana, are almost desperate for Eurydice to be a prophet despite her denying that every breath she takes. Them looking at her, an elf with God's of her own, having to live with the possibility that the Maker choose her doesn't work with what they know, what they want, but they'll make it work. It's why Cassandra asks Eurydice "Is there no room in your pantheon for one more god" because yes Cassandra IS tossing aside Eurydice's own beliefs because in the chantry's eyes, the elven pantheon doesn't matter but also it's not even about that for Cassandra. It's about HER comfort, HER faith, her need for Eurydice to take on the role as a Herald in a specific way to justify her faith

and Solas? Solas watches on and I think stays, at least in part, because he knows what he just sacrificed in Eurydice's name. She may not have died at the Conclave, but he killed her in a way. It may have been what was done to him all those years ago, when the rebels made him into the Dread Wolf and had his own name forgotten to time and dreams. Gods aren't people. They are beyond such things.

and Eurydice lives with it, stripped down every second of every day when they call her: Inquisitor, Herald, Your Worship, Lady Lavellan, The Banshee, Witch, The First, Jewel, Thing. What is she if not a doll, one posed this way and that for the will of an society that is just waiting to chop off her ears and portray her as human?

and when someone uses her name and sees Eurydice as a thinking, breathing person, her first instinct is to think she must have tricked them

because if everyone else only saw her as a thing, then it must be true, right?

[saltyowlets]

Thinking about Medea and Cullen's own relationship with their religions and especially culture with Medea.

Medea already goes through her identity crisis, which she doesn't fit as Dalish nor a city elf. Even if she has vallaslin, she still finds it difficult for her to ever pray to her elven pantheon.

Like what have those gods done for her? Everything she went through and survived was in part of her own power. Yes, joining her clan at the age of 20ish may havr been a bit late but shouldn't she feel something? Shouldn't she feel at home, surrounded by her people, her traditions? The literal tradition marked on her face? But no, she doesn't. So what does that mean? Is she not Dalish? Well, that's what some in her clan thinks. But she wants to be. She wants to be known as Dalish as it is an identity she can hold on to. Yet again, the gods bring her no joy, no feeling of completed self.

Then there is Cullen who has come to deny the Chantry from its abuse on Templars and its lack of action and aid to Kirkwall (he wanted to lecture about the Inquisition potentially being better than the Chantry). This question of faith gets exasperated as Medea discusses more about the Chnatry and what it had done to the Dale's, or just elves in general. Like he knew, but the perspective of an elf, of course, differs from Chantry doctrine

So Cullen now has to come to terms with what he believes in is just built on a perpetrated narrative by the Chantry for power and land occupation. Did it ever matter, what he was doing? What did it mean for the Chantry to be so tyrannical to the mages? Was it truly for safety, or were there other ulterior motives?

I think at a certain point, he just does not practice it like he used to, maybe more like Dorian in that there is belief of a higher power but faith will only get you somewhere.

In their late night insomnia discussions, Medea and Cullen talk about how their religions and how they feel like failures to them. A Dalish elf who doesn't feel connected to the elven god on her face. A former templar who lost faith of the supposed good his Chantry should have been.

[mythicmint]

A Treatise Regarding the Myth of the So-Called "Dark Seldarine" and the Misguided Interpretation of the Drow by Surface Dwellers

This is a continuation of my previous post, which can be found here!

A Treatise Regarding the Myth of the So-Called “Dark Seldarine” and the Misguided Interpretation of Drow by Surface Dwellers (pt. 2, the Mythos)

The Mythology

Introductory Note

In Gwierante tellings, the origins of the elven deities have the same foundations as those told in Seldarine tellings, but with significant deviation between the two as the stories go on. In the following segment of recounted myths, I have done my best to combine stories from all branches of drow faith, so as to remain true to shared view. It can easily be noted however that these myths are likely biased– my aim in this regard is not to tell a historically accurate version of the events so much as it is to tell it from the drow’s perspective. As an author I would also note that gods are multifaceted beings, to a point that mortals cannot fathom. It is possible that all or none of the following mythos is true. Reflected in these following stories one can also see frequent lessons told to drow children by their matrons, as is often the same in the myths of other cultures. In terms of the writing, there is another point I shall make for clarity: as a deity of fluidity, Corellon is referred to using he/they pronouns. In our modern time many faithful also reference the god with feminine pronouns, but the Coronal of Arvandor seems to have favored male pronouns when Araushnee was his consort, which this author assumes was out of appreciation for their duality as a pair.

Birth of the Pantheon

While much is untold and kept secret regarding the history of the gods, it is generally agreed upon within elvenkind that Corellon was the first among the Seldarine. Just as each day begins with the rising of the sun, so too did the pantheon begin with the birth of Corellon. The Sun Lord comprised every aspect of elves that are known today; their fluidity, their wisdom, their pride, their arrogance. In these aspects, the god came into frequent conflict with Gruumsh, who opposed them in all things. (The author would like to note here that some splinter beliefs place Corellon and Gruumsh as two sides of a coin– they were made to oppose each other, but at the same time cannot be fulfilled without the challenge of the other.) In this time before time, the deities’ battles spanned the planes of existence, both wounding the other infrequently. From the spilled ichor of Gruumsh and Corellon sprung the primal orcs and elves, from which in turn the Orc and Seldarine pantheons ascended. Corellon and Gruumsh, when not locked in one of their many combats, engaged with their new fellows, and grew to know them as equals. 

