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Turned our devotion upon them, and forgot [[Maker|you]].</poem>|From [[Chant of Light Verses#Threnodies 1|Threnodies]] 1}} |
Turned our devotion upon them, and forgot [[Maker|you]].</poem>|From [[Chant of Light Verses#Threnodies 1|Threnodies]] 1}} |
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− | The true nature of the Old Gods is unknown. The Old Gods are not creators and even the people of ancient Tevinter attributed the creation of the world to |
+ | The true nature of the Old Gods is unknown. The Old Gods are not creators and even the people of ancient Tevinter attributed the creation of the world to a Maker like deity, although by a different name.<ref name="G2009">{{BWF|author=[[David Gaider]]|date=2010|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117090303/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/40364-the-chantry-the-maker-the-old-gods-questions/page-3|title=The Chantry, The Maker, The Old Gods: questions|access=March 23, 2015}}</ref> |
The [[Chantry]] teaches that when the [[Maker]] turned his back on [[spirit]]s, some of them grew jealous of the living. Those powerful enough whispered to the living<ref>[[Codex entry: The Maker's First Children]]</ref> in dreams claiming that they were the true gods, the creators of the world and the living should bow down before them. Eventually, the living summoned them through the [[Veil]]. In the mortal realm these spirits took the form of [[high dragon|dragons]], winged Old Gods that ruled over the land.<ref name=Prima>''[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide#Collector's Edition|Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide]]''</ref> The living started to worship them instead of the Maker, an act recognized as the "[[Original Sin]]." In fury the Maker cursed the Old Gods, imprisoning them in underground tombs where they would slumber eternally.<ref name=Prima/> |
The [[Chantry]] teaches that when the [[Maker]] turned his back on [[spirit]]s, some of them grew jealous of the living. Those powerful enough whispered to the living<ref>[[Codex entry: The Maker's First Children]]</ref> in dreams claiming that they were the true gods, the creators of the world and the living should bow down before them. Eventually, the living summoned them through the [[Veil]]. In the mortal realm these spirits took the form of [[high dragon|dragons]], winged Old Gods that ruled over the land.<ref name=Prima>''[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide#Collector's Edition|Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide]]''</ref> The living started to worship them instead of the Maker, an act recognized as the "[[Original Sin]]." In fury the Maker cursed the Old Gods, imprisoning them in underground tombs where they would slumber eternally.<ref name=Prima/> |
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− | Some accounts suggest that the Old Gods began whispering to humanity from the [[Black City|Golden City]] in -2800 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]], three hundred years after the arrival of [[human]]s in Thedas. They taught the [[dreamer]]s of the Neromenian tribes magic, and these dreamers became the priests and kings of their people.<ref>{{Cite wot|12}}</ref> Originally the Neromenian tribes |
+ | Some accounts suggest that the Old Gods began whispering to humanity from the [[Black City|Golden City]] in -2800 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]], three hundred years after the arrival of [[human]]s in Thedas. They taught the [[dreamer]]s of the Neromenian tribes magic, and these dreamers became the priests and kings of their people.<ref>{{Cite wot|12}}</ref> Originally the Neromenian tribes worshipped fallen heroes reborn as dragons, and with dreamers as their leaders they began to instead worship the dreamers' gods, also as dragons.<ref>{{Cite wot|121-122}}</ref> |
− | Scholars assume that the Old Gods must have been real at one point, but most agree that they were actual dragons of a magnitude [[great dragon|not known today]], and impressive enough to frighten ancient peoples into |
