Dales

The Dales are an area of southeastern Orlais located to the west of the Frostback Mountains. From -165 Ancient^[1] to 2:20 Glory^[2]—a period of nearly three centuries—they were the homeland of the elves of Thedas.

History[]

The Dales still bear the scars of the Exalted March: a time long ago when the might of the Orlesian Empire crushed elven forces and drove them from their own land. Although the nation of Orlais now lays claim to the Dales, every branch, stream, and stone preserve the memories of elven history. From the lush forests of the Emerald Graves to the icy highlands of Emprise du Lion, fractured remnants of the ancient elves live on.

—Exploring The Dales

The Founding of the Dales[]

During the centuries of slavery, after their ancient civilization of Elvhenan fell to the Tevinter Imperium, the elves lost most of their language, history and lore.^[3] However, after Andraste and her husband Maferath led their Alamarri army against Tevinter in -180 Ancient^[4], the elven slaves led by Shartan rose up and joined the fight against their former masters.^[5][6]

Shartan was killed attempting to save Andraste when she was betrayed by Maferath to the Tevinters, but in -165 Ancient, Maferath gave the elves the Dales as a reward for their part in the war.^[1] At that time, the Dales were on the fringe of Tevinter territory and were barely populated,^{[citation needed]} with only the Ciriane people to the west, and the Alamarri of the Fereldan Valley on the other side of the Frostback Mountains. The freed elves set off for their new home from Tevinter on foot in what would come to be called "The Long Walk". Many perished along the way, but those who survived founded the city of Halamshiral – meaning "the end of the journey" in Elvish. They were joined by elves from across Thedas and began the task of restoring their lost language, religion and lore.^[7]

The Dales were patrolled by a border guard known as the Emerald Knights. These elven warriors protected the boundaries of the realm, riding halla mounts^[8] and accompanied by their steadfast wolf companions known as "Knight's Guardians." These loyal wolves fought and lived with the Emerald Knights and guarded them as they slept.^[9]

The Fall of the Dales[]

Main article: Exalted March of the Dales

“Andraste's path was difficult, as was ours. But we did not falter, as she did not. And we will be rewarded, just as she was. Elves were guilty of the greatest sin, of turning from the Maker. But we will show them mercy, for that is what Andraste teaches...when her chant is spoken from all countries of the world, the Maker will return. We are one day closer to his coming. Even Maferath the Betrayer had a part to play. Who are we to say elves do not?” ―From a sermon given by Sister Amity, at the conclusion of the Exalted March of the Dales

In their attempt to maintain their independence and regain the lost glory of Elvhenan, the elves cut themselves off from their human neighbors in Orlais, a nation forged through Drakon's Exalted Marches against his neighbors. Throughout the Second Blight, which lasted for most of the Divine Age, the elves of the Dales remained neutral and unhelpful. When the city of Montsimmard was nearly destroyed by darkspawn in 1:25 Divine, it is alleged that an elven army watched from a nearby hilltop and did nothing. Their apparent indifference and non-Andrastian religious views fueled increasing hostility between the Dales and Orlais after the Blight. For example, rumors spread among the Orlesian people that the heathen elves practiced human sacrifice. According to human accounts, border skirmishes escalated into full-scale war after elven forces attacked the Orlesian town of Red Crossing in 2:9 Glory. The Dalish claim the war started after the Chantry sent templars into their territory after the elves forcibly removed Andrastian missionaries from the Dales.^[10]

By 2:10 Glory, elven forces had captured Montsimmard and advanced to the doorstep of Val Royeaux. Elven occupation didn't last long however, and in Orlais' resurgence the chevalier Ser Yves de Chevac struck down the elven forces' commander with a shot to the throat at two hundred feet.^[12]

At this point, the Chantry called for a holy war against the elves that became known as the Exalted March of the Dales. Orlais was the only nation to provide troops. The elves were pushed back to the border by Orlesian forces. Halamshiral was conquered and the elves were completely crushed by 2:20 Glory. The Dales were claimed by the Orlesians, who uprooted elven settlements and forbade worship of the elven gods.^[13] Elves who accepted the Chantry's offered truce were required to accept the Maker and live in slums, known as alienages, within human settlements, becoming the city elves. Some elves, however, refused to give up their worship or their dream of a homeland. These became the nomadic Dalish, retaining the name of their second lost homeland and vowing to keep the elven language, history and religion alive.

