Yenera Lavellan

## Character Overview

### Appearance

Yenera Lavellan can be very inconspicuous, people that meet him are always amazed by their ability to stay in the shadows when they need to and stand out when it suits them. Only 5'2" and quite slim, Yenera is a dark-skinned elf with big light-green eyes. She has a distinctly elven nose and full lips that are always slightly open, ready to ask a dozen questions. Forever inquisitive, their eyebrows and usually forrowed, deep in thought. They have very dark black hair, almost with a blue-ish hue, which they keep short. His hair is naturally curly and usually they leave it to lay however it naturally does. However, once she became the Inquisitor she began styling it back slightly so it is away from their face, symbolising her growing confidence in herself and how they're slowly opening up to those around them. From his time with the Dalish, Yenera had gained his Vallaslin. They chose to honour Dirthamen, God of secrets and knowledge with their Vallaslin and so donned green markings on their face symbolising a Raven. He also partly chose this paticular Vallaslin because of the loss of his sister - Dirthamen is closely associated with Falon'Din, the God of death and fortune and in hopes of Falon'Din leading his sister peacefully to the afterlife, Yenera chose Dirthamen as a form of memorial. However, after Solas told Yenera the true meaning behind Vallaslin, they had it removed, no matter how difficult it was to leave behind the last piece of her sister she had, they could no longer proudly wear it.

### Personality

Always wondering off and exploring new places or ideas, Yenera can be a difficult person to find. They can be distant and are very independant, sometimes to their downfall. Her thirst for knowledge can lead her to neglect everything but the thing she is learning about, making it difficult to get to know them. However, for the few that he is close to it's clear that he is extremely intellegent, creative and determined. They always look at the details in things and are very loyal to their friends. Despite their difficulties with socialising, Yenera has a relaxed aura and it is not at all rare to see them fall asleep on the nearest person or thing, anytime and anywhere.

## Background

### Pre-Game

In 9:20 Dragon Yenera was born to an elven couple living in Ansburg, with a slightly older sister named Di'huni. Being the child of a Dalish mother and a town-dwelling elven father, Yenera has always struggled finding their place in the world. Growing up in the Ansburg alienage in the Free Marches with her big sister, both children helped their parents run their healing shop by delivering potions to neighbouring elves. Since all four of the family were mages, the children always had always been taught and prepared what to do if Templars ever came knocking on their door. This preparation somewhat payed off when one day, during their deliveries, Yenera and his sister Di'huni saw their parents being captured and taken to a Circle from across the alienage. Doing as their parents had taught them, the two siblings immediately left the town and made their way to the nearest Dalish clan's camp. During this journey they were both attacked by a giant spider after taking shelter in a cave for the night and sadly, being two young and inexperienced mages against a creature they knew nothing about, Di'huni gave her life during the fight in order for Yenera to escape. Yenera eventually make it to the clan and grew up the rest of his childhood and teenage years there. Although she felt more at home with the Dalish than she ever had in the city, she felt great grief for the lost of her family and never truly integrated into the clan, always staying alone or with the Keeper and not making many (if any) friends. At age 16 Yenera got their Dirthamen Vallaslin and began taking on more and more jobs and responsibilities from the Keeper and 3 years later he officially became the Keeper's First. In the year 9:41 Dragon they were sent to the conclave to see how the outcome would affect the Dalish clans in the future.

## Involvement

### Dragon Age Origins

During the events of Dragon Age Origins, Yenera's parents were captured by Templars in Ansburg and taken to the Starkhaven Circle before it was burned down in 9:31 Dragon. They were luckily outside of the building when it happened, and were then transfered to the Kirkwall circle.

Also at this time Yenera made his journey to join the Dalish during 9:30 Dragon.

### Dragon Age 2

During the events of Dragon Age 2, Yenera was with the Lavellan Dalish Clan, travelling the Free Marches: gaining their Vallaslin and becomming the Keeper's First.

Also at this time, Yenera's parents were in the Kirkwall Circle during the mage uprising and took part in revolting against the Templars. Luckily both parents managed to escape the city with a few other mages, although they both had some quite bad injuries both physically and mentally after going through two such Circle collapses and led low for a while trying to help themselves and other mages recover from the tragedy.

