Okay, I did some reading and I know what a High Keeper is now: "Dating back to the period of the elven Dales, when the Keepers were not leaders and guides for individual clans but rather priests who served as archivists and magical scholars, these robes belonged to the High Keeper for the largest temple of old Halamshiral, dedicated to Elgar'nan the All-Father and Eldest of the Sun." - item description for 'Robes of the High Keeper' It seems they were high priests who sat in residence of the temple of the god they worshipped during the time of Halamshiral and the Dales. If June had one, and Elgar'nan had one (along with temples) - we can presume that all of the gods had a High Keeper, and probably a temple somewhere.
aaahhhhh I LOVED this! Solas was my friend first. I played a Lavellan Knight Enchanter who romanced Dorian. His name is Theneras, and he's quite goofy and foreward-thinking, though he greatly respects, appreciates, and loves tradition and history. So he became a fast friend to Solas and really admired him. The more I learned about Solas as I went the greater I loved him as a character. Brillant, tragic, complex, fascnating. This video was SUPER fun! I want the entire series right now!!! rahh!! I'm excited for the video covering the romance, but since you said you may take suggestions, I'd also LOVE one analyzing his character in regards to his party banter with other companions. Especially Iron Bull, Varric, Cassandra, and Cole, as he seems particularly considerate and respectful of them. Such as his banter with Iron Bull on becoming Tal-Vashoth (saying Iron Bull has him), banter with Cassandra on her discovering the truth of the Seekers ("I hope your Maker is worthy [of your faith/of you]"), banter with Varric on several occasions concerning mortality (like the fisherman story), and well, Cole is, there's so much haha.
I also think Solas showing us the Elven Artifacts is so we see him as having a unique skill and need to keep him around. He walks around like an unaffiliated apostate, handed over his staff upon first joining Cassandra to help the unconscious Inquisitor, and believes no one trusts him. You also see him without staff in Haven, looking as harmless as he can make himself. If you can't have trust or respect, make people think you're useful so they keep you around. And the more you do for him, the more he hints at you doing a good thing and thus him being helpful to you. He's like a fisherman catching a big fish; slowly reeling you in against the current, but giving you enough slack so the line doesn't snap.
Tevinter nights mention / light spoiler. I was a little suspicious about the artefacts not doing what the Egg tells us, until I read the Wigmaker job in Tevinter nights. Since in that story the artefacts are referenced as keeping demons away in a place where blood magic is abundant. They could still have unintended consequences but at least they do what was advertised too. 😅
What you say in your video makes perfect sense and the more I hear Solas' comments, the more it moves to seeing him as the Dreadwolf, trickster. I would be most interested in the analysis of the comments made by Solas throughout the past Dragon Ages, if you can do more of these I will be waiting patiently for more insights. I am a writer of fantasy novels and I tend to write more about the character insights and how they change and grow throughout a good story. Unfortunately, I'm not published, as it is so hard to be published these days unless you self-publish, so hearing your insights I found was fascinating.
Thank you! Yes, I actually do have planned something like that planned - basically, a rundown of him in other da media (primarily The Masked Empire, given there's a ridiculous amount of insight into him in that book) - but a few other things, too :) (hope you get published, we need more awesome fantasy novels out there!)
Such an interesting analysis! It's such a simple quest and yet there's so many things to take away from, as you pointed out. They're all so subtle and easily missed if you don't really think about it. Solas putting himself in a Hahren/wise elder position when he speaks to Mihris, it makes so much sense. I mean I always took it as him kind of putting Mihris in her place by just speaking fluent Elven to her, showing her that he's more than just a ''flat-ear'', but the Da'len comment never clicked with me like that till you pointed it out here, and I was like ''Damn you're right'' haha. Honestly please keep going overboard with the translations, I'm all here for it. xD Also fun fact regarding the Elven artefacts, in the Tevinter Nights story The Wigmaker Job it's shown that they actually do strengthen the Veil! (Won't go into details in the comments here cause spoilers, just in case) So yeah, if they do end up playing a role in DAV, it probably won't be because Solas' Measuring the Veil quest was part of his plan. If anything, you'd think he would have to go back and de-activate them xD Also also... Dreadflooff. Love that 😂
The last time he was awake the Veil was newly created. That he’s never seen *veil*fire before, isn’t much of a surprise. He’s heard of it, because the technology was developed while he was sleeping. He hasn’t seen it in the year since he woke up, and the first time he actually sees it in person is while out adventuring with the Herald/Inquisitor.
you know what that actually makes a good bit of sense - technically, the ancient elves were still the *ancient* elves even after the construction of the veil, so yes! so much sense, thank you!
