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[Abelas Forever!]

I believe that Abelas had some casual relationships while he was at the Temple but I don't believe that he has had anything serious because to me it seemed that he takes his work quite serious and that's why he might have prevented himself from having a family.

I think it could have been possible that Abelas and Mythal were lovers but I hope they weren't. I guess I just want him to be LI who wasn't in love with his goddess. I can just imagine him missing Mythal all the time. My poor DA4 PC    Although if they would have been lovers then I think he probably wouldn't have casual relationship at the temple because he probably would have wanted to honour her memory by not having romantic relationships with anybody.

I guess I chose a wrong word for describing the relationship which Solas and Abelas have towards modern elves. It's not really a hate. I'm not sure what word would be good to describe it. There just seems to be some kind of dislike that shows when they talk about Dalish. Solas and Abelas both have reasons not to like Dalish. I also think that Solas' reaction tells more about him than the Dalish. Anyway my idea that there is more in that dislike than just what Dalish have done to these men came from the fact that not everything in the elven lore is true and it's quite sad for the Dalish that they have misunderstood many things in their past such as vallaslin is a slave marking. So I started to think that it would be very interesting twist if the Dalish who think that they are better than city elves would be descendants of the slave elves from elven Empire or descendants of elves who ran away. I believe that would be quite a shock to them. I think it would be also very interesting if the city elves or the slave elves in Tevinter would be descendants of those who stayed and defended Arlathan so they would be the descendants of the hero elves unlike the Dalish. I'm also aware that people can see meanings in things that nobody meant to be there. So it's possible that I see things that are not there and those "evidences" can be explained some way like Solas' attitude towards modern elves. Even though there is a reason why Abelas dislikes Dalish he seems to be very angry at them. Maybe too angry? I guess there is also a lack of understanding which these men have towards modern elves that makes me suspicious. I guess I would have expected them to be more sympathetic towards modern elves because they have lost so much. I also remember Solas saying to inquisitor something like there is no point in telling the city elves about their ancestors because they might do something stupid but he doesn't say the same thing about the Dalish. I mean that can't be coincidence!!!!

I also don't believe that Abelas is afraid of becoming mortal. He just wants to get away somewhere. Although it sounds very weird that he thinks that uthanera is an option like it wouldn't affect on him if the world would destroy.

[Abelas Forever!]

As for Solas and his lack of patience, I agree. I recently did a pt of DAI as a Dalish man. I roleplayed it honestly, not trying to win his favor but answering how I believed a Dalish would answer. (no flirt options makes it harder LoL!) We soooooooooo did not get along! I was surprised at Solas's sharp comments at times. My Inquisitor wasn't giving stupid answers, he was answering based on what he would know and he was diplomatic and considerate with Solas. But if Solas approached the Dalish like he did my Inquisitor, there was no hope of the two reaching an understanding. Again, I think Abelas would be a better choice with the Dalish. He has experience teaching and he does seem more patient. I can see him facepalming often with the Dalish but I don't think he would lose his temper. Maybe I'm wrong. He might decide the kindest thing to do is massacre all the Dalish in the name of Mythal and draw smiley faces on their knee caps as a sort of shaming punishment

First I read this sentence like this "He might decide the kindest thing to do is massage all the Dalish" and I was thinking that "How cute. Abelas giving a massage to all elves." but then I read it again and realized that he wasn't giving any massages to anybody

[Babelas]

I like your theory! I always have and it would be somewhat satisfying to see the Dalish eat some humble pie.

 

I think Abelas needs to have more casual relationships lololol He seems kind of uptight when but he is under attack when Inky visits so its understandable.

 

Even if he was in some sort of relationship with Mythal, your DA4 pc could help him move past Mythal and find new interests I have to admit, it would be nice if he didn't bring that baggage with him. Maybe it was purely a spiritual thing when it came to Mythal. The Abelas backstory would be interesting.

 

You didn't choose the wrong word. People can be very picky on this forum. There are times when it does sound like hate lolol. 

 

I love the idea that the city elves might be descendants of the nobility. That would be an awesome twist. 

 

Abelas did sound angry. It might have been more of a not this crap again, more Shemlen in my temple reaction. I just hope it gets explained in the dlc. Maybe Solas knows the Dalish would do something stupid? I do hate how the city elves get dismissed in Inquisition. I really enjoyed playing one in Origins. 

 

I found it odd that Abelas didn't want to join the Inquisition and beat the crap out of Corypheus. His reaction at the end was weird to be honest. I suspect it was just a way to get Abelas out of the story at that moment. Let's hope he comes back in to the story.

[Babelas]

First I read this sentence like this "He might decide the kindest thing to do is massage all the Dalish" and I was thinking that "How cute. Abelas giving a massage to all elves." but then I read it again and realized that he wasn't giving any massages to anybody

ROFL!!!! I prefer the massages! He kills them with kindness and sexy mood lighting.

[Brass_Buckles]

 

I don't think Abelas took a vow of celibacy (especially since Mythal is the goddess of motherhood) because he is a priest but... I am not sold on him having sex in the temple. I agree, that the others are getting it on before returning to their slumber. The reason I suspect Abelas is not is because he is the high priest and he has the unfortunate responsibility of maintaining control and respect. That could get messy if he is bonking his acolytes. What happens when he has to send his lover out to kill in the name of Mythal the next time the temple is invaded? If he didn't send them out would the others cry favoritism? Would others try to win his favor so he doesn't send them out? I just think it could cause issues and I also think this is why he is very lonely. I was also thinking of what happened to the high priest in Dirthamen's temple. Abelas is in a precarious position and I think he knows it. Other temples dedicated to the gods fell, his didn't and I suspect it's down to management and his insane devotion to Mythal (I'll get to that in a minute). I know the sentinels are under the geas but I doubt that stops them from having issues with each other. 

