Andruil | Addiction & Fixation | Dragon Age: the Veilguard

Andruil, the Lady of the Hunt...and Grooming. She is the Evanuris that has plenty of codex pages to analyse! Dragon Age lore is rich and full of mysteries, therefore the elven gods had curious lives. Hopefully I managed to crack Andruil's character arc with minor mistakes. When the Veilguard is out, I'll hunt all pages about her.
00:00 Warning SPOILERS
00:06 Your comments matter!
00:19 Solas about Andruil
00:28 How I theorise DA lore
00:55 Andruil's origin
01:29 Scheme
02:05 Made-up philosophy
02:27 Three rules. This is the way!
03:10 New religion
03:32 Social construct
03:44 Pious submission
04:18 Obsessive behaviour
05:27 Adrenaline junkie
06:08 Another addiction theory
06: 30 "Armour" of the Void
07:00 Refused to obey, went wild
07:44 My neighbour once went wild lmao
08:04 Lyruim affects gods differently
09:14 Grooming Ghilan'nain
11:01 Andruil's motiv
11:57 Sacrificed to be used or "changed"
12:38 Ghil has Andruil's Spear
13:00 Experiments with dragon blood
13:56 The Evanuris made each other villans
14:17 Let's start a discussion
14:58 Have fun, play videogames

[@Jeff17ish]

Andruil reminds me of an even more fucked up version of Hircine. See Hircine loves to hunt and yet he is somewhat honorable, he congratulates prey who manage to turn the tables on the hunter instead, yet Andruil is far from any such notions of honor. Amazing how even a Daedric Lord is not as fucked up as the Evanuris.

[@ImpGoose]

Aaaw, Skyrim and its lore 🤌🏼🔥 Love the comparison! I guess Andruil is so messed up because she is not truly a god, but a mage with a huge ego. Daedric lords appear respectful to their domain. If the prey outwit hunters, they prove their worth by deed. It's admirable!

[@GarethOfByzantium]

@@Jeff17ish do we know Andruil didn’t have that honor? At least before she got the proto-Blight.

[@Jeff17ish]

@@GarethOfByzantium it's hard to say. It depends on when they began to brand and enslave the other elves. If they didn't before going crazy then maybe?

[@toraryoung]

Hircine is a slave to his nature, he can't choose to do otherwise. That is the most tragic thing about the daedra, they gave up choice to keep their power and now they regret it.

[@flooferdoofer]

Prisonships full of slaves as sacrifices for Ghil's experiments, like we read about in Horrors of Hormak; the carvings on the pillars? That would make Andruil even more in line with Andoral, Old God of Slavery. I already figured Razikale (Mystery) was a scientist like Ghilan'nain. And Lusacan (Night) is Elgar'nan, who threw the sun down.. which cause night. I like how this more and more lines up with the 'real faces' of the Evanuris, or the darker side of their domains. Andruil started of as a masterful huntress, but no challenge was great enough and when Mythal denied her the Lyrium / hunting Titans then having Ghil create new creatures for her to play with makes sense. Also makes sense that Ghil as a mad scientist would make worse and worse monstrosities, testing the limits of her experiments, to the point that the other Evanuris had to step in. I don't think Ghilan'nain was a simple devout follower. I think she already had her mad scientist streak. She was probably somewhat of an apostate, experimenting in secret. And when Andruil found out about the monstrosities she was creating, Andruil offered to work together; 'I bring you things to experiment with, and you give me new things to hunt', or something like that. Hmmm, back to the Old Gods, as my mind does keep wandering back to them; - Lusacan of the Night = Elgar'nan, who threw the sun down, vengeful and scary leader of their pantheon. (I wonder what more we'll learn in DAtV!!) - Razikale of Mystery = Ghilan'nain who is a mad scientist, elevated to 'godhood' later after Andruil presented her 'talent' to the others - Andoral of Slaves = Andruil who provided Ghil with slaves, a master huntsman who craved bigger prey - Dumat of Silence = Dirthamen, keeper of knowledge and secrets, like a master librarian.. or a spymaster? - Zazikel of Chaos = Falon'din, a priest-like character maybe, one who guided spirits, dreamers and the dead. Amassed followers like he led a cult - Toth of Fire = The smith / master craftsman June, based on his interaction with June in a codex speaking about a gift - Urthemiel of Beauty = The master architect Sylaise, based on her interaction with Toth in a codex speaking about a gift

[@ImpGoose]

It truly looks similar. It could mean two things: people express the same flaws and sins, or the Old Gods are the Evanuris. Are you eager to explore this from a different pov? - The Old Gods are archdemons for 100%. Therefore, they are in the material world where darkspawn can find them. - The Evanuris (aka Creators) are trapped in the Fade, which is separated from the material world by the Veil that Solas created. What can you say about the logical bump in this theory?

