Dalish: Pantheon

# The Creators

**Stained glass Creator art (c) to CrystalSoul16.**

## Elgar’nan - The God of Vengeance

**Pronunciation: ell-GAR-nan**

captionLong ago, when time itself was young, the only things in existence were the sun and the land. The sun, curious about the land, bowed his head close to her body, and Elgar'nan was born in the place where they touched. As a gift to Elgar'nan, the land brought forth great birds and beasts of sky and forest, and all manner of wonderful green things. Elgar’nan is the leader of the elvhen pantheon, with the goddess Mythal leading by his side. He is often referred as the All-father, being the first of the elvhen gods, born of the sun and earth. Dalish worship the All-father as the god of vengeance and often pray to him when they wish for his aid in taking their revenge, asking for vengeance or destroying something. As Elgar’nan represents the sun, Dalish elves pray to him specifically at dawn, sacred words salvaged from the days of Arlathan.

> Elgar’nan, father, father of all
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> Grant us your guidance, give us your light
> Crush with thy power our enemies,
> Elgar’nan, father, father of all
> Hear our pray,
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> Let thy glory shine through from the ashes of our enslavers.
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## Mythal - The Great Protector

**Pronunciation: mith-AL**

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It was at this moment that Mythal walked out of the sea of the Earth's tears and onto the land. She placed her hand on Elgar'nan's brow, and at her touch he grew calm and knew that his anger had led him astray. Mythal, the Protector, leads the elvhen pantheon along with her male counterpart, Elgar’nan. This goddess represents motherhood, justice and in the silence of her love she embraces all her children. Her calm demeanor balances out Elgar’nan’s fury. Mythal is often presented as the figure of a calm, protective and loving mother. She’s also perceived as the goddess of fertility. In elven legend, Mythal created the moon, a pale reflection of the sun’s true glory, thus, Dalish people usually pray to her only when there is full moon, once in 28 days.

> Mother, protect us from the dark
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> Embrace us with your love
> Keep us safe during our shiral
> Watch over us,
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> So we never stray from path
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## Falon’Din - The Guide and Friend of the Dead

**Pronunciation: fahl-awn-DEEN**

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In ancient times, the People were ageless and eternal, and instead of dying would enter uthenera-the long sleep-and walk the shifting paths beyond the Veil with Falon'Din and his brother Dirthamen. Those elders would learn the secrets of dreams, and some returned to the People with newfound knowledge. Falon’Din is the elvhen God of Death and guidance, with him and his brother Dirthamen, being the eldest children of Elgar’nan and Mythal. Falon’ Din guides the dead to the Beyond but he is generally perceived as a guide for the lost ones by the Dalish. It is believed that, after the fall of Arlathan, when the elves used to wander around in the woods, lost and forsaken, they would pray to Falon’Din for his guidance. Up to this day, Dalish elves invoke the god’s name when they are feeling lost or know not what to do.

> As thee guide the dead,
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> As thee set them to their path towards the Beyond,
> Guide us o-great- Falon’Din for we are lost.
> Guide us,
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> Through and out of present darkness
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## Dirthamen - Keeper of Secrets

**Pronunciation: Dehrth-A-meen**

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Separated for the first time from Falon'Din, Dirthamen wandered aimlessly till he came across two ravens. "You are lost, and soon you will fade," the raven named Fear said to Dirthamen. "Your brother has abandoned you. He no longer loves you," said the other, named Deceit. "I am not lost, and Falon'Din has not abandoned me," replied Dirthamen. He subdued the ravens and bade them carry him to Falon'Din. This they did, for they had been defeated and were now bound to Dirthamen's service. Dirthamen is the god of secrets, master of ravens Fear and Deceit and the twin brother of Falon’Din. He is considered the Keeper and preserver of the secrets of the Dalish, secrets that date back to the days of Arlathan, when the Elvhen Empire used to prosper. He is the protector of the past glory of the elvhen people and Dalish invoke his name when they wish him to help in preserving their culture, lore or deepest personal secrets.

