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* AllForNothing: [[spoiler: Notes found in the future Redcliff make it clear that his research into time magic ultimately goes no where. The only reason he is able to really use it is ''because'' of the Breach warping the Veil so much that it can be done, but only to events after the Breach occurred. Since everything he was trying to change (the Inquisition, his wifes death, his son getting the Blight), happened before the Breach, he realizes how hopeless it was.]]

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* AllForNothing: [[spoiler: Notes found in the future Redcliff Redcliffe make it clear that his research into time magic ultimately goes no where. The only reason he is able to really use it is ''because'' of the Breach warping the Veil so much that it can be done, but only to events after the Breach occurred. Since everything he was trying to change (the Inquisition, his wifes wife's death, his son getting the Blight), happened before the Breach, he realizes how hopeless it was.]]
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''Characters/DragonAgeInquisition'': [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTheInquisitor The Inquisitor]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionCompanions The Inner Circle]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionWarriors Warriors]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionMages Mages]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionRogues Rogues]]) | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionNonPlayableCharacters Non-Playable Characters]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTheInquisition The Inquisition]] | '''Antagonists''' | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionDLC DLC Characters]]) \\

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''Characters/DragonAgeInquisition'': [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTheInquisitor The Inquisitor]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionCompanions The Inner Circle]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionWarriors Warriors]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionMages Mages]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionRogues Rogues]]) | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionMultiplayer Multiplayer]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionNonPlayableCharacters Non-Playable Characters]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTheInquisition The Inquisition]] | '''Antagonists''' | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionDLC DLC Characters]]) \\

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[[center:[-[[Characters/DragonAge Main Character Index]] > Dragon Age: Inquisition > [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTheInquisitor The Inquisitor]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionCompanionsAndAdvisors Companions And Advisors]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeCole Cole]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeTheIronBull The Iron Bull]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeSera Sera]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeSolas Solas]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeVivienne Vivienne]]) | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionStaff Staff]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionAgents Agents]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTrainers Trainers]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionMultiplayer Multiplayer]] | '''Antagonists''' | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionNonPlayableCharacters Non-Playable Characters]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionDLC DLC Characters]] -]]]

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[[center:[-[[Characters/DragonAge Main [[WMG:[[center:[-'''Characters/DragonAge Character Index]] > Dragon Age: Inquisition > Index'''\\
''Characters/DragonAgeInquisition'':
[[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTheInquisitor The Inquisitor]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionCompanionsAndAdvisors Companions And Advisors]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeCole Cole]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeTheIronBull [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionCompanions The Iron Bull]] Inner Circle]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionWarriors Warriors]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeSera Sera]] [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionMages Mages]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeSolas Solas]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeVivienne Vivienne]]) | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionStaff Staff]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionAgents Agents]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTrainers Trainers]] | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionMultiplayer Multiplayer]] | '''Antagonists''' [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionRogues Rogues]]) | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionNonPlayableCharacters Non-Playable Characters]] ([[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionTheInquisition The Inquisition]] | '''Antagonists''' | [[Characters/DragonAgeInquisitionDLC DLC Characters]] -]]]
Characters]]) \\
''Characters/DragonAgeOrigins'' | ''Characters/DragonAgeII'' -]]]]]
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Restructuring per the Character-Specific Pages thread.


!! Monsters and Demons

[[folder:The Elder One]]

A mysterious being whom the Venatori serve. His true identity is Corypheus, the ancient magister-turned-primal-darkspawn from the ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' DLC ''Legacy''. His desire is to enter the Fade physically and throw open the gates of the Black City in order to achieve godhood.\\
\\
''For more info, see [[Characters/DragonAgeRecurringNonPlayableCharacters this page]]. '''Beware, spoilers ahead.'''''

[[/folder]]

[[folder:The Archdemon/ Red Lyrium Dragon]]
!!The Archdemon / Red Lyrium Dragon
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/red_lyrium_dragon.jpg]]
!!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''

->''"Hey, remember that war we talked about? Full of little baddies I can stick with little arrows? '''That's not a frigging archdemon, is it?!'''"''
--> -- '''Sera'''

\\
A massive, corrupted, dragon-like figure, the Archdemon is a creature that usually heralds a coming Blight... but this one seems to be under the Elder One's control. One of his most powerful tools, no one can find a way to defend against the Archdemon, and everyone is terrified of experiencing two Blights in the same age. There are rational doubts that it's a true Archdemon, however.

to:

!! Monsters and Demons

[[folder:The
!!Corypheus / The Elder One]]

A mysterious being whom the Venatori serve. His true identity is Corypheus, the ancient magister-turned-primal-darkspawn from the ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' DLC ''Legacy''. His desire is to enter the Fade physically and throw open the gates of the Black City in order to achieve godhood.\\
\\
''For more info, see [[Characters/DragonAgeRecurringNonPlayableCharacters this page]]. '''Beware, spoilers ahead.'''''

[[/folder]]

[[folder:The Archdemon/ Red Lyrium Dragon]]
!!The Archdemon / Red Lyrium Dragon
One
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/red_lyrium_dragon.org/pmwiki/pub/images/da2_corypheus.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Corypheus in ''Legacy'']]

[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Corypheus in ''Inquisition'']] https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/corypheus_3954.png[[/labelnote]]]]
!!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeII Dragon Age II - Legacy]]'' | ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''

->''"Hey, remember that war we talked about? Full of little baddies I can stick with little arrows? '''That's not a frigging archdemon, is it?!'''"''
--> -- '''Sera'''

\\
A massive, corrupted, dragon-like figure, the Archdemon is a creature that usually heralds a coming Blight... but this one seems
Inquisition]]''
!!!'''Voiced by:''' David Sterne (English)[[labelnote:Foreign [=VAs=]]]Erich Räuker (German)[[/labelnote]]
->''[[EstablishingCharacterMoment "Know me, know what you have pretended
to be under the be.]] [[BadassBoast Exalt The Elder One's control. One of his most powerful tools, no one can find a way to defend against the Archdemon, and everyone is terrified of experiencing two Blights in the same age. There are rational doubts One! The will that it's is Corypheus!"]]''

The BigBad of the ''Legacy'' DLC;
a true Archdemon, however.mysterious Darkspawn sealed away many years ago by the Grey Wardens, and later had those seals reinforced by Malcolm Hawke. Corypheus now seeks the blood of Malcolm Hawke's children in order to escape. He returns in ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' as the [[BigBad Elder One]], a mysterious being whom the Venatori serve.



* ArtEvolution: There's no way to really know if all Archdemons are supposed to look similar, but the graphics in DA:I allow him to look even scarier than Urthemiel. [[spoiler: Of course, the fact that he's not really an Archdemon - and also not a he - might have something to do with it, too.]]
* BreathWeapon: A crimson flame laced with electricity. Likely a result of red lyrium corruption.
* DemotedToDragon: An Archdemon is supposed to be the BigBad for a Blight, and was an Old God in his past life. Working under the Elder One is a step down for him. [[spoiler:Or it would be, if she really was one.]]
* TheDragon: A rare literal version, to Corypheus, the Elder One. Technically shares this distinction with Calpernia/Samson.
* GiantFlyer: An immense dragon, so this is a given.
* InterfaceSpoiler: Locking onto it during the attack on Adamant will reveal that [[spoiler:she is named "Red Lyrium Dragon" rather than "Archdemon".]]
* LivingWeapon: It certainly serves as this to The Elder One. Cullen even notes having such a creature at their command gives the Inquisition's enemies quite the advantage.
* MistakenIdentity: Everyone initially calls it an "Archedemon", given that it's a big, corrupted High Dragon as all other Archdemons are, but investigations into it reveal that [[spoiler: it's not actually an Archdemon but just a regular (or as regular as you can get for High Dragons, anyways) High Dragon corrupted with Red Lyrium.]]
* OurDemonsAreDifferent: Archdemons are Blight-corrupted Old Gods, rather than aggressive spirits of the Fade.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: This Archdemon is far different from any other Old God or High Dragon due to [[spoiler:being corrupted by Red Lyrium.]]
* SamusIsAGirl: [[spoiler: As a normal High Dragon, she is actually female.]]
* SkullForAHead: Somewhat. Its face and teeth are a bit more skull-like, as opposed to Urthemiel's rattish maw.
* SoulJar: [[spoiler:Corypheus invested so much power into corrupting this High Dragon that killing her temporarily prevents him from resurrecting himself.]]
* TheVoiceless: The Archdemon only speaks in roars, but presumably can be understood by Darkspawn.

