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dalishious · 2 years

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Everything About the Elven Pantheon

IMPORTANT NOTE: This post is in the context of Dalish knowledge, practices, beliefs and legends, not anything to do with the Evanuris revelations in Trespasser.

Creation

Though the Dalish refer to the Elven Pantheon as the Creators, unlike Andrastian belief of the Maker, the Creators did not create the world; the world created them. The Dalish recognize the sun, land, sea and moon as the origin of creation.

Before anything else, there was the Sun and the Earth. Out of where the Sun touched the Earth, Elgar’nan was born, the first of the Creators. Elgar’nan walked the land, and for her son, the Earth grew all he needed. Green to live on, animals to eat. And the Sun gave light and warmth.

However, the Sun grew jealous of Elgar’nan being able to walk the land and take in everything his mother provided to him. So the Sun, in a fit of spite, set the Earth on fire and burned everything to ashes. The Earth cried in pain, her tears pooling together to create oceans and lakes, and in the cracks on her skin from the sun’s wrath, rivers. And from the deepest part of her sorrow, the Abyss (AKA the Void) was created.

Elgar’nan flew into the sky and wrestled the Sun, ending in him throwing his father into the Abyss.

Without the Sun, the Earth grew dark, the only light remaining being pieces of the Sun’s lifeblood left behind from the battle; the creation of the stars. From the Abyss, the Sun boiled the waters of the earth. Elgar’nan tried to regrow what the Sun had destroyed, but nothing would. The Earth tried to convince Elgar’nan to let the Sun go, but in his vengeance, he refused, and the Earth continued to die.

Then the Sea gave birth to Mythal, the second of the Creators. Mythal calmed Elgar’nan with a touch on his brow, and convinced Elgar’nan to make a deal with the Sun: if the Sun promised to be gentle to the Earth and return to her each night, he would release his father. The Sun was remorseful, and agreed. Thus, the cycle of night and day.

Elgar’nan and Mythal brought to back to life everything the Sun had destroyed. Once again the Earth was filled with life. The remains of the Sun’s heat in the Abyss left hot springs with sacred healing waters. And the Sun kept his promise; every night he returned to the Earth, and in his place, Mythal used a bit of his light to create the Moon.

Elgar’nan

Titles:

All-Father

Eldest of the Sun

He Who Overthrew His Father

Sun's-Death

Taker of Vengeance

Represents:

Vengeance

Fatherhood

Sun

Symbols:

Sun

Thorns/spines

Fire

Notes:

Along with Mythal, Elgar’nan heads the pantheon.

As the Taker of Vengeance, the Dalish invoke Elgar’nan’s name when seeking retribution. They also ask for his forgiveness in transgressions done out of too much pride.

It’s said the reason that the dwarves fear the sun is because of Elgar’nan’s fire.

Before the Exalted March of the Dales, Elgar’nan had the largest temple in Halamshiral.

Some Dalish clans believe Elgar’nan is the god that will restore their glory.

The sacred hot springs in the Dales—the Pools of the Sun—hold the remains of the sun’s heat from when Elgar’nan buried his father beneath the earth. The waters have healing properties. Unfortunately, the Orlesians claimed these sacred waters as their own, and built Andrastian statues all over the territory.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“All-Father, may you forgive our part in this tragedy. Would our sons and daughters have died if not for our pride?”

“Elgar’nan guide me, enemies come!”

Mythal

Titles:

All-Mother

Great Protector

The Protector

She Who Watches

Represents:

Justice

Motherhood

Protection

Moon

Love

Symbols:

Dragon

Moon

Tree

Beam scale

Notes:

Along with Elgar’nan, Mythal heads the pantheon.

Dalish Keepers carry staves cut from a Dahl’amythal; Tree of Mythal. The staves are cut when a mage becomes First, for the day they take the current Keeper’s role.

Mythal is considered to be the wisest of all the Gods.

