Editing Merrill

{{Quote|It's a [[Keeper]]'s job to remember. Even the dangerous things.}}

<onlyinclude>{{CharacterTransformer
|style          = {{{style|}}}
|name           = [[Merrill]]
|image          = <gallery>
Dalish elf.jpg|Origins
Merrill Portrait.png|Dragon Age II
</gallery>
|px             = 270x360px
|title          = [[Keeper#Known Firsts|First]] to [[Marethari]] <small>(formerly)</small>
|gender         = Female
|race           = [[Elf]]
|class          = [[Mage]]
|specialization = [[Dalish Pariah]]
|rank           = ''Dragon Age II'': <br> [[Rank#Lieutenant|Lieutenant]]
|family         = 
|affiliation    = Alerion clan <small>(formerly)</small> <br> [[Sabrae clan]] <small>(formerly)</small> <br> [[Hawke]]
|location       = ''Origins'': <br> [[Dalish Camp (Dalish Elf Origin)|Dalish Camp]] <br> ''Dragon Age II'': <br> [[Merrill's Home]], [[Kirkwall Alienage]] <br> [[Hawke Estate]], [[Hightown]] <small>(conditional)</small>
|quests         = ''Origins'': <br> [[Dalish Elf Origin]] <br> ''Dragon Age II'': <br> [[Long Way Home]] <br> [[Welcome Home]] <br> [[Nice Crime You Have Around Here]] <br> [[Consoling Words]] <br> [[Mirror Image]] <br> [[Back From Sundermount]] <br> [[Questioning Beliefs (Merrill)]] <br> [[Merrill, An Apology]] <br> [[Wooden Halla]] <br> [[The New Place]] <br> [[A Talking To]] <br> [[A New Path]] <br> [[Memento of the Dalish]] <br> [[Merrill, Friend or Foe?]]
|voice          = [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0560019/ Erin Matthews] (''Origins'') <br> [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0616990/ Eve Myles] (''Dragon Age II'')
|appearances    = [[Dragon Age: Origins]] <br> [[Dragon Age II]] <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <small>(mentioned)</small>
}}</onlyinclude>

'''Merrill''' is a Dalish [[Elf|elven]] [[mage]] and [[Keeper#Notable Firsts|First]] to the [[Keeper]] of the [[Sabrae clan]]. She is a temporary [[Companions (Origins)|companion]] in the [[Dalish Elf Origin]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' and a [[Companions (Dragon Age II)|companion]] as well as a [[Romance (Dragon Age II)|romance]] option for either male or female [[Hawke]] in ''[[Dragon Age II]]''.

== Background ==
{{Quote|Merrill can recite all of known elven history and navigate [[Fade|the Fade]], but she has very little experience with the world or even her own people. Forced to flee north she must find help for her people, whatever the cost.<ref>[http://dragonage.bioware.com/da2/world/characters/merrill/ Official character info]</ref>}}

Merrill was born into the Alerion clan, which wandered the hills of [[Nevarra]]. As she was the third child of the clan with magic born to her, she was given to the Sabrae clan to be [[Keeper#Notable Firsts|First]] to [[Keeper]] [[Marethari]] at the next Arlathvhen, the gathering of Dalish clans. She was just four years old at the time.<ref>[[Codex entry: Merrill]]</ref>

{{For|the story that takes place after the events of [[Dragon Age: Origins]] and before [[Dragon Age II]]|Merrill (short story)}}

== Involvement ==
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
{{SpoilerDAO|style=short|
Merrill is a temporary party member in the [[Dalish Elf Origin]]. When [[Tamlen]] goes missing in old [[Elven Ruins]], the Keeper asks Merrill to accompany [[the Warden]] to help find him. [[Marethari]] believes that Merrill's magic and knowledge of elven lore may help in the search. Tamlen cannot be recovered, but Merrill does not appear to contract the sickness that affects the Dalish elf in the course of the search, and she continues to live with the clan. If a save from ''Dragon Age: Origins'' with a Dalish Warden is imported to ''Dragon Age II'', Merrill will express her discomfort around humans since her friend was taken away.

