The story of Dragon Age: Origins is finished… or is it?
After finishing the incredibly short downloadable chapter of Dragon Age: Origins titled Witch Hunt, I pondered, “Is that really the end?”
Within Witch Hunt, players again assume the role of the Grey Warden as they search for Morrigan and their unborn baby. The downloadable content assumes that players did the nasty before their fight with the Archedemon near the end of Origins. Why you must find her, even after she told you not to, is rather unclear. Even the dialogue between the hero and the occult-loving witch leaves things unresolved and confusing. She rattles on and on about her mother (how boring!), and how may or may not be dead. The worst part is things become even more confusing when lined up against the past downloadable content.
If you upload your character who has played through Awakening and/or Golems of Amgarrak, then the ending of Witch Hunt will definitely not make sense since there is a bug that has Morrigan forgetting your special night together. Instead, the bug revolves around as if you refused the Dark Ritual even if you or Alistair did not refuse. There are reported to be other continuity issues in relation to the previous DLC, so it’s definitely a head scratcher on what happened with bug testing.
It’s safe to say my relationship with Dragon Age: Origins didn’t end on a good note. While it’s a farewell to Dragon Age, it’s an awkward one at that. I was hoping to tie up some loose ends, or at least to have questions answered, but unfortunately, the bugs dampened the overall experience. On top of that, the ending is even more ambiguous than it should have been.
So since I am obviously not ready to kick this addiction, let’s take a look back at the past Dragon Age: Origins downloadable chapters.
The Stone Prisoner
The first DLC that was delivered by BioWare for Dragon Age was the Stone Prisoner, which was a promotional code that shipped with retail copies and is also available via download. The Stone Prisoner added two new areas to the map: one being the small village of Honnleath and then a cave in Cadash Thaig.
The most appealing aspect of the DLC was the extra party member – a personal favorite, nonetheless – named Shale. Shale was a smartass golem who, instead of using the traditional weapons and armor, used crystals that applied different powers and skills. As like many other golems, Shale was once controlled like a slave with a control rod. Growing unhappy with her position, she snapped and killed her master. This is where Stone Prisoner started as players find her frozen in place in the middle of the village and leaves it up to the player to decide Shale’s fate.
Warden’s Keep
Warden’s Keep was next up and was also available for download the same day as Origin’s release, which added a new location on the map named Soldier’s Peak. Warden’s Keep also provided two new shops and talent/spells for each class, along with a Party Chest that allowed for more storage.
As for the story, players come across the Grey Warden’s old fortress, which has been abandoned for years. From there, the world opens up for discovery. There’s also the opportunity to help a poor man, Levi Dryden, regain his families honor by proving that his grandmother did not disgrace the Grey Warden title. It wasn’t too extravagant, but it at least was a nice complimentary piece at the launch of the full title.
Return to Ostagar
After the slaughtering of hundreds of Grey Warden in the battle of Ostagar it was believed that the Grey Warden’s were a thing of the past. But years later and rumors are that there are other Grey Warden’s still out there who desire to re-group to fight off the continued threat of the Darkspawn and learn more of Loghain’s deceit. This is where Return to Ostagar begins and sets players in a direction of unearthing the truth.
Awakening
Yes, Awakening is a full-on expansion, but for the sake of the story, it fits neatly into the downloadable chapters. Awakening starts six months after the death of the Archdemon and, even though the Blight is thought to be over, the Darkspawn are not retreating like they should be. Instead they are being lead by a superior Darkspawn who has evolved. He can speak, he can make logical decisions, and he leads an army with his craftiness.
Several characters and party members returned depending on choices and actions though out Origins. For my playthrough, my dear husband, Alistair, was there to show me support at the beginning before returning to his throne. Awakening also brings several new locations, weapons, armor, and party members. In addition, players are able to purchase an item that allows them to completely reorganize all level points so that they can take advantage of the new talents, spells and skills.
Darkspawn Chronicles
Darkspawn Chronicles was a whole different type of DLC. Instead of fighting against the Darkspawn, you were fighting with them! Crazy, I know! This chapter takes a look at things from the Darkspawn’s perspective as if the Grey Warden character had died during the Joining Ritual, and Alistair had been the one to lead the Grey Warden’s through the Battle of Ostagar and the Blight. It’s a very compelling story that is told and it’s a unique way of playing through previous events, but on the other side of the fight.
Lelianna’s Song
Ever wonder about Lelianna’s history? Yeah, me neither. But you can still play through Lelianna’s Song to find out what exactly happened between Lelianna and Marjolaine that hurt poor her so deeply. This prequel is short but does add new armor, the Battledress of the Provocateur, to Origins and Awakening saves; that is, if you can find all of the pieces.
Golems of Amgarrak
In the Golems of Amgarrak players once again find themselves in Orzammar’s Deep Roads. I know, like you weren’t in there long enough in the Origins. Probably the most boring of all the DLC’s, players wander around the caves looking for Jerrik Dace’s brother, Brogan, who is missing in the Deep Roads while looking for secrets behind building golems. Like in Lelianna’s Song, there are items that can be unlocked with in Golems of Amgarrak that will show up in Origins and Awakening as well.
Witch Hunt – The END
And that brings us full circle, right back to Witch Hunt, which puts us at the end of our Dragon Age adventure.
Dragon Age: Origins was probably one of the most emotional rides I have ever been on within a video game. I married a Templar who was a virgin and later who became King. I become Queen, had affairs with two beautiful women and I had an attack dog named Biscuit. I fought Darkspawn, saved werewolves, collected Nugs, and even traveled into the magic world of the Fade where I could transform into a mouse. Before Dragon Age: Origins I was not a fan of the fantasy-world of most hack n’ slash RPG’s but now I find myself in love with Ferelden and constantly looking for other games that can give me the same experience. I am eagerly anticipating Dragon Age 2 and hope that it takes me on another fantastic journey.
