misculenica

Has this been talked about and I missed it? Why has no one mentioned there’s a Fen’harel statue outside the mouth of the cave that leads to the waterfall Solas takes you when you romance him?

Here’s the statue from a few other angles - circles for the mouth of the cave.

Does this place hold special significance for Solas? I mean, I think it’s been pointed out that it’s a three week journey to travel from Skyhold to Crestwood. I just chalked it up to the devs wanting a waterfall and nevermind the distance.

But Solas intended to tell her he was Fen’Harel. What if this place was somehow important to him in regard to that fact. And he wanted to take Lavellan - not just to any waterfall - but here specifically. What if “the Veil is thin here” is a significant key-in and not just what I assumed was flirtation?

I actually based Solas and Ghil’s relationship in Teen Wolf off of a story in one of the mosaics in the Temple of Mythal, The Ascension of Ghilan’nain:

Ghilan'nain kept herself apart from the People. She used her power to create animals none had ever seen. The skies teemed with her monsters, the land with her beasts. Andruil hunted them all, and after a year of killing, approached Ghilan'nain with an offer: the gods would share their power with Ghilan'nain, but only if she destroyed her creations, for they were too untamed to remain among the People. Ghilan'nain agreed and asked for three days to undo what she had made.

On the first day she struck down the monsters of the air, except those she presented to Andruil as a gift.

On the second day she drowned the giants of the sea, except those in deep waters, for they were too well-wrought, and Pride stopped her hand.

On the third day she killed the beasts of the land, except the halla, whose grace she loved above all else.

This is how Ghilan'nain was made youngest of the gods.

—Story of the elven god Ghilan'nain, author unknown

My choice of Ghil for Solas in Teen Wolf was totally purposeful. She was one of the people first and had to earn her godhood. That “Pride stopped her hand” in this extreme scenario really struck me. From my first playthrough where I actually realized what that meant, I thought that it could mean that Ghilan’nain and Solas had been friends. It’s an odd mention, that Pride was there to help her, very specific. And I was in love with the idea that they were both a little off beat. They were not invited to this party, but they were let in the door anyway.

In my adaptation of this little bit of lore, and this is something I write about toward the end of The Dead Season, I establish that Ghilan’nain’s territory was where Crestwood now is, which was mainly just nature and animals at the time. She planted all the purple flowers that still grow, and she shaped Crestwood to look like the Weathers, the suburb of Arlathan where she and Solas grew up. It was her way of trying to salvage her shredded mind, and then toward the end of the war (which she was largely removed from), she made that little cove with the waterfall like a hiding place where she would meet in secret with Solas, protected by her halla statues like sentinels. There, he would try to convince her to come with him and to defect to his rebellion, but she was very far gone. She didn’t even know Mythal. She hardly understood the seriousness of the turf war being fought to the north.

So, ah! I’m glad you noticed this, @bearlytolerablethethird. While it’s obviously not canon, I tried to use real evidence from the game to mold the story in such a way that it would feel real, while playing. So like when Solas takes his Lavellan to that cave with Ghil’s sentinel hallas, it means something–like that he is hoping desperately to regain some form of his lost ability to be loved, and that maybe by channeling Ghil there, he can find the strength to tell the truth.

I was roaming around the Exalted Plains the other day, and there just happens to be another stone wolf standing guard in front of that area you need to unlock at the war table.

I about lost my shit.

And you know that giant stone wolf that looks out over the entire Exalted Plains?

Well, turns out, the Exalted Plains is the ONLY map in Inquisition where you find halla. What if Solas is literally guarding over her places?

WHY HAVE I NEVER NOTICED THIS BEFORE?!?!!

Also the damn harts are there again too! There’s one by the Dalish camp!

There’s supposed to be a second one, judging by the sketch that we get, but I couldn’t find it.

It really makes me think about the significance of Solas’ personal quest being on this map.

In the Temple of Mythal, there’s an archway being flanked by two Fen’Harel statues. If you’ve allied with the Sentinels, the guide will open it for you.

I know we’ve decided the “she” Solas is talking about here is Mythal and how the evanuris turned on her. But what if we’re wrong? What if the “mistake” Solas is referring to is his decision to trust Ghilan'nain, and she took whatever he shared with her and twisted it?

“His crime is high treason. He took on a form reserved for the gods and their chosen, and dared to fly in the shape of the divine. The sinner belongs to Dirthamen; he claims he took wings at the urging of Ghilan'nain, and begs protection from Mythal. She does not show him favor, and will let Elgar'nan judge him.” “For one moment there is an image of a shifting, shadowy mass with blazing eyes, whose form may be one or many. Then it fades.”

