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{{For|Bianca references in other Dragon Age titles|Bianca (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the crossbow|the dwarf|Bianca Davri|upgrades|Bianca Upgrades}}
 
   
 
<onlyinclude>{{ItemTransformer
 
<onlyinclude>{{ItemTransformer
Line 10: Line 10:
 
|icon = Crossbow red DA2.png
 
|icon = Crossbow red DA2.png
 
|material = Red Cedar
 
|material = Red Cedar
|damage = 5 + 5.38 * LVL physical damage
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|damage = 5 + 5.38 * LVL physical damage <small>(''Dragon Age II'')</small><br>45 <small>(''Dragon Age: Inquisition'')</small>
  +
|runes = 1 initially, 4 upgraded <small>(''Dragon Age II'')</small><br>1 <small>(''Dragon Age: Inquisition'')</small>
|runes = 1 or 4
 
|requires = [[Varric Tethras]]
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|restriction = [[Varric Tethras]]
 
|stats = see [[Bianca Upgrades]]
 
|stats = see [[Bianca Upgrades]]
|location = Equipped by default on Varric
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|location = Initially equipped by Varric
 
|notes = The only weapon [[Varric Tethras]] can use in ''Dragon Age II''
 
|notes = The only weapon [[Varric Tethras]] can use in ''Dragon Age II''
 
|item_id = gen_im_flw_arc_varric_01 (1 rune slot)<br>gen_im_flw_arc_varric_04 (4 rune slots)
 
|item_id = gen_im_flw_arc_varric_01 (1 rune slot)<br>gen_im_flw_arc_varric_04 (4 rune slots)
|appearances = [[Dragon Age II]] <br> [[Dragon Age: The Silent Grove]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Those Who Speak]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Until We Sleep]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]
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|appearances = [[Dragon Age II]] <br> [[Dragon Age: The Silent Grove]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Those Who Speak]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Until We Sleep]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]]
 
}}</onlyinclude>
 
}}</onlyinclude>
   
'''Bianca''' is [[Varric Tethras|Varric]]'s signature [[Crossbows|crossbow]]. It is made by carved-wood stock and adorned with brass embellishments. During melee combat, a retractable bayonet slides out of a slot under the bolt.
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'''Bianca''' is [[Varric Tethras]]' signature [[wikipedia:Repeating crossbow|repeating]] [[Crossbows|crossbow]]. It has a carved wood stock and is adorned with brass embellishments. During melee combat, a retractable bayonet slides out of a slot under the bolt.
   
 
== Background ==
 
== Background ==
 
{{:Codex entry: Bianca|style=codexexcerpt|excerptonly=true}}
 
{{:Codex entry: Bianca|style=codexexcerpt|excerptonly=true}}
   
When asked about the story behind how Bianca got her name, he replies that it involves a girl and a promise, and that it is the one story that he can never tell. Bianca is the name of Varric's unseen and mentioned dwarven lover. He has put the story to song, but will not sing it, instead humming the tune during battle.
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When asked about the story behind how Bianca got her name, he replies that it involves a girl and a promise, and that it is the one story that he can never tell. Bianca is the name of Varric's mentioned but unseen dwarven lover. He has put the story to song, but will not sing it, instead humming the tune during battle.
   
  +
{{SpoilerDA2|style=short|
{{SpoilerDA2|During the events of ''[[Legacy]]'' DLC, Varric encounters [[Gerav]], an old [[Carta]] acquaintance who tried to design a repeating crossbow before, however, upon discovering that Gerav has been driven insane by the [[darkspawn]] taint, Varric and Hawke have to kill him. Afterwards, Varric explains that it was Gerav who built Bianca – his first and only design to actually work.}}
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During the events of ''[[Legacy]]'', [[Hawke]] meets [[Gerav]], Varric's old [[Carta]] acquaintance who attempted to design a repeating crossbow before but had since been driven insane by the [[darkspawn]] taint. After being forced to kill him, Varric explains that it was Gerav who built Bianca – his first and only design to actually work.}}
   
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{{SpoilerUWS|style=short|
{{SpoilerUWS|During Varric's nightmare when trapped in the [[Fade]] as a result of shooting the [[Magrallen]], Bianca is revealed to be named after Varric's former lover, [[Bianca Davri]], who designed his signature crossbow, which at the time was unnamed.}}
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During Varric's nightmare, when trapped in the [[Fade]] as a result of shooting the [[Magrallen]], his signature crossbow is revealed to have been named after its real designer and Varric's old flame, [[Bianca Davri]].}}
   
