Can You Have Morrigan and Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins? A Deep Dive into Romances
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The short answer is: Yes, you can “have” both Morrigan and Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins, but not in the way you might think. You can engage in romantic encounters with both of them within a single playthrough. However, you cannot have a committed relationship with both simultaneously. The game forces you to choose between them. Think of it more like a brief fling with multiple people before settling down, or in some cases, not settling down at all. Let’s delve deeper into how this complex mechanic works and answer all your burning questions.
Navigating the Complex Web of Dragon Age Romances
Dragon Age: Origins offers a rich experience when it comes to relationships. The companions you meet aren’t just tools to aid you in combat; they have personalities, desires, and their own agendas. This extends to the game’s romance system, which allows you to form intimate bonds with a select few. The catch? These romances aren’t always straightforward.
Sleeping Around vs. True Love
The first key to understanding how you can “have” both Morrigan and Leliana is to recognize the difference between casual encounters and true commitment. The game allows you to sleep with multiple romance options before any hard choices need to be made. This is due to the approval system. Once a companion hits a certain high level of approval, a romantic scene may be triggered. This isn’t a commitment in itself, it’s just an indication of attraction.
The Inevitable Choice
Eventually, the game forces you to choose. If you’ve pursued both Morrigan and Leliana to the point of romance, you will encounter a conversation where either the ladies will make you choose or you will find yourself having the opportunity to solidify your commitment to one of them. If this decision is not made, your character’s romantic dalliances become a fleeting moment of passion before the game forces you into a more singular path.
How to Romance Them Both Briefly
Here is a breakdown of how to successfully get “romances” with both ladies before making a choice:
- Start with Morrigan: She’s typically the easier of the two to get into a romantic encounter with. Build up her approval to a high level and engage in the romantic encounter that triggers when you max out her approval.
- Do NOT Complete Morrigan’s Personal Quest: You want to delay this, completing it will trigger the full romance scene. This is where she will ask if you are in love with her, which will solidify your relationship and could make getting to Leliana’s romance harder.
- Move on to Leliana: Shift your focus to Leliana. Begin to build her approval with gifts and dialogue choices.
- Complete Leliana’s Personal Quest: Now complete her personal quest and continue to pursue the romance. You must talk with her to the point that either she questions your loyalty (jealousy speech) or the game gives you the option to commit to her before that happens.
- Choose between Morrigan and Leliana: The game will now present you with a dialogue option that forces you to pick one of the ladies. Choosing Leliana will cut Morrigan’s romance off immediately while choosing Morrigan will do the same to Leliana.
The “Softening” of Leliana
It’s important to note that Leliana’s personality can be “softened” or “hardened” depending on your choices and dialogue throughout the game. This can significantly impact your relationship with her and her views on the world. A softened Leliana is more open to love and connection while a hardened Leliana is ruthless and focused.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the complex romance system of Dragon Age: Origins:
1. Can a female Warden romance Morrigan?
No, Morrigan can only be romanced by a male Warden. She is a complex character, set in her ways, and her romantic inclinations are fixed to men.
2. Can a male Warden romance Leliana?
Yes, both **male and female Wardens can romance Leliana**. The initial romantic dialogue will be slightly different but the end result is the same.
3. What happens if you romance both Leliana and Morrigan?
You will be forced to **choose one of them** to commit to. The other will generally end the relationship with the Warden.
4. Is it possible to romance Zevran alongside Leliana and Morrigan?
Yes, it is possible to have romantic encounters with Zevran alongside Leliana and Morrigan, provided you do so before solidifying a romance with either of the ladies. He’s open to casual encounters as well but, like the others, you eventually must commit to one of the three.
5. How does the approval rating affect romances?
A high approval rating is **crucial for initiating and maintaining romances**. It determines whether romantic encounters will trigger and whether companions will even want to pursue a relationship with the Warden.
6. What is the purpose of “softening” Leliana?
Softening Leliana changes her perspective on life. She will become more open and compassionate, embracing the possibility that she can be more than what she was forced to be. A hardened Leliana will remain ruthless and believes ruthlessness is needed. This choice can be made by discussing her past.
7. Can you avoid choosing between Leliana and Morrigan?
No, the game will eventually force you to choose. There is no way to maintain a polyamorous relationship with them.
8. Can you get Morrigan pregnant if you do not do the ritual?
Yes, you can still get Morrigan pregnant via romance, but **the child will be a normal human** and not carry the soul of an Old God. This only happens if you do not agree to the Dark Ritual.
9. Can a Dwarf Warden have a child with Morrigan?
Yes, a **Dwarf Warden can have a child with Morrigan**, regardless of whether the Dark Ritual is agreed to or not.
10. What happens if you refuse Morrigan’s Dark Ritual?
If you refuse the Dark Ritual, **a Grey Warden will die** during the final battle. If you have someone else take the ritual, no one dies. If the ritual is not performed and Alistair strikes the killing blow to the Archdemon, then Alistair dies.
11. How do you trigger a romantic encounter with Leliana?
Leliana is **more picky** than Morrigan or Zevran. Her approval must be extremely high and you have to have asked about her past and learned about Marjoline.
12. Can Leliana die and still return in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Yes, **Leliana returns in Dragon Age: Inquisition** as the spymaster regardless of whether she died in Dragon Age: Origins. She will claim she was resurrected.
13. Is Leliana a spy?
Yes, **Leliana is a highly skilled spy** and works as the Left Hand of the Divine, overseeing her spy network.
14. Should you let Alistair sleep with Morrigan?
Letting Alistair sleep with Morrigan is a way to avoid the Warden's death during the final battle. **This is part of the Dark Ritual**.
15. Can a Mage marry Alistair?
**Only a Female Human Noble can marry Alistair** and become Queen-Consort. The other option to get him to agree to a relationship is to harden Alistair.
Conclusion
Navigating the romantic entanglements in Dragon Age: Origins is a complex but rewarding experience. You can have fleeting moments with both Morrigan and Leliana, but ultimately, the game forces you to choose a single path. Understanding how the approval system and character choices influence these relationships will help you navigate these difficult decisions and create a unique gaming experience.