#red halla as in red hart* sorry

[ndostairlyrium]

Two Truths and a Lie 👀

Tagged by beloved @sparatus 💛 thank you so much!

Rules: post two truths and a lie about one of your characters

Of course I'm going with Ankh, she's the spoiled princess here lol

tags: @greypetrel @underneathestars @demandthedoodles @n7viper @shivunin @dungeons-and-dragon-age @daggerbean @blightbear

[heartslogos]

newfragile yellows [610]

“I can’t believe you’re upset with me,” Evelyn says for what must be the twentieth time this week. “I thought you’d be happy to see your family.”

“Of course I'm happy to see my family. Alive and well, on top of that too. I appreciate you helping my clan with the situation in Wycome.”

“And yet you’re mad at me.”

“Because you didn’t have to invite them to stay here,” Ellana hisses, gesturing to Skyhold as they wait for the Inquisition escort that set out yesterday to meet her clan comes into view. “I don’t need more people ruthlessly running me ragged and teasing me at every turn. That’s what the Chargers and Valos-kas are for. And you’ve invited those two forces — the mercenaries I call my family of blood and the family of who’s water I was formed into one relatively small living space? That’s almost a hundred people who delight in tormenting me at every turn.”

“They’re your family.”

“If our positions had been reversed, Evelyn, and I invited your entire family to stay over knowing damn well that Cullen Rutherford’s bedroom is positioned almost directly above our portcullis and above a strategic walkway that is frequented by literally everyone in Skyhold, separated from the most public of spaces by a fucking ladder would you be entirely pleased?”

Evelyn grimaces. “It’s not like you and Bull get up to anything particularly — “

“Evelyn. You are my friend, a close companion, and a fellow in this burden of the Wolf,” Ellana places a hand on the woman’s shoulder, “Do not finish that sentence.”

Her lips purse together as Evelyn shakes her head.

“Sorry. Sorry. Anyway, I think you’re being extreme. Does Bull know that your family is set to arrive today?”

“Of course not. Bad enough he knows that they’re coming, he doesn’t need to know when,” Ellana wrinkles her nose. “I lied and told him that weather and various other poor conditions have stalled them and they’re arriving in a month. Hopefully they get the worst out of their system before he comes back.”

“I can’t believe you encouraged him to go fight a dragon.”

“Desperate times, Evelyn. Desperate times. You know, you don’t have to be here with me.”

“I invited them, I should greet them,” Evelyn shrugs. “Besides, I feel like I owe it to them to meet them in person.”

“Owe it to them? Why?”

“Because I got them into this mess.”

“You didn’t make the rifts or the red lyrium or the idiot shems.”

“No, but I did kind of get you into some trouble.”

“You make it sound like you got me with child and now you’re going to do right by me by asking for my hand.”

Evelyn sputters as Ellana laughs at her.

“You and the Commander are a perfect match for each other. Easy pickings.”

They both glance up when they hear the sound of scouts on the walls signaling for the gate keepers to start lowering the bridge and opening the inner gates.

“Time to square up, as they say,” Evelyn says, clapping Ellana on the shoulder. “Do try to enjoy this for a little, won’t you?”

“No one says that and I’ll be saying the exact same thing to you when Cullen’s family comes to visit.”

“His what comes to what now?”

Ellana smirks, turning and waving at the people across the pass.

It’s somehow too long and too short until she sees her brother riding up to her, smoothly jumping off his hart and jogging to stand in front of her as the stag comes to a slow trot and lingers at the gates waiting for command.

Her arms are his arms are her arms again as they pour themselves into each other. He smells like crushed pine, the faint sour-staleness of travel, and his skin is cold. But his back is familiar under her palms, as is the color of the blue woad he so diligently refreshes to highlight his vallaslin in its gray-green.

Mahanon breathes in deep against her neck, turning his face into her hair, spreading his fingers over her and digging into the fur at her back. And then his hand snakes underneath her layers and pinches her in the ribs.

“Hm. Well. You seem well fed.”

“You look like the runt of a litter that’s gotten mange and has been abandoned to the side streets of a slum.”

“It’s been less than a minute and I feel as though I already know the face of my certain doom,” Evelyn sighs from behind them. “I’ll take care of the rest, Ellana go with your brother.”

“As if I needed your permission,” Ellana says, squeezing her brother tighter before letting go of him. They stand side by side as Ellana nods at the rest of the Lavellans, who smile at her fondly. Many of the elders give her looks that mean she’s absolutely going to be giving them a run down and is going to be getting a run down as soon as they’re settled. There’s a lot of faces she doesn’t recognize. Mother and Father smiles at her as they pass.

Mother’s palm slides against Ellana’s for a brief, wonderful moment — and Ellana’s skin feels the touch of skin so familiar it might as well be her own, because her mother’s flesh was her flesh before there was an Ellana — before she has to move on, guiding the halla laden with supplies beyond the gates. Father stops for a bit longer, coming in to kiss her forehead, smiling as he whispers, “It’s so good to see you.”

Ellana says nothing, and just basks in him for a moment before he moves on, hoisting up the travel pack he’s carrying up higher over his shoulder.

Security first. Sentiment later.

“Come on, let’s get a drink,” Ellana says, voice tight as she grasps her brother’s hand in hers and leads him into Skyhold.

She’d forgotten what it was like to need no words at all. All she needs is the twitch of Mahanon’s hand in hers and she knows instantly to point, to hum, to grunt, to roll her eyes. And he knows without even glancing at her what she means.

The stables are there but they’re crowded, best to keep the halla separate.

Mostly shem merchants, but worth a look if you want.

Human nobles from Orlais. They’re idiots.

Mercenary tents. I’ll show you later.

And finally they’re at the Herald’s rest and Ellana pushes the door open with one hand and then fucking dies.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

There he is. That fucking —

“The dragon.”

“Wolf, aren’t you going to introduce me?”

Bull’s sitting there in his usual spot, and Krem in his — looking chagrined and entirely too delighted by this situation for Ellana to absolve him of not warning her sooner — and Ellana wants to fucking rip Bull’s smirk off his face.

Mahanon hums, fingers leaving hers before she can physically haul him back and drag him away from this encounter.

“The Iron Bull,” Mahanon says slowly as he approaches. “We meet at last. You are…beyond expectation.”

“Mahanon Lavellan,” Bull rises and Ellana quickly intercedes, grabbing Bull by the waistband because he didn’t even wear his fucking shoulder harness today and pulling him as hard as she can towards the stairs.

