Tamlen and Abelas were hunting, as they frequently did to keep a steady source of food going to the clan. Abelas wasn't always paired with Tamlen hunting, but couldn’t help but tag along wherever Tamlen went, had since childhood, if he could manage it. But if Tamlen got in too much trouble, like the brawl last week, Abelas had his back regardless of whether he had thought it a wise choice. He balanced Tamlen out, cautious where Tamlen was brash
Abelas admired the color of his blue eyes as Tamlen spoke. Tamlen asked Abelas if he were there to keep an eye on him, sounding mildly accusatory. But Abelas had voluntarily come with him, no matter what Tamlen thought. I'd bring up bonding if it would lead anywhere.
Humans came rushing through the forest, interrupting their chat. Although Abelas was as naturally suspicious of outsiders as any Dalish, he was not the type to shoot first. He suggested to Tamlen that they simply walk away after questioning them. Tamlen seemed a bit disappointed, but acquiesced readily enough. The humans told us of a cave not far off that had some sort of monsters or something in it. That was actually what they'd been fleeing from all along. Abelas thought that meant they should avoid the place, but Tamlen insisted on an adventure. Abelas kept his bow close and loosened his hunting knives.
We explored the cave, killing big spiders as we went. It was good there were two of them against such large creatures. It was an interesting place that spoke of elves of times long past. When Elves built structures; even more odd, structures that lay beneath the surface. Abelas told Tamlen he didn't like the place. Tamlen agreed, but again insisted they not give up on potential fun and search the whole place. Abelas tried to comfort himself with the idea that perhaps they would find more information or a relic that would please their Keeper. When they neared an area where the worst bad feeling creeped over them so strongly that Abelas was very ready to drag Tamlen out, his companion spotted a mirror. A bearskarn attacked them immediately and they managed to best it. While Abelas checked out the area for any signs of further aggressive wild life, Tamlen approached the mirror. Obviously ancient and most likely powerful in some way, if it were the cause of that feeling. Tamlen wondered what the words inscripted on it meant and Abelas sarcastically replied that it said, "Don't touch the mirror." Tamlen waved him off, stepping closer, reaching out a hand to the glass, saying he'd seen something. Abelas warned against touching the mirror outright. Of course, as Tamlen always did, he ignored Abelas’s words of caution. Tamlen excitedly began to describe some dark city he could see within. But then he cried out that he'd been seen-- Something went horribly wrong. Confused memories and darkness followed.
When Abelas woke in his tent back among the clan, Tamlen was missing and all his questions of his fellow clan revolved around Tamlen.
WEariness seemed to sap his strength so he tried to start off easy by talking to a few others around the Clan's camp. He also spoke to the story teller. He flinched inwardly about the language his people used regarding those who were different, non Dalish especially. He was different, if only they knew… His interest perked at all the Grey Warden business. They sounded like something big and important and proud. Like the Dalish once were and tried to be now.
Abelas spoke to their Keeper about what to do next. She suggested he find Merril and head out to look for Tamlen, as we could not rely on Grey Warden Duncan to look for him. Abelas found Merril, a serious pessimistic mage, first to the Keeper. She and a friend of Tamlen’s came with him for the search.
Abelas did not like Merril’s suggestion that Tamlen was already dead and he said so. She apologized.
We found the Grey Warden and the mirror. When Abelas realized he meant to destroy the mirror, and possibly any chance of finding a clue as to where Tamlen went, he was upset--but he was too late. The shout to stop died on his lips. Abelas was angry with the Grey Warden for doing it, and questioned him heavily. Duncan drilled into his head that Tamlen was dead, or worse, but either way, beyond redemption. And Abelas died a little inside.
Upon returning to camp, everyone was looking at him questioningly, wondering where their lethallin had gone. Abelas endured the task of going to each, one by one, to tell them. Abelas couldn’t find it in himself to actually state that Tamlen... was dead.... and told them all that Duncan simply knew he was non recoverable. When the Storyteller spoke a poem into the fire, Abelas fought back tears. Ma falon, ma vhenan…
Finally, he reported to his Keeper. He did not feel well at all, whether due to grief or the sickness he'd only that day recovered from. To his growing horrow, however, When Abelas found out that he would be made to become a Grey Warden, because he had an illness within from his brush with the Ancient mirror. He questioned aggressively at first if this was the proper path.... but then he just accepted that even his Dalish life would be stolen from him as Tamlen was. Seemed he would be his Dalish life would die either way; it was just whether or not it would happen literally. He insisted on staying for Tamlen's representative burial.
Saying goodbye to his clan barely topped the sadness he felt when he left that cave knowing Tamlen would never return. His namesake was catching up to him, as Abelas meant Sorrow.
The journey was long and Abelas learned much about the Grey Warden History of the Blights as Duncan felt it important to fill the silence and start his training. Abelas was unenthusiastic, grieving heavily for Tamlen and the loss of his old life. He had never wanted this; it felt thrust upon him. They arrived at a place called Ostagar days later. A messanger sighted Duncan and ran inwards to the ruins. A few minutes later, a man in golden armor came out to greet Duncan.
Meeting King Cailan was confusing because the man didn't act much like a leader. He certainly did not come off as any Keeper Abelas had ever met. Abelas was in no mood to be worshipful of another people’s king,, but being respectful in a place he didn’t understand seemed best. Cailan surprised him pleasantly when he mentioned good things about the Dalish. He supposed the humans had not forgotten that a pair of sibling Dalish saved them from the last Blight.
Then the King ruined the positive by shrugging off Duncan's warning about a sizable darkspawn attack come tomorrow. By the Creators, was caution really so rare in the world? Abelas probably made an expression of disdain but the humans were already in discussions together and ignoring him again. The king left.
Duncan turned to Abelas and began to discuss the battle and then the Joining Ritual. Considering Abelas's grief, the taint illness that was making everything exhausting, and the travel, He’d finally reached the end of his arrow and plainly asked Duncan for a hot meal before he continue. This seemed to amuse Duncan. After a few more exchanges, he left me to my own devices until I had recovered enough for the next task.
Abelas found a peak nearby. The silence was only interrupted by the murmuring of a praying woman kneeling on the stone. Abelas sat down, chewed some rabbit jerky that he still had in his pack. It wasn't a hot meal, but perhaps a nap would make up for it. Then lay down, closed his eyes, and dozed off.
Retour en haut
and maybe the Dalish) unless absolutely necessary, then die killing archie. This would allow me to play the Orlesian Warden in DAA for once too. I've done the US before, but only for the achievement and to see the funeral. I've never imported a dead HoF into DAI (EDIT: not one I have played myself; I did use a default world state once). I would play on casual mode since I wouldn't have a mage around for healing. My party would basically be Archer HoF, Alistair until the Landsmeet, Dog, and Shale, then add Oghren for the Deep Roads. Oh, what a sad little party! 
No romance since she would be mourning Tamlen the entire time.
If you are facing the door to the nug box shop, head left, all the way to end. There's a chantry sister officiating, the bride and groom, and the matchmaker.
