Dragon Age Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Dragon Age Wiki
Dragon Age Wiki
13,668
pages
in: Creatures, Dragon Age: Origins creatures, Heroes of Dragon Age creatures,
and 2 more

Changes: Halla

Back to page
Edit
(tn info)
mNo edit summary
Tag: Source edit
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{Blockquote|''We rode the halla. They leapt with such grace and beauty as to make your horses look like [[Ferelden]] [[mabari|dogs]] by comparison. They were smarter, too. Which often made them willful''.|[[Felassan]]<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', p. 202.</ref>}}
 +
{{Blockquote|''We rode the halla. They leapt with such grace and beauty as to make your horses look like [[Ferelden|Fereldan]] [[mabari|dogs]] by comparison. They were smarter, too. Which often made them willful''.|[[Felassan]]<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', p. 202.</ref>}}
   
 
<onlyinclude>{{CreatureTransformer
  
<onlyinclude>{{CreatureTransformer
−
|style = {{{style|}}}
 +
|style = {{{style|}}}
−
|name = [[Halla]]
 +
|name = [[Halla]]
−
|image = InquisitionHalla.jpg
 +
|image = InquisitionHalla.jpg
−
|px = 270x360px
 +
|px = 270x360px
  +
|type =
⚫
|affiliation = Animals, [[Dalish|Dalish elves]]
  
  +
|rank =
⚫
|variations = Hanal'ghilan (Golden halla)
  
−
|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins]]<br>[[Heroes of Dragon Age]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]
 +
|location = ''Origins'': <br> [[Brecilian Forest]] <br> [[Dalish Camp (Dalish Elf Origin)|Dalish Camp (Dalish Origin)]] <br> [[Dalish Camp]] <br> [[East Brecilian Forest]] <br> ''Inquisition'': <br> [[Exalted Plains]] <br> [[Elven Ruins (Trespasser)|Elven Ruins]]
  ⚫
|affiliation = [[Dalish|Dalish elves]]
  +
|skills =
  +
|class =
  ⚫
|variations = Golden halla
  +
|quests = ''Origins'': <br> [[Dalish Elf Origin]] <br> [[Elora's Halla]] <br> [[Nature of the Beast]] <br> ''Inquisition'': <br> [[The Golden Halla]]
  +
|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins]] <br> [[Dragon Age II]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <br> [[Trespasser]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]
 
}}</onlyinclude>
  
}}</onlyinclude>
   
−
The '''halla''' are a type of horned stag. Some of them are herded by the [[Dalish|Dalish elves]] who used them to pull the [[aravel]]s, or landships. Their milk is also made into cheese and butter.<ref>{{Cite wot2|289}}</ref> The Dalish do not consider them beasts of burden but noble companions. To get them to accompany a clan, the Dalish elves ask rather than force them to. [[Alistair]] remarks that he's heard that the horns of a halla sells for a fortune. It is said that the Dalish carve their antlers for decorative purposes, and that their antlers are particularly prized in the [[Tevinter Imperium]].
 +
'''Hallas''' are a type of horned stag; some are herded by the [[Dalish]]—who use them to pull their [[aravel]]s, or landships. Their milk is also made into cheese and butter.<ref>{{Cite wot2|289}}</ref><ref>{{Cite wot2|295}}</ref><ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas]]'', p. 47</ref> The Dalish do not consider them beasts of burden but noble companions. To get them to accompany a clan, the Dalish elves ask rather than force them to. [[Alistair]] remarks that he's heard that the horns of a halla sells for a fortune. It is said that the Dalish carve their antlers for decorative purposes, and that their antlers are particularly prized in the [[Tevinter Imperium]].
   
 
== Background ==
  
== Background ==
  +
{{Blockquote|No creature is more revered by the Dalish than the halla. No other animal has a god of its own. These white stags are much larger than ordinary deer, and the Dalish halla keepers carve their antlers as they grow, making them curve into intricate designs. In ancient times, these stags bore elven knights into combat, but since the fall of the Dales, they are used less as mounts and more to pull the [[aravel]]s.<ref>[[Codex entry: Halla]]</ref>}}
⚫
{{:Codex entry: Halla|style=codexexcerpt}}
  
   
  +
{{Blockquote|The first thing you must understand about the halla is that they are not our servants. They are not our pets. They are our brothers and sisters. Remember that [[Ghilan'nain]], the first halla and mother of them all, was once a huntress of the People. Without the halla, there would be no [[Dalish]].
⚫
== Locations ==
  
  +
−
* There are many herds of halla scattered throughout the [[Brecilian Forest]] and the [[Dalish Elf Origin]] story.
  
