“I was never taught how to be a mother. Under the Qun, children are raised by those suited to such pursuits. I trained as a scholar. I was taught to think critically, to analyze without passion, and correct mistakes. You need not tell me that I am an inadequate mother. I am aware.”
Shathann is a former Qunari scholar and Taash's mother.
Background[]
Shathann once served as a Qunari priestess in Kont-aar. Under the Qun, Shathann was an Ashkaari, or a scholar.
At some point, Shathann gave birth and her child was discovered to be an Adaari, a fire-breather. Shathann thinks the adaari are meant for something special and has been studying the historical origins of the Qunari to prove her theory. She named her child Evataash, "Little Dragon" in Qunlat. Shathann feared that being an Adaari, it was inevitable that Taash would be conscripted into the Antaam and used as a beserker. Therefore, Shathann left the Qun for Taash's benefit and got herself transferred to Kont-aar from Par Vollen. Once Shathann smuggled Taash into Kont-aar, she and Taash just walked out and made a life for themselves in southern Rivain. Ultimately, Shathann gained employment as a Qunari expert with the Lords of Fortune, although Taash says Shathann misses life under the Qun.
While raising Taash, Shathann relentlessly cautioned that Taash's abilities must remain a closely guarded secret.
Shathann raised Taash using corrective parenting and educated her about the Qun, Qunari history, and Qunari culture. Shathann hoped to instill in Taash the ideals of the Qun, hoping that it can inspire them in life and guide them to gain control of their rage.
Involvement[]
Dragon Age: The Veilguard[]
Shathann appears at a meeting between Rook, Taash and Isabela, the former whom had just acquired a Qunari tablet that she guessed predated the Steel Age; if a Qunari Rook takes an interest in the tablet, Shathann makes a verbal jab at Taash for not having any appreciation for Qunari history and culture. Shathann reveals she was the client who hired the Lords to secure the Qunari tablet, which she intends to study. She then deduces that Taash used their fire in front of the Antaam and suggests her child join the Veilguard to get out of their reach. As Isabela left them to sort it out, Taash complains about their mother not letting them in on this decision.
During Fire on the Sands, Shathann runs into Taash and Rook on the Rivain Coast. Shathann comments on Taash's manly behavior and how it may impact Rook and Taash's relationship. Shathann was heading to visit Karash to see if he can help decipher the Qunari tablet the Lords of Fortune recovered since some of the symbols may be used among the Antaam. Taash cautions Shathann that Karash is still traumatized and warns her to avoid talking about the war. Shathann concurs with their advice but criticizes Taash for using their fire again and corrects their mistakes in Qunlat. Even so, she commends Taash for bringing him his food.
Since Taash would like Shathann to get to know Rook better, Taash invites Rook to a weekly dinner they and their mother have together. During Secrets of the Qunari, Rook and Taash arrive at Shathann's home for the dinner but Shathann greets Taash with a chastisement for being late and for inviting a guest without informing her. Even so, Shathann endeavors to be as hospitable as she can to Rook but guilts Taash for not visiting her often. Taash notices that the meal isn't even prepared yet and Shathann explains that she has not yet finished with her studies and will require Taash to help make the meal. Taash becomes annoyed as they feel they'll end up doing all the work but Shathann argues that if they can swing axes all day, then they have the strength to chop a few melons. While Taash begrudgingly goes to prepare the meal, Shathann and Rook talk about the illegible Qunari tablet they found and its implication on Qunari history. When Taash returns, Shathann is surprised Taash prepared Rivaini cuisine instead of the Qunari food, isskapp, that they usually eat. Shathann takes the surprise in stride and they all have a meal together. Afterwards, Taash tells Shathann that she bought her a bookshelf for her studies with the gold from the dragon job, but Shathann again guilts them by saying that they shouldn't have troubled themselves since they do not believe her studies are important.
