Dragon Age: The History and Lore of Thedas. The Dwarves

In the fourth lecture of the Dragon Age lore series, Professor Absalom goes deep underground to bring you the history and lore of the dwarves of Thedas.
Sources:
-Dragon Age: The World of Thedas (2013)
-Dragon Age wiki. dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Dra...
-Codex entries from Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II and Dragon Age Inquisition.
Music by:
-Adrian von Ziegler: / adrianvonziegler
-Fantasy & World Music by the Fiechters: / derekbrandonfiechter
All rights for the art is reserved for the artists, I do not own anything.If you enjoy the video please like, comment, share and subscribe to the channel for more lore videos.
Lore University on Minds: www.minds.com/loreuniversity/

[@adronfeatherston8802]

Okay but in all seriousness the way you described the dark spawn appearing for the first time literally made my skin crawl. Very well narrated.

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you!

[@willianfink8519]

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[@Iluvantir]

Agreed. It was horrifyingly told. Very well done.

[@spartanhuntergaming]

It did with me too, the Darkspawn are so creepy

[@Scorecatron]

The music used in that part certainly helped

[@mcchuggernaut9378]

Noble hunters...I ain't sayin' she's a lyrium digger, but she ain't messin' with no casteless pickaxe swinger..."

[@Reganon690]

Ftw

[@avalonsfury9978]

You sound like you belong in the world of Dragon Age narrating some opening to a new game. This just makes it even better. Keep it up man!

[@XieronDraxin]

I really hope that Dwarves get the same treatment that Elves got in Inquisition. I did my first DA:I as an elf, but now I'm a bigger fan of playing as a dwarf. I hope that the next game has more dwarven lore because it is just as rich and complex as the Elven lore. Same goes for the Qunari. I want to know more about what their society was like before the Qun. What were they running from when they came here to Thedas?

[@vaunsinrin7897]

I love the Dwarven lore in DA. Honestly probably the most interesting people in DA in my opinion.

[@kennariker1311]

Honest question, we are aware that most dwarves are immune to magic and dwarves are unable to be mages. But, we also know Lyrium processing has been a part of Dwarven society for a long long time. Could lyrium have caused a type of extinction to mage dwarves? This mass effect could have been removed by the shaperate, as it's not the first thing they 'forgot' because it made the empire look bad.

[@superiorrule34]

I believe the reason their are no dwarf mages isn’t because of lyrium because lyrium only in powers magic but because dwarfs are cut off from the titans.

[@dandereninja4750]

@@superiorrule34 it’s less that they have been cut off from the titans but that they are unaware their own origins as a species (or race if you prefer) and what they see as madness caused by lyrium is actually them reestablishing their connection to the titans.

[@ShadowProject01]

They are also cut off from the fade and don’t go there when they dream, which begs the question; where does their conscious go when they dream?…do they dream?

[@Kagomai15]

​@@ShadowProject01 Varric says they don't dream iirc

[@marcusblackwell2372]

​@@superiorrule34 And also maybe Dwarves are immune to the magic of Lyrium

[@jmc7603]

BioWare needs to get you a job bro you spoke the lore very eloquently and you just earned a new sub keep up the good work

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it :D

[@abhishekdas2352]

You covered all dwarven lore that was revealed in the last 3 games. Very detailed video. But the ancient dwarven lore is yet to reveal in the upcoming Dragon Age 4. I don't think the next hero and inquisitor can persuade or stop Solas's Plan without ancient dwarves secret weapon or magic. Dragon Age Inquisition was a game that expanded the Elven lore significantly even the logo of that game resembles green which We associate with Elven lore but the Dragon age 4 logo is yellow and Red Which signifies Dwarves and Ancient Tevinter Imperium. I am certain these factions will be at the centre point in the next game. Thanks for making these detailed videos. I hope you will continue this work. Please make your next video on either Grey Wardens or Tevinter Imperium. Executors race is also an interesting subject.

[@PrettyPinkPersephone]

Thank fuck, i NEED more dwarf lore

[@SuzumeMizuno]

I've always wanted to know more about the lore of the dwarves in DA and you make it so easy to understand, and it's really funny to feel you are taking a lecture! Thank you so much for your hard work!

