Today we’re seizing the Dragon Age drought and discussing the major lore drops in the first issue of Dragon Age: Dark Fortress. That’s right, we have brand-new Dragon Age content to talk about, and I am here for it all. The first issue of the seemingly final (hopefully not) Dragon Age comic landed, and we’ve got plenty of lore to dissect. Even if you’ve read the issue for yourself, I guarantee you, I’ve spotted a few things you may have missed.
With that said, let’s dive straight into breaking things down.
#1 – The Timeline:
Dragon Age: Dark Fortress started with one of Ser Aaron’s memories - depicted as a nightmare. He had a flashback to the battle of Ostagar fifteen years ago in 9:31 Dragon - the exact moment Loghain ordered a retreat alongside his most trusted lieutenant, Ser Cauthrien which was witnessed in Dragon Age: Origins. Ser Aaron was a Warden among Loghain’s army who ran into the battle to attempt to save his king.
The present-day narrative of Dark Fortress is set in 9:46 Dragon. That’s two years after Trespasser's events, when the Exalted Council was put together and the Inquisition was either disbanded or reforged. Essentially, when the canon timeline ended. Therefore, the comic’s narrative is furthest in the Dragon Age timeline so far.
Even further, the comic writers were asked on Tumblr about Tevinter Night’s place in relation to the comic’s timeline, considering the significance and plot potential of both narratives, and also Vaea’s cameo in one of Tevinter Night’s stories.
Nunzio & Christina replied: “With Tevinter Nights being an anthology, it doesn’t have one firm location in the timeline - it varies based on which story you’re looking at. For example, Herold Had The Plan takes place between Knight Errant and Deception. But The Dread Wolf Take You is likely after all of our comics are done, so post Dark Fortress. So, unfortunately, there’s not one clear place to put that anthology on your shelf. It may be best to put it directly before or directly after the run of comics.”
While there’s no clear indicator on the canon timeline, it’s very interesting that “The Dread Wolf Take You” is likely post-Dark Fortress. This will certainly make more sense later on, once I touch on the red lyruim idol and Magister Neneleus’s plan. If you’ve read Tevinter Nights, hopefully you know what I’m talking about, but for the moment, consider these comics largely pre-Tevinter Nights.
#2 - Neromenian:
Since their last venture in the Arlathan Forest, outside of the Qun-invaded city Carastes, Ser Aaron, Vaea, Fenris, Marius, Tessa, Francesca and (of course) Autumn headed further south, on the hunt to reach Castellum Tenebris – the ‘dark fortress’ that is home to House Danarius. The stronghold recently acquired the red lyruim idol, along with the new lyruim sarcophagus.
The gang decided to stop by in the Tevinter city known as Neromenian. Fenris knew that Danarius’s goods came to port at the city, his servants would go to market and return to the fortress, even after Danarius’s death.
Fenris deduced that the Castellum must have a new secret passage, if the gang used the main entrance, they’d be shot on sight as the castle has only one way in - a lone bridge. In order to find any leads or loyal servants of House Danarius, the group searched the city.
#3 - The Magisters & The Red Lyrium Idol:
Meanwhile, Castellum Tenebris is an impenetrable fortress stood on heavy rocks, overlooking the Nocen Sea. Magister Neneleus and Professor Marquette arrived, greeted by Magister Danarius’s half-blood son, Danarius the Lesser.
Danarius inquired about Magister Invidus’s whereabouts. Nenealeus responded, and stated that Magister Invidus was only required for his knowledge on red lyrium, after he shared his understanding on how to use the sarcophagus with red lyrium, he was no longer needed for this ritual to imbue Shirallas with red lyrium tattoos.
It’s probably for the best that he wasn’t needed for this ritual considering he was brutally killed by his daughter, Francesca with green-vine magic.
Each of the Venatori shared further on this ritual and using red lyrium. When using the sarcophagus with regular lyrium, plenty of magic is needed for the ritual. However, when using red lyrium, the ritual requires more power – to which, Danarius responded by opening a door and revealing something that will ensure the ritual will work, and have enough power to imbue Shirallas. But what is it? What exactly is supplying this ritual with insane power? Is it a red lyrium dragon considering the cover of the next issue? A Tevinter orb? A creepy Tevinter sea monster? An elven artefact? A bunch of slaves to be used as blood magic?
Regardless, the ritual was planned for the same night.
Danarius inquired further about Magister Qintara’s whereabouts, without knowing his fate.
The real Magister Qintara died with no heirs, instead, Gaius, a former elven slave and a working agent of Fen’Harel impersonated as Magister Qintara for years. As Qintara, Gaius traded a weapon imbued with red lyrium weapon stolen from Kirkwall – the infamous red lyrium idol.
