#Spirit of Compassion

[doraingrid]

Cole | Spirit of Compassion

[misterkusaka]

“There was a Cole,” he whispered.

[dellamortal]

Taash: You’re too quiet. I don’t like it. It’s like you’re trying to sneak up on me.

Cole: And you’re loud. It’s good. You don’t like to hide things. You have no secrets.

Taash: Why bother? Secrets are just lies in fancy clothes. It’s always better to be loud and honest.

Cole: Yes. Loud. Loud because you want them to hear you. To see. To shout, ‘here I am!’, and someone will reply, ‘Yes, you are enough’.

Taash: Hey. Stop. None of that Compassion crap. I’m loud because I’m loud, end of story.

Cole: But you don’t belong to the Qun. Or Rivain. You wonder if you’ll ever belong to anything. A box, but not a box. A shape only you can fill. You wonder if she’ll ever accept you.

Taash: (growls) Hey! I said stop!

[clairedelune-13]

Cole becoming more human is much more interesting because it parallels Solas’ and his character development.

When he [Solas] took physical form, that decision, alone, changed him.

And it’s even more obvious when you choose to romance him.

Because him falling in love with Inky are the actions of an actual man, not a fucking Spirit of Wisdom.

And remember, if Cole is more human, he gets with Maryden.

I don’t know, I really don’t like the spirit path.

It offers little to no character development for Cole and it doesn’t parallel Solas.

[thefadecodex]

One of the primary goals of The Fade Codex—at least to its creator—is to move beyond the rigid structure imposed by the Chantry and develop a flexible and nuanced classification system for spirits. Thus, the 'Spirit Alignment' classification system was created.

Spirit Alignment System:

Spirits are categorized based on their core ideals, emotions, or drives, rather than narrow, static definitions.

This approach provides a more adaptable and insightful exploration of their identities, behaviors, and transformations.

Spirit Evolution:

The Spirit Alignment system aims to address the evolution of spirits, showing how they grow from simpler forms into more complex, emotionally driven entities.

Example: Docktown's Spirit of Compassion evolving into Eulogy from In Memoriam in DATV

Now that we understand the goals of The Fade Codex, let’s explore its classification system and see how Spirit Alignment offers a different perspective on these enigmatic entities we call spirits!

Why Classifying Spirits is Helpful

Classifying spirits into 'Spirit Alignment' categories such as learning-based, hope-based, and others provides a structured framework for understanding their nature, purpose, and behavior within both the Fade and Thedas. Spirits are complex entities shaped by emotion, thought, and intention, making them inherently difficult to define. By organizing them into these thematic groups, scholars, mages, and Fade researchers can:

Identify Motivations: Each category highlights the primary drive behind a spirit's actions, whether it's the pursuit of knowledge, the will to survive, or the need to instill hope.

Predict Behavior: Spirits within a category often share behavioral patterns, making it easier to anticipate how they might interact with mortals or other spirits.

Assess Risk and Corruption: Different spirit types have unique vulnerabilities to corruption, and classification helps identify the potential demonic forms they might take.

Guide Interactions: Mages and mortals who deal with spirits can tailor their approaches based on a spirit's category, improving the chances of peaceful or productive interaction.

Preserve Knowledge: Organizing spirits into defined groups helps pass down knowledge more effectively, preventing misunderstandings or misclassifications that could lead to dangerous consequences.

How Spirits are Classified

Spirits are categorized based on their core essence and purpose, which reflects the emotions, ideals, or drives they embody. Each classification represents a fundamental aspect of mortal existence, as spirits themselves are shaped by mortal emotions and thoughts.

These categories are not rigid but serve as a flexible guide, acknowledging that spirits often overlap across multiple classifications depending on the circumstances. For example:

A Spirit of Passion, which is classified in the Spirit Alignment system as a survival-based spirit, it might also overlap with other alignments depending on what fuels its 'passion.'

The Fluid Nature of Spirit Alignment: A Case Study of Spite

Spite as a Spirit of Passion:

In datamined notes from DATV, Spite was originally described as a Spirit of Passion before being later redefined as a Spirit of Determination.

