Qunari

The Qunari (literally, "People of the Qun") is the umbrella term most commonly used to describe the white-haired, metallic-skinned race of large humanoids and their society that governs the islands of Par Vollen and Seheron, as well as the settlement of Kont-aar in northern Rivain, and Qundalon in the Anderfels.Per discussion with Iron Bull
Members of any race who adhere to the teachings of the Qun can become "Qunari", but those other than the original giant race, that is humans, elves, and dwarves, are called Viddathari within the Qun. Humans of Rivain and elven slaves of Tevinter are especially susceptible to conversion, although it is not unknown for members of other groups to embrace the Qun.
Members of the aforementioned race who are born outside of the Qun are not considered to be Qunari within their own society,Codex entry: Vashoth: The Grey Ones and neither are those who are born into the Qun and reject it. Both are called "Vashoth", which means "grey ones". Those who reject and fight against the Qun are known as "Tal-Vashoth", "true grey ones". Most Tal-Vashoth are former soldiers and become mercenaries after leaving the Qun. Vashoth are considered "redeemable," while Tal-Vashoth are not, and are considered by Qunari to be worse than bas—who are non-Qunari foreigners.
Members of the Qunari race are rarely seen outside of their lands with the exception of RivainDragon Age: Those Who Speak, Chapter 2. and Seheron. Tal-Vashoth and Vashoth are much more present in non-Qunari lands. Tal-Vashoth are most commonly elite mercenaries, such as the Kadan-Fe in Ferelden and the Valo-Kas in the Free Marches. While Vashoth can either be mercenariesCodex entry: Adaar, the Vashoth or fulfill more mundane roles. Those outside the Qun, especially in TevinterDialogue from Dorian in Dragon Age: Inquisition, tend to view the qunari as brutal and violent individuals that are only held in check by the Qun.According to Solas' dialogue with a qunari Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition While others, such as those in Rivain, view them with either neutral or more favorable opinions.
== Gameplay ==
Qunari are present as companions, non-playable characters, and as a playable race in several Dragon Age games.
;Dragon Age II
:In Dragon Age II, Qunari are present as non-playable characters.
:Racial benefits: +2 strength
;Dragon Age: Inquisition
:In Dragon Age: Inquisition, Qunari from a Vashoth background are a playable race for the Inquisitor in all three classes.
:Racial benefits: 10% physical damage resistance
== Appearance ==
Qunari are generally taller and more physically robust than humans. They usually have skin of varying metallic colors ranging the spectrum of patina (such as iron, bronze, and silver), white hair, pointed ears, and vivid eyes with colors like violet, red, silver, or yellow.
=== Horns ===
Most Qunari have horns. The horn itself has no nerve endings and can be removed; however, they can still become irritated, thus the Qunari have developed balmAs explained to Varric Tethras by the Iron Bull during a conversation. All of the Qunari seen in Dragon Age: Inquisition have one pair of horns, whereas all but one Qunari seen in the base Dragon Age II have two pairs of horns - one big and one small one; the Arishok is the only one to date to have eight horns in total; it is unknown what determines the number of horns or their size. It should be noted that Salit has six horns in total.
=== Hornlessness ===
Hornlessness is a rare genetic variation in Qunari, akin to red hair in humans. Those born without horns are considered special and are often given prestigious roles in Qunari society such as a Ben-Hassrath or an envoy to the other races. Sten, who became a companion of the Warden as a soldier of the Beresaad, falls into this category. Culturally, Qunari associate not having horns with being imposing or scary, and because of this Tal-Vashoth often decide to remove their own horns. Likewise, Saarebas, the Qunari mages, have their horns removed to warn of their danger.
=== Vitaar ===
Unlike other races in Thedas, Qunari do not adorn themselves with tattoos. Instead they make use of war paint called Vitaar. This paint is made from a substance toxic to all races except the Qunari themselves. Some Tal-Vashoth, such as Salit, also wear Vitaar despite leaving the Qun. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, a Qunari Inquisitor and the Iron Bull must use Vitaar instead of helmets. Vitaar hardens the skin around the face to give it a metal like quality while retaining flexibility.Codex entry: Vitaar
== History ==
Before their arrival in Thedas, the aforementioned race were once a part of the kossith that predated the Qun. The earliest known kossith contact with Thedas was when a colony of them had settled in the southern Korcari Wilds in -410 Ancient. It was overrun by darkspawn during the First Blight, and it is presumably this colony which led to the darkspawn developing ogres. There were no other recorded sightings of the horned race for another 1000 years. 
