I think starting a new thread might add fresh perspectives, rejuvenate interests and help craft something that's easily accessible or rather, easy to find for those who are looking to inform themselves or simply those trying to deepen their understanding of what we've established so far. It could also serve as a compendium of sorts for Major discoveries and plot points. If enough people comment I could keep updating as more content is released for Dragon Age: Inquisition or other media such as books and comics.
I hope I encourage others to build upon and either reinforce or contend with my theories through constructive critcism and intelligible arguments and discussions. I know I'm asking a lot from the internet, but if you share my enthusiasm, then I doubt my requests will feel like a hindrance or unreasonable in any way.
With that out of the way I will structure this with numbered bullet-points based on theme and then subsequently pair each numbered bullet-point with detailed thoughts (and theories) about what we've discovered so far. This is all taken from the diverse media that relates and details the Dragon Age lore pertaining to Ancient and Elvhen history, legends and character dialogue. Also i have to give myself props for getting a couple of things right like the nature of Elvhen people and Solas creating the veil as well as the effects it would've had on the world. I did however believe that Solas was merged with Fen'Harel but that turned out to be false, which makes me quite happy given what we've learned. Anyways moving forward.
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Bullet-points/referenced themes
1. Ancient Elvhen Nature & culture
2. Downfall of The Evanuris and "the people"
3 .Before The Veil and Great Dragons
4. Old Gods & The Golden City
5A. Elvhen Panthen & The Forgotten Ones
B. Imprisonment: Location & status; Creation of the Veil
C. The Eighth Old God
6A. Solas/Fen'Harel's Motivations
B. Solas & Mythal, relationship, Plans Then & Now
7. Lyrium & Dwarves
8. Vallaslin
9. Qunari
1. Ancient Elvhen culture
First off, let me get into the nature of the Elvhen people, as this is probably one of the things we learned the most about via codices.
From what I understand and what I suspected, The Elvhen people were first beings of the sky (The Fade) and this is why they are said to be intrinsically linked to it. This also explains their inherent magical abilities. I believe they were spirits who learned to adapt and evolve. Remember that before the veil the physical world was as much a part of the The Fade as The Fade was a part of it. The spirits we know now do not have a symbiotic relationship with the physical world, it has become alien to them. Spirits from before however could interact with the physical. I believe the "pull" of the earth made some adapt and choose to develop physical bodies. This is also very interesting because it mirrors a lot of the chant of light, wherein "The Maker" created spirits first but was unsatisfied with their lack of imagination as they were made in his image. And so, he created the physical world. Spirits became jealous and believed it was their right to rule the earth (much like the Evanuris) as well as the heavens. They claimed to be gods (much like the Evanuris) and tried to tempt mortals. I believe the similarities come from grains of truth as always.
Here are some codices to explain my thoughts more fully.
The first codex: Attentive listeners, showcases what the physical world is to the Elvhen people and how they interacted with it when the veil wasn't present. Here we clearly see some spirits have either been bound forcefully or have decided to keep their nature simple, without adapting and becoming more. "The unchanging world rings with its own harmony". I believe this to be a reference to the Titans, more so than a purely metaphorical statement, given the nature of the speaker and the world itself.
The second codex entry: Birds of Fancy, is even more interesting. It further displays the nature of the Elvhen people, showing how they love and interact. Even if they choose to have physical form, they are not bound to it (as one would expect with The Fade). Here their will is displayed. They choose to express their love for each other with their spirits, interconnecting through will alone. It also displays how records are kept in an ageless world. memories are "recorded" like The Vir Dirthara and the bound spirit that is the archivist. Everything was shared and recorded. Much like the internet and what it's done for civilization on a global scale, sharing knowledge must have infinitely expanded the Elvhen empire as well as enormously quickened it's development.
The third codex: Exile of the Forbidden Ones. This is quite interesting as it sheds light on what the Forbidden Ones were.
"For abandoning the people in their time of greatest need, for casting aside form to flee to where the earth could not reach".
This says much. "Xebenkeck and her ilk". First this indicates that war was upon the Elvhen people, as it seemed to have been often. I believe the Forbidden Ones are the equivalent of deserters and that they're punishment is a harsher version of a dishonorable discharge (if the army was led by a monarchy rather than through democratic parties and the government we know).
"For casting aside form"
is also very interesting. This shows that she was one of the people, not simply a bound spirit that "evolved" as it were.
"To flee where earth would not reach."
This is interesting. It could be a direct reference to their "wars" against Titans. This could mean that she decided to flee in order to avoid being struck down by Titans. It could also simply mean that she retreated deep into The Fade to escape whatever battle they were fighting, but they emphasize "where the earth could not reach". Now people might think "Xebenkeck and her Ilk" means they are not "of the people" but I disagree. I believe her deeds are what led to her (and those who joined her in desertion) being rejected and no longer considered as being part of the Elvhen people. The last part of the codex is the most interesting.
"Beware! Their familiarity with shape allows them to travel paths unaided. They may be bound, but only the protection of your gods will fully shield you of their malice. They are forbidden from the earth that is our right."
familiarity with shape and paths unaided. I believe this means that because The Forbidden Ones were physical being before casting their forms aside, they learned to operate eluvians and walk the crossroads, which is what "path" refers to. The fact that they are bound is what interests me. I'm guessing this means they are "bound" to their current forms and can no longer take "physical" shape. It would also explain why after so long they still seek to tempt mortals and possess people, as they have no way of taking "shape" otherwise. Also I do not believe they are The Forgotten Ones. The Forbidden Ones have been named and accounted for (there are only four in total) while only some of the The Forgotten Ones have been named while more are said to exist. This codex should make this distinction clear. Besides, given how The Forgotten Ones are regarded (as equals in strength if not numbers to the Evanuris) then I absolutely don't see The Forbidden Ones filling that role.
The last codex: The Deepest Fade helps us understand the relationship between The Elvhen people who took up physical form and decided to inhabit the earth and their "brethren" spirits who decided to stay within the confines of The Fade.
"Those who never manifested outside of The Fade will find it easier to find its stillest roots, but it is rare the compulsion overtakes our brethren of the air."
This not only showcases the relationship between Elvhen people and spirits but also what they've become as well as the nature of The Fade itself. "Its stillest roots". We know The Fade is highly subject to change and influence, especially among the most willful and powerful beings. This always raised the question, in such a formless reality, their must be some form of constant that perpetuates the laws it adheres by, however slim they be. This is the answer there are parts of the raw Fade which are more... stable it would seem, where things are less subject to change.
The Golden (Blackened) City for example is something that comes to mind. Is this creation always present because of the power and will involved in it's creation or because of where and why it was created. Maybe these are part of the same reasons. The implications are interesting to ponder. The fact that so many pocket dimensions are created in The Fade also help us understand its foundations and just how deeply vast it can be. The fact that spirits who never took form have an easier time of navigating The Raw Fade therefore makes perfect sense. This also explains Cole's situation as being similar to the one experienced by ancient Elvhen people. It also makes my decision to help him be more human feel natural. He adapted much like the ancient Elvhen people and started evolving while still not losing his true "nature" or his connection to The Fade.
This also explains the modern Elves' adaptive genes. David Gaider stated the reason to be magic rather than what we understand about genetics. Given their link to The Fade and their inherent absence of form (when they were spirits) then it would explain why their offspring take the shape of whatever race they mate with. The fact that they were the only true "race" (they didn't consider Dwarves a race really given their relationship with Titans) then they wouldn't have had to deal with this aspect of their "magical" genes.
Next, from what Solas (especially in Trespasser) and Felassan have stated, Elvhen culture wasn't the idealistic, noble and respected society that the Dalish believe it to have once been. In fact, it seems it was as bad, if not worse, then what we've seen in the Tevinter Imperium and Orlais, both in terms of social classes/social status and in the liberal use and abuse of magic. An example of the status quo pertaining to social classes is his explanation behind the true significance of Vallaslin (blood writing). He states that
"In the days of Arlathan, the tattoos were not signs of patronage to the various elven gods but, in fact, slave markings--signs of ownership--when noble elves enslaved the lower classes; they were representations of the gods that the nobles favored. Abelas and the Sentinels of the Temple of Mythal have vallaslin dedicated to Mythal, etched on their faces."
A text on the carved tablet found in the Temple of Mythal tells of "the eventual failing" of elven markings, that lead to "the inevitable and troubling freedom" which we now know for certain, was in fact Fen'Harel's doing.
