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Rook

“Rook. Like the chess piece?"
"One of the strongest pieces on the board, but they tend to think in straight lines.” ―Neve & Varric


Rook is the playable character protagonist of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The player is able to choose the character's race, gender, class, first name, and voice set.

Involvement

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Varric Tethras personally participated in one of Rook's daring exploits, which proved to Varric that they had the cleverness, adaptability, and determination that Varric needed in his second-in-command. Fortunately for Varric, Rook's daring exploit was controversial enough for their faction to send them away for a while, which gave Varric the opportunity to recruit them into his team, the Veilguard.

Rook joins Varric Tethras in Minrathous to track down Neve Gallus, a local investigator and Shadow Dragon for assistance in locating Solas to stop him from tearing down the Veil. Not long after taking to the streets, Solas begins his ritual in Arlathan Forest, causing disruptions in the Veil that allow demons to pour into the city from the Fade. Varric and Rook rush forward to find Lace Harding saving a civilian from demon attacks.

Together, the three fight off demons while tracking Neve, eventually discovering that she allowed herself to be taken by Venatori cultists and had freed herself when demons began assaulting the city. She joins Rook and their allies in finding Solas's eluvian and using it to travel to his ritual site in Arlathan Forest. When they arrive at the ritual, Varric confronts Solas in an attempt to turn him from his ambitions. Rook, Harding, and Neve fend off demons until Rook suggests they interrupt the ritual while Varric distracts Solas.

Despite Neve's warnings of potential consequences stemming from such an interruption, Rook decides to target the supports holding up a large elven statue in the ritual area, destroying much of the site and pulling Solas's focus from the ritual. The interruption inadvertently allows two elven gods, Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan, to escape their imprisonment while trapping Solas in the prison he had been holding them in. A magical explosion knocks Rook into a stone wall, concussing them and causing them to bleed enough for Solas to establish a link to their mind; this allows him to speak to them in dreams. One of their allies is also badly injured in the confrontation, and unbeknownst to Rook, Varric is killed.

Rook falls unconscious and Solas berates them for their part in disrupting the ritual and allowing the gods to escape, but grudgingly agrees to help them with information against the gods, as he can do nothing else from inside the prison. When Rook tells him Varric is hurt, Solas realises Rook does not know Varric is dead. He pretends Varric is alive, and uses their blood magic connection to make Rook hallucinate Varric in the waking world to allow him to communicate with them further.

Rook and their allies find themselves in the Lighthouse, a base in the Fade once used by Solas. The group decides to return to Arlathan Forest where they are rescued from a sentinel attack by Strife and Irelin, the leaders of the Veil Jumper faction. Strife and Irelin send Rook to find fellow Veil Jumper and elven artifact expert Bellara Lutare. Rook and their allies find Bellara and encounter darkspawn, a surprise to Bellara who notes that darkspawn do not usually appear in Arlathan as the Deep Roads from which they emerge are not close to the forest.

After finding Bellara, Rook and their team travel to D'Meta's Crossing to look for two missing Veil Jumpers at Strife and Irelin's request. They find the settlement overrun by a new form of the blight after its Mayor chose to sacrifice the Veil Jumpers for Ghilan'nain, triggering the Sixth Blight. When they report this to Strife and Irelin, Morrigan arrives in the camp and suggests that Rook retrieve Solas' lyrium dagger from the ritual site before the gods can get to it.

Rook, Harding and Neve return to the ritual site and are able to retrieve the dagger from a darkspawn that had stolen it. Rook keeps the dagger on their person, and is able to use its magic in combat, while the gods are forced to make a new one. On returning to the Lighthouse, Rook speaks with 'Varric', who encourages them to take a more active leadership role within the Veilguard.

Bellara repairs the eluvian, and Rook and the Veilguard begin to clear the gods' influence from the Crossroads while seeking out new allies. Rook rescues Lucanis Dellamorte, forms alliances with the Antivan Crows and Shadow Dragons and narrowly dodges an attempt by First Warden Jowin Glastrum to arrest them after Dorian Pavus threatens to leak information tying Glastrum to the actions of Clarel de Chanson. They begin working with other Grey Wardens, including Evka Ivo and Antoine, and recruit Warden Davrin to the Veilguard.

After recruiting Davrin, Rook finds out that Ghilan'nain has raised two blighted dragons to lay siege to Minrathous and Treviso simultaneously. Whichever city Rook does not travel to help falls to the attack; Minrathous is taken over by Venatori, who execute most of the Shadow Dragons, while Treviso becomes prolongedly blighted and many of the Crows are killed or blighted themselves.

