Zevran Arainai

''"Can you smell that? Like rotting flesh. Now if only you could find me a prostitute or two, a bowl of fish chowder and a corrupt politician, I'd really feel like I was home!" '' Zevran Arainai is a libidinous and amoral elven Antivan rogue. He is a possible companion and romance option for Wardens of either gender in Dragon Age: Origins. If Zevran's approval is +27 or more, he will teach the assassin specialization.

Background
Zevran was the son of a Dalish elf who left her clan and moved to Antiva after falling in love with an elven wood cutter. After the wood cutter passed away, she worked as a prostitute to pay off his debts, until eventually dying in childbirth. Zevran was raised by the other whores until the age of seven, when he was sold to an elite guild of assassins called the Crows of Antiva. He attempted to resist their training, but eventually accepted and excelled in his position. Trained in both stealth and seduction, Zevran is now one of the Crows' most promising assassins.

Romance
A supposed master of seduction, Zevran will blatantly flirt with the Warden, in addition to some of the other companions, even if only in jest. He is typically undeterred by anything short of a firm and clear declining of his advances, thus making it easy to start a relationship with the Warden, regardless of gender. Almost immediately after being recruited into the team he will reveal his attraction to the Warden, and from there the Warden can drop unsubtle hints that the thought is reciprocated.

It is a simple enough matter to get into Zevran's good graces. He enjoys playful innuendo and being asked of his exploits, and as long as the Warden can accept his sexual history, the romance will continue. He can be asked to accompany the Warden back to their tent with a moderately high approval rating, which he happily accepts. Afterwards he explains that he holds no claim to the player character, and it is their choice if the encounter is a one-time thing or will continue. Conversely, if Zevran has a high approval of the Warden and they have not yet asked him to bed, he will offer his company for the night. Asking Zevran about love afterwards will result in a loss of approval, though telling him it's a one night stand will result in a significantly larger approval loss as well as ending the relationship. Zevran is just as faithful as the other romance partners once in a relationship.

If the Warden is concurrently romancing Alistair, Leliana, or Morrigan, Zevran will eventually ask if that relationship is going anywhere. He will offer to step aside to avoid complications down the road, stating they have "had their fun", but the Warden should pursue the path of lasting happiness, though there is some indication that his feelings run quite a bit deeper than he is letting on. Choosing to stay with Zevran will result in a significant approval boost, and dumping him in a corresponding significant approval loss.

While Zevran and the Warden can become very close quite soon after starting the romance, Zevran's approval rating won't switch to "love" until after the calling of the Landsmeet. The party encounters (and slays) Zevran's old friend Taliesen, and with that Zevran is given a reprieve from being hunted by the Crows. In gratitude, he offers the Warden an earring. Upon being asked if the item is a token of his affection, Zevran will give an awkward response that should make the answer obvious. However, pushing him to actually say it will result in a refusal to hand over the earring and a minor approval drop. Another alternative is to refuse the earring altogether, which will also cause disapproval. Later, he will approach and offer it to the Warden again (if the Warden makes the right dialogue choices when pressing Zevran on why he no longer accepts sexual encounters -see below-). There is an option to suggest that the earring represents a proposal, which Zevran will agree to if it is the Warden's wish that it be taken as such. This apparently is what Zevran wishes as well, as if the warden decides a proposal is too much after suggesting it, the relationship ends as Zevran wants some promise of a future together.

After he has offered the earring, Zevran will refuse sexual encounters. If prompted to give a reason why, or asked if he wants to end the relationship, he will snap at the Warden and end the conversation with a small gain of approval. When asked about his change in behavior he explains that he is confused about his feelings, and from here the Warden will have to express love or end the romance. If the conversation ends well, Zevran will again take the Warden's bed.

If the Warden survives the fight with the archdemon and elects to rebuild the Grey Wardens, Zevran will accompany them to rebuild the order, assisting with recruitment and training, though he will never actually join. The Warden choosing to remain in Denerim, return to their clan, travel, or other such options will result in Zevran staying for a time. The circumstances aren't clear, although the Epilogue indicates that Zevran still loves the Warden. The Warden is also able to keep Zevran as a consort if his approval rating is high enough, despite marrying Alistair or Anora and becoming king or queen. There is an additional conversation with him regarding this once the engagement is announced, where he will ask about where he stands and whether or not the romance will continue in spite of the upcoming nuptials.

