Really appreciate your theory, I've been leaning toward the Executors being ancient elves because I don't think Solas would consider anyone else capable of being a threat to him. The Andruil and Ghilan'nain link is brilliant! I'm convinced they have a big role to play in the upcoming game and they are partners/companions sort of speak. The mutated/morphed creations of Ghilan'nain theory, is inspired and would explain much of the theories I have been toying with. Like the Qunari are a mix of elf and dragon. I've been thinking that while the Executors are ancient elves, they could also be the Kossith, who banished the Qunari because they were mutations that weren't allowed. Love your content and as always keep tin-foiling!

@redjarsantos

2 жыл бұрын

oh my god! Thank you for sharing this bit!

@dirthamen

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Always thought that they somehow connected to ancient elves. We don’t really know what happened when Solas created veil and we don’t know what those ancient elves capable of, if Solas and Mythal found way to live I suppose some others elves could find way too. I hope we will meet them and hear what they have to say that in the next game. Qunari theory makes sense too. I was rereading silent grove not too long ago and when Yavana started talking about dragons blood first thing I thought “dragons blood can do wonders, maybe qunari just mix of elves and dragons.”

@demifallen1080

2 жыл бұрын

Well I do not have enough evidence for this but just as much as the elves are interesting what is they are a human fact from the north and just watching all of this as much as Elven lore is fun it is at the same time it always goes back to them

@surrealcalysta

2 жыл бұрын

@@demifallen1080 You make a good point; the humans did come from the north so it is possible that humans will play a larger role and we'll get to potentially see their origins, that would be interesting. I think it always comes back to the elves because Thedas is an elven land based over, at least, tens of thousands of years and all the other races (aside from dwarves) only came on scene in the last ten thousand. On a continent that entirely consists of elven history and the Elvhen empire, it's pretty hard for it to not always come back to them. What would be great is to expand the DA universe to other continents to give the other races their spotlight.

@annaclay3422

2 жыл бұрын

Now that you mention it, Flemmeth's hair has always looked like horns and at the time I thought dragon horns because shapeshifting. But what if they're like the ancient elf horns from the concept art by way of representation from the abomination Flemmeth with an aspect of Mythal inside her? Just a thought though.

Maybe they are linked to the Tirashan elves that worship the forgotten ones,there's always triangles featured with the executors, maybe it represents the Triad of the forgotten ones and that this cult are literally the executors of their will?

Who’s up for another mighty tinfoil theory to make the wait for the next Dragon Age a little bit more bearable? Today I’m connecting the dots regarding Thedas’s most enigmatic, secret society known as the Executors and their ties to the ancient elves! Let me know your thoughts down below!

@hughcurran6817

Жыл бұрын

Hey Jackdaw I am re watching this video and was wondering about your ancient elf theory. Elven slaves from tevinter all seemed to believe the Evanuris as gods but if there was a giant civil war large percentage of the elven slaves should not believe that. So what I am getting at is it possible after Solas sealed Evanuris rather than continue the civil war is it possible the elfs that sided with solas against Evanuris left the continent and headed east. To get really tinfoil hat on Is it possible those same elfs found titans on the new continent and the formed a connection too the Titan and have a shared mind/consciousness similar to the that the dwarfs had. I mean in Tevinter nights that explains why solas killed the executor first because anything that one heard they all heard. Also would explain why when one talks its voice sounds old young female and male.

A super fun video that really made me think! For some reason, I hadn't linked Ancient Elvhen with the Executors (I think I thought they were just another race from across the sea) but now it really feels obvious! I definitely picked up on the salt water smell when reading Tevinter Nights and, after watching this video, I definitely believe that the Executors could be Ghilan'nain's creations/followers, those who believed it an honour to be apart of her experiments and perhaps mixed with Halla (if their horns are attached and not part of their armour)! Perhaps the reason why Solas warned about the danger behind the Executors is because, while in the short term they appear to have Thedas in their best interest, in the long term they are executing their own plan at resurrecting Ghilan'nain through her sea creatures (thinking now of the concept art of the huge creature with lightening behind it), maybe even using that same substance that was found in the Horrors of Hormak? I have no idea but videos like this really do help the time pass until the next game! Thanks, Jack!

