153429 réponses à ce sujet

[Moondreamer01]

The reason I am asking is because I want to make an Elven Indiana Jones - An intelligent Rogue who likes history and is good at it. I suppose Varric comes the closest to that but I wanted to make an Elven Rogue that is intelligent.

 

I am bored with mages at the moment - Burned out from playing them too much but I still want to RP as an intelligent character.

Pretty much how I play my canon Lavellan. Niece of the keeper, but without magic herself. She's a hunter and a scout (and pretty well educated, having been raised by her aunt the keeper) and has spent years exploring ruins and taking notes. Even before the conclave, she's started to realize there was more of the elvhen and their pantheon than what dalish lore tells of them

[AlleluiaElizabeth]

Is it sensible to roleplay that Rogue Lavellan and Warrior Lavellan did receive some education from the Keeper or from their older peers ? It is sensible to assume that non-mage Lavellan know to converse fluently in Common, know the basics of Human history, know what the Dalish about Elves (even though many of it is wrong) ?

 

I ask this because I find it really hard that Deshanna would send away one of the Rogue or Warrior of her Clan off to a large conglomeration of Humans without preparing them for it. The only real clue we have on how Rogues and Warriors are treated by the Dalish Elves is in Dragon Age Origins. In Origins, Mahariel could read the books and Codex entries around the camp. Tamlen is also familiar with some Dalish lore. However, Mahariel was not as knowledgeable as Merrill was.

 

Thoughts ?

Well, we have the haren (spelling?) in DA:O and he seemed to teach clan history to everyone, among other things. I doubt the rogue/warriors have the magical theory training a mage gets. But clan/elven history, yes. Literacy (such as it is), also yes. And I still think the rogues/warriors have more practical experience with humans than a mage will. At least, since logically you don't WANT your clan's mages to be exposed to human groups and population centers cus templars. So if you interact with them at all, its ideally gonna be via hunters, and probably at a set distance.

 

And I'd think the entire clan is fluent in common. From what I understand, while the Dalish have recovered some of their language and have several phrases and words, its not enough to completely supplant common in their day-to-day lives, even among each other. I was honestly surprised Lavellan understands as much of what Solas says in "All New, Faded for Her" as she does. And yet she doesn't understand the Nightmare's taunts and Solas' responses in the Fade. But she *does* manage to completely reem him out in Trespasser if you choose the angry option. So... yeah, its unclear how much she knows or doesn't, how much her clan has recovered. Or even if she's learned additional elven since joining the Inquisition and having access to resources such as other clans and actual libraries and books.

 

If this is for roleplaying, I've come to assume that what my Lavellan doesn't know of history/politics/etc that doesn't have to do with her clan's interests, she learned via in her time with the Inquisition, represented by the knowledge perks I take. This is especially true for the arcane knowledge perk since my Lavellan is a DW rogue. 

 

No one in a Dalish clan is expendable.  They have fewer children every year, entire clans are always being wiped out, and probably each clan doesn't consist of a large number of people.  So, each of those people need to work to sustain the clan, regardless of their role.  So... no, a rogue or warrior is not less expendable than a mage.  In fact, if there are extra mages, the mage may be more expendable (bearing in mind that they're still not actually disposable personnel--if not this clan, another could use another mage), assuming we agree with what Vivienne tells us about our characters' own culture which our Lavellans likely know more about than Vivienne (and there wasn't ever that numerical restriction before, but whatever).

Minaeve's the source I trust on that more than Vivienne, though I don't honestly consider Vivienne completely unreliable. Just that her knowledge would be biased, likely informed mostly by Dalish extra mages that were dropped off like Minaeve. Which all just means that their clans did it, not that all do. *shrug*

 

The reason I am asking is because I want to make an Elven Indiana Jones - An intelligent Rogue who likes history and is good at it. I suppose Varric comes the closest to that but I wanted to make an Elven Rogue that is intelligent.

 

I am bored with mages at the moment - Burned out from playing them too much but I still want to RP as an intelligent character.