[@loreuniversity895]

And thank you for enjoying it! :D

[@nonamesorry7135]

I like how unlike the elder scrolls the dwarves are actually dwarves in dragon age

[@Espinozaize]

Unlike the Dawi Zarr...Of whom no Dwarf shall ever speak

[@oake6180]

I liked the uniqueness of elder scrolls dwarves, and they weren't meant to be actual dwarves. There dwemer, it's the humans of that universe which gave them that name

[@entropicflux8849]

dwarves as short folk was established by LotR and DnD. in norse mythology the term is used to describe creatures that resemble what other cultures called elves. so basically, it's weirder that most people think of dwarves being closer to gnomes than it is for TeS to depict them as a group of elvish people.

[@aidan1R]

@@Espinozaize mentioning the Dawi Zarr? Believe it or not, grudgebook.

[@arkuspendragon]

@@oake6180 the problem I have with elder scrolls race that even the orcs are a type of elf

[@codybrox4693]

Dwarves have always been my favorite faction in any high fantasy setting I would love in the next dragon age if you get an option to help out the dwarves in continuing to retake lost territory or if you can help a specific dwarves general become a paragon or something with his life’s mission to lead an army to Karl Sharok not to invade but to reconquring the deep roads between orzammar and the thaig I don’t know I just love dwarves

[@fullmetalpoitato5190]

Been giving Inquisition another go after never finishing it back when it came out. Taking my time, not worrying about completing EVERYTHING, and most importantly....I'm actually reading the codex entries I'm picking up along the way. I tell ya what, the games themselves are a bit of a mixed bag but the LORE is just so amazing and so rich. Kudos to the writers that created the realm of Thedas, it's a fascinating place to explore!

[@fatelessfadewalker7180]

This has been a great series so far. I've played all the games from the beginning and I'm still learning so much from these!! Thank you for taking the time to make this simply for your passion and our viewing pleasure!

[@loreuniversity895]

And thank you very much for enjoying it! :)

[@Lemmoxx]

Excellently put. I adore dwarves in general, but the ones of DA have always been my favorite with their complex values and politics. You did them justice, so thank you for spreading the love !!

[@hildebertoreisjunior811]

I just wanted to say that I'm binge watching this channel so hard LOL

[@geeteshm4858]

If it makes Al-goh Rhythm happy I shall say that your video was an excellent work and i will show it through my act of subscription. Great lore video👍

[@CatastrophicDisease]

Your videos are eloquent, thoughtful, and entertaining all in one. This is the channel that fans of the Dragon Age series have needed for years.

[@Jimbob32414]

I would love to hear more about Templar lore and how they ingest lyrium to give them magic resistance

[@klimopeter2712]

Again, a great and very informative presentation. I'm surprised that you managed to make such a long video aboutthe dwarves, considering there's significantly less lore about them compared to the Elves and Humans. Nonetheless, it was definitely worth the wait. Keep doing what you're doing, I really appreciate that there's finally someone who is fully dedicated to making dragon age lore content.

[@rapmonied]

i love love love these videos. not only are they incredibly thorough and put up some small facts even i (a total dragon age lore junkie) either didn't know or forgot. these are great for lore refreshers and i can't wait for future lectures!

[@Jimbob32414]

This video was amazing and the quality is that of a channel with millions of subscribers. I enjoyed this video so much, I've always wanted to know the lore of the deep roads. You made my evening, I loved it!!

[@lebardmetalarts2918]

It’s nice to hear it all together instead of bits and pieces you find through DA This girls happy 🥰

[@EwigesEiszeit]

Thank you so much for this. It is always a treasure to watch your lore videos. This made me appreciate the dwarves even more.

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed one of my videos once again :D

[@angel8fingers]

I don’t understand why this doesn’t have more likes? Great job, strong content!

[@SmallGoblinWizard]

Got off work and noticed that there's a new dragon age lore video 😌 this upload has made my day. Great job again :) I love the way these are set up and I look forward to future videos!

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you very much! Glad I could help :D

[@naderanaeema]

love your vids and the quality and effort friend, you've earned a big fan!! hope ur well

[@tanzadragon]

Thank you for these videos!! So much work and such great narration and pacing. I'm a huge Dragon Age nerd, always have been, but this is super helpful due to the history / lore of the series being so realistic in the fact that a lot of it has been lost to time and retelling. I'd read most of the codexes but this is so much easier to follow and comprehend as I'm preparing to play Veilguard in a few months.

[@darciaga1436]

finally a new video! thanks for your great work man!

