*Content warning- Please note that this post will be mentioning sensitive issues, such as Modern Politics, Slavery, Racism, Gender Inequality, sexual assault, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Religion, but as a means of connecting the Dragon Age series to the real world (especially the United States, where I live) and its history of violence.
Welcome back! Or, if you missed part 1 of this double-feature, check it out here!
After taking a look at the over-arching story of the Dragon Age series thus far, I wanted to dive in today with what really makes this series so great and just as relevant as ever: it’s relatability and connections to the real world. I’m a firm believer in the power of escapism in video games, but there is also something to be said for games that tackle tough themes head on. And Dragon Age is full of them.
Mages vs. Templars
Arguably the most notable story thread of the Dragon Age games is the ongoing conflict between the Mages and Templars- namely, that the Chantry-sanctioned Templars force Mages to live in Circle Towers due to Mages’ connection to the Fade, which is the realm of dreams and magic. Mages receive their power from this otherworldly realm. There are also those who dwell in the Fade- spirits and demons, specifically. Due to the ethereal nature of this realm it is easy for Mages to fall prey to illusions and temptations, leaving themselves open to possession by a demon if they aren’t careful. A demon in control of a Mage’s body could wreak untold havoc on the world at large and thus the reason for the Templar’s strict containment.
The reverse side of this coin, however, is that any person with the faintest bit of magical connection is stolen away from their life, their friends, their family, and imprisoned in a Circle Tower for life. Mages can only leave under Templar supervision, and even then, such circumstances are rarities. It’s a dilemma with no easy answer- does the fear of demons justify the mass imprisonment of Mages?
I’m not voicing any political debate here but I find this to be highly reflective of “gun rights” in the United States of America- albeit, it’s a PERSON being outlawed from society for fear of the danger they might pose to others. Also, it is widely acknowledged that many right-wing Americans, those who support gun rights, identify as church-goers. I find it interesting if nothing else that the Chantry in Dragon Age lands itself on the opposite side of that coin and is in favor of stricter regulations.
Most Mages go their whole lives without falling to possession thanks to the teachings of Senior Enchanters. What if there were public Circles that could help teach individuals how to control their magic, rather than the highly-restrictive Circles that remove Mages for everything they know and love? The nation of Tevinter in the Dragon Age world of Thedas is likely the answer to that- the entire country is run by powerful Magisters who abuse their powers to control the masses. We totally don’t see that sort of impact in real life, right?! People with power oppressing the masses?! No, never.
Gender Inequality
Gender inequality also rears its head, particularly in Dragon Age: Origins- the grittiest of the trilogy, arguably. Female characters face harassment and the threat of assault regularly by the corrupt male antagonists, even as early as some of the game’s origin stories. One origin involves a mass kidnapping of female elves, where the player is able to disrupt the atrocities being committed and enact bloody justice on the awful men in power who are perpetrating the crimes. Women face these travesties every day in our world, many in secret for fear of further violence or even death acted upon them by the assaulter. I’m grateful that, at least in this particular instance in Dragon Age, we are able to give the perpetrator true justice.
Slavery, Displacement, and Racism
Another huge theme from Dragon Age that echoes the reality of our world is slavery. While elves faced a history of slavery under humans in Thedas, the prophet Andraste (who started the Chantry in the name of the Maker) fought a war to ensure elven freedom. However, this did not mean elven equality. Elves were brought into the cities and stuffed into Alienages- slums that the city’s lords cobbled together from wood and planks- and forced to adopt the culture and religion of the humans. Many elves resisted this ruling, self-exiling themselves from society and becoming known as the Dalish Elves- elves who live in the dales and wilds, upholding their ways of life and traditions. And just like real life in the worst ways, humans have all sorts of racist terminology and slurs for the elves they supplanted.
All of this sadly mirrors the experiences that Black Americans faced throughout their history in the United States (along with Native Americans- who were forced from their homes and lands to live on Reservations). While slavery was thankfully outlawed after a four-year Civil War and word quickly spread around the nation, Black Americans still faced another century of LEGAL segregation under U.S. laws. And even now, in the twenty-first century, racism still runs rampant. Many Native Americans are still forced to live on Reservations that they never wanted, living by laws and regulations set in place by the government that usurped them. Racist white people still fly the short-lived flag of the Confederacy (that only existed for FOUR YEARS) and claiming “Southern Pride” to hide the fact that they are still full of hate and prejudice.
