#Like whether the Inquisitor had high or low approval

[social-cocoon]

This is just a quick thought but I think I would have enjoyed the redemption ending more if it had been a dialogue check like gaining Mythal's help or the Landsmeet in DAO. Like you have to pick things that specifically resonate with Solas, and you can get bonus points from the Inquisitor (determined by whether they chose to save or stop him and whether he was romanced or not) and from Morrigan/Mythal assuming all his memories were witnessed and Mythal's essence recieved, so this way it's less Mythal being the only one who could really get him to stop and more that the people who actually fought for the current Thedas are the ones to change his mind.

[abyssal-ilk]

Sudden thought.

An inquisitor giving Vivienne the wrong heart already on low approval with her: Okay. Sure. Be more of a jerk I suppose.

An inquisitor giving Vivienne the wrong heart (whether by accident or on purpose) while on high approval with her: oh SNAP

BEGGING for people to send me more thoughts about this because. AGH. the player has has different dialogue choices depending on if they have high approval with vivienne or not. THESE are the options for an inquisitor with high approval when vivienne asks why you gave her the wrong heart:

"You're manipulative and shallow, and I wanted you to fail." (dialogue wheel: 'Because I hate you.')

"I saw your notes. It's a youth potion!" (dialogue wheel: 'I found out what it was.')

"You refused to give me any details! I had no idea what the potion would do!" (dialogue wheel: 'I didn't trust you.')

"I didn't think it would lead to anything like this. I'm so sorry." (dialogue wheel: 'I'm sorry.')

"Finding a snowy wyvern was too much trouble. I thought any wyvern heart would do." (dialogue wheel: 'Snowy wyverns are hard to find.')

and it's just. all of these options are so devastating. either vivienne severely misjudged the dynamic with the inquisitor where she felt connected to them while they hated her (i hate you), the inquisitor thought she was vain and that was enough of a reason to punish her (i found out what it was for), they didn't trust her and instead of telling her this they just decided to lie to her and break her trust in return (i didn't trust you), they had no excuse ready and was just not taking vivienne seriously (i'm sorry), or they were literally too lazy to help her kill the wyvern and just decided to lie to her about it instead of telling vivienne to find someone else ('snowy wyverns are hard to find').

at least with a low approval inquisitor she was expecting some sort of betrayal or attack. but with a high approval inquisitor she had no reason to have her guard up. godd. way to instill trust issues in vivienne for the rest of the damn game. way to instill trust issues into the rest of the companions even when they find out what happened.

[linka-from-captain-planet]

presently feeling insane about the contrast between Celene's high and low approval lines in WEWH

imo the biggest problem in WEWH is that it sidelines the much more interesting NPCs in order to center the Inquisitor in the story, so I wish that the line change was based on something other than court approval. But it IS fun to consider the possibilities behind the different ways Celene chooses to frame the breakup depending on whether she likes or trusts the Inquisitor

and of course, it will always make me feel insane that Celene never denies that she loves Briala when confronted directly about it, no matter what she had to say before that

side note it also makes me LOL how shit-eating accusatory the (at least British Female-voiced) Inquisitor sounds when confronting Celene's ladies and Briala with the locket... like damn just call them a slur

[curioussubjects]

honestly, im not too upset about the inquisition worldstate set up in veilguard. it makes sense that who rules orlais and who is the divine is probably irrelevant to the events of the game (even if the inquistion hasn't been disbanded because i doubt any divine victoria wouldn't just let the inquisitor handle the solas situation). it also makes sense that hawke's fate doesn't matter: they're either in kirkwall or dead (and it's been 10 years, varric wouldn't be deep in the throes of grief anymore). also worth noting that a lot of the update quality of setting up choices got addressed during trespasser (like the fate of the chargers) or its epilogue. i even get why kieran isn't relevant in datv: he's an adult now and is his own person doing his own thing. and morrigan is hardly one to be open about her personal life, so why would she mention him? if he hadn't been a child at the time, he wouldn't have been in skyhold either i bet.

all that said, i wonder how the fate of the southern wardens will be addressed in non specifics considering we go to weisshaupt, but, then again, the wardens seem a bit too busy to get into internal politics or the tension with the southern wardens.

what im really bummed about though is that the well of sorrows wont figure at all...especially after all the fretting i did over it lol. but i suppose that solas wouldn't use the power of the well against the inquisitor without irreversibly betraying himself. still, though, that it's not gonna be relevant at all is disappointing.

i also thought whether the inquisitor had high or low approval with solas would be relevant to set the tone of the inquisitor's involvement (in a way that vowing to stop or save him doesnt fully cover). only way i can figure squaring that out without making everyone mad is for the inquisitor to have a dialogue wheel themselves, which seems more complicated than a worldstate choice, so idk. i could see the inquisitor being diplomatic and polite in public and then having a dialogue wheel in a private confrontation with solas, however, which could work.

guess we shall see :/

[daitranscripts]

Doom Upon All the World Pt. 5

Return to Skyhold

Doom Upon All the World Masterpost First: The Breach Returns Previous: Victory

The party returns to Skyhold, and the PC climbs the steps to where the advisors are standing.

If romancing Josephine or Cullen, they embrace on the steps. If romancing another companion, they shake hands with Cullen while the romance looks on. If no romance/Solas romance, Varric watches as the PC shakes Cullen’s hand.

The crowd cheers as they head inside. Leliana approaches the PC

Leliana: A moment, my [lord/lady]. My agents have found no trace of Solas. He has simply vanished. If he does not wish to be found, there’s likely nothing we can do. But I will keep looking.

Dialogue options:

Sad (romanced): Why would he do this? [1]

Stoic (low approval): He had no reason to stay. [2]

Sad (high approval): Something’s not right. [3]

Confused: It’s so strange. [4]

Stoic: It’s not important. [5]

1 - Sad: Why would he do this? PC: I just don’t understand. He didn’t even say goodbye. Leliana: The two of you were close. Perhaps he had no choice? He might return at any moment. PC: Maybe. [6]

2 - Stoic: He had no reason to stay. PC: It’s not such a mystery. We weren’t on the best of terms. Leliana: True, though I still find it peculiar. [6]

3 - Sad: Something’s not right. PC: Why would he just leave? Something must be wrong. Leliana: You said he was upset about the orb. PC: That can’t be the only reason. [6]

4 - Confused: It’s so strange. PC: It’s odd that he would just leave without a word. [6]

5 - Stoic: It’s not important. PC: It’s not worth worrying about. Leliana: As you wish, Inquisitor. [6]

6 - Scene continues.

Leliana: Now that Corypheus has been defeated, we have a moment to stop and celebrate. Afterwards you will be busy. Every noble in southern Thedas is clamoring to meet you.

7 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Meet me? Why? [8] General: I fought because I had to. [9] General: Now they’re eager. [10] General: Well, we did win. [11]

8 - Investigate: Meet me? Why? PC: The fighting’s over. Why do they want to meet me now? Leliana: (Chuckles.) You’re joking, yes? They wish to bask in the glory of your victory, hoping that some of it will rub off on them.

Leliana (Celine rules): Everyone knows Empress Celene owes you her life. And her throne. Leliana(Gaspard/Briala rules): Everyone knows Gaspard owes you his throne. The greatest empire in Thedas is at your beck and call.

Leliana: A thousand problems remain, and your opinion will be sought on each one–whether you wish to give it or not. [back to 7]

9 - General: I fought because I had to. PC: I don’t see what the fuss is about. Corypheus needed to be stopped. Leliana: And you are the one who stopped him. [12]

10 - General: Now they’re eager. PC: (Chuckles.) Oh, now they’re lining up to meet me. Leliana: Such is the way of things. [12]

11 - General: Well, we did win. PC: As the saying goes: to the victor go the spoils. Leliana: They see more than victory. [12]

12 - Scene continues.

Leliana (Qunari PC): Previously you were an upstart, a fearsome Qunari in charge of rebels and heretics. Leliana (Dalish PC): Previously you were an upstart, a Dalish elf leading a band of rebels and heretics. Leliana (dwarf PC): Previously you were an upstart—a dwarf, of all things—leading rebels and heretics. Leliana (human mage PC): Previously you were an upstart—a mage, of all things—leading rebels and heretics. Leliana (human non-mage PC): Previously you were an upstart, nothing more than a leader of rebels and heretics.

Leliana: Until Corypheus revealed himself, they could not see the single hand behind the chaos. Once he did, they knew: a magister and a darkspawn in one creature. The ultimate evil. Now you are the only power left standing. Enjoy the evening while you can, Inquisitor.

The PC enters the main hall, and can speak with the companions and advisors there. If they are not in a romance, or romanced Solas, the companions watch as they retire to their quarters. They walk out onto the baclcony, overlooking the Frostbacks in silence.

Romance: Blackwall Romance: Cassandra Romance: Dorian Romance: Iron Bull Romance: Sera Romance: Solas - Romance: Cullen Romance: Josephine

[rodimissliveblogs]

I think Veilguard needed (at least!) one more import variable: for whether or not the Inquisitor was friends with Solas. Because I think there should be a tangible difference between "Inquisitor who always hated him swearing to stop him at any cost" and "Inquisitor who had his approval and respect, swearing to stop him at any cost."

Low-approval Inquisitor swearing to stop Solas is the story of two people forced to work together to save the world, who never approved of the others' actions, who never liked each other, who now land on different sides. High-approval Inquisitor swearing to stop Solas is an Inquisitor who was betrayed, and cannot bring themselves to search for the possibility of redemption in someone they cannot forgive, someone who was a friend who hurt them and the world so badly.

(This also makes room for the hilarious combo of "low-approval Inquisitor vowing to change his mind", because I think Solas would be truly baffled by that approach. We'll say that Inquisitor is taking a stand on principle, that no one is beyond saving. I think that's the way you could write that.)

And then I think the Inquisitor needs to be able to talk him down at the final confrontation. There's no fucking payoff to that relationship. It's just him going "sorry I can't" until Mythal manifests. He wants to be wrong! He wants to be wrong, but can't make himself give up, but like. Maybe even make it so it can only be the high-approval tries-to-save Inquisitor who can sway him. Low-approval tries-to-save Inquisitor needs Mythal, as do both stop-at-any-cost Inquisitors.

I just. man. I want some kind of payoff for an Inquisitor who has faith in him, romance or no. Mythal Ex Machina does not, to me, really feel like a payoff to that relationship. The Inquisitor has nothing to do with that! They just show up, hand over a wolf statue without knowing what it does, and fuck off again. They could barely be described as involved in the redemption path. And we don't even need to get rid of Mythal Ex Machina, that can still exist in the version I propose. Make Mythal the fallback for a Rook who wants to save him but the Inquisitor doesn't. If both Rook and the Inquisitor want to save him, then I think them working together should be able to get that same ending. I just want to feel the weight of that relationship that we felt in Trespasser.

But I figure the possibility for the Inquisitor alone to eventually sway him was lost when the game got rebooted twice, no longer was such a direct sequel to Inquisition despite the fact that it needed to be, and had to be rebuilt on the bones of a live-service nightmare. For the story we got, it makes sense that it has to be Mythal. But it really feels like this didn't have to be the story we got. That it even should not have been the story we got and was not supposed to be the story we got.

And there’s nothing we can do about that. But it doesn’t stop it from being so, so disappointing.

[loredrinker]

I do agree with OP that in Inquisition, Solas lies to withhold his identity - because he has already had an experience that showed him if he reveals who he is, he will be attacked (he tells Rook this exact thing!). Why the hell should he trust anyone else when he already has major trust issues? The fact that he even tried to tell people who he was is something to take note - this shows that he did not start off with the intent to lie, that in fact, he wanted to be known. Therefore, I have never, nor will I ever, view his choice to withhold his identity as Fen'Harel as one made in purposeful, evil manipulation of the Inquisition. I've said before, he chooses to hide he's the dread wolf of ancient past, he does NOT hide he is Solas.

What is so fascinating though is how the nature of lies shift from Inquisition to VG but also our relationship with Solas.

I think players perceive the lies differently depending on how you interacted with him going back to Inquisition. And if you never played Inquisition, that's impacted even more!

I’m pointing this out because, for some of us, the way Solas’ lies shift between games is tied to how he treats the Inquisitor versus how he treats Rook. While others may see the lies as the same on the surface, the difference lies in how they’re framed and how we, as players, receive them through the emotional context of each relationship.

As already stated, Solas’ lies in Inquisition are largely centered on protecting his identity. He conceals who he is - his past, his power, his plans - not out of cruelty, but because revealing the truth would destabilize everything. The world isn’t ready, the Inquisition isn’t ready, and perhaps even he isn’t ready. Importantly, he does eventually tell the Inquisitor everything. Whether that moment comes with sorrow, love, or cold detachment depends on the relationship.

In Veilguard, the tone shifts. Solas no longer lies to conceal who he is; his identity is already known. Instead, his lies are designed to manipulate Rook into serving his endgame - tricking them into taking his place in the prison so he can continue his mission. These lies are active and instrumental. They’re not about hiding this time, they’re about using. This isn’t the slow reveal of a man, it’s the desperate, ruthless calculus of someone who believes the end justifies any means.

In Inquisition, Solas adapts - he has different dialogue, scenes, and emotional tones depending on whether your approval is high, low, or if you romance him. He might be cold, sarcastic or warm. Those emotional reactions create a sense of intimacy or alienation that colours how we interpret his omissions and evasions. If he respects or loves the Inquisitor, his lies feel more like protective half-truths (protective of himself and his identity but also to guide the Inquisition). If he disdains the Inquisitior, they read as condescension or manipulation. It’s the relationship that changes the interpretation of the lie. And hindsight.

But in Veilguard, that adaptability is gone. Solas behaves the same way to Rook no matter the Rook, there is no approval or disapproval mechanism that changes dialogue in any major way or gives different scenes. The manipulation is pre-written, the strategy locked in. That difference shifts our interpretation of "lies".

I think this is a fascinating game mechanic and once again is all based on perception, and how we perceive Solas' "lies".

Thanks OP for the brain worm.

