Flemeth

The Witch of the Wilds who offers aid on terms no one expects.

Flemeth is a legendary figure in BioWare's Dragon Age franchise, known as the Witch of the Wilds who resides in the Korcari Wilds region of Ferelden. She first appeared in the 2009 novel The Stolen Throne before making her video game debut in Dragon Age: Origins alongside her daughter Morrigan. Voiced by Kate Mulgrew, she is characterized by an inscrutable willingness to provide conditional aid to protagonists at pivotal moments. Her cryptic nature and morally ambiguous personality have earned her praise as a complex older female character, with fans noting the depth of Mulgrew's performance ranging from dark fury to almost girlish confidence.

Quick Facts

Creator: David Gaider
Series: Dragon Age
First: Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne (2009)
First game: Dragon Age: Origins (2009)
Also known as: The Witch of the Wilds; Asha'bellanar
Voice: Kate Mulgrew
Home: Korcari Wilds, Ferelden

Lore & Background

In the Dragon Age universe, Flemeth is the subject of many legends explaining her presence in the Korcari Wilds. Some versions claim she was possessed by a vengeful spirit after her lover was murdered, leading to mass murder before she fled into the wilds. The Chasind barbarians call her 'The Mother of Vengeance,' often depicting her as a great dragon or serpent. She is noted for her longevity; Dalish elves refer to her as 'Asha'bellanar,' meaning woman of many years.

Flemeth possesses the ability to transform into a large, powerful dragon and has numerous daughters who are also witches, including Morrigan and Yavana from the comic series Dragon Age: The Silent Grove. Her relationship with Morrigan is strained, with Morrigan unsure if Flemeth is her birth mother. A subplot in Origins reveals Flemeth's grimoire details her method of extending her lifespan by possessing her daughters' bodies.

Reader's Guide

To encounter Flemeth in Dragon Age: Origins, seek her out in the Korcari Wilds as a Grey Warden recruit for ancient treaties and advice. Later, you may choose to fight her in her High Dragon form or allow her to leave peacefully to take her grimoire, which reveals her life-extension methods. In Dragon Age II, ensure the Hawke family is saved from darkspawn in Lothering to receive an amulet destined for Dalish Keeper Marethari at Sundermount; this amulet ensures Flemeth's survival regardless of prior events.

In Dragon Age: Inquisition, guide the Inquisitor and Morrigan to defeat Corypheus with her assistance. If Kieran exists, he must meet Flemeth for the extraction of his Old God soul. Be aware that her ultimate fate involves a post-credits encounter with Solas, where she is petrified and drained of power. Her guidance often comes in cryptic forms, requiring players to stay engaged to uncover the true nature of her motives.

Did You Know?

Flemeth is voiced by American actress Kate Mulgrew, who described the role as 'challenging and very freeing' due to the vocal dexterity required.
David Gaider originally intended for Dragon Age: Origins to be framed as a story told by an old woman who was revealed to be an elderly Morrigan, not Flemeth.
Flemeth's visual design received a complete overhaul from Dragon Age II onwards, changing from a 'crazy old lady living in a shoe' to a powerful figure capable of turning into a dragon.