Changes: Ran Lavellan

Latest revision as of 01:47, 13 October 2021

Ran Lavellan, by her full name Rahnmyath Tarasylah Lavellan, is a Dalish elf born in 9:13 Dragon. Raised to become the Keeper of Clan Lavellan, her life was however turned upside down when she became the sole survivor of the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes during the Conclave. When a new Inquisition was formed in 9:41 Dragon, Ran became its leader, also known as the Herald of Andraste.

Overview

Physical Appearance

Ran stands at about average height for an elf, neither particularly tall nor small. She has black, shoulder-length hair that she keeps untied. She has pale skin and dark brown, narrow eyes. Her face is marked with a thin, deep scar on her cheek, as well as a few other smaller scars on her forehead, cheek and jawline. Her body is slightly defined, the result of minimal hand-to-hand combat training, using her staff and long expeditions she completed as the Inquisitor.

Before she had Solas remove her Vallaslin, she had the complex version of Sylaise's Vallaslin tattooed in black, the colour stark against her pale skin.

Though she doesn't devote a lot of time to it because she doesn't consider it a priority, she does likes prettying herself up and feeling elegant. The only beauty ritual she does almost every day is colouring her lips a dark red, and because she's done it for so long, it's now a ritual that brings her comfort. Her equipment is also generally in shades of black and red.

Personality

From the moment that her clan's Keeper discovered her abilities as a mage, she was raised to become a good leader. She doesn't remember a time when she lived without the weight of that responsibility, though it's a weight she bears with no bitterness. Her upbringing as the First of her clan instilled a deep love of learning in her which became her main drive in life - to discover more, to uncover truths -, and so she's highly inquisitive as well as open-minded. Though her interests are wide and varied, magic and elven culture are the most prevalent.

It's also important for her to act as a force of good for the people she loves as well as for the world. To her, small acts of kindness are as important as world-changing heroism, and it's the reason that despite her battle-focused magic abilities, she chose Sylaise's Vallaslin when she came of age: she believed in the goddess' conviction to watch over the innocent, and in the value of being soothed by healing or comforted by a warm fire.

She's generally calm and controlled, and pretty serious, though she can sometimes crack a joke or two in the right context and has her moments when she's more playful or sarcastic. However, she tends to naturally adapt her behaviour depending on who she's with, becoming flirtier or more humorous if the person she's talking to also is. She's a decent diplomat, willing to try to accommodate all parties when she can (when she wants to), though she doesn't particularly enjoy politics, finding them stiff. Though she believes necessary truths - no matter how harsh - should be faced head-on, she's also not against lying sometimes, depending on the circumstances, and she's unwilling to inflict unnecessary suffering.^[1] She's also willing to forgive and give second chances as long as she can still trust or empathize with the person. Though she values her own life, she does have a tendency to put others' needs before her own. Additionally, she likes for the people she loves to know that she values them and for the people who work for her to know she appreciates what they do, though she doesn't always remember to do it.

It's hard to truly intimidate, faze, or scare her - though she has been surprised plenty at many points of her adventures as the Inquisitor. Furthermore, she's not the kind of person who shies away from truth or pain, of the opinion that all emotions - good and bad - are valuable and part of what makes life worth living. She endeavours to fully accept her emotions while remaining outwardly controlled. Yet she also sees no point in wallowing if it won't help her.^[2]

Talents and Skills

Ran, having devoted much of her time to the study of magic, is a talented and powerful mage. Despite being interested in various fields of magic, her own expertise is mostly focused on storm spells. Her mastery of that school of magic is extraordinary, and she's able to cast very strong lightning spells with large areas of effects while guiding them to hone in only on enemies, leaving her allies unharmed. Preferring to attack from a ranged position, her spells remain potent even when sent out from pretty far away. Her few spells of the other schools of magic - namely ice, fire and spirit - are however very much less precise and less powerful.

