Fenris and Vallaslin {Theory - Spoilers All}

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  • Опубликовано: 10 май 2017
  • Welcome, welcome! Have you wondered where Danarius got the idea for Fenris' cruel tattoos? Perhaps you are wondering about vallaslin during the time of the elves? Or maybe you just want to hear me act terribly. If so, then come and listen to what is known~
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    This video does contain story spoilers for the Dragon Age games and other related media.
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    Question? Video Ideas? Fan Theories?
    Tweet me at @GhilDirthalen: / ghildirthalen
    or
    Send me a PM on /u/Ghilannain: / ghilannain
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Комментарии • 82

  • @XPokeSonicX
    @XPokeSonicX 7 лет назад +287

    Voicing Fenris and Merill was simply brilliant xD

  • @Laurealoth123
    @Laurealoth123 6 лет назад +197

    Maybe the elves can be controlled by the Vallaslin and thats why Solas removes yours when your in a romance with him. So that when he carries out his plans you wont suffer or be controlled etc.

    • @blakechandler167
      @blakechandler167 5 лет назад +28

      Fuck. Well it's time to get in his pants just in case.

    • @teddycouch9306
      @teddycouch9306 5 лет назад +6

      Nah, that random tattoo material probably wouldn't work.

    • @garethjones4433
      @garethjones4433 5 лет назад +15

      @@teddycouch9306 might be more to do with the actual markings rather than the material used

    • @teddycouch9306
      @teddycouch9306 5 лет назад +3

      @@garethjones4433 if so, why use lyrium for his tattoos? Seems to be a waste to me

    • @garethjones4433
      @garethjones4433 5 лет назад +32

      @@teddycouch9306 mega rich dude wanted his elf to look bling ;)

  • @dannycarroll9518
    @dannycarroll9518 7 лет назад +172

    I feel like we'll see him in the da4

    • @lordofflies4873
      @lordofflies4873 6 лет назад +37

      I hope so ~

    • @hakimthechosen1836
      @hakimthechosen1836 6 лет назад +45

      danny carroll
      And hopefully lyrium-punches Solas in the dick.

    • @Ragnarok6664
      @Ragnarok6664 6 лет назад +2

      danny carroll I hope 🤞🏻 there will be a DA4+ & that I can continue with my Qunari

    • @shaesmith9862
      @shaesmith9862 6 лет назад

      Olle Fjällström they say u only play human

    • @VigorMortis413
      @VigorMortis413 5 лет назад +6

      I think Solas can remove his Fenris’s vallaslin....

  • @Jirelle01
    @Jirelle01 6 лет назад +118

    When the Inquisitor drinks from the Well of Sorrows they get a sort of vallaslin though it is invisible unless the power of the Well is used (it's visible when they drink from the Well and when they "tame" Mythal's guardian dragon). Seeing as Flemythal was able to control the person drinking from the Well I get the distinct feeling that the Evanuris are able to do the same with people that are "branded" in their honor... I wonder what that means for the modern Dalish elves if that is true and if/when the Evanuris break free.

    • @veravm4618
      @veravm4618 6 лет назад +18

      "I wonder what that means for the modern Dalish elves" Now that's one hell of an implication...

    • @VigorMortis413
      @VigorMortis413 5 лет назад +14

      Solas removed it when it had no power for a reason... maybe to free your inquisitor from the evanuris control once he broke the veil

    • @piotrp.5392
      @piotrp.5392 5 лет назад +24

      @@VigorMortis413 I think he proposed the removal simply to remove the symbolism of slavery. I suppose that random tattoo won't do anything. Dalish imitated the vallaslin, they're not original vallaslin. Seems to me that original vallaslin were from lyrium like Fenris, made to control the slaves through magic. Since lyrium is connected to magic, perhaps Evanuris could control the slaves through inflicting pain using lyrium in vallaslin. For example slave wants to turn against master, so evanuris simply cause him horrible pain through lyrium going through them. Sounds not too hard for mages so powerful that some called them gods. Also - this way the slaves can be tracked down.
      It makes sense that binding to Mythal through Well of Sorrows actually made something like original vallaslin, since it is actual bondage to her will.
      Great theories in these movies, thanks :)