Finally, if the Warden makes the ultimate sacrifice in the final battle, the Epilogue notes that Zevran, despite frequent offers of bed partners, never loved again.

Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening
While Zevran does not appear in Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, he is referenced once when the Warden (imported only) is recruiting Nathaniel Howe, and again at the end of the game if the Warden was romantically involved with him. If so, the ending reveals that the Warden eventually travels to Antiva in order to find Zevran—whether to engage in a showdown with him, to lead the Crows at his side, or to continue to adventure with him remains up to the player to decide.

Nevertheless, there is also a letter from him to a Warden whom he loves present in the game files which did not appear in the game when the game was first released. This has been fixed in the 1.04 patch. See A Letter From Zevran for details.

Gifts
Zevran enjoys leather items and bars of gold or silver. When given the Dalish Gloves, he will initiate a brief conversation that may lead to an extra approval bonus, for a maximum of.

He also enjoys a Rare Antivan Brandy (DLC) for

Initial statistics
Zevran starts out as a Rogue one level above the warden.

Relative Attribute Weightings on Auto-Level: Strength 0.5, Dexterity 1.5, Willpower 0.5, Magic 0, Cunning 1.3, Constitution 0.8.

Class: Rogue

Specialization: Assassin

Starting Talents/Skills: Zevran begins with level 3 poison

Assassin: Mark of Death

Rogue: Dirty Fighting, Below the Belt, Deadly Strike, Lethality (level 9), Stealth, Stealthy Item Use, Combat Stealth

Dual Weapon: Dual-Weapon Training, Dual-Weapon Sweep, Flurry, Momentum

Plot skills
As you befriend Zevran and gain his approval, he will gain additional skills:

Quotes

 * (Warden "No antivan boots for you") "Yes, no antivan boots for Zevran."
 * "We all do our share of murdering around here, don't we?"
 * (After giving him Antivan Leather Boots) "Can you smell that? Like rotting flesh. Now if only you could find me a prostitute or two, a bowl of fish chowder and a corrupt politician, I'd really feel like I was home!"
 * (Sighs) "And here I thought the Wonders of Thedas would be a whore house. Pity."
 * "Now that we have mentioned tying me up in that context, do we have any extra rope about?"
 * "You tend to get up to interesting things. You meet interesting people and then you kill them. I'm game to tag along, if you are."
 * "'Death happens,' as we like to say. 'And when I get paid for it, death happens more often.'"
 * (Upon interrupting father Eirik's sermon in Haven) "Just once I'd like to walk into one of these places and discover a lively dance, or a drinking festival. Or an orgy. But alas, no "
 * "By your side I would willingly storm the gates of the Dark City itself. Never doubt it!"
 * (After inviting him back to your tent) "Arg! Pirate Zevran reporting for duty! Prepare to be boarded!"
 * (After the foursome with The Warden, Isabela, and Leliana) "I don't mind never speaking of it again, as long as we could do it again."
 * (After coronation) "Does the Ferelden monarchy make much use of assassins? Hmm... I wonder if this is a good time to ask."
 * (While questioning the guard in Haven) "Ah, quiet insular communities. There's always something nasty going on behind closed doors. I hope it involves chains. I hope they ask me to join in."
 * (When searching the tree stump of the mad hermit) "Ha! Let's see... When was the last time I slipped my hand into some dark hole? Hmmm... Long story, that."
 * (When asked about one of his contracts; it's a poem recited by a target in an attempt to get Zevran to let her go) "The symphony I see in thee/ it whispers songs to me/ songs of hot breath upon my neck/ songs of sighs beside my head/ songs of nails dug in my back/ songs of thee come to my bed."
 * (About the Antivan Crows) "The Crows aren't so bad. They keep one well supplied: wine, women, men. Whatever you happen to fancy. Though the whole severance package is garbage, let me tell you. If you were considering joining, I'd really think twice about it."

(Chuckles) You spoil me."
 * Possible when asked to join Warden in tent "Arrr! Pirate Zevran reporting for duty! Prepare to be boarded!"
 * Also Possible: "No dinner? Flowers? Gifts of lethal poison?
 * ''(When talking to Wynne about why he left the Antivan Crows):"Yes, it's terrible and it makes me sad. May I rest my head in your bosom? I wish to cry."

