Dragon Age: The Veilguard's character creator is reportedly one of BioWare's most elaborate yet. Customization options have been reported to include body modification sliders, dozens of hairstyles, and realistic variations of skin tones that can all be tested under different lighting scenarios. Another important part of character creation, especially for an RPG, lies in character motivation and background. Much like in Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age: The Veilguard gives the player six different backgrounds to choose from when creating Rook, the protagonist.

These six backgrounds are a mixture of new and old factions from across Thedas. Two of them will be familiar to veteran players of the series, while the other four will only be familiar to those who have read the supplementary materials such as Tevinter Nights and Dragon Age: The Missing.

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Established Factions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Grey Wardens

  • Companion: Davrin

The Grey Wardens are one of the most controversial and crucial factions in Thedas. Their ability to fight the darkspawn and end Blights is respected across Thedas, but their mandate to conscript anyone from across society, from royalty to criminals, helps make them unpopular among the general population. Their involvement with Corypheus and the explosion at the Conclave further solidified some of Thedas' negative views against them, and it's possible for them to have been exiled from Orlais and Ferelden in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Nonetheless, the Grey Wardens remain essential for fighting the Blight, and are the foremost authority on it in Thedas. In the battle against two Blighted gods and a very large horde of darkspawn, Grey Wardens will become an essential faction in Thedas once again in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Antivan Crows

  • Companion: Lucanis

The Antivan Crows made their first appearance in Dragon Age: Origins. Party member Zevran was also a member of the Crows, and provides lore and background on the faction and his own experiences with it. The Crows operate out of Antiva, a small country located in the north of Thedas. While Antiva has a monarchy that allegedly rules the nation, in reality Antiva is controlled by the Crows.

The Antivan Crows are an order of ruthless assassins, and are so effective at what they do that other nations avoid invading Antiva for fear of reprisal from the Crows. The organization is brutal to its own members, who take in orphans and the unwanted and train them from childhood to become assassins. If a member of the organization cannot complete a contract, their life is forfeit.

New Factions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Shadow Dragons

  • Companion: Neve

One of the new factions that Rook can be chosen as Rook's background, the Shadow Dragons made their first appearance in Dragon Age: The Missing. The Shadow Dragons are a Tevinter-based group that opposes slavery and the corrupt rulers that lead Tevinter. The group is depicted freeing slaves and getting them out of Minrathous, but the details of their operations are not yet known.

Veil Jumpers

  • Companion: Bellara

The secrets of Arlathan, the ancient elven empire, may become important in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The Veil Jumpers, a group of Dalish and non-Dalish who live around the Arlathan Forest, have dedicated themselves to fighting the magic unraveling the Forest, and to uncovering the lost history of the elven empire.

Lords of Fortune

  • Companion: Taash

Based in Rivain, the Lords of Fortune are a guild of treasure hunters. Members of the faction specialize in traveling to dangerous places to recover treasure, with wealthy patrons sponsoring them to recover valuable historical artifacts. The faction is well-funded, but also has a low life expectancy thanks to the dangers of the profession.

Mourn Watch

  • Companion: Emmrich

The Mourn Watch are Mortalitasi who guard and maintain the Grand Necropolis in Nevarra. While the Mortalitasi have always been at least mentioned in Dragon Age, Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be the first time the faction will have a significant presence.