Should I Let Alistair Sleep with Morrigan? A Dragon Age: Origins Dilemma

The question of whether to allow Alistair to perform the Dark Ritual with Morrigan in Dragon Age: Origins is a complex one, steeped in moral considerations, strategic gameplay choices, and the overarching narrative. The short answer? It depends entirely on what you want out of the game and what you value more: Alistair’s life, your Warden’s life, the future of Ferelden, or your personal roleplaying experience. There is no definitively right answer, and the best choice will vary depending on your specific playthrough.

Understanding the Dark Ritual

The Dark Ritual is a last-ditch effort proposed by Morrigan to circumvent the deadly consequences of facing the Archdemon. Typically, slaying the Archdemon requires a Grey Warden to absorb its soul, which inevitably leads to their death. Morrigan offers a solution: if she conceives a child with a Grey Warden (either the player character, Alistair, or Loghain), that child will absorb the Archdemon’s soul instead, sparing the life of the Warden who strikes the final blow.

The ritual is inherently risky and morally questionable. You’re essentially creating a child with the soul of an Old God, a being of immense power. However, the alternative is almost certain death for someone. Understanding the motivations, consequences, and potential outcomes of the Dark Ritual is key to making an informed decision.

Factors to Consider Before Deciding

Before you make a decision, carefully weigh the following factors:

• Your Warden’s Romance: Are you romancing Morrigan? If so, performing the ritual yourself might feel more natural from a roleplaying perspective, or you might refuse out of romantic ideals. If you’re romancing Alistair, sacrificing his well-being might be even more difficult.
• Alistair’s Character: Is Alistair “hardened” (meaning he’s become more pragmatic after a conversation about his past)? A hardened Alistair is more likely to agree to the ritual, and his subsequent actions as King might be different.
• Morrigan’s Motives: Do you trust Morrigan? She’s notoriously secretive, and her motives for suggesting the ritual aren’t entirely altruistic. However, refusing the ritual will cause her to leave your party permanently if neither the Warden or Loghain participate.
• Gameplay Consequences: The choice affects who lives and who dies, which directly impacts the epilogue and potentially future Dragon Age games.
• Moral Alignment: Do you value the life of your Warden above all else? Are you willing to sacrifice someone else, even with their consent, to achieve victory?
• Future Outcomes: The child born of the Dark Ritual, known as Kieran, may or may not wield incredible power, especially if the ritual involved a human sacrifice.

The Potential Outcomes

Here’s a breakdown of the possible outcomes based on your choices:

• You (the Warden) Perform the Ritual: You survive the final battle. Morrigan disappears afterwards, leaving you to deal with the ramifications of your choice. You can encounter her and Kieran in the Dragon Age: Inquisition.
• Alistair Performs the Ritual: Alistair survives the final battle. He might become King, potentially with you as his queen (depending on your gender and choices). This could also influence his future, and you can encounter Morrigan and Kieran later.
• Loghain Performs the Ritual: Loghain survives the final battle, but is more likely to leave later or die in the future.
• Nobody Performs the Ritual: A Warden (either you or Alistair, depending on who strikes the final blow) will die slaying the Archdemon. If Alistair strikes the blow, he dies, but if it is your character, they will. This is considered the “heroic sacrifice” ending.
• Refusal to Perform the Ritual: If the player refuses to sleep with Morrigan or is female, and does not ask Alistair or Loghain to do the deed, she will become infuriated and leave the party permanently.

The Case For and Against Alistair Doing the Deed

Here’s a balanced look at the arguments for and against Alistair performing the Dark Ritual:

Arguments For:

• Your Warden Lives: This is the primary reason. If you’re invested in your Warden’s story and want them to survive, having Alistair perform the ritual is a viable way to achieve that.
• Alistair’s Potential for Sacrifice: Some players feel that Alistair, as a Grey Warden and a potential King, has a duty to make the ultimate sacrifice. This aligns with his heroic ideals, albeit in a morally ambiguous situation.
• Strategic Advantage: Surviving the final battle allows your Warden to influence the future of Ferelden and potentially appear in subsequent games.

