BioWare/Characters

As already mentioned on the main page, these games tend to be Strictly Formula and, as a result, many characters fall under specific archetypes and many organizations and locations will have some similarities. See also this and this

In a nutshell, if it's a BioWare game, expect to encounter the following during the course of the game:

The Sensitive Guy
This character is almost always the male lead and will always be one of, if not the most important party member relevant to the plot. He will be motivated by a backstory that will contain just enough angst to make him sensitive and sympathetic, but not enough that makes him as broody as The Troubled Special One. He will always, always, always be the Mr. Fanservice Love Interest for the female Player Character and, since Most Fanfic Writers Are Girls, you can expect this character to have an extremely high presence in the fanworks.


 * Carth Onasi (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Kaidan Alenko (Mass Effect)
 * Garrus Vakarian (Mass Effect 2)
 * James Vega (Mass Effect 3)
 * Sky (Jade Empire)
 * Alistair (Dragon Age)
 * Anders (Dragon Age II)
 * Vector Hyllus (The Old Republic, Agent companion)

The Perky Thief
This character is usually female and will always be the most optimistic of all your party members. If you're playing as a Villain Protagonist or trying to be the world's biggest Jerkass, expect very bad things to happen to this character. Always a fan favorite, admitting to being mean to or not liking them can result in an adverse reaction from other players.


 * Imoen (Baldur's Gate)
 * Mission (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Kasumi (Mass Effect 2)
 * Wild Flower (Jade Empire)
 * Leliana (Dragon Age Origins)
 * Isabela and Varric (Dragon Age II)
 * Vette (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Sith Warrior companion)

The Troubled Special One
Troubled but Cute if male and a Broken Bird if female. They begin the game completely closed off towards you as they are haunted by their past, so expect the mother of all tragic backstories when you finally get them to open up. Maybe it's their species or maybe it's a powerful and sought after ability they possess, but this character will have an obvious and specific trait that sets them apart from your other party members. Always a Love Interest, this character will rely on the Player Character as an emotional crutch and will try to distance themselves when they realize they've fallen in love. Betraying their trust in you is not advisable.


 * Viconia (Baldur's Gate)
 * Juhani (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Jack (Mass Effect 2)
 * Silk Fox (Jade Empire)
 * Zevran (Dragon Age)
 * Fenris (Dragon Age 2)
 * Ensign Temple (The Old Republic, Agent companion)

The Arrogant Magic User
This archetype is defined by three traits. One: The character is always specialized towards magic, or the game's equivalent to magic. Two: The character will be incredibly arrogant about their powers and will usually always be a Deadpan Snarker and has a tendency towards being disliked by most other characters in the party as a result. Thirdly, they tend to be evil-aligned and supports ruthless and not-noble decisions on the Karma Meter. If the game allows for closer friendships/romance they will inevitably turn out to be the Troubled Special One beneath the arrogance, and will become a Defrosting Ice Queen.


 * Edwin (Baldur's Gate)
 * Miranda (Mass Effect 2)
 * Morrigan (Dragon Age Origins)

The Expositing Magic User
By contrast with the Arrogant Magic User, the Expositioning Magic User is usually magical, but usually humble and good-aligned. Instead, they get their comeuppance by the plot, as this character is inevitably 'special' and is somehow specially bonded to the Player Character. They will always turn out to have some special role to play somewhere down the line. They tend to be Love Interests as well, just to deepen the 'bond' further.


 * Aribeth (Neverwinter Nights)
 * Dawn Star (Jade Empire)
 * Bastila (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Liara (Mass Effect)

The No-Nonsense Soldier
It is usually very difficult to cause this party member to quit.


 * Keldorn (Baldur's Gate)
 * Canderous (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Ashley (Mass Effect)
 * Jacob (Mass Effect 2)
 * Javik (Mass Effect 3)
 * Sten (Dragon Age Origins)
 * Aveline (Dragon Age II)
 * Aric Jorgan (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Trooper companion)

The disillusioned Proud Warrior Race Guy

 * Canderous (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Valgyar (Baldur's Gate)
 * Wrex (Mass Effect)
 * Zaeed (Mass Effect 2)

Starts out opposed to the party but later joins

 * Sarevok (Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal)
 * Loghain (Dragon Age Origins)
 * Legion (from the Player's point of view) (Mass Effect 2)
 * SCORPIO (Star Wars: The Old Republic, Agent companion), Lord Scourge (Jedi Knight companion), Jaesa Wilsaam (Sith Warrior companion)

Ax Crazy Yet Strangely Humorous
This character frequently expressed a desire to kill people, and is probably not even a person itself. Either that, or the character uses so many mind-altering substances (such as alcohol) so as to become rather different than a sentient person. Nevertheless, this character is also resistant to quitting the party. By the way, did we mention that this character really likes killing people?


 * Korgan and Montaron (Baldur'sGate)
 * HK-47 (KOTOR)
 * The Black Whirlwind (Jade Empire)
 * Grunt (Mass Effect 2)
 * Shale, Oghren (Dragon Age)
 * Skadge (Bounty Hunter companion) (Star Wars: The Old Republic)

The Doomed Starting Area
It is not necessarily the hometown, but it is doomed nonetheless.
 * Candlekeep (Baldur's Gate)
 * The Neverwinter Academy (Neverwinter Nights)
 * The Endar Spire and Taris (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Ostagar and Lothering (Dragon Age)
 * Castle Highever (Human Noble Origin, Dragon Age)
 * Eden Prime (Mass Effect)
 * SR-1 Normandy (Mass Effect 2)
 * (Mass Effect 3)
 * Two Rivers School (Jade Empire)

A Higher Organization
This organization is either above the law in some way, or is otherwise able to provide special resources to the player character.
 * Lord Nasher's court (Neverwinter Nights)
 * The Jedi (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * The Spirit Monks (Jade Empire)
 * Spectres (Mass Effect)
 * Cerberus (Mass Effect 2)
 * Gray Wardens (Dragon Age)
 * The Jedi, The Sith, Imperial Intelligence, Havok Squad (Star Wars: The Old Republic)

The Lost World
The location of the Lost Technology of the Precursors, conveniently forgotten by modern civilization. Either the place of the final showdown with the Big Bad, or a key to reaching it.
 * The Source Stone (Neverwinter Nights)
 * Lehon (the Unknown World, Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Ilos (Mass Effect 1)
 * The Collector base (Mass Effect 2)
 * The Deep Roads and the old elven and Tevinter ruins (Dragon Age series)
 * Nathema (Revan)
 * Tython and Belsavis (The Old Republic)

The Party Headquarters
Where the party members rest between missions and hand out their personal quests to the player. Has a high probability of being attacked at some point.
 * Starship Ebon Hawk (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Starship Normandy SR-1 and SR-2 (Mass Effect series)
 * The Party Camp and Arl Eamon's estate (Dragon Age Origins)
 * Vigil's Keep (Dragon Age: Awakening)
 * Player Star Ships and the factions' fleets (Star Wars: The Old Republic)

The Knight Templar
The villain (sometime The Dragon) is a fearsome and powerful leader with underlings that worship him and follow him fanatically. Combat will be inevitable at some point. May be redeemed (or not) through dialogue options.
 * Maugrim (Neverwinter Nights)
 * Darth Malak (Knights of the Old Republic)
 * Death Hand (Jade Empire)
 * Loghain (Dragon Age Origins)
 * Meredith (Dragon Age II)
 * Saren (Mass Effect)
 * The Emperor (Star Wars: The Old Republic)
 * Darth Jadus (Star Wars: The Old Republic)