+ | Scholars assume that the Old Gods must have been real at one point, but most agree that they were actual dragons of a magnitude [[great dragon|not known today]], and impressive enough to frighten ancient peoples into worshipping them. Some even claim that these dragons slumber as a [[Silent Grove|form of hibernation]], not as a result of the Maker's wrath.<ref name=Prima/><ref name=OG/> |
The [[Tome of Koslun]], the sacred [[Qunari]] scripture explicitly says that ''"the Old Gods were like unto dragons, as the first human kings were like unto ordinary men"''.<ref>Mentioned by the [[Sten]] as an [[Arishok (title)|Arishok]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Those Who Speak]]'', chapter 2.</ref> |
The [[Tome of Koslun]], the sacred [[Qunari]] scripture explicitly says that ''"the Old Gods were like unto dragons, as the first human kings were like unto ordinary men"''.<ref>Mentioned by the [[Sten]] as an [[Arishok (title)|Arishok]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Those Who Speak]]'', chapter 2.</ref> |
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Legend maintains that the minds of the Old Gods continued to roam the [[Fade]] like any other dreaming individuals' mind would<ref>{{BWF|author=[[David Gaider]]|date=2009|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017093357/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/40364-the-chantry-the-maker-the-old-gods-questions/page-2|title=The Chantry, The Maker, The Old Gods: questions|access=December 6, 2015}}</ref>, and they were able to contact Neromenian [[dreamer]]s once more<ref name=Prima/><ref name=OG/>. Honorary<ref name=WoT122>{{Cite wot|122}}</ref> [[Archon]], [[Thalsian]] accredited his discovery of [[blood magic]] in -1595 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]] to the Old God Dumat and established the first temples dedicated to the Old Gods to show his gratitude<ref name=Prima/><ref name=OG>[[Codex entry: The Old Gods]]</ref><ref name=RPG3>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 3, p. 6</ref>. Dragons became equated everywhere with divine power.<ref name=Prima/><ref name=OG/><ref>{{Cite wot2|37}}</ref> |
Legend maintains that the minds of the Old Gods continued to roam the [[Fade]] like any other dreaming individuals' mind would<ref>{{BWF|author=[[David Gaider]]|date=2009|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017093357/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/40364-the-chantry-the-maker-the-old-gods-questions/page-2|title=The Chantry, The Maker, The Old Gods: questions|access=December 6, 2015}}</ref>, and they were able to contact Neromenian [[dreamer]]s once more<ref name=Prima/><ref name=OG/>. Honorary<ref name=WoT122>{{Cite wot|122}}</ref> [[Archon]], [[Thalsian]] accredited his discovery of [[blood magic]] in -1595 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]] to the Old God Dumat and established the first temples dedicated to the Old Gods to show his gratitude<ref name=Prima/><ref name=OG>[[Codex entry: The Old Gods]]</ref><ref name=RPG3>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 3, p. 6</ref>. Dragons became equated everywhere with divine power.<ref name=Prima/><ref name=OG/><ref>{{Cite wot2|37}}</ref> |
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− | Four centuries later, in -1195 Ancient [[Darinius]] founded the [[Tevinter Imperium]] and established the [[magister|magisterium]] from the priesthood of the Old Gods<ref name=WoT122/><ref name=RPG3/>. In the days of the Tevinter Imperium, the Old Gods were a pantheon of deities widely revered by most citizens, with temples and priesthoods dedicated to their veneration, such as the acolytes of Dumat, who swore oaths of silence in homage to their lord.<ref>[[Codex entry: Dumat, the Dragon of Silence]]</ref> Each god had a High Priest, and the seven of them were called the [[Magisters Sidereal]].<ref>{{Cite wot2|54}}</ref> Holidays were popularly celebrated in tribute to the Old Gods, namely the Feast of [[Urthemiel]], which spanned |
