Over the past two Dragon Age Days, BioWare has celebrated the fan-made event by releasing individual short stories paving the way for the next Dragon Age game’s narrative. Today I’m finally collating 2020 and 2021’s short stories together, exploring, dissecting and tinfoiling each of the six stories - analysing these characters and their plots’ potential involvement for the next game. This is an exciting, long exploration that is teasing aspects of Dragon Age 4’s narrative. As a warning, there are plenty of Tevinter Nights spoilers ahead, so keep that in mind if you haven’t read that book yet, anyhow, without further ado, let’s kick this off with the first story.
The Next One:
‘The Next One’ by Brianna Battye explored a Grey Warden standing his ground against the dark. Now, before I break ‘The Next One’ down, we’ve actually already met one of the main characters of this story, that being Grey Warden Evka Ivo who was introduced in the Tevinter Nights’ story, ‘Hunger.’
Hunger:
Throughout ‘Hunger,’ we discovered that Evka Ivo is a dwarf born and raised in Orzammar, she is, unsurprisingly, a profound member of House Ivo, one of Orzammar’s many noble houses. Evka has been living on the surface as a Grey Warden for three years.
“Warden Evka Ivo had grown up in Orzammar. The dwarven city was what it was: stone floors, stone walls, stone ceilings. It never changed much. Her three years with the Grey Wardens had brought her to the surface and she’d found a lot to love about life aboveground” (Hunger).
During the events of ‘Hunger,’ Evka was following orders directly from Fortress Weisshaupt to escort new Grey Warden recruits to the Warden headquarters. Evka was partnered with a newly-joined elf Warden called Antoine, the pair stopped in a supposedly cursed village called Eichweill in the Anderfels, where many of the townsfolk had recently started disappearing…
“After a hasty recruitment in Orlais, Evka was charged with taking the new recruit to a quiet outpost. They weren’t halfway there when the messenger caught them. The summons called available Wardens to Weisshaupt Fortress, the center of their order, located in the heart of the Anderfels.” (…) “Because Eichweill’s cursed,” Mina said. “That’s what people say. And we’re either too far out or too Maker-damned for folks to bother with our bad luck. Or they show up and die, too” (Hunger).
The two Wardens agreed to help the villagers uncover the town’s mystery. They discovered that a wayward son of a noble; who was kicked out of the town for poisoning a Chantry brother, starved in the woods which attracted a Hunger demon. With Hunger’s influence, the noble’s son turned into a werewolf and started preying on the townsfolk.
As Evka and Antoine confronted the werewolf, Antoine was bitten by the beast before it was slain. With the werewolf defeated, the pair believed that the curse of the bite was also null. Having saved the town, they both headed to Fortress Weisshaupt victorious, no detours this time.
“He grinned. He hadn’t died—they hadn’t died. They had beaten a werewolf and Antoine was still breathing. And Evka was standing very close to him. “We should . . .” “Make sure it’s dead?” Antoine touched his shoulder where Renke had bitten him. Ending the night as a werewolf was not how it was supposed to work.” (Hunger).
The Dragon Age Day 2021 short story ‘Won’t Know When’ revealed the two Wardens holding hands together, offering an official look at the two characters and their romance?? I’ll touch on that later, for the moment, let’s talk about ‘The Next One.’
The Next One:
‘The Next One’ revealed Evka Ivo’s recruitment to the Grey Wardens so we can assume that ‘The Next One’ is set at least three years before ‘Hunger’. The story started with Grey Warden Lawrence in the Deep Roads embarking on his Calling - the endpoint in a Warden’s life where they avoid succumbing to the taint by entering the Deep Roads, killing as many darkspawn as possible before dying.
“He’d been a Grey Warden. Spent twenty years fighting blight. But that poison was in him, too. One day it sang in his ears and he knew. When the time comes, you go underground and fight ghouls ‘til you die. Or become one yourself. His joints hurt when he came down. They didn’t anymore. When he breathed, there was a ghoulish rattle in it. So that was that. The end” (The Next One).
While exploring the Deep Roads, Lawrence heard the yells of a dwarven woman from afar, Evka Ivo. He found her on the wrong side of a cave-in holding a blacksmith’s hammer against a two-mouthed, blighted beast.
“But he’d heard her yell. Found her on the wrong side of a cave-in, standing brave as spit, gripping an old blacksmith hammer” (The Next One).
Lawrence drew his sword to the beast, it had barbed teeth and crusty drool. It lunged at Lawrence as he defended Evka with his life.
“The beast shouldn’t have two mouths, but it did. All barbed teeth and crusty drool. Warden Lawrence drew his sword. “I’m getting you out of here” (The Next One).
“The beast lunged fast and crab-like. Lawrence turned, bashed his shield into its leg, and swung at the central bulk. It didn’t matter what he was becoming. He was still himself. He’d stand between her and the dark” (The Next One).
As Lawrence fought back, the blighted beast stabbed him. Evka hollered, as Lawrence began to feel the pain of the wound.
“The creature snapped with the closest maw. Lawrence dodged, rolled, and stabbed again. He heard her holler before feeling the pain himself” (The Next One).
Evka ran towards the beast and cracked its head as hard as she could with her hammer, the beast’s heart found Lawrence’s sword and fell to the ground.
“She ran forward, cracked the creature hard as she could with that hammer. His sword found the beast’s heart and it fell” (The Next One).
The two ventured forth. Lawrence promised to get Evka out of the Deep Roads. They both walked through the dark as Lawrence’s pain started to catch up to him, he was bleeding, but it was fine, he told himself - he needed to rescue Evka.
“‘We’re getting you out, Evka.’ They walked through the dark, but he knew the way. It hurt, but someone needed him. He was bleeding, but it was fine” (The Next One).
Lawrence knew the way out, he just had to get there, but the pain… he began to stumble over his words, he doubted if he could save Evka. She said that if he saves her, she’ll save the next one for him. Lawrence smiled, agreeing to this deal.
