Solas Romance Continue in Dragon Age 4

Many fans of BioWare's Dragon Age series felt like 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition was a strong return to form after the reception of Dragon Age 2. The third installment in the popular Dragon Age series was further elevated by amazing regions to discover, and an affecting story full of compelling characters. One of the more standout aspects of Dragon Age: Inquisition was its incredibly late-game twist, where one of the player's first companions turned out to be the antagonistic hand behind the game's major villain. This was explored more fully in the Trespasser DLC, and has supposedly set up vital story aspects for the upcoming Dragon Age 4 as well.

While not much is known about the highly-anticipated fourth installment, Solas' inclusion has been confirmed thanks to a teaser trailer released at The Game Awards 2020. The elven mage was an important companion for the Inquisitor in the previous game, and the revelation in the last few moments that he was in fact the infamous Dread Wolf of elven legend was a massive surprise to many gamers. Not only that, but he was instrumental in Corypheus' plans in Dragon Age: Inquisition, and has been set up as a major villain for Dragon Age 4. Despite his destructive ambitions, many fans wonder if Solas could — or even should — be redeemed in the next game.

Complicated Antagonists in Dragon Age

There are plenty of examples of very straightforward villains in video games. These are characters that just want to watch the world burn; who enjoy smashing things and blowing things up just for the sake of it. These can be fun and satisfying to pit players against, but there is something more interesting about a villain who is actually quite sympathetic. These types of characters usually appear in more nuanced narratives, which strive for realism in a story that is often not very black and white. A prime example of this is The Last of Us, as Marlene is simply trying to find a cure for humanity — a noble goal that nevertheless leads to her death as Joel saves Ellie.

The fact that Solas spends most of Dragon Age: Inquisition as a player companion, who helps the Inquisition take down Corypheus and his army of red lyrium-infused monsters, complicates his villainous portrayal. Players can befriend him and even romance him if they create a female elf Inquisitor, and this layer to the relationship only makes his eventual betrayal all the more bittersweet. He might not necessarily be the friendliest or most fun companion, but players can still form a bond with the elven mage and get to know his complex character throughout the game.

Solas' Journey So Far

When players first meet Solas, he appears to be nothing more than an elven apostate with an academic fixation on the Fade. His quiet determination to undermine the beliefs of the Chantry that demons, spirits, and anything else associated with the Fade are dangerous and not to be trusted indicates his openness and his free-thinking personality. He's polite, solitary, and can be hard to get close to.

When players find a graveyard for their companions in the Fade during the quest "Here Lies the Abyss," they can see that Solas' greatest fear is to die alone. This adds a layer of sadness to the already solitary character, and helps players to understand what drives him. This feeling is compounded when his true background is revealed, as players learn that Solas is actually Fen'Harel, the elven god of betrayal and rebellion. While this is subtly hinted at throughout Dragon Age: Inquisition, it is not until Trespasser that Solas' full identity is explored.

Solas was tangentially connected to the Evanuris — ancient and powerful elven mages who falsely presented themselves as gods. He led a rebellion against this tyrannical group and freed their slaves, but after they killed one of their own, Mythal, Solas snapped. He created the Veil and imprisoned the Evanuris, but this also unwittingly damaged the world and removed his people's immortality and the majority of their magic.

Solas' Redemption in Dragon Age 4

When Solas' full character and motivations are revealed, it is hard not to feel sorry for him. He acted with the best of intentions, only wanting to free his people from tyranny and oppression. He woke from his long slumber to find that things were even worse, in no small part because of the creation of the Veil. That he would want to tear it down seems like a natural response, even though he knows this will have destructive and lethal consequences. If players pursued a romance with him or have a strong approval rating, Solas seems torn about his goals and even wishes the player will prove him wrong, which shows how conflicted he is.

A lot could happen between Dragon Age: Inquisition and Dragon Age 4, but if Solas retains some of this hesitancy it's possible he could be dissuaded from his path. He's a logical and thoughtful character, and if a less drastic solution could be presented, it might mean that he could be swayed. He actively helps the Inquisition during Trespasser, and even saves the Inquisitor's life despite their now opposing goals, which shows his humanity. As he himself states, he is not "a monster." Overall, almost all of his actions are based on his need to help people, even if this is sometimes misguided or shrouded in arrogance.

This seems like a rich avenue to explore from a storytelling perspective, and Solas' redemption arc could provide a really heartwarming and interesting backbone to Dragon Age 4's plot. So often villains who redeem themselves need to make the ultimate sacrifice to fully atone, much like Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker, and Solas could accomplish his final redemption by facing death to save others.

Spending so much time with him as a companion certainly puts Solas in an interesting position if he is the main antagonist in Dragon Age 4, and the player's prior relationship with the elven mage seems a solid foundation for a redemption arc. Some may think he has already gone too far, but it's undeniable that there is still good in him despite, his drastic aims. Either way, Solas has been set up as a fascinatingly complex character and sympathetic villain, and fans will be eager to see where else his story could go once Dragon Age 4 is released.

Dragon Age 4 is in development.

MORE: Dragon Age 4: Why Dorian is Likely to Return

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Source: https://gamerant.com/dragon-age-4-solas-redemption-betrayal-dragon-age-inquisition/