Characters of Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third main video game in BioWare's Dragon Age series, features a wide array of characters.

The player fills the role of "the Inquisitor", leader of the re-established Thedosian "Inquisition", setting out to stop the demons that have invaded the world of Thedas. The Inquisitor, whose race and gender is chosen by the player, can be accompanied by several "companions", or party members, who also join the Inquisition. Several characters, such as Morrigan and Leliana, return from previous games in the series, and two companions—Varric and Cassandra—both appeared in the second game (Varric being the only returning companion). Nine companions appear in all: Cassandra, Varric, Vivienne, Sera, Iron Bull, Solas, Blackwall, Dorian, and Cole.

Concept and creation

The creation process for Inquisition's characters each began with a concept artist, who was supplied with a very short blurb by the writers, rather than being written in advance. This was done in order to keep the concept artists from always having to "play catch-up" and make the process more collaborative.^[1] For Inquisition, they wanted the characters to be more recognizable, and BioWare stated they preferred "realistic" characters over "the embodiment of perfection".^[1] In deciding the cast for their games, Mike Laidlaw commented that BioWare looks at its major themes, and uses the party members to help pose "high-level questions" to the player and allow them to humanise issues.^[1] BioWare tries to create a party dynamic.^[1] Mark Darrah, the game's executive producer, noted that generally they tried to balance the characters between the classes, genders, romance options, and other things.^[2]

Several characters from previous Dragon Age games return in Inquisition. It was important that any returning characters made sense.^[1] Darrah commented that they were unlikely to reuse any previous romance options as companions due to the "baggage" that comes with them, though they could appear in cameos. He gave one reason that a character might return is an incomplete arc, pointing to Isabela's return in Dragon Age II.^[2]

The characters were made before deciding who the romance options will be, and how many options there are; this is in order to ensure the characters are built-up and "real" first.^[3] The developers try to balanced making the romances nuanced while not spending too much time developing "essentially optional" content.^[3] The romances in Inquisition tried to explore new ground rather than repeat narratives seen in earlier romances.^[3] Unlike previous games, Inquisition is said to favour event-driven content over approval ratings.^[3][4] Romances can vary between falling for heated rival or "fooling around with a friend", depending on the player's choices, in addition to the more traditional route of falling in love.^[5][6] The sex scenes in Inquisition are intended to be more "mature and tasteful", with cinematic director Jonathan Perry noting that controversy wasn't just a matter of concern, but also a limit on budget and the expense of animation fidelity. The developers wanted to focus not on the sex itself, but rather on that it was "the culmination of spending a lot of time with a character and getting to know them".^[7]

Unlike the previous Dragon Age games, no DLC companion is planned for the game. Creative director Mike Laidlaw commented how due to the nature of their companions part of the DLC companion had to be on the disc, and some controversy was caused by players believing they were paying for companions they already owned.^[8][9] Inquisition features nine companions in all.^[8][9]

To help cosplayers, fan-artists, and others, BioWare is releasing character reference kits that detail their costumes.^[10][11] The first one released was Morrigan.^[11]

The Inquisitor

Voiced by: Harry Hadden-Paton and Alix Wilton Regan (British accents); Jon Curry and Sumalee Montano (American accents)^[12]

The player character of the game, the Inquisitor is the sole survivor when a giant Fade tear called "the Breach" erupts over a peace meeting between leaders of the Chantry and the mage rebellion. The character becomes part of the new Inquisition, tasked with stopping the Fade tears and investigating their source. After closing the Breach and facing the Elder One, they are placed head of the Inquisition. The Inquisitor is customisable, with the player given the choice over their gender, class (mage, rogue or warrior), race, and voice set. Most of their responses are controlled by the player through a dialogue wheel.

