Dorian Pavus

== Background ==
Born to the prestigious House Pavus of Qarinus in the Tevinter Imperium, Dorian demonstrated from an early age a flair for magic which made him the envy of his peers. He studied at the Circle at Carastes, but encountered trouble at the age of nine after a duel with another magister's son left the other boy badly injured. He then moved from Circle to Circle and through private tutoring situations and each time another incident had him sent home to his family in Qarinus. In desperation, his father sent him to Minrathous to attend a smaller school run by the Order of Argent, known for their adherence to strict Andrastian discipline and exorbitant entry fees. Dorian disappeared three months later. He was found in a drunken stupor at a house of ill repute in the elven slums by Magister Gereon Alexius, who was amused enough by his behavior that he convinced Dorian to return to the Gilded Quarter rather than call the templars. Alexius was impressed by the conversation they had in the carriage and offered to take him as his apprentice. Dorian was personally tutored at the Alexius estate in Asariel, where he flourished. Four years later, he became a fully-ranked Enchanter in the Minrathous Circle. He split his time between aiding Magister Alexius in his research and partaking in the life of a well-heeled scion. He participated in Lower Floor debates of the Circle and attended social functions and balls. During this time, his parents made increasingly more insistent appeals that Dorian return home to marry his betrothed, which he deflected with claims that achieving the rank of senior enchanter was more important to him.
Dorian was finally on the path his parents had envisioned for him, until tragedy struck in 9:35 Dragon.[note] Alexius' wife, Livia Arida, was killed by darkspawn while his son Felix was afflicted with taint. Dorian spent two years trying to help Alexius find a cure for his son. After a heated argument in 9:37, he left the estate and went back to a life of debauchery, engaging to such excess that the scandal led his family to abduct him from the home of Lord Ulio Abrexis—and the company of his son. He was brought to his family's estate in Qarinus by ship, and kept as a veritable prisoner for months. When Dorian finally escaped into the countryside with not a coin to his name, he vowed never to return. The speculation over their disagreement forced Halward to step down from his position on the consiliare for the Archon. Dorian spent the next two years drifting from one part of the Imperium to the next.
With his magical ability, wit and charm, it would seem he would have had a promising career in Tevinter had Dorian not become a pariah for opposing every fault his homeland is known for. Dorian bears his ostracism with pride as he feels Tevinter will only change if someone like him makes a difference.
== Involvement ==
=== Dragon Age: Inquisition ===
Seeking to halt what he perceives as the moral decay of his countrymen, he joins the Inquisition.
If the Inquisitor meets with the mages at Redcliffe, Magister Alexius' son, Felix, secretly passes them a note asking to meet in the Chantry. When they arrive, Dorian appears, asking for help in sealing a Fade rift. After the rift is sealed, Dorian introduces himself and reveals Alexius' allegiance to the Venatori, who are interested in the mark on the Inquisitor's hand. He also reveals that Alexius has invoked time traveling magic, once thought theoretical back in Tevinter, which is how he arrived at Redcliffe first.
If the Inquisitor chooses to confront Alexius, Dorian attends the war council in Haven, stating he could help the Inquisition's agents infiltrate Castle Redcliffe and avoid Alexius' magic to surprise his former mentor. Unfortunately, when they do, Alexius pulls out the time amulet to attempt to go back before the Inquisitor interfered with the Elder One's ritual at the Temple of Sacred Ashes; but Dorian interrupts him, accidentally sending both himself and the Inquisitor one year into the future, where the Elder One rules over southern Thedas. They are able to track down the future Alexius and claim the amulet from him. Using it, the two are able to return to the exact moment they left and defeat Alexius. Afterwards, the Inquisitor can choose to recruit Dorian into the Inquisition or not. He can be found next to Adan's home in Haven after being recruited.
