The Forbidden Ones

“The first of the magus cast themselves deep in the Fade in search of answers and power, always power. They found the forbidden ones – Xebenkeck, Imshael, Gaxkang the Unbound, and The Formless One. Many conversations were had and much of the fabric of the world revealed. And thus the magic of blood was born.” ―Unknown mage

The Forbidden Ones are a group of four unique and very powerful ancient demons. It is said that they are older than the darkspawn and the Tevinter Imperium. Some scholars think that they were the ones who taught the Magisters blood magic.

This section contains spoilers for:
Trespasser.

A memory in Vir Dirthara portrays them as having once held a corporeal form. However, during an unknown calamity that swept across Elvhenan, they abandoned the People and gave up their physical forms to become mutable spirits. Thus the Evanuris exiled them from their lands. Familiarity with shape allowed them to travel the shifting paths of the Fade unaided.^[1]

The Forbidden Ones Edit

Gaxkang
Imshael
The Formless One
Xebenkeck

Involvement Edit

Dragon Age: Origins Edit

See Unbound.

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

Gaxkang is the final boss of the Unbound side quest. He can be found in the Quaint Hovel located in a Dirty Back Alley in Denerim.

Dragon Age II Edit

See Forbidden Knowledge.

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.

Xebenkeck is the end encounter of the Forbidden Knowledge questline. In that quest, five tomes are encountered and if they are destroyed (reading or taking the tomes prevents you from completing this quest), a new location appears in Darktown, where the final tome and an encounter with Xebenkeck await. As of patch 1.04, this final tome may be read and the quest still completed, giving the +2 attribute points (Tome of the Mortal Vessel) and acting as if all books were destroyed.

When the tome is read, Xebenkeck appears for a difficult fight consisting of two waves of enemies. Two rage demons, several abominations (Nightmare difficulty), and Xebenkeck (which heals them) will appear immediately. Two more rage demons, several more abominations (Nightmare), and a Revenant will also spawn as soon as Xebenkeck or a rage demon from the first wave is defeated. Only by defeating all of them is the "Exorcist" achievement or trophy awarded, and some treasure appears in the room. Xebenkeck itself drops the staff Voracity, a powerful fire staff that boosts attack and blood magic.

If Xebenkeck and the rage demons are defeated sufficiently far from the tome room (they can be kited back to the entrance of the cavern without issue) the party will drop out of combat. Again, however, the remaining guards in the tome room must be defeated before the achievement or trophy is granted.

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire Edit

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Masked Empire.

Imshael was summoned by Keeper Thelhen so that his Dalish clan could unlock the secrets of the Eluvians for them. Thelhen refused to pay Imshael's price for activating the Eluvians however and imprisoned the demon in a circle outside the camp. Eventually Imshael was released by Ser Michel de Chevin and after creating a gem to activate the Eluvians, escapes its binding and slaughters most of the clan before possessing Mihris. Imshael eventually leaves Mihris and escapes to parts unknown. Ser Michel vows to pursue Imshael to atone for his part in the destruction of the clan and sets off to hunt the demon.

Dragon Age: Inquisition Edit

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Imshael reappears at Emprise du Lion and is encountered in the quest Call Me Imshael. Ser Michel is still pursuing him and asks the Inquisitor to help him defeat the demon. Imshael has taken up residence in the Suledin Keep and is assisting Corypheus in cultivating red lyrium. He is assisted by red templars.

When the Inquisitor confronts Imshael, the demon offers a deal to the Inquisitor:

If the Inquisitor accepts the deal, Imshael kills Michel which prevents the chevalier from being recruited to the Inquisition.

If the Inquisitor chooses to fight, Imshael takes the shape of fear, rage, and pride demons during the battle. The Inquisitor is then able to recruit Michel for the Inquisition.

Trivia Edit

The Seekers of Truth in Kirkwall secretly created the Band of Three to investigate, among other things, whether the Forgotten Ones in elven lore are connected to the Forbidden Ones in other works.^[2] The note left by the last surviving member of the team calls Xebenkeck, one of the Forbidden Ones, "the Forgotten One, or demon or whatever it is" and urges to destroy him.
Each game has featured one of the Forbidden Ones as an optional boss for the protagonist to defeat.