My first playthrough was an elf Mage and yes romanced solas🤣 I really enjoyed you talking about the conversation between him and whatshername. I definitely missed the subtext and what she says when you're not an elf. Please make more videos like this😁
this "Yeah I hope he does" and also Spolas made my day 😂 thank you, i can't wait for more videos about him, about relationships with Inquisitor and other companions etc. Love it!❤
I always kinda read this "companion" dialouge option as my Hawke/Inky just looking at the companion and nodding their head at the opponent direction lol
Good god I love this egg! This romance actually changed the trajectory of my real life love life. He is amazing and I'm so excited to see what happens when he comes face to face with my Lavellen in Veilguard. I truly think she's the only one that he'll stop what he's doing for.
Ironically I wrote a long chapter fic about the artefacts (which took 7 years) and my theory on what they actually did. Unfortunately, it seems in Tevinter Nights it was proven that they actually do stabilize the veil. 😅
I love spoking to Spolas 😂 But seriously, this is so good. I loved listening to your deeper thoughts on his character. I would love to hear a breakdown of our interactions with him in Trespasser someday!
There is an explanation why he heard about veilfire, but never seen it before. Veilfire is memory of actual fire reflected in material world by spirits through weak points in the veil. last time Solas walked the earth in physical form veil was not a thing yet. Creating it messed him up so badly, he fell down to Uthanera for few thousand years. While his conscience wandered around Fade, material world become unrecognizable and new stuff, like veilfire, came to life. Some spirits may have told him what is going on, but he was able to see it all only after he woke up.
You should do a fact checking video on Solas. Since dwarves have spirits and demons not associated with the fade or veil at first glance. How only his word really exists of how things were before. How his murals contaminate every major location we find lore supporting his story, like it could have been planted by him. How he even says only Mythal cared about her people, not himself included. Lies by omission are the same lies by the chantry, shaperate, magisters, etc. How a being as old as he has had lots of time to hone psychological manipulation, and conceal his true intentions. How Flemeth had a contingency to survive his betrayal in kieran's old god powers. Mythal setting him up to be a target, and potentially get him and the other evanuris killed (rattle the heavens), while she survives. His death, along with the evanuris could end all blights. Plenty of juicy bits why people distrust, and hate him since we've seen Flemeth's acts of good and her humorous lies in two games prior to this jackass showing up.
The elven artifacts that we activate have been confirmed to worked. I think doing that sets up what will happen in veilguard. I think that his precautions that he said he took to minimize the damage was those artifacts and activating them to strengthen the barrier against tears especially when it comes down. As he said in trespasser, he didnt think people as people and was going to use the orb that he handed to the vents so they could unlock it and explode while the world burned in raw chaos. Meaning he wasnt going to do anything with the artifacts before figuring out that there are people worth caring about. Maybe tevinter is just a lost cause because of how weak the veil is from them constantly using blood magic
It's entirely possible that his Veil is based on a type of magic that the ancients might have had; how do you hold a prisoner that has access to magic? By making a localized area(like a prison cell) which is shielded from magic. It's possible the veilfire is an interaction of the Veil with certain types of magic pressing against it, so it would have been seen in these Veil bubbles in ancient times
If Solas planned on taking down the Veil, why would he strengthen it. I am thinking that activating the artifacts actually helps to weaken the veil in order to bring it down
I imagine the reason Solas has never seen veilfire is because it didn't exist until he created the veil and passed out. He has seen echoes while he slept in the fade but hadn't yet encountered in in real life.
