the 4,000 year time span between the veil and the masked empire during which felassan could only ever have spoken to solas in dreams when at all.
the years solas spent in the lighthouse with all those fucking notes from felassan around. "don't cause too much trouble before i get there."
the only time anyone says felassan's name out loud in the video games is when solas says it in an ancient arlathan memory
solas not painting felassan a mural in the lighthouse and only referring to him as "my agent," once, but still regretting what happened with him so much that it's one of the three big revenants powered by his regret, after the titans and mythal???? sir your repression
the ambiguity of "the betrayal of felassan" as the name of that revenant. whose betrayal of whom.
the heart of corruption/revenant dragon residing in the same place felassan used to go to get away from everything.
felassan calling it "our rebellion."
felassan being aware that he would die if he reported back to solas, seeing a plausible way he could run instead, and reporting back anyway.
the tone he takes during his death scene being so friendly and nonchalant, "what's the harm really" and "i suspect you'll hate this," like he's still trying to talk to solas like they are friends and equals even while he is aware solas is about to kill him.
felassan isn't even his real/original name and in one of his veilguard notes he refers to being felassan at all as being "solas's friend felassan" like that identity is inextricably tied to his friendship with solas, he cannot be felassan without also being solas's friend.
[[It took me a while to gather everything (you can find all this info at the bottom of my profile tab) and there are still some dates that are rather vague, but everything here is taken from in the game, the game years are used as comparison or are directly pulled from the World of Thedas book. Hope everyone enjoys! And of course if you have canon knowledge that can be added with more specific dates, let me know and toss me the source! :D ]]
9:04 Dragon || Â Zevranâs rumored father is assassinated. His mother is forced to work as prostitute in Rialto.
9:05 Dragon || Â Zevran is born, mother dies in childbirth.
9:12 Dragon || Zevran and eighteen other boys are purchased (Zevran for 3 sovereign) by the Antivan Crows. Out of the eighteen, only Zevran and Taliesen (a human boy purchased from a Tevinter wreck at Llomerryn) survived the initiation. The guildmaster pays off the remaining debt of Zevranâs parents.
9:12 Dragon || House Arainai is still First Talon within the Crows and run by Guildmaster Talav.
9:12-9:15 Dragon || Zevran and Taliesen undergo pain resistance training, gauntlets and minor roles in missions under the strict approval of the guildmaster.
9:16 Dragon || Rinnala joins House Arainai (through the Azul contract as one of Prince Estefanâs elven bastards being hidden away), complimenting Taliesen and Zevranâs skills. They are soon approved under a single unit apprenticeship by Master Eoman Arainai.
9:16 Dragon || At this point, House Arainai has fallen to Second Talon within the Crows, still run by Guildmaster Talav.
9:17-9:23 Dragon || Guildmaster Talav is executed after his attempt to retake First Talon for the house, and Isidora takes control of the House as Guildmaster.
9:24 Dragon || Guildmaster Isidora dies. At this point Zevran has successfully accomplished seventeen missions. Shortly after the House plunges into the ranks of cuchillos.
9:26 Dragon || Master Eoman took over as Guildmaster of the House, thanks in no small part to Zevran, Taliesen and Rinnala. This is the start of Eoman trying to obtain grandmaster. A series of assassinations sweeps within the Crows between House Arainai towards House Ferragani (an Eight talon House), many of which are performed by the trio themselves.
9:27 Dragon || Zevran is behind the remarkable assassination of Condesa Lupana when it was rumoured Master Eoman had been the one to do it, but ultimately had fallen short.
9:28-9:29 Dragon || Rosso Noche (a cult) learned of the next legitimate heir to the throne (Rinnala) and the information landed in Prince Claudioâs lap with a great deal of coin exchanged in the process. House Valisti (a Third Talon House) haggled a deal with Master Eoman to silently kill Rinnala in exchange for Eight Talon ranking. Relaying this to both Taliesen and Zevran in a way to make it seem like a test of their loyalty, Taliesen dealt the killing blow. Eoman became grandmaster a month later.
9:30 Dragon || Zevran attempts suicide by accepting the contract to assassinate the remaining Ferelden Grey Wardens. Is spared instead and manages to convince them to take him into their services. Knowing his life is now forfeit, he uses the strength of the Wardens to protect himself at first.
9:30 Dragon || Grandmaster Eoman sends Taliesen to track Zevran down after he does not return. Once he finds Zevran with the gray warden party, he tries to convince Zevran to come back with him, in which Zevran kills Taliesen and gains a temporary reprieve from being sought or discovered by the Crows to have abandoned them.
9:30 Dragon || Zevran travels with the Grey Warden and their companions (for about a year). Once the Archdemon is defeated, he later parts ways (or sooner depending on if the grey warden lets him leave before the end of the blight)
9:30 Dragon || Grandmaster Eoman is assassinated (presumably by Zevran, but there is no proof) four months after the end of the blight.
9:30- 9:35 Dragon || âBlack Shadowâ (the nickname given to this mystery assassin) goes on to assassinate four other members of House Arainai within the span of three years. The House plummets into obscurity.
9:36-9:37 Dragon || Zevran, in the midst of fleeing the Crows, is found by Hawke and his companions. Later a tentative alliance is formed before Zevran moves on.
9:38-9:42 Dragon || Zevran has extended his network and reach. He aids Leliana and her contacts with mutual intel and vice versa. Shortly after Grandmaster Runn and Grandmaster Availa die by similar means as those previous. Zevran allies with specific elements within the cuchillos by this point to throw the Crows into chaos.
I've seen a couple of takes on what Varric is in Veilguard, what Solas's role is in 'keeping Varric alive' and I love to read people's interpretation of it, so I thought I'd throw my own two cents on the table.
I never saw Varric as a spirit or something Solas created/ manipulated through the blood magic connection. Varric was something Rook constructed. The only think Solas did was to make Rook completely forget he was dead. Turn their confusion into denial, both through the use of blood magic (literally reshape their memory) and through lies. The rest was Rook.
This is very important to me because it's a key element of the story: a story about guilt, about the strength you need to overcome it lest it cripples you. Varric's presence for Rook is about traumatic events that you just push out of your conscious mind because guilt and grief, and emotions in general, can be strong enough to take you out of commission. It's a recurring theme in the game - as an example, Lucanis in his quest is literally paralyzed because he doesn't want to face the outcomes of the choices he needs to make. It feels well woven into the story how Varric's presence is something Rook made up.