+ | Four centuries later, in -1195 Ancient [[Darinius]] founded the [[Tevinter Imperium]] and established the [[magister|magisterium]] from the priesthood of the Old Gods<ref name=WoT122/><ref name=RPG3/>. In the days of the Tevinter Imperium, the Old Gods were a pantheon of deities widely revered by most citizens, with temples and priesthoods dedicated to their veneration, such as the acolytes of Dumat, who swore oaths of silence in homage to their lord.<ref>[[Codex entry: Dumat, the Dragon of Silence]]</ref> Each god had a High Priest, and the seven of them were called the [[Magisters Sidereal]].<ref>{{Cite wot2|54}}</ref> Holidays were popularly celebrated in tribute to the Old Gods, namely the Feast of [[Urthemiel]], which spanned twelve full days.<ref name=Arc>[[Codex entry: Archdemon]]</ref> |
− | During this period, the Old Gods communicated directly with their |
+ | During this period, the Old Gods communicated directly with their worshippers, issuing explicit commands and instructions. There was also an equivalent of the [[Chant of Light]], for the Old Gods, such as the Verses of Dumat. |
=== Downfall === |
=== Downfall === |
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Of Heaven and be gods.</poem>|From [[Chant of Light Verses#Threnodies 8|Threnodies]] 8}} |
Of Heaven and be gods.</poem>|From [[Chant of Light Verses#Threnodies 8|Threnodies]] 8}} |
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− | In -395 Ancient the |
+ | In -395 Ancient the Magister's Sidereal physically entered the [[Golden City]], an act recognized as the "[[Second Sin]]". The Chantry holds that they did so at the behest of the Old Gods to open "the unreachable gate" in exchange for "power and glory beyond all reckoning"<ref>Canticle of Silence 1:16, [[Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2]] p.57</ref>. The City turned black and the magisters were cast out as the first darkspawn, inadvertently causing the [[First Blight]].<ref>[[Codex entry: The Chant of Light: The Blight]]</ref><ref>[[Codex entry: Corypheus]]</ref> |
While the Chantry insists that the darkspawn tainted Old God [[Dumat]] and turned him into the first Archdemon, some ancient lore says it was Dumat who created the darkspawn and not the other way around.<ref name="Prima"/><ref name=WoT122/> |
While the Chantry insists that the darkspawn tainted Old God [[Dumat]] and turned him into the first Archdemon, some ancient lore says it was Dumat who created the darkspawn and not the other way around.<ref name="Prima"/><ref name=WoT122/> |
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{{SpoilerUWS|*One such cult was lead by [[Aurelian Titus]]. He wished to follow in the steps of Thalsian and struggled with the [[Imperial Chantry]] to restore the old religion until his death in 9:40 Dragon, when the power of his cult was broken.<ref name=W44/>}} |
{{SpoilerUWS|*One such cult was lead by [[Aurelian Titus]]. He wished to follow in the steps of Thalsian and struggled with the [[Imperial Chantry]] to restore the old religion until his death in 9:40 Dragon, when the power of his cult was broken.<ref name=W44/>}} |
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*The [[Blood Band]] led by [[Fallstick]] is another example. |
*The [[Blood Band]] led by [[Fallstick]] is another example. |
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+ | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
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*The cult known as The Last Moon [[Lusacan#Worship|worshipped]] [[Lusacan]] in the early Dragon Age, seeking to cause a dreadful battle that will blanket Thedas in a "night that will never end".<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Game Master's Guide Set 2, p.42</ref> |
*The cult known as The Last Moon [[Lusacan#Worship|worshipped]] [[Lusacan]] in the early Dragon Age, seeking to cause a dreadful battle that will blanket Thedas in a "night that will never end".<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Game Master's Guide Set 2, p.42</ref> |
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All darkspawn constantly hear the call of the slumbering Old Gods and search for them. When they find one, they corrupt it and it becomes an Archdemon, proceeding to unite them into a horde and unleash a new [[Blight]]. Hence many believe that with the death of all Old Gods the Blights will end.<ref name=OG/><ref>[[Dialogue#Solas_and_Blackwall|Dialogue]] between [[Solas]] and [[Blackwall]].</ref> |
