Anora

## Personality

Commanders are natural-born leaders. People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws crowds together behind a common goal. However, Commanders are also characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality, using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end they’ve set for themselves. Perhaps it is best that they make up only three percent of the population, lest they overwhelm the more timid and sensitive personality types that make up much of the rest of the world – but we have Commanders to thank for many of the businesses and institutions we take for granted every day.
Striving for Greatness
If there’s anything Commanders love, it’s a good challenge, big or small, and they firmly believe that given enough time and resources, they can achieve any goal. This quality makes people with the Commander personality type brilliant entrepreneurs, and their ability to think strategically and hold a long-term focus while executing each step of their plans with determination and precision makes them powerful business leaders. This determination is often a self-fulfilling prophecy, as Commanders push their goals through with sheer willpower where others might give up and move on, and their Extraverted (E) nature means they are likely to push everyone else right along with them, achieving spectacular results in the process.

At the negotiating table, be it in a corporate environment or buying a car, Commanders are dominant, relentless, and unforgiving. This isn’t because they are coldhearted or vicious per se – it’s more that Commander personalities genuinely enjoy the challenge, the battle of wits, the repartee that comes from this environment, and if the other side can’t keep up, that’s no reason for Commanders to fold on their own core tenet of ultimate victory.
The underlying thought running through the Commander mind might be something like "I don’t care if you call me an insensitive b\*\*\*\*\*d, as long as I remain an efficient b\*\*\*\*\*d".
If there’s anyone Commanders respect, it’s someone who is able to stand up to them intellectually, who is able to act with a precision and quality equal to their own. Commander personalities have a particular skill in recognizing the talents of others, and this helps in both their team-building efforts (since no one, no matter how brilliant, can do everything alone), and to keep Commanders from displaying too much arrogance and condescension. However, they also have a particular skill in calling out others’ failures with a chilling degree of insensitivity, and this is where Commanders really start to run into trouble.
A Worthy Challenge
Emotional expression isn’t the strong suit of any Analyst type, but Commanders’ distance from their emotions is especially public, and felt directly by a much broader swath of people. Especially in a professional environment, Commanders will simply crush the sensitivities of those they view as inefficient, incompetent or lazy. To people with the Commander personality type, emotional displays are displays of weakness, and it’s easy to make enemies with this approach – Commanders will do well to remember that they absolutely depend on having a functioning team, not just to achieve their goals, but for their validation and feedback as well, something Commanders are, curiously, very sensitive to.
Commanders are true powerhouses, and they cultivate an image of being larger than life – and often enough they are. They need to remember though, that their stature comes not just from their own actions, but from the actions of the team that props them up, and that it’s important to recognize the contributions, talents and needs, especially from an emotional perspective, of their support network. Even if they have to adopt a "fake it ‘til you make it" mentality, if Commanders are able to combine an emotionally healthy focus alongside their many strengths, they will be rewarded with deep, satisfying relationships and all the challenging victories they can handle.

Efficient – Commanders see inefficiency not just as a problem in its own right, but as something that pulls time and energy away from all their future goals, an elaborate sabotage consisting of irrationality and laziness. People with the Commander personality type will root out such behavior wherever they go.
Energetic – Rather than finding this process taxing Commanders are energized by it, genuinely enjoying leading their teams forward as they implement their plans and goals.
Self-Confident – Commanders couldn’t do this if they were plagued by self-doubt – they trust their abilities, make known their opinions, and believe in their capacities as leaders.
Strong-Willed – Nor do they give up when the going gets tough – Commander personalities strive to achieve their goals, but really nothing is quite as satisfying to them as rising to the challenge of each obstacle in their run to the finish line.
Strategic Thinkers – Commanders exemplify the difference between moment-to-moment crisis management and navigating the challenges and steps of a bigger plan, and are known for examining every angle of a problem and not just resolving momentary issues, but moving the whole project forward with their solutions.
Charismatic and Inspiring – These qualities combine to create individuals who are able to inspire and invigorate others, who people actually want to be their leaders, and this in turn helps Commanders to accomplish their often ambitious goals that could never be finished alone.
Commander Weaknesses

Stubborn and Dominant – Sometimes all this confidence and willpower can go too far, and Commanders are all too capable of digging in their heels, trying to win every single debate and pushing their vision, and theirs alone.
Intolerant – “It’s my way or the highway” – People with the Commander personality type are notoriously unsupportive of any idea that distracts from their primary goals, and even more so of ideas based on emotional considerations. Commanders won’t hesitate a second to make that fact clear to those around them.
Impatient – Some people need more time to think than others, an intolerable delay to quick-thinking Commanders. They may misinterpret contemplation as stupidity or disinterest in their haste, a terrible mistake for a leader to make.
Arrogant – Commander personalities respect quick thoughts and firm convictions, their own qualities, and look down on those who don’t match up. This relationship is a challenge for most other personality types who are perhaps not timid in their own right, but will seem so beside overbearing Commanders.
Poor Handling of Emotions – All this bluster, alongside the assumed supremacy of rationalism, makes Commanders distant from their own emotional expression and sometimes downright scornful of others’. People with this personality type often trample others’ feelings, inadvertently hurting their partners and friends, especially in emotionally charged situations.
Cold and Ruthless – Their obsession with efficiency and unwavering belief in the merits of rationalism, especially professionally, makes Commanders incredibly insensitive in pursuing their goals, dismissing personal circumstances, sensitivities, and preferences as irrational and irrelevant.

As parents, most Commanders must temper their strong-willed, hyper-logical approach to life in order to make room for their children’s needs and feelings. This by no means suggests that people with the Commander personality type are bad parents – far from it – simply that their relationships with children, who are typically more sensitive and less able to conduct truly rational analysis, require a great deal more emotional tact and personal liberty than they are accustomed to giving.
But Commanders are always up for a challenge, and will take their roles as parents seriously and with the utmost sense of personal responsibility. Holding themselves to a higher standard than most, Commander personalities see the success of their children as a reflection of those personal standards, and want nothing more than to see them grow into smart, independent people who strive to achieve their goals. Establishing specific moral values is less important to Commanders than the cultivation of the intellect and independent, rational thought.

