- "Before us stands the might of the darkspawn horde! Gaze upon them now but fear them not! The people beside me were once strangers, but now stand as a family, all risen to the ranks of the Grey Wardens! They are proof that glory is within reach of us all! They have survived, despite the odds, and without them, none of us would be here today! Today we avenge the death of my brother, King Cailan, but most of all, today we show the Grey Wardens that we remember and honor their sacrifice! FOR FERELDEN!" ―Alistair's Battle Speech
Alistair is a Grey Warden and a former Templar. He is also the legitimized bastard son of King Maric I Theirin and elven mage Fiona.
Upon his birth, Loghain Mac Tir convinced Maric to have his brother-in-law, Arl Eamon Guerrin, raise Alistair away from the royal court and tell him his mother was a human servant maid, to which both the arl and Grey Warden Duncan agreed. In time, when he was old enough, Eamon told Alistair of his father’s identity.
Years prior to the Fifth Blight, he trained as a templar in the Chantry but was conscripted into the Grey Wardens by Warden-Commander Duncan before he took his final vows, six months before the Blight began. During the Blight, Alistair became good friends with surviving Fereldan Grey Wardens, the Dalish Ranger: Saeriel Marahiel, the Champion from Denerim: Tarron Tabris, the elven Elementalist: Vienna Surana, the casteless Berserker: Seris Brosca, and the Duelist survivor from Highever: Atlas Cousland.
Although he was the more experienced Grey Warden, Alistair happily passed leadership to Saeriel, who had more actual Blight experience. When his paternal lineage was revealed at the Landsmeet, he was legitimized and assumed the throne upon the defeat of the Archdemon Urthemiel and subsequent marriage to Saeriel.
Despite him ruling as Ferelden's king, Alistair is still considered a hero among his countrymen as a hero for having fought against the darkspawn. Few Wardens ever leave the Order, and he and his husband is the only of those who went on to rule a nation (Although Saeriel never really 'left').
Background[]
Alistair was born in 9:10 Dragon, possibly in Redcliffe Village or nearby. Alistair was raised by Arl Eamon Guerrin of Redcliffe, brought up to believe that his mother was a serving maid who died in childbirth. As a child, Alistair worked as a stableboy. The arl's wife, Arlessa Isolde, suspected the reason her husband took an interest in the welfare of a servant's child was that Alistair was Eamon's son. Though her suspicions were unfounded, Eamon acquiesced when she demanded that Alistair be sent away to the Chantry. In 9:20 Dragon Alistair was sent to the monastery at Bournshire.
Despite the Arlessa's speculation on Alistair's parentage, he was in fact the illegitimate child of King Maric and the elven mage Fiona. In order to protect the honor of his sister, Queen Rowan, Arl Eamon had agreed to Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir's suggestion that Alistair should be sheltered in Redcliffe.
Alistair was trained to become a Templar for many years by the Chantry, this being how he learned most of his martial skills. He was found to be ill-suited to a life of religious devotion, however. When Duncan, Commander of the Grey in Ferelden and a friend to King Maric and Fiona, found him in 9:29 Dragon, Alistair had not yet taken his vows and was desperately unhappy at the monastery. Alistair competed in a tourney held to honor the Grey Warden, being bested by acclaimed templars such as Ser Eryhn, a woman who wielded a sword and shield with unequaled grace, Ser Talrew, leader of many victories against the Chasind, and Ser Kalvin, one of the finest blades in Ferelden. Despite this, Duncan sensed that Alistair had a good and loyal heart, and so recruited Alistair into the Wardens. Alistair's recruitment was met with considerable resistance from the Grand Cleric, though she was forced to relent when Duncan invoked the Right of Conscription compelling the Chantry to hand Alistair over before he took the sacramental vows.
In 9:31 Dragon a royal inquest was held to determine Alistair's true parentage, but it proved inconclusive.
Involvement[]
Dragon Age: Origins[]
As the most recent recruit of Ferelden's Grey Wardens, Alistair helps the warden recruits prepare for their Joining at the fortress of Ostagar. He accompanies them into the Korcari Wilds as part of their pre-Joining trials, encountering the apostate, Morrigan there along with her mother, Flemeth, both of whom Alistair distrusts.