I don't know abotu education using outside sources being much of an option. Of course, since rogues likely come into contact with traders, its entirely possible they've been introduced to books from outside the clan describing cool stuff. And people's stories if they managed to strike up a rapport with people. So, that could have kindled an Indiana Jones-type interest. Also, rogues (dunno about other classes) have the option to tell Josephine that they used to spend weeks out in the forest on their own, scouting ahead of the clan. Your rogue could very well have come across ruins and such on these scouting missions and been Indiana Jones-ish then, too.

[NightSymphony]

Art

 

Cute Solas/Lavellan/Dread Wolf Pattern

http://v-ito.deviant...ememe-601756690

 

Solas and Lavellan in bed together (NSFW)

http://corn4corn.dev...y-god-601684613

 

Young Fen'Harel

http://besodecanela....iceuu-601653821

 

Solas

http://besodecanela....Solas-601652835

 

Sneaky Solas Sketch

http://besodecanela....Solas-601651160

[Uirebhiril]

^Pretty much. That flirt line in Haven for rogues actually made me blush and stare at my TV for awhile. Was not expecting that. First companion to make me blush since Alistair.

 

In all honesty, for all my years playing games, that rogue flirt was really the first time I ever blushed from something in a game. I stared too. Did not, at all, ever expect it.

 

Was pretty cool.

[AlleluiaElizabeth]

In all honesty, for all my years playing games, that rogue flirt was really the first time I ever blushed from something in a game. I stared too. Did not, at all, ever expect it.

 

Was pretty cool.

Declaring gracefulness FTW. (Though dominating will and liking muscles are cool, too, of course.)

 

Which reminds me. Anyone here have a female warrior Lavellan as their canon? Or just at all, really? Doesn't have to be a solasmance. I'm just curious. Thinking of rolling S&S at some point.

[Uirebhiril]

 

Minaeve's the source I trust on that more than Vivienne, though I don't honestly consider Vivienne completely unreliable. Just that her knowledge would be biased, likely informed mostly by Dalish extra mages that were dropped off like Minaeve. Which all just means that their clans did it, not that all do. *shrug*

 

 

I'm still holding firmly to the belief that even if some clans practice that, others do not, and after teaching the rare mage kids how to control their powers will tell them to STFU about it and go help feed the halla. If you aren't throwing fireballs around and are just doing your daily tasks, no one would be able to tell you from anyone else, I'd think. Because it's absolutely ridiculous to me that anyone will dispose of a valuable clan member just because of magic. Just... you know. Don't do magic. Make bows or aravel sails instead. I've never seen where a mage not actively casting spells suddenly blows up, so...

 

And while we're speaking of mages, they aren't necessarily smarter than a rogue or hunter would be. More educated in certain things, maybe, but once you're in the Inquisition with access to books and learning and educated people, there's no reason your Lavellan couldn't get up to speed unless you're RPing them as being a bit of a simpleton.

[AlleluiaElizabeth]

And while we're speaking of mages, they aren't necessarily smarter than a rogue or hunter would be. More educated in certain things, maybe, but once you're in the Inquisition with access to books and learning and educated people, there's no reason your Lavellan couldn't get up to speed unless you're RPing them as being a bit of a simpleton.

The education differences would definitely be a matter of practical experience/usefulness, I'd think.  A mage knows magical stuff a rogue wouldn't, a warrior knows tactics, while a rogue would know how to track. But they'd also all have a common basic education outside any specialized roles, as discussed before. They all learn the clan's stories, what is considered important history, the language (though some might have slightly more cause to use it in everyday activity if they study relics or something so they might retain more), maybe how to read and write, etc. 

[midnight tea]

The education differences would definitely be a matter of practical experience/usefulness, I'd think.  A mage knows magical stuff a rogue wouldn't, a warrior knows tactics, while a rogue would know how to track. But they'd also all have a common basic education outside any specialized roles, as discussed before. They all learn the clan's stories, what is considered important history, the language (though some might have slightly more cause to use it in everyday activity if they study relics or something so they might retain more), maybe how to read and write, etc. 

 

I think that largely depends on a clan. We do know that they're widely different - though the fact that Deshanna writes letters to Inky and her behavior during the Wycome crisis suggests that she's probably one of the more... hmmm... progressive? clan leaders and clan members under her care know advanced writing and probably history and maybe some diplomacy... though she also mentions that hunters do tend to get into squabbles with humans.

