This summer, EA and BioWare will fully pull back the curtain onDragon Age: Dreadwolfas fans have only gotten morsels since its announcement (untitled then) in 2018. Notably, the official description onDA: Dreadwolf’s Steam page uses some interesting terminology that may link its companions and use thereof closely toLord of the Rings. It remains to be seen, of course, but whereDragon Age: Originscompanions followed the Grey Warden, whereDragon Age 2’s companions were essentially Hawke’s friends, andDragon Age: Inquisition’s companions were, to some degree, looking to aid the Inquisition,Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s companionsare described as a “Fellowship.”
This word choice is likely intentional and reflective of the relationship between the companions andDragon Age: Dreadwolf’s protagonist, of which little is known. At Gamescom 2020, BioWare would describe the new protagonist as a character who explores “what happens when you don’t have power.” Later that year, at The Game Awards 2020, aDragon Agetrailer would have Varric describe the protagonistas “a new hero. No magic hand, no ancient prophecy. The kind of person they’ll never see coming.” That, too, is reflected in its official description.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s Companions Are a Fellowship
The second portion of its official Steam description reads, “Thedas needs a new leader — one they’ll never see coming. You’ll forge a courageous fellowship to challenge the gathering storm. Friendship, drama, and romance will abound as you bring striking individuals together into an extraordinary team. Become the leader and light the beacon of hope in their darkest moments.” Interestingly, the player is described as both a leader and someone they’ll never see coming, someone who arguably doesn’t have the power of the Grey Wardens, Hawke’s bloodline, or the Inquisition behind them.Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s protagonist doesn’t put together a new organization nor serve an existing one per this description, but is the igniting force behind a fellowship.
A fellowship is often defined as “friendly association, especially with people who share one’s interests.” The interest here, of course, is stopping Solas from tearing down the Veil andcreating a Fade World inDragon Age: Dreadwolf—and/or dealing with those consequences. But it doesn’t sound like the protagonist is bringing people to a cause, but just a generic someone of no special powers or bloodlines bringing them all together. This is not altogether unlikeLord of the Ring’s Fellowship of the Rings, and it could very well follow a similar trajectory, with “leader” in both the Fellowship of the Rings andDragon Age’s fellowship also using a similar definition.
LOTR’s Fellowship of the Rings Could Outline Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s Companions
At first, Gandalf is unquestionably the leader of the Fellowship of the Rings, but even then “leader” is a loose term. He gets input from the others about all decisions and acts more like a guide, until his death against the Balrog. Throughout the story, the “leadership” or “guide” role of the Fellowship changes hands. There are instances where Aragorn, Frodo, Sam, and others take up the very loose mantle of leadership because it is their friendly association that defines them, their shared goal, and not their leadership that drives them. Based on pastDragon Age: Dreadwolfmarketingand this Steam description, it sounds like something very similar may be happening.
It sounds likeDragon Age: Dreadwolf’s protagonist could be unifying those who are already fighting against Solas' plans. They may be the leader in the sense of Gandalf bringing them together and leading them to a key moment, but as the questline develops, it’s likely that Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s companions act as leaders/guides in their own right. A Grey Warden companion could be leading the story of their role, a Qunari companion may have their own extensive plotline in enlisting the Qun’s help, an elf companion may lead the plot on the elves who do not follow Solas, and evenDragon Age: Dreadwolf’s mysterious Executorsmay have their own plot that they guide, with someone central at the core of it all: the player.
If so, it’s an interesting break in gameplay tradition forDragon Age: Dreadwolf(which rumors also indicate features deep changes to combat).Dragon Age: Origins, DA2, andInquisitioncompanions all followed the player, but the player could be following the companions this time around. It’ll be interesting to see how this Fellowship forms inDragon Age: Dreadwolf, hopefully when new information surfaces this summer.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf
WHERE TO PLAY
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is the fourth game in the franchise, serving as a direct sequel to the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Players will attempt to stop Solas from tearing down the Veil, among other possibly major plot points. Its events see players travel to Tevinter, the Anderfels, Rivain, and Antiva.