Having played through Solas’s introduction once again, I've come to a conclusion about what I believe is going on with him and lies (in Inquisition). Solas does lie, from the first conversation onwards. Directly even, Mr I-Find-It-Hard-To-Imagine-A-Mage-With-Such-Power. But I think he's lying about one thing specifically: his identity. Every lie he tells is for his identity in one way or another, whether it's that he was born in a village to the north, or omitting the fact that the Archdemons, and by extention the Evanuris, are what's holding the Veil together. However, he tells quite a lot of truth too - through the medium of lies, even! Him telling Cassandra he didn't think a mage could do this is because he knows you didn't do it, and also that an artifact was involved, and is trying to lay groundwork for both your innocence as well as finding the orb. While he doesn't tell you about the Archdemons, he does deliberately posit that killing them would be potentially worse - because he knows it will be worse. I don't think any of his opinions are lies: he expresses some controversial opinions, such as the one on blood magic, and I think if he was going to lie about opinions he'd start with the one that could get him killed by Templars in a Chantry-adjacent-organisation's encampment. Obviously the man does have bias - as does everybody. And I'd also like to point out: the situation is different in Veilguard. He doesn't have to lie about his identity, he has to lie so that he can get around Rook, so, of course, the type of lies change. This is all to say, he's a strategic liar, not a malicious one. He doesn't lie for the sake of deceiving others (unless it's to get back at Sera lol). Certainly, if you perceive his actions as malicious, I can see why you'd get confused, but I think it would be a mistake to dismiss everything Solas has ever said as a lie. Not to mention boring.

[dreadfutures]

Inquisitor as a Companion: Ixchel Lavellan

Is your OC a Companion in the Dragon Age series? What would it be like for a player to select them to join their party for quests (or romance them, perhaps? 👀)

Here is Ixchel’s (fake) DA Wiki page, if she were a companion. Meme started by @little-lightning-lavellan​​ , so tag her if you do this!

(Find this on AO3, where I will add Location Comments and dialogue options as I think of them.)

Ixchel is an elven warrior and activist. She is a potential companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition. (WIP Tarot art by me. :) )

Background

Ixchel likely originated in southern Ferelden, but the events of the Fifth Blight drove her northward. She encountered several Dalish clans who did not take her in, possibly due to the limited resources available due to the encroaching Darkspawn hordes, or perhaps because she does not appear to be fully-elven. Ixchel has smaller, rounder ears than normal for an elf, though they are longer and sharper than that of a human. The orphan stowed away on a boat to the Free Marches, where she found no refuge in Kirkwall or the major cities and took to wandering the countryside in search of food and shelter. During this time, Ixchel encountered Clan Lavellan outside of Markham, but she did not remain.

After the Archdemon’s defeat, Ixchel returned to Ferelden, as she felt drawn to the traces of elven history she had found there as a child. There, she encountered a Warden who helped her read a word that she found in a ruin: Ixchel.

Sometime between 9:34-9:37 dragon, Ixchel reappeared outside of Markham, calling herself by this new name. In 9:37 Dragon, a particularly harsh winter drove the Lavellan Clan to seek out the orphan and took her in to teach her to hunt and fend for herself better. She proved to have a keen mind for learning, and a drive to prove her value. She remained with the Clan for two years. In 9:41 Dragon, she volunteered to go to the Conclave in Haven as a spy, due to her ability to pass as human and travel largely unnoticed. She is roughly sixteen years old.

Involvement

Dragon Age: Origins

A Dalish Warden can potentially encounter Ixchel as part of the Lead Her Through the Darkness side-quest in Dragon Age Origins: Witch Hunt DLC. She appears as a precocious, nameless orphan less than ten years of age. She has written a word on her arm in ash and asks the Warden to translate it. It is unclear if the name is Elven or Tevene in origin, but the Warden translates it as Ixchel (ihsh-chEL).

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Ixchel can only be recruited after relocation to Skyhold and beginning the A Fallen Sister side quest in the Emerald Graves. After freeing the prisoners from the Veridium Mine, the Inquisitor will come across Ixchel under attack by a group of Freemen. The Inquisitor will help Ixchel defeat the Chevaliers, for which she expresses gratitude.

A Dalish Inquisitor has the option to call her “da’len” and express relief that she escaped the Conclave. Ixchel explains that she fled Haven after the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes and went in search of a Dalish Clan (see: The Knights’ Tomb) to take her in. On her way, she saw the harm caused by the Civil War in Orlais. She sees how much good the Inquisition can do and offers her services to help uproot the Freemen of the Dales and fight Corypheus. Her travels and experiences have made her well-suited to consider the needs of elves, both among alienages and the Dalish, as well as humans. Ixchel cannot be recruited if Wicked Eyes, Wicked Hearts has been completed.

In Skyhold, Ixchel can be found in the center of the courtyard by the main stairway, either near the Training Ring (if Skyhold is upgraded) or near the City and Dalish elven NPCs who often argue there.

If Ixchel and Solas are in a party together, they will develop a fast mentoring relationship as Ixchel asks Solas about his dreams in various locations they have traveled. He will comfort her after she expresses anger at the treatment of elves in Halamshiral and gently encourage her to take action. She will argue with him about his scorn for the Dalish and insist on the merits of their resilience and efforts to reclaim their heritage after centuries of oppression.

After accessing the Exalted Plains from the War Table, Ixchel will approach the Inquisitor in Skyhold and ask to meet with Hawen’s Clan. The dialogue options vary depending on whether the Inquisitor has yet discovered that the Dalish have been killed at Din’an Hanin. Ixchel is worried about the Clan’s proximity to the front of the Orlesian Civil War.

When Hawen’s clan is first encountered, a Dalish scout will address Ixchel as “flat-ear.” Ixchel is deeply upset by this and explains to the Inquisitor that it is because Ixchel does not have vallaslin and that she doesn’t appear as fully elven. A Dalish Inquisitor has the option to reassure Ixchel of her place in Clan Lavellan with or without the vallaslin. If the Inquisitor wins high approval among Hawen’s Clan, Hawen offers to formally adopt Ixchel by giving her vallaslin and initiates the Inner Circle Quest, Inward Glory.

Ixchel hesitates to accept the honor. Ixchel wants to learn the history of the vallaslin and asks the Inquisitor to help her learn how the practice has evolved from enslaved elves in Tevinter, to the elves of the Dales, to the modern Dalish Clans. The Inquisitor must contact researchers in Tevinter, Orlais, and Varric’s contact with the Dalish--Merrill.

Completion of Inward Glory is followed by another Inner Circle quest, Proudly Crowned Withal. Ixchel meets with the Inquisitor and Solas to review what she learned and make her final decision. The Inquisitor can encourage Ixchel to honor her heritage and take the vallaslin, tell her that she can serve her People better as a human-passing spy without vallaslin, or tell her that she has proven that she cares for the elves and belongs to them whether she shows it on her face or not.

If she is told not to take the vallaslin, she will not, but she Greatly Disapproves. Solas will Disapprove of all options. A Dalish Inquisitor has the added option to tell her that the Inquisitor, as well as the Lavellan Keeper, considered her to be part of Clan Lavellan even without the vallaslin. If Ixchel is told to accept, or if the Inquisitor lets Ixchel choose herself, she will accept Hawen’s offer.

A Dalish Inquisitor who has completed their romance with Solas will have the option to ask Solas to tell Ixchel the truth about the vallaslin. A Dalish Inquisitor who removed her own vallaslin has the opportunity to tell Ixchel one-on-one. Ixchel will reveal that Solas in fact told her the truth before the completion of her personal quest, and Ixchel made her decision knowingly.

After completing Ixchel's Inner Circle quests, new missions will appear on the War Table. Ixchel wants the Inquisition to work with factions like the Red Jennies, Briala's spy network, and even members of Celene's court to make reparations for Empress Celene's burning of the Halamshiral alienage, to put an end to the Val Royeaux Chevaliers' tradition of hunting City elves in the alienage streets after dark, and to restore self-governance to the alienage in Denerim, whose freedoms were restricted after the events of the Fifth Blight.

Trespasser:

If the Inquisitor has high approval with Ixchel, the warrior has devoted her time to activism in Orlais’ alienages, potentially allying with Briala. Ambient dialogue in the Winter Palace indicates that she and her movement are reviled by members of the Orlesian court, and the ruler of the Empire is considering a preventative strike for fear of a violent uprising.

If the Inquisitor did not win high approval with Ixchel, she still appears at the Exalted Council to reunite with friends in the Inner Circle. She reveals that she spent the intervening time between Inquisition and Trespasser traveling the world with Morrigan (or Morrigan and Kieran) to continue research in Ancient Elvhen history, as well as sowing rebellion--which she calls mien’harel-- in alienages across Thedas. She is saddened that the Inquisitor has still heard no word from Solas.

In the Epilogue, if the Inquisitor has resolved to kill Solas, Ixchel vanishes. She leaves a note to a high-approval Inquisitor saying that she is sorry but she has gone to find a third option to thwart Solas. If the Inquisitor instead chooses to convince Solas to change his plans, Ixchel remains allied with the Inquisition as she redoubles her efforts to unite elves across Thedas against oppression, and to actively counter Fen’Harel’s recruitment.

Approval

Ixchel appreciates honesty and empathy in Inquisitors. Given her upbringing outside of both human and elven customs, she is skeptical of actions motivated by religion. She is generally supportive of increasing freedom and understanding between groups like Mages and Templars and humans and elves.

She is curious and precocious, and she approves of exploring magic and history without bias. She is unlike other companions in that, if she is met with anger or scorn, her approval does not change. Dialogue options that mock or disrespect other members of the Inquisition and their beliefs, even those she does not get along with outright like Sera, will net disapproval.

Ability Tree/Specialization

Ixchel is a two-handed warrior with access to the Champion specialization tree. She begins with a two-handed greataxe.

Combat comments

Kills an enemy

“Push them back!”

“Move and parry, strike and kill!”

“Did you see that?”

Low Health

“Come and get it!”

“I’m taking you with me!”

“Not sure how much longer I can hold…”

Low Health (Companions)

(Inquisitor) Inquisitor! You must keep fighting!

(Inquisitor) Lethallen, no!

(Solas) I’m coming, Solas!

Fallen Companions

(Inquisitor) Guard the Inquisitor!

(Cole) I can't lose Cole!

Companion comments about OC

Vivienne: She is certainly a quick study, but painfully earnest, that girl. It is too bad the Game is played out in court, not on the battlefield. 

Solas: A childhood free of human or Dalish dogma allows her to see the biases ingrained in many who are older or more experienced. (“She’s young and naive.”) Because she expresses empathy for those who might not appear to deserve it? *sigh* I too have expressed that such openness might only lead to heartbreak. What she told me belies a wisdom far beyond her years: ‘When we ascribe compassion to be virtues of the gods, it becomes impossible for mortals to embody them. But the Fade reflects the waking world, and Compassion, Empathy, and Justice can be found in both.’

Dorian: There are quite the depths in her, despite her stature.

Bull: You don’t see a lot of atheists outside of Par Vollen. Everyone needs to believe the world’s fucked up for a reason, that there’s something waiting for them that’s better than the crap they have to suffer. Then again, people who pick up a sword that big are usually trying to prove something. Maybe that’s it.

Sera: There are two kinds of elfy-elves--people like him [see: Solas], and people like her. She’s been like me before, hungry an’ angry. And she doesn’t want anyone to be hungry anymore, so she gets all angry. ‘Stead of lookin’ back, she looks forward. And both of ‘em forget to look right in front of their noses.

Cole: The lonely traveler [see: Dirthamen] seeks, and finds, and loses again. She is bright, but she cannot see. Where she walks, the flame catches.

Trivia

The names of Ixchel’s personal quests are from various Percy Bysshe Shelley poems

Ixchel can receive the vallaslin of Dirthamen

Ixchel’s face bears heavy scarring that she claims is due to an encounter with dragonlings

Ixchel’s in-game body model is the same height as a Dwarven Inquisitor and Scout Harding.

If Blackwall and Ixchel are in a party together, they will stand near each other. Instead of entering their idle animations, they will draw their weapons as though they are about to spar.

Ambient dialogue in Skyhold implies that she trails after Cassandra “like a loyal hound” and they frequently practice together.

[pellelavellan-a]

Pelle’s Companion Verse

Recruitment:

Must complete What Lurks in the Shadows Quest. Pelle is opened as a companion option after leaving the area and completing two other quests. The quests are of no significance at all and can be any two quests in your Journal. Once two more are completed the next time you enter Skyhold a cut-scene will be unlocked where Pelle is standing in the war room with Leliana and three other scouts. Leliana informs the Inquisitor that she found Pelle standing near the gates of Haven looking quite obviously lost. Once Pelle explains that he changed his mind about his refused recruitment earlier at the end of What Lurks in the Shadows you are given the option to turn him down or to recruit him. 

Upon recruiting Pelle, an NPC will automatically appear in Haven in the Chantry, Faolan. While you can ask Pelle about his clan he does not speak in any great detail about himself. Mostly Deshanna, his people, their village, and the time they spent in Orlais.

Speaking to Faolan reveals more about Pelle personally. His childhood, his personality, his passion but also his flaws. More is revealed about Pelle’s personal life can be later revealed from NPCs Talwinne, Maevis, and Durgen who will appear after Calling in a Favor if they survive.

Approval:

General Approval:

Helping people, finding elven ruins, mage rights, speaking well of the dalish, history knowledge dialogue options, often approves of the most peaceful option in problem solving, learning about the inquisitor before they were inquisitor, asking him questions about the dalish, kindness, honesty, flirting (conditional)

General Disapproval:

Violent or aggressive actions/dialogue, lying, destroying elven graves, anti-mage rights, negative Dalish comments, racism, making anyone tranquil, disrespect or disregard for other’s religions and culture, Orlesians, killing judged characters, fliritng (conditional, it’s really about the timing of it)

Mages or Templars:

Inquisitor Sides with Mages : Greatly Approves

The Inquisitor Sides with Templars: Slightly Disapproves

The Inquisitor Recruits Mages as Allies: Greatly Approves

The Inquisitor Recruits Mages are Prisoners: Greatly Disapproves

The Inquisitor Recruits Templars as Allies: Disapproves

The Inquisitor Recruits Templars as Prisoners: Greatly Disapproves

Skyhold Hiding Place: Skyhold Garden

Here Lies the Abyss: 

Inquisitor Exiles Wardens: Disapproves

Inquisitor Recruits Wardens: Approves

Wicked Eyes Wicked Hearts:

Celene rules alone: Neutral

Celene and Briala rule together: Greatly Approves

Public Truce: Slightly Approves

Gaspard rules alone: Greatly Disapproves

Gaspard and Briala rule: Approves

What Pride Had Wrought:

The Inquisitor performs the rituals: Approves

The Inquisitor does not perform the rituals: Greatly Disapproves

The Inquisitor Allies with the Sentinels: Greatly Approves

The Inquisitor does not ally with the Sentinels: Disapproves

Breaking Samson’s armor: Approves

Sparing Calpernia: Approves

Fighting Calpernia: Greatly Disapproves

Drinking from the Well: Greatly Disapproves

Morrigan Drinks from the Well: Disapproves

Base Quests:

Calling in a Favor

Location: Skyhold

THIS QUEST HAS TWO ROUTES

High to Neutral Approval:

After Skyhold is unlocked, Pelle will approach the Inquisitor about a letter he received from his Clan near  regarding their safety. He will express that they are in danger and could potentially be killed if something isn’t done to help them. This unlocks a war table mission where you can choose to send troops, spies, or an ambassador to Pelle’s clan in order to help defuse the situation between the elves and the nearby humans.

