When it comes to Dragon Age: Inquisition, there is a story factor that many players don’t even realize that they can affect — who becomes the next Divine. Right at the beginning of the game, Divine Justinia V is killed in the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. By the end of the game, a new Divine is elected, and it all depends on the actions of the players.
There are three potential candidates for the role of the next Divine: Leliana, Cassandra, and Vivienne, if players chose to recruit her. While it might seem like the result of who becomes the Divine is inconsequential as it is right at the end of the game, the consequences will likely echo in Dragon Age 4.
How the Election Works
According to the story, the next Divine is elected by the College of Clerics and all votes must be unanimous. However, the actual election works on a basis similar to the approval system for companions, so certain actions and responses that players choose as the Inquisitor will affect the candidates by either gaining or losing points for each one. If for some reason more than one candidate has the same amount of points at the end, Vivienne takes priority over both other candidates, and Leliana has priority over Cassandra.
Additionally, Leliana only becomes a proper candidate for the position of Divine if the player completes her personal side quests. If Leliana becomes Divine, she has two different outcomes depending on player choice and whether her personality became “hardened” during her side quests, which will decide whether she is a compassionate Divine or a ruthless one.
Just below, we’re going to cover all of the major choices, conversation options, and more that affect the election of the next Divine, and the number of points that each action will accrue for each candidate.
Plot Decisions
The first plot decision that players will come to that will affect the Divine election is dependant on their first story choice — whether they choose to side with the mages or the templars. Therefore, each player will only undergo one of the first two plot decisions based on their choice of which faction to support.
Champions of the Just (Templar Route)
- Choosing the “Rebuild as our partners.” option and asking the templars to join the Inquisition as allies: Leliana +1, Cassandra +10, and Vivienne +5.
- Choosing the “Then yield and serve us.” option, which asks the templars to disband and join the Inquisition: Leliana +1, Cassandra +5, and Vivienne -5.
In Hushed Whispers (Mage Route)
- Choosing “You’re our allies.” and offering the mages an alliance with the Inquisition: Leliana +10, Cassandra -5, and Vivienne -10.
- Choosing the option “You’re our prisoners” to conscript the mages into the service of the Inquisition: Leliana -10, Cassandra +1, and Vivienne +10.
Here Lies the Abyss
- Choosing the option “Help the Inquisition.” to allow the Grey Wardens to remain as allies of the Inquisition: Leliana +5, Cassandra -5, and Vivienne -1.
- Choosing “Get out of Orlais.” and banishing the Grey Wardens: Leliana +5, Cassandra +5, and Vivienne +1.
Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts
There are a multitude of outcomes for the “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Eyes” main story quest, all depending on how much evidence the player gathered during the quest, and which choices they make near the end of it. As a result, there are a few different ways the Divine election can be affected.
- If the player managed to save Empress Celene’s life and the Inquisitor encourages that Celene, Gaspard, and Briala work together: Cassandra+1 and Vivienne -5.
- If Celene lives and the Inquisitor supports the execution of Gaspard: Vivienne +1.
- If Celene lives but the Inquisitor recommends that Gaspard be spared: Leliana +1 and Vivienne +5.
- If the player did not save Celene, and they recommend that Gaspard and Briala work together: Leliana +5, Cassandra -5, and Vivienne -10
- If the player did not save Celene, and the Inquisitor supports Gaspard alone: Cassandra +10 and Vivienne -1.
Inquisitor Speech at Skyhold
When players first officially become the Inquisitor during the “From the Ashes” main story quest, they have to give a speech at Skyhold where they declare what kind of leader they will be. There are many options to choose from during the speech, and the majority of them will affect the Divine election:
- “I’ll be a servant of faith.” — Cassandra +5 and Vivienne +1.
- “I fight for order, not faith.” — Cassandra +1 and Vivienne -1.
- “I’ll do it because it’s right.”— Leliana +5.
- “I will lead them to vengeance.” — Leliana +1 and Vivienne -5.
- “I’ll do it for my own power.” — Leliana +5 and Cassandra -1.
There are also additional statements that can be made based on the race or class of the Inquisitor, the ones that affect the Divine election are as follows:
- “A dwarf/elf/Qunari will stand for us all.” — Leliana +1, Cassandra -1, and Vivienne -1.
- “I’ll set an example as a mage.” — Leliana +1 and Vivienne +5.
Conversations with Characters
There are quite a few times when players are able to speak with several characters and further affect the Divine election. You’ll find the conversation options just below, as well as when these conversations can take place.
Leliana
After the “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” main quest:
- “The Chantry preached hate.” — Leliana +1.
After the “What Pride Had Wrought” main quest:
- “Why does change matter?” — Leliana +1.
- “It’s a noble goal.” — Leliana +1.
- “I’d support you.” — Leliana +1.
- “The world needs that Chantry.” — Leliana +1.
Cassandra
During the cutscene with Mother Giselle and Cassandra following the “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” main quest:
- “You’d be perfect.” — Cassandra +5.
- “Maybe the Chantry should end.” — Leliana +1, Cassandra -1.
When speaking with Cassandra any time after the above cutscene:
- “You’d make a good Divine.” — Cassandra +5.
- “Forget the Chantry.” — Cassandra -5.
- “Perhaps there’s another way.” — Cassandra -1.
Vivienne
Once the player gets a warm approval rating with Vivienne and speaks to her:
- “You hold the Divine to that?” — Vivienne +5.
After either main quest “In Hushed Whispers” or “Champions of the Just” is completed:
- “We need mages in the Chantry.” — Vivienne +5.
- “We need the Circle back.” — Vivienne +1.
Choosing the “Investigate” option during a conversation with low approval:
- “So teach them not to fear.” — Vivienne +1.
- “They deserve what happens.” — Vivienne -1.
After the “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” main quest:
- “You’d make a good Divine.” — Vivienne +1.
- “I agree.” (on choosing Cassandra) — Cassandra +1.
- “What about Leliana?” — Leliana +1.
- “I’ll make sure they do.” (Players need the Nobility perk for this option to appear) — Vivienne +5.
Other Character Conversations
- With Josephine, when discussing grand clerics consolidating the Chantry’s power:“It’s needed more than ever.” — Leliana +1 and Vivienne +1.
- With Mother Giselle after the main quest “In Hushed Whispers” or “Champions of the Just”:“The Chantry did terribly.”— Leliana +1.
- With Mother Giselle after the main quest “What Pride Had Wrought”:“I hope so.” (When discussing how losing the knowledge on the Temple of Mythal would be tragic) — Leliana +1.
- With Dorian anytime after recruiting him. The player must ask “Are you religious?”, then under the “Investigate” option will be “The Imperium has a Chantry?” for the next option to appear:“I agree with you.” — Leliana +1 and Vivienne -1.
War Table Operations
There are two war table operations that players can undertake that will influence the Divine election. These are the following:
- Support Cassandra: Cassandra +10.
- Support Vivienne: Vivienne +10.
There is no war table operation for Leliana. It is advised that players do not undertake the operations for anyone they do not wish to be elected, so if the player wants Leliana to become the next Divine, they should leave both war table operations incomplete until the end of the game.
Next: Dragon Age Inquisition: The Most Difficult Side Quests (& Some Tips For Beating Them)
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Meg appreciates gaming on all formats, but primarily spends her time achievement hunting to the extreme. Her passion for gaming began as a child, when first introduced to the Amstrad. A collector of gaming consoles past and present, Meg spends as much of her time rediscovering old classics as she does playing the latest releases.
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