#falon'din

friend of the dead

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You stand before a tomb. It is not a building - rather, it is carved into the side of the mountain. The wind whistles around you, whipping your cloak against your body. The ledge you stand on hangs above a steep drop of jagged rock that disappears back into the valley. The entrance to the tomb is unassuming. There is no ornamentation carved into the stone - no intricate facade or metal embellishment. Only an open doorway and the words "Enter, Friend" carved above. You step inside, and the harsh whistle of the winds quiets immediately. It is dark and cold, yet it does not feel unwelcome. The room is small with only a stone coffin set into an alcove that has been carved from the mountain. A line of unlit, melted candle stubs sits in front of the coffin. The floor is covered in a clean layer of freshly dried grass. In the corner, a ragged yet neatly folded blanket rests next to a small chest.

The chest holds a few unused candles, a small flint, and a bulbous glass lantern. The glass of the lantern is uneven and dark, as though dirtied with a thick layer of soot. The handle is a simple copper hoop, and a small tassel hangs from the bottom.

Codex Entry: The Lantern of the Dead

Material: Dark, textured glass and copper ornamentation This object is not for use in combat. A lantern of simple design with dark glass and simple copper ornamentation. The shape is reminiscent of that of a skull. The lantern cannot be lit with mortal flame and must instead be lit with an invocation spoken by the bearer. "Friend to the Dead Guide my feet, calm my soul, Lead me to my rest." (X) When lit, small orbs of blueish-green light fill the lantern and the air around the bearer. The bearer is also adorned with a pair of spectral wings that form a glowing shroud around them. This shroud is not visible to the living. The lantern will guide the bearer along a sure path through darkness or across perilous terrain, and also grants the bearer night vision. The bearer will hear the whispers of the dead when in possession of the lantern. The whispers will grow louder as time passes. Continued use and exposure will lead to mental distress and eventual psychosis. While lit, the lantern sustains itself on the bearer's life force. This toll may be offset with an offering and a blood sacrifice. However, the bearer will hear the voice of the one that was offered, haunting them for the remainder of the bearer's life.

You light one of the unused candles and set it by the coffin before huddling under the blanket in the corner. You cradle the glass lantern in your lap. The candlelight flickers strangely across the textured surface of the glass. You brush your finger over the copper handle.

"Friend," the wind sighs from beyond the entrance to the tomb.

A phrase comes to mind. The words cluster against the back of your teeth, begging to be uttered.

You are faced with a choice. Do you:

⟡ Speak the works and light the lantern

⟡ Fight the impulse to speak and leave the lantern behind

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Developer Notes Below!

Day1 ✦ Day2 ✦ Day3 ✦ Day4 ✦ Day5 ✦ Day6 ✦ Day7 ✦ Day8 ✦ Day9

Falon'Din — Friend of the Dead💀

Rated: T | Dirthamen, Falon'Din, Fear & Deceit, Solas | Length: 2.7k, oneshot.

Dirthamen, like the Empire, was born of a dream that has long since been corrupted. It is the beginning of the end. A god makes amends.

As the Empire crumbles around him, Dirthamen reflects on how they got here, and he says goodbye. I was so excited to write for fellow Evanuris enthusiast Zaahvi and explore some more headcanons for the fall of Elvhenan <3

Written for the all-elves-celebration of the annual Arlathan Exchange! Check out the 40+ fanworks made for this year’s exchange and 270 works over the past few years (since 2022)! Chances are, your favorite DA elves are featured in the collection somewhere.

tysm for the tag @viagosbrother !!

Rules: There are two steps to this madness. Color the words that most resonate with your Rook. Count where you collected most words, and then search for the corresponding Evanuris codex and add it to the post! Add a pic of your lovely Rook as well (if you want). Have fun and please spread the tag, of course! ♥️

Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide

"O Falon'Din Lethanavir—Friend to the Dead Guide my feet, calm my soul, Lead me to my rest." In ancient times, the People were ageless and eternal, and instead of dying would enter uthenera—the long sleep—and walk the shifting paths beyond the Veil with Falon'Din and his brother Dirthamen. Those elders would learn the secrets of dreams, and some returned to the People with newfound knowledge. But we quickened and became mortal. Those of the People who passed walked with Falon'Din into the Beyond and never returned. If they took counsel with Dirthamen on their passage, his wisdom was lost, for it went with them into the Beyond also, and never came to the People. Then Fen'Harel caused the gods to be shut away from us, and those who passed no longer had Falon'Din to guide them. And so we learned to lay our loved ones to rest with an oaken staff, to keep them from faltering along the paths, and a cedar branch, to scatter the ravens named Fear and Deceit who were once servants of Dirthamen, now without a master. —As told by Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves.

