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Cullen Romance is the het ship between Cullen Rutherford and The Inquisitor from the Dragon Age fandom.
Canon
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Cullen and the to-be-Inquisitor meet briefly on the field when Cullen mistakenly thanks Cassandra Pentaghast for closing the rift – the Breach. Cassandra informs him that it was not her, but rather “the prisoner’s doing,” gesturing toward the Inquisitor. Cullen looks to the Inquisitor and tells her he hopes they’re right about her, as they had lost a lot of people to get her there. As Cullen leaves with a group of soldiers, the Inquisitor silently watches him go.
A short time later, Cullen and the Inquisitor formally meet when Cassandra introduces the Inquisitor to the Inquisition’s leaders, addressing Cullen as “Commander Cullen, leader of the Inquisition’s forces.” Cullen tells the Inquisitor, “It was only for a moment on the field. I’m pleased you survived.” Before the Inquisitor leaves for the Hinterlands, Cullen suggests she use this as an opportunity to also expand the Inquisition’s influence while she’s there.
Sometime later, Cullen is training new recruits that have come to join the Inquisition when the Inquisitor stops by to talk. It’s here can the Inquisitor flirt with Cullen for the first time, claiming she’d love to hear his lecture, should he have one prepared upon Cullen asking for forgiveness when he cuts himself off on a rant. Cullen laughs and tells her, “Another time, perhaps.” The Inquisitor gives him a wide closed smile, leaving Cullen to fail at finding words, instead clearing his throat. Their conversation is however soon pulled apart when Cullen is informed of another matter at hand.
Handling his other duty, Cullen and the Inquisitor speak at the same location where the Inquisitor can ask him of his life before he joined the Inquisition. On the topic of vows within the Templar Order, the Inquisitor can ask him if he was expected to “give up physical temptations”. Cullen immediately becomes flustered at the question, before explaining that while Templars can marry; there are rules, such as the Order must grant permission. The Inquisitor asks him if he has, leading to Cullen telling her that he’s “taken no such vows”. Moments later, he asks if they can speak of something else.
Following the assault on the Breach with the Mages or Templars, the victory is short lived when Haven is under attack by Corypheus. The Inquisitor looks to Cullen for any sort of battle plan upon seeing Corypheus’ army come over the mountain. Cullen tells her that Haven is no fortress, if they are to withstand, they must be the ones to control the battle, before telling her to “hit that force”. He turns around to the people behind, telling them to fight with the Herald – the Inquisitor.
Buying time and back inside Haven gates, Chancellor Roderick informs them of a secret passage way. The Inquisitor stays back in order to distract Corypheus long enough for the people to be evacuated before causing an avalanche and burying his army. Cullen voices concern for the Inquisitor’s own escape, though when she does not answer him, Cullen tries to be optimistic about the situation instead, claiming that perhaps she’ll find a way to surprise it. A short time later, the signal is given that the people have made it out of the passage way successfully, leading to the Inquisitor making the attempt at burying Corypheus. In the process she is thrown back and falls down into icy caves. Cold and injured, she struggles, though is able to find a way out. Outside and in a blizzard, the Inquisitor walks on. Once she reaches a certain area, Cullen is the first to spot her and first to run to her.
Moments
Dragon Age: Inquisition
- As Cullen leaves with a group of soldiers, the Inquisitor silently watches him go.
- Cullens tells the Inquisitor he’s “pleased she survived”.
- The Inquisitor smiles at Cullen.
- Cullen gets flustered at the Inquisitor asking if he’s celibate.
- Cullen voices concern for the Inquisitor, before trying to be optimistic about her situation.
- Cullen is first to spot the Inquisitor on the snowy mountain, being the first to run to her.
Quotes
Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Cassandra, to the Inquisitor – “You’ve met Commander Cullen, leader of the Inquisition’s forces.”
- Cullen – “It was only for a moment on the field. I’m pleased you survived.”
- — Cullen and the Inquisitor formally meeting.
- Cullen – “Forgive me. I doubt you came here for a lecture.”
- Inquisitor – “No, but if you have one prepared, I’d love to hear it. [smiles]”
- Cullen – “[laughs] Another time, perhaps. I, uh… [clears throat] There’s still a lot of work ahead.”
- — Flirting with Cullen.
- Inquisitor – “A life of service and sacrifice. Are Templars also expected to give up… physical temptations?”
- Cullen – “Physical? Why… [clears throat] Why would you… that’s not expected. Templars can marry – although there are rules around it, and the Order must grant permission… some may choose to give up more to prove their devotion, but it’s… um… not required.”
- Inquisitor – “Have you?”
- Cullen – “Me? I, um… no. I’ve taken no such vows. Maker’s breath, can we speak of something else?”
- — Cullen getting flustered at speaking of celibacy.
- “But what of your escape? [no answer from the Inquisitor] …Perhaps you will surprise it. Find a way…”
- — Cullen voicing concern for the Inquisitor, before trying to be optimistic about her situation.
Fanon
Cullen Romance is an extremely popular ship within the Dragon Age fandom. Cullen is only romanceable in Dragon Age: Inquisition. He can become involved with a female human or female elf, which left fans disappointed that males or the other two races can’t romance him. Nevertheless however, his romance is beloved by many and often seen as the most genuine.
On AO3, Female Inquisitor/Cullen Rutherford is the most written ship within the Dragon Age - All Media Types tag. Cullen’s human romance (Female Trevelyan) is the third most written ship, and his elf romance (Female Lavellan) is the eightieth most written ship.
Fandom
FAN FICTION
- Female Inquisitor/Cullen tag on AO3
- Female Trevelyan/Cullen tag on AO3
- Female Lavellan/Cullen tag on AO3
- Inquisitor/Cullen tag on FanFiction.net
TUMBLR
- Cullen Romance posts on Tumblr
- Cullen x Inquisitor posts on Tumblr
- Cullenmance posts on Tumblr
- Cullvelyan posts on Tumblr
- Cullavellan posts on Tumblr
Trivia
- Cullen can only be romanced by female humans (Trevelyan) and female elves (Lavellan).
- Cullen is one of the few romance options whose romance can be initiated before the completion of his personal quest.
- Originally Cullen was not going to be a romance option in Dragon Age: Inquisition, however his role as a love interest was changed when BioWare extended the game’s development by a year.[1]