Arguments Against:

• Moral Implications: Forcing Alistair into the ritual is ethically questionable, even if he agrees. He may not fully understand the consequences, and you’re essentially using him as a pawn.
• Relationship Impact: It can negatively affect your relationship with Alistair, especially if he is not hardened. He might resent you for it.
• Potential for Kingship: Sacrificing Alistair‘s potential to be a good King. His leadership is necessary for Ferelden’s future.
• Consequences for Kieran: If you romance Morrigan and refuse to perform the ritual, Kieran is still born and a perfectly normal kid. It was never implied, said, nor shown that Wardens can transmit the Blight (at least I am unaware of it).
• Alistair’s Feelings: Alistair has a crush on Morrigan.

Conclusion: The Choice is Yours

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to let Alistair sleep with Morrigan is a deeply personal one. There’s no “correct” answer, and the best choice depends on your roleplaying style, your priorities, and your understanding of the game’s narrative. Consider the factors outlined above, weigh the potential outcomes, and make the choice that feels right for your Warden and your playthrough of Dragon Age: Origins.

To further explore the complex dynamics of gaming and storytelling, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website. You can find insightful resources on the intersection of education, technology, and gaming at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I refuse to have the Dark Ritual at all?

If you refuse the Dark Ritual, either you or Alistair (depending on who lands the final blow on the Archdemon) will die at the end of the game. There is no way around the death of a Grey Warden unless the ritual is performed.

2. Can a female Warden perform the Dark Ritual?

Yes, a female Warden can sleep with Morrigan to perform the Dark Ritual.

3. How do I convince Alistair to agree to the Dark Ritual?

Getting Alistair to agree involves increasing his approval to the point where he trusts you. Being generally nice to him and avoiding actions that severely lower his approval are essential. However, being “hardened” is very important. He is far more likely to accept if he has become harder due to the dialogue about his sister.

4. What does “hardening” Alistair mean?

“Hardening” Alistair refers to a conversation you have with him after completing his personal quest. If you encourage him to embrace the harsh realities of the world and move past his anger and naivety, he becomes hardened.

5. Does Alistair have to be hardened to agree to the Dark Ritual?

No, Alistair doesn’t have to be hardened, but it significantly increases the likelihood of him agreeing. A hardened Alistair is more pragmatic and willing to make difficult choices.

6. What are the consequences of having the Dark Ritual performed?

The primary consequence is that the Warden who strikes the final blow against the Archdemon will survive. There are also long-term consequences depending on who does the ritual.

7. What happens if I romance Alistair and then ask him to do the Dark Ritual?

Romancing Alistair and then asking him to perform the ritual can be emotionally difficult. If he is not hardened, he may agree reluctantly, leading to resentment. If he is hardened, he may be more willing, but it still affects the relationship dynamic.

8. Can I romance Morrigan and then refuse to perform the Dark Ritual?

Yes, you can romance Morrigan and then refuse the Dark Ritual. This will result in her leaving the party, and someone will have to die at the final battle.

9. What happens to Alistair if he becomes King after the Dark Ritual?

Alistair‘s personality and ruling style as King can be influenced by whether or not he performed the Dark Ritual and whether he’s hardened. He might become more ruthless or remain idealistic, depending on these choices.

10. Does the Dark Ritual affect the ending of the game in other ways?

The Dark Ritual primarily affects who lives and who dies. The ending cutscenes and epilogue will reflect this, showing the consequences of your decision on Ferelden and its leadership.

11. What are Morrigan’s true motivations for proposing the Dark Ritual?

Morrigan‘s motivations are complex. She doesn’t explicitly state them, but she does have an obsession with magic, and the child is likely very powerful due to it.

12. Is there any way to avoid the death of a Grey Warden without performing the Dark Ritual?

No, there is no way to avoid the death of a Grey Warden without performing the Dark Ritual. The Archdemon’s soul must be contained.

13. Can I romance multiple characters in Dragon Age: Origins?

Yes, you can romance multiple characters, but romancing Morrigan and then asking someone else to do the ritual may lead to complications in your relationship. The game does allow for multiple romances, but they can impact each other. It is possible to romance Morrigan and Leliana.

14. How does the Dark Ritual affect future Dragon Age games?

The child born from the Dark Ritual, Kieran, can appear in Dragon Age: Inquisition, and the state of Ferelden (especially who rules) can be referenced.

15. Is it possible to befriend Morrigan without romancing her?

Yes, it is possible to befriend Morrigan. Reaching high approval with her unlocks dialogue and personal quests that reveal more about her character, even without a romantic relationship.