Now, we also have heard (and seen in Trespasser) each God had imperfections and weaknesses akin to Mortal failings i.e. they were fallible like all of us. This led to many wars, injustices, revenge and misplaced reverence bringing inner strife within the Kingdom of Arlathan. The "liberal use and abuse of magic" is less about magic and more about power, since for the Elvhen people, magic was "as natural as breathing" in a place where there were "spires of crystal twining through the branches, palaces floating among the clouds." (before the veil). What I mean is that the god's often would leverage their positions in order to satisfy their fickle natures, their whims and wants at the cost of countless lives. Magic was, of course at the heart of these issues, not the cause but rather the tool wielded, twisted and repurposed by decadence and for nefarious ends (much like humanity has done countless times with technology).
This for example showcases Elgar'nan's Vanity and arrogance as well as his treatment of the people.
Here I'll also showcase what we learned about Ghilan'nain
Notice the last part
"Below the letters, possibly in lieu of a signature, is the stamp of a stylized Halla head."
Ghilan'nain was known to tamper and experiment with magic in order to create new species, such as this
I believe the "gods" inducted her in the pantheon because of her research and magical skills. I believe they wanted to use her either to bolster their forces and/or eliminate her from being a threat. By bringing her in their fold they could control her and use her pride and knowledge to their advantage. This way it was a win/win. They wouldn't have to risk their "armies" (slaves) against her monsters and they'd benefit in the long run.
She was pretty despicable. She cared nothing for her scientific subjects, she was only interested in results. Never mind "ethical research".
Notice the fourth attempt:
"Using up the last of the stock was well worth it, as I explained to it as a courtesy before final work began. Adjustments to the underlay were a great success, and will allow the recipe to be made with material taken from lesser animals, if the need arises."
I think she was explaining the process to the spirit/"greater" animal she used to make the armor (which was the "last of the stock" referenced for the enchantment) while it was still conscious before the "final work began".
The Fourth attempt is referencing "The Skin that Stalks" armor. The Final piece. When you wear the set you get "The taken Shape" ability, whatever that does. Anyways I believe the "taken shape" refers to how she used the spirit/animal to make the whole.
the fact that she says the underlay will allow the recipe to be made with lesser animals suggest whatever she used was her "finer creatures", whatever they were. Anyways I'm guessing they all were shaped with spirits, which is despicable in its own right.
The next codex is another insight into the gods' "kinship" as well as their pride.
This codex for example also showcases how petty and hypocritical the gods and/or their "priests" can be.
The last part
"The well dressed Elves' shouting grows so loud, it can be heard over the magic. One leaps over at another, howling and pulling out a knife burning with Prismatic flame."
Then we get context. "Architects of the grand Sonallium (A gift from blessed Sylaise to clever June as thanks for a great favor) in friendly debate over the color of the palace's roof trim."
I'm assuming the well dressed elves were either high keepers commissioned for the temple or they were in fact, Sylaise and June themselves. Either way, we can see how petty they were and what a friendly debate actually was for them. I might take offense at someone pulling a flaming (Sylaise) knife at me... Just saying.
The other part that is really interesting is just how powerful their magic was.
with hundreds of Elvhen people funneling raw Fade energy they could literally create a pocket dimension in which the Temple was then erected. That is insane. It just also shows how huge the world actually was and how The Fade affected the "material" world when they coexisted.
The next part I'll mention is the ascension of the Evanuris. Now we know that these are false gods, brought into power through deeds rather than nature.
Geldauran's claim is perfectly sound in this regard and makes perfect sense now that we've established the nature of the Elvhen people.
What Solas says has again many implications. The most prominent is wars fought. We know the Evnuris were mining Titans for lyrium and "did something else" to them, though what exactly is unkown at this point, though I'll share my thoughts on the matter later. We also know The Forgotten Ones were as powerful as the Evanuris. We also know that the Elvhen people warred against each other. My understanding of it is that during the wars those who became the Evanuris fought against The Forgotten Ones and eventually ended up victors. he Titan wars either came before or after. So this either means that the Evanuris' defeat of the Titans brought them their position or their victories against The Forgotten Ones did. We know The Forgotten Ones are elvish given Geldauran's claim but that is all we know. Most of the time, history is decided by the victors. So being "forgotten" after losing the war would explain the moniker. The Titans could have been mined either in order to fuel magic power to ensure winning the wars or simply to enhance Elvhen magic feats for everyday life. Either way we know the Evanuris became greedy and wanted more which led to catastrophies and unkown ramifications. Also Titans would shape and reshape the earth on which The Elvhen people had made their homes. The fact that the Evanuris believed the earth to be their right easily explains the immediate conflict that would follow with the Titans. Again this feels earily similar to the canticle of light in which spirits become jealous of mortals and believe they should rule over earth as well as heaven, claiming themselves as (false) gods. This paints a nice piture of the status quo and what Solas was trying to prevent.
This is a good segue for another interesting story, is that of Andruil, who slowly lost herself to the corruption suffered from entering the "Void" or "The Abyss" which supposedly is the "Forgotten Ones" realm. This corruption led to countless natural disasters in her own lands as well as the degradation of her mental health. This behavior then eventually led to a confrontation with Mythal, in which she was stripped of her newly attained magic (the corruption from "The Void", which I contend is the equivalent of what's referred to as "blight magic" in the Dragon Age) and key knowledge, namely, how to find her way into the abyss, therefore averting any other escapades that would lead her astray or more importantly, that would jeopardize the lives of the rest of her Pantheon as well as all of their servants. This is simply one legend among many that highlight such power being corrupted, but note that a lot of misgivings were wrought without the touch of these "Forgotten Ones" but rather by pride alone. From this particular tale however, we can easily allude to what The World of Thedas has been subjected to countless times, i.e. Blights, which also corrupt ancient beings to devastating effect. This new revelation also coincides with Titans
This has enormous implications that I'll get into down the line. For now I just want to say that what is whispered is very interesting. It also mirrors what Solas told us "The people must rise before the false gods destroy them all."
2. Downfall of The Elvhen Pantheon and their peoples
So now we've established what life was like for the Elvhen people at the height of their power, as well as their nature, but what of their downfall? Enter Fen'Harel... The Trickster, or was he. it was claimed Fen'Harel tricked and betrayed both the "Forgotten Ones" and the Elvhen Pantheon into being eternally imprisoned. One must ask himself however, to what end? In Mythal's Palace we uncover ancient writings that would offer another explanation. Harel was in fact misinterpreted or mistranslated. Rather than being the trickster god, he was the rebel god. Given what we know of Solas' views and virtues (namely, his hatred towards enslavement, regimes that dissuade or prevent free-thinking and freewill etc.), then a picture can slowly start forming with a frame of reference in hand.
Fen'Harel, dissatisfied with the treatment and quality of life that the lower class Elvhen people were given, decided to rebel against his brothers, looking to right their wrongs, single-handedly, thinking perhaps, that their followers could do better without them. I'm guessing he also figured that if his brethren were to be absent, so to, would the "Forgotten Ones" have to be dealt with. An exert from the Codex entry: Geldauran's claim not only reinforces the state of affairs noted in Elvhenan, but also at the danger posed by The Forgotten Ones. I wonder though, whether The Forgotten Ones were imprisoned before or after the Pantheon, if they were manipulated into fighting with Fen'Harel or if they used Fen'Harel's cause in order to claim their own power. The fact that Solas doesn't mention them gives me pause to think they were involved at all. Perhaps they were only involved in the wars that led to the "ascension" of the Evanuris or perhaps they plotted behind the shadows. We know next to nothing about their circumstances and I have an itching sensation that they were somehow involved with the blight or perhaps linked to what was done with the Titans. I am very anxious to learn more about them.
Without the Pantheon to rival "The Forgotten Ones", a worse fate would claim the Elvhen people, therefore Fen'Harel acted, taking it upon himself to stop both parties. Abelas claims the Elvhen brought destruction upon themselves, long before the Tevinter imperium came in contact with them. He also mentions Fen'Harel was not to blame for Mythal's "murder" yet he was still blamed for it, presumably because of propaganda during his fight against the Evanuris.
This indicates he was filled with bitterness and regret when "betraying" his brothers and sisters and as much as he wanted them to suffer for their deeds, I think deep down, he could not bring himself to kill them (although he also didn't have the power to do so himself, as he states, which is why he most likely used subterfuge and trickery as in the legends). I believe the true betrayal was made by the Pantheon itself, who betrayed themselves and their very nature, to pride, which led to them turning on Mythal, which is what Solas could not forgive.