“You. Me. Now.”

“Abandoned by my sister for her lover already?”

“You shut up.” Ellana glares at Krem as she stomps up the stairs. “You? I’ll deal with later.”

As soon as she has Bull up to the third floor she rounds on him.

“You were supposed to be on your way to the Wastes.”

“Wolf,” Bull crosses his arms, eyebrows raised, “I’m a former elite spy of the Qun. I’ve run cons for literal years. You think you can fool me?”

“But — there really is a dragon there.”

“I don’t doubt it. And it probably would’ve been fun to deal with. But I’m not going to miss meeting your family. What kind of lover would I be if I wasn’t here?”

The sound of pure agonized frustration that knots itself in her throat is only matched by the unwelcome sound of delight that is the fucking Dread Wolf cackling from somewhere above and behind her. Because of course.

Of fucking course her God decided that he wanted to watch this. He probably knew too.

Ellana jabs her finger at him. She doesn’t know what to say so she just keeps jabbing him in the chest and hissing.

“Did I break you?”

Yes. No. Probably. Preemptively.

“You are the worst,” Ellana settles on saying that because while it falls short of encompassing her current frustration, it’s better than wordless screaming. “You couldn’t have just gone and fought the fucking dragon.”

[the-rogue-mockingjay]

OC Interview!

featuring my girls, Melanthe, Eden, and Aisling!

Tagged by @schoute, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I’VE WANTED TO DO ONE OF THESE!!! Thanks for the tag!!!!!

Tagging @coptix! (frick yeah Luna Hawke!!!!!) And also @markuilleam (no pressure tho lol)

Rules: Answer the following questions as your OC of choice.

I couldn’t pick just ONE, so I said screw it and went with my main three!

1. What’s your name?

Melanthe Ashirill Lavellan. [She grins and bows low and dramatically.] How do you do? [She glances at her sister.]

[Eden clears her throat.] Eden Lavellan.

[Hawke smiles pleasantly and crosses her legs.] Aisling Mariann Hawke.

2. Do you know why you are named that?

[Melanthe shrugs.]

Hawke: No.

Eden: A friend suggested it, I thought it sounded nice, and that’s what I’ve gone with ever since.

3. Are you single or taken?

Hawke: I gave an angsty Tevinter elf my heart, and I hope he keeps it forever.

[Melanthe cackles.] Always the romantic, aren’t you Hawke? As for me… [She pulls an ivory wolf’s jawbone pendant out from under her tunic and waves it around.] Yep.

Hawke: You…went with Solas?

[Melanthe nods.] Yep. The resident egghead Fade expert is mine. And my dear sister is in love with the Commander!

[Eden blushes slightly.] He’s…he’s nice.

[Hawke and Melanthe elbow Eden playfully.]

4. Have any abilities or powers?

[Eden holds up a glowing left hand.] Mel and I have the Anchor. It lets us open and close tears in the Veil.

[Melanthe high-fives her sister with her own glowing hand.] Yes! And we can make tiny holes in the Veil to kill demons sometimes!

Hawke: I’m a mage, specifically a spirit healer with force mage training. It’s pretty cool. Eden’s a mage as well.

Melanthe: And I’m good at poking hundreds of holes in people via a truly epic assortment of knives. [She winks.]

5. Stop being a Mary Sue.

[The three women exchange puzzled glances.]

Hawke: Run that by me again?

Melanthe: I don’t remember killing someone by that name. Nor do I remember any bartenders with that name. Maybe…eh. Nah.

6. What’s your eye color?

[Hawke raises an eyebrow.] You mean to tell me you can’t see it? Blue.

[Melanthe leans in close to the interviewer for a moment.] Gold, but not the same shade as my sister’s. Mine’s better.

Eden: I’m not inclined to disagree.

7. How about your hair color?

Hawke: Black. Like obsidian but, alas! Not as shiny.

Eden: Just..dark red.

Melanthe: Like drying blood!

[Eden makes a face.] Mel, please.

Melanthe: Okay fine. Going with Hawke’s mention of shiny rocks, how about garnet red?

Eden: That is better, yes.

8. Have any family members?

[Hawke suddenly finds the floor most intriguing. Melanthe perks up.] Oh, lots! There’s the twins, Tessa and Feyrand--they’re older than me--Iolanthe’s younger than Eden, we’ve got an even younger brother who has a habit of disappearing and we’ve got cousins galore! There’s Kahris, Maralah, Saelethil…not to mention our clanmates! They’re family too.

Eden: My friends are my family, too. Hawke, Fenris, Cole, Cassandra, Solas, Varric, Sera, Blackwall…the whole inner circle, really.

Interviewer: What about you, Hawke?

[Hawke jerks her head back up.] Oh, sorry. Well… [She coughs into her fist.] I have Fenris and my ducklings, and the Lavellans. That is…all.

9. Oh? How about any pets?

Melanthe: Too many.  There’s my palomino horse, I call him Corvo, Eden’s got a hart named Red Velvet, a halla named Evune, probably a dozen different birds, three hamsters aaaaand a rabbit on top of that-

Eden: In my defense, they were mostly rescues.

[Hawke points behind her with her thumb.] There’s an undead bog unicorn in the stables. And a giant nug. And as for me? My mabari Birch is all I need.

10. That’s cool, I guess. Now tell me something you don’t like.

[Hawke deadpans.] Red lyrium.

[Melanthe grimaces.] Oh, I feel you there.

Eden: Stuck-up ancient Tevinter morons who blow things up and then monologue villainously.

Melanthe: Oof, true! Also the Chantry. The Chantry can go- [She spews a long string of obscenities that just about rivals a sailor’s cursing.]

[Eden nods thoughtfully. Hawke’s eyes glint with mischief.] And the TEMPLARS as well, especially the ones who were in KIRKWALL working for MEREDITH-

[Cullen hollers from the next room.] I heard that, Hawke!

[Melanthe and Hawke high-five. Eden shakes her head.] Hawke didn’t mean you, ma atish’an.

Melanthe: Oh yes she did. [snickers]

11. Do you have any activities/hobbies that you like to do?

[Melanthe leans back in her chair, putting her legs on the table.] Stabbing. Drinking. Kissing Solas. Pranking everyone in Skyhold, the usual trouble.

Eden: Painting, reading, gardening. [A timid smile slowly spreads across her face.] Singing, or playing the harp.

