Abelas

AKA:
Abe
Sentinel Prime
Other Tree-Face

Abelas was the leader of the ancient elven Sentinels that guarded the Temple of Mythal in the Arbor Wilds. He and his people watched over the holy site for thousands of years, staying alive by repeatedly falling into Uthenera, a type of magical slumber used by the elves of old. They would awaken only to repel threats and then sleep again. After fighting our way through Corypheus' forces, I met Abelas when we made it into the temple itself. Eschewing the quick and easy path, we observed the ancient rituals that granted us entry into the inner chambers, which made Abe realize we were not merely invaders or looters and allowed us to ally against the Red Templars. Having been alive for so long, he casually threw out several revelations that contradicted accepted history, including the one that the ancient elven empire had destroyed itself and Tevinter had only picked the bones of an already shattered people. Another was that Mythal, assumed to be trapped in the Fade with the rest of the elven pantheon, had, in fact, been murdered to death. Probably on his watch, as well, leading me to believe that he changed his name afterwards, considering “abelas” means “sorrow” in elven, and I hope his parents weren’t cruel enough to saddle him with that for his entire life. However, he and his people steadfastly guarded the temple and the prize at its center, the Well of Sorrows, a pool that contained the combined knowledge of every servant of Mythal throughout history. Though he knew that one of us drinking from it would destroy it, he resigned himself to its fate and ultimately allowed us to proceed without a fight. Afterwards, with their purpose gone, Abelas and the remaining Sentinels disappeared. After probably the longest period of service in history, I hope he and the rest of his people manage to retire in some semblance of comfort, even if Abe was rather rude about modern elves.