“Either you have an enviable memory, or a pitiable life, to know nothing of regret.”
Sten is a warrior of the Beresaad, the vanguard of the Qunari people. He is a stoic and disciplined man with a strong code of ethics, and the way he treats others depends on whether or not they have his respect, which he does not give easily. He is not a typical Qunari as he was born without horns. As with all Qunari, "Sten" is not a name; rather, it is a descriptor for rank and role.
He is a potential companion to the Warden and can only be recruited in Lothering.
Background
Among the Qunari, the beresaad task their youngest soldiers with protecting the port of Seheron[1]. It is a relatively easy task, mostly requiring a tolerance for boredom and the ability to pay close attention even after hours of inactivity. There are occasional threats to the city's security–assassins, unauthorized spies, infiltrators–and the young beresaad stationed there, most of them under eighteen years old[2], are the city's first line of defense.
The first Thedosian records of the soldier who would become Sten of the Beresaad came from a correspondence between Antiva City and an Antivan Crow writing from Seheron in 9:03 Dragon. The Crow and several others were paid to infiltrate the port city, and after a protracted argument with a Qunari harbormaster, the lead Crow heard a hornless boy inquire to what "silver" meant in the common tongue. The Crow was puzzled, having hardly heard the Qunari talk amongst themselves let alone a stranger, but indulged his curiosity. When told silver was a precious metal, the boy soldier inquired further on the word's meaning, and asked if that was the Crows' reason for being at Seheron until they took their leave.
Involvement
Dragon Age: Origins
The Warden can choose to have Sten join the party after freeing him from Lothering in the quest The Qunari Prisoner. Sten is a strong, proud and noble warrior who refuses at first to elaborate on discussions regarding his people or his reason for being in Ferelden. Most of his comments are terse or abrupt, but he does seem to have at least a little bit of a sense of humor (as demonstrated in some conversations with the warden's companions) and a fondness for cookies.
Sten fighting at Redcliffe
In Redcliffe, recruiting Lloyd and Berwick into the local militia appeals to Sten's views of honor and duty, even if it requires resorting to intimidation. However, if the Warden chooses to travel to the Circle of Magi to get the mages' assistance in entering the Fade to save Connor, and Sten is in the active party when the mages start the ceremony, he will express a disgust for magic 
(-2).
As he carries himself with a self-assured, hardened demeanor, and has a tall and imposing physique, Leliana is surprised to discover through banter conversation that Sten does have a softer side, and he can develop a perhaps unexpected fondness for Dog.
Standing up to Sten during conversation usually results in an increase in his approval of the Warden.
Dissatisfaction with the Warden
If Sten is in the active party when the party reaches Haven, he may attempt to resist the Warden and gain control of the group as he tires of "aimless" wandering. This conversation should occur just after speaking to the guard who tries to deter the Warden from entering Haven. This can result in several possible outcomes:
- If the Warden can reason with Sten by means of sufficient coercion skills, it is possible to end this encounter without violence.
- Without sufficient coercion skills, Sten will attack the Warden. The altercation cannot end in Sten's death, but the Warden can make Sten leave the party.
- Having high approval can result in Sten not taking the dispute to blows, and he will state that he has spoken his mind.
- With very high approval, the Warden can simply ask Sten to be trusting. The correct dialogue choice can reveal that Sten trusts the Warden with his life.
- Having not yet completed Sten's quest, The Sword of the Beresaad, will reduce the number of dialogue options available during this conversation, as well as opportunities to gain approval points.
- As with other conversations with Sten, standing up to him will gain approval points.
Epilogue
- Depending on the Warden's choices in handling the end-game dilemma, the Warden can talk to Sten before leaving. Sten will say he intends on going home to Seheron. The player can choose to join him for the journey; Sten will approve and say to meet him at the docks in a few days.
- If the Warden made the ultimate sacrifice and Sten was at "Friendly" approval, it is revealed that he bowed before the Warden's remains. Also, when he returned to Par Vollen (the Qunari homeland) his Beresaad brothers asked him if he met anyone honorable while he was in Ferelden, to which he replied he only ever met one, The Warden.