After settling in at Skyhold, Mother Giselle informs the Inquisitor of a letter sent by Dorian's father, Halward, asking to meet with the family retainer at the Gull and Lantern in Redcliffe, but asks that they not tell Dorian. The Inquisitor can choose to reveal the letter to Dorian and either convince Dorian not to go or go with him to the tavern. The Inquisitor can also choose not to show Dorian the letter and instead just bring him to the tavern. Upon entering the Gull and Lantern, Dorian is surprised to see his father instead. Dorian gets angry, revealing to the Inquisitor that when his father learned that he was gay and didn't want to keep up appearances by marrying his betrothed, he tried to use a blood magic ritual, which Dorian was taught was "the last resort of the weak mind", to change his sexuality and make him comply with his family's wishes. Halward defended that he wanted what was best for his son, but Dorian retorts that he only cared about himself and his legacy. The Inquisitor can encourage Dorian to try to reconcile with Halward. Halward will then reveal that he feels guilty for having driven Dorian to the Inquisition, and wanted to ask for his forgiveness. Alternatively, the Inquisitor can suggest that they leave instead of talking with Halward, ending the quest. Either way, Dorian is grateful and thanks the Inquisitor for taking him to the meeting.
After the events at the Temple of Mythal, Dorian feels inspired to return to Tevinter. If he was in the party at the Temple, having learned from Abelas that the Imperium didn't destroy Arlathan, he observes that this truth would reflect badly on his countrymen, as it'd reduce their ancestors to scavengers, though he believes that Tevinter must accept the truth. If he wasn't in the party, he remarks on the ancient elven sentinels' survival and states that his countrymen can make amends. For either outcome, he feels that some Tevinters would resist but he believes he can follow the Inquisitor's example.
If Dorian's approval gets too low, there will be a scene in Skyhold of him making plans to leave for Minrathous or have his remains transported there once Corypheus is gone. When questioned why he is so upset, he will confront the Inquisitor about the decisions they have made. Though he is disgusted with the Inquisitor's behavior, he wishes to aid in fighting Corypheus just to prove that a Tevinter stood against him. You have the option of convincing him to stay or ordering him to leave. He will leave the party permanently if you punch him in the face.
==== Dragon Age: Magekiller ====
Sometime after the Inquisitor first went to the Hissing Wastes, Dorian is sent along with some of the Bull's Chargers led by Krem to help Marius and Tessa Forsythia clear out the remaining Venatori, whose position has actually grown stronger since the Inquisitor left. Though he is initially wary about Marius, a former Tevinter slave specialized in killing mages, they work well together and manage to destroy the camp while rescuing the Venatori's captive slaves. Dorian saves Marius' life during the battle, and they part on friendly terms.
==== Trespasser ====
In the two years since Corypheus' defeat, Dorian has become the official Tevinter ambassador to the Inquisition, regardless of whether he was initially recruited by the organization. The Inquisitor re-encounters him at the Winter Palace while he is in the middle of a conversation with Duke Cyril de Montfort.
Later on, Varric and several of the Inquisitor's companions hold a farewell toast to Dorian. Dorian explains to the Inquisitor that his father is dead, presumably by assassination, and he is to inherit his seat in the Magisterium, meaning he'll be departing the Inquisitor's company permanently. He also states that his friend Magister Maevaris Tilani is making a push for reforms in the Imperium that he'd like to be a part of. After he returns to Tevinter to take his father's place in the Magisterium, Dorian is spoken of often as a voice of resistance against corruption amid rumors of the Imperium's infighting. With Maevaris, he forms a group called the Lucerni to restore and redeem Tevinter.
Dorian gives the Inquisitor a sending crystal so they can communicate. Those fighting at Dorian's side in Tevinter note that he remains in constant contact with the Inquisitor, and that these talks give him the strength to keep fighting.
It's mentioned that when Dorian was kidnapped by some leftover Venatori, an unnamed mercenary band led by a Tal-Vashoth warrior crossed Tevinter's border and mounted a dangerous rescue operation. The mercenaries left a trail of freed slaves and dead Venatori in their wake, enabling Dorian to escape. When asked about the Tal-Vashoth in question, Magister Pavus declined to comment.