He's the voice in their head that they talk to when they panic and don't know what to do. As an aside, the absolute contrast between the fact that the dialogue options when dealing with the companions' problems are always reassuring vs. the doubt and exhaustion in Rook's voice when they're talking to Varric is striking! Varric is the conviction that keeps them going. It's what Rook thinks Varric would have said. So in a way EVERYTHING that Varric says to Rook is what Rook says to themselves. It's why the last thing you tell Varric, at the end of the proper goodbye, is 'I know where to find you when I need you': because it shows acceptance, and it shows that Varric will always be the voice in Rook's head that will provide reassurance.
It's what people go through: grief, doubt, and finding answers within themselves. It's not uncommon for throughs in your head (both negative and positive) to take on the voices of people in your life. For me, in this bittersweet instance, it's all Rook.
Moving on to Solas and how he plays into all of this. I don't think there was any good intent behind Solas's manipulation. There was no benevolence, there was just selfishness, but in the most painful way. The only heartfelt thing Solas did was when he said to Rook 'Tell Varric I am sorry'. That line was so twisted and beautiful because it had two edges: on one side it was manipulative, to check that Rook still believed the lie and to continue building on it, and on the other, it was pity and selfishness. He didn't say that for Rook or Varric. Not really. He said it for himself. Because the only Varric that was still alive was in Rook's head. So if Rook's version of Varric accepts his apology, it gives him a bit of comfort, forgiveness, and absolves him of murdering his friend. That line is SO, SO selfish and intricate. It's beautiful! Such fantastic writing.
The only reason Solas played with Rook's mind in this manner is because he thought it could chain Rook to his prison through their own grief and guilt. That was his plan because his own shortcomings meant that he could only perceive Rook as a mirror of himself. Pridefully, he couldn't see Rook through any other lens. As a result, he is fully convinced that once Rook realizes Varric is dead, after so much time spent in denial, it will break them and keep them trapped in there forever. He allowed Rook to forget his death so he could drown them in so much guilt that his prison would mold itself to them. Solas thought Rook is just like him. That his pain, grief and loneliness are justified punishments, that they are absolutes. He was convinced there was no way of interacting with these emotions other than his. And Rook proved him wrong. I can go as far as saying it's the proof that Solas has been looking for for the past 10 years. That he is wrong and that there IS another way. Rook outgrowing their guilt and self-pity for the benefit of others: that is the first real crack in Solas's own prison.
I could talk endlessly about how the game deals so fantastically with the motifs of guilt, grief, and choice, with the ideas of using others as mirrors of ourselves, but I think this at least sums up how I feel about the whole Rook - Varric - Solas dynamic.
I totally agree. Varric is everything Rook imagin him to be. I can't believe Solas would control Varric to say something like "solas is sentimental. he could burn the world down and the thing that would make him cry is a flower with blackened petals."
This is research NO.3 for my fanfic, if you interest, you can find my fanfic here. I haven't finished piecing everything together yet, but I did complete writing the chapter preceding this research. (If I dive into research first, Iâll never finish writing!) Upon revisiting my speculations about the war, I realized they werenât entirely accurate, so Iâll need to amend the chapter.
First of all, while I suspect that all the Evanuris participated in the war, the spotlight likely falls on Mythal and Elgarânan for bearing the brunt of the fighting. Solas also plays a critical role, particularly in creating the lyrium dagger and tranquilizing the Titans.
Elgar'nan
A description of Elgar'nan Enaste
A common theme across these codex is the recurring notion of âtaming the earthâ through âfireâ and âlightning.â This suggests the destructive method employed during the war. The Titans themselves seem to retaliate with massive earthquakes, rippling across the elven kingdoms.
This is another interesting element to consider. I wonder what the âsunâ represents in this story. I used to think he might have faced other enemies in the past, like the forgoten ones? But perhaps it wasnât a celestial body but rather some kind of devastating weapon. It could have the ability to summon massive fireballs or even meteors to rain destruction upon Titans. "Lifted himself into the sky and wrestled the sun" could be a decription of the act of wielding such weapon.
Speaking of weapons, the light connected to a Titan's heart might be another significant one. This mysterious energy stuck the Titans' heat, it could be the "sun" in the story or somthing else different.
On the mural, many believe the elf on the right represents Solas.The identity of the elf on the left, however, remains uncertain. The two horn-like shadows extending from their head have sparked debate among fans. Some analyses connect this figure to Mythal or Andruil due to their symbolism in Tarot cards and mythological ties. Read here.
However, I believe it might actually represent Jun. If you examine his mosaic closely, you can see two pointy shapes on his headâpossibly the same "horn-like" features depicted in the mural.
Mythal
I used to believe Mythal wouldnât actively participate in the war, but here it states she "struck down" Titans and acted as "Adjudicator and Savior." I now assume that she (or at least her troops under her command) likely organized numerous rescue missions during the war, living up to her title as a protector of her people. Such a role may have inevitably led to direct conflict with the Titans.
13/01/25: On second thought, "elves sealing the deep roads" could be an attempt to seal the Blight?
Third figures of the red lyrium idol
Many believe that the two figures at the forefront of the idols represent Solas and Mythal, and the Tevinter Nights story lends credence to this theory. The foremost figure appears to be embracing the one in the middle in a manner reminiscent of lovers. However, there's a third figure positioned behind Mythal. I came across an interesting theory suggesting that this figure represents the Inquisitor, as it is depicted missing an arm.
But letâs think about itâwhat causes lyrium to twist? Itâs driven by hatred and the nightmares of the Titans. Why would a Titan dream specifically about the Inquisitor? That seems unlikely. Instead, I propose that the third figure might be Elgarânan, considering his pivotal role in the war against the Titans.
But the idol can also represent Solas's guilt. We'll never know for sure.
After the war
After the war, with all Titans left defenseless, the Evanuris continued to hunt themâno doubt seeking to claim their lyrium for power and domination. It also seems to coincide with the dwarves being driven underground, possibly by the Evanuris.
As for Mythalâs role, itâs difficult to say. Could she have opposed this exploitation but been unable to stop it? Or did she, in her pragmatism, permit it, believing the benefits outweighed the cost? The codex say Mythal giving the "little stones" (the dwarves) "dreams." No idea what she was doing.
