Summary
- Isabela's evolution from a minor role in Origins to a major part in Dragon Age 2 showcases her character growth.
- Morrigan's journey from the swamp to becoming an advisor in Inquisition displays personal growth and influence.
- Varric's progression from a witty companion to a more mature character reflects the impact of events on his personality.
The fourth installment in the Dragon Age franchise, 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. Alongside a host of new companions are several familiar faces returning to the franchise from previous installments.
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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 in The Veilguard, now is the time to look at those characters that have changed the most throughout the Dragon Age series.
6 Isabela
From One-Time Companion To Fully Fledged Party Member
Dragon Age: Origins
- Appears in: Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2
Most will likely know Isabela for the major role she played in Dragon 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 in Origins, found in a place known as The Pearl with some nifty rogue knowledge she 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 in Origins was 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.
5 Morrigan
A Rags To Riches Story
- Appears in: Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age: Inquisition
A companion character who debuted in Origins, Morrigan was 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.
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Players can follow up with her in the Witch Hunt DLC, 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 in Inquisition as an advisor to Empress Celene, after quickly gaining the ruler's approval thanks to her knowledge 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.
4 Varric Tethras
His Character Grows Increasingly Grave With Age
Dragon Age 2
- Released
- March 8, 2011
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Appears in: Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition
Varric was introduced in Dragon Age 2 as 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.
Inquisition chips away a little at Varric's witty disposition, the events he went through, and how time has hardened his character. With his return imminent in The Veilguard, time will only tell if his character has evolved even further.
3 Leliana
From A Bard, To A Chantry Sister, To The Mistress Of Spies
Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Appears in: Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age: Inquisition
Leliana is one of the franchise's most popular characters, playing a different role in each of her appearances. She was recruitable in Origins as a Chantry sister, but it quickly became evident that she has quite a history, and she knows how to handle herself in a fight. It turns out that she used to work as an Orlesian bard, as outlined in the DLC Leliana'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?
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Whatever the case may be, she changed even more before appearing in Inquisition, 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 from Origins is no more, as she appears colder, more calculating, and ruthless in how she deals with her foes.
2 Cullen Rutherford
The Templar Goes Through Huge Personality Shifts Throughout The Series
- Appears in: Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition
Cullen's tenure in Dragon Age began in Origins, 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 that all the remaining mages must be eradicated.
He returns in Dragon Age 2 as 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 in Inquisition, 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.
1 Anders
His Pact Caused Drastic Changes
- Appears in: Dragon Age: Awakening, Dragon Age 2
Dragon Age: Awakening was a full-length expansion to Origins, 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 of Dragon 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 in Awakening.
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