Dragon Age II Warriors / Characters

Tropes relating to characters who appear in Dragon Age 2 as one of Hawke's warrior companions.

Aveline Vallen

Captain Aveline Vallen

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/da2_aveline.png

Appears in: Dragon Age II | Inquisition^noteWar table

Voiced by: Joanna Roth (English), Gundi Eberhard (German)

"I’d rather kill a bandit and save a merchant’s family than know the correct dance steps and which rouge is in fashion."

The daughter of an exiled Orlesian Chevalier, Aveline was a soldier in King Cailan's army at Ostagar. When things turned sour, she and her Templar husband Wesley headed north to escape the darkspawn. She met the escaping Hawke family on the way out of Lothering, and even though she lost her dear husband, she carried on with the Hawkes all the way to Kirkwall and beyond. While an honorable warrior, she is nevertheless pragmatic in her guard duties.

Action Girl: Hell yes! Inquisition has Varric outright tell a curious Blackwall in banter that Aveline is stronger than him, which Blackwall does not argue with.
Amazonian Beauty: So far, she's the most muscular woman in the Dragon Age games (or any other BioWare franchise) to date, but that's not to say she doesn't have a feminine figure. It's really only seen in the prologue, however, and in one scene in Act 3 if the Exiled Prince DLC is installed.
Babies Ever After: Hints that she regrets never having children with Wesley. If she later marries Donnic, separate conversations with Isabela and Fenris reveal that they are considering starting a family in the near future.
Badass Normal: Deserves special mention; see Establishing Character Moment below.
Battle Couple: With whoever partners her: Wesley, Donnic, Hawke. She definitely prefers someone with whom she can be Back-to-Back Badasses.
Beauty, Brains, and Brawn: In a trio with female Hawke and Bethany, Aveline is the Brawn. She's tall and muscular, skilled with sword and shield, and works as a city guard. The others sometimes make jokes about her being able to lift a cow.
Berserk Button: As mentioned below, do NOT question her loyalty or accuse her of coddling her guards.
Big Good: To Kirkwall in Inquisition, after Hawke is forced to leave town. Varric notes that "Kirkwall would probably fall into the sea if she ever quit her job."
Big Sister Mentor: Has some shades of this for Hawke and their siblings especially. Some cut-dialogues refer to her cornering most of the party and getting them to practice swordsmanship with her (including the mages) and criticizing their techniques.
Breast Plate: Initially played straight during the prologue sequence, in which she sports form-fitting leather armor. Averted for the rest of the game - the metal plate the guards wear is the same general shape for both men and women, giving Aveline no more chances to show off her assets.
Cannot Spit It Out: Towards Donnic. She tries courting him in more subtle ways, but her methods seem to make sense only to her. If Hawke is female, Donnic will conclude that she is awkwardly hitting on him. Eventually, her efforts to woo him get so bad that even when she does explain the reasoning behind her actions, Hawke can't argue directly with them because they make no sense. The player gets the chance to call her out on it.
The Captain: Served as an officer in the Fereldan Army at Ostagar, and later becomes Captain of the Kirkwall City Guard.
The Champion: To the Hawke family during their first year in Kirkwall. She claims it's just to keep Hawke out of trouble.
City Guards: Joins the Kirkwall guard after fleeing Ferelden and can be promoted to Captain of the Guard after a mission where she investigates her superior's corruption.
Clear My Name: Her companion quest in Act 3; Cullen alerts Hawke that Aveline has been accused of coddling her men, and while he doesn't really believe it personally, he urges them to speak with Aveline and clear up the issue. Aveline takes the accusation extremely personally and goes on a bit of a rampage to settle the matter. See Cowboy Cop, below.
Cloud Cuckoolanders Minder: Towards the snarky/silly Hawke.
Comically Serious: Especially when paired with Snarky Hawke, Varric and Isabela.
Cowboy Cop: Even as Da Chief, she has no problem telling authority where to shove it and will bend the rules for the sake of her friends.
- However, do not ever question whether she is going soft on the men under her command and coddling certain individuals (Donnic). When the Templars force Hawke to investigate her on this in Act 3, they set out to prove that Donnic is doing the same routes as the other men, if not more dangerous, and most of her men are fighting for their lives twice a week to keep Kirkwall safe.
Da Chief: Eventually reaches this position on the Guard.
Deadpan Snarker: Aveline has some moments that give even Sarcastic Hawke a pause, such as this exchange during "Blackpowder Courtesy":
Hawke: How about we skip this one, send your men instead?
Aveline: How about I shove a canary up your coal mine? Let's go.
Defector from Decadence: Aveline's mysterious father. "Orlais has a game. He wouldn't play it. I never cared to ask further."
Depending on the Artist: Her official art is... considerably more mannish◊ when compared to her in-game model.
Did We Just Have Tea with Cthulhu?: During the Prologue and if she's brought along to Sundermount, Aveline appears to be the only person in the group who actually recognises that talking to the Witch of the Wilds is not something any sane person would want to do.
Drill Sergeant Nasty:
- Borderline; she trains with each guard individually and makes certain that they know what they are doing. They certainly think that it's Training from Hell. If Hawke has been succeeding at her personal quests, she bonds with each of the guards as well, which takes the edge off of it. If not, the guards become more efficient, but Aveline herself will not be well-liked.
- She also asks Hawke to allow Dog to help her train, to see if her people can handle a "good old-fashioned Mabari charge." Brings about a Pet the Dog moment (almost literally) later, as she rewards Dog with some contraband mutton that was seized.
Establishing Character Moment: One of the first things she does is tackle a darkspawn that severely wounded Wesley and punch it into submission before lever-cutting its head off with its own sword. She proceeds to fight the rest of the horde with the intention of saving her husband or dying with him.
Expose the Villain, Get His Job: Her Act 1 personal quest.
Failure Knight: Her sometimes obsessive need to protect everyone seems to be the reason she latches onto looking after the Hawke family. It is implied to have largely stemmed from her guilt at being unable to save Wesley. If brought into the Fade during "Night Terrors," a Desire Demon may use this against her and she'll turn on the party.
Fantastic Racism: She has been taught that elves belong in Alienages and that mages that haven't gone through the Harrowing are dangerous to society, and as Guard Captain she helps to maintain the status quo. Aveline doesn't see any issue with elves being forced to sleep in stables and out-buildings in towns too small to fit an alienage, and is surprised when Merrill is upset by it. The Arishok accuses her of being just as corrupt as the nobles she serves by turning a blind eye to violence committed against elves (even by her own guards) but cracking down on violence committed by elves. She also just makes some disparaging comments if brought to the alienage or elf-involved quests, like saying "I wish we didn't need places like this" to the alienage (ignoring that elves need places to live too) or describing Huon as "another user, looking for a handout" as if elves were all free-loaders.
Femininity Failure: She gets teased about being "mannish" by hard-drinking, hard-fucking, foul-mouthed Isabela. That's how badly she fails at femininity. That said, it doesn't usually bother or cause any trouble for her, but it does prompt one quest in the second act where she needs help getting the guy she's interested in to even realise that she's a woman.
Fire-Forged Friends: At the start of the game, she bonds with the Hawke family when they fight their way out of Lothering together. They've been through so much together that she is the only companion who can abandon you in the endgame who won't fight you. After all you've been through over the years, she can't bring herself to fight you, but she does say that she is done with you.
Foil: To a Snarky Hawke.
Hawke: You don't want me as sour and dour as you. You need a counterpoint.
Hair-Trigger Temper: At least where card games are concerned, according to Fenris and Donnic.
Happily Married: With Wesley before the game. With Donnic later, if Hawke helps out.
Has a Type: Aveline's two romantic partners in the game, Wesley and Donnic, are both an Officer and a Gentleman, a trait that Hawke doesn't quite have ^note.
Holier Than Thou: Aveline always thinks she's right and truly believes herself to be the moral backbone of Hawke's Ragtag Bunch of Misfits, and never fails to let them know it. Special mention goes to Carver, whose application to the City Guard she blocks - despite the fact (as he points out) that they both served in the Ferelden Army at Ostagar and they both arrived in Kirkwall on the same refugee boat.
Horrible Judge of Character: Blocked Carver's application to the City Guard because she felt he didn't want to join for the right reasons. Not only does Carver later prove to be a dedicated soldier to the Templars or Grey Wardens,if he survives Act 1, but Aveline later shields a guard accused of raping an elven woman.
Hypocrite: She has more than a few examples:
- If Hawke asks her about Wesley when they meet up with Aveline for the first time, she'll defensively state that she doesn't want to be coddled. Understandable, but kind of jarring when she admitted just a few minutes earlier that she is spying on Hawke to make sure they stay out of trouble, and has no intention of stopping even if Hawke tells her to do so.
- Exactly like Fenris, she'll call out Hawke out if they agree to deal with the sloth demon in "Night Terrors" even though she was controlled by a demon herself.
- She chastises Carver for not think of others before himself, yet she actively told the other guards to turn down his application, knowing full well he's Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life. Also, more importantly, he needs money to provide for his family to get them all out of poverty. This is after she relied on Hawke's family to enter the city, and she's now living in a better situation, while Hawke's family has continued living in the slum up to that point.
- Likewise, after blocking Carver's effort to join the City Guard, Aveline starts having him followed and browbeats him over "going down a bad path" and hanging out with the "wrong sort of people." Not only does Carver point out the "wrong people" are Hawke's friends (yet she never chastises Hawke for it), but he's only hanging out with them because she sabotaged his efforts to find a better job and work with better people.
I Let Gwen Stacy Die: Wesley's death remains a sore spot for her for a good half of the game, partially because she feels she should have been able to prevent it. Her fear of losing anything else drives many of her actions throughout the game.
I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: A Hawke who flirts with her will eventually decide to let her go.
Idiot Ball:
- Played for Laughs. She's a bright, talented, and quick-thinking guardswoman... but her intelligence plummets when it comes to dealing with Donnic. Case in point? While trying to be romantic with him, she turns it into a conversation about the sharpness of swords.
- Played for Drama when her failure to successfully solve the Hightown disappearances results in the death of Hawke's mother.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: As strict as she can be and as cold as she can be to the other companions, she's fiercely loyal to those she cares about and always attempts to do what she considers to be right.
Just Friends: Although Hawke can flirt with Aveline, she remains oblivious to their advances. She seems to regard Hawke and the surviving twin almost as surrogate children or younger siblings more than anything else.
Know-Nothing Know-It-All: Aveline believes she's always right, and clearly views herself as the moral backbone of Hawke's Ragtag Bunch of Misfits, even in instances where she wasn't there or doesn't have the full story.
The Lop Sided Arm Of The Law: When a group of elven brothers tried to report that one of her guards raped their sister and kept being turning away, she dismissed it as "rumors" that she'll look into eventually. When those same brothers got tired of waiting and killed the guard they'd accused, she dropped everything to arrest them first thing.
Married to the Job: Apparently the reason she's having such difficulty with romancing Donnic. Even though she was once married, she's thrown herself into her work so much, she's forgotten how not to be a guard for a while. If Hawke don't help her out on her sidequests, she never learns to relax and the pressure eventually pushes her to leave town.
Matchmaker Quest: Her sidequest in Act 2 involves her attempting to court Guardsman Donnic. Don't mess things up, and they'll get married.
A Mother To Her Men: Particularly seen in Act 3 if her romance of Donnic was successful. The men and women of the city guard revere her, to the point that they unanimously refuse to join ex-Captain Jeven in his smear campaign to have her removed. Donnic says that there's not a single member of the guard who would hesitate to follow her across the Void itself if she asked. Deconstructed in Act 2: When a group of elves accuse one of her men of rape, she is incapable of viewing the accusation impartially and refuses to investigate.