 

A while back, I had a strange unpopular theory that Flemeth and Abelas produced Morrigan. They are the only three characters in the game with the same eye color. Abelas would have agreed to the union for Mythal or maybe he didn't have a choice but I still wonder about this... the other reason i wonder about this is because at some point Mythal must have told Flemeth that she needed to designate one of her daughters as the chosen to carry on the godhood. I have this belief that Mythal would have been very picky about the father for that daughter. Who better than her most devoted servant? Abelas is also a powerful mage and he is an elf and possible shape changer. I was going to write this into my story but when I started thinking about Flemeth and Abelas having sex just... noooooooooooooooo. But I love the idea that Morrigan might have killed her father or attempted to kill him. I find it hard to believe Abelas could die like that in the temple.

 

I tend to go with the Tolkien immortal love theory to some degree. The unions were considered sacred, they weren't as fertile so children were not many and they were considered precious and their gods only had relationships with other gods. But... this is DA so it's entirely possible Abelas and Mythal were getting it on. I kind of like that idea anyway. The whole idea of Mythal cheating on Elgar'nan with one of her priests has sexy potential.

 

Did Solas tell the Dalish who he is? I don't remember that. But if Abelas wasn't haughty he wouldn't be half as sexy. I kind of like how he ruffles everyone's feathers. To be fair Solas isn't much better. They both look down on modern elves in their own way. Actually, I find Solas more insulting than Abelas. "The Dalish finally remember something correctly. Shall we plant a tree?" Or "You are not my people" Hmmmmm.... no contest really. 

 

I will say this in Abelas's defense: we don't know why he reacts the way he does ( I like his prominent nose). Abelas may have a good reason or maybe he knows he looks good in the armor. And I will say in Solas's defense: He is the only hope for the elves but he could never pull off the sentinel armor. But he does have the backside for a thong. I'll give him that. dat'ass, da'len.

 

The Dalish don't see it as the home of the current living elves because I don't think they really believe some of their own tales... immortal ancestors... say what?

 

But why was it natural for elves to be immortal? We don't really know what being elven was in those days. The ancient elves are cryptic because Bioware didn't want to give the whole plot away at once Seriously, I enjoy that they are cryptic. It add to their wise and ancient personas. 

 

That does not, however, change the fact that Abelas seems to believe that mortality is going to be spread to him if he spends time around shemlen--which is what the Dalish also believe happened, if you'll remember.  I don't remember his precise wording, but it seems to be a fear he has that makes him want to flee far away from the "shemlen."  Given the elven connection to the Fade, this is possible if humans believed elves were like them; their belief may have shaped what the elves became.  Not very likely, but possible.

 

I do indeed remember. He just says he wonders if there is somewhere that maybe the Shemlen haven't touched. If that's the case though, I question why Solas is hanging around a bunch of Shemlen for years? Part of me thinks Abelas is wondering if there is somewhere other Elvhen are living. Plus, I can see him not wanting to be around Shemlen for the simple fact that they are nothing like his people. But it could be he fears it will cause the loss of his immortality.

 

 

Have you paired Lavellan with Abelas in your fanfic or is it mostly Solas and Lavellan? I enjoy Lavellan and Abelas together more than I thought I would. It was difficult at first to reconcile Abelas in a relationship with a mortal, but I see the beauty in it now. 

 

Re: Abelas being celibate.  It's possible.  I did consider the leadership angle, but, well... he's the leader of a group of servants, possibly (probably?) slaves, to Mythal.  He might outrank them but that might also not mean all that much given the situation.  And BioWare hasn't shied away from higher rank + lower rank relationships before... (Abelas = Shepard?).  Besides which, casual sex does not a relationship make.

 

Abelas's reaction to Mythal's death is what makes me think there might at least have been unrequited love on his part going on.  I know there's a theory that the Avvar Lady of the Skies was Mythal, and that's possible... I have my own thoughts on that (I think the Lady of the Skies is more likely to be Andruil, but maybe I should save that for another thread).  Of course if she had been getting kinky with Abelas, she could still be bisexual.  Considering how Morrigan views men, and that Flemeth taught her this viewpoint, though... Maybe Mythal did get around more than some thought she "ought" to (I won't judge--Elgar'nan sounds kind of like a jerk...).

 

However, I don't think Abelas has ever met Mythal as Flemeth.  Mythal has been absent, and none of his dialogue implies that he has been in contact with Mythal.  He has instead been protecting the Well as a last remnant of her existence, clinging to a past that was already gone.  You have to wonder how much of that is "because he felt he should," and how much was because "he was bound by his vallaslin to do so."  If it were the latter, well, that may account for his sorrow more than any unrequited love for a now-dead goddess.  Either way, with no indication that he even met Flemeth, it's doubtful that Abelas would be Morrigan's father.  He also seems unlikely to be willing to sleep with a "shemlen," and he might not even acknowledge the part of Flemeth that is Mythal.  Impossible to know, without actually seeing them meet. Which is unlikely--I don't think he's going to make a cameo in future games because he can easily wind up dead (but hopefully I'm wrong?  For the sake of more elven lore?).

 

As for Solas telling the Dalish who he is... I'm guessing on that one, because the Dalish talk about Fen'harel offering dark knowledge, etc.  So when he went to the Dalish offering knowledge, I suspect he did so with a friendly introduction as Fen'harel, expecting a warm welcome and everyone to be happy to see him.  That could have been a thousand years ago and would still leave an impression on him, but my guess is it happened more recently (maybe 2-3 years ago, or even not much before the Conclave).  And, if so, that particular Dalish clan might be dead and gone, or we might hear later that Fen'harel approached them.  Hard to say.

