#alos

Theron Mahariel as a companion

Name: Theron Mahariel

Warden status: He is not a gray warden

Race / Class / Specialization: Dalish elf, rouge, dual-wielding and bow and arrow, ranger specialization

Pronouns: He/him

Story and game mechanics

Introduction:

Theron is a member of the Dalish clan in the Berillican Forest. He is a hunter there and his lover was a member of the last party sent into the forest against the werewolves. His lover was not amongst the wounded and hast yet to return. Theron is seething with worry and anger at being denied his request to head into the forest in search of him. He is young and rash and loud, often makes decisions before thinking properly. All heart and very passionate about what he believes in. He has a strong sense of right and wrong and he will jump in, daggers blazing, if he feels like someone is being mistreated or someone he cares about is in danger, his own well-being or the general consequences be damned.

Recruitment:

You meet him as one of the hunters of the dalish clan in the Berillican forest. He seems very uneasy, worried and frustrated, because his lover was one of the hunters sent out with the last party but he did not return with the wounded and his keeper is refusing to do anything about it or to let Theron himself go out searching. When you are preparing to leave the camp for the forest you will get a cut scene where Theron corners you and demands you take him along, despite the keeper’s wishes. If you refuse you will gain disapproval, approval, if you agree. After the werewolf problem is dealt with either by making peace or killing the werewolves, Theron says he cannot stay with his clan any longer and asks you to take him with you on your journey because he recognizes it as worthy and the warden as well for having helped the elves. (He is not taking the death of his lover well). If you side with the werewolves and kill his clan, you will have to kill him as well and no longer be able to recruit him.

Where can they be found in camp?

Near Zevran and Leliana by the campfire. He likes the warmth and craves the company, after having left his clan behind. The loneliness and the feeling of being lost have a tendency to creep up in the dark and quiet.

Companion Quest:

Theron’s companion quest comes in two parts and it starts right after you meet him, technically before you’ve even officially recruited him. It consists in looking for and finding his lover. Upon finding Tallan, you will learn that he has been infected by the curse and is beyond saving and he will ask you to kill him before he can hurt his own, especially Theron (upon seeing him there). Theron is angry and desperate, but upon talking to Tallan and hearing his request finds that he must concede for there seems to be no other way. Theron asks the warden to let him be the one to do it, but Tallan asks the warden not to allow it, because Tallan knows Theron won’t forgive himself. Letting Theron do it will gain you approval and his gratitude, not letting him do it will gain disapproval.

After the Berillican Forest quest has been concluded and Theron has been recruited, he will ask to go back and give Tallan a proper elven burial. The ceremony, if you agree, will be the conclusion of his personal quest and gain additional approval.

Can they be hardened?

No. Theron is who he is and he will not be moved from his principles, even if he feels afloat and kind of lost right now.

Gain approval by

Siding with the elves and killing the werewolves

Making peace between the elves and werewolves (once the truth has been revealed and the cursed are healed)

Bringing the young lovers together in his clan

Helping the sick halla

Helping the elves in the alienage in Denerim

Not agreeing to the blood ritual

Anything to do with helping the elves basically

Standing with Zevran during his personal quest

Helping the castless in Orsamar

Making Behlen king

Gain disapproval by

Talking to the werewolves and agreeing to make peace will initially gain disapproval but that will be made up for by the approval gain at the end + a bonus of positive approval

Killing Zevran when you first meet him

Any decision that will harm an elf/elves

Killing Connor instead of trying to save him

Deciding to let the Templars kill the mages after first enchanter Erving has been saved

Agreeing to do Caladrius’ blood ritual in the alienage will gain massive disapproval

Making Harrowmont king

What gifts would they appreciate?

Practical things that remind him of his people. An elven hunting bow, a well-crafted dagger found in an old elvhen ruin. A small, wooden halla statuette. A pendant you found in the elven camp in the Berillican Forest that used to belong to Tallan.

Feast Day gift? (+50 approval)

A Collection of Tales from elvhen Myth and History as told by Keeper Marathari of Clan Sabrae collected and written down by an anonymous author.  These tales are collected in a hand-wirtten notebook that has seen better days for sure. It is rare to find a collection of elvhen tales that has not been dissected and taken apart under an Andrastian viewpoint, but left as is. Without comment or evaluation.