Thought I could save…” “You still can.” “I don’t…” “Tell you what,” Evka said. “You save me and I’ll save the next one for you.” He smiled. “Deal” (The Next One).
Suddenly, ghouls scrambled towards them both. Lawrence was too weak to fight but he made a deal - get her out and she’d save the next one.
“Ghouls. When the time comes, you go underground and fight. And die. But they’d made a deal. Get her out and she’d save the next one. No one should face the dark alone. He’d get her out of here. He was going to…” (The Next One).
In a flash, the ghouls were dead, defeated by a spirit of perseverance inside Lawrence. Lawrence’s perseverance to save Evka was so strong that he attracted a spirit of perseverance that fought on his behalf. Evka ordered the spirit to release Lawrence and to tell him that she'd rescue the next ones.
“The ghouls were dead. “Who are you?” Evka asked, grip tight on the hammer. “A spirit,” it said through Warden Lawrence’s mouth. “I could hear him.” Drawn to the dying, then. After all he’d done... “Release him,” Evka snapped. She wouldn’t leave him like this. Evka hesitated. “If there’s anything left in there, tell him I’ll rescue the next one” (The Next One).
Lawrence’s body fell to the ground as the spirit released him. Evka clutched his armour crest and closed Lawrence’s eyes, she promised him that she’s got the next ones.
“The spirit inclined its head, in agreement or farewell, Evka wasn’t sure. The Warden’s body collapsed to the floor. Evka knelt, clutching the crest. She closed Lawrence’s eyes. ‘I’ve got the next ones’” (The Next One).
That marks the start of Evka’s journey as a Grey Warden, and the end of this short story - a beautiful and heartfelt origin for our Orzammar friend here. The artwork featured Grey Warden Lawrence fighting this horrifying blighted brute with two mouths - nothing much to explore, however, it’s a beautiful, eerie piece. We’ll talk more about Evka in the final story, but moving to the ‘next one.’
Ruins of Reality:
‘Ruins of Reality’ by John Dombrew regarded elves discovering something has gone wrong in Arlathan Forest. Just like ‘The Next One,’ ‘Ruins of Reality’ featured characters portrayed in Tevinter Nights. Both Strife and Irelin from ‘Three Trees to Midnight’ appeared in this short story, acting as a sequel to ‘Three Trees to Midnight.’
Three Trees to Midnight:
In ‘Three Trees to Midnight,’ Strife was described as a tall Starkhaven elf with silvery hair and a strong build - he’s at least fifty years old and has no vallaslin.
“Then chain me to a man, not this knife-ear,” Myrion said, glaring at the silver-haired elf” (Three Trees to Midnight).
Before the events of ‘Three Trees to Midnight,’ Strife was living in the woods by himself until the Dalish found him, he joined their clan, known as the Morlyn clan and picked up what he could from them - I’ve got my own theory on this clan and Strife’s ties to the Executors if you’re interested in a full exploration on that, check out that video.
“Hard to believe, I know. I hit a guard who was beating elven children, and he came back with more guards, and I ended up living in the woods. The Dalish found me and let me join up with them. I’ve picked up what I can from them, but . . .” (Three Trees to Midnight).
During ‘Three Trees to Midnight,’ Strife was taken captive by the Qunari Antaam, he escaped their grasp with the help of Tevinter mage, Myrion and elven shapeshifter, Irelin. Together they fled into the Arlathan Forest, making their way back to the Morlyn clan.
Before Irelin saved Strife and Myrion from Qunari imprisonment, she warned the clans about the Qunari’s plan on moving into Rivain. The group later headed to the Dalish clan, ending ‘Three Trees to Midnight’ and acting as a start to ‘Ruins of Reality’
“The halla looked at Myrion, his breath heaving and his leg throbbing from the shackle, and then at Strife. Then, with a shimmering sparkle of magic, the halla slid into the form of a young elven woman” (Three Trees To Midnight).
Ruins of Reality:
‘Ruins of Reality’ followed Strife and Irelin in the cursed Arlathan Forest, tasked with an expedition to acquire a relic that belonged to their Dalish clan, the Morlyn clan. The story started with Strife dodging tree branches and serrated leaves as he realised something had gone wrong in Arlathan Forest.
“Something had gone wrong in Arlathan Forest. That much was clear to Strife as he dodged a rampaging tree branch that nearly tore off his head. The leaves solidified into serrated blades, so he nicked an ear to avoid losing his skull” (Ruins of Reality).
Strife had spent the past three days heading north, only to be directed south, he hadn’t seen the sun rise or set. His trusted map that had every crack and corner of the forest could no longer be trusted.
“It wasn't even the confusion of the last three days he'd spent lost in these woods, confidently hiking north only to discover he'd been headed south. Or the fact that he could only remember the sun rising and setting once” (Ruins of Reality).
The Arlathan Forest had somehow stretched, transforming itself against Strife’s every movement, throwing obstacles and tricking the silver-haired elf.
“Somehow, the landscape itself had stretched. Transformed. Not even the murderous branch alarmed him all that much” (Ruins of Reality).
Across the forest, Strife witnessed a reflection of himself, scrambling through the branches, dodging the bloodthirsty forest with a familiar urgency. Another him. His reflection glanced at a leatherbound journal, the same journal that our real Strife was holding.
“Himself. Strife. Scrambling through the brambles, dodging the bloodthirsty forest with a familiar urgency. Another him. The other elf hid behind a weathered stone column shrouded in vines, stealing a glance at a leatherbound journal—the same journal he was holding” (Ruins of Reality).
This journal was a relic of the Morlyn clan, handed down over generations. The Morlyn Keeper had given this journal to Strife when it started rewriting itself last month. Mysterious entries appeared of their own accord, describing sacred ruins in Arlathan Forest that guarded an artefact of fabled power.
“It was a relic of the Morlyn clan, handed down over generations. Their Keeper had given it to Strife when it started rewriting itself last month. Mysterious entries appeared of their own accord, describing sacred ruins in Arlathan Forest that guarded an artifact of fabled power” (Ruins of Reality).