Regardless of choice, the clan faces near extinction though the reason why is different based upon the choice. Even though his clan has been mostly killed, Pelle holds himself responsible for their fate and thanks you for trying to help them. He will then ask to be left alone for a little while. You can talk to him again after leaving the Skyhold for a bit and returning.

Three NPCs will appear in Skyhold after the completion of this mission named Talwinne, Maevis, and Durgen. All of them can be spoken to and interacted with and will provide extra information about Pelle.

Talwinne: Tells childhood stories about himself and Pelle, will talk about being a hunter, his father and blacksmithing, minimal dialogue about Aela.

Maevis: Will talk about how she became Pelle’s apprentice, minimal dialogue about her feelings about the clan being attacked. She will also talk about Deshanna’s last days after Pelle left home. 

Durgen: Will defend Pelle against Maevis’ claims that the massacre was his fault. Will ask any Inquisitor about themselves. He talks about his family that he lost save for his father who he left behind after a disagreement. Speaking with Durgen will also reveal information about Pelle having a lover prior to joining the Inquisition who died six months prior in Orlais. 

Very Low Approval

Pelle will assume that the Inquisitor cares little for the Dalish or for his concerns. Instead of asking for help he will take matters into his own hands and forge commands for soldiers to help his clan. The whole clan is murdered as well as the soldiers and Pelle comes clean to the Inquisitor about his crimes.

Pelle will insist upon being arrested and will become open for judgement. At judgement you will have the option to Free Him, Kick him out of the Inquisition, or Kill him.

Free Him - Disapproves

Kill Him - Approves

Kick Him Out - Slightly approves but is no longer an available Companion for the remainder of the game.

Romance:

Pelle can be romanced by any male Inquisitor regardless of race. While you can flirt with him in Haven he is cautious about getting close to the Inquisitor at first.Bringing him along in the party helps by unlocking banters in which the Inquisitor can occasionally interact with Pelle and another companion.

Once you have unlocked Skyhold, if your approval is high enough Pelle will approach the Inquisitor about the situation of his clan unlocking the Calling a Favor quest which can be completed at the war table. Once that is completed you have a chance to talk to Pelle about the result and console him about his clan’s fate. Flirting in this scene would be ill advised as he gets a little upset.

Once this quest is completed you may continue to flirt with him in casual conversations. After leaving the area and returning you unlock a cut scene where Pelle confronts the Inquisitor about the flirting. He seems a little uncertain and troubled. He will say cryptic weird things about whether or not what they’re doing is right. He will admit to liking the Inquisitor more than he should but that he does not know if becoming closer will be a mistake in the future. He will also ask that if the Inquisitor is just playing with him to simply tell him now rather than break his heart later.

If the Inquisitor says it’s simply casual: Greatly Disapproves

If the Inquisitor ultimately goes nevermind: Slightly Disapproves

If the Inquisitor pursues him anyway: Approves

The romance carries out from there on out and he will ask the Inquisitor how they feel about a little scandal (aka dancing at the Winter Palace)

His romance quests are unlocked after completing Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts,

if you do not complete Calling in a Favor before completing Wicked Eyes, Wicked Hearts his romance will be locked and you cannot initiate it.

High Approval/Romance Quests:

Making Amends ( War Table Mission)

Dust to Dust

Continue reading for Quest Descriptions

Making Amends 

Quest can only be unlocked after completing either Wicked Eyes, Wicked Hearts,

Location: Skyhold

Quest can be initiated after overhearing Pelle and Maevis bickering in the gardens. If you speak to Pelle after leaving Skyhold and returning he will confide in the Inquisitor that he has been arguing with his apprentice Maevis a lot lately and that she is very upset with him for joining the Inquisition. If you press for questions Pelle will tell you more about Maevis. Pelle generally expresses a deep concern for Maevis and her temper and notes that she is not adjusting well.

Finishing this conversation opens up a war table mission where Maevis and a few other scouts are said to have gone missing during their last mission. Leliana is the only option in learning the whereabouts of Maevis and the scouts. Once they are found you have the option to retrieve Maevis without Pelle or to tell Pelle and take him with you.

Dust to Dust - TWO ROUTES

Location: The Emerald Graves

You gain approval for telling Pelle about Maevis and the scouts. He will then suggest you go together to find all of them and bring them back to Skyhold.  There is also an option of this quest where you can neglect to inform Pelle and retrieve Maevis without him.

Looking for Maevis will reveal bodies of dead elves who appear to simply be peasants. The dead elves vary between men and women. The last dead elf found appears to be an Inquisition scout who appears noticeably younger than the rest. 

Once you locate Maevis and the scout’s whereabouts you are met with the body of two dead scouts and three thugs. The further you follow the path into the cavern the more dead bodies you find.

If Pelle is in the party he will at first be worried that Maevis may also be dead, but his concern shifts halfway from Maevis is hurt to Maevis is behind it.

Maevis is found at the end of the cavern, this initiates a cut-scene

If Pelle is in the Party: Maevis will beg for Pelle to stay away from her and claim that she does not want to harm him. When he presses on she becomes furious and demands he stay back a second time. Pelle will insist that he only wants to help her and will approach her directly. 

If Pelle is not in the Party: Maevis will ask where Pelle is. She will instantly becomes upset at Pelle and start to say that Pelle did not even care to notice she was missing and had as much resolve to find her as he did to help the Dalish.

If Pelle is present he is able to talk Maevis down. She tells him about the band of thugs who were murdering elves for sport who killed her friend and the other elves you found out in the graves. She confesses to letting her anger get the better of her but that the men deserved to die and that she intended to teach them. But what is more troubling to him is that she has made a deal with a rage demon and that she is very scared. He will try to reassure her that he will do everything he can to help her and will offer to take her back to Skyhold.

If the Inquisitor expresses any form or disgust with Maevis, or calls her an abomination, Pelle will become very angry with the Inquisitor and says they will have a discussion when they return to Skyhold.

If Pelle is not brought along,  Maevis’ rage slowly begins to shift until she is revealed to have made a deal with a demon and transforms into an abomination. At this point you are forced to kill Maevis. Upon killing her, her journal is found as a drop item.

When you return to Skyhold:

If Pelle was there and was able to talk Maevis down and everything went well. He will thank the Inquisitor for helping him find Maevis. He will also say he owes the Inquisitor, and that if the Inquisitor ever needs anything they need only ask.

Additionally he will ask the Inquisitor what he thinks of what became of Maevis now that she is out of ear shot. He will also confess to be left at a moral loss as he does not know if what she did was right or wrong.

If he was brought along but the Inquisitor expressed any disgust with Maevis or even so much as hints that Maevis is an abomination, Pelle will confront the Inquisitor about it back in Skyhold. He will tell the Inquisitor how insensitive it was to say to Maevis when she was in such a vulnerable state. Based upon how the conversation carries out Pelle will either let it go and give the Inquisitor the benefit of the doubt that they put their foot in their mouth, or if the conversation goes south he will break up with the Inquisitor terminating Pelle’s Romance.

If Pelle was not in the party, you will have to return to Skyhold and return Maevis’ journal to him to complete the quest. If this route is taken, Pelle is furious with the Inquisitor for not only taking such a personal matter into their own hands but also murdering his apprentice in the process. This route results in an immediate termination of Pelle’s Romance.

Additional Facts:

If Pelle is broken up with, he becomes very curt with the Inquisitor and is not usually willing to talk. It unlocks some banters involving Pelle and Cole in which Cole will express Pelle’s feelings of shattered trust in the Inquisitor. While Pelle’s approach to the Inquisitor is often abrasive and short, listening to Cole address Pelle’s feelings about their relationship shows that Pelle is actually very sad.

If Route B of Calling In A Favor Occurs and Pelle is not killed or imprisoned, it also unlocks Cole and Pelle banters where Cole is reading into Pelle’s mind about the guilt towards what happened to his clan, and the fact that he was simply walking a free man despite having killed so many people.

Pelle’s “Romance Scene” cannot be unlocked until after Dust to Dust is completed. It will only be activated if A.) Maevis is rescued and returned to Skyhold with no complications, or B.) Maevis is rescued and returned to Skyhold but Pelle confronts the Inquisitor about their behavior and forgives them.

Pelle’s staff is not able to be unequipped, it also cannot be modified. The stats of his stats improve with him as he levels up. This is because he is very stubborn about anyone handling Deshanna’s staff except for himself. 

Should Pelle and a romanced Inquisitor part ways after Trespasser he will gift them his Keeper’s Ring as a promise ring. 

[felassan]

You've probably answered this before but who do you think will carry on the tradition of being the bridge companion between Inquisition and da4?

oooh, great question. let’s see.

first I’d exclude Solas (obviously), since ostensibly the game so far appears to be about stopping him. I’d also cross Varric off the list because he’s returned as a companion once before and I don’t think they’d have him do so again. the guy’s arc feels complete, let him rest. 

Vivienne and Cassandra can both be Divine. if we’re heading to Tevinter, would the White Divine really go traipsing around in the field there, in a country which is under the remit of the Imperial Chantry? besides you’d think Divine Victoria has one of the most known, recognizable faces in all of current Thedas, right? so it would seem grossly counter-intuitive at best for them to be in the party, when the vibe so far feels like in DA4 we’ll be trying be stealthy/sneaky/incognito in our efforts against Solas.

I know possibly-dead status for a character hasn’t stopped them before (Anders, Leliana) but eh. imo ‘died in a previous game due to actions of the player’ should mean dead and stays dead, lol. Iron Bull can be dead. same goes for Blackwall. 

Cole… more humanlike vs more spiritlike are pretty divergent states imo. if he were to come back as a companion, there’d have to be 2 alternate subplots for his arc/2 different personal quests/an alternate dialogue line every three or four lines or somesuch, going by the difference between the two states we see in DA:I & Trespasser. if he crops up, I’d guess instead at it being a cameo. it would be much easier to have 2 different possible sidequests, or one sidequest with 2 different possible iterations of the character, worldstate depending.

Sera can be never encountered/not recruited/kicked out etc. that said, her low approval ending of just going back to her previous life, is still pretty open-ended, and her 2 high approval endings (whether or not Inky decides to become a Red Jenny) both imo kinda paint her as remaining an ally of/working with the Inquisitor and the Inquisition-remnants still, especially if Leliana or Cassandra are Divine. to add, she’s a good candidate for the role of ‘elf opposed to Solas’ (a position for me which will sorely be in need of representation in DA4) and she has the sort of skills and resources it sounds like we’ll be needing, with her whole sneaky rogue with the secret society/spy network schtick. post Inquisition she’s more formidable, more focused and tactical, and Solas had even been giving her advice on how to better run the organization, lol. this stuff factors bigtime into my own current hcs about where my Inquisitor is now, what she’s doing and who with. SAYING THAT.. in DA BW have never made the bridge companion someone who was an LI in the prior game, so..

encountering Dorian in DA4 seems at this point pretty much a given, for reasons which have been laid out at length elsewhere. I agree with the prevailing speculation though that he’s more likely to return in an advisory sort of capacity or other prominent non-companion role in the plot, since he was an LI and also since as a Magister he’s got a load of important shit to do.

yknow, for some reason I actually reckon they will buck the trend with DA4 and there will be no returning companion-from-DAI-companion. everything said above aside, I’d like to see them break away from this pattern and I’m also consistently of the opinion that when it comes to returning chars/cameos etc, less is more and more new! less old!. too much of that makes Thedas seem weirdly small. & I would rather spots on the roster go to ‘ascended extras’ (e.g. Cole being utilized from Asunder, Cass being stepped up from DA2) and entirely new characters. this is where I prefer the screentime and resources to go to, and it’s less messy in terms of potential differing worldstates etc. especially when in the case of DA4, they kind of made a point of ‘oh damn Solas knows everything about us and how we operate, we must find NEW people he doesn’t know!!’. Yknow? I think we’re looking at no bridge companion, and the familiar face/familiar faces and other pre-existing characters as it were on our team being ascended extras like Harding and Maevaris.

despite not being a companion previously, Harding would be a good ‘bridge’ imo. she’s popular and well-liked among the fandom, capable, has relevant skills (rogue, stealth etc), witnessed the events of the previous game enough that she could comment on stuff and guide/provide context, but wasn’t in the immediate inner circle & so was less likely to have been a high-priority subject of Solas’ spying and scrutiny, she’s a race and gender combination that we haven’t had before but need, features clearly in the Trespasser epilogue, still isn’t super fleshed out so there’s plenty room to expand, etc.