Rook completes the Veilguard by recruiting Emmrich Volkarin and Taash, and begins meeting with the Inquisitor to discuss their respective efforts in the North and South. They also investigate the new forms of the blight unleashed by the elven gods, and find out that Ghilan'nain is leading a darkspawn army to attack the Wardens at Weisshaupt. They arrive too late to warn the Wardens, who are almost wiped out in the attack, but are able to kill Ghilan'nain's archdemon and injure Ghilan'nain herself. They then aid the remaining Wardens in defeating both the blighted dragons which Ghilan'nain used to attack Minrathous and Treviso, helped in turn by the faction of the city they saved during the dragon attacks.

After the death of Ghilan'nain's archdemon, Elgar'nan then raises his own in a ritual where he plans to sacrifice a Dalish clan. Rook thwarts him, and is briefly trapped in a Fade loop. Solas helps them to escape the loop and free the surviving clan members, and on Rook's return to the Lighthouse, they find out that an anonymous informant in Treviso has offered to give them the location of the ritual that the gods plan to use to complete their knife.

The informant turns out to be the Butcher, leader of the Antaam forces in Treviso, who gives himself up to the blight and tells Rook that the ritual will happen on Tearstone Island. Rook and their forces travel to the island. The team manage to kill Ghilan'nain, but one of their companions is killed and another kidnapped by Elgar'nan.

Rook becomes overwhelmed with guilt and is dragged into the Fade prison by Solas, who takes back the lyrium knife and escapes into the waking world. The prison was created from regrets, and Rook has to confront and move past their grief for their companions and Varric before they are able to escape and return to the Lighthouse.

On their return, they discover that Elgar'nan has conquered Minrathous. They gather their allies and race to stop him from taking over the world. If the factions and Veilguard members have been sufficiently strengthened, they survive the battle that ensues - if not, they are killed in the fighting. Rook finds Solas and discovers that Elgar'nan's life is tied to the Veil. After Solas kills Elgar'nan's archdemon, rendering him mortal, Rook kills Elgar'nan and either convinces or forces Solas to tie his own life to the Veil before it collapses.

If the rest of the Veilguard companions have been killed, Solas will overpower Rook and stab them with the dagger, but Rook also manages to coat some of Solas' blood on the lyrium dagger as well, thus tying both their lives to the Veil and trapping them in the Fade together for the rest of Rook's life.


Character creation

The character creator is divided into five categories: Lineage, Appearance, Class, Faction and Playstyle, each with a range of subcategories.[2]

Lineage

There are four playable lineages to choose from: human, elf, dwarf, and qunari.

Appearance

Character appearance is fully customizable, with more options than in past games. In addition to face customization, there are now body-sliders between body types as well as individual sliders for specific body parts. The sliders are not tied to the voice or pronouns in any way. In fact, gender and pronouns are also separate categories. Available pronouns include she/her, he/him and they/them. There are preset appearances for each race for people who wish to use them.

The character creator offers different lighting options to reflect what the character will look like in various lighting conditions.[2] Character appearance can also be changed at any time during the game after exiting character creation.

There are four voices to choose from: two feminine and two masculine voices, one British and one American for each. There is also a pitch shifter that further lets you customize Rook's voice.

Starting gear and casual wear, which differ depending on class and starting faction, can be previewed in the character creator, as can "aspirational armor," meaning mid-to-late game armor.[3]

Class

The three standards class, Warrior, Rogue and Mage, return, each with three specializations.[2]

Specializations

Three specializations are available per class. While specializations can be previewed during character creation, they are not available at the beginning of the game. You'll unlock your specialization as you progress through the game.[4] Each specialization is associated with one of the six starting factions.

Warrior[5][6][7]

  • Reaper: uses night blades to steal health from foes, risking death to gain supernatural abilities.
  • Slayer: uses two-handed weapons for simple but strong attacks that have increased damage.
  • Champion: uses weapon and shield, focusing on tactical defense and tanking hits from enemies.

Rogue[2][8][7]

  • Duelist: uses two blades for rapid strikes and has the fastest movement of the rogue specializations, focusing on dodges and parries.
  • Saboteur: uses traps and tricks to turn the tide of battle.
  • Veil Ranger: uses a solely ranged style of combat to hit enemies from afar with a bow.

Mage[4][9][7]

  • Death Caller: uses necromancy magic.
  • Spellblade: uses melee attacks infused with magic.
  • Evoker: uses elemental fire, ice, and lightning magic.

Faction

Main article: Factions (The Veilguard)

You can pick Rook's faction when making your character. Each faction has its own set of casual clothing and gives you three distinct buffs, such as bonus damage against a certain enemy type or the ability to carry more potions. There are six factions to choose from.

