Codex: The Elven People

Minrathous codex — Minrathous tarot card. (See new image)

This article lists all codex entries in the The Elven People section in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Archive Spirit

Main article: Codex entry: Archive Spirit

They're archive spirits. Or at least, that's what we call them. But they're not spirits.

Well, not really. Spirits can think. They can act on their own. But these ones don't do that. They have no free will. At least, not to start with.

If you have a lot of magic, though—and I mean, a LOT of magic—you can kind of force them into shape. Give them a mind, or something close. Do that and they can remember pretty much anything you tell them. For as long as you need.

Only supposed to be seven, though. One for each elven god. And they're all destroyed. So where did this one come from? And who does it belong to?

—From Bellara's journal

The Elven Armory

Main article: Codex entry: The Elven Armory

We found another one of those strange elven buildings. The ones with the rings spinning around them. This one was unique, though, because it wasn't half-melted.

Not sure what kind of magic you'd need to melt stone like that. Not sure that's a question I ever actually want to know the answer to.

I don't know why this one survived mostly intact, when the others suffered so much damage. But the eluvian inside was smashed. Maybe that was it.

All that empty armor was pretty spooky, too. Kept expecting it to jump off the wall at me.

—From Bellara's journal

Letter from Irelin to Bellara

Main article: Codex entry: Letter from Irelin to Bellara

Bellara.

It was good to see you. Felt a little bit like old times, you know? Just going out there and doing the work instead of worrying about everything else that's happening right now.

I know things are a little weird. And I know some of this isn't really my business to say, even when we were together. But I'm going to say it.

You have to stop beating yourself up over what happened with Cyrian. I know you think you're the person who can fix anything, but you can't. No one can.

You're a friend, Bellara. And I still care about you. So give yourself a break.

Irelin

A Meditation on Grief

Main article: Codex entry: A Meditation on Grief

They say grief is a knife. Sharp. Painful. Immediate.

But grief isn't a knife.

It's a stone. Choked down and kept down.

It erodes. Time makes it smaller. Lesser.

You forget about it. It passes into memory. Where you used to feel its pain, now you feel nothing.

But sometimes it turns. A note. A flower. A smell.

The smoothly worn edges retreat. Twist away.

What comes now is as sharp and jagged as ever.

It cuts anew. It's worn anew.

Then it all happens again.

And unlike a stone, there's another jagged edge.

A Letter from Strife

Main article: Codex entry: A Letter from Strife

Bellara,

We reached out to various clans to see what we could discover about Anaris. There are lots of little things, like the tales every Dalish knows about the Forgotten Ones being cast into the Abyss by Fen'Harel, or their wars with the other gods. But nothing new.

Of course, you occasionally hear stories about some damned fools worshipping them. That said, now that Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan are out and showing their true selves, we don't have much room to talk. Not like the "good" gods are doing much for anyone.

Anyways. We'll keep an eye out, but until we find them--be careful. Whatever else Anaris is, he's powerful, and he's got Cyrian with him. I don't need to tell you why that's dangerous.

Strife

An Unsent Letter to Cyrian

Main article: Codex entry: An Unsent Letter to Cyrian

Cyrian,

When I thought that you'd died? I dreamt of this moment. Every night I'd go to sleep, and you'd still be alive. Then I'd wake up, and you were gone. It hurt. Every day I lost you again. I never thought anything could feel worse than that.

But I was wrong. Seeing you alive today—and then finding out you're working with someone like Anaris—that hurt more. Felt worse.

You had a choice. You could've come back to us. But you didn't. You chose Anaris. Over us, and over me.

Please remember that. Because I will.

Bellara

Found crumpled on the ground.

Tales of the Forgotten Ones

Main article: Codex entry: Tales of the Forgotten Ones

Translated from the original elvhen:

For then stepped forth the noble Anaris, Light of Elvenhan, and behind him were—[Too damaged to read — Bellara.] They stood tall, rank upon rank, stretching near to the horizon.