They returned as the Qunari en masse on warships, called dreadnoughts, and arrived in Thedas from the north in 6:30 Steel. It's said that they originate from an unknown eastern land across the Boeric Ocean. Some scholars theorize that the Qunari come from the supposed eastern continent known as Amaranth. They once threatened to conquer all of the known world, but after several Exalted Marches during the Qunari Wars they have lost much of the conquered land. Since then, peace has been made with every nation except the Tevinter Imperium; with whom they are still involved in a prolonged war for dominance of the north. 
Timeline:
* -410 Ancient: A kossith colony of horned humanoids settles in the Korcari Wilds but is obliterated by darkspawn during the First Blight a few years later.
* 6:30 Steel: The Qunari come to Thedas and land in Par Vollen. They conquer it quickly, though word of that does not reach the continent.
* 6:32 Steel: The Qunari ships land en masse in Seheron and northern Rivain. Within ten years, the Qunari conquer the entire island of Seheron and a portion of the mainland. The Qunari Wars begin and last for the remainder of the century, and most of the next one.
* 6:35 Steel: The Antivan city of Treviso is conquered by the Qunari.Codex entry: A Vessel of Tears
* By 6:42 Steel: The Qunari have conquered much of the Tevinter Imperium, Rivain, and Antiva and begin to assault the Free Marches. Only Minrathous itself remains besieged but unconquered in the north.Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide
* By 6:85 Steel: Massive rebellions in Tevinter manage to free the Imperium, and the Qunari lines begin to crumble.
* By 7:23 Storm: The Qunari are pushed back to Seheron and Rivain, but they are well entrenched. The Battle of the Nocen Sea is the largest naval engagement in history and results in a stalemate and the destruction of many of the ships on both sides. An impasse begins.
* 7:25–7:85 Storm: The New Exalted Marches are declared repeatedly by both the Imperial Chantry (to retake Seheron and the eastern city of Qarinus) and the Chantry (to retake Rivain). Three major Exalted Marches occur. The Tome of Koslun is stolen from the Qunari by the Orlesians.
* 7:52 Storm: The second Exalted March ends with the Qunari recapturing much of Antiva.
* 7:54 Storm: The Qunari took the island of Estwatch as a base of operations in their war against the Free Marches, Nevarra, and Orlais.
* 7:55 Storm: The pirates of Llomerryn band together under the banner of the Felicisima Armada to fight the Qunari.
* 7:55 Storm: The third Exalted March on the Qunari is declared.
* 7:56 Storm: During the Third New Exalted March, the Qunari land a great force in the Free Marches near the city of Ostwick. They try to deny supplies to the armies assaulting Rivain by taking Starkhaven and Kirkwall. The attack on Starkhaven fails, but Kirkwall is taken in a daring night raid with a heavy use of saarebas' magic.Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 3
* 7:60 Storm: Orlesian forces led by Ser Michel Lafaille end the Qunari occupation of Kirkwall.
* 7:78 Storm: The Qunari lose Estwatch to the Felicisima Armada.
* 7:84 Storm: The end of the Third New Exalted March. The Qunari are pushed back to the city of Kont-Aar in northern Rivain and Par Vollen. The Llomerryn Accords are signed and peace is declared between every human nations save Tevinter and the Qunari. Skirmishes between Tevinter and the Qunari are few while the Qunari pull back to Par Vollen and rebuild.
* 8:10 Blessed: Qunari invite a group of Rivaini diplomats to Par Vollen, the visit helps dispel some myths about Qunari society.
* 8:55 Blessed: The Qunari land on the Tevinter island of Seheron and conquer it handily within three years. Several attempts to land on the continent and attack Tevinter directly are repulsed.
* 9:12 Dragon: The Qunari launch a major offensive on Tevinter, but are repelled in a crushing counterattack. Qunari footholds on the Tevinter mainland are destroyed in the counteroffensive.