With the Dragon Age series, developers wished to focus more on the world than build an arc around a single protagonist.^[2][13] Mark Darrah noted how Hawke, the protagonist of Dragon Age II, was "really a leaf in the wind", and contrasted them against the Inquisitor, acting on the world instead of reacting to the world "pushing down on you".^[2][13]

Although BioWare originally stated that the Inquisitor would be human-only, it was later announced that the ability to choose your race, an option available in Origins, would return.^[14] In addition to being able to be a human, dwarf or elf, Inquisition also introduces the option for the player to make their Inquisitor a "Qunari", a large horned race.^[15] The developers wanted there to be some sort of significant impact to your choice of player, both from characters and the storyline.^[16]

The Inquisitor has two different voices for each gender, with the choice between either a British or an American accent.^[17] Alix Wilton Regan, provider of the Inquisitor's British female accent, believed there should be a sense of "strength, authority" to the Inquisitor, and so used a more "chesty" voice instead of more high and in the throat. Regan has said she is proud to be voicing a female protagonist for BioWare, focusing on the importance of inclusion.^[18]

As the warrior class had been the signature Warden in Origins and the mage the signature class of Hawke in II, for Inquisition artists experimented more with how a rogue would look in a position of power.^[19]:9 Many different archetypes were used, and as directions began emerging the artists tried to ensure designs would translate across gender and class.^[19]:12 They wished for all the Inquisitor's design elements to be interchangeable, allowing them then to make armor based on specific classes, factions or races in the knowledge they would fit with other clothing.^[19]:17 The designs of the rank-and-file Inquisition forces were made in tandem, and allowed them then to refine the visuals for each possible class.^[19]:16 The Inquisitor's helmet, considered to be a "first face" of the protagonist, went through the most different designs.^[19]:14

IGN's Mitch Dyer called the ability to play as a Qunari one of the "6 most exceptional things" he'd seen in Inquisition, also taking interest in the ability to play as a female Qunari partly due to it being their first appearance.^[20] Matt Bertz of Game Informer was also glad to be able to play as a Qunari, believing "[t]he more playable races, the better in my mind".^[15] Also writing for Game Informer, Kimberley Wallace called the player's "reach" as Inquisitor one of Inquisition's "striking features", saying "Your character has so much power over where the story goes and how events will play out, and part of the fun is deciding what type of leader you want to be."^[21]

Companions

Cassandra Pentaghast

Voiced by: Miranda Raison^{[note 1]}

Cassandra is a member of the Seekers of Truth and the Right Hand of the Divine, voiced in the game by British actress Miranda Raison.^[22] She first appeared in Dragon Age II, where she interrogates Varric about Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall and player-character of the game, and also starred in Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker, an anime film. By Inquisition, she is one of the few loyal Seekers of Truth remaining, after most left the order due to the unrest in Thedas and the presumed death of its leader shortly before the reformation of the Inquisition. Should the player play as a male Inquisitor, she is a possible romance option.^[5]

Cassandra's specialization is "Templar", based around nullifying magical effects, fighting demons, and providing support and buffs for other party members.

In Inquisition, the character was originally written by Jennifer Hepler, though lead writer David Gaider took up the character after Hepler left the company.^[23] BioWare wanted returning characters to make sense, and had to ask questions like "How did they grow? How did they change in the intervening years?"^[1] Gaider noted that "what we find in Inquisition is a Cassandra who's realizing the world doesn't work like she believed it does", saying that she is walking a path of doubt.^[24] In contrast to II, Raison commented that the Cassandra in Inquisition has a more human, if "not exactly softer", side to her, and called her "angrier" in the second game.^[22]

Varric Tethras

Voiced by: Brian Bloom

Varric is a surface dwarf and a "storyteller", who first appeared in Dragon Age II as a companion. Varric is not a romance option.

Varric's specialization is "Artificer," based on making mechanical traps for enemies and controlling the battlefield to give allies the advantage.

During II's production, Varric was originally written as "an untrustworthy guy. The sleazy, slimeball..." However, with all the other opposing personalities in the party, he "just eased" into the needed position of someone who stood up for you.^[1] Brian Bloom voices Varric in Inquisition, as he did in Dragon Age II. In order to find Varric's voice, Bloom would metaphorically "gargle glass and scotch and sharks teeth".^[25] Mary Kirby wrote Varric in both games.^[26]

Wallace, again writing for Game Informer, was excited for Varric's return, noting his wild stories, intriguing past, funny banter, and wondering if, like with Hawke, Varric would still always have your back.^[27]

Vivienne

Voiced by: Indira Varma

Vivienne is an Orlesian Circle mage, and official enchanter to the Imperial court. Before the event that caused the Breach to occur she was to become the First Enchanter of the Montsimmard Circle.^[28][29] Vivienne lives up to her title of "the Lady of Iron," and is referred to as Madame de Fer. She is a leader among mages and is known to be a fearless woman who obtained her position through smart political maneuvering. Vivienne pays no heed to those who try to restrict her power, not even other mages. Some try to stand in her way, calling her a social climber but she turns a deaf ear. She fights in a world gone mad, in order to restore order.