These new deities were vast in their appearances, shaped by the lands that they had sprung from. The newly-fledged Lady of the Stars, called Araushnee by the Seldarine, had been born from obsidian and ruby. Corellon was struck by her beauty, and took her as his consort. In time Araushnee bore him twins– the gods Eilistraee and Vhaeraun, who were kept safe in their mother’wws sacred grove whilst their father roamed. The Sun Lord saw in his consort a counterpart to their own being; an Artisan to their Warrior, the Night to his Day. But this reflection was not perfect– the Artist was far cleverer compared to Corellon, and her eight crimson eyes saw more of reality than her consort could in their arrogance. Not long after her ascension, The Lady of Stars saw in her domain the beginnings of the settings of destiny– fixed and unabating. Araushnee thought these unchanging foundations cruel for such fluid beings as the gods, and pulled from the stars these trappings of fate. But upon their sharp points she pricked her fingers, and these droplets of blood fell to the Earth. Araushnee was an artist, and in her wisdom she wove the lines of fate into a silken web, fragile enough to be changed, but strong enough to ensnare beings within it. With this the goddess ensured that though the tides of destiny were fluid, none could avoid its ceaseless pull– not even her. And from those fallen droplets of her ichor were birthed the first spiders, who learned from their mother how to weave webs, and how to walk along them in turn.  With the Web of Fate now established, Araushnee could walk its threads and view time as it stretched infinitely before and behind her. In these woven futures the Artisan foresaw the creation of beings that were the children of the Seldarine, fluid in shape and passionate in mind. From these brief glimpses the goddess grew fond of these not-yet-made creations and their fleeting mortal lives, and resolved to work to bring them about. It is also said that in this moment, Araushnee saw the strength that these beings would bring to the Seldarine, and this strengthened her resolve. The Lady of Stars knew that she could not do it on her own; she saw the disfavor other members of the Seldarine held her in due to her status as Corellon’s consort, and in turn knew that without the Sun Lord’s support, it was likely that the creations would be loved only by her. And so the Weaver went to the Warrior, and told him of the long-eared figures she had foreseen. Corellon saw his consort’s enthusiasm, and was in turn impacted by the idea of having more effect in the material world through these beings. The First of the Seldarine told Araushnee that he would visit the world and consider her request in time. In her enthusiasm, the Artisan waited with bated breath, biding her time as Corellon was away.

Creation of the Elves

Finally, Araushnee, along with her twins, was summoned to Toril. When they arrived they were greeted by the remainder of the Seldarine, congregated at the edge of a forest. Out of the stand of trees strode Corellon, and from behind moving shapes followed him into the light. They were tall and slender, made in the Sun Lord’s image, and Corellon introduced them as elves, children of his inspiration. He had made them long of life and bright of eye, formed from morning light, and the Seldarine received them with joy. But the Weaver stood in shock at her consort’s betrayal. These creatures, formed from the Sun Lord’s brilliance and will, were not the same she had seen. Corellon had demented Araushnee’s vision and passion, and taken only the traits that pleased him, ridding the world of the richness it craved. The Lady of Stars seethed with rage that she had not previously known. The Coronal of Arvandor’s arrogance had gone too far.

Araushnee sequestered herself from the other deities of the Seldarine, preoccupied as they were with their new sun elves. From the banks of the stream that ran through her grove, the Artisan took cool water and dark clay, and from the trees in her forest she took pale bark and copper leaves. She cupped these items in her hands and warmed them with her divine starlight, breathing life into them in turn. And then from each the Artisan’s clever fingers formed figures– eight elves from each source, so that none of them would be alone. From the cool water was born the sea elves, adapted to live in the flowing waters of the world. From the pale silvered bark came the moon elves, flexible as the wood they were made from. From the copper leaves came the wood elves, who shone in both the sunlit and wooded places of the world. All of these elves, Araushnee had foreseen in her original vision, and had spoken of them to her consort. But just as Corellon had made the sun elves in his bright image, so too did Araushnee make elves in her dark one. From clay the Weaver formed the dark elves, with skin of stone and hair of starlight. All of the creatures she had made were fond of her, and she of them, with particular affection held in the dark elves for their starlit creator. The Artisan sent her creations out into the world so that they might choose their own fates, but the dark elves remained close to Araushnee and her children, watching and learning from these gods in turn. The Lady of the Stars’ vision had been more than fulfilled– elves now walked the land, intrinsically tied to the pantheon and the plane that had made them.

But all was not yet well in Arvandor– Corellon saw his consort’s creations and flew into a prideful rage. How dare Araushnee have the gall to create beings that demented the image that he had perfected? How dare these new elves mingle with his sunlit elves and dampen their beauty? In their rage, Corellon turned his combatant’s spirit inward, towards his consort and her wrongdoings against the Coronal. The angered Corellon called the Seldarine pantheon to meeting, and demanded Araushnee’s explanation for her insolence. It is not known by mortals what was said on that day. Some accounts state that Araushnee accused Corellon of corruption, while others say that she begged for her consort’s forgiveness, and while more yet say that the Weaver stayed silent entirely. What is for certain is this: with the borders to the divine realm of Arvandor unguarded with Corellon’s light turned inward, the deity Gruumsh broke through on a warpath. 

The Blinding of Gruumsh

The battle that took place after is a legend that holds fast across dozens of different faiths of various races: the Blinding of Gruumsh. The orc god and Corellon were locked in battle for anywhere between hours and weeks on end, each blow matched one for one. This battle was the true culmination of the conflict between the warrior gods, and may have gone on forever if not for misfortune rearing its head. Sahndrian– the sunlit sword of the Coronal– shattered. Elven myth states that Araushnee cursed the sheath in her anger, while Gweriante myth grants the goddess no such association, but nevertheless, Corellon’s trusted blade broke. The Sun Lord was forced to retreat so that he might use his bow, but Gruumsh would not surrender his advantage. While Sehanine Moonbow, having been assisting Corellon with illusions, worked to repair the blade, the Orc Lord struck out with his great spear Nairdnhas, its tip dripping with paralytic poison. Yet Gruumsh’s strike never landed– Araushnee, panicked, pulled upon the Web and forced Nairdnhas to strike its master. Gruumsh was paralyzed by his own weapon, waylaid by Araushnee’s clever strike. The First of the Seldarine seized the opportunity and stabbed the Orc Lord through the arm with an arrow. In his struggle to block the attack Gruumsh failed to notice the dagger still held in his hand, and gouged out his own eye. With this, Corellon won the battle, stumbling back to the Seldarine while Gruumsh retreated in pain. 