Building Emotional Tolerance
Commanders welcome differences of opinion, and this is true with their children as well. But while gladly having rational, well-thought-out discussions about roles and responsibilities, at the end of the day Commanders expect their authority to be respected. A disagreement is no excuse for shirking established responsibilities, and Commander parents can be utterly uncompromising in maintaining this structure. This strictness can be a tremendous source of tension in the household – a little flexibility can go a long way.
When these debates devolve into emotional appeals is when Commander parents run into real trouble, as their persistent weakness with emotional tolerance makes dealing with growing children, especially adolescents, their most significant challenge. As in their other relationships, Commander parents should strive to strengthen this skill – often enough young children don’t have the words to express their needs rationally, and adolescents don’t have the patience for it, a perfectly natural condition.
By learning to listen to emotional expression as a valid form of communication and responding in kind, Commanders can help to minimize emotional conflicts with their children, building trust that will help to smooth the otherwise rebellious teenage years.
Fostering Independence
Commander parents should remember that a part of developing that necessary sense of independence is being able to control one’s own schedule and activities, to chart one’s own course, at least to a certain extent. People with the Commander personality type will spare no effort for their children, but it’s sometimes the case that taking a deep breath and loosening their structures as their children grow and mature does more to achieve their goal of raising capable, intelligent adults than forced extracurriculars ever could.

It is in the world of careers that Commanders’ boldness and drive are truly at their best. No other personality type is better suited than Commanders to be the respected leader of an organization or team, and no other personality type enjoys it quite so much. Combining their vision, intelligence and determination to push ideas through to completion no matter the obstacles, Commanders are a force to be reckoned with.

A Singular Vision
In the world of business, the sometimes overbearing level of self-confidence that Commanders (especially Assertive ones) too often mishandle in their personal relationships is transformed into an admirable authority, keeping people on track and getting things done. Naturally the best careers for people with the Commander personality type make the fullest use of these qualities, and many would describe executive positions and entrepreneurialism to be ideal lines of work – any position high enough that they can clearly see the horizon.
For Commanders, failure is not an option – they conceive a vision of the future, formulate a strategy to achieve that vision, and execute each step with ruthless precision.
Structure and order are key, and if someone gets sloppy, or holds things back with incompetence, laziness or inefficiency, Commanders will not hesitate to come down, hard. Commander personalities pursue their goals with singular vision, and have strict standards for themselves and others that are designed above all else to be effective. This makes Commanders excellent corporate strategists, and their objectivity and clarity of thought make them respected lawyers and judges.
None of this could work if no one could understand what Commanders were thinking, and they have the good fortune of being clear and concise communicators, especially in person, making business administration a comfortable fit – so long as their tasks don’t stray too far into routine maintenance and upkeep. Commanders also have a thirst for knowledge, and they aren’t afraid to use a principle once they’ve grasped its underlying mechanisms. Combining this with their leadership makes Commanders trying, but effective, university professors.
Great Expectations
The only problem is, it takes time for Commanders’ skills to be recognized, and stagnating as low-level employees will have them bouncing off the walls and deeply unhappy. People with the Commander personality type crave leadership and responsibility, growth and opportunity, and genuinely enjoy managing others to get a job done. Commanders are visionaries and leaders, not grunts or day-to-day administrators. Getting that to be recognized is not always easy, but Commanders are probably up to the task.

For people with the Commander personality type, the workplace is all but a natural habitat. Commanders’ efficiency and clear communication are valued, their leadership is admired, and their ability to simply get things done is unrivaled. That being said, some situations are more appropriate for Commanders than others – these qualities all point to a managerial or executive role, making any position of comparative powerlessness highly undesirable.
Commander personality types are strident ones though, able to adapt themselves to just about any hierarchical relationship by doing what they do best: asserting their opinions, taking the initiative, and accomplishing feats that others thought impossible.
Commander Subordinates
Subordinate positions are challenging for Commanders, and it takes active management to ensure their satisfaction and engagement. Ever the high achievers, Commander subordinates set out to learn new skills and to seek out new challenges and responsibilities, eager to prove that nothing is impossible with a little hard work. If things get a little slow, Commander personalities may slip into periods of absentmindedness, but when they feel involved in the projects around them, they prove well organized and well prioritized.
Commanders hold themselves to very high standards, but a lot of what sets this tone is feedback from their environment – namely, criticism from their managers. Objective, rational statements about what is done right and what can be done better are helpful to Commanders, and far from resenting such criticisms, they appreciate them. Opportunities for growth keep people with the Commander personality type engaged and productive, and so long as their managers recognize this as their primary responsibility, it will be a fruitful and satisfying relationship.
Commander Colleagues
Among colleagues, Commanders are sociable and greatly enjoy sharing ideas and critiques in their frequent brainstorming sessions. Natural leaders that they are, Commanders tend to assert themselves into positions as representatives and project leads, considering their objectivity and charisma the perfect qualities for these roles. Commander personalities enjoy working with equals, but people must demonstrate that they are equals – anyone Commanders view as being less competent or driven will see only condescension and arrogance.

Commanders are strong-willed, even dominant, and though they enjoy inspiring and tutoring others, the energy they bring to the process can seem overbearing. When these roles are reversed, Commanders’ mentors should bear in mind that their students are very rational and respect firm confidence – hand-holding, emotional appeals or wavering indecision will likely burn the bridge then and there. In a partnership, what is best is what is most effective, and time wasted sugarcoating reality is just that – time wasted.
Commander Managers
Commander managers are confident, charismatic communicators, and they communicate but one vision: to get the job done as efficiently as possible, and to the highest standard of quality. All else is subordinate to that objective, but the means by which Commanders achieve it cause others to adopt this cause as their own. Commanders are natural leaders, and their ability to formulate a strategy and to identify the strengths of each member of their teams, incorporating those abilities into their plans so that each individual fills a unique and important role, makes them able motivators.
But while these efforts boost morale and satisfaction among Commanders’ likeminded subordinates, they are still crafted to achieve that ultimate goal of timely and exceptional work. Those seen as inefficient by their Commander managers, or who demonstrate themselves to be lazy or to produce shoddy work will know in no uncertain terms of their failure to impress. The only way to recover is to comply, the only alternative is to find a new manager to impress, somewhere else.

