Believe it or not, I forgot a thing. So, the ‘tambourine’ has 7 of the bell things. In the mural from the Vir Dirthara, there are 7 support like structures. Common theory is that supports are what is holding the veil up. Does that mean the old gods hold the veil up? Maybe. Maybe not. Also why would Solas make a mural of him putting up the veil in a place that would get destroyed by it.
@GhilDirthalen Thank you for this lengthy video. There's nothing I love more than lore in Dragon Age. I ATE this up, every second, nothing was wasted. Well Done!
Hey, Ghil! Big fan of yours from Bulgaria. Still haven't finished the video, but I think I got something interesting. I believe the tambourine is actually a moon, because of the cracks in the upper right. Just like the moon of Thedas, as seen in Dragon Age Origins, has a huge crack in it. Check this: images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100315030519/masseffect/images/c/c8/Great_Rift.png I don't think Bioware kept the cracked design in Inquisition, but this crack helped with pinpointing which planet could possible be Thedas in ME1 (fun easter egg IMO, but nice connection all the same): i.imgur.com/f3AY0Rt.jpg Sooo, it's the moon, then the idol is Mythal and the mural maybe symbolizes that Mythal was the only person keeping Solas's wolfy side in check? Or there is something more to this? Like the frame being not the Veil but the eluvian system - the little boxes like different points of entry to a place we've never been to where all the elven gods are turned into stone/lyrium idols? Ignore the "theories". Just check the things about the moon. And keep up the good work
That part of the Vir Dirthara's in the Fade, right? And you've got what seems to be a fractured spirit of Wisdom around the place. So maybe Solas didn't make it, but the spirit did, while it could still remember what happened before the Veil caused it to fracture.
I actually began to wonder that (the old gods being part of maintaining the veil) when the trailer came out. I mean, in a way it makes sense. If we assume the "old gods" are actually the Evanuris, legend says the veil was created to trap the Evanuris in heaven (arguably, the old gods sleeping and therefore wandering the Fade) and the Forgotten Ones in the abyss (i.e. we have no fricken clue). We also know, again from legend, that Solas used to use his enemies against each other (ex. Andruil and the Forgotten one fighting over who gets to kill Solas while he slips away). I can totally buy part of him making the veil relied on him using the Evanuris & possibly the Forgotten Ones in some way to maintain it, with the idea they would need the other to escape and the veil in some way preventing contact. Also, it might explain the Darkspawn's obsession with finding the old gods. We, or the Chantry at least, have always assumed it was transferred over from the magisters. Yet, neither the Architect nor Corypheus have been particularly interested in finding their gods, except as a potential cure. If the Blight was originally formed/created/whatever from the Abyss (again, Andruil because damn the girl apparently couldn't go two seconds without getting into trouble...), then maybe the call originates from the Blight itself via the Forgotten Ones. It's just a theory, and probably a red herring, but I needed to get it off my chest. Awesome vid!
Since you mentioned something about an eclipse, I'd like to mention that in Norse mythology, it was believed that a solar eclipse was a giant wolf trying to swallow the sun goddess.
As we hear solas' voice change from inq to trespasser to the trailer he just starts sounding more weary and tired. Its sign that everything has been getting to him and he is just ready for it all to be over.
You are truly the queen of Dragon Age Lore. Every other video I've seen breaking down this teaser pales in comparison to this. I will go nowhere else when I need information. Everything you do is Gold. Well done!
I think the summation in the end is quite accurate. It’s a good trailer - to tickle our fantasies - but nothing more. It tells us that this is big game which would connect all facets of the game so far - but it doesn’t give anything away. Very very exciting :)
A trailer that doesn't spoils yet gets us excited for the future is a good trailer actually. I've been so fed up with trailers that spoil games before they are even out.
If lyrium bridges the fade, and red lyrium weakens the veil... maybe the Idol Sword didn't shatter in to a million pieces. Maybe it crossed in to the fade when Meredith empowered it. That'd explain how it survived and why Coryphius would want it.
I wasn't a fan of the theory that the giant wolf is not Solas, so I'm glad you're putting forward the theory that these are two parts of his Fen'Harel persona or something similar in opposition to one another. That's pretty much what me and a friend came to think after the trailer dropped - that this will be a story of an internal struggle with the main character either killing Solas the man to stop the Dread Wolf or destroying the Wolf to save the man. Of course, you put much more thought into it and I am amazed at the amount of theorizing and deduction you're able to put together from such a short trailer, especially since it all really makes sense and is enjoyable to listen to and think about.
Well, at first I kinda thought the tiny elf figure is not Solas because I really don't see the bald head, I needed the artist to confirm this. The lines on the head and face really don't make sense to me.
I think that theory is further proven coz in Solas's romance card the Wolf is almost looking away, not very active and possibly in doubt or shame, almost like Solas is feeling shame over "procrastinating" or forgetting his duty
"She shook the radiance of the stars, divided them into grains of light, then stored them in a shaft of gold. Andruil, blood and force, save us from the time this weapon is thrown.". This is an obvious reference to nuclear weapons. You know that mural with an exploding titan in it? its the Evanuris telling everybody "be amazed at how we nuked the lyrium giants".
I think the Solas's lines: "So, you found me at last!" could be spoken to the Evanuris who were trapped into the Veil. After Dread Wolf turn down the veil, Evanuris will be free to pursue him and arguing the motives that made him betray them all. That situation culd explain even the last words of Solas : "I suspect you have questions!". When the skies are wild open as in the Sandal's prophecy, even the spirits of defeated Evanuris on previous Blights could be restored to their former glory, being capable of confront Solas at last. They might be preserved to these days through the dark ritual of Mythal, for being collected by her like we see in DAI: soul of Urthemiel passing to the eluvian before Mythal was murdered again.
2nd part of it wich is "I suspect you have questions!" Solas already told to the inquisitor, but in a different manner. I think of if as a hint to Inquisitor finding him in DA4 thats why he says "So, you found me at last", and last part for us to understand that it is ment for inquisitor. wich is more accurate considering bond they share and all that stuff
I love this theory, it would be really cool if Solas was faced with the Evanuris once again (which will probably happen) and greeted them with the exact same words as he did the Inquisitor. Chills 😊
i thought we didnt know what flemeth sent through the eluvian though?? also mythal wasnt murdered. flemeth was killed and solas took mythals soul into himself.
Having obsessively poured myself over DA2 in the past week, I firmly believe the idol was affecting Bartrand immediately on entering the room in the Primeval Thaig where the idol had been stored. Once in his hand, the idol flares up with magic sparkles which is kind of a dead giveaway that it's affecting him. Also his speech is delayed, as if he's trying to listen to a third party, before responding to Varric and the rest of the party he's locking in the room. Notice me senpai
This is the first time i watched one of your videos. I knew that you existed for a long time ( and was happy that someone was actually making videos about the DA Lore) , but i never bothered (and a little bit avoided) to watch them, since i know the Lore and every nook and cranny or codex of it and as Interessting it can be to watch someones Interpretation or opinion/ theories on it, as aggravating it can be at the same time. But this was a real pleasant surprise :) I like how you take many theories in consideration and aren't to proud to say you have no real clue. I enjoyed how you fliped and turned your theories, to try to get a different angle and view on the subject. You actually made me watch the 1 hour video in one go, not droping it like i do so often with much shorter videos. You are worthy of your name, thank you :)
5 years later and something struck me. What if the forbidden ones are human? Ghil had just said the figures on the red Lyrium idol appear human. And the forbidden ones names kinda sound like old Tevinter names (but they do sound elven too). Remember Geldaurans claim? It sounded like they’re just too weak to attack the Evanuris by themselves, so they decided to wait and plot. Eventually, the Evanuris are taken down by Solas, and humans arrived to destroy what elven history there was. Maybe humans were just too weak to fully gain foothold on elven land so there was just too few (Forbidden ones)… until the elven gods were locked away.
