At a Glance
Onan is a tall elf with brown skin, long straight dark hair, and light golden brown eyes with hooded lids under thick, straight brows. He has large pointed ears. His face and body are tattooed with complex dark red Sylaise vallaslin. He has several scars on his body from various childhood mishaps and hunting incidents; one that is particularly notable is the four large parallel scars on his right shoulder and bicep, it has somewhat faded with age. He has a low, deep voice (and I suppose he speaks with the same accent his clan uses in DA2).
Onan is lean with long limbs and a strong back and shoulders built from his life as an archer. When not in armor or traveling gear, he dresses in simple, layered clothing in neutral colors; most of his garments seem worn but immaculately mended and cared for. He wears his hair loose, but ties it back while cooking or hunting.
An initial impression may leave him seeming aloof, though time will prove he is a very warm and friendly individual with a lot of patience and empathy for his friends and loved ones. He has a calm and steady demeanor.
History
Onan had a typical childhood, and has a supportive relationship with Ashalle and considers her his mother even after learning of his parents' fate. He grew up with Tamlen, Fenarel, Maren and eventually Merrill, though he was always closest to Tamlen.
Onan was a hunter for Clan Sabrae, though he enjoyed helping Hahren Paivel with the clan's children when he was able. He's a few years older than Merrill, and when she first came to live with Clan Sabrae, he went out of his way to be friendly to her! She didn't get to spend as much time with the other children because of her training, but Onan tried to treat her like everyone else; they were close. He was very much a Big Brother to the clan's children, it was a loss to see him go, and he was very reluctant to leave.
When he became old enough to consider his vallaslin, he was initially interested in Andruil, Goddess of the Hunt. After some talks with Ashalle and Paivel, he chose Sylaise, the Hearthkeeper (goddess of all domestic arts) instead. He's always had a very patient and nurturing nature, and enjoys the arts Sylaise taught.
Onan having a Dalish upbringing, makes him a little awkward in certain conversations (cultural differences) and (weirdly enough) he seemed to really struggle to have positive interactions with male NPCs, meanwhile women LOVED him. I don't know why this is, but literally he failed every single persuasion check when it came to men. I don't think he particularly comes across as charming initially but? Idk maybe the ladies saw through his seemingly standoffish demeanor.
Alistair becomes his best friend, they bond through grief (and between u an me, if Ali had been bi in the base game, i could see them being endgame, alas.) Onan does romance Morrigan, but it happens a lot slower than in game. For starters, I think he's not used to that sort of attention, and secondly, he's been in love with Tamlen for a long time at this point, and I don't think he immediately thinks of Morrigan that way. (I'm undecided if he and Tamlen were romantically involved or if it was unrequited/starcrossed, i've spent a lot of time in Onan's head and it's always a little muddy for me to interpret. At the end of the day, all I can ever really get from him is that Tamlen was his dearest friend and he loved him very much, and now he's gone yet the love remains, what more could you need to know?)
Onan pushed for he and Morrigan to become friends despite her open flirting. Throughout the campaign, Onan is dealing with and trying to process not only his grief, but his survivor's guilt over Tamlen, so he really just... isn't in a great headspace for new relationships. He and Morrigan still end up bonding over their shared differences with the other members of the party, like growing up in the woods, avoiding humans/templars, etc. (And they do have a natural chemistry.) He has opinions about her childhood, though he keeps them to himself, it does help him understand her better. When she eventually comes to him with the final request of her personal quest and he delivers (ahem, Flemeth, iykyk), they finally sleep together. Morrigan immediately hits him with the "we can't do this anymore." It's complicated!
Story Choices
- Onan convinced Zathrian to cure the Werewolves. By swiftly beating his ass into submission, that is.
- He saved the Circle Mages, freed Jowan at Morrigan's behest, and freed Connor from the demon with Morrigan's assisstance.
- His fade dream involved being back with his clan and the thing that tipped him off that he was dreaming was that, while spending time with Tamlen, Tamlen had briefly turned into Morrigan (tfw ur feelings r confused so the fade demons manipulating u get confused :((()
- In spite of Oghren's and Morrigan's protests, he destroyed the Anvil of the Void.
- He did not corrupt the Sacred Ashes (mainly because he didn't agree with the dragon cultists, not because he felt especially beholden to Andrastianism)
- The moment with ghost Tamlen during the Gauntlet was chilling! And only fed into his guilt!
