| 1 | [[WMG:[[center:[-'''Characters/DragonAge Character Index'''\ |
| 2 | ''Characters/DragonAgeOrigins'': [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsPlayableCharactersTheWarden The Warden]] | The Companions ([[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsWarriors Warriors]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsMages Mages]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsRogues Rogues]]) | [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsNonPlayableCharacters Non-Playable Characters]] ('''Fereldan Nobles''' | [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsNonPlayableCharactersOrzammar Orzammar]]) | [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening Awakening]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsDLCCharacters DLC Characters]] \ |
| 3 | ''Characters/DragonAgeII'' | ''Characters/DragonAgeInquisition'' -]]]]] |
| 4 | ---- |
| 5 | Fereldan Nobility [=NPCs=] from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. |
| 6 | ---- |
| 7 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 8 | |
| 9 | !!Royal Family |
| 10 | |
| 11 | [[folder:King Cailan Theirin]] |
| 12 | !!King Cailan Theirin |
| 13 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f81d0fbae0c150e86194210c57ec2aa3.jpg]] |
| 14 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''Literature/TheStolenThrone'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 15 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Peter Bramhill (English), Jean-Pierre Michaël (French) |
| 16 | |
| 17 | ->''"I cannot wait for that glorious moment. [[GloryHound The Grey Wardens battle beside the King of Ferelden to stem the tide of evil.]]"'' |
| 18 | |
| 19 | \ |
| 20 | The current monarch of Ferelden, a young and idealistic man, if rather foolish. He wants a battle that will be remembered by history, and he gets it... just not the way he expected. |
| 21 | ---- |
| 22 | * AffairLetters: Can be found in his camp in the ''Return to Ostagar'' expansion, revealing [[spoiler:he was planning to divorce Anora and marry Empress Celene of Orlais]]. |
| 23 | * AttentionDeficitOohShiny: Alistair's party banter with Wynne describes him as such. |
| 24 | -->'''Alistair''': Maric and Cailan had come to Redcliffe to visit the Arl. I was very young then. We were introduced. I believe I said, "Greetings, Your Highness." He said, "Ooh! Swords!" and ran off to the armory. |
| 25 | * BoisterousBruiser: He's pretty boastful about how kick-ass he and the Wardens are. |
| 26 | * CruelAndUnusualDeath: During the Battle of Ostagar, an Ogre that managed to break through the Fereldan lines seizes Cailan and crushes him in its fists, snapping his spine. |
| 27 | * DeadGuyOnDisplay: Only seen in the ''Return to Ostagar'' DLC. [[spoiler: The darkspawn crucify his corpse atop the bridge overlooking the valley at Ostagar as a trophy of their victory.]] |
| 28 | * DeathByOriginStory: Killed by an Ogre at the Battle of Ostagar. |
| 29 | * DumbBlonde: "What's that you say, Loghain? Strategy against the overwhelming darkspawn horde? Boring! Besides, the sheer awesomeness of my InfinityPlusOneSword and the Grey Wardens is far more than enough against these beasties!" (Paraphrased) |
| 30 | * FakeUltimateHero: He fancies himself a real hero, but as Loghain points out, Cailan isn't all that he thinks he is. |
| 31 | * AFatherToHisMen: At Ostagar, it's mentioned that he spends a lot of the time drinking and talking with the troops, often without his bodyguards. It apparently drives Loghain up the wall. |
| 32 | * GloryHound: His motivation for the battle is a quest for personal glory. |
| 33 | * HeroesLoveDogs: Ostagar apparently stinks of dogs because he brought all of his kennels with him. During the battle, he noticeably winces and turns not to look when one of the Mabari charging the darkspawn gets impaled on a Hurlock's sword. |
| 34 | * HiddenDepths: |
| 35 | ** There are a few subtle hints that a lot of his behavior is an act and that he is a much more canny and humble leader than he appears - rather, he acts like he does because a King is ''expected'' to act the way he does, and in the face of an army of darkspawn you kind of want to inspire confidence in your men rather than terrifying them by letting on just how screwed they might be if things don't work according to plan. |
| 36 | ** Given his love of legendary battles and military history, one could easily infer that Cailan is actually very [[CulturedWarrior well-read]] and this is part of the reason he's annoyed at Loghain for sticking to more traditional, "boring" strategies, instead of trying new tactics to combat the Horde. |
| 37 | ** It's implied that Cailan wishes to increase foreign ties with Orzammar, as upon meeting the Dwarf Noble, he mentions having witnessed a Proving during his last royal visit and expresses the desire to learn more about Dwarven culture. He also seems similarly interested in learning more about the Dalish. Should a Dalish Elf player character have at him for being a "Human Lord", he doesn't take it personally and is completely understanding why the Dalish feel that way. |
| 38 | ** Furthermore, he expresses interest to find out what the Alienages are like, something his advisors and guards wish him not to know. When the City Elf gives him the [[BrutalHonesty blunt response]], "I killed an Arl's son for raping my friend", he's visibly taken aback and appears rather disturbed to discover that conditions are that bad and that the elves who live there are being so mistreated. |
| 39 | ** An example of Cailan being more intelligent and politically savvy than he appears is his insistence that [[spoiler: Alistair]] join the Warden in lighting the beacon at the Tower of Ishal. [[spoiler: As the closest thing to an actual heir to the throne if Cailan falls in battle, he wants Alistair to be as far away from the front lines as possible, a surprisingly smart move on his part.]] |
| 40 | * LeeroyJenkins: It doesn't help that he openly mocks the suggestion he's "[[SuicidalOverconfidence over-confident]]" either. |
| 41 | * NiceGuy: May not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he's friendly to just about everyone, no matter what their background. He's even nice to elven player characters that mouth off at him; he's very understanding as to why they have grievances. |
| 42 | * NoodleIncident: ''The World of Thedas'' reveals that when he was still a prince, Cailan and Anora disappeared for nine days to hunt a giant, and were later found with a Fereldan soldier in Crestwood, "drunk as dwarves, covered in bruises, cuts, and ash, and smelling strangely of cheese." Apparently [[NoodleImplements several hundred wheels of said cheese were involved]]. |
| 43 | -->'''Cailan''': ''[dramatic pause]'' It's better that the people of Ferelden never know the lengths to which their prince must go to protect them. |
| 44 | * OOCIsSeriousBusiness: He normally acts like a goofy and overconfident GloryHound. However, when a Human Noble informs him of Arl Howe's betrayal and the deaths of their family, he becomes dead serious and vows to bring him to justice as soon as they are all done with the darkspawn. |
| 45 | * RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: He doesn't succeed, but it's the thought that counts. It also highlights why this is often a ''very'' bad idea; his personal presence in the battle turned what would have been a nasty, but temporary, defeat into a complete disaster. |
| 46 | * ShelteredAristocrat: Despite being a sheltered buffoon, he genuinely wants to govern well. He assures the Human Noble he'll eliminate the traitorous Arl Howe once the darkspawn are defeated, and his shock at what happened when the City Elf confronts him with the truth of what's been happening in the Alienage is genuine. |
| 47 | * SiblingYinYang: Averted, for the most part. Cailan and his half-brother are actually pretty similar in their nonchalant approach to things, their coming off as idiots to those around them, their willingness to discard formality for friendship, and their bravery in the face of adversity. [[spoiler: Alistair definitely acts a lot like Cailan a few times after he ascends the throne, because even if he doesn't really want the job, ''you will remember who is king''.]] The main difference between them is that Cailan thinks of himself as a WarriorPrince, while [[spoiler: Alistair]], who doesn't, actually ''is'' one. In fact, Anora comments that she's wary of marrying [[spoiler: Alistair]] because he resembles Cailan way too much. |
| 48 | * StrongFamilyResemblance: [[spoiler:His facial structure is very similar to Alistair's; the main difference is really their hairstyles and color.]] |
| 49 | * SuccessionCrisis: More downplayed, but his letters to Orlais reveals that this was on his mind since Anora is suspected of being infertile. [[spoiler: After the Battle of Ostagar, Cailan intended to divorce Anora and marry the Empress of Orlais. Killing two birds with one stone, he'd be uniting two nations and ensuring he finally had an heir. There's a bit of blame-shifting in that, though; WordOfGod confirms that the Theirin line has never been very fertile, so it's likely Anora isn't the one who's sterile. Notably, despite having had what his wife calls "discreet" affairs, he's not known to have sired any children outside the marriage.]] |
| 50 | * UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: [[spoiler: His well-meaning yet ultimately suicidal insistence on leading the charge and mixing it up with the Darkspawn personally leads to a good deal of the plot of ''Origins'' being far more complicated than it should've been.]] |
| 51 | * WarriorPrince: King, but either way he's not one even if he thinks otherwise. |
| 52 | * WideEyedIdealist: He almost overlaps with TheFool, with his estimation of the coming battle. He's something of an AscendedFanboy of the Grey Wardens who JumpedAtTheCall and then doesn't take things seriously enough. |
| 53 | * WrongGenreSavvy: He views himself as a hero slaying evil, just like in the old tales he was raised on and decides not to wait for reinforcements before taking the fight to the darkspawn because he's convinced that legendary heroes like the Grey Wardens will always prevail. He dies a gruesome death after being betrayed by an ally. |
| 54 | [[/folder]] |
| 55 | |
| 56 | [[folder:Queen Anora Theirin]] |
| 57 | !!Queen Anora Theirin (nee Mac Tir) |
| 58 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/e50ed43537486786c947613f745dda6e.png]] |
| 59 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening Awakening]]''[[note]]Choice dependent[[/note]] | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''[[note]]Choice dependent[[/note]] |
| 60 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Mika Simmons (English), Alexandra Garijo (French) |
| 61 | |
| 62 | ->''"We have been given the gift of freedom by our forebears. Let us not squander it."'' |
| 63 | |
| 64 | \ |
| 65 | The current Queen of Ferelden, wife (then widow) of Cailan. She is the true power behind the throne, taking after her father, Loghain. |
| 66 | ---- |
| 67 | * ArmorPiercingQuestion: Receives one from Teagan regarding her father. In her first appearance, no less. |
| 68 | -->'''Anora''': Teagan, my father is doing what is best.\ |
| 69 | '''Teagan''': Did he also do what was best for your husband, Your Majesty?\ |
| 70 | ''[Anora flinches as though shot by an arrow.]'' |
| 71 | * ArrangedMarriage: It's mentioned that Cailan and Anora were betrothed from a very early age, on account of their fathers' friendship. [[spoiler:One way to resolve the Landsmeet can be that you arrange her second marriage, either to a male Human Noble Warden or to Alistair.]] |
| 72 | * BeautyEqualsGoodness: [[spoiler:Averted. Although she's beautiful, and she does genuinely care about her country, she's also scheming and manipulative. She's nobody's supportive cheerleader; she will turn on anyone if necessary to further her goals, including you.]] |
| 73 | * BetterTheDevilYouKnow: Her supporters support her because she's a known quantity, whereas [[spoiler: Alistair]] is new. Her one unwavering supporter, Ceorlic, says as much at the Gnawed Noble Tavern. |
| 74 | * BitchInSheepsClothing: [[spoiler:As many of the spoiler'd material here attests. You can even call her a bitch to her face, if you're leaning towards crowning Alistair, right before the momentous decision.]] |
| 75 | * {{Bookworm}}: Loghain mentions that during her childhood, Anora spent a lot of time reading instead of playing with the other kids in Gwaren. |
| 76 | * TheChessmaster: [[spoiler:She's just as clever and manipulative as her father, if not moreso.]] |
| 77 | * ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: [[spoiler:Betrays her father to you, and then quite possibly betrays you back to him. No matter what risks you took for her sake, unless you promise to support her for queen she will cheerfully backstab you at the Landsmeet (this includes you playing matchmaker between her and Alistair, getting Alistair's consent but then neglecting to directly inform her of his decision before heading off to the Landsmeet). Even if you promise to support her for queen, if you announce ahead of time your intention to have Loghain executed, she may turn on you to save her father.]] And of course, if you let her speak up for you to Ser Cauthrien, she'll immediately [[spoiler: claim that you were kidnapping her]]. She ''did'' warn you, but it still feels like a punch. |
| 78 | * DaddysGirl: The two most important things in her life are her country and her father, and she'll do what she must to protect both of them. If anyone else had tried what Loghain did, she'd have had them drawn and quartered within the hour. If her proposed consort (either the Warden or [[spoiler:Alistair]]) kills Loghain, she'll immediately call off the agreement. If she's Queen and unmarried, the epilogue states she refuses all of her suitors, because none of them live up to her standard: her father. |
| 79 | * DamselInDistress: At a certain point late in the game. [[spoiler:Subverted, however, in that she was not actually in as much danger as she claims, and [[WoundedGazelleGambit played this role]] to gain the Warden's sympathies. Double Subverted in that Arl Howe was not only willing to kill Anora, but seemingly ''eager'' to do so -- the queen wasn't nearly as in control of the situation as either she or her father later claim.]] |
| 80 | * DeadpanSnarker: Prim and proper as she is, she still has her moments, such as when the Warden first talks to her through a door. |
| 81 | -->'''Warden''': How do I know you're really Queen Anora?\ |
| 82 | '''Anora''': How am I supposed to answer that? Shall I try to shove my crown under the door? Do you think the royal family has a secret knock? |
| 83 | * DefrostingIceQueen: If [[spoiler: the Warden]] marries her, her cameo in ''Awakening'' shows her displaying more warmth and concern for him than she was ever thought to be capable of, and the epilogue states that even she is pleased to have him back. |
| 84 | * DoubleStandard: If a City Elf Warden arranges an Elven Bann for the Denerim Alienage, no matter who becomes bann the end slides reveal that eventually human bigots riot in the streets against elves. Anora does nothing about this. In response to human mistreatment, the elves also end up rioting. Anora always promptly cracks down on these. |
| 85 | * EnglishRose: She is a noblewoman from a [[FantasyCounterpartCulture clear medieval England analog]] who is intelligent, well-educated, and strong-willed, but at the same time is very feminine, and content to rule outside of the spotlight for Cailan (or Alistair). |
| 86 | * {{Expy}}: Her backstory is similar to that of Edith of Wessex, being the daughter of a man who rose through the ranks on merit and was married off to the king to cement his position; but, interestingly, if left to rule, she becomes much more similar to Harold Godwinson (a ruler in their own right, who hadn't a drop of royal blood but was the most qualified for the job, and much more politically savvy than their father). Considering the Godwinson family was wiped out by the Norman invasion, this can even be taken as a TakeThat to the Orlesians. Not to mention her resemblance - in both [[BraidsOfAction appearance]] and [[TheChessmaster personality]] - to a certain former Ukrainian Prime Minister... |
