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Dragon Age: the Veilguard

Main Dialogue

The Enemy of My Enemy

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Varric’s Mirror

Rook heads upstairs.

Rook: Guess I should find someplace to try to talk to Solas.

They pass by a hallways that was blacked off before.

Rook: Wait. That room wasn’t there before… I don’t think?

They enter a meditation with a couch that faces an aquarium tank. Their pack is sitting on the ground nearby.

Rook: Neve or Harding must’ve put my pack here. Makes sense. Better place to sleep than the infirmary. Guess I can spare a few moment to unpack my things.

Rook begins to unpack, and places Varric’s Mirror.

Rook: Varric and his life lessons. I asked him how we were supposed to stop Solas, and he gave me this. “Take a long hard look in it, kid. It’ll always show the face of a hero who can get it done.”

Dialogue options:
1 - Affable: I’m trying to live up to that.

Rook: Varric tells such great stories. It’s almost enough to make me think that this time, when I look in the mirror, I’ll see a hero. (Sigh) But Varric’s hurt, and the team needs me. So chin up, take a deep breath, and get the job done.

Scene ends.

2 - Sarcastic: I look good.

Rook: A damn good looking hero, if I do say so.

Scene ends.

3 - Stoic: Enough reflection.

Rook: If I’m the one who’s got to get it done, I should stop admiring myself and get to work.

Scene ends.

4 - Nice story, but that’s not me.

Rook: I don’t know if I see a hero’s face, but it’s a face that has seen a lot. Got a few new scars. Some that show up in a mirror, some that don’t. But Varric believed in me then, and he believes in me now. I can do this.

Scene ends.

5 - (Gender identity options)
Back to main dialogue tree.

  • I love who I am.
    Rook: There [he is/she is/they are]. The [man/woman/person] I knew I was. I did the work, I stuck with it, and now I get to see [him/her/them] every time I look in the mirror.
    Scene ends.

  • Feels good to see the real me.
    Rook: It took a while for me to figure out why the face staring back from the mirror felt wrong. But once I was able to be honest with myself, it was a relief to figure out I was trans. And it’s worth it to look in the mirror today and see the [man/woman/person] I am staring back.
    Scene ends.

  • I’m getting there.
    Rook: I don’t know, Varric. Catching my reflection still hits hard some days. But knowing who I am is worth it… and every day when I look in that mirror, I’m closer to seeing the [man/woman/person] I want to be staring back.
    Scene ends.

6 - (Tattoo options)
Back to main dialogue tree.

  • Tattoos helped me love myself.
    Rook: I used to dread looking into the mirror. Until I finally got tired of hating what I saw and decided to change what I saw. Now I look in the mirror and see the ink I chose for myself. The me I chose for myself. I don’t know if that’s the hero Varric was talking about, but it’s a start.
    Scene ends.

  • My tattoos celebrate success.
    Rook: Every one of my tattoos is a story. Something I did that’s worth remembering. Wonder what I should get when we finish this job. An eluvian? A wolf? I’ll figure it out.
    Scene ends.

  • I thought hard about these.
    Rook: Spent so much time figuring out each tattoo. Getting the design right in my head, finding an artist who could make it work. Not to mention holding still the whole time to make sure they’d be perfect. But it was worth it. They’re part of me now. The part I made for myself.
    Scene ends.

  • Elf: Tattoos matter to us elves.
    Rook: The vallaslin are sacred for the elves. I didn’t grow up Dalish, but they’re not the only ones who have a claim on being elven. My tattoos represent who I am, and I’ll wear that for all the world to see.
    Scene ends.

7 - (Scar options)
Back to main dialogue tree.

  • My scars are badges of honor.
    Rook: You’ve got a few scars, but you know what? You earned these in fights that needed to be fought. Hits you took to save someone, shots that knocked you down but didn’t keep you down. You are the hero who can get it done. And if you pick up a few more scars along the way, that just proves you were in the fight.
    Scene ends.

