Ashkaari | The Iron Bull

Above Average Strength: Even at a young age, The Iron Bull stood apart from his peers as being particularly large and strong. The characterization has followed him into adulthood, and he is notably one of the physically strongest members of both the Bull's Chargers and the Inquisition. That said, as long as he has his wits about him, The Iron Bull is incredibly careful about how he wields his strength.

Ben-Hassrath Training:

Above Average Intelligence:

Reaver Specialization: As a Warrior class combatant, The Iron Bull specializes specifically as a Reaver. This means he has the ability to grow stronger and more resilient as he takes damage. This also means he's vulnerable to Reaver Rampage, which makes Bull invulnerable to damage while driving him to act as an unstoppable (uncontrollable) killing machine. 

Weapons Proficiencies: Two-Handed Weapons; Sword and Shield, Explosives, Hand-to-Hand

Other Proficiencies: Espionage; Codebreaking; Tactical Fighting; Battlemaster Abilities; Command; Qunari History & Lore; Linguistics; Sexual Deviancy

Quest Related Decisions in Dragon Age: Inquisition:

• Iron Bull chose to save his Chargers in favor of cementing the alliance with the Qunari. Because of that, he is considered Tal-Vashoth.

• Iron Bull was aware of Blackwall’s deception, though he was not able to determine its source until after the would-be-warden revealed his wrongdoings.

• Iron Bull prefers Cole with greater Human qualities

• Iron Bull has been to the Fade. And hated it.

Quest Related Decisions in Dragon Age: Inquisition:

• Around the time the Blight tumors and Darkspawn begin cropping up across Thedas, The Iron Bul is in the South with his Chargers.

• As things worsen, the Bull's Chargers regroup at Skyhold and take up arms with the Inquisitor

• When the Inquisitor makes for Minrathous, he follows.

• The Iron Bull is present in the city of Minrathous during the final battle against Elgar'nan & Solas, though he would be outside the Divine's Manor.

FAQs about The Iron Bull:

Where and when was your character born or created?

• The Qunari known as Ashkaari was born in the Breeding Domes of Qunandar, on Par Vollen. The Spy known as Hissrad was shaped by the tutelage of the Ben-Hassrath. The man known as The Iron Bull emerged some years later while undercover in Orlais.

How was growing up for your character?

• Much the same as it is for all Qunari. The then-nameless Hissrad was raised by the Tamaasran, who taught him everything from fighting to literacy to the ways of the Qun. They assessed Hissrad’s abilities, both physical and mental, and determined he would be Ben-Hassrath - Secret Police. To date, he is considered to have been one of their best agents.

Is your character religious or not? How much of an impact does this have on their life?

• Religion is not the same thing to Qunari as it is to the followers of the Chantry or Andraste. The Qun is less a religious sect and more a philosophy, but it is all-consuming just the same. The Iron Bull’s entire perception of the world was founded on the guidance of the Qun, and of the Ben-Hassrath Priesthood. He still believes in some of the things he was taught whole-heartedly. But time abroad, among other races and religions and communities, has taught Bull that the Qun is not the only way… nor is it the right way for everyone.

{Perhaps, not even for him.}

Is romance a difficult topic for your character to think about?

• Not really, although The Iron Bull’s perception on Romance has been shaped by a lifetime under the Qun, and therefore somewhat analytical. The Qunari do not have much use for emotional romance beyond necessary sexual release. Bull has found he feels more deeply than most of his brethren, regardless of whether the relationship is sexual or platonic in nature. But until recently, he would have adamantly claimed that emotional romantic connections were not in his wheelhouse, so to speak. 

Does your character have a reputation? What is it?

• Oh, sure sure. He’s got a reputation for killing things, for drinking in excess, and for being extremely proficient with that sledgehammer between his thighs.

Your character’s greatest victory? Their most bitter defeat?

• Bull’s greatest victory would be the Chargers themselves, not just their prowess as mercenaries, but their lives as a whole. His greatest defeat… perhaps it is the same thing. Choosing the Chargers meant turning his back on his people, his faith, the Qun. Tal-Vashoth is defeat, but it's a defeat he's come to accept. Failure isn't the end, it's an opportunity to do... to be... better.

Their battle style? Are they a pacifist?

• Are you kidding? The Iron Bull is known to "Lead from the Front," meaning he'll never send anyone under his command into a battle that he himself won't leap right into, too. He's a highly physical fighter, leveraging Reaver abilities to take damage and use that pain to make himself stronger. His protective instincts also means he often takes hits meant for others, not caring for the damage it'll do to him.