The Seer's Yarn: A Treasury of Tales for Children All Over is a collection of children's tales. It is included in Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2. The exclusive edition of the compendium contains "The Seer's Yarn" as a standalone book.
Background[]
The in-universe author of the collection is Agata, a Rivaini seer who has travelled all over Thedas, gathering tales from various cultures, including the Andrastian nations, the Dalish, and even the Qunari. Agata describes her role as a seer as being "a little like a grandmother" who treats every person like her own grandchildren, sharing stories that may bring wisdom or simple amusement.[1]
The Seer's Yarn is on the list of books banned by the Chantry.[2]
Stories summary[]
Dwarven tales[]
Gason being ambushed by deepstalkers
How the Deepstalkers Came to Be[]
- Main article: How the Deepstalkers Came to Be
“A common tale said to be originally told by Paragon Ebryan, writer of 'Songs that Only Nugs Can Hear'. Many dwarven tales for children involve deepstalkers.”
A story about a dwarven warrior named Gason. Gason had won many Provings and fought valiantly against darkspawn. However, he was selfish and irritable, which caused him to lose his friends, family, and favours. Eventually, he was exiled into the Deep Roads. Gason felt outraged by this and began vandalizing the Paragon statues he encountered on his way. He was also shouting curses aimed at the Paragons and the Stone. The Stone heard his voice and punished him by transforming the chipped off rocks into creatures with many sharp teeth that quickly devoured Gason. That's how tezpadam, deepstalkers, came to be. The story warns children not to behave loudly in the vicinity of the Deep Roads.[3]
Veata Tezpadam![]
- Main article: Veata Tezpadam!
“A dwarven nursery rhyme. A poem performed in a singsong style for dwarven toddlers. Veata tezpadam translates to "Stop, deepstalker!" in the common tongue.”
A cautionary rhyme about the dangers of deepstalkers. It describes the circumstances in which a dwarven child might fall prey to a deepstalker.[4]
Elven tales[]
Pain and Bane[]
“A common rhyme repeated by many Dalish children to help them pick plants safely.”
A short rhyme listing the common characteristics of elfroot, blightcap, felandris, and deathroot, meant as an aid for beginner foragers.[5]
Passing By[]
“A traveling song that teaches Dalish children how to prepare and drive an aravel.”
A song detailing the skills needed to drive an aravel, such as tying strong knots, caring for the halla, handling the reins properly. The verses also mention dangers that might await the Dalish on the journey, including hostile shemlen.[6]
Mir Da'len Somniar[]
“A traditional Dalish lullaby.”
A short lullaby in elven language, loosely translated into common.[7]
|
Elgara vallas, da'len Iras ma ghilas, da'len Tel'enfenim, da'len |
Sun sets, little one, Where will you go, little one Never fear, little one, |
Human tales[]
Bad Children All Get Eaten[]
“A Marcher rhyme, originating in rural areas but common in some variation from Wycome to Starkhaven.”
A cautionary tale in form of a rhyme, instructing children to behave well, otherwise, they will be eaten. The verses advise children to be quiet and polite; revere elders and noble lords; respect titles and ranks; and to wash their clothes at the end of a workday. If these rules are not followed, giants will smell them and the children will be cooked in dragon fire.[8]
Andraste and the Wyvern[]
“From 'Bedtime Stories for Good Children' by Sister Marigold.”
A story about Andraste, the Maker's Bride, and the time she mollified a wild wyvern with her singing. One day, as the Alamarri armies were gathering to fight against Tevinter Imperium, Andraste went into the mountains accompanied only by her earthly husband, Maferath, and her friend, Justinia. When they reached a small lake, Andraste sat on the shore and began to sing. All manner of beasts approached the prophet and knelt before her. A wyvern appearead as well, roaring loudly. Maferath attacked and wounded it, but Andraste stopped his hand before he could kill the beast. Earlier, she had advised Maferath to not become frightened, no matter what happens. Ashamed by doubting his wife, Maferath sliced his hand with a sword and spilled his blood, adding it the the wyvern's. The wyvern accepted the apology and departed peacefully.[8]
The Doggle-Boon Behemoth[]
“From 'Fables Under a New Sky' by Maryden Halewell.”
A rhyme about a behemoth who can be found in the east.[9]
The Tale of Corsa[]
- Main article: Codex entry: Longbow of the Jackal
“A favourite from 'Bedtime Stories for Good Children' by Sister Marigold.”
