Yes, it does. We have a team of criminals. Velanna is no better or worse than any one them and deserves to be treated like the rest - which depends on how you treat others too
Well, I would argue that Velanna actually is worse than most of them. Not that I necessarily reflect that in my treatment of her, but not all crime is equal, as you seem to think.
Her crime is rather neutral. Sten murdered a family which saved his life. Zevran murdered hundreds of people and enjoyed it. For old Lelianna the deaths were a fun Game. Morrigan genuinely enjoyed seeing other people suffer. Shale as well.Well, I would argue that Velanna actually is worse than most of them. Not that I necessarily reflect that in my treatment of her, but not all crime is equal, as you seem to think.
Claiming that not a single one of them had any reason to do what they did except for Velanna is something I just can't agree with.
I can't even argue; you're far too biased.
It is and will be until humans start treating elves with respect. Which won't happen in this age for sure
It really isn't. Victim blaming is when you hold someone wholly or partially responsible for a crime or injustice that has been inflicted upon them.
Saying Velanna is hateful and racist is an attack on her character (albeit a valid one.) Nobody is saying that it's her fault that people treat elves as less than human. Just that her attitude (not to mention her actions) isn't exactly helping going forward.
By your logic, if I called one of my black friends out for being racist (not that it's ever happened) I would be victim blaming.
Velanna lost her friends and sister. That justifies her rage completelly.
Her rage is justified. Her actions, however, are certainly not. Within the context of her situation, that would pretty much be the same as me going around killing everyone of a certain ethnic group because my relative's alleged kidnapper is suspected to be the same. I can understand bouts with irrational behavior when it comes to the welfare of a family member, but once the action is ongoing, it's no longer a heat-of-the-moment affair, and it becomes premeditated. She's just systematically killing humans that go through the Wending Wood with no regard for who or what they might be doing. That the humans typically don't give elves as much respect as they'd like or worse doesn't really excuse that.
Their reasons were much less justified than hers. More professional and less justice or revenge based. As MKirby said, e.g. Sten's crime is supposed to be unforgivable. It is supposed to be a hard choiceClaiming that not a single one of them had any reason to do what they did except for Velanna is something I just can't agree with.
I can't even argue; you're far too biased.
Considering that humans were the only logical suspects and she likely killed all bandits nearby, poor girl really could do nothing else but to think of terrible things that happened to her comrades and sisterHer rage is justified. Her actions, however, are certainly not. Within the context of her situation, that would pretty much be the same as me going around killing everyone of a certain ethnic group because my relative's alleged kidnapper is suspected to be the same. I can understand bouts with irrational behavior when it comes to the welfare of a family member, but once the action is ongoing, it's no longer a heat-of-the-moment affair, and it becomes premeditated. She's just systematically killing humans that go through the Wending Wood with no regard for who or what they might be doing. That the humans typically don't give elves as much respect as they'd like or worse doesn't really excuse that.
If you did it in age prior to liberation of slavery it would beIt really isn't. Victim blaming is when you hold someone wholly or partially responsible for a crime or injustice that has been inflicted upon them.
Saying Velanna is hateful and racist is an attack on her character (albeit a valid one.) Nobody is saying that she has it's her fault that people treat elves as less than human. Just that her attitude (not to mention her actions) isn't exactly helping going forward.
By your logic, if I called one of my black friends out for being racist (not that it's ever happened) I would be victim blaming.
If you did it in age prior to liberation of slavery it would be
Nowadays generally western government and culture fights racism. But Thedas is a mefieval world. Racism and slavery are commonly accepted and supported concepts even in Fereldan
So your argument boils down to two wrongs make a right?
Losing control is something that happens at the spur of the moment, but not something that's sustained for days or weeks on end unless you're a psychopath. Anyone with the wherewithal to stop and think for a moment would probably figure out at some point that mindlessly killing every traveler that comes through the woods is not going to bring anyone back. I mean, why would some random caravan have anything to do with some missing elf. Why would the guilty parties return to that neck of the woods? It simply results in a body count likely comprised of people innocent of the supposed kidnapping.
Technically everybody she killed was innocent of the supposed kidnapping.
My argument is that blaming elves for distrust and hatred towards human is unfair. Yes, it doesn't mean they should go slaughtering. But I see not a single reason why they should trust humans. Last two times they did their kingdoms got genocidedSo your argument boils down to two wrongs make a right?