Spite was drawn to Lucanis because of his unwavering will to live.

Over time, Spite evolved into a Spirit of Obsession.

Spirit Alignment Classification:

This connection led the creator of The Fade Codex to classify Spirits of Passion under survival-based spirits.

Fluid Alignment of Passion Spirits:

The alignment of a Spirit of Passion can vary depending on what fuels their passion.

They might align with chaos, love, or strength, depending on their purpose and connection to the mortal they are drawn to.

Case Study: The Evolution of a Spirit – From Compassion to Eulogy

Stage 1: Spirit of Compassion

Purpose: A Spirit of Compassion manifests in Dock Town during a series of demonic murders, offering comfort to the fallen.

Awareness: It senses a connection between the victims, but lacks the knowledge to fully understand it.

Stage 2: Transformation into Eulogy

Catalyst: The repeated loss and a growing awareness of manipulation behind the deaths drive the spirit to evolve into Eulogy.

Purpose: Eulogy vows to remember the dead and protect others from demonic threats, gaining a clearer sense of purpose and identity.

Stage 3: Eulogy’s Role in Dock Town

Action: Eulogy actively protects Dock Town’s residents and seeks to prevent further manipulation.

Analysis of Spirit Evolution

Emotional Catalyst: Exposure to suffering and injustice pushed the Spirit of Compassion to evolve.

Outcome: Eulogy combines its original compassion with a clear mission of protection and remembrance.

Significance: This evolution highlights how spirits can grow from simple embodiments of emotion into complex entities with distinct goals.

Eulogy serves as an example of spirit evolution shaped by emotional resonance and purpose, showing how a spirit can adapt to meet the needs of those it watches over.

[aves-rook-laidir]

So turns out Spirits of Compassion are just…like that? They read your mind and have no filter

[mist-the-wannabe-linguist]

Y'know how the human brain has the tendency to forget what the pain from a severe injury/childbirth etc felt like just to preserve your sanity? Like you know you've experienced it and that it sucked but can't remember what it was actually like. What if in DA it's the work of Compassion spirits taking away your memory of the pain

[insketched]

Just going through things….some of my faves….

[galacticsparkles]

Cole, you sweet sweet spirit boy

💚💛🤍

Second try at digital art. I’m starting to be less confused while navigating Procreate, but… it certainly is a process for an old(er) cat such as myself.

I found the option to watch the timelapse and I laughed so hard, because 3/4 of the time it’s me trying something and then changing my mind 😂

But hey, that’s what learning a new skill is like and it’s such a joy and privilege to be able to do so.

[idleindy]

Lily's and the Lost

Written for @veilguard-appreciation-week, day two!

Prompts: Rivain/Compassion/"I like to listen to the waves crash."

Summary: "Weary, wilted and waiting. My fault. I could have– should have–tried to stop him…

“He’s my friend…I have to try. You couldn't have. He would have done it anyway.”

or, Lace Harding finds herself talking with an old friend.

Characters: Lace Harding, Cole.

MAJOR VEILGUARD ENDGAME SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

You can also read this fic on Ao3!

There was no sun in the fade, no day or night cycle, yet light still poured into the room, bouncing off of the glass roof and creating tiny fractals of rainbows on the floor. It was comforting, this space that she found herself in, despite the unease that she felt about being in the Fade; it felt as though this small conservatory had been made just for her somehow. She supposed that there was a high chance that that was exactly what happened, considering how the plants just appeared out of nowhere a few days ago.

Lace knelt down, wincing a little as she did so, placing her basket of gardening tools down on the ground next to her as she began to tend to some of the plants that had grown. They had grown so quickly, quicker than was normal, so she felt a trim was in order.

It didn't hurt that it also provided her a good distraction for...everything at the moment.

"Weary, wilted and waiting. My fault. I could have– should have–tried to stop him…

“He’s my friend…I have to try. You couldn't have. He would have done it anyway.”