  • These scars are sexy!
    Rook: (Chuckle) Honestly, my scars look pretty good. They add character. And you should see the other guy. Scene ends.

  • Scars are lessons learned.
    Rook: Funny, Varric didn’t mention that hero having so many scars. It’s handy. You ever get too full of yourself, you can just look in the mirror, and see every mistake that left a mark. But it’s not just about you anymore. Harding/Neve’s got a new scar because you sent her into that ritual. So do better. Nobody else should have to wear your mistakes, hero.
    Scene ends.

Back to main dialogue tree.

Faction Memento

Rook goes to the other end of the table and places another piece of decor.

Origin Dependent Dialogue:
Place Antaam Command Pin

Rook: The Antaam commander I took this from thought occupying Treviso was the same as owning it. I showed him how wrong he was. Freed a bunch of prisoners that night. Including Varric. That’s also the night the Crows kicked me out of Antiva for “carrying out unauthorized operations.”

Dialogue options:
  • I made the right call.
    Rook: Still can’t believe they didn’t back me. We’re the Crows. Killing targets is what we do!
    Scene ends.

  • I suppose it was fair.
    Rook: It was the right thing to do, but it did bring the Antaam down hard on the Crows. I probably could have made fewer waves.
    Scene ends.

  • I was impulsive.
    Rook: I was so proud of myself… but the Antaam cracked down hard on the Crows after what I did. I have to get better at seeing the big picture.
    Scene ends.

Back to origin choice.

Race and Class Decor

Rook continues to decorate the room.

Race Dependent Dialogue:
Place Dwarven Puzzle Set

Rook: A peddler gave me this after I saved his caravan from bandits. He told me he always admired dwarven craftsmanship, especially with anything made from stone. Called us “an impressive people.”

Dialogue options:
  • He’s right.
    Rook: (Chuckle) I guess we are, every now and then. Here’s to fine dwarven crafts.

  • He meant well. I know.
    Rook: He was trying to be nice, but… well, it’s better than another human asking why we can’t dream or do magic.

  • No, we aren’t.
    Rook: The surface dwarves run the lyrium trade like a crime family, and the dwarves down below won’t even talk to us. Real impressive.

  • He loved traveling. So do I.
    Rook: He had fancy silks from Orlais, statuettes from the Wilds down south… I could’ve listened to stories all night about places he’d been. Now I’m getting to see some of those places, myself.
Scene continues.
Back to race choice.

Rook goes to the aquarium glass where there is another spot to decorate.

Class dependent dialogue:
Place Magical Project

Rook: “The Ever-Turning Orb.” My final training project as an apprentice. I spent months finding the precise balance of energy flows to make the enchantment permanent.

Dialogue options:
  • Those were the days.
    Rook: My teachers said they’d never seen anyone weave the layers of magic so intricately, but it all just felt right.
    Scene ends.

  • I wasn’t a model student.
    Rook: Rook: Might’ve gone faster if I hadn’t been exhausted from too many late-night escapades. Ah, well. Still got it done.
    Scene ends.

  • It was hard but worthwhile.
    Rook: Amazed this thing still works, seeing how many times I messed up the magic and broke something… but I got there eventually.
    Scene ends.

  • For all the good it did.
    Rook: I could’ve used more time learning to cast spells while someone swings a sword at me, and less time on “floating orbs.”
    Scene ends.

Back to class choice.

The Gods’ Plans

Rook: Now, how do I connect to Solas? Just sleep, or…? Relaxing. Maybe if I clear my mind…

They sit to meditate, and return to Solas’s Fade prison.

Solas: Back so soon. It must have been worse than I thought.

Rook: Hello, Dread Wolf.

Solas: Ah, but perhaps I am mistaken. You may be here to correct me, to tell me that my concerns were unfounded.

First conversation dependent dialogue:

Solas: I am, after all, remembered as the god of lies, treachery, and rebellion.
Dialogue options:

1 - Affable: Yes, I remember.