All darkspawn constantly hear the call of the slumbering Old Gods and search for them. When they find one, they corrupt it and it becomes an Archdemon, proceeding to unite them into a horde and unleash a new [[Blight]]. Hence many believe that with the death of all Old Gods the Blights will end.<ref name=OG/><ref>[[Dialogue#Solas_and_Blackwall|Dialogue]] between [[Solas]] and [[Blackwall]].</ref> |
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− | At some time after their [[Joining]], [[Grey Wardens]] also start hearing this call. As known since the First Blight, this is the actual [[Grey Wardens#The Calling|Calling]] and the moment when Grey Wardens know they must descend into the [[Deep Roads]] to find their death in battle. |
+ | At some time after their [[Joining]], [[Grey Wardens]] also start hearing this call. As known since the First Blight, this is the actual [[Grey Wardens#The Calling|Calling]] and the moment when Grey Wardens know they must descend into the [[Deep Roads]] to find their death in battle. |
The call of the Old Gods becomes physically audible when close to one of their prisons.<ref>According to the [[Landmarks in the Approach#Shimmer Stone Mine|Ancient Warden Logbook]] found in the [[Western Approach]].</ref> |
The call of the Old Gods becomes physically audible when close to one of their prisons.<ref>According to the [[Landmarks in the Approach#Shimmer Stone Mine|Ancient Warden Logbook]] found in the [[Western Approach]].</ref> |
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[[Bregan]] describes the call of the Old Gods as a sound of "terrible beauty" and "awful yearning", while [[the Architect]] considers darkspawn pursuit for the ancient dragons as a never-ending aspiration towards a perfection they can never have, as it is corrupted in the instant they touch it.<ref>[[Dragon Age: The Calling]], Chapter 6</ref> A Grey Warden wrote that the music is "almost a voice, at once unearthly and beautiful" that instigates a sense of a "presence watching and calling", if not the [[Maker]].<ref>[[Codex entry: Regarding the Calling]]</ref> [[Cole]] hears the call in the [[Western Approach]] and feels that it has "an urgency that sped his heart"<ref>[[Dragon Age: Asunder]], Chapter 9</ref> and is different from [[lyrium#The song|the song]] of [[lyrium]].<ref>[[Dragon Age: Asunder]], Chapter 11</ref> |
[[Bregan]] describes the call of the Old Gods as a sound of "terrible beauty" and "awful yearning", while [[the Architect]] considers darkspawn pursuit for the ancient dragons as a never-ending aspiration towards a perfection they can never have, as it is corrupted in the instant they touch it.<ref>[[Dragon Age: The Calling]], Chapter 6</ref> A Grey Warden wrote that the music is "almost a voice, at once unearthly and beautiful" that instigates a sense of a "presence watching and calling", if not the [[Maker]].<ref>[[Codex entry: Regarding the Calling]]</ref> [[Cole]] hears the call in the [[Western Approach]] and feels that it has "an urgency that sped his heart"<ref>[[Dragon Age: Asunder]], Chapter 9</ref> and is different from [[lyrium#The song|the song]] of [[lyrium]].<ref>[[Dragon Age: Asunder]], Chapter 11</ref> |
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− | {{SpoilerDAOA|The Architect himself is free of the call and wishes to free his brethren of their compulsion. He created a version of [[Joining#The Awakening|Joining]] that uses the blood of Grey Wardens to "awaken" darkspawn, turning them into sapient [[The Disciples|Disciples]]. While many welcomed the newly-gained freedom, the deprivation of the "sweet call" |
+ | {{SpoilerDAOA|The Architect himself is free of the call and wishes to free his brethren of their compulsion. He created a version of [[Joining#The Awakening|Joining]] that uses the blood of Grey Wardens to "awaken" darkspawn, turning them into sapient [[The Disciples|Disciples]]. While many welcomed the newly-gained freedom, the deprivation of the "sweet call" drove some of the darkspawn mad, including [[the Mother]].}} |