  +
The second thing you must understand about the halla is that you cannot force a halla to do something against her will. I have heard tales of shemlen who come across herds and attempt to capture the halla, using ropes and bridles. Many shemlen have died impaled on horns as a result of this foolishness. Never forget that the halla once bore our knights into battle. The fierce blood of a warrior still runs through her veins and she would sooner fight to the death than demean herself. Like the Dalish, the halla are proud. A halla knows who she is, and will tolerate no being that tells her she is less.
⚫
* During the quest [[Nature of the Beast]], there is a lone halla in the [[East Brecilian Forest]], near the North Exit to West Forest.
  
  +
−
* Many can be found roaming the [[Exalted Plains]].
  
  +
How then do we harness them to the [[aravels]]? How do we ride them, or strap our packs to them? Well, how do you get a brother, a sister, or a friend to do you a favor? Simple, isn't it? You ask. If you have a halla's trust, she will give you her blessing. It's striking that humans never think to ask for a halla's friendship. But then, they are shems, and respect nothing.|Adara, halla-tender of the Ralaferin clan, to her apprentice<ref>[[Codex entry: Halla (Inquisition)]]</ref>}}
   
 
== Involvement ==
  
== Involvement ==
 
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
  
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
 
{{SpoilerDAO|
  
{{SpoilerDAO|
−
During [[Elora's Halla]], the Warden can assist in examining a halla believed to be stricken with the werewolf curse. If successfully calmed, it is revealed that the halla isn't afflicted, she's distressed because her mate has been infected.}}
 +
During [[Elora's Halla]], the Warden can assist in examining a halla believed to be stricken with the werewolf curse. If successfully calmed, it is revealed that the halla isn't afflicted, she's distressed because her mate has been infected.
  +
}}
   
 
=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
  
=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
 
The halla can be found roaming around the [[Exalted Plains]].
 
The halla can be found roaming around the [[Exalted Plains]].
  +
{{SpoilerDAI|
−
{{SpoilerDAI|The Inquisitor can assist the Dalish clan in the [[Exalted Plains]] by [[The Golden Halla|herding a golden halla]] (Hanal'ghilan) towards the clan, allowing it safe refuge from human soldiers who would kill it for its antlers.}}
+
[[The Inquisitor]] can assist the Dalish clan on the [[Exalted Plains]] by [[The Golden Halla|herding]] Hanal'ghilan, a golden halla, towards the [[Dalish Encampment]]—allowing it safe refuge from human soldiers who would kill it solely for its antlers.
  +
}}
  +
  +
== Notable halla ==
  +
:[[Hanal'ghilan]] <small>''(a unique golden halla encountered on the [[Exalted Plains]])''</small>
  +
  ⚫
== Quests ==
  +
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
  ⚫
:{{:Dalish Elf Origin|style=iconmini}}
  ⚫
:{{:Elora's Halla|style=iconmini}}
  ⚫
:{{:Nature of the Beast|style=iconmini}} <small>''(a lone halla in the [[East Brecilian Forest]]; near the North Exit)''</small>
  +
  ⚫
=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
  ⚫
:{{:The Golden Halla|style=iconmini}}
  +
  ⚫
== Locations ==
  +
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
  +
:{{:Brecilian Forest|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Dalish Camp (Dalish Elf Origin)|style=iconmini}} <small>([[Dalish Elf Origin]])</small>
  +
:{{:Dalish Camp|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:East Brecilian Forest|style=iconmini}}
  +
  +
=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
  +
:{{:Exalted Plains|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Elven Ruins (Trespasser)|style=iconmini}}
  +
  +
== Notable loot ==
  ⚫
:{{:Halla Horns|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Halla Leather|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Fade-Touched Halla Leather (Stealth)|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Golden Halla Hide (Stealth)|style=iconmini}} <small>''(only from golden hallas)''</small>
  +
  +
== Variations ==
  +
:Golden Halla
  +
  +
== Codex entries ==
  ⚫
:{{:Codex entry: Halla|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Codex entry: Halla (Inquisition)|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Codex entry: August Ram|style=iconmini}}
   
 
== Trivia ==
  
== Trivia ==
 
* Elven legend holds that a halla will lead an [[elf]] into the afterlife.<ref>According to ambient conversation from [[Zevran Arainai]] in the [[Dalish Camp]], in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''</ref>
  
* Elven legend holds that a halla will lead an [[elf]] into the afterlife.<ref>According to ambient conversation from [[Zevran Arainai]] in the [[Dalish Camp]], in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''</ref>
 
* It is said that halla will only listen to their Dalish tenders.<ref>According to ambient conversation from [[Wynne]] in the [[Dalish Camp]], in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''</ref>
  
