While fans eagerly await new Dragon Age 4 information in 2022, there’s quite a bit of concept art to admire and a couple of short trailers to watch. There’s nothing concrete regards to in-game elements like world structure, story, or gameplay, but there is enough to drive hype for potential Executors, possible Dragon Age 4 companions, and more.
Each piece of concept art reflects something about the game, whether it makes it into the end product or not. The Tevinter Mage concept art, for example, shows the fashion sense and general aesthetic fans can expect in Tevinter. Perhaps diving a little too far into tinfoil hat territory, there’s also one piece of concept art that suggests two Archdemons, the final two in existence, will come into play.
Dragon Age 4 Concept Art: Two Dragons = Two Archdemons
This concept art, as seen above, features depictions of the three core classes (a rogue with a bow, a warrior with a sword and shield, and a mage with insane fire magic). They are seemingly in combat with the Darkspawn while two dragons are seen in the background. Now, these two dragons could theoretically be any regular ole dragons, but there’s some important context in this image and in Dragon Age lore that may suggest these are two new Archdemons.
First, it’s important that they are in the same image as the Darkspawn. As many know, a Blight begins when Darkspawn find an Old God in the Deep Roads and taint it, converting the figure into an Archdemon. Presumably, these slumbering Old Gods are dragons too, but in theory, they could take any form before being tainted and warped into an Archdemon. As many also know, there are still two Archdemons known to be alive somewhere in the Deep Roads, with the previous falling to the wardens include one in Dragon Age: Origins (unless reborn in the Old God Baby, Morrigan’s child Kieran).
These two Old Gods include Razikale and Lusacan, with the former being the God of Mystery and the latter being the God of Night. This is interesting given the obvious thematic connection between the two, and the two dragons seen in the above concept art bear similar, unique markings. Both are white with gold horns, and as a result, they are likely closely related—just like Razikale and Lusacan.
Dragon Age 4: Connecting The Archdemons to the Elven Gods
The question, if this is true, is why two Archdemons emerge while Solas is attempting to destroy the Veil. It’s key to understand that Solas, learning what becomes of the Old Gods and Archdemons, is angered by the Warden’s actions. This seems strange out of context, but many have reasoned and suspected that the Tevinter Old Gods and the Evanuris are one and the same. First, it should be noted that there are 7 Old Gods and 9 Evanuris, but of the Evanuris, Fen’Harel is Solas and Mythal was “killed” when Solas locked the Old Gods away.
As the lore goes and could be rationally reasoned, Solas locked away the 7 remaining Evanuris behind the Veil. This is what causes the Elves to lose their immortality, not the advances of Tevinter as many first thought. From beyond the Veil, the 7 Old Gods called to Tevinter Magisters and had them cross the Veil into the Golden City. According to Dragon Age: Inquisition antagonist Corypheus, once they got there, the seat of the Maker was empty. The Golden City of the Chantry and The Eternal City being one and the same is no stretch of the imagination.
Their arrival there, perhaps because of the Veil or their hearts or the anger of the Evanuris, cast them out and turned them to Darkspawn. These Darkspawn would instinctively take on searching for the Old Gods in the Deep Roads, thus beginning the first Blight with Dumat. These Old Gods are likely, either, the shells and bodies of the Old Gods from before their imprisonment OR have something to do with the Elven “Forgotten Ones.” Either way, there’s a strong possibility that the Old Gods and the Evanuris are somehow closely related, and Solas’ actions could either expedite or summon these Old Gods/Archdemons—perhaps, in this white and gold form, before their corruption.
Solas intends to undo his mistake of creating the Veil, making the physical world and the Fade become one as it once was. This, he believes, will save the Elven people, but it should be noted that Solas/The Dread Wolf has a long history of making bad decisions. His attempt or success is dangerous for the world, and part of that danger may create a super blight.
Dragon Age 4: The Importance of Two Archdemons and Two Elven Gods
Duality, or the number two, seems to be an important theme going into Dragon Age 4. One thing to consider is that, if Razikale and Lusacan are their Tevinter Old God names, which two Elven Gods would they align with? They line up, lore-wise, with Falon’Din and Dirthamen. The latter is known as the Keeper of Secrets, which would make sense if translated to Razikale the God of Mystery. The former, Falon’Din, is known as Friend of the Dead, which again lines up if translated to Lusacan, the God of Night (a common thematic component to death).
Lusacan is a woman, however, while Falon’Din is often referred to as a male, yet if anything, it’s been proven time and again how wrong about their own ancient culture many Dalish elves are (like the Vallaslin). So, it’s a small discrepancy. What stands out is that Falon’Din and Dirthamen are twins and have always had an aspect of duality to their nature, something seen in the design of the two dragons above.
Combine this with other dual components shown thus far—two figures in the Dragon Age 4 trailer, two lights on with the 7 orbs (7 total Elven Gods, and Solas himself had an orb too, seen above), and the dual nature of these Elven Gods/Archdemons, and it’s a long list of “twos” and dual natures lining up.
For now, this remains tinfoil hat territory and where Dragon Age 4 takes the story remains to be seen, and perhaps the most interesting part is that this would likely only be part of Solas’ grand scheme.
Dragon Age 4 is in development.