World State & Choices Impact

Your journey through Thedas in Dragon Age: Inquisition is deeply shaped by the decisions you've made in previous Dragon Age titles, or by the choices you configure in the Dragon Age Keep. This "World State" isn't just flavor text; it directly influences character appearances, dialogue options, available quests, and even the very fabric of the world around you. Understanding these impacts can enrich your playthrough and provide unique challenges or advantages.

Configuring Your World State via Dragon Age Keep

Before starting a new game in Dragon Age: Inquisition, you have the crucial opportunity to import a custom World State using the official Dragon Age Keep. This web-based application allows you to meticulously recreate all your major decisions from Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II. Even if you haven't played the previous games, the Keep is invaluable for crafting a narrative that aligns with your preferred story. Here's how to ensure your choices translate correctly:

Access the Dragon Age Keep: Navigate to dragonagekeep.com in your web browser and log in with your EA account.
Review the Tapestry: The Keep's "Tapestry" is a visual representation of all major decisions across the Dragon Age saga. Each panel corresponds to a significant choice.
Customize Your Choices: Click on individual panels to change decisions. For example, under Dragon Age: Origins, you can decide if the Warden was male or female, what class they were, who they romanced (e.g., Alistair, Morrigan, Leliana), and critical plot points like the fate of the Archdemon (Warden sacrifices, Alistair sacrifices, Loghain sacrifices, Dark Ritual). For Dragon Age II, you'll configure Hawke's class, personality (Diplomatic, Sarcastic, Aggressive), major faction alignments (Templars vs. Mages), and companion fates.
Save Your World State: Once you're satisfied with all your choices, ensure you click the "Save" button within the Keep. This will generate a unique World State ID.
Import into Inquisition: When starting a new game in Dragon Age: Inquisition, select the "Import World State from Dragon Age Keep" option. The game will prompt you to log into your EA account and retrieve your saved Tapestry.

Actionable Tip: Always double-check your World State in the Keep before starting a new Inquisition playthrough. Minor oversights can lead to unexpected narrative shifts.

Key Decisions and Their In-Game Consequences

The impact of your World State can range from subtle dialogue changes to entirely new quests or character interactions. Here are some significant examples:

I. Dragon Age: Origins Choices

The Warden's Fate:
- Warden Sacrifices: If your Warden died to defeat the Archdemon, they will be remembered as a hero. This can affect dialogue from characters like Leliana and Cullen.
- Alistair Sacrifices: If Alistair died, he will not appear in Inquisition, and the political landscape of Ferelden will be different, potentially impacting the Grey Warden storyline.
- Loghain Sacrifices: If Loghain died, he will not appear. If he was recruited and survived, he might be mentioned or even briefly appear in certain contexts related to the Grey Wardens.
- Dark Ritual Performed: If the Dark Ritual was performed with Morrigan, her son Kieran will exist. This has major implications for the "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts" quest and the Trespasser DLC, where Kieran's nature (Old God Soul or not) becomes a critical plot point.
Alistair's Status:
- King Alistair: If Alistair became King of Ferelden (alone or with the Warden), he will appear during the "Here Lies the Abyss" questline, offering his support. His demeanor will reflect his reign.
- Warden Alistair: If Alistair remained a Grey Warden, he will appear as a fellow Warden during "Here Lies the Abyss," with different dialogue and a more hardened perspective.
- Drunk Alistair: If Alistair was hardened and then dethroned or exiled, he might appear as a drunkard in the Hanged Man pub in Kirkwall (mentioned, not seen, in Inquisition) or as a minor noble, affecting his role in the Grey Warden crisis.
The Anvil of the Void:
- Destroyed: If Branka's Anvil of the Void was destroyed, there will be fewer Golems in Thedas, and the quest "The Descent" DLC will reflect this scarcity.
- Preserved: If the Anvil was preserved, Golems might be more prevalent or mentioned as a potential resource, particularly in dwarven-related lore.
Orzammar's King:
- Bhelen: If Bhelen became king, Orzammar will be more progressive but potentially more ruthless.
- Harrowmont: If Harrowmont became king, Orzammar will be more traditional but potentially stagnant. This affects dwarven politics and the availability of certain resources or contacts.

II. Dragon Age II Choices

Hawke's Class and Personality:
- Hawke's class (Warrior, Rogue, Mage) and dominant personality (Diplomatic, Sarcastic, Aggressive) will be reflected when they appear in Inquisition during the "Here Lies the Abyss" quest. Their dialogue and combat style will match your choices.
Mage-Templar Conflict Resolution:
- Sided with Mages: If Hawke sided with the Mages, the Templars will be portrayed as more oppressive, and the Mages as more sympathetic, influencing various dialogue options and character perspectives (e.g., Vivienne, Cullen).
- Sided with Templars: If Hawke sided with the Templars, the Mages will be seen as more dangerous, and the Templars as necessary, again shifting narrative nuances.
- Neutral/Both: If Hawke attempted to remain neutral or sided with both at different points, the narrative will reflect a more nuanced, less black-and-white view of the conflict.
Companion Fates:
- Fenris: If Fenris left or died, he won't appear. If he stayed with Hawke, he might be mentioned or his fate during the Mage-Templar War will be discussed.
- Isabela: Her relationship with Hawke and her fate (returned the Qunari tome or not) can influence dialogue with Iron Bull and other Qunari-related lore.
- Merrill: Her continued use of blood magic or her fate after the final conflict will be reflected in dialogue, particularly concerning elven lore and magic.
- Anders: His actions in Kirkwall (destroying the Chantry) are a major plot point. If he survived, he will be a notorious figure. If he died, his legacy still looms large.
Romances:
- Hawke's chosen romance (e.g., Fenris, Isabela, Merrill, Anders, Sebastian, Aveline) will be acknowledged in dialogue when Hawke appears, adding a personal touch to their story.

Specific In-Game Encounters and Items Affected

"Here Lies the Abyss" Quest: This main story quest is the most significant point where your World State impacts Inquisition. Hawke and a Grey Warden (either Alistair, Loghain, or Stroud) will appear. Their identities and dialogue are entirely dependent on your Keep choices.
Morrigan's Story Arc: If the Dark Ritual was performed in Origins, Morrigan's son, Kieran, will be present. This unlocks unique dialogue, quests, and a pivotal choice in the Trespasser DLC regarding the Old God Soul. Without Kieran, Morrigan's narrative is still rich but lacks this specific, powerful element.
Leliana's Disposition: Your Warden's romance with Leliana, or specific choices made regarding her in Origins (e.g., hardening her, killing her), can subtly alter her personality and political leanings in Inquisition, influencing her counsel and her potential role as Divine.
Cullen's Background: His experiences with the Mages and Templars in Origins and Dragon Age II (especially if you sided with Mages in Kirkwall) will be reflected in his dialogue and his personal questline, "Before the Dawn."
Codex Entries: Certain codex entries will be updated or appear differently based on the outcomes of previous games, providing a personalized history of Thedas.
Minor Character Mentions: Characters like Zevran, Sten, and others from previous games might be mentioned in passing by companions or NPCs, adding depth to the world.

By carefully curating your World State, you can craft a truly unique and personal narrative experience in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Take the time to explore the Dragon Age Keep and make the choices that resonate most with your vision of Thedas!