 

Abelas's grumpiness is almost certainly because you have invaded his home, and killed a lot of his people in doing so.  He has no apparent love or even like for modern day elves or humans.  He might recover in time, but he's not eager to integrate himself into modern Thedosian society.  He wants to find other Elvhen (saw someone arguing about Elvhen being different from The People, maybe in a different thread, but "Elvhen" translates to "the People" as far as lore suggests... so it's like Solas sometimes calling romanced Lavellan "Vhenan," and sometimes "My heart").  And again, I suspect he's afraid he's going to become mortal.  Whether that's true or not is hard to say. 

 

I agree Solas can be abrasive about the Dalish.  Again, I think he might have introduced himself to someone as Fen'harel off-camera before we met him.  Obviously that was more than a little bit of a mistake, considering how modern Dalish feel about Fen'harel.  I could be entirely wrong, but why else would they chase him out in anger simply for trying to share his knowledge?  Just because they perceive him as a "flat ear?"  Well... that's possible, I guess.  But for them to chase him out for that, he'd first have to actually be able to get close to them, and speak to them.  And why would they let some random city elf do that?

 

However, note that Solas, if romanced, will say that a Dalish upbringing has something to do with the Inquisitor's personality even if you tell him it doesn't, and while he often has snide things to say about the Dalish, he's also quite happy when he's proven wrong (or when you do nice things for elves--even Dalish ones).  Compare that to Abelas, who doesn't even want to try to help modern elves or teach them anything.  He wants to run away and hide from them, and possibly sleep himself to death.  On the one hand, seeing what his people have lost has got to be painful to him.  On the other, he'd rather cling to a past that is already dead and gone than try to improve on what exists in the present.  Maybe he thinks that modern elves are a completely lost cause.  Either way it looks like Solas shows more care for the Dalish and modern elves in general than Abelas does.  But I repeat, that's understandable--seeing what they have become might just be more than Abelas feels able to deal with, and helping them a monumental and impossible task.

 

Basically you don't have to defend Abelas to me.  I'd like to know who he actually is better--so I hope they do bring him back in another game--but I agree that he's got reasons for doing as he does.  And I don't mind his prominent nose, but let's not lie and say it's not a prominent nose! (I have a long nose too, so...)

 

Re: my fic.  I honestly have no idea who Lavellan's going to end up with.  Abelas is not actually flirting or anything (though he might kind of want to, if not for the fact that Lavellan is shemlen), but Solas is... well, he's Solas.  Sometimes I think it'll end up one way, then I think it'll end up the other.  If I ever manage to get through with Chapter 37, I guess we'll see?  (Chapter 37 is my nemesis.)

[Babelas]

Hey I just want to say that I am sorry if I sound defensive. I have been attacked on this thread three times plus for just stating contrary opinions to popular beliefs. Most of it is just meant as a thought process rather than definitive belief. I love Abelas. I really do. I also appreciate Solas more than comes across. I have a respect for him because he was the first elf in the DA universe to make the elven lore credible. Suddenly, people can no longer ignore the elves. I love that. They simply are not some ginger woman in the kitchen meant as a trophy for a chevalier. 

 

It always bothered me that the indigenous people of Thedas ended up no better than slaves and servants. I'm an indigenous person in my country so I guess I take it personally at times. I continued to hope someone would broach this subject and attempt to make the elven race in Thedas stand up and fight for their rights. Wish I could say the same for my own country. I love the DA universe, but until Patrick Weekes came along with Solas, I ignored the parts I didn't like and played it with the mindset of just another roleplaying game. Solas changed that for me. If I look at Solas and Abelas as I would one of my elders then I sooooooooooo understand where the writers were coming from with these two characters. I also understand why Solas is a particularly tragic character. He remembers the glory of his people and wants the current generation to see their worth, but in order to do that he has to break with tradition. That is going to create enemies on both sides. I feel so very bad for him, but you see Solas is too close to home. Abelas is the genuine authentic Elvhen and that is really appealing to me. He is a traditionalist and a man who does not apologize for who he is and what he believes in. The pride is what gets to me. It made me think of meeting one of my own ancestors and how unapologetic they would be for the life they had led. It's humbling and beautiful and very close to the heart. It's mostly sad. So much lost to progress and not enough preserved. So no... I don't apologize for Abelas's attitude. I'm proud that he has it.  That's where I am coming from. It's not meant to be offensive. It's just hard to explain on a forum LoL!

[Serelir]

What's this about ginger women? Hey, we don't want to be kitchen trophies either!

[Babelas]

What's this about ginger women? Hey, we don't want to be kitchen trophies either!

Oh my! ROFL!!! If I could give you double likes I so would!

 

The part in the Winter Palace where the Inquisitor eavesdrops on the chevaliers standing outside the trophy room. One of them talks about the ginger in the kitchen (and yes he really does refer to the elven woman as simply 'the ginger') You then can tell the chevaliers to go see Cullen to tell them the story about the Inky defeating an archdemon. This is so you can infiltrate the trophy room. 

 

I'm still giggling. I shouldn't be! But the kitchen trophy part made me laugh.

[Brass_Buckles]

Hey I just want to say that I am sorry if I sound defensive. I have been attacked on this thread three times plus for just stating contrary opinions to popular beliefs. Most of it is just meant as a thought process rather than definitive belief. I love Abelas. I really do. I also appreciate Solas more than comes across. I have a respect for him because he was the first elf in the DA universe to make the elven lore credible. Suddenly, people can no longer ignore the elves. I love that. They simply are not some ginger woman in the kitchen meant as a trophy for a chevalier. 