Yet despite Araushnee’s aid, Corellon was enraged. They accused their consort of betrayal, stating that her rebellion against him was nothing more than a distraction, so that Gruumsh might break in and slaughter Corellon and their new creations. Araushnee denied this, as she could not foresee Gruumsh, nor could he foresee her, as their powers canceled out the other. But Corellon did not hear her, perhaps could not– wounded and exhausted as they were from battle, addled with the setting of the sun, he accused the Artisan of treachery of the highest order. The Warrior believed that just as the Weaver had forced Nairdnhas to strike against Gruumsh, so too had she broken Sahndrian. She had planned for Corellon to be killed, so that she and her new elves might rule Arvandor. In his rage the Warrior went to strike her, much to the Seldarine’s shock. But his attack did not hit the Lady of the Stars– it struck Vhaeraun, who had leapt between his mother and the blow. The attack sliced across the Lord of Shadow’s face, marring it forevermore. As her son stumbled back from the blow, Araushnee felt anger boil inside of her once more. She would not let anyone touch her children in anger without punishment, not even the First of the Seldarine. Though inexperienced in combat, the Weaver lunged for her consort, meeting him blow for blow, dancing along the strands of the Web as her advantage. It is believed in Gwierante faith that Araushnee would have won this battle due to her having the upper hand, if not for the treachery of the Seldarine goddesses. It was known to the Lady of Stars that Corellon had dallied with other goddesses– Sehanine Moonbow, Aerdrie Faenya, and Hanali Celanil. Never had the Sun Lord been faithful to her or to them, but in that moment of combat the three goddesses combined their wills in a way that had been unforeseen. From this union sprung the triune goddess Angharradh, who in her great power stole from Araushnee her dominion over the Stars, and her place as Corellon’s consort. With her appearance the Weaver faltered, and her advantage was lost.

With the newly restored Sahndrian in hand and his new Queen by his side, Corellon declared Araushnee unfit to remain a goddess of the Seldarine. From her they tore her name and dominions, and the Weaver was banished from Arvandor. Corellon, betrayer that he was, struck the Artisan and mortally wounded her legs so that she might never again walk the threads of the Web, citing her treachery as reason for the blow. Banished from her home and from Corellon’s light, the goddess fled to the depths of the Underdark, where the sun could not reach her.

The Banished and Betrayed

Bleeding and barely mobile in the bowels of the earth, the Artisan mourned what she had lost, weeping for her identity and for the people who had once been her family. Her cries drove away the dark creatures that resided beneath the ground, who feared the wounded wails that sounded akin to death knells. The Weaver stumbled deep underground, trailing her divine blood behind her. But eventually she could go no further– her legs, wounded as they had been, would carry her no more. The Artisan could not walk the Web as she had before, and cried out in pain and fury. But all was not yet lost– for the goddess was the Mother of Spiders, and her husband had cast out her arachnid creations along with her. So too had he cast out their children. Vhaeraun was banished for his betrayal, and Eilistraee begged for the Coronal to banish her, so that she might bring light to the dark that they would soon reside in. In his fondness for his silver daughter, Corellon granted the request. Practitioners of Gwierante faith attest that this is the one mercy the Sun Lord granted the pantheon. The Shadow Lord and Dark Maiden followed the trail of their mother’s ichor, carrying with them her sacred spiders. When they arrived their Mother was nearly dead, her blood staining the surrounding stone. But the first spiders acted quickly– they bound the Artisan’s wounds in webs, and gave unto her their own forms to mimic whilst she healed. The Mother of Spiders was touched by the kindness of her creations, and accepted from them their legs so that she might walk the strands of fate once more. As she rose again, now with the body of a spider, she took on a new name, one that she saw in the mouths of her worshippers in a time not yet past. The Weaver named herself Lolth, and declared her dominion over the Underdark, where she would shelter any who could not remain in Corellon’s light. Her children allied with her, Vhaeraun claiming dominion over the dark places, where those banished from sunlight would reside, and Eilistraee claiming dominion over the moon, opposite of Corellon’s sun. They called themselves the Gweirante, and so it was.

Descent of the Drow

In terms of history on a godly scale, the Descent of the Drow is a rather recent event. Occurring only thirteen thousand years ago, this event was preceded by the Crown Wars fought between neighboring elven kingdoms. Several disasters racked the world during the magically charged Crown Wars, culminating in an event that destroyed the dark elf kingdom of Miyeritar in the area now called the High Moor. The kingdom of Ilythiir, enraged by the damage delivered to their fellow dark elves, began to use dangerous magic in an attempt to get their revenge on the kingdom responsible, Aryvaandar. For centuries war raged back and forth between the two kingdoms, until the prayers of Aryvaandar were answered. Corellon Latherian, in order to save his high elven kingdom, cursed the dark elves to be stung and weakened by his sunlight. Hurt and afraid, the drow (as they were now called, unmoored from Corellon as they were) retreated en masse to the Underdark in less than two months. But Aryvaandar and the Sun Lord were not yet done. With the drow underground, the Warrior assisted the elves of Aryvaandar in casting a ritual that bound their race to the Underdark, permanently. The Curse of the Dark Elves, as it is known, forced the magical life force of the drow to be tied to the lingering faezress that remains only in hostile areas of the subterranean realm. From then on the drow were forced to adapt to this harsh environment, and were welcomed with open arms by Lolth, the goddess that had first made them. Embraced once again by the Lady of the Underdark, the drow found comfort in her Web of Fate, leading them successfully through the dangerous environment until they could find their footing.

Closing Notes

The drow, as a culture, are oftentimes motivated by what they perceive as an owed debt to the Gwierante. To be imprisoned in a dark and hostile environment, hated for the crimes of your ancestors, is the fate of the drow. But by their strength and by the blessings of their deities, the drow have not just survived, but thrived. In our modern day where more and more drow fight their way through the sunlight, it is more important than ever for surface world races to understand the history driving drow beliefs and culture. This author has tried to share even a small portion of these beliefs, and solemnly thanks you for reading, whether or not you agree with them.

May the darkness shelter you, 

Dr Iraezyr dal Linthrae von Do’ Iryn

For whoever read this far, congrats you're a champ lol and this post and last was 17 pages combined. Gold star from me, and thanks for reading! I'd love to answer questions if folks have any :))

[invinciblerodent]

When does Sera ask you to lie for her? I’m serious, it’s driving me batty that I can’t remember or find it.

Oh, right! It's very specific so I'm not surprised at it not being super easy to find or remember lol, I too only played this particular scenario one time ten years ago (and write my silly "meta" posts not really expecting anyone to read them- my bad that it's not always the most well-articulated or -researched, flying by the seat of my pants here!), but, if you're an elf in a romance with her, the confrontation with her after the Well of Sorrows is a very interesting conversation.

In that scene, if you express any amount of belief in Mythal, the elven pantheon, or y'know, if you start "going elfy", she gets very quickly and visibly distressed, and asks you to say you were joking. You can then either agree with her and dismiss what you saw (the prompt is "for you, anything") in order to set her mind at ease, or, you can keep consistent with beliefs you expressed earlier in the conversation, and break up.

