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The mages had sought to usurp Heaven, but instead they destroyed it. They were cast out, twisted and cursed by their own corruption. They returned as monsters, the first of the darkspawn. They became a blight upon the lands, unstoppable and relentless. The dwarven kingdoms were the first to fall, and from the Deep Roads the darkspawn drove at us again and again until finally we neared annihilation.

Until the Gray Wardens came. Men and women from every race, warriors and mages, barbarians and kings… the Gray Wardens sacrificed everything to stem the tide of darkness… and prevailed.

It has been four centuries since that victory and we have kept our vigil. We have watched and waited for the darkspawn to return. But those who once called us heroes… have forgotten. We are few now, and our warnings have been ignored for too long. It may even be too late, for I have seen with my own eyes what lies on the horizon.
Maker help us all.



On a cliff overlooking the dark waters of Lake Calenhad stands the tower fortress that is home to the Circle of Magi. This tower is the only place in Ferelden where mages may study their art among others of their kind. Within the high stone walls, the Circle practices its magic and trains apprentices in the proper use of their powers. But the Circle Tower is as much a prison as a refuge; the ever-vigilant templars of the Chantry watch over all mages, constantly alert for any sign of corruption.

This gilded cage is the only world you know, found to be sensitive to magic at a young age, you were torn from your family and grafted here as an apprentice.



Now, that apprenticeship is nearly over and all that remains is the final test; the Harrowing.



: “Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him.” Thus spoke the prophet Andraste as she cast down the Tevinter Imperium, ruled by mages who had brought the world to the edge of ruin. Your magic is a gift, but it’s also a curse, for demons of the dream realm –the fade—are drawn to you, and seek to use you as a gateway into this world.

The grumpy man in armour leads the templars that are watching us. Because of this, we don’t like him so much.

The scruffy one is First Enchanter Irving. He’s the top mage in the tower. He works along with the Knight-Commander. The two always have a power struggle going on between them. Knight-Commander Greagoir tries to oppress us somehow and First Enchanter Irving tries to keep Greagoir happy (so he doesn’t do anything worse) while also keeping the mages safe.

: This is why the Harrowing exists. The ritual sends you into the Fade, and there you will face a demon, armed with only your will.

: What happens if I cannot defeat the demon?

: It will turn you into an abomination and the templars will be forced to slay you.



: The Harrowing is a secret out of necessity, child. This is lyrium: the very essence of magic and your gateway into the Fade.

The lyrium would be in the glowy fountain he’s vaguely gesturing at.

: Keep your wits about you and remember the Fade is a realm of dreams. The spirits may rule it, but your own will is real.

: The apprentice must go through this test alone, First Enchanter.





We’re looking appropriately skeptical about this whole ‘feed you to a demon’ plan they have going on.





This must be the Fade, then. It doesn’t look nice, but then again it is a creepy demon filled dreamland. After no demons pop out of the woodwork to claim our eternal soul, we check out the corner.



There are a few of these scattered around here. Inside we find three Shimmering Orbs of Light. It’s a special healing item that we’ll only see in our mage origin. We don’t really need them, since one of the spells we know is a healing spell.

We take them anyways.



That white dot in the distance is a wisp, one of the demons that First Enchanter Irving told us about. They’re pretty squishy, even by a level one mage’s standards. One hit with an arcane bolt and it’s down.

Seeing it, actually gives me an idea.





The second spell we have is called Spell Wisp. It’s a toggle skill. Turn it on and some of our mana is blocked off, but we summon our own wisp (a nice one) that gives us a spellpower bonus. That’s one of our skills. Our little glowbug makes us magic harder.

He won’t help us in combat, though. He’s just a skill boost.



: Someone else thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as ever.

Strange, I don’t see anyone talking to us.

Glowbug, is that you?



: It isn’t right that thy do this, the templars. Not to you, me, anyone.

Oh.

: You’re a talking rat.

A+ for observation. D for pointing out the obvious.

: You think you’re really here? In that body? You look like that because you think you do! *Sigh* It’s always the same. But it’s not your fault. You’re in the same boat I was, aren’t you?

A burst of more white light and he’s…

: Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me… well, Mouse.



Shapeshifter, huh? He might be useful then. Maybe we can sucker him into fighting our demon for us.

: Not your real name, I take it?

: No. I don’t remember anything from … before. The templars kill you if you take too long, you see. They figure you failed, and they don’t want something getting out. That’s what they did to me, I think. I have no body to reclaim. And you don’t have much time before you end up the same.

Seriously? They didn’t mention that earlier, the jerks.

: How long do I have, exactly?

: I… I don’t remember. I ran away and I hid. I don’t know for how long.

