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Though overall treatment varies kingdom to kingdom, city elves are universally held as second-class citizens. Elves are unable to join most legal organizations like the Chantry, and the law often shows a blind eye to their woes. Slavery of elves is still legal in the Tevinter Imperium and there's a lucrative demand for elven slaves along with servants for nobles. They are often seen as beautiful by humans despite their low status.
Though overall treatment varies kingdom to kingdom, city elves are universally held as second-class citizens. Elves are unable to join most legal organizations like the Chantry, and the law often shows a blind eye to their woes. Slavery of elves is still legal in the Tevinter Imperium and there's a lucrative demand for elven slaves along with servants for nobles. They are often seen as beautiful by humans despite their low status.
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Having been heavily discriminated by humans for so long, most city elves try to hold onto their remaining heritage. Artifacts from Arlathan like the vhenadahl (literally, "tree of the People") and an abiding deep pride in their close-knit communities bolster city elves trying to make ends meet in an otherwise hostile world. As such, elves that leave the alienage and try to enter human society are heavily looked down upon much as "flat ears" are derided by Dalish elves.
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Having been heavily discriminated by humans for so long, most city elves try to hold onto their remaining heritage. Artifacts from Arlathan like the vhenadahl (literally, "tree of the People") and an abiding deep pride in their close-knit communities bolster city elves trying to make ends meet in an otherwise hostile world. As such, elves that leave the alienage and try to enter human society are heavily looked down upon much as "flat ears" are derided by Dalish elves.
Marriage is highly important for city elves; it is the rite of adulthood in elven communities and will often be prearranged in order for new blood to join an otherwise diluted gene pool. The absolute worst thing an elf could do is marry or breed outside their race since only humans are born between elven and human unions; which is adverse for such limited communities that depends on each other and tradition for day-to-day survival.
Marriage is highly important for city elves; it is the rite of adulthood in elven communities and will often be prearranged in order for new blood to join an otherwise diluted gene pool. The absolute worst thing an elf could do is marry or breed outside their race since only humans are born between elven and human unions; which is adverse for such limited communities that depends on each other and tradition for day-to-day survival.
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City elves, due to their constant contact with humans, do not have the exceptional lifespans once touted by the elves of [[Arlathan]] and can expect to live no longer than the average human.<ref name="Thedas UK">Thedas UK (January 14, 2012). [http://swooping-is-bad.livejournal.com/1286233.html "David Gaider Interview"]. Retrieved January 29, 2012.</ref> Furthermore, their closer relationship can sometimes result in what are known as [[Elf-blooded]] children, of both human and elven parentage.
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City elves, due to their constant contact with humans, do not have the exceptional lifespans once touted by the elves of [[Arlathan]] and can expect to live no longer than the average human.<ref name="Thedas UK">Thedas UK (January 14, 2012). [http://swooping-is-bad.livejournal.com/1286233.html "David Gaider Interview"]. Retrieved January 29, 2012.</ref> Furthermore, their closer relationship can sometimes result in what are known as [[Elf-blooded]] children, of both human and elven parentage.
