“Planning has never been my strong suit. Now, killing...killing and love-making. Killing and love-making and witty retorts. Those I am better at.”
Zevran Arainai is an elven Antivan rogue and accomplished assassin. 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
Zevran is the son of a Dalish elf who fell in love with an elven woodcutter. His elven mother abandoned her clan and moved with the woodcutter to Antiva City. Zevran is unsure whether the woodcutter is indeed his father. After the woodcutter died suddenly - presumably from disease - Zevran's mother was forced into a life of prostitution to pay off the woodcutter's debts, and died soon after while giving birth to Zevran. Along with other elven orphans, Zevran was raised communally by the prostitutes in the brothel until the age of seven, when he was sold to the elite guild of assassins called the Crows of Antiva for three sovereigns. He attempted to resist their training but eventually accepted it and excelled in his position.
Involvement
Dragon Age: Origins
Template:DAOSpoiler
Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening
While Zevran does not appear in Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, he is referenced when the Warden (imported only) is recruiting Nathaniel Howe, and again at the end of the game if the Warden was romantically involved with him. If so, the ending reveals that the Warden eventually travels to Antiva in order to find Zevran. Whether to engage in a showdown with him, to lead the Crows at his side, or to continue to adventure with him remains up to the player to decide.
There is also a letter from him to a Warden whom he loves present in the game files which did not appear in the game when it was first released. This has been fixed in the 1.04 patch. See A Letter From Zevran for details.
Dragon Age II
Zevran meeting with Hawke
If you are in a relationship with Isabela and ask how her late husband "freed" her, she says he met an assassin's blade in the back of the skull. She thanked the man repeatedly and it inspired her to become a rogue herself, the assassin was Zevran and was an artist back then. Possibly due to age and his time with the Warden his skills aren't as elegant as before.
Zevran is still being hunted by the Crows in the second game. He may be encountered in a cave near the Dalish camp after Hawke accepts the quest A Murder of Crows, given by an Antivan named Nuncio at the beginning of Act 3. Hawke will have the option of bringing him back to his employer, letting him go or fighting him. If Hawke let Zevran go and killed the Crows hunting him, he will appear during the final battle with Meredith to aid Hawke.
If Zevran was not in a loving relationship with the Warden at the end of Dragon Age: Origins and an un-romanced Isabela is not in the party, he will offer to "get to know" Hawke after the Crows are eliminated. If the Champion is in a relationship with Isabela and she is in the party during the quest, it is possible to have a threesome with Zevran if Hawke agrees to kill the Crows that are after him. Even if Hawke is in a relationship with Isabela, she will ask Zevran for sex. Hawke can ask her not to and Isabela will comply, telling Hawke they had better make up for it with sex later. If the Champion is in a relationship with Anders, Fenris, or Merrill and they are present when Zevran makes his offer, they will react jealously and Zevran will retract his offer.
NOTE: There is a bug that causes Zevran to offer to sleep with Hawke and/or Isabela, despite having been in a loving relationship with the Warden that has not been officially fixed. Although the dialogue responses for Zevran turning Isabela's proposals down and commenting on his relationship with the Warden have been recorded for imported saves, they do not appear in-game for many players. Whether this bug will be fixed is not known.
NOTE: There is another bug in which he still appears in Dragon Age II although he did not survive the events of Dragon Age:Origins(pc 1.03)
However, if Zevran did not survive the events of Dragon Age: Origins, the quest will not become available. There are no achievements related to the quest, so if he died in Origins, all achievements are still obtainable.
He has updated the number of Crows he has killed to include four assassins, many of their men, and one of the seven Guildmasters.
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
A handsome pair of boots, made of luxurious Antivan doeskin.Dalish GlovesThese gloves are made of supple leather and lined with soft rabbit fur.Medium Gold BarLocated: Arl of Denerim's Estate - InteriorA fairly heavy gold bar.Medium Silver BarLocated: Anvil of the VoidA bar of pure silver.Small Gold BarLocated: Circle TowerA small bar of gold.Small Silver BarLocated: Haven ChantryA bar of pure silver.
He also enjoys a Rare Antivan Brandy (DLC) for (+50)
Initial statistics
- See Companion Strategies for suggestions on how to develop Zevran..
Zevran starts out as a Rogue one level above the warden.
Relative Attribute Weightings on Auto-Level: Strength 0.5, Dexterity 1.5, Willpower 0.5, Magic 0.125, Cunning 0.375, Constitution 0.
Class: Rogue
Specialization:
- For the specialization in Dragon Age: Origins, see Assassin (Origins).
- For the specialization in Dragon Age II, see Assassin (Dragon Age II).
- For the specialization in Dragon Age: Inquisition, see Assassin (Inquisition).
Assassins are professional killers who usually eliminate their targets for money.
Background
Assassins employ a variety of tools and techniques in their line of work, ranging from poison to armed combat. It's believed that assassins stem from a warrior tradition of “hassarans” who roamed Antiva and the Free Marches during First Blight. These "hassarans" had a reputation of lethal killers in northern Thedas; they were trained to fight using only their hands.
In Antiva, assassination is seen as an art form. The guild of assassins known as the Antivan Crows holds a great deal of political power, comparable to the nobility and the military. According to the local adage, "any man exists within their reach". Some of the most effective Antivan kings belonged to the Crows' ranks. The order started as an arm of the Chantry; monks who lived in an abbey north of Treviso decided to oppose a despotic noble by using herbs grown in their garden to develop poisons. The Crows say: "All that is good has been built on the bodies of the fallen. If we are to be killers, then let us also be architects."
