What Happens If You Kill Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins?
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The question of what happens if you kill Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins is a fascinating one, especially given her significant role in subsequent games. The short answer is: she comes back to life, seemingly defying a permanent death. However, the circumstances and implications of this resurrection are far more nuanced and intertwined with the lore of the Dragon Age universe than a simple respawn. Let’s delve into the details.
The Resurrection: A Maker-Given Miracle?
The only place where it’s possible to permanently kill Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins is within the Temple of Sacred Ashes, specifically within the same room containing the Andraste’s Ashes. If she is killed, the game does not explicitly show her resurrection in Origins. However, in Dragon Age: Inquisition, if she was killed in Origins, she will explain that she awoke some time after her death, still in the temple, and strongly believes that The Maker resurrected her. This event is not a standard game mechanic; instead, it is a piece of established lore and a plot point that BioWare uses to introduce a sense of mystery and miracle into the series. This revelation has significant ramifications for understanding the nature of divinity and the power of faith within the Dragon Age universe. It also brings up the possibility of divine intervention, further muddying the waters when it comes to how much of the world is affected by the will of the Gods.
The implications of Leliana’s resurrection are huge for the Dragon Age lore, and this is a mystery that is expected to get further attention in future games. It presents the possibility that the physical location and spiritual history of the Temple played a vital role. Her return raises the question: Was it truly a miracle, or is there another more mundane but complex explanation?
Impact on Dragon Age: Inquisition
Leliana’s death in Origins and subsequent resurrection directly impacts her character and her dialogue in Dragon Age: Inquisition. If she survived the events of Origins, her personality is shaped by her experiences with the Warden. However, if she died and came back to life, she expresses a more profound connection to faith and the possibility of divine intervention.
Regardless, Leliana feels changed after the events of Left Hand of the Divine in Inquisition. However, if the player softened her before that event, she’ll express her desire to grow beyond what the Divine has made her. The circumstances of her death and resurrection are always a point of contention and a topic that the Inquisitor can discuss with her.
What About the Story?
Whether Leliana lived or died in Origins, she is present in Inquisition as one of the Inquisitor’s advisors. Her role as a spymaster and agent of the Divine is not altered by her resurrection. However, her perspective on religion, destiny, and faith is given much more depth and complexity if she experienced this death and revival. Her character development is directly linked to her experience of death and rebirth, giving more character depth and motivation.
Ultimately, if you killed Leliana in Origins, she doesn’t stay dead. She becomes a character marked by her death and resurrection, with an altered view of the world, faith, and her own role in Thedas. This provides a unique narrative thread for players who chose to make that fateful decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How old is Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins?
By the time the Warden encounters Leliana in Lothering, she is at least 24 or 25 years old. She was 20-22 in Leliana’s Song and spent 2 years in the Cloister before being recruited by the Warden, making her roughly 25 at the time the Warden finds her and 26 by the end of the main quest.
2. Can you romance Leliana?
Yes, you can romance Leliana in Dragon Age: Origins. It requires achieving a high approval rating with her and giving her appropriate gift items.
3. What happens if you reject Leliana in Origins?
If you refuse to allow Leliana to join your party, she will intercept you again as you leave the village, pressing her request once more. She is persistent and continues to want to be involved, meaning it is difficult to get rid of her.
4. Is Leliana in Dragon Age 2?
Yes, Leliana makes a cameo appearance in Dragon Age 2. She is seen conversing with Cassandra Pentaghast. She is also encountered by Hawke in The Exiled Prince DLC.
5. What is the difference between hardened and softened Leliana?
A hardened Leliana is more accepting of morally questionable decisions, while a softened Leliana is more committed to her faith and a more idealistic approach. These choices affect her behaviour and reactions, particularly during the quest in the ashes temple, where softened Leliana will turn on you if you defile them while hardened Leliana can be talked down.
6. How do you soften Leliana?
To soften Leliana, you need to convince her to spare the traitor, Natalie, and not tell her soldiers are expendable. You should also tell her to stop torturing herself after sparing Natalie.
7. How do you harden Leliana?
To harden Leliana, you must allow her to kill the traitor, let her believe her soldiers are expendable, and let her kill Natalie. Allowing these will allow her to grow more disillusioned and hardened.
8. Does killing Marjolaine harden Leliana?
Yes, killing Marjolaine can harden Leliana. This is a decision that will solidify her trust in you and make her more receptive to hardened views.
9. What role does Justinia play in Leliana’s life?
Justinia, formerly known as Revered Mother Dorothea, saved Leliana when she was betrayed by her former mistress, Marjolaine. This event shaped Leliana’s faith and her loyalty to Justinia.
10. Can Leliana be Divine?
Yes, Leliana can become the Divine in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Whether or not she is elected is based on the choices you make. She is also very well suited to be divine.
11. What is the best way to make Leliana a good Divine?
To make Leliana Divine, you should ally with the mages, put Briala in power (either by controlling Gaspard or reuniting with Celene), and make sure you don’t agree to have Cassandra or Viv be the Divine when they ask.
12. What happens if you defile the Sacred Ashes with Leliana in your party?
If Leliana is not hardened, she will turn on you instantly. If she is hardened, you can convince her to stay with you.
13. Why can’t we romance Leliana?
You can romance Leliana, it is just requires a very high approval rating with her. Ensure you are giving her the right gifts to further your relationship.
14. Can you give Leliana a nug?
Yes, you can get Leliana a nug. You need to speak to her in Orzammar, where she expresses her fondness for nugs. Then, you can get a nug for her by talking to the Idle Dwarf in Dust Town.
15. How old is Leliana in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Leliana is 36 years old at the time of the events in Dragon Age: Inquisition, making her the second youngest Divine in history, and the third to be elected outside of the traditional Chantry hierarchy.