History VideoGame / DragonAgeII

* TrailersAlwaysSpoiler: The announcement cinematic trailer no less. In it, we see a powerful Qunari kill the Viscount of Kirkwall at the start of the trailer. In the game itself, that Qunari turns out to be the Arishok and [[spoiler:he does indeed kill the Viscount when he decides to take control of Kirkwall.]]

** Anders spends the entire story championing for mage rights, forming a mage underground to help mages escape Kirkwall. However, the worsening situation in Kirkwall combined with the influence of the spirit Justice (with whom Anders fused before the events of the game) cause his actions to become increasingly extreme. If he is friends with Hawke, [[spoiler:Anders will take full responsibility after destroying the Chantry and kickstarting a war between mages and Templars, [[NecessarilyEvil believing it was for the best]] and practically begging Hawke to kill him so Justice can be free and Anders can become a martyr for the mages.]] However, if he is rivals with Hawke, [[spoiler:Anders will realise the error of his ways and try to back out of blowing up the Chantry, only for Justice to take control and cause him to do it anyway. Anders will be completely horrified by what he's done and will fully admit that his own anger at the Templars has corrupted Justice into a spirit of Vengeance. In this case, he asks Hawke to kill him out of guilt and fear that Vengeance will cause more damage, but will even side with the Templars if Hawke asks it of him, something a non-rivalry Anders will flat out refuse to do.]]

* LiteraryAgentHypothesis: How Varric begins the story; the [[FakeActionPrologue prologue]] is somewhat similar to what actually happens, with marked differences. See FramingDevice and ATasteOfPower above.

* RoaringRampageOfRescue: Hawke and friends during the "All That Remains" quest. [[spoiler: Unsuccessfully.]]

** Taken UpToEleven because the Chantry could not bring themselves to destroy so perfect an image of Andraste, even if they found her nudity taboo, that they simply rendered the sculpture invisible. [[spoiler: So now people "study" it by touch.]]

** Merrill expressing her desire to own a baby griffon called "''Feathers''" in party banter, only for someone to remind her that they are ''extinct''.[[note]]Arguably doubles as foreshadowing, since the tie-in novel ''Last Flight'' reveals the discovery of an intact clutch of griffon eggs in 9:42 Dragon.[[/note]]

** [[spoiler:King Alistair]] is concerned with tensions between Ferelden and Orlais, which could lead to war between the two countries. He also mentions that Orlais has factions of its own. Come ''Asunder''...

** With regards to the Qunari, while there are MultipleEndings involved and we don't know which is the "real" one yet, odds are ''very'' good that not only do they [[spoiler:STILL not have their relic, but now they've ''also'' lost a large contingent of soldiers and an Arishok (you know, one of the three people that rule Qunari society)]]. No one with half a brain could possibly expect them to take that lying down.

** From the ''Legacy'' DLC, there's strong implications that [[spoiler: Corypheus survived the final battle and is on the loose. Sure enough, guess who the main antagonist in ''Inquisition'' is?]]
** The DLC ''Mark of the Assassin'' adds another one if you bring Aveline (an Orlesian) along. Her personal sidequest culminates in a battle with a Revenant, all for a small note linking her father's late doppelganger to the Orlesian "game." The characters are just as confused as the player, but it's yet another hint toward Orlais as the setting of the third game. [[spoiler:Orlais does figure prominently in ''Inquisition,'' sure enough.]]
** Should you spare [[spoiler: Anders]], Sebastian declares [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge that he will return to Starkhaven, gather an army and then raze Kirkwall to the ground]]. He makes good on it in ''Inquisition''.

** Ser Alrik is [[spoiler:making mages Tranquil and using them for this purpose. It's not stated explicitly, but consider the Tranquil mage in the Gallows courtyard who blankly tells her former lover, "I am Ser Alrik's now." He almost spells it out during the quest "Dissent," when he tells the teenage Ella that "Once you're Tranquil, you'll do ''anything'' I want."]]

* SituationalSexuality: Averted. Only Isabela makes any mention of being attracted to both sexes; Anders only mentions a male partner to a male Hawke; and both Fenris and Merrill show no interest unless romanced. But WordOfGod is that they were all written to be bisexual.

** On a couple of occasions, characters will lie to Hawke in an attempt to gain clemency. Hawke never gets the option to call them out on this, but the ''player'' can certainly use when deciding how to act.

** In the ''Legacy'' DLC, [[spoiler:even if Hawke kills Corypheus, one of the Grey Wardens who brought you will act obviously possessed, strongly implying that Corypheus body-hopped after you slew him, but Hawke and co. have no choice but to stand there and watch him go on his merry way. This makes Hawke and Varric's insistence that they were ''sure'' Corypheus died in ''Inquisition'' sound more like they're trying to convince themselves.]]
* SuccessionCrisis: After [[spoiler: Viscount Dumar]] dies with no heir, [[spoiler: Meredith uses this to justify taking over his responsibilities. Then she opposes any attempt to replace him until the "blood mage problem" is dealt with. After three years of this, even the most well-off in Kirkwall are getting wary of her.]]