[@tainadeoliveira]

​​​​@@ImpGoose​ I had a theory that maybe their souls or part of them were trapped into dragons by Solas when he made the Veil. Maybe as a safety mechanism to make sure that if they ever escaped they couldn't hold their full power. These dragons would be the Tevinter Old Gods. Using the dragons as connections to the physical realm the Evanuris lured the magisters into the Fade, into the tainted Black City. They were corrupted and cast back. As it is implied that the Evanuris might have some sort of control over the Taint, they could have intentionally spread the it in Thedas in order to extend the reach of their power beyond a religious cult. They sing to Darkspawn so that they can taint the dragons holding theirs souls and thus take back some of their power. When an archdemon dies their soul will pass to the nearest tainted creature (usually darkspawn, which are maybe souless or completely under their control) and be reborn. If they inhabit a grey warden... who is tainted but not fully under their control, they can't take hold and their soul is released? Killing the warden in the process? This could explain why Solas says the wardens are making a huge mistake by planning to hunt and kill the next archdemon. They would basically release the powers of Elgarnan and Ghil into the world. The other archdemons probably got their souls absorbed by Mythal, or maybe they even possessed a mortal (as it was the case with Flemeth/Mythal). I find it very unlikely that as part of her reckoning Mythal would just leave their souls hanging around, waiting for her murderers to come back.

[@AndE667]

I'm thinking Falon'Din is Dumat, since the biblical Dumah is the angel of "deathlike" silence, or death. And maybe Falon'Din's name is also misunderstood in the modern elven, and instead he was a messed up necromancer rather than "friend of the dead". Friend WITH the dead, if you will. Also, since he was so eager for worshippers, it would make sense he was the first one to gain favor from the disgusting shemlen.

[@GarethOfByzantium]

I totally agree, except I saw Sylaise as Toth and June as Urthemiel.

[@GarethOfByzantium]

@@ImpGooseNote: the Old Gods stopped communicating through dreams after THAT. Like something was released from the fade.

[@thirdcoastfirebird]

Andruil is a mad woman who can't stop killing things. She is a groomer and a serial killer. She groomed her 'friend' (I say this to imply that Ghilan'nain was just a tool) to be a mad scientist so they could kill. Think of it as a serial killer grooming another serial killer. One hunts monsters, but the other 'creates' monsters to hunt.

[@ImpGoose]

Their tandem is truly sickening 👀 Can't wait to discover more codex pages.

[@thirdcoastfirebird]

@@ImpGoose Indeed.

[@eastbow6053]

dont forget she tried to grape solas who she tied up on a tree

[@GarethOfByzantium]

@@thirdcoastfirebird Who says it wasn’t sexual?

[@thirdcoastfirebird]

@@GarethOfByzantium No one, but I am taking an 'I don't know, so won't able' route to this. Till we know then, we are only assuming.

[@mr.guizee7764]

Interesting. I think Andruil became addicted to RED lyrium. I also think the Abyss is a place deep within the earth and not in the Fade, which leads me to believe the archdemons are forgotten ones or related to them

[@ImpGoose]

Red lyrium fits the story beautifully and explains her madness. I wish I had more proof to add it into the video. The Abyss is a tricky thing, though. If the Void and the Abyss are the same thing, we can say that it's a fancy way to name the Deep Roads (we have proof of that from DA games). The Deep Roads are real and the Fade was everywhere before Solas created the Veil. Therefore it can be a pretty casual place that was cut off from the Fade or still in the Fade... depending where the Veil is hahah. It's really a complicated subject for speculation, but we know for sure that there are too many connections between the Void and the Deep Roads. That's why I agree that archdemons are more likely to be the Forgotten Ones aka Old Gods. Seriously, I crave more codex pages in the Veilguard 😭

[@mr.guizee7764]

@@ImpGoose i hope they dont forget to add them in tons. Also with Ghil and Elgar messing around, we could probably ask them a few things haha

[@AndE667]

I have two theories of Forgotten Ones: either they're the escaped elves who lived among the dwarves, and had their existence struck from the memories. Or the dwarves themselves, since they kind of forgot where they came from...