Dalish elves invoke Mythal’s name when declaring a debt, seeking justice, seeking love, and seeking protection for themselves or others.

The Dalish also consider it dangerous to neglect praying at Mythal’s shrines. Pleasing Mythal means she will offer you protection and guidance, but angering her is to risk getting struck from the earth, as if you never existed.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“I will pray that Mythal watches over your path.”

“Mythal, All-Mother, protector of the People, watch over us, for the path we tread is perilous. Save us from the darkness, as you did before, and we will sing your name to the heavens.”

“If Mythal smiles on you, then you need fear nothing at all.”

“Let fly your voice to Mythal, deliverer of justice, protector of sun and earth alike.”

“Go with Mythal’s blessing.”

“May Mythal protect you in your quest.”

Falon’Din

Titles:

Lethanavir; Friend to the Dead

Guide of the Dead; The Guide

The Merciful One

Dirthamen’s Shadow

Represents:

Death

Fortune (as in the future)

Symbols:

Owl

Notes:

In most legends, Falon’Din was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Falon’Din is known as the overseer of funerals and guide of the dead.

In the times of Elvhenan, Falon’Din guided elves entering Uthenera on their journey of enlightenment. When an elf died, he carried them to the Beyond (AKA the Fade).

Falon’Din and Dirthamen are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

The ancient elves referred to him as “master-scryer”.

Dalish elves invoke Falon’Din’s name on their deathbed, when departing on quests or entering battles they do not expect to survive, when asking to be spared from death, and when praying for a deceased loved one’s safe passage to the Beyond.

The owl is sometimes depicted as Falon’Din’s companion, messenger and servant, helping him guide the People through the Veil. Other times, Falon’Din is depicted as a great owl himself.

Known Legends:

When Falon’Din searched for someone to serve him, he refused to chain the wind, as swift as it was, and could not task this of the People, as they could not live where he walked. The owl volunteered, saying “I am not cowed by darkness. Let me serve you who also has no fear of night.”

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“O Falon'Din, Lethanavir—Friend to the Dead, Guide my feet, calm my soul, Lead me to my rest.”

“Falon'Din, Friend of the Dead, may you guide our sons and daughters safely into the Beyond.”

“May your ashes be gathered by Falon'Din, And carried safely.”

“Falon’Din guide your steps.”

“Falon'Din be your guide.”

“Falon'Din, spare me.”

Dirthamen

Titles:

Keeper of Secrets

Falon’Din’s Reflection

Represents:

Secrets

Knowledge

Symbols:

Raven(s)

Bear

Varterral

Notes:

In most legends, Dirthamen was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Dirthamen gave the People the gift of knowledge, and taught them the value of loyalty and faith in family.

Dirthamen and Falon’Din are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

Dalish elves pray to Dirthamen when seeking knowledge, to reveal desired secrets.

Known Legends:

One day, Falon’Din and Dirthamen found a sickly deer lying beneath a tree. Falon’Din asked, “Why do you sit so still, little sister?” They invited the dear to play with them, but the deer explained that she is too old, and wanted to go to her rest but was too weak to travel herself. Pitying the deer, Falon’Din took her in his arms and carried her across the Veil. Dirthamen tried to follow, but got lost in the shifting paths of the Beyond, separated from Falon’Din for the first time. He wandered aimlessly, until attracting the attention of two ravens by the name of Fear and Deceit. Fear told Dirthamen that he would soon fade, lost forever, and Deceit told him that Falon’Din abandoned him because he no longer loved him. But Dirthamen subdued the ravens, and bound them to his service. He ordered the ravens to fly him to Falon’Din, where the two were reunited. Falon’Din vowed to remain and carry all the dead to their place in the Beyond, as he did for the deer, and Dirthamen vowed to stay with him, as they could not bear to be apart again. (For Falon’Din’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Dirthamen gave one secret for each animal to keep, but one by one they all gave their secrets away. The foxes traded their secrets for wings from Andruil. The hares shouted theirs to the trees. The birds sold theirs for coin. But the bears hibernated with their secrets. When Dirthamen found out, he took the wings from the foxes, voices from the hares, and wealth from the birds. But the bears he honoured for their steadfastness, making them beloved above all other animals by Dirthamen.

