Changes: Corypheus

Revision as of 11:33, 28 November 2014

“The city! It was supposed to be golden! It was supposed to be ours!”

Corypheus is an ancient darkspawn trapped inside a prison that was built by Grey Wardens in the Vimmark Mountains.

Background

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.

Corypheus is a Tevinter magister who heeded the call of the Old God Dumat and demands Hawke and all present to show him the respect due a magister, not realizing that the time during which the Free Marches belonged to the Imperium has long since passed. Certain fragments of his post-awakened ramblings lead Hawke and the others to conclude that he truly was one of the magisters who entered the so-called Golden City and returned as one of the first darkspawn.

Some time after the First Blight in -191 Ancient, the Grey Warden Sashamiri imprisoned Corypheus in a tower stemming from the Deep Roads in the middle of the Vimmark Mountains.^[1] Interrogation proved futile, as any Warden in his vicinity became mysteriously drawn to his influence. When removed from the area, they would have forgotten anything prior, and would be left dazed.^[2]

Interestingly, it appears that Corypheus emits a type of Calling to anyone bearing the Taint, similar to the Old Gods, which draws darkspawn and Warden alike to his prison.

It is revealed that years before the events of Dragon Age II, Malcolm Hawke was responsible for restoring the seals on Corypheus' prison using blood magic, which the Wardens use from untainted mages since before the founding of the Chantry.

Involvement

Dragon Age II

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.

Corypheus is involved in the Legacy quest. The Grey Warden Janeka wants to utilize him as a weapon to combat the Blight, while the former Warden-Commander of the prison, Larius, wishes to kill him before he escapes the prison due to the weakening seals. Eventually Corypheus is released and speaks briefly to Hawke and their companions before attacking them in confusion.

As Hawke delivers the final blow, Corypheus will look at Larius or Janeka and faintly smile. Then as Corypheus is struck down, Larius or Janeka can be seen shuddering in the background before stumbling. Corypheus' eyes will also glow upon seeing Janeka or Larius.

Regardless of who Hawke sides with, Janeka or Larius will ominously thank Hawke for their assistance in a very different tone of voice from before and leave. It is possible that Corypheus, though defeated, has possessed the body of the surviving Warden to escape his prison, similar to how the Archdemons can possess bodies of the nearest Darkspawn, should a non-Warden strike a fatal blow to them. Additionally, Cassandra will question Varric's story as she says the Wardens she met at the ruins of the prison told her nothing of Janeka/Larius, which suggests the surviving Warden never returned to the Order. When asked if there is anything else to his tale, Varric replies that there is, but that it hasn't happened yet.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Corypheus returns in Dragon Age: Inquisition as its main antagonist. He is served by the Venatori, Demons, some members of the Grey Wardens, as well as the Red Templars. Corypheus also controls a dragon which bears a striking resemblance to an Archdemon. Corypheus is referred to as the "Elder One" by his disciples.

Corypheus seeks the Inquisitor's mark, known as the "Anchor," in order to take control of Thedas and ascend to the maker's throne. To this end he wields a mysterious orb and commands a dragon. The destruction of the Chantry conclave in Haven and the creation of the Breach were the result of his ritual to achieve power.

Once the Inquisitor recovers their missing memories, it is revealed that Corypheus first appears during the peace conclave between the Chantry and ambassadors of the mage rebellion in the Temple of Sacred Ashes. There he captures Divine Justinia V with the aid of Grey Wardens and destroys her as a sacrifice to power his orb. The Inquisitor interrupts the ritual and Corypheus loses control of the orb which falls to the Inquisitor's side. The Inquisitor picks up the orb thus giving them their mark. A spirit posing as the late Divine Justinia V explained that Corypheus intended to rip open the Veil, use the Anchor to enter the Fade, and throw open the doors of the Black City, thus allowing him to achieve his goal of ascending to godhood.

Corypheus reveals himself as the Elder One during the attack on Haven.

Inquisitor recruits the Templars:

If the Inquisitor recruited the Templars, Corypheus' army will be made up of Venatori and mind-controlled Rebel Mages.

Inquisitor recruits the Mages:

If the Inquisitor recruited the Mages, Corypheus' army will be made up of Red Templars, apparently led by Samson.

He attacks the Inquisitor by casting fire upon them and summons his dragon to attack. When he confronts the Inquisitor, he attempts to extract the Anchor from them, only to discover that it's permanently attached to them. Though upset at this setback, Corypheus vows to start over and decides to kill the Inquisitor to eliminate a potential rival. However, he soon learns that the Inquisitor had merely distracted him so the Inquisition could cause an avalanche. As the Inquisitor escapes, Corypheus' dragon carries him to safety.

