Dragon Age: Origins – Non-Playable Characters - Fereldan Nobles / Characters

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Fereldan Nobility NPCs from Dragon Age: Origins.

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Royal Family

King Cailan Theirin

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f81d0fbae0c150e86194210c57ec2aa3.jpg

Appears in: The Stolen Throne | Origins

Voiced by: Peter Bramhill (English), Jean-Pierre Michaël (French)

"I cannot wait for that glorious moment. The Grey Wardens battle beside the King of Ferelden to stem the tide of evil."

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.

Affair Letters: Can be found in his camp in the Return to Ostagar expansion, revealing he was planning to divorce Anora and marry Empress Celene of Orlais.
Attention Deficit... Ooh, Shiny!: Alistair's party banter with Wynne describes him as such.
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.
Boisterous Bruiser: He's pretty boastful about how kick-ass he and the Wardens are.
Cruel and Unusual Death: 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.
Dead Guy on Display: Only seen in the Return to Ostagar DLC. The darkspawn crucify his corpse atop the bridge overlooking the valley at Ostagar as a trophy of their victory.
Death by Origin Story: Killed by an Ogre at the Battle of Ostagar.
Dumb Blonde: "What's that you say, Loghain? Strategy against the overwhelming darkspawn horde? Boring! Besides, the sheer awesomeness of my Infinity +1 Sword and the Grey Wardens is far more than enough against these beasties!" (Paraphrased)
Fake Ultimate Hero: He fancies himself a real hero, but as Loghain points out, Cailan isn't all that he thinks he is.
A Father to His Men: 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.
Glory Hound: His motivation for the battle is a quest for personal glory.
Heroes Love Dogs: 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.
Hidden Depths:
- 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.
- Given his love of legendary battles and military history, one could easily infer that Cailan is actually very 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- An example of Cailan being more intelligent and politically savvy than he appears is his insistence that Alistair join the Warden in lighting the beacon at the Tower of Ishal. 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.
Leeroy Jenkins: It doesn't help that he openly mocks the suggestion he's "over-confident" either.
Nice Guy: 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.
Noodle Incident: 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 several hundred wheels of said cheese were involved.
Cailan: [dramatic pause] It's better that the people of Ferelden never know the lengths to which their prince must go to protect them.
O.O.C. Is Serious Business: He normally acts like a goofy and overconfident Glory Hound. 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.
Royals Who Actually Do Something: 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.
Sheltered Aristocrat: 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.
Sibling Yin-Yang: 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. 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 Warrior Prince, while Alistair, who doesn't, actually is one. In fact, Anora comments that she's wary of marrying Alistair because he resembles Cailan way too much.
Strong Family Resemblance: His facial structure is very similar to Alistair's; the main difference is really their hairstyles and color.
Succession Crisis: More downplayed, but his letters to Orlais reveals that this was on his mind since Anora is suspected of being infertile. 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; Word of God 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.
Unwitting Instigator of Doom: 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.
Warrior Prince: King, but either way he's not one even if he thinks otherwise.
Wide-Eyed Idealist: He almost overlaps with The Fool, with his estimation of the coming battle. He's something of an Ascended Fanboy of the Grey Wardens who Jumped at the Call and then doesn't take things seriously enough.
Wrong Genre Savvy: 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.

Queen Anora Theirin

Queen Anora Theirin (nee Mac Tir)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/e50ed43537486786c947613f745dda6e.png

Appears in: Origins | Awakening^noteChoice dependent | Inquisition^noteChoice dependent

Voiced by: Mika Simmons (English), Alexandra Garijo (French)

"We have been given the gift of freedom by our forebears. Let us not squander it."

The current Queen of Ferelden, wife (then widow) of Cailan. She is the true power behind the throne, taking after her father, Loghain.

Armor-Piercing Question: Receives one from Teagan regarding her father. In her first appearance, no less.
Anora: Teagan, my father is doing what is best.
Teagan: Did he also do what was best for your husband, Your Majesty?
[Anora flinches as though shot by an arrow.]
Arranged Marriage: It's mentioned that Cailan and Anora were betrothed from a very early age, on account of their fathers' friendship. One way to resolve the Landsmeet can be that you arrange her second marriage, either to a male Human Noble Warden or to Alistair.
Beauty Equals Goodness: 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.
Better the Devil You Know: Her supporters support her because she's a known quantity, whereas Alistair is new. Her one unwavering supporter, Ceorlic, says as much at the Gnawed Noble Tavern.
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: 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.
Bookworm: Loghain mentions that during her childhood, Anora spent a lot of time reading instead of playing with the other kids in Gwaren.
The Chessmaster: She's just as clever and manipulative as her father, if not moreso.
Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: 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 claim that you were kidnapping her. She did warn you, but it still feels like a punch.
Daddy's Girl: 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 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.
Damsel in Distress: At a certain point late in the game. Subverted, however, in that she was not actually in as much danger as she claims, and 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.
Deadpan Snarker: Prim and proper as she is, she still has her moments, such as when the Warden first talks to her through a door.
Warden: How do I know you're really Queen Anora?
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?
Defrosting Ice Queen: If 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.
Double Standard: 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.
English Rose: She is a noblewoman from a 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).
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 Take That! to the Orlesians. Not to mention her resemblance - in both appearance and personality - to a certain former Ukrainian Prime Minister...
Fantastic Racism: 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 or die. If crowned alone 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.
God Save Us from the Queen!:
- 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.
- 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.
Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: 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.
Happily Married:
- 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.
- To 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 the Warden told their Love Interest that the marriage is strictly political.
The High Queen: 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.
Hot Consort: To Cailan and potentially Alistair. Inverted if she marries the Human Noble Warden, who acts as her consort.
I Need a Freaking Drink: After the Noodle Incident with the giant:
Anora: We're going to get a drink. A lot of drinks. Maybe all the drinks they have. Come on.
Inspired by…: 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.
In the Blood: 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.
Kick the Dog: 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.
Lady of War: 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.
Law of Inverse Fertility: 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. 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.
Like Father, Like Daughter: As a few characters and Word of God 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.)
Manipulative Bastard: Even if you decide she's the best candidate for the throne, you're likely to end up feeling this way about her.
Missing Mom: 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.
Morality Pet: Loghain does love his daughter, though he doesn't show it often.
Noodle Incident: 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."
Anora: We defeated the giant. Now, let's never speak of this again.
Not So Above It All: What else can you call building a giant statue of her father over the Orlesian embassy?
Opportunistic Bastard: While she can be very nice and helpful to those whose goals align with hers, Anora will manipulate or backstab anyone so long as it allows her to remain in power and 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
Out-Gambitted:
- If you really don't like her, it is entirely possible to 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.
- Under specific circumstances, a female human noble can outplay her magnificently, leading to both this and a Humiliation Conga. 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!
Perfectly Arranged Marriage: Regardless of whether she marries Alistair or the 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.
Pet the Dog: 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 Undying Loyalty to Loghain and was unable to find work.
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.
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.
Puppet Queen: 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.
"The Reason You Suck" Speech: If she sides with the Wardens at the Landsmeet, she delivers a brutal one to her father, which completely takes the wind out of his sails.
Anora: Lords and ladies of Ferelden, hear me! 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!
Rescue Romance: Except with minimal romance. 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 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 Mage on the throne.
Ungrateful Bastard: No matter what route you take in rescuing her from Arl Howe, she has shades of this.
- If the Warden reveals her identity to Ser Cauthrien, she immediately claims they were kidnapping her instead, before fleeing the battle.
- 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.
- 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 not amused.
What Happened to the Mouse?: 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.
What the Hell, Hero?: 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.

