When you first meet Taash inDragon Age: The Veilguard, you may be cursed with the knowledge of dramatic irony. That is to say, you will know something the character’s don’t. You’ve probably heard thatTaash is non-binary, the first non-binary companion the series has had, in fact. And yeteveryone calls them ‘she’.
Taash even seems okay with it. They are a little surly with an overbearing mother forcing them to hide their gifts (and forcing them to join up with Rook), but gender is not on their mind. When you meet them,they are at the start of their gender journey. So how do you help them come out?
Recruiting Taash
Before any of that, you’ll need torecruit them. Along with Emmrich, they are the last character you add to The Veilguard, and arelocked until after you make your choice about defending Treviso or Minrathous.After this quest, you’ll decide you need to add a necromancer and a dragon hunter to your ranks, with Taash the latter.Select the quest The Dragon Slayer to recruit Taash at your nearest convenience.
After completing this quest, you’llhave the conversation with Taash and their mother. You’ll see, despite the fact they both love each other, that things are imperfect and Taash feels a little trapped. They’re a small town kid, and they need to see the big wide world to realise who they truly are. Nowhead back to the Lighthouse and continue with the quests, comingback to the Lighthouse after each one.
Talk To Taash About Their Gender
A short while after recruiting Taash, you’llsee them in the kitchen with Neve. They’re arguing, withTaash asking why Neve dresses in feminine silksand with figure-hugging shapes. The crux is that Taash doesn’t know who Neve is trying to impress whenno woman actually likes being a woman. This is when they come totheir realisation,as they raise this confusion over their mother saying they actmore like a man than a woman. You should say"Talk to us, Taash"or"Your mother said something…"
All options from here continue the conversation, but"It’s not about the dress"is the most understanding response.
If your Rook is trans(decided via an early-game conversation with the mirror in your quarters), they canrelate to Taash’s journey firsthand, and tell them they felt the same. Ifyour Rook is a woman, you can say"Being a woman shouldn’t hurt". If not,select the option “You’re getting there” or “We’re here to help”. This starts Taash on the right path.
A few quests later, you’ll be able to talk toTaash in their quarters, where they will have done more soul searching and spoken to a non-binary friend of Neve. This sets upA Little Dragon Hatches, a Conversation quest whereTaash embraces being non-binary.When Taash says “I can’t even be a woman right,“all three options progress the quest. Whether sympathetic, kind, or confrontational (or, as a trans Rook, relating to Taash again), the final option on whetherTaash should embrace Qunari or Rivain traditions does not impact their gender, and is skipped if you are romancing Taash.
Rooks trying to romance Taashwill be able to confirm the romantic intentions in Taash’s quarters, and lock it in during A Little Dragon Hatches.
How Do Other Companions Feel About Taash Being Non-Binary?
The immediate companions in The Veilguard aresupportive of Taash being non-binary. Bellara and Harding discuss it with Taash in the field, while Davrin comes to their quarters to congratulate them, and to learn.Taash is referred to exclusively as ‘they’ by The Veilguard, and the team supports a Taash/Rook romance too.
However, transition is not always that easy. In the questSecret of the Qunari(speak to Taash to get it),Taash aims to tell their mother, but decides against it. Their reason is their mother was in a bad mood, but it’s clear they’re a little scared of the idea. You cannot go further in this storyline until youcomplete the quest Slaying The Fangscorcher from Taash.
Speak to Taashin the kitchenafter this quest, and thatleads to a cutscene of a meal with their mother, where they do come out. However,their mother disapproves- mostly of Taash rejecting Qunari traditions and nomenclature than the actual non-binary identity, but it is still messy.
Worse,if you romance Taashtheir mother will privately confront you during this quest to tell you thatyou are not good enough for their daughter.
Taash’s journey continues withThe Lair of the Dragon King, but there are major spoilers about where it goes, so be warned.
Spoilers follow for the Lair of the Dragon King quest
Shortly after this confrontation, Taash is invited to their mother’s house in the quest Lair Of The Dragon King. As the quest name suggests, their mother has been kidnapped and taken to the lair of the Dragon King. Here, their mother sacrifices themself for Taash after seemingly coming to terms with Taash’s identity, but it’s neither a clean nor happy ending. Taash can then choose to embrace their Rivain culture or Qunari heritage, though neither impacts their gender and just unlocks a new outfit.
