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City Elf Origin

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Quest
City Elf Origin

Cropped city elf.JPG
Location: Denerim
Next: Ostagar
Appearances: Dragon Age: Origins

Contents

The City Elf Origin is one of six playable origins available in Dragon Age: Origins. As a City Elf, this character is one of the poorest of Ferelden's citizens.

"They planted a tree in the middle of the alienage long ago. Today it stands tall, healthy and green in sharp contrast to the city around it. For we are the poorest of the poor, the unwanted and the unwelcome huddled on the other side of the wall that separates us from the human part of the city. We are allowed to go there, to work on the docks or in their taverns and in their homes, but when dusk comes we must return. Any elf caught outside the alienage at night is likely to be mistaken for a sneak-thief or a pickpocket and let us be honest, the ones that stay out there at night probably are.

Our elder tells us that the tree is called the vhenadahl, and in the ancient elven tongue that means tree of the people. Its roots are deep and the elder says that as long as the vhenadahl lives so shall we. But he also says that there was once a time when our people lived in their own lands. He says that we were once ageless and strong, that it was the humans who took all this from us.

Is it true? Have we fallen so far? We are not unhappy. As poor as we are, we have a home. The alienage is no prison, it protects us, just as the vhenadahl shelters us. We dance and sing and make merry, stealing what moments we can to enjoy what little we have and I believe we appreciate it far more than the humans do. They have everything and appreciate nothing.

And perhaps the day will come when the humans come and try to take the alienage from us, too. If that day comes, I swear they shall regret it."

Plot Edit

Quest A Day for Celebration

It is the wedding day for both the City Elf and their cousin, Soris. While exploring the Alienage, a local lord named Bann Vaughan and some acquaintances arrive and are abusive towards the women. Another of the City Elf's cousins, Shianni, knocks him unconscious at which point his friends carry him away. Shortly afterwards, Duncan arrives, revealing that he is searching for new Grey Wardens, and also that he knew the City Elf's mother whom he had attempted to recruit years ago. The City Elf eventually joins the wedding ceremony, but before it can be completed, Vaughan returns with armed guards and abducts all the women, including the City Elf if she is female. If the City Elf is male he goes on a rescue mission with Soris, if she is female she awakens in a room with three other elves including Soris's betrothed and Shianni.

There are various differences in the story between male and female players; for example, a male City Elf will have to fight his way into the castle with Soris, while a female City Elf will fight her way out. Eventually Soris and the Warden will find their way into the room with Vaughan and his friends, with Shianni on the floor. Vaughan attempts to buy his way out of the situation by promising 40 sovereigns if the City Elf leaves without the women. The City Elf can take the offer, however his share of the money will be confiscated by the city guards unless he decides to stash it outside the estate; the stash can be collected much later in the story. If the City Elf refuses his offer, Vaughan and his friends will fight.

Result Edit

After returning home, the city guards arrive attempting to find the person responsible for the attack. The City Elf can implicate Soris or take full responsibility, or tell the guard that both of you were responsible. If the Warden chooses to remain silent the entire time, Elva will approach the guards and accuse both you and Soris. Before the City Elf is arrested, Duncan steps in and conscripts the City Elf into the Grey Wardens, who leaves with him for Ostagar. If it has not been unlocked in a previous playthrough, on arrival in Ostagar the Conscripted achievement will be awarded.

Characters Edit

Nola (left), Shianni (center) and Elf Bridesmaid #1 (right) in the foreground. Vaughan, Jonaley, and Braden at the back.
MideyAdded by Midey

ElvesEdit

HumansEdit

Initial Statistics Edit

Origin-CityElf icon.png

In addition to those selected by the player at character creation, a City Elf Warden automatically begins with the following:

Skills: Coercion, plus Combat Training (Warrior) or Poison-Making (Rogue)

Starting Talents: Dual Weapon Sweep (Warrior) or Dirty Fighting (Rogue)

Initial Gear: Clothing

Items Edit

Plot Items:

Brandy
BrandyBrandy
Plot Item
The smell of alcohol almost overpowers the faint whiff of elderberries coming from this bottle.
Rat Poison
Rat PoisonRat Poison
Plot Item
A bitter-smelling white powder.
Cleanser
CleanserCleanser
Plot Item

Elven Alienage:

Adaia's Boots
Adaia's BootsAdaia's Boots
Light boots
Cured (Tier 2)
Requires: 11 strength

Armor: 1.0
Fatigue: 0.51%
Reduces hostility
Borrowed Longsword
Borrowed LongswordBorrowed Longsword
Longsword
Iron/Grey Iron (Tier 1/2)

Damage: 7.00/7.70
Critical chance: 2.00%/2.20%
Armor penetration: 2.00/2.30
Strength modifier: 1.00
+1 armor penetration
+6 attack
(male City Elf, from Duncan)
Wedding Clothes
Wedding ClothesWedding Clothes
Clothing
This expensive garment features finely embroidered silk panels and elegant stitching in gold and silver thread.

