( open )

[drazhada]

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: maia
RECIPIENT: o..pen
WHAT: elves, elves everywhere
WHEN: late morning
WHERE: skyhold
NOTES: probably nothing tbh

.. Good morning. [ if the voice sounds a little nervous, it's because its owner is really nervous. this sure is a lot different from addressing his court. ] We are Maia of House Drazhar, and to.. get the question out of the way immediately, we are one person. Our native language is simply very formal.

[ if any of you were wondering suspiciously about the 'we'. he gets a lot of funny looks here. ]

We have a request, if it isn't impolite. At home, you see, our people are very different from the elves of this world, and so there's a great deal we still need to learn. We would be very interested in hearing more about both the Dalish and the.. forgive us, the term is 'city elves'? The.. way you live, your clans and communities and homes and beliefs. There is a bit of literature, of course, but it seems primarily to be written by human observers.

[ which, you know, is only so accurate or trustworthy, considering the racial tensions in this world. ]

We would be glad to hear anything that you wish to share, and we would also be happy to meet with you in person if you would prefer that instead. We have no desire to be insensitive or prying.

[ a beat, then a little shyly: ] Thank you for your time.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Good morning, Maia. [She answers that nervousness with a welcoming tone. Questions are always welcome for such a polite library buddy.]

And 'city elves' is the correct term, yes. They live in alienages, an area within a city set aside for those of the elven people. Conditions are bound to vary, and I cannot claim to know them all, though many lag behind the rest of the city in terms of services and care. In regard to specifics, I can you about life in the Denerim alienage, from the perspective of a small child...and from a brief, though recent visit. Others are likely to elaborate far better than I, but I can still make the attempt.

One feature that I remember well -and which still stands- is the vhenadahl, or "tree of the People," a common alienage landmark. I was told once that it was a symbol of Arlathan, the lost elven homeland, but no elaboration was given beyond that. It tends to be a massive oak, sprawling in the heart of the community, and is often decorated. When last I saw the one of my childhood, it was brightly decorated, with ribbons and candles and small offerings, its trunk painted with intricate designs. I always thought it was the most beautiful thing in the alienage; that opinion hasn't changed.

[drazhada]

Oh, hello, Warden Serra. We're very happy to hear from you.

The--our pardon--vhena-- vhenadahl? It sounds lovely. We must admit that we're curious about it, though.. why an oak, for instance. Why a tree at all, perhaps. You don't often go home, though..? [ a beat. ] Because you're a Warden?

[circleprodigy]

It's difficult to say. There is much that we've forgotten about our heritage; it's the price paid for integration, I suppose. Though I hesitate to use that term, as city elves are most definitely not given the same rights and treatment as others. Back to the subject, I believe it is often an oak due to the constellation Fervanis, which is also known as 'the oak'. Some believe it was originally a constellation of the elven people, before Tevinter claimed it.

Being a Warden is one reason, yes. My duties naturally keep me elsewhere; there aren't darkspawn to be found in alienages, typically. I am -was- a Circle mage, as well. When we are discovered to possess magic, mages are taken to Circle towers to learn, and there we remain unless there is a good reason and official sanction to depart. Or at least that was true until rather recently. The tower was my home for most of my life, so those I know best are, if not from the order, from the Circle. I doubt any in the alienage remember me.

[Her tone isn't self-pitying or bitter. It is what it is, and she's come to terms with that long ago.]

[samahl]

You know, this does bring up a good point that perhaps we ought to have lessons of a sort for Rifters who are interested.

I'm the Dalish liaison for the Inquisition and while my duties are largely between the Dalish members of the Inquisition and its leadership, I'd be happy to answer any questions that others don't touch on.

Would you mind telling us a bit about your people too?

[drazhada]

It would be helpful, we think. We have a great deal to attempt to learn if we're to make any sort of use of ourself, and information about races other than human is sadly lacking, it seems.

We're very pleased to make your acquaintance. We would be glad to tell you what you wish to know, though we're uncertain that it would be of much use beyond to satisfy curiousity. [ a small sigh. ] If our maza nohecharei were here, they might at least be of some use when comparing magic. They would certainly enjoy that, at the very least.

[samahl]

It is to satisfy curiosity though. I love learning about the worlds that others come from. It helps me expand my view of this world.

I'm afraid I don't know too much about the magic here. I'm not a mage myself.

[rowancrowned]

You have been very busy.

[drazhada]

[ his voice warms immediately: ] We suppose that we have been. But we might say the same of you.

