In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, players face a tough decision about the fate of Emmrich Volkarin, a necromancer from the Mourn Watch faction. After years of studying life and death, Emmrich has discovered a way to become an immortal lich. But with this discovery comes a choice. This dilemma arises during the Companion Quest and the decision you make will shape the course of Emmrich’s story. In this article, we will discuss should Emmrich become a Lich in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
The Sacrifice of Souls Quest in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Professor Emmrich Volkarin is a dedicated scholar of necromancy who takes his responsibility to protect the innocent from dark forces as seriously as his academic pursuits. In The Sacrifice of Souls, Rook returns to Blackthorne Manor with Emmrich to confront the necromancer Johanna Hezenkoss. The Manor, now hosting a party by Hezenkoss, serves as the backdrop for an infiltration mission.
Manfred leads the group into the Manor as they explore, fight off the undead, and find a spectral tome that points the way to Hezenkoss’ workshop. After more battles and navigating the Manor, they finally face Hezenkoss in a fierce showdown. Once the fight is over, Emmrich is left with a life-altering choice: become a lich or bring his skeletal companion back to life. Completing the quest rewards you with XP, gold, and other valuable bonuses.
Should Emmrich Become a Lich in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Choice: Do I revive him, and live out my days? Or do I honour death by letting him rest, and protect this world through immortality?
Bring Back Manfred
If Emmrich wants to revive Manfred, he gets the Veilguard Skill “Life’s Embrace”. The skill may raise Emmrich’s low health threshold by 10%. So he is more resistant with quite a different twist though. If Emmrich falls in Low Health, the whole party gets a +50% damage boost, so there is a high risk for a high reward. Finally, Emmrich gets the Legendary Armor Graven Vestments. While it’s at Low Health, this armour increases Detonation damage against the health of enemies by 50%, and this armour gives Emmrich Invulnerability each time during Low Health moments when Detonations occur.
Manfred remains in the Lighthouse, only able to speak a few words and phrases. Along this route is also a cutscene in which Emmrich, Neve, and Manfred practice speaking to each other, once again emphasising their connection. In Emmrich’s final romance scene, the dialogue explores the theme of life, along with the nature of mortality.
Become a Lich
Alternatively, if Emmrich chooses to fully embrace lichdom, he gains the Veilguard Skill “Death’s Caress”. This skill alters his abilities, allowing all of his damage-dealing attacks to inflict Necrosis, while also increasing the party’s Affliction damage by 25%. The transformation into a lich also grants him the Legendary Armor Lich’s Vestige. With this new armour, any Detonation against a Sundered enemy applies Quietus, and enemies affected by Necrosis or Quietus suffer 200 Necrotic Damage upon Detonation.
However, this path comes with a darker cost: Manfred is no longer present in the Lighthouse, symbolizing the loss of his presence in Emmrich’s life. A new cutscene is unlocked where the other companions discuss Emmrich’s choice and the ramifications of embracing such dark powers. Emmrich’s physical appearance also undergoes a significant change, as he now takes on the skeletal form of a lich. In his final romance scene, the dialogue explores the nature of intimacy in his new lich form, raising questions about what it means to be alive, and what it means to love when one’s body is no longer truly living.
