Fenris. "Venhedis! Fasta vass!"
"They know what I am. Let them come if they have the courage"
Race
Elf
Gender
Male
Class
Warrior
Specialization
Tevinter Fugitive
Family
Varric (brother)
Voice Actor
Gideon Emery
Fenris is one of the most interesting characters in Dragon Age 2 in my opinion. A former slave of the Tevinter magister, Danarius, he serves as a romantic interest for your character. Fenris has a heavy fate. Being a slave is not the best burden. Being a slave to a Tevinter magister who turned you into his weapon is even less of a pleasure. So what is Fenris? A cute face, usually sullen and gloomy... a heavy temperament. His name translates to "wolf cub". And he acts accordingly. A lone wolf, ready to bite the throat of anyone who encroaches on his freedom. He is a "slave in freedom", as Hawke expresses in one of the dialogues. He has physically freed himself but not spiritually. This gnaws at him from within like a worm, burrowing in and causing pain to both him and those who try to approach him. But that is also what gives him such charm.
Isn't he a cutie?... And how did his former master frighten guests with him
His former master branded Fenris's body with lyrium tattoos, turning his slave into a deadly weapon. These tattoos endowed the elf with incredible abilities to penetrate solid objects. But this experiment erased Fenris's memory. When he meets his sister in the third chapter, he remembers that his name was Leto, and that he willingly accepted the lyrium tattoos to free his mother and sister from slavery.
Fenris fled to Kirkwall, pursued by Danarius's soldiers, who did not want to lose such a valuable weapon.
Lyrium burned into Fenris's body has made him fear physical contact. Although, he most likely feels more disgust from the touch to his tattoos than physical pain.
As Fenris was a slave, he is always eager to help other slaves escape their masters or kill those who keep them in chains. However, this does not apply to mages.
Despite the fact that mages in the Free Marches are literally enslaved by the Church, under strict control by Templars and living in dungeons, Fenris believes that it is better than giving mages freedom. He has seen what Tevinter magisters do, and therefore he hates mages. He feels that if they come to power, sooner or later they will succumb to the temptations of demons and blood magic, even if they have pure intentions.
Fenris and Anders will immediately dislike each other. Anders will call Fenris a savage, and Fenris will hold back, out of respect for Hawke. However, if Hawke is a mage, it will not be an obstacle to developing a romantic line.
Gentler, even gentler!
Joining the Party.
Fenris can be recruited into the party upon completing the quest "Free Cheese". A letter from a certain Anso arrives at Hawke's home. He offers a small task to find his cargo. But it turns out to be a trap, a distracting maneuver from Fenris, who wants to get rid of the mercenaries sent after him by Danarius. Upon completing the quest, Fenris may join Hawke, and his base will be the former estate of Danarius in the High City.
Interactions with Fenris, like with other companions, depend on influence. The higher the influence (regardless of whether he is a foe or friend), the more dialogues will unlock for you. Fenris's main personal quest is to free him from the pursuit of his former master. It consists of several small quests over multiple stages.
Chapter 1. Fenris's appearance. Securing the estate in the High City.
Chapter 2. Encounter with the mercenaries who came for our lyrium friend, killing Adriana.
Chapter 3. Meeting with his sister. Killing Danarius.
Let’s dive into memories!
In one of the conversations, Fenris tells about his escape. The Tevinter Empire has been at war with the Qunari for many centuries over the city of Seheron. During one Qunari attack on the city, Fenris was abandoned, not finding a place for a slave on the ship. He barely escaped the city alive. In the Seheron jungles, there were rebels known as Mists Warriors. They found him, took him in, and nurtured him. Fenris lived with them for a while until Danarius returned. He ordered the elf to kill the Mists Warriors when they refused to surrender Fenris. And he complied, even though he had come to love the rebels.
He was still a slave. His master returned, and the life in dreams was over, so he could not disobey. But after obeying the order, he looked at the corpses and realized he could no longer live like this. He could not obey commands; he wanted to be free. And he fled.