In the days before Arlathan, a city beloved and counselled by Dirthamen was attacked by a high dragon. For three days and three nights the people shut themselves in and prayed for Dirthamen's protection. On the fourth day, Dirthamen shaped a giant, agile spider-like beast from the rock and trees of the mountain's forest. The first varterral drove away the dragon, and from that day on, guarded the city and its people.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Andruil

Titles:

The Huntress

Lady of Fortune (as in luck)

Lady of the Hunt

Sister of the Moon

Mother of Hares

Represents:

Hunting

Survival

Luck

Symbols:

Hare

Owl

Notes:

In some legends, Andruil is the daughter of Elgar’nan and Mythal. In others, she was born of the Earth.

Where Sylaise is known as docile, Andruil is known as wild.

Andruil watches over the animals of the Earth, and taught the People to respect all of nature; to never misuse the Earth’s gifts.

Her greatest teaching to the People was the Vir Tandahal; the Way of the Three Trees. There are different versions of the Vir Tanadahl (see below).

Dalish elves pray to Andruil for guidance on where to hunt, where to raise their halla, and where to settle and build. They also invoke her name when looking for good luck.

Andruil brings messages to the People by an owl, and the Dalish teach their children to watch for the owl’s messages.

Enchanted belts called Andruil’s Blessing are given to honoured allies of a clan.

In the time of the Dales independence, at least one forest was dedicated to Andruil, where a sanctuary for her worshippers was built. The sanctuary is now a haunted tour location for Orlesian nobles.

Vir Tandahal:

Vir Assan: the Way of the Arrow – 1. “Be swift and silent; strike true, do not waver, and let not your prey suffer.” 2. “Fly straight and do not waver.”

Vir Bor'assan: the Way of the Bow – 1. “As the sapling bends, so must you. In yielding, find resilience; in pliancy, find strength.” 2. “Bend but never break.”

Vir Adahlen: the Way of the Wood / the Way of the Forest – 1. “Receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness. Respect the sacrifice of my children. Know that your passing shall nourish them in turn.” 2. “Together we are stronger than the one.”

The Vir Tanadahl applies to more than just hunting, but is a way of life for those who follow it. The mantra’s metaphors teach resiliency, respect and unity as much as they do a code of conduct for hunting.

Known Legends:

Fen’Harel was one day hunting for halla without the blessing of Andruil. As punishment, she tied him to a tree and declared he would need to server her in bed for a year and a day. However, Fen’Harel was also sought after by the Forgotten One Anaris, who found Andruil’s camp and sought to battle Andruil over claim on Fen’Harel. However, Fen’Harel tricked his way out of the situation by manipulating both opponents to lose focus on him, so he could escape. (For Fen’Harel’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain was blinded by a vengeful hunter after she cursed him, Andruil turned Ghilan’nain into the first halla, so she could find her way home and then lead her sisters to bring the hunter to justice. (For Ghilan’nain’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Andruil guide your path.”

“Andruil bless your hunt.”

“Andruil, grant me your power!”

Sylaise

Titles:

The Hearthkeeper

Represents:

Hearth

Home

Foraging

Domestic arts

Symbols:

Herbs

Fire

Notes:

In most legends, Sylaise was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Sylaise taught the People how to use fire, how to heal with herbs and magic, how to deliver babies, and textile arts such as spinning and weaving.

Where Andruil is known as wild, she is known as docile.

She is seen as a protector of children.

The Dalish pray to Sylaise to spare the sick and watch over the innocent. They invoke her name every time a fire is kindled, and thank her when it is quenched. They also invoke her name in marriage vows, asking to protect the home.