Strife was looking at this fabled artefact of power, as was his double. Both of them were transfixed by this relic - a statue of elven goddess Ghilan'nain holding a crystal halla figurine, exactly as the journal described.
“Strife was looking at it now. On the other side, so was his double. Both transfixed by a statue of elven goddess Ghilan'nain holding a crystal halla figurine, exactly as the journal described” (Ruins of Reality).
Irelin arrived at the scene transformed as a wolf sizzling with magical energy, she told Strife that the reflection wasn’t real, it was like a mirage or an echo. The same thing happened to her yesterday, she saw a pack of wolves that turned out to be all her.
"He's not real," a voice growled nearby. "Like a mirage. Or an echo." Strife spun around to see a wolf sizzling with magical energy. When the glow faded, Irelin, his shapeshifting elf companion, stood in its place. "Happened to me yesterday. I saw a pack of wolves. Turned out they were all me" (Ruins of Reality).
Strife was confused, he could’ve sworn he saw Irelin an hour ago. She exclaimed that it had been four days since she last saw him. She shouted for Strife to go left, quickly.
"What? I saw you an hour ago."
"I haven't seen you in four days.” Both elves stared at one another with a shared sense of dread: this was ancient magic at work. Eons old. "Quick, before it fades. Go left!" (Ruins of Reality).
Strife ran left, and so did his echo which drew the attention of the sylvans, the plan was to act as a lure.
“Strife ran left, trusting she had a plan. In mirror-like fashion, so did his echo, drawing the attention of the murderous sylvans. Apparently, the plan was to act as a lure” (Ruins of Reality).
As Strife continued running, Irelin told him he’s got a spare, she’ll meet him back at camp, as she shapeshifted into an enormous eagle.
"You've got a spare! Meet you back at camp!" Irelin shouted as she launched into the air, shapeshifting into an enormous eagle” (Ruins of Reality).
Irelin swooped in and grabbed the figurine with her eagle talons, tearing the crystal halla figurine from the statue of Ghilan’nain’s grip. Irelin disappeared into the sky with the relic.
“Irelin swooped in and snagged the figurine with her talons, tearing it from Ghilan'nain's grip. The statue didn't let go easily, but neither did Irelin. With an angry squawk, she yanked the prize free and disappeared into the sky” (Ruins of Reality).
And, just like that, the other Strife disappeared, the sylvans fell silent and the spell was broken. But Strife knew an omen when he saw one, something had gone wrong in the Arlathan Forest.
“The other Strife vanished. The sylvans fell silent. The spell was broken. But Strife knew an omen when he saw one. Something had gone wrong in Arlathan Forest” (Ruins of Reality).
Dun dun dun!! That marks the end of this story, but hold your horses, the artwork of ‘Ruins of Reality’ revealed a beautiful piece set in the Arlathan Forest, as Strife looked over a ravine with the illusion of himself chasing through the forest, looking for this relic. Irelin’s silhouette can be seen from behind, approaching Strife, just like in the story before they tricked the illusions and acquired the relic.
Before we move on, something huge I’ve noticed about this art piece is Strife’s robes, he’s wearing a mysterious cloak equipped with the Executor’s emblem. Again, I’ve made an entire 18-minute theory about this, but it would seem that Strife has ties to the Executors. I wonder if he’s a member, or if he’s simply just found an Executor robe and has no clue about its origin. With that explored, I’m certainly curious about where we’ll next see Strife and Irelin, and how they may connect to the greater picture. Let’s move on to the next story.
The Wake:
‘The Wake’ by Mary Kirby regarded members of the Antivan Crows grieving the loss of a friend. This story also revolved around Tevinter Nights characters, however, this time from two different stories. We’ve got Andarateia Cantori, Viago De Riva, Lucanis Dellamorte and Illario Dellamorte. I’ll briefly go over each of them before we get to dissecting the story. I'll start with Andarateia Cantori and Viago De Riva from ‘Eight Little Talons’.
Eight Little Talons:
In ‘Eight Little Talons,’ Fifth Talon Viago and Seventh Talon Teia thwarted Fourth Talon Emil Kortez’s scheme to eliminate the leaders of the Antivan Crows and occupy a ‘peaceful’ Qunari invasion of Antiva. While the Qunari deal was broken, Emil successfully killed three leaders of the Crows. He was later killed by Viago, Teia, Bolivar, and Caterina altogether, stacking up to four Talons killed in this story.
“Following Teia’s lead, Viago, Bolivar, and Caterina all raised their blades. The steel glinted in the fire’s light. Emil spat again—a bloody, bubble-filled blob of saliva. “Go on, then.” As one, the Talons descended upon him. Sharp claws of metal rose and fell until each Crow got their pound of flesh” (Eight Little Talons).
In preparation for the Qunari’s invasion, Viago and Teia headed to Antiva City to inform the royals about this imminent war while the remaining Crows planned to recruit more Talons for their ranks.
“To brief His Royal Fatherliness?” She balanced the stick on the tip of her boot. He reached for it. “Why are you asking?” With a kick, she flung the stick onto her other foot. “To see if you had a place to stay” (Eight Little Talons).
With Teia and Viago headed to Antiva City, we’ve got to look at Lucanis and Illario Dellamorte from ‘The Wigmaker Job.’
The Wigmaker Job:
Master Assassins of the Antivan Crows, Lucanis and Illario Dellamorte are the grandchildren of Caterina Dellamorte - the First Talon. Lucanis is considered the heir to the First Talon of the Crows considering he’s Caterina’s personal favourite. However, he would rather Illario take his place as First Talon.
“For years, he’d hated her. But his time as a Master Assassin had since taught Lucanis that Caterina’s cruelty was her way of making sure that he was prepared for this life—that he survived” (The Wigmaker Job).
In ‘The Wigmaker Job,’ the two Crows went to the Tevinter city, Vyrantium, both contracted to assassinate Ambrose Forfex, Tevinter’s premiere wigmaker and high-ranking Venatori blood mage.
