Today we’re carrying on with my lore mini-series paving the road for the anticipated release of the next Dragon Age game. Last episode I unearthed everything regarding Solas and his speculative counterpart, the Dread Wolf, and what happened when he sundered the elven empire. Continuing from that, today I’m exploring the vast legacy of the dwarves, their fallen, underground kingdoms, and whatever else awaits this diminished race in the Dragon Age.
“The Stone is silent, the rhythm has faded and so have the tremors. But the song still echoes. It tells me things, the Breach, that’s what disturbed the Titan. It is calm now that it has a connection with one of its children… with me.” (Shaper Valta).
History:
Since the earliest known points of Thedosian history, Dalish Keepers and Dwarven Shaperate speak of a time entirely devoid of humans, a time when elves reigned over the lands and the dwarves ruled the underground.
“The earliest known points of Thedosian history are documented in partial texts and old stories that only hint at the reality of these ancient times. Dalish keepers and the dwarven Shaperate speak of a Thedas entirely devoid of humans, a time when elves reigned over the land, and dwarves ruled the underground.” (WoT V1).
Yet despite that, many have alluded that there was actually a time before when the dwarves walked and lived on the surface of Thedas, however, once the elves and dwarves made first-contact, the elves drove the dwarves underground and hunted their supposed creators, known as the pillars of the earth, otherwise known as the Titans.
“I remember my Keeper telling a story about how the dwarves fear the sun because of Elgar'nan's fire. A metaphor for the elves of Arlathan driving the dwarves underground? The Qunari like metaphors. I should share that.” (Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 2).
"In this place we prepare to hunt the pillars of the earth.” (Codex entry: Old Elven Writing).
According to Shaper Valta, the Titans are gargantuan beings that dwell deep beneath the earth, they sculpted the world and lyrium is said to be their very blood, explaining its unique properties. The dwarves are supposedly their children, however, much about their relationship is still largely unknown.
“It's impossible to describe in words how truly vast a Titan is. The one I met is so large you can only glimpse parts of it. I had wandered inside its body for who knows how long without even realizing it. I've heard tales of dragons and giants on the surface, but descriptions of their size do not compare to the Titan's.” (Codex entry: Titans).
In texts still readable today, the ancient elves inscribed the death of the Titans as a mercy that will make the earth blossom with their passing:
"In this place we prepare to hunt the pillars of the earth. Their workers scurry, witless, soulless. This death will be a mercy. We will make the earth blossom with their passing." (Codex entry: Old Elven Writing).
So, in their conquest for a blossoming earth, Mythal, all-mother of the elven gods, struck down a Titan, rendering its demise as the elves praised her name:
"Hail Mythal, adjudicator and savior! She has struck down the pillars of the earth and rendered their demesne unto the People! Praise her name forever!" (Codex entry: Veilfire Runes in the Deep Roads).
One of the elven gods, known as Fen’Harel, The Dread Wolf, witnessed the death of a Titans and painted a mural in the Deep Roads that revealed the exact moment he decided to rebel against his fellow gods. This mural depicted the death of a Titan and remarked that the elven gods fought the Titans and mined their bodies for lyrium and something else that has not been made clear.
"The runes say the Evanuris fought the Titans. They mined their bodies for lyrium and... something else. It's not clear." (The Inquisitor, Trespasser DLC).
This elven crusade against the Titans for their blood, and something else, destroyed the dwarven people and their connection to their supposed creators, splitting the dwarven race. This split created gaps in the dwarves' history, altering the truth behind the dwarves’ creators and their demise. Valta revealed that an awoken Titan in the Dragon Age yearned to fix the broken connection with their children, revealing the truth of their fall and the fate of the dwarven people.
“Its blood now flows through me, and its song fills the gaps in our history. I close my eyes and see glimpses of the world that was, before everything changed and the dwarven race broke in two. Something caused the Titans to fall, and the fate of my people fell with them. The Titan wants me to know. No, more than that. It wants me to understand. There is a loneliness to its song.” (Codex entry: Titans).
Many other indicators in Thedas today reveal that the ancient elves took over dwarven territory: statues of Fen’Harel and Mythal appeared in the Deep Roads, modern dwarves fear the sun, potentially because of Elgar’nan’s fire - a metaphor for the elves of Arlathan driving the dwarves underground? A poem has been discovered about Mythal giving the dwarves dreams, and the thaig known as Hormak was ridden with elven architecture, horrifying monsters, and symbols of Ghilan'nain, Mother of the Halla.
“This, however, was exclusively, entirely elven—there were no dwarven works interspersed throughout, not even any sign of the darkspawn that filled so much of the underground. And this chamber was nearly pristine.” (The Horror of Hormak).