And Anaris smiled. For despite being—[Can't read this word. "Moved"? "Changed"? —Bellara] they still carried the blood of his people.

So did great Anaris, Champion of the People, ride forth as a great and noble wave crashing upon the shores of injustice. And to him, we pledge ourselves and our faith. O, Noblest of Nobles, grant us your favor!

To him we grant ourselves, that he may use us in his fight for freedom!

[This is gross —Bellara]

Book Club Notes

Main article: Codex entry: Book Club Notes

Notes for our first book club meeting.

Attending: Emmrich, Bellara, Harding, Neve
Book: The Hallowed Halls by Marcellus Ingenvinus (chosen by Bellara)
Notes taken by: Bellara

Notes:
—Emmrich frustrated that the book was not accurate about how undead actually work. Agreed that the romance subplot "had the pleasing air of a classic tragedy."
—Neve pretty sure the book was based on one of her old cases. Refused to elaborate further on romance subplot.
—Harding felt it was too long and lacked excitement. Kept scowling and asking "Where is the blood?"
—Bellara (me) enjoyed that "enemies to lovers" featured heavily in the story. Found undead a little creepy.

We rolled dice to decide, and Harding is the next person to choose a book.

Bellara's Notes on the Lighthouse

Main article: Codex entry: Bellara's Notes on the Lighthouse

I can't believe we're in the Dread Wolf's old... home? Base? I don't know the specific word, exactly. We're calling it the Lighthouse.

There's a lot of history here. It looks like part of a temple. Did he pull it all into the Fade? That would take an incredible amount of magic.

There are a lot of personal touches, too. I was expecting more gold. A throne, maybe. But Harding tells me that was never the Dread Wolf's style.

Harding also calls him Solas. Everyone does. But I don't know if I can learn to call him that. Fen'Harel, maybe. I can get there.

The Arlathan Crater

Main article: Codex entry: The Arlathan Crater

Veil Jumper report on the Arlathan crater:

Site of ancient temple dedicated to Elgar'nan. His symbols are everywhere. Interesting inscriptions have been sent for study. Strong, lingering magic that feels tightly controlled. Like water behind a dam. Wards somewhere?

Managed to climb one of the floating towers. Seems stable. Might collapse if magic decays, or wards are disrupted. Irelin reports feeling "disturbed" on drawing close to the lakeshore. Further observation needed.

Bellara's notes:
—Translated some inscriptions (full translations attached!)
—Found reference to a thing called Elgar'nan's Pride resting in a place of honor. A weapon? A magical artifact? Temple was stripped of valuables by Tevinter ages ago. Elgar'nan's Pride—whatever it is—probably long gone.
—Volunteering for next expedition. I want to poke at the wards and see the disturbing lake!

From Strife's Journal: Ruin's Reach

Main article: Codex entry: From Strife's Journal: Ruin's Reach

Veil Jumper recruits always ask me the same question: what is Ruin's Reach? I tell them it depends on the day of the week. It's always changing. One week, the trees turn blue; the next, you'll hear voices speaking to you from thin air. The truth is we don't know what "it" is. We only know that a stretch of forest where you could have a pleasant picnic is now an ever-shifting hall of mirrors and chaos. It's like reality is trying to figure out what it wants to be, what shape it wants to take, and it keeps changing its mind. I've explored the Arlathan Forest for much of my life, and I've never felt so confused. The forest I knew once is becoming... something else.

From Irelin's Journal: The Forest Is Wrong

Main article: Codex entry: From Irelin's Journal: The Forest Is Wrong

The forest is wrong. But more than that, the animals are wrong. The halla are spooked and seem to be off hiding somewhere. A lot fewer come around now. For some reason, the owls are gathering together, which they never do. They're usually loners. Even the insects are quiet. I'm glad the mosquitos have skipped out, but it doesn't feel right. They're always a pain. Then our scouts started reporting strange creatures in the woods, things we've never seen in this region. We don't know what they are. They aren't natural. Which means the animals that are natural are in danger. The whole fabric of life in the forest is under siege. We need to find a way to fight back.

