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[Roamingmachine]

Story time again. Lovey-dovey stuff, characterization of Enna, touching a bit on Dalish having relationships outside their species along with the importance of children in a society the Dalish live in. Headcanon obviously. This thread is too nice to just let die.

 

 

A pleasant afternoon in the Skyhold gardens. People are milling about, some carrying out their various duties while others are enjoying a momentary lull in their day.  Among the latter, sequestered on a bench in a shady corner of the garden, is the Inquisitor Enna Lavellan with her lover Josephine Montilyet comfortably reclined in her lap. The other people in the garden keep a respectful distance from the lovers, letting them converse in private.

Josephine: "How we always find time for us has to count as a miracle, my love."

Smiling warmly she traced her finger gently along Enna's cheek to her long ear, lightly caressing it.

Enna: "Love finds a way."

Kissing Josephine lightly on the forehead, she gathered her closer in her arms.

Josephine: "Our love must be a better scout than Harding for everything it has had to overcome to bring us together. Our worlds, our peoples, our families..."

Looking in to Enna's golden eyes she took her hand gently.

Josephine: "You must miss them terribly, your family."

Enna took a deep breath, her perpetual smile still there but with a hint of melancholy.

Enna: "I do. Very much. The people of of my clan, my children and grandchildren...All of my family. But my duty to them means that i stay here as the Inquisitor. As does my duty to you, love."

She brushed aside few errant bangs of hair from Josephines suprised face.

Josephine: "Grandchildren! My love, i had no idea! I mean, you told me you had children but i never...."

Calming down, she caressed the Inquisitors face lightly with her palm.

Josephine: "I sometimes forget that you are older than Cassandra. And that you married so very young. How many grandchildren do you have? If it is alright for me to pry, i mean."

Enna smiled.

Enna: "You are as much family to me now as they are, my love. My daughter and eldest child Linowen has 4 children and my son Feriel has 2."

Josephine: "You must be proud. I know my mother would be ecstatic for any one of us to bring that many Montilyets in to the world."

That made Enna chuckle lightly.

Enna: "All parents wish to see the family go on. In this i think all creatures are the same. And as we Dalish consider all of the People our family, children are a precious duty for all of us. To try at least; not everyone is as fertile as my daughter. I am immensly proud as i watch my children pass on the torch of that duty to their children and know that the people will go on. "

Josephine looked thoughtful at this.

Josephine: "So you do listen during my oratory lessons. You still get carried away when you get passionate but you are getting there darling."

She kissed Enna tenderly.

Josphine: "I think i understand. It's not much diffrent than how it is with my family is it?"

Enna: "I suppose not. We are both more than just ourselves. You are a Montilyet and i am a Dalish and neither of us wants to be a disappointment by letting our kin down even if it means that we can't always do as we want.Or love as we want."

The inquisitors eyes took on a pained expression, her smile falling. Untill the lightest touch of Josephines fingers on her ear brought her back to sunlit world.

Josphine: "Sshh...I am not the only child of my house and you are not a childless maiden. We are free to love one another..."

The smile returned to Ennas lips.

Enna: "I know my love. The thought of not being able to love you just brings back the memory of old pain, old loss when my beloved Thelasan..."

She stopped talking, her eyes tearing but the smile never wavering.

Enna: "There's a lifeless hole in the garden of my heart where he used to be. But there there are new flowers blooming there too. Flowers that you planted there..."

She pulled Josephine closer in a gentle embrace for a long, gentle kiss.

Enna: "Ma emma lath..."

Josephine: "And you are mine, ma vhenan."

They lingered in the embrace, in silence, for a while longer.

Josephine: "Do you think i could meet your family one day?"

Enna: "One day, my love...Though i must ask..."

Her eyes took on an amused glint.

Enna: "How would you feel about being called 'great aunt Josie' by the little ones?"

Josie giggled at that and made a clandestine grab that made the Inquisitor blush. Duties could wait a while still.

[Serelir]

One of my favorite parts of DAI was meeting Josie's sister. I kept getting glimpses of what life was like for people before the events of the story, or even while it was going on, but I never felt connected enough to the world without the origin story to anchor me.