## Tropes

* Armor-Piercing Question: Receives one from Teagan regarding her father. In her first appearance, no less. Anora: Teagan, my father is doing what is best. Teagan: Did he also do what was best for your husband, Your Majesty? *[Anora flinches as though shot by an arrow.]*
* Arranged Marriage: It's mentioned that Cailan and Anora were betrothed from a very early age, on account of their fathers' friendship. One way to resolve the Landsmeet can be that you arrange her second marriage, either to a male Human Noble Warden or to Alistair.
* Beauty Equals Goodness: Averted. Although she's beautiful, and she does genuinely care about her country, she's also scheming and manipulative. She's nobody's supportive cheerleader; she will turn on anyone if necessary to further her goals, including you.
* Better the Devil You Know: Her supporters support her because she's a known quantity, whereas Alistair is new. Her one unwavering supporter, Ceorlic, says as much at the Gnawed Noble Tavern.
* Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: As many of the spoiler'd material here attests. You can even call her a bitch to her face, if you're leaning towards crowning Alistair, right before the momentous decision.
* Bookworm: Loghain mentions that during her childhood, Anora spent a lot of time reading instead of playing with the other kids in Gwaren.
* The Chessmaster: She's just as clever and manipulative as her father, if not moreso.
* Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Betrays her father to you, and then quite possibly betrays you back to him. No matter what risks you took for her sake, unless you promise to support her for queen she will cheerfully backstab you at the Landsmeet (this includes you playing matchmaker between her and Alistair, getting Alistair's consent but then neglecting to directly inform her of his decision before heading off to the Landsmeet). Even if you promise to support her for queen, if you announce ahead of time your intention to have Loghain executed, she may turn on you to save her father. And of course, if you let her speak up for you to Ser Cauthrien, she'll immediately claim that you were kidnapping her. She *did* warn you, but it still feels like a punch.
* Daddy's Girl: The two most important things in her life are her country and her father, and she'll do what she must to protect both of them. If anyone else had tried what Loghain did, she'd have had them drawn and quartered within the hour. If her proposed consort (either the Warden or Alistair) kills Loghain, she'll immediately call off the agreement. If she's Queen and unmarried, the epilogue states she refuses all of her suitors, because none of them live up to her standard: her father.
* Damsel in Distress: At a certain point late in the game. Subverted, however, in that she was not actually in as much danger as she claims, and played this role to gain the Warden's sympathies. Double Subverted in that Arl Howe was not only willing to kill Anora, but seemingly *eager* to do so — the queen wasn't nearly as in control of the situation as either she or her father later claim.
* Deadpan Snarker: Prim and proper as she is, she still has her moments, such as when the Warden first talks to her through a door. Warden: How do I know you're really Queen Anora? Anora: How am I supposed to answer that? Shall I try to shove my crown under the door? Do you think the royal family has a secret knock?
* Defrosting Ice Queen: If the Warden marries her, her cameo in *Awakening* shows her displaying more warmth and concern for him than she was ever thought to be capable of, and the epilogue states that even she is pleased to have him back.
* Double Standard: If a City Elf Warden arranges an Elven Bann for the Denerim Alienage, no matter who becomes bann the end slides reveal that eventually human bigots riot in the streets against elves. Anora does nothing about this. In response to human mistreatment, the elves also end up rioting. Anora always promptly cracks down on these.
* Expy: Her backstory is similar to that of Edith of Wessex, being the daughter of a man who rose through the ranks on merit and was married off to the king to cement his position; but, interestingly, if left to rule, she becomes much more similar to Harold Godwinson (a ruler in their own right, who hadn't a drop of royal blood but was the most qualified for the job, and much more politically savvy than their father). Considering the Godwinson family was wiped out by the Norman invasion, this can even be taken as a Take That! to the Orlesians. Not to mention her resemblance - in both appearance and personality - to a certain former Ukrainian Prime Minister...
* Fantastic Racism: More subtle than most, but her handling of alienages shows the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to Mac Tirs in power governing elves. During King Cailan's reign, Queen Anora was in charge of infrastructure, but the City Elf Origin shows the alienages were poorly managed, if not outright neglected by her. If the Warden is a City Elf, despite promising to help your people in her bid for the throne she neglects to do more than the *bare minimum* once crowned. She'll name an elf a bann, but *only* if you specifically request it as a boon or die. If crowned alone no Warden, no Alistair, she continues to neglect the Denerim Alienage so badly the elves eventually riot from hunger—which she slaps down with a purge.
* God Save Us from the Queen!:
	+ Subverted as Anora can be very ruthless in the way she tries to maneuver herself into power, but once she becomes queen (if you allow her to be, that is) she actually is a pretty decent ruler.
	+ Played straight for her elven citizens if she is crowned alone. Following the Blight, food shortages from tainted crops all over the country, coupled with Anora's continued mismanagement of the Denerim Alienage, cause the elves to starve and eventually riot from hunger. Anora purges the alienage as a result.
* Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Subverted. Anora plays the stereotype of the virtuous fair-haired princess for all it's worth, but while she's not outright evil, she's not exactly pure or innocent either.
* Happily Married:
	+ *The World of Thedas, vol. 2* indicates that she and Cailan were actually this, for the most part; having grown up together and betrothed from a very early age, they got along very well and while it might not have been a love match, they were genuinely fond of each other.
	+ To the Warden; it's implied in her cameo and epilogue in *Awakening* that they could potentially be a good couple, given some time and it's also mentioned in his codex in *Inquisition* that "the two lived happily until he disappeared several years later". Subverted if the Warden told their Love Interest that the marriage is strictly political.
* The High Queen: An interesting case. She has the image of a High Queen, but once you get to know her, she quickly proves herself to be a manipulative and power-hungry politician. That does not mean she is evil, however: she really wants the best for Ferelden and its people, it's just that she is convinced she needs to be in power to make that happen.
* Hot Consort: To Cailan and potentially Alistair. Inverted if she marries the Human Noble Warden, who acts as *her* consort.
* I Need a Freaking Drink: After the Noodle Incident with the giant: Anora: We're going to get a drink. A lot of drinks. Maybe all the drinks they have. Come on.
* Inspired by…: With her political manuevering against rivals for the throne, refusal to marry once she becomes sole ruler, and patronage of education and the arts, she's pretty clearly based on a number of historical female rulers, particularly Elizabeth I of England and Catherine the Great of Russia.
* In the Blood: Like her father, she seeks to protect Ferelden at all costs and believes that she and Loghain are the only two people capable of doing so.
