When games have to balance a rotating and expansive roster of characters over multiple entries, it's inevitable that some will fail to make a lasting impression. Within BioWare's popular Dragon Age franchise, there are more than a few NPCs and even some companions who fans didn't quite take to and who disappeared after just one game. However, some characters don't have any problem making an impact and transcend their games to become integral parts of their franchise's world and continuing story. Varric Tethras, the lovable rogue and fan-favorite companion, is one such character.
With Dragon Age 4 in active development, fans will no doubt be eager to meet the whole new cast of characters, but there are also some that they would love to see make a comeback, too. Thanks to Dragon Age 4's Tevinter setting, it's likely that everyone's favorite sarcastic mage Dorian will be returning, and given his prominence in the series so far and his part in Dragon Age 4's trailer, Varric is another candidate. With Varric appearing in Dragon Age 4, he will be the only companion to feature in three games, practically cementing his status as a central figure in the Dragon Age franchise.
An Integral Character
While the surface-dwelling dwarf may not have featured in Dragon Age Origins, he is an important figure in both Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition. Varric is central to the second game's plot and enters the narrative fairly early on once Hawke has arrived in Kirkwall. By roping Hawke into his and his brother Bartrand's Deep Roads Expedition, they set up the main action for Dragon Age 2, which also has major consequences for Dragon Age: Inquisition. The discovery of the Lyrium Idol and its corruption of Bartrand becomes the start of red lyrium's insidious creep throughout Thedas, which not only has devastating personal consequences for Varric but also impacts the wider world.
This remains a traumatizing part of Varric's backstory, as he blames himself for his brother's madness and the discovery of red lyrium. After seeing the havoc it wreaks in Dragon Age: Inquisition with the Red Templars and the potential future glimpsed when the Inquisitor and Dorian accidentally travel forward in time if the player chooses to side with the mages, Varric is even more haunted by his role in it all. Red lyrium may also be significant in Dragon Age 4 as well, which could further Varric's redemptive storyline as he tries to combat the consequences of his own actions.
In addition to Varric's impact on the story, he also has a big influence on the surrounding characters. He becomes one of Hawke's closest confidants and is one of the few companions in Dragon Age 2 that will stick with the protagonist until the end of the game. He has some touching relationships with the other characters as well, despite his often flippant and sarcastic attitude. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, he can have a sweet moment with Cole if players choose to make the spirit more human, and no one can forget the incredible dynamic between Varric and Cassandra as well as her not-so-secret love of his romance novels.
A Unique Perspective
Dwarves frequently feature in fantasy tales, but Varric is quite an exception. He doesn't have a beard, wield an ax, or live underground, so he really breaks the mold. He's first and foremost a businessman, but he also operates a vast network of spies, is good with a crossbow, and writes novels on the side. In short, he's not your average dwarf. His once noble family's banishment from Orzammar and subsequent surface-dwelling give him a unique perspective as someone with knowledge of the complicated dwarf culture without being bound by it. Varric's retelling of Hawke's adventures in Dragon Age 2 shows his flair for creativity, but it also sets him up as an unreliable narrator.
While BioWare has been clear that not all Dragon Age companions are meant to be likable, players can't help but root for Varric, even if he is known to bend the truth a little. Varric doesn't really have an allegiance to any one group, unlike other characters like Leliana, Cullen, or Cassandra, so he is in a unique position. To some extent, he can be impartial and stands apart from others in the Dragon Age world, as his perspective shows a less encumbered version of events. He doesn't reveal much about himself, but his witty asides and lively sense of humor make him a popular companion to take on missions, and as such he is inevitably present for many of the major events in Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Dragon Age's Focal Point
The Dragon Age story is vast and complex and exists in a world that is teeming with lore and characters. With different protagonists in each of the three games so far, as well as two out of the three essentially being blank slates for players to craft their own character onto, the franchise needs a focal point. He may not be in all the games, but Varric is a memorable thread that runs through the entries and helps to shape the overarching story. Varric's role as a storyteller (literally, in Dragon Age 2's case) almost makes him the eyes through which players experience the world of Dragon Age, and their view is undeniably colored by his perspective.
It is unclear what position Varric will occupy in Dragon Age 4, but given his role in Kirkwall's regeneration efforts and his position as Viscount, he might be a powerful character with more than a little influence on the game's plot. It's unlikely that Varric will be a companion again, but it is by no means completely ruled out. He could take on the role of mentor, or even an ally of some kind. Further, given the hints in Dragon Age: Inquisition's DLC, dwarven mages may be on the way, and it's a sure bet that it would be something Varric would be interested in. Many things may remain a mystery at this point, but one thing is certain: Varric's presence will continue to be felt throughout the Dragon Age franchise.
Dragon Age 4 is in development.