So it's not... necessarily a lie, as such. But, it's something that she very much asks you to say (frankly I don't remember how exactly that conversation goes when you're not an elf or not in a romance, even though I've played that scenario far more than this one), it requires you to go back on what you had already said, and if you don't give her the answer she wants to hear, she breaks up with you- so there is a request to dismiss your previously established faith to comfort her, with an incentive to do so.

Sera is just... overall super fascinating. That moment really got stuck in my mind, that could be why I kinda just talk about it as if it was just common knowledge without elaborating, lol!

[revvethasmythh]

for the da ask game: 11, 14, 25?

11. what are their religious beliefs, if any?

Warden: Believes in the elven gods, but isn't super religious

Hawke: Culturally Andrastian, completely non-practicing. If you asked her about Andraste she'd probably say, "she sure was a woman, I guess"

Inquisitor: Definitely the most religious, pretty devoted to the elven pantheon. Local Elf having ZERO fun during Trespasser lmao

14. who are they closest to from their family?

Warden: re: the Mahariel backstory, I believe the closest thing she has to family is Ashalle, a family friend who raised her. That's probably the closest connection, but if we want to count the clan in general as family (which, honestly I would) Hahren Paivel ranks pretty high for her, as does Merrill (who I believe was canonically in Mahariel's little friend group with Tamlen)

Hawke: Trying to decide which relationship best matches "close" here, because the Bethany relationship is certainly the easiest, but there was a lot of kinship and respect for her father also. I think while he was alive, that was probably her closest familial relationship. In a one-sided kind of way, I also imagine she wanted to be close with Carver quite a lot, as the two non-mage siblings (she followed him into the army and fought at Ostagar with him--I imagine a strong protective instinct and desire for closeness there) but. well. RIP

Inquisitor: Her mom. I imagine her an only child of a single-mom, and they were quite close before everything happened.

25. what did they plan for their life to look like before the events of the game happened?

Warden: I doubt she thought further ahead than becoming a hunter. She was very prideful about being a hunter and a good one at that. She probably would have focused on that until such a time that she may have wanted a family. It would all have been extremely normal.

Hawke: Absolutely never thought that far in advance. Definitely a "take it as it comes" kind of person, always winging it on what to do next, with no real plans other than looking out for her family. If anything, watching out for them would have been her path, so it would depend on what they wanted to do (joining the army with Carver jumps out as a good example)

Inquisitor: Definitely expected to be in a position of leadership one day (as First to the Keeper), but not at all to the extent she ended up being. Had the most desire for family life of any of protagonists, was looking forward to one day settling down and starting a family (still possible for her! just with a lot more lifelong baggage along for the ride). So in a way, the events of game are like "what if we took your expected life path an then blew it up to truly unimaginably hyperbolic proportions?”

ask me about my canon DA world state!

[crqstalite]

the hierophant and justice for the rook ask game!

ask game!

The Hierophant: Is Rook religious? How do they feel about the religious organizations that impact their life the most?

Sabine is very much a skeptic. Having grown up in Rivain and often times travelling about throughout her formative years (nor many guiding forces) there wasn't really any formal religious presence in her life. Meaning, she's not sure if the Maker is actually out there or whether anyone should be celebrating Andraste. Ask her anything about the mythos surrounding them, she probably couldn’t answer unless it was some odd fact that she picked up while learning about a relic her team had unearthed. Up until recent events, she wasn't even totally sure about the Evanuris -- even if they were considered her gods. To say the least, she goes day by day and event by event, and just prays to whatever force comes to mind first when she gets caught in a sticky situation.

When she says “pick a god and pray” she means that wildly literally.

As for organizations, she's mostly neutral on them belief wise. Probably incredibly wary of the Chantry, even if she isn't part of a formal clan, there's still something to be said about how she's gotten treated travelling through the South and occasionally even further North. Perhaps there's something to be said about her growing curiosity into the Elven pantheon, but that's something often saved for Bellara's expertise and brief bouts of project building.

Justice: How does Rook feel about the circumstances that led to them leaving their faction? What does returning feel like?

Sabine thinks it was all ridiculous down to the last request from Isabela to take some time off. Now, she's not exactly lawfully good and likely causes more problems than actually solves them, but there is something to be said about the fact that she does what's right a good deal of the time. Lead by what makes her money and even moreso what'll ease her conscience, she tries not to be a horrible person even at work.

Keeping something horrible and evil out of the hands of the Venatori? Pretty solid plan to carry out. Getting booted from every expedition a few months before Varric found her? Pretty fucking bad. A punishment for doing the right thing has her a bit testy with some of the nobles in Rivain lately, so she keeps her distance unless Isabela calls for her. Bad for business to be called out every time you show up for a meeting. At least now, her expeditions are on her terms.

thanks for asking!!

[monstrousfemin1ne]

talissa isn’t strictly andrastian so much as she believes in multiple things: the maker, the gods of elven pantheon, the myth-legends of nevarra. growing up around the dead and tending to funeral rites, you experience so many different beliefs and backgrounds, they influence your own. you try them on like different shirts, finding which one fits best, but rather than as a singleminded worship, it’s honoring the knowledge of the world’s history. gods are important to their people, give them comfort and structure, and that’s what wins out for her. the gods create their people as much as their people create them.

drucilla is more spiritual than religious. her hatred for the circle dampened any interest in religion, and her adoptive mother was a rivaini seer, who, despite teen drucilla’s issues, came into her life at the right time and offered her a connection to more tangible, earthly things that made her feel comforted over a maker she couldn’t see. drucilla, similarly to talissa, holds on to the connections her loved ones had to these outlets. guinevere is andrastian and her faith is one of the few things she’s retained over the years, but it fluctuates with time. she’s not so arrogant to liken herself to andraste, but she does find comfort in the fact that andraste was a mortal woman like herself who faced insane challenges. the matter of, andraste not surviving those challenges is something she turns around in her head a lot. is there a people worth becoming a martyr for?