=== Dragon Age: Deception ===
----Sometime in 9:44, Dorian meets with Ser Aaron Hawthorne in Ventus to help him with his mission of infiltrating the Qintara estate. In the same tavern, he briefly encounters Olivia Pryde under her guise of Magister Aramis, and Calix, who very unsuccessfully attempts to con him. Later, when Olivia and Calix are confronted by one of their angry marks, Dorian uses his authority as a magister to make the problem go away, enabling Ser Aaron and Vaea to recruit them for the Qintara mission.
As Ventus falls to the Qunari, Dorian provides Ser Aaron's group with the means of escaping the city while he stays behind to try and get as many people out as he can.
=== Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights ===
Luck in the Gardens
Dorian credits his time in the south for changing his mind on slavery. His household now employs servants, not slaves. With Maevaris Tilani, Dorian has been keeping an eye on some of the Magisterium's scoundrels and trying to win a few over to their cause. When news of a new monster killing people in the depths of Minrathous surfaced, Dorian put up a bounty for its death. He eventually hires Hollix, a Lord of Fortune, to do the job. After Hollix successfully tracks down the monster, called the Cekorax, Dorian joins the final battle against it.
Half Up Front
Dorian Pavus hired Vadis and Irian Cestes for an unspecified job in the Archon's palace in Minrathous.
== Approval ==
Dorian enjoys witty banter, and playful flirtation. Flirting with Dorian (by either a male or female Inquisitor) will always garner you approval. He approves of any decisions made that support mages, and disapproves of disparaging remarks about Tevinter and mages. He favors witty or kind responses over aggressive ones.
Having seen firsthand what became of his mentor, Alexius, Dorian is wary of blood magic and any other forbidden uses of magic.
While not a romance option for a female Inquisitor, Dorian can still be flirted with to earn humorous dialogue. Picking one or more of the flirtatious options in conversations with him opens up a unique dialogue chain in the conversation that occurs after Last Resort of Good Men. The Inquisitor will accuse Dorian of leading her on, for which he will apologize. He states that he thinks the Inquisitor is a fine woman, and that if she wishes him to stop he will. The Inquisitor may admonish him for it, say that she wishes to remain friends, or encourage him to keep up with their playfully flirtatious relationship (the latter option earning major approval.)
== Trivia ==
* Promotional material for Dragon Age: Inquisition describes him as "The Redeemer".
* As a necromancer, Dorian can be considered a blood mage.
* Dorian is named after the character "Prince Dorian" from the cartoon series The Mighty Hercules, which ran from 1962-1966.
* One of the Circles attended by Dorian before he met Alexius was likely the Vyrantium Circle.
* Dorian's real world analogue is Indian.
* Dorian enjoys playing chess.
* Dorian's greatest fear is temptation.
* The Pavus and the Trevelyan family are distantly related, although a human male Inquisitor can still romance him.
* Party banter between Cole and Dorian suggests that Dorian was, or wanted to be, in a romantic and/or sexual relationship with a man named Rilienus. Banter with Varric reveals that his family intended to marry him to a young woman named Livia Heradanus; the two intensely disliked each other.
* He's allergic to stripweed, a plant commonly used for tea.
* Dorian doesn't enjoy sailing. While on the Storm Coast he mentions that he was never more sick than when he was crossing the Waking Sea and that the sea and he "don't mix well."
* If the Inquisitor doesn't romance Iron Bull or Dorian, their party banter indicates that they have a sexual relationship. If your friendship is high enough with either of them, you can ask them about their relationship before defeating Corypheus. If they are together, Dorian says at the celebration party that his delayed return to Tevinter might be because of Bull. The romance can still be initiated and recognized in Trespasser after the final quest so long as the 'about last night' banter between them is triggered.
* Their relationship is still ongoing by the time of the Exalted Council. If Iron Bull remains loyal to the Qun, the Inquisitor will be forced to kill him, prompting unique dialogue from Dorian if in the party. Otherwise, their relationship will continue despite Dorian's return to Tevinter.