The Blight: A Prison Break
Hey, take my hand, and let me take you on the Vir of my Feral Brain
Heads up Seekers, this is a long one.
Solas & The-Veil-Super-Max vs. Mythal, the Big Bad
**No Veilguard Spoilers Past the Released Trailer Media
The Veil separates the world of spirits & magic from the physical world, but that is a byproduct of its existence, not its purpose.
Creating the Veil also created “The Quickening.” If Elvhen are born with The Veil, they are separated from the magic that makes them, cursing them with a shorter lifespan.
But The Veils purpose is to be the jail that the Evanuris (and the blight?) are in;
The fade-separation-part is an annoying side-effect.
And You Say: But OP, in Trespasser, Solas SAYS:
I will save the elven people, even if it means this world must die. [That’s a big IF to throw in there buddy, do you mean you don’t know?]
Why does this world have to die for the elves to return?
A good question, but not one I will answer [Bah, humbug. Coward BioWare]
… and though I owed you an explanation, I will not give you tools to use against me. [So you’re saying there’s a chance? There ARE tools to be used?]
The return of my people means the end of yours. [What if, I don’t believe you?]
Solas says, that there are ways to stop him. But.
We know, entirely separate from Solas, that The Veil is breaking. It is thinning, without anyone’s intervention, slowly over time.
In Ghillys Grove/Dead Hand, rocks are floating. Companions say, all over the place, “ThE vEiL iS tHiN HeRe.”
The veil is coming down, REGARDLESS.
(Maybe not so fast, but it is coming down. It was not built to last forever.)
*Sidebar about Solas’ ancient Elvhen Artifacts, do they maintain the veil like he says? (It will be harder for tears to form here) Or do they do something else? If you note their locations, they’re all in places where elvhen had palaces/ruins/stuff (except for the Wastes, where they’re located amongst Dwarven shit, coincidence, I think not, but that’s Whole-Other-Post-Number-2)
*They are spheres (like Titan foci?) with something like Bismuth growing out of them?
*Solas made the veil. I think the artifacts are his. And I think they do keep The Veil up.
*Because the veil cannot just Come Down™, that would be disastrous.
*It needs to be Taken Down™. Very different.
Which leads us right back to…
The return of my people means the end of yours.
Let’s Remember this Dialogue
Cole: Is there a way to save more spirits, Solas?
Solas: Not until the Veil is healed. The rifts draw spirits through, and the shock makes demons of them.
Cole: Pushing through makes you be yourself. You can hold onto the you. Being pulled through means you don’t have enough you. You become what batters you, bruises your being.
Solas: Yes, exactly. Deliberately crossing the Veil requires that a spirit form will, personality. That concept of self gives a spirit the chance to maintain its nature. Wrenched into this world unwillingly by the rifts, spirits suffer the same fate as my friend.
Cole: Then we will help them.
If you are not paying attention, the game wants you to think that the fade is full of demons, chock full of them. If The Veil comes down, demons will swallow the earth. But, that’s not actually the case. Most of the things there are spirits, they only turn to demons when they get pulled through the veil unwillingly. Let’s hold onto that thought.
Solas wants the Evanuris in prison (I am unsure if he knows that there’s only two of them left). He needs them in prison. But he doesn’t want The Veil.
WHY is having No-Veil inherently dangerous to humans/Dalish if there are mostly spirits?
I don’t think it is.
I think he means the end of the Dalish, meaning the end of the Shemlen version of the Dalish. Immortal elves can exist again after The Veil is gone.
So the Dalish will “Die” (people are always dying) but Immortality will come back.
What does Solas say again? (In the fade with Rook):
Your actions have set events in motion, and I would not have your ignorance on my conscience.
The Evanuris. Blah blah blah…
When I rebelled, they drew on the horrific magic of the blight, corrupting all they saw until I trapped them.
Thanks to you though, I am now trapped, and the blighted “elvhen gods” walk free.