Taash invites Shathann and Rook to another dinner at the Lighthouse. Although Taash made Armada Special meals, Shathann requests to eat only simple vegetables as the Rivaini food is too rich for her. While Taash goes off to prepare her vegetables, Shathann tells Rook she notices the influence Rook has had on Taash's exploration of being more Rivaini or Qunari. Even so, Shathann is concerned about Taash eagerly embracing other cultures except the Qunari culture. When Rook asks why Shathann left the Qunari, Shathann replied that when she sees her child in danger, she acts. When Taash returns with Shathann's vegetables, Taash blurts out they are non-binary. Shathann is confused by Taash's statement and asks them to explain themself. Taash clarifies that it means they don't feel like a man or woman and that they use "they/them" pronouns. Shathann asks further questions and alludes Taash is being difficult because she has been criticizing their dress and manners, which vexes and angers Taash. Taash exclaims them being non-binary is not a response to any of those things. Shathann suggests that Taash may be an "aqun-athlok", but Shathann's continued questioning and doubting that Taash is truly non-binary further infuriates Taash. Sensing that Taash's rage was making the discussion tumultuous, Shathann tells Taash "shokra toh ebra." Taash thinks Shathann is commanding them to struggle with who they are even if they feel like they don't fit or feel wrong, which further upsets Taash, but Shathann insists they are misunderstanding her. Taash exclaims that Shathann should explain herself better and anguishes that they can never live up to Shathann's standards. Sensing that Taash is too upset to have a productive discussion, Shathann politely leaves the dinner.
During Lair of the Dragon King, Shathann has summoned Taash to their home to discuss the tablet but when they and Rook arrive, Taash discovered that Shathann's blood was spilt in her home and she was abducted. Taash caught Cutter's scent and called for Isabela to help rescue their mother. Isabela revealed Cutter had been in correspondence with the Dragon King about Shathann and the qunari tablet. Isabela says the qunari tablet is about adaari and in exchange for the tablet and Shathann, the Dragon King has promised to make Cutter an adaari. Isabela and Shathann knew the qunari tablet had something relevant to Taash being an adaari but Isabela felt Shathann should be the one to divulge the secrets of the tablet to Taash. In order to avenge the wrong Cutter inflicted on a fellow Lord, Isabela pledges the Lords of Fortune's help in aiding the Veilguard infiltrate the Dragon King's lair in Sharksmouth Mountain.
After fighting their way through the Dragon King's lair, the Veilguard kill Cutter and track Shathann and the Dragon King only to be lured into the Dragon King's trap. Taash is surprised to discover that the Dragon King is also an adaari. The Dragon King reveals his desire to use the secrets of the qunari tablet and Taash's blood to help Ghilan'nain transform his army into adaari. The Dragon King believes Shathann has raised Taash to be weak by limiting themselves with concepts like "shokra toh ebra", but he is contradicted by Shathann. Shathann states that the phrase is not an order to struggle against one's true nature, but to find their true self through struggle and that something the Dragon King had never done, but Taash had. If Rook is in romance with Taash, Shathann requests, "Be good to them, Rook." Shathann then uses her body to push the lever that frees the Veilguard from their cage. In anger, the Dragon King smashes her head with the tablet, killing her.
Quests[]
Quotes[]
- "Doctrine is not the truth. It is one of many paths to the truth."
- "One may still follow the Qun while climbing. Know your body. Know the slope. Know your next handhold."
- "Evataash. Shokra toh ebra. Only a beast is confounded by knots. A girl masters herself and the dar-saam."
- "You are wrong, Ataashok. "Shokra toh ebra," is not an order to struggle against what you are. It is a reminder that through struggle, you find what you are."
Codex entries[]
Codex entry: Letter from Shathann to Taash- Codex entry: Dar-Saam
- Codex entry: Things Shathann Said about the Crows
- Codex entry: Antaam vs. Qunari (with notes from Shathann), by Taash, age 14
- Codex entry: The Chantry vs. the Qun
