Characters of Dragon Age: Inquisition

From left to right: Cullen, Vivienne, Varric, Cole, Solas, Cassandra, Inquisitor (customizable), Iron Bull, Dorian, Leliana, Sera, Josephine, Blackwall

Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third main 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 Theodosian "Inquisition", setting out to stop the demons that 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.

"You're definitely much more of an actor. You're the tip of the spear. You aren't waiting for the world to act upon you. You are acting upon it, both because you have an organization at your back. This gives you greater reach. You're not walking into a camp and begging for help. You're pounding down the gates of a castle and demanding that they come onto your side."

— Mark Darrah, executive producer of Inquisition[2][13]

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]

Concept for the Inquisitor. The main character's look took long to design and was hotly debated.[19]:14

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

Main article: Cassandra Pentaghast
Voiced by: Miranda Raison[note 1]

Cassandra is a member of the Seekers of Truth and the Right Hand of the Divine. She first appeared in Dawn of the Seeker as a member of the Seekers of Truth, where she stops a plot by blood mages to bring down the Chantry, which led to her being named the "Right Hand of the Divine" and the "Hero of Orlais" by the then-Divine, Beatrix III. She returns in Dragon Age II, where she interrogates Varric about Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall.

By Dragon Age: 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. She is a romance option for a male Inquisitor in Inquisition.[5]

Varric Tethras

Voiced by: Brian Bloom

"But additionally, some characters, Varric's a very good character because one of 'Varric's primary motivations is he's the guy that’s got your back. He's your friend. He’s a very good character to have because it's good to have someone in your camp no matter what. That makes him a very attractive character. It makes him an interesting character to have because he offers a nice counterpoint to a lot of other kinds of characters.

— Darrah on Varric's return[2]

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

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".[22] Mary Kirby wrote Varric in both games.[23]

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.[24]

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.[25][26] 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 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 you 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.[27] Freddie Prinze, Jr. voices the character, having previously voiced James Vega in BioWare's Mass Effect 3.[28]

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.

It was confirmed that she is a romance option for a female Inquisitor.[29]

Blackwall

Voiced by: Alastair Parker

Blackwall is the Warden Constable of Orlais and a member of the Grey Wardens. He is one of few Wardens who willingly joined the organization and takes pride in the order.[30] He is a potential love interest for a female Inquisitor.

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.[31] Although he comes from a prominent mage family, he is not a Magister.

Solas

Voiced by: Gareth David-Lloyd

Solas is an elven mage apostate and expert on the Fade who joins as a companion. It was confirmed Solas is a romance option for a female elf Inquisitor only.

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.[32]

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.[33] The player may choose not to recruit Cole. Cole is not romance option.[33]

Advisors

Leliana

Voiced by: Corinne Kempa

Leliana is currently the left-hand of the Divine and the leader of the espionage branch of the Inquisition. She first appeared as a companion in Origins.

Cullen Rutherford

Voiced by: Greg Ellis

Cullen is a Templar, appearing in both Origins and II. He is currently the warfare advisor to the Inquisitor. He has been confirmed as a romance option for a female human or elf Inquisitor in the game.[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. She is a bisexual romance option for the Inquisitor.

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.[22]

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 could appear as a Grey Warden or 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. Hawke will aid the Inquisitor in finding out what has happened to the Wardens.

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 could appear as a Warden.

Stroud

Voiced by: Stéphane Cornicard

Stroud is a high-ranking Orlesian Grey Warden from Dragon Age II who supports the Inquisitor. He will only be available in the game if the player imports a world state where both Alistair and Loghain are not Grey 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 an mission in the Free Marches to find an Dagna, who is simply known as "the Arcanist" until she arrives at Skyhold.

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.

Lace Harding

Voiced by: Ali Hillis

Harding is a reliable scout of the Inquisition who gives the Inquisitor the lay of the land in new areas.

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.

Roderick Asignon

Voiced by: Christopher Godwin

Asignon is the Grand Chancellor in the Chantry.

Fiona

Voiced by: Eve Karpf

Fiona is an Orlesian elven mage and is the current Grand Enchanter of the Circle of Magi.

Corypheus

Voiced by: David Sterne

Corypheus is an ancient darkspawn trapped inside a prison that was built by Grey Wardens in the Vimmark Mountains. Also mentioned as "The Elder One"

Samson

Voiced by: Gideon Emery

Samson is a former templar-turned-beggar.

Cremisius Aclassi

Voiced by: Jennifer Hale[34]

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 or joke.[34]

Gaspard de Chalons

Voiced by: Anthony Howell

Gaspard is an Orlesian noble in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Abelas

Voiced by: Matthew Gravelle

Abelas is an elven sentinel.

