Prompted Conversations

Cullen Prompted Conversations

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Investigate

Tell Me About Yourself

First time asking PC: I should get to know you better. We’re working together, after all. Cullen: What would you like to know? PC: All right… Where are you from? Cullen: I grew up in Ferelden, near Honnleath. I was transferred to Kirkwall shortly after the Blight.

Cullen (in Haven): This is the first I’ve returned in almost ten years. Cullen (In Skyhold): Traveling to Haven was the first I’d returned in almost ten years.

If the PC asks again PC: There’s something I wanted to ask you. Cullen: Oh?

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: You were away a long time. [2]
Investigate: Tell me about the Blight. [3]
Investigate: Tell me about Kirkwall. [4]
Investigate: Varric’s from Kirkwall. [5]
General: That was all. [6]

2 - Investigate: You were away a long time. In Haven PC: You haven’t seen Ferelden in ten years. Are you glad to be back? Cullen: I was not sorry to leave at the time. I did not expect to return. Now—between the Divine’s murder and the Breach—I’ve arrived to find nothing but chaos. [back to 1]

At Skyhold PC: You were away from Ferelden for ten years, Was it strange being back there again? Cullen: Strange? No. If anything, the opposite. I was not sorry to leave Ferelden when I did. I had no desire to return. But leaving Haven was more difficult than I would have imagined—not just because Corypheus forced it upon us. It felt like I was abandoning my home. I never thought I’d feel that way again. [back to 1]

3 - Investigate: Tell me about the Blight. PC: You were in Ferelden during the Blight. Did you fight darkspawn? Cullen: No. I was stationed at Ferelden’s Circle Tower. The Circle had troubles of its own. I… remained there during the Blight.

Dialogue options:

Special: What happened at the Circle? [7]
[Back to 1]

7 - Special: What happened at the Circle? PC: What happened at the Circle Tower? Cullen: Few who survived the Blight have fond memories of that time. I would prefer not to speak of it. [back to 1]

4 - Investigate: Tell me about Kirkwall. PC: What was Kirkwall like? Cullen: While I was there, Qunari occupied and then attacked the city, the viscount’s murder caused political unrest… Relations between mages and templars fell apart, an apostate blew up the Chantry, and the knight-commander went mad. Other than that, it was fine.

Dialogue options:

Special: Tell me about the rebellion. [8]
[Back to 1]

8 - Special: Tell me about the rebellion. PC: What happened between Kirkwall’s mages and templars? Cullen: You were at the Conclave. You must have heard people speak of it. PC: Yes, but you were there. Cullen: (Sighs.) There was tension between mages and templars long before I arrived. Eventually, it reached a breaking point. There was fighting in the streets. Abominations began killing both sides. It was a nightmare.

Dialogue options:

Special: How did it end? [9]
[Back to 1]

9 - Special: How did it end? PC: What happened then? Cullen: The templars should have restored order, but red lyrium had driven Knight-Commander Meredith mad. She threatened to kill Kirkwall’s Champion, turned on her own men. I’m not sure how far she would have gone. Too far. PC: So you opposed her? Cullen: I stood with the Champion against her. In the end. But I should have seen through Meredith sooner. [back to 1]

5 - Investigate: Varric’s from Kirkwall. PC: Varric’s from Kirkwall. Did you two know each other? Cullen: I knew he was friends with the Champion of Kirkwall, but little else. We’ve spoken more since I joined the Inquisition. Largely at Varric’s insistence. Apparently I spend too much time with a serious expression on my face, and it’s bad for my health. [back to 1]

6 - General: That was all. PC: I’ll let you return to your work.

Cullen: Another time then. Cullen: I’m sure you have other matters to attend. Cullen: Should you require anything, I’ll be here.

Tell Me About Templar Life

PC: I’d like to know more about the templars.

Before CotJ/IHW Cullen: If you need insight into what the Order is doing now, I’m afraid I can’t offer more than you already know. Anything else, I will answer as best I can.

Cullen: What would you like to know?

