Sophia Dryden

“I will inspire the Wardens, and Arland will rue the day he spared my life.”

Sophia Dryden was a former Warden-Commander of the Grey Wardens of Ferelden.

Background

Arlessa Sophia Dryden was the young Arland's rival for the throne of Ferelden after the old king left no successor. Dryden was a strong and charismatic leader with much support from the Bannorn. When Arland finally won the crown, Dryden refused to relent. She pushed her claim, was imprisoned and accused of treason. Her sympathizers continued to support her, however. In order to appease them, Dryden was spared execution and forced to join the Grey Wardens instead.

Sophia survived the Joining and dazzled the Grey Wardens at Soldier's Peak with her leadership skills and charm. She eventually rose to the rank of Warden-Commander of Ferelden. Before Commander Dryden, the Grey Wardens were seen as a relic of an older time and an unnecessary drain on the nobles' coffers, Dryden, though, with her political connections, reinvigorated the Wardens and rapidly increased their numbers.

In the meantime, Arland proved himself a devious king, willing to go to brutal lengths to silence his opponents. Arland's reign of terror grew worse with each passing year, and some of the banns approached Commander Dryden in desperation, begging her to intercede. She agreed, and thus the rebellion was born. Arland learned of the rebellion through his spies and took steps to end it. He publicly suspended all tithing (funding) to the Grey Wardens and declared they were no longer welcome in Ferelden. Some of the Wardens, mindful that they were supposed to remain politically neutral, felt disgraced by Dryden's involvement in Fereldan politics and left her side even as the king's forces lay siege to Soldier's Peak. (It is assumed many left to Orlais) The siege took months and ended with Sophia's death. King Arland had driven the Grey Wardens from Ferelden, and after the siege of Soldier's Peak, the base was abandoned. It was not until 200 years later, that King Maric would allow Grey Wardens back into Ferelden.

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Involvement

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Sophia's Speech

As The Warden enters Soldier's Peak, they witness a vision of Sophia rallying a group of Wardens:

"Men, I won't lie to you. The situation is grim. Our forces outnumbered, our bellies empty, and our hearts sagging. But we are Wardens! Darkspawn flee when they hear our horns, Archdemons die when they taste our blades! So are we to bend knee to a mere human despot? No! I, for one, will never give up! I will never surrender just to dance on Arland's gallows! So I propose here and now, in these hallowed halls where generations of our bretheren stood vigil against darkspawn and evil, that we send a message to that fat bastard! In this sacred place, proud men, strong men, stood defiant, and would rather die than submit to tyranny!"

Drops

Warden Commander armor set

Warden Tower Shield - with higher dropchance at higher levels and nearly none under level 10

Warden's Longsword may refer to:

Warden's Longsword (Origins), for Dragon Age: Origins.
Warden's Longsword (Darkspawn Chronicles), for The Darkspawn Chronicles.

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title.
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Incense of Awareness

Dragon Age II

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age II.

If spared in Dragon Age Origins, Sophia will have a small cameo in Act 1. She will now be a cult leader in The Wounded Coast to a group of blood mages. Sophia will order an attack on Hawke, this will lead to a boss battle.

Gallery

Quotes

"I will inspire the Wardens, and Arland will rue the day he spared my life."