I'm sure this isn't a new theory, just one I've been thinking on more. It feels like there are beings in the Well, beings that have awareness. They speak and answer questions asked of them. They give Morrigan or the Inquisitor the answer on how to defeat Corypheus. They know the password to get past the Sentinels in Trespasser. And they are completely controlled by Flemythal.

What if these ancient elves who served Mythal believed they were preserving their culture and knowledge for future generations, but in reality it was their spirits that would be bound inside the Well? Who would willingly choose to have their spirit trapped forever in a kind of eternal purgatory? Because there’s actually nothing in the lore that says this was fully voluntary or informed consent. Abelas only says:

“As each servant of Mythal reached the end of their years, they would pass their knowledge on… through this.”

If you serve Mythal, then this is what is expected of you when you are close to death. Perhaps some ancient elves did volunteer, but what if some fought against it, wanting their spirits to be freed instead upon their death, and so it was decided none of these elves would be told the truth, that it would trap their spirits.

Because I can’t forget Solas’ insight into the death of spirits:

“The energy of spirits returns to the Fade. If the idea giving the spirit form is strong, or if the memory has shaped other spirits, it may someday rise again.”

…unless they get shoved into the Well of Sorrows, of course.

These elves may have believed if they gave their knowledge then their energy would be returned to the Fade where maybe, just maybe they could rise again. But the reality was darker - they were surrendering their spirits into eternal service under Mythal’s command.

Because whoever drinks from the Well is bound to Mythal, Abelas confirms it, which means the voices within (spirits) are all bound to Mythal. And she knew this, created the Well for this purpose.

“This meeting was no accident, was it?” “Clever girl.” “The voices… came from you?” “The price of the Well seemed no dire thing when you saw so much gain, hmm? “I wished to see who drank from the Well of Sorrows. It has been a very long time.” Abelas: Our duty is all that remains. Those who drank from the vir’abelasan paid a great price, bound to the service of Mythal for eternity.

How many others have drank from this Well through history, and bound to Mythal. In addition to Abelas's dialogue there is ambient dialogue from a young elf in DAI who talks about hearing Mythal’s voice, and it does suggest this elf also found the Well. Did he drink from it and now this poor lad is forever bound to Mythal? This elf's face is clear of vallaslin when we meet him but later on after subsequent visits, he has one.

So if the Well does contain trapped spirits, then Mythal certainly has a pattern here hey? A history of keeping spirits tied to service and purpose for her.

“I pulled you from the Fade and sent you into war."

And what if that was eventually a fate meant for Solas? He was a servant of Mythal after all. Would Mythal want the knowledge of Wisdom to go to waste and return to the Fade should he die in battle? What if he found out? It would makes complete sense why he would be horrified by the Well and would be yet another reason their relationship falls apart.

It would also seem that Abelas and the other Sentinels are bound. They aren’t able to leave and instead go into uthenera, only awakening when the temple is threatened. They too are trapped in an endless cycle of duty tied to Mythal.

And then there is Abelas’ name: sorrow.

Was he always sorrow, or did centuries of guarding the temple and knowing what the Well truly is turn him into sorrow? Let’s say the Well is filled with trapped spirits. Then Abelas isn’t just protecting sacred knowledge - sadly, he’s protecting a prison of his kin. It makes me wonder what Abelas did to be put into a role like that, or if he too volunteered, not realizing what being in service to Mythal actually meant.

Which makes Solas’ dialogue with Abelas emotional, because it almost sounds like he’s trying to free him.

“There are other places, friend. Other duties.” “There is a place for you, lethallin… if you seek it.” “I said… I hoped he finds a new name.”

When it comes to spirits, names are important. They define who they are, their purpose. Solas isn't simply wishing Abelas happiness. He’s hoping Abelas can finally free himself from the sorrow and duty he’s been bound to for thousands of years.

Lastly, evidence that it's spirits in the Well for me? Matt Rhodes' art where it's called the Well of Souls.