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why did you become a templar? [2]
Investigate: What do templars do? [3]
Investigate: You’ve lived in the Circle. [4]
Templar: What was your training like? [5]
Investigate: How are templars trained? [5]
Templar: Did you take vows? [6]
Investigate: Tell me about their vows. [6]
General: That was all. [7]

2 - Investigate: Why did you become a templar? PC: Why did you join the Order? Cullen: I could think of no better calling than to protect those in need. I used to beg the templars at our local chantry to teach me. At first they merely humored me, but I must have shown promise. Or at least a willingness to learn. The knight-captain spoke to my parents on my behalf. They agreed to send me for training. I was thirteen when I left home.

Dialogue options:

Special: That’s not very old. [8]
[Back to 1]

8 - Special: That’s not very old. PC: Thirteen—that’s still so young. Cullen: I wasn’t the youngest there. Some children are promised to the Order at infancy. Still, I didn’t take on full responsibilities until I was eighteen. The Order sees you trained and educated first.

Dialogue options:

Special: What about your family? [9]
[Back to 1]

9 - Special: What about your family? PC: What about your family—did you miss them? Cullen: Of course. But there were many my age who felt the same. We learned to look out for one another. [back to 1]

3 - Investigate: What do templars do? PC (human mage PC): Prior to the Conclave, I’d only encountered templars in the Circle. Do they do anything besides guard mages? PC (Dalish PC): Before coming here, my Keeper suggested I avoid templars. Do they do anything besides hunt mages? PC (templar spec): What was expected of templars before the uprising? PC (Qunari/dwarf/human non-mage PC): Do the templars do anything besides hunt mages?

Cullen: Templars protect against the dangers of magic. Before the Order left the Chantry, that meant serving in a Circle. They were also tasked with tracking apostates or fighting demons inevitably summoned by the weak or malicious.

Dialogue options:

Special: What do you think of mages? [10]
[Back to 1]

10 - Special: What do you think of mages? Sided templars/have not completed IHW PC: What do you think of mages? Are they all a threat?

Sided mages PC: You’ve made it clear that you consider mages a threat. Cullen: Any mage can be, I won’t pretend otherwise.

Cullen: I’ve seen the suffering magic can inflict. I’ve treated mages with distrust because of it—at times without cause. That was unworthy of me. I will try not to do so here. Not that I want mages moving through our base completely unchecked. We need safeguards in place to protect people—including mages—from possession, at the least. [back to 1]

4 - Investigate: You’ve lived in the Circle. PC (human mage PC): I know how I spent my time in the Circle, but what was a typical day for a templar? PC (Dalish/dwarf/Qunari/non-mage human PC): You’ve lived in the Circle. What was a typical day for a templar there?

Cullen: (Laughs.) “Typical.” The last time I was in a Circle was right before it fell apart. Nothing was typical. PC: Before that, then. Cullen: Certain rituals require a full guard. A mage’s Harrowing, for instance. I’ve attended a few. Most of the time you merely maintain a presence–on patrol or in the Circle. Ready to respond if needed. Mages pretend to ignore that presence, but they are watching you just as closely. [back to 1]

Dialogue options:

Special: Do you not speak to the mages? [11]
[Back to 1]

11 - Special: Do you not speak to the mages? Human mage PC PC: We would spend all day with templars, and yet they rarely spoke to us. Cullen: A habit often mistaken for coldness, I’m sure. But we are expected to keep a certain distance from our charges.

Dalish/dwarf/Qunari/non-mage human PC PC: Do templars and mages never speak to each other? Cullen: Some do. But templars are supposed to maintain a certain distance from their charges.

If a mage is possessed or uses blood magic, you must act quickly, without hesitation. Your judgment cannot be clouded. Of course, ignoring one another does nothing to foster understanding. [back to 1]

5 - Investigate: What was your training like?/How are templars trained? PC: What does templar training involve?

Cullen: There is weapon and combat training. Even without their abilities, templars are among the best warriors in Thedas. Initiates must also memorize portions of the Chant of Light, study history, and improve their mental focus.

