Zathrian

"My retribution is eternal, as is my pain. This is justice."

Zathrian is the keeper of the clan of Dalish elves found in the Dalish Camp. He talks little of his past, but speaks earnestly of the problem faced by his people. His clan has been attacked by a pack of werewolves, led by Witherfang. As a result, many of his clan have been infected with lycanthropy. When the Warden asks him to join the fight against Blight, he asks for Witherfang's death and for its heart to be brought back so that a cure might be made. In exchange, the elves will join the fight against the Blight. But as the party may find out, Zathrian may not have told the whole story. One way the Warden can learn more of the conflict is to persuade his first, Lanaya, to tell them. She will be able to tell the warden why Zathrian has such strong views on Witherfang, though the whole of his story will remain a mystery until the final confrontation with Witherfang.

Background
{{DAOSpoiler| Many centuries before the Fifth Blight, a tribe of humans dwelt near the Brecilian Forest; when Zathrian's clan passed near to their settlement, his family was captured by a group of humans. They tortured and murdered his son, then raped his daughter and left her for dead in the forest. The Dalish rescued her, but when his daughter found out that she was pregnant, she committed suicide in shame. Mad with grief and hate, and wanting to exact revenge for what the humans did to his family, Zathrian summoned the Spirit of the Forest and bound it to the body of a wolf, creating the monster known as Witherfang. This is what created the curse that now infects his people. The Lady asks the Warden to bring Zathrian to her to ask for his assistance to end the curse. She knows that Zathrian used his own blood to create the curse and because of this, he survives as long as the curse does. Regardless, The Lady hopes he will show mercy.

Involvement
The Warden has the option of choosing whether Zathrian lives or dies. If the Warden asks Zathrian to end the curse he will initially refuse and attack the party. Once defeated Zathrian will relent and end the curse, thus ending his life. If the Warden sides with the werewolves and attacks the Dalish camp Zathrian will be killed defending the camp. Finally, if the Warden kills Witherfang Zathrian will continue to lead his clan (unless the Warden decides to backstab him before returning to camp). Though in the epilogue, Zathrian will disappear.

If the Warden sided with the elves and killed Witherfang, Zathrian will appear as an ally atop the roof of Fort Drakon during the final battle against the Archdemon. (PC only). }}

Skills
If the Warden chooses to fight Zathrian, he will use the following:

Quotes

 * "I am Zathrian, the keeper of this clan, its guide, and preserver of our ancient lore."
 * "I have lost much to these werewolves, and now they're about to take even more from me."
 * (About the talking werewolves) "Even if they could speak, I doubt they would have anything worthwhile to say."
 * (To Swiftrunner) "No! You will suffer as I have suffered!"
 * (About the Archdemon) "As if it weren't enough that one of the most noble and terrible creatures ever to be spawned of our world should be twisted into something so... unnatural. I cannot imagine what we shall do once we encounter it."
 * "They attacked my clan, and they were the same savages then that they have ever been. They deserve to be wiped out and not defended."
 * "Perhaps I have lived too long. This hatred in me is like an ancient, gnarled root... it has consumed my soul."
 * (When Zathrian agrees to end the curse) "You shame me, spirit. I am an old man, alive long past his time".
 * (Zathrian's last words before he ends the curse and his life) "Yes, I think it is time. Let us put an end to all this."

Trivia

 * Though he normally wears a generic robe, during the final battle he will be equipped with Tevinter Enchanter's Robes.


 * If the spell combination Storm of the Century (Mana Might, Tempest and Blizzard at same time and location) is used twice in the Dalish camp Zathrian will be killed. Loot includes Tevinter robes and a couple of rings.  I am not sure if this impacts the quest line, will update soon....