  • @phil2-10
    @phil2-10 6 лет назад +47

    Late to the comments here, but I've been replaying DAI (and rewatching these), and I really believe that in the age of the Evanuris the Vallaslin were tied to the magic of the patron mage-king/queen for more than just ownership. This is called out in Vir Dirthara within the codex entry of "Exile of the Forbidden Ones". It says - "...They may be bound, but only the protection of your gods will fully shield you from their malice. They are Forbidden from the Earth that is our right"
    I'm fairly sure that the Vallaslin served two main purposes: 1. To mark individuals as being 'owned'. 2. To tie those individuals to the mage-k/q in a bit of a magic ritual. I think that the benefits and/or power that the slaves got was mostly around being protected from being possessed and/or wrecked by the exiled Forbidden ones, who had no set form but were veeerry crafty with magic. The mage-k/q's benefits most likely extended to some sort of control over their slaves - e.g. something akin to - or very bluntly a direct example of - an empowered version of blood magic.
    That would explain why the guardians / old elves said that the people were a shadow -- the markings still exist, but the power behind them is gone without the fade being unsealed / old elven magic existing.
    Carrying this thought forward, the Tevinter folk who wrecked Fenris were trying to adapt those methods into the current magical paradigm. With the absence of the Fade coexisting, the attempt used Lyrium as an alternate component to grant similar to Fenris: 1. Control over him, and 2. Enhanced abilities for him.
    Does this make sense? I hope so. I've had quite a bit of coffee.

    • @LeonGun8
      @LeonGun8 6 лет назад +16

      That also explains Solas' insistence of erasing the Vallaslin shown back during his days as Fen'Harel. If they were mere marks he would not be so insistent of removing a purely symbolic marking. But if the Vallaslin held power over the subject, erasing said markings was the only way to truly free them from their lives as slaves of their Gods. Even the Inquisitor obtains vague magical markings when he drank from the Well, and we all know the Well turned him into a slave of Mythal yet it also gave him a connection where Mythal could give him boons of power. So being a "slave" of the Evanuris came with promises of power, in accordance to the master's desires.

  • @redacted1473
    @redacted1473 4 года назад +8

    i want to see solas try and get fenris to join him and fenris immediately is like "im not trading one master for another"
    i just really dont want them to team up

    • @aislinlindsay3950
      @aislinlindsay3950 3 года назад +7

      They wouldn’t team up, fenris not only hates mages but really doesn’t care as much as solas does for other elves, he’d have hardly any motivation to do so, Merrill however, I think she’d be extremely interested

  • @joiahkodiak
    @joiahkodiak 6 лет назад +70

    Maybe the vallaslin was bloodmagic. The blood of the one the vallaslin represented, each if the Elvanuris, and it worked as a way of controlling and empowering.

    • @byrnethebooks
      @byrnethebooks 6 лет назад +7

      Archon of Dread also makes sense for the term "blood writing"

  • @gianatondolobonilla9624
    @gianatondolobonilla9624 6 лет назад +43

    Not only does the pain of the ritual help erase memories and control the slave, but abuse (physical and mental) done over a long period of time conditions the person to accept the abuse and even think they deserve it. That's probably what happened to Fenris and a lot of other slaves :C It's probably one of the reasons it took him years to escape, even though the ritual made him powerful and that he could have probably subdued Danarius if he got him off guard.
    Anyway, great video and great channel!

  • @LB-vf2hm
    @LB-vf2hm 7 лет назад +45

    A thing I'd like to point out: the original Vallaslin could be Lyrium brands without giving those who had them powers. Tranquil mages are made Tranquil via Lyrium branding, and a similar procedure could be done to, in theory, make a slave more obedient, whatwith lack of will and caring, and less dangerous, seeing as many (perhaps all) pre-veil elves were mages. If the brands gave them powers in addition to making them obedient, it could be seen as a necessary augmentation to make up for the loss of magical power.