: What am I supposed to do?

: There’s something here, contained, just for an apprentice like you. You have to face the creature, a demon, and resist it, if you can. That’s your way out. Or your opponent’s, if the templars wouldn’t kill you. A test for you, a tease for the creatures of the Fade.

: I doubt it’s as easy as that.

: You would be a fool to just attack everything you see. What you face is powerful, cunning. There are others here, other spirits. They will tell you more, maybe help. If you can believe anything you see.

Well this is the land of dreams, isn’t it? If we believe in something strongly enough, doesn’t that make it real?



He decides to turn into a mouse again. Maybe he can still be useful in combat? He can bite their ankles or something. Unless we’re fighting more wisps. They don’t have ankles.

: A dangerous spirit is not far. Don’t go near it unless you’re ready to fight.

Thanks, Mouse. I had no idea that I might find dangerous spirits here.



That looks like a boss area if I’ve ever seen one. We’ll just skirt around that.





Oh, what’s this?



: Another spirit this way. It never seemed equal to its name, to me.

Don’t be a jerk, Mouse. We want him to help us, you doof.



: Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see. Your mages have devised a cowardly test. Better you were pitted against each other to prove your mettle with skill, than to be sent unarmed against a demon.

: I agree, but I didn’t have a choice.

: Indeed. The choice, and the fault, lies with the mages who sent you here.

Umm. I think the problem’s a little bit more complex than that, but I’m sure our knowledge of mage politics won’t be too helpful here anyways.

: That you remain means you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come.

: What kind of spirit are you?

: I am Valour, a warrior spirit. I hone my weapons in search of the perfect expression of combat.

: What else do you know about the Harrowing?

: Is that what your test is called? I know little of your mortal ways. I do know that a demon has been called and told that a meal awaits. It will not—cannot—leave until one of you is dead.

Huh. So the demon is a prisoner too. I can’t imagine it’ll be too happy about that.

: Did you create all of these weapons?

: They are brought into being by my will. I understand that in your world, mages are the only ones who can will things into being. Those who cannot must lead such sad, empty lives.
You know, I make it a rule to tell the templars that every single day.

: Without a doubt. In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought. Do you think these blades be steel? The staves be wood? Do you believe they draw blood? A weapon is a single need for battle, and my will makes that need reality. Do you truly desire one of my weapons? I will give one to you… if you agree to duel me, first. Valour shall test your mettle as it should be tested.



Yeah, I’d rather not fight a personification of valourous combat if I don’t have to. Instead, we’re going to take option number four. It’s the first time we can make a skill check in dialogue. There are a lot of these in Dragon Age: Origins.

Usually, you’re looking at Persuade and Intimidate, but more rarely you see a check like this one. Instead of Persuade, which to use you need to take a skill point in Coercion, we just need enough willpower to make this check. I know that for persuasion the formula is Persuasion = (25 * Coercion Tier) + (Cunning – 10), and that Intimidate is the same thing, except with Strength instead of Cunning. After that number is calculated we see if it’s higher than the targets difficulty check. If it is, we win.

I have no idea what the formula for this is. I’m not sure if there is a formula at all. Is the option just unlocked if we have a certain amount if whatever skill is needed? Does this mean we can expect each of these skill checks (that aren’t Persuade or Intimidate) to be an automatic success? We’ll just have to do this by trial and error.

: How dare you accuse me! I am no demon, preying upon helpless mortals to steal their essence! I am a being of honour and valour! I am a warrior!

Oops. We’ve made him angry. We have the option to apologize, but we’re going to poke at him some more instead. It’s all or nothing, baby.

: So you challenge helpless mortals to duels?

: You are insolent… but your will is unquestionably strong. Very well, mortal. You prove to me that you possess the strength to resist this demon. Go, prove your worth as you must. I am confident you will succeed.



Look at the badass staff we have now! We just guilted a spirit into giving us a weapon. Awesome. The armour penetration is insanely high, but that’s typical for a staff. There’s just something about concentrated energy shooting out of a magical stick that makes armour crumple like wet tissue paper. Staffs are neat weapons because of this and the fact that they don’t miss. Ever. We can’t land a critical hit with a staff, but we're guaranteed a hit whenever we attack. Unless we’re trying to shoot at someone on the other side of a wall or something.





Now we get to face spirit wolves instead of wisps. Mouse and Glowbug chill beside us.

: Be cautious. There is… another spirit, here. Not the one hunting you, but still…





It’s…. What is that?



Apparently it’s just a really tired bear.

: Hmm… so you are the mortal being hunted? And the small one… is he to be a snack for me?

: I don’t like this. He’s not going to help us. We should go…

: (sniffs) No matter. The demon will get you eventually, and perhaps there will even be scraps left.

