#something something flemeth prophecy

[goblinroleplay]

my dragon age parties are always as follows: - my favourite little mage who has witnessed or comitted atrocities - cool warrior - varric

[theluckywizard]

15 and 18 for Garret and Rosa for the ask game :)

Thank you for asking 😍

These questions are from This OC Ask Game

15. What places hold significant meaning or memories for your OC? Do they have a positive or negative association with those places?

Garrett Hawke: Oh gosh-- a lot of Kirkwall is permanently colored for Garrett, one of the reasons he ultimately fled the city with Bethany, even when he was begged to stay to help pull it back together.

His family estate in Hightown. It was always meant to be this place of security for his family-- something they had never had. And by the time he was able to secure it, he'd already lost Bethany to the Circle, Carver to the Wardens (or the Templars in the case of my Kiss Me Moonstruck AU), and later his mother. He can't think about the place without sliding into a spiral about how much he let slip from his grasp when he had always felt it his responsibility to protect and provide for his family.

The Hanged Man is one of those places that is both blue and yellow (Inside Out style). It's the place where he found companionship and support... but it's also the place where he buried his failures and he knows it. Joyful, outrageous shenanigans, enjoyable memories... that eventually slip into thoughts about what he fumbled or what he lost.

Crestwood - This is a happy place for him. Rain, undead, red templars aside. It's where he and Rose really discover the depth of their appreciation for one another. The man who unwittingly broke it all with the woman who could fix it all. Their intimacy will forever be tied up with that place in his mind. For him it marks the start of a personal journey where he digs himself out of his cycles of self-blame and regret.

Rose Trevelyan:

There's a place in the coastal forest on her family estate in Fenwick outside Ostwick where she and her father built a makeshift shrine to her older brother Jaime who died in a possession incident as a boy. It's a secret between the two of them. Over the years they add different trinkets to honor him, tucking them amongst the roots and hanging from branches of a great fir tree. It's a place she goes mentally when she wants to kind of commune with Jaime, who is kind of the 'person' she talks to when she wants to sort things out for herself.

Haven - This is a place where Rose goes through a truckload of growth, going from this sheltered noblewoman to someone who could even be worthy of the title of Herald. She embraces the challenge and is really put through the mill while they're based in Haven. It's a home away from home. It's a place where she felt herself becoming and she will always be grateful for it. The loss of it makes it difficult to think about, but it's really important to her and she remembers it often.

The Crossroads, Hinterlands: The first place Rose ever killed a person (in a hand to hand scrap with a mage hidden away in some underbrush). This is a pretty traumatic memory and it kind of rears its head when she really doesn't need it. Even though it's a place they were ultimately able to do a lot of good, Rose can't disentangle it from that first messy, horrifying kill.

18. Has your OC ever had a prophecy made about them? Was it a big deal or did they ignore it? Was it straightforward or cryptic? Did it ever come to pass or did they circumvent it?

Hehe, it's hard to answer this completely without giving away spoilers for my WIP longfic In the Shattering of Things, but I will give some.

Garrett Hawke: Flemeth's remarks to him at Sundermount are a prophecy. "We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment... and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly." Garrett found it maddeningly cryptic and was already annoyed with her so he kind of ignored it, but it sort of sat in the back of his mind as kind of a niggling feeling. I think throughout his time since he occasionally looks back on the words and tries to see how it would fit his choices over the years. Did he take the leap? Rose Trevelyan: Hawke dreamed of her when he was around twenty years old living in Lothering. She doesn't learn of this dream until well after she's inquisitor, indeed, I haven't even published the part where she learns of this, only hinted at it. That's all I can really say without getting real spoilery. But yes and no. In my WIP Kiss Me Moonstruck, set during DA2: Act 2 where Rose and Hawke are being set up by their mothers, Sandal actually confronts her and shares his canon prophecy and says "It's you". And she's a little bit like "Garrett put you up to this didn't he LOL GOOD ONE". (and in that case, yes it comes to pass much later on that she becomes the Herald, but that AU takes a hard right turn from canon)

[marythegizka]

You know how I said that in Dragon Age, Anora was basically Princess Leia in that Denerim quest and that Loghain was Vader? Well, I'm actually starting to think he might be Macbeth. Here's why:

- They're both given titles by the King after repelling invaders and/or internal enemies (this happens to Macbeth at the beginning of the play, and to Loghain in the book prequels).

- Speaking of the the book prequels, Flemeth's prophecies made me think of the Three Witches (plus, she does live in a creepy, misty marsh).

- Even their last names and titles bear some resemblance (they have a similar 'rhythm' and a few identical consonnants which are placed in the same position): Mac Tir/ Macbeth, Teyrn of Gwaren/Thane of Glamis

- People’s opinions of Loghain (Aemon's surprise at Loghain's actions or the fact that he of all people might want power, Alistair's pre-Ostagar opinion of him, what his soldiers say about him, etc.) are also quite evocative of the way Macbeth himself used to be perceived by the characters in the play (i.e. an honest man, deserving of the honours bestowed upon him etc. etc.). They can’t quite reconcile the hero he used to be with the tyrant he has become.

- Lady Macbeth seems to be split into two characters: Howe as the one who prods him further into the mire and his paranoia, and Anora as the one who may reap the benefits of his actions/become the rightful Queen.

- MacBeth is responsible for Duncan's death, and Loghain... is responsible for Duncan's death (see, I didn't even need to change the names). Now, it is true that, in Dragon Age, Duncan is not the King (Cailan is, but he does die in the same circumstances), but he definitely is a father figure to Alistair, who may later be avenged and crowned King depending on the player’s choices (which I suppose makes him an equivalent of Malcolm?).

- Both of them alienate a good chunk of the nobility, which results in violent conflict.

- Both are perfectly aware that what they are doing is messed up (see that cutscene of Loghain in the palace after the first main quest is completed, or just how placid he is if or when the player decides to execute or sacrifice him... this isn't something you'd expect from someone with a clear conscience...) but, since they're both embodiments of the whole 'the end justifies the means' saying, they just double down and hope it doesn't backfire (which, of course, is exactly what happens). In the end the difference between the two is that Loghain is (arguably) a tad less depressed and more ‘idealistic’, for lack of a better term (he thinks he's doing it for Ferelden, as opposed to Macbeth’s personal ambition, but that doesn't change the fact that he is completely willing to sacrifice personal integrity to reach his goals) which may explain why he can get a redemption arc, but that's basically it. I don’t know if I’m going anywhere with this, but I thought it was funny (well. sort of.)

[jordi-bogenstein]

Dragon Age Absolution - Netflix Series

THEORIES - SPOILER

I love that so many wonderful people out there contribute their thoughts on the Dragon Age Lore. And after I watched Dragon Age Absolution I want to do the same. I have some thoughts and theories about the show and the upcoming game. Well here you go: :)

The Circulum Infinitus

I believe that the Circulum Infinitus is in fact a elvhen artifact. The spirit of wisdom tells us in Episode 2 of Absolution, that it has never been used. Why should Dorians ancestor Amelia Pavus craft something that she didn't use in the end? Especially when the crafting dates back to Tevinter´s early evil days. No, I don't buy it. 

If you look on the Red Lyrium Idol you can see that behind the figure above is a circle with a snake on it. Which looks strikingly similar to the Circulum Infinitus. So if the Red Lyrium Idol was in fact buried many years before the early Imperium in the Primeval Thaig, how could the Imperium crafted something that existed in the minds of the early dwarfs already. It doesn't make sense to me.

What makes sense however, is the fact that the snakes on the Circulum Infinitus could be connected to Mythal. There are statues to be found in inquisition with wings and circles around their waist. I believe them to be a depiction of Mythal. Also there is a story of Mythal transforming herself into a Giant serpent in order to lure Andruil into a trap.

https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Codex_entry:_Elven_God_Andruil

I admit that those are only small hints for suggesting that Mythal created the Circulum Infinitus. But the Spirit in Absolution suggested that someone else wants to have the Circulum Infinitus. I think that most of us can agree that this someone must be Solas. If he means to resurrect Mythal it would make sense that he would to do it with the artifact that has a connection to her. Since we learned that the Circulum works only with a sacrifice of a person, I believe that Solas will sacrifice someone to bring Mythal back to life.

Question is: Who will this someone be? I believe that the Red Lyrium Idol is in fact a prophecy. Of the things that might happen in the future. We saw Solas fusing with Flemeth and holding her body in the same way as two figures in the idol. But what about the third figure? Did you notice that there is a third person without a arm below the Circulum Infinitus? We all know that the only person missing an arm is in fact our poor Inquisitor. So if the prophecy of the Idol is supposed to come true, than Solas means to sacrifice the Inquisitor to bring Mythal back to life!

