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

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[1], which started from their arrival in Thedas in -3100 Ancient. The Chantry teaches that the Maker created the Veil before He created men. [2]


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.


Fen'Harel "held back the sky" and created the Veil to banish the Evanuris. This act was retribution for their part in 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] The former occurs because spirits are attracted to death and they press against the Veil.[8] The Veil is particularly thin at night, when most people sleep and spirits are most active.[9] The use of blood magic can allow the Veil to be torn so that demons may physically pass through it into the waking world.[10]

Shadows of the Blackmarsh

An artifact used to weaken the Veil resonating green hue

Weakened Veil can be recognized by its characteristic green hue. Places where the Veil is thin are a habitat for giant spiders[11] and the rare plant felandaris, also known as "demon weed".[12] 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.[13]

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.


Fade portal

A tear created by the Mask of Fen'Harel, opening a portal into the Fade



This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


DAI Veil Tear

The Veil sundered

  • 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.


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

References

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