Dorian Pavus is a mage, a magician in simple words, from the Tevinter Imperium, a powerful nation in the world of the Dragon Age. He is a member of the Pavus family, one of the most influential and respected families in Tevinter. Despite his family’s expectations for him to conform to their traditionalist views, Dorian is a progressive and open-minded individual. He left Tevinter after a falling out with his father and joined the Inquisition, a group of powerful individuals tasked with saving the world from an otherworldly threat.
Personality:
Dorian Pavus is known for his sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and confidence. He is not afraid to speak his mind and is often seen challenging traditionalist views in Tevinter society. Despite his charm and charisma, Dorian has a dark side. He struggles with a sense of isolation and loneliness due to his sexuality and his refusal to conform to Tevinter’s societal norms. However, Dorian Pavus is fiercely loyal to those he considers his friends and will do whatever it takes to protect them.
Background:
Dorian Pavus was born into a wealthy and influential family in the Tevinter Imperium, a nation in the Dragon Age world that is known for its ruthless magocracy and slavery system. From a young age, Dorian showed a remarkable talent for magic, and his family was quick to recognize his potential. They sent him to the prestigious Circle of Magi to receive training, where he excelled in his studies.
Despite his talent, however, Dorian found himself at odds with the traditionalist views of his family and his fellow Tevinter mages. He was appalled by the rampant slavery and inequality in his country, and he was disgusted by the rampant use of blood magic and other dark arts. He also struggled with his sexuality, as homosexuality was frowned upon in Tevinter society.
Dorian Pavus eventually left the Circle and became a freelance mage, traveling the world and offering his services to anyone who could pay. He made a name for himself as a powerful and cunning mage, but he remained an outsider in Tevinter society. When the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition unfold, Dorian is recruited by the Inquisitor to join their party and aid in the fight against Corypheus.
Throughout the game, Dorian’s background and experiences in Tevinter play a significant role in his character development. He must confront his conflicted feelings towards his country and his family, and he must come to terms with his own identity as a mage and as a gay man. His story is one of self-discovery and growth, and it is one of the many reasons why he is such a beloved character in the Dragon Age community.
Looks/Dressing:
Dorian Pavus is known for his dapper appearance and impeccable sense of style. He wears a luxurious black and gold outfit with a flowing cape and a wide-brimmed hat. His outfit is adorned with jewelry and gold accents, emphasizing his family’s wealth and status in Tevinter society. Dorian Pavus’s hair is black, and he sports a well-manicured mustache and beard.
Weapons:
As a mage, Dorian Pavus relies on his magical abilities to fight. He specializes in fire magic, which allows him to cast powerful fire spells and control the battlefield. Additionally, he can summon powerful demons to fight by his side, adding an extra layer of strategy to his combat style.
Allies:
Dorian Pavus has a few key allies throughout the Dragon Age series, including:
The Inquisitor: Dorian joins the Inquisitor’s party early on in Dragon Age: Inquisition, and he remains a loyal ally throughout the game. He shares the Inquisitor’s desire to stop Corypheus and restore order to Thedas, and he brings his unique skills and abilities to the group.
Cullen: Cullen is a former templar who serves as one of the Inquisition’s military advisors. He and Dorian initially clash over their differing views on magic, but they eventually develop mutual respect.
Varric: Varric is a dwarven rogue who appears in both Dragon Age II and Dragon Age: Inquisition. He and Dorian Pavus strike up an unlikely friendship based on their shared love of witty banter and sarcasm.
Iron Bull: Iron Bull is a Qunari warrior who leads a group of mercenaries called the Bull’s Chargers. He and Dorian become fast friends, bonding over their shared love of fighting and partying.
Dorian Pavus’s relationships with his allies are some of the most enjoyable and memorable parts of the Dragon Age series. Whether he’s trading barbs with Varric or sparring with Iron Bull, Dorian’s interactions with his friends are always entertaining and endearing.
Enemies:
Dorian Pavus faces several enemies throughout the Dragon Age series, including:
Tevinter Imperium: Dorian’s home country is one of his greatest enemies. Despite his love for Tevinter’s people and culture, he is disgusted by the rampant slavery and corruption within Imperium’s ruling class. He becomes an outcast from Tevinter society due to his beliefs, and he joins the Inquisition in part to try and change his country from the outside.
Venatori: The Venatori are a powerful cult that serves Corypheus in Dragon Age: Inquisition. They are made up primarily of Tevinter mages and warriors, and they pose a significant threat to Dorian due to their allegiance to his home country.
Felix Alexius: Felix Alexius is Dorian’s former lover and the son of a powerful Tevinter magister. Felix becomes an enemy of Dorian after he is corrupted by Corypheus and used as a pawn in the villain’s schemes.
Corypheus: Corypheus is the primary antagonist of Dragon Age: Inquisition. He seeks to conquer Thedas and reshape it in his image, and he commands an army of demons and cultists to do his bidding. Dorian is one of many allies who fight against Corypheus and his followers, making him an enemy by proxy.
Despite the many enemies he faces, Dorian Pavus never wavers in his commitment to fighting for what he believes in. His bravery and determination make him a formidable opponent to those who seek to harm, and his alliances with the Inquisition and other allies give him the strength and support he needs to prevail.
