A phylactery is a vessel, often a glass vial, containing the essence of a magical being. The Circle of Magi and the Chantry use small phylacteries filled with blood—taken from apprentice magi—to track down mages that turn apostate.
Background
In Ferelden, the phylacteries of apprentice mages are kept in the basement of the Circle Tower behind protective wards, but those of full mages and enchanters are kept at an undisclosed location in Denerim. It seems that phylacteries are transferred off-site soon after a mage's Harrowing. Phylacteries of all first enchanters were stored in the White Spire, an Orlesian Circle and the Templar Order stronghold. However, during the events of Dragon Age: Asunder the phylactery chambers of the White Spire were destroyed.
Workings
Phylacteries, ironically, are a form of blood magic.[1] When a templar wishes to track down a fugitive mage they will use the phylactery as a way of homing in on the fugitive by way of a "hot and cold" situation, i.e., the phylactery glows and the glow grows more intense the closer the templar gets to the mage they are tracking.[2] If the mage dies, the phylactery no longer glows.[3] The phylactery can be even used to remotely cast a spell on a fugitive mage.[4]
A rogue templar from the Gallows used a phylactery to track an escaped qunari mage, a Saarebas in a web series based on Dragon Age, Dragon Age: Redemption. The mage's phylactery was made into a necklace that works like a compass. It is implied that being in close proximity to one's phylactery weakens its owner, but it is unknown whether that is an error in writing of the series or not.
Mages who join the Grey Wardens are allowed to leave the Circle of Magi and are technically supposed to be exempt from Templar scrutiny, but as is in the case of Anders, Grey Warden phylacteries are kept by the Templars as possible means of insurance.
Trivia
- Originally a Greek word (phylacterion) denoting amulet, safeguard or guard-house. In many forms of fantasy fiction, a phylactery is the vessel for the soul of an undead monster, particularly a Lich.
See also
- A number of glass phylacteries are involved in The Black Vials quest.
- The Arcane Warrior specialization is unlocked by interacting with a phylactery among the ancient Lower Ruins in the Brecilian Forest.
References
- ↑ Thedas UK (January 14, 2012). "David Gaider Interview". Retrieved January 29, 2012.
- ↑ http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9386107
- ↑ Dragon Age: Asunder
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 100
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