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Solas: Sometimes it seems this land is a collection of tragedies, one piled atop another. (Crestwood, Dragon age: Inquisition)

So, I just finished Tevinter Nights which is part of the Dragon Age novel series but unlike the predecessors, it’s a compilation of short stories that take place after Inquisition. This will include some heavy spoilers so if you’re interested in reading the stories yourself, I’d advise against continuing forward. Also, this is just my immediate thoughts afterwards and won’t be an in-depth explanation, but I will gloss over some points established in the short stories that I think might be important to Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.    SPOILERS AHEAD ... Status of the Inquisition: At the start of Trespasser, the player is offered a choice if they’d disband the Inquisition or keep it together. Bioware tends to incorporate their own canon into their novel series so take this with a grain of salt, as it seems that the Bioware canon is that the Inquisition is disbanded. However, either way (whether you keep the Inquisition together or not), it is implied that Inquisition’s legacy has suffered upon Solas’ reveal as the Dread Wolf. One of the short stories states that it’s not a call for disbanding that ended the Inquisition, but a revelation that happened beyond an eluvian. Several characters throughout the stories also call the Inquisition directly into question, berating the organization for not knowing they were harboring an “elven god.”  Agents of the Inquisition: Whether or not the Inquisition is banded or disbanded, or potentially disgraced, there still seems to be many active Inquisition members, both outside and inside the Inquisition’s inner circle. Cassandra Pentaghast personally commissions an Inquisition investigation in one of the stories, and Varric, numerous times. Therefore, whether or not the Inquisition is in power, it is obvious it still has power and influence throughout Thedas.  Varric Tethras: Speaking of which, it’s important to note our favorite Viscount of Kirkwall has been busy. In one of the stories, he personally hires a few scholas (including Brother Genitivi, who wrote practically every codex you find in Inquisition) to seek out an elven chamber underneath the Silent Planes in Tevinter. A lot comes from this but what’s important for you to know without this being buggered down by too many details is that Varric is actively investigating Solas’ agenda, which might play more into his role in DA: Dreadwolf.  The Antaam: It’s very clear by Tevinter Nights that the Qunari will be incredibly important in DA: Dreadwolf. The Antaam, or the military branch of the Qun, seem to have either gone independent or split from the other branches and are acting on their own terms (or under Rasaan terms, a Qunari you may know being behind a lot of the actions in DA2 with Isabela and the comics). The Antaam have begun to go on the offensive, further pushing back against the Tevinter Imperium and seeking to occupy more of Northern and Southern Thedas. They also seek elven knowledge, Rasaan herself (who appears to be in command of the Antaam) seeming to want to uncover Solas’ true name to better understand him (and perhaps better deal with him - the whole ‘if you make a god bleed, they’re not a god anymore.’ If they can learn his name, then they know he’s something that can be destroyed). As she states that, Fen’Harel is a name given to him by his enemies, Dread Wolf isn’t an exact translation, and Solas is the name he gave himself, leaving his true name a mystery.  The Antivan Crows: In response, several stories also deal with the infamous Antivan assassins. What can be best said of them at the moment is that they fear the Antaam’s recent aggressions. The Antivan Crows act as assassins, but they also act as defense of Antiva, and seeing as 200 years ago, Antiva was once occupied by the Qunari, the crows are readily watching the Antaam’s movements. A deal made by one of their own Talons lead to the murder of a majority of their Talons (the Crow hierarchy), who made a deal with the Antaam that if they spared this Talon’s house, they would allow the Antaam to invade Antiva. This Talon was exposed as a double agent and killed by the others and thusly, the Antivan Crows are very pissed off at the Antaam (and also incredibly vulnerable with several of their houses leaderless - and thus it ends with the Talons summoning new Talons - me, sending out good vibes that we’ll get Zevran back as one).  Nature of Solas: It seems implied that the Dread Wolf secret is out and somewhat common knowledge. Throughout the stories, it’s obvious that there are many elves who have flocked to Solas’ banner, so much so they have garnered the title of being a ‘Fen’Harel cult.’ However, it seems that not every elf is interested in what the Dread Wolf has planned. One elf in particular comments that they were attempted to be recruited, but they rejected the notion, as also serving Fen’Harel meant death before capture and they personally thought it all madness. Many characters who know of Fen’Harel argue over his nature in the stories: is he a god? A demon? Just a very powerful mage? Something different?  Status of Solas: Direct actions taken by Solas in the novel itself mostly deal with Rivain and his attempt to use one of his agents to destroy a Qunari port. This Qunari port has remained neutral and by attacking it, Solas would be provoking direct aggression against the Qunari. He had intentions of making it look to be an assault by Tevinter forces and thus the Ben-Hassrath would have to involve themselves and all-out war would have been broken loose. Fortunately, as will be better described in the next note, this is able to be avoided.  However, by the end of Tevinter Nights, it’s revealed that Solas is in possession of the red lyrium idol that wasn’t actually destroyed but still housed within Knight-Commander Meredith in Kirkwall. It is strongly implied he needs this idol to complete his ritual to tear down the veil, and descriptions focusing on the figure cradling another seem to suggest it does have something to do with Mythal.  The Ben-Hassareth: Do you remember Gatt? Well, Gatt’s back and he is involved in the whole debacle of Solas nearly destroying a Rivain port. Fortunately, a Tevinter Altus-gone-thief was able to stop the Fen’Harel agent from acting out her plan to detonate a relic that would completely obliterate the port and make it look as if Tevinter was the aggressor. Gatt and the Altus agree that the Dread Wolf’s agenda must’ve been an attempt to force the Ben-Hassrath from their neutrality, as it is suggested that the Ben-Hassrath do not recognize the Antaam’s recent actions and showcase that the Qunari under the Qun are no longer acting completely as one. Thedas is honestly a mess right now. The Tevinter Imperium: We know it’s no secret that Tevinter will be much of the playing field for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. So, what’s been going on? Dorian is in the Magisterium, the first Magister to enlist servants and not slaves, and he and Magister Maevaris Tilani are one of the few trying to actively push for change in the Imperium (we love to see it). War against the Qunari does not seem to be going well for Tevinter. They’ve lost several strongholds and cities to the Qunari and war in the Northern territories has left many victims. Yet, the Imperium continues to feign normalcy.  The Venatori: Inquisition was certainly only a beginning for them. Though now masterless, the Venatori are still thriving in Tevinter society. Some Magisters are known to be Venatori agents, and the Venatori themselves attempted to active a ritual that Corypheus had in store for Minrathous, had the city refused his godhood. Such seems to include waking up something very ancient and very old underneath Minrathous that has been imprisoned and needed Venatori amulets to wake it up and cause great destruction to the city. Fortunately, the Venatori are stopped, by Tevinter Templars none the less, and the ritual - for now - is paused. What could be underneath Minrathous? It isn’t said, though it is said that a “demon” is an inappropriate word. My personal running theory is that it might be the archdemon Razikale, but if you want my conspiracy theory on that, just let me know. Either way, the Venatori still have their fangs deep in the Imperium, despite “public” rejection of the cult.  The State of Nevarra: Several short stories focused on the Mortalitasi, and with the “necromancy” class having been explored in Dragon Age: Inquisition, I think there’s more importance to the death mages that have yet to be seen. However, for the most part, it should be noted that Nevarra might be on the brink of a civil war. With their king in very poor health and with half the country seeming to have claims to the throne, I can imagine a very “game of thrones” style predicament rising within the nation if the king comes to pass and everyone wants the throne for themselves. Perhaps an element of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf will be helping decide who’ll sit on the Nevarran throne.  Masters of Fortune: Several times, there has been characters belonging to what they call “Masters of Fortune,” that appear to be like Rivani treasure hunters. I make note of them because I think they might be a faction or a party we will see more of in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, or perhaps one of our party companions will be a Master of Fortune themselves, as there is concept art of a very pirate-esque character with a lot of gold rising out of the sea as a ship burns behind them and fit very much the descriptors of the Masters of Fortune in the books.  