[@MicahLetsPlay]

This is the way and I support this video. ❤🏹

[@ImpGoose]

This is the way! 🥳🥰❤️

[@GarethOfByzantium]

I think the lore does suggest Ghilan’nain was a mad scientist before Andruil got involved.

[@ImpGoose]

It depends on interpretation, I suppose. If we choose to identify all breeders as mad people, then... Yeah 😅

[@HesperVespis]

Ah, you've rekindled my immense love for the lore despite how negatively i feel towards the future of the franchise. Thank you for these videos, loving your analysis!

[@ImpGoose]

Thanks, you're very kind! I'm scared for the DA future too... Hopefully this channel will give all of us a place to stay positive or discuss worrying things collectively ✨

[@DualLifeGames]

This channel is fast becoming one of my favorite DA lore channels. Well done.

[@ImpGoose]

Glad you like it 🥰

[@davidradach9311]

This video was completely with the wait. Incredibly thought out, too. Lyrium does affect one’s mind, and I hadn’t thought of Andruil as a groomer! I look forward to seeing your upcoming videos!

[@ImpGoose]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for your patience 🔥😜

[@minerva7726]

I am constantly amazed by the effort you put in and the flawless work you produce every time. now that your video editing skills have improved, you'll probably be famous soon (referring to the solas animation at the beginning of the video)

[@ImpGoose]

Thanks! I just love dragon age lore and want to share it with everyone 🥹❤️ And!!! Imagine me in a month. After I learn how to animate text templates, I'll become unstoppable 🤣🤣🤣

[@minerva7726]

@@ImpGoose absolutely! you’re going to be unstoppable... (puts on sunglasses to avoid having an epileptic seizure from the excessive animation.)

[@thebreadbaron5951]

Ayyyy first. Andruil is gonna be an intense boss fight lollll

[@ImpGoose]

Yay! She could be very dangerous, though I sincerely hope we will have only 2 Evanuris to fight. Otherwise, I suggest to rename the game "Dragon Age: the Godslayer" hahaha

[@thebreadbaron5951]

@@ImpGoose fair point lollll. A lot of room for DLC and Dragon Age has always had phenomenal DLC so we’ll see. I was kinda hoping we take Elgarnan (whoops spelling) out last but we’ll see how it plays out

[@sarahnantz1364]

I find it hard to believe that Mythal would just punish Andruil without previously warning her of the consequences of messing with lyrium or regularly being exposed to the void. It is my assumption that she was given warnings and CHOSE to ignore them and care more about her own selfish desires than that of her own wellbeing or the wellbeing of her followers. I think she is definitely to blame. Mythal seems powerful and strict at times qhen it's necessary, but she also comes off as quite merciful. I'm sure Andruil had opportunities to restart and find peace, yet she did not long for peace. This sounds more like a choice to me.

[@ImpGoose]

I'm afraid you're right. One more reason to suggest that Andruil was immature in her desires and used her cunning mind for nothing good 🤔

[@harveysidhu7030]

Loved this analysis so much. I love the incredibly dark nature of the world and this just adds to its mystique. Andruil being a sadistic huntress, and addict and her grooming Ghil and essentially using her just feels so twisted and I love every second of it. I would say, however, that Sylaise goddess of the arts and hearthkeeper is probably the most Disney princess-esque goddess out of the Evanuris. I am very curious if there is any dirt on her, and if the goddess of the hunt can be viewed as one of sacrifice what could the dark side of the goddess of the arts be.

[@ImpGoose]

Thanks! 🔥 It's a tricky job to connect the dots using facts and logic more than imagination, so... I'm sure all Evanuris have their dirty secrets. We just need to understand their motivation first 🤔

[@xLiloScaries]

I love your deep dives into the lore and putting it all together, this theory sounds very possible and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next game.

[@ImpGoose]

Yay! I really hope they'll release it in September, though the 10 year anniversary sounds like a thing...