Scouting Report: The Trees Are Singing

Main article: Codex entry: Scouting Report: The Trees Are Singing

Expedition scouting report, Veil Jumpers Rennyn and Nasir reporting:

The trees in Ruin's Reach started humming today. We heard faint echoes and started looking. We could never pinpoint it, but it sounded like music. It took us a while to realize it was coming from all directions, so we spent an hour going in circles trying to make sense of that. Finally it dawned on us: it was coming from the trees. We were completely surrounded by the hum, inside it: the whole forest was bathed in it. We couldn't tell if it was the leaves or the branches making the sound. We brought back samples of both, but as soon as we left Ruin's Reach, the hum stopped. We haven't heard it since.

Scouting Report: Apparition

Main article: Codex entry: Scouting Report: Apparition

Expedition scouting report, Veil Jumper Caeda reporting:

I was in the northernmost stretch of Arlathan forest trying to find a way into the Gennelis ruin. We recently discovered an old journal that claimed a lost halla keeper found a room of relics in Gennelis, down in the labyrinth. The entrance was blocked by rubble. As I was getting ready to wedge myself through a gap, an apparition appeared in front of it. It seemed to be blocking my way. Whatever it was, it wasn't solid, so I think I could have passed through it, but it seemed to be waving its arms. It felt like a warning—that I shouldn't enter the ruin. I didn't argue and turned and ran.

From Irelin's Journal: Who's This Morrigan?

Main article: Codex entry: From Irelin's Journal: Who's This Morrigan?

Strife brought in a mage named Morrigan. They have some kind of history. I don't care much for her. This is our forest, we've been defending it, and now she strolls in like she rules Arlathan?

[Farther down the page:]

After I wrote that, I asked around about her. Morrigan may be uppity, but I guess anyone with her family would be. They say her mother was Flemeth, a legendary Witch of the Wilds that we still tell tales about. She has a bunch of witch-daughters all over the place.

Some say Flemeth was immortal, so I don't know what that makes Morrigan; scary, I guess. They say Morrigan's an incredibly dangerous mage, that she's into blood magic, she's a shapeshifter, she can turn into a dragon, she was an advisor to the Inquisition, and she's had more lovers than trees in the forest. She wanders the world being mysterious, popping up wherever it suits her fancy.

I don't know what's truth or not, but I'm watching my back around her.

The End Is Here

Main article: Codex entry: The End Is Here

Old note found in the ward room:

It's all coming apart. Elvhenan is doomed. The Tevinter mages are making sure of that. We've never seen blood magic unleashed like this; they're destroying everything in sight. Future generations will only know us as a myth—an age remembered by ruins crumbling in the forest.

But the damn fools don't understand it could get much worse. Their blood magic won't just vanish; the evil doesn't just disappear. It will fester forever, rotting away, spoiling Arlathan Forest for centuries to come. That we can do something about. If those of us left can align our energies, these wards will keep the blood magic at bay. It will never go away, but if we contain it, future elves might still call this place their home.

In Praise of Elgar'nan

Main article: Codex entry: In Praise of Elgar'nan

From a wall inscription inside a ruined temple once dedicated to Elgar'nan. Translated from ancient elvhen by Bellara.

Offer yourself to Elgar'nan, First of the Firstborn.
Exalted among the lords of Arlathan.
Drunk on adulation, we pour out praises like wine
To him who has dominion over all
And to whom all glory is owed.
For he is lord of the day and night
Who calls the sun and moon to him like doves
Who commands the wind and the tides
Who quelled an unquiet earth
And raised upon it a paradise.

Note from Bellara: Mythal'enaste. He seriously thought all that about himself. Talk about creepy. I need a bath.

An Improved Blight

Main article: Codex entry: An Improved Blight

Notes recovered from Weisshaupt. Translated from elven by Bellara, sent to Warden Antoine.

