Arishok

Arishok
Title	Arishok
Race	Qunari
Gender	Male
Rank	Elite Boss
Location	The Docks, Kirkwall
Appearances	Dragon Age II

The Arishok is one of the three leaders of the qunari. He became stranded in Kirkwall after a storm destroyed his ships. He resides in the Qunari Compound.

Background

One of the three leaders of the qunari people of the Triumvirate, the name "Arishok" denotes his title and not his name. Much like Sten from Dragon Age: Origins gave "Sten" as his name, it was really his rank. Sten mentions an Arishok that ordered him to Ferelden to seek answers to the Blight.

Involvement

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This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.

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The Arishok and his forces were pursuing Isabela, who had stolen the Tome of Koslun, which Orlais was attempting to return to the qunari. A storm shipwrecked both parties in Kirkwall. The Arishok and his forces then set up a base in the city. With each passing year, tensions began to grow, as some citizens of Kirkwall began to convert to the Qun. The Arishok himself slowly grew annoyed with what he viewed to be a corrupt and ignorant city. Finally his temper hit its peak when Saemus Dumar, son of the Viscount and recent convert to the Qun, is killed by pious Chantry fanatics and the city guard were petitioning to extradite two elven murderers who had converted to the Qun. He then ordered an attack on the city, quickly decapitating Marlowe. Should Isabela return the tome to him, the Arishok became intent on taking her back with him to Par Vollen. Hawke can either challenge him to a duel or let him take Isabela.

If you give Isabela to the Arishok, Varric will tell Cassandra that he heard she escaped three days later with the book, by jumping into the ocean. Though he states that he does not know if this is true or not.

At the end of Act II, Hawke has the opportunity to choose to duel the Arishok to the death given that Hawke has earned his respect. If you refuse or did not earn his respect, you will instead fight the Arishok and all surrounding Qunari with the entire party (and Isabela will join in). The duel may take a very long time, as the Arishok has a large supply of health potions and powerful knockdown attacks that must be continuously dodged. The group fight is much easier, as you can use cross-class combos to deal with the Arishok once his guards are killed.

Dueling

When dueling the Arishok, it is best to move constantly. He attacks slowly, but hits very hard. It is best to move in front of him, and as soon as he starts to attack, quickly move 45 degrees from his front. His attack will miss and allow for a few attacks free from damage. When he bows, move fully out of his way for the charge. When he starts to spin his weapons, move fully back. They are impossible to avoid at close range and will deal a huge amount of damage.

The Arishok's magical resistances are quite poor when compared with his titanic defense and armor rating. Warriors may have a harder time defeating him in head-on combat, while rogues may have an easier time if they make use of Evade efficiently. Mages may simply keep at a distance, getting out of his attack range when he prepares to strike and casting Elemental spells. Winter's Grasp and Cone of Cold are particularly effective.

A Worthy Rival

This achievement is gained by earning the respect of the Arishok. Gaining his respect requires an honest approach when dealing with him:

Act 1

• Bringing Fenris to your first meeting unlocks extra (and humorous) dialogue at the end of the main quest Black Powder Promise
• Selecting "Future profits" at that same meeting
• Informing him of the deaths of his Qunari after the main quest Shepherding Wolves

Act 2

• During the main quest Offered and Lost, before talking to the corrupt guard at the Hanged Man, inform the Arishok about his envoy being missing
• At the end of that quest, select "Do not hide"
• After the mission, inform the Arishok about their deaths of his envoys
• If you did the mission To Catch a Thief, inform him about Isabela's involvement when meeting him alongside Aveline during the main quest Following the Qun

Doing the steps above unlocks extra dialogue when later confronting him at the keep

Quotes

• (to Fenris) "I have a growing lack of disgust for you."
• "We will return." (Just before Hawke delivers the killing blow)
• (to Hawke) "You alone are Basalit-an" (to nobles) "This is what respect looks like bas!. Some of you will never earn it!"
• (to Hawke) "Then all of you will die. The demand of the Qun is clear. Ataash varin kata. In the end lies glory."

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• Arishok "Kill me and the duty that binds me is ended. The others will return to Par Vollen."
• Hawke "And if you kill me?"
• Arishok "Then you are dead."

Bugs

• Decoy will leave the Arishok in a state unable to use any other abilities than health potions and spinning his weapons. Using a health potion will break this state and the Arishok will continue fighting as normal.

• When the Arishok stabs Hawke through the chest and suspends him in the air, if positioned too close to the side walls Hawke may be teleported up onto the raised platforms and be unable to get back down.

Trivia

• The achievement "A Worthy Rival" is granted for "earning his respect". One requirement for earning it is choosing only the honest responses when dealing with the Arishok, including admitting that it was Isabela who stole the tome.

• The achievement "King Of The Hill" requires the player to defeat the Arishok.