When you first encounter Taash in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you may find yourself in the position of knowing something the characters do not. Specifically, you might be aware that Taash identifies as non-binary, marking a series first for the franchise. However, it may be confusing to note that everyone refers to them as ‘she.’
Taash appears somewhat accepting of this misconception. They have a bit of a grumpy demeanor due to their overprotective mother who insists they suppress their abilities and join Rook’s team. Nevertheless, gender is not a major topic for them at that moment. When you meet Taash, they are just beginning their journey of self-discovery regarding their gender identity. So, how do you help them come into their own?
Recruiting Taash
Before you can support Taash on their journey, you’ll first need to recruit them. Alongside Emmrich, Taash is one of the last characters you can add to your party, and their recruitment is locked until after you choose to defend Treviso or Minrathous. After completing this quest, you’ll realize that you need both a necromancer and a dragon hunter to round out your team, with Taash filling the latter role. Select the quest "The Dragon Slayer" to recruit Taash as soon as possible.
Upon completing this quest, you’ll find yourself in conversation with Taash and their mother. You’ll witness the love they share despite the tensions between them, revealing that Taash feels somewhat trapped. As a person from a small town, they need to explore the larger world to truly understand their identity. Return to the Lighthouse and keep progressing through the quests, coming back after each one.
Discussing Gender with Taash
Not long after bringing Taash on board, you’ll find them in the kitchen with Neve, engaged in a heated discussion. Taash challenges Neve’s choice of feminine clothing, questioning whom Neve is trying to impress, especially since no woman truly enjoys being a woman. In this moment, Taash starts to grapple with their own identity, echoing sentiments from their mother about them acting more like a man than a woman. A good choice here would be to say, "Talk to us, Taash" or "Your mother said something…"
From that point on, all dialogue options will continue the discussion, with "It’s not about the dress" being the most empathetic response.
If your Rook is transgender (as determined by an earlier conversation with a mirror in your quarters), they can relate to Taash’s experiences firsthand and affirm that they’ve felt similarly. If your Rook is a woman, you can say "Being a woman shouldn’t hurt." Otherwise, opt for "You’re getting there" or "We’re here to help" to set Taash on a positive path.
A few quests later, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to Taash in their quarters, where they reveal they’ve done more soul searching and had a conversation with a non-binary friend of Neve. This leads into A Little Dragon Hatches, a quest centered around Taash embracing their non-binary identity. When Taash expresses feelings of inadequacy, stating "I can’t even be a woman right," all dialogue options continue the quest. The decision on whether Taash should embrace Qunari or Rivain traditions does not affect their identity and can be skipped if you’re romantically involved with Taash.
For those trying to romance Taash, you can confirm your feelings in Taash’s quarters during A Little Dragon Hatches.
How Do Other Companions Feel About Taash Being Non-Binary?
The companions in The Veilguard are generally supportive of Taash’s non-binary identity. Characters like Bellara and Harding openly discuss it in the field, while Davrin visits Taash’s quarters to offer congratulations and learn more. Throughout the game, Taash is referred to exclusively with they/them pronouns, and your character’s potential romance with Taash is also encouraged.
That said, navigating this transition isn’t always straightforward. In the quest Secret of the Qunari (which you can initiate by speaking with Taash), they intend to tell their mother about their identity but ultimately hold back due to their mother’s bad mood. Their hesitation hints at a deeper fear of rejection. You won’t be able to move forward with this storyline until you complete the Slaying The Fangscorcher quest given by Taash.
After finishing that quest, speaking with Taash in the kitchen will trigger a cutscene involving a meal with their mother, during which Taash comes out. Unfortunately, their mother’s reaction is one of disapproval—not necessarily of Taash’s non-binary identity, but more about their decision to reject Qunari traditions. This complication makes the situation even more difficult.
To add to the drama, if you are romantically involved with Taash, their mother will privately confront you during this quest, expressing her belief that you are not suitable for her child.
Taash’s journey continues through The Lair of the Dragon King, but this segment does contain significant spoilers, so proceed with caution.
Spoilers ahead for the Lair of the Dragon King quest.
Shortly after the confrontation with Taash’s mother, the quest Lair of the Dragon King unfolds. In a twist tied to the quest’s theme, Taash’s mother is kidnapped and taken to the lair of the Dragon King. In a moment of acceptance, she ultimately sacrifices herself for Taash, though it is a difficult and not entirely uplifting resolution. In the end, Taash can choose to embrace their Rivain culture or Qunari heritage, though this choice doesn’t impact their gender identity, only unlocking new attire.