"Character speaking"
"Character thoughts"
"Tranquil speaking"
"Spirit speaking"
"Demon speaking"
"Abomination speaking"
Time Skip
Place's
(Author speaking)
I do not own any of the character of Dragon Age. They are all the property of Bioware and EA Games.
(I'm doing this because I love the Dragon Age series but there's going to be a big major difficulties in this story when compared to the actual game storyline and I'll be using the item's from the DLC's but I have change them by giving them a reason why they are there)
DRAGON AGE: A HERO'S TALE
PROLOGUE
The Chantry teaches us that it was the hubris of men that brought the Darkspawn into our world.
The mages had sought to usurp Heaven, but instead they destroyed.
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 Grey Wardens came...
Men and women from every race, warriors and mages, barbarians and kings... the Grey 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 in the horizon…
Maker help us all
THE HARROWING
In the Circle Tower
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 your final test: The Harrowing.
As two young men enter room that was on the top of the tower the one who wasn't wearing armor felt the chilly and as he look around he saw the several Templars standing around the large room with their hands on their weapons ready to strike at a moment notice to most people they would look intimidating to most people but except for Adam Amell as he had grown up being surrounding by the soldiers of the Chantry since coming to the Tower years ago.
Adam Amell was a tall young man with light blue eye's and dark brown hair which was short but messy and he had a neatly trimmed beard(It's the guy In the picture) and he was wearing his apprentice robe's with brown leather boot's (It's the Lion's Paw) and a magical belt (It's the Embri's Many Pockets), around his neck he had a amulet which he kept hidden under his robes (It's the Amulet of the War Mage) and he had two magical rings with one of them being lyrium-infused ring (It's the Memory Band ring) whiles the other was enhanced with a fire enchantment on it. (It's the Band of Fire ring)
(Adam's main magic are Arcane and Primal, his specialization is Battlemage and I know that you only gain access to a specialization in a later part of the game and that you only gain the Battlemage specialization during the Dragon Age Origins Awakening DLC but why not now)
Just then the Knight-Commander Greagoir the leader of the Templars of the stepped forward towards Adam.
"Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him," Greagoir said "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".
Adam had to fight against the urge from signing out loud as he had grown up in the tower filled with religious warriors and priestesses that has given him the same speech over and over again making sure to express how magic was something to be controlled and feared when he was around.
"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" the first enchanter Irving chimed in.
Adam looked over to the First Enchanter the elderly man who has been more of a father figure to him than even his own father has ever been before he was taken by the Templars. "The ritual sends you into the Fade, and there you will face a demon, armed with only your will". (Adam's voice is Male Commander Shepard from Mass Effect)
"What would happen if I can't defeat the dempn?" Adam asked but he could already guessed the answer.
"It will turn you into an abomination and the Templars will be forced to slay you," Greagoir said bluntly with Irving scowled at him, and the Knight-Commander gestured to a basin in the middle of the room, striding over to stand next to it "This is lyrium: the very essence of magic and your gateway into the Fade".
Irving placed a hand on Adam's shoulder as the young mage once again sign within his head as he knew full well what lyrium was, and the Knight-Commander's description was a vast oversimplification of its nature. "The Harrowing is a secret out of necessity, child," he said in a low voice. "Every mage must go through this trial by fire. As we succeeded, so shall you. 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," Greagoir said pointedly from across the room.
"In that case, First Enchanter, I'll be straight back in ten minutes top's" Adam said with his well known confident smile.
"Ah, the confidence as ever" Irving said. "Best of luck, my child".
"You are ready," Greagoir said, gesturing to the basin. Adam strode across the room, trying to keep his hands from trembling. Fire he eyed the glowing fluid in the basin and as Adam took in a deep breath, before he plunging his right hand into the lyrium and What felt like a wave of ice crawled up his arm and before he knew it Adam's eyes snapped wide open as the world around him went white.
In the Fade
As Adam woke up his head felt like it was spinning but once it stop he open his eye's and saw that he was no longer in the chilly room with Irving, Greagoir and all the Templar Guards instead he saw the famous Black City hovering in the distance "Fuck me" Adam murmured to himself as he look around in the Fade that according to the Chantry, is a realm of primeval matter from which the Maker formed the physical world and all living beings.
As Adam started walking around he notice a twisted, disturbing-looking statue standing off to one side "Okay that's weird" Adam said to himself as he continue walking down a path until he spotted a wisp floating a dozen yards away which then fired a ball of lightning which he ducked "Oh you want some do ya" Adam said as he thrusting out a hand and a bolt of arcane energy blazed from his palm which evaporated the wisp as the bolt impacted. As Adam continue walking he went up a hill and once he reach the top he ran into another wisp which Adam immediately destroyed with burst of lightning but once he destroy that one another wisp was waiting for him over the next hillock which was also immediately destroyed by Adam.
"Someone else thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as ever" a random voice said which cause Adam to spun with a ball of lightning ready but he found no one "It isn't right that they do this, the Templars, Not to you, me, anyone" said the random voice.
