A Hurlock Vanguard is the main character of The Darkspawn Chronicles DLC.
Background
Hurlock Vanguards are bred for the dual purpose of leading the thralls of the darkspawn army and serving the Archdemon. As one of the leaders of the main assault, the vanguard hears the Archdemon's whispers directly, and can show up in its defense in a moment's notice.
Involvement
In a non-canonical narrative in which the Warden died at Ostagar and Alistair travelled onwards without his comrade, the Vanguard was summoned by the Archdemon himself to lead the other, mindless darkspawn to victory at The Battle of Denerim. Receiving his orders through the Archdemon's whispers, he began his campaign storming the gates of the city.
He first enthralled two nearby Genlock and Hurlock warriors, then earned their respect by slaughtering Denerim City Defenders and Mabari War Hounds. He then rescued a nearby Ogre, enthralling him to break through two barricades to flank the enemy. Eventually, their commander - Arl Rendon Howe, who was evidently spared during the Landsmeet - appeared with his bodyguards, including Ser Cauthrien, to rally the defenders, but was killed by the Vanguard's forces. He then finished off the remaining defenders before pressing ahead to the Market District.
The Archdemon warned the Vanguard that three large ballistae had been set up to cut the darkspawn down before they entered the district. On his master's advice, the Vanguard enthralled a nearby Shriek, who used its stealth ability to sneak past the ambush and kill the ballista operators, allowing safe access. To provoke Bann Teagan to come out, the Vanguard slaughtered many civilians, then culled Ser Perth, Teagan and the Knights of Redcliffe. He ordered a Genlock Sapper to destroy the gates leading into the Denerim Alienage, but not before he cut off the knights' supply of weapons, attempting to kill Herren and Wade at the same time; his attempts failed when Herren turned into a desire demon and escaped with Wade. Passing the Gnawed Noble Tavern, the Vanguard fended off a gang of violent drunks led by Oghren, who took up residence in the tavern through unknown circumstances; the Forge Master's Hammer he carried was retaken for the darkspawn. The Vanguard then put down further attempts by several knights and a Circle Mage. When the Sapper destroyed the gate into the Alienage, the Vanguard's forces were halted by Wynne, who was spared but not recruited by Alistair, and her templar companions Cullen and Knight-Commander Greagoir. Despite valiant efforts, however, the darkspawn emerged victorious, continuing their rampage into the Alienage.
After the Vanguard broke through the gate into the Alienage with the help of the Ogre, the Archdemon provided new orders: burn the Vhenadahl tree to draw the City elves out in desperation. To accomplish this the Vanguard enthralled and commanded the aid of a Hurlock emissary. After the emissary set the tree alight using fire magic, the Vanguard slaughtered Elder Valendrian and the other City elves who were sent into a blind panic by the destruction of the tree just as the Archdemon had predicted. Also among the elves killed was ex-assassin Zevran Arainai, who was spared by Alistair after a botched attempt on the Warden's life and who was hiding out from the Antivan Crows among the other elves; he left behind his signature dagger. Finishing the last of the Elven Defenders off, the darkspawn pressed on to the Palace District.
While the Alienage had been left to fend for itself, the Palace District was heavily guarded - the mighty armies of the Orzammar Dwarves spread across the district, augmented by the presence of the Legion of the Dead and protected by several Steel golems; many Qunari Mercenaries had also been hired. Making things worse, the Ogre was cut off from his fellow darkspawn behind a portcullis that the Vanguard was forced to raise. Despite the odds, the Vanguard successfully killed Kardol and Sergeant Kylon only to watch in shock and horror as Riordan grievously wounded the Archdemon before plummeting to his death; despite his injuries, the Archdemon ordered the Vanguard to continue the fight. Carving a path through the opposing forces, the Vanguard was confronted by Sten, now a Reaver, on the steps leading up to Fort Drakon; despite the Archdemon's warnings that the Qunari feared no death, the Vanguard emerged victorious once again.
The Archdemon, sensing Alistair's approach and aware of his own injuries, demanded the Vanguard's presence at the top of Fort Drakon immediately. Answering his master's call, the Vanguard was greeted with a clear view of his foe: King Alistair, the leader of the assembled forces, followed by his loyal dog Barkspawn and accompanied by his ally-of-convenience Morrigan and his friend and lover Leliana; Alistair was backed up by a ferocious pack of Werewolves from the Brecilian Forest. Fighting alongside both his horde of thralls and his master, the Vanguard killed Morrigan and Leliana, before mortally wounding Alistair. After the battle was over and Alistair realised he had failed, the Vanguard stabbed him viciously through the back as the Archdemon soared off, the Fifth Blight a success.
Unique Ability
Enthrall - The targeted darkspawn becomes your thrall, serving until death. Up to three thralls can fight at your command simultaneously. If a thrall disappoints you, use this ability on it again to execute the underperformer.
Unique Armor
Vanguard plate armor set - There is little reason to wear anything else.
Trivia
- The Vanguard's campaign contains subtle references to the anonymous hurlock generals who fight the Warden during The Final Battle.
- After breaching the walls, the Vanguard (a warrior) attacks the Market District, which is also attacked by a warrior general (albeit a two-handed warrior carrying the Axe of the Vashoth and the helm Corruption) during the main game.
- The Hurlock Emissary first appears during the assault on the Alienage, which in turn is attacked by an Emissary general; the staff it drops, the Malign Staff, can also be obtained in the Palace District, though with different stats.
- Another Hurlock Vanguard is seen during the Return to Ostagar DLC.