Woot woot. *waves elfy flag of elfyness.*
Hope we get more about the elven 'gods' when I find that slippery hit-and-quit Solas somewhere. It's the most interesting bit of DA lore at the moment.
I'm more interested in the Titans -- mentioned by Kieran to a Dwarfquisitor.
I'm also annoyed that it was relegated to an offhand mention in an obscure piece of dialogue that necessitates certain choices and wasn't at all elaborated upon.
Likes play Word Association.
Elf Thread.
Abortion.
Edit: Tend to the subject. Enough jokes about how it'll be destroyed please. I created this thread with full serious, so that how I want to see it, till or when, or if it will be destroyed. Let it be a serious thread till then! I ask you. Yes, yes we got it, we got the joke dont spam jokes about Elf Threads ending with BOOOM, we got it, let talk serious I ask you, no serious? Go to another thread.
Alright...
Anyway, I have an elf for my avatar so yay go elves! 
I think the whole point in DAI is that the whole thing is more complex than we had previously been led to believe. Playing a Dalish was interesting because of their idea that they are recovering their lost culture but it is based on bits and pieces of remembered lore, folk tales and what they have found in ruins over the years. Having virtually having to start from scratch in their new homeland, after years of being slaves of the Imperium, it is hardly surprising that they had an idealised view of their ancestors.
I don't think the Dalish had an idealized view of the elves of Elvhenan; the People believed their ancestors were immortal and were magical, but that's not the same as romanticized or even perfect. It's addressed that little is known about this point in time. Even Clan Sabrae considered that the ancient elves could have summoned Audacity during the battle between the ancient elves and the Tevinter humans, so the Dalish were open to the possibility that the ancient elves weren't perfect.
I find it wonderfully ironic that Abelas tells a Lavellan "You are not of my People" in much the same way as many Dalish regard the City elves.
As some Dalish, in the same way that some city elves denigrate the Dalish as "savages" and view any elf who tries to leave the Alienage as a "flat ear" who is tossing aside everything that makes them elven. No group in Thedas is perfect. Conflating the view held by some people with the majority of an ethnic group is a rather significant mistake.
What will be interesting is how the Dalish are portrayed in the future as reacting to this information, if it is passed on by the Inquisitor. My Dalish feels it important he attends the next gathering of the clans to fill them in. It will then be up to them if they accept his word or not. However, he would like them to let go of the past so they can move forward and build a better future for themselves. Of course, if the Inquisitor is not Dalish, the information may not even reach them and they are less likely to accept it even if they do get to hear of it.
And where will the People build this future, considering that before the Breach, the Dalish were nomadic because their religion was criminalized and they were targets of human violence from a number of different Andrastian groups for centuries? And even after the crisis with the Breach, the only exception to this norm is Wycome, assuming Clan Lavellan survived to become heroes.
I imagine that Abelas and his fellow sentinals will have a part to play in future games. That there was an ancient group still surviving did not come as a complete surprise since the World of Thedas had hinted that there were groups of elves that fled to the furthest corners of Thedas to escape Tevinter, and thus it was likely that they remained closer to what once was. It would appear that ancient elves were bald, something to watch out for in the future.
I suppose it depends on what role the surviving Sentinels would want in modern Thedas.
And where will the People build this future, considering that before the Breach, the Dalish were nomadic because their religion was criminalized and they were targets of human violence from a number of different Andrastian groups for centuries? And even after the crisis with the Breach, the only exception to this norm is Wycome, assuming Clan Lavellan survived to become heroes.
And Rivain 
Of course they, being the only non-andrastian human nation on thedas, already have their own problems with chantry belligerence. But they are an example of co-existance that is possible between elves and humans when the 'convert or die' people are not in the picture.
And fellow members of the elven defence league who have come here ahead of the trolls....
SHIELD WALL!
I like to roleplay as individualistic Elves. I am for Elves but I think Elves should self determinate and choose their own path and build their own future on their own terms as opposed to clinging to a decadent misunderstood past.
Heck, I am a historian and one of the most important lesson you learn from history is this :- Study the past, understand the past and learn your lessons from the past but never live the past, for it will only lead to suffering.
I am also of the opinion that Elves, while they should be more selective on potential mates and child bearing due to Theodosian Elven genetics, Elves should try to master and engage in diplomacy with the other races on Thedas as well as engage in trading valuable resources with other races. One of the main reasons why Dwarves get along well with Humans everywhere including Tevinter is because they have Lyrium trade and with it things like Runes and Enchantments. Elves should start trading their hunting supplies, herbs, high quality wood and medicine...goods and services that other races will find to be valuable. Yes, I said medicine. According to Felassan, the Dalish are familiar with many natural remedies Humans have forgotten or ignored, such as chewing pieces of bark from certain trees to cure a headache.I am sure they are a lot more effective than leeches, humors and amputations that non-magical humans use.
Here is what I am talking about. Oh the silly humans with their barbaric medicine... 
Then again, this is an extremely logical opinion on how Elves should proceed so rest assured Bioware will never implement this in their games but ah, well, one can hope.