Here is what makes me believe this is so
Cole: They sleep, masked in a mirror, hiding, hurting and to wake them... (Gasp) where did it go?
Solas: I apologize, Cole. That is not a pain you can heal.
(Cole refers to the Elvhen gods, masking or masked from their true aspects in an eluvian, sleeping and suffering. When he says where did it go, he refers to Solas' pain which Solas in turn confirms by stating that Cole cannot heal it. This is quite interesting. It would seem that the Elvhen god's might not be imprisoned in the Golden city, as I suspect, but rather in a realm reached only through an eluvian).
We now have confirmation that Elvhen immortality being lost was not caused by human contact, but rather because of the veil, as I suspected, an unforeseen consequence of Fen'Harel's actions. We can also deduce that, given the lack of their gods' presence and guidance (or rather influence and direction), the Elvhen people were driven into even heavier, civil unrest that eventually turned into all out war, probably and ironically, in the name of their respective gods, against the rebels, with the most powerful and privileged that had the most to lose, vying for control. This explains the fall of Arlathan and why the Elvhen people were so easy to enslave. Not only were they sundered from the very nature they had come to know, create and dominate but the whole fabric of their world was torn apart while their culture and way of life was simultaneously devastated through civil war and unrest. This is akin to a world war 3 being fought while the world is dying from natural disasters. Almost impossible to recover from. If the time-frame coincides with human contact, then the Elvhen belief that human's are to blame for their quickening (loss of immortality) would also make sense, especially when they probably desperately needed something other than themselves to blame.
3 .Before The Veil and Great Dragons
Now that I've established my thoughts on Ancient Elvhenan and it's subsequent downfall I'd like to address another issue that immediately got my attention once I read it. This comes from the Dragon Age comics "The Silent Grove" where Flemeth's daughter Yavana tells Alistair
"Your heart beats with the old blood, as well. Where do you think it comes from? It sings of a time when dragons ruled the skies. A time before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten. Can you hear it?"
This piece of information was game changing at the time. It implied the veil was manufactured, or at least generated by specific events which we now have confirmation on. It also implies that Dragons are more than just ancient, they are the product of another age, one where The Fade and Thedas were one realm. The whole concept of beings, the physics and metaphysics of the world was put into question and now that we've delved into the answer my next question becomes this. What were dragons to the Elvhen people and the Evanuris. We know they were forms reserved for the divine and their chosen (Evanuris and their high keepers and priests).
But more than that, what were Dragons fundamentally. Were they created by Ghilan'nain? Manufactured as a symbol of power and divinity. Do they predate Ghilan'nains ascention? Were they the first spirits to take form? We know there are Great Dragons, high dragons and drakes. We also know that Great Dragons are what the Old Gods are. They are said to be as follows:
The Tome of Koslun, the sacred Qunari scripture explicitly says that "the Old Gods were like unto dragons, as the first human kings were like unto ordinary men". I always thought the Old Gods were either the aspects of the Evanuris or The Forgotten Ones. I'll be delving into the specifics in the next segments.
Now here is the kicker for my theories, which have only been reinforced with what we've learned in Trespasser.
I was guessing the veil was put in place either to prevent the Evanuris from being freed or in order to separate them from the Elvhen people (maybe even to separate the Pantheon into body and soul in Thedas and The Fade respectfully, but more on that later) either by Mythal and Fen'Harel or a specific event. Now we know this to be true due to Solas/Fen'Harel.
Now I'm certain this is what led to humans "arriving" in Thedas and eventually encountering the Elvhen people. I'm pretty sure the lack of answers as to where human's come from is in direct relation to the creation of the veil (much like the extinction event that caused the dinosaurs to die out and gave humanity a chance to flourish). We also now know this is the reason modern Elves feel connected to The Fade more so than humans (the same way they have an easier time of navigating through Eluvians). The eluvians function in the same way that The Fade does i.e. they are of a separate dimension, accessible only to those who have the keys (or enough power and talent, especially in the case of The Fade i.e. dreamers who enter consciously) to unlock safe passage. We also now know that the crossroads and most eluvian accessed realms are pocket dimensions which reside within The Fade (though this is not always necessarily the case, as when we travel through them to reach the deep roads).
The Great Dragons that Yavana mentions and wants to awaken also brings up questions about their connection to The Elvhen Pantheon and "The Forgotten Ones". This is where theorizing gets quite interesting. We know the Elvhen people practiced Uthenera ("Long Sleep" or "Endless Dream"), the same type of practice that is said to have been given to the Neromenian's by the "Old Gods". Thalsian, first priest of Dumat, claims this knowledge was whipered to him by Dumat himself, from the "Realm of the God's. If the veil now separate's Thedas from The Fade, then we can assume the "realm of the gods" refers to The Fade.
4. Old Gods & The Golden City
That being said, let's jump forward to the most prominent piece of human history in Thedas. The Golden city being breached by the Seven Magisters. It was said the "Old Gods", spoke to their respective High Priests and told them to breach the Golden City where they would claim Godhood for themselves. Now, it is believed that the Elvhen Pantheon was imprisoned by Fen'Harel in the Golden City (The Eternal City). We also can assume "The Forgotten Ones" were similarly imprisoned (even if the Evanuris were not actually imprisoned in the Golden City). Legends claim they were imprisoned in their own realm "The Void" or "The Abyss". It is also believed that "The Void" or "The Abyss" also resides in The Fade.
In the Comics, The Tevinter Magister Aurelius Titus states that "there are void places, gaps between dreams" when talking about "The Raw Fade" (places in the Fade that are not influenced by things around them such as spirits or dreamers etc.) There are verses in the Chant of Light that also speak of "The Void" as a place residing in all things, including The Fade, though I wouldn't lend much credence to it given its specific context (the absence of the Maker). This leads to my next theories. We know there were Nine Evanuris, two of which are accounted for i.e. are not imprisoned in "The Eternal City" (Fen'Harel and Mythal). We also know there are seven (possibly eight, more on that later) "Old Gods".
If the "Old Gods" beckoned and manipulated the Seven Magisters to invade and "claim" the Golden City for their own by whispering to them the same way they did with Thalsian (first priest of Dumat) and the Neromenian's in order to give them the capacity to do so (enabling dreamer's to first explore The Fade so they could eventually reach it physically, as when it was possible to do so before the veil was created) then this could be explained in two different ways. If the belief that the "Old Gods" whispered from the Golden City hold true and The Elvhen Pantheon were in fact imprisoned in the Golden City then the logical conclusion is not hard to construe.
5A. Elvhen Panthen & The Forgotten Ones
Things are not always what they seem however, but let's start with the basics. Now mathematically, this theory makes sense. Seven Elvhen gods imprisoned, Seven whispering "Old Gods". We have to go about it carefully with what we know and put everything into context. The only reason the Elvhen Pantheon would have to manipulate the Magisters (whispering deceitful promises of power by taking their rightful place beside them) into entering the Golden City was if that would somehow lead to their freedom. If we Consider what Corypheus claims he found ("I found only chaos and corruption, dead whispers, for a thousand years I was confused, no more.") inside the Golden City and what entering it set in motion, then we have to stop and question the motive behind these actions and the final result.
What the Magisters found changed their very nature and sent them reeling back into Thedas. They brought something back with them, something that embodies disease, terror, spite and malevolence... Sound familiar? That's because these are aspects "The Forgotten Ones" were attributed with, what they represent, yet we don't know much about them. We know they sought power and their own rivaled that of the Evanuris. We know they were said to reside in "The Void" in which they were able to corrupt Andruil. We don't know however, how many there were or exactly what they were( we only know of three so far, Geldauran as mentioned above, Anaris and Daern'thal). Given neither side "vanquished" the other, then I would assume they were of similar power, either numerically or inherently (meaning they were antitheses of each other and so balanced each other out). This then brings into question something else and splits my theories into two outcomes.
If the blight came from Magisters physically entering the Golden City, then where was the Evanuris when this took place? How did "The Forgotten Ones" infect the Magisters. What if "The Forgotten Ones" were the ones who whispered, what if they needed the Magisters to act as hosts once they breached or "unlocked" the Golden City, which is why they needed them to enter physically. Remember, the Golden City turned into The Blackened City right after the Magisters entered. If this was the case, then it again raises many questions. We know that entering The Fade physically was necessary to reach and breach the Golden City. Given how the world was before the veil this makes perfect sense. It also would explain why no one can actually reach the Golden City and perhaps also lends itself to Solas' plans. Remember that his goal was to use the mark to enter The Fade physically.
