Marian Hawke/Tropes

* Action Survivor: Warrior or Rogue Hawke survived Ostagar and managed to outrun the darkspawn horde to Lothering. A Hawke of any class obviously survives the Blight, getting to Kirkwall, and thence the entire game.
* Adaptational Badass: Played with. Hawke is already a certified badass, but Varric is often found telling stories in the Hanged Man that exaggerate it to truly ridiculous levels. By Act 3, there are people claiming that Hawke uses the Arishok's skull as a gravy boat and sleeps on a bed of dragon bones.
* All-Loving Hero: Paragon Hawke is unfailingly kind and compassionate to those around them. However, one of the most tragic parts of the game is that, no matter how loving and heroic Hawke is, they cannot save their family or prevent Thedas from collapsing into war.
* Almighty Janitor: According to Snarky Hawke, this is part of what being Champion entails.
** Before becoming Champion, Hawke is just a citizen/noble of Kirkwall. They have no special titles or ranks. In fact, Aveline gives them a bit of a hard time for not petitioning for a title.
* Aloof Big Brother: When using the "Aggressive" dialogue with either sibling, though this seems to be the default relationship with Carver.
** Snarky Hawke often acts aloof and sarcastic when speaking to Carver. However, there is a subtle implication that the only reason Hawke does this is because they're trying to make Carver take himself less seriously and push him to prove them wrong.
* Ambadassador: The Arishok is willing to speak to Hawke and only Hawke in Act II, mostly because the Arishok views Hawke as the only one in the entire city of Kirkwall worth respecting.
* Ambition Is Evil: Though Hawke never gets darker than anti-hero, it's possible to play this trope relatively straight, avert it, or subvert it, depending on Hawke's personality. Snarky Hawke seems to have no ambitions beyond keeping their family safe and being free to go to the Hanged Man after a long day, and they are one of the most unambiguously good characters in the game. However, both Aggressive Hawke and Diplomatic Hawke can express an interest in gaining more power for themselves and changing how things in the city are done for the betterment of themselves (in the case of the former) or everyone (in the case of the latter).
* Animal Motifs: Hawks, of course.
** All versions of the Mantle of the Champion have spurs and talons. Additionally, the rogue's armor has a beak-like hood and belt buckles shaped like hawk beaks/skulls, the warrior's helmet is shaped like a bird's beak and the mage's tailcoat is, well, like the tail of a bird.
** Carried over in Inquisition, where Hawke's tarot card is a hawk with the city of Kirkwall on its wings, weighing it down. note
* Anti-Hero: Like the Warden, Hawke can be played as one, and even at their most heroic, Hawke never expresses any real concern with engaging in criminal dealings short of murder, or with the fact that every companion (aside from Aveline and Sebastian) tends to be involved with various illegal ventures. Justified in part by the fact that Hawke is either an apostate themselves, or has spent their whole lives harboring Bethany, so they're no stranger to bending the law which has so seldom been on their side. A year as refugees spent working with mercenaries or smugglers and living under Gamlen's roof and then partnering with Varric can only have sealed their reputation.
* Appropriated Appellation: Snarky Hawke actually likes Varric's suggestion that their nickname should be "Chuckles".
* The Archmage: A Mage Hawke can be said to have reached this status in the Legacy DLC, where they manage to best Corypheus, an ancient Tevinter Magister and one of the original Darkspawn, in a brief Wizard Duel.
** Directly invoked by Varric, in a line recorded but sadly cut from the final game. Varric: The Champion of Kirkwall was an archmage without peer, a god among mortal men.
* Asskicking Equals Authority: Hawke defeats the Arishok and is rewarded with the title of Champion...
** Authority Equals Asskicking: ... And becomes even more badass as a result.
* Audience Surrogate: Oddly enough, Hawke fits this in Inquisition more than they did in their own game.
* Badass Baritone: Nicholas Boulton's deep voice suits male Hawke quite well.
* Badass Creed: When Tallis tells Hawke that the Qun could give them a purpose. Hawke: I have a purpose. I protect Kirkwall.
* Badass Family: Both the Amells and the Hawkes are ridiculously badass.
* Badass Long Coat: The Mage version of the Mantle of the Champion is a variant, sporting a Badass Tailcoat.
* Badass Normal: If a Warrior or Rogue, Hawke actually survived the fighting at Ostagar.
** All three classes count, compared to the other two protagonists. Hawke is not a Grey Warden and has no magical mark, but is simply a normal fighter or apostate.
* Badass on Paper: Downplayed. Hawke became the Champion of Kirkwall due to stopping an attempted coup, but Varric embellished Hawke's accomplishments to the point that, in Act 3 of DAII, people think the Champion sleeps on a bed made out of dragon bones and uses the Arishok's skull as a gravy boat. According to Hawke themself in Inquisition, Varric's accounts are mostly true, but Varric will eagerly make something else up if he thinks it makes a better story.
* Badass Unintentional: In the beginning of the game, Hawke is just trying to protect their family. When they get to Kirkwall... it doesn't go well.
* Bad Powers, Good People: You can take the Blood Mage or Reaver specializations and still be as heroic as Kirkwall will allow.
* Batman Gambit: Rivalries can essentially become these, as Hawke baits the given party member into revelations. Highlights include Aveline beating them for being called a coward and getting Merrill to smash the Eluvian.
* Beauty, Brains, and Brawn: In a trio with Bethany and Aveline, female Hawke is The Brains; regardless of her personality or class, she becomes the de facto leader of both the Hawke family and their Ragtag Bunch of Misfits in Kirkwall, making the major decisions and guiding the others.
* Because Destiny Says So: Hawke becoming Champion of Kirkwall. Invoked by Flemeth during the Destiny trailer: Flemeth: There are men who struggle against destiny, and yet only achieve an early grave. There are men who flee destiny, only to have it swallow them whole. And then, there are men who embrace destiny... and do not show their fear. These are the ones that will change the world forever.
* Belated Happy Ending: If Hawke doesn't make the Heroic Sacrifice against the Nightmare Demon in Inquisition, they travel to Weisshaupt (having unrevealed issues at the time) to explain things. The Trespasser DLC reveals in the epilogue that Hawke does indeed come back from Weisshaupt and returns home to Kirkwall, helping out the newly appointed Viscount Varric and getting to enjoy their Champion of Kirkwall title without the political turmoil of the Dragon Age II years.
* Benevolent Boss: Hawke can be played this way. They can double the wages of the Fereldan workers in the Bone Pit, as well as protecting the workers from dangerous creatures that threaten the mine. It's also mentioned that Hawke donates most of their earnings from the mine to help the Fereldan refugees and those orphaned by the Blight. Hawke lets Bodahn and Sandal stay at the Estate, despite insisting that Bodahn doesn't owe them for saving Sandal's life in the Deep Roads. They can also free Orana from slavery and offer her paid work as their maid, with it mentioned in Act 3 that they've encouraged her musical talents and paid for her music lessons out of their own pocket.
* Better as Friends: When Hawke enters any of the potential romancesnote , a discussion with Varric may lead to Hawke stating this, deciding that it would be better if they and their romantic interest just remained friends.
* Beware the Nice Ones: Diplomatic and Snarky Hawke might attempt to be reasonable or make inappropriate jokes, but they're the Champion of Kirkwall for a reason.
* Beware the Silly Ones: Snarky Hawke is both just as dangerous as the other two personalities, and shown to be a surprisingly intelligent and devious charmer, capable of talking their opponents into believing just about anything.
