Tag: sourceedit |
Tag: sourceedit |
||
(22 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
The '''Veil''' is a metaphysical barrier that exists between the physical [[Thedas]] and the [[Fade]]. Neither [[spirit]]s nor mortal beings can easily pass ''physically'' through the Veil, but the consciousnesses of most mortal dreamers and all [[mage]]s are a different matter (though the average dreamer is unlikely to ever be aware of such 'travels'). |
The '''Veil''' is a metaphysical barrier that exists between the physical [[Thedas]] and the [[Fade]]. Neither [[spirit]]s nor mortal beings can easily pass ''physically'' through the Veil, but the consciousnesses of most mortal dreamers and all [[mage]]s are a different matter (though the average dreamer is unlikely to ever be aware of such 'travels'). |
||
− | The Veil is not an object - it cannot be touched or seen. It is a metaphor used by mortal scholars to explain the interactions between the two different realities. |
+ | The Veil is not an object - it cannot be touched or seen. It is not a physical barrier, but rather something similar to a magical vibration that repels the Fade. It is a metaphor used by mortal scholars to explain the interactions between the two different realities. |
+ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | There is no mention of a time when the Veil didn't exist in [[human]] history<ref>According to [[Vivienne]] in the [[Shattered Library]] after talking to the second [[Archivist]].</ref>, which started from their arrival in [[Thedas]] in -3100 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]]. The [[Chantry]] teaches that the [[Maker]] created the Veil before He created men. <ref>[[Chant_of_Light_verses#Threnodies_5|Canticle of Threnodies 5]]</ref> |
||
+ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | |||
+ | {{SpoilerDAIT|[[Fen'Harel]] "held back the [[Fade|sky]]" and created the Veil to banish the [[Elven pantheon|Evanuris]]. This act was retribution for their part in the murder of [[Mythal]]. However, since [[Elvhenan]] was so heavily dependent on magic and the Veil severed the elven people from the [[Fade]], the Veil's creation led to Elvhenan's demise and the loss of the [[elves]]' immortality.<ref>According to the [[Archivist]]s in the [[Shattered Library]] and [[Solas]] during the final conversation with him.</ref> |
||
+ | |||
+ | [[Skyhold]]'s original name, Tarasyl'an te'las, means "the place where the sky was held back" in ancient [[Elven language|elvish]]<ref>[[Codex entry: On Skyhold]]</ref>, thus the Veil was created there. Solas also confirms that Skyhold was his castle during the time of Elvhenan.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5iRqJKl0LA According] to Solas in [[Trespasser]] (with low approval).</ref>}} |
||
== Tears == |
== Tears == |
||
− | It is theorized that the Veil tends to be weaker in places that feature, or have experienced, extensive death or use of magic.<ref>[[Codex entry: Tears in the Veil]]</ref> |
+ | It is theorized that the Veil tends to be weaker in places that feature, or have experienced, extensive death or use of magic.<ref>[[Codex entry: Tears in the Veil]]</ref> The former occurs because [[spirit]]s are attracted to death and they press against the Veil.<ref>According to [[Solas]].</ref> The Veil is particularly thin at night, when most people sleep and spirits are most active.<ref>{{Cite wot|141}}</ref> It is also thinned in places with [[red lyrium]]<ref>[[Haunted]]</ref>, and the use of [[blood magic]] can allow the Veil to be torn so that demons may physically pass through it into the waking world.<ref>[[Codex entry: Blood Magic: The Forbidden School]]</ref> |
+ | |||
⚫ | |||
+ | Weakened Veil can be recognized by its characteristic green hue. Places where the Veil is thin are a habitat for [[giant spider]]s<ref>[[Codex entry: Giant Spider]], [[Codex entry: Giant Spider (Inquisition)]]</ref> and the rare plant [[felandaris]], also known as "demon weed".<ref>[[Codex entry: Felandaris]]</ref> Areas where the Veil rips open are usually referred to as "tears" in the Veil, in keeping with the fabric metaphor. In fact, when the Veil itself tears it makes a sound like ripping cloth.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pg. 203.</ref> |