### Dragon Age Inquisition

In 9:41 Yenera was sent by the Keeper to the Conclave to see how the outcome may affect the Dalish. There is an explosion at the conclave, opening a breach in the sky and killing all there but Yenera, who is taken in by the Divine's forces and is questioned but they do not remember anything, especially why there is a magic green mark on their hand. They're taken to close a nearby rift to close it and passes out after doing so. Yenera wakes up in Haven and helps establish the inquisition, help innocents being affected by the breach and closes rifts. After gathering forces and creating an inner circle to help with the task, the enemy Corypheus makes his appearance and destroys Haven, killing some of the soldiers and workers there while the rest escape. Yenera managed to survive and catch up with the other survivors and their find a new base - Skyhold. From Skyhold, they amass more followers and go all across Thedas to gather help to defeat Corypheus. This includes going to help the Grey Wardens, going to Empress Celene's ball and many more. Yenera uses his power and influence to help the mages effected by the Circle collapses, those effected by the Breach and any other people they come across that are in desperate need for help - leading the Inquisition with empathy and compassion. He also helped those close to them as much as possible with issues relating to the Breach as well as problems that didn't. While helping to found the Inquisition, Yenera found himself yet again struggling to find his place. But the people they met and grew close to during this time helped them deal with the new responsibilities they had and also helped them at least try to relax when they could. Eventually the Inquisition took the battle to Corypheus and manage to defeat him, sealing the Breach for good.

### Post-Game

After finding out that Solas, someone she had fallen in love with during her time as Inquisitor, was truly the Dread Wolf Fen'Harel Yenera attempted to pursue him and try to talk him out of his plans to destroy the Veil. On their last meeting many things happened, including Yenera severing her arm to stop it from growing to eventually kill them and also Solas leaving them with a parting gift of telling them he found her parents after them being separated for so many years.

In the years following these revelations Yenera disbanded the Inquisition, bought a house in Wycome for him and his parents to stay in and make up for lost time and also got help from some friends to try to once again find and speak to her lost lover Solas.

## Relationships

### Family

**Seren (mother) -** Yenera's mother was originally a Dalish elf who had to leave their clan due to there being too many mages. After finding Ansburg as it was the closest city at the time, she was lost and scared but made her way to the alienage where she met Yenera's Father who fell in love with her immediately and offered her a place to stay while she got on her feet. After realising that there was a need for poultices and potions that Seren made regularly in the clan, the two began selling them to other Alienage elves and occasionally to humans that were desperate enough. Through the years their business flourished and they began welcoming a family in the form of Yenera and their sister. Yenera learnt a lot of life skills from their mother and would not have survived without a lot of those lessons.

**Ianto (father) -** Yenera's father is an extremely friendly man and half the reason why the business him and Seren created was successful, as he gained the trust of all of their customers and gained their loyal support and friendship. Even before selling their services, Ianto had been well know in the Alienage for being a mage, though none of the other elves would tell the Templars and rid the one person they could trust to heal a broken bone if they needed it. Yenera and their sister often went with their father to home visits to the more elderly members of the Alienage and made friends with a few of the other children there that way. Ianto brought happiness and laughter to a childhood that Yenera knew would otherwise be full of only worry and hardship.

**Di'Huni (older sister) -** Di'Huni was the typical older sibling to Yenera: always protecting them even when they didn't need or want it. Growing up Di'Huni always made friends much more easily than Yenera, but always made time for her sibling. They often spend time hanging out when they were delivering potions to houses around the alienage, which is exactly where they were when their parents were captured by Templars. Di'Huni stopped Yenera from running over to their parents and did a lot of the heavy lifting on the journey to the Dalish clan, carrying supplies and hunting for whatever food they could find. Yenera was heartbroken when his sister died, especially in the circumstances that she went and always wishes things had gone differently.

