Dragon Age: The Veilguard is full of choices, big and small, for Rook and their team to help with as they battle to save Thedas. From helping companions with personal issues and scheming mayors to dragon attacks and how to handle trickster gods, there are plenty of decisions that help shape the world throughout the course of the story. And there is one such choice late in the game, which has Rook weighing in on the future of the Tevinter Empire and who should be the next Archon.

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

Politics have always been a part of Dragon Age, with one of the key choices in Dragon Age: Origins being who should sit on Ferelden’s throne, while Inquisition saw three key characters vying as candidates to be the next Divine. Although ever present, Tevinter politics and the details of how the Magisterium operates have always been vague throughout the series, which has primarily been set in Southern Thedas. However, with the action in The Veilguard shifting to the north of the continent, Rook has the opportunity to shape the fate of the powerful empire.

How To Get To Choose The Next Archon

The Choice Comes At The End Of The Shadow Dragons Faction Questline

In order for Rook to be given the choice between Dorian and Maevaris for Archon, Minrathous must be helped instead of Treviso when the Blighted dragons attack. This will allow the Shadow Dragons to continue on as a strong faction, making the discussion about the next leader of Tevinter possible. After rescuing the kidnapped Dalish from Elgar'nan during "Blood of Arlathan" and speaking with Solas afterward, Rook will receive a note requesting a meeting with Maevaris in the Shadow Dragon's safe house.

This will begin the quest "The Soul of a City", where Rook will have to uncover a Venatori plot for the conclusion of the Shadow Dragon’s questline. After a trip to the Cobbled Swan, Rook will have to find and defeat Knight-Commander Lenos before returning to Maevaris. Here, she and Dorian will be having a disagreement about the future of Tevinter and how to deal with the Venatori, finally asking Rook for their opinion of who should be the next Archon.

What Happens If Maevaris Is Chosen

Maevaris Tilani Wants To Inspire Tevinter

Both candidates will put forward their arguments about why it should be them, with Maevaris desiring transparency to show the Tevinter people that their leaders can be trusted. During the quest, Rook will discover a list of names, all Magisters, who have been backing the Venatori and abusing their power. Maevaris believes that the intelligence gathered should be used to rally the people by making the information public.

If Rook has the Shadow Dragon backstory in The Veilguard, they will have extra dialogue choices during this quest, often expressing their opinion that nothing ever seems to really change regarding Tevinter politics.

Maevaris firmly believes that what the people of Tevinter need is to see justice served to those who do wrong to them, rather than it all happening behind closed doors as usual. Maevaris is concerned about Dorian's bolder approach, as she believes it will cause their enemies to resort to the same methods. She wants to bring the governance of Tevinter into the light rather than mages and nobles making decisions secretly.

ing Maevaris will result in approval from Davrin, Taash, and Harding.

Rook can speak with the Viper, Tarquin, and Neve to get their opinions of both candidates. Ashur will be ive of Maevaris, calling her the leader the people have always wanted, and he worries that Dorian's way will bring chaos. Neve's answer will change depending on how her personal quest was completed, and she will not give a firm answer if it hasn't been finished when spoken to.

What Happens If Dorian Is Chosen

Dorian Pavus Wants To Take Bold New Steps

Dorian wants to use the list of Magisters Rook found during the quest and use that information to hurt those who have been preying on the population for years. He intends to take what he's learned from the Inquisitor, Leliana, and politics in the South and attack his enemies head-on. It is obvious when speaking with him that Dorian has lost faith in the system, especially after the failure of the Lucerni.

The Lucerni were a faction formed by Dorian and Maevaris to attempt to bring about political reforms. However, the Lucerni were officially disbanded when political enemies framed Maevaris for treason. The remains of the group went underground and formed the Shadow Dragons.

Dorian doesn't just want to outmaneuver his enemies, he wants to destroy them completely so they cannot return. Dorian is frustrated with Maevaris' cautious approach and will remind her that the whole reason the Shadow Dragons exist is because the system is broken. He wants to try to snap Tevinter out of its old fixed way of thinking with new methods.

ing Dorian will result in approval from Lucanis, Bellara, and Emmrich.

When speaking with Neve, Tarquin, and the Viper, Tarquin will back Dorian. Tarquin's reasoning is that Dorian knows when to strike at his enemies, while he thinks Maevaris probably won't achieve any meaningful change. However, both important faction s state that whoever is chosen will have the Shadow Dragon’s full .

Whoever is chosen for Archon, the consequences are not immediately felt in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, with the only real difference being the slides and voiceover during the ending. Maevaris is described as inspiring her people and bringing change, while Dorian is described as bold and forceful. If Treviso is saved instead of Minrathous, Dorian will become the Archon of Tevinter.