Greetings, Ellana. I hope I am finding you well. I have a question that I might hope you could help me with.
[ The last time they spoke was of concerning developments among the elven population. That has not changed though she has found little, resulting in more desperate attempts to gain information but now she finds all her focus forced elsewhere for the time being. ]
I assume you have heard or seen the forest that grew in Hightown where the ruins of the Chantry once stood. This sort of magic is... unfamiliar to me and I am trying to trace it's origin which is why I've contacted you. Is what happened to the site something capable in Dalish magic?
[ She's honestly not surprised to hear from someone wanting to ask her a question. It's not hard to put two and two together when it comes to a forest growing overnight and get Dalish magic as the answer. ]
Some Dalish magic, sure. The Keepers can make plants and the like grow. Helps keep us fed during the times hunting is thin. And they teach the specialization to their Firsts. Of course, those who aren't firsts or even seconds get cast to the wind, so I sure don't know how to do any of it.
[ Just in case you were wondering if Ellana is insensitive enough to grow a forest over the site of the city's former Chantry. ]
I see. Thank you for helping me understand a little more on what has occurred, and I hope you do not think I am here to lay blame at your feet. [ She cannot help her tired sigh. ] I simply hope to help prevent fingers from being pointed anymore than what is already happening.
I wouldn't blame you, you know. If you did. There are a lot of stories about the Dalish and the things we do isolated in our clans. But that's the thing about clans. We're so far apart from one another that what one might do, another would never.
Thanks for searching for the truth. I'm just going to keep my head down for awhile.
I am too used to having blame laid at my feet when I once called the Gallows my home as a Circle. Still, I try to remember that your clans are as different as our alienages. We all have our own traditions, stories and way of life.
[ Although she cannot see Saoirse's smile, she tries to project one in her voice. ] I am sorry, come visit with me in the alienage soon. I have been teaching the children songs and they always love the chance to make more friends.
Spreòdach! They adore music and coming up with their own little songs
[ Thankfully, not all of her songs are Chantry songs. Most are weird tavern songs from her travels and then some are ones sung in that even stranger language from her home. ]
The children might not let you leave without singing one song with them though.
If you do not make it back, I will remember you fondly... and I am sure the children will come up with a catchy rhyme about tomatoes or cherries. Perhaps even cherry tomatoes in remembrance.
[ An amused sigh. ] They're quite clever like that.
Such stories of our ancestors and I'll be known as that elf that resembles a vegetable. Or a fruit. I can never remember.
[ She sighs, but it's all in jest. ]
I'd really like to get to know more elves here. Elves who have grown up far differently than I have.
[ The last thing she wants to do is drop her life story on her new friend. From what she's heard, most city elves either completely envy the Dalish, or despise them. There hardly ever seems to be an in between, but she knows it's there. They just aren't as notable as the extremes. And her life has been the in between sort too. It was far from idyllic, but not a constant tragedy either. Ellana wants to know how the elves of Kirkwall have lived. ]
Believe me that there are worst ways to be remembered. I know quite a few of those songs since they are always so popular with the tavern drunks, no matter which country that I find myself in.
( She chuckles, happily. )
I think the elves here would love to know more about you too. We share this city with them now, I think there is much we can do and learn from them in return.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ The last time they spoke was of concerning developments among the elven population. That has not changed though she has found little, resulting in more desperate attempts to gain information but now she finds all her focus forced elsewhere for the time being. ]
I assume you have heard or seen the forest that grew in Hightown where the ruins of the Chantry once stood. This sort of magic is... unfamiliar to me and I am trying to trace it's origin which is why I've contacted you. Is what happened to the site something capable in Dalish magic?
no subject
Some Dalish magic, sure. The Keepers can make plants and the like grow. Helps keep us fed during the times hunting is thin. And they teach the specialization to their Firsts. Of course, those who aren't firsts or even seconds get cast to the wind, so I sure don't know how to do any of it.
[ Just in case you were wondering if Ellana is insensitive enough to grow a forest over the site of the city's former Chantry. ]
no subject
[ Ugh... what a day. ]
no subject
Thanks for searching for the truth. I'm just going to keep my head down for awhile.
no subject
[ Although she cannot see Saoirse's smile, she tries to project one in her voice. ] I am sorry, come visit with me in the alienage soon. I have been teaching the children songs and they always love the chance to make more friends.
no subject
[ She wants to hear the songs that Saoirse knows, even if they're Chantry songs which aren't really Ellana's thing, obviously. ]
Do you think they would like some music? I can play the lute passably well, but I'll leave the singing to you.
no subject
[ Thankfully, not all of her songs are Chantry songs. Most are weird tavern songs from her travels and then some are ones sung in that even stranger language from her home. ]
The children might not let you leave without singing one song with them though.
no subject
[ She laughs. ]
I suppose I can't disappoint them, but my face will be so red!
no subject
[ An amused sigh. ] They're quite clever like that.
no subject
[ She sighs, but it's all in jest. ]
I'd really like to get to know more elves here. Elves who have grown up far differently than I have.
[ The last thing she wants to do is drop her life story on her new friend. From what she's heard, most city elves either completely envy the Dalish, or despise them. There hardly ever seems to be an in between, but she knows it's there. They just aren't as notable as the extremes. And her life has been the in between sort too. It was far from idyllic, but not a constant tragedy either. Ellana wants to know how the elves of Kirkwall have lived. ]
no subject
( She chuckles, happily. )
I think the elves here would love to know more about you too. We share this city with them now, I think there is much we can do and learn from them in return.
no subject
[ Hearing this from an elf that's lived here gives Ellana hope. ]
I'll tell them whatever they want to know; both the good and the bad.