Flemeth

Lore & Background

In the Dragon Age universe, Flemeth is the subject of many legends explaining her presence in the Korcari Wilds. Some versions claim she was possessed by a vengeful spirit after her lover was murdered, leading to mass murder before she fled into the wilds. The Chasind barbarians call her 'The Mother of Vengeance,' often depicting her as a great dragon or serpent. She is noted for her longevity; Dalish elves refer to her as 'Asha'bellanar,' meaning woman of many years. Flemeth possesses the ability to transform into a large, powerful dragon and has numerous daughters who are also witches, including Morrigan and Yavana from the comic series Dragon Age: The Silent Grove. Her relationship with Morrigan is strained, with Morrigan unsure if Flemeth is her birth mother. A subplot in Origins reveals Flemeth's grimoire details her method of extending her lifespan by possessing her daughters' bodies.

In Their Own Story

Flemeth first aids Maric and Loghain in The Stolen Throne, granting them safe passage through the Korcari Wilds on the condition that Maric makes an unspecified promise. She prophesied a future Blight and warned that Loghain would betray Maric. In Dragon Age: Origins, she provides Grey Warden recruits with ancient treaties and advice, later rescuing the player character and Alistair from Ostagar while commanding Morrigan to join them. Depending on player choice, the Warden can attack her in her High Dragon form or take her grimoire after she leaves. She instructs Morrigan to offer a dark ritual to preserve an 'Old God' soul within the Archdemon's child. In Dragon Age II, Flemeth saves the Hawke family from darkspawn in Lothering and guides them to Kirkwall via an amulet used by Dalish elves to restore her. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, she reveals herself as a vessel for the elven goddess Mythal. She extracts the Old God soul from Morrigan's son Kieran if he exists, or is summoned by someone drinking from the Well of Sorrows. The story concludes with a post-credits scene where she meets Solas (Fen'harel), who petrifies her and drains her power.

Reader's Guide

To encounter Flemeth in Dragon Age: Origins, seek her out in the Korcari Wilds as a Grey Warden recruit for ancient treaties and advice. Later, you may choose to fight her in her High Dragon form or allow her to leave peacefully to take her grimoire, which reveals her life-extension methods. In Dragon Age II, ensure the Hawke family is saved from darkspawn in Lothering to receive an amulet destined for Dalish Keeper Marethari at Sundermount; this amulet ensures Flemeth's survival regardless of prior events. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, guide the Inquisitor and Morrigan to defeat Corypheus with her assistance. If Kieran exists, he must meet Flemeth for the extraction of his Old God soul. Be aware that her ultimate fate involves a post-credits encounter with Solas, where she is petrified and drained of power. Her guidance often comes in cryptic forms, requiring players to stay engaged to uncover the true nature of her motives.

Did You Know?

• Flemeth is voiced by American actress Kate Mulgrew, who described the role as 'challenging and very freeing' due to the vocal dexterity required.
• The Chasind barbarians refer to Flemeth as 'The Mother of Vengeance,' a capricious being only the desperate would seek for help.
• David Gaider originally intended for Dragon Age: Origins to be framed as a story told by an old woman who was revealed to be an elderly Morrigan, not Flemeth.
• Flemeth's visual design received a complete overhaul from Dragon Age II onwards, changing from a 'crazy old lady living in a shoe' to a powerful figure capable of turning into a dragon.
• In the post-credits scene of Inquisition, Flemeth is petrified by Solas, leaving her fate unknown after he drains her power and possibly the soul of the Old God.