Aedan the Barbarian

A Dragon Age Tale

Written by Ryanthebrave

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this majestic work, it all belongs to EA and Bioware. But what I do own is some original characters and a bit of the dialogue. And I also know that I might get into trouble for making my own take on the Dragon Age world, including adding creatures that are not native to Thedas. But please be nice to me, this is my attempt to delve into the Dragon Age universe.

Prologue- History of the Blights

No one knows exactly how the Darkspawn came into our world, particularly the hated Orcs and their Goblin kin. While there are those who claim that Darkspawn have always been a part of Thedas, the most accepted origin story in our world concerning Darkspawn is the Chantry version; that it was the hubris of mankind that brought the Darkspawn into the world. Unlike Orcs and Goblins, who had always been a part of our world and a constant menace, Darkspawn were an even greater threat to all living things.

According to the teachings of the Chantry, founded by the great prophetess and Ferelden native Andraste, seven Magisters of the Tevinter Imperium particularly seven priests of the Seven Old Gods of the Imperium sought to usurp the Golden City, the seat of the Maker who Andraste served faithfully. Instead of taking control of the Golden City they destroyed it with their sin and the Maker cast them out, punishing them for their arrogance and worship of false deities.

When these seven priests returned to the mortal realm, they returned as monsters the first of the Darkspawn and became a Blight upon the lands, unstoppable and merciless as they began corrupting and destroying all within their path. Even the Orcs and Goblins began to fear them or even join them on their dark purpose. The first lands that fell were the underground Dwarf Kingdoms until only two were left, Orzammar and Kal Sharok.

From the Deep Roads, the Darkspawn came at our lands and our people again and again until we faced near-extinction. Then when it seemed like all hope was lost, the Grey Wardens came. They were a secret order from the desert lands known as the Anderfels, were an all-inclusive order who dedicated their lives to eradicating the Darkspawn and ending the Blights no matter the cost. They were also renowned for riding the majestic, yet now nearly-extinct, Griffons, the only creatures in all of Thedas to match the mighty Dragons in sheer power and flight.

The Grey Wardens sacrificed everything in their determination to keep the Darkspawn at bay and they prevailed against all odds, Blight after Blight they faced each Archdemon after the next and succeeded in killing them. Yet it had been four hundred years since the last Blight and the first thing often forgotten has always been the Grey Wardens. Yet little did anyone know was that I was about to play an important part of the Fifth Blight, that I was destined for great things yet at the same time learn a terrible truth, that in war and every great legend sacrifices had to be made.

My name is Aedan, son of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland of Highever, but raised as an Avvar, and this is my story.