Solas' lyrium dagger may prove to be one of the most important magical items inDragon Age: The Veilguard. Solas is seen using it in his ritual to bring down the Veil in the prologue ofDragon Age: The Veilguard, and Rook is seen holding it inDragon Age: The Veilguard’s key promotion art. Gameplay videos ofDragon Age: The Veilguardhave 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 inDragon Age: The Veilguard.Dragon Age 2players familiar with thedesign of the red lyrium idoland Meredith’s greatsword may find similarities with Solas' new lyrium dagger, and the two may, in fact, be one and the same.
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 toDragon Ageat all. Thelyrium dagger’s first appearance may have been as far back asDragon 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 theTevinter NightsstoryDread Wolf Take You.
InTevinter Nights,Dread Wolf Take Youdocuments the progress of the red lyrium idolfrom 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” inDread Wolf Take You. Transforming the idol into a blade has happened before, with the lyrium idol being integrated into Meredith’s greatsword inDragon 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 inDragon 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 inDragon Age, such as Merrill’s eluvian inDragon Age 2. It’s very possible thatSolas took the lyrium idol, cleansed it, and transformed it into a dagger for his Veil ritual.
Thelyrium dagger is clearly a powerful weapon. In theDragon Age: The VeilguardRelease 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 forDragon 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
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.
