Back in November 2009, Dragon Age: Origins first hit the shelves. Fast forward to today, and we’ve just seen the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the latest chapter in the saga. While it’s been 15 years in our world, the realm of Thedas has experienced even more time passing. The Hero of Ferelden took down the Fifth Blight between 9:30 and 9:31 in the Dragon Age calendar, and by 9:53, rumors say the Blighted Elven Gods have made a comeback. So, we’re looking at about 22 years elapsed in Thedas’s timeline since we last saw these heroes.
Spoiler Alert! Major plot details for Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be discussed.
While we don’t have a precise birth year for the Hero of Ferelden, it’s safe to guess they were 18 to 20 years old at the end of the Fifth Blight. That would make them in their early 40s during the events of The Veilguard. As for Hawke, they were born around 9:06-9:07, which places them at around 46 or 47. Of course, that hinges on them still being alive. The age of the Inquisitor is a bit more flexible, originally set to be somewhere between 20 and 40 during Inquisition. With The Veilguard occurring roughly a decade later, they could now be anywhere from their 30s to 50s. Rook’s age, however, remains a mystery.
In keeping up with fictional characters like real-world celebrities, it’s always fun to ask, "Where are they now?" Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn’t radically alter the status quo but it certainly advances some story arcs. It’s a good opportunity to remember where we last left off with key figures like The Hero of Ferelden or Hawke.
Where is the Hero of Ferelden Now?
The Hero of Ferelden has long been a cornerstone figure since Dragon Age: Origins debuted. They remain an iconic character for fans, partly because of the complex choices and different possible outcomes in the game and its DLCs. The hero could have sacrificed themselves to kill the Archdemon or survived by letting characters like Alistair or Loghain take the fall. Or one might choose to complete Morrigan’s mysterious ritual, bypassing death by passing the Archdemon’s essence to her unborn child. Choices also include becoming a monarch or remaining with the Grey Wardens. If the hero doesn’t survive, an Orlesian Warden Commander steps in, but this figure lacks the enduring legacy of the Hero of Ferelden.
Regardless of their ultimate fate, if alive, the Hero of Ferelden is mentioned across subsequent installments. By 9:40 Dragon Age, they’re off searching for a way to prevent or end The Calling. Dragon Age: The Veilguard doesn’t provide any new status updates, but it does include a nod to their history. Given the defeat of some pretty formidable foes, like Ghilan’nain and Elgar’nan, there’s speculation about what this means for the Grey Warden forces. It might imply no more Archdemons, and thus, no more Callings. But knowing BioWare, that’s unlikely to be the whole story, leaving the status of the Hero of Ferelden somewhat uncertain for now.
Where is Hawke Now?
Last time we saw Hawke, they were in the quest "Here Lies the Abyss" during Dragon Age: Inquisition. Players had the gut-wrenching choice of leaving Hawke or a Warden Contact behind in the Fade. Thus, for The Veilguard, Hawke could either be trapped with an unknown status or alive but missing in action.
Beyond the Abyss, if you opted to save Hawke, they continue on to inform the Wardens about events at Adamant Fortress. This sends ripples through Weisshaupt, the Grey Warden headquarters. Hawke and Varric then supposedly turn their attention to improving Kirkwall, a job that would have started around 9:44 Dragon. Whatever Hawke’s doing for the past decade remains a mystery, opening up intriguing possibilities for future chapters.
Might be my wishful thinking, but these gaps in Hawke’s story feel like perfect setups for their return in upcoming Dragon Age adventures.
Where is The Inquisitor Now?
Unlike the other protagonists, the Inquisitor is consistently spared from demise in their game. Their mission, after all, is to either thwart or redeem Solas and his lofty plans of dismantling the Veil. And interestingly, even in The Veilguard, the Inquisitor’s life isn’t at risk. Post-Inquisition, the Inquisitor rallies Southern forces against new foes like Ghilan’nain and Elgar’nan. They show up for the climactic battle in The Veilguard, striving to hold everything together.
Even relationships get some screen time; Solavellan Inquisitors could exit with Solas, chasing redemption together. It adds a sweet note to a usually bittersweet world, even though what it means for the future stories is still ambiguous.
Where is Rook Now?
Rook stands guard as ever. Players who have journeyed through The Veilguard know well that Rook faces two possible fates. In most scenarios, Rook persists—outsmarting Solas or redeeming him. The trickery ending is fitting, as Solas is quite the deceiver, making it poetic justice in a way. However, ignoring game nuances could lead to a less rosy outcome. There is a potential ending where Rook falls after being struck by the Lyrium Dagger, seemingly sealing themselves and Solas away in a mystical prison. But otherwise, Rook emerges triumphant from 75% of these narratives.
As the story finishes on a note suggesting vigilance, it’s clear that The Veil’s challenges aren’t over. How this will play out, especially given Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s secret endings, leaves fans eager for more. Whether any previous heroes will return is uncertain, but one can always hope.