Struggles of LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Even individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community and their struggles to fight for acceptance are highlighted in Dragon Age- especially in the character of Dorian Pavus in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Queer individuals are thankfully treated with respect in most of the series, which is likely thanks to lead writer David Gaider identifying as a gay man. However, the character of Dorian was written to show the struggles that queer individuals face- heavy discrimination in his homeland of Tevinter, along with being forced into Conversion Therapy to “cure his gayness.” In Dragon Age, such conversion takes the form of dark magic, which is only fitting given the hate-filled drivel of its real-life counterpart. Thankfully, Inquisitors are able to support Dorian as he confronts his father over the atrocities he committed to try converting him to straightness.
*MAJOR DRAGON AGE 2/INQUISITION/VEILGUARD SPOILERS AHEAD*
Religion
There are myriad religions in Thedas. From the monotheistic Chantry and the Maker to the pantheon of Elven Gods still worshipped by the Dalish, religion is a key fixture that drives many of the events and characters across the Dragon Age trilogy. It drives some to great deeds, helping those in need and championing the weak, while others fall prey to the power of their position and work to subjugate those who don’t align with their views. The Chantry in particular- with heavy similarities to Christianity and Jesus Christ with its prophet/martyr/savior, Andraste- spearheads a whole portion of conflict, especially in the war between Mages and Templars that kicks into full gear at the climax of Dragon Age 2. Fear drives the Chantry’s hatred of Mages, which is admitted by Knight-Commander Meredith just before her death at the hands of protagonist Hawke.
History of Religion
But much as many real religions have been changed and altered over millennia, so have those of Thedas. I’ve seen many theologians and historians mention the probability that Elohim- one of the names for the God of Christianity- was simply one god of a whole pantheon (and the God of War, at that) which would put a great deal of confusion on the Christian faith should that prove to be a fact. However, at this point we may never know the truth of that particular matter given its ancient foundations.
Enter the Dread Wolf. One of the Elven Gods, Fen’harel, known as the Trickster God and Dread Wolf, is seen much as a Prometheus or Lucifer in the Elven Pantheon. He is the betrayer of the other Gods who did not defend the Elven homeland of Arlathan and sealed the other Gods away from their people. All Dalish Camps feature statues of the Gods, while Fen’harel is situated on the outskirts of camp and facing away, all in the hopes that he will leave the camp be and as a reminder of the constant evil in the world.
But the truth is so much different. At the end of Dragon Age: Inquisition, it is revealed that your ally Solas is actually Fen’harel- the ‘evil’ Elven God, recently awoken from a long slumber. One of your other acquaintances across all three games, Flemeth, the Witch of the Wilds, a woman of incredible power and reincarnation abilities, is revealed to be the Elven Goddess, Mythal- Mother of the Gods.
The truth is further expounded upon when Solas (Fen’harel) reveals in the Inquisition DLC, Trespasser, that HE was the one who created the Veil- the separator between the Fade and the real world- doing so to protect the elven people from their corrupt Gods. And these Gods that were sealed away were not ‘Gods’ at all, but rather powerful elves who ruled over their slaves with cruelty (much as we hear about in Dragon Age’s current-day Tevinter, especially through the character Fenris of DA 2). Fen’harel also tells players that the facial tattoos worn by the Dalish to commemorate their Gods was in fact originally meant as a brand- it was emblazoned by the Gods onto their slaves to mark them as property. And so, instead of being renowned as a hero for trying to liberate his people, Fen’harel is vilified as the one who brought mortality to elves by severing their direct connection to magic.
*END OF SPOILERS*
Conclusion
I cannot wait to see how Dragon Age: The Veilguard continues these story threads and weaves even more compelling, interesting stories using inspiration from the real world itself. Dragon Age is a series that celebrates all walks of life but also doesn’t shy away from highlighting the countless issues that real people face everyday. Discrimination. Violence. Fear. Rather than opt for escapism, Dragon Age walks the tightrope of entertainment and empathy, shining a light on the dark shadows.
It is for this reason I feel Dragon Age stands the test of time- the series’ devotion to exploring REAL struggles of REAL people in marginalized communities.
If you’ve stayed with me this whole time, thank you so much for reading. What are your thoughts on Dragon Age and the issues it incorporates into its storylines? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
As always, take care, friends! See you soon!
-Brink
The Brink of Gaming 