| 87 | * FantasticRacism: More subtle than most, but her handling of alienages shows the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to Mac Tirs in power governing elves. During King Cailan's reign, Queen Anora was in charge of infrastructure, but the City Elf Origin shows the alienages were poorly managed, if not outright neglected by her. If the Warden is a City Elf, despite promising to help your people in her bid for the throne she neglects to do more than the ''bare minimum'' once crowned. She'll name an elf a bann, but ''only'' if you specifically request it as a boon [[spoiler:or die]]. If crowned alone [[spoiler:no Warden, no Alistair]], she continues to neglect the Denerim Alienage so badly the elves eventually riot from hunger, which she is stated to come down hard on. |
| 88 | * GodSaveUsFromTheQueen: |
| 89 | ** Subverted as Anora can be very ruthless in the way she tries to maneuver herself into power, but once she becomes queen (if you allow her to be, that is) she actually is a pretty decent ruler. |
| 90 | ** Played straight for her elven citizens if she is crowned alone. Following the Blight, food shortages from tainted crops all over the country, coupled with Anora's continued mismanagement of the Denerim Alienage, cause the elves to starve and eventually riot from hunger. |
| 91 | * HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: Subverted. Anora plays the stereotype of the virtuous fair-haired princess for all it's worth, but while she's not outright evil, she's not exactly pure or innocent either. |
| 92 | * HappilyMarried: |
| 93 | ** ''The World of Thedas, vol. 2'' indicates that she and Cailan were actually this, for the most part; having grown up together and betrothed from a very early age, they got along very well and while it might not have been a love match, they were genuinely fond of each other. |
| 94 | ** To [[spoiler:the Warden]]; it's implied in her cameo and epilogue in ''Awakening'' that they could potentially be a good couple, given some time and it's also mentioned in his codex in ''Inquisition'' that "the two lived happily until he disappeared several years later". Subverted if [[spoiler:the Warden]] told their LoveInterest that the marriage is strictly political. |
| 95 | * TheHighQueen: An interesting case. She has the image of a High Queen, but once you get to know her, she quickly proves herself to be a manipulative and power-hungry politician. That does not mean she is evil, however: she really wants the best for Ferelden and its people, it's just that she is convinced she needs to be in power to make that happen. |
| 96 | * HotConsort: To Cailan [[spoiler:and potentially Alistair. Inverted if she marries the Human Noble Warden, who acts as ''her'' consort.]] |
| 97 | * INeedAFreakingDrink: After the NoodleIncident with the giant: |
| 98 | -->'''Anora''': We're going to get a drink. A lot of drinks. Maybe all the drinks they have. Come on. |
| 99 | * InspiredBy: With her political manuevering against rivals for the throne, refusal to marry once she becomes sole ruler, and patronage of education and the arts, she's pretty clearly based on a number of historical female rulers, particularly Elizabeth I of England and Catherine the Great of Russia. |
| 100 | * InTheBlood: Like her father, she seeks to protect Ferelden at all costs and believes that she and Loghain are the only two people capable of doing so. |
| 101 | * KickTheDog: If crowned alone, food shortages from the Blight coupled with Anora's continued neglect of elven affairs eventually cause Denerim's elves to riot from hunger. It is said that Anora comes down hard on the rioters, though how isn't clarified. |
| 102 | * LadyOfWar: Although most of her badass-itude is purely political, Queen Anora has more than a few traits of this, especially if she leads the final battle. |
| 103 | * LawOfInverseFertility: Her inability to get pregnant and sire an heir by her thirtieth year has led to many rumours that she's possibly barren, while more superstitious nobles believe it's the Maker's punishment for having a commoner for a Queen. Whether or not she actually is infertile is never confirmed. Her refusal to get married if she's the sole ruler might be a hint she believes she's barren, too. [[spoiler:In ''Inquisition,'' if married to Alistair or the Warden, they have not yet produced an heir despite being married for 10 years. However, this might also be due to the Grey Warden taint making it hard for them to produce a child.]] |
| 104 | * [[LikeFatherLikeSon Like Father, Like Daughter]]: As a few characters and WordOfGod points out, the most important thing to remember about Anora is that "she is her father's daughter." She certainly inherited her cunning, ruthlessness, and overconfidence in her own abilities from him, as a hardened Alistair can point out. (See {{Pride}} below.) |
| 105 | * ManipulativeBastard: [[spoiler:Even if you decide she's the best candidate for the throne, you're likely to end up feeling this way about her.]] |
| 106 | * MissingMom: Loghain refers to his "late wife" if selected for Morrigan's ritual. One line of dialogue with him indicates she was a cabinetmaker's daughter named Celia, but even Bioware missed this and later gave her name as Maeve. |
| 107 | * MoralityPet: Loghain does love his daughter, though he doesn't show it often. |
| 108 | * NoodleIncident: ''The World of Thedas, vol. 2'' reveals that when he was still a prince, Cailan and Anora disappeared for nine days to hunt a giant, and were later found with a Fereldan soldier in Crestwood, "drunk as dwarves, covered in bruises, cuts, and ash, and smelling strangely of cheese." |
| 109 | -->'''Anora''': We defeated the giant. Now, [[LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain let's never speak of this again]]. |
| 110 | * NotSoAboveItAll: What else can you call [[spoiler:building a giant statue of her father over the Orlesian embassy]]? |
| 111 | * OpportunisticBastard: While she can be very nice and helpful to those whose goals align with hers, Anora will [[ManipulativeBastard manipulate]] or [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder backstab]] anyone so long as it allows her to remain in power and [[DaddysGirl secure the physical safety of her father, Loghain.]] Being a choice-based game, she can support or turn against the Warden depending on whether their plan of action lines up with or contradicts hers. [[note]]If the Warden agrees to support her bid for the throne beforehand, she will support them in the Landsmeet. If they refuse, she will denounce them. Likewise, if she requests beforehand that they try to spare Loghain and they agree or promise to try, she will support them at the Landsmeet. If they say "no dice," she'll side with Loghain. She'll also agree to an ArrangedMarriage with Alistair or a Male Human Noble as a fair compromise to getting what she wants (a secured position on the throne) in return for what the Warden wants and/or what the country needs (a male human of noble blood to help increase political stability and/or co-rule).[[/note]] |
| 112 | * OutGambitted: |
| 113 | ** If you really don't like her, it is entirely possible to [[spoiler:win the support of the Landsmeet even if she sides with her father.]] Double points if you play as female Human Noble: Teyrn's daughter square-off. |
| 114 | ** Under specific circumstances, a female human noble can outplay her magnificently, leading to both this and a HumiliationConga. [[spoiler:The Noble can arrange for Anora and Alistair to marry, only for the Noble to choose Alistair as her champion in the duel with Loghain, Anora's father. Upon winning the duel, Alistair will promptly execute him in front of her, which in turn causes Anora to withdraw her support (as she will not marry the man who killed her father). At this point, the Noble can announce that ''she'' will marry Alistair and serve as Queen Consort, which causes the Landsmeet to completely dump Anora, who Alistair immediately imprisons (and likely later has executed, as she refuses to renounce her claim to the throne). All of this happens in the span of a few minutes!]] |
| 115 | * PerfectlyArrangedMarriage: Regardless of whether she marries [[spoiler: [[HiddenBackupPrince Alistair]] or the [[TheWisePrince Warden]],]] Anora can eventually develop a very amicable relationship with either of them as seen in her appearance and epilogue in ''Awakening'' or her cameo in ''Inquisition''. It definitely does ''not'' start out as one. |
| 116 | * PetTheDog: If she remains queen, Anora gives Threnn, a soldier who was close to her father, a position as the Inquisition's quartermaster, because she had trouble with the army due to her UndyingLoyalty to Loghain and was unable to find work. |
| 117 | * {{Pride}}: Like her father, Anora's main flaw is her overconfidence in her own abilities, and unwillingness to compromise her vision for Ferelden even to save her people. |
| 118 | -->'''Alistair''': ''[when hardened and asked what he thinks of Anora as queen]'' She's her father's daughter. Me, I say that's where the problem lies. People like her and her father ''always'' think they're the ''only'' ones who can fix things, and everyone else should just ''stay out of their way.'' |
| 119 | * PuppetQueen: As Loghain's tyranny becomes progressively worse over the course of the game's events, many people feel Anora to be this, considering she is the Queen and yet is doing ''nothing'' to rein in her father's excesses. |
| 120 | * TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: [[spoiler: If she sides with the Wardens at the Landsmeet, she delivers a brutal one to her father]], which completely [[EtTuBrute takes the wind out of his sails]]. |
| 121 | -->'''Anora''': Lords and ladies of Ferelden, hear me! [[spoiler: My father is ''not'' the man you knew! This man is ''not'' the Hero of River Dane! This man turned his troops aside and refused to protect your king as he fought bravely against the darkspawn! This man seized Cailan's throne before his body was even cold, then locked ''me'' away so I could not reveal his treachery!]] |
| 122 | * RescueRomance: Except with minimal romance. [[SubvertedTrope And hardly any need for the "rescue"]], at least as far as she thinks anyways, a male Human Noble Warden can convince the Queen to marry him after rescuing her, as part of a deal to aid her in gaining the throne - although he will have to take the initiative to make her stick to her deal. If the player then exports this save to ''Awakening'', Anora will have a cameo, and [[DefrostingIceQueen is shown to care a little more for the protagonist]]. Interestingly, her only objection to a proposition from a male Human Mage Warden is that while she's willing to entertain the notion, she knows that the other nobles would never accept a ''[[DoesNotLikeMagic Mage]]'' on the throne. |
| 123 | * UngratefulBastard: No matter what route you take in rescuing her from Arl Howe, she has shades of this. |
| 124 | ** [[spoiler: If the Warden reveals her identity to Ser Cauthrien, she immediately claims ''they'' were kidnapping her instead, before fleeing the battle.]] |
| 125 | ** [[spoiler: If the Warden allows themselves to get captured to ensure she escapes undetected, it's implied that her demanding that Eamon order a rescue attempt is less to do with gratitude, and more because the Warden is politically useful and would give her enemies pause.]] |
| 126 | ** [[spoiler: Furthermore, if Alistair was present during the rescue and subsequent capture, she makes it perfectly clear to everyone that she wants ''only'' the Warden to be rescued, preferring to let Alistair simply rot in Fort Drakon to eliminate the threat he poses to her continued reign. Queen or not, Arl Eamon makes it very clear that he's ''[[PapaWolf not]]'' amused.]] |
| 127 | * WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:If she does not end up on the throne, her ultimate fate remains unknown. She's last seen at the Landsmeet, where Alistair orders her locked in the tower until after the battle. It's likely, since Alistair even admits that her usefulness was only as a potential replacement if he fell in battle, that she was executed afterwards to prevent potentially rebellious nobles from allying with her.]] |
| 128 | * WhatTheHellHero: In ''Inquisition'', if Anora is in power and the Inquisitor sides with the Mages, she shows up to yell at Grand Enchanter Fiona about how disastrous her actions were. |
| 129 | [[/folder]] |
| 130 | |
| 131 | !!Mac Tir Family |
| 132 | |
| 133 | [[folder:Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir]] |
| 134 | !!Loghain Mac Tir |
| 135 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dao_loghain_1.png]] |
| 136 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''Literature/TheStolenThrone'' | ''Literature/TheCalling'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOriginsAwakening Awakening]]''[[note]]choice dependent[[/note]] | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''[[note]]choice dependent[[/note]] |
| 137 | !!!'''Voiced by''': Creator/SimonTempleman (English)[[labelnote:Foreign [=VAs=]]]Christian Gutknecht (German), Grzegorz Pawlak (Polish), Creator/PhilippeCatoire (French)[[/labelnote]] |
| 138 | |
| 139 | A hero throughout Ferelden, Loghain is the general of the army brought to fight the Darkspawn at Ostagar. His plans, however, are a little different from what King Cailan expects. |
| 140 | ---- |
| 141 | ''For more information about him, see [[Characters/DragonAgeOriginsWarriors this page]].'' |
| 142 | [[/folder]] |
| 143 | |
| 144 | [[folder:Ser Cauthrien]] |
| 145 | !!Ser Cauthrien |
| 146 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f280caa5aa827a5cfe71805e2af7d35c.jpg]] |
| 147 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 148 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AlixWiltonRegan (English), Joanna Węgrzynowska (Polish) |
| 149 | |
| 150 | ->''"Some of us know what honor and loyalty are."'' |
| 151 | |
| 152 | \ |
| 153 | A high-ranking knight of Ferelden, Cauthrien is the commander of King Maric's Shield, Loghain's personal corps of elite soldiers. She is first seen at the battle of Ostagar, relaying somewhat disbelievingly Loghain's order to retreat from the battle, and later serves as his right-hand woman. Once the gathering of the members of the Landsmeet begins, Ser Cauthrien and her soldiers will attempt to arrest the Warden after s/he breaks Anora out of Arl Howe's estate, and if she's not defeated there, she will confront the party again upon entering the Royal Palace for the Landsmeet. |
| 154 | ---- |
| 155 | * ActionGirl: Both her fights are extremely difficult, and she's tougher than Loghain. |
| 156 | * AntiVillain: An honorable woman, she is bothered by the evil acts Loghain commits, but continues to serve him out of both loyalty and a sense that what he does is necessary to protect Ferelden. |
| 157 | -->'''Cauthrien''': I have had so many doubts of late. Loghain is a great man but his hatred of Orlais has driven him to madness. He has done terrible things, I know it, but I owe him ''everything''. I cannot betray him, do not ask me to! |
| 158 | * BigDamnHeroes: Her codex entry reveals that she first met Loghain whilst saving his life from a group of bandits. |
| 159 | * BirdsOfAFeather: Like Loghain, she was originally a farmer, who nonetheless rose to become one of the highest ranking members of Ferelden's military. |
| 160 | * {{BFS}}: She wields the Summer Sword, one of the game's best greatswords. |
| 161 | * CoDragons: With Rendon Howe to Loghain. Ser Cauthrien is Loghain's top lieutenant and the leader of Maric's Shield, Loghain's hand-picked elite force, while Howe handles Loghain's opposition in the political field (and the jobs too dirty for the honorable Ser Cauthrien). |
