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(The citation for the Chantry teaching the Maker created the Veil makes not reference to the Veil, only that the Maker created a physical world where he made humans.)
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{{Quote|Gossamer strands only stand between this world and [[Fade|home]]. Feel it?|[[Sophia Dryden]]}}
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{{Quote|Gossamer strands only stand between this world and [[Fade|home]]. Feel it?|[[Sophia Dryden]]}}<ref name=":0">After you have completed your bargain with her, in [[Soldier's Peak (quest)]], just before she closes the Veil, as seen here [https://youtu.be/xJVF_Tssqcw?t=451] .</ref>[[File:Tears in the Veil.png|right|300px]]
[[File:Tears in the Veil.png|right|300px]]
 
 
The '''Veil''' is a metaphysical barrier that exists between the physical [[Thedas]] and the [[Fade]]. Neither [[spirit]]s nor mortal beings can easily pass ''physically'' through the Veil, but the consciousnesses of most mortal dreamers and all [[mage]]s are a different matter (though the average dreamer is unlikely to ever be aware of such 'travels').
 
The '''Veil''' is a metaphysical barrier that exists between the physical [[Thedas]] and the [[Fade]]. Neither [[spirit]]s nor mortal beings can easily pass ''physically'' through the Veil, but the consciousnesses of most mortal dreamers and all [[mage]]s are a different matter (though the average dreamer is unlikely to ever be aware of such 'travels').
   
The Veil is not an object - it cannot be touched or seen. It is not a physical barrier, but rather something similar to a magical vibration that repels the Fade. It is a metaphor used by mortal scholars to explain the interactions between the two different realities.
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The Veil is not an object it cannot be touched or seen. It is not a physical barrier, but rather something similar to a magical vibration that repels the Fade. It is a metaphor used by mortal scholars to explain the interactions between the two different realities.
   
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
There is no mention of a time when the Veil didn't exist in [[human]] history<ref>According to [[Vivienne]] in the [[Shattered Library]] after talking to the second [[Archivist]].</ref>, which started from their arrival in [[Thedas]] in -3100 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]]. The [[Chantry]] teaches that the [[Maker]] created the Veil before He created men. <ref>[[Chant_of_Light_verses#Threnodies_5|Canticle of Threnodies 5]] better citation needed, Veil not referenced</ref>
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There is no mention of a time when the Veil didn't exist in [[human]] history<ref>According to [[Vivienne]] in the [[Shattered Library]] after talking to the second [[Archivist]].</ref>, which started from their arrival in [[Thedas]] in -3100 [[Ancient Age|Ancient]].
   
 
{{SpoilerTSG|Yet there was a time before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten, when [[dragon]]s ruled the skies.<ref>According to [[Yavana]] in [[Dragon Age: The Silent Grove]].</ref>}}
 
{{SpoilerTSG|Yet there was a time before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten, when [[dragon]]s ruled the skies.<ref>According to [[Yavana]] in [[Dragon Age: The Silent Grove]].</ref>}}
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[[File:Shadows of the Blackmarsh.png|thumb|An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue]]
 
[[File:Shadows of the Blackmarsh.png|thumb|An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue]]
Weakened Veil can be recognized by its characteristic green hue. The [[Dalish]] call places where the Veil is thin "setheneran" - a land of waking dreams.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcNQtgo5A0U&t=374 According] to [[Tamlen]] in the [[Elven Ruins]] during the [[Dalish Elf Origin]].</ref> Such areas are a habitat for [[giant spider]]s<ref>[[Codex entry: Giant Spider]], [[Codex entry: Giant Spider (Inquisition)]]</ref> and the rare plant [[felandaris]], also known as "demon weed".<ref>[[Codex entry: Felandaris]]</ref> Areas where the Veil rips open are usually referred to as "tears" in the Veil, in keeping with the fabric metaphor. In fact, when the Veil itself tears it makes a sound like ripping cloth.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pg. 203.</ref>
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Weakened Veil can be recognized by its characteristic green hue. The [[Dalish]] call places where the Veil is thin "setheneran" a land of waking dreams.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcNQtgo5A0U&t=374 According] to [[Tamlen]] in the [[Elven Ruins]] during the [[Dalish Elf Origin]].</ref> Such areas are a habitat for [[giant spider]]s<ref>[[Codex entry: Giant Spider]], [[Codex entry: Giant Spider (Inquisition)]]</ref> and the rare plant [[felandaris]], also known as "demon weed".<ref>[[Codex entry: Felandaris]]</ref> Areas where the Veil rips open are usually referred to as "tears" in the Veil, in keeping with the fabric metaphor. In fact, when the Veil itself tears it makes a sound like ripping cloth.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Masked Empire]]'', pg. 203.</ref>
   
 
=== Known instances of the Veil being torn ===
 
=== Known instances of the Veil being torn ===
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== References ==
 
== References ==
<references/>
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<references/>{{Magic}}
 
{{Magic}}
 
 
[[Category:Magic]]
 
[[Category:Magic]]
 
[[Category:Fade lore]]
 
[[Category:Fade lore]]

Revision as of 03:03, 26 July 2020

“Gossamer strands only stand between this world and home. Feel it?” ―Sophia Dryden

[1]

Tears in the Veil

The Veil is a metaphysical barrier that exists between the physical Thedas and the Fade. Neither spirits nor mortal beings can easily pass physically through the Veil, but the consciousnesses of most mortal dreamers and all mages are a different matter (though the average dreamer is unlikely to ever be aware of such 'travels').

