Cassandra Pentaghast

Cassandra Pentaghast
Dragon Age character
Cassandra as she appears in Dragon Age: Inquisition
First appearance	Dragon Age II (2011)
Voiced by	Games Miranda Raison Dawn of the Seeker Chiaki Kuriyama (Japanese) Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)

Cassandra Pentaghast is a fictional character in BioWare's Dragon Age franchise. She is the "Right Hand" of the Divine, the leader of the dominant religion in the Dragon Age setting, and a Seeker of Truth, an order of said religious organization. The character made her debut in 2011's Dragon Age II, where she appeared as part of the game's framing device. An anime film prequel, Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker, was released in 2012, covering the character's backstory. She appeared again in 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition, where she serves as a party member.

A forceful character was needed to "carry" Dragon Age II's story. The character was designed to be "severe and dramatic", and has a heavily angular face representing her "hard edge". The developers wanted the Seeker armor to be easily recognisable, and it has a "strong and graphic" silhouette. Longer hair proved difficult to animate in the game, leading to her current short hair. It was intended that Cassandra visually display her authority and power. Miranda Raison provides Cassandra's voice in the games, though she does not voice the character in Dawn of the Seeker.

Cassandra received a positive reception in Inquisition, with attention being drawn to her layered personality, as well as her place as one of Inquisition's diverse cast of women. For her earlier appearance in Dawn of the Seeker, she received a more mixed response, with some credit going to her design but her characterization being criticised.

"She is outwardly rigid and rarely shows any emotion, save anger and aggression. Sharp, pious, and driven, she is the sword in the right hand of the Divine, seeking justice above all else."

The character is presented as a member of the Seekers of Truth, a "quiet" order dedicated to protecting and policing the Chantry, described as "the best of the best" with unique training and access to powerful magic. The order are "granted ultimate authority in its investigations", and answer directly to the Divine. Robert Purchese of Eurogamer roughly equated the Chantry and the Divine to the Christian Church and the Pope, respectively. Originally a noble, the Pentaghasts being the ruling family of Neverra as well as famed dragon hunters, Cassandra joined the Seekers after her brother died. In addition to being a Seeker, she is the Right Hand of the Divine, serving as the physical side in extending the Divine's reach.