Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Exploring the Characters Spite and Manfred

Dragon Age: The Veilguard welcomes players into a fresh narrative, presenting an exciting lineup of new characters as Rook assembles a diverse team to confront the formidable Evanuris. The party includes a range of skilled individuals, from adept dragon hunters and experts in elven artifacts to intelligent detectives and valiant Grey Wardens. Amidst the familiar archetypes, two unique companions, Spite and Manfred, stand out, playing essential roles in the unfolding story.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.]

The Dragon Age series has long celebrated the significance of companions and support characters. Historically, protagonists have amassed a group of intriguing allies, including mages, warriors, and assassins, alongside unconventional entities like grumpy stone golems, loyal canines, and spirits tethered to the mortal realm. In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Spite and Manfred embody this tradition, yet they diverge from previous spirit characters seen in the franchise.

The Veilguard Introduces Two Unique Spirit Companions

Manfred & Spite: A Fresh Take on Dragon Age Companions

Lucanis and Spite in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Alongside the traditional races of humans, elves, qunari, and dwarves, Rook’s team in The Veilguard is complemented by the addition of two spirits: Spite and Manfred. Both beings hail from the Fade, infused with pure magic and representing distinct emotions. However, their backstories and interactions with the material world differ significantly, enriching the narrative complexity.

The Veilguard embraces the franchise’s tradition of featuring spirit companions. Notably, Wynne from Dragon Age: Origins became intertwined with a spirit of Faith after a near-fatal encounter. Similarly, in the Awakenings expansion, a spirit of Justice entered the body of Warden Kristoff, later merging with Anders in Dragon Age 2. Meanwhile, in Inquisition, Cole emerged as a spirit of Compassion, manifesting physically after the demise of a human counterpart.

It’s crucial to consider that while all demons are categorized as spirits, not all spirits fit the demon mold. Demons are often the manifestations of negative emotions and vices, whereas spirits can become distorted when their true nature is twisted—such as Justice transforming into Vengeance. The interplay between spirits and demons forms an integral part of Dragon Age lore, emphasizing the risks they pose to mages. Each installment has showcased the potential consequences of spirits losing their essence, yet they also reveal the multifaceted nature that belies the Chantry’s simplistic views.

Manfred: The Incarnation of Curiosity

Manfred’s Desire for Knowledge Illustrates Spirit Growth

Manfred’s journey begins toward the conclusion of Act One when Rook faces a pivotal choice to rescue either Minrathous or Treviso. Appearing initially as a whimsical skeleton serving tea, Manfred’s inquisitive and cheerful demeanor captivates the team. Dialogue with Emmrich reveals that Manfred originated as a wisp, a small spirit representing Curiosity, who desired to interact with the world and was eventually given a physical form.

With a passion for knowledge, Manfred acts as Emmrich’s assistant, gathering books and contributing to research efforts. Players can even engage him in a game of rock-paper-scissors, showcasing his playful nature. Though he might seem like merely a supportive character, Manfred epitomizes the developmental potential inherent in spirits, as seen through Emmrich’s storyline.

During significant moments in Emmrich’s pursuit to thwart Hezenkoss, Manfred gradually shifts from hissing to articulating full words. Although he faces danger and can perish during confrontations, his revival allows him to evolve rapidly, showcasing an enhanced vocabulary and even acquiring magical abilities. Manfred’s character beautifully embodies the evolution of spirits while staying true to their innate tendencies, representing Curiosity with an insatiable thirst for learning and a glimpse into the innocent ambitions of spirits.

The Nature of Spite: Demon or Spirit?

Spite’s Trauma from the Ossuary Mirrors Lucanis’

Spite presents a stark contrast to Manfred; often labeled as a demon throughout The Veilguard, Spite’s existence is fraught with tension. Drawn from the Fade against his will, Spite intertwines with Lucanis during their traumatic time in the Ossuary, leading them to develop a complicated rapport. True to his name, Spite exhibits a volatile temperament and sometimes manifests hostility towards Lucanis when situations don’t align with his desires. However, such behavior doesn’t conclusively classify him as a demon.

Humorous exchanges occur between Lucanis, Spite, and Emmrich, with Spite expressing his annoyance over Manfred’s physical capabilities, like his ability to use hands and feet.

Spite remains instrumental throughout Lucanis’ quest. Notably, Lucanis avoids sleep to prevent Spite from gaining dominion over his actions. When Spite does take charge, he refrains from jeopardizing Lucanis’ safety, leading many to theorize that Spite possesses a childlike need for validation. Should Treviso be saved, the game delves deeper into their relationship, as Spite reaches out to Rook for aid during Lucanis’ moments of self-doubt.

Upon closer inspection, Spite reveals characteristics resembling a deeply traumatized spirit rather than an outright demon. Linked to Lucanis through a harrowing experience, his identity emerges as a spirit of Determination, as recognized by Rowan, the Lords of Fortune seer, and Solas, an aspect Spite seems to embrace. This notion opens pathways for further exploration of Spite’s journey and potential healing beyond The Veilguard.

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