Vivienne's specialization is "Knight-Enchanter", which adds a melee ability for mages and provides buffs to barriers and close-quarters combat.

The character is introduced after the player finds a Circle mage messenger upon a first visit to Val Royeaux. The mage will extend an invitation that unlocks the quest "The Imperial Enchanter". The invitation will allow the Inquisition party to travel over to the home of Duke Bastien de Ghyslain, where they will meet Vivienne. Being the leader of the last of the loyal Thedas mages, she offers to join the Inquisition.

Iron Bull

Voiced by: Freddie Prinze, Jr.

The Iron Bull is a Qunari mercenary, a member of the Ben-Hassrath sent to Orlais to "observe and report", a position that he has conflicted about since he has become accustomed to life outside of the teachings of the Qun. He is a pansexual romance option for the Inquisitor.^[30] Freddie Prinze, Jr. voices the character, having previously voiced James Vega in BioWare's Mass Effect 3.^[31]

Iron Bull's specialization is "Reaver," based on sacrificing health to execute devastating attacks and increasing in power as health decreases.

Sera

Voiced by: Robyn Addison

Sera is an elven rogue and a member of the mysterious thieves group, the "Friends of Red Jenny", where she has access to a spy network she can use for the Inquisition. Her "Red Jenny" network is the eyes and ears of disgruntled servants around Thedas. Sera is impulsive and lives in the moment. She does not concern herself with what is right but rather "what is right now". On the first visit to Val Royeaux in the quest, "A Friend of Red Jenny". Sera can be recruited into the Inquisition. Clues left by the "friends" of Red Jenny can be found in the market by searching for them. These clues lead to a courtyard that can only be accessed via the world map. Once in the secluded courtyard enemies appear and after combat, Sera joins the Inquisition.

Sera likes to help those who deserve help and likes to tell off people that don't. This means she is very suspicious of nobles or anyone with a title. She believes it is fine to steal from the rich and if someone takes from the less fortunate it upsets her. She also does not like it when anyone talks for a group, in particular if they assume she is a member. To gain Sera's approval simply siding with anything that harms nobles or upper classes will bring favor. Sera supports freedom, but is afraid of magic and demons. She also likes to profit by finding hidden caches left for Red Jenny.

Sera is a romance option for a female Inquisitor.^[32]

Sera's specialization is "Tempest", based on using alchemical mixtures and potions to produce elemental effects for attacks.

Blackwall

Voiced by: Alastair Parker

Blackwall is the Warden Constable of Orlais and a member of the Grey Wardens. He is one of the few Wardens who willingly joined the organization and takes pride in the order.^[33] He is a potential love interest for a female Inquisitor. During his companion quest, it turns out that Blackwall is not his true identity, but an alias. Blackwall is revealed to be Thom Rainer, a captain formerly of the Orlesian army on the run for committing treason. An ally of Grand Duke Gaspard, Ser Robert Chapuis, bribed him to kill one of Empress Celene's allies, Lord Vincent Callier. The attack turned into a slaughter, as they massacred Callier's family who were travelling with him (they only discovered this in the moments leading up to the attack). When word of the massacre got out, Gaspard disavowed their actions, Chapuis committed suicide and Rainer ran. His men were arrested and sentenced to traitor's deaths. Rainier once again took up mercenary work. Whilst on the run, Rainer encountered Blackwall, who noting his prowess and skill, recruited him into the Wardens. However, while en route to Val Chevin for Rainer's Joining, they were ambushed by darkspawn and Blackwall sacrificed himself to save Rainer from a fatal blow. Rainier was inspired by Blackwall's nobility and belief in the Warden's cause, but he had no proof that he had been recruited and feared the Wardens would think he had murdered Blackwall. So he assumed Blackwall's identity and used his status as a wandering Warden recruiter to try and do good in honor of the Warden's memory. This comes to life when Rainer travels to Val Royeaux to prevent the execution of one of his few surviving men; the Inquisitor is thus given the choice to save or abandon him. If saved, the Inquisitor then chooses to imprison, exile, free or hand Rainer over to the Grey Wardens to join their ranks officially.