* Kick the Dog: If crowned alone, food shortages from the Blight coupled with Anora's continued neglect of elven affairs eventually cause Denerim's elves to riot from hunger. Anora responds by purging the alienage.
* Lady of War: Although most of her badass-itude is purely political, Queen Anora has more than a few traits of this, especially if she leads the final battle.
* Law of Inverse Fertility: Her inability to get pregnant and sire an heir by her thirtieth year has led to many rumours that she's possibly barren, while more superstitious nobles believe it's the Maker's punishment for having a commoner for a Queen. Whether or not she actually is infertile is never confirmed. Her refusal to get married if she's the sole ruler might be a hint she believes she's barren, too. In *Inquisition,* if married to Alistair or the the Warden, they have not yet produced an heir despite being married for 10 years. However, this might also be due to the Grey Warden taint making it hard for them to produce a child.
* Like Father, Like Daughter: As a few characters and Word of God points out, the most important thing to remember about Anora is that "she is her father's daughter." She certainly inherited her cunning, ruthlessness, and overconfidence in her own abilities from him, as a hardened Alistair can point out. (See Pride below.)
* Manipulative Bastard: Even if you decide she's the best candidate for the throne, you're likely to end up feeling this way about her.
* Missing Mom: Loghain refers to his "late wife" if selected for Morrigan's ritual. One line of dialogue with him indicates she was a cabinetmaker's daughter named Celia, but even Bioware missed this and later gave her name as Maeve.
* Morality Pet: Loghain does love his daughter, though he doesn't show it often.
* Noodle Incident: *The World of Thedas, vol. 2* reveals that when he was still a prince, Cailan and Anora disappeared for nine days to hunt a giant, and were later found with a Fereldan soldier in Crestwood, "drunk as dwarves, covered in bruises, cuts, and ash, and smelling strangely of cheese." Anora: We defeated the giant. Now, let's never speak of this again.
* Not so Above It All: What else can you call building a giant statue of her father over the Orlesian embassy?
* Opportunistic Bastard: While she can be very nice and helpful to those whose goals align with hers, Anora will manipulate or backstab anyone so long as it allows her to remain in power and secure the physical safety of her father, Loghain. Being a choice-based game, she can support or turn against the Warden depending on whether their plan of action lines up with or contradicts hers. note
* Out-Gambitted:
	+ If you really don't like her, it is entirely possible to win the support of the Landsmeet even if she sides with her father. Double points if you play as female Human Noble: Teyrn's daughter square-off.
	+ Under specific circumstances, a female human noble can outplay her magnificently, leading to both this and a Humiliation Conga. The Noble can arrange for Anora and Alistair to marry, only for the Noble to choose Alistair as her champion in the duel with Loghain, Anora's father. Upon winning the duel, Alistair will promptly execute him in front of her, which in turn causes Anora to withdraw her support (as she will not marry the man who killed her father). At this point, the Noble can announce that *she* will marry Alistair and serve as Queen Consort, which causes the Landsmeet to completely dump Anora, who Alistair immediately imprisons (and likely later has executed, as she refuses to renounce her claim to the throne). All of this happens in the span of a few minutes!
* Perfectly Arranged Marriage: Regardless of whether she marries Alistair or the Warden, Anora can eventually develop a very amicable relationship with either of them as seen in her appearance and epilogue in *Awakening* or her cameo in *Inquisition*. It definitely does *not* start out as one.
* Pet the Dog: If she remains queen, Anora gives Threnn, a soldier who was close to her father, a position as the Inquisition's quartermaster, because she had trouble with the army due to her Undying Loyalty to Loghain and was unable to find work.
* Pride: Like her father, Anora's main flaw is her overconfidence in her own abilities, and unwillingness to compromise her vision for Ferelden even to save her people. Alistair: *[when hardened and asked what he thinks of Anora as queen]* She's her father's daughter. Me, I say that's where the problem lies. People like her and her father *always* think they're the *only* ones who can fix things, and everyone else should just *stay out of their way.*
* Puppet Queen: As Loghain's tyranny becomes progressively worse over the course of the game's events, many people feel Anora to be this, considering she is the Queen and yet is doing *nothing* to rein in her father's excesses.
* Rescue Romance: Except with minimal romance. And hardly any need for the "rescue", at least as far as she thinks anyways, a male Human Noble Warden can convince the Queen to marry him after rescuing her, as part of a deal to aid her in gaining the throne - although he will have to take the initiative to make her stick to her deal. If the player then exports this save to *Awakening*, Anora will have a cameo, and is shown to care a little more for the protagonist. Interestingly, her only objection to a proposition from a male Human Mage Warden is that while she's willing to entertain the notion, she knows that the other nobles would never accept a *Mage* on the throne.
* "The Reason You Suck" Speech: If she sides with the Wardens at the Landsmeet, she delivers a brutal one to her father, which completely takes the wind out of his sails. Anora: Lords and ladies of Ferelden, hear me! My father is *not* the man you knew! This man is *not* the Hero of River Dane! This man turned his troops aside and refused to protect your king as he fought bravely against the darkspawn! This man seized Cailan's throne before his body was even cold, then locked *me* away so I could not reveal his treachery!
* Ungrateful Bastard: No matter what route you take in rescuing her from Arl Howe, she has shades of this.
	+ If the Warden reveals her identity to Ser Cauthrien, she immediately claims *they* were kidnapping her instead, before fleeing the battle.
	+ If the Warden allows themselves to get captured to ensure she escapes undetected, it's implied that her demanding that Eamon order a rescue attempt is less to do with gratitude, and more because the Warden is politically useful and would give her enemies pause.
	+ Furthermore, if Alistair was present during the rescue and subsequent capture, she makes it perfectly clear to everyone that she wants *only* the Warden to be rescued, preferring to let Alistair simply rot in Fort Drakon to eliminate the threat he poses to her continued reign. Queen or not, Arl Eamon makes it very clear that he's *not* amused.
* What Happened to the Mouse?: If she does not end up on the throne, her ultimate fate remains unknown. She's last seen at the Landsmeet, where Alistair orders her locked in the tower until after the battle. It's likely, since Alistair even admits that her usefulness was only as a potential replacement if he fell in battle, that she was executed afterwards to prevent potentially rebellious nobles from allying with her.
* What the Hell, Hero?: In *Inquisition*, if Anora is in power and the Inquisitor sides with the Mages, she shows up to yell at Grand Enchanter Fiona about how disastrous her actions were.
* The Woman Wearing the Queenly Mask: Played with. Anora likes to pretend that she's this, but one gets the impression that the mask is her true personality. According to everyone in Thedas, she was running the country's infrastructure while Cailan led the armed forces. She wants the same arrangement with Alistair or the Warden if they marry.