||
=== Known instances of the Veil being torn === |
=== Known instances of the Veil being torn === |
||
− | |||
{{SpoilerDAO|* The [[Brecilian Forest]] was the site of many battles, for example between the [[elf|elves]] and [[human]]s in the ancient times, and [[Alamarri]] battling the [[magister]]s of the [[Tevinter Imperium]]. According to the [[Grand Oak]] the bloodshed weakened the Veil beyond repair and that caused many [[spirit]]s and [[demon]]s to cross over. This event gave rise to [[sylvans]] among other creatures as the spirits possessed the trees in the forest. |
{{SpoilerDAO|* The [[Brecilian Forest]] was the site of many battles, for example between the [[elf|elves]] and [[human]]s in the ancient times, and [[Alamarri]] battling the [[magister]]s of the [[Tevinter Imperium]]. According to the [[Grand Oak]] the bloodshed weakened the Veil beyond repair and that caused many [[spirit]]s and [[demon]]s to cross over. This event gave rise to [[sylvans]] among other creatures as the spirits possessed the trees in the forest. |
||
*During the [[Broken Circle]] incident, the [[Fereldan]] [[Circle Tower]] was overun by demons and abominations. [[Uldred]] used a mass amount of [[blood magic]] to pull demons from the Fade into the physical world. This caused the Circle to nearly be destroyed by demons and abominations. |
*During the [[Broken Circle]] incident, the [[Fereldan]] [[Circle Tower]] was overun by demons and abominations. [[Uldred]] used a mass amount of [[blood magic]] to pull demons from the Fade into the physical world. This caused the Circle to nearly be destroyed by demons and abominations. |
||
Line 23: | Line 34: | ||
=== Closing a Tear === |
=== Closing a Tear === |
||
− | "Mending" these Tears, i.e. strengthening the Veil, is extremely difficult |
+ | "Mending" these Tears, i.e. strengthening the Veil, is extremely difficult. Depending on the level of damage done to the Veil, it can be closed through several methods. For example, in [[Soldier's Peak]], either [[Sophia Dryden]] or [[Avernus]] can accomplish such a mending, as Avernus is an expert on the [[Fade]] and Sophia is possessed by a powerful demon who crossed the Veil. [[The Warden-Commander]] can mend several Veil Tears by killing powerful spirits or demons keeping the Veil open. The Tear caused by one [[Saarebas (Dragon Age: Redemption)|Saarebas]] was closed after the artifact used to open it was destroyed. |
+ | {{SpoilerDAI|[[The Inquisitor]] can use the Anchor to close Fade rifts, which grants renown to the [[Inquisition]].}} |
||
− | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
− | * The Veil is particularly thin at night, when most people sleep and spirits are most active.<ref>{{Cite wot|141}}</ref> |
||
− | |||
− | * The rare plant [[felandaris]], also known as "demon weed", grows only in places where the Veil is thin. |
||
− | |||
⚫ | |||
− | |||
− | * Weakened Veil can be recognised by its characteristic green hue. |
||
− | |||
− | * In ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]'', closing a tear brings stability to a region, and grants renown to the [[Inquisition]].<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-age-inquisition-the-baldurs-gate-legacy-and/1100-6421016/?utm_source=weekly_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dragon-age-inquisition-the-baldurs-gate-legacy-and Dragon Age: Inquisition, the Baldur's Gate Legacy, and the Value of an Open World]</ref> |
||
== See also == |
== See also == |
Revision as of 02:42, 29 September 2015
“Gossamer strands only stand between this world and home. Feel it?” ―Sophia Dryden
The Veil is a metaphysical barrier that exists between the physical Thedas and the Fade. Neither spirits nor mortal beings can easily pass physically through the Veil, but the consciousnesses of most mortal dreamers and all mages are a different matter (though the average dreamer is unlikely to ever be aware of such 'travels').
The Veil is not an object - it cannot be touched or seen. It is not a physical barrier, but rather something similar to a magical vibration that repels the Fade. It is a metaphor used by mortal scholars to explain the interactions between the two different realities.