Gaius traded the idol to House Danarius for information, this exchange is something that Solas disapproved of. However, Gaius was killed by invading Qunari during the siege at Ventus. It’s interesting that Danarius didn’t know of this, considering the idol was sent to his house, however, I’m assuming Neneleus was the one who made the exchange? Or perhaps Danarius just didn’t know of Qinatara’s death?
Regardless, Marquette mentioned further about the red lyrium idol that was sent to House Danarius. Nenealeus recovered the idol and crafted a brand-new sword from it.
“The Dread Wolf Take You” short story in Tevinter Nights explored the red lyruim idol’s uncomplete journey. It was taken from Meredith’s corpse, then sold to the agent of Fen’Harel masquerading as the head of House Qintara, which was then sold to House Danarius. Then another mage from House Danarius, most likely a servant, took the idol to the Mortalitasi in Nevarra.
“Our alchemist uses the potion on old Merry the Mad, pouring it right on her heart, just like the elf had said, and old Merry opens up like a snowman with boiling water tossed on it, and damned if it isn’t there in the middle of her chest, that little idol Bartrand brought back from the Deep Roads.” (…) “I heard the templars say something about “House Qintara,” and he gives them a big bag of gold and takes the idol.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).
“Charter smiled. “I had agents involved with House Qintara before it fell.” Or more accurately, while it fell, but that was more information than the room needed. “The idol was sold or traded to the Danarius family.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).
“He came from House Danarius, saying that his master had met some misfortune.” (…) “He also brought what he said was an ancient elven artifact, taken from House Danarius before it fell. When he opened the thick chest marked with the Carta’s protective runes and drew it forth, we saw it clearly—an idol crafted from red lyrium, which seemed to show two lovers, or a god mourning her sacrifice, depending upon how it caught your fancy.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).
If Nenealeus and the other Venatori still have this idol in their possession, then clearly this mage hasn’t taken the Idol to Nevarra yet, and this is yet to happen in the timeline - which clears things up a bit on how these magisters have the idol before it ends up in an absurd ritual that summoned the Dread Wolf, and it location gets a little confusing.
Also, the servant who took the idol from House Danarius spoke of his master meeting some misfortune, is that foreshadowing for Danarius the Lesser’s death, or is his master another, different magister? Will we see this servant in a future issue?
With that said, Nanealeus used the red lyruim idol to create a new red lyruim-imbued sword that will supply the sarcophagus to not only transform Shirallas, but after the ritual, Shirallas will be armed with the sword as well, surely, he’ll be an absolute unit.
As both Shirallas and the red lyrium-imbued sword grow in power, the Venatori will conquer the Qunari from Tevinter, and re-take all of Thedas’s lands that have been lost over time. They plan to restore the majesty of the Imperium.
For further clarity on the red lyrium idol, the comic writers added that the idea behind the idol is that it can make multiple swords, not just Meredith’s. As I’ve already explained, the sword that Shirallas will use has been newly made by Nanealeus.
#4 Danarius the Lesser:
Danarius the Lesser was reduced to nothing and called out as a bastard by Magister Nanealeus who claimed that this was his plan they were following. As of which, Danarius the Lesser decided to have a couple of drinks at an establishment in Neromenian.
Tessa found him, told the rest of the gang and then recalled a rumour about Danarius the Lesser. His real name was Tractus Danarius, a bastard son, recently recognised and since moved to Castellum Tenebris. Fenris, having killed Danarius’s heirs, vowed to kill Tractus. However, Vaea insisted that they needed to know where the secret passage was, and he’s the perfect candidate.
The gang found Tractus, Fenris fought him for a quick second and then began to interrogate him in the most Fenris way possible, by putting his hand through him and disconnecting his arm from his body. Tractus, very quickly revealed the hidden exit that’s across the bridge and open from the inside.
Tractus revealed that the ritual will begin tonight, as the Qunari Antaam began invading Neromenian. Instead of killing him, the group left Tractus to be discovered by the Qunari.
#5 Qunari Invasion:
Following their successful conquests of Ventus and Carastes, the Qunari Antaam set siege on Neromenian, the next eastern Tevinter city to be invaded.
The gang managed to escape the Qun’s grasp, no doubt headed to Castellum Tenebris to stop the Magister’s ritual. However, the Qunari ransacked Neromenian, slaughtering many innocents, and preparing to re-educate their children.
The Antaam discovered Tractus Danarius, still alive, stuck to a chair. They questioned him and learned that a forbidden ritual using an ancient magical device was underway tonight at a dark fortress on the cliffs. The Qunari Antaam decided to march to Castellum Tenebris, their goals are to stop the ritual, seize the fortress and kill everyone they encounter.
And just like that, the first issue ends. What a bloody good, juicy, plot-worthy first segment to this conclusive narrative. Let me know your thoughts on the first issue, how excited are you for the next? Share your lingering questions down below.
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