History Characters / DragonAgeIICompanions

* MrFanservice: That's pretty much runs the norm for elves anyway; especially if they have white hair, green eyes, a DarkAndTroubledPast, and happens to wear skin-tight black clothing.

** He shows sympathy towards ''Anders'' at one point, if the latter kills Ella. He tells him that he should try to learn his limits, as a suggestion, not an insult.

An archer of noble birth and brother of the Chantry, Sebastian can be recruited via ''The Exiled Prince'' DLC. After Hawke helps him avenge the death of his family (the rulers of Starkhaven), he later joins them. He becomes torn between his loyalty to the Chantry and his desire to retake Starkhaven. He is a romance option for a female Hawke.

* AmbiguousSituation: Given some revelations about the nature of demons and spirits in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', was the "spirit" Merrill learned bloog magic from [[spoiler:really a Pride Demon trying to possess her by manipulating her {{Pride}}? Or was it a Spirit of Wisdom offering knowledge (since she came to it seeking answers to help her people, and was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt), but the rest of her Clan (particularly Marethari) refusing to see it as anything but a demon out to possess Merrill was what corrupted it into being a demon in the first place? (Since spirits reflect the emotions and expectations of a mortal, and a mortal expecting to see a demon [[SelfFulfillingProphecy turns it into one]])]]? Since Hawke never sees the "spirit" before [[spoiler:Marethari is possessed]], we may never know.

* AmbiguouslyBrown: His skin is noticably darker than that of the other companions, save Isabela. [[spoiler:His sister is fair-skinned, making it unclear if his skin tone is natural or the result of the lyrium being fused into it]].

* {{Omniglot}}: He speaks Tevene, the common tongue (the language of the Dwarves, Ferelden, and the Free Marches), and picked up Qunlat by listening to the Qunari (though Tallis thinks his accent needs work). It's impressive for an amnesiac who can't read when Hawke first meets him.

* CannotSpitItOut: If pursuing the friendly or flirty paths with her, it's implied Merrill develops a crush on Hawke seemingly from the moment they first meet. However, Hawke must literally spell it out for Merrill that they actually feel the same way before they can begin a relationship.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In the first game, she comes across as having a straight-to-the-point, no-nonsense demeanor as opposed to her CloudCuckoolander tendencies in this game.

* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:If Hawke sides with the templars during the final battle, has a full rivalry with Anders (meaning he can be persuaded to turn against the mages), did not complete all of Merrill's personal quests, and does not choose the "Join me" option when confronting her, Merrill will turn against Hawke and will be killed.]]

* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:If Hawke sides with the mages during the final battle and is not a full friend or rival with Fenris and/or did not complete all of his personal quests, Fenris will turn against Hawke. He will then refuse again if Hawke does not choose the "Join me" option and/or is a 50-95% rival with Fenris and is later killed.]]

** Arguably, her

* {{Irony}} Most characters believe Merrill is a naive, stupid child whose stint with demons and blood magic will ''inevtiably'' get herself possessed and others killed. However, Merrill takes every precaution to minimize contact with the spirit, only approaches it nine years later [[GodzillaThreshold as a last resort]], and brings Hawke for a MercyKill in case she gets possessed so she won't be a danger to herself or others. Meanwhile Marethari, upheld as the BigGood and TeamMom, endangers her Clan for ''years'' by keeping them on Sundermount to keep an eye on Merrill, where they face food shortages due to picking through most of the local forage and hunting grounds, gets several hunters killed by a vartarrel, gets them harrassed by Templars (one of whom ''kidnaps and tortures'' a Dalish child to try to provoke the Dalish into attacking), and finally [[spoiler:lets the demon possess her without telling her Clan, Hawke, or Merrill, which endangers everyone since they stumble into her possessed self unawares, and can potentially result in her Clan being killed since they refuse to believe that Marethari would do that but are all too hostile to Merrill due to Marethari encouraging them to hate and fear her for years.]] In other words, despite all the accusations of carelessness lobbed at her, Merrill does more to ensure the safety of those around her than Marethari ever did.