Would you consider doing a video about the relationship between Solas and Iron Bull, if Bull leaves the Qun? Their dialog together is fascinating and they really do seem to have some real rapport... and Bull catches on that solas is lying and/or way too well trained and watchful very early
Solas gave us a wagon of horse crap with those artifacts. First, as the veil was created, the elven empire fell. Elves making artifacts to strengthen the veil makes no sense as it did not yet exist and it would be bad for them anyway. Second, activating them has no effect whatsoever. I bet they will help solas tearing down the veil in the next game and that's why he had us running around activating them.
To explain that moment in dialogue where the companions name appears is the Inquisitor deferring to them. In this case Solas could better explain the importance better than you because he's the authority of the Fade and ancient culture.
I fully believe solas was a spirit of valour. Though since becoming a elf he believes he has become wisdom. If you think solas described himself as headstrong and cocksure as a youth. Then the name solas means pride and to stand tall. He took the name solas to give pride to the elven slaves he was leading in a rebellion. His plans are not well thought out. They always blow up in his face. In the temple of mythal and in the deep roads in trespasser, his statue is in a guarding position that's valour. Lastly, mythal was justice now she may be twisted to vengeance. Why does that matter? Valour must serve justice. Otherwise, a society dalls apart, not flourishes. Mythal being justice would also naturally follow wisdom. Think of a judge as wisdom Justice is the legal system Valour is the police enforcement. Sorry, this turned out sonlong
@tj3603 Thanks, I think I am the only person who thinks it's true. It is also my reason why he hates the qun. They believe you have to be true to your nature, not strive to be different. Where i see solas trying to change his brash nature as valour to be wisdom. He finds the sun personally against everything he is trying to do with himself.
What i don't understand is that one minute he is ranting and raving about his ppl (Elves) right but next minute he is like ah nah you are NOT my ppl like why the inconstancy in the writing? Elves are your ppl Solas why else would you try to tear down the veil?
I played dragon age games for thousands of hours, The only character earned my respect is king of the hill, Best character, Best personality, Best villain & best rival.
@@ladysulevin i still remember when i defeated the arishok on max difficulty with warrior hawke, When he died & said: one day we shall return. When i played DA inquisition i said where's the arishok people? And who's this shtt corypheus? Then i played DA legacy, The battle with arishok far way harder then this magister. The arishok is the most underrated character at this franchise.
I am so happy that after a decade finally people are making long-form-videos of this gameseries and its characters. My personal theory about the elven artifacts is that they do strenghten the veil. But Solas only wants a strong veil so he can rip it clean open. Like a domino-puzzle or a net you want to open with one loose thread. I am so excited for Veilguard, istg, I just want closure at this point 🫠
![The Scaled Ones | Explaining Dragon Age [spoilers]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SDNQtqawXAg/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Scaled Ones | Explaining Dragon Age [spoilers]](/img/tr.png)
![2 Solasmancers Discuss Solas' Character | Dragon Age Discussion ft. Cassidei [spoilers]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uhPmlEEyv3A/mqdefault.jpg)
Okay, I did some reading and I know what a High Keeper is now:
"Dating back to the period of the elven Dales, when the Keepers were not leaders and guides for individual clans but rather priests who served as archivists and magical scholars, these robes belonged to the High Keeper for the largest temple of old Halamshiral, dedicated to Elgar'nan the All-Father and Eldest of the Sun."
- item description for 'Robes of the High Keeper'
It seems they were high priests who sat in residence of the temple of the god they worshipped during the time of Halamshiral and the Dales.
If June had one, and Elgar'nan had one (along with temples) - we can presume that all of the gods had a High Keeper, and probably a temple somewhere.
Finally! After being obsessed with this man for almost a decade, it feels so good to see all this discussion around him.
Mihris: May the Dread Wolf take you!
Solas: No, I’ll take YOU.
