I just don't know at this point - right now I'm just.... waiting, while trying to not have any significant expectations whatsoever.
One: to not get disappointed and two - simply because I have no clue how they'd deliver the 'follower content' or 'tie some loose threads' or 'address some things', be it in DLC dedicated to Deep Roads or Qunari invasion, which in itself likely takes up a lot of (story) space on main crit path.
Show me how this can be done, Bioware!
Out of curiousity, How would you as Solas fans (those who romance him and do not) feel if there was no involvement of a Post game dlc for closure? I'm curious!
The fact that Vallaslin is called blood writing and given how blood seems to be a direct link to magic or the Fade, I wouldn't be surprised if it was originally a way for Nobles to control their slaves as a branch of blood magic. Whether or not the ritual the Dalish now use has any real semblance to the practices of the past, or holds any innate power, is definitely something to ponder on.
That's a theory that's been kicked around a bit here and I'm still on fence about how I feel about it. It would explain a lot about how a slave system existed in a race that are immortal and all have magic.
The fact that Vallaslin is called blood writing and given how blood seems to be a direct link to magic or the Fade, I wouldn't be surprised if it was originally a way for Nobles to control their slaves as a branch of blood magic. Whether or not the ritual the Dalish now use has any real semblance to the practices of the past, or holds any innate power, is definitely something to ponder on.
I have the feeling that mind controlled Dalish are going to be the generic bad guy soldiers in the future. 
That's a theory that's been kicked around a bit here and I'm still on fence about how I feel about it. It would explain a lot about how a slave system existed in a race that are immortal and all have magic.
It's interesting and certainly something the writers might want to suggest. However, the dalish tattoos have been in DA since Origins, which makes me wonder just how much of the lore and background history of Thedas was plotted out even in the first game. Do you think they wrote the whole backstory, Elvhen Gods with all the twists and turns involved, from the very start? Do you think they had always intended the tattoos to be misunderstood slave markings from a time past living memory or was that just a clever expansion on something which simply looked cool during concept. I would love to see the accumulated DA:O lore the writers created back then and compared it to what they work off of today.
David Gaider has claimed they planned a lot of the elf stuff from early on, and while there have been changes, retcons, and expanded items, I think you can see the threads from the beginning. That isn't to say a lot of the details haven't been refined or changed since.
That's a theory that's been kicked around a bit here and I'm still on fence about how I feel about it. It would explain a lot about how a slave system existed in a race that are immortal and all have magic.
Nah, I don't think all of them were immortal and had magic (or at least had access to all types of magic, because we do know that many types exist, including ordinary and... non-ordinary ones ;P). I wouldn't be surprised if elvhen immortality/longevity and access to powerful magic was controlled or obtainable only to those higher on social ladder.
I think it's been heavily hinted in the game that for elves to reach their full potential or special abilities they required either knowledge or some sort of mysterious power all elves lost at some point, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was a jealously guarded secret and not available to all.
Or maybe it was similar to movie "In Time" where basically the amount of life people had served as currency and those from the lowest classes had very little, while those from highest had enough to live near-forever?
..... Or it might as well be that elves were really no different than vampires (well, there IS blood magic in Thedas and as we know - blood is life and life is power) and those from higher caste basically preyed on those beneath them, extending their lifespan that way?
I have the feeling that mind controlled Dalish are going to be the generic bad guy soldiers in the future.
*dislike*
It's interesting and certainly something the writers might want to suggest. However, the dalish tattoos have been in DA since Origins, which makes me wonder just how much of the lore and background history of Thedas was plotted out even in the first game. Do you think they wrote the whole backstory, Elvhen Gods with all the twists and turns involved, from the very start? Do you think they had always intended the tattoos to be misunderstood slave markings from a time past living memory or was that just a clever expansion on something which simply looked cool during concept. I would love to see the accumulated DA:O lore the writers created back then and compared it to what they work off of today.
All of it was planned.
Nah, I don't think all of them were immortal and had magic (or at least had access to all types of magic, because we do know that many types exist, including ordinary and... non-ordinary ones ;P). I wouldn't be surprised if elvhen immortality/longevity and access to powerful magic was controlled or obtainable only to those higher on social ladder.
I think it's been heavily hinted in the game that for elves to reach their full potential or special abilities they required either knowledge or some sort of mysterious power all elves lost at some point, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was a jealously guarded secret and not available to all.
