Depending on their preferences, what feels right, and what they want to see, players can pick from romances that run the gambit of sweet and romantic, to bittersweet and tragic (and a little of everything in between,) in Dragon Age Inquisition. And no more could a sweeter romance be found than that of Cullen Rutherford -an ex-templar, advisor, and leader of the Inquisition’s military forces; whose endearing nature is only juxtaposed by the history that comes with him.
Background
The second child of four, Cullen Rutherford was born in a small village called Honnleath, in Ferelden, and joined the Templar Order at age 8. Drawn to the discipline of the religious order, and its teaching, Cullen thrived as one of the youngest recruits. Earning praise from his mentors, and the respect of his peers, he found himself right at home with the rules, disciplines, structures, and education the order provided -growing up to be an exemplary addition to one of Thedas’ most honored institutions. When he took his vows at 18 years old and finally became a full member of the Templar order, Cullen was transferred to the Circle Tower in Kinlock Hold to serve under Knight-Commander Greagoir.
Dragon Age: Origins
Cullen’s backstory, before Dragon Age Inquisition, is one of hardships, tragedy, addiction, and enduring trauma. His character was first introduced in Dragon Age: Origins and could be met by the player in two separate ways: Either during the Mage Origin, if the player rolled a mage, or during the Broken Circle quest line -wherein the Warden is tasked to recruit the help of the mages to end the blight and stop the Archdemon. Each option offers a different perspective of the man, and depending on the choice made, can have greater repercussions down the line.
The Mage Origin is arguably the best way to get to know Cullen from his initial beginning -as it includes insights into his time as a Templar at the Ferelden Circle and reveals more of the younger version of Cullen. Players are privy to the anecdote that, at some point, Cullen grew a crush on the player character. Dialogue with Cullen further reveals his awkwardness toward the mage player and his clumsy attempts to keep distance between them as his station demands. This information becomes important flavor text in dialogue later -both in Origins, and in Inquisition.
During the Broken Circle quest line, when the Warden reaches the top of the tower, a conversation ensues between the party and Cullen Rutherford -now trapped in a magical barrier by the mage usurper creating chaos. If the Warden is from the Mage Origin, Cullen will -in his deliriousness- condemn the mage who put him there for manipulating his mind. For “Tempting [him] with the one thing [he] always wanted but could never have,” and using his shame against him -his “ill-advised infatuation” with the Mage Warden.
Dragon Age II
In the aftermath of the Broken Circle questline, and the defeat of the Archdemon, Cullen’s ideals on mages can land in two similar camps. If the Warden chooses to side with the mages, Cullen’s inherent distrust and aversions, to anything mage-related, still come to fruition; but it stops just short of all-out hatred. If the Warden chooses to side with the Templars, he will try to convince his Knight-Commander to enact the Rite of Annulment and kill all the mages in the tower, no matter their level of innocence. His decision is overruled, however, and the mages are spared, but Cullen’s hatred for them intensifies.
The trauma and mental scars left behind after the happenings in the Circle Tower, taint Cullen’s worldview and make him take an adversarial role to mages. When the, now, Knight-Captain Cullen interacts with Hawk; the protagonist; all conversations about mages are tainted by his perspective and his hatred of the class becomes crystal clear during all the different side quests involving Blood Mages. In each instance, the player can choose between perpetuating Cullen’s bigotry or trying to make him see the errors of his ways. This culminates at the final battle against Meredith, the Knight-Commander of Kirkwall -wherein Cullen ultimately chooses to stand with Hawk against his commander’s sadistic plans for eliminating all the mages in Kirkwall and killing Hawk.
Dragon Age Inquisition
After the explosion at the Conclave, and the Breach splits the sky, the player wakes to find themselves embroiled in a disaster that they are ultimately at the center of. This is where the player meets Cullen once more. Now, the Commander of the Inquisition forces and a military advisor to the soon-to-be Inquisitor: Cullen has matured and grown since the end of Dragon Age II. His bigotry against mages remains, but his views on them have softened enough that if the player chooses to play a mage, he doesn’t treat them maliciously in any way. When questioned directly, Cullen is quick to assuage the player that he has no problem with mages -as he once did.