* DeconstructiveCharacterArchetype: Merrill's writer Mary Kirby admitted on [[LineToGod Twitter]] that the idea behind Merrill was to deconstruct the "selfless waif willing to sacrifice herself for those around her." Merrill's dabbling in dangerous magic and knowledge causes herself and others unnecessary danger and grief, her belief that she alone can control the outcome of her actions is shown to be an inherently proud and selfish mentality rather than giving and selfless, and that expecting others to stand back and allow her to endanger herself [[spoiler:can result in those close to her getting killed, like Marethari's, because most people wouldn't just stand back and watch someone they love dearly die.]]

* DeliberateValuesDissonance: Merrill is the one Dalish Mage in a party of mostly Andrastian humans (or CulturalRebel dwarf Varric and elf Fenris) who all share pretty uniform Andrastian human worldviews. In particular, Merrill's belief that most spirits should be given the benefit of the doubt (if treated with caution), that blood magic is no more evil than any other magic, and that ancient knowledge is worth pursing clash ''greatly'' with the rest of her party, if not most characters in the game.

* DumbassHasAPoint: More like "GeniusDitz" has a point. Merrill often points out the Marethari treats her like a ''child'' and refuses to believe that Merrill might know what she's talking about regarding the eluvian, or trust that Merill is exercizing due caution in restoring the eluvian with minimal risk to herself and others. (For example, Marethari refused to believe the eluvian was safe to handle even after Merrill purged the darkspawn taint that killed Tamlen and possibly Mahariel, and while Merrill took precuations in case she was possessed by a demon, Marethari refused to believe that Merrill could possibly avoid possession [[spoiler:and lets the demon possess her instead.]])

* SelectiveObliviousness: Her attitude towards demons and blood magic crosses over into this frequently. She states, (and even demonstrates), that she understands the risks... yet is surprised when people ask/demand that she stop, and doesn't seem to understand why others might view ''her'' as dangerous.

* SmallNameBigEgo: On a much smaller scale than most examples. She thinks that because she's studied the risks when it comes to making pacts with demons, she can work with the demon she learned blood magic from without any negative effects. [[spoiler:She couldn't be any more wrong.]] With that said, [[spoiler:Merrill does indeed take every precaution to avoid being possessed, and brings Hawke along for a MercyKill in case she fails. It's '''Marethari''' who refuses to believe that Merrill could possibly avoid being possessed and ''chooses'' to let the demon possess her instead, behind Merrill's back, that causes all of Merrill's efforts to go belly-up.]]

* WellIntentionedExtremist: Initially, her venture into [[spoiler: cleansing the shard]] had her approach the Keeper so they could pool their healing magic together, as in the first game the Keeper's unamplified magic was enough to [[spoiler: weaken Mahariel's taint]]. When the Keeper refused, and seeing that she had no lyrium to work with, she turned to [[spoiler:a spirit trapped inside a statue and sundered from the Fade, asking it to teach her the basics of blood magic, in order to have the means to cleanse the shard]] and reclaim some of her people's history. She does not come into contact with [[spoiler: the spirit]] again and builds her own eluvian from scratch, but is still using blood magic which many consider a dangerous road. She is aware that these actions might harm herself, but her inability to comprehend that the consequences will likely hurt others as well sometimes crosses over into denial.

* WhatHaveIDone: If the rivalry path is pursued, after her Act 3 quest, [[spoiler: Merrill will destroy the mirror, admitting that her obsession with it is what caused the death of Marethari/her clan. However, on the friendship path she will instead lament their lack of understanding.]]

* ZombieAdvocate: For demons and blood mages in general. An easy way to gain rivalry points from her involves either refusing offers from demons, telling her not to trust demons, or decrying blood magic. Her largest rivalry gain, and in fact ''the largest potential gain in the game'', comes from destroying all the evil tomes and the Fell Grimoire in the quest "Forbidden Knowledge" for a grand total of ''60 rivalry points''.