[Uirebhiril]

The education differences would definitely be a matter of practical experience/usefulness, I'd think.  A mage knows magical stuff a rogue wouldn't, a warrior knows tactics, while a rogue would know how to track. But they'd also all have a common basic education outside any specialized roles, as discussed before. They all learn the clan's stories, what is considered important history, the language (though some might have slightly more cause to use it in everyday activity if they study relics or something so they might retain more), maybe how to read and write, etc. 

 

Well, exactly. But that's not to say you can't have a mage that likes to hunt too, or did before they were chosen as First. Or a rogue that sat around and watched their big brother learn magic stuff and has some idea of what it's all about. And if they all get a basic martial education before being singled out for more specialized tasks, they would all know some basics in tactics, combat, and defense. There is nowhere, save for perhaps dusty old D&D books, that says your mage has to have marshmallow arms because they can do magic, or your warrior is supposed to drool and thump their head against walls. Likewise, rogues aren't always going to be good at picking locks (HI Zevran!) or pockets. One would hope they are at least stealthy and can track, but hey... RP as you will.

[Elessara]

Well, exactly. But that's not to say you can't have a mage that likes to hunt too, or did before they were chosen as First. Or a rogue that sat around and watched their big brother learn magic stuff and has some idea of what it's all about. And if they all get a basic martial education before being singled out for more specialized tasks, they would all know some basics in tactics, combat, and defense. There is nowhere, save for perhaps dusty old D&D books, that says your mage has to have marshmallow arms because they can do magic, or your warrior is supposed to drool and thump their head against walls. Likewise, rogues aren't always going to be good at picking locks (HI Zevran!) or pockets. One would hope they are at least stealthy and can track, but hey... RP as you will.

 

You have reminded me of one of my old D&D characters.  An elf ... a mage ... with 5 Strength.  She needed help to lift her own spellbook.  Sadly she was decapitated when the dwarf fighter in the party rolled a critical fumble when swinging his ax.  Good times!

[TheyCallMeBunny]

Declaring gracefulness FTW. (Though dominating will and liking muscles are cool, too, of course.)

 

Which reminds me. Anyone here have a female warrior Lavellan as their canon? Or just at all, really? Doesn't have to be a solasmance. I'm just curious. Thinking of rolling S&S at some point.

 

I have one, but she's not canon. She wants to help, but her personality is kinda blunt so her help isn't very subtle... She romanced Blackwall, managed to forgive him but became rather disillusioned after that and the whole affair with the Wardens, so when she meets Solas in Trespasser she will tell him to #"%!¤ off 

[Elessara]

Declaring gracefulness FTW. (Though dominating will and liking muscles are cool, too, of course.)

 

Which reminds me. Anyone here have a female warrior Lavellan as their canon? Or just at all, really? Doesn't have to be a solasmance. I'm just curious. Thinking of rolling S&S at some point.

 

I had a female warrior Lavellan (not as my canon).  But I really dislike melee in DAI so whilst I did finish the game with her, I ended up deleting her to make room for a bow using rogue.  She used a two-handed sword because seeing those skinny elf arms swing a giant sword around was hilarious.

[Cute Nug]

Declaring gracefulness FTW. (Though dominating will and liking muscles are cool, too, of course.)

 

Which reminds me. Anyone here have a female warrior Lavellan as their canon? Or just at all, really? Doesn't have to be a solasmance. I'm just curious. Thinking of rolling S&S at some point.

 

Went through main first with a human mage. Had a female mage play through with Trespasser. Considering a male elf warrior which might be my cannon. Close but not quite.

[AlleluiaElizabeth]

So I just heard this song for the first time:

 

 

Its beautiful and angsty and perfect for Solavellan, imo. Maybe actually from Solas' pov? Especially if "machines" in the lyrics int eh bridge is thought of as machinations.  Though could be either, I suppose. 