Hawke: Now that you mention it… I write poetry, and sometimes turn them into songs. Journaling is also something I like, and pressing flowers, and-… [Her gaze strays to the wall.] Yeah, that’s about it.

12. Have you hurt anyone in any way before?

[The three women glance at each other, at the interviewer, then back to each other.]

Melanthe: Pfft. What kind of question is that?

[Eden toys with a bracelet.]

Hawke: Oh no, of course not.

13. Ever… killed anyone before?

[Hawke grabs a champagne glass from the end table next to her, and sips it.] Me? Never!

Melanthe: I heard you used the Arishok’s skull as a flowerpot.

[Hawke nearly spits her drink everywhere.] Who told you that?

[Melanthe simply winks at the interviewer.]

14. What kind of animal are you?

Hawke: A dragon. Guarding my treasure hoard~

[Melanthe wiggles her eyebrows.] A sssssslippery sssssssssnake!

Eden: Sorry sister, you’re more of a mountain goat. You’re everywhere you shouldn’t be and you consume an unholy amount of whatever food’s available.

Melanthe: She’s a barn owl. Or a cat, maybe?

15. Name your worst habits?

Hawke: Fenris says I’m a bit overprotective of my friends. Too loyal, too stubborn, too willing to risk my life for others, I “involve myself in the affairs of others” too much, or what have you. But I’ll let you in on a secret: I used to ignore the vast majority of the mail I got when I was a noblewoman of Kirkwall.

Eden: I stay up late reading fiction when I should be dealing with all my mail and- [she lowers her voice.] Sometimes I skip war meetings.

Melanthe: I run exclusively on caffeine and volatile emotions.

16. Do you look up to anyone at all?

Hawke: Eden.

Eden: Hawke.

Melanthe: Iron Bull, Cassandra, Blackwall, Cullen, Leliana, Josie, Tess, Feyrand, Krem, Sera, Solas, Vivienne, Cole, Dorian… [She grins wickedly.] But not you, sister. I’m still taller than you.

Eden: Not if I wear heels.

Melanthe: Not if I stand on Bull’s shoulders!

17. Are you gay, straight or bisexual?

Hawke: Mm, straight.

[Melanthe considers this a moment, then shrugs.]

Eden: Just because I have a boyfriend doesn’t mean I’m into…that.

18. Do you go to school?

Hawke: My parents taught me a lot.

Melanthe: Dalish don’t really have school.

19. Ever want to marry and have any kids one day?

Hawke: I’d like to, yes.

Eden: Marriage? Absolutely, but kids I’m not so sure of.

Melanthe: To be honest I haven’t thought about it. Too busy stabbing demons and undead and corrupted templars and whatnot.

20. Do you have any fangirls/fanboys?

Hawke: Do lovers count as fans?

Melanthe: HEY SOLAS! ARE YOU A FANBOY?

Solas, from the other room: Am I- what?

Melanthe: He’s a fan of the Fade. And me. But be serious, very few people in Skyhold AREN’T fans of me. [She winks.]

21. What are you most afraid of?

Eden: Spiders.

Hawke: Corrupted spiders.

Melanthe: Bears.

22. What do you usually wear?

Eden: Simple Dalish robes.

Hawke: I inherited a bloody awesome coat from my dad complete with belts, a bright red sash, and some shoulder armor. With bonus knee protection, because you can’t protect your knees enough.

Melanthe: I’ve got a sick coat, made of phoenix scales, ring velvet, Highever weave, with lazurite details. I’ve got other coats made of varghest scales, dragonling scales, and gurgut webbing.

23. What one food tempts you?

Melanthe: CHOCOLATE. What kind? Doesn’t matter, it’s MINE.

Hawke: Ham that tastes of despair is okay, but there’s enough despair in the world, and not enough lemon cheesecake.

Eden: …cinnamon rolls.

24. Am I annoying you?

Melanthe: Nope. I’ve got aaaall the time in the world.

Hawke: After all the people I’ve dealt with, it’ll take a lot more to be annoying.

Eden: You’re not a fussy Orlesian noble. You’re doing just fine.

25. Well, it’s still not over!

[Hawke gestures for the interviewer to continue.]

26. What class are you (low/middle/high)?

Hawke: I was an apostate, then a refugee apostate, then a noblewoman apostate, then the Champion of Kirkwall, and now I’m little more than a fugitive, so truth be told, I’m not sure.

Eden: a Dalish First turned Inquisitor. I…don’t…really know?

Melanthe: High class for fancy parties and fancy murders, low class at the tavern.

27. How many friends do you have?

Hawke: About ten.

[Melanthe snorts.] Um, almost a whole castle’s worth.

Eden: My inner circle, plus the ducklings, plus the animals… [She tries counting them, but loses track.] As many friends as I need.

28. What are your thoughts on pie?

Hawke and Melanthe, in unison: Lemon meringue is the best.

Melanthe: Chocolate is equal.

Eden: Pies of all kinds are good. I wish we had them more often.

29. Favourite drink?

Melanthe: Whiskey.

Hawke: That peach liqueur I used to buy in Hightown.

Eden: ….hot chocolate?

30. What’s your favourite place?

[Hawke smiles wistfully.] I have many, but the place I like best is wherever Fenris is.

Melanthe: Awww!!

Hawke: And somewhere we’re not being attacked all the time.

Melanthe: I’m rather fond of that little oasis in the Western Approach. And the Wounded Coast. Storm Coast was pretty, too.

Eden, softly: I liked the Emerald Graves.

31. Are you interested in anyone?

Melanthe: We’re all dating someone at the moment. And we told you that.

32. That was a stupid question…

Hawke: We all say dumb things sometimes.

Melanthe: Some people more often than others.

33. Would you rather swim in the lake or the ocean?

Hawke and Melanthe: Ocean.

Eden: Lake.

34. What’s your type?

Melanthe: Type of what? Blood? Weapons?

Eden: Preferred type of magic?

[Hawke tries not to laugh and fails.] Broody and sometimes glowing.

35. Any fetishes?

[Melanthe smiles brightly.] Stabbing demons.

Hawke: If you think you’re going to get an answer to that, think again.

[Eden squirms and twists her bracelet around her hand.] Next question, please.

36. Camping indoors or outdoors?

Melanthe: Wait….indoor camping is a thing? What is it with you shems and constantly coming up with new nonsense?

Hawke: Pillow or blanket forts, I think.

Eden: …..outdoors?

