Gi1tHRR2

1Codex: Characters (Inquisition)
2
3Adaar, the Vashoth
4
5[if the Inquisitor is a mage]
6The Qunari in Par Vollen live under the Qun, a religious and 
7philosophical doctrine dictating every aspect of their society. 
8Herah/Kaaras Adaar's parents left that restrictive life before she/he was 
9born, settling in the Free Marches and raising their child outside the Qun. 
10Qunari brought up outside their society are still feared, shunned, or 
11misunderstood by most people in the south. The average citizen of Orlais 
12or Ferelden assumes they are cold-blooded thralls, or vicious bandits.
13
14When Herah/Kaaras manifested a gift for magic, her/his parents arranged 
15for a mage among the Tal-Vashoth to teach her/him how to control her/his
16talents. She/he joined the Valo-kas mercenary company as a young adult, 
17making a name for her/himself over the years as a capable and powerful 
18mage. Herah/Kaaras was hired to provide protection at the Conclave, as a 
19neutral party to stand between templars and human mages. After the 
20disastrous explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes that killed the Divine, 
21Adaar was the only survivor. Rumors that the mysterious mark on her/his
22hand is a sign of the Maker's favor were spread by those who claim they 
23saw the divine prophet, Andraste herself, lead Adaar out of the Fade.
24
25[if the Inquisitor is a warrior or a rogue]
26The Qunari in Par Vollen live under the Qun, a religious and 
27philosophical doctrine dictating every aspect of their society. 
28Herah/Kaaras Adaar's parents left that restrictive life before she/he was 
29born, settling in the Free Marches and raising their child outside the Qun. 
30Qunari brought up outside their society are still feared, shunned, or 
31misunderstood by most people in the south. The average citizen of Orlais 
32or Ferelden assumes they are cold-blooded thralls, or vicious bandits.
33
34Qunari who are not part of the Qun, facing limited acceptance in society, 
35often take advantage of their reputation by taking on mercenary work. 
36Herah/Kaaras Adaar joined the Valo-kas mercenary company as a young 
37adult, making a name for her/himself over the years as a capable and 
38resourceful soldier. She/he was hired to provide protection at the 
39Conclave, as a neutral party to stand between templars and mages. After 
40
41the disastrous explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes that killed the 
42Divine, Adaar was the only survivor. Rumors that the mysterious mark on
43her/his hand is a sign of the Maker's favor were spread by those who 
44claim they saw the divine prophet, Andraste herself, lead Adaar out of the
45Fade.
46
47Alistair
48 
49[if Alistair is King and Anora is Queen]
50King Alistair Theirin was crowned ruler of Ferelden after the end of the 
51Fifth Blight; his people consider him a hero for fighting against the 
52darkspawn as a Grey Warden. Few Wardens have ever left the secretive 
53order, and he is the only of those who went on to rule a nation; Queen 
54Anora, daughter of the legendary Teyrn Loghain, rules at his side. 
55Although Ferelden has prospered under their reign, it was greatly 
56weakened by the Blight. Tensions with neighboring Orlais have been high,
57and many believe a renewal of their long-standing conflict is inevitable.
58
59[if Alistair is King and sole ruler]
60King Alistair Theirin was crowned ruler of Ferelden after the end of the 
61Fifth Blight; his people consider him a hero for fighting against the 
62darkspawn as a Grey Warden. Few Wardens have ever left the secretive 
63order, and he is the only of those who went on to rule a nation. Some in 
64Ferelden claim that the Theirin line ended with the death of King Cailan 
65and that the existence of an unknown bastard was a lie imposed upon the 
66people to overthrow Queen Anora. As such, Alistair's rule has been 
67plagued with trouble... both within his own lands as well as with 
68neighboring Orlais. The Blight greatly weakened Ferelden, and many 
69believe that a renewal of the long-standing rivalry between the two 
70nations is inevitable.
71
72[if Alistair was exiled]
73Rumored to be King Maric of Ferelden's bastard son, there was a moment 
74during the recent fifth blight where Alistair could have ascended to the 
75throne. Instead, the throne was given to Queen Anora, daughter of the 
76taritorous Teyrn Loghain-the very man responsible for the death of almost
77every Grey Warden in Ferelden at the infamous Battle of Ostagar. 
78Disgusted, Alistair abandoned the Grey Wardens, and for years lived in 
79
80disgraced exile in the Free Marches. Several years ago, Alistair was 
81retrieved from his exile, sobered up, and eventually re-admitted to the 
82order...though he chose to do so in Orlais rather than his homeland.
83
84[if Alistair remained a Grey Warden]
85A hero of the recent Fifth Blight, the Grey Warden Alistair is credited 
86alongside the Hero of Ferelden with slaying the Archdemon and sparing 
87Thedas the ravages of the darkspawn. Rumor has it that he is an heir to 
88the Fereldan throne, but that he turned it down in deference to Queen 
89Anora, daughter to the traitorous Teryn Loghain.
90
91[if Alistair is a Grey Warden and survives the events of Adamant Fortress] 
92After the Champion of Kirkwall's sacrifice in the Fade, giving him and the 
93Inquisitor a chance to escape, Alistair left to report to the Grey Warden 
94leadership at the fortress of Weisshaupt in the Anderfels.
95
96Blackwall
97
98I do not have much on Warden Blackwall. We know he became Constable 
99of the Grey in Val Chevin after Warden-Constable Fontaine assumed the 
100position of Commander of the Grey from her predecessor. He also bears 
101the Silverite Wings of Valor, an honor bestowed upon Orlesian Wardens 
102for deeds of great daring. The details of the act for which Blackwall earned
103the Silverite Wings, however, are sketchy. Grey Wardens hide their secrets
104well. The medal was likely awarded for a campaign to secure Deep Roads 
105entrances within Orlais, shortly after the Fifth Blight. Several Grey 
106Wardens lost ther lives on that campaign; perhaps more would be dead if 
107not for Blackwall.
108
109According to my sources, Warden Blackwall has been traveling alone for 
110several years now. The last anyone saw him at the keep in Val Chevin, it 
111was 9:37 Dragon. It has been completely abandoned, along with all other 
112Warden outposts. I believe Blackwall is as curious about this 
113disappearance as we are.
114
115Perhaps in time, we will find answers.
116
117Leliana
118
119***
120
121        
122Constable of the Grey, Silverite Wings of Valor--hardly relevant now. 
123They are Warden Blackwall's achievements, and the man we thought to be
124him was someone else entirely. It explains why I had scant information on
125Blackwall. He must have been lying low for years.
126
127I compiled everything I had on Thomas Rainier. Read on.
128
129Leliana.
130
131What follows is a history of Thomas Rainier, prepared for delivery by Sister 
132Leliana:
133
134Rainier was born in Markham, a city-state in the Free Marches. There is 
135little information on his early life, but he was already a skilled warrior by 
136the time he turned eighteen. Hoping to make his fortune, he joined the 
137Grand Tourney, that great Marcher contest of arms. He won the melee, 
138proving himself and earning a substantial sum of gold.
139
140What happened to the coin Rainier won in the Tourney is a mystery. Two 
141years later, he appeared in Orlais, no richer than at eighteen. Still, he 
142leveraged his abilities and lingering fame to gain a place in the Orlesian 
143army.
144
145Rainier excelled as a soldier, rising through the ranks quickly to become a 
146captain with a number of men under him. Rainier's men were fiercely 
147loyal. Our sources believe that many would have gladly defied a higher 
148command at his word. On the surface, Rainier safeguarded his men's 
149interests, but further investigation reveals that he was primarily 
150concerned with his own advancement and profit.
151
152Rainier's desire to amass a fortune likely explains his involvement in the 
153massacre of Lord Vincent Callier and his family. Our sources tell us that 
154Rainier was approached by a chevalier: Ser Robert Chapuis. Ser Robert 
155supported Grand Duke Gaspard's claim to the throne and wished to enter 
156into his good graces by eliminating Lord Callier, one of Celene's 
157staunchest allies. Chapuis hired Rainier to assassinate Callier, and offered 
158
159him a great deal of coin for it. We have no reason to believe his actions 
160were politically motivated. In the spring of 9:35, Lord Callier and his 
161family were traveling to their summer home on Lake Celestine when their
162caravan was ambushed. It is unknown if Rainier realized that Callier 
163would be traveling with his family. Rainier and his men slaughtered Lord 
164Callier and his entourage; they spared not even the children, all four 
165under the age of thirteen.
166
167It seems that none of Rainier's men were aware of the true reasons behind 
168the lord's killing. They simply followed Rainier's orders. Rumors of 
169Rainier's connection to the murders began swirling through the upper 
170ranks of the army, and must have given him forewarning; he was gone 
171when guards came to arrest him. His men, however, were not so lucky. 
172Almost all were charged with treason, save a few who managed to get 
173away.
174
175Thom Rainier was labeled a traitor and a criminal, but remained at large 
176until now.
177
178Briala
179
180Watch out for elves in Halamshiral.
181
182Almost no one notices they're even present. A servant scrubbing floors. A 
183waiter filling glasses. Undergardners weeding the border. Maids and 
184valets dressing nobles. There's no room, alcove, or alley so private you 
185can't find one there. And they're watching. They're organized.
186
187The rumor you've heard of some mastermind leading the elves is no 
188rumor. I have reports that this "Briala" was Celene's personal spy and 
189assassin, a bard of unusual skill. Who she's working for now we cannot 
190confirm.
191
192Say nothing. They will hear you.
193
194--Part of a communiqué intercepted by Inquisition agents, author unknown 
195
196Cadash, the Casteless
197
198Malika/Edric Cadash is a surface dwarf whose family was exiled from 
199Orzammar generations ago, for crimes known only to the record keepers 
200in the Shaperate. Banned from their underground cities and stripped of all
201status in traditional society, many surface dwarves are forced to become 
202part of the crime syndicate known as the Carta, simply to survive. 
203Malika/Edric was raised as part of the Cadash family, a branch of the 
204Carta specializing in smuggling the magical ore lyrium across Thedas. 
205She/He moved from city to city in the Free Marches, working wherever 
206the syndicate saw profit to be made.
207
208News of the Conclave shook up the Carta's usual operations, as its success
209or failure would have tremendous impact on the demand for lyrium for 
210years to come. Malika/Edric was one of a handful of Carta dwarves sent to
211spy on the proceedings at Haven. She/He was the only survivor of the 
212explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Rumors that the mysterious 
213mark on her/his hand is a sign of the Maker's favor were spread by those 
214who claim they saw the divine prophet, Andraste herself, lead Cadash out
215of the Fade.
216
217Calpernia
218
219I had never heard of Calpernia before I joined the Venatori. Tevinter's 
220Circles have no record of a mage of that name, so I thought her perhaps a 
221magister from one of the old houses who took a false title. Calpernia 
222appears to have no background at all, however, and offers no hints to her 
223past. She is too shrewd to flatter, even if she did not spend half her hours 
224training as her Master's star pupil should.
225
226I cannot openly challenge her. The woman is a fair mistress to her 
227followers, and her passion to restore the Imperium's glory strengthens 
228their hearts and loyalty. Besides, her spells blister with power. Only a fool 
229would try to undermine Calpernia by force. We will require a lighter 
230touch.
231
232--Note from Marconius Pellnix, Ben-Hassrath agent to the Qunari, dated several
233days before his mysterious death by fire
234
235Cassandra Pentaghast
236
237Lord Seeker Lucius,
238
239I am fully aware of the intent behind your predecessor’s declaration. Lord 
240Seeker Lambert pried the templars away from Chantry control and led 
241them into an assault upon all mages, for reasons you both find justified. I, 
242however, am uncertain when the Seekers of Truth went from guarding 
243against injustice to perpetrating it. If you truly believe that is not the case, 
244I suggest you look out a window at the chaos this war has caused, and ask
245yourself if Thedas will recover even if you are victorious. I remain at 
246Divine Justinia’s right hand, and will stay there even if you brand me a 
247traitor. I am sorry, but there is too much at stake to swerve from the path 
248we willingly followed at the Chantry’s foundation.
249
250--From a letter by Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast to Lord Seeker Lucius Corin, 
251Dragon 9:39
252
253[if Cassandra becomes Divine]
254Now her hand is raised, 
255A sword to pierce the sun. 
256With iron shield she defends the faithful, 
257Let chaos be undone.
258
259--Canticle of Victoria 1:3
260
261Cole
262
263His name is Cole.
264
265He's not that old, perhaps twenty years, no more. He has blond hair that 
266hangs in front of his eyes; he wears dirty leathers--perhaps the only 
267clothes he owns. He was there when you found Rhys in the templar crypt,
268but you couldn't see him. Nobody can, and those who do forget him. Just 
269like you are right now.
270
271Remember the dream.
272
273--A letter allegedly written by former Knight-Commander Evangeline de 
274Brassard; found in the Spire in the aftermath of the mage uprising.
275
276[if Cole is joins the Inquisition]
277Inquisitor,
278
279If you believe that this "Cole" truly wishes to help the Inquisition and can 
280be trusted to do so safely, I am willing to give him a chance to prove 
281himself. As Solas insists that he is a spirit made manifest in the form of a 
282young man, not a demon possessing an unwilling victim, I concede that 
283he may not be malicious.
284
285Nevertheless, Cole's abilities concern me. I would ask Leliana to have him 
286watched but most of Skyhold seems unable to see this spirit, or remember 
287him even if informed of his existence. The servants complain of odd 
288occurrences, items mislaid or moved to strange locations, but have thus 
289far been unable to see or remember the person responsible. Such actions 
290appear harmless thus far, but I remain vigilant.
291
292Cassandra
293
294Cole appreciates the Inquisition helping those who are hurting and in 
295need. 
296
297[if Cole is told to leave and does not join the Inquisition, his codex entry will 
298read...]
299The Inquisition knows of no one by this name. 
300
301Corypheus
302
303Let me tell you what I know about "the Seven," those Tevinter magisters 
304said to have entered the Golden City long ago.
305
306Each was a high priest to one of the Old Gods. Each came to the ritual 
307shrouded in secrecy, hiding their true name even from each other. They 
308were competitors, you see. The Old Gods told them they would break into
309the Golden City and usurp the Maker's throne... but only one of them 
310
311could sit on that throne. Each assumed a title related to their role in 
312casting the ritual. Some texts claim they had a leader: the High Priest of 
313Dumat, called "Corypheus." He did not rule this group, but instead 
314conducted it, coordinating their efforts to achieve a magical feat never 
315since replicated. They breached the Fade, walked physically in dreams, 
316and changed our world forever.
317
318Perhaps these Seven were the first darkspawn, cursed by the Maker as the 
319Chant of Light tells us. Perhaps not. One would think these magisters long
320dead... but there are whispers this is not so. Think, if you will, what might 
321become of the minds of such beings: corrupted by the Blight, cast down 
322from prideful folly, simmering in resentment and darkness for over a 
323thousand years. Where would such men live? Who knows of them? For 
324someone must, if whispers persist. What secrets do they yet hold, and 
325what would we do, should any one of them return to the light? With luck, 
326these are questions we will never have to answer.
327
328--From Questioning the Chant by Magister Vibius Agorian
329
330Cullen
331
332Whatever you have heard of Kirkwall's rebellion, the truth is far worse; I 
333would spare you that. What remains of Kirkwall's templars have been 
334under my command for the past few years. We have done what we could 
335to assist with the city's recovery--to restore some semblance of order--but
336my time here is done.
337
338Seeker Pentaghast has approached me. She wishes to stop the war 
339between mages and templars. She has been recruiting men and women to 
340the cause and wishes me to oversee the group's military concerns. If the 
341Conclave goes well, then we will not be needed. If not, we stand ready.
342
343I have decided to take Seeker Pentaghast's offer. The Circles have fallen. I 
344can give no more to the Templar Order, nor it to me. The Maker has 
345shown me a new path; I must take it.
346
347--Excerpt from a letter sent to South Reach by Commander Cullen
348
349"Dear Mia, I'm still alive. Your loving brother, Cullen"
350
351Honestly, is it so difficult? We thought you were dead. Again. If the 
352Inquisition was not on everyone's lips, we would never have heard that 
353their fine commander survived Haven.
354
355We've been hearing strange things about the templars lately. I am not 
356sorry you left them. I thought your resignation was implied when you 
357joined the Inquisition, but you meant something more, didn't you?
358
359It's a fool's errand asking you to stay safe, but please try.
360
361Your loving Sister, (see how easy this is?) 
362Mia 
363
364[the Inquisitor begins a romance with Cullen]
365Cullen,
366
367I was glad to receive your last letter. You sound happy. It's been--never 
368mind. I just hope you are well. Which reminds me... 
369
370[Inquisitor's first name]? Not Inquisitor? Not Her Worship, the Herald of 
371Andraste? Your last letter was far too short.
372
373Love, 
374Mia 
375
376Mia,
377
378I will write you a longer letter when there's time. Stop prying.
379
380Cullen
381
382Divine Justinia V
383
384Formerly the Revered Mother Dorothea of Orlais, Divine Justinia V rose to
385power after the death of Divine Beatrix III in the year 9:34 of the Dragon 
386Age. Little is known of Dorothea's background before she joined the 
387
388Chantry as an initiate, but she proved to be a liberal and daring thinker, 
389willing to take a former bard and lay-sister, Leliana, as a close advisor. A 
390headstrong devotion to her own agenda and rumored support of the 
391mage rebellion earned her no small dislike from the powerful priests long 
392used to controlling access to the Divine.
393
394In the year 9:40 of the Dragon Age, Divine Justinia called a summit, 
395intending to negotiate a truce between the mage rebellion and the 
396templars splintered from the Chantry. The Divine Conclave was held at 
397the Temple of Sacred Ashes, the most holy place in Thedas. Before a 
398resolution could be reached, a cataclysmic explosion destroyed the 
399Conclave, consumed the temple, rent the sky, and shattered the world's 
400hopes for peace.
401
402Divine Justinia V perished in the Temple of Sacred Ashes. The Chantry 
403flounders, leaderless, in the wake of her death, and its fate grows 
404increasingly uncertain. If order is not restored to Thedas, Justinia V might 
405be remembered as the Chantry's final Divine.
406
407Dorian Pavus
408
409Only child and heir presumptive to the senatorial seat of Magister 
410Halward Pavus, Dorian comes from a prestigious line of mages, 
411prominent in the coastal Tevinter city of Qarinus since the late Exalted 
412Age. At that time, the Imperium was recovering from a failed Exalted 
413March and the Fourth Blight; Gideon Pavus arose as a voice of reason 
414within the Magisterium. His block of allies convinced the Imperium not to
415descend upon the weakened south, to extend a hand of reconciliation to 
416those who had once sought their destruction. That House Pavus remained
417standing even after Magister Gideon was tried for treason is a testament 
418to the power he built, and--as Dorian himself would claim--an excellent 
419example of how internecine politics in Tevinter can bring low even the 
420brightest star. A lesson, he says, one should never forget.
421
422Empress Celene Valmont
423
424My dear Viscount,
425
426I congratulate you on securing an invitation to appear at court. Allow me 
427to present you with these three words of advice as a gift: don't 
428underestimate Celene.
429
430You must not mistake her reputation as a diplomat and peacemaker to 
431mean she avoids conflict. Dozens of her enemies litter the bottom of the 
432harbor in Val Royeaux. Negotiation did not send them there. She is as 
433shrewd and ambitious as her grandfather Judicael I, but unlike him, she 
434knows how to handle the nobility. She built the University of Orlais--the 
435most vehemently opposed project in Orlesian history--because she knew 
436how to win the support she needed to overcome even her bitterest rivals. 
437She can keep a pet apostate in front of the Chantry because even the 
438Divine fears her influence.
439
440Do enjoy your visit to the palace.
441
442Sincerely,
443Duke Germain
444
445Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons
446
447Your Grace,
448
449You requested the swiftest, surest method of getting a message to Grand 
450Duke Gaspard, so I have arranged for you to meet with his sister: Grand 
451Duchess Florianne de Chalons. While she is of the least account among the
452current heirs to the Orlesian throne, her connection to her brother is 
453extremely close. Gaspard will listen to anything she says. Be persuasive.
454
455M.
456
457Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons
458
459Lady Mantillon,
460
461I can offer no apology for my nephew's behavior the other night. Gaspard 
462has never betrayed any interest in following my advice. In truth, 
463everything he said to you at your dinner party, he has also said to me. His 
464resentment at being deprived of the throne has festered for some time, 
465and he was never one to accept defeat gracefully.
466
467I would take Gaspard's threats of war seriously. I do not believe my 
468nephew knows how to solve problems through the use of anything but 
469steel; if his record on the battlefield is any indication, he is quite adept at 
470so doing. I shall be increasing my personal guard directly.
471
472Sincerely,
473Duke Gratien 
474
475Grand Enchanter Fiona
476
477Grand Enchanter Fiona is considered an anomaly among mages. She is, 
478for instance, the only member of the Circle of Magi ever to leave due to 
479recruitment by the Grey Wardens... and then return. The circumstances of 
480that return are largely unknown, but the notoriety she gained within the 
481Circle allowed her to rise rapidly in the ranks. She became First Enchanter 
482of the Montsimmard tower, and then elected Grand Enchanter at the 
483college in Cumberland. The latter was based on her advocacy for greater 
484mage freedom, a view she claimed her time with the Wardens supported. 
485Urging for a vote on the matter led to the College of Enchanters' 
486dissolution in 9:40 Dragon, and then, when a vote was attempted secretly, 
487to Lord Seeker Lambert of the Seekers of Truth arresting Fiona and her 
488fellow enchanters.
489
490Following their flight to the ruin of Andoral's Reach, the escaped mages 
491held and passed a final vote on the Circle of Magi's independence. This 
492began the mage rebellion; while Fiona no longer holds the official position
493of Grand Enchanter, most mages still consider her an integral part of the 
494rebellion's leadership.
495
496Hero of Ferelden
497
498[default world state or one where the HoF was a Dalish Elf]
499The Hero of Ferelden once belonged to a clan of Dalish elves. An 
500encounter with a tainted magical mirror corrupted the Hero; only the 
501Grey Wardens held the cure. To save the Hero's life, the clan gave her/him
502up to Grey Warden Commander Duncan and the Order.
503
504[world state  where the HoF was a City Elf]
505The Hero of Ferelden grew up in Denerim's impoverished elven Alienage.
506A bitter clash with a Denerim noble during the Hero's wedding resulted 
507in the Hero facing arrest by the city guard. The Grey Warden Commander
508Duncan recruited the Hero, saving her/him from a certain death sentence. 
509
510[world state  where the HoF was a Circle Mage]
511The Hero of Ferelden belonged to the Circle of Magi in Ferelden, residing 
512in the tower at Lake Calenhad for most of her/his life. First Enchanter 
513Irving recommended the Hero to Grey Warden Commander Duncan; 
514shortly after the Hero's Harrowing, Duncan recruited her/him into the 
515Order. 
516
517[world state  where the HoF was a Human Noble]
518The Hero of Ferelden was the daughter/son of Bryce Cousland, Teryn of 
519Highever. When Arl Rendon Howe's forces attacked Castle Cousland and 
520murdered most of the Cousland family, The Hero escaped to safety with 
521Grey Warden Commander Duncan, who then recruited her/him into the 
522order.
523
524[world state  where the HoF was a Dwarf Commoner]
525The Hero of Ferelden was born casteless in the slums of Orzammar. 
526She/he impersonated a man of Warrior caste in Orzammar's Provings, a 
527crime punishable by death. However, the Hero's showing in the arena 
528impressed Grey Warden Commander Duncan so much that he recruited 
529the Hero before she/he could be executed. 
530
531[world state  where the HoF was a Dwarf Noble]
532The Hero of Ferelden was born to noble House Aeducan of Orzammar, 
533the second child of King Endrin Aeducan. After being charged with 
534
535fratricide, the Hero was exiled to the Deep Roads. There, she/he met Grey 
536Warden Commander Duncan, who recruited her/him into the Order. 
537 
538
539***
540
541[default world state or one where the HoF died killing the Archdemon]
542The Hero fought and killed the Archdemon, dying in the ultimate sacrifice
543to save Ferelden. With the Archdemon gone, the darkspawn ranks broke; 
544the horde was easily routed. 
545
546[world state where the Dark Ritual occurred or Alistair/Loghain died killing the 
547Archdemon]
548After defeating the Archdemon and ending the Fifth Blight, the Hero of 
549Ferelden took up the mantle of Warden-Commander. She/he began the 
550task of rebuilding the Order in Ferelden, serving with honor until her/his 
551disappearance several years later. 
552
553[world state where HoF is Queen of Ferelden]
554After defeating the Archdemon and ending the Fifth Blight, the Hero of 
555Ferelden was wed to King Alistair and crowned Queen of Ferelden. She 
556and the king ruled the country together until she disappeared several 
557years later. 
558
559[world state where HoF is Anora's Prince-Consort]
560After defeating the Archdemon and ending the Fifth Blight, the Hero of 
561Ferelden was wed to Queen Anora. He bore the title of Prince-Consort, 
562and the two lived happily until he disappeared several years later.
563
564***
565
566[prior to war table operation "Contact Hero of Ferelden"]
567Her/His current whereabouts are unknown. 
568
569[after completing war table operation "Contact Hero of Ferelden"]
570The Inquisition has discovered that she/he has gone west in search of a 
571way to cure the Calling. 
572
573High Chancellor Roderick
574
575There are some who claim men have no place in the Chantry, beyond the 
576lowest rank of scholarly brothers and those who take their place amongst 
577the templars. It is not true. This is an organization spanning seven nations,
578from the smallest village chantry to the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. 
579It takes more than sermons to keep it alive. There is an invisible army at 
580work ensuring meals are delivered, repairs are made, and faithful tended 
581to... and much of it done by Chantry brothers like myself. The position of 
582High Chancellor places a man beside the Most Holy; I control who is 
583permitted audience, handle her correspondence, deliver her word to 
584Thedas, and serve as her advisor on matters which may be mundane but 
585cannot be disregarded. If I have influence, let it be said it is something I 
586use sparingly if at all. This is a task to which I devote myself with 
587solemnity. I and my fellows bear a burden so that others are free to guide 
588the spirits of Thedas unencumbered.
589
590--Excerpt from a letter by High Chancellor Roderick Asignon, 9:38 Dragon
591
592Iron Bull
593
594M, my dear friend,
595
596I completely understand the difficulty you face. To have such well-
597equipped bandits attack your family's caravans so regularly and with such 
598exquisite knowledge of your shipping schedules is indeed highly 
599unfortunate; there is no shame at all in finding your household guards 
600wanting in such trying circumstances.
601
602To answer your question, when faced with my own troubles last year, I 
603employed the Bull's Chargers. Their leader, the Iron Bull, is a Qunari, a 
604great horned giant of a man; he looked like a savage but spoke like a 
605gentleman. He seems unstoppable in combat, but is far more clever than a 
606simple swordsman. His mercenaries were costly, but they were both 
607strong enough to protect my family's caravans and clever enough to 
608discover how the bandits came into such luck in their attacks upon my 
609family. The bandits have been no trouble at all since, and a baron of our 
610mutual acquaintance effusively assured me that he would be greatly 
611
612surprised if they ever again caused us difficulty.
613
614If you wish to employ the Iron Bull, I can provide you with his contact 
615information... as well as a list of the liquors he enjoys most particularly. 
616Will your husband also be present in these negotiations, or will you be 
617making the acquaintance of the Iron Bull in a more intimate setting? If so, 
618we shall have to talk, the next time our men go hunting.
619
620Yours in friendship,
621B.
622
623--A letter lifted from a hidden drawer in a noblewoman's vanity and copied 
624carefully before being returned
625
626Josephine Montilyet
627
628Seeker Cassandra:
629
630Josephine Montilyet is a noble from the nation of Antiva. She was 
631educated in Val Royeaux, where she built connections among the court. 
632Once she finished her schooling--at a surprisingly young age--Lady 
633Montilyet became the official diplomat between King Fulgeno of Antiva to
634Empress Celene of Orlais. The appointment suits her. She is well traveled, 
635familiar with many forms of etiquette, and by all accounts a skilled 
636negotiator.
637
638If that endorsement does not suffice, Josephine is a personal friend. I have 
639faith in her. We require someone both influential and trustworthy to be an
640ambassador for the Inquisition; you cannot tell me you would prefer to 
641take the job yourself.
642
643Sister Leliana
644
645Lavellan, of the Dalish
646
647[if the Inquisitor is a mage]
648The Dalish are elves who refuse to live in human cities, where their people
649are exploited, having few rights. They choose to eke out an independent 
650existence in the forests, attempting to keep the last remnants of their 
651ancient culture alive. Ellana/Mahanon is from clan Lavellan, a group of 
652Dalish who migrate around the perpetually feuding Free Marches. 
653Ellana/Mahanon's people travel along the borders of each city-state's 
654territory, where Free March rulers will be less inclined to attack them, for 
655fear of accidentally provoking neighboring cities.
656
657Ellana/Mahanon manifested a talent for magic as a child. The clan's leader,
658Keeper Deshanna Istimaethoriel Lavellan, taught her/him how to control 
659and hone her/his new powers. Ellana/Mahanon grew into a capable mage,
660far away from the eyes of the templars and mage Circles. When tension 
661between the two factions erupted into warfare, spilling into the 
662countryside, Clan Lavellan was forced to pick up and move. 
663Ellana/Mahanon's Keeper sent her/him to spy on the Conclave at Haven, 
664as the outcome might determine the fate of her/his own clan.
665
666After the explosion that killed the Divine, Ellana/Mahanon was the only 
667survivor at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Rumors that the mysterious mark
668on her/his hand is a sign of the Maker's favor were spread by those who 
669claim they saw the divine prophet, Andraste herself, lead Lavellan out of 
670the Fade.
671
672[if the Inquisitor is a rogue or warrior]
673The Dalish are elves who refuse to live in human cities, where their people
674are exploited, having few rights. They choose to eke out an independent 
675existence in the forests, attempting to keep the last remnants of their 
676ancient culture alive. Ellana/Mahanon is from clan Lavellan, a group of 
677Dalish who migrate around the perpetually feuding Free Marches. 
678Ellana/Mahanon's people travel along the borders of each city-state's 
679territory, where Free March rulers will be less inclined to attack them, for 
680fear of accidentally provoking neighboring cities.
681
682Ellana/Mahanon became a hunter at a young age, growing into a 
683respected protector and provider. The recent mage rebellions disturbed 
684
685her/his clan's way of life, as the fighting spilled out into the countryside. 
686Clan Lavellan's leader, Keeper Deshanna Istimaethoriel Lavellan, chose 
687Ellana/Mahanon to spy on the meeting at the Temple of Sacred Ashes 
688between the Divine and the feuding factions, so she/he could bring back 
689news of the outcome.
690
691After the explosion that killed the Divine, Ellana/Mahanon was the only 
692survivor at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Rumors that the mysterious mark
693on her/his hand is a sign of the Maker's favor were spread by those who 
694claim they saw the divine prophet, Andraste herself, lead Lavellan out of 
695the Fade.
696
697Leliana
698
699She has many names. Most know her as "Sister Leliana" or "the 
700Nightingale." Some refuse to speak her name at all, referring to her only as
701the Left Hand of the Divine--the shadow behind the Sunburst Throne.
702
703The spymaster Marjolaine trained Leliana from a young age. For years, 
704Leliana was Marjolaine's instrument in the Great Game of Orlais. While 
705Leliana was devoted to Marjolaine, the reverse was not true. Marjolaine 
706betrayed Leliana and almost succeeded in killing her. Leliana survived the
707betrayal, thanks to Revered Mother Dorothea.
708
709Following this betrayal, Leliana spent several years in a cloister in 
710Ferelden, hiding from her past. Inspired by Revered Mother Dorothea, 
711Leliana dedicated herself to her faith, discovering peace in a simple life of 
712devotion. But when the Fifth Blight began, she received what she believed 
713a vision from the Maker. This prompted her to leave her sanctuary, taking 
714up arms against the darkspawn.
715
716Several years after the defeat of the Archdemon, Leliana received a 
717summons from Dorothea--now Divine Justinia V. She returned to Orlais 
718to become an agent of the Sunburst Throne.
719
720Justinia perished in the explosion that destroyed the Divine Conclave, and
721Leliana became a founding member and spymaster of the new Inquisition.
722 
723
724[if Leliana becomes Divine]
725After the defeat of Corypheus and the sealing of the Breach, the Chantry 
726chose Leliana to be the new Divine. Divine Victoria, as she will be named, 
727will oversee the birth of a new Chantry, one that she hopes will unite all 
728the peoples of Thedas.
729
730Loghain Mac Tir
731
732"I passed your test. Fate has a twisted sense of humor, it seems."
733
734Loghain was born a farmer in a time when his country was under foreign 
735occupation. While still a boy, he joined the resistance, where his tactical 
736genius quickly became apparent. He became close friends with Prince 
737Maric, the true heir to the Fereldan throne; together they led the rebels, 
738driving out the forces of the Orlesian Empire. Maric raised his friend to 
739the nobility; Loghain became a living legend, a symbol of the Fereldan 
740ideals of hard work and independence.
741
742During the battle at Ostagar, he fled the field, leaving King Cailan and the 
743Grey Wardens to die. He returned to Denerim and declared himself regent
744to his daughter, Queen Anora, demanding that Ferelden follow him 
745against the darkspawn--upsetting many of the banns. His actions sparked
746a civil war. Loghain's supporters found themselves fighting their 
747neighbors, who blamed Loghain for the death of the king, as well as those 
748who wished to take advantage of the power vacuum. He was defeated in 
749single combat at the Landsmeet, and sentenced to undertake the Joining 
750ritual. He survived, and rejoined the fight for Ferelden as a Grey Warden.
751
752[if the Warden died killing the Archdemon]
753Destroying Archdemon Urthemiel at the Battle of Denerim cost the life of 
754the Hero of Ferelden, but in the aftermath Loghain remained to help 
755repair the kingdom and the Wardens he had nearly destroyed.
756
757[if the the Dark Ritual occurred]
758Together, Loghain and the Hero of Ferelden fought the Archdemon 
759Urthemiel when it attacked the city of Denerim. They emerged victorious, 
760having slain the creature, ending the Fifth Blight almost before it began.
761
762Lord Seeker Lucius Corin 
763For months, we were all so certain Lord Seeker Lambert's death was an 
764assassination carried out by mages. He had, after all, declared the 
765Nevarran Accord null and void, hurtling us headlong into a war against 
766the rebels. Why else would he be killed, except as an act of retribution? 
767The entire Templar Order was fired up, ready to take up the fight against 
768the mages... something we were sure would be over in a matter of weeks. 
769Thus the election of Lucius Corin to the role made me despair. According 
770to the few Seekers of Truth with whom I spoke, he was a moderate. He 
771agreed to the Divine's Conclave, and every templar I knew felt certain he 
772would compromise to see the war ended.
773
774But lately... the man seems different, does he not? I never met him before 
775he assumed command, but even in this short time his opinions on the war 
776have turned. He did not go to the Conclave he personally supported. In 
777fact, he seems to regret supporting it at all. He talks of the templars 
778establishing themselves as a power in our own right, and our fellows are 
779all too eager to listen. I don't know from where this change of heart came, 
780but I begin to wonder if Lambert's death wasn't as simple a matter as we 
781assumed. Something is amiss within our Order, and all I know is that it's 
782beyond me to discover what.
783
784--From a letter written by an unknown templar, found in a burned-out fort, 9:41
785Dragon
786
787Magister Erimond
788
789My dearest Demetrius,
790
791I hope this letter finds you recovered from those ghastly meetings about 
792road repair or import taxes or whatever terribly important work has 
793consumed your time. I applaud your patriotic efforts to maintain the 
794Imperium's infrastructure while the horned beasts to the north wage 
795bloody war upon us.
796
797I have asked before, but you are my closest friend, and now that you have 
798seen the stirrings of our work, I hoped you might reconsider. You cannot 
799
800think your talents adequately spent on roadwork, 'Metri. You come from 
801the blood of the Dreamers. My master will restore the Imperium to a 
802greatness it has not seen since our ancestors walked in the Golden City. 
803He will rule not just a nation, but the world; those who show loyalty now 
804stand to reap the benefits when all the world kneels to the Venatori.
805
806Perhaps you are more comfortable with roads. When my master returns 
807Tevinter to the glory it deserves, he will be pleased to find the nation well 
808paved.
809
810Consider well, my friend.
811
812Magister Livius Erimond of Vyrantium
813
814Magister Gereon Alexius
815
816Lords and ladies of the Magisterium, before we vote on the budget for this
817latest measure against the Qunari, I would ask that we take a moment to 
818consider the state of our institutions of higher learning.
819
820The Circle of Minrathous is more than ten thousand years old. Darinius 
821the Dreamer himself was born within those walls. It continues to be a 
822source of wisdom and guidance for the best and brightest of the 
823Imperium's youth. Yet it falls into disrepair.
824
825Magister Aurarius has made her case several times for increased funding 
826to the Circles, and as yet, her appeals have gone unanswered. Magister 
827Viren has spoken at length on the threat of the oxmen in the north--a tide 
828of brutality that we alone hold back. Let me add this: how shall we defeat 
829the Qunari? How have we held back their advance all these long years 
830without support from the other nations of Thedas? You know the answer: 
831magic. It is our magic that holds the beasts at bay, and through the 
832ingenuity of our magic we will drive them from our shores forever.
833
834My friends and colleagues, this is the battle we prepare our apprentices, 
835sons, and daughters to face. They need the resources to discover new 
836magic, new techniques, that can lend us an advantage in this endless war. 
837They cannot do this while roofs crumble over their heads. Repair the 
838
839Circles; let the Imperium's future be more than slow decline to the 
840marching steps of legions.
841
842--An address by Magister Alexius to the Magisterium, taken from the official 
843minutes in 9:39 Dragon
844
845Morrigan
846
847Monsieur,
848
849I, too, am concerned about this new "advisor" to the Imperial Court. If 
850Celene is truly curious about magic, why not turn to Madame de Fer with 
851her questions? Why seek out this dark-haired apostate from Ferelden? 
852Why bring the woman here? After a great deal of surveillance, I can 
853reassure you somewhat. I do not believe this Morrigan has our empress 
854ensorcelled. There is no way to be certain, of course, but the witch and 
855Celene argue often. If Morrigan tells Celene something unpleasant, she 
856will avoid the witch for months before curiosity draws her back. Morrigan
857has an interest in ancient things--magic from a time before the Chantry 
858even existed--and it is this pursuit that intrigues Celene. Morrigan can 
859answer questions that Madame de Fer either could not or would not. 
860Whether any pertain to blood magic or other forbidden things... that I can 
861only suspect. Three of my spies disappeared after attempting to breach the
862spells protecting this woman's laboratory in the depths of the palace. I 
863would raise a fuss, but then my efforts would be revealed... even though I 
864doubt I am alone. The entire court is consumed with curiosity, and the 
865more Celene keeps her in the sidelines, the more we all wish to know.
866
867Our empress plays with fire. Considering she has yet to find herself a 
868husband to solidify the future of her dynasty, these dealings with the 
869apostate are one more nail in her coffin.
870
871Yours in trust,
872Madame de Carnay
873
874Professor Frederic of Serault
875
876Anton,
877
878If anyone alive can answer your questions about the social habits of the 
879Greater Vimmark Wyvern, it is Frederic of Serault, Professor of 
880Draconology at the University of Orlais. I have met him a few times, and 
881he is exceedingly knowledgeable about his field of study, although less 
882knowledgeable about his current state of dress, the day of the week, and 
883the location of his quill and ink. But nonetheless, quite brilliant.
884
885Cordially,
886Magister Zaldereon Antonidas
887
888Queen Anora Mac Tir
889
890Previously wife to King Cailan, descendant of Calenhad and last of the 
891Theirin bloodline to rule Ferelden, Queen Anora came into her own 
892during the Fifth Blight. With the throne left vacant following her 
893husband's death, she was confirmed as sole ruler with the support of the 
894Hero of Ferelden -- and this confirmation allowed her to rally her nation 
895behind the Grey Wardens and the battle that ultimately ended the war 
896with the darkspawn before it ever truly began. 
897
898[if the HoF was Anora's Prince-Consort]
899After the Blight's end, Anora and the Hero of Ferelden were married. She 
900began the process of rebuilding a country devastated by the Blight's 
901corruption... a process that is considered to have gone well, at least until 
902the Hero of Ferelden's disappearance from the Fereldan court several 
903years ago. 
904
905Since that time, concerns linger that Queen Anora has still not produced 
906an heir, concerns that she has thus far successfully dismissed. The people 
907believe her rule wise and well-reasoned, and they fully supported her 
908decision to give the rebel mages safe harbor in Redcliffe following an 
909impassioned speech she delivered in Denerim six months ago. When the 
910rebel mages took over both the town and castle, forcing Arl Teagan to flee 
911for the capital, her support among the nobility dwindled rapidly. What 
912
913this will mean for her rule in the coming years -- particularly with 
914renewed interest from neighboring Orlais -- remains to be seen. 
915
916Samson
917 
918I want this made clear to every man and woman in our army: do not 
919challenge the red templars' leader, General Samson, on your own.
920
921You may have heard stories of how Samson used to be a templar in 
922Kirkwall until he was thrown out of the Order, that he became a vagrant 
923begging for coin to buy lyrium. That man no longer exists. The fiend who 
924attacked us at Haven had the strength of a dozen men. Samson has the 
925training of a templar and all the power of red lyrium at his command. For 
926those who did not see it firsthand, he is as dangerous as any demon. 
927Perhaps worse. Treat him as such.
928
929I will hold personally accountable any officers who do not communicate 
930this order to their soldiers.
931
932--Letter from Commander Cullen, issued to commanding officers and read to all 
933Inquisition soldiers
934
935Scout Harding
936
937Forward camp has been established in the Fereldan Hinterlands, and 
938suitable locations for other outposts have been identified. Progress into 
939the area proceeded ahead of projected schedules, thanks to a local 
940volunteer.
941
942For further details, read on:
943
944Sleiter was ambushed and overwhelmed by bandits and might have died 
945if not for the timely intervention of Lace Harding, who rescued Sleiter 
946with two well-aimed stones from a sling. Her family mabari ran off the 
947remaining three bandits. Harding and Contessa (the mabari) escorted 
948Sleiter back to the forward camp, followed at a distance by the small herd 
949of ambling sheep that belonged to a neighbor of the Harding family. Once 
950
951there, she requested a map, which she proceeded to fill out with helpful 
952details, most notably known bandit hideouts and ambush points. Map 
953completed, Lace Harding took her sheep and returned home.
954
955We did not expect her to return the next morning, now outfitted with a 
956small bow and leather jerkin, and absent one hound and a herd of sheep. 
957"Maps are all right, but nothing beats a guide," she said.
958
959That was a week ago. She's still here. I took the liberty of offering her a 
960position as a scout.
961
962Yours,
963Charter 
964
965Ser Stroud
966
967Born the younger son of a minor noble family in the Fields of Ghislain, 
968Jean-Marc Stroud had just finished training at the Academie des 
969Chevaliers when he received word that his family had been killed, 
970ostensibly by bandits. In reality, they were victims of the Orlesian Great 
971Game. Ser Stroud's plan to find his family's murderers was cut short when
972the Grey Warden, Clarel, recruited Stroud on the advice of the Academie 
973trainers, who did not wish to see a promising young chevalier throw his 
974life away in fruitless pursuit of vengeance. Unable to refuse such a request
975honorably, Ser Stroud joined the Wardens and left his old life behind.
976
977Warden Stroud has served the Grey Wardens with honor for decades. He 
978is regarded as one of the finest swordsmen in the Order, combining his 
979study at the Academie with years of fighting darkspawn alongside 
980dwarves in the Deep Roads. Warden-Commander Clarel has tasked him 
981with recruiting and training new Wardens; most young Warden warriors 
982owe their skill to Stroud's mentorship.
983
984Stroud prefers to travel in the Free Marches rather than Orlais, knowing 
985his family history could cause him to become caught up in the Game, 
986leading to accusations of political interference among the Wardens. He 
987also has no strong opinions regarding mages or templars, although he 
988believes both groups wrong to turn their back on the Chantry, which 
989
990Stroud holds in some esteem.
991
992--An intelligence report delivered to Leliana
993
994Sera
995
996This report by Josephine has been defaced numerous times in a different hand:
997
998On Sera, Red Jenny, and Velissisima Ladyparts von Knucklefronts,
999
1000It falls to me to comment on this "Red Jenny," for as a creature of the court 
1001I must have seen the effect of her actions, although I cannot be certain. 
1002Does that make them effective or ineffective? What I know is that "she" 
1003has vexed cities' guardsmen across Thedas, and always escaped. 
1004Accessing all available records, it seems clear that there have been 
1005multiple embodiments of the name, often at the same time; the limitations 
1006of communication are such that this is impossible to verify in the moment.