[Ghost Gal]

I'm still holding firmly to the belief that even if some clans practice that, others do not, and after teaching the rare mage kids how to control their powers will tell them to STFU about it and go help feed the halla. If you aren't throwing fireballs around and are just doing your daily tasks, no one would be able to tell you from anyone else, I'd think. Because it's absolutely ridiculous to me that anyone will dispose of a valuable clan member just because of magic. Just... you know. Don't do magic. Make bows or aravel sails instead. I've never seen where a mage not actively casting spells suddenly blows up, so...

 

I agree that it's ridiculous to dispose of valuable clan members just because of magic, but I don't think the magical training part is as easy as "a few years of training and then just don't do magic." Magic is supposed to be such a huge, pervasive part of mages that it takes years of training to learn to control their powers, and even then it takes a lot of willpower to keep their from magic unexpectedly cropping up in other ways. For example, societies without formalized magic training like the Chasind find that their magic finds other ways to manifest, like shapeshifting and whatnot. Vivienne herself mentions how magic is tied to emotions, and children and adolescents have difficulty controlling that; a child who throws a tantrum can accidentally execute their parent to death, or a child who has a nightmare can burn the house down in their sleep, etc. It takes years of mastery to learn to stop doing these things. (And even then can fail, as Dorian-romancing Bull can mention that Dorian once got so excited during sex that he accidentally set the curtains on fire.)

 

HOWEVER, I also don't think the reason DAI Dalish mages are said to get rid of extra mages is because of the supposed burden of having extra apprentices to train.

 

Even if the mage children could "just sit on their hands" (as Sera puts it), that still doesn't keep them from being targets of demons. According to DAI, the main reason the Dalish get rid of extra mages is to keep the likely hood of possession and abominations down (since they don't have Templars  ), but this is ridiculous too because:

 

a) One abomination can still wipe out a whole clan, so you're in danger whether you have one mage or ten. Might as well add that extra two or ten mages

 

b ) That specifically contradicts the lore of elves considering magic an integral part of their lost heritage, and the Dalish trying to reclaim their heritage.

 

c) That specifically contradicts DA2's lore that the Dalish view "spirits" more benevolently than the Chantry. While they're slightly more wary of all spirits than the Chantry (who teach that there are good spirits and evil demons), they're more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt and treat them with cautious trust, rather than assuming that all spirits are potential demons out to possess mages, and all mages are potential abominations. The Dalish supposedly accept these possibilities as risks to talking to spirits or having mages around, but then the Dalish acknowledge that all life has risks, so they don't let it completely rule how they deal with both.

 

So, yeah. I think the retcon is just ridiculous too, if for slightly different reasons.

 

And while we're speaking of mages, they aren't necessarily smarter than a rogue or hunter would be. More educated in certain things, maybe, but once you're in the Inquisition with access to books and learning and educated people, there's no reason your Lavellan couldn't get up to speed unless you're RPing them as being a bit of a simpleton.

 

I agree.

 

I don't think people here think it's about intelligence, though, so much as an emphasis their role within the Clan. The warriors and hunters are supposed to take care of the physical activities of the Clan like hunting, scouting, stripping the leather and meat from kills, making armor and weapons, etc. That's pretty time-consuming, so there's less time to sit down and study history and lore. The Keeper, First, and Second don't do as many physical jobs around Camp, so they have more time to focus on the studying aspect of it, etc. They're also supposed to be slightly more knowledgeable so if anyone in the Clan has a question or dispute about lore, the Keeper can answer the question and/or make the most educated guess. (Much like real-world religious leaders regarding questions or gaps in religious history and teachings.)

 

But yeah, I think trying to reduce both hunters and Keeper's Firsts to stereotypes--the "dumb hunter" who only knows how to kill animals but can't so much as read a book, verses the nerdy scholar who does nothing but sit at camp reading books all day--does both a disservice. The Dalish all learn and study their history (as we see in the Dalish Origin, where the hahren--storyteller--teaches all Dalish children their history), they all deal with outsiders, they all learn basic survival skills. It's just each has a slightly bigger emphasis than the other, depending on what their job is.

 

And, as others have said, it's more likely that the hunters and scouts are the first to discover and explore ruins, take notes, figure out which artifacts are most significant for study before they alert the Keeper, etc.