I stayed up SO MUCH LATER THAN I SHOULD HAVE writing this, but heck if it wasn’t awesome!

[rusted-pipe-of-wisdom]

Everything Broken

rating: G

genre: hurt/comfort, friendship

After the events at the Exalted Council, Cole can ‘read’ the Inquisitor.

***

The night was cold.

Lady Inquisitor Lavellan sat up straight and lit the candle for the second time. Long journey from the Winter Palace had her exhausted, but she could not sleep. It was not the cold - something else.

She picked up an envelope from her desk; new reports from scout Harding. Good, loyal Harding, she is now somewhere out there, keeping vigil by the campfire. Thinking of her brought comfort.

“She’s thinking of you too.”

Lavellan turned around so quickly her elbow hit something heavy on the desk; the sound of glass breaking into pieces did not follow as Cole swiftly caught the object mid-air. He placed it back where it belonged, then sat beside it on the desk, his feet dangling just above the soft carpet.

“Sorry,” he said, “I didn’t want to scare you.”

She sighed. “It’s alright, Cole. Thanks for saving... whatever this is.”

The spirit cocked his head, staring at the statuette he had saved. “Josephine brought it here,” he noted. “Warm hands around the cold glass, small silver shavings slipping, settling, staying on her fingers. It’s still, but it’s alive. She wanted to make you happy.”

Lavellan looked at the statuette in amusement. It depicted a hart, one of those some Dalish clans bred for sale and help. Harts were easier to tame than halla though not as intelligent, and some elderly of the People claimed they made elves much too similar to shemlen. The statuette was indeed encrusted with silver; it glittered dimly in the moonlight.

“I should thank Josephine. She’s always trying to spoil me.” The Inquisitor chuckled.

“She knows you’ve been crying a lot. She wants to help but doesn’t know how.”

The silence was a little awkward. Cole watched the moon, and the Inquisitor watched him. His eyes were empty, two pools of moonlight with not a single thought clouding them.

“I thought you went back into the Fade,” she finally said. Cole rocked slightly from left to right, shifting his weight from one arm onto another.

“I will,” he answered. “I’m needed where pain is, and it’s here. So I’m here.”

“Oh... right.” Lavellan looked down at her shoulder and the loose sleeve of the nightshirt that was covering it. “The mark is gone.”

“Yes.” Cole smiled. “I can read you now, that’s why I’m happy. You were there and not, and now you’re real, you’re you. But it is also sad. It hurts a lot. Others don’t hurt that way.”

He reached to touch her shoulder. His fingers were lighter than the air and softer than fabric. She thought she would be afraid of him now, but this touch was unexpectedly very comforting. Like an old wound that was aching has suddenly gone numb.

“The dirt will not feel same again,” Cole whispered. “Small fingers digging, dragging. Don’t touch them, da’len, they bite. Hot, angry tears; hot hands, red spots where the ants bite them. They were only defending their homes but still, it hurts. The elves also protect their homes. Aravels creaking in the wind, wheels pressing into the ground. We must go now, da’len. The humans didn’t know what they were doing. Hot, angry fear, eating them from inside like fire. Hot, angry flame flooding the forest. They also thought they were protecting their homes.”

His fingers glowed lightly. The Inquisitor gulped, feeling her cheeks starting to burn. “Stop it.”

“Blood glistens in the sun, it stinks, sticks, stays on your hands. The village burns, the forest burns. Pain sharp, shocking, shattering. The mages are scared, the templars are angry, and in the middle, blood. And you. Herald of Andraste, hymn heavy like an armor. They hate you but they won’t let you go.”

She wanted to stop him and changed her mind. It was not like she expected. Sharing pain with Cole was not like sharing pain with anyone else. He was not a real person, nothing stayed with him, nothing stained him. When he talked, she felt lighter, felt pain and guilt lifted from her tired shoulders and peace crawling in, gradually, word by word.

“The mark can fix the sky, but the hand can’t fix broken souls. Varric doesn’t want to blame the woman he loves, so he blames himself. Red lyrium sings to him, sings to you. Scarlet, scary, scarred. The warden says he’s not one, his guilt is heavy, voice trembling. You pity him but he doesn’t want it. The father is a blood mage; there is his son in someone else’s house, drinking himself to sleep. You are my only friend, he says. You miss him. Vivienne is cold, but inside she’s broken. Sera isn’t broken but feels like she is. Inside, everything is broken. You can’t fix it.”

He was right. She could not fix everything. Perhaps certain things were not at all meant to be fixed.

And it felt easier. And it did not hurt.

“He stares at you when you sleep. The Wolf and his thousand faces. They paint him with six eyes, but he wants yours, too. Without him you’re the hero, leading the way, in fear but feared. With him you’re fragile like a feather, flickering, flipping, floating in the sweet air. It feels good but it’s not. Fen’Harel ma halam. Banal’abelas. Banal’vhenan.”

Lavellan gasped. Small glistening teardrops filled her eyes and ran down her chin: mute, silent manifestations of liberty. Cole brushed her shoulder. His magic numbed the pain and eased the breath.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he continued. “You were vhenan, his heart, stolen but separate. He carved it into your hand. He never loved anyone but himself. He betrayed you.”

The Inquisitor smiled bitterly through tears. “I thought you like Solas.”

“Solas likes spirits. He likes me. That’s why he’s calming, clearing, comforting. But it’s not me. He hurts people. He hurts you. You’ll make him stop.”

“Thank you, Cole.” She paused to swallow the tears. Her cheeks now bore two silvery traces of grief. “I think I’ll be... be going to bed now.”

“Dreams are silent, sleepy and soft.” Cole gazed at her one last time before turning to bathe his face in moonlight. “You like the Fade. Only it can be sad to wake up. I’ll stay and guard your dreams.”

Lavellan nodded. “Yes. Stay with me.”

She returned to bed and pulled the wool blanket up to her chin. The spirit settled on the edge of the mattress, glance still on the moon.

“Will I forget that you’d been here when I wake up?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered softly. “But it will feel better.”

The night was cold. She slept.

[dreamerdarkly-blog]

Aesiacendre Lavellan

I was tagged by @starlokii ((thank you it made my day when I realized I had been tagged.))

[ I don’t have access to my scanner and I doodled this on lined paper, I am sorry I fail  ;   ; ]

[ COLORS ] red. brown. orange. yellow. green. blue. purple. pink. black. white. teal. silver. gold. grey. lilac. metallic. matte. royal blue. strawberry red. charcoal grey. forest green. apple red. navy blue. crimson. cream. mint green.opalescent.periwinkle

[ ELEMENTS ] fire. ice. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. frost. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. magic.