** A more subtle example is that the heraldry on the Amell family's coat of arms, which Hawke takes as their personal sigil, includes a crossed sword and staff.

* ThievesGuild: The Coterie.
** Also the Carta.

* UnholyGround: The entire city of Kirkwall. It's revealed the city's very architecture is designed to harness arcane power and was used in an immense blood ritual, the sacrificing of ''thousands'' of slaves secretly abducted from the slavery trade, which took place during the Tevinter Empire days. [[spoiler: This mass slaughter may have been to fuel the very ritual Tevinter Magisters used to enter the Black City and unleash the Blight on Thedas.]] As a result, the Veil is noticeably much weaker in Kirkwall with demons, blood mages and abominations far more frequent that any other location. Worse still the Chantry and Templars decided that the old slave prison was the best place to house the Circle of Magi. Unsurprisingly, the death rate for Harrowings, a trainee mage's final rite of passage, is ''far'' higher than anywhere else.

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: Following on from the first game. However morally gray the overall setting is, there are some actions without any justification - e.g, [[spoiler: giving Feynriel to a demon or Fenris to Danarius.]]

-->'''Aveline:''' [[spoiler: I have to admit, Anders: of the mages I know, you're the one I expected to go out in a blaze.]]
-->'''Anders:''' [[spoiler: The day is young.]]

--> '''Hawke''': All right, so she said to look at the crest sideways, then cover the... Sweet Maker! Isabela! I cannot unsee that!

--> '''Bethany''': Too late. The images are in my head and they are ''never, ever'' going away.

-->'''Viscount Dumar:''' I'm preparing for the worst. The very worst. This may require absorbent linens.

--> '''Isabela:''' I ''really'' should have visited the privy before coming here.

--> '''Isabela:''' Does he Arl your Eamon? Or Cup your Joining? Shank your Jory?

--> [[spoiler:'''Alistair:''' Yes, swooping is bad.]]

--> "Well, well... what have we here?"

--> '''Hawke''': Tell me more about your triumvirate.
--> '''Arishok''': No.
--> '''Hawke''': Now you're just being difficult.

** In the ''Mark Of The Assassin'' DLC, Tallis mentions that the Antaam has "Made grousing a sport", which we saw earlier with Sten's memories of his soldiers in the Fade in ''Origins''.

** Leliana appears in both the ''Exiled Prince'' and the ''Mark of the Assassin'' DLC, [[spoiler:having become "the Hand of the Divine" - a sort of secret agent for the head of the Chantry. She also makes an appearance in the ending of the main game, having been working with Cassandra the whole time. (As we learn in the next game, they are known as the Left and Right Hands of the Divine, respectively.)]]

-->'''Varric:''' Another secret society meeting in a warehouse. You think the owners charge them rent?

* DisproportionateRetribution: If you supported [[TheEvilPrince Bhelen]] for the throne of Orzammar in ''Origins'', the sequel reveals that he apparently had all of House Harrowmont murdered for opposing him, save for one nephew who is now on the run. If Hawke helps Renvil Harrowmont escape Kirkwall, it's revealed that Bhelen's assassins continue to hound him as far as Rivain.

--> '''Drunk Miner 1''': What? My farm supplied eggplant to half the bastards in South Reach!
--> '''Drunk Miner 2''': Well, my eggplant supplied half the bastards in South Reach!
--> '''Hawke''': *facepalm*

--> '''Lia''': He didn't mean to hurt me, he told me. There are demons that make him do these horrible things.
--> '''Hawke''': *facepalm* I'll have to remember that next time. ''A demon made me do it.''

--> '''Sebastian:''' Don't think he won't choose his cause over you.

-->'''Emeric:''' Imagine if it was someone you loved.

-->'''Isabela:''' You want to free the mages. [[spoiler: Let's say you do, but to get there you kill a bunch of innocent people.]]

* GilliganCut: During the ''Mark of the Assassin'' DLC, when [[spoiler:Hawke and Tallis get thrown into the dungeon]], Hawke can state that their two (currently free) companions will get them out. Cut to the two companions... hopelessly lost. Made even funnier if the other two party members are Anders and Fenris, because not only are they hopelessly lost, they're too busy arguing to make a real attempt at finding Hawke.

* HoldingOutForAHero: Rampant, a fact that Hawke gleefully lampshades if you choose the snarky option..