    • @Fenrispro
      @Fenrispro 6 лет назад

      Really? Vallaslin is made from their blood, Merrill said but they don't radiate lyrium.

    • @LeonGun8
      @LeonGun8 6 лет назад +9

      Current Vallaslin yes. We are talking of ancient elvhen techniques though. Also, they may have used Blood Magic instead as it is hinted that the blood of the elves is more concentrated with magical power than human blood (hence why magisters prefer elf slaves). If it was a Blood Magic technique, you still need a mage capable of casting the required spell.
      Also, as we have seen in previous games, most innate Blood Magic spells are centered around posession, mind control and so on. And as we know, current Dalish mages are taught to hate Blood Magic and do not know Blood Magic spells, except the odd cases like Zathrian.

  • @khaza1wolfgurl
    @khaza1wolfgurl 6 лет назад +30

    It could also mean that the servants/slaves still loyal to the Evanuris felt lost with their "gods" now gone, and their markings are meaningless now.

  • @thomasmartin2442
    @thomasmartin2442 7 лет назад +100

    But Solas states that the Vallaslin is a slave marking for their gods to identify them. Hence each clan mark might be a brand of ownership

    • @iona2225
      @iona2225 5 лет назад +2

      Warrior-slaves?

  • @brynnb3813
    @brynnb3813 6 лет назад +58

    Also if they used lyrium in ancient vallaslin, wouldn't Abelas's markings not be green, but white like Fenris's?

  • @damkina1111
    @damkina1111 3 года назад +3

    Ok when Danarius shows in Act 3 and Fenris says something like "I know you want me because this markings give me power" and Danarius says "How little you know, my pet" I suspected

  • @allenwalker134u
    @allenwalker134u 6 лет назад +13

    Dorian conversation with his father talks about how blood magic can control people. What if vallaslin is a form of the blood magic. The ancient elves could have used both lyrium and blood making it a more potent version. Like in some Wiccan rituals of love where you need a part of the person to control that person's 💓. Lyrium would be used to boost the effects and that person's who would be controlled blood and person's doing the controlling blood would be used.

  • @n.brrr.7743
    @n.brrr.7743 5 лет назад +7

    I don't know how, but it feels connected to the process of golem making in anvil of the void.

  • @cairrean2412
    @cairrean2412 5 лет назад +7

    Inquisition also translates "suledin" as "endure" during All New, Faded for Her. Literal translations also can alter the meaning of a phrase, as implied by the Iron Bull during the cutscene after you kill your first high dragon. He often uses the phrase "closest translation" or variants of. Add that into the unknown grammar and sentence structure, and it can be hard to translate. But, using your translations of individual words, here's what I'm thinking.
    "I alone could not endure the loss of the blood writing."
    "Alone I could not find my way to strength after losing the blood writing."
    "I could not lead them to strength after they lost the blood writing."

  • @ukiyo_24
    @ukiyo_24 6 лет назад +5

    Fenris was a slave but he was also a body guard for Denarius, giving the reason to give him the lyruim

  • @marconeves1979
    @marconeves1979 6 лет назад +5

    Ghil Dirthalen , your voice fit Merrill SURPRISINGLY WELL!

  • @jacobfreeman5444
    @jacobfreeman5444 6 лет назад +4

    I would say it is a form of blood magic. The type of marking depended on how loyal they were. The rank and file servants just got the basic markings that allowed dominance. More loyal servants may have been marked in a way that augmented them slightly. But let us remember that most elves back then were as mage are now. Meaning magic was common place and the great and mighty were those with superior talent and knowledge in this area. So even a minor augment would yield great capability in all likelihood. My feeling is the markings were seen as a way to connect with their rulers. You gave up the ability to make your own choices but shared in the strength of your patron. The degree to which you did was decided by what type of marking was given to you. Essentially a class system amongst the servants. Although I doubt there was much in the way of upward mobility.