While most Dalish elves follow Andruil’s Vir Tandahal, there are those who instead choose to follow Sylaise’s Vir Atish’an; the Way of Peace. Not much is known about these teachings, other than that it is the way followed by healers.

Dalish elves sprinkle tree-moss over their aravels as offerings to Sylaise.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Sylaise enaste var aravel.” (“Sylaise favour/bless our home.”)

June

Titles:

Master of Crafts

Represents:

Crafts / Craftsmanship

Building

Symbols:

Bent branches

Anvil

Notes:

In most legends, June was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

June used Sylaise’s lessons to teach the People how to fashion weapons for hunting Andruil’s gifts. He taught them how to fashion coverings of furs and ironbark to stay warm.

Dalish elves dedicate most of their crafts to June.

In the days of the independent Dales, the High Keepers of June were all smiths.

Of all the Creators, June is the least understood.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Ghilan’nain

Titles:

Mother of the Halla

Represents:

Guidance

Navigation

Halla

Symbols:

Halla

Notes:

Ghilan’nain was once a follower of Andruil, who rose Ghilan’nain to godhood for her devotion to animals.

As an elf, she is described as having snow-white hair.

In times of great need, Ghilan’nain will send a golden halla to the Dalish, to guide them safely. This halla is known as Hanal’ghilan; the Pathfinder.

Known Legends:

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain came across a hunter who killed a hawk without making an offering to Andruil, she demanded he do so. When the hunter refused, Ghilan’nain called upon Andruil’s wrath to curse the hunter with the inability to ever kill another living creature. The curse worked, and the hunter was mocked by his peers for his inability to hunt. Seeking vengeance, he lured Ghilan’nain away from her sisters with promises that he learned his lesson and wanted her to teach him how to make a proper offering. Of course, the moment they were alone, he attacked Ghilan’nain, bound her, blinded her, and wounded her. But he was unable to kill her due to the curse, so he left her to die in the woods. Ghilan’nain prayed to Andruil for help, and Andruil sent her hares to chew through the bindings to free Ghilan’nain. However, she was still left wounded and blinded. Andruil transformed her into the first halla, so that she could find her way back to her sisters, and then lead them to the hunter to enact justice. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Ghilan’nain used her power to create fantastical beasts, the likes of which were hunted by Andruil. After a year of killing, Andruil approached Ghilan’nain with an offer: destroy her creatures, and she would be made a goddess. Ghilan’nain agreed, with a few exceptions: She destroyed her creatures of the air except those she presented to Andruil as a gift. She destroyed her creatures of the sea except those deep in the ocean, for they were too perfect. She destroyed her creatures of the earth, except for the halla, as she cherished them too much.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Ghilan’nain guide my hand.”

Fen’Harel

Titles:

Dread Wolf

The Great Wolf

The Great Deceiver

Lord of Tricksters

Represents:

Tricks / Tricksters

Nightmares

Misfortune

Deception

Symbols:

Wolf

Notes:

Fen’Harel is kin to both the Creators and the Forgotten Ones.

It is said that Fen’Harel kept to himself, away from the People. After the fall of Arlathan and the sealing away of the Creators and Forgotten Ones, he alone now freely roams the Fade on the hunt for dreams.

Dalish set statues of Fen'Harel outside their camps to frighten harmful spirits, and leave offerings at shrines to him like any other god. They also invoke Fen’Harel’s name when avoiding tragedy, as thanks for turning a blind eye to them.

Fen’Harel fears crossing the ire of hounds.

Known Legends:

In the days of Arlathan, a village came together and prayed for Fen’Harel to slay a great beast that tormented them. Fen’Harel appeared, assessed that the beast would kill him in a fight, and instead shot an arrow into the sky. The villagers asked how he would save them, to which he said, “When did I say that I would save you?” and left. That night, the beast killed the warriors, then the women, then the elders. But when the beast went for the children, the arrow Fen’Harel shot into the sky came back down into its mouth and killed the beast. While the children wept for the loss of their families, they still made an offering to Fen’Harel in thanks, because he did what the villagers asked of him.