-->'''Hawke:''' [[LampshadeHanging Your first mistake was naming it the Bone Pit.]]
-->'''Varric:''' Why couldn't they call it "The Pie Fields"? Everyone likes pie.

--> '''Isabela''': Don't forget to loot the bodies.\\

--->''"Don't...'''MAN'''-handle the uuuurrrchin! [[Creator/WilliamShatner He's not... for sale...]] '''FIND YOUR OWN!'''"''

** This happens a lot with your companions, sometimes due to the Friendship and Rivalry system. (It can be especially obvious in party banter and talks with some companions, like Fenris, that they see you as a friend or a rival; others will just use default phrases and sayings no matter what.) However, a particularly off-putting example is with Merrill; if you [[spoiler: don't let her fix the mirror and are a rival, she will yell at you that she never wants to see you again. She has lost everything to fix the mirror, now she can't even do that, hates your guts and it really comes across the way she is basically holding back the tears as she shouts at you... [[GameplayAndStorySegregation you can then immediately have her back in your party]] and the naive and amusing banter continues...]]

* NonStandardSkillLearning: Reaching either end of the [[RelationshipValues Friendship/Rivalry scale]] of a party member made it [[UndyingLoyalty lock there permanently]] and unlocked that character's unique permanent bonus.

--> '''Flemeth''': Kirkwall? My, so far to simply flee the darkspawn?
--> '''Hawke''': Do you have a better suggestion? [[SarcasmMode I hear the Deep Roads are now vacant.]]
--> '''Flemeth''': *''laughs''* Oh, you I ''like''!

--> '''Idunna''': How did you ... [[PrecisionFStrike Oh shit]]!

-->"You have my thanks... ''and my sympathies''."

--> '''Hawke''': Let's be more specific. [[EvenEvilHasStandards I don't do anything involving children or animals.]]

-->'''Sandal:''' One day the magic will come back, all of it. Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part, and the skies will open wide. When he rises, everyone will see.

-->'''Varric''': You do know the elf is covered in spikes, like an angsty porcupine? He might have some... issues.

** "Hawke Sibling": One of Hawke's younger twin siblings always dies in the prologue (Bethany if Hawke is a mage, Carver otherwise), while the other, often called "surviving sibling," goes on to play a specific role at several points of the plot (most importantly at the end of Act 1, [[spoiler:where they contract the Darkspawn Taint if taken to the Deep Roads, or join the Circle/Templars if not taken]]). They also have a somewhat specific role to play in the ''Legacy'' DLC if brought as a companion, since the framing device involves [[spoiler:the Carta attacking the surviving children of Malcolm Hawke]].

--> '''Arishok:''' I have a growing lack of disgust for you.

---> "Me and my boys will get our money's worth, bitch!"

** Hawke can walk in on the beginning of one between Aveline and Isabela in the Hawke estate. The best part is a smartass!Hawke's reaction: rushing in and gasping, "Are there any good seats left?"

** [[spoiler:In the Mage ending, Cullen and Templar!Carver will assist you in the final battle. Conversely, Warden!Bethany will help a Hawke who sided with the Templars, although she's understandably reluctant.]]

** No one ever seems to recognize people wearing robes and carrying mage staffs as mages until they start casting spells, if even then. The extreme cases have to be Mage!Hawke and Bethany, who very likely start slinging spells the moment they step into Kirkwall, within direct line of sight of the city guard; but everyone just congratulates them for having killed a bunch of thugs. [[spoiler:However, if left behind while Hawke is in the Deep Roads, Bethany will be taken to the Circle. Hawke will arrive home just in time to see her off.]] At some unknown point during the story (possibly during your first meeting with Knight-Commander Meredith), Hawke's magical talents are discovered, but at that point, the Champion of Kirkwall is already too popular to be deported - though Meredith will threaten Hawke with this fate to ensure their cooperation.

** A possibly amusing one would be if one's warrior!Hawke takes part in the "run in a figure 8 around the pillars during the fight with the Arishok while you keep bombing him with tar bombs and combustion grenades in the midst of slashing/bashing at him" tactic; the cut scene and people react as if Hawke charged head-on into the fray, when during gameplay it's more or less a desperate run for life until Hawke finally drains the Arishok of all his health.

* HeroicWillpower: How Mage!Hawke is able to stave off Idunna the blood mage's PsychicAssistedSuicide.

** Mage!Hawke can be played like this if they send every stray mage back to the Circle with the justification that all mages should be controlled... except them, apparently. It's even worse if Hawke is a blood mage.

* LetsDance: Said by Silly!Hawke to the Arishok when they accept a duel with him.