| 162 | * DarkActionGirl: Subverted. While she's on the side of the antagonists and is a fearsome physical opponent, she's also Loghain's most moral enforcer [[spoiler:and can be persuaded to stand down without a fight if convinced he's gone too far.]] |
| 163 | * ElitesAreMoreGlamorous: Said to be a member of the elite military unit known as Maric's Shield. |
| 164 | * FantasticRacism: Has no problem telling an Elven Warden to their face that they have damn nerve opposing the man who fought to ensure they were "born into freedom" in the same breath that she admonishes them for stopping his elven slave trading. |
| 165 | * {{Foil}}: To Loghain's [[TheDragon co-dragon]], Rendon Howe. While they both serve him in key ways, Ser Cauthrien is a noble and moral individual who serves her master out of genuine loyalty and a misguided belief that his immoral actions are necessary. Howe, meanwhile, is just a naked opportunist and sadist who joined with Loghain for his own advancement. They're also opposites in terms of their specialties, Cauthrien serving Loghain as a knight and soldier while Howe acts more as a political navigator. |
| 166 | * HighHeelFaceTurn: Can be convinced to stand down at the Landsmeet if you make her admit that Loghain is not the man she once served. |
| 167 | * LadyOfWar: Soft-spoken, graceful, and one of the most powerful bosses in the entire game, with an [[InfinityPlusOneSword equally powerful]] [[{{BFS}} greatsword]] to match. |
| 168 | * MadeOfIron: She has absurdly many HP in her boss fight. |
| 169 | * MoralityPet: Players who persuade her to let them pass without fighting at the Landsmeet often spare Loghain because she begged them to show him mercy. |
| 170 | * MoralMyopia: Loghain selling elves into slavery to ensure the country's "freedom" is fine, but a Warden who stops Loghain from selling elves into slavery to ensure ''their'' freedom is selfish and uncalled for. |
| 171 | * MyMasterRightOrWrong: The only reason Cauthrien's an antagonist is because of her loyalty to Loghain, even if she disagrees with some of his choices. When Loghain orders the retreat at Ostagar, she's noticeably hesitant before complying. [[spoiler:It's possible for the Grey Warden to convince her to peacefully stand down and stop defending her boss.]] |
| 172 | * NobleTopEnforcer: She's this for Loghain. While she may carry out his orders that doesn't mean that she doesn't find herself disturbed by her master's actions. [[spoiler:And she can even be talked out of opposing the Grey Warden if persuaded that Loghain's actions have become unjustifiable.]] |
| 173 | * SaveTheVillain: With a high Persuasion score, she'll beg you to save Loghain from himself. |
| 174 | * SenselessSacrifice: Anora invokes this trope [[spoiler: if the Warden fights and kills Cauthrien when she tries to stop them leaving Howe's estate]]. |
| 175 | -->'''Anora''': [[spoiler: Ser Cauthrien's death is a waste, truly...]] |
| 176 | * SkippableBoss: With a high enough persuasion or intimidation score, you can avoid the second fight with her, which is handy because she can be pretty tough. |
| 177 | ** You can also skip the first fight if you surrender peacefully without revealing Anora's identity. She admits to being impressed by the tactic, and lets the rest of your party go unharmed. |
| 178 | * StrongAsTheyNeedToBe: When she's first encountered, Cauthrien is made a (almost) HopelessBossFight in order to increase the chances of the Warden getting captured so the player can experience a very funny side-quest that involves freeing their Warden. With the need for it passed, she's downgraded to a more reasonable difficulty in her second encounter. |
| 179 | * TalkingYourWayOut: As noted above, it's possible to avoid a fight if you've got the points in coercion. |
| 180 | * UndyingLoyalty: Despite Loghain's crimes she remains loyal to him to the end, to the point that she'll desperately try to justify them. Confront her about Loghain [[spoiler: allowing the Tevinter to enslave the elves in the Alienage]], and she'll protest weakly that they had to fund the nation ''somehow''. |
| 181 | * WhatTheHellHero: Her initial reaction when Loghain orders her to sound the retreat during Ostagar. |
| 182 | * WorthyOpponent: She expresses regret that she's forced to kill you if you opt to fight her. |
| 183 | * YesMan: The way she tries to justifies Loghain's actions slips into this, especially when she defends the reputation and position of people like Arl Howe, to whom she owes no loyalty, simply because he is a part of the regime in Denerim. |
| 184 | * YouKnowImBlackRight: Will admonish the Warden for stopping his slave-trading operation in Denerim's Alienage even if they are an elf (even a Denerim City Elf). |
| 185 | -->'''Cauthrien''': You have damn nerve turning on the man who fought to ensure you were born into freedom. |
| 186 | [[/folder]] |
| 187 | |
| 188 | !!Howe Family |
| 189 | |
| 190 | [[folder:Arl Rendon Howe]] |
| 191 | !!Arl Rendon Howe |
| 192 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/d323b49f6b28a3b2601ee803e03d8b18.jpg]] |
| 193 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 194 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TimCurry (English), Wojciech Machnicki (Polish), Daniel Gall (French) |
| 195 | |
| 196 | ->''"Maker spit on you... I deserved more..."'' |
| 197 | |
| 198 | \ |
| 199 | The best friend of Teyrn Bryce Cousland (the human noble PC's father) right up until he kills him along with almost his entire family. Afterwards, he is appointed the Arl of Denerim. He later serves as an advisor to Loghain and carries out his more atrocious orders. |
| 200 | ---- |
| 201 | * AndThereWasMuchRejoicing: [[spoiler:His eldest child Nathaniel seems to be the only one saddened by his death, and after his sister Delilah reveals the full extent of his crimes, understands why she doesn't miss him.]] The below dialogue from two nobles (one his brother-in-law and an old wartime comrade of his) drives the point home further: |
| 202 | -->'''Bann Alfstanna''': Will you be attending the funeral? |
| 203 | -->'''Arl Leonas''': [[BigNo No!]] |
| 204 | -->'''Bann Alfstanna''': No?! But you were friends, were you not? You served in the same regiment together under King Maric. |
| 205 | -->'''Arl Leonas''': Rendon Howe was ''no friend'' of mine! The boy I knew died at the Battle of White River! |
| 206 | -->'''Bann Alfstanna''': But I hear his family will not make the trip from Amaranthine. Will you let him go to the flames unmourned? |
| 207 | -->'''Arl Leonas''': That he didn't die ''years ago'' is the ''only'' thing worth mourning here! |
| 208 | * AnimalMotif: Frequently referred to as a snake after his true nature is revealed. |
| 209 | * ArchEnemy: Becomes this to the Human Noble after murdering their entire family. |
| 210 | %%* AristocratsAreEvil |
| 211 | %% Please explain why he's an example. |
| 212 | * ArrangedMarriage: Subverted: he seems very eager to pass on the message that his daughter Delilah[=/=]his son Thomas appears very taken with the young Cousland, going on about his prowess as a warrior[=/=]being smitten with her after seeing her at a Denerim fair. A Human Noble male can run into Delilah during ''Awakening'', and discover that she thought he was stuck up and never really liked him. |
| 213 | * BearsAreBadNews: Amaranthine's sigil is a bear. |
| 214 | * BitchInSheepsClothing: He briefly acts like a pleasant, old family friend when he meets up with the Cousland family in the Human Noble origin. The charade lasts just until he's in a position to kill them all, at which point he drops the act and lets his true monstrous nature shine through. |
| 215 | * BrokenPedestal: To his eldest son, Nathaniel, who used to look up to him. For the longest time, he's the only member of the Howe family upset about his father's death, even though from all accounts Nathaniel's childhood with him was less than ideal. It takes his sister Delilah talking sharing some brutal truths with him to make Nathaniel finally accept what a monster is father really was. |
| 216 | * TheButcher: Is remembered as "the Butcher of Denerim" in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. |
| 217 | * CantKillYouStillNeedYou: Loghain is said to have despised Howe, but kept him around to make use of his political savvy. |
| 218 | * CardCarryingVillain: A subdued example. While Howe doesn't openly declare himself evil, he still seems aware of just how awful a person he is. Should the Human Noble try to intimidate him by threatening to kill his wife and son afterwards, Howe snidely asks if he's supposed to "lament the monster he helped create," then calls them an amateur and shows the Human Noble "how it's done" by telling them exactly how he made their parents suffer while murdering them. |
| 219 | * ColdBloodedTorture: To nobles that disagree with him. |
| 220 | * CoDragons: With Ser Cauthrien to Loghain. Howe functions as Loghain's chief political ally (and dirty deeds specialist) while Cauthrien is his top lieutenant and the leader of Loghain's hand picked elite force, Maric's Shield. |
| 221 | * DisappearedDad: |
| 222 | ** According to the Codex and Brother Aldous, Tarleton Howe died during the war with Orlais, having allied himself with the [[LesCollaborateurs Orlesians]] during the occupation. He was subsequently hanged when the Couslands joined the rebellion and retook Harper's Ford. |
| 223 | ** Nathaniel, however, claims that his grandfather left to become a Grey Warden and was never heard from again, presumably having died during the Joining. It's not been confirmed whether this is a retcon or a mistake on the writer's part. Another [[TakeAThirdOption interpretation]] is that this was ''Rendon's'' grandfather, as Nathaniel gives his name as being Padric Howe. |
| 224 | * DyingCurse: [[spoiler:"Maker spit on you... I deserved more..."]] |
| 225 | * EntitledBastard: He seems to have been after the Highever Teyrnir from the get-go, since for some reason he thinks it's rightfully his. [[note]]A large part of Highever used to be part of Amaranthine.[[/note]] [[spoiler: His last words (as you gut him like a fish) are, "I deserved more."]] |
| 226 | * EqualOpportunityEvil: Despite being a huge racist and having less than savory views of a [[StayInTheKitchen human female noble warden]], Howe seems to have no qualms about who he hires to do his dirty work, whether they be non-Fereldans, elves, or women. |
| 227 | * EtTuBrute: [[spoiler:Murders not only his best friend, but also nearly the entirety of his best friend's family and household.]] |
| 228 | * EvilChancellor: Anora accuses him of being this to her father, speculating that the seeds of some of the worse atrocities committed by Loghain during his regency were [[TheCorrupter planted in his head by Howe]]. |
| 229 | -->'''Anora''': My father knew what Howe was, and while I despised the man, I know that Father relied heavily on his political mind. I suspect my father thought he was above being influenced by that snake. Truly, I wonder how much of what has happened stemmed from Howe and not my father at all. |
| 230 | * EvilerThanThou: He has Bann Vaughan imprisoned and tortured. No, it's not because Vaughan is a serial rapist, it's because Howe usurped his arling and proved even ''worse'' than Vaughan, purging the same alienage from which the deposed bann used to kidnap women. |
| 231 | * {{Expy}}: He seems to share more than a few similarities with [[Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire Walder Frey]], both being overly ambitious older men who betrayed and killed their liege lord, along with their household in an excessive and brutal massacre as part of siding with a tyrannical new royal regime, gaining great wealth and power from their treachery, but at the cost of making themselves and their Houses [[HateSink universally hated]] by the rest of the nation, [[EvenEvilHasStandards including their own allies]]. |
| 232 | * FaceHeelTurn: [[PigeonholedVoiceActor Not that it comes as much of a surprise]]. |
| 233 | * FalseFriend: Bryce still believes Rendon is his old, war-time buddy, an image Rendon plays into just long enough to slaughter Bryce's entire family. |
| 234 | * FantasticRacism: |
| 235 | ** If a City Elf Warden confronts him for what he did to the Alienage, he dismisses it as "culling the herd." |
| 236 | ** He absolutely hates anyone who isn't Fereldan. Part of his deluded belief that the Couslands are "traitors" is due to Bryce Cousland being on [[DefeatMeansFriendship friendly terms with Orlesian nobles]] despite fighting them during Maric's rebellion, while he accuses Fergus Cousland of selling out Highever and Fereldan independence by marrying an "Antivan whore" and siring an heir with foreign blood. |
| 237 | * FlorenceNightingaleEffect: After sustaining grievous wounds at the catastrophic Battle of White River, he was unable to rejoin the army, and was personally healed by his friend's sister, Eliane Bryland. The two ended up married, but while Eliane sincerely loved Rendon, Howe flat-out admitted to her brother that he was only marrying her for her dowry and connections. According to Nathaniel, Rendon actively hated her. |
| 238 | * FreudianExcuse: According to Nathaniel in ''Awakening'', Howe's dad (or possibly grandfather, [[{{RetCon}} see]] [[DisappearedDad above]]) left to become a Grey Warden and [[DisappearedDad was never heard from again]], and his very wealthy in-laws frequently complained about his family's comparative lack of success. |
| 239 | * TheFriendNobodyLikes: So much so that no one deigns to go to his funeral, not even his own family. His own brother-in-law, Arl Bryland, won't go, stating that the Rendon Howe he knew [[ThatManIsDead died at]] [[CurbStompBattle the Battle of White River]] during the Orlesian occupation. |
| 240 | * GoldDigger: Rendon Howe blatantly admits to his former friend, Leonas Bryland, that the only reason he's marrying Leonas's sister is for her dowry and connections. Needless to say, Leonas, who'd already been trying to stop the wedding in wake of the disturbing changes in Howe's behavior, cut all contact with Howe and his sister afterwards. Nathaniel goes even further, saying Rendon outright hated his wife. |
| 241 | * GreenEyedMonster: His reason for killing the Couslands. He envied their success and wanted them dead to fuel his own ambitions. |
| 242 | * HatedByAll: There isn't a single nobleman in the country who supports him willingly. Not even his family, save Nathaniel, and his sister cures him of that delusion fairly quickly. |
| 243 | * HateSink: The Archdemon may be the BigBad but it is too alien a foe to despise, while [[TheHeavy Loghain]] is too [[WellIntentionedExtremist complex]] a [[AntiVillain villain]], [[spoiler:and can even become a good guy]]. [[{{Pun}} Howe-ever]], Arl Howe is a SmugSnake motivated by nothing but ambition and spends most of the game [[KickTheDog kicking puppies]] by carrying out Loghain's most despicable orders. And that's not even counting the ItsPersonal angle with the City Elf and ''especially'' the Human Noble. He's so hateful and greedy a person that [[spoiler:no one, not even friends or family, are sad to hear when the Warden kills him]]. Although his son Nathaniel sympathizes with him at first, his character arc involves learning that Rendon Howe has always been a despicable prick and offering to make amends for his crimes. |
| 244 | * {{Irony}}: |
| 245 | ** For all his [[BlatantLies talk]] about the Couslands being secret collaborators with Orlais, it's worth noting that ''his own father'' collaborated with Orlais during their occupation and was subsequently hanged. |
| 246 | ** Howe murders the Couslands out of jealousy, desiring their lands for his own. In the end, [[spoiler:the Human Noble's brother, Fergus Cousland, returns to his rightful place as Teyrn of Highever and Howe's lands are given to the Couslands in reparation, whilst Amaranthine is gifted to the Wardens. To add further insult to injury, if the Warden is the Human Noble, they will become the new Arl/essa.]] |
