dragonage

“People come in three kinds. Family. Enemies. Contracts.”


Spite is a Spirit of Determination [1] unwillingly possessing the Antivan Crow Lucanis Dellamorte thereby granting him magic-like abilities despite not being a mage.

Background

Inspired by the Order of Fiery Promise, the Venatori fed Lucanis Dellamorte something containing Spite. Lucanis describes the experience as akin to being fed uncooked meat containing a parasite.[2]

Unlike other possessions where the demon desired to possess a host, Spite was forced to possess Lucanis. This instilled a grudge against the Venatori and any responsible for its imprisonment as Spite. Spite and Lucanis made a deal to work together against those who had imprisoned them, which saved Lucanis' life.[2]

Lucanis largely retains control of his body while awake. However, when he sleeps Spite is able to exert more control over his body and is even able to walk and speak. Lucanis notes that Spite is prone to throwing tantrums when he does not get what he wants or dislikes the outcome of his actions. Rook, Neve, and Bellara are firsthand witnesses to one such tantrum, where Spite causes Lucanis to have a nosebleed when he is stopped from talking to Rook. Lucanis reassures the group Spite will calm down and loose interest once they leave, painting Spite's behaviour moreso as childish than calculated cruelty.

Involvement

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Templatetools This section is incomplete and requires expansion.
This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

During Lucanis' imprisonment at The Ossuary the blood mage Zara Renata developed a method to somehow farm spirits into this plane through suffering and forcing them to possess her prisoners. She used this unspecified technique to summon and force a Spirit of Determination, now corrupted into a Spite "Demon"[3], into Lucanis.

Sometime later at the Lighthouse, Rook, Lace Harding and Taash catch Spite in control of Lucanis' asleep body and attempting to leave through an Eluvian. Fortunately, Lucanis eventually wakes up and regains control. Rook urges Lucanis to find a better solution to his problem with Spite but Lucanis assures Rook he has it under control and another incident will not occur.

Throughout the events of the game, the two begrudgingly learn to cooperate in their shared body to make the best of the situation. Depending on player choices they will eventually decide to stay together after the events of the game or to try and seek a way to separate from each other despite the risks.

During Bloodbath (quest), Lucanis finds a lead that indicate that Zara Renata is hiding in the Treviso Chantry. While heading towards Zara's suspected location, Rook and Lucanis run into Illario Dellamorte who tries to coax Lucanis into letting him participate in Zara's undoing. Lucanis states Illario isn't suitable for the mission and insists he stay out of the job for his own safety. Illario relents and yields to Lucanis' request. Rook and Lucanis fight Zara's minions in the Treviso Chantry and find Zara bathing in a pool of blood. The Veilguard defeat Zara in battle and in the aftermath, Zara tries to negotiate for her life by leveraging the identity of who betrayed Lucanis. While Lucanis desires the truth, Spite wants to give her an immediate, excruciating death. Before she can reveal the truth, Illario suddenly appears and kills Zara by crushing her throat. Having his kill stolen from him infuriates Spite, who takes control of Lucanis and attempts to stab Illario to death, while Lucanis reclaims a portion of his body and struggles to restrain Spite from killing Illario. Illario uses his brooch in the semblance of a bird to use blood magic to subdue Lucanis. Illario feigns ignorance of his control over Lucanis and tells Rook to keep Lucanis away from the Antivan Crows and Treviso as he claims he is a danger to his family.

Later on, Taash and Rook catch Spite in control of Lucanis as Lucanis was sleepwalking. As Taash contains Spite to Lucanis' room, Rook sends them away so they can speak to Spite. Spite reveals that Lucanis hasn't been upholding the deal they made long ago: "Break [their] chains. Kill. Escape [their] prison. And live." Rook asks for clarification since that seems to be what they did by escaping the Ossuary, but Spite insists that isn't true and he wants out. Spite becomes more upset that Lucanis isn't fulfilling his promise and urges Rook to talk to Lucanis or force him to do something about it. However, Spite is interrupted when Lucanis wakes up and regains control of his body. Once again, Lucanis apologizes to Rook for losing control but Rook encourages Lucanis to seek help from his companions.