[@loreuniversity895]

And thank you for your patience! :)

[@yetipotato8567]

Great video, I am enjoying these

[@eduardosantos2477]

Found this chanel looking for lore on the blight but damn all those videos are top tier content for any dragon age fan, love it

[@Vanulla]

Thank you fro puting that much effort into the video, great work!!

[@pjsurratt]

Love your content. I am inspired to do another playthrough of the series.

[@archabe]

In regards to the outro, schedule and such. This kind of quality and length in a video is worth waiting for. Everyone of these which I have watched (mostly listened to) several times is a time of immersion and peace where I indulge myself with expensive coffee brands and quality tobacco and let my mind wander free in Thedas and her mysteries. A sincere thank you for all your hard work and I hope you continue until there is nothing left to tell.

[@loreuniversity895]

Im so glad that you enjoy the content so much, thank you kindly. I’ve come to the realization that the longer videos, regardless of how long it takes to make them, are by far the most appriciated by the viewers. So you are totally right, I will tale my time and let you guys enjoy quality over quantity. 😁

[@Eve0127]

​@@loreuniversity895I love these long videos. Dont ever stop please!!

[@TheRedVelvetScare]

Dope video, good work

[@lukasroloff451]

Hey Man, I know this video is a bit older but still: really appreciate all the work and effort you put into these lore videos. As a pnp GM I know intimately well how much time and effort it takes to crawl through codex entries, wiki articles and obscure dev comments to gather all this information. To me people like you are invaluable as it means I have much more time to dedicate towards actually creating these pnp Campaigns or even just finding out about the lore for a game I am interested in. Games do not always are the best ways to find and experience these more obscure and detailed lore bits. Thank you again, and really, your attention to detail and dedication to narrating these in a captivating manner is impressive. If only my History teachers in school took the time and effort to make real world History as riveting and interesting. Kudos!

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you very much! :D

[@irinapar8389]

Thank you for the video, so interesting, so informative and easy to understand. Greatly appreciate 👍

[@Megara1989]

I'm loving your videos x love from north Wales x subscribed

[@yaasinm]

Need to fills this playlist with even longer videos mate.

[@loreuniversity895]

Im working on it 😁

[@adrianblania5565]

Amazing video!

[@stonedrat24]

If there was a Dragon Age lore class, that would be the only class I would actually enjoy.

[@ThatCatDiaz]

Something I always wondered since DAI Traspasser is: How did the Qunari manage to mine lyrium and survive without no apparent "side effects"? Does any codex explain how?

[@bonfiregaming1747]

I know this is late but they where blast mining it with gaatlok, and never directly touching it. Also there where "Accidents"

[@gaius_marius]

Excellent lecture. I am hooked on the lore series.

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you and welcome! 😁

[@chelseaatkins3531]

I love your videos. Will you do a video about the quniri? Or about the mysterious "people" across the sea? Can't wait for more!!

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you! The Qunari will be the next video, if you wanna learn more about future videos, check out me first update video :)

[@Monkismo]

Great job 👍

[@BlazingKatss]

Drawvin history is so interesting, I hope we learn more in the upcoming game

[@storytime6263]

I love how all dwaven lore is basically LOTR

[@RocketChickArt1]

I'm really happy that I found your channel and this video being someone who thought they knew a lot about Dragon Age and especially the dwarves because they're my favorite race in their Universe I didn't know anything about the scaled ones War. Thank you very much for putting this out here and you've gained one more subscriber I really hope one day you do a video on the Templars because they are my favorite faction.

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you for watching! Even tho I am a mage at heart, the templars are a really cool faction and they will definitely get their own lesson in the future. :)

[@zulefandom8170]

This video was awesome.

[@magnusnilsson1962]

Very well worth an algorythm bump.

[@Wood_969]

Amazing

[@palerider2132]

You know, I never really liked dwarves in any fantasy media. But your video made me love DA dwarves. They are the personification of determination, whether it's to fight the dark spawn or uphold toxic class systems. They are always determined to stay true to what they know, whether for good or bad.

[@Maxbroforce]

The emphasis on how far down Bartrand's folly is coupled with the Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads codexes coupled with the Trespasser notes on Evanuris divine form coupled with the codex A Journal on Dwarven Ruins and then that other Trespasser note on Veilfire Runes in the Deep Roads and Old Elven Writing has me like "...so is the primeval thaig maybe one where the Elves were ruling over the dwarves and that suffered from the horror they uncovered in the deep???" But also I admit this is getting into some Pepe Sylvia theory crafting 😂. Regardless, an excellent overview of the dwarves and their importance and seriously ancient history. I really hope DA:D will give us more dwarven lore and some answers for just what in the several levels of HECC is going on with some aspects of their history and with Kal-Sharok. Also it always stuck with me on DAO playthroughs how badly it seems like the dwarves could use help to clear out and fight back the darkspawn near their homes. More or less every Warden I play inevitably ends up a bit passionate about remembering their plight.