| 247 | * ItsAllAboutMe: Howe's only concern is for himself and his own advancement. He's willing to abuse family, murder friends and thoughtlessly help destabilize his own nation if it means getting what he wants. [[spoiler:Even his last words are a dying curse, declaring he deserved more]]. |
| 248 | * ItsPersonal: Very much so with the Human Noble Warden, and to a degree with the City Elf Warden. The former for killing their family, the latter for culling and enslaving elves in the Denerim Alienage. |
| 249 | * {{Jerkass}}: Why he's disliked by most other nobles, and ''loathed'' by his subjects. |
| 250 | * KickTheDog: Aside from what he did to the Couslands in the Human Noble Origin, he ordered the crackdown on the Alienage after the elf riots (triggered by the events of the City Elf Origin but happen regardless of what origin the Grey Warden comes from) to "put the elves in their place." He's also the one to hire assassins to kill the last two Grey Wardens, as well as taunting the Human Noble about how their parents died. Brought up by Arl Eamon if the Grey Warden is a Human Noble, describing Howe as "the sort of man to go around and kick stray dogs." |
| 251 | * TheLancer: Was one to Bryce Cousland, though he's TheStarscream by the time of the game. |
| 252 | * LikeFatherLikeSon: His father was a traitor, too. |
| 253 | * MoreDespicableMinion: While his boss, Loghain, is a deeply complex antagonist with many redeeming qualities and well-intentioned motivations, Howe is just a power hungry snake who spends most of his time committing atrocities to either advance his station or satisfy his sadistic urges. |
| 254 | * MotiveRant: He can have an impressive one when the Human Noble confronts him late in the game, revealing that he felt inferior to Bryce Cousland and was jealous of his successes. Not to mention Loghain's motivation is shared: fear and hatred of the Orlesians. |
| 255 | * NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: His atrocities earn him the sobriquet "The Butcher of Denerim". People still remember him by it nearly ten years after his death and in places as far away as Kirkwall. |
| 256 | * ObliviousGuiltSlinging: In the Human Noble origin, after he's introduced as your father's oldest friend going off to war, if you choose to say "I just wanted to wish you luck, Arl Howe" he is momentarily stunned into silence, before thanking you in a tone that sounds quite sincere, and saying it is quite unnecessary with a look of guilt on his face. He might be able to act like Bryce's old friend right up until he stabs him in the back, but the innocence of that wish clearly touches him. |
| 257 | * OOCIsSeriousBusiness: The one time he's not acting like a SmugSnake (outside the Human Noble Origin) is a cutscene where he informs Loghain that between the darkspawn incursion, the civil war, and the Orlesian border patrols, they simply don't have the manpower to do it all. He also implores Loghain, along with Anora, to consider asking for help. When ''[[StupidEvil Howe]]'' tells you the aggressive approach is less wise than the cooperative/diplomatic approach, you know you've done something wrong. [[spoiler:That said, this doesn't stop Howe from continuing to alienate the nobles with his StupidEvil tendencies, nor to embezzle from the already drained royal coffers, so it looks like he wasn't ''that'' concerned.]] |
| 258 | * OvershadowedByAwesome: His reason for turning against the Couslands. He hated that he was sinking into obscurity while the Couslands got glory that was "rightfully" his. |
| 259 | * PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: He acts like a chauvinistic prick towards a female noble warden, right from his first encounter with her during the prologue, in particular calling her father's decision to train her as a warrior/rogue "unique". Notably, he doesn't have the excuse of living in a world where women are treated with contempt by society at large, since they enjoy [[GenderIsNoObject basically the same level of respect]] as men in Ferelden. He's just an asshole, and a hypocrite, if the number of women in his private army are any indication. He also outright compares elves to animals that need to be "culled" to a City Elf Warden's face, when confronted on massacring them. |
| 260 | * PsychoSupporter: Unlike Loghain, who's a WellIntentionedExtremist who believes IDidWhatIHadToDo, or Loghain's other [[TheDragon Dragon]], Cauthrien, a conflicted and honorable woman who subscribes to MyMasterRightOrWrong, Howe is in it purely for the power, wealth and that he's been given free rein to run around and [[KickTheDog kick as many dogs]] as he likes. It's strongly implied he means to kill Anora and tell Loghain the Warden did it. |
| 261 | * PyrrhicVictory: His efforts at attempting to gain power result in Highever rebelling against him after he takes the castle, Amaranthine starting to do the same, and no one in Denerim liking him. |
| 262 | * TheResenter: He utterly despises his "best friend" Bryce Cousland, who he hated for his popularity while he sank into obscurity. He believes the entire Cousland family stole glory that should've been his, and his hatred for all of them is perhaps best illustrated if the Grey Warden is a Human Noble who manages to pass a speech check that sends him into a dangerously subdued VillainousBreakdown. |
| 263 | * {{Sadist}}: It shouldn't be surprising, considering his actions against the Cousland family and Denerim Alienage. In fact, he's so fond of inflicting pain on others that he sleeps in the bedroom right next to the dungeon where he inflicts ColdBloodedTorture on prisoners. |
| 264 | * TheScapegoat: If the Warden is not a City Elf or [[spoiler:spared Vaughan]], Howe turns the Denerim elves into this by [[spoiler:locking up the true heir to the Arldom of Denerim that Loghain gave him]], blames the elves for "killing" the Arl's son, and purges them to prevent the other nobles from finding out. |
| 265 | * ShellShockedVeteran: It's implied that he wasn't always such a vicious monster, as he ''somehow'' became friends with Bryce Cousland, and another noble spoke highly of their time together during the war, but that's all gone now. Either he was simply better at hiding his darker nature in his youth or the war changed him, or both. |
| 266 | * SmugSnake: One of the most malicious characters in the entire game. |
| 267 | * TheSociopath: As shown in the Human Noble origin, he can temporarily mask his true nature behind a facade of superficial friendliness, he's utterly incapable of love or empathy, even towards friends and family, will commit any atrocity to benefit himself, feels no remorse for his actions, actively delights in the suffering of others, and has such a grandiose sense of self-worth that he feels the world owes him everything he takes. |
| 268 | * TheStarscream: [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed.]] Killing his best friend, sworn liege lord (the Howes were vassals of the Couslands), and one of the most beloved men in the entire country made him a hated figure all over Ferelden. His loyalty to Loghain brings him great power and wealth, but his support of the regime destabilizes it, and one of the easiest ways to defeat Loghain at the Landsmeet is to exploit Howe's status as his weakest link. |
| 269 | * StayInTheKitchen: His greeting of the female Human Noble Warden has sexist undertones, although he's just as dismissive to a male Human Noble. Notably, since women enjoy relatively modern levels of equality in Ferelden, Howe doesn't have the excuse of DeliberateValuesDissonance. [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain He's just an asshole]]. |
| 270 | -->'''Howe''': ''[upon facing down the female Human Noble]'' Well, look what we have here! Bryce Cousland's little spitfire, still playing the man! |
| 271 | * StupidEvil: Howe's alliance ultimately proves to be [[TheLoad more of a hindrance]] than an actual benefit to Loghain. He murders ''[[LovedByAll the Couslands]]'' out of jealousy, has Tevinter Slavers occupy the Alienage to enslave Elves, almost has Anora killed, and imprisons and tortures his fellow nobles who he deems a threat (plus, on the side, he's embezzling silver from the already-diminished royal treasury in a time of war). [[spoiler: This all comes back to spectacularly bite Loghain in the ass during the Landsmeet.]] |
| 272 | * TortureCellar: There's a rather extensive one in the Arl of Denerim's estate, although it was there before he took residence. Still, he chose the room next to the entrance of the dungeon as his ''bedchamber''. As Oghren puts it, he apparently "[[{{Squick}} liked to nip down for a spot of torture before bedtime]]." |
| 273 | * TortureTechnician: Though it's not stated how proficient he is at it, Howe is the one who personally handles the cold-blooded torture of Loghain's political enemies, and he apparently enjoyed it enough that he specifically chose the room right next to the TortureCellar as his bedroom. |
| 274 | * ToxicFriendInfluence: To Loghain. To illustrate, at one point he plans on convincing Loghain to murder [[spoiler:Loghain's own daughter for being an inconvenience]]. |
| 275 | * TranquilFury: After the Human Noble's ShutUpHannibal. |
| 276 | * TreacherousAdvisor: Basically [[Franchise/TheLordOfTheRings GrÃma Wormtongue to Loghain's Théoden]]. |
| 277 | * {{Unperson}}: |
| 278 | ** After his death, Ferelden does its best to do this to Rendon once the Blight is ended. His lands are given over to the Wardens, his family are stripped of every title, and even a statue outside the Amaranthine Chantry of a prominent historical member of House Howe was torn down following his downfall. The only reasons that there's a conspiracy against your rule at all in ''Awakening'' is because the conspirators profited under his leadership, and no one aside from his son (who's been away from Ferelden for a long time [[spoiler: and who is potentially executed on the Warden's orders]]) gives any sign of missing him. This is especially cathartic if you're a Human Noble, or a City Elf. |
| 279 | ** Interestingly, Howe tries (and almost succeeds) to do this to the Couslands during his stint as Loghain's lackey. When the Human Noble confronts him, he'll claim he hasn't done everything in his power to make everyone forget the name "Cousland" just to have you undo it now. It's also worth noting that non-Human Noble Wardens ''never'' hear the Couslands or Highever coup mentioned anywhere in the game (neither by other nobles nor gossips), in sharp contrast to every other origin, whose events or potential Wardens get at least a passing mention at some point. For non-Human Noble world states, the Couslands never get mentioned in sequels until Fergus turns up in ''War Table Missions'' as the new Teyrn of Highever in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', a decade after Howe's defeat. |
| 280 | * VillainousBreakdown: If the Warden is a Human Noble, he has a very surprisingly subtle one (given who voices him), when they throw back the [[WouldYouLikeToHearHowTheyDied taunts he gives]] by telling him that all the pain he has inflicted upon them has only made them stronger. |
| 281 | -->'''Arl Howe:''' [[WouldYouLikeToHearHowTheyDied Your parents died on their knees. Your brother's corpse rots in Ostagar, and his brat was burned on a scrap heap along with his Antivan bitch of a wife.]] And what's left? A fool husk of a son/daughter who is likely to end his/her days under a rock in the Deep Roads. Even the Wardens are gone. You are the last of nothing. This is pointless... you've lost.\ |
| 282 | '''Warden:''' I know your game, Howe. No shadows. No lies. Just you and me.\ |
| 283 | '''Arl Howe:''' And there it is, right there... that damned look in the eye that marked every Cousland success that held me back. It would appear that you've made something of yourself after all. Your father would be proud. I, on the other hand, ''want you dead more than ever''. |
| 284 | * WouldHurtAChild: |
| 285 | ** Children are not spared when he betrays the Couslands, as poor Oren's fate proves. Howe will even use Oren and his mother deaths to taunt a Human Noble Warden, with [[TheSociopath no remorse]] whatsoever. |
| 286 | ** Nor when he purges the Alienage, as an entire orphanage was slaughtered and [[spoiler:elven children were sold into slavery en masse]], complete with an EmpathyDollShot. |
| 287 | ** The Crows offer the Warden a quest that lets you rescue a child, who has been kidnapped to be held hostage and possibly tortured by Howe's men. If the Warden completes the quest, a noble will side with them in the Landsmeet over the Warden helping him with a "family matter." |
| 288 | * WouldYouLikeToHearHowTheyDied: Gives this to the Human Noble about their parents. |
| 289 | [[/folder]] |
| 290 | |
| 291 | !!Guerrin Family |
| 292 | |
| 293 | [[folder:Arl Eamon Guerrin]] |
| 294 | !!Arl Eamon Guerrin |
| 295 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/83f71e2627485733797a1bc6d7c543ad.jpg]] |
| 296 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 297 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/GrahamMcTavish (English), Uli Plessmann (German) |
| 298 | |
| 299 | ->''"Must we sacrifice everything good about our nation to save it?"'' |
| 300 | |
| 301 | \ |
| 302 | The Arl of Redcliffe and King Cailan's favorite uncle; he was the brother of Cailan's late mother, Queen Rowan. |
| 303 | ---- |
| 304 | * BigGood: Although you're the one [[TheLeader rallying the troops]] and [[TheHero slaying the darkspawn]], it's Eamon's idea to call the Landsmeet, and it's his support that makes you a threat to Loghain in a political sense. The forces he can call upon as Arl of Redcliffe also form the basis for the army you gather to face the Blight. |
| 305 | * TheChessmaster: His plan to catch Loghain off guard at the Landsmeet demonstrates this. |
| 306 | * CoolOldGuy: Make no mistake. Despite his old age and having just recovered from a deadly poison, Eamon hasn't lost a step at all both politically and militarily. He comes up with the whole Landsmeet idea as he knows it's the only way he and his allies could undermine Loghain politically, which doesn't stop him from showing up at the Landsmeet itself wearing full armor and combat ready in the event that things go sideways and he has to resort to fighting ''Ferelden's greatest general'' to decide the fate of the nation. After all that, he also participates in the final battle and shows up as one of the allies who helps the Warden fighting ''the Archdemon itself'' and lives to tell the tale. |
| 307 | * DotingParent: Adores his son Connor. |
| 308 | * EvilChancellor: Loghain accuses him of this, suggesting that Eamon's ''real'' goal in putting [[spoiler:Alistair]] onto the throne is to have a PuppetKing who'll let him pull all the strings, which he claims he tried with Cailan. Of course, the man making the claim was ''Cailan's'' EvilChancellor and TheStarscream, rendering this claim suspect. |
| 309 | * TheGoodChancellor: Becomes this to [[spoiler:Alistair]] if he's made king, unless the Warden takes the post themself [[spoiler:(or becomes Alistair's queen)]], which leads to him noting that the throne is in good hands. He also was apparently one of these to his nephew Cailan during his reign. |
| 310 | * HappilyMarried: To Isolde, an Orlesian woman. |
| 311 | * LittleNo: The serious kind, if the Warden chooses Dog to be their champion in [[CombatByChampion the fight]] against Loghain at the Landsmeet. |
| 312 | -->'''Arl Eamon''': Ah, Warden... No. I'm afraid we can't leave the fate of all of Ferelden up to your dog. |
| 313 | * PapaWolf: He has a moment of this, if Alistair is captured alongside the Warden during the "Rescue the Queen" quest. Anora wants the Warden rescued from Fort Drakon, but ''only'' the Warden - Alistair can rot there for all she cares. Eamon is ''not'' amused. |
| 314 | -->'''Anora''': The Wardens have been captured! [...] The question is how to free [them]. |
