Dalish

The Dalish are nomadic elves that seek to recover, inherit and preserve the knowledge and sacred treasures of the two fallen elven kingdoms, the Dales and Elvhenan. They lead nomadic lives, wandering throughout Thedas. Their clans date back to the independent kingdom of the Dales and the Dalish themselves are their descendants. Many Keepers are descended from the nobility who governed the Dales. The Dalish are considered to have the "purest" blood from the time of Arlathan. They still revere the elven pantheon, and in a ritual to commemorate reaching adulthood each member of a tribe will have the symbol of their chosen god tattooed on their face.
== History ==
=== The Founding of the Dales ===
During the centuries of slavery after their ancient civilization of Elvhenan fell to the Tevinter Imperium, the elves lost most of their language, history and lore. However, when Andraste and her husband Maferath led their Alamarri army against Tevinter between -180 and -170 Ancient, the elven slaves led by Shartan rose up and joined the fight against their masters.
Shartan was killed trying to save Andraste when she was betrayed to the Tevinters; however, Maferath honored her promise to him and granted the elves the Dales as a reward for their part in the war in -165 Ancient. At the time, the Dales were bordered by the Ciriane people to the west, and the Alamarri to the east, on the other side of the Frostback Mountains. Over the next few decades,Codex entry: The Long Walk to Halamshiral the freed elves set off for their new home on foot from Tevinter in what would come to be called "The Long Walk." Many perished along the way, but those who survived founded the city of Halamshiral–meaning "the end of the journey" in Elvish. They were joined by elves from across Thedas and began the task of restoring their lost language, religion and lore.
=== The Fall of the Dales ===
It was free. For over three centuries. But the humans and their new Andrastian Chantry would not let us be. They pushed against our borders. They sent missionaries to spread the word of their prophet. They sought ways to subjugate the People once more. When we refused, we angered them.
They destroyed us. Even the Emerald Knights could not stand against the might of their army, armored in faith. In the name of their Andraste, they burned Halamshiral, scattering us to the winds. They forgot that once, long ago, Andraste's followers and the elves marched together. They forgot that Andraste called Shartan "brother."
—A Promise Lost, as told by Keeper Gisharel to the young hunters of the Ralaferin clan on the outskirts of HalamshiralCodex entry: The Dales: A Promise Lost
Like dragons they fly, glory upon wings.
Like dragons they savage, fearsome pretty things.
—Unknown poet, written of humans shortly before the fall of the DalesAccording to conversation with Lanaya, regarding the relationship between humans and elves, and the downfall of the Dales.
In their new homeland, the elves attempted to rebuild the culture they had lost after generations of slavery in the Imperium and returned to the worship of the Elven pantheon. As they laid the foundations of Halamshiral, the elves vowed that no human would ever set foot on their lands, possibly out of a desire to regain the immortality they believed had been taken from them due to prolonged contact with humans. An elite order of warriors dedicated to the elven gods, the Emerald Knights, was established to ensure the Dales' continued independence.
Relations with humans were strained from the beginning, and only worsened after Kordillus Drakon, first Emperor of Orlais, forcibly unified the disparate cults of the Maker, stamped out belief in other deities, and made Andrastianism the official religion of the newly formed Orlesian Empire. The Dales presented a significant obstacle to Drakon's dreams of expanding Orlais further to the north and to the east.Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game GuideCodex entry: The Exalted March of the Dales Furthermore, elven rejection of the Maker drew the ire of the Chantry, as it confounded their core mission of spreading the Chant of Light throughout Thedas to ensure the Maker's return to the world. The Chantry sent missionaries to the Dales, then templars when these were turned away.Codex entry: Vallasdahlen
In response to these human incursions, and after the loss of prominent advocates for closer relations,Where Once We Walked the Dales became increasingly isolationist, posting Emerald Knights on their borders and rejecting diplomatic and trade overtures. When the Second Blight spread across Orlais, the elves refused to lend aid as darkspawn nearly destroyed the nearby human city of Montsimmard. Rumors that the elves sacrificed humans to the elven gods further fueled border tensions. An elven attack on the human town of Red Crossing in 2:09 Glory led to open conflict. Accounts differ significantly between human and elven sources. Chantry sources state that the elves attacked the defenseless village of Red Crossing unprovoked and committed atrocities that enraged humans across Thedas while elven sources state that it was an attack made in anger by a small raiding party and point to the Chantry's anger at the rejection of their missionaries.Codex entry: The DalesCodex entry: The City Elves
By 2:10 Glory, elven forces had captured Montsimmard and were marching on Val Royeaux. In response, Divine Renata I called for a holy war against the elves: the Exalted March of the Dales. While the elves sacked Val Royeaux in 2:14Shield of the Emperor and pushed well into human lands, Halamshiral was conquered and the elves were completely crushed by 2:20 Glory. The Dales were appropriated by the Orlesians, who uprooted elven settlements and forbade worship of the elven gods. Elves who accepted the Chantry's offered truce had to convert to the worship of the Maker and were sent to live in alienages, walled-off slums within human settlements, becoming the city elves.