* Big Brother Instinct: Optional with either sibling, but it's easier with Bethany.
** The first thing Hawke does when Ser Wesley identifies Bethany as an apostate is get right in his face with fire in their eyes, and this is before the player even gets the chance to choose what they want to say to him. This happens even if Hawke is also an apostate.
** A Rogue or Warrior Hawke gains the trust of Vincento by openly admitting that they've spent their entire life protecting their sister from the Templars.
** It's heavily implied that a Rogue or Warrior Hawke joined the army at Ostagar simply because they wanted to keep an eye on Carver.
* Bigger Is Better in Bed: If romancing Fenris as a male, snarky Hawke can joke, "It can be a lot to take in."
* Big Good: Hawke is this to the people of Kirkwall, if pursuing the diplomatic path. Snarky Hawke acts as one as well, though they're perfectly willing to piss everyone off in the process.
* Blood Knight: If you choose the bottom dialogue choices. Cold, detached, cruel, and always uses extreme violence at every opportunity.
* Blood Lust: If you mostly pick aggressive dialogue options, Hawke will make remarks like this in combat: Hawke: There's nothing like the smell of fresh blood!
** One of the passive abilities on the Assassin skill tree for Rogue Hawke is called Bloodlust.
* Bolivian Army Ending: Potentially in Dragon Age: Inquisition. If the Inquisitor requests it, Hawke will stay behind in the Fade to Hold the Line.
* Boomerang Bigot: If mage Hawke continuously sides with the Templars, it can be this. "Mages are dangerous and belong in the Circle" - except mage Hawke, it seems.
* Boyish Short Hair: The default female Hawke look, as appropriate for a very formidable Action Girl.
* Boxed Crook: In Act 3, Meredith implies the clemency she grants to Mage Hawke was conditional upon their continuing to provide services for Kirkwall, or the Templars, on an as-needed basis. The only reason she hasn't tagged and bagged Mage Hawke for the Circle is that they have the adulation of all of Kirkwall and it'd put a huge crimp in her own attempts at public relations.
* Break His Heart to Save Him: Did this to their love interest in between II and Inquisition, knowing that they would give their life to protect them (noting Fenris in particular), something they weren't going to let them do. Anders is given a different reason: Hawke is not happy about leaving him alone, but is not willing to take the risk that Corypheus will affect Anders' mind again. If Hawke survives, the separation turns out to be temporary. Somewhat averted with Isabela - dialogue seems to indicate that in their case, it's more of a case of Hawke being away on a business conference.
* Broken Ace: Despite being powerful and well-respected, Hawke can't help but feel they are a Cosmic Plaything.
** Taken even further in Inquisition, where Hawke admits they no longer use the "Champion of Kirkwall" title, given their failure to stop any of the madness.
* Broken Pedestal: Somewhat towards Anders. If playing as Mage, Anders will become exasperated that Hawke refuses to take any part in his Underground Mage Revolution. This is even more pronounced if a Mage Hawke becomes a Hunter of Their Own Kind.
* Brooding Boy, Gentle Girl:
** A Diplomatic Hawke with Fenris. Increasingly with Anders too, as time goes on.
** Merrill, of all people, is a Brooding Girl if you romance her, especially in Act 3.
* Brutal Honesty: Some of the aggressive dialogue options, and even some of the snarky ones, particularly in a Rivalry with some of the companions.
* Buffy Speak: Hawke, and especially Snarky Hawke, can lapse into this at times. Special mention goes to framing Serah Conrad, when you can tell an addled and drunk Templar you saw Conrad sacrificing goats to the Great Demon, and doing many other... demon-y things. Hell, snarky Hawke even goes so far as to weaponize it.
* Bullying a Dragon:
** Helpful Hawke and Snarky Hawke in a nutshell, particularly if playing as a Mage. Place this kindhearted, affable person in front of enemies, and let them see that they're entirely capable of throwing a fireball at them or ripping them to shreds with magic if they wanted to. Even if the adversaries know Hawke is a mage, next to no one seems able to get the hint that they should tread carefully to avoid pissing Hawke off.
** It's very telling that Meredith and the Arishok are the only people to treat Mage Hawke as though they are the biggest threat in the room.
* Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Snarky Hawke seems to revel in being this.
* But for Me, It Was Tuesday:
** Silly Hawke pulls one with Ser Jalen in the Viscount's Keep after completing the "Raiders on the Cliffs" quest.
** Aggressive Hawke literally invokes this trope in Mark of the Assassin. Tallis: What do you call it when you kill someone and take his property? Hawke: Tuesday.
* Calling the Old Man Out: Downplayed, as Hawke never really yells or talks angrily at Leandra, but a sarcastic Hawke can subtly call her out on blaming them for Carver/Bethany's death by bitterly muttering "At least you're past the 'It's all your fault!' thing..." to which she apologizes for having said that. Before this, if the diplomatic choices are made, they can also point out to Leandra that the Hawkes are only in Kirkwall because they fled the Blight, and therefore they're not entitled to have her family's wealth.
* Canon Name: Their name defaults to Garrett for the male, Marian for the female.
* The Caretaker: As head of the household since Malcolm's death, Hawke's primary motivation has been and continues to be looking after Leandra, Bethany and Carver. Unfortunately, as the story goes on, they fail to protect them through no fault of their own. If you extend this to Hawke's companions, their need to take on other people's problems is borderline unhealthy. Hawke: Your problems are my problems. Fenris: Unlucky you.
* Casual Danger Dialogue: Snarky Hawke seems to specialise in being upbeat during tense situations. Hawke: Perhaps we'll be lucky and they'll run out of Darkspawn? Hawke: Not to interrupt, but the Blight isn't going to wait while we stand around and point fingers.
* Celibate Hero: You can play the entire game with ever gaining a love interest or using the whore house.
* The Champion: Can demonstrate this towards Bethany. For the entirety of Act 3, this is Hawke's official title - Champion of Kirkwall - and they command a high level of respect from almost everyone because of their devotion to protecting the populace.
* Character Development: For a given of "development". Hawke's character is ultimately shaped by whether players choose the different emotional options, but they can also change his behavior in following Acts. For example, a Hawke escaping the Blight can be played as snarky or diplomatic, only to grow more aggressive once they arrive and deal with the going-ons in Kirkwall for a year after joining the smugglers or mercenaries. Alternatively, an Aggressive Hawke can be seen as being tempered by their experiences, becoming more diplomatic to situations they would have otherwise used force in or becoming a Stepford Smiler. It certainly isn't hard to imagine the latter case, given how they can potentially lose all their family.
* Characterization Marches On: Hawke in Inquisition is very anti-blood magic. This is despite the fact that you can make Hawke a blood mage in II if you so choose, and otherwise you can choose how much they dislike the practice. One could assume that the Mage/Templar war was the catalyst to make them despise blood magic between the games.
* The Charmer: Snarky Hawke always seems reluctant to give up a joke, sometimes even bordering on Cloudcuckoolander, but when the situation calls for it, they can spin a line to tell the listener what they want to hear with technique second only to Varric.
** In Inquisition, if Hawke is killed in the Fade, Varric will recount a story about how the Carta once sent a group of assassins after Hawke in their own estate. When they arrived, they found Hawke waiting for them with a deck of cards. They were so charming that they kept them busy playing until the city guard showed up. Afterwards, a number of them became regulars in card games with them and Varric.