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{{SpoilerDAI|style=short|
{{SpoilerDAI|After the Inquisitor encounters Bianca Davri in person during Varric's [[Well, Shit|personal sidequest]], Varric will reluctantly reveal why he never told anyone about his crossbow's real inventor and even lied to Hawke about it being built by Gerav. Since many underworld powers would want to acquire the secret of repeating crossbow design, Varric judged that it would be safer for the real Bianca if he publicly claimed that his weapon was invented by a mad Carta engineer who has long since passed away.}}
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After the Inquisitor encounters [[Bianca Davri]] in person during Varric's [[Well, Shit|companion quest]], Varric reluctantly reveals why he had never told anyone about his crossbow's real inventor, and even lied to [[Hawke]] about it having been built by [[Gerav]]. Since many underworld powers would want to acquire the secret of the repeating crossbow design, Varric judged that it would be safer for Bianca's namesake if he publicly claimed his weapon had been invented by a mad [[Carta]] engineer who had long since passed away.
  +
  +
Varric eventually confides in [[Leliana]] that Gerav created numerous prototypes of a repeating crossbow and sold the fourteenth to him. As this prototype still didn't work, Varric began looking for a good smith to finish it, and finally met Bianca Davri. After Gerav and the Carta found out that the fourteenth prototype was operational, Varric proceeded to hide Bianca's involvement by claiming the original work began to function after he simply changed a few pins.<ref>{{Cite wot2|181}}</ref>}}
   
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
  +
[[File:Bianca (crossbow) HoDA.png|thumb|230px|Image of Bianca in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]'']]
* Bianca is called as such "because Mirabelle was taken". This is a reference to BioWare's ''[[w:c:jadeempire:Jade Empire|Jade Empire]],'' in which a powerful musket called [[w:c:jadeempire:Mirabelle|Mirabelle]] can be acquired.<ref>In [http://www.gamespot.com/shows/now-playing/?event=now_playing_dragon_age_ii20110222 an interview with Gamespot], Mike Laidlaw notes that "...nor will he ever tell you how Bianca got her name except to say Mirabelle was taken, and the really old-school BioWare fans will get that."</ref>
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* Bianca is called as such "because Mirabelle was taken". This is a reference to BioWare's ''[[w:c:jadeempire:Jade Empire|Jade Empire]],'' in which a powerful musket called [[w:c:jadeempire:Mirabelle|Mirabelle]] can be acquired.<ref>In an [http://www.gamespot.com/shows/now-playing/?event=now_playing_dragon_age_ii20110222 interview with Gamespot], Mike Laidlaw notes that "...nor will he ever tell you how Bianca got her name except to say Mirabelle was taken, and the really old-school BioWare fans will get that."</ref>
* From a real-world perspective, Bianca is named after a young woman looking for true love in "The Taming of the Shrew" by Shakespeare.<ref>Kirby, Mary. [http://social.bioware.com/unofficial%20http:/social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/4458888/352#5346144 "Varric Tethras: Chest Hair & Dwarven Goodness 2.0 **Finest Dwarven Craft**"]. BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-04-16. </ref>
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* From a real-world perspective, Bianca is named after a young woman looking for true love in ''[[wikipedia:The Taming of the Shrew|The Taming of the Shrew]]'' by [[wikipedia:William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]].<ref>Kirby, Mary. [http://social.bioware.com/unofficial%20http:/social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/4458888/352#5346144 "Varric Tethras: Chest Hair & Dwarven Goodness 2.0 **Finest Dwarven Craft**"]. BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-04-16. </ref>
* There is a longbow with the [[Absolution]] model named Bianca in game files (item code ''gen_im_wep_rog_arc_lore_03'').
 
* Bianca is the only usable crossbow in ''Dragon Age II ''and'' Dragon Age Inquisition''.
+
* There is a longbow with the [[Absolution]] model, named Bianca, in the ''Dragon Age II'' game files (item code ''gen_im_wep_rog_arc_lore_03'').
  +
* Bianca is the only weapon Varric can use in ''Dragon Age II''.
* Using console commands to add another Bianca to the game for any other companion besides Varric results in a non-appearing weapon for its user.
 
