Key Takeaways
- Fenris, known for his Lyrium powers and hatred of magic, is a strong candidate for a significant role in Veilguard.
- Dorian, a magister from Tevinter advocating for change, may play a key role in guiding the story of Veilguard.
- Sandal, the enigmatic Dwarf known for his enchanting skills, could potentially reappear in Veilguard as fans speculate on his true identity.
Dragon Age: Veilguard finally has a Halloween 2024 release date that has fans buzzing in anticipation of the release. Many fans are revisiting older games and graphic novels in preparation — and to dig up any possible mysteries that could be addressed in the new game.
This means speculating as to which characters from previous media could pop up in the new game. The trailer revealed Morrigan sporting a new look and players already know that Varric and Solas are returning, too. So what older characters could appear in the new Dragon Age game?
1
Fenris, The Blue Wraith
A Clear Front-Runner For More Than A Cameo
- Was a romance option for Hawke
- A former enslaved Elf from Tevinter imbued with Lyrium, granting him special powers
- Got his own graphic novel recently and his name means “Little Wolf”
Fenris might be one of the most notorious romances in all of Dragon Age thanks to his severe and unrelenting hatred of all things magic….and his white-haired elf aesthetic (sorry, Astarion isn’t original in that regard). Fenris takes his former slavery very seriously — going so far as to kill all the heirs of his former master after killing his master.
Since that spree, he has been working with Dalish elves and freed slaves around Tevinter and Arlathan Forest. That places him in just the right spot to appear in Veilguard since fans know that Arlathan Forest is a major location for Solas’ Fade gambit. His Lyrium abilities could also come into play as tearing down the Veil may affect them.
2
Dorian, The Progressive Altus
Leading Tevinter Into A New Age (By Charm, Espionage, And Friendship)
- A magister from a noble house in Qarinus and a former companion/romance option from Inquisition
- Worked under Gereon Alexius studying time magic
- He and Maevaris are good friends
Everyone knows the story of Dorian Pavus and the burden placed on him by his father and lineage. Thanks to his time in the South, Dorian (along with Maevaris) lobbies for the abolition of slavery, as seen in Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights. Additionally, Dorian uses his power and leverage in Tevinter society and the government to aid characters when possible if their endeavors seem mostly morally defensible.
Though he could easily just be mentioned in the games and not appear, it feels unlikely since Dorian is a major fixture in the Tevinter leadership, a powerful mage, and he has a history with Varric and the rest of the Inquisition party. He may even have a relationship with Neve and awareness of Emmrich’s activities. Let’s hope his signature wit and suave mustache make an appearance in the next game.
3
Sandal, The Odd Dwarf
Enchantment? Enchantment!
- A weird Dwarf with superior magical enchanting skills
- Has appeared in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2, but fans only saw a reference to him via journal pages in Vir Dirthara
- Some fans posit that he is the Elven God of Crafting named June reincarnated
There’s always been something a bit off about the young Dwarf Sandal, who players meet in Origins with his adoptive father, Bodahn Feddic. In fact, Bodahn only found Sandal wandering around the Deep Roads at just five years old. He has limited speech abilities but is an extremely gifted rune crafter and item enchanter.
Since he has appeared in every Dragon Age game in some form, it stands to reason that he’ll appear in Veilguard, too. But some fans think he is the reincarnation of the Elven God June, in the same way that other fans think Sera is the reincarnation of Andruil. The only thing fans know for sure is that Sandal’s odd demeanor, crafting abilities, and bizarre beginnings make him one interesting fellow.
4
Isabela, The Pirate Queen
So Much More Than Something To Be Traded
- Was a romance option for Hawke
- Appears alongside Varric and Alistair in a series of graphic novels
- Controls a crew and a ship with many connections in the world
Isabela was a free spirit due to her history as a slave, but she’s not without morals or loyalties. She’s smart, adaptive, and handy with a blade. Basically, she fits right into Rook’s ragtag band of underground world-savers.
To date, Isabela is the only Rivaini character introduced into the main fold of Dragon Age lore. She features heavily in several graphic novels as she travels to Rivain with Alistair and Varric, as well. Given that fans are more than likely visiting areas never before seen, she could very easily make an appearance (if only in passing). Varric seems like he will, momentarily, be a main party member, so it stands to reason that other characters could return in that capacity, too.