1007 
1008(A crude drawing of a guard with her breeches at her ankles.)
1009
1010The severity of the attributed actions vary wildly, from petty to outright 
1011vicious. While official reports label these actions unfair, I have knowledge 
1012of many named as victims, and several are of suspect character. Sera 
1013would call them something altogether untoward.
1014
1015Yes mum. Shits, the lot of them.
1016
1017There are tales of "Red Jenny" targeting criminals, slavers, and even 
1018assassins' guilds. The benefit of having a "local" is that they are invested in
1019regional concerns, although this obviously varies. I can discern no 
1020protocol.
1021
1022Don't need a title to be awful and deserve it.
1023
1024So who is our "Red Jenny?" She has been amusing herself in Val Royeaux 
1025for some time, although it is clear from her accent that she is deeply 
1026Fereldan. She met with outright laughter my inquiry as to whether she 
1027had any special "elven concerns" that I could address. I have conferred 
1028
1029with Leliana about the danger of this group, and our estimation is that this
1030incarnation of Red Jenny is, at least, a good distraction.
1031
1032Aww, the scary one cares.
1033
1034Addendum: Denerim
1035Sera's claim to have lived in Denerim cannot be verified, but seems likely. 
1036The alienage there was neither stable nor secure; many residents of the 
1037city fled the region following the Blight. Given her nature, Val Royeaux 
1038would have seemed rife with targets. Denerim has more than its share of 
1039suspect nobility, but most were rallied against a common enemy, thanks 
1040to the efforts of the Hero of Ferelden.
1041
1042Forced to, more like. Shits and double shits.
1043
1044Addendum: Lady Emmald
1045I attempted to find information about this "Lady Emmald" Sera 
1046mentioned. It is difficult, given how many noble houses were all but 
1047erased during the Blight. Emmald seems a recent name, rather than 
1048established nobility. Perhaps the title of "Lady" was a negotiated honorific 
1049due to mercantile holdings.
1050
1051Didn't say she didn't work hard. Said she was a bitch. 
1052
1053[if the Inquisitor romances Sera]
1054Addendum: Personal Privacy
1055In light of your developing relationship with Sera, I wish to clarify that 
1056any and all information I have gleaned is, at best, secondhand. I would 
1057never expect to exceed your own observations, given their intimate 
1058nature, and I do not wish to intrude on your privacy.
1059
1060Keep your nose out. She's mine.
1061
1062Addendum: On Sera's hatred of darkspawn
1063Having read the reports, I might have expected that someone with ties to 
1064Ferelden--and specifically Denerim--would harbor a violent dislike of 
1065darkspawn. Whatever claims she has to family, all were threatened during
1066the blight.
1067
1068They don't look right. Not living. 
1069
1070Addendum: On "Red Jenny" Caches in Populated Areas
1071It bewilders how such things go unnoticed, but perhaps that is the power 
1072of the practiced servant--they are keenly aware of what escapes the 
1073preoccupied eye. Sera, of course, can spy them instantly. She seems an 
1074extreme version of a very narrow definition of "perceptive." I have pressed
1075for a schedule, or even some hint of procedure, but she is content to rely 
1076on the unknown. It may seem exciting, but I should find it ever so 
1077frustrating if I were searching.
1078
1079It's just red, right? Bet she'd see it if it was on a hat out of season. 
1080
1081Addendum: On Sera's Fascination with Dragons
1082I do not know what Sera finds in dragons that enthralls her so, but it is 
1083clear from her excited admissions that battling them speaks to her in a 
1084way for which she was not prepared. At least, in my estimation. If you 
1085seek an admission, at best she will declare "that was grand!" or similar. 
1086She's hardly introspective. Nevertheless, she has expressed an interest in 
1087any future hunts.
1088
1089(A crude drawing of Sera, tongue out, standing atop a dragon, mimicking its 
1090horns with her fingers.)
1091
1092Piss, can't draw saddles.
1093
1094Solas
1095
1096Cassandra,
1097
1098I understand our first order of business must be to investigate this bizarre 
1099breach in the sky and protect people from the demons descending. While 
1100my search continues, I wish to draw your attention to a new arrival at our 
1101camp: an elven apostate calling himself Solas.
1102
1103Solas entered the camp voluntarily, surrendering his staff to Chantry 
1104forces without protest. He is not Dalish and says that he has never been 
1105part of the Circle, claiming instead to have studied magic peacefully on 
1106his own... particularly magic tied to the Fade.
1107
1108While I suspect you will be reluctant to accept the help of an apostate, 
1109Solas did come to us freely. Witnesses saw him in a nearby village at the 
1110time of the blast, so he was likely not responsible for what happened at 
1111the Conclave. However, he has described the effects of the Breach in 
1112enough detail to convince me that he knows more about the Fade than 
1113anyone else present.
1114
1115Solas has requested permission to study the lone survivor and one of the 
1116smaller rifts, in hopes of finding a way to seal the Breach. He has correctly 
1117guessed that it is growing, and believes it will destroy the entire world 
1118unless we find a way to stop it. Unless you object, I will allow him his 
1119studies--under proper observation, of course. 
1120Leliana 
1121
1122        
1123Inquisitor,
1124
1125Despite my efforts, I have been unable to locate Solas. From the site of 
1126your battle with Corypheus, he was last seen headed west, still distraught 
1127over the destruction of the orb Corypheus carried. From there he 
1128disappeared, evading my people so easily and so completely that I am 
1129forced to wonder how much he knew about them.
1130
1131When Solas initially approached the Inquisition and offered aid, I 
1132questioned him extensively about his background and history. He was 
1133evasive, but he did give the name of the village where he grew up, noting 
1134that it was small, unlikely to appear on any map.
1135
1136I hate loose ends, so I kept a few of my agents searching, to verify his 
1137story. They recently located the village... or what remains of it. It is a ruin, 
1138as it has been for centuries, its name preserved only in degraded form in 
1139Ancient Tevinter mysteries. Whoever Solas truly is, wherever he came 
1140from, he has deceived us from the very start.
1141
1142I apologize for not investigating this more thoroughly while Solas was 
1143here. He was clearly helping us, and other matters were of greater 
1144urgency, but it was an oversight nevertheless, given how little he shared 
1145with us. It is not clear what his plans are, if any, but I will continue to 
1146
1147search.
1148
1149Leliana
1150
1151Storvacker
1152
1153She is the hold-beast of Stone-Bear Hold. All other bears in the area are 
1154mere imitations.
1155
1156Storvacker. How do I even begin to explain Storvacker?
1157
1158Storvacker is flawless.
1159
1160She has two ancient elven trees for claw sharpening and a silver honey 
1161dish.
1162
1163I hear that her claws are valued in Denerim at 10,000 sovereigns.
1164
1165I hear that she sells her shed fur to Orlesian master weavers in Val 
1166Royeaux.
1167
1168Her favorite story is Hard in Hightown.
1169
1170One time, she met Alistair Therein, fabled warrior of the Fifth Blight, and 
1171he told her she was pretty.
1172
1173One time, she clawed me in the face. It was amazing.
1174
1175--From Ruminations upon the Avvar and Their Customs by Reginald de 
1176Gorge 
1177
1178Thane Svarah Sun-Hair
1179
1180This appears to be an unfinished letter. The handwriting is simple, and the text 
1181has many phrases crossed out:
1182
1183Lowlanders, if you be brave enough to--
1184
1185Orlesians, if you be brave enough--
1186
1187Merchants of Orlais, if--
1188
1189To those who wish to trade with Stone-Bear Hold, you should know me. I 
1190am Thane Svarah Sun-Hair--
1191
1192I am Thane Svarah Janesdotten, known as Sun-Hair. Though my blade has
1193tastes battle-tears many--
1194
1195Though my blade has tasted blood many--
1196
1197Though I have fought many battles, I wish no conflict between us, but 
1198instead trade between our hold and yours. We have furs and leathers that 
1199put your lowland hides to shame, plus weapons that have tasted 
1200Hakkon's winter--
1201
1202We have furs and leathers that will make your warriors look strong and 
1203your lovers look supple, plus weapons--
1204
1205We have excellent furs and leathers, and weapons like none seen in the 
1206lowlands. Trade honestly and well, and there will be coin for all. Cheat us,
1207and your blood will--
1208
1209Trade honestly and well, and there will be coin for all.
1210
1211--Thane Svarah Sun-Hair
1212
1213This is a fool's task. What lowlander would come this far for furs they 
1214have not seen?
1215
1216Ah, Korth, I just wrote that instead of saying it. This stupid lowland 
1217writing vexes the mind.
1218
1219The rest of the letter is a series of angry sketches of axes. 
1220
1221The Champion of Kirkwall
1222
1223[Default world state or one where Hawke sided with the mages]
1224I've heard the name "Hawke" on several lips this week. Many of us blame 
1225the Champion for the events in Kirkwall, which sparked a war and hurled
1226all Thedas into chaos. But can we truly fault Hawke for what she/he did?
1227
1228Here was a poor refugee from Ferelden who came to the Free Marches 
1229fleeing the Blight.
1230
1231Coming from a family of apostates, Hawke must have spent her/his life 
1232hiding from templars, hearing about the abuses to which mages under the
1233care of the Circle were subjected.
1234
1235Make no mistake, there were abuses. We will never find a peaceful solution
1236to this conflict until we admit that we were partially responsible.
1237
1238Imagine how it must have been for Hawke when she/he rose to 
1239prominence for her/his role in ending the Qunari threat of 9:34.
1240
1241From refugee to Champion of Kirkwall.
1242
1243Hawke's position gave her/him power and influence. Nothing could touch
1244her/him.
1245
1246***
1247
1248[Default world state or one where pro-mage Hawke is also a mage]
1249But although the Champion of Kirkwall walked free, there were mages in 
1250the Gallows who did not. The thought must have rankled. 
1251
1252[world state where pro-mage Hawke is a warrior or rogue]
1253Hawke always had sympathy for mages, and perhaps wished to do more 
1254for them.
1255
1256***
1257
1258Are the Champion's actions during the mage uprising so hard to 
1259understand, given all I have said? Following the destruction of the 
1260chantry, Knight-Commander Meredith invoked the Right of Annulment 
1261and called for the execution of every mage in Kirkwall. It was not right; 
1262another injustice added to an already lengthy list. Hawke knew it, and 
1263stood against her.
1264
1265She/He put herself/himself between the templars and the mages they 
1266sought to destroy, and became a legend. Even though she/he later 
1267disappeared, fleeing Kirkwall and the Chantry's justice, what happened in
1268Kirkwall that day changed Thedas forever.
1269
1270By defying Meredith and our Order, Hawke became a beacon for the 
1271mage rebellion, that gave the mages hope, rallied them. They fought back. 
1272And here we now stand, on the eve of the Divine Conclave, seeking peace 
1273before their rebellion destroys us all.
1274
1275--Knight-Commander Marteu of Montsimmard, speaking to templars attending 
1276the Divine Conclave. 
1277
1278***
1279
1280[world state where Hawke sided with the templars]
1281I cannot tell you with any certainty if the Champion of Kirkwall will be 
1282present at the Divine Conclave.
1283
1284Although Hawke is the current Viscount of the city, she/he left Kirkwall 
1285some time ago, leaving the running of the city to the Guard-Captain and 
1286the Seneschal.
1287
1288I understand the need some of you feel to have Hawke present.
1289
1290Many of you believe we would not be at war if not for her/his actions.
1291
1292Thedas has always feared us, but the destruction of Kirkwall's Chantry 
1293awoke all to the realization that some mages would go to any lengths to 
1294achieve freedom. And in the aftermath, Hawke's support of the templars' 
1295systematic slaughter of all of Kirkwall's mages showed that no mercy 
1296should be spared in restoring order.
1297
1298What Hawke did in Kirkwall sparked something in the Templar Order. 
1299This was the champion who beat the Qunari invasion of Kirkwall, who 
1300killed their Arishok.
1301
1302She/He was powerful, influential. Her/His word counted for much.
1303
1304***
1305
1306[world state where pro-templar Hawke is a mage]
1307Hawke was one of us--a mage. If the Champion would turn against us, 
1308surely we were beyond redemption. 
1309
1310[world state where pro-templar Hawke is a warrior or rogue]
1311Templars believed the mages had gone too far, and Hawke agreed. It was 
1312Vindication. 
1313
1314***
1315
1316When the Circles began to rebel, the Templars did what they saw as their 
1317duty -- as Hawke did in Kirkwall. They put us down. They restored 
1318order. Not even the Chantry could control them, because they had right 
1319on their side.
1320
1321So here we stand, on the eve of the Divine Conclave, hoping this ends 
1322before we are all dead. But ask yourselves: why look for Hawke? What 
1323good would the Champion's presence be?
1324
1325Her/His part in this is done.
1326
1327This peace depends entirely on us and the templars. We just need to 
1328decide how much we're willing to sacrifice for it.
1329
1330--Senior Enchanter Lorace of Cumberland, speaking to mages attending the 
1331Divine Conclave 
1332
1333Trevelyan, the Free Marcher
1334
1335[when the Inquisitor is a mage]
1336The Trevelyans are nobility from Ostwick, a city-state on the southern 
1337coast of the Free Marches. It is an old and distinguished family, in good 
1338standing among its peers, and with strong ties to the Chantry. Its 
1339youngest sons and daughters--those third- or fourth-born children with 
1340little chance of becoming heirs--often join the Chantry to become 
1341templars or clerics. As a mage, however, Lady/Lord Evelyn/Maxwell 
1342Trevelyan was expected to spend her/his life in the Ostwick Circle of 
1343Magi.
1344
1345A sedate place, the Ostwick Circle did not decide in favor of either 
1346
1347templars or mages, clinging to neutrality during the rebellion.
1348
1349Evelyn/Maxwell was chosen as a delegate to the Conclave in the hopes 
1350her/his noble position would provide protection for her/his fellow mages 
1351while negotiation continued. Trevelyan was the only survivor of the 
1352explosion that rocked the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Rumors that the 
1353mysterious mark on her/his hand is a sign of the Maker's favor were 
1354spread by those who claim they saw the divine prophet, Andraste herself, 
1355lead Lady/Lord Evelyn/Maxwell out of the Fade.
1356
1357[when the Inquisitor is a warrior or rogue]
1358The Trevelyans are nobility from Ostwick, a city-state on the southern 
1359coast of the Free Marches. It is an old and distinguished family, in good 
1360standing among its peers, and with strong ties to the Chantry. Its 
1361youngest sons and daughters--those third- or fourth-born children with 
1362little chance of becoming heirs--often join the Chantry to become 
1363templars or clerics. As the youngest child, Lady/Lord Evelyn/Maxwell 
1364Trevelyan was expected to follow suit... until the disaster at the Conclave.
1365
1366Evelyn/Maxwell was present at the Temple of Sacred Ashes as a 
1367representative of her/his family's interests, along with other distant 
1368relatives in the Chantry. She/he was the only survivor at the temple after 
1369the explosion. Rumors that the mysterious mark on her/his hand is a sign 
1370of the Maker's favor were spread by those who claim they saw the divine 
1371prophet, Andraste herself, lead Lady/Lord Evelyn/Maxwell out of the 
1372Fade. 
1373
1374Varric Tethras
1375
1376"There's power in stories. That's all history is: the best tales. The ones that 
1377last. Might as well be mine."
1378
1379Varric Tethras of the Dwarven Merchants Guild of Kirkwall is famous (or 
1380infamous) for two things: his books, and his association with the 
1381Champion of Kirkwall.
1382
1383After the templars and Circles broke away from the Chantry, Divine 
1384Justinia V sent her agents to Kirkwall--where the roots of the war began
1385
1386--in search of answers. The Champion had long since disappeared, but 
1387Varric had written a book on his friends' involvement in the destruction of
1388the Kirkwall Chantry, and the Left and Right Hands of the Divine located 
1389him with surprising ease. They captured and interrogated him, then 
1390brought him to the Conclave to give his testimony to the Divine in person,
1391but fate decreed that he would never meet her.
1392
1393Vivienne: Madame de Fer
1394
1395"Magic is dangerous, just as fire is dangerous. Anyone who forgets this 
1396truth gets burned."
1397
1398An assiduous and talented scholar, Vivienne rose rapidly through the 
1399ranks of Montsimmard's Circle. When made a full-fledged enchanter, she 
1400elected to join no fraternity, a decision that shocked colleagues but may 
1401have been a calculated maneuver. When she successfully applied to be 
1402appointed Enchanter to the Imperial Court, nearly every fraternity 
1403clamored for her favor in hopes of having a representative at the 
1404empress's ear. She was voted First Enchanter of Montsimmard at an age 
1405young enough to cause scandal. The Circle widely regards her as the most
1406shrewd and disciplined mage in Orlais.
1407
1408Warden-Commander Clarel
1409
1410To Arl Teagan Guerrin,
1411
1412I sought a chance to speak with you in person, my lord, in hopes of 
1413convincing you to allow us to send further aid to Ferelden, to give the 
1414Grey Wardens in your homeland a chance to rebuild. I hope this letter 
1415succeeds where my requests for a meeting have not.
1416
1417I understand Fereldan feelings regarding Grey Wardens. Sophia Dryden's 
1418actions were reprehensible. Grey Wardens are forbidden from interfering 
1419in the affairs of nations, save when we must exert our authority to battle 
1420the Blight. Still, even you must acknowledge the vital necessity of my 
1421Order after the Blight nearly ravaged your homeland. Without the Grey 
1422Wardens, Ferelden would be a wasteland populated only by darkspawn.
1423
1424I understand as well your concern that I am a mage, living outside the 
1425confines of the Circle. I have been informed that you saw magic ill-used 
1426by apostates at Redcliffe. You have my sympathy in this, but not my 
1427apology. The Maker saw fit to give me the gift of magic, along with a 
1428temperament better suited to battle than quiet meditation. I left the Circle 
1429legally, and the Grey Wardens gave me a chance to use my abilities to 
1430defend our land. I am no apostate.
1431
1432My first interest, Arl Teagan--indeed, my only interest--is to see this 
1433world protected from the Blight. I may be Warden-Commander of Orlais, 
1434but I am not Orlesian at heart. I am a Grey Warden and nothing more, and
1435I will defend this land from horrors you cannot even imagine. My oath 
1436comes before political ambition, before concerns about the rights of 
1437mages. It will one day come before my own survival.
1438
1439I hope to hear from you soon.
1440
1441Yours,
1442Warden-Commander Clarel de Chanson
1443
1444Xenon the Antiquarian
1445
1446I left the Black Emporium empty-handed for two reasons. First: most of 
1447the items were priced far beyond what I could afford. Second: I spent 
1448most of my short time there trying to sate my curiosity about its 
1449proprietor. I found myself stealing glances at the Antiquarian from behind
1450piles of books, between shelves, and at one point, over a basket of 
1451mismatched socks. There he sat, petrified, in the center of the Emporium, 
1452skin of waxy grey over ancient taut sinew, moaning in a voice so dry and 
1453brittle it sounded like the snapping of twigs after a drought.
1454
1455A girl of not more than twelve scurried to and fro to fulfill his numerous 
1456requests. Another patron noticed my fascination and told me that the girl
1457--most likely an urchin rescued from the street--was responsible for the 
1458needs of the Antiquarian--feeding, washing, and the like. So impossibly 
1459old is he and so fragile his skin, he can only tolerate the barest whisper of 
1460touches from the smallest and most tender of his servants.
1461
1462"Only in this way may he come close to his lost youth," said the man.
1463
1464I was surrounded by objects of legend, yet none fascinated me as did the 
1465Antiquarian.
1466
1467--From a journal page found in Kirkwall's Darktown, written by an unknown 
1468author. 
1469
1470Codex: Crafting Materials (Inquisition)
1471
1472Amrita Vein
1473
1474Amrita was a hedge mage, famed for her talent as an herbalist. She could 
1475brew philters to soothe every ache or ailment, even coax the ill back from 
1476the brink of death. As word of Amrita's talents spread, she was made a 
1477target for capture. Amrita fled from them, refusing to go to a Circle. The 
1478templars took off in pursuit, dogging her steps, until they came to the 
1479edge of the Western Approach. Knowing the templars were less than half 
1480a day behind her, Amrita forged ahead. When the templars came to the 
1481edge of the desert, they stopped and turned back, believing that Amrita 
1482would be doomed to die in that sand-blasted wilderness.
1483
1484But Amrita did not die. She crossed the wasteland on foot, living off the 
1485strange plants that grew there, finding water in roots buried beneath the 
1486sand. On that long trek, Amrita discovered the herb now known as 
1487Amrita Vein. She brought it out of the desert with her and continued to 
1488study and cultivate it. Amrita's extensive writings about desert plants, 
1489including Amrita Vein, eventually found their way to the White Spire, 
1490where it was decided that her contributions would earn her a degree of 
1491freedom. She was allowed to continue living as she desired, as long as she 
1492submitted to the Harrowing.
1493
1494--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist
1495
1496Arbor Blessing
1497
1498"Blessed by the vine in spring,
1499I shall not fear the winter's sting."
1500
1501Arbor blessing is a useful vine that is notoriously difficult to cultivate, as if
1502it had a mind of its own. The wind often carries its miniscule seeds for 
1503great distances from the parent plant. It is hard to say what causes the 
1504seeds to sprout once they land. However, it has long been believed that 
1505comfort and abundance follow where arbor blessing goes. Perhaps the 
1506vine only chooses conditions that promote rich harvests from 
1507domesticated flora. Therefore, see arbor blessing in spring, and you shall 
1508
1509not grow hungry in winter.
1510
1511--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist 
1512
1513Blood Lotus
1514
1515Do not try to get out of this. We were told you were the best. That is why 
1516you were contracted. Was it not you who obtained the two hundred white
1517blooming rose bushes for the empress's winter ball last year? The 
1518comtesse has been infinitely patient 'til now, but she doesn't understand 
1519why it is so hard to fill the garden pool. She wants no more excuses. And 
1520no, she will not compromise with the dawn lotuses. They're white! The 
1521flowers have to match the silk canopies. It is crucial! Dark purple. Dark 
1522red. Do not try to frame this as a safety issue. The guests will be perfectly 
1523safe. Why, if they experience any hallucinations from the concentration of 
1524lotus essence in the air, I'm certain it will only make the evening more 
1525thrilling.  I don't care if you have to send someone to some Fereldan peat 
1526bog to get it all. Just do it!
1527
1528--A note from Chamberlain Laurent to Grand Gardener Umbert Vauclain, over 
1529the decorations for Comtesse d'Arnee's summer garden party
1530
1531According to gossip in Val Royeaux, the chamberlain did succeed in 
1532convincing Grand Gardener Vauclain to provide four hundred and 
1533twenty lotus plants. The party was considered by most to be a roaring 
1534success, even though the evening concluded with at least twelve guests 
1535asleep on the lawn, three in the pool, and one lady losing several teeth 
1536trying to take a bite out of a marble statue of the comtesse's father, which 
1537she was convinced was made of cake. 
1538
1539Crystal Grace
1540
1541The flowers of the crystal grace plant are appreciated for their beauty as 
1542well as their medicinal value. Pale blue and shaped like delicate crystal 
1543bells, the flowers should almost tinkle in the breeze. In fact, I have heard a 
1544tale of an Orlesian lady who ordered crystal grace to be planted all over 
1545her bower and then hired a mage from the White Spire to enchant them to 
1546
1547do just that. Eventually, she grew tired of the chiming and set fire to her 
1548lawn in a fit of pique.
1549
1550Let us learn from this. These plants were created exactly as our Maker 
1551intended, and our interference rarely improves them.
1552
1553--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist 
1554
1555Deathroot
1556
1557Deathroot has been used in magic and potion making for centuries. It's a 
1558fragile-looking plant with a thin stalk and purple flowers, which fruits 
1559once a year developing bright red fleshy pods that cause disorientation 
1560and dizziness if ingested.
1561
1562There are two varieties. The more common Arcanist Deathroot was first 
1563found by Archon Hadrianus when he discovered it growing on several 
1564dead slaves. The other, Lunatic's Deathroot, is most closely associated 
1565with the story of the courtesan Melusine, who sought revenge on a 
1566powerful magister and his family. She harvested the plant, baked it into 
1567small pies for the magister's banquet, and presented them to the magister 
1568at a banquet. All the guests were seized by terrifying hallucinations after 
1569eating the pies and tore each other to pieces.
1570
1571--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist
1572
1573Deep Mushroom
1574
1575Deep mushroom refers to the entire group of fungi that grows 
1576underground in caves and many parts of the dwarven Deep Roads. 
1577Collection can be a dangerous task, as the Deep Roads are often infested 
1578with darkspawn. Because of this, dwarven merchants often recruit 
1579"casteless" hirelings for the job, and pay them a meager percentage of 
1580what they earn selling the mushrooms to surfacers.
1581
1582The most common varieties used in the herbalist's trade are the Blightcap, 
1583Ghoul's Mushroom, and Brimstone Mushroom, almost all of which tend 
1584
1585to carry the darkspawn's corruption. While they cannot transmit the 
1586disease, this trait often makes them quite poisonous. Deep mushrooms 
1587should only be handled by experienced herbalists and should never be 
1588consumed without first being adequately cleaned and prepared. Careless 
1589consumption has been known to cause insanity, severe abdominal 
1590cramping, and even death.
1591
1592--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist 
1593
1594Dragonthorn
1595
1596The wood of the dragonthorn tree is prized for its strength, and has been 
1597used to craft bows of remarkable quality, but the leaves are equally 
1598valuable. Alchemists have known for centuries that an extract of 
1599dragonthorn leaves will enhance and stabilize other, more volatile magical
1600compounds.
1601
1602--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist
1603
1604Elfroot
1605
1606Elfroot was first used by the elves of Arlathan, hence the name. The root 
1607gave their medicines particular efficacy, so when the Imperium conquered
1608the elves, the magisters adopted its use and its popularity spread to all 
1609corners of the empire.
1610
1611Elfroot is a hardy plant with large green leaves that grows wild in many 
1612places. It's so common that it tends to show up in most gardens and fields,
1613almost like a weed. Unlike a weed, however, most people appreciate 
1614having access to the wonderful little plant. The roots can be used with 
1615very little preparation. Rubbing some of the juice on a wound, for 
1616example, will speed up healing and numb pain. And chewing on a slice of 
1617root treats minor ailments like indigestion, flatulence, and hoarse throats.
1618
1619There are several varieties, but the most useful for herbalists are the Bitter,
1620Gossamer, and Royal Elfroots.
1621
1622--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist 
1623
1624Embrium
1625
1626Embriums are flowers from the orchid family. Its therapeutic qualities 
1627were actually discovered because of the embrium's exceptional beauty.
1628
1629The beloved daughter of Lord Ignace Poulenc of Orlais fell victim to a 
1630terrible sickness of the lungs, which her healers were unable to cure. 
1631Thinking the girl would soon perish, her parents surrounded her bed with
1632brightly colored flowers, hoping that they would bring some warmth and 
1633cheer in her last days. Oddly enough, the girl began to recover from the 
1634illness, and grew stronger each day. Her parents were baffled but 
1635overjoyed. The healers eventually learned that the fragrance of one of the 
1636flowers eased the child's breathing. The flower was an embrium, and later 
1637became known as the Salubrious Embrium.
1638
1639The other variant that has certain magical properties is known as Dark 
1640Embrium.
1641
1642--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist
1643
1644Felandaris
1645
1646The name felandaris is elven, meaning "demon weed," which is fitting for 
1647this rare plant because it grows only in places where the Veil is thin. 
1648Felandaris is easily identified. It's a twisted, wicked-looking shrub with 
1649long, thorny shoots, and no leaves: a skeletal hand, reaching out from an 
1650unmarked grave. Many swear the plant radiates a palpable aura of 
1651malevolence, so it comes as no surprise that it unnerves many a junior 
1652herbalist.
1653
1654--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist
1655
1656Ghoul's Beard 
1657
1658Ghouls don't really have beards, do they?
1659
1660I imagine some do. If they had beards before becoming ghouls, that is.
1661
1662What? You don't think they grow them after be-ghoulment?
1663
1664"Be-ghoulment"? Anyway, isn't it caused by the blight? Nothing can grow on 
1665blighted ground.
1666
1667I don't think that applies to hair, does it? Skin isn't really ground.
1668
1669Why are we discussing this?
1670
1671I'm bored. Can you believe she's forgotten she already talked about 
1672ghoul's beard two weeks ago?
1673
1674Be nice. She's... mature.
1675
1676It's hardly useful, unless you want to kill someone, ruin their minds, or 
1677some ghastly combination of the two.
1678
1679There was that one story about a cat that chewed on ghoul's beard and ended up 
1680bursting into flames.
1681
1682You're just proving my point here. Ugh, I hope she doesn't make us touch 
1683it again. That thing is so repulsive. Plants really shouldn't be... hairy.
1684
1685Like a ghoul's beard? Ha-ha.
1686
1687Stop laughing! I think she heard you. Shit, she's coming
1688
1689--Notes passed between apprentice mages during a lesson 
1690
1691Prophet's Laurel
1692
1693According to Orlesian folklore, Andraste's followers and sympathizers 
1694tossed sprigs of the laurel in her path as she was led to her pyre. After she 
1695burned, her ashes blew across the leaves on the ground, bestowing upon 
1696them their famed purifying qualities. It is just a tale, of course. The laurel 
1697was recognized as a healing herb long before Andraste's time. Ancient 
1698Tevinter scrolls describe the use of the laurel in poultices, tinctures, and 
1699even incense. Though the legend might be pure fabrication, the laurel will 
1700always be symbolic of Andraste's sacrifice. Its glossy dark leaves represent
1701the Sword of Mercy; the red berries, the drops of her blood upon it.
1702
1703--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist
1704
1705Rashvine
1706
1707Be wary when harvesting rashvine because the plant comes by its name 
1708honestly. Indeed, calling its effect upon exposed skin a "rash" is an 
1709understatement. I've known apprentices who went without treating the 
1710red sores, assuming them irritating but harmless, and eventually required 
1711either magical healing or amputation.
1712
1713Once the poison gets into the blood, it causes a painful calcification that 
1714turns the surface skin stone grey... and that's only the first symptom. In 
1715addition, it's primarily found in marshes and remote areas of deep 
1716vegetation, so there is often danger in finding rashvine patches, even aside
1717from that in collecting it.
1718
1719Fortunately (or unfortunately, if one happens to be a witless apprentice), 
1720rashvine has a number of useful applications: salves that harden the skin 
1721or otherwise provide protection, not to mention being one of the primary 
1722ingredients for Antivan fire. My advice? Use thick gloves and carry a 
1723sword.
1724
1725--From Herbology in Thedas by Master Ilian Gravire
1726
1727Spindleweed
1728
1729It is an old country saying that spindleweed grows best for the sorrowful. 
1730Verdant spindleweed in a household's garden has often brought 
1731neighbors offering consolation, usually without even asking what might 
1732be wrong.
1733
1734This originates from the plant's use as a seasoning for dishes meant to 
1735speed the recovery of the infirm. A person who grows much of it is likely 
1736caring for the fatally ill.
1737
1738--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist
1739
1740Vandal Aria
1741
1742The vandal aria is a flowering shrub, related to the rare and nearly extinct 
1743felicidus aria, otherwise known as the Silent Plains rose. Of course, neither
1744variety of aria is a true rose, and they are called roses only because of their
1745sweet scent. The fragrance of the vandal aria, however, is lighter and 
1746greener than that of her rare cousin, and redolent of honey and cut grass.
1747
1748The felicidus aria is best known for being the only plant capable of 
1749growing on blighted land. Vandal aria lacks this quality, but is capable of 
1750proliferating almost everywhere else, even though she seems to favor dry, 
1751arid climes. If left to grow wild, the vandal will take over a space, choking 
1752out any other plant unfortunate enough to be in her way.
1753
1754--An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist
1755
1756Witherstalk
1757
1758Elodia,
1759
1760I said you could take a few components for your personal use. I'm certain I
1761didn't say you could empty our stores! Enchanter Ines looked like she was
1762shitting hognuts when she noticed. Do you know how long it took to 
1763collect that witherstalk? I know what you're doing with it! No one needs 
1764
1765that many warming draughts.
1766
1767I'm locking the chest. Find your own witherstalk. Or perhaps either you or
1768Ferran could try to stick to your own quarters.
1769
1770--A note written by Apprentice Veralinn of the Fereldan Circle
1771
1772Maker, Vera!
1773
1774That is not what's going on! All the witherstalk in the chest was dried 
1775anyway, and you know it's only efficacious as a preventative when the 
1776sap is fresh. I'm more interested in its effects on the mind when combined 
1777with certain other plants. Ines knows all about it. Just ask her. She 
1778probably forgot that I'd already told her. Old bat.
1779
1780And please, Ferran and I are more than able to amuse ourselves without 
1781resorting to the tired old dip-and-stir. Maybe if you got out of the 
1782botanical section and looked at other books.
1783
1784--Apprentice Elodia's reply
1785
1786Codex: Creatures (Inquisition)
1787
1788A Horsemaster's Notes on Mounts
1789
1790Never seen a proud rider atop a regal mount? That's your failing. Such 
1791animals are common enough, but there're costs, so you keep them away 
1792from chance of blight, theft, attack. All the nonsense that makes for poor 
1793stabling. These aren't working beasts, with the fire bred out of their eyes 
1794so they can suffer a plow. These creatures are about spirit. A proper 
1795mount isn't some noble's plaything on a hunt, it's your everyday, and 
1796you'd better match it to deserve it. 
1797
1798On Horses
1799
1800You've never had a mount like the Fereldan Forder, a hardy warmblood. 
1801Don't let the size fool you: they're no meant for the farm. Centuries of 
1802careful breeding have taken common stock and produced a glory. A 
1803creature as much at home in a charge as they are in a march across 
1804nations. But for all the stamina and speed they place at your command, 
1805press too far, and you'll be picking dirt from your teeth. They know their 
1806role and expect that you know yours. Warning and promise and all that.
1807
1808On the Flames of the Inquisition Armored Charger
1809
1810Never in all my days did I think I would handle such barding, never mind
1811the quality of the breed. A true purebred lineage, clad in the hallmarks of 
1812a master. The combination is one of a kind, and this animal knows it. 
1813Mount and rider, meant for greatness. Don't disappoint - The bar has been
1814set very, very high.
1815
1816On the Red Hart
1817
1818Honored to see one up close without meeting it points-first. The pride of 
1819the stable. Of any stable. Even the Dalish I've had occasion to ask have 
1820said it's rare to glimpse them at a distance. The few who have mastered 
1821one--and  it truly is very few--say there is no animal more sure of foot, 
1822
1823more attuned to its rider, more inspirational to simply gaze upon. You 
1824want to match the majesty of this creature? Grow some bloody wings.
1825
1826On the "Bog Unicorn"
1827
1828Still not sure what you unearthed. Talked to a mage about it and got a 
1829typical "head in the Fade" response. Got a better answer from that 
1830Tranquil of yours, and it still chilled my short hairs. Plain speak, there's a 
1831spirit of some kind in there. Now, a horse to me means "freedom", but I 
1832understand that sometimes it's a demon? The wrong side of what it 
1833should be. What's the wrong side of freedom? Chaos or just "unending"? 
1834Something like that. Whatever is in there, this animal was best of breed, an
1835Orlesian charger fit for any Chevalier, and well tended in life. By its 
1836wounds, I'd wager it fell in battle with demons of some ilk and was 
1837finished by its master's mercy. Whatever spirit of loyalty or freedom or 
1838whatever makes horses run brought the strange thing back. It wants to 
1839serve. I've no doubt it will ride well, and I'll stable it, but I'm not going 
1840near it.
1841
1842On the Dracolisk 
1843
1844I've heard of them. Seen a few. They're not as rare as you'd think, but they 
1845are very, very difficult. "Spirited" and "stubborn" suggest a reasonable 
1846resistance. No, they're just plain mean. Spur a horse a little too hard, and 
1847you're getting a brush against a tree. Kick this thing the wrong way, and 
1848it's taking a piece of you. That said, there's utility here. As fast and strong 
1849as any other, and the rider who masters one is making a statement. Not 
1850just "I can do what you can't". It's almost "I can do what you wouldn't 
1851even dare". 
1852
1853Greater Mountain Nuggalope or "Deth Nug"
1854
1855It has hands. It handles things. That's hitting me worse than anything else. 
1856What the ever-loving spit? Can't argue the impressive stature of the thing, 
1857and it's stubborn, like the most entitled charger. It knows how strong it is, 
1858and it knows you know. I expected the dull snuffling of its small cousins, 
1859
1860but this--it has hands and spirited eyes. Mind where you secure the 
1861buckles of your saddle. I expect it'll let you know when it tires of suffering
1862you on its back. Not that it tires. Hands. Hands.
1863
1864Arcane Horror
1865
1866Upon ascending to the second floor of the tower, we were greeted by a 
1867gruesome sight: a ragged collection of bones wearing the robes of one of 
1868the senior enchanters. I had known her for years, watched her raise 
1869countless apprentices, and now she was a mere puppet for some demon.
1870
1871--Transcribed from a tale told by a templar in Antiva City, 7:13 Storm
1872
1873Archers
1874
1875To fight an enemy with a bow or crossbow is simple, although not always 
1876easy.
1877
1878A guard with a crossbow must crank his weapon after each shot. If there 
1879is only one such enemy, seek cover and give him cause to waste his shot, 
1880and then close upon him before he may fire again. If there are many, close 
1881to their flank so you face one guard directly, using him as a second shield, 
1882and no other guard has a clean shot at your unprotected back. Do not 
1883move to the middle of their ranks and rely upon them hesitating to risk 
1884hitting one another.
1885
1886A soldier with a shortbow is a little more dangerous. Attack him as you 
1887would an enemy with a crossbow, but accept that he will likely fire again. 
1888Approach with your shield up, even if you must sacrifice speed. Few 
1889soldiers are true masters of the bow; those who do not fumble their draw 
1890in fear will fire a shot quickly, so it is more likely to glance off your armor 
1891or shield than punch through.
1892
1893Few soldiers have the skill or strength to make good use of the longbow. 
1894Respect those who do. Against such an enemy, cover is the only defense. 
1895Move quickly across his field of vision, forcing him to compensate for 
1896your movement. Do not charge directly unless your allies can distract him.
1897
1898A fully drawn longbow can drive an arrow through a chevalier's plate at a
1899hundred yards.
1900
1901A fight between an archer and a chevalier is a test of cunning versus 
1902patience. We are too often patient--heavily armored as we are--and faced
1903with lightly armored foes who would harass us. While archers frustrate 
1904me as they do most chevaliers, it is good that we fight them, so we 
1905remember how to be cunning, how to break an opponent's patience.
1906
1907--An excerpt from A Meditation upon the Use of Blades, by Swordmaster 
1908Massache de Jean-mien, required reading at the Academie des Chevaliers
1909
1910August Ram
1911
1912"The August Ram!" Surely whoever named it "ram" had never seen its 
1913more common cousin; the slender legs and sleek hide give the animal the 
1914grace of a hart or halla. Its curved horns spiral back over delicate ears 
1915twitching at the slightest rustle of grass. When startled, speed is the 
1916August Ram's only defense against the hunter. It is difficult to sneak up 
1917on these shy and wary creatures, but I have been here so long and shown 
1918such mild behavior that I have gained their trust. The rams graze 
1919peacefully a stone's throw from my sketching easel as I write this, thinking
1920no more of me than a rock in the field or a flower in the grass.
1921
1922I just wish the rotten things would stop trying to eat my canvases 
1923whenever I leave camp.
1924
1925--From The Diary of Tillendall Lemallen, noted painter of wildlife and 
1926portraits to the Orlesian court
1927
1928Bear
1929
1930We went into the woods near Val Foret to find a great brown bear that 
1931had the townsfolk worried. We found her some miles from the west gate. 
1932She had made a den in a cave on a hillside, close to a stream. We stopped 
1933some yards away and watched. Eldwin cast a spell to make us less likely 
1934to be discovered. Useful, useful magic.
1935
1936After several hours, the bear emerged from her den. Beautiful red-brown 
1937sheen to her coat. Phenomenal beastie. Following close behind were three 
1938cubs. Balls of fluffy brown fur with eyes set in them. Amazing, amazing 
1939little creatures.
1940
1941I would've liked to watch the little family playing in the stream all day, 
1942but the wind changed and the mama bear caught our scent, even with 
1943Eldwin working his magic. She leapt in our direction, stopped when she 
1944couldn't see anything, then rose up on her hind legs and roared. What a 
1945sight that was! I estimate she was half again as tall as I. Quick as anything, 
1946she charged towards us, snapping branches as she went. I dove out of the 
1947way, but Eldwin, bless his heart, was too slow. A massive paw caught him
1948right in the chest and he went down. Poor Eldwin. Nature is ruthless but 
1949magnificent.
1950
1951--From The Wilds of Thedas: Volume Two, by Stephan d'Eroin
1952
1953Behemoth
1954
1955We could have held off a battering ram, but the behemoth? It took the gate
1956off at the hinges. Then it screamed. Not a roar or a growl--a scream, all 
1957rage and pain. As I drew my blade, all I could think was: "There's a 
1958templar in there". Somewhere in that thing was a brother or sister of the 
1959Order; every fiber of my soul was crying out to them. But whoever it 
1960might have been, whoever's son or daughter, they were lost to us, 
1961swallowed by corruption and lies. I helped the only way I could, the only 
1962way any of us can. We must end their suffering. And, Maker willing, we 
1963must try to remember them as they were.
1964
1965--From the reports of Knight-Captain Veddir, tactical consideration for the 
1966Inquisition
1967
1968Black Wolf
1969
1970The scouts report activity uncharacteristic of lupine behavior.
1971
1972The Breach and resulting rifts have caused unprecedented disruptions in 
1973the Veil. Such alterations to the environment may account for the 
1974unnatural aggression. If this is indeed the case, I cannot yet say how 
1975widespread the impact. How may wolves does this environmental 
1976imbalance influence? What threat do they pose to resistant members of the
1977pack? To the local population?
1978
1979This warrants further investigation.
1980
1981--Report submitted to Seeker Pentaghast by Minaeve, Mage Apprentice and 
1982Inquisition Researcher
1983
1984Bogfisher
1985
1986I accompanied Marquis d'Archambon upon this expedition reluctantly, 
1987although d'Archambon insisted that an exploration to show me the truth 
1988and beauty of the world might assuage the consternation with which I 
1989observed it.
1990
1991As we entered the caves, the cold and brackish water dripping incessantly,
1992we came upon a hulking beast whose great flapping paws slapped the 
1993stone. In countenance it was broad, its flaps of hide hanging loose across 
1994its bristled back. D'Archambon drove it away, laughing at its clumsiness, 
1995heedless of the declinate fangs protruding at unknowable angles from its 
1996distended maw. He said the beast, or "bogfisher" as the locals called it, 
1997was a failing vestige in the land of men, fit to be tamed or slain.
1998
1999That night, we camped beside an underground lake, its rippling waves a 
2000susurrus of inhuman whispers. The sepulchral emptiness of the starless 
2001night was vast, our own fire pitiful in its sullen rebellion against the 
2002unending dark.
2003
2004The bogfisher slipped from the lake, its flapping paws perfectly equipped 
2005
2006to propel it through the water; its spiny maw closed upon d'Archambon. 
2007Then the marquis was gone, his frantic thrashing all we could see in the 
2008frenzied white water as the bogfisher pulled him under.
2009
2010That night, I knew that this is not the land of men. The lightless torpid 
2011waters are not tamed; men are but ants crawling witlessly across a lily pad
2012in a pond. Most think the emerald land bound to their tiny will. Those few
2013who peer over the edge and see the leviathans, pale bellied, scales 
2014shimmering in colors with no name, swimming beneath them, can only 
2015scurry away, trying in vain to articulate the vast and uncaring terrors that 
2016awaits. What my eyes have seen, my limited mind may never 
2017comprehend, but I shall never draw near dark water again. The bogfisher 
2018has taught me well.
2019
2020--From An Anatomie of Various Terrible Beasts by Baron Havard-Pierre 
2021d'Amortisan
2022
2023The bogfisher likes hiding in dark places and water. Master does not like 
2024baths.
2025
2026--Footnote in the margins of the manuscript by the baron's scribe, Dunwich
2027
2028Bronto
2029
2030There are only two things a noble will step aside for: Paragons and angry 
2031brontos.
2032
2033--Dwarven saying
2034
2035The dwarven Shaperate originally bred this hulking beast as a beast of 
2036burden and food source, the rough equivalent of surface oxen and cows. 
