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For the quest in Dragon Age: Origins, see Enchantment (quest).

“With the right bits, an edge can be more than an edge. Armor can do more than protect. A hue can be just a bit brighter.” ―Arcanist Dagna

Lyrium vein

Lyrium, the source of enchantments

Enchantment is the process of inscribing lyrium runes on items, typically a piece of armor or a weapon, to add new properties or enhance its existing properties. Without lyrium, enchantments placed on items are temporary.[1] Enchantments in Thedas are produced either by dwarves or the Tranquil — classified in the Circle of Magi as Formari — due to their respective resistances to magic and their consequent ability to safely work with lyrium. Despite the dangers posed to mages by the lyrium, Dalish Keepers are also known to be able to enchant items by employing more complicated techniques.[2]

Dwarves have used enchantments for ages and typically use enchantments for practical purposes, such as making a blade sharper, or armor more durable.[3] Dwarven smiths must work for years to learn to enchant.[4] Tranquil, on the other hand, use enchantments to give items magical properties, such as a flaming sword.

Working with lyrium[]

Lyrium kal hirol

A vat of refined lyrium

Dwarves with their racial immunity to magic have the ability to handle lyrium and work enchantments. Dwarves also mine lyrium, and have an entire caste devoted to such a task, though they must do so carefully for exposure to raw lyrium can have devastating effects even on the dwarven constitution.[5] Once raw lyrium has been refined into a liquid or a powder, however, it is safe for anyone to handle. The Chantry has a monopoly on the lyrium mined by the dwarves.[6]

One notable dwarven enchanter is Sandal, the adopted son of dwarven merchant Bodahn Feddic. According to Bodahn, the mages of the Ferelden Circle of Magi consider Sandal a "savant" because his remarkable ability to enchant is innate and unprecedented.

Tranquil are able to work lyrium into enchantments due to their severed connection to The Fade.[7] A true mage is unable to work enchantments. This is due to the dangers of handling raw lyrium, especially for mages. The more magically sensitive a person is the more dangerous their exposure to lyrium, as raw lyrium can cause deafness, memory loss, nausea, even internal hemorrhaging and madness.[8]

For the Circle of Magi, working enchantments are essential as they provide a great deal of the wealth for the Circle.[9]

Known runecrafters[]

For the title granted to Harrowed mages from the Circle of Magi, see Enchanter.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: Runes and Enchantments Codex entry: Runes and Enchantments

See also[]

References[]

  1. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 93
  2. Based on Keeper's Charm description.
  3. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 93
  4. According to Bodahn Feddic in Dragon Age II.
  5. As evidenced by Garin in Orzammar in Dragon Age: Origins, who suffered a kind of dementia as a result of exposure to raw lyrium.
  6. According to Anders in Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening and evidenced in the quest Precious Metals in Dragon Age: Origins.
  7. As discussed by the Tranquil in Ostagar in Dragon Age: Origins.
  8. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 93
  9. Per the Tranquil Mage encountered in Ostagar.
  10. See Embri's Many Pockets description.
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