Leliana

Leliana is an Orlesian bard who can accompany the Warden through the game, Dragon Age: Origins. She came to the village of Lothering seeking the refuge of the local chantry, where she expected to spend her time in meditation and prayer to the Maker, asking Him for forgiveness for her past deeds. She is a possible companion and romance option for either gender. She can also teach the bard specialization.

Background
Although Leliana's mother was from Ferelden, she was raised after her mother's death by an Orlesian noble, Lady Cecile, whom her mother served during the Orlesian occupation and returned to Orlais with after Ferelden's liberation. Living in Orlais, Leliana learned a great deal about the royal court and Orlesian culture. At some time she began to work for Marjolaine as a bard. She came to love Marjolaine, however this did not stop Marjolaine from accusing Leliana of selling government secrets to other countries. Leliana was caught and punished as a traitor to her country. She eventually managed to escape to the village of Lothering and joined the local Chantry. Years later, Leliana received a "message from the Maker" which ultimately compels her to assist the Warden in thwarting the impending Blight.

Involvement
Leliana is first encountered at Dane's Refuge, a tavern at Lothering. When The Warden is set upon by soldiers loyal to Loghain, Leliana will aid The Warden in the battle. When the battle is over, she will say that she wants to join the party due to her vision. Despite the Chantry's claim that the Maker does not communicate directly with people, Leliana is firm in her belief. This causes Alistair to think she is a little unstable mentally.

If she is rejected initially, it is possible to ask other people in Lothering about her. She will be waiting for you at the exit from Lothering, and will ask to join you again. Alistair at this point will suggest that she joins.

During the quest Urn of Sacred Ashes, the Guardian briefly talks to each of the party members about their past. When he speaks to Leliana, he states that the Maker only spoke to Andraste, and accuses her of making her vision up. He says that she feared her life would become dull after joining the Chantry, so she fabricated the story about the vision, reveling in the attention it brought her. She seems taken aback by the claim and denies it, saying that she knows and still believes in her vision.

Due to her devout nature, Leliana will not stand idly by if The Warden chooses to pour the dragon's blood on the Ashes of Andraste. If she is in the party she will attack. This results in her death, unless intimidation is used successfully. If intimidation is used she will say that she will never forgive The Warden for the desecration of the ashes, but cannot go against The Warden and will stay as a companion. If she is not in the party at the time she will confront The Warden at camp. If she cannot be persuaded to stay she will leave permanently.

Eventually Leliana discovers that that Marjolaine has sent assassins after her. These assassins will will reveal that Marjolaine has come to Ferelden. Confronting her means that Leliana can be "hardened" based on dialogue options. Doing this will make her less likely to object to evil actions taken by party, will change her attitude towards Morrigan, and will alter her possible endings.

Romance
You can form a relationship with Leliana as either a male or female Warden, as a female Warden, though if you have developed a relationship with Alistair as well he will force you to choose between him or her. Going with Alistair results in a slightly heartbroken Leliana and you lose about 16 points of admiration for leading her on. These can be regained over time but the romance option is no longer available once you have made your decision.

You can get the first kiss when her approval comes to around 80 and you can make love (and get the achievement) when its over 90.

It should be noted that the romance can take place at any point during the main storyline after helping with Leliana's Past and avoiding conversation pieces involving "Friendship" and "The Maker."

Quests Given

 * Leliana's Past

Gifts
Leliana's approval will increase when you offer her anything with "Andraste" in its name. The white flowers called Andraste's Grace work particularly well. She loves shoes too. Leliana can also be given pet nug from the Idle Dwarf in Dust Town. It will stay with her throughout the game.

Initial Statistics
Class: Rogue

Specialization: Bard

Starting Talents:

Bard: Song of Valor

Rogue: Dirty Fighting, Below the Belt, Deft Hands, Improved Tools

Archery: Pinning Shot, Crippling Shot, Rapid Shot, Shattering Shot

Plot Skills
As you befriend Leliana and gain her approval she will gain additional abilities, including the following:

Quotes
My bruises form a pretty pattern! ( Getting up at the end of combat)
 * "I tried to be merciful!"
 * "The righteous stand before the darkness, and the Maker shall guide their hand."
 * "I came to Ferelden and the Chantry because I was being hunted. I walked where the Maker led me and he has rewarded me for my faith. I found you."
 * "Walking corpses? Do you think it's something in the water?"
 * "I never liked this part!" (when entering combat)
 * "I can't go on like this." (when badly injured)
 * "Ooh! A windmill. I once took a ride on the sails of a windmill. Didn't turn out well." (at Redcliffe village)
 * "Ooh, this looks fun! I'll bet we'll have to work together, join hands, and sing a happy song to get across." (when confronted with floor puzzle)
 * "Look at what that woman's wearing! Is she drunk or does she just have bad taste?"
 * "I suppose violence is a solution... sometimes!"

Trivia

 * A pre-release advertising stunt claimed, that Leliana is modeled after adult model Alexandra "Alleykatze" Stein.
 * When asked to compare a list of NPC companions to food, BioWare employee Mary Kirby described Leliana as "A sticky cinnamon bun. No question".
 * Sheryl Chee described her as, "a macaron; very French and very girly."
 * After the "Nature of the Beast" quest, Leliana can sing a song in the camp if she likes you enough. The theme is called "Leliana's Song".
 * If Leliana is given the cute nug, she will name it Schmooples. (To see for yourself, hold down tab on the PC version to highlight your companions names or left trigger on the console versions to note all names in the vicinity.)
 * At one point when discussing Orlais fashion with Leliana, she will mention how one trend had shoes with soles "as big as bricks." This is obviously a nod to platform shoes, similarly fashionable a few years ago and just as impractical.
 * Leliana is one of three companions who appears in the Sacred Ashes trailer.

Bugs

 * A female human noble Warden who does not engage in a romance with Leliana and becomes Alistair's queen during the Landsmeet can still get a heartbroken speech from her back at camp on the topic if her approval rating is high. Oddly, it is possible to squeeze a few more approval points out of this dialogue if you are regretful about having to "end it" with Leliana, even if you were never in a romance with her to begin with.