Approval plays an important part in companion interaction. It changes based on plot decisions or gifts. High approval provides combat bonuses, the ability to have longer conversations, and possible romance options; low approval may lead a companion to desert you. There are ten potential companions in Dragon Age: Origins, and seven in its expansion Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening. In Awakening, an Orlesian Warden-Commander may be the protagonist, depending on the events of Origins. A player-created character is the playable character in A Tale of Orzammar DLC.