Your move, Rook.
With the October 31 launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard just a few weeks away, developer BioWare has released a bit more information on the seven companion characters players can choose to romance via a new podcast series called Vows and Vengeance. The podcast delves into each character's background, combat abilities, faction loyalties, and more.
But while all of the game's characters are effectively pansexual and will happily date Rook (the player-character) regardless of what gender players choose for them, there is a catch: Unlike Baldur's Gate 3's companions--some of whom are totally cool with engaging in a polyamorous relationship--The Veilguard forces players to choose only one romantic partner. On top of that, the game's NPC companions will eventually start dating each other if Rook doesn't make their move fast enough.
BioWare has confirmed that The Veilguard features pretty "spicy" romance scenes that show some serious skin. Given the exclusivity of The Veilguard's companion romances--and the fact that players can potentially have their lover-of-choice stolen by another companion if they don't decide who to romance quickly enough--we figured it would be prudent to get to know the seven members of The Veilguard before the game launches. If you're struggling to decide which companion is right for you (or simply want to learn more about their combat abilities), keep reading for an in-depth look at each member of the team.
Bellara Lutare: The Veil Jumper
Bellara is a connoisseur of elven artifacts.
Bellara is an adventurous, self-assured elven mage with an interest in uncovering the secrets of Elvhenan that borders on obsession. She frequently hops into Fade Tears (a process referred to as "Veil-jumping") to get her hands on ancient elven artifacts, or escape her pursuers once she's stolen one. Prior to the events of The Veilguard, Bellara narrowly escaped some Lyrium-corrupted Templars after an artifact heist went sideways. She also rescued two other folks (Drayden and Nadia) who were caught up in the confrontation. Later, Bellara told her new friends that she once lost someone she loved to the Fade, though she declined to provide more details about the incident.
BioWare describes Bellara as curious and creative, using electricity and Fade manipulation to outsmart her foes in battle. She's in her early 30s, and her favorite food is pan-fried fish.
Faction: The Veil Jumpers
Combat abilities:
- Fade Bolts
- Enfeebling Shot
- Replenish
- Time Slow
- Galvanized Tear
For more info on Bellara's past, check out her episode of the Vows and Vengeance podcast.
Davrin: The Warden
Davrin's got a pet griffon and a heart of gold. What's not to love?
Davrin is a Dalish elven warrior described by BioWare as "fiercely loyal" to those he cares about. As a member of The Grey Wardens, his job is to do everything in his power to rid Thedas of darkspawn, and prior to the events of The Veilguard, Davrin also bumps into Drayden and Nadia. Nadia is looking for her long-lost love, Elio, who was lost to the Fade (though the details surrounding his disappearance are unclear) and Drayden has tagged along to help her out.
Once again, Nadia and Drayden find themselves being rescued by a future member of The Veilguard, though in this instance, Davrin is separated from Nadia and Drayden after the three of them make their escape. Prior to parting ways, Davrin flirts with Drayden, and later prays to Andruil in the hopes that their paths will cross again. This seems to suggest players may bump into Nadia, Drayden, and other characters from Vows and Vengeance as they explore Thedas in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. It could also suggest that if players don't romance Davrin, he'll go on to form a relationship with Drayden (assuming Drayden manages to stay alive long enough for their romance to blossom).
But Davrin's pre-Veilguard life isn't all solitary doom and gloom--he's often accompanied by a young griffon named Assan.
Faction: The Grey Wardens
Combat abilities:
- Battle Cry
- Death From Above
- Heroic Strike
- Assan Strike
- In War, Victory
For a more detailed look at Davrin's pre-Veilguard life, along with his experience with Drayden and Nadia, see his episode of Vows and Vengeance.
Emmrich Volkarin: The Necromancer
Emmrich comes with a built-in sidekick: a sentient skeleton named Manfred.
Emmrich is a human mage specializing in the art of necromancy. Like Bellara, he's very interested in the Fade. Unlike Bellara, he spends most of his free time hanging out with his assistant, a magically reanimated skeleton named Manfred.
For over 30 years, Emmrich has been a member of the Mourn Watch, an elite order of mages who protect Nevarra's Grand Necropolis. The Mourn Watch also helps clean up magical mishaps--especially mishaps involving necromancy gone wrong.
Emmrich's episode of Vows and Vengeance hasn't yet been released (it debuts on October 10), but he did appear in Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, an anthology of short stories that take place during and after the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Emmrich also made an appearance in The Flame Eternal, a canonical Dragon Age short story set 30 years prior to the events of The Veilguard, during Emmrich's early days as a Mourn Watch member. In both Tevinter Nights and The Flame Eternal, Emmrich is tasked with putting a lost soul to rest. The Flame Eternal is available to read online for free.
In combat, Emmrich can use necromancy to raise spirits, directing them to attack foes or heal allies.
Faction: Mourn Watch
Combat abilities:
- Final Rites
- Replenish
- Entangling Spirits
- The Bell Tolls
- Time Slow
Lace Harding: The Scout
Lace may be a familiar face, but she's picked up some new skills since we last saw her.
Lace (usually referred to by her last name, Harding) is a dwarven rogue who first appeared in Dragon Age: Inquisition, where she served as a scout for the Inquisition. The Veilguard marks her first appearance as a companion who can be romanced and brought into battle. Known for her bubbly personality and can-do attitude, Harding is easily the most optimistic member of The Veilguard.