Regardless of the Titan’s demise and the elves invasion, the sundered dwarves continued to grow their underground empire throughout the ancient ages. They inhabited dozens of thaigs from Aeducan to Zygmunt. Though each thaig enjoyed autonomy, the race was largely united and kept a proper capital, first in Kal-Sharok, and later in Orzammar.
“Before the Blights, there were dozens of thaigs, each with a healthy number of inhabitants. Though each thaig enjoyed autonomy, the race was largely united and kept a proper capital, first in Kal-Sharok, and later in Orzammar.”
Many human tribes arrived in Thedas, a few growing human tribes in the north united to form the Tevinter lmperium and became a significant power that conquered the remains of the elven kingdom of Arlathan. The Imperium and the dwarves created an alliance that still holds two thousand years later.
“Growing human tribes in the north united to form the Tevinter lmperium and became a significant power. The magic users of the Imperium made peace with the dwarves, but the elves remained their enemies.” (WoT V1).
Before the First Blight, the dwarves thrived: Orzammar was known for its great flourishing of art, commerce and engineering, the dwarves invented golems, and the first surface thaig was established. However, the dwarves' world beneath the world was all but destroyed when the darkspawn attacked with the First Blight. Several dwarven kingdoms were destroyed completely by the darkspawn, as they used the Deep Roads to systematically sack dozens of thaigs. However, the four largest - Orzammar, Kal-Sharok, Hormak, and Gundaar - survived by working together and sealing off key roads.
“Their world beneath the world was all but destroyed by the First Blight. The darkspawn attacked the dwarves first, using the Deep Roads to systematically sack dozens of thaigs. As the thaigs fell, the darkspawn spread underneath Thedas and eventually reached all ends of the continent. Several dwarven kingdoms were destroyed completely. However, the four largest - Orzammar, Kal-Sharok, Hormak, and Gundaar - survived by working together and sealing off key roads.” (WoT V1).
Once Dumat was slain, the remaining darkspawn drove back underground. For surfacers, the generations-long battle was over, but the Blight continued for the dwarves. Kal-Sharok was hit incredibly hard, however, the dwarves of Orzammar sealed the last of the Deep Roads leading into their kingdom in their interest of self-preservation. Unbeknownst to the dwarves of Orzammar, Kal-Sharok survived only to learn that they’d been abandoned by the capital.
After more than a hundred years, the Grey Wardens slayed the Archdemon that spurred the Blight and drove the remaining darkspawn back underground. For surfacers, the generations-long battle was over, but the Blight continued for the dwarves. ln -15 Ancient, the dwarves of Orzammar sealed the last of the Deep Roads leading into their kingdom. The old capital of Kal-Sharok was assumed lost, along with Hormak and Gundaar. (WoT V1).
Henceforth, the old capital of Kal-Sharok, Hormak and Gundaar thaigs were assumed lost by the dwarves of Orzammar. But that wasn’t the case for Kal-Sharok, the thaig continued in isolation until it was recently re-discovered early in the Dragon Age. Relations between Kal-Sharok and Orzammar are still tense today with Kal-Sharok's leadership yet to publicly forgive Orzammar for its actions...
“Early in the Dragon Age, Kal-Sharok was rediscovered. Residents of the former capital had subsisted for ages in complete isolation. King Endrin Aeducan, then the respected king of Orzammar, was the one credited with restoring contact. Relations between the two thaigs have since been tense at best, with Kal-Sharok's leadership yet to publicly forgive Orzammar for its actions.” (WoT V1).
Culture/Society:
Be that as it may, there is no finer place where the dwarves' culture is celebrated more than Orzammar, the current dwarven capital. This is largely because Kal-Sharok has evolved in isolation for many years - it’s changes and adaptations since its rediscovery are still largely unknown.
“Generations of isolation mean that dwarves from Kal-Sharok don't share the relatively recent cultural influences of Orzammar's extended interactions with the surface.” (WoT. V1).
However, there are a few differences and comparisons that we do know and can examine.
The two thaigs share the same base language, however, Kal-Sharok has a regional dialect that draws more on an older manner of speech, less influenced by the surface.
“The two thaigs share the same base language, but Kal-Sharok has a regional dialect that draws more on an older manner of speech, less influenced by the surface. Kal-Sharok does not place the same emphasis on castes, and members of its Assembly can come from any family. It also doesn't recognize the king of Orzammar in any official capacity.” (WoT. V1).
While the dwarves of Orzammar are a dedicated, hard and ingenious group, the dwarves of Kal-Sharok are quite the enigma with only one physical description of a Kal-Sharok dwarf noted down.