2037Some versions of the bronto have even been developed as dwarven 
2038mounts, valued far more for their sure-footedness and stamina than for 
2039their speed. While present in Orzammar in large numbers, some bronto 
2040still exist in packs within the Deep Roads, having returned to a wild state 
2041after the fall of the dwarven kingdoms. They require remarkably little 
2042sustenance, consuming nutrients from water, fungus and even rocks 
2043(hence the "rock-licker" appellation many dwarves use to describe 
2044brontos), and exist primarily a dormant state until provoked. An angry, 
2045
2046charging bronto is considered a rather dangerous opponent.
2047
2048--From Tales from Beneath the Earth by Brother Genitivi
2049
2050Bruiser
2051
2052A warrior wielding a great blade strikes terror into common soldiers, but 
2053to a chevalier, he is no greater danger than any other opponent. A skilled 
2054warrior is struck down by a maul or battleaxe in one of three cases: in the 
2055first, he is taken unawares in the heat of battle; in the second, he cannot 
2056evade the blow because of the nature of the battlefield or his own injuries; 
2057and in the third and most common case, he is struck down because he 
2058reacts poorly.
2059
2060We do not train enough against two-handed weapons because we disdain 
2061them ourselves. I think this is a mistake, and in time to come, I hope it is 
2062corrected. I have seen too many skilled warriors die because they have 
2063seen a great maul coming down at them and raise a shield to block instead
2064of deflect. I have seen men lose their composure due to fear or anger and 
2065engage such a warrior directly, thinking they can risk a blow to their body
2066as they would from a light sword or a dagger. In the heat of battle, even 
2067the trained mind will think such things. Those who cannot overcome such
2068thoughts die.
2069
2070You must watch the weapon, but only to gauge its length. Otherwise, as in
2071all fights, the opponent's hips and shoulders will tell his intent. The great 
2072weapons are dangerous only when moving or poised overhead to strike 
2073down. You must give ground, but only against the true threat. If he 
2074advances but is not truly prepared to strike, you must rush in, cut him, 
2075and withdraw to your guard before his blow is ready. It may take ten cuts 
2076to kill him. Even after the ninth, he may cleave your head from your body 
2077if you do not respect the distance he can cover.
2078
2079If using such a weapon yourself, mark your distance and do not allow 
2080yourself to react to an opponent outside your reach. You cannot recover 
2081your guard as quickly as you can with a sword and shield. Keep your 
2082weapon moving and measure your blows. A stuttered step on your strike 
2083can fool many opponents into thinking you out of range and then rushing 
2084
2085their defense. In this manner, you may kill most who stand against you. 
2086Fighting in such a manner, you may feel more like a butcher than a hero, 
2087but the living may console themselves while the dead cannot.
2088
2089--An excerpt from A Meditation upon the Use of Blades by Swordmaster 
2090Massache de Jean-mien, required reading at the Academie des Chevaliers 
2091
2092Corpse
2093
2094In most corners of Thedas, funeral rites include burning or dismembering 
2095the dead to prevent them from becoming host to demons. But not 
2096everyone gets a proper burial. It is not unheard of for the dead to be 
2097thrown into mass graves in the aftermath of a battle or execution, almost 
2098asking some demon to claim the corpses.
2099
2100--From Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons by Enchanter Mirdromel
2101
2102Darkspawn
2103
2104Those who sought to claim
2105Heaven by violence destroyed it. What was
2106Golden and pure turned black.
2107Those who had once been mage-lords,
2108The brightest of their age,
2109Were no longer men, but monsters.
2110
2111--Threnodies 12:1
2112
2113Sin was the midwife that ushered the darkspawn into this world. The 
2114magisters fell from the Golden City, and their fate encompassed all our 
2115world's. For they were not alone.
2116
2117No one knows where the darkspawn came from. A dark mockery of men, 
2118in the darkest places they thrive, growing in numbers as a plague of 
2119locusts will. In raids, they will often take captives, dragging their victims 
2120alive into the Deep Roads, but most evidence suggests that these are eaten.
2121Like spiders, it seems darkspawn prefer their food still breathing. Perhaps 
2122
2123they are simply spawned by the darkness. Certainly, we know that evil 
2124has no trouble perpetuating itself.
2125
2126The last Blight was in the Age of Towers, striking once again at the heart 
2127of Tevinter, spreading south into Orlais and east into the Free Marches. 
2128The plagues spread as far as Ferelden, but the withering and twisting of 
2129the land stopped well beyond our borders. Here, darkspawn have never 
2130been more than the stuff of legends. In the northern lands, however, 
2131particularly in Tevinter and the Anderfels, they say darkspawn haunt the 
2132hinterlands, preying on outlying farmers and isolated villages, a constant 
2133threat.
2134
2135--From Ferelden: Folklore and History by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar
2136
2137Deepstalker
2138
2139One of the few natural, non-darkspawn creatures to live in the Deep 
2140Roads, the deepstalker is a reptilian cave-dweller known for burrowing 
2141into the stone paths of the Deep Roads and ambushing prey, usually nugs.
2142They hunt in packs, attacking with round mouths full of serrated teeth or 
2143spitting poison from venom glands. Although a single deepstalker poses 
2144little threat to any experienced explorer, packs can be quite lethal.
2145
2146--From Tales from Beneath the Earth by Brother Genitivi
2147
2148Despair Demon
2149
2150Once upon a time, we classified these as demons of sloth, but we learned 
2151that despair demons are something quite different. They are not the 
2152antithesis of justice or valor, but rather of hope. They form nightmares 
2153tearing away the foundations of self and purpose. When brought into the 
2154world, they are most attracted to places the downtrodden populate: 
2155alienages, slums, prisons, and the like. The miasma they spread can lead 
2156to extreme behavior. We look for a rash of unexplained suicides, men and 
2157women so filled with grief they lash out. The most intelligent of these 
2158creatures are to be feared, for they not only feed on despair, they 
2159understand its causes... and seek to bring it about. From the shadows they 
2160
2161ruin lives, drinking the tears of those who have no idea the cause of their 
2162misery is not random chance.
2163
2164--From a lecture by renowned hunter, Ser Hayward of the Templar Order 
2165
2166Dragon
2167
2168A fully mature adult female dragon is the high dragon: the great monster 
2169of legend, the rarest of all dragonkind. These dragons hollow out massive 
2170lairs for themselves, for they need the space to house their harem of 
2171drakes as well as their eggs and the dragonlings.
2172
2173High dragons are seldom seen. They spend most of their time sleeping 
2174and mating, living off the prey their drakes bring back. But once every 
2175hundred years or so, the high dragon prepares for clutching by emerging 
2176from her lair and taking wing. She will fly far and wide, eating hundreds 
2177of animals--most often livestock--over a course of a few weeks and 
2178leaving smoldering devastation in her wake. She then returns to her lair to
2179lay her eggs and will not appear in the skies again for another century.
2180
2181Dragonling
2182
2183Newly hatched dragons are roughly the size of a deer and voraciously 
2184hungry. They live for a short time in their mother's lair before venturing 
2185out on their own. The slender, wingless creatures are born in vast 
2186numbers, as only a few survive to adulthood.
2187
2188Druffalo
2189
2190They said the mages were coming to Redcliffe. We had to leave or be 
2191caught in the middle of their war. Guy said that it would be safe in 
2192Denerim. We left as soon as we could, but the little ones could barely walk
2193a mile. I was about to turn back when Guy saw a herd of wild druffalo 
2194passing through the hills. He said, "How different can they be from 
2195horses? Or brontos?" Oh, but those horns. I was afraid and told Guy not to
2196go, but he said we had no choice.
2197
2198Guy said he would catch up to us, that we should continue on. We kissed 
2199goodbye, and he left. The children and I kept walking. One day passed. 
2200Two. Then three. And I knew in my heart he was dead.
2201
2202I almost gave up. One morning, I was fetching water from the river when 
2203I thought, How easy it would be. They would just slip away. And I would 
2204just follow them. No more pain, no more fear. As I searched for my 
2205courage, I heard a crashing through the undergrowth. Bandits, I thought. 
2206Or a bear. But instead it was a giant beast, with pelt of blue-grey and 
2207gleaming black horns. And riding its muscled back was my Guy.
2208
2209The druffalo was enormous but gentle as a doe. The children called her 
2210Bluebell.
2211
2212I never told him what I almost came to that day.
2213
2214--A diary found in a refugee tent in the Hinterlands
2215
2216Envy
2217
2218Envy demons are equal parts arrogance and cowardice. They isolate their 
2219victims to study them at length, seeking to become them. Once the demon 
2220is satisfied it knows its chosen subject, it takes on their form, leaving the 
2221poor soul to rot. Envy is never satisfied, however. The demon's bottomless
2222cravings to be more--more powerful, more skilled, more inspired--cause 
2223it to seek fresh prey, leaving a trail of stolen identities behind.
2224
2225This transition is when Envy is weakest, for it is vulnerable as it moves 
2226from body to body, slavishly copying the habits of the old identity until it 
2227finds another mortal to mimic. This is why I am writing this down. The 
2228man cowering before me wanted so badly to know what a demon thinks, 
2229wants, feels. He would document everything. Everything. He resists, a 
2230prisoner in his own home, but I already know this. I hunger for knowledge
2231as he does. As I will.
2232
2233--Scroll found on the body of "Scholar Esmar Treviento," by the templars who 
2234hunted him down.
2235
2236Fear
2237
2238Imagine, if you will the most basic impulses possessed by mankind. Rage?
2239Hunger? Perhaps the most primal is fear. Even the youngest of us 
2240understands this concept, and the raw power of it drives almost all else. A
2241demon that preys upon fear is not the most sophisticated sort of creature. 
2242They mimic forms they see in the nightmares of mortals, hoping to elicit 
2243the response they crave. Some of these demons, however, stumble upon 
2244terrors that are much more deeply rooted: fears of the future, of chaos and
2245disorder, of failure. This sort of demon develops a far more refined palate,
2246attacking the psyche of their target rather than seeking a simple scare. 
2247Beware the fear demon that gorges upon the terror of not only a single 
2248nightmare but of a nation, for it will grow to such size that it dominates 
2249the Fade.
2250
2251--From a lecture by renowned templar, Ser Hayward
2252
2253Fennec
2254
2255My dearest and best father and lord,
2256
2257You are strong and fair and obviously the most handsome arl in all of 
2258Ferelden. I want a fennec. Please please please get one for me. I saw a 
2259picture in a book that Brigid was carrying for Master Fergal and it is the 
2260fluffiest and most delightful creature I have ever seen.
2261
2262The book says they live in the mountains and eat voles and repulsive 
2263things like that. When I get mine I will feed it only nice things. Like cake. 
2264And pearls. Please please please send someone to catch one. I really need 
2265one right now. Ruby wants company. It's not my fault Primmie and 
2266Bobble broke. Don't believe anything Eileen says.
2267
2268Please? I promise I will spend no more gold on silks this month. It's too 
2269cold anyway.
2270
2271Your most loving and obedient daughter, Habren
2272
2273--A note from Habren Bryland to her father Leonas Bryland, arl of South Reach, 
2274written in 9:31 Dragon
2275
2276Reports indicate that Habren did receive a white fox as a gift from her father, later
2277that month. She promptly "lost" it down a well. 
2278
2279Foot Soldier
2280
2281I have faced Antivan duelists, Fereldan Ash Warriors, and Fog Warrior 
2282skirmishers; when we strip away the titles and tricks, they are simply men
2283who want to see their enemies dead, but need a hand free to manage it. 
2284Duelists favor a thinner target over the offensive strength of a main 
2285gauche. Ash Warriors need a hand to guide their mabari and a lighter 
2286weapon to take advantage of the openings their dogs leave, while Fog 
2287Warriors rely on stealth and speed too much to use a heavy shield.
2288
2289When engaging with such an opponent, respect his speed. His hands and 
2290feet will move a great deal; ignore them. Watch his hips and shoulders 
2291instead. First deny what advantage he has in his allies or environment, 
2292unless you have trained equally in such matters. Once you control his 
2293weapon, overwhelm him. He has no shield, and you need not fear a 
2294second blade.
2295
2296If forced to fight in such a manner, you must decide whether you will 
2297fight as a duelist, one-handed, or as a chevalier. If the former, drop your 
2298back leg away to tighten your center target, as you have no shield to cover
2299your body or second weapon to bring into range; focus on a quick attack 
2300and give ground freely when you cannot find an advantage. If the latter, 
2301rely on your vambrace and gauntlet as a shield, and try to wrench your 
2302opponent's weapon away. My left arm bears the scars of such efforts, but 
2303my opponents bear worse. Better still: do not lose your shield at all, but 
2304battles are not a place of perfection.
2305
2306--An excerpt from A Meditation upon the Use of Blades, by Swordmaster 
2307Massache de Jean-mien, required reading at the Academie des Chevaliers 
2308
2309Ghoul
2310
2311Among the saddest legacies of the Fifth Blight are those poor souls who 
2312survived the darkspawn attacks across Ferelden only to succumb to the 
2313corruption of the blight itself. We have seen animals--birds, wolves, and 
2314even bears--corrupted into mindless ruinations of their former selves, but
2315humans are by no means immune.
2316
2317Those unfortunate victims not killed quickly by contact with darkspawn 
2318blood or disease become mad with fever. Their bodies lose their hair and 
2319become misshapen with sores; in their last lucid thoughts, many speak of 
2320hearing whispered words, or a song that no one else can catch.
2321
2322It is vital that once victims begin hearing such things, they are put out of 
2323their misery quickly and mercifully. There are stories across Ferelden of 
2324these ghouls, maddened by the corruption of the blight, attacking their 
2325friends and spreading the corruption further. While it is likely that the 
2326sickness will eventually kill a ghoul, the dying strength of these poor 
2327creatures makes them nearly as great a danger as the darkspawn 
2328themselves.
2329
2330They are no longer our friends, our family, or our countrymen. They are 
2331victims of the Blight, and must be given the same mercy Hessarian 
2332showed Andraste: a swift sword.
2333
2334--An excerpt from Marks of the Blight by Sister Dorcas Guerrin
2335
2336Giant
2337
23389:38 Dragon, 4th Harvestmere, continued musings on giants.
2339
2340I assume they encroach due to disruption of their environs. Perhaps 
2341clawing darkspawn rerouted underground waters, altering the landscape 
2342of their prey. Food is seemingly their only motivator, and I have observed 
2343them eating meat, grains, leaves--nearly anything digestible, with no care 
2344or joy for taste or texture. So complete is their scavenging that "troll" 
2345might be a more academically accurate term, but I cannot blame farming 
2346
2347folk for imposing an obvious descriptive. Yet are these giants merely 
2348beasts of destructive instinct?
2349
2350I followed one specimen from the north, where they are somewhat more 
2351common (Tevinter breeding grounds? Warmth of seasons? Corruption of 
2352Silent Plains?). It followed waterways, preferring to float its bulk, but 
2353never did I see any sense in its eye, and never did it appear to plan 
2354beyond its immediate surroundings. But I remain intrigued, for they have 
2355hands, and that means the potential to raise them in praise. Throughout 
2356creation, upright beings with hands have been a sign of greater purpose. 
2357What lesson, Maker, in these strange children? I will approach tomorrow, 
2358in Your name.
2359
2360Excerpt annotated below in a different hand:
2361
2362Last entry in the letters of Brother Estomahr, his only recovered 
2363possession, likely because they were already flat. This archivist's 
2364recommendation: remind the neophytes that the tale of "Sister Dariel in 
2365the wolves' den" is metaphor.
2366
2367Giant Spider
2368
2369Maybe it's meant to be that size, and the regular ones are miniatures. I 
2370mean, a just and caring Maker would create them big to start. Then they 
2371can't hide. That's what bothers you, isn't it? The hiding? A big one like 
2372that, a good twelve-footer, sure, it's all fang and such, but you know 
2373where it is: dark places where the Veil is weak. You're never surprised by 
2374a giant one because you had to go to their "house." They're not on your 
2375face at night or in your boot in the morning. And if their web is thick as 
2376rigging, you don't have to worry about that hair on your neck. Or the baby
2377ones on the breeze! You hate that, right? Hitting a cloud of them while 
2378you're riding? Could be a dozen, but you only see one, and you try to 
2379smash it, but when you look, the thing is gone, and now your arm itches 
2380right up to the shoulder, and that hair feels like it's back, but you can't 
2381unbuckle your helm because of the gauntlets, and now the hair in your ear
2382is tingly.
2383
2384That's just about the worst, isn't it?
2385
2386--Records of the Redcliffe guard, 14 Guardian 9:39. Witness recounting of 
2387provocation and resulting brawl. No jailings. Victim was being an arse.
2388
2389Great Bear
2390
2391The Orlesian great bear is so named because it is very large. Very large, 
2392indeed. Other names for it include the colorful "Old Man of the Forest" 
2393and the less-charming, but more clearly descriptive "Woodsman's Death." 
2394I am told that they are only found in remote parts of the Dales and that 
2395not even the nobility is willing to hunt for them, which makes them 
2396unique among the rare, giant, deadly, exotic fauna of Thedas: the only 
2397thing the Orlesians are truly afraid of.
2398
2399--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: Travels of a Chantry Scholar by Brother 
2400Genitivi 
2401
2402Guardsman
2403
2404A novice believes his sword of the utmost importance, and his shield there
2405to show his family's colors. All scoff at such foolishness, but the older 
2406student thinking his shield a sign from the Maker that he cannot be struck 
2407down, is little wiser. A warrior coming away from battle with his shield 
2408dented and ripped may be praised for bravery. A warrior coming away 
2409with his shield merely scratched should be praised for skill.
2410
2411Remember that every metal shield was beaten into shape, and may be 
2412beaten out of it. Even a blow that does not tear a hole drives impact 
2413through your arm and shoulder, where shock and pain will wear down 
2414even the strongest warrior. In a duel against a single opponent, you may 
2415seek a quick advantage in taking a blow directly to the shield in order to 
2416strike one in return; if you are protecting another, you may have no 
2417choice. In all other cases--against one opponent or many--it is better to 
2418hide the movement of your hips and shoulders behind your shield, 
2419forcing enemies to focus on it rather than on you.
2420
2421This is also true when fighting an opponent so armed. Your goal is not the
2422
2423shield, but the man behind it. Circling or locking shields may gain you an 
2424advantageous position. Failing that, rain blows upon his defenses until he 
2425tires and his guard grows sloppy. If you are neither skilled enough to slip 
2426past him nor fit enough to wear him down, you will most likely die.
2427
2428--An excerpt from A Meditation upon the Use of Blades, by Swordmaster 
2429Massache de Jean-mien, required reading at Academie des Chevaliers
2430
2431Gurgut
2432
2433The Chant of Light claims that the Maker made us, and in our folly, we 
2434think ourselves blessed by such fact. If fact it is, for in my seeking, I find 
2435only base illusions, the better for being torn down and mocked as 
2436inadequate in the harsh light of reason. But as an exercise, let us say that it
2437is true, that the Maker made us.
2438
2439I have seen the gurgut basking in a slanted shaft of sunlight in the 
2440penumbral canyon, its putrescent tongue scenting the rancid air of the 
2441nameless and unnamable swamp, swishing the uncaring grass of the 
2442plains with its passage. It is some cousin of the wyvern, but bereft of the 
2443savage ferocity for which the latter is praised and hunted by Orlesian 
2444nobles. Its thick-lidded eyes stare witlessly, and its jaw hangs agape; it is 
2445not befuddled or frustrated by its want of reason, but perfectly content, a 
2446drooling idiot.
2447
2448Its pallid belly stretches and distends, disdaining all reason, when it 
2449gorges itself upon its prey. I have seen such a lowly beast swallow a 
2450chevalier whole, the great and shining warrior taken by surprise in the tall
2451grass, his silverite armor gleaming as the gurgut unhinged its jaw to draw 
2452the chevalier in. Across its belly, I saw the kicks and struggles grow 
2453frenzied and then still, and the idiot beast settled into a happy torpor. The 
2454ruined armor of the noble chevalier lay among the gurgut's spoor several 
2455days later.
2456
2457Say that it is true, that the Maker made us. What if He made us for food? 
2458What if the grand purpose of our searching existence is to stretch the belly
2459of a beast that slinks through the tall grass? What if there is a single 
2460unbending purpose and, in it, we are cattle to feed the witless leviathans 
2461that slumber unseen beneath us? 
2462
2463--From An Anatomie of Various Terrible Beasts, by Baron Havard-Pierre 
2464d'Amortisan
2465
2466Master makes us check behind him for gurguts at all times. He also carries
2467a very sharp stick.
2468
2469--Footnote in the margins of the manuscript by the baron's scribe, Dunwich
2470
2471Gurn
2472
2473"We woke to a herd from nowhere, just standing around the camp. And it 
2474wasn't the first time. Getting water at an oasis, humming to myself, poof, 
2475there's one behind me. Talk to another rider for a few minutes, and there's 
2476two, just staring. I think they think talking is weird."
2477
2478"I say shoo, dumb thing step on foot. I was not paid enough for hurt foot."
2479
2480"Don't believe they stomp out fires. I set them all the time. Gurns don't 
2481show up."
2482
2483"Harmless, so long as you don't treat them like cattle. Maybe farm-raised, 
2484but not wild. One time, we figured we'd saddle one. Maybe break it like a 
2485horse? Because that hump would bounce arrows real nice. Bad idea. Did 
2486not end well for Five-Toe. We used to call him Six-Toe, but not because of 
2487his feet. He got the horn something fierce."
2488
2489"Milk the thing? Your mother."
2490
2491--Excerpts on the Gurn, Voices of Working Caravans, collected by Philliam, a 
2492Bard!
2493
2494Halla
2495
2496The first thing you must understand about the halla is that they are not 
2497our servants. They are not our pets. They are our brothers and sisters. 
2498Remember that Ghilan'nain, the first halla and mother of them all, was 
2499once a huntress of the People. Without the halla, there would be no 
2500
2501Dalish.
2502
2503The second thing you must understand about the halla is that you cannot 
2504force a halla to do something against her will. I have heard tales of 
2505shemlen who come across herds and attempt to capture the halla, using 
2506ropes and bridles. Many shemlen have died impaled on horns as a result 
2507of this foolishness. Never forget that the halla once bore our knights into 
2508battle. The fierce blood of a warrior still runs through her veins and she 
2509would sooner fight to the death than demean herself. Like the Dalish, the 
2510halla are proud. A halla knows who she is, and will tolerate no being that 
2511tells her she is less.
2512
2513How then do we harness them to the aravels? How do we ride them, or 
2514strap our packs to them? Well, how do you get a brother, a sister, or a 
2515friend to do you a favor? Simple, isn't it? You ask. If you have a halla's 
2516trust, she will give you her blessing. It's striking that humans never think 
2517to ask for a halla's friendship. But then, they are shems, and respect 
2518nothing.
2519
2520--Adara, halla-tender of the Ralaferin clan, to her apprentice
2521
2522Horror
2523
2524Presley:
2525
2526Whatever you do, don't get too close to those red templars with giant 
2527lumps on their backs. They can "spit" lyrium! You can actually see it 
2528growing before they fling it at you from their palms. One hit Henley in the
2529face. (He'd have a mass of scars if I hadn't been there to heal the wounds 
2530as we plucked the stuff out.) We started to beat it down with some spells, 
2531and the air went sour. I felt sick, like you do when you're around too 
2532much raw lyrium. Lyra almost passed out. I grabbed her and ran. With 
2533luck, the thing found better prey than us.
2534
2535I never loved the templars, but seeing them mutilated with lyrium doesn't 
2536give me any cheer. I don't understand why they'd inflict this on 
2537themselves.
2538
2539Jahna
2540
2541Hurlock
2542
2543Those who sought to claim
2544Heaven by violence destroyed it. What was
2545Golden and pure turned black.
2546Those who had once been mage-lords,
2547The brightest of their age,
2548Were no longer men, but monsters.
2549
2550--Threnodies 12:1
2551
2552Sin was the midwife that ushered the darkspawn into this world. The 
2553magisters fell from the Golden City, and their fate encompassed all our 
2554world's. For they were not alone.
2555
2556No one knows where the darkspawn came from. A dark mockery of men, 
2557in the darkest places they thrive, growing in numbers as a plague of 
2558locusts will. In raids, they will often take captives, dragging their victims 
2559alive into the Deep Roads, but most evidence suggests that these are eaten.
2560Like spiders, it seems darkspawn prefer their food still breathing. Perhaps 
2561they are spawned by the darkness. Certainly, we know that evil has no 
2562trouble perpetuating itself.
2563
2564The last Blight was in the Age of Towers, striking once again at the heart 
2565of Tevinter, spreading south into Orlais and east into the Free Marches. 
2566The plagues spread as far as Ferelden, but the withering and twisting of 
2567the land stopped well beyond our borders. Here, darkspawn have never 
2568been more than the stuff of legends. In the northern lands, however, 
2569particularly in Tevinter and the Anderfels, they say darkspawn haunt the 
2570hinterlands, preying on outlying farmers and isolated villages, a constant 
2571threat.
2572
2573--From Ferelden: Folklore and History by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar
2574
2575Hurlock Alpha
2576
2577We brought it into Lord Varron's chamber, strong men on both sides 
2578holding the shackles. It had been stripped of weapons and beaten until we
2579judged it barely capable of walking.
2580
2581"I am told you were the lone survivor of the darkspawn from the mines," 
2582Lord Varron said to it. "A hurlock, as I understand it. I am told you spoke 
2583to my men when we captured you."
2584
2585The thing spoke. "Told them they would die." Its voice was guttural and 
2586savage, like a beast trained to mimic the language of men, but we made 
2587out its words clearly enough.
2588
2589"Yes," said Lord Varron. "You are smarter than your fellow beasts."
2590
2591"Yes," said the beast.
2592
2593"I would know more of this," said Lord Varron, "that we might 
2594understand your people and negotiate."
2595
2596"You will," said the beast. "Your men beat me until their knuckles bled. 
2597My blood mixed with theirs. Soon they will hear the song. Soon their 
2598blood will burn, and I will lead them."
2599
2600The men all looked to their hands, for the blood-sickness of the 
2601darkspawn was known to us. When they did, the beast wrenched the 
2602shackles from their grip. Then it was upon Lord Varron, holding him by 
2603the throat.
2604
2605"There is no talk," it said. "No negotiation. You will die. Your world will 
2606die. Now you understand."
2607
2608It snapped Lord Varron's neck and killed four men before we finally killed
2609it.
2610
2611--An excerpt from The Blighted Codex, a classified collection of studies on the 
2612darkspawn, held safely in the Imperial Library in Minrathous, available only to 
2613members of the Magisterium
2614
2615Hyena
2616
2617The common hyena is a remarkable predator, flourishing in the harshest 
2618of conditions. Packs working in concert have sometimes taken down prey 
2619as formidable as a great bear. It's an incredible sight, but you should keep 
2620your distance because one of those beauties took down my bronto in 
2621under a minute.
2622
2623--From The Wilds of Thedas: Volume Two by Stephan d'Eroin
2624
2625Lurker
2626
2627You want to hunt lurkers? All right, then there's a few things you should 
2628know. First, they don't just live in caves. Some of the locals call them "cave
2629lurkers," but I've seen them in the wastelands, in the marshes... really 
2630anywhere you think creatures shouldn't be able to live. Why? Because 
2631they eat almost anything and they eat rarely. When they're not hunting, 
2632they curl up in a sort of hibernation to conserve energy. If you can catch 
2633them in that state, consider yourself lucky. If not, you'll need to be on your
2634toes. They're quiet when they want to be, you see. Hence the "lurk" part of 
2635their name. They hunt in packs. They spit poison. In fact, I've lost more 
2636than one fellow because a group of lurkers descended upon him while he 
2637took a piss in the bushes. They surround him, paralyze him, and then tear 
2638him to pieces--all without the rest of the camp knowing a single  thing 
2639was going on, not twenty feet away.
2640
2641--From The Most Dangerous Things To Eat by Pol Ageire Phridee
2642
2643Mabari
2644
2645Dogs are an essential part of Fereldan culture, and no dog is more prized 
2646than the mabari. The breed is as old as myth, said to have been bred from 
2647the wolves who served Dane. Prized for their intelligence and loyalty, 
2648these dogs are more than mere weapons or status symbols: the hounds 
2649choose their masters, pairing with them for life. To be the master of a 
2650
2651mabari anywhere in Ferelden is to be recognized instantly as a person of 
2652worth.
2653
2654The mabari are an essential part of Fereldan military strategy. Trained 
2655hounds can easily pull knights from horseback or break lines of pikemen, 
2656and the sight and sound of a wave of wardogs, howling and snarling, has 
2657been known to cause panic among even the most hardened infantry 
2658soldiers.
2659
2660--From Ferelden: Folklore and History by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar 
2661
2662Mage
2663
2664Mages are not demons or monsters. They are men and women like any 
2665other, except for their skill with a weapon few are given. I say this to be 
2666clear that I do not think all mages should be put to the sword, as some 
2667believe. However, every mage walks through life with a blade drawn and 
2668ready, whether they wish it or not. Those who insist that mages are 
2669harmless must ask how the apostates who fling fire when the templars 
2670attack learned how to kill so well. We in the Academie know well that no 
2671skill comes without practice.
2672
2673If you fight a mage, you must close with him, regardless of the danger, or 
2674risk being overwhelmed. A mage's strike rarely hits with the force of a 
2675trained chevalier's blade, but often carries unnatural energies: fire that 
2676boils a man inside his armor, lightning that steals the strength from his 
2677limbs, and so forth. To hold back is to give him time to alter the battlefield 
2678to his advantage in some fashion, whether he summons a wall of ice, a 
2679demonic ally, or magical flames to strengthen the blades of his guards. We
2680know that the warrior who controls the battlefield is most often the victor. 
2681You must keep him reacting to you and continue your attack.
2682 
2683Mages rarely wear heavy armor, but their magic can shield them as 
2684effectively as our own plate. I have said many times to watch the hips and 
2685arms of your opponent instead of the hands, but with the mage, the hands
2686and arms may be your only clue. If his body is protected from your blade, 
2687attempt to tangle his arms or bear him to the ground. It is not elegant or 
2688honorable, but there is no honor when fighting a mage. There is only 
2689
2690survival.
2691
2692--An excerpt from A Meditation upon the Use of Blades by Swordmaster 
2693Massache de Jean-mien, required reading at the Academie des Chevaliers
2694
2695Nightmare
2696
2697My friends, we accept as fact that more powerful and intelligent demons 
2698select more complex aspects of our reality to observe and interact with. A 
2699demon of pride may gravitate to the corrupt hubris of nobles, the 
2700bloodthirsty arrogance of soldiers, or sadly, the blind confidence of mages.
2701A demon of desire may focus on lust, greed, or even the desperate wishes 
2702of those with no recourse in the waking world.
2703
2704Whether demons are naturally inclined to such specificity, or made so by 
2705observing a confluence of specific events in our world, is a subject of much
2706debate, and not the question my experiment would answer. Instead, I turn
2707to the question of fear.
2708
2709We think of fear demons as lesser creatures, powerful but simple, like 
2710those common beasts of rage or hunger. But fear has many faces, from the 
2711absurd phobias of the pampered nobility to the very real threats of magic, 
2712demons, dragons, and perhaps especially, the Blight.
2713
2714What event has shaped the course of human history more than the 
2715Blights? Had the First Blight not weakened it, the Tevinter Imperium 
2716would have crushed Andraste's rebellion; we would have no Ferelden, no 
2717Circles, and indeed, no Chantry as we know it. The Blight is unequaled as 
2718a force of devastation and terror, hated and feared by peasant and king 
2719alike from the northern hills of the Anderfels to the southern reaches of 
2720the Korcari Wilds.
2721
2722I know of nothing else that inspires such universal and specific fear. 
2723Dragons and demons, yes, but both have found respect and fascination in 
2724cultures across Thedas. Only the Blight is an unadulterated source of 
2725horror. If there exists a demon of fear who has shaped itself into a more 
2726intelligent, more specific mold, it will be a demon focusing on fear of the 
2727Blight.
2728
2729This is the experiment I undertake. By the time you read this, my friends, I
2730will be asleep, traveling through the Fade to find such a creature. If I am 
2731correct, it will yield an unparalleled source of information on the history 
2732of our world; wisdom hidden since the time of ancient Tevinter. I have 
2733instructed the scribes to write quickly upon my return. I will have much to
2734impart.
2735
2736--A letter found beside the sleeping body of Senior Enchanter Jessimerre, her last 
2737known communication before her subsequent possession and then death, along 
2738with twelve mages, nine templars, and uncounted apprentices and Tranquil, at 
2739the hands of Knight-Captain Hewlgarre
2740
2741Nug
2742
2743I was sure before the Blight they were a whole lot more rare. Should ask a 
2744Warden about that, if killing Archdemons leaves nugs all over. And the 
2745poor things don't seem built for anywhere. I mean, they feed on anything, 
2746but they blister in the desert and freeze in the snow, and they're easier to 
2747track than your own arse. Everything eats them (except me, the hands put 
2748me off), yet they thrive. Randy bastards outpace every tooth and claw.
2749
2750Anyway, my point is, the ones around the farm are so inbred, they're five 
2751colors and can't stop peeing. I'm selling them in the capital as "elusive 
2752eastern bunny-pigs." What did Father say about idiots with deep pockets?
2753
2754--Excerpt from the private letters of "Captain" Byrne, lap-nug dealer, produced 
2755in evidence after seven claims of Water Terrors and death following bites in the 
2756Garden District, 9:36
2757
2758Phoenix
2759
2760Orlesians believe the phoenix to be a herald of woe, perhaps because the 
2761creatures frequent inhospitable places where sane travelers fear to tread. It
2762may also be because they belch a sort of sulfurous gas that reeks of rotten 
2763eggs and ancient peat bog, and flocks of the beasts have a pervasive odor 
2764of death about them. Orlesians are not always so metaphorical as they like
2765
2766us to believe. 
2767
2768--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: Travels of a Chantry Scholar by Brother 
2769Genitivi 
2770
2771Poison Spider
2772
2773The dawning of our understanding was violent and terrifying, made all 
2774the more so because of the mistaken awe and glory it replaced. We had 
2775walked into the cavern on the word of the shaman, and we were not 
2776disappointed. Row upon row, an army of dusty figures: men and women, 
2777pack animals, and what appeared to be staged tableaus of scavengers, as 
2778though silent commentary. We imagined it the toy battalion of a mad 
2779king, funded by mountains of gold. Or the subjects of some cruel empress,
2780sealed away with her upon her death. It was, to all of us, a wondrous 
2781sight, and yet another example of how we mortals are pretenders to 
2782creation and immortality.
2783
2784And then we asked ourselves, why are they all looking upward? And the 
2785answer was upon us.
2786
2787A sound from above, and then legs, fangs, and poison. I do not know the 
2788number--less than my nightmares bear, but still too many. Only quick 
2789fires from our Circle apprentice allowed us to retreat. But not all. Several 
2790of our number were paralyzed in the instant, as must have been the case 
2791for so many before. When I close my eyes, I see them--new recruits to that
2792silent army, frozen in "praise" of a moving ceiling, waiting to be hollowed.
2793 
2794--Excerpted from We Need Not Demons: Our Dangerous World, a 
2795collection of natural horrors and wonders, edited by Philliam, a Bard!
2796
2797Pride Demon
2798
2799The most powerful demons yet encountered are the pride demons, 
2800perhaps because they, among all their kind, most resemble men; as clever 
2801and manipulative as the desire demon, with a penchant for cruel irony 
2802that is almost human. While the demons of desire largely engage in the 
2803
2804bribery of mortals, pride will use mortals' own best nature against them. 
2805Clever men outwit themselves. Strong men crush themselves. Humble 
2806men forget themselves. Jealous men fear themselves. They turn corruption
2807and ruin into an art.
2808
2809--From Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons by Enchanter Mirdromel
2810
2811Prowler
2812
2813When faced directly, an opponent wearing only light armor and wielding 
2814only short blades is little challenge to a trained chevalier. However, not all
2815fights are duels. If you assume that your enemy shares your values, you 
2816will die. The only rule most warriors agree upon is that it is better not to 
2817die, and a Grey Warden or an emperor's bodyguard may contest even that
2818accepted wisdom.
2819
2820A skirmisher will strike by surprise, relying upon allies to draw your 
2821attention. In a great battle with many troops on each side, you must 
2822assume that the enemy has such skirmishers in its ranks. When fighting in
2823formation, you have no excuse to break your guard and pursue a 
2824perceived advantage; doing so will leave you or those depending upon 
2825you unguarded. When fighting alone, you must avoid strikes that would 
2826weaken your guard.
2827
2828Once you know such an enemy opposes you, be vigilant and remember 
2829that you wear more armor than he does. He will hide; do not enter the 
2830shadows, where he is strongest, to pursue him. He will harass you at 
2831range; do not take the bait he offers. A chevalier deserves a better death 
2832than a poisoned dagger in his unprotected armpit, and such is the death of
2833those who grow impatient while chasing enemies they deem beneath their
2834honor.
2835
2836Be calm, be methodical, and wait for your opponent to yield to the fear of 
2837your blade and shield. When he does, he will convince himself that he can 
2838attack you directly, that his blades are fast enough to slip past your shield.
2839Then he will move, and then you may kill him.
2840
2841--An excerpt from A Meditation upon the Use of Blades by Swordmaster 
2842Massache de Jean-mien, required reading at the Academie des Chevaliers 
2843
2844Quillback
2845
2846Those men of learning who claim dominion over the cold, weirdly angled 
2847laws of this world would deny that unutterable savagery of nature, 
2848conjuring their knowledge as a man in repose draws a blanket over 
2849himself, somnolent, to distract from cognizant mind the lethargic 
2850caliginosity of this world. Such mendacity is made manifest in the 
2851quillback.
2852
2853Its hooked beak describes a smile that makes mock of the laws of man and
2854Maker, and in the sagging folds of its rough and squamous hide lies no 
2855elegant simplicity. But look upon its dorsal ridge for the proof, if logic be 
2856your refuge, for in the ebon spines that jut uncaringly from its back, no 
2857man of learning can fail to see the cold and twisted spires of the Black City
2858itself.
2859
2860What Maker would give mock to our ebullient transgressions by marking 
2861His domicile into the flesh of this repugnant eater of flesh, this scavenger 
2862of wastes and deserts? What message can any man read in this carrion 
2863feeder's decrepit spines than that the Golden City of which we dream is 
2864Black, always Black, the swollen infection poisoned from time beyond the 
2865knowledge of our insignificant minds, awaiting only our unheeding touch
2866to afflict us with understanding of our true place in this vast, uncaring 
2867world?
2868
2869--From An Anatomie of Various Terrible Beasts, by Baron Havard-Pierre 
2870d'Amortisan
2871
2872Master means that it's pointy.
2873
2874--Footnote in the margins of the manuscript by the baron's scribe, Dunwich
2875
2876Rage Demon
2877
2878Encountered in the Fade, the true form of a rage demon is a frightening 
2879sight: a creature of pure fire,  seemingly made of amorphous lava, its eyes 
2880pinpricks of baleful light radiating from its core. The abilities of such a 
2881demon center on the fire it generates. It burns those who come near, and 
2882the most powerful are able to lash out with bolts of fire and even 
2883firestorms  affecting entire areas.
2884
2885Fortunately, even powerful rage demons are less intelligent than other 
2886varieties. Their tactics are simple: attack an enemy on sight with as much 
2887force as possible until they perish. Some rage demons carry their heat-
2888based abilities into possessed hosts; otherwise one rarely sees their true 
2889form outside of the Fade unless mages specifically summon one to do 
2890their bidding.
2891
2892-Transcript of a lecture given by Vheren, templar-commander of Tantervale, 6:86 
2893Steel 
2894
2895Ram
2896
2897The ram is a marvelous creature. Its wool makes the best lining for winter 
2898coats this side of the mountains. The horns and bones can be crushed into 
2899powder and mixed with the soil for a healthy crop, or charred and ground
2900into ink powder. The hide makes a good cover in a window against the 
2901winds. You can burn the dung in a pinch. Melt down its fat for candles. I 
2902haven't even mentioned the meat! With a full-grown ram, you could make
2903a stew big enough for a village and have enough left over for a week.
2904
2905So there'll be no more complaining about "being paid in sheep" for your 
2906work during the harvest. With that ram and a few ewes, you can start 
2907your own flock. You're lucky to have them handed to you instead of 
2908needing to go and tame a wild one. Listen to your father for once: take 
2909care of those animals, and they'll take care of you.
2910
2911--Letter from a Fereldan farmer to his son
2912
2913Red Templar Archers
2914
2915Take aim. Red lyrium isn't the weak stuff they fed you all your life. The 
2916song is deeper. It's got a will of its own. Tame it, and it will do things the 
2917Chantry's instructors never dreamed of.
2918
2919Listen. Focus on the arrow in your hand. Pour power into it when it leaves
2920the bow. That strength can fly across a battlefield and punch a hole 
2921through the thickest armor.
2922
2923Soon you won't need to stop to hear it. Practice, and the song will always 
2924be in your blood.
2925
2926And fire.
2927
2928--Red templar archer, instructing new recruits starting to take red lyrium 
2929
2930Red Templar Foot Soldier
2931
2932Do you remember when I was tracking some mages hiding in the 
2933mountains? I found those red templar heretics attacking them; the 
2934templars turned on me as well. The soldiers looked like normal men and 
2935women, but they rained down blows so hard it numbed my arm through 
2936my shield. It took me three minutes to kill just one, and he only stopped 
2937when I cut off his head! That's when I saw their leader: a huge, misshapen 
2938knight. He made a gesture and a streak of light streamed from him into 
2939one of the soldiers. Red lyrium burst through the soldier's back; he 
2940changed into some kind of thing that made the mages all sick.
2941
2942I still don't know how we survived. These mages are children and 
2943frightened scholars, hiding from the war after their Circles fell. Still, if one 
2944of them wasn't a healer, I'd have lost my sword arm.
2945
2946--Letter from a templar knight who left the Order, to her husband
2947
2948Red Templar Guardsman
2949
2950Jers:
2951
2952When I saw templars marching up the road, my heart was glad. I asked if 
2953they'd come to stop the rebel mages who burned down the farms, but one 
2954growled it was none of our business. That was when I noticed his eyes 
2955were red. Not like he'd had a long night at the inn, but really, truly red. 
2956Vernie announced these were the bann's lands, and it was his business 
2957who was in them. The templar bastard cut him down without a word! A 
2958dozen of us against three of them, and we never got a strike past their 
2959shields. They're stronger than any man I've known. The templars swung 
2960full tower shields of metal like they weighed nothing.
2961
2962We had to run. Tell the bann to seal the castle gates against any visiting 
2963templars.
2964
2965--Letter from a guardsman employed by Bann Harkwold
2966
2967Red Templar Knight
2968
2969At first, I was only suspicious. Some of my brothers and sisters were 
2970acting strangely, spending time in the company of those who only days 
2971earlier we hadn't even given a passing glance. I would enter a room, and 
2972they would all be sitting together, talking in hushed whispers... and then 
2973they would stop altogether. I felt my intrusion keenly and withdrew, 
2974wondering how it was that I was not included in this group. Was there 
2975dissension in the templar ranks? Were they speaking of rebellion against 
2976the Seekers of Truth? I could not fathom it, so I kept my peace. Then I saw 
2977the lyrium vials Ser Randall kept in his gear. It was accidental, as he had 
2978them wrapped in dark cloth and immediately covered them when I 
2979entered his quarters, but I did. They were red, not blue. Again, I held my 
2980tongue.
2981
2982Now I wish I had not. More and more of my fellow templars stop talking 
2983when I walk into rooms. There is little talk of continuing our hunt for the 
2984rebel mages. There is little talk of anything at all. I see the red vials they 
2985wear openly around their necks, no longer hidden. They are stronger than 
2986
2987the rest of us, and it suddenly seems as if proper blue lyrium has become 
2988rare. "Shortages," they tell me. I saw Ser Randall this morning, and his 
2989eyes were red. For the first time, I am wondering if I should abandon my 
2990post and flee the Order for good.
2991
2992--From the journal of Ser Caitlin of the Order of Templars, 9:41 Dragon
2993
2994Red Templars
2995
2996The red templars are exactly what they sound like. They are templars who
2997have been fed red lyrium, and the results are precisely what happened to 
2998Meredith in Kirkwall: it improves their powers, grants new ones, and 
2999increases their strength beyond what a human body should bear. Over 
3000time, red lyrium will turn them into beasts. Crystals will grow inside their 
3001bodies; even, I am told, sprouting through their heads. In the end, the red 
3002templars will be lost, mind and soul, to roaring madness.
3003
3004Did the Chantry push our templars too far, or was this break inevitable? 
3005Maker help us, I pray it was not us who drove our good knights into 
3006becoming monsters.