### Romance

**Solas -** After Solas helped her physically recover from the explosion at the Conclave, Yenera (being full of questions about anything and everything) and Solas (being very happy to answer them) spent a lot of time together during their time with the Inquisition. Their shared thirst for knowledge and understanding made them bond strongly while they both tried their best to navigate a confusing and changing world. After spending so much time together, the pair began to to have feelings for each other. Throughout most of the time that the Inquisition existed, Yenera and Solas were romantically involved and were often in each others company. Regularly, they were found reading together in a small library below Skyhold, people-watching from anywhere they could find a good view or napping together anywhere around Skyhold (very possibly spending time together in the Fade). However, after some time Solas decided that it would be best to end things with Yenera, while continuing to work together to defeat Corypheus, leaving her broken-hearted and taking off their Vallaslin in the process. They two very much still have feelings for each other, even after their time together ended and the Inquisition disbanded. But Solas, compelled that he must continue his journey alone, left Yenera to further his own goals of destroying the Veil. While Yenera, convinced that Solas is making a mistake and wanting to stop him, while simultaneously not wishing any harm upon him, is motivated to find him and settle things, one way or another. Now the two elves, in very different places mentally and physically, only see each other in their dreams, where they hope they can save each other from their fate.

### Companions

**Cole -** The person, or rather spirit, who helped Yenera find respite the most during the intense time of being Inquisitor was Cole. Firstly spending a lot of time asking each other endless questions to satisfy their curiosity for things only the other one knew, they became very close friends very quickly. Yenera and Cole were never too far apart and after spending so much time together, they could almost communicate thoughts and feelings with a single look just as easily as they would with words - in fact, they much preferred to use their eyes to communicate than their mouths most of the time. The pair were often seen laying down on the upper ramparts, spending time with any visiting or resident animals or looking at the flowers and plants in the gardens of Skyhold. They were there for each other during many hard times, when they were scared or heartbroken. During these times Yenera would often take Cole to places with nothing and nobody around so they can talk or relax without any distractions. Cole had helped Yenera in the past by making sure her other friends checked on her, bringing her a relaxing cups of tea and once even getting her a pet goat for company which he named Hymlaci (a word thought to mean 'to be at ease').

**Varric -** Varric took Yenera under his wing immediately after meeting them, seeing a frightened young elf too far into a bad situation for their own good he got flashbacks to a certain friend in Kirkwall. He became almost like an uncle to Yenera and she confided in him many times before she became Inquisitor and a whole load more times afterwards too. After learning about Varric's books, Yenera read them all straight away and although not really impressed with them, they keep them in their library of books to look at to this day. After disbanding the Inquisition, Yenera got her parents to meet Varric and he even offered to meet with them regularly as Viscount of Kirkwall to discuss their viewpoint on how to make the Circle and Alienage as well as the whole city a better place.

**Dorian -** Spending much of his time in the library, Yenera saw Dorian often and so they often read and spoke together. Learning a lot from each others different use of their magic, the two often trained together and taught each other many small tricks they would have never known otherwise. Throughout the Inquisition's time they became very close and Dorian helped Yenera greatly in gaining their confidence and finding their voice as the leader of the organisation. Even after the Inquisition was disbanded, they still keep in touch very often.

**Iron Bull -** Although Yenera was terrified of the mercenary to begin with, she soon saw what a welcoming and friendly person he was and began to really look up to him (literally and metaphorically). They really admired Bull's way of leading his team while keeping kindness and friendship with each member. Yenera often went to Bull for advice which really helped them lead the way they wanted to and made the Inquisition a much better place. While both of them heavily guard their feelings and can seem fairly stoic, when they are able to and do meet up it is certainly a sight to se a big Qunari and small Elf run towards one another with arms outstretched laughing a ton as they hug and catch up.

**Sera -** While Yenera and Sera have a lot they disagree on, they also have a ton in common. Both bonding over their shared dislike of their time spent in Alienages, their passion for helping people and their love for eating sweet treats on the ramparts and roofs of Skyhold. Sera greatly helped Yenera to relax when she could instead of stressing over anything and everything, teaching the Inquisitor to have fun every now and then so they didn't burn themself out. Even though Yenera turned down Sera's invitation for him to join the Red Jenny's post-Inquisition, he still sends her tips for jobs that he comes across and she still sends them joke gifts to brighten their days.

**Cassandra -** After meeting under the circumstances they did, its easy to see why Yenera was terrified of Cassandra when they first met. However, after leading him and being instrumental to Yenera's first weeks with the Inquisition the fear turned to admiration and Cassandra soon became a mentor figure to them. Through a *lot* of time being at Yenera's side when helping disputes throughout their journeys Cassandra always helped them while also encouraging them to trust their gut and proceed how they wanted to. Watching him flourish into the Inquisitor they became, Cassandra became a little protective of Yenera and still is to this day.