Nah, Mihris ain't his type; he'll only take Lavellan. ;)
aaahhhhh I LOVED this! Solas was my friend first. I played a Lavellan Knight Enchanter who romanced Dorian. His name is Theneras, and he's quite goofy and foreward-thinking, though he greatly respects, appreciates, and loves tradition and history. So he became a fast friend to Solas and really admired him. The more I learned about Solas as I went the greater I loved him as a character. Brillant, tragic, complex, fascnating.
This video was SUPER fun! I want the entire series right now!!! rahh!!
I'm excited for the video covering the romance, but since you said you may take suggestions, I'd also LOVE one analyzing his character in regards to his party banter with other companions. Especially Iron Bull, Varric, Cassandra, and Cole, as he seems particularly considerate and respectful of them. Such as his banter with Iron Bull on becoming Tal-Vashoth (saying Iron Bull has him), banter with Cassandra on her discovering the truth of the Seekers ("I hope your Maker is worthy [of your faith/of you]"), banter with Varric on several occasions concerning mortality (like the fisherman story), and well, Cole is, there's so much haha.
i WANT solasmancer talk! For 10 years ive loved him and no one to talk to about it!
Hes a manipulative bastard of a brother? Why?
I also think Solas showing us the Elven Artifacts is so we see him as having a unique skill and need to keep him around. He walks around like an unaffiliated apostate, handed over his staff upon first joining Cassandra to help the unconscious Inquisitor, and believes no one trusts him. You also see him without staff in Haven, looking as harmless as he can make himself.
If you can't have trust or respect, make people think you're useful so they keep you around. And the more you do for him, the more he hints at you doing a good thing and thus him being helpful to you. He's like a fisherman catching a big fish; slowly reeling you in against the current, but giving you enough slack so the line doesn't snap.
Yes, absolutely! (also flooferdoofer is an amazing name)
Tevinter nights mention / light spoiler.
I was a little suspicious about the artefacts not doing what the Egg tells us, until I read the Wigmaker job in Tevinter nights. Since in that story the artefacts are referenced as keeping demons away in a place where blood magic is abundant. They could still have unintended consequences but at least they do what was advertised too. 😅
I loved The Wigmaker Job, and when the artifact came up I was basically that pointing DiCaprio meme XD
What you say in your video makes perfect sense and the more I hear Solas' comments, the more it moves to seeing him as the Dreadwolf, trickster. I would be most interested in the analysis of the comments made by Solas throughout the past Dragon Ages, if you can do more of these I will be waiting patiently for more insights. I am a writer of fantasy novels and I tend to write more about the character insights and how they change and grow throughout a good story. Unfortunately, I'm not published, as it is so hard to be published these days unless you self-publish, so hearing your insights I found was fascinating.
Thank you! Yes, I actually do have planned something like that planned - basically, a rundown of him in other da media (primarily The Masked Empire, given there's a ridiculous amount of insight into him in that book) - but a few other things, too :) (hope you get published, we need more awesome fantasy novels out there!)
i love the way he speaks to Mihris, it's sooo interesting and I was so glad you translated what he said in such detail, that was awesome!
Such an interesting analysis! It's such a simple quest and yet there's so many things to take away from, as you pointed out. They're all so subtle and easily missed if you don't really think about it. Solas putting himself in a Hahren/wise elder position when he speaks to Mihris, it makes so much sense. I mean I always took it as him kind of putting Mihris in her place by just speaking fluent Elven to her, showing her that he's more than just a ''flat-ear'', but the Da'len comment never clicked with me like that till you pointed it out here, and I was like ''Damn you're right'' haha. Honestly please keep going overboard with the translations, I'm all here for it. xD Also fun fact regarding the Elven artefacts, in the Tevinter Nights story The Wigmaker Job it's shown that they actually do strengthen the Veil! (Won't go into details in the comments here cause spoilers, just in case) So yeah, if they do end up playing a role in DAV, it probably won't be because Solas' Measuring the Veil quest was part of his plan. If anything, you'd think he would have to go back and de-activate them xD
Also also... Dreadflooff. Love that 😂
The last time he was awake the Veil was newly created. That he’s never seen *veil*fire before, isn’t much of a surprise. He’s heard of it, because the technology was developed while he was sleeping. He hasn’t seen it in the year since he woke up, and the first time he actually sees it in person is while out adventuring with the Herald/Inquisitor.
you know what that actually makes a good bit of sense - technically, the ancient elves were still the *ancient* elves even after the construction of the veil, so yes! so much sense, thank you!
