The Ben-Hassrath, meaning "the Heart of the Many" in Qunlat, form a significant portion of the Qunari priesthood.[1] The Ben-Hassrath fall under the authority of the Ariqun, as such the Qunari consider them priests.[2] The purpose of the Ben-Hassrath is protecting the faith[2] and the innocents.[3] They are leaders who maintain unity, which Qunari believe to be a strength.[2]
Involvement
Trespasser
Dragon Age: Blue Wraith
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights
The Antaam invades Tevinter without the blessing of the other Qunari. After rumors that they did not act in accordance with the Qun in Ventus, Saarbrak of the Ben-Hassrath poses as the Huntmaster to investigate the actions of Bas-taar, leader of a work camp for bas prisoners. He concludes that Qunari like Bas-taar are what threaten the Qun, and lets the prisoners he was pursuing in his guise as the Huntmaster go.[4]
After the Inquisitor infiltrated the Darvaarad fortress, the Ben-Hassrath thought it would be safer to pursue their study of magical energies on a dreadnought, thinking that a mobile fortress with speed and secrecy would prove more effective than fortifications. However, the vessel is destroyed after an agent of Fen'Harel within their ranks tricks them into placing a volatile artefact on board. Their ultimate goal was to force the Ben-Hassrath out of neutrality and into the war between Tevinter and the Antaam by tricking an Altus into destroying Kont-aar. This plan was thwarted by Vadis and Irian Cestes.[5]
Duties
- "We're... the soul of the Qun. We keep its spirit alive and protect it, from both outside and from within. Not every Qunari agrees. Nor do they always do what is best for all. The Ben-Hassrath remind us of our common goal."
- —Tallis
Ben-Hassrath educating new converts in Rivain
In Qunari society, Ben-Hassrath primarily act as enforcers of religious law,[6] responsible for policing the populace[7] and "re-educating" both the Qunari who do not follow the established norms[7] and new converts.[8] They also act as spies[2] and assassins as well as perform other clandestine missions.
The entire group is under the jurisdiction of the Ariqun and would therefore be considered priests. The Qunari divide all Ben-Hassrath activities into three distinct categories: "Dangerous Purpose," "Dangerous Action," and "Dangerous Questions." Three priests form a mini-triumvirate that manages all their operations, with each priest presiding over actions in a single category.
The "Dangerous Questions" branch seems to handle the vast majority of the Qunari intelligence gathering and sabotage missions.
The "Dangerous Actions" branch appears to be the branch responsible for enforcement; their agents almost never leave Qunari-controlled territory except to hunt defectors.
The "Dangerous Purpose" branch is run by a priestess called the Viddasala, or "one who converts purpose," handles the conversion of foreigners, the reeducation of Qunari dissidents, and the collection and quarantine of magic. Things that, by Qunari definition, are threats to themselves and others by nature.[9]
While both genders can be Ben-Hassrath, they're separated by specialization:[7] female Ben-Hassrath watch and re-educate adult females and children, while male Ben-Hassrath deal with adult males.[8] Male Qunari can join the Ben-Hassrath despite the fact that they fall under the priesthood.[2] Female Ben-Hassrath learn how to fight—but in a different manner from a soldier, and unlike soldiers, the Ben-Hassrath do not live by their blade.[6] As a result, they do not possess a weapon that signifies their soul like the Antaam do, but are instead free to use whatever tools are most effective at their task.[10] In fact, it seems that the Ben-Hassrath prefer to use non-violent means to achieve their goals, as Tallis argues: "There are other paths. They do not all need to lead to the same destination."
As most of the Qunari Ben-Hassrath are hornless, Qunari consider a lack of horns to be very intimidating.[11] The Qunari prefer Ben-Hassrath from races other than Qunari to be spies in foreign lands since they are better suited to this role.[2]
The Ben-Hassrath are usually in charge of interrogating mages, to determine which should live and what doses of qamek to give them.[12]
Ranks
- Ariqun: supreme priest of the Ben-Hassrath
- Hissrad: "one who creates illusions; liar,"[13] a spy
- Tallis: "to solve,"[14] an assassin
- Saarbrak: unknown function
- Salit: unknown function
- Viddasala: high ranking member specializing in finding, studying, and stopping magic. Also handles the conversion of foreigners and the reeducation of Qunari dissidents. Runs the The "Dangerous Purpose" branch.
Known Ben-Hassrath
Tier progression of a Ben-Hassrath agent in Heroes of Dragon Age
Trivia
- Sten mentions Ben-Hassrath during a conversation with the Warden.
- The Tal-Vashoth leader hiding out at the cavern on the Wounded Coast mistakes Hawke and company for Ben-Hassrath before attacking.
- The Arishok had planned to deliver the thief of the Tome of Koslun to the Ben-Hassrath for reeducation.
- Iron Bull compares the Ben-Hassrath to the Seekers of Truth in one of his conversations with Cassandra Pentaghast.
- Banter between the Iron Bull and Blackwall reveals that the Ben-Hassrath are disturbed by the existence of ogres due to their apparent connection to the Qunari, and thus wish to gather more information about them.
See also
Codex entry: Qunari: Ben-Hassrath
Codex entry: Ben-Hassrath Reeducators
Gallery
References
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Gaider, David (October 12, 2011). 
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