I am also of the opinion that Elves, while they should be more selective on potential mates and child bearing due to Theodosian Elven genetics, Elves should try to master and engage in diplomacy with the other races on Thedas as well as engage in trading valuable resources with other races. One of the main reasons why Dwarves get along well with Humans everywhere including Tevinter is because they have Lyrium trade and with it things like Runes and Enchantments. Elves should start trading their hunting supplies, herbs, high quality wood, things that other races will find to be valuable.
The elves do trade with humans. But it's kinda hard to do when everytime they stay at one place too long the 'worship the maker or die, oh and we're going to lock your spiritual leadership up in circles' people show up. The situation between elves and dwarves is in no way comparable. The elves have nothing that the humans can't take by force (if they can find them) whereas the dwarves have a monopoly on lyrium, the oil of thedas, and can simply close their gates and collapse the tunnels to the surface if the humans get uppity without really losing anything they value. But there is an example of co-existance and long-standing trade between elves and humans in thedas as i say in my previous post above.
The elves do trade with humans. But it's kinda hard to do when everytime they stay at one place too long the 'worship the maker or die, oh and we're going to lock your spiritual leadership up in circles' people show up. The situation between elves and dwarves is in no way comparable. The elves have nothing that the humans can't take by force (if they can find them) whereas the dwarves have a monopoly on lyrium, the oil of thedas, and can simply close their gates and collapse the tunnels to the surface if the humans get uppity without really losing anything they value. But there is an example of co-existance and long-standing trade between elves and humans in thedas as i say in my previous post above.
Yeah, well Rivain is an awesome place in that way. Reminds me a bit of Nilfgaard. Both are not even remotely the same but both places have humans that tolerate and interact with Elves just fine in a world that does not. Perhaps Leliana will change all that with her open minded approach as a Divine.
Do we know of any other nations or groups who work well with Elves in Thedas apart from Rivain ?
Yeah, well Rivain is an awesome place in that way. Reminds me a bit of Nilfgaard. Both are not even remotely the same but both places have humans that tolerate and interact with Elves just fine in a world that does not. Perhaps Leliana will change all that with her open minded approach as a Divine.
Do we know of any other nations or groups who work well with Elves in Thedas apart from Rivain ?
The Rivaini are indeed awesome. They and the Avvar are my favorite human peoples of Thedas.
As far as i'm aware, there's no beef between dwarves and elves so i guess they could be civil with eachother. There's just not much contact between the two beyond individual level. As for other nations, they are all either andrastian or qunari and as such are not keen on diversity of thought. I guess with Leliana in charge the chantry would eventually become less belligerent but seeing how she's only one of the options and bioware having a habit of running over any player choice that affects the world in any significant way.... :/
I like to roleplay as individualistic Elves. I am for Elves but I think Elves should self determinate and choose their own path and build their own future on their own terms as opposed to clinging to a decadent misunderstood past.
Heck, I am a historian and one of the most important lesson you learn from history is this :- Study the past, understand the past and learn your lessons from the past but never live the past, for it will only lead to suffering.
I am also of the opinion that Elves, while they should be more selective on potential mates and child bearing due to Theodosian Elven genetics, Elves should try to master and engage in diplomacy with the other races on Thedas as well as engage in trading valuable resources with other races. One of the main reasons why Dwarves get along well with Humans everywhere including Tevinter is because they have Lyrium trade and with it things like Runes and Enchantments. Elves should start trading their hunting supplies, herbs, high quality wood and medicine...goods and services that other races will find to be valuable. Yes, I said medicine. According to Felassan, the Dalish are familiar with many natural remedies Humans have forgotten or ignored, such as chewing pieces of bark from certain trees to cure a headache.I am sure they are a lot more effective than leeches, humors and amputations that non-magical humans use.
Here is what I am talking about. Oh the silly humans with their barbaric medicine...
Then again, this is an extremely logical opinion on how Elves should proceed so rest assured Bioware will never implement this in their games but ah, well, one can hope.
Could this woman fix my Elf broken arms?
Anyway, I have an elf for my avatar so yay go elves!
I didin't mean no jokes at all 
I mean that we got the concept of Elf threads ending with BOOM
I wonder what do the Dalish see of the Qunari? Most likely they see monsters, that want to enslave mages? Or somthing else? What do you think?
I wonder what do the Dalish see of the Qunari? Most likely they see monsters, that want to enslave mages? Or somthing else? What do you think?
I think Zathrian makes a comment to Sten about the Qunari in DAO. Sten makes a comment about how the Dalish should stand and fight, and he replies that the Qunari just like fighting and subjugating everything. I think that was it. Or maybe it was about how the Dalish would be forced to assimilate if they were in Qunari lands?
It's been far too long since I took Sten with me in DAO!
I wonder what do the Dalish see of the Qunari? Most likely they see monsters, that want to enslave mages? Or somthing else? What do you think?
Well, seeing as the Qunari want to stomp out everything and everyone that does not follow the qun and the Dalish being big on remaining Dalish.....
I like to roleplay as individualistic Elves. I am for Elves but I think Elves should self determinate and choose their own path and build their own future on their own terms as opposed to clinging to a decadent misunderstood past.
