That's definitely a new design - or at least a redesign. Perhaps Mythal, going by the fan interpretation (the design looks like a tree)I like this one better
Spoiler
Merrill's DA2 Vallaslin is also unique, even though it takes some sort of guidance from her old Origins Vallaslin (which represents Falon'Din).
I think that was more of a redesign.
That's definitely a new design - or at least a redesign. Perhaps Mythal, going by the fan interpretation (the design looks like a tree)
My Dalish rogue archer is going to be aggressively pro-Dalish so I'm contemplating Elgar'nan's design for her. Hopefully you're not considered less in Dalish culture if you don't have the full face version of the vallaslin... I don't want to cover her entire face with it!
Probably not ingame but I might headcanon that there's belief among young hunters that the more vallaslin you get the tougher your considered to be. They grow up and realise that's ridiculous but as kids some believe it. You get that tiny bit of vallaslin around the eye and your peers scorn you behind your back and ask when your getting the rest of it to your face.
My Dalish rogue archer is going to be aggressively pro-Dalish so I'm contemplating Elgar'nan's design for her. Hopefully you're not considered less in Dalish culture if you don't have the full face version of the vallaslin... I don't want to cover her entire face with it!
lol I agree. Elgar'nan's vallaslin is a bit excessive... the one covering just the forehead is as far as I'd be willing to go. 
They should have been just an option like Origins, instead of having to have them. 
They should have been just an option like Origins, instead of having to have them.
Perhaps, but there are many solid reasons for them to be mandatory. This helps distinguish the Dalish from other elves and cements our characters in the culture of their background. Whatever they may decide to do after leaving the clan, they reached adulthood as Dalish elves. There is always the option of just picking the absolute smallest one and making it so light that you can barely see it... This could even serve an in-game purpose as a way to openly defy Dalish custom while still being able to legitimately claim adulthood (and be trusted with this mission in the first place). So although it is mandatory, there is still a lot of room to create a character that suits each player's desires (to an extent, obviously...).
Perhaps, but there are many solid reasons for them to be mandatory. This helps distinguish the Dalish from other elves and cements our characters in the culture of their background. Whatever they may decide to do after leaving the clan, they reached adulthood as Dalish elves. There is always the option of just picking the absolute smallest one and making it so light that you can barely see it... This could even serve an in-game purpose as a way to openly defy Dalish custom while still being able to legitimately claim adulthood (and be trusted with this mission in the first place).
Exactly, that's the problem. I don't want to be Dalish, so having it cement our character in the culture of their background is bad. And no matter how light you make it, it will be visible. If it would be so light to be invisible, then they would have just put a tattooless option.
Exactly, that's the problem. I don't want to be Dalish, so having it cement our character in the culture of their background is bad. And no matter how light you make it, it will be visible. If it would be so light to be invisible, then they would have just put a tattooless option.
If you don't want to be Dalish, then don't be Dalish. You have 4 other options (counting human warriors/rogues as separate from mages).
I'm sorry if you wanted to be a city elf, but that's not an option in this game. I want to play an archer mage, I can't do this, I am dissapointed, but I'm not going to complain that I can't just ignore everything else and use a magical longbow. Playing a city elf was great fun, I hope to do so again, but I can't this time, so rather than complain I'll accept that this game is not built for the holodeck and adapt and overcome.
Exactly, that's the problem. I don't want to be Dalish, so having it cement our character in the culture of their background is bad. And no matter how light you make it, it will be visible. If it would be so light to be invisible, then they would have just put a tattooless option.
If you are unwilling to work within the boundaries of the background, then not playing as an elf is probably the only option... I can sympathize, since I too would have preferred a city elf background, but this is what we have to work with. Even with these restrictions, we are still able to roleplay a wide number of personalities... refusing the vallaslin outright would mark you as a child and therefore unfit for consideration when the Keeper needs someone to undertake an important mission.
If you are unwilling to work within the boundaries of the background, then not playing as an elf is probably the only option... I can sympathize, since I too would have preferred a city elf background, but this is what we have to work with. Even with these restrictions, we are still able to roleplay a wide number of personalities... refusing the vallaslin outright would mark you as a child and therefore unfit for consideration when Keeper needs someone to undertake an important mission.
It doesn't even have to be City Elf. It could have been a rebellious Dalish Elf. But they were apparently loyal enough to be deemed worthy of adulthood to get the tattoos, so a rebellious Dalish with tattoos seems contradictory.
And one could argue that not having tattoos actually makes the mission to infiltrate the meeting easier since you look more like other elves.
It doesn't even have to be City Elf. It could have been a rebellious Dalish Elf. But they were apparently loyal enough to be deemed worthy of adulthood to get the tattoos, so a rebellious Dalish with tattoos seems contradictory.
And one could argue that not having tattoos actually makes the mission to infiltrate the meeting easier since you look more like other elves.
The problem is so long as they rebel by refusing to get vallaslin they look like a rebellious child, not the person you send on the quest to another nation to collect intelligence. And yes, it would definitely make it easier for them to blend in... but the Dalish didn't know that when you were taking the vallasan (unless you you've just become an adult) also I doubt they would compromise they're culture to better blend in with Shems
It doesn't even have to be City Elf. It could have been a rebellious Dalish Elf. But they were apparently loyal enough to be deemed worthy of adulthood to get the tattoos, so a rebellious Dalish with tattoos seems contradictory.
