Dragon Age: Elven Gods, Explained
Table of Contents
BioWare’s Dragon Age franchise explores its elven gods deeply in Inquisition, but what is there to know about them?
You Are Reading :Dragon Age Elven Gods Explained
Dragon Age is a franchise with a number of unique races, each of which has a particular religion and/or spirituality. Dragon Age: Inquisition explored the elven religion deeper than ever before – previously, the Chantry (the human religion) and its Maker were at the center of most of the content.
Until Dragon Age: Inquisition, everything the fans knew about the elven gods came from Dalish folklore (and a few cryptic comments from Flemeth). In this article, we detail everything we knew from the Dalish stories and everything we learned as the Inquisitor about the elven gods and goddesses.
Updated August 16, 2021 by Gabrielle Huston: The world of Dragon Age is so immense that it can’t be contained by three games — there are DLCs, novels, comics, web series, and more that expand upon all of your favourite characters, countries, and wars. With all that information, though, it’s easy to get a little lost. Do you need a refresher course on who exactly all those old Elven guys were? Never fear! This guide gives you a rundown of all the essential information so that you won’t be in the dark for Dragon Age 4.
The Dalish Stories Of The Evanuris
The elven pantheon is called the Evanuris in the Dalish tongue; they may also be referred to as “the Creators.” There are four goddesses and four gods who make up the pantheon, plus Fen’Harel (a trickster god) who is sometimes considered an Evanuris and sometimes is not.
All members of the pantheon:
- Elgar’nan: God of Vengeance
- Mythal: The All-Mother, The Protector, Goddess of Love and Justice
- Falon’Din: The Guide, Friend of the Dead, God of Death and Fortune
- Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets, God of Knowledge
- Andruil: The Great Hunter, Goddess of the Hunt
- Sylaise: The Heartkeeper, Goddess of Domestic Arts
- June: Master of Crafts, God of the Craft
- Ghilan’nain: Mother of the Halla, Goddess of Navigation
- Fen’Harel: The Dread Wolf, Lord of Tricksters, He Who Hunts Alone, God of Betrayal
One Big Happy Family
Most Evanuris are said to be related to one another.
Elgar’nan and Mythal are married and lead the pantheon together. The world existed before their birth — Elgar’nan was born from the sun and the earth, while Mythal was born from the sea.
Their eldest children are the twin boys Dirthamen and Falon’Din.
Andruil and Sylaise are sisters: while some Dalish tales claim they are also Mythal and Elgar’nan’s children, others attribute their parentage to the earth.
June’s creation is likewise unclear. One interpretation claims he is Andruil and Sylaise’s brother (a child of Elgar’nan and Mythal). Another says he is Sylaise’s husband. A final story even claims he created himself (being the master of crafts).
One of the only Evanuris to not be related to the others, Ghilan’nain supposedly began life as one of “the People” (an elf) and Andruil’s chosen. She was turned into the first halla (a large, white, deer-like creature beloved by the Dalish) by Andruil, subsequently being raised to the rank of a goddess.
Fen’Harel’s origins are never specified but he is never noted to be related to the rest of the gods.
To learn more about each individual god and their stories, check out our article on the subject.
The Truth About The Evanuris
It’s revealed during the campaign of Dragon Age: Inquisition that the so-called elven gods and goddesses were not actually divine beings. They were actually just incredibly powerful Elven mages who rose to power because they were generals during a war, became famous and wealthy heroes after it was over, and then eventually were corrupted by their power and influence. Their actions and behaviours are likened to the arrogant and unrestrained Tevinter Magisters of the modern day.
What We Know About The Forgotten Ones
The Forgotten Ones, according to Dalish legend, were a group of beings that existed alongside the elven pantheon, kind of as the antithesis to the Evanuris. They are demonic creatures who cause problems in the world, representing the worst parts of life, like disease, malevolence, terror, spite, and more (whereas the Evanuris represent the best).
Fen’Harel is included in the list of the Evanuris and in the list of known Forgotten Ones since it is said that he could walk between both groups and be greeted as a friend by both. The Evanuris thought he was tricking the Forgotten Ones, and the Forgotten Ones thought he was tricking the Evanuris.
Though recent history has illuminated a lot of things that the Dalish didn’t know about their ancestors, the identity of the Forgotten Ones is still unclear.