Notes from Harding
Interestingly, while Orzammar has removed all official records of the Titans, the memory of them hasnât been entirely erased.As we can see in Descent and Veilguard.
Location of Titans
Near orzammar : Anvil of the VoidÂ
I think this place is connected to Titan. Look all the lyrium veins! This place could be near the heart of a Titan. Perhaps that explains how Caridin successful in creating golems.
Also Caridin's journey
The phrase "It speaks" seems to be a distinct expression of "They groan," . "They," without a doubt, refers to the unfortunate dwarves bound within the golems. "It," on the other hand, must refer to the Titan.
2. Near Kirkwall: Primeval Thaig
Thereâs almost no doubt that a Titan is present in this area; the signs are unmistakable. But uncertain whether we are near its heart or merely on the periphery of its vast form. T
We encounter a stone demon that bears a striking resemblance to The Guardians.
3. Under Storm Coast mountains â Decendent DLC
4. Isana Negat - Harding personal quest
5. Under Minrathous?
Concept art, say they once planned for Solas to summon a Titan in the middle of Minrathous. Can't take it too seriously. But hitting a possiblity to re-attach Titan to their dreams?
The Future
"One day the magic will come back - all of it. Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part and the skies will open wide. When he rises, everyone will see. - Sandal"
Some believe this refers to Solas tearing down the Veil, especially with the phrase "the Dread Wolf rises," but Iâm not so sure. The line "everyone will see" seems to point to something far more colossal. I believe itâs referring to the Titans.
Itâs intriguing that the awakening of a Titan is associated with the idea that "magic will come back." This could be interpreted in two ways: either the return of magicâperhaps through the tearing of the Veilâcauses the Titans to stir, or the Titans themselves awaken first, bringing magic back with them (Hey, Solas, have you explored this way? Could it be a safer option? ) Either way, it suggests a profound connection between the Titans and the flow of magic in Thedas.
Dear Bioware, can we please have a mini Titan companions in the future?
This is research NO.2 for my fanfic, if you interest, you can find my fanfic here. Since Iâm writing about the story of Solasâs lyrium dagger, Iâve been revisiting details about elven artifacts Solas used from past games. Itâs been 4-5 years since I last played them (before DATV), so Iâve forgotten a lot. Summarizing my findings has been pretty interesting, starting with the history of the lyrium dagger itself.
Lyrium Dagger
Hereâs a direct quote from the Wiki:
"When the elves were losing the war, Mythal had Solas craft a Lyrium Dagger which Fen'Harel used to sever the Titans' connection to the Fade, rendering them Tranquil."
Death of a Titan
Notably, the Death of a Titan mural doesnât feature the dagger. Perhaps the mural depicts the moment a Titan was killed rather than when it was Tranquilized. Weâll revisit this mural later.
Now, you have to admit, the dagger is an incredibly powerful artifact. Someone as wise as Solas would surely think of countless ways to secure it. Yet, after he left for rebellion, the other Evanuris somehow acquired the dagger and used it to murder Mythal when she confronted them.
Hereâs another Wiki quote:
"Solas recovered the Lyrium Dagger from Elgarânan and from it extracted a fragment of Mythal that had lain hidden within its depths. For unleashing the Blight onto the world and murdering Mythal, Solas imprisoned the Evanuris in the Fade and used their lives to sustain the Veil by connecting their blood to his Lyrium Dagger."
This weapon is incredible. It can Tranquilize Titans, kill Evanuris, and even trap or bind their life forces. How could Solas, the Dread Wolf, be so careless as to let it fall into enemy hands? Surely, he would have taken it with him during the rebellionâor at the very least entrusted it to Mythal for safekeeping. Did the Evanuris steal it? Did someone outsmart Solas? Thereâs definitely a story here! (In my fanfic, I kept it simple and just assumed he abandoned the dagger.)
Regardless, Solas ultimately recovered the dagger, likely through some cunning plan. Felassanâs notes confirm this.
On a slightly unrelated note, Mythal never support Solasâs rebellion. No wonder he avoids seeing her fragments. Sure, he was overwhelmed by regret, but that same regret didnât stop him from visiting Lavellan repeatedly in the dream. He must be disappointed at Mythal to the core. On the other hand, Lavellan never stopped to reach him.
Now, back to the dagger. Felassanâs notes clearly implied that Solas intended to use it to imprison the gods, but the ritual required additional artifacts.
Creat the Veil
Binding the gods
Take a look at these two murals. The fandom has already thoroughly analyzed details of murals since Trespasser, so Iâll focus only on the artifacts. It seems like the artifact used to create the Veil and the one used to bind the gods might be different. Arenât they part of the same ritual? Iâm confused.
The orb and the square artifact have similar star patterns in their centers. One could argue theyâre the same artifact, but Iâm not convinced. Also whereâs the dagger in all this?
Itâs likely a complex ritual involving multiple steps:
Use the dagger to draw the blood of the Evanuris, binding their power to the would-be Veil. (Again it would be an epic story to tell!)
Use the square artifact to weaken them (?)
Use the orb to banish them to the Black City and seal it with the Veil.
Steps 2 and 3 might overlap depending on interpretation.
Another possibility is that the square artifact was only used to seal the Blight (note the black tendrils). If so, it wasnât part of the actual ritual but placed in the muralâs center to show its importance in containing the Blight along with the gods.
(Also, Solas still has his beautiful long hair in the murals. Did the ritual make him lose it all? Poor thing.)
In conclusion, the ritual likely involved at least two artifacts, though the mural doesnât give us all the details. The lyrium dagger remains an enigmatic and central piece of the creation of Veil.
After the ritual:
"Somehow the Lyrium Dagger was transformed into a Lyrium idol and kept in a Primeval Thaig. The Lyrium idol changed hands several times in the Dragon Age, bringing madness wherever it went."
Dear Solas, you lost the dagger again?! Do you have zero safety protocols for rituals? Youâd make a terrible lab researcher. And how on Thedas did this dagger-turned-idol end up in the Deep Roads?
If the dagger (and the orb) had been securely placed beside Solas while he was sleeping, none of this wouldâve happened. So, my guess is it got left at the ritual site. Did scavengers or darkspawn stumble across the siteâpossibly Skyholdâand think, âWow, what a pretty dagger/idol! Letâs take it home for Christmas decoration!â Lucky for us, they didnât accidentally rip the Veil while transporting it.