3007
3008--Mother Celeres, of the Grand Cathedral, in a letter to a friend
3009
3010Revenant
3011
3012An entire unit of men, all slain by one creature. I didn't believe it at first, 
3013your Perfection, but it appears that this is so. We have a survivor, and 
3014while at first I thought his rantings pure exaggeration... it appears to be no
3015simple skeleton. The descriptions of the creature's abilities were eerily 
3016similar to those our brothers at Marnas Pell encountered almost an age 
3017ago: men pulled through the air to skewer themselves on the creature's 
3018blade, and attacks so quick that it was able to assault multiple opponents 
3019at once. No, your Perfection, what we have here is indeed a revenant and 
3020nothing less.
3021
3022--From a letter to Divine Amara III, 5:71 Exalted.
3023
3024A revenant is a corpse possessed by a demon of pride or of desire... 
3025making it amongst the most powerful possessed opponents that one can 
3026face. Many possess spells, but most are armed and armored and prefer the
3027use of their martial talents. They are weak against physical attacks but 
3028regenerate quickly, and commonly use telekinesis to pull opponents into 
3029melee range should they try to flee. Revenants also have the ability to 
3030strike multiple opponents surrounding them. Stay at range if possible and 
3031strike quickly--that is the only way to take such a creature down.
3032
3033Shade
3034
3035"It has often been suggested that the only way for a demon to affect the 
3036world of the living is by possessing a living (or once living) body, but this 
3037is not always true. Indeed, a shade is one such creature: a demon in its 
3038true form that has adapted to affect the world around it.
3039
3040My hypothesis is this: we already know that many demons become 
3041confused when they pass through the Veil into our world. They are unable
3042to tell the living from the dead, the very static nature of our universe 
3043being confusing to a creature that is accustomed to a physicality defined 
3044entirely by emotion and memory. Most demons seek to seize immediately 
3045upon anything they perceive as life, jealously attempting to possess it--
3046but what of those that do not? What of those that encounter no life, or fail 
3047to possess a body? What of those that are more cautious by their nature?
3048
3049These demons watch. They lurk. They envy.
3050
3051In time, such a demon will learn to drain energy from the psyche of those 
3052it encounters, just as it did in the Fade. Once it has drained enough, it has 
3053the power to manifest and will forever after be known as a shade. Such a 
3054creature spurns possession. It instead floats as a shadow across its piece of
3055land, preying upon the psyche of any who cross its path. Perhaps it 
3056believes itself still in the Fade? There is evidence to believe that is so.
3057
3058Shadow
3059
3060The specimen was fresh, killed only a few hours ago by a troop of 
3061chevaliers patrolling outside the city. Their captain told me, in a strained 
3062and sickly voice, that a group of red templars had descended on his men 
3063and massacred them. I gave him my condolences, but he seemed not to 
3064hear me. The one on my slab was fast, the captain muttered, much nimbler
3065than its bulk suggested. 
3066Imagine my nausea when I opened up the creature and saw that red 
3067lyrium had fused to the bones, overgrown its lungs, and spread like a 
3068fungus into the brain. As I watched, the red crystal pulsed and spread the 
3069smallest fraction of an inch deeper into the flesh of the corpse. Blood 
3070drained out of the surrounding tissue, as if the lyrium itself were feeding on 
3071it.
3072
3073I have ordered my assistants to wear masks and gloves while burning the 
3074body. Posterity forgive me, I want no truck with the forces in that thing.
3075
3076--From the diary of Professor Auffret, a naturalist studying at the University of 
3077Val Royeaux
3078
3079Snoufleur
3080
3081Picked up someone new. Called himself Marchand and offered three 
3082Orlee royals to travel alongside to Celestine. Betting both knees he saw the
3083bows and thought we'd be protection. Didn't think we might turn the 
3084weapons on him ourselves. Maker's grapes, by the time we hit Lydes, I 
3085wanted to. Little shit couldn't stop bragging about how he was going to be
3086a tutor for some high lord's son. Everything out of his mouth was "Milord 
3087Silk-Knickers this" and "Milord Silk-Knickers that."
3088
3089Showed us a little painting of Milord Silk-Knickers and his lady. Milord I 
3090wanted to punch, but the rump on milady--I'd like to tutor that.
3091
3092And then going through the Dales, we see one of those long-nosed pigs 
3093with the stump legs. It's just crossing the highway, dragging its stupid 
3094belly along the ground, as they do. Bless the Maker and all, but He was 
3095deep in His holy golden cups the day He made that thing.
3096
3097Anyway, I turn to Lockey, and I say, "Hey, it's one of them snufflers."
3098
3099Marchand starts in with his giggle. Lockey and me, we look at him.
3100
3101"Snuffler!" he says, like he just caught me naked with his lady mother. 
3102"Non--tu dois dire 'snoufleur.'" Because "snuffler" just isn't fancy enough 
3103for Orlee. So I say it like he does: snooooou-fleeeeur. Can't keep a straight 
3104face. Marchand goes red like a virgin with skirts blown up. And good old 
3105Lockey, he just shoots the thing with an arrow while it's snuffling its way 
3106across the road.
3107
3108"Now it's dead, and we call it dead," he says. That was that.
3109
3110--From the hunting log of Kerr of West Hill, dated 17 Solace
3111
3112Spellbinder
3113
3114I confess myself troubled by the rise in mages binding multiple spirits to a 
3115single object. Among the Mortalitasi, interacting with spirits is a serious, 
3116even intimate undertaking. These "spellbinders," as they call themselves, 
3117bind many simple spirits, usually to books or other easily 
3118compartmentalized objects set with runes, and they have stripped the 
3119interaction with spirits of its importance, reducing it to a mere mechanical 
3120exercise.
3121
3122That such magic is useful to the spellbinder, I do not argue. Although the 
3123power contained in these objects is difficult to focus, the diffused magic 
3124can easily distribute energy across a broad area, augmenting the mage's 
3125allies. The spellbinders insist that no individual spirit is capable of 
3126breaking their bindings, and that the spirits cannot cooperate well enough 
3127to effect an escape together. Furthermore, they maintain that because the 
3128bindings are all tied to the spellbinder personally, there is no risk of these 
3129enchanted books falling into the wrong hands.
3130
3131Still, the books are in their hands, and I am concerned. Although the 
3132practice has spread across most of Thedas by now, it seems to have 
3133originated in Tevinter. These mages bind spirits and demons too readily, 
3134
3135and it is not natural for spirits to remain in this world for any great length 
3136of time. Our Maker placed the Veil between our world and the Fade for a 
3137reason, after all. Who are we to second-guess His wishes?
3138
3139Perhaps I have grown more reverent in my old age.
3140
3141--An excerpt from Life Among the Dead, by Enchanter Rodomonte van Heigl, 
3142senior member of the Mortalitasi
3143
3144Terror 
3145
3146We heard their screams from miles away, out in the darkness where we 
3147couldn't see anything. Once, back when I worked on my uncle's farmhold 
3148in the Bannorn, there was a calf that fell into a gulch and broke its leg. I 
3149should have run for help, but I thought I could drag it back to safety on 
3150my own. I wasn't strong enough, however, and each time I tried to pull, its
3151leg ... the calf's screaming haunts me to this day, and that's what I heard 
3152out there. Like that calf was coming for me, come to rip off my leg ever so 
3153slowly so I knew what it felt like.
3154
3155But we all heard something different, you see? One of the others said he'd 
3156run into darkspawn at Ostagar, and the scream he heard was from 
3157something called a "shriek." Another said it was a dragon roar, just like 
3158the beast that burned his family. That's when I knew what was out there 
3159was a demon. Something that wasn't just looking to make us afraid--it 
3160wanted us gibbering in terror. It wanted us running for our lives.
3161
3162And we did. I couldn't rightly tell you what it even looked like. There was
3163something in the shadows, and even though we were ready when it let 
3164out that howl, I turned and ran. I couldn't even control myself. My bowels 
3165turned into water, I dropped my sword, and I took off. It was only later 
3166when I realized I was separated from the others, and that there were more 
3167of those demons out there, hungry for more of my panicked tears.
3168
3169--From a report given by Haren, soldier of the Fereldan army, 9:15 Dragon
3170
3171Tusket
3172
3173The curving tusks protruding from the snout are present in both males 
3174and females of the species. Rarely used in combat, the upper tusks play an
3175important part in mate selection. It's believed that tuskets choose 
3176prospective mates based not only the size, but also on the curve and even 
3177slight color variation found in another's tusks. Considering tuskets bond 
3178for life, careful mate selection is crucial to the continued success of the 
3179herd. Bonded tuskets have been seen gently clicking their tusks together 
3180as a sign of affection.
3181
3182The role of the tusket's signature ornamentation in the mating process led 
3183to an unfortunate rumor that their tusks could increase virility in other 
3184species. Although usually docile, tuskets will defend themselves if 
3185cornered (or if someone attempts to saw off part of their anatomy). It's 
3186said Baron Vandermine lost three servants this way.
3187
3188--From Observed Behaviors in the Common Tusket by Tilda Adere
3189
3190Varghest
3191
3192The varghest is now known to be a distant relative of wyverns and 
3193dragons, but in ancient times, it was believed to be a spirit manifest in the 
3194world. Ciriane legend says that the varghest hunts those who have 
3195committed great wrongs against their own kin, and when the creature 
3196finds its quarry, it drags the guilty party to the gods for judgment. This is 
3197perhaps due to the beast's hunting habits: varghest prefer to bring prey 
3198still living to their nests to feed their young.
3199
3200--From A Study of the Southern Draconids by Frederic of Serault, published 
3201in the University of Orlais
3202
3203Wraith
3204
3205Like wisps, wraiths are sometimes thought to be the remains of spirits or 
3206demons that have been destroyed. They cannot shape the Fade around 
3207themselves, nor are they capable of mimicking forms they see in the 
3208minds of dreamers as many weaker spirits do. Instead, they are the 
3209scavengers of the Fade, dwelling in the shadows of stronger beings, 
3210feeding on scraps of thought and emotion.
3211
3212--From Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons by Enchanter Mirdromel
3213
3214Wyvern
3215
3216The wyvern--like its relative the dragon--has nearly been hunted to 
3217extinction. Wealthy Orlesians are particularly fond of the wyvern chase,  
3218although their servants and dogs take the risks while the nobleman 
3219merely accept the praise.
3220
3221It is the venom that makes the creature so valuable. It's used in potion-
3222making, alchemy, and the production of a rare and potent liquor called 
3223aquae lucidius. The minuscule quantity of the venom remaining in the 
3224aquae after distillation leads to a unique hallucinatory effect.
3225
3226Testimonies from a few of those fortunate enough to sample the costly 
3227concoction:
3228"I feel confused but happy!"
3229"It was as though my soul took wing and floated about my head."
3230"I had a vision of my great-grandmother and found it oddly arousing."
3231"I can see through time!" 
3232
3233Codex: Groups (Inquisition)
3234
3235A Tradition of Rebirth
3236
3237Some outlying nations have differing ideas on what happens to us after 
3238death. The southern Avvar, for example, believe in a hazily defined 
3239afterlife governed by the "Lady of the Skies" where the dead are reunited 
3240with their kin. A comforting notion, and not unfamiliar. The Chantry's 
3241idea that on death we cross the Fade to live by the Maker's side is accepted
3242from rough Ferelden to decadent Tevinter. Yet Avvar also believe some of 
3243their people are destined to be "reborn," which some among the Chantry 
3244have great trouble grasping. It is not, I must emphasize, a spirit possessing
3245a body. Other than invoking the gods, spirits have nothing to do with the 
3246process. It is the essence, the soul, which returns clothed in new flesh.
3247
3248The core of the concept is thus: the souls of a few Avvar "favored" by fate 
3249"migrate" on death to inhabit a new body destined for them, so they may 
3250return and perform great deeds for the good of their hold. These 
3251resurrected souls are not expected to remember their past selves 
3252consciously, but instead are assumed to be subtly "guided" by their 
3253previous experiences, especially through visions and portents. This most 
3254conveniently sidesteps the need for proof that one has been "reborn" or 
3255that such things even occur. Then again, perhaps we should not cast scorn
3256too quickly; as of yet, not one of the dead has returned from across the 
3257Fade to describe the Maker's paradise.
3258
3259--Part of a monograph entitled Grand Visions of Life and Death, written by 
3260Roberto the Skeptic of Antiva in 9:31 and banned by the Chantry in 9:32 
3261
3262Ben-Hassrath Reeducators
3263
3264Detainee has already confessed to resisting arrest when Ben-Hassrath 
3265came for his coworker; circumstantial evidence suggests he was part of 
3266group planning to become Tal-Vashoth. Coworker died attempting to 
3267escape. Detainee requires evaluation for possible reintroduction into 
3268society instead of qamek treatment. He is being denied sleep and given 
3269restricted portions of food and water, as noted below.
3270
3271Day 1: Detainee restrained, given water but no food. Detainee requested 
3272to use latrine. Was told cleanliness part of the Qun, and he had decided to 
3273attack the Qun. Detainee asked why he murdered Ben-Hassrath, 
3274responded that he had only defended himself. Detainee eventually 
3275urinated on floor.
3276
3277Day 2: Detainee given light food and water, told he could use the latrine if 
3278he could demonstrate ability to follow the Qun. Detainee asked why he 
3279murdered Ben-Hassrath, answered that he fought them to protect 
3280coworker, did not murder them. Detainee told that lying is unacceptable 
3281under the Qun. Detainee observed reeducators eating and drinking and 
3282engaging in conversation about daily activities while detainee stood.
3283
3284Day 3: Detainee refused food and water. Was taken outside and shown 
3285qalaba rooting through garbage for food. Detainee told he is similar to 
3286qalaba, as neither he nor it follows the Qun. Also told qalaba is better than
3287detainee, as qalaba is too stupid to follow the Qun, while detainee could 
3288follow it, but made conscious choice to refuse. Detainee asked why he 
3289murdered Ben-Hassrath. Detainee answered that he was angry and trying 
3290to protect his friend.
3291
3292Day 4: Detainee shown drawings of dead tamassrans and children, told 
3293these were drawings of people in Seheron killed by Tal-Vashoth. Detainee 
3294told all Tal-Vashoth do this, and if detainee wishes to be Tal-Vashoth, he 
3295must go to education center and kill tamassrans now. Detainee became 
3296visibly upset. Detainee asked why he murdered Ben-Hassrath, answered 
3297that he was wrong and lied to by his coworker. 
3298
3299Day 5: Detainee continues to show remorse. Is visibly happy when 
3300reminded that Qun offers place for all people. Detainee washed, given 
3301new clothes and food, allowed to sleep. Upon waking, detainee asked 
3302whther he would prefer to be Tal-Vashoth or Qunari. Detainee answered 
3303that he will remain Qunari. Detainee released to road crew for simple 
3304labor and will be watched by observers on team.
3305
3306--Excerpt from a Ben-Hassrath reeducation report smuggled out of Par Vollen
3307
3308Chantry Hierarchy
3309
3310The Divine is the titular head of the Chantry, although since the Schism 
3311split the Imperial Chantry into its own faction there are now in fact two 
3312Divines at any one time. One Divine, informally called the White Divine, 
3313is a woman housed in the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. The other, 
3314known as the Black Divine, is a man housed in the Argent Spire in 
3315Minrathous.
3316
3317Neither Divine recognizes the existence of the other, and the informal 
3318names are considered sacrilegious. No matter the gender, a Divine is 
3319addressed as "Most Holy" or "Your Perfection."
3320
3321Beneath the rank of Divine is the grand cleric. Each grand cleric presides 
3322over numerous chantries and represents the highest religious authority for
3323their region. They travel to Val Royeaux when the College of Clerics 
3324convenes, but otherwise remain where they are assigned. All grand clerics
3325are addressed as "Your Grace."
3326
3327Beneath the grand cleric is the mother (or, in the Imperial Chantry, the 
3328father). If a mother is in charge of a particular chantry, "revered" is 
3329appended to her title. These are the priests responsible for administering 
3330to the spiritual well-being of their flock. A mother or revered mother is 
3331addressed as "Your Reverence."
3332
3333Brothers and sisters form the rank and file of the Chantry and consist of 
3334three main groups: affirmed, initiates, and clerics. Affirmed are the lay-
3335brethren of the Chantry, those regular folk who have turned to the 
3336Chantry for succor. Often they are people who have led a difficult or 
3337irreligious life and have chosen to go into seclusion, or even orphans and 
3338similar unfortunates who were raised into Chantry life. The affirmed take 
3339care of the chantry and are in turn afforded a life of quiet contemplation, 
3340no questions asked.
3341
3342Only those folk who take vows become initiates. These are men and 
3343women in training, whether in academic knowledge or the martial skills 
3344of a warrior. All initiates receive an academic education, although only 
3345those who seek to become templars learn how to fight in addition.
3346
3347Clerics are the true academics of the Chantry, those men and women who 
3348have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge. They are often 
3349found in chantry archives, sages presiding over libraries of books and 
3350arcane knowledge. The most senior of these clerics, placed in charge of 
3351such archives, are given the title "elder," although such a rank is still 
3352beneath that of mother. All other brothers and sisters are addressed 
3353simply by noting their title before their name, such as "Brother Genitivi."
3354
3355--From a guide for ambassadors from Rivain
3356
3357Council of Heralds
3358
3359Legally, the titles and heraldry of Orlesian nobility were banned. But even
3360the power of an emperor pales in comparison to thousands of years of 
3361culture and tradition. The oldest families of Orlais trace their lineage back 
3362to Ciriane war chiefs; many have ties to the great houses of Antiva, Rivain,
3363and the Anderfels. They would not give up their legacy, but because their 
3364titles were not legal, they were mired in a mess of conflicting claims of 
3365birthright and inheritance, further compounded by the myriad new titles 
3366Emperor Reville handed out as gifts to his supporters.
3367
3368When Judicael I took the throne, he inherited the political turmoil left 
3369behind by his father, Reville the Mad, which had cost his brother, Etienne 
3370II, his life. In a bid to win over the nobles of his court, one of Emperor 
3371Judicael's first acts was the establishment of the Council of Heralds. The 
3372Council would be the final arbiter over all disputes involving titles--even 
3373having the power to overrule the word of the emperor on such matters.
3374
3375--From An Examination of Orlesian Government by Sister Petrine, Chantry 
3376scholar
3377
3378The Founding of the Chantry
3379
3380Kordillus Drakon, king of the city-state of Orlais, was a man of 
3381uncommon ambition. In the year -15 Ancient, the young king began 
3382construction of a great temple dedicated to the Maker, and declared that 
3383by its completion he would not only have united the warring city-states of
3384
3385the south, he would have brought Andrastian belief to the world.
3386
3387In -3 Ancient, the temple was completed. There, in its heart, Drakon knelt 
3388before the eternal flame of Andraste and was crowned ruler of the Empire 
3389of Orlais. His first act as Emperor: To declare the Chantry as the 
3390established Andrastian religion of the Empire.
3391
3392It took three years and several hundred votes before Olessa of 
3393Montsimmard was elected to lead the new Chantry. Upon her coronation 
3394as Divine, she took the name Justinia, in honor of the disciple who 
3395recorded Andraste's songs. In that moment, the ancient era ended and the 
3396Divine Age began.
3397
3398--From Ferelden: Folklore and History by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar.
3399
3400From a Mage's Journal
3401
3402I argued with the Avvar mage long into the night. If we'd had no truce 
3403with these barbarians to fight the darkspawn, it would have come to 
3404blows. Their conception of the Maker is as a child's! They assume He is a 
3405"spirit," and that we have displeased Him because He "answers none of 
3406your prayers." When I attempted to explain the doctrine of the Chant, the 
3407mage kept asking nonsense such as "Did Andraste have no gods of her 
3408own?" or "Why haven't you sung up another Maker?" I asked what in the 
3409good grace of Thedas she was on about, and the answers chilled me.
3410
3411The Avvar confuse spirits for "gods," treating them as patrons to be lulled 
3412and wooed. The mage described, to my growing horror, how the Avvar 
3413deliberately invoke spirits for "strength in battle" or solicit them for 
3414advice. The mage claimed some of the spirits around her village had 
3415"lived" with her hold for a dozen generations, and sometimes took the 
3416form of an animal or departed relatives "when they pass on their 
3417wisdom."
3418
3419Strangest of all, in the event a "god" is destroyed, the Avvar begin a year-
3420long time of offerings and prayers and rituals I have no interest in 
3421knowing about further. At the end of this period, a new spirit takes on the 
3422name and role of the old one. I attempted to explain that this was not a 
3423
3424"god," merely a spirit drawn in by their desires. The Avvar mage declared,
3425with a ridiculous air of superiority, that that was the point.
3426
3427If she hadn't saved my life a day ago from a rampaging hurlock, I'd take it 
3428all to the templars.
3429
3430--From the private journal of Illna Allenish, a mage serving in the Fereldan army
3431during the Fifth Blight 
3432
3433On Avvar Cuisine
3434
3435What is thrown into the Avvar's cookpots? What isn't! Far from the 
3436delicate creams and sauces of Val Royeaux, or the rich pies and ripe 
3437cheeses beloved in Ferelden, the Avvar must subsist on whatever their 
3438mountain valleys provide. Nothing is too humble for their appetites, from 
3439the small, succulent snails found on hillside boulders to fern fiddleheads 
3440harvested in the spring. This is not to say the Avvar do not dine on more 
3441dangerous (but far more filling) fare. Harts, rams, gurguts, and lurkers are
3442all candidates for communal evening meals taken around the fire. 
3443"Lowlander" spices, while not unknown, are great delicacies reserved for 
3444feasts. (In fact, my parting gift to the thane of Fennec-Tooth Hold was, at 
3445his request, ten jars each of black peppercorns, powdered mustard, and 
3446Antivan cord-seed.)
3447
3448Avvar cooking methods favor utility. Stews are common because they can 
3449be simmered until nightfall with small fuss. Holds by lakes or rivers will 
3450wrap fish in clay and pungent leaves and leave it to bake all day over 
3451banked coals. Most Avvar food preparation, however, centers around 
3452winter. From the spring thaw onward, the hold is an endless hive of 
3453activity as meat is smoked, vegetables are pickled, and fruits are dried and
3454stacked in crude dirt cellars in preparation for the long dark.
3455
3456Despite this race against the seasons, the Avvar freely leave out rich cuts 
3457of meat and piles of plump berries on wood and stone slabs around their 
3458village. They believe these "offerings" propitiate a strange collection of 
3459beings they refer to as "gods" inhabiting the forest. The wise traveler 
3460attempts not to judge, and I was treated with all care due a guest, but I 
3461
3462never become accustomed to the sight of good food left out by such a 
3463practical people.
3464
3465--From The Further Journeys of Marquis d'Lussard, with an Emphasis on 
3466Food and Drink, with Full Illustrations by the Author 
3467
3468Qunari Dreadnoughts
3469
3470You think it's hard to fight the Qunari on land? You've never had to face 
3471them on open water. No wind, sails hanging limp, but those giant 
3472bastards keep coming. We'd always mocked the Qunari for their mindless 
3473servitude, but we saw their discipline as they steadily closed, their oars in 
3474perfect form even as our galley slaves flagged and faltered.
3475
3476They pulled alongside, their great ship twice the length of ours, and we 
3477drew steel, ready for them to board. Instead, a great series of blasts rocked
3478the waves, spewing smoke everywhere. Iron balls the size of a man's head 
3479flew as though fired from a bow. They ripped through hull, mast, and 
3480sailor alike; our ship came apart like a child's toy. I'd have died in the 
3481water had a trading ship not come by to investigate the wreckage.
3482
3483That was the day I learned that although the Imperium might win the war
3484against the Qunari on land, it will never defeat them at sea. It was also the 
3485day I decided to try life as a merchant's guard.
3486
3487--An excerpt from Exiles from the Empire, by Gregorias Pepigit
3488
3489Qunari Tamassrans
3490
3491Nanny Goodwin lay on the hard stones of the Kirkwall docks until the 
3492sailors left with her purse. As she struggled to her feet, a large grey hand 
3493reached down to help her. It was one of the Qunari, the great horned 
3494giants who had come to live in the city.
3495
3496"I thank you," said Nanny Goodwin hesitantly, looking for her satchel. "I 
3497did not know the docks were so dangerous, or I would have asked one of 
3498Lord G___'s guards to accompany me as I bought healing herbs for the 
3499
3500children."
3501
3502"You are a tamassran," said the Qunari. "Under the Qun, no sailor would 
3503accost you. Why are you here?"
3504
3505"I am but Lord G___'s nanny," Nanny Goodwin said, "and Lord G___ did 
3506not believe me when I told him that the children needed healing herbs, so 
3507I was forced to buy them myself."
3508
3509"Under the Qun," said the Qunari, "tamassrans are trusted and listened to 
3510when caring for the children, and any healing herbs they needed would be
3511provided. Why did Lord G___ not attend your words?"
3512
3513"He is a noble," Nanny Goodwin said, "and I am merely a servant who 
3514cares for his children." She shifted her shawl to hide the bruises the sailors 
3515had given her, as well as the bruises Lord G___ himself had left.
3516
3517"Under the Qun," said the Qunari, "all are equal, and no tamassran thinks 
3518herself a mere anything."
3519
3520Nanny Goodwin bid the Qunari good day and returned to Hightown with
3521much to think about.
3522
3523--An excerpt from The Lies of the Nobles, the Truth of the Qun, author 
3524unknown 
3525
3526Qunari: Ben-Hassrath
3527
3528Suggesting that all Ben-Hassrath are spies is like assuming that all 
3529craftsmen are carpenters. The Ben-Hassrath form a significant portion of 
3530the Qunari priesthood, tending to a variety of tasks within Qunari society.
3531 
3532In Qunari cities, Ben-Hassrath serve as something akin to a town guard, 
3533investigating anything that disrupts the orderly function of the city. Ben-
3534Hassrath reeducators treat criminals and rebels against the Qun, 
3535determining whether they must destroy the subject's mind using a poison 
3536known as qamek. Those they can rehabilitate through treatment and 
3537education are later transferred to simple work details.
3538
3539In contested or war-ridden areas, Ben-Hassrath coordinate with the 
3540Qunari military to track the dreaded Tal-Vashoth rebels, a function similar
3541to bounty hunting. Outside Qunari borders, Ben-Hassrath agents 
3542primarily observe and report. While this may seem underhanded, it is no 
3543more than most nations do with their own spies, and the Qunari are 
3544(perhaps rightly, in retrospect) extremely concerned with the danger our 
3545culture's comparatively liberated mages pose.
3546
3547Our assumption that all Ben-Hassrath are malicious spies bent on 
3548bringing Orlais in the Qun has no basis in fact. It is simple prejudice 
3549against a race whose appearance unsettles us, compounded by a guilty 
3550conscience at seeing how many peasants, especially elves, prefer life 
3551under the Qun to life under our empress. The Qunari are a society of 
3552people; people with a different culture and different values, but people 
3553nevertheless, as complex and nuanced as Orlais.
3554
3555--An excerpt from The Lion and the Bull: Racial Bias and 
3556Oversimplification of Qunari Societal Roles in the Orlesian Court, author 
3557unknown, published by the University of Orlais
3558
3559Rebel Mages
3560
3561Whereas the Circle was established not merely to protect the world from 
3562mages, but also to allow mages to practice their art safely and without 
3563fear, and,
3564
3565Whereas under Lord Seeker Lambert's command, the templars sworn to 
3566protect all people--including mages--from the harmful effects of magic, 
3567have instead persecuted mages with such biased judgment as to worsen 
3568the problems they were meant to mitigate, and,
3569
3570Whereas the Rite of Tranquility intended as a tool of last resort to stop 
3571uncontrolled mages from hurting themselves or others, has instead been 
3572used for punitive and political purposes to silence dissent and inhibit 
3573civilized discourse, and,
3574
3575Whereas Andraste herself intended the relationship between mage and 
3576
3577templar to be one of practitioner and protector, not prisoner and jailer, 
3578and this contract has been broken, leaving mages in fear for their lives 
3579from those sworn to protect them,
3580
3581Now, therefore, the Circle of Magi declares the following:
3582
3583We, the mages of Ferelden and Orlais, do hereby dissolve the Circles and 
3584renounce our sworn submission to the Order of the Templars, effective 
3585immediately. 
3586We reiterate Andraste's assertion that magic was made to serve man, not 
3587rule over him, and state unequivocally that we will use our abilities only 
3588to defend ourselves from those who would see us relinquish our lives and 
3589freedoms under the presumption of guilt for crimes we have not 
3590committed.
3591
3592We condemn those practitioners of magic who, through illness of mind or 
3593understandable but misguided anger at those who oppressed them, 
3594would use their Maker-given powers to threaten innocent lives, and we 
3595pledge to aid any legitimate and impartial government in bringing these 
3596lawless apostates to justice.
3597
3598We look earnestly to a future of cooperation between all peoples of 
3599Thedas, free from persecution and prejudice, and hope to build a better 
3600world alongside all who approach us with friendship instead of fear.
3601
3602Yours in service to Andraste and the Maker,
3603The Free Mages of Thedas
3604
3605--A leaflet distributed in towns and villages across Orlais and Ferelden
3606
3607Surface Dwarves
3608
3609In Orzammar, dwarven society is divided into rigid castes with houses 
3610that compete for power and prestige. But all that is discarded when a 
3611dwarf abandons the Stone for the surface. Under the open sky, everyone is
3612equal. Or so the story goes.
3613
3614The truth is that thousands of years of tradition are not so easily tossed 
3615
3616aside. Even though surface dwarves are officially stripped of their caste, 
3617many maintain a hierarchy among themselves along the old caste lines. 
3618Formerly noble houses are accorded more respect than casteless brands 
3619who come up in search of opportunity. The poorest "noble" dwarf on the 
3620surface looks upon the rich "lower caste" dwarves with contempt.
3621
3622Upper-class surface dwarf society is roughly divided into two camps: 
3623kalnas, who insist on maintaining caste and rank (typically those from the 
3624Noble or Merchant Caste families) and ascendants, who believe in leaving 
3625Orzammar's traditions underground and embracing life in the sunlit 
3626world. Maintaining some tie to Orzammar was seen for generations as the 
3627only lifeline for surface dwarves. Bringing surface goods to their kin 
3628underground and lyrium and metals to the surface was not only the most 
3629lucrative means of making a living, but also a sort of sacred duty, as many
3630surface dwarves willingly accepted exile and the loss of their caste to 
3631better serve their house or patron. In recent years, many surface dwarves, 
3632particularly ascendants, have branched out. They started banks, 
3633mercenary companies, and overland trade caravans. They became 
3634investors and speculators in purely surface trade. These new industries 
3635have proven tremendous sources of wealth, but are looked down upon by 
3636their more conservative kin.
3637
3638For less-affluent surface dwarves, association with a powerful kalna can 
3639open many doors. They can get credit with dwarven merchants and are 
3640offered work opportunities by the powerful Dwarven Merchants' Guild 
3641more readily, sometimes, than more qualified but less-connected 
3642individuals.
3643
3644--From The Dowager's Field Guide to Good Society, by Lady Alcyone
3645
3646Tal-Vashoth
3647
3648Our wagon was traveling from the port village to one of the larger cities 
3649when they fell upon us. They shrieked like beasts. Their facial markings 
3650were savage and nonsensical, their brutal weapons chipped and uncared 
3651for, and they stank of unwashed sweat as they charged.
3652
3653The Tal-Vashoth snarled as they fought. One of the workers was bitten. 
3654
3655The guards cut them down with blades until they fled, then finished the 
3656rest with arrows. We followed their trail into the forest and found their 
3657camp: there were women, hunched and cowering as no woman should be,
3658filthy children, thin and underfed, and corpses. I will always remember 
3659the corpses.
3660
3661There were more Tal-Vashoth as well, and the guards cut them down. As 
3662they disarmed the last Tal-Vashoth, one guard asked him why he lived 
3663like this, why he acted in this manner. The Tal-Vashoth looked him in the 
3664eye and said, "I deny the Qun." Then he threw himself upon the guard's 
3665blade.
3666
3667I have questioned the Qun. I believe many of us have, although we do not 
3668admit it to each other. But when I saw that rage in the Tal-Vashoth 
3669warrior's eyes--when I saw the horrible savagery that the Qun alone 
3670holds in check--I knew where I belonged. I am not a perfect Qunari, but I 
3671know my place and my purpose. I am content.
3672
3673--Excerpt from an interview with a Qunari worker in Kirkwall
3674
3675Tevinter Society
3676
3677To those outside of the Tevinter Imperium it is easy to imagine a society 
3678filled with mages and elven slaves and little else. In truth, there are three 
3679different Tevinters, each of them a world completely separated from the 
3680others. There are the mages, the land's nobility, completely obsessed with 
3681competing for supremacy with each other--almost to the exclusion of 
3682paying any heed to the nation's enemies, such as the Qunari. The well-
3683bred altus sneer at the laetans, who in turn sneer at the praeteri. They vie 
3684for dominance in the Magisterium, where factions shift and flow on a 
3685daily basis with deadly consequences, requiring every family to put on a 
3686veneer of perfect citizenship or face scandal and censure.
3687
3688Then there are the so-called soporati, the "sleepers." These are the non-
3689magical citizens who vastly outnumber the mages, yet are beholden to 
3690their whims. Many are resentful of this status, plotting in secret, even as 
3691they secretly hope their children will possess magical talent--an enticing 
3692lure, since the talent could conceivably show up in anyone, even a slave. It
3693
3694would be easy to forget that Tevinter possesses a massive class of 
3695publicans, the civil servants and leaders of the Legionnaires. It has an 
3696enormous merchant class, enough teeming poor to drown any other 
3697nation in Thedas, and the shadowy thieves called "praesumptor" who are 
3698practically treated with respect.
3699
3700And then there are the slaves. One would think they, at least, see each 
3701other as equals, but it is not so. The divide between the freed liberati, 
3702those who act as personal servants to magisters, those who work on farms 
3703and factories, and the "servus publicus" who do all the tasks proper 
3704citizens will not--it is all but insurmountable, but perhaps in emulation of
3705those who own them, Imperial slaves will connive and scheme to try 
3706anyhow. Outsiders might see it as futile, but to Tevinter citizens, their 
3707nation's social classes are the most mutable and rewarding of merit in all 
3708of Thedas.
3709
3710--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of a Chantry Scholar by 
3711Brother Genitivi
3712
3713The Avvars
3714
3715Driven across the Frostbacks in ancient times, the Alamarri tribesmen split
3716into three groups: one settled the Ferelden Valley, one was pushed into 
3717the Korcari Wilds, and the last returned to the mountains. Modern 
3718Fereldans bear little resemblance to their Alamarri ancestors, and the 
3719Chasind remember few of their traditions, but the Avvars have changed 
3720little throughout the ages.
3721
3722Like the Chasind, the Avvars are not a united people. Each tribe fends for 
3723itself and is beholden only to its thane. They still follow their own gods: 
3724Korth the Mountain-Father, Hakkon Wintersbreath, The Lady of the Skies,
3725as well as dozens of animal gods never named to outsiders.
3726
3727Nothing lasts in the mountains. Wind and rain eventually eat away the 
3728strongest holds. Valleys that were arable one generation are locked in 
3729year-round ice the next. Game is constantly on the move. Even among 
3730themselves, the Avvar make no absolute promises: they wed by a 
3731tradition in which the groom struggles to untie a tightly knotted rope 
3732
3733while the bride sings a hymn to one of the gods. However many knots he 
3734has undone by the time her song ends is the number of years she will 
3735spend with him. Lowlanders often forget that there is no such thing as a 
3736permanent alliance in the Frostbacks.
3737
3738--From Ferelden: Folklore and History by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar
3739
3740The Carta
3741
3742The casteless dwarves of Orzammar have few prospects. Consigned to 
3743live in a crumbling ruin on the social and economic fringes of the mighty 
3744dwarven capital, most resort to begging, prostitution, or crime.
3745
3746Just as all rivers eventually join the sea, all casteless who turn to crime 
3747eventually become part of the Carta. The Hero of Ferelden decimated the 
3748ranks of this ancient gang while rallying the dwarves to join in the battle 
3749against the Archdemon Urthemiel. Unable to recover the power they once 
3750had in Orzammar, they turned their attention "topside," using groups of 
3751surface-dwelling dwarves to smuggle weapons, lyrium, surface luxuries, 
3752people, and other goods between Orzammar and human lands.
3753
3754Despite the flow of business, its members are still desperate and violent. 
3755With no strong leader to rein in their excesses, they have little sense of 
3756dwarven honor, and freely break their word, double-cross allies, and 
3757renege on deals.
3758
3759--From The Stone and Her Children: Dwarves of the Dragon Age, by 
3760Brother Genitivi
3761
3762The Circle of Magi
3763
3764The Circle of Magi was established centuries ago to protect us, and to 
3765protect those without magic from the things we might do. No man in his 
3766right mind would disagree that these are noble goals. I refuse to believe 
3767that the Chantry intended the injustice and oppression we suffered in the 
3768intervening years. Segregation of mages from non-mages within templar-
3769guarded compounds was the best--possibly the only--option available.
3770
3771We have recently had to face the stark reality that the system failed us. 
3772The Circle of Magi in Ferelden's Kinloch Hold was one of the most 
3773liberally run, and even there we saw sedition and dissent, resulting in a 
3774failed revolt that nearly destroyed the entire tower. Perhaps stringency 
3775could work where leniency failed? I would present Kirkwall's Gallows as 
3776evidence against such thinking. Knight-Commander Meredith's vice-grip 
3777on the Circle in her care backfired, leaving us where we are now.
3778
3779If the Circles, no matter how they are managed, do not--perhaps cannot--
3780function as intended, what is next? There are no easy answers. The events 
3781of recent years have forced me to reexamine my views on freedom. As 
3782Aequitarians, we have always advocated self-control and cooperation 
3783with the Chantry, but this approach may no longer serve. I must consider 
3784that our Libertarian brothers and sisters had the right of it all along. Look 
3785at the strife and chaos that now consumes our world. Fighting for 
3786independence, for a better system, may not improve our situation. But it 
3787cannot make it any worse.
3788
3789--Letter from Senior Enchanter Vormann Quine of Cumberland to a colleague, 
3790dated 9:39 Dragon
3791
3792The Dalish Elves
3793
3794[when the Inquisitor is a Dalish Elf]
3795In time, the human empires will crumble. We have seen it happen 
3796countless times. Until then, we wait, we keep to the wild border lands, we 
3797raise halla and build aravels and present a moving target to the humans 
3798around us. We try to keep hold of the old ways, to relearn what was 
3799forgotten.
3800
3801We call to the ancient gods, although they do not answer and have not 
3802heard us since before the fall of Arlathan, so that one day they might 
3803remember us: Elgar'nan the Eldest of the Sun and He Who Overthrew His 
3804Father, Mythal the Protector, Fen'Harel the Dread Wolf, Andruil the 
3805Huntress, Falon'Din the Friend of the Dead, Dirthamen the Keeper of 
3806Secrets, Ghilan'nain the Mother of Halla, June the Master of Crafts, and 
3807Sylaise the Hearthkeeper.
3808
3809We gather every ten years for the Arlathvhen, to retell the ancient stories 
3810and keep them alive. For when the human kingdoms are gone, we must 
3811be ready to teach the others what it means to be elves.
3812
3813--Gisharel, keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves
3814
3815[when the Inquisitor is not a Dalish Elf]
3816I took the road north from Val Royeaux toward Nevarra with a merchant 
3817caravan. A scant two days past the Orlesian border, we were beset by 
3818bandits. They struck without warning from the cover of the trees, 
3819hammering our wagons with arrows, killing most of the caravan guards 
3820instantly. The few who survived the arrow storm drew their blades and 
3821charged into the trees after our attackers. We heard screams muffled by 
3822the forest, and then nothing more of those men. 
3823After a long silence, the bandits appeared. Elves covered in tattoos and 
3824dressed in hides, they looted all the supplies and valuables they could 
3825carry from the merchants and disappeared back into the trees.
3826
3827These, I was informed later, were the Dalish, the wild elves who lurk in 
3828the wilderness on the fringes of settled lands, preying upon travelers and 
3829isolated farmers. These wild elves have reverted to the worship of their 
3830false gods and are rumored to practice their own form of magic, rejecting 
3831all human society.
3832
3833--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of A Chantry Scholar, by 
3834Brother Genitivi
3835
3836The Dwarven Merchants Guild
3837
3838The Dwarven Merchants Guild is, without question, the most powerful 
3839surface dwarf institution. It has become what the Assembly is to the 
3840people of Orzammar: a prestigious club that everyone wants to belong to 
3841and the surest means to obtain power and fortune. The guild's leaders can 
3842always trace their lineage back to Noble or Merchant Caste houses in 
3843Orzammar. The guild regulates trade between the dwarven city and the 
3844surface and so quietly controls the entire economy of Orzammar, though 
3845the ruling king or Assembly would never admit it.
3846
3847The guild is heavily conservative, but has started to get more of the 
3848ascendants--especially banking families--into its membership, which has 
3849caused no small amount of infighting in the guild.
3850
3851--From The Dowager's Field Guide to Good Society by Lady Alcyone
3852
3853The Friends of Red Jenny
3854
3855The Friends? Don't poke them. It's tempting--because what else can you 
3856do--but don't. Never know what you'll get. Because Red Jenny, she's been
3857around a long time, she's everywhere, and she hits hard or she hits light, 
3858but the choosing isn't up to you. You want someone to get their desserts, 
3859save your coppers for a moral Crow and know what you're getting.
3860
3861--Notes from Ser Keiter, a traveling merchant, to his son, Erbal
3862
3863They're a distraction, whichever they are. Keeps people busy and the lords
3864edgy. And with the assaults not having any bearing, we've been paid to 
3865strike at guessed rivals several times now. Bards should pay "her" a 
3866commission.
3867
3868--Anonymous
3869
3870My father went after her once. You want to lose your friends fast? Just say 
3871you're tracking hers. He found a report that said she was killed in 
3872Nevarra. Everyone in that command, to a man: dead or hobbled or 
3873somehow lost their claims during the winter following. Know when that 
3874was written? Fifty-two years ago! I'll take a witch over whatever she is. 
3875Let her pick at the nobles; I think it's nature.
3876
3877--Recommendations of Captain Varn, private militiaman contracted in Denerim
3878
3879How's it work? You tell me how to tell. Ask for something bad to happen, 
3880eventually something does. Did she do it? Does it matter? Either way, you
3881think you had a piece. Maybe that's enough.
3882
3883--Interview at a Montsimmard tavern, no name given
3884
3885I know it was her! Keys do not simply go missing! And the horses, I 
3886suppose they were loosed quite by accident? And the fires that swept the 
3887southern quarter, the flooding in my summer home, the drop in the price 
3888of trade goods that just happened to coincide with my plans to sell my 
3889investments, the cholera I suffered last season, the weather that is 
3890inclement whenever I'm traveling. You cannot tell me all these things 
3891were mere happenstance. Perhaps your disbelief is her doing as well. 
3892You're dismissed. Everyone is dismissed.
3893
3894--The scattered notes of Bann Markal
3895
3896The Grey Wardens
3897
3898The Blight had ravaged the land for months; the armies of the great kings 
3899amassed for one last stand. As the sun burst through the clouds that 
3900boiled and churned in the dark sky, it illuminated a vast seething horde of
3901darkspawn with the Archdemon at its head.
3902
3903It was then--when courage seemed to fail and all lost to death and 
3904despair--that the Grey Wardens came.
3905
3906They arrived with the beating of wings like mighty war drums and stood 
3907before the armies of men. The Grey Wardens, grim and fearless, marched 
3908forth, ever between men and the encroaching darkspawn. They formed a 
3909shield of their own bodies and held that line until the Archdemon was 
3910dead and the last darkspawn lay trampled in the dirt. Then, demanding 
3911neither reward nor recognition for their sacrifice, the Grey Wardens 
3912departed. When the clouds rolled back and the sun shone full upon the 
3913blighted ground, the great kings knew that they had lost no men, that 
3914none of their blood had been spilled.
3915
3916This is a tale about no battle the Grey Wardens have fought and yet about 
3917them all. They have always defended us from the darkspawn, taking 
3918losses so we do not have to. 
3919--Adaptation of a Grey Warden legend
3920
3921The tale outlined above is widely told, although subject to regional 
3922variations. Free Marchers might substitute "great kings" for titles 
3923bestowed in their given city states. In Ferelden, the implied army of 
3924
3925Wardens is sometimes replaced with two--representative of the national 
3926heroes who fought and defeated the Archdemon at Denerim during the 
3927Fifth Blight.
3928
3929The "beating of wings" is a reference to the griffons the Wardens are said 
3930to have ridden into battle. Although griffons went extinct long before the 
3931recent Blight, they still appear in numerous stories; sometimes serving as a
3932metaphor for the Wardens' unrestrained courage, but also employed to 
3933please an eager audience.
3934
3935--From Tales of the Wardens by Sister Manon
3936
3937The Imperial Chantry
3938
3939There are those who would tell you that the Chantry is the same 
3940everywhere as it is here, that the Divine in Val Royeaux reigns supreme in
3941the eyes of the Maker and that this fact is unquestioned throughout 
3942Thedas.
