Fade, says nothing on BC specifically
Ah. Wow. So even Saarebas don't get to go to the Fade?
And they don't dream like elves and humans do, huh. Interesting claim.
Fade, says nothing on BC specifically
Ah. Wow. So even Saarebas don't get to go to the Fade?
And they don't dream like elves and humans do, huh. Interesting claim.
Ah. Wow. So even Saarebas don't get to go to the Fade?
Entering the "Land of the Dead" is forbidden according to the Qun but my assumption is that qunari mages interact with and have ties to the Fade the same way human and elf mages do, or similar, and that it's just kind of denied/repressed/not talked or known much about? Saarebas are leashed, collared, sometimes de-tongued/mouth stitched shut, thought of as a weapon/object kinda, not instructed, etc - it's not as if there's a friendly dialogue between them and Qunari non-mages.
guesswork only tho.
So the Black City might be where Solas stashed the Evanuris?
I can't decide if I want that to be true or not. I personally don't want the Blight to have originated from the Black City either. If both those things are true ... man, that's not good for Solas.
Yeah, the Qunari probably don't believe it's the Maker's abandoned throne. But like the Chantry and the Dalish, they might still see the Black City as sort some of ultimate mystery or spiritual frontier - beyond which lies either salvation or the origin of all things Bad. And what would the Qunari version of that be, I wonder? Pure chaos and ignorance, perhaps.
Or maybe they're much more level-headed about it and it's just an interesting anomaly that everyone else is being incredibly silly about.
As to how the Qunari would study the Fade. I'd think that their extreme distrust of mages, even their own, would be a hindrance to that sort of study. For every Qunari mage in the Fade there's probably like fifty Tevinters running around in there at the same time. On the other hand, anything those Qunari put their mind to tends to see impressive results. I imagine they'd take a more scientific approach to the whole thing. And they definitely wouldn't be inclined to share what they know with the less 'civilised'.
I don't think the Taint originated from the Black City - I think the Evanuris were Blighted when they were locked away, and thus their Blight ended up spreading to whole city - and thankfully enough, it didn't spread anywhere beyond until some uppity Magisters decided to knock a few walls down. It just makes sense to me that the Veil was partially a quarantine measure for the Blight. For one - we know there are lots of lore hints that the Evanuris used and abused Blight magic. We know Solas himself hates Blight magic and condemns it as inherently corrupting (Coming from the guy who's willing to give blood magic the benefit of the doubt.) so it makes sense that he'd see it as sore issue. We know he seems quite concerned with the Blight. And we know that the Veil actually did a pretty damn good job of keeping the Blight out of anything important until Tevinter came along. So I think the comment Solas makes in Trespasser, that he had to put up the Veil because otherwise "The Evanuris would've destroyed the world," is referring to the Blight. That's what they were using to destroy it.
I dunno, that just doesn't seem like something you can really blame Solas for. If anything, it's the greatest success anyone's had in fighting the Blight - even if it ultimately failed.
As for the Qunari - they distrust mages but they seem to make a point of knowing as much about their enemy as possible. Sten came to Fereldan purely to learn about the Blight, after all. And the Viddisala made a fairly decent (Still inaccurate, but pretty close to the truth) guess about Solas' identity, when the people who lived and traveled with him for months/years only knew he was some apostate hobo that probably lied a bunch about his past. The Qun's got an endless list of flaws, but you've got to admire their drive to be well-informed.
If the Qunari have zero interest in the Fade, then they probably know very little about it. But if it features in their plans in any way, they've probably done their best to learn as much as they can.
The Qunari think of it as The Land of the Dead and the Qun forbids going there. The Qunari also claim that they don't dream the way elves and humans do. short snippets, lore on that very thin on the ground
Interesting. Where'd you get that information? Not that I'm second guessing you, but I just honestly haven't seen anything on it.
And he's stupid for screwing a relationship with Lavellan from the start, he should see this as a sign to start over with someone who loves him. If he only follow his heart he wouldn't be in this predicament.
i don't know, the character and the possibilities of where the story is going comes across as more complex than that. I mean, not everything is solved by "loooove" and Solas doesn't strike me as the type to drastically change who he is and what he has to (or feel he has to) do about Things. Which honestly, good for him.