 

It always bothered me that the indigenous people of Thedas ended up no better than slaves and servants. I'm an indigenous person in my country so I guess I take it personally at times. I continued to hope someone would broach this subject and attempt to make the elven race in Thedas stand up and fight for their rights. Wish I could say the same for my own country. I love the DA universe, but until Patrick Weekes came along with Solas, I ignored the parts I didn't like and played it with the mindset of just another roleplaying game. Solas changed that for me. If I look at Solas and Abelas as I would one of my elders then I sooooooooooo understand where the writers were coming from with these two characters. I also understand why Solas is a particularly tragic character. He remembers the glory of his people and wants the current generation to see their worth, but in order to do that he has to break with tradition. That is going to create enemies on both sides. I feel so very bad for him, but you see Solas is too close to home. Abelas is the genuine authentic Elvhen and that is really appealing to me. He is a traditionalist and a man who does not apologize for who he is and what he believes in. The pride is what gets to me. It made me think of meeting one of my own ancestors and how unapologetic they would be for the life they had led. It's humbling and beautiful and very close to the heart. It's mostly sad. So much lost to progress and not enough preserved. So no... I don't apologize for Abelas's attitude. I'm proud that he has it.  That's where I am coming from. It's not meant to be offensive. It's just hard to explain on a forum LoL!

 

I think the problem most people have with Abelas is that, although the modern elves of Thedas are not his people culturally (and in some ways physically--they're not immortal, and most are not even mages)... part of that is undoubtedly the fault of the ancient Elvhen for isolating themselves in the first place.  And, even knowing that the Dalish at least thirst for that knowledge, now that he's basically free, he would rather hide away than try to teach them anything.  It was one thing to defend the Well from them, because the Well would have been too much for them, or for even the Sentinels.  He was protecting them as much as he was protecting the Well.

 

It's possible that Abelas could not teach the modern elves, because they're mortal.  He definitely can't teach them how to be Elvhen, when they're just little-e elves.  It might be that there are even nuances to the ancient elven language, as well as the culture, that relied upon immortality and therefore that is why elves have lost quite a lot of language.  If you have no need for a particular word, then it tends to be phased out of existence.  Or, maybe it's actually a strange form of empathy, and the reason he doesn't want to help the modern world or the modern elves is because if he actually managed to teach them much of anything, knowing what they could never have might cause them pain.  That's unlikely though, because he laments that the "new ones" among the Sentinel elves--presumably immortals like himself--can't learn certain things because they have no idea what they have lost.

 

I'm having trouble articulating how I want to say it, but I don't think Abelas is merely proud of who and what he is.  I think there's more than a mild degree of hubris in that one, and I also think Solas notices it if you bring him along.  Abelas might be a bit like Solas used to be--Solas still shows some signs of it in fact.

 

Abelas does go out of his way to insult you, even if you're Dalish.  Maybe especially if you're Dalish.  "Shadows wearing vallaslin," he says - because he knows you don't know what vallaslin actually means.  And then he calls you "shemlen," because he knows you understand that word and he knows it's an insult.  Then he basically tells you he'd rather die than help you fight Corypheus, or even teach modern elves anything about their lost culture and history.

 

Part of me gets why he might not want to teach about culture and history--it's all too real to him.  So many losses.  And it's also well within his rights to refuse to fight for you and to refuse to teach others.  Even the insults make sense in light of you having invaded his home. 

 

That doesn't make it any less proud, though, and this is not the good kind of pride in one's heritage.  It also doesn't magically make those insults something he doesn't fully believe.  It's the kind of pride where you see an entire group of people as being less than your group of people--which is different from simply thinking yours is the best group of people to be part of.  In the case of Abelas, literally everyone but the Elvhen is less than the Elvhen, and Abelas wants nothing to do with them.  Again, it's within his rights, but it's also rather condescending of him.

 

I'm not making that point to insult you or anything.  I do understand, in a small way, what you mean--not as keenly as you do, I'm sure.  I've got a bit of Native American in me on both sides of my family tree (though I don't look like it at all and I do identify as white/European) and I find it sad that the entire culture has vanished from this particular part of the nation.  I'll never know anything about that part of my ancestry or what that culture was like--it's simply gone, and the people were driven away long ago, despite having lived here for centuries before the Europeans came along.  It's sad in a deep kind of way, even though I don't identify with that culture (but I also can't, because it no longer exists).  So I can understand how seeing one of the elves being, well, an elf, instead of a beaten-down creature with a culture composed half of human lore and half of poorly remembered stories, would be kind of inspiring.  And it was awesome to me, too, though not for the same reasons (Mostly because yes, finally, an actual elfy elf!  Great to know that all that culture and history isn't really gone...).

 

I'm not saying all this to bash the character, either.  Solas is definitely horribly flawed.  It's perfectly okay for Abelas, as a character, to be condescending/look upon everyone who isn't Elvhen as "lesser."  (If he were a real person, he and I would have some serious issues, though, and I'd be screaming at him "Oh so you think you're so much better than they are, Mr. I'll-Just-Hide-From-Harsh-Reality-And-Take-All-My-Knowledge-With-Me?" Or something like that...)  It would be even better if, coming from this stance, we could see him in another game or even DLC and watch him begin to learn that these other people aren't really "lesser" at all, that they struggle daily and that their lives are worthwhile.  And maybe, just maybe, that they are worth his time to help.  Maybe even to help raise the elves from what they are, to something better.  Who knows?  But character development for him would be a big Yes, please from me...

[Abelas Forever!]

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[Abelas Forever!]