## Relationships

### Cailan Theirin

As an Intuitive Thinking type, you approach relationships a little differently than the average person. You have a lively mind and an appetite for ideas. More than any other type, you like to spend time with people who can keep up with you mentally and who expose you to new ideas and worldviews. Ultimately, what you are looking for in relationships is intellectual stimulation—although you also appreciate people who can draw out your softer side.

When relating to your counterpart, bear in mind that as an Intuitive Feeling type, they will tend to be highly idealistic about their relationships. They want authentic connections that reflect their true values, and they want to see who you really are as a person. Intuitive Feelers want to go deep, and revealing yourself to them is a worthwhile endeavor—once they feel they know you, they'll be a tireless cheerleader for your dreams and ambitions.

When first meeting this person, they may seem to you to have an interesting mind. You may be drawn to their way of seeing things and their unconventional perspectives. However, they may also seem to you to be a bit whimsical. Although they will likely seem intelligent, they may also seem overly emotional or sensitive. They may be a bit wary of you, in turn, as you may seem more blunt and critical than they are entirely comfortable with.

You are logic-driven, whereas your counterpart is values-driven. Although you both like to analyze, your interest lies more with logic and reason—*does this make sense? Is it the most efficient, the most even-handed option?* On the other hand, your counterpart takes their cues from morality and ethics—*how can this work best for people?* You may find that although you are drawn into fascinating conversations with this person, those same conversations tend to end in frustration as you simply cannot agree on what's important.

However, you may benefit from perseverance in this relationship. Your logical, rational nature may at times betray you, leading you to try to apply logic to situations that are ultimately subjective and personal. This person, who at their worst appears capricious and illogical, can help you to tune into your more emotional, caring side and ensure that you don't neglect what makes you human. In particular, they may help you to understand that all decisions cannot be made with the head; sometimes your heart must call the shots.

Conversely, you can help them learn how to balance their decision-making. Although your friend's natural instinct is to do what feels right, you can ask tough questions that help them to consider all aspects of the choice—and make a difficult decision when the situation calls for it. You can also help them learn to advocate for their own needs, and to discover the magic of saying "no."

Although there are some common problems that can arise in ENTJ/ENFP relationships, it's important to remember that there's no such thing as a perfectly compatible pair in personality typing. Whether you get along with someone has more to do with your own self-knowledge and your sensitivity to your friend's needs and preferences—not some magic formula. Learning more about your own type with an in-depth assessment is a great place to start to build the self-awareness that is key to successful relationships.

### Communication Between ENTJ and ENFP

Communication can be a challenge between any two people, and communication between ENTJ and ENFP personality types is not the exception. By being aware of the issues that often arise when ENTJs and ENFPs communicate, you can learn how to reach an understanding more quickly.

You and your counterpart share an abstract style of communication. Your conversations will tend to focus on your impressions, ideas, opinions, and theories. You may find yourselves discussing philosophy, the arts, the latest advances in science, or your ideas about how to make the world a better place.

You are likely to find one another interesting and stimulating to talk to. Neither of you is terribly interesting in recounting events in tedious detail or sharing dry facts without any context, and since both of you probably have the experience of getting stuck in such mundane exchanges with other people, talking to one another should be a refreshing break.

Although you share a similar general style of communicating, there is still potential for misunderstandings between the two of you. When working on projects together, you may find that you tend to discuss the overall goals, but neglect to hammer out the details. You are both inclined to talk more about the general idea, and less about the facts and practicalities. When working together to create a plan, make sure you attend to any details that need to be decided, and don't just assume you're on the same page.

You're both energetic communicators, and you may find that when you're together, you're both eager to talk. While this can make for some lively discussions, it can also be frustrating because you may end up competing for the floor. It's important that when you're together, you both focus on being good listeners as well as sharing your own thoughts. This is something you can work on together, and it is a worthy task, as developing your listening skills will benefit all your relationships, not just this one.

