15 She Was Born In Nevarra And Given To Her Clan
Merrill is actually not from the Sabrae clan, originally. She was born to a different clan called Alerion in Nevarra. Since she was the third child of the clan born with magic, they decided to give her to the Sabrae. At the time Merrill was given to clan Sabrae, she was about four years old.
Giving mages to other clans is common among the Dalish. They keep the numbers of mages in a single clan thin through this system.
14 She Was Actually Introduced In Dragon Age: Origins
Only players of Dragon Age: Origins who played as a Dalish Warden would be aware of this fact. Even then, some of them wouldn’t even remember Merrill. Her design was quite different since the elf designs went through a drastic change between Origins and Dragon Age II.
However, her clan is the same one the Dalish Warden is a part of. Merrill is even a temporary party member during the start of the story.
13 Her Specialization Is Dalish Pariah
Apart from Solas, Morrigan, or Anders, Merrill has one of the most unique skillsets across any Dragon Age game. Not only did she grow up learning Dalish magic, but she incorporates Blood Magic into her practice, as well.
This naturally adjusted her relationship with magic, but she seems to use a combination of Rift Magic and Blood Magic. It’s a peculiar combination that seems way too similar to Solas’ own abilities.
12 She Finds The Eluvian Piece Then, Too
One of the main sticking points in Merrill’s personal story in DA2 revolves around an Eluvian. But regardless of what Hawke decides about the mirror, Merrill had found the first shard long before meeting the player character.
Along with the same Dalish clan from Origins, she traveled to Sundermount; before those travels, she found an Eluvian piece in old ruins How she found all the other pieces then lugged them around Thedas is anyone’s guess though.
11 The Shard Doesn’t Seem To Corrupt Merrill
Keeper Marethari has a staunch position against Blood Magic but recruited Merrill in Origins for her knowledge on Elven lore and magic due to other members being corrupted somehow. As fans all know, it was the Eluvian shard that tainted them and somehow turned them into Ghouls.
But Merrill – despite holding onto the shard for years – never seems to fall victim to its “taint”. Fans will also remember that she eventually rids the shard of this taint using a Blood Magic-amplified spell. Why did she never get corrupted like the other Elves did?
10 She’s Voiced By Eve Myles
Eve Myles is a Welsh actress and Merrill has been the only video game gig listed on her resume so far. Myles is famous for television, mostly.
If you have watched Merlin, Doctor Who, Cold Feet, Keeping Faith, Baker Boys, or Torchwood, then you may have heard Merrill’s voice because Myles is in those series.
9 She Has Two Nicknames
Most Dragon Age characters get a nickname through Varric. He calls Sebastian “choir boy”, Fenris “elf”, and Anders “blondie”. For Merrill, he chose something a little less on the nose, but still accurate in “Daisy.”
Merrill actually has a second nickname from another character though. Isabella and her form a close friendship and Isabella takes to calling her “kitten.” With nicknames like that, it is hard to believe she is a blood mage.
8 Varric Pays To Protect Merrill At Night
This fact is revealed in a specific banter moment. Varric has a lot of connections and is aware that Merrill gets lost in Kirkwall all the time. Since Kirkwall is such a dangerous city, it is revealed that the likely reason Merrill has never had an attempted robbery or murder is because of Varric.
He pays off criminals to leave her alone. Apparently, it is quite expensive.
7 Carver Has a Crush On Merrill
Those that have Carver survive the trip to Kirkwall may notice he acts a little weird around Merrill. In fact, he appears to have a crush on her. Isabella even teases him for it.
It can be pretty cute, though awkward if Hawke romances Merrill and brings Carver with Merrill along during DLC content.
6 She Wants A Very Specific Pet
Everyone knows that griffons, the former mounts of Grey Wardens, are (probably) totally extinct. However, Merrill being Merrill, she wants one as a pet – a baby griffon specifically.
It’s a perfect fit for her quirky, head-in-the-clouds nature that sees things with such purity juxtaposed against the harsh reality. Dead griffons and blood magic vs. cute animal and wide-eyed awe at possibility. That’s Merrill.
5 Her Vallaslin Is Unique
For Origin and Inquisition players who would like their Dalish characters to have the same Vallaslin as Merrill, they will be sorely disappointed. Merrill’s face tattoos are unique. It is a little similar to the tattoos she has in Origins, but definitely not the same.
The only other two Dalish elves that have unique Vallaslin are Velanna and Seranni from Awakening.
4 Hawke Can Kill Merrill
Merrill can die by Hawke’s own hands at the end of the game if they choose to side with the Templars. Though Hawke can have an opportunity to convince Merrill to join their side in the Gallows Courtyard.
If not, Merrill can be killed while trying to protect the Circle Mages from the Rite of Annulment. Most players don’t do this, as she is a far more innocent mage than, well… Anders.
3 Romanced Merrill Never Completely Moves In
When Merrill is romanced, she moves into Hawke’s estate — mostly. She still visits her home in the Alienage because that is where her Eluvian is kept. She does not move it into Hawke’s house.
Many fans have criticized this. She does tend to sneak off in order to work on the Eluvian, so Hawke sometimes comes home and she is not there.
2 She is One Of The Few Things Fenris And Anders Agree On
When Fenris and Anders are in a party, they argue with each other nonstop. However, if Merrill is added to the party then they both turn on her. While Fenris hates mages and Anders believes they should be free, they both agree that blood magic is bad.
While it is nice they can agree on something, poor Merrill has to deal with two men constantly on the offensive with her beliefs.
1 Her Eluvian Shows Up In Inquisition
After a very specific set of choices, Merrill’s Eluvian can show up in Inquisition after the Inquisitor goes to the Crossroads with Morrigan. The player must have had Hawke romance Merrill in DA2 and not sacrificed Hawke during the Fade mission against the Fear demon.
Hawke will leave for Weisshaupt and Merrill will end up joining them – regardless of what Hawke wants – bringing her Eluvian with her. That’s why it shows up in the Crossroads later.
NEXT: The Oral History Of Dragon Age: Origins
