Notes

On Qunari

The Qun is the religion of the Qunari founded under the Ashkaari Koslun, though it is closer to a philosophy than a full-fledged religion. It governs every part of Qunari life, and even the governance structure is dictated by its ethics. It gives every Qunari individual a defined and fixed place in their society, either as a soldier 'part of the body', a craftsman 'part of the mind' or a priest 'part of the soul'.

Members of the aforementioned race born outside of the Qun are not considered to be Qunari within their own society. They are called "Vashoth", which means "grey ones"; likewise those who abandon the Qun willingly are known as "Tal-Vashoth", "true grey ones". Most Tal-Vashoth are former soldiers and become mercenaries, and are considered by Qunari to be worse than bas - who are non-Qunari foreigners. And to be called worse than a Bas is a heavy insult.
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::Gender::

Qunari strongly believe that the genders are inherently and intuitively better at certain tasks. No matter how much aptitude and promise a male shows for management, he will never be considered as good at it as a female, therefore it would be considered inefficient and a waste of resources to place him in a role where a woman would serve better. Instead, the Tamassrans find another role that he shows aptitude for and will place him there instead. The same goes for females, most Qunari will find it odd If a female becomes a warrior. The odd very rare exception is made bowever A male Qupari will farm if he must just as a female will fight depending on the circumstance.
The Qunari also have the concept of "Aqun-Athlok," which means "born as one gender but living as another". A female who shows sincere interest and outstanding talent at fighting will be considered male regardless of biological sex. For the Qunari, gender is a secondary trait compared to their duty to the Qun.

There are fields like philosophy or sciences that make use of both genders, but even then, there is division by discipline. Men will do one kind of research and women another.
The Ben-Hassrath also count both genders among their ranks, but they too are separate by specialization.
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::Family::

Qunari have no "family units": they do not marry, choose partners, or even know to whom they are related. A father's role ends at conception, a mother's ends at birth. A Qunari's "family" consists of his or her peers.

Qunari usually do not associate mating with love. Some say they do have the capacity to love, even having friends and forming emotional bonds with one another; however, they simply do not have sexual intercourse with each other to express it. If they do, then they are sent to be re-educated by the Ben-Hassrath. If a child is produced, the same thing happens as with all other Qunari children: it is sent to be raised by the Tamassrans, evaluated, and assigned a job. Qunari do not waste resources unnecessarily, people included.

Qunari have been bred for specific roles for a very long time. Parentage is no longer the issue, more like pedigree. However, breeding does not determine a Qunari's assigned task. If a Qunari was bred to be a soldier but turns out to be more intellectual, the Tamassrans may move him or her into the priesthood, researching weapons technology, or the Ben-Hassrath to police the populace, depending on what roles need to be filled by someone with their specific traits.
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::Death::
The Qunari call the Fade "the Land of the Dead". Entering this realm while still alive is forbidden by the Qun, and the Qunari claim they do not dream like others do. It appears that the Qunari believe their soul is not tied to their body, but rather the item required for fulfilling their assigned role. For example, to a Qunari warrior, their sword is their soul. In an event that a Qunari warrior dies, other members of the Antaam strive to retrieve the warrior's blade. The fate of the body itself seems unimportant.
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The Antaam serves as the Qunari's military branch and are led by the Arishok. The Antaam are metaphorically considered to be the eyes, ears, legs, arms, and hands of the creature that makes up Qunari society; everything that one needs to interact with the world, and so most Qunari encountered by Thedosians belong to the military.

All Qunari are given a tool which signifies their role in Qunari society; for soldiers, this tool is always a weapon of some kind. In the case of soldiers, at least, to lose this weapon brands the owner as soulless and one who is to be executed on sight by the Antaam. These items are held in high regard, and upon the owner's death the Qunari may take the item to honor the fallen individual.

In Qunari society, females cannot be soldiers. Transgender female-to-male Qunari are welcome in the military however and are referred to as Aqun-Athlok.
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::Technology::

The Qunari are more technologically advanced than the rest of Thedas, with the exception of the dwarves. Their capital city of Qunandar is famous for great domes and aqueducts, their architecture likened to beehives. They have developed an explosive powder "gaatlok" that is safer than lyrium-based dwarven explosives. Its formula is a secret they carefully guard.