[dalishious]

The Next Dragon Age 2020 Game Awards Teaser Trailer Analysis

“I've faced tyrants and would-be gods. Seen friends loose life and limb. But there's always someone bent on breaking the world. It's time for a new hero. No magic hand, no ancient prophecy. The kind of person they'll never see coming. We've got your back. I've got your back. Demons. Dragons. Darkspawn. Even the Dread Wolf. This, is your story.”

I think the teaser trailer did a really great job at giving us a general vibe the game will be going for. Trailers for the past Dragon Age games usually hit high notes of heroism; sacrifice, duty, might, etc. This trailer immediately feels different, and I’m personally keeping an open mind about that. I hesitate to use the word “dark” to describe media, because I feel that most people have a different definition of what makes something have a “dark tone” than I do, but I would apply that here. The music is cinematic not in the sense of epicness, but of dire straits. Dare I say I got more “end of the world” vibes from this trailer than from all of Inquisition.

The term “teaser trailer” is definitely appropriately used here, because that’s what it is; a tease. BioWare is very good at teasing, at sharing enough bits of information to keep you thinking, without giving it all away. So with that said, these are my own personal thoughts.

If you have not yet seen The Next Dragon Age Official Teaser Trailer released during the 2020 Game Awards, you can view it here: [Link]

The Mural

The trailer opens and closes with another large painting by Solas. A clear image of the entire mural was changed as the background of EA’s official Dragon Age webpage.

It interests me that Solas represented himself as the Dread Wolf with red mouth and blue eyes. In past depictions of Fen’Harel, he has red eyes and a blue moth, such as the DA:I tarot card:

The colours blue and red have traditionally been representative of opposite forces, most often good and evil, in media. If there is meaning to this, (because after all, it could just be a style choice,) I wonder if it is indicative of his role reversal from Inquisition?

On either side of the Dread Wolf are two figures, with familiar shapes as their heads:

These shapes are found fixated on top of metallic dragon statues and eluvians in Trespasser:

In the game files, they are referred to as the following:

prp_elv_TyrantIdolHead01

prp_elv_TyrantIdolHead02

prp_elv_TyrantIdolHead03

These “Tyrant Idol Heads” obviously represent the Evanuris. The second head that looks like the sun is obviously Elgar’nan. The third head I believe represents Mythal, as it holds resemblance to dragon horns, and Flemeth’s silhouette. The question remains which member of the Evanuris does the first represent, the one appearing as the head of the left creature in the mural. Given the monstrous nature, how @felassan​ pointed out the head and body has the same shape as a monster seen in concept art, and that Ghilan’nain’s monsters were recently explored in the Tevinter Nights story, the Horror of Hormak, Ghilan’nain is my guess.

The second figure in the mural? I think that is another Evanuris. This is a shot in the dark, but I wonder if perhaps June, given we know next to nothing about him thus far, and I do think it’s supposed to be a male one, given the stereotypically masculine body shape.

The figures are both hanging upside down with their hands folded over their chest. This is symbolic of martyrdom in Catholicism. (Why Solas has become Catholic, I do not know.)

At the bottom of the mural is, from right to left, the red lyrium statue of meredith with the red lyrium idol sword, a crumbling city full of red lyrium, and Corypheus with the orb. The circling yellow light around the city reads as an explosion to me, which is very interesting, given the plot of The Streets of Minrathous in Tevinter Nights. The remaining Venatori wish to summon a very powerful demon resting under the capital city, blowing it up in the process. Perhaps they are not the only ones with such a goal, or perhaps they will try again?

The Scenic Shots

The gritty, rocky terrain, the mountains in the distance, the new, dinosaur-like creatures that could be a new kind of darkspawn, the very obvious warden boots... I think this is the Anderfels. 

The castle in the distance here looks to be the same one in the distance in the scene that follows below, from a different angle. (Either that or it’s a reused asset, which is also possible.)

I’ve seen people peg this as a shot of Tevinter, but while this may be wishful thinking on my part, I’m more inclined to believe it’s Antiva. This is mostly due to, if you look closely at the bottom, there is no a street, but a waterway. I can easily believe Antiva City has a canal from Rialto Bay down the river to Seleny, and while I can’t recall for certain, this may have even been confirmed. It is also easy to believe Antiva City would have a very lively night life. Additionally, the architecture does not match what we have seen of Tevinter style.

Now this, I am certain, is Tevinter. Even without the Tevinter flags hanging off the building to the right, this architecture absolutely matches established Tevinter style. There is also the floating castle in the background, something described of Minrathous in Tevinter Nights.

I know some people were confused about the lights shown here, but these are nothing compared to the magic laser shows in Magekiller:

I do not believe these lights should be seen as a sign Tevinter is more advanced than the rest of Thedas. For one thing, Orlais is said to have magical night lighting as well; we’ve just never seen it.

“The cavern walls slick with moisture loomed high overhead, bathed in the orange glow of magical lanterns. In Orlais there were entire streets lit by such devices, the wealthiest districts in the entire Empire. The cavern walls slick with moisture loomed high overhead, bathed in the orange glow of magical lanterns. In Orlais there were entire streets lit by such devices, the wealthiest districts in the entire Empire. There the Circle of Magi was paid handsomely to keep the lanterns lit, and once a month in the early morning a herd of young apprentices would make their rounds under the watchful eyes of a guardian templar.” —The Calling

In the Tevinter Nights story Three Trees to Midnight, Myrion mentions that it was his job to light the street lights of Ventus. Casting those lights is someone’s job in Tevinter, too. Tevinter is also not the only country with magical advancements compared to Ferelden, the Free Marches and Orlais, either. Nevarra has carriages pulled by animated skeleton horses, for example. Personally, I’d say that is way more impressive than magic lights.

The pulling motion this person does, followed by the person in the background stumbling, makes me think blood magic. And yet, they have a dagger in hand. So, maybe they’re a blood mage rogue? That’d be cool.

Wherever this is, it’s pretty damn infected with red lyrium. That creature looks to be a cross between a darkspawn ogre and a red templar behemoth. A red ogre behemoth. With its face melted off.

I’m much more interested in that bow, however. The effects look identical to that of a Fade Rift, with the floating geometry and green glowing arrow manifested with the draw.

It is so incredibly funny to me that in Trespasser, the most recent concept art, and now this trailer, Solas is all stylish looking. This is the same fucker who walked around in tattered pyjamas for an entire game. Now he’s back with his real motivation of revenge against all those comments made against his lack of fashion sense. Either that, or he hired a personal stylist, now that he’s gone full antagonist and needs to bring the dramatics.

Fashion reveal aside, I fucking LOVE this shot with half his face in light and half his face in shadow. Listen. I am a sucker for shots like this, and the representation of inner struggle between the light and dark side of the force...

(Solas wishes he was Luke Skywalker.) What a great way to end the trailer, though.

[felassan]

hey hey, just giving you this question because you are big lore nerd and I'm analysing this by myself (and eventually doing a post)... did you check out the Chant of Light, Drakon's prophecy for the future? Exaltations canticle? I read it last night and I was surprised. It can be added to Sandal's prophecy in da2 as well.... maybe you talked about this before? would you mind to point me your post in that case? I love your analysis

Hello! Ahh thankyouu 😊 (Please tag me in or drop me a link to your post because I’d be interested to read it!) The rest of this post is under a cut due to length.