After the Fall[]

Ville Montevelan in the Exalted Plains was the first settlement humans established in the Dales following their victory of the Exalted March. Soldiers were the earliest residents of the village. In 2:21 Glory, Sister Amity, champion of the Exalted March, laid the foundation stones of the village chantry in a symbolic gesture; the construction was completed in 2:22. Amity lay aside her sword and bow to become Revered Mother Amity; she served in Ville Montevelan until she died peacefully in her sleep in 2:64. Her ashes are interred in the chantry's vault, where dozens of pilgrims still come each year to pay their respects.^[14]

Elven ruins still litter the Dales. Some, like Citadelle du Corbeau, have been reclaimed and repurposed by humans.

War of the Lions[]

Geography[]

Settlements[]

• Halamshiral – the capital city of the elven nation of the Dales before its fall during the Exalted March of the Dales.
  • Winter Palace – a palace built on the ruins of an ancient elven burial ground located in Halamshiral; seasonal retreat of the Imperial Court under House Valmont.
• Red Crossing – a town known for being attacked by elven forces in 2:09 Glory, leading to the Exalted March and the dissolution of the elven kingdom.
• Sahrnia – a small village located in northeastern region of Emprise Du Lion.
• Ville Montevelan – the first human settlement established in the Dales following their victory during the Exalted March.

Regions[]

• Emerald Graves – home to an elven burial site where a tree was planted for each soldier killed during the Exalted March.
• Emprise du Lion – a cold and craggy environment dotted with elven ruins.
• Exalted Plains – here the elves of old made their last stand before they were defeated.

Fortresses[]

• Suledin Keep – an abandoned elven fortress located in Emprise du Lion.
• Valeska's Watch – ancient Grey Warden ruin located in Emprise du Lion.

Additional places[]

• Argon's Lodge – a large Freemen of the Dales encampment.
• Chateau d'Onterre – a vast estate in the Dales; it was once the seat of House d'Onterre.
• Dalish Encampment – temporary encampment of Keeper Hawen's clan.
• The Dead Hand – an ancient stone hand positioned atop an underground elven shrine.
• Din'an Hanin – a large elven ruin found in the southeastern region of Orlais; it is the final resting place of the Emerald Knightss.
• The Lion's Pavilion – an Orlesian-built structure located in the center of the Dalish forest.
• Unadin Grotto – an ancient Dalish tomb located in the sacred Elven burial site of Var Bellanaris.
• Var Bellanaris – a sacred Elven burial site.
• Veridium Mine – an unmarked elven ruin occupied by the Freemen of the Dales.
• Villa Maurel – the former estate of Lord Ramond Maurel.
• Watcher's Reach – an unmarked elven ruin occupied by refugees displaced by War of the Lions.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: The Dales

Codex entry: The Cradle of Sulevin

Codex entry: The Death of Elandrin

Codex entry: Halamshiral

Codex entry: Knight's Guardian

Codex entry: Ville Montevelan

Trivia[]

• There is a book in BioWare's previous game, Baldur's Gate, which describes a place called the Dales as the home of the elves.
• The elves of the Dales were experts in the somniari arts. They were even able to help non-mages enter the Fade through a magical ritual. Some Dalish, such as Keeper Marethari Talas, know of such a ritual. Marethari states she learned of the ritual from the Tome of the Slumbering Elders.^[15]

Gallery[]

Exalted Plains in the Dales

The Exalted Plains

A Scarecrow in Dales

The Dales’ Forest

References[]