Letting out a steadying breath, she turned her head to look at the voice. It was a boy with a very large hat, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Cole,” she acknowledged quietly, turning back to continue tending to the plants she had been working on. “I wasn't expecting to see you here.”

“I help heal the hurt,” he replied simply, his hands twisting around themselves.

“I don’t think there’s anything you can do to help here, Cole. Not with this.”

There was nothing that anyone could do. Not her, not Rook, not Cole, not Varric.

"An accident, the tide tilting, and then--" He gasped. "Roiling regret, necessary but sorry. He did not mean to; it was an accident."

"Varric believed in Solas, believed that he could still listen to reason, and now he's dead. Solas can be as sorry as he wants, accidental or not, he killed Varric. No one else. Him."

Silence enveloped the space, the only sound being the gentle shuffling of leaves where Lace continued her work. She didn't mean to be so short with Cole, she knew he was only trying to help, but what happened to Varric still felt like a raw wound left untreated and exposed to the world. She wasn't sure if she'd ever be ready to face that.

“I am sorry he is gone. He was my friend too.” Cole murmured after a few more minutes of silence, voice soft and tinged with sorrow.

Lace closed her eyes for a moment, the grief that she had been trying so hard to push down welling to the surface. "I know, Cole," she whispered, voice slightly choked up, "I'm sorry too." She turned her head once more as she stood up, intending to apologise for being short with him, but he was nowhere to be found. The only evidence that he had ever been there was the swaying of the vines, as though a gust of wind had blown through, and the potted plant that now sat by the window—a Peace Lily.

'This will help,' read a lone scrap of paper left lying in the dirt of the pot.

Lace smiled despite herself; Cole always did manage to find a way to make people feel better.

[springaesthete]

My sweet darling spirit of compassion T^T I love to imagine Inky’s reaction to Cole getting less and less surprised and eventually they just kinda sigh “thanks Cole”

[void-bitten-ghost]

Oh my FUCKING god I'm so dumb COLE IS LITERALLY A SPIRIT WHO MANIFESTED A BODY NO WONDER SOLAS WENT FULL DAD-MODE ON HIM HE'S BEEN EXACTLY WHERE COLE IS EXCEPT HE HAD MYTHAL. HE HAD WAR. HE HAD POLITICIANS WITH ILLUSIONS OF GRANDEUR WHO COMMITTED WAR CRIMES

I bet mediating between Cole and 'older sister Sera' was a breath of fresh fucking air compared to that

I just. Yeah. A lot of things are starting to make sense don't mind me

[dellamortal]

(If Rook is romancing Lucanis, after ‘Inner Demons’ is complete)

Cole: Not fighting anymore. The voices blend now. Two edges on the same blade, cutting the same way. Burn and bind, bitter but bold. Two truths tangled together. Learning, lingering, living.

Lucanis: You make this sound almost noble. Almost.

Cole: You didn’t think it was possible. To balance it. To want, and still stay whole. But he makes you believe it.

Lucanis: He has a knack for that, doesn’t he?

Lucanis (Spite): Strong. Clever. Ours. Not just yours. Ours.

Rook: Glad I could be of service.

Lucanis: (chuckles) You see what I must put up with? I am practically outnumbered.

Cole: Not outnumbered. Just not alone.

[tavtiers]

A hypothetical god tier for a Spirit of Compassion from Dragon Age: the Rogue of Life.

A Rogue of Life is among those who use energy to influence. They are motivated by others to steal growth. (x) The Rogue of Life lacks self control and keeps trying even if they fail. (x) They are the Free Spirit Child, defined by reckless growth. (x) Their opposite is the Thief of Doom. Their inverse is the Knight of Doom. They share their personality with the Heir of Heart. The Rogue of Life would quest on a planet similar to the Land of Cubes and Life, reigned over by Hebe (Goddess of Youth) or Asclepius (God of Medicine). They would rise to ascension on the wings of butterflies. (x)(x)(x)

[clairedelune-13]

Manfred is just so fucking creepy.

I miss Cole.

