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“As one of the blighters, I sodding salute you. Let us show them our hearts, and then show them theirs.”


Oghren is a crude dwarven berserker fond of all things alcoholic. He is a companion to the Warden in Dragon Age: Origins and a possible one to the Warden-Commander in Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.

Background

Oghren used to be one of the best warriors of his generation and member of House Kondrat in Orzammar. He married a smith caste girl named Branka, who would later become a Paragon. Soon after its founding, House Branka absorbed the entire House Kondrat. Branka later took her household, with the sole exception of her husband, into the Deep Roads in search of the secrets of the legendary smith Caridin. They were not heard from again. Oghren, left behind, became a laughingstock. He started drinking even more heavily than he already did, making his situation worse as one day the youngest son of Lord Meino mentioned that it is impossible for Branka and her house to have survived for that long in the Deep Roads. Oghren considered this as an insult to the Paragon, challenged his honor, and killed him in a first-blood match while drunk. Oghren was stripped of his house name and barred from bearing weapons within the city, a punishment considered worse than exile for a warrior. Oghren has spent the last two years trying to convince the Assembly, or anyone else who will listen to him, to look for Branka in the Deep Roads.[1] Oghren also knows Gorim Saelac, the second of the Dwarf Noble, because the latter has thrown Oghren out of the royal palace a couple of times. Their relationship is not bitter; however, there is some antagonizing.[2]

Involvement

Dragon Age: Origins


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.


Oghren2

Oghren fighting a werewolf.

After the Warden has spoken to either Bhelen or Harrowmont's representatives and given a task, Oghren appears, arguing with Loilinar Ivo in the entrance of the Diamond Quarter. Loilinar can be questioned about Oghren and Branka after Oghren leaves. He can be found again at Tapster's Tavern in the Orzammar Commons. The Warden can talk to him there, and learn more about Branka. However, he is aware that the Warden is working for one of the candidates for the throne, which makes him think that any concern expressed about Branka is not genuine. If the Warden attempts to talk to Oghren at Tapster's again, no matter how the conversation is structured, Oghren will tell the Warden to "sod off".

Note: If Oghren does not appear at the Tapster's tavern, he will approach the party when trying to venture forth into the Deep Roads volunteering to help find Branka.

Oghren will only become a member of the party when the Warden is sent into the Deep Roads by Bhelen or Harrowmont to find Branka and secure her support for their ascension to the throne. He can leave Orzammar and the Deep Roads at this point, but he will not talk until A Paragon of Her Kind has been completed.

He is eager to reunite with his wife, but when the truth is revealed, he is shocked at what she has done in her quest for the Anvil of the Void, including causing the death of most of her House. Yet, despite this he is willing to offer her a second chance, and he disapproves if the Warden chooses to side with Caridin and destroy the Anvil. After a new king has been chosen, Oghren then throws his lot in with that of the Warden's and leaves Orzammar to help fight the Blight.

Once Oghren's approval is high enough, he can teach the warrior specialization, Berserker.


Dragon Age: Awakening


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.


After the archdemon was defeated, Oghren settled down with his old flame Felsi and had a child. This happens even if Oghren's attempts to woo her while accompanying the Warden were unsuccessful. Those who know him say that he was truly happy, at least for a time. But Oghren is a warrior born and bred, and, as he is fond of saying, "you can take a warrior out of the fight, but you can never take the fight out of the warrior". Oghren traveled to Vigil's Keep awaiting the Warden-Commander so he could join the Grey Wardens and helped defend the Keep when it was attacked by the Darkspawn. Should he be put through the Joining he will survive and become a fully fledged Grey Warden. Eventually Felsi will return and ask about what he intends to do with his family. Once his approval is high enough, he will talk to the Warden-Commander about his feelings and he can be persuaded to take a more active role or not.

Oghren will also support siding with the Architect, arguing that it's worth the risk if sentience allows the darkspawn to stop assaulting Orzammar, which he mentions is still a major problem.

If you killed him in Origins, you can ask him about it. He will claim that he woke up with nothing on and compliment you on trying to kill him.


The Darkspawn Chronicles


This section contains spoilers for:
Darkspawn Chronicles.


Oghren — like the other heroes — appears as a boss, and is encountered in the Denerim Market District accompanied by four violent drunks. He wields the Forge Master's Hammer, though it is not explained how he obtained it. The codex explains that through circumstances that are not clarified, Oghren took up residence in the Gnawed Noble Tavern after he came to the surface, and was still there when the Battle of Denerim began.