== Involvement ==
=== Dragon Age: Origins ===
=== Dragon Age II ===
=== Dragon Age: Inquisition ===
=== Trespasser ===
=== Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights ===
=== As We Fly ===
== The Qun ==
The Qun is the religion of the Qunari founded under the Ashkaari Koslun, though it is closer to a philosophy than a full-fledged religion. It governs every part of Qunari life, and even the governance structure is dictated by its ethics. It gives every Qunari individual a defined and fixed place in their society, either as a soldier (part of the body), a craftsman (part of the mind) or a priest (part of the soul).
== Society and culture ==
The primary symbol used to represent the Qunari as a people is the House of Tides icon, meant to signify the inevitable triumph of the Qun. It symbolizes the Qunari triumvirate, the three pillars which govern all of Qunari society through its three primary leaders in all matters of body, mind, and soul.
=== The Triumvirate ===
The "body" is represented by the Arishok and the military, the "mind" by the Arigena and the craftsmen, and the "soul" by the Ariqun and the priests. The Arishok is always male and leads the armies, the Arigena is always female and leads the craftsmen, whilst the Ariqun, whose gender varies, leads the priesthood. All three are the head of their respective "paths" and work in unison to complete the whole of Qunari society.
Duty is paramount in Qunari culture, and their society is seen as a living entity, whose well-being is the responsibility of all. Each person is like a drop of blood in the veins of the being, and they must not do what is best for them, but what is best for all.
=== Personal identity ===
The Qunari do not have a concept of personal identity. While they possess names, they do not use them, primarily using titles rather than names to identify and present themselves. The names are in fact simply strings of genealogical information used only by the Tamassrans for record-keeping. Some of the name-titles include Sten, Arishok, and Tallis. However, they do make frequent use of nicknames.
=== Family ties ===
Qunari have no "family units": they do not marry, choose partners, or even know to whom they are related. A father's role ends at conception, a mother's ends at birth. A Qunari's "family" consists of his or her peers.
Qunari usually do not associate sex with love. Instead there are specific Tamassrans whose job it is to provide sexual release. Qunari who choose to express love through sexual relationships are sent to be re-educated by the Ben-Hassrath. If a child is produced, the same thing happens as with all other Qunari children: the child is sent to be raised by the Tamassrans, evaluated, and assigned a job. Qunari do not waste resources unnecessarily, people included.
Qunari have been bred for specific roles for a very long time. Parentage is no longer the issue, more like pedigree. However, breeding does not determine a Qunari's assigned task. If a Qunari was bred to be a soldier but turns out to be more intellectual, the Tamassrans may move him or her into the priesthood, researching weapons technology, or the Ben-Hassrath to police the populace, depending on what roles need to be filled by someone with their specific traits.
Qunari love their friends like anyone else does, but they don't have sex with them to express intimacy. Even so, there is an old tradition where Qunari can show intimacy with another: the pair finds a dragon's tooth, breaks it in half, and each wears a piece to symbolize that no matter how far apart life takes them, they will always be together.According to a romanced Iron Bull in Dragon Age: Inquisition
=== Reverence ===
The Qunari are known to hold dragons sacred. High dragons are called Ataashi, "glorious one" in Qunlat. Some of this comes from physical similarities, while some believe that the Tamassrans cultivate dragon blood within the Qunari, allowing some to tap into combat abilities similar to ReaversConversation with the Iron Bull. This, however, does not translate into reverence, as most Qunari accept that dragons are savage creatures that have to be put down in order to establish civilization. It is said that before converting to the Qun, the horned race prayed to animist gods, but such practices were outlawed by the Qun, and thus it would be against the law to openly revere the dragons.
The Qunari call the Fade "the Land of the Dead". Entering this realm while still alive is forbidden by the Qun, and the Qunari claim they do not dream like others do. The corpse of a Qunari is considered an insignificant husk that is no longer the individual that it once was and thus is afforded no special treatment, rather disposed of in whatever manner is most practical. Instead, their tools which they used to perform their job are collected, for example warriors' swords are considered to be their "souls".The Sword of the BeresaadThe Lost Swords
=== Education ===
Qunari society values learning as well as military might. Few speak the common tongue that is used among Thedosians, and even fewer speak it well. For this reason, Qunari often keep quiet among foreigners, out of shame—in a culture that strives for perfection and mastery, to possess only a passable degree of skill is humiliating, indeed.