Adam look around for the random voice and as he look down, he spotted the source of the voice which was a talking rat but instead of being shock seeing a talking rat Adam guess that since he was in the Fade he was obviously going to see some weird stuff like this.
"No, it isn't right at all" said Adam.
"But they keep doing it, don't they? We get treated like rabid dogs, and we let them get away with it! (Sign) it's always the same. But it's not your fault, you're in the same boat I was, aren't you?" The mouse flowed into a human shape, and Adam kept his face carefully blank as he looked at the man, noting the robes he was wearing. "Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me…well, Mouse".
"Not your real name, I take it'?" Adam asked.
"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" said Mouse.
"That's not going to happen to me" said Adam.
"That has been said before but you don't know the danger. 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" Mouse paused a moment. "Or your opponent's, if the Templars wouldn't kill you. A test for you, a tease for the creatures of the Fade".
" Anything can die, I doubt it's as simply as that" Adam said curiosity.
"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" mouse said before he look up at Adam "I'll follow, if that's all right. My chance was long ago, but you…you may have a way out." He changed back into his mouse form.
As Adam continue to walk down the hall "A dangerous spirit is not far" Mouse warned "Don't go near it unless you're ready to fight" as Adam turn around a corner he spotted a clearing surrounded by fire "That is where the test will take place. The creature can be anywhere, but it manifest there" Mouse explained and Adam decide to go in the opposite direction.
As Adam continue walking and a long the way another pair of wisps try to stop but like the one's before stood no chance against Adam's magic but then he spotted a figure in Templar armor standing in front of several racks of weapons "Another spirit this way" Mouse whispered "It never seemed equal to its name, to me".
"Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see," the spirit said as Adam and Mouse approach it "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"
"Fight each other? We're not warriors" said Adam.
"They would have you battle a demon. With Magic or weapon, to be the victor makes you a warrior still. That you remain means you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come" said the spirit.
"What kind of spirit are you" Adam ask curiosity.
"I am Valor, a warrior spirit. I hone my weapons in search of the perfect expression of combat" said Valor.
Adam then look at the weapons on the racks and all of them were well made "Did you create all of these weapons" Adam ask curiosity.
"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 mortals who cannot must lead such hollow, empty lives" said Valor.
"Would one of these weapons affect the demon?" Adam ask curiosity.
"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" Valor paused "Do you truly desire one of my weapons?" Adam nodded "I will give one to you…if you agree to duel me, first. Valor shall test your mettle as it should be tested".
"It seems you would prefer to kill me yourself" Adam said in a serious tone.
"How dare you accuse me! I am no demon, preying upon helpless mortals to steal their essence! I am a being of honor and valor! I am a warrior!" Valor said angrily.
"Then prove it! Help me fight the demon!" Adam said in a serious tone.
"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" Valor said before he walk over to his weapon racks and draw out a staff from it one of which looks like the ones that the senior enchanters possess, Valor handed it to Adam "Go, prove your worth as you must. I am confident you will succeed".
"Thank you, Valor" Adam said grateful before he and Mouse kept moving along the path.
But they were soon attacked by a trio of ethereal wolves but Adam ready himself with his new staff and unleashed shock spell which destroyed two of them and blast the remaining wolf with a lightning spell which destroy it and once it was over Adam and Mouse continue down the path.
"Be cautious, There is…another spirit, here. Not the one hunting you, but still…" Mouse said and Adam just signed as he was beginning to wonder how many Spirit's were there besides the one was hunting me and as Adam got up the hill spotted the spirit in question which like a bear but mess up.
"Hmm… so you are the mortal being hunted? And the small one… is he to be a snack for me?" The beast asked.
"I don't like this. He's not going to help us. We should go" said Mouse.
(Sniffs)"No matter. The Demon will get you eventually, and perhaps there will even be scraps left" The beast said as he got up.
"What kind of spirit are you?" Adam asked.
"It's a demon, maybe even more powerful than the one hunting you" Mouse hissed.
"Begone! Surely you have better things to do than bother Sloth, mortal. I tire of you already"Sloth said as he lay back down.
"Why are you called Sloth? What are you?" Adam ask.
"I am a spirit of Sloth, a creature of the Fade…unlike yourself. Mortals are ever the visitors here. Still, you serve your function. Only the mortals like yourself are truly annoying. Now, what do you want with me?"said Sloth.
"Mortals like myself" Adam ask curiosity.
"You are... Aware. A mortal with power and will. The sort of creature that some spirits... hunger for. I might be inclined for such a meal, myself. It would be interesting to see the mortal world though your eyes, live inside your form... But I am disinclined to begin such a struggle" said Sloth.
"Lucy me" said Adam.
"Indeed. Now what do you want with me?"Sloth ask.
"I need help defeating a demon" said Adam.
"You have that nice stuff. (Yawn) why would you need me? Go, use your weapon since you have earned it. Be valorous" said Sloth.
"He looks powerful, It might be possible that he could…teach you to be like him" Mouse whispered.
"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"said Sloth.
"I…don't think I'd make a very good bear. How would I hide?" said Mouse.
