I'm also curious. Path-of-sorrows could you ever see Abelas in a relationship? Would it have to be another ancient elf? What kind of woman would he fall for?
//casually replies days later
Congrats! You've asked me the one question I have -- n o -- idea how to answer. Everyone's interpretations are clearly going to be a little different, and that's wonderful. This is my own (which, in this instance, is liable to change with the wind). I can see him in a relationship as equally as I can see him without / uninterested in one. Alright, maybe a bit less equally. Okay, a lot. I think circumstances are far more likely that he would not end up romantically involved, but if he does, it would perhaps be in much in the same way Solas does. Neither intended to care or to get involved, but x y z happened and they do. It's very likely that he's aromantic, or that he has never had the opportunity (let alone interest) to allow a deep romantic relationship to occur. I do not ever see him as pursuing one. Even when free, he is tremendously (in many ways, particularly) burdened by what that means. Getting entangled with a love interest is the last thing that would appeal to him.
And yet, why do I see it as possible? I see his story as redemptive. I see it as one of the most hopeful in the series -- one with the greatest capacity for change. This is 90% extrapolation, since we are given so little of him, but I feel like Abelas truly could find a new name, in time. (I write about this theme a bit on tumblr) I see him as able to tolerate and eventually accept the Dalish. He starts off extremely resistant, brittle and static, but he can, I feel, become ductile and receptive to change. He can grow in a way that Solas cannot. Solas ultimately adheres to the path on which he started, even if his viewpoints may have shifted. Abelas is severed from his connection to Elvhenan, and in so doing, must make his own way. A new way. In this sense, a romance can be forged. I do keep him racegated, like Solas, but no, it would not have to be an ancient elf. Any elf, in theory, would work -- but I find Dalish the most likely. Ironically so, given his initial contempt.
As for the kind of person? Well, I think Abelas could, potentially, be panromantic. In this way, it matters more about the person than about the sex, gender or presentation of gender. I don't even mean to open up a whole new dialogue on ancient elvhen sexuality but this would not be so impossible a thing to imagine, for me. Regardless, what he would find attractive in a partner would be what he would find worthy in anyone.
This list is a way way WAY oversimplification, but I created it based on an approval/disapproval meter for actions taken in an "Abelas as Companion" verse. Actually, it's from this huge long write-up I made on what we might have seen if he did join the Inquisiton at the Well. Here:
- Respectfulness
- Intelligence
- Interest in the ancient Elvhen culture
- Thinking before acting
- Dedication to duty
- Truthfulness and frankness
- Commitment to a path (in other words, don’t be indecisive)
- Unswerving faith (even if the Inquisitor does not follow elven beliefs — any piety works).
Things they Generally Disapprove of:
- Disregarding the Elvhen Gods
- Disrespecting Elvhen rituals or culture
- Refusing to accept the realities of Elvhen life and culture
- Refusing to believe him or take his word
- Emotional Weakness
- Childishness
- Rash decisions
- Destruction of Elvhen Artifacts
- Going back on decisions
But it's more than that. His love interest would need to comport themselves in a certain way. I imagine someone generally even-tempered and soft-spoken, yet strong-willed with a stronger backbone. Someone who is unyielding without being stubborn. It shows a sensitivity, measured emotional control, and strength in ways that he would be drawn to and admire. I do not think that piety is a requirement, so much as his LI would acknowledge that the Creators existed in some form or another. He would have to be content with that, I think. Someone who would have to be able to withstand his own hard-headedness and bias, and be able to push against it and challenge him without disrespecting and confronting him. Definitely possible, but it requires a certain grace, patience, and thoughtfulness of character. Certainly they can be playful, but there is an element to romancing - and even befriending - Abelas that I feel often gets overlooked.
I think the fact that - willingly or not he entered her service - Abelas was stripped of choice as Mythal's sentinel. No matter how lenient Mythal was with her followers or with Abelas, his vallaslin essentially marked him as a slave (or at least a lesser) in Elvhenan. That places a certain.....power dynamic in all his interactions and views of the world, and it's something that I've never seen addressed with any relationships he's had.
If the gods did have vendettas, would those vendettas still extend to any ancient elvhen still surviving? I'd hope they could put aside their differences given how different the world is, but that might not actually happen. It would be pretty horrible if Abelas found, say, a hidden group of ancients dedicated to Falon'Din, and they just cold stabbed him
It depends on individuals, circumstances, and, I think, the nature of the cults themselves. Followers of Andruil and Ghilan'nain, or Dirthamen and Falon'Din might logically work together in the service of their gods. But they have all been on their own for a very long time, and so while some Falon'Din cults might wish to align with Mythal's sentinels on the basis of shared Elvhen culture and blood, another one might not. I imagine that all groups (even those who continue to serve the same god) have grown disjointed, intact Eluvians or no.
Retour en haut
You are awesome as always and thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I really appreciate it :DDDD 
His tile looks good though. I like the faint traces of gold around his head. 