“Ambrose threw down the matted mess. “Lucanis Dellamorte, I presume?” “Sì,” Lucanis answered, knowing even a single syllable of a foreign language would disgust the Wigmaker. It had the desired effect—Ambrose recoiled as if he’d stepped in urine. “Is this your handiwork?” “Sì” (The Wigmaker Job).
After fulfilling this contract and stacking up to around 40 deaths, Lucanis was known by the rest of the Venatori as ‘the demon.’
“Lucanis Dellamorte is responsible.” Crispin licked his lips. “We won’t be able to keep this one from the public.” He and Felicia exchanged a nervous glance. “They’re already calling him ‘the Demon” (The Wigmaker Job).
The two cousins spoke about Lucanis becoming the First Talon, however, Lucanis insisted that death is his calling, and Illario’s is to become the First Talon, even so, that is not his call to make. Only Caterina Dellamorte can decide who will take her place.
“Even if it kills you,” Illario whispered. “Death is my calling,” Lucanis stated, matter-of-fact. “Just as yours is to become First Talon” (The Wigmaker Job).
At the end of this story, Venatori Maleficar Zara Renata and her Venatori agents were revealed as antagonistic threats against Lucanis. They plan to exploit every one of Lucanis’s flaws until ‘the demon’ is defeated, perhaps foreshadowing Lucanis’s potential murderer.
“Freeing Ambrose’s slaves already tells us this Crow has a heart. He will reveal other flaws. And we will exploit every last one of them.” (The Wigmaker Job).
The Wake:
With those four characters briefly uncovered. The Dragon Age Day short story ‘The Wake’ furthered both ‘Eight Little Talons’ & ‘The Wigmaker Job's plots as Illario, Viago and Teia mourned the loss of Lucanis Dellamorte in House Cantori’s Casino in Antiva City.
The story began with a drunken Illario slung over Viago’s shoulder, reflecting fondly on a time when Lucanis was ten. He was reading books about wyverns and suddenly that’s all Lucanis began to talk about - wyverns all the time.
“We were ten years old. Lucanis had just read some book about wyverns, and suddenly that’s all he’d talk about. Wyverns, all the time, wyverns.” Illario told the story with fond amusement and an impressive amount of confidence considering that he was slung over Viago’s shoulder and couldn’t find the ground with both feet” (The Wake).
The pair were walking through Teia’s casino, it was empty. The rooms were furnished with black velveteen and lavish floral arrangements of crystal grace for parting and embrium to ease a sorrowful heart. No matter the sweet smells, they weren’t enough to cover Illario’s wafting stench of liquor.
“The casino belonged to House Cantori. Teia had sent the staff home. The windows and mirrors were all temporarily covered with heavy black velveteen to prevent any wandering souls from getting lost on their way. The tables for cards and dice games had been cleared and set instead with lavish floral arrangements of crystal grace for parting and embrium to ease a sorrowful heart. Their perfume clung to skin and clothing, but still wasn’t sweet enough to cover the stench of liquor wafting off Illario Dellamorte. Maker, Teia owed him for this” (The Wake).
Illario continued his reflection, when he was ten he was covered in prickle-burrs, he stuck to everything he touched. Lucanis was nothing but mud from ears down, their grandmother, Caterina was speechless. As Illario laughed, he collapsed onto the stairs taking Viago with him.
“There I was, so covered in prickle-burrs I stuck to everything I touched. Lucanis was nothing but mud from the ears down. Catarina just stared speechless.” Illario laughed. His knees buckled, or he just stopped trying to walk entirely, and he collapsed onto the stairs, taking Viago with him” (The Wake).
Viago cursed under his breath. He wished he’d gone with plan A: drugging Illario to sleep in the lounge and throwing a sheet over him, but Teia had swayed him otherwise. For a second, Viago had a clear vision of leaving Illario snoring in the middle of the staircase, except Teia would kill him.
“Viago cursed under his breath and tried to pry the larger man off the stairs, the smooth dark samite of Illario’s jacket slipping out of his grasp. Viago wished he’d gone with Plan A: drugging Illario to sleep in the lounge and throwing a sheet over him. But Teia’s deep, dark eyes had pleaded with him to take care of the reeking drunkard, and… Viago sighed and cursed again. For a moment, he had a clear, perfect vision of leaving Illario snoring in the middle of the staircase. Except Teia would kill him. Maybe even personally” (The Wake).
While on the floor still, Illario continued, he said that Lucanis was his cousin, but they were more like brothers. Lucanis was always getting himself into every sort of trouble, Illario was always right behind him too. Illario’s voice grew thick with emotion, there was nobody for him to follow now.
“He was my cousin, but we were more like brothers, really. Always getting himself into every sort of trouble. And I was always right behind him, you know? Always.” Illario’s voice suddenly grew thick with emotion. “Now there’s nobody for me to follow” (The Wake).
Viago sighed and levered Illario off the steps with a slightly pained grin.
“Viago let out a sigh, then crouched down and levered Illario off the steps with a slightly pained grunt” (The Wake).
As he did, Illario spat out bitterly that it should’ve been him, he should be the one who’s dead.
“It should have been me.” Illario sounded bitter now. The rant was approaching the end. He’d repeated this speech like an actor rehearsing for a particularly infuriating play for hours downstairs as his composure crumbled and he looked more and more like he’d fought a herd of druffalo and lost” (The Wake).
Viago carried him up the last of the stairs, dragging Illario to a bed. He dumped him like a corpse.
“Viago lurched up the last of the stairs and fumbled with the door to the closest guestroom. For one hellish moment, he feared he’d have to pick the lock, but it opened. He dragged Illario to the bed and dumped him like a corpse” (The Wake).
Illario asked Viago if he’d ever told him about the time Lucanis took him wyvern-hunting. Viago wet a handkerchief with a few drops from one of his vials, he then covered Illario’s nose and mouth with the cloth, knocking him out.
“Did I tell you about the time Lucanis took me wyvern-hunting?” Illario asked as Viago wet a handkerchief with a few drops from one of his vials. Before he could start into yet another rendition, Viago covered Illario’s nose and mouth with the cloth, knocking him out” (The Wake).