Outside of Antiva, assassination is regarded with less esteem. The Orlesian bards may perform assassinations while on a mission but it's not what they're typically hired for.[1]
Notable assassins
Assassin tarot card from Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Argent
- The Black Rose[2]
- Cole
- Corimae[3]
- Heir
- Jarvia
- Nathaniel Howe
- Nuncio Caldera Lanos
- Rendon Howe
- Senestra the Snake
- Shaevra
- Taliesen
- Tallis
- Velanz
- The Wasp[4]
- Zevran Arainai
Known assassin groups
Assassin in action
- Antivan Crows
- Shadows of the Emperor[6]
- Denerim Avengers[7]
- Carta Loyalists[7]
- Qunari Death Squad[7]
- Rivaini Legendary Beards[7]
- Anderfels' Assassins[8]
- House of Repose
See also
References
- ↑ Assassin on BioWare wiki
- ↑ Based on The Rose's Thorn description.
- ↑ Based on Voice of Velvet description.
- ↑ Based on the Wasp's Sting description.
- ↑ Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Blood in Ferelden, p. 120
- ↑ Codex entry: Shadow of the Empire
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 See: Sketchy on the Details
- ↑ Codex entry: Absolution
Starting Talents/Skills:
Assassin: Mark of Death may refer to:
- Mark of Death (Origins), a rogue talent in Dragon Age: Origins
- Mark of Death (Dragon Age II), a rogue talent in Dragon Age II
- Mark of Death (Inquisition), a rogue talent in Dragon Age: Inquisition
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Exploit Weakness (level 11 despite requirement of level 12 for this talent)
Rogue:
Lethality (level 9)
Evasion may refer to:
- Evasion (Origins), a rogue talent from Dragon Age: Origins
- Evasion (Inquisition), a rogue ability from Dragon Age: Inquisition
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(level 12 despite not meeting the dexterity requirement)
Stealth may refer to:
- Stealth (Origins), a rogue talent in Dragon Age: Origins
- Stealth (Dragon Age II), a rogue talent in Dragon Age II
- Stealth (Inquisition), a rogue ability in Dragon Age: Inquisition
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Combat Stealth (level 10)
Dual Weapon:
Dual-Weapon Training (level 8)
Momentum (level 7)
Gear
Initial gear
Zevran specific gear
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 |
Quotes
- Main article: Zevran/Dialogue
Concept Art of Zevran
- "Can you smell that? Like rotting flesh. Now if only you could find me a prostitute or two, a bowl of fish chowder and a corrupt politician, I'd really feel like I was home!"
- "We all do our share of murdering around here, don't we?"
- "(Sighs) And here I thought the Wonders of Thedas would be a whore house. Pity."
- "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."
- "Now when was the last time I put my hand into a dark hole? Ah, long story that."
- (After a battle) We...are ridiculously awesome.
- (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."
- "In truth, for a chance to be by your side I would storm the dark city itself. Never doubt it."
- "What we are doing here...stopping the Blight. I can not think of anything I have ever done which is so worthy."
Dialogue
- Warden: Care to answer some questions?
- Zevran: If they're dirty ones, certainly.
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."[1]
- Lead Writer, David Gaider described Zevran as "deceptively spicy salsa."[2]
- Two of David Gaider's influences for Zevran were Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer[3] 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 behavior 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, and how he offers his life in service after being allowed to live. Puss is even called a "sleazy hit man" which is how Zevran is seen by others.
- 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."
- Zevran is mentioned in Dragon Age: The Silent Grove as he put Alistair in touch with Prince Claudio Valisti.
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 teammates.
- If you romance Zevran as a male Warden, the epilogue may refer to you as "the woman he loves".
- When in a romance with Zevran and the conversation allows the choices "I want to discuss something personal" and then "Care to join me in my tent", there is a chance to gain an infinite amount of approval from Zevran. Invite him the first time and choose options that end the conversation without the love-making cut scene playing (i.e. "I was only joking, really. Just forget it.", "Fine. Get in my tent. No more questions.", "That's... not what I had in mind.") After the first invitation has failed, you can repeatedly ask him again and give the answers "Enough with the coy bit. Get in the tent," and then "That's... not what I had in mind." Each time you do you'll gain (+7). However, if you ever trigger the love-making cutscene, you will lose these conversation options, though subsequent tent visits always net (+1) so it's really not necessary to use this cheat.
- There is one pivotal conversation which can end with Zevran initiating a kiss (this kiss can happen publicly — it has nothing to do with tent time). However, his romance will never update to love.
- (v1.04) It is possible for Zevran to disappear from your party for good. This can happen during the confrontation with Taliesen. If you skip through the dialogue too quickly, he will not join the fight and will disappear forever. There is no way to fix this and you'll need to reload your save.
Gallery
See also
Codex entry: A Letter From Zevran
References
- ↑ Chee, Sheryl. [1] . BioWare Forums, accessed from "Dragon Age Central" (offline). [dead link]
- ↑ Gaider, David. [2] . BioWare Forums, accessed from "Dragon Age Central" (offline). [dead link]
- ↑ Gaider, David (May 12,2009). "The Romance Thread" (archive). BioWare Forums (offline). Retrieved on May 25, 2012.
Chee, Sheryl. 
