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[Meer]

I have to wonder if the forest was more/less than it was at that time.  We hear Solas remark - a few times - about how different the landscape has looks.  It could also have been far because it was a spiritual retreat more than anything.  Only the most devout were really welcome there.  It was a place of meditation and likely they would do so for decades. 

 

EDIT: Also, I wonder if it was so far because they were warring with eachother.  So the main temple which housed her priests collected knowledge - was likely far removed from the main city as a form of protection.

I think this might be a possibility. The temple has those insanely powerful weapons on the outside that could even burn Corypheus down to nothing. It doesn't seem to me like a temple would require defense if there wasn't something important in it or it wasn't in some danger, you know?

[Caddius]

My heart has been searched. It found truth.
 

 

1) You're correct - the microclimate of the Arbor Wilds is incredibly curious. It shouldn't exist where it does and yet, it does. The same goes for the Emerald Graves. The same areas of the Hinterlands that are that far south are covered in snow and yet.. The Emerald Graves appear to be a constantly verdant landscape. Perhaps some magic from the ancient days of Arlathan lingers there, maintaining the climate?
2) Ugh. City states. Caddius. How I love thee. This fascinates me - Sylaise's Song I feel was the greatest clue at the rivalry between the gods. Now, if each of the gods had city states dedicated towards them, that makes the rivalry all the more fascinating. It also validates the reasons for the other gods turning on Falon'Din because he began to encroach on other's lands (apparently the seas of blood from ritualistic sacrifice wasn't enough).

Taking the terraforming elf thought further...

Imshael makes offhand mention of 'the bits out west' of Elvhen territory. Orlais is full of too many elf ruins for it to have been 'the bits'. But everything west of the Hunterhorn mountains seems to be desolate. Why is that? Forgotten Ones, Blight, volcanic eruptions, the ground-shakes that Elgar'nan's codex mentions, a certain WMD employed by Andruil that turned everything into a sea of ash...

Of course, the Tirashan as a Forgotten One red lyrium cultist hub is still my favorite DLC idea ever. 

Naturally thanks to the City-State connection I pictured the ancient elves fighting as hoplites, complete with Young Solas as an Elf! Alcibiades with ridiculously buff calves. I imagine their actual warfare would consist of masses of slave-soldiers directed as cannon fodder while the high-powered priests duked it out.

Also, it's curious that the Codex entries mention how many elf ruins are in Orlais, and that the Nexus Golem said 'The Stone lives beneath Orlais', and that Kal'Sharok is (sometimes, depending on how things are with Nevarra) close to de jure Orlesian Empire. Where's Madrar when you need her?

Also, did I see Oxie like a comment? We need chemistry puns about glitter. 

EDIT: Going what Surprised Dorian/Meer said above, the Elvhen did seem to have crazy defense powers. The Temple defenses, as well as the GIANT LASE in the Exalted Plains. Heirs to the Sun's power, indeed.

[Rabbitonfire]

Wrong thread. I fixed it.

Ah, solas. It's ok to talk of him, he is fen'harel. On topic awayyy.

 

 

I have to wonder if the forest was more/less than it was at that time.  We hear Solas remark - a few times - about how different the landscape has looks.  It could also have been far because it was a spiritual retreat more than anything.  Only the most devout were really welcome there.  It was a place of meditation and likely they would do so for decades. 

 

EDIT: Also, I wonder if it was so far because they were warring with eachother.  So the main temple which housed her priests collected knowledge - was likely far removed from the main city as a form of protection.

I like to think before arlathan were actually city-states with each "god" as leader of each powerful state. Arlathan was actually a vast unified empire with it's capital the same name. Like New York, New York.

[Giton]

I think this might be a possibility. The temple has those insanely powerful weapons on the outside that could even burn Corypheus down to nothing. It doesn't seem to me like a temple would require defense if there wasn't something important in it or it wasn't in some danger, you know?

I like this.

 

It might have been temple, but it was also very well fortified for a long, long, long, time maintained by trained warrior monks. Poor Abelas.