Heck, I am a historian and one of the most important lesson you learn from history is this :- Study the past, understand the past and learn your lessons from the past but never live the past, for it will only lead to suffering.
I am also of the opinion that Elves, while they should be more selective on potential mates and child bearing due to Theodosian Elven genetics, Elves should try to master and engage in diplomacy with the other races on Thedas as well as engage in trading valuable resources with other races. One of the main reasons why Dwarves get along well with Humans everywhere including Tevinter is because they have Lyrium trade and with it things like Runes and Enchantments. Elves should start trading their hunting supplies, herbs, high quality wood and medicine...goods and services that other races will find to be valuable. Yes, I said medicine. According to Felassan, the Dalish are familiar with many natural remedies Humans have forgotten or ignored, such as chewing pieces of bark from certain trees to cure a headache.I am sure they are a lot more effective than leeches, humors and amputations that non-magical humans use.
Elves are generally shut out of economic activity except for what they can eke by with on the margins. You can see this in Denerim and it's described in more detail in The Masked Empire- that elves can't get permits for the better markets. I think you can see it in Kirkwall, too, as I can't recall an elven merchant even in Lowtown, just in Darktown. Since elves aren't allowed to defend themselves, any elven merchant would also be a target for bandits.
Also, that Iorveth avatar. 
The situation for the DA elves seems pretty hopeless, but that of non-humans in the Northern Kingdoms even worse. I don't have a lot of hope for the Pontar Valley compromise.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
Elves are generally shut out of economic activity except for what they can eke by with on the margins. You can see this in Denerim and it's described in more detail in The Masked Empire- that elves can't get permits for the better markets. I think you can see it in Kirkwall, too, as I can't recall an elven merchant even in Lowtown, just in Darktown.
The only DA2 merchant I recall was actually just story based.. not game based. The guy with the daughter who was kidnapped by Kelder.
edit: Wait, there's a shady guy on the docks too, but not sure he counts.
Since the last threads I have seen have died out, I thought why not recreate it? Trolls ruined the first one and the second Idk, so please don't ruin this one... So here is the Elven Suppourt thread! The Reopen!!! Now I just came by this in the forum and I want to thank whoever created this or found it credits to him.her..!!!
Edit: Tend to the subject. Enough jokes about how it'll be destroyed please. I created this thread with full serious, so that how I want to see it, till or when, or if it will be destroyed. Let it be a serious thread till then! I ask you. Yes, yes we got it, we got the joke dont spam jokes about Elf Threads ending with BOOOM, we got it, let talk serious I ask you, no serious? Go to another thread.
Good, the Imperium needs more slaves.
*leans back and takes a sip of wine*
The elves do trade with humans. But it's kinda hard to do when everytime they stay at one place too long the 'worship the maker or die, oh and we're going to lock your spiritual leadership up in circles' people show up. The situation between elves and dwarves is in no way comparable. The elves have nothing that the humans can't take by force (if they can find them) whereas the dwarves have a monopoly on lyrium, the oil of thedas, and can simply close their gates and collapse the tunnels to the surface if the humans get uppity without really losing anything they value. But there is an example of co-existance and long-standing trade between elves and humans in thedas as i say in my previous post above.
Thanks to Briala the elves do have the eluvian network which would be a great way to transport goods especially if they ally with the dwarven merchant guild, I imagine that place is utter hell for dwarves and they'd have a vested interest in making sure the humans don't try anything. The problem of course is that Briala can be killed and BW don't let elves have nice things.
Also the Inquisition seems to be an equal opportunities recruiter and as one of the few, if not the only, military force in southern Thedas to recruit elves they gain both a reliable wage from something that isn't menial labour and earn respect from their fellow non-elven soldiers.
How did Briala get her hands on the eluvian network, and how would she even know to use it since she is not a mage? According to Morrigan it was practically lost to others than herself.
It's a major plot point of the novel The Masked Empire.How did Briala get her hands on the eluvian network, and how would she even know to use it since she is not a mage? According to Morrigan it was practically lost to others than herself.
It's a major plot point of the novel The Masked Empire.
Spoiler
The Crossroads is apparently degrading, however, so unless it can be repaired, I'm not sure how long-term a solution that is to the elves' problems. I think what they really need is a pocket realm like that so those who wish to can live apart from human society.
I'm not sure if The Crossroads and the network in TME are the same thing, it doesn't match the description and both Morrigan and the Inquisitor are fine there. Which can all be handwaved I know but I quite like the idea of Briala's being less well made and used by the lower classes but it has more connections than Morrigan's Crossroads.
OT but I'm curious how come magisters looked at those giant mirrors and thought they were only communication devices.
Something tells me a demon giving a gem is not a good idea.
It's a major plot point of the novel The Masked Empire.
Spoiler
The Crossroads is apparently degrading, however, so unless it can be repaired, I'm not sure how long-term a solution that is to the elves' problems. I think what they really need is a pocket realm like that so those who wish to can live apart from human society.
Well if this little freedom fighter can get the eluvian network working
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