And one could argue that not having tattoos actually makes the mission to infiltrate the meeting easier since you look more like other elves.
Your Dalish clan was notoriously aggresive when it came to Dalish culture and tradition. It was either get the tattoos or exile.
I'm just happy that BioWare is actually trying to acknowledge the lore which it has created for this fictional universe.
I'm sure there are "rebellious Dalish," but I doubt that it is common enough to warrant the player being given such a choice in every single Dragon Age game.
The problem is so long as they rebel by refusing to get vallaslin they look like a rebellious child, not the person you send on the quest to another nation to collect intelligence. And yes, it would definitely make it easier for them to blend in... but the Dalish didn't know that when you were taking the vallasan (unless you you've just become an adult) also I doubt they would compromise they're culture to better blend in with Shems
Not really, considering the Codex says they are perfectly fine with waiting if one of the clan isn't ready yet.
Your Dalish clan was notoriously aggresive when it came to Dalish culture and tradition. It was either get the tattoos or exile.
Great, we're from one of those type of clans too.
That's not really how Dalish society works though.
Wearing blood writing to them is as natural and expected as wearing clothes is to us.
So you can go through life until adulthood without wearing clothes in Dalish society? THAT explains why you never see Dalish children....
Personally, I'd equivocate the tattoos to getting your high school diploma. You can, in fact, go through life without them, but it's an expected right of passage. I'm just surprised Bioware didn't give us the chance to forego that kind of character accessory. Disappointing, but so be it. There's probably going to be dialogue about the Dalish elf being Dalish at some point, and there needs to be some physical sign for characters to realize that they are not just a city elf. The tattoos are the best solution for that.
Doesn't make me any less disappointed. Pretty sure I'll live, though. Maybe. Possibly. There's a non-zero chance of it.
They're also confirmed to be mandatory for Elven Inquisitors
Hm...
Lore not withstanding - I would explain my character not having any with either saying his/her clan wanted a spy (those marks give you away miles away) or that my character was fed up with the dalish life anyway (they are stuck in the past, hanging on to glory long gone (they are stagnating, not progressing in any direction)) and wanted to leave anyway...or had them removed (for either of the reasons I have just detailed...potions or magic (instead of the laser they use today) should probably exists 
I hate being forced to have those markings if I want to play an elf (as city-elf is no possibility anymore 
)
greetings LAX
Not really, considering the Codex says they are perfectly fine with waiting if one of the clan isn't ready yet.
Why would the Keeper trust a child with the mission of traveling halfway across Thedas, possibly alone, to infiltrate and observe an event that supposedly could have ramifications for all of elvenkind? If you aren't ready to be part of the clan, then you probably aren't ready for this much responsibility.
lol I agree. Elgar'nan's vallaslin is a bit excessive... the one covering just the forehead is as far as I'd be willing to go.
Speaking of which (Creators permitting), with my Dalish mage, I'm going for the vallaslin of Elgar'nan, All-Father and God of Vengeance. If you're going to have vallaslin, why not choose the Creator who wrestled the sun! 
Why would the Keeper trust a child with the mission of traveling halfway across Thedas, possibly alone, to infiltrate and observe an event that supposedly could have ramifications for all of elvenkind? If you aren't ready to be part of the clan, then you probably aren't ready for this much responsibility.
I already gave you a reason. Because you blend in better. Not just in appearance, but also in personality since with your beliefs less set in stone than an 'adult', you can pass off as one easier in that way as well.
Now you give me a good reason why they couldn't make it just an option?
You're a hunter. As happy as you weren't with getting Vallaslin, it's tradition - and you didn't want to be called a child anymore.
Thus, as much as you despise having the tattoos, they pretty much were the only way to stop people from treating you like a child.
They could just do a blog post but I guess that would involve showing them all before the game launches which they may not wish to do. I still hope they do though.
Pweese Bioware...
Ser Pounce-A-Lot requests the revelation of the vallaslin!
I already gave you a reason. Because you blend in better. Not just in appearance, but also in personality since with your beliefs less set in stone than an 'adult', you can pass off as one easier in that way as well.
Now you give me a good reason why they couldn't make it just an option?
Do we actually have a source that confirms the vallaslin as mandatory? I know it was said in this thread, but I don't see a citation, anywhere.
I already gave you a reason. Because you blend in better. Not just in appearance, but also in personality since with your beliefs less set in stone than an 'adult', you can pass off as one easier in that way as well.
Now you give me a good reason why they couldn't make it just an option?
You need to be recognisably dalish for plot reasons.
I already gave you a reason. Because you blend in better. Not just in appearance, but also in personality since with your beliefs less set in stone than an 'adult', you can pass off as one easier in that way as well.
Now you give me a good reason why they couldn't make it just an option?
You are ignoring the fact that the vallaslin was probably given long before the Keeper ever came up with the idea of spying on the humans... well whatever. I'm only trying to help you get used to the idea, but if you can't or won't then so be it.
Does this mean you'll be playing as a human instead? Some other race, perhaps?
(edit: typo...)
Do we actually have a source that confirms the vallaslin as mandatory? I know it was said in this thread, but I don't see a citation, anywhere.
Mike Laidlaw mentioned it on twitter.
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