There was once an elven king who lost one of his two daughters to a snake bite. At the funeral, a young noble man caught sight of an elven lady so beautiful that it broke his heart not to know who she was. Customs forbade him from talking during the funeral. The noble prayed to all the Creators that he would see this elven lady again, until finally he prayed to Fen’Harel; the only one to answer. Fen’Harel told the noble if he wanted to see this lady again, he simply needed to kill the king’s other daughter.

When the Creator Andruil and Forgotten One Anaris battled over who would punish Fen’Harel for wrongs he’d done against each of them, Fen’Harel tricked his way to freedom. During the fight, Fen’Harel called out to Anaris that there was a weakness in Andruil’s armour. Anaris took advantage of this and severely wounded Andruil, seemingly winning the battle. Fen’Harel said that since Anaris only won because of him, he should get his freedom. This distracted Anaris long enough for the Andruil to rise up again and attack the Anaris from behind. The two were so badly injured that they fell unconscious, allowing Fen’Harel to chew through his ropes to escape. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Fen’Harel is the one responsible for locking away the gods from the People. In one version of the legend, he tricked the Creators and the Forgotten Ones to retreat to the Beyond and the Void by proposing a truce. In another version of the legend, he lied about the location of a great weapon to win the war, luring them into each location respectfully. Whatever the method, the end of the tale is the same: Fen’Harel sealed away the Creators in the Beyond and their respective realms, never again to interact with the mortal world.

An elderly Keeper of a clan in the Silent Plains had a coursing hound companion. When the Keeper slept, Fen’Harel thought to steal the Keeper’s dreams, but the hound protected his master, and chased Fen’Harel away. The hound caught Fen’Harel by the tail, and the two went around in circles before Fen’Harel eventually chewed off his own tail in order to escape. He has ever since feared hounds.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“He Who Hunts Alone, the Dread Wolf. He will come for us in the end, but today he turned a blind eye, and for that, we are thankful.”

“May the Dread Wolf never hear your footsteps.”

“May the Dread Wolf never catch your scent.”

“May Fen’Harel chase your spirit across the Beyond forever!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf hunt you for the rest of your days!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf take you.” (A curse)

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SOURCES:

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire

Dragon Age: Redemption

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 1

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 2

Dragon Age: RPG Book

Codex entry: The Dalish Elves (DA:O)

Codex entry: Elgar'nan: God of Vengeance (DA:O)

Codex entry: Mythal: the Great Protector (DA:O)

Codex entry: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt (DA:O)

Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide (DA:O)

Codex entry: Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets (DA:O)

Codex entry: June: God of the Craft (DA:O)

Codex entry: Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper (DA:O)

Codex entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf (DA:O)

Codex entry: Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla (DA:O)

Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two (DA:O)

Codex entry: Bear (DA:O)

Codex entry: Varterral (DA:2)

Codex entry: Vir Atish'an (DA:2)

Codex entry: Andruil's Messenger (DA:I)

Codex entry: Song to Falon'Din (DA:I)

Codex entry: Twins in Shadow (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 1 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 2 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Judicael's Crossing (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Silentir (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Tenebrium (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Letter from the Hero of Ferelden (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Ghoulish Delight (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Mystery of June (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Rebel God (DA:I)

Codex entry: Vallasdahlen (DA:I)

Landmark: Pools of the Sun (DA:I)

Landmark: The Guide of Falon'Din (DA:I)

Landmark: Offering to the Dread Wolf (DA:I)

Item description: Mythal's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Andruil's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Robes of the High Keeper (DA:I)

Item description: Elgar'nan Enaste (DA:I)

Item description: Evanura (DA:I)

Text appearing over statues at the Dalish camp in the Brecilian Forest (DA:O)

Dialogue with Tamlen in The Lost Mysteries of the Ancients (DA:O)

Dialogue with Lanaya in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Zathrian in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Maren and Velanna in Awakening (DA:O)