* MagicKnight: While the Hawke in the ''Destiny'' trailer exaggerates the martial prowess of mages in this game (magical prowess too, for that matter), mages later in the game can equip some form of armor, and also use their staves to physically attack. On the plus side, Mages now have blades on the other end of their staves, which definitely is a welcome change from ''Origins'' where unless you were an Arcane Warrior, you'd have a hectic time in close-quarters combat. On the warrior side, two of the three specs involve magic of some sort: Templar and Reaver, meaning pretty much all Warrior!Hawkes will have at least a little touch of magic to them (it helps that Templars are less situational here than in ''Origins'', since mages are more frequent as enemies). Fenris is probably the purest example, since his particular lyrium powers allow him to unleash spirit pulses and magically buff himself.

** Another one in ''Mark of the Assassin,'' if done in Act 2 or 3 with the surviving sibling as one of the companions. Hawke will arrive at Duke Prosper's estate with only Tallis and the other companion; during the course of greeting the Duke, he will mention the presence of another Hawke, and Bethany/Carver will then join the group. At no time is it ever explained why the sibling is there, or why Duke Prosper invited them independently of Hawke.[[note]]Bethany/Carver being invited may be due to the same reason given for Hawke's invitation if the DLC is done in Act 1 - that Duke Prosper is unaware of the Amell family's misfortunes and invites them under the mistaken belief that they're still part of Kirkwall's nobility. However, it's never addressed in the game; the closest we get is Templar!Carver saying that his presence is "Meredith's idea of diplomacy," but he doesn't elaborate.[[/note]]

** By Act 3, everyone knows mage!Hawke is an apostate, and if you get too snarky with her, Meredith reminds you that her leniency goes only so far. The only reason you haven't been imprisoned is your position in the nobility; it would hurt the Templars' standing with the people of Kirkwall if they threw "The Champion" in the Gallows. This protection (whether Hawke is a mage or not) also extends to Merrill and Anders, who are frequently seen in Hawke's company with magic staves on their backs. Additionally, she likely doesn't want to tangle with Hawke and friends, since even if she won her losses would be ''tremendous''.

* PassThePopcorn: Anders will tell a Mage!Hawke that the mages in Kirkwall all look up to them for the hope of a better life, and that Hawke should lead them. Hawke can reply that [[DeadpanSnarker they don't want to lead, just watch. With snacks.]]

** In Act 2, you'll meet a homicidal elf [[spoiler: who has killed a bunch of people, but not by the method she intended]]. Her sadness over this prompts Smartass!Hawke to say:

* SkywardScream: Silly!Hawke will [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfBdMb0yHW4&feature=feedu do this]], in reaction to a fake bee sting, to distract a guard in ''Mark of the Assassin'':

* YouCanKeepHer: Silly!Hawke can make a response along these lines to the news that [[spoiler:their sibling, love interest, or closest friend has been kidnapped]] in Act 3.

* FanServicePack: Isabela, who had a much plainer appearance in ''Origins'', gains several cup sizes, a very revealing outfit, and a more sensual face. Meanwhile, Flemeth turns from raggedy old crazy woman with plain grey hairdo in ''Origins'' to warrior goddess, complete with [[GrandmaWhatMassiveHotnessYouHave tight-fitting armor, 'horned' (and bleached) hairdo, and spiked diadem]]. [[spoiler: Not officially explained, but possibly due to the fact that she was previously hiding by masquerading as a raggedy, crazy old woman in ''Origins'' - and she has no reason to do that anymore.]]

* DisinheritedChild: Subversion: Leandra, Hawke's mother in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', thinks she is this because her parents disowned her when she eloped with Malcolm Hawke. Her brother Gamlen lets her go on believing it. However, Hawke recovers Grandfather Amell's will from the old family vault, and it's revealed that he actually left his daughter ''everything''.

* BreastExpansion: If Hawke is a mage or rogue, Bethany experiences this when Varric starts telling the story: Cassandra waits until he mentions the dragon before calling bullshit and he stops exaggerating how well endowed she is. A female Hawke, by comparison, gets no such visible enhancements; nor is there ever an explanation offered for why, of all the things Varric might elect to exaggerate, he chose ''that'' one.

* BeautyBrainsAndBrawn: The Hawke siblings.

** Carver - Brawn (He's tall, burly, and carries a {{BFS}}.)

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Just because Diplomatic Hawke is the most benevolent of the personalities doesn't mean that they're any less imposing. Sweet, cheerful Blood Mage Merrill is also an example, as is sunny and kind-hearted Bethany; they're both lovely young women who are perfectly capable of destroying you.

* KleptomaniacHero: Lampshaded in the ''Mark of the Assassin'' DLC.

*** He will also comment, if Isabela is in your party, that she looks different. Isabela's reply makes sense both as a comment on the years that have passed and a nod to the graphical overhaul between games:
-->'''Isabela''': Don't we all?

