Dragon Age: The Veilguard introduces players to a new protagonist, Rook, who embarks on a perilous quest to rescue Thedas from the newly unleashed Evanuris. A key ally who joins Rook early on is the vibrant Bellara Lutare, a member of the Veil Jumper faction. Utilizing ancient elven artifacts akin to an artificer, Bellara’s individual journey seamlessly intertwines with the overarching narrative of The Veilguard, as she seeks to unlock precious elven knowledge lost to time.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.]
Companion quests within Dragon Age: The Veilguard provide uniquely engaging experiences as each character confronts their past. Successfully completing a companion’s questline grants them the coveted Hero of the Veilguard status, along with new gear and abilities that bolster their chances of survival during the climactic battle in Minrathous. Rook plays a pivotal role by assisting companions in making critical choices that often extend beyond personal ambitions, a central theme in Bellara’s quest.
Bellara’s Quest: A Greater Purpose
A History Shrouded in Loss
Bellara’s personal quest resonates with themes found in the arcs of several of her companions, as it explores familial relationships and legacies. When players first recruit her in The Veilguard, Bellara encounters a mystical crystal that introduces itself as the Nadas Dirthalen, before unexpectedly shutting down. Shortly thereafter, the shocking revelation of her brother Cyrian’s survival disrupts her world. Tragically, her joy is fleeting as Cyrian reveals he has fallen under the influence of Anaris, a notorious figure among the Forgotten Ones, who employs dark sorcery to transform individuals into demons.
The Forgotten Ones embody the malevolent side of the elven pantheon, opposing the Evanuris. Historical context reveals how the trickster Fen’Harel lured the Evanuris into what they believed were celestial realms, which were, in fact, portals to the Fade, subsequently imprisoning the Forgotten Ones within the Abyss.
Bellara’s journey continues to navigate the delicate task of extracting critical information from the Nadas Dirthalen to thwart Anaris while attempting to sway Cyrian from aiding the power-hungry warlord. In the final clash with Anaris, Cyrian’s demise leaves Bellara devastated and confronted with an agonizing choice that could shape the fate of her people. At the Lighthouse, she seeks Rook’s counsel as she weighs the decision to either harbor the Archive spirit or release it.
Consequences of Retaining the Archive
Potential Long-term Implications of Retaining the Archive
Choosing to maintain the Archive enables the elves of Thedas to access valuable ancient knowledge. However, Bellara warns of the potential hazards associated with such power: the possibility of misuse or the Archive falling into untrustworthy hands. Despite the risks, Bellara is tempted by the Archive’s potential to aid the elves in regaining lost cultural nuances and ancestral grandeur, pointing out that, despite efforts by the Veil Jumpers and the Dalish, much of the ancient elven wisdom remains unrecovered.
If the Archive is kept, Bellara acquires the armor known as Archivist’s Mail and gains the skill Lingering Strike. This configuration is particularly advantageous for a support-oriented build, allowing her abilities to synergize effectively with warrior-class Rooks. The Replenish ability also applies Weakening effects to nearby enemies, enhancing her utility as a healer. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consider that selecting a specific companion for dismantling wards will permanently remove the other from availability.
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Ability |
Bellara’s Replenish ability now applies Weakened in a six-meter radius around Rook, dealing 200 electric damage and inflicting the Shocked condition on affected targets. |
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Armor |
Detonating an enemy marked as Sundered causes another nearby Sundered enemy to detonate, rendering nearby foes vulnerable to electric damage. |
The ramifications of keeping the Archive unfold subtly within The Veilguard; notably, Bellara’s choice influences the nature of Cyrian’s funeral. Should she opt to keep the Nadas Dirthalen, she will conduct a traditional Elvenhan ceremony, signifying her connection to her heritage and honoring her brother’s sacrifice. The future implications of her decision—whether it will empower the elven community to reclaim its identity or expose it to unforeseen dangers—remain uncertain.
Consequences of Releasing the Archive
A Step Towards Moving Forward
Alternatively, Bellara can choose to free the Archive spirit, thereby safeguarding her people from potential misuse of its dangerous knowledge, albeit at the cost of losing a piece of their history. In discussing this choice with Rook, Bellara reflects on her brother Cyrian, illustrating how even well-meaning individuals can unleash catastrophic consequences by mishandling sensitive information. Given that the Archive contains Anaris’ biased interpretation of history, her apprehensions about the knowledge it might hold are warranted.
Bellara synergizes effectively with companions like Harding or Lucanis, as both characters can apply Sundering effects during combat.
If Bellara decides to liberate the Archive, she will gain the Reborn Leathers armor and the Chain Lightning Hero of the Veilguard skill. This combination dramatically enhances her capabilities for dealing damage, favoring fast-paced engagements and improving her offensive potential on the battlefield. This build particularly suits tank-oriented Rooks and complements Bellara’s detonative abilities when paired with allies who can apply Sundered effects.
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Ability |
Bellara’s weapon attacks inflict Chain Lightning on Shocked enemies, causing 100 electric damage, while the Shocked status is amplified by 10%. |
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Armor |
Detonations result in the Shocked status being applied to all affected enemies, dealing an additional 200 electric damage. |
Should the Archive be released, Bellara will conduct a Dalish funeral for Cyrian, displaying genuine sorrow over the knowledge lost in the process. However, this choice may represent a necessary evolution for the Dalish as they move beyond their past and work towards building a new cultural identity. While Bellara may wrestle with feelings of regret after this choice, it ultimately signifies a pivotal juncture in the group’s journey, as they strive to regain their footing in a world shaped by loss.
The Archive, created by Anaris, would only divulge information swayed by his narrative. Interactions revealed that accessing this knowledge required Bellara to alter her approach, compelling her to speak as one who seeks dominance rather than one seeking understanding.
Much like Emmrich’s dilemma regarding Manfred, the choice Bellara faces does not present a clear right or wrong path within Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Players can weigh Rook’s background and the implications of Bellara’s actions in terms of lore and roleplay dynamics. Furthermore, the decision can also be influenced by Rook’s class and combat role, affecting Bellara’s abilities. Ultimately, the potential ramifications for elven culture stemming from her decision evoke curiosity among fans, leaving them eager for how this narrative may flourish in future installments of the Dragon Age series.
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