Sandal’s prophecy is an interesting one as we recently learned this tidbit about it and things like it in one of the David Gaider dev commentary streams:

DG said Eleni Zinovia’s prophecy doesn’t refer to Fen’Harel. He can’t remember who wrote it in there or what it refers to actually. It was most likely just intended as flavor and he was even a bit surprised by it, like “What is this?” There’s a lot of things like that in the games, not everything has a ~grand meaning~. Sometimes such small off-hand things are picked up on by fans and the writers then make it into something bigger and more meaningful after the fact. This is what happened with Sandal (all the fans being like “Ooh, what does it mean, what does it mean?” about him). It’s possible Eleni will be picked up on like that in the future, but at the time it didn’t mean anything really. A lot of the way these stories are put together is that they put a lot of questions into the world, scattering possible/potential plothooks, and they don’t necessarily know where they lead at the time, but in future games they could come back to them and come up with an interesting backstory. Sometimes they pick it up and sometimes it never gets answered or ever mentioned again (the Wardens taking some of the blood from those who didn’t survive their particular bout of Joinings and putting it in a vial to remember them is an example of one of these things). It’s pretty rare that you’d get a situation where something is mapped out from beginning to end. Sometimes we the players get a revelation as we play and we’re like “Omg!! This is all connected! They are masters!” and the writers are like “Yes, toootally… It was that way alllllll along. It certainly did NOT get decided three quarters of the way through development…” [source]

I don’t think I’ve made a post about Kordillus Drakon’s vision of the Maker’s return or on the Canticle of Exaltations. I’d be really interested to see some of his prior drafts and compare the things he changed during the rewriting process.. Anyway here’s some assorted thoughts on the Canticle, albeit disjointed and not conclusive:

Parallels - Andraste’s vision of the Maker, Kordillus’ vision of the future 

You can read Kordillus’ vision as a genuine vision of actual-Andraste, a figment of his imagination or a delusion born from religious fervor, something he’s making up (he was a fervent believer, it’s just that it’s also the case that sometimes religion is misused for power or empire), or a legit encounter that he had with a non-Andraste entity that was taking the form of Andraste or whom he had interpreted as Andraste (see the Inquisitor’s encounter with the spirit so-called ‘Divine Justinia’). Is it maybe spirit possession? “I accept the gift”, “let me be the vessel”

“the vessel” - vessels are a repeating motif in the lore: Wynne as the Vessel of her spirit of Faith, Calpernia and Samson seeking to be the Vessel of the Well’s power and Morrigan or the Inquisitor becoming such, fan theory that Sera is the vessel of Andruil (which I don’t subscribe to but it comes to mind), Flemeth as the vessel of Mythal, darkspawn as empty soulless vessels whereas Wardens are not, shells of flesh and souls, the soulless Titans’ workers (dwarves), possession, etc.

“The air itself rent asunder” can easily be read as referring to the Breach in DAI and/or the upcoming intended destruction/removal of the Veil. As you say this entire verse is similar to Sandal’s “shadows will part and the skies will open wide”. Shadows parting, spilling light. There are elements here that you could link to Eleni Zinovia’s words or the words of the Ardent Blossom Faerie (whether this was intentional on the writers’ parts or no at the time when they were written is a separate subject)

The “Waters of the Fade” line is important given the similar references elsewhere in the Chant - “Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls. From these emerald waters doth life begin anew”, “From the waters of the Fade you made the world. As the Fade had been fluid, so was the world fixed.” Reference to the fluidity of the Fade vs the mundane realm as static and way less malleable. “Realm of Opposition”, the idea of the 2 opposing realms, also sticks out to me as I’ve talked before about the contrast in the metaphysical opposing elements:

In a kind of metaphysical way, the dwarves are emblematic of the mundane sphere. Not “mundane” as in normal/boring, but in terms of reinforced reality vs reality as mutable, earth and sky, underground vs land, Children of the Stone vs Birds of Fancy, magic resistance vs inherent magical quality, tradition vs change, Titan progenitors vs origins in the Fade prior to taking physical form slash being spirit-y or spirit adjacent. It’s all very thematic, especially when you consider that dwarves do not dream compared to how elves are (or rather, are supposed to be) innately tied to the Fade. and at the moment, modern Thedas is unbalanced 

I guess you could plot the races on a line from most Fadey/sky-like (very scientific I know) to least: spirits - elves - humans - Qunari - dwarves. note this isn’t a “who is most alive”, thing, it’s just a spectrum between 2 different but equally Alive ways of being. [source]

“The Realm of Opposition” is the post-Veil waking world. Obviously the “Realm of Dreams” is the Fade.

The waters stuff also reminds me of the Well of Sorrows (Andraste is the Lady of Sorrows) and how Mythal walked out of the sea of the Earth’s tears.

(Is anyone else reminded of the Eye of Sauron at this point in the Canticle btw? 😁)

Is it even Andraste he’s seeing? No way of knowing if it is, or was Mythal with a staff in hand, given their similar headpieces, for instance. And certainly a maker has returned to the world since Kordillus wrote this stuff down, just not The Maker - the maker or creator of the Veil, Solas.

Are the “men of stone” dwarves, golems (probably not) or Titans? “Sleepers waking at the dawn” immediately makes me think of how dwarves don’t dream. That whole verse makes me think of the Titans waking up and destroying the world via earthquakes or something in order for it to be made anew. This makes me 👀 given Descent and upcoming Titan plotbeats. Seventy time seven stuff is a reference in the Bible irl iirc.

And I heard from the East a great cry As men who were beasts warred with their brothers, Tooth and claw against blade and bow, Until one could no longer be told from the other, And cursed them and cursed their generations.

East of Orlais is Ferelden. This verse makes me think of Fereldans and their troubles with werewolves throughout their history and in their recent present, werewolves who were once human (or elven, depending) like them. Zathrian’s curse lasted for generations even. Interesting given werewolves resurfacing again in TN. The other thing that comes to mind here is that the Executors supposedly dwell across the eastern ocean.

And those who slept, the ancient ones, awoke, For their dreams had been devoured By a demon that prowled the Fade As a wolf hunts a herd of deer. Taking first the weakest and frailest of hopes, And when there was nothing left, Destroying the bright and bold By subtlety and ambush and cruel arts

Dwarves getting dreams (“Mythal gives you dreams”) or regaining their connection to the Titans (see Valta), the Titans awakening again, remaining slumbering Old Gods waking, imprisoned sleeping Evanuris waking, or the few remaining ancient elves in secret enclaves waking from uthernera (Abelas and co and ones like them, that Solas makes reference to)...? The wolf-like demon that devours dreams and prowls the Fade is an allusion (not from Kordillus, but the writers) to the Dalish belief that Fen’Harel is He Who Hunts Alone, Roamer of the Beyond. The wolf metaphor in Kordillus’ vision points to someone who is smart, clever, strategic, cunning, someone who goes about things in a subterfuge-y and plotting-/scheming-type way. It almost reads like the Evanuris’ anti-Solas “Dread Wolf Bad” propaganda, of which we encounter some of during Trespasser. The Fade-prowling demon that devours dreams also reminds me of the Nightmare in DAI.

The number nine, like the number seven, in this setting always makes me like.. [alarmed vibrating]. There are nine Creator-figures, including Ghilan’nain and Fen’Harel. “The mortal dust of Our Lady” could refer to the Urn of Sacred Ashes, thus the “sacred mountain” would be the mountain in the Frostbacks at Haven which contained the remains of the ruined Temple of Andraste, the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Obviously this area in DAI was the site of the Breach and in DAI Corypheus lifts (ascends) it into the sky for a bit. There’s even a reference here to passing through the fire, calling to mind that part of the Gauntlet in DAO. The mountain stuff here also reminds me of The Ptarmigan: An Avvar Tale:

Korth the Mountain-Father kept his throne at the peak of Belenas, the mountain that lies at the center of the world, from which he could see all the corners of earth and sky.

Belenas, Belenas... a mountain at the center of the world, and the reference to earth and sky (Realm of Opposition and the Realm of Dreams). It’s especially notable when you consider the Lady of the Skies, Tyrdda’s leaf-eared lover, Korth’s mountain-y-ness (Titan?) and the stuff about his heart (the Evanuris mined the bodies of Titans for lyrium and “something else”, which we suspect are their hearts). This part “And he saw strong men become weak, brave men grow cowardly, and wise men turn foolish for love” reminds me of the Canticle verse above which referred to men warring with their brothers. And in elven language “Bel” is part of bellanaris, eternity (this Canticle ends with a reference to eternal life). Belenas, bellanaris.

And I looked up and saw The seven gates of the Black City shatter, And darkness cloaked both realms.

Oh shit, here it comes. Y’know? Seven seals, some potentially already broken (the dark and lit orbs in the concentric circles on the DWR mural). Darkness is coming alright. People have speculated about this at length. 😁 And in other places in-world there are references to this belief.

Look upon the Light so you May lead others here through the darkness, Blade of the Faith!

This reminds me of the Inquisitor’s journey and role in DAI. Parallels again.

The Maker returns In dread

Self-explanatory, emphasis mine. A maker.

And saw the darkness warp and crumble

Interesting given the fabric of reality is currently warping, as witnessed by Strife in one of the recent shorts.

shroud

Another word for veil.

The meek lambs became bold And rose up, casting aside their shepherds To dance at the Maker's feet

reminds me of the ‘Slightest Ones’ bard song and some elves leaving in the Trespasser epilogue.