It would be nice if it were that simple for him to just start over, but then there would be no future story. And I'm sure that's going to be one hell of a ride to follow.
Hey nerds.
Since I can't be bothered in catching up on 100+ pages, did I miss anything fun?
Hey nerds.
Since I can't be bothered in catching up on 100+ pages, did I miss anything fun?
Just our discussions regarding Solas' freckles, the nature of the Blight, and world peace.
Hey nerds.
Since I can't be bothered in catching up on 100+ pages, did I miss anything fun?
Not much new except fanart, some new folks discovering the joy that is Dragon Age, and trying to survive the devs gleeful knife twisting and teasing until DA4 comes out.
![]()

World of Thedas has the information about the different religions' views on the Fade. If you leave aside the dwarves who can't do magic and don't have much to do with the Fade, it is interesting that all the others associate the Fade in some way with the spirits of the dead. The Chantry says that the righteous pass through it to get to the Maker's side, in some other dimension, but the wicked wander it eternally lost; the Dalish believe it is a Holy place, which again the souls of their dead must pass through and without the protection of Falon'Din are vulnerable to being feasted upon by the Dread Wolf; the Qunari believe it is the Land of the Dead. Both the Avaar and Solas confirm that when spirits "die" in the material world, they return to and reform in the Fade.
To the Chantry the Golden City was the former home of the Maker; to the ancient Tevinter is was the home of the Old Gods and to the Dalish it was the home of their gods. It is also interesting that the Dalish always refer to the Fade as the Beyond and in the Canticle of Trials: Hymns, there is a verse which says: "Though all before me is shadow, Yet the Maker shall be my guide. I shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond." Everywhere else in the chant it is called the Fade. It is thought by Chantry scholars that some verses in this part of the Chant predate Andraste by hundreds of years and are thought to be prayers and hymns to gods of local pantheons. I wonder if this verse is actually of elven origin. If you substitute Falon'Din for Maker, that would make sense. Could it be that this got included in the Chant because it was a prayer used by Shartan and his followers?
More and more I think that the Golden City was the Fade side of Arlathan that was cut off when Solas raised the Veil. I think that there is probably an eluvian at its heart that was a one way ticket to the Void (or whatever pocket realm Solas trapped the Evanuris in). That would account for why it was empty when the Magisters got there. As for why it was either already black or turned black when they got there, I'm still working on that one. Even if it wasn't Arlathan, it was certainly the home of the elven gods. Dalish belief was that Fen'Harel trapped the Creators in heaven and that is what the Golden City was thought to be.
Several months ago someone brought up how elves have always been beautiful in mythology and how Tolken was the one who really created how we see them today. This article was just posted on my wall and I thought I'd share it. Sorry for being off topic...ummm... SOLAS IS AWESOME!!!
http://www.ancient-o...ou-think-020921
EDIT: Adding a painting of Dirthamen
http://kallielef.dev...hamen-624121233
Art post.
Modern AU Solavellan keeping fit, doing crutches. ![]()
Source: https://fenrirsruthl...lan-keeping-fit
Solas comforting a crying Lavellan. ![]()
Source: http://kimikoyukiart...-wolfing-of-her
Solavellan Punk AU! Solas and Lavellan on a motorbike! ![]()
Source: http://thunderbirdho...is-on-fire-fire
Lavellan kissing Solas on the head. ![]()
Source: http://osatokun.tumb.../148020668053/3
A cute little Lavellan and Solas. ![]()
Source: http://osatokun.tumb...8023753548/mmmm
'Mythal is disappointed'. Another artwork of bloody-nosed Solas.
This time with an equally bloody-nosed Falon'Din and an angry Mythal behind them. From the modern AU fic Schooling Pride.
Source: http://destinyaposta...-anachromystics
Team Mage.
Source: http://skipthesubway...ut-never-posted
Several months ago someone brought up how elves have always been beautiful in mythology and how Tolken was the one who really created how we see them today. This article was just posted on my wall and I thought I'd share it. Sorry for being off topic...ummm... SOLAS IS AWESOME!!!
http://www.ancient-o...ou-think-020921
EDIT: Adding a painting of Dirthamen
Spoiler
I'll summon Droso.
