The Dragon Age series has become one of BioWare's most popular franchises over the years, embodying the studio's RPG formula within its unique fantasy setting. With a colorful cast of companions, narrative-driven action, and expansive lore, the Dragon Age games have been a firm favorite with fans across the three installments. Now BioWare is working on Dragon Age 4, and players are excited to once more experience the world of Thedas through the eyes of some new characters. While Dragon Age 4 will undoubtedly feature some fresh faces, there will also be a couple of returning ones as well -- most notably Solas, the elven mage who provided a huge late-game twist in Dragon Age: Inquisition's DLC.
Solas featured prominently in Dragon Age 4's Game Awards trailer, and thanks to his actions during the events of the last game and its story expansions, many players believe BioWare is setting the former companion up as the next game's big antagonist. While Solas may be a prominent figure in the upcoming installment, some think BioWare is pulling one over on players, and the Dread Wolf may not be the main villain after all. There are several possible characters that could take up this mantle, but some believe that it could be another of the player's companions.
Solas In Dragon Age 4
Dragon Age: Inquisition's big narrative twist was a shock to a lot of players, even if there were a few hints throughout the game that pointed towards Solas' true identity as the so-called elven god Fen'Harel. Solas' role in inadvertently causing the downfall of his people when he sealed away the original elven gods and created the Veil, as well as his accidental empowering of Corypheus, have led to his current mission of restoring the Veil and set him at odds to the player. He may be a reluctant and semi-principled antagonist, but because his plan will undoubtedly cause a lot of widespread destruction, his villain status seems confirmed.
This hasn't stopped players from hoping for some kind of redemption for his character, especially those that put in the time to get a high approval rating or who romanced the elf mage during Dragon Age: Inquisition. Solas is a former companion and did do a lot to help the protagonist during the events of the last game, and his reluctance to carry out his role at the end of Trespasser is clear if players were close to him. With Solas' destructive schemes taking shape, he seems like an obvious antagonist for Dragon Age 4, but there could be lots of other powers at play in the next game.
The Significance Of The New Mage Companion
Through the glimpses that BioWare has given gamers of Dragon Age 4 so far, speculation is already rife about the types of companions that players may have. Some players have theorized that a female dwarf may be a companion option for the first time, and concept art for Dragon Age 4 strongly hints at a female qunari. There are a few other assumptions and fan theories, but it's certain there will be at least one or two mages among the group as well. The Tevinter Imperium is a particularly mage-centric society, so it's more than likely that they will play a large part in the plot of Dragon Age 4.
The position of mages in Thedas and throughout the Dragon Age games is often a debated and contentious issue, and events concerning them usually shape the stories to a large degree, like the Mage-Templar War. While they're normally portrayed as largely sympathetic, Tevinter mages are entirely different. Dorian may be a Tevinter mage, but he is hardly a typical example of a restrictive and hierarchical society. Another Tevinter companion may quite like the idea of Solas' plan and see it as a way to strengthen their region's own magic and dominance, and if Solas has a change of heart then a mage character or companion could take over his bid to tear down the Veil.
The Direction Of The Next Dragon Age
With the rumored Tevinter setting for Dragon Age 4, there is already a lot going on that could influence the action of the game. The Qunari-Tevinter war, for one, is likely to spill over into the events of Dragon Age 4 and could lead to the Qunari having more of a prominent role than they have previously. In addition to Solas and his plans to tear down the magical barrier between Thedas and the Fade, players potentially have a lot to contend with. Adding another antagonist into the mix could be too much to fit into the narrative, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility.
One of the most intriguing parts of Tevinter's history is the Magisters Sidereal. This was a group of Tevinter mages that broke through the Veil and made it all the way to the Golden City, only for them to inadvertently create the first Darkspawn. As the Imperial Chantry in Tevinter does not teach this version of events, other Tevinter mages may not know the dangers of such an endeavor and may seek to recreate the journey of the Magisters Sidereal with equally devastating results. Players would obviously want to stop this eventuality, and a misguided mage companion could be the perfect conduit for this twist to the tale.
There is also the chance of a dwarf mage companion. The events of Dragon Age: Inquisition's DLC The Descent hint at the possibility of a magic-wielding dwarf after Valta comes into contact with pure lyrium, despite the race's famous lack of magical ability. While a dwarven mage antagonist seems much less likely than a Tevinter mage one, dwarves are a race that is in decline thanks to their dwindling numbers and increasing infertility. As a once-great empire, it's not unreasonable that they might want to pursue more drastic measures as time goes by to secure the future of their race, and that might mean pursuing some pretty cataclysmic plans.
While Solas remains central to the promotional material for Dragon Age 4, that doesn't necessarily mean he is the main villain that players will be coming up against. A redemption arc feels fitting for the elf who just wanted to help his people, and that leaves room for a worse kind of enemy than even the powerful apostate to drive the game's action.
Dragon Age 4 is in development.