(also obligatory comment because I can’t not hey Bioware ascend Felassan pls  i beg u plssss im dyinggg squirtle plssss)

[mythalism]

ok actually i do need to analyze this because im not going to be able to focus and clean my apartment until this is out of my system.

the most important context that isnt clear from the line alone is that it is a devastatingly cruel example of just how deeply and totally surveilled you are by his agents and how there is nothing you can do that he is not aware of. he is nearly omniscient. he clarifies with the following immediately after (whether or not bull is alive):

but if you did kill bull, he taunts you for it FIRST. it demonstrates his willingness to throw your failures back in your face. it is an insane power play. especially because YOU DO NOT RETURN TO HALAMSHIRAL IN-BETWEEN KILLING BULL IN THE DARVARAAD AND ENCOUNTERING SOLAS. he somehow knew about bull turning on you only HOURS after it happened and somehow got that information from.... WHERE? we know he has agents in the inquisition - he literally just said so. but only your party + the qunari were in the room with you when that happened. its possible the viddasala mentioned it to him although... idk why she would do that. we only see the tail end of their conversation before he petrifies her but considering her misunderstanding of his role in the situation at large i highly doubt she would be gossiping about some random hissrad's death to this guy shes been hunting down. anyway. we have no reason to believe that the viddasala told him. which means he has a level of surveillance of the inquisitor that we cannot even begin to understand. were there agents of fen'harel following you through the daravaad? does he have double agents among the qunari? is he using magic? does it have something to do with his powers over the fade? we have no fucking clue. you could maybe argue that he is just extrapolating based on knowing that 1. you left halamshiral with bull, 2. you would have had to fight the viddasala's qunari (because he himself led you through the darvaraad like a cat playing with his mouse dinner) to get to him and 3. he would presumably know bull was no longer around because he was able to lock the eluvian behind you and prevent your companions from following. but even this level of fucking 4d brain chess (which we know he is capable of, except you wouldn't in this world-state because you never would have witnessed him play it with bull) is terrifying. you could also probably call this a plot hole, but considering this was our first real reveal of him as A GOD i dont think it is. i think it was very intentional and genuinely one of the most revealing and well-done lines in the game. trespasser clearly established him as 1. unfathomably powerful and 2. absolutely ruthless. he knows your every move and he will throw it back in your face and taunt your for your mistakes without hesitation. REMEMBER. HE WILL SAY THIS TO A HIGH APPROVAL INQUISITOR. HE WILL SAY IT TO A ROMANCED INQUISITOR. HE WILL THROW THIS IN A ROMANCED LAVELLANS FACE AND CALL HER VHENAN ONLY MINUTES LATER. he will also say this to an inquisitor who romanced bull and just was forced to kill him. no fucking mercy.

next. the way this is worded is sickening and also indicative of not only who he is (wisdom spirit turned pride demon) but how he operates. he is asking you a question. isnt it? isn't it? solas is a spirit and thus he is a mirror and a reflection. he exists to challenge the inquisitor and the player to reflect. he forces this reflection through repeated testing. to a low approval inquisitor he states, "it would be sad were you to examine yourself with a critical eye". most of his low-approval conversations are a series of questions. he is testing you. this is no different. are you capable of examining yourself with a critical eye? will you take accountability for the decision you made to ally with the qun? he knows the answer. he is toying with you. "tell me, where is he?" he is being cheeky and cruel at the same time. YOU need to be the one to say it. YOU need to take accountability. YOU need to reflect. he is literally testing your wisdom and provoking your pride the same way a pride demon in the fade would prey upon your insecurities.

next. *your* friend. YOUR friend. not his friend. now i actually dont like solas's beef with the qun from a writing perspective because i dont think it is adequately fleshed out and supported through other aspects of his character. ok he hates slavery and he considers the qun to be... mind-slavery? there is a lack of nuance here that i find to be a writing flaw as well as gross more generally considering what we know about the writer's statements regarding qunari inspiration. solas just hates the qun because its "bad" and it feels like we are just supposed to agree with him because of course the qun is bad!!!! but.... if you dont think the qun is bad.......... it falls apart. solas gives more nuance to the templars than the qun which i feel shows some clear writer bias. however its what we got and in terms of this line i think its interesting and telling in other ways. if you do side with the chargers over the qun, solas, through banter, will literally refer to himself as bull's friend. he tells him "you wont go tal vashoth because you have me." this is really sweet in general and not something we see from him often but especially in the context of this later line when this friendship is absent. if the inquisitor tells bull to side with the qun, solas is absolutely nasty to bull. he refuses to engage with him and they have absolutely no relationship past solas taunting him for what he sees as an unforgivable mistake. even if i dislike the handling and framing of the qun in their banter, what this line + the previous context of their relationship does is give us another example of how willing solas is to dispense with someone's personhood when they have done something he finds deplorable. he does the same to a low-approval inquisitor. iron bull lost solas's respect and solas becomes smug at his death. he was right! he knew this would happen! he said so in banter! bull's life becomes little more than a chess piece for use in a conversation with someone else. he does not care how it hurts you (both the inquisitor and the player who is presumably still reeling from being forced to kill a companion like 30 minutes ago). he does not care how it feels to have it flung back in your face. people who lose solas's respect, who make what he believes are the wrong decisions, forfeit their lives. hey, remember felassan?

despite it all there is also something in his use of bull's full title. THE iron bull. bull himself says he likes the article at the beginning of his name because it makes him sound like "a mindless weapon".

this is a whole other can of worms to unpack but broadly it is self-objectification that affirms his understanding of himself through is role under the qun. but we also know from banter with other characters that solas's use of titles comes from a place of respect for the truth. perhaps an attempt at emotional separation too, but he tells cassandra that he calls her "seeker" because he says what he believes to be true.

however, up until this line in trespasser, solas calls bull "iron bull", not "the iron bull". even if the inquisitor sacrifices the chargers, he still calls him "iron bull", no "the" until trespasser, in which he has become just that he once said the article implied; a mindless weapon, an implement of destruction used by the viddasala. for solas to use this now is yet another moment of self-righteous smugness. if solas sees what he believes to be true, then he has seen bull become what the article before his name implied. he is reminding you, once again, that he was right. he is dehumanizing bull using bull's own language and saying "i am right to dehumanize him now and he was right to dehumanize himself because he just proved both of us right". it affirms his aforementioned belief that people lose their right to personhood when they do not pass his tests of worth. he does the same to a low approval inquisitor when he literally says "YOU PROVED ME RIGHT. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT A COMFORT THAT IS" he was "iron bull" when he was worthy and became "the iron bull" when he failed the test. WHAT THE FUCK!!! this is fucking CRAAAAAZYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! BRO HES BONKERS!!!!!!!!

literally every single word in this sentence implies godly omniscience and power and cruelty. it feels like a slap in the face no matter who you are playing as and what your relationship to solas was. it is mask-off, fen'harel time, baby! you are playing 4d chess with god and you are LOSING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! top 5 solas lines of all time TO ME. and the fact that like 5 minutes later he can be all soft and gentle and caressing inqy's face or gently holding their hand to remove the anchor right before he gets up and says "bummer that i still have to probably kill you and everyone you know but i hope you have fun in the meantime" is just icing on the cake. delicious and scrumptious. he is a mess of contradictions. kindness and cruelty in equal measure oscillating between the two at the speed of light so fast you get whiplash. character of all time.

ISNT IT? PERHAPS WE SHOULD ASK YOUR FRIEND, THE IRON BULL. TELL ME, WHERE IS HE?

[zevran]

i genuinely do not understand how dragon age: inquisition gives each of your followers the same specialisations that you can later pick from yourself, and then............ has complete strangers teach you via fetch quests.

bioware could’ve done so much more; even just cutscenes with your companions would’ve been better than the specialisation quests. cutscenes that could differ depending on whether or not you're in a romance with them, and how high/low your approval is.

imagine solas begrudgingly teaching a low approval inquisitor ... but he puts them through the ringer, because if they are to learn, they have to learn. imagine a romanced sera correcting your bow stance with a big grin on her face, a giggle underneath with her hands on your waist - like this, honeytongue! imagine a high approval blackwall giving you all that he knows because you gave him a second chance. 

we could’ve had it all and instead we had forgettable npcs

[tuxedo-rabbit]

@dvasva

The default inquisitor that the people who got early access saw was a bare faced lavellan.

That's not what upsets me though, I mean you dont even have to use the default. What upsets me is that the choices that carry over to dav are centered around Solas.

Did you vow to save/kill Solas?

Did you disband the Inquisition (whose sole purpose post trespasser is dealing with Solas)?

Who did you romance? Except they dont ask additional questions to account for like. Bull or Blackwall being dead. The only romance they have enough context to reference is Solas.

The game doesn't even carry over your inquisitor's personality from dai. Or whether you had high or low approval with Solas. Literally the only type of Inquisitor who gets any unique reflection of their story is one who romanced Solas.

It's disappointing.

I have finished Inquisition 4 times. Not one of those times have I romanced Solas.

The fact that that's apparently the only part of the Inquisitor's story that's getting any attention in DAV is infuriating.

[i-dropped-the-chief]

what if s&re alaran hadn't made it to the conclave and never became inquisitor? what would she be doing with herself during the timeline of inquisition?

Hoo boy, I have thought a lot about this. Thanks for the ask <3

Alaran would end up joining the Inquisition because she’d still be looking for Varric. After seeing all that was happening, she’d be motivated to stay and help. Because let’s face it, Alaran is the bomb at helping. The whole Inquisitor thing could be awkward if the Inquisitor was a Dalish elf. She’d probably just lie about her identity--Alaran is also the bomb at lying. If the Inquisitor was another race, she’d greet them with a smirk and mutter a comment like, “Wow, I’m glad you’re not Dalish. That would have been awkward.” And then go on to say something stupid such as, “You know, if you really wanted to make that hand of yours better, you should consume less eggs.”

If she didn’t end up being a companion, she would wind up as a forward soldier and quickly climb the ranks. Alaran is prone to leading, and she tends to wind up being in such a position whether she seeks it out or not. And if Alaran wound up being a companion (which is a high possibility), the Inquisitor would get her approval by thinking of others and acting with equal parts logic and emotion. They’d earn disapproval if they didn’t care what happened to others or their companions. And if they put Gaspard on the throne or exiled the Wardens. If approval sank low enough, the confrontational cutscene would go as follows:

The Inquisitor goes into their room at night to find Alaran regarding the work on their desk. The Inquisitor would demand to know what she was doing there, and she’d glance up and give a small smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “What, scared I’m going to see something meant to be secret?” Then she’d straighten and make her way over to the Inquisitor. “We’ve all got secrets, don’t we? You, me...little things that wriggle their way into our lives. I’ve got lots of secrets, you know. Ones that would make your head spin.” She’d close in on the space between them. “Do not make me an enemy. Because then you will see how smarter, stronger, and better I am than you are.” And though she’d stay no matter what the Inquisitor did, she’d grow more conniving, cynical, and distrusting. 

If Alaran were in the Raw  Fade, the Fear Demon would say to her, “To think, Alaran, what it would be like if you were the one to lead the Inquisition? All that power, and you will never have it. Your secrets are rotting; soon they will be worthless, just like you.”

If Alaran winds up in the alternate reality during the mage quest, the Inquisitor would find that she’s numb to it all. She had to make herself numb, otherwise she’d be in an even worse place. It’s not exactly hard for her to do; she had to do it back on Earth. When they first come upon her, they hear her saying, “...should’ve just stayed dead.” And when they inform her of time travel, she isn’t really that surprised. She just shrugs her shoulders and says, “Good. Tell my alternate self that I say hello, and that I shouldn’t hold back.” After, when the Inquisitor says what Alaran wanted to tell her past self, she nods understandingly. “God it. I need to help more.” Upon having the conversation and visiting the war table afterwards, they’ll find that there are new humanitarian aid missions to complete across Thedas.

And Alaran would not be romanceable. If the Inquisitor tried to romance them, her smirk would slip and she’d go, “Oh. No, none of that. I’d break your heart. Best just let me break your enemies’ bones.” And, if Solas isn’t romanced by the Inquisitor, Alaran would romance him. Whether they romance or not, Alaran would ultimately leave with him after the Orb breaks. Somebody has to watch over the Sad Elf Man.

...Sorry this turned out to be so long. 

[vicekings]

Does Étienne get separation anxiety?

yes, big time. it was worse when he was younger but it’s still pretty prevalent in his adult life. when he was younger it was separation anxiety from being away from alysanne (usually when she was away on stablemaster business and couldn’t take him) & it had him shut down & go silent until she came back. When he was older it was more to do with Brylee being late from returning from assassination jobs & fear that she was hurt or worse consuming him.

its less strong when etienne chooses to go off on his own. like, distractions usually keep his anxiety at bay and going off for an assassination job of his own provides ample distraction. 

and like, when hes lord protector etienne def has separation anxiety regarding a high-approval inquisitor leaving him behind. he insists to leliana and josie that its a side effect of the job and that his pacing and fretting is because hes supposed to protect them, but they know better. 

generally josie and leliana try to keep him distracted if he won’t distract himself (whether or not he can distract himself usually depend son the amt of stress he was in prior to the person leaving). it helps, but doesnt stop him from shadowing the inquisitor when they get back. 

and the entire situation with dorian going off to tevinter without him kind was a punch to the gut for etienne. a week after dorian’s gone, etienne’s off too; mostly bounty hunting and doing various fetch quest style work to keep his mind off of things. its a rare case where hes distracting himself in spite of his stress, but he’s still very much a walking ball of anxiety & loneliness

(at least until cole pops up. cole tagged along without etienne’s permission or knowledge until much later, so cole’s there too and hes trying to help bless him.) 

but yeah. whoo. lot of rambling. basically yeah, he’s got separation anxiety coupled with abandonment issues and a low self-esteem. its a fucky cocktail tbh

[beneathsilverstars]

Inquisitor As Companion: Nai’ahvier

It’s been a while, I figured I should finally write the last section and actually post this! I wrote out a lot of dialogue so it’s a tad long, have fun. ;)

(content warnings: her brother is a bit of an abusive shithead, and she’s a little desperate for approval, and making the wrong choice in her related personal quest can have some really sucky effects. also, she’s ace, and if romanced, the inquisitor can say dumb things regarding that.)

Name:

Nai’ahvier Alerion

Race, Class, & Specialization:

She’s an elven mage. Since there’s one companion with each dai specialization I’m gonna say she’s allowed to add a new one: Spirit Healer.

Nickname:

Varric calls her Hummingbird, because she’s small and colorful and flits around collecting flowers, and mostly... because she hums a lot. ;)

Default Card:

Here’s a sketch! It’s not based on an actual Tarot because I like to have fun.

Recruitment:

You find Nai’ahvier in a group of rebel mages in the Hinterlands, fighting some templars. Once the templars are all defeated, it goes into a cutscene where she offers to surrender on behalf of the mages left in her lil group. You can tell them to get lost, to go to the Inquisition for protection, or to go to the Inquisition so you can keep on eye on them, or you can attack. If you choose any of the non-attack options, Nai’ahvier offers to join:

I’ve heard that the Inquisition helps people. I’ve been trying to help the mages here, but there’s always more angry templars, more scared townspeople… It’s been the same desperate fight for survival every day - until you showed up. The Inquisition is changing things. And if you’re trying to end the war, and to fix the sky, I want to help.

There are a few question options, and then accepting or rejecting her offer:

(?) Who are you? Oh, I’m sorry, we never had proper introductions! I’m Nai’ahvier, the First of clan Alerion. And you are, of course, the Herald of Andraste.

(?) You’re Dalish, right? What are you doing in the middle of these fights instead of back with your clan? When I first heard about the mages leaving the Circles, I knew they’d need help. Most of them have spent pretty much their entire lives locked up; they don’t know the first thing about how to survive outside the Circles! Leaving everything you’ve known, no matter how awful those things are….

It’s hard enough to adjust even without templars after you. And with the templars – well. They needed all the help they could get. And it’s not like many other people were stepping up.

(?) What skills can you offer the Inquisition? I know I don’t look it, but I’m a good fighter, and an even better healer. I work hard, I’m good with people. I’ll help however I can. And.. (if the inquisitor is a human, qunari, or dwarf) I’ve got connections with the Dalish. Your reputation among the people relies primarily on your position in the Chantry, as the Inquisition and as the Herald. The Dalish aren’t going to be swayed so easily by Andrastian titles. I can help you out there; they’ll already think more highly of you if one of their own is seen as an esteemed member, and I know what to tell them to get them further on your side. You could use their support, and I can get it for you. (if the inquisitor is an elf) I know the clans around here. They’re happy to see a Dalish elf in a position of power, but wary that the power in question is a Chantry Inquisition. I can convince them that you’re more than a chantry mouthpiece, that you’re really on their side. I can reach out to them, get their support, so you don’t have to take time out of saving the world to do it yourself. And it’s always nice having another Dalish around, right?