Mac Tir Family

Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir

Loghain Mac Tir

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dao_loghain_1.png

Appears in: The Stolen Throne | The Calling | Origins | Awakening^notechoice dependent | Inquisition^notechoice dependent

Voiced by: Simon Templeman (English)^{Foreign VAs}

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.

For more information about him, see this page.

Ser Cauthrien

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/f280caa5aa827a5cfe71805e2af7d35c.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Alix Wilton Regan (English), Joanna Węgrzynowska (Polish)

"Some of us know what honor and loyalty are."

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.

Action Girl: Both her fights are extremely difficult, and she's tougher than Loghain.
Anti-Villain: 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.
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!
Big Damn Heroes: Her codex entry reveals that she first met Loghain whilst saving his life from a group of bandits.
Birds of a Feather: Like Loghain, she was originally a farmer, who nonetheless rose to become one of the highest ranking members of Ferelden's military.
BFS: She wields the Summer Sword, one of the game's best greatswords.
Co-Dragons: 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).
Dark Action Girl: Subverted. While she's on the side of the antagonists and is a fearsome physical opponent, she's also Loghain's most moral enforcer and can be persuaded to stand down without a fight if convinced he's gone too far.
Elites Are More Glamorous: Said to be a member of the elite military unit known as Maric's Shield.
Fantastic Racism: 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.
Foil: To Loghain's 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.
High-Heel–Face Turn: Can be convinced to stand down at the Landsmeet if you make her admit that Loghain is not the man she once served.
Lady of War: Soft-spoken, graceful, and one of the most powerful bosses in the entire game, with an equally powerful greatsword to match.
Made of Iron: She has absurdly many HP in her boss fight.
Morality Pet: Players who persuade her to let them pass without fighting at the Landsmeet often spare Loghain because she begged them to show him mercy.
Moral Myopia: 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.
My Master, Right or Wrong: 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. It's possible for the Grey Warden to convince her to peacefully stand down and stop defending her boss.
Noble Top Enforcer: 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. And she can even be talked out of opposing the Grey Warden if persuaded that Loghain's actions have become unjustifiable.
Save the Villain: With a high Persuasion score, she'll beg you to save Loghain from himself.
Senseless Sacrifice: Anora invokes this trope if the Warden fights and kills Cauthrien when she tries to stop them leaving Howe's estate.
Anora: Ser Cauthrien's death is a waste, truly...
Skippable Boss: 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.
- 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.
Strong as They Need to Be: When she's first encountered, Cauthrien is made a (almost) Hopeless Boss Fight 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.
Talking Your Way Out: As noted above, it's possible to avoid a fight if you've got the points in coercion.
Undying Loyalty: 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 allowing the Tevinter to enslave the elves in the Alienage, and she'll protest weakly that they had to fund the nation somehow.
What the Hell, Hero?: Her initial reaction when Loghain orders her to sound the retreat during Ostagar.
Worthy Opponent: She expresses regret that she's forced to kill you if you opt to fight her.
Yes-Man: 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.
You Know I'm Black, Right?: 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).
Cauthrien: You have damn nerve turning on the man who fought to ensure you were born into freedom.

Howe Family

Arl Rendon Howe

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/d323b49f6b28a3b2601ee803e03d8b18.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Tim Curry (English), Wojciech Machnicki (Polish), Daniel Gall (French)

"Maker spit on you... I deserved more..."

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.