 

Bonus points for the Scout Harding reference

[Sable Rhapsody]

Story time again. Lovey-dovey stuff, characterization of Enna, touching a bit on Dalish having relationships outside their species along with the importance of children in a society the Dalish live in. Headcanon obviously. This thread is too nice to just let die.

 

Solas was added as a romance super-late to the game.  If he hadn't been available, I honestly think my quizzy would have romanced Josie.  Clariel is much younger and more idealistic than your Enna is; it would've been the sweetest, fluffiest, most Disney Princess romance to ever romance, and Varric would have barfed rainbows.  I almost wish I'd played that first

[winteriscoming]

I love reading about everyone's OCs! I have these huge backstories for all of my characters and there aren't many ppl (read: none) who want to listen to me prattle on about them for hours at a time. It's good to have a nice refuge here for us to release all of our beautiful little head canons out into the wild.

 

I don't have any pics on hand at the moment. I have a ton saved on my PS4 but haven't gotten around to moving them. I will post some later if I remember.

 

I have two elf inquisitors, one of which I just started the other day, and I feel attached to them the most. 

 

My first one was Artair Lavellan, storm/rift mage. I call him my "spicy" because he was a hostile little **** towards pretty much everyone, especially in the beginning. Hated the Chantry, hated Tevinter, hated Orlais, hated pretty much all humanity. He was extremely protective of his clan and of all Dalish elves, had a little prejudice against city elves. He allied with the mages, put puppet Gaspard with Briala holding the power on the throne in Orlais and made a hardened Leliana Divine. He romanced Dorian and let me tell you....that was a lengthy path. He eventually came to see everyone in the inquisition at "his", his new clan and his new family. Still wouldn't bite his tongue or hold his opinion with them, but he'd be by their side for all manner of fan-hitting ****. His views did change slightly over time, he came to respect those who followed the best of the Chantry/Andraste even though he didn't always agree. 

 

Second is Hiraeth Lavellan, who will be tempest archer. In my mind, I see Artair and Hiraeth as cousins who are extremely close, although their opinions conflict on just about everything. Their two playthroughs are somewhat "alternate universes" in my mind: what happened if Artair was sent and what happened in Hiraeth was sent to the conclave. Hiraeth is more open-minded to outsiders, and has always been extremely curious about humanity and all their history of conflict. Whereas Artair would be bitter that they HAVE such long history while the Dalish had little, Hiraeth would be eager to learn it all, to see if any of it could be used to help elves in any way. He is interested in the Chantry/Maker/Andraste and doesn't believe that either Dalish pantheon or the Chantry should exclude the other's teachings entirely, but rather consider and learn from the other without necessarily actively "preaching" or even believing. He is sarcastic and quick to make a joke, but patient and willing to help ppl see his side rather than attack them with it as a battering ram (like Artair). He will also romance Dorian (because Dorian is an exceptional character IMO), but it will not be the struggle as with Artair.

 

Interesting note: Hiraeth is Welsh, meaning" homesickness for somewhere you cannot return to, the nostalgia and the grief for the lost places of your past, places that never were. It seems like the perfect word to define the Dalish, in my mind.

 

Sorry for the word vomit, but not really!

[Serelir]

No need to apologize! Please write more - I enjoyed your descriptions of your characters. They could be cousins to Serelír and Mi'fen'an. I'm trying to be a little more caustic like your Artair with my third elf, Lannsagair, who is romancing Dorian. I hope they get to visit Tevinter in the next game.

[Sable Rhapsody]

I'm trying to be a little more caustic like your Artair with my third elf, Lannsagair, who is romancing Dorian. I hope they get to visit Tevinter in the next game.

 

I am having a really hard time playing a less nice Inquisitor.  My Adaar's definitely more hot-tempered than Lavellan, and has a vengeful streak a mile wide, but with the Inner Circle he's basically a big sweet puppy.  I was able to play a jerkass Warden and a pretty extreme Resolutionist Hawke, but I just can't bring myself to be mean in Inquisition. 