Don't know if anyone has mentioned this but at a very quick listen (and I mean VERY quick) the strange string instrument you're hearing are normal strings (violin, viola, cello, etc) but they're playing harmonics. Harmonics are when you lightly rest a finger on the string and play with the bow, it produces a high pitched ethereal sound, completely different to normal string playing (FYI you can do this on guitar too, obvious without a bow). I think this sound works well in fantasy soundtracks, I believe the opening to the original Lord of the Rings has this too? But yeah I play viola, but only had a quick listen so if anyone wants to correct me feel free!! Everyone needs more DA dissertations in their lives XD
I've watched this like 4 times, it's so well done and you're so well informed (comparatively to other DA Lore videos, even) on the world of Thedas and the world of Bioware lol can't wait to see more of your channel, hoping to also find Mass Effect videos!!
The thing about the idol being stronger when broken made me think.... What if the idol is a container/prison of the blight/red lyrium/something else that causes corruption. If it has slowly been breaking out of this prison, the red lyrium parts would be growing, right? Which it is. Both in the trailer and also (albeit it could be just a design difference) in how much red lyrium is attached at the bottom in DA2 vs the trailer. If a piece is broken off, it is free from the prison and therefore stronger. I also wonder if the tambourine bells have something to do with this (which also circles the idol). If they also are a part of the prison, maybe locks of some kind. They are being destroyed one by one, now there are only 2 left.
Exactly. Honestly, when I first saw the teaser the thing that came to mind is: oh that has to be the prison for the Evanuris!! And I suspect they were corrupted by red lyrium to begin with, hence the growths.
This might be random, but what if the orbs (Solas says there were once more of them besides his) are actually containment units for the hearts of Titans? Like, that's the reason the Elvhen "gods" were more powerful than the other elves? Because they'd somehow managed to harness the hearts of the Titans? When you look at the paintings, especially the one with the dying Titan in the center, the orb the elf that looks like Solas carries matches the center (or 'heart') of the dying Titan. Also, those codex entries from the Descent about Mythal and other Elvhen gods collapsing the deep roads takes on a whole new meaning; perhaps they dug too greedily and had woken the Forgotten Ones (kind of like the Balrog in Moria from Fellowship of the Ring) and so had to seal them away. Or, more likely, they did not wish other Elves to learn the secret of their power (I.e. Titan hearts), and took everything they could from the Titans before sealing them off from the world. Just a thought. Also, the red lyrium being blighted is interesting. To be blighted means that it had to have come into contact with a blighted being, correct? Or is it the other way around? Is the red lyrium what causes things to be blighted? The idol, itself, and how differently it behaves/affects others when compared to the red lyrium imbibed by the Templars is another interesting point, and the fact that it is stronger when broken... Kind of seems like its' sole purpose is to spread, to infect, to create more of itself, like it did to Meredith. And that would mean the mother image on it would make sense because the idol, itself, would sort of be like a 'mother' of lyrium... Female Titan? Oh! And the flower imagery! Flowers release pollen (arguably pieces of itself) to make more flowers... Maybe that has some connection to red lyrium being more powerful (multiplying) when broken? And the fact that, in Inquisition, the red Templars are using people's bodies to grow it... looks pretty similar to the agony of the 'people' in the idol; losing pieces of themselves to it, but still obsessed. Idk. I've fallen down the theory hole, and I can't get up. :)
You skipped another possibility, when you were going over “monster anatomy” with the idol. The corruption that produces the darkspawn from their mothers, much the same way that someone might draw corruption from the Fade to the material world, is similar enough that it makes me wonder if the idol is representative (maybe even connected to?) Andruil’s adventure into the Void and unleashing corruption upon their lands. I’m curious if that’s connected.
I wanted to point out something I found interesting. I believe Fenris is linked to Solas in some way. Why? Because in Norse mythology Fenris (or fenrir) is the wolf that eats the arm of Týr. Well, some say arm, others say hand. But I believe this story kinda represents the whole Dread wolf takes the arm of the inquisitor. I don't know what it means, but I'd love to meet the creators and ask them if it's a coincidence or not. I don't think so though, because they know very well that Fenris means wolf, so they've got to know the story behind it.
I wanna point out that in the mural with the blue sphere, the wavy lines look JUST like the wavy lines in the other mural where Solas/Fen'harel is removing the Elvhen's Vallaslin. Maybe those spheres represent the control of the Evanuris, like the Vallaslin does
Ghil: We see a lot of circles in Elven/in game art, we're not really sure what they mean also Ghil: What's this circle on the idol mean?? also Ghil: monster vagina. also also Ghil: It just looks like a tambourine!
You're by far my fave/go-to for theory and lore on Dragon Age. I'm way too distracted to piece things together in the details but this was the first video game I ever LOVED and played obsessively as a kid. Your content helps placate me in waiting for the next chapter of the series and I can't tell you enough how much I respect and adore the quality of your content. So uh, rock on XD. Just d what you do. Massive, massive fan here in the wings. (omg I hope Griffons are an actual thing in DA4)
Wait, Solas was looking for information from House Denerius? That's got to implicate Fenris somehow in the next game. Maybe he's a weapon the Tevinters designed to combat the Evanuris.
If the three eyed wolves are in profile, wouldn’t that mean they are probably six eyed? And as another question for people who know more than me, could it be that Solas and the wolf are truly separate beings. Kind of like Solas is a powerful mage and the wolf is Dumat/other god who he made a pact with and now is trying to slay?
I think the statue is Mythal in the center figure of the idol... I think the two figures represent: 1. the side of the Creators (which are mostly Mythal's children,) and 2. the Forgotten Ones locked in the Abyss (which actually might still be Mythal's children,) and her pose while hugging one and reaching back through the hole, or the Abyss, is one of grief as a mother over their division. She is holding them so as not to lose them. I imagine the halo effect created by the circle is just artistic composition, and it serves as both iconography and representation of the Abyss. Also, I think the vine like thing actually refers to the serpent she turned into. She transformed to stop Andruil from hunting in the Abyss, in lore, because she was going insane, but I also think Mythal wanted to save her Forgotten Children from death. (They were banished gods but she didn't want them to die.) The details of the serpent, like it's face, were probably left out due to the fact that the statue would be too small in-game to worry about deciphering them, but you can see one side is thicker rising up which is the head, and the tail end is smaller.
Just wanted to say: Thank you so much for your work, Caitie (and all collaborators)! A stream, a podcast episode AND a ONE HOUR LONG LORE VIDEO about the trailer, what a treat! I love everything about your content, you're amazing at that and I'm so excited for what the future will bring - here on this channel and for Dragon Age as well. HYPE! PS: Just a quick thought about the Pride thing and the eyes, the two natures of Solas and all that: Something about a Pride demon (or something else like that i.e. Forbidden One/Forgotten One) influencing him maybe? Not in a sense of possession, more like a collaboration of some sorts to get what he wants (remember Merrill and the demon)? Like a shadow looming over him (the black wolf with the Pride demon eyes). This also fits into the man vs. dread wolf narrative.
10:45 According to Tevinter Nights, Meredith's resting place was always the Gallows. Maybe its placement in The Black Emporium was supposed to be an easter egg?
The idol is Leandra, she is holding one of her children on the side of the fade through the circle, this child is the mage, which is Bethany or mage Hawke, and the one on the front is carver or warrior Hawke. Idol was reshaped when Leandra died. idk I'm new to this
The 7 "bells" are I think the 7 gates to the Black City, 5 of which have been broken by the death of an Old God. Maybe the 2 circles around the tamborine are to indicate that the City lies outside Fade space-time. Just a thought :) thanks for your posts!
Bianca said it herself on the “well shit” Varric quest, when she deduced that “red lyrium has the blight, it is alive or something like it” red lyrium is one of the biggest mysteries of all of dragon age. But I think that the magisters of Tevinter we’re exploring the caves and stumbled upon red lyrium by accident, fell in love with the splendor of it but then it curupted them and drove them Togo further until it got them to the golden city and turned it black and brought about the blights
The thin circles surrounding the tambourine could be the layers of the 'earth' i.e. The surface, the middle, and the core. The bells, which could represent Titan hearts, are all in the middle ring b/c they are underground. The lyrium idol is at the core, and the prominently featured elf is outside the outermost 'surface' ring. It almost looks like the elf is reaching for the idol, but there are layers and layers of obstacles between him and his goal.
