Despite the many delays in Dragon Age 4's development, BioWare has soothed fans of the franchise by regularly releasing pieces of the game's concept art. Not only do these pictures feature remarkable artwork, but they have begun to reveal plots, characters, and locations that may appear when Dragon Age 4 is finally released. While concept art is rarely fully accurate compared to the final product, the general ideas that inspire their creations tend to survive in some form or another.
Dragon Age 4 has been confirmed to be taking place in a country called the Tevinter Imperium, which operates much differently than other countries in Thedas. While many nations seek to suppress their mages and other magically attuned individuals, Tevinter lifts them up into positions of power. Mages known as Magisters rule in the Magisterium, which is controlled by the Archon (also known as the Black Divine).
The Magisterium decides the major laws for the Imperium, and members have been known to assassinate their political rivals in order to secure power within the government. While players have little knowledge of Dragon Age 4's plotline, locations, characters, and gameplay, the concept art released has begun to fill in the blanks.
Dragon Age 4 Could See The Return Of The Antivan Crows
One of the latest concept releases for Dragon Age 4 features the Antivan Crows. First appearing in Dragon Age: Origins in the form of Zevran Arainai, one of their agents, the Antivan Crows are an organization of assassins, thieves, and spies across the known nations. They have been responsible for several serious power moves, including the assassination of Prince Estefan of Antiva, which is an action that succeeded in completely shifting the Antivan noble houses and inheritance of Antiva's throne. Their appearances have continued throughout the series, with Zevran making a short appearance in Dragon Age 2, and penning a letter to Leliana in Dragon Age: Inquisition.
The existence of an Antivan Crow in Tevinter is not inherently a terrible thing, as there is a chance that players will not be the intended target of another assassination this time around. The character in the concept art also appears to resemble one of the silhouettes in Dragon Age 4's party reveal, meaning that players could be looking at one of their newest companions. In a country rife with powerful political rivals seeking to remove competition and other roadblocks to supremacy, Antivan Crows would have no shortage of work in Tevinter. It's likely that their presence within the newest Dragon Age game will introduce players to the intricacies and corruption of Tevinter's political systems, which is complex and dangerous, and has only been explained through dialogue and documents throughout the franchise.
Dragon Age 4 Should See The Continued Efforts Of The Dread Wolf's Plot
The ending of Dragon Age: Inquisition saw the rise of a new threat in the form of a familiar face, as elven mage companion Solas revealed himself as the Trickster God, Fen'Harel. After freeing the Inquisitor from the Anchor by removing their arm, Solas states his intent to return the world to its previous state by destroying the Veil. Both Solas and the Inquisitor acknowledge the irreversible damage that this will do to Thedas and its inhabitants, but Solas is unmoved and departs with the remark, "Live well, while time remains."
The reveal of Solas Dragon Age 4's teaser trailer and concept art confirmed to fans that Fen'Harel will be returning to the series, likely in an antagonistic role. His plot to destroy the Veil and return the world of Thedas to the state it was in when elves ruled is likely still in effect, threatening all of existence. To accomplish this, Solas would need massive amounts of magical power likely acquired from the same orb he pursued in Dragon Age: Inquisition. While the orb in Inquisition was ultimately destroyed in the confrontation with Corypheus, similar orbs exist in the Tevinter Imperium, as is confirmed by Dorian Pavus during party dialogue while free roaming. The exact details of Solas' plans in Tevinter are unknown, but it is safe to assume the player character in Dragon Age 4 will be tasked with stopping the Dread Wolf threat.
Dragon Age's Grey Wardens Probably Remain In Tevinter
The Grey Wardens have been a staple of the Dragon Age franchise since its first installment, when players occupied the role of a Grey Warden in Dragon Age: Origins. The mark this protagonist left on the fandom was profound, and the success of the first game is ultimately what sparked BioWare's ability to expand the series into what it is today. Grey Wardens have made appearances in every Dragon Age video game, either in the form of companions or as the player character. It is unknown whether the Grey Wardens will appear in Dragon Age 4 as either of these, or simply appear as background characters.