(1) Welcome to the team. Thank you! I promise I won’t let you down.

(2) We don’t need your help. ... I understand. I’ll keep watching out for the mages here, then! Good luck. We’re counting on you.

Default location:

At Haven, she hangs out near the apothecary.

In Skyhold, she has a spot in the garden, off to the side.

Mages or Templars:

Nai’ahvier is very pro-mage and terrified of templars. She’ll admit magic can be a bit dangerous, but insists that templars and Circles make mages more dangerous rather than less, in addition to the awful things they do directly. If you ask her to elaborate on that before her personal quest, she tells you vague things she heard from the rebel mages in the Hinterlands; if you ask afterwards, she’ll admit that her opinions are from her own experiences, and if you have high approval, she’ll give you some more specific and in-depth examples. If you have low approval, she’ll equivocate and say that she might be unlucky and biased and the Inquisitor is probably correct, whatever their stance is.

Fetch quest:

When you talk to Nai’ahvier in the Skyhold garden, a cutscene starts where you find her quietly singing and surreptitiously strumming patterns in the air.

> What are you doing? Oh! I’m sorry Inquisitor, I was just – I played the harp as a kid, but I lost mine a while ago, but I still like trying to remember the songs.. I hope I didn’t bother you!

(diplomatic) The garden’s for everyone, don’t worry about it. (slightly approves) Well, everyone includes everyone else, I don’t want to be a nuisance... But if you say it’s okay!

(sarcastic) It’s a refreshing change from Maryden’s repertoire, at least. (slightly disapproves) [giggles] I’ll make sure to keep up the variety!

(aggressive) Just keep it down. (slightly disapproves) Of course, Inquisitor.

(flirt) A pretty voice likes yours is no bother at all! Oh, um, I’m, glad it’s alright then.

Further conversation reveals that she really misses playing, and she’s dabbled in a few other instruments. You can offer to find some for her!

Upon accepting the quest, you get a war table mission to procure a harp. Completing it gets a (greatly approves) from Nai’ahvier, and the harp will appear next to her in the garden. From now on, you can request that she play songs for you! You get a chance for a (slightly approves) the first time you listen to each song, and then it goes on the list so you can request it again.

You also get a fetch quest for several other instruments, each of which will get a (slightly approves) and unlock one new song played on that instrument.

Side mission:

If Nai’ahvier is in your party when exploring the Hinterlands, you get an option to spare the mages you fight instead of killing them, in the form of an optional banter response.

Nai’ahvier: Everyone, please, we don’t have to do this!

(1) It’s too late for them, Nai’ahvier. (slightly disapproves)

(2) She’s right, we don’t. (slightly approves)

If you ignore it or choose the first option, the battle continues as normal. If you choose the second option, your companions stop attacking, and as you continue speaking, your enemies stop as well.

(diplomatic) We’re trying to end the war. Nai’ahvier: The Inquisition isn’t here to fight, we want to help!

(sarcastic) We’re not actually here to kill you, honest. Nai’ahvier: The Inquisition is here to end the war, not further it.

(aggressive) Stand down, now. Nai’ahvier: Please listen, we don’t want to hurt you, the Inquisition is here to make peace.

Nai’ahvier: If you surrender we can help you, or even just send you on your way if you don’t trust us. I know you have little reason to, but not long ago I was out here fighting for my life just like you, and the Inquisition gave me another chance. A chance to live free from fear, to spend my time on something other than defending myself and my friends. If you join the Inquisition, we can protect you, and you can help us end this pointless fighting.

> If you want to join or learn more, then go to the Crossroads, and say the Inquisitor sent you. Even if you don’t, we can give you a place to rest and resupply before moving on.

Mage: Thank you. That’s– very generous. We will consider your offer.

(+80 influence)

In subsequent battles, this is shortened to just a few lines.

If you spare at least one group, a few mages will appear at the crossroads with related ambient dialogue.

Cassandra gets a parallel side mission: if she is in your party when fighting Hinterlands templars, she asks you to stop and convince them to surrender. She tells the templars that the Inquisition is taking care of things and keeping the people safe. She swears as a Seeker that standing down now is the right thing. She encourages them to return to their friends and family, but also mentions that joining the Inquisition includes access to lyrium, and a way to make a bigger difference in the fate of the world.

War table quests:

Similar to Sera’s Red Jenny quests and Bull’s Charger/Ben-Hassrath quests, recruiting Nai’ahvier will give you Dalish quests. The majority of them are about problems that Nai’ahvier’s connections made you aware of, some of them are a clan offering to go do something for you, and a few of them are some Dalish asking for help with something.

Companion quest:

Part one:

Once her approval is high enough, Nai’ahvier asks for help locating her twin brother, Nai’sulahn. She hasn’t seen him since she was a kid, and left him in.. less than ideal circumstances. She’s not sure if she wants to see him, but she wants to know if he’s alive. It’s probably impossible to find out, though; he might still be in (city)’s alienage, but he might have left, or he might have... most likely he’s still there!

(?) You might not want to see him? Well, we didn’t along that great as kids.. but you know, we were kids! I’m sure things will go better now.

(?) Aren’t you Dalish? Why would he be in an alienage? Um, life just works in weird ways sometimes, you know? I mean, look at you! Falling out of a rift, becoming the Herald, leading an organization to save the world from an ancient Magister... What a life you’re living.

(diplomatic) I’ll try my best. (approves) Thank you so much, Inquisitor! I appreciate that you’re willing to help, whether it works out or not.

(sarcastic) Sure, what’s one more wild goose chase? (slightly approves) Thank you so much, Inquisitor! If it’s too hard you really don’t have to worry about it, but... I appreciate that you’re willing to help, whether it works out or not.

(aggressive) You want me to use Inquisition resources to track down a long lost relative, when all you can give me is a first name and a place he lived years ago? (disapproves) I’m sorry, you’re right, it’s probably impossible even for Leliana. The Inquisition can’t afford to waste time on personal matters, not just because the Inquisitor asked... I’m sorry for bringing it up!

(flirt) If it’s this important to you, I promise, I’ll do whatever it takes to find him. (approves) I... Thank you, (last name). I really appreciate it.

After the conversation, a war table mission is unlocked. Josephine can ask contacts in the city to ask their contacts and see if anyone’s heard of him, or Leliana can send spies to poke around, which takes less time. Either way, they locate someone who might be him - and express their surprise that Nai’ahvier’s brother is apparently the leader of a crime network. The city, the same one Nai’ahvier mentioned, appears on the map.

Part two:

You arrive in a small but not-too-shabby plaza, on the evening you arranged to meet. After a bit of awkward waiting, one of your companions remarks on Nai’sulahn’s lateness: suspicion from Bull, or a joke about proper narrative timing from Varric, or perhaps a comment on power plays from Vivienne. Finally he arrives, just as the sun starts setting.

Nai’ahvier: There he is! Sulahn, it’s really you!! Nai’sulahn: Nai’ah, I’m glad you’re finally here! Once I heard you made it out of the Circle, I knew you’d be back eventually. You never did do very well without me. Although I didn’t expect the vallaslin! Just like mother’s... perhaps I should have expected it. So, where have you been all these years? Nai’ahvier: Actually, I'm not here to stay or anything, um, I’m actually with the Inquisition now and- Nai’sulahn: Ah yes, the mighty Inquisition. And this is its leader? I didn’t expect to meet you, Inquisitor!

(?) Made it out of the Circle? But aren’t you Dalish? Nai’ahvier: Um, I’ll explain later- Nai’sulahn: Nai’ah! Have you been lying to the Inquisition? Or at least twisting the truth, that way you do. Looks like you never did grow out of fairy tales.

(diplomatic) I’m glad we found you.

(sarcastic) What a reunion!

(aggressive) So, what now?

The conversation continues, with Nai’sulahn explaining how of course she’s going to do the better thing and join him, and how generous he is for making the offer. She can be trouble sometimes, after all - but everyone else is worse, it’s wild out there. With her by his side, he could go so much further with his... enterprises. (A companion might comment on how suspect his “enterprises” are, to which his response is to feign insult and wink - he’s sure the Inquisition will play along, and sure enough, Nai’ahvier reassures that there’s no cause for official action.)

Nai’ahvier's responses vary wildly in tone. Sometimes she goes along with his framing of the conversation, agreeing with him and even volunteering her own support for his arguments, sympathetic and contrite and well-spoken. Sometimes she’s more upset and nervous, trying to correct a fact or protest an assumption- but concedes the point quickly, sometimes before she’s even properly made it. The Inquisitor can step in to support either side, on the occasions that they disagree.

Nai’ahvier: I just wanted to see if you’d.. if you were still... Nai’sulahn: Alive? No thanks to you. Living the sheltered life, not even sparing a thought to send help to your poor brother you left bleeding out in an alley. Nai’ahvier: I did think about you! I did everything I could to convince them to send someone, something, even when it must’ve been far too late, Nai’sulahn: Or did you just do everything you could short of anything that might possibly cause trouble for you?

> What are you talking about? Nai’sulahn: [looks expectantly to his sister] Nai’ahvier: When we, um, parted ways. That is, when I, left for the Circle. It wasn’t exactly the best of circumstances, we had, Nai’sulahn: Can’t even say what you did? Nai’ahvier: I didn’t do anything!! Nai’sulahn: Oh sure, this *points to an old scar curving out from his hairline* was nothing.

(diplomatic) That looks like a nasty scar. Nai’sulahn: It is! You can see why I would have appreciated a little help at the time I got it. Or even better, not being put in that situation in the first place.

(sarcastic) Ok, you know what, I actually don’t need to hear you argue about old family drama. (slightly approves) Nai’ahvier: Let’s not bother the Inquisitor.

(aggressive) Stop interrupting her. (disapproves) Nai’ahvier: It’s ok ser, you don’t have to- Nai’sulahn: As if I’d be able to get a word in otherwise.

Nai’sulahn: Anyway, that’s all ancient history, right? I was angry at you at the time, Nai’ah, but it’s been years. If you’re really sorry, I’m ready to forgive you. Nai’ahvier: You were.. angry at me.... But, you were- I mean, the templars, it wasn’t, Nai’sulahn: Making excuses again? Come on, Nai’ah. Lethallan. Just apologize, and we can move on. Nai’ahvier: ...

(1) Finally, we can be done with this. (2) I hope this fixes things. (3) You don’t need to apologize to him. (4) You need to stop interrupting her.

Part three, if Nai’ahvier apologizes:

(1) You know he’s alive, we did what we came here for, just apologize already so we can leave. (slightly disapproves) Nai’ahvier: Of course, Inquisitor.

(2) It’s a tragedy that you two were apart for so long. I hope you can mend things. (slightly approves) Nai’sulahn: I want to. We never knew our dad, our mom died long ago... we’re the only family we have.

Nai’ahvier: Sulahn, you’re right. I shouldn’t have left you like I did. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought down so much trouble on your head, I should have helped you more... I’m grateful you put up with me and my problems for as long as you did. Nai’sulahn: Of course I stuck with you. How could I let lowlife and shems hurt my sister, no matter how much of a liability she was? We’re adults now, though, and things are serious. Such weaknesses matter now more than ever... Nai’ahvier: I never meant to be a weakness. I’m sorry for dragging you down. Every day I regret how things went, I wish I'd never had magic, I wish I’d done better with it, I promise I’ll do better. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Nai’sulahn: [sighs] I guess It’s not your fault the world has it out for us. It’s not like you held the templar’s sword yourself. I forgive you. Nai’ahvier: Thank you.

(diplomatic) Maybe you can keep in touch this time.

(sarcastic) Alright, sibling bond restored, what’s next?

(aggressive) Are you done yet? (slightly disapproves)

Nai’sulahn: Actually, Nai’ahvier. I really could use your help. Can you join me? Like old times? Nai’ahvier: I’m sorry, but I’m committed to the Inquisition right now. I’ve learned my lesson and I won’t abandon them. Nai’sulahn: Not forever, surely? [glares at Inquisitor] What did they even do to deserve such devotion? Nai’ahvier: No, not forever.. but without them I wouldn’t have been able to find you. I owe it to them, to stay at least till Corypheus is defeated. But perhaps, after that... Nai’sulahn: I’ll be waiting for you.

As you walk away, Nai’ahvier expresses her relief that it went smoothly, and you get an (approves).

Part three, if Nai’ahvier stands up for herself:

(3) Nai’ahvier, stop. I don’t know what happened exactly, but it seems to me that your brother is the one who should be apologizing. (slightly disapproves) Nai’sulahn: Apologizing for what? How would you know anything, Inquisitor? Nai’ahvier: They know you haven’t listened to a thing I’ve said!

(4) Nai’sulahn, stop. From what I can see, which hasn’t been very much because you keep interrupting her, your sister doesn’t agree with your view of events at all. Shut up and let her speak. (slightly disapproves) Nai’sulahn: But she- (a companion): The Inquisitor said stop. Nai’sulahn: Fine. So, Nai’ah, what do you have to say to me that’s oh so important?

Nai’ahvier: I didn’t really want to say anything to you, I just wanted to see if you were alive! But I guess since I’m here, I do have something to say! I never asked for your help. You always say it’s my fault when you get hurt helping me, but I never asked! I- Nai’sulahn: Please, as if-

> Stop interrupting.

Nai’ahvier: Thank you, Inquisitor. Sulahn, I got hurt helping you as well! We were knife-ear orphans, we both got hurt all the time, and it’s not either of our faults! You were always picking fights, but I never held it against you, I just tried to get you out them. Half of the times I got in trouble, it was because I was trying to get you out of worse! Nai’sulahn: Well I didn’t ask you to help me either. Nai’ahvier: Yes you did! Or as good as! If I didn’t, you- Nai’sulahn: How could you blame me-

> I said stop interrupting. (slightly approves) Nai’sulahn: [glares but then silently folds his arms, looking away]

Nai’ahvier: I’m not blaming you, but it’s not my fault either! It’s not my fault I have magic, it’s not my fault the templars attacked, it’s not my fault you tried to stop them! I didn’t ask for your protection then, and I’m sorry that I ever did, it’s not worth much when you bring just as much pain as you save me from! I helped you more than you ever helped me, and I helped you with worse things, why would I be here to help you again! I just wanted to know if I had any family left alive!! I’m sorry you got hurt, I’m sorry, I spent my entire childhood trying to stop that from happening, I could have left you to get yourself killed so many times, but I didn’t, I never would have if I had any choice, I would have died for you just like Mamae did- Nai’sulahn: Don’t you dare say it was- Nai’ahvier: And it’s not my fault the templars didn’t listen to me when I begged for them to stop, to go back, when I offered my own life if they’d just leave you be, promised I’d do whatever they wanted if they saved you, I tried, I tried!!! I’m sorry they wouldn’t let me die for you! And I’m sorry, but I’m not going to stick around to try again! Nai’sulahn: As if you could do anything better than- Nai’ahvier: [sobbing] Stop it!