Now, speaking of Solas post-ritual: how did he even make it to a safe place to sleep? I havenât read The Masked Empire yet, so Iâm not sure if Felassan found him and carried him to safety. Or maybe Solas, half-asleep and utterly drained, stumbled into some random ruins. Just imagine him, doing his best to stay awake while searching for a cozy corner.
Anyway, the next chapter in the daggerâs story unfolds in DA II. Hawke and Varric stumbled upon it during their Deep Roads expeditionâthough by this point, the Lyrium Dagger had been transformed into the Lyrium Idol. It then Meredith into a creepy crystal statue.
The story didnât end there, though. Comic books published after Dragon Age: Inquisition, along with Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, shed more light on how Solas eventually reacquired the idol.
13/01/25: just want to add an very interesting post that sparked some thoughts. The post suggested: 1) DV sort of confirmed that the red-lyrium idol manifastes Solas's guilt (though it leaves questions unanswered about the "third person" in the idol's creation, given that the idol predates the events of the Inquisition); 2)Solas uses Jun's fragment of a soul to purify the idol â a truly intriguing concept that adds another layer to Solas's actions.
While I love this idea, but I also believe the Evanuris shared a sense of kinship, as evidenced by Elgar'nan's protective attitude towards Ghilan'nain. This makes it hard to imagine Solas destroying the last remnants of his kinâeven for his cause. Yet, at the same time, Solas is Solas. He has shown that he can be merciless when he deems it necessary.
Orb of Fen'Harel
I wonât go into great detail about the Orb because DAI is centered around it, and countless theories have already been written on the topic.
I canât help but be amused at how skilled Solas is at creating artifacts. That definitely outshines June, the so-called god of craft.
Remove Vallaslins
Interestingly, thereâs no story behind the Orbâs creationâat least, not one revealed yet. But take a look at the strange ball depicted on the left side of the Remove Vallaslins mural. Its pattern is very similar to the Orb. Was it crafted specifically to remove Vallaslin?
Many lore discussions and fanfics suggest that the Orb is the same one used to create the Veil. On top of that, several discussions have pointed out that the Death of a Titan mural hints at the Orb being made from a Titanâs heart. The same star-like shapes appear in both the Orb and the Titan-related imagery.
But itâs also possible that weâre looking at two different types of Orbs. The round artifact depicted in the Remove Vallaslin mural definitely looks more similar to the original Orb than the other spherical artifacts shown in the Death of a Titan and Create the Veil murals. Could they be separate creations for distinct purposes?
Honestly, Solas, how many magical toys do you have?! Were you just stockpiling artifacts during your spare time?
The Elven artifacts for measuring the Veil
Itâs not entirely clear if these artifacts were designed or created by Solas, but they are definitely related to the Veil. Solas himself says, âThe wards are helping to strengthen the Veil.â If we take his words at face value, he must at least know a great deal about these artifacts and how they function.
Some theories suggest these artifacts do the oppositeâthat they actually weaken the Veilâand that Solas lied to manipulate us into helping him tear down the Veil. Personally, I donât think Solas would outright lie like that (except when it comes to hiding his identity). Instead, heâs more likely to mislead with half-truths.
In Tevinter Nights, thereâs a moment that sheds light on this. One of the Veil-related artifacts is described as being installed in a Venatori workshop to fortify the Veil against the pressure of demons. After the artifact is destroyed, the Veil weakens significantly, and demons are able to tear it apart and cross into the physical world. This strongly supports the idea that these artifacts do indeed strengthen the Veil, as Solas claimed.
That said, the Inquisitionâs actions in activating these artifacts may not have weakened the Veil, but they did reveal a network pointing to the weakest points in the Veil. Solas, being as cunning as he is, could have used this network to map out where to begin dismantling the Veil.
In future games, I wouldnât be surprised if some random artifact pops up, and of course, the credit (or blame) goes to the Dread Wolf again.
While researching lore for my solavellan fanfic (if you are interest, see here), I came across something intriguing that I havenât seen much discussion about in the fandom. Solas once said, âI was Solas first. FenâHarel came later. An insult I took as a badge of pride.â This implies that Solas was his original and "only" name before he chose to rebel against his kins.
This raises an interesting question: do spirits even use names? From what I remember (and correct me if I am wrong), in the game spirits are typically referred to by their natureâSpirit of Justice is Justice, Demon of Spite is Spite, and so on. The only exception is Cole, but he gained his name by assuming the identity of the real Cole. This suggests that spirits donât have the same sense of individualism as mortals. However, if they embody or manifest in a physical form, they might adopt a name that reflects their nature or experiences.
This leads to an interesting possibility: Solas might not have had a name until Mythal crafted him a body. But why would Solas, a spirit of wisdom, choose a name associated with pride? (And it can also mean 'stand tall,' which carries a more positive aspect while still hinting at pridefulnessâthanks for the reminder from @smoggyfogbottom )Here are two potential theories:
Theory 1: The trauma of becoming physical twisted his essence into pride.
The process of taking on a body is said to be very traumatic, maybe that altered Solas at his core, leading him to identify himself as pride rather than wisdom. However, I find this theory unconvincing. At the beginning of their creation, the Evanuris were still performing good deeds, and Solas served Mythal and her people as an advisor. This indicates that the spiritual purpose of the Evanuris wasnât significantly altered right away. While the act of taking on a body may have been distressing, it likely wasnât as severe as the transformation spirits undergo when crossing the Veil and becoming demons instantly. Thus, thereâs little reason for Solas to call himself "pride" immediately after gaining a body.
Theory 2: The name originally meant wisdom, but the meaning changed over time.
Itâs possible that the word Solas initially conveyed the idea of wisdom or something closely related, but its meaning was later distorted to represent pride. This wouldnât be the first instance of a name or term being twisted over time. For example, the meaning of FenâHarel has been confirmed to have changed. According to the Codex, FenâHarel does not mean âGod of Deceptionâ or âTrickster,â but rather âGod of Rebellionâ or even âGod of Noble Struggle.â
----
Codex entry: The Rebel God
The Dalish use "Harellan" to mean "traitor to one's kin," but the word does not appear in any elven text before the Towers Age. The ancient root-word is related to "harillen," or opposition, and "hellathen," or noble struggle. The Dalish call Fen'Harel a god of deception, but I posit a far more accurate translation would be "god of rebellion."