Worth mentioning in the comments: The red dots on Solas robes could represent spirits/demons. Or the elves, living or dead, given his predispositions. The orange/red eyes could be demonic possession or rage, see Anders when he's angry.
While I’m not sure i believe it myself but the idol could depict the Maker, as you mentioned she’s interacting with the circle that’s sometimes depicts the Fade, it could mean the creation of spirits and people
Excellent video. I had totally missed those audio ques. The only things I would add is that the dread wolf in that mural looks (at least to me) like the dark side of a yin yang sans the dot which would tie in perfectly with the idea that Solas is at odds with himself... with for whatever reason... the idol being at the center of his inner conflict. Also... the 'tentacles and monster vag' of the idol... They kind of seem kind of plantlike to me... That along with the imagery we have surrounding Mythal and the titans (vines and stuff) seems pretty relevant.
Wow, I love the idea about figures on the idol being the Forgotten. Really, really cool thought! Also, maybe they armless, because during antient elven times they bore Ancors of their own and lost them, as our Inquisitor does?
Might just be symbolism of Solas going against his dread wolf self, the being who will do whatever it takes to restore his people And Solas the man the person he wants to be who the inquisitor and companions showed there's more to the world. More of an inner conflict withing himself and the idol being the key.
Ok, so I just re-watched the Trespasser Trailer, and I had totally forgotten that Solas said at the end of it "I suspect you have questions." And then for him to say the same thing in the Teaser Trailer for DA4? Is it just me, or does that seem like more then just a coincidence? @Ghil Dirthalen In Inquisition if you have Blackwall and Varric as your companions enough times, Blackwall will as Varric about Meredeth's statue. Blackwall: Is it true Kirkwall's Knight Commander became a statue? Varric: Completely true. She's still there, bringing an extra dose of horror to Gallow's tourist. Blackwall: No one's tried to move it? I mean her? Varric: And make it impossible for kids to play 'Who's brave enough to poke Meredith'? Blackwall: They don't do that, do they? Varric: No. No one's brave enough to poke Meredith. So, I believe Meredith's statue is still in The Gallows, like they showed in the comics, and not in the Black Emporium. That must be a copy, or a replica.
The dwarf from the DAO origins dlc might not agree, because when he first saw one, he was quoted as "That's ...a lot of nipples" lol The statue seems lacking :P
Another informative video. I've been trying to pick apart the trailer and compare within the lore myself. I have my own theories but need to back them up a bit more before I disclose them properly ! As for the idol, I think they could be Elven Foci just like Fen harels orb, it may be that each of the Evanuris had a different object as a Foci, like a Horcrux maybe ! ?, I believe that this idolt is the first depiction of Flemeth and her two lovers intertwined, she admits to being very old, we don't know how old exactly, also again notice the Andrastian crown on the idols head, just like Flemeth. The mural you showed with the 2 elves from Vir Dithara is really significant to the new trailer, themes of 2 beings working in unison to lock something away perhaps?. Look at the elf on the right holding the orb with a star in the middle, looks suspiciously like the symbol above the shard doors in the western approach. It mentions the name Solas there a few times too (solasan I think?) . In the centre orb we see another 'lock' with 14 eyes surrounding it (7 Evanuris maybe?) The idol could be a key, again just like the orb/anchor that takes 2 people to unlock (2 idols? ) We know that in some Elven temples it takes at least 2-4 people to activate certain puzzles. The elf in the trailer I originally thought may be the powerful dreamer Feynriel stood next to his 'city elf' tree but after you showed Gaius from deception, it's possible it could be him but that is a bit of a stretch. Looks very similar though ! I will keep digging for more. Already started a new play from Origins again, right the way through. 😁
What if the idol depicting the actual first creation of Darkspawm?? What if the woman imagery is perverse version of "Andraste" (prophetess figure) like a "dark flower" blooming . . . "the first mother" of darkspawn . . . The real cause of golden city become a black city. The idol represent the "Original sin" & how "taint" became to be . . .
Can't believe I just watched an hour of this, but very informational and detailed observation of a short trailer! Thanks for taking the time to do this!
I am wondering if the following is important at all: The sphere is damaged mostly from the side of the Wolf: the white part is shattering, the two solid lines around it are not quite solid any more. In many fantasy worlds' laws of magic dictate that a magical circle loses it's power (to protect, bind, separate...) if it is broken. Here 1)the circle is being damaged, 2) the wolf crosses the lines of the circle, beaking it as well.
@Ghil Dirthalen So i'm replying Inquestion and had a random thought. At 9:30 you mention that Anders states that the idol 'appears to be more powerful when broken'. Yet in Inquisition Varric WANTS us to go around Thedas and destroy the red Lyrium veins, thus breaking them into pieces. Shouldn't Varric know that this will cause the Lyrium to become more powerful? In addition, if the red stuff also weakens the veil and we have also been strengthening "cough" weakening "cough" the veil for Solas. Surely we have unknowing help Solas achieve his goal more than we the player may have originally thought. Another thought is in Dragon Age: Deception the red lyrium weapon that was traded to the house Danarius. What if this was actually traded to Fenris using his old masters name, in an attempt to keep it away from Solas's hands and helping the Inquistion/ Inquisitor?
I love how we can get to piece everything and anything together with this game. There is no detail that does not mean something. From murals, pictures, portraits, music, terrain. Everything! ITS ALIVE! I really appreciate this in a game! I love Bioware!
What if the 2 circles around the tambrine suggest the 2 active bells and with each one greying theres less protection, maybe this is why the veil is getting thinner. Maybe if the archdemons when they die the veil gets thinner and thats why it was easy for corypheus to create the breach as a blighted creature he would know
Ghil, just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for your super in-depth breakdowns of everything related to Dragon Age. I've become obsessed with DA, and I have you to thank for it! Your work is amazing, and it is deeply appreciated!
Oh goodness! What if the monster vagina is meant to depict a (the?) portal to the Void? It has 4 spikes, so it probably depicts something specific. The armless/handlessness looks a lot like, i dunno... a punishment? Cutting off hands have been a punishment for stealing in many cultures, maybe that's true in Thedas too? Though stealing what? I tweeted you about there being 3 lit "balls" in another of Solas' murals from Tresspasser (but ended up deleting as i am sure you're overwhelmed with tweets, and you confirmed you were here, so sorry for adding but IT FEELS IMPORTANT!!) if he painted it, and if he painted it when the veil was still up, that's massive, no? Shouldn't all the balls be lit then? In regards to the stars/flowers, or the orbs the elves hold in the murals, I think they look like cut off versions of those. Or the sphere in the center of the titan. On the bottom yellow one you can see the "prongs" go underneath the "tambourine". I bet that's not a coincidence! What if they are orbs? Or whatever we are theorizing the Orb of Fen'Harel is (why i mentioned the titan heart). And MAYBE THIS IS WHY IT'S TWO NOW instead of three gold ones, like the mural in Tresspasser!! As his one got broken in Inquisition! When I see fire, I think natural disasters. What if this is heralding earthquakes, volcano outbreakes etc? My thought is that someone is going to mess with the Titans (again) to (possibly?) get more orbs (if that's what they truly are)? I'M SORRY, I AM THEORISING!!! Feel free to discard at your whims! Amazing video! Thank you for sharing!
I’m honestly surprised I watched the whole thing. I almost never watch such a long video, I usually put it in watch later and then forget. But this was so informative, so enjoyable...! You are truly an amazing content creator, if I had the money to support you I would do it in a heartbeat.
The wolf can be something like a familiar to Solas. Also the red circle might be the glow of his sealing or unlocking spell for the idol. Thus the wolf might be helping Solas subsidize the idols opposing power.