-->'''Hawke''': I miss the cold. And the dirt. Kirkwall isn't brown enough for me.
-->'''Merrill''': Ferelden wasn't THAT brown! The dirt and muck gave it character.

* LargeHam: Xenon the Antiquarian.
-->''"Don't...'''MAN'''-handle the uuuurrrchin! [[Creator/WilliamShatner He's not... for sale...]] '''FIND YOUR OWN!'''"''
** Also Hawke, if certain dialogue options are chosen during ''Mark of the Assassin''.

* WalkingShirtlessScene: Most of the Qunari don't wear any actual body armor. Some wear ''helmets'', but still go around bare-chested.
** Lampshaded later by Merrill, who in Act 3 calls them "easy on the eyes."

** If the Hero of Ferelden was a Dalish elf, the Sabrae clan is said in the epilogue to be offered the Hinterlands in which to settle, with Marethari declaring that they will be "a shining example of how elves and humans should co-exist". That doesn't happen, and instead they end up outside of Kirkwall. A throwavay line by [[spoiler:Alistair]] in act 3 suggests that it didn't work out. Furthermore, Merrill acts as though the land was given ''after'' they left for Kirkwall.

** In the same DLC, avoid Orlesian ham at all costs. It tastes like ''despair''.

* ArtEvolution: The physical appearances of Flemeth, Isabela, Merrill, and the darkspawn differ noticeably from ''Origins''. Elves have also changed in physical appearance, along with gaining {{Scotireland}} accents.
** Most noticeably (and jarringly, if you didn't find/read the Codex explaining it), Qunari now all have horns, and many seem substantially larger and more brutish-looking than good ol' Sten did. This is handwaved with an explanation that some few Qunari are born without horns, which is taken as a sign that they are meant for great things.

* BackToBackBadasses: One ability on the Scoundrel tree allows Varric, Isabela, Sebastian, and/or rogue Hawke to appear next to a chosen ally. It can be upgraded to allow the rogue to be in stealth when they do so.

* BadassFamily: Hawke, Bethany and Carver. Their father Malcolm was an apostate mage who trained Bethany (and Hawke, if they are a mage), and their mother Leandra is a member of the Amell family, being distantly related to the Human Mage Warden from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. If said Human Mage Warden in the first game was male and he performed the Dark Ritual, the Hawkes are also distantly related to [[spoiler: Morrigan's demon-god baby]].
** The ''Mage Kit'' DLC reveals that Malcolm Hawke had a DarkAndTroubledPast whilst traveling a long way from his homeland in order to reach Kirkwall. He also was a skilled unarmed combatant from working as a mercenary, since he had to hide his magic from the Templars.
*** ''Legacy'' shows that Malcolm was badass enough that the Grey Wardens came to him for help.
--> '''Malcolm''': I have made a '''solemn vow'''. ''[[BadassCreed Magic will serve that which is best in me, not that which is most base.]]''

* CargoShip: [[invoked]] A ''[[IncrediblyLamePun canon]]'' one, at that: Varric/Bianca OTP.
-->'''Fenris:''' The way you fondle your weapon is disturbing.
-->'''Varric:''' Hey, I'm a perfect gentleman! In public.

-->'''Varric:''' Bianca responds to ''my'' touch. She'd never give it up for you.
-->'''Isabela:''' That's what they all say, and I always prove them wrong.
-->'''Varric:''' Stop it, you're confusing her. And me.

--> '''Varric:''' ''(aghast)'' You want to ''touch Bianca's cocking ring?''
--> '''Sebastian:''' ...Never mind.

* CasualDangerDialogue: Unintentional examples of this pop up whenever a random encounter and a random PartyBanter trigger end up a bit too close to each other. Thus, while heads are being severed and fireballs are raining from the sky, you'll have Merrill asking Fenris why he's so cross all the time, or Aveline and Isabela bickering about relationships.

--> '''Hawke''': Who the blazes is that?!
--> '''Varric''': Don't know! Kill people, ''then'' ask!

* ChekhovsGun: A few things like [[spoiler:Isabela's relic and Bartrand's idol]] end up being ''very'' important.
** Also those big bronze statues in the Gallows Courtyard. [[spoiler:They come to life in the final battle.]]

** Also, Anders to Karl at the end of his recruitment quest.

* DegradedBoss: It's hard to decide what's a boss battle in this game, but before the final battle you will fight Demons of Pride as normal encounters.
** Revenants, too, although they were already somewhat degraded by ''Awakening''.

* MeaningfulName: During the showdown with [[spoiler:Bartrand]] in the second act, the manservant who saw the events that led up to the current situation and informs the party is called [[Myth/NorseMythology Hugin]], one of a pair of ravens that watched the events of the world and told Odin what was happening.

* MetaGuy: The talkative man in the Hanged Man.