Game Plot:
Dorian Pavus appears in Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third installment in the Dragon Age series. In the game, the player assumes the role of the Inquisitor, a powerful figure tasked with saving Thedas from the chaos unleashed by the Breach, a massive tear in the sky that allows demons to enter the world.
Dorian is introduced early in the game as a mage from the Tevinter Imperium, a powerful and corrupt empire known for its use of slavery and aggressive expansionism. Despite being from the Imperium, Dorian is unlike most of his countrymen – he is openly critical of the Imperium’s practices and views and seeks to reform it from within.
Dorian joins the Inquisitor’s party early on in the game, and he quickly becomes a valuable ally due to his powerful magic and his knowledge of Tevinter politics. Throughout the game, the Inquisitor and Dorian work together to gather allies and resources to stop the threat posed by Corypheus, a powerful mage who seeks to conquer Thedas and reshape it in his image.
Throughout the game, Dorian Pavus and the Inquisitor form a close bond. Dorian reveals that he is gay and that he had to leave Tevinter after his family rejected him for his sexuality. He also shares his deep love for Tevinter and his hope that it can be reformed to become a more just and equitable society.
Dorian’s quest involves tracking down his former lover, Felix, who has been corrupted by Corypheus and is working against the Inquisition. In the end, Dorian is forced to kill Felix to prevent him from causing more harm.
Dorian’s story is one of redemption and hope. Despite his troubled past and his complex relationship with his home country, he remains committed to fighting for a better world. His relationships with his allies and his struggles make him one of the most memorable and beloved characters in the Dragon Age series.
Top Quotes:
Dorian Pavus is known for his quick wit and clever one-liners. Some of his top quotes include:
- “Well, well, what have we here? Another knife-ear, a dwarf, and a Chantry sister. Just what I needed.”
- “I’m sorry, did I accidentally step into some elf root or is this harvest festival come early?”
- “I have a question. Why is all this in my way?”
- “You don’t need to do anything. I can do this on my own. I’d prefer it.”
- “Don’t worry, I don’t bite. Unless you ask nicely.”
Trivia:
Here are some fun and interesting trivia about Dorian Pavus:
- Dorian Pavus is voiced by actor Ramon Tikaram, who is known for his roles in TV shows like Game of Thrones and The Victim.
- Dorian was originally designed as a potential love interest for both male and female Inquisitors. This made him the first openly gay male character in the Dragon Age series.
- Dorian’s appearance is inspired by a mix of Roman and Persian styles, reflecting his Tevinter heritage and his love for fashion.
- Dorian’s signature mustache was inspired by the actor Tom Selleck and the 1970s detective show Magnum, P.I.
- Dorian’s tarot card in the game features the sun, representing his optimistic and bright personality.
- Dorian’s father, Halward Pavus, is a powerful Tevinter magister who opposes Dorian’s beliefs and views. He is mentioned frequently throughout the game but never appears on the screen.
- In the Trespasser DLC for Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dorian reveals that he has started a romantic relationship with the Iron Bull, a Qunari warrior who is another potential love interest for the Inquisitor. This made them the first openly gay male couple in the series.
- Dorian’s specialization in the game is the Necromancer, which allows him to summon undead creatures and manipulate spirits.
- Dorian Pavus has a dislike for blood magic, a forbidden form of magic in the Dragon Age universe that involves sacrificing life energy to cast spells.
- Dorian’s favorite food is a traditional Tevinter dish called amatus, which is a type of spiced meat skewer.
- Dorian has a signature pose where he crosses his arms and looks off to the side, which has become a popular meme among Dragon Age fans.
- Dorian’s character was heavily influenced by his writer, David Gaider, who is openly gay and has written many of the series LGBTQ characters.
- Dorian’s quest, “The Magister’s Birthright,” is a reference to a quote from William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night: “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
- In Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dorian has a war table mission called “A Test of Mettle,” where he competes in a magical dueling tournament against other mages.
- Dorian is the only character in Dragon Age: Inquisition who cannot be romanced by a female Inquisitor.
- Dorian’s friendship with the Iron Bull is referenced in a short story by David Gaider called “Tevinter Nights,” which features the two characters on a mission together.
- Dorian’s character was inspired in part by the real-life figure of Oscar Wilde, a famous writer and LGBTQ icon who faced persecution for his sexuality in the late 19th century.
- Dorian’s magical abilities are primarily focused on fire and ice magic, allowing him to create powerful flames and freeze his enemies in place.
- Dorian’s quest and his backstory as a Tevinter mage touches on themes of oppression, rebellion, and social justice, making him a complex and nuanced character in the game.
Conclusion:
Dorian Pavus is a fan-favorite character from the Dragon Age series. He is known for his quick wit, charm, and his role as a gay romance option. Despite his luxurious appearance and confident personality, Dorian struggles with feelings of loneliness and isolation due to his sexuality and his disagreements with Tevinter’s traditionalist views. His story arc in Dragon Age: Inquisition is both compelling and entertaining, and he remains a beloved character in the Dragon Age community.
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