The Tamassrans wield a great deal of influence in Qunari society. As it is primarily a female role (as all administrative tasks are), this might lead an outsider to believe that their society is female-dominated. Qunari do not, however, look upon government in quite the same way. The brain could be said to rule the body, but so too do the heart, the lungs, the stomach. All are part of the greater whole.
The Tamassrans raise all the children, give them their general education, and evaluate them. Qunari are officially assigned their roles when they are twelve years old. The Tamassrans do conduct some tests, but nothing that requires a pencil. They also have something of a head start on the process, as they are the ones who control the Qunari selective breeding program.
=== Gender roles ===
Qunari strongly believe that the genders are inherently and intuitively better at certain tasks. No matter how much aptitude and promise a male shows for management, he will never be considered as good at it as a female, therefore it would be considered inefficient and a waste of resources to place him in a role where a woman would serve better. Instead, the Tamassrans find another role that he shows aptitude for and will place him there instead. The same goes for females, most Qunari will find it odd if a female becomes a warrior. Necessities of the group come before all, though— a male Qunari will farm if he must, just as a female will fight, depending on the circumstance. But they almost certainly will not like it. 
The Qunari also have the concept of "Aqun-Athlok," which means "born as one gender but living as another".Dialogue between Iron Bull and Krem For example, a woman who shows sincere interest and outstanding talent at fighting will be considered male regardless of biological sex, and socially treated as male for all intents and purposes. For the Qunari, gender is inexorably linked to their role within the Qun.Dialogue between Cassandra and Iron Bull
There are fields like philosophy or sciences that make use of both genders, but even then, there is division by discipline. Men will do one kind of research and women another. The Ben-Hassrath also count both genders among their ranks, but they too are separated by specialization.
== Economy ==
The Qunari reject private property. They don't have currency, nor do they engage in direct bartering: they don't buy and sell things amongst one another. "Merchants" in Qunari cities have the job of making sure goods are distributed appropriately. They will however, trade with the rest of Thedas in a limited manner. To the Qunari, this trade is less a way to obtain goods than an opportunity to learn more about those who do not yet accept the Qun as law.
The Qunari actively work to improve methods of production via research and borrowing from conquered people and neighboring cultures. On the other hand, demands of the individuals are quite limited, as having "more houses and clothes" would mean more work to maintain them. In the countryside, Qunari houses are identical and arranged along perfectly orthogonal lines.Codex entry: Tal-Vashoth
== Antaam ==
The Antaam serves as the Qunari's military branch and are led by the Arishok. The Antaam are metaphorically considered to be the eyes, ears, legs, arms, and hands of the creature that makes up Qunari society; everything that one needs to interact with the world, and so most Qunari encountered by Thedosians belong to the military.
thumb|A Female Qunari in Dragon Age: Deception #3
All Qunari are given a tool which signifies their role in Qunari society; for soldiers, this tool is always a weapon of some kind. In the case of soldiers, at least, to lose this weapon brands the owner as soulless and one who is to be executed on sight by the Antaam. These items are held in high regard, and upon the owner's death the Qunari may take the item to honor the fallen individual.
In Qunari society, females cannot be soldiers. While Tallis is an assassin who hunts Tal-Vashoth, she is Ben-Hassrath - a religious enforcer and a member of the priesthood (led by the Ariqun) rather than the military (led by the Arishok). However, transgender female-to-male Qunari are welcome in the military and are referred to as Aqun-Athlok.
== Technology ==
The Qunari are more technologically advanced than the rest of Thedas, with the exception of the dwarves. Their capital city of Qunandar is famous for great domes and aqueducts, their architecture likened to beehives. They have developed an explosive powder ("gaatlok") that is safer than lyrium-based dwarven explosives. Its formula is a secret they carefully guard.