| 315 | -->'''Arl Eamon''': Surely you mean ''them'', Your Highness? We need Alistair too. |
| 316 | -->'''Anora''': [[VerbalBackspace Yes. Of course I meant Alistair, too.]] |
| 317 | * ParentalSubstitute: To Alistair. |
| 318 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: One of the few in Ferelden, which is why his word carries so much weight in the Landsmeet. |
| 319 | * RousingSpeech: Delivers a fine one in the lead-up to the Battle of Denerim. |
| 320 | -->'''Arl Eamon''': We have gathered all the forces we can. The darkspawn horde is sure to reach the capital before us, and so we must race to Denerim, as quickly as we can. The lives of many thousands hang in the balance; we must ''not'' forsake them. You have gathered an army to replace the one lost at Ostagar, Grey Warden. Let us pray... that it will be enough. |
| 321 | * SupportingLeader: It's his aid that will allow the Warden to mount a final strike against Loghain politically. |
| 322 | * ThisIsUnforgivable: When Loghain tries to coerce him into [[WeCanRuleTogether calling off the Landsmeet and working with him]], Eamon responds with this. After all, he can't overlook that Loghain abandoned their king at Ostagar and hired an apostate to have him poisoned. |
| 323 | -->'''Arl Eamon''': I cannot forgive what you have done, Loghain. Perhaps the Maker can, but not I. |
| 324 | * UselessBystanderParent: Well, foster parent. Eamon apparently didn't do anything to prevent Isolde making young Alistair's life miserable, and sent Alistair away to the Chantry to make her happy. |
| 325 | * WhatDoesHeSeeInHer: In-universe, nearly everyone seems to wonder why he married Isolde, seeing as she's Orlesian and displays many of the more ''[[FrenchJerk negative]]'' traits commonly associated with that nation. According to Alistair, however, it was/is a genuine love match. |
| 326 | [[/folder]] |
| 327 | |
| 328 | [[folder:Arlessa Isolde Guerrin]] |
| 329 | !!Arlessa Isolde Guerrin |
| 330 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/c0e3fcd8e1a39253524319bf75544b3d.jpg]] |
| 331 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' | ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' |
| 332 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Louisa Patikas |
| 333 | |
| 334 | ->''"For the one who delivers the Sacred Ashes of Our Lady will have the esteem of Redcliffe, and all the riches it is in my power to grant."'' |
| 335 | |
| 336 | \ |
| 337 | Wife to Arl Eamon and mother to Connor, Isolde married her husband despite her own Orlesian heritage. |
| 338 | ---- |
| 339 | * AllForNothing: At the end of the Redcliffe quest [[spoiler: Connor is either killed or taken to the Circle, which is what she sought to avoid]]. She can also [[spoiler:sacrifice herself to save her son from the demon possessing him, only for the Warden to let him be taken anyway]]. What's more, [[spoiler: if she survives]], her husband and subjects no longer trust her, leaving her even worse off than before. |
| 340 | * ClingyJealousGirl: Oddly enough, displays this towards Bann Teagan and not her ''husband'', which explains the rumors that the two are having an affair. In both ''Origins'' and her cameo in ''Mark of the Assassin'', she quickly interrupts his flirting with a female Warden and Hawke with quiet indignation. Make of that what you will. |
| 341 | -->'''Isolde''': Who is this ''woman'', Teagan?! |
| 342 | * DeadGuyJunior: [[spoiler: Her second child, born in the event that the Warden chooses to kill Connor, and who Isolde [[DeathByChildbirth dies giving birth to]], is a girl whom Eamon names Rowan after his late sister. She is also a mage, like Connor.]] |
| 343 | * DeathByChildbirth: [[spoiler:If you kill Connor, she will die giving birth to her second child.]] |
| 344 | * EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench: Inverted: her Orlesian accent repulses people, especially as she spends most of her time shrieking. |
| 345 | * FrenchJerk: Displays many of the more negative traits stereotypically associated with Orlais. |
| 346 | * FreudianExcuse: Noticeable only if you ask the right questions. [[spoiler:Apparently, her grandfather was a powerful mage and not a very nice guy to boot. Add to that the stigma of magic in Ferelden and Orlais both, and her attitude toward finding out her son inherited it is still stupid, but somewhat more understandable.]] |
| 347 | * HappilyMarried: To Arl Eamon. |
| 348 | * HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Offers to perform one to save Connor.]] |
| 349 | * {{Hypocrite}}: If the Warden chooses to kill Connor, Isolde will fly off the handle wondering why they get to make the decision... after willingly letting the Warden choose to do so. |
| 350 | * {{Jerkass}}: Mostly towards Alistair, but she doesn't exactly make any effort to endear herself to anybody. |
| 351 | * KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler:In the best ending to the Redcliffe quest, she gets off completely scot-free despite being (half) directly responsible for the crisis in the first place. Connor does get sent off to the Circle (or killed) in spite of her actions, however, and she's also probably not too popular in Redcliffe at the moment.]] |
| 352 | * MamaBear: |
| 353 | ** She is more than willing to sacrifice her life to save her son. When the option is presented, she doesn't even hesitate. |
| 354 | ** [[spoiler: And the whole reason she hired Jowan was to have him train Connor in magic to the point that he could hide his magic abilities, keeping him out of the Circle, since she knew her husband would insist on doing the right thing and sending Connor to the Circle if he found out. Given what we learn about the Circle in ''Origins'' and especially in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', it's clear why she would want him kept out of there.]] |
| 355 | * MistakenForCheating: A few servants at Redcliffe Castle thought she was trying to hide an affair she was having with Jowan from her husband [[spoiler: when in truth, she was trying to keep Eamon from finding out Connor had magical abilities]]. There are also long-standing rumors that she is having an affair with Teagan. |
| 356 | * NeverMyFault: Denies any responsibility for what happens to Redcliffe. [[spoiler: She insists that it was ''all'' Jowan's doing, and has an excuse ready any time someone points out that she hired Jowan in the first place, or enabled Demon!Connor's rampage, or that Connor willingly made the deal with the demon.]] She does show brief remorse when Jowan suggests [[spoiler: sacrificing someone in a blood magic ritual to kill the demon from the Fade]], insisting that she should do it partly to atone for what she's done. However, if she [[spoiler: isn't sacrificed]], she's back to blaming Jowan. |
| 357 | * NoSympathy: Never shows much concern for Redcliffe, a fact on which the Warden can call her out. She also insists that her family are the true victims and most deserving of sympathy, even though [[spoiler: they were merely held hostage by the demon (which her son inadvertently summoned)]] while half the village is brutally killed, eaten alive and ghoulified in nightly attacks for reasons they couldn't even fathom. |
| 358 | * UngratefulBastard: At first, though after Connor is saved [[spoiler:(if she isn't sacrificed for the purpose)]], she does improve. |
| 359 | * WickedStepmother: Sort of; though her husband was only his foster father, Alistair makes it clear that she wasn't very nice to him during the time he lived at Redcliffe Castle. (He explains that she suspected there was truth to the rumors that Eamon was Alistair's biological father.) In spite of this, however, he will still give the Warden a WhatTheHellHero speech if [[spoiler:she is allowed to sacrifice herself to save Connor]]. |
| 360 | [[/folder]] |
| 361 | |
| 362 | [[folder:Connor Guerrin]] |
| 363 | !!Connor Guerrin |
| 364 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/189626606af227712a9334e31391704d.jpg]] |
| 365 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''[[note]]Choice dependent[[/note]] |
| 366 | !!!'''Voiced by''': Michael Curtis Parsons |
| 367 | |
| 368 | ->''"I feel like I'm sleeping, but I guess I'm not."'' |
| 369 | |
| 370 | \ |
| 371 | The young son of Arl Eamon. |
| 372 | ---- |
| 373 | * ArcVillain: [[spoiler:For the Arl of Redcliffe quest. The demon is terrorizing the citizens of Redcliffe with nightly zombie attacks, and possessed Connor]]. |
| 374 | * BrokenBird: If he survives for ''Inquisition'', he's become a guilt-ridden young man who blames himself for Redcliffe's woes and still has nightmares about it years later. |
| 375 | * TheCaligula: [[spoiler:The demon passes time by making the people of Redcliffe it's playthings.]] |
| 376 | * ChildMage: [[spoiler:Too young to cast even minor spells but still capable of tearing the Veil - a perfect target for a demon.]] |
| 377 | * CorruptTheCutie: Not much else can happen when you are [[spoiler:possessed by a demon.]] |
| 378 | * CreepyChild: [[spoiler:When the demon is in control.]] |
| 379 | * DeadGuyJunior: A codex entry in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' and [[WordOfGod Patrick Weekes' Twitter]] reveals that Connor was named in memory of his paternal grandfather Arl Rendorn Guerrin's gay lover, who took a major role in Eamon's upbringing. (The codex is found in Fort Connor, in the Hinterlands, which was named for the same person.) |
| 380 | * DemonicPossession: |
| 381 | ** [[spoiler:With three possible solutions. One, you kill him. Two, you use blood magic to send a mage to kill the demon in the Fade (and kill his mother in the process). Three, you use the Circle's lyrium to send the mage into the Fade instead. Choices two and three make it possible to coerce the demon into granting you stuff, though only if the mage confronting the demon is the Warden. However, even if you end the possession, Connor will never be the same again, even though he doesn't remember the event. Eamon notices that Connor is different, leading to fan speculation that you failed to kill the demon; but other conversations reveal that that is simply how this particular strategy of getting rid of a demon works.]] |
| 382 | ** [[spoiler:Wynne mentions that even mages saved from possession are forever changed by the experience of having their souls and those of demons fused together. Add to that the fact that Connor was sometimes implied to be [[AndIMustScream awake]] while all the horror was going on, and it's not too surprising that the kid [[ShellShockedVeteran doesn't really act as perky]] as he once did.]] |
| 383 | * DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: If the [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Herald]] sides with the mages, Connor is encountered briefly in the BadFuture; he feels himself slipping and becoming vulnerable to possession again, so he incinerates himself to make sure it doesn't happen.]] |
| 384 | * EvilSoundsDeep: [[spoiler:When the demon's in control.]] |
| 385 | * ForTheEvulz: [[spoiler:Seems like this particular demon likes to torment people when it gets bored.]] |
| 386 | * HesAllGrownUp: [[spoiler:If he survives ''Origins'', he shows up in ''Inquisition'' as a full grown adult.]] |
| 387 | * IAmAMonster: If Connor [[spoiler:is not killed, he is sent to the Circle, and in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' he can be encountered in Redcliffe Village as a fully-fledged mage. As an adult, Connor is one of the most anti-mage mages you can come across. When told that being possessed wasn't his fault, he denies that and takes full responsibility. He also thinks Tevinter is wrong for letting mages run around free and believes that mages like himself are monsters that need to be locked up. It is perhaps unsurprising that he is vehemently against the mage rebellion.]] |
| 388 | * JekyllAndHyde: [[spoiler: Connor is Jekyll, desperate but human. The Demon is Hyde, controlling and monstrous.]] |
| 389 | * KillTheCutie: [[spoiler:One option to stop the demon is to kill Connor.]] |
| 390 | * PastExperienceNightmare: As an adult, he says that he can sometimes see what he did while possessed in his dreams. |
| 391 | * SuperpowerfulGenetics: [[spoiler:Inherited magic from Isolde's side of the family, who have produced several mages.]] |
| 392 | * SurvivorGuilt: As noted above, [[spoiler:if encountered in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', Connor suffers from massive guilt over the undead siege of Redcliffe. Even if told that he was not at fault, he will blame himself for taking the deal with the demon in the first place.]] |
| 393 | * UnstablePoweredChild: [[spoiler: Connor is a mage and, in Jowan's words, too inexperienced to cast spells but still powerful enough to tear the Veil. When a Desire Demon approached Connor, he didn't understand what it was or the danger involved; he only knew that ''someone'' was offering to help his ill father.]] |
| 394 | * WalkingSpoiler: Thanks to his role in the "Arl of Redcliffe" quest being hidden from you by Isolde. |
| 395 | [[/folder]] |
| 396 | |
| 397 | [[folder:Bann Teagan Guerrin]] |
| 398 | !!Bann Teagan Guerrin |
| 399 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/feed934161e1341e6dced105f265fa35.jpg]] |
| 400 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' | ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' | ''Literature/TheMaskedEmpire'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]'' |
| 401 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Timothy Watson |
| 402 | |
| 403 | ->''"The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!"'' |
| 404 | |
| 405 | \ |
| 406 | Bann of Rainesfere and younger brother of Arl Eamon and the late Queen Rowan, Teagan is currently in charge of the defense of Redcliffe against the mysterious evil pouring out of the castle, where his family may or may not still be alive. |
| 407 | ---- |
| 408 | * AlmightyJanitor: He's a bann, a lesser noble, but he's seen as a political threat to Loghain. This is partly due to him being the brother of Arl Eamon and the former queen, and partly due to the fact that he has no problem speaking his mind in public forum, regardless of whose feathers he ruffles. |
| 409 | -->'''Teagan''': ''(to Loghain)'' What of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most... ''fortuitous''.\ |
| 410 | ''[murmurs and gasps erupt from the rest of the gathered Landsmeet]'' |
| 411 | * {{Ambadassador}}: In ''Literature/TheMaskedEmpire'' he serves as Ferelden's ambassador to Orlais, post-Blight. He also duels the imperial champion, with feathers. |
| 412 | * AssInAmbassador: In ''Inquisition'', he's generally rude and abrasive towards the entire Inquisition, stubbornly calling for them to disband. [[JerkassHasAPoint However, he's arguably completely justified in his attitude, considering some of the Inquisition's actions]]. |
| 413 | * TheBabyOfTheBunch: The youngest of the three Guerrin siblings. Teagan was considered to be of little note compared to his royal sister and extremely popular brother until Eamon's absence for most of the Fifth Blight forced Teagan to step up. |
| 414 | * TheCameo: In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', depending on the imported save of ''Origins'' (or pre-made background) being used, he may show up either [[spoiler:as King Alistair's aide and "sort-of uncle"]] or [[spoiler:persuading alcoholic Alistair to come back to Ferelden to make a fresh start.]] He also appears at the party in the ''Mark of the Assassin'' DLC, along with Isolde. |
| 415 | * TheCharmer: He flirts with both a female Warden, and a female Hawke in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' (even if one of the epilogue slides in ''Origins'' indicated that he had gotten married). |
| 416 | * DeadpanSnarker: Not to the same degree as, say Alistair, but he has his moments. See the quote under HonoraryUncle. |