  • @PirateNinjaMegaRobot
    @PirateNinjaMegaRobot 7 лет назад +9

    Have you given thought to doing videos on the qunari or dwarves? Like speculation on what will happen with the qunari invasion that is definitely coming (personal interest given what the qunari say and do in all 3 games) or their origins? Or looked for clues into the dwarves old society? Only asking because I keep seeing HUGE amounts of lore on elves/fade stuff because on DA:I but those two points seem to be lacking.

  • @lizknives
    @lizknives 4 года назад +2

    Aw that Merill “im.. so sorry” 😂

  • @UberBri
    @UberBri 6 лет назад +3

    Casandra can set lyrium in the body on fire with her Seeker abilities. The Evinuris could have had similar abilities.

  • @viniciusvinagre1957
    @viniciusvinagre1957 7 лет назад +10

    Haha I just found your channel and I'm loving it! I'd like to make a suggestion: could you, please, make a video explaining the Elvish language, the little we know? Thanks!

  • @dreamyinky
    @dreamyinky 4 года назад +2

    Fenris will be getting a comic book in January!!!!!

  • @0x0Rimachi0x0
    @0x0Rimachi0x0 6 лет назад +2

    'Vallasilin failed' could also imply how Solas removed the markings from elven slaves.

  • @casseroledragon3277
    @casseroledragon3277 2 года назад

    So girltriesgames actually talked a little in her video of the Dwarves how there's a theory that the original dwarves were essentially a hive-mind, or slaves to the stone via the lyrium, aka the blood of Titans. There's some evidence that lyrium has controlling abilities when we look at what happened to the people manipulated by Red Lyrium, as well as how the Templars are given lyrium to control them. I wonder if the original point of vallaslin was to utilize both the additional powers it gives them (which we see with Fenris), and also to be able to control them like we see the Chantry control the Templars. That would make them powerful, but easy to control. Good for body guards and such.

  • @fuglyandsmexybitch
    @fuglyandsmexybitch 6 лет назад

    That was a really good theory! Thank you. :)

  • @Ariel_Celine
    @Ariel_Celine 6 лет назад +5

    Love your channel. There are a few questions I'd like to put out there and hopefully you can find the answers. If you have already then I apologize!
    1) when Cole is up for debate on whether he can join the Inquisition; Solas, Cassandra, and Vivienne are all arguing about it. Solas explains that Cole did not possess the body of a man but miraculously his spirit took that form. Does Solas not know that the compassion demon took over the original Cole's body or is he just covering for him? If so why? (In another video you explained Cole and Solas might have known each other before from the fade. *SIDENOTE* in Here Lies The Abyss if you bring Cole and Solas, Solas asks Cole how he likes to be back home. Cole is stressed and says he made himself forget what it was like, he shouldn't be here. Why did he make himself forget? You proposed Fen'harel could have come out of the fade by forming into Solas physically-Then why does he remember everything? My theory sort of connects with Q3. Solas's necklace.)
    2) One of Solas's side quests is activating ancient elven globes to strengthen the veil. As we found out *SPOILER* Solas plans to tear the veil down. Did the mechanisms we activated actually weaken the veil?
    3) The jaw bone Solas wears around his neck we later find out was a hidden message-he's the Dread Wolf. However is it possible it may be a magical amulet that binds the Dread wolf's soul to Solas? Like the amulet he wanted to give to Cole which would prevent him from becoming possessed. *SIDENOTE* Flemeth's hair is hair sprayed and gelled enough to appear like dragon horns. Is the tiara she wears somehow allowing her to shape shift into a dragon? (I did not play previous DA but I read she can shape shift into a dragon)
    4) Is it just coencidence Skyhold was so close to Haven? Solas used Skyhold to put up the veil, is that because of magic or lack there of in that area? Hence why Corypheus was able to open a breach in Haven. Skyhold would have been the easiest location to tear the veil but Solas being as clever as he is chose a fortress hard to find due to magic. (Cause how could it be abandoned so long. Also the last battle with Cory is by Skyhold and somehow he warps the physics of gravity. As you see in the Fade. Is this because the veil is weak here?)
    Hopefully you can get to my questions. Thank you! :)
    Ariel