Amazing video! Thank you for putting so much work and love into it! I think that my favourite part of it is actually when you stress that the teaser is for the fans. Made me all emotional haha
Heres my thought on the idol and who it could represent. Mythal being the mother and her two sons, Falon'Din and Dirthamen. They are supposed to be twins/brothers/reflections of eachother and they are her sons (also two of the Evanuris we know "the most about"). Also, that whole circle thing could represent the worlds in Dragon Age. The circes sometimes overlap or align etc and if I remember correctly Dirthamen was supposed to never be able to follow Falon'Din (so reflection?) and the woman is reaching TROUGH the circle to the person on the other side but all three are sort of conected. Also the backmasking thing with Mythals well and it sounding like Go to him/the Dirth makes me think like the god of seacrets and his reflection might become important. Anyway, these are just some thoughts floating around my head :P
I'll hold on to my theory about the story being told by Merril in DA2 about Fen'Harel trapping the Creators in the Heavens (the Veil), and the Forgotten Ones in the abyss (i'm gessing the red lyrium idols). Both imprisonments seem to be linked, probably being made in the same effort, and I feel like the key to Solas tearing down the Veil is linked to the Forgotten Ones' prison. Furthermore it was mentioned that Lyrium could also be found in the Veil, so it could represent a bridge between both planes, blighted or not. As for the half circles, it was mentionned in another comment section that they might represent the old gods, considering there are only two of them left alive. My take would be that the dragons worshiped by Tevinter act as seals to the Veil, the death of each one of them weakening the general structure keaping the Evanuris away. Morrigan always insists on preserving the mystical things of old, and the drak ritual did allow for Urthemiel's soul to avoid being destroyed (thus safeguarding the veil?). Pushing this even further, we might suggest that the Tevinter Magisters did corrupt, or free the corruption, that was held in the Golden City, which allowed for lyrium to be tainted in the mundane world. Wanting to be set free, the blight seeks to find the old god dragons to be free of the Veil and infect the rest of Creation.
I cherish your work, both in your presentation and your theory craft. Both entertaining and informative, you voice carries it all, a pleasure for certain. Thank you and please keep making content.
You are a treasure. I had put off watching this at first because of it being an hour, but it didn't feel like an hour, was interesting and got me excited again about dragon age.
my favourite part of this video is the very very beginning. when Catie sees the Bioware Logo, and deletes whatever she was about to reply with in the chat to button mash lol. it would be 100% what I would to
I think the voice of Solas depends on when it is recorded, the large amount of "back bass" they give him, maybe the settings in studio is different, or in different studios. Last recording is very much deep in bass. Just a thought.
Banter solace sounds energetic, but conversation solace all the way through starts sounding more breathless as you go along, and thebcutscene with flemeth he is almost crying and breathless, and in trespasser he is extremely breathless and seems to be in pain. I think as he gained more power he started degenerating, which could be a reason why he is so fixated on hastening his plan
Caitie, you did an absolutely amazing job with this video. I am very much looking forward to seeing what you take from future DA4 announcements/trailers.
I actually was playing this again yesterday and I found the Lyrium idol all over DAI. It's crazy how it's staring you in the face, especially in the beginning of the game. Nobody seems to notice. lol
Loved the video. About the teaser image, I believe the big wolf symbolizes the "pride" part of Fen'Harel and the elf symbolizes the wisdom part of him. Same guy, but with conflicting personality/thoughts. Also Coles states that Solas is in two places at the same time, could also have something to do with it.
For the theory that the red lyrium idol needed to be found, I wouldn't be surprised if Solas/Mythal had some role in Hawke finding it. Mythal clearly kept an eye on Hawke and Solas did lead Corypheus to his orb so it was probably easier for them to keep tabs on the idol if it's with someone they were already keeping an eye on. Solas continuously makes back up plans and setting up the whereabouts of said idol may have been one of them! Great video as always!
This video is so thorough and I love it but I want to comment on how much I LOVE YOUR ATTENTION TO MUSIC cos that is really important to the narrative so thank you!
I didn't realize this was from 2018, and I thought the "It's been 84 years" clip was referring to how long it feels like it's been since that teaser dropped. I feel ancient right now.
I thought of the circles around the tambourine as soundwaves? Valta kept going on around the rhythm of the stone and the tambourine is a rhythm instrument. The bells suggest that it is still playing the rhythm.
Here we are 4 years later still obsessing over anything that might hint at the next game! One thing that came to mind looking at the tambourine mural - while I think the figure standing opposite of the wolf might represent Solas's opposing personalities, I like what you mentioned about duty. It seems to me the elf figure represents his more "humane" attempts at breaking down the veil with the foci/magic. Whereas the consuming presence of the wolf represents his more violent last resort...
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the DA series has lowkey shifted from the main focus race being humans, to being elves. Like... we start off with not much going on with the Elves, in DA:O, and then in DA2 we had Merrill and Fenris, and hints of shit, and then DA:I took us to a shit ton of Elvhen ruins. Not to mention the whole... well... everything? With Solas? And Mythal? And the orb? That happened. And now, yes, we’re going to Tevinter, but we’ve got all the shit of DA:I going on to bug us, and so far it’s been turning out that all these things which we thought might be this or that, or caused by humans, are really the machinations of elves. Like... it’s getting a) really weird to be playing an elf, and b) really fucking interesting to be playing an elf.
Don't know what you hope for as an actual career, but if you do not make it as a game designer/writer/producer/marketer, etc. you certainly have a researcher/teacher in you to fall back on. Brilliantly done. I came back to review this production of yours after experiencing the shared you/Jackdaw video on 'all we know' about DA4. The biggest thing I took from it differently (and there were many little things) was that there could be a DA5 if we make it worth EA's involvement thru '4'. I might find myself tempted to 'get sucked in' to some monetization schemes in DA4 just on the working idea that it may be the only way we can get a '5'. Thank you for your inspiration, incredible efforts, and delicious imagination in this and all your videos. I hope someday to meet you and Jack at a convention someday to shake your hand in person.
![[#2024MAMA] G-DRAGON - 무제(Untitled, 2014)+POWER+HOME SWEET HOME+뱅뱅뱅+FANTASTIC BABY | Mnet 241123 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ox29z5Nf1Uk/mqdefault.jpg)
Believe it or not, I forgot a thing.
So, the ‘tambourine’ has 7 of the bell things. In the mural from the Vir Dirthara, there are 7 support like structures. Common theory is that supports are what is holding the veil up. Does that mean the old gods hold the veil up? Maybe. Maybe not. Also why would Solas make a mural of him putting up the veil in a place that would get destroyed by it.
@GhilDirthalen Thank you for this lengthy video. There's nothing I love more than lore in Dragon Age. I ATE this up, every second, nothing was wasted. Well Done!
Hey, Ghil! Big fan of yours from Bulgaria.
Still haven't finished the video, but I think I got something interesting. I believe the tambourine is actually a moon, because of the cracks in the upper right. Just like the moon of Thedas, as seen in Dragon Age Origins, has a huge crack in it. Check this: images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100315030519/masseffect/images/c/c8/Great_Rift.png
I don't think Bioware kept the cracked design in Inquisition, but this crack helped with pinpointing which planet could possible be Thedas in ME1 (fun easter egg IMO, but nice connection all the same): i.imgur.com/f3AY0Rt.jpg
Sooo, it's the moon, then the idol is Mythal and the mural maybe symbolizes that Mythal was the only person keeping Solas's wolfy side in check? Or there is something more to this? Like the frame being not the Veil but the eluvian system - the little boxes like different points of entry to a place we've never been to where all the elven gods are turned into stone/lyrium idols?
Ignore the "theories". Just check the things about the moon.
And keep up the good work
That part of the Vir Dirthara's in the Fade, right? And you've got what seems to be a fractured spirit of Wisdom around the place. So maybe Solas didn't make it, but the spirit did, while it could still remember what happened before the Veil caused it to fracture.
I actually began to wonder that (the old gods being part of maintaining the veil) when the trailer came out. I mean, in a way it makes sense. If we assume the "old gods" are actually the Evanuris, legend says the veil was created to trap the Evanuris in heaven (arguably, the old gods sleeping and therefore wandering the Fade) and the Forgotten Ones in the abyss (i.e. we have no fricken clue). We also know, again from legend, that Solas used to use his enemies against each other (ex. Andruil and the Forgotten one fighting over who gets to kill Solas while he slips away). I can totally buy part of him making the veil relied on him using the Evanuris & possibly the Forgotten Ones in some way to maintain it, with the idea they would need the other to escape and the veil in some way preventing contact.