Before the Anchor was removed, Ran had become one of the most powerful rift mages of the land. Her natural magical capabilities, mixed with the superior control given by the Anchor, allowed her to mould the Veil and draw from the Fade to her will, using it to unleash devastating attacks. After the removal of the Anchor, rift magic is more difficult both to access and to control, and she's training in order to be able to use it without overloading her body and killing herself. For now, she no longer uses it in combat.

Apart from magic, she has minimal skills in hand-to-hand combat and in wielding a dagger, to ensure she's not completely caught off-guard in a situation in which she wouldn't have her staff or couldn't use her magic at all. At close range, she's also decent with a bow, though not good enough to hunt with it.

Because of all her studies as her clan's First, she's able to read quickly and memorize a lot of information in little time.

Biography

History

Apart from the inherent difficulties of Dalish life, Ran lived a mostly happy, pretty unremarkable childhood among her clan. She felt slightly isolated because of her position as her clan's First and because so much of her time was devoted to that training, as well as developing her abilities as a mage. Despite that, she still managed to become close to a few others, like her brother and her clan's Second. She also took well to the clan's nomadism, enjoying discovering the new areas they moved to each time.

In-game

Summary
Issue	Decision or result
Alliance	With the mages, as full allies
Fate of the Grey Wardens	Exiled
Well of Sorrows	Let Morrigan drink
Divine election	Cassandra
Status of the Inquisition	Disbanded

In 9:41 Dragon, Ran was sent to the Conclave by Clan Lavellan as a spy. While she at first only intended to discreetly observe the proceedings, she intervened when she heard a cry for help. Then the Breach was opened, the Temple of Sacred Ashes exploded, and, because she was saved by the Divine Justinia (though she couldn't remember it at the time), Ran was the only survivor.

Post-game

Once Corypheus was beaten, Ran devoted her time to the Inquisition and to rebuilding efforts across the land. She was quickly contacted, however, by her little brother, who seemed to have survived the massacre of her clan. He and his daughter, Mioluvun, had managed to escape - though her brother got gravely hurt in the process -, and they had found refuge in an alienage. Ran brought them back to Skyhold, where her brother lived his remaining weeks comfortably. After his death, she became her niece's main guardian, raising her with the help of her friends.

Relationships

The Inquisition

Closest

Solas: Solas was a great source of comfort to her in the beginning. Despite his depreciative views of the Dalish, he was another elf, and another mage, and she couldn't help but be drawn to all his knowledge and his stories. They got closer as he welcomed her inquiries about the Fade, magic, spirits... Their camaraderie grew in combat as well, as Ran liked to bring him on her missions, his abilities in the spirit school of magic a great support in fights and his input helping her make some of her decisions. Their friendship was mostly a quiet, comfortable thing that blossomed into romance at Ran's initiative, and with time into love. She was deeply saddened when he distanced himself from her and their relationship, but she could feel there was something amiss, something that made him refrain. Finding out his true identity was a shock, but she knew him too well as Solas to be scared by the legends of her people about Fen'Harel. After seeing him again during the events of the Exalted Council, she's determined to change his mind about his plans, because she still trusts some parts of him and trusts in his sense of justice and of right and wrong, and believes that because she's already changed his mind in the past, it may happen again.
Dorian: Ran immediately found Dorian easy to like and fun to be around. Their friendship deepened with their brief stint as time travellers, as well as when Dorian opened up to her. She values Dorian's expertise on magic and always enjoys the time they spend together, whether discussing or reading... He was also a great support in the more tumultuous moments of her romantic relationship. All in all, he eventually became her best friend, and the communication crystal he gave her after the Exalted Council is her most prized possession.
Cassandra: Despite their harsh first meeting, Ran eventually came to greatly respect Cassandra, for her skills in battle and her honour. She grew to like the woman and to deeply trust her, knowing she could rely on her. With so many hardships shared, Cassandra eventually became a treasured friend. Despite Cassandra's ascension to the position of Divine, Ran still treats her like a friend in private contexts.
Cole: Ran was immediately acceptant of his nature as a spirit. She appreciates his input and brought him on most of her missions for the Inquisition. She values his company and friendship, grateful that he doesn't make her forget him, and she cannot help but see him as kind of a younger brother, because he's always seemed young to her, despite his wisdom.