Where once a terrible fire swept The Light of redemption from the face of the world

the time Andraste was burned. The gates of Minrathous is also where we’re headed in the next game.

What are the “sins of creation”, exactly? - Why does it make me think back to the waters of the Fade and the well of all souls which the Chant holds life began anew from and the Maker made the world from? Why do they need “redeemed”? Why does that make me think of the creation of the Veil and the terrible consequences that had for Thedas in general and for the ancient elves, and of Solas’ drive and desire to correct that mistake? And Justice is an aspect of Mythal. 

Harmony in all things. Let Balance be restored And the world given eternal life.

See above with the “modern Thedas is unbalanced” stuff. Balance could be restored with the removal of the Veil, and then the remaining elves would be immortal again probably. I tend to veer away from “everything is elves” and “everything relates back to or is in some way a metaphor for or reference etc to Solas and Mythal” but it’s like Kordillus had a vision of the future of Thedas at that time (things which we then saw in previous games set after he died, and some things which we still haven’t seen yet but which have been foreshadowed - as in some things which have still yet to come to pass in the world’s storyline) and, naturally, interpreted it through his fervent Andrastian/cult of the Maker lens. I wouldn’t take it all completely at face value though, having given away major future plotbeats in the Chant just like that would be a bold choice.

[that-dreaded-wolf]

I can’t stress enough how excited I am to see how the prophecies of previous games are handled in DA4. There are so many I’ve been very AAAA over!

If the one from Flemeth to Hawke isn’t addressed or is swept under a rug of “oh the story line in DA2 you had to follow literally no matter what was fulfilling it and Here Lies The Abyss is just a coincidence” someone is getting kicked I’ll be so upset because the potential there is sO GOOD!!

Sandal’s prophecy is already seemingly in the making, and arguably songs from the games could be framed as hints of what’s to come “When the slightest unite, then a giant will rise” instantly has me thinking about not only how the elves already were working together on meg things but how they will unite under Fen’Harel’s banner or even against him.

I know those aren’t the only ones but they are most prominent in my headspace I need to see them fulfilled or used because AA the potential!! If they just throw out prophecies they don’t use, or they get swept under the rug it steals from something that could’ve had such a big impact. I want to feel like my characters’ choices mattered rather than only seeming to impact the moment the decision is made. And I also want to see things from prior games aside from your choices, in the form of the prophecies, actually being used! So many fans have picked up on them, theorized with them, and to have that fall flat or go nowhere is such a kick in the gut. I’m waiting for bigger impact decisions in Dragon Age honestly. I’m waiting for things to actually be continued when mentioned rather than simply dropped or glossed over in a random side convo you can miss. Compared to Mass Effect it has been a bit of a let down. And I know that’s a huge high ask due to all of the potential underlying storylines and routes you can go, but DA has so much less of an impact because genuinely imo it doesn’t feel like your choices matter all that much? Sure, Warden can live or die. Sure you can have your past characters’ deeds mentioned in passing like One Single Time. Sure I guess it changes a few lines of dialogue but it seems that that is all it does. I hate comparing games, especially ones that have such big differences, and I know the same expectations should not be held for different games but regardless it’s still a let down and I’m really hoping that in the next game we get a show of some sort of impact. And please don’t make the one big impact just be “lol did ur inquisitor romance Solas or nah” because if so I am throwing hands

[virlath]

What if Mythal possessed andraste? I realized that because there's two version of and taste the non mage and andraste the mage, both of them can be true? If andraste was a non mage who made a deal with spirits she could gain a great power, and became a mage, there's just so many parallel between mythal and andraste to be a pure coincidence, if someone as powerful as mythal possessed andraste that could make andraste feat make sense, and andraste crown is dragon head crown, and then there's andraste dragon cult as well, mythal possesses her to help elves, but eh it's indirectly/accidentally fucking made the chantry, so the plan backfired

hmm I think it seems pretty likely she was a mage and even a dreamer like Solas. 

Andraste supposedly first met the Maker at the well of all souls. It is described as a beautiful temple deep underground surrounded by emerald waters, according to Maric in The Calling. Going by that alone it does sound like Andraste either ventured into the Deep Roads herself, or she somehow travelled there in dreams. I think possession is definitely a big possibility, maybe in a way similar to Flemeth.

We know that the ancient elves were definitely experimenting underground with the brine pools and they had a war with the titans. If Andraste’s story is true the beautiful temple does sound reminiscent of the ancient elves especially because at the center of it all is the well of all souls. 

Spirits supposedly cross over to the fade when beings die....and Mythal reformed as a wisp after her death as told by Flemeth herself. So it is possible Mythal’s wisp arose from the well and communicated with Andraste. 

We also know Mythal defeated the titans and was famous for her cities (like Arlathan, probably). So it makes sense that if there were temples underground, they would be elven and they would likely be in honour of Mythal. 

Andraste’s bloodline supposedly only produces daughters, a lot like Flemeth. So the coincidences are definitely uncanny to me. At this point I would be surprised if Mythal didn’t have something to do with Andraste...

Technically if the foreshadowing so far aligns with what will happens in the future Solas could turn out to be the Maker in the Chantry’s version of events too. At the very least fulfilling Sandal’s ramblings. I am very interested to see how the writers tackle this aspect in DA4 and how the Chantry evolves...because clearly there is a lot in the Chant that mirrors and intertwines with ancient elven history. I personally love prophecy tropes in fantasy so I am hoping for massive plot twists and will be expecting to the unexpected. 😄

[witche-nerd]

Me always saving my Hawke and seeing my beautiful boi Varric sob from relief despite it leaving the Wardens with no leader and Flemeth’s prophecy warning me that something fucked up is gonna happen if i dont sacrifice Hawke:

[deleriumofyou]

Dragon Age and Norse Mythos Parallels part 1

This section (part one, I hope to have more up in a week or so) deals primarily with the Inquisitor and Solas, and their parallels with Tyr and Fenrir. This is mostly just the parallels I’ve noticed since playing DA (including their various nods towards Norse mythology particularly in regards to Solas and the JOH DLC), and I’m sure these various comparisons have been made and discussed at length much better than what I’m offering below, but...I haven’t seen them, and wanted to get my opinion out of my system. 

Comparisons between the roles of the Inquisitor and Tyr, and Solas and Fenrir are under the cut below. (it’s long sorry not sorry)

Tyr is the god of War, Justice, and Law - similarly we see the Inquisitor in more or less the same light; the Inquisition is only brought about as a neutral enforcer against the chaos. The Inquisitor in game is involved in political matters spanning across countries (Tevinter, Orlais, and Ferelden primarily). The Inquisitor is also seen as the primary judge/arbiter - they sit in judgment, pass on punishment despite the fact that some prisoners could be (perhaps should be) given to the country they committed a crime in (which, yes, is done for RPG gameplay, and to show that the Inquisition is thought of as powerful, and an entirely separate entity from other countries).

While Tyr, like the role of the Inquisitor, is associated with war, he was not the only god of war, and he was not quite associated as a primary war god (although admittedly sources debate about this, it does boil down to the fact that he had other roles besides a god of war, and other gods shared that particular trait). He was associated first and foremost with upholding the law and justice (which at its core, the Inquisition was created for the first time as well as this time as is mentioned in DAI, and above).

The tale Tyr is most famous for is the Binding of Fenrir. Fenrir the “dreadful wolf” was growing rapidly, and due to a prophecy that had been relayed earlier, the gods sought to bind him because they feared their own destruction at his hands (er paws?). No one stepped up but Tyr himself - he offered to put his hand in Fenrir's jaws in a show of good faith. When Fenrir was bound - with a chain called gleipnir forged from the sound of a cat’s footsteps, the beard of a woman, the roots of mountains, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird (things thought impossible and nonexistent, so it would be impossible to break the chains like Fenrir had done earlier) - he bit Tyr’s hand off.

With the sacrifice of Tyr’s hand, Fenrir’s rise to perform Ragnarok is postponed at least for a time, and the gods are safe.

However - if we’re looking at Solas filling the role of Fenrir (which I'm looking at rather flexibly), then we’re playing the game in the aftermath of Ragnarok. After all, Fen’Harel already brought about the fall of the “gods” (Evanuris) although he didn’t kill them he did lock them away thereby eliminating the presence of “gods” in Thedas (and possibly even making the Titans sleep with the creation of the Veil, as the last recorded event of them being awake was before the Fall of Arlathan). 