[midnight tea]

I agree that it's ridiculous to dispose of valuable clan members just because of magic, but I don't think the magical training part is as easy as "a few years of training and then just don't do magic." Magic is supposed to be such a huge, pervasive part of mages that it takes years of training to learn to control their powers, and even then it takes a lot of willpower to keep their from magic unexpectedly cropping up in other ways. For example, societies without formalized magic training like the Chasind find that their magic finds other ways to manifest, like shapeshifting and whatnot. Vivienne herself mentions how magic is tied to emotions, and children and adolescents have difficulty controlling that; a child who throws a tantrum can accidentally execute their parent to death, or a child who has a nightmare can burn the house down in their sleep, etc. It takes years of mastery to learn to stop doing these things. (And even then can fail, as Dorian-romancing Bull can mention that Dorian once got so excited during sex that he accidentally set the curtains on fire.)

 

HOWEVER, I also don't think the reason DAI Dalish mages are said to get rid of extra mages is because of the supposed burden of having extra apprentices to train.

 

Even if the mage children could "just sit on their hands" (as Sera puts it), that still doesn't keep them from being targets of demons. According to DAI, the main reason the Dalish get rid of extra mages is to keep the likely hood of possession and abominations down (since they don't have Templars  ), but this is ridiculous too because:

 

a) One abomination can still wipe out a whole clan, so you're in danger whether you have one mage or ten. Might as well add that extra two or ten mages

 

b ) That specifically contradicts the lore of elves considering magic an integral part of their lost heritage, and the Dalish trying to reclaim their heritage.

 

c) That specifically contradicts DA2's lore that the Dalish view "spirits" more benevolently than the Chantry. While they're slightly more wary of all spirits than the Chantry (who teach that there are good spirits and evil demons), they're more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt and treat them with cautious trust, rather than assuming that all spirits are potential demons out to possess mages, and all mages are potential abominations. The Dalish supposedly accept these possibilities as risks to talking to spirits or having mages around, but then the Dalish acknowledge that all life has risks, so they don't let it completely rule how they deal with both.

 

So, yeah. I think the retcon is just ridiculous too, if for slightly different reasons.

 

I don't remember where I've read it, but I did hear that Dalish clans (some of them at least) don't have more than 3 mages not because they don't have templars, but because they're afraid of them.

 

Dalish mages are generally considered apostates - we know this for a fact, because after we meet Solas for the first time, Cassandra tells us "Like you, Solas is an apostate". They're tolerated, because they're Dalish and mostly secluded, but that's about it.

 

...So you can imagine what would happen if a Dalish clan had accumulated considerable amount of mages - it would give a paranoid populace another reason to hate them, or perhaps send Templars after them... and they would probably not care whether they kill or imprison a poor, untrained Second or a Keeper of clan's traditions if they barged into the clan one day.

 

Which I think this might be one of reasons why Deshanna sends people she trusts or knows they're capable - if it so happened that some decisions were made on the Conclave that would make it that all mages (no matter who they are) are either put in strict circles or be immediately executed, it could mean a slaughter of Dalish clans, who probably wouldn't let shems get their revered leaders.

[Uirebhiril]

I agree that it's ridiculous to dispose of valuable clan members just because of magic, but I don't think the magical training part is as easy as "a few years of training and then just don't do magic." Magic is supposed to be such a huge, pervasive part of mages that it takes years of training to learn to control their powers, and even then it takes a lot of willpower to keep their from magic unexpectedly cropping up in other ways.

 

Eh, I agree it's probably not so easy as all that, but one would think that they have ways of dealing with it beyond "drop kid off in wild to starve to death." Or maybe more worrisome, become demon possessed. Because seriously? When would be a better time for a demon to make an attempt than when dealing with a scared and abandoned kid? If the clan wants to avoid issues with demon possession they'd just knife the extra brats and be done with it.

 

That aside, a mage kid may well get schooling over the years to control their powers, and might be closely watched while they're at it -- isn't that what the First in Origins said? She competed against other mage kids for her role? But it does still come down to each healthy and capable member of the clan probably getting the same basic education on how to just survive in their life, and then being delegated tasks that make sense for their skills and abilities. Deeper than that, people are individuals, and a mage that likes to carve wood or make skirts will probably go ahead and do that when not otherwise engaged with teaching the children or researching something found in ruins or whatever.

