Zevran Arainai

Zevran
Title	Antivan Crow
Race	Elf
Gender	Male
Class	Rogue
Specialization	Assassin
Affiliation	Antivan
Voice	Jon Curry
Appearances	Dragon Age: Origins

Zevran Arainai is a libidinous and amoral elven Antivan rogue. He is a possible companion and romance option for Wardens of either gender in Dragon Age: Origins. If Zevran's approval is +27 or more, he will teach the assassin specialization.

Background

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Gifts

Zevran enjoys leather items and bars of gold or silver. When given the Dalish Gloves, he will initiate a brief conversation that may lead to an extra approval bonus, for a maximum of (+12).

Name	Notes	Description
Antivan Leather Boots	Located: Haven Plot Item >Becomes: Antivan Leather Boots	A handsome pair of boots, made of luxurious Antivan doeskin.
Dalish Gloves	Located: West Brecilian Forest Plot Item Becomes: Dalish Gloves	These gloves are made of supple leather and lined with soft rabbit fur.
Medium Gold Bar	Located: Arl of Denerim's Estate - Interior	A fairly heavy gold bar.
Medium Silver Bar	Located: Anvil of the Void	A bar of pure silver.
Small Gold Bar	Located: Circle Tower	A small bar of gold.
Small Silver Bar	Located: Haven Chantry	A bar of pure silver.

Initial Statistics

Zevran starts out as a Rogue of at least level 8.

Relative Attribute Weightings on Auto-Level: Strength 0.5, Dexterity 1.5, Willpower 0.5, Magic 0, Cunning 1.3, Constitution 0.8.

Class: Rogue

Specialization: Assassin

Starting Talents/Skills: Zevran begins with level 3 poison

Assassin: Mark of Death

Rogue: Dirty Fighting, Below the Belt, Deadly Strike, Lethality (level 9), Stealth, Stealthy Item Use, Combat Stealth

Dual Weapon: Dual-Weapon Training, Dual-Weapon Sweep, Flurry, Momentum

See Companion Strategies for suggestions on how to use Zevran.

Gear

Initial Gear

Longsword

Crow Dagger

Antivan Longbow

Leather Armor

Leather Gloves

Leather Boots

Mixed Metal Rounds

Zevran Specific

Mixed Metal Rounds

Plot Skills

As you befriend Zevran and gain his approval, he will gain additional skills:

Skill Name	Benefit	Requirement
Inspired: Minor Dexterity	+1 to Dexterity	25% approval
Inspired: Moderate Dexterity	+2 to Dexterity	50% approval
Inspired: Major Dexterity	+4 to Dexterity	75% approval
Inspired: Massive Dexterity	+6 to Dexterity	90% approval

Note: These bonuses are non-cumulative, i. e. the companion will get a total bonus of +6, not of +13.

Quotes

Concept Art of Zevran

• "We all do our share of murdering around here, don't we?"
• (After Solving The Bridge Puzzle) "I'm sure there's a moral in here...something about building bridges with friends, and such. Something poetic...oh, well."
• (After Giving Him Antivan Leather Boots) "Ah yes...that smell. Just like rotting flesh. Now if I had a prostitute, some fish chowder, and a corrupt politician, I'd really feel at home!"
• (After Incurring The Wrath Of The Werewolves) "I see where this is going. Downhill. And quickly, too"
• (Sighs) "And here I thought the Wonders of Thedas would be a whore house. Pity."
• "Now that we have mentioned tying me up in that context, do we have any extra rope about?"
• "You tend to get up to interesting things. You meet interesting people and then you kill them. I'm game to tag along, if you are."
• (upon seeing the high dragon) "A high dragon? We're not... planning on actually fighting it, are we? Couldn't we just... sneak around it?"
• (when unlocking the Warden's cell during Captured!) "Ah, my dear Warden. Did you miss me?" (presumably if in a romance with him)
• (upon entering the start of the Gauntlet) "I feel like we have just entered the Grand Cleric's bedchambers. Where no one has gone before..."
• (After talking to Murdock in Redcliffe) "Thats good. The survival rate of ingrates is remarkably low, so I hear..."
• (Upon urging Ser Perth to use the oil in the siege of undead on Redcliffe) "A fine tactic. Provided it actually kills them and you don't end up having to deal with flaming undead."
• "'Death happens,' as we like to say. 'And when I get paid for it, death happens more often.'"
• (upon interrupting father Eirik's sermon in Haven) "Just once I'd like to walk into one of these places and discover a lively dance, or a drinking festival. Or an orgy. But alas, no "
• "By your side I would willingly storm the gates of the Dark City itself. Never doubt it!"
• "Am I the only one who sees the irony in this? Ah well. I do love to work in front of an audience."
• "Oh? I must admit I do love a good royal scandal."
• (upon finding the Urn of Sacred Ashes) "Nice vase. I should get one for my home."
• (after defeating Shah Wyrd) "Yes, I've been close to death from real monsters, now we've got to worry about imaginary ones?"
• (after inviting him back to your tent) "Pirate Zevran reporting for duty! Prepare to be boarded!"
• (asking him to your tent straight after doing so) "Again? What must the others think?"
• (after the foursome with The Warden, Isabela, and Leliana) "I don't mind never speaking of it again, as long as we could do it again."
• (after coronation') "Does the Ferelden monarchy make much use of assassins? Hmm... I wonder if this is a good time to ask."
• (while questioning the guard in Haven) "Ah, quiet insular communities. There's always something nasty going on behind closed doors. I hope it involves chains. I hope they ask me to join in."
• (when searching the tree stump of the mad hermit) "Ha! Let's see... When was the last time I slipped my hand into some dark hole? Hmmm... Long story, that."
• (When receiving Cailan's sword at Ostagar) "That is a sexy sword. I must have it!"
• (when asked about one of his contracts; it's a poem recited by a target in an attempt to get Zevran to let her go) "The symphony I see in thee/ it whispers songs to me/ songs of hot breath upon my neck/ songs of sighs beside my head/ songs of nails dug in my back/ songs of thee come to my bed."
• (When female warden interrogates him) "There are worse things in life than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess."
• "I could also stand and look pretty, if you prefer. Warm your bed? Fend off unwanted suitors? No?"
• (about the Antivan Crows) "The Crows aren't so bad. They keep one well supplied: wine, women, men. Whatever you happen to fancy. Though the severance package is garbage, let me tell you. If you were considering joining, I'd really think twice about it."
• (Random banter between Shale and Zevran) Shale: So you see me winning the affection of another golem, do you? Most golems are slaves to whomever holds their control rod. Zevran: Funny, it works exactly the same way for us as well.
• ('When consoling a widow) Your husband? Dead. It was terrible, and so forth.

