And each was promised
Power and glory beyond all reckoning
If they would only come to the feet of the gods and ask.
And so they joined in secret, telling none
Who were not of the temples of their designs.
And in Minrathous, in the heart of the Archon a sliver of fear grew,
Stabbing like a wound. Though he knew not why.
—Silence 1:1-1:17, Dissonant Verse
They'll be featured in some Fade/flashback scenes later on in my fanfic 'Nothing but ambition where hearts once beat' so I decided to come up with some fun designs for these 7 bastards ♡
I was definitely going for that "you're playing with the big boys now" vibe from Prince of Egypt, lmao.
ok posting this so i can be proven right one day in the far future: brona, not andraste, carried the fragment of mythal and andraste instead was an ogb, specifically with the fragment of dumat/dirthamen. I WILL BE RIGHT. I KNOW IT.
The 6th of August will be the third day of City Elf Appreciation Week!
The optional theme is...
✨️All Soul's Day✨️
All Soul's Day was once called Funalis, and dedicated to Dumat, the Old God of Silence, even if the holiday is distanced from that now. How do the City Elves of Tevinter feel about that? The Grey Wardens?
It is primarily a day of somber remembrance of the dead. Is there any deviation? Do some choose not to observe it at all?
In some northern lands, people dress as spirirs for the holiday, and parade in the streets after midnight. What's that like? How much planning goes into it? Which spirits are the favourites to dress as?
The Chantry uses it to remember Andraste's death, with public fires and plays depicting her death. Can the City Elves attend? Do they host their own plays? Is Shartan remembered?
Imshael's been around long enough to know a little about a lot. So, when he found himself ensnared in the fiasco that is the Inquisition, he made a pesky habit of sharing forbidden knowledge in the form of fantastical tales... The Seeker seemed to enjoy that sort of thing.
In Fear & Faith: an Imshael / Cassandra Story
"Once upon a time, a young acolyte joined a temple of Dumat. As an apprentice, he was tasked with escorting, guarding, and recording the activities of the temple’s oracles. Worshippers paid tithes to have their desires revealed and futures predicted; the priesthood maintained an information network that tracked every commercial and political move of its merchants and magisters.
The acolyte’s faith was shaken to discover that his longstanding belief in Dumat’s favor fell to mortal contrivance and profane politicking. He vowed in Silence to ascend the ranks, to overhaul and correct this grievous sin... And his hope was renewed on the day of his induction, for a beast of the sea came ashore! A humble fisherman received free food and fortune-telling for bringing it, and they told Sethius to bring the sacrifice, for he would Conduct it himself."
"The oracles celebrated in their own way before any sacrifice. During their private revelry, the Chosen’s burdens were lifted from her heart in private, that she might go to Dumat with full and doubtless acceptance. The women chose one among them, and presented her, and Sethius knew her well for passing a defiant and scathing judgement on her subjects. Sethius doubted this choice, though it was not his place to speak against it.
Proudly did they both enter the preparation room, and the oracle watched him with scornful eyes as a curious ointment was streaked across her brow. The priests undressed her; they bathed her; when her legs grew unsteady, Sethius doubted her faith, but they explained that she was not weak—she was ready. Her speech became riddled and her pupils wide, seeing all but here and now. Sethius observed the ointment and the sheen of the bath water, and came to suspect duplicity.
They sat her upon an oracle’s throne to bestow her final prophecy, and Sethius painted every uttered word on a silk scroll until she went mute. Overwhelmed by the approach of Dumat, the priests explained, and now for the Old God’s augury. Defiance and spite had finally fled her, but Sethius deemed her far from ready... He watched the priests’ movements turn lethargic, drunken, and remembered that they dipped their hands in the poisoned bath.
They laid her on a litter and carried her to the temple balcony overlooking a sheer cliff. In a nearby basin, tentacles writhed and coiled, waiting to carry Dumat’s offering back to the sea.
This was the site of blood rites.
They beckoned him to the fore after laying her on the altar and declared: “Prima Sanguis!” He was to draw first blood. But when he requested the sacrificial blade, the priests laughed. They shook their heads, they grasped their groins. Prima Sanguis…
Sethius drew blade and blood as they bade, but not the sort they suggested in their heresy.
And in their befuddled state, the priests were helpless as he pulled a dagger from his sleeve and dragged it down his forearm in a single motion. He charred their flesh and cast their corrupt corpses over the balcony in a sacrifice fitting and proper at long last. But the flame of his and Dumat’s wrath had only just ignited.
He dared to anoint himself in the manner of a woman, endured Dumat’s unforgiving lessons, and inducted himself as the first and last High Priest—the Silent Conductor..."
Spoilers for endgame Veilguard, specifically on what is behind Rook's side of the area where they always talk to Solas
But why is it a statue of Dumat behind Rook's side in the fade/prison where you talk to Solas? I'm at the part where you swap places and turned to see what's behind Rook's side and...
Isn't that a Dumat statue?
Thats the one at the Altar of Dumat in DA2. It's just... out of everything, why that? I know it could be entirely random.
Unless it's an extension of the Dirthamen = Dumat (which is speculated in a codex in Veilguard)