The Qunari cannons and dreadnoughts or "floating fortresses" - massive wooden ships, allowed them to sweep across northern Thedas and advance far into mainland within ten years from their arrival on the continent. The allied nations relied heavily on the Circle of Magi to counter their cannons and on the Felicisima Armada to counter their fleet.

The Qunari had also developed a deadly poison "saar-qamek", which instills madness in the victim before eventually killing them. This poison can be inhaled or put on blades to affect a target's bloodstream, however there is at least one antidote that can be taken preemptively that will reduce or outright neutralize the poison's effects.
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::Magic::

The Qunari call their own mages "saarebas", which means "a dangerous thing" in Qunlat. As the Qunari believe that mages are ultimately unable to master themselves, each saarebas is entrusted to an "arvaarad", "one who holds back evil" who bears a control rod. The Qunari blame them for their 'defective' and dangerous nature, so they are treated little better than feral dogs: They are leashed, shackled, collared, and their mouths are sewn shut. Should they be found practicing forbidden magic, their tongues are cut out to prevent them from corrupting others. The penalty for leaving their keeper, is death, as they are assumed to have been corrupted by demons. Qunari use the saarebas as forces in warfare.
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::Outsiders and converts::

The Qunari view other nations as inferiors, kabethari, literally, "those who need to be taught" who are to be conquered and "enlightened", i.e. converted to the Qun. In the newly subdued areas they dismantle families: children are torn away from their parents and raised as Qunari, while adults are sent to "learning" labor camps for re-education performed by a branch of the priesthood called the Ben-Hassrath. The latter appear to be reasonable if an individual doesn't resist their severe teachings, and a new convert, or viddathari, may take a high position in Qunari society.

In fact, it is possible for a human, elven or dwarven viddathari to become Ariqun, Arigena or Arishok should they show the merit for the role. However, this is naturally less likely than a qunari taking the role, given their far greater numbers in the Qun.

Refusal to cooperate is seen as illness to be cured, and those who resist are taken to the Viddathlok, temples dedicated to healing. What happens later is not quite clear, but it is known that the Qunari use a substance called qamek to turn them into mindless laborers forced into indentured servitude or sent to mines or construction camps. Some would return, changed in profound ways, some would perish of exhaustion or starvation and some would be slain.

When the Qunari were pushed back during the Exalted Marches, the Chantry and nationalist forces purged numerous Qunari converts and buried them in mass graves, most notably in Rivain, Nocen Fields, and Marnas Pell in Tevinter. Afterwards the existence of the purge has been officially denied to have ever happened.

The Qunari call outsiders bas "thing" and consider them unfortunate beings who, however, have a potential to grow if the Qun's wisdom is imparted to them. The best an outsider can hope for amongst the Qunari is to be considered a basalit-an, "worthy of respect"; a basalit-an is a worthy foe, and one that can be negotiated with to an extent, but still bas regardless.
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::Language::

Qunlat is the Qunari language. As a rule Qunari have little use for communication beyond its necessities. When speaking to those

of the language, and words usually have multiple meanings depending on context.

who do not follow the Qun, their statements are often laconic, with a kind of underlying condescension. Metaphor is an Integral part Few among the Qun's people speak the common tongue, and fewer speak it well. In a culture that strives for mastery, to have only a passable degree of skill is perhaps embarrassing, so Qunari often keep quiet among foreigners. They have a reputation for never volunteering for conversation with strangers, and few outsiders ever hear them speaking among themselves.
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A.

Aad:

Aban: The sea.

Adaar: "Weapon"

Anaan: Victory

Antaam: Literally "body;" a name for the Qunari army. Also means "cuirass."

Aquaam: Glove or light vambrace.

Aqun: Balance.

Aqun-Athlok: One who is "born as one gender but lives like another." (AKA, trans)

Ari:

Arigena: One of the Triumvirate; female, leader of the workers. She is responsible for ensuring her people's physical needs are met and public health.

Ariqun: One of the Triumvirate; male or female, leader of the priesthood. They are responsible for pushing scientific progress and
ensuring the Qun is taught..

Arishok: One of the Triumvirate; male, leader of the army. He is responsible for defending his people and expanding Qunari territory. The Arishok is sometimes mistaken for a king by outsiders.

Armaas:

Arvaarad: "One who holds back evil;" a Qunari who watches over the saarebas and hunts Tal-Vashoth.