Rook: “Depending on the story.”

Solas: And what story shall we tell now?

Scene continues. [4]

2 - Sarcastic: Seriously? Rubbing it in?

Rook: So you’re gonna be insufferable about it. See, this is the reason nobody likes you.

Solas: I led a rebellion for centuries that culminated in the creation of the Veil and the destruction of the elven empire.

Rook: Okay, this is among the reasons nobody likes you.

Solas: My information was accurate. Now you realize that the danger is real.

Scene continues. [4]

3 - Stoic: Stop. I need information.

Rook: I’m not here to debate whether what you said was accurate.

Solas: But to be clear, it was accurate.

Scene continues. [4]
4 - Scene continues.
Back to choice dependent dialogue.

Rook: I need to know what the gods are planning.

Solas: You are asking for knowledge no mortal in this world is privy to. If I am to share it with you, I need to know what makes you the right person to lead the fight against Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain.

Dialogue options:
5 - Affable: Nothing, but I’m here.

Rook: Someone has to do something. I may not be the right person for this job… but I’m the only one left.

Solas: So your call to action is that any attempt is better than none?

Scene continues. [8]

6 - Sarcastic: I’m not in charge.

Rook: I’m not in charge of everyone. I’m just leading my little team until Varric is back on his feet.

Solas: I understand your fear. Declare yourself the leader, and others may think you power-hungry, no better than those you oppose.

Rook: I didn’t say I was afraid.

Scene continues. [8]

7 - Stoic: I punch up. You should know.

Rook: I stopped you, didn’t I?

Solas: You disrupted the ritual.

Rook: Yeah, I did. Even though I’m nowhere near as powerful as you.

Solas: Your plan is to tell me how powerful you aren’t?

Scene continues. [8]

8 - Scene continues.
Back to previous tree.
Origin dependent dialogue:
Rook: Back in the Crows, I had to deal with the Antaam invasion. One night I saw a unit getting ready to transport prisoners to another city. It was way too large for us to hit.

Solas: But you did so anyway, using unconventional tactics to confuse the Antaam and free the prisoners.

Rook: How’d you know that?

Solas: You helped Varric pursue me for the better part of a year. It would have been foolish not to learn about who was hunting me.

Told Solas you’re the only optionTold Solas you’re filling in for VarricTold Solas you succeed against the odds
Rook: Then you know that if someone has to make a call, I’ll do it.Rook: Then you know I’m not interested in a fancy title. But when something needs doing, I do it.Rook: Then you know that powerful opposition doesn’t frighten me. I find a way to get the job done, whatever it takes.

Solas: I suppose I was not so different when I started.

Rook: Started what?

Solas: My rebellion against the Evanuris—the “elven gods,” as you call them. They wish to reclaim their dominion over this world. To accomplish that, they will need two things. First, the blight. What exists in this world is a bare fragment of its power. The rest is imprisoned… until they release it.

Dialogue options:
9 - Investigate: It’s bigger than what we have?

Rook: The rest of the blight is imprisoned? There’s more than what’s in the world already?

Solas: Yes. Centuries ago, the magisters of Tevinter opened my prison. A tiny fragment of the blight escaped. That fragment grew beneath the earth and led to the Blights that have swept across the world. However terrible the blight is now, it is a mere fraction of what we will see if its full power is unleashed.

Back to dialogue tree.

10 - Investigate: It didn’t escape?

Rook: The blight didn’t escape with the gods?

Solas: Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain escaped largely empty-handed, fortunately. Most of the blight is still trapped in the prison I created ages ago.

Rook: So what we saw at that village, that’s them not at full strength?

Solas: Correct.

Back to dialogue tree.

11 - Investigate: Why blight the world?

Rook: I don’t understand. Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain were elves like you, right? Why would they want to blight the world?

Solas: It is my fault. As the Dread Wolf, I was a thorn in their side. When my efforts weakened their grasp on the elven people, they grew frustrated. Then desperate.

Rook: And turned to the blight.