A noble described an encounter he had with a single, male Kal-Sharok dwarf called Novas Sturhald. During their trade exchange, this dwarf was knowledgeable on the current market, Kal-Sharok’s isolation hadn’t changed that. He had the latest stock from Val Royeaux to the Free Marchers.
Novas appeared professional and honest - a polite and efficient trader, however, he remained hooded at all times. He looked the noble square in the eye once the deal was struck, unashamed. When the noble looked into his eyes, he was instantly reminded of the Blight, the darkspawn and the Grey Wardens - alluding that the dwarves of Kal-Sharok have some connection to the blight, whatever that may be.
“My approach was carefully observed. This was not a thaig unused to watching its boundaries. I got the impression that if I'd been one of his Orzammar cousins, our meeting would've been swift and bloody. That is, if I'd been allowed to find the passage at all. As it was, he was polite and efficient, and he knew well the current market for everything he offered. Clearly their isolation is not because of fear, and certainly not disinterest. Among his wares, I saw the latest fabrics of Val Royeaux and volumes by a Free Marcher poet three centuries dead. This only added to my doubt of the official year of Kal-Sharok's "rediscovery" as declared by the Assembly of Orzammar. I didn't mention this to my host. As curious as I was, there was an undercurrent I found unsettling. I must stress that he and his helpers were professional and honest throughout. But there was something I can't describe. While he remained hooded the entire time, he looked me square in the eye when our deal was struck, unashamed…
...I lived through a time of Blight. I've felt the gaze of a Grey Warden and seen the corruption of his prey. Why I remembered both in that moment, I still can't explain.”
(Excerpted from the journals of Ser Evrain Abernache, noble merchant-scholar).
Before the darkspawn, all dwarves in many thaigs followed the Stone, the belief that dwarves are the Children of the Stone, born of the earth itself with the pursuit that one day, they will return to the Stone in death to become an Ancestor. The Stone is believed to be a living and a shifting entity with a will that surrounds and guides the dwarves. She supports them, shelters them, and offers them the most priceless gifts of the earth, such as ore, gems, and lyrium. While the dwarves of Orzammar continue to live for the Stone, its influence today in thaigs like Kal-Sharok are rather unknown.
“We are the Children of the Stone. She supports us, shelters us, offers us the most priceless gifts of the earth. The worthy return to her embrace in death, becoming Ancestors. The unworthy are cast out, unable to rest, that their failings may not weaken the Stone. So it has been since the earliest memories. We live by the Stone, guided by the Ancestors, who speak with the voice of the Provings, and whose memories the Shaperate keeps forever in lyrium.” (Codex entry: Dwarven Faith).
Further showcasing that the influence of the Stone may not have the influence that it used to, exclusively In Orzammar are the Shaperate, an institution that maintains written records, tracks the dwarves' history, and documents the Stone using lyrium. These records are preserved in Orzammar’s archives known as the Memories. Details on every dwarf in Orzammar are recorded in the Memories, things like deaths, marriages, inheritances, and many dry facts of the dwarves history. Yet, ironically, records on The Titans, the Primeval Thaig, Kal Repartha and Cad'halash Thaig are all missing from the Memories.
“The blessing of the Shaperate is given only to those who walk with the Stone. It is a path that cuts deep and the road is far from secure, but those who desire to work in memory must first honor it. Document the Stone, protect her, and present a new history to the Memories. Only then will the blessing of the Shaperate be upon you.” (Codex entry: The Shaper's Life).
Unlike Kal-Sharok, in Orzammar, a dwarf is born into a societal role divided into many rigid castes. At the bottom of the social hierarchy are surfacers and casteless dwarves, rejected by Orzammar and the Stone. They are stripped from the Memories, as if they never existed. Above that are the lower caste which involves the servant caste. Then there's the middle caste which involves the merchant, mining, artisan, smith and warrior castes. And then there's the upper caste which is the noble caste.
Upper Caste
Middle Caste
Lower Caste
Surfacers/Casteless
Only those born to smith caste parents may become blacksmiths, and a servant who marries a noblewoman will never be a noble himself. His daughters will be nobles, and his sons' servants, for daughters inherit the caste of their mother, while sons inherit the caste of their father.
"The caste system in Orzammar includes many groups of privilege,'' Genitivi once wrote. "Nobility and warriors are above all others."
However, Kal-Sharok does not place the same emphasis on castes, instead members of its Assembly can come from any family. The thaig also doesn't recognize the king of Orzammar in any official capacity. The dwarves of Kal-Sharok still honour ancestors called Paragons, but they do not recognize the Paragons of Orzammar, just as Orzammar does not recognize theirs.