With a Blight rising in Ferelden, the Sabrae clan booked passage across the [[Free Marches]] on the ''Pride of Amaranthine'', a ship that made several trips between Ferelden and the Free Marches to ferry refugees. Merrill tells [[Isabela]] that she was very sea-sick during the journey.<ref>{{Cite wot2|164}}</ref>
}}

=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
{{SpoilerDA2|style=short|
==== Act 1 ====
Following the events surrounding the disappearance of [[Tamlen]], Merrill has kept a fragment of the [[Eluvian]] in the old ruins to cleanse it of its taint. She studied the lore on the Eluvian, and extrapolated information from the shard.<ref>{{BWF|author=[[David Gaider]]|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108132600/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/197921-how-did-merrill-get-the-eluvian|title=How did Merrill get the Eluvian?}}</ref> Merrill asks Marethari for help in cleansing the shard of the taint, but the Keeper refuses.

Her efforts to construct an Eluvian—a combination of her ardent lack of interpersonal skills and her pragmatism—caused her to turn to [[blood magic]], which she had learned from [[Audacity (demon)|Audacity]]—a [[pride demon]] imprisoned and sundered from the Fade atop [[Sundermount]]. As she lacked the necessary amount of lyrium to cleanse the shard with ordinary magic, she used blood magic to amplify her power so she could succeed; this spell seemed to be utilized in the [[Dalish Origin]] to help [[the Warden]] deal with the taint. She argues with Marethari that her efforts to learn blood magic were necessary towards the restoration of the Eluvian, and ultimately the survival of the Dalish; with the Keeper publicly opposed to her efforts, the clan turns against her.

When Hawke [[Long Way Home|arrives]] at the Dalish camp in [[Sundermount]], she takes part in a ritual that Hawke is to perform on a mountain-top altar. In the rite, Merrill recites the song ''[[In Uthenera]]'', a poem for the departed. The ritual entails the resurrection of [[Flemeth]], as a portion of her [[soul|essence]] is revealed to have been embedded in the amulet. Marethari explains to Hawke that Merrill had decided to leave her increasingly hostile clan to learn more about the outside world and continue her studies into restoring the Eluvian. Initially nervous when arriving in [[Kirkwall]], Merrill finds [[Merrill's Home|lodging]] in the city's [[Kirkwall Alienage|Alienage]] and joins Hawke's party. However, while staying in Kirkwall, her use of blood magic puts Merrill at odds with [[Anders]] and [[Fenris]].

==== Act 2 ====
Three years have passed since Hawke joined [[The Deep Roads Expedition|the voyage]] to the [[Deep Roads]], and Merrill seeks Hawke's help in facing Marethari to [[Mirror Image|request]] a [[Arulin'Holm|special dagger]] to help complete the Eluvian. As they confront the Keeper, she calls upon ''vir sulevanan'', the right of every Dalish to claim any property or artifact of the clan in exchange for a service. Reluctantly, Marethari requests that they slay a [[Varterral]] that had killed many of their hunters, as the deal for the dagger. While exploring the Varterral's lair, they run into [[Pol]], who flees in fear at the sight of Merrill, straight to the Varterral itself. After killing the Varterral and returning to camp, Merrill inquires as to why Pol was so afraid of her. She discovers that Marethari had warned her clan that she might potentially bring back the darkspawn taint. Marethari tries to use this to coerce Merrill to abandon her research on the Eluvian, and return to the clan; Merrill adamantly refuses. Though Merrill honors her side of the bargain, the Keeper does not, and instead, gives it to Hawke for safekeeping, leaving Hawke with the choice to either give the Arulin'Holm to Merrill or deny her the tool.