(diplomatic) I don’t think this is going to go anywhere.

(sarcastic) Someone doesn’t know how to take a hint.

(aggressive) Do I need to shut you up more permanently?

Nai’ahvier: I’m done anyway. I don’t want to be around him anymore. Nai’sulahn: [opens his mouth] (All companions): [take threatening stances]

(diplomatic) Let’s go.

(sarcastic) And there’s your cue to leave. I suggest you take it.

(aggressive) [punch him] (disapproves)

Nai’sulahn: [spits on the ground, turns and leaves]

Nai’ahvier stands there for a bit, composing herself, and then apologizes for her brother’s behavior and thanks you for giving her a chance to speak. She seems rather shocked at herself and unsure how to feel. You get an (approves).

Part four, if Nai’ahvier apologizes:

After returning to Skyhold, you find Nai’ahvier waiting in the throne room, outside your door.

Inquisitor, I’m sorry if I’m bothering you, but I thought that if you wanted to speak to me about our journey, it’d be better not to do it in the garden. Perhaps in your hallway here?

> Sure.

I just wanted to thank you for helping me find my brother, and apologize for dragging you into our business. And explain, although I’m not sure what all you want to know, or where to start.

(?) You’re not Dalish? I’m not exactly not Dalish, but I may have- I purposefully led you to believe I’m more Dalish than I am. My parents are of Clan Enasalin, but my mother left my father and her entire clan before my brother and I were born. We grew up in an alienage. I did spend the last half a dozen years with Clan Alerion, my Vallaslin are truly earned, I did not lie when I said I could help you, but.. I exaggerated my qualifications, which is as good as lying. I’m sorry. I should have told you from the beginning. I understand if you don’t want to keep me in your services anymore. (?) I heard something about a Circle as well? I tried to keep my magic secret, but the templars found me using it to keep warm in the winter. I spent the years between childhood and adulthood in the Circle. When I got away, I asked Clan Alerion if I could join them, since that was the clan my mother was originally from. They had room for a mage, so they took me in, for my mother’s sake.

(diplomatic) Everyone has their secrets. I forgive you. (approves) Thank you, Inquisitor.

(sarcastic) No harm no foul, right? You’ve done your job. (slightly approves) I promise to continue doing what needs to be done. I won’t let you down, Ser.

(aggressive) I can’t have my companions lying to me about the very thing I brought them in to do. I’m so sorry, Ser. I’ll do anything I can to make it up to you.

(flirt) Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you trust me enough to tell me the truth now. (slightly approves) Of course I do.

(?) What exactly were you apologizing for? I got some of it, but it was a bit confusing. He was attacked by templars. It was my fault; they were going after me, and he was in their way. I told them I’d go quietly if they left him alone, I tried to convince them to let me do what I could to save him, but my offers weren’t good enough. I left him for dead in an alley, just like my mother. (?) Your mother? She... She died protecting us from drunk, angry humans. Things got out of hand. We were just kids. We couldn’t do anything to help her.

(diplomatic) You tried your best. It’s not your fault. (slightly approves) If you say so, Inquisitor.

(sarcastic) In your defense, if you’d helped more, you probably would have died too. (slightly disapproves) Or maybe my magic could have done some good for once.

(aggressive) What’s done is done. Exactly. There’s nothing I can do but try to do make things better with my brother.

(?) You’re going to go back to him, after this is all done? He asked. It’s better to go along with his plans than to try to argue. And I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him because I’m not there; it’s the least I can do.

Again, thank you so much for helping me find him, Inquisitor. I know it was a big thing to ask, but I’ve been worrying about him all this time... I’m so glad to know he survived. Hopefully we’ll get along better now... Thank you for giving me the chance to apologize. (slightly approves)

Part four, if Nai’ahvier stands up for herself:

After returning to Skyhold, you find Nai’ahvier waiting in the throne room, outside your door.

Inquisitor, I figure I owe you a bit of an explanation, and was hoping it could happen somewhere a bit more private than the gardens. Perhaps in your hallway here?

> Sure.

Thank you so much for helping me find my brother. It.. didn’t go exactly as I hoped, but I suppose I should have known better. He’s always been like that. I usually don’t argue with him so much, though... We always had to work together, and it was easier to try to mitigate the damage than to tell him he was wrong. He was never scared of anything.. I’m surprised you managed to get him to back down so easily. Anyway, um, I’m not sure where to start..?

(?) You’re not Dalish? Yeah, I.. didn’t exactly tell the whole truth. My mother was originally Dalish, and I joined her old clan once I had the chance, but my brother and I grew up in an alienage. I was desperate to help the Inquisition, so I exaggerated my standing among the clans, hoping my diplomacy skills would be enough... And they really did like me well enough, even if I didn’t grow up with them. I apologize for not telling the whole truth. (?) I heard something about a Circle as well? My mother taught me to keep my magic secret, but I often used it to help my brother... I was keeping us warm on a bad winter night when the templars found us. So, I spent the years between childhood and adulthood in the Circle. When I managed to escape, I went looking for Clan Alerion... My mother had always been planning to bring us there, once we were in a good position to make the journey. We just.. never quite were.

(diplomatic) Everyone has their secrets. Don’t worry about it. (slightly approves) I suppose there are worse things not to tell.

(sarcastic) No harm no foul, right? You’ve done your job. (approves) And I’ll keep doing it, best I can!

(aggressive) I can’t have my companions lying to me about the very thing I brought them in to do. You’re right. I’ll do my best to make up for it.

(flirt) I’m glad you trust me enough to tell me the truth now. (approves) I just... don’t like thinking about my past, I guess. It’s easier to pretend.... But I can’t make it go away by ignoring it.

(?) What exactly did he want you to apologize for? I got some of it, but it was a bit confusing. When the templars found me doing magic, he tried to defend me. It only took them one blow to stop him. He’d always reassured me that he’d protect me from the templars... and the shems, and starvation, and everything else, if only I stayed with him and helped him in return.... It was comforting, pretending he could do something about any of that. When it came down to it, it was obvious he couldn’t, but he never was good at weighing the odds. I told him to stop, but he wasn’t good at listening either, not when I was saying something that contradicted his view of himself. The last thing I saw was him bleeding out, just like my mother...  (?) You said she died for him. You know how I said he was bad at weighing the odds? One time when we were walking home at night, some drunk shems made a rude comment, and he didn’t take it very well. I ran for Mamae, because she could fix anything, right? And sure enough, she won him a chance to escape. But facing a full-grown mage defending her children is different than teaching a bratty knife-ear a quick lesson. Weapons were drawn, and they had a whole group and she was all alone, she’d told us to run, she was down by the time we’d turned the corner. But she’d be okay, right? Mamae could fix anything. But she never came home. Nai’sulahn always said that he could’ve handled it, and if I hadn’t brought Mamae into it, then...

(diplomatic) I’m so sorry. That’s awful. (slightly approves) [smiles sadly] Isn’t it.

(sarcastic) He wanted you to apologize for that? (approves) That and everything else that ever went wrong in his life. He could always find a way to blame me for anything...

(aggressive) Kids make mistakes. No matter how much I regret how things went, there’s nothing I can do about it now. Who knows if there was anything else I could have done back then, either.

(?) He wanted you to join him again? Of course. I was rather good at keeping him out of trouble, no matter how much he claims it’s the opposite. He’s just so dumb sometimes, and he won’t take advice, I always had to be so subtle about it.. (?) Will you ever go back to him? No. I hope not. Maybe if he... No. I don’t want to be stuck cleaning up his messes for the rest of my life.

Again, thank you so much for helping me find him. He’ll probably go on thinking the same things he always has, but at least now that’s on him for not listening, rather than me for not speaking up. Thank you for giving me the chance. (greatly approves)

Post-quest cards:

(if she apologized)

(if she stood up for herself)

Relationships:

Varric - Nai’ahvier reminds him of Merrill. He looks out for her in a similar way, and tells her stories, trying to stick to the happy ones. Nai’ahvier loves his stories and thinks Merrill sounds very cool: the savior of Dalish traditions, the protector of the Kirkwall alienage! At first Nai’ahvier gets a bit suspicious when Varric goes out of his way to help her, but more and more she trusts him. She really likes hanging out with him and will go to him for advice/comfort!

Sera - They disagree on everything, but those different opinions come from similar places. They were both hurt elven kids in the city, but Sera responded by trying to fit in with the humans, while Nai’ahvier ran away to the Dalish; Sera decided not to care what people think, while Nai’ahvier tried ever-harder to please them; Sera is scared of magic, while Nai’ahvier is scared of what people will do to her because of her magic. This makes it hard not to sympathize, at the same the time that it makes agreement impossible

Since arguments between the two often end with both feeling justifiably angry and guilty, they try to avoid them. Instead, they help each other where they can. Sera teaches Nai’ahvier how to not be so worried about what people think, mostly by dragging her into pranks and forcing her to face the not-actually-that-bad consequences. Nai’ahvier helps fast-talk Sera out of trouble – and quietly shows that being elfy isn’t so bad, while easily accepting that Sera doesn’t want to be elfy herself.

Cole - Nai’ahvier is a bit wary of him at first, as the Circle teaches, but soon believes that he really just wants to help, which is definitely something she can get behind. Then she’s worried for him, and will try to change the subject / diffuse the situation / perhaps even defend him, when other companions are rude to him. They can often be found plotting out ways to help, combining Cole's knowledge and Nai’ahvier’s people skills. If he becomes more human, she’s a bit worried that he won’t be as Compassionate, and if he becomes more spirit, she’s a bit sad that he’s forgetting things, but otherwise she’s pretty supportive either way.

A few times when Nai’ahvier’s uncomfortable/scared/guilty, Cole interrupts a conversation to say so – how else will they know to change what they say? – but stops when that makes her more upset. Sometimes he brings up thoughts about her brother or her time in the Circle, which occasionally gets honest responses, but most often ends quickly as Nai’ahvier changes the subject with desperate cheer. She mostly blames herself for being upset rather than him for bringing it up, but she does get mad at him when his interruptions mess up any careful diplomacy.

Blackwall - Initially, they think well enough of each other but don’t have much in common (or in conflict) to talk about. Blackwall makes awkward small talk best he can, Nai’ahvier makes it less awkward best she can. After their respective quests, they get closer: Blackwall’s reveal leads to Nai’ahvier trying to reassure him that it’s ok if he messed up, he’s doing his best now and that’s worth something and she still likes him. Nai’ahvier’s quest leads to Blackwall dad-ing her a bit (or more than a bit); if she apologized, he worries about her and tries to look out for her, and if she stood up for herself, he’s proud of her.

Cassandra - As a human almost-templar, she scares Nai’ahvier, who never starts conversations with her and tries to end them as quickly and politely as possible. Cassandra is a bit hurt and alternates between trying to convince her that templars aren’t that bad in general and that Cassandra isn’t that bad individually. This doesn’t help. After Cassandra’s had her bit of crisis-of-faith over corruption in the Seekers, she apologizes and says she won’t try to defend them anymore. If she’s going to rebuild them she asks Nai’ahvier for advice, and if she isn’t, she admits Nai’ahvier was right. Either way, they’re still not really friends, but now they can have actual conversations.

Iron Bull - Bull is strong and intimidating but nonhuman and kind, so Nai’ahvier latches onto him as a protector, and Nai’ahvier is sweet and tiny and has been through too much, so Bull is happy to step into the role. They discuss pretty flowers and floofy dresses, and they defend each other, and Bull teases Nai’ahvier about her crush on Krem.

If Bull leaves the Qun, she’s quick to remind him that he’s still good and has always been good. If he sacrifices the Chargers, she totally cuts him off, because ironically she likes him enough to let him know she doesn’t like him. She either breaks the silent-except-for-professional-communication treatment once for some distraught lecture-yelling, or forgives him eventually, depending on the outcome of her own quest. And no matter all the choices, Bull keeps trying to look out for her.

Solas - Solas lectures Nai’ahvier a lot. He’s glad to have someone who will listen and nod and tell him how great he is! Nai’ahvier appreciates the guidance and stories sometimes, but appreciates less how he always makes her feel lowkey or even highkey guilty about everything. She keeps talking to him though, because it’s easy to make him happy, and he sets himself up as the kind of person you want to make sure is happy with you.

Vivienne - Familiar with the politicking of Circles and the importance of cultivated reputations, Nai’ahvier quickly recognizes how Vivienne wants to be feared. Likewise, Vivienne recognizes when Nai’ahvier’s affability and cheerfulness is artificial, and why. They get along well, then, with both happy to help the other appear as they wish (not to mention with both genuinely reacting the way the other wants).

Vivienne tries to convince Nai’ahvier of her politics, saying that her skills would serve her better in a controlled, sheltered system than out in the streets. Before her quest, Nai’ahvier squeaks out agreements. Vivienne can tell she doesn’t believe it, but isn’t too put out by it. If Nai’ahvier apologizes in her quest, she starts agreeing more genuinely, but in a way that’s a bit worrying. Vivienne’s triumph is short-lived, and she starts trying to bait Nai’ahvier into her old opinions despite herself. If Nai’ahvier stands up for herself, she instead starts arguing back against Vivienne, who's annoyed at the new lack of wary deference.

Dorian - Dorian means well and is easy to please, so Nai’ahvier gets along with him very well. He gives her tips on magical theory, and they discuss the importance of good aesthetics and warm weather, and she tells him about the Dalish and the Ferelden Circles. Sometimes they talk politics, with Dorian filling in some gaps in Nai’ahvier’s theoretical knowledge, and her filling in some gaps in his privileged view of the world. They bond even more over the similar decision they have to make in their quests – They support each other’s choice, whichever way it goes, and commiserate about the problems of family and forgiveness.

Leliana - Though Nai’ahvier doesn’t dislike her, exactly, she’s definitely a bit wary of the human spymaster. Leliana does nothing to dissuade that, feeling like the sweet girl would be better off far away from the deceit and violence of Leliana’s life. She knows Nai’ahvier isn’t as naïve as she appears, but... better to leave her to her pretend innocence.

Cullen - Being a (former) templar would be bad enough, but Cullen’s history and reputation in particular are enough to send Nai’ahvier into a panic. She avoids him as much as she can, and acts extremely polite and deferential when she can’t. Cullen is pleasantly surprised that she’s so agreeable at first, but soon starts feeling like something’s off. He gets a bit frustrated, and then a bit horrified, as he figures out how scared she is. He pushes aside his guilt enough to ask Josephine for advice on how to fix things, pushes aside his pride enough to admit she’s right and he can’t, and from then on, does his best to aid Nai’ahvier in her quest to never be in the same room as him.

