10 Video Game Villains You Can Secretly Join (And Be Better Off!)

In Dragon Age: Origins you have to assemble an army from factions all over Ferelden, one of which is the dwarves of Orzammar.

In order to recruit the dwarves, you have to help them elect a new king. Your options are a noble named Lord Harrowmont and Prince Bhelen—the late king's least favorite son, who secretly murdered his own father along with every other competitor to the throne.

If you started the game as the dwarf noble, Bhelen is basically your arch-nemesis. He first kills your whole family and then blames you for the crimes he committed, dooming you to exile into the darkspawn-infested caverns.

When you finally get a chance to return to your home, the first thing on your to-do list is likely to give Bhelen his due comeuppance.

However, although Bhelen is still a schemer who works with criminals to get his way, he's secretly the better candidate for the throne. His policies aim to improve the lives of casteless dwarves, and if you help him win, in the epilogue the game talks about how he actually follows through on his promises, whereas elected Harrowmont turns out to be a weak and spineless leader.

Bhelen may be a backstabbing bastard, but he's a backstabbing bastard with a big heart.