to:

[[folder:Tropes in ''Dragon Age II: Legacy'']]
* ArtEvolution: There's no way to really know if all Archdemons are supposed to look similar, but AllMythsAreTrue: Anders believes that the graphics in DA:I allow him to look even scarier than Urthemiel. [[spoiler: Of course, Golden City tale of the Chantry's canon is just propaganda to justify imprisoning mages. As it turns out, [[spoiler:7 magisters did try to breach the Golden City, and they were in fact turned into Darkspawn, and Corypheus was one of the people who did it, though he says that he's not really an Archdemon - the city was ''already'' black when they got there. On the other hand, WordOfGod and also not a he - in-universe historians confirm that the city did in fact appear golden, at least from the outside, until the Magisters' attempt to conquer it, suggesting that it might have something to do with it, too.been tainted at the moment they set foot in it.]]
* BreathWeapon: A crimson flame laced with electricity. Likely AntiquatedLinguistics: His word order is strange and old-fashioned, which makes sense since it has been a result thousand years since he last spoke.
* TheArchmage: One
of red lyrium corruption.
* DemotedToDragon: An Archdemon is supposed
the most powerful Mages encountered thus far, and he might not even have been at full strength. You do not get to be the BigBad for a Blight, [[spoiler:a Magister]] by sitting on your ass.
* TheBadGuyWins: [[spoiler: He gets freed,
and was an Old God in his past life. Working under the Elder One is a step down for him. [[spoiler:Or it would be, if she really was one.Hawke killing him doesn't take.]]
* TheDragon: A rare literal version, to Corypheus, BigBad: Of the Elder One. Technically shares ''Legacy'' {{DLC}}.
* BlackEyesOfEvil: [[spoiler:His eyes briefly turn
this distinction with Calpernia/Samson.
* GiantFlyer: An immense dragon, so
colour moments before Hawke delivers the killing blow. This happens at exactly the same time Janeka or Larius stumble in the background, implying this is a given.
* InterfaceSpoiler: Locking onto it during
was the attack on Adamant will reveal that [[spoiler:she is named "Red Lyrium Dragon" rather than "Archdemon".moment he performed the BodySurf.]]
* LivingWeapon: It certainly serves as this BodyHorror:
** Similar
to The Elder One. Cullen even notes having such a creature at their command gives the Inquisition's enemies quite the advantage.
* MistakenIdentity: Everyone initially calls it an "Archedemon", given that it's
Architect, he appears to have a big, corrupted High Dragon as all other Archdemons are, but investigations into it reveal that hood growing out of his skin. [[spoiler: Then again, as one of the first Darkspawn, it's not very possibly these may actually an Archdemon but just have once been his clothes and the Taint fused them to his body]].
** [[spoiler: And once again if he [[BodySurf possesses]] Larius, who's
a regular (or as regular as you can get for High Dragons, anyways) High Dragon corrupted Ghoulified Warden]].
* BodySurf: [[spoiler:It's strongly implied that he survived his battle
with Red Lyrium.Hawke by body-jumping into the nearby Larius or Janeka.]]
* OurDemonsAreDifferent: Archdemons are Blight-corrupted Old Gods, rather than aggressive spirits of CantKillYouStillNeedYou: [[spoiler: The main reason the Fade.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: This Archdemon is far different from
Wardens kept him alive after the First Blight. Initially they'd wanted to interrogate or make use of him as a weapon against the Darkspawn; but when it became clear that any other Old God or High Dragon due Warden who went near him fell under his influence, they were forced to [[spoiler:being corrupted by Red Lyrium.imprison Corypheus as the only way to contain the danger he posed.]]
* SamusIsAGirl: [[spoiler: As a normal High Dragon, she ChekhovsGun: The trailer for the DLC implies that Corypheus is actually female.a Darkspawn, yet records you can find during gameplay show that people saw him as being as intelligent as a human being. [[spoiler:That's because [[WasOnceAMan he]] ''[[WasOnceAMan was]]'', [[WasOnceAMan once]].]]
* SkullForAHead: Somewhat. Its face and teeth are ElementalPowers: In between fighting him head on, he unleashes a bit slew of surprisingly powerful attacks. He unleashes two or three advancing walls of flame, conjures a maze of rock to box in the party, electrifies the rock maze to limit mobility even more skull-like, as opposed to Urthemiel's rattish maw.
and drops massive icicles in gaps of the rock maze.
* SoulJar: [[spoiler:Corypheus invested so much EvilCounterpart: To the Architect. They're both powerful and independent Darkspawn, but while the Architect doesn't seek power and wants to free the Darkspawn from the Old Gods' sway so they won't start blights any more, Corypheus is very much out for himself and no one else.[[spoiler: If the Architect really ''is'' the Architect of the Works of Beauty, this is enhanced as they were former colleagues, but while Corypheus was eager to invade the Golden City, the Architect was uneasy about it and had to be persuaded. Corypheus also expresses no regret about the horrors of the Blights, and while the Architect doesn't remember his role in the First Blight, he's ashamed about accidentally causing the Fifth.]]
* EvilSoundsRaspy: Speaks in a sinister, raspy tone of voice.
* FishOutOfTemporalWater: [[spoiler:He's initially under the belief that Hawke and company are acolytes of the [[ReligionOfEvil Temple of Dumat]], servants or slaves to the Tevinter Imperium. He becomes even more confused when these "slaves" have the audacity to speak back to him! And since when did the Deep Roads of the Dwarven Empire fall
into corrupting this High Dragon disrepair?]]
* GodhoodSeeker: He aims to be a god, and plans to fuse the material world and the Fade to accomplish this.
* GreaterScopeVillain: [[spoiler:As one of the original villains behind the Blight, he's one to the entire world. In addition, a Codex entry speculates
that killing her temporarily prevents he might be responsible for Kirkwall being an EldritchLocation, which, if true, would make him from resurrecting himself.partly responsible for the events of the main plot]].
* HaveYouSeenMyGod: [[spoiler:He's visibly disturbed by the fact that Dumat is no longer around to answer his calls, on account of becoming the First Archdemon and being killed by a Grey Warden.
]]
* TheVoiceless: The Archdemon only speaks in roars, but presumably HumanoidAbomination: [[spoiler: Like the Archdemon, he's able to call those with the Taint to him and can even jump vessels when his body is destroyed. However, unlike the Archdemon, which is always destroyed trying to possess someone with a Grey Warden's soul, he's capable of doing so and ''surviving''.]]
* IronicNickname: [[spoiler: According to the Chant, he is "the Conductor of the Choir of Silence," being the High Priest of Dumat, god of silence. He spends a lot of time in both games ''monologuing''.]]
* LargeAndInCharge: He must
be understood at least nine feet tall.
* LargeHam: It might have something to do with being [[spoiler: originally a Tevinter Magister]], who are the Thedosian answer to what goeth before a fall.
* LeakingCanOfEvil: He has been sealed [[spoiler:inside a Grey Warden prison in the Vimmark Mountains
by blood magic]] and he wants out.
* MeaningfulName: In ancient Athenian theater, the ''coryphaeus'' was the leader of the chorus. Corypheus [[spoiler: has his own Calling, or 'music',]] and the achievement for defeating him is 'Conductor'. According to WordOfGod, he was once the Magister Sethius Amladaris, who used the alias 'Conductor of the Choir of Silence' during the planning of the assault on the Golden City (Dumat having been the Dragon of Silence).
* MindControl: [[spoiler:While sealed, Corypheus sends out a Calling similar to that of the Archdemons, allowing him to control anyone with the Taint. Corypheus does this unconsciously and is confused to see his victims once freed.]]
* MonsterProgenitor: [[spoiler:He is one of the first
Darkspawn.]]
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Lampshaded by Hawke and company, who note that with a name like that, he's ''clearly'' going to be a bad guy. In the real world, it's ancient Greek for 'chorus leader', which isn't all ''that'' intimidating, [[spoiler: but hints to his identity as the Conductor of the Choir of Silence]].
-->'''Hawke''': I'd like to know who this Corypheus is. With a name like ''that'', he's bound to go "Mwha-ha-ha-ha!" at some point, I just know it.
* NightmareFace: The guy's pretty horrific to look at ''normally'', to say the least, what with half his face stretched out and strange growths coming off it. [[FromBadToWorse It gets worse]] when he loses his temper. [[spoiler: And even worse when you realise that the odd growths coming out of his face resemble the shape of a typical mage's hood. When you remember that he was once a man and the [[TheCorruption Darkspawn Taint]] is frequently shown to actively mutate individuals... suddenly you realise that those growths probably ''were'' once parts of his clothes.]]
* OldMaster: He's over 1300 years old and a powerful Mage.
* OnlyICanKillHim: Inverted. [[spoiler: The Wardens realized he was way too dangerous to be kept alive, but his influence through the Taint prevented any Warden from striking him down. They had to imprison him instead, and his prison was deliberately abandoned because any Warden left around there would inevitably fall under his influence and try to set him loose.]]
* PowerIncontinence: A mild example. He's initially unaware of the False Calling he emits and is quite surprised by the Wardens he inadvertently mind-controlled.
* ThePowerOfBlood: [[spoiler:This is the power that bound him. Despite being a Tevinter Magister who worshiped Dumat, Corypheus is never actually seen using any {{blood magic}}.]]
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: [[spoiler: As one of the Magisters who entered the Golden City and caused the First Blight, he's over 1300 years old. Grey Warden records imply he's been sealed away in his prison for the better part of a millennium.]]
* SealedEvilInACan: To the point where the entire Grey Warden prison acts as one giant seal to contain him. Rather tellingly, the Wardens imprisoned several ''Pride'' Demons merely to provide power to maintain the seal, turning them into little more than batteries.
* UnwittingPawn: [[spoiler:Of Dumat. Corypheus and the other Magisters went to the Golden City at Dumat's request, believing they would be rewarded with light. Instead, they found only darkness.]]
* WalkingSpoiler: After TheReveal that he's not ''just'' a darkspawn. [[spoiler: He's one of the ''[[MonsterProgenitor first]].'']]
* WasOnceAMan: [[spoiler:And one of the Tevinter Magisters who entered the Golden City to boot.]]
* WizardDuel: [[spoiler:Engages in one with Mage Hawke, who manages to defeat him.]]
* WorfHadTheFlu: Larius and Janeka both tell Hawke to free him while he's still "weak." Either they badly underestimated him, or we ''really'' don't want to see what Corypheus looks like at the height of his power.
* WrongContextMagic: [[spoiler:He's a Darkspawn with a soul and can thus possess people. Unlike the Archdemon, he can also do this with Grey Wardens.]]



