The Forgotten Ones are a mysterious group of elven gods and are a maligned aspect of the ancient Elven pantheon,[1] the other half being the benevolent Creators led by Mythal and Elgar'nan. During the event the Dalish elves refer to as the Great Betrayal, the Dread Wolf Fen'Harel was said to have tricked both sets of gods: locking the Forgotten Ones away from the world in their realm of the abyss,[2] and shutting the Creators away in their realm of the heavens. According to popular belief, not even the Dalish properly remember the Forgotten Ones since then, outside of their dreams.[3]
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.
Background[]
The Forgotten Ones are described as "usurpers" who dared to challenge the Evanuris' authority over them and the elven people.[4] Geldauran, a Forgotten One, claimed that there are no gods and the right to rule belongs those who are bold enough to attain power; therefore authority should not be exclusive to the Evanuris.[5] Others like Anaris, are arrogant, selfish,[6] and devious. Anaris is said to turn elven followers into an army of demons. Like Solas, they rebel against the elven pantheon but they are described as powerful warlords of Elvhenan who presumably seek to supplant the elven pantheon so they themselves can rule. The Evanuris proved too formidable a foe as the Nadas Dirthalen state they had "powerful" magic and "superior" numbers to counter the Forgotten Ones.[7]
The Forgotten Ones belong to the ancient Elven pantheon, but their names were lost after the Great Betrayal. Their worship continued in the shadows, despite efforts to stamp it out in the old Dalish kingdom.[8]
Powers and domain[]
Where the Creators are gods of justice, knowledge and craft, who seek to guide and protect the elven people, the Forgotten Ones are a dark mirror presiding over the worst aspects of existence: disease, terror, spite and malevolence.[9] They serve not as shepherds of the elves, but rather as figures of fear and dread.
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 proclaimed plan to organize a truce by which the Creators would be defeated and, by consequence, the elves would be left alone and unaided.[10] An alternate version of this tale has both camps of gods seeking out a weapon in their respective realms that Fen'Harel promised would bring their war to an end.[11]
Veneration[]
Priests of the Forgotten Ones were persecuted during the time of the elven Dales. Yet secret worship of these gods continues.[1] It is said that some souls, seeking revenge against humans for their affronts to the elven people, have sought the Forgotten Ones out through hidden, dark cults.[3] According to the Dalish, these individuals have committed a great crime and forsaken their people in return for the keys to a twisted and terrible strength.[3]
Members of one such cult on the western fringes of Orlais, in the Tirashan forest, wore brilliant crimson vallaslin. Unlike the Dalish, who invoke the names of their gods in battle for aid, they were offering their enemies as a sacrifice.[13]
Known Forgotten Ones[]
- Anaris[9] – according to an old tale, he was once tricked by Fen'Harel while dueling the Great Hunter Andruil[14]
- Daern'thal[1][9]
- Fen'Harel – arguably, as he was known to both sets of elven gods
- Geldauran[15][9]
- Forbidden Ones (possibly)[16]
Codex entries[]
Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two- Codex entry: Elven God Andruil
- Codex entry: The Enigma of Kirkwall
- Codex entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf
- Codex entry: Geldauran's Claim
Trivia[]
- The Seekers of Truth in Kirkwall secretly created the Band of Three to investigate, among other things, whether the Forgotten Ones in elven lore are connected to the Forbidden Ones in other works.[17] The note left by the last surviving member of the team calls Xebenkeck, one of the Forbidden Ones, "the Forgotten One, or demon or whatever it is" and urges to destroy him.
- A secret greeting from those Fen'Harel trusted contains the phrase "Revas vir-anaris". It's unclear whether "anaris" is supposed to be a reference to Anaris of the Forgotten Ones, or if it's a common noun in this context.[18]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pyre of the Forgotten.
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 121
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Player's Guide, set 2, p. 23
- ↑ Note: A Weather-Stained Note
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Codex entry: Geldauran's Claim
- ↑ According to Mythal's dialogue in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- ↑ According to the dialogue of the Archive Spirit of the Nadas Dirthalen during Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- ↑ Pyre of the Forgotten
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Codex entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf
- ↑ Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two
- ↑ According to conversation with Merrill regarding the Sylvanwood Ring gift.
- ↑ Codex entry: Elven God Andruil
- ↑ Sylvan Raids
- ↑ See the tale of Fen'Harel and the tree.
- ↑ A message found in the Frostback Basin.
- ↑ Codex entry: The Enigma of Kirkwall
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 165
- ↑ According to the Inquisitor in Elven Mountain Ruins, if they were chosen at the Temple of Mythal. See also the elven language page.
| ||||||||||||||||||