What Happens to the Griffons in Dragon Age: The Veilguard?

Key Takeaways:

1. Emotional depth in Dragon Age: The Veilguard – The game features heartwarming and intense moments surrounding the griffons, especially Assan.
2. Dark history of the griffons – The backstory of the Gloom Howler, a Grey Warden mage, reveals the tragic impact of blood magic on griffons.
3. Player choices influence griffons’ fate – Players decide the future role of griffons, determining if they stay with the Wardens or roam free.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard, a riveting RPG, pushes players through an emotional narrative packed with moments of grief, camaraderie, and high-stakes decisions. In this journey, players control the character Rook, tasked with saving Thedas from an ancient evil. Alongside formidable companions, one creature in particular, a young griffon named Assan, tugs at players’ hearts, highlighting the powerful bonds players can form with animal companions in such games. For many, the fate of these animals may feel as gripping and crucial as any story arc, making the survival of the griffons in Dragon Age: The Veilguard all the more important.

The Rare Griffons and Their Heart-warming Introduction

When players first encounter the griffons, it’s clear these noble creatures play a vital role in The Veilguard. Griffons, once thought to be extinct, were recently rediscovered by the Grey Wardens. A small group of eggs was rescued, and the resulting brood, including Assan, are now under the care of Davrin, a dedicated Warden. The baby griffons are being trained in a hidden aerie, preparing for their role in the battle against the Blight. This discovery carries significant weight, as griffons were once deeply intertwined with Grey Warden history, a connection that now has the chance to rekindle.

The First Encounter: An Ominous Attack

Rook’s introduction to Davrin and the griffons begins under dire circumstances. Upon arriving at Davrin’s location, Rook finds the aerie under attack. A monstrous, Blight-infected Ogre looms, wreaking havoc. The other griffons are caged by blood magic locks, leaving only Assan free. As Rook assists Davrin in battling the creature, it becomes apparent that a formidable enemy, the Gloom Howler, has taken a dark interest in these rare griffons, abducting them for reasons yet unknown. Davrin’s fellow Wardens, stationed to protect the aerie, didn’t survive the attack, leaving Davrin to join Rook on the journey, with Assan now his loyal companion.

The Bond Between Davrin and Assan

Growing Trust and Teamwork

The player sees Davrin and Assan’s relationship grow deeper as they journey together, strengthening their bond through mutual trust and care. Davrin’s bond with Assan is a core part of his character arc, as he learns to work with, trust, and appreciate the griffon’s loyalty and unique strengths. Assan isn’t just a pet but a battle companion, trained to heed Davrin’s commands in combat and provide support in critical moments. While Assan remains out of sight during certain times, players can find him by Davrin’s side in key moments, signalling his silent yet powerful presence.

A Heartwarming Feature: Hugging the Griffon

One particularly endearing detail is the player’s ability to pet, hug, and interact with Assan during downtime. Visiting the Lighthouse, players can share light-hearted moments with Assan, reinforcing the affectionate relationship between the characters and their animal companions. Just as players can interact with other animals in the game, like petting dogs and cats or playing games with Manfred, Emmrich’s skeletal assistant, the connection with Assan adds a touch of warmth and humanity.

The Gloom Howler’s Dark Plot and Griffon Legacy

Who Is the Gloom Howler?

As Rook and Davrin delve deeper into their mission, they uncover more about the Gloom Howler, an elusive and terrifying figure with a painful past. Through Davrin’s research, players learn that the Gloom Howler was once Warden Isseya, a mage tasked with experimenting on griffons during the Exalted Age. She aimed to make them stronger and resilient to taint through a modified blood magic ritual similar to the Joining, a ritual that Grey Wardens themselves undergo. Unfortunately, this experiment went catastrophically wrong, with the resulting taint spreading uncontrollably through the griffon population.

Isseya’s Tragic Transformation into the Gloom Howler

Isseya’s intentions were noble, yet her actions backfired, causing the near extinction of griffons. Only a final clutch of thirteen eggs, including Assan’s, remained free from this corruption. In a twist of fate, Isseya sacrificed herself to save these last griffons, taking their taint into herself, which transformed her into the spectral being known as the Gloom Howler. Now, corrupted and twisted, she returns with a warped sense of duty, determined to apply the same ritual to Assan and his siblings, hoping to ‘free’ them from Warden influence.

The Battle to Save the Griffons from the Gloom Howler

In a climactic confrontation, Davrin, Rook, and Assan locate the Gloom Howler’s hideout in an eerie mirror version of Weisshaupt. In this surreal encampment, twisted by the Gloom Howler’s dark magic, she attempts to lure Assan and his siblings into her ritual, believing it to be an act of salvation. The ensuing battle is tense, with Assan nearly falling prey to her dark influence. In a narrow escape, the party successfully defeats the Gloom Howler, liberating Assan’s siblings and foiling her plans.

A Choice for the Future: Where Do the Griffons Belong?

The Player’s Role in Deciding the Griffons’ Fate

Following the Gloom Howler’s defeat, Davrin gathers trusted allies to discuss what should be done with the griffons. Having witnessed both their gentle nature and formidable power, Davrin sees beyond his previous view of griffons as mere hunters of the Blight. Here, players face a meaningful choice: Should the griffons stay with the Grey Wardens, resuming their historic role as powerful Blight hunters, or should they be released to roam freely, protecting the lush Arlathan Forest?

The Significance of Each Option

1. Return to the Grey Wardens – This choice aligns with tradition, reinforcing the ancient bond between Wardens and griffons. With the Wardens, the griffons can fulfil their role as noble protectors, aiding in the battle against the Blight.
2. Freedom in Arlathan Forest – Releasing the griffons to the wild offers them a peaceful existence, guarding the ancient Arlathan Forest. Here, they can exist unburdened by war, potentially finding harmony in nature as their ancestors once did.

Regardless of the choice, the griffons have a hopeful future, saved from the grim fate the Gloom Howler envisioned. Players get to leave a lasting impact on these noble creatures’ destiny, rounding off an emotional story arc filled with heart and history.

FAQs

Q: Can players interact with Assan in Dragon Age: The Veilguard? A: Yes, players can hug, pet, and play with Assan, deepening the connection with this lovable griffon throughout the game.

Q: Who is the Gloom Howler? A: The Gloom Howler was once a Grey Warden mage named Isseya, who attempted to enhance griffons with blood magic, a tragic experiment that led to her transformation into the spectral figure players encounter.

Q: What are the possible choices for the griffons’ future? A: Players can choose to keep the griffons with the Grey Wardens, honouring tradition, or release them to live freely in Arlathan Forest, giving them a peaceful life in the wild.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn’t just deliver on combat and story but also explores the meaningful bonds between characters and animals, leaving players with decisions that resonate long after the journey concludes.