[Rabbitonfire]

I know you still love me Avejajed. I still love you. I will bathe the world in blood to prove it. I know you fought hard. My arms are always open to you.

I don't need more blood than the uterus produces. But that's an enduring message, Lizsaurus. 

[laurelinvanyar]

 
So...a volus?
 

So is the microclimate of Skyhold. We're in the mountains. Everyone should be freezing their butts off, but they're clearly not.  Though TBH I'd be hesitant about chalking it up to magic.  We've discussed before how timeline, language, and things like the Last Supper picture of the companions shouldn't be picked apart too much.  It's very possible that the devs could have just decided they wanted a change of scenery from the standard fantasy mountains, forest, etc. for the Arbor Wilds.

The codexes about the Arbor Wilds mention extensive warding throughout the forest (which makes sense, since the ToM was build by a heavily magic-using society). There's also something funky about Skyhold itself. 

 

http://dragonage.wik...try:_On_Skyhold

 

The original keep, as studied by the writer of the first entry in the Divine Age (post-Adraste, post-First Blight) was not only elven, but built in multiple elven styles throughout the centuries using materials from all over Elvhenan. Skyhold is also extremely isolated, which fits with the idea that the ancient elves used no roads, traveling mostly by way of eluvian. There was probably an eluvian in Tarasyl'an Tel'as during the time of Arlathan, which may or may not still be there (besides Morrigan's eluvian, that is). 

 

Also, that writer in the Divine Age? He tried to rebuild the elven keep (the present keep is built in the Alamarri style) and was struck by lightning and killed. Like whoa. O.O That's not weird at aaaallllll. 

[BoscoBread]

I think this might be a possibility. The temple has those insanely powerful weapons on the outside that could even burn Corypheus down to nothing. It doesn't seem to me like a temple would require defense if there wasn't something important in it or it wasn't in some danger, you know?

Exactly.  That place was probably a fortress - Abelas sad the walls were pretty much torn down - and that weapon was incredibly powerful. 

 

I'm curious if the other gods had their own "super religious artififact".   Like were they all wells of knowledge like Mythals? 

[Meer]

I like to think before arlathan were actually city-states with each "god" as leader of each powerful state. Arlathan was actually a vast unified empire with it's capital the same name. Like New York, New York.

 

This is an interesting idea for me, because it would make a lot of sense. Though it wasn't unusual in the past for kings to call upon lords and their armies instead of having one large standing one, the idea of city states might explain why it was so easy for the pantheon to separate and war against itself. Their followers would undoubtedly choose their god, the "king/queen" of their city state in the event of conflict.
 

It might have been temple, but it was also very well fortified for a long, long, long, time maintained by trained warrior monks. Poor Abelas.

Absolutely! That's another thing. I saw those guys fighting the Red Templars and Venatori; they are tough as all get-out. There was a guy with a huge maul! If they've been diminished by time, I figure the sentinel elves were even more powerful in their day.

[Caddius]

I like this.

 

It might have been temple, but it was also very well fortified for a long, long, long, time maintained by trained warrior monks. Poor Abelas.

Temple styles:

Elgar'nan: Aztec blood sacrifice pyramids in Par Vollen. Also a few Antivan beaches in his name to soak up the sun.

Mythal: Heavily fortified temples in southern Thedas, and giant cathedrals in Elvhen mega-cities.

Falon'din: Half temple, half graveyard, all servants. Glitzy Gothic retro.

Dirthamen: Damp, quiet, scheming monasteries.

Sylvaise: Crazed cult and fearful slaves in an increasingly gaudy, formerly homey cavern complex.

June: Craft store.

Andruil: Her Temple lies at the heart of a particularly large and unpleasant forest, and includes a large prison complex, because the Achievement for Dragon-Slaying was bugged back then too, so it takes her awhile to kill all of the dragons.

Ghilan'nain: Mad scientist laboratory built under a halla ranch. Neighbors with Andruil.

