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When it comes to Dragon Age: Inquisition, there is a story factor that many players don't even realize that they can affect — who becomes the next Divine. Right at the beginning of the game, Divine Justinia V is killed in the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. By the end of the game, a new Divine is elected, and it all depends on the actions of the players.
There are three potential candidates for the role of the next Divine: Leliana, Cassandra, and Vivienne, if players choose to recruit her. While it might seem like the result of who becomes the Divine is inconsequential, as it is right at the end of the game, the consequences will likely echo in Dragon Age 4.
Updated March 12, 2023: We've updated this guide to include more information and improve the readability of the information presented.
How The Divine Election Works
According to the story, the next Divine is elected by the College of Clerics, and all votes must be unanimous. However, the actual election works on a basis similar to the approval system for companions, so certain actions and responses that players choose as the Inquisitor will affect the candidates by either gaining or losing points for each one.
If, for some reason, more than one candidate has the same amount of points at the end, Vivienne takes priority over both other candidates, and Leliana has priority over Cassandra.
Additionally, Leliana only becomes a proper candidate for the position of Divine if the player completes her personal side quests. If Leliana becomes Divine, she has two different outcomes depending on player choice and whether her personality became 'hardened' during her side quests, which will decide whether she is a compassionate Divine or a ruthless one.
Just below, we're going to cover all of the major choices, conversation options, and more that affect the election of the next Divine, and the number of points that each action will accrue for each candidate.
Plot Decisions That Affect The Divine Election
The first plot decision that players will come to that will affect the Divine election is dependent on their first story choice — whether they choose to side with the mages or the templars. Therefore, each player will only undergo one of the first two plot decisions based on their choice of which faction to support.
Champions Of The Just (Templar Route)
Here are the options related to this quest and how it affects the status of each potential Divine.
Option Chosen |
Outcome |
Divine Points |
---|---|---|
"Rebuild as our partners." |
This option asks the templars to join the Inquisition as allies. |
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"Then yield and serve us." |
This option asks the templars to disband and join the Inquisition. |
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In Hushed Whispers (Mage Route)
Here are the options and the outcomes for 'In Hushed Whispers'.
Option Chosen |
Outcome |
Divine Points |
---|---|---|
You're our allies." |
This option offers the mages an alliance with the Inquisition. |
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"You're our prisoners." |
This option conscripts the mages into the service of the Inquisition. |
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Here Lies The Abyss
For the 'Here Lies the Abyss' main quest, these are the options you can make and the impact it will have on the next Divine.
Option Chosen |
Outcome |
Divine Points |
---|---|---|
"Help the Inquisition." |
This option allows the Grey Wardens to remain allies of the Inquisition. |
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"Get out of Orlais." |
This option banishes the Grey Wardens. |
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Wicked Eyes And Wicked Hearts
There is a multitude of outcomes for the 'Wicked Eyes and Wicked Eyes' main story quest, all depending on how much evidence the player gathered during the quest, and which choices they make near the end of it. As a result, there are a few different ways the Divine election can be affected.
Quest Outcome |
Divine Points |
---|---|
If the player manages to save Empress Celene's life and the Inquisitor encourages Celene, Gaspard, and Briala work together. |
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If Celene lives and the Inquisitor supports the execution of Gaspard. |
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If Celene lives, but the Inquisitor recommends that Gaspard be spared. |
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If the player does not save Celene, and they recommend that Gaspard and Briala work together. |
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If the player does not save Celene, and the Inquisitor supports Gaspard alone. |
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Inquisitor Speech Choices At Skyhold That Affect The Divine Election
When players first officially become the Inquisitor during the 'From the Ashes' main story quest, they have to give a speech at Skyhold where they declare what kind of leader they will be.
There are many options to choose from during the speech, and the majority of them will affect the Divine election:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"I'll be a servant of faith." |
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"I fight for order, not faith." |
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"I'll do it because it's right." |
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"I will lead them to vengeance." |
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"I'll do it for my own power." |
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There are also additional statements that can be made based on the race or class of the Inquisitor, the ones that affect the Divine election are as follows:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"A dwarf/elf/Qunari will stand for us all." |
|
"I'll set an example as a mage." |
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Conversations With Characters That Affect The Divine Election
There are quite a few times when players are able to speak with several characters and further affect the Divine election. You'll find the conversation options just below, as well as when these conversations can take place.
Leliana
After the 'Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts' main quest:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"The Chantry preached hate." |
|
After the 'What Pride Had Wrought' main quest:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"Why does change matter?" |
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"It's a noble goal." |
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"I'd support you." |
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"The world needs that Chantry." |
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Cassandra
During the cutscene with Mother Giselle and Cassandra following the 'Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts' main quest:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"You'd be perfect." |
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"Maybe the Chantry should end." |
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When speaking with Cassandra any time after the above cutscene:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"You'd make a good Divine." |
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"Forget the Chantry." |
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"Perhaps there's another way." |
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Vivienne
Once the player gets a warm approval rating from Vivienne and speaks to her:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"You hold the Divine to that?" |
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After either the main quest 'In Hushed Whispers' or 'Champions of the Just' is completed:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"We need mages in the Chantry." |
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"We need the Circle back." |
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If you choose the 'Investigate' option during a conversation with low approval:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"So teach them not to fear." |
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"They deserve what happens." |
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After the 'Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts' main quest:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"You'd make a good Divine." |
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"I agree." (Regarding choosing Cassandra.) |
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"What about Leliana?" |
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"I'll make sure they do." (Players need the Nobility perk for this option to appear.) |
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Other Character Conversations
With Josephine, when discussing grand clerics consolidating the Chantry's power:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"It's needed more than ever." |
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With Mother Giselle after the main quest 'In Hushed Whispers' or 'Champions of the Just':
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"The Chantry did terribly." |
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With Mother Giselle after the main quest 'What Pride Had Wrought':
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"I hope so." (When discussing how losing the knowledge of the Temple of Mythal would be tragic.) |
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With Dorian anytime after recruiting him. The player must ask, "Are you religious?", then under the "Investigate" option will be "The Imperium has a Chantry?" for the next option to appear:
Option Chosen |
Divine Points |
---|---|
"I agree with you." |
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War Table Operations That Affect The Divine Election
There are two war table operations that players can undertake that will influence the Divine election. These are the following:
Support Cassandra |
Cassandra +10 |
---|---|
Support Vivienne |
Vivienne +10 |
There is no war table operation for Leliana.
It is advised that players do not undertake the operations for anyone they do not wish to be elected, so if the player wants Leliana to become the next Divine, they should leave both war table operations incomplete until the end of the game.