[ BODY ] claws. long fingers. fangs. teeth. wings. tails. lips. bare feet. freckles. bruises. canine. scars. scratches. wounds. burns. spikes. feathers. webs. eyes. hands. sweat. tears. feline. chubby. curvy. short. tall. normal height. muscular. piercing. tattoos. lithe.small

[ WEAPONS ] fists. sword. dagger. spear. arrow. hammer. shield. poison. guns. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. tasers. machine guns. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. pyre. teeth.  rifles. staff.

[ MATERIALS ] gold. silver. platinum. titanium. diamonds. pearls. rubies. sapphires. emeralds. amethyst. metal. iron. rust. steel. glass. wood. porcelain. paper. wool. fur. lace. leather. silk. velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal.clay. stone. asphalt. brick. marble. dust. glitter. blood. dirt. mud. smoke. ash. shadow. carbonate. rubber. synthetics.palladium.opal

[ NATURE ] grass. leaves. trees. bark. roses. daisies. tulips. lavender. petals. thorns. seeds. hay. sand. rocks. roots. flowers. ocean. river. meadow. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rainforest. caves. underwater. coral reef. beach. waves. space. clouds. mountains. poppies.fields. groves.stars.

[ ANIMALS ] lions. wolves. eagles. owls. falcons. hawks. swans. snakes. turtles. ducks. bugs. spiders. crickets. birds. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. horses. cats. dogs. bunnies. praying mantises. crows. ravens. mice. lizards. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dragons. rats. livestock. foxes.nugs. harts. halla

[ FOODS/DRINKS ] sugar. salt. candy. bubblegum. wine. champagne. hard liquor. beer. coffee. tea. spices. herbs. apple. orange. lemon. cherry. strawberry. watermelon. vegetables. fruits. meat. fish. pies. desserts. chocolate. cream. caramel. berries. nuts. cinnamon. burgers. burritos. pizza. french fries. ambrosia.spiced cider. baked salmon.

[ HOBBIES ] music. art. watercolors. gardening. smithing. sculpting. painting. sketching. fighting. writing. composing. cooking. sewing. training. dancing. acting. singing. martial arts. self-defense. electronics. technology. cameras. video cameras. video games. computer. phone. movies. theatre. libraries. books. comic books. magazines. cds. records. vinyl’s. cassettes. piano. violin. guitar. electronic guitar. bass guitar. harmonica. harp. woodwinds. brass. bells. playing cards. poker chips. chess. dice. motorcycle riding. eating. climbing. running. exploring.chimes.

[ STYLE ] lingerie. armour. cape. dress. tunic. vest. shirt. sweater. boots. heels. leggings. trousers. jeans. skirt. jewelry. earrings. necklace. bracelet. ring. pendant. hat. crown. circlet. helmet. scarf. brocade. cloaks. corsets. doublet. chest plate. gorget. bracers. belt. sash. coat. jacket. duster. trenchcoat. hood. gloves. socks. masks. cowls. braces. watches. glasses. sunglasses. visor. eye contacts. makeup. ties. uniform.furs.flower crowns. leather messenger bag.

[changeling-fae]

This is my large headcanon about Clan Lavellan in my DA ‘verse that I was finally able to more or less get out of my head. I’m surprisingly proud of this although it took me awhile to write. 

I would like to thank @vir-ghilani for reading over it first and offering suggestions.

If I could, I’d make pretty banners for each section but I don’t have that talent so the above is the best I could do so, sorry it’s not more polished looking.

Feel free to ask questions!

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                                          Clan Lavellan Master Post

Index:

1.     Codex

2.     History

3.     Region

4.     Diet

5.     Religious Practices

6.     Hanal’dirthara

7.     Seers and Oracles

8.     Magic

9.     Material Culture

10.   Folklore

11.  Relationships

                                        Codex Entry: Clan Lavellan

Clan Lavellan is one of the few Clans of the Dalish who thrive in the dangerous and dark swamp forest of the Korcari Wilds. They have lived in the wilds since the Towers Age, being one of the last great houses to leave during the Chantry’s Exalted March of Halamshiral.

House Lavellan had been dedicated to discovering the lost magics of Arlathan and many of their members were gifted with Dreaming abilities, specifically Seers and Oracles. It is perhaps unsurprising then that they ended up settling in the Wilds, living alongside the Chasind folk who’s hedge witch matriarchs have similar gifts.

Indeed, Clan Lavellan even learned the ways of Shapeshifting from these Witch of the Wilds and have had a unique peaceful alliance that is rarely seen with elves and humans.

The Veil being as thin as it is in the Wilds is likely the reason the Clan produces so many mages and with less of a fear from the Chantry’s Templars they are able to remain in the Clan, only being sent to other Clans who are in dire need.

These mage members who are not to become Keeper apprentices are still taught the writings and if not dedicated to another apprenticeship will form special groups with some hunters known as Hanal’dirthara who specifically search for lost lore and bring it back to the Clan to study. Mages in the Clan who are born with any Seer abilities are typically apprenticed to the Keeper as it is a rare gift, often skipping generations and never in strong numbers.

Between the desire for knowledge and the intricacies of the fog covered swamp that they live in, it is said that “A Lavellan always finds the path”.

-        Excerpt taken from a First’s lesson learning of various Clans

                                          Clan Lavellan’s History

The original Lavellan House of Halamshiral was a house specifically dedicated to finding the lost magics of Arlathan and a fair number of its members were Dreamers, specifically with the Seer/Oracle subset of the ability.

When the Chantry declared an Exalted March, their house was one of the last to leave the Dales, desperately trying to preserve what little lore they had recovered. Many were unfortunately slayed by the armies, the greatest massacre occurring when the Chantry’s army burned their temple to the ground with hundreds inside.

The survivors followed the few surviving High Priests with what little artifacts and recorded knowledge they had with them and fled south, brimming the border of the Arbor Wilds. Parts of the Chantry’s army still hunted them but were mysteriously killed within the Arbor Wilds.

Some members wished to stay within the forest for its protection believing perhaps the gods heard them but the High Priests who were Seers felt that their presence was not wanted and that they should move on.