Friends

Blackwall: While Ran was always friendly with Blackwall, their friendship became stronger after the truth about his identity was revealed and she decided to save him from his execution. She got closer to him during the months following Corypheus' defeat, in particular, finding him easy to trust and pleasant to spend time with. She greatly respects his desire to repent and his attempts to redeem himself.
Leliana: Leliana is probably her most trusted advisor, as Ran really appreciates her methods, because operations she took charge of often led to fewer casualties and fewer battles in the long run. Ran also appreciates Leliana's calmer personality, though Ran never managed to get as close to her as, for example, Cassandra.
Josephine: Josephine has always been a comforting presence, with her agreeable personality, and for a little while Ran even had somewhat of a crush on her. The feelings eventually faded on their own. Josephine's knowledge of politics and nobles was a great help to Ran, who had never expected she might have to get so involved in human politics. She enjoys Josephine's company and will always be pleased to see her if their paths happen to cross.
Cullen: Ran respects Cullen's expertise in military matters. She likes him enough to call him a friend, and she encouraged him to deal with his addiction to lyrium. She also greatly approves of his initiative to open a sanctuary for former Templars, which she visits from time to time.
Varric: Ran finds it easy to be friendly with Varric and values his contributions as an ally, and appreciates the relaxed way he's always treated her despite her status as the Inquisitor.

Others

Iron Bull: Ran found Iron Bull pleasant to be around while he was their ally. However, he betrayed her when the Viddasala gave him the order. She killed him because she had to, but it's one of her biggest regrets that she didn't do more to gain his loyalty.
Vivienne: While Ran doesn't agree with Vivienne's views on the Circles and as a result has kept the woman at a distance, she appreciates Vivienne's decorum and respectful demeanour. Ran doesn't hold Vivienne close to her heart, but she doesn't deeply dislike her either, though she may have to go against her eventually as she supports the freedom of the mages.
Morrigan: She doesn't trust Morrigan as far as she could throw her - though she does respect her abilities as a mage - but she's still of the opinion that Morrigan probably (hopefully) isn't a threat to the world, as she let her drink from the Well of Sorrows (even though that was mostly because she herself didn't want it).
Sera: Ran recruited Sera for the Inquisition because she valued her skills, but she never managed to get along with her, finding her abrasive.

Clan Lavellan

Her brother
Mioluvun, her niece
Tarasylah, her mother
Arasulahn, her father
Deshanna Istimaethoriel, her mentor

Miscellaneous

Tastes

She likes books, and reading - it's part of why she and Dorian get along so well. Her favourite colours are black and red. She likes dancing, especially if she can dance with one or many others, and as a preference for more flowing, free dances, though she doesn't dislike the kind of dances Orlais favours. She has a few precious memories of dancing with her family and members of her clan during her childhood. She likes to hum songs under her breath sometimes, but though she likes singing, she never really dares to sing loudly or in front of others - her voice tends to go off-key anyway. She has wanted to learn to use a musical instrument, and after seeing Solas' frescoes, she has wanted to learn to paint, or at least draw, but she never really got around to doing either.

Fears

With how much she values her emotions and experiences, her biggest fear is the Rite of Tranquility. She sees it as a fate worse than death. In general, she also fears loss of self-control and humiliation, as well as hurting people through careless words or actions.

As the Inquisitor, she refused to let people forget she was an elf, hoping that her good deeds would influence the opinions on her people as a whole. However, that also brought about the fear that should she make wrong decisions, the consequences could touch not only the Inquisition or herself but the elves as well.

