He had promised to stay low, to get in and out of redcliffe without raising any attention to himself. Act like any other elf that lived in that village. That task wasn’t so hard was it? Well Darrian managed to complete most of it, nobody even bugged to look at the knife-ear to busy with their own troubles to notice the elven warden among them.
"eh?" escaped out his mouth as he made eye-contact with one person. Making him stop for a moment to observe her. He narrowed his eyes as she seemed to gesture to him. Quick he looked left and right to make sure she didn’t mean anyone else and he was just standing in the way. Unsure he lifted his finger to point at himself before approaching her.
A slight nod indicating that he was the one whose attention she sought, she took a few uncertain steps towards him in turn as he approached her. Once close enough she cautiously examined the stranger more carefully, her relief shown in subtle softening of her gaze when she realized her hopes of him being elven had proven true.
"I'm sorry for bothering you." She started, raising her hands and the linen sack they held towards him, eyes darting down and back to meet his gaze to encourage him to take it. "You...do not have the markings. Vallaslin." One hand was raised to indicate her own markings to demonstrate. "Humans may not take kindly to my presence and I...I was hoping you might be willing to help me." The bag was brought towards him further, perhaps close enough for him to catch the mixed scent of numerous herbs within. "Elfroot. Dawn lotus. It should be enough to trade with. Bread?" Try as she might, uncertainty lined her every word. Perhaps humans didn't trade at all? She fell silent for several moments before meeting his gaze once more, raising the bag towards his face as she pleaded.
"Please. Will you speak with human shopkeepers? Exchange this for me?"
He does not recall a moment where he has visited Redcliffe. He does not recall a moment where he’s wanted to visit Redcliffe.
But, it is a village, and it is a village nearby. Where there is a village, there is a tavern. A tavern is a bed and food. And ale, hopefully.
Roland keeps one hand on the bulk of his satchel, letting his other swing loosely, calloused heels of his feet making scratching sounds on the path as he walks.
As custom, as habit, he nods a polite, impersonal nod at the figure standing on the road when he makes past. He stops mid-step.
A Dalish is not good alone. Not safe.
A motion. Approach?
He approaches, slowly, like that of a deer accepting a hand.
She watches him with caution as he draws closer, hands tightening their grip on the small sack in her hands. She had not expected him to acknowledge her, even less address her in such a respectful manner. She stays silent a while after he speaks to her, eyes trailing along his features and form as if she might find the answer for his decision to approach therein. Elven. No? Not quite. Familiar. Can't place her finger on it. Something in the way he carries himself. Strange. Not as foreign as the other humans.
Realizing she'd left him standing before her in silence far to long to be considered polite, she takes half a step back as if shocked at her own behavior. "Forgive me. Thank you for...for noticing. No other has." She shifts uncomfortably, posture suggesting she might be ready to run at a moments notice. "This place. I'm not familiar with the name. I have seen wagons. Was hoping that....are there traders here?"
If one were to visit the crossroads near Redcliffe, they might take note of a young woman standing near the very edge of the community. A cloth sack firmly grasped in both hands held at chest height in front of her as if to ward of potential dangers; a rather ineffective shield. It’d only take a quick glance to identify her as dalish, bright red vallaslin adorning her worried features, robes made ease of movement rather than appearance, bare feet firmly planted on the cobbled path leading out the makeshift hub.
She might meet your gaze, her blue orbs averting to focus on the ground before darting back up to meet yours once more. She’ll incline her head slightly, weight shifting from one leg to the other, entire being radiating uncertainty. Before long you’ll realize she’s trying to motion for you to approach her….Should you?
If one were to visit the crossroads near Redcliffe, they might take note of a young woman standing near the very edge of the community. A cloth sack firmly grasped in both hands held at chest height in front of her as if to ward of potential dangers; a rather ineffective shield. It'd only take a quick glance to identify her as dalish, bright red vallaslin adorning her worried features, robes made ease of movement rather than appearance, bare feet firmly planted on the cobbled path leading out the makeshift hub.
She might meet your gaze, her blue orbs averting to focus on the ground before darting back up to meet yours once more. She'll incline her head slightly, weight shifting from one leg to the other, entire being radiating uncertainty. Before long you'll realize she's trying to motion for you to approach her....Should you?
Race, Class, & Specialization: Dalish elf mage dappling in frost and spirit tree.
Varric’s Nickname for them: something ironic along the lines of "Songbird" due to her being so silent, perhaps!
Default Tarot Card: The moon, can change to the star depending on companion quest choices.
How they are recruited: She can be found roaming the exalted plains a short distance from the old baths, observing the golden halla and her herd. She will offer to help direct the creature to the nearby dalish to safeguard her from poachers. At this point the inquisitor can ask if she's part of the nearby clan and ask for introductions but little more. If the halla arrives safely at the camp, she will ask to join them on their journeys. If any harm comes to the creature she'll simply part ways.
Where they are in Skyhold: Near the old horse statue by the stairs leading to the kitchen. She sleeps on the roof of one of the towers lining the castle, her few personal belongings stored within.
Things they Generally Approve of: Aiding people by doing deeds unrelated to the inquisition's main goal, small acts of kindness. Quests involving the retrieval or protection of animal companions will be commented and greatly approved of.
Things they Generally Disapprove of: If she's in the party while the inquisitor hunts non-hostile animals, her disapproval will raise. If the party injures or kills a halla in her presence, a cutscene will trigger upon interacting with her back in skyhold in which she'll express her sorrow and question their reasons.
