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“The differences between the races of Thedas go far deeper than the point of elven ears or the squat stature of the dwarves. What’s more, distinct, sometimes opposing cultures thrive within each race’s ranks, only adding to political and religious friction. The only thing all people in Thedas seem to have in common is the continent they call home.”

“While humans are the dominant race in Thedas, they are also the most fractured. The race’s tribal roots led to the evolution of distinct groups with their own languages, customs, and beliefs.”

–World of Thedas: Vol 1, pg 26

Just like our world, there is the human race, and then within the human race are different racial/ethnic backgrounds, coming from different parts of the world.

Neromenians

Origin: North of the Boeric Ocean Language: Tevene, King’s Tongue Religion: Old Gods, now Chant of Light

Supposedly the first human settlers in Thedas, and claim to be the first to possess magic, the Neromenians came from the north, just as the Qunari did. Their arrival resulted in skirmishes with the elves, but nothing as drastic as what would come after the formation of the Tevinter Imperium.

Three kingdoms that broke off from the Neromenians grew to become their own, distinct peoples: Barindur, Qarinus, and Tevinter. All three groups traditionally worshipped the Old Gods, until the rise of the Imperial Chantry.

Barindur

Origin: Branched off from the Neromenians Language: Tevene, King’s Tongue Religion: Old Gods, now Chant of Light

There are next to no Barindur people left, as a great tragedy befell their land. In a very Pompeii-esque event, the entire kingdom was buried and apparently preserved under volcanic ash. Legend says this is because the king pissed off Dumat by turning away a visiting priest.

Qarinus

Origin: Branched off from the Neromenians Language: Tevene, King’s Tongue Religion: Old Gods, now Chant of Light

When breaking off from the Neromenians, the Qarinus went east, right on the doorstep of Arlathan. They settled in what is now the city of Qarinus in the Tevinter Imperium.

Tevinter

Origin: Branched off from the Neromenians Language: Tevene, King’s Tongue Religion: Old Gods, now Chant of Light

The Tevinter people rose in power, and eventually swallowed the land of the Neromenians, Qarinus, and remaining Barindur, forming the modern day mapped Tevinter Imperium in -1195 Ancient. This is largely due to their alliance with Kal-Sharok, (which meant lots of lyrium.)

With their land expansion now including Qarinus territory, the genocide and enslavement of the elves followed, only bolstering their power. They spread south to as far as Ferelden, east as far as Rivain, west as far as the Anderfels, and north to Seheron, but have greatly shrunk thanks to the opposing people of these lands.

Chasind

Origin: Across the Frostback Mountains Language: Unnamed language, King’s Tongue Religion: Unknown, (very likely Alamarri Gods, though not said outright)

An Alamarri people (Alamarri being a blanket term for the Clayne, Chasind and Avvar) who dispersed from the Frostback Mountains fleeing a demon referred to as a “Shadow Goddess”. They were driven into the Korcari Wilds by the Clayne, where the majority still reside, outside of modern Ferelden rule, in small communities with cultural differences.

(The Chasind are of particular fascination to me and I have a whole post about them, so I’m gonna link you here for way more.)

Agadi

Origin: Branched off from the Chasind Language: Unknown Religion: Unknown, (likely Alamarri Gods)

The Chasind are also the only people known to have settled in the “uncharted” Frozen Wastelands in the south, which they refer to as the “Sunless Lands.” It is suspected that the people to inhabit here, known as the Agadi, have broken off into their own culture by Genitivi in WoTv2, but we will probably never actually get a clear answer to this.

Avvar

Origin: Across the Frostback Mountains Language: King’s Tongue Religion: Alamarri Gods

An Alamarri people (Alamarri being a blanket term for the Clayne, Chasind and Avvar) who dispersed from the Frostback Mountains fleeing a demon referred to as a “Shadow Goddess”. They were driven back into the Frostback Mountains by the Clayne, where the majority still reside, outside of modern Ferelden and Orlesian rule. However, some Avvar fortresses extended as far north as the Waking Sea, in their fight against Tevinter expansion, but have sense been abandoned or claimed by the Clayne.

Like the Chasind, the Avvar are made of numerous settlements (referred to as Holds) with distinct beliefs and cultures, though they all still worship the old Alamarri Gods.

Clayne

Origin: Across the Frostback Mountains Language: King’s Tongue Religion: Alamarri Gods, now Chant of Light

An Alamarri people (Alamarri being a blanket term for the Clayne, Chasind and Avvar) who dispersed from the Frostback Mountains fleeing a demon referred to as a “Shadow Goddess”. The Clayne settled in the valleys of modern day Ferelden, the country they would come to form, and over time have largely dispersed and moved away from their ancient culture.

In the process of Ferelden’s creation, they pushed the Chasind and Avvar into remote territory, though the three groups still united to drive back the Tevinters.

Even before Ferelden and Orlais’ conception, the Clayne and Ciriane had a long history of antagonism, though there are case examples of unification, mostly against Tevinter. Supposedly Andraste was half Ciriane and half Alamarri; likely Clayne.

Ciriane

Origin: Unknown Language: Orlesian, King’s Tongue Religion: Unknown, now Chant of Light

Most of those native to Orlais are Ciriane, but while the ancient cultures in current day Ferelden have been preserved and are fairly well known, ancient Ciriane culture has been erased through time. This is largely due to Kordillus Drakon I forcefully spreading the Chant of Light in the process of land expansion and the unification of the Orlesian Empire in -155 Ancient. Before that time, they lived in isolation.

