21 réponses à ce sujet

[LobselVith8]

According to Keeper Gishrael's entry about Vir Atish'an, The Way of Peace, it's a seldom sought path among the Dalish elves, many of whom apparently prefer Vir Tanadhal, The Way of Three Trees.

 

Keeper Gisharel wrote about the Way of Peace: "There is never a shortage of hunters. The Vir Tanadhal, The Way of Three Trees, has lured many to Andruil's side. The Vir Atish'an, The Way of Peace, is a harder path to tread, and few are called to hear Sylaise's wisdom. Those who hear that call learn the arts of the healer and the mender."

 

The Way of Peace is a path of Sylaise, the Hearthkeeper, a Creator who the People believe to be responsible for teaching early elves how to harness and wield fire, how to weave rope and thread, and how to utilize herbs and magic for healing purposes. Given how most elves are said to prefer the Way of Three Trees, a path forged by Sylaise's sister Andruil, Goddess of the Hunter, it seemed like the Way of Peace might be a difficult for some of the Dalish to tread if it was a philosophy of pacifism, an almost opposing ideology to the hunter mentality depicted in the Way of Three Trees.

 

I was wondering if anyone thought differently about this, or if there were any opinions or views about Vir Atish'an that I might have missed.

[Hanako Ikezawa]

The two different paths always reminded me about Water Bending from Avatar in a sense. In the series, it was the only style of bending that could be used two ways. One way was like the other bending styles was for combat, while the rarer one was a style used for healing. 

[caradoc2000]

I don't think it is pacifism in the sense of forbidding the use of violence. To me it follows the philosophy of "if you have to resort to violence, you have already failed". Of course, with our limited knowledge of DA lore, this is merely my impression.

[Master Warder Z_]

I don't think it is pacifism in the sense of forbidding the use of violence. To me it follows the philosophy of "if you have to resort to violence, you have already failed". Of course, with our limited knowledge of DA lore, this is merely my impression.

 

About my impression of it as well.

[Daerog]

Doesn't sound like it has to be pacifism.

 

It just sounds like it has to do with being more patient and studious, as Sylaise supposedly stuck around at home and studied while Andruil went out and played/hunted.

 

With the nomadic lifestyle the Dalish are having, it seems like Andruil's path is easier to follow because one trying to follow Sylaise would be constantly interrupted.

 

With their society focusing on movement, outside danger, and survival, Andruil seems to be the natural choice. Although, the Dalish will need those who follow Sylaise to actually form some stability.

 

At least this is what comes to mind reading the post and some pages from the wikia.

[Jedi Master of Orion]

I don't think it is. The way I read the codex entries about either the Way of Peace or the Way of the Three Trees make it sound to me like they aren't about philosophy at all, just professions.

 

The description in both World of Thedas and Dragon Age Origins sounds like it only applies to hunting, not life in general. Andruil is specifically the goddess of the hunt, who was said to watch over animals and nature.

 

Vir Atish'an is a path that leads to learning healing and so forth and the codex says that it's basically an alternative to hunting, but I don't think the implication was that they were both philosophies that applied to all walks of life that all Dalish have to choose between. Other elves have other jobs and other roles.

[Master Warder Z_]

Other elves have other jobs.

 

Is there a path of a smith and a woodcutter?

[Jedi Master of Orion]

Well, there isn't any codex entries about any other paths, but the clans do have things other than hunters and healers: Keepers, storytellers, craftworkers, halla tenders, etc.

 

June is the Elven God of craft, so people like Varathorn and Ilen don't sound like they'd have to have been professional followers of paths associated with other gods.

[Master Warder Z_]

Well, there isn't any codex entries about any other paths, but the clans do have things other than hunters and healers: Keepers, storytellers, craftworkers, halla tenders, etc.

 

Dalish crafting is second to none i assure you!

[Daerog]

The Keepers and firsts follow the path of magic, which doesn't follow the Vir Tanadhal or the Vir Atish'an. So, one assumes there are other paths.

 

Edit: Well, never said it was a path, just that they are taught magic and probably history, so likely don't follow Vir Tanadhal... or whatever, I don't pay close attention to the Dalish... or dwarves...

[caradoc2000]

One can also see parallels with the qunari philosophy with its "career paths".

[Gervaise]

It is harder to follow because of the nature of their nomadic existence and the fact that hunters are likely to be seen as more valued by the tribe in the eyes of young Dalish.   .   It may also be that many Dalish look to the lessons of history.   Apparently the Way of Peace was the approach initially taken by the elves of Arlathan when confronted by the growth in humans and look how that turned out.    It seems to me though that the Way of Peace is followed by the Keepers since they would appear responsible for healing and teaching in the tribe.     And since craft workers also mend and make, there is surely a cross over there.   So may be it is not a case of career paths so much as an outlook on life.  The Way of Three Trees is a path of dramatic action whereas the Way of Peace is more subtle and contemplative.