− | {{SpoilerDAI|[[Corypheus]] is able to emulate the call of the Old Gods, speaking through the taint to both Grey Wardens and darkspawn,<ref name=Change>[[Codex entry: A Change of Course]]</ref> and even [[Carta]] [[dwarves]] who have drunk darkspawn blood.<ref>See [[Codex entry: Praise Corypheus!]] and the dialogue with [[Gerav]] in the [[Legacy]] DLC</ref> Only those in close vicinity were originally affected by this ability,<ref name=Change/> but with the help of the [[Nightmare (demon)|Nightmare]] [[demon]] who amplified its power<ref>According to a [[Solas/Dialogue#Solas_and_Vivienne|dialogue]] between [[Vivienne]] and [[Solas]]</ref> Corypheus managed to make all Wardens of [[Orlais]] hear the call.<ref>According to the Warden ally during [[Here Lies the Abyss]]</ref>}} |
+ | {{SpoilerDAI|[[Corypheus]] is able to emulate the call of the Old Gods, speaking through the taint to both Grey Wardens and darkspawn,<ref name=Change>[[Codex entry: A Change of Course]]</ref> and even [[Carta]] [[Dwarf|dwarves]] who have drunk darkspawn blood.<ref>See [[Codex entry: Praise Corypheus!]] and the dialogue with [[Gerav]] in the [[Legacy]] DLC</ref> Only those in close vicinity were originally affected by this ability,<ref name=Change/> but with the help of the [[Nightmare (demon)|Nightmare]] [[demon]] who amplified its power<ref>According to a [[Solas/Dialogue#Solas_and_Vivienne|dialogue]] between [[Vivienne]] and [[Solas]]</ref> Corypheus managed to make all Wardens of [[Orlais]] hear the call.<ref>According to the Warden ally during [[Here Lies the Abyss]]</ref>}} |
== The Souls == |
== The Souls == |
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{{Quote|Some things are worth preserving in this world. Make of that what you will.| [[Morrigan]]<ref>[[Dragon Age: Origins]], on the eve of [[the Battle of Denerim]]</ref>}} |
{{Quote|Some things are worth preserving in this world. Make of that what you will.| [[Morrigan]]<ref>[[Dragon Age: Origins]], on the eve of [[the Battle of Denerim]]</ref>}} |
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⚫ | |||
− | Some suppose that the transformation into an Archdemon drives an Old God mad.<ref name=RPG2>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Game Master's Guide, set 2, p. 4</ref> Others refuse to comprehend the motives of such beings,<ref name=RPG2/> but many have agreed that it is safer to find and destroy them while they still slumber: |
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⚫ | |||
{{SpoilerDAI|*The Grey Wardens of [[Orlais]] lead by [[Commander of the Grey|Warden-Commander]] [[Clarel de Chanson|Clarel]] [[Here Lies the Abyss|planned]] to use a [[demon]] army fueled by [[blood magic]] to kill them in 9:41 Dragon. [[Solas]] was outraged by this idea, even regardless of the means.}} |
{{SpoilerDAI|*The Grey Wardens of [[Orlais]] lead by [[Commander of the Grey|Warden-Commander]] [[Clarel de Chanson|Clarel]] [[Here Lies the Abyss|planned]] to use a [[demon]] army fueled by [[blood magic]] to kill them in 9:41 Dragon. [[Solas]] was outraged by this idea, even regardless of the means.}} |
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Slaying an awakened Archdemon is not an easy feat: |
Slaying an awakened Archdemon is not an easy feat: |
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− | {{SpoilerDAO|Upon death its [[soul]] automatically passes to the nearest tainted creature and is reborn, twisting the new body into the preferred shape, unless the killing blow is struck by a Grey Warden. A darkspawn is an empty, soulless vessel, but the Grey Warden is not, and the soul that travels into them is destroyed along with the host.<ref name=Arc |
+ | {{SpoilerDAO|Upon death its [[soul]] automatically passes to the nearest tainted creature and is reborn, twisting the new body into the preferred shape, unless the killing blow is struck by a Grey Warden. A darkspawn is an empty, soulless vessel, but the Grey Warden is not, and the soul that travels into them is destroyed along with the host.<ref name=Arc/><ref>According to [[Riordan]], on the eve of [[the Battle of Denerim]]</ref>}} |
And there might be other options: |
And there might be other options: |
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{{SpoilerDAO|[[Flemeth]] sent [[Morrigan]] with [[the Warden]] in order to preserve the soul of [[Urthemiel]] through an [[Morrigan's Ritual|ancient ritual]]. Morrigan explains on the eve of [[the Battle of Denerim|battle]] with the Archdemon that an unborn child conceived with a Warden who recently undertook the [[Joining]] will lure the soul of the dying Old God and will subsequently be free of the taint.}} |
