Liara T'Soni

'"You were marked by the beacon on Eden Prime - you were touched by working Prothean technology. That is why I find you so fascinating." '

Dr. Liara T'Soni is an asari researcher who has spent the past fifty years of her life studying Prothean technology and culture, specialising in the Prothean extinction. She was born in 2077, making her 'only' 106 - little more than a child in asari terms - yet already has a great deal of insight into the Protheans and is a highly trained user of biotics. She is a potential romance interest for either a male or female Shepard.

Liara T'Soni is voiced by Ali Hillis. Her face and body were reportedly modelled on the actress Jillian Murray.

Talents

 * Throw
 * Lift (unlocked at Throw 6)
 * Warp
 * Singularity (unlocked at Warp 7)
 * Barrier
 * Stasis (unlocked at Barrier 5)
 * First Aid
 * Electronics (unlocked at First Aid 4)

Class: Asari Scientist

Liara has no Talents in weapons or armor, relying on untrained weapon skills and Human Light armor.

Dossier
After learning Liara is Matriarch Benezia's daughter, Commander Shepard searches for Liara to discover what, if anything, she knows. Searching the Artemis Tau cluster, Shepard eventually discovers her suspended in an energy field at the dig site on Therum, a mining world in the Knossos system. The geth have chased her behind the barrier curtains, in an attempt to either kill Liara or force her to help Saren Arterius find the Conduit. After being rescued from the doomed ruins, Liara joins the Normandy and is subsequently available as a squad member. Her primary role in the main storyline is to use her telepathic abilities to assist with interpreting Shepard's fragmented vision, in order to discover and thwart Saren's plan in time. She was surprised by Shepard's revelation of the Protheans' extinction by the Reapers, but believed it to be true, as there was remarkably little evidence of the Protheans' existence - as if something or someone did not want the mystery of their extinction solved.

Liara does not relish her role as Benezia's daughter and has shied away from her mother's life as an important figure in galactic affairs. Benezia's position meant Liara faced high expectations from everyone, and she chose a career in archaeology to escape the pressures of being the daughter of such a prominent figure. Because of her work Liara spends most of her time alone. She is shy and not used to lying, a trait Ashley Williams is tempted to take advantage of- ("Want me to ask about her sex life? Might be illuminating -")

Liara is viewed with suspicion by the rest of the Normandy's crew because of her connection to Benezia, though she has not spoken to the matriarch in many years. However, she knows her mother well enough to be astonished to discover she is working with Saren, and does not believe she could be aiding him of her own free will. Shepard can talk to Liara about her mother and discuss what reasons Benezia may have had for assisting Saren, as well as asari culture in general and the misconceptions surrounding Liara's species. Liara often exclaims "By the goddess!", implying that she is a devotee of the goddess Athame, rather than following siari, the mainstream asari religion.

It is also revealed through conversation with Liara that she is unaware of whom Benezia chose as her partner, only knowing that her 'second parent' was another asari. Reproduction between two asari is taboo in asari culture, which may contribute to Liara behaving as an outcast from society; it is speculated that her 'father' did not wish to be identified due to the social stigma surrounding 'pureblooded' offspring. Whatever the reason, Benezia never revealed the identity of her partner to Liara -- whether this is important enough to be explored further in the future is unclear. As a result, Benezia raised Liara alone (though this is not unusual among asari, due to their long lifespan). From an early age Liara became interested in the Protheans, seeing them as wondrous, mysterious figures who fascinated her.

Liara initially becomes drawn to Shepard because the commander was touched by Prothean technology on Eden Prime. Unfortunately, Liara is used to being alone for long periods of time, and (as she confesses) always seems to say something embarrassing around other people. When Shepard makes a joke about Liara sounding like she wants to dissect Shepard in a lab, Liara becomes flustered and claims she only meant Shepard would make an interesting specimen for an in-depth study - "no, that's even worse!" Afterward, Liara discreetly looks up Shepard's service history to learn more, worrying about making a fool of herself if she asks the commander directly. Her scientific interest gradually becomes a romantic attraction that Shepard can choose to pursue.