==== Act 3 ====
After another three years since the [[Demands of the Qun|invasion]] of the Qunari, Merrill finds an [[A New Path|alternative]] to fixing the still-inactive Eluvian, regardless whether Hawke gave the Arulin'Holm to Merrill or not. She plans to re-consult Audacity, who mentioned to her years prior that he witnessed the creation of the mirror itself during the days of Arlathan. She asks Hawke to accompany her to Sundermount, as she is concerned about the threat the demon may pose, particularly as it has been silent in her recent attempts to communicate remotely with it. It's discovered the Keeper released Audacity from its prison, and contained the demon within herself, independent of whether Hawke supports Merrill's plan or not. Marethari claims that the demon was intending to use the Eluvian as a way out of its prison and that Merrill would've been its first victim, but never explains how she came to this conclusion. 

As an abomination, Marethari attacks Merrill and her companions, forcing them to kill her to survive. As Merrill mourns Marethari, Hawke can comment on the Keeper's recent actions, including informing Merrill that the Keeper "was stupid" for releasing Audacity. Afterward, the clan will confront and interrogate Hawke and Merrill about the Keeper's disappearance, eventually discovering that she is dead. If Hawke reveals the Keeper became possessed by the demon or warns the clan to back off, they will attack and force Hawke and Merrill to kill them to survive. However, if Hawke blames Merrill for Marethari's actions, the clan will only ask them to leave.

Back in the Alienage, Merrill is crushed. If she and Hawke are rivals, she bemoans that she was too "stupid and ignorant" to listen, then shatters the Eluvian. If they are on friendly terms, Merrill states that the clan and Keeper did not heed her when she was trying to help them, despite devoting several years of her life to helping end the plight of the People through the painstaking restoration of ancient elven technology that may have revitalized the People from their plight. She will consult Hawke on what should be her next course of action since the Eluvian remains inert.

Merrill pleads for [[Anders]] to be spared after he [[The Last Straw|destroys]] the Kirkwall Chantry, and for him to assist the party and make up for his act. She willingly joins Hawke in defense of the [[Circle of Magi|mages]]. She can also stick with Hawke despite siding with the [[Templar Order|Templars]], if completely loyal.

If otherwise, Merrill initially refuses to help a pro-Templar Hawke if she was not [[Merrill, Friend or Foe?|spoken to]] after an unpleasant encounter with her clan, and if Anders considers Hawke a full rival. He must also be [[Questioning Beliefs (Anders Act 3)|talked with]] after fulfilling all his requests so that he can be potentially persuaded to turn against the mages; his actual fate is irrelevant.

Later, Hawke meets Merrill in the Gallows courtyard. If the Champion asks Merrill to rejoin them at this point, she can be convinced; Hawke is the only person she is very close with, a bond stronger than any she has with the Circle mages. Instead, if Hawke does not want Merrill at their side, she walks away to protect the Circle mages from the Rite of Annulment and is eventually killed in combat after her last words with Hawke.

If Merrill stands triumphant with Hawke after the battle in the Gallows, she leaves the Champion along with the others, for personal reasons, as stated by [[Varric Tethras|Varric]].
}}

=== ''Dragon Age: Inquisition'' ===
{{SpoilerDAI|style=short|
{{CodexConditionalParagraph|If Merrill survived|[[The Inquisitor]] can ask [[Varric Tethras]] about her fate. Varric will state that she remained in Kirkwall to look after the [[city elves]] left homeless by the fighting and continues to protect them from the fighting between the mages and the templars.}}

{{CodexConditionalParagraph|If Merrill was romanced|Later upon asking Hawke why they're alone, they will state that Merrill had spent enough time fighting for her life with them, and they didn't want to take her away from her work with the city elves in Kirkwall/her clan.

While in the Fade, [[Nightmare (demon)|Nightmare]] will threaten Merrill in an attempt to make Hawke fearful. If Hawke is chosen to stay behind in the Fade, they will apologize to Merrill before they charge at the demon.}}

After Hawke leaves for [[Weisshaupt Fortress]], Cassandra and Varric can have an in-party banter where Cassandra asks if Merrill will reunite with Hawke again, to which Varric responds that after Merrill reads Varric's letter, she will join up with Hawke whether they want her to or not.

