Rika Hawke

"Just act like you know where you're going, that's usually enough."

*"I might be able to help with your problems. Or give you a few more."*

Rika Hawke is the former Champion of Kirkwall.

## Overview

### **Physical Appearance**

Rika stands 5'10" tall (half a head taller than Fenris). She has black hair that she wears in a low bun with a side-parted fringe. She has narrow, slightly-upturned, dark blue eyes, full lips, and a long nose. Her arms and legs are long and strongly muscled. She’s curvy in all the right places.

### **Personality**

When in doubt, make 'em laugh! Rika is quippy and sarcastic almost to a fault. She is fully aware of the concept of "time and place", but doesn't really care all that much. She's as loyal as a mabari, and just as dangerous if you threaten someone she cares about.

### **Talents and Skills**

Besides killing things, Rika has a surprisingly good singing voice (she's a husky alto), and is a very good bare-knuckle fighter. She's also double-jointed in both arms.

Her favorite non-combat activity is baking; she especially loves bread and pie.

## Biography

### **History**

x

**In-game**

x

**Post-game**

After escaping Kirkwall, Rika & Fenris travel extensively, never staying in one place for too long. They eventually make their way to the border lands between Nevarra and Tevinter and take up work as slaver hunters and coyotes, helping slaves & refugees escape the Imperium.

[*insert Inquisition shenanigans here, yes Fenris joined Rika on this mission*]

Rika and Fenris have a daughter, Lea, born 9:42. She is a mage who specializes in healing magic.

## **Relationships**

**Bethany:** Since the day Bethany was born, she and Rika have been thick as thieves. She may be a mage and have a twin brother, but Bethany feels that no one understands her like her big sister. Rika loves Bethy like no one else and would kill or die for her.

**Carver:** Carver and Rika argued often-- probably because they were more alike than they realized. That said, they loved each other fiercely, and were proud to stand beside one another at Ostagar. Carver’s death hit Rika hard, and it took a long time for her to make her peace with it.

**Leandra:** Rika loved her mother, but often felt like nothing she did would ever be good enough for her.

**Malcolm:** Rika was absolutely her father's daughter. She inherited his sharp features and quick wit.

**Gamlen:** Rika may have zero respect for the man, but she does kind of like him. He's scrappy, and despite squandering away everything he still gets by, and loves her, Bethany, and Leandra in his own gruff way.

**Varric:** Varric is Rika's platonic life partner. There are few people who just *get* her like he does. He's always up for a good story, but is also capable of holding her feet to the fire when she needs it.

**Isabela:** Rika and Isabela are the most dangerous duo in Kirkwall; they are enablers and should never be left unsupervised.

**Fenris:** Rika doesn’t pity Fenris (which he would hate), nor does she ever tell him to “get over” what happened to him (which would be cruel). What she does do is challenge him to get out of the rut of fear and anger that he desperately wants to be rid of. Fenris, in turn, forces Rika to actually stop and consider her choices rather than just following her gut 95% of the time. Fenris is adamant no mage can be truly trusted to handle power responsibly, Rika supports the right for everyone to live free no matter who or what they are. They challenge each other constantly and they would die for each other.

**Merrill:** Merrill is like a second little sister. A weird, squirrely little sister whose only friends appear to be demons. But she means well and is more-or-less harmless, so Rika does her best to look after her.

**Anders:** At first Anders seemed alright; Rika respected his conviction about wanting mages to be free to live their lives without fear of the sword constantly hanging over them. They became more friendly as time went on and he saw how loyal she was to Bethany; he soon realized, however, that it was more because she’s Rika’s sister, less because she’s a mage. After Rika turned down his romantic interest in no uncertain terms, he basically became a string of bitter disappointments. It got to the point where she barely trusted him to be professional and have everyone’s backs in a fight, after he soured relations with almost the whole crew. She normally prides herself on her ability to read people, but Anders was like a sad pup, and seemed harmless enough that she overlooked his downward spiral until it was much too late.

**Aveline:** Aveline is Team Mom. Rika loves and respects her, and is also a tiny bit afraid of her-- perfectly healthy to fear someone who could crush you like a grape if you got on her bad side, in Rika's opinion. That said, she wishes Aveline knew the difference between times to turn a blind eye and times to intervene.

**Sebastian:** Kind of a stick in the mud, but he means well, and is so effortlessly charming that Rika doesn't mind his proselytizing. Doesn’t hurt that he’s got a good sense of humor and is also breathtakingly handsome. Bethany could do worse.

## **Miscellaneous**

* ***Likes:*** drinking, playing cards, baking, reading
* ***Dislikes/Fears:*** spiders, Templars, chores, rudeness
* ***Strengths:*** quick reflexes, sense of humor, loyalty
* ***Weaknesses:*** impulsiveness, stubbornness, pride
* ***Face Claim:*** Lucy Lawless

### **Trivia**

• Rika was named for a female friend Malcolm had in the Kirkwall Gallows. The name has a variety of meanings, including “*forever strong*”.

### **Tarot Cards**

* **Beginning of Game: The Fool (Upright)**
	+ *“Throw caution to the wind and be ready to embrace the unknown, leaving behind any fear, worry, or anxiety about what may or may not happen. This is about new experiences, personal growth, development, and adventure. The time is now!”*
* **Romance: Knight of Wands (Upright)**
	+ *“[Y]ou are charged up with energy, passion, motivation, and enthusiasm, and you channel that energy through your inspired action. […] You are bold and courageous and willing to venture into unknown territories to further your mission and your dreams. You don’t really care if danger lies ahead–– in fact, if it does, then it becomes all the more exciting and thrilling for you. Adventures like this light you up because you know growth and expansion are waiting on the other side. Be a pioneer and take calculated risks to reach new heights.”*
* **Post-Game: Six of Swords (Upright)**
	+ *“[Y]ou are in a state of transition, leaving behind what was familiar and moving toward the unknown. […] You will need to make tough decisions and compromises along the way; see it as a rite of passage. You are headed toward a much better position in life, so long as you are willing to evolve and shed whatever you no longer need.”*

## **Links**

### Reddit Headcanon Threads:

1. TVTROPES
2. What companion did your characters hate?
3. How did your OC get together with their LI? Did they court? Did sex come first and feelings later?
4. What is your Warden/Hawke/Inquisitor's greatest fear?
5. OC Throwdown
6. What was the #1 in-game moment where your character didn't fit the options presented to them?
7. What is your OC's worst trait?

### Reddit Writing Prompt Threads:

1. Your OC's family tells embarrassing stories about them to their LI
2. (modern AU) Your OC & LI meet for the first time at a New Year’s Eve party

### Non-Reddit links (AO3, DeviantArt, Tumblr):

• tumblr tag

• imgur gallery

• fanfic: "Home" by reddit user **rachaar**

## **Gallery**

* Sample Photo
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