Creating Your Unique Hero
Dragon Age: Origins offers a robust character creation system that allows players to customize their protagonist’s appearance, backstory, and class. This guide will provide an in-depth overview of the character creation process, offering tips and suggestions for creating a memorable and effective hero.
1. Appearance
- Race: Choose from six races: human, elf, dwarf, qunari, dalish elf, and city elf. Each race possesses unique racial bonuses and penalties.
- Gender: Select your character’s gender, which influences certain dialogue options and potential romances.
- Appearance: Customize your character’s facial features, hair, eye color, and skin tone. Experiment with various sliders to create a distinctive appearance.
2. Backstory
- Origin: Select from six origin stories that provide unique dialogue and gameplay experiences. Each origin shapes your character’s background and motivations.
- Class: Choose from three initial classes: warrior, rogue, or mage. Each class has its own skillset and unique abilities.
- Specialization: As you progress, you can specialize in one of two advanced classes, enhancing your character’s capabilities in a specific area.
3. Attributes and Skills
- Attributes: Distribute points among six attributes: strength, dexterity, willpower, magic, cunning, and constitution. These attributes determine your character’s physical and mental abilities.
- Skills: Choose from a wide range of skills, including combat skills, crafting skills, and dialogue skills. Each skill level affects your character’s proficiency in various tasks.
4. Talents and Spells
- Talents: Select passive abilities that Enhance your character’s combat effectiveness or provide utility benefits.
- Spells: Mages can specialize in various schools of magic, including fire, ice, lightning, and primal. Choose spells that suit your playstyle and strategic needs.
5. Equipment
- Armor: Customize your character’s armor to increase their defense and resistance to various damage types.
- Weapons: Equip your character with melee weapons, ranged weapons, or staves. Each weapon type has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Dragon Age: Origins Races
| Race | Racial Bonuses | Racial Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Human | None | None |
| Elf | +2 Dexterity | -2 Constitution |
| Dwarf | +2 Constitution | -2 Charisma |
| Qunari | +2 Strength | -2 Willpower |
| Dalish Elf | +2 Dexterity, +1 Cunning | -2 Constitution |
| City Elf | +2 Willpower, +1 Cunning | -2 Strength |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the best race for a warrior? Humans and dwarves receive bonuses to strength and constitution, making them ideal for melee combat.
- What class is most powerful in Dragon Age: Origins? All three classes are viable, but rogues are particularly powerful due to their stealth capabilities and critical strike potential.
- Can I respec my character later in the game? You can respec your character once per playthrough at the cost of gold.
- How do I unlock new specializations? Specializations are unlocked by completing specific quest lines or finding ancient texts.
- What are the recommended attribute and skill builds for a mage? Focus on willpower, magic, and spellcasting skills such as fire, ice, and lightning.
Conclusion
By following these guidelines and exploring the extensive character creation options, you can create a unique and memorable hero who will shape the course of your adventure in Dragon Age: Origins. Embrace the customization process and experiment with various builds and backgrounds to find the perfect hero for your playstyle.
References
Dragon Age: Origins Walkthrough
Dragon Age: Origins is a third-person role-playing game that follows the story of the Grey Warden, a legendary warrior tasked with defeating the demonic Archdemon.
Character Creation:
Before embarking on your journey, you must create your character. You can choose between human, elf, dwarf, or qunari races, as well as customize their appearance, class, and skills.
Beginning the Quest:
After creating your character, you begin the game at Ostagar. Your mission is to join Arl Eamon in defeating the invading darkspawn horde.
Tower of Ishal:
After the battle at Ostagar, travel to the Tower of Ishal to recruit your first companions: Alistair, Morrigan, and Leliana.
Denerim:
Head to Denerim to seek help from the king. Along the way, you will learn about the political intrigue and the impending threat of the Archdemon.
The Circle of Magi:
Travel to the Circle Tower and uncover the secrets of the ancient Tevinter mages. Your choices here will impact future events.
The Dalish Camp:
Seek out the Dalish elves and recruit their spiritual leader, Zevran. Their knowledge and skills will prove invaluable.