[rowancrowned]

In my more industrious moods, I did come upon a few books that I would not call wholly useless.

[ he is terribly, terribly fond of maia. and so he makes his own offer: ]

I know you have not asked for knowlege of my people and my home- but I offer it freely. I would be glad to answer any of your questions.

[serannas]

[ Don't worry, Maia. Merrill and Ellana have been helpfully editing those books about elves written by humans. But no one knows yet that that's their handiwork, shh... ]

Hello. Should I call you Maia, then? My name's Ellana and I'm a Dalish elf. We could meet somewhere. I'm always interested to see what elves from other worlds look like!

[drazhada]

[ rec him your edits then ladies. ]

Ah-- yes, Maia is fine. [ he's almost accustomed to hearing it, now. ] We're pleased to make your acquaintance, Min Ellana, and we would be glad to meet with you. [ a beat. ] .. We suppose we do look rather different.

[serannas]

[ She will in person, fo sho. ]

Great! Where would you like to meet? I wouldn't want to pick somewhere unfamiliar to you.

[ancarrow]

[Eirlys only sounds a little less nervous than Maia. She's still not at all used to thinking of herself as a spokesman of sorts for her people, and worries about misrepresenting them to him.]

If it please you Ser, I grew up in the alienage at Gwaren, and am liaison for the city elves here. I'd be glad to share with you all you wish to know.

[drazhada]

We've no desire to-- to interrogate anyone, or to make you feel uncomfortable. We find that we learn a great deal simply by hearing others talk about fond memories, for instance. We should be glad to listen to anything you feel inclined to share.

[ a beat, searching for a good place to start and making a thoughtful noise. ] Perhaps.. we might begin with friends or loved ones..?

[ancarrow]

We were all very close-knit. Everyone looked out for each other, particularly in the winters - they could be ever so harsh. My only loved one, though, would be my sister Keren. She was three years younger than me, and I always tried to look out for her.

[ombranera]

Even among City Elves I have something of a...unique background. But for an outsider's perspective on both I am more than willing to offer my observations as an elf.

[drazhada]

A.. unique background..? [ he's not sure if he should ask. he kind of wants to know, though.. ] We should be very glad to hear anything you have to say. We find that we're rather puzzled by the divide between city elves and the Dalish, for instance, at least as it's been portrayed in what we've read thus far.

[ombranera]

I could be considered a City elf had I not been picked up by the Antivan Crows. A tale for another time.

Well, the Dalish keep to themselves for the most part, sticking to the forests and the wilds, living their lives in their clan, meeting every decade or so to speak to one another as needed but are, mostly, independent of one another. It leads to a great deal of variation in how they treat outsiders.

City elves are those that, true to the name, live in alienages in the cities. They take what few freedoms they are given and make the most of them. Often they are frowned upon by the Dalish for remaining in their place- but attempting to run away and join them does not end favorably. A kind clan will turn them away, wanting nothing to do with them. A cruel one? Will end their lives. It depends.

Alienage to Alienage, life is different but there are some similarities. They govern themselves as best they are able and try to keep out of trouble for the most part.

[eternalsquire]

I can't say my experiences are... normal for a city elf, but I can try to answer some questions if you have specifics. I'm going to be in the stables soon.

[drazhada]

We-- We beg your pardon, but what do you mean..? [ not 'normal'..? ] Ah.. though we would be glad to meet you at the stables if you like.

[eternalsquire]

I'm a squire to a Chevalier. That's not something elves are appointed often, at all. Come by the stables and we'll chat, if you'd like.

[He's there taking care of a small pony and a giant horse, while wearing a ridiculous outfit that's all blues and purples and far too much silk to be of any practical use whatsoever. He may hate it.]

[arlathvhen]

I would love to tell you more about the Dalish, if the others who have offered aren't sufficient. I don't know if I will be able to tell you things the others wouldn't, but if you want to hear more opinions...? Many of the Dalish here have varied opinions on certain topics, as you might imagine.

Either way--I am at your service.

[drazhada]

We should be glad to hear anything you would like to share. We are very interested in all aspects of how the elves from this world live. It is.. very different from our own experiences, you understand.

[ a beat, and he knows he shouldn't encourage it, but.. ] How do you feel about the divide between the Dalish and city elves?

[dalishious]

You're going to get a lot of mixed answers.

[drazhada]

We already have. We don't mind, though. It's how we think we'll find the common threads.