Hang on a tidily minute there pardner.
Solas locked them up because they killed Mythal, not because of anything to do with the blight.
From Trespasser:
Inky: You said that the elven gods went too far. What did they do that made you move against them?
Solas: They killed Mythal (Chuckles). A crime for which an eternity of torment is the only fitting punishment…. And in their lust for power, they killed her.
But he Also Says:
Had I not created the Veil, the Evanuris would have destroyed the entire world.
OhKayy.
So… Now we’re retconning Why Solas’ Imprisoned The Evanuris…
OR…
Andruil brought the Blight back from the Abyss, and Ghilly made/weaponized it. I’m guessing The Evanuris were going to/already were, unleashing it on Thedas? But, why? That doesn’t make any sense. Mythal stood up to them, and so they killed her?
Kamikazeing the world doesn’t sound like a smart business strategy. It does not sound in line with The Evanuris’ Mission Statement.
This art from pinacoladamatata has been confirmed cannon by BioWare – this is the face the Evanuris’ Business Manager makes when he sees them making Bad Business Decisions ™
No, its fucking is not, get your head out of your ass.
Fucking GODS. The GODS YOUS GUYS
These guys wanted power. There were 7 of them, ffs. You’re telling me they all went bat shit and wanted to blight the world? To what end? What’s their Modus Operandi? This is not adding up for me.
The Evanuris used blood magic. [IMO, Ghilly created Qunari specifically to have stronger powered blood for her magic rituals. She created a whole race, to die. *What is my purpose*You Pass Butter*Oh My God* Little mix of dragon and elf and poof, Qunari Baby. But Im not getting into that, that’s not the point of this post]
And you’re telling me ALL 7 OF THEM, after they’ve: slain Ancient Dragons, won battle against the Forgotten Ones, Became Kings, Sundered Titans, Became Gods, created races for blood magic rituals, were just like, yeah let’s blight the world? Like for fun, its Tuesday and Im Bored.
Sorry, whut? No. This is not adding up. This does not make any sense to me.
So… What does make sense?
The Blight IS Bad.
Okay. How?
If Ghilly made the blight and we know that the Evanuris have used the Blight (source, Solas), lets assume they can actually control it; its not a virus or an uncontrollable bacteria, the Evanuris can control it (somehow), otherwise they risk wiping out their own amassed power.
Okay.
And Solas didn’t want them killing more people (he was already freeing their slaves), and decided to lock them up.
Okay.
But before this, Mythal did something to make them mad, and they killed her?
Okay.
But she didn’t actually die.
We know she didn’t die…
How do we know she didn’t die?
Because we saw her Blue/OGB/Navi-Wisp leave Flemeth and transfer to Solas.
And where else have we seen that before?
We see it when Kieran gives up Urthemiel to Flemythal.
Who’s Urthemiel?
Urthemiel, the Old God Dragon of Beauty, aka one of the Evanuris (Sylaise or June probably).
Urthemiel was an archdemon, a blighted-dragon, and (like Corypheus), when it was killed, the Blue/OGB/Navi-Soul got transferred into (supposed to be a Warden who would then die, taking the spirit with them, but actually its) Kieran. Who then gives it to Flemythal.
Who has THE SAME KIND OF Blue/OGB/Navi-Wisp…
BECAUSE SHE WAS BLIGHTED.
Abelas: The dread wolf had nothing to do with her murder. She was slain, if a god truly can be, betrayed by those who destroyed this temple. But the Vir’Abelasan remains, as do we. That is something.
She did not “die,” she got INFECTED WITH THE BLIGHT, and then slain, and then her Blue-Dragon-Navi-Soul moved on to another vessel.
Let’s Re-state What We KNOW
There used to be 7 Old Gods/Archdemons in the Deep Roads
There have been 5 Blights
There have been 5 Archdemons slain
There used to be 7 Evanuris in The Solas-Super-Max-Veil-Prison
Now there are 2
(TBF we don’t know for 100% Evanuris = Old Gods, but we essentially assume they are)
Let’s move into speculation territory:
How did they get out?