The Qunari cannons and dreadnoughts (or "floating fortresses" - massive wooden ships) allowed them to sweep across northern Thedas and advance far into the mainland within ten years of their arrival on the continent. The allied nations relied heavily on the Circle of Magi to counter their cannons and on the Felicisima Armada to counter their fleet.
The Qunari have also developed a deadly poison ("saar-qamek"), which instills madness in the victim before eventually killing them. This poison can be inhaled or put on blades to affect a target's bloodstream, though there is at least one antidote that can be taken preemptively that will reduce or outright neutralize the poison's effects.
=== Notable armors ===
* Antaam-saar
* Shokra-taar
* Qunari Commander Helm
* Qunari Helmet
* Qunari Siege Gauntlets
* Qunari Infantry Helm
* Qunari War Boots
=== Notable weapons ===
* Asala
* Bassrath-Kata
* Bow of the Beresaad
* Bull's Edge
* Serrated Qunari Blade
* Sword of the Antaam
* Whitewood Bow
* Qunari Battleaxe
* Qunari Buckler
* Qunari Tower Shield
* Qunari Slasher
* Qunari Sten Blade
* Qunari Sword
* Vidathiss
== Magic ==
The Qunari call their own mages "saarebas", which means "a dangerous thing" in Qunlat. As the Qunari believe that mages are ultimately unable to master themselves, each saarebas is entrusted to an "arvaarad" ("one who holds back evil") who bears a control rod. The Qunari do not blame them for their "defective" and dangerous nature, so they frequently pity and honor saarebas,Codex entry: The Qunari - Saarebas for lack of a better word. In practice, they are treated little better than attack dogs: They are leashed, shackled, collared, and their mouths are sewn shut. Should they be found practicing forbidden magic, their tongues are cut out to prevent them from corrupting others.Dragon Age II: The Complete Official Guide, p. 251 The penalty for leaving their karataam is death, as they are assumed to have been corrupted by demons. The Qunari view this sacrifice, this selflessness - however unwilling - as the greatest virtue of the Qun. Lacking proper training, saarebas are essentially hedge mages,Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, The Qunari: Chapter 3. which does not preclude the Qunari from usage of saarebas forces in warfare, for instance during the first and the second Qunari invasions of Kirkwall.
== Outsiders and converts ==
The Qunari view other nations as inferiors, kabethari (literally, "those who need to be taught") who are to be conquered and "enlightened", i.e. converted to the Qun. In the newly subdued areas they dismantle families: children are torn away from their parents and raised as Qunari, while adults are sent to "learning" (labor) camps for re-education performed by a branch of the priesthood called the Ben-Hassrath. The latter appear to be reasonable if an individual doesn't resist their severe teachings, and a new convert, or viddathari, may take a high position in the Qunari society.
In fact, it is possible for a human, elven or dwarven viddathari to become Ariqun, Arigena or Arishok should they show the merit for the role. However, this is naturally less likely than a qunari taking the role, given their far greater numbers in the Qun.
Refusal to cooperate is seen as illness to be cured, and those who resist are taken to the viddathlok, temples dedicated to healing. What happens later is not quite clear, but it is known that the Qunari use a substance called qamek to turn them into mindless laborersDialogue between Fenris and Isabela in Dragon Age II, Act 3 forced into indentured servitude or sent to mines or construction camps. Some would return, changed in profound ways, some would perish of exhaustion or starvation and some would be slain.
When the Qunari were pushed back during the Exalted Marches, the Chantry and nationalist forces purged numerous Qunari converts and buried them in mass graves, most notably in RivainCodex entry: The Llomerryn Accords, Nocen Fields, and Marnas Pell in Tevinter. Afterwards the existence of the purge has been officially denied to have ever happened.
