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City Elf Origin

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Quest
City Elf Origin

Cropped city elf
Location:
Start:
New campaign with City Elf character (Warrior or Rogue)
End:
Next:
Appearances:

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."

Contents

Plot Edit

Denerim Alienage
The Denerim Alienage
WardenWadeAdded by WardenWade
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

Conscripted

After returning home, the city guards arrive attempting to find the person responsible for the attack. The City Elf can remain silent or take full responsibility, or tell the guard that both you and Sorris 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

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

ElvesEdit

HumansEdit

Initial Statistics Edit

Origin-CityElf icon

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:

Plt ico brandy
BrandyBrandy
Plot Item
The smell of alcohol almost overpowers the faint whiff of elderberries coming from this bottle.
Plt ico rat poison
Rat PoisonRat Poison
Plot Item
A bitter-smelling white powder.
Plt ico cleanser
CleanserCleanser
Plot item
The vapors of coming from this are strong enough to burn the eyes and throat.

Elven Alienage:

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

Armor: 1.00
Fatigue: 0.51%
Reduces hostility
Ico longsword
Borrowed LongswordBorrowed Longsword
Longsword
Iron (Tier 1)

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

Arl of Denerim's Estate:

Ico shield smallroundwood
Bloodstained ShieldBloodstained Shield
Buckler
Elm (Tier 1)
Requires: 10 strength

Fatigue: 0.0%
Strength modifier: 1.00
Ico longsword
Borrowed LongswordBorrowed Longsword
Longsword
Iron (Tier 1)

Damage: 7.00
Critical chance: 2.00%
Armor penetration: 2.00
Strength modifier: 1.00
+1 armor penetration
+6 attack
(female City Elf, from Soris)
Ico armor med
Chainmail armor setChainmail armor set
Medium armor
Varies (Tier 1-7)

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

Fatigue: 4.50%
Strength modifier: 1.00
Ico belt
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
Ico amulet
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
Ico armor light
Leather armor setLeather armor set

Varies (Tier 1-7)

Armor: 4.25
Fatigue: 3.50%
Set: -5% fatigue
Ico 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

Ico codex entry
Codex entry: Alienage Culture (obtained after speaking with Shianni)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: The City Elves (obtained after speaking with Cyrion)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: Vhenadahl: The Tree of the People (check sign by the tree)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: Culture of Ferelden (stack of books in Alarith's shop)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: The Dalish Elves (asking Soris about the Dalish Elves, or speaking to Taeodor with Soris)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: Duncan (after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: The Grey Wardens (after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: Darkspawn (after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: The Chant of Light: The Blight (after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: Valendrian (after talking to Duncan & Valendrian)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: The Commandments of the Maker (after the wedding)
Ico codex entry
Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1 (stack of books in the Arl of Denerim's Estate)
Ico codex entry
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. Furthermore, the responses of all the Alienage characters towards your Warden will be very different if you took Vaughan's offer in the Origin.
  • Through conversation with Duncan, it is revealed that Duncan suspects that Valendrian deliberately scheduled the wedding to prevent his recruiting the City Elf Warden. Further conversation with Valendrian right after the mission start confirms that.

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 origin is the only origin where the story changes based on the Warden's gender.

References Edit

  1. http://azerothtozork.blogspot.com/2011/08/daniel-erickson-interview.html

Gallery Edit

Tabris Origin
Promotional material for the City Elf origin
WardenWadeAdded by WardenWade
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