Technically speaking...Ragnarok has already happened; Fenrir brought about chaos due to the fallout, and some time has passed since “the undoing of creation” (which I equate to the fall of the Elvhen empire, the separation of spirits from the physical world, and the loss of immortality among elves). But even Ragnarok doesn’t continue on forever - in the tale, Baldur returns from the underworld (after he’d been murdered by Loki) and then the gods and humans are returned to a bright new world.

Technically, we haven’t and likely won’t see “Ragnarok” in the purest sense - we’ve seen the aftermath, and the people living in Dragon Age in realtime live in the “new world”. Here, I’m taking the easy route and just assuming Baldur, in Dragon Age, just represents life adapting and continuing after a cataclysmic event.

So there’s the most obvious setup for the parallels between the Inquisitor and Tyr, and Solas and Fenrir, respectively. I could assume that right now Ragnarok is happening because Solas has admitted he’s not sure if the current world will die, but will continue on with his plans. However, being that I liken Ragnarok to the fall of the gods and varying immortal, primordial forces, I’m assuming the Ragnarok event parallel is the fall of Arlathan and the fall of the titans. 

That isn’t all though; in the Binding of Fenrir, Tyr loses his hand to "the dreadful wolf”, and as I mentioned above, the sacrifice of his hand makes the binding honorable since he gave something in return for lying and binding him.

In DA the Inquisitor loses the hand to the anchor then to Solas (technically) - but the sacrifice of their hand gives everyone more time; from Corypheus, the Breach, and even Solas himself. Often in a lot of ancient cultures, it’s held as a universal belief that there’s a lot of power in sacrifice and this holds pretty tight in the DA-verse as well (blood magic, in DAO with the final choice against the archdemon, etc).

While the Inquisitor didn’t mean to bind Solas he's more or less stuck by your side because you hold his power (mimicking a binding - you hold all of his power in your hand and he says he’d thought it was impossible (re: see the ingredients for Fenrir’s binding above)). No matter how you play as the Inquisitor, there is at least some amount of honor and even selflessness to their character; they stay and try to fix things - necessary or not, the Inquisitor sticks around and tries to “put things back in order”, even functioning under the yoke of leadership when they really only need to be around for rifts and the Breach, but all Inquisitors undertake and enormous amount of responsibility. Meanwhile, the entire time the anchor gets stronger (during Inquisition) and then powerful but somewhat out of control (Trespasser), thereby following the evolution of Fenrir growing large enough to break even the “impossible” chains he was bound in. 

Then, Solas takes the Inquisitor’s hand, mimicking Fenrir biting off Tyr’s hand almost literally, and Fenrir/Solas is free of the “binding”, which could be interpreted as the power perhaps eventually returning to him somehow in the future, or perhaps it’s just the responsibility he felt towards the Inquisitor and their condition.  

So this also boils down to my theory that in DA, Ragnarok is being enacted, by Solas, in reverse (where: the gods die → undoing of all creation → “the green time”/life adapts and moves on/Spring) so we're going from the green time to the undoing of all creation where it could be mass chaos and death as Solas himself believes it's possible (and also the destruction/fall of the Veil) and perhaps the rise of the gods again.

So – yes, Solas does take quite a few cues from Loki (as a trickster and liar), I think that's essentially it. Loki (in Norse mythology don't come for me MCU fans) isn't as sympathetic or compassionate as Solas; he is closer to a consummate villain who does things because he's covetous, jealous, and basks in chaos. Like a lot of things in DA, Solas's character and motivations don't stem entirely from one inspiration – although I am certain his role is closer to Fenrir (and admittedly, perhaps a bit of inspiration from Baldur, thought of a compassionate god since Solas had good intentions although now they seem more muddled), the wolf god, than it is Loki.

Part two will be featuring Flemeth/Mythal and possible clues DA has left and her/their parallels (hopefully up next week.) 

[hunkydoryb1tch]

Something's I miss about the old Dragon Age games that I hope they bring back

Backflipping demons

Purple tiddy demons (I mean this purely in a comedic sense no perversion intended)

That weird Darkspawn laugh

Weird kids that have things they shouldn't have

Demon possessed cats

Trees like the grand oak tree (no one puts down a rhyme like my boy)

Being a Mage or having mages in your company and walking into places like the gallows only for Templars to be like "ha lol that's an interesting sword" or "ha ha yeah it would be crazy if there were apostates just walking around you're not an apostate right?"

Creepy Flemeth's terrorising my rune dude

Scary prophecys about future games (personal favourite)

Chopping people's heads off and getting cool cinematic kills after killing something like an ogre or the brood mother

[jackdawyt]

The Unsolved Mysteries Of Dragon Age!

{Video} https://youtu.be/tg_02ef9hKE Hey guys, Jackdaw here!

Today I'm immersing ourselves into the unsolved mysteries of Dragon Age so far, I'll be leaving no stone unturned plunging into some of Thedas' enraptured enigma's that've still remained unanswered since the end of Inquisition.

First up, let's talk about mysteries concerning the Religions of Thedas:

The Maker

Who or what is the Maker, this creator of all things, a question up for debate, some yearn for the answers of this enigmatic entity, others in Thedas care-less. As a seeker of the truth, I don't believe it's a case of who or what, but how, if Solas created the veil, then how does this Maker exist? What's their place in this world? What does this mean for the chant of light? How is there a Maker if elements of this holy book don't prove to be true? What is true? The existence of the Maker is one of the first, original mysteries in Dragon Age, it's not the idea of a God, it's these elements in the plot that the Maker seemingly influences, like the creation of the veil and the foreshadowing of a second coming. The Maker's influence is ripe throughout Thedas, yet still one of the largest unknown myths in this world, will we ever know the truth?

Andraste and her descendants?

Who was Andraste, more appro-pro what was she, such folly around her existence, her ashes had the power to heal a man back from the brink of death, she merely must be more powerful than an average woman if her ashes have this capability. Did she really ascend to Godhood after she died? Or could she have instead entered Uthenera, the elves endless resting practice, translated as immortal? Concerning her descendants, what's the case with her bloodline, could such a powerful bloodline still wander amongst us and unbenounced to us in Thedas today?

The return of the Elven Pantheon

The Elven Gods once ruled over Thedas as their supreme home, a place which flourished with all types of magic, such curiosities like the gift of immortality were considered the norm in ancient elvhen. But that time has since gone, the Dread Wolf locked away each of the Elven Gods, these powerful elven mages with such unique and magical qualities, each designated with a given task over the elven kingdom. Seemingly the Pantheon betrayed their queen as their hunger for power rivalled Mythal, whatever you believe happened, it's the truth is unknown, each Elven God was banished, the Dread Wolf's grief for his queen had destroyed him, he locked his kinsman away behind the creation of the veil, a barrier that stopped the flow of raw magic, this crushed the elven kingdom into a respite, the pillars of this primal empire crumbled, and little remains to this day. Rumours of the lingering Elven God's live on today, could they be living in the Fade, are they hiding from the Dread Wolf, could they be hiding in Thedas as we know today? All that is known is, each of these God's was banished away, not complete bloodshed, could they still be hiding out there, if the veil were to be destroyed, would that unleash these Elven Gods? Such a mystery remain unknown.

The Old Gods of Tevinter

Concerning Tevinter's religion of the ancient, the seven dragons of the Imperium, two of these Old Gods remain shackled, still in a slumber, locked in the Fade until touched by the taint. Both Razikel and Lusican, not only does this mean that two blights are still in store for Thedas, but we don't rightly know the story behind these Old Gods, did the Maker really lock them away, if not the Maker then who? Do they relate to something else, and if so, what? In any event, Tevinter would be the place to uncover the mysteries concerning the truth of the Old God religion.

Next up, antagonistic mysteries:

The Executors

The mysterious representatives who speak "on behalf of powers across the sea", presumably entities from beyond the Amaranthine and Boeric Oceans. They're believed to be organized and maintain a number of agents and resources across Thedas, their motivations are unknown. A potential one world order? Entities once created by an Elven God? An army manipulated by a submerged Titan? One can only fathom concepts of what these Executors are, Maker knows what they do on behalf of a higher up. There's only one thing we can guarantee about this order, they've made their presence known to the people of Thedas, and believe-you-me, they expect to return one day in grand scale.

