- For information about the specific title, see Arishok (title).
“Fixing your mess is not the demand of the Qun! And you should all be grateful!”
The Arishok is the commander, and de facto spiritual leader of the Qunari expedition in the city of Kirkwall. He became stranded in Kirkwall after a storm destroyed his fleet off the southern coast of the Free Marches. He resides in the Qunari Compound.
Background
The Arishok is the leader and highest ranking general of The Antaam, the military branch of the Qunari peoples. He is part of the Triumvirate and leads what is believed to be the "body" of the Qunari.
Involvement
A painting of the Arishok
The Arishok and The Antaam were pursuing Isabela, who had stolen the Tome of Koslun as Orlais attempted to return it to the Qunari. During their sea battle, Isabela's ship was sunk by the Arishok's forces, while a storm shipwrecked the Arishok, stranding both parties in Kirkwall. The Arishok and his forces then set up a base in the docks of the city lent to them by Viscount Marlowe Dumar as a peace offering.
During Act 1, a dwarven merchant named Javaris Tintop sought to buy the formula to create gaatlok, a Qunari explosive powder, from the Arishok, but was refused. As a result, Javaris attempted to broker a deal with the Arishok to slay Tal'vashoth in exchange for the formula, and hired Hawke to do the job for him. When he returned to the Arishok, the Arishok refused him again, stating first that the Qunari had never agreed to the deal and second that Javaris had not done anything; it was Hawke who had done the deeds. Later, the Arishok dispatched warriors led by an arvaarad in search of a saarebas. The saarebas' karataam had been slain by Tal'vashoth, and according to the Qun, he had to be killed, as he had existed for a time without oversight. The karataam encountered Hawke, who had been leading the saarebas at the behest of sister Petrice - she had hoped to have the Qunari kill Hawke and her friends, allowing for an excuse to lead an insurrection against the Qunari. However, they were all killed by Hawke, but the saarebas died as well. When the Arishok learned of this, he stated simply that Hawke's actions were impressive, and the important thing was that the saarebas had been slain. When informed that a sister was attempting to cause conflict between him and the city, he was unconcerned as well.
By Act 2, tensions began to grow between religious factions, as some citizens of Kirkwall began to convert to the Qun. The Arishok himself had long been irritated with his perception of chaos and corruption rampant in the city, and had even mentioned to Hawke that the Qun might eventually demand that he step in to "enlighten" the people of Kirkwall. In Blackpowder Courtesy, the Arishok requests Hawke's presence. When Hawke arrives, the Arishok informs them that someone has stolen the formula for saar-qamek, a poison gas that drives non-Qunari insane before killing them. The culprit had been attempting to steal the formula for gaatlok, but the formulas were switched in order to lure the Qunari's enemies out of hiding; the Arishok suspected that it was Javaris, since he was the only person who had attempted to buy gaatlok and had not accepted "no" for an answer. Hawke eventually discovered the culprit was a deranged elf who hated the Qunari for converting her siblings, claiming elves were losing even more of their culture. When brought to the attention of the Arishok, he was unconcerned, stating that their enemies were too cowardly to outwardly confront the Qunari and that his task was not to convert the city.
Eventually, the Arishok was provoked to the point of retaliation when three events occurred that he could not ignore. Saemus Dumar, son of the Viscount, converted to the Qun and was murdered by mother Petrice, who had set up Hawke long ago. At the same time, the city guard began petitioning the Qunari to extradite two elves who murdered a corrupt city guard and converted immediately after, claiming religious sanctuary with the Arishok. Finally, and most importantly to the Arishok, the Tome of Koslun was stolen once again by Isabela as his warriors attempted to recover it. The Arishok concluded simply that he could not stay in Kirkwall any longer and ignore the corruption and disease of the city, but he also could not leave without the Tome. As such, he chose to correct the corruption, and ordered a Qunari attack on the city, attempting to capture Hawke and/or kill Aveline as they attempted to negotiate with him. The Qunari easily overcame the city guard and seized the keep, which left only Hawke and his/her party, the Templar Order (led by Knight-Commander Meredith Stannard), and a few members of the Circle of Magi (led by First Enchanter Orsino) to oppose him.
As Hawke entered the throne room, it was revealed that The Arishok had executed Viscount Dumar, as well as gathered all the nobles of the city, threatening them with the same fate if they offered resistance.
The following outcomes are possible:
- Isabela returns and hands the Tome of Koslun to the Arishok. He attempts to take her along to Par Vollen so as to convert her to the Qun and to punish her for her actions.
- Hawke allows the Qunari to take Isabela with them, and they leave Kirkwall without further bloodshed. Varric tells Cassandra that he heard she escaped three days later with the book by jumping into the ocean, though he states that he does not know if this is true or not.
- Hawke refuses to allow that and has to confront the Arishok.
- Isabela never returns and Hawke has to confront the Arishok.
Those Who Speak
Approval
- Main article: A Worthy Rival
Being honest and agreeable with The Arishok earns his respect. When it is high enough, the player will obtain the achievement A Worthy Rival, and be able to persuade him during the Demands of the Qun quest regardless of Isabela's actions, and without Fenris in the group.
Strategy
- See Arishok (strategy) for class-specific strategies for the duel.
Quotes
- (to Hawke and Fenris) "I have a growing lack of disgust for you."
- (to Hawke, Full respect) "Maraas toh ebra-shok. You alone are basalit-an." (to nobles) "This is what respect looks like, bas! Some of you will never earn it!"
- (to frightened nobles) "Look at you. Like fat Dathrasi you feed and feed and complain only when your meal is interrupted. You do not look up. You do not see that the grass is bare. All you leave in your wake is misery. You are blind. I will make you see."
Gallery
Trivia
- Bringing Fenris to your first meeting unlocks extra (and humorous) dialogue at the end of the main quest Blackpowder Promise.
- The achievement King of the Hill requires the player to defeat the Arishok.
- The Arishok appears in the "Destiny" trailer, during which he appears to release some form of anti-magic shockwave that he does not have in the finished game.
- Despite his muscular build and use of large weapons, from a game engine perspective, the Arishok is technically a rogue, as he uses two weapons at once. Within the game's files, the axe and sword he uses in battles are classified as daggers.
Bugs
- Decoy will leave the Arishok in a state unable to use any other abilities than health potions and spinning his weapons. Using a health potion will break this state and the Arishok will continue fighting as normal. The rogue ability Throw the Gauntlet will also break this state. Stunning the Arishok may also work.
- When the Arishok impales Hawke and suspends him/her in the air, if positioned too close to the side walls, Hawke may be teleported up onto the raised platforms and be unable to get back down. Rogues can use Backstab to return to the fight.
- Using two-handed weapons, attacks can go through the pillars located on both side of the lobby, but the Arishok's attacks cannot, except when he swings it around like dancing. Use this to your advantage.
Using Force Mage abilities can lead to the Arishok freezing in place, unable to attack for the rest of the fight. Confirmed for the spell Gravitic Ring. If the Arishok is at the center, where movement speed is reduced to 0%, he may remain that way even after the spell ends. He will usually recover after a few minutes.