What he rebelled against is a story lost to time. In Dalish legends, Fen'Harel seals away the other deities out of love of trickery. If we understood more ancient elven, we might find earlier versions of the Dread Wolf's story give him a more nuanced motivation beyond spite.
-From A Treaty on the Pagan and Heretical Customs of the Elven, by Senallen Tavernier of the University of Orlais, commissioned by Empress Celene.
---
If this distortion of meaning could happen with FenâHarel, itâs plausible that the name Solas experienced a similar fate. The question then becomes: when did this shift in meaning occur?
The Codex notes that the word Harellanâfirst appeared in the Towers Age. This suggests that the meaning of the root of the word, FenâHarel, and the related terms Solas, were changed much earlier, potentially as soon as Solas led the rebellion. The Evanuris likely employed highly effective propaganda to paint their enemy in a negative light, which endured for thousands of years.
But where were Solasâs supporters and allies in all this? After the Veil was created and its devastating consequences unfolded, many likely turned against him, resenting him for the chaos and suffering that followed. Others may have felt betrayed or abandoned. Over time, they may have forgotten that it was Solas who freed them from slavery, focusing instead on the cost of his actions.
An additional point of interest lies in the timing of the word Harellanâs emergence in the Towers Age. This coincides with the birth of Flemeth and her eventual possession by Mythal. The Codex containing this information is found in the Temple of Mythal, which seems too significant to dismiss as mere coincidence. Could Flemeth/Mythal have influenced the Towers Age Dalish to create Harellan and deepen the misrepresentation of FenâHarelâs true nature?
If so, what was Mythal/Flemethâs motivation? We know that Mythal and Solasâs relationship was never a healthy oneâthere were certainly elements of manipulation involved, and many people even believe Mythal was abusive towards him. Perhaps she still harbored grudges against him? Having a trusted subordinate rebel against you would have been both humiliating and deeply personal. In some ways, Solasâs actions may have even contributed to her death. So she seeks revenge, even after all these years? We have no way to be certain. But her action did denied Solas further from his legacy as a liberator. Now he is reduced to a villain in the eyes of future generations completely.
This is why I think Mythal is definitely not the noble and innocent figure Solas would like us to believe, and why their relationship may not have been a romantic one. I imagine their dynamic to be more like a superior and subordinate, or perhaps a mother and son, mixed with thousands of years of friendship. In one wordâcomplicated.
I also believe thereâs more to the story of Andraste, who is implied to have been possessed by Mythal at some point. Morrigan once remarked that Andraste âruns off and falls in love with a wild man,â suggesting that she and Maferath had a genuine emotional bond. If there is no Maker, as Solas claims, why then would Maferath become jealous and betray Andraste? Could it be that Mythal sought to destroy the Tevinter Imperium to restore Elven glory, but the war dragged on for too long? Perhaps Maferath saw no end in sight and felt it was all spiraling out of control. This would be an interesting topic to explore further.
But back to our current discussion: the impact of these shifts in meaning is significant. Imagine waking up with the hope of seeing a better future, only to find that everyone now calls you a traitor. While Dragon Age lore doesnât specifically state that names influence people directly, itâs common sense that names represent how others perceive youâand this perception undoubtedly affects self-image. Over time, even Solas begins to acknowledge himself as the God of Lies, believing deception is inherent to his nature, even though he uses lies only as tactics.
And letâs be honestâheâs a terrible liar! He leaves hints everywhere, unable to fully conceal the truth. Moreover, spirits reflect peopleâs thoughts and emotions, and at his core, Solas is still a spirit. Can we blame him for struggling under the weight of these misinterpretations and the worldâs expectations?
It seems Lavellan understood his nature better than most. She said, âLies of the heart? No.â That simple statement cuts to the truth of who he is.
I wrote some thoughts after the finale of Veilguard. Solavellan heavy.
This is just me, parsing through some feelings.
"My people had a saying long ago -'The healer has the bloodiest hands'. You cannot treat a wound without knowing how deep it goes. You cannot heal pain by hiding it. You must accept. Accept the blood to make things better."Â
Solas to Thom Rainer in DAI.Â
***
One can wonder, of course, what Mythal has to do with a Solavellan reunion and Solasâs choice to become the Veilâs protector, but hear me out.Â
It is significant that itâs Mythal because she is the embodiment of his terrible past, the epitome of their brilliance and boldness and good intentions turned to terrible truths. The horrors they did, they did together. It is significant that itâs Mythal that sets him on this new course by removing the chains of his guilt and regret.
Lavellan canât do that, she didnât forge them.
Solasâs journey as the Dread Wolf begins and ends with Mythal.Â
Mythal literally pulls Solas out of the Fade to use his wisdom, first to not lose herself to the other gods' vanity and brutality, then to gain advantage against them in an endless power struggle that breaks them both, Iâd argue, though most significantly it breaks Solas. Retribution and revenge has no room for understanding, there is no wisdom in conquering.
And Solas, for all his faults, isnât brutal or cruel, doesnât want power for his own gain. Instead heâs wise and creative, doomed to see the faults of his actions even as he carries them out, arguing in vain that the Evanuris too must see it - donât cross these lines, donât do it like this, donât warp and twist your powers to forces of destruction. You must know this is madness! He objects to the creation of the bodies for the ancient elves, objects his own Peopleâs physical creation. Did the earth not shake? It did, it was horrific and it was wrong and he knows this and it doesnât matter.
What he wants has never been part of the equation.Â
Even when he breaks free from Mythal, when he burns her mark off his face, he never stops fighting for the world she once wanted. Because otherwise? Should he stop? Then all that he has done, all that he has given up, all that has been demanded of him both as Mythalâs lapdog and the Dread Wolf, leader of the rebel armies for centuries, cloaked in a persona of strategy and battle orders - all of that has been for nothing.
He has made a ruin of himself, of the world, for nothing.Â
So he begins again, he picks up the pieces, he swears to make it right, to fix what he broke. Thatâs how he perceives healing, thatâs what he thinks he is doing. But you cannot heal pain by hiding it. Thatâs why the Crossroads are falling apart with the manifestations of Solasâs greatest regrets, thatâs why he needs Rook to escape his own prison, thatâs why a Regret demon burns through Skyhold.
Solas traps the Evanuris as a final act of the ancient times, the creation of the Veil an embodiment of everything he and Mythal ever were - protection, benevolence, retribution, wisdom, pride. He ties it to the blood of the Firstborn out of spite and anger and it wrecks the world in ways he could not foresee. In ways he cannot fix because you cannot fix what has already happened.