And There Was Much Rejoicing: 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:
Bann Alfstanna: Will you be attending the funeral?
Arl Leonas: No!
Bann Alfstanna: No?! But you were friends, were you not? You served in the same regiment together under King Maric.
Arl Leonas: Rendon Howe was no friend of mine! The boy I knew died at the Battle of White River!
Bann Alfstanna: But I hear his family will not make the trip from Amaranthine. Will you let him go to the flames unmourned?
Arl Leonas: That he didn't die years ago is the only thing worth mourning here!
Animal Motif: Frequently referred to as a snake after his true nature is revealed.
Arch-Enemy: Becomes this to the Human Noble after murdering their entire family.
Arranged Marriage: 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.
Bears Are Bad News: Amaranthine's sigil is a bear.
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: 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.
Broken Pedestal: 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.
The Butcher: Is remembered as "the Butcher of Denerim" in Dragon Age II.
Can't Kill You, Still Need You: Loghain is said to have despised Howe, but kept him around to make use of his political savvy.
Card-Carrying Villain: 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.
Cold-Blooded Torture: To nobles that disagree with him.
Co-Dragons: 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.
Disappeared Dad:
- According to the Codex and Brother Aldous, Tarleton Howe died during the war with Orlais, having allied himself with the Orlesians during the occupation. He was subsequently hanged when the Couslands joined the rebellion and retook Harper's Ford.
- 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 interpretation is that this was Rendon's grandfather, as Nathaniel gives his name as being Padric Howe.
Dying Curse: "Maker spit on you... I deserved more..."
Entitled Bastard: He seems to have been after the Highever Teyrnir from the get-go, since for some reason he thinks it's rightfully his. ^note His last words (as you gut him like a fish) are, "I deserved more."
Equal-Opportunity Evil: Despite being a huge racist and having less than savory views of a 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.
Et Tu, Brute?: Murders not only his best friend, but also nearly the entirety of his best friend's family and household.
Evil Chancellor: 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 planted in his head by Howe.
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.
Eviler than Thou: 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.
Expy: He seems to share more than a few similarities with 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 universally hated by the rest of the nation, including their own allies.
Face–Heel Turn: Not that it comes as much of a surprise.
False Friend: Bryce still believes Rendon is his old, war-time buddy, an image Rendon plays into just long enough to slaughter Bryce's entire family.
Fantastic Racism:
- If a City Elf Warden confronts him for what he did to the Alienage, he dismisses it as "culling the herd."
- 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 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.
Florence Nightingale Effect: 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.
Freudian Excuse: According to Nathaniel in Awakening, Howe's dad (or possibly grandfather, see above) left to become a Grey Warden and was never heard from again, and his very wealthy in-laws frequently complained about his family's comparative lack of success.
The Friend Nobody Likes: 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 died at the Battle of White River during the Orlesian occupation.
Gold Digger: 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.
Green-Eyed Monster: His reason for killing the Couslands. He envied their success and wanted them dead to fuel his own ambitions.
Hated by All: 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.
Hate Sink: The Archdemon may be the Big Bad but it is too alien a foe to despise, while Loghain is too complex a villain, and can even become a good guy. Howe-ever, Arl Howe is a Smug Snake motivated by nothing but ambition and spends most of the game kicking puppies by carrying out Loghain's most despicable orders. And that's not even counting the It's Personal angle with the City Elf and especially the Human Noble. He's so hateful and greedy a person that 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.
Irony:
- For all his 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.
- Howe murders the Couslands out of jealousy, desiring their lands for his own. In the end, 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.
It's All About Me: 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. Even his last words are a dying curse, declaring he deserved more.
It's Personal: 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.
Jerkass: Why he's disliked by most other nobles, and loathed by his subjects.
Kick the Dog: 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."
The Lancer: Was one to Bryce Cousland, though he's The Starscream by the time of the game.
Like Father, Like Son: His father was a traitor, too.
More Despicable Minion: 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.
Motive Rant: 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.
Names to Run Away from Really Fast: 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.
Oblivious Guilt Slinging: 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.
O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The one time he's not acting like a Smug Snake (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 Howe tells you the aggressive approach is less wise than the cooperative/diplomatic approach, you know you've done something wrong. That said, this doesn't stop Howe from continuing to alienate the nobles with his Stupid Evil tendencies, nor to embezzle from the already drained royal coffers, so it looks like he wasn't that concerned.
Overshadowed by Awesome: His reason for turning against the Couslands. He hated that he was sinking into obscurity while the Couslands got glory that was "rightfully" his.
Politically Incorrect Villain: 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 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.
Psycho Supporter: Unlike Loghain, who's a Well-Intentioned Extremist who believes I Did What I Had to Do, or Loghain's other Dragon, Cauthrien, a conflicted and honorable woman who subscribes to My Master, Right or Wrong, Howe is in it purely for the power, wealth and that he's been given free rein to run around and kick as many dogs as he likes. It's strongly implied he means to kill Anora and tell Loghain the Warden did it.
Pyrrhic Victory: 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.
The Resenter: 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 Villainous Breakdown.
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 Cold-Blooded Torture on prisoners.
The Scapegoat: If the Warden is not a City Elf or spared Vaughan, Howe turns the Denerim elves into this by 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.
Shell-Shocked Veteran: 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.
Smug Snake: One of the most malicious characters in the entire game.
The Sociopath: 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.
The Starscream: 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.
Stay in the Kitchen: 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 Deliberate Values Dissonance. He's just an asshole.
Howe: [upon facing down the female Human Noble] Well, look what we have here! Bryce Cousland's little spitfire, still playing the man!
Stupid Evil: Howe's alliance ultimately proves to be more of a hindrance than an actual benefit to Loghain. He murders 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). This all comes back to spectacularly bite Loghain in the ass during the Landsmeet.
Torture Cellar: 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 "liked to nip down for a spot of torture before bedtime."
Torture Technician: 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 Torture Cellar as his bedroom.
Toxic Friend Influence: To Loghain. To illustrate, at one point he plans on convincing Loghain to murder Loghain's own daughter for being an inconvenience.
Tranquil Fury: After the Human Noble's Shut Up, Hannibal!.
Treacherous Advisor: Basically Gríma Wormtongue to Loghain's Théoden.
Unperson:
- 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 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.
- 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 Dragon Age: Inquisition, a decade after Howe's defeat.
Villainous Breakdown: If the Warden is a Human Noble, he has a very surprisingly subtle one (given who voices him), when they throw back the taunts he gives by telling him that all the pain he has inflicted upon them has only made them stronger.
Arl Howe: 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.
Warden: I know your game, Howe. No shadows. No lies. Just you and me.
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.
Would Hurt a Child:
- 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 no remorse whatsoever.
- Nor when he purges the Alienage, as an entire orphanage was slaughtered and elven children were sold into slavery en masse, complete with an Empathy Doll Shot.
- 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."
Would You Like to Hear How They Died?: Gives this to the Human Noble about their parents.