Technically everybody she killed was innocent of the supposed kidnapping.
Well, I only use the word likely because there's always the possibility, however remote, that she actually was kidnapped, and the doofus that did it came back just to mess about in the woods. 
I guess for some people it may be hard to believe, but people often suffer longterm shock rage and desperation after such traumas. Some never healLosing control is something that happens at the spur of the moment, but not something that's sustained for days or weeks on end unless you're a psychopath. Anyone with the wherewithal to stop and think for a moment would probably figure out at some point that mindlessly killing every traveler that comes through the woods is not going to bring anyone back. I mean, why would some random caravan have anything to do with some missing elf. Why would the guilty parties return to that neck of the woods? It simply results in a body count likely comprised of people innocent of the supposed kidnapping.
Or it could the darkspawns. You know, who suddenly became sentient and even the wardens didn't know about it. Sure some dalish elf is much more likely to know more about them than silly wardensWell, I only use the word likely because there's always the possibility, however remote, that she actually was kidnapped, and the doofus that did it came back just to mess about in the woods.
Valenna knows nothing about sentient darkspawn, and expresses incredulity if you mention that they set a trap to set the two factions against one another.
Can't read sarcasm, huh? I've read more than enough arguments that she could guess it was the darkspawns workValenna knows nothing about sentient darkspawn, and expresses incredulity if you mention it at the camp.
My argument is that blaming elves for distrust and hatred towards human is unfair. Yes, it doesn't mean they should go slaughtering. But I see not a single reason why they should trust humans. Last two times they did their kingdoms got genocided
Yeah. They're biased. But for a good reason
I don't understand, there's no blame involved. Elves are hateful and mistrusful towards humans. Just because it goes both ways doesn't absolve either group of their behavior.
Resorting to the childish "Well, they threw the first stone" as the Dalish regularly do isn't going to help anybody.
Nobody is saying that the elves should trust humans, but you were arguing with people saying Velanna was in the wrong for going on a murder spree, and calling them victim blamers. That wasn't the case at all.
I guess for some people it may be hard to believe, but people often suffer longterm shock rage and desperation after such traumas. Some never heal
That doesn't really matter. However enraged or shocked or traumatized one may be, unless that person simply lacks the faculties for rational thought, there's simply no excuse for killing random people for days on end based solely on an assumption.
Let's look at this in the reverse. If elven bandits killed a traveler just passing through, and that traveler's loved one learned of the elves' murderous crime, would he be right to go into the woods and simply kill every elf he sees? Hell, in my rage, that very same thought would cross my mind, but since I'm not a crazy person, it would occur to me that doing so would just mean I'm murdering people with no hope of really bringing the guilty party to justice, and I would be just as guilty as the ones that wronged me.
The whole Theda's is racist against elves. I'm pretty sure Velanna has every right and reason to hate humans
Can't read sarcasm, huh? I've read more than enough arguments that she could guess it was the darkspawns work
She couldn't.
And she couldn't guess who was or wasn't responsible
Then perhaps she shouldn't have started systematically murdering whole groups of people?
But generally elves are victims. Humans are conquerers. Humans are much more responsible and deserve much more judgementI don't understand, there's no blame involved. Elves are hateful and mistrusful towards humans. Just because it goes both ways doesn't absolve either group of their behavior.
Resorting to the childish "Well, they threw the first stone" as the Dalish regularly do isn't going to help anybody.
Nobody is saying that the elves should trust humans, but you were arguing with people saying Velanna was in the wrong for going on a murder spree, and calling them victim blamers. That wasn't the case at all.
It may nor justify completely but it explains a lotThat doesn't really matter. However enraged or shocked or traumatized one may be, unless that person simply lacks the faculties for rational thought, there's simply no excuse for killing random people for days on end based solely on an assumption.
Let's look at this in the reverse. If elven bandits killed a traveler just passing through, and that traveler's loved one learned of the elves' murderous crime, would he be right to go into the woods and simply kill every elf he sees? Hell, in my rage, that very same thought would cross my mind, but since I'm not a crazy person, it would occur to me that doing so would just mean I'm murdering people with no hope of really bringing the guilty party to justice, and I would be just as guilty as the ones that wronged me.
It doesn't really matter if the elves were victims of the humans. In Velanna's case, she only assumed to be a victim of human treachery. That humans are the most likely culprits in her eyes really doesn't change that.
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