Dragon Age's most recent installment, Dragon Age: Inquisition, placed the Grey Wardens at a vital crossroads. A Tevinter Magister called Erimond had successfully seduced the Orlesian Grey Warden Commander, and placed a majority of the Wardens under control with blood magic. Depending on the choice Dragon Age: Inquisition players make, the Grey Wardens are either exiled or urged to rebuild themselves. Both decisions see the Grey Wardens retreating to Weisshaupt Fortress, the headquarters of the organization, in order to regroup and plan their next moves. The Grey Wardens' appearance in Tevinter could be their first step toward redemption - or revenge.
Tevinter's Mage Politics Will Likely Be At The Forefront of Dragon Age 4
Unlike many countries in Thedas, the Tevinter Imperium has placed a high level of privilege on its magically attuned population. While games like Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2 saw the suppression of mages to inhumane degrees, Dragon Age: Inquisition introduced the possibility that things could be different. Dorian Pavus, a Tevinter mage and main character within Dragon Age: Inquisition, would often disparage the treatment of mages in the South, comparing the freedoms of mages in the South to the treatment of rabid dogs. While Dorian acknowledges the many flaws and faults of his people and country, he is not afraid to display his own pride in his magical talents, which is a rare sight in countries such as Ferelden and Orlais.
The current power structure of the Tevinter Imperium has crafted an image so vastly different from the rest of the Dragon Age world that activities considered taboo in other games will likely be featured in full force. The concept art of the mage woman in the streets, openly wielding her staff with an array of possibly magical items (pictured above), is a sight that could only be seen in Tevinter. Her status as a mage equips her with many advantages in society, and frees her from the constraints of those without magic. Other taboo factors that are implied with this concept art is the use of blood magic (spells accomplished through blood or sacrifice), which is a common art in Tevinter. The red coloring in the shadows of the alleyway could be implying this character's reputation as a blood mage, or a total embrace of the ideals of blood magic.
Dragon Age 4 Concept Art Explores The Social Hierarchy of Tevinter
The party of Dragon Age 4 was revealed in concept art that showed each companion's silhouette, but little more. From these silhouettes, fans could discern some of their species and gender, but much of it was obscured and led to speculation. This concept art not only shows a clearer image of one of the party members, but also her status in Tevinter. The female individual with horns is known as a Qunari, a Dragon Age species that has been at war with Tevinter for generations due to a conflict of ideologies and a territorial dispute in Seheron. Tevinter is a country that is known for its horrific practice of slavery, which has been exerted upon humans, elves, spirits, and Qunari alike. Given the expression of the Qunari companion, it is likely she has been pressed into service against her will.
Fenris, a companion of Dragon Age 2, was a former slave of a Tevinter Magister, with the threat of being returned to his master looming over his head each day. This past has severely scarred Fenris in more ways than one and diminished his faith in mages being able to govern themselves without hurting others, which is an ideal many Qunari share. Dorian Pavus has also admitted the dangers of specifically a Qunari wandering through Tevinter "freely", even in the presence of a Magister. The existence of a Qunari companion in the Tevinter Imperium has some darker implications, and it is likely that players will have to face the uglier side of this mage-friendly country far quicker than they realize. The suppression of human (or elven, Qunari, and spiritual) rights is a crime in any universe, but it appears Dragon Age is not backing down from this heavy and sensitive topic.
Dragon Age 4's Eluvian Archer Could Introduce The Dread Wolf's Army
While little has been revealed about the plot of Dragon Age 4, the subjects and backgrounds of the released concept art has succeeded in confirming an apparent enemy type. Players of Dragon Age: Inquisition's Trespasser will recognize the ruined remains of the Eluvian Crossroads, which encompassed most of the DLC's gameplay. Solas, also known as the Dread Wolf, has claimed almost total control over the eluvians, meaning that the archer could be a member of his army. One of the epilogue cutscenes in Dragon Age: Inquisition mentions the mass exodus of elves from Orlais and Ferelden, and it is quite possible this departure is a call to arms for the oppressed descendants of Arlathan.