| 417 | * DidNotGetTheGirl: If the Warden is female (regardless of race or background), a deleted line in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' implies that Teagan had feelings for her but never had the courage to tell her. [[spoiler:Since the player ''cannot'' romance Teagan (even if you flirt with him), it's little wonder why he's so cranky and miserable by ''Trespasser.'']] |
| 418 | ** Subverted if you make the right choices. Should you pay 10 Gold for Kaitlyn's sword the epilogue will mention she and Teagan ended up meeting at court and marry months later. |
| 419 | * HonoraryUncle: To Alistair, to whom he's technically not related at all. Teagan's brother Eamon was Alistair's foster father, and both men are the biological uncles of [[spoiler:Alistair's half-brother Cailan]], hence the "sort of" nature of the relationship. |
| 420 | -->'''Alistair''': And this is Teagan, my uncle. Sort of.\ |
| 421 | '''Teagan''': I'm ''actually'' Teagan, I'm only "sort of" his uncle. |
| 422 | * JerkassHasAPoint: In ''Trespasser'', he makes it very clear he is not a friend of the Inquisition, but his main complaint is that the Inquisition is occupying Caer Bronach (a Fereldan territory) without the consent of the Fereldan government. Two of the Inquisitor's three potential responses basically amount to thumbing their nose and telling him to fuck off for objecting to something ''any'' self-respecting leader would find to be an outrage. His other criticisms (such as the Inquisition being infiltrated thoroughly by agents of the Qunari and [[spoiler:Solas]]) hold weight, and he ultimately has a point that the Inquisition has fulfilled the Divine's directive and thus has ill-founded justification for continuing. Finally, the Orlesian Empire has abandoned subtlety to the wind and are openly trying to exert control over the Inquisition; Teagan lived during their invasion, and certainly wouldn't want to see it repeated with the Inquisition's help. |
| 423 | * TheLancer: Serves this role towards Eamon and the Warden. |
| 424 | * LargeHam: Only during the time that [[spoiler:demon-possessed Connor enthralls him into a jester.]] |
| 425 | -->'''Teagan''': [[spoiler:[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEBR8baVhxE No-ho-ho-hobody tells him what to doo! NOBODYYYYY!!!! Haa-haa-haa-haaaaa!]]]] |
| 426 | * MrFanservice: Aided by the fact that he [[ShipTease seems to have some interest]] in a female Warden of any race. |
| 427 | * ThePornomancer: Many in the fandom believe him to be this, due to his (suspiciously) close relationship with Isolde, his unashamedly hitting on female Wardens of ''any'' race, and his epilogue slide having him end up with either Bella or Kaitlyn from Redcliffe. Not that the latter stops him flirting with a female Hawke during his cameo during the ''Mark of the Assassin ''DLC for ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', before being interrupted by Isolde. The second game has DummiedOut dialogue where he compares Hawke to "someone I hold dear, though I never had the courage to say that to her." |
| 428 | * RankUp: [[spoiler:After the Fifth Blight ended, Eamon retired to Denerim. Since Connor could not inherit his father's title due to being a mage (and possibly dead), Eamon declared Teagan as the new Arl of Redcliffe]]. |
| 429 | * {{Realpolitik}}: Why he calls for the Inquisition to be disbanded in ''Trespasser'': on one hand, the Inquisitor is moving into Ferelden and undermining the authority of the royal government, and on the other, the Orlesian Empire is trying to co-opt the organization for their own aims. |
| 430 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: In ''Origins'', he's one of the only nobles who has the courage to call out Loghain for fleeing the battle of Ostagar and using the opportunity to usurp the throne. |
| 431 | * RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Despite the undead attacking each night, he absolutely refuses to abandon the villagers in Redcliffe. His role in the battle is to serve as the last line of defense for the women, children, elderly and injured civilians taking refuge in the Chantry. |
| 432 | ** He also [[spoiler:defies his brother's orders to protect Redcliffe and arrives at Denerim with reinforcements just in time to rout the darkspawn after the archdemon's death]]. |
| 433 | * ShutUpHannibal: When Loghain claims to be doing everything for the good of Ferelden and gets appointed Regent. |
| 434 | -->'''Teagan''': The Bannorn will ''not'' bow to you simply because you ''demand'' it! |
| 435 | * SupportingLeader: During the Redcliffe quest. [[spoiler:Subverted when he willingly chooses to enter the castle with Isolde to act as a diversion and give the Warden a chance to fight the monsters off.]] |
| 436 | * TookALevelInJerkass: In ''Inquisition'', he's far ruder and more aggressive towards the Inquisitor than he was with the Hero of Ferelden. |
| 437 | * UnexpectedSuccessor: He becomes the new Arl of Redcliffe after the events during the Blight, due to the fact that [[spoiler:Connor cannot be the heir - either because he is killed or because he is sent to the Circle due to his magic being revealed. If he is killed, Eamon and Isolde's second child Rowan is also a mage and sent to the Circle, meaning she cannot be the heir either]]. |
| 438 | [[/folder]] |
| 439 | |
| 440 | !!Cousland Family |
| 441 | |
| 442 | [[folder:Teyrn Bryce Cousland]] |
| 443 | !!Teyrn Bryce Cousland |
| 444 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/67abe962458a118e8142f35ed1f4107c.jpg]] |
| 445 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 446 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Richard Laing |
| 447 | |
| 448 | ->''"We are Couslands, and we do what must be done."'' |
| 449 | |
| 450 | \ |
| 451 | Father of the Human Noble PC, and Teyrn of Highever. |
| 452 | ---- |
| 453 | * TheAce: The Cousland family is a family of aces, and Rendon Howe ''hates'' that about them. |
| 454 | * ActionSurvivor: In his backstory, alongside Arl Howe, he survives a CurbStompBattle against the Orlesians at White River, from which only fifty rebels escaped. |
| 455 | * AffectionateNickname: Fitting for a [[HeroesLoveDogs Fereldan]], he affectionately calls his younger son/daugher "pup". |
| 456 | * BenevolentBoss: Definitely for his human castle staff, though a bit debatable for his elven servants.[[note]]In the Human Noble Origin, Iona admits it's not only strange to see a noble employ so many elven servants in one place, but to actually treat them ''well'' is nearly unheard of. Of course, she's a visiting lady's maid who doesn't see how Nan the cook treats her elven staff when the Warden's dog raids the larder. Furthermore, in the City Elf Origin, rumor in the Denerim Alienage (which Highever elves frequently intermarry with) and testimony from the City Elf Warden's Highever bride/groom claims that humans treat elves just as poorly (if not worse) there as anywhere else.[[/note]] |
| 457 | * BerserkButton: The only time he ever raises his voice is when Howe insults King Cailan. |
| 458 | * BigGood: The Cousland family have been this to Ferelden for ''centuries'', and Bryce is no exception. |
| 459 | * BlackAndWhiteMorality: In a "dark fantasy" game that prides itself on being filled with GreyAndGrayMorality and BlackAndGrayMorality, the Human Noble Origin stands out as one of the few conflicts with straight up Good vs. Evil. Bryce is very much the White to Howe's Black Morality. |
| 460 | * BolivianArmyEnding: Ultimately left to face Howe's men with his wife at the end of the Human Noble origin. |
| 461 | * TheCreon: [[CharacterShilling As everyone in his castle will constantly tell you]], Bryce is the richest and most powerful noble under the royal family, but he's too ''humble'' and ''loyal'' to even ''think'' about aspiring for more. [[spoiler:His child might not have any such reservations, if they decide to [[ArrangedMarriage marry]] into the crown at the end of the game.]] |
| 462 | * DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: One of the few parents to die no matter what during the origin, and portrayed as one of the most flawless (on-screen) parents accordingly. |
| 463 | * DotingParent: He loves his family more than anything, and it's implied that his younger child is his particular pet. |
| 464 | * DoubleStandard: The Couslands fought beside Sophia Dryden and the Grey Wardens against the Mad King Arland, but while ''they'' were branded usurputous traitors, stripped of their rank and exiled, and remain strongly distrusted to the present day, the Cousland family suffered ''no'' [=PR=] backlash from it, to the point that when Howe claims that Bryce was an Orlesian spy and traitor (something that most Fereldens believe of the Grey Wardens and Drydens due to their failed rebellion against the same Mad King), absolutely ''no one'' believes him about Bryce. |
| 465 | ** However, Avernus admits to using blood magic to mind control those Couslands into supporting him, and also says to a Human Noble Warden that they ‘lost a lot of relatives’ when King Arland discovers the plot and has many of the Couslands executed for their involvement in the rebellion against him. So they didn’t go unpunished, and it may well be that the Couslands that King Arland let live were vocal about their relatives being controlled into supporting the rebellion, and the other nobles were willing to believe them, given the Couslands have ruled in the Highever region since before Calenhad Theirin united Fereldan (and goes back to Flemeth’s origin story, her killing Conobar allows Sarim Cousland to take over ruling as Bann). Also, Sophie Dryden was one of two potential heirs to the throne, who lost out to Arland, and was sent to be a Grey Warden as Arland hoped this would kill her during the Joining. This failed, and Sophia went on to raise the Grey Wardens against Arland, so he was right to be paranoid about what Sophia might do once he took the throne over her. So it seems that it could be easy enough to put all the blame on the Drydens, and Grey Wardens, especially since there was a Civil War shortly after, and a lot of records were lost. |
| 466 | * EtTuBrute: [[spoiler: He is betrayed and murdered by Rendon Howe, his best friend. It's implied that their friendship blinded him to Howe's darker side, because almost every other noble thinks Howe is a {{Jerkass}}.]] |
| 467 | * FantasyForbiddingFather: Averted in the case of the Female Noble. Unlike other nobles in Ferelden, he seems to have no problem with his daughter studying combat training, regularly competing in local tournaments, and being a better warrior than the majority of the castle guards. He's even open to the idea of her becoming a Grey Warden, although he wants to wait to talk about it until after he gets back from Ostagar. Much like [[HiddenDepths Calian's treatment of Alistair]], this last fact makes sense; with both Bryce and Fergus heading off to war, that would leave the Human Noble Warden the next in line to rule Highever if the worst comes to pass. |
| 468 | * GenreThrowback: Of the Chivalric Romance and [[RichesToRags Medieval]] [[RagsToRiches Tragedy]] genres. A stalwart noble is betrayed by his CardCarryingVillain [[EtTuBrute best friend]] / [[CainAndAbel brother]] / [[EvilUncle uncle]], his loyal followers wiped out, and his rightful lands and titles seized by the traitorous usurper. His child is plunged into RichesToRags harship, until they eventually [[YouKilledMyFather avenge their father by killing the traitorous usurper]], reclaim their "rightful" inheritance, and marry into the monarchy if they aren't kings already. |
| 469 | * HappilyMarried: To his wife Eleanor. How they met and came to fall in love with one another is detailed in ''The World of Thedas.'' |
| 470 | * IdiotBall: He's a sharp and reasonable man, but has a blind spot when it comes to Rendon Howe. [[spoiler: It gets him killed.]] It's actually somewhat surprising that such a good man was best friends with possibly one of the most monstrous men in Ferelden. Presumably this was because he let his [[WideEyedIdealist idealism]] get the better of him, hoping that his [[FireForgedFriends wartime friendship]] with Howe could end ''centuries'' of bitterness and feuding between their two families. He never considered that Howe might fall prey to the same jealousy that had plagued previous generations. |
| 471 | * MagneticHero: Immensely popular amongst the nobility. It's said that many would have preferred him as king over Cailan, according to Dairren. |
| 472 | * ModestRoyalty: One of the most down-to-earth nobles in the entire game. |
| 473 | * NiceToTheWaiter: Bryce is universally praised by his human castle staff for being such a kind and generous boss. His treatment of elven servants is kept a little more vague since he's never shown interacting with them, nor are their opinions of him made clear. While a visiting noblewoman's elven handmaiden, Iona, notes that Highever elves ''seem'' to be treated well, other elven characters outside the HN Origin claim that Highever elves aren't treated any better there than anywhere else. |
| 474 | * NoGuyWantsAnAmazon: T'was the "gentler arts" that drew him to the "battle maiden" who would become his wife, if Eleanor is to believed. He also doesn't seem to mind his wife downplaying and giving up her own martial talents to become a ProperLady just for him. |
| 475 | * NotSoAboveItAll: His wife believes that between her husband, her son(s), and her grandson, it's "like living with a pack of small boys." (If the Warden is female, she concludes this observation by saying, "Thankfully, I have a daughter.") |
| 476 | * OfferedTheCrown: It's rumoured that the Bannorn would have preferred to appoint him king over Cailan, but being an ardent royalist, he politely refused when the Landsmeet put his name forward. |
| 477 | * OutOfGenreExperience: In a DeconstructorFleet to most HighFantasy tropes, the Human Noble Origin stands out as the only one to play its tropes dead straight. The Couslands are AlwaysLawfulGood, Bryce is TheGoodKing in all but name, he's betrayed and murdered by his CardCarryingVillain [[EtTuBrute best friend]] (who ''only'' acts out of [[GreenEyedMonster jealousy]] and [[TheStarscream greed]], not any legitimate grievance against them). Bryce's surviving child is plunged into a YouKilledMyFather RichesToRags [[RagsToRiches To Riches]] story, his child avenges him, and the family is restored their "rightful" inheritance. Unlike every other BigGood of the game, Bryce is never revealed to have FeetOfClay, nor is Howe ever vindicated with less flattering details about Bryce that put his betrayal in a new light. Not like, say, Loghain to Cailan, or Bhelen to the Dwarf Noble. |
| 478 | * PapaWolf: |
| 479 | ** If the PC tells Duncan that they have no interest in becoming a Grey Warden during their initial conversation, he responds to Duncan's persistence by stepping (completely unarmed, mind you) between the two of them and letting Duncan know, in no uncertain terms, that his pup isn't going to do ''anything'' they don't want to do. |
| 480 | ** If they do show interest, he does the same thing, politely-but-firmly pointing out he's not got so many children that he wishes to see them all run off to battle. He implies that it'd take Duncan invoking the Right of Conscription before he'd even ''consider'' agreeing. However, the PC can discuss it with him again later, during the final family reunion before Fergus departs, and he promises that if his beloved "pup" is really interested in the possibility, they can look into it when he comes back. |
| 481 | * {{Principality}}: The Codex reveals that the Teyrnir of Highever is actually a semi-autonomous protectorate of Ferelden. The Couslands don't use princely titles, but they could probably get away with it if they chose. Even without them, they are the highest-ranked nobles in the entire kingdom. |
| 482 | * RankScalesWithAsskicking: Second in rank only to King Cailan; when introduced, he is preparing to lead Highever's forces down to Ostagar to help fight the darkspawn. |