Fen'harel: Quickly disassembled slave shrines across the Empire.

[Giton]

Exactly.  That place was probably a fortress - Abelas sad the walls were pretty much torn down - and that weapon was incredibly powerful. 

 

I'm curious if the other gods had their own "super religious artififact".   Like were they all wells of knowledge like Mythals? 

Annnd there goes my mind. . . 

 

Spoiler

 

directly into the dumpster where I will think on Falon'Din's "super religious artifact."

 

Everything is fine.

 

 

I'm out of likes, but I basically like this entire page. Again. So, consider yourself "liked."

[BoscoBread]

Annnd there goes my mind. . . 

 

Spoiler

 

directly into the dumpster where I will think on Falon'Din's "super religious artifact."

 

Everything is fine.

 

 

I'm out of likes, but I basically like this entire page. Again. So, consider yourself "liked."

Yeahhh...I was gunna say something but....you know. 

 

This is me about 90% of the time right now - If you can't tell I'm the guy in the dumpster

Spoiler

[BoscoBread]

Temple styles:

Elgar'nan: Aztec blood sacrifice pyramids in Par Vollen. Also a few Antivan beaches in his name to soak up the sun.

Mythal: Heavily fortified temples in southern Thedas, and giant cathedrals in Elvhen mega-cities.

Falon'din: Half temple, half graveyard, all servants. Glitzy Gothic retro.

Dirthamen: Damp, quiet, scheming monasteries.

Sylvaise: Crazed cult and fearful slaves in an increasingly gaudy, formerly homey cavern complex.

June: Craft store.

Andruil: Her Temple lies at the heart of a particularly large and unpleasant forest, and includes a large prison complex, because the Achievement for Dragon-Slaying was bugged back then too, so it takes her awhile to kill all of the dragons.

Ghilan'nain: Mad scientist laboratory built under a halla ranch. Neighbors with Andruil.

Fen'harel: Quickly disassembled slave shrines across the Empire.

This is my favorite headcanon about them right now.  June's is obviously the best though Ghilan'nain in close 2nd.

[tsunamitigerdragon]

. 

[Meer]

I'm curious if the other gods had their own "super religious artififact".   Like were they all wells of knowledge like Mythals? 

Oh, right? It occurred to me that something like the Well would be incredibly useful to all the Gods and their supplicants, when it comes to passing on knowledge. However, wouldn't it be interesting if the Well were unique to Mythal, a goddess who (in the guise of Flemeth) swaps bodies and imparts what she knows onto others to further her own goals?

In this case, if each god had their own unique artifact, these could be something that reflects their ruling style. Or just how the power of that god works in general.

[tsunamitigerdragon]

. 

[BoscoBread]

Oh, right? It occurred to me that something like the Well would be incredibly useful to all the Gods and their supplicants, when it comes to passing on knowledge. However, wouldn't it be interesting if the Well were unique to Mythal a goddess, who in the guise of Flemeth, swaps bodies and imparts what she knows onto others to further her own goals?

In this case, if each god had their own unique artifact, these could be something that reflects their ruling style. Or just how the power of that god works in general.

@Liz too - That's my thought. I wonder how "easy" it was to actually create the well.  I think it would be interesting as well if they had their own special "thing".  To reflect not only their style but what they treasured. 

 

I wonder if we're going to have to pull a Zelda and deal with these things.  I wouldn't be opposed to that. 

[Giton]

Oh, right? It occurred to me that something like the Well would be incredibly useful to all the Gods and their supplicants, when it comes to passing on knowledge. However, wouldn't it be interesting if the Well were unique to Mythal a goddess, who in the guise of Flemeth, swaps bodies and imparts what she knows onto others to further her own goals?

In this case, if each god had their own unique artifact, these could be something that reflects their ruling style. Or just how the power of that god works in general.

I know what kind of artifact Falon'Din wielded, one which definitely reflected his unique ruling style (finger-guns).

 

(I'm just letting it happen at this point.)