Tolkein used the word "elf" to describe his "fair folk" as he was drawing from Anglo Saxon sources a lot of the time, trying to rebuild an English mythology that had largely been lost. He said that the people of Faerie had largely been diminished during the Victorian era to the twee, children's favourites we are familiar with and he wanted to restore them to their former glory. My own family name traces to Anglo Saxon are translates variously as either "noble warrior" or "elf warrior", and there does seem an ancient tradition that having the blessing of the elves would give you success in battle.
In Irish mythology, there are Tuatha De Dannen, as a pre-Christian magical race, involved in a war with another pre-Christian magical race, the Fir Bolg. Tuatha simply means "People" and they were considered great necromancers, skilled in all forms of magic, poets and musicians, besides great builders. They bred their own special breed of horses that no one but the nobles were allowed to ride and clearly thought of as extremely beautiful.
In Wales the equivalent are the Tylwyth teg, the "Beautiful family". Again the folk tales speak of beautiful, magical humanoids and the original tales of Arthur come from this tradition. Being given a magical sword by the Lady in the Lake and having to return it on death, would seem to fit with finds across Europe of weapons in lakes from the pre-Christian era.
So with the Icelandic tradition given in the above post, it would seem the idea of a magical, beautiful race of people was pretty widespread across ancient Europe. The name given to them may have differed from country to country but their racial identity remains the same.
Because elves are REAL!! Solas..you hear that?!!!!
Tolkein used the word "elf" to describe his "fair folk" as he was drawing from Anglo Saxon sources a lot of the time, trying to rebuild an English mythology that had largely been lost. He said that the people of Faerie had largely been diminished during the Victorian era to the twee, children's favourites we are familiar with and he wanted to restore them to their former glory. My own family name traces to Anglo Saxon are translates variously as either "noble warrior" or "elf warrior", and there does seem an ancient tradition that having the blessing of the elves would give you success in battle.
In Irish mythology, there are Tuatha De Dannen, as a pre-Christian magical race, involved in a war with another pre-Christian magical race, the Fir Bolg. Tuatha simply means "People" and they were considered great necromancers, skilled in all forms of magic, poets and musicians, besides great builders. They bred their own special breed of horses that no one but the nobles were allowed to ride and clearly thought of as extremely beautiful.
In Wales the equivalent are the Tylwyth teg, the "Beautiful family". Again the folk tales speak of beautiful, magical humanoids and the original tales of Arthur come from this tradition. Being given a magical sword by the Lady in the Lake and having to return it on death, would seem to fit with finds across Europe of weapons in lakes from the pre-Christian era.
So with the Icelandic tradition given in the above post, it would seem the idea of a magical, beautiful race of people was pretty widespread across ancient Europe. The name given to them may have differed from country to country but their racial identity remains the same.
I can't claim to know a whole lot about Welsh or Icelandic lore, but my understanding of the Tuatha De was that they weren't elves/fairies originally, they were gods, and the re-imagining of them as elves was a rush job by Irish scholars that didn't want to get on Christianity's bad side by showing interest in pagan religion.
Like, I can see the comparison with elves, but it seems to me that it's a little like saying the Greek gods were elves too.
But I dunno, maybe I'm wrong. It's not like I have any formal education on the subject.
Art.
Solas and Lavellan in lovely outfits! ![]()
Source: http://seigl.tumblr....-too-long-and-i
Sexy-looking Solas. Hot damn I adore the art style. ![]()
Source: http://oriental-lady...2/just-solas-in
Solas profile artwork.
Source: http://destinyaposta...395877/me-solas
Solas and Dorian. ![]()
Source: http://eggrpg.tumblr...re-of-these-two
Headshot artworks of Cullen and Solas.
Source: http://livingintheda...yfriends-i-love
That was a very interesting reading !
