Exploring Bellara Lutare: A Deep Dive into the New Dragon Age: The Veilguard Companion
As Game Informer concludes its extensive Dragon Age: The Veilguard cover story, anticipation builds for the upcoming issue. This final feature delves into Bellara Lutare, a compelling Dalish elf and key member of the enigmatic Veil Jumpers faction within the game. During a visit to BioWare’s Edmonton studio earlier this year, insights were gained into the expansive character creator, the game’s immediate prologue, and the initial mission following it. This preview offers a closer look at Bellara, a pivotal character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Unveiling Bellara: First Encounters and Initial Mission Details
While BioWare previously showcased a substantial preview of Veilguard‘s prologue through a 20-minute gameplay trailer, details regarding the subsequent mission—where players first meet and recruit their companion, Bellara—have been scarce. Given the opportunity to be among the first outside of BioWare to witness this introductory mission, significant interview time with the development team’s leadership was dedicated to understanding Bellara. This in-depth feature serves as the concluding piece on Dragon Age: The Veilguard, presenting a comprehensive overview of this intriguing elven mage.
Conversations with key BioWare figures, including game director Corinne Busche, creative director John Epler (Bellara’s writer and development lead), and BioWare general manager Gary McKay, reveal a profound passion for this character. Described as energetic, vibrant, and scholarly, Bellara emerges as an exciting combat companion. Her unique personality and abilities promise to make her a valuable addition to any player’s party.
“I adore Bellara; I believe she is exceptional,” McKay stated. “I recognize aspects of people I know within her, making her particularly relatable. I appreciate her ‘tinkerer’ nature. Bringing her to life was a collaborative endeavor, involving writers, editors, animators, character modelers, texturing artists, and lighting specialists. I am immensely proud of her creation.”
Combat Prowess: Bellara’s Role on the Battlefield
Busche offered insights into Bellara’s combat capabilities, highlighting her potential as both a support character and a catalyst for elemental combos. Bellara is portrayed as a versatile mage adept at controlling the battlefield.
“She is truly remarkable,” Busche affirmed. “Firstly, she is a mage, an explorer of ancient Elven ruins, an elf herself, and a contributing member of the Veil Jumpers faction. Her background deeply informs her identity as a mage, particularly her investigations into the ancient Arlathan ruins. While embodying the essence of a mage, she also subverts certain archetypal expectations.”
Bellara distinguishes herself by wielding a bow for ranged attacks, using electrically charged arrows. Additionally, she employs spells to manipulate time and provide healing to allies, including Rook. Magical energy is channeled through her gauntlet to execute these abilities. Busche indicated that while her initial combat role leans towards support due to her healing spells, players are not restricted to this build. Her expertise in electrical damage is also significant, as “damage type holds substantial strategic importance,” according to Busche.
“Players can specialize her to unleash a potent vortex, drawing enemies into a devastating electrical storm. This setup synergizes well with area-of-effect attacks to capitalize on grouped enemies,” Busche elaborated. “She can inflict the ‘shocked’ affliction on enemies, causing sustained passive damage. Her ability to slow time and heal, combined with the option to enhance her healing spells for autonomous self-healing, makes Bellara an ideal companion for players who prefer frontline engagement.”
Bellara’s Lore and Veil Jumper Affiliation
Epler discussed Bellara’s place within Thedas as an elf, emphasizing the profound connection elves share with the world’s magic. Franchise followers are likely aware of the historical oppression faced by elves. With the resurgence of two elven gods in Veilguard, magic has dramatically surged back into the world.
“She embodies the Veil Jumpers,” Epler clarified. “While the Veil Jumpers have appeared in comics previously, this marks their debut in the games. They are dedicated to exploring Arlathan, the former site of the ancient elven empire, which is rich with artifacts from their civilization’s decline. The elves, despite losing their immortality millennia ago, left behind significant magical technology and relics. Bellara represents a deep-seated desire to uncover the genuine history of the elves, who have lost much of their heritage beyond myths and rumors.”
“Bellara is driven by a quest for knowledge. She seeks to differentiate fact from fiction, to assemble the fragments of elven history, understand their origins, and chart a course for their future. Within The Veilguard‘s narrative, she joins the team both to thwart the gods—for whose actions, as elven deities, she feels some responsibility—and to potentially rediscover lost aspects of elven identity. The reappearance of ancient elves offers her a unique opportunity to learn directly about elven history and culture.”
Magic in Veilguard: A Shift in Focus
Inquiring about the contrast between Bellara’s optimistic nature and Solas’s tragic demeanor, Epler hinted at complexities beneath Bellara’s cheerful exterior. This suggests potential depth and hidden layers within her character.
“Solas perceives himself as a tragic figure, incapable of experiencing happiness due to the burden of guilt from creating the Veil,” Epler explained. “Bellara, conversely, has also endured significant tragedy. Her character arc reveals a history marked by hardship, but she actively chooses to overcome it rather than succumb. She confronts her regrets with a determination to avoid dwelling on them.”
“Solas tends to be consumed by his regrets, creating a stark contrast with Bellara. This difference is partly due to Solas’s ancient elven origins compared to Bellara’s Dalish heritage. Bellara focuses on problem-solving and feels a strong sense of responsibility towards her people—the Dalish and the Veil Jumpers—which propels her forward. While she experiences moments of doubt and grim perspectives, her generally sunny disposition often serves as a facade, concealing underlying pain. However, she fundamentally rejects dwelling on past regrets as unproductive.”
It was recently announced that Jee Young Han, recognized for roles in Perry Mason, Unprisoned, and as Sentinel Dax in BioWare’s Anthem, will voice Bellara.