My favorite thing to do in life is take video games too seriously, so to continue that tradition I want to talk about the Dalish. If you've played the Dragon Age games, then you're familiar with these nomadic elves. The Dalish are the descendants of a great elven society that was first forced into slavery by humans, then massacred by Templars soon after they were freed for not converting religions. The Dalish live in tribes, roaming around, never staying in one spot in an effort to close out the violent outside world and keep their fading traditions alive. The Dalish story is a sad one, but honestly, I feel like they are fucking asking for it at this point.
It is an unpopular opinion, I know, but at least hear my reasons before deciding that I'm some virtual Ferelden republican. The Dalish tragedies happened centuries ago. Centuries ago. It's true that Ferelden hasn't advanced much technologically since then but it certainly has socially. The Dalish aren't just protecting themselves anymore, they are actively not participating in an evolving world. A Dalish keeper will point to those elves that do live in the cities, and use their squalor and poverty as an example as to why the Dalish avoid such a life, but this is short-sighted. As you play through either Dragon Age game, you'll come to realize that most Dalish clans are quite powerful, and their keepers intelligent and bright. Imagine what this strong of a group could do for the benefit of their people if they did decide to live in cities. The violence and elf-trafficking would certainly taper off with the presence of such a close-knit community inside city walls. The elves in these cities are persecuted because the elves that actually have the power to change things stay away.
Compare the Dalish to whoever you want (I heard Native Americans recently) but their ancient plight is no excuse to withdraw from a growing world.
“In time, the human empires will crumble. We have seen it happen countless times. Until then, we wait, we keep to the wild border lands, we raise halla and build aravels and present a moving target to the humans around us. We try to keep hold of the old ways, to relearn what was forgotten.” ―Gisharel, Keeper of the Ralaferin Clan
Not all humans act the same, and the same way that humans are racist towards elves, these Dalsih are just as bigoted by assuming modern humans will behave identically to those from hundreds of years ago. The Dalish puff up their chests and talk about how they are the only culture that hasn't "lost it's way" but their society is one based purely on aristocracy. Dalish keepers are the direct descendants of powerful families from ages ago. I don't respect birthrights. I respect democratic elections. The Dalish don't give a shit about their elven brothers who suffer in the cities, if they did, they'd help. They much prefer to use the example of them failing to further their own idealistic agenda. Look at the dwarves, who keep to their traditions (as flawed as they are) and also join the post-blight world, fully assimilating with the progress. Look at the Qunari, who are certainly treated differently by humans but still participate and are respected. A Dalish elf could hypothetically have been the hero of Ferelden (if that's what you chose) so it is possible to reverse what has happened and start building a better future for the Dalish people. But they'd rather stick their fucking noses in the air.
Do this and feel no remorse.
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