  • Grey Wardens: An ancient order sworn to fight darkspawn & monsters. Wardens undergo secret rites that grant them supernatural powers.
    • Bonded in Blood: gain reputation with the Grey Wardens more quickly
    • Blight Killer: deal increased damage vs. darkspawn
    • Vigilant Training: base defense and health are slightly increased
  • Veil Jumpers: Explorers of ancient elven ruins. They welcome anyone brave enough to face Arlathan's reality-warping magic.
    • Close to the Veil: gain reputation with the Veil Jumpers more quickly
    • Attuned Strikes: deal increased damage vs. Fade-Touched
    • Keen Eye: deal slightly increased critical and weakpoint damage
  • Shadow Dragons: A resistance group opposing corrupt rulers and slavery in Tevinter. They are determined to bring justice to the people.
    • Light in the Dark: gain reputation with the Shadow Dragons more quickly
    • Never to Rise: deal increased damage vs. Venatori
    • Resourceful: your class-specific resource regenerates slightly faster
  • Lords of Fortune: Explorers, hunters, and treasure-seekers from Rivain who are famed for their daring exploits and narrow escapes.
    • Together in Glory: gain reputation with the Lords of Fortune more quickly
    • Healthy Competition: deal increased damage vs. mercenaries
    • Relentless: perform takedowns on enemies with slightly less effort
  • Mourn Watch: An elite necromantic order that tends to Nevarra's sprawling Grand Necropolis, where undead walk and spirits dwell.
    • Recognized Name: gain reputation with the Mourn Watchers more quickly
    • Return to the Grave: deal increased damage vs. Undead and Demons
    • Acute Afflictions: you can apply an additional affliction stack on targets
  • Antivan Crows: Swift knives in the dark, these ruthless assassins are respected and feared as Antiva's shadowy protectors.
    • Under their Wing: gain reputation with the Antivan Crows more quickly
    • Open Contract: deal increased damage vs. Antaam
    • Hidden Pouch: holds an extra potion

Background

Rook's faction determines their background and how they came to travel with Varric.

Grey Wardens

“When innocent lives were at stake, Rook led the charge, saving a village from a monstrous nightmare—no matter the cost to her/him/themself.

During a large darkspawn incursion, Rook was ordered to hold the line with other Grey Wardens until reinforcements arrived. Rook argued that by then, villagers under attack would be dead. She/He/They disobeyed orders, leading the squad into the incursion and sealing the tunnel to the Deep Roads. This turned the tide, and the darkspawn were driven off, which saved the villagers. Rook's heroism was popular among the younger Wardens, but others with connections to noble families resented her/his/their independent streak. Rook chose to step away while tempers cooled.”

Rook trained at Weisshaupt alongside Warden Greta.

Veil Jumpers

“When lives were at stake, Rook defied orders to rescue people from the mystic perils of Arlathan.

On an expedition to ruins in Arlathan Forest, the Veil Jumpers found ruins that contained important lost lore and deadly danger. Barely surviving the ruins' ancient magical defenses, Rook's small team recovered an invaluable map leading to a hidden area of the forest. Although the team escaped, other Veil Jumpers found themselves trapped. Rook chose to return to the ruins, saving her/his/their teammates' lives, but losing the map. Rook was lauded for her/his/their bravery, but the map's loss caused some resentment among Veil Jumper leaders.”

Not much is known about the past of a Veil Jumper Rook but they mention living in a city before joining the Veil Jumpers. An elven Rook can mention that they have both lived in an Alienage in the city, and with their Dalish clan in the forest at different points in time.

Shadow Dragons

“Rook risked everything to liberate the enslaved people of Tevinter, even knowing it would anger the ruling elite.

The foundling Rook was adopted into a military family and joined the Shadow Dragons to fight from the shadows for change in Minrathous. While guarding a visiting dignitary who was investigating a slavery ring in the nearby city of Nessus, Rook concluded that the mission would fail without throwing caution to the wind. Alone, She/He/They sneaked the dignitary deep into Venatori-controlled zones and brought him back, along with the rescued slaves. These actions brought Rook to the Venatori's attention, and the Shadow Dragons decided to keep Rook out of sight.”

Rook's Adoptive father was a high-ranking commander, he commanded legions near Ventus. They found Rook as a baby on a battlefield, after a skirmish. They never figured out how they got there.[10]

Lords of Fortune

“When a corrupt Rivaini noble double-crossed Rook, Rook escaped a collapsing ruin, turned the tables, and destroyed a dangerous artifact.

A rising Lord of Fortune, skilled at breaking into lost tombs and ruins, Rook killed a corrupt Rivaini noble to prevent an ancient evil from being given to the Venatori. Her/His/Their actions were correct and saved the lives of expedition members, but some Rivaini nobles were resentful. Because the success of the Lords' expeditions relied on Rivaini authorities looking the other way, it seemed wise for Rook to step away while tempers settled.”