Following the latter's successful Joining, Alistair and Saeriel are given the task of lighting the beacon atop the Tower of Ishal while Atlas, Tarron, Seris, Hanali, and Vienna, Emery, are stationed by the gate into the Korcari Wilds. The tower is crawling with darkspawn by the time the pair reach it, and though they successfully fight their way to the top and light the beacon, Loghain Mac Tir, Teyrn of Gwaren and leader of the armies of King Cailan, abandons his king and retreats. Alistair and Seris are overwhelmed by darkspawn and would have perished, but are saved by the intervention of Flemeth. The four at the gate spot Dragon Flemeth and flee when told to by a senior warden before they are overrun as well.
Alistair is nursed back to health by Flemeth and Morrigan and is utterly devastated to hear of the defeat at Ostagar and Duncan's death, laying the seeds for a passionate hatred of Teyrn Loghain. Following their recovery, Alistair and Saeriel set out to rebuild the army lost at Ostagar and defeat the Blight. Not far from Flemeth's Hut, they happen about the other surviving recruits, who carry terrible news. Upon their approach to Redcliffe, Alistair reveals the truth concerning his parentage. With the downfall of King Cailan at Ostagar, Alistair's bloodline means that he is the last of the Theirin bloodline, and a claimant to the throne, much to Saeriel's surprise .
Alistair longs to be reunited with Goldanna, the woman he believes to be his half-sister. With the aid of Tarron, Alistair eventually tracks Goldanna down, discovering that she is living as an impoverished washerwoman in the capital. Alistair's familial affection for his half-sister is not mutual, with Goldanna harboring a deep resentment toward what she perceives as Alistair's privileged upbringing and her belief that he had killed their mother.
Loghain is beheaded by stand-in Teyrn of Highever, Atlas Cousland, for his crimes, though the issue of Ferelden's vacant throne remains unresolved. Saeriel takes up the role of kingmaker, crowning Alistair king and unexpectedly announcing that he will rule beside him. This is allowed by stunned nobles at the sudden endorsements of Atlas and Braden Cousland, the highest-ranking nobles in attendance, and reluctant allowance of a medical exam after the final assualt, and Alistair is surprised at this conclusion but does not object.
Dragon Age: Awakening[]
Alistair arrives at Vigil's Keep with a regiment of Denerim troops and the templar, Rylock, to inspect the newly established Warden stronghold in Amaranthine. He wishes the Warden-Commander luck, charging him along with the generals with the rebuilding of Vigil's Keep and the restoration and administration of Amaranthine. He also approves the conscription of the apostate, Anders, into the Wardens' ranks, despite Rylock's protestations. He also passes a letter to Ashalle to Saeriel about the young prince, Duncan.
Dragon Age: Exodus[]
Due to the immense volume of Fereldan refugees who settled in Kirkwall, King Alistair and Prince Duncan make a visit to the city, accompanied by Bann Teagan. He invites Garrett Hawke, the Champion of Kirkwall to an audience in the Viscount's Keep, but is in the midst of a dispute with Knight-Commander Meredith Stannard regarding the freedoms afforded to mages. Following the Knight-Commander's exit, King Alistair discusses the Champion's thoughts on returning to Ferelden and also mentions that many Orlesian nobles are hoping to seize upon Ferelden's weakened state in the wake of the Blight to reconquer lost territory. He also agrees to support Auriella Hawke's grab for the seat of Viscountess at the prodding of Champion Garrett and fellow royal, Sebastian Vael.
Dragon Age: Inquisition[]
Alistair allows the rebel mages to take refuge in Redcliffe Castle. However after the rebel mages are aggressively taken over by the Tevinter Magister Gereon Alexius, Alexius begins to have rebel mages displace the people of Redcliffe. Having enough of the mages' abuse, Alistair arrives in Redcliffe with a contingent of soldiers shortly after the Inquisition's ousting of Alexius to inform the rebel mages that they have outstayed their welcome and recommends that they go with Inquisitor Lanavera, informing them that he has no intention of offering a better deal and his sister-in-law is their best bet.