“Kal-Sharok dwarves still honor ancestors called Paragons, but they do not recognize the Paragons of Orzammar, just as Orzammar does not recognize theirs. The dwarves of Kal-Sharok have been slow to let outsiders in. Scholars are only now beginning to understand what they had to do to survive so many ages in isolation.” (WoT. V1).
While Kal-Sharok diverges from Orzammar in many ways, the thaigs share the concept of the Legion of the Dead.
Orzammar’s Legion are a military unit that permanently leaves Orzammar to fight against the darkspawn in the Deep Roads. Legionnaires are recorded as dead in the Memories. They adorn funeral tattoos and bid farewell to their past lives.
Many dwarves join the Legion to clear the slate. Criminals join to avoid punishment. The dishonored join so that their houses and families need not suffer on their behalf. The bankrupted join so their debts might be forgiven. A very few join for a last chance at glory, but the Legion takes them too.
“Many join the Legion to clear the slate. Criminals join to avoid punishment. The dishonored join so that their houses and families need not suffer on their behalf. The bankrupted join so their debts might be forgiven. A very few join for a last chance at glory, but the Legion takes them too.” (Codex entry: Legion of the Dead).
Kal-Sharok has its own version of Legion of the Dead known as the Rock-Knockers. They are less stoic and less committed to inevitable death, honorable or not.
“The Rock-Knockers are a storied battalion of Orzammar's lost sister city, Kal-Sharok. A less stoic version of the Legion of the Dead, they are also less committed to inevitable death, honorable or not.” (Rock-Knocker Helmet).
And then there’s the Merchants’ Guild, without question, the most powerful surface dwarf institution. A prestigious club that regulates trade between Orzammar and the surface. While the Assembly would never admit it, the guild quietly controls the entire economy of Orzammar.
“The Dwarven Merchants' Guild is, without question, the most powerful surface dwarf institution. It has become what the Assembly is to the people of Orzammar: a prestigious club that everyone wants to belong to and the surest means to obtain power and fortune. The guild's leaders can always trace their lineage back to Noble or Merchant Caste houses in Orzammar. The guild regulates trade between the dwarven city and the surface and so quietly controls the entire economy of Orzammar, though the ruling king or Assembly would never admit it.” (Codex entry: The Dwarven Merchants Guild).
Finally, one of the most distant and unique dwarven institutes is the Ambassadoria, a body of Orzammar representatives sent to advise the Tevinter Archon and the Magisterium, they also manage trade between Orzammar and Tevinter. They have embassies in Minrathous, Neromenian and Ventus, I assume the last two embassies have been destroyed by the Qunari, which could mean that Minrathous’ embassy is the current last standing branch.
Ambassadoria is the dwarven body of representatives sent by the dwarven kingdom of Orzammar to advise the Archon and the Magisterium and to manage trade between the two parties. (WoT V1).
In any event, the tumultuous history of the dwarves has recently shifted dramatically with the awakening of the Titans and the re-discovery of Kal-Sharok. Surely, the Dragon Age will have more answers for the dwarves and their legacy. Let’s explore many other plot points and avenues for the dwarves in the next Dragon Age.
The Titan’s Awakening
As introduced, the Titans were somewhat defeated by the elven gods, they slumbered for many years. One of the Titans woke up because of the Breach, it searched for a connection with its children and eventually linked with Shaper Valta.
Once linked, Valta referred to herself as pure and emitted a magical blast, she decided to stay in the Deep Roads with the Titan. Soon-after that, she disappeared, and so did Lt. Renn's deceased body.
Valta said that the Titan was calm after connecting with one of their children - while we don't know any more than what Valta told the Inquisitor, we can assume she currently represents the original relationship and connection between the dwarves and the Titans - what they both used to be like when they were linked before the elves decided to fight and mine them.
Question is, what has happened to Valta since then? And what does this mean for the future? Will Valta reveal this truth to the rest of the dwarves? Will more Titans arise and reveal themselves to their children? Surely this incredible discovery will not end just there, the dwarves have a long-lasting bond with the Titans that needs to be rekindled. Unless, there’s something more foul afoot about the Titans.
The Primeval Thaig
Dating back to the founding of the first thaig and not mentioned in the Memories, the Primeval Thaig is speculated to be one of the first ever thaigs created by the dwarves. It was left untouched by the darkspawn, inhabited by a group of wraiths known as the profane, and even more ominous, the red lyrium idol was discovered here - the first known sighting of red lyrium. Even Corypheus himself was curious about this thaig because of red lyrium, and as of which, began to use red lyrium as a weapon for his armies.
