Iron Bull

Learn about The Iron Bull (Hissrad), a potential companion and romance option in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Discover his background, involvement, and more.

Hey there! So, you're looking to get to know The Iron Bull better in Dragon Age: Inquisition? Smart move. He's a pretty unique character, and understanding his story can really add to your playthrough. Let's dive in. First off, you'll know him as 'The Iron Bull,' but his real name among his people is Hissrad. He's a one-eyed Qunari and the leader of a mercenary group called the Bull's Chargers. He's also part of the Ben-Hassrath, which is a pretty serious Qunari organization. The cool thing is, he can actually join your crew as a companion, and if you're playing as a male or female Inquisitor, he's even a romance option! ### Background So, where does this guy come from? He was raised in Par Vollen, under the tutelage of the tamassrans. Back then, he went by Ashkaari, meaning 'one who thinks.' He was a big kid, always looking out for the others, but he also got into his fair share of trouble. There's a funny story about him sneaking extra meat to avoid eating his veggies – his 'Tama' figured he wouldn't make a great soldier because he was too clever with rules, so she recommended him for the Ben-Hassrath instead. As he trained, he got the nickname Hissrad, meaning 'one who creates illusion' or 'liar.' He did some important work in Par Vollen, busting smuggling rings and uncovering a Tevinter spy network. This got him sent to the dangerous island of Seheron. Life there was rough, with constant fighting against Tevinter, Tal-Vashoth, and native rebels. Most agents couldn't handle the stress for more than two years, but Hissrad lasted nearly a decade, rising through the ranks. Things got really intense for him in Seheron. His unit suffered heavy losses, and a poisoning incident that killed children really affected him. He vowed revenge and led an assault on a Tal-Vashoth stronghold. He lost more men, including his friend Vasaad, and went a bit berserk. When his soldiers found him after the battle, he was covered in wounds and surrounded by dead enemies. He decided he was too dangerous and turned himself in for re-education. After that, the Ben-Hassrath sent him to Orlais undercover, posing as a Tal-Vashoth. He worked with a mercenary company called Fisher's Bleeders, but eventually left to start his own group, the Bull's Chargers. He still gathers intel for the Ben-Hassrath, but his time in Orlais seems to have given him a bit of an identity crisis. He's supposed to be a strict follower of the Qun, but he spends a lot of time drinking and relaxing, which is definitely against the rules. Still, he's loyal to the Qun, even if he bends the rules a bit. He doesn't try to convert others, though.