“It's a Keeper's job to remember. Even the dangerous things.”
Merrill is an elven mage and First to the Keeper of the Sabrae clan. She is a temporary companion to the Dalish elf Warden during the Dalish Elf Origin in Dragon Age: Origins, and a companion and romance option for a male or female Hawke in Dragon Age II.
Background
Merrill in Dragon Age: Origins
Merrill was born into the Alerion clan, which wandered the hills of Nevarra. She was the third child of the clan with magic born to her. Following the next Arlathvenn, the gathering of Dalish clans, she was given to the Sabrae clan to be First to Keeper Marethari.[1]
Merrill can recite all of known elven history and navigate the Fade, but 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.[2]
Involvement
Dragon Age: Origins
Template:DAOSpoiler
Dragon Age II
Following the events surrounding the disappearance of Tamlen, Merrill had kept a fragment of the Eluvian in the old ruins to cleanse it of its taint. Her efforts to repair it are what caused her to turn to blood magic, which she learned from a pride demon imprisoned atop Sundermount. She believed it was the only way she could access enough power to cleanse the taint in the mirror. She has become convinced that her efforts to understand blood magic are necessary for the survival of the Dalish, and faces the scorn and contempt of her clanmates as a result.
When Hawke 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 actually entails the resurrection of Flemeth, as a portion of her essence is revealed to have been embedded into the amulet. Merrill has been given permission by Marethari to leave her increasingly hostile clan in order to learn more about the outside world and continue her studies. Initially nervous when arriving in Kirkwall, Merrill finds lodging in the city's Alienage and joins Hawke's party. However, while staying in Kirkwall, her use of blood magic puts Merrill at odds with Anders and Fenris.
Three years have passed since Hawke joined the voyage to the Deep Roads, and Merrill seeks Hawke's help in facing Marethari to request a special dagger, an Arulin'Holm, 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 a number 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, it is discovered that Marethari had warned her clan that Merrill may potentially bring back the darkspawn taint. Though Merrill honors her side of the bargain, the Keeper does not trust her, and instead, gives it to Hawke for safekeeping, left with the choice to either give it to her or deny her the tool.
After another three years since the invasion of the Qunari, Merrill finds an alternative to fixing the still-inactive Eluvian, regardless whether Hawke gave the Arulin'Holm to Merrill or not. She plans to consult the demon, who said to her that he witnessed the creation of the mirror itself. The Keeper will contain the demon within herself to keep Merrill from harm, independent of whether Hawke warns her of Merrill's plan or not. She claims that the demon was intending to use the Eluvian as a way out of its prison and Merrill would've been its first victim. Afterwards, the clan will confront and interrogate Hawke and Merrill about the Keeper's disappearance, eventually discovering that she is dead. If Hawke accuses the Keeper of possession by the demon or orders the clan to back off, they will attack and force Hawke and Merrill to kill them in order to survive. However, if Hawke takes the blame for Merrill's actions, the clan will simply 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 friends, she states that the clan and Keeper did not heed her when she was trying to help them; the mirror remains in her house, despite of what Hawke tells her.
Merrill pleads for Anders to be spared after he destroys the Chantry, for him to assist the party and to make up for his act. She willfully joins Hawke in defense of the mages. She can also stick with Hawke despite siding with the Templars, if completely loyal.
If otherwise, Merrill initially refuses to help a pro-Templar Hawke if she was not spoken to after an unpleasant encounter with her clan, and if Anders considers Hawke a total rival; he can be talked with after fulfilling all his requests and as such can be potentially persuaded to turn against the mages, regardless of his actual fate.
Later, Hawke meets Merrill in the Gallows courtyard. If the Champion asks Merrill to rejoin them at this point, she becomes convinced; Hawke is the only person she is very close with, a bond tougher than her pride for magic. Instead, if Hawke does not want Merrill at their side, she walks away, and is eventually killed in combat after her last words for 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.
Romance
Raiments of the Dalish Pariah
Romance with Merrill is initiated once her companion quests, Mirror Image, Back From Sundermount, and her Act 2 Questioning Beliefs, have been done. Merrill then visits the estate, followed by a heart-to-heart talk with Hawke.
In both variations of the romance, if Hawke is female, Merrill expresses her feelings of inferiority towards her, and states that she is not worth Hawke's time and attention.
After the love scene, Hawke asks if Merrill could stay at the estate, her new future home, and be with each other. Despite the controversy it might cause, she happily agrees. But Merrill does not immediately move in; if Hawke checks on Bodahn, he suggests that "something" still draws her back to her house. He often reports 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. If Hawke comments either sarcastically or in a kind manner, she responds that Hawke should always care for her, as she is in constant danger, as well as to be faithful to her.
Finishing their long search and ending Quentin's madness, Hawke returns home devastated. Grieving silently for the loss, Hawke is condoled by Merrill. Both believe that Leandra is in the right hands now.
During the siege of Kirkwall, Merrill expresses her concern for Hawke's safety if she is brought along on the battle against the Qunari.
Settling the argument between the First Enchanter and the Knight-Commander, Hawke heads home. Once Hawke talks to her, Merrill informs that she will visit her house at the Alienage. Hawke then decides to drop by. It is found out that Merrill is still focused and looking for a solution to fix the eluvian; Varric fails to persuade her to calm down, and heads off annoyed. She opens up, as she thought she saw Tamlen (or Mahariel, if the Warden is of Dalish origin) wandering in the Alienage, and misses the clan, even the Keeper.
