Dragon Age: Originsreleased in November 2009, with the latest installment of the franchise,Dragon Age: The Veilguard, launching not too long ago. 15 years have passed in the real world, but even more have in Thedas. The Hero of Ferelden defeated the Fifth Blight in 9:31 Dragon (which began in 9:30), with theBlighted Elven Gods returning to Thedasin 9:53 Dragon (or thereabouts). This means roughly 22 years have passed in theDragon Ageuniverse.
This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Dragon Age: The Veilguard
There’s no exact age for the Hero of Ferelden, but assuming they were all around 18-20 at the end of the Fifth Blight, this would put them in their early 40s during the events ofDragon Age: The Veilguard. Hawke, meanwhile, was born between 9:06-9:07 Dragon, putting them at 46 or 47 duringDragon Age: The Veilguard. That’s assuming, of course, that they are alive. The Inquisitor is given a vague birth to allow for players to express this how they wish, with the Inquisitor being anywhere between 20-40 at the time ofInquisitionwithout that causing any major timeline concerns. As such, withDragon Age: The Veilguardtaking place about 10 years afterInquisition, this means they could be between their 30s and 50s. Rook’s age is also indeterminate.
Ultimately, this is the “Who’s who” of Thedas, so like real world celebrities, it’s always important to ask “where are they now” to remain culturally relevant.Dragon Age: The Veilguarddoesn’t change much, but it does close a book or two (for now). Furthermore, it’s worth recalling what was last heard ofcharacters like The Hero of Fereldenor Hawke.
Where is the Hero of Ferelden Now?
Dragon Age: Originsis the first gamein the franchise and, as importantly, the first game many fans of the franchise experience. Newer fans may jump in at different points, but the Hero of Ferelden has always been special. They also have the most complicated storytelling and possible endings in the franchise, thanks to ongoing stories beyondOriginsand the possible endings inOrigins(including its DLC).
In broad terms, the Hero of Ferelden could give their life to slay the Archdemon during the Fifth Blight. They could live if they let Alistair or Loghain make the sacrifice, or they can perform the ritual withMorrigan to create the OGB (Old God Baby)as slaying the Archdemon sees Urthemiel’s Soul pass to her unborn child. They could also be Queen of Ferelden, Alistair’s true love for a purely politic marriage, or they could remain with the Grey Wardens. While these have far-reaching effects, it does come down to a simple dichotomy: the Hero of Ferelden is either alive or dead at the end ofOrigins. In the case they are dead, the DLC is completed by an Orlesian Warden Commander, who is not as remembered as the HoF.
The Hero of Ferelden, if alive, is referenced in later games. Ultimately, regardless of royal/warden decisions, the HoF disappears around 9:40 Dragon. It is revealed inDragon Age: Inquisitionthat they are searching for a way to prevent/end The Calling.
Dragon Age: The Veilguarddoesn’t update their status, instead opting for anEaster egg for their Joining in Ostagar, but the events of the main game do imply a shift for the Hero of Ferelden. With the defeat of Ghilan’nain and Elgar’nan (and their Archdemons), it’s uncertain what happens with the Grey Warden force which has largely been devastated. In theory, no Archdemon or Elven Gods means no Song and that means no Calling, something in-universe Grey Wardens may assume. But in tried-and-true BioWare fashion, I wouldn’t suspect that to hold up for long. As such, the Hero of Ferelden’s status is still indeterminate, as ofThe Veilguard.
Where is Hawke Now?
Hawke’s last in-game appearance is inDragon Age: Inquisition’s “Here Lies the Abyss” quest. In it, players are forced to choose between leaving Hawke or the Warden Contact (who could be Alistair, Loghain, or Stroud) behind in the Fade to deal with the Nightmare. This means that Hawke ultimately has two statuses as ofDragon Age: The Veilguard, one where they are lost with an undetermined living status OR one where they are alive but with an undetermined current whereabouts.
This could totally be me coping, but I have to point out a trapped Hawke or an alive Hawke with a mysterious decade in their life would make their introduction in future Dragon Age games simpler…
Where is The Inquisitor Now?
Interestingly, unlike the Hero of Ferelden and Rook in their respective games, there is no chance the Inquisitor dies inDragon Age: Inquisitionor its DLC. This is because their mission becomes to either save or stop Solas' plan to tear down the Veil. Equally as interesting is that, unlike Hawke inInquisition, there’s no chance the Inquisitor dies inDragon Age: The Veilguard. Their fate does ultimately change, though. The Inquisitor lives through the events ofDAIand appears inDATVas the figure leading the South. Ferelden and Orlais are as devastated by Ghilan’nain and Elgar’nan as much as the North, if not more so, and they rally around the Inquisitor.
The Inquisitor returns at the end ofDragon Age: The Veilguardto help in the final battle. In every case scenario, they live. However, Solavellan Inquisitors can leave with Solas as he walks his path of redemption. What that ultimately means for the future (if anything) remains to be seen, but it is ahappy ending for Solas and the Inquisitor. As fans know, Thedas as a whole is like a Tevinter serial; happy endings are far and few between.
Where is Rook Now?
Rook remains vigilant. Of course, players who have beatenThe Veilguardshould be aware that there are two states for Rook as well. In most endings, Rook is alive and well - redeeming Solas or beating him through strength or trickery. Of these two, trickery is the most fitting. Solas is a trickster after all, and falling for such a simple trick is quite poetic. However, if players do not engage with all of the game’s systems, it is possible that players receive the bad ending. In it, Rook is stabbed bythe Lyrium Dagger(which has proven fatal multiple times by this point) as they bind Solas to the Veil. The safest assumption here is that Rook is dead, since in theory Rook could escape the prison they and Solas seemingly return to; otherwise, Rook survives all other endings.
Given that the game ends on the note “The Veilguard Remains Vigilant,” that would imply the threat to the Veil is not over. Perhaps this ties intoDragon Age: The Veilguard’s Secret Ending, but for now, fans just have to wait and see what comes next. There’s no telling that any of the previous protagonists ever return, but fingers crossed.