[@TheLiquidToad]

my new hyperfixation

[@akselhansen2943]

That was a fantastic video indeed, getting through every noteworthy bit of lore to get the full picture of how the dwarves lived their lives, the tragic events of the blights and how they got through it, there is just one thing i cannot find, the spooky piece of music that really sets the stage for the darkspawn first attack! I have looked at your links but can't find the specific bit og music, can anyone else here in the comment section help me out?

[@loreuniversity895]

I got you! Haunted Corridor by Adrian von Ziegler. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3PLoamXidd8jKs

[@akselhansen2943]

@@loreuniversity895 cheers thank you so much! When that soundtrack came on i got goosebumps that was so scary imagening how horrible it must have been for the dwarves to be overrun by the darkspawn

[@loreuniversity895]

@@akselhansen2943 Yeah, its some dark stuff. I thought that specific song fitted just right for the theme. Thank you again 😁

[@hawkwood9257]

I don't think I've ever sat in front of my screen and listened to hours and hours of history lessons about the real world XD

[@williamwatson4354]

Enchantment!

[@inquisitorgarza312]

The Dwarves really came in clutch in the first blight considering that their entire race would have been wipe out by Dark Spawn, and there is no doubt that the Dark Spawn are preparing for a new Blight that may destroy them once and for all.

[@adamjenkins7653]

I was under the impression that Kal'Hirrol was lost during the Darkspawn attacks on Amaranthine after the 5th blight (the awakenings DLC) was it reclaimed afterwards?

[@iem-axoltleater]

The Dwarf is the powerhouse of the Titan, got it

[@anirbande7893]

Given that the dwarves revere the stone and exile their people to the surface, shouldn't the more affluent quarters be located deeper down ie away from the surface?

[@TheCorrodedMan]

Yes and no. Religion-wise, it would make sense, but practically it would be very risky as the deeper you go, the more likely you are to find darkspawn nests

[@anirbande7893]

@@TheCorrodedMan But, darkspawn are a later phenomenon, dwarve society and and culture was already established by then.

[@robertoleary5470]

@@anirbande7893 I suppose due to the fact that they were fighting the dark spawn for 800+ years that changed

[@entropicflux8849]

orzimar was a trade city, and the ruling elite probably wanted to maintain dominance over that. the other dwarven cities may have kept their nobles deeper down, orzimar just has the benefit of being the last (or so we thought) surviving stronghold, not to be considered "typical" of it's kind.

[@anirbande7893]

@@entropicflux8849 A plausible explanation. But given the dwarves' strict adherence to tradition not a very strong one. Maybe a post darkspawn phenomenon as the lower quaters adjoin the deep roads and hence are closer to a potential darkspawn attack?

[@leedehart3225]

You skipped golem creation! Also Why they are separated from the fade! Awesome sht to listen to falling asleep, keep em coming!

[@loreuniversity895]

I did not skip Golem creation, 20:02 - 22:43. I am also not aware of there is any definitive info out there that answers why dwarves are cut off from the Fade but if you can point me to a source I’ll be happy to mention it in future videos. Thank you for the kind words.

[@JW-zx5dr]

Interesting

[@alecgunter8515]

I wonder how much info there is on the forgotten ones, Sandal ( who or what is Sandal)

[@DarkKing009]

The greatest city in the world. If that City Falls the world will fall.

[@agorarcadon]

I think the dwarves are like brothers of the titans and they was created by the Rock

[@valkyries12345]

What is the song around the 20 minute mark?

[@loreuniversity895]

Pagan Metal - Fiudlars Song by Adrian von Ziegler. Link to his channel is in the description :)

[@jamesnelson3722]

Can you make a quari lore please

[@loreuniversity895]

That will be the next one :D

[@Ciran87]

You know, I can see why you wouldn't mention Valta as a Dwarf that has used magic, as that's really only known to the Inquisitor and they may not have spread the word, but I am surprised you didn't mention Sandal, who is part of the world at large a bit more and whose exploits word of which might have spread.