[[folder:Nightmare]]
!!Nightmare
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a7f822dd64085baf5a0b448434f0c6b5.jpg]]
!!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''
!!!'''Voiced by:''' David Sterne

A very old and extremely powerful demon that gladly gives the Elder One its services in exchange for the fear on which it feeds.

to:

[[folder:Nightmare]]
!!Nightmare
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a7f822dd64085baf5a0b448434f0c6b5.jpg]]
!!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''
!!!'''Voiced by:''' David Sterne

A very old
[[folder:Tropes in ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'']]
* AchievementsInIgnorance: [[spoiler: Solas was setting him up to fail with the Orb
and extremely powerful demon thought he'd die. Corypheus went ahead without knowing this, and his ResurrectiveImmortality meant that gladly gives he was able to survive the unlocking process and go on to cause problems.]]
* AintTooProudToBeg: [[spoiler:At the conclusion of the final battle]], he desperately begs Dumat and the Old Gods for help. Ironically, this is only minutes after mocking Andrastians for praying to a Maker he claims doesn't exist.
-->'''Corypheus''': [[spoiler: Dumat! Ancient ones, I beseech you! If you exist - if you '''''ever''''' truly existed - aid me now!]]
* AmbitionIsEvil: The game writer Sylvia Feketekuty describes him as ambitious, and he is the BigBad of the installment.
* ArchEnemy: To the Herald of Andraste. They single each other out as their greatest and most important enemies; the Inquisitor has to save Thedas from Corypheus no matter how [[ShootTheDog ruthless]] [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential they]] [[AntiHero must be]]. Meanwhile, Corypheus despises the Inquisitor not only for opposing him but for [[spoiler:interrupting the ritual that would have fulfilled his plans before the game's start]].
* BadBoss: Things don't go for well for his subordinates [[YouHaveFailedMe whether they fail]] or [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness succeed]]. Samson and Calpernia have it particularly rough: Samson has to ingest so much red lyrium that he doesn't have long to live even with his astonishing resistance to it, and Calpernia [[spoiler:was going to be brainwashed by Corypheus as soon as she drank from the Well of Sorrows.]]
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: [[spoiler:He wanted to get into the Fade. The Inquisitor grants him his wish, banishing him to the Fade but destroying Corypheus's body in the process.]]
* BigBad: He's the main villain of the game.
* BossBanter: Besides his general grandstanding, he has specific comments to reflect your Inquisitor's race and choice of party members. In particular, he is more contemptuous towards Dorian, his fellow countryman, for betraying their country.
-->'''Corypheus''': ''(to Cassandra)'' A pike shall hold your head before the gates of the Grand Cathedral, ''Seeker''!\\
'''Corypheus''': ''(to Varric)'' The beardless stone-worshiper? Run as fast as your little legs can take you.
* BrokenPedestal: The entire reason he wishes to become the God of Thedas is that he went on a mission to the Golden City to meet the Maker Himself, but he found it Black with no one in it. He then jumped straight to the conclusion ThereIsNoGod, and never considered the idea that the Maker wouldn't ''want'' to meet him, or that he corrupted the Golden City himself. Regardless, basically Corypheus had a CrisisOfFaith and decided ThenLetMeBeEvil.
* CombatStilettos: Corypheus's outfit includes Wicked Witch-style high heels. Why he needed to be taller when he was already nine feet in height is a mystery. The black and white striped stockings only make it weirder.
* ConflictKiller: He serves this role not for one, but ''two'' civil wars going on in Thedas: the Mage-Templar War and the Orlesian Civil War. He represents such a threat that the Inquisition must pacify all these factions at each other throats to make them stand together against him.
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: The Inquisitor [[spoiler: opens a Fade Rift ''inside'' his skull, ripping his physical body apart and banishing his essence permanently into the Fade]].
* DarkMessiah: His followers are convinced that he's on the way to godhood, where he will make a better world for them.
-->'''Erimond''': While
the Elder One rules from the Golden City, we of the Venatori shall be his god-kings here on earth.
* DevilButNoGod: The Elder One claims there's no BigGood spirit like the Maker, leaving nothing to save Thedas from him and his legions of demons. [[spoiler:He was ''heartbroken'' by the realization that his former god in Dumat is dead, and he saw no hint of the Maker in the Black City. His core motive, along with power, is to serve as the new, true God, which the Inquisitor can call out as incredibly selfish and insane. Also, it turns out the Elven Pantheon is ([[UnreliableNarrator possibly]]) real, and the Dread Wolf is a ([[MyGodWhatHaveIDone now regretful]]) MysteriousBacker working behind the scenes.]]
* DidntThinkThisThrough:
** Josephine accuses him of this with his plans to restore Tevinter to
its services former glory; with the inevitable decline of the Imperium, due to the tensions with southern Thedas and the ongoing war with the Qunari, the Imperium is a shell of its former glory and probably too far gone to reverse that decline. Corypheus is working to restore something that no longer even exists. As Dorian remarks more than once, Corypheus' Tevinter will ''never'' be his Tevinter.
** In ''Trespasser'', [[spoiler: Leliana remarks that Corypheus should have done like the Qunari are attempting and killed as many prominent leaders across Thedas after the Conclave if he'd wanted to gain an advantage instead of trying to manipulate things from the shadows]].
* DragonRider: Not just any dragon, but an ''Archdemon''. [[spoiler:Or rather, a dragon he's corrupted with red lyrium to make it look like an Archdemon.]]
* DystopiaJustifiesTheMeans: He wants to [[spoiler:become god by merging with the Fade and Thedas. If he gets his way
in exchange the worst possible ending, the Fade would be forever twisted and Thedas will be destroyed.]]
* EvilBrit: His British accent only serves to make him even more intimidating. [[spoiler:Much like most Tevinter.]]
* EvilCannotComprehendGood: Wrongly believes that the Inquisitor has the same motivations he does, which makes them a rival for godhood. The Inquisitor can even retort at the end that "I didn't come here to become a god!" - his reaction is to say nothing, but to stare at them in complete confusion for a few seconds, because this has never occurred to him.
* EvilIsBigger: Corypheus is ''huge''. He can casually lift and throw the Inquisitor with one hand, regardless of their species.
* EvilLaugh: The "Enemy of Thedas" trailer ends with him letting out a terrifying chuckle. [[spoiler: In-game, it's actually the Nightmare demon (sharing the same voice actor) who gives the terrifying chuckle.]]
* EvilOverlord: Lets count the ways: 1) A supernatural being literally MadeOfEvil, more force of nature than man. 2) Aspires power and domination over all mortals. 3) Has an army of evil minions and monsters at his disposal to wreak havoc upon the land.
* EvilReactionary: Corypheus has incredible power at his disposal even without the Anchor, but the only thing he can think to do with it is to essentially hard-reboot the last thousand years and turn things back to they way they should be. When thwarted, rather than accept and adapt to the new world, he tries to destroy everything.
* EvilSorcerer: He is an expert at bending the Fade to his will. [[spoiler:A continuation of his old life, no doubt.]]
* EvilSoundsDeep: He speaks with a deep British accent.
* FaithHeelTurn: [[spoiler:He was never a good guy, so losing his faith in the Old Gods just shunted him over to another form of evil. It's also deconstructed, in that he genuinely believes that his bid for his own godhood is actually a good thing, since he can't imagine why other people would tolerate living in a godless world. In effect, his worldview hasn't changed all that much.]]
* FantasticRacism: Except for a human mage Inquisitor, who he only mocks their magical abilities, he exhibits this towards the other Inquisitor of different backgrounds and races during the final battle:
-->'''Corypheus''': ''[to a non-mage human Inquisitor]'' Look at you! A soporati[[labelnote:explanation]] A Tevinter term to refer to a lower-class person, predominantly those without magic[[/labelnote]] nipping at the heels of your betters!\\
'''Corypheus''': ''[to an elven Inquisitor]'' Look at you, wearing slave markings scrawled across your face with pride! You are ''nothing''! A race of sniveling cowards who quailed before Tevinter's power!\\
'''Corypheus''': ''[to a dwarven Inquisitor]'' You think to best me? A runted dirt-worshiper? Your people have ever been the sand beneath Tevinter heels!\\
'''Corypheus''': ''[to a Qunari Inquisitor]'' What do they call you? A Qunari? Your blood is engorged with decay! Your race is not a race, it is a mistake!
* FatalFlaw: His pride. While he's a competent planner, having been working for years to come to this point and making a frightening number of extremely dangerous allies, his arrogance completely blinds him to his weak points and the idea that anyone could stop him. This makes him unable to properly adjust once the Inquisition thwarts him again and again. The Inquisitor and others lampshade this at numerous points. [[spoiler:It's only at the very end when his doom is certain that he realizes he needs help and begs the Old Gods to save him. By then it's far too late.]]
* FishOutOfTemporalWater: One of the traits that keeps him from being wholly unsympathetic. [[spoiler:Deep down he's confused and afraid, especially since he can no longer hear his god Dumat. His entire plot is merely a means to restore some measure of familiarity and control in this new and frightening world.]]