Josephine - They work together in their roles as diplomats: Josephine giving Nai’ahvier tips, Nai’ahvier helping Josephine host dinners, both of them discussing people and places and plans. They’re very fond of each other, as colleagues and as friends! If you mess with Nai’ahver, Josephine will make your life hell. Luckily people don’t do that much on purpose (as Josie is not the only one to feel this way), but woe to the newcomer who calls Nai’ahvier a knife-ear or the clueless templar who doesn’t back off.

Approval:

Approves of:

Being a mage

Recruiting the mages, especially as allies

Leading the Inquisition for order, or what’s right, or as a mage or elf

Putting Briala in charge, through Gaspard or with all three of them

Doing the rituals in the temple of Mythal, and allying with Abelas

Supporting the Dalish

Supporting mage freedom

Diplomatic/clever responses

Being supportive and friendly when speaking to her

Asking for her opinion

Collecting a new type of plant with her in the party

Disapproves of:

Being a human

Killing rebel mages in the Hinterlands

Recruiting the templars, especially as allies

Leading the Inquisition for faith or personal gain or vengeance

Getting Briala and Celene back together, or Gaspard/Celene ruling alone

Banishing the Wardens

Letting Morrigan drink from the well

Sacrificing the Chargers

Supporting Circles

Supporting the Chantry

Harsh judgements, especially tranquility

Rude/inappropriate responses in tense situations

Ordering people around, insults, or taking contributions for granted

Choosing the templar specialization

Greetings:

Pre-quest:

Good morning, Herald/Inquisitor!

*humming*- Oh, Herald/Inquisitor, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there!

Lord/Lady (last name), how can I help you?

Did you need something, ser?

(Although if you’ve expressed displeasure at honorifics/titles, she’ll drop them.)

Stood up for herself, high approval:

Good morning!

*humming*- Oh, (last name)! Hello!

What’s going on?

*playing harp* Hey, do you think that last bit sounded ok?

(if you get the last one, you get options to say it was great or it needs work, or you can go straight to other topics)

Stood up for herself, medium approval:

Same as pre-quest.

Stood up for herself, low approval:

What do you need from me?

Inquisitor.

Make it quick, please.

Apologized, high/medium approval:

Same as pre-quest.

Apologized, medium/low approval:

Lord/Lady Inquisitor, ser!

(alternatively) Lo- Ser- (last name)!

Lord/Lady Inquisitor, please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help!

Approval is too low, pre-quest or if Nai’ahvier apologized:

She’s just gone. She isn’t in the garden, her party selection card is greyed out, and her equipment is in the storage chest at Undercroft. You can ask each companion if they know where she’s off to.

Varric: Sorry your Inquisitorialness, but if that was a story Hummingbird wanted to tell, I think she already would have.

Sera: Why’re you askin? The high and mighty Herald is a bit above the likes of her, yeah? That’s what I heard.

Cole: Worried, wandering, wondering, what if I made the wrong choice? No, I know I did, nothing to do but not do it more.

Blackwall (before his quest): She’ll show up if she wants to.

Blackwall (after his quest): Have you checked the jails of Orlais?

Cassandra: I’ve been wondering as well; the walk to the Chantry is quieter without her singing.

Iron Bull (if chargers were sacrificed): [sighs] She’s gotten rather skilled at avoiding me, Boss. I couldn’t tell you more than anyone else.

Iron Bull (otherwise): I’ve been looking around, and so have my Chargers. There’s no trace.

Krem: I've got nothing to say, Inquisitor. 

Solas: Our paths don’t often cross. I will let you know if I discover anything.

Vivienne: She’s run off? A shame.

Dorian: I did notice that she hasn’t been by recently. Perhaps she doesn’t want to be found?

Josephine: She informed me she wouldn’t be able to make a few diplomatic meetings; I’d assumed she was on an errand for you?

Cullen: Ha, as if I would know. That girl avoids me like the plague.

Leliana: Of course I've been keeping tabs on her. I strongly suggest, however, that you stop trying to find her. She seemed unhappy with the Inquisition’s actions and atmosphere, and wouldn’t want to be bothered.

(diplomatic) I wish she’d said something. Leliana: I wish she hadn’t felt like she needed to leave.

(sarcastic) So we’re letting a member of the Inquisition’s inner circle just disappear without a word? Leliana: Yes.

(aggressive) I need to know what she’s doing and why she left. Leliana: She would not want you to know. > I’m the Inquisitor. Tell me where she is. Leliana: I will not. I will tell you that this kind of reaction is likely why she didn’t talk to you about leaving in the first place.

After you’ve spoken to Leliana, the options to ask anyone are gone.

Approval is too low, if Nai’ahvier stood up for herself:

She confronts you as you enter skyhold.

Inquisitor. I have something to say.

> What is it?

I joined the Inquisition to do good, so I could be part of a greater cause, but you haven’t been doing much good at all. (if you sided with the Templars) You left the very mages I was trying to protect to be enslaved by the Venatori. You’ve killed many of them yourself. (if you've punished anyone with tranquility) You’ve set precedent that tranquility is a reasonable way to stop mages who have wronged you, when it should be seen as a heinous breach of rights that is never warranted. Once you’ve said it’s an acceptable punishment at all, where will you draw the line? And how much lower, then, will others draw it? (if you sacrificed the chargers) You told The Iron Bull to watch all his men die, when he could have easily saved them. They trusted him. He trusted you. I know sometimes you have to make tough choices, I know sometimes people die, but Krem didn’t have to be one of them! (if you didn’t do any of the preceding) You’re rude and selfish and mean and you lead your followers in awful directions. You’re exactly the kind of person I never wanted to have to tiptoe around again. (if you’re a human) I should have known better than to trust a shem. (if you’re a qunari mage or an elf or you romanced her) I thought I could trust you, but I was wrong.

I don’t want to be a part of the things you’re doing anymore. You don’t deserve the Dalish’s support, and you don’t deserve my support. I have friends here in the Inquisition, but you’re not one of them, so I’m not going to act like it anymore.

(special - if romanced) I’m.. not your friend? I tried to forgive you, again and again. But I’m sick of making excuses for why my so-called loved-ones don’t seem to care about how I feel about what they’re doing. I’m not going to follow you around, desperately trying to fix your mistakes, not this time.

(stoic) What are you going to do instead, then.

(confused) This is so sudden, where is this coming from? It’s not my fault you don’t pay attention to your followers’ opinions of your leadership.

(sad) Are you going to leave?

(angry) Get out, then. Of course, Oh Mighty Inquisitor. (the rest of the conversation is skipped)

I wish I hadn’t joined at all, I should have stayed in the Hinterlands helping the mages, but it’s too late to go back to that. It’s too late for them. Corypheus does still need to be stopped, and not everyone here is as awful as you, so I’m willing to stay for a time for their sake. I’ll fight against Corypheus, but I won’t help you or the Inquisition with anything else, and if that means I have to leave, I’m okay with that too.

(1) I need all the help I can get. A good choice, for once.

(2) If you don’t support me, I don’t want you here. Fair enough. I hope I never see you again.

If you tell her to stay, she’s still in the garden, but you won’t get the Dalish war table missions anymore, and you won’t be able to put her in your party unless you’re facing Corypheus. If you tell her to leave, you still get her equipment back, because she’s polite like that.

Romance:

Orientation:

Nai’ahvier is bi and ace. You might figure out her orientation from her banter, especially with Cole, Sera, or Bull, but banter of course depends on who you bring with you, and some of it’s more subtle, so you might not.

Humans are locked out of her romance, mostly. Noble Trevelyan the human Inquisitor is just a bit too much for her!

Flirting:

Flirting with Nai’ahvier mostly involves being complementary, understanding, appreciative, and funny. Sometimes she responds with polite grace, but sometimes she’s more touched and flustered. (Or if you’re human, she’s wary and tries to deflect and change the subject.)

There are a few examples throughout the scenes I’ve written, but here are some more:

>Nai’ahvier? I’m so sorry, I didn’t notice you there, Inquisitor!

(flirt) Don’t worry about it, you’re cute when you’re concentrating. Oh! Um, I, >You’re cute when you’re flustered, too. Th- thank you, you, you’re also, um, that is,, Oh, Creators.

>Thanks for your help! It’s no problem, Inquisitor.

(flirt) I mean it; I don’t know what I’d do without you. (if non-human) (slightly approves) That’s... I mean it too, it’s no problem, (last name). I like helping you. (if human) I’m sure you’d do fine, Ser. You’re very competent. I’m glad I can help the Inquisition though, in my own little way.

Starting the romance:

After you’ve completed her quest, you get the option to approach her to start a romance.

(flirt) I really like you. You.. like me? >You’re kind and cute and I love being around you. (slightly approves) (Last name)... >I’d like to be around you more, if you want. Are you, um, do you mean that the way I think you do? That depends, are you thinking that I mean it the way that I do mean it? [blushing and flustered] Come on, that’s no answer!

(<3) I like you, and I want to hold your hand and listen to you sing and tell you romantic things that make you blush. That’s how I mean it. (if nonhuman + high approval + either quest end) Oh, Mythal, I’d thought maybe, but what if I just, but now you..! Really? I mean, yes, that is what I want, I. I like you too. I’d like that too. (if nonhuman + low approval + either quest end) (if nonhuman + medium approval + stood up for herself) Oh Mythal, I.. I’m sorry, you’re great, but the world’s so hectic right now, I think I’m not quite ready for that? I need some time to think about it... I’m sorry! (if human + any approval + stood up for herself) Wow, I’m, I’m honored, but.. we’re in the middle of a war, and you’re Inquisitor and it just wouldn’t be appropriate! I’m sorry. You’re great, but.. I don’t. think we could do that. (if nonhuman + medium approval + apologized) (if human + any approval + apologized) I... I’m honored. I want that as well. You’re great, Inquisitor, I’d love to spend more time with you.

If she tells you you need more time, you can keep asking.

(<3) So.. have you thought about what I asked you? (if approval is still too low) A little, but, uh... Not enough? I’m sorry. (if approval has been raised enough) Actually, I.. I have. and. I think I’d like that too, the- the things you said. So, um, yes? To, um.. Creators, sorry, I’m not making sense, I mean. I think I like you too!

Romance cards:

(if she apologized)

(if she stood up for herself)

Companion Comments:

Next time you talk to Josie after you’ve started the romance, a cutscene is triggered.

Inquisitor! Could I speak to you for a moment? > Of course. What is it? I’ve noticed you spending more time with our lovely Dalish Ambassador. Are the rumors true? Are you two involved?

(diplomatic) Yes. I’m quite fond of her, and it turns out she’s fond of me too.

(sarcastic) That’s one way to put it.

(aggressive) What business is it of yours if we are? [gives a Look] > ...We are.

I only ask because, she can be rather.. overly accommodating. (if Nai’ahvier apologized) She’s very good at filling the roles that other people want her to. She says what they want to hear, especially if they have power, as you do, Inquisitor. If you two have disagreements, which all people eventually do, she may be afraid to speak her mind. You must be careful not to pressure her. I worry that she is doing what she knows you want, rather than what she wants. (if Nai’ahvier stood up for herself) She’s been doing better at speaking up, and you helped her with that, for which I’m glad. However, she still sometimes puts the needs of others above her own. If you want a successful relationship, you must keep that in mind, and be careful not to pressure her.

She is dear to many of us in Skyhold; we would hate to see her hurt. I hope she proves my worry misplaced, and I hope you prove it unneeded.

A few other people around Skyhold have comments as well:

Krem: So, you and Nai’ahvier, eh? Quite a catch you’ve got there, Your Worship. She’s real sweet. The Chargers are fond of her, so try to keep her safe, alright?

Sera (if Nai’ahvier apologized): Elfy girl’s a bit of a push-over, yeah? And if you pushed her over, pchewwww splat, she’d go down right hard. You say dive, she says how deep, won’t even check first to see if there’s pointy rocks at the bottom, ya know? So, don’t.

Ideally that’s all you’ll get, but just in case, a fair amount of the inner circle has a shovel talk ready. The lower your approval with Nai’ahvier is, the more of them you get, starting with the companions who like you the least.

(If you get very low, as in a few slightly disapproves from Nai’ahvier leaving the Inquisition altogether, Josephine confronts you again, and warns you as a diplomat and a friend that you really need to break up with Nai’ahvier: she’s obviously unhappy, but unwilling to speak up about it.)

Romance Quest:

You arrive in the garden, and stop for a bit to listen to Nai’ahvier’s song. It’s not really a whole song today, though; she’s tapping the side of her harp absentmindedly as she stares into space and hums the same line over and over, each time tacking another few notes onto the end and then trailing off in frustration.

(diplomatic) Are you composing something? Remembering something, actually.

(sarcastic) Forget the end, did you? [sighs] More like the entire song.

(aggressive) [wave a hand in front of her face] Oh, (last name)! Sorry, not much of a performance today. Just trying to remember something...

>What song is that?

Some Dalish love song, I don’t even know the name. It might have to do with flowers? My mom used to sing it a lot, but unlike most of her lullabies, I never heard it in Clan Alerion... It must be a favorite of hers that's out of style or something. I know it starts out like Ahh hmhmm hmm hmhmmmm, hmmmm hmmm hm..... but that’s it. I wish I remembered the words.

You get a quest to go ask the Dalish of the Exalted Plains about the song, or if you’re Lavellan and your clan is alive, you can have Josephine send them a message instead. Either way, no one has heard of it, but they recommend that you ask a certain music-lover they remember from a clan meet.

You get a war table mission to locate the Dalish musician. Turns out they do know the song, and they teach it to you! They tell you that a girl wrote it for her sweetheart a few generations back, and mostly only her family knows it.

Next time you talk to Nai’ahvier, you tell her you have a song for her this time, and she settles down cheerfully to listen.

Ar dirthara, ma’arlath Whenever life is troubling you

Her eyes widen as she recognizes it.

Ar dirthara, our light Whenever times are dark-

She starts sobbing, and you cut yourself off in worry.

(diplomatic) Nai’ahvier? Is everything alright?? Yes, I’m, I just,

(sarcastic) I didn’t think my singing was that bad. [laugh sob]

(aggressive) I... don’t suppose that’s happy crying? I, yes, or, mostly it is, I just,

I thought I’d, never hear that song again, I’d, forgotten, and I’m, I promise I’m, so glad, to hear it, but also, it’s so... I haven’t heard it in so long I just, remember it in Mamae’s voice, and, I miss her, but I, think she’d, be happy, that you, that I have you, here, that you can, sing it for me, since she- can’t, and, I, you, how hard was it to find, just for, just for me, thank you, I, thank you,

You step forward, hand outstretched but hovering, unsure what kind of comfort to give. She launches herself into your arms and cries on your shoulder. You hug her tight, till she eventually steps back a bit, wiping at her eyes. She smiles through the remaining tears, then leans forward - pauses for your nod - and gives you a quick kiss.