Notes

↑ For example, if someone's brother died because they'd foolishly ventured into a dangerous place unprepared, but there's no use telling the sister it was a stupid endeavour (i.e., the sister has no intentions to venture into the dangerous place), then Ran might lie and say the brother died heroically facing a monster that would have overwhelmed anyone. However, to give another example, she's disapproving of the attitude some Dalish clans had towards Solas when he tried to share his memories with them - she understands why they might find it easier to reject it rather than face it, but disapproves all the same.
↑ Such as accepting her own death. When it appeared clear, during the events of the Exalted Council, that the Anchor would likely kill her in the next few days, she saw no point in lingering on sadness or regrets. Instead, she spent what time she had left making it clear how much of an honour it had been to have her companions by her side, and racing against the clock to uncover the scheme of the Qunari.

[1] For example, if someone's brother died because they'd foolishly ventured into a dangerous place unprepared, but there's no use telling the sister it was a stupid endeavour (i.e., the sister has no intentions to venture into the dangerous place), then Ran might lie and say the brother died heroically facing a monster that would have overwhelmed anyone. However, to give another example, she's disapproving of the attitude some Dalish clans had towards Solas when he tried to share his memories with them - she understands why they might find it easier to reject it rather than face it, but disapproves all the same.

[2] Such as accepting her own death. When it appeared clear, during the events of the Exalted Council, that the Anchor would likely kill her in the next few days, she saw no point in lingering on sadness or regrets. Instead, she spent what time she had left making it clear how much of an honour it had been to have her companions by her side, and racing against the clock to uncover the scheme of the Qunari.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 === '''Personality''' ===
-From the moment that her clan's Keeper discovered her abilities as a mage, she was raised to become a good leader. She doesn't remember a time where she lived without the weight of that responsibility, though it's a weight she bears with no bitterness. Her upbringing as the First of her clan instilled a deep love of learning in her which became her main drive in life - to discover more, to uncover truths -, and so she's highly inquisitive as well as open-minded. Though her interests are wide and varied, magic and elven culture are the most prevalent.
+From the moment that her clan's Keeper discovered her abilities as a mage, she was raised to become a good leader. She doesn't remember a time when she lived without the weight of that responsibility, though it's a weight she bears with no bitterness. Her upbringing as the First of her clan instilled a deep love of learning in her which became her main drive in life - to discover more, to uncover truths -, and so she's highly inquisitive as well as open-minded. Though her interests are wide and varied, magic and elven culture are the most prevalent.
-It's also important for her to act as a force of good for the people she loves as well as the world. To her, small acts of kindness are as important as world-changing heroism, and it's the reason that despite her battle-focused magic abilities, she chose Sylaise's Vallaslin when she came of age: she believed in the goddess' conviction to watch over the innocent, and in the value of being soothed by healing or comforted by a warm fire.
+It's also important for her to act as a force of good for the people she loves as well as for the world. To her, small acts of kindness are as important as world-changing heroism, and it's the reason that despite her battle-focused magic abilities, she chose Sylaise's Vallaslin when she came of age: she believed in the goddess' conviction to watch over the innocent, and in the value of being soothed by healing or comforted by a warm fire.
-She's generally calm and controlled, and pretty serious, though she can sometimes crack a joke or two in the right context and has her moments when she's more playful or sarcastic. However, she tends to naturally adapt her behaviour depending on who she's with, becoming flirtier or more humorous if the person she's talking to also is. She's a decent diplomat, willing to try to accommodate all parties when she can (when wants to), though she doesn't particularly enjoy politics, finding them stiff. Though she believes necessary truths - no matter how harsh - should be faced head-on, she's also not against lying sometimes, depending on the circumstances, and she's unwilling to inflict unnecessary suffering.<ref>For example, if someone's brother died because they'd foolishly ventured into a dangerous place unprepared, but there's no use telling the sister it was a stupid endeavour (i.e., the sister has no intentions to venture into the dangerous place), then Ran might lie and say the brother died heroically facing a monster that would have overwhelmed anyone. However, to give another example, she's disapproving of the attitude some Dalish clans had towards Solas when he tried to share his memories with them - she understands why they might find it easier to reject it rather than face it, but disapproves all the same.</ref> She's also willing to forgive and give second chances as long as she can still trust or empathize with the person. Though she values her own life, she does have a tendency to put others' needs before her own. Additionally, she likes for the people she loves to know that she values them and for the people who work for her to know she appreciates what they do, though she doesn't always remember to do it.