While traveling into [[the Crossroads]] with [[Morrigan]], her Eluvian can be seen in the distance.
}}

== Quests ==
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
:{{:The Lost Mysteries of the Ancients|style=iconmini}}

=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
'''Act 1'''
:{{:Long Way Home|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Welcome Home|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Nice Crime You Have Around Here|style=iconmini2}}

'''Act 2'''
:{{:Consoling Words|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Mirror Image|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Back from Sundermount|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Questioning Beliefs (Merrill)|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Merrill, An Apology|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Wooden Halla|style=iconmini2}} <small>(gift)</small>

'''Act 3'''
:{{:The New Place|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:A Talking To|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:A New Path|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Merrill, Friend or Foe?|style=iconmini2}}
:{{:Memento of the Dalish|style=iconmini2}} <small>(gift)</small>

'''Mark of the Assassin'''
:Merrill is the only companion who has no quest in this DLC.

== Friendship and Rivalry ==
{{See|the [[Merrill/Approval|approval]] page for more information}}
[[File:Friendship small.png]]
Merrill's friendship can be gained by:
#Helping the mages or the elves.
#Choosing options that favor blood magic or demons.
#By being agreeable to her in conversation.

[[File:Rivalry small.png|left]]
Rivalry with Merrill can generally be earned by contradicting the "hows" of developing a friendship with her, as mentioned above.

== Romance ==
{{SpoilerDA2|
[[File:DAMerrilarmor.jpg|190px|right|Raiments of the Dalish Pariah]]
Romance with Merrill is initiated once her Act 2 companion quests ([[Mirror Image]], [[Back From Sundermount]], and [[Questioning Beliefs (Merrill)|Questioning Beliefs]]) have been done. Merrill then visits the estate, followed by a heart-to-heart talk with Hawke.

{{CodexConditionalParagraph|Friendship Romance|Merrill is troubled by the thought of their forbidden love; she believes the Keeper and her [[Dalish|clan]] would object to the union because Hawke is human, since she is supposed to preserve who they are as one of the [[Elvhenan|elvhen]]. But in the end, their love for one another is more important than the clan's disapproval. Merrill feels terrible as she remembers the recent turn of unfortunate events, especially Pol's death. Though she doubts that leaving her clan was the right decision, she does not regret it; she would not have known Hawke better if she stayed. She admires Hawke's leadership and ponders how differently things would be for her people if Hawke were Dalish, commenting that they would likely have a new kingdom by now.}}

{{CodexConditionalParagraph|Rivalry Romance|Calming down, Merrill asks for Hawke's forgiveness. Though she appreciates that Hawke is keeping her from harm, Merrill warns that she is beyond redemption. She also adds that staying near her may cost the lives of the people close to Hawke. Despite their differences, Hawke stands by her.}}

''In both variations of the romance'', if Hawke is female, Merrill expresses her feelings of wishing she was as perfect as Hawke was, and states that she admires Hawke's cleverness and beauty (as additions).

[[File:Merrill Acceptance.png|300px|left|It's all right.]]
After the love scene, Hawke asks if Merrill could stay at the estate, her new future home so that they be with each other. Despite the controversy it might cause, she happily agrees. But Merrill does not move in completely; if Hawke checks on [[Bodahn]], he suggests that [[Eluvian|"something"]] keeps her going back to her house. He often reports to Hawke of her absence upon entering the estate.

If Hawke speaks with [[Isabela]] sometime later after the intimate relationship with Merrill has begun, she asks if Hawke is sincere with Merrill, as they are close friends. Isabela is glad if Hawke confirms he/she has feelings for her since she notes Merrill always seemed "a little lonely." With a male Hawke, Isabela threatens to harm Hawke if he does anything nasty to Merrill. Varric also [[Friendly Concern|shares his thoughts]] about them being together.

