Fenris is one of the major characters of Dragon Age 2, and one that fans still love to learn about. Just this year, Dark Horse Comics released Dragon Age: Blue Wraith, which goes into how Fenris is doing after the events of Dragon Age 2. Fans were quick to pick up their copies, showing that Fenris has not been easily forgotten nine years after he had been introduced to Dragon Age players.
He is re-entering the minds of many fans also because he was one of their first introductions to what Tevinter is like. Dragon Age 4 is going to take players to Tevinter, so many are actually wondering if Fenris will make an appearance (if he is not killed off in Dragon Age 2). With all that in mind, here are ten things fans most likely do not know about this ex-Tevinter slave.
10 He Was Blonde Before He Became Fenris
Before the Blue Wraith comics came out, fans were already pretty certain Fenris did not always have white hair. This was especially suspected once fans saw what his sister looked like in Act 3. Many suspected he was probably a red-head like her, but the comics proved that to be false.
Fans got to see Fenris as Leto right before he got his lyrium markings. In that part of the comic, the young elf actually had blonde hair. As fans had guessed, it was the lyrium that made his hair turn white.
9 Fenris And Isabella May Have A Relationship If Neither Are Romanced
Companions who are not romanced ending up together is not a foreign concept in Bioware games. In Mass Effect 3, Tali and Garrus end up together if neither are romanced by Shepard. In Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dorian and The Iron Bull have a chance of ending up together as well.
This is also true in Dragon Age 2 between Fenris and Isabella. However, it seems to be more of a casual physical relationship rather than a romantic one.
8 He Occasionally Swears In Tevene
If you don't know the words coming out of Fenris' mouth, that might be because he is speaking Tevene. Since he came from Tevinter, he obviously knows the language. He often uses the language to curse. He says other words too though, like "Festis bei umo canavarum" which means "you will be the death of me."
In terms of Tevene swear words Fenris says, there is "kaffas" and "venhidis."
7 In Act 3, Fenris Hosts A Weekly Game Of Diamondback At His Mansion
This is the kind of information some players get through banters between companions. Since so much banter is written, not every player gets the same facts in each playthrough.
It is revealed in a couple of banters between Fenris, Aveline, and Varric that Fenris actually hosts weekly games of Diamondback at his mansion. Typically, Fenris, Varric, and Donnic play together. This may come as a surprise to some players, but by Act 3, Fenris has actually made some friends other than Hawke.
6 If You Are A Mage, You Will Automatically Receive Rivalry Points From Him At First
Upon completion of the quest that introduces Hawke and Fenris, "Bait and Switch," Fenris will confront a mage Hawke with the question of what their motive is. At that point, it is damage control as to how many rivalry points Hawke is going to get.
Saying "Seeking power" will get the most rivalry points at 25. Asking if being a mage is a problem will earn 20 rivalry points. Saying "survival" or "find out" gets you the least at 10 points.
5 Concept Artists Had A Hard Time Deciding What He Would Look Like
Yes, the piece above is concept art for Fenris. It is a piece done by Matt Rhodes. According to him, Fenris was one of the most difficult characters to design. "He was like a game of musical chairs," Rhodes said. "His design kept changing until the music stopped and the version we had was the version we had to live with."
4 If Returned To Danarius, His Memories Will Be Erased
If the player decides to be an absolute monster and turn Fenris in back to his slave master, Danarius, Danarius will send Hawke a letter of thank you with some details as to Fenris' fate. The letter reveals that Danarius has erased Fenris' memories so that he is better behaved and will not think of escaping again.
The decision to give Fenris back to Danarius is one of the most evil-aligned decisions in the entire series. Some fans who want to do an evil playthrough have admitted that this choice is the hardest to watch.
3 He Has Trouble Making Eye Contact
Fenris' body-language throughout the game is often taken for granted by the player and not examined. If examined though, it is a little sobering.
Due to his past as a slave, he actually has trouble keeping eye contact with other people. This is especially true with Hawke. In times of both joy and anger, Fenris often looks away. There is a little development depending on the player by Act 3 where he is better at maintaining eye-contact.
2 There Are Subtle Differences In Rival Or Friendship Romances
Speaking of eye-contact, there are very subtle differences in the rival and friendship romances. One is during the first kiss scene. Fenris is leaving in anger, and Hawke grabs him. This makes Fenris turn around and pin Hawke to the wall. If rivaled, Fenris is looking down. If friended, he looks at Hawke's face.
1 He Actually Refuses To Turn In Merrill And Anders To The Templars
Unbelievable, right? Well, it actually happens in Dragon Age 2 if you get a certain banter with DLC character, Sebastian.
Sebastian and Fenris are characters that get along in Hawke's merry band of misfits. However, they do disagree one one thing: turning Merrill and Anders over to the Templars. In a banter, Sebastian suggests it and Fenris disagrees. He if Hawke doesn't agree, then he doesn't agree either.