Corsa the Jackal was a bard from Montsimmard who was known for his ability to please people by saying exactly what they wanted to hear. During his travels, a bout of bad weather forced him to take shelter in a nearby cave. However, the cave turned out to be inhabited by a bear. Corsa managed to convince the bear to spare him by promising to arrange a meal the next day. The bear allowed Corsa to sleep beside him, though he also warned the bard not to go any further into the cave. Corsa couldn't curb his curiosity and soon ventured further. At the back of the cave, he encountered a dragon. He tried to persuade the dragon not to eat him, saying that he will bring forth the bear in exchange, but the dragon replied that the bear had already made a similar promise. That was the end of Corsa the Jackal.[4]
The Witchwood[]
“A tale of unknown origins that has been told to Fereldan children for generations.”
A story about a child who was tasked with gathering firewood for his family. The boy was instructed not to go past the edge of the forest because it's too dangerous, but he ignored the warning. After collecting enough firewood for the day, he put his toe over the edge of the forest, declaring "I'm not too young." in defiance. A voice from the shadows praised him for it, and the boy put both his feet over the edge of the forest. The disembodied voice applauded him once again, and the boy entered the forest, leaving the firewood behind. The tale ends with the narrator saying: "Do not go past the edge of the wood. You are too young and to foolish to face dangers within. You once had an older brother who would've agreed."[5]
The Ptarmigan: An Avvar Tale[]
- Main article: Codex entry: The Frostback Mountains
“From 'Ferelden: Folklore and History', by Sister Petrine, Chantry scholar”
Korth the Mountain-Father once took his heart out of his chest and hid it within the Frostback Mountains to avoid being weakened by love. When his lack of heart turned him bitter and cruel, the Lady of the Skies sent her children to retrieve it. After her swiftest and strongest fliers–raven and sparrow, vulture and eagle, swift and albatross–had spent a year and a day searching for the heart in vain, the ptarmigan volunteered for the search. The Lady refused to give the tiny bird her blessing, as she thought the mountains too fierce, but the ptarmigan succeeded where every other bird had failed. She found and freed the heart, allowing it to jump back into Korth's chest, where Hakkon Wintersbreath bound it once again. For her great deed, the ptarmigan was honored by all the gods over even the loftiest eagle.[10]
Qunari tales[]
The Tale of Imekari-saam and Imekari-raas[]
“A children's fable, originating in Kont-aar, that has grown quite popular throughout Rivain.”
Imekari-saam, meaning "Child Something", and Imekari-raas, meaning "Child Nothing", were two Qunari children. Imekari-saam was always honest. When she was evaluated by Arigena, the leader of the craftsmen, she was assigned a suitable role. Imekari-saam lived a long life and found fulfillment in her purpose. On the other hand, Imekari-raas was dishonest. He was assigned a role he wasn't well suited for. He felt uncertain, which allowed demons to prey upon his doubts until his will was finally broken. Imekari-raas became Imesaar-bas and was lost to the Qun. The tale warns: "Do not be nothing and dangerous, like Imesaar-bas. You will die."[9]
The Chain of Saarebas[]
“A fable told by the tamassrans to Qunari children who show signs of magical ability.”
A story about a young, inexperienced arvaarad and a saarebas he was escorting. When the two Qunari made camp for the night, the arvaarad started talking to the saarebas, even though he wasn't allowed to communicate with his charge. The arvaarad wondered how it's possible that the Qunari mages remain bound despite possessing immense powers. The saarebas did not reply; instead, a fiery creature emerged from the darkness. The arvaarad recognized it as a demon. The demon tried to tempt the saarebas to break free. The mage rejected each offer and proclaimed that his hands, eyes, and tongue do not belong to himself but to the Qun, and thus the demon won't ever be able to work through him. After the demon left in fury, the saarebas turned to the arvaarad and said that it's not the chain, the mask, and the sewn lips that bind him, but rather the trust of his fellow Qunari and the demans of the Qun. The arvaarad became enlightened by this event.[11]
The Straight Path[]
“From the collection of approved lessons by the tamassrans of the Qunari.”
A story about a Qunari girl who got lost in a deep forest due to a heavy rainstorm. She came across the ruins of an ancient temple and took shelter there. Inside the temple, she found a destroyed statue of some forgotten god. The plaque underneath read "Seek the light, and there find safety in me." The girl took it as a good sign, thinking that the god might still be protecting the temple. After the storm passed, she left the temple and tried to find her way back through the forest. She saw a light between the trees and followed it, but she didn't realize it was a wisp, "a deceiver from the Fade". The girl vanished into the forest and was never seen again. The narrator warns against following whims and superstitions, highlighting the "value of the straight path".[6]
Trivia[]
- "Andraste and the Wyvern" is the favorite bedtime story of Prince Baldewin, the only son of King Wilhelm of the Anderfels.[12]
- There are wyvern statues scattered across Ferelden that were inspired by the legend of Andraste taming the beast. It's considered a superstition by the Chantry.[13]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 205
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 141
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 209
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 211
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 212
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 215
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 217
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 207
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 208
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 216
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 213
- ↑ A Favor Returned
- ↑ Landmarks in Crestwood