You must accept. Accept the blood to make things better.
He holds himself like a broken thing in front of Mythal and you can see it as submissive or as a man finally letting his grief out. There, at long last, he stands beaten and bloodied and blighted and he cries for all that was lost, all that he did and all that was done to him, all the things he cannot, cannot undo.
And then: a new way forward.
In willingly binding himself to the Veil he embodies the best of those old myths, the All-Mother and the Breaker of Chains, as he breaks the cycle of punishment and grief and protects the sun and the moon. This oath, as opposed to the oaths of the empire that made him, is not to someone but to everyone, to all the innocents of the world. Instead of being the one who makes the terrible sacrifices of other people - the things I have done - he becomes the protector of the world that his people broke once upon a time. Instead of being the Creator of a new world without the Veil - the god he vehemently does not want to be, that he arguably thinks nobody should be - he becomes a caretaker, a guardian.
A healer with bloody hands.
And yes, it takes Mythal to break Mythalâs hold over him. You cannot treat a wound without knowing how deep it goes. And this one goes deep.Â
But itâs Lavellan who brings him the light in this story. Itâs Lavellan who breaks through the dark, transforms it into something hopeful.Â
His prison construct in the Fade was terrible, an abyss of regret made to hold a god. An ancient punishment for ancient crimes but times change, people change, the People change for better and for worse and here Lavellan stands in all her mortal imperfection, offering him not a way to change the past - where all these ancient beings are stuck - but a way to mend the future. It will be a terrible place, he tells her, saying I am terrible because the Fade shifts around our beings. It wonât be terrible, Lavellan argues. Because Iâm there with you, walking the dinanâshiral with you, all the way. He doesn't have to fix anything first, he doesn't have to change for her, he just needs to stop hurting the world, hurting himself.
Because she loves him, despite all the terrible mistakes he has made. Because she knows all his names, from Dread Wolf to Vhenan, she knows the power of his mind and the fires of his love and she saw more than most of the man he is. The man he wants to be. For a little slice of time there in Skyhold he was that man, he was seen and he saw. He saw the world filtered through her and could forgive it, he saw her through his own ancient, tired eyes and he fell in love no matter how much he thought he did not deserve it. You don't have to deserve love, or mercy, it doesn't demand anything in return, holds you to no oath. It is a gift, freely given. That's what Lavellan offers him by holding out her hand there, at the edge of everything.
That's where the light slips in.
Sheâs real, which means everyone is real and she changes everything, because she can.Â
Ar lasa mala revas.Â
Solasâs life isnât one-dimensional. Heâs lived through three distinct eras of existence, each defined by transformation and struggle. What draws me to his story time and again is the tension between detachment and connection, immortality and change, and the weight of eternal choices.
Because Solas has lived through such vastly different phases of existence, each has forced him to adapt, rethink his perspectives, his morality and confront the consequences of his actions.
This constant cycle of transformation and resilience is why I believe he is capable of change.
I'm looking at his journey through 3 eras of his existence:Â
Pre-Veil: Becoming a man (lyrium crafted) and living before creating the Veil.
Uthenera: Veil newly created. Centuries of slumber and existence in the Fade.Â
Post-Veil: Waking in modern Thedas, reengaging with the world, joining the Inquisition, and culminating in Veilguard.Â
First off: this post isnât about the concept of Solas learning what itâs like to have a body for the first time. While Iâm sure that experience was equal parts traumatic and exhilarating, thatâs a post for another day.Â
Iâm also steering clear of the horrors and wars of Solasâs Pre-Veil existence - we already know he suffered terribly, made devastating choices, and carries immense regret. The blood on his hands and the weight of those decisions are undeniable.Â
Lastly, Iâm not entertaining the idea that Mythal had him bound or wielded some magical power (like a geas) to control him (you can read more here). To me, that narrative diminishes the complexity and the writers say you can interpret it how you want. I see their bond as one rooted in duty, loyalty, and complicated and twisted by shared choices. Every awful thing they endured and enacted together only deepened their connection, forged in the fire of mutual commitment and consequence. It's still a chain in it's own right, but a different kind.
Long post below. Everything below the cut is my imagination and interpretation.
Pre-Veil (Roughly 8,000-10,000 years â Time with the Evanuris / Rebellion Wars)Â
Iâm certain Solasâs time in Elvhenan wasnât solely defined by war and rebellion. He served as Mythalâs second-in-command, likely handling battles and strategies, but he was also immersed in politics and court intrigue. His role was probably a combination of strategist, diplomat, and advocate for fairness and balance among the elven people.Â
We know he enjoyed life in the courts, as he reveals at the Winter Palace in Inquisition:Â
"I do adore the heady blend of power, intrigue, danger, and sex that permeates these events."Â
He wasnât just an observer of Elvhenanâs grandeur; he thrived in it. Heady - intoxicating. With a core essence of wisdom, Solas would have fully embraced the eraâs philosophical debates, artistic endeavors, groundbreaking inventions, and empire-building. When he refers to âour great citiesâ and âour deepest mysteriesâ during his confrontation with Elgarânan, he speaks as being a part of Elvhenanâs beauty and innovation - not separate from it. Â
Solasâs Independent and Rebellious Nature - Hot Blooded and Cocky
Solas was far from a submissive figure, even in service to Mythal. He was independent, rebellious, and stubborn - âunmanageable, even by Mythalâs reckoning.â (I love this line from Elgarânan. Even Mythal, who knew Solas best, was scratching her head at times because she couldn't control him â and also why I donât buy the geas concept.) This fierce individuality is one reason the Evanuris gave him the name FenâHarel.Â
A Sensual and Spiritual ManÂ
Solas strikes me, based on the games, as someone deeply connected to life (how could you not be when you see spirits as people too), both spiritually and sensually. His conversations in Inquisition and Veilguard hint at an appreciation for the worldâs beauty and experiences. He loved dancing (Inquisitor: Do you have any interest in dancing? Solas: A great dealâŠ), savored food and drink, and created beautiful art and music. This isnât someone detached from his physical form or the material world - he immersed himself in its richness.Â
A man who composes music and paints intricate frescoes, full of symbolism and emotional depth, usually has a vibrant inner life â which makes sense for wisdom. Â His art and creations are tools for reflection and introspection, ways to process his choices and regrets. But where did this come from? Did he learn these skills from a spirit? Was he taught by a wise elf or an inspiring companion? I love the mystery of these glimpses into his life - they humanize him and add layers to his character.Â