Some elves, however, refused to give up their worship or their dream of their own homeland. These became the Dalish, retaining the name of their second lost homeland and vowing to keep the elven language, lore and religion alive.
=== The Fifth Blight ===
== Culture and clan life ==
The Dalish travel around the more remote reaches of Thedas in aravels, special wagons with large triangular sails and rudder-like devices on the back. In addition to being pulled by Halla, aravels use magic to move through the forests quickly and easily.Dragon Age: Last Flight, p. 87. While travelling, they carry their children in padded slings.Dragon Age: Last Flight, p. 166
﻿The Dalish are familiar with many natural remedies humans have forgotten or ignored, such as chewing pieces of bark from certain trees to cure a headache.According to Felassan in The Masked Empire.
For food, the Dalish rely mostly on hunting and foraging. Their diet also includes halla milk and related dairy products such as butter and cheese.Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 47 The elves of southern Orlais eat the larvae of a wood-burrowing beetle. Like many Thedosian cultures, the Dalish also make use of preserved and dried foodstuffs such as jerky during lean periods, seasonal changes, and other times of scarcity, as well as on long journeys. Dalish hunters take spiced jerky with them as provisions when away from the clan on the hunt, to stave off their hunger, ensure that their hunt is successful, and prolong the period in which they are able to be away from camp. Owing to how long it lasts, it is speculated that some Dalish elves may leave spiced jerky as offerings at shrines of Fen'Harel.Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 31 The Dalish commonly eat hearth cakes as a comfort food. These are made from halla butter, halla milk, flour, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and fine-ground salt. Hardwood ash is incorporated as a leavening agent. They are traditionally baked upon the hearth on a skillet or iron griddle, which gives the dish its name. They can be made plain or studded with whatever dried fruit is on hand, such as currants, raisins, and cranberries.Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 47 The Dalish also make warm forest fruit cobbler using various in-season forest fruits.Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 117 Dalish elves throughout Orlais eat peasant bread, a simple and humble biscuit made from approximately equal parts of grease, wheat, and salt.Dragon Age: The Masked Empire p. 223Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 49 It is topped with sugarDragon Age: The Masked Empire ch. 11 p. 223, butter, and jam but can also be used with stew.Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas p. 49
﻿Certain roles among each clan are stringent and clearly defined in all the clans depicted so far. A keeper serves as a leader and spiritual guide, and working in tandem with them is a storyteller hahren (elder) who reiterates the Elven lore and tends to the children. Other important positions are being the designated warleader, hearthkeeper and craftsmaster. There is also a designated Halla Keeper, the master herder in charge of caring for the halla.As explained by Elora Elves can also be a Hunter, Warrior, Crafter or a Healer, or presumably occupy multiple less-demanding roles. Each position has an apprenticeship stage, an example being how an elf must kill and present a beast of the forest all by themselves to become a fully-fledged hunter.As evidenced by Cammen in Cammen's Lament and Varathorn and his Dalish apprentice
Whilst they still lived in the Dales, the Dalish had at least one Lord called Hassandriel in 2:7 Glory, towards the end of the elven nation.Codex entry: Uthenera It was in essence based on an aristocratic/oligarchic model rather than simply a monarchy.
﻿Along with their telltale aravels, the Dalish elves are also known for being the only race capable of forging ironbark, a unique substance stronger and lighter than steel, used to make their weapons and certain other items of clothing. For a typical hunter's armor, ironbark plates are combined with leather. The material can also be enchanted.Rare Ironbark For weapons, Dalish use daggers, arrows and nets. Ironbark weapons, along with carved halla horns, are highly valued and are used to trade with humans for things they cannot make on their own.
