“Remember that, for the moment, we are not your enemy.”
The Executors, also referred to as "those across the sea," are a shadowy organization with agents operating throughout Thedas.
Background
Long before the Executors came into contact with the Inquisition, they were regarded as a hostile force by Elvhenan and the ancient Tevinter Imperium. In one account, Andruil bound the life forces of her slaves to magical wards that were supposed to defend against "enemies from across the sea," although the life forces were in fact used for Andruil's personal empowerment.[1]
After the fall of Arlathan, Minrathous used a defense system known as "Urthemiel's Shield" that was designed to defend against Those Across the Sea. On one occasion, the priests of Lusacan suggested that the shield be repurposed as an offensive weapon to destroy Those Across the Sea, rather than be used as shield to defend against them.[2]
In the current Dragon Age, the Executors have, on some occasions, left traces of their involvement in the form of mysterious circles. Fragments of one circle were found by Saeris, a member of the Dalish clan Ersallae. Deciding to investigate further, Saeris and her clanmate Taeryn found a complete second circle, and later encountered an Executor in a collapsed section of the Deep Roads that seemed to lead under the ocean. According to Saeris' journal, the Executor looked like a person, though oddly dressed, in a grey robe, wearing a mask and a grey helmet. The Executor was also described as having a changing, shifting arm. Saeris and Taeryn managed to escape after the latter shot the Executor with an arrow, and Saeris ceased his investigations into the circles, deciding to "[let] the past keep its secrets." [3][4][5]
Involvement
Dragon Age: Inquisition
The Inquisition first learns of the existence of the Executors in 9:41 Dragon, after their symbol is discovered marked in chalk at nearly every Inquisition outpost. Archivists are unable to identify the symbol in any records, but Inquisition agent Argent claims to recognize it from a ledger belonging to the Comtesse de Bayard. The Inquisitor has the options of getting the reclusive Comtesse to cooperate, or setting up a decoy outpost to capture the person making the symbols. Either approach connects the symbol with agents who speak of "those across the seas."
The symbols do not reappear after being removed. Leliana eliminates the Qunari as the most obvious suspects behind the marks, and concludes that someone with ties to "those across the seas" has an interest in the Inquisition. Although Leliana wants to investigate further, Cullen dismisses it as pointless and argues the entire affair is best forgotten so they can focus on Corypheus.
We hold your Inquisition in high esteem. Thedas's present troubles are great, but you have the strength to meet and conquer them. More will come. We prepare for the day and hold vigil. Do not look for your men; do not mourn them. They have given themselves of their own free will to a higher cause.
On behalf of powers across the sea,
The Executors
Compliments to your spymaster. She is a resourceful woman. Once she traced our agent to Caimen Brea, the match was ruled in her favor. Tell Sister Leliana to call off her dogs. Save them for Corypheus. We suspect also that she has gotten all she can from Ser Helmuth. A caterpillar on a leaf does not know there is a forest about him.
You will hear no more from us. Our intention was to watch, and we have seen enough. Corypheus threatens us all, and the Inquisition is Thedas's only hope for stopping him. Remember that, for the moment, we are not your enemy. As a gesture of goodwill, we share our knowledge. May it prove valuable in your coming battle.
On behalf of powers across the sea,
The Executors
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights
The Dread Wolf Take You
An Executor attends a meeting of Thedas' best spies to share information about Solas and his plans to restore the empire of the ancient elves. Those across the ocean don't care about Solas' true nature, only about his goals and means of accomplishing them. Charter, the spy of the Inquisition who called the meeting, describes the Executor as covered head in toe in dark robes, a mesh covering the opening of the hood, with a voice that could have been male or female, young or old. Before the Executor can share their tale, Solas covertly petrifies them. He later cautions Charter that those across the sea are dangerous.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Three circles, which combine to form the Executor's insignia, can be found respectively in Arlathan Forest, in the Necropolis Halls' Chamber of the Unforged, and in a part of the Crossroads near the Revenant Dragon. Each time a circle is found, a brief exchange occurs between Rook and the voice of an unseen Executor. Upon finding the third circle, Rook asks the mysterious voice what they want and why they are here, to which the voice responds, "Not Now. Not Yet. We will show you. Soon."
If Rook successfully collected all three circles, it is revealed that the Executors have allegedly had an outsized impact on the history of Thedas for centuries, guiding and balancing events until "the poison fruit ripens." They are implied to be responsible for the Magisters Sidereal becoming the first darkspawn, Loghain's infamous retreat at Ostagar, Bartrand Tethras gaining the lyrium idol, as well as being involved with the Breach, Corypheus and Flemeth. With the events surrounding the Evanuris ended, they seem to be getting ready to set their plans in motion.[6]
Quests
Investigate the Strange Chalk Markings (war table)- Unmask "Those Across the Sea" (war table)
Codex entries
Codex entry: A Mysterious Circle- Codex entry: A Second Circle
- Codex entry: A Final Mysterious Circle
- Codex entry: Freed from the Evanuris
- Codex entry: Urthemiel's Shield
Note texts
Trivia
- The Executors are mentioned in Varric's book, Hard in Hightown.
"Well, this doesn't look very interesting at all." Maysie frowned, disappointed. " 'What you have claimed belongs to greater powers. You will answer to us.' That's a lot of rubbish."
...
"Oh, it's the Executors, of course!" Maysie peered excitedly at the wax seal, holding it up to the window for better light. "I should have guessed it from the silly 'great powers' nonsense. There's only been one example, on the letter claiming responsibility for the assassination of Queen Madrigal in 5:99! And this one is so much better! Just look at that imprint!"
"Any idea how I'd contact these 'Executors'?" Donnen asked.
"Oh, they're not real, of course. Everyone knows that."
- Consequently, the Executors are referenced in the war table operation Hard in Hightown: Trouble in Skyhold by an agent of Leliana covertly attempting to track down the author of a fake publication of Hard in Hightown 3.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Codex entry: Freed from the Evanuris
- ↑ Codex entry: Urthemiel's Shield
- ↑ Codex entry: A Mysterious Circle
- ↑ Codex entry: A Second Circle
- ↑ Codex entry: A Final Mysterious Circle
- ↑ As seen in the secret post-credit ending of Dragon Age: The Veilguard