Dialogue

See Zevran's Dialogue for the complete list of the dialogue that Zevran shares with other companions.

• Warden: "You must think I'm royally stupid."
• Zevran: "I think you're royally tough to kill. And utterly gorgeous. Not that you'll respond to simple flattery. But there are worse things in life than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess." (If the Warden is a female.)
• Zevran: (If Warden is male): "I think you're royally tough to kill. I'm only hoping that you're stupid. That was a joke. Let me rephrase that. I'm hoping that you're the sort of fellow that takes a chance every now and again. Ha, ha... No?"

───────

• Warden: "You tried to kill me!"
• Zevran: "Unsuccessfully! Besides, someone in your position can't take these things so personally can you?"

───────

• Warden: One can never tell with you elves.
• Zevran: Oho! Well, if a racist crack like that doesn't cajole me into telling a tale, then nothing will!

───────

• Murdock: "We aren't going to refuse help that is being offered. Don't want to seem like an ingrate."
• Zevran: "Thats good. The survival rate of ingrates is remarkably low, so I hear..."

───────

• Shale: "Order me to do something."
• Warden: "Give Zevran a hug."
• Zevran: "Now, now. I don't care much for foreign objects invading my personal space. Well... usually."

───────

• Warden: "Care to answer some questions?"
• Zevran: "If they're dirty ones, certainly."

───────

• Warden: "And here I thought I seduced you."
• Zevran: "Why aren't you the saucy little minx then. I've been used and wasn't even aware of it! A masterpiece."

───────

• Warden: "Care to join me in my tent?"
• Zevran: "Oh? Is there something in your tent that needs assassinating? That is my specialty, or so I'm told."

───────

• Warden: "Care to join me in my tent?"
• Zevran: "Arr. Pirate Zevran reporting for duty. Prepare to be boarded." (If relationship is at its highest)

Battle Quotes

"I hope I don't get blood all over me again."

"Time for a little bloodletting, I see!"

(after a successful fight, with no significant injuries) "We are ridiculously awesome."

"Grey Warden, Darkspawn. Darkspawn, Grey Warden."

"I hate the smell these darkspawn leave on my blade."

"I love this part!"

"Hah, I still remember my first battle!"

"You... do know how to fight, right?"

"Ah! This really gets the blood pumping!"

Trivia

• Writer Sheryl Chee has said that when going out for a drink Zevran would "insist on garnishing his with an orange slice and an umbrella."
• Lead Writer, David Gaider described Zevran as "deceptively spicy salsa."
• One of David Gaider's influences for Zevran was Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Lord Rochester from Plunkett & Macleane.
• It has been suggested that some of Zevran's demeanor came from a 1970's-80s tv commercial (see Easter Eggs). However many aspects of his character and behaviour emulate Puss-in-Boots from the Dreamworks animated film Shrek 2, such as his accent, his love of leather boots, the fact he is an assassin sent by the King, how he offers his life in service after being allowed to live, and Puss is even called a "sleazy hit man" which is how Zevran is seen by others.
• Zevran is the only Elven party companion in Dragon Age: Origins and has no companion quest.
• The quote during one of the possible endgames 'You meet interesting people and then you kill them' is a nod to the movie Full Metal Jacket in which the lead character mentions that he wanted "to meet interesting and stimulating people of an ancient culture... and kill them."

Bugs

• You can loot Zevran's invisible corpse even after he has joined your party so long as he is not one of the active four.
• If you romance Zevran as a male warden, the epilogue may refer to you as "the woman he loves".

See also

• Codex Entry: Zevran Arainai
• A Letter From Zevran

References

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