  +
* Bianca is the only usable crossbow in both ''Dragon Age II'' and ''Dragon Age: Inquisition''. Varric is the only companion in both aforementioned titles that can wield Bianca as an archery weapon.
  +
* Bianca cannot be moved to [[Junk]] in ''Dragon Age II'' nor can it be moved to [[Valuables]] in ''Dragon Age: Inquisition''. Furthermore, it cannot be destroyed in ''Dragon Age: Inquisition''.
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
<references />
+
<references/>
 
[[Category:Crossbows]]
 
[[Category:Crossbows]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age II weapons]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age II weapons]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition weapons]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition weapons]]
  +
[[Category:Heroes of Dragon Age gear]]

Revision as of 04:16, 19 May 2020

For Bianca references in other Dragon Age titles, see Bianca (disambiguation).

Bianca is Varric Tethras' signature repeating crossbow. It has a carved wood stock and is adorned with brass embellishments. During melee combat, a retractable bayonet slides out of a slot under the bolt.

Background

Varric's crossbow is a marvel of dwarven craftsmanship, clearly the work of a master. However, she bears no smith's mark.

When asked how he procured the weapon, Varric has a few claims. He could have won it in a game of Wicked Grace against Paragon Branka, it could've been a gift from a mysterious old beggar who disappeared into thin air, and it's possible he bought it off a crooked merchant in Lowtown with the previous owner's hand still wrapped around the trigger.

None of those explanations is very likely and continued questioning simply results in Varric grinning and walking away.

From Codex entry: Bianca

When asked about the story behind how Bianca got her name, he replies that it involves a girl and a promise, and that it is the one story that he can never tell. Bianca is the name of Varric's mentioned but unseen dwarven lover. He has put the story to song, but will not sing it, instead humming the tune during battle.


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.


During the events of Legacy, Hawke meets Gerav, Varric's old Carta acquaintance who attempted to design a repeating crossbow before but had since been driven insane by the darkspawn taint. After being forced to kill him, Varric explains that it was Gerav who built Bianca – his first and only design to actually work.



This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Until We Sleep.


During Varric's nightmare, when trapped in the Fade as a result of shooting the Magrallen, his signature crossbow is revealed to have been named after its real designer and Varric's old flame, Bianca Davri.



This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Inquisition.


After the Inquisitor encounters Bianca Davri in person during Varric's companion quest, Varric reluctantly reveals why he had never told anyone about his crossbow's real inventor, and even lied to Hawke about it having been built by Gerav. Since many underworld powers would want to acquire the secret of the repeating crossbow design, Varric judged that it would be safer for Bianca's namesake if he publicly claimed his weapon had been invented by a mad Carta engineer who had long since passed away.

Varric eventually confides in Leliana that Gerav created numerous prototypes of a repeating crossbow and sold the fourteenth to him. As this prototype still didn't work, Varric began looking for a good smith to finish it, and finally met Bianca Davri. After Gerav and the Carta found out that the fourteenth prototype was operational, Varric proceeded to hide Bianca's involvement by claiming the original work began to function after he simply changed a few pins.[1]


Trivia

Bianca (crossbow) HoDA

Image of Bianca in Heroes of Dragon Age

  • Bianca is called as such "because Mirabelle was taken". This is a reference to BioWare's Jade Empire, in which a powerful musket called Mirabelle can be acquired.[2]
  • From a real-world perspective, Bianca is named after a young woman looking for true love in The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare.[3]
  • There is a longbow with the Absolution model, named Bianca, in the Dragon Age II game files (item code gen_im_wep_rog_arc_lore_03).
  • Bianca is the only weapon Varric can use in Dragon Age II.
  • Bianca is the only usable crossbow in both Dragon Age II and Dragon Age: Inquisition. Varric is the only companion in both aforementioned titles that can wield Bianca as an archery weapon.
  • Bianca cannot be moved to Junk in Dragon Age II nor can it be moved to Valuables in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Furthermore, it cannot be destroyed in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

References

  1. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 181
  2. In an interview with Gamespot, Mike Laidlaw notes that "...nor will he ever tell you how Bianca got her name except to say Mirabelle was taken, and the really old-school BioWare fans will get that."
  3. Kirby, Mary. "Varric Tethras: Chest Hair & Dwarven Goodness 2.0 **Finest Dwarven Craft**". BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-04-16.