*** In general, the rival romances can veer into this during the cutscenes. Conversations that start out as arguments can turn into tender romantic interludes, and vice versa - while this is due to these romances being prime examples of FoeYay, it can be jarring to say the least, especially to ''Origins'' players who are used to that game's very friendship-oriented romances.

* MuggingTheMonster: Merrill ([[BlackMagic a Blood Mage]]) lives in a bad neighborhood but is too naive to realize it. Varric takes steps to avert this.
-->'''Varric:''' Daisy, for my sake, please quit cutting through the alleys in Lowtown at night.
-->'''Merrill:''' Nothing ever happens. I'm perfectly safe, Varric.
-->'''Varric:''' Yes, I know. And that nothing is costing me a fortune.
** Also, despite you being famous and ''armed to the teeth'', bandits never decide against attacking you.
*** Worse, some of the characters will acknowledge in conversations that they ''know'' who you are and what you're capable of... and then attack you anyway.

* MyEyesAreUpHere: Varric says this, word for word, to Isabela in a random piece of party banter.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: On Varric's personal quest, [[spoiler: Bartrand says this if you bring Anders and he temporarily dispels his madness.]]
** Also [[spoiler: Anders,]] during "Dissent," when [[spoiler: he murders/almost murders an innocent mage due to Vengeance/Justice.]] Hawke can [[WhatTheHellHero call him out on it.]]

* MythologyGag: The Armor of the Fallen set is a CallBack to the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0olSKafPoQA "Warden's Calling" trailer]] for ''Origins''. You can tell for three reasons: First, it has an armor set bonus, which is vanishingly rare in this game. Second, it looks identical to the armor in the trailer. And third, when you put on the complete set, [[GlowingEyesOfDoom your eyes glow.]]

* NeckSnap: Fenris disposes of one of Danarius's minions this way.

* NoodleIncident: What happened in Hawke's first year in Kirkwall working with either the Red Iron or Athenril's smugglers. This includes a few Noodle Acquaintances, such as Lady Elegant, Tomwise, and Worthy, all of whom apparently worked with Hawke and are on friendly terms with them at the beginning of Act 1. While Varric omits parts of the tale that are neither relevant or interesting, this particular omission is due in part to the fact that Varric himself only meets Hawke at the beginning of Act 1, and thus likely isn't privy to first-hand knowledge of this period of Hawke's life.

--> '''Hawke''': Yes, that turned out to contain several badly written poems ''and an old boot''.

* NotSoDifferent: It is seemingly no coincidence that [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSCq7jTL7tQ "Fenris' theme"]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxUrz7ZLCp8 "Mage Pride"]] are nearly identical, symbolising both the anti-mage and pro-mage backdrop of this game.

** Paragon/Snarky Hawke and the Qunari, which is frequently lampshaded.

* NotSoStoic: The Qunari, despite appearing to rarely show emotion, can be seen as having a deadpan sense of humour, particularly in their interaction with a snarky Hawke.

* RetCon: [[spoiler:Leliana]] and [[spoiler:Anders]] are alive and well, even if you imported a save where they were dead. [[spoiler:Anders at least has an excuse, in that Justice may be keeping him alive. However, this doesn't account for the possibility of you handing him over to the Circle without ever recruiting him properly, in which case he didn't do half the things he claims to have done, and never even ''met'' Justice]].
** If ''The Exiled Prince'' DLC is installed and you speak to her, Leliana can be asked point-blank how she's alive when it's known (as part of the Warden's tale) that she died. She doesn't give an entirely straight answer, but implies that it may have been divine intervention.

** Gaider has said that the folks at Creator/BioWare liked [[spoiler: Anders and the plot he was involved in]] too much to leave him dead.

** If the Hero of Ferelden was a Dalish elf, the Sabrae clan is said in the epilogue to be offered the Hinterlands in which to settle, with Marethari declaring that they will be "a shining example of how elves and humans should co-exist". That doesn't happen, and instead they end up outside of Kirkwall.

* StockPuzzle: Some very easy sliding puzzles involving floating barrels show up when Hawke enters the Fade. They're basically just a reason to give free attribute points.

* TooMuchInformation: This will be Hawke or Varric's reaction when Anders and Isabela start talking about an encounter they once had at the Pearl and she mentions [[NoodleImplements that thing Anders did with electricity]].

* WarRefugees: The Hawke family at the beginning, courtesy of the Blight.

* WrittenInAbsence: No matter what you do, you will not have the twins in the party after the end of Act 1. There are specific plot-related reasons why they leave you. [[spoiler:One is always dead after the prologue. Depending on player choices, the other either dies, becomes a Grey Warden, or joins the Templars/Circle of Magi.]] They can be brought along for the DLC campaigns and will come back for the final battle, but otherwise, Hawke is on their own, especially after "All That Remains."

