RPGs are filled with near-endless characters both memorable and forgettable. Some characters lay in the middle, seeming unimportant but in fact tying directly into key choices and narrative moments. The Dragon Age franchise has many such NPCs, but one stands out as a major frustration for players: Isolde. As the Arlessa of Redcliffe, she holds quite a high status after marrying into the Guerrin family. Disliked by her peers and players alike, she is involved in a terrible plague that impacts the people she is meant to rule over. Let’s talk about her role in the games and why she stands out to players despite being considered a pest.
An Orlesian Traitor
Isolde is notable amongst the Ferelden nobility for being an outsider. Born in Orlais, she hails from a time when the nation of Ferelden was under the control of the Orlesian Empire. Her father ruled as governor over Redcliffe, but Isolde was enamored with Eamon Guerrin, the rightful ruler of the lands. She would feed information to the resistance he was a part of, and stayed behind in Ferelden when her Orlesian family was removed during a successful rebellion. Eamon would meet her years later and she would convince him to enter a relationship. The two would marry and have a son named Connor. This set up Isolde exactly where she wished to be.
Isolde was not well-liked by the household, and many still have no trust for Orlesians. It took a long time for Isolde to conceive a child with Eamon, and his ward Alistair was falsely rumored to be his bastard son born out of wedlock. When Isolde finally gave birth to Connor, she wanted Alistair out of the way so no one would question her son’s claims to Redcliffe. Eamon relented and sent Alistair to join the Templars, something Alistair would resent Isolde for doing. She held no shame, only focusing on her son’s well-being. This trait would prove to be her undoing, as players would inevitably find out.
Misuse of Magic
Isolde had kept a secret from Eamon that would prove to be rather important: Magic ran in her family, meaning her children could express the ability to control it. Connor was born with such power, destined to be a Mage. In the Dragon Age setting, this is not a particularly happy omen.
Connor would have to be turned over to the Circle of Magi, disinherited, and made to live away from his family. Isolde refused this option, and so kept his magic a secret from even Eamon. She would acquire the services of the apostate Jowan, a Mage disconnected from the Circle, to secretly train Connor to hide his magic. Despite this attempt, Connor was not prepared for what happened next.
When Eamon fell ill, no one in the land seemed able to cure him. Connor was frightened to lose his father, and accidentally reached across the Veil and came in contact with a Desire Demon. The frightening entity promised Connor she could save his father, and he used his magic to invite her in. The demon possessed Connor and used him to do as she pleased. With Connor’s magic under the demon’s control, hordes of undead were launched at Redcliffe’s villagers. Isolde sealed the castle and attempted to placate Connor, unaware of what was going on precisely and only wanting Connor to live.
Player Choice Galore
When players manage to fend off Redcliffe’s latest invasion, they reach the castle and discover what Isolde presides over. Connor is possessed, and something must be done. A bevy of options are presented to the player. Isolde is, as always, most focused on saving her son if possible. Should they heed her requests, the players can recruit the Circle of Magi to help banish the Desire Demon and save Connor’s life. This allows mother and son to live but means Connor will be made to join the Circle as she feared. A living Isolde can even be encountered in Dragon Age II’s DLC Mark of the Assassin.
However, darker options exist. Connor may be killed, either by the player or by Isolde’s hand. Isolde despairs if this happens, but there is nothing she can do to punish the player for her mistakes. She may even sacrifice herself to perform a ritual to free Connor, letting the boy live without the Circle’s involvement but leaving him motherless. These darker choices allow the player to take out their personal frustration with Isolde and the entire situation should they not wish to run around getting the Circle involved. Ultimately, the tale of Connor and his fate is up to the player to decide.
Final Thoughts
Isolde is an odd duck in the Dragon Age franchise. Everyone who plays through Dragon Age: Origins must encounter her, as the Redcliffe questline is mandatory. They will hear her pleas and deal with the ramifications of her failures. She whines, begs, and refuses to take responsibility. For most players, she serves as one of the earliest examples of what goes wrong when Mages aren’t taught to control their powers. Whether it justifies a fear of magic or simply a fear of people’s ignorance, it aids in the overall themes that the franchise tries to portray of the dangers of magic. It is unlikely we will see her again in future games, and I’m sure players are very happy about that.
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