How to Train a Griffon
Going for a Walk
Davrin: Rook, I was thinking of taking Assan for a walk. He could use the exercise, a chance to stretch his wings. Thought you’d like to come along.
They head to Arlathan.
Davrin: Let’s get going.
Assan: (Squawk)
Davrin: I’ve been thinking… Lancit and Remi used special food to train the griffons. Said it was the fastest way to start a bond.
Rook: Right. The… what’d you call it? “Turlum”?
Davrin: That’s it. And gingerwort truffles were the griffons’ favorite treats. They grow around ruins. We’re going to teach Assan how to find some.
Assan: (Squawk)
They head through some doors into the nearby ruins.
Rook: How did you end up with the Grey Wardens?
Davrin: Grew up in a Dalish clan. I’d hear all these stories about things that happened thousands of years ago.
| Veil Jumper Elf Rook | Other: |
|---|---|
| Rook: We do like our history. | Rook: The Dalish do love their history. |
Davrin: Except I wanted to make history. Didn’t fit in. Got bored. So I went looking for adventure.
| Veil Jumper Elf Rook | Other: |
|---|---|
| Rook: That must’ve gone over well with the clan.Davrin: They felt like I rejected them. | Rook: How’d that go over with your clan?Davrin: Poorly. They felt like I rejected them. |
Rook: Did you?
Davrin: Yeah, I suppose. Clan life wasn’t for me. I had to get away.
Rook: So then what happened? You’re out in the world, looking for adventure…
Davrin: Got my ass kicked. Went broke. I couldn’t go crawling back to my clan a failure. Doubt they’d take me back. It forced me to figure out what I was good at. Always had a knack for hunting.
They catch up to Assan.
Davrin: What are you doing? That’s not a truffle, that’s a nug. You’ll get fleas.
Rook: At least he’s having fun.
Assan: (Squawk)
Davrin: Truth is, he purrs when you scratch him.
They look around.
Davrin: Maybe we can speed things up by helping him. Let’s search the bushes. Look around for truffles.
Rook starts to search.
Rook: Ow, that was a thorn.
Davrin: Keep looking.
Rook goes to a different bush.
Rook: Nug droppings. Yuck.
Davrin: The nugs pretty much own Arlathan Forest.
Rook keeps searching.
Rook: Nope. This is harder than it looks.
Assan: (Excited squawk)
They take a moment and kneel near Assan.
Davrin: It’s fleas, isn’t it? What’d I tell you?
Rook: Actually, I think it’s a truffle.
Davrin: Huh.
Rook: Maybe the nugs like truffles. Could Assan know that if you follow them, you might find truffles?
Davrin: Are you really that smart, boy?
Dialogue options:
1 - Yes, he is.
Rook: Seems pretty clever to me.
Assan: (Proud squawk)
Davrin: If only you’d be clever enough to listen.
2 - You expect an answer?
Rook: If you’re expecting him to answer, that’s probably your answer.
Assan: (Squawk)
Davrin: Well, if it means he’ll start listening…
3 - Seems unlikely.
Rook: Maybe he just got lucky.
Assan: (Grumpy squawk)
Davrin: Hey, now—watch your tone.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Rook: Well, you’re still getting to know each other. Remember: “turlum”.
Davrin: (Frustrated sigh)
Rook: Remi was probably right. Remember how she said he needed a lighter touch?
Davrin: If I go soft on him, the world will chew him up.
Rook: Let’s give you both a chance and see if he can find any more of these.
They stand.
Davrin: How?
Rook: Find some nugs. See what happens.
A Monster Hunter
They continue through the forest.
Rook: So how did you go from “hunter” to “slayer of monsters”?
Davrin: Uncle Eldrin. An old elf I knew growing up. When I was a kid, I’d hunt just about anything. Rabbits, deer, fox. Eldrin gave that purpose. Taught me the Way of Three Trees.
| Veil Jumper Rook | Non-Veil Jumper Rook |
|---|---|
| Rook: Way of the Arrow, Way of the Bow, Way of the Wood. | Davrin: The Way of the Arrow, Way of the Bow, Way of the Wood.Rook: That sounds noble. |
Davrin: Eldrin taught me to hunt the unnatural so the natural can thrive. Be a force for good. Besides, it was either that or starve. Monsters paid good coin.
Rook: But why become a Grey Warden? If you were making money on your own…
Davrin: I didn’t leave my clan to get rich. Had to prove it was all worth something. I needed a cause.
| Grey Warden Rook | Non-Grey Warden Rook |
|---|---|
| Rook: There are easier causes than dying in the Deep Roads. | Rook: There must be easier causes than fighting darkspawn all your life. |
Davrin: Darkness is a sparring partner. The greater the shadow you confront, the stronger you are for winning.
Rook: ‘Til you meet one you can’t beat.
Davrin: Haven’t yet.
They find a clearing full of nugs.
Davrin: There, I think Assan’s got something. Why don’t you take a look?
Rook checks near Assan.
Assan: (Squawk)
Davrin: I’ll be damned. Follow the nugs.
Rook: Like I said, he’s a clever one.
Rook: Well, there’s your answer.
Rook: Well, you proved me wrong, Assan. I guess we know who the smart one is.
Davrin: Might make a tracker out of you yet. Hungry?
Assan: (Squawk)
Davrin: What? It’s gingerwort. Eat it.
Rook: Remember, light touch…
Davrin: I mean… mmm, it’s dessert fit for a prince!
Assan starts eating.
Davrin: See?
Assan: (Happy squawk)
Dialogue options:
1 - You can trust Assan.
Rook: He’ll be fine. He just has a strong spirit. Let him grow into it.
Davrin: Might not have time for that.
2 - Don’t be too tough.
Rook: Being too harsh could make him more stubborn.
Davrin: And save his life.
3 - Behave, Assan.
Rook: It’s for your own good, Assan.
| Grey Warden Rook | Non-Grey Warden Rook |
|---|---|
| Davrin: That’s a Grey Warden talking. Listen well. | Davrin: Listen to [them]. It’s a dangerous world. |
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Davrin: With Lancit and Remi gone, if something happens to me, he’ll have to stand on his own.
Rook: So don’t let anything happen to you.
| Grey Warden Rook | Non-Grey Warden Rook |
|---|---|
| Davrin: We’re both Wardens. Death’s around every corner. | Davrin: I’m a Grey Warden. Death’s around every corner. |
Davrin: …not that I don’t enjoy punching it squarely in the face.
Dialogue options:
- Flirt: Confidence is sexy. [5]
- Affable: That’s my motto. [6]
- Sarcastic: Repeatedly. [7]
- Stoic: Don’t get reckless. [8]
5 - Flirt: Confidence is sexy.
Rook: I like that confidence.
Davrin: That’s how you win.
Rook: It’s not all about winning. Sometimes I enjoy the pursuit, too.
Davrin: Ah. The thrill of the chase.
6 - Affable: That’s my motto.
Rook: Words to live by. I think death has met its match.
Davrin: May we never find out.
7 - Sarcastic: Repeatedly.
Rook: Two or three times just to be sure.
Davrin: Mm-hmm. But you can’t beat back death forever…
8 - Stoic: Don’t get reckless.
Rook: Be careful. All it takes is one miss.
Davrin: Death always wins, sooner or later. Can’t live your life worrying about that.
9 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Assan: (Excited squawk)
Davrin: Okay, boy. That’s enough for one day.
Rook: But he’s having fun.
Davrin: He overeats, and you’ll find out how fun griffon puke is.
Rook: Assan, you heard him. Let’s go.