* FamilyExtermination: Exactly one of Harrowmont's nephews has managed to escape being exterminated by the Warden, although he needs help to get far enough away to where King Bhelen can't get to him.

* AmbitionIsEvil: Anders and Merrill are the only companions who seek to actually change the status quo in Thedas; neither are outright evil, but both end up in WellIntentionedExtremist territory. Played dead straight with Varric and Bartrand.

** The ''Mage Kit'' DLC reveals that Malcolm Hawke had a DarkAndTroubledPast whilst travelling a long way from his homeland in order to reach Kirkwall. He also was a skilled unarmed combatant from working as a mercenary, since he had to hide his magic from the Templars.

** Fenris develops this opinion of either mage Hawke or Bethany, depending on the playthrough; party banter with Anders in act 3 has him observe that they're responsible enough with their magic to live outside of a Circle without supervision.

* BattleCouple: Aveline and Ser Wesley are definitely this [[spoiler: before his death]].

* BigDamnHeroes: Hawke's timely intervention during the Qunari invasion is why they become the Champion of Kirkwall.

* BladeOnAStick: Mage staves now have some sort of sharp end to allow for close-quarters combat.

* BloodMagic: A key plot element and far more prevalent than in ''Origins''. [[spoiler: By Act 3, nearly all the mages in Kirkwall are blood mages; Hawke's sister Bethany, if she was sent to the Circle, is the ''only'' known exception in the Gallows.]]

* BottomlessMagazines: No archer in this game ever runs out of arrows.
* BrainBleach: Hawke needs some after finally seeing whatever lewd thing Isabela sees when one looks at the Amell coat of arms in juuust the right way.

* CainAndAbel: [[spoiler: Bartrand and Varric.]]

* CatFight: Hawke can walk in on the beginning of one between Aveline and Isabela in the Hawke estate. The best part is a smartass!Hawke's reaction: rushing in and gasping, "Are there any good seats left?"

** [[spoiler: Meredith]] is mentioned almost immediately after the Hawkes arrive in Kirkwall, and is seen walking by and frowning at a beggar-pickpocket at the beginning of Act 1. [[spoiler: She]] doesn't come into play directly until the very end of Act 2.

* ConspiracyTheorist: The talkative man in the Hanged Man. Among other things, he thinks the Fifth Blight (in other words, the whole plot of ''Origins'') was invented by Ferelden and didn't actually happen.[[note]]He's not alone. One of the codices notes that because the Hero of Ferelden wrapped things up in such a short time, there are many non-Fereldans who think they made the whole thing up. Blights normally last for years, sometimes even ''decades'', and are fought by whole armies of Grey Wardens. The fact that the Fifth Blight lasted roughly a single year and was ultimately defeated by ''three'' Wardens makes many people skeptical.[[/note]]

* TheCorruption: Due to Blood Magic, Fade Demons, and the Black City, many feel this is universally inherent in magic talent. And then there's the lyrium idol, which can inflict this even on Templars and dwarves.

* CutAndPasteEnvironments: A frequently cited complaint is that the dungeons and cave areas are all identical, but with various impassable doors thrown up to create a different flow. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] by Varric in the quest "On The Loose."

* CutscenePowerToTheMax: Not "cutscenes" ''per se'', but Varric's story framing invokes a variation of this trope at times. Occasionally, Varric will embellish his tale, which in gameplay terms translates to being given ATasteOfPower. The [[FakeActionPrologue very beginning]] is an example. Varric initially romanticizes Hawke's tale, [[ATasteOfPower portraying them as a badass mage/warrior/rogue]] who was capable of cutting up darkspawn left, right and center before Hawke even met Varric. Then the Seeker calls him out for his exaggeration and Varric is forced to admit that Hawke had a far humbler beginning - the game's true prologue opens with a scene of Hawke fleeing for their life with their family in tow. A more humorous scene has Varric portraying himself as a OneManArmy when he [[BlatantLies single-handedly]] breaks into his brother's mansion.

* DarkMessiah: Cassandra implies that among those in the Chantry, Hawke is considered this.

* DeadPersonConversation: If Legacy is completed in Act 3, at the end [[spoiler:Hawke will have a conversation with a specter of their dead mother]]. Varric admits to Cassandra that the whole thing is artistic license, but asks that she humor him.
* DeadlyHug: [[spoiler:[[DemonicPossession Marethari]] will give one to Merrill if you take the optimistic approach to the way the battle ends.]]

* DefectorFromDecadence: The Mabari. According to Fenris, when the ancient Tevinters took Mabari warhounds along with them during an invasion of Ferelden, the Mabari took one look at the Alamarri tribesmen and ''immediately'' decided to switch sides, joining forces to drive out the Tevinters. This is given as the reason why the Mabari are so beloved by the Fereldan people and have been a staple of their military stratagem ever since.