| 483 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Has this reputation around Ferelden, which is seemingly confirmed by his soldiers and human staff (It's less clear how reasonable he is regarding elves). |
| 484 | * RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Alongside his eldest son, was preparing to personally lead Highever's forces to join the army gathered at Ostagar. |
| 485 | * SoProudOfYou: He can have a conversation like this with the Human Noble PC during the scene where the whole family is gathered to say goodbye to Fergus. [[spoiler:His ghost appears later, during the Gauntlet, and says this outright while urging his child to let go of their guilt.]] |
| 486 | * TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth: Considering what lengths the narrative goes to portray him as the most perfect, noble, caring, loyal, humble, selfless, perfectly kind-hearted person in Ferelden before having him brutally betrayed and murdered by his best friend... |
| 487 | * UndyingLoyalty: |
| 488 | ** He's an ardent royalist and supporter of King Cailan. This is ironic because his ancestor Elethea was one of the primary foes of King Calenhad. She only reluctantly agreed to KneelBeforeZod after his forces defeated hers in battle, and he allowed the Couslands to retain their lands and authority in exchange for their support. But four hundred years of good governance by most of the Theirins has made the Teyrns of Highever very loyal. |
| 489 | ** He himself is on the receiving end of this from most people of Highever because of his fair and even handed rule. [[spoiler: During your time sneaking around Arl Howe's estate in Denerim, some of his men returning from Highever describe how unpleasant it was to be surrounded by a city of people who wanted to kill every last one of them for what their lord did to the Couslands]]. |
| 490 | --->'''Bryce''': If you could kill men by hating them, we'd all be in our graves now. |
| 491 | [[/folder]] |
| 492 | |
| 493 | [[folder:Teyrna Eleanor Cousland]] |
| 494 | !!Teyrna Eleanor Cousland |
| 495 | [[quoteright:199:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/download11.jpg]] |
| 496 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 497 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Deborah Moore |
| 498 | |
| 499 | ->''"I'm no Orlesian wallflower - give me a sword and I'll use it!"'' |
| 500 | |
| 501 | \ |
| 502 | Mother of the Human Noble PC, she plays a major role in the attack on Highever Castle. |
| 503 | ---- |
| 504 | * ActionMom: As quoted above, she is no Orlesian wallflower, and doesn't hesitate to grab a bow and fight back when the castle is invaded. |
| 505 | * BolivianArmyEnding: No matter what you say, Eleanor Cousland will not abandon her husband. |
| 506 | * CareerVersusMan: Gave up being a "battle maiden" to get married, and wants a female Cousland to do the same. |
| 507 | * DeadpanSnarker: As much as she [[NotSoAboveItAll tries to hide it]], she comes off as this when sufficiently exasperated by her children and husband. |
| 508 | * DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: Along with her husband. |
| 509 | * DotingParent: She loves her children, her daughter-in-law, and her grandson very dearly. |
| 510 | * {{Foil}}: To Adaia, the City Elf's mother, although the latter is [[PosthumousCharacter never shown]]. Both are {{Action Mom}}s to a potential Warden who were adept "battle maidens" in their day, but gladly laid down their weapons to get married and have children. However, while Eleanor became a ProperLady who firmly believes that NoGuyWantsAnAmazon, Adaia remained "[[ManicPixieDreamGirl full of life... and a bit wild]]" even after marriage, and gladly taught her daughter (or son!) how to fight. Both are murdered despite their fighting prowess, though. |
| 511 | * GuestStarPartyMember: She temporarily joins you during the escape from Castle Cousland in the Human Noble origin. |
| 512 | * HappilyMarried: To her husband Bryce. How they met and came to fall in love with one another is detailed in ''The World of Thedas.'' |
| 513 | * HoldTheLine: She tells the Warden she will kill as many Howe soldiers as she can to give them time to escape. |
| 514 | * {{Housewife}}: Used to be an adept "battle maiden," by her own admission, but gave it up to run her new husband's castle. (This is also her hope for a female PC.) |
| 515 | * {{Irony}}: Proudly declares that she is "no Orlesian wallflower," yet she spent most of her life deliberately downplaying her own battle prowess to live like one. |
| 516 | * IWantGrandkids: She laments how difficult it's been to find [[ArrangedMarriage an acceptable husband]] for a female PC, as she wants more grandchildren. |
| 517 | * MamaBear: As per the above. Her reaction to finding her grandson (the PC's nephew) dead is to get even angrier. |
| 518 | * NeverASelfMadeWoman: |
| 519 | ** ''The World of Thedas: Volume 2'' reveals that Eleanor had commanded a raiding ship and crew as early as 16, primarily attacking Orlesian vessels during Ferelden's revolution. (This was how she met Bryce, as she sailed him around to help him fight Orlesians.) ''However'', this was because her father had been a sort of privateer (a bann who was also a raider on the side) who had provided her training, ship, and crew. She then gave up the pirate princess persona her father helped her amass to marry and shadow Bryce, and gained her title of Teyrna through marriage to him. |
| 520 | ** She also firmly believes this should be the case of her daughter. Elenor wants a female HN to downplay her own abilities to appear as a meek, helpless ProperLady to land a husband. |
| 521 | * NoGuyWantsAnAmazon: Is a firm believer in this. While an adept fighter in her day, Eleanor is convinced "it was the gentler arts that helped land me a husband," and so gave up fighting after marriage, and tries to discourage a female PC from even starting for fear of scaring off potential suitors. |
| 522 | -->'''Iona''': You're as pretty as your mother describes.\ |
| 523 | '''Eleanor''': And she says that after seeing you whacking stuffed men in the courtyard, sweating like a mule. |
| 524 | * ParentalHypocrisy: To a female HN. Despite being an "adept battle maiden" in her day, she doesn't want her daughter to start fighting at all because she's afraid it'll ruin her chances of landing a husband. |
| 525 | * ProperLady: What she gave up fighting to be, and what she wants her daughter to become. |
| 526 | * QuittingToGetMarried: Boasts of giving up fighting to get married, and pushes her daughter (if female) to do the same. |
| 527 | * RedBaron: During the war with Orlais, her reputation as a raider earned her the title of the Seawolf among the Orlesians. |
| 528 | * RetiredBadass: By her own admission, she used to be quite the warrior herself, and soon proves that she still is. |
| 529 | * SilkHidingSteel: See the character quote. |
| 530 | * TogetherInDeath: Chooses to die at Bryce's side rather than living to help her surviving children deal with the fallout of Howe's massacre. |
| 531 | * TomboyAndGirlyGirl: If the Warden is female, then Eleanor is very much the Girly Girl to the Warden's Tomboy, much to her distress. |
| 532 | [[/folder]] |
| 533 | |
| 534 | [[folder:Fergus Cousland]] |
| 535 | !!Teryn Fergus Cousland |
| 536 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/be401b3f3d5509f75a57a1d1532fadba.jpg]] |
| 537 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''[[note]]War table & choice dependent[[/note]] |
| 538 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Shawn Dingwall |
| 539 | |
| 540 | ->''"Well, off I go! So many darkspawn to behead, so little time."'' |
| 541 | |
| 542 | \ |
| 543 | Elder son of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland, brother of the Human Noble PC, heir to the teyrnir of Highever. |
| 544 | ---- |
| 545 | * BigBrotherWorship: From the younger sibling, optionally. |
| 546 | * BoisterousBruiser: Fergus likes bragging about his combat prowess. |
| 547 | * CoolBigBro: Very much so. It's clearly indicated that the relationship between the big brother and the little brother/sister is affectionate and close, with Fergus even remarking that it would be "fun" if they could go off to war together and fight side by side. And despite the younger sibling being their father's favorite (though Fergus is by no means TheUnfavorite), as well as immensely popular with the people of Highever, Fergus has no resentment towards his younger sibling. |
| 548 | * DotingParent: To his son Oren, with whom he is happy to indulge his heroic fantasies. |
| 549 | * HappilyMarried: To his Antivan wife, Oriana. |
| 550 | * {{Irony}}: [[spoiler:The first time the player talks to Fergus is when he is saying goodbye to his beloved wife and son, since he himself is going to leave to go fight darkspawn. Fergus' wife Oriana's heart is disquiet, since by going off to battle Fergus is putting himself in danger. As it turns out... it's not ''Fergus'' who dies, it's ''his wife and son who stay behind''! Fergus, meanwhile, actually ''survives'' the Ostagar massacre and shows up at the very end of the game.]] |
| 551 | * OutlivingOnesOffspring: [[spoiler: The poor guy outlives most of his family, his son included. If the Warden is of any origin besides Human Noble or performs the Ultimate Sacrifice, Fergus outlives his ''entire'' family.]] |
| 552 | * PoliticallyIncorrectHero: Teaches his son what a "wench" is, much to his [[ProperLady wife's]] consternation. |
| 553 | * RankScalesWithAsskicking: [[spoiler:Dialogue in ''Awakening'' indicates that he's serving as a general in addition to being the Teyrn of Highever.]] |
| 554 | * RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Leads a contingent of Highever's forces to fight in the army at Ostagar. [[spoiler: As noted above, dialogue in ''Awakening'' indicates that in addition to being Teyrn of Highever, he goes on to serve as a General in Ferelden's army.]] |
| 555 | * SoleSurvivor: [[spoiler: If the Warden takes the HeroicSacrifice, or if the Warden isn't the Human Noble, Fergus is the very last of the Couslands.]] |
| 556 | * SoProudOfYou: Says it to his younger sibling at the coronation, since their parents can't. |
| 557 | * StrongFamilyResemblance: His facial features are evocative of his father's. |
| 558 | * WhatHappenedToTheMouse: He's last seen scouting in the Korcari Wilds shortly before the Battle of Ostagar, causing many to assume he perished on the battlefield. [[spoiler: He later appears at the coronation, revealing that he was left for dead after his party was ambushed, before being rescued and nursed back to health by friendly Chasind Wilders.]] |
| 559 | [[/folder]] |
| 560 | |
| 561 | !!Other Nobles |
| 562 | |
| 563 | [[folder:Bann Vaughan Kendells]] |
| 564 | !!Bann Vaughan Kendells |
| 565 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3f3b50babfd05ea6cbaa9aa0414ab6d8.jpg]] |
| 566 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 567 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Nicholas Boulton |
| 568 | |
| 569 | ->''"It's a party, isn't it? Grab a whore and have a good time!"'' |
| 570 | |
| 571 | \ |
| 572 | Son of Urien, Arl of Denerim, Vaughan and his posse burst into the Alienage to get some "female guests" for their "private party" in the City Elf origin. |
| 573 | ---- |
| 574 | * AristocratsAreEvil: Frequently treats elves like property due to their peasant status, and abuses servants. He's also mentioned by Valendrian to have raped and murdered the Alienage's blacksmith's daughter (who had worked in his estate as a chambermaid) prior to the events of the game. |
| 575 | * AssholeVictim: To put it as succintly as possible, when a housekeeper who knew Vaughan as a child heard he had been killed by elves, she only said "The Maker is just." |
| 576 | * DirtyCoward: He begs for his life when it's clear he's lost in the City Elf origin. |
| 577 | * EnfantTerrible: Was abusive and misogynistic even growing up. In ''Leliana's Song'', a then-adolescent Vaughan is overheard striking a female servant just for trying to warn him about intruders. |
| 578 | -->'''Tug:''' That boy will grow up to be something special. |
| 579 | * EntitledBastard: Fully believes his title means he can do whatever he wants to whomever he wants. |
| 580 | * EvenEvilCanBeLoved: The big thing hanging over your head if you try to stand up to him; for all that his father is unimpressed with Vaughan's drunken antics and depraved sexual lust, he wouldn't hesitate to kill or torture you if he heard you attacked or killed his son. |
| 581 | * TheGhost: His father, Arl Urien, is often mentioned in the City Elf Origin, and talked up quite a bit as a potential threat to the City Elf Warden for going on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge in his castle [[spoiler:and potentially killing his son]]. But then he dies off-screen at Ostagar and is replaced by Rendon Howe, [[ShaggyDogStory who purges the alienage for him on account of Tabris' "crimes" anyway]]. |
| 582 | * HateSink: He mistreats his servants for trivial stuff such as a floor stain, is a serial rapist towards elves, and has the nerve to say how he doesn't view elves as people right to your face, [[YouKnowImBlackRight even if you're an elf and/or have Zevran in your party.]] His only redeeming factor is that he'll vote for you in the Landsmeet if you free him from Arl Howe's prison but this is hardly essential. Even so, he's just a StarterVillain and not really relevant to the story other than being a [[ItsPersonal personal nemesis]] for you if you take the City Elf Origin |
| 583 | * KarmaHoudini: Potentially. [[spoiler:You can let him walk free from Howe's dungeon, with him giving a promise to side with the Warden during the landsmeet and/or a hefty sum of money as the main thing to take the sting out of it.]] |
| 584 | * KarmicButtMonkey: For a serial rapist and a villain, this guy just can't catch a break. Almost every appearance he makes involves him being glassed, humiliated, insulted or killed brutally at the player's hand. Even with a non-City Elf character he still, at the very least, spends a long time in Arl Howe's dungeon - most likely being tortured on top of that. All the same, it's hard to feel any sympathy for him. |
| 585 | * KarmicDeath: [[spoiler:If you choose to kill him during the City Elf Origin, he dies at the hands of one of the elves he laughed off and looked down on. Bonus points for if you're a Female, since [[RapeAndRevenge he was planning to rape you]].]] |
| 586 | * KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:The City Elf Warden can kill him during their Origin. Other characters have the opportunity to knife him in the stomach when they find him imprisoned in Howe's dungeon.]] |
| 587 | * LikeFatherUnlikeSon: Subverted. According to Duncan, Arl Urien is an honorable man who disapproves of his son's [[SerialRapist "hobbies."]] However, Duncan also says [[EvenEvilCanBeLoved that wouldn't stop Urien]] from imprisoning and torturing you to death (even if you were almost one of Vaughan's victims) for killing his son. |
| 588 | * MonsterOfTheAesop: He's barely a character and more like an anthropomorphic caricature of systemic racism, rape culture and a total lack of class consciousness. |
| 589 | * PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Many humans in Ferelden have racist prejudices against elves, but he especially stands out as the worst offender. Whenever he talks about them, it's usually to say how he doesn't consider them as sentient beings. |
| 590 | -->'''Vaughan:''' If you want to dress up your pets and have tea parties, that's your business, but don't pretend this is a proper wedding. |
| 591 | * RedHerring: When the City Elf finally has Vaughan at their mercy, he threatens to have the alienage purged if you don't spare him. Whether you do or not, the game makes it clear that he and/or his father will see to it that you and the entire alienage will suffer for your insolence. However, Urien is killed off-screen at Ostagar [[spoiler:and Vaughan is either killed by you or reported dead when you get out]], which makes it seem like you and your loved ones won't be punished after all, right? Well, turns out the new Arl of Denerim, Rendon Howe, purged the alienage anyway ForTheEvulz. |