[Serelir]

I am having a really hard time playing a less nice Inquisitor.  My Adaar's definitely more hot-tempered than Lavellan, and has a vengeful streak a mile wide, but with the Inner Circle he's basically a big sweet puppy.  I was able to play a jerkass Warden and a pretty extreme Resolutionist Hawke, but I just can't bring myself to be mean in Inquisition. 

It's difficult for me, too! Much to my chagrin, I'm finding it a little easier with my male character, though I hate to think I've internalized those gender stereotypes so thoroughly. I think it's mostly that the speech wheel doesn't give me the option to say what I'm actually thinking.

 

I haven't been able to bring myself to play a pro-Chantry, pro-Circle character though. I'd like to think that I could RP someone completely different from myself, but it makes me grit my teeth. I think I have to find something of the character in myself, which is probably why I can occasionally let my Evil Vampire Queen out of the cage I've stuffed her into. I could probably get into the role of a Tevinter Magister fairly easily. The ears would be my guilty secret.

[Sable Rhapsody]

I haven't been able to bring myself to play a pro-Chantry, pro-Circle character though. I'd like to think that I could RP someone completely different from myself, but it makes me grit my teeth.

 

My Adaar is vaguely pro-Chantry, but he doesn't have enough personal investment in the whole mage/templar thing to make it really important to his character.  I've heard that playing a loyalist mage is a really interesting route, but I can't play it either.  Not after two pro-mage PCs in Origins and DA2 (one of whom was violently pro-mage).  Might just be a personal bugaboo.

[winteriscoming]

I am having a really hard time playing a less nice Inquisitor.  My Adaar's definitely more hot-tempered than Lavellan, and has a vengeful streak a mile wide, but with the Inner Circle he's basically a big sweet puppy.  I was able to play a jerkass Warden and a pretty extreme Resolutionist Hawke, but I just can't bring myself to be mean in Inquisition. 

 

 

It's difficult for me, too! Much to my chagrin, I'm finding it a little easier with my male character, though I hate to think I've internalized those gender stereotypes so thoroughly. I think it's mostly that the speech wheel doesn't give me the option to say what I'm actually thinking.

 

I haven't been able to bring myself to play a pro-Chantry, pro-Circle character though. I'd like to think that I could RP someone completely different from myself, but it makes me grit my teeth. I think I have to find something of the character in myself, which is probably why I can occasionally let my Evil Vampire Queen out of the cage I've stuffed her into. I could probably get into the role of a Tevinter Magister fairly easily. The ears would be my guilty secret.

 

I seem to have the exact opposite problem! My first Inquisitor was kind, forgiving, etc. (extremely paragon in ME terms) and that was fine, then I played Artair who was hostile, angry and made me think of a caged animal for a while...and I just have the hardest time going back to a paragon-esque character.

 

I suppose for me I find it slightly more "realistic", at least in terms of my characters, for them to be at least a slightly pissed off in the beginning because....I mean, the Inquisitor wakes up to an exceptionally hostile situation/environment where these people are ready to kill them or at least watch them die if that's what it takes. I wouldn't blame them for not being ready to turn a new leaf TOO quickly.

 

One of my favorite aggressive responses in the beginning is when Cassandra says it's providence that sent you and you say "Five seconds ago you wanted me dead, and now I'm your savior?" I just love it, especially for a pissed off elf who would love to just back flip out the Chantry door with all middle fingers raised.

[Serelir]

One of my favorite aggressive responses in the beginning is when Cassandra says it's providence that sent you and you say "Five seconds ago you wanted me dead, and now I'm your savior?" I just love it, especially for a pissed off elf who would love to just back flip out the Chantry door with all middle fingers raised.

You know, now that you mention it, I think I picked that response, too! When it comes to the Chantry, the available responses simply aren't strong enough. Likewise, what I'm given to say to Sera just doesn't cut it. It seems like it's either, "You're just crazy," or "That almost makes sense," when I really want to say something else entirely. I'm glad they at least got rid of the diplomatic-humorous-aggressive choice we had in DA2, even if some of the DAI choices correlate. I'm also glad they included special elf dialogue (at the last minute, from what I've read). It just seems like there should be more of it, or greater incredulity at everyone readily accepting being lead by an elf. I suppose I'll gloss it over with the thought that a Dalish Inquisitor will re-write the prevailing attitudes about elves and lead to equality and self-determination (though I'm trying not to roll my eyes at expressing such idealism).