 

That's the long way of saying that just because someone plays a mage or rogue doesn't mean the characters aren't capable of knowledge or abilities beyond the narrow little box the game has you check at the CC screen. That's the base makeup of the character. It's then up to each person to figure out who they are and what they like and where they are going from that point on.

[Elessara]

I don't remember where I've read it, but I did hear that Dalish clans (some of them at least) don't have more than 3 mages not because they don't have templars, but because they're afraid of them.

 

Dalish mages are generally considered apostates - we know this for a fact, because after we meet Solas for the first time, Cassandra tells us "Like you, Solas is an apostate". They're tolerated, because they're Dalish and mostly secluded, but that's about it.

 

...So you can imagine what would happen if a Dalish clan had accumulated considerable amount of mages - it would give a paranoid populace another reason to hate them, or perhaps send Templars after them... and they would probably not care whether they kill or imprison a poor, untrained Second or a Keeper of clan's traditions if they barged into the clan one day.

 

Which I think this might be one of reasons why Deshanna sends people she trusts or knows they're capable - if it so happened that some decisions were made on the Conclave that would make it that all mages (no matter who they are) are either put in strict circles or be immediately executed, it could mean a slaughter of Dalish clans, who probably wouldn't let shems get their revered leaders.

 

I remember the same thing and I'm sure it was said somewhere in one of the games that the reason some clans boot out more than 3 mages is b/c they don't want the templars coming after the clan.  But I'd imagine each clan does what it does for different reasons.  Although I would be interested in knowing who said what.  As in, saying the Dalish kick out extra mages because they have no templars to protect them sounds like something an Andrastian or Chantry person might say.  Whereas saying the Dalish have to relinquish extra mages to keep the rest of the clan safe from humans sounds like something the Dalish themselves might say.

[Cute Nug]

So I just heard this song for the first time:

 

 

Its beautiful and angsty and perfect for Solavellan, imo. Maybe actually from Solas' pov? Especially if "machines" in the lyrics int eh bridge is thought of as machinations.  Though could be either, I suppose. 

 

Reminds me of Aretha Franklin's It Hurts Like Hell

 

https://youtu.be/g1x4I4wURWA

[CapricornSun]

Art break.

 

'Despite it's cuddly appearance, beneath those fluffy feathers is what we would call... a bird of prey.' Solavellan. (Wow!)

Spoiler

Source: http://oddmoy.tumblr...illy-meme-thing

 

 

Concept!Solas and Lavellan.

Spoiler

Source: http://celebrantsrap...wolfing-of-nira

 

 

Solas and Lavellan in a sad embrace.

Spoiler

Source: https://rosenrotxiii...st/142470555974

 

 

Modern AU Lavellan wants to take Solas' sparkly bed home.

Fanart based on the latest chapter of the modern AU Solavellan fic, Meet the Family.

Spoiler

Source: http://athousanddayy...racter-from-the

 

 

Modern AU Solas has great fashion sense.

Spoiler

Source: http://eaven129.tumb...ense-pass-it-on

 

 

A lovely doodle of Solas.

Spoiler

Source: http://knitbone.tumb...st/142263195472

 

 

Solas (with hair) and the orb.

Spoiler

Source: http://oddmoy.tumblr...-time-for-me-to

 

 

Doodles of Solas casting magic. (NSFW-ish because he's nude)

Spoiler

Source: http://ironvhenan.tu...st/140839701243

 

 

Fen'Harel asks for blood.

Spoiler

Source: http://ironvhenan.tu...st/141069473068

 

 

Solas in the forest.

Spoiler

Source: http://ironvhenan.tu...st/141083798123

 

 

Solas teaching the Adaar twins.

Spoiler

Source: http://cupcakelogic....the-adaar-twins

 

[Ghost Gal]

I don't remember where I've read it, but I did hear that Dalish clans (some of them at least) don't have more than 3 mages not because they don't have templars, but because they're afraid of them.

 

That's the problem, though. That goes against established lore.

