Anders

Lore & Background

Born in Ferelden to a father from the Anderfels, Anders was named 'the Ander' by other apprentices due to his heritage. After manifesting magic at age twelve, he was taken to Kinloch Hold Circle but refused to speak until given that name. Having known freedom as a child, he constantly rebelled against the Circle's restrictions. He escaped multiple times before being captured and brought back. By Dragon Age II, he operates a clinic in Kirkwall's Darktown, healing refugees for free while hiding his identity. He previously conscripted into the Grey Wardens after the siege of Vigil's Keep but deserted soon after. The spirit Justice, stranded in a dead Warden named Kristoff, merged with Anders to help him understand the world's problems and the plight of mages. This possession eventually transformed Justice into a spirit of Vengeance due to Anders' hatred toward the Templars.

In Their Own Story

Anders first meets the player during an assault on Vigil's Keep in Origins – Awakening, where he is found fighting darkspawn with several dead templars nearby. He denies culpability for their deaths and offers help against the siege. In Dragon Age II, Varric directs Hawke to find a Grey Warden knowledgeable about the Deep Roads, leading them to Anders' clinic. There, Anders asks Hawke to rescue his friend Karl from the Templars in exchange for maps of the Deep Roads. Upon arrival, they discover Karl has been rendered Tranquil, a form of lobotomy that strips victims of emotion. This event triggers Justice's transformation into Vengeance. During Act III, Anders destroys the Kirkwall Chantry, killing the Grand Cleric and others. This act allows Knight Commander Meredith to invoke the Rite of Annulment without official sanction, sparking the rebellion that leads to the Mage-Templar War. Hawke must then choose to execute him, banish him, or order him to make amends.

Reader's Guide

Anders is a potential romance option for Hawke regardless of gender, though he presents as heterosexual in Origins – Awakening and only reveals a past relationship with Karl if the player is male. He is aggressive and proactive in his romantic pursuit, often developing feelings even without prior flirtation from the player. Rejecting him yields rivalry points, which unlock unique bonuses and inspire loyalty just as effectively as high friendship scores. In combat, he utilizes spirit magic, reflecting his dual nature as a healer and a vessel for vengeance. His narrative arc is driven by the conflict between his compassionate desire to help the downtrodden and Justice's rigid belief in moral absolutes. Mattie Brice noted that his actions intertwine anger and sympathy 'in an uncomfortable knot.' Fans debate whether his fanaticism lacks depth or offers necessary nuance, with some criticizing his characterization as a downgrade from his original carefree self.

Did You Know?

• Anders was originally intended to be replaced by the elven mage Velanna in Dragon Age II before developers decided to bring him back.
• The name 'Anders' originated when other apprentices called him 'the Ander' due to his father's heritage from the Anderfels.
• Greg Ellis voiced Anders in Origins – Awakening, while Adam Howden took over for Dragon Age II, adopting a slightly more 'angsty' inflection.
• Unused concept art by Art Director Matt Rhodes depicts a disheveled Anders living as a hermit in a cave during Inquisition's development.
• Anders kept a stray kitten named 'Ser Pounce-a-lot' that he found at Vigil's Keep.