Despite not being a mage, it appears that Harding has developed some sort of magical powers, as The Veilguard's release date trailer shows her freezing a pair of darkspawn in their tracks by simply raising her hands. Harding seems quite surprised by this turn of events, muttering, "What is happening to me?" as parts of her skin begin to glow blue.
Harding's episode of Vows and Vengeance sees her crossing paths with--you guessed it--Drayden and Nadia. Together, Nadia and Harding rescue Drayden from a group of cultists who were planning to use him as a human sacrifice, and after successfully defending the town said cultists were terrorizing, it's revealed that Nadia isn't just looking for her lover Elio--she's looking for Solas, the elven god responsible for the whole "giant tear in the Fade letting all kinds of monsters into Thedas" thing. Nadia asks Harding to join her, but Harding declines, as she needs to report back to her friend and fellow Inquisition member, Varric. Like Davrin, Harding tells Nadia she hopes they meet again in the future.
In combat, Harding makes use of both her bow and her currently unexplained magical powers. Her arrows are capable of staggering enemies.
Faction: Inquisition
Combat abilities:
- Seismic Shot
- Heavy Draw
- Shred
- Adrenaline Rush
- Soothing Potion
Lucanis Dellamorte: The Mage Killer
Despite his skills, Lucanis has no desire to become leader of the Antivan Crows.
Lucanis is a human rogue who works as an assassin for the Antivan Crows, a well-known group of thieves, assassins, and spies. Interestingly, this group of skilled killers and sneak-thieves is effectively Lucanis' family business, as his grandmother Caterina is the First Talon of the Antivan Crows. Caterina trained Lucanis, who is especially talented at taking down mages. He's so good at mage-killing that he's even earned a special title: the Demon of Vyrantium.
Despite his blood-soaked resume, Lucanis is rather shy in social situations, doesn't enjoy being the center of attention, and despite Caterina's wishes, he has no desire to inherit her role as First Talon. In his episode of Vows and Vengeance, he's tasked with taking down a high-profile target. Unfortunately, things go sideways, and Lucanis encounters Nadia and Drayden. Early on in the series, it's revealed that Nadia is (unknowingly) doing Solas's bidding, but this episode reveals an interesting fact about Drayden: His father once hired Lucanis for protection while looking into various magical anomalies that were occurring in his town. The episode also proves that Lucanis definitely has a sense of humor when he dryly remarks that "Decapitations are so messy."
In combat, Lucanis dual-wields a pair of daggers, and inflicts necrotic damage. But like Harding, it appears that Lucanis may also have some sort of magical powers--in the game's launch date reveal trailer, Lucanis can be seen sprouting a pair of magical purple wings that seem to appear and disappear at will.
Faction: Antivan Crows
Combat abilities:
- Eviscerate
- Abominate
- Soothing Potion
- Debilitate
- Adrenaline Rush
Neve Gallus: The Detective
Despite her icy demeanor, Neve genuinely cares for the people of Thedas.
Neve is a human mage who hails from Minrathous, the capital of Tevinter. She was raised in a working-class family, and unlike many of Tevinter's magic-wielders, doesn't believe that mages are inherently superior to others.
Neve works as a private detective for the Shadow Dragons, Tevinter's rebel faction, using magic to her advantage when traditional methods prove unsuccessful. The Shadow Dragons' ultimate goal is to bring an end to slavery and corruption in Minrathous. Her episode of Vows and Vengeance is set to debut on October 17.
In combat, Neve uses ice magic to slow, freeze, and shatter her enemies.
Faction: Shadow Dragons
Combat abilities:
- Icebreaker
- Blizzard
- Glacial Pace
- Time Slow
- Replenish
Taash: The Dragon Hunter
Who doesn't want a fire-breathing girlfriend?
Taash is a Qunari warrior affiliated with the Lords of Fortune, a group of treasure-seeking monster-hunters. She craves adventure, and has no problem taking risks to see those adventures through. Her favorite pastimes include unearthing sparkly treasures and hitting things with an axe.
In her episode of Vows and Vengeance, a treasure hunt turns into a trap, and Taash finds herself framed for a crime she didn't commit. She's promptly jailed, and finds herself sharing a cell with Nadia--who she's been friends with for some time--and Drayden. Fortunately, a conveniently timed dragon attack destroys the jail, freeing the captive trio. Nadia rescues a young Qunari child from the dragon, and the Qun reward her and Drayden by setting them free, but remain adamant that Taash must pay for her crimes.
Eventually, a deal is struck: Taash, Nadia, and Drayden will hunt down and kill the offending dragon in exchange for Taash's freedom. Taash nearly drowns in the process of taking out the dragon, but eventually emerges victorious, and sets sail to Rivain alongside Nadia and Drayden. Unfortunately, the group is attacked again shortly thereafter--though thankfully, no dragons are involved this time around. It turns out that Nadia has a bounty on her head, and the attackers are looking to collect it. After defeating the bounty hunters, Nadia and Drayden reluctantly decide to leave Taash in Rivain, as Nadia doesn't want her bounty to put Taash in any more danger.
Like Lucanis, Taash can dual-wield weapons in combat, though her weapons of choice are a pair of battle axes instead of daggers. Unlike Lucanis, Taash's draconic bloodline allows her to breathe fire, barbecuing her foes where they stand.
Faction: Lords of Fortune
Combat abilities:
- Fire Breath
- Dragon's Roar
- Dragonfire Strike
- Spitfire
- Fortune's Favor
For more information on BioWare's long-awaited fantasy RPG, see our first impression of the game and check out everything we know about Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which is set to launch on console and PC this Halloween. Preorders are available now, and the game has already gone gold.