“These are – I can keep them? Really? You have gifted me a piece of home. I have no idea where you found these, but I thank you. This means a lot.”

Feast Day prank? (-50 sapproval)

Andrastianism for beginners and converts, by Sister Allana. A leather-bound, lovingly illustrated guide to Andrastian belief. Meant for anyone willing to shrug off their old sins and misled beliefs and let the Maker into their heart. Fear not child, for you shall be guided into the light alongside us.

“If this is supposed to be a joke it’s not fucking funny. Why don’t you come over here and I’ll whack you over the head with it? You’ll be hearing the fucking chant of light ringing in your ears for days. It’ll be great, I swear.”

Can they be romanced?

Yes, though only by a male warden and there will be higher approval necessary before he can be romanced for any warden who is not an elf. His romance shows a different side of him. While he often seems brash and rushed within regular interactions, the warden learns that much of his restlessness comes from the deep hurt he has received through the perceived betrayal of his keeper and the loss of his lover and that there is an almost shy side to him as well. That he is gentle and kind and seeking guidance, wanting to entrust himself, when he allows his guard to slip. His romance is surprisingly sweet and he is fiercely loyal once the warden has moved past his walls and won over his heart. Which might take a bit of work, but is more than worth it.

Would they be interested in sex?

Yes, more easily than he’d be interested in an actual romance. Because he uses it to run away from his grief and his confusion. If the warden is male and sleeping with Zevran, upon high enough approval, Theron will agree to join them for a threesome if asked.

Is there a gift they will give to their partner/the Warden?

A dagger that used to belong to his mother, who was also a hunter for the clan. She gave it to him when he brought back his first kill, shortly before she was attacked and killed by a band of shem bandits while out hunting. It is the only thing he kept to remember her by and giving it to the (romanced) warden is, to him, the same thing as giving over his heart.

How do they react if another companion is being romanced?

He has some snarky comments to make for each of the romance options. If approval is bad they will be a bit more biting, if approval is good they will be milder. He will get defensive, if it seems like the Warden is being unkind to their lover and jump to the companion’s defense, whether he likes said companion or not.

What companions do they…

1. Like the most?

Zevran, Leliana, Morrigan, Shale, dog. It turns out Theron and Zevran have a lot to bond over and even if they don’t get into a relationship they end up becoming friends. Leliana, at first isn’t quite for Theron, because he does not trust her devotion to the Chantry, but after a couple of conversations he realizes that she is respectful and eager to learn. After they get closer he quickly learns to appreciate her special brand of weird and her sense of humor. Shale is a basket case and Theron can very much work with that. Dog is a dog and Theron loves animals so they’re great.

2. Flirt with?

Zevran. (I know this was not a thing in DAO, yet, but I really liked that companions would start relationships with each other if not romanced in 2&3, so I am being self-indulgent and adding it) Theron happily flirts back, when Zevran flirts with him. If neither Zevran nor Theron are romanced they will begin sleeping with each other. At first it is not more than a way to distract and kill time for both of them, but over time they grow closer. They have a lot in common, shared grief and lost love, feeling like they have lost the only home they have ever known. But they learn that they can help each other bear these burdens and they become stronger for it.  

3. Just get along?

Wynne, Sten, Oghren. Wynne seems very set in her ways and views and they often clash heavily with Theron’s. After a while Theron does recognize that she is trying her best to do good, in the way that she can, and so he does not actively hate her or anything. He accepts her for what she is and appreciates what she does for them, but he’s never going to be best friends with her. Sten is honorable and an amazing warrior, but he also lives and functions by a code Theron can neither understand nor relate to. It seems to negate emotion completely for the sake of rational and set rules and that is something that feels nothing but suffocating to Theron. He respects Sten, but he can’t really get close to him. Oghren is just Oghren. Theron is happy to joke around with him but he also can’t help but pity the man and worry for him.

4. Start a rivalry with?

Loghain, if recruited. Theron can not stand the man and all of that blood on his hands, especially if the Warden has romanced Theron or high approval with him. Theron would have a grand old time being snarky and insulting and making Loghain’s life at camp miserable.