* TheCuckoolanderWasRight: If it isn't destroyed, [[spoiler:when the Inquisitor visits the Crossroads in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', her distinctly cracked ramshackle-looking eluvian is there among all the others, implying that at some point she got it working in at least some capacity. Although it's likely that she still lacks the key required to activate it.]]

* NeverMyFault: Merrill disapproves anytime Hawke implies that the situation with her clan is her fault instead of blaming them and the Keeper for not accepting her help. This blame extends to Hawke if they [[spoiler: withhold the arulin'holm from her.]] She will finally take responsibility however, [[spoiler: if Hawke has a full rivalry with her]]. [[spoiler: However, after certain revelations in Inquisition about the nature of Eluvians and an offhanded comment from WordOfGod, it is very debatable just how much of what happened was really her fault.]]

* SmallNameBigEgo: On a much smaller scale than most examples. She thinks that because she's studied the risks when it comes to making pacts with demons, she can work with the demon she learned blood magic from without any negative effects. [[spoiler:She couldn't be any more wrong.]]

* WellIntentionedExtremist: Initially, her venture into [[spoiler: cleansing the shard]] had her approach the Keeper so they could pool their healing magic together, as in the first game the Keeper's unamplified magic was enough to [[spoiler: weaken Mahariel's taint]]. When the Keeper refused, and seeing that she had no lyrium to work with, she turned to [[spoiler: a Demon trapped inside a statue and sundered from the Fade, asking it to teach her the basics of blood magic, in order to have the means to cleanse the shard]] and reclaim some of her people's history. She does not come into contact with [[spoiler: the spirit]] again and builds her own eluvian from scratch, but is still using blood magic which many consider a dangerous road. She is aware that these actions might harm herself, but her inability to comprehend that the consequences will likely hurt others as well sometimes crosses over into denial.

** His life isn't all that dissimilar to that of a Circle Mage. Being held captive by cruel abusive masters, and being hunted endlessly by those who wish to see him put back in bondage after escaping.

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* BiTheWay: Can be romanced by a Hawke of either gender.

* BiTheWay: At least implied. Aveline will find Hawke's potential flirting sweet despite not recognizing it as such, and will kiss a Hawke of either gender if certain steps are taken.

* BiTheWay: He can be romanced by a Hawke of either gender, and also hooks up with Isabela if the player isn't romancing either of them.

* BuxomIsBetter: It's subtle, but every woman [[BiTheWay Fenris]] shows any interest in are human women with noticeable racks. In [[http://lvlt.bioware.cdn.ea.com/bioware/u/f/eagames/bioware/dragonage2/assets/content/world/short_stories/fenris.pdf Fenris' short story]] he pauses while being chased by slave hunters to admire a scantily clad human woman with noticeable cleavage. In the [=DA2=] game proper, the only two women he can potentially get together with are female Hawke or (if neither are pursued for a romance) Isabela, both of whom are well-endowed in the chest department. (He also pointedly shows no interest in even talking to [[NothingButSkinAndBones elven women]], let alone dating one.)

* BiTheWay: Averted; he is the only romance option who is not bisexual. However, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE15f5tW3mc some game files exist for a romance with male Hawke]].

* FirstEpisodeSpoiler: Finding out that the seemingly-innocent {{Adorkable}} elf was a blood mage who has dealt with demons is a bit of a surprise, even if the player is finding this out within fifteen minutes of when Hawke first meets her.

** Subversion. His banter with Sebastian reveals that while he's not entirely convinced that the Maker exists, he does keep something of an open mind. It's even implied in Act 3 that Sebastian may be rubbing off on him.

'''Fenris''': I try to. Some things must be worse than slavery.\\

** In spite of his belief that mages should be kept under control, his reactions in the quest "Shepherding Wolves" hint that even ''he'' doesn't like the treatment that the mages under the Qun receive one bit.

--->''(during Act 1)'' You have all the freedom none of our kind enjoy, and you throw it away. On what?\\

* TheEeyore: Probably the most pessimistic of the group, [[NeverLiveItDown though not as much as they'd have Hawke believe]]. Even in his lighter moments, he's generally dry and rather bleak. By the end of the game, he's ''starting'' to grow out of it.

