The Price of Betrayal: What Happens When You Give Isabela to the Arishok in Dragon Age 2?
In the treacherous world of Dragon Age 2, choices have profound and lasting consequences. One of the most pivotal decisions a player faces revolves around the fate of the flamboyant pirate, Isabela, and her possession of a crucial Qunari relic. Choosing to hand her over to the Arishok is a path laden with complex moral implications and gameplay repercussions. Here’s a deep dive into what happens when you betray Isabela to the Qunari.
The immediate outcome of giving Isabela to the Arishok is that she is handed over to the Qunari. The Arishok, satisfied that the relic has been recovered, and by accepting their justice for a thief, leaves Kirkwall and the immediate threat of a full Qunari invasion is averted. The city is spared a significant battle, at least for the moment, and the Qunari threat in Act 2 is neutralized without a significant boss battle with the Arishok. However, the long-term ramifications of this decision are far-reaching.
The Consequences of Betrayal
Handing over Isabela means she will not be a part of your party for the rest of the game. This has a significant impact on your party dynamics and combat potential, since Isabela is a strong rogue character with unique skills. Furthermore, your relationship with Isabela will be irreversibly damaged. She will view your actions as a profound betrayal and any possibility of a romantic relationship with her is completely extinguished.
While the Arishok and his forces leave peacefully (at least for now), this action has several long-term consequences. You have sacrificed the relationship and companionship with Isabela for a short-term respite.
A Secret Escape
Even if handed over to the Qunari, it’s revealed later in the game that Isabela manages to escape her captors. This revelation doesn’t change the immediate impact of your betrayal. While the knowledge that she is alive may provide some solace to players who still regret their decision, she remains absent from your party. She will still not be present during battles and will not be in your party to aid you in completing quests or dealing with conflicts in Act 3.
Relationships and Regret
The act of betraying Isabela will also negatively affect your relationship with some of your other companions. Specifically, your companion’s opinions toward you can be altered by this major decision, resulting in negative effects or loss of points.
Moreover, as the game progresses, the repercussions of your choice will continually resurface. You will often be reminded of your betrayal, not only through conversations with other characters but also through your own personal internal reflections on your decision. Choosing to betray Isabela is not an easy path and often leaves players with a lingering sense of regret and the knowledge that they chose the path of least resistance for temporary gain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To provide further context and understanding, here are 15 frequently asked questions related to betraying Isabela to the Arishok:
1. Can I still romance Isabela after giving her to the Arishok?
No. Choosing to hand Isabela over to the Qunari completely destroys any possibility of a romantic relationship with her. She views it as the ultimate betrayal and will not forgive you for it.
2. Does giving Isabela to the Arishok affect other romances?
It can. While it doesn’t directly prevent you from pursuing other romances, the moral implications of betraying Isabela can affect your overall standing with other companions, potentially making them less receptive to your advances. Additionally, if you had previously started a romance with Fenris, choosing to betray Isabela does not preclude you from continuing to romance him.
3. What happens if I don’t betray Isabela?
If you choose not to betray Isabela, you will have to fight the Arishok to defend her. This leads to a major battle, but it ensures Isabela remains in your party and your relationships with her and other companions are unaffected.
4. Will the Arishok respect Hawke for betraying Isabela?
Yes, the Arishok names Hawke basalit-an, showing respect for their decision, even if Hawke is a mage. However, this respect is based on a shared sense of “justice,” not necessarily a personal bond.
5. Does betraying Isabela make the game easier?
In the short-term, yes. Giving her up means you avoid a tough boss fight with the Arishok at the Docks. However, in the long-term, it removes a valuable party member.
6. What happens to the Qunari after Isabela is handed over?
The Qunari, satisfied that the relic has been recovered and justice has been done, leave Kirkwall. This is in stark contrast to the chaos that results if Isabela refuses to surrender the relic herself, which requires you to fight the Qunari in the city.
7. Will I see Isabela again after giving her to the Arishok?
Yes, you will learn that she has escaped the Qunari, but you will not see her in any meaningful way or be able to interact with her. She will not be in your party for Act 3, even though she is alive.
8. Does siding with the mages or templars affect the Isabela decision?
No, this particular choice isn’t directly affected by your alignment with the mages or templars. However, your chosen alignment can affect how your companions react to other choices you make, potentially affecting their approval or disapproval of your decision on Isabela’s fate.
9. Can I loot anything from the Arishok if I betray Isabela?
No, not directly. If you hand her over, you avoid the fight with the Arishok completely, meaning there are no bodies to loot.
10. Can I redeem myself to Isabela?
No. Once you’ve made the choice to betray Isabela, her relationship with you cannot be salvaged, no matter how hard you try. She will not forgive your betrayal, and there will be no redemption arc for this choice.
11. Is betraying Isabela the “canon” choice in Dragon Age lore?
No, it is not. In the canonical version of events, Hawke sides with Isabela and fights the Arishok.
12. Why does Isabela have the Qunari relic?
The game explains that Isabela stole the relic from the Qunari and attempted to sell it. However, she was not aware of its true significance or the consequences of possessing it.
13. What if I had romanced her before the decision?
Romancing her beforehand changes absolutely nothing. The betrayal is just as powerful, and she will not return to your party and your relationship will be severed forever.
14. How do other companions react to this decision?
Other companions have varying reactions, reflecting their personal values and relationships with Hawke and Isabela. Some may understand the pragmatic decision, while others will be deeply disappointed. Some companions will even have reduced approval with Hawke for betraying Isabela.
15. Is there any way to undo the decision after giving Isabela to the Qunari?
No, there is no way to undo this decision. Once you betray her to the Arishok, the consequences are permanent, and she is no longer available as a companion. If you regret the decision and do not have an earlier save, you would have to start the game over.
In conclusion, giving Isabela to the Arishok is a choice that comes with short-term gains but long-term losses. While it may seem like an easy way out of a conflict, it’s a decision that has profound repercussions on your relationships, your party, and your overall experience in Dragon Age 2. It’s a path that many players often come to regret due to its impact on the game’s complex narrative and personal relationships.