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.[35] 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.[36] Another companion, Sera, was nominated for Best Character by Hardcore Gamer.[37]

Notes

  1. ↑ Although Raison voices the character in Dragon Age II and Inquisition, the character was voiced by Chiaki Kuriyama in the Japanese Dawn of the Seeker and Colleen Clinkenbeard in its English dub.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Kimberley Wallace (August 23, 2013). "Creating Dragon Age Party Members". Game Informer. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Chris Thursten (April 22, 2014). "Dragon Age: Inquisition interview - on fan feedback, romance, returning characters and the open world". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Kimberley Wallace (August 28, 2013). "Romance In Dragon Age". Game Informer. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ Stephany Nunneley (August 29, 2013). "Dragon Age: Inquisition romances to be more content based with less focus on approval rating". VG247. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Dave Owen (April 15, 2014). "Dragon Age: Inquisition will offer more dynamic romances". VG247. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  6. ↑ Robert Purchese (April 15, 2014). "You can hate your lover in Dragon Age: Inquisition". Eurogamer. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  7. ↑ Dave Cook (October 14, 2013). "Dragon Age: Inquisition sex scenes to be "mature and tasteful", says BioWare dev". VG247. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Matt Maguire (April 15, 2014). "On-disc debate keeps DLC characters out of Dragon Age: Inquisition". Gameplanet. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Edwin Evans-Thirlwell (April 10, 2014). "Dragon Age: Inquisition won't get DLC characters because of on-disc DLC controversy". Official Xbox Magazine. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  10. ↑ Luke Plunkett (February 4, 2014). "Dragon Age Now Has A Cosplay Guide, To Make Dressing-up Easier". Kotaku. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Michelle Starr (February 6, 2014). "BioWare releases Dragon Age: Inquisition character kits for cosplayers". CNET. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Raptr Q&A: Dragon Age: Inquisition developers comments". Raptr. July 8, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Steve Watts (April 22, 2014). "Dragon Age: Inquisition hero 'much more of an actor' than DA2". Shacknews. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  14. ↑ Ben Hanson (August 14, 2013). "The Return Of Races In Dragon Age: Inquisition". Game Informer. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Matt Bertz (August 31, 2013). "Qunari A Playable Race In Dragon Age: Inquisition". Game Informer. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  16. ↑ Nathan Grayson (September 12, 2013). "BioWare On Race, Romance, And (R)Time In Dragon Age". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Mike Laidlaw tweet". Twitter. April 3, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014. English VoiceOver will support a British and American accent for the main character.
  18. ↑ "Dragon Age: Inquisition - Meet the Inquisitor's Actress". IGN. August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 The Art of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Milwaukie, Oregon: Dark Horse Books. October 2014. ISBN 978-1-61655-186-5.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Mitch Dyer (August 31, 2013). "The Beauty and Brutality of Dragon Age: Inquisition". IGN. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Kimberley Wallace (June 11, 2014). "Five Striking Dragon Age: Inquisition Features". Game Informer. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Brenna Hillier (March 28, 2014). "Dragon Age's Varric and Morrigan discuss voice acting". VG247. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Character Profile: Varric". Dragon Age: Inquisition official website. June 21, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  24. ↑ Kimberley Wallace (May 6, 2014). "The Return Of Varric In Dragon Age: Inquisition". Game Informer. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  25. ↑ Mary Kirby (March 28, 2014). "Vivienne: Writing an Imperial Enchanter". "BioWare". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  26. ↑ Mary Kirby (June 27, 2014). "Montsimmard First Enchanter Confirmation". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  27. ↑ Patrick Weekes (July 13, 2014). "Iron Bull Romance". Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  28. ↑ Jason Schreier (June 20, 2014). "Freddie Prinze Jr. Moves From Mass Effect To Dragon Age". Kotaku. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  29. ↑ Aaryn Flynn (June 10, 2014). "Sera Romance". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  30. ↑ BioWare (June 11, 2014). "Dragon Age Inquisition: Blackwall". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  31. ↑ Dragon Age (June 30, 2014). "Dorian Romance". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  32. ↑ Mike Laidlaw (June 24, 2014). "Cole's Rogue Class". Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Character Profile: Cole". Dragon Age: Inquisition official website. June 24, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Weekes, Patrick (2014-12-04). "Building a Character: Cremisius “Krem” Aclassi". Bioware. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  35. ↑ Jenni Lada (June 9, 2014). "E3 2014: We better hear about Dragon Age Inquisition Romances". TechnologyTell. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Giant Bomb's 2014 Game of the Year Awards: Day Three Text Recap". Giant Bomb. December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Best of 2014 – Day Six: Character, Strategy, Adventure, Sports". Hardcore Gamer. December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.

External links