Dragon Age II
Dragon Age: Those Who Speak
Sten as an Arishok
After the death of the previous Arishok in Kirkwall, Sten replaced him. As Alistair, Varric and Isabela go to Seheron to confront Magister Titus, Qunari dreadnoughts block their path and after a short fight, the three companions along with the pirate ship's crew were held prisoners by the Qunari in a war camp named Akhaaz.
Some days later, Alistair and Varric were escorted by Qunari guards to their new Arishok who wished to speak with them. To Alistair's surprise, the new Arishok turns out to be Sten. The Arishok calls the young king basalit-an and reveals to him that Titus wants to hunt Alistair down which is why he can't allow Alistair to leave the prison until he has dealt with him. Alistair tries to persuade him to fight together against their mutual enemy, but he refuses and hits him, showing that he has no intentions of helping him more or answering any of his questions.
Tier progression of Arishok Sten in Heroes of Dragon Age
Isabela later escapes her prison and releases Alistair and Varric as well. She goes to rescue her crew while they try to find a way out of the prison; however, at the exit, the new Arishok awaits them. Wielding a massive maul, the Arishok attacks the group. The fight quickly turns into a duel between Alistair and his former companion in which the latter loses and asks to end his life. The King of Ferelden refuses to kill his former ally and instead repeats his offer to work together against Titus, which Sten accepts this time.
Soon afterwards, Isabela's pirate ship was repaired and sailed with her crew, companions, and the Qunari to Titus' stronghold. Onboard the pirate ship, Sten also informed Alistair that he carries the blood of dragons in his veins and promised to explain what he means.
Dragon Age: Until We Sleep
Gifts
Sten has a liking for paintings. This may seem uncharacteristic of him but his appreciation is actually based in his being impressed by the artist's control of the brush. The official strategy guide likens an artist's discipline to that of a warrior.
Name Notes Description
Painting of the Rebel Queen
Located: Old TegrinThis painting portrays a battle between Orlais and Ferelden. The Rebel Queen, with fiery red hair, has climbed atop a ruined chariot and is holding aloft her battle standard.Portrait of a GoosegirlLocated: Frostback Mountain PassA painting in a golden frame, showing a girl with windswept hair tending to a flock of geese in a snow-covered valley.Silver-Framed Still LifeLocated: Redcliffe CastleThis painting is framed in silver and depicts thirty-two identical Orlesian porcelain tureens.Sten's SwordA Qunari greatsword. Though its blade shows nicks from numerous battles, it has obviously been well looked after.TotemA small wooden totem with figures of demons and other strange beasts carved into it.Water-Stained PortraitLocated: Senior Mage QuartersAn antique portrait, slightly water-stained, of a man wearing furs and a heavy crown.
Initial statistics
Attributes
Relative attribute weightings on auto-level:
| Strength | Dexterity | Willpower | Magic | Cunning | Constitution |
| 2 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
Specialization
Sten is the only companion who comes with no specialization. Moreover, he won't get any specialization point at level 7, but one at level 14.
Skills
Survival (level 9) 
Improved Survival (level 12) 
Master Combat Training
Talents (PC)
| Warrior | Powerful |  Powerful  Threaten  Bravery (level 9)
|
| Precise Striking |  Precise Striking (level 6)  Taunt (level 7)
| |
| Two-Handed | Pommel Strike |  Pommel Strike  Indomitable  Stunning Blows (level 10)  Critical Strike (level 11)
|
| Sunder Arms |  Sunder Arms  Shattering Blows (level 12)
| |
| Mighty Blow |  Mighty Blow  Powerful Swings  Two-Handed Strength (level 8)
|
Equipment
| Clothing |  Clothing
|
Restricted gear
Plot skills
As you befriend Sten and gain his approval, he will gain the following additional skills:
Name Benefit Requirement Inspired: Minor Strength
+1 strength 25% approval Inspired: Moderate Strength
+2 strength 50% approval Inspired: Major Strength
+4 strength 75% approval Inspired: Massive Strength
+6 strength 90% approval
Quotes
Concept art of Sten
- Main article: Sten/Dialogue
- See Qunlat for translations.
- See Sten/Approval for a list of topics Sten can talk about when prompted to discuss "something he mentioned".
- "I am a simple creature. I like swords, I follow orders. What else is there to be puzzled by?"