File:HRrNMdz.jpg

Corypheus wielding the orb of destruction

It is ultimately revealed that Corypheus received the orb from an elf, who is called "Dread Wolf" by Flemeth. Due to him being too weak after awakening from his long slumber, this elf allowed Corypheus the orb in an effort to unlock its true power.

Strategy

See Corypheus (strategy).

Quotes

Dragon Age II

"Be this some dream I wake from? Am I in dwarven lands? Why seem their roads so empty?"
"The light. We sought the golden light. You offered... the power of the gods themselves. But it was... black... corrupt. Darkness... ever since. How long?"
"Dumat? Have you forsaken me? I am your faithful servant..." (if Anders is in the party)
"If I cannot leave with you, I will leave through you! I seek the light!"

Dragon Age: Inquisition

"I will not suffer even an unknowing rival. You must die!" (to the Inquisitor)
"Tell me where is your Maker now? Call him, call down his wrath upon me! You cannot? For he does not exist!"
"Bow before your new god and be spared!"
"Beg that I succeed, for I have seen the throne of the gods, and it was empty."

Trivia

Defeating Corypheus earns the player the achievement "Conductor". Classical Greek κορυφαῖος (koryphaîos) means "conductor of the chorus", possibly explaining the achievement's title.
Even though he is asleep, he is able to communicate with those who have the darkspawn taint, including Grey Wardens. This causes Larius and Anders great distress. However, a Grey Warden Carver or Bethany seems unaffected.
In the middle of Corypheus's ramblings, it is revealed that he and the other magisters sought the "golden light" and were promised by Dumat that they would receive the power of the gods in exchange for entering the Golden City. Upon arriving into the Fade, however, they found the city already black and corrupted, which calls into question the Chantry's claim that it was Tevinter magisters who corrupted the Golden City to become the tainted Black City.
Corypheus's statement "If I cannot leave with you, I will leave through you..." may have different meanings. It could mean he thought he could best Hawke and his party and be free to leave. But it can also be taken that even if he should be defeated he could still live by inhabiting another body since Hawke was not a Warden, similar to how the essence of an Archdemon can pass to another darkspawn if a Warden does not land the finishing blow; this suggesting that Corypheus may have possessed Larius or Janeka (depending on who the player sided with).
Corypheus is described as relentless, ambitious and beyond arrogant. He is arrogance personified, and believes he operates on a level no other being can comprehend.^[3]
It is revealed in Inquisition that Corypheus has the ability to take over and shape a body into his ordinary image if he is killed. This make it almost impossible to kill Corypheus. This is likely the reason the reason he survived the events in Legacy.
During a war table operation in Dragon Age: Inquisition it is discovered who Corypheus once was. Before he became one of the first Darkspawn he was a Magister of House Amladaris of Tevinter.