* FlunkyBoss: Summons demons and then a dragon during the final fight.
* {{Foil}}: To [[spoiler: Solas]]. Both are FishOutOfTemporalWater [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom who unwittingly did enormous harm to the world]] in the distant past, only to wake up in the modern day and immediately [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans try to destroy everything again and replace it with something they find more palatable]]. The difference is that [[spoiler: Solas]] is full of guilt and self-loathing over his actions and previously fought against false gods, while Corypheus [[NeverMyFault accepts no responsibility]] for his role in spreading [[TheCorruption the Blight]] and has decided to set himself up as the world's [[AGodAmI new god]]. In addition, [[spoiler:Solas]] believes if people should die, they should die in comfort at the very least, and he would ''happily'' accept a [[TakeAThirdOption third option]] that didn't involve death.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: During his attack on [[spoiler:Haven]], he corners the Inquisitor and [[spoiler:tries to take the Anchor back with a spell]] - only it doesn't work, and he's genuinely confused. Seems very odd that he'd not know how to handle his own MacGuffin until the ending, [[spoiler:where it's revealed Solas, as Fen'harel, gave it to him.]]
* GeneralFailure: Proves to be an extremely poor military commander, to the point his assault on [[spoiler:Haven costs an irrecoverable amount of troops while only strengthening the Inquisitions, and later battles like the Arbor Wilds costing him more to the point it mostly just him and his Archdemon at the end. Somewhat [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] since he was never a military commander in the first place, but a former priest of the Old God Dumat, more suited to building a devoted following of zealots than waging a military campaign; most if not all of his major actions against southern Thedas that held even a ''chance'' of succeeding relied on cloak-and-dagger operations, such as deception and clandestine takeover (in the case of the Wardens) or just outright assassination (in the case of Empress Celene) which could be accomplished by small groups of expendable martyrs. And, since his ultimate goal in the south was more to sow enough chaos to keep everyone busy while he cracked open the Fade again, tactics and military strategy mattered little to him anyways, as long it bought him the time he needed.]]
* GetBackHereBoss: Continues to fall back at certain points throughout the final battle, forcing the Inquisitor and co. to give chase.
* AGodAmI: In the "Enemy of Thedas" trailer, he boasts that he's the new god of Thedas. His Venatori followers worship him as one. Solas, [[spoiler:a "god" on the equal of Corypheus]], dismisses this, saying ''real'' gods don't need to announce they are one.
* GodIsDead: His gods, anyway. Corypheus claims that the Golden City was already empty and corrupted, meaning that the Maker (if he ever existed) cleared out long ago. His own god, Dumat, was the first Archdemon and was slain by the Grey Wardens. [[spoiler: His ultimate goal is to replace them with a new god: himself]].
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Very little of his original face is intact, the majority of that being on the right side, while his left side has shards of Red Lyrium growing out of it and his upper lip is missing a big chunk, giving him a permanent sneering expression.
* GreaterScopeVillain: Could be seen as one
for the fear entire world of Thedas, being one of the seven Tevinter Magisters who became the first darkspawn.
* HighPriest: Before entering the Fade, he was the high priest of Dumat, making him the leader of the seven Sidereal Magisters who ruled Tevinter alongside the Archon.
* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: According to him, this is what he and the other six Magisters Sidereal have become in the centuries since they vanished. He bitterly bemoans the fact that everyone, even his own home nation, now want nothing to do with him, have turned against him, and have even stricken all record of who he really was from history. Of course, that doesn't stop him from acting ''exactly'' like the villain history remembers him as, even if the details of his motivation were different.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard:
** [[spoiler:His attempt to crush the Inquisition early
on seems to have worked at first, but actually results in the Inquisition becoming more powerful than ever before. At the end, the Inquisitor kills him using the very tool he hoped would bring him godhood.]]
** Even earlier, [[spoiler: creating his "Archdemon" demanded so much of his power that its death would drain him so much that he'd be unable to resurrect himself for a time. This one weakness is what allows his enemies to finally kill him for good.]]
* HumiliationConga:
** It starts when the future Inquisitor [[SpannerInTheWorks interrupts]] his sacrifice ritual at the ''last moment'', allowing [[spoiler:Justinia to knock away the Orb and the Inquisitor to pick it up, kicking off the events of the story.]]
** The next instance is when he tries to kill the Inquisitor [[spoiler:at Haven, only to have the Inquisitor drop a mountain on his forces and escape. This also results in a series of events that allows Inquisition to become more powerful than they ever were before.]]
** One by one, the Inquisitor takes out his allies and stops Corypheus from getting any of the {{MacGuffin}}s he needs to complete his plans. Corypheus's plans grow more and more desperate with each defeat.
** Corypheus flies into ''pure rage'' when [[spoiler:the Inquisitor beats him to the Well of Sorrows.]]
** Finally fed up, Corypheus calls the Inquisitor out at the endgame, and [[spoiler:gets his ass handed to him, shouting "Not like this!" when it's clear he's lost. The Inquisitor then summons the Orb (which Corypheus claimed he alone had mastery over) right out of Corypheus's hand, shattering his jaw in the process, and uses it to destroy him for good.]]
* {{Hypocrite}}: He proclaims himself a god while mocking everyone else's faith in the Maker. [[spoiler:When he is about to die in the final battle]], he loses his nerve and begs his god, [[spoiler:Dumat]], to save him.
* KneelBeforeZod: He commands all of Thedas to kneel before him.
-->'''Corypheus''': Tell me, where is your Maker now?! Call him! Call down his wrath upon me! You cannot... for he does not exist! I am Corypheus! I will deliver you from this lie in
which you linger! Bow before your new god and be spared!
* LargeAndInCharge: He towers over every other character in the game. Even the Qunari Inquisitor is dwarfed by him, at one point being picked up by one arm and tossed aside like a rag doll. It's even more imposing with a dwarven Inquisitor, who is not even ''half'' his height.
* LargeHam: Just listen to his monologue at [[spoiler:Haven.]]
-->'''Corypheus''': I once breached the Fade in the name of another, to serve the Old Gods of the Empire ''in person.'' I found only chaos and corruption, dead whispers. For a thousand years, I was confused. No more! I have gathered the will to return under no name but my own, to champion withered Tevinter, and correct this blighted world. ''Beg'' that I succeed, for I have seen the throne of the gods, and
it feeds.was ''empty!''
* LastOfHisKind: He's surprised that none of the other Ancient Magisters have returned... but oh well, more glory for him! [[spoiler: While at least one other of the seven original Ancient Magisters is potentially still around in the modern age (the Architect), that one has the good sense not to be openly causing trouble on the world stage.]]
* LateArrivalSpoiler: Inverted. [[spoiler: Players of the last game's ''Legacy'' DLC can easily spot his distinctive silhouette in his first appearance as a shadow.]]
* MagicAIsMagicA: Seemingly defied by Corypheus to devastating effect. His [[spoiler: self-resurrection]] breaks one of the few explicit limits we know about magic, and both the Breach and the explosion that created it seem absolutely unprecedented in scale and intensity. It turns out he is able to do these because he is using [[spoiler: darkspawn blight magic and an ancient elven artifact, respectively]]. The characters even feel that he is cheating somehow.
* NeverMyFault: Logs found in the Shrine of Dumat if you sided with the Templars reveal that he is in total denial about his role in [[spoiler:bringing the Darkspawn Taint to Thedas]].
* NiceJobFixingItVillain:
** ''Trespasser'' reveals that by [[spoiler:surviving the attempt to unlock the Orb, Corypheus inadvertently prevented Solas from moving forward with his plans to tear down the Veil, and ended up averting a different and possibly even more cataclysmic apocalypse.]]
** His arrival also acts as a ConflictKiller for the Mage/Templar war by [[spoiler: turning one side into his minions (and getting them wiped out in later battles) and causing the other to be rehabilitated in the eyes of Thedas by working with the Inquisition]] and spurs the factions in the Orlesian civil war to try to come to terms.
* NightmareFace: One distinct enough that it can potentially spoil part of the plot.
* NinjaZombiePirateRobot: As noted in the epilogue, he's a ''Darkspawn Magister.'' That combination alone was enough to instantly unite everyone in Thedas against him.
* NothingCanStopUsNow: Never said by the man himself, but mentioned by others. The Elder One is so astoundingly arrogant that he can't even conceive of defeat. Several instances where he could have made a personal effort to salvage failing plans or protect himself, he chooses not to because it would make him look weak. Even after losing [[spoiler:his army, his lieutenants, his Orlesian saboteur, ''and'' the MacGuffin]], he still believes that this is a minor setback.
