As new and longtime fans dive back into the world of Thedas and immerse themselves in the plot of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, some will no doubt be keeping an eye out for any familiar faces. With this being the fourth installment in the series, expectations are high for characters from past games and other Dragon Age media to appear, and The Veilguard doesn't disappoint. Continuing a series tradition started in Dragon Age 2, there are several characters from throughout the franchise for Rook to meet.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: The Veilguard.]

Dragon Age has a long history of including characters from previous games and the wider franchise to make the world feel more connected and real. From Nathaniel Howe and Alistair visiting Kirkwall to Fiona and Loghain helping the Inquisitor, Dragon Age has always brought back fan favorites alongside more niche characters, folding them cleverly into the plot. So whether leisurely exploring Thedas or rushing to see the ending of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, here are all the cameos to watch for.

9 Varric Tethras - Charming Dwarven Storyteller

Appears In Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition, & Various Comics

It might be a little cheeky to refer to Varric’s appearance in Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a cameo, but many starting the game for the first time expected the clever storyteller to be a companion once more. First introduced in Dragon Age 2, Varric Tethras charmed all who met him with his charismatic swagger and easygoing nature. Varric’s idea to explore the Deep Roads immediately after the Blight that swept Ferelden and his recruitment of Hawke set into motion a chain of events that still reverberates through Thedas.

Varric is still the Viscount of Kirkwall, although he frequently leaves the city in the hands of Seneschal Bran.

Varric’s role in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is much more diminished than his time as a companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition. This time, Varric is acting as a mentor to Rook, after getting severely injured during the game’s introductory mission. Initially the one hunting Solas, alongside Lace Harding, Varric was the team’s leader, but once Rook is forced to take over, he offers sage advice and is often the voice of reason when the situation gets tense.

8 Solas - Elven Trickster God

Appears In Dragon Age: Inquisition & Various Comics

Just like Varric, many already knew Solas would be making an appearance in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and just like Varric, Solas’ role is not what people were expecting. Although Solas was not seen until Dragon Age: Inquisition, the Dread Wolf had been mentioned all the way back in the very beginning, with Dalish characters in Dragon Age: Origins invoking his name as a curse. The twist of his true identity at the end of Inquisition remains one of the best in the series and set up the plot of The Veilguard perfectly.

Solas also acts as an advisor of sorts for much of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, with Rook able to visit him in their dreams. There are several opportunities to learn more about this enigmatic character, with the side quest “Regrets of the Dread Wolf” standing out as particularly fascinating. Offering insight into the ancient elven gods unleashed on Thedas, it is interesting to see Solas no longer pretending to be anything other than his true self.

7 Morrigan - The Witch Of The Wilds

Appears In Dragon Age: Origins, Witch Hunt, & Dragon Age: Inquisition

Another expected and teased return was the fan-favorite character Morrigan, with a new look but just as mysterious as ever. Morrigan is fondly ed by long-time Dragon Age fans as one of the first companions to the Warden’s party in Dragon Age: Origins. Raised outside of civilization, Morrigan was often at odds with the other party , with sometimes hilarious comments. Often prickly and outspoken, her personal journey throughout her various appearances has been wonderful to watch and experience.

Morrigan reappears in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, interacting with Rook on brief occasions where she can be of help. Morrigan is the one who introduces Rook to the Inquisitor and will also explain who Mythal is and how she survived. The version of Morrigan who appears in The Veilguard is older and wiser than the brash young woman from Origins but still just as eccentric and a very welcome sight.

6 The Inquisitor - Beloved Player Character

Appears In Dragon Age: Inquisition

A welcome cameo comes in the form of the prior installment’s protagonist as the Inquisitor of Dragon Age: Inquisition arrives to offer insight into what is happening in the rest of Thedas. Including a player character from a previous game is always tricky, as seen with Hawke's inclusion in Inquisition, and there are bound to be complaints about the character’s watered-down personality. Perhaps this is why the Inquisitor’s involvement in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is kept to an absolute minimum when it comes to screen time.

If Inquisition was not played or the Inquisitor is unedited, then they will appear as a female Elf with no love interest, who disbanded the Inquisition and wishes to redeem Solas.

Most of Rook’s interactions with the Inquisitor will come in the form of letters, found in the Missives section of the menu. When the Inquisitor is on-screen, thankfully, they can be made to look almost exactly as ed, since Dragon Age: The Veilguard allows the Inquisitor to be fully customized. Overall, a brief but nice cameo that ties the games together well.