My Beloved Smother: Doesn't actually plan on being a mother herself (unless they invent a way for men to give birth), but she definitely acts this way towards the others during party banters, especially Hawke and Bethany/Carver. If her personal quests are not completed, her guards complain that they are feeling smothered and start to resent her for it.
Missing White Woman Syndrome: When a group of elven brothers tried to report that one of her guards raped their sister and got turned away she did nothing, dismissing it as "rumors" she'll "look into" eventually. However, when those same brothers and took matters into their own hands, she dropped everything to arrest them first thing. Though played with as she can also refuse to investigate missing Hightown women (even if Hawke asks her), which resulted in Leandra being abducted and killed.
Named After Somebody Famous: An In-Universe example; Aveline was the name of the first female Chevalier. She actually doesn't seem fond of the symbolism, (though it fits her perfectly), calling the name "a wish [her] father made," and expressing relief that Fenris doesn't know the story of Ser Aveline. By the end of the game, though, if her personal quests were completed correctly, she seems much more sure of herself and has come to terms with it.
Never My Fault:
- She can tell Hawke to their face that she's not responsible for Leandra being kidnapped and murdered by a crazed blood mage, even if Hawke asked her to investigate the disappearance of Hightown women beforehand and she refused to do so, which resulted in Leandra's death. She says this even if Hawke had asked her to investigate beforehand and then Hawke called her out afterward to her face.
- After blocking Carver's attempt to join the City Guard, she browbeats him for going down a bad path and hanging out with the wrong sort of people. Each time Carver tries to point out she's part of the reason he's doing this, she brushes him off.
Noble Bigot with a Badge:
- Aveline has been taught that elves belong in Alienages and mages are dangerous to society. Despite lacking any real malice toward elves or mages, this institutionalized racism does flare up from time to time. Each time, Aveline sides with the institution over the people. See The Lop Sided Arm Of The Law.
- Averted, however, in the final battle; if Hawke has maxed her friendship meter (to either end) and sides with the mages, Aveline will declare that she is loyal to Hawke over the law, and join them.
No Guy Wants an Amazon: Ser Wesley and Guardsman Donnic are the exceptions that prove the rule; almost everyone else finds her intimidating and off-putting, as other party members point out. According to Isabela, she's a "woman-shaped battering ram". Hawke also can express an interest in her, which she won't actually realise until after she's hooked up with Donnic.
No Social Skills: Most noticeable during her bizarre efforts to romance Guardsman Donnic, and continues with... pretty much everyone.
No Sympathy:
- Despite being an Andrastian human muggle who quickly found a "respectable" job in the City Guard shortly after arriving in Kirkwall (where so many other Ferelden refugees still live in slums), Aveline often lectures and browbeats companions who don't have the same opportunities she does. Since most of Hawke's companions are mages and/or elves who deal with systemic oppression in Kirkwall, and the Hawke family and Isabela live in the slum...
- In particular, Aveline often browbeats Carver for hanging out with the wrong sort of people, despite sabotaging his effort to join the City Guard like her. She also often lectures him on his "bad attitude" and claims he should take up a trade or apprenticeship if he hates being in Hawke's shadow so much, even though he just finished a year of unpaid indentured servitude (something Aveline didn't have to do) and is helping his sibling raise money for a Deep Roads expedition to lift their whole family out of poverty.
The Not-Love Interest: Aveline is one of two party members that cannot be romanced by Hawke. She also happens to be the non-sibling companion that has known them the longest and gets several emotional scenes with Hawke that are otherwise reserved for their Love Interest. It actually gets implied that the reason Aveline never considered a Relationship Upgrade with Hawke is because there's too much baggage for Aveline to overcome for Hawke's role in Wesley's death. ^note
Not So Above It All:
- In Legacy, she finally gets back at Anders for all of his arsey comments by ripping the piss out of him.
  Aveline: Any second I'll surrender to the almighty power of 'Guard Captain' and enslave all mages. Look out. Authority. Wooooooo.
- She also chuckles at Isabela's "ghast-hole" comment in Mark Of The Assasin before stopping herself.
- In Act 3, she has evolved an Odd Friendship with Isabela. Any time Aveline deadpan snarks at her, Isabela warmly says, "That's my girl!" At one point, Aveline apparently invited Isabela to a family dinner, but she didn't show up because she didn't think she'd fit in; Aveline disagrees.
  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.
Oblivious to Love: If Hawke flirts with her during her Matchmaker Quest. Possibly explained by the insane things she does to woo Donnic; she clearly has no idea how typical courting goes.
Odd Friendship: With Fenris and Isabela.
The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: Aveline invokes this when Arishok says he must take Isabela back along with the book she stole: "Oh, no. If anyone's going to kick her ass, it's me." She gives Friendship points if Hawke goes to bat for Isabela against Arishok, and Rivalry points if they hand Isabela over.
O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Being the most lawful member of the team, it takes a lot to get Aveline to suggest taking criminal action or to recommend execution.
Reasonable Authority Figure: As Captain of the Guard. Under her command, the guard is the most efficient and respected it's been in generations, though once Meredith takes over, some of the Templars seem to be making it a point to limit her influence and try to oust her from her position.
- Deconstructed numerous times. Aveline is reasonable based on what she sees, which results in many problems Hawke has to solve because Aveline doesn't always know everything.
- Despite her late husband having been a Templar, she refuses to turn in Mage Hawke or Bethany, since they at least try to do good. She also makes no efforts to turn in Merrill or Anders, and does her best to keep the patrolling guards from taking notice of Fenris squatting in the Hightown mansion.
Replacement Goldfish: Though never outright stated, Aveline maintains her strong bond with Hawke likely because they're the closest thing Aveline has to family. Bethany will even question why Aveline continues to follow Hawke, and Aveline skirts the answer.
Running Gag: Aveline being able to lift a cow. Comes up often in party conversation, particularly during Mark of the Assassin.
Screw This, I'm Outta Here: If she sides against Hawke during the endgame, she decides that she owes Hawke too much to fight them and walks out after delivering a "Reason You Suck" Speech to Hawke. Her fellow guardsmen quickly follow suit.
Secular Hero: Aveline is the closest to agnosticism on team Hawke. She married a Templar and sometimes refers to the Maker, but doesn't generally worry about religion and is skeptical of the Chantry's stance that "the less [he] does, the more he's proven". She supports telling Elthina that the Warden stopped the Blight, not divine intervention.
Aveline: Wesley's at the Maker's side, or he's not.
Significant Green-Eyed Redhead: The first permanent companion character Hawke meets, as well as one of the most important ones after becoming captain of the guard.
Slut-Shaming: Does this to Isabela on an extremely regular basis when they first meet to insult her, which Isabela takes in stride because Isabela is a slut and proud of it. Later becomes friendly banter when they become Vitriolic Best Buds.
Skewed Priorities: Prioritizes persecuting elves that killed one of her guards for (supposedly) raping an elf during the middle of a diplomatic crisis involving the Arishok.
Socially Awkward Hero: One of her gifts to Donnic is a copper engraving of marigolds. Odd enough to get a man (and specifically a watchman, whom you'd think would be a practical type) a picture of flowers, but in traditional floriography, marigolds represent grief and cruelty. Whoops. Her reasoning behind the gift borders on Insane Troll Logic: "Metal is strong, flowers are soft, copper ages well. I thought it was clear." This earns her a Face Palm from Hawke and potentially Isabela.
Stone Wall: Her specialization focuses on defense and protecting party members. Thanks to her Indomitable ability, she's the only party member with a built-in immunity to the final boss's "stun you all so I can monologue" move. Should she be knocked out, the others' reactions are equal parts concern and astonishment that it actually happened.
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?
Straight Man and Wise Guy: The Straight Man to Snarky Hawke, Varric, and Isabela's Wise Guy.
Take Up My Sword: Upon first encounter, she wields a two-handed greatsword. After Wesley loses the use of his sword arm, and later dies, she takes up a Sword & Shield style like him. Her starting shield in Act 1 is Wesley's, and she has a cutscene in which she scolds Hawke if she's made to carry a different one.
Taking Up the Mantle: By the time of Inquisition, Aveline is still leading the guard, and Bran's letter all but calls her Hawke's successor as Kirkwall's protector.
Team Dad: Gender-flipped, alongside Varric's Team Mom. Most of her conversations with the party involve her providing some form of advice or critiquing their lifestyle choices. It's also said that she has people spying on most of the others and bends the rules a bit if necessary in hopes of keeping them out of trouble.
- She's particularly protective of Hawke, and the only person besides the love interest who really takes time to console a devastated Hawke after their mother's murder. Notably, she's the only companion to whom Hawke seems to feel comfortable admitting that "My heart's broken" about the whole thing - even Varric, who is Hawke's best friend, doesn't have this conversation (as far as we know).
- Made especially clear by a line she can say when drinks a health potion. The player would obviously be using this when she's dying, and she still might say:
  Aveline: I hope no one else needs this!
To Be Lawful or Good:
- Establishes herself as being on the "Good" side of things at all times early in Act 1, despite having only just taken the job. She remains lawful only so long as it is useful in her quest to do good. When the two conflict, there is almost never a moment's hesitation in her mind. It's also why she has no problems with Hawke if the player acts as a more chaotic character.
  Aveline: I can trust you to at least try to do right.
- However, when it comes to institutionalized racism against Mages and Elves, Aveline always sides with the institution. As stated under Reasonable Authority Figure, Aveline chooses good over lawful during instances where she can see institutionalized injustice firsthand, but in cases where she wasn't there she tends to err on the side of the law.
  Aveline: (regarding the elven brothers) There are rumors. I'll look into them. But they took the law into their own hands.
Tragic Keepsake: Wesley's shield. She's not pleased if you've sold it, and even just un-equipping it and putting it in storage earns a few complaints in Act 2. She later clarifies it's less about Wesley and more just holding onto the last pieces of her old life. Once she's been given The Shield of the Knight Herself and the cutscene completes, Wesley's shield can be put away without further protest.
Tsundere: A Type A, especially towards Hawke and Isabela. Wesley and Donnic both seem to be the only people who constantly get her softer side.
Ungrateful Bastard: You would think being saved by Hawke's family during their escape from Lothering, and relying on them for a chance to enter Kirkwall, would give her a second thought about Carver's application to the City Guard. You would think she would put in a good word for him, or at least take him under her wing to keep him out of trouble, especially since they served in the same Ferelden army, fought in the same battle in Ostagar, and arrived on the same refugee boat. You'd be wrong. Aveline does the opposite and actively opposes his attempt, knowing full well he needs money to get his family out of poverty.
Vitriolic Best Buds:
- With Isabela towards the end of the game. She eventually starts barking "Shut up, whore" with an obvious twinge of affection.
- Also a case of this with Hawke, especially a Snarky-Hawke. It may also have a case of Belligerent Sexual Tension subtext if Hawke flirts with her. If in a rivalry with Hawke, the most touching moment in their friendship comes right after Aveline beats the ever loving hell out of them.
"Well Done, Daughter!" Girl: Implied, especially during "Night Terrors".
Demon!Wesley: You spent your whole life trying to be the chevalier your father wanted. The one thing you chose for yourself, and the darkspawn took him.
Workaholic: The Codex notes that her life revolves around guarding others; when she's not on-duty as a city guard, she's guarding Hawke and co. If her personal quests are completed, she starts to relax a little bit. If not, the pressure slowly breaks her down and she can resolve to step down from her position and leave Kirkwall entirely in Act 3. Discussed by Varric in some dialogue in Act 1, when he asks what she does.
Aveline: You know I'm a guard, why are you asking?
Varric: I mean in your off-duty hours? For fun? You've heard of it, I hope?
Aveline: These are my off-duty hours.
Varric: And the trend of you scaring the piss out of me continues...
You Can't Go Home Again: Discussed. "That's supposed to be about maturity. It's not the same if you don't have the option."

