Irving

## Background

A mage trained at Kinloch Hold and a contemporary of Wynne and Greagoir, Irving rose to the position of First Enchanter following First Enchanter Remille's coup in 9:10. Irving himself assessed his own skills as a mage as mediocre, possibly false modesty on his part. Irving, however, has a talent for and enjoys his administrative duties saying, "with the power to control the primal forces of nature in my hands, my greatest joy came from managing the books." Irving's tenure as First Enchanter was well known for his lenient attitude towards mages within the Tower, an attitude that produced a more positive atmosphere for the Ferelden mages than compared to other Circles. Many, nonetheless blame the disaster of Uldred's Rebellion on Irving's leniency; others, however, say that it had little to do with Irving and was caused by the Fifth Blight and the Civil War.

Irving credits Knight Commander Greagoir with his successful tenure as First Enchanter. The two have an enduring, if contentious, friendship dating from their youth which allows them to run the Tower in such an open manner. Irving's friendship with Wynne has been an equally long one; it's hinted that he is aware of the identity of the templar father of Wynne's child, based on First Enchanter Wenselus' questioning of Irving at the time of Wynne's pregnancy.

## Involvement

### *Dragon Age: Origins*

Irving plays a major role in the Mage Origin, offering comforting advice to the future Warden as they are about to undertake the Harrowing. After completing the test, Irving awards the Magi Warden with a new staff, robes, and ring, and introduces Duncan. Later during Bound in Blood and Magic, the player has the option of working for him to help gather evidence against Jowan in order to prevent the Chantry from concealing its own members' culpability in Jowan's forbidden magic. Alternatively Magi Wardens may genuinely aid Jowan & deceive Irving. Even if the player helps Jowan, Irving forgives them.

Later, after the battle of Ostagar, Uldred led a revolt and became possessed by a pride demon. During the quest Broken Circle the Warden can read the Irving's journal to learn that Irving admired Uldred's ability to identify blood mages. In the final confrontation of the quest, Irving will be held hostage by Uldred, and can turn into an abomination if you fail to use the Litany of Adralla to save him. If Irving survives the battle, Knight-Commander Greagoir will accept that the Circle was saved, unless the player chooses to advocate for closer investigation, in which case Irving and the other mages are imprisoned and scrutinized further, and the Templars are recruited for the Final Battle.

If the Warden restored the Circle of Magi, Irving can be asked to help Connor by enabling a mage to confront the desire demon using lyrium. You can optionally convince him to go into the Fade: after he initially refuses by telling you that you are asking too much, you can attempt a persuasion check to tell him that he owes you that much and he may agree. The First Enchanter is extremely powerful and comes with a full array of mighty spells. However, like the other mage companions, he will not listen to any of the demon's offers.
If the Warden sides with the mages in Broken Circle, Irving will appear as an ally atop the roof of Fort Drakon during the final battle against the Archdemon (PC only). If the Warden is a mage, he will also appear during the Post-Coronation celebrations.

### *Dragon Age: Asunder*

***The plot follows BioWare's own canon**, meaning it may not follow some of the player's choices in the games.*

Irving is alive and present at the conclave of the College of Magi in 9:40 Dragon. He is the one who asks Rhys to step in and lead the Aequitarians after the death of Wynne. He is also present at Wynne's funeral.

Trivia
As seen in the Magi Origin story, he looks onto the Warden as his own and even boasts to others that the Warden is a talented and capable mage. In conversations with the various people in the Circle Tower, including Uldred and Duncan, it is implied that the Warden is Irving's own apprentice.
If you attempt to steal from Irving, Knight-Commander Greagoir will stop the Warden, making it impossible to pickpocket him.
If you send Irving into the Fade during the Arl of Redcliffe quest, you can make him a blood mage if you have it unlocked and your party is lvl 7 or higher: Irving will have one specialization point which you can use.
Irving is one of the people who will appear when Wynne's Amulet of Memories is used.