Solas: Once the corruption took hold of them, they were blind to its horror. It was just another source of power for them. Now, they would blight the world without hesitation and call us backward and foolish for opposing them.

Back to dialogue tree.

12 - Affable: How do we stop them?

Rook: What would they need to do to free the blight, and how do we stop them from doing it?

Scene continues. [15]

13 - Stoic: The we need to stop them.

Rook: Then we shut down whatever they need to do to free the blight.

Scene continues. [15]

14 - Afraid: Can we stop them?

Rook: But we can stop them from freeing the blight, right?

Scene continues. [15]

15 - Scene continues.
Back to previous tree.

Solas: They will need to pierce the Veil to reach the blight’s prison. My lyrium dagger is one of the few artifacts capable of doing so.

Rook: We’ve already recovered it from the ritual site.

Solas: Excellent. Then they will have to make their own. That will give you time.

Rook: You said the gods needed two things, and the blight is the first. What’s the second?

Solas: Followers. They have called themselves gods, and what is a god without worshippers to sing their praises?

Veil Jumper RookElf Rook (non-Veil Jumper)Non-Veil Jumper/non-elf Rook
Rook: When the Dalish elves started the Veil Jumpers, we uncovered a lot about how terrible our gods were. I don’t think the elven people will bend a knee to blighted murderous monsters.Rook: I’m not going to bend a knee to blighted murdering monsters just because their ears are pointed like mine. I don’t think many other elves are going to, either.Rook: You think they want the elves back? I don’t think the elven people will bend a knee to blighted murderous monsters.

Solas: Agreed. Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain care little for the elves. They will find worshippers among those hungry for power. Tyrants and bullies. The cruel and the corrupt, who fear their own vulnerability and seize any chance to feel strong. If you hunt them, they will lead you to Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain.

Dialogue options:
16 - Affable: Thanks.

Thank you. I’ll go poke at “the cruel and the corrupt”, and we’ll see what we find.

Scene continues. [19]

17- Sarcastic: Sounds entertaining.

Rook: (Chuckles) You want me to pick fights with tyrants and bullies? Sounds fun.

Solas: I gave no orders. All I offer are suggestions.

Rook: I’m on it. What else?

Scene continues. [19]

17 - Stoic: That’s not enough.

Rook: I came here for specifics, not fortune-telling.

Solas: I would tell you more were I not currently imprisoned thanks to your actions.

Rook: Fine. I’ll go kick the trees and see what falls out.

Scene continues. [19]

19 - Scene continues.
Back to previous tree.

Solas: The Vi’Revas, the Lighthouse eluvian, can take you anywhere, if you master its secrets. Have you done so?

Rook: Not yet, but we’ve got one of the Veil Jumpers working on it. She’ll get it sorted, and we’ll see how it goes.

Solas: Yes. I suppose we will. And when you speak with Varric, please tell him that I… regret what happened.

Taking Point

Rook goes to talk to Varric in the infirmary.

Varric: So Solas told the truth about the gods.

Rook: You heard? It’s bad, Varric. If you’d seen D’Meta’s Crossing…

Varric: The team needs to act fast… and it can’t do that with me leading from a bed. You’ve gotta take point on this.

Dialogue options:
1 - Affable: I don’t want your job.

Rook: I didn’t come in here trying to take your job, Varric.

Varric: I know you didn’t. But it’s what the team needs right now.

Rook: You sure? Harding/Neve got hurt because she listened to me.

Scene continues. [4]

2 - Sarcastic: I can’t replace you.

Rook: I can’t do what you do. I’ve barely been holding it together in the short time you’ve been out.

Varric: You don’t need to do what I do. You just need to get it done.

Scene continues. [4]

3 - Stoic: If that’s what you want.

Rook: I’ll get it done.

Varric: I never doubted it.

Scene continues. [4]

4 - Scene continues.
Back to previous tree.

