So will we be getting Varric back? Plus good news about dorian.

The trailer with Varric as narrator definitely said we will be a new hero next game, so I hate to disappoint you but Dorian is likely to be conducting a long distance relationship as per Trespasser and the comic Deception. That was convenient in the latter case as they could neatly side-step who exactly he was talking to. There is an outside chance that the former Inquisitor could make a cameo type appearance at some point but whether that will acknowledge their relationship with Dorian is anyone's guess.

I'm rather hoping that if Varric does return it is not as a companion but simply an adviser in some form, although I see no real justification for him being up in Tevinter at all.*  Anyway, I'd rather we had a new dwarf companion or even more than one, thus allowing both genders to be represented. At present I'm really hopeful that the character of Bellara (from the video last year around this time): "that's the good kind of rumble", is a female dwarf from Kal-Sharok. However, I'd take any dwarf from Kal-Sharok just so long as we get to visit the place and learn more about how they survived down to the present.

*There is the possibility they might give us a floating base of operations in DA4, in which case that might explain Varric being up north as he persuaded his old ally Admiral Isabella to provide the ship.

Mine said "I'm off to save the world. Again." 
And please no. If we can't control them, I don't want them in the game in any capacity. Better they are off the radar doing something than being completely bastardized like Hawke and Revan were. 

If Varric returns in any capacity I'll be convinced that he's the real protagonist of the Dragon Age franchise and we just played his various sidekicks.

I don't get why BioWare always insists on making their worlds seem smaller than they are by having familiar faces pop up no matter where we go. It makes me wonder about how little confidence they must have in their new creations if they keep bringing back their old ones to generate player interest.

I don't understand the thinking on the inquisitor. I am not saying your wrong or trying to be a jerk so don't take it the wrong way. I just see him being there at more then one point since he is leading the hunt from the back. Obviously he won't be a companion or maybe not even an advisor like cullen or leliana was but I think he should be there occasionally

You spelled "Mr. I-signal-that-I-hate-everyone-equally-but-then-turn-around-and-support-status-quo-anyway" wrong.

Dorian was the only companion from DAI that I expected to see in DA4. The reason for this is simple:
a) He originated from Tevinter
b, No matter his relationship with the Inquisitor and/or his father, he returns in Trespasser as representative of Tevinter and a Magister.
c) It is made clear that even if the Inquisitor's LI, he is definitely going back to Tevinter after Trespasser.
d) He has co-founded an important faction in Tevinter politics, the Lucerni.
e) He is still a target of the Venatori (according to the Dorian/Bull romance epilogue) and apparently this organisation is still powerful despite the fall of their god.

So to have anyone else from the previous games and not see much of Dorian would be ridiculous. If they weren't planning on using him, then let him stay in the south with the Inquisitor (unless of course he hates their guts).

To be honest, apart from Dorian, who as I see has a legitimate reason to be seen up in Tevinter, I would be happy with a roster of totally new companions and only a bare minimum of other characters we knew from down south.


May be, may be not so far as 100% in game is concerned. After all, the very first trailer for DAI featured Morrigan as the narrator and yet she only appeared pretty late on in the actual game. To be honest, her appearance wasn't essential to the main plot either. We could have found out about the Temple of Mythal from someone else, drank from the Well and then met up with Flemeth without her. I think her inclusion was more necessary to tie off the OGB/Kieran plot from DAO, who doesn't exist in all world states but of course we had to have some reason to justify her presence if he did not.

We have no such problem with Varric and if he turns up in anything but a minor role, it will be very much a forced justification for him being there. What does he bring to the table as an advisor that Dorian cannot equally provide?

When I said a small amount of dorian I spoke wrong. I was trying to say I don't see him as being a squad mate or a constant advisor like cullen and leliana were in DAI.

maybe Varric belonged to the live service part that got cut off.
or

Something like this.
I would love to romance him, but it doesn't fit the narrative.

agree.
it would be enough for me if he found someone else.

The only Inquistion related Character from DAI i can see comeback is Dorian.

Oh believe me, that was not me insulting Harding. You would know when I am, but I'm holding myself back. 
That's still far too similar, and a waste of probably the only dwarven companion we'll get. 

No. The only thing we know about Merrill after DA2 is that during DAI she helped elven refugees.