* OmnicidalManiac: Alexius believes that the Elder One intends to destroy Thedas. [[spoiler: After the Inquisitor stops him from using the Well of Sorrows, Corypheus snaps and reopens the Breach; if he succeeds, Corypheus will successfully merge the Fade and Thedas, permanently corrupting the former into [[{{Hell}} his personal paradise]] and killing most-to-all life in the latter; and even if he doesn't, the Breach is unstable enough for Corypheus to [[TakingYouWithMe take out the whole world]].]]
* OurLichesAreDifferent: Intelligent, long-lived monster sorcerer with super-magic: fits the bill. He also has what looks like nasty red lyrium spikes shooting out of his face. He even has a SoulJar in the form of [[spoiler:the "Archdemon", since he invested so much of his being in corrupting it that killing it would temporarily neutralize his BodySurf abilities.]] And like a lich, killing him without destroying his soul jar is pointless since he can immediately resurrect himself [[spoiler:using any tainted being, even a Grey Warden, as a host.]]
* OutOfTheInferno: Near the end of the Siege of [[spoiler:Haven]], he does this when he meets the Inquisitor face-to-face for the very first time.
* PrayerIsALastResort: When all else fails, he desperately begs the Old Gods to help him. [[spoiler:They don't listen, probably because they're dead.]] Played with in that when he first appeared prayer was his ''first'' resort, and Dumat not responding terrified him. He was originally a priest, after all.
* {{Pride}}: One of his writers describes him specifically with the word ''arrogance'', not just ''arrogant''. His whole being is constructed around his pride in himself.
* PutThemAllOutOfMyMisery: After being utterly defeated at the Temple of Mythal, Corypheus [[spoiler:creates a new Breach, knowing that only the Inquisitor can close it. His plan is to either lure the Inquisitor into a trap or allow the bigger, stronger Breach to kill everything in Thedas. He's too pissed off to care which.]]
* RedBaron: In Ancient Tevene, "Corypheus" literally translates to "The Conductor of Silence".
* RemovedAchillesHeel: The whole reason that the Grey Wardens exist is because the Archdemon can't possess them. Corypheus, on the other hand, ''can'', so the 'Grey Warden deals the killing blow' solution to all previous blights simply won't work on him, and his ability to mimic the Calling means that Grey Wardens are a liability when fighting him.
* ResurrectiveImmortality: Corypheus will automatically possess the body of any tainted creature upon death and shape it into a copy of his original one. Death is barely an inconvenience to him as this ability has no known maximum range and takes only seconds. This ability is literally the only reason he's even a threat, as [[spoiler: Solas]] says that the blast that involved creating the Breach would have killed Corypheus had he not been able to respawn.
* SatanicArchetype: He's a fallen Magister and the original source of the setting's major evil, with loads of pride and ambition, who wants to set himself up in God's place.
* SelfServingMemory: Mother Giselle claims that he has this in regards to [[spoiler: his claims about entering the Black City not matching the Chantry's official doctrine. While she notes the Chant of Light is far from a perfect and historically accurate record, Giselle points out Corypheus could easily be manipulating his recollection of events to either cover gaps in his memory after millennia of imprisonment, or to present a version of what happened that paints him in a better light]].
* SlasherSmile: Sports a triumphant grin during a flashback [[spoiler: where he drains the Divine's life force to power his Orb.]]
* SmugSnake: To himself and his followers, the Elder One seems like a genius {{chessmaster}}. Indeed, when the Inquisitor first stumbles upon his plans, the Elder One has secured so much power and so many allies that he seems virtually unbeatable. However, the Inquisitor deals him one humiliating defeat after another and Corypheus doesn't take ''any'' of them well. His obscene arrogance is his undoing; as Cassandra puts it, he was so sure that a true defeat was impossible that he never took ''any'' precaution against it.
-->'''The Herald''': ''[before kicking the trebuchet lever and trigger an avalanche]'' Your arrogance blinds you. Good to know.
* SoulJar: [[spoiler: His one weakness is his fake Archdemon. He invested so much power in corrupting the creature that its death prevents him from resurrecting long enough for the Inquisitor to deliver the final blow. Whether or not he knew of this potential liability to begin with is unknown.]]
* SpannerInTheWorks: [[spoiler:Solas led him to the Orb of Fen'Harel believing that he'd die in the process of unlocking its power, not knowing that Corypheus was functionally immortal and thus putting a severe hamper to his plans.]]
* StupidEvil: Not only is he an incompetent strategist whose every action is geared towards causing chaos and destruction over any actual benefit, but this focus on appearing evil above all else repeatedly and predictably backfires on him: [[spoiler:being at the Conclave at all and deciding to use the Divine as the sacrifice when he could have used any sacrifice winds up with the Inquisitor making off with the Anchor ability; blowing up the Conclave to exacerbate the war between mages and Templars leads to the rise of the Inquisition and the war's end; the attempt to throw Orlais into chaos by having the Empress assassinated by a similarly Stupid Evil underling while screaming "For Corypheus!" leads to Orlais predictably uniting against him; freeing Calpernia from slavery solely so he can betray her in a cruel and ironic fashion leads to the Venatori turning against him at a decisive moment.]] That he refers to himself as "darkness" and exalts his own evilness every time he opens his mouth does not help his cause, either. By far, the worst is his adamant refusal to change any plan already in motion, even if he knows ''for a fact'' that his enemies know about it and how to stop it.
* TransformationOfThePossessed:
** He now looks identical to his old body, despite possessing [[spoiler: Larius or Janeka, and then some other, random Warden; the body he gained by possessing either of them was most likely destroyed when the Breach opened, and according to Morrigan, his body surf ability has no maximum range. This ability of his is basically an improved version of the Archdemons' re(dark)spawn that works similarly. However, unlike the Archdemon who has to possess a Darkspawn and dies when entering a Warden's body, Corypheus is able to possess Wardens as well - which would make him unkillable if it wasn't for some particular loophole the Inquisitor, of course, takes advantage of.]]
** [[spoiler: He "dies" at the Temple of Mythal with his body being obliterated, and we get to see him BodySurf into another poor Warden. The poor sucker vomits up black goo and we see Corypheus rise out of the mess looking none the worse for wear - and exactly the same.]]
* UnknownRival: Lampshaded when you first meet him after act 1. He acknowledges that you have no idea who he is despite foiling several of his schemes; he just wants you to know that won't save you.
* VillainByDefault: Over on the Characters/DragonAgeRaces page, there are three groups marked as "AlwaysChaoticEvil": Tevinter Magisters, Darkspawn, and Demons. Corypheus is, technically speaking, ''all three of these.''
* VillainDecay: He starts the game at the brink of victory, but then the Herald spends practically every moment onward taking out his assets one after another, making him look increasingly less threatening and more pathetic.
* VillainousBreakdown: He ''does not'' handle setbacks, failure, or defeat well. He flies into a rage at the slightest provocation, and your advisors tell you that Corypheus's actions grow more and more desperate and reckless with each victory by the Inquisition. [[spoiler:He goes into a rage after the Inquisitor steals the Anchor from him, and when the Inquisitor stops him from using the Well of Sorrows, Corypheus decides to throw strategy aside and attempt to [[{{SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum}} destroy the world by reopening the Breach.]]]]
-->'''Solas''': ''[talking of Corypheus after the Temple of Mythal]'' You have waylaid all his other plans. Now, as a petulant child, he will destroy the game board rather than admit defeat. Be ready for anything. He still believes himself a god, and gods do not fall gracefully.
* VocalEvolution: This time around, David Sterne uses a voice much closer to the Profane Abomination. You could almost mistake him for a different voice actor.
* WalkingSpoiler: The fact that he survived past ''Dragon Age II'' is itself a spoiler.
* WasOnceAMan: One of the first Tevinter magisters, here. [[spoiler:Also, according to some scraps of paper written by one of his old slaves, he used to be a stern but fair man with a loving wife.]] There's a War Table mission where Dorian tries to find out who he really was, before he and the other six donned their monikers as High Priests of the Old Gods. The conclusion offers us a possible real name: [[spoiler:Sethius Amladaris]].
* WorfHadTheFlu: In the previous game, Corypheus was newly awoken and killed in a difficult but straightforward battle by Hawke's group. In ''Inquisition'', he has been operating for years and shows how powerful he really can be.
* YouFightLikeACow: In [[spoiler: the final battle]], especially toward a Dalish Inquisitor. This is not surprising, [[EnslavedElves given their peoples' history]].
* YouHaveFailedMe: Several times, you find servants (or their logs) saying that he offered zero help to failing or endangered operations, expecting that they either succeed or die trying. After failing to get his hands on the Well of Sorrows, Corypheus abandons what's left of his army to be destroyed while he makes his escape.
* YourMindMakesItReal: [[spoiler:Plans to use the Fade's tendency towards this]] to become a god in both worlds.
[[/folder]]