Viago replied, another time. And then he left the room.
“Another time.” Viago replied. And he left the room” (The Wake).
And that marks the end of this sorrowful story, I don’t know about you, but I feel incredibly sorry for Illario in this tale, I understand why Viago is so harsh. Returning a drunken friend home safely is not the easiest thing to do, but my man’s cousin just died, he could've shown a little more grace in my opinion, then again, Viago is a stone-cold killer, so maybe he was being as graceful as he possibly could?
In any event, I do wonder if Lucanis is actually dead, too. Most likely, Venatori Maleficar Zara Renata and her agents got the better of Lucanis, as they swore to kill him in ‘The Wigmaker Job.’ Even further, Lucanis did say to Illario, “Death is my calling.” Did he say this because he was going to fake his death, or did he actually think his time in Thedas was going to be cut short? I think either Lucanis is faking his death from everyone to hide from the Venatori, and eventually backstab them all ‘from the grave,’ or Lucanis is actually dead, meaning that Illario would be the next First Talon following his grandmother, Caterina.
The artwork of this story revealed Teia, Viago and a drunken Illario atop the city heights of Antiva, surrounded by beautiful structures. Not much to dissect, other than the fact that Antiva looks bloody beautiful - the perfect romantic destination if a Qunari invasion wasn’t imminent, and the Crows weren’t brutally murdered. Onwards to the next story…
Minrathous Shadows:
‘Minrathous Shadows’ by Sheryl Chee is about a high-stakes game of cards that ends in a shocking revelation. This short story doesn’t regard any of the characters from Tevinter Nights, however, one of the main characters called Tarquin has seemingly appeared in an Inquisition codex entry titled, ‘Shriek.’
Shriek:
The codex briefly explores the son of a Magister named Tarquin, his entire unit was killed by darkspawn, Tarquin was the only survivor, and even then, he was left in the direst state, repeating the word, “Shriek. Shriek. Shriek.” This codex is a part of a classified collection of studies on the darkspawn, held safely in the Imperial Library in Minrathous, available only to members of the Magisterium. So, while it’s not confirmed, this codex’s Tarquin could be the very same as Minrathous Shadows’. With that explored, let’s dive into this story.
“An entire unit went into the ground, and only Tarquin returned. Cyra found him bloody and shaking. We asked what happened, but only got incoherent mumbling for answers… Tarquin spoke today. Only one word, but it was enough. "Shriek. Shriek. Shriek" (Codex entry: Shriek).
Minrathous Shadows:
The story started with Tarquin pulling up a chair to a lady Magister’s private table, she eyed his wrinkled uniform, scuffed boots and rat-grey hat dripping with rain. She deduced that he was a Templar. Tarquin told her that he won’t be here long.
“He knew the magister wouldn’t care for him pulling up a chair, so that’s just what he did.
“This is a private table—” She eyed the wrinkled uniform, the scuffed boots, and the rat-grey hat still dripping with rain. “—ser Templar.”
“Won’t be here long,” he replied” (Minrathous Shadows).
The Magister exhaled and summoned a dark-clad dealer for another round of cards. Tarquin felt the cards he was dealt, crisp, never-used, and edged with gold leaf.
“The magister exhaled. “Another round, then.” She summoned a dark-clad dealer to her side with the flick of a ruby-encrusted hand.
Tarquin thumbed through the cards he was dealt—crisp, never-used, and edged with gold leaf that left his palms dusted with brilliant flecks” (Minrathous Shadows).
The Magister asked if Tarquin found the gold sparkle charming, he could see coins winking in his peripheral vision. She noticed and asked if that’s why he’s here - to earn some quick gold. Tarquin asked if that was her opening bet at a table with gold-painted cards.
“Don’t you find the sparkle charming?” Coins winked in his peripheral vision, scudding across the red silk tablecloth. “That’s what you’re here for,” said the magister with her flat smile, “isn’t it?”
“That’s your opening bet? At a table with gold-painted cards?” (Minrathous Shadows).
She raised an eyebrow. It’s more than Tarquin would see in a half year as a Templar she said, laying her cards faced up on the table. She asked if he wanted more, she’d have to like how he plays.
The magister raised an eyebrow. “It’s more than you see in a half year, templar.” She lay her cards face up on the table. “You want more? Let’s see if I like how you play” (Minrathous Shadows).
Tarquin revealed his own hand, then pushed a slim ledger into the centre of the table. He asked about raising the stakes just a bit. The Magister wasn’t sure what this was, but Tarquin noticed a slight pinch in the corner of one of her eyes.
“Tarquin revealed his own hand, then pushed a slim ledger into the center of the table. “How about we raise the stakes just a bit?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what that is,” she said. Tarquin noticed a slight pinch in the corner of one of her eyes” (Minrathous Shadows).
Tarquin spoke up, he said he had a contract that contains financial records for the black-market slave trade including transactions with the Venatori cult. The lady Magister chuckled, exclaiming that the Venatori were eradicated.
“I have a contact. Lady’s lightning smart, and she says that contains financial records for the black-market slave trade.” Tarquin leaned back in his chair, settling into the velvet plush as easy as a smile on a grifter’s face. “Including transactions with the Venatori cult.”
The magister chuckled. “The Venatori were eradicated.” (Minrathous Shadows).
Tarquin challenged that. He said the Magisterium still considers consorting with them treason. Treason gets a magister exiled, titles destroyed….
“Is that right? The magisterium still considers consorting with them treason. Treason gets a magister exiled, titles destroyed….” (Minrathous Shadows).
The Magister was annoyed. She told him he's chosen interesting cards, her voice held an edge like a razor off whetstone. She said that perhaps Tarquin wasn’t properly instructed in how this game was played. Tarquin believed he knew exactly how this game was played.
“The magister tapped at her lower lip with a lacquered fingernail. “Interesting cards you’ve chosen.” Her voice held an edge like a razor just off the whetstone. “Perhaps you weren’t properly instructed in how this game is played.”
“I believe I know exactly how this game is played” (Minrathous Shadows).
