Understanding the Inquisition

The Inquisition is the central organization you lead in Dragon Age: Inquisition, born from the chaos of the Breach and the Conclave explosion. Understanding its structure, purpose, and the means by which you expand its influence is fundamental to your success. This section delves into the core aspects of managing the Inquisition, from its leadership and objectives to the vital War Table and the resources you'll gather to achieve your goals.

As the Inquisitor, you are the undisputed leader of a new organization tasked with restoring order to a fractured world. The Inquisition's power grows through influence, agents, and strategic operations managed via the War Table. Understanding how to gain influence, recruit agents, and choose which missions to undertake will directly impact your ability to combat the threats facing Thedas. This section will illuminate the mechanics behind building and wielding the Inquisition's might.

The Role of the Inquisitor

You are the Inquisitor, a figure of immense power and responsibility. Your decisions shape the Inquisition's policies, its alliances, and its ultimate fate. You are the one who closes rifts, rallies forces, and makes the hard choices that will determine the future of Thedas. Your unique ability to close Fade Rifts, a power stemming from the mark on your hand, makes you a beacon of hope and a target for those who fear or wish to exploit your gift. Your personal journey, your choices in dialogue, and your relationships with your companions and advisors all contribute to the legend of the Inquisitor.

The War Table

The War Table is your primary tool for managing the Inquisition's operations and expanding its influence across Thedas. Located first in Haven and later in the grand fortress of Skyhold, it serves as the strategic hub for all your efforts. Interacting with the War Table is a crucial gameplay loop that drives progression and unlocks new opportunities.

Through the War Table, you can:

Dispatch Agents: Assign your recruited agents to various missions across the continent. These missions range from gathering intelligence and disrupting enemy operations to securing vital resources and forging alliances. The success of these missions often depends on the skills and experience of the agents you choose.
Gain Influence: Completing War Table operations is the primary method of increasing your Inquisition's Influence. Influence is a measure of your organization's standing and power in the world. As your Influence grows, you unlock more powerful and varied missions, gain access to new perks, and can even influence political decisions.
Unlock Areas and Quests: Many War Table missions are essential for progressing the main story, opening up new regions for exploration, or revealing side quests and opportunities that would otherwise remain hidden. For example, a mission to investigate the Red Templars in the Hissing Wastes might unlock a new area to explore.
Gather Resources: Operations can yield valuable crafting materials, gold, schematics, and even unique items. These resources are vital for equipping your party, upgrading your gear, and constructing new facilities at Skyhold.
Resolve Conflicts and Make Decisions: The War Table is also where you make critical decisions regarding political disputes, internal Inquisition matters, and how to respond to various threats. These choices often have significant consequences, affecting your relationships with factions and the overall state of Thedas.

Inquisition Influence

Influence is the primary currency for expanding the Inquisition's reach and demonstrating its growing power. It is gained by completing War Table missions, making significant story choices, and completing certain side objectives. Higher Influence unlocks more powerful and varied missions, grants access to valuable perks, and can even influence the outcome of certain quests and political negotiations. Think of it as your organization's reputation and leverage. A higher Influence score makes it easier to command respect, secure resources, and undertake more ambitious operations.

Key Ways to Gain Influence:

Completing War Table Operations (variable amounts depending on mission difficulty and type).
Making critical story decisions that align with the Inquisition's goals.
Discovering lore objects and completing certain exploration-based objectives.
Recruiting new agents.

Agents

You will recruit a diverse cast of agents throughout your journey, each with their own background, skills, and motivations. These individuals are crucial for the success of your War Table missions. Different agents may have specialties that make them more effective for certain types of operations. For instance, an agent with a background in espionage might be ideal for a reconnaissance mission, while a seasoned soldier would be better suited for a troop deployment operation.

Notable Agents and Their Potential Roles:

Scouts: Often found in the field, these agents excel at reconnaissance and gathering intelligence.
Spies: Skilled in subterfuge and infiltration, they are vital for missions involving espionage and sabotage.
Soldiers/Warriors: Experienced in combat, these agents are best for operations requiring military might or protection.
Diplomats/Negotiators: Adept at political maneuvering, they are useful for missions involving alliances and negotiations.

The more agents you recruit, the more concurrent operations you can run on the War Table, significantly speeding up your progress and resource acquisition. Some agents are recruited through specific quests, while others can be found and persuaded to join the Inquisition.

Advisors

You have three key advisors who manage different, critical aspects of the Inquisition, each with their own distinct personality, expertise, and sphere of influence. They are your most trusted confidantes and are instrumental in guiding the Inquisition's strategic direction. Each advisor will present you with missions and offer advice based on their expertise. Their recommendations can often guide you towards the most beneficial course of action, but ultimately, the final decision rests with you, the Inquisitor.

Commander Cullen Rutherford

Role: Head of the military forces and commander of the Inquisition's soldiers. Cullen is a seasoned warrior and a former Templar. He is responsible for the recruitment, training, and deployment of all Inquisition troops. His focus is on direct combat, securing territory, and engaging enemies on the battlefield. He often advises on matters of military strategy, troop movements, and the suppression of hostile forces.

Missions: Cullen's missions typically involve direct military action, such as clearing out bandit camps, assaulting enemy strongholds, or securing strategic locations. He also oversees the training of new recruits and the development of new siege weapons.
Expertise: Combat tactics, troop deployment, fortifications, and dealing with organized military threats (e.g., Red Templars, Venatori).
Location: Primarily found in the barracks or training grounds at Haven and Skyhold.

Leliana

Role: Head of intelligence and espionage, also known as the Spymaster. Leliana is a former Bard and a master of secrets. She manages the Inquisition's network of spies and informants across Thedas. Her purview includes gathering intelligence, conducting covert operations, and maintaining the Inquisition's information advantage. She is pragmatic and often ruthless in her pursuit of information and the elimination of threats.

Missions: Leliana's missions often involve espionage, assassination, sabotage, and the infiltration of enemy organizations. She is also responsible for monitoring potential threats and uncovering conspiracies.
Expertise: Espionage, infiltration, assassination, information gathering, counter-intelligence, and dealing with clandestine threats.
Location: Often found in her quarters or a quiet corner at Haven and Skyhold, poring over reports.

Ambassador Josephine Montilyet

Role: Head of diplomacy and negotiation, the Inquisition's Ambassador to the world. Josephine is a skilled diplomat and a member of the esteemed Montilyet family. She is responsible for managing the Inquisition's relationships with the various nations, factions, and influential figures of Thedas. Her focus is on forging alliances, securing political support, and navigating the complex web of international relations.

Missions: Josephine's missions involve diplomatic overtures, negotiating treaties, securing trade agreements, and resolving political disputes between factions. She also works to garner support for the Inquisition from rulers and influential individuals.
Expertise: Diplomacy, negotiation, political maneuvering, alliance building, and managing international relations.
Location: Typically found in the audience chamber or her study at Haven and Skyhold, receiving dignitaries.

Each advisor will present you with missions and offer advice based on their expertise. Their recommendations can often guide you towards the most beneficial course of action, but ultimately, the final decision rests with you, the Inquisitor.