Dalish Pantheon
The Dalish pantheon comprises itself of three gods, four goddesses, and one outsider. The modern Dalish refer to these beings as "the Creators".
Interestingly, though these gods are responsible for the gifts of the world, they too were created by it and were not creators of it. Unlike the Maker or Tevinter gods, these gods were never claimed to have walked the mortal world. Their current location is uncertain, but these gods, apparently, do not interact with the mortal world. Rather, Dalish belief suggests that the Fade, or "Beyond" as it is known to some elves, is considered a holy place where their gods are likely trapped in some "Eternal City".
Pantheon
Elgar'nan
Main article: Elgar'nan: God Of Vengeance Elgar'nan — also known as the All-Father and Eldest of the Sun — represents fatherhood and vengeance. He leads this pantheon with the goddess Mythal.Mythal
Main article: Mythal: the Great Protector Mythal is known as the All-Mother and serves as a matronly counterbalance to her mate, Elgar'nan. The Dalish pray to her for her compassion and love, but knows that at the most fundamental level Mythal represents justice. Together, Elgar'nan and Mythal lead this pantheon.Eluvia
Main article: Eluvia: Friend of the Dead, the Guide Eluvia is the Dalish god of death and guidance. She serves as a watcher and friend for the deceased, guiding them to their place in the Beyond. Even outside the domain of death, Eluvia is known as one who's traveled and guides travelers through unknown lands. Eluvia and her twin brother, Dirthamen, are the eldest children of Elgar'nan and Mythal.Dirthamen
Main article: Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets Dirthamen is the twin brother of Eluvia and presides over secrets and knowledge. He is known for originally giving the Dalish the gift of knowledge and memory, while few also know his legacy as one who taught both loyalty and faith in the Dalish family. He is often depicted with a raven on each shoulder. Most Dalish theologians believe that each raven represents fear of the unknown and deceit, respectively.Andruil
Main article: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt Andruil has a diverse portfolio for what she is revered for. Most notably she is the goddess of hunting and serves mutually over the domain of war with Elgar'nan. Along with these, she's also known as the original designer of bows, arrows, and knives with which she gave to the Dalish to hunt.Ioun
Main article: Ioun: the Hearthkeeper Ioun is the Hearthkeeper, Craft-maker, and god of domestic arts. Ioun was what gave the elves some notion of that which was beautiful. He also gave the Dalish fire, knowledge of ropes and threads, and knowledge of herbs and magic for the purposes of mending wounds.Ghilan'nain
Main article: Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla Ghilan'nain is the Mother of halla and the goddess of navigation. To an outsider, having a god for work-beasts would seem strange, but Dalish see their relationship with halla as something different entirely. This relationship is one of mutual respect and care. Thus, Ghilan'nain found her place in this pantheon.Fen'Harel
Main article: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf Fen'Harel is most often referred to by the Dalish as the Dread Wolf. In times long ago, this trickster god betrayed the benevolent All-Father and All-Mother. He took their offerings and twisted it to his own benefit, eventually allying with the Forgotten Ones. For his deceit, he was permanently turned to a wolf and has been treated with wariness from the Dalish clans ever since. Almost all Dalish children are taught from a very young age to protect themselves and their kin from the Dread Wolf's treachery. It is believed that Fen'Harel's actions caused the fall of the ancient elven empire.The Forgotten Ones
Only in dreams do we hear whispered the names of those who are meant to be irretrievable, for they are the Forgotten Ones. They are the gods of terror, malice, spite, and pestilence. They pull at the edges of their world to crawl their way into our own.Scattered throughout lost tomes and ancient ruins, references to another set of Dalish gods can be found. Little is known about them, other then they are stuck in an endless war against the main pantheon. This group, along with the main pantheon, is believed to have been trapped away from Thedas around the peak of elven civilization. According to theologians, this would've happened before any other race ever even showed up to these lands.Gethlasan, a Dalish theologian
Vallasin
When a Dalish elf comes of age, they are marked with intricate tattoos representing one of the elven gods. The tattooing is preceded by meditation on the gods and the ways of the Dalish, as well as a purification of the body, mind, and skin. A trusted member of the clan will then use secret techniques to forever mark the elf's body. The tattoos are often found across the entire face and neck region, though it can be put else where. Each elf's vallasin is of great importance to them. During the aforementioned meditation, the elf must decide which god they feel most closely connected with. When they awake and get their markings, the tattoo is decided by which god they chose. It also serves as a way to show pride in the history and culture of one's people. Perhaps, some even see it as an act of defiance to the notion that Dalish history is gone and will never be found.
Type
Religious, Pantheon
Divines
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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