If the Executors are ancient elves and followers of one of the elven Gods, wouldn't that make them slaves to that "God"? That could be a possible motive, seeking revenge on Solas for sealing them behind the veil. But im still a bit confused about why they would seek revenge if they were slaves? Or are they seeking revenge because of what the Veil did to the elves, or do they intent to stop Solas from tearing down the Veil and possibly freeing the old Gods? Or were they not slaves, but higher up in the elven society and maybe want to restore what was with slaves and the old Gods? I am just really looking forward to DA4 ! Really hoping for some more interesting origin stories and some cross-class characters! Mage/rouge would definitely be fun !!!

@cornelius6616

Жыл бұрын

I think the Executors are Ancient elves, if not the cult followers of the Forgotten Gods. The lore says the Evanuris actively persecuted any elves that worshipped them, labeling them as cultists.

@bgcvetan

Жыл бұрын

To be fair, at one place in the lore it was implied that there were tenth Evanuris, but he/she was erased and that was treatment that even Solas didn't recieve. Makes you wonder if they are alive...

I think you're correct. At least it adds up. My only worry is that we won't be able to be one, as the protagonist is supposed to be someone Solas will never expect ... and he already considers them a threat - but perhaps they can be allies? Honestly, I would love it if the protagonist classes were completely different from our allies anyway, so there wasn't any overlap

I'm at 11:40 in the video, and I just remembered that Ghil is the goddess who made horrible flesh monster constructs in the primordial sea thtat the Warden found. So she could have put halla horns on the Executors' heads.

I've recently read 'Hard in Hightown' and I was surprised they were mentioned there! Edit: What if the Executor is the Origin for the next elven character?

2 more things that back up your theories about the Executors being Ancient Elves that follow either Andruil or Ghilan'nain: 1. Ghilan'nain was described as having Halla horns. Maybe this was a modification she did to herself and whoever followed her? It would explain why one of the Executors seems to have Halla horns. 2. Andruil lifted Ghilan'nain into Godhood. So reasonably, the Executors could follow both of them. Though Andruil's weapon of choice is a spear, not bows, it's still possible that her followers used bows instead of spears out of respect.

It'd be quite interesting if the Executors, rather than being made up of a single homogenous entity, were made up of the followers of Andruil and Ghilan'nain. These two goddesses were heavily linked together, even before the reveal in the Horror of Hormak linking creations of the Blight to Ghilan'nain. It wouldn't be that out there for their followers to band together as one to stop the threat of the Dread Wolf. I'm wondering if this is the point at which we'll get a pov on the Elven Gods that isn't linked to the one who destroyed them. Perhaps things weren't as cut and dried as Solas made them out to be.

With the Executors plot and the Dwarven / Qunari histories plus the Tevinter, Nevada, Antivan and Grey Wardens in the Anderfels stories plus the Dread wolf / Flemeth-Mythal plot the new game has the potential to be twice as long for the main game than Inquisition. I also hope there will be three longish DLC's. I pray that Bioware has began DA5.

Simply amazed by your ability to connect the dots. Quite a big and evidentiary theory you've got here.

Ive been DYING for dragon age content. Thank you for delivering like always. You've made the road to dragon age feel less like a drag and more like an adventure

I'd never seen the concept art for the ancient elven sentinel before! The horns actually really remind me of Flemeth's horns in her DA2 and DAI appearance, like they're made of hair and somehow made to stay in that shape with some cloth or leather wrapped around? This kind of makes sense with her being Mythal, and ties the connection together pretty well...

I love this! Although it does make me wonder how large the ancient elven empire actually was. If it didn't actually go much farther than Thedas, could the Executors be calling themselves "from across the sea" to remain even more untraceable? After all, what could be more unknowable than strangers from an unknown land? If Strife and the Morlan clan are connected to the Executors, are they just Thedosian agents or could that mean the Executors are indeed from Thedas and the distinct get up, masks and voice changers are part of the foreign illusion?

