Obviously wherever Sam hails from, all elves live separately. She'll have to ask him about that too. Ellana gestures to a patch of grass where they can sit and she can tell him the story.

"There was a war long ago between elves and humans. It was fought in a place called the Dales. I'm sure the humans tell it differently, but how we elves learn it, the humans wanted us to worship the Maker, but we have our own gods, the Evanuris -- the Creators. They launched an Exalted March on us to bring us to heel. In the end, we lost the war, the Dales, and were left with a choice: either submit to humans and worship the Maker, or live in exile as nomads. The elven people split then. Those who live in the cities worship the Maker, though some try to keep the old ways. Those who don't are called the Dalish, and we say, 'We are the last Elvhen. Never again shall we submit.'"

As she finishes, her expression is sad. It all happened so long ago, but it affects every elf today. She has long wished her people could all settle down in houses permanently and have a sense of security, but that's easier said than done.

"But I do think city elves are as much a part of the Elvhen as we Dalish are. It's just something we say."