Guerrin Family

Arl Eamon Guerrin

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/83f71e2627485733797a1bc6d7c543ad.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Graham McTavish (English), Uli Plessmann (German)

"Must we sacrifice everything good about our nation to save it?"

The Arl of Redcliffe and King Cailan's favorite uncle; he was the brother of Cailan's late mother, Queen Rowan.

Big Good: Although you're the one rallying the troops and 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.
The Chessmaster: His plan to catch Loghain off guard at the Landsmeet demonstrates this.
Cool Old Guy: 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.
Doting Parent: Adores his son Connor.
Evil Chancellor: Loghain accuses him of this, suggesting that Eamon's real goal in putting Alistair onto the throne is to have a Puppet King 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 Evil Chancellor and The Starscream, rendering this claim suspect.
The Good Chancellor: Becomes this to Alistair if he's made king, unless the Warden takes the post themself (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.
Happily Married: To Isolde, an Orlesian woman.
Little "No": The serious kind, if the Warden chooses Dog to be their champion in the fight against Loghain at the Landsmeet.
Arl Eamon: Ah, Warden... No. I'm afraid we can't leave the fate of all of Ferelden up to your dog.
Papa Wolf: 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.
Anora: The Wardens have been captured! [...] The question is how to free [them].
Arl Eamon: Surely you mean them, Your Highness? We need Alistair too.
Anora: Yes. Of course I meant Alistair, too.
Parental Substitute: To Alistair.
Reasonable Authority Figure: One of the few in Ferelden, which is why his word carries so much weight in the Landsmeet.
Rousing Speech: Delivers a fine one in the lead-up to the Battle of Denerim.
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.
Supporting Leader: It's his aid that will allow the Warden to mount a final strike against Loghain politically.
This Is Unforgivable!: When Loghain tries to coerce him into 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.
Arl Eamon: I cannot forgive what you have done, Loghain. Perhaps the Maker can, but not I.
Useless Bystander Parent: 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.
What Does He See in Her?: In-universe, nearly everyone seems to wonder why he married Isolde, seeing as she's Orlesian and displays many of the more negative traits commonly associated with that nation. According to Alistair, however, it was/is a genuine love match.

Arlessa Isolde Guerrin

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/c0e3fcd8e1a39253524319bf75544b3d.jpg

Appears in: Origins | Dragon Age II

Voiced by: Louisa Patikas

"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."

Wife to Arl Eamon and mother to Connor, Isolde married her husband despite her own Orlesian heritage.

All for Nothing: At the end of the Redcliffe quest Connor is either killed or taken to the Circle, which is what she sought to avoid. She can also sacrifice herself to save her son from the demon possessing him, only for the Warden to let him be taken anyway. What's more, if she survives, her husband and subjects no longer trust her, leaving her even worse off than before.
Clingy Jealous Girl: 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.
Isolde: Who is this woman, Teagan?!
Dead Guy Junior: Her second child, born in the event that the Warden chooses to kill Connor, and who Isolde dies giving birth to, is a girl whom Eamon names Rowan after his late sister. She is also a mage, like Connor.
Death by Childbirth: If you kill Connor, she will die giving birth to her second child.
Everything Sounds Sexier in French: Inverted: her Orlesian accent repulses people, especially as she spends most of her time shrieking.
French Jerk: Displays many of the more negative traits stereotypically associated with Orlais.
Freudian Excuse: Noticeable only if you ask the right questions. 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.
Happily Married: To Arl Eamon.
Heroic Sacrifice: Offers to perform one to save Connor.
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.
Jerkass: Mostly towards Alistair, but she doesn't exactly make any effort to endear herself to anybody.
Karma Houdini: 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.
Mama Bear:
- She is more than willing to sacrifice her life to save her son. When the option is presented, she doesn't even hesitate.
- 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 Dragon Age II, it's clear why she would want him kept out of there.
Mistaken for Cheating: A few servants at Redcliffe Castle thought she was trying to hide an affair she was having with Jowan from her husband 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.
Never My Fault: Denies any responsibility for what happens to Redcliffe. 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 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 isn't sacrificed, she's back to blaming Jowan.
No Sympathy: 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 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.
Ungrateful Bastard: At first, though after Connor is saved (if she isn't sacrificed for the purpose), she does improve.
Wicked Stepmother: 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 What the Hell, Hero? speech if she is allowed to sacrifice herself to save Connor.

Connor Guerrin

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/189626606af227712a9334e31391704d.jpg

Appears in: Origins | Inquisition^noteChoice dependent

Voiced by: Michael Curtis Parsons

"I feel like I'm sleeping, but I guess I'm not."

The young son of Arl Eamon.