Before joining the Lords of Fortune, Rook was a Tevinter galley slave.[11]

Mourn Watch

“When restless spirits threatened the inhabitants of the Grand Necropolis, Rook took decisive action to protect both the living and the dead.

Discovered by undead inside a Grand Necropolis tomb as an infant, Rook was raised by Mourn Watch necromancers, eventually joining the order. During a "civil war" between undead nobility, known later as the War of the Banners, she/he/they led a daring attack on the rebellion's dueling leaders. It was a success, quelling the war and saving lives. But Rook's destruction of these undead nobles was controversial. Some Mourn Watchers feared Rook had offended the order's aristocratic patrons and encouraged her/him/them to travel for a while.”

Rook was discovered in a Grand Necropolis tomb as an infant and taken in by the Watchers. At some point during their training they left the Necropolis, but not the Watchers, for a time to live in the city and got into "scrapes" big enough for it to become known to the other Watchers. After this rebellious phase they returned to the Mourn Watch as a fully dedicated member and have been living in the Necropolis until leaving with Varric. [12]

Antivan Crows

“When the invaders of Treviso took people captive, Rook was determined to free the prisoners at any cost.

A talented new Crow recently promoted to full membership, Rook chafed at the cautions of her/his/their commanders, especially with her/his/their city occupied by brutal soldiers known as the Antaam. When Rook saw a patrol herding along captives one night, s/he(/they) leaped into action. Despite saving lives, however,  Rook had unknowingly compromised a larger Crow operation against the Antaam. Rook's superiors were incensed. Sidelined for her/his/their actions, the young assassin searched for new ways to prove herself/himself/themself.”

Rook says that they spent most of their life in Treviso and that they are an orphan.

Last name

Rook's last name is not customizable, but changes based on the character's starting faction.[9] Characters will sometimes address Rook by their assigned surname, though "Rook" remains the more common term of address regardless.[13]

First name

The first name is determined by the player. There is a name generator included in the character creator for those who want some help coming up with their character's names.[9] The names are not actually randomized as the game states, but cycle through the same list of names in order. These names do not depend on Rook's faction, gender or race. (See the talk page for the full list).

Playstyle

Playstyle lets you tailor the game's difficulty to your preferences beyond preset difficulty settings.

  • Storyteller: Here to build a party. A plunge into story with more forgiving combat.
  • Keeper: Here for action and adventure. A balanced combat experience that emphasizes party composition and equipment choices over reaction times.
  • Adventurer: Here for action and adventure. A balanced experience that places equal emphasis on combat, party composition, and equipment choices.
  • Underdog: Here to be pushed to the limit. Overcome punishing odds and save the world from unforgiving enemies.
  • Nightmare: Here for brutality. Overwhelming battles that give no quarter. Requires a mastery of combat, equipment, and skills to survive.
  • Unbound: Here to chart a new path. Customize all settings.

Trivia

  • Rook can't swim, if they fall into deep water they're shown flailing in the water before they respawn on the shore.

Notes

  • Blood Mage will not be an available specialization for Rook, as Rook is said by the developers to have "reasons to avoid blood magic."[9]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Given by Morrigan if Rook purified the Crossroads.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Chris Tapsell (June 11, 2024). "Whisper it, but Dragon Age: The Veilguard has me thinking the unthinkable: it looks like BioWare is back" Eurogamer.
  3. ↑ Wesley LeBlanc (July 4, 2024). "Bespoke Armor, Transmog, And Other Aspects Of Gear In Dragon Age: The Veilguard" (archive) .
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wesley LeBlanc (June 18, 2024). "A Deep Dive Into Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Combat, Abilities, Skill Tree, And More" (archive) Game Informer.
  5. ↑ Edwin Evans-Thirlwell (June 11, 2024). "The first 45 minutes of Dragon Age: The Veilguard feel as much like Mass Effect 2 as Inquisition" Rock Paper Shotgun.
  6. ↑ Alex Donaldson (June 11, 2024). "Dragon Age: The Veilguard is impressive, beautiful, and will inevitably split opinion" VG247.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Wesley LeBlanc (June 25, 2024). "Breaking Down Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Classes And Factions" (archive) Game Informer.
  8. ↑ Joshua Duckworth (June 11, 2024). "Dragon Age: The Veilguard Preview - Here We Go Again" Game Rant.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 BioWare (June 14, 2024). "DA: The Veilguard: Discord Q&A with Developers!" YouTube. Retrieved on June 14, 2024.
  10. ↑ Said in dialogue with Tarquin.
  11. ↑ Said in dialogue with Taash.
  12. ↑ From various Mourn Watch related conversations with Emmrich Volkarin.
  13. ↑ Christine Miller (June 15, 2024). "Dragon Age: The Veilguard Reveals Details About Combat and Character Features" Game Rant.