You'll probably have a lot of fun chatting with this person. The two of you share a passion for ideas and will love to brainstorm together. When you're together, you may find the conversation is a whirl of possibilities, imagination and invention. You'll probably leave your meetings feeling excited and invigorated with the potential of life and the world around you.

Be aware that when communicating with this person, your usual style may come off as overly blunt or even confrontational. Your counterpart pays a lot of attention to the quality of relationships and is constantly monitoring the emotional overtones of any conversation. This means that they are reluctant to say anything controversial or possibly upsetting.

You, on the other hand, have a tendency to call it like it is, without too much concern for how people will react. This can create an imbalance in your dynamic, where your Feeling counterpart is desperately trying to maintain emotional harmony while you relentlessly rock the boat.

You'll be more successful in your communications if you take time to consider the emotional impact of your words. Sure, everyone wants honesty, but most people also like tact. If you're delivering news that may be hard to hear, think about how you can soften the message. And be aware that your ever-so-charming habit of offering unsolicited "constructive criticism" may not always be taken in the spirit it was intended.

### ENTJ vs. ENFP Values

Values are intensely personal, and while an ENTJ and an ENFP can find common ground, there will always be some differences in what you hold dear. However, understand how your ENTJ approach to values compares with your ENFP counterpart's will help you to appreciate and overcome your differences.

The two of you share a passion for improvement and a belief that everything can always be made better. You both tend to question rather than simply accept how things are, and you're constantly wondering how innovation and imagination might make for a better way.

However, though you're both interested in making positive changes, you may differ somewhat in terms of how you define that interest. Your interest tends to focus on innovation in logical realms like technology, business, and the sciences. You're interested in how intelligence and analytical thinking can make the world more advanced, enlightened, prosperous, and efficient. On the other hand, your counterpart takes a more humanistic approach. They are focused on making the world a better place for people—they want to solve world hunger, educate the poor, and bring peace and happiness to all.

Though you'll often find their ideas interesting, they may seem overly idealistic, impractical, or inefficient. And in turn, they may feel your ideas lack a bit of heart. For them, innovative ideas are only compelling when they have the potential to help the human race.

You also have somewhat different values when it comes to relationships. Your partner tends to be intensely interested in people and eager to find out what really matters to them. They are compassionate and emotionally engaged. On the other hand, you tend to be somewhat more detached. You'd often rather engage intellectually than emotionally. You may find your counterpart pushing you to "get real" and share how you feel about things, while you just want to stick to talking about what you *think*.

This person has the potential to help you gain a more well-rounded approach to how you see the world. Because you share a fundamental passion for interesting ideas and positive change, you can connect well on this level. However, your different approach to values creates an opportunity to learn from one another. You can help your friend to to be a bit more hard-headed about their ideas, shoring up their creative idealism with a healthy dose of logic and reason. And your friend can help you open up to the human side of things, and consider the impact of your ideas on the people involved.

You tend to prize hard work and achievement, in contrast with your counterpart, who puts a higher priority on just enjoying life. While you tend to be serious and goal-oriented, they are more relaxed and content to go with the flow. To you, they may appear unmotivated, flaky, or even lazy. But in truth, they just value freedom and flexibility more than you do, and they're willing to give up a few gold stars in favor of a more laid-back lifestyle. To them, your life may seem overly structured, routine, and just plain dull.

You'll probably experience some conflict over your different approaches to life. You'll want your counterpart to get serious, make plans, and stick with something (for once!). On the other hand, they'll bug you to loosen up, relax, and enjoy life. Although this has the potential to be aggravating for both of you, it's also an opportunity for each of you to discover a new style of living. Your partner can help you to become more spontaneous and ensure you are enjoying all that life has to offer. In turn, you can help them improve their ability to be organized, persistent, and responsible when it matters most.

### ENTJ and ENFP in Daily Life

Lifestyle is an under-appreciated—but extremely important—element of compatibility. Your values and ideals may coincide perfectly, but if you can't agree on how to conduct day-to-day matters, your relationship will always have friction. As an ENTJ in a relationship with an ENFP, you can expect certain issues to arise in your daily life. Discussing these in advance, and figuring out how to deal with them, will make things go much more smoothly as you develop your relationship.

You both enjoy people, and your lives probably make plenty of room for friends, family, and social events. You likely both have large circles of friends and many parties and get-togethers to attend. As you get to know each other, you'll probably be excited to introduce one another around your social circles, and you'll enjoy getting to know each others' friends and families as a way of deepening your own bond.

You likely share an energetic approach to life and an appreciation for staying busy. You both tend to feel most alive when you're getting out and experiencing the world around you. In fact, your calendars may be dangerously overbooked, as neither of you is likely to turn down an opportunity to get out and do something interesting. Keeping up with one another can be a challenge, as you both tend to be on the go. If your relationship is a priority, make sure your social schedule reflects that.

Your daily routine together can tend to be overly busy and lacking in time for reflection and introspection. You both like to be out and about, and the idea of spending quiet time alone doesn't often hold a lot of appeal. While this approach to life works well for both of you, be mindful of maintaining a balance. Even the most extraverted person still needs a bit of time to be quiet, think and reflect. And taking some time to focus just on each other will allow you to discover new aspects of your relationship.

The two of you are likely to share a general intellectual curiosity and interest in learning new things. Both of you tend to appreciate the value of culture, the sciences, and the arts, and while you may not share specific hobbies, you'll probably have interests that you can at least mutually appreciate.

For both of you, discovering new ideas is a lifelong pursuit. You'll probably share a mutual interest in reading, going to museums and cultural events, taking classes for fun, and other activities that allow you to learn and improve your minds. In fact, you may find that learning new things together is a great way to bring you closer.

You also share a low tolerance for the mundane. You both find day-to-day routine somewhat toxic, and you may find that your lives together involve frequent attempts to "shake things up." You may dream of traveling around the world together or quitting your jobs to start a new business. This mutual taste for adventure is stimulating for both of you, and helps keep things exciting between you. However, during the inevitable dull periods of your life together, it's likely that you'll both be a bit cranky. Bear in mind that keeping things novel and fresh is key to both of your happiness.