=== Basalit-an ===
The Qunari call outsiders bas ("thing") and consider them unfortunate beings who, however, have a potential to grow if the Qun's wisdom is imparted to them. The best an outsider can hope for amongst the Qunari is to be considered a basalit-an, "worthy of respect"; a basalit-an is a worthy foe, and one that can be negotiated with to an extent, but still bas regardless. incorrect link The characters which are known to be named with that title are the following:
== Language ==
Qunlat is the Qunari language. Few among the Qun's people speak the common tongue, and fewer speak it well. In a culture that strives for mastery, to have only a passable degree of skill is perhaps embarrassing, so Qunari often keep quiet among foreigners.Codex entry: The Qunari
== Notable Qunari ==
* Arishok
* Ashkaari Koslun
* Gatt
* Inquisitor Adaar – if they are the sole survivor of the Divine Conclave
* Iron Bull
* Jerran
* Ketojan
* Rasaan
* Salit
* Sten
* Tallis
* Viddasala
== Codex entries ==
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
== Notes ==
* "Kossith" is an antiquated technical name that is only used by tamassrans to describe the horned race before most of it was converted to the Qun. A few members of the Qunari priesthood may recognize the word, but to everyone in Thedas, they're just "Qunari" or "Tal-Vashoth". Other races sometimes refer to them derogatorily as "giants" or "ox-men" as well.
* The Qunari claim that they do not dream as humans and elves do. This claim is difficult to dispute as they are rarely encountered in the Fade. It should be noted, however, that Sten instantly understands he is dreaming if you take him on the Broken Circle quest, and the Iron Bull asks Solas if he ever flies or "bangs hot Fade ladies" while "doing his Fade thing," demonstrating a clear grasp of common dream themes. Saarath, a saarebas, outright states that he had "dreams of demons", further disproving the claim.Codex entry: Saarath
* The qunari race is insinuated to have an innate savagery- a trait common among Reavers. Sten for example has exhibited bouts of uncontrollable murderous rage and Iron Bull states he revels in the brutality of combat. The qunari race may be so fanatical to the rigorous tenets of the Qun because it tames their savage impulses.
* If Morrigan's son Kieran is born with the soul of an Old God, he will comment sadly to Qunari Inquisitors that their blood does not belong to their people.
* If the Qunari Inquisitor sides with the Templars, Corypheus in his memories refers to them as "a beast of strange blood". During the final battle, Corypheus taunts the Qunari Inquisitor by saying "What do they call you, a Qunari? Your blood is engorged with decay, your race is not a race, it is a mistake!"
== Trivia ==
* Qunari were always supposed to have horns. They were cut from Dragon Age: Origins. because otherwise Sten would be unable to wear a helmet.
* Female Qunari or kossith produce ogres if they turn into broodmothers.
* The absence of cookies in the Qunari culture is explained by their efficiency; most cultures initially develop cookies and cakes as a way to use up leftover batter from other things. Qunari plan ahead too well to have leftovers.
* There is a concept art image of a Qunari wearing an armour with the Seekers of Truth heraldry on it in Dragon Age II: The Complete Official Guide.
* All the races in Thedas are said to live approximately the same length of natural life, but Qunari have developed advanced medicine and sanitation, which allows them to extend their life span to some degree.
* No Qunari has ever joined the Grey Wardens. There are, however, rumours of several Tal-Vashoth taking the Joining in recent decades.Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Player's Guide, set 2, p. 7
* Chained Qunari are depicted on an ancient Tevinter mosaic called Freed Are Slaves.Codex entry: The Mason's Tales: Freed Are Slaves
== See also ==
* Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, in which a section of the book is dedicated to the Qunari.
== Gallery ==
Qunari barbarian.jpg|Qunari Concept
Qunari-trailer.png|The Arishok from the Dragon Age II Destiny trailer
Tome of Koslun.png|Tome of Koslun
DA2_Qunari - cutscene art (act 1).jpg|Qunari (in-game cutscene art, Dragon Age II)
Qunari female and male.jpg|Hornless female and male Qunari
Quanari lineup.jpg|Concept art for Dragon Age II
Tamassran - Those Who Speak.png|Female Qunari - the tamassran Rasaan from Dragon Age: Those Who Speak
Dragon age inquisition 06.jpg|Qunari in Dragon Age: Inquisition
Qunari inquisitor.png|Qunari Inquisitor
Qunari moodboard.png|A moodboard for the Qunari, depicting their architecture, weaponry, and various types of Qunari and Tal-Vashoth
== External links ==
* Qunari on BioWare wiki.
== References ==
 
Category:Races
Category:Groups
ru:Кунари
uk:К’юнарі