By the way, Fenris knows about the Qun and can help in a conversation with the Arishok, although he claims not to be a follower of the Qun.
At the end of the game, the choice Hawke makes in the conflict - mages or templars - will determine whether Fenris stays with him or sides against his former allies. If Hawke chooses the templars, Fenris remains in the party regardless of his relationship with the commander.
If Hawke has great influence (in either direction) over the elf, even if Hawke chooses the mages, Fenris will stay with the defender.
Romance with Fenris
[i]L’amour!
Fenris is a romantic interest for a character of any gender and class. Due to his hatred of mages and magic in general, a friendly romance with a mage is only possible if a shared view on magic is established, or if he is not taken on missions that require helping mages. However, romance during rivalry is also possible. Flirting with Fenris can start almost immediately.
Chapter 1.
As soon as you reclaim a home from Danarius, you can begin flirting.
Chapter 2.
During the second chapter, one of the gifts for Fenris becomes available. This is a book of Shartan. It can be found in the Dalish in a bag at night.
Just have to learn to read. Although, you can also look at the pictures!
To start the romance, Hawke must wander the outskirts of Kirkwall with Fenris. A combat scenario will arise, in which Tevinter slavers will attempt to recapture him. (This is only possible after completing several plot quests.) The mercenaries were sent by Adriana, Danarius's apprentice. Fenris learns of her camp and asks to finish off the mage. Once the quest is completed, Fenris will leave the party. He can be found back at Hawke's home, where he has come to apologize for his behavior. Depending on whether Fenris is a friend or rival, this conversation will go differently. But if you choose the heart option, Fenris stays with Hawke that night.
Later, Fenris will leave. He will say that he has started to remember his past life. Very vividly and very quickly. That he was happy with Hawke, but he has to go, and it will be better for everyone. Essentially - he's breaking it off.
Note.
There might not be a night with Fenris in this variant. To trigger it, it may be necessary to chat with him at his home. The quest "Questions of Faith" (50% influence). In it, he talks about his escape.
Chapter 3.
During the next visit to Fenris, he will tell Hawke that he has received information about his sister and wants Hawke to accompany him for the meeting. This is Danarius's trap. After the conversation with his sister (the killing of his sister), he will complain about being utterly alone and then Hawke can tell him that he is hers/him. Fenris will temporarily leave the party again.
Ah... what a family. It’s all those redheads' fault!
Next, it is worth visiting Fenris at his mansion. He will apologize to Hawke for ending the relationship, and Hawke can forgive him, thus continuing the romance. (this is possible if you have not started a romance with another companion) The quest "Questions of Faith" - 100% influence.
In the friendly romance, visit him at his mansion again to see how Aveline and Varric persuade Fenris to find a better place to live. Hawke can offer to live with him/her, but Fenris will not move in with Hawke. They will only live together after chapter 3 if Hawke becomes the Warden (supports the templars). Or they will wander the expanse of the world together. (If you had a night with Isabella, then in the end, even during an ongoing romance with Fenris, it will be said that everyone left Hawke, except Isabella. This is a known bug.)
The second and last gift for Fenris can be found during the quest "Better served cold". It is the sword of mercy. However, Fenris is not particularly pleased with it.
And finally...
After "The Last Drop" you need to talk to Fenris in the courtyard to receive the achievement "Romance".
Strengthening the Defense!
In Dragon Age 2, you cannot change the clothing of companions; you can only upgrade it. In Fenris's armor, there are 4 slots for upgrades. Upgrades can be bought in stores or found in various game locations. Upgrading armor unlocks the "friend in need" achievement.