3943
3944Do not believe it. 
3945
3946The Maker's second commandment, "Magic must serve man, not rule over
3947him," never held the same meaning within the ancient Tevinter Imperium 
3948as it did elsewhere. The Chantry there interpreted the rule as meaning that
3949mages should never control the minds of other men, and that otherwise 
3950their magic should benefit the rulers of men as much as possible. When 
3951the clerics of Tevinter altered the Chant of Light to reflect this 
3952interpretation of the commandment, the Divine in Val Royeaux ordered 
3953the clerics to revert to the original Chant. They refused, claiming 
3954corruption within Val Royeaux, an argument that grew until, in 4:87
3955 Towers, the Chantry in Tevinter elected its own "legitimate and 
3956uncorrupted" Divine Valhail--who was not only male, but also happened 
3957to be one of the most prominent members of the Tevinter Circle of the 
3958Magi. This "Black Divine" was reviled outside Tevinter, his existence an 
3959offense to the Chantry in Val Royeaux.
3960
3961After four Exalted Marches to dislodge these "rebels," all that the Chantry 
3962in Val Royeaux accomplished was to cement the separation.
3963
3964While most aspects of the Imperial Chantry's teachings are the same, 
3965prohibitions against magic have been weakened, and male priests have 
3966become more prevalent. The Circle of the Magi today rules Tevinter 
3967directly, ever since Archon Nomaran was elected in 7:34 Storm directly 
3968from the ranks of the enchanters, to great applause from the public. He 
3969dispensed with the old rules forbidding mages from taking part in 
3970politics, and within am age, the true rulers within the various imperial 
3971houses--the mages--took their places openly within the government. The 
3972Imperial Divine is now always drawn from the ranks of the first 
3973enchanters and operates as Divine and Grand Enchanter both. This is utter
3974heresy to any member of the Chantry outside of Tevinter, a return to the 
3975days of the magisters, which brought the Blights down upon us. But it 
3976exists, and even though we have left the Tevinter Imperium to the mercies
3977of the dread Qunari, still they have endured. Further confrontation 
3978between the Black Divine and our so-called "White Divine" is inevitable.
3979
3980--From Edicts of the Black Divine, by Father David of Qarinus, 8:11 Blessed
3981
3982The Magisterium
3983
3984There is a mistaken impression outside the Tevinter Imperium that a 
3985'Magister' is simply a mage, and the mere act of being a mage is all that is 
3986required to be among the ruling class--a misperception aided, no doubt, 
3987by some Tevinter mages claiming the title outside their homeland to take 
3988advantage of its reputation. In truth, being a magister requires one hold a 
3989seat in the Magisterium, the upper house of the Imperial Senate. This is 
3990the body that makes laws, and which chooses the new Archon if there is 
3991no approved heir. The Senate's lower house, the Publicanium, consists of 
3992elected officials, but it has no true power and is considered a bureaucratic 
3993body.
3994
3995Magisters, meanwhile, come from the ranks of the Circle of Magi and the 
3996Imperial Chantry, but most hold their seats by virtue of an Archon having 
3997granted it to their family long ago. It is not technically required for a 
3998magister to be a mage... indeed, after the Transfiguration that saw the Old 
3999Gods abandoned and Andrastianism embraced, most were not. Since the 
4000Towers Age, however, non-mages in the Magisterium have slowly been 
4001
4002weeded out. A true magister is thus a figure of real power in Tevinter. All 
4003other mages serve at their pleasure, and any mage not of proper lineage 
4004has no influence outside of that which personal wealth and talent provide.
4005 
4006--From The Ancient North by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar
4007
4008The Order of Fiery Promise
4009
4010Consider the time in which the original Inquisition existed. The First 
4011Blight had devastated the world, tearing down the mighty Tevinter 
4012Imperium and leaving nothing in its place. Just as there were several cults 
4013of Andraste vying to become the true inheritor of the prophet's faith, there
4014was more than one group claiming to represent the one true path to 
4015deliver the world from chaos. The Order of Fiery Promise was one of 
4016these, a band of men and women who decreed that not only was the end 
4017of the world nigh, it was necessary.
4018
4019Thedas must be cleansed with fire and reborn as a paradise. This they 
4020solemnly promised; they devoted themselves utterly to seeing this come 
4021about. Whether they ever drew closer to their goal is unknown.
4022
4023The Inquisition eventually crushed these "Promisers" during a battle only 
4024recorded as the "Cleansing of Churneau." The cult reappeared in the early 
4025Divine Age, claiming to take up the Inquisiton's mantle after it had 
4026transformed into the Seekers of Truth, leading to Chantry hunts that did 
4027not see the Promisers eliminated again until the Exalted Age.
4028
4029--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of a Chantry Scholar by 
4030Brother Genitivi
4031
4032The Orlesian Civil War
4033
4034When Grand Duke Gaspard attacked Empress Celene of Orlais in an 
4035attempt to claim the throne, we assumed business across the country 
4036would suffer greatly. To counter propaganda suggesting she was overly 
4037tolerant of the elves, Celene was drawn to crush an elven uprising in 
4038Halamshiral, and Gaspard's attack there destroyed her forces and cut her 
4039
4040off from Val Royeaux. She escaped back to the Orlesian capital (with a 
4041hundred mad stories explaining how), at which point we started closing 
4042down the family shops, expecting Gaspard's army to carve a bloody path 
4043through the Heartlands and up north toward cities loyal to Celene.
4044
4045Instead, the humans have been downright reasonable. We made a killing 
4046on furs and silver in Val Royeaux as Gaspard's hold on southern Orlais 
4047cut off incoming trade goods from Ferelden. The nobles in Montfort and 
4048Val Chevin also bought up violets as though their touch killed darkspawn;
4049apparently, Celene declared that wearing purple flowers was a way for 
4050humans to show their loyalty to her.
4051
4052In Ferelden, half of the cities would be on fire; but in Orlais, the nobles 
4053make jokes, and the merchants just keep peddling their wares while 
4054Gaspard and Celene's armies clash in the Dales. The only people really 
4055suffering are the peasants, but then, that's true enough anywhere.
4056
4057Send extra guards on the next shipment, but save the lyrium for Ferelden. 
4058The family's doing good business here as it is.
4059
4060--From a letter from Dernal Harrick, dwarven merchant, to his family in 
4061Ostwick
4062
4063The Pentaghasts
4064
4065Allow me to correct you on one important point, my friend: the 
4066Pentaghasts are Nevarra. Without us, this nation would either still be one 
4067of the motley city-states that comprise the Free Marches, or under 
4068Orlesian control. More likely the latter, as only Nevarra's strength holds 
4069back the empire's expansion... and by that I refer to the brilliance of 
4070Pentaghast generals and the influence of Pentaghast coin.
4071
4072I find it interesting that you mention dragon-hunting as our only 
4073significant trait. You do understand, I hope, that dragons disappeared 
4074centuries ago, only recently returning at the beginning of this age? Some 
4075of our clan have taken up the old trade out of nostalgia--my cousin 
4076Ferdinand the most prominent among them--but those days are largely 
4077done. Today there are fourteen branches of the family--eighteen, if one 
4078
4079counts our relations among the Van Markhams--each consisting of 
4080multiple families and twisting bloodlines connecting us to almost every 
4081major house across Thedas.
4082
4083I am fully aware that King Markus wanes in health, and neither he nor 
4084Ferdinand have children, but make no mistake: there will be another 
4085Pentaghast sitting on the Nevarran throne, and that man or woman will 
4086lead us into a prosperous future. There will be no civil war.
4087
4088--From a letter by Baroness Alia Pentaghast, Dragon 9:38
4089
4090The Qunari
4091
4092The people of the Qun are, perhaps, the least-understood group in 
4093Thedas. The Qunari Wars were brutal, but so was the Chantry Schism. So 
4094was the fall of the Imperium. Some of this misunderstanding is an 
4095accident of nature: The race we call "Qunari" are formidable. Nature has 
4096given them fierce horns and strange eyes, and the ignorant look on them 
4097and see monsters.
4098
4099Some is an accident of language: Few among the Qun's people speak the 
4100common tongue, and fewer speak it well. In a culture that strives for 
4101mastery, to have only a passable degree of skill is humiliating indeed, and 
4102so they often keep quiet among foreigners, out of shame.
4103
4104But much of it is a result of the culture itself. The Qunari view their whole 
4105society as a single creature: a living entity whose health and well-being 
4106are the responsibility of all. Each individual is only a tiny part of the 
4107whole, a drop of blood in its veins. Important not for itself, but for what it 
4108is to the whole creature. Because of this, the Qunari most outsiders meet 
4109belong to the army, which the Qun regards as if it were the physical body: 
4110arms, legs, eyes and ears, the things a creature needs in order to interact 
4111with the world. One cannot get to know a person solely by studying his 
4112hand or his foot, and so one cannot truly "meet" the Qunari until one has 
4113visited their cities. That is where their mind and soul dwell.
4114
4115In Seheron and Par Vollen, one can truly see the Qunari in their entirety. 
4116There, the unification of the Qunari into a single being is most evident. 
4117
4118Workers, whom the Qun calls the mind, produce everything the Qunari 
4119require. The soul, the priesthood, seeks a greater understanding of the 
4120self, the world, and exhorts the body and mind to continually strive for 
4121perfection. The body serves as the go-between for the mind, the soul, and 
4122the world. Everyone and everything has a place, decided by the Qun, in 
4123which they work for the good of the whole. It is a life of certainty, of 
4124equality, if not individuality. 
4125
4126--From the writings of the seer of Kont-arr, 8:41 Blessed
4127
4128The Seekers of Truth
4129
4130The Seekers of Truth aren't templars... not precisely. Once they were 
4131called the Inquisition, but upon the signing of the Nevarran Accord, they 
4132gave up that name and became the Order they are now, standing over us 
4133templars as watchers and enforcers. I honestly cannot claim to know more
4134than that. I don't know how many Seekers there are--a few dozen? If they 
4135have a base of operations, I don't know where it is. Certainly not with any 
4136of us. The only time we'll see one is when a Seeker is summoned, perhaps 
4137in response to a complaint by one of the first enchanters. They'll 
4138investigate the problem, and if it turns out a templar did something they 
4139don't like, he's disciplined. Severely. Without question. Even the knight-
4140commander bows to their will. If a Seeker of Truth shows up, you know 
4141every last templar is sweating, hoping their gaze doesn't fall on him.
4142
4143Of course, that changed when the Nevarran Accord was broken. I'm told 
4144the Chantry broke it, but it was Lord Seeker Lambert who made the 
4145announcement. He said the Seekers of Truth and the Templar Order were 
4146going to hunt rebel mages, no matter what the Divine commanded. I 
4147didn't know he had that authority, that he could just say we would do this
4148and everyone would follow... but we did. I never thought of it that way, 
4149but the Seekers have always been our guides. Now they've led us into 
4150war.
4151
4152--From a letter written by Ser Jonathan Perry, 9:40 Dragon
4153
4154The Sentinel Elves
4155
4156[if the Inquisitor sided with the mages]
4157Elves ambushed us just when the Master said they would, five days into 
4158the Wilds. They move faster than any elf I've seen, and they know the 
4159forest like they were born of it. The ones who escape melt back into the 
4160shadows. They're strong, and they know no fear; every damn elf we cut 
4161down fights 'til the last.
4162
4163The attacks have slowed since we doubled the watch. We've killed enough
4164to make them pause. Corypheus says the elves call themselves "Sentinels."
4165We were going over the plan for the final assault on their temple, and he 
4166told me the elves we're fighting are the last "true" priests of their Old 
4167Gods. Before I could stop myself, I asked how he knew. I felt like a damn 
4168fool the moment the words left my mouth, but the Master just looked at 
4169me, then opened his hand. A second later, that magic orb was floating 
4170over it.
4171
4172He told me it was elven, that events made him believe it came to him for a
4173purpose. The Master turned, and I thought I was dismissed, but his voice 
4174stopped me before I left. He said, solemn as I've ever known him, that 
4175there were many things he couldn't tell me, that he hid them so I would 
4176stay focused on the Well. He said that while I'll sacrifice much, there will 
4177be no secrets once I've become the Vessel.
4178
4179I left then, but I can't stop thinking about it. I'd swear there was regret in 
4180those last words. Wish I knew exactly what for.
4181
4182--Charred excerpt from a logbook kept by Samson, recovered by Inquisition spies 
4183from the wreckage of a red templar camps in the Arbor Wilds. The rest of the book
4184is too blackened by fire to make out.
4185
4186[if the Inquisitor sided with the Templars]
4187Elves continue to attack. Our strongest wards, our most cunning traps 
4188only slow them down, yet they panic. Corypheus warned us that we 
4189would face the Sentinels of Mythal's temple, and now we are at their 
4190doorstep. We have slain enough elves that they must know we will rip the
4191Well of Sorrows from them. We must be the first true threat they have 
4192encountered since they began their long watch, thousands of years ago.
4193
4194I expected these Sentinels to fight as the Dalish do, but they are a 
4195magnitude more dangerous than their cousins. There is a magic about 
4196these elves I have felt in only one other thing: the orb Corypheus carries 
4197with him. The flavor of their power is all too similar. The Master must 
4198have suspicions, but has not shared them with me, promising all 
4199understanding when I become the Vessel for the knowledge in the temple.
4200I believe him, but he has not yet forbidden me from making inquiries of 
4201my own. Burn this once you are done, and prepare for instructions one 
4202week hence. By then I will know enough to set you on the correct path.
4203
4204--Encrypted letter from Calpernia to her top operative, sent out before the battle 
4205of the Arbor Wilds. Intercepted and decrypted by Leliana's spies.
4206
4207The Templar Order: End of an Accord
4208
4209Most Holy,
4210
4211The Seekers are well aware of the part you played in the rebellion. You 
4212call me to the Grand Cathedral in the middle of the night on "urgent" 
4213business only to speak of trivial matters? And then, when I return to the 
4214White Spire, I discover chaos... and one of your agents in the midst of the 
4215apostates.
4216
4217Did you think I would not notice? Did you believe yourself above 
4218repercussions for such acts? It was a dark day when the Chantry placed 
4219such an incapable woman upon the Sunburst Throne. I will not stay idle 
4220and watch you destroy what ages of tradition and righteousness have 
4221built.
4222
4223In the twentieth year of the Divine Age, the Nevarran Accord was signed. 
4224The Seekers of Truth lowered our banner and agreed to serve as the 
4225Chantry's right hand, and together we created the Circle of Magi. With the
4226Circle no more, I hereby declare the Accord null and void. Neither the 
4227Seekers of Truth nor the Templar Order recognize Chantry authority, and 
4228instead we will perform the Maker's work as it was meant to be done, as 
4229we see fit.
4230
4231Signed this day on the fortieth year of the Dragon Age,
4232
4233Lord Seeker Lambert van Reeves
4234
4235--Letter sent to Divine Justinia from the former Lord Seeker
4236
4237The Templar Order: Traditional Role
4238
4239Often portrayed as stoic and grim, the Order of Templars was created as 
4240the martial arm of the Chantry. Armed with the ability to dispel and resist 
4241magic in addition to their formidable combat talents, the templars are 
4242uniquely qualified to act as both a foil for apostates--mages who refuse to 
4243submit to the authority of the Circle--and a first line of defense against 
4244the dark powers of blood mages and abominations.
4245
4246While mages often resent the templars as symbols of the Chantry's control
4247over magic, the people of Thedas see them as saviors and holy warriors, 
4248champions of all that is good, armed with piety enough to protect the 
4249world from the ravages of foul magic. In reality, the Chantry's militant 
4250arm looks first for skilled warriors with unshakable faith in the Maker, 
4251with a flawless moral center as a secondary concern. Templars must carry 
4252out their duty with an emotional distance, and the Order of Templars 
4253prefers soldiers with religious fervor and absolute loyalty over paragons 
4254of virtue who might question orders when it comes time to make difficult 
4255choices.
4256
4257The templars' power derives from the substance lyrium, a mineral 
4258believed to be the raw element of creation. While mages use lyrium in 
4259their arcane spells and rituals, templars ingest the primordial mineral to 
4260enhance their abilities to resist and dispel magic. Lyrium use is regulated 
4261by the Chantry, but some templars suffer from lyrium addiction, the 
4262effects of which include paranoia, obsession, and dementia. Templars 
4263knowingly submit themselves to this "treatment" in the service of the 
4264Order and the Maker.
4265
4266It is this sense of ruthless piety that most frightens mages when they draw
4267the templars' attention: when the templars are sent to eliminate a possible 
4268blood mage, there is no reasoning with them, and if the templars are 
4269prepared, the mage's magic is all but useless. Driven by their faith, the 
4270
4271templars are one of the most feared and respected forces in Thedas.
4272
4273--From Patterns Within Form by Halden, First Enchanter of Starkhaven, 8:80 
4274Blessed.
4275
4276The Venatori
4277
4278I know what you have been telling the others. You mouth the word "cult," 
4279and repeat lies the Chantry has been spewing at us for a thousand years. 
4280Look around you, my friend. See what mighty Tevinter is today: a once-
4281proud nation brought low, barely able to hold itself against the oxmen. 
4282We neutered our mages at the behest of a foreign religion, exalted their 
4283false Maker, and became the laughing stock of all Thedas. Now we have 
4284the chance to reclaim what is rightly ours, but only if we act. We cannot 
4285wait to see which way the wind is blowing--we must make it blow.
4286
4287The Venatori are hunters, recruited in secret over several years. We will 
4288descend with deadly purpose, to spill the blood of the south and make it 
4289ripe for conquest; when we return to our homeland, it will be as victors, 
4290with a new god as our patron. Then the cowards who refused to aid us 
4291will know their mistake in full.
4292
4293--Reported as evidence to the Vyrantium Circle of Magi, Dragon 9:40 
4294
4295Vashoth: The Grey Ones
4296
4297Why do you keep asking me about the Qun? I'm not Qunari. I met a 
4298human once who made shoes. Why don't you tell me about shoe-making?
4299 
4300You've met more Qunari than I have. I've lived my whole life here in 
4301Nevarra.
4302
4303No, I'm not Tal-Vashoth. Tal-Vashoth are rebels. You can't rebel against 
4304something you've never seen. I'm Vashoth.
4305
4306No, I didn't use the same word. It's "Vashoth," not "Tal-Vashoth." Nobody 
4307told me humans couldn't hear speech.
4308
4309No.
4310
4311No.
4312
4313I hate humans.
4314
4315--Unused portion of a transcript from an interview with Issala, a Qunari goat 
4316herder, found in the notes of Brother Genitivi
4317
4318Codex: History (Inquisition)
4319
4320A Celebration Of Wardens
4321
4322Outside times of Blight, Grey Wardens investigate rumors of darkspawn. 
4323Ser Kiersten of the Free Marches mounted an expedition to the Frostback 
4324Basin to look into one such sighting. She and her fellow Wardens allied 
4325themselves with an Avvar hold besieged by darkspawn after an 
4326earthquake in the mountains tore open a new passage to the surface. After
4327ten days of fighting, the Wardens and the Avvar drove the darkspawn 
4328back and sealed the entrance against further incursions. In celebration of 
4329her bravery, the Avvar deployed a feast for Ser Kiersten and her Grey 
4330Wardens so legendarily boisterous that there are still paintings and 
4331statues dedicated to their alliance littered around the Basin.
4332
4333--From Journeys of the Wardens: A Comprehensive History by Lady Locke
4334
4335A Chant for the Departed
4336
4337The Light shall lead her safely
4338Through the paths of this world, and into the next.
4339For she who trusts in the Maker, fire is her water.
4340As the moth sees light and goes toward flame,
4341She should see fire and go towards Light.
4342The Veil holds no uncertainty for her,
4343And she will know no fear of death, for the Maker
4344Shall be her beacon and her shield, her foundation and her sword.
4345
4346--Transfigurations 10:1, often sung by mourners as they light candles
4347
4348A Journal on Dwarven Ruins
4349
4350I didn't think the Hissing Wastes would be so lively, but there are hunters 
4351prowling the dunes. One of them showed me a hidden watering hole, and 
4352some fine spots to camp. I asked her about the old thaig, but she didn't 
4353even know what a "thaig" was until I explained dwarves had more cities 
4354
4355than just Orzammar. She clearly thinks I'm barmy, coming all the way 
4356here to study the ruins. Polite about it, though.
4357
4358The statues here were chiseled thousands of years ago, I'm sure of it. 
4359Either these people loved dwarven architecture, or the "commonly known 
4360fact" that dwarves never built cities on the surface is wrong. This is the 
4361stuff world-famous treaties are made of.
4362
4363***
4364
4365The inscriptions on the ruins are all in the old tongue. (Thank you, 
4366Grandmother, for teaching this ungrateful brat Old Dwarven.) The 
4367writing talks about "the sad parting from the Stone." Hundreds of years 
4368ago, several houses left their thaigs to settle here under one leader. They 
4369were running from a war, or running so there wouldn't be a war? I read 
4370and re-read the pillars until the light faded, but I know I'm missing 
4371something.
4372
4373I'll go back tomorrow. I wish Felicity's sister hadn't talked her out of 
4374joining me. I could use an extra pair of eyes to keep watch at night.
4375
4376***
4377
4378It's a Paragon. The man who lead the people here, who built this city, was 
4379master smith Paragon Fairel.
4380
4381Legend says he died in the Deep Roads during a war between two thaigs 
4382who used his runework to build fantastic weapons of destruction. If he 
4383escaped up here, that means the records are wrong, or someone a 
4384thousand years ago tried to pretty-up the truth about his leaving. The 
4385most talented Shaper of runes in dwarven history, escaping with his entire
4386house to the surface--now that will fluff some beards in the Shaperate! 
4387My father said our old family business used to be near an archway that 
4388was part of Fairel's Paragon statue. I wish I could have shown him this. 
4389He's the one who wanted to believe our ancestors in the Stone were still 
4390guiding us. Be nice to think it were true, old man. 
4391
4392***
4393
4394I was tracing heraldry etched on a wall when I noticed pictures of 
4395weapons with winged lizards worked into the decoration. I spent the rest 
4396of the day translating the inscriptions. This verse was apparently passed 
4397down through Fairel's house, through his father to his father's father and 
4398so on for hundred of generations:
4399
4400"From the Stone, have no fear of anything, 
4401but the stone-less sky betrays with wings of flame. 
4402If the surface must be breached, if there is no other way, 
4403bring weapons against the urtok, and heed their screams."
4404
4405"Urtok" means "dragon." Why was it part of an ancient crest? Why were 
4406these dwarves so worried about a monster they'd never see that they 
4407worked it into their weapons?
4408
4409This place becomes more impossible each day.
4410
4411***
4412
4413A few days ago, I turned from a statue to find a human woman staring at 
4414me. She didn't react when I screamed, or when I ran around picking up 
4415my dropped notes. When I asked who she was and how long she'd been 
4416standing there, she quoted some verses of the Chant at me, polite as you 
4417please. I offered her some water, but she shook her head, pointed to the 
4418east, and said "Blessed are those with fortitude, for they persevere in the 
4419name of the Maker." When I glanced back, she was gone.
4420
4421The poor woman must be touched. She seemed harmless, but I don't know
4422how she gets around so quickly in this heat.
4423
4424***
4425
4426I have just discovered Fairel's tomb in the east. I've never seen something 
4427so sodding grand in all my life. I won't write an essay on this place, I'll 
4428write a book. Several books. I will be rich and bring a whole expedition 
4429here and the University of Orlais will beg me to lecture when I'm not 
4430presenting my findings to the empress herself over dinner.
4431
4432That is, if I can get inside the Fairel's tomb. The doors are sealed tight. It 
4433looks like there's a keyhole, but none of the ruins I've seen have anything 
4434
4435even hinting at a key. On the way out, I saw I'd missed a few bones on the 
4436ground. They were still bloody. Sheer luck that whatever lives there 
4437wasn't home when I arrived.
4438
4439***
4440
4441A group of human mages have moved in. They're digging out buildings 
4442deep in the sand. When I tried to approach them, one of the workers 
4443dragged me aside and whispered to me to leave before "the Venatori" 
4444caught me. I wasn't going to listen until he showed me his cuts. These 
4445mages have been bleeding him for their spells!
4446
4447I ran. I wish there were something I could do. What do these "Venatori" 
4448want? the buildings I saw looked like tombs in the ancient style. Fairel 
4449was a master runesmith. Maybe the city revered his work enough to seal it
4450away...
4451
4452***
4453
4454Not a good day. Sandstorm blew in for hours, and I was almost bitten in 
4455half by one of those terrible spiders. Making the fire nice and bright 
4456tonight. Wound's wrapped up, but it feels hot to the touch. Dizzy. Rest a 
4457few days?
4458
4459Discovered one interesting thing in all the mess--the name of this place. I 
4460puzzled it from some carvings on the doors of Fairel's tomb. Kal Repartha:
4461"A place where we may meet in peace."
4462
4463I hope they found peace. 
4464
4465A Study of the Fifth Blight, Vol. One 
4466
4467While some of my contemporaries dispute whether the Fifth Blight was a 
4468true Blight or merely a large darkspawn resurgence, historians agree that 
4469it began in the swamps of the Korcari Wilds on the southeastern border of 
4470Ferelden in the year 9:30 Dragon.
4471
4472King Cailan Theirin was swift in responding to the threat, gathering the 
4473
4474royal army, every Grey Warden in his country, and sending a call for aid 
4475to the Ferelden nobility. The assembled armies laid a trap in the ruins of 
4476Ostagar, hoping to crush the force before it reached civilization. But they 
4477failed. Darkspawn overran the defenders of Ostagar and decimated the 
4478king and his army. They continued their advance into Ferelden 
4479unopposed. Only two Grey Wardens managed to escape the slaughter. 
4480And somehow, they came into possession of ancient treaties, which 
4481compelled the races of men to join arms against the massing horde. 
4482
4483***
4484
4485[Default World State, or one where the mages were recruited]
4486The surviving Wardens made their way to Kinloch Hold, home of the 
4487Ferelden Circle, and conscripted the mages. 
4488
4489[World State where the Templars were recruited]
4490The surviving Wardens made their way to Kinloch Hold, and assisted in 
4491annulling the Fereldan Circle of Magi, which had fallen to abominations. 
4492With the end of that tragic disaster, the Wardens conscripted the templars.
4493
4494***
4495
4496[Default World State, or one  where the Dalish Elves were recruited]
4497In desperation to find more allies, the Wardens journeyed into the 
4498Brecilian Forest, seeking the Dalish. The elves, too, joined the growing 
4499army.
4500
4501[World State where the the werewolves were recruited]
4502In desperation to find more allies, the Wardens journeyed into the 
4503Brecilian Forest, seeking the Dalish. The elves failed to uphold their treaty,
4504but another answered in their place: Werewolves, straight out of Fereldan 
4505folktales, joined the growing army. 
4506
4507***
4508
4509[Default World State, or one  where the Anvil of the Void is destroyed]
4510Into the Deep Roads the surviving Wardens went, searching for Paragon 
4511Branka in hopes she could settle the unrest in Orzammar and unite the 
4512dwarves in the battle against the Archdemon. Branka could not be located,
4513but another Paragon was found: the legendary Caridin, who forged a 
4514
4515crown that ended all question of succession.
4516
4517[World State where Branka commits suicide]
4518Into the Deep Roads the survivors went, searching for Paragon Branka in 
4519hopes she could settle the unrest in Orzammar and unite the dwarves in 
4520the battle against the Archdemon. They found her, and she forged a crown
4521that played a key role in sorting out the royal succession.
4522
4523[World State where the Anvil of the Void was reclaimed]
4524Into the Deep Roads the surviving Wardens went, searching for Paragon 
4525Branka in hopes she could settle the unrest in Orzammar and unite the 
4526dwarves in the battle against the Archdemon. Not only did the Paragon 
4527settle the matter of royal succession, but she also reclaimed the lost secrets 
4528of golem manufacture. An army of stone and steel joined the war effort. 
4529
4530***
4531
4532[Default World State, or one where Prince Bhelen is crowned king]
4533Bhelen Aeducan was crowned king of Orzammar, and the dwarven 
4534armies marched for the surface. 
4535
4536[World State where Lord Harrowmont is crowned king]
4537Pyral Harrowmont was crowned king of Orzammar, and the dwarven 
4538armies marched for the surface.
4539
4540***
4541
4542Despite their successes, though, greater challenges were yet to come.
4543
4544--From A Study of the Fifth Blight, by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar 
4545
4546A Study of the Fifth Blight, Vol. Two
4547
4548[Default World State, or one where the Warden aided Redcliffe]
4549The Wardens sought Arl Eamon, uncle of the late King Cailan, in the 
4550hopes of mustering troops from the Fereldan nobility. Upon arriving in 
4551Redcliffe they learned that the arl had fallen ill and was near death. His 
4552
4553knights had gone in pursuit of the fabled Ashes of Andraste, Eamon’s 
4554only hope for a cure, and the village surrounding the Keep was beset by a 
4555host of animated corpses. The Wardens found and stopped the demon 
4556behind the undead before joining the search for Eamon's cure. 
4557
4558[World State where the Warden abandoned Redcliffe]
4559The Wardens sought Arl Eamon, uncle of the late King Cailan, in the 
4560hopes of mustering troops from the Fereldan nobility. But upon arriving 
4561in Redcliffe, they learned that the arl had fallen ill and was near death, his 
4562knights gone in pursuit of the fabled Ashes of Andraste, as his only hope 
4563for a cure. The Wardens immediately set out to join the search for the 
4564Ashes. 
4565
4566***
4567
4568No one is certain if the Wardens actually located the final resting place of 
4569Our Lady Andraste, but whatever they found saved the arl of Redcliffe.
4570
4571Upon his recovery, Eamon Guerrin called for a Landsmeet and he and the 
4572Wardens traveled to Denerim. 
4573
4574***
4575
4576[World State where  Loghain was conscripted into the Grey Wardens and Anora 
4577remained Queen with Warden Cousland as Prince-Consort]
4578The gathered lords and ladies of Ferelden found Teyrn Loghain guilty of a
4579number of crimes. He was sentenced to join the Grey Wardens to atone for
4580his deeds. Furthermore, the Landsmeet bore witness to the betrothal of 
4581Queen Anora to Teyrn Bryce Cousland's youngest son, who was one of 
4582the two Grey Wardens to survive Ostagar. 
4583
4584[World State where Loghain was conscripted into the Grey Wardens and Anora 
4585remained Queen]
4586The gathered lords and ladies of Ferelden found Teyrn Loghain guilty of a
4587number of crimes. He was sentenced to join the Grey Wardens to atone for
4588his deeds. Furthermore, the Landsmeet granted the vacant throne to 
4589Anora, widow of King Cailan.
4590
4591[World State where  Loghain was conscripted into the Grey Wardens and Alistair
4592and Anora rule together]
4593The gathered lords and ladies of Ferelden found Teyrn Loghain guilty of a
4594number of crimes. He was sentenced to join the Grey Wardens to atone for
4595his deeds. Furthermore, the Landsmeet bore witness to the betrothal of 
4596Queen Anora to Alistair Theirin, the lost son of Maric. 
4597
4598[World State where Loghain was executed and Anora remained Queen]
4599The gathered lords and ladies of Ferelden found Teyrn Loghain guilty of a
4600number of crimes and sentenced him to execution. Furthermore, the 
4601Landsmeet granted the vacant throne to Anora, widow of King Cailan.
4602
4603[Default World State, or one where Loghain was executed, and Alistair and 
4604Anora rule together]
4605The gathered lords and ladies of Ferelden found Teyrn Loghain guilty of a
4606number of crimes and sentenced him to execution. Furthermore, the 
4607Landsmeet bore witness to the betrothal of Queen Anora to Alistair 
4608Theirin, the lost son of Maric.
4609
4610[World State where Loghain was executed, Alistair became King, and was 
4611married to Warden Cousland as Queen]
4612The gathered lords and ladies of Ferelden found Teyrn Loghain guilty of a
4613number of crimes and sentenced him to execution. Furthermore, the 
4614Landsmeet granted the throne to Alistair Theirin, the lost son of Maric, 
4615and bore witness to his betrothal to Teyrn Bryce Cousland's daughter.
4616
4617[World State where Loghain was executed and Alistair became King]
4618The gathered lords and ladies of Ferelden found Teyrn Loghain guilty of a
4619number of crimes and sentenced him to execution. Furthermore, the 
4620Landsmeet granted the throne to Alistair Theirin, the lost son of Maric.
4621
4622***
4623
4624The nobility then pledged their own armies in the battle against the Blight.
4625
4626***
4627
4628[Default World state, or one where the Warden died in the final battle]
4629The Archdemon clashed with the allied forces at the city of Denerim and 
4630was eventually slain, but at terrible cost. Much of the city lay in ruin and 
4631
4632the Warden who rallied the armies--later known as the Hero of Ferelden
4633--perished in battle. 
4634
4635[World State where the Dark Ritual occurred]
4636The Archdemon clashed with the allied forces at the city of Denerim and 
4637was eventually slain, but at terrible cost. Much of the city lay in ruin. The 
4638Warden who rallied the armies was named the Hero of Ferelden and 
4639accorded the highest honor. 
4640
4641***
4642
4643The Fifth Blight ended before most of Thedas knew it had begun. But it 
4644left a terrible wound on Ferelden. The losses suffered at Ostagar and 
4645Denerim greatly compromised the security of the kingdom. Southern 
4646Ferelden from the Korcari Wilds to the edge of the Bannorn are, to this 
4647day, a wasteland. It's uncertain how far the ripples from this event shall 
4648travel, or what waves it has already stirred. 
4649
4650--From A Study of the Fifth Blight, by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar 
4651
4652Ancient Elven Writing
4653
4654This elven writing found in the Arbor Wilds is so old there seems to be no way to 
4655learn what it means. 
4656
4657There are whispers from the Well of Sorrows. It's impossible to 
4658understand the entire text, but certain parts suddenly reveal a shadow of 
4659their original meaning.
4660
4661"His crime is high treason. He took on a form reserved for the gods and 
4662their chosen, and dared to fly in the shape of the divine. The sinner 
4663belongs to Dirthamen; he claims he took wings at the urging of 
4664Ghilan'nain, and begs protection from Mythal. She does not show him 
4665favor, and will let Elgar'nan judge him."
4666
4667For one moment there is an image of a shifting, shadowy mass with 
4668blazing eyes, whose form may be one or many. Then it fades. 
4669
4670Andraste: Bride of the Maker
4671
4672There was once a tiny fishing village on the Waking Sea that was set upon 
4673by the Tevinter Imperium, which enslaved the villagers to be sold in the 
4674markets of Minrathous, leaving behind only the old and the infirm. One of
4675the captives was the child Andraste.
4676
4677She was raised in slavery in a foreign land. She escaped, then made the 
4678long and treacherous journey back to her homeland alone. She rose from 
4679nothing to be the wife of an Alamarri warlord.
4680
4681Each day she sang to the gods, asking them to help her people who 
4682remained slaves in Tevinter. The false gods of the mountains and the 
4683winds did not answer her, but the true god did.
4684
4685The Maker spoke. He showed her all the works of His hands: the Fade, the
4686world, and all the creatures therein. He showed her how men had 
4687forgotten Him, lavishing devotion upon mute idols and demons, and how
4688He had left them to their fate. But her voice had reached Him, and so 
4689captivated Him that He offered her a place at His side, that she might rule 
4690all of creation.
4691
4692But Andraste would not forsake her people.  
4693
4694She begged the Maker to return, to save His children from the cruelty of 
4695the Imperium. Reluctantly, the Maker agreed to give man another chance. 
4696Andraste went back to her husband, Maferath, and told him all that the 
4697Maker had revealed to her. Together, they rallied the Alamarri and 
4698marched forth against the mage-lords of the Imperium, and the Maker 
4699was with them.
4700
4701The Maker's sword was creation itself: fire and flood, famine and 
4702earthquake. Everywhere they went, Andraste sang to the people of the 
4703Maker, and they heard her. The ranks of Andraste's followers grew until 
4704they were a vast tide washing over the Imperium. And when Maferath 
4705saw that the people loved Andraste and not him, a worm grew within his 
4706heart, gnawing upon it.
4707
4708At last, the armies of Andraste and Maferath stood before the very gates 
4709
4710of Minrathous, but Andraste was not with them, for Maferath had 
4711schemed in secret to hand Andraste over to the Tevinter. For this, the 
4712archon would give Maferath all the lands to the south of the Waking Sea.
4713
4714And so, before all the armies of the Alamarri and of Tevinter, Andraste 
4715was tied to a stake and burned while her earthly husband turned his 
4716armies aside and did nothing, for his heart had been devoured. But as he 
4717watched the pyre, the archon softened. He took pity on Andraste, and 
4718drew his sword, and granted her the mercy of a quick death.
4719
4720The Maker wept for His Beloved, cursed Maferath, cursed mankind for 
4721their betrayal, and turned once again from creation, taking only Andraste 
4722with him. And Our Lady sits still at his side, where she still urges Him to 
4723take pity on His children.
4724
4725--From The Sermons of Justinia II
4726
4727Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt
4728
4729Hear me, sons and daughters of the People-- 
4730I am Sister of the Moon, Mother of Hares,
4731Lady of the Hunt: Andruil.
4732
4733Remember my teachings,
4734Remember the Vir Tanadhal:
4735The Way of Three Trees
4736That I have given you.
4737
4738Vir Assan: the Way of the Arrow
4739Be swift and silent;
4740Strike true, do not waver
4741And let not your prey suffer.
4742That is my Way.
4743
4744Vir Bor'assan: the Way of the Bow
4745As the sapling bends, so must you.
4746In yielding, find resilience;
4747In pliancy, find strength.
4748
4749That is my Way.
4750
4751Vir Adahlen: the Way of the Wood
4752Receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness.
4753Respect the sacrifice of my children
4754Know that your passing shall nourish them in turn.
4755That is my Way.
4756
4757Remember the Ways of the Hunter
4758And I shall be with you.
4759
4760--From The Charge of Andruil, Goddess of the Hunt
4761
4762Arlathan: Part One
4763
4764Before the ages were named or numbered, our people were glorious and 
4765eternal and never-changing. Like the great oak tree, they were constant in 
4766their traditions, strong in their roots, and ever reaching for the sky. 
4767
4768They felt no need to rush when life was endless. They worshipped their 
4769gods for months at a time. Decisions came after decades of debate, and an 
4770introduction could last for years. From time to time, our ancestors would 
4771drift into centuries-long slumber, but this was not death, for we know 
4772they wandered the Fade in dreams. 
4773
4774In those ages, our people called all the land Elvhenan, which in the old 
4775language means "place of our people." And at the center of the world 
4776stood the great city of Arlathan, a place of knowledge and debate, where 
4777the best of the ancient elves would go to trade knowledge, greet old 
4778friends, and settle disputes that had gone on for millennia.
4779
4780But while our ancestors were caught up in the forever cycle of ages, 
4781drifting through life at what we today would consider an intolerable pace,
4782the world outside the lush forests and ancient trees was changing.
4783
4784The humans first arrived from Par Vollen to the north. Called shemlen, or 
4785"quicklings," by the ancients, the humans were pitiful creatures whose 
4786lives blinked by in an instant. When they first met the elves, the humans 
4787
4788were brash and warlike, quick to anger and quicker to fight, with no 
4789patience for the unhurried pace of elven diplomacy.
4790
4791But the humans brought worse things than war with them. Our ancestors 
4792proved susceptible to human diseases, and for the first time in history, 
4793elves died of natural causes. What's more, those elves who spent time 
4794bartering and negotiating with humans found themselves aging, tainted 
4795by the humans' brash and impatient lives. Many believed that the ancient 
4796gods had judged them unworthy of their long lives and cast them down 
4797among the quicklings. Our ancestors came to look upon the humans as 
4798parasites, which I understand is similar to the way the humans see our 
4799people in the cities. The ancient elves immediately moved to close 
4800Elvhenan off from the humans, for fear that this quickening effect would 
4801crumble the civilization.
4802
4803--The Fall of Arlathan, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the 
4804Dalish elves
4805
4806Arlathan: Part Two
4807
4808You ask what happened to Arlathan? Sadly, we do not know. Even those 
4809of us who keep the ancient lore have no record of what truly happened. 
4810What we have are accounts of the days before the fall, and a fable of the 
4811whims of the gods.
4812
4813The human world was changing even as the elves slept. Clans and tribes 
4814gave way to a powerful empire called Tevinter, which--and for what 
4815reason we do not know--moved to conquer Elvhenan. When they 
4816breached the great city of Arlathan, our people, fearful of disease and loss 
4817of immortality, chose to flee rather than fight. With magic, demons, and 
4818even dragons at their behest, the Tevinter Imperium marched easily 
4819through Arlathan, destroying homes and galleries and amphitheaters that 
4820had stood for ages. Our people were corralled as slaves, and human 
4821contact quickened their veins until every captured elf turned mortal. The 
4822elves called to their ancient gods, but there was no answer.
4823
4824As to why the gods didn't answer, our people left only a legend. They say 
4825that Fen'Harel, the Dread Wolf and Lord of Tricksters, approached the 
4826
4827ancient gods of good and evil and proposed a truce. The gods of good 
4828would remove themselves to heaven, and the lords of evil would exile 
4829themselves to the abyss, neither group ever again to enter the other's 
4830lands. But the gods did not know that Fen'Harel had planned to betray 
4831them, and by the time they realized the Dread Wolf’s treachery, they were 
4832sealed in their respective realms, never again to interact with the mortal 
4833world. It is a fable, to be sure, but those elves who travel the Beyond claim
4834that Fen'Harel still roams the world of dreams, keeping watch over the 
4835gods lest they escape from their prisons.
4836
4837Whatever the case, Arlathan had fallen to the very humans our people had
4838once considered mere pests. It is said that the Tevinter magisters used 
4839their great destructive power to force the very ground to swallow 
4840Arlathan whole, destroying eons of collected knowledge, culture, and art. 
4841The whole of elven lore left only to memory.
4842
4843--The Fall of Arlathan, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the 
4844Dalish elves.
4845
4846At What Cost
4847
4848From an aged journal found in Frostback Basin:
4849
4850It still tastes strange. No matter.
4851
4852Several water-stained pages follow before the text resumes:
4853
4854Have we traveled through lands more remote than these? We must have. 
4855Yet I've never felt so removed from life back home as I do now.
4856
4857T. makes the same arguments as always, though adds a lack of demons as 
4858a point in her favor. Lack isn't absence--which I was quick to point out. 
4859She called me pithy. There are demons here, though not as many as we 
4860faced in those early years together. The Avvar have their mages too. The 
4861last were ill prepared for me. I wonder if that's the part that bothers her?
4862
4863O., as always, was no help at all.
4864
4865We push on. My head aches. The others are singing the song we learned at
4866that lakeside town. I forget the name of the place. I think my eyes are 
4867about to explode. Of course, A. has noticed and tells the others he needs to
4868read something. It's quiet now. The journey here took longer than 
4869expected. I must take stock of the rations. After sleep.
4870
4871There were more than expected. Everything has been more than expected. 
4872A few moments later, and O. would not be standing here. I was able to 
4873subdue the mage before things became worse. T. said nothing about it 
4874afterwards. She knows O. would have died.
4875
4876"At what cost?" T. asked me that once. I said it costs nothing, but I don't 
4877know. I met a man who'd fought longer than I, but his mind had faded 
4878with age, and he could not answer. The point remains that I can do more. I
4879can be more effective. We've all seen the demons, what they did. We've 
4880seen what some would do with blood. The better question is, who pays 
4881the cost if no one takes this chance?
4882
4883And no one said it has to be forever. Just until things are settled.
4884
4885"If you count eight times, will the number change?" O. asks. She's been 
4886watching me these last few days, whatever she says to the contrary. 
4887Damned blue bottles. I did not plan this journey as well as should.
4888
4889I lay trying to find constellations through the leaves. T. brought me some 
4890water. She just smiled, and there was no admonishment behind it. It made
4891me feel somewhat better. As always, A. cooked our dinner while deriding 
4892my own ability to produce something edible. O. attempts to tell jokes-- 
4893Maker, they're pathetic. Why do they make me laugh anyway?
4894
4895Long days behind. I fear there are fewer ahead. Whatever costs I've paid, 
4896they will be worth it. It doesn't matter. This night--safe beside a fire, the 
4897three of them singing that stupid song... I am content. 
4898
4899Champions of the Just
4900
4901Blessed are they who stand before
4902The corrupt and the wicked and do not falter.
4903Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just.
4904
4905Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow.
4906In their blood the Maker's will is written.
