Dragon Age: The Veilguardintroduces fans to a whole new roster of characters as Rook gathers their team to fight the Evanuris. From skilled dragon hunters and elven artifact experts to shrewd detectives and Grey Wardens, everyone adds to the party to help Rook fight anything thrown at them throughout the game. However, there are two more party members who are a little more unusual but no less important toThe Veilguard’s story.
[Warning: This article containsspoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.]
Companions and support characters have always been a core aspect of theDragon Ageseries andeach game’s protagonists have had some odd friends. Alongside mages, warriors, and assassins have been grumpy stone golems, loyal dogs, and spirits who have found themselves trapped in the mortal world. Two such characters joinThe Veilguardteam but stand out from previous entities seen in the franchise.
The Veilguard Has Two Spirit Party Members
Manfred & Spite Continue A Dragon Age Tradition In A New Way
While the core companions ofThe Veilguardare made up of humans, elves, qunari, and dwarves, there are two more characters who will join Rook in the Lighthouse.Spite and Manfred join alongside Emmrich and Lucanis and are both spirits, beings of pure magic from the Fade who embody certain emotions or traits. However, that is where the similarities between the two end, as Spite and Manfred have had very different journeys before the beginning ofThe Veilguardthat change how they interact with the world around them.
The Veilguardisn’t the firstDragon Agegame to feature spirit companionsor possessed companions. The first was Wynne inDragon Age: Origins, who was kept alive by a spirit of Faith after she momentarily died during a battle. A spirit of Justice possessed the corpse of Warden Kristoff in theDragon Ageexpansion,Awakenings, before merging with Anders just beforeDragon Age 2. Then, inInquisition, Cole joined the Inquisitor’s team; he was a spirit of Compassion that had physically manifested its own body after the death of the original human Cole.
All demons are spirits, but not all spirits are demons. While some demons exist as forms of negative emotions and vices such as Envy, Rage, or Pride, demons can also be created when spirits are twisted against their purpose, as seen with Justice becoming Vengeance.
Spirits and demons have always been a part ofDragon Age’s lore, with the emphasis placed on how dangerous the latter can be to mages. And whileeach game has often shown the consequences of spirits who become twisted against their nature, they have also demonstrated that these Fade entities are far more complex than the Chantry would have the people of Thedas believe. Spite and Manfred are fantastic examples of this, showing different aspects of a vast spectrum of spirit behavior.
Manfred Is The Literal Embodiment Of Curiosity
Manfred’s Sweet Desire To Learn Shows How Spirits Can Grow
Manfred will join the team alongside Emmrich towards the end of Act One after Rook must choose tosave either Minrathous or Treviso. First appearing to serve tea, the little skeleton brightens up any scene with his happy hisses and inquisitive nature. Speaking with Emmrich will reveal more about Manfred’s history, and it will come as no surprise to anyone when the necromancer explains thatManfred was originally a wisp, a very small spirit of Curiosity. He was fascinated with Emmrich and, eventually, a body was built for Manfred to experience the world.
Manfred is keen to learn and acts as Emmrich’s manservant, fetching books or assisting with research. Rook can play rock paper scissors with him in the Lighthouse, andManfred can often be found in various places interacting with other members of the team. It would be easy to dismiss Manfred as a simple background character. However, he is a great example of how spirits can grow and learn, which is most clearly demonstrated through Emmrich’s quest.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Should You Help Emmrich Save Manfred Or Follow His Dream
As Rook helps companion Emmrich during Dragon Age: The Veilguard a choice must be made between saving Manfred or the necromancer become a lich.
During the late stages of Emmrich’s quest to stop Hezenkoss, Manfred starts to use proper words instead of hissing. Unfortunately, Manfred can be killed while fighting Hezenkoss, but if brought back, will start torapidly develop using more complex words and even learn some magic. Manfred beautifully demonstrates the changing nature of spirits and how they can grow while still remaining true to their core aspect. Manfred is Curiosity, manifesting as an intense desire to learn, and shows the innocent desires of some spirits.
Is Spite A Demon Or Spirit?
Spite Is Just As Traumatized By The Ossuary As Lucanis
Spite is a totally different entity to Manfred and is often referred to as a demon throughoutThe Veilguard. Pulled from the Fade against his will, Spite was forced into Lucanis during their time in the Ossuary, with the two of them eventually reaching an understanding. Spite, as his name suggests, can be hostile and bitter at times andwill lash out at Lucanis when he doesn’t get his way. However, this initial animosity between the two may not mean Spite is a true demon.
There are some excellent and funny banters between Lucanis, Spite, and Emmrich regarding Manfred. In them, Spite expresses frustration that Manfred has his own hands and feet.
Spite plays a key role throughout Lucanis’ quest, with Lucanis noting that he doesn’t sleep as it is easier for Spite to take control of his body when he does. However, during the times that Spite is in control, he never does anything that could put Lucanis in serious danger, leading many to speculate thatSpite is more like a toddler acting out. If Treviso is saved, the relationship between them is explored in much more detail, with Spite directly reaching out to Rook for help when Lucanis is paralyzed by his own insecurities.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Should Lucanis Free Or Imprison Illario
Lucanis Dellamorte’s journey in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is one of betrayal and family where Rook has to decide the fate of an Antivan Crow traitor.
Looking closely at Spite, he seems more like an extremely traumatized spirit rather than a demon, and given how he came to be joined with Lucanis, that makes the most sense.Spite is referred to as a spirit of Determinationby Rowan, the Lords of Fortune seer, and by Solas, an identity that Spite does not reject. Spite is an aspect of Determination, and could potentially heal from his experiences in the Ossuary to return to that state, something that could be explored in games or media beyondDragon Age: The Veilguard.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is the fourth entry in the Dragon Age franchise and a sequel to 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. A classic character, Solas, will return as the new game’s antagonist. The game will retain many of the series' staples, such as multiple dialogue options, party choices, romantic options, and more. Dreadwolf will act as the first direct sequel in the Dragon Age franchise.