Fenris's armor upgrades:
Chapter 2: Tevinter Sacred Symbol (Upper City, clothing vendor Jean
Luc)
Chapter 2: Lyrium Scales (Questionable Goods, Port)
Chapter 2: Reinforced Straps (personal quest Bitter Pill) +77 to attack
Chapter 3: Enchanted Resin (additional quest)
If Hawke had a romance with Fenris in the second chapter, the elf will wear a red ribbon on his wrist and a badge with the Hawke family crest on his belt in chapter 3.
From the world by a thread.
Anders ran again...
- David Gaider wrote Fenris for Dragon Age 2
- Fenris may have been named after the giant wolf Fenrisulfr (Fenrir) in Norse mythology, who bit off the hand of the god Tyr. However, Fenris in Dragon Age 2 is neither a werewolf nor a god.
- The Tevinter language contains many elven words, among which "fen" means "wolf". The root of the Tevinter word "Fenris" coincides with the root of the name of the elven god "Fen'Harel"
- The scars from lyrium on his body cause pain when touched. According to Gaider, if you touch Fenris on the shoulder, he will jerk, and then most likely punch the toucher in the face, but will try to hold back if the toucher is Hawke. Then he will just remind them that it is very unpleasant for him, and his mood will sour for the rest of the day.
- Fenris occasionally begins to speak in the language of the Tevinter Imperium, but this only happens when he is angry or upset.
- During a conversation between Fenris and Isabela (if Hawke has no romance with either of them), she will claim that she cannot stop thinking about "last night" and when Fenris invites her again. This indicates that there is some relationship between Fenris and Isabela.
Attention! Now it’s gonna be a face!
Fenris's Background.
And again the hunters are on his trail.
To be honest, he had known this for several days. He saw it in the eyes of the innkeeper, in how the plump man avoided his gaze, unwilling to meet his eye. He saw it in the pitying look of the whore standing on the corner and trying to shield herself with a false smile. The patrons of that wretched tavern he visited to eat had grown silent at his appearance, and it was not the kind of silence that arises when townsfolk see a strange elf covered in bizarre patterns and armed with a sword almost as large as he was—no, it was the silence that happens when people recognize that trouble has just walked through the door and are trying to pretend it hasn’t. Fenris had grown very adept at seeing the difference.
He had grown lazy. Despite knowing it, some part of him refused to acknowledge the fact. He hoped, against all reason, that he was wrong, that those signs he saw were merely the product of the paranoid fugitive’s imagination. Time spent in the last three cities had grown from one to the next, and he had barely bothered to conceal his distinctive markings. He had convinced himself it was a challenge. Let them come. Let them try to catch him and send him back if they dared. But deep down, he asked himself if he was too tired of this hunting.
The time had come. He had already gathered his meager belongings from his inn room and leapt out the window. It led into a dark alley behind the building and had convenient ledges that made an unnoticed descent a simple task. That was why Fenris had chosen this room after a long and careful inspection, not paying heed to the slightly apprehensive look of the innkeeper. He had almost wondered how long it would take curiosity or a delay in payment to force the innkeeper into the room to discover that Fenris was no longer there. A week, maybe less if the one who had sold him out was indeed the innkeeper.
The alley was empty except for a couple of rats and an elven beggar sleeping next to a pile of refuse. Fenris paused and looked at the man with disgust. He had thought he would blend in better with the crowd once he got beyond the Empire. In lands where elves were free, wouldn’t another elf surely raise no suspicions? How foolish he had been. How could he have known that so many of his kin would squander their freedom to live like frightened cattle? If faced with a choice between the need to dress and act as unobtrusively and humbly as was expected of an elf or joining one of the eternally wandering clans who scuttled through the refuse thrown to them by human kingdoms or fighting… then his choice was clear.
The beggar awoke as Fenris drew his sword from behind his back. The elf squeaked in terror but Fenris didn't even pay him any mind. They were coming for him, hidden in the thick shadows of the alley—at least two on either side… and one above? He listened and heard the barely discernible tapping on the clay tiles of the roof. Yes, this was without a doubt a crossbowman. They thought they had him cornered.