[stormlit]

sabria is someone who'd consider herself more spiritual than overtly religious, perhaps the thedosian equivalent of someone who maybe goes to church at christmas and easter, but doesn't pray regularly. if anything, she leans more agnostic than anything else, though she does believe there's something out there, she's just not sure what. if the maker is real, she thinks him cruel and absent, while she believes andraste was real and important, but better idolised as a person who did good deeds than the god-like being she's been made into. while she's had good interactions with individual clergy members — a father of the imperial chantry was a great source of guidance and comfort, when she was newly fostered, ruled by her silence and bubbling over with anger — as a whole she thinks the chantry is corrupt and restrictive. as for what she hears of its doings in the south, with circles and templars, well, she doesn't know why anyone would want to follow that.

more than anything, she believes in a responsibility to the world that they live in now, a belief that people have a duty to make it better, rather than to simply pray for a peaceful afterlife. that reads selfish, to her. they have one life, they are a part of this world, they have to do good and make it better. sometimes that means administering justice, cutting out the rot so that the whole may flourish, sometimes that means donating to the poor, or helping someone in need. and it means not being cruel for cruelty's sake; when she is violent it's for a cause, not for the fun of it. it's not really a religion, but it's a greater belief to sabria than any maker or god.

she's also half-elven, and while she doesn't follow the elven pantheon, she's done a lot of reading and exploring in order to connect with her mother's background, even while knowing that as a slave, her mother did not worship them. she doesn't feel a religious draw to it necessarily, but she does feel like it's a part of her all the same.

[elvhenprince]

speedrun:

quick introduction of my ocs

arvel mahariel -> dalish warden

william hawke -> rogue with a bit of magic, only uses magic to enhance physical abilities

sulevin lavellan -> inquisitor with no anchor

revanni adaar -> herald with the anchor, not inquisitor

your Warden/Hawke/Inquisitor's opinion on Orlais?

sucks

are they skilled in The Grand Game?

eh

opinion on blood magic?

eh

attitude towards Andrastianism?

eh

attitude towards the Chantry?

sucks

attitude towards the Qun?

sucks

if they had to choose one person most important to them, who would that be?

arvel mahariel - zevran william hawke - varric sulevin lavellan - his father revanni adaar - shokrakar

who do they hate the most, and do they have an arch-nemesis?

arvel / sulevin / revanni- not really any one person they hate "the most" william hawke - probably meredith

what is their love language? 

arvel: physical affection / words of affirmation / gifts william: quality time/ physical sulevin: physical affection / quality time revanni: gifts / physical affection

are they good horse riders?

arvel and sulevin: not horses but halla william and revanni: no

what are their religious beliefs, if any?

arvel mahariel: agnostic (pantheon) william hawke: agnostic andrastian sulevin and revanni: not religious

attitude towards Mabari?

GOOD

their thoughts on the Grey Warden order?

arvel: it sucks here william hawke: they have one annoying warden and it's carver sulevin: get ur shit together revanni: theyre important

who are they closest to from their family?

arvel: what family (foster mother only but she became distant too bc warden) william: bethany sulevin: dad (adopted) revanni: mom

preferred weapon of choice?

arvel: bow william hawke: sass (and a spear) sulevin: mage blade (arcane warrior) revanni: fists

do they get sentimental about their weapons or armour?

arvel: only bc he probably made it himself william: no sulevin: his weapon has a spirit he knows inside, so yes

what were they like as a child?

arvel: very sweet and helpful william hawke: annoying sulevin: Traumatised revanni: precocious and a little diva

do they have any irrational fears?

william hawke: forgetting to put pants on before going outside revanni: finding bugs in her hair

are they afraid of death?

arvel: too depressed to be afraid hawke: yes sulevin: other than survival instinct, not really revanni: YES?

where would they like to be buried?

arvel: hinterlands hawke: doesnt really care, but wherever his family is sulevin: emerald graves revanni: she would like to be immortalised in marble statue

what is their biggest regret?

arvel: finding the eluvian hawke: kirkwall sulevin: he tries not to revanni: doesnt really have one

have they ever been to Tevinter?

no

do they have, or want to have, children?

arvel: maybe if he ever gets to settle hawke: no sulevin sired a child -> is just a donor, not a parent revanni: no

what languages can they speak?

arvel: common, a bit of dalish elven hawke: common, free marcher dialect (kirkwall) sulevin: common, dalish elven (dialect: northen) revanni: common, qunlat

what did they plan for their life to look like before the events of the game happened?

arvel: master crafter, meant to take over master ilen william: settle down, take care of the family sulevin: become Keeper of his clan revanni: amass enough riches to retire comfortably and just be a sexy rich lady

do they get a happy ending?

god i hope so

your canon DA worldstate

as veilguard's premiere comes closer, an ask game with a couple of lore-heavy questions for your warden/hawke/inquisitor — answer for all three in your canon worldstate, or for the protagonist of your choice.

your Warden/Hawke/Inquisitor's opinion on Orlais?

are they skilled in The Grand Game?

opinion on blood magic?

attitude towards Andrastianism?

attitude towards the Chantry?

attitude towards the Qun?

if they had to choose one person most important to them, who would that be?

who do they hate the most, and do they have an arch-nemesis?

what is their love language? 

are they good horse riders?

what are their religious beliefs, if any?

attitude towards Mabari?

their thoughts on the Grey Warden order?

who are they closest to from their family?

preferred weapon of choice?

do they get sentimental about their weapons or armour?

what were they like as a child?

do they have any irrational fears?

are they afraid of death?

where would they like to be buried?

what is their biggest regret?

have they ever been to Tevinter?

do they have, or want to have, children?

what languages can they speak?

what did they plan for their life to look like before the events of the game happened?

do they get a happy ending?

[dalishious]

Everything About the Elven Pantheon

IMPORTANT NOTE: This post is in the context of Dalish knowledge, practices, beliefs and legends, not anything to do with the Evanuris revelations in Trespasser.

Creation

Though the Dalish refer to the Elven Pantheon as the Creators, unlike Andrastian belief of the Maker, the Creators did not create the world; the world created them. The Dalish recognize the sun, land, sea and moon as the origin of creation.

Before anything else, there was the Sun and the Earth. Out of where the Sun touched the Earth, Elgar’nan was born, the first of the Creators. Elgar’nan walked the land, and for her son, the Earth grew all he needed. Green to live on, animals to eat. And the Sun gave light and warmth.

However, the Sun grew jealous of Elgar’nan being able to walk the land and take in everything his mother provided to him. So the Sun, in a fit of spite, set the Earth on fire and burned everything to ashes. The Earth cried in pain, her tears pooling together to create oceans and lakes, and in the cracks on her skin from the sun’s wrath, rivers. And from the deepest part of her sorrow, the Abyss (AKA the Void) was created.

Elgar’nan flew into the sky and wrestled the Sun, ending in him throwing his father into the Abyss.

