The Blanketfort (crying and throwing up) - The Official Solas Thread [Spoilers]

definitely not dead-dead, put ya money on it.** he calls out to Gaxkang and Xebenkeck for power or whatever during the Inquisitor's fight with him, and we 'killed' them as the Warden and Hawke in DAO and DA2. + xebenkeck is Imshael's ilk and she was described as an undying. then, if you subscribe to the idea that there's a link between the forbidden ones and the forgotten ones (Band of Three), well, they were akin somehow to the Evanuris, and "the first of [Solas'] people do not die so easily". then there was that codex about xebenkeck and co abandoning the People in some time of great need.. the references to casting aside form and familiarity with shape remind me of our favorite death-skipping shapeshifter Flemeth

** which is good, because I find his char intriguing.

I'm pretty sure when we "kill" him we are just sending him back to the Fade and he is an ancient enough spirit that he does not lose his identity when this happens. In Masked Empire he seems quite capable of existing in the world without a host once he has been summoned from the other side of the Veil but he likes the "disguise" of being in someone else's persona and viewing the world through their eyes, which is why he did the deal with Mihris.

The Codex about the Forbidden Ones says that before the Veil they "cast aside form to flee where the earth could not reach", so abandoning the People during their war with presumably the Titans (earth). However, the codex goes on to say that "Their familiarity with shape allows them to travel paths unaided, so even back then it would seem that could take material forms when in contact with the material world and then drop them again when they re-entered the Fade.

As for whether Imshael recognised Solas, even if he did it probably suited him not to reveal his knowledge since Fen'Harel was making such interesting choices and Imshael didn't want his entertainment ruined.

But but ... what about hot chocolate?!  That's a gift from the gods!

Also, welcome back ellawyn!  

I feel like Imshael would know Fen'Harel. But would he recognize Solas?

Actually, I'm imagining a scenario where Imshael sort of remembers Solas, but doesn't really remember where from... he's so preoccupied with this that he loses the fight

Anyway, either scenario is possible. But I kinda wonder how long it was since "Solas" was known as  himself rather than "Fen'Harel" or just how many people have known him like we do in Inquisition.

Well, I have this headcannon that both spirits and ancient elves are capable of telepathy (or some form of silent communication), so I just imagine that Solas quietly told Imshael that he had best keep his mouth shut if he knew what was good for him.

I also have a theory that, for spirits and ancient elves (and possibly modern people as well), the physical body is kind of irrelevant when it comes to recognizing or 'seeing' someone. But that is neither here nor there.

I have wondered that, too. It seems likely that with only a year, he might have definitely tried some Dreamer ways of contacting various Keepers. This would likely have freaked them the hell out. 

I'd say that this isn't just a headcanon. We have hints upon hints to think that this is actually what's happening. Heck, I've had that theory for a while now, but the reception of it is... mixed, I've noticed.

Anyway - Abelas can tell from a glance who's an ancient elf or not when we meet him, Cole and other spirits can tell all kind of things about people, OGB Kieran totally sees more and so it seems Flemeth. Heck, even Corypheus can do that, and it is pretty clearly apparent in Calpernia's short story ("As if able to see herself through his eyes, she felt like a clear white flame, casting back glaring shadows from everything she passed"), which is the reason why a lowly slave found herself in Corypheus' leading ranks in the first place. 

Also, the exchange between Felassan and Imshael also suggests that Felassan offered Imshael more than a smile, only we didn't hear the rest of that exchange, because it happened in their heads.

Oh, and let's not forget that in case we pick Templars and get infected with Envy, Cole helps us from within our head.

It's not impossible. Considering Abelas and Solas (supposedly) telling Abelas that he hopes he picks new name, it would seem that elves were shedding their old names and adopting new ones - in Abelas's case, he chose "sorrow" after Mythal was slain (judging from timeline, as he said that they should prepare for those who struck her down, so Evanuris couldn't have been locked away yet), so they seem to be dictated by abundance of sentiment or occurrence of something dramatic.

I also know that BioFan asked whether Solas had more names during his interview with Patrick Weekes and Weekes chose not to answer that question, instead saying that he hopes it gets to be explored one day.

Also, considering how many wolfy things in Inquisition are in reference to Fen'Harel I wouldn't be surprised if "Fenrir" was something linked to Solas - even the description in that puzzle suggests elvhen origin of that constellation, although how much of it is red herring is anyone's guess until we get more info.

Also - maybe the 'white wolf' thing is from earlier time when he served Mythal. I mean... supposedly. We do see wolf statues accompanying those of Mythal's in Deep Roads section of Trespasser after all, and they're suggested to be there in position of guardian as well as coming from way earlier time.

So it's not that far-fetched to posit that he was known as a 'wolf' way before rebellion... but if Evanuris called him Fen'Harel in response to his revolt, he must've had different wolf-related name before. "Fenrir" might've been his earlier name, though TBH we don't know whether it rally translates to 'white wolf', because that's a name for the constellation 'in common parlance' (plus, elvhen words usually have more than one meaning).

Of course, it's not impossible for Solas to view his wolf furson... I mean persona as white before - maybe because he was seen as one during more innocent times for him.

Perhaps spending too much time on Solas thread or other speculation-filled threads means gaining new talents ;D Next talent in line - remote possession!

Anyway yea, I agree it's possible. There's a definitive theme of duality going on there - not just across the story, but specifically around Solas. And not just in terms of internal conflict, but the whole balance thing that has a faint whiff of eastern philosophies in it (Solas even resembles a far-eastern monk a bit, with his bald head and piece of fur/material thrown over one shoulder).

I kinda wonder if it's going to come into play in the future... well, duh, alright - I'm almost certain it will How it's going to manifest in the story is anyone's guess, but my current speculation is that white wolf and black wolf symbolize parts of Solas that he must reconcile in order to achieve true balance (...kinda wonder if there ain't similar symbolism for the world itself).

I also don't think the the design of the shrine is accidental - it seems veeeeery symbolic. It's surrounded by boiling, acidic pool we can't get across any other way other than a ruined bridge (not very subtle Bioware, really NOT subtle ), and that bridge leads us straight to an arch that looks like a portal sitting right between black and white wolf.

...Hilariously, if the Dalish Inky leaves an offering and Solas is in the party, he slightly approves

Spirits definitely can read minds. Cole always knew who Solas and Blackwall were, Sloth put people into scenarios they wouldn't want to wake from, Pharamond's demon was able to sense that Wynne was an abomination, Imshael knew that Michel was elf-blooded.

I like the idea that Solas may have assumed other names like Abelas did, because he mentions that the Dread Wolf as an insult he took as a badge of honour. That could suggest that he may have originally called himself something else while rebelling against the Evanuris.

Also makes me wonder how he views the persona of Fen'harel and Solas.

Does he view them as almost separate entities, Fen'harel as the nom de guerre he uses to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies, while Solas is the elf underneath the mask? Could that be the reason why he's dressed to the nines at the end of Trespasser, having shed the "apostate hobo" persona of Solas to done the Ancient Elven armour of Fen'harel?

Always enjoy see fiction play with what really constitutes the "real" name of a character?


Solas even comments in Trespasser that the name Fen'harel is no different than "Inquisitor" in how it's perceived by their allies and enemies. Also ties how into Jaws of Hakkon when the Inquisitor can admits to Scout Harding that sometimes it feels like the "Inquisitor" persona is subsuming their original identity.

How am I only learning about this?

I've been all around that shrine (and the rest of the game) with my hand practically glued to the "search" button?