Gallery

References

[1] Codex entry: Privileged to the Wardens

[2] Codex entry: A Change of Course

[3] Writing Villains

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |rank        = [[Elite Boss]]
 |class       = [[Mage (Dragon Age II)|Mage]]
-|location    = [[Grey Warden]] prison in [[Vimmark Mountains]]
+|location    = [[Grey Wardens|Grey Warden]] prison in [[Vimmark Mountains]]
 |voice       = [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827664/ David Sterne]
 |appearances = [[Dragon Age II]] - [[Legacy]] <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]
 }}</onlyinclude>
-'''Corypheus''' also known as the "Elder One" is an ancient [[darkspawn]] trapped inside a prison that was built by [[Grey Wardens]] in the [[Vimmark Mountains]].
+'''Corypheus''' is an ancient [[darkspawn]] trapped inside a prison that was built by [[Grey Wardens]] in the [[Vimmark Mountains]].
 == Background ==
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 == Involvement ==
+=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
 {{SpoilerDA2|style=short|
 Corypheus is involved in the [[Legacy (quest)|Legacy]] quest. The Grey Warden [[Janeka]] wants to utilize him as a weapon to combat the [[Blight]], while the former Warden-Commander of the prison, [[Larius]], wishes to kill him before he escapes the prison due to the weakening seals. Eventually Corypheus is released and speaks briefly to Hawke and their companions before attacking them in confusion.
-As Hawke delivers Corypheus the final blow, Corypheus will look at Larius or Janeka and faintly smile. Then as Corypheus is struck down, Larius or Janeka can be seen shuddering in the background before stumbling. Corypheus' eyes will also glow upon seeing Janeka or Larius.
+As Hawke delivers the final blow, Corypheus will look at Larius or Janeka and faintly smile. Then as Corypheus is struck down, Larius or Janeka can be seen shuddering in the background before stumbling. Corypheus' eyes will also glow upon seeing Janeka or Larius.
 Regardless of who Hawke sides with, Janeka or Larius will ominously thank Hawke for their assistance in a very different tone of voice from before and leave. It is possible that Corypheus, though defeated, has possessed the body of the surviving Warden to escape his prison, similar to how the Archdemons can possess bodies of the nearest Darkspawn, should a non-Warden strike a fatal blow to them. Additionally, Cassandra will question Varric's story as she says the Wardens she met at the ruins of the prison told her nothing of Janeka/Larius, which suggests the surviving Warden never returned to the Order. When asked if there is anything else to his tale, Varric replies that there is, but that it hasn't happened yet.
@@ Line 42: / Line 43: @@
 === ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
 {{SpoilerDAI|style=short|
-[[File:Samson_&_Corypheus.png|thumb|right|150px|Corypheus and Samson overseeing the assault on Haven]]
-Corypheus returns in [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] and is served by the [[Venatori]],<ref>[http://www.dragonage.com/#!/en_US/mediaGallery/videos/youtube82 Gamescom 2014-The Enemy of Thedas Trailer]</ref> though some, such as [[Magister]] [[Alexius]], express uncertainty about this.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe_KAi9flTY Inquisition E3 Demo Part 2: Redcliffe Castle].</ref> Some members of the [[Grey Wardens]], as well as the [[Red Templars]], also appear to be under his sway.
+Corypheus returns in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]'' as its main antagonist. He is served by the [[Venatori]], [[Demon]]s, some members of the [[Grey Wardens]], as well as the [[Red Templars]]. Corypheus also controls a [[dragon]] which bears a striking resemblance to an [[Archdemon]]. Corypheus is referred to as the "[[Elder One]]" by his disciples.
-Corypheus seeks the [[Inquisitor]]'s mark, known as the "Anchor," in order to take control of [[Thedas]] and become its god, in the absence of the [[Maker]]. To this end he wields a mysterious orb and commands a [[dragon]]. The destruction of the [[Chantry]] conclave in [[Haven]] and the creation of the [[Breach]] were the result of his ritual to achieve power.<ref>[http://www.twitch.tv/mmorpgcom/b/587990561 MMORPG.com Playing @DragonAge Inquisition MMORPG.com Playing @DragonAge Inquisition].</ref>
+Corypheus seeks [[the Inquisitor]]'s mark, known as the "Anchor," in order to take control of [[Thedas]] and ascend to the [[Maker|maker's throne]]. To this end he wields a mysterious orb and commands a [[Red Lyrium Dragon|dragon]]. The destruction of the [[Chantry]] conclave in [[Haven]] and the creation of the [[Breach]] were the result of his ritual to achieve power.
+Once the Inquisitor recovers their missing memories, it is revealed that Corypheus first appears during the peace conclave between the [[Chantry]] and ambassadors of the [[mage]] rebellion in the [[Temple of Sacred Ashes]]. There he captures [[Justinia V|Divine Justinia V]] with the aid of Grey Wardens and destroys her as a sacrifice to power his orb. The Inquisitor interrupts the ritual and Corypheus loses control of the orb which falls to the Inquisitor's side. The Inquisitor picks up the orb thus giving them their mark. A [[spirit]] posing as the late Divine Justinia V explained that Corypheus intended to rip open the [[Veil]], use the Anchor to enter the Fade, and throw open the doors of the [[Black City]], thus allowing him to achieve his goal of ascending to godhood.
-Corypheus first appears during the peace meeting on the Frostback Mountains, where he captures [[Divine Justinia V]] and destroys her as a sacrifice.
+Corypheus reveals himself as the Elder One during the attack on [[Haven]].