* Chick Magnet: Male Hawke, much to Carver's displeasure, has girls constantly falling for him. The incomplete list includes Peaches, Merrill, Isabela, Aveline (to a degree), and Tallis. Even Cassandra is implied to have something of a crush on him after listening to Varric's story.
* Child of Forbidden Love: Hawke's maternal grandparents disowned their daughter for getting pregnant with the child of a mage, making Hawke one of these.
* The Chosen One: Hawke's actions ultimately change the face of Thedas forever. Word of God has even stated that because of this, Hawke is one of the most important people in Thedas's entire history.
** Anders comments that Mage Hawke is the sort of person they have been awaiting to lead the Mage underground for centuries.
** This trope is averted in-universe, however; as there is no Big Bad orchestrating everything behind the scenes, there's also no good counterpart to Save the World from the villain. Hawke is just a Rags to Riches refugee who's sufficiently badass to gain a measure of political and financial clout - and even that can't stop the tide of unrest that consumes Kirkwall. Varric speculates to Cassandra on the complexities of whether Hawke's presence was for better or for worse, and even then, Varric admits that the whole Kirkwall's mess was going to happen soon or latter even without Hawke.
* The Comically Serious: During Mark of the Assassin, upon seeing a picturesque lake surrounded by trees and mountains, Diplomatic and Humorous Hawkes will comment on how beautiful it is. But Aggressive Hawke will say, completely seriously, "Oh, something to drown in."
* Cool Uncle: Snarky Hawke serves in this role between Varric's Team Mom and Aveline's Team Dad.
* Cosmic Plaything: Sorry, Hawke, but being The Chosen One doesn't preclude you from being Destiny's bitch.
* Contrasting Sequel Main Character: Aside from one having a Multiple-Choice Past of the player's choosing and the other being more defined and shaped by how they handle situations via diplomacy or aggression, the protagonist of Origins is a (potentially an elf or dwarf) Grey Warden tasked with stopping the Fifth Blight while also dealing with the threat of a civil war. Hawke is the human child of a powerful apostate mage and eldest of three children who fled Fereldan when the Fifth Blight began. The Warden traveled all across Fereldan to gather support for the Blight and to depose Loghain, while Hawke finds themselves getting caught up in Kirkwall's politics and events when they would very much rather just support their family.
* Country Cousin: Rural Ferelden-born Hawke is one to the noble Amell family.
* Court Mage: While Hawke refuses to get an actual job, it's obvious that Mage Hawke unofficially serves in this role for the people of Kirkwall. Meredith visibly hates that she is forced to let them roam free because they are the people's Champion.
* Cruel Mercy: In Mark of the Assassin.
** Duke Prosper learns this the hard way. Snarky Hawke freely gives him the opportunity to pull himself up, all while they cheerfully thank him for the belt they possibly won for killing the wyvern and congratulating him for having put on one hell of a party. Duke Prosper foolishly decides instead to continue to partake in his Evil Gloating, resulting in him losing his grip and falling to his death. Varric: That's what you get for spending your last minute monologuing.
** Played straight if Baron Arlange is spared by Hawke, who mopped the floor with him after he attempted to murder Hawke for having the audacity to kill the alpha wyvern first during the hunt. Despite Tallis pointing out that Hawke is the "Champion of Kirkwall" and eats people like him for breakfast, Arlange still doesn't learn his lesson. The next time, Hawke isn't so merciful.
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* Dark Is Not Evil: According to BioWare, the default Hawke featured in the Destiny trailer is a blood mage.
* Deadpan Snarker: The second dialogue wheel option is the "sarcastic" option most of the time: Hawke: She fills her time making poisons... and cake. Tell me you didn't try the cake.
** Flemeth, of all people, seems to enjoy verbal sparring with Snarky Hawke. Flemeth: Kirkwall? My, so far simply to flee the darkspawn? / Your King will not miss you, hmmm? Hawke: Do you have any better suggestions? I hear the Deep Roads are now vacant. / I'm sure he'll miss his life more. Flemeth: [laughs] Oh, you I like!
* Deal with the Devil: Hawke is forced to make one of these with Flemeth - help her with her Thanatos Gambit in exchange for getting the Hawke family and Aveline to safety. By the end of the game, there seem to be no negative consequences, at least for Hawke. Considering their Cosmic Plaything status, this could actually count as a minor Plot Twist.
* Devious Daggers: Rogues can practically dance with their daggers. In cutscenes, even non-Rogue Hawkes will see the return of the Murder Knife.
* Did You Just Punch Out Cthulhu?:
** The reaction of pure shock on Meredith's face when she enters the room to find that Hawke has defeated the Arishok. Cassandra even has this reaction of utter disbelief that Hawke did so in single combat.
** Aggressive Hawke actually punches a Rock Wraith in the Deep Roads in the face.
** Cassandra reacts with similar disbelief in Legacy when Varric tells her the tale of Hawke defeating one of the first darkspawn in existence - one of the Magisters who brought the Blight to Thedas in the first place. Admittedly, it's hard to blame her.
** Flemeth invokes this during the Prologue, claiming Hawke successfully piqued her interest by killing the Ogre.
* Downer Ending: One would expect that, after a life of being Thedas's Cosmic Plaything, Hawke would finally catch a break in Inquisition, right? Nope; if you so choose, they can end up dying in a Heroic Sacrifice without ever getting to say goodbye to their sibling and/or love interest (if they're alive).
* Dude, Not Funny!: In-universe, a few of the snarky comments elicit this response, particularly from Aveline.
** If Hawke opts to snark while the Viscount is cradling his son's body, he tells them outright that he doesn't find any humor in the situation. If Aveline is in the party, she even calls Hawke an "ass" for that comment.
** Even Snarky Hawke demonstrates this when reacting to Carver insinuating that they were to blame for Bethany's death: Carver: Sure, make light. We all know what happens when someone leaves big brother/sister's protection. Hawke: (coldly) Fair is fair, but you are taking this little pissing match too far.
* The Dutiful Son: Hawke's entire motivation in Act 1 is to simply provide for their mother and gain enough money to win back her childhood home.
* Dying Moment of Awesome: Potentially has one in Dragon Age: Inquisition.
* Earn Your Happy Ending: If Hawke survives Inquisition, it's revealed in the Trespasser DLC ending that Hawke eventually returns to Kirkwall as its Champion, and helps rebuild it with Varric as the new Viscount.
* Empowered Badass Normal: A Warrior Hawke that has the Templar and/or Reaver specialisations under their belt.
* Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas: No matter how badass or despicable your Hawke can get, there's nothing stopping you from being nice to dear ol' Ma.
** Momma's Boy (or Girl): A badass one.
* Even the Guys Want Him/Even the Girls Want Her: Every romance option in the game is bisexual, except for Sebastian. Other characters may also come on to Hawke regardless of gender, depending on dialogue choices, such as the First Enchanter.
* Eye Take: Hawke's reaction to Aveline needing three goats and a sheaf of wheat.
* Facial Markings: The default appearance for Hawke gives them a red blood smear on the bridge of their nose.
* Failure Hero: Just about the only goal that Hawke unequivocally succeeds at in the main plot is becoming filthy rich in the Deep Roads. And then that one comes back to bite them in the end anyway. In Inquisition, the Nightmare demon taunts them with this fact.
* Fetish:
** In-Universe at the very least. A sarcastic response to a quest towards the end of the game is met by statements along the lines of "I'd pay to see that" in a very intrigued tone of voice by almost any ally you may have brought along, or the quest giver himself. Hawke: So I shouldn't slit my wrists and dance naked under the moonlight just to fit in?