 

The Chantry is afraid of mages, but the Dalish are supposed to embrace magic and see it as a positive that enriches the community rather than a negative that only endangers it. Sure, they're not stupid; they know magic has dangers and risks, but they don't live in fear of it the way the Chantry teaches Andrastians to.

 

Dalish mages are generally considered apostates - we know this for a fact, because after we meet Solas for the first time, Cassandra tells us "Like you, Solas is an apostate". They're tolerated, because they're Dalish and mostly secluded, but that's about it.

 

The Chantry considers Dalish mages apostates, but the Dalish have their own cultural views and practices. Sadly, a lot of it has been influenced by the Chantry since they've lost most of their own lore so they have to supplement with Tevinter's and the Chantry's teachings (plus Andrastianism is everywhere, so it's hard not to run into it), but by and large they don't give too much credence to it. As Solas answered Vivienne calling him an apostate, "That is correct. I did not train in one of your Circles." As Merrill kept back-sassing Anders, "You have your views of magic and spirits, and we have ours. You have your teachings, we have ours. Yours is not the only way."

 

...So you can imagine what would happen if a Dalish clan had accumulated considerable amount of mages - it would give a paranoid populace another reason to hate them, or perhaps send Templars after them... and they would probably not care whether they kill or imprison a poor, untrained Second or a Keeper of clan's traditions if they barged into the clan one day.

 

But the whole reason the Dalish are nomadic in the first place is to hide from humans, to be a "moving target." Most humans attack and drive them out when they settle too close to a human settlement already, and Templars already go after them, so most Clans already hide, move around, and either act extra friendly to give humans fewer reasons to attack them or retreat deeper into the woods. I don't think having several mages per clan would significantly change this over having three per clan.

 

Which I think this might be one of reasons why Deshanna sends people she trusts or knows they're capable - if it so happened that some decisions were made on the Conclave that would make it that all mages (no matter who they are) are either put in strict circles or be immediately executed, it could mean a slaughter of Dalish clans, who probably wouldn't let shems get their revered leaders.

 

This, I can agree with. How humans view and deal with mages does impact the Dalish since they have to share the world with the larger and stronger community of Andrastians.

 

However, I still personally don't buy any of the so-called "lore" reasons DAI said the Dalish kick extra mage children out to die, since it directly contradicts the lore established in previous games.

 

Eh, I agree it's probably not so easy as all that, but one would think that they have ways of dealing with it beyond "drop kid off in wild to starve to death." Or maybe more worrisome, become demon possessed. Because seriously? When would be a better time for a demon to make an attempt than when dealing with a scared and abandoned kid? If the clan wants to avoid issues with demon possession they'd just knife the extra brats and be done with it.

 

Oh no, I completely agree. I think leaving kids out to die because they have magic is so stupid even for the reasons they gave in-universe.

 

I was just being nit-picky by saying that I don't think "teach kids to hide their magic and then just don't use magic" sounds like a practical solution since the lore says most mages take years to learn to control it, and then a lot of willpower not to use it. But again, I was being nit-picky because that was really aside form my point:

 

My point is I don't think DAI Dalish supposedly leave kids out to die because having extra mage kids to train is an inconvenience to the Keepers. I think, based on what most characters say in the game, their supposed "reason" is to decrease the likelihood of mages becoming possessed and wiping out the Clan. Which I also think is stupid and doesn't make lore-sense because one abomination can wipe out a whole Clan as well as two or three, so you're at risk no matter what by having any mages, so might as well keep that extra two or ten. Also, the Dalish don't fear magic and spirits the way the Chantry does, so that makes no sense.

 

That's all I meant.

[coldwetn0se]

Declaring gracefulness FTW. (Though dominating will and liking muscles are cool, too, of course.)
 
Which reminds me. Anyone here have a female warrior Lavellan as their canon? Or just at all, really? Doesn't have to be a solasmance. I'm just curious. Thinking of rolling S&S at some point.

I don't really have "canon" play throughs, just PT's that I enjoyed more, or perhaps put a bit more thought into. If that makes sense. Regardless, I do have a S&S f!Lavellan. And yes, she is romancing Solas. She is also my oldest PC (placed at 40ish).
S&S has been more fun than I thought it would be (she went for Champion as spec). Maybe MP helped me like the warriors a bit more, for a change. (Though, I actually had quite a bit of fun with my 2hnders in DA2 ).

