Dragon Age: The Veilguard features one of the most compelling endings in the series, but its secret ending, unlocked through specific side quests and artifact hunts, has sparked controversy among fans. Some players have expressed dissatisfaction with how the secret scene seemingly rewrites parts of the franchise’s history. In response, the game's creative director, John Epler, has addressed the concerns and provided clarification. Spoilers ahead!
The secret ending unfolds after the credits roll, showcasing illustrations of significant moments from the Dragon Age series—such as Loghain's betrayal in Dragon Age: Origins, Bartrand's theft of the lyrium idol in Dragon Age II, and Corypheus opening The Breach in Dragon Age: Inquisition. However, these pivotal moments are depicted with cloaked figures known as the Executors, suggesting that they may have been manipulating the events of the series behind the scenes. Some fans have interpreted this as implying that the Executors were controlling the villains in each game.
To clear up the confusion, Epler took to Bluesky, using a ROT13 cipher to protect spoilers for players who haven’t completed the game. His message explains that while the Executors might have subtly influenced the course of history, the major villains—Loghain, Bartrand, and Corypheus—were acting according to their own choices, not directly under the Executors' control.
The true extent of the Executors' influence on past Dragon Age villains remains unclear, and their motivations are still a mystery. One popular theory is that the Executors may have ties to the Forgotten Ones, ancient elven gods once removed from the pantheon worshipped by the elves. While their full role in the series' future is still up for speculation, it’s evident that the Executors will play a key part in the next Dragon Age installment—though fans will likely have to wait several years for answers, as BioWare shifts its focus to the upcoming Mass Effect title.
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