Elisheva Lavellan

"I never wanted this position; the position wanted me."

**Elisheva Varatriel Lavellan** (born 9:23 Dragon) is the former First to the Lavellan clan Keeper Deshanna Istimaethoriel and currently the Inquisitor-designee.

She was born in the Free Marches to Zevlaros, himself a talented mage, and Merrira (née Varatriel), a huntress and warrior who died giving birth to her.   She would be the couple's only child.

## Overview

### **Physical Appearance**

Like most Dalish elves, she is petite (around 5'3") and thin, with a slender frame.  She has close-cropped dark-blonde hair and large blue eyes.  She has a slightly pointed nose and a face full of freckles gained from a lifetime spent in the sun.  She wears no makeup, as she is allergic to most of the materials in human makeup. But her most noteworthy feature is a significant overbite, in which her two front teeth rest on her bottom lip.  This has caused her to be unable to completely close her mouth. It was caused by a lifelong thumb-sucking habit which only stopped (by necessity) after the conclave. Another noteworthy feature is the absence of the typical elfin *vallaslin*. In accordance with Dalish custom, she was supposed to receive it after returning home from the conclave - but that never happened.

### **Personality**

Quiet, introverted, and somewhat bookish, Elisheva tends to keep mostly to herself.  She trusts few people and can discuss Dalish history and lore for hours.  At first she is reticent around her fellow companions, wanting to return to her old quiet wanderer's life, but then becomes more comfortable as time goes on, reluctantly accepting her destiny. The idea of humans elevating her to a position of power confuses her, but eventually she accepts what is happening, even if she doesn't entirely understand it.

She has become a woman who prizes her independence, and believes that entering into a romantic partnership would force her to surrender at least some of that independence.

### **Talents and Skills**

Because she had been taught to lead by Keeper Deshanna, she possesses leadership ability and commands respect, even at her young age. She appears to be particularly adept at casting storm-related and lightning-related spells.

1. **Storm Mastery:** Elisheva demonstrates a remarkable command over storm-related magic. Whether summoning tempests, controlling the weather, or harnessing the power of lightning, she wields these abilities with finesse and potency.
2. **Lightning Spells:** Her specialization extends to the mastery of lightning spells. Elisheva can unleash devastating bolts of electricity, providing both offensive firepower and strategic advantage in various situations.
3. **Arcane Knowledge:** Being somewhat bookish and deeply immersed in Dalish history and lore, Elisheva possesses extensive arcane knowledge. This not only enhances her magical prowess but also makes her a valuable source of information and insight within the group.
4. **Leadership Skills:** Trained by Keeper Deshanna in the art of leadership, Elisheva commands respect and exhibits natural leadership qualities, despite her young age. Her ability to guide and inspire others becomes crucial in the unfolding events of the game.
5. **Tactical Thinking:** Alongside her magical abilities, Elisheva demonstrates a keen sense of tactical thinking. Whether in the midst of battle or facing strategic decisions, she approaches challenges with a thoughtful and strategic mindset.
6. **Survival Instincts:** Stemming from her past as a quiet wanderer, Elisheva possesses survival instincts that complement her magical prowess. These instincts make her resourceful and adaptable in different environments and situations.

## Biography

### **History**

Elisheva manifested a talent for magic as a child.  Zevlaros, who had been a talented mage himself, was going to be a First but gave up the position to start a family. Now a single father, he realized that his daughter's abilities were far beyond his own, so he reluctantly entrusted his only offspring to the Lavellan clan's leader, Deshanna, who would function as a mother figure to her.  She grew up in the wilderness and would become Keeper Deshanna's faithful apprentice, a position she would serve until becoming leader of the newly formed Inquisition. Deshanna taught her how to control and hone her new powers. Elisheva grew into a capable mage, far away from the eyes of the templar and mage circles. When tension between the two factions erupted into warfare, spilling into the countryside, Clan Lavellan was forced to pick up and move.

But Elisheva wasn't just taught magic, either. She was taught to read and write in both elven and human tongues, unusual for an elven girl at the time, and she ran with the knowledge, absorbing everything she could like a thirsty sponge. Because she was raised separately from most of the other elven children her age and even rarely saw her father, her only surviving blood relative, she sometimes felt isolated. She was also taught how to lead, as one day, she would take over from Deshanna as the leader of the clan.

Keeper Deshanna sent her to spy on the Conclave at Haven in 9:41 Dragon, as the outcome might determine the fate of her own clan. The explosion at the Chantry conclave left Elisheva as the only survivor.  She turned eighteen after the conclave.

### **In-game**

Elisheva tries to carefully navigate these two worlds, protecting her elf clan while learning about human culture. Elisheva revealed to Josephine that while at the Winter Palace at Halamshiral, she felt out of place, like a fish out of water. Because of her aversion to more bloodshed at the royal ball, she opted to save Empress Celene's life, while also saving the lives of Gaspard and Florianne.

### **Post-game**

Elisheva was all too happy to retire from full-fledged adventuring after losing her left arm. But just because she retired from adventuring, that didn't mean her influence waned. Using her newfound position to lift others, she elevates her former keeper and foster mother to the city council, giving elves a voice in government.  Her father, Zevlaros, bursting with pride at her achievements, returned to her life, writing a series of letters and even visiting her at Skyhold.

### Trivia

Her vallaslin marks, on both cheeks, represents Mythal.  It is flesh-colored and hidden in game with makeup.

On her mother's side, she is a distant cousin to the Dalish elf warden.

## **Gallery**

* Sample Photo
1/1