Saarebas

A Saarebas is a Qunari mage, literally meaning "dangerous thing".

Background
The Qunari call their mages 'saarebas', meaning "dangerous thing", and treat them with the utmost caution. Saarebas must be carefully controlled by someone else, an Arvaarad, "one who holds back evil", because they cannot truly control themselves. The Qunari pity and honor the saarebas, for striving while under constant threat from within is truly selfless, the highest virtue of the Qun.

The strict and regimented treatment of Circle mages by the Templars pales in comparison to that of the Saarebas by the Qunari. Where the Circle mages have relative freedom within their towers, Saarebas are seemingly prisoners within their own body, donning a set of heavy pauldrons with chains attached to them, perhaps to act as a form of leash, while their faces are hidden beneath a metal visor. They have their lips stitched together, although it does not seem to be the main reason that prevents them from speaking. It remains to be seen if this form of mutilation is self-inflicted as part of a ritual or ceremony, or is forcefully performed upon them to serve as an addition layer of precaution to prevent them from going berserk while in the vicinity of their comrades.



A Saarebas appears to be restrained by a device held by an Arvaarad, as seen during the quest Shepherding Wolves.

See also: Codex entry: The Qunari - Saarebas

Involvement
They appear in Dragon Age II as enemies that Hawke and his/her companions must face. There is one particular Saarebas who is called Ketojan who has to be escorted in the Shepherding Wolves quest.

Trivia
The concept of the saarebas is likely inspired by the Damane of the Wheel of time series, who are also leashed magic users, who where controlled by an special artifact with a holder and reject the idea of being outside this concept.