The Veil is not an object − it cannot be touched or seen. It is not a physical barrier, but rather something similar to a magical vibration that repels the Fade. It is a metaphor used by mortal scholars to explain the interactions between the two different realities.

History

There is no mention of a time when the Veil didn't exist in human history[2], which started from their arrival in Thedas in -3100 Ancient.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Silent Grove.


Yet there was a time before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten, when dragons ruled the skies.[3]



This section contains spoilers for:
Trespasser.


In spite of Chantry belief, it wasn't the Maker who made the Veil, but Fen'Harel, who "held back the sky" to banish the Evanuris. This act to prevent the Evanuris from destroying the world with their excesses, and retribution for the murder of Mythal. However, since Elvhenan was so heavily dependent on magic and the Veil severed the elven people from the Fade, the Veil's creation led to Elvhenan's demise and the loss of the elves' immortality.[4]

Skyhold's original name, Tarasyl'an te'las, means "the place where the sky was held back" in ancient elvish[5], thus the Veil was created there. Solas also confirms that Skyhold was his castle during the time of Elvhenan.[6]


Tears

It is theorized that the Veil tends to be weaker in places that feature, or have experienced, extensive death or use of magic.[7][8] The former occurs because spirits are attracted to death and they press against the Veil.[9] The Veil is particularly thin at night, when most people sleep and spirits are most active.[10] The use of blood magic can allow the Veil to be torn so that demons may physically pass through it into the waking world.[11]

Shadows of the Blackmarsh

An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue

Weakened Veil can be recognized by its characteristic green hue. The Dalish call places where the Veil is thin "setheneran" − a land of waking dreams.[12] Such areas are a habitat for giant spiders[13] and the rare plant felandaris, also known as "demon weed".[14] Areas where the Veil rips open are usually referred to as "tears" in the Veil, in keeping with the fabric metaphor. In fact, when the Veil itself tears it makes a sound like ripping cloth.[15]

Known instances of the Veil being torn


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.




This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.


  • The Baroness's blood magic rituals in Blackmarsh and transporting all the villagers to the Fade made the Veil very weak around the village. Demons could be physically seen through the Veil.



This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Redemption.




This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


  • An enormous tear in the Veil, referred to as the Breach appears in the Frostback mountains and countless smaller Fade rifts appear throughout southern Thedas.


Closing a Tear

"Mending" these Tears, i.e. strengthening the Veil, is extremely difficult. Depending on the level of damage done to the Veil, it can be closed through several methods. For example, in Soldier's Peak, either Sophia Dryden or Avernus can accomplish such a mending, as Avernus is an expert on the Fade and Sophia is possessed by a powerful demon who crossed the Veil. The Warden-Commander can mend several Veil Tears by killing powerful spirits or demons keeping the Veil open. The Tear caused by one Saarebas was closed after the artifact used to open it was destroyed.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


The Inquisitor can use the Anchor to close Fade rifts, which grants renown to the Inquisition.


Removing the Veil


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


In a vision of future where Corypheus has won, the Veil is shattered, and there is no more boundary between Thedas and the Fade,[16] allowing demons free entry. The Inquisitor ensures that this future never comes to pass.


See also

Codex entry: The Veil Codex entry: The Veil

Codex entry: Tears in the Veil Codex entry: Tears in the Veil

Codex entry: Fade Rifts Codex entry: Fade Rifts

Gallery

References

  1. After you have completed your bargain with her, in Soldier's Peak (quest), just before she closes the Veil, as seen here [1] .
  2. According to Vivienne in the Shattered Library after talking to the second Archivist.
  3. According to Yavana in Dragon Age: The Silent Grove.
  4. According to the Archivists in the Shattered Library and Solas during the final conversation with him.
  5. Codex entry: On Skyhold
  6. According to Solas in Trespasser (with low approval).
  7. Codex entry: Tears in the Veil
  8. According to Solas, see 1
  9. According to Solas, see 2
  10. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 141
  11. Codex entry: Blood Magic: The Forbidden School
  12. According to Tamlen in the Elven Ruins during the Dalish Elf Origin.
  13. Codex entry: Giant Spider, Codex entry: Giant Spider (Inquisition)
  14. Codex entry: Felandaris
  15. Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, pg. 203.
  16. According to Solas if the Inquisitor sides with mages.