While elven lore has taken center stage in the Dragon Age series, the dwarves have had their own interesting lore explored on the side. This was especially apparent in the Descent DLC, which revealed the existence of Titans, their connection to lyrium, and the possibility of dwarves gaining magic. With Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in development, fans are wondering not only what will happen to Thedas through Solas' plan, but what specifically awaits the dwarves.
Fans have often shared that they consider the dwarves to be underwritten compared to others in the Dragon Age universe. BioWare may have listened, resulting in a plan to delve more into dwarves in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. If so, it will likely be in connection to Solas' plot and the events of the Descent DLC. In fact, there is a lot that connects the dwarves to ancient elves, which can be instrumental in the upcoming game.
The Shared History Of Ancient Elves And Dwarves
In ancient times, the dwarves had a great kingdom much like the elves. Also like the elves, it fell, and they have been in dire straits since. While the elves lost their immortality alongside the city of Arlathan and became second-class citizens of Thedas, the dwarves lost most of their people and civilization in the First Blight. Most of their earliest history has been lost, leaving a lot of room for discovery in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.
The loss of the dwarves' Titans is also much like the elves' loss of their pantheon. Both the Titans and Evanuris seemed to have played huge roles in the races' ancient cultures and were ultimately forgotten, or at least had their history twisted to a different angle. In fact, the loss of Titans in dwarven culture may very well be connected to Evanuris. If this is true, then Solas' plot to tear down the Veil will greatly affect the dwarves.
Ancient Elves And The Titans
Among the many of Solas' murals in Trespasser is what appeared to be a Titan being destroyed. Solas' murals have often depicted truths of his ideas, past, and identity, so the Titan mural is a major piece of evidence for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. In the Descent DLC, it is revealed that Titans likely fell before the elves' Arlathan, but it is unknown why.
Codices and Solas' mural, however, tell a story of ancient elves being the ones that struck the Titans down. The codex entry "A Song to Elgar'nan" describes the ancient elves hunting down the Titans in order to tame earthquakes. Veilfire Runes in the Deeproads also mention Mythal herself striking some Titans down and giving the land over to elves while the dwarves then mined lyrium for the Evanuris.
Titans seem to not be ultimately destroyed but are asleep. Based on the evidence, it is possible that the Titans were made to sleep when the Veil was created, as the Veil holds back spirits and magic. The Titans' veins are literally lyrium, so they've beings who are very tied to magic. It is not impossible to believe that the creation of the Veil made Titans so weak that they fell asleep and were eventually forgotten by the dwarves.
What Solas' Plan Will Possibly Do
The destruction of the Veil could mean a return of Titans. Many could wake up from their slumber, which could be catastrophic because they will likely not be happy and are known to cause earthquakes. Solas has admitted that his actions will destroy Thedas, and causing Titans to wake and make earthquakes would certainly do that.
However, this would impact the dwarves most of all. The connection between Titans and the dwarves seems to be magical in nature. In Descent, players witnessed a Titan give a dwarf magic. Evidence before that DLC even has hinted that dwarves once had magic. For example, one of the oldest Thaigs explored is the Primeval Thaig in Dragon Age 2, where the red lyrium idol was originally discovered had architecture made by magic, which means ancient dwarves somehow had access to magic long ago.
There is more to Titans, their magic, and the dwarves. Codices, the Descent DLC, and dwarven lore have hinted that dwarves may have once had a sort of hive mind with the Stone. The Stone is not a god to them but is deeply tied to their traditions. Many of the dwarves still have what is called Stone Sense, which makes it easier for them to not get lost underground. Dagna has even mentioned in a war table operation that when facing a rune, she once "felt mountain-tall, moving as if around all her people," while feeling their thoughts as well. This means that the return of Titans could give the dwarves a sort of super Stone Sense or even a hive mind.
The Lyrium Idol
Another piece of the dwarven puzzle is the red lyrium idol that Solas obtained in Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights. This idol appears to be dwarven-made and was found in the Primeval Thaig. This ancient location dates back to before the fall of Arlathan, which means Solas may know about it from his ancient elf days. It seems to be key to his plans in some way, and it's possible the dwarves will be the ones to discover why due to their experiences with lyrium.
Like the elves, it is likely the dwarves will learn a lot about their history and see that a lot has been forgotten or erased. For example, it is unknown why the Primeval Thaig was sealed and abandoned, or why the lyrium idol was ever made in the first place. It's possible that Solas himself was part of it all.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is in development.