No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| (38 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | '''Uthenera''' (translated as "immortal"<ref>{{Cite wot|32}}</ref>) is a prolonged slumber practiced by ancient [[elf|elves]]. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | == Dalish stories == |
||
| ⚫ | The [[Dalish]] claim that in the time of [[Elvhenan]] uthenera was viewed as an act of reverence. An elder would retire to a chamber that was one part bed and one part tomb and, to great ceremony from all the extended family, would succumb to slumber. The family would continue to visit the chamber to pay respect to the one who made such a sacrifice. |
||
| ⚫ | Legends tell that ancient elves were immortal in the sense that they neither aged nor died from natural causes.<ref name=A>[[Codex entry: Arlathan: Part One]]</ref> Yet their elders eventually became weary of life and memories.<ref name=U>[[Codex entry: Uthenera]]</ref> Instead of dying they would voluntarily enter a slumber-like state known as uthenera.<ref name=U/><ref name=FD>[[Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide]]</ref> While their bodies would remain in the mortal realm, their spirits would cross the [[Veil]] and wander the shifting paths of the [[Fade|Beyond]], accompanied by two children of [[Mythal]]: [[Falon'Din]] and his twin brother [[Dirthamen]].<ref name=FD/> This state did not necessarily equal death,<ref name=A/> as some would return, even after centuries, and share the secrets of dreams with the People. Yet many would never wake up: their bodies would deteriorate and they would in fact die.<ref name=FD/><ref name=U/> |
||
| ⚫ | The [[Dalish]] claim that in the time of [[Elvhenan]] uthenera was viewed as an act of reverence. An elder would retire to a chamber that was one part bed and one part tomb and, to great ceremony from all the extended family, would succumb to slumber. The family would continue to visit the chamber to pay respect to the one who made such a sacrifice.<ref name=U/> |
||
| − | With the arrival of [[human]]s the practice of uthenera began to fade until it ceased forever after the fall of Arlathan. |
||
| − | |||
| − | {{SpoilerDAI}}[[Solas]] was in Uthenera before joining the Inquisition.}} |
||
| + | == In Elvhenan == |
||
| + | {{SpoilerDAIT|Ancient elves did indeed enter uthenera when they felt no urge to go on. Before succumbing to slumber at least some of them would record their memories in [[Shattered Library|Vir Dirthara]]<ref>[[Codex entry: Vir Dirthara: A Flowering Imago]]</ref>.}} |
||
| + | {{SpoilerDAI|At the end of their days all [[Mythal]]'s servants would pass their knowledge on through [[Well of Sorrows|Vir'Abelasan]].<ref name=Ab>According to [[Abelas]] during [[What Pride Had Wrought]].</ref> After her murder many elders in [[Temple of Mythal|her temple]] wept as they entered uthenera.<ref>[[Codex entry: Untranslatable Elven Writing]]</ref>}} |
||
{{SpoilerTME| |
{{SpoilerTME| |
||
| − | + | According to [[Felassan]], some elves in ''uthenera'' were able to reach "perfection" and draw sustenence from the [[Fade]] rather than dying in their sleep. Elves in uthenera were tended by servants to prevent discomfort from waking them, and who bathed them in scented oils to provide them the spark of wisdom on their journey.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pg. 265.</ref> |
|
An elf who had perfected themselves no longer required the potion of water, honey and herbs used to keep mages alive during ''uthenera'' (this was determined by brushing the potion on the lips at the full moon and determining at the new moon if it had been imbibed or not). Such elves were moved into beds of pure white, signifying their achievement.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pg. 317.</ref> |
An elf who had perfected themselves no longer required the potion of water, honey and herbs used to keep mages alive during ''uthenera'' (this was determined by brushing the potion on the lips at the full moon and determining at the new moon if it had been imbibed or not). Such elves were moved into beds of pure white, signifying their achievement.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pg. 317.</ref> |
||