Fun listen!
I'm so happy there is finally a character analysis of him, i love these type of videos, especially longer ones ❤❤
Love this video, and would love more for all his scenes. :) I actually forgot that she says May the Dread Wolf Take You if you attack her…
My first playthrough was an elf Mage and yes romanced solas🤣 I really enjoyed you talking about the conversation between him and whatshername. I definitely missed the subtext and what she says when you're not an elf. Please make more videos like this😁
Wonderful analysis! Definitely will come back for the next one.
thank you for the video, i'm looking forward to seeing more discussion-type vids about solas from you
this "Yeah I hope he does" and also Spolas made my day 😂 thank you, i can't wait for more videos about him, about relationships with Inquisitor and other companions etc. Love it!❤
Those artifacts are definitely helping him take the veil down lol
aru from twt here. so obsessed with your channel !!! binge watching everything
i saw the tweet, thank you! i'm glad you enjoy the content
I always kinda read this "companion" dialouge option as my Hawke/Inky just looking at the companion and nodding their head at the opponent direction lol
Omg please do another video where you talk about the Solasmance. I need more people to fangirl about this egg 😩
Your voice is so lovely ❤ I’m a new subscriber and I love your content; great takes and you made me think deeper about Solas 🐺 ✨
Good god I love this egg! This romance actually changed the trajectory of my real life love life. He is amazing and I'm so excited to see what happens when he comes face to face with my Lavellen in Veilguard. I truly think she's the only one that he'll stop what he's doing for.
I loved this video ❤ Love a good Solas analysis! Would love further deep dives into his character! 🙏
Ironically I wrote a long chapter fic about the artefacts (which took 7 years) and my theory on what they actually did. Unfortunately, it seems in Tevinter Nights it was proven that they actually do stabilize the veil. 😅
I love spoking to Spolas 😂 But seriously, this is so good. I loved listening to your deeper thoughts on his character. I would love to hear a breakdown of our interactions with him in Trespasser someday!
There is an explanation why he heard about veilfire, but never seen it before. Veilfire is memory of actual fire reflected in material world by spirits through weak points in the veil. last time Solas walked the earth in physical form veil was not a thing yet. Creating it messed him up so badly, he fell down to Uthanera for few thousand years. While his conscience wandered around Fade, material world become unrecognizable and new stuff, like veilfire, came to life. Some spirits may have told him what is going on, but he was able to see it all only after he woke up.
Fate is Inexorable, Solas will betray us again.
So interesting, thank you for the video ❤
You should do a fact checking video on Solas. Since dwarves have spirits and demons not associated with the fade or veil at first glance. How only his word really exists of how things were before. How his murals contaminate every major location we find lore supporting his story, like it could have been planted by him. How he even says only Mythal cared about her people, not himself included. Lies by omission are the same lies by the chantry, shaperate, magisters, etc. How a being as old as he has had lots of time to hone psychological manipulation, and conceal his true intentions. How Flemeth had a contingency to survive his betrayal in kieran's old god powers. Mythal setting him up to be a target, and potentially get him and the other evanuris killed (rattle the heavens), while she survives. His death, along with the evanuris could end all blights.
Plenty of juicy bits why people distrust, and hate him since we've seen Flemeth's acts of good and her humorous lies in two games prior to this jackass showing up.