If "The Forgotten Ones" act like parasites through the "taint", could they have corrupted the Evanuris' essence (much like they did Andruil in her legend) before or during their imprisonment? If this is the case then it would explain why the darkspawn need Great Dragons in order to "awaken" and create an Archdemon. The more likely explanation is that "The Forgotten Ones" could simply have been the ones imprisoned in the Golden City in the first place, their essence hitching a ride on the Magister's physical bodies and then spreading through the taint (once back on earth) which in turn created the first blight. Instead of usurping the Elvhen gods' essence, they could simply take over the Elvhen gods' "bodies" or "aspects" i.e. The Great Dragons known as "Old Gods" who are sleeping, imprisoned in the deep roads.
5B. Imprisonment: Location & status; Creation of the Veil
This then becomes my next theory. We know there were seven Great Dragon's (Old Gods) imprisoned and "dreaming" in the deep roads (so too are the Elvhen gods described to be in a deep slumber a.k.a. Uthenera). We know Corypheus claims he heard "Dead" whispers in The Golden City but only saw chaos and corruption. The Fade and Thedas, separated by the veil. Spirit, separated from the physical... Uthenera. What if the veil was created specifically to keep body and spirit separate. What if those great dragon's are the physical representation of the Evanuris. What if their spirits were locked away in The Fade, in the Golden City perhaps, or more likely with the use of eluvians in another pocket dimension. Again, more questions. The Great Dragons could also have been "aspects" of the Evanuris, physical representations that they created either to serve them or to use as vessels the way spirits do when they possess the living. The Other explanation would be The Forgotten Ones are actually these Great Dragons, perhaps once serving the Evanuris until they were betrayed in the wars that lead to Evanuris ascension in a bid for power.
If The Elvhen pantheons' spirits were split from their Great Dragon bodies though, it could also explain why the dragons are now "savage" and unable to speak "intelligibly". If my theory is right and "The Forgotten Ones" are the ones that whispered to the Magisters and are the ones who usurp the Old God bodies, then it would make sense that only the Darkspawn and Wardens hear the Archdemon communicate through the taint. The only thing that has me perplexed is the dark ritual. If Kieran has an Old God soul, what then, does that entail? FleMythal absorbs it into herself, but when she takes it out of Kieran, clearly it is immaterial, energy. This is the one flaw in my theory that is gnawing at me.
My only explanation for this is once The darkspawn reach The Old God, then Uthenera is broken, the spirit of the Evanuris lingering in The Fade is brought back but corrupted by the blight and in turn twisted and controlled. What bothers me is that if the dark ritual is not performed, the Old God souls are essentially destroyed with the Grey Warden. Given Solas says he has plans for dealing with the Evanuris once the veil is undone, they clearly are still alive. So that leaves two options. The blight takes over the body but leaves the spirit. This means that whatever kieran has was the soul of a Forgotten One rather than the Evanuris. This could mean the corruption is not intrinsic to The Forgotten Ones, but was perhaps inflicted upon them, maybe by whatever the Evanuris unleashed while exploiting the Titans.
The other explanation is that The Old Gods are servants of the Evanuris and not their primary physical bodies or more likely they are The Forgotten Ones. The fact that Solas laments their loss and thinks murdering them is horrendous must mean they are important to him in some way. I'm guessing they wouldn't just be the High keepers of the Evanuris. Since we have no idea what The Forgotten Ones meant to Solas, then I can't say that is because the Old Gods are The Forgotten Ones. If however The Forgotten Ones were also once Solas' allies who became corrupt then it could fit. Anyways, for the time being these are my main theories as to the connection between Old Gods, The Forgotten Ones, the blight and the Evanuris.
So to resume and to clarify, I don't think the Old Gods are the Evanuris per se. I believe them to be either of two things. First, aspects of the Evanuris. Either their spirits were sundered from their bodies and both were locked up separately i.e. spirit in the fade, bodies in the earth. Or they were a part of the Evanuris, who divided their souls (like the red lyrium dragon held part of Corypheus' soul), much like Flemythal insinuates about herself in Dragon Age 2.
The second is that they are The Forgotten Ones or High keepers of the Evanuris.
If they are The Forgotten Ones, then perhaps when they fought against the Evanuris and lost they were imprisoned. Given Geldauran's claim, this would have happened much later than their defeat however, as he talks of the Evanuris like they are already claiming to be gods. That implies the Wars are over and Geldauran and his ilk still re not imprisoned.
The Forgotten Ones could have been Generals who fought beside the Evanuris and were betrayed and imprisoned in the Evanuris' lust for power after they won the wars (perhaps against the Titans).
The Old Gods being the high keepers of the Evanuris could also hold truth, similar to the Old Gods being aspects of the Evanuris. This interests me highly because of what I stipulated earlier about Mythal and Solas.
remember that the sinner is said to have 'taken a shape reserved for the Divine and their chosen".
If Solas was in fact bound to Mythal (by choice, as she asks him to take physical form and become more than he was) and acted as her guardian, then he was her chosen. This would then explain why there are only 7 Old Gods (Mythal not being one of them). It could also tie-in to "Draconis" the eighth Old God being stricken from history. I speculated Draconis to be Mythal's representation. Well, that could've been the Dread Wolf, who was stricken out of history because of his 'betrayal" of the Evanuris.
It could also be that The Forgotten Ones were in fact the Evanuris' High Keepers and therefore my two last theories could be one and the same. Just something to think about.
Also Solas specifically states that he has "plans" to deal with The Evanuris once the veil is torn down. If the Old Gods were the Evanuris then there would only be two left, which would make Solas' life much easier. Cole's remarks also seem to indicate that the Evanuris are still intact rather than being almost all dead.
Solas lamenting the Old Gods' deaths and the Grey Warden's actions seem to indicate they mean something to him. It definitely is related to the Ancient Elvhen people, but it's in what capacity that's the true the mystery.
If your Inquisitor is Elvhen, Kieran also goes on to say that he doesn't know why the Inquisitor's people "want to look like that" and that their blood is "very old". The "very old" could be a reference to The Old Gods as well, but the rest we know is based on what Ancient Elvhen people were as mentioned above. The fact that dragons are no more than beasts ruled by instinct is what makes me most suspicious as to their nature since the veil was created. perhaps spirits are what gave them reason i.e. consciousness. When the veil was created, this was no longer possible as the spirit realm was separated from the "physical" realm, therefore they have become a shadow of what they once stood for.
The way Yavana says dragons "ruled the skies" before the veil is also similar to how the Elvhen people referred to spirits, their "brethren" of this skies. If powerful spirits can be bound to dragons like Hakkon, then I wonder how they then represent the Elvhen people. I was speaking of Dragons and their lack of consciousness because when we fight Hakkon we clearly here him speak. Archdemons similarly can communicate once they are tainted (though only Grey Wardens and Darkspawn can understand them) which again raises questions as to the nature of the taint and the relationship between spirits The Elvhen elite and dragons.
Let me elaborate. If the Elvhen people posessed dragons or shapeshifted into dragons, then High Dragons maybe would represent the Elvhen High priests for example. I make this comparison because of the following quote (which ironically comes from an unlikely source).
The Tome of Koslun, the sacred Qunari scripture explicitly says that "the Old Gods were like unto dragons, as the first human kings were like unto ordinary men" as mentioned above.
So The Evanuris=Old Gods i.e. Great Dragons, High Dragons=Elvhen High Priests Drakes=Priests in terms of "shapes reserved for the Divine and their chosen". Anyways this is very interesting. The fact that great dragon blood holds uniquely powerful magical propreties is not to be taken lightly. I'm also sure like the Titans, they are a primordial part of the world, which is why I doubt Ghilan'nain is responsible for their creation.
The veil also has me ask questions about its role in keeping the Evanuris imprisoned. It has to be more than just cutting them off from the physical world. How is it sustained? We know elven artifacts in the real world help maintain it, but this is only part of the functioning. If Solas has to walk The Fade physically in order to "destroy it" then it means there is much more sustaining it. Perhaps the Evanuris and their foci are what is powering the veil from The Fade. To sunder reality musn't be an easy feat. This must have taken much coordination and planning. Solas had to have used his rebels across the earth and the skies in order to weave such an "enchantment" as Sandal would so insistingly say. This also would explain him gathering all the "modern" elves to his cause. Not to save them as we know this is probably impossible, but to use them in order to execute his plan. I believe them to be more than soldiers. They have a specific role to play in his plans. If it was as simple as using the mark to reach The Fade physically, then the fight would have already been over once Solas casually left through the Evanuris during the epilogue.