"The 'blight' was active during our slumber. It can alter living creatures, but its shapes are crude. Wasteful. Elgar'nan has requested 'vassals worthy of a god.'

Thickening the darkspawn's bones and quickening their ichor was trivial. Other alterations are underway. Pools of blight are easily coaxed to produce darkspawn repeatedly. Some of their properties change without prompting. Their flesh is surprisingly malleable. Vital. Eager.

It used to require greater effort to shape the blight. Did we accumulate more of it in ourselves as we slept? Investigate later."

Note from Bellara:

Is this Ghilan'nain? Does she not know what she looks like, or did she graft on extra bits before getting Blighted? (I don't know which is worse.)

A Lament for Fallen Elvenhan

Main article: Codex entry: A Lament for Fallen Elvenhan

From a Veil Jumper's letter:

I hear tall watchtowers once stood where these waters emptied into the sky, their torches lit to guide the weary traveler. Sometimes on still days, when the mist hangs low on the river, I can imagine the lighted path up to the golden spires of Arlathan, and the voices of my people calling me home.

I know Elvenhan, our lost civilization, is not how I imagine it. Arlathan was a place of wonder and magic, and also of conflict and war, ruled by tyrants. Yet still I mourn it, and wish that I could have seen it just once, and called it mine.

Added below in different handwriting:

These feelings are not yours alone. There is no sin in grieving what was lost, imperfect though it was. —Strife

Lost in Time

Main article: Codex entry: Lost in Time

I thought the rift had taken me to another part of the forest, but I was wrong. I am lost, not in space but in time. Following the river to find my way, I came across the crooked willow, several meters away from the bank. Did you know the river had moved?

I will make my way to D'Meta's Crossing—perhaps there is already a settlement there, and someone who can help.

—Meren

Scribbled below in another's hand:

The forest toys with us. I found this in a leather pouch buried beneath the willow, two days after Meren went missing. The pouch was a gift. It was new. Now the strings are crumbling. This is his writing, but on aged deerskin.

Mana shiral, lethallin. I hope you found your way. —Irelin

June's Mirror

Main article: Codex entry: June's Mirror

Bellara:

Irelin and I pored over all the collected evidence, and we can quite confidently say that the symbol carved into the lyrium fragment is that of June's—though a very early version of it.

It makes sense for the Evanuris known as "the Crafter" to have created the first eluvian. And what you've found does seem to indicate that he used a single lyrium crystal, split perfectly in two, each piece resonating with its counterpart, to link the mirrors.

Your ambition is admirable, but I don't think we should try to build an eluvian from scratch at this very moment. The fragment you found feels different from the lyrium we know. Something to do with its age, perhaps? Or perhaps it was enchanted by June in some way. Hard to say.

We will discuss this further on your return.

-Strife

Sylaise, the Hearthkeeper

Main article: Codex entry: Sylaise, the Hearthkeeper

Sylaise, known as "the Hearthkeeper," was characterized by our people as a domestic goddess, when the truth was more complicated. Our explorations suggest that Sylaise was most likely elevated to the ranks of the Evanuris for her work as an architect, and for designing and building Arlathan itself. Arlathan's ancient wonders were of her design, and so were the magical wards that protected the city.

Sylaise likely worked closely with June, the artisan. She was also linked in one ancient etching to another high-ranked ancient referred to as "the Healer." Mentions of this healer are few, there is no name attached to them, and in the deepest parts of Arlathan, where Veil Jumpers first found mention of them, their name has been magically scratched out.

Some unforgivable transgression, perhaps? In one place, the destruction of the name seems to have been ordered by Elgar'nan himself.

Best not to jump to conclusions before more evidence is found.

— From Irelin's notes on the Evanuris

Elven Gods and Tevinter Gods

Main article: Codex entry: Elven Gods and Tevinter Gods

A note in Bellara's handwriting:

Nine elven gods, seven Tevinter gods. Lines up, because Mythal was murdered before Arlathan's destruction and Fen'Harel is... Fen'Harel.