Varric: Rook, when I put this team together, what did I look for? A detective to find the Dread Wolf and a scout to get us the lay of the land. Exactly the people he’d expect me to recruit. Disciplined. Predictable. And then there’s you. Remember when we first met kid?

Origin dependent dialogue:
Varric: I watched you pick apart an entire Antaam patrol in Treviso. They outnumbered you twenty-to-one.

Rook: They were overconfident. I took advantage.

Varric: Which no one else did. Crows didn’t appreciate the heat it brought down, but…

Varric: You’ve got a knack, kid.

Rook: For what?

Varric: Finding a way through the wildest shit I’ve ever seen. With a plan that no one expects. On the best day of his life, Solas wouldn’t see you coming, Rook. And don’t worry. I’ll still be here to talk if you need me.

Dialogue options:
13 - Investigate: About Harding/Neve being hurt…

Rook: When I took over at the ritual site, I had to make a call on who came with me to knock over that statue. It was the first decision I made leading this team, and [Harding/Neve] got hurt because of it.

Varric: You made a decision with the best information you had. Sometimes you do that, and people end up hurt. Or worse.

Rook: What would you have done?

Varric: What would I have done? Probably gotten myself killed and failed to stop the ritual if you hadn’t stepped in. A good leader isn’t someone who never makes mistakes: It’s someone who admits when they make one. That’s how you earn their trust.

Back to dialogue tree.

14 - Investigate: About Solas and the ritual…

Rook: Did Neve tell you about me talking to Solas in the Fade? Varric: I had some good arguments with Chuckles back in the day. I can’t imagine being stuck with him in my head. But how are you feeling about it?

Dialogue options:
Back to main dialogue tree.
17 - We need his help.

Rook: It doesn’t matter how I feel about it. We can’t stop the gods without what he knows.

Varric: And there you go. You don’t have to love him to deal with him.

Scene continues. [20]

18 - He’s an asshole.

Rook: Your old friend is kind of an asshole, Varric.

Varric: (Laughs) I’d love to be a fly on the wall while the two of you get into it. Solas fought a rebellion against Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain. He didn’t want to be a god. But he’s also a lot older and more powerful than any of us. He looks at us like we’re toddlers.

Rook: So how do I deal with him?

Varric: Act like you’re as smart as he is, and he’ll be insufferable. Show him you respect his age and experience, and he’ll remind you he’s just a man. Honestly, pick whichever of those pisses you off less.

Scene continues. [20]

19 - I’m worried.

Rook: He’s the god of lies, and he’s inside my head, Varric. How do you think I feel about that?

Varric: Fair enough. But Neve’s a great mage. If you need her to whip up a ward to keep him out of your mind, she can. But you haven’t asked her to. Why not?

Rook: But you haven’t asked her to. Why not?

Varric: Solas is our best source of information about these elven gods. We can’t stop them without what he knows. So you’re making the decision to keep talking with him.

Rook: I… yeah.

Varric: You’re making a choice. Stay careful, stay worried, but don’t beat yourself up about doing what you have to do.

Scene continues. [20]

20 - Scene continues.

Rook: He also asked me to tell you that he regrets what happened. Hurting you, I mean.

Varric: Chuckles is sentimental. He could burn the world down, and the thing that would make him cry is a single flower with blackened petals.

Back to main dialogue tree.

15 - Investigate: About D’Meta’s Crossing…

Rook: There is something… D’Meta’s Crossing was awful. While we were there, we found one survivor—the mayor.

Freed the mayorLeft the mayorSent mayor to Wardens
Varric: You took him back to the Veil Jumpers.Varric: You left him to fend for himself.Varric: You sent him to the Wardens, right?

Rook: Not everyone was happy about my decision… We’re just starting out and I’m already losing their trust. Varric: The key to earning the team’s trust isn’t to only make decisions everyone agrees with. It’s showing the team that they can tell you whatever’s on their mind, even if they think you’re full of crap, and know you’ll listen.

Back to dialogue tree.

16 - Talk to you later.
Back to previous tree.
Scene continues.