They finally settled in the Frostback Basin but life was difficult thanks to the hostile Alamarri tribes who weren’t keen on sharing land with precious resources. Eventually they moved further east and into the Swamp-Forest where humans known as the Chasind were less hostile but where wildlife was more dangerous and the Veil incredibly thin.

There was finally a sense of peace amongst the elves, not having to fight the humans and they were able to focus on adapting to their new environment. The gift of Seerhood was still passed down through the newer generations which aided them in survival and allowed them to recover surrounding lost lore of their people, creating the first members of the Hanal’dirthara.

A new challenge appeared when at the beginning of the Black Age werewolves appeared, threatening both them and the humans in the surrounding areas. It was here where Clan Lavellan picked up the practice of having wolf companions for protection. The Red Wolves that thrived in the swamp became close partners to Clan Lavellan and often warned them of potential attacks. This bond stayed all the way into modern times and the wolves are considered as much as a friend as the halla.

The werewolf epidemic still took its fair share of casualties not just from the beasts but from the humans just north of the wilds who went in slaughtering both Dalish and Chasind alike. By this point the Clan had respect for the strange witch, Asha’bellanar and the Keeper at the time approached her for aid where he was taught how to manipulate the natural fog, for a price, but it is unknown what the price was by today’s Clan.

He shared this knowledge to all the mages of his Clan and they used the fog to manipulate their surroundings for protection.  They mostly used it to hide but they will also use it for the rare times the humans from the north, such as Templars, try and attack them.

In 7:92 Storm, Keeper Deshanna was born to the Istimaethoriel Clan in the Nahashin Marshes.

In 8:14 Blessed, Deshanna fell in love with Teinen Lavellan, Lavellan’s Hearthmaster, during the Arlathvhen and there was almost a Clan dispute because the Istimaethoriel Clan produced few mages. After a lot of deliberation and negotiation Lavellan sent 5 of their young mages to Istimaethoriel in exchange for Deshanna who was Istimaethoriel’s Second.

In 8:34 Blessed, Deshanna became Keeper after the previous Keeper and First died by a Templar attack when they were taken by surprise returning from the Arlathvhen. The Clan did not yet have a Second and a fair number of mages had been sent to other Clans that year.

In 8:96 Blessed, some members found the young King Maric and a young Loghain Mac Tir and brought them to Asha’bellanar.

In 9:20 Dragon, future Inquisitor Tsura Lavellan was born.

In 9:30 Dragon, the darkspawn started to erupt from the Korcari Wilds and a raid took 24 of its members, the First included. The Clan made a hard decision and left south into the Sunless Lands, migrating with some Chasind tribes, and lived there for 4 years. These years were known as the Annar’banalarla (Years of No Home) as they wandered the frozen tundra.

The Clan’s Second Tsura, who was raised to First and the future Inquisitor, was gifted with Seer abilities and with the strong leadership of Keeper Deshanna, they were able to eke out a living for the Clan. The magic the mages in Clan Lavellan use is water based thanks to living in a Swamp and they were able to adapt to the snow-covered land.

It 9:34 Dragon, they were able to return but some of their old settlement sites could not be returned to thanks to Blight corruption.

In 9:40 Dragon, Tsura had a vision about the Conclave and felt she had to go witness it and Keeper Deshanna gave her blessing, sending Tsura and two hunters with her to observe. Unfortunately, the two hunters died in the blast.

                                                          Region

The Korcari Wilds is a vast Swamp Forest in the southern part of Ferelden. The trees are incredibly tall and covered in hanging moss, and it is impossible for sunlight to ever hit the thickest parts of the Wilds.

The outer edges where the sun does hit never gets any brighter than dusk light and between that and the continuous fog, the Wilds can only be navigated by those familiar with it.

The temperature ranges from chilly to downright hot (59 F – 95 F is what swamps typically range in) and the waters rise to the point of flooding in the summer whereas in the winter they recede a great deal. This cycle has caused Clan Lavellan to have an interesting relationship with their Halla and Harts who migrate to more solid land in the summer and return to the Clan during the end of autumn.

The Halla in the Wilds are smaller than their northern cousins and their horns are much shorter to prevent from getting tangled in hanging moss. The Harts are often found in outer edges and are a plum color to blend with the low lighting.

When the waters are high in the summer and the Halla/Harts are gone the Clan’s Aravels are turned into makeshift boats and the Clan spends that time almost exclusively on the water and in the tree branches directly above. The aravels are tied to trees and the clan will use rope hammocks in the branches above for sleeping.

The wolves that live in the Clan won’t migrate as far as the Halla/Harts but will roam the closest borders to the Clan that they are able and many of the hunters will check upon them throughout the summer.

Other creatures that live in the area are giant spiders, giant swamp crabs, giant salamanders, giant catfish, werewolves, deer, gurguts, bogfishers, leeches, various aquatic species, birds, and insects.

Giant Spiders have actually taken an interesting role in the Clan’s society, namely that in their depictions of Sylaise she has spider like qualities and features. Weaving has become one of Lavellan’s greatest expressions of art, creating beautiful tapestries, shawls, and baskets as a result.

They use the spider silk in medicine and for wounds and spider venom is called Sylaise’ Fire, which is used in hunting or medicine.

The Veil is so thin that the Fade leaks through and the deeper parts of the swamp have spirits often possessing trees and animals. The Clan will pay their respects to benevolent Spirits each time they pass, similar to the Avvar and Chasind, while the hunters and warriors keep an ever-watchful eye out for malevolent ones, usually possessed corpses in the water. They use the word Spirit interchangeably and very rarely call spirits Demons.

In the heart of the swamp where it is darkest and foggiest, the oldest tree resides and is considered sacred to the Clan. It is known as Din’adahl (Tree of the Dead) and it is where they carry the ashes of those they lost. Because dead bodies don’t decompose in the Korcari Wilds and with the weak Veil, the Clan took up cremation for their dead. By adding the ashes to the tree they help strengthen it and believe it makes the forest stronger, protecting them in turn. Over time their vallaslin for Falon’Din has evolved to look more like the tree. 

The Din’adahl houses thousands of spirits within itself, originally trapped but over time evolving into something else. The tree is where all mages of the Clan gain their staves, each stave housing a spirit. The mages creates their own stave and carries it for the rest of their lives. Upon their death the stave is reabsorbed into the tree and the spirit returned. This partnership is considered sacred.