This style of character has been seen in another piece of concept art, meaning that it will likely be a faction of some sort. The existence of this enemy as a group suggests that players may be facing this enemy type regularly depending on the location they are in. Given the Crossroads background, it can be assumed that not only will players be returning to the location, but that Solas' army will be blocking the way. Why the eluvian's Crossroads will be an area of interest, or what they have to offer during the course of Dragon Age 4's storyline has yet to be revealed. However, it was very apparent in Inquistion that the Crossroads had powerful sources of magic in the form of spirits, ancient texts, and other magical entities.
Red Lyrium Remains A Likely Threat In Dragon Age 4
No gameplay has been released for Dragon Age 4, but the trailer shown at last year's Gamescom combined with the red strands of darkness shown in the concept art above pretty much confirms the return of Red Lyrium. The corrupted form of Lyrium first appeared within Dragon Age 2, with its threat persisting throughout Dragon Age: Inquisition. Historically in the franchise, Red Lyrium has been used to corrupt Templars into Red Templars in order to make them more powerful against the mages they are ordered to control. The two warriors in the concept art above appear to be locked in combat against black and red tendrils that resemble the Red Lyrium shown in Dragon Age 4's teaser. Whether this means that the material has somehow gained sentience (or another faction has weaponized it), has yet to be seen, but it is clearly still a threat to Thedas and its inhabitants.
The two combatants in the concept art appear to be of the same faction as the archer in the Eluvian Crossroads concept art, and appear to be in a similar area given the background's design and color scheme. Why the two are fighting is unknown, though there is one faction that has been able to weaponize the corrupted Lyrium and has appeared in the series before. Dragon Age: Inquisition had two antagonistic factions in the form of the Venatori and the Red Templars. The Red Templars utilized Red Lyrium to mutate themselves and weaponize their own bodies, but their leadership was captured and their ranks scattered. Seeing as the Inquisition likely failed to kill them all, it would make sense that straggling Red Templars may have joined the Venatori and returned to Tevinter.
Dragon Age 4 Could Finally Reveal The Executors, Those Across The Sea
This final piece of concept art reveals many potential plots that may appear in Dragon Age 4. The first is the obvious subaquatic setting, along with a character that appears to be submerged comfortably beneath the waves. Those who paid special attention to the War Council quests in Dragon Age: Inquisition might recognize the phrase "Those Across The Sea", or Executors. Thedas is currently the only known continent in the Dragon Age world, however Inquisition revealed not only that there are civilizations across the ocean but their agents have journeyed to Thedas to gather information. It is possible that Dragon Age 4 could introduce the Executors properly, or begin to explore the worlds beyond the waves.
This image also seems to confirm the return of Dorian Pavus, whose likeness can be found on the mustached face of the man in the lower left corner. At the conclusion of Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dorian Pavus departed to reside permanently in Tevinter to inherit his father's seat in the Magisterium. As a Magister, Dorian has ascended to one of the highest ranked political positions within Tevinter. As a native of Tevinter, Dorian Pavus' presence within Dragon Age 4 was suspected, but his appearance in the concept art has likely confirmed his return to the series. It is unknown at this time what goals Dorian will be pursuing, or what his relation to the protagonist and primary cast will be.
Dragon Age 4 still seemingly has quite a way to go until it is ready for a release date, and there is no information yet on when BioWare intends to release gameplay or a full trailer for the project. Few details have been confirmed about the game's plot, characters, gameplay mechanics, or features, and the systems the game will be releasing on. Fortunately, fans can begin to piece together the beginnings of Dragon Age 4's story thanks to the details spotted throughout the concept art released to them. With luck, the coming months will bring some news of Dragon Age 4's progress.