He and the team achieved all that and then some, judging by the impressive scene around us. We’re standing on the crumbling causeway connecting both halves of the ancient mountaintop fortress known as Ostagar. You’ll find yourself here soon after completing the initial series of quests that establish your character’s background. No matter which of six starting points you select, you’ll end up in the company of Duncan, a Grey Warden who wants to initiate you into his ancient order. The Grey Wardens keep the world safe from invasions by the demonic darkspawn, who wreak havoc from time to time.

You Are Here. You’ll spend your time in Ferelden, but you’ll hear plenty about other places on the map.

“When introducing a new world to players, you have to avoid the danger of the ‘information dump,’” Laidlaw explains, his voice rising in competition with the chilly mountain winds whipping around us. “So we hit upon the idea of the origin stories, which give you a very thin slice of the kingdom of Ferelden. Each is a unique perspective that lets you experience a different introduction to the world.” To learn more about your choices, see “Building a New RPG” on page two.

“Part of the pull of taking on the role of the Grey Warden is that you are given the opportunity to rise above the flawed people around you. Even more alluring is that you don’t have to take that opportunity.”

- Mike Laidlaw, lead designer

Modern, Political Fantasy

Upon arriving at Ostagar, your primary goal is to gather the necessary items to undertake the ritual known as the Joining. Few survive it, but those who do become powerful Grey Wardens capable of going toe-to-toe with the darkspawn. “Part of the pull of taking on the role of the Grey Warden is that you are given the opportunity to rise above the flawed people around you,” Laidlaw remarks. “Even more alluring is that you don’t have to take that opportunity.”

Do You Dare? Adventurers encounter something unusual in the Korcari Wilds.

You’ll soon also learn, however, that fighting the enemy is just one part of Dragon Age: Ferelden’s political unrest must be settled during the build-up to your climactic showdown against the Archdemon who leads the darkspawn. The various dwarf, elf, and human factions that populate the kingdom don’t always see eye-to-eye, and King Calain is so determined to forge a place in history that he’s willing to risk death by fighting on the front lines. If he were to perish, the political situation would become even more tenuous, despite the common enemy.

A Battle Begins. Attacking a powerful darkspawn.

“It’s hard to make any element of the fantasy genre without at least giving a nod to J.R.R. Tolkien,” Laidlaw says as we make our way to the western side of Ostagar, beyond which lie the Korcari Wilds. “But we also wanted to look at more modern, political fantasy literature as well, like George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series. The central theme to Origins is that, even in the face of overwhelming evil, people are still people: they have their own motivations, goals, and drives, and much of the time those goals override the greater good.”

Your desires play a role in the storyline too: the decisions you make, even during the opening quests, determine how other characters react to you and set up one of many different endings.

“Ultimately, we wanted to make a game that was easy to get into because it was familiar and easy to lose yourself in because it was different.”

- Mike Laidlaw, lead designer

However, don’t expect to find a binary good/evil alignment system. “One of the main themes in the world of Dragon Age is that there is no absolute right or absolute wrong,” Laidlaw explains. “Instead, we focused on a system that felt more real to us: How do your companions react to the decisions you’re making?”

Flame On. A mage unleashes a mighty spell.

He adds: “Their reactions range from horror to determined support, and the gameplay shifts as a result of their approval and disapproval. Watching the party dynamic grow and change according to how you play is immensely satisfying.”

A First Step Into a Larger World

Among the characters you’ll meet in Ostagar are a pair of other Grey Warden initiates. They will be your companions during the quests that lead up to the Joining, and later you will find yourself in the company of another Grey Warden, Alistair, along with other characters who join and leave your group during the course of the story. Some will do so because of plot-driven events while others will react to what you say and do.

Fields of Flames. A fire spell won’t deter this warrior.

“In terms of decisions, it really depends on what goals I have for the game,” Laidlaw muses. “Is my eye on the throne? Expect me to be ruthless and political and surrounded by those party members with a taste for power. Am I feeling altruistic? Expect me to help everyone I meet and be surrounded by party members who cheer me on.”

Subtle effects from your decisions will also ripple through the world, altering Ferelden’s political structure in ways large and small. Of course, this is a world too large to be experienced in one game, says Laidlaw: “Origins is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of exciting ideas about the future of the franchise. While I can’t talk about them all, I will say that ‘Origins’ was an aptly-chosen name. It was definitely the start of something big.”

If you liked this game, check out:

• Fable
• Neverwinter Nights 2
• Pirates of the Caribbean Online
• Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
• World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade
• World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King