Also, it might explain the Darkspawn's obsession with finding the old gods. We, or the Chantry at least, have always assumed it was transferred over from the magisters. Yet, neither the Architect nor Corypheus have been particularly interested in finding their gods, except as a potential cure. If the Blight was originally formed/created/whatever from the Abyss (again, Andruil because damn the girl apparently couldn't go two seconds without getting into trouble...), then maybe the call originates from the Blight itself via the Forgotten Ones.
It's just a theory, and probably a red herring, but I needed to get it off my chest. Awesome vid!
Think it could be about the blight ? 5 are darkened 2 are bright could mean 5 dragons are slain and 2 more to come ?
Love your video.
God, the Tresspasser music still gives me freakin goosebumps.
I know right I’m getting the feels again.
Listening to it makes bus commutes so much more epic.
I agree!!!!
Same
Since you mentioned something about an eclipse, I'd like to mention that in Norse mythology, it was believed that a solar eclipse was a giant wolf trying to swallow the sun goddess.
Fenrhir. The devouer
No it’s the 2 wolves that chase the sun and moon until they catch it, then ragnarok begins
@@Aych9 yep, Skoll and Hati
That would be my girl Hati
As we hear solas' voice change from inq to trespasser to the trailer he just starts sounding more weary and tired. Its sign that everything has been getting to him and he is just ready for it all to be over.
It has indeed been 84 years. Can confirm.
You are truly the queen of Dragon Age Lore. Every other video I've seen breaking down this teaser pales in comparison to this. I will go nowhere else when I need information. Everything you do is Gold. Well done!
^ What they said.
I might have yelled "F*CK YEAH!" at the screen when hearing Solas' voice.
I feel like starting from Origins and playing them all in order again....
Come and join me😁😁
😆 I thought I was the only one. I'm about 30 hours in on DA1.
decostrs me too, I have 60 hours in DAO
That’s what I’ve been doing, I just finished DA2 bless
That's what I'm doing! Just on Dragon Age: Awakening rn
I've always thought Solas' voice sounded like he was smiling at the end as if seeing an old friend.
He's smiling at the word questions. He always approves being asked stuff.
I really hope bioware will let us import our own world state the same way we did in inquisition through dragon age keep
I don’t see why they wouldn’t
why wouldnt they??? that would make the whole choices system theyve had going since dao into 2 pointless lmao
I think the summation in the end is quite accurate. It’s a good trailer - to tickle our fantasies - but nothing more. It tells us that this is big game which would connect all facets of the game so far - but it doesn’t give anything away. Very very exciting :)
A trailer that doesn't spoils yet gets us excited for the future is a good trailer actually. I've been so fed up with trailers that spoil games before they are even out.
If lyrium bridges the fade, and red lyrium weakens the veil... maybe the Idol Sword didn't shatter in to a million pieces. Maybe it crossed in to the fade when Meredith empowered it.
That'd explain how it survived and why Coryphius would want it.
I wasn't a fan of the theory that the giant wolf is not Solas, so I'm glad you're putting forward the theory that these are two parts of his Fen'Harel persona or something similar in opposition to one another. That's pretty much what me and a friend came to think after the trailer dropped - that this will be a story of an internal struggle with the main character either killing Solas the man to stop the Dread Wolf or destroying the Wolf to save the man. Of course, you put much more thought into it and I am amazed at the amount of theorizing and deduction you're able to put together from such a short trailer, especially since it all really makes sense and is enjoyable to listen to and think about.
Well, at first I kinda thought the tiny elf figure is not Solas because I really don't see the bald head, I needed the artist to confirm this. The lines on the head and face really don't make sense to me.
I think that theory is further proven coz in Solas's romance card the Wolf is almost looking away, not very active and possibly in doubt or shame, almost like Solas is feeling shame over "procrastinating" or forgetting his duty
"She shook the radiance of the stars, divided them into grains of light, then stored them in a shaft of gold. Andruil, blood and force, save us from the time this weapon is thrown.". This is an obvious reference to nuclear weapons. You know that mural with an exploding titan in it? its the Evanuris telling everybody "be amazed at how we nuked the lyrium giants".
rewatching this because I have nothing better to do and- DAMMIT THAT JOKE AT THE BEGINNING IS TOO GOOD!
Anyways, now it's been 89 years.
23:30 it’s because the figure is Di”Vine”.... I’ll see myself out
I think the Solas's lines: "So, you found me at last!" could be spoken to the Evanuris who were trapped into the Veil. After Dread Wolf turn down the veil, Evanuris will be free to pursue him and arguing the motives that made him betray them all. That situation culd explain even the last words of Solas : "I suspect you have questions!". When the skies are wild open as in the Sandal's prophecy, even the spirits of defeated Evanuris on previous Blights could be restored to their former glory, being capable of confront Solas at last. They might be preserved to these days through the dark ritual of Mythal, for being collected by her like we see in DAI: soul of Urthemiel passing to the eluvian before Mythal was murdered again.
2nd part of it wich is "I suspect you have questions!" Solas already told to the inquisitor, but in a different manner. I think of if as a hint to Inquisitor finding him in DA4 thats why he says "So, you found me at last", and last part for us to understand that it is ment for inquisitor. wich is more accurate considering bond they share and all that stuff
Nope. It's literally dialogue lifted right from Trespasser. It's what he says verbatim.
I love this theory, it would be really cool if Solas was faced with the Evanuris once again (which will probably happen) and greeted them with the exact same words as he did the Inquisitor. Chills 😊
i thought we didnt know what flemeth sent through the eluvian though?? also mythal wasnt murdered. flemeth was killed and solas took mythals soul into himself.
I've always suspected the "statue" to be the head of a staff. We'll see if they play that out.
Ooooo cool idea!
Having obsessively poured myself over DA2 in the past week, I firmly believe the idol was affecting Bartrand immediately on entering the room in the Primeval Thaig where the idol had been stored. Once in his hand, the idol flares up with magic sparkles which is kind of a dead giveaway that it's affecting him. Also his speech is delayed, as if he's trying to listen to a third party, before responding to Varric and the rest of the party he's locking in the room. Notice me senpai
Maker's breath 1 hour
Andraste's tits!
Andraste's puckered butthole.
@@nuke6702 ok well that's new 😂
Andraste's sacred nicker's! I loved the comments. 😅
This is the first time i watched one of your videos.
I knew that you existed for a long time ( and was happy that someone was actually making videos about the DA Lore) , but i never bothered (and a little bit avoided) to watch them, since i know the Lore and every nook and cranny or codex of it and as Interessting it can be to watch someones Interpretation or opinion/ theories on it, as aggravating it can be at the same time.
But this was a real pleasant surprise :)
I like how you take many theories in consideration and aren't to proud to say you have no real clue.
I enjoyed how you fliped and turned your theories, to try to get a different angle and view on the subject.
You actually made me watch the 1 hour video in one go, not droping it like i do so often with much shorter videos.
You are worthy of your name, thank you :)
5 years later and something struck me. What if the forbidden ones are human? Ghil had just said the figures on the red Lyrium idol appear human. And the forbidden ones names kinda sound like old Tevinter names (but they do sound elven too). Remember Geldaurans claim? It sounded like they’re just too weak to attack the Evanuris by themselves, so they decided to wait and plot. Eventually, the Evanuris are taken down by Solas, and humans arrived to destroy what elven history there was. Maybe humans were just too weak to fully gain foothold on elven land so there was just too few (Forbidden ones)… until the elven gods were locked away.
Don't know if anyone has mentioned this but at a very quick listen (and I mean VERY quick) the strange string instrument you're hearing are normal strings (violin, viola, cello, etc) but they're playing harmonics. Harmonics are when you lightly rest a finger on the string and play with the bow, it produces a high pitched ethereal sound, completely different to normal string playing (FYI you can do this on guitar too, obvious without a bow). I think this sound works well in fantasy soundtracks, I believe the opening to the original Lord of the Rings has this too? But yeah I play viola, but only had a quick listen so if anyone wants to correct me feel free!! Everyone needs more DA dissertations in their lives XD
When you like a video before you've even watched it, because you know it will be good.
Me with every Ghil'Dirthalen video, lol.
That 3d model rendering from DA2, amazing. Best thing in this entire video.