I had another solas dream (not lucid this time) back hugging him, icanthandlethis
I formed the impression that the Tuatha weren't actually gods themselves since in many of the tales, they appear to appeal to higher powers for assistance The hero Nuada seems a sort of demi-god in that he becomes the embodiment of the Sun God when in battle frenzy, but it seems to me that they are a magical race that ruled over Ireland rather than gods themselves. Then again, look at the Evanuris. According to Solas they are not gods but simply very powerful mages from among the people, yet they came to be remembered as gods. The author of the book I am referencing on the Tuatha says in his introduction that it is sometimes difficult to tell whether the Tuatha were meant to be men, demons or gods, further complicated by the fact that the tales were largely handed down by oral tradition.
Another interesting aspect in the book I am using is that Nuada dreams of an earlier era when "the sky was in the keeping of Winged Warriors of the Dawn and the earth was ruled by beautiful bronze dragons who dwelt in palaces towering up into purple skies". So again there is this similarity with the mythology in Thedas, when according to Yavana dragons once ruled the skies and down on the ground at least one of the god kings of the elves could transform into a dragon.
I formed the impression that the Tuatha weren't actually gods themselves since in many of the tales, they appear to appeal to higher powers for assistance The hero Nuada seems a sort of demi-god in that he becomes the embodiment of the Sun God when in battle frenzy, but it seems to me that they are a magical race that ruled over Ireland rather than gods themselves. Then again, look at the Evanuris. According to Solas they are not gods but simply very powerful mages from among the people, yet they came to be remembered as gods. The author of the book I am referencing on the Tuatha says in his introduction that it is sometimes difficult to tell whether the Tuatha were meant to be men, demons or gods, further complicated by the fact that the tales were largely handed down by oral tradition.
Another interesting aspect in the book I am using is that Nuada dreams of an earlier era when "the sky was in the keeping of Winged Warriors of the Dawn and the earth was ruled by beautiful bronze dragons who dwelt in palaces towering up into purple skies". So again there is this similarity with the mythology in Thedas, when according to Yavana dragons once ruled the skies and down on the ground at least one of the god kings of the elves could transform into a dragon.
Eh, just because there are "higher powers" than a pantheon of gods doesn't mean they weren't thought of as gods. Norse gods were technically mortal, for example and were supposed to all fall at times of Ragnarok. And then there are Greek gods (and btw. the mythology around Evanuris actually resembles those a lot) - yeah, they were top of the "food chain" at their time, but even then there were 'higher powers' they either feared, respected or asked assistance of, mostly in shape of primordial deities or forces. They were terrified of Nyx or Moros or Nemesis at times and could not break promises they swore on river Styx and so on.
Does anyone know the significance of the wolf jaw Solas has as a necklace? Was it the remains of his old animal companion?
I think there was a tweet about it being something the concept artist put in to their picture and it was kept as visual foreshadowing? But for in the lore, we're not told of the significance of it in any source material I'm aware of.
So, in my wait for DA4, I've returned to other games, such as Final Fantasy 14. This song is the main theme from the latest expansion and I've got it on repeat and its gorgeous (IMHO)...
... And it has a line about "Seeking solace in the abyss" during the bridge and it is constantly pulling me out of the song. lol Damn egghead is now ruining other games for me. ![]()
Some art (sorry it's just links)
Solas
http://impresja95.de...-Wolf-624478141
Egg Noodle
http://xabyssalremna...oodle-624429388
Solas' Head
http://tes331.devian...Solas-624360462
Solavellan
http://fadedwhisp.de...ellan-624442268
More art. ![]()
Source: http://nipuni.tumblr...g-he-loves-some
Modern AU Solas pinning Lavellan against the wall. ![]()
Source: http://amaryllislave...u-fan-fiction-i
Modern AU Solas realizing he's falling in love with Lavellan.
Source: http://amaryllislave...oure-falling-in
Solas and Lavellan wearing yukatas.
Source: http://solavellangar...ere-but-im-in-a
Awesome Solas animation. ![]()
Source: http://hoyjboe.tumbl...088678482/solas
Pokemon AU: Solas as a pokemon trainer! ![]()
Source: http://destinyaposta...ner-whos-also-a
Modern AU Sera and Solas.
Source: http://demdoodles.tu...dai-kiddos-here
Nipuni brings the feels. (A lot of that other art if pretty, too.)
Also, I made a post here 2 days ago and we're still on the same page. What gives? Stop slacking, Solas fans. ![]()