Why the Dragon Age: The Veilguard Faction Contact Is Crucial to Your Game

Exploring the Layers of Lore in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Fans of the Dragon Age series are in for a treat with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which is rich in lore from the captivating world of Thedas. A recent discussion on X (formerly Twitter) shed light on an intriguing theory regarding one of the game’s faction leaders, hinting at deeper implications that hinge on a pivotal moment in the story.

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

The codex has always been a cornerstone of the Dragon Age experience, providing invaluable context about the expansive fantasy universe. In The Veilguard, players can uncover a wealth of information hidden within codex entries, including details about companion dynamics, lore on enemies, and background on essential characters. Engaging with the codex reveals a vibrant, living world that extends beyond the narrative presented in cutscenes and missions.

The Revelation: The Viper as the Black Divine

Unearthing Ashur’s True Identity

The Viper Ashur first meeting Rook in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

One dedicated user on X, amirdrassil, sought evidence to substantiate the theory that the Viper holds the position of the Black Divine within the Imperial Chantry. While various codex entries hinted at Ashur’s identity, hidden cut dialogue provided definitive confirmation. This dialogue included a pertinent remark about Ashur’s influence on a Chantry: “There’s something funny about the Black Divine tagging a Chantry.”

Understanding the Black Divine

The Duality of the Chantry in Thedas

The Viper Ashur inside the Minrathous safehouse in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Religion plays a pivotal role in Dragon Age, with the Chantry’s teachings shaping the cultural landscape of Ferelden and affecting the treatment of elves and mages, especially as presented in Dragon Age: Origins. Expanding on this foundation, Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition explored the intricate politics within the Chantry. The Thedosian Chantry consists of two main factions: the dominant Chantry of Orlais, led by a female Divine, and the Tevinter Imperium, which has its sovereign faction in Minrathous with a male Divine.

i’m laughing so hard i was going to go into the game files to collect evidence on the viper being the imperial divine but. NEVERMIND. it literally just states it outright https://t.co/9LdjPNqI8m pic.twitter.com/oHdgq2id12 — howwy \ud83d\udc3a\u2728 #veilguardspoilers (@amirdrassil) November 29, 2024

In the codex entry titled “Different Flavors of Andraste,”located within the Dwarven People section of The Veilguard, Harding elucidates the distinctions between the two Divines for Taash. This entry simplifies the differences into practical categories such as leadership, power dynamics, and the varying philosophies regarding magic. The implications are clear: the Imperial Chantry operates in stark contrast to the primary Andrastian faith.

Within the Imperial Chantry, the Black Divine is elected, with candidates sourced from the Magisterium. This dual role of head of the church and Grand Enchanter of Tevinter empowers the Black Divine, underscoring the significance of the Venatori’s quest to uncover the Viper’s identity.

Compelling Evidence Supporting the Viper’s Identity

Insights from Codex Entries and Characters

The narrative of The Veilguard intertwines clues that suggest Ashur, the Viper, possesses a high-ranking role within Tevinter. Notably, the codex entry “Neve’s Case Notes: Maevaris Tilani” reflects Neve’s insights into the leadership within the Shadow Dragons. Within her remarks, she references Dorian and Maevaris, while also revealing details about a prestigious family—the Vesperians—whose youngest son ascended to become the new Black Divine.

The connections between the Vesperians, the Lucerni, and the Shadow Dragons suggest a landscape ripe for suspicion on the part of the Venatori, who investigate the Vesperians extensively. An essential insight gained during the quest “The Tempered Soul, Everlasting”hints at the Venatori’s belief that Ashur could be the new Black Divine, recognizable as Aequitas II, although they seek damaging evidence against him. Notably, this clue is not cataloged in the codex, requiring active gaming to uncover it.

Player choices significantly influence the Viper’s fate. The Viper may become blighted during a dragon attack, depending on Rook’s decision to save Treviso instead of venturing into Minrathous. During the confrontation with the Venatori, comments overheard suggest that they are confident in his identity, indicating that the stakes are astronomically high.

One Decision Could Alter Tevinter’s Chantry Forever

Choice and Consequence for the Viper

The reveal of the Shadow Dragon’s leader is an engaging subplot; however, one critical decision early in The Veilguard could spell disaster for the Imperial Chantry and Tevinter at large. Should Rook opt to assist Treviso amidst the dragon attacks, thus abandoning Minrathous and the Shadow Dragons, the Viper’s fate takes a dire turn—he is left vulnerable and subsequently blighted by the Darkspawn.

Upon entering the scene after the chaos, Rook learns from Tarquin and Ashur that the latter valiantly defended a safehouse, resulting in his infection. This revelation hints at a rich potential storyline involving the Viper’s struggle to protect his family or retain his power amid the Blight.

There are also indications from cut content, suggesting that other characters, notably Tarquin and Neve, might have become aware of the Viper’s true identity, paving the way for a more robust narrative exploration. As the plot unfolds, the ramifications of a dying Black Divine would send shockwaves through Tevinter and beyond, echoing through the rest of the Dragon Age universe.

For an in-depth discussion and further analysis, visit amirdrassil/X (Twitter).

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