{{SpoilerDAO|[[Flemeth]] sent [[Morrigan]] with [[the Warden]] in order to preserve the soul of [[Urthemiel]] through an [[Morrigan's Ritual|ancient ritual]]. Morrigan explains on the eve of [[the Battle of Denerim|battle]] with the Archdemon that an unborn child conceived with a Warden who recently undertook the [[Joining]] will lure the soul of the dying Old God and will subsequently be free of the taint.}} |
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A Chantry scholar conjectured that there might have been an unknown eighth Old God represented by [[Codex entry: Constellation: Draconis|constellation "Draconis"]] that was stricken from historical record. |
A Chantry scholar conjectured that there might have been an unknown eighth Old God represented by [[Codex entry: Constellation: Draconis|constellation "Draconis"]] that was stricken from historical record. |
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− | == |
+ | == Notes == |
* The Grey Wardens know the locations of the prisons of each of the Old Gods; however, they are deep underground and cannot easily be accessed by the Wardens without cutting through thousands of darkspawn.<ref>Mentioned in ''[[Dragon Age: The Calling]]''.</ref> |
* The Grey Wardens know the locations of the prisons of each of the Old Gods; however, they are deep underground and cannot easily be accessed by the Wardens without cutting through thousands of darkspawn.<ref>Mentioned in ''[[Dragon Age: The Calling]]''.</ref> |
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+ | **One of the known archdemon prisons laid underneath the [[Shimmer Stone Mine]] in [[Western Approach]]. |
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* Members of the [[Legion of the Dead]] found a former prison of an Old God below [[ruins of Heidrun Thaig|Heidrun Turning]] filled with darkspawn corpses who died praying to their god. The place instigated irrational dread in the seasoned dwarves.<ref>{{Cite wot2|106}}</ref> |
* Members of the [[Legion of the Dead]] found a former prison of an Old God below [[ruins of Heidrun Thaig|Heidrun Turning]] filled with darkspawn corpses who died praying to their god. The place instigated irrational dread in the seasoned dwarves.<ref>{{Cite wot2|106}}</ref> |
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* [[David Gaider]] hinted that the Old Gods could have been based on the [[elven pantheon|elven gods]] or [[the Forgotten Ones]], and that the second group had more reasons for that.<ref name=G2009/> |
* [[David Gaider]] hinted that the Old Gods could have been based on the [[elven pantheon|elven gods]] or [[the Forgotten Ones]], and that the second group had more reasons for that.<ref name=G2009/> |
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− | * [[Corypheus]] told [[Raleigh Samson|Samson]] that the guardians of the Temple of Mythal are last "true" priests of their Old Gods.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Sentinel Elves]]</ref> |
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− | * Elder of the Highever Alienage referred to elven gods as "the Old Gods in their ancient prison".<ref>[[Codex entry: The City Elves]], see Trivia.</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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{{Darkspawn}} |
{{Darkspawn}} |
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+ | |||
+ | [[de:Alte Götter]] |
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[[ru:Древние Боги]] |
[[ru:Древние Боги]] |
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[[Category:Old Gods| ]] |
[[Category:Old Gods| ]] |
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[[Category:Lore]] |
[[Category:Lore]] |
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+ | [[Category:Archdemons]] |
Revision as of 01:07, 15 October 2020
The Old Gods are sleeping beings that were worshipped in the form of dragons by a significant number of Thedosians, specifically the people of the Tevinter Imperium, thousands of years ago. Legend holds that it was the Old Gods who initially taught mages how to use magic. The Archdemons are awakened Old Gods, tainted by the darkspawn.