Solas wasnât a solitary figure either. He built connections beyond the Evanuris - with spirits, other elves, and likely even lovers (Ghilanânain, anyone?). Far from being a lone wolf, he seems to have been actively engaged in the cultural, social and political dynamics of his thousands of years. His relationships, creations, and experiences paint the picture of a man tied to life, even as his long painful journey eventually pushed him toward isolation.Â
Witnessing the Fall of the EvanurisÂ
But life in Elvhenan wasnât all beauty and splendor. Solas witnessed firsthand how power corrupted even those who began with noble intentions. He saw the Evanuris rise to tyranny, and the defeat of the Titans - a major regret of his - became a foundational moment. While it enabled the empireâs growth and stunning cities, it came with immense moral cost to Solas.Â
The Rebellion and IsolationÂ
Solas eventually reached a breaking point. When the Evanurisâ tyranny became unbearable - when they wouldnât listen, not even Mythal - he walked away. He forged his own path, leading a rebellion to free the elven people.Â
During this time, his relationships likely narrowed. He tells Rook it took him centuries to build bonds during this time (but he still built them). Playing a long game of strategy and sacrifice required isolation, though key connections, like Felassan, remained. Mythalâs murder drove him into despair, and he became even more isolated, pouring himself into planning the ritual that would change everything.Â
The Creation of the VeilÂ
The Veil was a desperate solution to stop the Evanuris and the blight, but something went horribly wrong. It didnât just destroy the world he knew - it reshaped reality. The Veil severed the Fade from the world, altering existence forever. And for Solas, it left him shattered. His physical body remained in the world he destroyed, while his spirit/mind retreated into Uthenera.Â
Uthenera: The Dreaming State (1000-2000 years)Â
During Uthenera, his long sleep, Solas existed in a liminal, dreamlike state - a place between worlds.
Itâs striking that he entered Uthenera at the exact moment the Fade was severed from the physical world. The mental fortitude required to withstand such a monumental shift and prevent his total annihilation - or even a psychological collapse - speaks volumes about his strength. Solasâs power is undeniable, but for me, this also confirms that he is a deeply reflective man, one who cultivated a strong mind to endure such force, isolation and emotional cataclysm. (All New Faded for Her - now I must endure - again.)
From this vantage point, he could witness the catastrophic aftermath of his actions: the loss of elven immortality, the severing of the Fade from the physical world, and the corruption of spirits into demons. He saw the rise of humans, the fall of empires, and the continued oppression of his people. Each new event added to his layers of guilt and grief. If the Fade reflects emotion, can you imagine Solasâs overwhelming feelings during this time? His emotions would have rippled through it, shaping the dream realm itself.Â
In the Fade, Solas remained detached, able to observe and reflect without directly engaging in the chaos of the broken world. He likely encountered the demons and maddened spirits born of his actions, forcing him to navigate this unfamiliar, broken Fade.Â
Perhaps this is where his greatest fear - dying alone - began to solidify. Without the complexities of relationships or the challenges of the waking world, his isolation left him emotionally detached and vulnerable to increasingly rigid thinking. After centuries of war and rebellion, his retreat to Uthenera may have offered recovery, but it also severed him from the connections that had once grounded him in âhumanityâ.Â
Itâs assumed that during this time, Solas began to shape his plans to tear down the Veil â to fix his mistake. It also seems that itâs during this period at some point that Felassan reconnected with him, leading to yet another tragedy. Unlike Solas, Felassan had lived in modern Thedas for a time. He had built relationships, forged bonds, and seen the value in the world as it was. He urged Solas to give this new world a chance. But Solas, entrenched in his painful guilt and unable to let go of his vision, refused - killing his friend and brother-in-arms, adding yet another layer of grief and regret to his already growing burden. I wonder - Solas killed him in this detached state, in a highly emotional Fade state - could Solas have killed him physically face to face?Â
For Solas, time in the Fade didnât march forward as it did for mortals. What probably felt like yesterday to him was ancient history to the rest of the world. This disconnection from the flow of time would only deepen his sense of detachment, a gap he could only begin to bridge when he awoke in a world utterly changed from the one he remembered.Â
So eventually he does wake up â a year before the Inquisition.Â
Post-Veil: Modern Thedas â 14-16 years (Inquisition to Veilguard)Â
When Solas woke up in modern Thedas, it was a world that had moved on without him - alien and unrecognizable. The magic he revered was now feared, spirits were seen as monsters, and elves were fragmented and oppressed. It was a rude awakening, and Solas had no choice but to reengage with life, relearning how to "be human" in a world so far removed from the one he knew - in a world that he broke.Â
Solas initially tried to reconnect with the Dalish, but they rejected him (interesting how one of his first actions upon awakening was to seek connection...hmm). Then came the disaster at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, Corypheus, and the Anchor. Suddenly, Solas had a path: join the Inquisition, study the Anchor, observe the one who wields it, and figure out his next move - all while avoiding personal entanglements.Â
Fail.Â
Connections in the InquisitionÂ
Despite his best efforts to remain detached, Solas formed bonds with the Inquisitionâs members, particularly the Inquisitor (in my world, low approval doesnât exist for me but I wonât torment you either with my Solas Lavellan love). Â
The exact timeline of the Inquisition is debated. While most agree it spans 1.5â2 years, thereâs also an old fantastic post by @threestories that argues for closer to 4â5 years (complete with a detailed spreadsheet and timeline goodness). Either way, itâs plenty of time for Solas to weave himself into the lives of those around him â and for them to sneak their own ways in.Â
During this time, Solas wasnât an aloof observer. He shared meals, debated philosophy, laughed, argued, and played cards and continued painting. He fought alongside people like Blackwall, Iron Bull, and Cole, relying on them for survival. Solas is not the powerful being he once was. Weakened, heâs forced to navigate the world in a more vulnerable state. I believe this humility provides him with new insights and forces him to see value in collaboration and diversity once again (reflections of Elvehnan).Â
The messy, imperfect beauty of life began to creep back into his perspective. Living and fighting beside mortals for this period of time forced Solas to confront the reality of their fleeting but rich experiences. It wasnât something he could experience in the detached safety of the Fade. If romanced, his love for the Inquisitor only deepens his inner conflict, tearing him between personal connection and his mission. (He possessed knowledge beyond any mortal, yet even the Dread Wolf could not foresee what it would mean to fall in love).