Without the Sun, the Earth grew dark, the only light remaining being pieces of the Sun’s lifeblood left behind from the battle; the creation of the stars. From the Abyss, the Sun boiled the waters of the earth. Elgar’nan tried to regrow what the Sun had destroyed, but nothing would. The Earth tried to convince Elgar’nan to let the Sun go, but in his vengeance, he refused, and the Earth continued to die.

Then the Sea gave birth to Mythal, the second of the Creators. Mythal calmed Elgar’nan with a touch on his brow, and convinced Elgar’nan to make a deal with the Sun: if the Sun promised to be gentle to the Earth and return to her each night, he would release his father. The Sun was remorseful, and agreed. Thus, the cycle of night and day.

Elgar’nan and Mythal brought to back to life everything the Sun had destroyed. Once again the Earth was filled with life. The remains of the Sun’s heat in the Abyss left hot springs with sacred healing waters. And the Sun kept his promise; every night he returned to the Earth, and in his place, Mythal used a bit of his light to create the Moon.

Elgar’nan

Titles:

All-Father

Eldest of the Sun

He Who Overthrew His Father

Sun's-Death

Taker of Vengeance

Represents:

Vengeance

Fatherhood

Sun

Symbols:

Sun

Thorns/spines

Fire

Notes:

Along with Mythal, Elgar’nan heads the pantheon.

As the Taker of Vengeance, the Dalish invoke Elgar’nan’s name when seeking retribution. They also ask for his forgiveness in transgressions done out of too much pride.

It’s said the reason that the dwarves fear the sun is because of Elgar’nan’s fire.

Before the Exalted March of the Dales, Elgar’nan had the largest temple in Halamshiral.

Some Dalish clans believe Elgar’nan is the god that will restore their glory.

The sacred hot springs in the Dales—the Pools of the Sun—hold the remains of the sun’s heat from when Elgar’nan buried his father beneath the earth. The waters have healing properties. Unfortunately, the Orlesians claimed these sacred waters as their own, and built Andrastian statues all over the territory.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“All-Father, may you forgive our part in this tragedy. Would our sons and daughters have died if not for our pride?”

“Elgar’nan guide me, enemies come!”

Mythal

Titles:

All-Mother

Great Protector

The Protector

She Who Watches

Represents:

Justice

Motherhood

Protection

Moon

Love

Symbols:

Dragon

Moon

Tree

Beam scale

Notes:

Along with Elgar’nan, Mythal heads the pantheon.

Dalish Keepers carry staves cut from a Dahl’amythal; Tree of Mythal. The staves are cut when a mage becomes First, for the day they take the current Keeper’s role.

Mythal is considered to be the wisest of all the Gods.

Dalish elves invoke Mythal’s name when declaring a debt, seeking justice, seeking love, and seeking protection for themselves or others.

The Dalish also consider it dangerous to neglect praying at Mythal’s shrines. Pleasing Mythal means she will offer you protection and guidance, but angering her is to risk getting struck from the earth, as if you never existed.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“I will pray that Mythal watches over your path.”

“Mythal, All-Mother, protector of the People, watch over us, for the path we tread is perilous. Save us from the darkness, as you did before, and we will sing your name to the heavens.”

“If Mythal smiles on you, then you need fear nothing at all.”

“Let fly your voice to Mythal, deliverer of justice, protector of sun and earth alike.”

“Go with Mythal’s blessing.”

“May Mythal protect you in your quest.”

Falon’Din

Titles:

Lethanavir; Friend to the Dead

Guide of the Dead; The Guide

The Merciful One

Dirthamen’s Shadow

Represents:

Death

Fortune (as in the future)

Symbols:

Owl

Notes:

In most legends, Falon’Din was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Falon’Din is known as the overseer of funerals and guide of the dead.

In the times of Elvhenan, Falon’Din guided elves entering Uthenera on their journey of enlightenment. When an elf died, he carried them to the Beyond (AKA the Fade).

Falon’Din and Dirthamen are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

The ancient elves referred to him as “master-scryer”.

Dalish elves invoke Falon’Din’s name on their deathbed, when departing on quests or entering battles they do not expect to survive, when asking to be spared from death, and when praying for a deceased loved one’s safe passage to the Beyond.

The owl is sometimes depicted as Falon’Din’s companion, messenger and servant, helping him guide the People through the Veil. Other times, Falon’Din is depicted as a great owl himself.

Known Legends:

One day, Falon’Din and Dirthamen found a sickly deer lying beneath a tree. Falon’Din asked, “Why do you sit so still, little sister?” They invited the dear to play with them, but the deer explained that she is too old, and wanted to go to her rest but was too weak to travel herself. Pitying the deer, Falon’Din took her in his arms and carried her across the Veil. With her spirit released from her body, she was once again free to wander without weakness in the Beyond. Rejoiced to see this, Falon’Din vowed to remain and carry all the dead to their place in the Beyond. (For Dirthamen’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

When Falon’Din searched for someone to serve him, he refused to chain the wind, as swift as it was, and could not task this of the People, as they could not live where he walked. The owl volunteered, saying “I am not cowed by darkness. Let me serve you who also has no fear of night.”

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“O Falon'Din, Lethanavir—Friend to the Dead, Guide my feet, calm my soul, Lead me to my rest.”

“Falon'Din, Friend of the Dead, may you guide our sons and daughters safely into the Beyond.”

“May your ashes be gathered by Falon'Din, And carried safely.”

“Falon’Din guide your steps.”

“Falon'Din be your guide.”

“Falon'Din, spare me.”

Dirthamen

Titles:

Keeper of Secrets

Falon’Din’s Reflection

Represents:

Secrets

Knowledge

Symbols:

Raven(s)

Bear

Varterral

Notes:

In most legends, Dirthamen was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Dirthamen gave the People the gift of knowledge, and taught them the value of loyalty and faith in family.

Dirthamen and Falon’Din are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

Dalish elves pray to Dirthamen when seeking knowledge, to reveal desired secrets.