Later Alistair will ask the Inquisition for aid with foiling a Venatori plot against his life and the lives of his children. Alistair also asks the Inquisition to serve as mediators in the peace talks with the ruler of Orlais, following the resolution of the War of the Lions
Quotes[]
Dragon Age: Origins[]
- (hanging men in Korcari Wilds) "Look there! Poor sods. That just seems so excessive."
- (near the Chanter's Board) "The Chantry is still running the Chanter's Board? Now THAT's dedication!"
- (Conversation with Leliana in the Tavern) "More crazy? I thought we were all full up."
- (entering the main market) "They say you can get anything here. I once got pick-pocketed."
- (entering Gnawed Noble Tavern) "This is where the nobility come to get drunk and debate who's the most self-important of them all. Good times."
- (outside the Wonders of Thedas) "Hey! The Wonders of Thedas! Arl Eamon once bought me a miniature golem doll, here... when I was young. Really young."
- (inside the Wonders of Thedas) "Where do you think they get all this stuff? Do you think they, um, have any miniature golem dolls?"
- (entering The Pearl) "Why do they call it a 'brothel?' There's no broth. Or is there?"
- (Alienage gates) "Err... we're not going to be mobbed, right? That's not something elves do here? Mob people?"
- (at the vhenadahl tree) "Now that is a big tree. I wonder if the children get to climb it?"
- (entering Lake Calenhad Docks) "We're coming here to see the mages, right? Great. They just love me."
- (entering the Senior Mage Quarters) "You feel that? It's actually colder up here."
- (in Irving's study) "This looks like the head enchanter's study, maybe? You think he's read all those?"
- (seeing the corruption in the Templar Quarters) "Now that's just unnecessary."
- (being sedated by the Sloth Demon) "Can't... keep eyes open. Someone... pinch... me."
- (Confronting the Sloth Demon) "Oh, here I am! And there you are! You just disappeared. Well, no matter!"
- (collecting the final Apprentice Note) "It doesn't read like we'll be finding our fair apprentice in one piece."
- (secret tunnel into Redcliffe dungeon) "I locked myself in a cage, once, when I was a child. For an entire day. Ahh, good times."
- (going up the first slope in Haven) "I've never heard of any village out this way. Is this place even on a proper map?"
- (up the slope leading to the chantry) "You hear that? There's people in the chantry. The whole town, maybe."
- (entering the Ruined Temple) "Makers breath! Look at it all!
- (statue of Maferath) "That's Maferath. Andraste's husband, and the one who betrayed her to the Imperium."
- (statue of Hessarian) "That's Archon Hessarian, the magister who ordered Andraste burned to death, and then took mercy on Her at the last second."
- (mountain caverns) "We seem to be heading… up? Yes, I think these caves are going up to the surface."
- (on the Mountain Top after seeing the high dragon) "A High Dragon is not a joke. We'd best be careful... real careful."
- (entering the Gauntlet) "What is this place? It's different from the rest of the ruins."
- (entering the bridge puzzle room) "Uh-oh. I'm terrible at puzzles."
- (suggesting puzzle's solution) "Hey, you see those...thingies over on the side of that huge chasm? I bet they're used for something. Maybe I should touch them. Or stand on them?"
- (a plate is triggered) "Ooh, look at that. I don't think it's solid enough to stand on, but it's a start."
- (solving the bridge puzzle in the Gauntlet) "Maker's breath...Andraste only favoured the clever, it seems."
- (entering the urn room) "By the Maker, it's... it's the Urn of Sacred Ashes! That's it! That's really it!"
- (approaching the urn) "I didn't think anyone could succeed in finding Andraste's final resting place... but here... here She is."
- (greeting Hahren Sarel) "I am a Grey Warden, yes. Pleased to meet you. Nice… campfire you have, there." (Dalish Origin required)
- (in the Dalish Camp) "How do they move these through the forest? Do the trees just move aside for them?"
- (near the halla pen of the Dalish Camp) "You know, there are places where these horns fetch a high price. They can cure diseases supposedly."
- (entering the Brecilian Forest) "Let's try not to get lost here. Places like this can get you turned around."
- (near the Tevinter ruins) "Was there a city here, once? Was it built in the forest, or did the forest come later?"
- (after the werewolves retreat into the ruins) "I think this is it, Werewolf City. Kind of a flea heaven, isn't it?"