"You could help me fight the demon" said Adam.
"It's true. I am quite powerful in this form... When I wish to be" said Sloth.
"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" said Mouse.
"That's nice. But teaching is so exhausting. Away with you now" said Sloth.
(Sigh)"I told you he wasn't going to help us" said Mouse.
"Mouse wants to learn. Teach him" said Adam.
"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. The decision is yours" said Sloth.
"Riddles? Are you joking" Adam said annoyed.
"Indeed not. Amusement his difficult to come by, and I shall take it in the place of a meal if I can"said Sloth.
"I'm not sure I want to provide him with either" Mouse said worry.
"I accept your challenge, Sloth" said Adam.
"Truly? This gets more and more promising. Your first riddle: I have seas with no water, coasts with no sand, towns without people, mountains without land. What am I?"Sloth ask.
"That would be a map, I suppose" Adam said causing the Sloth demon snorted. "Correct. Let's move on. I'm rarely touched, but often held. If you have wit, you'll use me well. What am I?" said Sloth.
"Rarely touched, often held…" Adam's face brightened "My tongue. What else you got bear?".
"Yes, your witty tongue. Fair enough. One more try, shall we? Often will I spin a tale, never will I charge a fee. I'll amuse you an entire eve, but alas, you won't remember me. What am I?"Sloth ask.
"Damnit the last one is always the hardest. Come on What is it, what is it…" Adam then looked around "Wait. Of course. The Fade is the land of dreams. It's a dream!" said Adam.
Causing the Sloth demon snorted again "You are correct. You've proven yourself an amusing distraction. So, I shall teach you my form. Now, focus," he said to Mouse. He quickly ran through the basics of transforming in the Fade, or as quickly as a Spirit of Sloth could, and moments later Mouse had transformed himself into a bear.
"Like this? Am I a bear? It feels…heavy" said Mouse.
"Hm. Close enough"Sloth curled up, eyes closing."Go, then, and defeat your demon…or whatever you intend to do. I grow weary of your mortal prattling".
"Have a nice nap, you earn it" Adam said before turning his attention on Mouse "Come on…Bear? Mouse? You still prefer Mouse?"
"Mouse will do. Shall we?" said Mouse.
As Adam and Mouse made their way back to the clearing surrounded by fire where the demon that was hunting Adam would be a quartet of ethereal wolves got in their way whiles Mouse deal with the ethereal wolf behind them Adam fire a lightning spell at the ethereal wolf which destroyed it and as the two other ethereal wolves were closing in on Adam he back away enough so that his shock spell could hit both of them and it destroyed them.
As the two ran to the fiery clearing, and a creature that looked to be made entirely of fire crawled out of the ground.
"And there," Mouse said, "Is a spirit of Rage".
"And so it comes to me at last"the demon rumbled"Soon I shall see the world through your eyes, mortal. You shall be mine, body and soul".
"If I lose, the Templars will still cut you down" said Adam.
"They are welcome to try, so this creature your offering, Mouse? Another plaything, as per our arrangement?" the demon said catching Adam's attention.
"I'm not offering you anything! I don't have to help you anymore" said Mouse.
"Aww. And after all those wonderful meal's we have shared? Now suddenly the mouse has changed the rules?" said the demon.
"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..." the Demon said before he start to attack them.
As the Demon went at Adam he fired a lightning spell on the Demon whiles Mouse charged the demon in his bear form and started attacking the demon and Adam followed up with a bolt of arcane energy, thrusting his staff at the demon and he finished the Demon by unleashing a Shock spell on the Demon which demon fell to the ground, evaporating into the ambient energy of the Fade and cause the several wisps that it summoned to disappeared.
"You did it. You actually did it!" Mouse said, resuming a human form "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?" Adam ask in a serious tone.
"What? They were not as promising as you. It was a long time ago. I... I don't remember their name. I don't even remember my own name. It's the Fade, and the Templars killing me, like they tried with you" said Mouse.
"So what is it that you think you can get from me?" Adam ask.
"You defeated a demon, you completed your test. With time, you will be a master enchanter with no equal. And maybe there's hope in that for someone as small and as... Forgotten as me. 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" said Mouse.
"I'm starting to think the other demon wasn't my test" Adam said as he starting to get a idea who exactly Mouse really is.
"What? What are you... Of couse it was! What else is here that could harm an apprentice of your potential?" Mouse said but then Mouse's face twisted into something that vaguely resembled a smile. "You are a smart one" His eyes turned from a comforting green to pure black, and his voice went deeper than any human's possibly could."Simple killing is a warrior's job. The real dangers of the Fade are preconceptions, careless trust…pride"The demon transformed, and Adam looked up as Mouse became…something else. Limbs elongated and sharpened, skin grew harder and darker, and the creature's frame expanded rapidly as it towered over Adam. The mage fought the urge to discover if it was possible to vomit whiles in the Fade as the Pride demon revealed itself. "Keep your wits about you, mage. True tests never end" With that, it vanished, and everything around Adam went white again.
The next chapter
THE ESCAPE ATTEMPT