Known Legends:

One day, Falon’Din and Dirthamen found a sickly deer lying beneath a tree. Falon’Din asked, “Why do you sit so still, little sister?” They invited the dear to play with them, but the deer explained that she is too old, and wanted to go to her rest but was too weak to travel herself. Pitying the deer, Falon’Din took her in his arms and carried her across the Veil. Dirthamen tried to follow, but got lost in the shifting paths of the Beyond, separated from Falon’Din for the first time. He wandered aimlessly, until attracting the attention of two ravens by the name of Fear and Deceit. Fear told Dirthamen that he would soon fade, lost forever, and Deceit told him that Falon’Din abandoned him because he no longer loved him. But Dirthamen subdued the ravens, and bound them to his service. He ordered the ravens to fly him to Falon’Din, where the two were reunited. Falon’Din vowed to remain and carry all the dead to their place in the Beyond, as he did for the deer, and Dirthamen vowed to stay with him, as they could not bear to be apart again. (For Falon’Din’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Dirthamen gave one secret for each animal to keep, but one by one they all gave their secrets away. The foxes traded their secrets for wings from Andruil. The hares shouted theirs to the trees. The birds sold theirs for coin. But the bears hibernated with their secrets. When Dirthamen found out, he took the wings from the foxes, voices from the hares, and wealth from the birds. But the bears he honoured for their steadfastness, making them beloved above all other animals by Dirthamen.

In the days before Arlathan, a city beloved and counselled by Dirthamen was attacked by a high dragon. For three days and three nights the people shut themselves in and prayed for Dirthamen's protection. On the fourth day, Dirthamen shaped a giant, agile spider-like beast from the rock and trees of the mountain's forest. The first varterral drove away the dragon, and from that day on, guarded the city and its people.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Andruil

Titles:

The Huntress

Lady of Fortune (as in luck)

Lady of the Hunt

Sister of the Moon

Mother of Hares

Represents:

Hunting

Survival

Luck

Symbols:

Hare

Owl

Notes:

In some legends, Andruil is the daughter of Elgar’nan and Mythal. In others, she was born of the Earth.

Where Sylaise is known as docile, Andruil is known as wild.

Andruil watches over the animals of the Earth, and taught the People to respect all of nature; to never misuse the Earth’s gifts.

Her greatest teaching to the People was the Vir Tandahal; the Way of the Three Trees. There are different versions of the Vir Tanadahl (see below).

Dalish elves pray to Andruil for guidance on where to hunt, where to raise their halla, and where to settle and build. They also invoke her name when looking for good luck.

Andruil brings messages to the People by an owl, and the Dalish teach their children to watch for the owl’s messages.

Enchanted belts called Andruil’s Blessing are given to honoured allies of a clan.

In the time of the Dales independence, at least one forest was dedicated to Andruil, where a sanctuary for her worshippers was built. The sanctuary is now a haunted tour location for Orlesian nobles.

Vir Tandahal:

Vir Assan: the Way of the Arrow – 1. “Be swift and silent; strike true, do not waver, and let not your prey suffer.” 2. “Fly straight and do not waver.”

Vir Bor'assan: the Way of the Bow – 1. “As the sapling bends, so must you. In yielding, find resilience; in pliancy, find strength.” 2. “Bend but never break.”

Vir Adahlen: the Way of the Wood / the Way of the Forest – 1. “Receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness. Respect the sacrifice of my children. Know that your passing shall nourish them in turn.” 2. “Together we are stronger than the one.”

The Vir Tanadahl applies to more than just hunting, but is a way of life for those who follow it. The mantra’s metaphors teach resiliency, respect and unity as much as they do a code of conduct for hunting.

Known Legends:

Fen’Harel was one day hunting for halla without the blessing of Andruil. As punishment, she tied him to a tree and declared he would need to server her in bed for a year and a day. However, Fen’Harel was also sought after by the Forgotten One Anaris, who found Andruil’s camp and sought to battle Andruil over claim on Fen’Harel. However, Fen’Harel tricked his way out of the situation by manipulating both opponents to lose focus on him, so he could escape. (For Fen’Harel’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain was blinded by a vengeful hunter after she cursed him, Andruil turned Ghilan’nain into the first halla, so she could find her way home and then lead her sisters to bring the hunter to justice. (For Ghilan’nain’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Andruil guide your path.”

“Andruil bless your hunt.”

“Andruil, grant me your power!”

Sylaise

Titles:

The Hearthkeeper

Represents:

Hearth

Home

Foraging

Domestic arts

Symbols:

Herbs

Fire

Notes:

In most legends, Sylaise was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Sylaise taught the People how to use fire, how to heal with herbs and magic, how to deliver babies, and textile arts such as spinning and weaving.

Where Andruil is known as wild, she is known as docile.

She is seen as a protector of children.

The Dalish pray to Sylaise to spare the sick and watch over the innocent. They invoke her name every time a fire is kindled, and thank her when it is quenched. They also invoke her name in marriage vows, asking to protect the home.

While most Dalish elves follow Andruil’s Vir Tandahal, there are those who instead choose to follow Sylaise’s Vir Atish’an; the Way of Peace. Not much is known about these teachings, other than that it is the way followed by healers.

Dalish elves sprinkle tree-moss over their aravels as offerings to Sylaise.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Sylaise enaste var aravel.” (“Sylaise favour/bless our home.”)

June

Titles:

Master of Crafts

Represents:

Crafts / Craftsmanship

Building

Symbols:

Bent branches

Anvil

Notes:

In most legends, June was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

June used Sylaise’s lessons to teach the People how to fashion weapons for hunting Andruil’s gifts. He taught them how to fashion coverings of furs and ironbark to stay warm.

Dalish elves dedicate most of their crafts to June.

In the days of the independent Dales, the High Keepers of June were all smiths.

Of all the Creators, June is the least understood.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Ghilan’nain

Titles:

Mother of the Halla

Represents:

Guidance

Navigation

Halla

Symbols:

Halla

Notes:

Ghilan’nain was once a follower of Andruil, who rose Ghilan’nain to godhood for her devotion to animals.

As an elf, she is described as having snow-white hair.

In times of great need, Ghilan’nain will send a golden halla to the Dalish, to guide them safely. This halla is known as Hanal’ghilan; the Pathfinder.