4907
4908--Canticle of Benedictions 4:10-11 
4909
4910When Andraste preached these verses, she offered her followers a path of 
4911virtue. "In their blood the Maker's will is written" is usually interpreted to 
4912mean sacrificing one's life for a righteous cause, but like most of the 
4913Chant, deeper meaning hides beneath the surface. "In their blood" can be 
4914understood as a reference to continuity, an unbroken line of humble 
4915behavior required to please the Maker.
4916
4917Rather than a physical fight against demon or apostate, Andraste meant 
4918this verse as a warning that her faithful should judge their heart's 
4919intentions, questioning those who would lead them astray. Champions of 
4920the Just are those with the courage to admit their wrongdoing, while 
4921letting none continue in their sight.
4922
4923Unsurprisingly, the Fourth Stanza is popular among militant branches of 
4924the Chantry, such as the knights-enchanter and the Templar Order.
4925
4926--Notes on the Chant of Light, by Mother Bezoria of the Grand Cathedral, 
49279:39 Dragon 
4928
4929Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets
4930
4931The twins Falon'Din and Dirthamen are the eldest children of Elgar'nan 
4932the All-Father and Mythal the Protector. The brothers were inseparable 
4933from the moment of their conception, known for their great love for each 
4934other. That is why we often speak of Falon'Din in one breath and 
4935Dirthamen the next, for they cannot bear to be apart, not even in our tales.
4936
4937When the world was young, the gods often walked the earth, and 
4938Falon'Din and Dirthamen were no exception. Both were delighted by the 
4939many wonders of our earth. They played with the animals, whispered to 
4940the trees, and bathed in the lakes and streams. Their days were filled with 
4941bliss, and they did not know sorrow.
4942
4943And then one day, while passing through the forest, Falon'Din and 
4944Dirthamen came across an old and sickly deer resting beneath a tree. 
4945"Why do you sit so still, little sister?" asked Falon'Din. 
4946
4947"Play with us," said Dirthamen.
4948
4949"Alas," spoke the deer, "I cannot. I am old, and although I wish to go to my
4950rest, my legs can no longer carry me."
4951
4952Taking pity on the deer, Falon'Din gathered her up into his arms and 
4953carried her to her rest beyond the Veil. Dirthamen tried to follow them, 
4954but the shifting grey paths beyond the Veil would not let him. Separated 
4955for the first time from Falon'Din, Dirthamen wandered aimlessly 'til he 
4956came across two ravens.
4957
4958"You are lost, and soon you will fade," the raven named Fear said to 
4959Dirthamen.
4960
4961"Your brother has abandoned you. He no longer loves you," said the other,
4962named Deceit.
4963
4964"I am not lost, and Falon'Din has not abandoned me," replied Dirthamen. 
4965He subdued the ravens and bade them carry him to Falon'Din. This they 
4966did, for they had been defeated and were now bound to Dirthamen's 
4967service.
4968
4969When Dirthamen found Falon'Din, he found also the deer, who once 
4970again was light on her feet, for her spirit was released from her weakened 
4971body. Both Falon'Din and Dirthamen rejoiced to see this. Falon'Din vowed
4972that he would remain to carry all the dead to their place Beyond, just as he
4973did the deer. And Dirthamen stayed with him, for the twins cannot bear to
4974be apart.
4975
4976--From The Story of Falon'Din and Dirthamen, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of 
4977the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves
4978
4979Dwarven Inscriptions: Hissing Wastes 
4980
4981The sun burned above oceans of sand,
4982but in the sand was Stone, strong and true.
4983Fairel hewed the Stone, and built--as great as any thaig in the deep.
4984And with his sons' help, he ensured the thaig prospered and grew.
4985
4986Fairel, Paragon, fled from the strife his brilliance created,
4987the strife that destroyed thaigs, sundered houses, from weapons that clan 
4988used against clan.
4989His own clan and his two sons followed Fairel to the pitiless surface,
4990the surface where they would hide from the war that took their home.
4991
4992After many years Fairel, greatest of Paragons, could not bear life's burden.
4993And with the burden growing, he called his sons to his bedside.
4994He bade each son swear he would take care of his brother,
4995and the brothers swore, and mourned when their father returned to the 
4996Stone.
4997
4998Fairel's sons built monuments to their father, locking away his great 
4999works,
5000and worked together, for a time, side by side. Each ruled half the thaig,
5001but each ruled differently. They argued, and heated words made the 
5002brothers duel,
5003And where one brother fell, the other raised bloodied axe in hand, alone.
5004
5005This is the tale of Fairel, Paragon among Paragons, father of two sons,
5006who, against their father's wishes, fought from foolish words and foolish 
5007pride.
5008For pride these halls were made--to honor a father's deeds, and grieve his
5009loss.
5010And for loss these halls were made, to honor a brother mourned.
5011
5012A father taken by time, a brother dead by my own hand.
5013With this work behold my grief, in Stone and shifting sand. 
5014
5015Elgar'nan: The All-Father
5016
5017Long ago, when time itself was young, the only things in existence were 
5018the sun and the land. The sun, curious about the land, bowed his head 
5019close to her body, and Elgar'nan was born in the place where they 
5020touched. The sun and the land loved Elgar'nan greatly, for he was 
5021beautiful and clever. As a gift to Elgar'nan, the land brought forth great 
5022birds and beasts of sky and forest, and all manner of wonderful green 
5023things. Elgar'nan loved his mother's gifts and praised them highly and 
5024walked amongst them often.
5025
5026The sun, looking down upon the fruitful land, saw the joy that Elgar'nan 
5027took in her works and grew jealous. Out of spite, he shone his face full 
5028upon all the creatures the earth had created, and burned them all to ashes. 
5029The land cracked and split from bitterness and pain, and cried salt tears 
5030for the loss of all she had wrought. The pool of tears cried for the land 
5031became the ocean, and the cracks in her body the first rivers and streams.
5032
5033Elgar'nan was furious at what his father had done and vowed vengeance. 
5034He lifted himself into the sky and wrestled the sun, determined to defeat 
5035him. They fought for an eternity, and eventually the sun grew weak, while
5036Elgar'nan's rage was unabated. Eventually Elgar'nan threw the sun down 
5037from the sky and buried him in a deep abyss created by the land's sorrow. 
5038With the sun gone, the world was covered in shadow, and all that 
5039remained in the sky were the reminders of Elgar'nan's battle with his 
5040father--drops of the sun's lifeblood, which twinkled and shimmered in the 
5041darkness.
5042
5043--From The Tale of Elgar'nan and the Sun, as told by Gisharel,  Keeper of the 
5044Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves
5045
5046Emperor Florian
5047
5048Grand Duke Florian was not supposed to ascend to the Orlesian throne. 
5049His elder brother, Emperor Judicael II, had two twin sons and thus a very 
5050secure line. Florian was free to pursue other interests, none of which 
5051revolved around the Game. Indeed, the Imperial Court largely ignored 
5052him, and that was how he liked it. All that was recorded of that era is that 
5053he married, produced a single daughter, and afterwards showed little 
5054interest in her.
5055
5056An outbreak of the Hundred Days Cough in 8:77 Blessed changed his 
5057plans. Both of Judicael's sons perished, as did Florian's daughter. Wracked
5058by grief, Judicael lost interest in ruling, turning over all matters pertaining
5059to the rebellion in Ferelden to his advisors and instead spending his time 
5060hunting in the country. When Judicael was thrown from his horse during 
5061a fox hunt in 8:84 Blessed, Florian was suddenly vaulted into the throne. 
5062Famously, his response to the chevaliers delivering the news at his estate 
5063is said to be, “This will not do at all.”
5064
5065A private and somewhat eccentric man, Florian limited his appearances at
5066court and dealt almost exclusively with members of his own family. He 
5067was extremely particular about his habits of dress and grooming, 
5068eschewing current fashion for the sake of comfort and refusing to wear 
5069cosmetics or powders of any kind due to an intense dislike of being 
5070"dirty." Powerful and connected nobles who had served in the cabinet 
5071since his father's time were turned away in favor of his younger brother, 
5072Reynaud; his sister, Melisande; and his cousins. Children were banned 
5073from the palace, even the children of servants, with the exceptions of his 
5074nephew and nieces, who were tolerated only on the condition that they 
5075remain out of the emperor's sight.
5076
5077Regarding suggestions that Florian and his youngest cousin, Meghren, 
5078were lovers, the truth is uncertain. If such a relationship existed, it was no 
5079doubt kept private due to Florian's aversion to public life and not from 
5080any fear of rumors. Such rumors, after all, were likely spread due to the 
5081emperor's refusal to sire another child and thus secure his line--many 
5082believed this failing would eventually lead to civil war. The only real 
5083evidence of a relationship with Meghren is a loud and very public 
5084argument the two had prior to Meghren's appointment (or exile, as he saw
5085
5086it) to the throne of Ferelden. Meghren is said to have called Florian "my 
5087darling," and neither man chose to explain the argument later. 
5088
5089The predictions of civil war almost came to pass upon Florian's death in 
50909:19 Dragon. With no clear heir, the throne eventually passed to the only 
5091daughter of Grand Duke Reynaud, Celene, after a vicious struggle that 
5092threatened to consume the empire.
5093
5094--From The Emperors of Orlais, by Brother Harlon Ascari
5095
5096Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, Guide
5097
5098"O Falon'Din
5099Lethanavir--Friend to the Dead
5100Guide my feet, calm my soul,
5101Lead me to my rest."
5102
5103In ancient times, the People were ageless and eternal, and instead of dying
5104would enter uthenera–the long sleep–and walk the shifting paths beyond 
5105the Veil with Falon'Din and his brother Dirthamen. Those elders would 
5106learn the secrets of dreams, and some returned to the People with 
5107newfound knowledge.
5108
5109But we quickened and became mortal. Those of the People who passed 
5110walked with Falon'Din into the Beyond and never returned. If they took 
5111counsel with Dirthamen on their passage, his wisdom was lost, for it went 
5112with them into the Beyond also, and never came to the People. 
5113
5114Then Fen'Harel caused the gods to be shut away from us, and those who 
5115passed no longer had Falon'Din to guide them. And so we learned to lay 
5116our loved ones to rest with an oaken staff, to keep them from faltering 
5117along the paths, and a cedar branch, to scatter the ravens named Fear and 
5118Deceit who were once servants of Dirthamen, now without a master.
5119
5120--As told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves
5121
5122Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf
5123
5124There is precious little we know about Fen'Harel, for they say he did not 
5125care for our people. Elgar'nan and Mythal created the world as we know 
5126it, Andruil taught us the Ways of the Hunter, Sylaise and June gave us fire
5127and crafting, but Fen'Harel kept to himself and plotted the betrayal of all 
5128the gods. And after the destruction of Arlathan, when the gods could no 
5129longer hear our prayers, it is said that Fen'Harel spent centuries in a far 
5130corner of the earth, giggling madly and hugging himself in glee.
5131
5132The legends say that before the fall of Arlathan, the gods we know and 
5133revere fought an endless war with others of their kind. There is not a 
5134hahren among us who remembers these others: Only in dreams do we 
5135hear whispered the names of Geldauran and Daern'thal and Anaris, for 
5136they are the Forgotten Ones, the gods of terror and malice, spite and 
5137pestilence. In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear 
5138among both our gods and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is kin to the
5139gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways, and 
5140saw him as one of their own.
5141
5142And that is how Fen'Harel tricked them. Our gods saw him as brother, 
5143and they trusted him when he said that they must keep to the heavens 
5144while he arranged a truce. And the Forgotten Ones trusted him also when 
5145he said he would arrange for the defeat of our gods, if only the Forgotten 
5146Ones would return to the abyss for a time. They trusted Fen'Harel, and 
5147they were all of them betrayed. And Fen'Harel sealed them away so they 
5148could never again walk among the People.
5149
5150--From The Tale of Fen'Harel's Triumph, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the 
5151Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves
5152
5153From the Canticle of Threnodies 
5154
5155An illuminated copy of the Chant of Light. A few of the passages have been 
5156bookmarked:
5157 
5158In secret they worked
5159Magic upon magic
5160
5161All their power and all their vanity
5162They turned against the Veil
5163Until at last, it gave way.
5164
5165Above them, a river of Light,
5166Before them the throne of Heaven, waiting,
5167Beneath their feet
5168The footprints of the Maker,
5169And all around them echoed a vast
5170Silence.
5171
5172--Canticle of Threnodies 8:2-3
5173
5174From the Canticle of Transfigurations
5175
5176Many are those who wander in sin,
5177Despairing that they are lost forever,
5178But the one who repents, who has faith
5179Unshaken by the darkness of the world,
5180And boasts not, nor gloats
5181Over the misfortunes of the weak, but takes delight
5182In the Maker's law and creations, she shall know
5183The peace of the Maker's benediction.
5184
5185--Canticle of Transfigurations 10:1
5186
5187Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla
5188
5189They say Ghilan'nain was one of the People, in the days before Arlathan, 
5190and the chosen of Andruil the Huntress. She was very beautiful--with hair
5191of snowy white--and as graceful as a gazelle. She kept always to Andruil's 
5192Ways, and Andruil favored her above all others.
5193
5194One day, while hunting in the forest, Ghilan'nain came across a hunter she
5195did not know. At his feet lay a hawk, shot through the heart by an arrow. 
5196Ghilan'nain was filled with rage, for the hawk--along with the hare--is an
5197animal much beloved of Andruil. Ghilan'nain demanded that the hunter 
5198
5199make an offering to Andruil, in exchange for taking the life of one of her 
5200creatures. The hunter refused, and Ghilan'nain called upon the goddess to 
5201curse him, so that he could never again hunt and kill a living creature.
5202
5203Ghilan'nain's curse took hold, and the hunter found that he was unable to 
5204hunt. His prey would dart out of sight and his arrows would fly astray. 
5205His friends and family began to mock him for his impotence, for what use 
5206is a hunter who cannot hunt? Ashamed, the hunter swore he would find 
5207Ghilan'nain and repay her for what she had done to him.
5208
5209He found Ghilan'nain while she was out on a hunt with her sisters, and 
5210lured her away from them with lies and false words. He told Ghilan'nain 
5211that he had learned his lesson and begged her to come with him, so she 
5212could teach him to make a proper offering to Andruil. Moved by his plea, 
5213Ghilan'nain followed the hunter, and when they were away from all of her
5214sisters, the hunter turned on Ghilan'nain. He blinded her first, and then 
5215bound her as one would bind a kill fresh from the hunt. But because he 
5216was cursed, the hunter could not kill her. Instead he left her for dead in 
5217the forest.
5218
5219And Ghilan'nain prayed to the gods for help. She prayed to Elgar'nan for 
5220vengeance, to Mother Mythal to protect her, but above all she prayed to 
5221Andruil. Andruil sent her hares to Ghilan'nain and they chewed through 
5222the ropes that bound her, but Ghilan'nain was still wounded and blind, 
5223and could not find her way home. So Andruil turned her into a beautiful 
5224white deer--the first halla. And Ghilan'nain found her way back to her 
5225sisters, and led them to the hunter, who was brought to justice.
5226
5227And since that day, the halla have guided the People, and have never led 
5228us astray, for they listen to the voice of Ghilan'nain.
5229
5230--From The Tale of Ghilan'nain, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin 
5231clan of the Dalish elves
5232
5233Hargrave Keep
5234
5235In 6:52 Storm, Bann Hargrave's knights helped drive Avvar invaders from 
5236Ferelden's lowlands. When the king asked Hargrave to pursue the 
5237retreating tribes, she refused, demanding funds to build a keep. Caught 
5238between a fractured court, Hargrave's knights, and an impending famine, 
5239the king reluctantly granted her a large parcel of land to the south.
5240
5241After defeating the Avvar regrouping in the boglands, the bann built her 
5242castle. As the famine grew worse, the wisdom behind her choice of 
5243location became clear: Hargrave Keep ate well, dining on a steady supply 
5244of fish and game while the farmlands starved.
5245
5246Hargrave's line died out fighting Orlesian invaders during the Blessed 
5247Age. Only the village at the base of the keep remains inhabited as the keep
5248has fallen into disrepair.
5249
5250--From Notable Fortresses, Castles, Towers and Other Edifices of Interest 
5251in Ferelden, by Henry Lannon
5252
5253Inquisitor Ameridan
5254
5255What is known about Inquisitor Ameridan would barely fill a page. He 
5256was a friend of Emperor Drakon. He was Inquisitor when the Seekers of 
5257Truth folded themselves into the Chantry as part of the Nevarran Accord, 
5258their Order serving as precursor to the Order of Templars and the Circle 
5259of Magi. Shortly after the accord was signed, between 1:22 and 1:24 
5260Divine, Ameridan left his position and departed, never to be seen again.
5261
5262These facts alone are undisputed. Everything else is uncorroborated 
5263hearsay, broad speculation, or salacious rumormongering:
5264
5265--Ameridan did not willingly cede power. Drakon forced the Seekers of 
5266Truth to disband upon pain of death, then removed the Inquisitor rather 
5267than suffer rebellion in the new Chantry's ranks.
5268
5269--Ameridan was forced to retire due to the still-young Chantry's 
5270restrictions requiring celibacy, as he was involved in a relationship with a 
5271
5272mysterious "Lady-mage" that the Chantry erased from history.
5273
5274--Ameridan was a rowdy noble who cared more for raucous 
5275entertainment than for the Seekers. He held the position only because 
5276Drakon wanted a loyal friend commanding the Order, and when the 
5277Seekers became part of the Chantry, Ameridan was free to retire to a life 
5278of hunting dragons and wenching.
5279
5280Any of these stories may be true, and without more evidence, we have 
5281little hope of ever reaching a clear determination. Nevertheless, I would 
5282offer a few notes that are often overlooked as scholars delve so deeply into
5283their own historical specialties as to lose key context:
5284
5285Firstly, Emperor Drakon, rightly acknowledged as the man who molded 
5286the Chantry into the organization it is today, was a pious man, committed 
5287to spreading the Chant of Light and creating a world where magic and 
5288men were governed by Andrastian principles. All sources agree that 
5289Ameridan was a close friend of Drakon, and while it is certainly possible 
5290that Ameridan was more pragmatic than pious, it is highly unlikely that 
5291Drakon would have befriended a figure who was actively opposed to the 
5292Chantry, much less tolerated such a man holding a position of power in 
5293the growing Orlesian Empire.
5294
5295Secondly, Inquisitor Ameridan was universally acclaimed as a powerful 
5296combatant, regardless of his supposed faith (or lack thereof). 
5297Rumormongers suggesting Ameridan was exiled ask us to believe that 
5298Emperor Drakon could see no use for a powerful warrior with years of 
5299command experience. Given that the Second Blight had been a fact of 
5300Orlesian life for more than 15 years at the time of Ameridan's 
5301disappearance, with darkspawn pouring from the Anderfels into northern
5302Orlais in growing numbers, it is frankly absurd to suggest Drakon would 
5303casually dispose of such a military asset.
5304
5305Without further evidence, we may never know more about Ameridan's 
5306departure. Nevertheless, I hope that we may eschew the currently popular
5307cynicism, at least when obvious evidence against it is presented, to see 
5308that his disappearance must have had some other cause.
5309
5310--From Finding Ameridan by Professor Bram Kenric (Starkhaven University 
5311Press) 
5312
5313June: God of the Craft
5314
5315We dedicate all our crafts to June, for it is he who taught the People to 
5316bend the branches of trees to make our bows, and to fashion coverings of 
5317furs and ironbark. Without June, would we have the aravel, or the 
5318harnesses for our halla?
5319
5320When the People were young, we wandered the forests without purpose. 
5321We drank from streams and ate the berries and nuts that we could find. 
5322We did not hunt, for we had no bows. We wore nothing, for we had no 
5323knowledge of spinning or needlecraft. We shivered in the cold nights, and 
5324went hungry though the winters, when all the world was covered in ice 
5325and snow.
5326
5327Then Sylaise the Hearthkeeper came, and gave us fire and taught us how 
5328to feed it with wood. June taught us to fashion bows and arrows and 
5329knives, so that we could hunt. We learned to cook the flesh of the 
5330creatures we hunted over Sylaise's fire, and we learned to clothe ourselves
5331in their furs and skins. And the People were no longer cold and hungry.
5332
5333--As told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves
5334
5335Mad Emperor Reville 
5336
5337Modern history often forgets that "Mad Emperor Reville" was, at first, 
5338celebrated as a military genius. Despite the warnings of his twin brother, 
5339Gratien (younger by a mere hour), he committed Orlais to an invasion of 
5340Ferelden--an invasion that proved wildly successful. In the breadth of one
5341campaign, Reville had expanded the reach of the empire across all of 
5342southern Thedas and allowed the court to dream of achieving even greater
5343heights. The victory came at a cost, however, and when Gratien's 
5344prediction of war with an opportunistic Nevarra proved true, the Orlesian
5345chevaliers met spectacular defeat. Everything we know of history states 
5346that Grand Duke Gratien had nothing but his brother's best interests at 
5347heart. The man was a kind soul, much in love with his wife and many 
5348children, and--according to all letters recovered--vastly relieved not to be
5349
5350burdened with the throne.
5351
5352Reville, however, went from reveling in the approval of his court to being 
5353the butt of jokes and the target of whispers. He was surrounded by 
5354courtiers who said his brother was behind this criticism, and as rebellion 
5355in occupied Ferelden began, things grew worse. There was open talk of 
5356placing Gratien on the throne. When Marquise Yvette, Reville's mother 
5357and a calming influence, died and threw him into mourning, he snapped. 
5358Reville ordered the assassination of Gratien and his entire family at their 
5359estate of Sablissent on the Feast of Ascension. Gratien, his wife, their three 
5360grown children and eight grandchildren--the youngest, Camille, only 
5361eight months old--all slaughtered and thrown into a mass grave, their 
5362bodies burned.
5363
5364The brutal slaughter sent a chill through the Imperial Court, as even the 
5365emperor's own children feared to speak out against him. He became 
5366increasingly paranoid and began wearing armor every time he left his 
5367rooms. His health began to decline, but he refused to allow physicians of 
5368any kind into the palace. By 8:50 Blessed, Reville refused to leave his 
5369rooms at all. His paranoia had grown so great that only a single cook was 
5370permitted to prepare his food, and only under the supervision of ten 
5371chevaliers. He no longer ate anything but venison, and his health, 
5372unsurprisingly, was poor. In 8:51 Blessed, Emperor Reville finally died, 
5373and upon entering his rooms, his sons found that he had boarded up the 
5374windows and surrounded his bed with rows upon rows of daggers.
5375
5376--From The Emperors of Orlais by Brother Harlon Ascari 
5377
5378Memorials of the Second Exalted March
5379
5380The Path of Flame
5381
5382Remember where Andraste's Champions first set foot in the Exalted 
5383Plains, called Dirthavaren by the elves.
5384
5385Halamshiral's dark heart was conquered, but one last challenge came from
5386the elves, who would not submit to the Maker. They gathered upon the 
5387plain; our Champions answered their call. Marching in Andraste's Light, 
5388
5389on the Path of Flame: Lord Demetrius Aron, Sister Amity, and Ser Brandis
5390of Lac Celestine, called the Silver Helm.
5391
5392Demetrius's End
5393
5394Remember Lord Demetrius Aron, the only one of Andraste's Champions 
5395to fall.
5396
5397The forces of the Exalted March met the elves upon the field; our numbers
5398far exceeded theirs. The Champions, kind and fair, gave the elves a chance
5399for peace, but the elves would not lay down their arms. They slew Lord 
5400Demetrius in their charge. Maker take him to His side.
5401
5402Lindiranae's Fall
5403
5404Remember the victory of the Dales.
5405
5406The elves were murderous and wild, for the Maker's grace did not touch 
5407them. The wildest of them was the she-elf Lindiranae, wielder of the great 
5408blade Evanura. Defiant to the last, she met Ser Brandis, the Silver Helm, in
5409single combat, and he bested her. With Lindiranae fell the Dales.
5410
5411Triumph of the Light
5412
5413Remember the triumph over the profane.
5414
5415Sister Amity led the march to the river Tenasir, where stood shrines to the 
5416elven gods. These she struck down; standing upon the banks, she sang the
5417Chant of Light. Andraste's Word had come to the Dales, and delivered 
5418them from wickedness. 
5419
5420Mythal: The Great Protector
5421
5422Elgar'nan had defeated his father, the sun, and all was covered in 
5423darkness. Pleased with himself, Elgar'nan sought to console his mother, 
5424the earth, by replacing all that the sun had destroyed. But the earth knew 
5425that without the sun, nothing could grow. She whispered to Elgar'nan this
5426truth, and pleaded with him to release his father, but Elgar'nan's pride 
5427
5428was great, and his vengeance was terrible, and he refused.
5429
5430It was at this moment that Mythal walked out of the sea of the earth's tears
5431and onto the land. She placed her hand on Elgar'nan's brow, and at her 
5432touch he grew calm and knew that his anger had led him astray. 
5433Humbled, Elgar'nan went to the place where the sun was buried and 
5434spoke to him. Elgar'nan said he would release the sun if the sun promised 
5435to be gentle and to return to the earth each night. The sun, feeling remorse 
5436at what he had done, agreed.
5437
5438And so the sun rose again in the sky, and shone his golden light upon the 
5439earth. Elgar'nan and Mythal, with the help of the earth and the sun, 
5440brought back to life all the wondrous things that the sun had destroyed, 
5441and they grew and thrived. And that night, when the sun had gone to 
5442sleep, Mythal gathered the glowing earth around his bed, and formed it 
5443into a sphere to be placed in the sky, a pale reflection of the sun's true 
5444glory.
5445
5446--From The Tale of Mythal's Touch, as told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin
5447clan of the Dalish elves
5448
5449Not of Heroes: Division and Distance
5450
5451For a supposed creature of jealousy and greed, Maferath is less so in deed.
5452For while his word brought low the Bride of the Maker, his prize was 
5453quickly divided and distanced. Let us consider the lesser of the sons in 
5454this matter.
5455
5456Of Evrion, we know little. The middle boy, he was tasked with ruling the 
5457lands to be the Marches. No claim by the father was made, no "in my 
5458name" to humble. And that freedom is shown in the result, for Evrion 
5459himself was the least concerned with power. He among all led by 
5460example, not demand, and spoke only of sacrifice. When betrayal was 
5461revealed, Evrion acts as a man broken, dispersing his holdings to the 
5462various tribes. It was a penance that spared him his family, but it also 
5463dispersed influence. To this day, the Free Marches are scattered.
5464
5465Of Verald, more is known, for his actions bring him to the start of our 
5466
5467nation. But his folly begins in Nevarra, where we must ask: was this the 
5468will of a betrayer father, or a mistake of youth?
5469
5470Maferath gave rule to the youngest, Verald, and never claimed Nevarra. 
5471Never did he sit on the throne, and he is thought to have rarely visited. 
5472But his name is hated there most of all, for it was bartered for legacy by 
5473the son. Unlike Evrion, Verald spoke not as example but to claim. Never 
5474his name was mentioned without that of his mother and father. His claims
5475were bold--their actions were his, and their thoughts all shared. But from 
5476the father on his throne in Ferelden, no word is recorded. And we 
5477wonder: was it deliberate?
5478
5479For when the betrayal was revealed, all with ties to Maferath were vilified.
5480And so strong were the ties that Verald had drawn, that his court was 
5481killed to a man, and he was forced to flee. Had he kept silent, as seems the 
5482will of the knowing father, and had he girded as the father had guided the
5483elder, Isorath, then Verald might have remained to rule.
5484
5485But that would require that the betrayer not be as he is drawn. And it 
5486would have kept Verald in Nevarra. And it would have kept Verald from 
5487Orlais. And it would have prevented the further betrayal that truly 
5488birthed Orlais.
5489
5490--Excerpted from A History Not of Heroes: Readings in the Ugly Heart of 
5491Change, collected by Philliam, a Bard! 
5492
5493Not of Heroes: Maferath and Sacrifice
5494
5495Andraste, Our Lady, the sword and the fire against Tevinter. Betrayed to 
5496the empire in exchange for a kingdom. Maferath, now synonymous with 
5497treachery. But would Andraste have won, and if not, what would we have
5498lost? Let us look not just at the act, but at the why of it.
5499
5500As the armies of faith pierced the imperial homeland, it was revealed not 
5501as a wave but as an arrow. And as any hunter will attest, if your aim is not
5502true, there is no returning to the bow. We must consider: how much of 
5503Our Lady's victory to this point was against true Imperium, and how 
5504much was against the echoes of empire? Andraste the inspiration may not 
5505
5506have considered such. But Maferath the general fought for homeland, not 
5507visions. Was it victory or defeat that his betrayal held at bay?
5508
5509Maferath made the deal that killed Our Lady. That is fact. And when 
5510Andraste died, Maferath was gifted everything from the southern plains 
5511south. How generous, and impossible to hold, this must have seemed. Let 
5512us look on Maferath and the legacy he divided among his sons not with 
5513eye for accusation, but from a tactical consideration. For he must have 
5514known that mere rivals had never stopped Tevinter. What if he set about 
5515creating peers, and none of this was accident?
5516
5517How then fared Isorath, Evrion, and Verald?
5518
5519--Excerpted from A History Not of Heroes: Readings in the Ugly Heart of 
5520Change, collected by Philliam, a Bard!
5521
5522Not of Heroes: The Death of Diversity
5523
5524What could hold back an empire? Another. What could hold back so 
5525defined a people as Tevinter? Another. Let us consider if eldest Isorath 
5526was not meant to honor Maferath, for the father's fate was already 
5527condemned by hidden betrayal. Let us consider that Isorath was told to 
5528turn from ties to Maferath, to look forward, not back. What of his actions 
5529then?
5530
5531Isorath was granted a land of tribes, of scattered alliance. His answer was 
5532the grand unification, which most condemn as arrogance. Sweeping 
5533changes in trade, relocations to break local allegiances, all to favor 
5534centralized trade and power. Cities were leveled to expand a new capital, 
5535a powerful and influential city of a new nation: Val Royeaux of Orlais. 
5536And all in the name of not lost Andraste, but of holding back looming 
5537Tevinter.
5538
5539Power was united, but cultures less so. Investing everyone in the new 
5540Orlais stratified the classes, and through it all spread a bitterness that a 
5541Fereldan ruled. Isorath avoided the stain of his father, for he was seen as 
5542victim, too, but he was still Alamarri. What if, dear readers, the final 
5543unifying element came not from accident, or even the deliberate actions of 
5544
5545Isorath, but from a common hatred, and not the common hatred of the 
5546day? The sons of Maferath would succeed at creating a peer for Tevinter, 
5547but only at the cost of themselves.
5548
5549--Excerpted from A History Not of Heroes: Readings in the Ugly Heart of 
5550Change, collected by Philliam, a Bard! 
5551
5552Not of Heroes: United in Hatred
5553
5554If we are reexamining the motive, let us not stop at the sons of the 
5555betrayer. For the first leader of young Orlais after the sons was Jeshavis, 
5556chattel wife of two of them. But examine the facts.
5557
5558A proud daughter of the Cirean, chosen not unkindly by Isorath to be his 
5559bride. It was her reach that granted him power to unify. Consider what 
5560she witnessed in the consolidation of her people. She has always been 
5561portrayed with sadness, but what if when our nation was born, the Game 
5562was born with it? Judge her actions not as property but as master, and 
5563what changes?
5564
5565As victim--Isorath, rumored cruel, breaks the clans in a lust for power. 
5566His brother, Verald, exile from his own machinations in young Nevarra, 
5567appeals to the saddened wife and promises a new path. The brothers vie, 
5568and Verald wins and then demands the hand of Jeshavis. Another 
5569Fereldan greedy for power. In a decade, the shy victim Jeshavis is the 
5570figurehead of the people's rebellion against the last son of the betrayer.
5571
5572As master--bound to rivalries far older, she harbors a hatred beyond 
5573Tevinter. And while Isorath is distracted (with personal concern or with 
5574building a nation to withstand his own people's enemy?), she invites the 
5575broken brother and sets him against the driven. While accepting marriage 
5576to the victor, Jeshavis seeds rebellion among those who remember how 
5577their lands were taken not a generation before.
5578
5579Both leave her as ruler, as gj ya. But should not the rule of a victim been 
5580uncertain? Jeshavis rules for forty-two years. There were no great swings 
5581backward, no people's retribution. For she had become accustomed.
5582
5583Ç’
5584
5585If the goals of Isorath were selfish and the goal of Jeshavis was to reverse 
5586them, then Orlais is born of the failure of both. But if Isorath built his 
5587father's wall and Jeshavis wanted revenge, then we are a nation of two 
5588successes. Two parents, in opposition but in partnership. 
5589--Excerpted from A History Not of Heroes: Readings in the Ugly Heart of 
5590Change, collected by Philliam, a Bard!
5591
5592Old Chantry Trail Signs
5593
5594The Chantry used these symbols long ago to mark trails to hidden 
5595locations. They are often mistaken by passersby as simple carvings in the 
5596rock and trees.
5597
5598Old Elven Writing
5599
5600This elven writing found in the Arbor Wilds is so old as to be incomprehensible.
5601
5602There are whispers from the Well of Sorrows. It's impossible to 
5603understand the entire text, but certain parts suddenly reveal a shadow of 
5604their original meaning.
5605
5606"In this place we prepare to hunt the pillars of the Earth. Their workers 
5607scurry, witless, soulless. This death will be a mercy. We will make the 
5608earth blossom with their passing."
5609 
5610For one moment there is a vivid image of two overlapping spheres; 
5611unknown flowers bloom inside their centers. Then it fades.
5612
5613Orlesian Caprice Coins
5614
5615Victory in the Grand Game is not merely determined by what one has at 
5616one's command, one's connections, and one's machinations, but what one 
5617is willing to give up.
5618 
5619The clearest example is the Caprice: each coin is traditionally a gift. They 
5620were once tokens of regard, favors for chevaliers from their lovers or 
5621patrons. Throwing them into a fountain was rooted in superstition: the 
5622
5623token was offered as a sacrifice, a bribe to Andraste to keep the chevalier 
5624safe on the battlefield. The more one had to offer to the waters, the better 
5625one's chances of escaping the caprices of fate--hence the name. Over time,
5626the superstitious aspects of the custom faded; now the Caprice is a mark 
5627of status. The more coins one has, the more public the spectacle of 
5628throwing them away: the stronger one's position in the Game.
5629
5630--From The Dowager's Field Guide to Good Society by Lady Alcyone 
5631
5632Par Vollen: The Occupied North
5633
5634In the 30th year of the Steel Age, the first Qunari ships were sighted off 
5635the coast of Par Vollen in the far north, marking the beginning of a new 
5636age of warfare.
5637
5638History calls this the First Qunari War, but it was mostly a one-sided 
5639bloodbath, with the Qunari advancing far into the mainland. Qunari 
5640warriors in glittering steel armor carved through armies with ease. Their 
5641cannons, the likes of which our ancestors had never seen, reduced city 
5642walls to rubble in a matter of seconds.
5643
5644Stories of Qunari occupation vary greatly. It is said they dismantled 
5645families and sent captives to "learning camps" for indoctrination into their 
5646religion. Those who refused to cooperate disappeared to mines or 
5647construction camps.
5648
5649For every tale of suffering, however, there is another of enlightenment 
5650deriving from something called the "Qun." This is either a philosophical 
5651code or a written text that governs all aspects of Qunari life, perhaps both. 
5652One converted Seheran reported pity for those who refused to embrace 
5653the Qun, as if the conquerors had led him to a sort of self-discovery. "For 
5654all my life, I followed the Maker wherever his path led me," he wrote, "but
5655in the Qun I have found the means to travel my own path."
5656
5657It has been said that the most complete way to wipe out a people is not 
5658with blades but with books. Thankfully, a world that had repelled four 
5659Blights would not easily bow to a foreign aggressor. And so the Exalted 
5660Marches began.
5661
5662The greatest advantage of the Chantry-led forces was the Circle of Magi. 
5663For all their technology, the Qunari appeared to harbor great hatred for 
5664magic. Faced with cannons, the Chantry responded with lightning and 
5665balls of fire.
5666
5667The Qunari armies lacked the sheer numbers of humanity. So many were 
5668slain at Marnas Pell, on both sides, that the Veil is said to be permanently 
5669sundered, the ruins still plagued by restless corpses. But each year, the 
5670Chantry pushed further and further into the Qunari lines, although local 
5671converts to the Qun proved difficult to return to Andraste's teachings.
5672
5673By the end of the Storm Age, the Qunari were truly pushed back. Rivain 
5674was the only human land that retained the qunari religion after being 
5675freed, and its rulers attempted to barter a peace. Most human lands signed
5676the Llomerryn Accord, excepting the Tevinter Imperium. It is a shaky 
5677peace that has lasted to this day.
5678
5679--From The Exalted Marches: An Examination of Chantry Warfare by Sister
5680Petrine, Chantry scholar
5681
5682Queen Asha of Antiva
5683
5684There are those who believe the tale that Antiva owes its independence to 
5685the looming threat of the Crows. Yet this story--largely spread by the 
5686Crows themselves--is no more credible than the promises of a market-
5687stall huckster. For the truth of the matter, we look instead to the Palace of 
5688the Kings in Antiva City. A grand statue of a woman in Rivaini royal garb 
5689towers over the entrance, her watchful eyes keeping sight of everything 
5690happening within those walls: Asha Subira Bahadur Campana, Queen 
5691Mother of Thedas.
5692
5693When the matriarchs of Rivain arranged the marriage of Princess Asha of 
5694Ayesleigh to King Alonzo Campana of Antiva, it went unnoticed and 
5695unremarked by their contemporaries; the eyes of Thedas were on the wars
5696of Orlais and Nevarra. The marriage of a minor princess of Rivain to an 
5697almost powerless king was beneath their consideration. Yet this wedding 
5698was, in retrospect, perhaps the most important event in Thedas's history 
5699
5700since the blackening of the Golden City.
5701
5702Queen Asha was a skilled tactician; seeing the military ambitions of 
5703Tevinter, Nevarra, and Orlais, she concocted a plan. Antiva was too 
5704prosperous to escape its neighbors' avarice, yet had no means of raising an
5705army capable of fending off both Tevinter and Orlais without 
5706impoverishing the kingdom. If she was to safeguard her people, it must be
5707through measures stronger than steel.
5708
5709The queen spent decades making alliances in the ancient Rivaini way: 
5710marriage. She wed her many children and grandchildren strategically into
5711nobles houses across the continent. Within thirty years, Antiva was so 
5712well-connected that any hostile action against it would force half the 
5713nations of Thedas into war.
5714
5715The blood of Queen Asha runs in the veins of the Empress of Orlais, the 
5716Prince of Starkhaven, the King of Nevarra, and seven of the Dukes of the 
5717Anderfels; even some magisters of the Tevinter Imperium have ties to the 
5718Antivan royal family. Asha's web of blood ties forces most of the continent
5719to remain at peace with Antiva, or risk terrible consequences at family 
5720dinners.
5721
5722--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: Travels of a Chantry Scholar, by Brother 
5723Genitivi 
5724
5725Ritual Tower
5726
5727Many Tevinter structures litter the wastelands of southwestern Orlais. In 
5728the age before the First Blight, the Imperium expanded through the South 
5729at an incredible rate, and the lands farthest from Minrathous became 
5730home to a great many sites dedicated to magical experimentation, taking 
5731advantage of natural weaknesses in the Veil as well as the distance from 
5732the Archon's oversight to try ever more dangerous fields of study. As with
5733Aeonar in Ferelden, the laboratories of Orlais were set upon by the 
5734followers of Andraste during the uprising, and little remains of them now 
5735save crumbled stone.
5736
5737--An excerpt from Empire and Imperium by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar
5738
5739Siege Equipment in Thedas
5740
5741Siege weaponry has been used in Thedas for centuries, with primitive 
5742equipment used as far back as the Third Blight. Nevertheless, it occupies a
5743peculiar niche in the tools of warfare due to its requirements. Any army 
5744wishing to produce trebuchets or catapults must be funded and organized
5745well enough to procure both the necessary materials and the military 
5746experts to construct them. Throughout history, most armies who fulfilled 
5747such requirements did not take advantage of such situation. During the 
5748Third Blight, for example, Arlesans and Montsimmard constructed 
5749catapults to fling flaming debris at the darkspawn, but the expense of the 
5750weapons did not justify the limited damage they caused, and the 
5751darkspawn were ultimately driven back by the Grey Wardens, not siege 
5752weaponry.
5753
5754Tevinter forces similarly had the resources to construct siege weapons 
5755when attacking the Free Marchers or defending themselves against the 
5756Exalted Marches of the Black Age. Instead, the Imperium focused 
5757primarily upon the power of its magisters, who were less powerful but 
5758more flexible than siege equipment, and who could more easily fall back 
5759when the tide of battle turned.
5760
5761As a result, in the battles against the Qunari in the Steel Age, generals 
5762found to their chagrin that the great oxmen had left them behind. Qunari 
5763blackpowder is, most military experts agree, not magic--it is merely an 
5764advanced alchemy that makes their cannons more effective than any 
5765trebuchet could ever be.
5766
5767Nevertheless, there remains hope. As centuries have passed since the last 
5768Blight, and mages are now safely held in the Circles where they harm 
5769none, the experts of Ferelden and Orlais may once again turn their great 
5770minds to learning. We need no magic, not where the minds of men 
5771survive unfettered. With our resources and commitment to knowledge, 
5772we can easily surpass the brutal Qunari on the field of battle.
5773
5774--From Qun, Gurns and Steel: Military Conflict in a Post-Blight Thedas, 
5775written 9:29 Dragon, shortly before the start of the Fifth Blight 
5776
5777Superstitions of the Royal Family
5778
5779The Valmont family has its quirks. Every family does. But the Valmonts 
5780lean particularly toward the occult. Emperor Reville the Mad believed in 
5781ghosts; he was certain that his mother continued to advise him after her 
5782death, and that the angry shade of his twin brother sought his downfall. 
5783He employed the services of soothsayers to convey messages from beyond
5784the grave and to stave off his slain brother's wrath.
5785
5786His son, Emperor Judicael I, had a fascination for all things ancient and 
5787arcane. It is said that his desire to reconstruct the palace of Halamshiral--
5788after an elven uprising destroyed it--was due more to his interest in the 
5789site itself than in politics or the Game. They say he chose to spend the 
5790winter months at this family retreat because he believed the palace was 
5791located at a nexus of elven magic, that spending time there would grant 
5792him longer life as with the fabled immortal elves. In the end, the palace 
5793did not prevent his death due to heart failure.
5794
5795His youngest son, Prince Reynaud, has a similar interest in elves and the 
5796Dales. He collected carvings of halla--the Dalish beasts of burden sacred 
5797to one of their false gods. The statuettes--all the work of Dalish artisans 
5798during the Long Walk--were kept in his room in the Winter Palace. When
5799his daughter ascended to the throne, she had them repurposed as keys. 
5800But why? And for what? No one can know.
5801
5802--An excerpt from Architectural History of Orlais, Volume 1 by Elodie 
5803Ferrneau
5804
5805Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper
5806
5807Sylaise the Hearthkeeper is seen as the sister of Andruil the Huntress. 
5808While Andruil loved to run with the creatures of the wild, Sylaise 
5809preferred to stay by her home-tree, occupying herself with gentle arts and 
5810song.
5811
5812It is Sylaise who gave us fire and taught us how to use it. It is Sylaise who 
5813
5814showed us how to heal with herbs and with magic, and how to ease the 
5815passage of infants into this world. And again, it is Sylaise who showed us 
5816how to spin the fibers of plants into thread and rope.
5817
5818We owe much to Sylaise, and that is why we sing to her when we kindle 
5819the fires and when we put them out. That is why we sprinkle our aravels 
5820with Sylaise's fragrant tree-moss, and ask that she protect them and all 
5821within.
5822
5823--As told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves
5824
5825The Colossus of Orlais
5826
5827Emperor Florian, in addition to being notoriously reclusive, was not fond 
5828of his own visage. Orlesian emperors and empresses are traditionally 
5829immortalized in gilded marble. Florian, forced to commission something, 
5830instead chose a red sandstone found only in the Hissing Wastes. He 
5831demanded his likeness be carved there--away from where he could see it.
5832
5833When presented with an official proposal, the emperor idly drew on the 
5834paper, adding circles around the royal crest, the statue's eyes, and the 
5835dimensions and cost of the project. Florian's signature turned it into an 
5836official court document, and he refused to entertain more modest 
5837proposals hastily drafted and sent to his chambers, as he considered the 
5838matter "over and done with at last."
5839
5840Thus the Colossus of Orlais was born.
5841
5842Dozens of sculptors, hundreds of miners, and three highly-paid surveyors 
5843selected a suitably stable hill in the Wastes to begin carving. A year into 
5844the project, workers uncovered an old dwarven ruin near the base of the 
5845statue. Believing this to be a sign that the ground was sturdy, the grand 
5846work continued--until Florian's death, when Empress Celene took the 
5847throne and ordered work on the costly effigy immediately cease. "We 
5848must give our subjects working on this noble project time to mourn," she 
5849said.
