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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.
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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.
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== History ==
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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>
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{{SpoilerTSG|Yet there was a time before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten, when [[dragon]]s ruled the skies.<ref>According to [[Yavana]] in [[Dragon Age: The Silent Grove]].</ref>}}
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{{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>
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[[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> According to [[Solas]], the former occurs because [[spirit]]s are attracted to death and they press against the Veil. It is also revealed that the Veil is thinned in places with [[Red Lyrium]].<ref>[[Haunted]]</ref> What is known for sure is the use of [[blood magic]] can allow the Veil to be torn so that demons may physically pass through it into the physical world.<ref>[[Codex entry: Blood Magic: The Forbidden School]]</ref> Areas that can be seen or felt where the Veil is thin 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>
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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>
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[[File:Shadows of the Blackmarsh.png|thumb|An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue]]
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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.
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=== Closing a Tear ===
 
=== Closing a Tear ===
"Mending" these Tears, i.e. strengthening the Veil, is extremely difficult, if at all possible. 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.
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"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.
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{{SpoilerDAI|[[The Inquisitor]] can use the Anchor to close Fade rifts, which grants renown to the [[Inquisition]].}}
 
== Notes ==
 
[[File:Shadows of the Blackmarsh.png|thumb|An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue]]
 
* 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.
 
 
* [[Yavana]] says that there was a time "before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten," when [[dragon]]s ruled the skies.
 
 
* 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

Tears in the Veil

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]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Silent Grove.


Yet there was a time before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten, when dragons ruled the skies.[3]



This section contains spoilers for:
Trespasser.


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]

Shadows of the Blackmarsh

An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue

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


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.




This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.


  • 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.



This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Redemption.


Fade portal

A tear created by the Mask of Fen'Harel, opening a portal into the Fade



This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


DAI Veil Tear

The Veil sundered

  • 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.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


The Inquisitor can use the Anchor to close Fade rifts, which grants renown to the Inquisition.


See also

Codex entry: The Veil Codex entry: The Veil

Codex entry: Tears in the Veil Codex entry: Tears in the Veil

Codex entry: Fade Rifts Codex entry: Fade Rifts

References