Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Who Are Spite & Manfred?

Dragon Age: The Veilguard introduces fans to a whole new roster of characters as Rook gathers their team to fight the Evanuris. From skilled dragon hunters and elven artifact experts to shrewd detectives and Grey Wardens, everyone adds to the party to help Rook fight anything thrown at them throughout the game. However, there are two more party members who are a little more unusual but no less important to The Veilguard‘s story.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.]

Companions and support characters have always been a core aspect of the Dragon Age series and each game’s protagonists have had some odd friends. Alongside mages, warriors, and assassins have been grumpy stone golems, loyal dogs, and spirits who have found themselves trapped in the mortal world. Two such characters join The Veilguard team but stand out from previous entities seen in the franchise.

The Veilguard Has Two Spirit Party Members

Manfred & Spite Continue A Dragon Age Tradition In A New Way

While the core companions of The Veilguard are made up of humans, elves, qunari, and dwarves, there are two more characters who will join Rook in the Lighthouse. Spite and Manfred join alongside Emmrich and Lucanis and are both spirits, beings of pure magic from the Fade who embody certain emotions or traits. However, that is where the similarities between the two end, as Spite and Manfred have had very different journeys before the beginning of The Veilguard that change how they interact with the world around them.

The Veilguard isn’t the first Dragon Age game to feature spirit companions or possessed companions. The first was Wynne in Dragon Age: Origins, who was kept alive by a spirit of Faith after she momentarily died during a battle. A spirit of Justice possessed the corpse of Warden Kristoff in the Dragon Age expansion, Awakenings, before merging with Anders just before Dragon Age 2. Then, in Inquisition, Cole joined the Inquisitor’s team; he was a spirit of Compassion that had physically manifested its own body after the death of the original human Cole.

Spirits and demons have always been a part of Dragon Age’s lore, with the emphasis placed on how dangerous the latter can be to mages. And while each game has often shown the consequences of spirits who become twisted against their nature, they have also demonstrated that these Fade entities are far more complex than the Chantry would have the people of Thedas believe. Spite and Manfred are fantastic examples of this, showing different aspects of a vast spectrum of spirit behavior.

Manfred Is The Literal Embodiment Of Curiosity

Manfred’s Sweet Desire To Learn Shows How Spirits Can Grow

Manfred will join the team alongside Emmrich towards the end of Act One after Rook must choose to save either Minrathous or Treviso. First appearing to serve tea, the little skeleton brightens up any scene with his happy hisses and inquisitive nature. Speaking with Emmrich will reveal more about Manfred’s history, and it will come as no surprise to anyone when the necromancer explains that Manfred was originally a wisp, a very small spirit of Curiosity. He was fascinated with Emmrich and, eventually, a body was built for Manfred to experience the world.

Manfred is keen to learn and acts as Emmrich’s manservant, fetching books or assisting with research. Rook can play rock paper scissors with him in the Lighthouse, and Manfred can often be found in various places interacting with other members of the team. It would be easy to dismiss Manfred as a simple background character. However, he is a great example of how spirits can grow and learn, which is most clearly demonstrated through Emmrich’s quest.

During the late stages of Emmrich’s quest to stop Hezenkoss, Manfred starts to use proper words instead of hissing. Unfortunately, Manfred can be killed while fighting Hezenkoss, but if brought back, will start to rapidly develop using more complex words and even learn some magic. Manfred beautifully demonstrates the changing nature of spirits and how they can grow while still remaining true to their core aspect. Manfred is Curiosity, manifesting as an intense desire to learn, and shows the innocent desires of some spirits.

Is Spite A Demon Or Spirit?

Spite Is Just As Traumatized By The Ossuary As Lucanis

Spite is a totally different entity to Manfred and is often referred to as a demon throughout The Veilguard. Pulled from the Fade against his will, Spite was forced into Lucanis during their time in the Ossuary, with the two of them eventually reaching an understanding. Spite, as his name suggests, can be hostile and bitter at times and will lash out at Lucanis when he doesn’t get his way. However, this initial animosity between the two may not mean Spite is a true demon.

Spite plays a key role throughout Lucanis’ quest, with Lucanis noting that he doesn’t sleep as it is easier for Spite to take control of his body when he does. However, during the times that Spite is in control, he never does anything that could put Lucanis in serious danger, leading many to speculate that Spite is more like a toddler acting out. If Treviso is saved, the relationship between them is explored in much more detail, with Spite directly reaching out to Rook for help when Lucanis is paralyzed by his own insecurities.

Related

Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Should Lucanis Free Or Imprison Illario

Lucanis Dellamorte’s journey in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is one of betrayal and family where Rook has to decide the fate of an Antivan Crow traitor.

Looking closely at Spite, he seems more like an extremely traumatized spirit rather than a demon, and given how he came to be joined with Lucanis, that makes the most sense. Spite is referred to as a spirit of Determination by Rowan, the Lords of Fortune seer, and by Solas, an identity that Spite does not reject. Spite is an aspect of Determination, and could potentially heal from his experiences in the Ossuary to return to that state, something that could be explored in games or media beyond Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is the fourth entry in the Dragon Age franchise and a sequel to 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. A classic character, Solas, will return as the new game’s antagonist. The game will retain many of the series’ staples, such as multiple dialogue options, party choices, romantic options, and more. Dreadwolf will act as the first direct sequel in the Dragon Age franchise.

Released

October 31, 2024

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Frostbite

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

Expand