Dialogue with Marethari in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Marethari in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Mirror Image (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Memento of the Dalish (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill about Hawke’s mabari (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in battle (DA:2)

Dialogue with Ineria in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with the elderly widower in the Flowers for Senna (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan and Morrigan in What Pride Had Wrought (DA:I)

Dialogue with Keeper Hawen after gaining Dalish approval (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Vivienne in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Ithiren in The Golden Halla (DA:I)

War Table mission: Contact Clan Lavellan (DA:I)

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lairofdragonagelore · 11 months

Text

Brecilian Ruins - DAO

[Remade post, originally from here]

I don't know what to make of Brecilian Ruins. Can we truly trust DAO design with its statues? Spoiler answer: no.

[This is part of the series “Playing DA like an archaeologist”]

The following post contains

Tevinter architecture filled with Elven traps

Iconography

The Well of Sorrows: DAO version

The Tevinter Artefacts

Extra minor details

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore]

Tevinter architecture filled with Elven traps

The first thing we have when entering these Ruins is Morrigan telling us that, despite seeing the whole place with the same architecture we saw in the Ruins of Dalish origin, this is Tevinter. Sure, we can assume that the Dalish hunters know nothing of Elvhenan Architecture or Tevinter Architecture, so their opinion about those ruins being elven could be wrong from the first moment. They are, after all, extremely unreliable beholders of the reality.

Anyways, let's assume Morrigan is right and we see Tevinter arquitecture with Elven traps. This is quite different of what we usually find in Thedas: which is elven structures appropriated by Tevinter humans. This makes sense when you think that the elves were the first creatures in this world, and humans came later, in addition to Tevinter always co-opting any knowledge or techniques from the Elvhenan.

However in Brecilian forest the order of the events seems to be on the other way around. Historically speaking, it can be explained in the following way: we know that Tevinter invaded Ferelden and built many structures with defensive purposes, like Ostagar [which was built to contain the “danger” of the Chasind in the far South].

We also know in the DLC: Witch Hunt, that slaved elves ran away from the North to the South years later after the fall of Arlathan. We know they hid for a while in a Thaig, but maybe some could have reached these forest and inhabit the ancient human structures, protecting themselves with elven traps to keep Tevinter slavers away from them.

Another possibility is that Tevinter simply co-opted the Elven traps and used them in their own buildings. It would not be the first time doing this.

Iconography

The Ruin corridors and chambers are filled with statues. They are the same statues we saw in Zathrian's camp: Sylaise (woman with a vessel), Andruil (woman with a sword. Why? Should not be a bow?), and Ghilan'nain (woman without head and hands).

These are the same exact statues we find in any Chantry, Circle of Magi, or human town, so this is exactly why I never trusted DAO design in general. I don't know if the engine and its lack of resources made them reuse a lot of background details, or there is a real intention in them [I incline to the former]. Considering that DAO had almost 10 years of development, I want to believe that this is not by chance... but maybe the limitations of the engine forced them to remove most of the potential that environmental telling has to offer... I don't know.

In any case, inside the Brecilian Ruins we see a symbol or figure we also saw in the Dalish origin: a kind of dragon-head like figure, accompanied many times by one of those figures that we believe, it represents Andruil (the goddess of Hunt). This could also represent Andraste [who always has a sword or a shield in her representations] beside two figures that look like dragon heads. This would link Andraste with Dragons too, which has been a repeated association that we are not stranger to.

In DAO we see that the dalish are deeply related to Dragons too if we pay attention to the enviromental details that are not repeated anytwhere else: in Zathrian's clan we see many aravels with masks that are dragon-like skulls, and when you click on them, you find out it's a representation of one of their elven pantheon.

We see the concept art of these in the credits of the game.