==== Known alienages ====
==== Known alienages ====
* [[Denerim]] alienage, home of the [[City Elf]] Warden
* [[Denerim]] alienage, home of the [[City Elf]] Warden
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* [[Highever]] alienage, home of the City Elf Warden's fiancé/ fiancée [[Nelaros]] or [[Nesiara]]
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* [[Highever]] alienage, home of the City Elf Warden's fiancé/ fiancée [[Nelaros]] or [[Nesiara]]
* [[Val Royeaux]] alienage, birthplace of [[Fiona]]; a cramped and overcrowded alienage with walls so high sunlight does not reach the ''vhenadahl'' until midday.<ref>http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Codex_entry:_Alienage_Culture</ref>
* [[Val Royeaux]] alienage, birthplace of [[Fiona]]; a cramped and overcrowded alienage with walls so high sunlight does not reach the ''vhenadahl'' until midday.<ref>http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Codex_entry:_Alienage_Culture</ref>
* [[Minrathous]] alienage, in the [[Tevinter Imperium]]
* [[Minrathous]] alienage, in the [[Tevinter Imperium]]
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=== Interaction between city and dalish elves ===
=== Interaction between city and dalish elves ===
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The [[Dalish elves]] and city elves in particular have a strange and bitter relationship, dating from the splitting of the People after the fall of the [[Dales]]. Dalish tend to view their city brethren suspiciously and with pity as "flat-ears,"<ref>[[Codex entry: Alienage Culture]]</ref> virtually humans in elven skin who are "little better than their ''shemlen'' masters."<ref>According to dialogue upon meeting [[Mithra]] at the [[Dalish Camp]], when playing the [[City Elf Origin]] or elven [[Magi Origin]].</ref> They are seen as having given up on and forgotten their culture, and will need to be reminded of their past when a new homeland is founded.<ref>According to [[Gheyna]], and conversation with [[Sarel]] in the [[Dalish Camp]]. See also [[Codex entry: The City Elves]] from the [[Dalish]] perspective.</ref>
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The [[Dalish elves]] and city elves in particular have a strange and bitter relationship, dating from the splitting of the People after the fall of the [[Dales]]. Dalish tend to view their city brethren suspiciously and with pity as "flat-ears,"<ref>[[Codex entry: Alienage Culture]]</ref> virtually humans in elven skin who are "little better than their ''shemlen'' masters."<ref>According to dialogue upon meeting [[Mithra]] at the [[Dalish Camp]], when playing the [[City Elf Origin]] or elven [[Magi Origin]].</ref> They are seen as having given up on and forgotten their culture, and will need to be reminded of their past when a new homeland is founded.<ref>According to [[Gheyna]], and conversation with [[Sarel]] in the [[Dalish Camp]]. See also [[Codex entry: The City Elves]] from the [[Dalish]] perspective.</ref>
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On the other hand, city elves see the Dalish as near-myths: strange and savage "wood elves"<ref>During conversation with [[Soris]], he may mention that the City Elf [[Warden]]'s father, [[Cyrion Tabris]], used to tell stories of "happy wood elves living far from humans"</ref> living far from humans and preying upon the unwary;<ref>According to conversation with [[Soris]] and [[Taeodor]] during the [[City Elf Origin]].</ref> and yet somehow noble, as well.<ref> In the introductory cutscene of quest [[Night Terrors]], elves of the [[Kirkwall Alienage]] bow and curtsy to [[Keeper Marethari]].</ref> The Dalish are seen to be primitive elves who refuse to see the promise of the alienage, and live off the land in ways the average city elf could not.<ref>[[Alarith]], who has had personal dealings with a Dalish clan, will tell the Warden during the [[City Elf Origin]] nonetheless that "everything worth fighting for" is in the alienage.</ref> Indeed, city elves who choose to leave or live beyond the Alienage are labeled "flat-ears" as well by their city kin,<ref>[[Codex entry: Alienage Culture]]</ref> ironically similar to the Dalish view, and subject to violence or resentment from other city elves.
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On the other hand, city elves see the Dalish as near-myths: strange and savage "wood elves"<ref>During conversation with [[Soris]], he may mention that the City Elf [[Warden]]'s father, [[Cyrion Tabris]], used to tell stories of "happy wood elves living far from humans"</ref> living far from humans and preying upon the unwary;<ref>According to conversation with [[Soris]] and [[Taeodor]] during the [[City Elf Origin]].</ref> and yet somehow noble, as well.<ref> In the introductory cutscene of quest [[Night Terrors]], elves of the [[Kirkwall Alienage]] bow and curtsy to [[Keeper Marethari]].</ref> The Dalish are seen to be primitive elves who refuse to see the promise of the alienage, and live off the land in ways the average city elf could not.<ref>[[Alarith]], who has had personal dealings with a Dalish clan, will tell the Warden during the [[City Elf Origin]] nonetheless that "everything worth fighting for" is in the alienage.</ref> Indeed, city elves who choose to leave or live beyond the Alienage are labeled "flat-ears" as well by their city kin,<ref>[[Codex entry: Alienage Culture]]</ref> ironically similar to the Dalish view, and subject to violence or resentment from other city elves.
