In this part, I want to take a brief look at the largest alliance that the southern human tribes have ever established. I’m talking about the coalition of Alamarri, Avvar and Ciriane that was created during the times of Andraste.
First, let’s examine Andraste’s parents. The future “Bride of the Maker” was born to Elderath of the Alamarri and Brona of the Ciriane.
“Andraste’s father was Elderath, chief of the northernmost tribes of the Alamarri. He held vast stretches of territory, though the Alamarri cared little for the specifics of their borders. Tevinter struggled in an environment the barbarians had mastered. Elderath also benefited from relations of small but wealthy tribes in what would be known as the Fertile Crescent, and married Brona of the Ciriane to secure this arrangement. The birthplace of Andraste is believed to be what would become Denerim.”[1]
Elderath’s case is quite straightforward, he had authority over the northern part of the Fertile Valley. It’s less clear what lands Brona had brought to the alliance because the Fertile Crescent is rarely mentioned, but I think it’s possible to piece this together. The Ciriane tribe inhabited an area that became known as Orlais.
“Ciriane: Loosely defined and culturally rich, the Ciriane people prospered in the fertile crescent of what is now central Orlais. While other tribes faced pressure from Neromenians in the north, the Ciriane were largely isolated, and remained a strong, distinct people until the founding of Orlais after the First Blight.”[2]
I’m fairly sure the Fertile Crescent would include the Heartlands, an area in central Orlais which is described as rich and fruitful.
“The region between Lake Celestine and the shores of the Waking Sea is known as “The Heartlands,” a place of vineyards and gilded marble estates the locals refer to as “cottages.” It is often said that Orlais’ heart is plated with gold, and so it seems fitting that the Heartlands are perhaps the richest place outside of Val Royeaux.”[3]
I also find it likely that the area from which Brona hailed would be located somewhat near to the lands of the northern Alamarri led by Elderath. Perhaps she lived on the southern coast of the Waking Sea.
And so, the Alamarri and Ciriane alliance was secured with marriage between Elderath and Brona.
Figure 10. Alamarri-Ciriane alliance
Green area - territory controlled by Elderath
Yellow area - Fertile Crescent, inhabited by the Ciriane
They had one daughter who they named Andraste. She was born around the year -203 Ancient, just as the First Blight ended. Denerim is usually described as the place of her birth, but it’s possible she was born elsewhere in the lands included in the alliance.
“As well, Denerim was the birthplace of Andraste. One of them, anyway, as several other sites claim to have been the prophet's early home, including Jader, in Orlais. The Chantry takes no stance on which site's claim is valid, but it is well known that Andraste was Fereldan by birth.”[4]
Andraste wasn’t Fereldan of course, as the nation under that name didn’t form for another 700 years, but Brother Genitivi was probably using a more commonly known label for his writings to be more accessible.
Regardless of where she was born, it appears that Andraste spent most of her childhood and adolescence in the Alamarri lands and was trained as a spear-maid.
Next, let’s check what information is available on Maferath and his parents.
“Maferath’s father was Heggar II. His mother was Thelois. Both were prominent Alamarri, their union creating a powerful tribe that controlled much of what would become eastern Ferelden. They died of sickness common to the day but ensured the future of their people by training their son well in matters of tactics and arms.”[5]
As we can see Mafertah’s parents are presented here as Alamarri, however, I would say that in this context, it’s an umbrella term for the southern human tribes, which includes Avvar and Chasind. Previously, it’s been specified that Maferath belonged to an Avvar clan, which fits with the description of the territory controlled by his parents and later inherited by Maferath.
“Havard was Maferath's closest friend. They were children together in the same Avvar clan. They fought side-by-side in so many battles that Maferath dubbed him, "Havard the Aegis", better to have at his side than any shield.”[6]
Andraste married Maferath at sixteen, in -187 Ancient. This union cemented the alliance between the Alamarri, Avvar, Ciriane, and Planasene, though it’s not explained how the Planasene joined the coalition of the tribes. Perhaps they were previously allied with the Ciriane.
“Andraste was married to Maferath to create a unified Alamarri border that stretched from the Planasene, through the Fertile Crescent, to the Bannorn. It was, at that point, the largest such alliance the barbarians of the South had attempted.”[7]
Figure 11. Alamarri-Avvar-Ciriane-Planasene alliance
Green area - territory controlled by Elderath
Blue area - territory controlled by Maferath
Yellow area - Fertile Crescent, inhabited by the Ciriane
Orange area - territory inhabited by the Planasene
Soon after their marriage, Andraste began speaking about her experiences with the Maker, which Maferath promptly utilized in expansion of the alliance.
“-186 Ancient: Andraste preaches of a new creator, whom she calls the Maker. The more she says, the more her following grows. Maferath uses her teachings to unite the Alamarri clans under his authority.”[8]
A few years later, the unified tribes grew strong enough to take on the Tevinter Imperium.
“-180 Ancient: Maferath’s barbarian horde pushes north and begins an outright assault on the Imperium.”[9]
Joined by slaves who escaped the Imperial shackles, the army led by Andraste and Maferath conquered significant territories north of the Waking Sea. However, Andraste was betrayed by her husband and the further advancement of their forces was stopped.
“-171 Ancient: [...] Wanting to bring an end to hostilities and tighten his grip on conquered territories, he makes a pact with Archon Hessarian of the Tevinter Imperium.”[10]
“-165: The armies of Maferath and Andraste disperse. Maferath claims much of southern Thedas in the name of the Alamarri, taking Ferelden for himself while dividing what will become Orlais, the nation of Nevarra, and several Marcher cities between his sons.”[11]
“-135 Ancient: The Alamarri in Ferelden fall into a long series of internal wars as various warlords attempt to replace Maferath.”[12]
I won’t get into details of the territorial disputes that arose after Maferath’s death, as it would result in a tangent thrice as long as what I’ve already written. Suffice to say that the unified border dissolved. Up until his death, Maferath seems to have resided in the Fertile Valley instead of the Avvar lands west of Lake Calenhad that were his heritage. Havard, his childhood friend, decided to store Andraste’s ashes in a temple built in the Frostback Mountains, perhaps near the region where their clan had once lived. However, Havard and the rest of the Disciples endured completely hidden from the outside world, including any Avvar tribes that might’ve dwelled in the area.
“-135 Ancient: Andraste’s ashes disappear, revealed ages later to have been stored away at the Temple of Sacred Ashes in Haven.”[13]
It’s unclear what percentage of the Avvar tribes converted to the faith of the Maker. I suspect most who did had departed the Frostback Mountains and settled elsewhere, joining other tribes in the coalition or claiming new territories in the lands conquered by Andraste. It’s likely that the southern Avvar tribes had never entered the alliance. The lore indicates that the Frostback Mountains as a whole remained a foothold of the traditional Avvar and Alamarri faith from before Andraste’s revelations.
Next up: Why did the Avvar stay isolated in the high areas of the Frostback Mountains?
~
Sources:
[1] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 11
[2] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 26
[3] War Table mission: Truth or Dare: Lake Celestine
[4]Codex entry: Denerim
[5] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 11
[6] Codex entry: Havard's Aegis
[7] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 12
[8] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 37
[9] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 42
[10] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 44
[11] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 45
[12] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 48
[13] Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 48
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