Cullen Rutherford

"No one ever listens until it's too late."

Cullen is a templar who can be found during the Magi Origin story and later during the Broken Circle quest. He initially is a somewhat timid person, but is later revealed to have acquired a deep prejudice toward all mages. He becomes a Knight-Captain in Kirkwall during the events of Dragon Age II.

Background
Cullen was assigned a post as a guard in the Circle Tower to watch over the Circle of Magi where he developed hidden feelings for one of the mage apprentices—which a few of the other apprentices gossip about.

Dragon Age II
Act 1

Act 3

Quotes

 * (To Meredith) "I defended you when Thrask started whispering you were mad, but this is too far!"
 * "Enough! This is not what the Order stands for! Knight-Commander, stand down! I relieve you of your command!"
 * (To Meredith, while standing in front of Hawke) "You'll have to go through me".
 * (To Meredith, on taking responsibility for surrendering mages) "Yes. I believe that's what being a Templar is about."
 * "Someone killed a dozen of our best men .. in the chantry itself. Are the people here animals? Now we must seek out new recruits."
 * (If Hawke is a mage) "I've heard some disturbing rumors about you, Hawke. I hope they're not true."

Trivia

 * If the character got imported from Origins to Witch Hunt, with female Magi Origin as background, it is hinted by the talking mages in the Apprentice Quarters that Cullen had a crush on the Warden.
 * When speaking to Cullen as a female mage in the Magi Origin, if Jowan is in the party he will comment on Cullen liking her.
 * If the imported Origins story featured a Human Magi Origin Warden, Cullen will refer to her/him in the beginning of Act 2, e.g. "I knew an Amell once. She was a special woman. Never met her like again."
 * If the imported Origins save is a Mage Warden, his Codex makes a reference to his feelings for the Warden while they were at the Circle Tower.