Dalish elves tend to keep to their own and avoid humans whenever they can, but will occasionally encounter human travelers, or venture near human settlements to trade. At the threat of these encounters becoming violent, a Dalish clan will likely withdraw before any real force of humans gets involved, but they will often still be willing to stand their ground. In the long run, hostilities with humans will likely end badly for the elves, especially if a human settlement decides that a certain clan has become more trouble than it is worth.
The Dalish clans themselves can also be quite different from each other. Some clans will get along fairly well with humans, and might even camp outside of settlements for long periods of time. Other clans are more infamous, living by banditry and hiding like guerrillas in the mountain passes. In particular, the Dalish clans in Antiva are said to be more secretive and violent than the rest.According to restored party comments by Zevran during conversation with hahren Sarel during quest Nature of the Beast. They often build "forest marionettes" that are mistaken for sylvans or unquiet spirits to scare humans away from their clans.
=== Vallaslin ===
=== Marriage ===
The Dalish version of marriage is referred to as 'bonding'.As Gheyna refers to marriage among the Dalish in the quest Cammen's Lament. Dalish vows are said in elvish. One version is "Sylaise enaste var aravel. Lama, ara las mir lath. Bellanaris."Spoken by an elven Inquisitor in the Trespasser DLC if she decides to marry Cullen.
=== Funeral ===
When Dalish elves die, their clan will bury them and plant a tree over their remains.From a conversation option for a Dalish Warden in dialogue with Alistair. The dead are provided with an oak staff to help them along the path of the afterlife, and a cedar branch to scatter the ravens of Fear and Deceit who were once servants of Dirthamen.Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide. If a clan is able to, they will bury their dead in a sacred burial site known as Var Bellanaris, which is located in the Exalted Plains.
=== Lore-keeping and education ===
Both the Dalish and city elves have an oral tradition in which much of their knowledge and tradition is passed along, but never actually written down.Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2, p. 128. Lanaya states that the Dalish believe that one day, the elves will have a land of their own; when that day comes, all elves—even those who have forgotten—will reclaim their former glory. The Dalish intends to return the old ways to the elves who have lost them once they have established a new homeland.
The Dalish clans gather the ancient wisdom in preparation for this; the clans also stay apart from one another in order to survive and preserve their culture.As stated by Paivel during the Dalish Elf Origin Hahrens instruct through the use of lore and storytelling. However, there are some books to preserve history, few and precious.As implied by the book Morrigan takes from Ariane's clan. Children are highly valued among the clans.
Dalish clans rarely encounter each other in order to protect themselves; their diaspora is as much of a blessing as is a curse. Only once every decade or so do the Dalish clans all meet together, and their keepers, the elders and leaders of the Dalish who are responsible in keeping elven lore and magic alive, will meet together and exchange knowledge in a meeting called the Arlathvhen.
During such a time, the clans will recall and record any lore they have relearned since the past meeting, along with reiterating what lore they know already to keep their traditions as accurate and alive as possible. During such time, the clans will exchange relics dating from the two elven nations for safekeeping. The Dalish believe that all the relics they've preserved from the Dales and Arlathan belong to all the Dalish; such trades are seen as much of an act of sharing as it is a matter of trade, and the same is true even for talented elves. Merrill, for example, was born in the Alerion clan, but due to her magical talents she was given to the Sabrae clan to be the First of Keeper Marethari as clan Alerion already had a number of gifted elves.
A clan's "First," an apprentice mage under a Keeper, studies history and magic and attempts to preserve elven lore.According to Merrill in Dragon Age II. As magic becomes more rare among the Dalish, children with the gift of magic may be moved between clans to ensure than every Keeper has a successor.Codex entry: Merrill
The Dalish believe it is their responsibility to relearn the old ways of their ancestors. However, their knowledge of the old elven culture is patchwork from what little they could salvage themselves; what knowledge of the old ways they do know has taken them lifetimes to achieve.
The Dalish have tried to preserve the ancient elven culture by remembering stories of their history. What techniques or philosophies their ancestors utilized that are still applicable in serving the needs of the clan are taught as trades for Dalish members. This has brought about specialized roles in Dalish clans that not only bears the responsibility of learning everything they can about their aspect of Dalish culture, but also serves to help sustain the clan in their new way of life. For example, a clan craftsmaster's duty is to learn what they can of the ancient elven arts of shaping wood and ore, while a hunter may learn ancient elven knowledge that protect and provide for the clan. Whatever their role, the Dalish use their talents and knowledge to address the needs of the clan.
