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However, the Primeval Thaig is said to be very old, constructed before the First Blight (happened 1,300 years ago). But exactly how old? The wiki (http://dragonage.wik.../Primeval_Thaig) says it's "over ten thousand years" old. That is, > 2,500 years before the foundation of Arlathan. Can anybody confirm this?
Because if this is true, then we can draw some very interesting conclusions.
Before the First Blight, the Dwarves had an empire covering all the underground of Thedas. In order to construct something like the Primeval Thaig, the Dwarven cilivization 10,000 years ago has to be remarkably advanced already, at least comparable to the Elves of Elvhenan or the Tevinters who founded Kirkwall. And presumably they carved out those cavernous halls without the use of Magic. A powerful civilization indeed.
Yet they waited for the next 4,500 years, during which the Elves may have arrived at Thedas, built an empire covering all of Thedas, developed highly advanced culture and Magic, constructed the huge city of Arlathan, and about 3,000 years after Arlathan was founded, the Dwarves finally decided to open their doors and say hello. Considering that the Elven civilization covered all of the surface of Thedas during this time, it would mean that the Dwarves who constructed the Primeval Thaig and their direct heirs had no contact with other surface civilization (there was none other than the Elves). In fact, it is safe to assume that they had no contact with the surface *at all*.
This is a remarkable lack of interest on the part of a powerful civilization towards vast amounts of territories and resources available to them. It requires some drastic explanations, including:
(1) Dwarves indeed originated from "The Stone", i.e. the underground is their native land, and they weren't even aware that the surface existed until the noise of stomping Elvish feet disturbed them enough;
(2) They were aware that the surface existed, but even the Elves of Elvhenan appear too primitive and uninteresting to them at first, so that they didn't bother contacting them (as sort of a Prime Directive);
(3) They were aware that the surface existed, but they have access to much more important resources (Lyrium) under ground that they'd rather keep it a secret for fear the Elves might learn of its powers. After the Elves discovered the use of Lyrium in Magic, however, it was no longer a secret, and the Dwarves realized that it was a valuable trade resource, and so opened their gates with smiling faces.
In any case, "Not opening my gates for 4,500 years despite Elves up there building an empire of their own" reveals something shocking about the Dwarves. Their civilization may have reached back far more than 10,000 years, and the peak of its glory may dim even that of Arlathan or Minrathous in their hay days.
This, of course, have vital relevance to DA2's plot because it revolves around an idol from that time.
Modifié par iOnlySignIn, 07 avril 2011 - 08:05 .
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