If Shepard does begin a relationship with Liara, she eventually reveals she has never melded before and finds the idea a little daunting, but gradually comes to trust the commander, feeling as if they share some special connection. During the Normandy's lockdown she comes to Shepard's side and to reassure the commander, and they almost share a kiss before being interrupted by Joker. When the Normandy escapes and is en route to Ilos, Liara comes to see Shepard, claiming she wants to spend the night, afraid she might never see Shepard again but certain this is what she wants. Even if Shepard has other romantic interests (which is possible due to the fact Liara can be recruited quite late in the game) Liara still cares about the commander, sympathetic to the nightmares Shepard suffers because of the visions from the beacon. Liara is very compassionate - she even feels sorry for Saren because he is losing his mind to indoctrination. However, she is used to defending herself on remote digs - sites often raided by privateers for artifacts - and in combat she makes a formidable ally, due to her near-complete focus on biotics.

If Liara accompanies Shepard to Ilos, she, unlike the other squad members, finds the planet fascinating rather than unnerving (which is to be expected given her interest in the Protheans). She never expected to set foot on Ilos, and hopes to return after Saren has been dealt with. She becomes very excited once they descend into the bunker, wondering what secrets are hidden inside - leading to the other squad member reminding her that they are there to stop Saren and that she can save the sightseeing for later. After Vigil has given his message to Shepard, Liara wants to stay and talk to the VI a little longer, saying this might be their only chance to learn what Vigil can tell them about the Protheans. Shepard can offer an opinion on Liara's sense of priority.

Noveria
After landing on Noveria, Gianna Parasini mentions to Shepard that Matriarch Benezia is visiting Peak 15. If Liara has been recruited but is not present, a squad member will suggest that Shepard bring her to confront her mother or possibly talk her around. Be advised that doing so could easily jeopardize any companion/ally achievements you are attempting.

If you do bring her along you are rewarded with extra dialogue, and upon regaining her true self the Matriarch confides that she has always been very proud of Liara, calling her "Little Wing" before expiring. Liara mourns her mother, but takes some comfort from the fact Benezia tried to stop Saren, however the attempt turned out. She chooses to remember Benezia as she once was, and as Shepard has the option to tell her, the matriarch's strength and intelligence live on in Liara.

Missions and Assignments
Find Liara T'Soni is Liara's personal mission to rescue her from Therum, which must be completed to gain her as a party member.

Mass Effect: Redemption
It has been revealed that Liara will feature in a comic series, Mass Effect: Redemption:


 * "The narrative in Mass Effect: Redemption picks up just as Commander Shepard disappears and is left without the support of the crew on the Normandy in the lawless Terminus Systems. Shepard must fight for survival, and will be assisted by close companion, Dr. Liara T’Soni, to come home alive."

Mass Effect 2
BioWare has stated that she returns in Mass Effect 2, but due to confusion, has been mistakenly identified as the asari in the vehicle with Shepard, whose actual name is Seryna. This is because the footage of the demo that showed Liara was exclusively shown at E3 and not released to the press (while the scene on Illium, a colony planet for the asari, that had Shepard in the vehicle with Seryna, was released to the public).

Presumably, the scene she appeared in was considered a major spoiler, as it took place during a part of Mass Effect 2 where the Normandy was being destroyed, suggesting the possibility of Shepard's death, most likely towards the end of the game. No pictures or recording of any kind were allowed during this playthrough, though someone was able to record the audio of the scene with a hidden device and leak it online.

It has been shown in the post-E3 video that Liara is on the Normandy when it is attacked. She is seen rushing to Shepard in what is assumed to be Phoenix Armor; later, she is seen climbing into an escape pod (with helmet on) before Shepard. Her subsequent fate is unknown.

Trivia

 * Getting Liara's companion achievement is not hard, but you should avoid completing Citadel side quests before doing her mission and making her a permanent companion.
 * If Liara is not rescued until the very last mission, her dialogue on Therum changes. When Shepard finds her a somewhat comical scene unfolds with Liara thinking that Shepard and the squad are hallucinations. Depending on Shepard's responses Liara even goes so far as to indulge Shepard, saying things like "What good is a hallucination if it can't offer false hope?", "Yes, of course, a Spectre, my mind would surely create a protective figure", and "My, you're very angry for a hallucination!".
 * BioWare revealed at the 2009 GDC that originally Liara T'Soni was supposed to be discovered on the mining planet Caleston in addition to several side quests, in a section of the game comparable to the size of Feros. Due to scheduling and coding issues, Caleston saw severe content cuts during the development of Mass Effect before being eventually changed to Therum. Originally there was a human mining station that served as a hub; as also mentioned by Stormwaltz, much of the architecture for this station was later repurposed as the final fight location in Bring Down the Sky.