The Magister flung the rest of her cards on the table, winning the hand. She boasted, “High cards and aces. You’re finished, templar.” Then she stood up and leaned over him, “You don’t get one over on me with that play,” she said with clenched fists - the sound of a mage gathering power. She lashed out, “And you don’t threaten me, in my establishment.”
“The magister flung the rest of her cards on the table. “High cards and aces. You’re finished, templar.” She stood up and leaned over him. “You don’t get one over on me with that play.” The air crackled around her clenched fists—the sound of a mage gathering power. “And you don’t threaten me, in my establishment” (Minrathous Shadows).
As she cast a spell, her spark hissed, sputtered, and smothered. Her hand was hung in the air with her magic countered. Tarquin smirked, “You sure this is still your establishment?” He said.
“There was a spark, and the hiss and sputter of a spell loosed, then smothered. The magister’s hand hung in the air, her magic countered.
Tarquin smirked. “You sure this is still your establishment?” (Minrathous Shadows).
The Magister looked at the dark-clad dealer square in the face for the first time since she summoned him. She stumbled, “You can’t be… The Viper’s just a tale.” She gasped.
The magister looked full into the face of the dealer for the first time since she summoned him. “You… you can’t be…” She stumbled back. “The Viper’s just a tale” (Minrathous Shadows).
Tarquin retrieved his slim ledger, “Rigging the system only works if we play by your rules.” He said. Tarquin leaned back in his chair and tipped his hat at the Magister. “Sunset’s beautiful in Minrathous. Might want to catch one while you still can.”
“Tarquin tucked the slim ledger into the pocket of his coat. “Rigging the system only works if we play by your rules.” He leaned back in his chair and tipped his hat at the magister. “Sunset’s beautiful in Minrathous. Might want catch one while you still can” (Minrathous Shadows).
The Magister questioned what Tarquin wanted. Gold? Power? Tarquin smirked, he said, “We’re the Tevinter you forgot. What do we want?”
“Who are you? What do you want? Gold? Power?
Tarquin smirked. “We’re the Tevinter you forgot. What do we want?” (Minrathous Shadows).
From behind the Magister, this dealer known as the Viper put up his hood and said, “Everything.”
From behind the Magister, the dealer put up his hood. “Everything” (Minrathous Shadows).
I love the intrigue in this short story, there’s great attention to detail - it (so) subtly tells us so much. Most crucially, it would seem we have a newly-introduced resistance movement amidst Tevinter’s capital city - one with ties to the Tevinter that many have forgotten, run by a myth known as the Viper, seemingly against slavery in the city. Also, we can confirm they are not the Venatori given their hostile intentions with this Magister who was provoked by Venatori-related black market intel.
Perhaps the Viper's network is related to the Tevinter Siccari, a spy network group introduced in Tevinter Nights? It would seem both factions share this espionage in Minrathous allure, equally, they both could be completely independent from each other. Either way, it’s going to be exciting witnessing the future of the Viper’s network and their uprising.
The artwork of ‘Minrathous Shadows’ showcased this dealer known as the Viper shuffling cards for this high stakes game. Behind the Viper are many robed figures lined up, ready for whatever they have in store for Tevinter. Overall, the image is super creepy and shows off Tevinter’s fashion sense, I love it! Anyhow, moving on to the next story.
The Flame Eternal:
‘The Flame Eternal’ by Sylvia Feketekuty explored a pair of necromancers investigating what torments a distressed inhabitant of the Grand Necropolis. Jumping straight into this one, ‘The Flame Eternal’ immediately established its setting, the story was set thirty years ago in 9:22 Dragon - this means the current present would be 9:52 Dragon, eight years after Trespasser’s events. Is this going to be Dragon Age 4’s setting? Or is something else going to happen in 9:52 Dragon in relation to this story? We’re just going to have to wait and see on that front.
“Thirty years ago, in 9:22 Dragon…” (The Flame Eternal).
Mortalitasi necromancer Johanna Hezenkoss approached her associate Emmrich Volkarin in the Cobalt Ossuary of the Grand Necropolis. She caught a look at a hissing monster of bone and dried gristle. She cast a spell and the monster was ripped apart. Frustrated, Johanna asked Emmrich why he’d taken her away from her experiment. Emmrich adjusted his collar pin, he told Johanna to wait a moment.
“Well? You tore me away from an experiment for this, Volkarin.” The shorter necromancer caught a hissing monster of bone and dried gristle in a skein of light. A twist of her hand, and it was ripped apart. “What does the wretched thing want?”
Emmrich Volkarin adjusted his collar pin. “Just a moment, Johanna” (The Flame Eternal).
“Fine.” Johanna said while scowling at the skull cradled in Emmrich’s hand. The skull had started screaming, ceaselessly screaming inside its place at the Necropolis - an unrested demon, no doubt. An attendant took notice of the skull’s behaviour, informed the Mourn Watch, and sent a pair of necromancers out. (Low and behold, Johanna and Emmrich).
“Fine.” Johanna Hezenkoss scowled at the skull cradled in Emmrich’s hand. “Anything to stop that howling.”
The skull had started screaming, ceaselessly screaming, inside its niche in the Cobalt Ossuary of the Grand Necropolis. An attendant had noted it, informed the Mourn Watch, and a pair of necromancers had been dispatched” (The Flame Eternal).
Emmrich placed the screaming skull on a plinth, he wondered what insights on the dead this demon had. Johanna interrupted and said that Emmrich had already told her about his paper. Emmrich in his fury of devotion questioned what sort of passion drives one spirit above the rest? What tangle of thoughts and heart returned this soul?
They came to a junction. Emmrich placed the shrilling skull on a plinth. “What insights on the dead it could—”
“You already told me about your paper.”
“Come now!” Emmrich turned. “What sort of passion drives one spirit above the rest? What tangle of thoughts and heart returned this soul?” (The Flame Eternal).
Johanna called his questions mawkish drivel. Emmrich said that she must admit it's an interesting variation on possession as the skull bounced through the corridor.
