Summary
This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
The gameplay trailer forDragon Age: The Veilguardrevealed twenty minutes of the game’s prologue. Since the trailer drop, more story details have since emerged about the purpose of Solas' ritual, and his role moving forward inDragon Age: The Veilguard. After the ritual scene, it’s revealed that Solas is trapped within the Fade, presumably within the very prison he had locked the Evanuris who have now escaped.
Because of Rook’s blood link, Solas can communicate with Rook from the Fade. While the details of this connection are not known yet, it’s likely that Rook is the only person Solas will be able to speak to for some time and be unable to exert any other influence on the material world. This could become incredibly important for the story and Solas' motivations, particularly because one of his core character flaws is that he struggles to trust others. By being forced into a position where he must rely completely on someone else,Solas' perspective on the Veil may change.
Solas' Trust Issues Throughout Dragon Age Games Explained
Thedetails of the link that Rook and Solasshare haven’t been revealed yet but, at its core, it means that while Solas is powerless to affect the material world where he is trapped, he is forced to rely on Rook to follow his advice and plans, and trust the decisions that Rook and the Veilguard make for themselves. This directly engages with Solas' trust issues that led to his isolation and leaving inDragon Age: Inquisition.
Solas admits several times throughoutDragon Age: Inquisitionthat he has trust issues, particularly during his romance path. In the aftermath of his personal quest, he confesses to a romanced Inquisitor that it’s been so long since he could trust someone and that he’d “work on it”. InTrespasser, the angry response from a romanced Inquisitor prompts her to say to Solas, “I would have had you trust me.” While every other response prompts an argument from Solas, it’s this response where he has no counterpoint to make.
The Key to Saving Thedas in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Aside from Solas' comments,Fen’Harel as the elven godis also known as He Who Hunts Alone. Despite the fact that his greatest fear is dying alone, he continually pushes others away and insists on doing everything himself, often to the detriment of both himself and everyone around him. The outcome ofDragon Age: Inquisitionmay have been very different if Solas had decided to trust the people he had grown close to, especially the Inquisitor, and trusted that others might have insight and solutions.
While Solas has agents and has worked with others before, as seen inThe Masked Empire, it’s clear he keeps his distance from them emotionally and professionally, and he is always ready to step in when needed to make up for any missteps they may make. Trust goes both ways, and if Solas wants Rook to trust him, he’s going to have to extend the same trust to Rook. This will require Solas to be vulnerable with Rook, and possiblyrequire Solas to open up to Rook about his past.
WithDragon Age: The Veilguard, Solas will be in a very different position. Rook and the Veilguard already know who Solas is, so there is very little room or reason for deception on Solas' part.Solas will also have to rely on Rook to stop the Evanurisand will be unable to do more than watch for at least part ofDragon Age: The Veilguard. This is likely a position that Solas has never been in before, and will force him into an uncomfortable role as observer, relying on others for the first time. This will likely be key to changing Solas' mind about the state of the Veil, and his relationship and possible trust in Rook may be the key to saving Thedas from Solas' plan.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