Even before Ferelden and Orlais’ conception, the Clayne and Ciriane had a long history of antagonism, though there are case examples of unification, mostly against Tevinter. Supposedly Andraste was half Ciriane and half Alamarri; likely Clayne.

Planasene

Origin: Unknown Language: Nevarran, King’s Tongue, Tevene Religion: Animism, now Chant of Light

Most of those native to Nevarra are Planasene, as well as many in the Free Marches and southern Tevinter. Not much is known about their ancient history, other than that they were traditionally farmers. The Nation of Nevarra was formed in -165 Ancient, but remained in political turbulence and occupied by Orlais and Tevinter multiple times. Nevarra regained and has kept independence since 3:65 Towers.

Inghirsh

Origin: Unknown Language: Orlesian, King’s Tongue Religion, Unkonwn, now Chant of Light

The Inghirsh people lived in the land between northern Orlais and southern Nevarra. Originally a large cultural group, they were all but completely wiped out by the Neromenians. Survivors merged with the Ciriane and Planasene.

Rivaini

Origin: North of the Boeric Ocean Language: Unnamed language, King’s Tongue, Qunlat Religion: Natural Order, Qun

According to Gaider on the forums, the Rivaini people originated from islands north of the Boeric Ocean, and that there are still natives who live there, but are mostly uncontacted, fearing southern colonization. They settled on the northeastern peninsula now known as Rivain, forming the nation in -44 Ancient.

After spending much time under control of the Qunari, there is a significant population of converts to the Qun. While there are some who believe in the Chant of Light, most not following the Qun are pantheists, who believe in the traditional Natural Order. They have also kept their traditional matriarchal society structure, with special respect for Rivaini Seers. The older, the wiser.

Antivan

Origin: Unknown Language: Antivan, King’s Tongue Religion: Unknown, now Chant of Light

It is unknown where the Antivan people came from, but quite possibly have a culture dating back as far as Tevinter. It is unknown how long the city states existed before becoming a nation in -30 Ancient, but considering the story of Beregrand the Bold–a dwarf from Gundaar who built a local navel empire–the civilization must at least go back a good number of years before that, since Gundaar fell in -40 Ancient after many years of suffering from being sealed away in the Deep Roads.

Orth

Origin: Unknown Language: Ander, King’s Tongue Religion: Unknown

Some time ago, the Anderfels was known as the Orthlands, after the native people, the Orth. But after being conquered and the land colonized multiple times by both Tevinter and Orlais, the Orth were pushed into the Wandering Hills. They are a solitary people, living far out in the deserts that most deem unsurvivable, and as such, not much is known about them, other than that they practice facial scarification and it was they who taught the Grey Wardens how to ride griffons.

Fex

Origin: Par Vollen Language: Qunlat Religion: Qun

The Fex are the native people of Par Vollen, and according to Gaider on the forums, they have always been there. Deep in the island’s jungles they built pyramids of unknown significance that still remain.

The Fex have all readily adopted the Qun, and their old society entirely lost. It is suspected their willingness to accept the Qunari’s control is attributed to the qunari race’s resemblance to ancient Fex petroglyphs of tall horned men shown in a manner of authority and respect.

Voshai

Origin: Across the Volca Sea Language: King’s Tongue Religion: Unknown

The Voshai are a mysterious people who settled in the Anderfel city of Laysh, interested in trading. They exhibit an obsession with lyrium, and all of their ships are run by dwarves, who the humans treat with reverence.

The Voshai were absent from Laysh for some time, and only recently returned speaking of a “great cataclysm” in their homeland.

“Parladians”

Origin: Par Ladi Language: Unknown Religion: Unknown

In WoTv2 Genitivi refers to the native people of Par Ladi–an island in the Boeric Oceans near Par Vollen–as Parladian, to quote, “for lack of a better term.” The Parladians are uninterested in contact with outsiders, so the only thing known about them is that their fortresses on the shores are a magnificent sight, they wear lots of gold and jewels, and their language is not one recognized in Thedas.

It is rumoured that the Parladians have mages much like Rivaini Seers that keep their island cloaked in a spell that prevents explorers from docking.

Unnamed Natives of Seheron

Origin: Unknown Language: Qunlat Religion: Unknown, Qun

Gaider said that the Fog Warriors of Seheron are not Tal-Vashoth, but people native to the island. This is further evidenced in DA:I’s codex about the Fog Warriors, written as a note that speaks of Tevinter and Qunari colonization and war. The Fog Warriors want Seheron to be an independent nation, separate from both Tevinter and the Qunari, who are in constant battle over it.

Daefads

Origin: Unknown Language: Unknown Religion: Unknown

The Enigma of Kirkwall codex entry mentions that prior to what is now known as Kirkwall being taken by the Tevinter Imperium, some say it was home to the Daefads. There is no knowledge of any kind about these people.

SOURCES

Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age: II

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Codex entry: The Avvars (DA:O) Codex entry: The Vigil (DA:O)

Codex entry: Beregrand the Bold (DA:2)

Codex entry: The Enigma of Kirkwall (DA:2)

Codex entry: The Lost City of Barindur (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Annulment at Dairsmuid (DA:I)

Codex entry: Seers and the Allsmet (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Pyramids of Par Vollen (DA:I)

Codex entry: Battleground State (DA:I)

World of Thedas: Vol 1

World of Thedas: Vol 2

David Gaider on Rivaini origins

David Gaider on Fex origins