The elven artifacts that we activate have been confirmed to worked. I think doing that sets up what will happen in veilguard. I think that his precautions that he said he took to minimize the damage was those artifacts and activating them to strengthen the barrier against tears especially when it comes down. As he said in trespasser, he didnt think people as people and was going to use the orb that he handed to the vents so they could unlock it and explode while the world burned in raw chaos. Meaning he wasnt going to do anything with the artifacts before figuring out that there are people worth caring about. Maybe tevinter is just a lost cause because of how weak the veil is from them constantly using blood magic
It's entirely possible that his Veil is based on a type of magic that the ancients might have had; how do you hold a prisoner that has access to magic? By making a localized area(like a prison cell) which is shielded from magic. It's possible the veilfire is an interaction of the Veil with certain types of magic pressing against it, so it would have been seen in these Veil bubbles in ancient times
Please make more! Just subbed❤
thanks! and yes, got a few in the works :)
If Solas planned on taking down the Veil, why would he strengthen it. I am thinking that activating the artifacts actually helps to weaken the veil in order to bring it down
I imagine the reason Solas has never seen veilfire is because it didn't exist until he created the veil and passed out. He has seen echoes while he slept in the fade but hadn't yet encountered in in real life.
Would you consider doing a video about the relationship between Solas and Iron Bull, if Bull leaves the Qun? Their dialog together is fascinating and they really do seem to have some real rapport... and Bull catches on that solas is lying and/or way too well trained and watchful very early
love these and would love to discus this content
Solas gave us a wagon of horse crap with those artifacts.
First, as the veil was created, the elven empire fell. Elves making artifacts to strengthen the veil makes no sense as it did not yet exist and it would be bad for them anyway.
Second, activating them has no effect whatsoever.
I bet they will help solas tearing down the veil in the next game and that's why he had us running around activating them.
11:14 I think the term would be 'clinical'
To explain that moment in dialogue where the companions name appears is the Inquisitor deferring to them. In this case Solas could better explain the importance better than you because he's the authority of the Fade and ancient culture.
Hearing you talk about this mission make me question something... Maybe he wanted to strengthen the veil so he could move the evanuris easily?
Please please give the solasmancer talk 🙏
I fully believe solas was a spirit of valour. Though since becoming a elf he believes he has become wisdom.
If you think solas described himself as headstrong and cocksure as a youth.
Then the name solas means pride and to stand tall. He took the name solas to give pride to the elven slaves he was leading in a rebellion.
His plans are not well thought out. They always blow up in his face.
In the temple of mythal and in the deep roads in trespasser, his statue is in a guarding position that's valour.
Lastly, mythal was justice now she may be twisted to vengeance.
Why does that matter?
Valour must serve justice. Otherwise, a society dalls apart, not flourishes.
Mythal being justice would also naturally follow wisdom.
Think of a judge as wisdom
Justice is the legal system
Valour is the police enforcement.
Sorry, this turned out sonlong
OMG, i love this theory!
@tj3603 Thanks, I think I am the only person who thinks it's true. It is also my reason why he hates the qun.
They believe you have to be true to your nature, not strive to be different.
Where i see solas trying to change his brash nature as valour to be wisdom. He finds the sun personally against everything he is trying to do with himself.
What i don't understand is that one minute he is ranting and raving about his ppl (Elves) right but next minute he is like ah nah you are NOT my ppl like why the inconstancy in the writing? Elves are your ppl Solas why else would you try to tear down the veil?
Nahnah, his people are the ancient elves. Modern elves are *not* his people.
Off-topic, but if "Harel" means liar or deceiver, then what does "Gisharel" mean!? And who the f was he/she really?
maybe the next world of thedas book will give us a lexicon for elven, and we'll get answers 🤞
I played dragon age games for thousands of hours, The only character earned my respect is king of the hill, Best character, Best personality, Best villain & best rival.
there better be an option for Rook to accidentally call him dad in Veilguard XD
@@ladysulevin i still remember when i defeated the arishok on max difficulty with warrior hawke, When he died & said: one day we shall return.
When i played DA inquisition i said where's the arishok people? And who's this shtt corypheus?
Then i played DA legacy, The battle with arishok far way harder then this magister.
The arishok is the most underrated character at this franchise.
I am so happy that after a decade finally people are making long-form-videos of this gameseries and its characters.
My personal theory about the elven artifacts is that they do strenghten the veil. But Solas only wants a strong veil so he can rip it clean open. Like a domino-puzzle or a net you want to open with one loose thread.
I am so excited for Veilguard, istg, I just want closure at this point 🫠