Jean-Marc Stroud

"Being a Grey Warden is not a cure...it is a calling."

Stroud is an apparently high-ranking Grey Warden who was on a mission for the Wardens in the Free Marches.

Background
Stroud is a Grey Warden who appears to hold a high rank, since he is first seen with two men guarding and following him. Stroud is a warrior fighting with a two-handed sword and also carries an Orlesian accent. He later carries a longsword and shield when you meet him in Act 2.

Involvement
As Hawke's party returns to the surface after the Deep Roads expedition, Bethany or Carver will have contracted the darkspawn taint if they were brought in the expedition. If Anders is also part of the expedition, he will propose to search for a Grey Warden in the area to ask him to let Bethany or Carver join the order. That Grey Warden is Stroud.

If Alistair did not remain with the Grey Wardens, Stroud will get another appearance during the razing of Lowtown by the Qunari. Hawke will encounter Stroud, along with two male Wardens (and possibly Bethany or Carver) fighting a group of Qunari. After the battle, he announces that he is traveling to Orlais and will not answer why. Stroud will give Hawke the Warden's Promise ring before leaving.

Result
After some negotiations with Anders, Stroud will let Hawke's sibling attempt to join the Grey Wardens, saying that Anders and him will then be even. Bethany/Carver will survive the initiation off-screen but will leave the party until the end of the game.

Quotes

 * "Being a Grey Warden is not a cure. It is a calling."