In the realm of digital storytelling and character development, the use of Tarot symbolism offers profound insights into a character's psyche, motivations, and narrative arc. While Tarot is traditionally a tool for divination and spiritual guidance, its application in narrative design—specifically in games like Dragon Age: Inquisition—demonstrates the power of archetypes to convey complex emotional and existential themes. The character Solas, an elven mage, serves as a compelling case study for this method. His representation through three distinct Tarot cards—the Hermit, the Hierophant, and the Tower—maps his evolution from a solitary scholar to a figure of rebellion and world-altering change.
This article explores the symbolism behind Solas’ Tarot cards, analyzing how they reflect his shifting identity, internal conflicts, and ultimate destiny. By examining the imagery and traditional meanings of these cards, one can gain a deeper understanding of how spiritual archetypes can mirror the journey of personal growth and transformation.
The Hermit: The Mask of Solitude and Introspection
Solas is introduced to the Inquisition as a mysterious elven mage with deep knowledge of the Fade and ancient lore. His default Tarot card is the Hermit, a Major Arcana card that symbolizes soul-searching, meditation, and a degree of separation from society. The imagery associated with this card typically features a lone figure holding a lantern, illuminating the path ahead while standing in isolation.
In the context of Solas, the Hermit card perfectly encapsulates his initial demeanor. He is a figure of introspection, often keeping his distance from the other companions. The card suggests a period of self-reflection and the search for inner truth. However, the source material notes that this card also serves as a mask. By presenting himself as a Hermit, Solas hides his true identity as the Dreadwolf, Fen'Harel. This archetype allows him to observe the Inquisition without fully committing emotionally, protecting his feelings and maintaining his hidden agenda.
When reversed, the Hermit can indicate loneliness, withdrawal, and a refusal to connect. These reversed aspects also resonate with Solas’ internal state. Despite his proximity to the Inquisitor and their allies, he remains emotionally withdrawn, burdened by the knowledge of his past actions and future plans. The Hermit card, therefore, establishes the baseline of his character: a wise but lonely soul seeking redemption or resolution, yet unwilling to reveal the full truth of his existence.
The Hierophant: Tradition, Conformity, and Rebellion
The narrative arc of Solas takes a significant turn if he engages in a romance with the Inquisitor (specifically a Lavellan elf). In this scenario, his Tarot card transforms into the Hierophant. The Hierophant is an earth-element card representing tradition, spiritual guidance, education, and conformity. It sits just before the Lovers card in the Major Arcana, suggesting a choice between established structures and personal connection.
The appearance of the Hierophant signifies Solas’ internal struggle between his duty as the Dreadwolf and his desire for a normal life with the Inquisitor. As the Hierophant, Solas contemplates conforming to the current state of Thedas, potentially abandoning his goal of tearing down the Veil to restore the ancient elven world. The card reflects a period where he attempts to fit into the existing social and spiritual structures, guided by his love for the Inquisitor.
However, the relationship inevitably reaches a breaking point. When Solas decides to end the romance to pursue his original mission, the card is depicted in reverse. A reversed Hierophant represents a rejection of conformity and tradition in favor of personal beliefs and freedom. It is a card of rebellion. For Solas, this reversal signifies his ultimate choice: he cannot conform. He must adhere to his own ancient wisdom and goals, even if it means destroying the world as it is known. This transition from the upright Hierophant to its reversed state perfectly captures the tragic conflict between his heart’s desire and his perceived destiny.
The Tower: Crisis, Revelation, and Destruction
For those who do not romance Solas, or perhaps regardless of the romance path once the final truth is revealed, Solas’ card eventually becomes the Tower. The Tower is one of the most dramatic cards in the Tarot deck, symbolizing crisis, unforeseen change, destruction, and the collapse of established structures. It is often associated with the element of fire, representing action, passion, and sudden upheaval.
The Tower represents the revelation of Solas as the Dreadwolf and his plan to bring down the Veil. The imagery of the Tower—often a tall structure struck by lightning—parallels Solas’ role in the game's narrative: he is the agent of chaos who will shatter the world to save it or restore it. The card signifies that the status quo is unsustainable and must be destroyed for a new reality to emerge.
While the Tower is often viewed as a card of doom, it also carries the meaning of awakening and revelation. The destruction it brings is necessary for reconstruction. In Solas’ case, the Tower card represents not only his external impact on Thedas but also his internal crisis. The source material suggests that Solas, an earth-elemented being connected to the physical world, is traumatized by the fire-like energy of the Dreadwolf persona. The Tower card captures this violent transformation and the inevitable chaos that follows his awakening.
The Evolution of Imagery and Symbolism
Beyond the specific archetypes, the visual evolution of Solas’ cards provides further insight. The initial Hermit card features glowing symbols and magical energy, representing his connection to the Fade. As the story progresses, the cards incorporate darker elements such as twisted branches and dark clouds. These visual cues symbolize the complexity of his character and the deepening turmoil of his internal conflict.
The transition from the solitary, illuminated figure of the Hermit to the structured, earthy imagery of the Hierophant, and finally to the chaotic, fiery imagery of the Tower, mirrors his journey from a reclusive scholar to an active participant in the conflict, and finally to a world-shattering antagonist. Each card change is a narrative beat, signaling a shift in his emotional state and his role in the unfolding drama.
Conclusion
The use of Tarot cards in character design serves as a sophisticated narrative device that transcends simple visual representation. For Solas, the progression from the Hermit to the Hierophant and finally to the Tower provides a comprehensive map of his psychological and existential journey. These cards reveal his hidden identity, his struggle between love and duty, and his ultimate acceptance of his destructive destiny.
By analyzing these archetypes, one sees that the cards do not merely predict the future; they explain the present. They offer a vocabulary for understanding the complex motivations of a character who is at once a scholar, a lover, a betrayer, and a god. The symbolism of the Hermit, Hierophant, and Tower confirms that even in digital narratives, ancient spiritual archetypes remain powerful tools for exploring the depths of the human—or elven—soul.