Summary
Before the Veil existed, the elves ofDragon Age: Originswere the dominant race in Thedas. In modern times, they are better known for their catastrophic downfall. No longer one people, the only remaining unifying trait of elvenkind is to be the outcasts and the oppressed of society. Those who still remember their noble past call themselves Dalish, and they seek to regain what was lost.
For players looking to plunder dangerous secrets inOrigins, the Dalish Elf origin promises tantalizing glimpses into Thedas’ distant and mysterious past. The Dalish are not one people: they are nomadic tribes only bound as one people by tradition. Dalish Elf players take on the role of Mahariel, hunter of Clan Sabrae and descendant of an Emerald Knight of the Dales.
10Nomadic Noble Of The Forest
The History Of The Elvhenan Is More Than Just Bragging Rights
The Dalish trace their lineage back to theelven nobles and knights of the Dales. The Dalish hold this ancestry in high regard, although much of what they know is fragmented as ancient humans scattered and enslaved their people.
Ancient elves possessed abilities that are poorly understood today if remembered at all, and there are many hints in lore that Thedas itself was very different in those times.Dalish history is full of intrigue, as much for Mahariel as for Dalish Elf players.
9Proud To Be Dalish
Exiles Raise Excellent Hunters
The elves ofDragon Ageare the proud - and ignorant - descendants of an ancient race quite different from their modern descendants. The unbridled magic and immortality of the Elvhenan are gone forever, but the Dalish strive to seek out and preserve whatever fragments of memory still exist.
The pride of the Dalish is a wound from which the elves draw strength. These nomadic elves live bythe Oaths of the Dales, and it’s a succinct summary of their attitude: “We are the Dalish: keepers of the lost lore, walkers of the lonely path. We are the last Elvhenan. Never again shall we submit.”
8An Origin For Lore Connoisseurs
Some Of The Most Haunting Dragon Age Puzzles Begin With This Origin
The history of the elves ofDragon Ageis a gripping mystery that is unraveled for players across several games.The events ofInquisitionprovide crucial and surprising answers about them, but the Dalish origin of the first game is where the right questions are asked in the first place.
To the Dalish, much of their former power as a race is kept alive in spirit only. By the conclusion of the origin, Mahariel’s story will launch into something much more tangible than a fireside story about ancient Arlathan.
7The Sabrae Are The Social Dalish
The Sabrae Clan Makes More Appearances Than Most
Originsisn’t the only game where Mahariel’s clan features.Merrill, a recent transferto Sabrae who accompanies Mahariel, later goes on to become aDragon Age 2companion. Other notable NPCs like Flemeth and other factions also have significant ties to them.
Having a Mahariel playthrough to import into subsequent games gives players a sense of continuity despite controlling a new protagonist each time. The Dalish origin is the only way to meet the Sabrae before their stint inthe Free Marches.
6Distorted Traditions & Elvhen Gods
Philosophers Beware, Playing All Dalish Is Not For The Faint Of Heart
As revered as the traditions of the Dalish are, they never claim to be exact. Their history recounts how the ancient elves were at the mercy of shemlen until they were liberated, but there is much more to this story to discover.
The Dalish don’t bother with the Chantry; their mages are destined to become Keepers. Unlike inInquisition, players can’t playa Dalish mage inOrigins, but Dalish rogues and warriors know more about magic than an average shem: it’s the birthright of every elf.
5My Life Is In Ruins
Mahariel Should Have Taken Up Archeology, For Lavellan’s Sake
Players who appreciate how packed with Elvhenan loreInquisitionis will want to have a Dalish ElfOriginsplaythrough to take some notes. This is the only origin that offers a deeper glimpse intoAndraste’s time and before.
Mahariel has a broad appeal: players interested in the history of the Blights, the origins of theThedasian races, and Tevinter lorewill all find things to appreciate in this origin. Although the Dalish claim the right to delve into Elvhenan ruins to discover pieces of their lost identity, these revelations affect all of Thedas.
4Life Or Death Recruitment
When The Infamously Deadly Grey Warden Joining Is The Sane Choice
The Dalish Elf origin gives players several strong incentives to fight darkspawn. It’s not political or criminal schemes that ensnare the Dalish Elf: Mahariel has a clan to protect against the threat of a new Blight.
The Sabrae clan neither hasthe protection of city wallsnor the resources of a nation. Mahariel’s story alsolinks ancient elves and other races together, and curious players will be convinced that only a Grey Warden is equipped to investigate further.
3Mahariel’s Hatred Of Darkspawn Is Personal
The Dalish Elf Origin Introduces The Darkspawn The Earliest
The Dalish Elf origin is one of the few that gives a few hints early on that the darkspawn threat is on the rise, and not just in the Deep Roads. Onlythe two dwarven originsoffer more clues about this.
Mahariel has a lot of personal motivation that other origins don’t, making it one of the best origins to draw players’ focus to the game’s main threat. Dalish Elf players have more than just family motivations: their legacy is also at risk.
2The Past Of The Dalish Haunts Dragon Age
No Other Origin Explains The Deep Background Of Dragon Age: Inquisition Better
This origin has an impressive reach into the future ofDragon Age. Players who want Elven Glory all the way will especially want to make sure the Dalish Warden is part of their experience leading to Lavellan inInquisitionand straight intoThe Veilguard’sopening act.
AlthoughInquisitionclarifies a lot of questionsOriginsraises, there are still plenty of blanks to fill in. Mahariel’s origin discovery isn’t just a picturesque setting: there are clues that observant players will connect some surprising plot points that are raised in the subsequent games.
1Heir Of Arlathan
Remembering & Reclaiming The Past
It’s fitting that the Dalish Elf Warden’s tragedy is as poignant as that of the Dalish: Mahariel isn’t given a choice in the sacrifice demanded. Royalty of the forests or not, this Warden’s fate issealed with emerald blood.
On the other hand, no other Dalish is revered as the savior of Ferelden. If anyone would test the strength of the blood of an Emerald Knight, they had better be an Archdemon–even then, not even Fen’Harel would save them from Warden Mahariel, a true heir of Arlathan.