| − | In the days of [[Arlathan]], [[Dreamers]] were also sometimes approached by earnest supplicants. These individuals would enter the Dreamers' burial/bed chamber and walk a labyrinth truly visible only to elves; if in earnest, they would find the answers they sought in their dreams.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pgs. 328-329.</ref> |
+ | In the days of [[Arlathan]], [[Dreamers]] were also sometimes approached by earnest supplicants. These individuals would enter the Dreamers' burial/bed chamber and walk a labyrinth truly visible only to elves; if in earnest, they would find the answers they sought in their dreams.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pgs. 328-329.</ref>}} |
| − | }} |
||
| + | == After the arrival of humans == |
||
| + | According to the Dalish, elves started aging with the arrival of [[human]]s, and the practice of uthenera began to fade.<ref name=U/> |
||
| + | |||
| + | {{SpoilerDAIT|In fact, they lost their immortality because Solas created the [[Veil]].}} |
||
| + | {{SpoilerDAO|Still elders would come to slumber even to the places built by humans, such as the [[Brecilian Ruins]] in [[Ferelden]], and visitors would offer tribute to the gods on their behalf.<ref>According to the spirit of the [[Arcane Warrior]] in the [[Lower Ruins]].</ref> The ritual performed before laying an elf to rest involved collective prayer at an [[altar]] followed by a robed figure pouring water into a pool while standing waist-deep in it.<ref>[[Codex entry: A Carved Elven Tablet]]</ref>}} |
||
| + | |||
| + | When the [[Tevinter Imperium]] waged war on the elves, many believed themselves bound by duty to defend those in uthenera. Thus elven elders came to sleep to [[Sundermount]] in the [[Vimmark Mountains]]. [[Arcane warrior]]s made their last stand there and perished in a great battle with humans.<ref>[[Codex entry: Enasalin]]</ref> |
||
| + | |||
| + | Elves ceased the formal practice of uthenera after the fall of Arlathan.<ref name=U/><ref name=RPG>[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]], Player's Guide, set 3, p. 24</ref> |
||
| + | |||
| + | {{SpoilerDAI|[[Solas]] was in uthenera before joining the Inquisition.<ref>''Implied through dialogue in Skyhold, made explicit in end credits easter egg</ref> |
||
| + | |||
| + | [[Abelas]] and other [[Sentinel elves]] stay in uthenera and wake only to defend [[Temple of Mythal|their temple]].<ref name=Ab/>}} |
||
== Trivia == |
== Trivia == |
||
| Line 20: | Line 34: | ||
* [[Merrill]] also recites a part of the first poem at Mythal's altar during the [[Long Way Home]] quest, which results in "resurrection" of [[Flemeth]]. |
* [[Merrill]] also recites a part of the first poem at Mythal's altar during the [[Long Way Home]] quest, which results in "resurrection" of [[Flemeth]]. |
||
* The journal of a dreamer [[Keeper]] [[Marethari]] may give to [[Hawke]] is called the [[Tome of the Slumbering Elders]], hinting that elves practicing uthenera were ancient [[dreamer]]s. |
* The journal of a dreamer [[Keeper]] [[Marethari]] may give to [[Hawke]] is called the [[Tome of the Slumbering Elders]], hinting that elves practicing uthenera were ancient [[dreamer]]s. |
||
| + | * Elvhen are not the only ones capable of centuries-long sleep. [[Old Gods]] slumber eternally in their underground prisons, [[Corypheus|their priest]] slumbered in [[Codex entry: The Warden's Prison|his own]] one, and dragons rest for ages in the Hall of Sleepers below the [[Silent Grove]]. |
||
| − | * "Uthenera" also means "immortal" in the elven language.<ref>{{Cite wot|32}}</ref> |
||
| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
||
| + | *Uthenera can also translate to "long sleep" or "endless dream."<ref name=RPG/> |
||
| + | *Some Elvhen elders may still roam the [[Fade]] and preserve ancient knowledge even though their bodies are long dead.<ref name=RPG/> |
||
== See also == |
== See also == |
||
| − | {{:Codex entry: Uthenera|style=iconmini |
+ | {{:Codex entry: Uthenera|style=iconmini}} |
| ⚫ | |||
| − | {{:Codex entry: Arlathan: Part One|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}} |
||
| − | {{:Codex entry: Enasalin|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}} |
||
| + | {{clrl}} |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | {{clrl}} |
||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
{{Elves}} |
{{Elves}} |
||
[[Category:Elven lore]] |
[[Category:Elven lore]] |
||
Revision as of 21:26, 21 January 2020
Uthenera (translated as "immortal"[1]) is a prolonged slumber practiced by ancient elves.