There is also a creature known by the Clan as the Harelbanal’ras (Shadow Trick) that has walked the Wilds even before the Chasind. It appears as a tall man-like being with a deer skull as its head and its body is a grotesque combination of roots and branches that look like muscle tendons found in skinned bodies. It also has a rib bones from its victims that it replaces with new bones periodically.

It is usually the Keeper who deals with the creature when seeking passage through certain sections but every member knows the words to say to keep it from attacking. The creature will sing them a line and they must respond with the right verse, and in some cases the Keeper offers the creature an apple that only grows in the Wilds and every mage carries apple seeds to grow should they get isolated (such as the Hanal’dirthara).

                                                          Diet

The Clan relies heavily on fish, insect life, amphibians, and occasionally birds and the Clan spends much of their time surrounded or during the summer on water and so they are expert fisherman. Nets are their primary source of hunting and even Dalish children as young as 6-7 can weave their own in a short amount of time.  

Leeches are a real problem in the swamp and so Clan members who must walk through the water eat special bitter black berries that keep the leeches from biting most of the time. The gatherers of the Clan are often looking for these berries wherever they go.

Giant crabs are usually what’s hunted specifically by the hunters and the carapace is used for other things like tools and bowls.

Every member of the Clan learns to use their other senses to survive in the fog and learn not to trust their eyes but this is especially true for Hunters who are taught to fight even blindfolded and can shoot anything that they can’t necessarily see.

There are wild apples the Clan as well as Chasind use in their wine. The wine is famous outside the wilds but the technique on creating the wine is known only to the inhabitants of the Wilds. The apples by themselves are as deadly as Nightshade and must go through a difficult process for safe consumption. 

It is not uncommon for Orlesians to try and learn the secret but they have had no success.

                                              Religious Practices

The Clan believes in the Creators just as any Dalish but there has been an evolution to how they’re perceived that deviates from even their closest cousins in the Brecillian Forest.

Falon’Din, Dirthamen, and Sylaise have taken up stronger roles in their society and generally only the Keeper wears Falon’Din’s vallaslin on their face. The weakened Veil and constant fog has made the Wilds very similar to the Fade itself and so the Keeper as the Clan’s guide wears his markings which have evolved to look like the Din’adahl, symbolizing that they carry the weight of all that is lost and must guide the living forward.

The other mages in the Clan will either wear Dirthamen or Sylaise’ markings depending on their role in the Clan and the only non-mages who wear Dirthamen’s are the hunters who are part of the Hanal’dirthara.

When a member gains their vallaslin they must perform a task specific to that Creator. Those who are to become Keeper must perform all the tasks of every Creator.

Future Keepers who wish to gain their vallaslin must venture to the Din’adahl and consume a specially crafted concoction made from the flower known as Fen’harel’s Footsteps, a dangerous plant that’s normally deadly poisonous to consume.

Under normal circumstances the flower causes madness and eventual death but for the ritual, the current Keeper and Hearthmaster/mistress create a mild diluted dose that causes hallucinations followed by a temporary coma.

The young First/Second must lie under the tree and slip into this coma where they have to wander the Fade and learn one thing from the spirits of the tree. It can be anything, whether about themselves or something about the Wilds. If they learn nothing by the time the poison leaves their body, then they are not ready and must wait another year.

During this vulnerable time, the most experienced members of the Hanal’dirthara watch over their hidden form to protect them from predators (or in the extremely rare event of demonic possession).

Once the future Keeper awakens with their new-found knowledge they must tell the current Keeper what they learned and the Keeper will tell them their own learned secret from when they had to do the ritual. This ritual is done only after successfully performing all the other tasks for each Creator.

Those who have Sylaise’ markings are the healers, birthers, cooks, and weavers of the Clan. To gain her vallaslin they must weave a tapestry that depicts the cycle of life before the day ends. Those who are apprenticed to become the next Hearthmaster/mistress must also take the venom of the venomous spiders that live in the Wilds into their bodies and not get sick at all. These particular apprentices have been slowly dosed with the venom over the years and have developed an immunity to the venom over time.

Those who take Dirthamen’s markings are to become part of the Hanal’dirthara and they must venture to a sacred site with their partner (always a mage and a hunter) where two spirits dwell. These two spirits will tell them two separate things, a lie and a truth, and the two elves must determine which is which and return to the Keeper who knows the answer. If they get it wrong, they must wait a year until they can try again.

This task is to prove they can work together and that they can’t be easily deceived.

All hunters who are not to become a Hanal’dirthara bear Andruil’s vallaslin and must hunt in a team and bring three creatures that will bring the most bounty to the Clan without taxing the environment.

Ghilan’nain’s members must successfully bond with ever Halla/Hart in the Clan and the future Herdmaster/mistress must learn to speak the language of beasts (Ranger ability).

June’s members must create a weapon from dead bark and not have it break. Future Craftmaster/mistresses must also infuse it with Fade-touched material successfully.

Those who bear Elgar’nan’s markings are the warriors and defense of the Clan and they must create successful barriers that the Keeper, select Hunters, and some wolves will test against.

And finally, those who bear Mythal’s markings are the members who teach and raise the children of the Clan and who focus on the day to day tasks. Their task is to use a portion of the Clan’s resources successfully and manage to keep enough for the next day. The apprenticed Storyteller must also successfully remember and repeat every story of the Clan orally to the Keeper.

The First is also required to dance in every religious ceremony and only the First will play Fen’harel in performances, often adding their own interpretation to the dance so every generation is a little different.

Gaining their vallaslin is when they also gain their true name. This name can only be known by members in the Clan (or intimate partners if from outside) and thus everyone has a common name based around their true to be used around outsiders.

For example, Tsura is her common name but her true name is Tarensa’sulrasana and as a child her name was only Tarensa.

                                                 Hanal’dirthara

Mages who don’t leave the Clan who don’t become Keeper or Hearthkeepers and specific non-mages who are trained like Hunters become members of the Hanal’dirthara, a group centered solely on finding and recovering lost lore. They are always paired into two per group, one mage and one hunter, and this bond stays throughout their lives.

This group leaves the Clan through various parts of the year and travel to new areas searching for artifacts to bring back to the Clan to study. Because it’s dangerous for mages outside of the Clan, when traveling, the mage will shapeshift into a bird, usually a hawk or an owl, and this helps the pair travel through more populated areas safely (mostly).

Since new knowledge gets gathered often, the Clan has a very open minded view on their history, knowing that anything they learn can be contradicted by the next finding so they instead focus on all the similarities found.