[@xLiloScaries]

@@ImpGoose We have been waiting sooo long, it is crazy.

[@toraryoung]

The entire video assumes the worst of the worst and keeps going worse! Hot damn! Even Solas was not that depressed about the Evanuris but if we think rationally, it is highly likely what happened.

[@glutenfreepixels152]

I love your theories! This is the way.

[@ImpGoose]

This is the way! 🥰🥳

[@susvik7986]

i still remember the puzzle from tresspasser that goes "One sees the hunter, one flees from it, one hunts it in turn, one outwits them all." which may imply that, at one point, Ghilan'nain and Andruil may have had a fallout. A lot of people have theorized the reason why that may have happened considering Ghilan'nain was Andruil's "beloved". Maybe Andruil was mad because of the void and had to be put down; maybe she was tricked and angry at Ghil for using her as another test subject to analyze the void which may or may have not brought the blight to the world. One can also take it as proof that they had a toxic relationship one way or another. I do like your idea grooming may have had ocurred and it may have bit everyone in the ass considering how ambitious Ghilan'nain was for her experiments and the sacrifices she was very willing to commit to achieve them.

[@ImpGoose]

It's a lovely little piece of lore! I think the puzzle is just a questline, a poem that explains how the animal world works where everyone can be the prey if they are not clever or fast. It's more fun to have elven related puzzles than a note resting on the table. Though it's tempting to speculate about their relationships even if we have nothing more than a puzzle 😭

[@masc4mascara39]

This video (like your others) is so thoughtful and analytical. Enjoyed it greatly ❤

[@ImpGoose]

Thank you for sharing your emotions 🥹❤️ Is there anything else you'd like to watch? I've recently had a request about Andraste and her life. You are always welcome to express your interest here!

[@masc4mascara39]

@@ImpGoose you’re welcome! I’m happy watching anything you want to make. Anything DA lore is good with me!

[@Rickus316]

Not long found your channel and I find it so good! I’ve just started a new play through of Inquisition and these lore videos are super helpful 😊 your nearly at 1k subs - hopefully you get that soon 👍

[@ImpGoose]

Thanks for joining and it's wonderful that this content helps you🔥Yay! Can't believe that I'm so close to 1k! Have fun with your new DAI playthough, my friend. Who is your character? I started playing DA Origins, and I'm a proud dwarf, haha.

[@Rickus316]

@@ImpGoose a proud dwarf in game or real life 😅🙈🤣 honestly I really like your content - I’ve always enjoyed Dragon Age but not fully gotten into it (if that makes sense) but watching content like yours has really piqued my interest and curiosity for Veilguard 😊 I’ve started as a female Elf Mage because thought I’d romance Solas lol when I played years ago I did a female human I think 😅

[@ImpGoose]

I'll remain mysterious and won't clarify it 🤣 Solas's romance storyline is one of the best in all games. Can't wait for you to experience the... Hm. No spoilers from me.

[@Rickus316]

@@ImpGoose 🤣🤣🤣

[@hyper4781]

great vid goose

[@ImpGoose]

Honk! 💪🏼😏

[@BenkaiDebussy]

I think my only real disagreement here is that I think her trips to the Void/Abyss involved her becoming influenced by the Blight (and that she was maybe/probably hunting darkspawn), since that's where the Blight probably was after Mythal probably used Blight magic to kill/sunder the Titans. That one codex mentions Mythal defeating the Titans and then the threat from this becoming apparent many years later, which implies to me that she killed them with Blight magic, which somehow lead to the darkspawn infesting the deep parts of the world (Void/Abyss).

[@the-dark-side.]

these "things meant to be forgotten" they spoke of. Probably had something to do with that. I think they used the titan's hearts to create a similar bond with the elves as the dwarves did with the titans. In order to be able to possess their bodies and control their wills. This probably had unintended side effects

[@BenkaiDebussy]

@@the-dark-side. Ah, that's an interesting idea I had never considered. I don't know if I believe it exactly, but I could definitely see the Evanuris looking at the relationship between Titans and dwarves and thinking "this is what I want"

[@the-dark-side.]

​@@BenkaiDebussythanks. I'm pretty sure the way the arch demons, wardens, corypheus and darkspawn somehow share the same hive mind is a huge hint the whole thing is titan related. But I could be wrong.