Another good one, Jack! You've given us a great deal to think about, concerning the elusive Executors.

The minute I hear anything described as “smelling like the sea” I immediately think Ghilly

Super interesting video Jack. I never noticed bare feet of V.. or Shadow on the cloak behind him. Makes me wonder why are Executors trying to "help" Thedas

You kinda forgot to mention a note between the Elves & Qunari XD Just a theory that's been floating around regarding them that kinda also ties in with this. It's been heavily implied since the Horror of Hormak story that since Corypheus mentioned to a Qunari Inquisitor that "their race was a mistake" and he already seems to know much about the ancient Elves (since he noted to an Elven Inquisitor about their vallaslin being 'slave markings' so HOW TF would he know that if it was long before his time?! XD), it's implied that Ghilain'nan was the first to make the Qunari race and since she wasn't pleased about the outcome she just discarded them. So, you implying a splinter faction of Ghilain'nan being the Executors, that would mean that if these could be ancient Elves that made this 'cult' then these pre-Qun Qunari could similar to the horned archer we saw in the 2020 trailer along with any predecessors/descendants that didn't enter Uthenera But that's just a speculation I thought of while watching this. Take it with a grain of salt as you will X3

I had never even considered that the person in the trailer wasn't a Qunari but you've 10000% sold me on this and I'm shaking in my BOOTS im so excited for more information to come out!!!

I love this theory. I still haven't cought up with all the books yet( I'm still reading the stolen throne) but I'm really excited to read Tevinter Nights. If this theory becomes true in the next game, I think there two ways to go with the Executor's, either we are going to fight them because we want to save Solas or going to work with them defeating Solas, depending on the choice we made as the Inquisitor. Maybe I'm completely wrong about that, but i think the choice we made regarding Solas has to have an impact on how the next game is going to go, or that might just be wishful thinking on my side xD

As always you have joined the dots well, Jack and I'm sure you are right about the Executors being a major part of Dragon Age 4. Being a threat to Solas and also seeking revenge for what Solas did to the ancient elven race. It may be that they are a faction we can join as a player in order to either stop Solas from destroying the world or redeem him. Please keep us up to date with any more gems like this one.

I’m with you 100% on this theory. The only things I would add are that maybe instead of worshipping one elven god they are representatives of all gods except Fen’harel. Evidence supporting this being the comparison of the executor archers helm resembling that of dragons horns and/or the hairstyle/head dress of Mythal. Another theory being the fancy bows used by the archers. Maybe gifts or the making of learned from June god of the craft who initially taught the elves in the ways of making weaponry amongst other things. But as you said just theories based on concept art

Circa June 2024: The executors seem to be the Veil Jumpers, which is WILD

Maybe I just missed this in the video but in case you didn't include it: the arrow of the halla-horned potential executer in the trailer is glowing GREEN. Green magic always seems to be tied to ancient elvhen magic/the fade in DA (as opposed to the "normal" lyrium-blue magic.)

Will have to come back to this one when I've finished reading Tevinter Nights

Thedas has so many cults omg thank you so much for the video!!

Jackdaw: where the tinfoil is so solid it may be bulletproof

this is a theory I also have always went with and I am still sticking with it. I might be wrong but it fits. I would go so far to say it would be great to see this faction have retrained ancient knowledge, more powerful magic and inventions, maybe even have some sort of advanced civilization across the sea. that would be so amazing to see! and btw if this magic bow is in the game I cant wait to play with it!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰 it's also interesting you mention different color could mean like maybe sentinels of different elvhen god. the red color and bow combination reminds me of Andruil :) p.p.s the design for ancient elves with those same horns only confirms this theory more. good find :)

In the World of Thedas Volume 2. Page 132 it talks about the land of Amaranth " an untouched and verdant land." It mentions that a group of Old God cultists departed for the land in the late Storm Age

The other thing to note is strife and his shape shifting friend have ties to other dalish clans. In three trees to mid night he sends her off to warn the dalish clans about the qun and then he takes his new tevinter friend to his clan.

