Kanders

Kanders is the slash ship between Anders and Karl from the Dragon Age fandom.

Canon
Anders and Karl first met at the Circle while they were both apprentices, Karl being some years older. They befriended and became inseparable, where they would commiserate about life in the Circle and joke bitterly about being Templar slaves. Over the years, Anders would disclose that there was more than just a simple friendship between himself and Karl. They shared a deep love for each other; their relationship was a sanctuary, an escape from the harsh life in the Circle. During the years when Anders and Karl were together, Anders would make no attempts to escape the Circle, a daring stunt he had made several times in the past. Anders would often tell Karl he was the one good thing about Kinloch Hold.

Sometime after Anders and Karl undergo their Harrowings, Karl is transferred from the Fereldan Circle to the Gallows in Kirkwall, due to the shortage of more experienced mages. Anders does not take their parting well. He does not see Karl again for many years, though the two would continue to write to each other.

In the weeks that followed Karl’s departure, it was feared that Anders would make another attempt to escape. It was requested that Anders be watched carefully, hoping increased Templar security would discourage him. However by that point, Anders no longer cared. The pain of losing Karl was too much, and Anders broke out once again.

Dragon Age 2
Years later in Kirkwall, a favor for a favor, Anders asks for Hawke’s help in aiding Karl, who he claims is a prisoner in the Gallows. The Templars have since learned of Anders’ plans to free him, and he wishes to bring Karl safely past them. He had sent Karl a message to meet him in the Chantry that night, however if there are Templars with him, Anders does plan to free Karl at “whatever the cost”.

Later that night, Anders, Hawke and Hawk’s party meet at the Chantry. Anders sees Karl reenter the building, seeing no Templars with him. He instructs Hawke that he’ll handle the talking, and for them to be on the lookout for Templars. Inside the building, Anders runs for Karl who is standing alone. With his back turned, Karl tells Anders, ''“Anders, I know you too well. I knew you would never give up.”'' Anders is confused as to why Karl is speaking with a monotonous voice. He turns to face Anders, revealing the Rite of Tranquility brand on his forehead. Anders’ face drops and lets out pained “no”. Soon Templars start to surround them and a battle ensues with Justice, the spirit Anders is hosting within his body, is unleashed.

After the battle, Karl is back to his normal self monetarily following Justice’s reveal. With his mind back, he tells Anders how the Templars in Kirkwall are “far more vigilante than in Ferelden,” where they had found a letter he was writing to Anders. Karl further explains how being Tranquil is like having “all the color, all the music in the world gone”. He begs Anders to kill him once he feels his mind slipping away from him. The player has the option of telling Anders to spear or kill him, however no matter the choice, Anders will kill Karl anyway, seeing this as an act of mercy. Anders steps forward, apologizing for getting there too late, before knifing Karl.

Back at Anders’ clinic, he and Hawke can discuss Anders’ situation. During this conversation, Anders lets a male Hawke know that Karl was his “first,” how they being together made living in the Circle bearable. Upon Hawke questioning just what Anders means by he and Karl being “together,” Anders tells them, ''“I’ve always believed people fall in love with a whole person, not just a body. Why would you shy away from loving someone just because they’re like you?”''

Dragon Age 2
"Karl was a good Mage, a good man. It goes against all Chantry law to make him Tranquil."

- Anders banter about Karl.

Fanon
Kanders is a small, however well known ship within the Dragon Age fandom, stemming from Anders and Karl’s canon status. Anders’ Act 1 quest “Tranquility” is a main quest of Dragon Age 2, meaning the player learns of Karl and Anders’ relationship with him. If Hawke, the player character, is male, Anders will inform them that he and Karl were together romantically. However if Hawke is female, Anders merely tells them that Karl was a friend. This particular interaction has bothered some fans, leading to mods being created where a female Hawke can learn of Anders and Karl’s true relationship.

AUs are often created where Anders does not mercy kill Karl, or Karl is cured of his Tranquility. He and Anders join Hawke’s party, together and happy again.

On AO3, Kanders has 260+ works in it’s tag.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Anders/Karl tag on FanFiction.net
 * Anders/Karl tag on FanFiction.net

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