Today I’m delving into full spoiler territory regarding Dragon Age: Blue Wraith Issue #3, breaking down the major plot threads, characters and my overall thoughts on the final issue of this comic. I’ve already broken down previous issue, so be sure to check those two videos if you need to be caught up.
But, if you haven’t had the chance to pick up the comic and you want to read the second issue for yourself, go give it a read and revisit this video. Alternatively, if you’d rather pass up the comics for whatever reason, you’re in luck because I’m going to summarise all the important deets in this video!
So without further ado, let’s breakdown Blue Wraith issue #3!
Like both previous issues, we start with a flashback, this time we witness the very moment Leto became the Fenris we know today with his lyrium tattoos. As one of Danarius's remaining slaves, Fenris is commanded to go into the lyrium sarcophagus with the compromise that his family will be freed. Something worth noting is that the sarcophagus requires a sword and lyrium to work, perhaps in the future we may see this being used with red lyrium, or the red lyrium idol, not to mention, the red lyrium idol has it's own ritual blade too. So, the idol could serve both purposes of fuelling this device.
We skip to the present day back in the Arlathan Forest, picking up from the last issue. Fenris, Vaea, Autumn and Francesca are slaughtering their way through the Qunari forces, one of them killed Magister Nenealeus's slaves, who had plenty of information of their magister's whereabouts. Fenris goes slashy slash with his greatsword, Francesca uses her plant magic while Vaea kinda just watches the mayhem.
Meanwhile, the Qunari Viddasala escapes the scene, Vaea slightly touches Fenris on the back and immediately he turns to show her his rage, as she apologises.
Following that, we shuffle to Ser Aaron, Calix, Marius and Tessa. Since the last issue, they had a lyrium-infused man explode whilst charging at them. Marius calls it a failed experiment, we can speculate this failure even further since the device was supposed to be used by elves, not humans.
The group discuss chasing after the Tevinter caravan, the very same envoy they've been following since issue one carrying the sarcophagus, on it's way to Castellium Tenebris where another lyrium device potentially awaits them.
As a quick recap for the group's mission objective. In the previous comic - Dragon Age Deception, Ser Aaron and company discovered that the 'red lyrium imbued' weapon they're looking for on behalf of the Inquisition, was supposed to be at House Qintara's estate in Ventus. However, an Agent of Fen'Harel impersonating the head of House Qintara sold this device to House Danarius at Castellium Tenebris in exchange for information. It must've been information to die for because that agent was killed in the Qunari invasion, while the rest of the group escaped with an updated MO - get the weapon from Castellium Tenebris.
However, Casse, Ser Aaron's horse is hurt, and can't ride too well. Ser Aaron suggests that they need the help of Francesca and her magic. The group become impatient and decide to move on at a slower pace for Casse's sake.
Shuffling back to Fenris, he apologises for reacting to Vaea's touch, saying that she bears no blame for not knowing his marks can cause pain when touched. He admits his angry reaction was influenced by losing the Viddasala. Since the group have no more leads to go on, they free the rest of Magister Nenealeus's slaves and a little boy tells Fenris about a caravan heading to Castellium Tenebris. Fenris asks Autumn to track the Viddasala, and if Vaea and Francesca will join them.
Meanwhile, Ser Aaron and company are back on the road catching up to the caravan. Ser Aaron speaks with Calix on Casse's origin, she used to belong to Grand Duke Gaspard. He called her Casse as if to say he was a broken thing. Before Gaspard could put her down, Ser Aaron stepped in and took the horse from him, he's been with him ever since.
In a sudden hurry, a barrage of Qunari charge towards the group on horseback, the Viddasala and the rest of her forces that escaped Fenris's blade. They too are after the caravan, seeking the lyrium sarcophagus.
Magister Nenealeus's caravan pulls up to a cliff-side as they witness both the Qunari and Ser Aaron's company mounted on horseback. Magister Nenealeus gathers his men and promises that for their sacrifices today, each Soporati who has magical capabilities will be elevated into a Laetan, a social level that is much more respected across the Imperium.
Shirallas, Fenris's old elven companion, is seen on horseback working as Nenealeus's new magekiller. However, he has not yet acquired his new lyrium tattoos through the sarcophagus like the other men. Instead, Magister Nenealeus has a worse scheme for the elf, he intends on putting Shirallas through the same sarcophagus process, however, using red lyrium instead, creating a never before seen red lyrium tattooed elven warrior. A worth opponent against Fenris.
Thus explains why Francesca's father was needed for this experiment. He displays a speech for the soldiers, that their sacrifice will restore the Venatori, House Danarius and House Nenealeus.
As Ser Aaron and Company are fighting the invading Qunari - Fenris, Vaea, Francesca and Autumn arrive at excellent timing! Autumn even gets a bloody kill. As the entire group charge ahead towards the caravan, the lyrium infused men reveal themselves.