Blackwall's specialization is "Champion," based on defensive techniques and drawing fire off of other party members.

Dorian Pavus

Voiced by: Ramon Tikaram

Dorian is a Tevinter mage, who joins as a companion. He is a potential romance option for a male protagonist.^[34] Although he comes from a prominent mage family, he is not a Magister. Dorian reveals that he left Tevinter because he'd grown sick of the decadence and corruption prevalent in Imperial society, and believes the Venatori have to be stopped before they drag the Imperium even further into chaos.

Dorian's specialization is "Necromancer," based on reanimating corpses and binding spirits to aid in battle.

Solas

Voiced by: Gareth David-Lloyd

Solas is an elven mage apostate and expert on the Fade who joins as a companion. Solas is a romance option for a female elf Inquisitor only. At the end of the main story during the epilogue, the players find out that Solas is in fact another one of the elven gods; Fen'Harel, The Dread Wolf. Solas is also present in the Trespasser DLC, although no longer a companion, where he reveals his ultimate intention. Solas was written by Patrick Weekes, although the character was originally conceived and named prior to him joining the project. In an interview Weekes said that he initially based Solas on David Tennant's Dr. Who performance to capture his humanity and ancient nature.^[35]

Solas is one of the few mandatory companions. The player meets him early in the game and Solas will not leave the Inquisition even if he greatly disapproves of the inquisitor and his or her decisions. As a companion he offers opinions and information that are unique and sometimes clashes with accepted accounts of Thedosian history. His approval generally increases when the player asks questions, is thoughtful, helps the downtrodden, or favors magic and spirits.

Solas's specialization is "Rift Mage," based on weakening enemies and setting up opportunities for allies to exploit.

Cole

Voiced by: James Norton

Cole is a spirit from the immaterial world of the Fade, who has willingly entered the physical world of Thedas. Because of this, he is able to take on the form of a young mage who died of starvation due to neglect from the White Spire Templars. Despite taking on the form of a mage, Cole is a rogue (Cole speculates that this is because he is a manifestation of the original Cole's desire to be free of his magic so as to be normal).^[36]

He was first introduced in the novel Dragon Age: Asunder as the "Ghost of the White Spire", whose accidental use of blood magic caused him to be forgotten by all but the hopeless and suicidal. Although Asunder was written by lead writer David Gaider, Cole's appearance in Inquisition was written by Patrick Weekes. Weekes has said Inquisition follows on from the completion of Cole's character arc in Asunder, and is now "less constrained by human limitations" having accepted his true nature.^[37] The player may choose not to recruit Cole. Cole is not a romance option.^[37]

Cole's specialization is "Assassin," based on stealthy maneuvers and precise attacks.

Advisors

Leliana

Voiced by: Corinne Kempa

Leliana is the left hand of Divine Justinia V and is the spymaster of the Inquisition. She first appeared as a companion in Origins, and as an NPC in Dragon Age II. She is harsh and unforgiving; the Inquisitor has the option of accepting her personality or trying to reach the idealistic part of her seen in Origins.

Cullen Rutherford

Voiced by: Greg Ellis

Cullen is a Templar, appearing in both Origins and II. He is military strategist and general of the Inquisitor. Cullen is a romance option for a female human or elf Inquisitor.^[5]

Josephine Montilyet

Voiced by: Allegra Clark

Josephine is an Antivan noble and old friend of Leliana. She acts as the ambassador of the Inquisition, coordinating the organization's social and political standing. She is a bisexual romance option for an Inquisitor of any race.

Other characters

Morrigan

Voiced by: Claudia Black

Morrigan is a mage, who like Leliana first appeared as a companion in Origins. Since returning to Thedas she has been serving as the "arcane adviser" for Empress Celene in Orlais. Claudia Black, who voices Morrigan in Origins, returns to voice the character in Inquisition.^[25]

Alistair

Voiced by: Steve Valentine

Alistair is a Grey Warden and former companion from Dragon Age: Origins. Depending on the player's choices in Dragon Age: Origins, Alistair can appear as Hawke's Grey Warden contact, or as the King of Ferelden.