“None of it's possible, of course. I've conferred with the Shaper and he says the Memories date back to the founding of the first thaig - what could have come before that? Yes, we're unable to explore these depths the scavenger spoke of because of the darkspawn, but surely the Memories would speak of such places if they existed.” (Codex entry: The Primeval Thaig).
This thaig has shown the world of Thedas nothing but danger. Even more mysterious, the red lyrium idol apparently belongs to Solas, an ancient elven god, therefore, what does that mean about the Primeval Thaig and its origin? Is it elven in nature, yet dwarven in design? That alludes to the idol too, it’s elven in nature considering it belongs to Solas, however it was clearly created by the dwarves. So, did the dwarves witness a catastrophic event regarding the elves and then depict that event through the red lyrium idol? Does the thaig have something to do with those events?
“It was clearly of dwarven make, but not resembling any Paragon on record. The idol was dressed in a manner I've never seen. The Shaper of Memories also could not identify it or the substance from which it was made. The thought that the Memories might be wrong is... unsettling.” (Codex entry: The Primeval Thaig).
Quite possibly, but only Solas and a few others in Thedas seem to know the truth… Even so, it seems the idol will feature heavily in the next game, so perhaps these mysteries may have an answer soon.
Gunadaar, Hormak & Other Lost Thaigs
The four largest thaigs, Orzammar, Kal-Sharok, Hormak, and Gundaar initially fought together against the first blight. It was Orzammar’s self-interest that broke that trust when they sealed away the Deep Roads, believing that the other thaigs were destroyed.
However, as stated, the dwarves of Orzammar were incredibly wrong. Kal-Sharok survived. Hormak, on the other hand, was taken over by the darkspawn. But, Gundaar’s fate is still unknown. Could this thaig, along with many other ancient kingdoms still exist in isolation having been abandoned? For all we know, many thaigs could still be operating deep throughout Thedas’s undergrounds.
The Scaled Ones
In the ancient ages, sometime after the Imperium was founded, the dwarves warred with a mysterious reptilian race known as The Scaled Ones. Not much is known about this race, however, the ancient elves seemed to have dealings with them too, as they created frescoes of the beasts. These frescos depicted them as tall humanoids covered in scales, with powerful jaws and sharp talons.
The dwarves were victorious in their conquest, the Scaled Ones retreated and have not been seen since. Besides some mad ravings, they seem to have vanished from the historical record.
“The Scaled Ones. I can't remember who came up with the name, but it stuck. Drohg had been lighting a torch when one attacked, and we finally caught a glimpse of something other than shadows. In the flame's light, we saw a man's body like those of the Imperium humans, but covered in scales. It wore armor and even had a dagger hanging from its hip. Its jaws wrapped around Drohg's face and twisted. The crunch of his neck breaking seemed to echo down the Deep Roads.” (Codex entry: Chronicles of a Forgotten War).
While complete speculation, the most obvious entity the Scaled Ones could be, are one of Ghilan'nain's many creations. Other than that, they’re a complete enigma that in historical records don’t exist.
Solas’s Connection
In Tevinter Nights, it was confirmed that Solas had the ability to make dwarves dream. I asked Patrick Weekes for clarity about this and they responded saying that Solas can do this “very effectively.” However, the dwarves have no connection to the Fade, and therefore cannot dream. So, how can Solas do this?
Well, there’s an old poem about Mythal somehow giving the dwarves’ dreams, but how so? Did she have a deeper connection with a Titan? Did she link with one? Or did killing the Titan alter the connection of the dwarves to Mythal?
I am empty, filled with nothing(?),
Mythal gives you dreams.
It fills you, within you(?),
Making our leaders proud.
My little stones,
Never yours the sun.
Forever, forever.
(Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 3).
If so, when Solas absorbed an aspect of Mythal’s power, did he gain this ability from that exchange, explaining why he can now make dwarves dream? It’s plassable, but still a mystery that requires clarity.
Sandal Feddic
Sha-brytol? Bastard, elven-blooded noble? Titan born? Tranquil dwarf? Or even the Maker himself? Sandal Feddic’s origin is still one of Thedas’s puzzling mysteries. He's a dwarf of few words, yet, revealed the Dread Wolf’s foreboding prophecy. Not to mention, he’s quite the competent killer with his enchanted runes. Whatever he is, he’s got legitimate power and he’s certainly more than just your average dwarf.
With that explored, that’s everything we know so far regarding the dwarven kingdoms going forward. Let me know your thoughts on the Titans, Kal-Sharok and everything in-between pathing the way for the next Dragon Age.
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