The Dalish take on apprentices from the younger generation of their clan to pass on their knowledge and continue the legacy of their ancient arts. The apprentice appears to graduate their apprenticeship after passing a test of competence when their mentor and Keeper deems them ready. Graduation from apprenticeship also seems to be a rite of passage to adulthood in Dalish clans.
=== Philosophy ===
Many Dalish live by goddess of the hunt Andruil's code known as the Vir Tanadhal, meaning "Way of Three Trees" or "the Ways of the Hunter." It is made of three parts, taught by Andruil herself, which are:Codex entry: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt.
* Vir Assan ("Way of the Arrow") - fly straight and do not waver. "Be swift and silent," Andruil taught. "Strike true; do not waver. And let not your prey suffer."
* Vir Bor'Assan ("Way of the Bow") - bend but never break. "As the sapling bends, so must you. In yielding, find resilience; in pliancy, find strength."
* Vir Adahlen ("Way of the Forest" or "Way of the Wood") - together we are stronger than the one. "Receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness. Respect the sacrifice of my children. Know that your passing shall nourish them in turn."
The three parts of the philosophy are often strung together as a sort of mantra, which the Dalish will often end with the phrase, "We are the last of the elvhenan, and never again shall we submit." A rite of passage for hunters is to bring back the pelt of a creature the hunter has killed.As explained by Cammen
Seldom spoken of, however, is a fourth way: the Vir Banal'ras, the "Way of Shadow." Dalish hunters assume it when a debt of blood must be repaid. Such hunters dedicate themselves to vengeance and nothing else. Thus were born the legends of Dalish assassins.
A few follow a different path, Sylaise's code known as Vir Atish'an, "The Way of Peace": Dalish following this calling learn the arts of the healer and the mender.Codex entry: Vir Atish'an
When dealing with one another, Dalish elves may invoke Vir Sulevanan, a bargain by which an elf will complete a given task for another in return for something, such as a valuable clan item. By invoking this, any Dalish can essentially perform a service for a clan and gain ownership of such an item for a period of time. Though the recipient of this bargain may dissent, they cannot reject an offer of Vir Sulevanan. Similarly, the elf offering the bargain must apparently agree to the task set to them whether it is desirable or not.According to Merrill and Marethari during quest Mirror Image in Dragon Age II.
=== Naming customs ===
Clans are named for the nobles from the Dales who originally founded the clan. Every Dalish surname preserves a lineage from someone, though not necessarily a clan founder. One noble clan founder could start a clan with some Emerald Knights, who would also pass on their names (e.g. clan founder Sabrae with Emerald Knights Mahariel and Talas). As the Dalish often trade people between each other, not everyone in a given clan is a descendant of its founder, and as such doesn't necessarily bear their name.
== Known Dalish clans ==
* Alerion – the clan Merrill was born into
* Boranehn – a clan that traded with Edgehall's alienage;Knight Errant preview pg. 2 the clan Vaea's uncle Coran joined; They make a summer rest in the woods near the town of Edgehall
* Ghilain – a clan that descends from Inquisitor AmeridanAssuage Ameridan's Heirs
* Lavellan – the elven Inquisitor's clan
* Morlyn – the clan of Strife of Arlathan ForestShort Story: Ruins of Reality
* Oranavra clan – on the Nocen Sea coastDragon Age: Tevinter Nights, An Old Crow's Old Tricks
* Ralaferin clan – whose Keeper in 9:41 is Elindra (formerly Gisharel); whose First is NeriaCodex entry: The Cradle of Sulevin
* Sabrae – the Dalish Warden's clan and the one Merrill was transferred to
* Tillahnnen – once headed by Keeper EllathinThe Guide of Falon'Din
* Virnehn – the clan of Thelhen and Mihris
=== Unnamed Dalish clans ===
* Ariane's unnamed clan
* Fanora's unnamed clan – known for sending Hall away when he was grown
* Hawen's unnamed clan – located at the Dalish Encampment on the Exalted Plains
* Iloren's unnamed clan – located in the Anderfels during the Second BlightCodex entry: The Tale of Iloren
* Minaeve’s unnamed clan – known for sending her away as there were too many mages within the clan
* Sendis' unnamed clan – the Legends Hero encounters the clan in Dragon Age Journeys
* Shirallas' unnamed birth clan
* Shirallas' unnamed adoptive clan
* Velanna's unnamed clan – located in the Wending Wood
* Yevven's unnamed clan – massacred by one of Arishok's Saarebas whilst staying in the Free Marches
* Zathrian's unnamed clan – located at the Dalish Camp in the Brecilian Forest
* Unnamed clan that found young Loghain and Maric in the Korcari Wilds
* Unnamed clans on the Waking Sea coastInvestigate the Elven Glyphs
== Notable Dalish elves ==
* Abelas – a luckless Dalish woodworkerCodex entry: The Brecilian Forest (Not to be confused with Abelas from Dragon Age: Inquisition.)