I talked a little bit about it in this post, but basically, there’s a theory that this ancient writing and the inscription in the last chamber of the Solasan temple describe the same event!

Faintly carved into the stone is a figure bound in chains.  Two other figures have turned their gaze from the central image. The script below the image is ancient, though Solas is able to provide a partial translation: “Pride in our accomplishments and in our hearts. That same pride became (a word meaning corrupted or altered) within him, he sought to claim (indecipherable), cast from favor and so he was bound. Hidden from mortal eyes, death lies within.”

The theory suggests that the sinner in this story was actually Solas himself. So like you said, if we assume that he isn’t actually referring to Mythal in the “I know that mistake well enough to carve the angles of her face from memory” line, but Ghilan'nain… it could fit with the narrative that the “sinner”/Solas was betrayed by her when he “took wings at the urging of Ghilan'nain”/“took the shape of the divine”(a dragon), which ultimately led to him being bound, while Ghilan'nain (and Dirthamen?) “turned their gaze”.

I’d also like to point out the mural in the third volume of The Missing again, that could likely depict Ghilan'nain and Andruil embracing each other romantically?

So if this was how Solas painted them at one point (when they were still in a mutual relationship?).. with all the Mad Scientist stuff and the terrifying things described in Horror of Hormak… You have to wonder how the heck she went from this to…. this? ⚆_⚆

Because good god, if this one theory is true and her and Solas had something going at one point… I would just hope that this was *before* she turned into an Eldritch monster three times his size. lmaoo (Solas in that picture is like “Oh shit, it’s my crazy ex.”)

I realize that this is not nearly all of it, when I feel like half of his entire dialogue is actually using some form of rhetorical device. lol But much like him being an artist in creating the frescoes, I just love how Solas tends to paint a picture with his words, too?

There's something about the "But not everyone wants to go to Rivain!" line that always cracks me up though. Like, the subtle frustration in his delivery is so funny to me. The fact that the Creator of the Veil is comparing spirits' expectations of crossing the barrier between the worlds to a nice summer holiday trip to Rivain. lmao I picture Solas and his very skeptical "pro-Fade" spirit buddies watching some of the memories of the waking world like it would be the worst possible vacation spot, like when he told Blackwall how he quickly left that memory of the old Val Royeaux market because of "the smell". 😂 And now he's stuck here in "exotic Rivain" desperately searching for a ticket back home. lol

Because, I’m not kidding, I think about this at least once a week. 😂 I mean, EXCUSE ME -

Like, what do you mean “you have PROOF”??? Is Solas going to break into a big dramatic musical number like a disney princess, accompanied by a chorus of spirits?? You all know Patrick Weekes hasn’t given up on that musical DLC. lmao

I love all of them, but my favorite one might be his response to the “What’s so confusing about endless darkspawn?”. It’s such a blink and you miss it moment, but when you really think about it for a second, it’s so funny the way he waves it off so casually. And like, you can tell he’s not even lying here? lol

Like, here is this man who might’ve been personally present when this whole thing started and whatever was the catalyst for the blights was inflicted upon the world or who at least knows exactly what’s up with the archdemons and the Old Gods and who has probably, literally seen it all….

…and also the only time that Solas of all people, is completely speechless, for once at a loss for words in response to an irrefutable argument.

Throughout the whole game (with a few exceptions in which he actually admits to having misjudged), whenever you get the chance to debate him on something you do not agree on, Solas, Mr “I’m a trillion years old, you know nothing, so listen carefully” will practically verbally jiu-jitsu you for every possible argument you might have, like, he’s an absolute master at playing Ace Attorney refuting any of your points, much like playing mind chess with Iron Bull, there is no chance to win an argument with Solas if he’s determined to have you recognize the flaw in your logic or at least understand his perspective, making you feel like this gif at the end of every debate.

But when Lavellan says “I would have had you trust me”, finally, there is no counter argument, no clever comeback, no objection… He has nothing. Because Lavellan is right and he knows. There’s just silence until he turns around and continues with the rest of the dialogue. And I think it’s interesting how this is kinda the culmination of all the little hints throughout the whole game at his ingrained distrust, leading up to this moment.

“An enemy can attack you, but only an ally can betray you. Betrayal is always worse.”

“The next time you have to mourn, you don’t need to be alone.” “It’s been so long since I could trust someone.”

“That’s when you should lean on your friends.” “Apologies, Inquisitor. I have learned not to do that.”

“I’ll rely on those I trust.” “You think to share your power, to avoid the temptation to misuse it. A noble sentiment… but, ultimately, a mistake.” (…) “Because while one selfless man may walk away from the lure of power’s corruption… no group has ever done so.”

