The forthcomingDragon Age: The Veilguardis set to be the first title released in the franchise since 2014’sDragon Age: Inquisition.Taking place a decade after the previous installment,Veilguardtakes players back into the world of Thedas, wherethe elven god Solas’s nefarious plans spark a new questhelmed by the mercenary adventurer Rook. As is standard for the series, players create their own protagonists and provide them with starting factions and classes to establish them fully within Thedas before the journey begins.
Of the six separate factions players can choose from at the start of the game,all provide unique surnames for the Rook.These surnames are availableregardless of the Rook’s in-game race or class, and provide added flavor for players to draw onduring their travels through Thedas.
Surname: Thorne
The Grey Wardens areThedas’s elite soldiers in the war against darkspawn.Headquartered in the Anderfels, the organization is renowned for accepting recruits of all kinds if they are deemed worthy of entry following a period of grueling training, and despite limited manpower, have provided critical support against Blights in the series.
The Grey Wardens' commitment to the war against darkspawn takes a serious toll on their ranks, withrecruits often dying during an intense blood magic ritualknown as the Joining that sees new Grey Wardens bond with darkspawn to grant them the ability to destroy Blights and protect them from Blight corruption. Davrin, one of Rook’s companions, is a Grey Warden. Players whochoose the Grey Wardens as their factionare bestowed with the surname Thorne.
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Surname: Aldwir
Explorers of the elven ruins, Thedas’s Veil Jumpers began as a primarily Dalish elven organization but accept anyone willing to help jointheir fight against the chaotic magic unleashed in the Arlathan Forest,with one of the Veilguard’s members, Bellara, belonging to this group. With the forest having devolved into disarray, with landscapes turned upside down, time affected by magic, and spirits breaking through the Veil, the Jumpers beginThe Veilguarddesperately attempting to repair the damage incurred in the Arlathan Forest.
Having extensively documented the Arlathan Forest’s magical aberrations,the Veil Jumpers prove invaluable to members of the Veilguard, safely guiding Varric and Harding through the forest before the start of the game. Players who choose for their Rook to belong to this faction will go by the surname of Aldwir.
Shadow Dragons
Surname: Mercar
Another new Tevinter faction, the Shadow Dragonsfiercely resist slavery and oppression, their primary mission assisting the former slaves in and around Tevinter’s capital of Minrathous. One ofThe Veilguard’s companions, Neve Gallus, a Tevinter mage and private investigator, is a Shadow Dragon determined to overthrow corrupt rulership in the region. Should a player’s Rook originate from this freedom-fighting faction, their character will go by the last name of Mercar.
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Lords of Fortune
Surname: Laidir
Considered the greatest treasure hunters in Thedas, the Lords of Fortune are an esteemed and colorful multiracial guild that collect everything from cave treasure to monster bounties. Operating a powerful protection racket within Thedas dedicated to safeguarding the wealthy patrons that often fund and accompany the Lords of Fortune on their expeditions, this faction has built up a small, if powerful, niche within the world ofDragon Age.If a player’s Rook belongs to this lively crew, they will be known by the last name of Laidir.
Surname: Ingellvar
Belonging to the Mortalitasi, a politically powerful group of Mages, members of the Mourn Watchare the elect few that guard the Grand Necropoliswhile also dealing with magical mishaps. Originating from Nevarra, a region in Thedas south of Tevinter, the Mourn Watch counts among its members prominent royals that in turn often pay massive sums to the Mortalitasi to mummify their bodies and protect them from the threat of post-mortem possession.
Emmrich Volkarin, one of the Rook’s companion inThe Veilguard, is a member of the Mourn Watch. Rooks belonging to this arcane order of guardians will go by the surname of Ingellvar.
Name: De Riva
Once a group of Chantry monks that cultivated poisonous herbs in the local abbey, the Antivan Crows have evolved intoa sect powerful enough to challenge the aristocracy of their homeland.This mighty, largely elf-based faction relies on brutal training to perfect their recruits, many of whom were orphaned or once-enslaved. Rooks that are members of the Antivan Crows will be known as De Riva, a reference to one of the faction’s noble houses.
Dragon Age: The Veilguardpromisesboth exciting gameplay and an intricate narrative. With a diverse array of factions and character classes to choose from, each player will have a completely unique experience. Even surnames - which are assigned by faction - will be different on each playthrough, a creative twist that will helpensure no two Rooks are ever the same.
