Varric Tethras

Inner Circle Quests:

• Seeing Red (Approval)
• Well, Shit (Personal Plot)

Romance: Not available.

Varric Tethras is one part adventurous rogue, one part dashing storyteller, and three parts trouble. Born on the surface, Varric has little love for his underground brethren—all his contacts lie with the dwarves of the merchants guild, though he has little taste for their schemes. Still, he has found a place as an outsider, rubbing shoulders with both the wealthy elite as well as the worst of scoundrels. To hear him tell of it, that’s all he truly cares about, though anyone who truly knows him claims differently. They say that, try as he might, Varric has been drawn more and more into conflicts that shake the world—ones that he can’t get himself out of with a quick tale.

Starting Abilities

Ability	Name	Description
	Caltrops	You scatter spikes behind you, hurting and slowing down enemies who come after you. This ability is considered a trap for any abilities that enhance or affect traps.
	Long Shot	You fire a powerful single shot that delivers more damage the farther you are from the target.

Specialization

Artificer: After years of experience with the Merchants Guild and the publishing world, Varric has become an expert at handling deadly traps and convoluted devices.

First Encounter

Armed with Bianca, his beloved crossbow, Varric is busy fighting off demons with Solas at the first Fade rift outside Haven when you first encounter him. This rogue automatically joins your party (along with Solas) when the Fade rift is closed. Bianca gives Varric the ability to engage enemies at range. But if you already have too many ranged party members, consider equipping Varric with a pair of daggers. Varric’s lock-picking skill will come in handy as your party continues its adventure into the Hinterlands and beyond.

Approval

Varric is skeptical of just about everything, including the Inquisition. Despite his vocal misgivings about the situation, Varric is loyal to the cause and eager to see a return to normality. While Varric can’t be romanced, you can still gain and lose approval with him. Generally, Varric appreciates a good sense of humor, even in the darkest of times. Clever wisecracks and not taking yourself too seriously will gain approval with Varric. Some of Varric’s approvals are also tied to events in Dragon Age II, depending on whether Hawke sided with the mages or templars.

Approval Gained

• Take the mountain path in the Frostback Mountains during the prologue.
• At Redcliffe Castle, accept the mages as allies (only if Hawke sided with the mages in Dragon Age II ).
• At Redcliffe Castle, accept the mages as conscripts (only if Hawke sided with the templars in Dragon Age II ).
• Allow the Wardens to join the Inquisition in Adamant (only if Hawke’s Warden ally is left in the Fade).
• Exile the Wardens at Adamant (only if Hawke is left in the Fade).

Approval Lost

• At Redcliffe Castle, accept the mages as allies (only if Hawke sided with the templars in Dragon Age II ).
• At Redcliffe Castle, accept the mages as conscripts (only if Hawke sided with the mages in Dragon Age II ).
• Say you’ll “do it for my own power” when made Inquisitor.
• Say “lead them to vengeance” when made Inquisitor.
• Allow the Wardens to join the Inquisition in Adamant (only if Hawke is left in the Fade).
• Exile the Wardens at Adamant (only if Hawke’s Warden ally is left in the Fade).