Dragon Age: The Veilguard | Release Date Trailer

It could be the mission where we recrui tBellara  we don't know

I read that in a Vorcha voice

But Aelia is a blood mage as well - not only the Venatori seem to be a faction wholly consisting of blood mages, the entire ritual to release that terrible ancient entity under Minrathous was a blood magic ritual (that's also drawn Neve's blood - a detail that may be relevant somewhere in her storyline, perhaps)

Also, I've watched Kala Elizabeth's Trailer Breakdown and she points out that the staff the redhead mage and Lucanis are grappling for is the exact same shape as the staff the shadow of which we see in Neve's tarot card.



It's unknown whether it's a detail that is in any way relevant (aside from probably being a faction style), but it's interesting nonetheless.

Like, it appears that we're not yet done with Venatori at all, and that they will pop up in different places in the story - but considering that both Neve and Lucanis had previous dealings (separate to Inquisition's) with them, it's not far-fetched to assume that their stories may interconnect at places - and who knows, maybe if we leave them to their own devices, they're another couple that will emerge on its own, like supposedly Lace and Tash will (maybe taking Lucanis to help with Neve's quest will be a flag for their romance? I mean, who knows at this point...)

It is possible that the Viper who controls the Shadow Dragons may be playing their own game. On the Thedas map Tevinter is covered with serpents and the aim of the Shadow Dragons was to restore the Tevinter the Venatori and other self-seeking corrupt Altus forgot. That doesn't necessarily mean their leader is one of the "good guys", just has their own political agenda. Why did Neve choose to have an aggressive snake decorating her prosthetic leg? Why does Tevinter iconography show a dragon and a snake in opposition? Why was there a codex in JoH referring to a conflict between the Moon Men and the Snake People?

As for the staff, there was a malign staff in DAO that we could acquire that had a kink in the end although not topped by the head of a creature. We looted it off the Hurlock general during the battle of Denerim. It was described thus:
Any mage can sense the undeniable power of this staff, but also corruption that infuses it, as if infected by the essence of the Blight itself. The surface is slick, as if coated with a foul oil that will never quite come clean, making it all the more unnerving to wield.
Wynne had this staff in Asunder and started using it after the Templar attack on the First Enchanters at the White Spire. She said it had been given to her by the Hero of Ferelden so it was the same staff. It was red in colour and started to have a bad influence on her. When Evangeline saw this she tore it away from her and smashed it to pieces. So, whilst that is not the same staff, it seems to have similar properties and we know the Venatori are using red lyrium. Thus, I think it belongs to Zara Renata, particularly as it is Lucanis who is battling her for it.

Kala Elizabeth also suggested that the mage Neve is confronting in the trailer could be a fellow Shadow Dragon. I thought the same when I saw that sequence. I think the shadowy figure in her tarot likely is the Viper and that Neve is going to discover their true motivations at some point. It is part of the reason I am having second thoughts about signing on with the Shadow Dragons and am now likely to opt for the Veil Jumpers. Some of the latter may also have their own agenda but I think I would rather stay clear of Tevinter politics and leave that to Neve, just supporting her as I can.

To be honest, I wonder if every faction is going to have a problem with corruption in their leadership in some form or another, even if it doesn't mean they are actively supporting the gods but just capitalising on the chaos. The old Behind the Scenes video said about us acting when people in authority won't. That may not refer to the leaders of nations as much as the leaders of the relevant factions. We know there was a problem in the Grey Wardens at the end of DAI that particularly related to the leadership at Weisshaupt; the Shadow Dragons likely will have a problem with the Viper; something really weird is happening at the Grand Necropolis that likely involves the leadership of the Mourn Watch/Mortalitasi; may be the leaders of the Veil Jumpers are going to be conflicted in some way, perhaps over the use of an artifact they/we discover; there is likely a problem in House Dellamorte with the absence of Lucanis so the Crows are compromised in their ability to defend Antiva; and the voice in the 2023 trailer associated with Rivain seemed to regard the risen gods as a good thing (glory to the risen gods), so may be the Lords of Fortune are in turmoil too.

Neve may be okay in herself but compromised by her Shadow Dragon connection because she believes their motives are honourable. I think the Viper is either a mage or possibly a Seeker or Templar from the south, given they seemed to negate the magic of the Venatori in the short story. Mind you, I've frequently asserted that I see no reason why someone couldn't be a Seeker from a different religion considering that what is required for the spirit to touch your mind is Faith. I had this whole concept in mind of a Dark Seeker devoted to one of the Old Gods, or may be even further back in Tevinter history to a still older god. The title of the Viper doesn't really inspire confidence that this person has benign intentions. Once again, I think back to Sarevok in BG1, who had the entire leadership and much of the populace of Baldurs' Gate thinking he was wonderful but was really as evil as they come.I don't mind if it is a common trope if it is done well because I prefer devious, intelligent villains to obviously corrupt ones. I have to hand it to Solas, he played his game very well in DAI.

The reason why I'm veering towards the Veil Jumpers as my faction now is that a. I am very interested in tracking down and researching old artifacts, b. I'm not really into political scheming myself and c. If they do turn up something potentially dangerous, perhaps I may get to hear about it/have access to it before other Rooks by virtue of my membership of the group. I suppose you could say the same of the Lords of Fortune but they are apparently de faco rulers of the seas around Rivain, so a bit political, and more invested in the idea of fortune and glory. I'm just a magic nerd and elf at heart.

I've looked at it quite a bit now both in the image and in the trailer and the shadow isn't the same, unless they couldn't be bothered with the nobbly bits around the shaft because the actual staff has a spiral design all the way up by the looks of it. That could be significant because there were spirals decorating the pillars in the Horror of Hormack that seemed to link to halla antlers that are spiraled and thus Ghilan'nain. The top of the staff appears to have the head of a creature (probably a dragon but may be something else) with a gem/crystal in its mouth (probably a red lyrium crystal)

Way to remind me that the trailer music was so much better than the actual soundtrack of the game...

From the trailer, I think the Fire Dragon we see in Arlathan Forest (at what looks to be the beginning of the game) is the same dragon that appears in the snowy landscape, just far more corrupted than before. In the first appearance, you can see the dragon has a slight red glow under its skin. Later, it’s fully corrupted and glowing red. It even has the same head bone structure, just twisted and blighted. The fact it shows up in multiple places is interesting.

Both dragons could relate to Ghilan’nain due to the tendrils. Wouldn’t be surprised if she corrupted the two with different lyrium to then fuse the two together like she seemingly did with herself and ~Disgusting Monster A~ we have yet to be introduced to. Also, Elgarnan’s entrance in that scene gives “this is not going to go the way you planned.” It’s giving In Your Heart Shall Burn. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are a lot of missions with heavy losses, given the circumstances.

On another note - it’s pretty incredible they nailed their concept art. That is a testament to the polish they’ve stated as their focus. The concept art was so colorful and bright with personality and I see that here. It’s even better. Kudos to the team.

I echo the sentiment from the skeleton. My kind of guess at this point is that the Mortalassi is activating it as some sort of defense mechanism. But then I also gather it does not quite go well for them, at least initially. 

I find her breakdown very informative.