Summary
The fourth installment in theDragon Agefranchise,Dragon Age: The Veilguard, marks the long-awaited return of the series, delighting fans with a new and exciting adventure to experience as Rook, the moniker given to the player character. Alongsidea host of new companionsare several familiar faces returning to the franchise from previous installments.
Characters do have a habit of returning from previous games, reprising their roles with a new look and a slightly altered personality, as the passing of time and the events they’ve endured change them as people. With several characters returning inTheVeilguard, now is the time to look atthose characters that have changed the most throughout theDragon Ageseries.
Most will likely knowIsabelafor the major role she played inDragon Age 2, acting as both a companion and a potential romance option for Hawke. However, this was not the first time the sea-faring ship captain appeared in the series. She had a minor role inOrigins, found in a place known as The Pearl with somenifty rogue knowledgeshe could pass on to the Warden. They could either play a game of cards, or join Isabela romantically for one time only. Though she is more than happy to cheat at cards, she refuses to cause trouble between the Warden and any romantic partner who balks at their and Isabela’s flirting.
This brief tenure inOriginswas not her only appearance in the series, however. She returns in the follow-up game with a much-needed make-over and a much bigger part to play. She still has the same swagger and bombastic personality as before, but more screen time allows it to shine through, as do the parts of herself she keeps hidden, such as the buried kindness brought out by characters like Merrill.
5Morrigan
A Rags To Riches Story
A companion character who debuted inOrigins,Morriganwas a pinnacle character in the Warden’s story who went on to have great influence throughout the game. She spent her life dwelling in the swamp with her mother, Flemeth, who then prompted Morrigan to join the Warden and Alistair on their quest to face down the Darkspawn threat. She is relentlessly snarky, especially towards Alistair, and often voices her disdain for men. With the help of the Warden, Morrigan bears a child, allowing her to prevent the Warden’s death from the Archdemon’s Dark Ritual by causing the creature’s soul to pass to her unborn child rather than the Warden.
Players can follow up with her in theWitch HuntDLC, but she leaves Ferelden through the Eluvian, saying that she needs to prepare for the world’s changing. She does not stay gone. Morrigan returns inInquisitionas an advisor to Empress Celene, after quickly gaining the ruler’s approval thanks to herknowledge of the arcane. Considering she started her life in a hut, Morrigan definitely did well for herself, carving out a life of influence and power.
Varricwas introduced inDragon Age 2as a character with great panache, intervening to prevent a pickpocket from fleeing with Hawke’s coin. He went on to become one of the game’s major companions, the one narrating Hawke’s exploits to Cassandra, told with a particular flair for story-telling and dramatics that only Varric could muster. He proves himself a loyal friend to Hawke and co., always ready to lend a helping hand or even offer advice on Hawke’s love life.
Inquisitionchips away a little at Varric’s witty disposition, the events he went through, and how time has hardened his character. With hisreturn imminent inTheVeilguard, time will only tell if his character has evolved even further.
Lelianais one of the franchise’s most popular characters, playing a different role in each of her appearances. She was recruitable inOriginsas a Chantry sister, but it quickly became evident that she has quite a history, and sheknows how to handle herself in a fight. It turns out that she used to work as an Orlesian bard, as outlined in the DLCLeliana’s Song, which delves more into this sordid backstory. Her jovial and kind nature hides this story well, but is it all a front, or is it her genuine personality?
Whatever the case may be, she changed even more before appearing inInquisition, where she reveals herself as an advisor who is willing to operate from the shadows, preferring a more stealthy touch when handling War Table missions. The sunny and cheerful girl fans knew fromOriginsis no more, as she appears colder, more calculating, and ruthless in how she deals with her foes.
2Cullen Rutherford
The Templar Goes Through Huge Personality Shifts Throughout The Series
Cullen’stenure inDragon Agebegan inOrigins, where he had a minor role in the Circle of Magi as one of the Templars charged with overseeing the mages who lived in the tower. He had a shy, nervous nature, made evident if the female Amell chooses to flirt with him at the start of the game. He returns in the “Broken Circle” quest later in the game, displaying his loyalty to the Templars and distrust of the mages by telling the Warden thatall the remaining mages must be eradicated.
He returns inDragon Age2as a loyal second-in-command officer to Knight-Commander Meredith, who lauds over her position with vicious zeal. At first, he followed Meredith’s convictions, but turned on her at the end of the game, believing she had gone too far. Yet still, his previous actions and lyrium addiction haunt him inInquisition, where he returns as an advisor to the Herald of Andraste. He is a much-changed man at this point, harrowed by his time spent as a Templar, battling against his vengeful disposition towards mages.
1Anders
His Pact Caused Drastic Changes
Dragon Age: Awakeningwas a full-lengthexpansion toOrigins, but is effectively a full game in its own right, featuring a healthy amount of gameplay and new characters the Warden can recruit to their latest cause. Anders is one such character, a mage caught literally red-handed. Surrounded by the bodies of both Darkspawn and Templars, he claims that he only killed the Darkspawn as he shakes the fire from his hands. He has little interest in helping other mages or their collective cause and seems like he is only out for himself.
However, a conversation with the spirit of Justice and the pact that they forge seems to change that. He allows Justice to inhabit this body and takes a more proactive role in campaigning for mage rights, which quickly becomes an obsession. This culminates in his detonating of the Chantry at the end ofDragon Age 2.He came to believe that there was no other path forward for the mages and that peace between them and the Templars was no longer an option. This was a very drastic change from the Anders who players met inAwakening.
