#tevinter things

[corvus-frugilegus]

I love Archon Pavus or Archon Tilani and the general idea of change in the Tevinter status quo, and also I think it doesn't go far enough.

No matter how radical and empathetic either of them are they're still altus mages. Even if they end slavery, both of them are still part of the very system of power that enabled it for so long. They are people the Tevinter system (in many ways though, not all) still gives a lot of privilege and power.

Same with The Viper (especially if he's the pope).

I don't think full systemic upheaval or changes was within the scope of veilguard, nor should it have been but... I can't help but feel like a meaningful outcome for the people of Tevinter would be a step towards true equality. What if Tarquin got the worst promotion of his life and became the first Soporati to have a real voice in the magisterium, the first non-mage? What if it went even further and the freed slaves got a seat at the table?

It will be cool to see how Thedas shifts post Veilguard and what it really meant for an abolitionist movement to grab power. I hope they explore change in Tevinter in the future.

[aclassikrem]

Dum spiro spero.

While I breathe, I hope.

[aclassikrem]

Si vales valeo.

If you are well, I am well.

[aclassikrem]

According to the Lore, the official language of Tevinter isn’t Tevene, it’s common, though I believe they call it the Trade Tongue?

I imagine most Tevinter would still know a handful of Tevene words, mostly swears and insults. But canonly, the only ones with a functioning understanding of the whole language are those who have recieved education. So hearing Dorian mutter to himself in Tevene wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility, it wouldn’t even been unlikely. But hearing, say, Fenris, use more than the common swears is probably much less likely, with the exception of titles and any fancy commands Danarius has trained him in.

The main reason I headcanon Krem as knowing Tevene has to do with his time in the army. He could already read and write passibly well due to his parents teaching him, but the Tevene came from the army. Certain commands would have been exclusively in Tevene, and anyone of any sort of rank would have probably spoken it for a number of reasons. Most obviously, if you’re speaking in a different language, and one that not many people even in your own country speak, the chances of your plans being overheard and passed on to an enemy were much slimmer, and the same goes for written Tevene.

We know that, canonly, Krem was up for some kind of promotion when he was outed and fled, which means he would have been taught this language in preparation for him stepping up in rank. He’s not perfect, but he’s got enough of a grasp on the language to be functionally fluent in it.