Quests

Origins

Oghren's Old Flame Oghren's Old Flame

Awakening

Oghren the Family Man Oghren the Family Man

Gifts

Dragon Age: Origins

Oghren's approval will increase when you give him any alcohol, especially Ale. The one exception is Wine, which is preferred by Wynne.


Name Notes Description

Ale
Ale
Sold by various bartenders.
A mug of watered-down ale.
Alley King's Flagon
Alley King's Flagon
Found in the Orzammar Commons.
A monument to the pot-valiant in appropriately hammered gold. Lack of lid allows for a quick pour and, more importantly, refill. Never a stale brew when you facilitate swift consumption.
Chasind Sack Mead
Chasind Sack Mead
Found in the Ruined Temple.
A brutishly strong honey liquor, reminiscent of warm summer days, apple blossoms on the wind with an unexpected aftertaste of father going off to war, never to return. Bitter, to say the least.
Garbolg's Backcountry Reserve
Garbolg's Backcountry Reserve
Found by Dog.
Likely dropped to avoid seizure by authorities, or because of seizure due to drinking it. Garbolg only brewed from 8:74 to 8:92 Blessed, killed when the vapors in his beard spontaneously combusted.
Golden Scythe 4:90 Black
Golden Scythe 4:90 Black
Found in a crate in Lothering.
This battlefield spirit maintains a chill even in direct sunlight, which it appears to absorb. Optimal serving is by the drop. Contact with exposed flesh is discouraged, but likely inevitable.
Legacy White Shear
Legacy White Shear
Obtained in the Lower Ruins.
Peculiar and rare, a single run of this spirit took color and what has been optimistically been called flavor from lyrium in the cask's bilge hoop. A sipping whisky if you value your innards. Circa 790 T.E.
Sun Blonde Vint-1
Sun Blonde Vint-1
Found in the Templar Quarters.
Tevinter-brewed for a very discreet clientèle, and strong enough to fluster a tranquil. An almost weightless spirit best served with a powdering of catsbane as a flavor-enhancer and antidote.
Wilhelm's Special Brew
Wilhelm's Special Brew
Obtained in Honnleath. (Requires: The Stone Prisoner)
This dark-colored ale gives off a thick, oaky smell. Swirling it in the tankard, you notice it takes on an unexpected glow.
Note: These gifts do not give the +5 approval additional points during the Awakening campaign.

Dragon Age: Awakening

Oghren continues to enjoy alcoholic gifts in the Awakening expansion.


Name Notes Description

Aqua Magus
Aqua Magus
Found in the Abandoned Warehouse
Fine spirits infused with a bit of refined lyrium. Potentially fatal if ingested in quantity.
"Dragon Piss"
"Dragon Piss"
Obtained in Hubert's Den.
The name is probably figurative, but no one knows for sure.
Hirol's Lava Burst
Hirol's Lava Burst
Obtained in Knotwood Hills.
"It tastes like burning." Brewed exclusively in Kal'Hirol.
Mackay's Epic Single Malt
Mackay's Epic Single Malt
Obtained in the City of Amaranthine.
This whiskey is older than the Maker and smoother than elven baby-butt.
Toy Horse
Toy Horse
Located: Blackmarsh
Plot Item
A child might appreciate the simple toy.
West Hill Brandy
West Hill Brandy
Obtained in Vigil's Keep's Wine Cellar.
Notes of blackcurrant with a honeysuckle finish. Also, tastes like brandy.
Bug icon Bug! If you export a character from Origins, the game remembers the number of gifts you gave Oghren during the Origins campaign, even though his approval is reset when he is recruited. This means that the initial gifts given to him during Awakening will already suffer from the diminishing returns on approval gain based on number of gifts given.

