Arl Rendon Howe is an old friend of Teyrn Bryce Cousland and the arl of Amaranthine. He is also the father of Nathaniel Howe, a companion in Awakening. He is Loghain's closest political ally following the Battle of Ostagar.
Background
Rendon Howe was born during the Orlesian occupation, and like many of the nobles at the time, joined the rebellion led by the future king, Maric Theirin. He fought alongside the young Bryce Cousland of Highever and Leonas Bryland, future arl of South Reach, at the bloody battle of White River. The battle was the most catastrophic defeat of the entire occupation, from which only 50 rebel soldiers escaped alive. Although he was decorated for valor by King Maric, Howe's abrasive manners earned him almost universal dislike among his peers. Bryland implied that Howe's personality altered after the battle. He has three known children: Nathaniel, Thomas, and Delilah. During Awakening, Nathaniel recounts the proud history of the Howe family. Rendon Howe seemed to have married an even wealthier woman and always tried to prove himself to her upper-class family.
Involvement
The Human Noble Origin begins with Arl Howe's arrival at Highever. Howe explains to Teyrn Cousland that his troops have been delayed, and that he will march with them when they arrive. Teyrn Cousland then tasks his eldest, Fergus Cousland, with leading the Cousland forces ahead to Ostagar, where they have been called by King Cailan Theirin to fight against the Darkspawn.
Fergus leaves Castle Cousland immediately, taking most of the Highever troops with him and leaving behind only a small guard. After they are well away, Howe's treachery is revealed: his soldiers attack the castle in the middle of the night, killing almost all the inhabitants, including Fergus' wife and son, as well as the Teyrn.
The Human Noble Warden is only able to escape with Duncan's aid, which he gives only in return for becoming a Grey Warden.
With the castle secure, Arl Howe declares himself the new teyrn.
Howe uses his position to gain more power, kidnapping the Arl of Denerim's heir and claiming the arling for himself. Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir allies himself with Howe, finding himself depending more and more on Howe's political ability. By the time Lothering is sacked, Howe has become the most powerful person in Ferelden, after the regency.
When Howe accompanies Loghain to talk with Arl Eamon Guerrin before the Landsmeet, he proclaims himself the Teyrn of Highever, Arl of Denerim, and Arl of Amaranthine. Howe acts as a liaison between Loghain and the dissenting bannorn.
After hearing reports of surviving Grey Wardens, Howe hires an agent of the Antivan Crows to assassinate them. Eventually, Howe witnesses Queen Anora questioning her father's actions and involvement in Cailan's death. While Howe attempts to direct Loghain's attention to the increasing darkspawn threat, and both Howe and Anora ask him to consider asking for reinforcements, Loghain refuses to be swayed, citing Orlais as a major threat.
Howe is responsible for many of the terrible events that happen during the Blight. Along with brutalizing the elves of the Denerim Alienage and imprisoning any loose ends that could threaten Loghain's rule, he imprisons Anora in his estate after she visits to inquire about the negative rumors about her father. He also tries to convince Loghain to murder his daughter and pin the crime on Arl Eamon, in the hopes of sullying Eamon's popularity at the Landsmeet.
However, his plan goes awry when the Warden is enlisted to rescue Anora from her captivity. While doing so, the Warden tracks Howe to the dungeons of his estate and kills him and most of his men-at-arms. He died, but not before saying he deserved more.
Notes
- According to the quest, Crime Wave, Arl Howe is intimate with a noble known as Lady Sophie, and embezzling from Denerim's treasury.
- It could be speculated that the Scout's Medal, bought from Yuriah at Vigil's Keep, is the medal Howe won at the battle of White River.
Quotes
(Speaking to a Human Noble Warden)
- (Regarding Cailan) "I think of the King as much as he thinks at all."
- (Speaking to a male) "Well, well. Bryce Cousland's little boy. All grown up and still trying to fit into daddy's armor."
- (Speaking to a female) "Well, well. Bryce Cousland's little spitfire. All grown up and still playing the man."
- (Speaking to any other origin) "You should have left when you had the chance, Warden. Slunk off back to the Anderfels with the rest of your kind. This Landsmeet is a farce. Loghain will triumph, and you will die!"
- (Last words) "Maker spit on you!... I... deserved... more!"
Trivia
- Howe suggests a match between the male Human Noble and his daughter Delilah; in Awakening, Delilah mentions this in passing. The male Human Noble Warden has an opportunity to respond to her.
- If you are Female Human Noble, then he will suggest a match between you and Thomas, his son. But it is only mentioned the once.
- At the time of his death, Howe controlled the arlings of Amaranthine and Denerim, and had claimed the teyrnir of Highever. Together, these made up the entire northeastern border of Ferelden; in conjunction with his alliance with Loghain, these made him the most powerful person in the country besides the Regent.
- The surname Howe and Howe's father's name, Tarleton, are references to William Howe and Banastre Tarleton, two prominent British officers during the American Revolution. Howe also shares a facial likeness to the former of the two.
- In Dragon Age II, Howe is referred to as the "Butcher of Denerim."
Gallery
See also
Codex entry: The Howes of Amaranthine
Codex entry: Letter to Rendon Howe
References
- ↑ Referenced by the "Portrait of a Howe" in Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.