Rook: I’ll let you get some rest.

Varric: You’re gonna be fine, Rook. Hey, one last thing before you go. I’ve been racking my brain thinking of contacts who might help us with these gods.

Rook: You got any ideas?

Varric: Nothing. But being a leader isn’t about having all the answers yourself: It’s about knowing who does. Neve has connections to a whole world that Harding and I barely know. Might be worth talking to her.

Rook: Will do. Thanks, Varric.

Varric: Any time.

Here for Leads

Rook finds Neve in the study.

First time visiting studyVisited study before
Rook: Neve. You’ve got wisps?

Neve: Yeah. They came with the place. But you’re here for leads.		Rook: Hey, Neve. Hi, wisps.

Neve: Yeah. They’re still here. But you’re here for leads.

Neve: You want allies to go after the gods. I’ve got places to look, if we can get anywhere but Arlathan.

Rook: Bellara’s working on it. What have you got?

Neve: Let’s start with the angles we know. The gods are corrupt magic personified. Who do we hire to fight that? First, the Antivan Crows.

Origin dependent dialogue:
Neve: We’ve got you. But if one assassin’s good…

Rook: Why not two? You have someone in mind?

Neve: Your most feared mage killer. The Demon of Vyrantium.

Dialogue options:
1 - Affable: A specialist. Smart.

Rook: A specialist. Between the two of us, maybe we can find a godly weakness.

Neve: Here’s hoping.

Scene continues. [4]

2 - Sarcastic: I always wanted to meet him.

Rook: The Demon’s a legend. I’ve always wanted to meet him.

Neve: Happy to help.

Scene continues. [4]

3 - Stoic: He might cause trouble.

Rook: I’ve heard stories about him. We need someone good—but he needs to work with us.

Neve: It’s one lead. We’ll learn more if we meet him.

Scene continues. [4]

4 - Scene continues.
Back to previous tree.

Neve: The Demon got his nickname taking out blood mages and Venatori. There’s been fewer stories in recent years. But your bosses would know.

Rook: The Talons? They’re going to give me an earful.

Neve: If you want to look elsewhere…

Rook: I’ll set up a meeting. What else?

Scene continues. [10]
10 - Scene continues.
Back to origin choice.

Neve: A trip home.

Rook: Back to Minrathous.

Neve: Capital city and heart of Tevinter. An empire of mages that knows a thing or two about corrupt magic.

Origin dependent dialogue:
Neve: And who fights the worst of it?

Rook: The Shadow Dragons. Good idea. Resist the gods with our own resistance group.

Neve: If the gods enter the empire, our contacts back home might get something.

Dialogue options:
11 - Investigate: About our past work…

Rook: Years with the Shadow Dragons, and this is the first time we’ve worked together.

Neve: Directly. I gather information for the Shadows. You might’ve used one of my leads. And I’ve heard of you.

Rook: I bet everyone heard about the Nessus job.

Neve: You were right to avoid Minrathous after. More than one magister wanted your head. It was good work, though. And we’ve got more ahead.

Back to dialogue tree.

12 - I miss the Shadow Dragons.

Rook: You know I miss the other Shadows. Or I do when I get a second to think.

Neve: How many of those have you had?

Rook: I don’t know. Five?

Neve: Sounds about right.

Scene continues. [15]

13 - It’s our job to help people.

Rook: Root out evil magic. Help the helpless. That’s what we signed up for.

Neve: And what a deal we made.

Scene continues. [15]

14 - We’re experts on evil magic.

Rook: We train to be the best at countering evil magic. Time to prove it.

Neve: (Laughs) Were you missing a challenge?

Scene continues. [15]
15 - Scene continues.
Back to origin choice.

Rook: So we talk to the Crows in Antiva and the Shadow Dragons in Minrathous.

Neve: I wouldn’t mind checking in on my neighborhood either. If Bellara’s ready for us.

Rook: Yeah. Should check how things are going.

Deleted Dialogue