“Mawkish drivel.”
“You must admit it’s an interesting variation on possession!”
The skull’s shrieks bounced through the corridor” (The Flame Eternal).
Johanna believed it was only a petty spirit too weak to become a demon. She lit the passage ahead of her with a flick of her wrist. The demon twisted up, Johanna threw another spell, the demon gnashed its teeth and collapsed into itself. She told Emmrich that the demon should be safe for his corpse whispering now.
“It’s only some petty spirit too weak to become a demon.” Johanna ducked under a collapsed lintel. Statues of corpses lined the passage. A flick of her hand, and a green bolt of light smashed into a lanky shape lurking at the end. The demon twisted up, wreathed in smoke, as another volley hit. It gnashed its teeth and collapsed into itself.
“There. It should be safe for your corpse whispering” (The Flame Eternal).
Emmrich closed his eyes. His whispers vibrated the air. He asked the demon, “By breath and shadow, by endless night, what haunts you?” The skull’s sockets flared green, it said, “Divided. Cold. Two graves where there should be one.” Johanna called its response twaddle.
“Emmrich closed his eyes. Whispers came, and when he spoke, the air vibrated. “By breath and shadow. By endless night. Tell us what haunts you.”
The skull’s sockets flared green. “Divided. Cold. Two graves where there should be one!”
“Twaddle” (The Flame Eternal).
Emmrich chastised her. He cleared his throat and returned to the skull. “What will grant you rest?” He asked the demon. The demon responded, “Take this one… to sunken black walls… by silver flames…”
“Johanna!” Emmrich cleared his throat and turned back to the skull. “Tell me: what will grant you rest?”
“Take this one… to sunken black walls… by silver flames…” The skull’s glow flickered, faded. It resumed its earsplitting shrieks” (The Flame Eternal).
Johanna complimented Emmrich’s talents and his command of sub-astral manifestation. Then asked what does this wailing nuisance want down in the Crescent Fane.
“You possess a grand talent, Volkarin.” Johanna gave the smallest inclination of her head. “And you’ve honed your command of sub-astral manifestation.”
Emmrich beamed. “Why thank you.”
“But what does this wailing nuisance want down in the Crescent Fane?” (The Flame Eternal).
The pair arrived at the Crescent Fane, Emmrich placed the skull next to the body of an old woman crowned with white roses in a coffin ringed by bowls of silver fire. The skull’s screaming stopped. “Mathilde.” The demon said. Emmrich smiled, “Your wife left gently, in her sleep, last midnight. The records confirm she also wished to be interred together. You’ll not be parted again.”
“Emmrich leaned over a coffin ringed by bowls of silver fire. He placed the skull next to the body of an old woman, humbly dressed but crowned with white roses. The screaming stopped.
“Mathilde…”
“Your wife left gently, in her sleep, last midnight.” Emmrich smiled. “The records confirm she also wished to be interred together. You’ll not be parted again” (The Flame Eternal).
They heard a sigh. Did the old woman’s mouth quirk, or was that the dancing flames? Johanna snorted, “All that fury, ending in another grave.” Emmrich questioned that, he thought it would be rather fine to possess such an enduring affection. Masterful pun there, Emmrich. He remarked that Johanna saw it through with him till the end.
There was a sigh. Did the old woman’s mouth quirk, or was that the dancing flames?
Johanna snorted. “All that fury, ending in another grave.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Emmrich ran a hand along the coffin’s snowy marble. “It would be rather fine to possess such an enduring affection. Besides, you did see this through.” (The Flame Eternal).
“Someone had to ensure you weren’t beheaded while chattering with the dead.” She snapped. Emmrich said he was grateful for enduring friendships. Johanna barked. The two made their way back up the Grand Necropolis in companionable silence.
“Someone had to ensure you weren’t beheaded while chattering with the dead.”
“I am grateful for enduring friendships, as well.”
“Bah!”
They made their way back up the Grand Necropolis in companionable silence” (The Flame Eternal).
And that marks the end of this story. I love the chemistry between Emmrich and Johanna, it’s perfect. I’m already eager to see more of their friendship if that’s continued in the next Dragon Age. It was also fascinating to explore more of the Mortalitasi putting spirits to rest, we caught a glimpse of that in ‘Down Among the Dead Men’ in ‘Tevinter Nights’, and even more of that here. I love the exploration of this necromantic faction and their potential involvement in the future.
The artwork of this story revealed the two necromancers speaking to this demon through the summoning ritual that Emmrich performed on the skull. Beautiful green imagery, matching the iconic green aesthetic of the Grand Necropolis witnessed in concept art.
Moving on to the final short story…
Won’t Know When:
‘Won’t Know When’ by Brianna Battye explored two Grey Wardens deciding their future together. So, you all remember Evka and Antonie from ‘Hunger’ and ‘The Next One,’ right? Well, we’ve got another story regarding their adventure since ‘Hunger’s’ events.
The story started with Warden Evka Ivo laying against the rough stone having killed an ogre, the beast had half a dozen arrows protruding from its throat, but it was Evka’s dwarven hammer that gave the final blow. From above her, Warden Antoine told Evka that the miners made it out of the cave. He lay on the ground next to Evka, the two stared up at the shadowed cave ceiling.
“Warden Evka Ivo groaned and lay back against the rough stone. The ogre was dead. A half dozen arrows protruded from its throat and the left side of its skull was crumpled inward from the final blow of her dwarven hammer. She could rest for a moment. (Won’t Know When).
“They made it out,” Warden Antoine said from above her.
“Good,” Evka said. The point of putting themselves between hapless miners and ogre-shaped death was to get the hapless ones out. Even if that meant a few bruises. And maybe a cracked rib. Antoine lowered himself to the ground next to her, wincing at his own aches. The two lay on their backs, staring up at the shadowed cave ceiling” (Won’t Know When).
“We made it too,” Antonie said while fidgeting with a stone. “This time,” Evka added. The pair laughed about the last time they killed an ogre and it nearly took Antoine’s head. He almost blew himself up with an experimental concoction he came up with.