The veil also has me wonder about whether the fact that the Great Dragons are dreaming is what keeps their spirit (or consciousness) in the fade (much like Uthenera) or wherever they're spirits are imprisoned. If the veil affected them like the Titans, then it would make sense. Since Valta doesn't sleep once she is connected to the Titan (which is why Dwarves don't dream and therefore have no subconscious relationship to The Fade) I assumed Titans, although Sleeping, do not dream. My guess is that their purpose was to be a natural counterbalance to the The Fade. One inforcing reality while the other constantly shaped and changed it. I believe this is why Titans shaped and reshaped the earth, to compensate for the magical alterations created by The Fade and the Elvhen people. With the veil having been erected, they had no reason to reshape the earth and perhaps lost the ability to do so. This is what I'm sure led to the Dwarven race bring split in two as explained below. All that to say that I believe there is a link between the Titans being asleep much like the Old Gods being imprisoned and in a state of Uthenera.
Some people believe that the Titans actually are the prisons of the Old Gods. Keeping them subdued with their song or their Titan blood with lyrium chains. It is an interesting theory and they are deep in the earth for a reason that definitly has to do with Titans but I'm not sure they are held within Titans. The fact that darkspawn so not venture within Titans is part of that reason, as revealed in The Descent, but there is more to it. FIrst off I believe the Titan song and the Sha-Brytol are what keep the darkspawn at bay. I believe the Titan song interferes with the Calling, as they are said to be funamentally different. The other reason is the one that follows.
If you read the end, you can understand my hesitation. This is a passage on pg. 108 of World of Thedas Vol.2
Here the Legion of the Dead Dwarf describes not only the prison's architecture but the feeling that being in this place evokes within him.
He describes the feeling as a feeling that "stirred the brains in your skull, made the hands go numb". He also described a horrible stench as well as darkspawn corpses littered about, who died while preying. He continues to say that "the beast was gone, and what echo could last that long?"
This sounds nothing like a Titan corrupt or not. First of all this is a dwarf, therefore he has the "stone sense". We know some have a stronger connection than others such as Valta, yet all feel it, especially when in close proximity to a Titan. Second, the architecture. There is no mention of lyrium, red or blue, litering the prison. Not only is the "song" not mentioned but the description of the feeling is extremely different. It describes death rather than warmth or something beautiful like a mother calling its child (which a lot of Dwarves described the song of lyrium feeling like). Hands going numb and an echo. What does that sound like.
Here, let me quote Corypheus once more. "I found only chaos and corruption, dead whispers, for a thousand years I was confused, no more."
Dead whispers... an echo. sounds similar. The only thing that is similar is the darkspawns reaction. They aren't willing to go inside the prison much like they aren't willing to enter inside a Titan. The difference however is fear vs. reverence. I believe they hold the Old God prison up as a sacred sanctum while they fear the Titans and their song. Another interesting fact. This prison was located below the Heidrun turning, which is the same thaig (Heidrun ruins) in which part of the Descent takes place. There must be a connection with its proximity to the Titan though exactly what that is, is still a mystery. I'm curious to know which Old God this prison held and where exaclty it was located.
This then also makes me wonder why Yavana specifically needed a descendant from Meric's bloodline, or rather Calenhad's bloodline to awaken the last of the Great Dragons. Calenhad, who somehow vanished without being heard of again (I'm guessing something happened to him that either involved Dragons or Mythal). Yavanna said the blood "called out" to the "Queen of Dragons" and awoke her. Could this have been in reference to Mythal, or more accurately the physical representation of Mythal as I mentioned above.
5C. The Eighth Old God
This is a good segue to talk about the eighth "Old God". If you've read the Draconis constellation Codex, then you know what I'm talking about. It speculates that the origin of this constellation could be based upon "an unknown eighth Old God that was stricken from historical record." Given there were Nine Elvhen gods (Eight if you don't count Fen'Harel) and we know of seven Old God's, I have to ask, who would stand to be stricken from historical record. What could cause Tevinter to completely disregard an Old God at the time. A great Betrayal perhaps or Helping a Great Betrayer? I believe this Eighth Old God to be Mythal.
I think it is Mythal. If that is the case then guess what, that leaves one more Great Dragon. What was that? The Queen of Dragons, you ask? Why yes, it could allude to Mythal, the All-Mother, I mean, after all, it was the daughter of Flemythal who was looking after her, was it not?
So to recap, if Fen'Harel was depicted as the Dread Wolf and was looked upon as something else (as he was said to walk between the Elvhen Pantheon and The Forgotten Ones) at his urging not to be recognized as a god, that means the Eighth Old God was Mythal and that the Great Dragon Queen referenced by Yavana is that Eighth Old God.
This then also makes me wonder why Yavana specifically needed a descendant from Meric's bloodline, or rather Calenhad's bloodline to awaken the last of the Great Dragons. Calenhad, who somehow vanished without being heard of again (I'm guessing something happened to him that either involved Dragons or Mythal). Yavanna said the blood "called out" to the "Queen of Dragons" and awoke her. Could this have been in reference to Mythal, or more accurately the physical representation of Mythal. Questions, questions always questions.
6A. Fen'Harel's Motivations
Now that we know Solas was "Solas" before being known as "Fen'Harel", I'll have to dig into his motivations. If Solas blames himself for the downfall of Arlathan and seeks to reclaim what was lost, than I have a few questions about how he intends to do that. We know he was seeking Corypheus' power in order to unlock the "true power" of the Elvhen Orb. Now we know Corypheus intended to use it to Enter the "Blackened City" but that does not mean this is Solas' goal as well. All we know is the orb serves as a Foci and that each of the Elvhen Pantheon held one to their name. This also begs the question of whether or not the rest of the Evanuris' Orbs are intact and if so, whether they are being used to maintain the veil. Restoring what was lost does not mean restoring the modern Elves to power. We know he looked upon all beings in Thedas as mistakes, things that do not belong. We made him see things differently but this did not change his plans. For him, the ends or more important than the means. Given what he said to Abelas, that other Ancient Elvhen are still scattered around Thedas, then these are who he truly means to save. Given even modern Elves are described as being part of a world where most people lost their conscious connection to The Fade, akin to trnquil then I doubt they could survive the magical torrent released when the veil is shattered anymore than the other races. This is why Solas never considered the modren Elves as his people.
This is what makes Solas so interesting as a character. His grief and guilt blind him to what his pride has truly wrought. Even if the world is not as it was intended to be and many things have not improved from a sociopolitical and cultural standpoint, he has given other races a chance to flourish. He however, does not see this beauty because his deeds have consumed him. His purpose is to important and the circumstances will "cannot" influence his decision.
Cole: "He hurts, an old pain from before when everything sang the same" (before the veil)
Cole: "You're real, and it means everyone could be real. It changes everything. But it can't."
This quote from Cole explains how he feels quite simplistically but very honestly. He is quite a complex character. The most ironic part of his mission is how much it conflicts with what he stands for. He is effectively taking free will out of the equation, though given his perceptions and the fact that we are a consequence of his actions, the result of his mistake, he feels this justifies his compulsion to right his "wrong". There is always another way however and I feel the need to help him see this. I believe the chaos he speaks of however will destroy all mortal races who are not consciously connected to the fade, much like raw lyrium is fatal or how walking the fade physically would kill someone without the mark, the magical energies would overload a normal persons consciousness. I'm curious to know how it would affect dreamer mages however, if some could survive.
Anyways' I'd also like to showcase this art, which defines Solas' role as Fen'Harel as well as his feelings toward "The title".
given he took up this insult as a badge of Pride, we know he accepted the role but I believe he felt it overshadowed him. This image is said to be a "self-portrait" painted by Solas.
I believe this expresses how he feels about Fen'Harel. I think the moniker, his title, overshadows him like a weight he feels the need to bear. This mantle is threatening to consume him, where only his mission iis left, taking over Solas the person completely. I thought it was a really interesting peice of art to add before the end of trespasser and gave a lot of insight into what the burden of leadership and veneration can do to a person. How power corrupts and changes how people see you and eventually, how you see yourself. It mirrors well our own role as inquisitor giving us more insight and perhaps more sympathy for the dread wolf despite his recent actions and his ultimate goal.