: What kind of spirit are you?

: It’s a demon. Maybe even more powerful than the one chasing after you.

Jesus Christ, Mouse! Stop being such a baby. You were the one who wanted to look for allies anyways.

: Begone! Surely you have better things to do than bother Sloth, mortal. I tire of you already.

Even Sloth is tired of Mouse’ bitching.

: I need help defeating a demon.

: You have a very nice staff. (yawns) Why would you need me? Go, use your weapon since you have earned it. Be valourous.

: He looks powerful. It might be possible that he could… teach you to be like him.

…Make up your mind you stupid, irritating, bitchy rodent.

: Like me? You mean teach the mortal to take this form? Why? Most mortals are too attached to their forms to learn the change. You, on the other hand, little one, might be a better student. You let go of the human form years ago.

: I… don’t think I’d make a very good bear. How would I hide?

: You could help me fight the demon.

: It’s true. I am quite powerful in this form… when I wish to be.
: I… welcome the opportunity , if it is my choice. The mages in the tower are quick to volunteer others, as you well know. I’ll try. I’ll try to be a bear, if you’ll teach me.

Wait a second, was he talking about us? Don’t get snippy!

: That’s nice. But teaching is so exhausting. Away with you now.

: (sighs) I told you he wasn’t going to help us.

: Mouse wants to learn. Teach him.

: You wish to learn my form, little one? Then I have a challenge for your friend. Answer three riddles correctly, and I will teach you. Fail, and I will devour you both.

…

Ugh.

I wish I could say that this is the most amazing riddle challenge in all of gaming history. It’s not. I’m not going to show the riddles because they’re embarrassingly terrible. Really terrible. I’m worried that if I transcribe the riddles my computer will overheat and die from pure shame. Look, the answers are map, tongue and dream, okay? All you need to know is that we beat the stupid bear at his stupid riddles. Because riddles are stupid.



: Like this? Am I a bear? It feels… heavy.

: Hmmmm. Close enough.

Yeah, yeah. Let’s get the fuck out of here.



Mouse will actually help us in combat now. He’s also officially joined our party, instead of just scampering after us. As a bear, he makes a decent tank, but it’s up to us to deal the damage. The healing orbs we picked up earlier are useful now. Mouse can keep them, since we don’t want to spend mana on healing spells.



I spy a challenger! Before we go nuts and kill each other, we’re going to have a little chat? Why? Because we’re gentlemen, that’s why! Don’t you know that there are ancient rules about these mage vs demon gladiator deathmatches? Later, we’ll go out for tea.



: And so it comes to me at last. Soon I shall see the land of the living with your eyes, creature. You shall be mine, body and soul.

: It’s two against one. You really want to fight us both?

: Amusing. Have you not told it of our… arrangement, Mouse?

Excuse me?

: We don’t have an arrangement! Not anymore!

: Awww, and after all those wonderful meals we have shared? Now suddenly the mouse has changed the rules?

What now?

: I’m not a mouse now! And soon I won’t have to hide! I don’t need to bargain with you!

: We shall see…



He summons four wisps and we go at it. As mentioned earlier, the wisps aren’t too much trouble but if you don’t get rid of them fast they can rip you to shreds. They’re more dangerous when they gang up on you and Mouse is just an okay tank. Not a great one.



: You did it. You actually did it! When you came, I hoped that maybe you might be able to… but I never really thought any of you were worthy.

: The ones you betrayed before me. What were their names?

: What? They were not as promising as you. It was a long time ago. I… I don’t remember their names. I don’t even remember my own name. It’s the Fade, and the templars killing me, like they tried with you.

: Anything to survive. Like an animal. Or worse.

You see, we can make backhanded comments, too.

: I am what the Fade has made me. Am I to blame for that? Deciding to exist or not exist is not a fair choice. I had no hope. You have shown me other possibilities. If you want to help. There may be a way for me to leave here, to get a foothold outside. You just need to want to let me in.

: I’m starting to think the other demon wasn’t my test.

: What? What are you… Of course it was! What else is here that could harm an apprentice of your potential? You are a smart one. Simple killing is a warrior’s job. The real dangers of the Fade are preconceptions, careless trust… pride.



: Keep your wits about you, mage. True tests never end.

We had the option to fall for his tricks and let him into our minds (You know, if you’re roleplaying a total dumbass). It doesn’t make a difference, though. Do that, and he gets so embarrassed on your behalf that he decides he doesn’t want to live in a total idiot’s body and leaves.



We’re left alone in the Fade. And no, we didn’t get a glimpse of what Mouse really looked like. Just that weird, shoulder thing.