#dragon age 4 lore

[askfordoodles]

"Young man, you cut that tsundere bullshit, I know what you're doing, I wasn't born yesterday." - Secret Brat Tamer Volkarin

[ammocharis]

One bit of obscure Dragon Age lore a day until Dragon Age: The Veilguard is released

Andraste had a half-sister named Halliserre whose mother was an alchemy advisor to Elderath, Andraste's father. One night, young Halliserre followed strange lights into the forest, and Andraste went after her. Halliserre died in mysterious circumstances, suffering wounds no ordinary weapon could make. Then fires broke out in the woods, leaving Andraste sick in the lungs for many years. Andraste couldn't remember exactly what had happened, and later came to believe that her sister's death was due to heresy of the alchemist - according to Andraste, Hallisere's mother whispered of the Old Gods.

Source: Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, pp. 10-12

Previous bit

[shewolfofvilnius]

I truly don't think folks appreciate how big of a lore bomb dropped in Dragon Age the past couple of days in that video where everyone's fixated on Solas' (magnificent) hair. MAJOR Veilguard spoilers after the break:

Back in the day, Ghilan'nain's likely the one who weaponised the Blight in the first place on behalf of the Evanuris, and may or may not even be responsible for the creation of prototype Darkspawn (and we see she has her own 'unique' darkspawn in the game.)

Solas confronts her (then non-blighted) over it, and she rebuffs him, claiming it's part of her ascencion to godhood.

Ghilly weaponizing the Blight also all but confirms that yes, the 'darkness' that Andruil brought with her in past codex entries was definitely the blight.

And Solas seems to move a step closer in his plan to move against the Evanuris after a conversation with Ghilan'nain and the action he has to take immediately thereafter to stop it's most immediate danger.

**And since we know that Solas/Rook *free a blighted Ghilan'nain and Elgarnan* [**ghillie is WAY more grostesque of the two], we know that wherever he trapped them, likely the golden/black city, was already blighted when the Tevinter magisters got there. He would have HAD to have trapped the Blight with them, and it would have had to have gotten out at some point (Hi Coryphenus)

Which ALSO ALSO ALSO means that the 'sin' the Chantry teaches of, the blight, was already present in Elvhenan centuries before the magisters sidereal were glimmers in their parents' eyes (and before Tevinter would have worshipped the Old Gods [who are they?], which means we absolutely, for certain, know that at least a portion of the Chantry's version of events and origin of the Blight is wrong. And whoever The Maker is or isn't, they didn't have jack shit with the blackening of the Golden City, lining up with what Coryfish says about it already being blighted when he got there.

And that's JUST from the Solas' hair video.

[felassan]

Another of the comments in the chat for the gameplay premiere!

The children yearn for the mines (it's me, I'm the children)

hello! ◕‿◕ thanku for sending this my way.

text reads - "Dragon Age on YouTube: It wouldn't be a Dragon Age without a visit to the Deep Roads!" Deep Roads adventures... confirmed hh. [source] [context: they are currently there dropping comments and info snippets]

[calwyne]

From the new ‘Making of Dragon Age: the Veilguard’ behind the scenes video: 👀

“As we’ve gone through DAO, DA2, Inquisition… magic has become more and more present, and part of that is because Solas has been slowly preparing this ritual for longer than anyone in the Dragon Age universe is really aware of.”

[mossattack]

(Some silly headcanons about Mortalitasi and Nevarran traditions that ended up leading me to Emmrich. How typical.)

We don't actually know all that much about Nevarra and their customs. World of Thedas and some of the in-game codex tells us some key points: strong royal families, a rich history of dragon hunting, an elite group of mages rumored to be heavily involved in makings of the country, and, of course, the thing that this country is most famous for - the fascination with the dead.

Our very own Nevarran companion mentions a couple of things about her home country:

And even though she doesn't seem fond of Mortalitasi practices or Nevarran customs surrounding the dead, she admits that some stories that pervade the South are greatly exaggerated:

(I feel so called out)

This makes me think that this interest in the dead is still a personal choice. I doubt that an average Nevarran is obsessed with those rituals any more than an average person from Ferelden is with theirs - those are just a part of their traditions that obviously affect their lives in unique ways, but that is all.