She asks quietly if you could start the song again, since she interrupted. The cutscene ends with both of you sitting in the garden side by side, leaning into each other, a fond look on your face as you sing, a wavery smile on Nai’ahvier’s as she listens.

Ar Dirthara is added to the list of songs you can request from her. The first time you ask her to play it, she explains to a non-elven inquisitor that “ar dirthera” is the name of a flower meaning “know of me / remember me”, similar to the human Forget-Me-Not. To an elven inquisitor, she remarks upon how ironic it is to have forgotten a song about remembering, conveying the same information to the player.

Next scene:

You’re winding down in your room after a long day. Nai’ahvier knocks, then enters, bearing a report she meant to get to you earlier. She hesitates after the official conversation is over, though.

Could I.. stay for a bit?

(diplomatic) You’re always welcome. (slightly approves) [smiles] Oh, good.

(sarcastic) I hope you don’t have more reports. [giggles] Nope, that was it. And, even that one was, um, actually more of an excuse.

(aggressive) Why? (if she apologized) You’re always so busy.. I thought it might be nice if I came to you, for once. (if she stood up for herself) Actually, um.. it’s silly, I just. I don’t.. want to cross Skyhold again quite yet, because, the templars are out doing something tonight? And there’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you, anyway!

You invite her to join you where you’re sitting on the edge of your bed. You talk some, and then there’s a natural lull in the conversation as you look at each other, and you ask...

> May I kiss you?

She nods. You reach to touch the side of her face, brushing her hair back. She closes her eyes. You kiss her.

She hesitantly rests her hand on your hip for a moment, before pulling back, breaking the kiss.

Could we... could we talk about something for a moment?

(diplomatic) Of course.

(sarcastic) Now? (slightly disapproves) (if she apologized) I’m sorry, but it’s um, kind of relevant. (if she stood up for herself) Yes.

(aggressive) What?

I, um. I thought I should tell you, before um, you.. That is..... [covers face with hands] Sorry, sorry, give me a second.

> ...

> You thought you should tell me about..?

About, that.. I don’t want to have sex. With you, or, with anyone. Ever.

(?) Why not? I’m just... not interested in it, it seems... really gross and not so good? I would never think about it, if other people didn’t talk about it so much, and when I do it’s just. I just don’t get it. It’s not for me.

(?) You don’t want me? I... I want to talk to you and hold your hand and say sappy things and, maybe kiss you more, but I. I don’t. want you that way, no. I’m sorry.

(?) Have you at least given it a try? (slightly disapproves) No. I don’t plan to.

(diplomatic) I’m glad you felt like you could tell me this.

(sarcastic) Well, this isn’t what I was expecting from tonight.

(aggressive) Alright.

So, um, I just thought I should tell you. So you aren’t.. expecting anything. If you, want to break it off over this, um, it’s ok, I understand. Just.. let me know.

(1) I guess this won’t work out. (2) But sex is great! Especially with me. (3) I don’t want to break up, but... (4) This doesn’t change anything.

(1) Well. It seems we’re both looking for different things in a relationship. I guess this isn’t going to work out.

Oh.

(diplomatic) I’m really sorry. It’s fine.

(sarcastic) Nothing personal, yeah? Of course.

(aggressive) That it’s, then. I’m sorry for leading you on.

I’ll just take my leave, then. Thank you for understanding. I hope you find someone who can give you what you need.

</3

(2) How can you know for sure if you haven’t done it? I promise I’ll make it good.

(if she apologized) (greatly disapproves) until her approval is at zero I. I’m sure you would. You’re right, maybe I should think about it more. Or less. Thank you for talking with me about this. It’s getting late and I promised to meet with Bull tonight so I have to go, but I’ll see you soon. (She leaves the Inquisition, as previously described, except that Bull’s answer changes to “No offense, but fuck off, Boss.”)

(if she stood up for herself) (greatly disapproves) I don’t have to set you on fire right now for you to know if you want me to, and I’d guess you don’t. And while I’m tempted about the fire, I’m sure about the sex. Thanks for the clear answer, I guess. See you around, Inquisitor.

</3

(3) I'd never want you to do something you don’t want to, but I really don’t know if I can commit to celibacy for the foreseeable future.. I don’t want to leave you, but I just...

I, um, I wouldn’t mind if you, that is, um. You.. don’t have to commit to celibacy? I don’t want to have sex, but, I get that most people do, and, I don’t want to leave you either, so, um...

> You’re... giving me permission to sleep with other people?

Y es? I. really don’t mind. I want you to be happy. Just.. try not to fall in love with them?

(<3) We might have to discuss some more specifics, but, if you’re sure you’re ok with it then.. that could work. I want to make this work. (approves) Oh good. I really, really want this to work, too.

(</3) I don’t think it would work. We should end this here. Alright. That makes sense. I hope you find someone who can give you what you need.

(4) Don’t worry about it. This doesn’t change anything.

(approves) Really? You... You’re sure?

(diplomatic) Of course. I love you just how you are. (slightly approves)

(sarcastic) You already give me flowers and blush when I compliment you, what more could I want? (slightly approves)

(aggressive) I’d never want anything from you that you don’t want to give. Never. (approves)

I.. I never thought..... I’m so, I don’t know what to say, I. I’m so happy.

> That’s all I want.

Conversation topics:

After you start dating, there are a few more options when you speak to her.

Repeatable scene:

(flirt) Can I join you? Of course, (last name)! (or, after the romance is confirmed) Always, Ma’arlath.

You wander around the garden a bit, chatting indistinctly, pausing as Nai’ahvier crouches to pick a flower, or cast a spell on a wilting plant. Then you both settle on the bench near her harp, and comfortable silence (cut by the background murmur of the garden) falls. She weaves the flowers into a crown, as you admire the scenery, and her.

After the cutscene, you both have flower crowns equipped. They do nothing, and disappear when removed or when you leave skyhold.

Breaking up:

(</3) I think this isn’t working out. We should break up. (if she apologized)

You.. You don’t... want to be with me anymore? I’m, I’m sorry, what did I do wrong?

(diplomatic) I want you to be happy, and you just didn’t seem happy with me. I’m the one in the wrong, not you. (if low/medium approval) (greatly approves) I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it work. You didn’t do anything wrong, I’m just... not ready for this, I guess. Thank you for thinking of my happiness. I don’t deserve someone like you. (if high approval) (slightly approves) ... Of course, Inquisitor. Thank you for thinking of me. I hope we can remain friends as we find our happiness elsewhere. I hope you find someone who returns your love as you deserve.

(sarcastic) This just doesn’t seem to be the best thing for either of us. It was fun, but it wasn’t going anywhere. I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it work. I hope you find something that goes where you want it to. (if low approval) (approves)

(aggressive) I feel like you don’t really appreciate me. I’m tired of investing myself in this relationship when you obviously aren’t doing the same. (slightly disapproves) I’m sorry, I promise I was trying, I do appreciate you, you’re so amazing and, I promise, I’ll try to do better, if you, give me another chance, and tell me what you need, I’m, you’re right, I don’t deserve this, you’re too good for me, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. (<3) Alright. One more chance. (approves) Thank you, I don’t deserve this, thank you. (</3) No, it’s too late. (slightly approves) You’re right, I don’t deserve it, I’m sorry for wasting your time, I won’t bother you again.

(</3) I think this isn’t working out. We should break up. (if she stood up for herself)

[a friendly, happy smile melts into a look of shock and distress] You.... [breathes in deep then meets your eyes solemnly.] Alright. Fair enough. You’ll still... Can we still be friends? Or would you rather...

(diplomatic) Of course we can still be friends. (approves) Oh, good. I’d miss your company a lot, if we stopped talking altogether. Friends is... staying friends is great.

(sarcastic) Well, as members of the Inquisition’s inner circle, I sure hope we can still get along. (slightly approves) Yes, I, hope so too. (aggressive) We’ll see how things go. Of course, Inquisitor.

After she’s called you Ma’arlath:

(?) You called me...

Hmm?

(if the Inquistor is an elf)

(diplomatic) You said, ma’arlath. I love you too, emma da’enansal, vhenan’ara.

(sarcastic) your love. Did you think I wouldn’t catch that?

(aggressive) Ah, never mind. Ma’arlath.

(if the Inquisitor is a human, qunari, or dwarf)

> Marlath?

Oh, um, arlath, yes. ma’arlath.

> What does it mean, if you don’t mind me asking?

It’s Elvhen for.. [blushing, she starts took look away, then stops, and meets your eyes instead] My love.

Non-romanced Romance:

If you don’t romance Nai’ahvier, she dates Krem!

Lead-up:

Once you’ve got both Nai’ahvier and the Chargers recruited and have moved to Skyhold, party banter starts mentioning Nai’ahvier’s crush on Krem. Sera teases her and gives her bad advice and makes funny nsfw suggestions. Bull teases her and gives her good advice and makes funny overly-pg suggestions.

The banter stops if you haven’t locked into a romance and you’ve flirted with Nai’ahvier more than anyone else, or flirted with her a few times and have high approval. But if not, or if you begin her romance but break up with her, it continues. Solas side-eyes her for her interest in a human. Cole reveals some of her gooshy romantic thoughts, to her great embarrassment, and starts to reveal something Krem has thought before she shushes him. Dorian suggests some Tevinter methods of courtship.

If Krem dies:

If you bring Nai’ahvier with you on Bull’s mission, then when the time comes for the decision, she tries her best to convince you to not trust the Qunari deal, to think of the PR, to remember how helpful the Chargers have been – she turns to Bull and begs him to be loyal to his followers and repay their trust, to follow his heart, to think for himself for once – she has to be held back from signaling the retreat herself. When it’s obvious she hasn’t succeeded, she runs off, spells crackling along her staff, hoping she’s not too late to do something.

In banter, several companions express their condolences, with varying opinions on the necessity of the sacrifice. Nai’ahvier replies with quiet agreements and “thank you”s and “don’t worry about me”s. Bull’s attempt at apology and explanation is pointedly ignored.

Back at Skyhold, you can talk to her about your decision.

(diplomatic) I'm so sorry it turned out this way. (if she apologized) It’s not your fault. (if she stood up for herself) Of course. Inquisitor.

(sarcastic) Well, that turned to shit, huh. Life sucks. Heh. Yes. It does sometimes.

(aggressive) It was the only thing I could do. (slightly disapproves) (if she apologized) Being the one who has to make the tough calls must be difficult. (if she stood up for herself) I suppose it is the only thing you could do.

If Nai’ahvier apologizes:

She decides not to act on her crush. Varric reassures her that things will go ok even if Krem turns her down, and Bull says he probably won’t. Sera cooks up silly fanfic-esque plots, which Blackwall laughs at despite his efforts to back up Nai’ahvier’s protests. Vivienne gives her a pep talk, telling her to seize what she wants.

But she doesn’t want to.

She doesn’t want to drag Krem into her life. She doesn’t want to be a burden. She’s planning to join her brother when Corypheus is defeated, so, why bother starting something that can’t last.

Krem will mention that the cute elven girl with the flowers hasn’t been around the tavern lately, what a shame.

If Krem lives and Nai’ahvier stands up for herself:

She gathers her courage – she starts to talk directly with Krem more, rather than just hanging around the edges of group conversations – she gets a last round of advice – she asks him to go on a picnic with her. Afterwards, he asks her to join him for a night of drinks and cards. He starts hanging out in the garden sometimes. She starts hanging out with the Chargers sometimes.

Or at least, this is what you gather from banter! There’s lots of ribbing and “about time”s and winks all around. Cassandra tries her best not to ask, starry-eyed, for details. Varric pretends to quote the back of their romance novel. Nai’ahvier, answers some questions and shuts down others, embarrassed but happy.

The End:

If Nai’ahvier apologized, she breaks up with a romanced inquisitor, saying it wouldn’t be fair not to, since she’s leaving. Romanced or not, she promised her brother she’d help him once Corypheus was defeated, and now- off she goes.

If she stood up for herself, she’s planning to travel, and assist the Dalish and mages of all kinds however she can. If romanced, she asks you to keep her updated and she’ll try to do the same, so you can visit each other whenever both your schedules allow. Not romanced, she still asks a medium/high approval Inquisitor to keep up correspondence with her.

Trespasser:

If Nai’ahvier apologized:

She’s a bit reluctant to give details to what she’s been up to, since you’re part of a law-keeping organization and all, and what she does say seems... off. She’s happy to see you and the rest of her friends, and seems to brighten up when you speak to her, but overall seems worried and lost.

The revelations about the Dalish gods turns her a little bitter - the nice stories were always just too-nice stories. The truth is worse than she ever could have guessed. She’s horrified at Solas’s plan, but then- things are so awful.

The ending slides show her leaving, to help he who she promised she would help - you hope she’s going back to her brother, and not Solas’s armies.

If Nai’ahvier stood up for herself:

She’s full of stories about the places she’s been and the people she’s seen. If you have high approval she reminisces fondly about the Inquisition, and if you have low then she makes some pointed comments, and either way she gives you some good diplomatic advice.

If Nai’ahvier romanced Krem, they have a very cute reunion, and she mentions that the world has settled enough that it’d be nice to take a break - perhaps travel with a mercenary band? Separately, Krem mentions that he could use a break from fighting - perhaps it would be nice to, uh.. yeah, whatever Nai’ahvier wants to do.

If the Inquisitor romanced Nai’ahvier, she says she’s tired of missing you - it seems like it’s been so long since you were last able to meet up with each other. Everything depends on how the talks go, on what the fate of the Inquisition is, but... she hopes that after this, you two can stay closer, still making the world a better place in your own ways - but together, this time.

The revelations about the Dalish gods are shocking, but luckily not too personally earth-shattering - she enjoyed her mother’s stories, but never quite believed. What she does believe in is the goodness of people and the importance of culture, and learning about the the “true” past of the elves makes her more sure in her love for the Dalish than ever. She’s horrified by Solas’s plan, and while she usually leans towards more peaceful conflict-resolution herself, she will support you if you must fight him. She will stand up for herself and her people.

The ending slides show her dedicating herself to teaching the world how to get along with mages instead of being dicks and making everything worse. If she romanced Krem, he joins her, and they sometimes travel with the Chargers, and they adopt a bunch of kiddos. If the Inquisitor romanced her and still leads an organization, she makes her base there and travels when her work calls for it, happy to return home between missions. If the Inquisitor romanced her and has left the Inquisition behind, they travel together. In any of these endings, she is sure of her choices, and dedicated to living the best life she can.