Ari Lavellan


(this is an older screenshot, before I started using mods. Her hairstyle and eyebrows are different now, but everything else is the same - complexion, tone, hair color, yada-yada)

[midnight tea]

That's the problem, though. That goes against established lore.

 

The Chantry is afraid of mages, but the Dalish are supposed to embrace magic and see it as a positive that enriches the community rather than a negative that only endangers it. Sure, they're not stupid; they know magic has dangers and risks, but they don't live in fear of it the way the Chantry teaches Andrastians to.

 

 

But... being afraid of Templars has little to do with embracing magic 

 

I think there might have been a misunderstanding.

 

The Chantry considers Dalish mages apostates, but the Dalish have their own cultural views and practices. Sadly, a lot of it has been influenced by the Chantry since they've lost most of their own lore so they have to supplement with Tevinter's and the Chantry's teachings (plus Andrastianism is everywhere, so it's hard not to run into it), but by and large they don't give too much credence to it. As Solas answered Vivienne calling him an apostate, "That is correct. I did not train in one of your Circles." As Merrill kept back-sassing Anders, "You have your views of magic and spirits, and we have ours. You have your teachings, we have ours. Yours is not the only way."

 

The fact that the Dalish have their own cultural views and practices is beside the point. The Witches of the Wild have their own cultural views and practices yet they are generally hunted by Templars.

 

The Dalish (and the Avvar) are generally left alone, but with recent hostility towards mages (we see and hear that any mage that uses their gifts even to help people are attacked by Templars, the example being a mage we can make an agent from) nobody could tell whether the hostility would spread and the tenative 'tolerance' of Dalish or Avvar apostates would be over.

 

But the whole reason the Dalish are nomadic in the first place is to hide from humans, to be a "moving target." Most humans attack and drive them out when they settle too close to a human settlement already, and Templars already go after them, so most Clans already hide, move around, and either act extra friendly to give humans fewer reasons to attack them or retreat deeper into the woods. I don't think having several mages per clan would significantly change this over having three per clan.

 

I think it would, considering how widespread the fear of mages is - just another reason to go after the Dalish even harder than they do now.

 

This, I can agree with. How humans view and deal with mages does impact the Dalish since they have to share the world with the larger and stronger community of Andrastians.

 

However, I still personally don't buy any of the so-called "lore" reasons DAI said the Dalish kick extra mage children out to die, since it directly contradicts the lore established in previous games.

 

We do know that the Dalish are not single people. We know Minaeve and Dalish from Bull's Chargers were chased away. We know that Lavellan and Sabrae exchange their mages in Arlathven and that basically each clan is different to a point that it's becoming hard to call the Dalish as one people. It's been established in the lore that they all have different practices.

 

Heck, I laughed out loud when I've read some time ago on wiki that "the intense quarreling that occurs in these conferences [Arlathven] leads many to suspect the Dalish prefer their tribal isolation due to irreconcilable differences." I mean, I wouldn't be surprised that this is exactly what happens

[Bayonet Hipshot]

Am I the only one who notice that the structure of Dalish society is very much reminiscent of the oppressive Ancient Elvhenan society ?

 

In Ancient Elvhenan, your place in society is determined by your magical abilities and magical prowess. In many ways, it is very similar to Tevinter Imperium.

 

We see this in Dalish Elves where only the mages are allowed to rule the Dalish clans and non-mages are relegated to other jobs. The fact that they shuffle mages amongst the Dalish to give mages to clans that have very little or no mages show that the Dalish, like their ancient counterparts, place a premium on mages over non-mages.

 

Does Solas view mages and non-mages differently ? I mean I don't think so, I have not seen any evidence of this, but he doesn't right. Even Flemythal doesn't seem to care about placing a premium on mages.

[Illyria]

Art break.

 

 

Concept!Solas and Lavellan.

Spoiler

Source: http://celebrantsrap...wolfing-of-nira

 

 

 

Whenever I see the words 'concept!Solas' I always hope for the fringe at the front, bald at the back haircut.