Background
Early history and imprisonment
We dreamed up false gods, great demons
Who could cross the Veil into the waking world,
Turned our devotion upon them, and forgot you.—From Threnodies 1
The true nature of the Old Gods is unknown. The Old Gods are not creators and even the people of ancient Tevinter attributed the creation of the world to a Maker like deity, although by a different name.[1]
The Chantry teaches that when the Maker turned his back on spirits, some of them grew jealous of the living. Those powerful enough whispered to the living[2] in dreams claiming that they were the true gods, the creators of the world and the living should bow down before them. Eventually, the living summoned them through the Veil. In the mortal realm these spirits took the form of dragons, winged Old Gods that ruled over the land.[3] The living started to worship them instead of the Maker, an act recognized as the "Original Sin." In fury the Maker cursed the Old Gods, imprisoning them in underground tombs where they would slumber eternally.[3]
Some accounts suggest that the Old Gods began whispering to humanity from the Golden City in -2800 Ancient, three hundred years after the arrival of humans in Thedas. They taught the dreamers of the Neromenian tribes magic, and these dreamers became the priests and kings of their people.[4] Originally the Neromenian tribes worshipped fallen heroes reborn as dragons, and with dreamers as their leaders they began to instead worship the dreamers' gods, also as dragons.[5]
Scholars assume that the Old Gods must have been real at one point, but most agree that they were actual dragons of a magnitude not known today, and impressive enough to frighten ancient peoples into worshipping them. Some even claim that these dragons slumber as a form of hibernation, not as a result of the Maker's wrath.[3][6]
The Tome of Koslun, the sacred Qunari scripture explicitly says that "the Old Gods were like unto dragons, as the first human kings were like unto ordinary men".[7]
Worship in Tevinter
The demons who would be gods,
Began to whisper to men from their tombs within the earth.
And the men of Tevinter heard and raised altars
To the pretender-gods once more—From Threnodies 5
Legend maintains that the minds of the Old Gods continued to roam the Fade like any other dreaming individuals' mind would[8], and they were able to contact Neromenian dreamers once more[3][6]. Honorary[9] Archon, Thalsian accredited his discovery of blood magic in -1595 Ancient to the Old God Dumat and established the first temples dedicated to the Old Gods to show his gratitude[3][6][10]. Dragons became equated everywhere with divine power.[3][6][11]
Four centuries later, in -1195 Ancient Darinius founded the Tevinter Imperium and established the magisterium from the priesthood of the Old Gods[9][10]. In the days of the Tevinter Imperium, the Old Gods were a pantheon of deities widely revered by most citizens, with temples and priesthoods dedicated to their veneration, such as the acolytes of Dumat, who swore oaths of silence in homage to their lord.[12] Each god had a High Priest, and the seven of them were called the Magisters Sidereal.[13] Holidays were popularly celebrated in tribute to the Old Gods, namely the Feast of Urthemiel, which spanned twelve full days.[14]
During this period, the Old Gods communicated directly with their worshippers, issuing explicit commands and instructions. There was also an equivalent of the Chant of Light, for the Old Gods, such as the Verses of Dumat.
Downfall
Then a voice whispered within their hearts,
You are the Lords of the earth!
Go forth to claim the empty throne
Of Heaven and be gods.—From Threnodies 8
In -395 Ancient the Magister's Sidereal physically entered the Golden City, an act recognized as the "Second Sin". The Chantry holds that they did so at the behest of the Old Gods to open "the unreachable gate" in exchange for "power and glory beyond all reckoning"[15]. The City turned black and the magisters were cast out as the first darkspawn, inadvertently causing the First Blight.[16][17]
While the Chantry insists that the darkspawn tainted Old God Dumat and turned him into the first Archdemon, some ancient lore says it was Dumat who created the darkspawn and not the other way around.[3][9]
No more did the Old Gods whisper in his ear.
