Antaam

The Antaam, meaning "body" in Qunlat, is the military of the Qunari led by the Arishok. Metaphorically, the Antaam are the eyes, ears, legs, arms and hands of the creature, everything that one needs to interact with the world, and so most Qunari encountered by Thedosians belong to the military.^[1] Due to Qunari belief that only males can be professional warriors, members of the antaam are always male, or more exactly always regarded as male. A female who has both the talent and dedication to fight can join the Antaam as part of a military classification known as the Aqun-Athlok where they are for all intents and purposes treated as if they were male despite being born otherwise.^[2]

All Qunari are given a tool which signifies their role in Qunari society. For soldiers, this tool is always a weapon of some kind. Soldiers who lose this tool are branded as soulless and one who is to be executed on sight by the Antaam. These items are held in high regard, and upon the owner's death the Qunari may take the item to honor the fallen individual.^[3]

Involvement[]

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights.

The plot follows BioWare's own canon, meaning it may not follow some of the player's choices in the games.

Main article: Antaam Rebellion

Sometime around 9:44-9:45 Dragon,^[4]^[5] the Antaam invades Tevinter, taking the cities of Ventus^[6], Carastes^[7], Neromenian^[8] and besieging the city of Vyrantium.^[9] This attack was launched without the blessing of the other Qunari, leading to logistical problems, such as late supplies and damaged ships.^[10] Rumors that the Antaam didn't act in accordance with the Qun when taking Ventus prompted Saarbrak of the Ben-Hassrath to investigate. Rasaan claims that the Antaam in Tevinter is hers.^[11]

According to Qunari plans stolen from Ventus by the Dalish elf Thantiel, the Qunari are moving into Rivain.^[12] Emil Kortez of the Antivan Crows was also approached by the Qunari to eliminate the Crow leadership and facilitate an invasion into Antiva.^[13] Eventually, the Qunari capture the city of Treviso. The Antivan Crows in the city are actively engaged in resistance efforts, taking out Qunari lieutenants and destroying Qunari weapon caches.^[14]

Duties[]

The purpose of the Antaam is to gather military intelligence for the Qunari, seek and destroy the enemies of Qunari society, conquer any who becomes a menace to the Qun, and protect or recover its votaries, revered artifacts, and technology.

The Antaam is also meant to act as the go-between for the Qunari mind (i.e., the Qunari workers), the Qunari soul (i.e., the Qunari priests), and the world. Thus, the Antaam is not only the agents of the Qunari, but also their spokesperson.^[15]

The beresaad serves as the vanguard of the Antaam, branching beyond Qunari lands to find answers to the Arishok's questions. They also task their youngest soldiers with protecting the port of Seheron^[16]. It is a relatively easy task, mostly requiring a tolerance for boredom and the ability to pay close attention even after hours of inactivity. There are occasional threats to the city's security—assassins, spies, and infiltrators—and the young beresaad stationed there, most of them under eighteen years old^[16], are the city's first line of defense.

Taarbas is another rank in the Antaam. Those with this position are tasked with finding and gathering the weapons of fallen Qunari.

The Arvaarad is an individual that, according to the Qun, holds back evil. Since one of the greatest values for a Qunari is mastery of the self, there is little trust for those who are most likely to be deceived from knowing who they are, like Saarebas. As such, the role of the Arvaarad is to hunt Tal-Vashoth or bas who have not yet been enlightened, and also to hold the leash of the Saarebas in their care. The latter task, however, takes precedent over any other that may come to an Arvaarad. An Arvaarad is the Qunari equivalent of a templar; one who takes care of (or imprisons, depending on where in Thedas the organisation is) mages.

If a Saarebas has been outside their Karataam, a group of several mages held together on the same leash, then they are considered at risk for certain corruption, if not already corrupted. When this occurs, the mage, and all who have come in contact with it, are to be killed.

Ranks[]

Arishok – supreme commander of the Antaam
Kathaban – leader of the Qunari naval forces; the admiral
Kithshok – leaders of the Qunari army of Seheron; a general; they also are in charge of negotiating trade between the Qunari and foreign traders at ports
Karasten – infantry commander^[17]
Arvaarad – "one who holds back evil";^[18] a Qunari who watches over the saarebas (Qunari mages) and hunts Tal-Vashoth
Sten – infantry platoon commander;^[19] a vanguard^[20]
Bas-taar – "keeper of bas"; leader of the work camp for bas prisoners^[12]
The Huntmaster – tracks down bas prisoners who try to escape^[12]
Karasaad – soldier rank; a melee Qunari warrior^[21]
Karashok – infantry private^[19]^[21]^[22]
Katari – "one who brings death"^[23]
Ashaad – a Qunari scout; Ash, "to seek" and Aad "unit"^[19]^[21]^[24]
Taarbas – apparent role is to retrieve the weapons of fallen Qunari
Saarebas – a "dangerous thing"; the Qunari word and title for mages^[18]
Adaari - a fire-breather; typically used as a berserker.^[25]