You should check out Andrastini's channel then!
I loved your idea with the titanic-woman :-D "Its been 84 years." --> Yes, it really feels like that haha
I've watched this like 4 times, it's so well done and you're so well informed (comparatively to other DA Lore videos, even) on the world of Thedas and the world of Bioware lol can't wait to see more of your channel, hoping to also find Mass Effect videos!!
The thing about the idol being stronger when broken made me think.... What if the idol is a container/prison of the blight/red lyrium/something else that causes corruption. If it has slowly been breaking out of this prison, the red lyrium parts would be growing, right? Which it is. Both in the trailer and also (albeit it could be just a design difference) in how much red lyrium is attached at the bottom in DA2 vs the trailer.
If a piece is broken off, it is free from the prison and therefore stronger.
I also wonder if the tambourine bells have something to do with this (which also circles the idol). If they also are a part of the prison, maybe locks of some kind. They are being destroyed one by one, now there are only 2 left.
Exactly. Honestly, when I first saw the teaser the thing that came to mind is: oh that has to be the prison for the Evanuris!! And I suspect they were corrupted by red lyrium to begin with, hence the growths.
This might be random, but what if the orbs (Solas says there were once more of them besides his) are actually containment units for the hearts of Titans? Like, that's the reason the Elvhen "gods" were more powerful than the other elves? Because they'd somehow managed to harness the hearts of the Titans?
When you look at the paintings, especially the one with the dying Titan in the center, the orb the elf that looks like Solas carries matches the center (or 'heart') of the dying Titan.
Also, those codex entries from the Descent about Mythal and other Elvhen gods collapsing the deep roads takes on a whole new meaning; perhaps they dug too greedily and had woken the Forgotten Ones (kind of like the Balrog in Moria from Fellowship of the Ring) and so had to seal them away. Or, more likely, they did not wish other Elves to learn the secret of their power (I.e. Titan hearts), and took everything they could from the Titans before sealing them off from the world. Just a thought.
Also, the red lyrium being blighted is interesting. To be blighted means that it had to have come into contact with a blighted being, correct? Or is it the other way around? Is the red lyrium what causes things to be blighted?
The idol, itself, and how differently it behaves/affects others when compared to the red lyrium imbibed by the Templars is another interesting point, and the fact that it is stronger when broken... Kind of seems like its' sole purpose is to spread, to infect, to create more of itself, like it did to Meredith. And that would mean the mother image on it would make sense because the idol, itself, would sort of be like a 'mother' of lyrium... Female Titan? Oh! And the flower imagery! Flowers release pollen (arguably pieces of itself) to make more flowers... Maybe that has some connection to red lyrium being more powerful (multiplying) when broken?
And the fact that, in Inquisition, the red Templars are using people's bodies to grow it... looks pretty similar to the agony of the 'people' in the idol; losing pieces of themselves to it, but still obsessed.
Idk. I've fallen down the theory hole, and I can't get up. :)
Interesting theory
You skipped another possibility, when you were going over “monster anatomy” with the idol. The corruption that produces the darkspawn from their mothers, much the same way that someone might draw corruption from the Fade to the material world, is similar enough that it makes me wonder if the idol is representative (maybe even connected to?) Andruil’s adventure into the Void and unleashing corruption upon their lands. I’m curious if that’s connected.
Can you guys believe it's been a WHOLE FREAKING YEAR since the teaser trailer was released, and we haven't gotten anything since? I'm so sad.
Yo I'm from the future, don't get your hopes up for the next year
@@Seregfaroth lol A little late, don't you think. 😄😁
Yo, I'm from the further future, still nothing
@@quaxel77 Wrong. Ever since I posted the original comment, we've gotten another teaser trailer, and a behind the scenes trailer. So, ha!
@@NehnBellanaris still nothing considering they had to restart development a couple of times. so we ain't getting nothin for a fat while
You & Jackdaw are wonderful
I think it's more or less confirmed at this point that Sandal is going to be the final boss of the franchise.
Two thin lines around the tambourine, two bells still lit up. Might just convey how many barriers are remaining or something?
I wanted to point out something I found interesting. I believe Fenris is linked to Solas in some way. Why? Because in Norse mythology Fenris (or fenrir) is the wolf that eats the arm of Týr. Well, some say arm, others say hand. But I believe this story kinda represents the whole Dread wolf takes the arm of the inquisitor. I don't know what it means, but I'd love to meet the creators and ask them if it's a coincidence or not. I don't think so though, because they know very well that Fenris means wolf, so they've got to know the story behind it.
I wanna point out that in the mural with the blue sphere, the wavy lines look JUST like the wavy lines in the other mural where Solas/Fen'harel is removing the Elvhen's Vallaslin. Maybe those spheres represent the control of the Evanuris, like the Vallaslin does
"The first of hopefully many Dragon age 4 trailers dropped....." one year and a half later..... Nothing and probably not for another year :(
Yep and probably another year after that.
Ghil: We see a lot of circles in Elven/in game art, we're not really sure what they mean
also Ghil: What's this circle on the idol mean??
also Ghil: monster vagina.
also also Ghil: It just looks like a tambourine!
'God help me, if this doesn't look like a tambourine.' So hilarious, so accurate.
You're by far my fave/go-to for theory and lore on Dragon Age. I'm way too distracted to piece things together in the details but this was the first video game I ever LOVED and played obsessively as a kid. Your content helps placate me in waiting for the next chapter of the series and I can't tell you enough how much I respect and adore the quality of your content.
So uh, rock on XD. Just d what you do. Massive, massive fan here in the wings. (omg I hope Griffons are an actual thing in DA4)
the more husky sound of Solas's voice from the trailer, towards the end of video and that music... ah it gets me hyped every time!
Wait, Solas was looking for information from House Denerius? That's got to implicate Fenris somehow in the next game. Maybe he's a weapon the Tevinters designed to combat the Evanuris.
If the three eyed wolves are in profile, wouldn’t that mean they are probably six eyed? And as another question for people who know more than me, could it be that Solas and the wolf are truly separate beings. Kind of like Solas is a powerful mage and the wolf is Dumat/other god who he made a pact with and now is trying to slay?
I think the statue is Mythal in the center figure of the idol... I think the two figures represent: 1. the side of the Creators (which are mostly Mythal's children,) and 2. the Forgotten Ones locked in the Abyss (which actually might still be Mythal's children,) and her pose while hugging one and reaching back through the hole, or the Abyss, is one of grief as a mother over their division. She is holding them so as not to lose them. I imagine the halo effect created by the circle is just artistic composition, and it serves as both iconography and representation of the Abyss.
Also, I think the vine like thing actually refers to the serpent she turned into. She transformed to stop Andruil from hunting in the Abyss, in lore, because she was going insane, but I also think Mythal wanted to save her Forgotten Children from death. (They were banished gods but she didn't want them to die.) The details of the serpent, like it's face, were probably left out due to the fact that the statue would be too small in-game to worry about deciphering them, but you can see one side is thicker rising up which is the head, and the tail end is smaller.
Just wanted to say: Thank you so much for your work, Caitie (and all collaborators)! A stream, a podcast episode AND a ONE HOUR LONG LORE VIDEO about the trailer, what a treat! I love everything about your content, you're amazing at that and I'm so excited for what the future will bring - here on this channel and for Dragon Age as well. HYPE!
PS: Just a quick thought about the Pride thing and the eyes, the two natures of Solas and all that: Something about a Pride demon (or something else like that i.e. Forbidden One/Forgotten One) influencing him maybe? Not in a sense of possession, more like a collaboration of some sorts to get what he wants (remember Merrill and the demon)? Like a shadow looming over him (the black wolf with the Pride demon eyes). This also fits into the man vs. dread wolf narrative.
10:45 According to Tevinter Nights, Meredith's resting place was always the Gallows. Maybe its placement in The Black Emporium was supposed to be an easter egg?