Dog

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/da2_mabari.png

Appears in: Dragon Age II

The Hawke family's loyal mabari companion isn't a full party member, but can be summoned to give some extra help.

Angry Guard Dog: To his enemies. Diplomatic Hawke can remark that they like knowing Dog is around to protect Leandra in their absence, while Aggressive Hawke considers him useful for tearing through enemies. Snarky Hawke has a different view, as ever:
Snarky Hawke: But if he's with us, who'll keep Gamlen's debt collectors away?
Assist Character: Rather than a full party member like his predecessor, this Dog joins the fight whenever Hawke summons him. This removes Origins' minor dilemma of having to choose between Dog and one of the humanoid companions.
Big Friendly Dog: To everyone except his opponents.
Canine Companion: He helps Hawke when called, but given Mabari master-choosing it could be said that Hawke is his human companion.
Cool Old Guy: According to the timeline, Dog must be in or near his double digits by the game's final act, which is quite old by dog standards. This doesn't stop his badassery in the slightest. It could be a Mabari trait, since there's no confirmed data about the breed's life expectancy.
Country Mouse: Kirkwall doesn't really give him the space a dog the size of a pony needs. He does seem better after making the transition to the family estate, where he has more room.
Covert Pervert: If Hawke is romancing Merrill, she comments that she doesn't appreciate that Dog watches them while they have sex.
A Dog Named "Dog": Like his predecessor, his default name is Dog. It can be changed by interacting with him inside Gamlen's hovel. Gamlen lampshades the trope during the conversation, asking, "What's wrong with 'dog'? Easy to remember."
Dogs Love Being Praised: He's no exception. Also, because he's fully capable of understanding human speech, he knows exactly what people are saying to him. Leandra has to remind Gamlen about this.
Drill Sergeant Nasty: Aveline asks if she can borrow Dog to help whip her fellow guardsmen into shape. She's particularly interested to see how they handle a good old-fashioned Fereldan Mabari charge.
Fluffy the Terrible: He's downright adorable to his allies. His enemies, on the other hand...
Heroes Love Dogs: Everyone in the party loves Dog, even coming to Hawke's residence to visit him. Hawke's mother and sibling also love him. The one person who doesn't? Gamlen.
- If Bethany is the surviving twin, she recollects sadly how much Carver wanted to impress a mabari, and affectionately calls Dog "a good boy." If it's Carver who survived, Dog is arguably the member of the family he likes the best, and he has nothing but praise for him.
- Leandra, while the family is still in Lowtown, worries about him being unhappy since leaving Ferelden and takes him for a walk, fondly noting that they will make quite a pair, "a mother and her Mabari."
- Fenris talks with great respect about how the Mabari initially belonged to the Tevinter magisters and changed their loyalties, while Sebastian - who is full-fledged royalty - actually bows to him.
- Merrill comes to visit Dog at Gamlen's house and tells him a story about the Dread Wolf, and concludes the story by remarking, "He's a sweet dog, Hawke."
- Even Anders, who is a cat person, seems to like Dog - especially if he moves in with Hawke later in the game. He just doesn't appreciate Dog slobbering on him.
- He and Sandal are very fond of each other. Bodahn speculates that Sandal may have learned to "speak Mabari" from their time with the Hero of Ferelden and their dog.
- He and Varric are drinking buddies. Varric even teaches him to play cards - and he's better than Anders!
The Tell: Varric tells him that he might want to watch how he wags his tail when he gets a good hand. He's still apparently very good, though:
Varric: All I'm saying is, he'd be up more than two sovereigns if he watched his tells.