Dalish stories
Legends tell that ancient elves were immortal in the sense that they neither aged nor died from natural causes.[2] Yet their elders eventually became weary of life and memories.[3] Instead of dying they would voluntarily enter a slumber-like state known as uthenera.[3][4] While their bodies would remain in the mortal realm, their spirits would cross the Veil and wander the shifting paths of the Beyond, accompanied by two children of Mythal: Falon'Din and his twin brother Dirthamen.[4] This state did not necessarily equal death,[2] as some would return, even after centuries, and share the secrets of dreams with the People. Yet many would never wake up: their bodies would deteriorate and they would in fact die.[4][3]
The Dalish claim that in the time of Elvhenan uthenera was viewed as an act of reverence. An elder would retire to a chamber that was one part bed and one part tomb and, to great ceremony from all the extended family, would succumb to slumber. The family would continue to visit the chamber to pay respect to the one who made such a sacrifice.[3]
In Elvhenan
Ancient elves did indeed enter uthenera when they felt no urge to go on. Before succumbing to slumber at least some of them would record their memories in Vir Dirthara[5].
At the end of their days all Mythal's servants would pass their knowledge on through Vir'Abelasan.[6] After her murder many elders in her temple wept as they entered uthenera.[7]
According to Felassan, some elves in uthenera were able to reach "perfection" and draw sustenence from the Fade rather than dying in their sleep. Elves in uthenera were tended by servants to prevent discomfort from waking them, and who bathed them in scented oils to provide them the spark of wisdom on their journey.[8]
An elf who had perfected themselves no longer required the potion of water, honey and herbs used to keep mages alive during uthenera (this was determined by brushing the potion on the lips at the full moon and determining at the new moon if it had been imbibed or not). Such elves were moved into beds of pure white, signifying their achievement.[9]
In the days of Arlathan, Dreamers were also sometimes approached by earnest supplicants. These individuals would enter the Dreamers' burial/bed chamber and walk a labyrinth truly visible only to elves; if in earnest, they would find the answers they sought in their dreams.[10]
After the arrival of humans
According to the Dalish, elves started aging with the arrival of humans, and the practice of uthenera began to fade.[3]
In fact, they lost their immortality because Solas created the Veil.
Still elders would come to slumber even to the places built by humans, such as the Brecilian Ruins in Ferelden, and visitors would offer tribute to the gods on their behalf.[11] The ritual performed before laying an elf to rest involved collective prayer at an altar followed by a robed figure pouring water into a pool while standing waist-deep in it.[12]
When the Tevinter Imperium waged war on the elves, many believed themselves bound by duty to defend those in uthenera. Thus elven elders came to sleep to Sundermount in the Vimmark Mountains. Arcane warriors made their last stand there and perished in a great battle with humans.[13]
Elves ceased the formal practice of uthenera after the fall of Arlathan.[3][14]
Solas was in uthenera before joining the Inquisition.[15]
Abelas and other Sentinel elves stay in uthenera and wake only to defend their temple.[6]
Trivia
- There are two known poems dedicated to uthenera: one is recited by Leliana and another one - by Paivel.
- Merrill also recites a part of the first poem at Mythal's altar during the Long Way Home quest, which results in "resurrection" of Flemeth.
- The journal of a dreamer Keeper Marethari may give to Hawke is called the Tome of the Slumbering Elders, hinting that elves practicing uthenera were ancient dreamers.
- Elvhen are not the only ones capable of centuries-long sleep. Old Gods slumber eternally in their underground prisons, their priest slumbered in his own one, and dragons rest for ages in the Hall of Sleepers below the Silent Grove.
- Uthenera can also translate to "long sleep" or "endless dream."[14]
- Some Elvhen elders may still roam the Fade and preserve ancient knowledge even though their bodies are long dead.[14]
See also
References
|
| ||||||||||||||||||