[@loreuniversity895]

A good point, they could have been mentioned in some capacity. On the other hand, I think they deserve videos of their own. 😁

[@LadyMutare]

what Caste does a Warden dwarf end up belonging too and what would the hall of records record them as?

[@sveipr6516]

A Dwarven Warden ends up becoming a paragon so I assume noble caste.

[@Canderous88]

While playing Dragon Age again I found some codex entries that are about the construction of the deep roads. They say the dwarves had help from the grey wardes during the construction but they wanted to keep this secret. Does this make any sense lorewise? The deep roads have been constructed way before the first blight during which the grey wardens were founded. Is this just some really obvious mistake by the developer or am I missing something?

[@Dave-of7tx]

You know what funny I beat the game as a dalish elf human nobel & human mage but never beat it as a dawrf nobel or commoner or city elf I've heard good things about the dawrf nobel but idk because I've never played it

[@adamjenkins7653]

As all origin stories occur, with all but your chosen warden perishing, I will say this. The Dwarvern commoner (and the only origin story entity whose corpse may be found) is the less popular due to an inventory error in how the game flows. In short partway through the origin section your inventory is emptied, but unfortunately is not returned (I do not know if any mod deals with this), and is a little on the heartbreaking side during your return to the city in the main game. It is a good story that doesn't shy away from just how bad the castless are treated. As for the noble second child of King Endrin. It is very good at showing how a favoured Royal would be treated, and might rebel at according to your RP. It is also the only origin story to potentially have a child outside of the "devils bargain" (Narratively) proposed by Morrigan. It also shows the succession crisis in more detail, showing the scheming of Bhelen and how it all came about.

[@hauntedpyrogaming2.0]

I don't blame the cast-less for leaving the underground on mass

[@Andre-fk9ts]

i dont understando why the castless dont go away of orzammar.

[@oake6180]

In what way, as in go to the surface? Or enter the deep roads?

[@entropicflux8849]

why don't the poor abandon their lots in life right here and right now?

[@Andre-fk9ts]

@@oake6180 in Surface they have much more oportunits

[@oake6180]

@@Andre-fk9ts it's because of cultural stigma that they don't go, and ferelden isn't the most accepting of places unless you can sell yourself as a merc or blacksmith (for dwarves). And not many castless have these skills so it's just another form of poverty.

[@orboakin8074]

6:25 Female dwarves=Short-stack infinitus😉👌

[@marcusblackwell2372]

Dwarves are probably my favorite race in Dragon Age just because of the architecture and culture. Same with the Tolkien dwarves

[@SilverWolfGuy4]

Hello Mr.Al go rithm, you should pay attention to this channel ^^

[@Shadefinder1]

Make more content!!

[@DarkKing009]

Give me a good Dwarven reason sod the rest.

[@Rikard_A]

I don't understand wwhy there never been a try from the greywardens to gather all the nations or at least a force from each kingdome to march throw the deep roads to purge the darkspawn. To have large areas under your feets were an enemy can have a knife at your throat.

[@TheCorrodedMan]

They tried; _It didn’t work._ the Tevinter Imperium launched several all out attacks on the deep roads during the first blight, alongside the dwarves, and the result was precisely squat. The Darkspawn breed so damn quickly and act so effectively both with and without a blight that attacking any place where they’ve had time to dig in and fester can only ever end in blood.

[@rektcasuals885]

Does this have inquisition spoilers want to show a friend this that has played first two but not inquisition

[@Cavemonkey747]

IS THAT WRAITH FROM APEX !! AS THE THUMB NAIL !??

[@stevenvieira650]

I don't know if anyone has made this comparison or if it's just me but the caste system sounds an awful lot like the practices thst the qun follow.

[@Kabasya94]

+

[@moedelagarza9180]

Did George R.R Martin write this game?

[@patsilverfang]

The Gollum’s losing their free will was never justified and given the political machinations of dwarves it wouldn’t surprise me if it was an add on instead of an original design. Unfortunately it is only one instance where someone seeking political gain nearly ended their species. Humans and Elves have done similar foolish things and are some of the reasons that the Kunari are my favorite dragon age race.

[@C19091]

Amazing stuff, do you have a discord ? If not I’d love to join if you ever make one

[@loreuniversity895]

Thank you! I do not have a discord server, not something I've considered really. I'll give it some thought, thank you for the feedback :)