“You created a powerful organization, and now it suffers the inevitable fate of such. Betrayal and corruption.”

“I trust my friends.” “I know that mistake well enough to carve the angles of her face from memory.”

“She was betrayed as I was betrayed. As the world was betrayed!” - Flemeth about Mythal

You get the sense that him witnessing Mythal being betrayed and murdered by the Evanuris was probably the catalyst for his immense trust issues, so much so that it still has that big of an impact on him centuries later. And of course it has, when 1) it was this batrayal and power corruption that set everything in motion, it almost lead to the end of the entire world, which in turn lead to the creation of the Veil and finally the loss of his world and his people, 2) he has spent the last 1000 years walking the Fade, having to look at the ever present Black City in its center - their prison - as a constant reminder of what happened. (I know it’s not confirmed yet, but come on! 😂)

And then there is Lavellan (or any high approval Inquisitor for that matter) at the end of all this. Who proved him wrong with every action throughout DAI. Who has shown wisdom in their decisions and that the power they were given mustn’t corrupt them. That there is no reason for him not to trust them. And yet, he simply can’t, because the past still haunts him and centuries of history have taught him otherwise (and like a bunch of other reasons for him to not tell Lavellan the truth in that moment in Crestwood, but that’s beside the point here lol). 

And then at the end of Trespasser, Lavellan finally throws it straight to his face, and while he could pull any of the excuses listed above, he simply can’t refute them anymore. Look at his expression as he just looks at them in response, at first still frowning for a second, as if he’s still about to argue them again, but then suddenly shifting into sorrow, slightly shaking his head in defeat. “I got nothing.” Solas, who easily managed to own you in any debate prior to this, is all out of arguments. It’s the final argument and the Inquisitor won.

(Well, technically, it even happens twice in this final conversation, if we’re counting Solas’ internal debate with himself. lol)

“We aren’t even people to you.” “Not at first. You showed me that I was wrong.”

But going back to his distrust, it surely can’t be a coincidence that this whole issue was also topic in a recent interview with DA4′s Creative Director, talking about what defines a hero.

I’ve talked about this numerous times now, like here, here or here, but what it all comes down to is basically just one more penny for the “Solas needs to learn how to trust again in order to be saved from himself” jar. lol

“We will save our friend from himself… if we can.”

Also, I just wanted to add to this, a couple of points! :)

Knowing Solas is (indetermined number) thousands of years old, I do believe it's not just the events surrounding the Evanuris' betrayal of Mythal that factors into his fundamental distrust of others - no matter the degree of the relationship, stranger or friend or enemy. To have it so integral to your character, that kind of distrust is a learned behaviour, and learned behaviours need a good amount of time to develop - and Solas, as a very very old being (like, consider the last 2000 years of human history (irl, of course) and try to consider existing that long, perhaps longer, and all the things that have happened (there's so much, incomprehensibly much) - that's a lot of time to be proven wrong, or, proven right. I suspect that Solas has been betrayed in most aspects of his life, at every turn - why else would he, even when given a person who has proven time and time again (and people, arguably, given how close he gets to the rest of your companions in Inquisition) - still refuse to trust, to truly love another person? (not just in a romantic sense). It implies so much about his history, about the things he must have lived through. It's so deliciously heartbreaking to consider, and it's one of the reasons he's one of the best characters in fiction (at least that I've come across).

And then, there's this one thing that keeps popping out to me.

Not only is Solas proven wrong, not only is he without arguement or counterpoint.

He's done to the Inquisitor what has been done to him, and he must know that.

Like, consider the romance (or high approval) - your character likes him, trusts him, leans on him for advice and for companionship. You (and your Inky) trusted him, and he has betrayed you, he has broken that trust. This is especially relevant in the romance, because your Inky loves him, and he loves her - there's so much trust involved in that sort of relationship.

And in that silence after Inky offers that final argument, it's not just acceptance or a lacking of a counter to what she says; it's the knowledge that the worst things people have done to him, he has now done to her; and that will likely define her life from that point onward. He's corrupted her, hurt her, ruined this significant part of her life/her character/her spirit.

He's facilitated and exemplified the trauma in his life, he's no longer the victim, the survivor - he's the perpetrator; the 'I have done to this person I love, the worst thing that has been done to me', and that must be so soul-crushing to realize.

I think I found a coloring technique that I really enjoy and that lets me enjoy art more again. I've been drawing but the spark has been missing a bit recently. I think this might have reignited it. 💚

The three stages of Myrra all in one picture. 🤣