One of the hallmarks of a Dragon Age game is arguably its romances. Leading up to the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, many fans will ask themselves who they should romance first. While all seven romanceable Veilguard characters will have their charms and quirks, the darkest of them will arguably be Lucanis.
Lucanis Dellamorte is one of the most intriguing romance options in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and for good reason. As a master assassin with a complex backstory, Lucanis promises a romance full of depth, angst, and emotional growth. Raised by the notorious Antivan Crows, he has been trained to be a ruthless and efficient killer, specializing in hunting mages. Yet, beneath his cold, professional exterior lies a character shaped by deep personal struggles, particularly his strained relationship with his grandmother, Caterina Dellamorte, and the burden of his role within the Crows.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Lucanis and His Literally Inner Demon
For Dragon Age fans who love tragic heroes, Lucanis is an especially appealing choice. He’s a character burdened by his past and shaped by trauma, but not in a way that falls into typical “enemies to lovers” tropes. Instead, Lucanis is driven by duty and his own internal demons. His demons are manifested in the literal sense, as he is burdened with being somewhat possessed by Spite, a demon. In promotional videos, players see the internal struggle Lucanis has with the demon, with it going so far as to physically injure him.
His romance isn’t about "fixing" him but walking alongside him as he faces those demons head-on. With recent hints about his storyline and personality in the short story The Wigmaker Job from Tevinter Nights, players can already piece together the kind of emotional journey that awaits this character.
Lucanis’ romance is likely to be one of the more emotionally charged ones in Dragon Age:The Veilguard. Given his status as a master assassin and his socially awkward nature, Lucanis likely hasn’t had much experience with meaningful relationships. This lack of emotional connection will probably lead to some very relatable awkwardness and self-doubt. He may even push his love interest, Rook, away during moments of vulnerability, leading to potential heartbreak or even a temporary breakup. However, much like Fenris from Dragon Age 2, this distance would only make the eventual reconciliation more passionate and rewarding.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Lucanis: A Tragic Hero Worth Pursuing
Players interested in Lucanis will also find appeal in his tragic hero persona. Lucanis is not your typical "bad boy" in need of redemption; he is a man shaped by his experiences and the harsh realities of life as an assassin. His past has made him pragmatic and duty-bound, and his struggles are tied closely to the responsibilities of his position. While he may be emotionally distant at first, he reacts to empathy and understanding, as seen in the recent gameplay footage, making compassion a key aspect of his romance.
It’s important to note that Lucanis is not just a hardened assassin, but also a man carrying significant emotional baggage. His relationship with the Dragon Age player character will likely involve deep moments of vulnerability as Lucanis learns how to let someone into his life. Those who choose to romance him should expect moments of tenderness, but also intense emotional challenges that come from his sense of duty and past.
Demonic Interference May Occur In Lucanis's Romance
Spite will probably also make things quite difficult and may even intervene when players do things it doesn’t like; it's still a mystery if players will be able to talk to the demon and how the two share Lucanis's body. It is likely his romance will explore themes of identity, trust, and redemption, particularly as he navigates his role in the Antivan Crows and deals with his own personal demons. With Dragon Age: The Veilguard going gold, the wait won't be long now.
Lucanis' complexity as a character is further enriched by his ability to remain grounded despite his deadly profession. He’s practical yet emotionally raw, and may often be dealing with self-destructive tendencies that make him feel real and relatable. Given that Lucanis's writer Mary Kirby called him a “bisexual disaster,” his romance is going to be quite the rollercoaster ride.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 71%
- Released
- October 31, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