Finishing [[All That Remains|the long search]] and ending [[Quentin]]'s madness, Hawke returns home devastated. Merrill arrives and consoles Hawke, grieving silently for the loss.

During the siege of Kirkwall, Merrill expresses her concern for Hawke's safety if she is brought along on [[Demands of the Qun|the battle against the Qunari]].

[[File:Merrill Homesick.png|300px|right|Back before dark, I promise.]]
[[Codex entry: Merrill - The Last Three Years|Three years later]], Hawke shares the estate with Merrill, adjusting to the [[The New Place|new home]] she just moved in. However, she often visits her house in the Alienage to continue her construction of the Eluvian. Hawke [[A Talking To|drops by]] to assess her situation, where Merrill explains the Eluvian remains dormant, despite her best efforts. Merrill says Audacity may have knowledge of the mirror because the only creatures who would be old enough to have witnessed its forging are the denizens of the Fade. She explains that Audacity has been silent when she tried to communicate with it recently and expresses concern over this development since it's supposed to be sealed in a totem atop Sundermount. Merrill implores Hawke to aid in her [[A New Path|endeavor]]. She also asks the Champion to kill her if something goes wrong, and she becomes possessed.

Following [[A New Path|their face-off]] against the demon at [[Pride's End]], the Dalish hunters are looking for [[Marethari]] and approach them with resentment. Regardless of how Hawke handles the confrontation with the clan, Merrill felt alone and rejected [[Merrill, Friend or Foe?|as a result]]. Whether the clan was killed or not, she desires to move on and asks Hawke for advice on her future course of action.

Merrill can become jealous if Hawke flirts with [[Zevran Arainai|Zevran]]. She utters her dislike for him after [[A Murder of Crows|their meeting]] with the [[Antivan Crows|Crows]].

As Hawke helps out Anders [[Justice (quest)|gather sela petrae]] for his "potion", he questions their relationship. He argues that she will always give in to her weakness. Hawke contests his reproach, and Merrill retorts that Anders should examine himself more carefully instead.

Merrill can be kidnapped by the activists of [[Best Served Cold|the conspiracy]] set up by [[Thrask]]. With only Hawke in her mind during her captivity, she is grateful for her rescuer and lover.

[[File:Merrill Together.png|275px|right|My love...]]
The romance strengthens and flourishes further as they have one moment alone before [[The Last Straw|the final battle]]. Expressing that the whole incident feels like a dream, Merrill is comforted by Hawke, promising that they will get through this together. Ending their conversation, they kiss amiably.

As [[Varric Tethras|Varric]] concludes the tale of the Champion, he says that all of the companions have parted ways, but Merrill and Hawke remain beside each other.

Alternatively, the Champion who sided with the Templars may choose to kill Merrill even if she is romanced. Merrill bitterly says before death that she did not expect such actions from Hawke.
}}

== Gifts ==
:{{:Halla Carving|style=iconmini}} - purchased from [[Master Ilen's Shop]] for {{currency|50000}} (available at Act 2).
:{{:Sylvanwood Ring (gift)|style=iconmini}} - found on the body of the Thief Leader in [[Sundermount]] in Act 3.

== Statistics ==
=== ''Dragon Age: Origins'' ===
==== Initial skills ====
:{{:Herbalism|style=iconmini}} &ensp; {{:Combat Tactics|style=iconmini}}

==== Initial spells ====
:{| class="daotable"
| [[Arcane spells (Origins)|Arcane]]
| {{:Arcane Bolt|style=iconmini}}
|-
| [[Primal spells (Origins)|Primal]]
| {{:Flame Blast|style=iconmini}} &ensp; {{:Flaming Weapons|style=iconmini}}
|-
| [[Entropy spells (Origins)|Entropy]]
| {{:Weakness|style=iconmini}}
|}