[Sable Rhapsody]

I'm also glad they included special elf dialogue (at the last minute, from what I've read). It just seems like there should be more of it, or greater incredulity at everyone readily accepting being lead by an elf. I suppose I'll gloss it over with the thought that a Dalish Inquisitor will re-write the prevailing attitudes about elves and lead to equality and self-determination (though I'm trying not to roll my eyes at expressing such idealism).

 

IMO this can be chalked up to desperation on the Inquisition's part at the beginning.  I'm sure if the faithful had their pick of the PC options, the Herald wouldn't be anything but a human noble non-mage.  But the sky is literally falling, and the whole Chantry system is FUBAR.  Whatever individuals may think of elves, or even the Dalish, beggars can't be choosers.  They need the Anchor, arguably more than the PC needs them, so 99% of the people you come across early-game decide to be reasonable and go along with it.

 

By the time you actually become Inquisitor, you've stopped the mage/templar conflict, survived Corypheus, apparently come back from the dead, sealed the Breach, and led the faithful to a goddamn fortress.  At that point, no one who's followed you gives a flying f*** what kinds of ears you have 

[themageguy]

I did it!

i made a male elf im actually happy with!

However, now i face the dilemma of romance. Who will Mahanon pursue?

[MisterJB]

I'm curious, what exactly would be the ideal goals of the elven fans? Not just in the context of Inquisition but Thedas in general.

[raging_monkey]

Well my ideal would be their own state free of human intervention unless asked but I'd settle for co-existance with outright killing each other

[Sable Rhapsody]

I did it!

i made a male elf im actually happy with!

However, now i face the dilemma of romance. Who will Mahanon pursue?

 

Dorian?  Because Dorian is wonderful? 

 

 

It's tempting for me to have a Dalish reassess and even convert to Andrastianism, rather than be someone who confirms their bias in this one. Among other things.

 

I think it might've been a disappointment to Gaider that it wasn't very popular... maybe that's why he made the default Warden a Dalish. 

 

JoH spoilers:

Spoiler

I really liked Ameridan's approach to it.  Seeing value in a relatively new religion, without abandoning his Dalish beliefs either.  IMO it's a realistic take on religions belief that doesn't get portrayed nearly as much as, say, assimilation.

[Lulupab]

Do DAO Elven fans fit here? I like the Dalish more there (and CE even more). It's a similar story (fate changed by an ancient artifact), but I like the personal connections of the clan...and how that story sort of continues into DA2. I like how it's a bit reversed too, where the elf uncovers new lore about Andraste in the Sacred Ashes quest, rather than uncovering Elven lore here. It's tempting for me to have a Dalish reassess and even convert to Andrastianism, rather than be someone who confirms their bias in this one. Among other things.

 

I think it might've been a disappointment to Gaider that it wasn't very popular... maybe that's why he made the default Warden a Dalish. 

 

DA:I has Solas which is everything an elf fan wants. Either friendship or romance with him as an elf reveals a lot. I don't see why any elf would even doubt and attempt to think about converting to Andrastianism in DA:I. The fact that his awesomeness is Ironclad is a bonus as well.

 

As for the ashes, on my first playthtough I had Oghren with me and he said the Lyrium is causing everything at the Temple and DA:I confirms that. All that Lyrium beneath the temple surfaces and has become corrupted into red Lyrium.

 

To be honest with you, I haven't seen anything except "providence" when it comes to Andrastianism. There was never any proof and hardly any evidence of maker's influence in the world.

 

Its the 3rd game were are saved by an Elven god. Two times by Flemeth and once by Solas who keeps the mark from killing you and also leading Inquisition to Skyhold which saves Inquisition as an organization.

[Lulupab]

I'm curious, what exactly would be the ideal goals of the elven fans? Not just in the context of Inquisition but Thedas in general.

