Ariane

## Background

Ariane is a gifted Dalish warrior, and her clan's best hunter. When an ancient artifact belonging to the clan's Keeper, Solan, is stolen, one with a history tied to the very roots of the elven people, Ariane is charged with the task of reclaiming it. She is determined to carry out her solemn duty, and when her task turns out to intersect with the Warden-Commander's quest to find Morrigan she realizes that there may be far more to the artifact's disappearance than simple theft.

## Involvement

Ariane is first encountered at Flemeth's empty hut in the Korcari Wilds. She reveals she was sent there by her Keeper to locate Asha'bellanar. Ariane was hoping to secure her aid in locating her daughter, Morrigan, who had stolen an ancient text related to the Eluvians which Ariane's clan had guarded since the days of Arlathan. Ariane suggests visiting the Circle of Magi for further information since the text was reclaimed from the Circle by an Elf who later joined the Dalish. While researching the Eluvian, the duo are joined by Finn, a Circle Mage.
Ariane also offers her blood for the spell to locate the Lights of Arlathan since only pure Dalish blood would work. If the Warden-Commander is also Dalish, their blood won't work because it bears the Taint. If a save from Dragon Age: Origins was imported, Ariane will also inquire about the ring Morrigan gifted to the Warden and the precise nature of their relationship.
Although she initially threatens Dog on her first encounter with the Warden, Ariane becomes quite friendly with the mabari and claims she is able to understand Dog's barking.
After arriving at the Nest, Ariane asks the Warden-Commander to ask Morrigan about the book before waiting behind with Finn. If Morrigan is allowed to leave but is not followed she will confirm that the Dalish book has been left at her nearby campfire. Ariane retrieves the text before leaving.
After accomplishing their mission, Ariane continued to travel with Finn. Eventually some mercenaries hired by Finn's father tracked them down but were driven off.
Finn later returned to his parents' house to explain himself and say goodbye, bringing Ariane along for the visit. She managed to sample every item in the house pantry.

## Tropes

* Action Girl: A Dalish warrior.
* Cute Bruiser: Being a female elf, she's significantly shorter than the majority of people around her (who tend to be human); yet she dual-wields two full-sized swords with lethal skill and makes it clear from the beginning that she doesn't take shit from anyone - especially not from the aforementioned humans. She's also quite the looker, to boot.
* Deadpan Snarker: Aimed mostly at the Circle Tower's way of life.
* Dual Wielding: Her default fighting style of choice.
* Hyper-Awareness: After noticing the male Warden fiddles with the ring that a romanced Morrigan gave him when he thinks no one else is looking, she becomes aware the Warden might have more *personal* reasons for finding Morrigan. Warden: We're *not* married, if that's what you're asking.
	+ Locked Out of the Loop: However, if the Warden had previously mentioned that Morrigan had taken his child, it's unclear whether Ariane ever figured out that this was because Morrigan was actually the child's *mother*, rather than a kidnapper as she'd initially assumed.
* Lady of War: She renames one of her swords to something more feminine because the previous named disturbed her.
* Leaning on the Fourth Wall: Due to the DLC's smaller scope, fleshed-out dialogue isn't as prevalent as it is in the base game, which means talking to her while exploring elicits nothing but a random quip from her and thus serves no actual purpose. One of her lines for such an occasion claims that, as a child, she used to break the fingers of those who poked her needlessly.
* The Knights Who Say "Squee!": On discovering the identity of the Dalish Warden.
* The Prankster: Hinted at having elements of this in Circle Tower. Dog ends up having to restrain her.
* Ship Tease: With Finn.
* Speaks Fluent Animal: Unlike most characters, whose conversations with Dog are truncated by his inability to speak Common, Ariane actually understands what he's saying, and is even *lectured* by him at one point!