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Dalish Elves A heraldry DA2

The Vir Tanadhal is a Dalish philosophy espoused by a clan's hunters in the spirit of the elven goddess of the hunt, Andruil.[1][2] It teaches young Dalish hunters to respect nature and be resolute in purpose.

The Way of Three Trees[]

The Vir Tanadhal translates as "the way of three trees", and encompasses three basic tenets:

  • Vir Assan, the Way of the Arrow: fly straight and do not waver or alternatively, be swift and silent, strike true, and do not waver.[3]
  • Vir Bor'assan, the Way of the Bow: bend but never break or alternatively, as the sapling bends, so must you. In yielding, find resilience; in pliancy, find strength.[3]
  • Vir Adahlen, the Way of the Forest, also known as the Way of the Woods[3]: receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness,[4][5][1]

Notes[]

  • A Dalish mage apprentice, or "First" to a Keeper, would be taught subjects like magic and history rather than the Vir Tanadhal of the hunters.[6]
  • The Vir Tanadhal appears to be the philosophical opposite of the Vir Atish'an, the "way of peace" belonging to Andruil's sister Sylaise, that is taught to Dalish healers.[7]
  • Chantry sister Costeau teaches her followers that the Way of the Forest means each tree can exist separately, but still be part of the greater forest. It is unknown if this is a misinterpretation of Dalish culture, or if the Dalish also apply Vir Adahlen outside of hunting.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt Codex entry: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt
Codex entry: Vir Tanadhal: The Way of Three Trees Codex entry: Vir Tanadhal: The Way of Three Trees

References[]

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