Vir Tassalan
In some Dalish clans, a First must undergo a self-guided pilgrimage away from their clan for an elongated period of time before they can inherit the title of Keeper. This tradition is known as Vir Tassalan, which roughly translates to "Way of the Seeking", and is used as a way to prove one's worth and ability to their clan.
In this process, the First must leave their clan and search Thedas for something of value. This is then offered to their Keeper who deems whether that gift is truly worthy. If it is, then usually that First is made Keeper while the previous Keeper serves as more of an advisor to this new Keeper. In other clans, the First will not yet inherit the title but will instead show that they are ready to serve as Keeper once the current Keeper passes.
Vir Tassalan also gives Firsts the chance to experience life away from their clan in an attempt to help them appreciate their people, their culture, and grant them more worldly-knowledge. For some Firsts it is their only opportunity to leave, as once they return their skills will become invaluable in preserving their fellow Dalish. During this time, a First may be gone anywhere from a year to a decade.
History
This tradition has arisen in Dalish clans who are smaller or who lack the sustained resources to take care of all of their people. Sending out their First acts as a way to both lessen the amount of resources required, but also to hopefully have that First return with solutions to the problems at hand.
The name "Vir Tassalan" sometimes makes people believe that this pilgrimage has some relation to the stories of Andruil and her three "Ways", but this is untrue.
Execution
Prior to leaving on their Vir Tassalan, a First is taught for several years by a Keeper. They are taught the written elven language and how to wield magic. They also study Dalish history so that they can continue the job of preserving elven lore. They are provided with a stave made of sylvanwood through which they can channel their magic. Lastly, when the First is ready to begin their journey, they will be given two code phrases to communicate whether they have completed their pilgrimage or if they are in serious, life-threatening danger during their pilgrimage. After all of this, the First is sent off.
The first few weeks can be shocking and dangerous for the First. Noticeably, most Dalish have immune systems not designed to live inside of human cities. Thus, their first hurdle is often seeking out treatment for an illness they contract.
Despite all of this tradition, some Firsts leave on their pilgrimage and never return, either from running into danger or because they have chosen a different life after experiencing the greater world beyond their clan. The latter is very rare. Most Firsts return safely with their gift to rejoin their clan and to begin putting their newfound knowledge and wisdom to use.
Components and tools
Gifts
Vir Tassalan gifts vary. A First may return from their pilgrimage with new agricultural techniques that will help their clan grow more food, lost ancient knowledge from the days of Elvhenan that help the Dalish understood who they really are, or evidence to show they were able to forge an alliance or merger with another local clan. That last example will often entail a long journey, either attempting to show the other local clan that together both clans are stronger or by finding their Keeper something to appease them with. Simply put, the end goal of a Vir Tassalan is for the First to bring something back to the clan that holds value to them. Some gifts are seen to be more worthy than others. Whether something is worthy is dependent on the First's Keeper, who may have specific goals in mind for the pilgrimage. If that Keeper has high expectations, simple gifts may not suffice. In some cases, a simple gift may be accepted. However, their is a degree of social stigma in presenting a sub-standard gift, as it will not make a good impression upon the clan who subsequently may lose faith in that First's ability to serve as Keeper. A handful of Dalish clans also require that the gift must not be gained by harming another, Dalish or not.
Related Ethnicities
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