My Inquisitor's Romance with Dorian Better Acknowledged in Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024)

With Dragon Age: The Veilguard around the corner, I wanted to reflect on one of my favorite characters in the series, Dorian Pavus, and how much his relationship with my Inquisitor means to me. The recent 20-minute gameplay presentation has only heightened my excitement, promising an epic continuation of the Dragon Age saga. But for me, this excitement is deeply personal—it's been ten years of emotionally clinging to my elven Inquisitor, and the romance with Dorian has been a crucial part of this journey.

Heart and Shield

My Inquisitor, a black queer elven male, wielded a sword and shield, constantly seeking purpose within Thedas. He had a hero complex, always striving to make a difference. Then he met Dorian, a mage from Tevinter, who was his total opposite. Their relationship seemed unlikely, especially given Tevinter's history of enslaving elves. But as they learned about each other’s cultures, they grew and changed together. Dorian began to see the flaws in his homeland’s ways and decided to return to Tevinter to make a difference. Their challenge became maintaining their love across the distance.

At the end of the Trespasser DLC, it’s hinted that the two find ways to meet in the dark of night. While this bittersweet ending offers a quiet promise of continued love, it also raises concerns for me. I worry that, like in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2, the romance will eventually end in separation. I’ve seen this “the hero ran away” trope too many times. My Hero of Ferelden, Celestia, ran away after being queen for a while. My Hawke, who romanced Fenris, also ended up running away. Even though I made sure to keep him alive in Dragon Age: Inquisition, the pattern is disheartening.

In the ending slides, we see him in Tevinter, where he has now taken his father's place in the Magisterium alongside Magister Maevaris Tilani. He has become a voice of resistance against corruption and formed a group called the Lucerni to restore and redeem Tevinter. He also has his crystal to still speak to the Inquisitor.

Where Is Dorian Now?

Being an invested Dragon Age fan means delving into the supplemental materials to fully understand many characters' roles. To know where Dorian is and what he's doing, reading these extra stories is essential.

The first post-Trespasser comic that Dorian appears in is Dragon Age: Deception. This comic takes place around 9:44 Dragon, and by the time of this comic, Dorian is back in Tevinter. We first see him as the target of a scam, but Dorian smells the scheme and warns the young man to run away.

Dorian meets Ser Aaron Hawthorne in Ventus to assist on a mission. He later uses his Magister powers to resolve a small issue in their plan. When the Qunari begin burning Ventus, Dorian warns Ser Aaron and Vaea that the city will fall within a day. Thanks to Dorian, they escape with help from Marius and Tessa, but Ventus ultimately falls, and Dorian stays behind to help as many as he can.

In the novel Tevinter Nights, Dorian appears twice. In “Luck in the Gardens,” he reveals he no longer has slaves and only employs servants, a recent change influenced by the Inquisition. During a meeting with Holix, a Lord of Fortune, Dorian discusses Tevinter politics and the challenges of dealing with monsters. Holix eventually kills the monster, and Dorian provides a fancy carriage for his departure.

There’s one other small mention in Tevinter Nights in a different story called “Half Up Front.” Dorian is only mentioned in passing, but the main character is a mercenary who had previously been hired by Dorian. It sounds like the mercenary failed the job, and the details are never explained. We only know that the job took place in the Archon’s palace in Minrathous.

Putting The Pieces Together

Minrathous is the last place we see Dorian. He’s been there for a while, settling into his new title of Magister. With Maevaris's help, he’s trying to change Tevinter for the better, helping people and freeing slaves, and he no longer has slaves of his own. He’s done some changing as well. We’ve already seen Minrathous in the trailer, so no doubt Dorian will make some kind of appearance. Whatever he’s up to when The Veilguard takes place, I am hoping that he hasn’t forgotten about the love of his life.

This time, I hope for a different story—a story where love triumphs over distance and adversity. My Inquisitor and Dorian deserve to be together, showing that even in the darkest times, love can prevail. With The Veilguard, BioWare has the chance to break the cycle and give us a romance that stands the test of time.

I'm really looking forward to customizing my Inquisitor at the beginning of Veilguard, which will influence how things begin. Let my Inquisitor and Dorian set a beautiful example for my new character, Rook, who will likely romance the stunningly handsome black elf Davrin: The Warden. In a way, Rook and Davrin will mirror my Inquisitor and Dorian, with Davrin playing the protective role and Rook as the mage. I’m planning for them to have a love story that, unlike the others, endures without separation.