“Gossamer strands only stand between this world and home. Feel it?” ―Sophia Dryden
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 a metaphor used by mortal scholars to explain the interactions between the two different realities.
Tears
The Veil sundered in Dragon Age: Inquisition
It is theorized that the Veil tends to be weaker in places that feature, or have experienced, extensive death or use of magic.[1] What is known for sure is the use of blood magic can allow the Veil to be torn so that demons may physically pass through it into the physical world.[2] Areas that can be seen or felt where the Veil is thin 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.[3]
Known instances of the Veil being torn
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- The Brecilian Forest was the site of many battles, for example between the elves and humans in the ancient times, and Alamarri battling the Magisters of the Tevinter Imperium. According to the Grand Oak the bloodshed weakened the Veil beyond repair and that caused many spirits and demons to cross over. This event gave rise to sylvans among other creatures as the spirits possessed the trees in the forest.
- During the Broken Circle incident, the Fereldan Circle Tower was overunned by demons and abominations. Uldred used a mass amount of blood magic to pull demons from the Fade into the physical world. This caused the Circle to nearly be destroyed by demons and abominations.
- During the Battle of Soldier's Peak, Avernus summoned demons, but his miscalculations and the deaths caused the veil to tear.
- 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.
- The Dalish possessed an artifact called Mask of Fen'Harel. It is capable of tearing the Veil and is used by Saarebas to do so.
A tear created by the Mask of Fen'Harel, opening a portal into the Fade in Dragon Age: Redemption
- The Veil gets torn multiple times during the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition, the largest being referred to the Breach. The Inquisitor is tasked with investigating the cause.
Closing a Tear
"Mending" these Tears, i.e. strengthening the Veil, is extremely difficult, if at all possible. 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 Veil Tears in both Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening and Witch Hunt - in this instance it is done by killing powerful spirits or demons. The Tear caused by Saarebas in Dragon Age: Redemption was closed after the artifact used to open it was destroyed.
Notes
An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue
- The Veil is particularly thin at night, when most people sleep and spirits are most active.[4]
- The rare plant felandaris, also known as "demon weed", grows only in places where the Veil is thin.
- In Dragon Age: The Silent Grove, Yavana says that there was a time "before the Veil, before the mysteries were forgotten," when dragons ruled the skies.
- Weakened Veil can be recognised by its characteristic green hue.
See also
Codex entry: Tears in the Veil
References
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