Why The Dalish Wear Vallaslin
Vallaslin is a type of unique facial tattoo worn by every single adult Dalish, male or female. They are given to a Dalish elf when they come of age (there is no particular age, it is just whenever the elf shows themselves to be fully matured, often around the age of 16 to 18).
Each Vallaslin design represents a particular Evanuris that the young elf wants to guide them in their life and feels particularly close to. Those few who worship the Forgotten Ones also have Vallaslin to mark their faith but they are strikingly crimson-coloured.
The Uncomfortable Historic Roots Of The Vallaslin
If the player romances Solas during the course of Dragon Age: Inquisition, he reveals that the Vallaslin are not meant to honor the Evanuris; they are slave markings, like a brand. Having the Vallaslin that represents a particular god indicates that you are a slave who is owned by that deity. This can be passively confirmed when visiting the Well of Sorrows: the elves there are all wearing the Mythal Vallaslin design.
The Evanuris began using Vallaslin markings during their days of corruption as a way to hold on to power — only Fen’Harel and Mythal did not do so (though Mythal seems to have done it on a small scale, given the elves at the Well of Sorrows) and challenged the others’ cruel actions.
Why The Dalish Believe Their Gods Disappeared
The Dalish have not heard from their gods in generations — certainly not since they were cast out of their homelands by humans. The Dalish explain this by telling a story of how the Dread Wolf (Fen’Harel) locked them away.
Supposedly, Fen’Harel used his affinity with the Forgotten Ones and the Evanuris to trick both groups. He locked the Forgotten Ones away into the abyss and the Evanuris away into the heavens (a place thought to be beyond the veil in the Fade). Now, he is the only one to roam the physical realm and Dalish elves must stay wary of the tricks he will play.
What Really Happened To The Elven Gods
The new information provided in Dragon Age: Inquisition about how and why the Veil was created has nothing to do with a group called the Forgotten Ones (or any analogous group).
Fen’Harel and Mythal were the only ones to stand up against the other Evanuris. The Evanuris perceived Mythal as a particularly strong threat against their power and plotted to kill her. Mythal’s death is what prompted Fen’Harel to betray the so-called gods. Until this was revealed, it was thought that Mythal had been trapped along with all the others.
Seeing no other option, Fen’Harel created the Veil and banished them into the Fade (occasionally also called the Beyond). The Veil is something that players have been aware of since the very first game and is an intrinsic part of Thedas: it is a wall or barrier of sorts that separates the physical world from the spirit world (the Fade). Mages are individuals who are able to tap into the Fade, which allows them to use magic.
After he did this, Fen’Harel regretted it. The Veil caused elves to lose their magic (before the Veil, all elves were capable of magic) and also caused them to start aging (before the Veil, all elves were immortal — it was thought that contact with humans, who are mortals, was what caused elves to begin aging). It also meant that the Elven society was weak enough for Arlathan to fall and for humanity to conquer them. Fen’Harel justified his actions only by insisting that every other option would have been worse. He claims that, if he hadn’t done it, the Evanuris would have destroyed the world.
The average elves, who didn’t understand the situation, viewed his actions as a betrayal, thus coming over the generations to view him as an evil god. The elves at the Well of Sorrows claim he was once seen as not an evil or trickster god but as the god of rebellion.
How The Events Of Dragon Age: Inquisition and Dragon Age: Trespasser Are Involved
Fen’Harel went into a long slumber after the Evanuris fell. When he awoke, he began to wander the world. When he saw what had become of the elves, he decided that the Veil needed to come down. At some point, he took on the name “Solas.”
Solas came to obtain an ancient Elven artifact known as the Orb of Destruction. Unable to unlock its power on his own because he was weak from his long sleep, he gave it to Corypheus, hoping Corypheus would unlock it for him.
Of course, Corypheus went out of control, leading to the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition. In the end credits scene, Solas agrees he should be punished for his actions but asks to be spared so that he can help the People, first.
Solas’ Plans For The Veil And Its Ramifications
In the Dragon Age: Inquisition DLC, Trespasser, Solas reveals that he intends to tear down the Veil. It is heavily implied that, if this were to happen, the Evanuris would be set free. However, Solas feels that the People lost too much to the Veil and that it must be done. This implies, however, that tearing down the Veil would renew elves to their former state: all elves would be immortal mages.
Link Source : https://www.thegamer.com/dragon-age-elven-gods-explained/