Vallaslin

[[File:Mythal-Alternate2.png|thumb|200px|Example of ''Vallaslin'' tattoos]]
{{CodexQuote|Vallaslin: Blood Writing|When the children of our people came of age, they earn the privilege of wearing the vallaslin, the blood writing. It sets us apart from the shemlen, and from the elves who have thrown their lot in with them. It reminds us that we will never again surrender our traditions and beliefs.}}

'''Vallaslin''', sometimes referred to as '''blood writing''', is what the [[Dalish]] call the intricate facial [[tattoo]]s worn by all adult clan members. The ink used to do so is considered sacred. Many young Dalish receive their vallaslin when they are around 18 years of age<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]''</ref> or younger.<ref>Valorin's Journal in [[Something to Prove]]</ref> When a Dalish elf comes of age, they prepare to gain the vallaslin by meditating on the gods and the ways of the Dalish, and by purifying the body and the skin. When the time comes, the [[Keeper]] of the clan applies the blood writing. This is done in complete silence. Cries of pain are taken as signs of weakness. If a young elf cannot tolerate the pain of the blood writing, they are deemed unready to undertake the responsibilities of an adult. The [[keeper]] may stop the ritual if they decide that the one gaining the vallaslin is not ready. Blood writing is at least in part a religious practice, and there are different designs representing deities in the [[Elven Pantheon]]. There is no design for [[Fen'Harel]].

Worshippers of [[the Forgotten Ones]] were seen wearing brilliant crimson vallaslin.<ref>[[Sylvan Raids]]</ref>

{{SpoilerDAI|
The use of vallaslin during the time of [[Elvhenan]] is a much more controversial concept than believed by the Dalish. In the days of [[Arlathan]], the tattoos were not signs of patronage to the various elven gods but, in fact, slave markings--signs of ownership--when noble elves enslaved the lower classes; they were representations of the gods that the nobles favored.<ref>Mentioned by both [[Solas]] and [[Corypheus]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]''.</ref> [[Abelas]] and the Sentinels of the [[Temple of Mythal]] have vallaslin dedicated to Mythal etched on their faces.

Through cultural reappropriation, vallaslin is now something entirely different for the Dalish, who utilize the markings as something positive for their people.

A text on the carved tablet found in the [[Temple of Mythal]] tells of "the eventual failing" of elven markings.<ref>[[Fen'Harel#Where Willows Wail (Roughly Translated)|Where Willows Wail]] from {{Cite wot2|201}}</ref>}}


{{SpoilerDAIT|
[[File:Lifting the Vallaslin.PNG|thumb|right|300px|The Dread Wolf removes the [[vallaslin]] of the [[elven pantheon|false gods]] from fleeing elven slaves]]
During the time of Elvhenan, the rebel god [[Fen'Harel]], who was opposed to the practice of slavery, called fleeing elven [[slaves]] to him and lifted their vallaslin with magic, to break the bonds of the Evanuris who oppressed them.
}}

== Designs ==
[[File:Blood writing vallaslin designs dao.png|thumb|right|All designs available to the [[Dalish Elf Origin|Dalish Warden]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.]]
Thus far, three groups of Dalish have been encountered: those of the [[Dalish Elf Origin]], those of [[Zathrian]]'s clan in [[Nature of the Beast]], and the ones found in the [[Exalted Plains]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]''. Various designs of blood writing can be seen on their faces. There appear to be eight main designs, each of which comes in a simpler and a more complex version. Though similar to the main eight there are two unique designs that are used by Velanna/Seranni in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]]'' and Merrill in ''[[Dragon Age II]]''. 

=== Design 1 ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
NPC-Lanaya.png|[[Lanaya]], apprentice to Keeper Zathrian (simple version)
NPC-Varathorn.jpg|[[Varathorn]], craftmaster in Zathrian's clan (simple version)
NPC-JunarAndPol.png|[[Junar]], a hunter in the clan of the Dalish Elf Origin (simple version)
Fenarel.JPG|[[Fenarel]], a young hunter in the clan of the Dalish Elf origin (complex version)
Fenarel01.png|[[Fenarel]] as he appears in ''Dragon Age 2'' (complex version)
NPC-Deygan.jpg|[[Deygan]], a hunter in Zathrian's clan (complex version)
Ariane.png|[[Ariane]] from ''[[Witch Hunt]]'' (simple version)
</gallery>

=== Design 2 ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
NPC-Ashalle-Closeup.png|[[Ashalle]], an elf in the clan of the Dalish Elf origin (simple version)
NPC-Messenger.jpg|A Dalish [[Messenger]] (complex version)
</gallery>