-Corypheus is first met during the attack on [[Haven]] by the [[Red Templars]], apparently led by [[Samson]]. He attacks the Inquisitor by casting fire upon them and summons his dragon to attack. When he confronts the Inquisitor, he attempts to extract the Anchor from them, only to discover that it's permanently attached to them. Though upset at this setback, Corypheus vows to start over and decides to kill the Inquisitor to eliminate a potential rival. However, he soon learns that the Inquisitor had merely distracted him so the Inquisition could cause an avalanche. As the Inquisitor escapes, Corypheus' dragon flies him to safety.}}
+{{CodexConditionalParagraph|Inquisitor recruits the Templars|}}
+If the Inquisitor recruited the Templars, Corypheus' army will be made up of Venatori and mind-controlled Rebel Mages.
+{{CodexConditionalParagraph|Inquisitor recruits the Mages|}}
+If the Inquisitor recruited the Mages, Corypheus' army will be made up of Red Templars, apparently led by Samson.
+He attacks the Inquisitor by casting fire upon them and summons his dragon to attack. When he confronts the Inquisitor, he attempts to extract the Anchor from them, only to discover that it's permanently attached to them. Though upset at this setback, Corypheus vows to start over and decides to kill the Inquisitor to eliminate a potential rival. However, he soon learns that the Inquisitor had merely distracted him so the Inquisition could cause an avalanche. As the Inquisitor escapes, Corypheus' dragon carries him to safety.
+[[file:HRrNMdz.jpg|thumb|200px|Corypheus wielding the orb of destruction]]
+It is ultimately revealed that Corypheus received the orb from an [[Solas|elf]], who is called "Dread Wolf" by [[Flemeth]]. Due to him being too weak after awakening from his long slumber, this elf allowed Corypheus the orb in an effort to unlock its true power.
+}}
 == Strategy ==
@@ Line 56: / Line 68: @@
 == Quotes ==
-===Dragon Age II===
+=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
-* "Tell me where is your Maker now? Call him, call down his wrath upon me! You cannot for he does not exist!"
-* "Bow before your new god and be spared!"
 * "Be this some dream I wake from? Am I in dwarven lands? Why seem their roads so empty?"
-* "You look human. Are you not citizens of the Empire? Slaves then, to the dwarves? Why come you here?"
 * "The light. We sought the golden light. You offered... the power of the gods themselves. But it was... black... corrupt. Darkness... ever since. How long?"
 * "Dumat? Have you forsaken me? I am your faithful servant..." ''(if [[Anders]] is in the party)''
 * "If I cannot leave with you, I will leave through you! I seek the light!"
-===Dragon Age: Inquisition==
+=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
-* "I will not suffer even an unknown rival. You must die!" (to the Inquisitor)
+* "I will not suffer even an unknowing rival. You must die!" (to the Inquisitor)
+* "Tell me where is your Maker now? Call him, call down his wrath upon me! You cannot? For he does not exist!"
+* "Bow before your new god and be spared!"
+* "Beg that I succeed, for I have seen the throne of the gods, and it was empty."
 == Trivia ==
@@ Line 73: / Line 85: @@
 * In the middle of Corypheus's ramblings, it is revealed that he and the other magisters sought the "golden light" and were promised by Dumat that they would receive the power of the gods in exchange for entering the Golden City. Upon arriving into the Fade, however, they found the city already black and corrupted, which calls into question the Chantry's claim that it was Tevinter magisters who corrupted the Golden City to become the tainted Black City.
 * Corypheus's statement "If I cannot leave with you, I will leave through you..." may have different meanings. It could mean he thought he could best Hawke and his party and be free to leave. But it can also be taken that even if he should be defeated he could still live by inhabiting another body since Hawke was not a Warden, similar to how the essence of an Archdemon can pass to another darkspawn if a Warden does not land the finishing blow; this suggesting that Corypheus may have possessed Larius or Janeka (depending on who the player sided with).
+* Corypheus is described as relentless, ambitious and beyond arrogant. He is arrogance personified, and believes he operates on a level no other being can comprehend.<ref>[http://www.dragonage.com/#!/en_US/news/writing-villains Writing Villains]</ref>
-* His frightening appearance and considerable power is comparable to that of the [[Architect]].
+* It is revealed in Inquisition that Corypheus has the ability to take over and shape a body into his ordinary image if he is killed. This make it almost impossible to kill Corypheus. This is likely the reason the reason he survived the events in Legacy.''<nowiki/>''
-* Given his pendant, a symbol of a devout sect of Dumat, despairing and embittered reaction to discovering Dumat died at the hands of mortals, it can be assumed that Corypheus is extremely religious (or was), and was perhaps a priest in the old Tevinter Imperium.
+*During a war table operation in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]'' it is discovered who Corypheus once was. Before he became one of the first [[Darkspawn]] he was a Magister of House Amladaris of Tevinter.
 == Gallery ==
 <gallery>
 CorypheusHoDA.png|Corypheus in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]''
-DAI Corypheus.png|DAI Corypheus
+DAI Corypheus.png|Corypheus in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]''
-HRrNMdz.jpg|Corypheus wielding the orb of destruction
+corypheuscard.png|Corypheus' codex card from [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]].
 </gallery>