Red lyrium has been a part of the Dragon Age series since Dragon Age 2, and there is evidence that it could play a large role in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. BioWare already teased this possibility in its Dragon Age: Dreadwolf teaser poster back in 2018. The poster shows Solas facing the Dread Wolf with the lyrium idol from Dragon Age 2 between them.

The second piece of major evidence is that Solas gets his hands on the lyrium idol after Dragon Age: Inquisition during the events of Dragon Age: Tevinter Knights. It is unknown why he wants the idol, but it appears to be of great importance to his plan. Fans are wondering how will the red lyrium play into Solas' goals such as tearing down the Veil or dealing with the Evanuris, or some other plan entirely.

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Solas' Uses For The Red Lyrium Idol

Solas, the lyrium idol, and dread wolf.

A lot is suspected of the lyrium idol in regard to Solas, as the figures in the idol look a lot like Solas mourning Flemeth from the after-credits scene of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Solas went through a lot of effort in Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights to get his hands on it. While some fans have theorized he has the idol because it is key to stopping him, others believe the idol may instead be key to his plans. Solas using the idol seems likely, as both his and the Dread Wolf's eyes are red in the teaser, like those who use red lyrium.

One theory is that Solas needs the idol to give himself even more power. While he did take Mythal's power from Flemeth, he could still need even more energy to tear the Veil down. The idol has proven to give its user a ton of power in Dragon Age 2, when Meredith uses it in her battle against Hawke. However, Meredith could not control herself and the idol corrupted her. It's highly possible that Solas actually knows how to use the idol. This is supported by the fact that some Tevinter mages in Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights think the artifact is an ancient elven artifact, despite being found in a dwarven Thaig.

The lyrium idol could play a part in a different branch of Solas' plan. Rather than use it to tear down the Veil, he may use it against the Evanuris. He revealed that he has plans for them once they are released from their Fade prison, but did not go into detail about it in the Trespasser DLC. He may use the lyrium idol on himself so that he can fight them all. This could fit into him telling the Inquisitor, if they offer to help him, that he does not want them to see what he will become. The red lyrium could be an act of self-sacrifice for this plan, and it's possible Solas will no longer be himself after using it.

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The Important Origins Of Red Lyrium

Fiona corrupted by red lyrium.

In the Descent DLC, it was revealed that regular lyrium is Titan blood. Red lyrium is that blood when corrupted by the taint of the Blight. It is also revealed through codices that Mythal had actually taken down a Titan in the past and got the dwarves that once worked under it to then mine lyrium for the Evanuris. This little piece of lore could be big in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, as it proved that the Evanuris relied partly on lyrium for their power.

This connection between lyrium and ancient elves has spawned many theories and questions. A big question is whether what the Chantry teaches about the Blight is true. Much of what they preach has either been proved false or more complex, which could mean red lyrium is connected to far more than just the Blight. For example, its possible the Evanuris or Solas indirectly caused the Blights, which made them the cause of red lyrium as well.

There is also whether red lyrium existed during ancient Arlathan. While evidence makes it seem unlikely (since the Blights came as a consequence of Tevinter Magisters), it is possible that what is taught in Thedas is false. There is the possibility that red lyrium existed during the rule of Evanuris, and that would mean that Evanuris used it to control their slaves. This is a theory that has gone around, as some murals show elven slaves that look as though they have been corrupted with red lyrium.

What To Expect From Solas On Red Lyrium

Red lyrium Solas.

Games have shown a lot of what red lyrium can do psychologically and physically to people, animals, and even the land. If used too quickly, red lyrium will destroy its user through madness, death, or petrification. As shown through Meredith in Dragon Age 2, people can also go through years of exposure without any perceivable effects. Some people have an immunity to most of the effects of red lyrium, such as the Seekers of Truth.

The benefits to red lyrium are in how physically and magically stronger it makes its users. Dragon Age's codices revealed that those on red lyrium can even go marching for days without resting. It strengthens powers and also gives people new abilities. Stages of being on red lyrium have been written down from experiments. Upon exposure, people can become more violent, paranoid, and possessive. Once red lyrium manifests within them, they will hear a "song" and have a heightened endurance for pain. Their eyes will turn red, and sometimes their bodies will emit a red glow. Further down the stages are a more advanced form of red lyrium exposure, where red crystals will grow out of the person's body and act like a fungus. At that point they can become a behemoth.

Solas knows this process, so if he uses red lyrium, it is likely he will be far more prepared than anyone else. However, since he can say to the Inquisitor that he does not want them to see what he becomes, it is likely Solas could lose himself to the red lyrium if he uses it. The worst case is that he gets into advanced stages, but it is more likely that he will stick to the manifestation stage to keep some semblance of control.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is in development.

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