Cassandra Pentaghast

"I'm not interested in stories. I came to hear the truth."

Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena Pentaghast is a Nevarran of the royal Pentaghast family and Seeker of the Chantry interested in Hawke. She believes that understanding Hawke's actions could be the key to preventing a war that threatens to engulf Thedas. In Dragon Age: Inquisition she becomes one of the Inquisitor's companions and a potential romance option for a male Inquisitor.

Background
Cassandra is the seventy-eighth in line to the Nevarran throne. Cassandra's parents took the wrong side in the second attempt to overthrow King Markus and were executed by the king. Cassandra and her brother Anthony were spared at the time because they were family and children. They were raised by their uncle Vestalus, a Mortalitasi. Cassandra resented her family for keeping her in a gilded cage and became estranged to Nevarra much later on.

Though of noble birth, Cassandra Pentaghast turned her back on a life of wealth and privilege to join the Seekers of Truth after the murder of her brother. The ancient order serves as a watchful eye over corruption and magical threats, granted ultimate authority in its investigations by the Chantry.

Dragon Age II

 * (To Varric) "Start talking, dwarf. They tell me you're good at it."
 * "The righteous stand before the darkness, and the Maker shall guide their hand."
 * (To Varric) "Bullshit! That's not what really happened!"

Dialogue

 * Cassandra: "I'm not interested in stories. I came to hear the truth".
 * Varric: "What makes you think I know the truth?"
 * Cassandra: "Don't lie to me! You knew him/her even before he/she became the Champion!"

Dragon Age: Inquisition

 * (To The Inquisitor) "You walked out of the Fade and our soldiers found you, the only one who escaped the blast that killed thousands. And you have no idea how you survived? At this moment, you are the only threat I see."
 * (About the Seekers of Truth) "We were meant to be incorruptible, above reproach. How seldom does reality match the ideal."
 * "If we are to spread the Maker's word across the world, we must do so with open hearts and open hands."
 * "I see what must be done, and I do it! I see no point in running around in circles like a dog chasing its tail."
 * "Cast the Chantry aside, and new problems replace old ones. We will learn nothing from history."
 * "At some point, power becomes its own master. We cast aside our ideals in favor of expedience and tell ourselves it was all necessary. For the people."

Trivia

 * During the development of Dragon Age II, her hair changed from long black hair, to short white hair, to her current short black hair.
 * In Dragon Age: Redemption Nyree states that she once fought beside a templar named Cassandra. Cairn states that Cassandra is head of the Seeker Order. Cassandra Pentaghast, however, is not the head of the Seekers.
 * Mary Kirby described her as "an extremely crusty baguette".
 * Cassandra is proclaimed the "right hand of the Divine" (Divine Beatrix) in Dragon Age II; Grand Cleric Elthina refers to Leliana as the "left hand of the Divine" (albeit referring to a different Divine). As of Dragon Age: Inquisition she is Divine Justinia V's Right Hand.
 * Unused dialogue from Dragon Age II suggests there was a cut quest involving Cassandra encountering Hawke in Kirkwall. See: Cut content
 * She is described as "The Believer" in the promotional materials for Dragon Age: Inquisition.
 * Jennifer Hepler was originally writing Cassandra for Dragon Age: Inquisition. David Gaider took over when Jennifer Hepler left BioWare.
 * She "sees eye to eye" with Iron Bull and Vivienne.
 * Cassandra is described as brash, impulsive, and having anger management issues, but nevertheless she’s incredibly dedicated and will do whatever it takes to set the world right.
 * Cassandra can be briefly seen in the Dragon Age: Inquisition, character trailer for Varric. Cassandra leaves the tavern just as the trailer begins.
 * It is revealed through companion dialogue that Cassandra reads Varric's novels and loves the "romantic" title "swords and shields".
 * Cassandra's greatest fear is helplessness.
 * Cassandra writes with her left-hand, but fights with her right hand in the game.