> Dirthamen, Keeper of Secrets, Great Preserver
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> Secure thy People’s glory, Protect thy People’s power
> Restore our lost culture,
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> And place it far from grasp of ever-waiting enemies.
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## Andruil - Goddess of the Hunt

**Pronunciation: AWN-droo-eel**

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> Hear me, sons and daughters of the People
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> I am Sister of the Moon, Mother of Hares,
> Lady of the Hunt: Andruil.
> Remember the Ways of the Hunter
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> And I shall be with you.
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Andruil is the elvhen goddess of the hunt, the creator of Vir Tanadahlor, Way of Three Trees. First, the Vir Assan, or Way of the Arrow: fly straight and do not waver. Second, the Vir Bor'assan, or Way of the Bow: bend but never break. Third, the Vir Adahlen, or Way of the Forest: together we are stronger than the one Andruil is considered the protector of Hunt and animals and Dalish Hunters usually praise her name and pray to her for their hunt to be blessed by her grace and keep them safe from harm.

> Andruil, emma na uth'falon, na'vhen.
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> Mamae vir tanadahl, ena enansal na'len emma'lin.
> Bora him sulevin, assan shem, dareth shiral.
> Vir ena, Anduril, ven suledin na serranas
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> Andruil, I am your ever friend.
> Mother of the three ways of the earth,
> bring forth the gift of your children for my blood.
> Make cast certain, arrow fast, journey safe.
> Bring forth my path, Anduril,
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> and as we go we shall sing songs of our gratitude to you.
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## Sylaise - The Hearthkeeper

**Pronunciation: sill-ACE**

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It is Sylaise who gave us fire and taught us how to use it. It is Sylaise who showed us how to heal with herbs and with magic, and how to ease the passage of infants into this world. And again, it is Sylaise who showed us how to spin the fibers of plants into thread and rope. Sylaise, the Hearthkeeper, is the sister of the goddess of the hunt, Andruil. Sylaise gave the elves fire and taught them how to weave and use herbs and magic for healing purposes. She is considered a great benefactor of the elves, and the Dalish usually ask for her aid and guidance when one of their people is hurt or dying. They pray to the Hearthkeeper, to the Healer as she is also referred, to help in the healing of their loved ones and secure their health.

> Healer, o-Healer,
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> We ask for your aid,
> Help thy People, Heal their wounds,
> Close fresh wound, restore the beating of the dying heart,
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> Deny our loved ones the journey to the Beyond and far
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## June - God of the Craft

**Pronunciation: joon**

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We dedicate all our crafts to June, for it is he who taught the People to bend the branches of trees to make our bows, and to fashion coverings of furs and ironbark. Without June, would we have the aravel, or the harnesses for our halla? June is the elvhen god of crafts. He is the one who taught the elves how to shape material to their liking, how to create weapons and musical instruments. With the help of the goddess Sylaise who gave fire to the elvhen, June showed them the secrets of crafting with this god being considered another great benefactor of the elves, as far as practicality goes. June is often worshipped and his name is usually praised by the Dalish’s craftmasters.

> June, Thee who taught us the art of crafting
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> Keep our calloused hands even
> Our chisels’ blows steady
> Our shaping precise,
> Our carvings artistic,
> Our weapons deadly.
> And we, thy always humble servants,
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> We’ll never forsake the gift that you gave us
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## Ghilan'nain - Mother of the Halla

**Pronunciation: gill-ANN-nane**

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They say Ghilan'nain was one of the People, and the chosen of Andruil the Huntress. One day, Ghilan'nain came across a hunter she did not know. At his feet lay a hawk, shot through the heart by an arrow. Ghilan'nain was filled with rage, for the hawk is an animal much beloved of Andruil. Ghilan'nain called upon the goddess to curse him, so that he could never again hunt and kill a living creature. Ghilan'nain's curse took hold, and the hunter found that he was unable to hunt. Ashamed, the hunter swore he would find Ghilan'nain and repay her for what she had done to him. He blinded her first, and then bound her as one would bind a kill fresh from the hunt. But because he was cursed, the hunter could not kill her. Instead he left her for dead in the forest. And Ghilan'nain prayed to the gods for help. Andruil sent her hares to Ghilan'nain and they chewed through the ropes that bound her, but Ghilan'nain was still wounded and blind, and could not find her way home. So Andruil turned her into a beautiful white deer—the first halla.