Now, Nevarran nobility are a different matter. They are said to start the construction of their tombs very early in life - lavishly decorated palaces with gardens, ballrooms and bathhouses. A sign of power and wealth for them, and that I can believe.

But when it comes to Mortalitasi, do they, in general, care as much? Do they take all these things, all these rituals, to extreme somehow, professional pride and all?

How much would a Mortalitasi care about their own tomb? Would Mortalitasi friends and colleagues ever promise to lead the other's ceremony depending on who dies first? "Oh, I'll totally mummify you if you're the one to go first, don't you worry, I know you think that Markus is getting sloppy".

The coffin sharing is also not unheard of (the spouses from The Flame Eternal), and I wonder if it's ever used as a grand gesture - to ask someone to be placed in the same tomb?

(And just imagine how messy this could get, the way people are. Building a tomb together only to have a falling out, what are you even supposed to do after that?)

Would it be romantic then, to tell your significant other that you don't want to ever part from them, even in death?

Beacause imagine Emmrich writing a quick letter to his friend from the Mourn Watch (Johanna, if they are still friends after all these years, or Myrna), "doing fine, on a saving the world business trip, will be back when I can; could I trouble you with a favor - a bigger coffin, installed in my tomb, not urgent, just whenever you have the time."

When the reply comes and his friend is (obviously) asking for a reason for such a sudden change, he just looks at Rook from the corner of his eye and replies with "no particular reason, just felt like it."

[3gremlins]

me: i care less about dragon age now, it's been almost decade, i am tired.

*a few crumbs of dragon age news*

THE BEACONS ARE LIT! GONDOR THEDAS CALLS FOR AID DISCOURSE!

[thedeadthree]

𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐆𝐄: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐄𝐈𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃 ➸ irulanne . the rook .

𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒 . 𝐄𝐋𝐅 . 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐄 .

-`. template by @kanos . coloring . icons .

✧ ― 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 (ask to be added or removed or interact 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!!):

@pavus, @wlwaerith, @shadowsofrose, @grapecaseschoices, @nokstella

@queennymeria, @risingsh0t, @carrionsflower, @leviiackrman, @griffin-wood

@confidentandgood, @aceghosts, @tommyarashikage, @shadowglens, @yharnams

@anoras, @theelderhazelnut, @florbelles, @celticwoman, @pinkfey

@kyberinfinitygems, @cloudofbutterflies92, @carlosoliveiraa, @shellibisshe, @adelaidedrubman

@lavampira, @capelizabeth, @socially-awkward-skeleton, @statichvm, @unholymilf

@aezyrraeshh, @imogenkol, @aceghosts, @full---ofstarlight, @ellierenae

[princess-aeducan]

I got demon types from the DA wiki, so not sure if this is all-encompassing- use the something else button and lmk what if it isn’t!

[meg-does-art]

rip lineage-based names ig

[bloedewir]

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

It's not an actual theory, not even close. Just few thoughts, a bit of speculation and information to consider.

The Executors

"Those across the sea". Their symbol a downward-pointed triangle with two wavy lines drawn through it.

If we're desperate for news we can try to take this symbol and add it to a Thedas map. Where?

As a suggestion:

We know Skyhold is important. We know Arlathan forest is important. Both connected to the Veil.

The High Reaches might be too (?).

The High Reaches is a mountain range in western Tevinter. Could or could be not connected with the First Blight (-395 Ancient, started with Magisters Sidereal entered the Fade). The First Blight is also includes: collapse of the dwarven empire, lost thaigs, Caridin created golems, foundation of Grey Wardens, griffons. Minrathous is near, so as Weisshaupt fortress (sort of near).

There's also the Valarian Fields, a site of an important battle during the Exalted March (-171 Ancient). Andraste and Maferath joined with elven forces lead by Shartan. When Andraste met Shartan, she gave him a sword to enslave enemies and he renamed it Glandivalis.

"Glandivalis" has no translate. The only guess: elven lullaby in Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol2. The phrase "Ir tela'ena glandival, vir amin tel'hanin" translated as "When we could no longer believe, we lost glory to war" (yet it described as "not literal translation"). So it could be something about belief/principle/conviction. (Solas knows the word because he said to Mihris ("Measuring the Veil" quest): Ma halani, ma glandival. Vir enasalin).