Hawke

Voiced by: Jo Wyatt and Nicholas Boulton

Hawke is the Champion of Kirkwall and player character of Dragon Age II. As of Inquisition, Hawke is being searched for by Cassandra Pentaghast. After arriving at Skyhold, Varric will approach the Inquisitor and tell them that they have brought a friend to the Keep. When they arrive, Varric introduces Hawke and reveals that he knew where they were all along, and lied to Cassandra. Showing concern primarily for the fate of the Grey Wardens, Hawke will aid the Inquisitor in finding out what has happened to the Orlesian branch of the order at Adamant Fortress.

Loghain Mac Tir

Voiced by: Simon Templeman

Loghain was King Maric's right hand and a traitor of the land of Ferelden. Depending on the player's choices in Dragon Age: Origins, Loghain can appear as Hawke's Warden contact.

Stroud

Voiced by: Stéphane Cornicard

Stroud is a high-ranking Orlesian Grey Warden who briefly appeared in Dragon Age II. Depending on player choices in Dragon Age: Origins, Stroud may be Hawke's Grey Warden contact (if neither Alistair nor Loghain are Wardens).

Dagna

Voiced by: Laura Bailey

Dagna is, depending on the choices made in Origins, is a smith caste dwarf or a Circle of Magi scholar. Senior writer Jennifer Hepler announced that Dagna would appear in Inquisition, but did not specify her importance in the storyline. After arriving at Skyhold, the war map will have a mission in the Free Marches to find Dagna, who is simply known as "the Arcanist" until she arrives at Skyhold. Her backstory will differ slightly depending on whether or not she was helped in Origins.

Flemeth

Voiced by: Kate Mulgrew

Flemeth is a shapeshifter known as the Witch of the Wilds ("Asha'bellanar", or "The Woman of Many Years" to the Dalish), and is also Morrigan's mother. Executive producer Mark Darrah announced that Flemeth would appear in Inquisition, but did not specify her importance in the storyline. After travelling to the Temple of Mythal near to the end game, Flemeth will rise from the Well of Sorrows and protect the Inquisitor and Morrigan from Corypheus. She later appears and explains that she is, in fact, the Elven Goddess Mythal. Depending on whether the Dark Ritual was performed in Origins, she will take the soul of the Old God from Kieran and leave Morrigan for good. Otherwise, she will simply agree to leave Morrigan alone for good. She is last seen talking to Solas, another Elven Deity in mortal form- this one being the Dread Wolf. After a chat, Solas began absorbing all of her power, petrifying her. Her ultimate fate is currently unknown.

Lace Harding

Voiced by: Ali Hillis

Harding is a reliable dwarven scout of the Inquisition who gives the Inquisitor the lay of the land in new areas. An Inquisitor of any race or gender can flirt with Scout Harding during the briefings she gives when visiting a new location for the first time, though she is not a truly romanceable character.

Gereon Alexius

Voiced by: David Schofield

Alexius is a member of the Magisterium and was formerly Dorian's tutor. He has led a band of Venatori to take over Redcliffe Castle. Like his pupil, Alexius was a vocal and outspoken critic of the corruption in Tevinter society, but after a darkspawn attack killed his wife and left his son terminally ill with the Blight, Alexius fell into depression, driven into despair by guilt over the fact he hadn't been there to protect his family, resulting in a falling out between himself and Dorian. Alexius eventually joined the Venatori when Corypheus promised to cure his son's illness in exchange for his service (whether this was true or not is never confirmed). Alexius, having pioneered magic that enabled its wielder to travel through time, firstly used the magic to get to Redcliffe ahead of the Inquisition to bring the rebel mages under the wing of the Venatori and then to try to find a way to travel back in time to prevent the Inquisitor from interfering in Corypheus's plans at the Conclave, only to discover that the time-travel magic was only possible because of the Breach, making travelling to a point before its creation impossible. If the Inquisition recruits the mages, the Inquisitor then confronts Alexius at Redcliffe Castle, uncaring of his fate as his son is doomed to die regardless of what he does and Corypheus will inevitably kill him for his failure; after defeating his minions, the Inquisition imprisons Alexius to face justice for his crimes, including enslaving the mages and turfing Redcliffe's population and lord out of their homes.