- Onan "hardens" Alistair and makes him King (the hardening conversation isn't as bad as it sounds, I can see him kindly advising Alistair to be aware of people trying to take advantage of him) plus it gives Alistair the confidence boost he needs to want to take the throne.)
- Onan lets Alistair execute Loghain.
- He performs the Dark Ritual with Morrigan.
- As Warden Commander, he saves Amaranthine (and fortifies the Keep), and spares the Architect (at Velanna's request).
- When he finally does Witch Hunt, he follows Morrigan through the eluvian.
- (sidenote becuase the thing is i typically try to recruit everyone but when sten tells him to fuck off in lothering, onan does indeed leave him alone lmao)
For Fun :>
Onan is a Taurus, INFJ and Phlegmatic. He is Neutral Good.
Onan enjoys music! He started learning to play the ocarina as a teenager, he's proficient! Though doesn't have as much time to practice since becoming a Grey Warden. He also enjoys whittling and woodworking, and enjoys making handmade gifts for those he cares for. He gifted his son, Kieran, a set of carved animal figurines soon after meeting him. Onan also enjoys cooking, he's a huge fan of rosemary and thyme, and his favorite meal is fresh baked bread with a hearty stew.
Despite having spent most of his life being an archer, and while he does prefer the bow, he is skilled at dual wielding daggers, as well.
His tarot card would be Death: upright: endings, change, transformation, transition | reversed: resistance to change, personal transformation, inner purging.
What's in his Inventory?
- Shortbow, arrows, quiver, 2 daggers, and weapon maintenence/repair kit.
- Leather armor, band to tie hair back, boots for cold weather, worn but comfortable cotton clothing (camp clothes).
- A small cooking kit (includes dried herbs for cooking), a sewing kit, and a medkit.
- General Camping supplies, flint and tinder, hatchet, etc.
- Pouch of miscellaneous seeds, bulbs and dried flowers, a tin of floral smelling balm, a wooden ocarina wrapped in a soft cloth, and several necklaces of personal significance. Morrigan's Ring.
Onan's Pokemon team would consist of
- Pidgeot: aka his companion, Falon :) It can fly at twice the speed of sound at an altitude of nearly one mile. This Pokémon has gorgeous, glossy feathers. Many trainers are so captivated by the beautiful feathers on its head that they choose Pidgeot as their Pokémon.
- Seedot: If it remains still, it looks just like a real nut. It delights in surprising foraging Pokémon. (i chose seedot because he canonically carries a bag of seeds on him, but i can see either him or Falon coming across one and bonding with it :))
- Leavanny: the Nurturing Pokémon, When Leavanny finds a small Pokémon, it makes clothing for it with its arm cutters, using leaves and sticky silk. This gentle Pokémon has strong protective instincts. It fashions clothing from woven leaves. Though gentle in disposition, it will show no mercy to foes who target young Pokémon.
In Animal Crossing, ignoring gender restrictions obv -_-, he would be a Normal Horse, his phrase would be "da'len", he would have the Nature hobby, prefer green and yellow, and he would enjoy a simple/natural style. green hanten jacket / traditional straw coat
Onan is sun coded, he is warmth! I often think of him as the Spring to Morrigan's Winter. His vibe would be sitting next to a campfire on a cool night, there is a flavorful stew on, and you are enjoying a comfortable silence with someone who loves you.
As a Companion
Recruitment
Onan would still be a Ranger, and his animal companion would be an eagle/hawk fantasy type bird named Falon. He is adamant that she is a friend and companion and not a pet. Onan would be recruitable for all Wardens, including fellow Dalish, he would either be a Dalish Warden's sibling/relative, or his surname could be Sabrae (his backstory would be mostly the same, so the Dalish Warden could have the traditional Mahariel background and it wouldn't interfere or overlap with his.) He will be much warmer/friendlier towards Dalish Wardens! He would have unique dialogue with most of the quests found in the Dalish Camp and Brecilian Forest (like Oghren does in the Deep Roads). He has a high Survival skill (he will be able to help with Elora's Halla).