Orzammar:
Explore the underground city of Orzammar and become involved in its unique caste system. Forge alliances with the dwarves to strengthen your cause.
Final Battle:
After gathering your companions and completing your preparations, you will face the Archdemon in a climactic battle at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Your choices throughout the game will shape the outcome.
Epilogue:
Experience the consequences of your actions in the epilogue, which shows the long-term impact of your choices and decisions.
David Gaider’s Dragon Age Novels
David Gaider’s contributions to the Dragon Age franchise extend beyond game writing to a series of novels that expand upon the world of Thedas. These novels provide a deeper dive into the characters, lore, and events that shape this fantasy realm.
The Stolen Throne (2009)
- Introduces Maric Theirin, founder of Ferelden, and his unlikely alliance with the Grey Wardens.
- Explores the origins of the Blight and the ancient battle against the Archdemons.
The Calling (2010)
- Follows Alistair Theirin, Maric’s illegitimate son, as he investigates his father’s past.
- Reveals secrets about the Grey Wardens and the nature of the Blight.
Asunder (2011)
- Set during the events of Dragon Age: Origins, follows the adventures of two mages.
- Explores the consequences of the Mage-Templar War and the rise of the Corypheus, an ancient magister seeking to plunge Thedas into chaos.
The Masked Empire (2014)
- Introduces the Orlesian Empire and its complex political landscape.
- Delves into the motivations of the Inquisitor, the protagonist of Dragon Age: Inquisition.
Last Flight (2019)
- Set after the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition, follows the adventures of Dorian Pavus, a mage and former companion.
- Explores the aftermath of the Inquisition and the ongoing threats to Thedas.
These novels not only enhance the player’s understanding of the Dragon Age universe but also reveal new and intriguing characters, plots, and conflicts that deepen the narrative tapestry of this epic fantasy world.
David Gaider’s Story Writing Principles
David Gaider, a renowned video game writer and narrative designer, outlines his principles for crafting compelling stories:
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Create Immersive Characters: Focus on developing relatable characters with motivations, flaws, and relatable experiences that resonate with readers.
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Craft Intriguing Plots: Build stories with clear central conflicts, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, while weaving in twists and surprises to keep readers engaged.
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Establish Stakes: Ensure readers have a reason to care about the characters and story by establishing stakes that have personal or universal significance.
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Use Details to Enhance Immersion: Use vivid descriptions and sensory details to create a believable world that readers can immerse themselves in.
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Embrace Complexity: Dive into complex themes and ideas, exploring multiple perspectives and avoiding simplistic solutions.
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Revise and Reflect: Continuously reevaluate your writing, seeking feedback from trusted sources to improve clarity, pacing, and impact.
BioWare RPG Games
BioWare is a renowned video game developer specializing in role-playing games (RPGs). Their games are characterized by in-depth character customization, complex storylines with branching narratives, and an emphasis on player choice.
Some of BioWare’s most iconic RPG titles include:
- Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale: Classic dungeon crawlers based on the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy setting.
- Neverwinter Nights: A flexible game engine that allows players to create their own campaigns and explore the Forgotten Realms.
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: A highly acclaimed RPG set in the Star Wars universe, with memorable characters and a compelling story.
- Mass Effect: A science fiction RPG with customizable characters, branching storylines, and exploration-heavy gameplay.
- Dragon Age: A fantasy RPG with a medieval setting, epic battles, and a diverse cast of characters.
BioWare RPGs have garnered critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase due to their rich worlds, engaging characters, and ability to immerse players in unforgettable experiences.