** The [[http://lvlt.bioware.cdn.ea.com/bioware/u/f/eagames/bioware/dragonage2/assets/content/world/short_stories/fenris.pdf Fenris short story]] written by David Gaider goes further, showing that Fenris secretly thinks of city elves as nothing but "frightened cattle" and "drunk vagrants." (He also notably declines Sebastian's suggestion that he teach elves how to fight, despite looking down on them for not fighting.)
--->How was he to know that so many of his people would squander their freedom living like frightened cattle? If his only choices were to either dress as meekly as the local humans expected their elves to be, run off to find the wandering clans that grubbed in the dirt for whatever scraps the human kingdoms threw them, or to fight… then his choice was clear.

->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/EveMyles

-->'''Hawke:''' She is with the [[{{God}} Maker]] now.\\
'''Merrill:''' Or [[TheGrimReaper Falon'Din]]. You never know.

-->'''Merrill:''' May the Creators have mercy on you, I certainly won't!

'''Merrill''': ''[gasp!]'' You're courting him!

--->'''Hawke:''' You've got to come help! There's a building on fire!\\
'''Guard:''' Shit! A fire could destroy the loot, we have to check!\\
'''Merrill:''' But there's not really a fire, is there?\\
'''Hawke:''' No, Merrill, it's a ''trick''.\\
'''Merrill:''' Oh! Well, it's very clever then!\\

--->'''Merrill:''' Does all this feel like a dream to you, too?\\
'''Hawke:''' In a moment, I'll look down and see I have no pants on.\\
'''Merrill:''' ''[giggles]'' The Champion of Kirkwall, going to battle naked. ''({{beat}}, then dreamily)'' Why can't I ever have that dream?

-->'''Tamlen:''' Curiosity... is a dangerous thing, Merrill. It will never let you rest. Never.

-->'''Merrill:''' I've never met a human before. Dalish mothers frighten their children with stories about you, you know. ({{beat}}) Not you, personally, of course. I'm sure they don't have any tales about you. Or not scary ones, at least. ({{beat}}) Not that you're not notable enough to have a story... [[ShuttingUpNow I'll just shut up now]].

--->'''Merrill:''' You're keeping a priceless heirloom of ''my'' clan? You have no right! You're not even Dalish! I can't believe you! Why did I trust you? You're just a ''shemlen'' like all the others!

--->'''Merrill:''' There's nothing inherently evil about blood magic. It's magic, like any other.\\
'''Anders:''' ''(disgusted)'' Are you really that stupid?

--->'''Merrill:''' Are you all right?\\
'''Anders:''' [[spoiler: I nearly killed an innocent girl.]] How could I be all right?\\
'''Merrill:''' I'm sorry.\\
'''Anders:''' You're sorry? For me? This could be you! You could be the next monster [[spoiler: threatening helpless girls!]]\\
'''Merrill:''' Anders... there's no such thing as a good spirit. There never was. ''All'' spirits are dangerous. I understood that. I'm sorry that you didn't.

-->'''Arishok:''' They say we were careless with our trap, that this is our fault. But even without the ''saar-qamek'', there would have been death. This elf was determined to lay blame at our feet.\\
'''Merrill:''' But your feet didn't do anything wrong! Did they?

-->'''Merrill:''' Why is it that you always win at cards?\\
'''Isabela:''' ''[chuckle]'' Because I cheat, Kitten.\\

'''Isabela:''' This trinket... it's elven, isn't it? From your clan? Don't bet anything you're not prepared to lose. Here... ''[[PetTheDog [Isabela hands the trinket back]]]'' have it back.

--->'''Carver:''' Okay, we're lost together. Both of us, not that we're "together" together.\\
'''Merrill:''' If we have to be lost somewhere, at least it's a nice hallway! Very well built, not at all likely to collapse.\\
'''Carver:''' Right, well, back to rescuing... wait. You're doing that on purpose!\\
'''Merrill:''' ''[giggles]''

-->'''Merrill:''' I'll try not to hit anyone. On our side, I mean. [[MotorMouth I'm babbling again. Let's go.]]