Well, we’ve seen Ghilly and Elgar’dad’s physical forms.
Now, I am not a zoologist, but those:
DO NOT look like dragons.
Remember:
Trespasser Solas: “They killed Mythal (chuckles), a crime for which an eternity of torment is the only fitting punishment.”
So, lets assume, that The Evanuris “killed” Mythal by infecting her with the Blight.
I think, when Solas locked the Evanuris away, he put The Blight in there with them. Not just an eternity in prison, but an eternity of torment.
What he (probably) didn’t figure, is the Blight-Body-Snatcher-Problem.
We KNOW, a creature infected with The Blight can pass their soul onto another creature infected with the Blight (Corypheus).
We KNOW, that if blood is spilled during a ritual to contact the Priso, that the blood-spiller can contact people in the prison (Golly, that sounds familiar, hey?)
Solas: Deliberately crossing the Veil requires that a spirit form will, personality. That concept of self gives a spirit the chance to maintain its nature.
“My kind has ever been driven to seek out the Old Gods. This is out nature. When we findone, a Blight begins.”
I hypothesize, the Evanuris killed (Slept? Separated from?) their physical bodies to allow their Blue Souls to re-infect an Archdemon, that was grown, supplied by an Architect, or other strange creatures we don’t know about in the deep roads. Not as nice, or as powerful a body as their Elvhen Forms, but better than being in prison.
And that is how The Blight acted as a prison break for the Evanuris.
Which brings me to the question, what happened to the other Evanuris’ Blue-Dragon-Navi-Souls once they were slain (as archdemons) and moved into Wardens (who then promptly died)?
Watch this: Dragon Age: Origins Death of the Warden in 1080p
(Its actually kinda badass)
This is the moment the Warden (No Dark Ritual Performed) stabs Archdemon #5 in the head (Photo brightened).
(This is not the moment the Archdemon dies)
THIS is the moment the archdemon dies:
[Hmm… looks like an Andruil Shaft of Light to Kill a Titan, hey?]
There is then a Giant Explosion:
We see the Wardens Body only after the fact on a funeral stone. We do not know exactly what happened to them. But Alistair, who was standing right beside them, is fine.
In my mind, the blue mist (1st picture) is the Blue-Soul Transferring, and then the explosion is the Blue-Soul actually dying, meaning it doesn’t get transferred onto another blighted creature.
BUT.
It is important to note, that in a world where the Dark Ritual was performed, where the OGB goes into Kieran, the cutscene is NOT DIFFERENT IN ANY WAY. It is THE EXACT SAME SCENE. Same pillar of light, same blue ring, same explosion. But some how THIS:
(This is a separate screenshot image from a separate video, different outcomes).
Gets turned into THIS:
SO IM GOING TO WiLdLy SpEcULaTe
That if a GIANT FUCKING RING OF EXPLODING BLUE LIGHT can be sucked into Morrigan’s Magic-Fucking-Uterus, it can be wrangled in other ways as well (… or at the very least, into another uterus).
OK. This Dark Ritual thing. Sounds like, mega weird. Powerful, strange, old magic.
Let’s refresh:
Dragon Age: Origins - Dark Ritual with Loghain and Romanced Morrigan
I offer a way out, a way out for all the Grey Wardens that there need be no sacrifice, a ritual, performed on the eve of battle, in the dark of night. It is old magic, before the circle of magi was created. Some might call it blood magic, (Solas: I abhor the use of blood magic) but that is but a name. there is far more to fear in this world than names. [Nothing is without a cost] Perhaps, but that cost might not be so unbearable, especially if there is much to be gained. All I ask is you listen to what I have to offer. What I propose is this, lay with me here tonight, and from our joining, a child will be conceived. The child will bear the taint, and when the archdemon is slain, its essence will seek the child like a beacon. At this early stage, the child can absorb that essence and not perish. The archdemon is still destroyed, with no Grey Warden dying in the process. Think about what I offer you: the chance to avoid death. Or better yet, the chance to slay the archdemon and live as a hero. No Grey Warden has ever done this. In return I conceive a child, one who will be born with the soul of an Old God. After this is done, you allow me to walk away, and you do not follow. Ever. The child will be mine to raise as I wish. [Is this why you’ve been so friendly with me] It’s… why I was sent with you by my mother.
