Sophia Dryden

"I will inspire the Wardens, and Arland will rue the day he spared my life."

Sophia Dryden was a former Warden-Commander of the Grey Wardens of Ferelden.

Background
Arlessa Sophia Dryden was the young Arland's rival for the throne of Ferelden after the old king left no successor. Dryden was a strong and charismatic leader with much support from the Bannorn. When Arland finally won the crown, Dryden refused to relent. She pushed her claim, was imprisoned and accused of treason. Her sympathizers continued to support her, however. In order to appease them, Dryden was spared execution and forced to join the Grey Wardens instead.

Sophia survived the Joining and dazzled the Grey Wardens at Soldier's Peak with her leadership skills and charm. She eventually rose to the rank of Warden-Commander of Ferelden. Before Commander Dryden, the Grey Wardens were seen as a relic of an older time and an unnecessary drain on the nobles' coffers, Dryden, though, with her political connections, reinvigorated the Wardens and rapidly increased their numbers.

In the meantime, Arland proved himself a devious king, willing to go to brutal lengths to silence his opponents. Arland's reign of terror grew worse with each passing year, and some of the banns approached Commander Dryden in desperation, begging her to intercede. She agreed, and thus the rebellion was born. Arland learned of the rebellion through his spies and took steps to end it. He publicly suspended all tithing (funding) to the Grey Wardens and declared they were no longer welcome in Ferelden. Some of the Wardens, mindful that they were supposed to remain politically neutral, felt disgraced by Dryden's involvement in Fereldan politics and left her side even as the king's forces lay siege to Soldier's Peak (It is assumed many left to Orlais). The siege took months and ended with Sophia's death. King Arland had driven the Grey Wardens from Ferelden, and after the siege of Soldier's Peak, the base was abandoned. It was not until 200 years later, that King Maric would allow Grey Wardens back into Ferelden.

Drops
- with higher drop chance at higher levels and nearly none under level 10

Quotes

 * "I will inspire the Wardens, and Arland will rue the day he spared my life."
 * "Make them pay for every inch, men!"
 * "This one would propose a deal."
 * "Treacherous Wardens, at every turn! This one will crush you!"
 * "You are a worm! You are offal! This one will see you suffer!"
 * (To Leliana, when she interrupts, saying not to trust Sophia.) "It's fledgling should learn it's place. Meek, subservient, quiet."
 * (To the Warden during their encounter before the ambush.) "This one will feast on your entrails and make a goblet from your skull."
 * (As the Warden enters Soldier's Peak, they witness a vision of Sophia rallying a group of Wardens) "Men, I won't lie to you. The situation is grim. Our forces outnumbered, our bellies empty, and our hearts sagging. But we are Wardens! Darkspawn flee when they hear our horns, Archdemons die when they taste our blades! So are we to bend knee to a mere human despot? No! I, for one, will never give up! I will never surrender just to dance on Arland's gallows! So I propose here and now, in these hallowed halls where generations of our bretheren stood vigil against darkspawn and evil, that we send a message to that fat bastard! In this sacred place, proud men, strong men, stood defiant, and would rather die than submit to tyranny!"

Trivia

 * Sophia Dryden is mentioned by Mistress Woolsey, when she speaks with the Warden Commander of Ferelden.