Arc Villain: For the Arl of Redcliffe quest. The demon is terrorizing the citizens of Redcliffe with nightly zombie attacks, and possessed Connor.
Broken Bird: 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.
The Caligula: The demon passes time by making the people of Redcliffe it's playthings.
Child Mage: Too young to cast even minor spells but still capable of tearing the Veil - a perfect target for a demon.
Corrupt the Cutie: Not much else can happen when you are possessed by a demon.
Creepy Child: When the demon is in control.
Dead Guy Junior: A codex entry in Dragon Age: Inquisition and 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.)
Demonic Possession:
- 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.
- 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 awake while all the horror was going on, and it's not too surprising that the kid doesn't really act as perky as he once did.
Driven to Suicide: If the Herald sides with the mages, Connor is encountered briefly in the Bad Future; he feels himself slipping and becoming vulnerable to possession again, so he incinerates himself to make sure it doesn't happen.
Evil Sounds Deep: When the demon's in control.
For the Evulz: Seems like this particular demon likes to torment people when it gets bored.
He's All Grown Up: If he survives Origins, he shows up in Inquisition as a full grown adult.
I Am a Monster: If Connor is not killed, he is sent to the Circle, and in Dragon Age: Inquisition 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.
Jekyll & Hyde: Connor is Jekyll, desperate but human. The Demon is Hyde, controlling and monstrous.
Kill the Cutie: One option to stop the demon is to kill Connor.
Past Experience Nightmare: As an adult, he says that he can sometimes see what he did while possessed in his dreams.
Superpowerful Genetics: Inherited magic from Isolde's side of the family, who have produced several mages.
Survivor Guilt: As noted above, if encountered in Dragon Age: Inquisition, 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.
Unstable Powered Child: 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.
Walking Spoiler: Thanks to his role in the "Arl of Redcliffe" quest being hidden from you by Isolde.

Bann Teagan Guerrin

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/feed934161e1341e6dced105f265fa35.jpg

Appears in: Origins | Dragon Age II | The Masked Empire | Inquisition

Voiced by: Timothy Watson

"The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!"

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.

Almighty Janitor: 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.
Teagan: (to Loghain) What of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most... fortuitous.
[murmurs and gasps erupt from the rest of the gathered Landsmeet]
Ambadassador: In The Masked Empire he serves as Ferelden's ambassador to Orlais, post-Blight. He also duels the imperial champion, with feathers.
"Ass" in Ambassador: In Inquisition, he's generally rude and abrasive towards the entire Inquisition, stubbornly calling for them to disband. However, he's arguably completely justified in his attitude, considering some of the Inquisition's actions.
The Baby of the Bunch: 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.
The Cameo: In Dragon Age II, depending on the imported save of Origins (or pre-made background) being used, he may show up either as King Alistair's aide and "sort-of uncle" or 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.
The Charmer: He flirts with both a female Warden, and a female Hawke in Dragon Age II (even if one of the epilogue slides in Origins indicated that he had gotten married).
Deadpan Snarker: Not to the same degree as, say Alistair, but he has his moments. See the quote under Honorary Uncle.
Did Not Get the Girl: If the Warden is female (regardless of race or background), a deleted line in Dragon Age II implies that Teagan had feelings for her but never had the courage to tell her. 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.
- 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.
Honorary Uncle: 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 Alistair's half-brother Cailan, hence the "sort of" nature of the relationship.
Alistair: And this is Teagan, my uncle. Sort of.
Teagan: I'm actually Teagan, I'm only "sort of" his uncle.
Jerkass Has a Point: 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 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.
The Lancer: Serves this role towards Eamon and the Warden.
Large Ham: Only during the time that demon-possessed Connor enthralls him into a jester.
Teagan: No-ho-ho-hobody tells him what to doo! NOBODYYYYY!!!! Haa-haa-haa-haaaaa!
Mr. Fanservice: Aided by the fact that he seems to have some interest in a female Warden of any race.
The Pornomancer: 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 Dragon Age II, before being interrupted by Isolde. The second game has Dummied Out dialogue where he compares Hawke to "someone I hold dear, though I never had the courage to say that to her."
Rank Up: 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.
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.
Reasonable Authority Figure: 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.
Royals Who Actually Do Something: 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.
- He also 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.
Shut Up, Hannibal!: When Loghain claims to be doing everything for the good of Ferelden and gets appointed Regent.
Teagan: The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!
Supporting Leader: During the Redcliffe quest. 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.
Took a Level in Jerkass: In Inquisition, he's far ruder and more aggressive towards the Inquisitor than he was with the Hero of Ferelden.
Unexpected Successor: He becomes the new Arl of Redcliffe after the events during the Blight, due to the fact that 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.

Cousland Family

Teyrn Bryce Cousland

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/67abe962458a118e8142f35ed1f4107c.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Richard Laing

"We are Couslands, and we do what must be done."

Father of the Human Noble PC, and Teyrn of Highever.