Fenris

Appears in: Dragon Age II | Blue Wraith | Dark Fortress

Voiced by: Gideon Emery (English)^{Foreign VAs}Dennis Schmidt-Foß (German)

"Am I supposed to forgive, no matter how many times they hunt me down? Am I supposed to forget all the things they've done to me?"

An elven slave turned living weapon. He used his power to escape his master Danarius, a Tevinter Magister who is trying to reclaim his "property." Even now that he's free and out of the Imperium, Fenris nurses a bitter streak against all mages.

Achey Scars: His lyrium markings are the reason he hates being touched.
Ambiguously Brown: His skin is noticeably darker than that of the other companions, save Isabela.
Amnesiac Dissonance: Among other things, he resents the lyrium markings and the power that was inflicted upon him. In his final companion quest "Alone," he discovers that he had actually competed for them, for the sake of using the boon offered to the winner to free his family. At least, Danarius and his sister led him to believe he did. He actually only competed for the boon to free his family. He didn't know about the ritual or what it would entail.
Amnesiac Hero: He has very few pre-ritual memories, and even by the game's end he can only recall bits and pieces of his life before.
And the Adventure Continues:
- According to Varric, as of Inquisition, Fenris is still continuing his campaign against Tevinter magisters and slavers, leaving a trail of corpses in his wake.
- Fenris returns in Blue Wraith, earning said moniker by achieving such a level of infamy in Tevinter.
Attack Animal: Brainwashed by Danarius into this.
Baritone of Strength: Fenris has a deep and husky voice, courtesy of Gideon Emery. In terms of combat, he serves as the Lightning Bruiser of the party. He's also able to use his lyrium markings to literally reach into an enemy's chest, crush their heart and/or rip it out.
Berserk Button:
- His Establishing Character Moment is his violent reaction to being called a slave, and being taunted with it also comes up several times during his personal quests. He hates mages; particularly the magisters of Tevinter, and the blood magic connected to them.
- He doesn't take kindly to the suggestions that he should "just move on" or, worse, forget about revenge against Danarius.
- During his loyalty mission, if Hawke tells Orana to go to their home for help and refuge Fenris will immediately accuses Hawke of hypocrisy for condoning slavery and then wanting one themselves. But he will back down and apologise straightaway if Hawke states that it is a job.
- If Hawke romances Anders after Fenris leaves them, the following dialogue can be heard if the two are in the party together. Fenris is already pretty venomous towards Anders (and vice versa), but here he sounds downright murderous at Anders' suggestion that he never loved Hawke.
  Anders: You were an idiot to leave Hawke.
  Fenris: And you were so quick to replace me.
  Anders: I love him/her. You have no idea what that's like.
  Fenris: Do not bare your heart to me, mage. Not unless you want me to rip it out.
BFS: Uses two-handed weapons, several of which are as long as he is tall.
Betty and Veronica: The cold and brooding Veronica to Anders, Sebastian or Merrill's Betty. Will be the Betty to Isabela's Veronica.
Boomerang Bigot:
- A much more subtle version than, say, Sera, but Fenris clearly doesn't care much for his fellow elves. He identifies more as a former slave than an elf, lives alone in a Hightown mansion, and refuses Merrill's invitations to so much as visit the alienage. Whenever Merrill tries to get him more involved with "our people", Fenris disdains her, claiming the Dalish are too haughty and waste their freedom grubbing through dirt, and he doesn't care about the plight of city elves since Tevinter slaves have it worse anyway. However, unlike Sera, he still gains rivalry points if Hawke engages in pointless cruelty with elves, and friendship if Hawke helps them instead.
- The Fenris short story written by David Gaider goes further, hinting 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.
Brutal Honesty: He's extremely blunt with his criticism of anything he dislikes, especially if it is related to magic or its users.
Buxom Beauty Standard: It's subtle, but every woman Fenris shows any interest in are human women with noticeable racks. In 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 dating elven women.)
Bystander Syndrome: He is generally neutral in affairs not involving mages or slavers. In fact, it's implied that for most of the game, outside of adventures with Hawke and a few mercenary jobs he takes for money, he doesn't interact much with anyone. Varric complains that after years in Kirkwall he's still "practically a ghost."
Fenris: You are too willing to involve yourself in the affairs of others, Hawke. Each time you put yourself at risk. One day you will not be so lucky.
Hawke: You have a better idea?
Fenris: Guard what you have. Keep your head low.
Character Death: 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.
Character Development:
- Unlike everyone besides Carver, he actually undergoes more development as a friend. As a rival, he simply admits that revenge has brought him nothing and decides it's time to let go of his hate. However, his hatred towards magic remains and he is initially against supporting the mages. If Hawke befriends him and completes all his personal quests, he learns to move on from his past and also becomes a bit more lenient towards magic and mages, all the more so if romanced by a mage Hawke.
- Another example would be his gradually opening up to a few of the other companions and eventually befriending them (evident in party banter), in contrast to his initial anti-social behavior. He even jokes with some of them, and by Act 3 he regularly plays cards with Varric and Donnic.
- Sadly, he's more or less fallen back into his old ways by the time of Blue Wraith — as when his friends from Kirkwall are mentioned he claims that people only use you for your power until they no longer need you. Though when putting his response into perpsective, it becomes pretty obvious that he was saddened by how everyone was forced to part ways and is simply ignoring his real feelings by hiding it under a mask of anger. Additionally, he wouldn't be as familiar with the characters he meets in the comic as he would with the companions in the games, who he had known for several years and had become comfortable with.
The Comically Serious: His generally dour demeanor gets him ribbed on by some of the more jokey companions, although if Hawke keeps him away from people who push his buttons, he makes his share of jokes, especially with Varric. In fact, Sarcastic Hawke's comments usually get at least a smile out of him. He even chuckles with regularity.
Cursed with Awesome: The lyrium scars emblazoned on him by his master cause Fenris no small amount of pain, but give him extra strength and endurance, as well as the ability to go partially intangible. Them being imprinted on him against his will by his former slave master and the primary reason for him being hunted might be why he doesn't care for the benefits.
Dark and Troubled Past: He was a slave in the Tevinter Imperium, and had his skin laced with lyrium in a process that was so torturously painful that it wiped away all his memories from before he underwent the ritual.
Deadpan Snarker: Sometimes, and with emphasis on the deadpan.
Defrosting Ice King:
- He's loosened up a little bit by Act 3, particularly around Aveline, Isabela, Varric, Donnic, and possibly Hawke. He even starts cracking a few jokes of his own.
- If Hawke manages to maintain a high friendship, it unlocks additional lines that sound much warmer than his usual tone of voice, including "Yes, my friend?" and "Always a pleasure." The friendship branch of his personal specialization tree also mentions that "Fenris is inspired by your unexpected support."
Despair Event Horizon: If the player chooses to betray Fenris and give him back to Danarius. Hawke's betrayal so utterly breaks his spirit and his faith in freedom and friendship that he just gives up without a fight. He doesn't even have the strength to show anger at you about it. Later, Hawke gets a letter from Danarius, thanking them and telling them that Fenris has been memory-wiped again and is now perfectly obedient.
Does Not Like Magic:
- The line he draws between "magic" and "mages" shifts a bit — he's at his angriest directly after confronting one of his old tormentors (Hadriana). Having grown up in a society almost defined by mages abusing their power, he's very wary of any calls for mage freedom outside Tevinter.
  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.
- He's not immune to his own recriminations, however. A late-game line all but spells out that he believes he's been corrupted and spoiled by magic and regards himself with loathing.
Does Not Like Spam: He can't stand the smell of "Fish, fish and more fish. Pfaugh!"
Do Not Call Me "Paul": His response to his sister calling him by his real name at the end of "Alone" after he finds out she betrayed him is an angry "Stop calling me that!"
Don't You Dare Pity Me!: Despite his frequent mentioning of his past, he despises people attempting to empathize with him about it.
Drowning My Sorrows: His most personal conversations with Hawke tend to be over a drink, especially when he's about to confess something about his past. It's even implied that part of the reason he's content with staying in the rundown mansion is because of the wine cellar.
The Eeyore: Probably the most pessimistic of the group, 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.
Elfeminate: Lampshaded by Gamlen if a male Hawke romances him.
Gamlen: So, you're into elves, huh? I guess I don't have to ask which one of you's the girl.
Enemy Mine:
- He takes this approach about working with any mage except for, potentially, Hawke and Bethany. If asked about it when he's recruited, he says that he'll be watching the party's mages very closely. Much of his dialogue with Merrill is antagonistic over her blood magic and her naive attitudes regarding elves outside the Dalish, and Hawke can even gain rivalry with him for being nice to her. He tolerates her as a teammate — if only because Hawke is around. He's much more hostile towards Anders (and in this case the feelings are mutual), though with Bethany he merely suggests that she should be in the Circle; he likes her perfectly well otherwise, probably because she's wary of her powers and acknowledges that they can be dangerous.
- Exaggerated with Anders. Unlike Merrill, the two rarely have a conversation that doesn't end verging on violence. Even during Fenris' Act 3 quest, Anders is the only one to approve of selling him out to Danarius. Contrast that with Merrill being on the verge of tears. Even if the player doesn't decide to give Fenris back to Danarius, he'll call Fenris a hypocrite and say that he's just jealous when Fenris learns his sister is a mage, even though he likely didn't have any idea.
- The name of his 100% rival ability is even "Enemy of my Enemy".
Establishing Character Moment: The surviving leader of a group of slave hunters grabs his shoulder and calls him a slave. Fenris turns and shoves his hand through the guy's chest, crushing his heart and killing him instantly (and messily).
Everyone Has Standards:
- Despite his hatred of most mages, and his intense and mutual dislike of Anders, when Sebastian brings up the idea of turning him or Merrill in, Fenris angrily refuses to betray Hawke's friends and, by extension, Hawke.
- In spite of his belief that mages should be kept under control, his reactions in the quest "Shepherding Wolves" hint that even he has reservations about the treatment that Qunari mages receive.
- In the immediate aftermath of "Dissent", he simply suggests it's time Anders recognizes his limitations, and outright says he's not condemning Anders' efforts in general. Given what he just saw Alrik doing, it's not surprising.
- He doesn't really have the best opinion of elven culture, whether it's with the city elves or with the Dalish elves. However, while he will openly criticize them (and very bluntly, at that), he draws the line at being needlessly cruel to them and most of the time, approves of helping them when given good reason to. Regardless of his opinions of who has it worst in terms of oppression, he nevertheless acknowledges that elves everywhere are being oppressed.
Expository Hairstyle Change: Blue Wraith has him change his hairstyle from an Animesque one to an undercut with his bangs slicked back, showing his more hardened personality.
Fantastic Racism:
- He suspects that all mages, no matter their intentions, will eventually become power-hungry maniacs unless constantly controlled. If Hawke sides with the mages in "The Final Straw," Fenris will turn against them unless he has been permanently locked in as a friend or rival or Hawke calls him on the hypocrisy of supporting the enslavement of mages with Fenris still having a high enough approval rating with Hawke. With a high Friendship, Fenris can move a little past this issue in regards to mages. He admits in conversations with both Hawke (particularly a mage Hawke) and Anders in the third act that there are a few mages who are strong enough that they have proven that they do not require the Circle's supervision, pointing out Bethany or a mage Hawke as a specific example.
- Fenris is also not particularly fond of the Dalish. This is rooted in the Dalish viewing themselves as the Superior Elves. Though with that said, he doesn't think much better of city elves outside Tevinter, although he's nowhere near as condescending or cruel towards them like Sera from Dragon Age: Inquisition is, and mostly just wants to be left alone.
Foil:
- To Anders. The two are both former slaves (of a sort) that share an intense, unreasonable hatred of those similar to their oppressors who are ruled by their rage. Anders mocks him in Legacy, and they both take pleasure in taking petty digs at each other. The few notable differences between Fenris and Anders (aside from their clashing opinions) is that Fenris hasn't started a war yet; and unlike Anders, Fenris can see reason, admit if he's wrong or being hypocritical, and learn to move past his hatred, even if only a little.
- To Hadriana, though mostly only apparent in the Codex. She was treated cruelly by the other magisters and their apprentices, which slowly tore down her own decency and led to her own acts of cruelty to the slaves around her.
Freudian Excuse: His pretty horrifying life as a slave, as well as the fact that it was quite literally all he knew, explains quite a few of his antisocial tendencies.
Friends with Benefits: With Isabela if the player isn't romancing either of them.
Gay Option: One of two for a male Hawke.
Get Out!: If Hawke convinces him to spare his sister, he simply tells her to get out of his sight. She does, though not without dropping a bombshell about how he got his markings.
Gone Horribly Right: Danarius wanted a lyrium-empowered Magic Knight Super-Soldier. And, boy, did he get one...
Good Is Not Nice: Fenris is definitely a Jerkass much of the time and has a very abrasive personality, not to mention a strong prejudice against mages. He also tends to answer things like betrayal by ripping out the offender's heart. However, Fenris is fiercely loyal and protective to the few people he cares about, is capable of seeing past his anti-mage prejudices and can even be swayed into protecting various mages if given sufficient reason.
Good Scars, Evil Scars: All over his body. They look more like tattoos, however, and they're pretty, like the veins of leaves.
Green-Eyed Monster: He often snaps at Merrill because she's a (rather naive) blood mage, leading to some nasty moments, especially after her personal quests. But if the player pays attention to some of their conversations, his reasons become clear:
(during Act 1) You have all the freedom none of our kind enjoy, and you throw it away. On what?
(after "A Bitter Pill") You had a life. You had a family. And you abandoned them to chase after ghosts.
Happiness in Slavery:
- He tells Hawke that the reason most slaves don't simply run away or rebel is that they don't think of anything beyond satisfying their masters. The only reason he was able to subvert this trope and escape is because he was accidentally separated from Danarius for a few months and in the care of the Fog Warriors, who treated him as a person instead of an object or a pet. After Danarius returned, the Fog Warriors were prepared to fight to protect him, but Danarius ordered Fenris to kill them and he did so. The resulting What Have I Done shocked him to his core and he ran.
- If Hawke gives Fenris back to Danarius in Act 3, Danarius' letter states he has wiped Fenris' memories again and implies that he truly believes Fenris is happier as his perfectly obedient self.
Hates Being Touched:
- See above; between Fenris, Morrigan, and Ariane, this might be becoming a signature of the series. If romanced, he will obviously move out of this (with Hawke at least). In one of their possible romance scenes, he'll nearly attack Hawke when they surprise him with a touch.
- He continues to suffer from the trope by the events of Blue Wraith, where he reflexively shoots Vaea a Death Glare when she tries to put her hand on his shoulder.
Headbutting Heroes: He hates the party mages who are careless about their abilities — Anders for thinking he can take a spirit into him and remain in control and Merrill for believing herself justified in using blood magic. He is much more lenient toward Bethany, who is wary of her abilities and wishes she could be normal, and potentially a mage Hawke.
Heroic Neutral: While he's tired of hiding, he doesn't encourage getting involved in other peoples' business.
Hidden Depths:
- He is surprisingly fluent in Qunlat and Qunari customs (to the point he actually manages to impress the Arishok if he is in the party on their first meeting).
- In spite of his illiteracy, he is far more well-spoken and intelligent that what anyone would expect from a slave.
- Despite his disdain for the Dalish, Fenris does express interest in halla.
Hollywood Atheist:
- Subversion. His banter with Sebastian reveals that while he's not entirely convinced that the Maker exists, he does feel compelled to believe in something. It's even implied in Act 3 that Sebastian may be rubbing off on him.
  Sebastian: I saw you at the Chantry last week, Fenris, but I haven't seen you back since.
  Fenris: I was only delivering something... you needn't concern yourself.
  Sebastian: But you were praying. Or was that part of the delivery?
  Fenris: I was... trying to blend in.
  Sebastian: [laughs] Oh, yes! You wouldn't want to ruin your reputation.
  Fenris: Don't you have a city to re-conquer?
- Some banter with Anders confirms this even if you don't have Sebastian's DLC.
  Anders: Did you ever think about killing yourself?
  Fenris: I could ask you the same thing.
  Anders: I'm serious. To get out of slavery, to escape Danarius... don't tell me you never thought about it.
  Fenris: I did not. To kill oneself is a sin in the eyes of the Maker.
  Anders: You... believe that?
  Fenris: I try to. Some things must be worse than slavery.
  Anders: Some things are worse than death.
Hiding Behind Your Bangs: Camera angles and his tendency to duck his head or look away during some emotionally-charged moments mean his hair sometimes covers his eyes, which emphasizes his vulnerability.
Homeless Hero: Fenris squats in his former master's abandoned Hightown mansion, which has corpses lying around in places.
Hypocrite:
- He believes mages are too powerful to be trusted and will inevitably abuse their power, so they should accept being enslaved and controlled by the Chantry. He himself is an escaped slave with magical powers who is being hunted by his former master. Anders and Hawke call him out on it once or twice.
  Anders/Justice: And he is so free to condemn others for the same sin.
- He mocks Hawke for making a deal with the demon during "Night Terrors"... and then proceeds to make a deal with a demon himself shortly after.
- Fenris has little sympathy for free elves (both city and Dalish) because he feels they squander their freedom, and that slaves have it worse anyway. Yet he himself doesn't do much with his freedom besides squat in an abandoned mansion and hit the wine cellar whenever he's not trailing after Hawke (and still does so even if he kills Danarius). Also, while not slaves, he overlooks how most city elves (at least) are so second-class there's practically little difference, and that they don't use their "freedom" to strive for more because they have also been conditioned by their respective societies not to expect or hope for more.
- Fenris berates Merrill for giving up her home and family to "chase ghosts" uncovering lost elvhen artifacts, and Merrill counters that he's also risking his hard-won freedom and new life in Kirkwall on the off-chance that he might uncover memories of his past. While Fenris claims he at least has nothing to lose, he overlooks how Merrill was kept separate from and made to feel like an outsider in her Clan too, and Fenris himself often pushes away people who try to get close to him (particularly other elves).
- On a less antagonistic note, in Mark of the Assassin Fenris tries to discourage Hawke from risking themself by getting involved in the affairs of others... even though the whole reason Fenris and Hawke started traveling together was because Hawke was willing to risk getting involved in Fenris' affairs, and continues to do so every time Fenris asks for further assistance against Danarius in his personal quests.
I Can't Believe a Guy Like You Would Notice Me: He seems taken aback that Hawke would be romantically interested in him if they flirt with him. Especially true later on, where he believes that as a former slave he has nothing interesting to provide to Hawke.
I Can't Do This by Myself: From the moment Hawke meets him, he'll ask for their help using pretty much these exact words. This comes up in his later personal quests as well.
I Just Want to Be Free: Much of Fenris' personal quests deal with how he still doesn't feel free even after escaping his Master, Danarius, and is semi-actively hunting him down to ensure he actually gets to be free.
I Lied: Immediately kills a Tevinter mage after she gives him information in exchange for being spared, mercilessly. His demeanor makes it plain he wishes he could have made it more painful and cruel.
I Need a Freaking Drink/In Vino Veritas: He's a lot more talkative when he's drunk, and willing to bring up his past in a bit more detail. He also will happily toast a Hawke (even a mage Hawke) who pursued a Friendship with him, and even gets rather flirty at one point, a far call from his usual broody, slightly awkward self.
Identity Amnesia: The lyrium-infusion ritual wiped his memory.
If It's You, It's Okay: A possible example. Despite his general hatred and suspicion of anything magic related, getting romantically involved with a mage Hawke doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest. Well, not in the magic department, anyway.
- During party banter with Anders, Fenris will admit that he considers Hawke (or Bethany) a strong mage who doesn't need supervision.
  - This is even present if Hawke only pursues a Friendship with him as a mage. At the end of his "Questioning Beliefs" quest in Act 2, he will toast Hawke with a happy smile on his face, stating, "Here's to you, Hawke. A finer mage, I have never met." Considering that he seems to hate every other mage (sans Bethany), this says a lot.
- He also mentions this nearly by name if romanced during in the aforementioned quest. Due to the lyrium in his skin and his life in slavery, he Hates Being Touched and has serious trust issues; he's never needed or wanted anyone before — but Hawke is unlike anyone he's ever met and might be different.
If You Ever Do Anything to Hurt Her...: He will warn Anders in this manner, if Fenris dumped Hawke and Hawke eventually moves on with Anders.
Fenris: You... are living with Hawke now?
Anders: What of it?
Fenris: Be good to them. Break their heart, and I will kill you.
Ink-Suit Actor: Not quite, but he does bear more than a passing resemblance to his voice actor.
Insistent Terminology: Fenris makes it clear there's a difference between a mage and a magister, but assumes all mages will eventually become magisters anyway.
Intangibility: The lyrium-infusion gives him the power to make himself partially intangible.
It Has Been an Honor: Expresses this to Hawke just before the final battle if he is a friend.
Fenris: You're a good friend, the only one I've ever had. It will be an honor to fight at your side.
It's Not You, It's Me: He gives this apology to Hawke after their first night together, having momentarily gained back and instantly lost his pre-ritual memories.
Jerkass Has a Point: He's obviously prejudiced against mages because of his past experiences, so most of his opinions on them are pretty harsh and can sometimes veer into unreasonable. However, he does actually make a good point on occasion.
Fenris: I know magic has its uses, and there are undoubtedly mages with good intentions. But even the best-intentioned mage can fall prey to temptation, and then their power is a curse to inflict upon others.
Jerk with a Heart of Gold: While he does have a searing hatred of mages (although he has respect for ones he deem "stable," like Mage Hawke and Bethany), he's ultimately just a bit cranky and gradually becomes a pretty likeable guy, especially if in a friendship with Hawke. He even starts playing cards once a week with Varric and Donnic.
Kick the Dog:
- Viciously insulting an already devastated Merrill at the end of both of her personal quests.
- Not quite as bad as the above, but after the party helps him clear out the mansion (possibly free of charge), if a mage is in the party he will refer to them as "a viper", and warning Hawke that "it" will only turn on them later. Considering they have done nothing but help him at this point (even Anders is sympathetic to him at first), this might come off as a bit much. He does apologize when called out on it, at least.
- He approves of dealing with a demon during "Night Terrors," dooming an innocent to possession in the process and risking the lives of everyone around him, as long as Anders is in the party — because Hawke will have to fight him when Justice/Vengeance (the dominant personality in the Fade) objects.
- In a minor quest, Hawke gives a letter to Thrask, whose daughter is a mage. He is the only one who disapproves if Hawke assures the Templar that his secret is safe, and even approves (while the rest disapprove in turn) if Hawke chooses to blackmail him instead for his silence.
The Lady's Favour: The red wristband he begins wearing after spending the night with Hawke is Hawke's favor to him. He also wears Hawke's sigil on his belt.
Leitmotif: He's the only companion that has a named theme in the official soundtrack. "Fenris' Theme" is a slow and melancholy piece that combines Playing the Heart Strings with bits of a soft One-Woman Wail.
Lightning Bruiser: As a warrior specializing in two-handed weapons, Fenris can hack through low-level enemies almost as easily as he can stick a hand through someone's chest. His unique specialization combines the best passive skills from the Reaver and Berserker classes into one lethal package, allowing him to increase his attack speed and restore his stamina every time he kills an enemy, causing his battle effectiveness to snowball. Low survivability, the one weakness of two-handers, is partially mitigated by his "Lyrium Ghost" sustained mode.
Locked into Strangeness: Blue Wraith reveals that before he was given the lyrium markings, Fenris had blonde hair.
Long-Lost Relative: He has a sister named Varania. Like Alistair before him, the reunion doesn't go well. But in Fenris's case, the sister can wind up dead — by his own hand.
Marked Change: He's already dangerous enough as is, but his lyrium tattoos light up when he draws power from them and make him even more dangerous.
Meaningful Name: Shares his name with the monstrous wolf Fenrir of Norse mythology, who slays Odin during Ragnarök (an apocalypse of terrible winter and war) after breaking free of his magical bindings. In Dragon Age lore, it means "little wolf" in Elvish^ETYM, and was chosen by his former master. His birth name, Leto, directly translates as "summer" in some Slavic languages, and "he who is always happy" in Latin. Considering his current less than sunny disposition, this goes to show how much he's lost.
Misery Poker: Unless you're a Tevinter slave muggle, don't talk about your problems in front of Fenris unless you want to hear about how he's seen and experienced far worse. Particularly mages and elves; He has no sympathy for Southern Thedas mages because Tevinter slaves are treated worse by Tevinter mages, and he doesn't care about Southern Thedas city elves because Tevinter elves have it worse anyway.
Mirror Character: For how much Fenris and Anders hate each other, they're both "angry homeless men" who were subject to institutionalized injustice due to their birth (Anders for being a mage born outside Tevinter, Fenris for being a Tevinter elven slave), both had to fight for their freedom, both carry a bitter hatred of people like those who oppressed them (Anders for non-mages, Fenris for mages), and both have some strong Misery Poker tendencies; both dismissing the plight of people not like themselves (mages for Anders, Tevinter slaves for Fenris) because they both believe they suffered worse. Their Leitmotifs are even very similar to each other. That being said, Fenris can acknowledge if the party he often disagrees with raises a fair point, he can be pushed in the right direction, and he can also improve his stances on mages (even if just by a small margin), but it's impossible to talk Anders out of his mindset until it's far too late.
