Dragon Age: The Veilguard – The Importance of Bellara's Dirthamen Vallaslin

The upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard introduces several intriguing new characters, including Bellara, a Veiljumper with potentially deep ties to the elven god Dirthamen. Bellara’s vallaslin, the iconic facial tattoo of the Dalish elves, represents the god of secrets and knowledge. While Dragon Age fans are already familiar with the concept of vallaslin, Bellara’s Dirthamen-inspired tattoo takes on new importance within the context of Dragon Age:The Veilguard, setting her up as a key player in the upcoming story.

Bellara’s Dirthamen Vallaslin and Its Connection to Knowledge

Bellara’s vallaslin, inspired by Dirthamen, symbolizes the elven god’s mastery over secrets and knowledge. According to elven lore, Dirthamen, the Keeper of Secrets, gave the elves the gift of knowledge and served as a guide for those traveling through the mysterious paths of the Fade. Dirthamen’s association with wisdom and understanding aligns perfectly with Bellara’s character traits, as she is described as a bookish Veiljumper who constantly seeks answers. This connection hints that Bellara’s role in Dragon Age: The Veilguard will likely revolve around uncovering ancient knowledge and solving the mysteries linked to the resurgence of old elven magic.

Catie, known as Ghil Dirthalan in the Dragon Age community and a Dragon Age lore expert, highlighted in an interview that Bellara’s vallaslin is the first of its kind in the Dragon Age series. According to writer John Epler, Bellara’s unique tattoo represents her dedication to Dirthamen, further emphasizing her scholarly nature and likely positioning her as a key figure in unraveling the mysteries tied to ancient artifacts and magical disruptions in the world of The Veilguard.

The Complex History of Vallaslin in Dragon Age

While Bellara’s Dirthamen vallaslin aligns with the Dalish tradition of honoring elven gods, Dragon Age: Inquisition revealed that vallaslin has a far more complicated history than many Dalish elves believe. According to Solas, one of the main focal points of The Veilguard, the tattoos were not originally marks of religious devotion but symbols of slavery in ancient Elvhenan society. The noble elves, who enslaved the lower classes, used vallaslin to brand their slaves, with each design representing a different god favored by the nobles.

This revelation radically changed the meaning of vallaslin within the Dragon Age world. For Bellara, wearing the vallaslin of Dirthamen may signify not only her loyalty to the god of knowledge, but also a deeper, more tragic connection to the lost history of Dragon Age’s elves. Given The Veilguard’s emphasis on the resurgence of old magic and ancient artifacts, Bellara’s vallaslin may tie directly into the broader narrative of rediscovering the dark secrets of Elvhenan’s past.

Speculating on Bellara’s Role as a Veiljumper in The Veilguard

According to Catie’s interview with John Epler, Bellara’s role as a Veiljumper ties directly into the narrative of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Veiljumpers are tasked with containing the ancient magics of Arlathan, which have been reawakened due to the events of the Dragon Age world. Additionally, the vallaslin also represents a sense of community. For instance, one group of elven people or Veiljumpers may adopt a specific vallaslin as a way not just to represent themselves, but to represent the people who are closest to them. Perhaps Bellara’s Dirthamen vallaslin will be chosen by a specific group of people she’s attached to, or it may even represent a form of ostracization or lonewolfness that ingrains her story arc.

Bellara’s Dirthamen vallaslin is more than just a symbol of her devotion to the elven god of knowledge—it may mark her as a central figure in the unfolding story of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Her unique vallaslin highlights the evolving lore of Dragon Age and sets her apart as a character who will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future of Thedas, or perhaps its demise. As The Veilguard delves deeper into elven history, Bellara’s connection to Dirthamen will no doubt offer players a fresh perspective on the mysteries of the world.