- Unfinished Business (Approval)
- Promise of Destruction (Personal Plot)
- Guilty Pleasures (Gift Plot)
- The Ideal Romance (Romance Plot)
Romance: Inquisitor must be male of any race.
Though of noble birth, Cassandra Pentaghast turned her back on a life of wealth and privilege to join the Seekers of Truth. The ancient order serves as a watchful eye over corruption and magical threats, granted ultimate authority in its investigations by the Chantry—or it did, prior to abandoning their duty in response to the mage rebellion. Cassandra did not join her brothers in this, instead remaining loyal to Divine Justinia and her efforts to restore order in the face of chaos. She is both pious and driven, the sword in the right hand of the Divine, seeking justice above all else.
Starting Abilities
| Ability | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Challenge | Your powerful shout carries across the battlefield, taunting a targeted enemy and improving your guard. |
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Payback Strike | You recover from any disabled condition and lash out with a great blow against nearby enemies. If you’ve recently taken damage, you hit that much harder and stagger your foes. |
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Shield Wall | You stand firm and block incoming attacks at the cost of stamina. Each block adds to your guard. You move much more slowly while sustaining this ability. |
Specialization
Templar: Long ago, the Seekers of Truth founded the Templar Order and taught them how to deal with hostile mages and their spells. Cassandra thus possesses all of a templar’s abilities without the risk of lyrium addiction.
First Encounter
Initially, you are Cassandra’s prisoner following the events at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. As a result, she is the first party member you encounter, joining you during the journey to the first Fade rift, where you meet Varric and Solas. Even at this early stage, Cassandra is a formidable warrior capable of taunting enemies while absorbing and dealing heavy damage. If you’re not playing as a warrior yourself, Cassandra is an indispensable member of your party during your early adventures in the Frostback Mountains and the Hinterlands.
Approval
Cassandra isn’t the most approachable character in your party, but there are a few things you can say to gain her approval. Generally, embrace your role as the Chosen of Andraste and say favorable things about the Chantry while prioritizing the Inquisition over personal fame and power. Completing Unfinished Business will also grant you some approval. To prevent a loss of approval, avoid making disparaging comments about the Maker or the Chantry.
Approval Gained
- Charge with the soldiers in the Frostback Mountains during the prologue.
- Go to Redcliffe Castle and accept mages as conscripts.
- Go to Therinfal Redoubt and ally with the templars.
- Say you’ll be a “servant of faith” when made Inquisitor.
- Exile the Wardens after securing Adamant.
- Support Gaspard at the Winter Palace.
- Empress Celene dies at the Winter Palace.
- Drink from the Well of Sorrows.
Approval Lost
- Take the mountain path in the Frostback Mountains during the prologue.
- Go to Redcliffe Castle and ally with the mages.
- Go to Therinfal Redoubt and disband the Templar Order.
- Say you’ll “do it for my own power” when made Inquisitor.
- Allow the Wardens to join the Inquisition after Adamant.
- Support Briala at the Winter Palace.
- Allow Morrigan to drink from the Well of Sorrows.
Romance
Seeker Pentaghast is a very determined and focused woman, seemingly too busy for and uninterested in a romantic relationship. However, if you’re playing as a male character (of any race) it’s possible to eventually win Cassandra’s affection. Start out by building approval and flirting with her at every opportunity. Complete Cassandra’s inner circle quests (Unfinished Business and Promise of Destruction) to continue building approval. Also, be sure to complete her gift quest (Guilty Pleasures), convincing Varric to write a new volume of Swords & Shields for Cassandra.
During a conversation in Skyhold, Cassandra informs you that your flirts haven’t gone unnoticed. But she remains conflicted. She wants an ideal storybook romance. As the Herald of Andraste, she feels you simply can’t be that man. The romance can end at this point, but it doesn’t have to. Insist that you can be the man she wants to unlock her romance quest, The Ideal Romance.
Once all of Cassandra’s inner circle quests are complete, and you’ve maintained warm approval, you can ask her to meet you somewhere in private, culminating the romance. Following the culmination, you have the option of breaking up with Cassandra or continuing the relationship. If you continue your relationship with Cassandra, no other romances can be started.