[Dean_the_Young]

There's not enough in the established lore to support it being about pacifism, so I'd say no for the time being. Being pro-peace isn't about disavowing the use of force under all circumstances, and it would be no more reasonable to expect it to be so radical as expecting any other religion or philosophy to be dominated by radicals.

[Mistic]

It is harder to follow because of the nature of their nomadic existence and the fact that hunters are likely to be seen as more valued by the tribe in the eyes of young Dalish.   .   It may also be that many Dalish look to the lessons of history.   Apparently the Way of Peace was the approach initially taken by the elves of Arlathan when confronted by the growth in humans and look how that turned out.    It seems to me though that the Way of Peace is followed by the Keepers since they would appear responsible for healing and teaching in the tribe.     And since craft workers also mend and make, there is surely a cross over there.   So may be it is not a case of career paths so much as an outlook on life.  The Way of Three Trees is a path of dramatic action whereas the Way of Peace is more subtle and contemplative.

 

I'm of the same opinion. I don't think the ways are limited exclusively to job options. For example, the Way of the Bow (one of the three paths in the Vir Tanadhal) doesn't sound very practical in any of its wording, but it does sound philosophical ("in yielding find resilience; in pliancy find strength").

 

But we don't really know much about this. For all we know, asking a Dalish what's their path is like asking a person today if they are followers of Socrates or the sophists.

 

But talking about "ways", it reminds me of Taoism and the importance it gives to follow a "way" or "path" (tao). The Vir Atish'an would be then similar to the wu-wei, the "inaction", "action without effort" or "action without intent". It doesn't mean not acting at all (or total pacifism), but taking natural actions, flowing like water and not disrupting harmony.

 

One can also see parallels with the qunari philosophy with its "career paths".

 

With the difference that the Dalish expect you to hear your call, not impose the call on you.

[Reznore57]

It sounds to me like some kind of tribe culturesuch as the Hunters/Killers and Gatherers/Nurturers.

I remember Merrill said she didn't follow the Hunter thing , and she was isolated because of this.

It's possible all young elves are taught the Vir Tanadhal , except for some exception such as mages.

It's a bit hard to speculate , because we do not know if there's some other path.

The Dalish have crafters , storytellers ,keepers etc...maybe the Way of the Peace is something taught later in life?

 

But I'd say (like some above) it doesn't have to mean being 100% pacifist.

Probably just being more diplomatic , more empathy etc...

[themageguy]

Hopefully this will be expanded upon in the game or in the next novel the masked empire. In the latter I really hope to see a keeper Mage use primal powers like stonefist and natures vengeance....

[Jedi Master of Orion]

The Way of the Arrow and the Way of the Bow can kind of be interpreted as being philosophical but the way of the Wood is pretty clearly talking about nature and respecting the ecosystem. WoT also says the Ways of the Hunter "instruct the elves on the proper means to respect and use nature gifts."

 

Since the Way of Peace is supposed to be about some alternative to the Way of the Three Trees, I don't think it's a supposed to be a general philosophy on life that the Dalish can have.

[wcholcombe]

I have never liked the name way of peace. It seems weird compared to the name Way of Trees.  I could actually see Way of Trees being a name for pacifism. Trees bend and blow and go with the wind as it were.

 

I don't actually know if it is pacifiist.  I don't think it could be. I am thinking it is more referring to inner peace. Acting out intelligently and not out of anger or emotion but calm and deliberation.

[Jedi Master of Orion]

Technically it's "The Way of the Three Trees," where the "trees" are metaphors for three principles associated with hunting.

 

(I can't remember any of the elven names offhand. Whenever I type them out it's usually because I have WoT of a codex handy)

[Mistic]

The Way of the Arrow and the Way of the Bow can kind of be interpreted as being philosophical but the way of the Wood is pretty clearly talking about nature and respecting the ecosystem. WoT also says the Ways of the Hunter "instruct the elves on the proper means to respect and use nature gifts."

 

Since the Way of Peace is supposed to be about some alternative to the Way of the Three Trees, I don't think it's a supposed to be a general philosophy on life that the Dalish can have.

 

Well, after reading the preview of The Masked Empire...

Spoiler

the Keeper mentions the Way of the Three Trees as a basis to decide what to do to their prisoner, Empress Celene. And none of the three options sounded as hunting advice, so there's at least some philosophical element in them that the Dalish themselves notice.

 

Also, if a Keeper can follow the Way of Three Trees, maybe hunters can follow the Vir Atish'an. But this is just wild speculation.

[Jedi Master of Orion]

Well, I guess I can't really talk about this now. Given that I'm trying to avoid spoilers for the book.

[Mistic]

Well, I guess I can't really talk about this now. Given that I'm trying to avoid spoilers for the book.

 

Fair enough. Despite my enthusiasm, I would advise the same. Better to wait for the book to be released and then we'll have complete information, not these confusing bits.