If Rook chooses to save Treviso:
When Rook speaks to Lucanis at the Lighthouse, he reveals that Viago and Teia sent word that they have information about Illario. However, they can only talk about it if they secretly meet away from Treviso and spies. Rook and Lucanis meet with the Crow Talons at the Cobbled Swan, which starts the quest Inner Demons. Viago reveals that one of his spies found Caterina's opal ring in the trash of Villa Dellamorte, which implies Illario is keeping Caterina imprisoned there. Caterina's opal ring was a gift to Lucanis' mother and was a mark of her favor. Caterina would never willingly part with it unless to use it to signal she was alive and give the Crows a hint of her whereabouts. Although Viago thinks they need more spies in the villa to be certain of their suspicions, Lucanis is confident Caterina is alive as even Illario would tear Treviso apart searching if he lost her opal ring. Teia wants to rescue Caterina first, while Viago thinks it could be misinformation to lure them into a trap and proposes they just attack Illario. Lucanis is unsure what is the right course of action and fears he might get Caterina killed if he makes a wrong move. Spite takes over Lucanis and asks Rook to help them. Spite transports both of them spiritually to a portion of the Fade that is made to look like the Ossuary. Spite says Lucanis locks himself away in this mental Ossuary and he can't reach him. Since Lucanis and Spite are joined, if he's trapped there, then so is Spite, which frustrates the spirit. Rook and Spite makes their way to Lucanis' cell, meeting various, imagined loved ones of Lucanis that reflect the negative thoughts he has about himself. They meet Caterina, who reflects Lucanis' fear of being rejected by her, Harding who reflects his fear that he is a danger to his comrades, Neve who reflects his hopelessness in his ability to overcome his problems, and Illario who reflects Lucanis' defeatism and fear of not only failing, but hurting his friends and loved ones in the process. Rook offers Lucanis advice and encouragement which helps Lucanis to vanish these symbollic guards. Rook and Spite eventually make their way to Lucanis and Rook deduces that Lucanis hides himself away in this mental Ossuary because he is afraid to face the challenges of his new life and has to learn to live as an abomination. Ultimately, Lucanis is afraid if he fails, he'll hurt the ones he loves. Lucanis frustratingly comes to the conclusion that Rook is right but doesn't know how to begin in making progress. Rook suggests that Lucanis and Spite start by making a goal they both agree on and make it happen. Rook can encourage them to endeavor to punish Illario or save Caterina. Lucanis and Spite agree to these terms and their bond becomes more harmonious after forming this new deal. Rook and Lucanis return to the Cobbled Swan with Teia revealing that they went into a stupor for a while but Lucanis reassures the Crow Talons he and Rook are fine. Lucanis orders Viago to keep an eye on Illario while he plans Caterina's rescue.

At the Dellamorte opera house, Illario is trying to persuade the Antivan Crows that Caterina's death and Lucanis' status as a dangerous abomination has forced him to take the mantle of First Talon. Furthermore, he believes his alliance with the Venatori will be a boon to them reclaiming Antiva from the Antaam. During A Murder of Crows, Lucanis suddenly breaks into the opera house and declares Illario will become First Talon over his dead body. Illario accepts Lucanis' challenge and uses his bird-like brooch to inflict blood magic on Lucanis, but since Lucanis and Spite are in harmony, they are able to successfully resist his blood magic. With the Veilguard's support, Lucanis defeated Illario and his Venatori. While Illario tells Lucanis to kill him, Lucanis thinks his humiliating defeat in front of every Crow house will satiate his vengeance more. Caterina Dellamorte suddenly reveals herself to be alive and rescued by the Veilguard. She tells Illario to accept his defeat with dignity. If Treviso was blighted or if Rook advises him to do so, Lucanis will punish Illario with imprisonment and orders Viago to take him away. If Treviso isn't blighted, Rook can cite that Illario is still special to Lucanis as he is one of his few friends and family members. Rook can then persuade Lucanis to forgive him. In this case, Lucanis has Viago take Illario away and to keep an eye on him. Illario protests being sentenced by Lucanis as only the First Talon has the authority to do that, but Caterina validates Lucanis' judgment by formally declaring him First Talon.

If Rook let the blighted dragon devestate Treviso, Lucanis will state that Spite has been demanding vengeance for the wrongs committed against Treviso.

If Rook saved Minrathous and completed the Antivan Crow quests:
After the Veilguard made Treviso as secure as they possibly could, Lucanis has resolved to separate himself from Spite. Back at the Lighthouse, Lucanis tells Rook he will try to separate himself from Spite once his contract with Rook is fulfilled—even if the endeavor is dangerous. Spite yearns for freedom from their connection as well, but most "curing" from possession involves destroying the demon in the Fade, which Lucanis wants to avoid. Despite everything, Lucanis feels obligated to help Spite separate from him peacefully and even feels he'll miss him. Even so, Lucanis is concerned how their bond has molded eachother. Lucanis admits he has grown stronger from their bond and Spite has obtained his form and skills. Lucanis worries without their connection, Lucanis may unleash a true "Demon of Vyrantium" to terrorize the world. Even so, Rook tells Lucanis he must face the consequences of obtaining independent lives for him and Spite, which inspires Lucanis to see through his endeavor.

If Rook completed Inner Demons and completed the Antivan Crow quests:
During A Moment's Peace, Lucanis and Rook celebrate Lucanis' and Spite's newfound alliance by having drinks at a café owned by the Crows. Both Lucanis and Spite intend to stay together and strengthen their bond. Lucanis has a spare seat and cup of coffee reserved for Spite. Spite is perplexed by the coffee, noting it smells like Lucanis. Lucanis tells Rook while the other Talons are wary of having an abomination as First Talon, they at least prefer him to his cousin, Illario, and the Venatori. Caterina maintains her composure and distracts herself with work, despite Lucanis thinking she is secretly still upset by him being an abomination and Illario's betrayal. Lucanis is content with his new life, even if it isn't normal.

Lucanis participates in the Battle of Minrathous. Lucanis can die during The Last Gambit or during The Dread Wolf Rises depending on player choices.


Quotes

Trivia

References

  1. ↑ Addressed by Seer Rowan as "Spirit of Determination" when passing by in the Halls of Valor. Also identified as such by the Formless One, Isabela, and Solas.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 According to dialogue between Lucanis and Bellara
  3. ↑ Referred to as a demon by companions or by a mage Rook during Sea of Blood when Lucanis is first met, as well as by Ghilan'nain.