**Blackwall -** Yenera had not really heard much of the Grey Wardens before meeting Blackwall and loved learning as much as she could about them, through books when he would not answer her questions himself. Yenera admired Blackwall's dedication to helping those that need it and had very mixed feelings when he came clean about what happened for him to be in the place that he was. Although they released Blackwall back into the Inquisitions custody and allowed him to continue being with them, they never truly or fully trusted him after that point and they lost touch after the Inquisition was disbanded.

**Vivienne -** Yenera was intimidated by Vivienne's confidence and presence since they met, and once it became clear they had different opinions on the Circle there was always a bit of tension between the two. This did not stop them working together closely though and while they did so Yenera tried their hardest to impress Vivienne any way they could. While not always successful, Vivienne did find herself feeling sympathetic and slightly pitiful towards him. While they became friends during their time together, their lives and personal aims led them away from one another and they rarely keep much contact.

**Lace Harding -** Both sharing an intense love for adventuring and exploring and knowing things, these two got along immensely. Seeing as Harding knew so much and Yenera had so many questions they spent a lot of time together when they could. However, since Harding was often out scouting, they did not get to see as much of each other as they would have liked to. Through the years they kept in contact and often went on trips around Thedas together in search of even more adventures.

**Josephine -** Not not really wanting to be around so many people so often and not sure what to do when around them, Yenera often went to Josephine for help with such things where Josephine helped them to have a lot of ways to get out of conversations. After meeting Josephine's sister at the Winter Palace and getting along really well with their shared love for teas, Yenera and Josephine also became closer friends, letting their guards down and often going to one another to wind down and talk about their stressors to someone with a sympathetic ear. They still keep in close contact and Yenera does not agree to go to many events unless he knows Josephine will be there.

**Leliana -** Yenera was immediately intrigued by Leliana as soon as they met, an intrigue that would increase equally when their questions were denied or answered. Although neither of them were particularly open about their pasts, they spent quite a bit of time working together learning about their enemy as well as many other things and became quite relaxed in each others company. They also both saw each others skills and knew the other was invaluable, giving them a lot of respect for one another. After the Inquisition disbanded they became closer as they were not working together and could become more akin to friends than co-workers.

**Cullen -** Originally very scared of Cullen, Yenera had a hard time learning to trust him knowing his history of being a Templar. However, during their time working together and seeing one another struggling with their personal battles they did have each other's back in supporting each other overcoming their demons. But, seeing as they had little in common after both leaving the Inquisition when it disbanded, they did not really keep in contact and drifted apart from one another.

### Pet(s)

**Dee (rabbit) -** Dee was a rabbit that Yenera came across on their journey to join the Dalish. Having just lost his sister and only being a child, some part of Yenera believed it was a reincarnation of their sister looking after them still. Whether this was true or not the rabbit did indeed help Yenera find the Dalish and even stayed by their side for many years after while they lived with the Dalish. While they didn't have many friends, Yenera always found comfort with Dee.

**Hymlaci (Pygmy Goat) -** After Cole saw how distaught Yenera was from their break up with Solas, Cole did everything he could to comfort Yenera. Having little success he decided to get her a companion, reminiscent of the one she has when she lost her sister and also reminiscent of the Halla that the Dalish kept with them. Although it didn't fully heal the heartbreak, Yenera did find some comfort in Hymlaci and was heart-warmed when Cole presented it to her with the words "Their name is Hymlaci! I chose it. I think it means 'to be at ease'.".

## Quotes

### Pre-Game

* "Mother, can you tell me another story about the dalish?"
* "Father, I'm scared to go there. I have to walk past the Templars."
* "Di'huni, please can you take me to play somewhere?"
* "But I don't want to leave! What about mother and father?"
* "Sister, I'm hurt!"
* "NO- WAIT!"
* "I don't know- I don't know what to do.."
* "This isn't fair, this is not fair!"
* "I've been seeing that bunny around for two days now, maybe I can help it…"
* "My name is Yenera, you may have known my mother I'm not sure. I am seeking refuge, is there any chance I can stay with you? My sister- I- Please?"

