Hahren

A hahren is the elder of an elven community.

Qualifications

Though the hahren does not have political power specifically, human authorities coming to the alienage may respect the hahren's opinion on elven matters.

Appointment

The hahren is elected to the position not on the basis of age but on the merits of wisdom, cleverness, and levelheadedness.

Responsibilities

Among the Dalish, the hahren is primarily a storyteller and caretaker of children, working in tandem with - but deferring to - a clan's Keeper. However, in the alienages, the term takes on a specific, formal connotation as well.
The hahren of an alienage is a surrogate uncle - or aunt, as the case may be - as well as an administrator to the alienage and its denizens.
Hahrens in the cities also arrange marriages between alienages for young elves without parents to do so for them. Hahrens in the city are not allowed to officiate during weddings, as that duty is left to The Chantry, but they are allowed to offer their thoughts and prayers for the couple.

Type

Civic, Honorific

Related Organizations

• The Dalish