Wait. WHAAAAAAAAT. You mean FLEMYTHAL KNOWS ABOUT THE RITUAL??? SHES THE ONE WHO TAUGHT IT TO MORRIGAN?
It’s… why I was sent with you by my mother. Its why she saved your life to begin with. Caring for you… was not part of the plan. But I cannot let what I feel interfere with what I must do. This is important to me. The fact that it may save your life makes me all the more determined to see it done. Please do not… cloud the issue. If you feel anything for me, then accept that it will make what we must do… that much easier.
So. Flemeth (Mythal), Knows How to entrap Archdemon (Evanuris) Souls (Blue-Navi’s), which are The Same People who killed Blighted her.
But… What is she DOING with them? Why aren’t they turning on her? Where are their vessels?
WHERE ARE THEY.
(Enter my lover Yavana).
Yavana is an infamous Antivan Witch of the Wilds known as the "Beast of the Tellari swamps".
Yvana Quotes:
"The blood of dragons is the blood of the world."
(to 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?"
Alistair: "You and Morrigan and Flemeth...all you do is manipulate and lie."
Yavana: "That is our craft, but not our purpose. Mankind destroys without understanding, yet I preserve."
Yavana, my girl. Girlboss. What are you preserving sweetie?
Some Very-Simplified-Backstory: Marric, Alistair’s dad, was saved by Flemeth once upon a time, and was supposed to go to Yavana after his kids were grown.
Why, you ask? Well:
Now I don’t know about you, but there’s only one task I can think of that a Woman needs a Man for, and its not Knitting.
But Marric never showed. So Flemeth had to improvise, sending Morrigan…
It’s… why I was sent with you by my mother.
Now I think,
Mythal is the big bad.
Because who told Morrigan to get Urthemiel?
Flemythal.
Who’s to say she didn’t plant Yavana in Northen Thedas to collect other Dragon-Souls?
I have no proof, but I would not bet against it.
Let’s Refresh Ourselves on the History of the Blights, Shall we?
[You do not need to read all of this, I have summarized it in the image below]
A Quick, Shallow Dive Into The Blights (A Historical Record):
{[ (Some Of) The following information is only mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop. Certain portions of this media may no longer reflect currently established lore.]}
The First Blight
The First Blight began in -395 Ancient (800 TE) and lasted nearly two centuries, the longest Blight in history.
In the course of the First Blight, Dumat was slain multiple times, to no avail - he would always return. Some people saw it as proof of his divine power. The Grey Wardens, thanks to the taint in their blood, could feel the Archdemon die and rise again, as its spirit would go on to possess the nearest tainted creature. They eventually realized that their connection to the Blight might make it possible to kill Dumat for good.
Eventually, Grey Warden scholars proposed that if Dumat were slain by a Grey Warden, due to the Wardens' subtle ties to the darkspawn, his spirit would rush into the body of the Warden that had killed it. Unlike the darkspawn, a Warden's body already has a soul, and the resulting paradox would destroy both Warden and Archdemon.
Records do not say who exactly gave up his soul to destroy Dumat, for many Wardens struggled against him, and the Archdemon's very death throes slew seven or more of them.
Archdemon Slayer: Unknown
Location: The Silent Plains are a desolate area on the southern borders of the Tevinter Imperium, with Nevarra laying further south and the Free Marches to the south-east.