The Seven Magisters

The Magister Sidereal, sickened, prideful, righteous and now blighted, these Magisters of old Tevinter worshipped the Archdemons as idols. It's common knowledge that each of the seven mages was turned into the vilest of creatures known as darkspawn, forever tied to the blight, they have the capacity to control darkspawn and live as immortal's through the very taint that binds them. The Conductor of Silence schemed to enter the Fade and become a God, to some element he got what he wished for when the Inquisitor sent him into the Fade, whether he's dead for good, that remains to be seen, however, the other six still yet lurk across the shadiest parts of Thedas, scattered throughout the world. One day hoping to seek out and speak to their chosen Gods, they'll be greeted with nothing but shame when they hear absolute silence. They're out there somewhere, Maker only knows if they're as twisted and redundant as Corypheus.

Solas & Mythal

The Dread Wolf & The Mother of Vengeance are the two remaining sentient Elven Gods in the Dragon Age as of 9:44, questions linger on the mysteries of Mythal's betrayal during the ancient elven times, when they ruled all of Thedas as supreme mages, with the capabilities of immortality. With the all unknowns surrounding Mythal's death, it's hard to believe that this woman was merely killed by her kinsman for her now to be scheming against Thedas with the only other member of the Pantheon who was sympathetic to Mythal, such coincidence that the remaining Pantheon are now locked away and Solas and this Elven queen are once more planning something revolutionary for Thedas. One must wonder if these two have always shared such antagonist aligences, now that the other Elven Gods are out of the picture? In any case, they intend of splitting the veil, bringing the old magicks back and tearing Thedas asunder, for what gains you ask? Speculation aside, their motivations are rather unknown. To bring a lost world back, to restore an ancient kingdom, to re-establish such a powerful foundation of magic, to kill the remaining pantheon? whatever the aim may be, it'd truly destroy the Thedas we know today.

The Titans

These 'Pilar's of the Earth' are sworn to be the very shapers of this world, with their trembles, they moulded Thedas into existence. The only true thing we know about these Titans is that they produce a raw material that the people of Thedas have harnessed for the ebb and flow of magic, this lyrium is said to be the skin and bones of these shapers, mining this lyrium has caused countless wars in the elvhen times, until one day, just before the veil's creation, the Titan's completely vanished, like a candle in the wind, they were snubbed out. Whether the elves were to blame or not, like most things that remains unknown, however rumor what have us believe that the Titans yet remain, the raw material that once strengthened and helped the flow of magic has become corrupt, tainted red, tormenting the users of this red lyrium, the trembles that accordingly forged Thedas into existence have reawakened since the Dragon Age, reshaping Thedas for the Titans once more, to say that these Titans were the shapers of the world is a stretch, however to claim their existence to be futile is ridicule, they're out there and there waking up, either deep underground, or Thedas itself, the Titan's seek a reckoning and they may just have it.

Mysteries concerning the characters of Dragon Age:

Leliana

Concerning our most resourceful spymaster, the once sister of the Chantry has an acclaimed bound to the Titans, one instance reveals that Leliana once was killed in her sisterhood life, during her time as a spymaster, she left Skyhold after the Exalted Council to disappear into thin air, never again to be seen or heard. Such mysteries cultivate of our lady being a lyrium ghost, could such an apparition exist? Does lyrium have the potential to raise people from the dead, or are the Titan's the true shapers of Thedas? What does this mean for our spymaster now, was she created with a purpose and now that elements of that've been completed, has she since been reduced to an eternal slumber? Or is she at peace by the Maker's side like she used to dream of, in any case, can lyrium be used to raise the dead from their sleep?  

Sandal Feddic

Shah-brytol, bastard, elven-blooded noble or even Titan born, Sandal Feddic is a dwarf of a few words, however it's clear when he speaks with more than one word, he has the gift of prophecy, the words he's spoken have proved to shape the tide of Solas and his scheme to destroy the veil, how can one, young, folly dwarf know the future of such a time to come. Not only does he have the gift of prophecy, but his immersive skills with lyriun have proved Sandel to be quite the competent killer, does his half-elven blood grant him the power of terrifying magics, or could this boy really be born of a Titan, whatever the truth is, we should keep an eye out on Feddic, he could be more dangerous than we expect.    

Morrigan & Kieran

The so-called 'inheritor of the next age' and her most powerful son, a boy fathered by one of the Grey Warden's who helped end the fifth blight. Either born with the soul of an old god or just estranged from this land, Kieran speaks prophecy too, his mother is the so-called inheritor. Perhaps he simply means she'll help with the coming battles, or he could be foreshadowing a darker side to Morrigan's story, Flemeth has intended on passing her Godhood onto her daughter, could this be the case for Morrigan, could she be destined to be the next vessel of Mythal? Is this prophecy, whether she likes it or not? Will Morrigan's eagerness to fleet from her mother come to an abrupt end?

Valta

Concerning the Titan's once more, when the first trembling occurred in the Dragon Age, a small team guided by the Inquisition checked out the source of these quakes. A nimble dwarf by the name of Valta joined that journey and by the end of it, she was struck by a Titan's heart with pure, raw lyrium that should've killed her, but instead gave her unbenounced powers. Whatever she's capable of, she's culpable to the Titans, and will aid them. The questions that linger are, what sort of power does she know posses and what does this mean for the Titan's and dwarves connection, can dwarves possess magic with the aid of Titans? It's all quite intriguing.

And finally, pure curiosity & foreshadowing:

Qunari

Is it really true when they say that Elves and Qunari are related by ancestors, that the breeders of the Qunari people decided to mix with dragons, creating the race of Kossith that we know on Thedas today? Are the Qunari bound by blood to both the Elven people and dragons? By mixing blood of the two, is the Kossith race some sort of experiment, have the Elven people created their own warriors, that over time have overruled the elves, are the Kossith even aware of their origin? More abruptly, questions linger on ties to the blight, moreover the idea of Kossith being immune to it, the idea that no Kossith could be a Grey Warden, perhaps dragon blood is the cure to the blight which would mean that the Kossith could help save the blight by sheer blood participation with the other races of Thedas. Who can say if they'd even decide to help the people, with ongoing wars against Tevinter and the spread of the Qun.    

The Blight

The origin of the blight is rather unknown, folk talk about the Maker descending it onto his creations as a plague, for punishment of their excessive pride. Others speak on red lyrim and the blight being created as a defence mechanism by the Titans to stop the elves from mining their bodies for the resource. And there are even those who simply relate it to the Old Gods just wrecking havoc on Thedas, the truth on this plaque lurks, even if one were to kill the two remaining Old Gods, the blight would still continue. So who can say where this taint started?

Dreamers

Rumours linger from the upper echelons of Tevinter society that mages, high up in the magisterium have the capability to solely enter the Fade physically, these dreamers are said to be hiding within the ranks of the Imperium, never revealing the power from which lurks within themselves, for fear of what it could mean. This hubris once destroyed the very heavens, to even speak or have the capacity of repeating those actions means death in Tevinter, and so they hide, never to be discovered with this power.

Griffons

Such a mystery are these beasts of legend, Grey Warden's once perished their enemies in battle mounted on a fabled Griffon, these beautiful, voluptuous birds choose their rides, and even mourned when such a rider would die in battle, Griffons are sensitive, phenomenal creatures and rumour has it, that they're not so extinct as one might think. In 9:42, thirteen Griffion eggs were found in the Anderfels, just across from the Grey Warden's HQ, Fort Weisshaupt. Nothing but hushed whispers comes from the fort as it's gone silent ever since the Warden's of Orlais were bound to the calling. If the Warden's are keeping these Griffons a secret, they could prove to be to of significant value the right person. Changing the tide of battle ever so greatly, however, these are only whispers of what's going on with the Grey Wardens, just know that Griffons are not so extinct after all.

The Veil

The final enigma surrounds the veil, the Dread Wolf has made it his scheme to split the veil, crumbling Thedas and restoring his kingdom, however, how could such a megalomaniac fulfil such a deed? His original intention was using the orb of destruction, with that destroyed, a question lingers on how would the God destroy the veil? Even so, what would happen when he did, would the world simply be brought to ashes, or with the Fade and Thedas together once more, with magic restored, could aspects of Thedas still be saved? What mysteries and secrets we'd uncover if Thedas and the Fade were made whole, such would be uncovered relating to these fabled myths like the Maker, Titans, Old Gods, Elven Pantheon, etc. It'd mean answers, but complete desolation for Thedas, only time will tell if prophecy remains to be true and if this Dreadful God will actually destroy the world. https://youtu.be/tg_02ef9hKE

[tempestuouscreature]

DRAGON AGE LINKAGE.

Flemeth knows.

The fragment of Mythal within her spans all time. Even the future.

When you bring her amulet to Sundermount in DA:2 she gives you a bit of prophecy.