=== Design 3  ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
Athras.png|[[Athras]], a hunter in Zathrian's clan (complex version)
NPC-Ilen-Closeup.png|[[Ilen]], craftmaster in clan of the Dalish Elf Origin (complex version)
dalishhuntersabrae.png|an unnamed Dalish hunter in the clan of the Dalish Elf Origin (simple version)
</gallery>

=== Design 4 ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
NPC-Sarel.jpg|[[Sarel]], a storyteller in Zathrian's clan (simple version)
NPC-Maren.png|[[Maren]], keeper of the [[halla]] in the clan of the Dalish Elf Origin (complex version)
</gallery>

=== Design 5 === 
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
NPC-Marethari.png|[[Keeper Marethari]], from the Dalish Elf Origin (complex version)
NPC-Aneirin.jpg|[[Aneirin]], a healer and former apprentice of [[Wynne]]'s (complex version)
harshal.png|Harshal, a hunter of the [[Sabrae clan]] (simple version)
</gallery>

=== Design 6  ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
Tamlen image.jpg|[[Tamlen]], a friend of The Warden of Dalish Elf Origin (simple version)
Zathrian close up.JPG|[[Keeper Zathrian]] (simple version)
MarethariDAII.png|[[Keeper Marethari]] changes vallaslin in ''Dragon Age II'' (complex version)
IlenDAII.png|[[Ilen]] also changes vallaslin in ''Dragon Age II'' (complex version)
</gallery>

=== Design 7 ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
Elynduil_209.jpg|Dalish Elf player character (complex version)
NPC-Panowen.jpg|[[Panowen]], a hunter of Zathrian's clan (complex version)
NPC-Mithra.jpg|[[Mithra]], a hunter and occasional guard in Zathrian's clan (complex version)
</gallery>

=== Design 8 ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
Dalish elf.jpg|[[Merrill]], apprentice Keeper in the Dalish Elf Origin (complex version)
NPC-Paivel.png|[[Paivel]], a storyteller in the clan of the Dalish Elf Origin (complex version)
Paivel.png|[[Paivel]]'s vallaslin is almost exactly the same in ''Dragon Age II'' (complex version)
NPC-Elora.png|[[Elora]], keeper of halla in Zathrian's clan (complex version)
Arianni.png|[[Arianni]], [[Feynriel]]'s mother in ''Dragon Age II'' (complex version, heavily faded on cheeks)
Variel.jpg|[[Variel]], a member of the Dalish Warden's clan, only in ''Dragon Age II'' (complex version)
danyladaughter.png|a Dalish assassin, the daughter of [[Danyla]]
</gallery>

=== Unique Designs ===
<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
VelannaNice.png|[[Velanna]], a potential Grey Warden recruit in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening|Awakening]]''
Seranni.png|[[Seranni]], Velanna's missing sister, shares her vallaslin
Merrill Portrait.png|[[Merrill]], a potential companion in ''Dragon Age II'' (design is similar to design 8 from Origins, though notably different and not used by any other characters)
</gallery>

=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
The designs found in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]'' and their corresponding deities are pictured below.<ref name="MattRhodes">{{Tumblr|author=[[Matt Rhodes]]|title=Dalish Tattoos|url=http://mattrhodesart.tumblr.com/post/107236248281/dalish-tattoos-mike-laidlaw-turned-his-override}}</ref>

<gallery style="text-align:center;" widths="170">
Andruil-Vallaslin-Alternate2.png|Andruil
Andruil Vallaslin.PNG|[[Andruil]] (simple version)
Dirthamen-Vallaslin.png|[[Dirthamen]]
Elgar'nan1.PNG|[[Elgar'nan]]
Elgar'nan2.PNG|Elgar'nan (complex version)
Falon'Din1.PNG|[[Falon'Din]]
Falon'Din2.PNG|Falon'Din (complex version)
Ghilan'nain-Vallaslin.png|[[Ghilan'nain]]
June_Vallaslin1.PNG‎|[[June]]
June Vallaslin2.PNG|June (simple version)
Mythal-Alternate4.png|[[Mythal]]
Mythal-Alternate2.png|Mythal (complex version)
Mythal-Alternate3.png|Mythal (complex version)
Mythal-Alternate.PNG|Mythal (simple version)
Sylaise1.PNG|Sylaise
Sylaise2.PNG|[[Sylaise]] (simple version)
</gallery>

== References ==
<references />