THEORY: Qunari are somehow related to the Executors or in some other way to the "horned elves." Kieran says "your blood doesn't belong to your people." Is it possible that these horned elves or even the executors themselves(or possibly a splinter group) somehow obtained dragon blood and this is what created the Qunari? horned Elf x Dragon hybrids? What do you think?

Ah! The perfect companion video to listen to with my dinner tonight!! I have always been so curious about this mysterious faction! I hope we can play as one in the next game!

I saw Jeff Grubb's recent update, and it feels amazing to get some good news for once. Hitting milestones and in good shape sounds awesome and I can't wait for release.

I think you’ve definitely made a compelling argument. I believe the executors are ancient, possibly elvhen or elvhen adjacent, and have an extraordinary powerful and close connection to the fade. I feel they may be actually OF the fade, at least in origin. They clearly have reach, and are very well versed in the history and state of thedas, so while insular, they definitely pay attention. They can speak the trade tongue. I do wonder if there is actually anything physical to them, or if their agents simply work on their behalf, perhaps possessed. The fact their voices just are, and have absolutely no identifiable traits whatsoever (can one even conceptualise what that would sound like? It feels rather impossible) suggests to me that they are other-worldly. Are these people executors themselves, or just representation? Do we know if “across the sea” is even literal? Is it a reference to the veil? The Amaranthine Ocean is widely regarded as impossible to safely traverse. Perhaps ‘across’ doesn’t refer to being over it, but being of it? Ghilen’nain filled the sea, and couldn’t bring herself to rid it of the life she gave it. Perhaps she is still in or beyond it, above or below. They seem intimately aware of Solas, and he them, as well as magic and the fade. The possibility of being connected to Ghilan’nain is definitely very interesting and plausible. Whoever they are, I think they’ve always been around, and are not at all a new thing. I don’t think the character we saw is qunari/vashoth, I think the horns are merely decorative, either the way Flemeth keeps her hair, or as a head piece. Lots of spitballing because I don’t have any solid ideas, just some jumbled thoughts 😅

I really need to catch up on the books. I say that to myself every time I watch one of your videos, but I really need to! I missing so much information!!!

@phonic0photon

2 жыл бұрын

Same

Considering Abelas and the other Sentinels have been waiting in hiding all this time to protect Mythal's Temple, it really doesnt seem too far fetched that the other Evanuris would have their own cults/temples/priesthoods. The connection with Ghilan'nain to Hormak and in turn Hormak to Navarra and the references to the Executors and Navarra and the war table missions in DAI are just too juicy to ignore. I like the idea that instead of going into stasis like the Sentinels, the Executors instead have created a secret cult pulling the strings.

Having the concept art of horned elves I forgot who said it about the Qunari but maybe that has some ties to the person that called them a mistake an elven horned blood magic cross breed.

@gerrenbell2806

2 жыл бұрын

Kieran says to the qunari inquisitor your blood does not belong to your people and then it was corypheus who says they were a mistake hmmm maybe ancient horny elves! 🧐

Maybe it has to do with both elven gods? Andruil and Ghilan'nain are both linked to each other through stories of the elven pantheon, also considering both have possible connections to the deep roads and to the blight ( Andruil of the Void and now Horrors of Hormark)

Absolutely loved this. One of the best theories. Great job.

You know, at the time of that final 3-part story featuring Varic where he meets Strife and his friend from the elven clan they didn't know about Fen' Harel's presence in a current time Thedas. I believe they were surprised, right? So maybe they joined the Executors cult later in the story. We don't know the sequence of events. Stories may not have been published in a proper chronological order. Writers not always work with each other and only know a little of what's going with a major story in the game. But I also think that the Executors are a group of people, most likely of mixed races and almost certainly some ancient elves who are dedicated to bringing back either one, two or even all the missing Evanuris back. Hence these lines from the final trailer from Bioware - "Glory to the risen Gods!" and "All the world will soon share the peace and comfort of my reign". I am dying to meet the Evanuris and learn more about them.👀 I may regret it, but it's ok. I will find Dorian and Cassandra and we will deal with these psychopathic elven "gods". For now, I am going to go and sharpen my arrows.

