Taash

Name: Taash Age: 34 Gender: Female Pronouns: She/Her Sexuality: Bisexual Species: Qunari (or half-Qunari, depending on how she fits in the lore) Personality:

• Stoic and Principled: Taash follows a strict code of honor, shaped by the Qun. She is disciplined, with a calm demeanor that can come across as cold or detached, though she values loyalty and integrity deeply.
• Curious and Pragmatic: Despite her Qunari upbringing, Taash shows curiosity about the cultures and beliefs of others. However, her pragmatism drives her to filter what she learns through a lens of practicality, favoring actions that have clear and beneficial outcomes.
• Guarded but Compassionate: Beneath her stoic exterior, she harbors a quiet compassion. She may not openly display warmth, but she’ll go to great lengths to help those she cares for, often showing her support in indirect ways.
• Clever Strategist: Taash is known for her strategic mind, often analyzing situations and people for potential advantages. Her ability to think ahead makes her an asset in tactical planning.

Appearance:

• Height: Towering at 6'8", Taash has the imposing height typical of the Qunari, which commands attention in any room.
• Build: Muscular and lean, her physique shows both power and agility. She has a solid, athletic build with broad shoulders and toned limbs, emphasizing her warrior background.
• Skin Tone: Light grey, with subtle blue undertones characteristic of the Qunari.
• Horns: Her horns curve slightly backward and are medium-length, adorned with metal bands and intricate carvings representing her rank and achievements within the Qun.
• Eyes: A sharp, amber color that seems to pierce through people, reflecting her intensity and focus.
• Hair: Dark silver hair styled in small braids on the sides, leaving the rest tied back to keep it out of her face during battle.
• Clothing: She typically wears practical, durable leather armor, designed to allow mobility while offering solid protection. Her attire includes custom shoulder guards and bracers engraved with subtle Qunari symbols.
• Accessories: A simple iron necklace, possibly a memento, and a scar running diagonally across her left eyebrow, a mark from an earlier battle.

Background: Taash was raised under the Qun but later left to forge her own path. Her knowledge of the Qun shapes her disciplined approach to life, yet her desire to understand other ways of life sets her apart from her Qunari peers. Now, she finds herself amidst the chaos of Thedas, searching for purpose outside the Qun’s rigid structure, drawn to the mystery and power that Veilguard holds.

The Qunari are a powerful and enigmatic race in the Dragon Age universe, distinguished by their unique culture, appearance, and philosophy. Here’s an overview of their characteristics:

Physical Appearance

• Size and Build: Qunari are physically imposing, often towering over other races in Thedas. They have a muscular, athletic build, which contributes to their intimidating presence.
• Horns: Most Qunari have large, curved horns that grow from their heads, which they often decorate with bands or carvings. However, some Qunari, known as "Ben-Hassrath," are born without horns or may have them removed based on specific roles within the Qun.
• Skin Color: Their skin tones vary from pale grey to darker grey or brown shades. This distinctive skin coloration sets them apart, even at a distance.
• Eyes and Hair: Qunari have striking, often bright eyes that range in color, typically amber, gold, or red. Their hair is generally worn short, braided, or shaved, aligning with the practicality and discipline of their culture.

Culture and Philosophy: The Qun

• The Qun: Qunari society is governed by a strict, all-encompassing philosophy called the Qun. This belief system dictates every aspect of life, assigning every individual a specific role, or "vocation," that benefits the whole of Qunari society. It defines their purpose, actions, and even personal relationships.
• Collective Identity: Individual desires and ambitions are secondary to the needs of the Qun. Qunari see themselves as parts of a whole rather than as individuals. Their actions are for the betterment of their people and the Qun, creating a collectivist and disciplined society.
• Roles and Hierarchy: Roles are assigned early in life based on skills, temperament, and needs within the Qunari structure. There are three main branches:
  • The Arishok: Leader of the military, responsible for Qunari warriors and defense.
  • The Ariqun: Keeper of philosophy and priesthood, guiding spiritual matters and adherence to the Qun’s principles.
  • The Arigena: Overseer of production and logistics, handling everything from agriculture to industry.
• Ben-Hassrath: A secretive faction within Qunari society responsible for ensuring adherence to the Qun, intelligence, and rooting out dissent. They act as spies, inquisitors, and, in some cases, as an internal policing force.

Values and Beliefs

• Discipline and Order: Qunari value discipline and a sense of duty. Their lives are meticulously structured, and they avoid the personal freedom that other societies consider fundamental. This can make them seem rigid and unfeeling, but to the Qunari, it represents balance and stability.
• Pragmatism: Qunari are known for their practical approach to most things. They see emotions like fear, anger, or even love as distractions that can interfere with their responsibilities. Emotions are acknowledged but expected to be controlled.
• Views on Magic: Unlike many cultures in Thedas, the Qunari strictly regulate magic. Saarebas, or mages, are heavily controlled and kept under constant supervision, often restrained to prevent them from using magic freely. The Qun considers magic dangerous, needing strict control to prevent harm to society.

Relationships with Other Races

• Cultural Superiority: Qunari often view their philosophy as superior to other belief systems, considering those outside the Qun as "Bas" (foreigners or outsiders). They believe that non-Qunari lead chaotic, undisciplined lives and sometimes see it as their duty to bring order through "conversion" or conquest.
• Isolation: Despite their imposing presence in Thedas, Qunari do not typically seek alliances with other races. Instead, they have established a unique and isolated culture, known for keeping to their lands or pursuing expansion through conquest rather than cooperation.
• Reverence for the Qun: Qunari who leave the Qun, known as "Tal-Vashoth," are seen as lost or broken by the rest of their people. This strong social stigma often drives Tal-Vashoth to live as mercenaries or outcasts.