Lore Video #10: Andraste & Maferath, Part 2

After you have finished the legacy of Andraste, there is another aspect of Ferelden history that struck me as strange, so perhaps you could explore it a bit. We were told that the Tower at Ostagar really marked the southern limit of Tevinter's influence and the Imperial Highway ended here. The tower was built in order to defend the settlements in the farmland to the north from the uncivilised barbarians they had been unable to conquer in the south. Yet in Jaws of Hakkon we discovered that there had been a Tevinter outpost in the far south of the Frostback range, both with a Temple to their god Razikale and advanced magical technology in place that would suggest this had been more than simply a brief excursion. What attracted them to that remote location? Who were the moon men and snake people mentioned in the texts found there? Were the ancient Tevinter settlements in any way connected with the ruins we find in the Brecilian Forest that we were told seemed Tevinter by design and yet apparently the refuge of a community of co-existing humans and elves who revered the elven gods? Was Kinloch Hold originally built by the Avvar (as the name suggests) or Tevinter mages, as seems more likely?

Actually, with regard to the history of Andraste, how did she (or rather her mother)come to have an elven sword, the name of which would seem to mean "Freedom" or something similar, that she gave to Shartan. How did the content of an ancient elven text from the Temple of Mythal, bemoaning the troubling freedom resulting from Fen'Harel's action, wind up in an Alamarri war poem that later became the Denerim lullaby "Where the Willows Wail"?

Lots of questions to which there are few answers at present, I know, but it might be worth bringing together all the various strands in a video.

Interesting again to hear all the information amassed in one podcast. I didn't realise that the name 'Shartan' might have been used by more than one rebellious slave, in a 'Red Jenny' sense. I wonder if this is a nod to the famous 'I'm Spartacus!' cry with regard to a RW slave revolt against the Romans. Also, the earthquakes which devastated the Tevinter Imperium during Andraste's assault could have other causes, now we know a little more of the Titans.

Anyway, I look forward to hearing more about the original Disciples of Andraste.

Keep up the good work!

Well, the lore itself is vague on that front. I think it’s hinted that the dwarves were basically automatons serving the Titans without emotion until Mythal apparently tied them to the Fade.

I’m still a bit confused as to why lyrium can be used as a source of magical energy, yet also grant non-mages anti-magic abilities.

Although I might avoid dwarf and elf history for awhile. I initially decided to focus on humans because I anticipate further lore reveals about the ancient dwarves and elves in DA4 that could flesh them out a lot.

And it can be used to sever a connection to the Fade, which I guess might be down to it being a source of energy outside the Fade so it isn’t that counterintuitive.

Month old comment I know, but as I was flipping through TWoT v2 I notice a curiously redacted passage on page 135 that indicates Shartan gave the sword its name when he received it rather than Andraste carrying an elven sword.