Does Shale have a name for them?

The brash, painted elf

What’s their opinion on handling the Blight?

He’s looking forward to the final battle. Making a stand and facing the enemy head on seems like the best option to him. The darkspawn terrify him, not to mention the Archdemon, but that fear just fuels his anger and he’s itching to have an outlet for it. He likes to act as though he doesn’t give a shit about politics and who the Warden sides with over what, as long as he gets to slit some darkspawn throats, but in truth he does care and he has some strong opinions on some of those choices he’ll definitely share if he’s in the party at the time.

What allies do they wish to seek aid from? (Would they rather preserve the mages in the tower to gain their assistance? Would they rather assist Harrowmont to get the support of the Dwarves? Etc.)

Theron isn’t sure about the Dalish. Since that is the quest he is recruited during and it is also the one that makes him turn his back on his clan, he will be unsure whether he wants the Dalish to be sucked into this war, but he also sees the necessity of doing something. There will be no approval or disapproval either way. With the Dwarves, he strongly advocates for Bhelen, because he is promising to change things for the castless and Theron doesn’t so much care about Bhelen’s methods if they end up making a change that will ease suffering. He also advocates for recruiting the mages over the Templars, especially once first enchanter Irving has been saved.

Is there anything that would make them turn on the party?

Siding with the werewolves over the evles will make him turn on you and he will fight you to the death to protect his people, in which case he does not count as being recruited. Later, if his approval is low and the warden agrees to do Caladius’ blood ritual in the alienage he will turn on the party as well, trying to prevent it.

What do they do following the Blight (if they had an Epilogue Card what would it say)?

[If he was romanced and the warden lived]

Despite the secret longing to return to his people, Theron stayed by the Warden’s side. Following wherever the Warden decided to lead without question or complaint, for his loyalty had been won and he would hold onto that until his dying breath. [If his companion quest has been completed] After some time had passed, though, the Warden helped him track down his old clan and, with much gentle insistence, Theron finally caved and reached out. A peace was made and the Warden and Theron visited whenever their duties would allow, the heroes who had stopped the 5th blight always welcome amongst the elves. Though Theron regretted much of what had happened, his decision to join the Warden and the love Theron found with him, was never amongst that. [If his companion quest was not completed] Though Theron often felt regret for how he had parted with his clan and never truly rid himself of the ache of longing for his home amongst his people, he was not able to overcome his bitterness at his keeper’s betrayal and Tallan’s death. He never made an attempt to reach out and he never returned home, not even in passing. Some pain and emptiness lingering always.

[If he was romanced and the warden died]

Crushed by the weight of his grief, having lost his love once again, Theron did not remain with the rest of the companions for long. He left soon after the burial, unable to stay and be reminded of his loss wherever he turned. [If his companion quest has not been completed] Returning to his clan, though he yearned for the familiar comfort, did not feel possible either since he’d never found closure for Tallan’s death and his keeper’s betrayal. So he wandered the world alone, first through Ferelden, then across the Waking Sea into the Marches and farther West after that. Keeping away from humans and elves alike. He was last seen crossing the border into Anderfels, then vanished without a trace. [If his companion quest was completed] Defeated, Theron returned to his clan, hoping to find some comfort in the company of his own. Still, there the shadow of Tallan’s death and his keeper’s betrayal lingered and while he did his best to continue on with his life as he should, he never quite managed. Even amongst his people, he stayed alone, until one day a hunt took him too far away from his group and found his death in one final battle with a band of stray wolves.

[If the warden lived with high approval and Zevran was romanced by the warden]

Theron stayed with the Wardens for a while, helping train new recruits and rebuild what was lost. After some, though, he began to get restless and decided to head out into the world on his own. [If the warden lived with low approval and Zevran was romanced by the warden] Theron did not stay long in Denerim, deciding instead to go out on his own and see more of the world. His travels took him all over the continent, seeing places far and wide and gathering many a tale to tell. [If his companion quest was completed] Eventually, he found his way back to his old clan, finally ready to make peace with his past and returning home into the warm and loving arms of his people. Settling back into a life he’d longed for all this while. [If his companion quest was not completed] The one place he never returned to were the dwellings of his old clan. The feelings of loss and betrayal to strong to move past. Yet still, the emptiness he carried around in his chest where once his home and his people lived, never left him.

