#lore: circle

So, long answer time. Let's start with the first point: Lack of access to plants for many Circle trained mages.

This one is addressed by point one mostly but also point two. But lets start with the access to plants a typical Circle mage has.

Outside of the variable of plant exposure prior to joining the circle, which unless their magic emerges on the younger end of the scale they've likely been exposed to plenty of plant life. But, after they enter the circles? Well, we know that mages not only regularly work with plants but multiple Circles have gardens. The two we have canonical mention of are Montsimmard and Kinloch.

There are multiple references of circles and mages having access to gardens in DAO, DAI, and the novels; such as from Vivienne that at the least Montsimmard circle had a garden, as well as reference to older female mages should have "stayed in the circle and focused on their gardening" through out the series.

Which would make sense, much like the Inquisition has some extent of an herbal garden, circles would need to grow their own plants for use in their studies, and manufacturing in alchemy, potion crafting, herbalism, and other magical practices.

We know that some mages even have a focus/specialty in botanical fields such as Ines Arancia; the author of most plant codices we read from da2 onward. You meet her in Awakening while she is out looking for northern prickle weed.

Coupling with that, the fact that in Orlais, mages have have significantly more traveling privileges and freedom than other circles we know of. A fact stated in both Masked Empire and Inquisition. We see this mentioned by Vivienne in Jaws of Hakkon, that mages do regularly go out and collect plants for alchemy or to study.

I think the only ones where that wouldn't be the case are Kirkwall, Starkhaven, and potentially the Anderfels (just due to the nature of the Anderfels). But I don't think the lack of affinity to plant magic is really exposure based.

Which brings us to the second point: Plant/nature magic doesn't manifest in cultures outside of the Circle.

We don't see those of the Avvar, Chasind, or Tevinter - except for one Tevinter character, Francesca Invidus, introduced in Desception comic - have any more affinity for plant magic than we do in the games. In fact, we only see mention of plants blooming, growing, or any manipulation under elven mages. There are exceptions; Malcolm Hawke, Francesca Invidus, the Warden when taking on the Keeper specialization, and Feynriel. It is much more common under those of the Dalish origin, or those who had a Dalish mentor.

Leading into the third point: The default of magic is racial/genetic, but exceptions can happen depending on how one is nurtured.

I do think, like most magic in Dragon Age, there seems to be a racial/genetic quality to it. Or rather more specifically how connected to the Fade/magic an individual is. Elves being the most of the known races and more inclined to nature and plant magic, vashoth being a rather unclear connection but seem to have an affinity to elemental magic, and humans being more of the general "jack-of-all-trades" sort where they have very few limitations except in the fields of certain magic that is designed by and for elves. Such as the crossroad magic, uthenera, and