Nathaniel Howe is one of the characters in the Dragon Age: Beginning - Awakening DLC, which can join the protagonist’s unit. Unless, of course, the Guard Commander chooses a different fate. Why the person is so remarkable and how his presence affects the further development of events, the article will be discussed.
About the game
In Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening expansion, the action takes place in an area called Amarantine. The activity of the protagonist is directly related to the unceasing activity of the Spawn of Darkness, who did not retreat to their burrows after the defeat of Archidemon. It remains to be seen what is happening. After all, the emergence of new leaders of the wicked horde threatens the new Mohr to Denerim, who has not yet recovered from losses.
The game is interesting not only with the new functionality of the protagonist, but also with the peculiar intricacies of fate. One such unexpected twist is the appearance of Nathaniel Howe in Dragon Age.
Fall story
The protagonist has to deal with this very influential family in the original version of the game. Howe is one of Ferelden’s oldest families. In every possible way supported King Merik and Logeyn Mak-Tire. Rendon’s valor manifested itself in the Battle of the White River, where the family stood shoulder to shoulder with the Kuslands.
But subsequently, the views of Earl Amarantine underwent changes, which led to betrayal. The Kusland residence was left unattended due to the transfer of the garrison to Ostagar, which Randon immediately used to seize power, annexing all of Denerim to his possessions.
Having learned that the Gray Guards managed to survive under Ostagar, the treacherous politician tries to solve this problem in every way and resortes to the help of the Anti-Raven Ravens.
The farther into the forest, the more firewood: closer to the end of the game it becomes known about the atrocities of the “Denerim Butcher”, who raised taxes, allowed guards to attack civilians and even tried to persuade Logain (who had already tarnished his reputation with shameful capitulation under Ostagar) to kill his own daughter for political intrigue.
So negative is the story of the father of the same character who meets in the DLC. His fate is decided by the approach of the Council of Lands. However, there will be no trial of the criminal at the meeting: Rendon Howe will simply die in a clash with the main character and his companions.
Nathaniel
Ironically, the son is the opposite. Being in the Free Mark, the young man received distorted information about the activities of Randon. Considering the father to be a victim of political conspiracies, the son is extremely negative about the Gray Guards who captured Amarantine and is trying to steal family property from the estate, which he comes across.
In this light, Nathaniel Howe appears for the first time in Dragon Age. The guard-commander will have to decide on the fate of the unlucky thief: to execute or have mercy.
If the outcome is positive, the character will join the squad, which will cause dissatisfaction with Ogren and Anders. Over time, the young man will pass the initiation into the Gray Guards and tell a story of his kind, mentioning Podrika Howe, who was accepted into the order, but died during the ritual.
Gradually, Nathaniel Howe is imbued with respect for her new companions. Subject to the fulfillment of a personal quest - the search for Sister Delaila - the rookie will discover the truth about his father's crimes.
Epilogue. Howe and Kusland
Nathaniel has never been mentioned by Randon in numerous dialogues of the original game, although the rebellious ruler talks a lot about his children. This happens either due to the fact that the son is too far away, or due to hidden family differences.
When the light of truth opens Nathaniel's eyes, he will do his best to clear his last name. For example, the epilogue will say the following:
- having retired, he will leave his nephew as a Guardian-Commander;
- having come to the rescue of Fergus Kusland in a difficult situation, he will earn the respect of the latter, in gratitude he will receive part of his lands back and will be awarded his own statue in front of the castle;
- in addition, Nathaniel Howe will meet in Dragon Age 2.
In general, it cannot be said that the character plays any key role. An ordinary satellite, revealing a slightly wider standard storyline and wanting to restore the lost honor of his family.
And also a strong man who overcame prejudices and admitted mistakes. The plot will seem especially interesting to those who, in Dragon Age: Origins, started the game for the noble man Bryce Kusland, whose history has the starting point of the treacherous attack of Rendon Howe on the family estate.