Dialogue options:

Special: Did you enjoy it? [12]
[Back to 1]

12 - Special: Did you enjoy it? PC: Did you enjoy your training? Cullen: I wanted to learn everything. If I was giving my life to this, I would be the best templar I could. Herald: You were a model student. Cullen: (Laughs.) I wanted to be. I wasn’t always successful. Watching a candle burn down while reciting the Chant of Transfigurations wasn’t the most exciting task. I admit, my mind sometimes wandered. [back to 1]

6 - Investigate: Did you take vows?/Tell me about their vows. PC: Do templars take vows? “I swear to the Maker to watch all the mages”—that sort of thing? Cullen: There’s a vigil first. You’re meant to be at peace during that time, but your life is about to change. When it’s over, you give yourself to a life of service. That’s when you’re given a philter–your first draught of lyrium–and its power. As templars, we are not to seek wealth or acknowledgement. Our lives belong to the Maker and the path we have chosen.

Dialogue options:

Flirt (female PC): Are there vows of celibacy? [13]
[Back to 1]

13 - Flirt: Are there vows of celibacy? PC: A life of service and sacrifice. Are templars also expected to give up… physical temptations? Cullen: Physical? Why… (Clears throat.) Why would you… That’s not expected. Templars can marry—although there are rules around it, and the Order must grant permission… Some may choose to give up more to prove their devotion, but it’s, um, not required.

Dialogue options:

Flirt: What about you? [14]
[Back to 1]

14 - Flirt: What about you? PC: Have you? Cullen: Me? I… um… no. I’ve taken no such vows. Maker’s breath—can we speak of something else? [back to 1]

7 - General: That was all. PC: That’s all I wanted to know. Thank you.

Cullen: Another time then. Cullen: I’m sure you have other matters to attend. Cullen: Should you require anything, I’ll be here.

Tell Me More About Samson

PC: You and the red templars’ leader seem to have personal history.

Cullen: When I arrived in Kirkwall, Samson and I shared quarters. He seemed a decent man, at first. Knight-Commander Meredith later expelled Samson for “erratic behavior.” He ended up begging on Kirkwall’s streets.

Cullen (Samson rejoined the templars): He was reinstated at the Champion’s request, but he was still bitter. Still angry. Cullen (Samson didn’t rejoin the templars): He committed further crimes, but managed to evade the Order’s justice.

Cullen: Now Samson serves Corypheus as his loyal general.

Dialogue options:

Special: Why would he serve Corypheus? PC: Why do you think Samson joined Corypheus?

Cullen: He had a chronic lyrium addiction. He spent every last coin buying it from local smugglers. Perhaps Corypheus flattered his vanity, gave him purpose as well as lyrium. Perhaps that’s all it took.

Dialogue options:

General: I almost pity Samson. [1]
General: Samson’s gone up in the world. [2]
General: Don’t let Samson distract you. [3]

1 - General: I almost pity Samson. PC: It sounds like Samson had a miserable life. Cullen: The Order expelled him, but he had choices. He could have found another path.

2 - General: Samson’s gone up in the world. PC: You can’t deny being a general is an improvement to living on the streets. Cullen: I’d rather die than kneel to Corypheus. Clearly Samson felt otherwise.

3 - General: Don’t let Samson distract you. PC: Personal history or no, we can’t afford pity. Cullen: Have no fear. There’ll be none.

4 - Scene continues.

If PC hasn’t found the letters in the Sahrnia Quarry: Cullen: I don’t understand how he became so powerful. Even with red lyrium, Samson’s glory days are long behind him.

Ostwick Circle

(Human Mage PC only)

Cullen: You traveled some distance to reach Haven. You’re from the Circle in Ostwick?

Dialogue options:

General: I’m not used to travel. [1]
General: I’m glad to be away. [2]
General: Should I still be locked up? [3]
General: Does that matter? [4]

1 - General: I’m not used to travel. PC: I spent the better part of my life there. It feels strange to be away. Cullen: It does, at times. I’m still getting used to it myself. It’s been… interesting. I’m sorry. The Circle isn’t the most pleasant topic of conversation right now. Or ever. Shall we speak of something else? Scene ends.