Morality Pet: Although he is eager to pounce on the faults of mages, his relationship with Bethany is generally quite cordial. Hawke can qualify as a second example, especially if they're a mage and especially if they're engaged in a romance with him.
More than Mind Control: By his own words, a slave does not dream of freedom but thinks only of satisfying his master. Fenris's initial escape had been an accident, not deliberate, and even after months spent outside of his master's influence, upon his return it felt unthinkable for him to do anything but obey. Danarius also claims that Fenris had once felt affection for him. Of course, it bears remembering that Danarius is a Tevinter magister.
Mr. Fanservice: That's pretty much runs the norm for elves anyway; especially if they have white hair, green eyes, a Dark and Troubled Past, and happens to wear skin-tight black clothing. The cover for the first issue of Blue Wraith even has him suffering from Clothing Damage, revealing a lot of his bare back.
Mundane Utility: Isabela thinks his ability to phase through could help remove sharp objects from people, while Varric thinks it could make pickpocketing easier.
Muscles Are Meaningless: Very wiry and slender, and uses double-handed weapons that are sometimes bigger than he is with ease. A few of the cutscenes also show off his physical strength as he can snap necks and toss around human adults with no trouble. Granted, the lyrium under his skin appears to also augment his strength and he mentions intense physical training.
My Species Doth Protest Too Much: Before Sera in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Fenris was very much the model "not like other elves" "human in elven skin" of the series. In his case, it is somewhat Justified as he doesn't have any elven friends, family, or community that he knows of thanks to an agonizing magical ritual that wiped all his memories, and Tevinter has both human and elven slaves. Nevertheless, he's very critical of the flaws of Southern Thedas elven cultures, pointedly refuses to bond with any elves (especially Merrill) due to their shared elven heritage, and while he often harps about Tevinter magisters all being mages, he never once expresses frustration that elves in and out of Tevinter must all bow to human masters. However, unlike Sera, he doesn't engage or even encourage any useless cruelty against them simply because they're not the "same kind" of elf like him.
Mystical White Hair: Fenris has snow-white hair to go with his lyrium markings and the magical abilities they give him. Given the contrast with his dark eyebrows, it's speculated that having the markings infused into his skin also turned his hair white. This is eventually confirmed in the comic Blue Wraith, where a flashback to the time just before Leto received his markings shows that he used to have blonde hair.
Never Learned to Read: Comes with the territory as a former slave. Hawke can teach him, though, and will occasionally remark upon his reading in ambient dialogue at the estate.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Fenris competed for a boon to free his family. He then got the previously-unknown "honor" of being subjected to an agonizing ritual that reduced him to an amnesia-addled, lyrium-scarred Magic Knight Super-Soldier Right-Hand Attack Dog and Sex Slave for a corrupt magister. After fleeing said master for years, he finds a brief Hope Spot in reuniting with his lost sister... only to learn she sold him out to said master, because the freedom he underwent so much agony to win for her and their mother turned out not to be a boon after all. Ouch.
No Social Skills: His intense bitterness and lack of life experience outside of Tevinter slavery left him bitter, largely tactless, and extremely poor at forming relationships with others. Depending on his relationship with Hawke, he does get better.
Noodle Implements: During his recruitment quest, Hawke opens a chest in a house in the alienage, expecting to recover Anso's lost property, but it's empty. During their first conversation with Fenris, he inquires what was in the chest, and upon learning that it was empty, admits that he should have expected nothing less. Hawke asks what he thought would be there, but he doesn't actually answer the question, nor is it ever mentioned again.
"Not So Different" Remark:
- In "Night Terrors," if he is brought to the Fade, Hawke can say that if he takes the pride demon's offer of power, then he is no better than the magisters. It doesn't work.
- As Merrill points out in party banter, they both chase after a forgotten past: she the lost culture and magical technology of their people, Fenris his forgotten life and memories. It doesn't endear her to him any, but she's not wrong either. However, Fenris does fire back that at least he has nothing to lose from the start, while she had everything that many would dream of having, such as a home and a family, but she didn't hesitate to give it all up. However, Merrill does point out that Fenris is risking his hard-won freedom and new home in Kirkwall on the off chance that he might learn something about his past, playing the trope straight.
Odd Couple: With a mage-supporting (or just mage) Hawke. Both he and a mage Hawke can note the irony of it at one point.
Odd Friendship: He has a few.
- With Sebastian. Their world views are extremely different, but they like each other a lot.
- With Bethany or a mage Hawke, despite his dislike of mages; he gets along very well with either of them, even noting to Anders in party banter that he considers them strong enough to live outside the Circle without supervision.
- With Aveline, and by extension Donnic, who stops by his mansion to play a hand of cards every week, but tells Aveline they never gamble.
  Fenris: He's a good man, Aveline. I enjoy his company.
Omniglot: He speaks Tevene, the common tongue (the language of the Dwarves 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.
Only Friend: He admits more than once that he's not certain what having a friend means. While he's opened up a fair bit by the third act, Hawke is one of the few people he feels comfortable outright calling a friend.
Optional Party Member: Besides Sebastian, who is a DLC character, Fenris the only other companion (besides Isabela, should Hawke never approach her) among the companions who can potentially be recruited in Act 1. Hawke can only meet him by doing a side quest in Act 1; fail to complete it and he's Permanently Missable.
Pardon My Klingon: He uses Tevinter swear words when he is upset, although there are a few times when he speaks in Tevene to give a civil or a commendatory statement.
Permanently Missable Content: Unlike the other companions, his personal questline and romance can be completely derailed if the player doesn't use him in the right area at the right time.
Phlebotinum Rebel: The same markings that made him a valuable bodyguard also help him repel any attempts to recapture him.
Power Dyes Your Hair: Since his eyebrows don't match the hair on his head and his sister is a redhead, many fans believe that his hair was once brown/black but turned white during the lyrium branding process. It gets stranger when Blue Wraith reveals that he actually used to have blonde hair.
Power Glows: His lyrium scars glow when he is phasing. Some Party Banter suggests they have a slight glow, visible through clothing, even when he isn't using his powers. Varric thinks this is "kind of cool."
Power Tattoo: The lyrium tattoos, obviously. They aren't just there for show, as they show how the lyrium is infused throughout his body, and the tattoos glow should he use the lyrium to perform superhuman feats.
Precision F-Strike: Putting aside some of his curses in Tevene, he outright calls Hadriana a "bitch" after killing her, showing just how much he hates her to the point that he can't bring himself to spare her despite promising to do so.
Pretty Boy: He's most likely older than twenty, but considering the new, leaner body model for elves, he certainly fits the aesthetic.
Primal Stance: Compare his posture with, say, Merrill's.
Properly Paranoid: He suspects slavers around every corner and a trap behind every stroke of luck. He's usually right.
Puppy-Dog Eyes: During his romance scenes — and every time Hawke's back is turned, if Merrill is to be believed, though he denies it.
Fenris: There are no puppy eyes!
Rape as Backstory: Given that he served both as Danarius' bodyguard and Sex Slave, this trope takes effect. It puts Isabela's "glistening" joke in Act 2 in a rather unfortunate light; although Fenris seems to take it rather well, all things considered.
Reconstruction: Of the stereotypical roleplayer's "first D&D character," being a brooding, sexy lone wolf, too-hardcore magical elf ninja with a dark past, a bad attitude, and special rage powers who might as well be wielding a katana and seems inspired by an overindulgence in juvenile shonen manga and cheap fantasy literature. Not only does the story go to great lengths to show just how "uncool" this type of character really is (yes, you can go on an awesome, bloody revenge spree against the people who ruined your life... but then what? "Broody, violent and aloof" also isn't much fun to be around, so good luck making friends when you need them), it constantly and deliberately pokes fun at it and the more it develops, the more does Fenris' character grow beyond its roots into a more well-rounded and sympathetic one. Bonus points for showing that as he does that, he naturally becomes more comfortable around others, eventually coming to genuinely like spending time with his friends and even fooling around a bit rather than spending all of his time looking "dark and aloof".