5850
5851Strangely, Empress Celene never ordered work on the Colossus of Orlais 
5852
5853to resume, nor offered a plan to transport it out of the Wastes.
5854
5855--From An Illumination of the Art and Artifacts of the Imperial Court of 
5856Orlais, by Lady Simone Therese Germaine
5857
5858The Conclave 
5859
5860It has been a year of little more than chaos. Yes, the mages voted to 
5861dissolve the Circle of Magi--but I will point out: this vote came only after 
5862increased restrictions were placed on them following the unfortunate 
5863events in Kirkwall. What other choice did they have? Yes, the Templar 
5864Order abandoned their duties and elected to pursue the mages to bring 
5865them back in line--but after a thousand years in which their sole role was 
5866the mages' keepers, what else could one expect? They envisioned the war 
5867over quickly; a single battle that would see the mages' resolve crumble, 
5868after which they would meekly return to confinement. That did not 
5869happen. This conflict could drag on forever, with advantage on neither 
5870side. Both templars and mages see this, and thus they have agreed to 
5871come to the Conclave.
5872
5873This is our chance. Words need to be said which have not been said; a 
5874compromise must be reached because there is no other choice. I believe 
5875this with all my heart. I am not without fault in all this; perhaps I pushed 
5876too hard for reform, or not hard enough. The Maker has seen fit to give me
5877another chance; I will not squander it. The Temple of Sacred Ashes is 
5878where together we will make history, and with luck we will be 
5879remembered kindly for it.
5880
5881--From the journals of Divine Justinia V, Dragon 9:41
5882
5883The Dales: A Promise Lost
5884
5885There, see the Winter Palace at Halamshiral. Gaze upon its white walls 
5886and golden spires, built on the broken dreams of a people. Our people.
5887
5888The human prophet Andraste was a slave in the Tevinter Imperium, as 
5889our ancestors were. When she rose up against them, we rose up with her. 
5890
5891Together we fought for freedom. In gratitude and kinship, Andraste 
5892promised the elves a new land: the Dales. And although she died, her sons
5893kept her promise.
5894
5895Our people came from farthest Tevinter to claim this new land. Here, our 
5896journey ended. This was our Halamshiral. As we laid the first stone for the
5897city, our people vowed that no human would ever set foot on our lands. 
5898The greatest of our warriors swore to uphold this vow. One by one they 
5899came, invoking the names of Elgar'nan and Mythal, Andruil and 
5900Ghilan'nain. Before all our gods, they dedicated themselves to 
5901Halamshiral, becoming our protectors, our Emerald Knights. They would 
5902ensure that the Dales remained free.
5903
5904It was free. For over three centuries. But the humans and their new 
5905Andrastian Chantry would not let us be. They pushed against our 
5906borders. They sent missionaries to spread the word of their prophet. They 
5907sought ways to subjugate the People once more. When we refused, we 
5908angered them.
5909
5910They destroyed us. Even the Emerald Knights could not stand against the 
5911might of their army, armored in faith. In the name of their Andraste, they 
5912burned Halamshiral, scattering us to the winds. They forgot that once, 
5913long ago, Andraste's followers and the elves marched together. They 
5914forgot that Andraste called Shartan "brother." 
5915
5916--A Promise Lost, as told by Keeper Gisharel to the young hunters of the 
5917Ralaferin clan on the outskirts of Halamshiral 
5918
5919The Emerald Knights
5920
5921Cry for the past--only there does glory dwell. 
5922For here, the bow was strung, the sword bequeathed, the vows sworn. 
5923So glory was born within the hearts of elves.
5924
5925Sing for the past--where rests those who came before.
5926For each knight, a seed was sown, roots twisting with their brothers and 
5927sisters. 
5928So the forest grew, a reflection of our might. 
5929
5930Mourn for the past--and all that was left there. 
5931For we trusted in dreams and perceived immortality. We trusted in 
5932promises and in hope. 
5933So we dreamed in vain, for we lost these gifts long ago. 
5934
5935Curse the past--the place where lies were born. 
5936For beneath their sun, our people fall. The lands their lady once bestowed 
5937now stolen in her name. 
5938So when these words are read, we shall be gone. 
5939
5940Forget not the past--it is all that remains. 
5941For each knight, a seed was sown, roots twisting with their brothers and 
5942sisters. 
5943So the forest remains, a reflection of our sorrow. 
5944
5945Cry for the past--it shall claim us all. 
5946For here rest our saviors newly slain. Others lie beyond our reach. 
5947So we remember. 
5948
5949Let the true name burn away and enter Din'an Hanin, the place where 
5950glory ends. 
5951
5952Andrale, whose Song Inspired 
5953Soran, With Bow in Hand 
5954Siona, Who Kept the Bridge 
5955
5956Talim, Who Saved the Child 
5957Rin, Who Led Them Out
5958Ilan, Who Kept Watch 
5959
5960Elandrin, Whom We Betrayed
5961
5962A blank space follows the names, as if more were to be carved.
5963
5964The Exalted March of the Dales
5965
5966The Chantry's story of the Exalted March of the Dales paints the picture of
5967the righteous faithful arrayed against heathen savages. But I have long 
5968studied the Dales, and I find the "acceptable" version of the tale to be a 
5969poor one, laden with overt pro-Chantry and pro-human biases. Thus it is 
5970my moral imperative to propose an alternative interpretation: that the 
5971Exalted March of the Dales was nothing more than an expansionist ploy 
5972hiding behind the mask of faith.
5973
5974It is easy to see on any map how large the Dales are. More importantly, 
5975they stand between Orlais and the rest of the south and would likely have 
5976represented a significant obstacle to the empire's expansion into Ferelden. 
5977Naturally, we stood to benefit from propagating the narrative of a hostile, 
5978unreasoning people attacking innocent missionaries and making blood 
5979sacrifices of good Andrastian babies. The likely truth is that the elves 
5980merely wished to maintain sovereignty over lands promised to them by 
5981Blessed Andraste herself, when the humans showed clear intent to 
5982undermine their autonomy.
5983
5984Of course, the elves reacted by becoming increasingly isolationist, which 
5985suited the empire perfectly. Here was a kingdom that spurned diplomatic 
5986overtures and that refused to lend aid during the Second Blight when the 
5987darkspawn attacked Montsimmard. The Dalish kingdom could not be 
5988anything but a dormant threat, one that needed to be crushed before it 
5989awoke.
5990
5991Scholars point to the massacre at Red Crossing as the impetus for the 
5992Chantry's declaration of an Exalted March on the elven kingdom in the 
5993Dales. They conveniently ignore the fact that no one alive truly knows 
5994what happened at Red Crossing or why the elves attacked. The Chantry's 
5995response to the elven aggression that resulted in the slaughter of 
5996hundreds was predictable. But in light of my thesis, perhaps we should 
5997reexamine the events of Red Crossing and wonder if the attack was truly 
5998unprovoked. Or whether it is possible that someone saw benefit in 
5999sacrificing an entire village to justify the subjugation of an entire people.
6000
6001--From A New Perspective on the Exalted March, a pamphlet by an 
6002anonymous author, published by the University of Orlais in 9:12 Dragon
6003
6004The First Blight: Chapter One
6005
6006Thedas is a land of fierce diversity, from the assassin-princes of Antiva to 
6007the faded griffons of the Anderfels, but in my travels, I have found one 
6008tale that unites the people of this land. It is a story of pride and 
6009damnation, and although the telling differs, the essence of the tale remains
6010the same.
6011 
6012At the height of its power, the Tevinter Imperium stretched over much of 
6013Thedas, uniting the known world under the rule of the tyrannical 
6014magisters. It is said that the Old Gods whom the magisters worshipped 
6015gave them the knowledge of blood magic, and the magisters used this 
6016forbidden power to cement their rule. The blood of elven slaves and 
6017humans alike ran down imperial altars to fuel magister greed, the tales of 
6018their excesses so horrifying that one can only be grateful that blood magic 
6019is prohibited today.
6020
6021But all that stands tall must eventually fall. Perhaps they foresaw their 
6022ruin, or perhaps their pride knew no bounds, but whatever the reason, the
6023magisters dared to open a magical portal into the Golden City at the heart 
6024of the Fade. They sought to usurp the Maker's throne, long left unattended
6025in the Golden City after the Maker turned his back on his creations. They 
6026would storm heaven itself with their power and become as gods. 
6027
6028This is what the Chantry, in its oft-exercised tendency to understate, refers
6029to as the second sin.
6030 
6031According to most versions of the tale, the magisters did indeed reach the 
6032Golden City and walked into the home of the Maker, where no living 
6033being before them had dared, or been able, to tread. But humanity is not 
6034meant to walk in heaven. The magisters were wicked with pride and other
6035sins, and their presence tainted the Golden City. What once was a perfect, 
6036holy citadel became a twisted home of darkness and nightmares. The 
6037magisters were expelled back through their gateway and cursed for their 
6038treachery. As the Golden City had been tainted, so were the magisters 
6039twisted and transformed into things of darkness--the very first of the 
6040darkspawn. The Golden City, once a shining beacon at the heart of the 
6041Fade, became the Black City, a reminder of all that man's pride has cost.
6042
6043  
6044--From Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry 
6045scholar
6046
6047The First Blight: Chapter Two
6048
6049People today have little concept of the consequences of the second sin. Oh,
6050believe me when I say that when asked, pious, Chantry-going folk will 
6051curse the use of foul magic, spitting and snapping their fingers--but none 
6052live today who actually remember the horror that was unleashed so very 
6053long ago. Whatever records might have existed regrettably did not survive
6054the chaos and ignorance that was to follow. We have only the tales of 
6055survivors handed down through the murky ages and the dogma of the 
6056Chantry to instruct us, and that is precious little indeed.
6057
6058I believe I am not understating when I say that the second sin unleashed 
6059the bane of all life upon Thedas. The darkspawn are more virulent than 
6060the worst plague, a heartless force of nature that came into our world like 
6061an ill wind. We know from accounts of later Blights (as these darkspawn 
6062invasions came to be called--never has a more appropriate name existed) 
6063that the darkspawn spread disease and famine wherever they tread. The 
6064earth itself is corrupted by their presence, the sky roiling with angry black 
6065clouds. I do not exaggerate, my friends, when I say that a mass gathering 
6066of darkspawn is an omen of dread cataclysm.
6067
6068It is said that those cursed magisters who became the first darkspawn 
6069scratched at the very earth to find solace in the darkness of the dwarven 
6070Deep Roads, and there in the shadows they multiplied. Whether by 
6071intelligent design or by some last vestige of worship in their minds, they 
6072attempted to locate the Old Gods they had once served. They found what 
6073they sought: Dumat, first among the Old Gods, once known as the Dragon
6074of Silence before the Maker imprisoned him and all his brethren beneath 
6075the earth for the first sin: usurping the Maker's place in mankind's heart.
6076 
6077The slumbering dragon awoke, freed from the Maker's prison by his 
6078twisted followers, and became corrupted himself. Dumat was transformed
6079into the first Archdemon, his great and terrible power given will by a 
6080rotting, unholy mind. With the darkspawn horde following, Dumat rose 
6081and took wing in the skies once again, bringing ruin to the world the 
6082
6083Maker had created. The Old God had become the eye of a dark storm that 
6084would ravage the entire world.
6085 
6086--From Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry 
6087scholar
6088
6089The First Blight: Chapter Three
6090
6091The world during the first Blight was different from the world we know 
6092today. Aside from the civilized rule of the Imperium, humans as a race 
6093were largely barbarous and splintered, divided into clans and tribes and 
6094squabbling amongst ourselves for resources. At the same time, deep 
6095beneath Thedas's great mountain ranges spanned a dwarven culture as 
6096organized and advanced as ours was primitive.
6097
6098As the darkspawn bubbled up to the surface from their underground lairs,
6099mankind first buckled and then fought back. The armies of Tevinter 
6100attempted to face down the multitudes of twisted creatures and the horrid
6101rotting of the land around them, but they could not be everywhere at 
6102once. Human history remembers the First Blight as a time of terrible 
6103devastation, and those stories are accurate, but in our arrogance we often 
6104forget the price paid by the dwarves in their isolated mountain kingdoms.
6105
6106The dwarves faced far greater hordes than humanity as the darkspawn 
6107challenged them for control of the underground. Despite the might and 
6108technology the dwarves brought to bear, the savage darkspawn tore 
6109through them, first destroying the more remote thaigs before swallowing 
6110up entire kingdoms. Think of it: an entire civilization lost in the space of 
6111decades. Compared to the near-genocide that the dwarves faced, what we 
6112humans call the First Blight must have seemed a mere skirmish. Against 
6113the darkspawn, the dwarven lands have always borne the brunt of the 
6114fighting and the majority of the sacrifices.
6115
6116Four dwarven kingdoms finally managed to combine their might and 
6117fight back, and that cooperation saved them. But for the rest of their lands 
6118it was too late. The darkspawn had taken the Deep Roads, the majestic 
6119underground passages that linked the dwarven lands throughout Thedas. 
6120The darkspawn could now attack anywhere on the surface through these 
6121
6122tunnels.
6123
6124Humanity simply was not prepared for such an onslaught. It was clear 
6125that the warfare we knew would not avail us. We had to find a new way 
6126to fight. 
6127 
6128Thus came our salvation: the Grey Wardens were born.
6129
6130--From Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry 
6131scholar
6132
6133The First Blight: Chapter Four
6134
6135Founded at Weisshaupt fortress in the Anderfels, the Grey Wardens 
6136offered humanity hope in its darkest hour. Veterans of decades of battles 
6137with the darkspawn came together, and the best amongst them pledged to
6138do whatever was necessary to stem the tide of darkness that swept across 
6139the land. These great humans, elves, and dwarves pooled their knowledge
6140of the enemy and formed a united front to put a stop to the Archdemon’s 
6141rampage. 
6142
6143And stop it they did. Ballads are still sung today of the first Grey Warden 
6144charge into the waves of darkspawn at the city of Nordbotten--each 
6145Warden facing ten or twenty darkspawn at a time. Squadrons of Grey 
6146Wardens mounted on their mighty griffons, soaring through the 
6147blackened skies and battling the terrible Archdemon with spear and spell; 
6148oh, what a sight it must have been!
6149 
6150Incredibly, the Grey Wardens won that first battle. They raised their arms 
6151in victory, and suddenly there was hope. The Grey Wardens led the lands 
6152of men and the last stalwart defenders of the dwarven halls against the 
6153hordes of the Archdemon Dumat for the next hundred years, gaining and 
6154losing ground, but never backing away. From all over Thedas, they 
6155recruited whoever possessed the skill and strength to raise the Grey 
6156Wardens' banner, making no distinction between elven slave or human 
6157nobleman, and finally, nearly two centuries after the first Old God rose 
6158from the earth, the Grey Wardens assembled the armies of men and 
6159dwarves at the Battle of Silent Fields. It was then that Dumat finally fell 
6160
6161and the first Blight ended.
6162 
6163The Tevinter Imperium would face a new challenge with the coming of 
6164the prophet Andraste. Thoughts of the Blight grew distant. With Dumat's 
6165defeat, the darkspawn were no longer considered a threat--but with the 
6166wisdom of hindsight, we know that conceit proved foolish indeed. The 
6167task of the Grey Wardens was far from over.
6168 
6169--From Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry 
6170scholar
6171
6172The First Inquisition
6173
6174The birth of the Chantry took place more than nine ages ago; the mists of 
6175time have obscured once well-known facts. It is commonly believed the 
6176Chantry alone created the templars and the Circle of Magi. Few recall 
6177there was ever an Inquisition. Those who do, believe, it predated the 
6178Chantry, hunting cultists and mages in a reign of terror ending only upon 
6179its transformation into the Templar Order. This is not quite the truth.
6180
6181One must keep in mind the state of Thedas prior to the Chantry's creation:
6182a world where the only source of order--the Tevinter Imperium--had 
6183fallen apart. People blamed magic for the death of Andraste, the Blight, 
6184the terror they saw every day--and not without reason. Abominations 
6185and demons rampaged the countryside. No one was safe. Disparate 
6186groups of men and women initially formed the Seekers of Truth, 
6187determined to reestablish order because no one else would do what was 
6188necessary. The truth they sought, the question they tried to answer, was 
6189how to restore sanity in a world gone mad.
6190
6191Was theirs a reign of terror? Perhaps. Evidence suggests they were as 
6192vigilant in their protection of mages as they were of regular people. When 
6193they intervened, they convened an ad hoc trial to determine the guilty 
6194party. This even application of justice led to their poor reputation; the 
6195Seekers came down against every group at one time or another, their 
6196"Inquisition" gaining notoriety for being on no one's side but their own. 
6197They considered themselves good people, however--followers of the 
6198Maker's true commandments. This was never more evident than when 
6199
6200they lay down their banner in support of the fledgling Chantry. They 
6201believed with all their heart that the Templar Order was the answer a 
6202desperate Thedas needed in a terrible time. Ultimately, the Inquisition 
6203was composed of independent idealists, not Chantry zealots; that is the 
6204truth.
6205
6206--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of a Chantry Scholar, by 
6207Brother Genitivi 
6208
6209The Gate Guardians
6210
6211And as I walked in the desert, I saw a great armored figure whose form 
6212blotted out the sky. At first I took it to be no more than met the eye, a 
6213simple spiked statue, but as I approached, this deceptive icon transformed
6214into a warrior as graceful as it was massive, its bladed staff leveled at me 
6215with energy crackling from its tip. Though my position was hardly 
6216optimal (primal magic burned a few feet from my face), I kept my wits 
6217and asked this mighty golem to show me mercy.
6218
6219The armored figure spoke with a voice to make the sky quake and the 
6220stars scream. It sought magic to keep itself alive, it said, and the blood of 
6221the earth was the energy on which it survived. Having knowledge of the 
6222dwarves and the lyrium they provided to our mages, I directed the golem 
6223to the mage Atronis, who lived in nearby Perivantium, and it left without 
6224another word.
6225
6226That is the inspiration for the gate guardians I have designed, as fanciful a 
6227tale as it might seem. As for why I have asked that each guardian cast 
6228from my designs be inset with a small lyrium rod, I must primarily state 
6229that it is mere fancy. If Archon Ishal, gentle autocrat that he is, sees fit to 
6230ensure that my statues are known across the empire--I hear that one shall 
6231stand in the Western Approach--I would treasure the small hope that 
6232someday, I might see one walk again.
6233
6234--A tale told by Appius Trius, famed sculptor whose creations all sparked the 
6235imagination of those who beheld them, from Artists of Ancient Tevinter 
6236
6237The Lion of Orlais
6238
6239As to your question regarding why a lion is considered the symbol of 
6240Orlais, particularly when the lion is a creature native only to eastern 
6241Thedas, the answer is quite simple. It adorns the crest of the Valmonts, the
6242family that has ruled the empire since the end of the Exalted Age, and in 
6243truth it is the Valmonts which have come to represent Orlais. Before them,
6244the Orlesian symbol was that of the descendants of Kordillus Drakon: a 
6245dragon.
6246
6247As to why the lion adorns their crest? That dates back to the time of 
6248Lambert Valmont, a young captain of Orlais who distinguished himself at 
6249the Battle of Ayesleigh, that great and infamous battle that ended the 
6250Fourth Blight. It is said that young Valmont disregarded orders during the
6251battle, taking his forces to relieve the beleaguered Antivans and saving 
6252them from absolute destruction. Though his superiors were at first 
6253chagrined, chalking up the captain's actions to an infatuation with a 
6254certain Antivan camp follower (this, incidentally, has never been 
6255confirmed), it later came to light that the Antivan force had been led by 
6256King Azar Adalberto Campana himself. In the political realignment 
6257following the Blight's end, Antiva was an important ally to Orlais--and 
6258Lambert Valmont was an Antivan hero. He was given the hand of one of 
6259King Azar's daughters in marriage and elevated to noble rank, with a 
6260valiant lion to adorn his newly created heraldry. The Orlesian emperor 
6261was forced to respond in kind, granting Valmont a marquisate. Imagine, if
6262you will, the hero returning to Val Royeaux from the Blight, sporting a 
6263wife with royal blood and the honors of two nations. This is why jealous 
6264nobles called him the Swaggering Lion, a nickname he embraced.
6265
6266It was Lambert Valmont's son, Alphonse, who later led the civil war 
6267against the usurper, Xavier Drakon. He killed Xavier in single combat, 
6268giving rise to the great Orlesian legend of the Lion Slaying the Dragon, 
6269putting an end to the Drakon dynasty as he assumed the throne... and 
6270changing the Orlesian symbol forever.
6271
6272--From a letter by Brother Genitivi to Prince Cailan Theirin, 9:20 Dragon
6273
6274The Long Walk to Halamshiral
6275
6276Only sixty-five of our group made it to Halamshiral. Some gave up. Some 
6277sickened, especially the little ones. Bandits stalked us. My mother forgive 
6278me, I had to steal food. A child fought me for extra scraps of bread. A few 
6279days later, I carried her for miles after her legs gave out. She died 
6280shivering in my arms.
6281
6282I used to have a master, a mage. He fed me well, never beat me, even 
6283taught me how to read so I could do his accounts. But if he had a theory or
6284a spell he wanted to test out, he'd get out his daggers, have the other 
6285servants tie me to a post, and carve furrows into my skin. I was so afraid. 
6286Every time, I was sure I would die. But at worst I'd collapse, get bandaged
6287up, and lie in bed too weak to move for days. The other slaves visited me 
6288in secret to survey the damage. I'd heal just enough before he needed 
6289blood again. That is why I traveled from Vol Dorma to the Dales with 
6290nothing but rags on my back.
6291
6292That is why there were one hundred and five of us when we set out, all 
6293elven. That is why I fell to my knees and wept when we crossed through 
6294the gates of my new home, a village for my people.
6295
6296--Anonymous account of the Long Walk, as told to Brother Pekor of Ferelden, 
6297circa -140 Ancient 
6298
6299The Maker
6300
6301There was no word
6302For heaven or for earth, for sea or sky.
6303All that existed was silence.
6304Then the Voice of the Maker rang out,
6305The first Word,
6306And His Word became all that might be:
6307Dream and idea, hope and fear,
6308Endless possibilities.
6309And from it made his firstborn.
6310And he said to them:
6311In My image I forge you,
6312To you I give dominion
6313
6314Over all that exists.
6315By your will
6316May all things be done.
6317
6318Then in the center of heaven
6319He called forth
6320A city with towers of gold,
6321streets with music for cobblestones,
6322And banners which flew without wind.
6323There, He dwelled, waiting
6324To see the wonders
6325His children would create.
6326
6327The children of the Maker gathered
6328Before his golden throne
6329And sang hymns of praise unending.
6330But their songs
6331Were the songs of the cobblestones.
6332They shone with the golden light
6333Reflected from the Maker's throne.
6334They held forth the banners
6335That flew on their own.
6336
6337And the Voice of the Maker shook the Fade
6338Saying: In My image I have wrought
6339My firstborn. You have been given dominion
6340Over all that exists. By your will
6341All things are done.
6342Yet you do nothing. 
6343The realm I have given you
6344Is formless, ever-changing.
6345
6346And He knew he had wrought amiss.
6347So the Maker turned from his firstborn
6348And took from the Fade
6349A measure of its living flesh
6350And placed it apart from the Spirits, and spoke to it, saying:
6351Here, I decree
6352Opposition in all things:
6353For earth, sky
6354
6355For winter, summer
6356For darkness, Light.
6357By My Will alone is Balance sundered
6358And the world given new life.
6359
6360And no longer was it formless, ever-changing,
6361But held fast, immutable,
6362With Words for heaven and for earth, sea and sky.
6363At last did the Maker
6364From the living world
6365Make men. Immutable, as the substance of the earth,
6366With souls made of dream and idea, hope and fear,
6367Endless possibilities.
6368
6369Then the Maker said:
6370To you, my second-born, I grant this gift:
6371In your heart shall burn
6372An unquenchable flame
6373All-consuming, and never satisfied.
6374From the Fade I crafted you,
6375And to the Fade you shall return
6376Each night in dreams
6377That you may always remember me.
6378
6379And then the Maker sealed the gates
6380Of the Golden City
6381And there, He dwelled, waiting
6382To see the wonders
6383His children would create.
6384
6385--Canticle of Threnodies 5:1-8.
6386
6387The Mason's Tales: Freed Are Slaves
6388
6389I think this one is called "Freed Are Slaves," which is exactly the kind of 
6390"saying words but meaning different things" I expect from a Tevinter. 
6391There's lies in the carving, too, but I'll come back to that.
6392
6393Subject aside, I like this. It's workmanlike, but in a good dwarven way. It 
6394repeats because the carver knows what she's good at, so she does it again 
6395and again. Makes me think she has more than a passing knowledge of the 
6396Stone.
6397
6398That said, there's two sets of hands involved, one old, one new. Take this 
6399magister. He's glowing because he's fresh. Newer. Same with his trophies 
6400flanking him. Carved down from more complex figures. And the flat next 
6401to them--seems plain, doesn't it? The bottom is filled with detail, but this 
6402is left an open field? No, that's just what it is now, but there's shadows for 
6403a clever eye. So, what was here if not this handsome magister wanting his 
6404cod stuffed? Someone else instead of him and his friends, and two more 
6405figures on each side. Seven total.
6406
6407Only the top was changed. The Qunari haven't been touched; that's old 
6408wear down there. When it was first done and hundreds of years later, 
6409yoked Qunari prisoners still fit. I don't suppose it's for the same reasons.
6410
6411I can only say the what, not the why. I can guess that someone wanted to 
6412be a Tevinter hero and paid to have their face carved on an antiquity. I 
6413mean, that's a crime against ancestors where I'm from, but I don't expect 
6414Tevinters to obey dwarven honor. Or their own, really. They've been at 
6415war a long time, so I understand wanting to seem big. Orzammar's the 
6416same with the darkspawn, unfortunately.
6417
6418Still, shame to lose the original. Not for the seven, for the carver. Good 
6419work, this. 
6420
6421The Mason's Tales: Invasion
6422
6423This pretty collection is "Invasion." Big claim for seven people and one 
6424castle. Maybe "dreams" aren't as grand as mages claim. Flying looks like 
6425fun, though. Like falling, but up. So, not like falling at all.
6426
6427It's seven here, seven magisters. Only five detailed, but that's because two 
6428have been chipped away. Looks like vandals; done with a rock, not chisel. 
6429Hard to come up with a reason to do it poorly like that except fear or lack 
6430of time. Maybe they had symbols different from the ones left because 
6431symbols are always making people angry enough to chip rock.
6432
6433So these seven invade the Golden City. That's what it's meant to be 
6434because it's all fanciful. Needs stairs, if you ask me. Don't care if you can 
6435fly; stairs aren't just functional. They lead the eye and ground the 
6436structure. Here the sculptor hasn't just left them off, she's made the place 
6437too high. Anyone with a sense of Stone will tell you that this place is 
6438coming down under its own weight. It's intentional because it's a "god's" 
6439house, but I'm not sure what the style mishmash has to do with the 
6440"wonder" of that. If this were a real place from that long ago, you'd see 
6441only Tevinter in the architecture. But this looks like typical post-empire 
6442bluster, adding elven bits like they always owned it. That's an artist for 
6443you. A mason would have at least got it the right way round. Tevinter 
6444foundation with elven overlay, not muddled.
6445
6446Anyway, simple message: the carver wants it known that mortals aren't 
6447supposed to be there. No stairs.
6448
6449The Mason's Tales: Sacrifice
6450
6451From what I can figure, this one is called "Sacrifice." I'll get back to that 
6452later. By two sculptors, and I'll get back to that sooner.
6453
6454The sculptor's gone to the trouble of faces. I'd guess she worked from 
6455portraits, which means they were people who considered themselves 
6456important enough to need them. The scene is a classic example of "don't 
6457do this" because the sculptor hates them. It's in the way it's carved: all fast,
6458hard edges. Uglier than they need to be, even for your average Tevinter 
6459who--and this isn't just me, mind--stands like a lanky vein of lyrium. But 
6460
6461don't mistake that for sloppy carving. It's natural, practiced. The carver 
6462knows Tevinter. Bet she is one, and it's self-hate, probably.
6463
6464And obvious enough. There's skulls all over, and two big and horned. 
6465That brings to mind your Qunari, and fair enough, right? Tevinters hate 
6466Qunari and have ever since they showed up. No magister wants his 
6467mouth contradicted, let alone stitched. So it makes sense they're there, 
6468even that early, I suppose.
6469
6470Because this is probably that business of readying to invade the Fade, and 
6471giants with horns are a good motivator to sodding hurry up. Odd thing, 
6472though, is that those two are not the only Qunari in the carving. The one 
6473in the middle was sculpted with horns, and someone has gone in later and
6474chipped them off. You can tell by the surface of it. Well, maybe you can't. 
6475But I can.
6476
6477Seen it happen time and again. Tastes change, and the ancestor's nudes 
6478are suddenly embarrassing. So in comes a new hand to paint on some 
6479clothes. And here, judging by the marks, to cut away the horns and make 
6480the victim look human. Some proud new owner didn't want to throw out 
6481the antiquity, but also didn't want people to think grandm'ma sliced up 
6482Qunari. Looks like they didn't care if she kept their heads around, though.
6483
6484So! The carvers both wanted to show Tevinter being shits, but the later 
6485one didn't want to show what about. And that's usually to avoid blame or 
6486deny credit. Or to be an arse, I suppose.
6487
6488The Mason's Tales: The Archdemon
6489
6490I gather this one is titled "The Archdemon." Not "The Three Archdemons,"
6491and I'll get back to that. Good construction here. A nice balanced carving, 
6492if you consider Tevinters to have equal weight to the dragon's arse. Not a 
6493bad comparison, you ask me.
6494
6495Seven magisters and some easy symmetry to give a host something to 
6496sound smart about after dinner. If I had to guess, they'd go on about how 
6497four lines, and four magisters, are part of the dragon and favored. Two 
6498lines are piercing it, so they do more damage than good. And one, that big
6499
6500one farthest out, has missed the thing completely. If this was carved 
6501around the Third Blight, that gets you three heads. Doesn't matter, those 
6502are all shallow details, probably followed by "and it speaks to me because 
6503my soul something regret whatever."
6504
6505Now, the first thing those spits don't understand is that carving isn't just 
6506what you see. They've never made a physical thing and don't know the 
6507how of it. Depth is all tricks of shadow and such; the actual cuts are only 
6508as deep as the sculptor wants. And if you take a flat edge to this thing, 
6509what she wanted is strange. Because what I'm thinking is that this is one 
6510Archdemon and the three heads are the reaction to the three lines. Because
6511piercing-line-one is on the same tier as the Tevinter second from left, and 
6512the middle head turned away. Piercing-line-two is the same tier as 
6513Tevinter fifth from left, and the first head turned away. And the line that 
6514misses it, that's the same tier as the big Tevinter, farthest out. And the 
6515dragon is looking straight at him. So the ones who did damage, the 
6516dragon doesn't care. The one who faked it, the dragon gives him an eyeful.
6517
6518Now, add to that: artists like to hit big targets, but this carving has no 
6519faces. If she wanted to carve specific people, they'd be there, she has that 
6520skill. So, what if she's not after the magisters, she's carved Tevinter itself? 
6521You've got four ages of the empire where they're part of the dragon, two 
6522where they damage it, and one where they miss the point entirely and it 
6523gets them eaten. Think about it too much, and I bet you could come up 
6524with five different ways match their calendar, including your favorite 
6525aunt's birthday.
6526 
6527So, there you go. That's how to go from "balanced" to "not invited next 
6528time." At my house, anyway. 
6529
6530The Mason's Tales: The Fall
6531
6532Now here's a happy study. "The Fall," and a face that says, "why did we 
6533try to go where there were no stairs?" Because you go into an impossible 
6534building like that, you're coming out on fire, and then it will flip or 
6535something. I still do not see the appeal of dreams.
6536
6537So, your seven magisters entered, and they came out blighted and not sure
6538
6539which way is up. I'll pass that off to the sculptor trying to represent 
6540madness. I mean, towers here, upended over there. You know what kind 
6541of force it would take to flip that much stone? It'd do more than burn your
6542beard.
6543
6544Here's something interesting, though. You've got a hint of pigment and 
6545leaf causing some sheen, but there's meant to be more. All of these were 
6546painted and repainted at some point, to match whatever lord's three-holer.
6547But there's a type of finishing that you can do, a very fine and time-
6548consuming pass that evens the surface. Do it right, you can get stone as 
6549smooth as glass. And that tower, and Beardy's skull, are meant to have it. 
6550And only a little is present on the others.
6551
6552So, the first time this carving was wheeled out, it would have looked like 
6553Beardy was the target, so maybe he was first in the door? And the "light," 
6554it burns him and spreads to the others. And the polish or leaf would have 
6555caught light like a mirror and caused the viewer to squint. They'd have to 
6556look down or away, "joining" the magisters in their punishment. Makes 
6557them feel part of it.
6558
6559That's what I figure, anyway. And it would sure keep the children out of 
6560the feast hall.
6561 
6562
6563The Mystery and Meaning of Eight Silks
6564
6565Eight silks drape across Belle Marche. Eight silks that frame the sky and 
6566shade the calm of commerce. But why eight? That question is posed time 
6567and again by visitor and philosopher. What in the grand history of our 
6568capital is displayed in this subtle choice? The ages? But we have had nine, 
6569and what fool would have made such a prediction? There is nothing in the
6570Orlesian mindset, in the heart of Orlais, that suggests even a hint of 
6571accepting an end to our way. 
6572Perhaps then something less flattering, but veiled? It is opined that the 
6573eight represents the twin boys of Empress Yvette, born 7:99 which 
6574heralded the Blessed Age, being the entwined loops of the number "8" 
6575itself, not its value. The more irreverent suggest that the "8" could as easily
6576be a slight against Yvette's figure, for she was rumored to be stout but 
6577determined in her choice of corsetry. Both theories are scoffed at by 
6578
6579historians as mere number fetish.
6580
6581What emerges when we consider the longevity of the question is not that 
6582there is meaning to be found, but that it is ingrained in us to search as 
6583though there is. For we need to believe that such a prominent detail of the 
6584greatest city the world has ever known must be thoroughly rife with 
6585meaning. And so certain are we, that we discount even the architect, who 
6586grew so annoyed of the question that he had the answer engraved on his 
6587memorial:
6588
6589"There were sixteen rods."
6590
6591How compares his "fact" to our search for "truth"?
6592
6593--From Our Orlesian Heart, by (formerly) Sister Laudin
6594
6595The Mystery of June
6596
6597Each elven "god" represents an aspect of their ancient civilization, each 
6598story a metaphor for this aspect. June's is least understood. Depictions 
6599stretch back to ancient Arlathan, but he appears most seldom of all their 
6600deities. Dalish legend says June is a god of crafts and building, but the 
6601oldest depiction have none of the tools the Dalish associate with him.
6602
6603June's role may have changed over time, or simply cannot be understood 
6604today. As the elves fell, ancient Tevinter spared little thought to 
6605preserving any Dalish culture not convenient or understood.
6606
6607--From A Treaty on the Pagan and Heretical Customs of the Elven by 
6608Senallen Tavernier of the University of Orlais, commissioned by Empress Celene
6609
6610The Perendale War
6611
6612Not many people take the road west into Perendale for the sake of 
6613pleasure. Few living things inhabit the rocky countryside save for silver 
6614miners, wyverns, and an astoundingly pugnacious breed of mountain 
6615goat. In far-off days, the mountains around the city were full of dragons, 
6616and perhaps this was what first brought it to the attention of the 
6617Pentaghast kings.
6618
6619Certainly, it was not the goats.
6620
6621Although the region has belonged to Nevarra since the late Blessed Age, 
6622travelers here will find much that reminds them of a provincial Orlesian 
6623town. A great carving depicting the Lions Slaying the Dragon adorns 
6624Perendale's gate, and many Orlesian lions decorate the city's buildings. 
6625And there are still many citizens who cling to the hope that the empress 
6626will restore the city to the empire.
6627
6628Historians mostly agree that it was not the dragons, nor the silver, and 
6629certainly not the goats that began centuries of warfare between Orlais and 
6630Nevarra. It was Emperor Etienne Valmont and the Pentaghasts.
6631
6632In 7:82 Storm, the Pentaghast family, fresh on the throne again for the first 
6633time in generations and eager to build up the alliances lost by the Van 
6634Markham dynasty, approached the emperor to solidify a peace treaty 
6635through marriage. The emperor, who was under great pressure to 
6636produce an heir, set aside his empress of 17 years and wed Princess Sotiria
6637Pentaghast, theoretically cementing a promise of peace and cooperation 
6638between Nevarra and Orlais.
6639
6640Promises are hard to keep. By 7:97 Storm Sotiria was still childless, and 
6641the emperor sent her to a cloister so that he might marry his mistress. As 
6642anyone other than Etienne might have predicted, the Nevarrans took this 
6643poorly. Angry letters arrived in the Imperial Palace by the cartload. A 
6644small war party of Pentaghasts rode into Orlais and reclaimed Princess 
6645Sotiria. But the Nevarrans did not take military action yet. They were 
6646strategists, and knew to bide their time.
6647
6648In 8:46 Blessed, while most of the Orlesian army was committed to a war 
6649in Ferelden, the Pentaghasts began their war against Orlais. The Orlesians 
6650rallied a defense and drove the Nevarrans from Ghislain and Arlesans, 
6651
6652but at the cost of much of their northern territory. Perendale was lost and 
6653never recovered. A lingering sign that peace between the two nations was 
6654impossible.
6655
6656--From In Pursuit of Knowledge: Travels of a Chantry Scholar, by Brother 
6657Genitivi
6658
6659The Qun
6660
6661Long ago, the Ashkaari lived in a great city by the sea. Wealth and 
6662prosperity shone upon the city like sunlight, and still its people grumbled 
6663in discontent. The Ashkaari walked the streets of his home and saw that 
6664all around him were the signs of genius: triumphs of architecture, artistic 
6665masterpieces, the palaces of wealthy merchants, libraries, and concert 
6666halls. But he also saw signs of misery: the poor, sick, lost, frightened, and 
6667the hopeless. And the Ashkaari asked himself, "How can one people be 
6668both wise and ignorant, great and ruined, triumphant and despairing?"
6669
6670So the Ashkaari left the land of his birth, seeking out other cities and 
6671nations, looking for a people who had found wisdom enough to end 
6672hopelessness and despair. He wandered for many years through empires 
6673filled with palaces and gardens, but in every nation of the wise, the great, 
6674the mighty, he found the forgotten, the abandoned, and the poor. Finally, 
6675he came to a vast desert, a wasteland of bare rock clawing at the empty 
6676sky, where he took shelter in the shadow of a towering rock, and resolved 
6677to meditate until he found his answer or perished.
6678
6679Many days passed until one night, as he gazed out from the shadow of the
6680rocks, he saw the lifeless desert awaken. A hundred thousand locusts 
6681hatched from the barren ground, and as one, they turned south, a single 
6682wave of moving earth. The Ashkaari rose and followed in their wake: a 
6683path of devastation miles wide, the once verdant land turned to waste. 
6684And the Ashkaari's eyes were opened.
6685
6686Existence is a choice.
6687There is no chaos in the world, only complexity.
6688Knowledge of the complex is wisdom.
6689From wisdom of the world comes wisdom of the self.
6690
6691Mastery of the self is mastery of the world. 
6692Loss of the self is the source of suffering.
6693Suffering is a choice, and we can refuse it.
6694It is in our own power to create the world, or destroy it.
6695
6696And the Ashkaari went forth to his people.
6697 
6698--An excerpt from The Qun, Canto 1
6699
6700The Rebel God
6701
6702The Dalish use "harellan" to mean "traitor to one's kin," but the word does 
6703not appear in any elven text before the Towers Age. The ancient root-
6704word is related to "harillen," or opposition, and "hellathen," or noble 
6705struggle. The Dalish call Fen'Harel a god of deception, but I posit a far 
6706more accurate translation would be "god of rebellion."
6707
6708What he rebelled against is a story lost to time. In Dalish legends, 
6709Fen'Harel seals away the other deities out of love of trickery. If we 
6710understood more ancient elven, we might find earlier versions of the 
6711Dread Wolf's story give him a more nuanced motivation beyond spite.
6712
6713--From A Treaty on the Pagan and Heretical Customs of the Elven, by 
6714Senallen Tavernier of the University of Orlais, commissioned by Empress Celene.
6715
6716The Secret Tongue of Slaves
6717
6718Despite widespread illiteracy, Tevinter's slaves have developed a series of 
6719small pictograms that they scrawl on walls or under furniture, hidden 
6720from their uncaring owners. Regional variations make deciphering them a
6721unique challenge. In one city, the sign of a clenched fist means a 
6722murderous master. In another, the same symbol indicates a harsh slave 
6723owner but not one with a fatal temper.
6724
6725The ruling class's general indifference to the moods and fears of their 
6726slaves makes this pictorial argot an important method of communication. 
6727It is therefore all the more strange so many Tevinter comedies center 
6728
6729around a farcical misunderstanding of a sloppily written sigil, where witty
6730slaves scramble to subvert blame in time to avoid beheading. Perhaps it 
6731comforts Tevinter's well-to-do to believe that their property is only this 
6732clever--and human--in fiction.
6733
6734--From a lesson book by Besha of Rivain
6735
6736The Women of All War
6737
6738Regarding the cataloguing of Skyhold: Four Statues of Chasind Influence
6739
6740Like many features of Skyhold, these four statues are not original to the 
6741structure. Scratchings much newer than the sculpture suggest these were 
6742placed by Fereldans as representations of Andraste. Typical 
6743appropriation; these are not Our Lady. They are altered Chasind figures, 
6744and likely had animal heads or some such. The number suggests the 
6745barbarian tradition of personifying seasons as female warriors, bearing the
6746typical attributes of renewal and death. Winter is of note for its brutality, 
6747as it is tied to their rumored custom of killing those who flee battle. Harsh 
6748enough, but more so when you note that killing the fleeing was not left to 
6749fellow soldiers, but common citizens waiting to meet them at their camps. 
6750Such was their commitment that death at the hands of their people was 
6751welcomed over the shame of broken morale. Such is the brutality of their 
6752animist gods.
6753
6754Archivist Banon
6755
6756Here follows a relevant page from historic examination:
6757
6758For She of All and War will dade,
6759And issue forth as with a spur,
6760And welcome home she will the bold, 
6761Returning them with crowns and brand.
6762But knowing runs the empty hand,
6763That all that waits is falling cold.
6764For such the shame to flee a cur,
6765Is glory saved with mother's blade.
6766
6767--From Barbarian Blood: Chasind Myth Made Sensible, collections of the 
6768University of Orlais
6769
6770Twins in Shadow
6771
6772Dirthamen and Falon’Din are linked in Dalish legend as inseparable twin 
6773brothers. Scraps of elven stories from after the fall of Arlathan--
6774transcribed into Tevinter and recently lent to our fair university--refer to 
6775them as “twin souls” but draw no family connection. The oldest stories 
6776never even name them directly, referring to Falon’Din as “Dirthamen’s 
6777shadow,” and Dirthamen as “Falon’Din’s reflection.”
6778
6779The little we understand implies their bond was not romantic, beyond 
6780even the strongest friendship. The legends of Dirthamen and Falon’Din 
6781may have been an allegory for complex elven relationships we lack 
6782context to comprehend.
6783
6784-- From A Treaty on the Pagan and Heretical Customs of the Elven, by 
6785Senallen Tavernier of the University of Orlais, commissioned by Empress Celene
6786
6787Unreadable Elven Writing
6788
6789Veilfire writing from a ruin in the Arbor Wilds; the script is so ancient it defies 
6790translation.
6791
6792There are whispers from the Well of Sorrows. It's impossible to 
6793understand the entire text, but certain parts suddenly reveal a shadow of 
6794their original meaning.
6795
6796"She shook the radiance of the stars, divided them into grains of light, 
6797then stored them in a shaft of gold. Andruil, blood and force, save us from
6798the time this weapon is thrown. Your people pray to You. Spare us the 
6799moment we become Your sacrifice."
6800
6801There is a brief image of an elaborate golden spear, glowing with 
6802unbearable heat. Then it fades.
6803Untranslatable Elven Writing
6804
6805This veilfire script was hidden in the Arbor Wilds. It's so old it cannot be 
6806translated into any known language.
6807
6808There are whispers fom the Well of Sorrows. It's impossible to understand
6809the entire text, but certain parts suddenly reveal a shadow of their original
6810meaning.
6811
6812"We are trapped. The ones born here do not understand the keenness of 
6813what we have lost, or why so many of their elders weep as they enter 
6814uthenera. The new ones are faithful to Mythal, but do not understand 
6815what she was in her fullness. Without the wise to lead them, they will lose 
6816what they should have been.