The Second Blight
The Second Blight began in the Anderfels with the corruption of Zazikel, the Old God of Freedom[1] or the Dragon of Chaos, in 1:05 Divine, and lasted 90 years.[2] Both sides suffered heavy losses, but Zazikel was finally slain by the Grey Warden Corin.
Archdemon Slayer: Corin.
Location: Starkhaven is an independent and prominent city-state of the Free Marches that lies on the banks of the Minanter River.
The Third Blight
The Third Blight began when Toth, the Old God of Fire, awoke in 3:10 Towers, and the darkspawn erupted in the central lands of Thedas in greater numbers than ever before.[1]
In 3:25, the combined armies of the Grey Wardens, Tevinter and Orlais met in Hunter Fell and destroyed Toth in one of the bloodiest battles in history.
Archdemon Slayer: Unknown.
Location: Hunter Fell is a city in Nevarra. It is located along the northern shore of the Minanter river, west of Nevarra City.
The Fourth Blight
The Fourth Blight began when the Archdemon Andoral arose in 5:12 Exalted and darkspawn surfaced in the northeast and northwestern regions of Thedas. With only three Wardens left, Garahel flew his griffon into Ayesleigh narrowly avoiding the archers and the Archdemon's attacks before finally driving his blade into a wound at the base of the Archdemon's neck made by the rabid griffons, killing the beast at last.
Archdemon Slayer: Garahel.
Location: Ayesleigh is a city in western Rivain.
The Fifth Blight
(AKA Dragon Age: Origins)
The Fifth Blight occurred in 9:30 Dragon in the nation of Ferelden. The Blight's origins began with the tainting of the Old God Urthemiel during a botched experiment by the Architect to awaken it. In 9:31,[25] the darkspawn horde, led by Urthemiel himself, reached Denerim and attacked before the reinforcements from Redcliffe could arrive.
A small team led by the Warden assaulted the fortress and, despite the efforts of the darkspawn garrison to protect it, Urthemiel was slain. The Fifth Blight had ended before most of Thedas knew it had begun.
Archdemon Slayer: The Hero of Ferelden
Location: Denerim, Ferelden
Remember,
Mythal is the Big Bad.
[Please be advised that this is wild conjecture with little to no evidence to back it up]
Let’s say, that Yavana (or Flemeth or Yavana-predecessor) was around for all previous blights; the Archemon Deaths are all in Northern Thedas. She went around to all the blight-battles where the archdemon was slain, and somehow recovered their Blue-Dragon-Navi-Soul.
And is housing them (protecting them?). In Dragons? In Orbs? In something else? Maybe they’re bound to an Item, maybe they’re possessing a Body.
Now you might be thinking, OP, how are the Archdemon-Dragon-Bodies getting there? How can the Evanuris control the Blight? How did the blight escape Solas’ Veil-Super-Max? You’re making a lot of wild jumps and leaps.
And I am.
But I bid you read this.
Let me Summarize:
If your Inquisitor drinks from Mythal’s Well of Sorrows, they hear a bunch of weird, garbled audio. One of those “unintelligible whispers,” is “Mythal speaks the calling.”
What’s the Calling again?
All Grey Wardens who do not fall in battle eventually fall to something known as the Calling, a magic that preys upon our own connection to the Blight and the darkspawn. Rather than such foul magic eventually leading to my death, I have determined to find a way to negate this Calling and save all Wardens from its effects.” ―Hero of Ferelden
The Calling is how the Evanuris control the Blight.
And Mythal is the one who speaks it.
Mythal orchestrated the downfall of her peers, who were gathering power and threatening her own rule, and stole their power (Dragon-Souls) for herself. Solas was a scapegoat the whole time.
Do you agree with me? Do you disagree? Did I get something in the lore wrong? Let me know, lets talk about it! (Please, no Veilguard spoilers, TYSM).
We Will Find Out If Im Right in... 38 hours and 13 minutes.
Dareth Shiral, Dirthalen.