==== Initial equipment ====
:{| class="daotable"
| [[Weapons (Origins)|Weapons]]
| {{:Acolyte's Staff (Origins)|style=iconmini}}
|-
| [[Clothing]]
| {{:Tevinter Mage Robes|style=iconmini}}
|}

=== ''Dragon Age II'' ===
==== Initial talents ====
:{| class="daotable"
! Available spell trees
! Initially selected spells
|-
| {{:Elemental spells|style=iconmini}}
|
|-
| {{:Primal spells (Dragon Age II)|style=iconmini}}
| {{:Stonefist (Dragon Age II)|style=iconmini}}
|-
| {{:Spirit spells (Dragon Age II)|style=iconmini}}
| {{:Spirit Bolt|style=iconmini}}
|-
| {{:Arcane spells (Dragon Age II)|style=iconmini}}
|
|-
| {{:Entropy spells (Dragon Age II)|style=iconmini}}
| {{:Hex of Torment|style=iconmini}}
|-
| {{:Dalish Pariah|style=iconmini}} ([[Classes and specializations (Dragon Age II)|specialization]])
|
|}

==== Initial equipment ====
:{| class="daotable"
| [[Weapons (Dragon Age II)|Weapons]]
| {{:Vir Tasallan|style=iconmini}}
|-
| [[Armor (Dragon Age II)|Armor]]
| [[File:Merrill armor.png|12px]] [[Vestments of the First]]
|-
|}

==== Armor upgrades ====
{{See also|Companion armor}}
[[File:Merrill armor.png|right]]

Upgrades to Merrill's armor, [[Vestments of the First]], can be found at the following locations:
:{{:Samite Lining|style=iconmini}} (Act 2) – available at [[Robes by Jean Luc]] in [[Hightown]]; adds an extra [[rune]] slot.
:{{:Carved Ironwood Buttons|style=iconmini}} (Act 2) – available at [[Master Ilen's Shop]] in [[Sundermount]]; increases health.
:{{:Silver-Threaded Dalish Embroidery|style=iconmini}} (Act 2) – found at the top of Sundermount's Mountain Graveyard; +20 health regeneration rate.
:{{:Halla Horn Buckles|style=iconmini}} (Act 3) – looted during [[A New Path]]; adds an extra rune slot.

{{SpoilerDA2|
[[File:Merrill armor (romance).png|right]]
{{CodexConditionalParagraph|If Hawke engages into a [[Romance (Dragon Age II)|romance]] with Merrill|Merrill will equip [[Raiments of the Dalish Pariah]]. The change is only aesthetic; there are no other bonuses given by this armor except the runes and upgrades that have already been fitted onto it. Note that unlike Isabela and Fenris, you cannot sleep with her just to get the costume change and then break it off – you must continue the romance.}}

{{Bug|DA2|If she is wearing Raiments of the Dalish Pariah and [[Best Served Cold|is kidnapped]] in Act 3, she will be seen wearing Vestments of the First.}}
}}

==== Restricted accessories ====
:{{:Sylvanwood Ring (ring)|style=iconmini}} – see [[#Gifts|Gifts]]
:{{:The Inner Eye|style=iconmini}} – requires ''[[Mage Item Pack]]'' [[Downloadable content (Dragon Age II)|DLC]]
:{{:Sylaise's Favor|style=iconmini}} – requires ''[[Mage Item Pack II]]'' DLC

== Quotes ==
[[File:Merril 02.jpg|300px|thumb|Concept art of Merrill for ''[[Dragon Age II]]'']]
{{Main|Merrill/Dialogue}}
* ''([[Long Way Home]])'' "I'll try not to hit anyone. On our side, I mean. I'm babbling again. Let's go."
* ''([[Memento of the Dalish]])'' "Guarding a clan from the Dread Wolf... is a Keeper's place."
* "Your 'Maker' is a story you humans use to explain the world. We have our own stories. I don't need to borrow yours."
* "Spirits differ from each other, just as you and Hawke and Isabela are all human. More or less..."
* ''([[The Last Straw]])'' "Magic can't be made safe and it can't be destroyed. Fear makes men more dangerous than magic ever could".
* ''([[The Last Straw]])'' "(laughs) The Champion of Kirkwall going to battle naked. Why can't I ever have that dream?"
* ''([[A Bitter Pill]])'' "Being a blood mage does not mean sacrificing innocents!"