| 592 | * SelfMadeOrphan: A rumor bartenders will sometimes tell the Warden is that Vaughan's father, Arl Urien, didn't die in Ostagar like the official story says. Instead, they say Vaughan hired [[MurderInc Antivan Crows]] to kill his father in order to assume the arling for himself. If it's true, it's darkly amusing that [[AllForNothing he didn't get to enjoy his newfound title]] given [[spoiler:Howe took his place as Arl of Denerim once Loghain seized power]]. |
| 593 | * SerialRapist: Of elven women, whom he usually [[SerialKiller kills after he's had his fun]]. |
| 594 | * SmallNameBigEgo: If encountered by a non-City Elf Warden in the dungeon, he acts far more rude, arrogant and entitled than his title would suggest. In a meta sense, if ''slain'' in the dungeon, his death only yields ''5 experience points'', showing that for all his arrogance and self-importance, his life was worth less than it takes for the player to kill vermin. |
| 595 | * TheSociopath: ''World of Thedas Volume II'' says that as a child, Vaughan was capable of being charming when necessary, but took joy in tormenting the servants, particularly the elven ones. |
| 596 | * SpoiledBrat: His father, who was distant, gave Vaughan whatever he wanted as a child, which made him spoiled and insolent. |
| 597 | * StarterVillain: For the City Elf. |
| 598 | * TooDumbToLive: Really, Vaughan? [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge Offer the blood splattered City Elf Warden]] cash after you've [[BreakTheCutie raped their cousin]] and say that [[RefugeInAudacity she and the other women will stay for the night regardless?]] It's almost like the game ''wants'' you to Cut Off His Bollocks. (And specifically picking a male City Elf's fiancee out "for later"?) If a Warden of any origin other than City Elf meets him while [[spoiler:rescuing Anora]], he tells the Warden that he doesn't view elves as people, even if the Warden is one. Bonus TooDumbToLive points if Zevran is in the party with an Elven Warden. |
| 599 | * YouAreFat: His go-to insult for a female non-City Elf Warden who finds him in [[spoiler: Howe's dungeon]] and doesn't release him. (Note: he does this even if she's a bone-thin elf.) |
| 600 | -->'''Vaughan''': Come back here, you fat whore! |
| 601 | [[/folder]] |
| 602 | |
| 603 | [[folder:Arl Gallagher Wulff]] |
| 604 | !!Arl Gallagher Wulff |
| 605 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fe106f0ec289b9fe8a1e923cdb3b52d4.jpg]] |
| 606 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''[[note]]War table[[/note]] |
| 607 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Timothy Watson |
| 608 | |
| 609 | ->''"All of southern Ferelden covered by black clouds, the ground rotting beneath your feet, plagues and darkspawn raids going on until even the crows get sick of the smell of carrion."'' |
| 610 | |
| 611 | \ |
| 612 | Arl of West Hills, his lands fall early on to the Blight. He is among the nobles who gather in Denerim for the Landsmeet. |
| 613 | ---- |
| 614 | * TheAtoner: In ''Inquisition'', he can become this if [[spoiler:he is informed he inadvertently helped enslave the rebel mages to the Venatori]]. |
| 615 | * NiceJobBreakingItHero: In ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'', it is revealed in a War Table operation that Wulff is partly responsible for [[spoiler:the rebel mages joining the Venatori by encouraging them to take the deal with Tevinter, believing that they would have more freedom in Tevinter and leave Ferelden quickly, ending any conflict they brought to the region]]. |
| 616 | * OutlivingOnesOffspring: Both his sons were killed by darkspawn during the efforts to evacuate West Hills before the horde descended upon it. |
| 617 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: He is one of the easiest nobles to get support from during the Landsmeet. The Warden simply needs to point out that the Blight is the true threat to Fereldan, a fact Wulff knows all too well [[spoiler: (having had both of his sons killed by the darkspawn and his lands irreparably damaged by the Blight)]]. |
| 618 | * WhatTheHellHero: During the Landsmeet, he can call out Loghain for letting Fereldan suffer from the Blight due to his own prejudices should you choose the correct opening retort (IE: asserting that the Blight is the threat, not Orlais). |
| 619 | -->'''Arl Wulff''': The South is fallen, Loghain! Will you let darkspawn take the whole country for fear of Orlais? |
| 620 | [[/folder]] |
| 621 | |
| 622 | [[folder:Arl Leonas Bryland]] |
| 623 | !!Arl Leonas Bryland |
| 624 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/831494d3e5830313e56d13e8ca1da0f3.png]] |
| 625 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 626 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Nicholas Boulton |
| 627 | |
| 628 | ->''"Rendon Howe was no friend of mine. The boy I knew... died at the Battle of White River."'' |
| 629 | |
| 630 | \ |
| 631 | Arl of South Reach and veteran of the Fereldan Rebellion. |
| 632 | ---- |
| 633 | * AndThereWasMuchRejoicing: Thinks the only bad thing about Rendon Howe's death is that he didn't die years ago. |
| 634 | -->'''Bann Alfstanna''': Will you let him go to the flames unmourned? |
| 635 | -->'''Arl Leonas''': That he did not die ''years'' ago is the ''only'' thing worth mourning here! |
| 636 | * BrattyTeenageDaughter: His daughter Habren accompanies him to Denerim, and causes him no end of grief. |
| 637 | -->'''Arl Leonas''': Habren has done nothing since we've arrived except spend coin on herself. If we stay in Denerim much longer, I'll have to send her to a cloister. |
| 638 | * DotingParent: Is this to his daughter Habren, even if he otherwise doesn't seem to pay much attention to her. One codex entry in ''Inquisition'' contains a letter from her begging him for a pet Fennec. A note at the end of the codex reports that she did receive the animal, but promptly [[ChronicPetKiller "lost" it down a well]] within the month. |
| 639 | * OlderThanTheyLook: Despite having fought in the Fereldan Rebellion and having a nearly-grown daughter, Leonas appears surprisingly young, especially when compared to how old the other veterans of the war look. |
| 640 | * ParentalObliviousness: His arl responsibilities and deep involvement in politics distract him enough to leave him unaware of the disturbing behavior of his BrattyTeenageDaughter Habren, who [[ChronicPetKiller repeatedly buys and then "loses" puppies]] and can be seen threatening passerby in the Denerim market. |
| 641 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: He will always side with the Wardens during the Landsmeet. |
| 642 | * WeUsedToBeFriends: With Rendon Howe. When asked if he will attend Howe's funeral, Bryland gives a flat No and retorts that "Rendon Howe was ''no'' friend of mine. The boy I knew...[[NoodleIncident died at the Battle of White River]]. |
| 643 | ** According to the ''World of Thedas'' supplementary book, the end of their friendship truly came about when Howe married Bryland's sister, Eliane. Leonas had become concerned by the changes in his friend's behavior since the battle and tried to prevent the marriage. When Howe [[BrutalHonesty openly told Bryland]] that [[GoldDigger he was only marrying Eliane for her dowry and connections]], he severed all contact with Howe and his sister and refused to attend their wedding. |
| 644 | [[/folder]] |
| 645 | |
| 646 | [[folder:Bann Alfstanna Eremon]] |
| 647 | !!Bann Alfstanna Eremon |
| 648 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/627c3dfea8a88180fef4d4e86e35eb14.jpg]] |
| 649 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 650 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Hellena Taylor |
| 651 | |
| 652 | Bann of the Waking Sea, she is one of the many nobles who gather in Denerim for the Landsmeet. |
| 653 | ---- |
| 654 | * ActionGirl: If the Landsmeet descends into a brawl, Alfstanna joins in to aid the Warden if she is one of their supporters. |
| 655 | * BigBrotherInstinct: Inverted; should the Warden inform her that her older brother Irminric was [[spoiler: arrested, imprisoned and tortured on Loghain's order so as to free Jowan for his own purposes]], she immediately goes to find him and promises to support the Warden. Should the Warden bring up Loghain [[spoiler: having Jowan try to poison Eamon]] at the Landsmeet, Alfstanna corroborates this by giving Irminric's testimony of his ordeal as proof, which has the additional benefit of [[spoiler: inciting the Grand Cleric to chew Loghain out on the heretical charge of interfering with the Templar Order's duties]]. |
| 656 | * DualWielding: She is a rogue and wields two daggers. |
| 657 | * PetTheDog: If you are a Human Noble Warden and you rescue her brother, she promises to provide you soldiers to help retake Highever. |
| 658 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Even if the Warden does not rescue her brother, Alfstanna is one of the easiest members of the nobility to win over at the Landsmeet. The Warden simply has to point out that the Blight is a bigger threat than Orlais and she will throw her support behind Alistair. |
| 659 | * TheSmurfettePrinciple: She is the only female noble who participates in the Landsmeet besides Anora. |
| 660 | * SpareToTheThrone: Initially, she was not the successor to her father. Her older brother Irminric was the heir, but he felt Alfstanna would be a better ruler than him, so he joined the Templar Order in order for her to become Bann. |
| 661 | [[/folder]] |
| 662 | |
| 663 | [[folder:Bann Sighard]] |
| 664 | !!Bann Sighard |
| 665 | [[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dfe2b5e64a75d90c511b59e3d7a8b6e7.jpg]] |
| 666 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 667 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Brian George |
| 668 | |
| 669 | ->''"Know that I will stand behind you at the Landsmeet, with all the support I can muster."'' |
| 670 | |
| 671 | \ |
| 672 | Bann of the Dragon's Peak Bannorn, Sighard is one of the nobles who gathers for the Landsmeet. |
| 673 | ---- |
| 674 | * EveryoneHasStandards: Like most of the gathered nobility, he joins in the general mood of celebration after Rendon Howe meets his maker. |
| 675 | * PapaWolf: One of the easiest ways to get his support is to [[spoiler: rescue his son, Oswyn, who was imprisoned and tortured by Howe on Loghain's orders for having learnt the truth about Ostagar. If you do so and inform Sighard what happen, not only does he threaten to declare war on Howe's family, he also promises the Warden unconditional support at the Landsmeet and vows to drum up further support from some of the more minor nobles present]]. |
| 676 | * PetTheDog: Recognises a Human Noble Warden as a Cousland, and notes that he's glad to see they survived Howe's treachery. |
| 677 | -->'''Bann Sighard''': Aren't you Bryce and Eleanor Cousland's youngest? I thought that... well, it's good to see you're still alive. |
| 678 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: His own son calls him one, and [[spoiler: if you gain his support he definitely proves to be one]]. |
| 679 | * WhatTheHellHero: Calls Loghain out if the Warden exposes the fact [[spoiler: he allowed Tevinter slavers to abduct elves from the Denerim alienage]]. |
| 680 | -->'''Bann Sighard''': ''(furious)'' What's this?! [[spoiler: There is no slavery in Ferelden!]] Explain yourself! |
| 681 | * WhereDidWeGoWrong: Has a funny discussion with Arl Bryland and Bann Alfstanna regarding Bryland's BrattyTeenageDaughter Habren. |
| 682 | -->'''Bann Sighard''': Was that your daughter I saw in the marketplace, Bryland? |
| 683 | -->'''Arl Leonas''': Probably. Habren has done nothing since we've arrived except spend coin on herself. If we stay in Denerim much longer, I'll have to send her to a cloister. |
| 684 | -->'''Bann Alfstanna''': There's no need for such measures. [[LetHerGrowUpDear She's a child, she'll outgrow this]]. |
| 685 | -->'''Bann Sighard''': She's what, fifteen now? |
| 686 | -->'''Arl Leonas''': Is that the age of becoming unbearable? Yes, she turned fifteen in spring. |
| 687 | -->'''Bann Sighard''': My son Oswyn was the same. Trust me, my friend, she will outgrow this. Or you'll strangle her and dump her in the river. |
| 688 | [[/folder]] |
| 689 | |
| 690 | [[folder:Bann Ceorlic]] |
| 691 | !!Bann Ceorlic |
| 692 | !!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins Origins]]'' |
| 693 | !!!'''Voiced by:''' Simon Templeman |
| 694 | |
| 695 | ->''"I stand by Loghain! We've no hope of victory otherwise!"'' |
| 696 | |
| 697 | \ |
| 698 | Bann of the Southern Bannorn, Ceorlic is one of the nobles who gathers for the Landsmeet, and a staunch supporter of Loghain. |
| 699 | ---- |
| 700 | * BetterTheDevilYouKnow: Considers it better if Anora retains the throne, seeing her as this over Alistair, who at that point is an unknown quantity. |
| 701 | -->'''Bann Ceorlic''': I would rather see Anora take the throne myself. Better it pass to the Mac Tir line than to some...''byblow''. |
| 702 | * EveryoneHasStandards: Even though they're on the same side, he sheds absolutely no tears when Rendon Howe winds up dead and chimes in with the general mood of celebration. |
| 703 | -->'''Bann Sighard''': I can hardly question the sense or conscience of any man just for wishing Rendon Howe dead. You've met him: the man made vipers seem personable. |
| 704 | -->'''Bann Ceorlic''': Well I didn't say I was shedding any tears over his passing. He was never any friend of mine. |
| 705 | * FantasticRacism: Derisively calls Leonas Bryland a "half-breed". |
| 706 | ** Is also quite dismissive of an elven or dwarven Warden. |
| 707 | * FreudianExcuse: Given that his own father in ''Literature/TheStolenThrone'' was [[spoiler: executed as a traitor for his part in the assassination of Queen Moira Theirin]], it can be argued Ceorlic's sycophantic loyalty to Loghain is to ensure he doesn't end up the same way. |
| 708 | * IDidWhatIHadToDo: Given that his Bannorn borders Loghain's Teyrnir of Gwaren, most people believe he's only supporting Loghain out of fear of what the regent would do to him and his lands if he refused. |
| 709 | ** Inferred from the continuity: Given that King Maric [[spoiler: threatened to exterminate the families of his mother's killers if they didn't denounce those responsible and swear unconditional fealty to him, it can be assumed Ceorlic did just that to keep both his title and his head on his shoulders]]. |
| 710 | * {{Jerkass}}: He is a very surly and unpleasant man, and makes derogatory remarks about both Eamon and Alistair. |
| 711 | -->'''Bann Ceorlic''': Eamon's not dead. More's the pity. |
| 712 | * KarmaHoudini: Unlike most of Loghain's supporters, who respectively lose their lands, titles and, in some cases, their heads, Ceorlic never really faces any retribution for his support of Loghain, even being seen amongst the coronation scene after the Battle of Denerim. On the other hand, given that most NPC had the theory that Ceorlic only supports Loghain because his Bannorn borders with Loghain's Teyrnir, one had the feeling that people just doesn't seem to care much about his support. |
| 713 | * NoodleIncident: At one point Ceorlic declares it a pity Eamon hasn't died from his "illness". It's never explained why he thinks that would be better. |
| 714 | * ProfessionalButtKisser: Refuses to believe a word against Loghain, and openly denounces attempts to discredit him. [[spoiler: Though this could just be a very loud attempt to keep Loghain from questioning his loyalty]]. |
| 715 | * TokenGoodTeammate: For Loghain and his allies. Compared to the likes of some of Loghain's other supporters, (i.e., Howe), Ceorlic's desire to merely keep his own head on his shoulders looks benign by comparison. |
| 716 | [[/folder]] |
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