Or maybe it was similar to movie "In Time" where basically the amount of life people had served as currency and those from the lowest classes had very little, while those from highest had enough to live near-forever?
..... Or it might as well be that elves were really no different than vampires (well, there IS blood magic in Thedas and as we know - blood is life and life is power) and those from higher caste basically preyed on those beneath them, extending their lifespan that way?
Well, we have lore and codexes and all from sources (who can certainly be unreliable) and there has to be an explanation for higher and lower classes, and of course, the pantheon. People can be invited into it by proving themselves.
Not gods, says Solas, possibly powerful mages or something else unheard of. He had no reason to lie in that statement.
Out of curiousity, How would you as Solas fans (those who romance him and do not) feel if there was no involvement of a Post game dlc for closure? I'm curious!
About the romance: Don't know why but lately I've been feeling all "romanced out". More time has passed since I completed the romance than I actually spent playing the thing. Any initial anger or sadness have since faded. When I think of Lavellan now, I spend much more time imagining who she is, inventing backstory, thinking what the choices mean to her, and wondering what new adventures await, rather than thinking of fade kisses and her broken heart. I headcanon that soon after the breakup she moves on and focuses on all the work she has to do for the Inquisition. She still takes Solas everywhere and heeds his advice, and believes they can even be friends some day. All of this means that if we don't get much in the way of romantic interaction, I'll probably be fine with it, and figure that things are just done between these two, sad as it is. If we do get romantic content, I'll be pleasantly surprised.
About Solas in general: I'm still fascinated with him as a character, I feel incredibly sad for everything that's happened to him, and I want some answers. Actually, many answers. I don't want to have to wait till the next game to get at least some of them, and I want at least a glimpse of what he is planning to do next. Is he going to be the next villain or more like somebody who pulls all the strings behind the scenes, the way Flemeth was? I want to know at least this much. If the DLC provides no answers at all, I'll be incredibly frustrated. Then I'll write some fan fiction or at least make up a story in my head of how it all ends and move on to the next thing.
Well, we have lore and codexes and all from sources (who can certainly be unreliable) and there has to be an explanation for higher and lower classes, and of course, the pantheon. People can be invited into it by proving themselves.
Not gods, says Solas, possibly powerful mages or something else unheard of. He had no reason to lie in that statement.
Not really sure how that is supposed to invalidate any possible scenario that I've given. IRL people also could "prove themselves" (or pay enough 
) and become nobility or elite, but that was still a relatively rare occurrence, unobtainable to most.
Besides - so far we only know of one elf that has "proven" to be powerful enough to be invited into (pretty small, number-wise) elvhen pantheon and that is Ghilan'nan.
Nah, I don't think all of them were immortal and had magic (or at least had access to all types of magic, because we do know that many types exist, including ordinary and... non-ordinary ones ;P). I wouldn't be surprised if elvhen immortality/longevity and access to powerful magic was controlled or obtainable only to those higher on social ladder.
If you ask Solas about immortality, he says it was not due to magic, it was simply part of being elven. He might be omitting some of the truth, though.
If you ask Solas about immortality, he says it was not due to magic, it was simply part of being elven. He might be omitting some of the truth, though.
Actually no - he explicitly says that it is due to magic (don't forget that being magical was also part of being elven).
Not really sure how that is supposed to invalidate any possible scenario that I've given. IRL people also could "prove themselves" (or pay enough
Besides - so far we only know of one elf that has "proven" to be powerful enough to be invited into (pretty small, number-wise) elvhen pantheon and that is Ghilan'nan.
Not to invalidate, support.
Actually no - he explicitly says that it is due to magic (don't forget that being magical was also part of being elven).
It's here at 3:27. Inquisitor asks if the elves used magic to increase their lifespan. He says, "No, it was simply part of being elven. The subtle beauty of their magic was the effect, not the cause of their nature."
It's here at 3:27. Inquisitor asks if the elves used magic to increase their lifespan. He says, "No, it was simply part of being elven. The subtle beauty of their magic was the effect, not the cause of their nature."
I actually took time to listen to full dialogue in game (yes, I have THIS many saves in a single PT) and there's more he says after the line you quote.
What Solas says is kinda misleading - he still says that elven immortality was tightly tied to magic, but implies that it wasn't as simple as an ancient elf casting a simple 'add 1000 more days' spell on themselves.