== Codex entries ==
:{{:Codex entry: Merrill|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Merrill - After the Deep Roads|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Merrill - The Last Three Years|style=iconmini}}

== Trivia ==
* [[Mary Kirby]] wrote Merrill for ''Dragon Age II''.<ref>{{BWF|author=[[Mary Kirby]]|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105090341/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/161075-merrill-shes-a-keeper/page-4|title=Merrill - She's a Keeper!}}</ref>
* According to [[David Gaider]], Eve Myles was last on the list of "actors I specifically asked for and got on the first try".<ref>{{BWF|author=[[David Gaider]]|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105065847/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/161075-merrill-shes-a-keeper/page-4|title=Merrill - She's a Keeper!}}</ref>
* If you give Merrill the [[Halla Carving]] bought from [[Master Ilen's Shop]] in Act 2, it will be on display on the table beside the door to [[Merrill's Home|her home]] for the rest of the game.
* Although Marethari warns the members of the Sabrae clan that Merrill may bring back the taint, she remains uncorrupted in her handling of the shard for several years (after successfully cleansing it of the taint with a spell amplified by blood magic), while the elves in [[Witch Hunt]] who came in contact with the remaining shards in the [[Elven Ruins]] turned into [[ghoul]]s.
* Despite claiming that Audacity would escape through the restored Eluvian, Marethari never reveals how she came to this conclusion, especially when her argument in Act 2 against this course of action was entirely different. [[Morrigan]]'s revelation in [[Witch Hunt]] about the Eluvians serving as a doorway to a place "beyond this world, and beyond the Fade" call into question the validity of Marethari's claim. In ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]'', [[Flemeth]] is able to use an Eluvian to bring herself and [[Kieran]] to the Fade. It's also worth noting that Audacity is bound to a totem in the physical world, and is not in the Fade.
* In spite of her blood magic, Merrill seems to have been taken under the wings of several of her new friends:
** Varric calls her "Daisy" affectionately and is repeatedly referenced to have bribed any would-be attackers whenever she took any side alley routes around Kirkwall, and he gave her a ball of twine when she first moved to the city so she could find her way around.
** Isabela calls her "Kitten" and tells her several things about being "a lady" (seduction tips, how to strut, etc.) as well as helping her with issues she isn't familiar with, because of her cultural differences with humans. Should a male Hawke enter into a relationship with Merrill, Isabela will threaten to "cut off [his] balls" if he hurts her.
* In some Carver/Merrill and Carver/Isabela conversations, it is hinted that Carver may have a crush on Merrill.
* [[Mike Laidlaw]] said at PAX East 2013, that Merrill fixing the mirror was a "bad call", but did not elaborate on the context as to why.<ref>[http://www.ladyinsanity.com/blog/pax-east-2013-bioware-base-breakdown PAX East 2013 - Bioware Base Breakdown].</ref>
* Merrill's [[vallaslin]] is unique in ''Dragon Age II'', though it is similar to the one she has in ''Origins''. It honors [[Mythal]].<ref>{{Twitter|author=[[Mary Kirby]]|url=https://twitter.com/BioMaryKirby/status/1374133899048062976}}</ref>
* Merrill mentions having fallen into the harbor when you talk to her at the docks. Apparently, the Kirkwall harbor is very deep.
* The examinable pile of letters and notes in the Hawke Mansion library will have an updated text for the one mentioning Merrill watering the plants to better fit the mood between her and Hawke, if they're in a romance.
* Merrill has always wanted a pet baby griffon. She says she would name it Feathers.
* Not counting Sebastian, who is only available through DLC, Merrill is the only love interest in ''Dragon Age II'' to go by her birth name.
* Merrill is currently the youngest individual known to come into their magic, at 4 years old.
* In the [[Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas|official cookbook]], "Merrill's blood soup" is the recipe for a rich soup with a misleading name. It is made from beetroot and topped with roasted chickpeas. It is named for its bright red color, which itself derives from the beetroot. Like Merrill and her blood magic, Devon advises the reader that they should not let the impression given by the soup put them off, and to not judge a book by its cover.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas]]'', p. 53</ref>