The Ace: The Cousland family is a family of aces, and Rendon Howe hates that about them.
Action Survivor: In his backstory, alongside Arl Howe, he survives a Curb-Stomp Battle against the Orlesians at White River, from which only fifty rebels escaped.
Affectionate Nickname: Fitting for a Fereldan, he affectionately calls his younger son/daugher "pup".
Benevolent Boss: Definitely for his human castle staff, though a bit debatable for his elven servants.^note
Berserk Button: The only time he ever raises his voice is when Howe insults King Cailan.
Big Good: The Cousland family have been this to Ferelden for centuries, and Bryce is no exception.
Black-and-White Morality: In a "dark fantasy" game that prides itself on being filled with Grey-and-Gray Morality and Black-and-Gray Morality, 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.
Bolivian Army Ending: Ultimately left to face Howe's men with his wife at the end of the Human Noble origin.
The Creon: 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. His child might not have any such reservations, if they decide to marry into the crown at the end of the game.
Deceased Parents Are the Best: 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.
Doting Parent: He loves his family more than anything, and it's implied that his younger child is his particular pet.
Double Standard: 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.
- 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.
Et Tu, Brute?: 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.
Fantasy-Forbidding Father: 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 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.
Genre Throwback: Of the Chivalric Romance and Medieval Tragedy genres. A stalwart noble is betrayed by his Card-Carrying Villain best friend / brother / uncle, his loyal followers wiped out, and his rightful lands and titles seized by the traitorous usurper. His child is plunged into Riches to Rags harship, until they eventually avenge their father by killing the traitorous usurper, reclaim their "rightful" inheritance, and marry into the monarchy if they aren't kings already.
Happily Married: To his wife Eleanor. How they met and came to fall in love with one another is detailed in The World of Thedas.
Idiot Ball: He's a sharp and reasonable man, but has a blind spot when it comes to Rendon Howe. 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 idealism get the better of him, hoping that his 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.
Magnetic Hero: Immensely popular amongst the nobility. It's said that many would have preferred him as king over Cailan, according to Dairren.
Modest Royalty: One of the most down-to-earth nobles in the entire game.
Nice to the Waiter: 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.
No Guy Wants an Amazon: 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 Proper Lady just for him.
Not So Above It All: 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.")
Offered the Crown: 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.
Out-of-Genre Experience: In a Deconstructor Fleet to most High Fantasy tropes, the Human Noble Origin stands out as the only one to play its tropes dead straight. The Couslands are Always Lawful Good, Bryce is The Good King in all but name, he's betrayed and murdered by his Card-Carrying Villain best friend (who only acts out of jealousy and greed, not any legitimate grievance against them). Bryce's surviving child is plunged into a You Killed My Father Riches to Rags To Riches story, his child avenges him, and the family is restored their "rightful" inheritance. Unlike every other Big Good of the game, Bryce is never revealed to have Feet of Clay, 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.
Papa Wolf:
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Rank Scales with Asskicking: 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.
Reasonable Authority Figure: 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).
Royals Who Actually Do Something: Alongside his eldest son, was preparing to personally lead Highever's forces to join the army gathered at Ostagar.
So Proud of You: 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. His ghost appears later, during the Gauntlet, and says this outright while urging his child to let go of their guilt.
Too Good for This Sinful Earth: 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...
Undying Loyalty:
- 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 Kneel Before Zod 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.
- He himself is on the receiving end of this from most people of Highever because of his fair and even handed rule. 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.
  Bryce: If you could kill men by hating them, we'd all be in our graves now.

Teyrna Eleanor Cousland

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/download11.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Deborah Moore

"I'm no Orlesian wallflower - give me a sword and I'll use it!"

Mother of the Human Noble PC, she plays a major role in the attack on Highever Castle.

Action Mom: As quoted above, she is no Orlesian wallflower, and doesn't hesitate to grab a bow and fight back when the castle is invaded.
Bolivian Army Ending: No matter what you say, Eleanor Cousland will not abandon her husband.
Career Versus Man: Gave up being a "battle maiden" to get married, and wants a female Cousland to do the same.
Deadpan Snarker: As much as she tries to hide it, she comes off as this when sufficiently exasperated by her children and husband.
Deceased Parents Are the Best: Along with her husband.
Doting Parent: She loves her children, her daughter-in-law, and her grandson very dearly.
Foil: To Adaia, the City Elf's mother, although the latter is never shown. Both are Action Moms 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 Proper Lady who firmly believes that No Guy Wants an Amazon, Adaia remained "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.
Guest-Star Party Member: She temporarily joins you during the escape from Castle Cousland in the Human Noble origin.
Happily Married: To her husband Bryce. How they met and came to fall in love with one another is detailed in The World of Thedas.
Hold the Line: She tells the Warden she will kill as many Howe soldiers as she can to give them time to escape.
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.)
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.
I Want Grandkids: She laments how difficult it's been to find an acceptable husband for a female PC, as she wants more grandchildren.
Mama Bear: As per the above. Her reaction to finding her grandson (the PC's nephew) dead is to get even angrier.
Never a Self-Made Woman:
- 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.
- 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 Proper Lady to land a husband.
No Guy Wants an Amazon: 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.
Iona: You're as pretty as your mother describes.
Eleanor: And she says that after seeing you whacking stuffed men in the courtyard, sweating like a mule.
Parental Hypocrisy: 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.
Proper Lady: What she gave up fighting to be, and what she wants her daughter to become.
Quitting to Get Married: Boasts of giving up fighting to get married, and pushes her daughter (if female) to do the same.
Red Baron: During the war with Orlais, her reputation as a raider earned her the title of the Seawolf among the Orlesians.
Retired Badass: By her own admission, she used to be quite the warrior herself, and soon proves that she still is.
Silk Hiding Steel: See the character quote.
Together in Death: Chooses to die at Bryce's side rather than living to help her surviving children deal with the fallout of Howe's massacre.
Tomboy and Girly Girl: If the Warden is female, then Eleanor is very much the Girly Girl to the Warden's Tomboy, much to her distress.

Fergus Cousland

Teryn Fergus Cousland

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/be401b3f3d5509f75a57a1d1532fadba.jpg

Appears in: Origins | Inquisition^noteWar table & choice dependent

Voiced by: Shawn Dingwall

"Well, off I go! So many darkspawn to behead, so little time."

Elder son of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland, brother of the Human Noble PC, heir to the teyrnir of Highever.

Big Brother Worship: From the younger sibling, optionally.
Boisterous Bruiser: Fergus likes bragging about his combat prowess.
Cool Big Bro: 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 The Unfavorite), as well as immensely popular with the people of Highever, Fergus has no resentment towards his younger sibling.
Doting Parent: To his son Oren, with whom he is happy to indulge his heroic fantasies.
Happily Married: To his Antivan wife, Oriana.
Irony: 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.
Outliving One's Offspring: 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.
Politically Incorrect Hero: Teaches his son what a "wench" is, much to his wife's consternation.
Rank Scales with Asskicking: Dialogue in Awakening indicates that he's serving as a general in addition to being the Teyrn of Highever.
Royals Who Actually Do Something: Leads a contingent of Highever's forces to fight in the army at Ostagar. 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.
Sole Survivor: If the Warden takes the Heroic Sacrifice, or if the Warden isn't the Human Noble, Fergus is the very last of the Couslands.
So Proud of You: Says it to his younger sibling at the coronation, since their parents can't.
Strong Family Resemblance: His facial features are evocative of his father's.
What Happened to the Mouse?: He's last seen scouting in the Korcari Wilds shortly before the Battle of Ostagar, causing many to assume he perished on the battlefield. 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.