2 - General: I’m glad to be away. PC: I was. It’s exciting—being away from that life, being somewhere new. Maybe that’s selfish, given what’s happened. Cullen: No, it’s… only fair, I suppose. We are grateful for your assistance. Scene ends.

3 - General: Should I still be locked up? PC: Would you prefer I stayed locked away, like a good mage? Cullen: I didn’t—I only meant to make conversation. A poor choice of topic, given our past. Shall we speak of something else? Scene ends.

5 - General: Does that matter? PC: In light of what’s happened, does it matter? Cullen: I did not mean to pry. Was there something else you wished to discuss? Scene ends.

Anything I should Know?

PC: Is there anything I should know?

After visiting Val Royeaux: Cullen: The Lord Seeker’s actions are a mystery, but the templars will aid us. They cannot sit idle while the Breach remains.

During IHW Cullen: Redcliffe wasn’t always a refuge for mages. Some of our recruits have family. They fear for the place—as do I.

Recruited the Chargers Cullen: I’m glad to have the Chargers on our side. Bull’s men are professionals. Despite evidence to the contrary.

After reaching Skyhold Cullen: Repairs to Skyhold’s fortifications are progressing. Our scouts report no immediate threats in the surrounding area. We are fortunate Solas knew of this place.

In Skyhold after recruiting Vivienne Cullen: I’d gotten used to mages disliking me on principle. Vivienne’s views on templars are… surprisingly traditional.

Dialogue options:

Flirt: I like you. PC: I’ve never disliked you on principle. Cullen (romanced): I noticed. Cullen (not romanced): Oh, um… thank you.

In Skyhold after recruiting Sera Cullen: Sera brought me a piece of cake. She thought I looked hungry. PC: Why are you telling me this? Cullen: Because it was either an act of kindness or a trap. I was hoping you knew which.

After any keep is claimed Cullen: Creating Inquisition footholds outside Skyhold has strengthened our reputation. People view us as a stabilizing force. We’ve received a number of recruits eager to pledge themselves to our cause.

After HLTA Cullen: Many of our recruits viewed the Grey Wardens as heroes.

Cullen (Blackwall not recruited): To see how far they’ve fallen… it’s disheartening.

Cullen (Blackwall recruited): Blackwall’s presence is helpful. Knowing there’s one Warden immune to corruption has given people hope.

Cullen (Blackwall left, not found): To see them so corrupted… it’s disheartening. The loss of our own Warden has done little to improve morale. Cullen (PC romancing Blackwall): Forgive me. I did not mean—(Sighs.) I was insensitive. Blackwall would not have left without good reason.

After WEWH Cullen: My senior officers report that the soldiers are in good spirits. Having the Imperial army as an ally has bolstered their confidence. The Orlesian military is highly regarded.

Cullen (champion spec PC): The chevaliers following our champion—the recruits are taken with the idea. Cullen (non-champion PC): Of course, I’d wager our own recruits are equal to any chevalier.

After completing HLTA of WEWH Cullen: There are fewer arguments between our templar and mage recruits than when we started. I’ve seen them trading stories, building one another up for the fight to come. I pray this won’t be lost when their common enemy is gone.

Before WPHW after speaking with Morrigan Cullen: Your plan is sound. We are ready to move on the Arbor Wilds when you give the word. I will see you reach the temple before Corypheus.

After WPHW, sided mages Cullen (Calpernia told the truth): I fear letting Calpernia go was a mistake, but no harm has yet come of it . Cullen (Fought Calpernia): With Calpernia gone, Corypheus’s army will falter. Now is the time to strike.

IF PC is romancing Josephine. Cullen: Josephine seems happier of late.

