The Shadow Dragons are a resistance group opposing corrupt rulers, blood magic, and slavery in Tevinter.[1] Coming from all walks of life, their mission is to help those in need and bring justice to the people.[2]
Background[]
The Shadow Dragons started out as the Lucerni, a Tevinter political faction led by Magister Dorian Pavus and Magister Maevaris Tilani. Their efforts to bring about progressive reform drew the ire of conservative enemies. Maevaris was framed for treason and the Lucerni was dissolved. Maevaris took the Lucerni underground and transformed it into the resistance known as the Shadow Dragons. It is suspected that Maevaris has been working behind the scenes with allies still in Minrathous. The youngest son of the Vesperian family was a public supporter of the Lucerni until their disbandment and may still be aiding her. There's also evidence that funding for the various slave rebellions may have come through members of the Dwarven Ambassadoria, an organization that Maevaris always had powerful allies in. Thus it is suggested that she is funding the slave rebellions.[3]
The Shadows continue the Lucerni's work as "Lightbringers", agents of positive change in Tevinter. Sometimes that means doing the dirty work so that their powerful allies, such as Dorian, can push for progressive policies in the Magisterium with a spotless reputation.[4]
The Shadow Dragons' primary activities involve freeing slaves and thwarting the Venatori. The Shadows are headquartered in the Pawn Shop at Dock Town. They use the Anvallenim tunnels beneath Dock Town to covertly rescue people.[5]
Aside from ending slavery, the Shadow Dragons hope to normalize having Soporati Magisters so they can have more say in government and break the iron grip on political power held by the Altus families. The Shadows hope that if they cleanse Tevinter of enough corruption, they will no longer need to operate covertly and can publicly improve Tevinter as a lawful organization.[6]
Involvement[]
Dragon Age: The Missing[]
Dragon Age: The Veilguard[]
Rook and Neve Gallus return to Minrathous to meet up with Tarquin and the Viper, a.k.a. Ashur. The Veilguard ask the Shadow Dragons for any leads on the elven gods' diabolical plans for Tevinter. The Shadows say the Venatori have been doing underground blood magic sacrifices and smuggling red lyrium artifacts that enhance blood magic and facilitate demon summoning. The Shadows managed to destroy one and tore another off a slaver, but one more is still unaccounted for. With the Venatori gossiping about D'Meta's Crossing, the Shadows concluded they are gathering power for the pair of elven gods. While Neve and Rook deal with the last red lyrium relic, the Shadows continue to spy on the Venatori and their ties to the elven gods.[7]
The elven gods, Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain, send the Venatori and darkspawn to infiltrate the Anvallenim to flush the Shadow Dragons out of their Safehouse, but they were fended off by the Veilguard. The Veilguard then investigate a Venatori warehouse where they find evidence that Knight-Commander Lenos is being paid off by the Venatori and that Elgar'nan had given the Venatori a relic that allows them to control the darkspawn through their tainted blood.[8]
After completing the quest A Warden's Best Friend, Ghilan'nain launches simultaneous dragon attacks on both Treviso and Minrathous. If Rook saves Treviso, Ashur engages the blighted dragon from a safehouse in an attempt to lead the dragon from the city. The dragon strikes Ashur with its claw and blights him. Minrathous will be overrun by the Venatori; and most of the Shadow Dragons, Shadow Dragon associates, and found allies will be executed or murdered.[9] Ashur uses some magic he knows to slow the progression of his taint but he most likely will succumb to his fatal disease.
If Rook saves Minrathous, Ashur and the Shadow Dragons will help Rook fight Ghilan'nain's blighted dragons in the quest Fire and Ice. The Shadow Dragons provide the Veilguard ballistas with enchanted bolts.
Depending on Rook's choices, Rook can help either Dorian Pavus or Maevaris Tilani become the new Archon. Dorian as Archon will drag Tevinter into a new era with bold and forceful measures. In contrast, Maevaris as Archon will inspire her people and bring change to Tevinter.[10][11]
Known members[]
- Bren
- Dorian Pavus
- Hector
- Huxley[12]
- Lorelei
- Maevaris Tilani
- Marisa
- Neve Gallus
- Rook (conditional, if chosen during character creation)
- Tarquin
- The Viper
- Quillon[13]
References[]
- ↑ According to Neve Gallus' dialogue in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- ↑ Factions (The Veilguard)#Shadow Dragons
- ↑ Codex entry: Neve's Case Notes: Maevaris Tilani
- ↑ According to dialogue between a Shadow Dragons Rook and Dorian Pavus in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- ↑ According to Neve Gallus' dialogue during Shadows of Minrathous
- ↑ According to Dorian Pavus and Maevaris Tilani's dialogue during The Soul of a City
- ↑ The Smuggled Relic Case
- ↑ Shadows of Minrathous
- ↑ A Shroud Over the Light
- ↑ The Soul of a City
- ↑ Epilogue for Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- ↑ Dragon Age: Vows & Vengeance, Episode 8: All Roads Lead Home
- ↑ Cornered in the Catacombs