Asaara: Wind.

Asaaranda: Thunderstorm.

Asaarash: A special breed of horses from Rivain that are used by the Antaam.

Asabas: Light or reinforced hat.

Asala: Soul.

Asala-taar: "Soul sickness; a Qunari combat allment that seems analogous to a combat stress reaction, or even PTSD . It is an epidemic in Seheron, where statistically two soldiers contract it for every one casualty. Sufferers are usually removed from combat and reassigned among the priesthood and workers. (AKA, PTSD)

Asalaa: Helmet.

Ash: "To seek."

Ashaad: "Scout."

Ashkaari: "One who seeks," or "one who thinks;" scientists, philosophers, or those who have found enlightenment.

Astaarit: "rises."

Ataas:

Ataash: Glory.

Ataashi: Dragon; literally "glorious one(s)."

Athlok: Laborer. The mind, the earth.

B.

Baqoun:

Bas: Literally, "thing;" foreign to the Qun; purposeless. Often used as a neutral term to describe non-Qunari people. Also used after

a weapon name to denote it is intended for mages. (Example: Saartoh-Bas Kos Katoh)

Basalit-an: A non-Qunari worthy of respect.

Basra: Rude term for non-Qunari people.

Bas-taar: Keeper of bas. A role within the Antaam.

Basvaarad: Literally, a keeper for a mage who is a "bas." This usually refers to "worthy of following" Essentially, a non-Qunari who assumes the role of an arvaarad.

Ben-Hassrath: "Heart of the many," part of the priesthood who serve as spies, reeducators, and the defenders of Qunari unity. They

are the enforcers of the Qun's law, and infamously severe to those who transgress against it.

Beresaad: Literally means "those who reach ahead." The vanguard of the antaam, sent abroad to interact with the outside world.

Beres-taar: Shield.

Besrathari: A recruiter and trainer of the Ben-Hassrath.

D

Darvaarad: A location under the supervision of the Ben-Hassrath that quarantines magical artifacts. Dathras: Cattle; a root word for many qunlat animal names. Dathrasi: A type of animal. Used as a derogatory term against indulgent individuals, comparable to the pig.

E.

Ebadim: "They all are."

Ebasaam: "We all are."

Ebasit: "It is."

Ebost: "Return" in "Return to dust!" Can also be translated as "You all are."

Esaam: "Can be found in" or "exists in the location of."

Eva: "Basic," or "beginner."

G.

Gaatiok: A black, non-magical explosive powder unique to the Qunari. It's not as powerful as magic, but can be used by anyone. There is no literal translation, the word derives from "death," "earth," and "glory."

Gatt:

H.

Herah:Time.

Hissera: Hope.

Hissra: "Illusion"; Also used to refer to deities.

Hissrad: "Keeper of Illusions;" liar.

I.

Imekari: Child.

Imesaar-bas: Used to describe a child that was tempted and corrupted by demons.

Iss: "Experienced."

Issala: Dust.

Isskari: A title/rank in the Ben-Hassrath; Duties include the retrieval of magical artifacts.

Issqun: Mastery.

Itwa-adim: "They all fall."

Itwa-ost: "You all fall."

Itwasaam: "We all fall."

Itwasit: (It) "Falls."

K

Kaaras: Navigator.

Kabethari: "Simple person." Term used for those living in recently conquered lands and captives who haven't yet been indoctrinated

into the Qun.

Kadan: Literally, "where the heart lies;" friend. An all-purpose word for a "person one cares about," including colleagues, friends and loved ones. Also means "the center of the chest."

Karasaad: Mid-rank infantry soldier.

Karashok: Infantry private.

Karasten: Infantry commander; corporal.

Karataam: An infantry platoon.

Kas: Suffix denoting a weapon intended for melee.. Derived from the word for "soldier."

Kasaanda: "Sundew;" a beatiful carnivorous plant.

Kata: The end, death.

Katara: "Die, thing!"

Katari: "One who brings death."

Kathaban: Leader of the Qunari naval forces; the admiral.

Katoh: "Ending" or "achievement." Used after an item name to denote it is intended for master users, or is of masterwork quality. Kith: A small military unit, comparable to a squad or company.

Kithshok: Leaders of the Qunari army of Seheron; a general; They also are in charge of negotiating trade between the Qunari foreign traders at ports.