We're pretty sure about:
- Elgar'nan (day, night, the sun, tyranny, lordship, fatherhood, vengeance—he just wants all the words, doesn't he?) = Lusacan, Dragon of Night
- Ghilan'nain (halla, navigation, monsters) = Razikale, Dragon of Mystery
- Sylaise (fire, the hearth, home) = Toth, Dragon of Fire
- June (craft, invention) = Urthemiel, Dragon of Beauty

We're still arguing about:
- Dirthamen (secrets) = Dumat, Dragon of Silence (secrets, silence... makes sense?)
- Falon'Din (death) = Zazikel, Dragon of Chaos (Death causes chaos? Chaos causes death?)
- Andruil (the hunt) = Andoral, Dragon of Slaves ("Andruil" and "Andoral" sound alike?)

Added in Neve's handwriting:

If it helps, Dumat liked toads. Did Dirthamen?

Mystery Substance

Main article: Codex entry: Mystery Substance

(From a scroll found in the ruins. Translated from elven by Bellara.)

Atrahel returned today with the rest of the expedition. Most of their spoils were the usual gewgaws and filth, but one item caught my attention: a substance collected in one of his specimen vials. It had the consistency of blood, yet glowed yellow with an inner light.

I find myself drawn to it. There is power there, I have no doubt—power that Atrahel is far too witless to see. But the power is a sort with which I have no familiarity. It is cold, for one; ice forms on the vial's sides, even in the warmth of the afternoon sun.

Yet there is more to it than a simple chill. I cast several spells on the substance to ascertain its nature (once I removed it from Atrahel's possession; an easy task with one as dull as he) but the magic simply vanished as if consumed. When brought near any active magical ward, unless said ward had been cast with tremendous power, it sputtered and disappeared.

A magic that devours all others would be a powerful weapon. If I could channel and master that energy, no longer would I need to hide. I could strike back against the Evanuris. Bring low those arrogant fools, and claim what is rightfully mine.

(The word "devours" shows up elsewhere, too. Very specifically that word. —Bellara)

Cyrian's Farewell Note

Main article: Codex entry: Cyrian's Farewell Note

Vora'shivan,

I'm leaving this letter with the Veil Jumpers in the hopes it finds its way to you. It took me a while, but I'm trusting your heart. I'm stopping Anaris, no matter what it takes. He can't do his ritual while he's still a spirit, so he's asking me to do it. I think I can invert the effects so it ends up blasting Anaris into a part of the Fade he'll never come back from.

You and I looked for the Nadas Dirthalen for so long. All those journeys deep into the forest. All those missed opportunities and dead ends. I'd almost given up. When I found Anaris, I thought I'd been blessed to find not just a spirit but someone who'd been alive back then. Someone who wasn't a god, but a person.

Then he showed me just what it meant to be an elf, the beauty and the horror. He turned our people into demons, soldiers for his army. There was no turning away from it then. He showed me the truth.

And that truth is that the Archive is dangerous. Anaris's ritual uses just a fraction of the power it wields, the things it knows. But it can be used for good, too—if you decide to keep it.

The choice is yours. It has to be yours, because your heart is a good heart. So trust it. I love you, Bellara. And I'm proud to be your brother.

Cyrian

Properties of Dissolution

Main article: Codex entry: Properties of Dissolution

Trying to write these notes down while I still remember them. Also helpful as a distraction from everything that happened with Cyrian.

Felt like our bodies were being pulled apart while we were in the ritual's area. Slowly enough that we're still all here. Completely here. (I asked everyone, just to be sure.)

So what was the ritual doing? Turning people into demons? Or turning them into a large enough concentration of magic to summon demons? Not really any way to tell without lengthy research and experiments.

Given the outcome, feels like some things are just best left undiscovered. Worse than blood magic. Much, much worse.

—From Bellara's journal

Thoughts on Rituals

Main article: Codex entry: Thoughts on Rituals

I keep thinking about the words the Archive taught me: What they mean. What they say about who we were.

