The Iron Bull's two personalities: Bull vs Hissrad
This is my favorite topic of discussion
I'm not referring to dissociative identity disorder here. These are two sides of the same character, but both personalities are in conflict with each other, one always dominating the other
What we have (my opinion):
Bull: Is the main personality, his innate characteristics. I would also call it Ashkaari. His curiosity about the world, his sociability, his mischief/cunning, but most importantly, his desire to care for others and his strong sense of justice. These are the character traits that make him such a wonderful friend and loving partner
Hissrad: Is a personality shaped for survival in Qun, a consequence of the propaganda he was forced to live with from birth. Discipline, a cool mind, absolute devotion to Qun, the ability to be a weapon in the hands of others, suppressed emotions and desires. He is a soldier. A soldier for whom nothing is more important than Qun
And there's a third, unifying personality - The Iron Bull. It's a combination of these two personalities. It's a state of internal conflict: on the one hand, he still believes in Qun and fears he'll go mad without it. But on the other, he's lived far from his homeland for so many years and sincerely enjoys his "role" as a spy, though he denies it. He believes he's a weapon, cold and unfeeling, yet he sacrifices his eye for a strange Tevinter boy. He says Qun is good, but he knows if Qun spreads further, people will suffer (he doesn't want this)
When faced with the choice of sacrificing Chargers or Dreadnoughts, we choose between Hissrad and Bull
By sacrificing his guys, the ones he loves, we close off his chance to escape Qun. Hissrad takes control because being Bull is too painful now. He shuts off his emotions, leaving only cold calculation. He no longer thinks, he waits for Qun's orders. Does he love the Inqui/Dorian then? I'll write about that another time, but the short answer is I think so, but in a different way than Bull, because he's too broken. Either way, in the end, he chooses Qun. Hissrad doesn't have a happy ending, at least not in canon..
Scenario two. Bull. He's exiled from Qun. He's scared, terrified. He doesn't know how to live, because the world he knew has been destroyed. But he'll cope, he just needs time. The Chargers and the Inquisition will save him; they'll replace Qun for him. He'll understand that he's been lied to, that he won't go crazy just because he's without Qun. And with time, he'll even realize how foolish he was, because now he feels good, especially with his Kadan by his side. Bull gains freedom.
And this is just a small fragment of this vast topic. The difference in behavior between Bull and Hissrad is quite noticeable in the game (though I would have been happy to see more). They're the same character, but they behave so differently depending on a single choice. And I'd like to write many more thoughts on this: How does Bull and Hissrad's love differ? What's really going on in Hissrad's head when he betrays us? What if the Chargers are alive, but Bull is still in Qun (if we don't take his quest)?
I have a lot of headcanons and ideas, and I hope I can share them all
two forces pulling in opposite direction • I had the pleasure of painting Sten with the tarot card The Chariot as inspiration for 2026's @dragonageannual ARCANA!
Saw someone do this (evans-endeavors to be specific) and thought in giving it a try!
It's a sketch and the horns are still not quite the right shape i want, but i thought in sharing it anyway <3
So do you guys remember the concept of another qunari companion in the artbook? This guy:
Well apparently, he got far enough into development for them to design his room:
Now I don't know for sure this is the same companion, but this image is titled "Personal Hub - Saarbrak" and the figure sitting in the top right corner looks to be qunari.
How I wish we got to meet the dapper qunari spy. His name was Saarbrak T-T