"Some spells took years to cast. Echos would linger for centuries, harmonizing with new magic in an unending symphony".
As you see, this heavily implies that their immortality was very intimately tied to their magic - or at least how it was understood by ancient elves, to whom magic was 'as natural as breathing'.
Then there's a tidbit about blood magic, in which Solas describes it as 'a subtle legacy from when elves were immortal'. We don't know HOW exactly blood magic is tied to elven immortality, or what it means in regards to Solas (who himself tells IQ and Cole that he doesn't practice it), but apparently this type of magic has something to do with extending one's lifespan in some fashion.
What Solas says is kinda misleading - he still says that elven immortality was tightly tied to magic, but implies that it wasn't as simple as an ancient elf casting a simple 'add 1000 more days' spell on themselves.
"Some spells took years to cast. Echos would linger for centuries, harmonizing with new magic in an unending symphony".
As you see, this heavily implies that their immortality was very intimately tied to their magic - or at least how magic was understood by ancient elves, to whom magic was 'as natural as breathing'.
I don't think it is heavily implied. It is one possible interpretation. Another one is, "Ancient elves had very powerful magic, for them it was as natural as breathing. They were also immortal. However, their powerful magic was the consequence, not the cause of immortality. Some spells took years to cast."
Back to my original point: whether magic caused immortality, or vice versa, he says, "It was simply part of being elven." As you also point out, it was "as natural as breathing". I interpret this to mean that all elves possessed magic and immortality, it was not a privilege to be earned. Maybe there were more privileges and stronger magical powers to be achieved if one rises in the social order and achieves godhood. But some magic and immortality were the basics.
Then there's a tidbit about blood magic, in which Solas describes it as 'a subtle legacy from when elves were immortal'. We don't know HOW exactly blood magic is tied to elven immortality, or what it means in regards to Solas (who himself tells IQ and Cole that he doesn't practice it), but apparently this type of magic has something to do with extending one's lifespan in some fashion.
That's the thing, we don't know how it is tied to elven immortality. Again, it could be a cause or a consequence, and the dialogue with Solas suggests it is a consequence.
If all we get is just ONE dialogue exchange between the two, or worse, one fleeting reference to their relationship, I'll be very disappointed. It's not just because they're my preferred romance, it's because of their story. Without this romance, I feel the game and Solas as a character just doesn't have that "oomph" or "wow" factor, or emotional involvement, that adds so many more layers to the story.
Here's someone - a freakin' GOD - who has been alone for who knows how long (he's called He Who Hunts Alone, for goodness sake!) and has messed up so much **** that the only relationships he willingly forms are with spirits... but he finds not only respect and understanding from someone whose people he looks down on because, well, they demonize him and have a lot of things wrong, but also LOVE. That's the very last thing I think Solas ever expected to find, especially with a little Dalish elf he almost inadvertently killed with his orb. She truly DID change things for him, and I think that scared him more than he would like to admit. He's got something important to do and she's a distraction because she's making him reconsider what he's apparently been working on for centuries. That's gotta be incredibly jarring for an immortal. If there isn't some sort of in depth conversation or special moment (with the romance outfit - come on, I gotta see that in game) it'll feel so... anti-climactic. And worthless. Like, well have all this emotional potential and now we'll take it all away lolz have some Varric chest hair. I mean thank you for the chest hair, Bioware, but give me some closure with Lavellan finding out who he really is and with him really coming to terms with what she means to him.
I don't expect them to ride off into the sunset together, but I'd like SOMETHING to happen... undoubtedly with tears, but make them sweet tears pls
I actually took time to listen to full dialogue in game (yes, I have THIS many saves in a single PT) and there's more he says after the line you quote.
What Solas says is kinda misleading - he still says that elven immortality was tightly tied to magic, but implies that it wasn't as simple as an ancient elf casting a simple 'add 1000 more days' spell on themselves.
"Some spells took years to cast. Echos would linger for centuries, harmonizing with new magic in an unending symphony".
As you see, this heavily implies that their immortality was very intimately tied to their magic - or at least how it was understood by ancient elves, to whom magic was 'as natural as breathing'.
Then there's a tidbit about blood magic, in which Solas describes it as 'a subtle legacy from when elves were immortal'. We don't know HOW exactly blood magic is tied to elven immortality, or what it means in regards to Solas (who himself tells IQ and Cole that he doesn't practice it), but apparently this type of magic has something to do with extending one's lifespan in some fashion.