* DemonicPossession: A standard threat to mages in Thedas. Anders is also willingly possessed by Justice.

* TheBadGuyWins: Repeatedly. In Act 1, [[spoiler: Bartrand takes the idol and leaves you trapped in the Deep Roads. This might even lead to the death of Bethany/Carver.]]

** In Act 3, [[spoiler: no matter what you do, Anders's WellIntentionedExtremist actions ignite a massive war between the Templars and the mages. And the whole world considers ''Hawke'' to blame.]]
** In ''Legacy'', [[spoiler: Corypheus escapes with your character none the wiser.]]

* CharacterDevelopment: Anders and Merrill are different from the other companions you recruit, in that the other characters have mostly the same character arc regardless of whether you form a friendship or rivalry with them; you just have a different relationship with them. However, with Merrill and Anders, their character development arcs end completely differently depending on how you treat them.

** Anders spends the entire story championing for mage rights, forming a mage underground to help mages escape Kirkwall. However, the worsening situation in Kirkwall combined with the influence of the spirit Justice (with whom Anders fused before the events of the game) cause his actions to become increasingly extreme. If he is friends with Hawke, [[spoiler:Anders will take full responsibility after destroying the Chantry and kickstarting a war between mages and Templars, [[NecessarilyEvil believing it was for the best]] and practically begging Hawke to kill him so Justice can be free and Anders can become a martyr for the mages.]] However, if he is rivals with Hawke, [[spoiler:Anders will realise the error of his ways and try to back out of blowing up the Chantry, only for Justice to take control and cause him to do it anyway. Anders will become completely horrified by what he's done and will fully admit that his own anger at the Templars has corrupted Justice into a spirit of Vengeance. In this case, he asks Hawke to kill him out of guilt and fear that Vengeance will cause more damage, but will even side with the Templars if Hawke asks it of him, something a non-rivalry Anders will flat out refuse to do.]]

** Merrill's arc revolves around using blood magic to rebuild an Eluvian to make a deal with a demon to restore her people to power. If you follow her friendship path and support her the whole way, [[spoiler:even after Marethari sacrifices herself so Merrill doesn't get possessed by the demon that wanted to betray Merrill, Merrill says that it was Marethari's fault for not trusting her and thanks Hawke for their support, even though she doesn't get what she wants.]] However, if Hawke regularly disagrees with what Merrill is doing and even works against Merrill's efforts to complete the Eluvian, [[spoiler:Merrill will become increasingly bitter with Hawke and Marethari, at least until Marethari sacrifices herself to save Merrill. At this point Merrill will break down, realizing that Hawke and Marethari were right all along, causing her to destroy the Eluvian in tears.]]
** Anders spends the entire game championing for mage rights, forming a mage underground to help mages escape Kirkwall. However, due to the worsening situation in Kirkwall and the influence of the spirit Justice (with whom Anders fused before the events of the game), his actions become increasingly extreme. If Hawke supports his efforts 100% throughout the game, [[spoiler:Anders will willingly blow up the Chantry, kick starting a war between mages and Templars. He takes full responsibility for it, [[NecessarilyEvil believing it was for the best]] and gives you the option to kill him if you desire so he Justice can be free and Anders can be a martyr for the mages.]] However, if Hawke opposes his actions throughout the game, especially as they become more extreme, [[spoiler:Anders will try to back out of blowing up the Chantry... but Justice will possess him and cause him to do it anyway. In the aftermath, Anders will be completely horrified by what he's done and will fully admit that his own anger at the Templars has corrupted Justice into a spirit of Vengeance. He will ask Hawke to kill him out of guilt and fear that Vengeance will cause more damage, and will even side with the Templars if Hawke asks it of him - something a non-rivalry Anders will flat out refuse to do.]]

* MoneyForNothing: The Rune of Fortune, available only with the ''Black Emporium'' DLC, is an armor rune which causes enemies to drop more coin. The Emporium only sells one, and only during Act 1; however, if Hawke purchases the design 'recipe' as well, they can make as many Runes of Fortune as desired once they have the components. These can be added to any armor piece with a rune slot, ''and they stack'' - meaning that the more Runes of Fortune are embedded in Hawke's armor, the more money they can earn in a short period of time. (There is a limit in that you can only put one in each armor piece even if a piece has more than one rune slot; still, that's four runes.) The rune only works on Hawke's armor, but other party members can be equipped with rings or amulets which also cause enemies to drop more coin and/or better equipment. This makes it extremely easy to leave for the Deep Roads with more than 100 gold in Hawke's pocket - even ''after'' contributing 50 gold to Bartrand's expedition.