Kos: "A type of energy associated with nature;"

Kost: Peace.

Kossith: The name for the Qunari before the founding of the Qun.

M.

Maraas: "Nothing" or "alone."

Maraas-Lok: A kind of strong Qunari alcohol; possibly also the verb "to drink."

Mashev: Either the name for a kind of gruel or a command to eat.

Meraad: Tide.

Meravas: "So shall it be."

Mertam: Light boot.

N.

Nehraa: "For the Qunari!"

Na'thek: "As you wish." Notas: Gauntlet or vambrace.

Nehrappan: Belt.

P.

Panahedan: "Goodbye." Literally, "take refuge in safety."

Parshaara: "Enough."

Q.

Qamek: Substance used by the reeducators to turn those who refuse to convert into mindless laborers, functionally lobotomizing those subjected to it. It's automatically used on captured mages, who are viewed as being beyond salvation.

Qalaba: A type of cow that the Qunari breed known for its stupidity.

Qun: The central philosophy of the Qunari peoples.

Qunari: People of the Qun. A religious description, not race specific.

Qunoran vehl: A mentor, one who is an example to others. A Qunari can only be declared "Qunoran vehl" by the Arishok, and only after their death.

Qalaba: a cursword

R.

Ralshokra: Said to be a military challenge

Raas: "Nothing;"

Rasaan: "Emissary," or "chosen heir;" the Ariqun's successor, and as such, acts as their representative abroad. Also serves as the spiritual adviser to the Arishok, and accompanies him on expeditions.

Rethadim: "They all protect."

Rethost: "You all protect."

Rethsaam: "We all protect."

S.

Saam: "Something"

Saar: "Dangerous."

Saarbrak: A role within the Ben-Hassrath.

Saar-qamek: Poison that causes madness.

Saarebas: "Dangerous thing" the Qunari word and title for their mages. A "bas saarebas" denotes a non-Qunari mage.

Saartoh-bas: Mage's staff.

Saarath: A title/rank among the Saarebas.

Sata-kas: Maul.

Sataam: Boot or greave.

Sataari: "First guy on the ground." A type of shock trooper in the Beresaad.

Sataareth: Literally "that which upholds;" an enforcer, defender, or foundation.

Salit: a prominent rank within the Ben-Hassrath.

Say: With.

Shanedan: Literally, "I'll hear you." A respectful greeting.

Shok: "War" or "struggle."

Shokrakar: Rebel.

Sten: Infantry platoon commander.

Sataa: The world.

T.

Taam-kas: Greataxe, or battle axe.

Taam-kasari: "The one with the battleaxe." A type of shock trooper in the Beresaad.

Taamsala: Amulet.

Taar: Prefix used to describe heavy armor. Derived from the word for "death".

Taaras: Light mail or doublet.

Taarbas: A title/rank of Qunari, clerical in nature; duties include cataloging inventory, and locating the weapons of Qunan

Taardathras: A title/rank of Qunari;

Tal: "True,"

Tallis: "To solve."

Tal-Vashoth: "True Grey Ones. Former members of the Qunari who have departed or been exiled from their people and home. Many are violent rebels and turn against the Qunari, and are a menace in the north where they raid human and Qunari settlements alike. Others simply want to live their own life.

Tamassran: "Those who speak." A priestess who is charged with educating the young, interviewing captives, and assigning Qunari their roles within society. Exclusively a role for women.

Tic: "Cold"

V.

Valo-kas: Greatsword.

Vasaad: A title/rank of Qunari.

Vashedan: Crap (literally "refuse" or "trash."); A common profanity.

Vashoth: "Grey Ones;" those of the qunari race that were born outside the Qun. It also refers to those who have rejected the Qun but not turned against it. The term tends to be used interchangeably with Tal-Vashoth, but the Vashoth are not rebels.

Vat: "Fire"

Vidathiss: A rank within the priesthood; a re-educator for captured and conquered peoples.

Viddasala: "One who converts purpose." A high-ranking member of the Ben-Hassrath. Leader of the "Dangerous Purpose" branch of

the Ben-Hassrath triumvirate, which handles the conversion of foreigners, the reeducation of Qunari dissidents, and the

collection and quarantine of magic.

Viddathari: A convert to the Qun.

Viddathlok: A temple of healing and recovery; Ben-Hassrath also take unruly captives here for re-education.

