The Fade is one of the most interesting areas in the Dragon Age series. It is a place of dreams, magic, and danger. It is a world of spirits, demons, and the location where all dreams take place.
A ton is revealed about the Fade in Dragon Age: Inquisition by Solas. Fans learn that he created the Veil that separates the Fade from Thedas, which comes with a lot of startling implications to the religions and beliefs of many characters.
Since Dragon Age tends to drown its players in lore, there are some details about the Fade that slip through the cracks of fan knowledge.
10 Entering The Fade Is Forbidden In The Qun
The Qun’s relationship with the Fade is mysterious. They claim that they do not dream, at least not in the same manner as humans and elves. Most in Thedas believe what they say to be true, as Qunari are not known to be encountered in the Fade. Even if they could, the Qun says going there is forbidden.
According to a codex written by a Qunari Saarebas, Saarath, he did dream of demons. So it is possible that the Qun is lying about their dreams. Or, perhaps only Saarebas dream.
9 Some Dwarves Have Entered The Fade
It is a well-known fact of Dragon Age lore that dwarves cannot be born with magical talent or go to the Fade. The events of the games have shown that there still are ways for them to enter the Fade, though. Mages and spirits can bring dwarves into the Fade.
This has happened between Solas and the dwarven Inquisitor and it has happened to Varric in the Night Terrors questline of Dragon Age II.
8 Death In The Fade Can Kill In Real Life
While dying in real life due to death in the Fade is not common, it is possible. Typically, dying in the Fade leads to one waking up. If someone is killed by a Dreamer, the likelihood of dying in real life is greater. An example of this is between Solas and Felassan in the Masked Empire book. Solas, a Dreamer, was able to kill him through meeting in the Fade.
In Dragon Age II, there is also a scenario where a Dreamer boy can be made tranquil by dying in the Fade. However, there are no other examples of this happening.
7 The Souls Of The Dead Pass Through The Fade, Or Stay There
The Fade very much plays a role where it is the grey area between life and whatever comes after. The Chantry believes that the dead pass through the Fade and end up on the Maker’s side. Players have heard first-hand accounts of such sightings, as Justice mentions seeing spirits of the dead pass through the Fade in Awakening.
It is also believed by the Chantry that those that don’t believe in the Maker are fated to wander the Fade endlessly. In the Until We Sleep comics, Maric does mention that many of his loved ones who have died now reside in the Fade.
6 Eluvians Can Be Used To Enter The Fade
Entering the Fade physically was a feat only done by ancient Magisters until the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition. It is discovered that Eluvians can teleport individuals all over, including physically into the Fade.
Through Solas though, many fans assume Eluvians pre-date the Veil.
5 Dreamers Use Dried Herbs To Help Them Enter The Fade
While this fact may seem inconsequential, it is a neat little bit of flavor to add to the lore of Dreamers. This is learned by one of the few Dreamers fans get to meet, Felassan from The Masked Empire book.
While Dreamers use dried herbs to help them get into Fade, the opposite is also true. There are herbs Dreamers can use to block out visiting the Fade as they sleep.
4 There Are Different Cultural Interpretations Of The Fade
The races and religions of Thedas each have different interpretations about the Fade and its role. The Chantry believes the Fade was used by the Maker to make all beings while the Dalish are known to call it the “Beyond” and a place where Fen’Harel eats the souls of the dead. Qunari call it the “Land of the Dead.”
Also, since Dwarves cannot enter the Fade, the Chantry believes Dwarves were not made by the Maker.
3 Substance In The Fade Is Made Of Ether
While one could argue that the Fade has no substance, various sources say the Fade is made of ether. Little is known about it, but it is known as primeval matter. That basically means it predates the history of Thedas.
This is also why no loot drops other than things that can only be used in the Fade. This fact only changes in Inquisition, since the Inquisitor and their party enter the Fade physically.
2 The Only Geographic Absolute Is The Black City
The Fade is un-mappable. It has no constant form, especially since it mimics the landscapes of those who dream. Paths constantly change form.
There is only one constant to the Fade and that’s what is believed to be the Black City. It sits on an island, always equidistant and unreachable from those who visit the Fade.
1 There Are Small Realms Ruled By Influential Spirits
Spirits that are strong enough can oversee their own miniature realms. They can control the realm as much as they see fit, however, they can only do so by mimicking any bit of reality that they can taste from the minds of Dreamers.
Like the spirits themselves, these dimensions can latch onto a single purpose. These realms can feed off of concepts like fear, faith, and valor.
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