Yen's missing. She has been for weeks. How did I lose one of the most powerful mages in Thedas, you ask? If I knew that I wouldn't be sitting here in the middle of a war freezing in the Frostback Mountains at night telling you the story. The destruction at the Conclave. That was the last time anyone heard from her. Now the whole world's fallen apart. Demons pouring out of the sky and there's only so many of us left.

Who am I? I'll get to that.

Back to Yen. Yennelyn of House Trevelyan. You'd know her if you met her. One look. That's all it takes with most men. She's . . . unforgettable. The world is filled with color but Yennelyn? She is what lies beyond the darkness. Yen is life without the need for light. I met her years ago. Made a fool of myself, actually. The first time I looked into those violet eyes my words fell everywhere around me except for out of my mouth.

"You do have a name, don't you? Perhaps you are afraid I might run away with it and never return? I assure you, your name is safe at least for now. As for the rest of you?" Yen looked at him and licked her lips. "Another time, perhaps?" She laughed and continued on her way leaving the scent of rosemary and lemons in her wake.

Her laugh. You'd think I was a young boy with his first crush when I heard her laugh. That was the first time we met, well sort of met. I didn't know who she was at the time. We crossed paths several times. After Kirkwall fell, she had to stay hidden. All of the remaining mages in Orlais and Ferelden were hunted. Not by my kind, you understand but there was so much confusion and fear after Kirkwall. I escaped, but barely.

I received word from a certain Lady Cassandra. She was a noble from Nevarra, but more importantly, she was a Seeker. The Seekers of Truth. Thedas' ultimate order. Judge, jury and executioner for mages and even my kind. She'd heard what I'd done in Kirkwall; how I supported the Champion after the Chantry exploded. What she didn't know? I helped the Champion and her pet mage escape. I knew he wasn't responsible for the explosion. His spirit passenger was the one who carried out the deed. I couldn't condemn a man for the spirit that controlled him and I promised to find a way to free him.

After Kirkwall I was on my way by ship to a small hamlet called Haven at Cassandra's request. Appropriate, don't you think? Haven. A small gathering of misfits forced to band together for sanctuary. I heard her name again on the ship from Kirkwall. Even though we'd been apart for a few years I searched every inch of that ship. That was her way. Yennelyn flew in and out with the wind. I wondered if she would head to Haven.

After several weeks in Haven, I'd been left alone - for the most part. They had all the right players in place. Josephine Montilyet, a noble from Antiva where her family runs a fleet of merchant ships. She's the Lady Ambassador. She's well spoken, but to my eyes I could see her past. Lady Josephine was not all satin and ruffles in her heart.

There's the Nightingale, Leliana. We know each other well and has used me in several operations before. The darker the place, the more likely the Nightingale would seek my help. She knew I didn't scare easily and most importantly knew to allow me my privacy. Leliana was not one to cross or underestimate. I wondered if her fellows knew the deadly skills of their spymaster.

The commander of the armies is a Knight-Commander Rylen. He seems decent enough – for a Templar. These mage hunters want nothing more than to control and collar all mages. Maybe he's not such a bad guy, but Templars don't like my kind either. It's a long story. I've done my best to avoid him so far.

I waited for Yennelyn hoping for a sign from her – anything to tell me where she might be. Then the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes occurred. Leliana and I were talking when sky ripped open and the demons came. She sent me on ahead. This is what I do. I put myself between the demons and everyone else.

What I found was unsettling. Death. Annihilation. Nothing survived. I needed to find Yen. I knew she survived, I can't say how, but I knew.

I made my way back to the forward camp. Along the way I started to hear the stories. A woman dressed in black with dark hair and violet eyes was dumped through a hole in the Fade. Violet eyes. The color was rare. It had to be Yen - I had to get back as soon as possible.

Which brings us here.

So I will leave you safe with these soldiers. Find a way north, Starkhaven, Antiva, Rivain. Ferelden is lost for now, but not for long. How do I know? I'm going to find Yennelyn and then fix this mess. Who am I? I was born in Honnleath, I survived the Massacre in Ferelden's Circle, the fall of Kirkwall. They call me the Butcher of Denerim – I served King Alistair during the Blight. I'm known as the Lion of Ferelden. My name is Cullen and I'm a Witcher.