once again thinking about the scene where claudia and soren talk cause like. if there’s any time his motives are revealed it’s through someone who has been listening to him for the past 2 years echoing the same sentiments to her brother
Claudia: Aaravos. It’s Aaravos! it’s not that hard.
Soren. That's what I said!
Claudia: No, you didn't. And you don't know anything about him.
Soren: I know that he wants us all to fight and-and hate each other! He wants the world to burn.
Claudia: You're wrong! The dragons and the elves already hate us.
Soren: That's not true. I'm friends with dragons and elves now.
Claudia: Oh, are you sure? Are they real friends? Or are they just taking advantage of you?
( melancholy music playing ) You'll always be a human to them. You'll always be less! Thousands of years ago, humans had nothing. We were starving, and wretched, and helpless. There was famine, and disease, and... Uh, there was war and fighting over the few resources that we could get our grubby little hands on. Life was pain and struggle, and the dragons and elves, they did nothing! They judged us. They pitied us.
Soren: How do you know this?
Claudia: The same way you do. You can feel it's true, can't you? Humans understand suffering deep in our bones because so many generations went through it.
Soren: Claudia, I... I don't think we have the same bone feelings.
Claudia: Aaravos believed in humans when all the other elves and dragons thought we were worthless, stupid, dirty animals! Aaravos believed we could be better. So he gave us magic!
Soren: You say that like it's such a good thing. But if you ask me, it's caused nothing but trouble. Maybe the world would be better off without magic.
Claudia: Without magic, you would be dead. Without dad's magic.
In an interview Ehasz & Richmond confirm that Aaravos never lies, but..
if you understand where he’s coming from, he’s not lying about anything. But you don’t necessarily know where he’s coming from. He never lies, he always tells the truth.
So, how much is the real truth, subjective truths, alternate interpretation of words, or paltering (misleading by misrepresenting select truths)? Who knows.
But I copied all of of Aaravos’ lines from transcripts if you want to try and guess.
Some are kinda funny in hindsight - “ Preparing you for greatness.” Just meant being able to see Aaravos, who is a Great One. (Or very impressed with his own looks).
S2E7 Fire and Fury
Viren: I'm ready.
Aaravos: Speak.
Viren: I -
Aaravos: Speak, so I may hear you.
Viren: Who- who are you?
Aaravos: Ah How long I have waited to hear the sound of another voice. How may I serve you?
S2E8 The Book of Destiny
Viren: Who are you?
Aaravos: My name would mean nothing to you.
Viren: [sighs.] Where are you?
Aaravos: I don't know.
Viren: Don't lie to me.
Aaravos: I'm not lying. I never lie.
Viren: [sighs.] I found this mirror in the lair of the Dragon King. This mirror meant something to him. You meant something to him.
Aaravos: Perhaps. Tell me what you need, and I will help you.
Viren: I need your name.
Aaravos: Aaravos.
Viren: What's going on? Every time I found a mention of you in an ancient scroll or tome, the entire passage disappeared as soon as I looked! [sighs.] What game are you playing? [sighs.]
Viren: Ugh! [sighs.] Why should I trust you?
Aaravos: You shouldn't… yet.
S2E9 Breathe
Viren: I should end this right now! Throw the mirror into a river and cut you off forever.
Aaravos: You won't. You are too curious. Hungry for knowledge and power. Both things I can provide. Allow me to earn your trust.
Viren: And how would that work, exactly?
Aaravos: Search your heart. There's something that you want very badly. But something or someone stands in your way.
Viren: I- I am having a problem getting some people to listen to me, to hear the importance of what I'm saying.
Aaravos: Who are these people?
Viren: They are kings and queens. The leaders of the other four human kingdoms.
Aaravos: Then we will have to get their attention.
Aaravos: You tried to win over the other humans with loyalty and friendship, but they ignored you. Those who fail tests of love are simple animals. They deserve to be motivated by fear.
Viren: Bring terror to Del Bar to Neolandia to Evenere and to Duren!
Aaravos: You're in danger. They've come for you. Do as I tell you. Prepare for battle.
Guard: Lord Viren! Open up, by order of the High Council!
Aaravos: Well? Open it for them!
Opeli: Surrender, Viren!
Aaravos: Stop. It's over.
Viren: But I can destroy them all! I have all the power I need!
Aaravos: Stop!
Opeli: You're completely surrounded, Viren! Give yourself up. Don't make me give the order.
Viren: You have betrayed me.
Aaravos: No. I will stay with you.
S3E1 Sol Regem
Aaravos: Do not despair. Be patient. Your time will come. You have put things in motion.
S3E3 Ghost
Aaravos: Get up. Get up. You have visitors coming. You're going to need to look presentable.
Viren: My children. I'm so glad to see you safe.
Claudia: What happened, Dad? Why are you down here?
Viren: While I tried to unite the five kingdoms against Xadia, the Council was more concerned that I broke a few rules along the way. But none of that matters. The egg, did you get it?
Claudia: It's not an egg anymore. It's hatched.
Viren: It hatched? That dragon will become the most powerful creature in the world, and you've let it fall back into Xadia's hands?
Claudia: But, Dad, Soren could've died.
Viren: That doesn't matter!
Soren: Dad?
Viren: I do not mean to be cruel. But we must be ready to sacrifice. Even the things we love. I would have asked you to choose the egg over my life, if it came to it. Do you understand? Everything I do, and everything I ask of you, is for the future of humanity.