We have a stunning panel showcasing three major events. We can see the caravan fleeting, as Francesca, using magic, grapples her father with a vine, yeeting him off the caravan and to the ground. Fenris encounters Shirallas as he says he's almost got the power he seeks, a power that only elves can handle. And a lyrium-infused man charges at Fenris and explodes.
As the Qunari add to the mixture of fighting, Calix admits he'd rather take cover then fight. Vaea and Ser Aaron tag team the battle, once more together again. The Qunari forces are surrounded by a group of lyrium-infused men, exploding their existence to smithereens.
The explosion leaves the forest desolate of life, Francesca finally gets the moment she was looking for, a confrontation with her father. She exclaims that she saved him, he picks himself up and smacks Franny across her face with his staff calling her a worthless child, shouting: "do you know what this cost me?"
This was his chance to restore the Venatori and the Invidus House, to reclaim their greatness. He asks where is Francesca's brother as she lies on the ground. Vaea steps in and tells him that his son is dead, and that his daughter was trying to save the only family she had left.
Magister Invidus attacks Vaea, calling her a knife-ear. He looks at Francesca and said the wrong child died. Fenris steps in to protect Francesca, holding his sword to his head saying that he will break the promise he made to Franny if he hurts anyone else again.
Magister Invidus turns around and says only my daughter would cut a deal with the Blue Wraith. As he attacks Fenris with his magic, and from what we can assume a red lyrium staff. As he summons a spell, Francesca yells for him to stop, she stands up and stabs her father in the heart with a vine spell. Instant death for Magister Invidus.
Fenris tells her she had no choice, while Vaea pushes him aside and weeps with Francesca, this panel truly is heart-wrenching and stunning showing the relationship growth of both characters.
Calix talks to Ser Aaron about not being built for any of this, he gives Francesca her gemstone back. He previously swindled this stone from her in Dragon Age: Deception. I feel this exchange shows the growth of Francesca since the previous comic and throughout all of Blue Wraith. She's no longer that naive young lady, she's found her own voice, made valuable friends and grown into the next heir of her house.
Francesca gives the gemstone back to Calix as he decides it's time to leave the group, she tells him to take the stone to Fort Viridan, he'll be granted safe access there. As everyone wishes him goodbye, we have the saddest of farewells. Autumn has a most dire choice to make, does she go with Calix, or stay with Vaea and the rest. After a tear-jerker of a scene, Autumn stays with Vaea and squad.
Calix throws in a cheeky 'Princess Bride' reference and Fenris joins the group even with his track record. He urges everyone that they've got to get to that sarcophagus before Shirallas uses it, while Vaea introduces him properly. Francesca heals Casse, and they all set out on the road to Castellium Tenebris, while Ser Aaron makes a comment about an adventure he had in the Dales travelling with elves who had dreams of restarting the Emerald Knights. As Ser Aaron tells his tale, the issue comes to an end.
Ending on a cliffhanger! Here's hoping we'll one day hear Ser Aaron finish this tale. There are so many things in this issue that demand another comic run, so we can get some answers!
All in all, Blue Wraith as an entirety has been perfect for me. As someone who grew distant with Fenris, it's great to see him 10 years later with huge depth to his character, this comic has genuinely fleshed him out so much, and I respect him way more.
However, my favourite dynamic throughout the entire comic run has been Francesca and Vaea's friendship. I've loved seeing this two characters start this adventure as strangers, and at the end of it, see them sharing emotional moments together as friends. I have grown to like and respect these characters as much as characters in the game, and because of that, I want to see their stories continue on.
Everyone involved in Blue Wraith has done a fantastic job, I listened to a recent podcast with Nunzio DeFillipis and his wife, Christina Weir and I noticed so many things I felt are worthwhile to share. 1st, Nunzio and Christina are truly delightful people, they shared about how writing Dragon Age comics has been a dream job for the two of them. You can tell from the way they talk about the franchise and BioWare, they love Dragon Age and are having an absolute blast creating these comics.
2nd, these comics are created solely for filling the void of Dragon Age, establishing characters, locations, tones, even clothing styles. Although they're building a future for the games with this red lyrium weapon plot and discovering Castellium Tenebris's secrets. These comics aren't supposed to act as a prologue for Dragon Age 4, they're about building the Dragon Age Universe and adding more lore and elements to it. So, yes they are helping the shape of what direction Dragon Age 4 may go in, but other than that, there just supposed to be fun!
So, even though we're Dragon Age fans and we take everything too seriously, try not to with the comics just yet. At least until we have solid information on the next game.
With that, I would like to point out on negative thing about the recent comic runs, and that is the fact that they're too short! With the long wait ahead for Dragon Age 4 ahead, having a five issue comic with an issue popping once a month would help the wait for that game so much, that's half a year of Dragon Age goodness. But I can understand why.