If the Inquisition recruits the Templars, Dorian reveals that the Venatori killed Alexius once he'd outlived his usefulness.

Roderick Asignon

Voiced by: Christopher Godwin

Asignon is the Grand Chancellor in the Chantry. A bureaucrat responsible for communicating the Divine's will to the rest of the Chantry, Roderick becomes the de facto head of the Chantry after Divine Justinia and all other high ranking Grand Clerics perish at the Conclave. Roderick is initially sceptical of the Inquisition's ability to resolve the resultant crisis and uses his influence to have the surviving clerics brand the fledgling Inquisition heretics for harbouring the Inquisitor; however, when Haven is attacked by Corypheus, Roderick is mortally wounded while trying to defend innocent civilians and assists by revealing a secret path through the mountains that would allow the Inquisition to escape before Corypheus' army overwhelms them. Roderick dies in the camp the Inquisition makes in the mountains after escaping; several characters note that at the last, Roderick regretted his harshness and lack of belief, and had come to consider that maybe the Inquisitor was chosen.

Fiona

Voiced by: Eve Karpf

Fiona is an Orlesian elven mage and is the current Grand Enchanter of the Circle of Magi. She originally appears as a Grey Warden in the novel Dragon Age: The Calling, but her taint mysteriously disappeared after the events of the novel; unable to be reinitiated through the Joining, she returned to the Circle because of the animosity of her comrades who felt she had cheated death and a belief she could do more good in the Circle. She was an instrumental figure in the events of the novel Dragon Age: Asunder, which culminated in the Circle of Magi declaring its independence from the Chantry and war on the Templar Order over years of abuse and persecution inflicted on the mages by both organisations. She was invited to the Conclave by the Divine but sent negotiators in her stead to Haven, suspecting a trap. After the Conclave's destruction and the opening of the Breach, Fiona reaches out to the Inquisition, offering an alliance to close the Breach in exchange for Inquisition support for mage freedom. The mage rebellion, under her leadership, claims asylum in Ferelden, establishing itself in the village of Redcliffe. If the Inquisition recruits the mages, it turns out that the rebels at Fiona's direction, allied with the Venatori for protection from an impending attack by the Templars, unaware that the deal makes them little more than indentured servants to the cultists; the Venatori then use their authority over the rebels to drive most of Redcliffe's people and its lord from the village. After the Inquisition drives the Venatori out, the monarch of Ferelden (Alistair,Anora or both dependent on the world state) flatly tells Fiona that the mage rebels' actions have forfeited their right to asylum in Ferelden, exiling them from the kingdom. The Herald is then able to offer the mages an alliance, either as equal partners or as conscripted prisoners.

If the Inquisition recruits the Templars, the rebel mages are conscripted by the Venatori and used as cannon fodder in the attack on Haven; Fiona is one of their number killed in the battle.

Corypheus

Voiced by: David Sterne

The main villain of Dragon Age: Inquisition, Corypheus is an ancient Darkspawn introduced in the Legacy DLC for Dragon Age II, where he is trapped inside a prison that was built by Grey Wardens in the Vimmark Mountains and resealed by Hawke's father 30 years before Dragon Age 2. Believed to be one of the original Magisters who broke open the Veil and entered the Maker's Golden City, an event that gave birth to the Darkspawn, he was seemingly killed by Hawke and his friends, but his soul works like an Archdemon's: it can enter the body of another when killed. In his case, it's the body of either Janeka or Larius, two Grey Wardens introduced in Legacy. Though either Warden's body, Corypheus regains his Darkspawn body and develops a plan to tear open the Fade yet again, this time to become a God himself. This is the catalyst to the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition. The Inquisitor learns that Corypheus' dragon is what allows him to transfer his soul to a new body upon death. Killing the dragon to prevent another soul transfer, the Inquisitor was able to kill Corypheus using the rift power he craved, crushing him into oblivion.

