The Forgotten Ones



The Forgotten Ones are a malign subset, or perhaps a splinter aspect, of the ancient Elven Pantheon, the other half being the benevolent Creators led by Mythal and Elgar'nan. As the Creators were in the heavens, the Forgotten Ones were also said to be locked away from the world, in their realm of the abyss, by Fen'Harel during what the Dalish refer to as the Great Betrayal. According to popular belief not even the Dalish properly remember the Forgotten Ones, however, outside of their dreams.

Legend suggests the Forgotten Ones were many, but even the names of most of them have been largely lost to time, making their title exceedingly appropriate. Some fragments of lore do remain, however, as do intimations of their intentions.

Relationship to the elven people
Where the Creators are gods of justice, knowledge and craft, who seek to guide and protect the elven people, the Forgotten Ones are by contrast a dark mirror presiding over arguably the worst aspects of existence: disease, terror, spite and malevolence. They serve not as shepherds of the elves, but rather as figures of fear and dread. Indeed, it is unclear what--if any--natural purpose their place in the pantheon entailed during the time of Arlathan.

According to the legend of the Dread Wolf's betrayal of both camps of elven gods during the fall of Arlathan, the Forgotten Ones were easily swayed by his alleged plan to organize a truce by which the Creators would be defeated and, by consequence, the elves would be left alone and unaided. Their hunger for destruction made them easy prey for his manipulation, but did not detract from their malice...and their allure.

Indeed, despite being locked away from the mortal world and seen as the worst of the gods, the Forgotten Ones appear to still hold sway over some elves, and may not be so "forgotten" after all. It is said that some souls, seeking revenge against humans for their past affronts to the elven people, have sought the Forgotten Ones out through hidden, dark cults. According to Dalish belief, these individuals have seemingly committed a greater crime even than the human lords, and "have torn out their hearts and forsaken all that it means to be Dalish in return for the keys to a twisted and terrible strength."

Known Forgotten Ones

 * Anaris
 * Geldauran
 * Daern'thal
 * Fen'Harel, arguably, as he was known to both sets of elven gods