Theories (?) The Ritual Sarcophagus, lyrium, blood magic & Falon'din
I just woke up from a nap and started thinking about Fenris' comics (Wraith of Tevinter) and the origin of that Ritual Sarcophagus. Bear with me for this one.
A Ritual Sarcophagus is "an ancient magical artifact of unknown origin" but with Veilguard, I'm even more sure than before that it is Elven, not Tevene or anything else.
First I thought they might have been created by June, but now I think they're connected to Falon'din: the "God" of Death, sarcophagi... What if Falon'din put spirits who became elves (had a physical body) in this artifact to make them more "spirit-like" again? To give them a physical yet immaterial body? A perfect in-between to make them stronger.
What's been reinforcing the idea that this artifact is elven, is how it is used. Marquette says the ritual requires swords imbued with lyrium, but those aren't just enchanted swords. They're Arcane Warrior's sword. The description for this subclass in Dragon Age Origins says: "Among the ancient elves, there were mages who trained their magical arts to augment their martial prowess. They channeled magical power through their weapons and bodies, becoming terrors on the battlefield."
This artifact uses lyrium (Titan's blood), and we know from Solas that Falon'din used to kill his least faithful worshippers. "The blood of those who wouldn't bow low filled lakes as wide as oceans", so imagining him using blood magic with all that waste isn't too crazy. Especially since he was often fighting with Elgar'nan to prove who was the strongest.
"Mythal, in her wisdom, interceded in an argument between Elgar'nan and Falon'Din. With clever words, she convinced them to settle their grievance through a battle of their champions. Elgar'nan and Falon'Din agreed, and set their champions against each other rather than declare war among the gods" — Codex entry: Vir Dirthara: Duel of a Hundred Years
A battle that Falon'din lost. Maybe that's why he created (or asked June's/another Evanuris help) those sarcophagus, in the hopes to make a stronger champion out of his worshippers.
What's more: Zazikel, Falon'din's dragon thrall, was not only known as the Dragon of Chaos, but also Freedom. It comes full circle when you realise it's been used on Fenris: He traded his freedom for his mother and sister. His memories, who he was before. But he also used these abilities to forge a new freedom for him, for other slaves of Tevinter, and people like them.
Zazikel & Falon'din are connected to Kios & Tenebrium, the constellations depicting what is described to be a dragon, but rather seems to be a spirit holding a blade (Arcane Warrior? One of his champion?) and an owl, which is often used as the symbol for Falon'din.
(It's also interesting because it's the same owl statues we find in Veilguard. This picture is from Inquisition though.)
I keep thinking about "what if Fenris was in Veilguard?" and how interesting it would be to hear him talk to Lace Harding about the Titans/her magic, compare it to his. For him to meet (and become) a Shadow Dragon, etc.
• Extra note 1: If Shirallas had survived, I'm sure Elgar'nan would adore him as one of his pawn in Veilguard. Blighted lyrium, blood magic, fuelled by a thirst for vengeance and bearing Elgar'nan's vallaslins? The perfect pawn for this God.
• Extra note 2: This entire post and thoughts is just making me regret we didn't get more stuff about the Red Lyrium. I thought DA Absolution bringing back "The Crimson Knight" (Meredith Stannard) was a build up to bring her back in this game haha Anyways, I made it myself with Alba de Riva (When he isn't Rook, but a recruitable companion, it's his personal quest). A whole questline around Red Templars activity, trying to pursue their goals of using blood magic to turn every Templars into Red Templars like she wanted to do in the Netflix series.