Initial statistics

Attributes

Relative attribute weightings on auto-level:

Strength Dexterity Willpower Magic Cunning Constitution
1.4 0.25 0 0 0 0

Specialization

Berserker Berserker

Talents (Origins, PC)

Warrior Powerful Powerful PowerfulThreaten ThreatenBravery BraveryDeath Blow Death Blow (level 14)
Berserker Berserk BerserkResilience ResilienceConstraint Constraint (level 13)   Final Blow Final Blow (level 18)
Two-Handed Pommel Strike Pommel Strike Pommel StrikeIndomitable IndomitableStunning Blows Stunning Blows (level 15)   Critical Strike Critical Strike (level 19)
Sunder Arms Sunder Arms Sunder ArmsShattering Blows Shattering BlowsSunder Armor Sunder Armor (level 12)
Mighty Blow Mighty Blow Mighty BlowPowerful Swings Powerful Swings (level 16)   Two-Handed Strength Two-Handed Strength (level 17)   Two-Handed Sweep Two-Handed Sweep (level 20)
Bug icon Bug! When Oghren is imported into Awakening, his statistics are reset and repopulated with new defaults, regardless of your decisions and specializations in Origins. Note: if you played as a mage in Origins and had Oghren read the warrior/rogue Tomes in Origins, those attribute, skill, and talent points will be wasted in Awakening. If you want Oghren to use those tomes, you must hold them until Awakening.

Equipment (Origins)

Weapons Battleaxe Battleaxe
Armor Dwarven Heavy armor set Dwarven Heavy armor set
Accessories One for the Ditch One for the Ditch

Equipment (Awakening)

Weapons Darkspawn Ravager Darkspawn Ravager
Armor Helm of the Legion Helm of the LegionLegion of the Dead armor set Legion of the Dead armor set
Accessories Smith's Heart Smith's HeartOne for the Ditch One for the DitchRing of the Warrior Ring of the WarriorRing of Resistance Ring of Resistance

Restricted gear

One for the Ditch One for the Ditch (Origins)
One for the Ditch One for the Ditch (Awakening)

Plot skills

Dragon Age: Origins

Oghren3

Oghren fighting a revenant.

As you befriend Oghren and gain his approval, he will gain the following additional skills:

Name Benefit Requirement
Inspired: Minor Constitution Inspired: Minor Constitution +1 constitution 25% approval
Inspired: Moderate Constitution Inspired: Moderate Constitution +2 constitution 50% approval
Inspired: Major Constitution Inspired: Major Constitution +4 constitution 75% approval
Inspired: Massive Constitution Inspired: Massive Constitution +6 constitution 90% approval
Note: These bonuses are non-cumulative, i.e. the total bonus is +6, not +13.

Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening

As you befriend Oghren and gain his approval, he will gain the following additional skills:

Name Benefit Requirement
Inspired: Minor Strength Inspired: Minor Strength +1 strength 25% approval
Inspired: Moderate Strength Inspired: Moderate Strength +2 strength 50% approval
Inspired: Major Strength Inspired: Major Strength +4 strength 75% approval
Inspired: Massive Strength Inspired: Massive Strength +6 strength 90% approval
Note: These bonuses are non-cumulative, i.e. the total bonus is +6, not +13.

Dialogue points

For an approval guide, see Oghren/Approval.

Below are the spots where you can initiate dialogue with Oghren in Awakening. On the PC version, it can be hard to find the correct spot to click; make sure to hit "tab" and rotate the camera if it's not letting you click on it. Within Vigil's keep, if dialogue doesn't initiate when clicking on Oghren, try clicking the cask behind him.

  • City of Amaranthine: Billboard by the stairs to the Chantry.
  • City of Amaranthine: The table of the weapon-smith in the market district (when talking to Sigrun).
  • Kal'Hirol - Trade Quarter: The anvil in the prison room.
  • Kal'Hirol: Cliff by the entrance of the Thaig, just if Sigrun not joined the party.
  • The Blackmarsh Undying: boat in the area you wake up in. There is an alternative dialogue if the Warden is imported and Oghren was trapped in the Fade in the Circle of Magi.
  • Vigil's Keep - Throne Room: The cask behind Oghren in the throne room, which can be used to initiate several conversations.

Quotes

Main article: Oghren/Dialogue
Oghren concept art

Concept art of Oghren

Dragon Age: Origins

  • "If you've ever heard of me before, it's probably all been about how I piss ale and murder little boys who look at me wrong. And that's mostly true..."
  • "Misery, vomit and malt liquor. Ah, reminds me of home."
  • "This is it, Warden. 'When from the blood of battle the Stone has fed, let the heroes prevail and the blighters lie dead.' As one of the blighters, I sodding salute you. Let us show them our hearts, and then show them theirs."
  • "By the tits of my ancestors!"
  • "That pot-bellied son-of-a-whore Teagan said I can't drink a whole barrel of pickle juice without passing out first. I aim to prove him wrong."
  • "My family is dead, my honor as a warrior long gone. I've lost my caste and my house and I have nothing else to lose."
  • "I wish people wanted to share me more often. Especially the ladies. I want more ladies to share me."
  • "Aye. I've tried twenty-seven different types of ale and learned I'm just the right height to give a human girl a good time. That doesn't make me a good man."