    • @George21trikala
      @George21trikala 6 лет назад +3

      If you' re ok with my answering:
      1) Cole's circumstances are unique to say the least. If you read "Asunder", you 'll see that he made himself forget who/what he was, probably to shake off the memory of real Cole (a mage) dying. In the Fade he mixes Cole's Childhood memories and was probably close to him since.
      2) Interestingly enough, I have a theory. In Lost Temple of Dirthamen you see the Elder Priest's spirit (or I believe a demon who possessed him) bound to his organs. To summon him you use a pedestal much like the elven artifacts. I believe Solas used artifacts like these and bound pieces of his soul to create the Veil, thus leaving him weakened and driven to Uthenera. I believe by activating those you both strengthen the Veil AND Solas.
      3) Maybe, maybe not. Fascinating theory about leaving shrapnels of Fen Harel's soul into artifacts that belong to wolves, but I haven't seen anything on the web. Dig deeper, you might be unto something.
      4) Skyhold was Solas's Fortress. True enough, the veil is weaker there, so maybe it has to do something with Corypheus's Fade-like, gravity-defying powers. Although I believe that red lyrium was what enhanced his powers more like a powerful force mage (DA II). I think Haven and the Temple of Sacred Ashes are more a coincidence, due to the Conclave being held there, like strike a definitive blow on the religion and leave the Chantry without someone in charge. But it could have a thinner veil, before the Breach -the gauntlet guardian was a spirit I think- so, once again, I can't tell for sure.

    • @Fenrispro
      @Fenrispro 6 лет назад

      What? Skyhold looks to be far from haven, the long trail of immigrants etc! over the mountains, they're far! haha

  • @ghostofdurruti
    @ghostofdurruti 4 года назад +2

    Incredibly old video I know but if the theory that the ancient elves were spirits that took physical forms is true, could lyrium vallaslin have been used to force enslaved spirit-elves to stay in their physical forms? Lyrium is said to have the ability to "reinforce reality" wrt to templar anti-magic, after all.

  • @theronfoxfriend8611
    @theronfoxfriend8611 3 года назад +1

    I know this vid is three years old but whatever.
    I think Fenris's markings may be a warped version of an Arcane Warriors abilitys. Arcane warriors use magic to augment their physical forms to allow them to wear heavier armor, wield greater weapons, ect. Obviously Fenris is not a mage but here is where the second part of my theory comes in. In Dragon Age Awakening we were introduced to some specializations. Most like for filler but the one i want to talk about is the Spirit Warrior specialization. In its description it says that although these warriors are not mages they are able to conjure small bits of magic through force of will alone. They flirt with the Fade as it says. So with Fenris he is covered in lyrium which is a constant magic source. By simply having these marks he is made stronger ( think of it like he is cheating and has a permanent Fade Shroud ability) and then like a spirit warrior he taps into the magic of the lyrium through force of will which allows him to perform what in my eyes is basic casting. Its not the most concrete theory and if anything Fenris is more relatable to a Spirit warrior then a Arcane Warrior and i could just be finding an excuse to make Arcane Warriors more present in the games lol.
    Hope you enjoyed the Theory and ill be happy to talk about it more

  • @keiyangoshin3650
    @keiyangoshin3650 4 года назад

    In Dragon Age 2 If Hawke gives Fenris back to Danarius (never did it myself but saw it online) you receive a letter at home saying that now that Fenris’s memories were erased he was again, I forget the exact word, subdued. So I’m guessing that’s how a master controls a powerful slave. Thanks for this video Caitie. Today (20th of May 2020) I was reminded that Gideon Emery also voiced Balthier from FF12 were we talks about running and seeking freedom only to be back where he started. I just found it ironic lol. Take care. ❤️

  • @DarkKnight52365
    @DarkKnight52365 6 лет назад +1

    maybe the vallaslin used in ancient times was a mixture of lyrium and the actual blood of the elves and if so then the vallaslin the dalish use is close enough to the original that solas is still able to erase it

  • @herpderp9430
    @herpderp9430 3 года назад

    Perhaps Danarius read that the ancient elves were made slaves through lyrium valaslin, but didn't understand that they were bound to the Evanuris in an extra way. This could be why Fenris could not be controlled?

