Blackwall

"At the heart of it, all a Warden is, is a promise. To protect others... even at the cost of your own life."

Blackwall is a Grey Warden and a companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition as well as a potential romance for female Inquisitors.

Background
Blackwall originated from Markham of the Free Marches. Blackwall states he won the melee of the Grand Tourney in his younger years, albeit it was due to the support given to him by a fellow competitor―a chevalier. The chevalier put aside his own ambition to help Blackwall win the tournament and offered to mentor Blackwall, yet Blackwall refused him because of his own pride. Many years later, he came to regret that decision.

Blackwall is a committed Grey Warden, who's not only content, but proud of the lives of isolation and valor those of his order lead. In that isolation, he counsels that you have become something more than yourself, and it is that noble ideal that spurred Blackwall to become one of those few to choose, of his own accord, to undergo the Joining. He prefers the life of the Warden to any other.

Documents indicate that at the time of the Fifth Blight in 9:30 Dragon, Blackwall was stationed in Val Chevin and held the post of Warden-Constable. He was strongly opposed to Teyrn Loghain's decision to close the Fereldan borders, and exile the Grey Warden while the Fifth Blight raged.

Blackwall walks the land as a Warden recruiter. His goal is to help others and act as a shield to his comrades, and this reflects his view of the Grey Wardens as an order of protectors.

Blackwall is also an acquaintance of Duncan. It appears Blackwall had a sister named Liddy, who is presumed deceased now.

Approval
Blackwall approves of helping others.

Romance
Blackwall can be romanced by a female inquisitor of any race.

Quotes

 * "Sometimes you have to figure out for yourself what the pledge to protect others really means. It's not always just about Archdemons and Blights."
 * "You know I hate the aristocracy as much as you do. I hate that they sit in palaces sipping wine while people starve outside their gates. I hate that good soldiers die in senseless wars over who gets the fancy chair. Still, it's better to have the nobility on your side than not. They're dogs, all of them, and even the primped and powdered ones have teeth."
 * "'You are who you choose to follow.' Someone told me that once. Took me years to understand what he meant."
 * "You may have Andraste's favor. But wars are won by men. Soldiers."
 * "One thing I will say about your men: they're passionate. Devoted. You inspire them. Build on that foundation, and you will have an army that makes nations tremble."
 * (Why he joined the Grey Wardens) "Because they remember honor and sacrifice, words that have little meaning to the rest of us. Because they lay down their lives for those they have sworn to protect. We all need to believe there are such men in the world. I needed to believe I could be one of them."
 * "We could make the world better. It's just easier to shut our eyes."
 * "It's not right... to want to do good, to be good, and have that turned against you."

Trivia

 * Blackwall was written by Sheryl Chee.
 * He is described as "The Resolve".
 * He is described as dedicated, almost mentor-like figure, but he's also a man alone; he's been on the road for a very long time, and it wears on him.
 * According to Sheryl Chee, Blackwall likes dogs.
 * Blackwall's greatest fear is himself.
 * Warden-Constable Blackwall was bestowed the Silverite Wings of Valor, an honor bestowed upon Orlesian Wardens for deeds of great daring. What deeds he performed to earn such an honor however is left confidential by the Grey Wardens.