- (descending the first stairs in Ruins Upper Level) "Is this an elven place? Did the elves live under ground just like the dwarves?"
- (hearing the dragon in Ruins Upper Level) "I think there's something ahead. Something big."
- (entering Frostback Mountain surface camp) "Most traders aren't allowed into Orzammar, so they just sort of... gather near the doors. There's no laws up here at all, I'm told."
- (observing the Paragon statues) "Those statues are dwarven Paragons, if I remember right. The best of their ancestors."
- (entering Orzammar Commons) "Wow. So this is Orzammar? It's huge!"
- (exit to the Deep Roads) "The deep roads are home to the darkspawn. Oddly they're supposed to be safer to travel during a Blight."
- (outside Tapster's Tavern) "What is that smell? Dwarven vomit? Charming."
- (entering Tapster's Tavern) "I tried dwarven ale once. I thought it was just something they tricked surfacers into drinking, as a joke."
- (entering Dust Town) "Let me guess: this is where the poor people live?"
- (at the Proving) "The Proving Grounds. Blood sport entertainment for the masses, at its best!"
- (entering the Diamond Quarter) "So the closer you live to the surface, the higher class you are. Unless you're actually on the surface."
- (outside the palace) "So how is it the dwarves have a king? I thought they... voted on everything, or something like that?"
- (scenic vista) "Oh, that's a lot of lava. Let's just hope it never erupts."
- (entering Anvil of the Void) "We have to be getting close. If this Branka has survived, she'll be wary."
- (Delivering Notice of Death) "I hope you like heroes, my lady, because your husband died like one." or "I'm sorry but your husband has fallen in battle. You have my condolences."
- (Activating Shale) "And the villagers had no idea they were being watched? Creepy."
- (Ordering Shale to attack him) "He-ey!"
- (Upon seeing Cailan's body in Return to Ostagar) "Forgive us, my king. When we have driven the darkspawn from their holes and bought ourselves some time, we shall return to see you to the Maker."
- (Near hole in Tower of Ishal Darkspawn Tunnels in Return to Ostagar) "Ugh. Down the hole and into the deep. I don't even want to imagine where that leads."
- (On Avernus's justification) "Necessary? Having to relieve yourself after an eight-hour ride is necessary. But there's no excuse for summoning demons."
- (Cleared Soldier's Peak) "Looks like we're done here. A demonic invasion thwarted, a Warden base safely rescued. We do good work."
- (to Saeriel) "I love you. You know that, right?"
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening[]
Dragon Age: Exodus[]
- "I'm Alistair, uh... King of Ferelden. And this is Teagan, my uncle. Sort of."
- "I was hoping we could talk. Would've been better timing before being emasculated by Meredith, but I'm not picky."
- "Thank you for speaking with me, Champion. I should get back to my family, lest the little prince gets too anxious without me.
Dragon Age: Inquisiton[]
- (to Fiona) "I wanted help, I really did as I owe it to Vienna, but you've made it impossible. You and your followers are no longer welcome in Fereldan."
- (When Lanawyn recruits the Mages) "I'd go with her if I were you. It might just be your last chance."
- (to the Triplets)
- "Oh Maker... You three can never just stay out of trouble, can you"
- "I'm proud of you three and I know Saeri would be proud of you if he were here. You stand together like you always have. Never lose that. Stay safe. If I find out that any of you have died, I will kill you myself."
(Gifting the rose pendant to a Saeriel)
- Alistair: "Here, I have something for you. if you want it, I mean... Here!
- Saeriel: "A necklace"
- Alistair: "Yes, but a pendant more specifically. Your old now was broken, so I made you another... "
- Saeriel: "Thank you... I love it."
- (with Saeriel)
- Alistair: "You're the first person I've ever spent the night with, and if I have my way you'll be the last."
- Saeriel: "I'd like that..."
Codex entries[]
Codex entry: Alistair (Dragon Age II)
Codex entry: Alistair (Inquisition)
Trivia[]
- Alistair's surname after becoming king is Theirin.
- Alistair became an honorary Dalish after marrying Saeriel
- Alistair, up until holding baby Duncan for the first time, had a fear the Duncan wasn't his although he didn't voice that. Duncan is very obviously his, they look almost identical.