Samson

Voiced by: Gideon Emery

Samson is a former templar-turned-beggar. First encountered in Dragon Age II begging in the slums of Kirkwall for coin to feed his addiction after being discharged from the Templar Order in disgrace, Samson was approached by Corypheus some time after the events of Dragon Age II and, in exchange for Corypheus supplying him with lyrium to feed his chronic addiction to the substance, introduced the Templar Order, who in breaking ties with the Chantry had lost their lyrium supply lines, to the corrupted form known as red lyrium, which warped their minds and bodies and made it easier for Corypheus to turn them into his pawns. Samson ultimately becomes the general of the Red Templars (those templars exposed to red lyrium and thus turned into monsters by it under Corypheus's control); he notes that he has no interest in Corypheus's pursuit of apotheosis; he sided with Corypheus solely because he wanted revenge on the Chantry for turning him and templars like him to addicts to fit their agenda of controlling mages then cast them aside when their usefulness was at an end, and because Corypheus gave him and other dispossessed templars a new purpose, to go out fighting rather than rot and die in the throes of lyrium deprivation.

Calpernia

Voiced by: Alexia Healey

Calpernia is the leader of the Venatori, a Tevinter supremacist cult that serves Corypheus. A powerful sorceress and a former slave, her true identity is unknown (the name Calpernia refers to a matriarchal figure in Tevinter mythology). Calpernia was granted her freedom by Corypheus and serves him loyally (though there is friction between them, as she resents his unwillingess to share certain details of his plans with her). She serves Corypheus out of a desire to restore Tevinter to its former greatness, as well as end its decadence and improve the lives of her fellow slaves.

Cremisius Aclassi

Voiced by: Jennifer Hale^[38]

Cremisius "Krem" Aclassi is a member of the Bull's Chargers mercenary company. Krem was developed as a transgender character that was not a monster, antagonist or joke.^[38] A former soldier in Tevinter's army who was forced to flee his homeland after his transgender status came to light (him being transgender was not illegal, but "lying" on Imperial documents about it was), Krem met the Iron Bull in a tavern on the border when Bull intervened to protect Krem from a group of Tevinter soldiers who wanted to execute him for desertion, losing his eye in the process. Bull then offered Krem a job in his mercenary company, Krem going on to become the Iron Bull's chief lieutenant within the company.

Gaspard de Chalons

Voiced by: Anthony Howell

Gaspard is an Orlesian noble in Dragon Age: Inquisition. The cousin of Empress Celene, Gaspard was the first in line to the Orlesian throne, but Celene outmaneuvered him politically and took the crown instead. Gaspard became a popular and respected general in the Orlesian army-he notes that he is a warrior first and foremost and has no time for or interest in politics. Believing that Celene's diplomatic approach could not deal with the problems Orlais was facing (such as the Mage Templar War and other matters explored in the novel The Masked Empire), Gaspard rose up in revolt against Celene, igniting a nationwide civil war across Orlais as his faction and Celene's fought it out. The Inquisition plays a part in determining whether Gaspard's claim to the throne is honoured or ultimately thwarted.

Abelas

Voiced by: Matthew Gravelle

Abelas is an elven sentinel. Leader of the elven Sentinels who serve as defenders of the Temple of Mythal, Abelas and his people are survivors from the ancient elven empire before its fall, who have survived the millennia by entering into suspended animation, awakening only to defend the temple from intruders. During their final battle against the Red Templars and Venatori, who seek to storm the temple to seize an elven artefact integral to Corypheus's plans, Abelas offers the Inquisitor an alliance with the Sentinels to thwart Corypheus's minions.

Renn

Voiced by: David Hayter

Lieutenant Renn is a dwarven commander of the Legion of the Dead in The Descent downloadable content.

Valta

Voiced by: Ali Hillis

Shaper Valta is a temporary companion that appears after leaving Scout Harding in The Descent downloadable content.

Reception

Kimberly Wallace of Game Informer called the companions impacting the storyline one of the game's strongest features.^[21] IGN's Mitch Dyer listed the idea of "agents" as one of the "6 most exceptional things" he'd seen in Inquisition.^[20] Jenni Lada of TechnologyTell deeply hoped that EA would reveal more about who the romance options of the game were at E3 2014.^[39] The companions received generally positive reviews from critics. One of the companions, Iron Bull, received Giant Bomb's Best New Character of the Year Award in their Game of the Year Awards.^[40] Another companion, Sera, was nominated for Best Character by Hardcore Gamer.^[41]

Notes

References

External links

• Inquisition official website: "Characters"