->'''Voiced by:''' Joanna Roth

-->'''Hawke:''' You don't want me as sour and dour as you. You need a counterpoint.

--->'''Aveline:''' Any second I'll surrender to the almighty power of 'Guard Captain' and enslave all mages. Look out. Authority. Wooooooo.

--->'''Isabela:''' How's marriage been treating you, big girl?\\
'''Aveline:''' It's been good. No, great. I'd forgotten what it was like to...\\
'''Isabela:''' Be flipped ass over tits and hammered like a bent nail?\\
'''Aveline:''' To. Be. Loved.\\
'''Isabela:''' Oh. Right, of course.\\
'''Aveline:''' ''(coyly)'' Not that I'm complaining about the other thing.

--> '''Aveline:''' Wesley's at the Maker's side, or he's not.

-->'''Varric:''' Sweet mother of green cheeses, how'd they take that woman down?!\\
'''Carver:''' Aveline is down, M-Maker's breath!\\
'''Merrill:''' By the Creators, Aveline has fallen!\\
'''Fenris:''' ''Aveline'' has fallen?

--->'''Aveline:''' I hope no one else needs this!

-->'''Aveline:''' I can trust you to at least try to do right.

-->'''Aveline:''' ''(Regarding the [[RapeAndRevenge elven brothers]])'' There are rumors. I'll look into them. But they took the law into their own hands.

-->'''Varric:''' All I'm saying is, he'd be up more than two sovereigns if he watched his tells.

->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/GideonEmery

--->'''Fenris:''' There are problems enough in this world without putting such power in the hands of those too weak to resist its allure. ''Them'' I fear, as should you. As should anyone.

-->'''Gamlen:''' So, you're into elves, huh? I guess I don't have to ask which one of you's the girl.

--->'''Anders/Justice:''' And he is so free to condemn others for the same sin.

-->'''Fenris:''' You... are living with Hawke now?\\
'''Anders:''' What of it?\\
'''Fenris:''' Be good to them. Break their heart, and I will kill you.

--->'''Fenris:''' He's a good man, Aveline. I enjoy his company.

---> '''Fenris:''' Because you would look pretty in one.

-->'''Fenris:''' There are no puppy eyes!

-->'''Fenris:''' ''(scars glowing)'' Shut your mouth, [[spoiler:Danarius]]!\\
[[spoiler:'''Danarius''']] ''(frustrated sigh)'' The word is "master."

-->'''Anders:''' Ouch.

-->'''Fenris:''' The future of a slave is never uncertain, but I am no longer a slave. Perhaps it is time I remembered that.

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

->'''Voiced by:''' Alec Newman

-->'''Sebastian:''' I wish my parents could see me now. They always said I had "no sense of the dignity of my station." A disgrace to the Vael name. Now, here I am, traipsing around the Deep Roads like a common soldier ...
-->'''Hawke:''' If you could bring your family back from the dead, that's what you'd want? For them to be disappointed in you?
-->'''Sebastian:''' How else would I know it's really them?

** Fenris returns in the ''ComicBook/BlueWraith'', where he has achieved such a level of infamy in Tevinter that he is now known by the title of the comic.

** This is confirmed in the ''[[ComicBook/BlueWraith]]'', where a flashback to the time just before Leto received his markings shows that he used to have blonde hair.

** Fenris returns in the ''ComicBook//BlueWraith'', where he has achieved such a level of infamy in Tevinter that he is now known by the title of the comic.

** This is confirmed in the ''[[ComicBook//BlueWraith]]'', where a flashback to the time just before Leto received his markings shows that he used to have blonde hair.

** Fenris returns in the comic ‘’BlueWraith’’, where he has achieved such a level of infamy in Tevinter that he is now known by the title of the comic.

** This is confirmed in the comic ‘’BlueWraith’’, where a flashback to the time just before Leto received his markings shows that he used to have blonde hair.

* ManInWhite: His shiny white armor. Something of a RunningGag within the party.