[thefadecodex]

In DATV, our understanding of spirits deepens through two pivotal quests: In Memoriam and Spirits of the Dalish. These quests portray spirits as deeply empathetic entities shaped by emotions, capable of growth, distress, and healing.

The basic 'formula' can be used to figure out if a Spirit is going to become corrupted or return to the Fade: Purpose Disrupted → Emotional Distress → Catalyst Event → Mortal Intervention → Outcome (Corruption or Return).

In In Memoriam:

A Spirit of Compassion transforms into Eulogy through an act of remembrance.

This transformation highlights that spirits can evolve when guided by mortal intention.

In Spirits of the Dalish:

An 'Anxious Spirit', burdened by grief over the deaths of the Dalish, risks corruption.

Bellara observes that spirits overwhelmed by negative emotions are at risk of turning into something darker.

Spite identifies the Anxious Spirit as a Spirit of Comfort.

For the Spirit of Comfort to return to the Fade, it requires action, including: 1. Gathering mementos and 2. Holding a vigil.

This concept is briefly explored in DAI, but the encounter is so fleeting that it didn’t leave a strong impression on the creator, even after multiple playthroughs. However, it seems likely that this quest was laying the groundwork for a deeper exploration of the idea in DATV

In Burdens of Command (DAI):

A Spirit of Command struggles with the physical world’s refusal to obey its directives, unlike the fluid responsiveness of the Fade.

The spirit expresses frustration at its inability to exert control in the physical realm.

The Inquisitor aids the spirit by slaying the Rage Demon.

After receiving assistance, the spirit returns to the Fade with ease.

So, what does this tell us? Spirits are not static entities—they are deeply influenced by mortal intention, emotional states, and symbolic acts. Their stability hinges on fulfilling their purpose or finding resolution, without which they risk corruption or transformation.

1. Spirits Have a 'Threshold' for Emotional Distress

Implication: Spirits can endure negative emotions or experiences for only a limited time before risking corruption or transformation.

Significance: This suggests spirits have an internal tether to their purpose. When that tether is strained or broken, their identity unravels, leaving them vulnerable to corruption or transformation into darker forms (e.g., Comfort becoming Fear or Despair).

2. Spirits Require Resolution Through Action

Implication: The Anxious Spirit needed an act of closure (the vigil) to find peace, showing that spirits cannot simply "will" themselves back to their purpose—they require external, symbolic actions aligned with their nature.

Significance: Spirits rely on harmony between their emotional state and purpose, often needing external intervention to restore balance. This suggests they are not entirely self-sufficient and may depend on mortals or other spirits for stability.

3. Spirits Are Deeply Affected by Mortal Emotions and Experiences

Implication: The Anxious Spirit's distress stemmed from the violent, unresolved deaths of the Dalish, showing that spirits are deeply empathetic and can become trapped in emotional feedback loops tied to mortal events.

Significance: Spirits' emotional states are reactive and tethered to their surroundings, suggesting they can "absorb" ambient emotional energy, especially when it clashes with their purpose.

4. Corruption May Not Be Instantaneous, But a Process

Implication: Spirits do not immediately become corrupted when they encounter negative emotions. There is a window of opportunity to intervene, as seen with the Anxious Spirit.

Significance: This challenges the assumption that spirits are instantly corrupted by negative emotions.*

*Note: This is not including events where a spirit is bound against it's will and forced against it's purpose.

5. Action is Needed for Spirits

Implication: The vigil was not just a symbolic act for the Anxious Spirit—it was an anchor, grounding the spirit back to its original purpose.

Significance: Spirits often need ritual or symbolic acts to realign with their purpose after prolonged distress, highlighting their intrinsic connection to intention, symbolism, and the constructs of the Fade..

6. Time Is a Factor in Spirit Corruption

Implication: The longer a spirit exists in emotional distress, the closer they come to losing their purpose and becoming corrupted.

Significance: There seems to be an unspoken "time limit" during which intervention must occur. This "time limit" may different depending on the spirit as well--a more "simple" spirit, such as a Spirit of Comfort may have less time for an intervention vs a more "complex" spirit, such as a Spirit of Compassion.