Known Legends:

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain came across a hunter who killed a hawk without making an offering to Andruil, she demanded he do so. When the hunter refused, Ghilan’nain called upon Andruil’s wrath to curse the hunter with the inability to ever kill another living creature. The curse worked, and the hunter was mocked by his peers for his inability to hunt. Seeking vengeance, he lured Ghilan’nain away from her sisters with promises that he learned his lesson and wanted her to teach him how to make a proper offering. Of course, the moment they were alone, he attacked Ghilan’nain, bound her, blinded her, and wounded her. But he was unable to kill her due to the curse, so he left her to die in the woods. Ghilan’nain prayed to Andruil for help, and Andruil sent her hares to chew through the bindings to free Ghilan’nain. However, she was still left wounded and blinded. Andruil transformed her into the first halla, so that she could find her way back to her sisters, and then lead them to the hunter to enact justice. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Ghilan’nain used her power to create fantastical beasts, the likes of which were hunted by Andruil. After a year of killing, Andruil approached Ghilan’nain with an offer: destroy her creatures, and she would be made a goddess. Ghilan’nain agreed, with a few exceptions: She destroyed her creatures of the air except those she presented to Andruil as a gift. She destroyed her creatures of the sea except those deep in the ocean, for they were too perfect. She destroyed her creatures of the earth, except for the halla, as she cherished them too much.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Ghilan’nain guide my hand.”

Fen’Harel

Titles:

Dread Wolf

The Great Wolf

The Great Deceiver

Lord of Tricksters

Represents:

Tricks / Tricksters

Nightmares

Misfortune

Deception

Symbols:

Wolf

Notes:

Fen’Harel is kin to both the Creators and the Forgotten Ones.

It is said that Fen’Harel kept to himself, away from the People. After the fall of Arlathan and the sealing away of the Creators and Forgotten Ones, he alone now freely roams the Fade on the hunt for dreams.

Dalish set statues of Fen'Harel outside their camps to frighten harmful spirits, and leave offerings at shrines to him like any other god. They also invoke Fen’Harel’s name when avoiding tragedy, as thanks for turning a blind eye to them.

Fen’Harel fears crossing the ire of hounds.

Known Legends:

In the days of Arlathan, a village came together and prayed for Fen’Harel to slay a great beast that tormented them. Fen’Harel appeared, assessed that the beast would kill him in a fight, and instead shot an arrow into the sky. The villagers asked how he would save them, to which he said, “When did I say that I would save you?” and left. That night, the beast killed the warriors, then the women, then the elders. But when the beast went for the children, the arrow Fen’Harel shot into the sky came back down into its mouth and killed the beast. While the children wept for the loss of their families, they still made an offering to Fen’Harel in thanks, because he did what the villagers asked of him.

There was once an elven king who lost one of his two daughters to a snake bite. At the funeral, a young noble man caught sight of an elven lady so beautiful that it broke his heart not to know who she was. Customs forbade him from talking during the funeral. The noble prayed to all the Creators that he would see this elven lady again, until finally he prayed to Fen’Harel; the only one to answer. Fen’Harel told the noble if he wanted to see this lady again, he simply needed to kill the king’s other daughter.

When the Creator Andruil and Forgotten One Anaris battled over who would punish Fen’Harel for wrongs he’d done against each of them, Fen’Harel tricked his way to freedom. During the fight, Fen’Harel called out to Anaris that there was a weakness in Andruil’s armour. Anaris took advantage of this and severely wounded Andruil, seemingly winning the battle. Fen’Harel said that since Anaris only won because of him, he should get his freedom. This distracted Anaris long enough for the Andruil to rise up again and attack the Anaris from behind. The two were so badly injured that they fell unconscious, allowing Fen’Harel to chew through his ropes to escape. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Fen’Harel is the one responsible for locking away the gods from the People. In one version of the legend, he tricked the Creators and the Forgotten Ones to retreat to the Beyond and the Void by proposing a truce. In another version of the legend, he lied about the location of a great weapon to win the war, luring them into each location respectfully. Whatever the method, the end of the tale is the same: Fen’Harel sealed away the Creators in the Beyond and their respective realms, never again to interact with the mortal world.

An elderly Keeper of a clan in the Silent Plains had a coursing hound companion. When the Keeper slept, Fen’Harel thought to steal the Keeper’s dreams, but the hound protected his master, and chased Fen’Harel away. The hound caught Fen’Harel by the tail, and the two went around in circles before Fen’Harel eventually chewed off his own tail in order to escape. He has ever since feared hounds.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“He Who Hunts Alone, the Dread Wolf. He will come for us in the end, but today he turned a blind eye, and for that, we are thankful.”

“May the Dread Wolf never hear your footsteps.”

“May the Dread Wolf never catch your scent.”

“May Fen’Harel chase your spirit across the Beyond forever!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf hunt you for the rest of your days!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf take you.” (A curse)

-----

SOURCES:

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire

Dragon Age: Redemption

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 1

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 2

Dragon Age: RPG Book

Codex entry: The Dalish Elves (DA:O)

Codex entry: Elgar'nan: God of Vengeance (DA:O)

Codex entry: Mythal: the Great Protector (DA:O)

Codex entry: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt (DA:O)

Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide (DA:O)

Codex entry: Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets (DA:O)

Codex entry: June: God of the Craft (DA:O)

Codex entry: Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper (DA:O)

Codex entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf (DA:O)

Codex entry: Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla (DA:O)

Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two (DA:O)

Codex entry: Bear (DA:O)

Codex entry: Varterral (DA:2)

Codex entry: Vir Atish'an (DA:2)

Codex entry: Andruil's Messenger (DA:I)

Codex entry: Song to Falon'Din (DA:I)

Codex entry: Twins in Shadow (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 1 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 2 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Judicael's Crossing (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Silentir (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Tenebrium (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Letter from the Hero of Ferelden (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Ghoulish Delight (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Mystery of June (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Rebel God (DA:I)

Codex entry: Vallasdahlen (DA:I)

Landmark: Pools of the Sun (DA:I)

Landmark: The Guide of Falon'Din (DA:I)

Landmark: Offering to the Dread Wolf (DA:I)

Item description: Mythal's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Andruil's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Robes of the High Keeper (DA:I)

Item description: Elgar'nan Enaste (DA:I)

Item description: Evanura (DA:I)

Text appearing over statues at the Dalish camp in the Brecilian Forest (DA:O)

Dialogue with Tamlen in The Lost Mysteries of the Ancients (DA:O)

Dialogue with Lanaya in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Zathrian in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Maren and Velanna in Awakening (DA:O)

Dialogue with Marethari in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Marethari in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Mirror Image (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Memento of the Dalish (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill about Hawke’s mabari (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in battle (DA:2)

Dialogue with Ineria in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with the elderly widower in the Flowers for Senna (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan and Morrigan in What Pride Had Wrought (DA:I)

Dialogue with Keeper Hawen after gaining Dalish approval (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Vivienne in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Ithiren in The Golden Halla (DA:I)

War Table mission: Contact Clan Lavellan (DA:I)

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