History
There is no mention of a time when the Veil didn't exist in human history[1], which started from their arrival in Thedas in -3100 Ancient. The Chantry teaches that the Maker created the Veil before He created men. [2]
Fen'Harel "held back the sky" and created the Veil to banish the Evanuris. This act was retribution for their part in the murder of Mythal. However, since Elvhenan was so heavily dependent on magic and the Veil severed the elven people from the Fade, the Veil's creation led to Elvhenan's demise and the loss of the elves' immortality.[4]
Skyhold's original name, Tarasyl'an te'las, means "the place where the sky was held back" in ancient elvish[5], thus the Veil was created there. Solas also confirms that Skyhold was his castle during the time of Elvhenan.[6]
Tears
It is theorized that the Veil tends to be weaker in places that feature, or have experienced, extensive death or use of magic.[7] The former occurs because spirits are attracted to death and they press against the Veil.[8] The Veil is particularly thin at night, when most people sleep and spirits are most active.[9] It is also thinned in places with red lyrium[10], and the use of blood magic can allow the Veil to be torn so that demons may physically pass through it into the waking world.[11]
Weakened Veil can be recognized by its characteristic green hue. Places where the Veil is thin are a habitat for giant spiders[12] and the rare plant felandaris, also known as "demon weed".[13] Areas where the Veil rips open are usually referred to as "tears" in the Veil, in keeping with the fabric metaphor. In fact, when the Veil itself tears it makes a sound like ripping cloth.[14]
Known instances of the Veil being torn
- The Brecilian Forest was the site of many battles, for example between the elves and humans in the ancient times, and Alamarri battling the magisters of the Tevinter Imperium. According to the Grand Oak the bloodshed weakened the Veil beyond repair and that caused many spirits and demons to cross over. This event gave rise to sylvans among other creatures as the spirits possessed the trees in the forest.
- During the Broken Circle incident, the Fereldan Circle Tower was overun by demons and abominations. Uldred used a mass amount of blood magic to pull demons from the Fade into the physical world. This caused the Circle to nearly be destroyed by demons and abominations.
- The Abandoned Orphanage became haunted by angry apparitions and demons after a massacre took place there during an elven riot.
- During the Battle of Soldier's Peak, Avernus summoned demons, but his miscalculations and the deaths caused the veil to tear.
- The Baroness's blood magic rituals in Blackmarsh and transporting all the villagers to the Fade made the Veil very weak around the village. Demons could be physically seen through the Veil.
- The Dalish possessed an artifact called Mask of Fen'Harel. It is capable of tearing the Veil and is used by Saarebas to do so.
- An enormous tear in the Veil, referred to as the Breach appears in the Frostback mountains and countless smaller Fade rifts appear throughout southern Thedas.
Closing a Tear
"Mending" these Tears, i.e. strengthening the Veil, is extremely difficult. Depending on the level of damage done to the Veil, it can be closed through several methods. For example, in Soldier's Peak, either Sophia Dryden or Avernus can accomplish such a mending, as Avernus is an expert on the Fade and Sophia is possessed by a powerful demon who crossed the Veil. The Warden-Commander can mend several Veil Tears by killing powerful spirits or demons keeping the Veil open. The Tear caused by one Saarebas was closed after the artifact used to open it was destroyed.
See also
Codex entry: Tears in the Veil
References
- ↑ According to Vivienne in the Shattered Library after talking to the second Archivist.
- ↑ Canticle of Threnodies 5
- ↑ According to Yavana in Dragon Age: The Silent Grove.
- ↑ According to the Archivists in the Shattered Library and Solas during the final conversation with him.
- ↑ Codex entry: On Skyhold
- ↑ According to Solas in Trespasser (with low approval).
- ↑ Codex entry: Tears in the Veil
- ↑ According to Solas.
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 141
- ↑ Haunted
- ↑ Codex entry: Blood Magic: The Forbidden School
- ↑ Codex entry: Giant Spider, Codex entry: Giant Spider (Inquisition)
- ↑ Codex entry: Felandaris
- ↑ Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, pg. 203.
|