I also agree that Abelas needs more casual relationships. He needs to relax more

Solas and Abelas are in different life situation when you meet Abelas. Solas has slept quite long time probably not knowing what happened while Abelas only wakes up when he needs to defend the temple and probably sees that the world is changing into something worse every time he wakes up. Abelas knows that he will fail some day. It must have been hard to continue working while he knows that he most likely will lose and there isn't much left of the society he knew well and that society was most likely more advanced than the society today if we compare what kind of magic was used etc and not how poorly the slaves probably lived. I believe that it was a shock to Solas to wake up and see what became of the world. I think that Solas can do much more to help the modern elves if he wants to but I suspect that Abelas didn't have that kind of choice. I believe that he had to be at the temple even if he would have wanted to leave. I believe that Abelas also haven't thought about the life when he isn't at the Temple anymore so teaching modern elves might be something that he hasn't thought about and because of that he might reject it first. Inquisitor with his/her companions are probably the first people outside the temple with whom he speaks with and then Dorian starts to make suggestions to him and Abelas probably doesn't like that because Dorian is a human while Solas could choose to go and teach the Dalish and that is what he did. Most likely nobody made that kind of suggestions to Solas. He could use as much time as he wanted to consider should he teach the Dalish or not and then do it.

I haven't thought about this before but maybe Abelas is bitter. His goddess died, then the empire fell and then he had to defend the Temple and every time he wakes up he sees that the world has changed into something worse and he will see his fellow sentinels die and then one day you will arrive and take his well away and probably make some suggestions to him that he probably doesn't want to hear. I think he just needs time.

It still bothers me why Abelas doesn't like the Dalish and I believe that there must be something else than immortality and the fact that modern elves have forgotten most of their culture and land and that they have tried to invade the temple. I have been thinking that maybe the nobel elves left somewhere after their empire had fallen and left only the servants there and then Tevinter empire conquered Arlathan. Because Abelas isn't a servant he most likely would think that those descendants of the servants are somehow lesser than him and they are not worthy enough for him to teach them or maybe he couldn't even consider teaching them because of that. I think that kind of attitude might have been very common in elven empire.
 

[Babelas]

I have a habit of sounding like a total b itch. I'll try my best not to   All of this is a moot point really. I doubt Abelas will return since he could be killed. But it's an interesting debate and I suppose it will help flesh out what is known. 

 

Shemlen is the accurate term for the Dalish inquisitor. People did not like it applied to their Inquisitor because the Dalish, not the Elvhen, have used it as an insult for humans. Abelas uses it in its correct context. Does he mean it as an insult? I don't know. I do know, he is very specific with his choice of words throughout the conversation. I think its presumptuous to assume we know what Abelas means. I apply that to all of us LoL so don't hate me. There were mortals kicking around in his day and they were no doubt referred to as Shemlen.

 

People became very elf proud after Solas was introduced. I get it, but then to try and apply Solas's attitude to Abelas and name him high and mighty because he doesn't act like Solas is unfair. We get so little time with Abelas. In his defense, when it became obvious the Inquisitor was going to drink from the well, Abelas does warn him/her. He didn't have to do that. He also did not have to offer an alliance. Realistically, he had the upper hand once Inky and company walked into the room and the door shut and the sentinels appeared. If he really thought that Inky was beneath him, he could have simply killed Inky and company. What I think is key with Abelas is respect. You have to earn it with him. Solas acknowledges that you are not going to receive favoritism because of shared blood. The guy has been watching the well for ages and from what I gathered, those who did get to partake in the well had earned it. I don't even want to think about what they did for Mythal to get that honor.

 

Abelas is angry and he is letting you know in no uncertain terms that he really doesn't care that you look kind of like him and have some markings and pointy ears. You are not going to get the well and you are not going to get him to change his mind or even like you. I think it was mostly defensive posturing because he softens at the end.

 

As for teaching other elves... who has ever stepped foot in that temple wanting to learn? He made it clear people come there for one thing. I also suspect Abelas is not mentally up to the challenge. Living in that temple has to have been hell. He couldn't leave and he had to watch his people die knowing there were already few of them remaining in the world. That's just depressing. Solas already proved it doesn't end well when you do try to teach. You need people who are willing to learn and the only person I think that would be willing to learn the truth would be Inky. Inky has seen enough to know how very wrong the Dalish are about their history. 

 

I don't think Abelas is trying to hide from responsibility, I think he has had his fair share. He deserves some peace. Sometimes people have to be selfish. Maybe after a long nap he might change his mind. It's hard to say. But it reminds of a line that went something like: "And who has ever been on our side?" I think he feels like that. I agree SilentShadows... Abelas is bitter. I honestly don't see how he should be any other way. And I agree that he just needs time. 

[Kestrel]

Just popping in to say I have some more Albatross chapters for you guys. I'm really excited to finally be getting to rebellion and BATTLE and then crisis of conscious. 

 

http://archiveofouro...hapters/8160543

[Babelas]

Just popping in to say I have some more Albatross chapters for you guys. I'm really excited to finally be getting to rebellion and BATTLE and then crisis of conscious. 

 

http://archiveofouro...hapters/8160543

I am sorry I haven't read your story yet. I have every intention! I keep waiting for the end of the gardening season when I have more time. I want you to know that I am looking forward to it and please don't give up! 

 

I bring inspiration by Artemorte:

 

[Abelas Forever!]

Babelas I think your posts have been respectful to others and they have sounded good

I believe that there are good changes that we will see Abelas in the future in a small role even if he can be killed but the changes that he will be a companion or even LI are probably not as good. Hard to say. I mean you could kill both Leliana and Flemeth, you can stab Morrigan and you can kill Corypheus and yet they still show up. Were there others? Anders? It seems that quite many characters who can die will show up nevertheless.