Revenge Before Reason:
- In his personal quest in Act 2, he kills a hired sword after interrogating him, and then kills Hadriana despite promising not to kill the latter in return for information about his past. Neither of these people were exactly innocent (Hadriana may have even deserved it), but he still killed them after it was obvious they were no longer a threat to him. He also yells at Hawke if they try to call him out on it. To his credit, he does clearly regret his behavior, and he goes to Hawke to apologize later. He even claims he genuinely intended to let Hadriana go, and is ashamed that he gave into his hatred when he thought he'd moved past it.
- Even in Act 3, he will kill his sister who, while she did sell him out to Danarius and thinks that he never did their family any favors, she betrayed him purely out of desperation, did not participate in the ensuing fight, and is completely unarmed and cowering in the corner at the time. His Character Development is showcased in how Hawke and the others can talk him out of it.
Saved to Enslave: Fenris' personal quest "A Bitter Pill" ends with Hawke rescuing an elf named Orana. Should Hawke offer her work at the Hawke Manor, Fenris reacts with derision. The player can then choose to make her a slave and play this trope straight or avert it and offer her a paid position.
Scars Are Forever: Due to being infused with lyrium when he was transformed. They cause him some amount of pain, more so when touched.
Seen It All: He gives off this impression with his generally stoic reactions, especially concerning the darker side of magic, though he is not in all likelihood older than his mid-twenties.
Sex Slave: Although his primary purpose was to be Danarius' bodyguard/living weapon, David Gaider confirmed that he also served in such a capacity.
Shut Up, Hannibal!: He gives a rather spectacular one to Danarius when he starts in on an evil rant in his final personal quest.
Fenris: (scars glowing) Shut your mouth, Danarius!
Danarius: (frustrated sigh) The word is "master."
Slave Collar: According to him, he used to have one, as Danarius used to like to keep him leashed as a parody of a saarebas (a Qunari mage, who are all chained and collared by default).
So What Do We Do Now?: The gist of his final "Questioning Beliefs" conversation. He decides that even if neither he nor Hawke has a clear answer, it's entirely his decision for once.
Fenris: The future of a slave is never uncertain, but I am no longer a slave. Perhaps it is time I remembered that.
Spikes of Villainy: The implications of the spikes all over his armor is discussed by the party once or twice, though he's an Anti-Hero.
Varric: You do know the elf is covered in spikes, like an angsty porcupine? He might have some... issues.
The Stoic: It's highlighted most in combat. Every other character shouts in the heat of battle, but Fenris, tending toward Tranquil Fury as he does, with the exception of a few battle cries, delivers his combat lines in the same dry tone he uses in casual conversation. That being said, he does lose composure in battle should Hawke get knocked unconscious.
Straight Man and Wise Guy: Straight man to Snarky! Hawke / Varric / Isabela.
Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Very icy by default, but if accompanying the right people or if Hawke is nice to him (or even romances him), he can show his softer side.
Super-Soldier: He mentions that there are other soldiers with markings like his, but they're very rare. He had to compete against other warriors to earn the "honor", not that he was told about it going in.
Tempting Fate: In his first Act 2 conversation, he reflects that it's been three years since Danarius sent anyone after him, and dares to hope that he's finally given up. Naturally, his personal quest for that act proves him wrong.
Tired of Running: He's already been on the run for around three years when Hawke first meets him. He chooses to stay in Kirkwall because it's a "fortified position" and Hawke is his first ally of any substance.
Tranquil Fury: Constantly, to the point that he has an actual class ability (Veneer of Calm) that gives him a bonus to damage as his health drops.
Troubled, but Cute: He claims he doesn't brood. Varric isn't buying it for a second and describes him as broody every now and then.
Undying Loyalty: While it's a given with every companion (except Sebastian and Anders), so as long as he's a full friend or rival and all his personal quests are completed, Fenris will pledge his loyalty to Hawke. His loyalty is steadfast to the point that even if Hawke sides with the mages at the endgame, he states that while he thinks it's a mistake he refuses to turn on them.
Unstoppable Rage: He usually doesn't emote much, but once any of his buttons is pushed, he's quick to reveal just how much fury he keeps bottled up.
Vengeance Feels Empty: The aftermath of both his personal quests. In spite of years of abuse, he feels only disquiet after killing Hadriana — and finally killing Danarius leaves him wondering what he's going to do next. He also doesn't feel satisfied in the least bit should he kill Varania in his final personal quest.
Villains Never Lie: Averted for Hadriana, played straight for Danarius. While Fenris is understandably skeptical of Hadriana's information on his "sister" which he spends years cautiously researching to make sure it's true, he and the party take Danarius's and Varania's claim that Fenris had competed for his lyrium markings at face value.
Warrior vs. Sorcerer: He's an elven warrior and former slave who's been spending the past few years hunting down Tevinter slavers, all of whom are magisters. More specifically, his personal questline deals with hunting down the magister named Danarius, who has been keeping Fenris' mother and sister as slaves.
What Have I Done: The incident that prompted him to run away from Danarius when he killed the Fog Warriors, who had rescued and cared for him, on Danarius' orders. He says at first it wasn't Danarius he was running from.
What the Hell, Hero?:
- Hawke can give him one of these for breaking his word about leaving Hadriana alive. While he lashes out at Hawke for it, he does apologize later and states that Hawke did not deserve that response.
- With a high enough approval, in the endgame, Hawke can also call him out on his hypocrisy concerning keeping mages captive during the final quest and get him to turn his back on supporting Meredith. It says something about how much he respects Hawke that he can change his stance with only a single statement, considering how Anders has been browbeating him about that particular issue since Act 1.
- He himself will be furious at Hawke if they choose to take Orana as a slave. Be particularly blasé about it and he'll curse at Hawke in Tevene and spit at the ground before storming off. ^note
- After the final events of Merrill's second personal quest, Fenris will be particularly hostile towards her, calling her a "witch".
- He also calls out Isabela on her actions near the end of the second act, since when the Arishok declares that he'll bring both the tome of Koslun and Isabela back to Par Vollen, he tells Isabela that she can't expect to get off scot-free for what she did.
With Us or Against Us: Played with and very much downplayed, especially when compared to Anders. Fenris naturally disapproves whenever Hawke expresses support of mage freedom or even simply sympathy of the mages' plight, and in party banter he can needle others for their opinions on mages and Templars. To his credit, with the exceptions of Anders and Merrill, he doesn't immediately regard the other companions as enemies if their opinion slightly differs from his, and in case he and Hawke are rivals (which is easy to achieve with a pro-mage Hawke) the "worst" part of their relationship is that they mutually Agree to Disagree. And should Hawke achieve a full rivalry with Fenris and choose to support the mages in the endgame, Fenris will not hesitate to stand with Hawke even if he disagrees with his actions, which is the same reaction he makes as a full friend.
You Are a Credit to Your Race: His opinion of Bethany or a mage Hawke. He gains a great deal of respect for them for their ability to control their power and temptation, and believes that they have proven themselves strong enough that they do not need the supervision of the Circle.
You Are Better Than You Think You Are: When Sebastian suggests he train other elves as they'd admire his accomplishments, Fenris sounds genuinely confused and says he hasn't accomplished anything. Sebastian doesn't think he's giving himself enough credit.

Characters / Dragon Age II Warriors

Captain Aveline Vallen

Appears in: Dragon Age II | Inquisition^noteWar table

Voiced by: Joanna Roth (English), Gundi Eberhard (German)

Dog

Appears in: Dragon Age II

Fenris

Appears in: Dragon Age II | Blue Wraith | Dark Fortress

Voiced by: Gideon Emery (English)^{Foreign VAs}Dennis Schmidt-Foß (German)

Alternative Title(s): Dragon Age Fenris

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Characters / Dragon Age II Warriors

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Captain Aveline Vallen

Appears in: Dragon Age II | Inquisitionnote War table

Voiced by: Joanna Roth (English), Gundi Eberhard (German)

Dog

Appears in: Dragon Age II

Fenris

Appears in: Dragon Age II | Blue Wraith | Dark Fortress

Voiced by: Gideon Emery (English)Foreign VAsDennis Schmidt-Foß (German)

Alternative Title(s): Dragon Age Fenris

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Appears in: Dragon Age II | Inquisition^noteWar table

Voiced by: Gideon Emery (English)^{Foreign VAs}Dennis Schmidt-Foß (German)