Viddath-bas: Person turned into a mindless laborer with qamek.

Vitaar: "Poison Armor." A warpaint used by the Qunari that is toxic to other races and has a metal-like quality once applied to the skin.
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Alat kafir a'bas:

Asay hassatra maas:

Asit tal-eb: "The way things are meant to be." or "It is to be." A driving principle of the Qunari philosophy. Ataash varin kata: "In the end lies glory."

Ataas shokra: "Glorious struggle". used as a greeting by some Tal-Vashoth

Atasra val:

Arishokost. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun: "Peace, Arishok. There's nothing to struggle against. Victory is in the Qun."

Basra Vashedan: "foreigner trash."

Ebala Maraas. Ben'dar *name*-asit?: Used when asking for the location of an indavidual

Ebasit kata itwa-ost.: "It is ended. You all have fallen."

Fazha thrin: "Leave us."

Hass ebala-varaad nehraa: "For those I watch, of which I am one."

Koshot asit lok:

Maas avastrasa kulun:

Maraas imekari: "A child bleating without meaning."

Maraas kata: "Nothing is ended."

Maraas toh ebra-shok: a saying of respect, Meravas katara: A combination of "so shall it be" and "you die."

Nehraa sataa karasaam:

Nehraa aqun ebra kata Arvaarad:

Noms daar vat: "The sweet bread is burning."

Saatareth barek:

Shok ebasit hissra. Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aqun. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun: "Struggle is an illusion. The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless. There is nothing to struggle against. Victory is in the Qun." Extract from the Qun from Qunari Prayers for the Dead.

Sten haas-toh! Bas nehersaam saata shok!:

Sten, shok basra vashedan taam!: A call to arms.

Taarsidath-an halsaam: "I will bring myself sexual pleasure later, while thinking about this with great respect."

Teth a: A call for attention, or warning.

Vinek kathas: An order to attack or kill. Another meaning is "Seize them."

Arishokost ebra sala. Seerkata tost eb na shoh: The Arishok will see to it. That, or everyone dies.

Asit zabuk-toh maraas eblok. Kappan maraas tal-eb:

Bazvaarad? Ebasit vash-issra sataa: Foreigners controlling mages? This place is a fecal illusion.

Bas ebadim qalaba, ebsaam asit tal-eb: These foreigners are cattle. Our way is better and inevitable.

Defransdim vasebra nehraa issala shok: "Running around with clothing stuck in your horns" To be caught unprepared.

Ebadim vashedan Tal-Vashoth, ebra-hissal eva-lok defransdim:

Ebsaam ver-toh kata, ir-vah vashtoh notas-taar:

Ebra Karasaad vashetoh saar-qalaba kata:

Ebatot tal-eb noms. Asit hera iss-nal tal-eb. As-eb vashe-qalab!:

Ebsaam ver-toh kata, ir-vah vashtoh notas-taar:

Ebra Karasaad vashetoh saar-qalaba kata:

Ebatot tal-eb noms. Asit hera iss-nal tal-eb. As-eb vashe-qalab!:

Ebasit Ben-Hassrath maraas-toh, tal-eb iss mer-toh ari-van: The Ben-Hassrath will make you disappear if you don't shut up.

Ebadim beresaad hissra-toh ataash. Vashedan katoh-qalaba: Those beresaad think they are so special. Foolish glory animals.

Ebadim astaar, Qunari itwa-toh. Asit tal-eb: They will rise, and the Qunari will cause them to fall. That's how it will be.

Kadanshok defransdim vashedan!:

Sataareth kadan hass-toh issala ebasit: It is my purpose to do what I must for those I consider important.

Shanedan, pashaara. Ebost antir vantaam vasheb-sa karatoh: "Give it a rest, why don't you?"

-- warcrys:

Ataash Qunari!: Glory to the Qunari!

Nehraa Beresaad! For the vanguard!

Katara, bas!: Die, thing!

Ebost issala!: Return to dust!

Ashkost say hissra!: Seek peace with your gods!

Nehraa kadan!: For my brothers!

Anaan esaam Qun!: Victory in the Qun!

Nehraa Koslun!: For the sake of the prophet!

Ashkost kata!: You are seeking death!

Nehraa Qun!: For the Qun!

Stel brak!:

Var-toh katashok, ebadim maraas issala toh: They will struggle, and we will turn them into nothing.