They're close to what the Dalish did. Or do, I guess. Three braziers, each representing a part of the self.

But there's a difference there, too. "The firmament", instead of "the sky." And "the infinite," instead of "to the earth."

And maybe that's the difference. The Dalish ritual is about the now. The earth, the sky, the sea. Being present here, in the life we have.

The Elvhen ritual is different. I don't think it's worse or better, just different. Less about the here and now, and more about, well, everything.

And that's humbling. And a little scary.

—From Bellara's journal

Beyond the Sea

Main article: Codex entry: Beyond the Sea

Written in Emmrich's careful hand:

Bellara,

I admit to some surprise regarding your interest in travelling overseas. It's rather different from your usual lines of inquiry, but I must confess to harboring some interest in it, myself! We assume all our age's glories and calamities originate in Thedas, but what of the larger world?

Unfortunately, information remains slim. As far as I can tell, there have been no successful oceanic voyages from Thedas to other lands in recent written history. Whether attempting the feat through pure seamanship or with the aid of magic, hapless sailors have often found themselves turned around until they were right back where they began.

There was some trade between the city of Laysh and the Voshai during the Black Age—all one-sided. Our attempts to cross the Volca Sea to the Voshai homeland were met with failure. There are also legends of expeditions to Amaranth to the east, but they are muddled and contradictory. Some claim it's an untouched, verdant paradise. Others have reported settlements made of crystal and obsidian, without a single living soul inhabiting them.

I have reached out to some of my more esoteric sources to see if they can help with your inquiries. For the present, however, I'm afraid we live in ignorance of what lies beyond our more familiar seas.

—Emmrich

Lost Friendship

Main article: Codex entry: Lost Friendship

I keep thinking about Harding. It's hard not to. She was my friend, and she was here. Now she's gone.

I cried the other day, when I was cooking supper. I was making Apple Cheesy Butter Noodles, not even really thinking about it. And I thought "Harding's going to love that I finally got around to making these." Then it hit me... I'll never get to tell her that. I'll never get to let her know how bad they tasted.

It's not fair. We won. In the end, I mean. Took down Elgar'nan. Stopped Solas. Saved the world.

I know it wasn't Harding's first time saving the world, but still. She should've been there.

She earned it.

—From Bellara's journal

Book Club Notes: Second Meeting

Main article: Codex entry: Book Club Notes: Second Meeting

Notes for our second book club meeting.

Attending: Bellara, Neve, Harding, Emmrich, Lucanis
Book: Mistress of the Scarlet Moon by Irian Cestes (chosen by Harding)
Notes taken by: Bellara

Notes:
—Harding felt the archery scenes were very unrealistic. Spent seven minutes demonstrating that the shots described were "completely impossible." Broke three lamps.
—Emmrich thought protagonist made very realistic decisions. Felt the number of the songs in the book was "excessive."
—Bellara (me) lost copy of the book halfway through reading it. Was still able to guess the plot twist correctly.
—Neve commented the book made her hungry. Elaborated that it was not the blood.
—Lucanis felt the book accurately conveyed the boring parts of being an assassin. Did not enjoy book.

Dice rolled, and Lucanis picks the next book.

Theories on the Scarred Queen

Main article: Codex entry: Theories on the Scarred Queen

Written in Bellara's scrawling hand:

Neve,

First three issues are done. Already have some theories.

So the way the Scarred Queen talks: It's very formal. Very fancy.

No one else talks like that in The Scarred Queen!

...Except the Warden-Commander. And so far, they've never shared a single scene.

Starting to think that they're the same person.

Written in Neve's cramped hand:

Nice theories, Bel. And more interesting than the Scarred Queen and the Warden-Commander being sisters.

If you want a theory back? Some evidence points to the Scarred Queen being a manifestation of Mallon's anger. When you read about her Harrowing, the writer is very careful not to say how it ended. Not concretely, anyway. Why leave that out? Feels deliberate.

