All too often, the games of Dragon Age boil down its great moral dilemma of the Mages and Templars down to Mages good, Templars bad. There’s no doubt the Templars are oppressive and need some correction, but out-of-control Mages are completely dangerous. There are probably better ways to handle it and Mages should not be stripped of autonomy, but it really is “Mages Good, Templars Bad” a lot of the time.
Ironically enough, every Dragon Age game features a mage who betrays the player. Dragon Age: Origins players learn of Morrigan’s own secret agenda as they head into the battle of Denerim, Dragon Age 2 players learn (and potentially aid) Anders in beginning the Mage-Templar war that thrusts the world into chaos, and players learn that Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Solas is behind bigger events than even that. If there’s one thing fans should be wary of heading into the new game, it’s any mage companion that joins the Dragon Age: Dreadwolf party.
Perhaps the worst oversimplification of the Mage-Templar war can be how Anders essentially gets a pass, despite thrusting the world into chaos. With Solas willing to destroy all of Thedas to tear down the Veil, this mistake should not be repeated in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.
Dragon Age 2 – Anders’ Fate
Dragon Age always pushes choices toward the fore of the franchise, and it does present players with a choice (in a way) when it comes to Anders’ destruction of the Chantry. Players can unknowingly assist if their relationship is high enough with Anders, and as Hawke, they can decide his fate thereafter. It’s possible to kill Anders as punishment for his crime, aid him then and there with fighting the templars, high enough relationship and the right choices could even make him fight the mages, and/or they can more or less give him a pass.
Indeed, a lot of these end up with Anders fading into the background. He is active and does other things technically speaking, but his story goes cold despite the fact that he begins the Mage-Templar War. One could argue that killing Anders is a fair punishment, but it just means there’s no one left alive to really be held accountable for all that befalls the Dragon Age 2 city of Kirkwall.
When it was revealed that players could pass judgment on NPCs in Dragon Age: Inquisition, many had hoped they would be able to pass judgment on Anders for his crimes. After all, perhaps their Hawke was more forgiving than their Inquisitor—or at the very least, playing these two PCs differently could make a more dynamic storyline. But no, either Anders dies then and there with no real understanding or guilt over his actions, or he fades into the background while DA:I's Inquisitor is left to pick up the pieces.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf – Solas’ Fate
Because of this simplification of the Mage-Templar Conflict (even if Solas is more Elves vs. everybody) and the treatment of Anders, it’s concerning that Solas may get a pass. Many are ready to “crack an egg” or to redeem Solas in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf—with both being viable options—but Solas should come to understand his actions.
It’s hard to say what will happen, but on the assumption that Solas tears down the Veil, Dragon Age: Inquisition becomes just a taste of what’s on the other side. His attempt to restore Elven power could let in demons aplenty, things worse than demons, ancient evils like the Formless One, and his powerful enemies—The Evanuris. There’s a ton of entities beyond the Veil that tearing it down would let in—presumably he has some plan to stop them from destroying Thedas and His People. Then again, The Dread Wolf doesn’t have a history of the best decision-making.
It's possible Solas is just the first act, where players fail in stopping him and then spend the rest of the game facing the evils he’s let in. It’s possible players spend the whole game attempting to stop Solas. However it’s handled, it shouldn’t be a simple kiss him and make it all better or kill him and be done with it. Solas should not be given a pass.
If it’s the former, players should be able to take Solas with them and make him face the atrocities he’s unleashed. Players should be able to show his impact on just everyday elves, humans, dwarves, qunari, and more. The Dragon Age: Dreadwolf protagonist is said to be powerless, and such an experience could be humbling for Solas. Letting him see the pain and forcing him to acknowledge his shortcomings and failures—then deciding whether he’s earned redemption or must face the gallows for his punishment would make it all more potent.
If it’s the latter, it’s harder to see how Solas could be redeemed in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, but the game could also make sure that he’s aware of everything he is killing and sacrificing. He’s not evil, just devoted to a relatively good cause—as Anders was. Neither deserve a simple pass for their actions. Solas should not be killed and forgotten about, like Anders could be, or relegated to the background like Anders could be.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s subtitle suggests a big emphasis on his actions, the Elven people, his followers, and his role as The Dread Wolf. Giving Solas a pass like Anders would undercut the emotional weight of his actions and the potential consequences when he faces the Inquisitor again, or anyone who is aware of his actions. Solas must pay, even if players get to decide the ultimate cost.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is in development.