If you’ve been spending any time in the Lighthouse lately, you know things are getting spicy. And I don’t just mean the literal fire that Taash breathes. There is a very specific, very adorable sub-plot in Dragon Age: The Veilguard that has the community buzzing: the burgeoning romance between our favorite Qunari dragon hunter and the ever-reliable Scout Lace Harding.
But there’s a catch. If you aren't romancing Harding yourself, Taash eventually comes to you, Rook, for advice. They’re nervous. They want to give a taash gift for harding that actually lands.
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Honestly, it’s one of the most human moments in the game. You have three choices. Each one changes the flavor of their relationship. If you pick wrong, you don't "lose," but you definitely miss out on the best character beats.
The Three Choices for the Taash Gift for Harding
BioWare loves to make us choose between sentimentality and practicality. When Taash asks for your help, you’re presented with three distinct items to suggest.
- The Archery Gear (Bracers): This is the "safe" professional choice. It shows Taash respects Harding’s skill with a bow.
- The Jewelry (Fire Opal Hairpin): This is the high-romance choice. It’s a literal fire opal—fire for Taash, stone for Harding.
- The Cheese (The Revered Mother’s Knickers): This is the... weird choice. It's a pungent Ferelden cheese.
You’d think jewelry wins every time, right? Wrong.
Why Everyone is Talking About the Cheese
In a world of dragons and gods, apparently, the way to a dwarf’s heart is through her stomach. If you suggest the cheese—specifically a variety with the delightful name "The Revered Mother’s Knickers"—Harding absolutely loses it.
She doesn't just like it. She’s overjoyed.
It turns out Harding is a bit of a connoisseur of Ferelden delicacies. While the jewelry is sweet and the bracers are useful, the cheese represents a level of "I actually listened to you talk about home" that the other gifts lack. It’s personal. It’s niche. It’s kinda gross to everyone else in the room, which makes it a perfect inside joke for the two of them.
The Mechanical Impact of Your Choice
Does the taash gift for harding change the ending of the game? Not really. But it changes the "Bond" points and the dialogue you hear as you're running around the Rivaini Coast or the Crossroads.
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If you choose the Fire Opal, the dialogue is much more flirtatious and heavy on the metaphors. Taash talks about the "fire in the stone." It’s poetic, or at least as poetic as a dragon-hunting Qunari gets.
If you go with the archery bracers, the vibe stays a bit more "battle-couple." It’s about mutual respect. It’s solid, but maybe a little less "butterflies in the stomach."
The "Third Wheel" Problem
There is a hilarious (and slightly awkward) scene if Rook is already romancing Harding when Taash asks for advice. If you try to mark your territory by saying "We’re quite happy together," Taash gives you a look that could melt lead.
The game handles this surprisingly well. It acknowledges that Taash has a crush regardless of your choices, but they’ll only make the move if the "Harding slot" is open. If you want to see this relationship bloom, you basically have to step aside and let the NPCs have their moment.
How to Trigger the Gift Scene
You can't just force this to happen. You have to put in the legwork.
- Progress the Main Quest: You usually need to be well into Act 2.
- Talk to Them: Visit Taash in their corner of the Lighthouse frequently. Look for the "!" icon.
- Listen to Banter: Take Taash and Harding out on missions together. Their dialogue evolves from awkward silences to Taash making comments about how Harding "smells good" (which Harding finds both flattering and confusing).
Once the "!" appears over Taash specifically regarding a "personal matter," that’s your cue.
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What This Says About Veilguard’s Writing
Some critics have been hit-or-miss on Taash’s personal arc, specifically regarding their identity journey. However, the Taash and Harding romance is widely cited as a highlight. It feels organic. It’s not just two characters being smashed together; it’s a slow burn that pays off in the quiet moments between the world-ending stakes.
The taash gift for harding isn't just a fetch quest. It’s a litmus test for how you view these characters. Do you see them as soldiers (bracers), lovers (opal), or just two weirdos who like stinky dairy (cheese)?
Actionable Tips for Your Playthrough
If you want the "Best" outcome for these two, follow this sequence:
- Avoid Flirting with Harding: If you want Taash to succeed, Rook needs to keep it platonic with the Scout.
- Pick the Cheese: Seriously. The dialogue is significantly more unique and reveals more about Harding’s background in Ferelden.
- Check the Lighthouse After: Don't just give the advice and walk away. Return to the Lighthouse after a mission to see the follow-up scene where the gift is actually given. The "stabbing people with the pointy end" comment from the jewelry path is gold, but the cheese reaction is legendary.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, but if you want to see Harding truly happy, give the girl her cheese.
Next Steps for Players:
Check your current Bond levels with Taash in the Companion menu. If they are below Level 4, focus on completing their "Slayer of Dragons" questline first, as the gift dialogue often won't trigger until Taash feels comfortable enough to trust Rook with their feelings. Once the quest triggers, head to the faction merchant in the Rivaini Coast to see if the unique "Gift" items have populated in their inventory.