6817
6818I will teach them. They must serve. We must prepare for those who cast 
6819Mythal down. I shed my name the day I began her service. I shed my new 
6820one again, now that she rests. I will only be known by the sorrow that cuts
6821my heart."
6822
6823For a moment, there is a feeling of wrenching loss. Then it fades.
6824
6825Ville Montevelan
6826
6827Villa Montevelan was the first settlement humans established in the Dales 
6828following the victory of the Exalted March. Soldiers were the earliest 
6829residents of the village. In 2:21 Glory, Sister Amity, Champion of the 
6830Exalted March, laid the foundation stones of the village chantry in a 
6831symbolic gesture; the building's construction was completed in 2:22. 
6832Laying aside her sword and bow, Sister Amity took on the task of leading 
6833Ville Montevelan's flock, becoming Revered Mother Amity. She served the
6834Maker for over forty years, ministering to both residents of the Dales and 
6835the many pilgrims to the historic site. Revered Mother Amity died 
6836peacefully in her sleep in 2:64; her ashes are interred in the chantry's vault,
6837where dozens of pilgrims still come each year to pay their respects.
6838
6839--From Exalted: A History of the Dales by Lord Ademar Garde-Haut, royal 
6840historian.
6841Way of the Artificer
6842
6843From "Of Mechanical Obscura." The words of Three-Eyes' make one passage 
6844stand out:
6845 
6846"What can this be?" To ask that question is prove oneself a craftsman, one 
6847who looks upon the raw and wonders what it can become. The Artificer is 
6848not of that ken, for she will look upon the same resource and wonder not 
6849how it can be elevated, but how it can be made to serve. There are no 
6850more words necessary.
6851
6852Multiple schematics follow.
6853
6854Way of the Assassin
6855
6856From "Of Granting Death: Blades and Other Means." Heir's words make one 
6857passage stand out:
6858
6859You misunderstand the point of secrecy. Of course they knew that I was 
6860there--one of their number was dead. It is never the aim that they are 
6861ignorant to my purpose or presence. Death is, after all, a message, and 
6862messages are meant to be received. It is paramount that the arrival remain 
6863secret, not the result. They know what may come, but never when--until 
6864the answer is "now" and there is naught they can do but receive.
6865
6866A treatise on cutting edges and other debilitating elements follows.
6867
6868Way of the Champion
6869
6870From "Champions of Note in a Great Tradition." Lord Chancer's words make one
6871passage stand out:
6872
6873There is sacrifice in attaining the adulation of others, for the while the 
6874Champion is raised above all but their patron, this is done with the weight
6875of expectation. Their shoulders bear the hopes of those they protect, the 
6876pride of those they inspire, and the demands of those they lead. And in 
6877becoming such a figure, the Champions accepts not just the aspirations of 
6878his or her allies, but also the dangerous envy of the enemy.
6879
6880One must remember the figures of note who have come before, for the 
6881glorious tales of their triumphs are often punctuated by steep and sudden 
6882tumbles. They burn bright, and draw others to their glory. But as anyone 
6883who knows of flames can attest, a simple shift of breeze or landscape can 
6884send the fire homeward. Those who seek the title never think themselves 
6885joining a hundred bound for obscurity. They know they are the rare few 
6886who will permanently be enshrined in glory. If they did not think as such, 
6887they would not be fit to try.
6888
6889Many heraldic symbols follow, as well as martial instruction.
6890
6891Way of the Knight-Enchanter 
6892
6893From "Rank and Role in Victory." Commander Helaine's words make one 
6894passage stand out:
6895
6896Many are reluctant to include the rank, but that is because it is rare 
6897enough that they have not seen it deployed. Most change their mind when
6898they fight alongside. All change their mind when they fight against.
6899
6900An account:
6901
6902The training was not pleasant for me. When first I exited my Circle, I was 
6903as a babe new to the world. And then I was in battle, in defense of nation 
6904and name, and the lines did form, and my fellow mages took their 
6905positions in the rear.
6906
6907And I stepped forward.
6908
6909Then my place in the fray opened, and those of muscle and blade were 
6910around me, and I was not afraid. For I knew my role and worth, and soon 
6911did all others know them as well. Any concerns I had that the knights 
6912would not heed evaporated. All knew their rank, their place, and the 
6913value of that to their lives. Our blades were of different ken, but our 
6914purpose was clear and defined. On the field, in the battle, I command.
6915
6916Detailed principles and examples of command follow.
6917
6918Way of the Necromancer
6919
6920From "Mortalitasi: For the Living, the Dead." The words of Speaker Viuus 
6921Anaxas make one passage stand out:
6922
6923We are of this world, and as with any piece that seeks to leave its element, 
6924there is a void when we abandon the mortal. It must be that this would 
6925hold our returning to the Maker. It must be that we should seek balance. It
6926must be that the Maker's first children aid the second.
6927
6928An account:
6929
6930Breath ceased on the hour exactly. We felt his absence in that moment, 
6931and were ready. It was gentle, and all were calmed by the signs of spirit 
6932entering, knowing there would be no chains on their loved one. 
6933Unfettered, he would find the side of the Maker. But that was not the 
6934training for the battlefield. I had heard the accounts and knew my role, 
6935and I was ready. Then our warriors signaled the charge, and I was not 
6936ready. Breath was not stilled by the hour and was not gentle.And I was 
6937sore afraid. Then the enemy countered, and I saw blades come for the 
6938good men whom I had stood beside, and I would not allow it! The dead 
6939who had fallen, I bid their forms to serve, and it was the turn of our foes to
6940know fear. But I had peace, for I had granted the fallen greater purpose, 
6941and in doing, had honored life by protecting it.
6942
6943Detailed ritual instructions follow.
6944
6945Way of the Reaver
6946
6947From "A Path of Warning and Harsh Promises." Breaker Thram's words make 
6948one passage stand out:
6949
6950The blood of the dragon is treated in a way that speaks of dark intent, 
6951though motive is left to the temperament of the individual reaver. All of 
6952us can be tempted to harsh conduct. It is simply the fate of the reaver that 
6953theirs is the power to be brutal above most others. Their destruction is first
6954inward, a commitment and test that spares them the instant distrust of the
6955
6956blood mage--to whom temptation comes with ease and the will of a 
6957demon in constant threat.
6958
6959An account:
6960
6961I cut the beast. It had seared me, but now its blood was the balm that 
6962would sooth. Later, I took the smallest amount and, adding it to the rite 
6963and ritual I had learned, drank without hesitation. It did not taste like 
6964blood as the uninitiated understand it, for they only know the taste of the 
6965wound, a flavor of defeat. This was the taste of blood coursing within, of 
6966life, of the primal--a burning that is not swallowed so much as it inhabits. 
6967To infuse with the blood and life of such a beast is to be changed at the 
6968core. Some could see it and knew I was more than I had been. Some could 
6969not and had no warning. And some knew, but would not say, for the 
6970choice of how to wield it is truly mine. The act of becoming is a defiance of
6971all expectation. I am above. I see where the blade must go. I see through 
6972you.
6973
6974Several mixtures are detailed, each contributing to the final.
6975
6976Way of the Rift Mage
6977
6978From "Power Bleeds: Harness the Flow." Your Trainer's words make one passage
6979stand out:
6980
6981There are no tomes dedicated to this manipulation. There has been no 
6982time for academics, only the practical--and not in a manner that mitigates 
6983risk. Power in a raw form has found an outlet, both visible and in ways 
6984that only we of arcane proclivity can sense. The risk is great.
6985
6986An account:
6987
6988From this page forward, these are the notes of Thelric. They began as the 
6989work of my mentor Julion, and I will continue in the research she began, 
6990as she cannot, because she is dead. The rift we were examining did not 
6991react well to her last investigation. We believed ourselves prepared for 
6992demonic manifestation. We were not prepared for how the energies we 
6993expected would be encountered. Well-versed in the forces that magic can 
6994
6995produce, my senior was surprised by an alteration, a deviance. That which
6996previously had to be coaxed is now a flood that must be staunched. The 
6997same amount in different intensity, quick to expose fault in the way it is 
6998accessed. She drew too much, expecting resistance. There was none, and 
6999her form suffered the brunt. Tread carefully in studies of new matters, for 
7000I cannot unsee the end of her.
7001
7002Scattered symbols and sketches follow.
7003
7004Way of the Tempest
7005
7006From "Of Storms: Notes on the Tempest in Practice." Kihm's words make one 
7007passage stand out:
7008
7009They expect folly in the Tempest and are fooled, for there is no madness in
7010knowing the absolute limit of ability and charging to that edge. Wars may 
7011be a tactical affair, but the one-on-one meeting of combatants is decided 
7012by the one who first realizes they are in mortal peril and commits fully. 
7013Many reach that point; the Tempest starts there. By the time their foes 
7014have risen to match, it is too late.
7015
7016And another:
7017
7018They asked what type of shot they should encase the mixture in, expecting
7019some trebuchet pot or a vessel fit to pour over a palisade. I bade them 
7020make it by the barrel and store it in my quarters with a thousand glass 
7021vials. They were afraid, and I smiled.
7022
7023Another still:
7024
7025Forward! Ever so! Where you were is dangerous! Where you go is 
7026dangerous! Different reasons, both to your advantage! Leap! Then leap 
7027again! Looking is for witnesses, not the disaster!
7028
7029Also one more:
7030
7031I did not say I was unappreciative, nor unimpressed. That you were a 
7032sight to behold is not in question. All I noted is that the Tempest is 
7033
7034offensive not just in ability, but in what condition you leave the field. I 
7035should like a hundred of you to deploy in the cities of my enemy, and not 
7036a one to stand as defense in my own home.
7037
7038A series of unstable brews follows. 
7039
7040Way of the Templar
7041
7042From a treatise on lyrium and its varied forms. Ser's words make one passage 
7043stand out:
7044 
7045The means and usage employed by the templar are far stronger than even 
7046the droughts of magi, and are of considerable danger to the uninitiated. It 
7047is not something that is introduced in gradual fashion. Rather, it is a great 
7048infusion that is daily held in check by ritual maintenance.
7049
7050An account:
7051
7052We entered the makeshift chantry, and my comrades-to-be were arranged 
7053as though an honor guard--the trainer waiting to receive me. I was 
7054invited to pass among them, and it seemed important that each step be my
7055will. Any reluctance would have signaled that I was not ready. They were 
7056boisterous and encouraging, slapping hands upon my shoulders as I 
7057passed. Upon reaching the trainer, he turned to me. Before him was the 
7058boxed philter I had prepared. He nodded, as if to ask if I was ready, and I 
7059returned the gesture. His eyes were solemn as he raised a mailed hand. It 
7060was bathed in the shapeless glow of lyrium far too strong, prepared in a 
7061way I did not know.
7062
7063The hands of my fellows, still on my shoulders, gently turned from 
7064welcome to restraint, and my arms were made immobile at my sides. I felt
7065a rising alarm, but my certainty beat it down, as it would many times in 
7066my career. The trainer pressed the glow against my chest, and in an 
7067instant all was pain and white. When next I had my senses, there was 
7068much camaraderie and rejoicing, but also knowing looks. Each day, I felt a
7069hunger deeper than I had ever known, and woe be me if it went unfed. I 
7070cannot imagine bearing it without the support of the Order and my 
7071certain purpose.
7072
7073Several instructions for handling lyrium follow.
7074
7075What Pride Had Wrought
7076
7077And as the black clouds came upon them,
7078They looked on what pride had wrought,
7079And despaired.
7080
7081The work of man and woman,
7082By hubris of their making.
7083The sorrow a blight unbearable.
7084
7085--Canticle of Threnodies 7:10-11
7086
7087Pride! What other sin wounds us so deeply as pride? It drove the old 
7088Tevinter magisters to blacken the Golden City, it pushed Maferath to 
7089betray Beloved Andraste, and it has made fools of kings and peasants ever
7090since the Maker formed us from nothing.
7091
7092Pride disguises itself in surety. Who among us has not looked at our fair 
7093country and thought "Surely we are safe here, under protection. Our 
7094world will last forever, for we are mighty and wise." These verses say to 
7095the faithful: go and look upon the ruins of old, and ask who remembers 
7096the faces of those who dwelled there? Only the Maker's knowledge is 
7097complete. The words He gave to us through Blessed Andraste are the one 
7098true constant in our world. A land without the Chant is doomed to be 
7099forgotten by time.
7100
7101--Notes on the Chant of Light, by Mother Bezoria of the Grand Cathedral, 
71029:37 Dragon
7103
7104Winter Palace
7105
7106The Grand Apartments
7107
7108This wing once served as a home-away-from-home for members of House
7109Valmont's four cadet branches, but it has fallen into disuse since Emperor 
7110Florian's reign. The late emperor would not allow relatives more distant 
7111than his siblings into the Winter Palace; for years the entirety of the Grand
7112Apartments was closed off.
7113
7114--Excerpt from Architectural History of Orlais, Volume 1 by Elodie Ferrneau
7115
7116The Servants' Wing
7117
7118During her reign's fifth year, Empress Celene substantially expanded the 
7119palace servants' living quarters. They now encompass a large stretch of 
7120garden which the landscape architect Trenou designed; it is considered 
7121one of the finest examples of his style in Orlais.
7122
7123--Excerpt from Architectural History of Orlais, Volume 1 by Elodie Ferrneau
7124
7125The Grand Library of Halamshiral
7126
7127The Winter Palace's collection of book is one of the world's largest; only 
7128the library of the University of Orlais and the Imperial Palace library 
7129compare. Famed cabinet maker Gustav of Val Fontaine designed and built
7130the shelves, the finest examples of his marquetry technique still in 
7131existence.
7132
7133--Excerpt from Architectural History of Orlais, Volume 1 by Elodie Ferrneauu
7134
7135The Verchiel Fountain
7136
7137Emperor Judicael I commissioned this massive fountain to commemorate 
7138House Valmont's historic victory against Xavier Drakon. The four lions 
7139represent Emperor Alphonse Valmont and his three younger brothers--
7140Duke Isidore d'Arlesans, Duke Yvon of Savrenne, and Duke Stephan of 
7141Val Montaigne--who took the field against the usurper.
7142
7143--Excerpt from Architectural History of Orlais, Volume 1 by Elodie Ferrneau
7144
7145Le Requiem
7146
7147After his coronation in 8:84 Blessed, Emperor Florian commissioned the 
7148building of a chapel in the palace of Halamshiral as his first act, to honor 
7149his infant daughter Evangeline who died in the Hundred Days' Cough 
7150outbreak of 8:77 Blessed. The chapel contains exquisite murals Empress 
7151Justinia herself painted, of the life and death of Andraste.
7152
7153--Excerpt from Architectural History of Orlais, Volume 1 by Elodie Ferrneau
7154
7155Worn Pillars
7156
7157A sketch of the pillars, followed by another drawing imagining the pillars as part 
7158of a grand monument, with appended notes on the subject:
7159
7160The remains of the structures surely predate the Second Blight. Perhaps 
7161older. My knowledge of ancient Imperium architecture is limited. There 
7162are some similarities, but I'm uncertain of their origin. One of the miners 
7163thinks they're elven--of course this is based on a few carvings he found 
7164that "look sort of elfy." The pillars are unlike the ruins one sees in the 
7165Dales. Of course, these would be much older than anything found there.
7166
7167--Excerpt from the journal of Henri Ducett, Envers Mining Company 
7168representative and amateur historian
7169
7170Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts
7171
7172The Old Gods will call to you,
7173From their ancient prisons they will sing.
7174Dragons with wicked eyes and wicked hearts, 
7175On blacken'd wings does deceit take flight, 
7176The First of My children, lost to night.
7177
7178--Canticle of Silence 3:6
7179
7180The Dissonant Canticle of Silence is an alternate creation story to the 
7181versions in the Canticle of Threnodies. Much of the Canticle is written 
7182
7183from the point of view of the Maker Himself as He addresses humankind, 
7184which is why it was ultimately considered a blasphemous presumption 
7185and removed from the verses of the Chant. Popularly attributed to Archon
7186Hessarian, Silence depicts the Maker as more sorrowful at the corruption 
7187and betrayal of His children--both spirit and mortal. He mourns the fall 
7188and corruption of the Old Gods as His own mistake, and urges His mortal 
7189children to turn aside from the dark path their elder siblings have led 
7190them down.
7191
7192Most historians agree that Archon Hessarian had indeed likely written 
7193this Canticle during the bloody Tevinter Transfiguration. Literary scholars
7194of the Imperium often cite this as one of the oldest recorded pieces of 
7195propaganda. In the sixth verse, the grieving Maker calls upon His mortal 
7196children to acknowledge that the dragon gods have manipulated and 
7197deceived them, and to throw off their corruptive influence and return to 
7198the Light. As the people of Tevinter rose up and slaughtered anyone 
7199remaining faithful to their Old Gods, this became the rallying cry of the 
7200most terrible bloodbath in the history of the Imperium.
7201
7202–From The Chant of Light: Literary Analysis and History by Sister Tessaria
7203
7204In Your Heart Shall Burn
7205
7206Then the Maker said:
7207To you, My second-born, I grant this gift:
7208In your heart shall burn
7209An unquenchable flame
7210All-consuming, and never satisfied.
7211From the Fade I crafted you,
7212And to the Fade you shall return
7213Each night in dreams
7214That you may always remember Me.
7215
7216--Canticle of Threnodies 5:7
7217
7218In passages one through six, His first children wanted for nothing; freed 
7219from need, they could only praise. But it was hollow, without cost. We--
7220and all the physical--were created immutable, that our works would 
7221
7222require struggle. A wonder created of wood and stone proves more intent 
7223than any wish of the Fade.
7224
7225Here in the gentlest verses of the Chant, we see how great His gift and 
7226how stern His punishment. To inspire, He gave us dreams, such that we 
7227would strive to make this limited world reflect His glory. Some look upon 
7228that nightly memory and feel only desire, as though owed His splendor. 
7229We, the second children, were meant to master the wonts and wanes of 
7230emotion and childish pursuits, to honor at a distance and move ever 
7231forward. We failed in this, and the weakest of us did act as petulant 
7232infants, clawing back into His sight. Because we could not master our 
7233desire, because we acted on pitiful instinct, because we dared look upon 
7234our Maker to fulfill our need and not His, He is lost to us.
7235
7236But He is merciful while stern, and we remember what we have lost. His 
7237second children can learn, grow, and change. If we cannot, then we are no 
7238better--and no worse--than His first children.
7239
7240--From The Word and Challenge of the Chant by Revered Mother Hevara
7241
7242Doom Upon All the World
7243
7244And so is the Golden City blackened
7245With each step you take in my Hall.
7246Marvel at perfection, for it is fleeting.
7247You have brought Sin to Heaven
7248And doom upon all the world.
7249
7250--Canticle of Threnodies 8:13
7251
7252There is very little of the infamous Thirteenth Verse that we can take 
7253literally. It speaks in the voice of the Maker Himself; since He has never 
7254deigned to speak to His children directly, we can rest assured it is a work 
7255of fiction. There are facts, however, that support it, at least in part. Records
7256remain from the time prior to the First Blight saying that, yes, seven 
7257magisters did open a portal to enter the Fade physically. These seven--
7258whose true names we have lost either to legend or deliberate obscurement
7259--did so at the behest of the Old Gods, who "whispered from their ancient
7260
7261prisons." We also know that the Golden City, visible from every part of 
7262the Fade by any mage at the time, turned black as night the moment these 
7263seven breached its gates. Everything else--the accusations of "sin", the 
7264suggestion that these seven became the first darkspawn, that they were 
7265directly responsible for the Blights to come--all of that is conjecture.
7266
7267--From Questioning the Chant by Magister Vibus Agorian
7268
7269Here Lies the Abyss
7270
7271Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls.
7272From these emerald waters doth life begin anew.
7273Come to me, child, and I shall embrace you.
7274In my arms lies Eternity.
7275
7276--Canticle of Andraste, 14:11
7277
7278Chantry sisters have long since debated this section of the Chant of Light. 
7279It is tempting to assume that the "well of all souls" is a literal well, but 
7280such imagery appears nowhere in Andraste's other works. An 
7281examination from Threnodies 1:4 yields clues:
7282
7283From the waters of the Fade you made the world. As the Fade had been fluid, so 
7284was the world fixed.
7285
7286It is possible--even likely--that the "emerald waters" Andraste refers to 
7287are the substance of the Fade, which began as an "ocean of dreams" 
7288(Threnodies 1:1) and was reduced to a well--bottomless but limited in 
7289scope--by the Maker's creation of our world.
7290
7291Is Andraste urging the listener to come to the Fade? Should we take "From
7292these emerald waters doth life begin anew," as literal evidence of 
7293reincarnation--or even of life after death, as the Cult of Spirits suggests--
7294or as a figurative benediction indicating that the Maker is the source of all 
7295life, and in finding His embrace for Eternity, we will only be returning our
7296souls from whence they came?
7297
7298--An excerpt from Reflections on Divinity, by Revered Mother Juliette
7299
7300The Wrath of Heaven
7301
7302Those who oppose Thee
7303Shall know the wrath of heaven.
7304Field and forest shall burn,
7305The seas shall rise and devour them,
7306The wind shall tear their nations
7307From the fact of the earth.
7308Lightning shall rain down from the sky,
7309They shall cry out to their false gods,
7310And find silence.
7311
7312--Canticle of Andraste 7:19
7313
7314Who was Andraste? This question has lingered in the ages since her death,
7315not as easily answered as the faithful assume. Born an Alamarri slave in 
7316the frontier realm of the Tevinter Imperium, now Ferelden, the Chant says
7317she is the Bride of the Maker--that He told her in a vision of her role 
7318leading the rebellion against the corrupt magisters.
7319
7320Is it true, or, as some early Andrastian cults believed, did a friendly spirit 
7321bestow this "vision"? We must remember that legends of Andraste were 
7322multitude in the years immediately following her execution, and beliefs 
7323we take for granted belong to the "cult" victorious in suppressing all 
7324others. Indeed, even to suggest there was once disagreement was 
7325considered the direst heresy... until today, when we have lost even the 
7326memory of disagreement. All we know for certain is that Andraste 
7327inspired a world gripped by tyranny and chaos, that she helped spark a 
7328war which tore all of Thedas asunder.
7329
7330--From Questioning the Chant by Magister Vibius Agorian 
7331
7332In Hushed Whispers
7333
7334Those who had been cast down,
7335The demons who would be gods,
7336Began to whisper to men from their tombs within the earth.
7337And the men of Tevinter heard and raised altars
7338To the pretender-gods once more,
7339And in return were given, in hushed whispers,
7340The secrets of darkest magic.
7341
7342--Canticle of Threnodies 5:11 
7343
7344The fifth stanza of Threnodies is a complete retelling of the creation story 
7345appearing in Stanza One. The authors are clearly different, with notable 
7346disagreements on the nature of spirits and the ultimate cause of the 
7347Second Sin. This stanza lays the blame for mankind's corruption squarely 
7348on the Old Gods rather than on a flaw inherent to human nature; 
7349therefore, historians believe a Tevinter author, perhaps even Archon 
7350Hessarian himself, wrote it.
7351
7352In the eleventh verse, we see this illustrated most clearly. "The demons 
7353who would be gods," can be no one but the Old Gods; they are credited 
7354here not only with broaching the Golden City, but with gifting the secrets 
7355of magic to humankind. The implication is that without this instruction, 
7356these "hushed whispers," no magic would exist.
7357
7358--From The Chant of Light: Literary Analysis and History by Sister Tessaria
7359
7360Codex: Letters & Notes (Inquisition)
7361
7362A Challenge!
7363
7364You ruddy bastard!
7365
7366You'd be laying at the bottom of the ocean if it weren't for me. That marlin
7367would've spiked and dropped you. I save your life and this is how you 
7368repay me? That catch was ours--we both worked for it. You're not getting 
7369away with this. I'm getting the gold you owe me, even if I have to beat it 
7370out of you. Just so you don't run off like the little shit I know you are: I did
7371your sister. That's right.
7372
7373So if you've got the stones, meet me by the old camp. We'll settle this.
7374
7375Terrence 
7376
7377A Different Darkspawn?
7378
7379The journal, penned by an unknown writer, appears to be quite old, with many of
7380its pages damaged by water and dust. The entries that can be read all appear to be
7381about twenty years old:
7382
7383We finally found Amuk alive in that passage. Still can't believe it. The only
7384reason I didn't stop digging is because he had the key to the cache--but,  
7385after two weeks, I was expecting to find it on his corpse. What story does 
7386he come up with? That he was found by a darkspawn, of all things. A 
7387talking darkspawn, polite as you please, who fed him and gave him water
7388and evidently chatted with him about surfacers. I don't know what Amuk 
7389is thinking, coming up with a story like that, but he swore by the Stone it 
7390was all the truth. Crazy as it sounds, I know Amuk, and he's got the 
7391imagination of a dull hammer. Why would he make something like that 
7392up?
7393
7394Reminds me of a story my grandsire used to tell, about something his 
7395grandsire did. Said he once came upon a group of three darkspawn in the 
7396Deeper Roads, each twice the size of any dwarf--bigger than humans, 
7397even--and dressed up like kings. He watched from the shadows and said 
7398
7399they talked, like people, about things he couldn't understand. A city gone 
7400black, and they blamed each other for things but could barely remember 
7401for what. My mam was like that: never remembered the slight, just that 
7402she was angry. Story goes they attacked each other, and one ran off while 
7403the second choked the third to death and then ate him.
7404
7405Don't know about darkspawn having talking kings, never mind polite 
7406ones that give you food and tea, but maybe Amuk met one of them. 
7407There's strange things in the Deeper Roads, after all, things the Shapers 
7408can't even recall. As if smuggling wasn't dangerous enough.
7409
7410A Father's Letter
7411
7412This letter never reached its intended recipient:
7413
7414My dearest Fennela,
7415
7416How are you? How is your Aunt Kaitlen? My dear girl would never give 
7417trouble, I hope? How are your studies? Perhaps you could read some of 
7418this letter to her, to show her how much you're learning.
7419
7420I am sorry to have been away for so long. I have a duty. Remember when 
7421mother was very sick, and she asked you to fetch her water, and you did it
7422because you loved her? It's like that. Sometimes we have to do difficult 
7423things, because they help other people that we love. The country is ill, and
7424I have to try to make her better. Don't worry--I am not alone here, and 
7425now we have special medicine that will make us stronger so we can fight 
7426better.
7427
7428It won't be long 'til all the mages are all gone and we're safe again. I will 
7429be home soon.
7430
7431All my love and prayers,
7432Father
7433
7434A Good Marriage
7435
7436In a hold past our own, a man named Virmik Torsen was to wed a woman
7437named Seddra Yildsdotten. They were young, and in love, and made large
7438offerings to the gods asking for happiness. The night before their 
7439wedding, Seddra had a dream. The Lady of the Skies came to her and told 
7440her to tie her rope-knots so tightly that she and Torsen would only wed a 
7441year. She awoke troubled, but did as the Lady asked. Virmik untied only 
7442one knot, and they married a year.
7443
7444The year was hard. Their bows missed game and the winter wind howled 
7445through their huts. Virmik and Seddra grew thinner. When their marriage
7446was up, they made large offerings to the gods, this time asking for mercy. 
7447The night before the wedding, the Lady of the Skies came to Virmik in a 
7448dream and told him to untie a single knot, so he and Seddra would wed 
7449only a year. Virmik awoke sorrowing, but did as the Lady asked. He and 
7450Seddra married again for a year.
7451
7452The year was long. The weather was foul and the crops were poor. Virmik
7453and Seddra grew thinner still. When their marriage time was up, Seddra 
7454and Virmik both had a dream from the Lady of the Skies. "You asked for 
7455happiness," she said, "but I cannot give that to you. You asked for mercy, 
7456but the land will not show it. Think carefully what you ask tomorrow."
7457
7458Seddra and Virmik spoke long into the night and in the morning made an 
7459offering to the gods. They asked for strength to hunt and harvest when life
7460was good, and patience, when life was not. The year was good in some 
7461places and hard in others, but they grew to know themselves and what 
7462they could bear. They became happy, not from the gift of the gods, but 
7463from their own deeds, and lived the rest of their lives as one.
7464
7465--From Stories of the Wild South: A Collection of Tales of the Barbarian 
7466Nations of Ferelden by Lady Susanna Ashwell of Ansburg
7467
7468There are notes at the bottom margin of this page, in different handwriting:
7469
7470How's a rope tell you how long you marry?
7471
7472An Avvar groom unties knots on a rope that the bride ties for him. He's 
7473
7474got until the end of the wedding-chant. Number of knots he unties is the 
7475number of years they're married.
7476
7477That doesn't make any sense!
7478
7479Sounds like a good deal to me. See if you like living with your handsome 
7480new husband or wife once the bloom's worn off. Maybe you only untie 
7481one knot or tie them tight, like in the story, if you're not sure.
7482
7483I think it's daft.
7484
7485I think you two nitwits should stop scribbling in the book I've got to 
7486return to the library.
7487
7488A Grey Warden's Journal
7489
7490We searched the area but found no sign. If he was here, it was some time 
7491ago.
7492
7493The fishermen in this area are friendly. Unlike some, they remember how 
7494the Grey Wardens fought to save Ferelden in the last Blight. Though they 
7495had little, they shared some of their catch to give us a better supper than 
7496we had tasted in weeks. They even deferred to me once they saw that I 
7497commanded the other Wardens, and there are few even in Ferelden who 
7498would watch an elf command men without pause.
7499
7500They are friendly folk. After all this land has suffered in the past years, I 
7501hope they find some peace.
7502
7503Still no trace of him, though I feel the darkspawn in the ground below. 
7504Could he be lurking close to them, perhaps preparing to die with honor? I 
7505doubt it, but it is the only lead we have so far. I confess that this seems a 
7506fool's errand at times, given how much is at stake.
7507
7508We saw bandits harassing the fishermen, and we intervened. The 
7509fishermen thanked us, though I fear the bandits will return again in 
7510greater numbers, and we will not always be here to help. Nevertheless, as 
7511
7512long as we are here, the fishermen are safe.
7513
7514The dreams continue, as they do every night. They make it hard for us to 
7515sleep, but we must persist. Hopefully the others will have found a 
7516solution by the time we return. In the meantime, I sing the song of 
7517Andruil to myself to clear my mind as best I can.
7518
7519I grow more convinced that if he was ever here, he is now long gone. Still, 
7520it would not do for us to miss him through laziness, and he was one of our
7521most skilled warriors. If anyone could hide himself here, it would be he.
7522
7523One of the fishermen shows promise with a spear and has shoulders like 
7524an ox from throwing nets all day. He asked about joining the Grey 
7525Wardens. Under other circumstances, I would be honored to take a 
7526worthy and willing volunteer. Now... my orders did not say whether I 
7527should seek new recruits, even with our circumstances. Or because of 
7528them, I suppose. It did not hurt his cause that he was easy to look at, and 
7529clearly wished to know more about the Dalish.
7530
7531The darkspawn are louder than I thought at first. The constant whisper at 
7532the back of my mind makes it difficult to sense them as easily as I usually 
7533do, but they are near the surface. Perhaps bandits are not the worst these 
7534people have to face.
7535
7536He is not here. We have searched thoroughly, and we will now move on. 
7537How many days have I wasted here, with whispers lurking at the back of 
7538my mind, on this mad assignment? I pray we have more luck as we head 
7539south.
7540
7541After speaking with the other Wardens, I told the fishermen about the 
7542darkspawn we sensed beneath the earth. They may not burst forth from 
7543the ground today or tomorrow, but I fear it will not be long... and we will 
7544not be here when they finally surface. The fishermen were grieved at the 
7545news, but they decided to make for West Hill, which is safe for now.
7546
7547As for the fisherman who was interested in joining, I convinced him that 
7548now was not the time. Others might have told him otherwise, but he is too
7549
7550young to make such a sacrifice simply because he does not wish to throw 
7551nets into the water all his life. We shared one last night by the campfire, 
7552and he went on his way with a smile, humming the song of Andruil as he 
7553left.
7554
7555--From pages torn loose from a journal found on the Storm Coast
7556
7557A Letter by a Burning Candle
7558
7559Maker, give me strength.
7560
7561When the darkspawn came to Denerim, I wept so hard that I could not 
7562see, but still I fought for You. When demons poured from the sky where 
7563the Temple of Sacred Ashes used to stand, my hands shook so badly that I
7564could not aim my bow, but still I fought for You. When Corypheus and 
7565his Archdemon destroyed Haven and killed my friends, I screamed until I 
7566had no voice, but still I fought for You.
7567
7568They are sending me to attack Adamant. They say that the fortress is 
7569defended by an army of demons, and the odds are grim. We cannot win, 
7570but our distraction, our sacrifice may give the important people the chance
7571to do what is necessary. My stomach is knotted, and I see dead friends 
7572from old battles reaching out for me every time I close my eyes.
7573
7574I am so afraid, Maker.
7575
7576But still, I will fight for You.
7577
7578--Writer unknown
7579
7580A Letter from Warden-Commander Clarel
7581
7582Magister Erimond,
7583
7584I am not an untutored apprentice. The Grey Warden mages who left the 
7585Circle just after their Harrowing might take your explanations at face 
7586value, but I was an enchanter before I joined the Grey Wardens.
7587
7588That the sacrifices, the death, are necessary to bind the demons, I grant 
7589you. You know more of such things than I, and I make no judgement 
7590upon it. But the manner of my mages since binding the demons is still 
7591unsettling. They answer my questions readily, but the words are spoken 
7592by rote, and several of the non-mages have complained that their 
7593comrades seem cold and unfeeling since the ritual. Some of that is natural,
7594I grant you--one cannot kill a brother and come away unchanged--but if 
7595there is more to this, I will have it from you.
7596
7597The Inquisition presses us to action. Continue the rituals. If we must 
7598destroy them before we venture into the Deep Roads, so be it. But do not 
7599lie to me, Erimond. I stand against the Blight, and no man, no Inquisitor, 
7600and no magister will get in my way.
7601
7602Clarel 
7603
7604A Letter from the Carta
7605
7606We hired your mercenary organization to facilitate this business venture, 
7607not add complications. In order for the Carta to extract the product 
7608without attracting undo attention, the area must be free from observation. 
7609If the fighting between the apostate mages and the renegade templars is 
7610insufficient, your efforts were to dissuade refugees from exploring the 
7611area and interfering with our operation.
7612
7613We are meeting at our primary base of operations in Valammar to 
7614determine the next course of action. At your earliest convenience, send 
7615representatives to the location marked, to explain the situation and obtain 
7616new instructions.
7617
7618--An unsigned letter found in a remote mountain villa
7619
7620A Letter from the Hero of Ferelden
7621 
7622To His/Her Worship, Inquisitor [surname]:
7623
7624***
7625
7626[if the HoF remained with the Grey Wardens]
7627I appreciate your warning regarding Corypheus. Fortunately, my own 
7628search has taken me out of the area where the supposed magister is 
7629operating, and while I have encountered challenges of my own, they have 
7630not involved any weakness related to my Grey Warden abilities.
7631
7632[if the HoF became Queen of Ferelden]
7633I wish that I had helpful information regarding Corypheus, but due to my 
7634own limited training during the Blight, I know less of ancient darkspawn 
7635lore than do most Wardens. I am engaged in a search of my own. All Grey
7636Wardens who do not fall in battle eventually fall to something known as 
7637the Calling, a magic that preys upon our own connection to the blight and 
7638the darkspawn. Rather than such foul magic eventually leading to my 
7639death, I have determined to find a way to negate this Calling and save all 
7640Wardens from its effects.
7641
7642***
7643
7644As I have little useful information to offer, please accept the 
7645accompanying gifts instead. If, in my quest, I find anything that may be of 
7646use to you in your fight against Corypheus, I will send it to you 
7647immediately. 
7648
7649***
7650
7651[if the HoF became Queen of Ferelden]
7652Part of me wishes that I could help your Inquisition more personally 
7653because the danger of Corypheus and the Breach approaches the threat of 
7654even another Blight. Regardless, I have my own path to follow, and I must
7655uncover a cure for the Calling if I wish to see my king ever again. I beg 
7656you, keep his kingdom safe until I can return to his side.
7657
7658[if the HoF romanced Alistair and he remained a Grey Warden]
7659I have also included a note of a personal nature for Warden Alistair.
7660
7661Please take care of him. Like me, he was instrumental in ending the Last 
7662Blight. I trust his compassion and his strength above any other's, and I 
7663would not go though such effort to overcome our Callings only to lose 
7664him to your Inquisition.
7665
7666[if the HoF romanced Leliana]
7667I have also included a note of a personal nature for Leliana.
7668
7669I was not there for the death of Divine Justinia, but I know it will have 
7670hurt her terribly. While her wits and her skill are amazing, Leliana's 
7671greatest strength lies in her faith, and to have Justinia die strikes at her 
7672very core. I beg you, if she is faltering, help her find her way back into the 
7673light.
7674
7675[if the HoF romanced Morrigan and joined her in the Eluvian in Witch Hunt]
7676I have also included a note of a personal nature for Lady Morrigan and 
7677Kieran.
7678
7679Please take care of my family. Morrigan is stronger and wiser than anyone
7680else I have met, and I would not go through such effort to escape my own 
7681Calling to lose them to your Inquisition.
7682
7683[if the HoF romanced Zevran]
7684Part of me wishes that I could help your Inquisition more personally 
7685because the danger of Corypheus and the Breach approaches the threat of 
7686even another Blight. Regardless, Zevran and I have our own battles to 
7687fight, and I can only offer my confidence that you have matters well in 
7688hand.
7689
7690[if both the HoF and the Inquisitor are Dalish elves]
7691In closing, I wish you luck. This world of the shemlen is a difficult one for 
7692our kind, and I can only imagine the pressure of leading the Inquisition, 
7693an organization dedicated to the Chantry, while staying true to the Way of
7694the Three Trees. May Mythal protect you in your quest, and Andruil bless 
7695your hunt.
7696
7697[if both the HoF and the Inquisitor are dwarves]
7698In closing, I wish you luck. I came from Orzammar, and not the Carta 
7699families, but I know well how easily the humans overlook our kind. Fight 
7700well, remember the Stone, and you will do our people proud.
7701
7702***
7703
7704Yours,
7705Warden-Commander [surname] of Ferelden
7706
7707A Letter to Harding
7708
7709My darling Lace:
7710
7711I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy. Last week, I managed to 
7712barter for maps of Ferelden and Orlais from Hugin, the old soldier who 
7713rents the place on Mistress Johann's farm--you remember him, don't you?
7714Quiet man, always smoking a pipe in his chair on the porch. He wasn't 
7715using the maps anymore, so I gave him some of my jam and patched his 
7716coat in exchange for them. Now, whenever you tell me of your travels, I'll 
7717be able to track where you've been. I'm astounded, my darling, when I 
7718look at the weave of dotted trails I've already marked out on my maps. 
7719Oh, the places your feet have touched! How far you've gone, my little 
7720Lace. I am so, so proud of you. When I was your age, I'd only ever gone as
7721far as Lothering. My mother never left Redcliffe; she lived and died there. 
7722And now here you are, flying so far with so much purpose. My mind can 
7723barely comprehend it, but my heart swells.
7724
7725I shan't take up too much of your time. I know how busy you are. I am 
7726looking at the Frostbacks on the map as I write this, because I know you 
7727will likely be at your Skyhold. Please make sure to dress warmly. I have 
7728included the recipe for your favorite turnip-goat stew. A taste of home to 
7729stave off the cold mountain airs.
7730
7731Kisses and hugs from me and your father.
7732
7733Mother 
7734
7735A Letter to Revered Mother Giselle
7736
7737To my friend and faithful servant, Revered Mother Giselle,
7738
7739The grand clerics tell me you have requested more aid in tending the 
7740refugees who are gathering in and around Redcliffe. Your efforts are 
7741indeed most appreciated, although in the future, when you are asked how
7742many refugees will be helped by your efforts for requisitioning purposes, 
7743it may help if you provide an actual numerical answer as opposed to the 
7744worthy but unspecific, "as many as we can."
7745
7746It breaks my heart to see this war cross the Maker's land, Giselle. I would 
7747that you were here with me at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Your words 
7748have calmed many irate minds over the years, and we will not lack for 
7749those at the Conclave. Still, I am glad that the refugees have you to care 
7750for them. Too many in the halls of power have forgotten our faithful. If 
7751any pressure you to accommodate their views, you must let me know at 
7752once.
7753
7754Maker willing, this war shall all be over soon, Giselle. Be well and go with 
7755my blessing.
7756
7757In service of the Maker,
7758Divine Justinia V 
7759
7760A Midwife's Journal
7761
7762This timeworn diary was found amongst more valuable items. It is bound in 
7763leather and has a solid silver trim, which might be why it was saved. A few 
7764entries can still be made out.
7765
776616 Haring, 9:8
7767
7768This has been the coldest winter I can remember, even the river is frozen. 
7769No one should be out there. Not in this blizzard. So you can imagine my 
7770surprise when there was a knock on my gate. A young woman. She's 
7771looking for the Fair Banks Cottage. I go out. I say to her, "Nothing fair 
7772
7773about this weather. But yes, you are at the right place." She throws back 
7774her cloak and I see she is heavy, less than two weeks away. "Please help." 
7775She is almost in tears. I bring her into the house and sit her by the fire with
7776some tea and slippers.
7777
7778She is young, not more than twenty. her hands are smooth; they have not 
7779seen a day of work in her life. Her clothes are travel-stained, but fine. The 
7780cloak must be worth at least fifty royals. Beautiful blue, trimmed with fox 
7781fur.
7782
7783Her name is Bernice, but she won't say more. Many girls come here not 
7784wanting to say who they are. I understand.
7785
778625 Haring, 9:8 
7787Bernice has had the baby. A boy. Healthy. Full head of hair! She named 
7788him Everiste. She tried to pay me with a heavy gold locket, a falcon on its 
7789face. I asked her what it was. It looks valuable. She says it's her father's, 
7790and she doesn't care to have it anymore. I tell her she might not, but her 
7791son might one day want to know where he's from.
7792
77931 Wintermarch, 9:9
7794
7795A new year. Bernice should be healthy enough to leave, but it is still cold 
7796and I just cannot turn her out. I will ask her to stay and be my assistant. I 
7797have needed help for a while. My fingers are not as nimble as they used to
7798be. Clever girl. She will make a fine apprentice.
7799
7800A Miner's Journal
7801
7802Excerpts from the journal of an unknown miner, dated 9:38 Dragon:
7803
78043 Drakonis
7805
7806Didot wants to know what it means. Didn't we all? But he frets at it. Keep 
7807your head low, work like the rest, and shut it out. That's all he needs.
7808
780913 Drakonis
7810
7811He feels it. I know he does. We all see it. Still he pushes. I do not want to 
7812talk about it; I do not want to know what it means. Some evil magic best 
7813left alone--is that not answer enough? He thinks it's more. It's in his head 
7814and he won't let it go.
7815
7816Nug again for dinner. This day never ends.
7817
78184 Cloudreach
7819
7820Didot was on the ledge behind the pool. What was he doing? What does 
7821he know? If he disturbs it...
7822
7823Nicco won't talk to Didot at all. He trades shifts so that they will not work 
7824together. I should do the same.
7825
782624 Cloudreach
7827
7828The boss says his boss in Val Firmin will be sending someone to check on 
7829operations. Suppose it's just routine. Didot speaks strangely now. Too 
7830much time at the door.
7831
7832Nug again for dinner. Wonderful.
7833
78341 Bloomingtide
7835
7836Maker forgive me, but Didot's absence is a weight lifted. Shame about the 
7837wife though.
7838
7839A Page from a Journal, Edges Scorched
7840
7841The templars were attacking the peasants we'd taken food from. They 
7842wanted to make certain that everyone fought to the death rather than help
7843us. We took them by surprise with ice and lightning, and several were 
7844dead before they even saw us. So much for all that templar discipline--the
7845brutes are off the leash just as much as we are now.
7846
7847Still, there were enough of them to damp our magic, and the sellswords 
7848died fast when it came to blows. We've fallen back into the peasants' 
7849home. It's sturdy enough in here, and it looks like the peasants didn't give 
7850up all their food after all. The door's locked, and the templars gave up 
7851trying to force it after we killed the last fool who tried.
7852
7853I can hear them out there, doing something out in the trees. Whatever they
7854try, we'll be ready. We're never going back to any Circle. Even real 
7855templars couldn't stop us, and these glorified bandits are no better than 
7856we are.
7857
7858--From a page, scorched around the edges, apparently torn from a journal 
7859
7860A Sand-Covered Note
7861
7862Lephus:
7863
7864I expected the wagon we sent out to the canyons to return to the 
7865watchtower by evening. It is now past noon. That it does not take a half-
7866day to travel from camp to camp should be obvious, but if no one has the 
7867sense to be alarmed, look for them immediately upon finishing this letter.
7868
7869Take archer