Fenris dashed to the end of the alley that led away from the main street into a maze of twisting yards drowned in filth, and tangled like nets with clotheslines—but here it was darker, and he could run easier without drawing the attention of the city guard. Why the hunters always had to resort to the aid of the guard was far beyond him. In the last city, he had made the mistake of running into the guards, but to his luck, they had impeded his pursuers as much as they had hindered his escape. Either way, the risk was not worth it.
The beggar shrieked in fear and unsteadily rose to his feet, but Fenris was already past him. Two tall figures approached, barely visible, but moving much faster now that their prey knew it was being hunted. Out of the corner of his eye, Fenris saw something crimson. Tevinter soldiers then. Good, this just got much easier. It was not that he found ordinary mercenaries harder to kill, no, it would not be nearly as gratifying as rending these dogs a final, bloody death.
A wide swing of his sword sent the first hunter stumbling backward, though he had managed to parry it aside. The second charged forward, deciding to take advantage of the opening that had been created—only to encounter Fenris's fist. The markings across his skin pulsed bright as the lyrium coursed through his flesh, and his fist punched through the helmet right into the hunter’s head. He staggered back, stunned with horror.
So they hadn’t been cautioned. Fools.
The markings flared again as Fenris partially returned substance to his fist. The hunter reeled back, blood pouring from his mouth and ears. By that point, the first hunter was already recovering and began swinging his sword. Casually, Fenris placed the second hunter between himself and the sword. The blade sliced deeply into the man’s shoulder, and with a single blow, Fenris sent both tumbling into a brick wall. His fist was coated in dark red blood.
He would have stayed to finish them off, but the other hunters seemed to have begun to comprehend what was happening. A crossbow bolt whizzed past Fenris's head, barely grazing his ear, and he could hear the thudding boots of approaching soldiers. He ran down the alley, leaping over the hunter trying to crawl out from under his dead companion, and disappeared into the maze. Dark doorways flashed past him. He cut lines and overturned barrels to create obstacles for his pursuers. They were not going to give up; he heard soldiers cursing in Tevinter, and how the crossbowman was trying to find a good position on the roof.
He jumped into the first pair of open shutters he could see. He landed on the kitchen floor, filled with the smell of fresh bread, and a human woman screamed as he scrambled to his feet. Without a doubt, the sight of an elf clad in skin-tight armor and armed with a sword almost his size was not welcome. He saw a rather pretty woman pressed against the wall, dressed in a nightgown that revealed far more of her décolletage than she realized.
He smirked, watching her, and she screamed again. He grabbed a freshly baked loaf from the table and raced for the front door of the hovel. At that moment, a soldier was already scrambling through the window, forcing the woman to scream again and fall unconscious. Others were surely almost to the entrance; that meant he needed to get out of there as quickly as possible.
Fenris halted as if struck. He recognized the man now standing in the doorway: the crimson cloak, raven-black hair barely concealing soulless eyes. And the scar on his neck, created by none other than Fenris. Damn healing potions and their foul magic. Why could no one stay dead?
"Avarr, Fenris. Good to see you again." The hunter's voice sounded like an icy purr as he raised his crossbow and aimed the bolt at Fenris's heart. So, one from the roof. Clever.
"Given what happened last time, it’s strange you’ve decided to tempt fate again."
"Now it’s not just a matter of money, slave."
Oh, how Fenris loved when they spoke like that. "Aren't you afraid you'll lose your life?"
"I don’t think so. You’ve grown careless. It’s time to surrender." Another hunter slipped through the window, and he could hear the shouts of others on the street. He figured he had two choices: surrender and hope to escape again, or tempt his fate now.
That could not be called a choice. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword and smiled at the hunter slowly and murderously. "Vishante kaffar," he hissed and launched into the attack.
(c) translation Moonwing
Art of Fenris:
Author’s text + translation.
Thank you for your attention ^^