Dragon Age: Awakening

  • "No one touches Oghren's junk and lives!"
  • (Upon seeing the Mother) "That's a lot of nipples."
  • (In banter with Sigrun) "I'm like a cherry soaked in brandy. Plump...juicy...and full of intoxicating flavor."

Dialogue

  • Oghren: "I came here to join the Grey Wardens, and from the looks of it, you could use the extra hands! Where's the giant cup? I'll gargle and spit!"
  • The Warden-Commander: "You're not allowed to spit."
  • Oghren: "Heh. That's what I always say..."

Bugs

  • Infinite approval exploit: Take Oghren with you when you are confronting Dwyn before the The Attack at Nightfall. When trying to persuade Dwyn to fight for the village, choose "You're a coward," followed by "Stay in here, then, if you prefer." This will end the conversation, and you can start it again as many times as needed. Oghren will gain Approves (+1)
Bug icon Bug! Under unknown circumstances, Oghren may not show up in the entrance of the Deep Roads and enter the Warden's party during the last part of A Paragon of Her Kind quest line.
Bug icon Bug! If you have used the console command runscript selectparty before meeting Oghren for the first time in the Orzammar Diamond Quarter, he will not spawn at Tapster's Tavern and will be missing for the rest of the game. To fix the bug, go to Tapster's (preferably after acquiring the quest A Paragon of Her Kind), leave, and then enter runscript selectparty into the console again. Oghren should appear on the screen and remain there from that point on.

Trivia

  • Oghren is the first companion to be available in two different games, the others being Anders and Varric.
  • Oghren was mostly written by Jay Turner, but Sheryl Chee also had a hand in writing him.[3] Mary Kirby wrote his personal quest.[4]
  • Although Oghren becomes a surface dwarf when he joins the Warden's party and leaves for the surface, he isn't forced to paint a tattoo on his face when the Warden and their party returns to Orzammar in order to indicate that he is a surfacer.[5]
  • Although Oghren is barred from bearing arms in the city, nothing happens if you equip him with weapons in Orzammar. He even joins your party with an axe equipped.
  • When selected to defend the Keep in Awakening, his codex entry states he died when the darkspawn attacked. However with a fully upgraded Keep, the epilogue says he survived.
  • Oghren's "Asschabs" was added as a joke between the writers of Dragon Age: Origins. David Gaider would, "[a]t least once or twice a week, [...] come in [their offices] groaning about having "chair butt", which is essentially when your butt goes numb from sitting in your chair for too long". Someone then coined the name "Association of Chair Butt Sufferers"; its abbreviation, ASSCHABS, was then written on their whiteboard. At that time, Jay Turner was writing Oghren, and the word "would be staring at him. So since it sounds like something Oghren would say, he decided to make Oghren say it, to make sure ASSCHABS was never forgotten."[6]
  • Oghren named his child after the Warden.
  • When he talks about his child, he calls it 'the Nugget'.
  • In a dialogue with the Warden he mentions that he feels bad about leaving Felsi and the child alone.
  • In Dragon Age II, a painting of Oghren's concept art can be seen near the bar at the Hanged Man.
  • Mary Kirby has playfully described Oghren as being like "creamed chipped beef that's been left in the fridge maybe a week too long".[7]

See also

Codex entry: Oghren Codex entry: Oghren

Gallery

References

  1. Based on the discussion with Loilinar Ivo.
  2. This is revealed if a non-Dwarf Noble Warden speaks with Gorim Saelac in Denerim Market District for the first time while having Oghren in their party.
  3. BSN David Gaider (January 7, 2010). "Writers of Dragon Age" . The BioWare Forum.
  4. BSN Mary Kirby (January 11, 2010). "Writers of Dragon Age" . The BioWare Forum.
  5. Like Ademaro does so.
  6. Chee, Sheryl. "Asschabs?". 2009-11-11. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  7. Mary Kirby. Twitter.
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