[@bizantura1091]

When I buy this DEI infested game when price is reduced to a fiver, I hope enough time has elapsed forgetting your brilliant insights. Those insights propably will be better then the actual writing of the game!

[@dobelEXP]

I hope we can support solus

[@carole5648]

i've been wondering lately if the released gods in DAV will then try to release the other evanuris, i can imagine a battle with Andruil being very interesting.

[@ImpGoose]

Honestly, releasing more allies seems logical. Idk what the main conflict will be in the Veilguard, though...Solas or the rest of the Evanuris? Could be both 🤔 Anyway, even one elven god/ mage is epic enough haha

[@carole5648]

@@ImpGoose i feel like given how much they've already told us, while still "avoiding spoilers," there has to be loads more.

[@the-dark-side.]

" game of tag that ends in death" sounds like we should make that a game show.

[@ImpGoose]

It will be epic!

[@Mitsu2040]

I don't know why we're taking Solas' word as canon, especially when he tricked us for an entire game as well as tricking the other gods to trap them beyond the veil. For all we know, the truth might be somewhere in the middle where they were fallible but not evil nor good. And seeing how Mythal was raging, she seemed less like a loving mother figure and more of a wrathful entity/demon, with Solas being her servant/ally. So, a different point of view: Maybe the Evanuris had good reason to strike her down. Maybe the blight came from her. And maybe they didn't think Solas capable of trapping them and underestimated his resourcefulness, which was their undoing. I wouldn't expect Solas to praise them because of this, and therefore his viewpoint has always been biased. As for Andruil, perhaps she was hunting as usual and began noticing blighted creatures in her dominion, so she hunted them instead. But each contact with them corrupted her, more and more each time. That or she began using armor of red lyrium. Until she became something like a ghoul. A shadow of her former self almost. Mythal knew that she was close to discovering her little secret and quickly acted to block her access to the void, just as Solas desires to keep the Grey Wardens away from the old gods. After her defeat, Andruil knew that she couldn't defeat Mythal on her own, so she approached Ghilan'nain to be her weapon against Mythal. Each story has two sides and the truth somewhere in the middle. We still don't know Mythal's greater schemes/goals. Nothing is certain. And I don't trust Solas.

[@ahem.choice.spirit]

Hm... I can't help but wonder if Andruil, a hunter, hunted mages as one of the first templars/seekers (or a feral ancient elven version of it) and then discovered lyrium's effects the hard way. (I imagine if an immortal elven general could be Meredith x1000 - would it even be distinguishable from magic at that point?)

[@ImpGoose]

Technically she could hunt mages out of boredom to make the activity a bit more fun, however everyone had magic before Solas created the Veil. There was no legal reason to hunt or isolate mages like the templars did, and they consume lyrium to develop their specific talents to serve the chantry.

[@ahem.choice.spirit]

​@@ImpGoose Good point - I forgot about the Fade and reality being merged during their time. Although...discovering the ability to push the Fade out like a templar during such a time would be that much more intimidating. (Nothing's ever hinted at templar and mage abilities working in the same person, but Seekers except that rule so... Eh? It would be a wicked twist for sure, lol)

[@Anonymous-sx1zc]

What's the name of the background song?

[@ImpGoose]

It's The Lost Temple by Trevor Morris from Dragon Age Inquisition

[@ivanhunter6492]

I think Andruil was always mad. What do you think about Sera/Andruil theory?

[@ImpGoose]

It has curious coincidences that I can't explain logically. The same as June/Sandal... Therefore, it might be true at some point. 😅 Enchantment?

[@ivanhunter6492]

@@ImpGoose ENCHANTMENT!

[@tj3603]

I'm a simple person. I see your video on elven lore, I smash that like button 😁 As for Andruil, to me she is the least interesting out of all Evanuris, because I don't like beaten down rotted soldier narratives. If we assume Evanuris were like Inquisition in ancient times, a group of misfits originally band together to fight some big bad, that slowly grew in power, got corrupted by it and caught full on delulu to a point of fighting each other with less and less concern for common folk they claimed to protect in a first place. Mythal, Elgarnan, probably Solas would be head diplomat, general and spy master in this scenario, making decisions and governing empire, Andruil would be someone like Cassandra or Bull - great soldier with merits and due respect, but still follower, not knowing what to do with herself in peaceful times, in addition corrupted by eternal life and excess. Getting into Theadas version of cocaine, fucking underage girls and smashing shit for entertainment is understandable, but not that compelling for me.