Could Glandivalis (or part of it) be the dagger Solas used in ritual? Seems inconclusive to me but ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

Two wavy lines across the Waking Sea.

Waking Sea crossed by Andraste and Maferath in -180 Ancient to begin their assault on the Tevinter Imperium.

In the middle of triangle - Solas, a settlement in Tevinter. May or may be not a village Solas speaking of in Haven:

If the High Reaches connected with Skyhold and Arlathan forest somehow, could it be a place where Solas planned to relocate an evanuris prison? But idk .. there? Near Minrathous of all places? Or is it where he is trapped now? Or is it where all creepy evanuris shit will begin to spread all over Thedas? Or is it a place where the Veil is so thin it's almost the Fade grand entrance, and if it is so and some theories are right, could it be the place Rook and pals will eventually enter the Black City?

Is it a coincidence and nothing more than delusional speculations? Could be so.

Am I going to end with a mind blowing conclusion? No, I barely understand what it means and does it actually mean anything 😅

[bearlytolerant]

Evil God Theory part 2

Hello again. I posted about my theory on the tentacled character coming out of the veil in the gameplay trailer in a part one post. Now I’m going to talk about the second figure with the elf ears.

I think our other friend could be Falon’Din. I will be honest, my confidence in the evil god on the right being Falon’Din isn’t as great as my first post but he’s still my first pick and here’s why:

This was a phrase said by an unfamiliar voice in the very short trailer (:33) we got on Dragon Age Day:

“All the world will soon share the peace and comfort of my reign.”

Falon’Din was the god who guided people into Uthenera (a peaceful sleep) but solas says this about him:

I do not believe they sing songs about Falon’Din’s vanity. It is said Falon’Din’s appetite for adulation was so great, he began wars to amass more worshippers. The blood of those who wouldn’t bow low filled lakes as wide as oceans. Mythal rallied the gods, once the shadow of Falon’Din’s hunger stretched across her own people. It was almost too late.

Imagine a god who ushers people into eternal sleep being a bloodthirsty conquerer. He would probably think his reign was comforting and peaceful if everyone is dead.

Also it’s understandable if you don’t necessarily believe Solas. This codex is pretty interesting too though:

The People swore their lives to Falon'Din
Who mastered the dark that lies.
Whose shadows hunger
Whose faithful sing
Whose wings of death surround him
Thick as night.

Lethanavir, master-scryer, be our guide, 
Through shapeless worlds and airless skies.

—Song to Falon'Din, found in the Temple of Mythal, author unknown

Reusing this lovely picture from before but highlighting the background in red because it looks like the world could be experiencing an eclipse. A very nice and literal representation of someone associated with darkness and shadows and night being able to cloak the whole world in darkness.

Now onto some other Falon’Din things. The shape on this figure’s head most closely resembles shapes associated with Falon’Din as pictured with the owl constellation Tenebrium. I’ll just put what the wiki says here:

Falon’Din’s sacred animal is an owl. It is either his companion or his manifestation and simultaneously a messenger of Andruil. The constellation Tenebrium, called “shadow” in the common parlance and depicting an owl, may have been associated with him before it became associated with the old god of night, Lusacan. Falon’Din himself is sometimes depicted as a cloaked and hooded pointing figure.

A comparison of the figures headpiece and horn-like appendages(?) behind the shoulders and the constellation association:

Now onto some outfit comparisons.

From Vir Dirthara: Duel of a Hundred Years

The pages of this book—memory?—show a narrow plateau on top of a mountain, Two armored figures—one in gold, one in black—are fighting in the snow. Steel flickers so fast the air hums. Blood dots the ground. They do not stop for breath. The one in black makes no sound as a blade parts his throat.

"Mythal, in her wisdom, interceded in an argument between Elgar'nan and Falon'Din. With clever words, she convinced them to settle their grievance through a battle of their champions. Elgar'nan and Falon'Din agreed, and set their champions against each other rather than declare war among the gods. May those knights long be remembered, and Mythal's wisdom be praised."

