Garahel

“I never expect any of us to survive, but it's true that the odds will be rather worse than usual this time. If that troubles you, you're free to stay behind.”

Garahel
Title	Grey Warden Field-Commander (temporary title)
Race	Elf
Gender	Male
Class	Rogue
Family	Isseya (twin sister)
Appearances	Dragon Age: Last Flight

Garahel was an elven Grey Warden who lived during the Exalted Age and united Thedas against the Fourth Blight. He died putting an end to it by striking the killing blow against the Archdemon Andoral. He was handsome and vain, with high cheekbones, curling blond hair and brilliant green eyes. Garahel's greatest gift was his charisma, and ability to inspire hope and bring disparate groups--including outcasts, and those who under other circumstances would look down upon him--under a single banner: a legacy that has lasted to present day.

Background

Garahel was born a city elf abandoned by unknown parents in the Alienage. He stayed in contact with his magically-talented sister, Isseya, during her time at the Circle of Magi, he later joined the Wardens with her, becoming a Griffon rider.

Involvement

---

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Last Flight.

---

In 5:12 Exalted, Andoral awoke and the Fourth Blight began, Garahel & Isseya were dispatched to Antiva City to assist in the evacuation. While the new riders were assigned Griffons, Garahel bonded with an exceptionally odd-coloured beast whom he named, Crookytail. When King Elaudio & Queen Giuvana's refusal to evacuate resulted in an armed insurrection, Garahel joined the Wardens in fighting the rebel Antivan Royal Guards. Afterwards, Garahel helped evacuate the surviving court members to Wycome on their Griffons with Garahel carrying an Antivan Crow Mage called Calien d'Evaliste.

As they fled Antiva, the Wardens were attacked by the Archdemon. After Warden-Commander Turab & the other senior griffon riders were killed, Garahel split off from the other Wardens, leading an attack on the archdemon in order to buy the surviving Wardens time to escape. After a narrow escape, Garahel was assigned by Warden-Commander Senaste to work with Amadis Vael delivering messages & requests to aid to various influential nobles & mercenary leaders while the other Wardens prepared Wycome for evacuation before returning to assist in transporting the refugees to Starkhaven.

Garahel was subsequently re-assigned to the Anderfels to help the Grey Wardens defend Hossberg against the Darkspawn. During his time there he entered into a relationship with Amadis. Eventually Garahel was promoted & given the temporary title of Field-Commander and placed in charge of the Hossberg front. After the darkspawn's re-enforcements were cut off, Garahel lead the allied troops on the main front from the city's northwest to break the siege. Once the darkspawn force had been defeated, Garahel set about securing troops for the upcoming efforts to drive the darkspawn out of the Free Marches. He secureed Amadis Vael's mercenary company, the Ruby Drakes, by giving their captain her own Griffon as well as persuading various other mercenary leaders if they lent their soldiers to the Wardens they had a chance of gaining a griffon for themselves. Garahel also managed to secure the Anderfels Royal Army by making a public statement of support for Queen Regent Mariwen to further legitimize her rule, and agreeing to spend the night with her; this was allowed by Amadis, as she reminded him that she gets him in bed every night.

In 5:20 Exalted, Garahel was ordered back from the front temporarily to Fortress Haine to deliver the First Warden's orders to Isseya that she was to evacuate Kirkwall immediately using joined griffons.

Garahel continued to rally support from unexpected quarters against the blight. Garahel gathered more Wardens from Orlais and the Anderfels, as well as allies from among casteless and exiled surface dwarves, former elven slaves and Apostate mages, forming the Stone's Bastards, the Masterless and the Broken Circle lay companies, respectively

Eventually the darkspawn were driven back towards Antiva & Rivain and Garahel formulated a plan to lure the Archdemon out so the Wardens could end the blight. Garahel decided to personally lead a force of Grey Warden Griffon riders to kill the Archdemon. After a grueling battle & despite heavy losses, the Archdemon was brought down over the city of Ayesleigh. Although the Archdemon was severely wounded it had survived and the Grey Wardens were reduced to a fraction of their initial numbers. As the streets of Ayesleigh were swarming with darkspawn, Garahel bid his sister farewell & alone flew into the city and struck the final blow against the Archdemon, ending the Blight.

Afterwards Garahel's remains were cremated outside Starkhaven at an elaborate funeral. His lover Amadis wore a black cloak of mourning in his honour. Garahel's funeral brought the rulers of many human nations, as well as the Grey Wardens and the remnants of Garahel's Broken Circle, Stone's Bastards and Masterless companies, together in mourning. He and Crookytail shared a bier, receiving honors unprecedented for an elf.

Afterwards, Garahel's armour & weapons were taken back to Weisshaupt Fortress and placed in a glass coffin decorated with the horns of Andoral.

Notes

• Duncan will speak a little about Garahel to an elven recruit who asks about elves in the Grey Wardens.
• In a conversation during Dragon Age: Origins, Morrigan will speak about Garahel's sexual prowess if the Warden decides to flirt with her in some instances.
• In the City Elf Origin, elven children playing "Heroes and Humans" will remark to the player if asked that they don't know any stories of elven heroes. However, the story of Garahel is noted to be one that every elven child knows and takes great pride and solace in.

Quotes

• (referring to his griffon, Crookytail) "He's mine. The unlikeliest of heroes, that's us."
• (referring to the people of embattled Antiva City during the Fourth Blight) "We gave them hope. We gave them all the hope the world is going to allow. And they won't take it because they want more?"

Trivia

• According to author Liane Merciel, Garahel is "a rogue with a heavy archery specialization build."

See also

Codex entry: Ballad of Ayesleigh

Codex entry: Garahel's Helm

• Grey Warden membership