Greetings, seeker of veiled truths!
Thank you @liberaquantobasta for this excellent question!
Yes, The Fade Codex does believe that elves’ souls may be more spirit-like due to their ancestry and their deeper connection to the Fade. Just as dwarves retain their stone-sense through their connection to the Titans (if they reside underground), elves seem to have a closer tie to the Fade through their ancestors, who were once spirits themselves. We also know elves have more of an affinity for magic, which was established back in DAO when elves received 2+ magic, 2+ willpower in their stats.
We see this connection illustrated in The Masked Empire and DAI. Non-elves struggled in the Crossroads, experiencing disorientation or difficulty.
In The Masked Empire, the disorientation of humans in the Crossroads reflects how foreign the Fade is to their physical and spiritual nature.
In DAI, non-elves perceive the Crossroads differently (rather than experiencing the disorientation like in The Masked Empire), likely due to game mechanics, but the difference underscores their weaker innate connection to the Fade compared to elves.
This contrast suggests that elves retain a natural affinity for the Fade, making it less disorienting or hostile to them than it is for other races.
Because this will likely be brought up–let’s talk about the DATV Crossroads.
In DATV, we visit Solas’s Lighthouse and his Crossroads, which seem to be intertwined. These areas feel less hostile to non-elves than the Crossroads typically are. The Fade Codex theorizes this is due to how Solas designed this 'Fade Bubble'—its purpose was meant to feel welcoming to be adapted and functional.
In fact, we find a note called the Introduction to the Lighthouse, which says a few things, but specifically:
You are safe here, both those of flesh and those of Fade. Any who wish to help are welcome. The magic of the Lighthouse will provide for your needs, see to your comfort, and even help you understand different tongues, for those who escaped here from distant parts of the empire.
While Solas likely didn’t account for humans, dwarves, or Qunari when creating this space, the underlying intent and purpose behind its construction might transcend such specifics, making it feel less disorienting even to those with weaker Fade connections.
Elves’ stronger connection to the Fade is likely rooted in their ancestral spirit origins, may indeed make their souls more spirit-like than those of other beings. This could explain why they navigate the Crossroads with greater ease and why it feels less alien to them.
Their unique affinity isn’t just a legacy of their ancestry but also a reflection of their ongoing connection to the Fade, which continues to shape their experiences and interactions with the world.
May your path through the Fade remain well-lit! —The Fade Codex
