Chapter 1: The Elves
On the surface, Elves are of modest height with agile bodies, big eyes, and elongated
ears. Underneath, they struggle with a long and tireless history, smothered by ages of warfare.
While the first to walk Thedas, the Elves have lost what place they have in the world.
Ages ago, the Elves ruled Thedas. Under the
empire of Elvenhan, with Arlathan as its capital, the immortal Elves reigned across the span
of today's Orlais and Ferelden. Its culture was great and inspired, embedding itself gloriously
in the fruits of magic and knowledge. But a long time ago, Humans migrated into the
continent from the northern islands. The new tribes met the Elves with hostility, and in
their interactions, the Quickening came. Elves reportedly lost their immortality, and quickly
distanced themselves from the invaders. But as they fled, the Humans overtook their deserted
lands and conquered the Elves. If not slaughtered, they were made slaves, and as humans learned
to wield the arcane force of magic, the Elves were their first blood sacrifices. As the
Elves' time was lost, so was their pride, culture, and way of life.
Only during the time of Andraste, the prophet who openly condemned the tyranny of magic,
did the Elven people gain a glimmer of hope in reclaiming a part of their old lands: the
Dales. Shartan, an Elven disciple of the prophet, rallied slaves under Andraste's banner. Although
they were successful, winning the Dales was a momentary victory, as years later the Chantry
sanctioned an Exalted March, a religious war against the Elves that caused irreparable
horrors which would echo between Elven and Human relations for ages to come.
In the Dragon Age, little has changed since war scattered the Elves across the lands.
On one side, the Dalish grasp at what knowledge they can discover about the old Elven Empire
lost so many years ago, in hopes of restoring their culture back to its glorious roots.
On the other, the city Elves struggle to make ends meet by dwindling in poverty. What was
once a proud people now languishes in obscurity. The Dalish clans are overtly proud Elves who
continue to hold the old days of Arlathan dear to their hearts. In recovering what was
lost, through artifacts and knowledge, the Dalish seek to recover what was of the old
Elvhenan Empire. While united in cause, the numerous Dalish clans are separated from each
other, traversing the land in an individually nomadic lifestyle. The Keeper, who heads and
safeguards the clan, uses their leadership and magical capability to keep the clan organized
and alive. The clan members protect themselves and each other, through whatever means necessary.
While skilled in survival, often this leads clans to be antagonistic and hostile towards
outsiders... and even other Dalish clans. In continuing their isolation, they stand
indifferent to the plights of the Elves who reside in the cities. While the Dalish are
revered by the city Elves, they hold very little in common with their cousins. Unless
a greater threat beckons a fight, The Dalish tend to their own and exist for themselves.
Beyond the Dalish lie all other Elves, wasting away commonly in cities and the slums called
alienages. Generally, Elven are perceived as second-class citizens; while some take
up jobs as merchants and craftsmen, most struggle and subsist in poverty. Most are at the whims
of the humans, in both society and government. The city Elves have acclimated to human culture,
adapting the roles and religions while inadvertently forgetting their own past.
The Elves of the Tevinter Imperium, the longest existing country in Thedas, are allowed freedom
and given a higher status in the social strata for their magical prowess; however, they still
cannot escape the ties that bind from racial scrutiny. As an Elf on Thedas, one never truly
escapes racial prejudice.
Looking into the future, the Elves are once again caught in the fire. In Halamshiral, the Elven rebellion was crushed by Orlesian
forces and later dragged about in the heat of the Civil War. The Elves in Ferelden are
still trapped in complacency for their country that was nearly burned by the Darkspawn. While
key players may break the chains that bind the Elves into a subset class, others may
pave the way for the Elves reclaiming their own place in society. Heroes may stand at
the precipice of change, and tear at reality to build a new world. Until then, the humans
will continue to be authors of past and present. Thedas is theirs now, and they command its
future, for better or worse. But that- is a story for another day...