 

I think you know the answer to this, most would want an elven state. The previous elven lands are not really populated by humans, they are empty so people who want to escape or are outright traitors have fled there.

[Lulupab]

No, I was talking about DAO. I think DAI is a little easy to confirm one's bias as a Dalish.

 

I don't mean you have to do this either. I was just talking about myself... where I find good beats in the DAO's story. It works well, starting your journey off with the Eluvian.. and ending with it. And all the confusion in between.

 

But I don't I care about the truth of Andrastianism. You're reading what I said wrong. It's just roleplaying. I don't personally care about any of it.

 

As for Solas... I think that's all these threads come down to really. Enthusiastic romance fans, who want everyone to share in it.. I'm just here to say there are other good Dalish stories. It's like everyone is enthusiastic about the Dalish suddenly, when they were pretty cool before. 

 

Well, I'm not too opposed to idea of a Dalish converting to Andrastianism, its their life. I think it has happened already, but among very few elves.

To me however, its as unrealistic as a human converting to worshiping elven gods. Because unless Leliana is divine, none-human races have no place in chantry. Why would I convert to a religion I'm practically not allowed to practice?

 

Its not a bad roleplay but in my opinion it has contradictions. City elf exists for a reason, but due to many issues regarding ancient elves in DA:I, the Dalish has become default origin, and you are from a Clan who is friendly to humans and actively trades with them, not to mention another elf, Solas, encourages you to work with Inquisition. So it doesn't create conflicts with extreme Dalish roleplayers.

[YourFunnyUncle]

If DAI makes anything clear it's that the Dalish gods are powerful magical beings. The question then becomes whether such beings truly are worth worshipping. I think it's very easy to RP a Dalish who sees these gods as little better than Corypheus and loses their faith. In fact that's precisely what my Lavellan Tressa did.

 

I didn't personally want Tressa to convert to Andrastianism, but if you look at Ameridan in Jaws of Hakkon, you can see that there is a historical precedent for elves who valued their heritage and yet believed in Andraste. I guess as the new Inquisitor, if anyone could get away with it and indeed fight for elves to be accepted in the faith, it would be you. Andraste herself was accepting of elves, it's time, wars and politics that have turned the chantry against them. Maybe you could decide that you'd be the one to turn things around...

[Jedi Master of Orion]

Even though most Andrastians are human, the Maker is not conceptualized by the Chantry as "a human god." He is supposed to be a god for all peoples of creation. The Creators, are imagined by elves specifically as the gods of their people. I could also see why maybe an elf would convert to the religion of the prophetess who freed their people from slavery. 

[Sable Rhapsody]

Its not a bad roleplay but in my opinion it has contradictions. City elf exists for a reason, but due to many issues regarding ancient elves in DA:I, the Dalish has become default origin, and you are from a Clan who is friendly to humans and actively trades with them, not to mention another elf, Solas, encourages you to work with Inquisition. So it doesn't create conflicts with extreme Dalish roleplayers.

 
To a certain extent it does, if you wanna roleplay as a more insular Dalish elf who wants nothing to do with humans.  But the game doesn't differentiate all that much between the origins anyway, so headcanon always fills in the gaps.
 

I didn't personally want Tressa to convert to Andrastianism, but if you look at Ameridan in Jaws of Hakkon, you can see that there is a historical precedent for elves who valued their heritage and yet believed in Andraste. I guess as the new Inquisitor, if anyone could get away with it and indeed fight for elves to be accepted in the faith, it would be you. Andraste herself was accepting of elves, it's time, wars and politics that have turned the chantry against them. Maybe you could decide that you'd be the one to turn things around...

Exactly.

Coexistence and blending of different religions and cultures isn't some sort of magical idealized thing.  It happens in real-life with varying degrees of success and permanence, but it's definitely real.  IMO there's nothing unrealistic about a Dalish elf who comes to respect Andraste, or even believe in her religion.  It's more likely with the Inquisitor, who is surrounded by Andrastians and has more opportunity to learn about their beliefs.  Their beliefs are not mutually exclusive; the elven gods definitely existed in some form (Solas, Flemythal), but their existence does not preclude the Maker's unless you really wanna get into semantics about what is a "god."