Yet, despite these connections, he remained steadfast in his mission. After Corypheusâs defeat, Solas leaves. But he wasnât quite done; he wanted the Inquisitor to know the truth of who he was. Two busy years followed, leading to one final reunion - a moment where we see a shift in Solasâs perspective. His relationship with the Inquisitor was important enough that Solas set this whole thing up. There was a part of him that would love to be turned away from his path, but not yet. Â
The Decade of IsolationÂ
After Trespasser and his final goodbye to the Inquisitor, Solas retreated into a new kind of isolation - active but distant. For ten years, he worked through agents, manipulated events, and positioned himself for his ritual to tear down the Veil. This period seemed to harden him. If he was in love, he made the painful decision to try and sever that bond, he forced Cole to forget him so Cole wouldnât follow him - Solas hardened his heart to a cutting edge, and put that pain to good use. Â Â
And then, he killed Varric.Â
The act wasnât premeditated - it might even be argued as accidental - but it wasnât without weight. Solas never intended to kill Varric, and we see the regret flicker in his expression, his eyes turning down for a moment. Yet, the symbolism of that moment is striking. If Varric embodies persistence - whether itâs the refusal to give up on life, friends, or hope - then his death by Solasâs hand reflects the cost of Solasâs mission. In hardening his heart, heâs cut away the very persistence Varric represented.Â
But then came Rook.
Conduits and Catalysts
Forced to interact with Rook and the team, much like he was forced to interact with the Inquisitor and the Inquisition, Solas once again found himself entangled in the lives of others. What makes Rook interesting to me is their role as a conduit. While Solas is trapped in the Fade prison, Rook becomes his connection to the outside world. For someone who had been isolated again for a period of time, being compelled to engage with another person is significant.
Rook and Solas's conversations may seem simple at first, but they force Solas to talk, to reflect, to bring up memories, people, and choices he thought he had left behind. Regardless if he's lying to Rook, these conversations would stir things up for him, peeling back the layers of detachment he has built. They compel him to think about his past, his connections, and his mistakes - reminders of life beyond his mission.
When Solas finally escapes the Fade prison, he doesnât retreat back into isolation. Instead, we find him fighting alongside the people of Minrathous and then eventually Rook and the team. While his goal remains focused - defeating Elgarânan and tearing down the Veil - heâs participating in life again.
Even amidst the chaos of battle, Solas canât help but connect. He talks with the team, echoing the camaraderie of his time in the Inquisition. In one of my favourite moments, he and Emmrich share a brief but mutual appreciation of spirits - on a battlefield, no less. Itâs a small yet powerful reminder: no matter how much Solas tries to harden himself, connection finds him. And maybe, just maybe, he still seeks it.
If Solasâs experiences prove anything, itâs that he struggles to stay detached.
Solasâs ShiftsÂ
The bonds Solas formed through his long life were personal. Sure, anyone can argue they werenât, pointing to his lies and the secrets he kept while plotting the entire time. And yes, he absolutely had an agenda. But whether you played a high- or low-approval Inquisitor, Solas admits he grew fond of the mortal people in the Inquisition. These connections gave him new perspectives on this modern world, connections forged through the shared intensity of battle and survival, and filtered through his reflective, intellectual, and philosophical nature.Â
And no, I donât believe the Inquisitor alone could have swayed him from his path. His growth wasnât tied to a single relationship or event. While his time with the Inquisition may seem insignificant compared to his millennia-long existence, it planted the seeds of change. I maintain that the foundation for his change was established in Inquisition. As Iâve said before in this post, his eventual shift at the end of Veilguard wasnât an overnight revelation but the accumulation of these disruptions to his worldview (warning, that post is totally Solavellan). Rook, as a conduit and mirror, brought their own voice as well as the voices of Solasâs past back into focus, reflecting and reminding him of what he had learned. Â
By the end of Trespasser, Solas went from planning total destruction to preparing a host of spirits to preserve as much life as possible in Veilguard. You can call him a liar if you want, still question this morally grey choice, but this is a fascinating shift to me.
Enter Sola's Fourth Era
And now, we stand on the edge of Solasâs fourth (and likely not final) era of existence. How will he step into this stage? As a broken, beaten man forced into submission? Or as a man of wisdom, finally able to see another way forward?
This is why, for me, the only ending that feels true to Solasâs arc (as I see it) is the Atonement ending and the only one that exists for me. It aligns with his defining trait: choice. It offers him the agency to forge his own path, just as he did when he walked away from Mythal and the Evanuris.
Whether Solas enters this stage alone or with his heart is up to the player, but the ending feels significant regardless. He returns to the Fade, not in the detached slumber of Uthenera, but with his eyes wide open - awake, active, and ready to face what comes next.
And yes, Iâm a sucker for redemption stories.
A Journey of GrowthÂ
The Inquisitor once called him a terrible liar of the heart, and I think it speaks to the core of who he is: wisdom seeking connection. At his heart, Solas is driven to reflect, connect, and understand - even when those impulses clash with his mission.Â
Solasâs life isnât a straight line, nor is it defined by detached indifference. Instead, we see a complex web of relationships, regrets, and moments of growth. His post-Veil life shows us that even an immortal can be shaped by the mortal world. While his immortality makes change slow, it doesnât make it impossible. Every person he lets into his life - whether reluctantly or intentionally - leaves a mark. Figures like Felassan, the Inquisitor, Cole, Varric, and Rook all serve as mirrors, reflecting his flaws and his potential. That's the beauty of relationships - we are all reflections of each other.
For Solas, change isnât the result of one grand revelation. Itâs a slow, deliberate process, shaped by his experiences, choices, those around him and the experiences they shared together. If his journey proves anything, itâs that even the Dread Wolf isnât bound by fate.Â
How did it feel to see Lavellan again? Ya know after 10 years. đ„Č
Have you ever ridden home in a wagon and felt the streets go from paved to dirt beneath the wheels? The horses slow, and everything grows quiet as you near home.
When I grow quiet, when my soul reaches for that feeling, I now find her there. I call that feeling by her name.
I always knew she was a rare and marvelous spirit. On this, at least, I was never wrong.