Claudia: Is that why you told Soren to kill the princes?
Claudia: Answer me, Dad. Why did you tell Soren to kill the princes?
Aaravos: Careful. If you tell the truth, you will lose her. You will need her soon.
Viren: Oh, is that what you thought, Soren? Claudia, did you really think I would ask him to do such a thing? Surely you know your brother is um, easily confused.
Soren: Wait, I know I'm not the smartest, but I know what you said.
Viren: Oh, really? What do you remember?
Soren: You told me to return with the news that the princes died. You said, "Accidents happen all the time." Viren: Soren, I was preparing you for the worst. I knew tragedy might have already befallen them No! You said that I'd know to do the right thing.
Viren: Soren. I said "do the right thing," and somehow you heard "kill the princes." Oh this is disappointing, son. Even for you.
Soren: Claudia, you believe me, right?
Claudia: Oh, Sor-bear. I believe you thought you heard it, but you obviously made a mistake. We're just really lucky you messed up the mission you thought you had, huh? Wow.
S3E4 Midnight Desert
Viren: What are you doing?
Aaravos: Preparing you for greatness. Now, be still.
Aaravos: It is ready. Open your eye. You can hear me. And now you can see me. And I can better serve you.
S3E5 Heroes and Masterminds
Claudia: Knock knock! - Oh, who's your new friend?
Viren: Don't! Do not touch it.
Claudia: Sorry, Dad. I just thought it looked cute.
Viren: No. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to get ready for our march on Xadia. Did you need something?
Claudia: Uh, no! I was just making sure you're okay. I mean, you are okay, right?
Viren: Thank you. I'm fine. Claudia, you understand why Prince Ezran had to be removed?
Claudia: Of course. He couldn't have done the things that need to be done. Viren: Others might take a crown out of self-importance, but I-
Claudia: You're doing it to help us. To help everyone.
Viren: Yes. Yes, that's right. That's why I know I can count on you, Claudia.
Claudia: Everything's going to be okay, Dad. I'm here for you.
Aaravos: Well played. She will be a valuable asset.
Viren: She is not an asset. She is my daughter.
S3E6 Thunderfall
Soren: What, you don't want me to smoosh that thing?
Viren: Do not smoosh the purple creature. Think of it as my animal familiar.
Soren: So, you're saying you've adopted a little bug-pal?
Viren: Yes, Soren. He is my little bug-pal.
Soren: I'll just ride back here with Claudia for a while.
Aaravos: Has our relationship truly escalated to this new height? Am I your "little bug-pal"? We have a long journey ahead. While we travel, there is something I have been meaning to ask you. My understanding is that somehow you killed Avizandum.
Viren: I've killed no such person.
Aaravos: Avizandum was no person. Avizandum was an archdragon, the great king of all the dragons. The most powerful creature in the world. Yet, somehow, you brought him down.
Viren: So, Avizandum was his true name. We called him Thunder.
Aaravos: Please, continue. I eagerly await the great confrontation.
Viren: We did not find Thunder Avizandum where we expected to find him.
Aaravos: What an incredible story. I am delighted you took down that arrogant monster.
Viren: It sounds like you have a history with Avizandum.
Aaravos: Oh, I do. He is the reason I am where I am today.
Viren: And where is that?
Aaravos: He never bothered to mention where he imprisoned me.
Viren: You're imprisoned? Your home looks like no prison I've ever seen.
Aaravos: Yes, it's well appointed. But make no mistake, this has been my prison these past few centuries.
Claudia: We're going to cross that border. After all impassable is just another kind of passable.
Aaravos: Yes!
S3E7 Hearts of Cinder
Viren: So, what is the plan?
Aaravos: To fulfill your wishes, of course. Is your wish to rule Xadia?
Viren: I wish for humanity to flourish. And it cannot flourish with a knife forever at its throat.
Aaravos: So, you wish to conquer Xadia?
Viren: No! No, my goal is a bright future for humanity.
Aaravos: Right. And this bright future will require us to conquer Xadia?
Viren: Yes. Yes, perhaps.
Aaravos: The key to achieving your noble aims for humanity is simple. It's the same as it has always been.
Viren: The key is the Dragon Prince.
Aaravos: Yes. You must take down the Dragon Queen and capture the baby dragon. Then you will have the attention of all the world, and the power to do what you want. But first, there is something we need here in Lux Aurea.
Viren: You want us to attack the stronghold of the Sunfire elves? But we need to preserve our forces for the final confrontation.
Aaravos: Viren, I'm nothing if not elegant and efficient. We'll risk as few lives as possible… one.
Viren: Ah, mine.
Aaravos: Yes.
Khessa: Ugh! Humans disgust me. Your kind could not be satisfied with what you were given. So you take what is not yours. You take it within you, and you turn it to filth.
Aaravos: Your arrogance is so predictable. You allowed my vessel to walk right into your court, and then you brought him directly to the source of all your power? Oh, the irony is wonderful! You're just like your grandmother. Would you like to know the truth of her fate before you face yours?
(Aaravos whispers something. The second word seems to be human).
S3E9 The Final Battle
Aaravos: When you capture the dragonling, I will show you how to take his power, how to imbue yourself with all his magic and potential, so that you will transcend the limits of your human form. Then none will dare stand against you.
Aaravos: Brace yourself.
Aaravos dark magic spell: He swallows your heart. He swallows your mind. He swallows your power.
