That particular tattoo pattern is a slave mark? I thought only the dalish free elves had those tattoos.
Inquisition liked to "subvert expectations", so now that elven tatoo pattern is what the evanuris used to mark their elven slaves. Then the Dreadwolf started to free some slaves and made war with the ancient gods, destroying the elven civilization in the process. I guess the free elves started to mingle with the human society and became the getto elves, and the slaves became dalish, but AFAIK it wasn't outirght confirmed.
It is revealed in the last scene of Solas romance
Don't fucking ask me how I know