“We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment...and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly.”
Flemeth, the shapeshifter known as the "Witch of the Wilds" and "Asha'bellanar" - the woman of many years, is widely recognized as an immortal and extremely powerful being. She is the central character of a homonym legend, which describes her as "terrible in her temper and wild in her beauty". She is also known for being mother to many daughters, all of whom are witches as she herself is.
Background
The name "Flemeth" apparently belonged to a legendary and fearsome personage that walked the Wilds centuries ago. According to legend, the daughters of Flemeth can kill a man by fear alone. The "Witch of the Wilds" is not a clan so much as a superstitious name the locals of the Korcari Wilds had given to the infamous Flemeth and her daughters. Although Morrigan claimed her mother was an abomination, she later realized that Flemeth "is not a blood mage, not an abomination and not even truly human"[1].
Involvement
The Stolen Throne
Dragon Age: Origins
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Dragon Age II
"There is a clan of Dalish elves near the city of Kirkwall. Deliver this amulet to their keeper, Marethari."
Flemeth makes a return in Dragon Age II.[2] Early in the game, as the Hawke family is escaping Lothering, Flemeth, in dragon form, saves them from Hurlocks.[3] Materialising as a more attractive human form, Flemeth attributes her actions to mere curiosity towards Hawke for defeating an Ogre earlier. Afterward, Flemeth offers Hawke safe passage with the request that Hawke delivers an amulet to a Dalish Keeper, Marethari from the Dalish Elf Origin, whose clan resides near Kirkwall. This begins the quest Long Way Home. She also warns Hawke and Aveline that Wesley is dying from darkspawn corruption, forcing Hawke or Aveline to end his misery. As these events occur during the fall of Lothering, it is before the Warden can perform Morrigan's quest to kill Flemeth. [4] As Varric tells Cassandra about Flemeth's involvement, a reference to the Warden is made as well, indicating that Varric knows Flemeth sent Morrigan with the Warden.
Before Hawke or Aveline kills Wesley, Flemeth mentions that the only cure for the taint is to become a Grey Warden. Hawke/Aveline will respond by saying that they all died at Ostagar. Flemeth corrects them by stating "Not all, but the last are now beyond your reach". Once the choice is made, Flemeth will give a cryptic warning about their troubles just beginning.
After giving the amulet to the keeper and performing a Dalish ritual upon it, Flemeth is reborn, as she stored a part of herself within it (possibly indicating she might live on, despite her death in Morrigan's quest). She reveals this was a form of security in case Morrigan was successful in convincing the Warden to kill her. If asked "Are you real?" she will comment on the fact that unlike mortals, she is not limited to being in one place at a time. Her current self is merely a piece of herself that she has projected, implying that perhaps she exists beyond space, and even time - considering her knowledge of the future. She then tells Hawke that change is about to come to the world, and gives a number of cryptic warnings, to Hawke and Merrill. After this, she flies away in her high dragon form and does not reappear in the game.
Quotes
Dragon Age: Origins
- "You are required to do nothing, least of all believe. Shut one's eyes tight or open one's arms wide, either way, one's a fool."
- "Either the threat is more or they realize less. Or perhaps the threat is nothing! Or perhaps they realize nothing! (laughs)"
- "Such manners! And always in the last place you look... like stockings!"
- "Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any tainted creature."
- "Why dance at all? Why not sing? (laughs)"
- "Choice...There is great power in choices, as there are in lies. I shall give one of each."
Dragon Age II
- Hurtled into the chaos, you fight... and the world will shake before you. (Aside, to herself) Is it fate or chance? I can never decide.
- Regret is something I know well. Take care not to cling to it, to hold it so close that it poisons your soul.
- We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment... and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap. It is only when you fall that you learn whether you can fly.
- There is always a catch. Life is a catch! I suggest you catch it while you can.
- (To Merrill) As for you child, step carefully. No path is darker than when your eyes are shut.
- Without an end, there can be no peace. It gets no easier. Your struggles have only just begun...
- (Before departing the altar at Sundermount) The time has come for me to leave. You have my thanks...and my sympathy.
Dialogue
Dragon Age: Origins
- Warden (with a Cunning skill of 30+ only): Believed or not, some things must simply be accepted.
- Flemeth: Ah, there is the answer I sought. An open mind, and not one made of mush.
Dragon Age II
- Flemeth(On Morrigan): She is a girl who thinks she knows what is what better than I, or anyone. Ha ha! And why not? I raised her to be as she is, I cannot expect her to be less.
- Hawke: I'm not sure whether she's your daughter or your enemy.
- Flemeth: Neither is she...
Trivia
- To the Dalish, Flemeth is known as Asha'bellanar or the "Woman of Many Years."
- After she saves Hawke and their company, she mentions Alistair and the Warden as the only Grey Warden survivors of the Battle of Ostagar.
- Her first words in Dragon Age II are "Well, well... what have we here?" The same words first spoken by Morrigan in Dragon Age: Origins.[5]
- During an exchange with Hawke when a sarcastic option is chosen, Flemeth will mention Morrigan, but not by name.
- After it is mentioned that she is the Witch of the Wilds, she makes mention of "An old hag who talks too much." This is a direct reference to Alistair as this is what he calls her in Dragon Age: Origins.
- Her quote in Dragon Age II, "Is it fate or chance, I can never decide," may be inspired by lyrics from the Triumph song "Somebody's Out There," which includes the line, "Is it fate, or random chance, how can I decide?"
Gallery
References
External links
- Flemeth on the BioWare's Dragon Age: Origins wiki.