### Dragon Age Inquisition

* "I'll do whatever I can to help."
* "Cassandra does frighten me…but Cullen and Leliana frighten me more."
* "Cassandra, what are the seekers like?"
* "Leliana, what was the Hero of Fereldan like? How about the Champion of Kirkwall?"
* "Varric, what was the Champion of Kirkwall like?"
* "Iron Bull, what are the Qunari really like?"
* "Dorian, what is it like in Tevinter?"
* "Blackwall, what is being a Grey Warden like?"
* Cole! I have *so many* questions!"
* "Solas, could we speak? …I need some help with some things."
* "But…I can't lead all of these people. I don't even know where I want to go or what I want to do most of the time…"
* "The scar…it's from…my time with the Dalish. I can't remember exactly how I got it…anyway, lets speak of something else."
* "Sera, this is as strange for you as it is for me."
* "How did you and Hawke even wind up in a Grey Warden prison for ancient darkspawn?"
* "Cole is one of the most interesting people I have ever met, and he's not even a person-well..."
* "Dagna, what was the Hero of Fereldan like?"
* "I've been on my own for a long time too Solas…this is a nice change."
* "Solas…don't leave me. Not now. I love you."
* "The scar…It's really from my journey to the Dalish. Me and my sister left Ansburg once our parents got captured by the Templars. We met a giant spider on the way and it was a difficult fight. She was only sixteen…and I was ten. I wasn't much use in the fight at all, I knew a little magic, but not nearly enough. She said it was better for me to escape than for both of us to perish. So…I ran. I went with the dalish to find her body a week later. We gave her a proper funeral."
* "Josephine, you remind me of my father so much sometimes."
* "You aren't going to…hurt me are you? You are a templar, Cullen. It is a valid question."
* "Varric, thank you for spending time with me…and not asking me lots of inquisition-y questions. It means a lot."
* "Cole, do you think…?"
* "Do NOT talk to Cole like that! He is my friend, and he doesn't deserve your ignorance and hate."
* "Bull, do you ever feel like a complete outsider?"
* "Dorian, thanks for being here for me. I know you don't particularly like Solas that much, but you're here anyway. So thank you."
* "Shit! I got lost again. Cassandra…?"
* "I don't think Vivienne likes me that much…maybe not at all actually."
* "Blackwall…you lied to me…to all of us. You know you could have told us the truth, right? We would have helped you."
* "Hawke! You're...the Champion of Kirkwall!..I can't believe I'm meeting you right now. I've asked Varric *so* many questions about you."
* "Morrigan…I wish I knew more about you."
* "Dagna, how long do you have to spare? I have a lot of questions."
* "Lace Harding! It's always lovely to see you!"
* "I…may have gotten a goat. Well, Cole got me one actually. But you can't tell anyone, okay? I'm not really sure were allowed to keep pets inside Skyhold."

### Jaws Of Hakkon DLC

* "Harding! I can't wait to make some new discoveries with you!"
* "This is *the most* interesting and intriguing quest we've been on!"
* "Im...speechless."

### The Decent DLC

* "I'm feeling very…judged."
* "I've never really been in The Deep Roads before…I'm not sure I like it. I'm starting to feel claustrophobic."

### Tresspasser DLC

* "You'll make an excellent viscount!"
* "Im still not over what happened."
* "Divine uhm...Leliana? How is the Hero of Fereldan? …oh and your Nugs?"
* "The mark is…I thought it was fine."
* "I don't want to die!"
* "No matter what happens, it has been my honour to fight beside each of you."
* "Let me help you, Solas."
* "I cannot bear to think of you alone."
* "Solas, var lath vir suledin."
* "But you lied to me. I loved you. Do you really think I wouldn't have understood?"
* "I will never forget you."
* "Effective immediately, the Inquisition is disbanded."

## Trivia

* She falls alseep anywhere and everywhere.
* Varric calls them pickle.
* His fav constellation is eluvia.
* She makes jam and always keeps a jar to snack on with her.
* They made Solas a Love Spoon, and he returned the favour. This is the spoon they eat their jam with.
* Her mother has Mythal's Vallaslin.