- "No one has a place here. Your farmers wish to be merchants. The merchants dream of being nobles, and the nobles become warriors. No one is content to be who they are."
- "Happiness is fragile. Nothing can be built upon it that will last. Only duty endures."
- "Where is the cake? I was told there would be cake. The cake is a lie." (A reference to Portal when several writings on the wall indicate that GLaDoS tricked them with believing there is a cake if they pass the test).
- "The Arishok asked me 'what is the blight?'. Now, I stand looking into its very eyes and still I have no answer for him. Though I expect you do. You have carried us this far, do not doubt that."
- "People are not simple. They cannot be summarized for easy reference in the manner of: 'The elves are a lithe, pointy eared people who excel at poverty.'"
- "To be fooled by the world is unfortunate: By oneself, is deadly."
- "If you hope to slay the Archdemon with wit, then you may want to art yourself first."
Dialogue
- Warden: "Is there anything you like about Ferelden?"
- Sten: There is... interesting food here.
- Sten: You have a thing... it doesn't have a word in the qunari tongue. Little baked things, like bread, but sweet, and crumbly.
- Warden: "Cookies?"
- Sten: "Yes! We have no such things in our lands. This should be remedied."
Exploit for infinite approval
- Once Sten has joined the party, speak to him until the option "Why did you come to Ferelden?" appears in the list of questions. Continue the conversation with any of the listed options until the option "Why would the Qunari care about the Blight?" appears. Select it then select "I'm a Grey Warden. It's my job." Then select "Did you find the answer to his question." Now the option "Why would the Qunari..." will appear again creating a loop. Each loop is worth (+4). Once you stop the loop, the conversation cannot be started again, so the glitch is a one-time occurrence.
- After you have gotten his sword, you can do the conversation to start his quest another time without actually redoing the quest. You get a maximum of (+20) the first time, and then another (+20) the second time.
Trivia
- In the Sacred Ashes Trailer, Sten is depicted with a prominent beard.
- Sten is one of the three companions who appear in the Sacred Ashes trailer. Of the characters featured in the trailer, he is the only one to have no dialogue.
- When Sten challenges the Warden in Haven, he will state that they are going north; however, the map clearly indicates that Andraste's ashes are to the southwest. However, Haven is clearly north of where the Blight originated.
- During the epilogue, when the player tries to talk to Sten after the first time, he will exclaim "Where is the cake? I was told there would be cake. The cake is a lie." This is a nod to the video-game Portal, where the phrase "The Cake is a Lie" is written on walls predominantly throughout many of the game's levels, and is a popular reference among its fans.
- In The Darkspawn Chronicles DLC, Sten's specialization is the Reaver.
- Originally Sten was intended to have horns, along with all other Qunari characters, like the race design of Dragon Age II. This was cut due to graphical issues.[3]
- In the game Minecraft for Xbox 360, Skin pack #4 includes a Sten skin.
- During an "interview" with Sten by Sheryl Chee and Mary Kirby, Sten states that his favorite ice cream is butter brickle.[4]
- Sten's character was loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa's samurai films.[5]
- In Heroes of Dragon Age, Sten is named "Sten of the Beresaad", while the Hero named "Sten" is a generic Qunari named after the Antaam rank.
- During Dragon Age: Inquisition, if the Inquisitor takes Varric and Iron Bull in the same party there is a chance they will talk about not only the old Arishok, but the new hornless Arishok.
Gallery
![Sten blurb from Dragon Age: Origins[6]](/wiki/File:Sten_Blurb.png "Sten Blurb.png (227 KB)")
.jpg "Sten concept art (Those Who Speak).jpg (243 KB)")
See also
References
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2, Page 94
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2, Page 94
- ↑ Aicosu (2012). You never told us about the DA3 spoilers you got from David G!. Tumblr.
- ↑ Chee, Sheryl; Kirby, Mary (September 16, 2009). "The People of Dragon Age: Origins – An Interview with Sten, Wynne and the Tower Guard". BioWare Blog. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ↑ Mary Kirby. "Questions about the Qunari" . The BioWare Forum.
- ↑ Original page unavailable. Image found at http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/10/04/dragon-age-origins-characters-list.htm