6B. Solas & Mythal, relationship, Plans Then & Now
Although a lot of questions have been answered in Trepasser,a few still remain. Is Mythal truly dead? (her essence at least) If so then she sacrificed herself in order to power Solas. This tells me a couple of things.
She trusted him wholly, she believed he was the one that needed to restore their people and to that end, she truly is The Great protector and the All-Mother, sacrificing herself in order to help save her people. The fact that he is able to absorb her essence at the end of inquisition is proof of this. However, even if she does so willingly, I believe she knew she wouldn't be able to match his power, being only a shadow of what she once was, which is why I believe she sent part of her essence to Morrigan. She doesn't see the mortal world as Solas does and therefore she doesn't want him to destroy it, even if she wants her people to be restored.
We see her send something through the eluvian before she gives herself to Solas. I believe this is her "gift" to Morrigan, who will become her legacy and most likely take her role as the next All-mother. Having been bonded with Flemeth for so long, she knows of the mortal races' worth. I believe she's playing The game, planning a long con, and Morrigan'nan plays into that plan, taking over as her "heir ascendant".
Solas tells us he had "plans" for dealing with the Evanuris once the veil was torn down. Whether those plans are still relevant, unchanged and in effect after Corypheus' interference remains to be seen, but this is not why I brought it up.
Remember that Flemythal not only has been among the mortal races for centuries if not millennia, but she is bonded to one. She has seen the world through a mortal's eyes and has suffered as well as felt joy along with her. Mythal saw kinship through Flemeth. She found acceptance and probably felt vulnerable for the first time in her life and both of these women found the courage to help each other in their time of need. Mythal said that for centuries she suffered broken, a wisp of her former self. That gives you time to put things in perspective.
The fact that she knows just how dangerous the Evanuris are, not only having been one of them, but having been struck down by them, then it is not unlikely that her perspective is infinitely different than that of Solas, who is a stranger in a strange world. He depersonalized beings in order to complete his mission. Of course the Inquisitor made him see the world as it was, which tore Solas up, but ultimately did not dissuade him. He has not lived through the same things Mythal has and given his notion of time, then what is 3 years to an effectively immortal being.
With that said we know Mythal has been nudging and (when needed) "shoving" events forward, subtely positioning players across the board that encompasses a grander scheme. Whatever her end goal is, I believe her plans were designed to outlast her. I believe Solas did "end" Mythal as we knew her when he abosrbed her essence, but whatever part of her she sent across the Eluvian was in anticipation of that moment. She has been grooming Morrigan for this purpose, readying her for what's to come.
Here is some proof to back up my claims and expand on my thoughts. This is Abelas' "journal". A codex found in the temple of Mythal.
When Abelas says "You cannot imagine, each time we awaken, it slips further from our grasp."
He is talking about the knowledge of old and the Well of Sorrows, how it was used by their Elders to store their knowledge before they died. He also mentions the younger Elvhen who were born in the temple do not remember what Mythal was in her fullness or the "keeness" of what they lost. He also goes on to say that
"I will teach them. They must serve. We must prepare for those who cast Mythal down."
Abelas seems to suggest the Evanuris will be unleashed at some point or that their imprisoning is not a permanent solution. Solas mentions he "has plans" for dealing with the Evanuris once he "tears down the veil". Whether Abelas (if you kept him alive) and other Elvhen are (or were, if you killed them) part of that plan remains to be seen, though I think not.
I rather believe Mythal is the one who told them to prepare, visiting them as Flemythal (which would make sense as Abelas mentions the younger Elvhen not remembering how Mythal was in her "fullness", and she states to the inquisitor she is only a shadow of her former self. This suggests that she visited them in her "lesser" form much earlier than when her essence was absorbed by Solas).
This brings me to the next topic I want to discuss. The relationship between Solas and Mythal. Whether their bond is rather one of mutual respect, extreme friendship and kinship. Whatever the case, I believe she helped him rebel against the rest of the Evanuris. Solas says they killed her in their lust for power but we don't know the context in which this happened.
This is my theory on their relationship based off the information we've gathered from recent Trespasser codices
"These statues are old. Better shape than anything I've seen on the surface. Many of them are for Mythal, though. And Fen'Harel. Not in a spot of honor but guarding, attending.
I thought that the first part was perhaps referring to Elvhen people who had no magical talent, yet that is impossible in a time before the veil because of Elvhen nature. The fact that some modern Elves aren't mages is simply because they lost more of their conscious connection to The Fade compared to mages. Dreamer mages actually found a way to keep their conscious connection which is why they don't need to dream to enter The Fade (being their consciously).
Now I figured well they can't be talking about Dwarves... because Dwarves connected to Titans don't sleep, which is why they have no conscious or unconscious, connection to The Fade. But then that hit me. Mythal struck down a Titan, what then, happens to Dwarves who lose their symbiotic relationship. Their is an emptiness that resides, something that needs to be filled. I believe Mythal took advantage of this. Whether or not hers was a misguided compassion (given the Elvhen People did not perceive Dwarves as "real" people because they lacked a connection to The Fade, the same way Solas considers modern races of Thedas) remains to be seen, though maybe at this time she was more ruthless and held her goals in higher priority than her ideals, the same way Solas is driven with restoring his people. So in giving them "dreams" Mythal saw this as a boon, elevating the Dwarves. However, given the Evanuris practice of slavery, I think she used this connection. She used it to make the Dwarves mine lyrium for her. This is why there was no resistance. No "war" with the Dwarves.
It would also explain the
"My little Dwarves,
Never yours the sun (as she kept them underground to mine lyrium for her and the Elvhen people)
Forever, Forever (because the Titan is felled and she now has control)
It would explain the statues, the demesne being afforded to the Elvhen people, who now had control of Dwarven "slaves".
I also believe this might have been a coup in order to perhaps bolster her followers' magic with lyrium in anticipation of The Evanuris and their greed. Perhaps she was working with them, but the fact that this place was specifically littered with and only with Mythal statues and Fen'Harel statues (her guardian) makes me suspicious of her motives. There was purpose to her actions just as she has always danced to the music, manipulating sound waves like ripples through water.
I had also speculated on Solas' actual role as Myhtal's guardian, and him having been her high keeper and perhaps more, makes perfect sense. He could also have freed himself of her service once she was murdered, honoring who she was and what she represented to the people.
Remember, Fen'Harel was an insult, a name given to him by the Evanuris. I believe this was in reference to his role as a guardian to Mythal, whom he protected loyally. I'm guessing the slur was in reference to him being on a "leash". A guard dog. But the wolf showed his bite was worse than his bark and his cunning preyed on their pride. This I think would explain how easily he could have caught them off guard. It also perhaps explains his "connection" to The Forgotten Ones, who saw his strength because of his "position". He did not show entitlement and did not rely on his nature but rather on his deeds to claim "power", even if it wasn't his goal but rather a twist of fate.
I just want to add these two things to reinforce my points
For their dreams had been devoured by a demon who prowled the fade (Their Pride=Solas, will consume them)
As a wolf hunts a herd of deer (But the wolf showed his bite was worse than his bark)
Taking first the weakest and frailest of hopes, (This I think would explain how easily he could have caught them off guard)
and when there was nothing left,
destroying the bright and bold,
by subtlety and ambush and cruel arts (and his cunning preyed on their pride, for he knew of it well)
The prophesy might also refer to what will happen once Solas tears down the veil, rather than when he imprisoned the Evanuris.
(If these quotes below refers to Solas, then it fits)
He (Solas) did not want a body but she (Mythal) asked him to come,
he left a scar when he burned her (Vallaslin) off his face.
Bare-faced but free, frolicking, fighting, fierce.
He wants to give wisdom (as he once did), not orders (but he must honor his "maker's" plight and save his people)
He (Solas) did not want a body but she (Mythal) asked him to come,
he left a scar when he burned her (Vallaslin) off his face.
A spirit of wisdom was called forth by Mythal to take physical shape, and in her pride, he found himself, a pale reflection, shaped in her image. He was eventually bound to her but found a way to free himself. Leaving a scar both physically and emotionally. Either pertaining to the "goddess" or to himself. Perhaps this "spirit turned high keeper/guardian" had a special place in the heart of whomever bound him or called him forth, whether against his will or not (he either took form out of misguided love, respect or desperation or, was forced into shape out of misguided love, respect or desperation).