No more did he hear any voice in his dreams
But his own, and the mutterings of jealous spirits,
And he knew that this silence boded ill.—From Silence 3
In the aftermath of the event, all of the Old Gods suddenly stopped communicating with their followers.[18] The First Blight led to a crisis of faith across the Imperium, shaken at the devastation their own god relentlessly championed.[19] Several temples were razed by betrayed believers, killing priests to the Old Gods as retribution for their unheeded prayers.[20] Finally, during the Transfiguration[21] that followed Archon Hessarian's conversion in -160 Ancient,[22] worship of the Old Gods in Tevinter was forcefully[23] replaced with the monotheistic worship of the Maker. Those remaining faithful to them were slaughtered in a terrible bloodbath.[24]
Cults devoted to the Old Gods are rumored to still exist:
- One such cult was lead by Aurelian Titus. He wished to follow in the steps of Thalsian and struggled with the Imperial Chantry to restore the old religion until his death in 9:40 Dragon, when the power of his cult was broken.[21]
- The cult known as The Last Moon worshipped Lusacan in the early Dragon Age, seeking to cause a dreadful battle that will blanket Thedas in a "night that will never end".[25]
The Call
“It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever heard. Aching and ethereal, it seemed to pull her toward a memory of nostalgic bliss that she had somehow lost — but that she would do anything to recover. Anything at all.” ― Isseya[26]
All darkspawn constantly hear the call of the slumbering Old Gods and search for them. When they find one, they corrupt it and it becomes an Archdemon, proceeding to unite them into a horde and unleash a new Blight. Hence many believe that with the death of all Old Gods the Blights will end.[6][27]
At some time after their Joining, Grey Wardens also start hearing this call. As known since the First Blight, this is the actual Calling and the moment when Grey Wardens know they must descend into the Deep Roads to find their death in battle.
The call of the Old Gods becomes physically audible when close to one of their prisons.[28]
Bregan describes the call of the Old Gods as a sound of "terrible beauty" and "awful yearning", while the Architect considers darkspawn pursuit for the ancient dragons as a never-ending aspiration towards a perfection they can never have, as it is corrupted in the instant they touch it.[29] A Grey Warden wrote that the music is "almost a voice, at once unearthly and beautiful" that instigates a sense of a "presence watching and calling", if not the Maker.[30] Cole hears the call in the Western Approach and feels that it has "an urgency that sped his heart"[31] and is different from the song of lyrium.[32]
The Souls
“Some things are worth preserving in this world. Make of that what you will.” ― Morrigan[37]
- The Grey Wardens of Orlais lead by Warden-Commander Clarel planned to use a demon army fueled by blood magic to kill them in 9:41 Dragon. Solas was outraged by this idea, even regardless of the means.
Slaying an awakened Archdemon is not an easy feat:
And there might be other options:
The Old Gods
The Tevinters worshipped seven Old Gods. The first—and the leader of the others—was called Dumat, the Dragon of Silence.
- Dumat, the Dragon of Silence and the archdemon of the First Blight
- Zazikel, the Dragon of Chaos and the archdemon of the Second Blight
- Toth, the Dragon of Fire and the archdemon of the Third Blight
- Andoral, the Dragon of Slaves and the archdemon of the Fourth Blight
- Urthemiel, the Dragon of Beauty and the archdemon of the Fifth Blight
- Razikale, the Dragon of Mystery
- Lusacan, the Dragon of Night
A Chantry scholar conjectured that there might have been an unknown eighth Old God represented by constellation "Draconis" that was stricken from historical record.
Notes
- The Grey Wardens know the locations of the prisons of each of the Old Gods; however, they are deep underground and cannot easily be accessed by the Wardens without cutting through thousands of darkspawn.[42]
- One of the known archdemon prisons laid underneath the Shimmer Stone Mine in Western Approach.
- Members of the Legion of the Dead found a former prison of an Old God below Heidrun Turning filled with darkspawn corpses who died praying to their god. The place instigated irrational dread in the seasoned dwarves.[43]
- David Gaider hinted that the Old Gods could have been based on the elven gods or the Forgotten Ones, and that the second group had more reasons for that.[1]
See also
References
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