Organization may be a sticking point between the two of you. While you like to establish structure in schedules, plans, and systems, your counterpart takes a more relaxed approach. You may find that disagreements arise over these fundamental differences.

If you share a physical space, you may disagree over how clean, tidy, and organized it needs to be. You will tend to feel more motivated to keep things in order, while your counterpart will have less of an innate need for organization.

Often, the more organized person in a relationship like yours ends up taking on more responsibilities, simply because they're paying more attention to what needs to be done. This can lead to resentment and imbalance in the relationship. You may feel as if you are the "adult" in the relationship, while your counterpart may feel nagged and harassed.

The best way to approach conflicts in this area is to frame your own desire for organization as just that—something you desire. It is generally unproductive to try to convince your partner that your structured, orderly way of doing things is the "correct" way, but if you approach it as simply stating your own preference, they may be more open to trying to accommodate you.

Scheduling can also be an area of conflict for the two of you, as they like to leave things open-ended, while you prefer things planned and settled. Again, compromise is the key. The first step is to acknowledge that you have different approaches, and that each style has its benefits. Then, try to make sure your time together includes both scheduled events and free time for spontaneity, so you each get a chance to be at your best.

As in other areas of their lives, Commanders approach dating and relationships with a set of goals and a plan to achieve them, and proceed to do so with impressive energy and enthusiasm. People with the Commander personality type are in it to win, and will gladly take leading roles in relationships from the start, assuming personal responsibility for how smoothly things go and working actively to ensure a mutually rewarding experience. Romantic relationships are a serious business, and Commanders are in it for the long haul.
Taking the Lead
This sense of personal responsibility means that Commanders put a lot of energy into their relationships, and they show their creativity by always having something new on the agenda to keep things interesting, especially in the dating phase. At the same time though, Commander personalities keep their eyes on the long term, and if they determine that a relationship is heading towards a dead end, they will cut their losses and move on in what will seem to their partner an abrupt end to the attention they had been receiving.

This occasional ruthlessness with personal relationships is Commanders’ primary weakness, and if they aren’t careful they can develop quite the reputation. Sensing others’ feelings and emotions will never be a comfortable skill for Commanders, but it is critical that they work consciously to develop it, both for their partners’ sake and for their own healthy emotional expression. If they don’t, they risk dominating and overruling their partners, and this insensitivity can easily break a relationship, especially early on.
Loving Boldly
But as all goes well in the dating phase and a future is deemed viable, people with the Commander personality type continue to impress with their creativity and energy. Their authentic confidence makes Commanders’ sex life dynamic to say the least, and they often push to explore new ways to express their affection with imaginative enthusiasm. Yet Commanders tend to have these innovations planned in advance, with some structure and predictability to their sex lives, leaving the true spontaneity to those less organized personality types.
Commanders are extremely growth-oriented, and will seize any opportunity to improve themselves, listening to and acting on criticisms, so long as they are logical ones, and always striving to improve their knowledge. At the same time, Commanders expect this of their partners, and it is surprising to them that others don’t always share this attitude. Still more surprising to Commander personalities is others’ active efforts to avoid these tense situations.
Commanders in particular would do well to remember that their approach is just one angle of a multi-faceted spectrum of alternatives. While Commanders may view criticism as the most efficient route (and they’re often right), they should bear in mind that their partners may be more interested in emotional support and growth, an area of self-improvement that Commanders themselves too often avoid.
As with most things, balance is key, and Commanders should strive to meet their partners half-way, whatever their needs, be it through honest criticisms or steady emotional support and praise.
As with other Analyst types, Commanders’ best matches are with other Intuitive (N) types, with one or two opposing traits to create more balance in the relationship. Mature Commanders are able to recognize and adapt to the needs of their partners, and know that even the most rational individuals have emotional needs that must be met. Fortunately the same logic that dismisses emotions is also able to recognize that a conciliatory attitude can be the best tool to get the job done. With their strong senses of responsibility and dedication, people with the Commander personality type are sure to make this effort, resulting in long-lasting, satisfying relationships.