By now it's quite difficult to say if this is an obvious link of the Elven Pantheon with dragons or maybe Old Gods, or it's just a vestige of former slave elves whose masters may have forced them to worship the Old Gods. It is not strange that a slaved group takes the religious symbols of their slavers and worship them in the name of their own (forbidden) gods. We know that we can't trust in Dalish tales as reliable sources of History, because it's extremely fragmented and lost (thanks to DAI we are truly aware of how false they are containing barely a pinch of truth in them, twisted and romanticed).

On the other hand, I am inclined to think that this is just a representation of how the Elvhenan had, originally, a religion based on Dragons. We know that they venerated a “divine” shape that was meant for their gods and their chosen ones that implied Wings, and due to Mythal’s shape, we associate this Divine Shape with the form of a Dragon. Additional material that can support this speculation can be found in the first three comics of DA comics [The Silent Grove , Those Who Speak, Until We Sleep] where we are informed that the Dragons were the ones who controlled the skies originally, possibly had a broad power over the Fade [Dreamer-like, so from the Fade they could alter reality], and they may have been related to an original non-fragmented “song” that everythign and everyone in the world sang. Also, Dragon Blood is “the blood of the World”, placing the Titans in a confusing position within the lore.

In these Ruins we find a codex of Falon'Din. Which is the same god that Talem told us about when we asked him if he could identify that strange winged statue. So... the confusions gets worse here: it's a Tevinter Ruin, with elven traps, and Elven God statues.

It’s impossible to overlook the fact that this statue of Falon’Din has strong resemblance to the Old God statue of Urthemiel. As if Falon’Din wanted to have the shape of Urthemiel.

The chamber with the fire traps displays “Sylaise” and “Andruil” statues. Which in terms of Dalish Elven lore makes little sense. Andruil? Sure, she is the hunter goddess, though in these statues she is not in a aggressive stance. So is she chasing after you?. And what about Sylaise? The goddess of the domestic arts? Trying to kill you? Protecting the home of the elves? In a Tevinter structure? This makes a bit of more sense if we keep in mind what we know about Andruil from DAI and the little bit of Sylaise [read their sections in Evanuris]; Sylaise is a very agressive, envious goddes of Fire, who is described top have fire breath [like a dragon?], as powerful as Andruil’s spear [a very dangerous and brutal weapon so far we know]. Andruil is presented to us in DAI as the goddess of Sacrifice, brutal and merciless so far we can gather from the codices. So both goddesses seem to fit a bit better in a deadly trap room if we keep in mind the interpretation we had from DAI.

The Well of Sorrows: DAO version

Then we reach to our first "Well of Sorrows". Or more like "Puddle of Sorrows", lol. Once again, we find a wall covered with that Dragon-like skull statues of “Andruil” and “Sylaise” [I keep the quotation mark because we know we can’t trust little these representations]. We also find the codex of an ancient elven tablet explaining the ritual which, after DAI, makes more sense. You drink from the water of the pool, taking the knowledge left by other elves, and then you put the rest of the water in it, leaving your knowledge there [it works similar to what Abelas explained about the Well of Sorrows]. It seems to be corrupted or empty since you don’t have any whispers or sudden knowledge inside your head, and many Shades are summoned if you fail in the procedure. This chamber unlocks the following one where we find the Uthenera chamber.

Since the only Elven god codex we found in these ruins is Falon'Din’s, it could be fair to believe that this may be interpreted like a "Well of Falon'din" which gathers all the knowledge of those elves that want to stop living and go to Uthenera.

This is consistent with the info provided in The Masked Empire, when Felassan explains that powerful mages went into Uthenera in underground tombs beneath Orlais and their servants had to take care of their bodies until they rebelled to them and slit their throats. This part of the Ruins are deep down underground. It is also reasonable in its location: Mythal’s Temple is located in the Arbor Wilds, South of Orlais, while this potential ruin in the depth of the Brecilian Forest. What’s a bit inconsistent is that some chars [Morrigan] said that this place was a Tevinter building [not an elvhenan one], but we can’t take Morrigan’s words as reliable either. She has been wrong many times along the series.