The idol is Leandra, she is holding one of her children on the side of the fade through the circle, this child is the mage, which is Bethany or mage Hawke, and the one on the front is carver or warrior Hawke. Idol was reshaped when Leandra died. idk I'm new to this
The 7 "bells" are I think the 7 gates to the Black City, 5 of which have been broken by the death of an Old God. Maybe the 2 circles around the tamborine are to indicate that the City lies outside Fade space-time. Just a thought :) thanks for your posts!
best video ever! so much dragon age 2 mentioned yay! my little sometimes awkward game that i love so much is loved! it had sense! i always said so!
anders was quoted! the destiny trailer was mentioned! i can die now
Bianca said it herself on the “well shit” Varric quest, when she deduced that “red lyrium has the blight, it is alive or something like it” red lyrium is one of the biggest mysteries of all of dragon age. But I think that the magisters of Tevinter we’re exploring the caves and stumbled upon red lyrium by accident, fell in love with the splendor of it but then it curupted them and drove them Togo further until it got them to the golden city and turned it black and brought about the blights
The thin circles surrounding the tambourine could be the layers of the 'earth' i.e. The surface, the middle, and the core. The bells, which could represent Titan hearts, are all in the middle ring b/c they are underground. The lyrium idol is at the core, and the prominently featured elf is outside the outermost 'surface' ring. It almost looks like the elf is reaching for the idol, but there are layers and layers of obstacles between him and his goal.
Worth mentioning in the comments:
The red dots on Solas robes could represent spirits/demons. Or the elves, living or dead, given his predispositions.
The orange/red eyes could be demonic possession or rage, see Anders when he's angry.
I _immediately_ clicked on this video notification when it popped up on my screen XD
While I’m not sure i believe it myself but the idol could depict the Maker, as you mentioned she’s interacting with the circle that’s sometimes depicts the Fade, it could mean the creation of spirits and people
Excellent video. I had totally missed those audio ques. The only things I would add is that the dread wolf in that mural looks (at least to me) like the dark side of a yin yang sans the dot which would tie in perfectly with the idea that Solas is at odds with himself... with for whatever reason... the idol being at the center of his inner conflict.
Also... the 'tentacles and monster vag' of the idol... They kind of seem kind of plantlike to me... That along with the imagery we have surrounding Mythal and the titans (vines and stuff) seems pretty relevant.
Honestly was waiting for your video. It didn't disappoint. Thank you for taking the time to do it! ^_^
It's been 2 years...
Wow, I love the idea about figures on the idol being the Forgotten. Really, really cool thought! Also, maybe they armless, because during antient elven times they bore Ancors of their own and lost them, as our Inquisitor does?
Might just be symbolism of Solas going against his dread wolf self, the being who will do whatever it takes to restore his people And Solas the man the person he wants to be who the inquisitor and companions showed there's more to the world. More of an inner conflict withing himself and the idol being the key.
Ok, so I just re-watched the Trespasser Trailer, and I had totally forgotten that Solas said at the end of it "I suspect you have questions."
And then for him to say the same thing in the Teaser Trailer for DA4? Is it just me, or does that seem like more then just a coincidence?
@Ghil Dirthalen In Inquisition if you have Blackwall and Varric as your companions enough times, Blackwall will as Varric about Meredeth's statue.
Blackwall: Is it true Kirkwall's Knight Commander became a statue?
Varric: Completely true. She's still there, bringing an extra dose of horror to Gallow's tourist.
Blackwall: No one's tried to move it? I mean her?
Varric: And make it impossible for kids to play 'Who's brave enough to poke Meredith'?
Blackwall: They don't do that, do they?
Varric: No. No one's brave enough to poke Meredith.
So, I believe Meredith's statue is still in The Gallows, like they showed in the comics, and not in the Black Emporium. That must be a copy, or a replica.
Just a random idea, but could the idol be that of something like a Broodmother
I thought the same thing and now I'm terrified at the prospect of seeing a broodmother in ultra 4k graphics next game
The dwarf from the DAO origins dlc might not agree, because when he first saw one, he was quoted as "That's ...a lot of nipples" lol
The statue seems lacking :P
@@sonicbolto7 The Mother, shimmying in ultra 4k "Am I not beautiful?"
😂
Another informative video. I've been trying to pick apart the trailer and compare within the lore myself. I have my own theories but need to back them up a bit more before I disclose them properly ! As for the idol, I think they could be Elven Foci just like Fen harels orb, it may be that each of the Evanuris had a different object as a Foci, like a Horcrux maybe ! ?, I believe that this idolt is the first depiction of Flemeth and her two lovers intertwined, she admits to being very old, we don't know how old exactly, also again notice the Andrastian crown on the idols head, just like Flemeth. The mural you showed with the 2 elves from Vir Dithara is really significant to the new trailer, themes of 2 beings working in unison to lock something away perhaps?. Look at the elf on the right holding the orb with a star in the middle, looks suspiciously like the symbol above the shard doors in the western approach. It mentions the name Solas there a few times too (solasan I think?) . In the centre orb we see another 'lock' with 14 eyes surrounding it (7 Evanuris maybe?) The idol could be a key, again just like the orb/anchor that takes 2 people to unlock (2 idols? ) We know that in some Elven temples it takes at least 2-4 people to activate certain puzzles. The elf in the trailer I originally thought may be the powerful dreamer Feynriel stood next to his 'city elf' tree but after you showed Gaius from deception, it's possible it could be him but that is a bit of a stretch. Looks very similar though ! I will keep digging for more. Already started a new play from Origins again, right the way through. 😁
Subscribed! This was such a well-done analysis - would love to see a video with more of your thoughts on lyrium!
I can't wait for Dreadwolf to come 😊
Staff: Heart of Pride. Pride in elven is Solas! I tought I just tell you :D
What if the idol depicting the actual first creation of Darkspawm??
What if the woman imagery is perverse version of "Andraste" (prophetess figure) like a "dark flower" blooming . . . "the first mother" of darkspawn . . . The real cause of golden city become a black city. The idol represent the "Original sin" & how "taint" became to be . . .
Can't believe I just watched an hour of this, but very informational and detailed observation of a short trailer! Thanks for taking the time to do this!
I am wondering if the following is important at all:
The sphere is damaged mostly from the side of the Wolf: the white part is shattering, the two solid lines around it are not quite solid any more. In many fantasy worlds' laws of magic dictate that a magical circle loses it's power (to protect, bind, separate...) if it is broken. Here 1)the circle is being damaged, 2) the wolf crosses the lines of the circle, beaking it as well.
My theory: Tevinters from the future used time magic to go back and build the thaig. Bam. Also, Mass Effect....somehow.
@Ghil Dirthalen So i'm replying Inquestion and had a random thought. At 9:30 you mention that Anders states that the idol 'appears to be more powerful when broken'. Yet in Inquisition Varric WANTS us to go around Thedas and destroy the red Lyrium veins, thus breaking them into pieces. Shouldn't Varric know that this will cause the Lyrium to become more powerful?
In addition, if the red stuff also weakens the veil and we have also been strengthening "cough" weakening "cough" the veil for Solas. Surely we have unknowing help Solas achieve his goal more than we the player may have originally thought.
Another thought is in Dragon Age: Deception the red lyrium weapon that was traded to the house Danarius. What if this was actually traded to Fenris using his old masters name, in an attempt to keep it away from Solas's hands and helping the Inquistion/ Inquisitor?
Why do you assume fenris will be on the side of humans?
I think it would be kind of cool if one of the other Evanuris, or, one of their associates, ends up being a companion in DA4.
I love how we can get to piece everything and anything together with this game. There is no detail that does not mean something. From murals, pictures, portraits, music, terrain. Everything! ITS ALIVE! I really appreciate this in a game! I love Bioware!
What if the 2 circles around the tambrine suggest the 2 active bells and with each one greying theres less protection, maybe this is why the veil is getting thinner. Maybe if the archdemons when they die the veil gets thinner and thats why it was easy for corypheus to create the breach as a blighted creature he would know
It’s days before the game drops and we have come so far
Ghil, just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for your super in-depth breakdowns of everything related to Dragon Age. I've become obsessed with DA, and I have you to thank for it! Your work is amazing, and it is deeply appreciated!
Oh goodness! What if the monster vagina is meant to depict a (the?) portal to the Void? It has 4 spikes, so it probably depicts something specific. The armless/handlessness looks a lot like, i dunno... a punishment? Cutting off hands have been a punishment for stealing in many cultures, maybe that's true in Thedas too? Though stealing what?