Dialogue

 * Warden: "You must think I'm royally stupid."
 * Zevran: "I think you're royally tough to kill. And utterly gorgeous. Not that I think you'll respond to simple flattery. But there are worse things in life than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess." (If the Warden is a female.)
 * Zevran: (If Warden is male): "I think you're royally tough to kill. I'm only hoping that you're stupid. That was a joke. Let me rephrase that. I'm hoping that you're the sort of fellow that takes a chance every now and again. Ha, ha... No?"


 * Warden: One can never tell with you elves.
 * Zevran: Oho! Well, if a racist crack like that doesn't cajole me into telling a tale, then nothing will!


 * Shale: "Order me to do something."
 * Warden: "Give Zevran a hug."
 * Zevran: "Now, now. I don't care much for foreign objects invading my personal space. Well... usually."


 * Warden:"Care to answer some questions?"
 * Zevran:"If they're dirty ones, certainly."


 * Warden: "And here I thought I seduced you."
 * Zevran: "Why aren't you the saucy little minx then. I've been used and wasn't even aware of it! A masterpiece."

Random banter between Shale and Zevran
 * Shale: "So you see me winning the affection of another golem, do you? Most golems are slaves to whomever holds their control rod."
 * Zevran: "Funny, it works exactly the same way for us as well."

If you have Zevran in the party during the Landsmeet & choose him as your champion when you opt to duel Loghain:
 * Loghain: "Will you face me yourself, or have you a champion?"
 * Warden: "Zevran will fight for me."
 * Zevran: "Am I the only one who sees the irony in this? Ah well, I do love to work in front of an audience."

When obtaining Maric's blade--Return to Ostagar DLC
 * Zevran: "That is a very sexy sword. I must have it!"

Battle quotes

 * "I hope I don't get blood all over me again."
 * "Time for a little bloodletting, I see!"
 * (After a successful fight, with no significant injuries) "We are ridiculously awesome."
 * "Grey Warden, Darkspawn. Darkspawn, Grey Warden."
 * "I hate the smell these darkspawn leave on my blade."
 * "I love this game!"
 * "Hah, I still remember my first battle!"
 * "You... do know how to fight, right?"
 * "Ah! This really gets the blood pumping!"
 * "I have just browned my trousers, yes?" (during the fight with the High Dragon)
 * "You would think that these creatures would be more interested in, oh I don't know, surviving?"
 * "Shall we compete for points?"

Cheat for infinite approval
When in a romance with Zevran and the conversation allows the choices "I want to discuss something personal" and then "Care to join me in my tent", there is a chance to gain an infinite amount of approval from Zevran. Invite him the first time and choose options that end the conversation without the love-making cutscene playing. (I.e. "I was only joking, really. Just forget it." "Fine. Get in my tent. No more questions."   "That's… not what I had in mind.")    After the first invitation has failed, you can repeatedly ask him again and give the answers "Enough with the coy bit.  Get in the tent," and then "That's… not what I had in mind." Each time you do you'll gain.

Trivia

 * Writer Sheryl Chee has said that when going out for a drink Zevran would "insist on garnishing his with an orange slice and an umbrella."
 * Lead Writer, David Gaider described Zevran as "deceptively spicy salsa."
 * One of David Gaider's influences for Zevran was Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Lord Rochester from Plunkett & Macleane.
 * It has been suggested that some of Zevran's demeanor came from a 1970's-80s tv commercial (see Easter Eggs). However many aspects of his character and behaviour emulate Puss-in-Boots from the Dreamworks animated film Shrek 2, such as his accent, his love of leather boots, the fact he is an assassin sent by the King, how he offers his life in service after being allowed to live, and Puss is even called a "sleazy hit man" which is how Zevran is seen by others.
 * Zevran is the only Elven party companion in Dragon Age: Origins and has no companion quest.
 * The quote during one of the possible endgames 'You meet interesting people and then you kill them' is a nod to the movie Full Metal Jacket in which the lead character mentions that he wanted "to meet interesting and stimulating people of an ancient culture... and kill them."

Bugs

 * You can loot Zevran's invisible corpse even after he has joined your party so long as he is not one of the active four.


 * If you romance Zevran as a male warden, the epilogue may refer to you as "the woman he loves".
 * There is one pivotal conversation, where if it ends with Zevran initiating a kiss (this kiss can happen publicly -- it's nothing to do with the tent time), his romance will never update to love.