[@ImpGoose]

Aw, thank you so much! I'm happy you enjoy DA lore on this channel. You know, Inquisition is a fitting comparison, which makes Solas's words in Trespasser even more valuable. He urges that the Inquisitor must investigate the corruption as his agents easily infiltrated Skyhold. He might have noticed a pattern and warned his old friend out of respect. The addiction trope as an outcome of war is a tragic one because a character fails to control their own thoughts and actions. It's simple and sad.

[@tj3603]

@@ImpGoose yeah, I noticed he is not a fan of institutions in general, claiming all of them is prompt to corruption despite best intentions behind their creation: Seekers, Wardens, Templars, Circle, Chantry, Inquisition, - all eventually end up poisoned by internal politicking and social entropy. He kinda have a point there, too bad his solution seam to be burning everything down on regular basis 😆

[@ImpGoose]

Yeah, a bit extreme to my taste too hahaha

[@spellandshield]

Sadly she is likely dead and/or not going to be in the game. Also amazing video as always Mistress of Lore!

[@ImpGoose]

Hopefully, she's just trapped because we have already started plotting an epic show/next game with an awesome title. Dragon Age: THE GODSLAYER!!! 🤌🏼🔥

[@spellandshield]

@@ImpGoose Do you subscribe to the theory that the Old Gods are the Evanuris? If so, Anduril is likely dead.

[@ImpGoose]

No, I find it a bit illogical tbh. It's based on astrariums, and that connection is the strongest one so far. The Old Gods are archdemons for 100%. Therefore, they are in the material world where darkspawn can find them. They can't be the Evanuris (aka Creators), who are trapped in the Fade, which is separated from the material world by the Veil that Solas created. I don't understand why people ignore this simple fact. I mean...it's basic logic. Moreover, astrariums bring information written by a sister from the Chantry. If modern elves don't understand their history, why a human scholar should?

[@lrarchive2385]

Have you heard the theory that Andruil is Sera in the same way that Mythal is Flemeth?

[@spellandshield]

@@lrarchive2385 Never.

[@YurateYurate]

i don't know... i feel sorry for Andruil, very sorry😢all her struggles, all this is so sad and familiar... also dragon blood experiments may explain how evanuris succeed to kill Mythal when she was first among equals and only one dragon. and when you talked about addiction and grooming, I expected you to mention "the tree story" with Fen'harel, I don't know why, it always screamed UNNORMAL for me

[@ImpGoose]

I'm with you. Having such challenges affects a person who is easily tempted and bored. When a flower doesn't bloom, we blame the soil and environment. Andruil might have been a lovely person once, but war and its consequences changed her a lot.

[@YurateYurate]

@@ImpGoose it seems war changed them all...even the best of them Also I quite understand that all this "cool stories" that share modern elves is nothing but twisted and perverted propaganda, don't mind me

[@ImpGoose]

@@YurateYurate About Fen'harel story... I wanted to explore this in a specific video about romance and other stuff in DA universe like The Randy Dowager haha

[@YurateYurate]

@@ImpGoose I will wait it so much! 😁

[@YurateYurate]

​@@ImpGoose I guess I can congrats you on 1k subscribers) cheers❤

[@Kross415]

I like what I hear but I hate that it evokes the Disney Fortnite imagery of DA4 into my mind. I can't see the dark themes working with the horribly goofy models we've seen so far of Darkspawn, Skeletons, Ogres,etc.

[@ImpGoose]

Oh well... That's understandable. If you need help then I recommend listening with your eyes shut! Then you'll get absolute pleasure! Mind the eye wrinkles though. They are nasty little bastards 😅

[@Kross415]

@@ImpGoose Yeah I can close my eyes but I can't shut off my mind 🤣 your content and your voice are enjoyable it's just that I have a lot of doubts about DA4 being enjoyable too and your content is obviously related to it, that's all 🤷‍♂

[@luvleyluvsu]

Mods will save it 😍

[@LilPorcelynDoll]

Is there anything on Sylaise? I always liked her pretty one eye vallaslin. I think she's a fire mage too.

[@ImpGoose]

There's no video yet but it's possible to cook one 😜