If you have Bethany (and maybe Carver too, but that is unknown to me) in your party she expresses regret and sympathy for your Champions loss. You might have thought this was about the death of the other twin. However along the story your Hawke has to deal with the loss of the surviving twin, as well as your mother, and perhaps the person you romance depending on situation.

But this is not the only thing she prophesied at Sundermount. She prophesied both 'Here Lies the Abyss', as well as the Breach.

All in very quick succession.

She speaks that the world fears change, but will inevitably fall into the abyss. To watch for that moment, and when it comes do not hesitate to leap. 'It is only when you fall, that you learn you can fly'. She could also speak of Hawkes fall from being Champion after the events of DA:2, and being on the run. But I think she's lumping several events into a single Prophecy.

You literally fall, into the fade. When you fall off the collapsing bridge.

I think Flemeth means you're supposed to leave Hawke in the Fade. Why? I can't really other think of a reason except that the answer was supposed to occur in DA:4, or is in Mike Laidlaws notes for future content. (that is if we ever get it, after so many members of Bioware have left ina very short timeframe, most of which worked on the Dragon Age games. I'm really convinced that EA is trying to force them to take the games in a route is was never meant to be taken. Much like they forced the Montreal team to make a rush job of ME:Andromeda. Meaning it will be a VERY long time until we see either another DA or ME title, if ever.)

She also alludes to Merrils Eluvian. She tells Merril to be careful, that 'no path is darker, than with your eyes shut'. Is Flemeth telling her complete the Eluvian or not here?

I personally think she wants Merril to fix the Eluvian. I'm still of the opinion that it's her that wakes up Solas from his Uthenera. Meaning Merril fixing the Eluvian would be canonical. Was Flemeth warning her about the darkspawn on the other side, or something else?

In the Dalish Warden origin you are a member of Merrils clan, and discover this Eluvian, at the loss of Tamlen. Who comes to you later in the beginning stages of becoming a darkspawn.

He says he sees something in the dark of the mirror. Is it darkspawn? Forgotten ones? Forbidden ones? Are the forgotten or forbidden the originators of the creation of broodmothers, thus creating the darkspawn?

In 'Paragon of her kind' you come across a dwarvette named Hespith. She is a member of house Branka that went with Paragon Branka on an expedition to find The Anvil of the Void. She was the captain of the expedition, as well as became Brankas lover, as Branka is married to Oghren, a member of your party, as well as Hespiths cousin. She says she is the member of the expedition that is 'alive', but I wouldn't call being a ghoul such that she is now alive. She is the only member of the family you see, but she speaks of another, Laryn. She also says she is heartbroken from being betrayed by her lover, Branka. And that she was forced to watch the last of the expedition be made into darkspawn, the women became Broodmothers, and the men presumably becoming Genlocks. (This begs the explanation for Genlock Emissaries, considering that dwarves are unable to use magic of any kind, but I digress.) Or being eaten.

You encounter the broodmother that is most likely Laryn, right after dialog from Hespith explaining how all the women were violated and forced to consume darkspawn bile and blight, and as they turned came back to consume more members of the expedition. Hespith says she watched as Laryn tore her own husband's face off and drank his blood (Before or after becoming a Genlock I wonder?), grew and turned gray, becoming a broodmother.

Now all of this meaning that there has to be Eluvians is the deep roads. Now this we know (spoiler) since in DA:I- Tresspasser we end up in a long forgotten part of the deep roads. In which there is elvhen influence. Seen in the absolutely gigantic statue we see of Mythal in the distance, as well as the very old statues of Mythal and Fen'Harel.

How many Eluvians are in the deep roads? Is Merrils Eluvian connected to one of these? I think so. I also think it is most likely linked to the place Solas slept through the ages in Uthenera. But perhaps Flemeth was warning her that when she goes through the Eluvian be prepared. For it is dark and many things lurk, and you will get turned around and lost if not careful. This explains why Solas only wakes a year before Inquisition, in the year 9:40 Dragon. Andres blows up the Chantry in Kirkwall in 9:37 Dragon. This allows time for Merril to be lost in the deep roads for three years before waking Solas, Fen'Harel.

I like this theory. While getting to know Solas you find that he only ever lies once. He says he missed court intrigue, if you ask him he stammers and says he has seen it in the fade. This is the only time he lies. At the end of Tresspaser he tells you he woke but a year before the Breach. This is truth. Meaning the theory that Solas was just a spirit wandering looking for a host, much like Mythal and Flemeth, until he came across the dying Zatharian. Keeper of the the elves you find in the Bracelian Forest. In this quest you must side with the werewolves or the clan. If side with the wolves he dies, if you side with the clan he lives but at the end of the game it is made clear that he disappeared. Many players have assumed that he was found by the spirit of Fen'Harel, his vallaslin removed, and became a vessel for the spirit. The argument is that both characters look alike and are bald, as well as the staff the Solas is seen with, no matter what staff you had equipped with him, is the same model as Zathrians from Origins. However the time lines just don't match up well enough for me.

Either could be true, but I think Merrils path makes mores sense, especially when you take what Flemeth says seriously into account.

But I personally think that every single tiny detail is connected.

I think that Sandal is an older version of what we see in Valta (your Shaper guide in the Descent who becomes MORE after the Titan zaps her) connected to another Titan. Specifically a Titan in Orlais, like... under Kal-Sharok? This would explain why he only says the word Enchantment. He nor his Titan cant possibly know Common, but he could pick up some from his time on the surface. As well as why he is so extremely good at enchanting, why Feddick found him in the deep roads, and why you find his equipment and journal in the Ruined Library in Tresspasser. His Titan wanted to explore, and sees through his lyrium blue eyes. This would also explain why Sandal also graces you with a prophecy of his own in DA:2, if you are lucky enough to catch it.

'One day the magic will come back. All of it. Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part, and the skies will open wide. When he rises, everyone will see.'

This is about one of three things, or all of them at the same time.

Solas, achieving what he says out to do in Tresspaser, and successfully tearing down the Veil.

Corypheus, taking over the world. The breach expanding and the fade merging with reality, like you see in 'In Hushed Whispers' if you side with the mages.

Or your Inquisitor, rising to power, failing to stop Solas from tearing down the Veil, and saying 'I fucking told you so' and everyone seeing as it was a bad idea that they demand the Inquisition disband or downsize when it's needed most.

Sandal also talks about the old lady with a scary laugh telling him things in his head. Flemeth perhaps? Or maybe the prophecy is Flemeth or his Titan speaking through him.

He is also badass. You find him near the end of both Origions and 2 in a room full of dead enemies, ready to sell you wares or enchant stuff for you.

Everything is connected.

Long but relevant post I think.

Dareth Shiral.

[greyeyedgriffin]

🔮 = Does your character buy into destinies, fate, or prophecies? Why or why not?

Caitlin has read a lot about prophecies and even more stories where people were destined to meet, etc. etc. But she always believed them to be stories. Nothing more. How could destiny take into consideration the fickle and fluid chaos of people?

The older she gets and the more she sees of the world, she starts to wonder.  Just a little.  Maybe Flemeth was right.  It’s too eerie a coincidence that within days of being saved by her from Ostagar, she flew off to rescue her very cousin from a similar fate, sending them off to eventually become the Champion.

It’s not something she puts a lot of stock into, but she thinks about it ever so often.

[thema-sal-shiral]

Thoughts on Mythal

I’ve been reading the thread on Solas’ powerful Mind Blast in Trespasser, and took note of the turn towards Mythals’ role in DA4. @galadrieljones and @thevikingwoman were the ones who seemed to bring it up, and I wanted to add my own two cents in without adding to that reblog.

Ever seen someone and just known that they weren’t what they were showing? That was my reaction to Mythal/Flemeth in DA2 when Merrill called her Asha’bella’nar. In DAO we didn’t see her nearly enough to raise warning bells, but interacted with her just a bit more with Hawke, and got more of her crypticness. (And Sandal’s little prophecy too)

In DAI those warning bells became screaming sirens after the Well. Whether you drink from it or not she has her breakdown, showing the hunger for vengeance. At that point in the game I already knew who Solas was (I love spoilers) and my reaction to Mythal was ‘oh shit, no’. I had a feeling that she would be a big part of the next game, just not how and most certainly not why.

I have that dreadful feeling that the theory of her taking advantage of Solas and his friendship with her to get what she wants and has waited for is correct. Need to make a little note here that I don’t believe the two of them were lovers or that Solas was her General or wore her vallaslin, my own theories go off them being very tight friends that were more like siblings.