* It is said that halla will only listen to their Dalish tenders.<ref>According to ambient conversation from [[Wynne]] in the [[Dalish Camp]], in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''</ref>
−
* It is said that the halla was elven god [[Ghilan'nain]]'s favorite creature, and the only one she did not kill when [[Andruil]] bade her to destroy her own creations.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain]]</ref>
 +
* It is said that the halla was elven god [[Ghilan'nain]]'s favorite creature, and the only one she did not kill when [[Andruil]] made her to destroy her own creations.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain]]</ref>
  +
* Some scholars theorize that the original image of [[astronomy|constellation]] [[Codex entry: Constellation: Equinor|Equinor]] was a halla instead of a [[horse]], which would indicate it was connected to the elven goddess [[Ghilan'nain]]. However, this speculation is largely dismissed.<ref>[[Codex entry: Constellation: Equinor]]</ref>
 
* Halla wool is soft and smooth, the gaps in the weave so small it doesn't catch on anything. It feels cool in summer and warm in winter.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]'', An Old Crow's Old Tricks</ref>
  
* Halla wool is soft and smooth, the gaps in the weave so small it doesn't catch on anything. It feels cool in summer and warm in winter.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]'', An Old Crow's Old Tricks</ref>
  +
* Though other types of butter also work for this purpose, the Dalish traditionally use halla butter as an ingredient in certain dishes such as hearth cakes, a comfort food baked over the hearth on a skillet or iron griddle.<ref>{{Cite wot2|289}}</ref><ref>{{Cite wot2|295}}</ref><ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas]]'', p. 47</ref>
  +
  +
== See also ==
  +
:[[Fauna and flora]]
  +
:{{:Clan Shield|style=iconmini}}
  +
:{{:Halla Horn|style=iconmini}}
   
 
== Gallery ==
  
== Gallery ==
−
<gallery widths="189" captionalign="center">
 +
<gallery widths="210" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center" orientation="landscape">
 
Halla.jpg|Halla from ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.
  
Halla.jpg|Halla from ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.
 
Halla concept.jpg|Concept art of a halla
  
Halla concept.jpg|Concept art of a halla
 
Halla tarot.png|Halla tarot card
  
Halla tarot.png|Halla tarot card
−
Golden-Halla.png|The golden halla Hanal'ghilan
 +
Golden-Halla.png|[[Hanal'ghilan]]
 
SilverHallaHoDA.png|Silver Halla in ''Heroes of Dragon Age''
  
SilverHallaHoDA.png|Silver Halla in ''Heroes of Dragon Age''
 
Halla (HoDA).png|A halla in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]''
  
Halla (HoDA).png|A halla in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]''
 
WintersendHallaHoDA.png|Wintersend Halla (Tier IV) in ''Heroes of Dragon Age''
  
WintersendHallaHoDA.png|Wintersend Halla (Tier IV) in ''Heroes of Dragon Age''
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
−  
⚫
== See also ==
  
⚫
{{:Halla Horn|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  
⚫
{{:Elora's Halla|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  
⚫
{{:Clan Shield|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  
⚫
{{:Codex entry: Halla (Inquisition)|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  
   
 
== References ==
  
== References ==
−
<references/>
 +
<references />
   
 
{{Elves}}
  
{{Elves}}
  +
  +
<!--Categories-->
 
[[Category:Creatures]]
  
[[Category:Creatures]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins creatures]]
  
[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins creatures]]
⚫
[[Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition creatures]]
  
 
[[Category:Heroes of Dragon Age creatures]]
  
[[Category:Heroes of Dragon Age creatures]]
  +
[[Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition creatures]]
 
[[Category:Dalish lore]]
  
[[Category:Dalish lore]]
  +
<!--Interwiki links-->

Latest revision as of 18:32, 14 November 2023

We rode the halla. They leapt with such grace and beauty as to make your horses look like Fereldan dogs by comparison. They were smarter, too. Which often made them willful.

—Felassan[1]


Hallas are a type of horned stag; some are herded by the Dalish—who use them to pull their aravels, or landships. Their milk is also made into cheese and butter.[2][3][4] The Dalish do not consider them beasts of burden but noble companions. To get them to accompany a clan, the Dalish elves ask rather than force them to. Alistair remarks that he's heard that the horns of a halla sells for a fortune. It is said that the Dalish carve their antlers for decorative purposes, and that their antlers are particularly prized in the Tevinter Imperium.