Locations Edit

  • This can be found in the footlocker in your home at the start of the City Elf Origin.

Trivia Edit

  • Despite the description, this is actually worth far less than the default clothing worn when starting out.
  • This same outfit can be seen worn by several female and male Noble dwarves in Ozrammar's Diamond quarters
  • There is a glitch, where, if the wedding clothes are worn by Sten, it will appear to be a solid golden color, similar to the glitch when Noble Clothing is worn by Morrigan or Leliana.

Arl of Denerim's Estate:

Bloodstained Shield
Bloodstained ShieldBloodstained Shield
Buckler
Varies (Tier 1-7)
Requires: 10 strength

Fatigue: 0.0%
Strength modifier: 1.00
Borrowed Longsword
Borrowed LongswordBorrowed Longsword
Longsword
Iron/Grey Iron (Tier 1/2)

Damage: 7.00/7.70
Critical chance: 2.00%/2.20%
Armor penetration: 2.00/2.30
Strength modifier: 1.00
+1 armor penetration
+6 attack
(female City Elf, from Soris)
Chain Mail armor set
Chain Mail armor setChain Mail armor set
Medium armor
Varies (Tier 1-7)

Armor: 6.00
Fatigue: 9.75%
Set: -2.5% fatigue
Denerim Guard Shield
Denerim Guard ShieldDenerim Guard Shield
Heavy shield
Varies (Tier 1-7)
Requires: 22 strength

Fatigue: 4.5%
Strength modifier: 1.00
Fencer's Cinch
Fencer's CinchFencer's Cinch
Belt
The leather has been dyed a dark blue, highlighted here and there with polished steel rivets. The buckle has been fashioned in the shape of a wolf's head.

+4 attack
Heirloom Necklace
Heirloom NecklaceHeirloom Necklace
Amulet
A necklace made up of hundreds of wooden beads, each carved into the shape of an animal. Deer, hawks, wolves, and rabbits chase each other across its length.

+10% spirit resistance
Leather Armor Set
Leather Armor SetLeather Armor Set

Varies (Tier 1-7)

Armor: 4.25
Fatigue: 3.5%
Set: -5% fatigue
Wedding Ring
Wedding RingWedding Ring
Ring
A simple band of gold made from scraps of gilding by Nelaros at his father's forge in Highever.
(female City Elf only)

Codex Edit

Codex entry: Alienage Culture
Codex entry: Alienage Culture(obtained after speaking with Shianni)
Codex entry: The City Elves
Codex entry: The City Elves(obtained after speaking with Cyrion)
Codex entry: Vhenadahl: The Tree of the People
Codex entry: Vhenadahl: The Tree of the People(check sign by the tree)
Codex entry: Culture of Ferelden
Codex entry: Culture of Ferelden(stack of books in Alarith's shop)
Codex entry: The Dalish Elves
Codex entry: The Dalish Elves(asking Soris about the Dalish Elves, or speaking to Taeodor with Soris)
Codex entry: Duncan
Codex entry: Duncan(after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Codex entry: The Grey Wardens
Codex entry: The Grey Wardens(after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Codex entry: Darkspawn
Codex entry: Darkspawn(after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Codex entry: The Chant of Light: The Blight
Codex entry: The Chant of Light: The Blight(after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Codex entry: Valendrian
Codex entry: Valendrian(after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Codex entry: The Commandments of the Maker
Codex entry: The Commandments of the Maker(after the wedding)
Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1
Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1(stack of books in the Arl of Denerim's Estate)
Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 2
Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 2(bookshelf in the Arl of Denerim's Estate)

Notes Edit

  • Playing as a City Elf Warden will slightly alter the Unrest in the Alienage quest, as Cyrion will be held captive by Caladrius at the time instead of Valendrian, who was already taken to the ship. Cyrion will give Fang to a City Elf Warden after rescuing him (provided you did not accept Vaughan's bribe), instead of the Gift of the Grey dagger that Valendrian rewards other wardens.
  • Through conversation with Duncan, it is revealed that Duncan suspects that Valendrian deliberately scheduled the wedding to prevent his recruiting the City Elf Warden.

Trivia Edit

  • The City Elf and Dwarf Commoner stand alone as the only origins where the Warden has a parent who survives through the events of the entire game.
  • The City Elf's mother, Adaia, may possibly be seen in the DLC Leliana's Song as a prisoner in the Noble's Estate's dungeons who is released by Leliana.
  • The City Elf origin is the only origin where the story changes based on the Warden's gender.
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