== Bugs ==
* Upon returning to the alienage after completing Long Way Home, selecting the option "I don't think so." when asked if you wish to stop by later and flirting with her during [[Welcome Home]] may lead to a bug with her approval for Hawke, making it impossible to gain any friendship or rivalry points with Merrill henceforth. Note: It has also been noted that this bug randomly occurs even if you select the "I Will." option and later flirt with her. You'll know it's not working because you'll gain no friendship after all friendly and flirt dialogue options have been concluded in Welcome Home. If this does happen, simply reload and do not select the flirt option when chatting with Merrill in Welcome Home. This initial flirt is fortunately not required to begin a romance.
* If the sibling either joined the Wardens or died during the expedition, the quest "Mourning" was supposed to take place.<ref>{{BWF|author=[[Mary Kirby]]|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730025212/https://forum.bioware.com/topic/161075-merrill-shes-a-keeper/?bioware=1|title=Merrill - She's a Keeper!}}</ref> However, it has since been cut from the game, but may reappear if the game has not been patched.<ref>{{BWF|author=Luke Barrett|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801170829/https://forum.bioware.com/topic/207104-patch-103-planning-and-prioritization/?bioware=1|title=Patch 1.03 - Planning and Prioritization}}</ref>
* There have been some cases where, during the sex scene between her and Hawke, some graphical issues occur. Such reports claim that the two characters abruptly show up standing idly at the entrance to the Hawke estate, both in their intimate attire. The dialogue wheel, however, is still present and choosing any option will promptly fix the bug, placing the characters in their proper place and the scene will proceed normally.
* {{platforms|xbox360}}During Act 3, the Questioning Beliefs involving Merrill's reaction to the end of A New Path will occur, even before you completed the quest, where she is upset by the death of her clan's Keeper. It can be worked around, but is messing with the chronological order of the related quests. (2, 1, 3).
* In Act 3, when initiating A New Path, it seems that if you are on a path of rivalry with Merrill, she will mention you keeping the arulin'holm from her, even if you gave it to her.
* If her clan is wiped out after her personal quest A New Path, she is stuck to your party, being locked forever. This can be fixed by either taking another quest where a party member is locked in, such as [[Sebastian]]'s [[Faith]], or by returning home to the Hawke estate. Both methods will remove all current party members, restoring Merrill's unlocked status.
* With patch 1.03, some of the Act 3 romance scenes may not trigger properly, but the flow will proceed as planned.
* You can complete the quest "Questioning Beliefs" in Act 3 by accessing the console and manually maxing Merrill's Friendship meter.

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center" orientation="portrait">
Merrill and clan dao.png|Merrill with her clan in ''Dragon Age: Origins''
Merrill concept art.jpg|Concept art for ''[[Dragon Age II]]''
merrill wotv2.png|Concept art of Merrill in ''[[Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2]]''
Merrill EM.png|Concept art of Merrill for the cancelled expansion for ''[[Dragon Age II]]'', ''Exalted March''.
Merrill 02.png|Merrill fighting templars
DA2_Merrill_looking_back_over_her_shoulder_(cutscene).jpg
Merrill scratchinghead.jpg
Merrill book.jpg
Merrill_Evolution_HoDA.png|Merrill's tiered evolution in ''Heroes of Dragon Age''
</gallery>

== References ==
<references />

{{Companions (Dragon Age II)}}

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