Romance
Considered one of the most endearing romances in Dragon Age, falling for Cullen Rutherford isn’t as difficult as it might sound. Even with his tragic backstory, and the remnants of that pain still lingering and waiting to be explored, his attitude toward the current world-state and the player character is both cautious and amenable. His determination to do the right thing drives many of his decisions in the game, and how he chooses to advise the soon-to-be Inquisitor remains firmly based on both practicality and a strong moral stance.
A faithful man, both in life and romance, Cullen’s views on love are fairly straightforward. So long as the player doesn’t choose to do any harm to others and actively endeavors to be the quintessential hero, his approval of the main character will always grow. Mechanically, this means that the player only needs to make arguably good decisions; when it comes to every major conflict in the game (the central quest line;) speak positively and supportively to Cullen during every private interaction, and always choose the flirt option -whenever it’s available. Doing this will ensure the romance progresses smoothly and without complications or setbacks.
Personal Quests
Aside from the pre-requisite that the Inquisitor be female, and either a human or an elf, the most pertinent requirements for a Cullen romance are the decisions made during his personal quest and one main story arc: should the player choose to recruit the mages at the end of the In Hushed Whispers mainline quest. Doing so prompts the Before the Dawn questline, wherein the player is charged with tracking down the source of Red Lyrium and, ultimately, Sampson -Corypheus’ general and a former templar from Cullen’s past.
Arguably, however, the most important factor in successfully romancing Cullen is how the player handles his choice to stop taking Lyrium. As a Templar, he was forced to consume Lyrium to enhance his abilities and function, in his role. Since the destruction of the Chantry during the height of Dragon Age II, he has chosen to stop taking the addictive substance and is struggling to wean himself off of it. However, in a similar parallel to real life, this decision becomes nearly untenable -as his withdrawal symptoms start to be more cumbersome than he ever thought it could be.
Decision
Ultimately, Cullen’s struggle culminates in a make-or-break decision regarding the romance. As his withdrawal symptoms get worse and worse, Cullen’s determination to get (and stay) clean falters, and his internal dialogue shifts from having faith in himself to having doubts. During the height of a particularly trying attack of withdrawals, the Inquisitor finds Cullen in his office visually unsteady and arguing with himself about whether stopping Lyrium was the best idea -given the current state of the world.
This is where the Inquisitor must make a final decision: Either convince Cullen to remain steadfast in his fight or give in and go back to taking Lyrium. Should the player choose the latter, the romance could potentially end as the effects of the substance noticeably change Cullen’s personality and certain dialogue options will detrimentally affect his feelings for the player. Choosing encouragement over relapse ensures that the romance will continue; and that Cullen will eventually find himself completely free of his addiction in the long run.
Trespasser
Set two years after the defeat of Corypheus, the Trespasser DLC becomes the backdrop in which the Cullen romance finds a wonderful end. If the player had chosen to keep Cullen off Lyrium, and the romance continued post-base-game: they will eventually find out that Cullen is doing much better now. With the love and support of the Inquisitor, he has managed to curb his cravings for Lyrium, and his symptoms have mostly subsided. His mind is clear, his health has improved, and he has finally found peace with the past that had haunted him for years.
As good of an ending as ever, by the end of Trespasser, the players are granted and blessed with a culmination to their romantic journey straight out of any good love story: a proposal and a wedding. Cullen Rutherford is still as awkward, as ever, but no uncertainty can be found. His love and devotion, for his beloved Inquisitor, are fully on display and far more heartfelt than one would expect. Should the Inquisitor agree to the proposal, the player is then gifted with a lovely cut scene of the two holding a small wedding ceremony -ensuring a happy ending for them both.
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