Dragon Age: Origins Companions
Alistair:
- Human warrior and Grey Warden recruit
- Kind and compassionate, but haunted by guilt
- Can romance a female Warden
Morrigan:
- Elf mage and daughter of Flemeth
- Cynical and pragmatic, with a secret agenda
- Can romance a male Warden
Leliana:
- Human bard and former spy
- Pious and devout, but also skilled in combat
- Can romance a male or female Warden
Sten:
- Qunari warrior who was exiled from his homeland
- Honorable and loyal, but struggles to understand human culture
- Can be recruited if the Warden spares his life
Wynne:
- Human mage and Circle of Magi member
- Wise and experienced, but aging and weary
- Can be recruited at the Circle Tower
Oghren:
- Dwarf warrior and Berserker
- Boisterous and blunt, but with a softer side
- Can be recruited in Orzammar
Zevran:
- Elven rogue and former Crow assassin
- Charming and manipulative, but with a strong sense of loyalty
- Can be recruited in the Denerim alienage
Dragon Age: Origins Mods
Dragon Age: Origins is a popular RPG game released in 2009. It has spawned a large modding community that has created a wide variety of mods to enhance the game’s gameplay, graphics, and story.
Some of the most popular Dragon Age: Origins mods include:
- Graphics mods that improve the game’s visuals, such as texture mods, lighting mods, and character model mods.
- Gameplay mods that change the game’s mechanics, such as combat mods, inventory mods, and quest mods.
- Story mods that add new characters, locations, and quests to the game.
Mods can be installed manually or through a mod manager. Several popular mod managers for Dragon Age: Origins include the Dragon Age Nexus Mod Manager and the Mod Organizer 2.
Mods can significantly enhance the Dragon Age: Origins experience, so if you’re looking for ways to improve your game, be sure to check out the modding community.
Dragon Age: Origins Lore
Dragon Age: Origins is a fantasy role-playing game set in the world of Thedas. The game’s lore is vast and complex, and explores the history, cultures, and religions of its various races and nations.
Ancient History
Thedas was once home to an advanced civilization known as the Tevinter Imperium. The Tevinter built vast cities and developed powerful magic, but their empire eventually collapsed due to civil wars and internal strife.
Thedas After the Imperium
In the centuries that followed the Imperium’s fall, Thedas became a fragmented world of warring nations and independent city-states. The dwarves retreated underground, while the elves were driven from their forests.
The Blights
Every few centuries, Thedas is plagued by a blight, a horde of monstrous creatures that threaten to destroy all life. The blights are caused by a darkspawn, a race of corrupted beings that reside in the Deep Roads beneath the surface of the world.
The Wardens
To combat the blights, the Grey Wardens were founded. The Wardens are a secret order of warriors who are willing to sacrifice themselves to save the world. The Wardens are known for their unwavering resolve and their use of lyrium, a mineral that enhances their strength and abilities.
The Inquisition
In Dragon Age: Origins, the Grey Wardens are tasked with investigating a new threat to Thedas: the Archdemon, a powerful demon that leads the darkspawn. The player character assembles a team of companions to aid them in their quest, and must make difficult choices that will shape the future of Thedas.
Dragon Age: Origins Romance Options
Dragon Age: Origins offers several romance options for the player character, allowing them to develop romantic relationships with certain companions. Each romance is unique, with its own storyline, dialogue, and rewards.
Female Character Romance Options:
- Alistair: A noble warrior with a kind heart and a complicated past.
- Leliana: A skilled bard and master spy with a mysterious and dangerous past.
- Zevran: A cunning elf assassin with a troubled past and a sarcastic sense of humor.
- Morrigan: A powerful witch with a mysterious past and a complex personality.
Male Character Romance Options:
- Morrigan: Same as female character romance option.
- Leliana: Same as female character romance option.
- Alistair: Not available as a romance option for male characters.
Dragon Age: Origins Endings
The player’s choices throughout the game, especially those made in the latter stages, determine the ending:
- Morrigan’s Ritual: The character sacrifices themselves to defeat the Archdemon and save their fellow Grey Wardens. Morrigan becomes the new "God Empress."
- Hero of Ferelden: The character leads the Grey Wardens to victory against the Archdemon but survives. The character becomes the new First Warden and the kingdom of Ferelden is saved.
- Queen of Ferelden: If the character is a human noble and their brother Connor is alive, they can marry Alistair and become the Queen of Ferelden.
- Witch Hunt: The character becomes a powerful mage and defeats a powerful demon, sealing the Archdemon in a never-ending nightmare.
- Awakening: The character continues their journey in the expansion pack, "Awakening," facing new threats and making critical decisions that influence the future of Thedas.
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