Following their face-off against the demon at Pride's End, the Dalish hunters are looking for Marethari, and approach them with resentment. Regardless of whether Hawke leaves the clan in peaceful terms, blames the Keeper, or defends Merrill, as a result, she feels alone and rejected. Hawke then proposes to live with one another. Touched by the offer, Merrill accepts with joy.
Merrill can become jealous if Hawke flirts with Zevran. She utters her dislike for him after their meeting with the Crows.
As Hawke helps out Anders gather sela petrae for his "potion", he questions their relationship. He argues that she will always give in to her weakness. Hawke ignores his reproach, and Merrill debates that he should examine himself more closely.
Merrill can be kidnapped by the activists of the conspiracy set up by Thrask. With only Hawke in her mind during her captivity, she is grateful for her rescuer and lover.
The romance strengthens and flourishes further as they have one moment alone before the final battle. Wishing that the whole incident is not real, Merrill is comforted by Hawke, promising that they will get through this together. Ending their conversation, they kiss amiably. As 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.
Friendship and Rivalry
- See the approval page for more information.
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.
Rivalry with Merrill can generally be earned by contradicting the "hows" of developing a friendship with her, as mentioned above.
Quests
Dragon Age: Origins
The Lost Mysteries of the Ancients
Dragon Age II
Act 1
Nice Crime You Have Around Here
Act 2
Wooden Halla (gift)
Act 3
Memento of the Dalish (gift)
Mark of the Assassin
- Merrill is the only companion who has no quest in this DLC
Gifts
- Main article: Gifts (Dragon Age II)
Initial statistics
Dragon Age: Origins
Class: Mage
Specialization: None
Starting spells/skills: Herbalism, Combat Tactics
Mage: Arcane Bolt
Primal: Flame Blast, Flaming Weapons
Entropy: Weakness
Dragon Age II
Talent trees
Gear
Dragon Age: Origins
Acolyte's Staff may refer to the following staves in Dragon Age: Origins or Dragon Age II:
- Acolyte's Staff (Origins)
- Acolyte's Staff (Dragon Age II Act 1)
- Acolyte's Staff (Dragon Age II Act 2)
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Dragon Age II
- Main article: Companion armor
Merrill's armor, Vestments of the First, can be upgraded four times:
- Act 2: Samite Lining, purchased at Robes by Jean Luc in Hightown, adds an extra rune slot.
- Act 2: Carved Ironwood Buttons, purchased at Master Ilen's Shop in Sundermount, increases health.
- Act 2: Silver-Threaded Dalish Embroidery, found at the top of Sundermount's Mountain Graveyard, +20 health regeneration rate.
- Act 3: Halla Horn Buckles, looted during A New Path, adds an extra rune slot.
If Hawke engages into a romance with Merrill, she 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.
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Bug! If she is wearing Raiments of the Dalish Pariah and is kidnapped in Act 3, she will be seen wearing Vestments of the First. |
Companion-Restricted Gear
The Inner Eye (requires Mage Item Pack 1 DLC)
Sylaise's Favor (requires Mage Item Pack 2 DLC)
Quotes
- Main article: Merrill/Dialogue
- (Long Way Home) "I'll try not to hit anyone. On our side, I mean. I'm babbling again. Let's go."
- (Wayward Son) "It will be your humanity that marks you among the people, not your magic."
- (Family Matter) "But that's awful! I had no idea priesthood was so dangerous!"
- (Mirror Image) "She has a disappointed frown that turns your bones into jelly! Please help me! You will, won't you?"
- (On The Loose) "Walking is not so bad. Even mages need exercise."
- (A New Path) "Creators, please let this be a bad dream! I'll wake up and feel like an idiot, and she'll scold me for not listening..."
- (Memento of the Dalish) "Guarding a clan from the Dread Wolf... is a Keeper's place."
- (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?"
Trivia
- Mary Kirby wrote Merrill for Dragon Age II.[3]
- According to David Gaider, Eve Myles was last on the list of "actors I specifically asked for and got on the first try".[4]
- Merrill means shining sea in Gaelic (Irish).
- 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 her home in Act 3 and the rest of Act 2.
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 Merill in Welcome Home.
- If the sibling either joined the Wardens or died during the expedition, the quest "Mourning" was supposed to take place.[5] However, it has since been cut from the game, but may reappear if the game has not been patched.[6]
- 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.
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.
Gallery
Codex entries
Codex entry: Merrill - After the Deep Roads
Codex entry: Merrill - The Last Three Years
References
- ↑ Codex Entry: Merrill. "Dragon Age Wiki". Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ↑ Priestly, Chris. "Merrill Appreciation Thread". BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ↑ Kirby, Mary. "Merrill Appreciation Thread". BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
- ↑ Gaider, David. "Merrill Appreciation Thread". BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-01-11.
- ↑ Kirby, Mary (2011). "Merrill - She's a Keeper!". BioWare Social Network. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- ↑ Barrett, Luke (2011)."Patch 1.03 - Planning and Prioritization". BioWare Social Network. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
External links
- Short story on Merrill in Dragon Age II by Mary Kirby
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