Onan can be found at the Dalish Camp in the Brecilian Forest, he is standing near the entrance to the forest at the back of the camp. The Warden can approach him, but if the Warden tries entering the forest without speaking to him first, he will initiate conversation. He asks if the Warden plans to enter the forest and requests they bring him along. The Warden can ask what he's doing and he will explain that his clan was in this area not too long ago and that one of his friends has gone missing, and while his clan has traveled elsewhere, he has remained to continue searching for him. Zathrian has asked he not venture into the forest alone, and that he cannot spare anyone else to help him at this time (same story he told the warden.) If the Warden completes Nature of the Beast without recruiting Onan he will no longer be recruitable, with the exception of a persuasion check by a Dalish Warden, provided the Warden does not kill the Dalish. Once recruiting him, if the Warden tries leaving to a different area, he will stop them. (similar to Broken Circle, once you start, you can't leave until the quest is finished)
Nature of the Beast
During the final confrontation with the wolves and Zathrian, Onan will encourage the Warden (and Zathrian) to find a compromise. If the Warden agrees with Zathrian that the Werewolves must be destroyed he will try to persuade the Warden to spare them. If the Warden insists, he will disapprove, and potentially leave the party once the quest is over (depending on the Warden's actions during other quests in this area), and with too much disapproval he will initiate a conversation with the Warden after concluding the quest and ask if they still want to travel together, if the Warden dismisses him he will permanently leave with a "I hope our paths never cross again." The Warden may insist on him holding up his end of their deal and he will stay in the party.
If the Warden sides with the Werewolves and plans to kill the Dalish, Onan will vehemently protest (obv), but if the Warden insists, he will become hostile and join Zathrian in the ensuing fight.
If the Warden convinces Zathrian to do the right thing, he will greatly approve. His conversation after the quest's end will be much warmer and he will request to stay and fight with the Warden.
Personal Quest
Onan's personal quest is finding Tamlen, which is a part of the regular storyline. The Warden, regardless of Origin, can ask him about Tamlen and why this is so important to him. He will vaguely respond that Tamlen would do the same for him. A high affinity Warden will learn that Onan is in love with Tamlen, with an exception to a Dalish Warden that intiated romance with Tamlen. (this warden may still ask but he will keep it to himself)
Unromanced Morrigan may flirt with Onan, and after hearing enough party banter, a high affinity Warden may intiate a conversation with him asking how he feels about it. The Warden may then encourage him to talk to her (triggering an eventual romance between them in later games) or discourage him from reciprocating.
Gifts
- [Special] Savory Seasoning; a rich herbal seasoning blend used for cooking. Sold in Denerim, +15 approval
- [Special] Sylaise Carving; a small stone carving of the Dalish Goddess, Sylaise. Found in Werewolf Lair, +15 approval
- [Special] Fat Grub; a fat wriggling grub, surely someone would enjoy this. Found in Brecilian Forest, +15 approval
- [Misc] Superb Whetstone, Dried Flowers, Sturdy Thread, Carved Animal Necklace, Flint and Iron, Herbal Balm. +5-10 approval
- [Feastday] Gourmet Larvae; lets Onan feed Falon (animation). Temporarily grants +2 Dexterity. +50 approval
- [Feastday] Stale Bread Loaf; a very old and very hard loaf of bread. Becomes an equippable one handed weapon. -50 approval
DAO Endings
- Death :(
- Unknown (The Warden does not recruit him, presumably he continues his search and/or dies)
- Onan survives, resolves his search and returns to his clan. (He did not initiate romance with Morrigan, he will appear in DA2)
- Onan survives, resolves his search and returns to his clan briefly, before leaving to parts unknown. (Morrigan romance, he will appear in DAI)
Role in DA2
Onan can be found at the Dalish Camp, he will be friendly towards Hawke and when spoken to he will ask how Merrill is doing if she is not present. During Merrill's personal quest in Act 3, he will keep the elves from becoming hostile towards Merrill and co.
Role in DAI
Onan will accompany Morrigan and Kieran to Skyhold. He's a father figure to Kieran (provided Kieran exists), and the Inquisitor may ask him about the events of DAO. He may be present during What Pride Had Wrought, and will try to convince Morrigan not to take the Well of Sorrows for herself (his dialogue will be different with a Dalish Inquisitor, vs. Non-Dalish). If the Inquisitor takes the Well of Sorrows, he will later thank them (if Morrigan does, he will express concern to the Inquisitor but won't elaborate, stating "what's done is done.")
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