Elvhenan

Elvhenan, meaning "place of our people" in the elven language, was the original civilization of the elves, or elvhen. It covered all of Thedas,Codex entry: Ancient Elven Armor from the city of Arlathan to Ferelden, Orlais and lands west of Orlais.According to Imshael in Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, Chapter 11. After humans arrived in Thedas, the elves clashed with the newly-formed Tevinter Imperium. Eventually, war broke out between the two empires, resulting in Tevinter's victory in -975 Ancient. The great city of Arlathan was buried underground with magic and the surviving elves enslaved by Tevinter.
== Dalish Legends ==
The Dalish retain vague memories of early history, when elven gods walked the earth,Codex entry: Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets spoke to the people and provided them with knowledge,Codex entry: Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper,Codex entry: June: God of the Craft counsel and protection, while the people prayed and made offerings to themCodex entry: Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla amongst lush forests and ancient trees. Elves did not age. They were not immortal, but they did not suffer from deterioration of mind or body.Codex entry: Uthenera The Dalish believe that magic is the gift of their gods,Dialogue between Merrill and Bethany and all elvhen once had it.According to Merrill during Long Way Home
It is said that elves built multiple cities.Codex entry: VarterralCodex entry: Enasalin Most Dalish stories, however, focus on the fabled city of Arlathan, or "this place of love". As a result, human scholars came to believe that it was the only elven settlement of note. According to the elven calendar, it was founded around -7600 Ancient. The city was presumably located in the great forest in northern Thedas that bears its name. Arlathan was a place where the best of the ancient elves would go to trade knowledge, greet old friends, and settle disputes that had gone on for millennia,Codex entry: Arlathan: Part One with homes, galleries and amphitheaters that stood for ages.Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two
According to the elven calendar, they made first contact with the dwarves in -4600 Ancient. The Dalish have no legends about fighting the dwarves, although they have a story about how the dwarves fear the sun because of Elgar'nan's fire.Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 2 The dwarven Shaperate also speak of a Thedas entirely devoid of humans, when elves reigned over the land and dwarves ruled the underground. A rare few ancient works of great beauty depicting cooperation between them still remain.Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Player's Guide, set 2, p. 9
The Dalish tell that when humans first arrived, elves named them "shemlen", or "quicklings" for their short life span. Elves viewed the other race as brash, warlike and impatient. They contracted human diseases, some of which proved lethal. Furthermore, those who spent time with the humans found themselves aging. Fearful, elves immediately moved to close Elvhenan off from the humans to preserve their civilization.
But it was almost too late. As the human Tevinter Imperium rose to power, they moved to conquer Arlathan (aided, it is said, by demons and dragon thralls). According to the Dalish, when the city was breached, their ancestors chose to flee rather than fight. Then Tevinter magisters used their great destructive power to force the very ground to swallow Arlathan whole. Elves were enslaved, and human contact quickened their veins until every captured elf turned mortal.
The Dalish attribute the failure of their gods to protect the people to the trickster god Fen'Harel, who had deceived both the elven pantheon and their nemeses, the Forgotten Ones, and had trapped them in heaven and in the abyss, respectively.
== History and society ==
== Language ==
Much of the language of the ancient elves was lost with the fall of Elvhenan and the long enslavement of the elves by the Tevinter Imperium. Some words survive, however, and are used by modern day elves, primarily the Dalish.
== Religion ==
Ancient elves worshiped a pantheon of five gods and four goddesses known as the Creators or the Evanuris. Their religion also mentions another set of gods called the Forgotten Ones, the enemies of the elven pantheon. Only Fen'Harel, the trickster god of the elven pantheon, was able to walk freely between both groups.
== Codex entries ==
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== Gallery ==
Elven art 1.png|Elvhenan art 1
Elven art 2.png|Elvhenan art 2
Inquisition Arlathan Elves concept 2.png|Arlathan Elven weapons
Inquisition Arlathan Elves concept 6.png|Arlathan temple guardians
== References ==
Category:Locations
Category:Nations
Category:Ancient elven lore
Category:Elven lore
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