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And yet, for all this uncertainty, city and Dalish elves still interact positively now and then. For Alienage elves who seek to leave their home due to desperation, poverty or abuse, wandering Dalish clans are often seen as a sort of "last resort" haven. They are normally willing to take in a refugee from the cities and to largely refrain from attacking a city elf on the road,<ref>[[Alarith]] was spared by Dalish on his way to the [[Denerim Alienage]]</ref> despite their uncertainty, and train them in the ways of their Creators and culture.<ref> [[Pol]] is an example of a city elf-turned Dalish.</ref> Similarly, Alienages may take in a Dalish elf who has broken with their clan voluntarily or involuntarily.<ref>[[Arianni]] and [[Merrill]] are examples of Dalish elf making a life in the cities and finding friends.</ref>
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And yet, for all this uncertainty, city and Dalish elves still interact positively now and then. For Alienage elves who seek to leave their home due to desperation, poverty or abuse, wandering Dalish clans are often seen as a sort of "last resort" haven. They are normally willing to take in a refugee from the cities and to largely refrain from attacking a city elf on the road,<ref>[[Alarith]] was spared by Dalish on his way to the [[Denerim Alienage]]</ref> despite their uncertainty, and train them in the ways of their Creators and culture.<ref> [[Pol]] is an example of a city elf-turned Dalish.</ref> Similarly, Alienages may take in a Dalish elf who has broken with their clan voluntarily or involuntarily.<ref>[[Arianni]] and [[Merrill]] are examples of Dalish elf making a life in the cities and finding friends.</ref>
Elven [[Mages]] tend to be grouped to the Dalish mindset along with city elves.<ref> A elven [[Warden]] of the [[Magi Origin]] will initially be treated with the same suspicion as a Warden of the [[City Elf Origin]] by [[Zathrian]]'s clan in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref> This is particularly the case as they have turned not only their lives but their magic over to the [[Human]] [[Chantry]] and [[Maker]], and the [[Circle of Magi]].
Elven [[Mages]] tend to be grouped to the Dalish mindset along with city elves.<ref> A elven [[Warden]] of the [[Magi Origin]] will initially be treated with the same suspicion as a Warden of the [[City Elf Origin]] by [[Zathrian]]'s clan in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref> This is particularly the case as they have turned not only their lives but their magic over to the [[Human]] [[Chantry]] and [[Maker]], and the [[Circle of Magi]].
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* Elves see better in the dark than [[humans]], and their eyes glint like those of a cat in the dark.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne]]'' pp. 71, 149</ref>
* Elves see better in the dark than [[humans]], and their eyes glint like those of a cat in the dark.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne]]'' pp. 71, 149</ref>
* Common foods among city elves include "salt chews," a fishy-smelling item found in shops in the alienage.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Asunder]]'', p. 150</ref>
* Common foods among city elves include "salt chews," a fishy-smelling item found in shops in the alienage.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Asunder]]'', p. 150</ref>
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* Developer statements on the longevity and life expectancy of elves are ambiguous. ''Dragon Age: Origins'' established the Dalish as potentially living longer than city elves, or even other races. Similarly, during an interview in January 2012, [[David Gaider]] stated that Dalish elves normally live longer than city elves, though not "Tolkienesque numbers of years", and that greater lifespans are indeed possible with isolation.<ref>http://swooping-is-bad.livejournal.com/1286233.html.</ref> However, in May 2013 [[Mary Kirby]] stated that city and Dalish elves have the same life expectancy, and that blood magic was the only way elves like Zathrian had "reclaimed" immortality.<ref>http://social.bioware.com/www.simtotal.com/uoa/forum/1/topic/371/index/16519770/2</ref>
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* Developer statements on the longevity and life expectancy of elves are ambiguous. ''Dragon Age: Origins'' established the Dalish as potentially living longer than city elves, or even other races. Similarly, during an interview in January 2012, [[David Gaider]] stated that Dalish elves normally live longer than city elves, though not "Tolkienesque numbers of years", and that greater lifespans are indeed possible with isolation.<ref>http://swooping-is-bad.livejournal.com/1286233.html.</ref> However, in May 2013 [[Mary Kirby]] stated that city and Dalish elves have the same life expectancy, and that blood magic was the only way elves like Zathrian had "reclaimed" immortality.<ref>http://social.bioware.com/www.simtotal.com/uoa/forum/1/topic/371/index/16519770/2</ref>
* Unlike the elves of many other fantasy settings, the elves of the Dragon Age setting are not antagonistic towards the [[dwarves]], though [[Zevran/Dialogue#Zevran and Oghren|Zevran and Oghren's dialogue]] contains a joking reference to this fantasy trope.