A Lighthouse Spirit?

Main article: Codex entry: A Lighthouse Spirit?

I'm starting to wonder if the Lighthouse might be alive.

There's almost a... heartbeat, I'd call it. A rhythm to how things happen and move.

I asked the professor about it, and he told me about something called a genius loci—the spirit of a place. Spirits are attracted to emotion, right? And a place that has a lot of emotion tied up with it? That's going to attract an especially strong spirit.

And there's a feeling—like something's watching us. But not in a bad way. More comforting than anything. And that's nice.

I want to see if I can speak to it. Not sure how I'd do that. Going to ask the professor about it.

—From Bellara's journal

Magical Cooking

Main article: Codex entry: Magical Cooking

On the back of a recipe card, in Bellara's handwriting:

-No obvious fuel source for the stove. Oven uses wood, which makes sense. But how does the stove work?
-Faint traces of magic when we cook—veilfire? How would that even work?
-Theory: stove is drawing from the ambient magical energy and converting it to heat.
-Is this a constant process? What happens to the excess?
-Magic—finite resource? Could we ever actually run out of it? Fade is incalculably vast, but it has to have an edge, right?
-Asked Neve to try the same meal cooked on stove (magic) and on my portable camp stove (wood).
-Blind taste test suggests no difference in flavor. Surprising!
-Further experiments necessary.

Bellara

Magic Dampener Notes

Main article: Codex entry: Magic Dampener Notes

Initial notes on the dampener's operation:

-Dampener creates a counter-resonance to the Fade. That's why it's safe to live here. No one's been torn apart yet (that I know of).
-But the counter-resonance of the dampener is tuned to this specific part of the Fade. The more you move away from this spot, the less effective it would be.
-There's a theory that every mage has a unique resonance—the way they touch magic is just a little bit different.
-Theoretically, could you tune a dampener to a person's resonance instead? Make it so they couldn't use magic?
-Would be hard to figure out someone's specific resonance. Would need examples of their magic.
-Need third volume of Harris's Collected Essays. Will ask the professor if he has it.

Bellara

Food Inventory

Main article: Codex entry: Food Inventory

On a page torn from a notebook, in Bellara's handwriting:

THINGS WE HAVE:

From Solas:
-Lots of salted meat. Not sure what kind. Not halla.
-Large quantity of raisins. Seemingly untouched.
-Several jars of honey.

From us:
-Fresh meat (all).
-Several varieties of cheese (Neve).
-Flour (me).
-Salt (me).
-Fresh rolled noodles (Harding).
-Some kind of paste made out of peppers and oil (Harding).
-Casks of fresh wine (all).
-Large tub of coffee beans (all).
-Small jars of very expensive coffee beans (Lucanis).
-Breaded sticks of cheese (Taash).
-Animal biscuits (Davrin).
-Fresh bananas (Emmrich).
-Fresh bread (me).
-Tub of butter (me).

THINGS WE NEED:

-Fresh milk (any).
-Apples (ask Emmrich).
-More cooking oil.
-Chocolate (Rook).
-Wine (for book club).

Suggested Lighthouse Improvements

Main article: Codex entry: Suggested Lighthouse Improvements

On the back of a crudely drawn picture of the Lighthouse, in Bellara's handwriting:

—Some kind of motivating force? Could we make the Lighthouse move through the Fade? Look into Qunari dreadnoughts; ask Taash about how they move.
—Archon's Palace cannon: V. IMPORTANT. Fade is full of dangerous creatures. If one of them gets close, overcharge using ambient magical energy?
—Barrier (SEE: above). Also, lots of debris still floating around Lighthouse. Could end up hitting someone's room/send them floating off into the Fade?
—Inverse eluvian effects? Instead of moving small objects through mirror, use mirror to move Lighthouse through itself. V. COMPLICATED.
—Dreams not changing nature of reality. Lighthouse is somehow protected from effects?
—ABOVE: If effect were disabled or dampened. Could we use dreams to create things? INVESTIGATE.