I tweeted you about there being 3 lit "balls" in another of Solas' murals from Tresspasser (but ended up deleting as i am sure you're overwhelmed with tweets, and you confirmed you were here, so sorry for adding but IT FEELS IMPORTANT!!) if he painted it, and if he painted it when the veil was still up, that's massive, no? Shouldn't all the balls be lit then?
In regards to the stars/flowers, or the orbs the elves hold in the murals, I think they look like cut off versions of those. Or the sphere in the center of the titan. On the bottom yellow one you can see the "prongs" go underneath the "tambourine". I bet that's not a coincidence! What if they are orbs? Or whatever we are theorizing the Orb of Fen'Harel is (why i mentioned the titan heart). And MAYBE THIS IS WHY IT'S TWO NOW instead of three gold ones, like the mural in Tresspasser!! As his one got broken in Inquisition!
When I see fire, I think natural disasters. What if this is heralding earthquakes, volcano outbreakes etc? My thought is that someone is going to mess with the Titans (again) to (possibly?) get more orbs (if that's what they truly are)?
I'M SORRY, I AM THEORISING!!! Feel free to discard at your whims! Amazing video! Thank you for sharing!
I’m honestly surprised I watched the whole thing. I almost never watch such a long video, I usually put it in watch later and then forget. But this was so informative, so enjoyable...! You are truly an amazing content creator, if I had the money to support you I would do it in a heartbeat.
The tree to me looks like the one in the Emerald Graves; the Twisted Tree. There's a wolf statue nearby, too.
The wolf can be something like a familiar to Solas. Also the red circle might be the glow of his sealing or unlocking spell for the idol. Thus the wolf might be helping Solas subsidize the idols opposing power.
Amazing video! Thank you for putting so much work and love into it!
I think that my favourite part of it is actually when you stress that the teaser is for the fans. Made me all emotional haha
I don't think there's a better lore analysist than you. Detailed and well thought out as usual. Cant wait for the next DA!!!!
Heres my thought on the idol and who it could represent. Mythal being the mother and her two sons, Falon'Din and Dirthamen. They are supposed to be twins/brothers/reflections of eachother and they are her sons (also two of the Evanuris we know "the most about"). Also, that whole circle thing could represent the worlds in Dragon Age. The circes sometimes overlap or align etc and if I remember correctly Dirthamen was supposed to never be able to follow Falon'Din (so reflection?) and the woman is reaching TROUGH the circle to the person on the other side but all three are sort of conected. Also the backmasking thing with Mythals well and it sounding like Go to him/the Dirth makes me think like the god of seacrets and his reflection might become important. Anyway, these are just some thoughts floating around my head :P
So many thoughts... and the one sticking in my head is the song "Hey Mr Tambourine Man..." b/c of that darn tambourine....
I'll hold on to my theory about the story being told by Merril in DA2 about Fen'Harel trapping the Creators in the Heavens (the Veil), and the Forgotten Ones in the abyss (i'm gessing the red lyrium idols). Both imprisonments seem to be linked, probably being made in the same effort, and I feel like the key to Solas tearing down the Veil is linked to the Forgotten Ones' prison. Furthermore it was mentioned that Lyrium could also be found in the Veil, so it could represent a bridge between both planes, blighted or not.
As for the half circles, it was mentionned in another comment section that they might represent the old gods, considering there are only two of them left alive. My take would be that the dragons worshiped by Tevinter act as seals to the Veil, the death of each one of them weakening the general structure keaping the Evanuris away. Morrigan always insists on preserving the mystical things of old, and the drak ritual did allow for Urthemiel's soul to avoid being destroyed (thus safeguarding the veil?).
Pushing this even further, we might suggest that the Tevinter Magisters did corrupt, or free the corruption, that was held in the Golden City, which allowed for lyrium to be tainted in the mundane world. Wanting to be set free, the blight seeks to find the old god dragons to be free of the Veil and infect the rest of Creation.
The "tentacle" reminds me of the Nightmare Monster ... Also looks like Solas is using the Dread Wolf in some way to "crack" the Veil ...
I cherish your work, both in your presentation and your theory craft. Both entertaining and informative, you voice carries it all, a pleasure for certain. Thank you and please keep making content.
You are a treasure. I had put off watching this at first because of it being an hour, but it didn't feel like an hour, was interesting and got me excited again about dragon age.
my favourite part of this video is the very very beginning. when Catie sees the Bioware Logo, and deletes whatever she was about to reply with in the chat to button mash lol. it would be 100% what I would to
I think the voice of Solas depends on when it is recorded, the large amount of "back bass" they give him, maybe the settings in studio is different, or in different studios. Last recording is very much deep in bass. Just a thought.
Banter solace sounds energetic, but conversation solace all the way through starts sounding more breathless as you go along, and thebcutscene with flemeth he is almost crying and breathless, and in trespasser he is extremely breathless and seems to be in pain. I think as he gained more power he started degenerating, which could be a reason why he is so fixated on hastening his plan
Caitie, you did an absolutely amazing job with this video. I am very much looking forward to seeing what you take from future DA4 announcements/trailers.
I actually was playing this again yesterday and I found the Lyrium idol all over DAI. It's crazy how it's staring you in the face, especially in the beginning of the game. Nobody seems to notice. lol
Loved the video. About the teaser image, I believe the big wolf symbolizes the "pride" part of Fen'Harel and the elf symbolizes the wisdom part of him. Same guy, but with conflicting personality/thoughts. Also Coles states that Solas is in two places at the same time, could also have something to do with it.
For the theory that the red lyrium idol needed to be found, I wouldn't be surprised if Solas/Mythal had some role in Hawke finding it. Mythal clearly kept an eye on Hawke and Solas did lead Corypheus to his orb so it was probably easier for them to keep tabs on the idol if it's with someone they were already keeping an eye on. Solas continuously makes back up plans and setting up the whereabouts of said idol may have been one of them! Great video as always!
This video is so thorough and I love it but I want to comment on how much I LOVE YOUR ATTENTION TO MUSIC cos that is really important to the narrative so thank you!
I didn't realize this was from 2018, and I thought the "It's been 84 years" clip was referring to how long it feels like it's been since that teaser dropped. I feel ancient right now.
I thought of the circles around the tambourine as soundwaves? Valta kept going on around the rhythm of the stone and the tambourine is a rhythm instrument. The bells suggest that it is still playing the rhythm.
Here we are 4 years later still obsessing over anything that might hint at the next game! One thing that came to mind looking at the tambourine mural - while I think the figure standing opposite of the wolf might represent Solas's opposing personalities, I like what you mentioned about duty. It seems to me the elf figure represents his more "humane" attempts at breaking down the veil with the foci/magic. Whereas the consuming presence of the wolf represents his more violent last resort...
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the DA series has lowkey shifted from the main focus race being humans, to being elves. Like... we start off with not much going on with the Elves, in DA:O, and then in DA2 we had Merrill and Fenris, and hints of shit, and then DA:I took us to a shit ton of Elvhen ruins. Not to mention the whole... well... everything? With Solas? And Mythal? And the orb? That happened.
And now, yes, we’re going to Tevinter, but we’ve got all the shit of DA:I going on to bug us, and so far it’s been turning out that all these things which we thought might be this or that, or caused by humans, are really the machinations of elves. Like... it’s getting a) really weird to be playing an elf, and b) really fucking interesting to be playing an elf.
Don't know what you hope for as an actual career, but if you do not make it as a game designer/writer/producer/marketer, etc. you certainly have a researcher/teacher in you to fall back on. Brilliantly done. I came back to review this production of yours after experiencing the shared you/Jackdaw video on 'all we know' about DA4. The biggest thing I took from it differently (and there were many little things) was that there could be a DA5 if we make it worth EA's involvement thru '4'. I might find myself tempted to 'get sucked in' to some monetization schemes in DA4 just on the working idea that it may be the only way we can get a '5'.
Thank you for your inspiration, incredible efforts, and delicious imagination in this and all your videos. I hope someday to meet you and Jack at a convention someday to shake your hand in person.