[If neither he nor Zevran have been romanced by the warden]

Theron and Zevran decided to travel together for a while. They make their way to Antiva together and as Zevran takes down the leaders of the crows one by one, Theron is by his side, always. Standing with him as Zevran takes the now vacant seat at the head of the crows. [If Theron’s companion quest has been completed] Years later, after some semblance of stability has been returned to the organization of assassins, Zevran and Theron manage to find Theron’s old clan and, Theron’s hands clammy with nerves but Zevran’s presence at his side a calming warmth, they seek them out. Theron returning home for the first time since his first love died, bringing a new love with him. Ready to forgive and make his peace with his past. They are, both, welcomed with open arms and boisterous joy. Theron and Zevran grow old together, hand in hand, slipping away whenever their responsibility within the crows allows it, to visit their new-found and re-gained family among the Dalish.

❗️Special Events❗️

Mage Tower: What vision is created to trick them while in the Fade?

He is in the forests of his childhood, out on a hunt with Tallan and a handful of his friends and clan members.

Haven: What does The Guardian say about them before beginning the trial?

“Theron Mahariel, you have turned your back on your people and your past in an attempt to leave behind the pain it caused you. How have your efforts suited you? Was the sacrifice you made worth where you are now? Or has trying to run from it only served to make the pain grow worse, like a cancer eating away at you slowly?”

What is their reaction to finding the Urn of Sacred Ashes?

“(angrily) It is so like the Shem to erase one of our own from their history. I wonder how the Chantry would react to that being revealed? I bet they’d rather see all of us dead than admit to the truth of it.”

Denerim: Do they have any parting words before the final battle with the Darkspawn?

[If the warden has high approval and his companion quest was done]

“It has been an honor to fight by your side all this time, Warden. I have learned many things from you and I will gladly follow you into this last battle as well. No matter how it ends. Let’s go out there and kick some darkspawn but! They won’t know what hit them!”

[If he was romanced by the warden and his companion quest was done]

“When you buried Tallan with me and I left my people behind, I thought I’d never find anything like that again. I felt lost and angry and I didn’t know what to do with myself. You gave me a purpose and a reason to keep going. And more than that you gave me hope. I found a warmth in you I’d not expected, and more than that, a home. No matter what happens today, I’ll be right there with you. Every step of the way. As long as I have breath in my lungs and blood in my body, I will fight for you. I will not lose this again. I cannot.” * insert kiss scene *

[If the warden has low approval]

“Yeah, I’m not really good with big words and all. Darkspawn suck, let’s kick their ass. Maybe see ya after, maybe not.”

If they can be spoken to after the battle during the celebration, do they mention what they’re going to do next?

If his companion quest has been completed he will tell the warden that he plans on going out and finding his clan. He believes that it is time to make peace with Tallan’s death and (if peace between the werewolves and elves was made) his keeper’s betrayal. His people are still his home and he will return to them and continue to fight for them to find a better place in this world. (If neither he nor Zevran were romanced by the warden) Zevran has agreed to accompany him, at least for now and he hopes that Zevran will feel welcomed and content among his people.

If he was romanced by the warden and his companion quest was done, he will tell the warden not to be an idiot and that he’ll follow wherever the warden leads, always.

If his companion quest has not been completed and he is not with Zevran, he will tell you that he does not know yet what he will do next. Perhaps wander around for a bit, travel and see more of the world. There is no place for him to return to, nowhere he belongs now. Perhaps he can find a new purpose somewhere along the way. If he is in a relationship with Zevran, he will tell the warden that he has agreed to accompany Zevran to Antiva to face the crows together with him.

Awakening: Do they return to help at Vigil’s Keep? Or does a letter arrive to the Keep to just check in?

If approval was high enough and he was not romanced a letter will arrive, letting the Warden know that he is alright, telling them a bit about what he is up to now, depending on what ending he got and asking about how the Warden is doing with their new task. Wishing them good luck and promising to visit some time, if he happens to come through the area.

If he was romanced, Theron will reappear as one of the companions.