Mages, Templars, Other?: Being cautioned from a young age to avoid templars at all cost lest she suffer the same fate, she's frightened of them and avoids dealing with them entirely. The circle represents one of her greatest fears: the deprivation of freedom and connection to nature. she's not very well informed about the circle or chantry, they're simply something very dangerous. she understands why mages would wish to escape it and thus approves of their rebellion to a small degree.
Friends in the Inquisition: I'd imagine her getting along well with cole in particular if given a bit of time to adjust to his existence which would be startling to her at first. his innocence and curiosity might remind her of any number of young clan members she was tasked with looking after before departing on her journey. she'd be much less intimidated by him than any other newfound companion in skyhold due to this.
Initially she'd be very cautious of Cassandra due to her well-established religious faith. Cassandra's honesty, loyalty and kindness would soon win her over and she'd grow to admire the woman with all her heart. Cassandra might feel herself being watched from afar while training, blue orbs admiring the knight in shining armor.
Vivienne might not be too fond of the young elf due to her views on the chantry and circle, not to mention likely frustration with her timidity and weak presence in general. she might warm up to her to some degree, if only because she views her as a pitiful and naive child who knows no better. Lehani in turn would be in awe of her magical proficiency and confidence, yet intimidated by her in equal amounts.
Most relationships would be either "look at this elf she needs to be looked after" or "she's very bothersome and strange" basically!
Romanceable?: I'm having a hard time imagining it at present, so no! Maybe a friendly peck on the cheek if befriended?
Small side mission: She will inform the inquisitor of reports of Halla being sighted in areas well outside their natural habitat. She'll request they investigate and if possible, approach the lost creatures and bring them back to skyhold. If she's in your current party when approaching the creatures you'll be able to interact with them and send them on their way to skyhold without needing to chase them around the area first.
Companion quest:
After giving numerous wayward halla a new safe place to call home in skyhold, Lehani will approach the inquisitor in the courtyard and ask to speak with them, leading them to the herd situated near the stables. she'll confide in them and share the reason she's journeying across the world and confess she's homesick. she'll ask the inquisitor to bring her to the emerald graves so she might acquire the materials needed to craft an amulet traditionally given as a parting gift amongst her clan.
when accompanying her to her destination, the inquisitor will have the chance to initiate proper conversation with the silent young woman as they wander the forest, seeing a new side of her as she grows more comfortable with the inquisitor. once the materials have been acquired you'll return to skyhold where she'll confess the amulet you helped created was meant for her, as she never got the chance to say proper farewells to her clan or be gifted one of her own due to the circumstances surrounding her parting. the elders had cautioned her not to return, her decision to leave being final.
Option 1: The inquisitor will encourage Lehani to seek out her clan after their mission's been accomplished, even if it means being rejected by them.
Option 2: The inquisitor will tell Lehani it's a decision she needs to make for herself, but assure her that she'll always be welcome in skyhold no matter the outcome.
Tarot card change
Option 1: Her tarot will remain much the same; a depiction of a halla resting beneath a full moon. however, after the choice it might be seen as injured as opposed to resting due to subtle changes in lightning and color palette.
Option 2: Her card will change to star, symbolizing personal growth. While still having a halla as the central motif, it now stands up in a meadow surrounded by dense forest, the sky above sporting numerous clouds with starlight breaking through here and there.
Enslaved long ago by humans, most elves still live as second-class citizens within human cities. Elves who reject this life are known as the Dalish: nomadic wanderers who strive to keep the ancient elven religion and traditions alive.
independent indie roleplaying blog for a young dalish, non-inquisitor/herald character named Lehani. presently has no ties to the main story of dragon age: Inquisition. please let me know if you’d like for me to type up a starter for our characters or if you have any questions or concerns!
mun is 20 years of age
multiverse
crossover/AU/OC friendly
gifs, triggers and spoilers will be tagged appropriately
physical: petite even by elven standards. a thin face decorated with light freckles and rust red vallaslin framing her wide blue eyes. her ears are partially hidden behind raven locks, she sports a messy bun at the back of her head. withdrawn by nature, she tends to use body language and expressions to convey her feelings and intentions to others.
voice: a woman of few words, when Lehani speaks a soothing albeit hesitant voice carries them. always polite, careful not to upset or offend.
quiet, withdrawn and unassuming; Lehani was not a prominent member of her clan. while other youths felt the need to hone their skills, be it the art of hunting or diligently pursuing wisdom from the keeper, she was content spending her days in the company of the halla the clan traveled with. while some expressed concern with her lack of involvement with the rest of the children and their pursuits, none could deny her diligence in completing her daily duties around camp without fail. and thus they allowed the child to spend her days accompanying the halla, hoping she might grow interested in becoming their caretaker in the future. afterall, the creatures had a clear fondness for the small girl, herd never straying far from her side as she sat amongst them.
as the child grew into a young woman, they discovered she had an affinity for magic. thus their keeper took her under her guidance to ensure she understood her power. the clan grew as years passed, and eventually Lehani became liked by numerous small children, now joining her in the fields and listening intently to the stories the keeper had imparted in her. she had found her place, now guiding and ensuring the safety of these young dalish when they were not busy with chores or teachings from others. alas, it was not long before the elders started seeing signs of magic affinity amongst the young. if their fears proved themselves the clan would have one too many users amongst them. they would be forced to send one of them off for their own safety and the safety of the clan. thus Lehani choose to leave her clan of her own accord, ensuring none of the children would be forced to do so in her stead. so began her endless journey across the world.