The one thing that deeply disturbed me was that there were two spirits, a little boy and a woman, clearly humans, talking in elven. We could assume they were elf-blooded, but there is no assurance in this. I want to believe this is not a mistake, there is purpose in them being humans since this game has elven models. There is no “engine” limitations there. Now, about the meaning of it, it’s another thing entirely.

The ghost human woman is beside the altar where you find the codex of Uthenera, some elven remains, and a piece of the Juggernaut (a lot of these Ruins History can be scratched via the rare items you find, so sometimes finding a particular item in a particular place is not minor).

Another detail that annoyed me is that the platform where the elven burial lays is surrounded by Alamarri/Tevinter statues. It’s not clear the story of this building: was it originally elvhen? retaken by Tevinter and later taken by elves again? Or this was an Elvhenan ruin, taken by the Avvar or Alamarri of any tribe, and then taken by Tevinter when they invaded the South? It’s not clear neither the original construction of this building nor the succesive invations and appropiations of it,

So the elven chamber dedicated to Uthenera is surrounded by dragon skull-like figures, there are Sylaise and Andruil statues on the outside ring and Alamarri/Tevinter statues with spears in the inner ring. Clearly this shows that we can’t truly trust much the enviromental telling of DAO due to the restriction of resources.

The Tevinter Artefacts

Finally, when you head to the deepest bottom of the ruins, you find a big statue I can't establish to what culture belongs yet; I speculate it's Tevinter due to the places where I found it most of the time. It has a similar flavor to the ones found in Kirkwall.

Behind it, an instrument with two tables filled with research stuff. The instrument is something that I can't decide if it is the same artefact we use in DAI to strengthen the Veil, those elven artefacts, or it's a prototype version of the Tevinter artefact to see the stars: the astrarium [which would make NO sense in the deep bottom of the Ruins, lol. What stars are you looking at?].

In any case, after this part you find a big chamber with a quincunx. Probably the first time we see this organisation. Which makes us remember Solas Tarot Card: the thing we find in a quincunx’s centre tends to be of great importance.

So, this disposition makes a quincunx inside another one, since each of them is also a quincunx, but its centre must be.... a person? a sacrifice?

And if this symbol were not crazy enough already, the squares have a Chantry symbol in each corner. Not the Imperial Chantry (which won’t be a big fuss) but the Standard Chantry! I can’t believe this is a lack of resources... the sunburst symbol is extremelly important in DA series.

In the centre of this big chamber, once again, we found another artefact that may be an Astrarium or an Elven Artefact. We are sure it's Tevinter, since the same object can be found in the basement of the Circle of Magi. We have no idea what it does, or if it's related to any other artefact we found in DAI. (But it’s related to the one found close to the tables full of research stuff. They look the same, one only has a spherical glass around it while the other is more like the skeleton of the first one, with some missing part)

Anyway, returning to the quincunx Chamber: Here we fight an Arcane Horror. I always found these creatures with a design preeeetty close to the Sidereal Magisters. I don’t know if this means something, but in this context, it hints that a Tevinter experiment went wrong in this chamber and corrupted the mage performing it. It’s not by chance that Arcane Horrors are a product of a Pride demon taking control of a mage corpse. It has a big symbolism.

So, we can speculate that some Tevinter experiment happened here, there is no doubt. Not by chance Zathrian and the Oak tree tell us that the Brecilian Forest has a particular thin Veil, and rage demons possess the trees around. We also find a lot of revenants here (pride or desire demons bound by blood magic, explained in the codex The Black Vials). In short, Brecilian forest has similar symptoms to Kirkwall. Tevinter made experiments here, but it’s not sure if they were performed before or after the slave elves lived here.

Extra minor details

In these ruins is where we found a soul trapped (or bound?) to a gem that will teach us the ancient arts of the Arcane Warrior. It says that it is the last of their kind, implying that if you don’t acquire this knowledge, it will be lost forever and would make no sense for Viviene to have this knowledge in DAI.