Contains spoilers for Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins is set in the fictional world of Thedas, specifically in the kingdom of Ferelden. The game begins with the rise of a dark and ancient evil: the Darkspawn, a monstrous race of creatures driven by the evil Archdemon. These creatures, who emerge from underground, lead the Blight—a catastrophic event threatening the entire world. The only force that can stand against them is the Grey Wardens, an ancient order of warriors dedicated to protecting the world from the Darkspawn. The story follows the player’s character, the Grey Warden, who must unite the fractured lands of Ferelden to fight this threat.
Prologue: Origins
The game begins with the player choosing their character’s race (human, elf, dwarf), gender, and class (warrior, mage, or rogue). Each race and class has its own origin story, which introduces the player to their personal backstory and motivations:
- Human Noble: Born into a noble family, the player’s character witnesses political intrigue and betrayal that ultimately leads them to join the Grey Wardens.
- Dalish Elf: The player is part of a tribe of elves who are exiled from human cities. Their origin focuses on the struggles of the Dalish to preserve their heritage and the fate of their tribe.
- City Elf: Living in the slums of human cities, the player’s character experiences the harsh life of an oppressed elf. Their origin story involves escaping servitude and discovering personal power.
- Dwarven Noble: A member of a noble family in the underground dwarven kingdom, the player’s character’s story centers around politics and the deep-seated corruption within dwarven society.
- Dwarven Commoner: Born into the lowest class, the player’s character rises from servitude and seeks a way to escape their fate.
- Mage: The player begins as a young mage who is held captive in the Circle of Magi, an institution that controls magic. Their story involves rebellion and escaping the oppressive structure that governs magic.
Act 1: The Joining
The game’s protagonist begins the journey by becoming a Grey Warden, a dangerous ritual that involves drinking the blood of a Darkspawn to gain their power. After this, the Warden learns that Ferelden is on the brink of war with both the Darkspawn and rival factions vying for control of the throne.
The central conflict begins when King Cailan, the ruler of Ferelden, launches an assault against the Darkspawn without proper preparation, underestimating the gravity of the Blight. This leads to a disastrous defeat for his army. During this time, the Warden recruits several companions to join the fight, including:
- Alistair: A fellow Grey Warden and ex-templar, he serves as a loyal companion and potential romantic interest.
- Morrigan: A cunning, mysterious mage from the Wilds who is initially skeptical of the Grey Wardens but proves invaluable in the fight. A potential love interest for male Wardens.
- Leliana: A bard and former religious zealot, who becomes an ally and possible love interest.
- Sten: A Qunari warrior who is initially imprisoned, but who joins the party out of respect for the Warden’s leadership.
- Dog: A loyal mabari war hound that becomes a trusty companion.
- Wynne: An older, wise mage who joins the Warden’s cause.
- Shale: A golem who joins the team if the player recruits her in the “Stone Prisoner” DLC.
- Oghren: A hard-drinking, boisterous dwarf warrior who hails from Orzammar. Oghren joins the Warden’s cause after the player aids him in a personal crisis involving his wife, and his combat prowess and humor make him a valuable ally.
- Zevran: A charming, former elven assassin from the Antivan Crows, Zevran initially attempts to kill the Warden on behalf of his guild but later joins the party after being spared. He offers his skills as a rogue and his knowledge of deadly tactics, and he can also become a potential romantic interest.
Act 2: The Lands in Turmoil
As the Warden gathers forces to fight the Blight, they must navigate the politically charged situation in Ferelden. The kingdom is divided, with rival factions seeking control of the throne. The Warden must form alliances with various factions, including:
- The Circle of Magi: The mage order that is caught up in a potential rebellion, manipulated by the power-hungry Templars.
- The Dalish Elves: An isolated group of elves who have their own grievances against humans.
- The Dwarves of Orzammar: A kingdom in the deep underground that faces its own internal strife as a civil war threatens their monarchy.
- The Free Marches: A mercenary band that can aid the Warden if recruited.
The Warden’s main task is to unite these factions and defeat the darkspawn. This requires diplomacy, battle, and dealing with various moral dilemmas. The choices made by the player shape their character’s relationships and the future of Ferelden.
Act 3: The Final Battle
As the Warden’s army grows, the Darkspawn advance, and the Blight’s leader, the Archdemon, becomes increasingly powerful. The Warden must travel to the capital city of Denerim, where the final battle will take place. Along the way, the Warden faces numerous challenges, including:
- The betrayal of Loghain Mac Tir, a general who orchestrated the king’s death and seeks to take the throne for himself.
- An alliance with the archdemon’s minions, the Darkspawn, leading to moral dilemmas about how to end the Blight.
- The potential of a dangerous ritual that could seal the Blight once and for all, requiring great sacrifice.
The climax of the story involves the Warden’s final confrontation with the Archdemon. The outcome depends on the player’s choices and who survives the journey. Depending on the actions and alliances, different conclusions are possible, including the death or survival of key characters, and whether Ferelden falls or remains free.
Epilogue: The Aftermath
After the battle, the player is left to deal with the consequences of their actions. The Warden’s relationship with their companions, and the fate of the kingdom, is determined by the choices made during the story. Some companions might become leaders, and some might fall. The Warden may face a tragic end, become the ruler of Ferelden, or even sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
In addition, the game sets up the continuing saga of the Dragon Age series, with lingering threats and unresolved questions. Some story threads remain open, such as the power struggle in Ferelden, the fate of the surviving companions, and the potential return of the Blight in future games.