In terms of player agency, Dragon Age: The Veilguard has plenty of room for choice, and some of those choices will affect how the plot develops and how the story ends. And one of those choices is the selection of a new Archon for the Tevinter Imperium.
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Throughout the Shadow Dragon's questline, players will meet Dorian Parvus (a Magister who aided the Inquisition during the third Dragon Age game) and Maevaris Tilanni, a character born from the earlier Dragon Age comics. Though this decision seems quite easy, it will define the fate of one of the biggest factions in Thedas. So, let's take a look at each of the choices and why players should decide on either.
Spoiler Warning: this guide delves into some narrative spoilers related to the fate of the Tevinter Imperium.
When Does This Choice Appear In Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
This choice comes up after players are summoned back to the Shadow Dragon's lair in the quest named "A Soul of a City." Maevaris and Dorian will discuss with Rook and their allies the best choice for the next Archon, but other important characters might be able to bring some guidance to the players to help them make a decision. With that in mind, players can talk to the following characters:
- Neve Gallus
- The Viper
- Tarquin
After speaking with these characters, players will have a clear idea of what the two Archon candidates stand for, and what reforms they will bring to the Imperium. But to make things easier, this guide summarizes both choices and their consequences.
What Happens In Dragon Age: The Veilguard If Dorian Becomes Archon?
Dorian Pavus is a reformist at heart but also has deep ties with the Old Tevinter Imperium. The Pavus family has followed traditions for years, and Dorian was the first to drift away from these traditions and founded (alongside Maevaris) the first Pro Thedas faction in the Magisterium: The Lucerni. As such, Dorian is well accustomed to challenging authority and will support The Veilguard in each of their needs if required.
On the other hand, Dorian is also weaker than Maevaris in terms of political knowledge, and instead of using cunning and less invasive tactics, he is willing to sweep out all his opposition by extorting all the corrupted Magisters who supported the Old Gods and the Venatori, making them resign or murdering instead of exposing their crimes. This brings an immediate change to Tevinter, but it makes the streets grow with unrest.
- This will also increase approval rates for Lucanis, Bellara, and Emmrich.
At the end of the game, players will see a small cutscene where the narrator explains how this affected the Imperium, bringing a lot of change at the cost of a lot of internal turmoil. This choice doesn't have any consequences aside from that small difference in the epilogue.
If players choose to save Treviso instead of Dock Town, they will be locked out of this choice, and Dorian will be automatically selected as Archon.
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What Happens In Dragon Age: The Veilguard If Maevaris Becomes Archon?
Maevaris Tilani, co-founder of the Lucerni and a recently "disgraced" magister, has been supporting the Shadow Dragons while Dorian acts out in the open, since he retained his position as Magister. Maevaris is a skillful political hawk, able to move behind the scenes and tie the knot with dangerous Magisters who wish to benefit from all the chaos happening in Thedas. She wishes to use the information provided by Rook to control the Magisters and bring a slow and steady change to the Imperium.
Maevaris might be stronger than Dorian in terms of political skills, but she also has a weaker image due to the scandal that brought her down to shame. If players pick her as the new Archon, MInrathous will greatly benefit, and the reforms will begin immediately but with a "kinder hand." This will cause many of the Venatori Magisters to escape rightful punishment, and Maevaris knows this, but she is willing to let old grudges go for a better future. This will also increase approval rates with Taash, Davrin, and Harding.
At the end of the game, players will see that Maevaris compromise has brought a positive change but has left Tevinter weaker to external influences, like that of the Antaam. As players might know, the Antaam are the military branch of the Qunaari that has been at war with Tevinter for years. This might not have immediate consequences for the plot, or for the ending (aside from a simple change in the epilogue cutscene), but it might influence future outcomes when players import their World Status to a future Dragon Age Game.
No matter the choice, at the end of the quest, players will receive 400 Faction Strength points with the Shadow Dragons and reinforce the Bond with their accompanying party members. They will also receive Gold, Exp for Rook, and a random Item (or an upgrade of the items they already have).
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- Released
- October 31, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Franchise
- Dragon Age
- PC Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 31, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
