Dragon Age: Inquisition came out back in 2014, but people are still talking about Cremisius Aclassi. Most fans just call him Krem. He’s the lieutenant of the Bull's Chargers, that rowdy mercenary company led by Iron Bull. Honestly, if you just breeze through the main quest, you might miss why he matters so much. He’s usually just leaning against a chair at the Herald’s Rest tavern in Skyhold.
But Krem isn’t just some random NPC with a few lines of dialogue. He was a massive milestone for BioWare. He's a trans man in a high-fantasy setting where magic and dragons usually take center stage. What makes him work is that his identity isn't a "quest objective." It’s just who he is.
Who Is Krem of the Yellow Hills?
Krem is a former Tevinter soldier. That’s a big deal. Tevinter is basically a magocracy where social standing is everything. If you’re not a mage, you’re a "Soporati"—a second-class citizen. Krem’s father was a tailor who got into massive debt to a magister. To save his family, Krem joined the army.
In Tevinter, women can serve, but the expectations are rigid. Krem lived as a man, which eventually led to a death sentence for "falsifying documents" when his secret was discovered during a physical exam. He had to kill his superior officer to escape. That’s how he ended up in the Yellow Hills, a region in the Free Marches.
He was starving and desperate. Then he met The Iron Bull.
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Bull didn't care about Krem’s past or his anatomy. He saw a fighter. Bull stood up for him against Tevinter bounty hunters, lost an eye in the process, and Krem became his right-hand man. That loyalty is the backbone of the Bull’s Chargers.
Why the Writing Matters
Patrick Weekes, the lead writer who took over for David Gaider, wrote Krem. They actually consulted with GLAAD and gender-diverse members of the BioWare community to get it right. They wanted to avoid the "tragic trans trope" where the character exists only to suffer or be a lesson for the protagonist.
You can ask Krem about his transition. He’s remarkably chill about it. He explains that Tevinter healers can use magic to change physical appearances, though it's expensive and he didn't have the coin for it. He uses a binder made of leather and linen. It’s grounded. It feels real.
The voice acting is also a huge part of the charm. Jennifer Hale—yes, the voice of Female Shepard from Mass Effect—voiced Krem. She gave him this raspy, self-assured confidence. It’s a performance that makes him feel like a guy who’s seen too much but still likes a good drink.
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The Choice That Changes Everything
There is a moment in the game that still haunts players. It’s the quest "Demands of the Qun." You’re on the Storm Coast. You have to choose between saving the Bull’s Chargers (Krem’s team) or securing an alliance with the Qunari navy.
If you pick the alliance, the Chargers die.
You watch it happen through a telescope. It’s brutal. If Krem dies, the atmosphere in Skyhold changes. The tavern feels empty. Iron Bull becomes colder, eventually betraying you in the Trespasser DLC because he no longer has his "family" to keep him grounded in his humanity.
Saving Krem is arguably the "better" story beat. It turns Iron Bull "Tal-Vashoth"—a rebel. It shows that people matter more than politics. If Krem lives, you see him at the victory party at the end of the game, standing on a table, probably making fun of Cullen or the Inquisitor.
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Misconceptions About the "Yellow Hills"
Some players think the "Yellow Hills" is a major map location. It’s not. You don't go there in Inquisition. It’s a piece of lore, a transitional space where Krem found a new life. It represents the frontier. In the Dragon Age universe, the Free Marches are where people go when they have nowhere else. It’s a mess of city-states, but it offers a weird kind of freedom you won't find in Orlais or Tevinter.
How to Get the Most Out of Krem’s Story
If you’re replaying the game or jumping in for the first time before The Veilguard (Dragon Age 4), don't ignore the tavern.
- Talk to him early: Trigger his dialogue cycles as soon as you get to Skyhold.
- Bring Iron Bull everywhere: The banter between Bull and the Inquisitor often fills in the gaps of Krem’s backstory.
- Check the war table: There are specific missions involving the Chargers that Krem oversees.
- Don't skip the "Demands of the Qun" dialogue: Listen to how Krem talks about his men. He views himself as their protector.
Krem's impact on the gaming industry was quiet but deep. He wasn't on the box art. He wasn't a romance option. But he proved that you could write a character with a complex identity without making it their "whole thing." He’s a soldier, a joker, a survivor, and a friend.
Next Steps for Players:
To fully experience Krem’s arc, ensure you complete "The Captain of the Chargers" quest immediately after reaching Haven. Once you move to Skyhold, prioritize the "Demands of the Qun" questline before finishing the "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts" mission. This ensures you have the maximum amount of "tavern time" to hear his unique world-building anecdotes about Tevinter military life. For those interested in the deeper lore of the Yellow Hills and the Free Marches, read the World of Thedas Volume 2, which provides the specific geographical context for where Krem and Bull first united.