The codex does not say which champion was which when fighting but we could assume Elgar’nan’s was dressed in gold (big E and all his sun/light symbolism), while FD’s champion is probably the one dressed in black. While the main cloak/robe seems to be black (refer to the pic after the statue), there’s also a lot of gold so again, not real strong evidence but it could be something. Also the sleeves match up decently with the Falon’Din statue sleeves.

I did notice too that this outfit seems to match up in some ways with Falon’Din’s outfit in the mosaic. Where the clothes in the mosaic are belted together, it seems this character has the same style but I can’t be certain because the lighting doesn’t help.

I also included an old dao picture of a statue because the shoulder piece in that statue plus the way the figure stands near the end of the gameplay trailer reminded me a lot of that particular statue. So I put them side by side so you can have a look for yourself.

All that to say, my theory on the second one isn’t as strong and I don’t feel like I have enough evidence yet to be super confident but this is my best guess.

Also if we think about the two that Mythal has had to humble it was Andruil and Falon’Din. Mythal had to take Andruil’s voidy toys away. Falon’Din got too blood thirsty and was forced to go into timeout when Mythal went to Dad Elgar’nan about him and he lost the duel. Plus there’s some connection with his symbol being an owl and the owl being a messenger for Andruil. So it would be fun to see this little duo be our boss fight baddies.

Again, if you read this far, thank you!

[stayatsam]

it's almost impressive how much Dragon Age continuously fucks up its own lore with each consecutive installment

[felassan]

The Hossberg Wetlands

[calwyne]

After seeing all the speculation on Bellara’s vallaslin in Dragon Age: the Veilguard, note that we have already seen quite a bright red version of Mythal’s vallaslin on the guards at the temple of Mythal - so I don’t think the use of the colour directly connects to worship of the Forgotten Ones.

[mako-designated-driver]

Day #7: The Death of Elandrin

Elandrin, our brother.

Falon'Din guide you. Maker guide you.

Let here the truth be kept, lest you be remembered a traitor, or our sorrow seem a passing woe.

Though you swore to serve our people, there were those questioning your heart.

Too often had we fought with humans along our borders until the beginning was lost to memory. Rumors of an abduction stirred. As always, their Chantry was swift to spread lies. In haste and anger, they killed Siona's sister for wandering too near the hunters' path. You carried her body back to us, you mourned with us—yet your heart was distracted. Siona begged for vengeance and you turned away.

More and more you vanished without word or explanation. When whispers rose that you would swear yourself to their Maker, we feared what would come.

Siona sought to save you, to bring you back to us. She had lost a sister, must she also lose a brother? Beneath the trees she saw you with a woman, the one who turned you from us. The woman gestured toward the village. You and she turned to gaze upon the Chantry's walls.

Siona returned. She told us how humans were turning you against us. How their lies must have filled you. As a loyal servant to the Maker's cause, you would betray our secrets. When we went to ask if there was truth in this, you were already gone.

So we sought to stop you. With haste, Siona led her people to the village. There we would challenge you. There we would bring you back to us... or to justice. In the dim of a moonless night, she saw Siona through the trees. She raced toward Siona, a cry on her lips and something in her hand. Siona's arrow flew. So the woman fell, the name "Elandrin" dying on her lips, daisies slipping from her grasp.

The men of the village suspected the girl's flight, and heard the scream. They fell upon the elves, but were no match.

Siona's haste surpassed your own. You knelt beneath the trees, blood-soaked petals clinging to your clothes from a final embrace. When more humans came, you would not be moved—and they would not listen. Their arrows found your heart and you fell beside her. We found your body in the river where they cast you aside. She was taken by her own. It was not the end, but your part is past.

Rest now as our honored brother once more. A wreath of daisies at your brow, the letter she carried in your hand. Whoever guides you, whoever guides her, may your souls meet once more in the Beyond.

Faded blood stains the letter:

Adalene,

What care have I for gods I have never seen, for a Maker I do not know? Let others distract themselves with such lofty concerns. I know only this life, I have seen only this world, and I care only for you.

Perhaps your priestess distrusts the sincerity of "uncivilized" elves. If she must hear me say I will follow the Maker, so be it. Your god intercedes as much as ours. My life will not change.

I will return in two weeks' time. My heart longs for you 'til then, and will remain with you forever after.

Elandrin