5
Josephine, The Cunning Diplomat/Former Bard
She Can Cut People With Knives AND Words
- Was a romance option for the Inquisitor
- Has a background in the Bardic arts
- Comes from a merchant family in Antiva
The affable relations manager for the Inquisition always seems to have the right words on hand to defuse a situation or get chummy with the right people. She also has one of the cutest romances in the whole series — if players can deal with Leliana getting in their faces about it. But she isn’t all smiles and wit as is made clear by learning more about her in Inquisition.
Never forget that Leliana and Josephine met while they were both Bards in Orlais. That means that Josephine has likely murdered people or, at the very least, interrogated them with charm and physical torture. She’s not one to be toyed with and, given her connections in Antiva and throughout Thedas, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t pop up in Veilguard — even if just as a minor cameo and not as a tertiary character.
6
Sten, The New-ish Arishok
Based On Characters From Akira Kurosawa Films
- Most recently appeared in Dragon Age: Until We Sleep
- Though committed to the Qun, Sten has a capacity for curiosity about things outside the Qun — a rare trait
- Fans think Sten is “hornless” because Bioware changed the appearance of the Qunari between Origins and DA2.
Sten was the first Qunari party member and one of the only Qunari in Origins. As of 9:34 Dragon, Sten becomes the Arishok, which is referenced in Inquisition by Varric and Iron Bull, who mention a “hornless” Arishok. There aren’t many clues as to Sten’s leadership style or his beliefs regarding those outside the Qun. He acts on duty, still, as seen in Dragon Age: Those Who Speak.
Having him appear in Veilguard just makes sense. The Qunari are bound to have some kind of presence in a post-Veil world — especially since they are so close to Tevinter. Additionally, the Qunari have a presence in Rivain, too. If he isn’t still the Arishok, perhaps he has abandoned the Qun altogether.
7
Merrill, The Dalish Blood Mage
She’s Just A Lil Guy, Okay?
- Was a romance option for Hawke
- Known to walk the line of wrong and right, but in a way that feels defendable
So, typically, if a player character discovered a mage toying around with Blood Magic after being told time and again not to, they might be a bit peeved. But with Merrill, she’s just too cute and sweet to get mad at. That said, she’s obsessed with Eluvians and was booted from her Dalish tribe for her dabbling in Blood Magic. Curiously, her unique Vallaslin honors Mythal and isn’t seen anywhere else in the games.
Merrill making an appearance in Veilguard stands to reason due to the importance of Eluvians. Since the player can seemingly pop out anywhere in Thedas, they could easily run into Merrill in the Free Marches or wherever she might have gotten to after the events of Dragon Age 2. With the Veil also coming down, it stands to reason that Merrill would have a vested interest in helping Rook, too.
8
Maevaris, The Untouchable Magister
Bucking Prejudices With Unapologetic Aplomb And Style
- An openly trans magister, Mae strong-arms the Magisterium to push Progressive ideologies and advocate for non-mages and Elves in Tevinter
- She was in a long-term relationship with Varric’s brother Thorold before he passed away
Born to house Tilani, Maevaris served as the only heir to Athanir before he was executed by Imperial Templars for supposed crimes. She vowed to uncover the conspiracy behind his death and has earned a reputation that keeps enemies off her back — at least in public spaces. The death of Varric’s brother and her beloved Thorold may have been the doing of her enemies.
She appears in three graphic novels and is referenced in Inquisition and, given her status in the Magisterium, must know of Rook’s activities, as well as Neve’s and Lucanis’. Many fans thought she would be a playable party character, but that’s not the case as Bioware confirmed that she will be in Veilguard, but did not reveal in what capacity she would appear. Still, Mae serves as the series’ first true transgender character along with Krem in Inquisition, so it will be awesome to see her in Veilguard.
9
Calpernia, Corypheus’ Vessel Turned Revolutionary
Neither A Slave Nor Vessel Any Longer
- A fan-favorite character with more to explore
- She appears in Dragon Age: Magekiller as a love interest for Marius
- Leliana says that Calpernia is named after a priestess of Dumat and foster mother to the founder of the Tevinter Imperium
Calpernia could be easily missed in Inquisition if the player sides with the Mages — a choice that’s very difficult, but tempting in all of the series’ games. But if the player sides with the Templars instead, Calpernia is Corypheus’ main lieutenant instead of Samson and she is inarguably a better, more interesting character. For starters, she is a former Tevinter slave manipulated by Corypheus to follow him.
The player has the option to reveal Corypheus’ manipulation to Calpernia and, by doing so, put her on a path to help start a revolution in Tevinter. She wants the country to be better, safer, and more humanist. She could very easily appear in Veilguard as the leader of a faction or the like.