Other Nobles

Bann Vaughan Kendells

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/3f3b50babfd05ea6cbaa9aa0414ab6d8.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Nicholas Boulton

"It's a party, isn't it? Grab a whore and have a good time!"

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.

Aristocrats Are Evil: 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.
Asshole Victim: 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."
Dirty Coward: He begs for his life when it's clear he's lost in the City Elf origin.
Enfant Terrible: 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.
Tug: That boy will grow up to be something special.
Entitled Bastard: Fully believes his title means he can do whatever he wants to whomever he wants.
Even Evil Can Be Loved: 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.
The Ghost: 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 Roaring Rampage of Revenge in his castle and potentially killing his son. But then he dies off-screen at Ostagar and is replaced by Rendon Howe, who purges the alienage for him on account of Tabris' "crimes" anyway.
Hate Sink: 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, 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 Starter Villain and not really relevant to the story other than being a personal nemesis for you if you take the City Elf Origin
Karma Houdini: Potentially. 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.
Karmic Butt-Monkey: 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.
Karmic Death: 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 he was planning to rape you.
Killed Off for Real: 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.
Like Father, Unlike Son: Subverted. According to Duncan, Arl Urien is an honorable man who disapproves of his son's "hobbies." However, Duncan also says 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.
Monster of the Aesop: He's barely a character and more like an anthropomorphic caricature of systemic racism, rape culture and a total lack of class consciousness.
Politically Incorrect Villain: 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.
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.
Red Herring: 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 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 For the Evulz.
Self-Made Orphan: 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 Antivan Crows to kill his father in order to assume the arling for himself. If it's true, it's darkly amusing that he didn't get to enjoy his newfound title given Howe took his place as Arl of Denerim once Loghain seized power.
Serial Rapist: Of elven women, whom he usually kills after he's had his fun.
Small Name, Big Ego: 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.
The Sociopath: 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.
Spoiled Brat: His father, who was distant, gave Vaughan whatever he wanted as a child, which made him spoiled and insolent.
Starter Villain: For the City Elf.
Too Dumb to Live: Really, Vaughan? Offer the blood splattered City Elf Warden cash after you've raped their cousin and say that 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 rescuing Anora, he tells the Warden that he doesn't view elves as people, even if the Warden is one. Bonus Too Dumb to Live points if Zevran is in the party with an Elven Warden.
You Are Fat: His go-to insult for a female non-City Elf Warden who finds him in Howe's dungeon and doesn't release him. (Note: he does this even if she's a bone-thin elf.)
Vaughan: Come back here, you fat whore!

Arl Gallagher Wulff

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fe106f0ec289b9fe8a1e923cdb3b52d4.jpg

Appears in: Origins | Inquisition^noteWar table

Voiced by: Timothy Watson

"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."

Arl of West Hills, his lands fall early on to the Blight. He is among the nobles who gather in Denerim for the Landsmeet.

The Atoner: In Inquisition, he can become this if he is informed he inadvertently helped enslave the rebel mages to the Venatori.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: In Dragon Age: Inquisition, it is revealed in a War Table operation that Wulff is partly responsible for 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.
Outliving One's Offspring: Both his sons were killed by darkspawn during the efforts to evacuate West Hills before the horde descended upon it.
Reasonable Authority Figure: 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 (having had both of his sons killed by the darkspawn and his lands irreparably damaged by the Blight).
What the Hell, Hero?: 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).
Arl Wulff: The South is fallen, Loghain! Will you let darkspawn take the whole country for fear of Orlais?

Arl Leonas Bryland

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/831494d3e5830313e56d13e8ca1da0f3.png

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Nicholas Boulton

"Rendon Howe was no friend of mine. The boy I knew... died at the Battle of White River."

Arl of South Reach and veteran of the Fereldan Rebellion.

And There Was Much Rejoicing: Thinks the only bad thing about Rendon Howe's death is that he didn't die years ago.
Bann Alfstanna: Will you let him go to the flames unmourned?
Arl Leonas: That he did not die years ago is the only thing worth mourning here!
Bratty Teenage Daughter: His daughter Habren accompanies him to Denerim, and causes him no end of grief.
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.
Doting Parent: 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 "lost" it down a well within the month.
Older Than They Look: 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.
Parental Obliviousness: His arl responsibilities and deep involvement in politics distract him enough to leave him unaware of the disturbing behavior of his Bratty Teenage Daughter Habren, who repeatedly buys and then "loses" puppies and can be seen threatening passerby in the Denerim market.
Reasonable Authority Figure: He will always side with the Wardens during the Landsmeet.
We Used to Be Friends: 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...died at the Battle of White River.
- 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 openly told Bryland that 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.

Bann Alfstanna Eremon

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/627c3dfea8a88180fef4d4e86e35eb14.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Hellena Taylor

Bann of the Waking Sea, she is one of the many nobles who gather in Denerim for the Landsmeet.

Action Girl: If the Landsmeet descends into a brawl, Alfstanna joins in to aid the Warden if she is one of their supporters.
Big Brother Instinct: Inverted; should the Warden inform her that her older brother Irminric was 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 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 inciting the Grand Cleric to chew Loghain out on the heretical charge of interfering with the Templar Order's duties.
Dual Wielding: She is a rogue and wields two daggers.
Pet the Dog: If you are a Human Noble Warden and you rescue her brother, she promises to provide you soldiers to help retake Highever.
Reasonable Authority Figure: 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.
The Smurfette Principle: She is the only female noble who participates in the Landsmeet besides Anora.
Spare to the Throne: 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.