5 Dorian Pavus - Witty Tevinter Magister

Appears In Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age: Deception, & Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights

Anyone who played Dragon Age: Inquisition will be delighted to see the charming Dorian Pavus again, as Rook explores Minrathous early in the game. First introduced in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a witty Tevinter mage companion and a potential romance candidate for male Inquisitors. Dorian’s story and his involvement in attempting to better the situation in Tevinter was expanded in Dragon Age comics.

Dorian appears briefly in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, making a memorable impression on the grumpy First Warden Glastrum. Dorian will reveal that he’s working with the Shadow Dragons and companion Neve Gallus and acts as the faction’s eyes and ears inside the Magisterium. Dorian’s fate in the game can change depending on whether Minrathous or Treviso is helped during a crucial moment that can alter how factions and companions feel about Rook. Although Dorian’s cameo is brief, it stands out for all the right reasons with his tongue clearly as sharp as ever.

4 Maevaris Tilani - Clever Tevinter Ally

Appears In Dragon Age: Those Who Speak, Dragon Age: Until We Sleep, & Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights

Appearing alongside Dorian is a fan favorite from the Dragon Age comics, former Magister Maevaris Tilani. First appearing in Dragon Age: Those Who Speak, Maevaris is a loyal and strong ally to Varric, after unofficially marrying his cousin Thorold. As a Tevinter Magister, Maevaris attempted to use her influence and fortune to help change the world for the better. This later led her to become a founding member of a progressive reform and anti-Venatori group, the Lucerni, alongside Dorian.

Unfortunately, the Venatori were able to use their influence to strip Maevaris of her seat in the Magisterium. However, she continued to fight against them as one of the leaders of the Shadow Dragons. Maevaris appears briefly in Dragon Age: The Veilguard in the Shadow Dragon's hideout in Minrathous after an investigation of a Venatori warehouse. She will briefly provide information before pointing Rook to a meeting with the First Warden.

3 Isabela - Flirtatious Pirate Queen

Appears In Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Inquisition, & Various Comics

A firm fan favorite, Isabela has the honor of appearing in every Dragon Age game, with her brief introduction in Dragon Age: Origins, a full companion in Dragon Age 2, and a multiplayer option in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Always flirtatious and seemingly carefree, Isabela is a skilled duelist who fights with twin blades and has a complicated past. Although only touched on in Dragon Age 2, Isabela's backstory was greatly expanded in the Dragon Age comics Those Who Speak and Until We Sleep.

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Isabela is part of the Lords of Fortune treasure hunters faction. Isabela appears after Taash has been recruited and then invites Rook to fight in the Hall of Valor, which is an arena requiring Rook to survive 10 waves of enemies. Isabela will also pop up frequently as part of Taash's personal quest, making her cameo a little more substantial than others.

2 Valya - Grey Warden Mage

Appears In Dragon Age: Last Flight

Valya might not be a name fans of Dragon Age games will recognize. However, any who enjoyed Dragon Age: Last Flight will be happy to see her again. Born in an elven alienage, Valya was a former member of the Hossberg Circle, before ing the Grey Wardens to escape the ongoing Mage-Templar War. Valya was part of a research group that was looking into new darkspawn activity and was the one who discovered the diary of Isseya, a Grey Warden mage and one of the last griffon riders.

After further research, Valya followed clues in Isseya's diaries and led her team to the last griffon eggs which had been kept safe by magic. Valya appears in Dragon Age: The Veilguard as part of Davrin's quest to rescue the kidnapped griffons from the Gloom Howler. She provides vital information and context about what the Grey Wardens did to the griffons centuries ago and why the species was thought extinct.

1 Xenon The Antiquarian - Ancient & Eccentric Collector

Appears In Dragon Age 2 & Dragon Age: Inquisition

Finally, Xenon the Antiquarian makes a return, with a new shop for Rook to buy items and equipment. First appearing in the Dragon Age 2 DLC The Black Emporium, Xenon runs a store of the same name located in Kirkwall. Xenon himself is ancient, having been granted immortality but not eternal youth, and looks like a withered husk reading a book. When visiting his shop, as either Hawke or the Inquisitor, Xenon will often make comments as they wander around his shop.

Previous versions of The Black Emporium were where the Mirror of Transformation was kept, allowing Hawke and the Inquisitor to change their appearance. In The Veilguard, the mirror is kept in the Lighthouse infirmary.

Xenon will reach out to Rook in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, offering them the chance to visit his new shop in Minrathous. Sadly, Xenon is there alone, with no Urchin or Chauncey the tiny bear to keep him company, although his trademark comments are still just as sharp as ever. After an initial visit, Xenon will send Rook a missive, complaining about the behavior of some of their companions while in his shop, and claim they were rude.