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!! Monsters and Demons

[[folder:The Archdemon/ Red Lyrium Dragon]]
!!The Archdemon / Red Lyrium Dragon
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/red_lyrium_dragon.jpg]]
!!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''

->''"Hey, remember that war we talked about? Full of little baddies I can stick with little arrows? '''That's not a frigging archdemon, is it?!'''"''
--> -- '''Sera'''

\\
A massive, corrupted, dragon-like figure, the Archdemon is a creature that usually heralds a coming Blight... but this one seems to be under the Elder One's control. One of his most powerful tools, no one can find a way to defend against the Archdemon, and everyone is terrified of experiencing two Blights in the same age. There are rational doubts that it's a true Archdemon, however.
----
* ArtEvolution: There's no way to really know if all Archdemons are supposed to look similar, but the graphics in DA:I allow him to look even scarier than Urthemiel. [[spoiler: Of course, the fact that he's not really an Archdemon - and also not a he - might have something to do with it, too.]]
* BreathWeapon: A crimson flame laced with electricity. Likely a result of red lyrium corruption.
* DemotedToDragon: An Archdemon is supposed to be the BigBad for a Blight, and was an Old God in his past life. Working under the Elder One is a step down for him. [[spoiler:Or it would be, if she really was one.]]
* TheDragon: A rare literal version, to Corypheus, the Elder One. Technically shares this distinction with Calpernia/Samson.
* GiantFlyer: An immense dragon, so this is a given.
* InterfaceSpoiler: Locking onto it during the attack on Adamant will reveal that [[spoiler:she is named "Red Lyrium Dragon" rather than "Archdemon".]]
* LivingWeapon: It certainly serves as this to The Elder One. Cullen even notes having such a creature at their command gives the Inquisition's enemies quite the advantage.
* MistakenIdentity: Everyone initially calls it an "Archedemon", given that it's a big, corrupted High Dragon as all other Archdemons are, but investigations into it reveal that [[spoiler: it's not actually an Archdemon but just a regular (or as regular as you can get for High Dragons, anyways) High Dragon corrupted with Red Lyrium.]]
* OurDemonsAreDifferent: Archdemons are Blight-corrupted Old Gods, rather than aggressive spirits of the Fade.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: This Archdemon is far different from any other Old God or High Dragon due to [[spoiler:being corrupted by Red Lyrium.]]
* SamusIsAGirl: [[spoiler: As a normal High Dragon, she is actually female.]]
* SkullForAHead: Somewhat. Its face and teeth are a bit more skull-like, as opposed to Urthemiel's rattish maw.
* SoulJar: [[spoiler:Corypheus invested so much power into corrupting this High Dragon that killing her temporarily prevents him from resurrecting himself.]]
* TheVoiceless: The Archdemon only speaks in roars, but presumably can be understood by Darkspawn.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Nightmare]]
!!Nightmare
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a7f822dd64085baf5a0b448434f0c6b5.jpg]]
!!!'''Appears in:''' ''[[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Inquisition]]''
!!!'''Voiced by:''' David Sterne

A very old and extremely powerful demon that gladly gives the Elder One its services in exchange for the fear on which it feeds.
----
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** To put it in perspective, almost all of your TrueCompanions will approve of his execution, and ''no one'' will disapprove. And while many the Inquisitor's companions disapprove if the Inquisitor decides to have Erimond made Tranquil, it's notable that they only ''disapprove'' and not ''greatly'' disapprove (in contrast to how they react if Alexius is also made Tranquil, whose only fault is his misguided love towards his son that lead him to commit atrocities against the rebel mages, the Fereldan leaders, and to the Inquisition), indicating that even part of them believes that Erimond deserves such a sentence and they're only protesting more out of principle than anything else. Cole might still disapprove having him behind bars, but it less about his personal preferences born out from the harrowing experiences of real Cole, but more like contempt and certainty that Erimond needs to die.