I think you may be misunderstanding the connection between various topics touched on in that conversation. The "subtle legacy from when elves were immortal" refers to the Inquisitor's question about the difference between Dalish magic and Circle magic. Solas suggests the difference stems from those remembered traditions, though both are largely aligned in their modern-day distrust of blood magic. Consequently, I don't think he intends to suggest any connection between the use of blood magic and elvhen immortality. I think the intended take-away is that ancient Elvhen may have sustained themselves naturally, as Cole does- that their essential link to the Fade was responsible for both effects: their effortless access to magic, as well as their immortality.
Of course, then we have to ask: what changed? Mortality "spread" to the elves before the fall of Arlathan. For all their power, it doesn't seem the Elvhen gods could prevent the death of their followers, even before they were locked away.
Here's someone - a freakin' GOD - who has been alone for who knows how long (he's called He Who Hunts Alone, for goodness sake!) and has messed up so much **** that the only relationships he willingly forms are with spirits... but he finds not only respect and understanding from someone whose people he looks down on because, well, they demonize him and have a lot of things wrong, but also LOVE. That's the very last thing I think Solas ever expected to find, especially with a little Dalish elf he almost inadvertently killed with his orb. She truly DID change things for him, and I think that scared him more than he would like to admit. He's got something important to do and she's a distraction because she's making him reconsider what he's apparently been working on for centuries. That's gotta be incredibly jarring for an immortal.
Solas 
Seriously, lately all I've been thinking with regards to Solas is how very sad his whole story is and how I wish my Inquisitor could give him a hug. Please, please include an option for a hug!
I don't think it is heavily implied. It is one possible interpretation. Another one is, "Ancient elves had very powerful magic, for them it was as natural as breathing. They were also immortal. However, their powerful magic was the consequence, not the cause of immortality. Some spells took years to cast."
Only that makes no sense in context of IQ's question. Why would Solas mention that some spells took years to cast (and what he said later), if it didn't tie to his answer on the matter? He's not really known to trail off the topic in the middle of a conversation.
For me, it pretty heavily implies that magic of elves was so advanced, that it sort of created kind of a positive feedback loop - harmonizing with new spells cast years later, letting the elves weave arcane masterpieces ("songs"/"music") and perhaps tap into powers only they were able to sense or use.
They've obviously had a mindset, knowledge or magical sensitivity (or all of those things) that allowed them to do that, HENCE their nature caused their magic to be subtly beautiful and not the other way around. Magic didn't cause their immortality per se, but it was the understanding or natural affinity to magic that eventually resulted in elves being able to create wonders and live forever.
Hence: no magic + no specific understanding of magic = no immortality.
Solas
Other people are talking about anger and maybe a slap then kiss and I'm also in the hug camp.
He's fascinating because he's layered, flawed, in gray areas, thoughtful, compassionate, and yet tragic. I'm a person full of feelings. It's not hard to get me to care or even empathize. When a character runs away with those feelings, I know something is there.
Question, because there are over four thousand pages in this thread and going back through them is a little too daunting for me: If your Inquisitor drank from the Well and ended up being a servant to Mythal, does this mean that your Inquisitor is potentially now beholden to Solas, after his creepy post-game Flemeth-hoovering that was never fully explained?
Only that makes no sense in context of IQ's question. Why would Solas mention that some spells took years to cast (and what he said later), if it didn't tie to his answer on the matter? He's not really known to trail off the topic in the middle of a conversation.
For me, it pretty heavily implies that magic of elves was so advanced, that it sort of created kind of a positive feedback loop - harmonizing with new spells cast years later, letting the elves weave arcane masterpieces ("songs"/"music") and perhaps tap into powers only they were able to sense or use.
They've obviously had a mindset, knowledge or magical sensitivity (or all of those things) that allowed them to do that, HENCE their nature caused their magic to be subtly beautiful and not the other way around. Magic didn't cause their immortality per se, but it was the understanding or natural affinity to magic that eventually resulted in elves being able to create wonders and live forever.
Hence: no magic + no specific understanding of magic = no immortality.
I think what he's telling us (in a roundabout way) is just that their magic was a side effect of their union with the fade. And that a close connection with the fade naturally meant immorality, because remember, there's no time in the fade. So it isn't magic that causes immortality, but as you say, their natural affinity to the fade that created their immortality and magical ability. That's my interpretation anyway.
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