Dialogue options:

General: I want to make her happy. PC: I hope so. Josephine deserves every happiness. Cullen: She’s been smiling constantly since your trip to Val Royeaux. I swear at one point she was humming. ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: That’s between us. PC: That’s between Josephine and I. Cullen: It was merely an observation. Our Orlesian recruits have taken to explaining the intricacies of dueling. It must be unrelated.

After recruiting Dagna Cullen: I believe Dagna has settled in well. She’s certainly very… cheerful. PC: Is that a bad thing? Cullen: I’m concerned she’ll cheerfully blow up Skyhold with one of her experiments, but the risk is small at present.

After Varric’s game of wicked grace Cullen: Only that I am never playing cards again. I still can’t find my–it doesn’t matter. I don’t know how Varric talked me into that.

Dialogue options:

General: It’s good to have fun. PC: Because it’s good to unwind and spend time with your friends? Cullen: I suppose that’s true. ㅤㅤ ㅤ
Flirt: I liked watching you lose. PC: That’s too bad. Watching you lose made me want to play cards more often. Cullen: I do not need help embarrassing myself in front of you. PC: You were blushing. It was adorable. Cullen: Maker’s breath. PC: (Laughs.)

If all other dialogue is exhausted Cullen: Not at present

Tell Me About Your Colleagues

PC: What do you think of the people you work with?

Cullen: Who do you mean?

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: How’s working with Josephine? [2]
Investigate: What do you think of Leliana? [3]
Investigate: Tell me about our soldiers. [4]
General: I have no more questions. [5]

2 - Investigate: How’s working with Josephine? PC: What do you think of our ambassador?

If the PC is romancing Josephine Cullen: Your opinion is far more important than mine where Josephine is concerned. As an ambassador for the Inquisition, she is skilled. We are fortunate to have her. [back to 1]

PC not romancing Josephine Cullen: We have little in common. How she delights in meeting with nobles all day is beyond me. But I enjoy working with her. [back to 1]

3 - Investigate: What do you think of Leliana? PC: How do you like working with Leliana?

Before Skyhold Cullen: The Inquisition would not exist without her. I may not always agree with her methods, but she is more passionate about our cause than anyone. Cassandra may have declared the Inquisition publicly, but Leliana is just as responsible for its formation. [back to 1]

Leliana hardened Cullen: Leliana is a good woman. I do not question her dedication. PC: But? Cullen: At times I wonder how far she would go to ensure success. To be fair, she questions my approach to matters as well. [back to 1]

Leliana softened Cullen: Her spirits have been higher since Valence. Leliana was always driven, but she seems more confident now. Also, messengers are less frightened of her. Not that they ever admitted to any fear. [back to 1]

4 - Investigate: Tell me about our soldiers. PC: Are you satisfied with the Inquisition’s forces?

In Haven Cullen: Our numbers are small, but they suit our needs for the time being. Some templars have joined us instead of following the Order. They’ve proven invaluable in training new recruits. [back to 1]

At Skyhold, mages joined as free allies Cullen: Our soldiers are well disciplined and committed to the cause. Templars and mages are not used to seeing each other as allies, but they are working together well enough thus far. [back to 1]

At Skyhold, mages conscripted Cullen: Our soldiers are well disciplined and committed to the cause. The mages summitted to our authority as promised. They seem willing to help however they can. [back to 1]

At Skyhold, sided templars Cullen: Our soldiers are well disciplined and committed to the cause. Therinfal’s templars are adjusting to life here. Their experience will prove useful against the Venatori. [back to 1]

Post-WEWH Cullen: I’m glad we were able to secure the Orlesians as allies. I’ve received word from the Imperial army. They are ready to march with the Inquisition when called upon. [back to 1]

Post-HLTA Cullen: Our soldiers handled themselves well during the siege on Adamant. They reacted quickly to changes on the battlefield. More importantly, they relied on each other. Trust in your fellow soldiers is not something that can be trained. [back to 1]

Post-WPHW Cullen: They have more than proven themselves. I am proud to serve as their commander. [back to 1]

5 - General: I have no more questions. PC: I should let you get back to work.