The Orb of Destruction
The enigmatic Orb of Destruction[1] is an ancient elven artifact of immense power that allows its user to open or close massive rifts into the Fade as well as summon or banish the demons who happen to be nearby such portals.
Involvement
The Orb's power in use by the Elder One
The Orb's power in use by the Iquisitor
The Elder one uses the Orb in his attempt to physically enter the Fade and reach the Black City in order to become a god that would rule over all of Thedas, just like the ancient magisters of old did before the First Blight.
The Orb is first seen by the Inquisitor during Corypheus' attack on Haven. Corypheus attempts to use it to remove the Anchor, a magical mark that bestows control over the Breach and Rifts, from the Herald of Andraste, but discovers it is permanent. In the aftermath of the attack, Solas explains to the Herald that the Orb is an artifact of elven origin, one of several foci the ancient elves used to harness magical power. If the Herald is elven, Solas will elaborate that the Orb focuses the power of the Elven Pantheon and each one is usually associated with a particular god.
While trapped in the Fade after investigating the Grey Wardens at Adamant Fortress, the Herald regains their memories of the events immediately preceding the destruction of the conclave. The Herald realizes that they acquired the Anchor when they interrupted Corypheus' sacrifice of Divine Justinia V and picked up the Orb. Corypheus had intended to gain the Anchor himself to control the Breach after it opened, but the Herald spoiled his plan and set the stage for the events that would follow.
Notes from Samson indicate that the Orb may have whispered ancient secrets of the elves to Corypheus, leading to his invasion of the Temple of Mythal.[2]
After being thwarted at the Temple of Mythal and losing his army, Corypheus returns to the Temple of Sacred Ashes and in desperation uses the Orb to reopen the Breach. The Herald confronts the magister, and at the climax of their battle pulls the Orb from the magister's grasp using the Anchor and seals the Breach once more, destroying Corypheus in the process. The Orb then drops to the ground and breaks apart. Solas retrieves the fragments and quietly weeps for the loss of yet another ancient artifact.
In a post-credits cutscene, Flemeth tells Solas, whom she identifies as the "Dread Wolf," that he should not have given his Orb to Corypheus. To which Solas responds that he was too weak to unlock it after awakening from his slumber.
Trivia
- In the Tevinter Imperium of old, similar orbs were often referred to as "Somnoborium" (translated as "Vessels of Dreams)".[3]
- "Foci" are also mentioned in the note dating back to ancient Tevinter found in the Frostback Basin.
- Designer notes on Dragon Age: Inquisition note the Orb of Destruction was coded in the game as "elv_orbmythal," implying that the Orb may have been directly related to Mythal at some point in development.[4]
References
- ↑ Soundtrack song name
- ↑ Codex entry: The Sentinel Elves
- ↑ According to Dorian in party banter.
- ↑ Reddit post credit scene explained.
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