“We made it too,” Antoine offered. He picked up a stone and fidgeted it between his fingers. The elf never could stay still.
“This time.”
Antoine laughed. “You said that last time we fought an ogre” (Won’t Know When).
“It was ogres last time. More than one. The third nearly took your head.”
“Ah, but I tested a new formula!”
Evka smirked, recalling the corrosive tang of Antoine’s experimental concoction. “That’s right. You nearly blew us both up” (Won’t Know When).
Evka recalled the darkspawn they fought outside Kassel, a settlement in the Anderfels. The darkspawn’s presence had poisoned the water, making the villagers sick. Despite being sick, Evka killed the darkspawn while Antoine stopped the spread. Evka had told Antoine that he owed her soup.
“You remember the darkspawn outside Kassel?” Evka asked. The darkspawns’ blighted presence had poisoned the water. The brackish swamplands filled with grey sludge. Birds died. Villagers begged for rescue between gurgling coughs. Evka had walked from the village alone and into a monstrous horde.
“You were sick,” Antoine said. “But you bought me time.”
“And you stopped the spread.”
“You said I owed you soup.” Antoine gave the stone another toss” (Won’t Know When).
I think this next one is a reference to ‘Hunger.’ Evka mentioned the demon they fought in the Merdaine, which is another region in the Anderfels, east of the city, Nordbotten. Antonie said that he hated demons, Evka didn’t think the demon liked him either.
“There was that demon in the Merdaine.”
“I hate demons,” Antoine muttered.
“I don’t think it liked you either” (Won’t Know When).
The pair had been reading a mystery book on their travels, they even got to the last chapter, before it burned away. Antonie continued reminiscing, he said he fared way better than Evka against those hurlocks in the High Reaches, which is a landscape in Tevinter, close to the Arlathan Forest. Evka said there was barely a scar, but she didn’t know what exactly bit her.
“At least our book was only singed. That mystery story. We were on the last chapter.” Antoine grinned. “I fared better than you against those hurlocks in the High Reaches.”
“There’s barely a scar. I wasn’t bit by a… what was that thing outside Arlathan?” (Won’t Know When).
Antonie put his hand on his shoulder, he said he didn’t know what he was, but they made it, close as it was. Very much like Charlie Brown and Snoopy, Evka pointed out that there are a lot of ways for Wardens to die. Antoine said that there are a lot of days you keep living. Evka dropped a bombshell that Warden Dernel went on his Calling. Antoine went silent, he didn’t know.
Antoine’s hand went briefly to his shoulder. “I still don’t know. But we made it. Close as it was.”
“Point is, there’s a lot of ways for Wardens to die,” Evka said.
“And a lot of days you keep living,” Antoine countered softly (Won’t Know When).
“Dernel went on his Calling,” Evka said.
Antoine didn’t respond. He set the stone down. He hadn’t known” (Won’t Know When).
Dernel apparently hadn’t been that old, but the blight in his blood told him it was the end. Evka had walked him to the Deep Roads one last time. “Being a Warden kills you one way or the other, and we won’t know when for either of us,” Evka said.
“Dernel hadn’t been that old, but the blight in his blood—in all Warden blood—told him it was the end. Evka had walked him to the Deep Roads one last time. He’d die fighting the monsters below.
“Being a Warden kills you one way or the other,” Evka said. “And we won’t know when for either of us” (Won’t Know When).
“I’m not afraid if you aren’t,” Antoine replied. Evka could sense the darkspawn moving through the caves, they still had time, but not long before they had to move. “Ask me again,” Evka said. Antoine faced Evka and said, “Evka Ivo, will you marry me?” She said yes and kissed him.
“I’m not afraid if you aren’t.”
From deeper in the cave, Evka could sense darkspawn moving. They didn’t have much time before more monsters arrived. But they had some (Won’t Know When).
“Ask me again,” she said.
He picked up the stone, put it down again, then turned all his focus on her. “Evka Ivo, will you marry me?”
“Yes.” And she kissed him” (Won’t Know When).
That romantic end marks the start of a beautiful tragic romance and the final story dissected in this video. I love Evka and Antoine’s romance so much, but I can already sense the tension between their love affair and having darkspawn blood calling you to die at any given notice, plus the strenuous duties of being a Warden anyway - it’s an incredibly tight rope to follow, but that’s true love isn’t it folks? Giving up everything for a chance at something special, I am hoping for this romance to endure and see it blossom in Dragon Age 4, I think that would be so sweet, a Warden wedding, who wouldn’t want to attend that? Be that as it may, this is BioWare - the studio of heartbreak, so we’ve got to be wary and pray to sweet Andraste that these two get a happy ending together, if we can’t have Solavellan, can we at least give Antoine and Evka a happy ending?
The artwork of this story featured the two lovebirds surrounded by a heap of dead darkspawn making a heart around them. We’ve got an official detailed look at both Evka and Antoine too which is fantastic!
In any event, that’s all the Dragon Age Day short stories so far dissected. I do have a few final thoughts to go through before I leave you.
Each of these short stories revolved around a particular faction.
The Next One - Grey Wardens
Ruins Of Reality - The Executors/Dalish Elves
The Wake - Antivan Crows
Minrathous Shadows - Siccari/New Faction
The Flame Eternal - Mortalitasi
Won’t Know When - Grey Wardens
This is, obviously, showcasing the direction the next game’s plot may go in, it seems we’ll be meeting with many major characters from Thedas’ top and most relevant factions at the moment. Perhaps to go against the Dread Wolf and whatever else is ablaze in the realm. With that, it’s safe to assume that we’ll see at least a few of these short story characters in the next game as pivotal roles, if not, maybe a few as party members. Evka Ivo, in particular, seems like she’s going to be a huge character in Dragon Age 4 given how much story has already been shared about her. And then we’ve got Strife and his ties to the Executors, there are way too many exciting prospects for these characters to be small NPC’s in the next game, but of course, only time will tell.
Until then, you’re already in the right place for all your exciting news updates on the next Dragon Age.