** If you don't bring any romanceable companions along (or if you accept the quest while alone), even Reasonable Authority Figure Orsino seems intrigued. Orsino: Well, if that's what you intend... perhaps I'll join you after all.
* Field Promotion: How they can end up in charge during the Qunari invasion - when it becomes clear that Meredith's going to keep bickering with Orsino over who's leading the assault, Diplomatic Hawke gets a dialogue option to step in. Orsino then suggests following Hawke as a compromise. Alternatively, you can be the tiebreaker or just tell them you're in charge.
* Fighter, Mage, Thief: Pick one.
* Fight Magnet:
** Hawke can't even drop off a piece of mail without fighting more faceless, rooftop-hopping enemies with pointy weapons than most 80's action movie heroes did in their entire careers. To quote a rather plaintive snarky Hawke: Hawke: Someday, I'd like to go one week without meeting an insane mage. Just one week.
** When Varric and Sebastian talk about Starkhaven, Sebastian says that it is a lot like Kirkwall, but "with fewer dead people." Varric is quick to point that Starkhaven doesn't have Hawke there.
** After completing "Lost And Found" in Act 3, Snarky Hawke's response to Aveline's mutterings about the past coming back to haunt one is that they can't go twenty minutes without getting jumped by someone who they've pissed off at some point.
** Varric lampshades this in Legacy: Varric: The day you go to the beach is the day an armada of angry demon pirates show up.
** If importing a save with the Human Mage Warden, in Mark of the Assassin, Tallis comments that she's not surprised that Hawke is a relative.
* Folk Hero: Varric's exaggerations are the retelling of the Champion's story through the public's eyes.
* Fluffy Tamer: Inverted. Mabari choose their owners and the Dog chose Hawke.
* Friend to All Children: No matter which dominant personality you give to Hawke, they don't react well when it comes to children being hurt. Discovering that a deranged serial killer has been targeting the elven children of Kirkwall, simply because they are "too beautiful," is enough to make even a Diplomatic Hawke so utterly furious they vow to slit the man's throat.
* From Nobody to Nightmare: From at least some people's perspectives post-game.
* Full-Contact Magic: Mage Hawke.
* The Gadfly: Snarky Hawke seems to find it very entertaining to screw with people For the Lulz.
* Generation Xerox: Greatly resembles, and takes after, their father, Malcolm Hawke.
* Genki Girl: Snarky Hawke. For their companions, it doesn't matter that Hawke might genuinely be a grinning lunatic; they do their best to help and perform awesome deeds along the way without ever losing their smile, and that's what counts. A few of them, particularly Aveline, note that it's used to cover up the Sad Clown underneath.
* God Is Evil: If you weren't sure that Snarky Hawke is a Sad Clown, their last exchange with Bethany reveals a very cynical view of the Maker, especially if she's in the Circle. Bethany: ...the Maker is wiser than we can be in a lifetime. Who am I to question His plan? Hawke: He just enjoys watching us rip each other apart.
* Good Counterpart: To Uncle Gamlen. Both are heads of the household and sole breadwinners, responsible for looking after their siblings and parents, as well as belonging to a family that has fallen on hard times. However, Gamlen blames others for his misfortune while attempting to bribe, cheat and swindle his way back into riches. By comparison, Hawke immediately demonstrates they are willing to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and actually do some work in order to change their situation.
** It should be noted that the latter is partially because Hawke didn't really have much of a choice. Hawke was perfectly willing to rely on Leandra's noble roots to house them in Kirkwall, but was forced to roll up their sleeves and work when it became clear that Gamlen's bungling and fraud had cost the Hawke family the option they thought they had. Still, we never hear them complain.
* Good Is Not Soft: Possibly, if playing as an anti-hero.
** It's also very possible to play Hawke as a Sociopathic Hero if you go down a more Aggressive route.
** Notable in Mark of the Assassin. Snarky Hawke, who is nominally characterised as being the hero, will nonetheless let Duke Prosper stew while hanging from a ledge, quipping that they enjoyed the Duke's party and liked the belt they won. Instead of trying to get up or asking for help, the Duke just monologues until he loses his grip and falls to his death. Hawke: I would have tried begging for mercy, but maybe that's just me. [...] Looks like the Duke...has fallen from grace.
* Hair-Trigger Temper: Aggressive Hawke, naturally, will threaten anyone and everyone at the slightest provocation, and it's not idle words either.
* Happily Married: If playing as a female Hawke who romances Sebastian, they can eventually tie the knot. If it's a friendship romance and he stays with the Chantry, they actually get married during the game - the only love interest with whom this is possible. It's a chaste marriage, but it still counts.
* Heartbroken Badass: If they romance and then kill Anders. When asked about him in Inquisition, they just quietly say, "I had to do it. He was mad. Nothing could dissuade him... not even me." They then ask you to change the subject.
* The Hero
* Heroic BSoD: After the quest "All That Remains," Hawke spends the next few cutscenes in a depression. They seem fine by the time gameplay resumes, but Hawke can confide in their friends that this is not the case.
* Heroic Sacrifice: Depending on the player's choice, Hawke can end up sacrificing themselves to allow the Inquisitor to escape.
* Heroic Self-Deprecation: When they show up in Dragon Age: Inquisition, it's clear that Hawke - even Snarky Hawke - has been hit hard by their frequent failures. Snarky Hawke: I could barely get my friends to stop fighting. Still, if you think I can help... Aggressive Hawke: You want my advice? Did you hear what happened to Kirkwall? My "advice" nearly tore that city apart.
* Hero of Another Story: Despite being the protagonist, Hawke oddly enough qualifies for this, due to the Framing Device being set in the present day and depicting Cassandra's attempt to glean the truth about Hawke's tale from Varric's recollections.
* Highly-Visible Ninja: The Rogue's Mantle of the Champion is a very practical armor, secured with a series of straps to Hawke's body without hampering their mobility. It's also significantly more red than the other two versions. And that's not the only bright-colored armor Rogue Hawke has.
* Hunter of His Own Kind:
** Quite possible to do if you play a Mage and tell other Mages to join the Circle and align yourself with the Templars by the end. Extra points if you're playing as a Blood Mage.
** Even possible when aligned with the Mages. Several quests have Hawke purposefully have to track down rogue mages whose Well-Intentioned Extremist nature will ultimately cause more problems, often calling them out on this.
* Hurting Hero: Just look at some of the entries on this page. Also depends on dialogue, but there are certain points in the game where Hawke will be in a depression no matter what. This is upped considerably in Inquisition, where the events of II have done irreparable damage to Hawke's self-esteem and left Hawke lonelier than ever. Even Snarky Hawke is noticeably much more bitter.
* Hypercompetent Sidekick:
** To Viscount Dumar in Act 2, routinely stepping in to deal with the Qunari on his behalf.
** Likewise fulfills this role opposite Tallis in Mark of the Assassin, being mentioned as one of the reasons she chose to seek Hawke out.
** To either the Red Iron mercenaries or Athenril's smugglers, whichever group employed Hawke during their first year in Kirkwall. In the former, Meeran laments how useless the people hired after Hawke were; in the latter, Athenril's group of smugglers went from a minor thieves' guild to rivaling both the Carta and the Coterie during the year they had Hawke among them.