I think one reason why Abelas listens to you when you meet him for the first time could be that he is curious to see who has completed the rituals which nobody has done since hundreds of years ago. I think he might also see a possibility to save some of his fellow sentinels if he allies with you. Anyway I think he considers the inky and her/his companions a worthy ally and I think that is also why he doesn't prevent Inky or Morrigan from drinking from the well.

What comes to teaching the Dalish I don't blame Abelas from not wanting to teach them. I mean they can be condescending and think that they have a right to infiltrate the temple because it's their heritage. I don't believe they would be respectful towards sentinels. I believe they could insist sentinels to let them in or even insist sentinels to teach them if they even realize who sentinels are and that is probably something that Abelas and the sentinels wouldn't tolerate. There are different Dalish groups but it seems that there aren't that many friendly Dalish groups. Maybe he could find those friendly Dalish but I think he would have to make a lot of effort in finding them and it's probably not very rewarding to meet people who don't respect you or your efforts even if you would be doing a favour to them.

After somebody has drank from the I believe there are still sentinels in the Temple and because Abelas is their leader it's his responsibility to lead them to safety so he probably can't teach anybody right after he leaves the temple because of that. Maybe he could take the sentinels with him but then again it seems that Dalish wouldn't listen to him. I don't believe it would end well if he would show up in Tevinter or in some alianage with the sentinels. I think he could teach Briala's elves because they have an access to the Eluvian network. They could meet somewhere in that network where he could be safe. I think that could be his best option to teach.

I don't want that Abelas will change because I don't think he needs to. He has his reasons to act like he does. Besides he gives you the well and it's knowledge which will help you to defeat Corypheus. I think that's quite a huge gift.

[Babelas]

Thank you SilentShadows! You are a sweetheart. I try not to offend while stating an opinion. It's so much easier to tell where someone is coming from when you can hear their voice. But it happens and I do feel bad when it happens.

 

I hope we do see him again. He is more popular than I realized so maybe if someone at Bioware does a search for Abelas on tumblr they will see that he is very much loved. Many, many people want him as a romance option or wish he had been one. He may have received little screen time but he made a very big impression.

 

I agree. There is always the chance that someone can live. Just like you can create different scenarios around events in DA depending on your choices, you can also get different scenarios to the story that you don't see at first. Abelas could have survived Morrigan's assault. He could have been healed by the sentinels once the Inquisitor left the temple. He was filled with magic at the time. He could also have the same ability that Flemeth has to save a piece of himself and live again. Horcrux? There are many plausible ways for him to survive. A person on tumblr said that Abelas's story writes its self. He would be a popular companion in the next installment. I have no doubts about that.

 

I think that anyone who comes into the temple probably wants something. It's in a jungle, hidden from civilization and not easy to reach. I suspect researchers and Dalish who are hell bent on bringing something back to their clan or sponsors have entered the temple in the past. It wouldn't make a good impression on the sentinels or Abelas. That's what they have dealt with over the ages. It would be very hard for them to trust anyone, even those with good intentions. Plus, they have seen their people enslaved by humans. If you aren't up on current events how would you know who to trust? That might be the reason he wanted to get away from Shemlen. Maybe he was afraid Shemlen would try to enslave what is left of his people.

 

I agree with what you are saying. I think its just hard for players to put themselves in his place. We have the luxury of knowing who to trust and what is going on the world but in the context of the story, Abelas and the sentinels do not. It's no wonder he wants to find somewhere secluded to forget all the horrible things they have witnessed.

 

Just wanted to add that you made so many good points about why Abelas would not want to teach other elves. It really made me think and I thank you!

[Abelas Forever!]

Thank you Babelas

Yes there are many ways he could have survived and even if he couldn't have survived they could still bring him back because they can I think it would be interesting to see how Morrigan would react to Abelas when she had killed him in the Temple and then she would see him alive.

Morrigan: "Abelas! Is that you? But how could it be? I thought I killed you!"
Abelas: "Kill me? By stabbing me in the back? Hardly."

Anyway I think it could be that when Morrigan stabbed Abelas he just became stunned. Maybe because his spell was interrupted or he hit his head as well. So when inky and her/his companions have left the remaining sentinels can heal him.

I haven't thought about that Abelas could be afraid. I guess because I think that he has accepted the possibility to die in the Temple. It was his duty to protect the well and he will do that as long as he is alive. Of course inky comes with his/her companions and take it away from him but he protected it as long as he could. I think he left because this world doesn't offer him much. I mean. Would he want to live in the forest and be treated like outcasts like the Dalish? Probably even the Dalish wouldn't like him and the sentinels. Would he like to live in the alienage? Most likely not. Would he want to go to the Circle? I don't think so.

I think one reason why people don't like him could be that the game made me think that all the elves should care about each other. At least that was the impression I got. But when I think about it of course not everybody will like each other even if they all are elves. So when you see Abelas and think that "oh an ancient elf. That's great! Maybe he will help my Dalish PC to recover her heritage" and then Abelas opens his mouth and is grumpy and doesn't want to help you

[Babelas]

Thank you Babelas

Yes there are many ways he could have survived and even if he couldn't have survived they could still bring him back because they can I think it would be interesting to see how Morrigan would react to Abelas when she had killed him in the Temple and then she would see him alive.

Morrigan: "Abelas! Is that you? But how could it be? I thought I killed you!"
Abelas: "Kill me? By stabbing me in the back? Hardly."

Anyway I think it could be that when Morrigan stabbed Abelas he just became stunned. Maybe because his spell was interrupted or he hit his head as well. So when inky and her/his companions have left the remaining sentinels can heal him.