Mythal (8)

maiden-mother-crone, diplomacy, motherly instincts, supportive, extinguishing fires, deeper meanings, idealism, resilience, survival, fine leathers and fine silks, silver filigree, raven feathers, driftwood, the iris flower, overwhelming yet restrained power, the dark moon, ultramarine fire, double meanings - double desires, hope, the Hawthorne, undeterred belief in oneself, veiled yearning for power

Elgar’nan (1)

the black sun - the blood moon, Patriarch archetype, possessive protection, authoritarian, hunger for power, relentless yet sometimes passive, subjective, strategic, leader, restrained emotions, tradition, heavy leathers and heavy golds, envy and desire, retribution, a fiery temper, conditional generosity, ancient ideals, consuming fire, thorny roses, wings of gold, birds of prey, domination, manipulation and temptation, obsessive, abundance

Falon’din (11)

black waters, myrrh, dark soil, hushed sounds, white, dark side of the moon, rebellion, vanity, the fade, journeys, shadows and reflections, illusions and deep knowledge, arcane, the dark arts, immortality by looking at the abyss, owl calls through the darkness, mania, desire to be admired, the Undertaker's hands, Nightshades, easily corrupted, deep emotions, ambition and competition, onyx

Dirthamen (7)

ravens and bears, hunger for knowledge, whispers, mercury, thick fog through pine forests, North, mountains, blacks and purples, books and libraries, deep blue ink, matters and facts, initiation through knowledge, masters and disciples, order and discipline, loyalty, delve deep, power through knowledge, know-it-all, teacher, curiosity

Andruil (1)

the hunter's moon, fur, iron, anger, spilled blood, dense woods, swamps and dark lakes, the beating of hooves, autumn rains, moose racks, thick moss, the thrill of the hunt, courage, determination, sensual desires, will to possess, purpose, strength and clarity, bluntness, blind to nuance, restless, victory through blunt force, physical prowess and flexed muscles, strained bows, blood-red

Sylaise (2)

harvest moon, flowers and herbs, warm bread and home, everlasting fires, tales around the hearth, healer and protector, hiraeth, the call of the home, beauty and warmth, respite and refuge, potions and balms, intoxicating scents, flower crowns and white gowns, sensuality, fertility, a large family, deep devotion to a partner, hidden devastating power, high goals, underestimated yet beloved, glory and creation, dreams come true, pink gold and apple flowers, sun rays filtered through leaves

June (4)

creation and invention, bronze and quartz, puzzles and labyrinths, lyrium, leather and wood, smoldering embers, anvils, geometric shapes, innovation, mastery, desire for progress, technology, high tech, logic, hard work, diligence, bolts and oil, welding sparkles, practical outfits, protective gear, sharp blades, mechanic whirring, sharp logic, discovery, technical drawings, teamwork

Ghilan’nain (5)

devotion, mystery, fearless, experimental, direction and motivation, medical knowledge, objective morals, orchids and hallas, love for animals, deeper understanding, emotional and sensitive, delicate, persuaded by loved ones, blurred lines, hyper focus, cruelty, ruthless, childish, shrewdness, flesh, blood and bones, creator, perfector, blood garnets and trembling sinews

Fen’harel (4)

the wolf moon, pride and vulnerability, wisdom and mania, sharp teeth, furs and leathers, rebels and isolationists, planet Pluto, the great change, uproot, unearth, fixations and deep knowledge, paradoxical subjectivity, hypocrisy, eyes that see it all, silent judgment, adaptability, revenge, blind purpose, grey morality, unfulfilled purpose, ether and dreams, mournful howls, thwarted purpose, thwarted heart, Loki archetype, well laid plans that fail, sharp tongue, sharp mind

Lord of the Dead, Falon'Din