+She's generally calm and controlled, and pretty serious, though she can sometimes crack a joke or two in the right context and has her moments when she's more playful or sarcastic. However, she tends to naturally adapt her behaviour depending on who she's with, becoming flirtier or more humorous if the person she's talking to also is. She's a decent diplomat, willing to try to accommodate all parties when she can (when she wants to), though she doesn't particularly enjoy politics, finding them stiff. Though she believes necessary truths - no matter how harsh - should be faced head-on, she's also not against lying sometimes, depending on the circumstances, and she's unwilling to inflict unnecessary suffering.<ref>For example, if someone's brother died because they'd foolishly ventured into a dangerous place unprepared, but there's no use telling the sister it was a stupid endeavour (i.e., the sister has no intentions to venture into the dangerous place), then Ran might lie and say the brother died heroically facing a monster that would have overwhelmed anyone. However, to give another example, she's disapproving of the attitude some Dalish clans had towards Solas when he tried to share his memories with them - she understands why they might find it easier to reject it rather than face it, but disapproves all the same.</ref> She's also willing to forgive and give second chances as long as she can still trust or empathize with the person. Though she values her own life, she does have a tendency to put others' needs before her own. Additionally, she likes for the people she loves to know that she values them and for the people who work for her to know she appreciates what they do, though she doesn't always remember to do it.
 It's hard to truly intimidate, faze, or scare her - though she has been surprised plenty at many points of her adventures as the Inquisitor. Furthermore, she's not the kind of person who shies away from truth or pain, of the opinion that all emotions - good and bad - are valuable and part of what makes life worth living. She endeavours to fully accept her emotions while remaining outwardly controlled. Yet she also sees no point in wallowing if it won't help her.<ref>Such as accepting her own death. When it appeared clear, during the events of the Exalted Council, that the Anchor would likely kill her in the next few days, she saw no point in lingering on sadness or regrets. Instead, she spent what time she had left making it clear how much of an honour it had been to have her companions by her side, and racing against the clock to uncover the scheme of the Qunari.</ref>
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 * '''Blackwall''': While Ran was always friendly with Blackwall, their friendship became stronger after the truth about his identity was revealed and she decided to save him from his execution. She got closer to him during the months following Corypheus' defeat, in particular, finding him easy to trust and pleasant to spend time with. She greatly respects his desire to repent and his attempts to redeem himself.
 * '''Leliana''': Leliana is probably her most trusted advisor, as Ran really appreciates her methods, because operations she took charge of often led to fewer casualties and fewer battles in the long run. Ran also appreciates Leliana's calmer personality, though Ran never managed to get as close to her as, for example, Cassandra.
-* '''Josephine''': Josephine has always been a comforting presence, with her agreeable personality, and for a little while Ran even had somewhat of her crush on her. The feelings eventually faded on their own. Josephine's knowledge of politics and nobles was a great help to Ran, who had never expected she might have to get so involved in human politics. She enjoys Josephine's company and will always be pleased to see her if their paths happen to cross.
+* '''Josephine''': Josephine has always been a comforting presence, with her agreeable personality, and for a little while Ran even had somewhat of a crush on her. The feelings eventually faded on their own. Josephine's knowledge of politics and nobles was a great help to Ran, who had never expected she might have to get so involved in human politics. She enjoys Josephine's company and will always be pleased to see her if their paths happen to cross.
 * '''Cullen''': Ran respects Cullen's expertise in military matters. She likes him enough to call him a friend, and she encouraged him to deal with his addiction to lyrium. She also greatly approves of his initiative to open a sanctuary for former Templars, which she visits from time to time.
 * '''Varric''': Ran finds it easy to be friendly with Varric and values his contributions as an ally, and appreciates the relaxed way he's always treated her despite her status as the Inquisitor.