I haven't thought about that Abelas could be afraid. I guess because I think that he has accepted the possibility to die in the Temple. It was his duty to protect the well and he will do that as long as he is alive. Of course inky comes with his/her companions and take it away from him but he protected it as long as he could. I think he left because this world doesn't offer him much. I mean. Would he want to live in the forest and be treated like outcasts like the Dalish? Probably even the Dalish wouldn't like him and the sentinels. Would he like to live in the alienage? Most likely not. Would he want to go to the Circle? I don't think so.

I think one reason why people don't like him could be that the game made me think that all the elves should care about each other. At least that was the impression I got. But when I think about it of course not everybody will like each other even if they all are elves. So when you see Abelas and think that "oh an ancient elf. That's great! Maybe he will help my Dalish PC to recover her heritage" and then Abelas opens his mouth and is grumpy and doesn't want to help you

 

 

 

Did you see this on Mike Laidlaw's twitter today:

 

 

 

 

It's so awesome! 

 

I think Abelas would have some choice words for Morrigan I want to hear that conversation!

 

Morrigan: "Abelas! Is that you? But how could it be? I thought I killed you!"
Abelas: "Kill me? By stabbing me in the back? Hardly."

 

Hehe that sounds like him   I imagine hearing Morrigan snort after his comment. Well Inky did wake him from his nap. I'm grumpy when I get woken up. LOL. I find it very naive to think Abelas will just like Inky straight away. He would be very suspicious of Inky. Once the well is gone he also has his sentinels to consider. I'm certain he cares a great deal for them, like one big family, and I think his main goal would be to keep them safe and get them away from humans. Could you imagine if it had been a group of Tevinter mages who entered the temple? Plus, as much as I love Dorian I know he is going to tell someone about the sentinels back home. Word will spread and there will be many people who want to get their hands on Abelas and company. I think if everyone could put themselves in his place for a moment and consider the responsibility he has and the danger his people are in, they may find his behavior understandable. 

[Abelas Forever!]

Babelas is that a photo or a painting? It looks so real. Very beautiful.

I have been thinking that it might have been red templars who woke Abelas up because they were there first.

Solas said that he was weak after his slumber. I only wonder are sentinels weak as well when they woke up? Because if they were then they would have to take turns to guard the temple because they aren't in any condition to defend the temple if they are weak. I guess one possibility could be that they spend much less time in slumber than Solas and that way they aren't that weak when they woke up. But at any case I think there most likely should be at least servants who will take care of those who are sleeping and probably a small group of sentinels who observe the surroundings of the temple and can take actions if something suspicious happens. I think there might be some spells which can warn them if somebody approaches the temple but I don't think it would be wise to rely solely on spells. Besides the sentinels might need some time to recover from slumber. Maybe not days but hours at least.

I think Abelas could also endanger the Dalish if he would join them with the sentinels because I think it would be like you said that most likely many people would like to get their hands on the sentinels.

I have been thinking that Abelas is like a military leader and a priest at the same time.

[electricfish]

Babelas is that a photo or a painting? It looks so real. Very beautiful.

I have been thinking that it might have been red templars who woke Abelas up because they were there first.

Solas said that he was weak after his slumber. I only wonder are sentinels weak as well when they woke up? Because if they were then they would have to take turns to guard the temple because they aren't in any condition to defend the temple if they are weak. I guess one possibility could be that they spend much less time in slumber than Solas and that way they aren't that weak when they woke up. But at any case I think there most likely should be at least servants who will take care of those who are sleeping and probably a small group of sentinels who observe the surroundings of the temple and can take actions if something suspicious happens. I think there might be some spells which can warn them if somebody approaches the temple but I don't think it would be wise to rely solely on spells. Besides the sentinels might need some time to recover from slumber. Maybe not days but hours at least.

I think Abelas could also endanger the Dalish if he would join them with the sentinels because I think it would be like you said that most likely many people would like to get their hands on the sentinels.

I have been thinking that Abelas is like a military leader and a priest at the same time.

 

The picture is actually a cosplay someone did. Here is the source: http://saltstainedpl...n-the-cosplay-i

[Abelas Forever!]

.

[Babelas]

Babelas is that a photo or a painting? It looks so real. Very beautiful.

I have been thinking that it might have been red templars who woke Abelas up because they were there first.

Solas said that he was weak after his slumber. I only wonder are sentinels weak as well when they woke up? Because if they were then they would have to take turns to guard the temple because they aren't in any condition to defend the temple if they are weak. I guess one possibility could be that they spend much less time in slumber than Solas and that way they aren't that weak when they woke up. But at any case I think there most likely should be at least servants who will take care of those who are sleeping and probably a small group of sentinels who observe the surroundings of the temple and can take actions if something suspicious happens. I think there might be some spells which can warn them if somebody approaches the temple but I don't think it would be wise to rely solely on spells. Besides the sentinels might need some time to recover from slumber. Maybe not days but hours at least.

I think Abelas could also endanger the Dalish if he would join them with the sentinels because I think it would be like you said that most likely many people would like to get their hands on the sentinels.

I have been thinking that Abelas is like a military leader and a priest at the same time.

I think that Abelas was in stasis not true uthernera. That is how I understood it, which means it's some magic of Mythal's that keeps them from changing? I guess. LOL. I have no idea for sure. But... you remember the old guide? I wonder if maybe she tends to the arcane warriors while they are in stasis and that is why she appears to be so much older than them. It would make sense that some of them stay awake or take turns being awake. Abelas says there are children in the temple, so if an elven woman is pregnant I assume she has to be awake to have the baby. Does this mean the children sleep too? I find that difficult to reconcile. I suspect that only the arcane warriors sleep. There is a codex about the temples and how they were like cities. So the temple is probably housing more than just sentinels. We don't see it but I think it is inferred there are other people in there somewhere. Abelas is probably hiding the children and those who are not warriors just like he hid the old sentinel. That's how you know he cares about his people.