The game trailer executor seems like he's using fade magic to fire his bow, a magic very well known amongst ancient elves like Abelas tells the Inquisitor in the temple of Mythal "familiar magic".

I believe... I believe they are somehow connected to qunari. I'm still sitting on the theory that qunari, or well kossiths, are mutated elves with dragon's blood or something like that and since all this is "from across the sea" I believe we will get more informations about qunari origins. Since kossiths are said to be from a land from across the Boeric Ocean.

Absolutely love this video and the way you think. The best channel out there!

Also, "across the sea" might be not referring to physical sea north from Tevinter, but to the Veil and the Fade.

I do like the idea of them being Ancient elves, but I think that they are elves of a different culture

Great analysis!

Thats some thic info, good theory video!

I believe this is indeed an Ancient Elven Order, which most likely belongs to Andruil. If they really are who I think they are, then they threaten Solas and his plan, because Solas is an Trespasser. Their functions most likely correspond those of Saarbrak from the story Three Trees to Midnight. In my opinion, this story as a whole is filled with spoilers hidden in plain sight. Patrick Weeks must have been amused by the writing of this.

The way the bow "string" glows in the trailer also makes me think of Solas's orb/the magic of the mark. It's the same shade of green, which also suggests ancient elves to me. I'd be surprised if the Executors *aren't* ancient elves at this point. The rest of the details may be up in the air but I do think you're onto something here.

I think they are connected somehow, but my mind goes off the rails with this one. Cthulhu anyone?

Do we know much about the forgotten ones? I wonder if its possible they are they are the forgotten one version of the ancient elven mythal cult. Like whoever the ancient elves at war with.

As I saw this video again I realized that the color of the bow is green similar to veil fire and the mark of magiks which I think tis important , maybe they are protectors of the veil that would be ex allies with fen harel and also an ancient cult or even followers of one of the forgotten ones

Thank you for another great video Jackdaw.

It'd be really cool if we would be able to play an executor

Big. This stills my ever growing hunger for tinfoil theories

What do you think about the Sera/Andruil theory and would you make videos on it

I am curious about the relationship between elven and the nature. In Origin rhyming silvan told that elves were first to plant forests. So maybe nature is the alternative way to gather magical power 🤔

I think you might be right, but I kinda hope you're not correct tbh. Would love it if they rather than also being ancient elves had some more original elements to their lore. The Executors in Thedas obviously aren't necessarily "those across the sea" but most of them I presume thedosian agents recruited by them. It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to imagine all kinds of different things, qunari not following the qun or some kind of elves that existed on a different continent than Thedas that rebuilt after the Solas separated them from the fade because they had less competition. Or they could be a completely new race. I would much rather have some kind of mystery we haven't seen before. That's how I felt before Inquisition too about Corypheus being the big bad. It just felt too predictable, too neatly in line with fan theories. Like I expected to be surprised. Still loved the game ofc but still. But I must admit I think you're onto something here. The only problem with your theory that I have is this: If they're followers of the ancient elven pantheon shouldn't they want the veil to be torn? Shouldn't their goals at least temporarily align with Solas? Not so much that they outright support (because I think they would presumably have a grudge) him but at least letting him do his work and then try to release their own god and killing Solas after? Why go to any trouble stopping someone who might help you achieve something you truly want? Even if you hate the person.

what I am curious about is how much of dragon age inquisition are they going bring over to next game story wise

I feel like the lore with Dragon Age is so indepth and interesting but somehow I get completely lost with all the threads. Is there a diagram that I can just like cover a wall with? Lol

it seems like the executors live on a whole other continent that has different magic (if the triangle bows and things are of any indication) than thedas does. maybe not completely different, but they definitely have a class of magic that thedas doesn't even seem to be aware of. perhaps we'll end up with an executor companion? or be able to play as an executor? either one would be interesting, though i think i'd almost prefer the companion. (i would prefer to solve the mystery slowly than, you know, play it. takes away part of the charm, if you ask me.)