Mythal wants revenge on the Evanuris for her death or the shattering of her soul. She does not have the strength/power/her orb, and the knowledge of the Veil to tear it down. Solas does. She might have been instrumental in pulling him out of uthenera, since he wasn’t surprised she was alive at the Temple.

I do not believe that Solas is exempt from her revenge. He didn’t stop her death, something he seems to blame himself for, and that to a crazed spirit might be reason enough.

And then he almost gives it all up for Lavellan. Another sort of betrayal.

Which means that Lavellan, especially a romanced Lavellan, may not be safe from Mythal’s wrath. She almosts ruins her carefully laid out plans, almost turned the person still loyal to Mythal away from her. If Lavellan drank from the Well... I shudder at what might happen. My own thoughts point towards Mythal using Lavellan to try and kill Solas. What better revenge than to rip out the heart of the betrayer with the one they love most?

For the 3rd party power to counter Solas/Mythal and the Evanuris: the Titans. I’ve seen the theories bandied about that the orbs are the hearts of the Titans. They would also want to not only get their hearts back but revenge on those who took them. The Titans would use the protagonist of DA4 as their ‘vessel’. Kal-Sharok might play a huge part in this as well.

There’s also the Qunari but I draw a blank on them.

Overall I think that DA4 might revolve around revenge as a plot.

A musing thought: Maybe the Evanuris killed Mythal because she was already insane.

[tsukishima-tadashi]

Why I Believe the Veil Must Come Down but Everyone Survives Contrary to what Egghead Claims

There are reasons to believe that the Veil’s fall is inevitable anyways, as well as that it actually won’t destroy everything as Solas’ believes. In fact, it may even cure the Blight and solve other major issues. The Canticle of Exaltations, detailing Drakon’s vision of Andraste, sees the creation of the Breach, waking of the Elvhen in Uthenera and the Titans, a battle with beasts that curse those fighting them until they are indistinguishable from each other (Darkspawn and the Wardens?), and the Temple of Sacred Ashes being lifted into the sky. All things that happen in Inquisition, yes?

This follows:

(8) The ninth sacred mountain upon which rests The mortal dust of Our Lady ascended Whole into the heavens, to be given high honor In the Realm of Dreams forever. And around it, a chorus of spirits sang: “Whatsoever passes through the fire Is not lost, but made eternal; As air can never be broken nor crushed, The tempered soul is everlasting!”

(9) And I looked up and saw The seven gates of the Black City shatter, And darkness cloaked both realms.

Andraste gives Drakon his destiny

(10) I covered my face, fearful, But the Lady took my hands from my eyes, Saying, “Remember the fire. You must pass Through it alone to be forged anew. Look! Look upon the Light so you May lead others here through the darkness, Blade of the Faith!”

The Maker returns

(11) In dread I looked up once more And saw the darkness warp and crumble, For it was thin as samite, A fragile shroud over the Light Which turned it to ash.

First, let’s note that what Andraste says to Drakon is similar to Flemeth’s prophecy to Hawke.

“We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment… and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly.”

This being the suggestion that the Veil’s destruction can be survived.

It comes up in other places, too. In Origins, a templar driven insane by lyrium addiction has this to say:

“That which you fear, living in the shadow of death alone. I have seen it is only a cloud… passing before the sun.”

And of course, we all remember The Dawn Will Come:

“Shadows fall, and hope has fled

Steel your heart, the dawn will come

The night is long, and the path is dark

Look to the sky, for one day soon

The dawn will come”

One last quote, courtesy of a Chantry sister in Denerim:

“The deep dark before dawn’s first light seems eternal. But know that the sun always rises.”

All speak of light coming after the darkness… just as Drakon sees darkness “cloak both realms” before… being overcome by light.

The darkness, is, of course, the Blight. The Black City, upon it’s “seven gates” shattering (likely related to the archdemons), spreads the taint everywhere… but then it disappears.

Let’s connectr this back to the crimes the Elvhen perpetrated against the Titans, as well as the mural in Trespasser that implies that the Elvhen had to seal the Deep Roads to save the world. Oh, let’s add in Andruil wearing armor and using weapons “made from the Void” that drove her insane, too, and connect it back to Meredith’s red lyrium sword.

The Elves mined for “something else” besides lyrium when they were in the Deep Roads.

The Titans’ hearts.

Upon taking them, the Titans were no longer connected to the Dwarves. They no longer had a will directing them.

Now, recall that Valta mentions lyrium’s song, as does Justice.

And recall that Wardens and Darkspawn describe the Calling as a song.

Starting to make sense?

Red lyrium doesn’t just have the Blight. It’s the source of the Blight.

Cole says that red lyrium’s song is “angry”. Red = anger. Blue = calmness (”tranquillity”, if you will, which makes a sick amount of sense when you consider that lyrium is involved in the Rite of Tranquility).

Why is it angry? it got it’s heart stolen. Think Moana.

Now, a brief distraction to focus on an Avvar tale.It starts of by claiming “Even mountains had a heart, once” which should already be ringing bells. It says that Korth the Mountain-Father once tried to rid himself of his heart so he would be without weakness, hiding it in the mountains, but became cruel as a result. The Lady of the Skies sends for his heart, and when one of her messengers retrieves it, its cask ends up crashing on the ground, where, being “full to the bursting”, it shatters. Driven by the pain, Korth investigates, and his heart instantly leaps back into his chest.

So red lyrium was birthed by power without heart. And while we are taking notes, let’s jot down that Korth is likely related to the Titans, which also probably ties into how the Avvar believe Dwarves and Humans are related.

One last point: in Origins, Oghren points out the Temple of Sacred Ashes was sitting on LOADS of lyrium. We even see some of it in Inquisition, now red. And at the end of Inquisition, we see that the Temple of Sacred Ashes was built over an Elvhen temple.

What if we assumed this was on purpose? That the Elvhen built their most sacred sites on the corpses of their apparent enemies.

Now, let me draw again to an Avvar tale:

It is said that once, where Lake Calenhad now is, there was a mountain at the center of the world. Belenas. Korth made his home on it, but soon grew tired of people rudely climbing it and barging in like “hey waddup”. Korth asked that the Lady of the Skies would lift Belenas into her realm, that it would not be reachable.

Let me also remind everyone of the numerous theories suggesting that Arlathan, the seat of Elvhen power, is now the Black City.

So, my suggestion is that Korth WAS Belenas, and that Belenas was a Titan. The Evanuris murdered Belenas by stealing his heart. They then built Arlathan atop his corpse. When the Veil went up, it was stuck in the Fade.

This is also supported by theories that the Lady of the Skies is actually Mythal. I was going to link some here but I can’t find them so I have to explain my damn self.

- Laughing. Friggin Flemeth laughs.

- Leaf-earred. Uhh, duh?

- Tells Tyrdda she needs to have a descendant named Morrighan’nan. Sounds like Morrigan.

- Struck down a dragon. Plus Dragons are also from the sky. Sky also stands for the Fade here so…

- Knew going to the Golden City was Shite Idea

Note to self: revise that.

So. The Golden City is Arlathan is a heartless Titan. Why’d it turn black? Why did Dreamers become so rare after that?

I think that particular part relates to dragons. In inquisition we find out that dragons can trap the taint in cysts to slow its spread. I guess the magister Sidereel popped one. Or…

We see in The Descent that the Sha’Brytol drank from the Titan’s heart.

Corypheus says that the Magisters Sidereel “took the darkness upon themselves”. That reminded me of aforementioned heart-drinking.

Additionally, consider that according to Solas, the people that first unleashed the Blight thought they had achieved ultimate power. Thus, the Evanuris (minus Solas and Mythal) saw it as a good thing. If the Evanuris and the Old Gods are connected, then maybe they weren’t lying when they offered the Magisters Sidereel power. It’s just that their gift was the Blight. They did become immortal, after all.

However, it is said that the Black City will be cleansed. By the Chant of Light. A song. The “right” song. The song lyrium sings.

The Canticle of Exaltations ends on this note:

(13) From every corner of the earth The Chant of Light echoed, As the Maker walked the land With Andraste at His right hand. And they reached the gates of Minrathous, Where once a terrible fire swept The Light of redemption from the face of the world, And there, the Lady of Restitution Drew her shining sword And plunged it into the ground at her feet, saying:

The sins of creation are redeemed

(14) “All sins are forgiven! All crimes pardoned! Let no soul harbor guilt! Let no soul hunger for justice! By the Maker’s will I decree Harmony in all things. Let Balance be restored And the world given eternal life.”

Balance cannot be restored while the Veil still stands, and the world will survive it’s fall.