 

I agree. I think he was high priest and the leader of the arcane warriors within the temple. He most likely has military training. He has been there to protect the temple since Mythal and I assume that means engaging anyone who steps out of line. I still can't decide if he was the elf wielding the two handed maul during the battle with Samsom/Calpernia or if that is a different elf. In Dragon Age Heroes, he is simply a mage with a staff not a maul but I know arcane warriors can use their magic to augment their strength and wield heavy weapons. I think the elf with maul was not him but I'm not sure.

[Vorathrad]

I don't think I posted here before, so hi all! :-)

As I read your posts I was thinking that big temples such as Mythal's must have been like cities, glad to know there is a codex that describes them as such. I think, however, that there must be few people left at the Temple, maybe just the sentinels that survived the successive attacks. If there are children from ancient parents left that will be one hell of a news bomb, but I think it's unlikely.

Poor Abelas, seeing his people die little by little must have been so hard. Maybe he took his name when Mythal died because he knew they were doomed from that moment. Which makes me wonder, why didn't Flemeth protect them? Or maybe she does and that's why they survived this long? Do you think Abelas has been in contact with Flemeth? (sorry if the last question was already discussed)

[Babelas]

I don't think I posted here before, so hi all! :-)

As I read your posts I was thinking that big temples such as Mythal's must have been like cities, glad to know there is a codex that describes them as such. I think, however, that there must be few people left at the Temple, maybe just the sentinels that survived the successive attacks. If there are children from ancient parents left that will be one hell of a news bomb, but I think it's unlikely.

Poor Abelas, seeing his people die little by little must have been so hard. Maybe he took his name when Mythal died because he knew they were doomed from that moment. Which makes me wonder, why didn't Flemeth protect them? Or maybe she does and that's why they survived this long? Do you think Abelas has been in contact with Flemeth? (sorry if the last question was already discussed)

Hello!

 

There is also this codex:

 

There are whispers fom the Well of Sorrows. It's impossible to understand the entire text, but certain parts suddenly reveal a shadow of their original meaning.

 

"We are trapped. The ones born here do not understand the keenness of what we have lost, or why so many of their elders weep as they enter uthenera. The new ones are faithful to Mythal, but do not understand what she was in her fullness. Without the wise to lead them, they will lose what they should have been.

 

I will teach them. They must serve. We must prepare for those who cast Mythal down. I shed my name the day I began her service. I shed my new one again, now that she rests. I will only be known by the sorrow that cuts my heart."

 

For a moment, there is a feeling of wrenching loss. Then it fades.

 

 

That codex concerns Abelas. I suppose he wrote it the day Mythal was murdered and changed his name to Sorrow. So from that it suggests that children are being born in the temple and he is teaching them the best he can. At least, that is what I take from it.  Poor guy ends up being sentinel, priest and parent in the end. What is interesting is the fact he makes a distinction between himself and the wise. I wonder if the wise were the gods?

 

What horrified me is that at some point Abelas might have had to choose between saving the children in the temple or the well depending on the enemies numbers :/ It's awful to consider what the sentinels have been through.

 

I think Flemeth must know the sentinels are still in the temple. Mythal is connected to the well. Part of her still dwells in it in her original form. It's possible Flemeth has been communicating with Abelas all along. It's also possible she tells him to let the Inqusitor or Morrigan have the well if they are respectful. It just seems odd that once they reach the well he gives it up so easily because two people are standing there. It's like really? You just faced an army of red templars or crazy mages and two people are going to stop you? They haven't even touched it yet! The other reason I think that is because if you are disrespectful he tries to destroy it no matter what.

[electricfish]

<snip>

 

I think Flemeth must know the sentinels are still in the temple. Mythal is connected to the well. Part of her still dwells in it in her original form. It's possible Flemeth has been communicating with Abelas all along. It's also possible she tells him to let the Inqusitor or Morrigan have the well if they are respectful. It just seems odd that once they reach the well he gives it up so easily because two people are standing there. It's like really? You just faced an army of red templars or crazy mages and two people are going to stop you? They haven't even touched it yet! The other reason I think that is because if you are disrespectful he tries to destroy it no matter what.

 

 

Even if Flemythal is in communication with Abelas somehow, I think the fact that the tile ritual was completed is more important than the fact that two shemlen happened to end up in close proximity to the Well. All supplicants who desired Mythal's blessing, justice, wisdom were required to walk those paths, regardless of their status or origin. The Inquisitor and Morrigan being there might be..unique circumstances, but Abelas is bound by ritual and duty. They have completed the ritual, they have given respect to Mythal, and their desire for justice is neither false nor wavering (well...at least the Inquisitor).

 

The Venatory/Red Templars are obviously invaders, here without respect and for the sole purpose of seek and destroy. They are no different than previous invaders who specifically sought the Well. Even scholars or adventurers who might have found the temple (but were not hostile) in the past would have been denied all access because they did not come to petition Mythal, they were mostly ignorant of the rites, or were too unspecific in their desires and therefore would have been cast aside even if the temple was properly functioning.

 

All Abelas has to draw on at this point in his shadow of memories  and a shadow of a temple are rituals and duty. Even if he has failed to save all of his comrades and children over the years. Even if he failed to guide younger Sentinels to proper Uthenara. Even if he has assumed that Mythal is dead and his god no longer watches over him. Even if he is isolated from any other ancient elves, assuming they are long dead as well. He still has the Well of Sorrows. He must still guard it from harm and misuse by the ignorant, yes, but the ancient rituals to which he was bound must be honored first if a worthy person has a clear need and desire.