Background[]

No creature is more revered by the Dalish than the halla. No other animal has a god of its own. These white stags are much larger than ordinary deer, and the Dalish halla keepers carve their antlers as they grow, making them curve into intricate designs. In ancient times, these stags bore elven knights into combat, but since the fall of the Dales, they are used less as mounts and more to pull the aravels.[5]

The first thing you must understand about the halla is that they are not our servants. They are not our pets. They are our brothers and sisters. Remember that Ghilan'nain, the first halla and mother of them all, was once a huntress of the People. Without the halla, there would be no Dalish.

The second thing you must understand about the halla is that you cannot force a halla to do something against her will. I have heard tales of shemlen who come across herds and attempt to capture the halla, using ropes and bridles. Many shemlen have died impaled on horns as a result of this foolishness. Never forget that the halla once bore our knights into battle. The fierce blood of a warrior still runs through her veins and she would sooner fight to the death than demean herself. Like the Dalish, the halla are proud. A halla knows who she is, and will tolerate no being that tells her she is less.

How then do we harness them to the aravels? How do we ride them, or strap our packs to them? Well, how do you get a brother, a sister, or a friend to do you a favor? Simple, isn't it? You ask. If you have a halla's trust, she will give you her blessing. It's striking that humans never think to ask for a halla's friendship. But then, they are shems, and respect nothing.

—Adara, halla-tender of the Ralaferin clan, to her apprentice[6]

Involvement[]

Dragon Age: Origins[]

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

During Elora's Halla, the Warden can assist in examining a halla believed to be stricken with the werewolf curse. If successfully calmed, it is revealed that the halla isn't afflicted, she's distressed because her mate has been infected.


Dragon Age: Inquisition[]

The halla can be found roaming around the Exalted Plains.

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.

The Inquisitor can assist the Dalish clan on the Exalted Plains by herding Hanal'ghilan, a golden halla, towards the Dalish Encampment—allowing it safe refuge from human soldiers who would kill it solely for its antlers.


Notable halla[]

Hanal'ghilan (a unique golden halla encountered on the Exalted Plains)

Quests[]

Dragon Age: Origins[]

Dalish Elf Origin Dalish Elf Origin
Elora's Halla Elora's Halla
Nature of the Beast Nature of the Beast (a lone halla in the East Brecilian Forest; near the North Exit)

Dragon Age: Inquisition[]

The Golden Halla The Golden Halla

Locations[]

Dragon Age: Origins[]

Brecilian Forest Brecilian Forest
Dalish Camp Dalish Camp (Dalish Elf Origin)
Dalish Camp Dalish Camp
East Brecilian Forest East Brecilian Forest

Dragon Age: Inquisition[]

Exalted Plains Exalted Plains
Elven Ruins Elven Ruins

Notable loot[]

Halla Horns Halla Horns
Halla Leather Halla Leather
Fade-Touched Halla Leather (Stealth) Fade-Touched Halla Leather (Stealth)
Golden Halla Hide (Stealth) Golden Halla Hide (Stealth) (only from golden hallas)

Variations[]

Golden Halla

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: Halla Codex entry: Halla
Codex entry: Halla Codex entry: Halla
Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain
Codex entry: August Ram Codex entry: August Ram

Trivia[]

  • Elven legend holds that a halla will lead an elf into the afterlife.[7]
  • It is said that halla will only listen to their Dalish tenders.[8]
  • It is said that the halla was elven god Ghilan'nain's favorite creature, and the only one she did not kill when Andruil made her to destroy her own creations.[9]
  • Some scholars theorize that the original image of constellation Equinor was a halla instead of a horse, which would indicate it was connected to the elven goddess Ghilan'nain. However, this speculation is largely dismissed.[10]
  • Halla wool is soft and smooth, the gaps in the weave so small it doesn't catch on anything. It feels cool in summer and warm in winter.[11]
  • Though other types of butter also work for this purpose, the Dalish traditionally use halla butter as an ingredient in certain dishes such as hearth cakes, a comfort food baked over the hearth on a skillet or iron griddle.[12][13][14]

See also[]

Fauna and flora
Clan Shield Clan Shield
Halla Horn Halla Horn

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, p. 202.
  2. ↑ Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 289
  3. ↑ Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 295
  4. ↑ Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 47
  5. ↑ Codex entry: Halla
  6. ↑ Codex entry: Halla (Inquisition)
  7. ↑ According to ambient conversation from Zevran Arainai in the Dalish Camp, in Dragon Age: Origins
  8. ↑ According to ambient conversation from Wynne in the Dalish Camp, in Dragon Age: Origins
  9. ↑ Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain
  10. ↑ Codex entry: Constellation: Equinor
  11. ↑ Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, An Old Crow's Old Tricks
  12. ↑ Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 289
  13. ↑ Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 295
  14. ↑ Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 47
v • d • e
Elves
Lore
Culture
City elves
Dalish elves
Elven pantheon
Creators
Forgotten Ones
History
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms