Many modern role-playing games have begun to include options to engage in a romantic relationship with some of the game's characters. The Dragon Age series, like BioWare’s other epic Mass Effect, is one of these games. No matter what type of character you play there will be a romance option. Female characters have more romance options with six; male characters have five romance options (four without the Trespasser expansion). Most of these romances are initiated by occasional flirting and winning the approval of your choice in partner. Completing the personal quest of the character you want a relationship with is also usually a requirement. Be warned, there are spoilers below, so continue at your own risk.
Updated on August 18, 2021, by Jeff Drake: This article has been streamlined this article to make it more user-friendly. Each entry now includes a quick-view bio of the person's name, the initial relationship you will have with the character (why you are meeting them), as well as where you first encounter them.
Sadly, it looks as though there will never be any more romance options introduced into Dragon Age: Inquisition. On the plus side, we can look forward to Dragon Age 4!
Bellise (Pseudo Romance)
- Character's Title and Name: Minister Bellise
- Initial Relationship: Bellise is the Minister in Val Royeaux you approach to help Josephine Montilyet restore her family's name.
- Where They Are First Encountered: Val Royeaux, at Marquis Wiscotte's party.
Steps to Romance
Let’s start out with a non-romance/romance just to get it out of the way. Bellise is a judge in Orlais that the player can come in contact with during the “Getting a Judge’s Favor” operation in the “Of Somewhat Fallen Fortune” quest.
The player needs to convince a judge to re-instate the Du Paraquettes to nobility so they can cancel a standing assassination order against Josephine’s family. If the player is not in a relationship at the time, he/she has the option of being intimate with Bellise to get her to re-instate the Du Paraquettes. There is not a true relationship possible with Bellise though.
Lace Harding (Pseudo Romance)
- Character's Title And Name: Lead Scout Lace Harding
- Initial Relationship: Lace is a scout for the Inquisition, and provides information to you throughout the game.
- Where They Are First Encountered: At the Hinterlands during "Scout The Hinterlands" quest.
Steps to Romance
Lace is a dwarven trader affiliated with the Inquisition that can most often be found in Skyhold. The player can flirt with Lace, but the option to have a romantic relationship with Lace is only possible with the Trespasser expansion. The player can begin flirting with Lace at Crestwood; after doing this more flirting dialogue options will be available later in the game. Make sure you flirt with Lace whenever given the opportunity.
Lace might confront the player regarding their intentions toward her if the player flirts with her too much. The player can then choose to begin a relationship with Lace — but again, only with the Trespasser expansion. Lace’s greeting to the player’s character will become more personal if the player enters a relationship with her. We have a full romance guide right here.
Sera
- Character's Title And Name: Sera
- Initial Relationship: Fighting Companion. Sera joins the Inquisition to help the people during a time of chaos.
- Where They Are First Encountered: In Val Royeaux, during the "A Friend of Red Jenny" quest.
Steps to Romance
Sera is a female elven archer, as well as being the only female romance option available exclusively to female characters. The player begins the romance by flirting with Sera. If your character is a magic-user or elf the romancing of Sera might take a bit longer, but any female character can romance her. She will eventually flirt back and notice your interest in her. Once the player gains the title of Inquisitor they may proceed with the romance. Keep flirting and she will respond that they will “see how things go.”
Continue building the relationship by joining her in pranks. Continue asking Sera where their relationship stands until she confesses that she doesn’t want to share your character with anyone. At this point, the player can enter into a committed relationship with Sera. The player will get a quest at some point after entering the relationship to get Sera a gift. Simply talk to everyone (companions) and then talk to Sera. We have a full romance guide right here.
Josephine Montilyet
- Character's Title And Name: Ambassador Lady Josephine Cherette Montilyet
- Initial Relationship: Josephine is the ambassador for the Inquisition that accompanies your character throughout the game.
- Where They Are First Encountered: At the chantry in Haven. Josephine is one of the three advisors introduced to you by Cassandra during "The Threat Remains" quest.
Steps to Romance
Josephine is a romance option for both male and female characters. After the quest “Of Somewhat Fallen Fortune” the player can begin letting Josephine know they are romantically interested in her. At some point after this the player is given the option of kissing her; this will commit the player to the relationship.
After the relationship with Josephine begins she will discover her parents promised her hand in marriage to Lord Adorno Ciel Otranto. The player can challenge Otrano to a duel — which is interrupted by Josephine. Have your character Inform her of your love for her and the two will share a kiss. Lastly, be sure to dance with Josephine during the quest titled “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.” We have a full romance guide right here.
Solas
- Character's Title And Name: Solas
- Initial Relationship: Solas is a wizard, and expert in the Fade, who is allied with the Inquisition. The player encounters Solas (and Varric) as they are fighting some shades and assists them. You and Solas then aid each other in your shared mission of sealing The Breach.
- Where They Are First Encountered: During "The Wrath of Heaven" quest; on a frozen river in the Frostback Mountains, near the Temple of Sacred Ashes.
Steps to Romance
Solas is a male elven mage that is a romance only available to female elven characters. The player should start by flirting with Solas; this can be done almost immediately after he meets the player’s character. After sufficient time and flirting, the option to kiss Solas will be given to the player. After the kiss, Solas will confess to needing more time. Complete Solas’ personal quest before to “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Heart” quest and he will ask the player to dance.
Continue winning approval from Solas and he will take the player’s character to the Crestwood and explain the truth of vallaslins (eleven face tattoos) to the player, and offer to remove your character’s vallaslin. After another intimate moment, Solas will become emotionally distant. Due to the secrets he carries, Solas feels it is best if the relationship between him and your character remain platonic. The romance fizzles at this point; make sure to break up with Solas first, or romance options with other characters will not be possible. We have a full romance guide right here.
Iron Bull (Hissrad)
- Character's Title And Name: "Iron Bull" Hissrad, Leader of the Bull's Chargers
- Initial Relationship: Hissrad and his band are mercenaries that you can hire. He scouts for the Inquisition and provides war table quests.
- Where They Are First Encountered: On the Storm Coast of Ferelden, while returning from Val Royeaux. A messenger is sent by Hissrad informing you that he wishes for a meeting.
Steps to Romance
Any type of character can initiate a romance with the Quanari mercenary named Iron Bull. Begin flirting with Iron Bull as soon as possible to begin the romance. After some time has passed, Iron Bull will be waiting for the player’s character in his/her room. If the player accepts his advances, the two have an intimate moment. After this intimate moment, talk to Iron Bull to begin the conversation about a relationship.
He is fine advancing the relationship or with just remaining "friends with benefits." The player must requisition a Necklace of Kadan to continue with the relationship. After giving Iron Bull the necklace the two will share another intimate moment; which is interrupted by some of the companions. It is at this point the player must choose to announce the relationship or down-play being caught. We have a full romance guide right here.
Cullen Rutherford
- Character's Title And Name: Commander of the Inquisition Cullen Stanton Rutherford
- Initial Relationship: Whereas Josephine is your advisor in the world of politics, Cullen is your advisor in matters of war.
- Where They Are First Encountered: At the chantry in Haven. Cullen is one of the three advisors introduced to you by Cassandra during "The Threat Remains" quest.
Steps to Romance
The templar Cullen Rutherford is a romance option for female human and elven characters. Begin flirting with Cullen in Haven, and continue to flirt with him after you reach Skyhold. The player will eventually come across Cullen speaking to his troops; after he is done, ask if he has time to talk.
The two will take a walk and the player can begin the romance by having their character confess her feelings to Cullen, after which the two will kiss. If you order Cullen to start taking lyrium again he will call off the relationship, but simply offer to explore options for breaking his addiction to lyrium to save the relationship. If you are in a committed relationship with Cullen during the Exalted Council he will propose marriage to the player’s character. We have a full romance guide right here.
Cassandra Pentaghast
- Character's Title And Name: Seeker, Right Hand of the Divine Cassandra Pentaghast
- Initial Relationship: As the Right Hand of the Divine, Cassandra is a leader in the Inquisition. In this role she works closely with you as a fighting companion to seal The Breach.
- Where They Are First Encountered: At the start of the game, during "The Wrath of Heaven" quest. Cassandra and Leliana begin questioning you after you regain consciousness.
Steps to Romance
Cassandra Pentaghast is a female warrior only available to male characters as a romance option. To begin a relationship with Cassandra simply flirt with her when possible or complete her personal quest. After these requirements are satisfied she will ask to speak to the player’s character alone. During this talk, she will confess not only her feelings, but also that she wants to be “swept off her feet” and courted in a traditional manner involving flowers and sweet-talk.
The player must get flowers, candles, and a poetry book to continue the relationship. After the items are acquired, talk to Cassandra and set up a meeting at a secluded spot. After an intimate moment, the player can choose to commit to Cassandra or not. If she becomes the Divine, Cassandra will break off the relationship, but the Trespasser expansion allows for a resolution that leaves the relationship in a more ambiguous state. We have a full romance guide right here.
Blackwall (Thom Rainier)
- Character's Title And Name: Free Marcher Grey Warden, Constable "Blackwall" Thom Rainier
- Initial Relationship: Blackwall joins you, and the Inquisition, as a fighting companion after choosing to seek him out in the Hinterlands.
- Where They Are First Encountered: You encounter Blackwall in the Hinterlands as he is leading a group of recruits against some brigands during "The Lone Warden" quest.
Steps to Romance
Blackwall is a human warrior that can only be romanced by a female character of any race. The player can begin the romance after the quest titled “Explanations.” Blackwall will enter your character’s room and after talking for a bit he will kiss your character. Speaking to Blackwall later in the game will continue the romance.
He will offer the Warden-Constable badge to your character; at this point choose the option to go to someplace more private. The two share an intimate moment, after which Blackwall leaves and is incarcerated. Do what you can to free Blackwall and afterward you will be given the option of continuing the relationship. If Blackwall becomes a Warden, he will leave at some point to fulfill the duties required by the title. We have a full romance guide right here.
Dorian Pavus
- Character's Title And Name: Magister Dorian Pavus
- Initial Relationship: If you sided with the mages, Dorian asks you for help sealing a Fade rift. He then asks for help dealing with a rogue mage, Magister Gereon Alexius, who is suspected of using time magic. Otherwise, you will meet him shortly before the attack on Haven.
- Where They Are First Encountered: At Redcliffe, after a meeting with the rebel mages. This takes place during the "In Hushed Whispers" quest.
Steps to Romance
Dorian is a human mage that is only a romance option for male characters of any race. The player begins the romance by - you guessed it - flirting with Dorian whenever possible. At some point, he will tell your character about how his father tried to "cure" his preference with blood magic. Be supportive and the two will kiss. After a side-quest to retrieve his family’s amulet, Dorian will come to your character's room and confess his feelings.
The two then have an intimate encounter. Afterward, you can set the boundaries of the relationship. If you’re in a relationship with Dorian during the “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Heart” quest the two will dance privately on the balcony. In Trespasser, you learn that Dorian left your character to serve in the Magisterium, but he gives your character a crystal that will allow the two to communicate and keep the relationship going. We have a full romance guide right here.