to:

** To put it in perspective, almost all of your TrueCompanions will approve of his execution, and ''no one'' will disapprove. And while many the Inquisitor's companions disapprove if the Inquisitor decides to have Erimond made Tranquil, it's notable that they only ''disapprove'' and not ''greatly'' disapprove (in contrast to how they react if Alexius is also made Tranquil, whose only fault is his misguided love towards his son that lead him to commit atrocities against the rebel mages, the Fereldan leaders, and to the Inquisition), indicating that even part of them believes that Erimond deserves such a sentence and they're only protesting more out of principle than anything else. Cole might still disapprove having him behind bars, but it less about his personal preferences born out from the harrowing experiences of real Cole, but more like to his utter contempt and certainty that Erimond the asshole needs to die.
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** To put it in perspective, almost all of your TrueCompanions will approve of his execution, and ''no one'' will disapprove. And while many the Inquisitor's companions disapprove if the Inquisitor decides to have Erimond made Tranquil, it's notable that they only ''disapprove'' and not ''greatly'' disapprove (in contrast to how they react if Alexius is also made Tranquil, whose only fault is his misguided love towards his son that lead him to commit atrocities against the rebel mages, the Fereldan leaders, and to the Inquisition), indicating that even part of them believes that Erimond deserves such a sentence and they're only protesting more out of principle than anything else.

to:

** To put it in perspective, almost all of your TrueCompanions will approve of his execution, and ''no one'' will disapprove. And while many the Inquisitor's companions disapprove if the Inquisitor decides to have Erimond made Tranquil, it's notable that they only ''disapprove'' and not ''greatly'' disapprove (in contrast to how they react if Alexius is also made Tranquil, whose only fault is his misguided love towards his son that lead him to commit atrocities against the rebel mages, the Fereldan leaders, and to the Inquisition), indicating that even part of them believes that Erimond deserves such a sentence and they're only protesting more out of principle than anything else. Cole might still disapprove having him behind bars, but it less about his personal preferences born out from the harrowing experiences of real Cole, but more like contempt and certainty that Erimond needs to die.
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* FramingTheGuiltyParty: Interesting variation: Florianne's plan is to murder Celene and pin it on Gaspard, believing that the court will certainly think he'd do so for the throne. Gaspard actually ''is'' planning a coup and moves mercenaries into Halamshiral the night of the ball, but his plans are completely unrelated to what Florianne had in mind. While Florianne did not divulge what she was doing to Gaspard, it is unknown whether or not she knew what Gaspard was plotting.

to:

* FramingTheGuiltyParty: Interesting variation: Florianne's plan is to murder Celene and pin it on Gaspard, believing that the court will certainly think he'd do so for the throne. Gaspard actually ''is'' planning a coup and moves mercenaries into Halamshiral the night of the ball, but his plans are completely unrelated to what Florianne had in mind. While Florianne did not divulge what she was doing to Gaspard, it is unknown whether or not she knew what Gaspard was plotting. There is only one thing that is confirmed though, she relishes the possibility of outplaying him since he is a SoreLoser, implying that she won't hesitate to throw Gaspard off the bus if she is to choose between him and power.
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* CruelMercy: Sera views the Inquisitor requisitioning all his stuff instead of striking a deal with him as this, as the nobs squirm when something like that happens to them. It is implied that if Harmond would do anything rash instead of playing nice, the Inquisition will not stop the Red Jennies from offing his head for good.

to:

* CruelMercy: Sera would have preferred him killed, but she views the Inquisitor leashing him by requisitioning all his stuff instead of striking a deal with him as this, as the abusive nobs squirm when something like that happens to them.things don't turn in their way. It is implied that if Harmond would do anything rash instead of playing nice, the Inquisition will not stop the Red Jennies from offing his head for good.
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* BlackKnight: Auguste the fallen chevalier. Unlike Duhaime (who is just a thug), the rest of the party will call out that he shames his rank.

to:

* BlackKnight: Auguste the fallen chevalier. Unlike Duhaime (who is just a thug), the rest of the party (particularly the Warrior companions) will call out that he shames his rank.
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Added image

Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:853:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/carroll.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:853:Carroll as he appears in Orgins.]]
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** To put it in perspective, almost all of your TrueCompanions will approve of his execution, and ''no one'' will disapprove. And while many the Inquisitor's companions disapprove if the Inquisitor decides to have Erimond made Tranquil, it's notable that they only ''disapprove'' and not greatly disapprove (in contrast to how they react if Alexius is also made Tranquil), indicating that even part of them believes that Erimond deserves such a sentence and they're only protesting more out of principle than anything else.

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** To put it in perspective, almost all of your TrueCompanions will approve of his execution, and ''no one'' will disapprove. And while many the Inquisitor's companions disapprove if the Inquisitor decides to have Erimond made Tranquil, it's notable that they only ''disapprove'' and not greatly ''greatly'' disapprove (in contrast to how they react if Alexius is also made Tranquil), Tranquil, whose only fault is his misguided love towards his son that lead him to commit atrocities against the rebel mages, the Fereldan leaders, and to the Inquisition), indicating that even part of them believes that Erimond deserves such a sentence and they're only protesting more out of principle than anything else.
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* BadassNormal: Usually the [[BossBattle Boss Fights]] in ''Inquisition'' are against mages, dragons, demons, or other powerful creatures. Florianne is just an ordinary human and yet she's still able to go toe to toe with the whole party.

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* BadassNormal: Usually the [[BossBattle Boss Fights]] in ''Inquisition'' are against mages, dragons, demons, or other powerful creatures. Florianne is just an ordinary human and yet she's still able to go toe to toe with the whole party. Woe betide to you and your party if you are going to fight her on higher difficulties unprepared.
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* DotingParent: To Felix, his only child. It's noted in supplemental material that Felix is not a mage, which is usually a disappointment in Tevinter, but that Alexius loves his son so much that he genuinely does not mind.

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* DotingParent: To Felix, his only child. It's noted in supplemental material that Felix is not too weak as a mage, which is usually a disappointment in Tevinter, but that Alexius loves his son so much that he genuinely does not mind.
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* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it, and lied (only by omission) at the Inquisitor about their grim situation. However, while Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people down to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes are revealed after the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light. The best outcomes of their respective judgments are opposite that of the other: Dedrick will stay away from Ferelden forever by exiling him while Paulin has to work with the people she wronged to help Sahrnia recover and letting the people decide whether she is to be forgiven or not.

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* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive achieve it, and lied (only by omission) at the Inquisitor about their grim situation. However, while Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people down to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes are revealed after the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light. The best outcomes of their respective judgments are opposite that of the other: Dedrick will stay away from Ferelden forever by exiling him while Paulin has to work with the people she wronged to help Sahrnia recover and letting the people decide whether she is to be forgiven or not.
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* CruelMercy: Sera views the Inquisitor requisitioning all his stuff instead of striking a deal with him as this, as the nobs squirm when something like that happens to them.

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* CruelMercy: Sera views the Inquisitor requisitioning all his stuff instead of striking a deal with him as this, as the nobs squirm when something like that happens to them. It is implied that if Harmond would do anything rash instead of playing nice, the Inquisition will not stop the Red Jennies from offing his head for good.
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A magister working for the Venatori in the Exalted Plains with the Freemen of the Dales. At Corypheus's behest, he attacked Gaspard's forces and drove them back to Fort Revasan, and Celene's to Citadelle du Corbeau, while they were waiting for the peace talks to conclude. He takes advantage of the many corpses that lay in wake of the civil war in order to summon demons into them.