### Alistair Theirin

ENTJ vs ESFJ
Personality
The ENTJ is the master of change, the big picture conceptualist who loves the new and the challenging who devise the long range plan then relentlessly drive it towards conclusion. Confident and authoritative the ENTJ will take the lead rarely hesitating and with a directness that can often leave others reeling in their wake having no time for anything seen as woolly or obstructive.
People focused and action oriented the ESFJ is driven by a sense of duty. Cooperative and helpful, ESFJs are pragmatists, disliking anything woolly, preferring practical solutions to people issues and they will work hard to make this happen. Incredibly organised and great planners the ESFJ can become overly controlling in their desire to help sometimes believing their way is best.
ENTJ vs ESFJ
At Work
We all bring something different to the team and we all agree that difference and balance are good things. However when someone is different from us we might not understand them so well so in this section we allow you to compare the differences at work, how these might manifest themselves and how best to manage them.
Contribution to the team
The ENTJ is the leader: impatient, driven and with a strong desire to agree the strategy then drive relentlessly for closure. They will be superb at preventing complacency and giving pace to the team.
The ESFJ will ensure the team is protected from mistakes, and will focus on the people issues and the detail. They are painstaking, orderly, duty-driven, conscientious and fretful to get it right.
Leading
If the ENTJ is not the elected leader they will still assume leadership, as their nature is to change things and make it happen now. At the centre of what’s happening and will relentlessly ensure a focus on goals.
As the ESFJ has the twin focus of getting things done and taking care of the people they will make sure that everything is planned and that the team are equipped and ready to drive for closure.
Being managed
Managing an ENTJ is about providing the right conditions to let them lead, whether people or a project or a task, to allow them the authority to do and occasionally pull them back to ensure people are with them.
As the ESFJ is driven by a sense of duty, they will take their roles seriously and work long and hard to get it right. They may get bogged down in detail and have to lift their heads to see the wider context.
Attention to detail / focus
The ENTJ loves a goal, something to run at and they will excel at making sure other people are just as enthused and understand the need to get on and drive for closure. They will focus the team clearly and often.
The ESFJ will want a plan and closure, they do not like loose ends or anything they perceive as impractical. Great at follow-through they may struggle with anything woolly, or not clearly getting the intended result.
Creativity
The ENTJ loves the complex and the big picture. They strategise and consider but once they are clear it is all about getting to the end as quickly as possible and when the plan is agreed - no more thinking.
The strength of the ESFJ is their focus on people and detail, not in coming up with the original ideas. They will be super organisers and excel at getting people to stick to the plan and making things happen.
ENTJ vs ESFJ
Conflict
Some people seek harmony, some see conflict as simply robust discussions, some people are emotional, some more factual. So there is no right or wrong about this and what we are trying to do is help two different people each understand how the other might deal with conflict and what it will mean for how they work together.
Initial response to conflict situations
The ENTJ likes conflict as a means to discuss and inform and get things done. They enjoy a good argument and will be robust and strident in their views and will forget conflict as quickly as they enter into it.
Because of their natural ‘take charge’ style, the ESFJ will want to diffuse conflict and ensure that harmony is created. This will be done with a no-nonsense, factual common sense approach.
Issues they'll fight on
The ENTJ does not like anything preventing progress and they will make their views known on that directly and clearly. Their whole purpose is to make change happen and they do not like a slow pace.
Down to earth and practical the ESFJ feels that social obligations and responsibilities come before personal fun or relaxation and they will work hard to ensure that harmony is creative and maintained.
Conflict style / communication
The ENTJ is extremely direct, at times bone-jarringly so and they may therefore not pick up on sensitivities, especially around the fact that other people may not enjoy conflict and some may even fear it.
Under pressure the ESFJ may become quite parental in their desire to control and create harmony. They are the natural people organisers and although emotional will feel it’s their duty to sort things out.
How they feel after
The ENTJ will often think they have had a gentle discussion whilst the other person feels they have been in battle. Arguments are the way of getting clarity to the ENTJ and once it’s over, it is completely forgotten.
For the ESFJ it is about the end result: did the problem get sorted, are people happy now, was the plan followed? For themselves on occasion the ESFJ can feel that other people do not appreciate them.
ENTJ vs ESFJ
Relationships
We all have different motivators, values and views on the world, in part driven by our personalities. The section below describes how each person is likely to engage with others, and how others may see them.
Being around them
The ENTJ will be assertive, energetic and will love a robust debate, as this is their method of conversation. Because they are so confident and outspoken they may inadvertently upset people with their directness.
ESFJs are cooperative, sympathetic pragmatists who dislike anything ethereal or woolly as they prefer practical solutions to people issues and they'll work hard at planning to making this happen.
Dealing with emotions
The ENTJ doesn’t really understand emotions, preferring to deal with issues as problems, or concepts and certainly trying to appeal to their emotional side will not be the best way to resolve issues.
The ESFJ is emotional but will tend to deal with the emotions of others in a practical way making sure there is a clear plan and it is followed. However the ESFJ may not like anything they perceive as criticism.
Openness and sharing feelings
The ENTJ shares their thoughts easily but is not really an emotional person. They are open and assertive and everyone will be clear where they stand but this will probably remain at a cerebral level.
ESFJs are extremely talkative and will voice their feelings easily, including clearly telling others what they should do and also have their own strong views on issues which are important to them.
Drivers and values
As an ENTJ is primarily concerned with making things happen they may not realise that other people may take a little longer to understand or may not be as forthcoming or direct and assume silence is agreement.
ESFJs are driven by a sense of duty, of being at the centre of things and making sure that everything is taken care of with a clear plan of action and that people are following this, in detail.

As in most aspects of their lives, in friendship Commanders seek personal growth and inspiration, and they often have a plan for how to accomplish it. Friendships of circumstance, built on things like shared routines, are not Commanders’ preferred method – rather, they pursue their friends, seek out individuals who share their passion for deep, meaningful discussions, and who enjoy learning and development as much as they do. It is not always easy to be Commanders’ friends – they demand a lot from these relationships – but they pay a great deal of attention to their friendships, and it is unlikely that it will ever feel stagnant.

Commander friendships are built on ideas, and a lot of what they find enjoyable is the repartee of putting thoughts forward and defending them from assault from every angle. People with the Commander personality type are very smart and highly critical, and they won’t back down if they are put on the defensive – in fact, there’s no better way to earn their respect.
It’s not easy to stand up to a personality as big and blustery as Commanders’, and they too often find that others crumple under the force they apply when they really start to enjoy themselves.
Only the most hardened rationalists are able to hold their ground against strongly expressed Commander personalities, who neither need emotional support, nor understand others’ need for it. This lack of sensitivity is Commanders’ chiefest weakness. Their tendency to challenge their friends, question their conclusions, and dismiss emotional arguments as irrelevant is especially difficult for Feeling-oriented friends to cope with. Either a point is supported by logic and reason, or it is erroneous.
Bridging the Gap
More enlightened Commanders recognize that if ever there was an area where they could learn from others and improve themselves, it is in the realm of emotional sensitivity – to dismiss any aspect of personal growth borders on hypocrisy. Friendships with people from the Diplomat type group can be especially rewarding for Commanders, as the shared Intuitive (N) trait fosters an instantaneous connection that can bridge the chasm between their uninhibited logic and the recognition that cooperation and conciliation can often accomplish more than that logic ever could alone.
Still, the bulk of Commanders’ friends will likely fall into the Analyst category, as all of these types share the same passion for logical, far-reaching ideas and critical debate. Anyone who can match Commanders’ ability to brainstorm and theorize will find an honest and dedicated friend. Anyone who can’t or won’t, as with many more down-to-earth types who often question the point of such discussions, will find themselves ignored – perhaps a situation that is best for everyone.