* Ariane
* Arianni
* Ashalle
* Cillian
* Gisharel
* Ilen
* Inquisitor Lavellan – if they are the sole survivor of the Divine Conclave
* Josmael
* Lanaya
* Lindiranae – the last wielder of Evanura; her death marked the end of the Exalted March
* Marethari
* Merrill
* Mihris
* Neria
* Rajmael – a Dalish general during the Exalted March against the DalesBased on the Veshialle description.
* Sarel
* Seranni
* Solan – Keeper of Ariane's clanDialogue during Witch Hunt with Ariane.
* Strife
* Tamlen
* Varathorn
* Velanna
* Yevven
* The Warden / The Warden-Commander – if they originated from the Dalish Elf Origin
* Zathrian
== Codex entries ==
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== Notes ==
* Several characters in Dragon Age: Inquisition claim that Dalish clans limit the number of mages in any one clan to three: a Keeper, First, and Second.According to dialogue from Iron Bull, Vivienne, and Minaeve, who says she was cast out of her clan because of this limitation on the number of mages. As this restriction is not mentioned by Zathrian's clan nor the Sabrae clan in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, it is unknown whether this limitation is common among the Dalish, or is something that occurs only in specific clans.
* According to David Gaider, Dalish in Rivain have a semi-permanent settlement on the outskirts of the city of Llomerryn. However, party banter during Act 2 in Dragon Age II between Isabela and Merrill suggests that the Dalish have not yet reached Llomerryn (at least since Isabela was last there).
* It is unknown whether or not Dalish elves live longer than the city elves, since David Gaider and Mary Kirby have given conflicting information regarding their longevity.
* Dalish clans in the Tevinter Imperium are said to be more like groups of bandits. However, Dorian Pavus notes that Dalish do not really come to Tevinter at all, for obvious reasons.
== Trivia ==
* David Gaider said that the original inspiration for the Dalish came from the Roma and Jewish people, and then it evolved into North American Natives. Years later, Patrick Weekes said the actual details of the cultures in question are explicitly different and no one-to-one comparison can be drawn. 
* Young Dalish elves are given wooden puzzles called "June's knot," that have no solution to occupy their time.
* Some Dalish look down on the "flat-ears", the City Elves who live trapped in poverty and high walled Alienages amongst the shemlen—the humans or "quick children". Other Dalish have a more amicable relationship with city elves. They are willing to welcome city elves like Pol and even induct them into their Dalish clan if the city elf desires it. Keeper Marethari is also welcomed and held in great esteem in the Kirkwall Alienage so relationships between Dalish and city elves do vary.
* Every Dalish clan is sworn to protect its Keeper to the death, and should the Keeper fall to demonic possession, the clan is bound to hunt and slay the Keeper.According to Merrill's dialogue in Long Way Home Even if the Dalish have methods to drive out a demon from a Dalish mage, the ritual would leave the soul of the mage scarred and easy prey for scavengers.According to Keeper Marethari Talas' dialogue during A New Path
* The elves of the Dales were experts in the somniari arts. They were even able to help those with no power (i.e., non-mages) enter the Fade through a magical ritual. The Dalish, such as Keeper Marethari Talas, knows of such a ritual. Marethari states she learned of the ritual from the Tome of the Slumbering Elders.According to Keeper Marethari Talas' dialogue during Night Terrors
== Gallery ==
H dalisht2a 0.png|Dalish heraldry (A)
Dalish Elves A heraldry DA2.png|Dalish heraldry (B)
Dalish Elves B heraldry DA2.png|Dalish heraldry (C)
MarethariDalishClanHeraldry.png|The Sabrae clan heraldry
Dalish Camp in Exalted Plains.jpg|A Dalish camp in the exalted plains
DalishHunter.png|A Dalish hunter in Heroes of Dragon Age
DalishMage.png|A Dalish Mage in Heroes of Dragon Age
solis.jpg
arcane.jpg
== References ==
Category:Groups
Category:Dalish
Category:Elves
Category:Elven lore
Category:Dalish lore