* Hypocrite:
** If a Mage and played as a Hunter of Their Own Kind, Hawke turns other apostates in to the Circle to keep mages under control... yet do not go there themselves.
** In Inquisition, Hawke decries blood mages and the use of blood magic any time they encounter it (regardless of class or specialization), even if they were a blood mage in DAII. This happens since Inquisition doesn't acknowledge if Hawke was a blood mage or not.
* Hypocritical Humor: The entire last half of Hawke's inner monologue at the end of "Following the Qun," if they did the last part of the quest without party members, is a thing of hilarity: Snarky Hawke: Is that guy looking at me? Lot of illness in this city. What's he looking at? Loony. Yeah, that's it, keep walking. Can't trust anyone. Could be lyrium addled, fade-crazed... Still, got to have some control. What kind of damage sends these daft freaks out in the streets? Talking to them... selves. Ahem.
* I Am Your Opponent:
** Invokes this towards the Arishok, indicating that if he wants to take Kirkwall, he has to go through them first.
** For his part, the Arishok consistently treats Hawke as a Worthy Opponent and the greatest threat that exists in Kirkwall. During his attempted coup d'etat at the end of Act 2, he tries to eliminate Hawke before anyone else. When that doesn't work, he challenges Hawke outright, complimenting them with the title of basalit-an - an outsider worthy of respect.
* I Was Never Here:
** Hawke's apparent work ethic, typically taking jobs that involve acting beneath anyone's notice. Throughout the game, Aveline, the Viscount, the Templars, and even the Arishok all use Hawke as a neutral third party agent so that if they get caught, they can claim plausible deniability in that Hawke isn't doing anything officially sanctioned.
** In Mark of the Assassin, Tallis implies that one of the reasons she sought out Hawke was because they operate under the radar.
* Iconic Outfit: The Mantle of the Champion is an in-universe example.
* Icon of Rebellion: In the endgame, siding with the mages makes Hawke's name for a rallying cry for the rebels.
* Idiot Hero: Averted. Snarky Hawke simply wants people to think that they are one, often showing themselves to be much more devious than their demeanour suggests.
* Immune to Mind Control: A blood mage attempts to mind-control Hawke, who can overcome it by belonging to the mage class themselves, by being a warrior with the Templar Prestige Class, or by being a rogue with sufficient willpower. Hawke: I... will not... be toyed with!
* In the Hood: Several hooded outfits are available for rogues, and mage headgear almost exclusively takes the shape of hoods.
* Informed Attractiveness: As with Origins, the player can make their Hawke look worse than the darkspawn taint and other characters will still consider them beautiful and attractive (although it's mostly the love interests who comment). Even Varric, who's already spoken for, will comment on Hawke's beauty, particularly a female Hawke.
** Indifferent Beauty: Despite this, Hawke doesn't seem to take any particular pride or interest in their own appearance.
* Interspecies Romance: If they romance Fenris or Merrill, since Hawke is human.
* It's All My Fault: May take this attitude after their mother's murder. Also takes it in Inquisition when Corypheus returns. This is one of the reasons why they're willing to perform a Heroic Sacrifice.
* Jerk with a Heart of Gold:
** Snarky Hawke. While they're perfectly content to tweak people's noses, it's clear they're the closest thing to a Big Good that exists in Kirkwall and they honestly do want to help people. Generally, the formula with Snarky Hawke is to screw around with people asking for help for their amusement, and then selflessly throw themselves into harm's way for that very person.
** It's possible to play Aggressive Hawke as this. Nothing's stopping you from punching people in the face, then turning around to give your party members a sympathetic ear.
** No matter how you play them, Hawke is very protective of their family.
* Knight in Sour Armour: After their mother's death, Aveline calls Snarky Hawke out and says that she doesn't buy their irreverent act for a minute. This becomes more apparent than ever in Inquisition.
* Knight Templar: Surprisingly, not while siding with the Templars in the final battle, where they still usually come off as one of the last remaining voices of reason. However, it is possible to join Patrice in her fanatical push to wipe out the Qunari from Kirkwall.
* Lady of Black Magic: A female Hawke who is also a mage (especially if she has the Force Mage specialization), topped off with a choice of peaceful or otherwise respectful dialogue, is a cross between this and a Lady of War.
* Lady of War: Whether warrior or rogue, you can play female Hawke as a soft-spoken, graceful, complete and utter badass. One could even extend this across the board to include a female mage Hawke too, since magic staves now double as functional melee weapons.
* Lampshade Hanging: A Hawke that takes the neutral Deadpan Snarker option often will do this a lot.
* Large Ham: The male Hawke's voice actor sounds like he's channeling BRIAN BLESSED when he's shouting in combat. This is rather amusing, because he's generally a lot more reserved in conversation... could just be a case of Not so Above It All. Hawke: NEED! TO REST! HAVE AT YOU! I CAN'T KEEP THIS UP! FOLLOW MY LEEEEAD!
** A sarcastic Hawke takes great delight in chewing the scenery during the Mark of the Assassin DLC; Snarky Hawke: I've been stung by a bee! I think it's swelling! MAKER, AM I DYING? Tallis: The swelling is almost as big as your head! (To guard) Don't just stand there, man! Do something! Snarky Hawke: If I die... [falls to knees] make sure the world knows... [cue dramatic music] I DIED AT CHATEAU HAINE!
* Last-Name Basis: Much like Shepard before them, practically everyone refers to Hawke by their last name. More than once, Hawke will introduce themselves as such; apparently, they prefer being on a Last-Name Basis. (In terms of practicality, it's a gameplay technique designed to get around the fact that you can give Hawke any first name you want - much like having everyone address the hero of the first game as "Warden".)
** This is actually a little amusing when you hear the party members refer to Carver or Bethany by their first name and then immediately after, in the same sentence, refer to Hawke by their last name.
** Even Hawke's chosen love interest will always call them Hawke. The only ones who don't are the members of their own family, who instead use nicknames like "sis" to get around the first name thing.
* Last of His Kind: If the surviving twin dies in the Deep Roads, Hawke becomes the last surviving member of the Hawke family after Leandra's death.
* Leaning on the Fourth Wall: Deadpan Snarker Hawke does this a lot. Take a look at this gem from Carver's personal quest in Act 1: Snarky Hawke: I'm sure someone though far too long about my name.
* Legacy Character:
** In Legacy, the Carta frequently refer to both Hawke and their late father Malcolm as being "the Hawke".
** It becomes more confusing should you bring Bethany/Carver along, as they too are referred to by this title.
* Let's Get Dangerous!: Particularly noticeable with Snarky Hawke, who will cheerfully snark at adversaries, before being forced to beat them seven ways from Sunday.
* Like a Son to Me: Hawke can invoke this towards Sandal. Bodahn worries in Act 3 that he's starting to get on in years and he doesn't know what will happen to Sandal after he is gone. Hawke assures him that Sandal will always be welcome in their home.
* Living Emotional Crutch: Serves as an emotional anchor for a significant number of companions, either at certain points or throughout the entire game. This is especially pronounced with Anders, Merrill, and Fenris, though less so if Hawke is in a Rivalry with them.
** If Merrill is romanced, her banter with Aveline implies such: Merrill: I love Hawke. Aveline: You said that. Merrill: I say it a lot. It makes things clearer, takes away doubt when everything is crazy and people are dying.