Currently there are 13 pairs in the Clan.

                                               Seers and Oracles

The first High Priests of Lavellan were Dreamers who could see the past and future and who were the first leaders of the eventual Clan Lavellan. It is more common than in any Clan alive today for a child to be born with the gift, although it is getting less and less frequent every generation.

Clan Lavellan carries a tome that has every account written from mages with the gift born after and if a child is born with the gift then they are generally raised to become the next Keeper.

Visions of the past occur more frequently and are generally triggered in areas where the Veil is weak. Unlike Dreamers who must go to sleep to see Spirits reenact history, the Seer can see it while awake, although they do end up in a trance like state. In severe cases a memory can “possess” the Seer for a brief moment and the mage would feel whatever the individuals in the memory felt.

Visions of the future are much more complex and can be seen awake or sleeping. Either way, the vision presents itself in symbols much like a dream does and the Seer must interpret it themselves.

If they happen to see a future vision while awake then they will sometimes end up speaking in riddles, especially if it “possesses” them.

For example, Inquisitor Tsura Lavellan had a vision about the Conclave where she saw a large burning sun being eclipsed by darkness while she falls into the Void only to be saved by a spear on a chain going through her left hand and wrapping around her body, the chain being pulled up by a large wolf with multiple eyes.

She’s had Dread Wolf symbolism throughout her life, including her test to gain her vallaslin, and knew she had to meet her visions to discover what they meant.

Seers are extremely sensitive to the Veil, Spirits, and magical artifacts; anything with a magical fingerprint as it were.

                                                           Magic

Every Dalish Clan has Keeper magic that is influenced by the environment that they live in and for Clan Lavellan their magic involves water and wood. Mages in the Clan are able to control water in all its forms and use it for various things needed.

Since they are surrounded by water they only need to manipulate what’s around them which helps conserve their mana. Should they travel to someplace like a desert, they would need to expend more mana to call water forward.

Clan Lavellan’s mages are all talented shapeshifters too, taught the moment their magic shows itself in childhood. The older the mage, the more forms they generally have since they practice one form at a time and shapeshifting is a difficult school to master.

Mages who rarely come to the Clan from other Clans (like Deshanna) are not as fluid in their transformations and generally know less forms even if they are older since shifting is easier to learn as children.

Overall magic is used sporadically and only when needed in dangerous situations, otherwise they use other means to do the things they need to do in the Clan.

                                                 Material Culture

Clan Lavellan is known for their tapestries, baskets, and jewelry that they will trade with other Clans in the Brecillan Forest or occasionally with villages closest to the Wilds, usually before winter when they need more supplies for the cold.

Their tapestries are large and hang from the trees where they are camped, creating a vibrant and colorful setting. Each tapestry has its own story, either about Dalish belief or even just everyday stories felt by the individual weaver.

They use special bugs and flowers found only in the Wilds to create the colors used and a technique that allows the color to capture light, which is needed given the dim setting the Clan lives in. The only tapestries allowed to be sold are ones that have no religious or personal attachments tied to it.

Their tapestries found outside of the Clan are so rare that one can occasionally find counterfeits in Orlais being sold in a market but any Clan member can figure out a fake a mile away.

The tapestries and drapes found in Skyhold were created by Clan Lavellan as a source of pride.  

Some musical instruments are also created using the resources only found in the Wilds, a forked pipe flute being a favorite creation.

Many of their celebrations and ceremonies involve costumes and masks that the dancers must create for themselves.

Everyday items are created from bones and the carapaces from hunted Giant Crabs, while hanging moss is used for any number of things. Dalish children in particular love to play with dolls made from the moss.

                                                       Folklore

Many of Clan Lavellan’s folklore revolves around a protagonist solving some sort of mystery or outsmarting a tricky Spirit and sad tales of star-crossed lovers. Tales include (all of which I’ll write in detail on a later date):

The Halla and the Hunter

The Dalish Girl and the Werewolf

The Spirit and the Butterfly (a sad tale)

The Dalish Boy and the Catfish

                                                   Relationships

Clan Lavellan has anywhere between 200 – 300 members and the camp is split into sections, the center being the largest which holds the Keeper, the H/hahrens, the various apprentices, the healers, and the children.

The middle ring holds the everyday members focused on day to day work and crafts.

The outer ring of sections holds the Hunters and Warriors where they keep an ever-vigilant eye on their surroundings to watch for danger.

Every section is connected in the above trees with rope that is used to travel and converse with members, especially in the flooded summertime.

The Keeper spends the majority of the time watching for Spirits, discussing with the Hahrens, performing religious rites, and training young mages.

Once the First is old enough (usually 13-14) they take on the tasks of acting as a middle man between the Clan and the Keeper and develop their diplomatic skills. They are also still trained in all the Keeper tasks while preparing for when they will get their vallaslin since they must perform every basic skill for every Creator.

Hahrens train their apprentices while hahrens (the elderly) help raise the young children since parents have any number of duties depending on what they’re dedicated to. Once children reach the age of 8 they are taught basic skills that every Clan member should know, though 6-7-year old’s will generally already know how to make their own fishing nets.

Once the child reaches 10-11 they are to decide which Creator they will dedicate their skills to, Firsts and Seconds being the exception.

It is at the age of 15-16 when a Child takes their vallaslin and becomes an adult, future Hearthkeepers being the exception and taking their vallaslin at 17-18 to solidify their immunity to the spider venom used.

Only the Keeper, Hearthkeeper, and their apprentices remain in the main camp throughout their lives.

The Herdmaster/mistress will move between all three sections throughout the seasons.

Due to the extremely weak Veil, members of Clan Lavellan generally live a long time and many make it well into their 100’s (Keeper Deshanna is 148 at the start of Inquisition and the oldest member is 160) and since elves do not go through menopause it is common to have huge generation gaps between even parent and child (Tsura’s father was well into his 50’s when he died and was Deshanna’s youngest child out of 5).

The Clan does raises children communally and every child is treated fairly with mage children especially protected and raised with strong convictions.

Given the high ratio of mages being born in the Clan compared to others, it is quite common to find a Lavellan mage sent to other Clans, many Keepers or healers.

Tsura’s Aunt and Deshanna’s daughter for example, is the Keeper to Clan Surainen up near Wycome.

Because of these things, Clan Lavellan is considered highly respected amongst the Dalish  although there is a bit of a political shift when Tsura becomes the leader of the Inquisition and some Clans fear Chantry assimilation.