Unmask “Those Across the Sea:” Do you remember this war table operation? Perhaps give it another look. Briefly, there is a character identified as an Executor who has come to Thedas to investigate this Dread Wolf. It seems much like with the Rift, Solas has also brought curiosity to these mysterious figures. Will we perhaps be getting to know more about them come the next game? Interesting enough, Solas directly states in Tevinter Nights not to trust them.  What is the Dread Wolf: Perhaps one of the most interesting short stories in Tevinter Nights is one called “Call Back.” In it, Skyhold is mostly abandoned (as again, perhaps Bioware’s canon is the Inquisition being disbanded, or disgrace has forced the organization elsewhere). In it, Sutherland and his party return to answer why the few who remained at the stronghold have gone quiet. Shenanigans ensue, and it seems to be due to a demon hunting them down. The demon? A terrible monstrosity in the form of both dragon and wolf that resides in the paintings done by the elven apostate in the rotunda, that declares itself “the regret of a god.” Regret hunts down Sutherland and his party, but through Sutherland’s faith in the Inquisition, he’s able to drive the Dreaded Wolf back into the mural, where it retreats into the fade and seems to “hunt” for the one who’s regret had summoned it. Personal note: In some murals leaked by Bioware, we do see a depiction of what we think is the Dread Wolf with red eyes and almost somewhat reptilian features that I think is actually this demon named “regret.” As it is different enough from the depictions of the other Dread Wolf with more normal wolfish features and green eyes.  The Grey Wardens: The Wardens still seem to be active and doing their duties across Thedas. Not much to really mention on them, though I doubt Inquisition’s option to exile them was the last we’ll see of our beloved Order. With two Blights to go, I’m hoping we’ll see them again. For the meantime, I imagine they’re still trying to regroup and regather their strength from the humiliation that was Corypheus.  The Elven Pantheon: There is a rather disturbing short story that involves Grey Wardens uncovering an elven ritual chamber in the heart of a mountain. It lies past Dwarven ruins and upon the murals, what first seems to be sick elves being transported by halla driven aravels to a place of perhaps quarantine, are instead, revealed to be elven slaves cowering as their masters force sickness into them and the hallas are mutated into monstrous creatures with many horns. Within the mountain, there seems to be a lake of lyrium, and from the lake, creatures of Frankenstein proportions are created, horrific hyprids of each other. The Wardens are forced to destroy the chamber, but the murals hinted that there are eleven other mountains hosting such horrors. What does this have to due with the Elven Pantheon? Given the murals depict an uglier truth of the age of the Arlathan, Solas’ words can be taken with some truth, that perhaps these weren’t gods to be worshiped. I can’t help but think with this humane-centipede story, the story of the goddess Ghilan’nain, who was said to have created creatures for both land, sea, and air. With the fate of them and the Forgotten Ones being imprisoned still beyond the veil that might soon come down, perhaps we’ll have better wished, those elven gods stayed locked up in their prisons.  ... For now, that is my initial thoughts on concluding Tevinter Nights and how I think the start of Thedas might be in the beginning of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. Of course, this is mostly vague and doesn’t include complete synopsis and direct texts that made me come to my conclusions, and trust me, there’s so much more I can say. If you want more, or have your own thoughts if you’ve read the text, or think I have misunderstood something, please, comment below. However, I suggest reading Tevinter Nights for yourself as I think what has been revealed within those short stories is really going to set the stage for Dreadwolf. For now, my concluding thoughts is that: The Qunari and Tevinter war will be at the forefront, with Solas using the chaos to his advantage, but obviously, there’s so much more that’s going on beneath the surface, I don’t think any truth we will be initially presented with will be one we should trust. - Ardie. **can also be found on reddit @ lore & theories page 

i feel sick, i need him back

dont @ me i needed to see Garrus being all cute

One day they might be together like this... ^^