* Lonely at the Top: Played with. The party mostly sticks around, but Hawke's family doesn't. As Hawke gets closer to glory, Leandra is kidnapped and murdered by a blood mage serial killer. Bethany either dies in Lothering, gets sent to the Circle, dies in the Deep Roads, or becomes a Grey Warden. The same fates await Carver, except he joins the Templars instead of the Circle. Every step up the ladder Hawke takes, they become steadily more alone. By Act 3, only Gamlen, Charade, Bodahn, and Sandal (and Orana if she was added to the household) are left. It makes Hawke's offer for a romanced Anders or Merrill to move in with them much more poignant.
* Love Martyr: A Hawke who romances Anders and commits to him before the final battle, even though this means being hunted as a fugitive along with the most wanted man in Thedas, comes across as this. Especially considering Anders flat-out lied to Hawke and co. and tricked them into helping start the final battle in the first place...
   M to Z
* Magic Knight: Mage Hawke is this by default. Hawke's father, Malcolm, taught Hawke swordplay regardless of class. Many of Hawke's staves have blades on the end.
* Magnetic Hero: Arguably moreso than the Warden. While in the first game, the party are all tied together by a common cause, this is not the case here. Although some companions develop friendships, it's their bond with Hawke that keeps them working together as a group. Legacy reveals that Hawke inherited this trait from their father.
* Manly Facial Hair: The default male Hawke sports some pretty impressive beardage, and character creation allows the player to further expand it.
* Meaningful Name: Both the Hawke and Amell family names derive from birds of prey.
** Amell literally means "Power of an Eagle", which becomes very apropos considering their (former) high status in Kirkwall. Likewise, it also is very apt given the family's return to prominence through their scion, Hawke.
* Memetic Badass: Hawke is an in-universe example, at least through Varric's storytelling.
* Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal: In Legacy, it's possible to initially side with Larius only to switch over to Janeka upon learning of what Larius threatened to do to an unborn Hawke and their mother.
* Modest Royalty:
** It's revealed in Mark of the Assassin that despite being acknowledged by the Viscount as the legitimate heir to the Amells, Hawke turned down the title of "Lord/Lady Amell" because they wished to make the Hawke family name as respected and earn the title of "Lord/Lady Hawke".
** Unlike their mother, who was born into wealth, Hawke hates socialising with the aristocracy. After becoming Champion of Kirkwall, it's mentioned that they only attend formal banquets held in their honour because they have to. Truthfully, they'd rather be down at the Hanged Man.
* Must Make Amends: For releasing Corypheus and failing to kill him. They join the Inquisition because of it and it's one reason why they are willing to sacrifice themselves later in the story.
* My Greatest Failure: Hawke's inability to save their sibling from an Ogre, as well as prevent their mother's murder. If the surviving sibling dies in the Deep Roads, this is in there too.
* Nay-Theist: A variation. While Hawke appears to believe in the Maker and Andraste, they often appear to be highly skeptical of the Chantry and affiliated organisations like the Templars. Snarky Hawke in particular definitely indicates this mindset.
* Neutral Good: Invoked by Aveline, who expresses her annoyance that Hawke has never sought any kind of position in Kirkwall society in all the years they've been in the city. Hawke can similarly invoke this, repeatedly stating that their only concern is the welfare of their friends and family and that they'd rather stay out of Kirkwall politics, only becoming involved when they absolutely must.
** Anders is similarly annoyed at Mage Hawke's refusal to get involved with the Mage Underground, believing they'd be the perfect leader.
* Never Found the Body: The Inquisitor is unable to recover Hawke's body should they Hold the Line.
* Nice Job Breaking It, Hero:
** Several horrible events in the story are indirectly Hawke's fault. In fact, Hawke seems to know that they do this. Hawke: Summoned a demon. Of course. Why wouldn't I do that?
** In Legacy, Hawke causes Corypheus to inhabit a nearby Grey Warden after defeating him, who then goes on to become the main villain of Inquisition. That particular screw-up hit them hard.
** Hawke's look when they realize they helped gather the ingredients needed for Anders to construct a bomb.
* Nice Mean And In Between: The three dialogue choices allow Hawke's personality to fall into one of these categories - Nice for the blue, Mean for the red, In Between for the purple. The twins' designations in the trio are determined by this as well.
* Noble Fugitive: Played straight in Act 1; due to Gamlen recklessly squandering the Amell family fortune, Mage Hawke is dirt-poor and just as likely to be hunted as any other apostate. Subverted as of Act 2, as Hawke has become rich enough that the Templars can't touch them due to their status, while by Act 3, Hawke's new status as the Champion has caused Meredith to begrudgingly grant them clemency.
** Played straight at the end of the game, where Hawke is forced to leave Kirkwall after the outbreak of the Mage-Templar War.
* No Canon for the Wicked: If Hawke uses blood magic, it's not one of the options in the Keep, so it's never mentioned in the third game and they are vocally against it during the Warden arc of the story. Oddly enough, the Keep does include indisputably abhorrent decisions like selling out Feynriel and Fenris, but these are also ignored and Hawke is always presented as a heroic, self-sacrificing figure.
* Non-Idle Rich: Despite being independently wealthy by the end of Act 1, Hawke seems content to make up for their lack of actual job by doing pretty much every available odd job in the city.
* No-Sell: Hawke can pull this on the "Apostitute" Idunna. Hawke: I... will... not... be toyed with!
* "Not So Different" Remark:
** The Saarebas "Ketojan" in Act 1 says that if Hawke submitted to the Qun, their role wouldn't change; later, the Arishok claims that Hawke is what the Qunari would be without the Qun.
** Tallis later hints at this; if Hawke becomes a "Basalit'an" to the Arishok, all Qunari now know and respect Hawke as an equal. She claims that the Qun could give Hawke a role and purpose. Hawke's response? Hawke: I have a purpose. I protect Kirkwall.
* Number Two: In a way; starting in Act 2, the Viscount relies on Hawke more and more to keep the peace between Kirkwall and the Qunari. By Act 3, Hawke is Kirkwall's Champion and the single most influential noble in the city.
* Obfuscating Stupidity: Snarky Hawke seems to employ this and Buffy Speak as a tactic to lure enemies into a false sense of security, because clearly this flighty, giggling oddball who can't go ten seconds without cracking a stupid joke couldn't possibly be as dangerous as they were told, right?
* Occult Detective: Only in Kirkwall could seemingly innocuous jobs frequently end with Hawke battling Blood Mages, Demons, Walking Corpses, and all manner of "weird shit".
* One Degree of Separation: Hawke and the Warden have several connections to each other.
** Hawke is related to the Human Mage Warden; Merrill was the childhood friend of the Dalish Warden; Anders may have been recruited by the Warden in Awakening; and Isabela may have taught them to duel and/or slept with them in the Pearl. Bodahn and Sandal go from assisting the Warden's wandering party to serving in Hawke's noble household. Hawke has several chance encounters with many of the Warden's former associates, such as Leliana, Zevran, Alistair, and Nathaniel. Rogue/Warrior Hawke was even at Ostagar at the same time as the Warden, and both were survivors of the ill-fated battle. Coincidentally (...we think), both were also rescued from darkspawn by Flemeth.
* One-Man Army: When Kirkwall has a problem, they send Hawke.
** Being reduced to an NPC in Inquisition has done nothing to reduce Hawke's status as one of these.
* Only Sane Employee: Comes with the job of being Champion, according to Snarky Hawke.
* Only Sane Man: As with the last game, a possibility. Given that the Dysfunction Junction is out in full force here, though, it's actually quite likely; even Silly Hawke manages to come off as this at times.