Bare-faced but free, frolicking, fighting, fierce.
He wants to give wisdom (as he once did), not orders (but he must honor his maker and save his people)
"Solas was released from his "shackles"/"duties". He is not used to freedom, nor is he used to being without standing. I believe he was Mythal's High Keeper and/or Guardian. Bare-face but free suggests his Vallaslin gave him a sense of importance, maybe it showed position, unlike average slaves. the fact that he wants to give wisdom is what makes me feel it suggests he was a either a priest or High Keeper (that was once a spirit of Wisdom, but now is a Man wrought with Pride) . He is now fighting as Fen'Harel rather than for his All-Mother, once again in a position of standing, a begrudging leader, seen to some as a god. Though he fights for what he believes to be right, he rather do as he did before he was subservient, before things came with the complications of form. Teach rather than command."
It slightly changes my interpretation of two of the Cole quotes below on number 10, but the meaning remains the same. It also comes together with my Old God theory. Interesting revelations and provoking thoughts to ponder...
7. Lyrium & Dwarves
Another awesome piece of lore, is something quite common, something called Lyrium. You know the thing that sings a song, almost like a calling... So we learn that Lyrium is alive, or at least is speculated to be, given it can be infected by the blight. I always thought lyrium was a product of The Fade made manifest, its physical manifestation, if you will. When Yavanna stated a time before the veil it had me think that lyrium was a product of what the world used to be. A fossil left over from an age unknown. Now that we know it's alive, it complicates things even further. The effect it has on living beings in its raw form , specifically mages (who have a strong connection to the fade) is similar to that of The Fade itself (in terms of contact with the physical realm). It is known that traveling physically to The Fade (without the Mark the Inquisitor sports) is lethal. The same way Lyrium is almost lethal on contact to beings that haven't a built up a natural resistance (such as Dwarves), specifically to mages.
It also begs the question, have Dwarves been physiologically altered by their proximity to Lyrium in more than just one way? In other words, is the fact that they have no magical affinity due to this phenomenon. In the Primeval Thaig from Dragon Age 2, Varric and Hawke discover "architecture that is very different from other thaigs and dwarf constructions. This thaig is the only known one left entirely untouched by darkspawn. It possesses great statues and temples, and also things created by magic. Both of these things are very strange, since the Dwarves worship no gods and are incapable of magic."
This leads me to believe Ancient Dwarven culture and possibly their physiology was affected by the introduction of the veil somehow and that they once had the ability to wield magic. The obvious explanation is their exposure to lyrium, but it might be more complex, especially given they also once venerated gods, what those gods were however, is up for debate. Did Dwarves once live on the surface, were the gods they worshiped Great Dragons or is it something different entirely? The profane definitely hold a clue as to what that is, and it leads me to believe that those gods are something other than Great Dragons.
Edit after The Descent: A bunch of awesome discoveries. Titans. Lyrium is Titan's blood. Holy crap. If Dragons ruled the sky before the veil, then Titans ruled the earth. This answers my questions about the Primeval thaig. Dwarves worshipped the Titans and the Titans in turn gave them access to magic, which explains everything about that ancient thaig. For some reason they stopped worshiping Titans and this happened before the blights. I still believe it had something to do with the creation of the veil (it is also revealed that the Titan's were disturbed by the breach, which reinforces my belief that the veil is what changed things between the Dwarves and the Titans).
We also learn that Titan blood is different from mined Lyrium. The song emitted from lyrium originates from the Titans. It is said to be different from the Calling of The Old Gods. It is also revealed that Darkspawn avoid the Titans and where they reside. I believe the Titans' song, the song that emanates from their blood, which must be much more potent than the song from mined lyrium (the mined lyrium I'm guessing is more akin to an echo) is what drives them back. I'm guessing that Titans (and Titan blood) can't be infected by the taint the way mined Lyrium can be. If Titan blood could be infected like Red Lyrium, then I don't think darkspawn would be afraid to venture in Titan territory. In this location we also discover another race called the Sha-Brytol that not only seem to be the protectors of the Titans but also an offshoot of the Dwarven race or more likely what the Dwarves used to be before their separation. They are said to be pure. This seems to be referencing their connection with the Titans, meaning that they are interconnected somehow (maybe on a symbiotic level) through Titan blood.
It also explains the current Dwarven physiology and their inherent resistance to lyrium. It is said that this resistance is only skin deep however, and that exposure to the eyes or through open wounds has the same effect on them as it does other races (which means because they don't have Titan blood flowing through their veins then the inner workings of their bodies are not protected from lyrium anymore, hence the resistance only being skin deep). Again, this is very interesting. It would explain why surface Dwarves lose their resistance to lyrium over time. At first I thought it would be explained scientifically i.e. evolution and adaptation. However if mined lyrium is less potent Titan's blood and Dwarves used to have Titan blood flowing through them and lived in a type of Symbiotic relationship with the Titans, then moving further away from the earth would explain them losing even the skin deep resistance that Dwarves living underground have retained since their split from the Titans and the Sha-Brytol.
Valta, a temporary companion and one of the main characters in The Decent writes a journal after the events that transpired in the deep roads. In it she details that upon being struck down she "fell into a warm light's embrace", as if returning to the Stone. Now the blood of the titan flows through her, and its song tells of the times before titans fell and "the dwarven race broke in two". She doesn't sleep any more. Valta feels empowered by the gift of shaping stone and notices that the Sha-Brytol love and fear her, lost and misguided as they are. They even attempted to make an offering of their armor to her, but she recalled Renn and rejected the gift. This seems to reinforce my hypothesis about the connection between the Sha-Brythol and the Titans. It's also noted that since Valta has been connected to the Titan, her notion of time is becoming harder and harder to discern. She can't tell the difference between a moment an a day's worth of time. I think her connection is getting stronger and she's starting to experience things the way Titans do, such as the perception of time. She also finds a chamber.
"A domed, circular courtyard held a pool of the Titan's blood at its center. Empty suits of armor sat neatly in a circle around the pool. Is this where Sha-Brytol come to be entombed in their metal skins? What smith makes this armor, and where does it come from? My lost kin are hiding something. They have a Thaig somewhere. I have no interest in finding that citadel of the Sha-Brytol, but someone might."
This is an obvious hint at future games letting us do just that. It also peaks my interest in terms of where the Thaig is possibly situated, Perhaps close to Tevinter... Kal Sharok anyone? (I'll get into that later)
Back to my theory about the effect that the veil had on Titans. I think that it might have been what made them sleep, which would explain why the Titan was disturbed by the breach. If the Titan's slowly started "falling asleep", It might also stand to reason that the Sha Brytol seem confused because they were still connected to the Titans when the veil was created and decided not to leave them. Without the Titans"awake" to guide them, the Sha Brytol are without purpose, still connected but left without direction (only their need to protect the Titans is left, like a type of survival instinct triggered by the Titans, like antibodies. Given the symbiotic relationship it becomes in both their interests to protect each other). This could also explain why Valta isn't affected like the Sha Brytol once she is part of the Titans. Since she's part of the Dwarves who developed individuality, then I'm guessing being connected to the Titans while they're sleeping gives her the ability to retain her consciousness without being confused like the Sha-Brytol. It would also explain the quote above
"Valta feels empowered by the gift of shaping stone and notices that the Sha-Brytol love and fear her, lost and misguided as they are. They even attempted to make an offering of their armor to her, but she recalled Renn and rejected the gift."
I think the Sha-Brytol love and fear her because they recognize her individuality, they can feel it because she's connected to the Titans now, as they are. Since the Titans are asleep, I believe her mind is being heard by the Sha-Brytol. This would garner love because they finally are connected to someone who can think for themselves (and possibly for them as well) but they also fear her because it's not something their used too (individuality) as being guided by the Titan must have been vastly different. If my theory is correct I'm curious to know what effect that would have on them, if any at all.
It's also noted that Titan's were the "first" children of the stone and they in turn, consider Dwarves their children. This would imply that Dwarves were either a product of the Titans or simply the second creations of the Stone, the "grandchildren" really.
Now what Dagna talked about makes perfect sense (the conversations we have after The Arcanist and The Fade War Table Operation).
Dagna : (...) I've learned something. I think. I don't know.
Dagna : I got a scraping that was cleaned off you. And it's weird. And the other rift bits, they're weird. It's just... weird.