Ghilan'nain, goddess of guide and navigation, Mother of the Halla, was once a mortal woman and beloved of Andruil. Her story speaks of how an elf ascended to godhood, after the goddess of Hunt answered her pleading and prays. She is represented by the halla, and Ghilan’nain is considered to guide the elvhen to their destination, navigating them even through unknown lands and unexplored paths. Dalish perceive her guidance’s nature as an inner one, with the goddess guiding them to their purpose, whatever that is.

> To thee we trust our journey
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> As thy children, lead us to unknown places,
> We follow, ever-patient, ever-eager
> For we know, Ghilan’nain, thee will guide us down our rightful path.We will never be lost.
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> Show us our purpose, show us our destiny.
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## Fen’Harel - The Dread Wolf

**Pronunciation: fenn-hare-ELL**

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In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear among both our gods and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is akin to the gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways and saw him as one of their own. And that is how Fen'Harel tricked them. Our gods saw him as a brother, and they trusted him when he said that they must keep to the heavens while he arranged a truce. And the Forgotten Ones trusted him also when he said he would arrange for the defeat of our gods, if only the Forgotten Ones would return to the abyss for a time. They trusted Fen'Harel, and they were all of them betrayed. And FenHarel sealed them away so they could never again walk among the People.

Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf is also known as the Lord of Tricksters, Roamer of the Beyond and bringer of nightmares. His supposed betrayal of both the Creators and the Forgotten ones by sealing them away in their respective realms, never again to interact with the mortal world, is sometimes used to explain why the elven gods did not intervene to prevent the fall of Arlathan. He represents cunning and deception and his legend stands as a reminder of how the Dalish should be always wary and vigilant. Due to this god’s nature, there is no known prayer which the Dalish traditionally say. However, his elven worshippers often weave their own prayers and ask for Fen’Harel’s assistance and guidance.

## The Forgotten Ones

The legend says that before the fall of Arlathan, the gods we know and revere fought an endless war with others of their kind. There is not a hahren among us who remembers these others:

> “Only in dreams do we hear whispered the names of Geldauran and Daern'thal and Anaris, for they are the Forgotten Ones, the gods of terror and malice, spite and pestilence.”
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> The Forgotten Ones trusted him also when he said he would arrange for the defeat of our gods, if only the Forgotten Ones would return to the abyss for a time. They trusted Fen'Harel, and they were all of them betrayed. And Fen'Harel sealed them away so they could never again walk among the People.
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> -- **From 'the Tale of Fen'Harel's Triumph,' as told by Gisharel, keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves.**"
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There are references in elven mythology to another race of gods: gods of evil, with whom the gods of the elven pantheon fought an endless war. These gods are now known as the Forgotten Ones, and for good reason as even the hahrens, or elven elders, know little to nothing about them. According to legend they, along with the elven pantheon, were trapped away from the world at around the time of the fall of Arlathan.

The following are the Forgotten Ones who have been named, but over time we may reveal more IC and add them here;

### Geldauran - God of Terror

**Pronunciation: Gel-DOW-rhan**
With good reason Geldauran was named the “god of terror”, for he was born of the Void and with him he brought nightmares into the Fade. The terrors of dreams were his way to influence mortals. Many of the forms of the demons of the Fade are thought to be images and terrors planted in the minds of sleeping mortals by this Forgotten One. Thus, it is not entirely wrong to say that Geldauran is the father of demons, or at least how they appear, since demons take their shapes from the imaginations of mortals.

### Daern'thal - God of Malice

**Pronunciation: Day-URN-thall**
This Forgotten One is the shadow of Elgar’nan, using the vengeance and anger of the All-Father as a foundation to instil malice in the hearts of elves. Daern’thal turns covetousness into greed and envy, lust into obsession, ambition into ruthlessness. The heart of Malice is born of jealousy of the Creators, and a desire to twist the virtues of the gods into vices, to corrupt everything the Elvhen Gods create, including the elves.

### Anaris - Goddess of Spite and Pestilence

**Pronunciation: Ann-ARR-reese**
Legend speaks of the Pestilent One, a title given by both elves and dwarva. This god was bound in him rock and lyrium. It is believed by some that a red lyrium idol is in fact the sealed presence of Anaris, the elven god of pestilence. It is possible that it may even be connected to the Darkspawn, since the blight is a corruption, a form of pestilence. The Pestilent One may be the real source of the taint, bound in lyrium, thus the Song could be heard because of the trapped Forgotten One. Out of spite the legacy of Anaris could be the Blight.