These Dragon Age Characters Change The Most Throughout The Series

Key Takeaways

• Leliana evolves from a sweet bard to a cold spymaster, willing to order deaths in Inquisition.
• Morrigan remains power-hungry, but Kieran softens her; but she is still obsessed with Ancient Elven magic in Inquisition.
• Varric evolves from a likable scoundrel to a mellow rogue, showing incomparable loyalty as stakes grow in Inquisition.

There is no fantasy RPG series more lauded than that of BioWare’s Dragon Age. Beginning in 2009 with Dragon Age: Origins, the Dragon Age franchise is known for its tasteful blend of dark fantasy, complex storylines, and best of all, compelling character progression.

Dragon Age has produced some of the best characters in video game history, with varying motivations and backgrounds that draw you in instantly. Characters in the franchise have undoubtedly grown and developed over time, maturing and changing for the better or worse. With things coming to a head in Dragon Age: Veilguard, we take a look back to see which of these characters has changed immensely since they were first introduced.

6

Leliana

Leliana was initially introduced to us in Dragon Age: Origins, traveling with the Hero of Ferelden to end the Fifth Blight. A talented bard and former Chantry lay sister, Leliana was infinitely sweeter and more expressive in Origins compared to later iterations of her. However, her occupation as a literal spy and the multiple betrayals (from Marjolaine and the Warden, if that option is chosen) she experienced morphed her into what we see in Inquisition.

A cold, practical woman by the third game – even more so after the death of the Divine – Leliana has no qualms about ordering the deaths of those who either betray or work against her. There were several opportunities where the Inquisitor could soften or harden her, but ultimately, Leliana’s transformation into a competent yet distant spymaster proved an inevitable outcome.

5

Morrigan

Sharp-tongued with an even sharper wit, Morrigan undergoes a gradual change from when you first see her in Origins, all the way to meeting her again in Inquisition. A powerful mage and daughter to Flemeth (aka Elven goddess Mythal’s vessel), interactions with Morrigan in the first game show her as power-hungry in a Machiavellian sense and generally indifferent to others’ feelings.

In Inquisition, you encounter Morrigan once more at the Winter Palace, with the witch unsurprisingly climbing the ladder to become Empress Celene’s Arcane Advisor. Morrigan’s self-seeking nature never left her, nor has her obsession with Ancient Elven magic. However, her son Kieran’s existence – though initially done for necessity’s sake and hunger for more power – has softened Morrigan somewhat, to the point where she was prepared to put herself on the line to protect him from Flemeth.

4

Varric Tethras

A fan favorite of the franchise, the quick-witted, business-savvy wordsmith and rogue Varric Tethras has had a long journey, to say the least. Armed with witty quips, good humor, and his beloved Bianca, Varric was a likable scoundrel before his career as an adventurer and companion to Thedas’ greatest heroes, but the loss of his brother and further tragedies have gradually changed Varric.

As we get to Inquisition and eventually Veilguard, Varric seems to have mellowed out with each successive game. Although still capable of great humor and incomparable loyalty, Varric is a far cry from the dwarf we were introduced to in Dragon Age 2, with the stakes only growing ever higher.

3

Cullen Rutherford

When you first meet Cullen Rutherford in Dragon Age: Origins, it becomes apparent that he is extremely committed to the Templar cause. Initially somewhat naive, Cullen does things by the book and holds views that align with the Templars’ prejudiced beliefs against mages, being one of Knight-Commander Meredith’s most stringent supporters early on.

By the time you meet him in Dragon Age: Inquisition, however, Cullen has undergone a deep change within himself. Disillusioned by his experiences during the events of Dragon Age 2, the man you meet in Inquisition struggles with lyrium withdrawals and deeply laments his prior conduct against mages. Ultimately, Cullen is a character that exemplifies regret and the awareness to change for the better.

2

Anders

First encountered in Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, Anders is a mage who seems to have bore all of Thedas’ prejudices against him with sarcastic humor and wit. A man who detests the Circles of Magi and the Templar Order, Anders rails against the unjust treatment he’s experienced as a mage but seems initially occupied by self-preservation.

It isn’t until he meets Justice that he takes a turn, taking an interest in alleviating the plight of other mages. Possessed by Justice and turned into a revolutionary, Dragon Age 2 sees a darker side to Anders. Although well-intentioned, Anders’ gradual loss of control of Justice-turned-Vengeance and years of pent-up anger blew up the powder keg brewing in Kirkwall.

1

Iron Bull

Although Iron Bull has only been featured in one game within the franchise, he is undoubtedly one of the characters that underwent a huge change within his narrative arc. An agent of the Qun doubling as the leader of a mercenary band, Iron Bull is a humorous thrill-chaser who never hid the fact that he was spying on you for the Qun.

He shows that he clearly enjoys his life alongside his Chargers, which is anathema to the teachings of the Qun despite still passionately spouting their tenets whenever asked. If you choose to save the Bull’s Chargers during his personal quest, Iron Bull forms more genuine connections with the Inquisitor and the other companions while beginning a difficult path towards self-acceptance after being rejected by those who created him.