It is not related to this video and maybe someone already said this, but whatever. In one of your videos or texts you said that it would be great if we get Elven God companion, but wouldn't it be great to get Old/Ancient/Tevinter God as a companion. Old gods as allies are for me very interesting concept, our character will enter deep roads, luckily find ancient prison/lair of aged dragon that emits magic and can communicate with us, and will be willing to share knowledge, and eager to fight possible threats to our world, such as Dread Wolf, elven Gods, or put an and to existence of darkspawn, because why not? Old gods are good, but ancient priests heard what they wanted to hear and pride destroyed them, so Old God want to help us with everything we are currently doing, because he wants to restore good name of him and his kin, but we must first help him to regain former vitality somehow by doing something connected to the lore, and after that he will shape shift himself to something more acceptable by society. Also, now I'm replaying Origins, and I started to think, what will happen to Morrigan child, Kieran, in next game, ancient God, born from ancient ritual or just romance with warden, second option in not that significant. We can see him in Inquisition, Morigan introduces him to inquisitor, he comments on us, he determines how will look Final Piece quest. In DA4 he will be full grown and could be companion or side character. Also it is interesting what consequences for world will have taking Urthamiel soul by Flemeth/Mythal from Kieran. Ritual was important in first game, it was a purpose of morrigan joining team, and in third, if ritual was made, main quest makes impression of great significance in Flemeth taking Old God soul. Yeah, that's what I wanted to say. Great work with Executors theory.

The sentinel elves horns remind me of Flemeths hair horns

I thought from the very beginning when those triangle archer arts dropped that they were elves and when that horned archer was shown I connected them to Ghil'. I think they truly are either ancient elves or just a clan that worships Ghil'. But it could be BOTH Ghil and Andruil as they connect to each other as well. And the way these short stories and concept arts have dropped has led to believe these are the 4 main factions we are going to deal with; Grey Wardens, Antivan Crows, Some Tevine faction and the Executors. Are these the new player character origins? Maybe. I hope so actually, But to start of as an executor? It sounds kinda weird because we know nothing about them but then again, when Origins dropped we didn't know anything about any of those origins either. What is the Executors' plan? Are they trying to bring back one of their gods to combat Solas? Or one of Ghil's sea creatures?

The trailer archer’s horns kinda look like Halla horns…

My question is: did the Executers create the Qunari?

Maybe they are not ancient elves but rather an offshoot of the elven race that left Thedas around the tine of the creation of the veil

I really hope not, it is a little tiring that everything revolves around the Elves.

This is a long shot But there was also hints of a new faction or race that we know little about and I feel like their title began with “J”? Does anyone know what I’m talking about? Anyway reminder that Ghasts are sentient and have magic and therefore dreams and spirits. Ghast Party Member Now

Honestly if they're elves I'm gonna be really mad because we don't need anymore elves

The stakes are high for Dread Wolf. Bioware has one chance to prove to us that they can still make complete and rich single player story games. With MEA and Anthem failing completely consecutively. I fear if they screw it up. EA will close Bioware down. Seriously they have to make this game a 10/10. Better than all three previous games combined.

I love this lore and these theories. I only hope the combat is improved in the next game. I can guess it was changed to make it easier to learn and quicker pace, but it felt much less engaging than that of DA:O.

I hope they will become a companion and that we can romance them because that will be really interesting 😁

i didnt agree with this theory when i read the title... now i'm on board. them being some of ghilan'ain's creations makes a whole lot of sense--i actually think it's possible that they are worshippers of andruil who were disfigured by ghilan'nain. who knows?

What if they are agents of the Forgotten Ones?

Would I be correct in my assumption that you also read the books?

@davidsiskii4796

2 жыл бұрын

My bad I should have read more of the comments.

Let's add some tinfoil to that tinfoil, the executors are also....THE KOSITH!!!! Do I have proof? No. But how crazy would that be hahah

To be honest, I'm getting really tired of elves shitting up the setting more than they already do. Why not have the Dwarves, Qunari, or hell even the Disciples be the Executors? Or maybe the Lizardmen "scaled ones" referenced in DAI's codexes? Enough with elves

Triangles .... what a POOR design !!!

@michamcv.1846

2 жыл бұрын

At least u will be able to play the game on a 1990 pc.