Solas' lyrium dagger may prove to be one of the most important magical items in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Solas is seen using it in his ritual to bring down the Veil in the prologue of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and Rook is seen holding it in Dragon Age: The Veilguard's key promotion art. Gameplay videos of Dragon Age: The Veilguard have gone on to show that the lyrium dagger plays a role in gameplay mechanics, such as equipping it with runes for extra abilities and benefits, while it also allows Rook to channel companion special abilities when the companion isn't in the active party.
For all that seems like a brand-new item, Solas' lyrium dagger may be a returning plot point in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Dragon Age 2 players familiar with the design of the red lyrium idol and Meredith's greatsword may find similarities with Solas' new lyrium dagger, and the two may, in fact, be one and the same.
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The Lyrium Idol Makes an Unexpected Return in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
While the lyrium dagger is clearly a useful weapon and tool, it's also likely not new to Dragon Age at all. The lyrium dagger's first appearance may have been as far back as Dragon Age 2, in the form of the red lyrium idol that Varric and Hawke found in the Deep Roads. Although it may seem odd that the red lyrium idol and Solas' lyrium dagger could be one and the same, as they don't look very much alike, the lore that connects the two is very strong and the idol itself can be tracked through its progress in the Tevinter Nights story Dread Wolf Take You.
In Tevinter Nights, Dread Wolf Take You documents the progress of the red lyrium idol from its place in Kirkwall's Gallows to Solas' possession. At some point, it falls into the hands of a Tevinter mage, who uses magic to transform it into a dagger while using it in a ritual in Nevarra to access the Fade, which sets up the precedent of the lyrium idol becoming a blade. Solas is seen referring to the idol as "his" in Dread Wolf Take You. Transforming the idol into a blade has happened before, with the lyrium idol being integrated into Meredith's greatsword in Dragon Age 2. Both Solas' lyrium dagger and Meredith's red lyrium greatsword possess the same round handle that is featured on the idol.
How the Idol Could Have Returned for Dragon Age: The Veilguard
While Solas' lyrium dagger is clearly not made from red lyrium, it is possible that he cleansed it of the blight. As established in Dragon Age: Inquisition, red lyrium has the blight and, if cleansed, would presumably return to its natural blue state. The blight has been cleansed from magical items before in Dragon Age, such as Merrill's eluvian in Dragon Age 2. It's very possible that Solas took the lyrium idol, cleansed it, and transformed it into a dagger for his Veil ritual.
The lyrium dagger is clearly a powerful weapon. In the Dragon Age: The Veilguard Release Date trailer, it's seen causing a massive vortex, it can cut into the Veil itself, and it grants Rook a variety of advantages while on the field. It's also possible that every member of the evanuris had a blade unique to them, as seen in the opening cinematic for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and that their blades will come into play later in the game, or are undiscovered elsewhere in Thedas.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 71%
- Released
- October 31, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
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.
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Franchise
- Dragon Age
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- RPG