Dagna : Lyrium and the fade, linked. But Dwarves and tranquil, not linked. But they work lyrium, so they are. Somehow? (working the stone)
(An Old Elven Writing mentions "pillars of the earth" which I'm guessing are the Titans and "their workers" which were probably the Dwarves of that age)
Dagna : There's something there. I was face-deep in a rune, and for a moment... I was tall. Really tall.
Dagna : And I thought -- I thought all the thoughts. (nervous laugh)
Inquisitor : You felt taller ? How much taller ? (She felt the connection with the Titans)
Dagna : Like, mountain-tall. Or I was the mountain. But I was moving. I felt dizzy. (She was the Titan, or rather seeing through it's "eyes" metaphorically speaking of course)
Dagna : You know what I remembered ? Watching a shaperate carve the wall of memory. Except... big. Isn't that weird ? Maybe there were fumes.
(This makes me wonder why the Shaperate erased information on the Titans. Clearly it was a practice that was developed while the Dwarves were with the Titans. My guess is that the Dwarves who split from the Titans didn't want to go back because they enjoyed their individuality. In order to prevent that from happening or giving future Dwarves the option of going back, they struck the Titans from their records, eliminating that possibility altogether).
Inquisitor : What do you mean when you say "thought all the thoughts"?
Dagna : I don't know ? As if, for a moment, I was around all my people. And my thought was all of theirs ? No, no, my thought was all of our thoughts. Like parts. Ugh, words are mush.
(Again, that strengthens my belief that the Dwarves and the Titans used to hold a symbiotic relationship through Titan blood and the Titan song, probably on an empathic level).
Dagna : Maybe that's what the Stone feels like. Or we think it feels like. If we think it feels ? Creepy. (Same as above)
Inquisitor : So tranquil and dwarves are linked to lyrium, but also not linked ?
Dagna : Like the lyrium needs to flow, but if you're part of it, it takes you with it. so you can't be part of it. That makes me sad. I'm not sure why. It seems like we should be part of it. Whatever "it" is.
(This again seems to reference Titan blood, needs to flow, circulate i.e. if your part of it, it takes you with it, so you can't be part of it. Could she be referring to individuality? Again this would imply either a hive mind or symbiotic relationship of sorts. This also might explain why the Dwarves decided to split off from the Titans. Maybe it was more than just because of the veil. Maybe the veil cutting off The Fade is what "woke" the Dwarves up, or maybe the Titans had less control. If The Fade functions like a mirror for your will and emotions then shaping things becomes fluid, easy. If that is how the Stone shaped the Titans and how the Titans shaped Dwarves, perhaps it could explain the Titans' waning powers once the veil was introduced and contact with The Fade was impossible. I'm guessing because of this, Titans can no longer create other Dwarves the way they could before.)
Dagna : Or maybe we're the ones who make it happen ? Whatever "it" is?
(This might be the same thing as accepting to be a vessel for Elvhen gods, like Flemeth with Mythal. Maybe the Dwarves have to embrace the song and TItans for them to be joined again. I'm guessing that is what happened to Valta when she "fell into a warm light's embrace", as if returning to the Stone.)
Dagna : You know what's frustrating ? Answers that aren't answers. Bleah.
Dagna : I tried to make it happen again, but it wouldn't. Then I had a headache. And cocoa. And a lie-down.
8. Vallaslin
What if Vallaslin "blood writing", wasn't actually blood magic used with Elvhen blood. At first I figured, well, since blood magic makes it hard to connect with The Fade, it must have been what was used to bind slaves with Vallaslin, which is probably what keeps them from leaving their physical forms behind and becoming spirits once again. I also thought this inhibited them from shapeshifting, though given the sinner codex, it seems this isn't the case. Perhaps the sinner wasn't a slave though, so we'll keep that thought open for the time being.
Anyways, after my talk of Dwarves being enslaved by Mythal after she felled the Titan and gave them "dreams" it made me wonder about Titan's blood.
What if Vallaslin was either developed or "enhanced" by binding slaves with Titan's blood. Using it in the same way that Templar's do, to keep magical power in check.
We know that Fenris' "procedure" made him develop unique powers, though he wasn't mage, therefore it didn't affect his connection to the fade, but rather helped him tap into it? It's also interesting that his markings enable him to become partly"ethereal" as if reaching into his residual connection to the fade (when ancient Elvhen people were able to switch between Physical and spirit form).
Anyways, the reason the markings would be different on Fenris (besides him being a modern Elf who lacks a pronounced connection to The Fade like mages do) is because the person who applied those markings was a Tevinter mage who had no knowledge of the actual process of making Vallaslin as the ancient Elvhen did. If that was the case, I think all Tevinter slaves would be sporting them.
Also this concept art came to mind.
They kind of look like runes, don't they.
Also Titan's blood seems to be much more powerful than lyrium veins mined by Dwarves. (as it is "fresh" like circulating, singing blood while lyrium is "dried up" blood more akin to an echo of the song).
I'm wondering whether the Evanuris would have actually killed the Titan's they "struck down" rather than forcefully bind them or make them fall asleep,
The well
that we find in the eluvian deep roads is described as being "A lyrium spring. The more we mine, the more there seems to be". Indicating the Titan found under the mining facility was still "alive" (but dormant) with its Wellspring intact.
9. Qunari
Lastly, I wanted to touch on the Qunari, apart from looking really awesome, they also have very interesting roots and origins to explore. What Iron Bull speculated about the Qunari resembling dragons is quite interesting. He thinks the fact that they hold dragons as "sacred", apart from them being physically similar (horns mass etc.), might be due to the fact that the Tamassaran's somehow mixed dragon blood within their race, the same way Qunari are carefully bred for specific roles, in order to make them more formidable (physically). This is also speculated to be the cause of their violent and savage nature (the same way Koslun perceived the Kossith to be), left without the Qun to "guide" them. This also seems to be the way they perceive Dragon's, ironically.
As Iron Bull sees it "Dragons are the embodiment of raw power. But it's all uncontrolled, savage... So they need to be destroyed. Taming the wild. Order out of chaos. Have another drink." He also goes on to say " But something in that Dragon we killed... Spoke to me."
The comments stated to a Qunari (Vashoth) inquisitor by Corypheus during their final confrontation also implies the race isn't pure.
Corypheus: "Your blood is engorged with decay. You race isn't a race, it is a mistake."
Kieran also will declare (if your Inquisitor is Qunari or rather "Vashoth") that their blood "doesn't belong" to the Inquisitor's people and express his sorrow at what happened to the people.
The sorrow at what happened to the people comment, I'm guessing, has to do with what went down between the Kossith and the Qunari while his comment about their blood "not belonging" further reinforces the Dragon blood theory.
Whether this is something known to ancient Tevinter Magisters or whether it's simply the product of lingering racism based on Corypheus' arrogance and pride is unclear. Given the phrasing however, I would guess that it is in fact referring to something more tangible than simple slurs. It would make sense from a storytelling perspective at the very least. This prospect peaks my interest quite a bit. I'd love to see the ramifications of such a development and practical applications from the narrative perspective. It also brings into question the Kossith. Were they the ones that experimented on the Qunari, rather than the Tamassaran?
Bull states that the Qunari "Came to Thedas because the Kossith were... I don't know, we had to leave. The stories aren't clear. But I don't expect they look much like us... Whatever they are." (However in the official timeline, it is specifically stated that "A Kossith colony of *horned* humanoids settles in the Korcari Wilds in -410 ancient and is later obliterated by darkspawn")
The fact that the Qun has no mention of the Kossith or what they embodied or even why they left for Thedas makes Koslun's journey seem... more involved than just searching for a new way of life, which was what birthed the philosophy that became the Qun. The fact that the Kossith came to Thedas in ancient times and were attacked by The Blight makes me wonder if the encounter is what changed them (fundamentally and culturally, not physically) once they (if any survivors) returned with word of their traumatic experiences in Thedas involving darkspawn. This could be the basis of the fracture, between the Kossith and the Qunari (who returned to Thedas suspiciously armed and ready for conquest, with many dreadnaught's to boot) many centuries (in preperation?) later. I hope this is also something the Dragon Age creative team fleshes out and builds upon. It could make for many interesting possibilities.
So that's it for now. I hope it was made in a way that was easy to navigate and clear enough for anyone to understand easily. I hope people discuss and comment so I can have feedback and converse with people about more theories and information they have. Thanks for reading!
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