Bann Sighard

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dfe2b5e64a75d90c511b59e3d7a8b6e7.jpg

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Brian George

"Know that I will stand behind you at the Landsmeet, with all the support I can muster."

Bann of the Dragon's Peak Bannorn, Sighard is one of the nobles who gathers for the Landsmeet.

Everyone Has Standards: Like most of the gathered nobility, he joins in the general mood of celebration after Rendon Howe meets his maker.
Papa Wolf: One of the easiest ways to get his support is to 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.
Pet the Dog: Recognises a Human Noble Warden as a Cousland, and notes that he's glad to see they survived Howe's treachery.
Bann Sighard: Aren't you Bryce and Eleanor Cousland's youngest? I thought that... well, it's good to see you're still alive.
Reasonable Authority Figure: His own son calls him one, and if you gain his support he definitely proves to be one.
What the Hell, Hero?: Calls Loghain out if the Warden exposes the fact he allowed Tevinter slavers to abduct elves from the Denerim alienage.
Bann Sighard: (furious) What's this?! There is no slavery in Ferelden! Explain yourself!
Where Did We Go Wrong?: Has a funny discussion with Arl Bryland and Bann Alfstanna regarding Bryland's Bratty Teenage Daughter Habren.
Bann Sighard: Was that your daughter I saw in the marketplace, Bryland?
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.
Bann Alfstanna: There's no need for such measures. She's a child, she'll outgrow this.
Bann Sighard: She's what, fifteen now?
Arl Leonas: Is that the age of becoming unbearable? Yes, she turned fifteen in spring.
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.

Bann Ceorlic

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Simon Templeman

"I stand by Loghain! We've no hope of victory otherwise!"

Bann of the Southern Bannorn, Ceorlic is one of the nobles who gathers for the Landsmeet, and a staunch supporter of Loghain.

Better the Devil You Know: Considers it better if Anora retains the throne, seeing her as this over Alistair, who at that point is an unknown quantity.
Bann Ceorlic: I would rather see Anora take the throne myself. Better it pass to the Mac Tir line than to some...byblow.
Everyone Has Standards: 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.
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.
Bann Ceorlic: Well I didn't say I was shedding any tears over his passing. He was never any friend of mine.
Fantastic Racism: Derisively calls Leonas Bryland a "half-breed".
- Is also quite dismissive of an elven or dwarven Warden.
Freudian Excuse: Given that his own father in The Stolen Throne was 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.
I Did What I Had to Do: 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.
- Inferred from the continuity: Given that King Maric 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.
Jerkass: He is a very surly and unpleasant man, and makes derogatory remarks about both Eamon and Alistair.
Bann Ceorlic: Eamon's not dead. More's the pity.
Karma Houdini: 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.
Noodle Incident: 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.
Professional Butt-Kisser: Refuses to believe a word against Loghain, and openly denounces attempts to discredit him. Though this could just be a very loud attempt to keep Loghain from questioning his loyalty.
Token Good Teammate: 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.

Characters / Dragon Age: Origins – Non-Playable Characters - Fereldan Nobles

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Royal Family

King Cailan Theirin

Appears in: The Stolen Throne | Origins

Voiced by: Peter Bramhill (English), Jean-Pierre Michaël (French)

Queen Anora Theirin (nee Mac Tir)

Appears in: Origins | Awakeningnote Choice dependent | Inquisitionnote Choice dependent

Voiced by: Mika Simmons (English), Alexandra Garijo (French)

Mac Tir Family

Loghain Mac Tir

Appears in: The Stolen Throne | The Calling | Origins | Awakeningnote choice dependent | Inquisitionnote choice dependent

Voiced by: Simon Templeman (English)Foreign VAsChristian Gutknecht (German), Grzegorz Pawlak (Polish), Philippe Catoire (French)

Ser Cauthrien

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Alix Wilton Regan (English), Joanna Węgrzynowska (Polish)

Howe Family

Arl Rendon Howe

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Tim Curry (English), Wojciech Machnicki (Polish), Daniel Gall (French)

Guerrin Family

Arl Eamon Guerrin

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Graham McTavish (English), Uli Plessmann (German)

Arlessa Isolde Guerrin

Appears in: Origins | Dragon Age II

Voiced by: Louisa Patikas

Connor Guerrin

Appears in: Origins | Inquisitionnote Choice dependent

Voiced by: Michael Curtis Parsons

Bann Teagan Guerrin

Appears in: Origins | Dragon Age II | The Masked Empire | Inquisition

Voiced by: Timothy Watson

Cousland Family

Teyrn Bryce Cousland

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Richard Laing

Teyrna Eleanor Cousland

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Deborah Moore

Teryn Fergus Cousland

Appears in: Origins | Inquisitionnote War table & choice dependent

Voiced by: Shawn Dingwall

Other Nobles

Bann Vaughan Kendells

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Nicholas Boulton

Arl Gallagher Wulff

Appears in: Origins | Inquisitionnote War table

Voiced by: Timothy Watson

Arl Leonas Bryland

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Nicholas Boulton

Bann Alfstanna Eremon

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Hellena Taylor

Bann Sighard

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Brian George

Bann Ceorlic

Appears in: Origins

Voiced by: Simon Templeman

Alternative Title(s): Dragon Age Origins Non Playable Characters Fereldan Nobility

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Appears in: Origins | Awakening^noteChoice dependent | Inquisition^noteChoice dependent

Appears in: The Stolen Throne | The Calling | Origins | Awakening^notechoice dependent | Inquisition^notechoice dependent

Voiced by: Simon Templeman (English)^{Foreign VAs}

Appears in: Origins | Inquisition^noteChoice dependent

Appears in: Origins | Inquisition^noteWar table & choice dependent

Appears in: Origins | Inquisition^noteWar table