Addendum written in Emmrich's careful hand:

My dear Bellara,

I believe we have spoken several times on the wisdom of turning the Lighthouse into something far different from its current purpose. While I doubt neither your knowledge nor your enthusiasm, as we have mentioned previously, the Lighthouse provides us with a secret base from which to fight. It is not intended to be some sort of vessel of war.

Let us let this line of inquiry rest.

Emmrich

Written in Bellara's scrawling hand:

Dear Professor,

This was all purely academic, I promise.

Also, do not look under the eluvian platform. I cannot stress this enough.

Bellara

Notes on a Mystery Substance

Main article: Codex entry: Notes on a Mystery Substance

From a scroll found in the ruins. Translated from elven by Bellara:

I have begun my tests in earnest on the substance that Atrahel brought back.

To properly test its efficacy, I thought it prudent to see what effect it might have on another. Given his position, I of course chose Atrahel. (He is unwitting, of course, as has always been the case with him.)

Impressively, despite its anti-magic properties, it seems to have filled Atrahel with renewed vim and vigor. How curious. I will continue to monitor him to record whether the change is permanent, but regardless—it is quite promising to see such profound results at such an early stage.

In the same hand as the other sets of notes: —Bellara

^{[confirmation needed]}

Further Notes on a Mystery Substance

Main article: Codex entry: Further Notes on a Mystery Substance

From a scroll found in the ruins. Translated from elven by Bellara:

I fear something terrible has happened with Atrahel (through no fault of my own, of course).

His strength continues unabated, but he has changed. He is different, now. Sharper. Yet he speaks less than ever.

I cannot properly describe it, but when he does speak, I hear the voice of another presence joined with his.

I fear confronting Atrahel, for the strength the substance has granted him may surpass even my own. But I cannot countenance a threat such as he has become. I must consider my options carefully.

Oh, wow. Creepy. —Bellara

Final Notes on a Mystery Substance

Main article: Codex entry: Final Notes on a Mystery Substance

From a scroll found in the ruins. Translated from elven by Bellara:

I write this down to remind myself that I have not gone mad.

Somehow, Atrahel found the rest of the substance. I confronted him, and rather than release it, he chose to consume it.

Upon doing so, there was a sound—a terrible, rending sound—and his form changed. It rippled, and grew, and shone with an unnatural light.

And then there was power—beyond any I've ever seen. I shielded myself just in time, but others did not. And of them, nothing remains. Not even dust.

I am leaving, for I am sure the Evanuris will soon come. But once again, the great Anaris shall evade their grasp.

Extremely creepy. And of course it was Anaris. —Bellara

Fragments of Mythal

Main article: Codex entry: Fragments of Mythal

Excerpt of a letter from Seer Rowan of the Lords of Fortune to Emmrich and Bellara:

It is fascinating to hear of your group's encounter with the fragment of Mythal. If the elven gods are indeed spirits who manifested, they were complex enough to hold a variety of impulses and emotions. When Mythal was "killed," each fragment might represent one part of her personality.

Excerpt of Bellara's reply:

Yes! When I asked the Dalish about Flemeth—she carried Mythal before Morrigan did—I learned that among the Dalish clans, she was known as Asha'bellanar, respected as a mage even though she was human. It sounds like even though she wasn't trying to rule anymore, she still wanted to help. Or meddle. Mythal and Flemeth both liked to meddle.

Excerpt of Emmrich's reply:

Indeed. It raises the question of whether the fragment of Mythal that Morrigan carries was more naturally tied to guidance and wisdom than the more imperious spirit we met in the Crossroads. They may be different facets of Mythal's personality: the mentor, as opposed to the ruler. The fragments may have also originally been closer in personality, deviating over the years. One imagines Flemeth's fragment must have changed after centuries spent with mortals, and perhaps the Crossroads fragment grew frustrated by her own inability to affect the outside world.

It could also very well be a mixture of the above. A spirit, like any person, may affect others and be affected by others in turn.