 

But, more seriously, that would be an interesting development.

[Maria13]

The codexes about the Arbor Wilds mention extensive warding throughout the forest (which makes sense, since the ToM was build by a heavily magic-using society). There's also something funky about Skyhold itself. 

 

http://dragonage.wik...try:_On_Skyhold

 

The original keep, as studied by the writer of the first entry in the Divine Age (post-Adraste, post-First Blight) was not only elven, but built in multiple elven styles throughout the centuries using materials from all over Elvhenan. Skyhold is also extremely isolated, which fits with the idea that the ancient elves used no roads, traveling mostly by way of eluvian. There was probably an eluvian in Tarasyl'an Tel'as during the time of Arlathan, which may or may not still be there (besides Morrigan's eluvian, that is). 

 

Also, that writer in the Divine Age? He tried to rebuild the elven keep (the present keep is built in the Alamarri style) and was struck by lightning and killed. Like whoa. O.O That's not weird at aaaallllll. 

 

This is beginning to remind me of that temple network in Morrowind... the temples were ancient and appeared to be totally isolated from any other areas of importance but yet were joined to each other...

 

Sometimes they were just the most convenient way to get from one region to another not linked in any other way and when your flying ring wasn't working...

[Meer]

I now what kind of artifact Falon'Din wielded, one which definitely reflected his unique ruling style (finger-guns).

Giton, Giton no
_{Giton always, yes}

[tsunamitigerdragon]

. 

[AryBoBary]

Who is this pretender?

Spoiler

There is only one true June 

 

He also served in the Arlathan police force

Spoiler

 

I've never felt more proud of my Levellan repping June.  Just, look at that sass and frass!  How could you say no to his delightful offer of "Enchantment?"?! You couldn't say no, not in those outfits, not with that pout. 

[Caddius]

And once again I start to question the origin of Dragon Age II's Lyrium Idol. It appears to depict the founding narrative of Elgar'nan. But what the hell is it doing in a Dwarven Ruin?

Do we have confirmation that it's dwarven, or did the characters just assume?

I say this because I was reading about ancient underground cities in Turkey. I mean, humans n our times have done it, why not elves? (Yeah, yeah, it's probably dwarven.)

Maybe it was an elven artifact and curio that the dwarves bought because elves brought that touch of high-class?

[Giton]

So are you saying we need to touch all the dangerous god items in Thedas to craft the one true mark on our hand?

... I would actually be okay with this.

((Especially if it means I get to touch Falon'Din.. I mean his mystical magical item. Yes... That.))

It is all part of the Bang Arlathan Tour.

[electricfish]

So are you saying we need to touch all the dangerous god items in Thedas to craft the one true mark on our hand?

... I would actually be okay with this.

((Especially if it means I get to touch Falon'Din.. I mean his mystical magical item. Yes... That.))

We'll have to collect 7 other artifacts of power related to the rest of the pantheon, then we will have to give them all to Solas/Fen'Harel because he is now Hermaeus Mora from Elder Scrolls. Creepy Lovecraftian tentacle many-eyed Daedra.

[laurelinvanyar]

And once again I start to question the origin of Dragon Age II's Lyrium Idol. It appears to depict the founding narrative of Elgar'nan. But what the hell is it doing in a Dwarven Ruin?

I have some theories about that I'll post them in order from mundane to batshit. 

 

1. We do know that some elves survived the fall of Elvhenan, like the refugees in Cad'halash (Cadash Thaig). It could be that it was taken to safety. 

 

2. The creators probably had some dealings with the dwarves. The dwarves might be the longest-surviving culture on the face of Thedas (the memories in Orzammar alone date back 10,000 years. Who knows how long Kal Sharok records go?) Coupled with the theories that June was a dwarf himself...

 

3. Remember that creepy poem written by the profane? "We feast on the gods" or something? An interesting idea could be that the idol belongs to Sun Dad, not Elgar'nan himself. In that legend, Sun Dad scourges Earth Mom (the blight, perhaps?).