* Unlike the elves of many other fantasy settings, the elves of the Dragon Age setting are not antagonistic towards the [[dwarves]], though [[Zevran/Dialogue#Zevran and Oghren|Zevran and Oghren's dialogue]] contains a joking reference to this fantasy trope.
* When female elves become [[broodmothers]], they produce [[shrieks]].
* When female elves become [[broodmothers]], they produce [[shrieks]].
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* In the old BioWare forums, David Gaider stated that Dalish in [[Rivain]] have a semi-permanent settlement in the city of [[Llomerryn]].<ref>{{BW old forums|author=Gaider, David|date=May 20, 2009|url=http://dragonage.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=678680&forum=135|title=Dalish elves|archive=http://web.archive.org/web/20090520061305/http://www.dragonagecentral.com|access=May 25, 2012}}</ref> However, a [[Isabela/Dialogue#Isabela and Merrill|party banter]] during Act 2 in ''[[Dragon Age II]]'' between [[Isabela]] and [[Merrill]] reveals that the Dalish have not yet reached Llomerryn.
* In the old BioWare forums, David Gaider stated that Dalish in [[Rivain]] have a semi-permanent settlement in the city of [[Llomerryn]].<ref>{{BW old forums|author=Gaider, David|date=May 20, 2009|url=http://dragonage.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=678680&forum=135|title=Dalish elves|archive=http://web.archive.org/web/20090520061305/http://www.dragonagecentral.com|access=May 25, 2012}}</ref> However, a [[Isabela/Dialogue#Isabela and Merrill|party banter]] during Act 2 in ''[[Dragon Age II]]'' between [[Isabela]] and [[Merrill]] reveals that the Dalish have not yet reached Llomerryn.
* At the end of ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'', it is possible to ask the new monarch to grant the Dalish their own lands. Alternatively, if the Warden is of Dalish origin and sacrifices themself to end the Blight, the Dalish will be given these lands as well. The epilogue will then reveal that they settle these lands, though new political tensions arise.
* At the end of ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'', it is possible to ask the new monarch to grant the Dalish their own lands. Alternatively, if the Warden is of Dalish origin and sacrifices themself to end the Blight, the Dalish will be given these lands as well. The epilogue will then reveal that they settle these lands, though new political tensions arise.
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* The "City Elf" boon at the end of ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' involves asking for the elven people to be treated fairly. The appointment of the first elven [[Bannorn|Bann]] of the Alienage ultimately is problematic no matter what, however. This is particularly the case if [[Anora]] is chosen as sole ruler; in that case the [[Denerim Alienage]] faces a food riot following the [[Fifth Blight]], in addition to this.
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* The "City Elf" boon at the end of ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' involves asking for the elven people to be treated fairly. The appointment of the first elven [[Bannorn|Bann]] of the Alienage ultimately is problematic no matter what, however. This is particularly the case if [[Anora]] is chosen as sole ruler; in that case the [[Denerim Alienage]] faces a food riot following the [[Fifth Blight]], in addition to this.
* According to [[Zevran]] there are Dalish elves in [[Antiva City]], but they are much more violent than those in Ferelden.<ref>According to restored party comments during conversation with [[hahren]] [[Sarel]] during quest [[Nature of the Beast]].</ref>
* According to [[Zevran]] there are Dalish elves in [[Antiva City]], but they are much more violent than those in Ferelden.<ref>According to restored party comments during conversation with [[hahren]] [[Sarel]] during quest [[Nature of the Beast]].</ref>
* Elves tend to be more susceptible in following the [[Qun]] than other races, which is considered a particular danger in the [[Tevinter Imperium]]. As spies for the [[Qunari]] they may go so far as to sell themselves back into [[slavery]] in order to move undetected through non-Qunari lands.<ref>[[Codex entry: Qunari of Other Races]]</ref>
* Elves tend to be more susceptible in following the [[Qun]] than other races, which is considered a particular danger in the [[Tevinter Imperium]]. As spies for the [[Qunari]] they may go so far as to sell themselves back into [[slavery]] in order to move undetected through non-Qunari lands.<ref>[[Codex entry: Qunari of Other Races]]</ref>