Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Choosing Between Dorian and Maevaris for Archon Position

Dragon Age: The Veilguard presents players with a tapestry of choices, large and small, as Rook and their companions endeavor to protect Thedas. These decisions range from assisting friends with personal dilemmas to navigating the political intrigues of mayors, decapitating dragon threats, and confronting devious trickster gods. One pivotal decision arises late in the game, where Rook must consider the future of the Tevinter Empire and determine who should ascend as the next Archon.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.]

Politics have always been an integral aspect of the Dragon Age series. In Dragon Age: Origins, players had to decide who would claim the throne of Ferelden, while Inquisition featured three characters vying for the position of the next Divine. Although political dynamics remain significant throughout the franchise, the intricacies of Tevinter’s political machinations and the governance of the Magisterium have often remained shrouded in mystery as previous installments primarily explored Southern Thedas. With the narrative of The Veilguard shifting northward, players can now influence the destiny of this powerful empire.

Choosing the Next Archon: The Process

The Decision Arises at the Conclusion of the Shadow Dragons Faction Questline

To present Rook with the choice between Dorian and Maevaris for Archon, assistance must be provided to Minrathous instead of Treviso during the attack of the Blighted dragons. This action will ensure the Shadow Dragons remain a formidable faction, paving the way for discussions concerning Tevinter’s leadership. Following the rescue of the kidnapped Dalish in the “Blood of Arlathan”mission and a conversation with Solas, Rook will receive a request to meet Maevaris at the Shadow Dragon safe house.

This encounter initiates the quest titled “The Soul of a City, ”where Rook must unravel a conspiracy perpetrated by the Venatori to conclude the Shadow Dragons’ storyline. The journey includes a visit to the Cobbled Swan, where Rook must confront Knight-Commander Lenos before returning to engage in a discussion between Maevaris and Dorian regarding Tevinter’s future and the Venatori threat. Ultimately, both characters seek Rook’s insight on who should be the next Archon.

Consequences of Choosing Maevaris

Maevaris Tilani’s Vision for Tevinter

Throughout this debate, both contenders will advocate for their visions. Maevaris aspires to foster a sense of transparency, believing it essential to build trust among the Tevinter populace. During the course of the quest, Rook will uncover a list of Magisters who have colluded with the Venatori, exploiting their positions of power. Maevaris aims to utilize this information to galvanize the public by revealing the truth.

If Rook has previously identified as a Shadow Dragon, they will encounter additional dialogue options, frequently expressing skepticism about the political landscape of Tevinter and its seeming stagnation.

Maevaris is determined to demonstrate that the people deserve to see justice being enacted openly, contrasting with the usual clandestine dealings of powerful figures. She raises concerns about Dorian’s aggressive tactics, fearing they might provoke adversaries to adopt similar ruthless methods. Her objective is to illuminate Tevinter’s governance by removing the shroud of secrecy.

Choosing to back Maevaris will lead to approval from Davrin, Taash, and Harding. Players can gather insights from the Viper, Tarquin, and Neve regarding both candidates, with Ashur expressing strong support, labeling Maevaris as the leader the people yearn for and cautioning that Dorian’s methodology could incite disorder.Neve’s response will pivot based on the completion of her personal quest, remaining ambiguous if it remains unfinished at the time of inquiry.

Consequences of Choosing Dorian

Dorian Pavus and His Ambitious Approach

Dorian intends to leverage the list of corrupted Magisters discovered by Rook to combat those who have systematically victimized the populace.His strategy is to apply lessons drawn from the Inquisitor, Leliana, and Southern politics to launch a direct offensive against antagonistic forces. Dorian conveys a marked disillusionment with the political system, particularly following the fallout from the Lucerni’s disbandment.

The Lucerni was an organization conceived by Dorian and Maevaris aimed at instigating political change. However, after being framed for treason, Maevaris’s reputation was tarnished, leading to the factions’ dissolution and subsequent transformation into the underground Shadow Dragons.

Dorian’s ambition transcends mere political maneuvering; he seeks to obliterate his foes entirely to prevent any resurgence.His frustration with Maevaris’s cautious stance is palpable as he reminds her that the existence of the Shadow Dragons stems from a flawed system. He is adamant about revitalizing the stagnant mindset of Tevinter governance through innovative measures.

Supporting Dorian will earn the favor of Lucanis, Bellara, and Emmrich. Conversations with Neve, Tarquin, and the Viper will reveal that Tarquin aligns himself with Dorian, citing Dorian’s strategic acumen while expressing skepticism about Maevaris’s potential for substantive change. Notably, both Tarquin and the Viper maintain that whichever candidate is chosen will receive the full backing of the Shadow Dragons.

Ultimately, the ramifications of the Archon selection are not immediately apparent in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The primary distinction lies in the concluding sequences, where Maevaris is depicted as a beacon of inspiration and transformative change, while Dorian is characterized as audacious and impactful. In the scenario where Treviso is spared rather than Minrathous, Dorian will ascend as the Archon of Tevinter.

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