* The Paragon: The dialogue choices at the top of the wheel turn Hawke into a selfless, caring person who always puts the needs of others first.
* Pet the Dog: Provided you have the requisite DLC, Hawke can interact with their Mabari at numerous points in the game, despite it having no bearing on the plot.
* Phrase Catcher: Buying over 30 drinks in the Hanged Man leads to the patrons cheering "HAWKE!" every time they subsequently enter the bar.
* Platonic Life-Partners: With Aveline and Varric. Hawke's friendship with Varric in particular is arguably the closest one in the entire franchise.
* Power Tattoo: In the Destiny Trailer, Hawke carves a sigil into their arm in order to perform Blood Magic. The same sigil can also be seen on Mage Hawke's arm when wearing the Armour of the Champion.
** It's possible to play as a Paragon while also being a Blood Mage.
* Previous Player-Character Cameo: They appear in Inquisition after the destruction of Haven and play a major role in the Grey Warden arc of the game.
* Protectorate: Hawke can invoke this in Mark of the Assassin. Hawke: I protect Kirkwall.
* Prodigal Hero: Played with in that Hawke wasn't the one who left Kirkwall years ago; their mother Leandra was. Yet, after Leandra and her kids return to her origin city, it's Hawke who winds up becoming its Champion.
* Properly Paranoid: Between II and Inquisition, Hawke suspects Corypheus's involvement in the strange behavior of the Wardens despite believing him to be dead. If romantically involved with Anders and/or the surviving twin joined the Wardens, Hawke takes this as a cue to get them as far away as possible.
* Punctuated! For! Emphasis!: "I... will... not... be toyed with!"
* Rage-Breaking Point: Generally you're given a few ways Hawke can respond to a situation, but their ever-diminishing family always remains a sore point. In fact, despite Snarky Hawke being irreverent and unflappable at practically all times, when Leandra is kidnapped in Act 2 and Hawke's sibling in Act 3, Hawke's whole demeanor changes and the amount of anger in their voice that still seeps through their Tranquil Fury indicates how fast you should be running away right now.
** It's the sheer speed from which Snarky Hawke goes from sarcasm to outright fury that makes it more startling; Snarky Hawke: I'm sorry to interrupt this lovely student-teacher reunion but WHERE IS MY MOTHER?!
** Even Diplomatic Hawke's standard lines about not wanting to hurt anyone in those situations are uttered in a way that indicates that may not be their first instinct, particularly in one instance where Meredith drags Hawke's mother, who was brutally murdered by a blood mage, into her incessant anti-mage crusade: "Leave my mother out of this." Knight-Commander or no, if there was one moment in the game when Meredith's stoic demeanor was a mere facade, that was it.
* Rags to Riches: Over the course of the game, Hawke goes from penniless refugee to noble to the Champion of Kirkwall.
** Rags to Royalty: And if you support the Templars in the end, Hawke becomes Viscount/Viscountess. Unfortunately, their reign doesn't last long; the paranoia of the Templars leads them to step down, and fear of an Exalted March causes them to flee Kirkwall entirely.
* Really Gets Around: It's possible for Hawke to have sex with Fenris, Merrill, Isabela, and Anders in the same playthrough. If Zevran is encountered in Act 3, it's possible to sleep with him as well. Hawke can also use the services offered at the Blooming Rose in the Red Lantern District as much as they want, as long as they can pay.
* Reasonable Authority Figure: Snarky Hawke jokes that this is what being the Champion entails. Tallis: So, "Champion of Kirkwall". Fancy title. Hawke: The "Only One in Kirkwall Not Completely Insane" was considered...
* "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Mage Hawke repeatedly gives them out to other Mages, noting that resorting to blood magic is exactly why they are so feared and hunted by the Templars. Hawke can even admit that while they understand their plight, this doesn't excuse the fact they are selfishly abusing magic to murder, rob and manipulate people.
* Red Eyes, Take Warning: In the Destiny trailer. Like the Sacred Ashes trailer before it, it's limited to the trailer only.
* The Red Mage: In the same vein as Bethany.
* Refusal of the Second Call: Qualifies as one In-Universe, because no matter how Dragon Age II ends, things are still pretty awful in Kirkwall, and eventually they disappear because they've had enough. The reason that Varric pretends not to know where Hawke is during the second and third games is because he feels that his friend has been through enough. He only resorts to calling Hawke in when it's absolutely unavoidable.
* Reluctant Warrior: Snarky Hawke lampshades this in their rousing speech, clearly wondering why it's so wrong to simply want to go to the pub with their friends at the end of the day.
** Lampshaded by Flemeth when they first meet; Flemeth: Hurtled into chaos, you fight... and the world will shake before you.
* Rich Idiot With No Day Job: According to Aveline in Act 2, Hawke refuses to actually get a position of authority.
** They can end up as Viscount at the end of the game if supporting the Templars; however, Varric states the only reason Hawke accepted was because the Templars practically begged them to restore order to Kirkwall.
* Right Man in the Wrong Place: Hawke became one of the most notable figures in Thedas history almost completely unintentionally.
* Romantic Runner-Up: If the player attempts to romance Aveline, she only starts to catch on at the end of "The Long Road."
* Royals Who Actually Do Something: After reclaiming their family estate and becoming a noble at the beginning of Act 2, it turns out that in the three-year interlude, Hawke was helping improve life in the lower towns and coming to the aid of those in need, regardless of social standing. The Viscount even comments that that kind of attitude hasn't been seen in Kirkwall in a long time.
* Sad Clown/Stepford Snarker: Hawke can potentially be snarky about anything, up to and including mourning their mother's death. Aveline will call out Hawke as doing this as a defense mechanism.
** In-universe, both Aveline and Varric seem to think this is the case.
* Sarcasm Failure: You know things just got serious when even Snarky Hawke decides to drop the jokes. Happens a few times, most notably during "All That Remains."
* Seen It All: Can run the entire gambit, although Snarky Hawke is a firm Type 3. Varric reckons that either being a mage or having grown up in a house of them is the reason why Hawke is unfazed by all the "weird shit" they witness on a regular basis.
* Shrouded in Myth: The entire frame of the story is clearing up what happened and what didn't.
* Shipper on Deck: Snarky Hawke jokingly ships Meredith/Orsino, calling them out. Hawke: The way you two carry on... people will talk.
* Shrine to the Fallen: After Leandra's murder, Hawke refuses to disturb anything in their mother's room.
* Sibling Rivalry: Potentially with Bethany or Carver thanks to the friendship/rivalry system. Carver is inclined towards this by default.
* Signature Move: In cutscenes, Mage Hawke repeatedly twirls their staff after defeating opponents.
** Mage Hawke also finishes opponents in cutscenes by summoning a torrent of fire to roast their opponents.
* The Snark Knight: Hawkes who respond to dialogue primarily with the snarky choices will generally develop this kind of personality.
* Spiders Are Scary: When the party in Inquisition finds themselves in the Fade, Hawke is the only person other than the Inquisitor to see the demons as spiders.
* Spider-Sense: A mage Hawke demonstrates this on several occasions, having the innate mage ability to sense shifts in the Veil and locations where it is particularly weak, such as Sundermount.
* Stupidity Is the Only Option: A surprising number of quests require Hawke to hold the Idiot Ball in order for things to play out the way the writers want.
** When Hawke learns that a serial killer is targeting Hightown women, Hawke can't even try to warn Leandra... who then goes out for her weekly get-together with her brother and is promptly kidnapped by the killer, becoming his final victim.
