Sure,Dragon Ageis a dark series. But you know what it also is? Cute and precious. Romance has been part of the games since the beginning, and it’s been equally a chance for tranquil encounters with your beloved and heart-wrenching betrayals. Ah, young love.
But between the racial drama and unfortunate reveals largely exclusive to mages for some reason, there are moments of true bliss you can find with some truly adorable love interests. But which ones give the warm fuzzies throughout the series in the best way?
9Sebastian
When You Dance, Leave Enough Room For The Maker
Yes, it’s Sebastian. This church boy is a bit unfortunate in a few ways even outside of his introduction inDragon Age 2, though it’s fun to drive him away from Kirkwall during a war table mission in the following game. You also meet him by taking revenge on his family’s killers. You know, typical Dragon Age fare. But this isn’t about that, this is about the wholesome stuff.
Sebastian is extremely devoted to the Chantry, and along with a lifetime of guilt and self-loathing from that sheltered upbringing, it also comes with some admittedly cute concepts of romance. His path in this respect is chaste, focusing entirely on being together with Hawke and supporting each other. It’s tame, but adorable, revenge notwithstanding.
8Alistair
His Flirting Technique is Snark And Panic
Do you know how Sebastian never strays from his Chantry teachings? Alistair isn’t quite as afraid to “lick a lamppost in winter,” so to speak. Despite his own Chantry upbringing, he’s a little more adventurous when it comes to romance. Granted, when you meet him inDragon Age: Origins, Alistair has done very little to stray from his duty as a newcomer Grey Warden.
So it’s understandable that he’s endearingly overwhelmed when you begin flirting with him, to the point where his regular banter is replaced by chaotic stuttering. Just watching him develop is such a pure experience. But he’s also incredibly romantic, to the point of sacrificing himself at the end of the game to save your life in one ofDragon Age’s most heartbreaking moments(if you bring him with you to the final battle). That’s not the wholesome part, to be fair.
7Cassandra
She’d Love To Take You Out
Cassandra is the stalwart warrior who starts the titular organization inDragon Age: Inquisition. She spent the previous game interrogating fan favorite Varric. She’s also a hopeless romantic who wants nothing more than to fall in love and read poetry together in the moonlight.
After dozens of hours of fighting by Cassandra’s side and witnessing her tireless resolve, assuming you’ve been flirting with her the whole time (you rogue), you get the chance to romance her. But all she wants is for you to do it in the cutest way possible, with a search for flowers and romantic poems to serenade her with. Sure, it was her idea, but that crack in her unshaking exterior is arguably one of the most precious moments in the game.
6Josephine
Who Doesn’t Start Their Relationship Off With A Duel?
Josephine is arguably more into the traditional romance idea than Cassandra. But since this is still Dragon Age, there’s always a bit more to it. If you want to be her lover, you’ve got to get with her family-arranged suitor and duel him. It’s a tale as old as time.
But family drama aside, her whole romance is just so wholesome. If you ever saw those steamy romance book covers as a kid, this is probably what you envisioned them being about before you discovered the word “smut.” The kisses are cute, the cuddling is iconic, and it’s even agreat asexual romance optionfor those looking.
5Merrill
She’s In Eluvian With You
Cuteness and wholesomeness can coexist with chaos and blood magic. That’s where Merrill shines. In Dragon Age 2, she starts as this awkward and arguably neurodivergent mage helping you along your way. By the end, she’s an awkward and neurodivergent mage who may or may not have caused the death of her entire clan through forbidden research.
But just focusing on her romance, she’s just one of the sweetest people you can ever meet. It’s easy to fall in love with her, and the way she just blurts out “I love you!” after your first night together is so incredibly pure. That wholesome nature is present even if you don’t romance her, but the sweetness of her character elevates tenfold with the power of lovey-dovey eyes.
4Cullen
If Nothing Else, That Coat Would Make A Nice Pillow
You might not expect the commander of the Inquisition’s forces to be particularly sweet and gentle. But given Cullen’s history, it’s more like that’s exactly what he needs out of a relationship. He’s been traumatized more times than someone in charge of a whole army probably should, but, luckily, you’re there for him.
If you’re playing a human or elf Inquisitor, you’re able to initiate a romance with Cullen. There are plenty of cute scenes, but the fact that he takes you to a romantic spot and gives you his lucky coin is probably the most cinnamon roll-esque thing possible, like a kitten bringing you its favorite stuffy.
3Sera
You’re Her Rock, She’s Your Many, Many Arrows
It might be a bit controversial to claim Sera is wholesome, but as one of themost unfairly hated party members in an RPG, she’s unfortunately used to being misunderstood. Many players were put off by Sera’s eccentricities, but those who were charmed and chose to romance her (assuming they were playing as a female character) found some of the sweetest content in the entire series.
For one, Sera writes about the Inquisitor in her diary during a romance, and you’re able to tell how smitten she is. But beyond that, she will often let her insecurities show and express how her beloved Inky is her rock who keeps her from spiraling. Many neurodivergent players will likely recognize those mannerisms and mindsets, even if Sera is never confirmed as such. Though her endless pranks are decidedly less so.
2Dorian
No Distance Is Too Far For A Love This Fancy
Perhaps one of the most wonderful hidden secrets in Dragon Age: Inquisition is the relationship between Dorian and The Iron Bull, whose budding romance is revealed entirely through party banter. But if you can bear to ignore that absolutely “Adoribull” pairing, you might find yourself in your whirlwind cuteness.
Dorian’s romance is genuinely heartfelt for any male Inquisitor who fancies him enough to go for it. It’s a bit dramatic at times, as you deal with learning his father tried to “cure” his homosexuality through blood magic and later find that Dorian must return to Tevinter. But he shows he genuinely cares and wants nothing more than to stay with you, regardless of the distance.
1Leliana
Like Love Poetry Written In Blood (Don’t Worry, It’s Not Hers)
Forget about sneaky, assassin-y Leliana from Dragon Age: Inquisition. Back duringher first appearance in Dragon Age: Origins, she was the most peppy, optimistic young woman you’ll ever meet. When talking about the Warden as her romantic partner, it was like nothing else in the world mattered. Sure, she also still did a lot of sneaking and assassinating, but let’s not get bogged down by details.
Her manner of flirting was as sweet and demure as you might expect from a lady raised so religious. She’d compliment your Warden’s hair and drop subtle hints, occasionally making fun of them for not picking up on said subtle hints. But her beloved would remain the most important thing in her mind, always speaking with such adoration that never diminished, even a decade later when she became far more stabby.