  • @George21trikala
    @George21trikala 6 лет назад +2

    Great video! I think "din" is also translated as "death". Could it be either by creatig the Fade OR stopping using lyrium in Vallaslin that they lost their immortality? (I am not one to find strength in death, bloodwriting is nothing)

    • @brynnb3813
      @brynnb3813 6 лет назад

      Din is translated to death... I use it in all my game profile names... I didn't exactly think when I decided "love the dead" as my name. could be used in such a bad way (and oh how people love to remind me of this) but when I was a kid and just thought "Lath'din" sounded really cool.

  • @jackbharucha1475
    @jackbharucha1475 6 лет назад +1

    I can’t believe I didn’t guess this already

  • @ajwalsh2603
    @ajwalsh2603 5 лет назад +2

    Actually, Danarius wiped Leto’s/Fenris’ memories.

  • @sterasigma8734
    @sterasigma8734 Год назад

    I wonder what would happen if Fenris meets Solas...

  • @auroraflash
    @auroraflash 7 лет назад

    keep going

  • @shaestroup2044
    @shaestroup2044 5 лет назад

    Personally, I would love to.get a Lyrium Vallaslin if it gave me sweet magic powers like Fenris.

  • @The_Nightsong
    @The_Nightsong 6 лет назад +2

    Fenris

  • @RagPen01
    @RagPen01 6 лет назад

    Calling it now... The Forgotten Ones locked into the Abyss are the titans

  • @luodara2476
    @luodara2476 3 года назад

    Is there a web or app that has everything to learn the elven language?

  • @AccidentalNinja
    @AccidentalNinja 4 года назад

    I would think it entirely possible that these ancient elves would use vallaslin to make their slaves more powerful, given that some cultures on Earth did make use of whole armies of slave-soldiers.

  • @decohaha7098
    @decohaha7098 6 лет назад

    Wat do u think of d witcher3 compared to dragon age f me I'd always pick DA

  • @vinx3078
    @vinx3078 4 года назад

    I think eh vallaslin is what controls them, not what gives them more power. That's probably why solas removes yours in his romance

  • @christina4558
    @christina4558 4 года назад +1

    I always mispronounce vallaslin as vaseline :(

  • @Andrea22286
    @Andrea22286 3 года назад

    super soldier slaves much...and controlled by "Gods", like mythal did to the inquisitor/morrigan at the temple...yikes. Can't run from something that passes through walls...

  • @The1stGabriel
    @The1stGabriel 6 лет назад

    Ma serannas falon.

  • @andreachristenson7069
    @andreachristenson7069 4 года назад

    It sounds really ridiculous/reductionist, but I swear it’s like _everything_ is blood magic, lol.

  • @Fenrispro
    @Fenrispro 5 лет назад

    there will be DA4 but i dislike solas. He's so arrogant duh

  • @thanjohn
    @thanjohn 3 года назад

    O

  • @h.k.taylor7773
    @h.k.taylor7773 5 лет назад

    Never cared for him

  • @guilerbe
    @guilerbe 6 лет назад

    Fenris have NOT a Vallaslin, that's just a slavery mark maked by Denerius and Tevinter.

    • @George21trikala
      @George21trikala 6 лет назад +6

      According to you (:P) Vallaslin are Slavery Marks. Also, he may not have vallaslin per se, but remember how different vallaslin might be in character creation. Not to mention that Lyrium, as Ghil Dirthalen said, IS blood (Trespasser DLC)