Can You Reject Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, absolutely! You can indeed reject Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins. While she’s a charming and valuable companion, the game allows players to make choices about who joins their party, and Leliana is no exception. You have several opportunities to turn her down, and doing so has specific consequences within the game’s narrative. Now, let’s delve into the details.
Rejecting Leliana: A Step-by-Step Guide
The First Encounter in Lothering
You first meet Leliana in the tavern in Lothering. She is a cheerful and devout Orlesian bard, and after a brief cutscene/fight, she expresses a strong desire to join the Warden’s party. This is your first chance to say no. If you decline her initial request, she will be disappointed but not deterred.
The Second Request Before Leaving Lothering
Before you leave Lothering entirely, Leliana will intercept your party again. She reiterates her desire to join your cause, giving you a second chance to accept or reject her. This is the crucial moment. If you refuse her a second time, she will leave Lothering, and you will not have the chance to recruit her later in the game. The destruction of Lothering after completing a main quest means she is effectively gone for good.
Consequences of Rejection
The primary consequence of rejecting Leliana is that she won’t be available as a companion for the rest of the game. You’ll miss out on her personal quests, unique perspectives, and romance option. Furthermore, her skills as a rogue and archer won’t be at your disposal in combat. Finally, and depending on your playthough choices, she may not be available for the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Leliana
What happens if I don’t recruit Leliana or Sten in Lothering?
If you fail to recruit Leliana and Sten before completing one of the main story quests (such as Redcliffe or Broken Circle), Lothering will be destroyed, making them permanently unavailable as companions. This can significantly impact your party composition and available skills throughout the game.
What if I initially accept Leliana but later want to dismiss her?
You can dismiss Leliana from your party at any time by speaking to her at your camp. She will remain at the camp, allowing you to re-recruit her later if you change your mind (provided Lothering has not been destroyed).
How do I keep Leliana from becoming “hardened”?
Leliana’s personality can change based on your choices and dialogue during her personal quests. The key moment to prevent her from becoming “hardened” occurs when she’s discussing the fate of a traitor. Choose the dialogue option “Do you have to kill him?” and persuade her to spare his life. This will soften her personality and reinforce her faith in redemption. It also influences her potential role as Divine in Dragon Age: Inquisition.
How do I initiate a romance with Leliana?
To romance Leliana, you need to achieve high approval with her by giving her gifts she appreciates (especially Andraste’s Grace) and making choices that align with her moral compass. Once her approval is around 91 or higher, talk to her frequently at the camp. Eventually, you’ll have the option to express romantic interest, leading to a love scene after her personal quest is resolved.
What is the significance of the “Divine Nightingale” dialogue in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
The “Divine Nightingale” dialogue refers to Leliana’s role as the spymaster for the Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition. This dialogue explores her commitment to the Chantry and the possibility of her becoming the Divine. Your choices during these conversations can influence who is ultimately elected as Divine.
Why is Leliana not romanceable for some players?
Leliana requires high approval and consistent affirmation to begin a romance. Many players might fail to trigger this because of the need to constantly seek conversation options with her, combined with choosing gift options wisely. If you fail to give her appropriate gifts or your dialogue choices clash with her values, her approval will remain too low for a romance to blossom.
How can I avoid accidentally romancing Leliana?
To avoid accidentally romancing Leliana, be friendly and interested in her life, but avoid complimenting her looks or expressing romantic interest. Focus on building a platonic relationship through dialogue and gift-giving, but be careful to never flirt or suggest anything beyond friendship.
Should I harden Leliana or not? What are the benefits of each?
Whether to harden Leliana depends on your playstyle and desired outcome. A hardened Leliana will be more accepting of morally ambiguous or “evil” decisions. She will be more pragmatic. An unhardened Leliana remains committed to her faith and ideals of compassion and justice.
Who makes a better Divine in Dragon Age: Inquisition: Leliana or Cassandra?
This depends on your preferences and the vision you have for Thedas. Leliana possesses strong social skills, political acumen, and a genuine desire to serve as Divine. Cassandra, while honorable and devout, prefers direct action and lacks Leliana’s finesse in political maneuvering. Both are capable, but their strengths lie in different areas. Some argue that a hardened Leliana is particularly well-suited to be Divine.
Can I give Leliana a nug as a gift?
Yes! While in Orzammar, speaking to Leliana will trigger a discussion about nugs (if her approval is high enough). You can then ask the Idle Dwarf in Dust Town to catch you a nug. After obtaining the nug, you can give it to Leliana as a gift, significantly increasing her approval.
Does killing Marjolaine harden Leliana?
The impact of killing Marjolaine on Leliana’s hardening depends on your dialogue choices after the quest. Killing Marjolaine itself doesn’t automatically harden Leliana, but the conversations you have with her afterward about the event will determine whether she becomes more ruthless.
Is it possible to have both Morrigan and Leliana in the party? Can they coexist?
Yes, it is possible to have both Morrigan and Leliana in your party simultaneously. However, if you are pursuing a romance with both, tensions can arise, leading to jealousy and potential confrontations where you may be forced to choose between them. It is possible, though more difficult, to manage this scenario through multiple conversations with both characters.
How do I make Leliana a “good” Divine in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
To help Leliana become a “good” Divine, support mage rights, promote alliances with various factions, and strive for stability and unity in Thedas. Support her compassion, but ensure that she recognizes the pragmatic choices that must be made at times.
Can I romance a hardened Leliana?
No. Hardening Leliana does not necessarily mean you cannot romance her. It depends on your character, choices, and playstyle. In fact, many prefer to romance her hardened. It is important to remember that you have to resolve her personal quest before you bed her.
What happens if Leliana dies in Dragon Age: Origins?
If Leliana dies in Dragon Age: Origins, she is not permanently gone from the series. Regardless of her fate in the first game, she returns in Dragon Age: Inquisition as the Inquisitor’s spymaster. If she died, she will explain that she mysteriously awoke after her death, believing the Maker resurrected her.
This detailed guide should provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors you have to consider when deciding if you wish to reject Leliana as a party member. Further study of GamesLearningSociety.org will provide insight into similar decision-making dynamics that are found in gaming scenarios.