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A magister working for the Venatori in the Exalted Plains with the Freemen of the Dales. At Corypheus's behest, he attacked Gaspard's forces and drove them back to Fort Revasan, and Celene's to Citadelle du Corbeau, while they were waiting for the peace talks to conclude.conclude, completely cutting their connenctions off from Val Royeaux. He takes advantage of the many corpses that lay in wake of the civil war in order to summon demons into them.
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* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it, and lied (only by omission) at the Inquisitor about their grim situation. However, while Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people down to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes are revealed after the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light. The best outcomes of their respective judgments are opposite that of the other: Dedrick will stay away from Crestwood forever by exiling him while Paulin has to work with the people she wronged to help Sahrnia recover and letting the people decide whether she is to be forgiven or not.

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* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it, and lied (only by omission) at the Inquisitor about their grim situation. However, while Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people down to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes are revealed after the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light. The best outcomes of their respective judgments are opposite that of the other: Dedrick will stay away from Crestwood Ferelden forever by exiling him while Paulin has to work with the people she wronged to help Sahrnia recover and letting the people decide whether she is to be forgiven or not.
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* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it, and lied (only by omission) at the Inquisitor about their grim situation. However, while Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people down to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes are revealed after the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light.

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* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it, and lied (only by omission) at the Inquisitor about their grim situation. However, while Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people down to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes are revealed after the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light. The best outcomes of their respective judgments are opposite that of the other: Dedrick will stay away from Crestwood forever by exiling him while Paulin has to work with the people she wronged to help Sahrnia recover and letting the people decide whether she is to be forgiven or not.
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* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Her defense when under judgment comes down to this. She ''knew'' what the Red Templars were up to, but in her eyes, she was caught between [[MortonsFork two unsavory choices]]: either sell citizens to the Red Templars in exchange for supplies and resources to help the remaining citizens,[[note]]and possibly buy time for someone, such as the Inquisition, to show up and drive the Red Templars away[[/note]] or refuse to deal with the Templars, at which point they would likely just take ''everyone'' in town and leave what few weren't taken with nothing at all.

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* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Her defense when under judgment comes down to this. She ''knew'' what the Red Templars were up to, but in her eyes, she was caught between [[MortonsFork two unsavory choices]]: either sell citizens to the Red Templars in exchange for supplies and resources to help the remaining citizens,[[note]]and possibly buy time for someone, such as the Inquisition, to show up and drive the Red Templars away[[/note]] or refuse to deal with the Templars, at which point they would likely just take ''everyone'' in town and leave what few weren't taken with nothing at all. Given how Orlais is in the middle of the civil war (or after the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, still recovering from the civil war) and the cruel weather of the town that together affected their quarry business, one can sympathize with her actions. But as what the Inquisitor [[ArmorPiercingQuestion asked]] her, what if she lost to such risk-taking?
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* UngratefulBastard: She grumbles a bit if sentenced to work as an Inqusition scribe. Bear in mind this is one of the more ''lenient'' sentences, and the Inquisition is fully within their rights to simply have her executed. Given how Orlais is in the middle of the civil war (or after the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, still recovering from the civil war) and the cruel weather of the town that together affected their quarry business, one can sympathize with her actions. But as what the Inquisitor asked her, what if she lost to such risk-taking?

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* UngratefulBastard: She grumbles a bit if sentenced to work as an Inqusition scribe. Bear in mind this is one of the more ''lenient'' sentences, and the Inquisition is fully within their rights to simply have her executed. Given how Orlais is in the middle of the civil war (or after the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, still recovering from the civil war) and the cruel weather of the town that together affected their quarry business, one can sympathize with her actions. But as what the Inquisitor asked her, what if she lost to such risk-taking?
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* UngratefulBastard: She grumbles a bit if sentenced to work as an Inqusition scribe. Bear in mind this is one of the more ''lenient'' sentences, and the Inquisition is fully within their rights to simply have her executed.

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* UngratefulBastard: She grumbles a bit if sentenced to work as an Inqusition scribe. Bear in mind this is one of the more ''lenient'' sentences, and the Inquisition is fully within their rights to simply have her executed. Given how Orlais is in the middle of the civil war (or after the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, still recovering from the civil war) and the cruel weather of the town that together affected their quarry business, one can sympathize with her actions. But as what the Inquisitor asked her, what if she lost to such risk-taking?
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* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it. However, whole Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes have to be revealed thanks to the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light.

to:

* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it. it, and lied (only by omission) at the Inquisitor about their grim situation. However, whole while Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people down to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes have to be are revealed thanks to after the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light.
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Added DiffLines:

* {{Foil}}: To Mayor Gregory Dedrick of Crestwood, whom the Inquisition also judged by their well-intentioned goal to save their people under their jurisdiction but did extreme methods to acheive it. However, whole Dedrick runs away after he confessed his decision to drown his Blight-infected people to save Crestwood ten years ago, Paulin's crimes have to be revealed thanks to the Inquisitor's raid to the quarry and she didn't resist arrest when it is brought to light.

Added: 336

Removed: 344

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More accurate trope


* IAmNotShazam: InUniverse. Everyone initially calls it an "Archedemon", given that it's a big, corrupted High Dragon as all other Archdemons are, but investigations into it reveal that [[spoiler: it's not actually an Archdemon but just a regular (or as regular as you can get for High Dragons, anyways) High Dragon corrupted with Red Lyrium.]]


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* MistakenIdentity: Everyone initially calls it an "Archedemon", given that it's a big, corrupted High Dragon as all other Archdemons are, but investigations into it reveal that [[spoiler: it's not actually an Archdemon but just a regular (or as regular as you can get for High Dragons, anyways) High Dragon corrupted with Red Lyrium.]]
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* {{Astroturf}}: According to Fiona, a good portion of the mages at Redcliffe were Venatori infiltrators who clamored for her to accept Alexius's "help." He probably spread the rumor that the Templars were coming, as well; at the time, they were actually in no position to prosecute their war.

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* {{Astroturf}}: According to Fiona, a good portion of the mages at Redcliffe were Venatori infiltrators who clamored for her to accept Alexius's "help." He probably spread the rumor that the Templars were coming, as well; at the time, they were actually in no position to prosecute their war. It helps that the reigning monarch at Ferelden is notable mage sympathizer enough to offer them refuge at Redcliffe.
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dewicking Badass Baritone


* BadassBaritone: Gideon Emery earning his paycheck.
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* YouCantThwartStageOne: He discovers that he can't [[spoiler:actually travel back in time to before the Breach opened, which is what Corypheus wants (or to before the attack on Felix's caravan, which is what Alexius wants). The best he can do is travel back immediately ''after'' the Breach opens, where he's able to get to the mages before Fiona and the Inquisitor meet in Val Royeaux.]]

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* YouCantThwartStageOne: A rare example in which the ''villain'' can't stop the ''hero'''s stage one.[[spoiler: He discovers managed to discover time magic, but with the caveat that it ''only'' works when the Rift is active (which is why he can't [[spoiler:actually travel back in time use it to before save his wife or Felix). He can stop Stage 2 (ruining the Breach opened, which is what Corypheus wants (or Inquisitor's attempt to before ally with the attack on Felix's caravan, which is what Alexius wants). The best rebel mages) all he can do is travel back immediately ''after'' the Breach opens, where he's able to get to the mages before Fiona and the wants, but since Stage 1 (the soon-to-be Inquisitor meet disrupting Corypheus and gaining the Anchor) was what caused the Rift in Val Royeaux.the first place, it is beyond his power and he can't change the fact that it happened.]]
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* AllForNothing: [[spoiler: Notes found in the future Redcliff make it clear that his research into time magic ultimately goes no where. The only reason he is able to really use it is ''because'' of the Breath warping the Veil so much that it can be done, but only to events after the Breach occurred. Since everything he was trying to change (the Inquisition, his wifes death, his son getting the Blight), happened before the Breach, he realizes how hopeless it was.]]

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* AllForNothing: [[spoiler: Notes found in the future Redcliff make it clear that his research into time magic ultimately goes no where. The only reason he is able to really use it is ''because'' of the Breath Breach warping the Veil so much that it can be done, but only to events after the Breach occurred. Since everything he was trying to change (the Inquisition, his wifes death, his son getting the Blight), happened before the Breach, he realizes how hopeless it was.]]
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* PunchClockVillain: Just doing his job - in this case, running a mining company.

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* PunchClockVillain: Just doing his job - in this case, running a mining company. He's enough of this trope that deciding to leave him for Corypheus to find is viewed by the majority of your party negatively.

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