** During "On the Loose," Huon's wife asks Hawke for protection because she fears for her life. Hawke notably says they'll come back for her after dark, and the player has to leave the alienage and come back in order for the quest to trigger. Lo and behold, leaving her alone for so long gives Huon ample opportunity to return and kill his wife, which Hawke witnesses just as they walk through the alienage gates.
** When Anders asks for Hawke's help finding ingredients to a magic potion that he claims will split him and Justice, and the ingredients sound oddly similar to real-world bomb ingredients, Hawke has no choice but to take Anders at his word and help him. While in some Guide Dang It! cases Hawke can realize Anders' deception after the fact and call him out on it, Anders will note that it's too late and the Chantry blows up no matter what.
** In the Legacy DLC, even if Hawke kills Corypheus, one of the Grey Wardens who brought you will act obviously possessed, strongly implying that Corypheus body-hopped after you slew him, but Hawke and co. have no choice but to stand there and watch him go on his merry way. It makes Hawke and Varric's insistence in Inquisition that they were sure Corypheus died sound more like they're trying to convince themselves.
* Supporting Protagonist: In an interesting twist, although Varric is narrating Hawke's story, over the course of the game, it becomes apparent that Hawke really wasn't the central figure or instigator of events, but just the Right Person in the Wrong Place. This is especially telling in the third act, when it's really about Anders causing the Mage/Templar war.
* Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: While Hawke gets along fine with their Grey Warden friend at first in Inquisition, the revelations of what the Grey Wardens have done and are doing infuriates Hawke, leading to a back and forth What the Hell, Hero? between the two of them. Alistair in particular takes their anger at the Wardens quite personally.
* Thousand-Yard Stare: Hawke sports one after their mother's death.
* Troll: Snarky Hawke will snark and mock anyone and EVERYONE constantly just to get a reaction, particularly his/her enemies.
* Tsundere: Aggressive Hawke will usually end up a Type A to their Love Interest, since the flirt lines have the same dialogue regardless of personality. This means they can be short and snappish with them one minute, and doting and sweet the next.
* Trickster Mentor: Snarky Hawke is implied to do this to Carver, trying to stop him being so uptight and push him to prove them wrong.
* Übermensch: Can be played heroically or anti-heroically, but their actions change Thedas forever.
** On the other hand, it's very clear that, in the end, Hawke had very little actual effect on major events. No matter what they try to do, everything pretty much ends up exactly the same by the end, except with one flawed group or the other having a little more influence.
* Uncertain Doom: In Dragon Age: Inquisition. If the Inquisitor requests it, Hawke will stay behind in the Fade to Hold the Line; their last words ask the Inquisitor to tell Varric goodbyenote . If the Warden companion stays behind instead, s/he heads to Weisshaupt to inform the First Warden; the Epilogue mentions that the fortress has fallen silent.
** Happily, as of the Trespasser DLC, the second part has been removed, as it is stated that Hawke has returned to Kirkwall alive and well to help Varric run the place.
* Uncle Pennybags: After Hawke regains the family fortune, they use it to help the poor and downtrodden in Kirkwall. See Benevolent Boss.
* Unflinching Walk: Implied in Dragon Age Inquisition. If Hawke survives the events of DA:I, they'll head for the Grey Wardens' main fortress of Weisshaupt in the Anderfels to help sort some things out. Asking Varric about the whole affair during the Trespasser DLC reveals that he doesn't really know what's going on at Weisshaupt, but considering who they're talking about, he fully expects the place to blow up in a spectacular fashion rather sooner than later while Hawke strolls out of the inferno without looking back.
* Uptown Girl: Hawke starts out as a refugee with nothing but the clothes and weapons on their back, but by Act 2 they've become this for any romance besides Sebastian. Hawke's Hightown neighbors are particularly scandalized if Merrill moves into the estate.
* Villain Killer: Hawke kills dozens of rogue mages and criminals, defeats the Qunari Arishok in single combat, and then defeats a red lyrium-empowered Knight-Commander Meredith of the Templars. Unlike the Warden or, later, the Inquisitor, they have no special circumstances that make them The Only One that can defeat the foes in question. Hawke is simply one of the strongest fighters of their time and the entire world knows it, thanks to Varric embellishing some of their feats in his Tale of the Champion book.
* Villain Protagonist: Averted, in contrast to the first game. You can be an Anti-Hero in the vein of Renegade Shepard, but the outright thuggery possible in Origins is mostly absent here.
* Warrior Princess: A female Hawke becomes part of the nobility of Kirkwall, and is thus rightfully entitled to be called Lady Hawke (in addition to Champion). In addition, there are some further royal upgrades available depending on player choices. If female Hawke sides with the Templars, she will end the game as Viscountess of Kirkwall. And if she romances Sebastian, the game can end with a declaration of their intent to get married, which makes her Princess of Starkhaven. (If Legacy is done after the main game, and Sebastian and Carver are brought as companions, party banter reveals that they are married.)
* Warrior vs. Sorcerer: Inverted if Hawke is a mage, who struggles to contain and maintain stability in the city of Kirkwall as tensions continue to rise between the resident Templars led by Knight-Commander Meredith and the Kirkwall Circle Mages.
* Warrior Therapist: If played on the friendship route, Hawke becomes this frequently. Particularly prominent with Fenris, where most of their interaction has Hawke politely listening while Fenris talks about his life and why he has such utter hatred of magic. It practically is a therapy session.
* What the Hell, Hero?: In Inquisition, Hawke is enraged by the Wardens' actions, their use of blood magic, demon summoning, and the part they played in the death of Divine Justinia and lets Stroud/Alistair/Loghain know this very clearly.
* World's Best Warrior: Thanks to Varric's novel The Tale of the Champion, Hawke has the reputation of being perhaps the greatest fighter of their time, and became the second choice to lead the Inquisition. During the events of the second game, Hawke's companions will often remark that s/he is the strongest fighter amongst them with either reverence or fear depending on the player's actions. It should be noted, though, that said game is narrated by Varric and that, given his reputation, some of these tales (but not all) are believed to be embellishments even by other characters within the DA universe. Hawke admits as much when s/he is actually met in the flesh in Inquisition, but they also admit that most of these accomplishments are true but merely not as grandiose as people think. Unlike other heroes of their day (such as the Warden or the Inquisitor), Hawke was not some special person expected to solve a crisis—they accomplished their deeds strictly by skill, talent, and blind luck.
* Worthy Opponent: Can become one to the Arishok, who deems Hawke "Basalit'an" - an outsider worthy of respect.
** If Mark of the Assassin is done in Act 3, Tallis tells Hawke that this is how Hawke is considered by all Qunari; she clarifies that they do not think of Hawke as an enemy, but as an honourable outsider who is worthy of being approached for parley or to ask for assistance.
* You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Paragon and Snarky Hawke frequently invoke this.
* You Are Not Alone: Mage Hawke's simple reply to Feynriel in Act 1. Feynriel: Why do you care? You don't even know me. [Hawke creates a blinding ball of light in their hand] Hawke: I am you.
* You Can't Go Home Again: Hawke lived in Lothering with their family before the Blight came. They could go back with the Blight over, but there's nothing left for them there. Aveline and Hawke can discuss the trope in Act 3.
* Your Approval Fills Me with Shame: Whenever Hawke is complimented by a Qunari and is told that they're the same, Hawke doesn't respond well.