Disclaimer: I own none of this. The ideas are mine, though.
Wrote the first chapter last night, and woke up with the urge to write still. Figured I had time before work to at least start a chapter. Hope I can keep this energy up!
In my mind, the darkspawn across the whole series look like the ones in Origins. Variants like the genlocks from 2 are more local in my 'version' of this universe.
Just saying now that throughout the story, I may use some lines or quotes directly from the games. I won't try to highlight or mark each one, but I figure it couldn't hurt to mention it.
There will be point of view changes. I will do my best to label them so it isn't too confusing.
In Dragon Age, there is a 'common tongue', or just 'common'. Other languages will be shown in italics
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Origins – Lyra Mahariel
Entering the cave behind Tamlen, Lyra had to stop herself from shivering. Her whole life had been spent in the open, with the only roof she had ever known being the sails of Ashalle's aravel. She could see goosebumps on Tamlen's arm, and relaxed a little. As strange as it sounded, it made her feel better to know that she wasn't the only one feeling a little uncomfortable with being inside the strange ruins.
"These ruins look more human than Elven…" Tamlen muttered.
As the two entered, they saw the remains of a group of giant spiders. Running past them towards the sounds of fighting, the two hunters stopped when they saw an armored warrior fighting another group. Drawing their bows, the two began assisting the warrior. Taking out a few of the smaller ones, the warrior turned towards them, his strange, flared helmet bobbing down in thanks before engaging another one of the creatures.
Hearing a skittering behind them, Lyra turned in time to launch an arrow into the eye of a spider about to jump at Tamlen, before dragging her fellow hunter towards the doorway. Looking back at the warrior, Lyra shouted.
"Move closer to the door! We can avoid getting surrounded by these things that way!"
Not acknowledging her beyond a brief grunt, the warrior started retreating towards the doorway, using his large shield to block the jets of venom from some of the brighter colored spiders. Having secured the doorway, the two Dalish kept up their assault, throwing out noisemakers as they went to confuse the spiders. After another ten minutes, the swarm finally slowed down, before stopping completely.
Turning towards the two hunters, the warrior wiped his sword on a piece of cloth at his waist before he slid it into the sheath. Reaching up to his helmet and grabbing it by what Lyra realized were stylized wings, they got their first look at their new ally.
"A Shem! Were you with the others we caught skulking through these woods?"
Before Lyra could say anything, Tamlen raised his bow, but did not pull an arrow back, holding it loosely in his hand.
This seemed to only amuse the human, who smiled before holding his hands out and away from his blade.
"Easy there, Hunter. I have no desire to fight. Besides, I think these ruins may be of as much interest to you as they are to me. I merely wish to cleanse the taint I sense further inside."
"Taint? Like the blight? I thought only Grey Warden's could sense the blight?"
Laughing, the human replied. "Indeed, we can. I was investigating reports of darkspawn in the area, but instead I was drawn here."
The now identified Warden reached a hand out, which Lyra took.
"I'm Lyra, and this is Tamlen. It's an honor to meet you, Warden. I have only ever heard good things about your order from Keeper Marethari."
"You can call me Blackwall. Marethari? You two wouldn't happen to be members of the Sabrae Clan, would you?"
"You know the Keeper?" Tamlen asked, putting his weapons away and relaxing a little.
"Not personally, but from what I've heard, she and the Warden Commander of Fereldan have met before and have worked together to help your clan avoid small groups of darkspawn in the past."
"You said that there was something of interest to us here as well? From what I've seen, these are just old sh-human ruins." Catching herself at the last minute, Lyra ignored the slight blush from her slip.
"Indeed. From what I can tell, these ruins are from the ancient Tevinter Imperium. Maybe there will be some remnant of your people left amongst all this dust and ancient architecture."
Nodding at the logical conclusion, the three of them took a few moments to rest and prepare themselves for another fight.
"Before we move on, I do have a question if you'll indulge me? What exactly did you two do to cause those bangs earlier?" Blackwall asked.
"We call them noisemakers. They're balls of hardened clay that make a loud noise when you shatter them. Not too useful against something that can think, but the clan uses them to drive away the more aggressive animals and creatures we don't want to risk fighting. Sometimes they can be useful as a distraction as well." Lyra replied.
Nodding in thanks, Blackwall put his helmet back on, before turning towards the door.
The trio entered the next hall and continuing deeper into the ruins. Before long, Tamlen stopped the group while looking at a statue in wonder.
"I can't believe this. You recognize this statue, don't you Lyra?"
"It's worn, but it looks vaguely familiar." She replied.
"Back when our people lived in Arlathan, statues like these honored the Creators. When the humans enslaved us, much of that lore was lost. It looks like you were right, Warden Blackwall. I think this is a statue of Sylaise."
"Sylaise… She's the elven goddess of the Hearth, right?"
Looking in surprise at Warden Blackwall, Tamlen replied.
"Yes, she is the goddess of the hearth and home, as well as domestic arts meant for healing and utility."
Nodding in thanks towards the man, the two elves took another few moments to appreciate the piece of their history present.
"It's a shame we can't take it back to the clan. We'd never be able to take her with us." Lyra said sadly.
Turning when they heard a screech, the trio saw more spiders coming towards them. Sighing, they adopted a similar position as before, with Blackwall rushing into the thick of the fight while the two hunters supported him from behind, throwing noisemakers where they could, preventing Blackwall from being overrun.
Seeing the last of their enemies fall, they continued, Lyra and Tamlen disarming a few pressure plates as they went. Reaching an intersection, the group turned to enter what looked to be the final room. As Blackwall took a step into the next hall, a rush of cold air flew past them all. Turning, the three drew their weapons when skeletal remains of the long dead began to move and shamble towards them.
After realizing that their arrows were having little to no affect on the dead, the two hunters drew their dar'misu and began to fight on either side of Blackwall. Making short work of the old bones, the trio made sure to break any other bones they saw as they turned to continue deeper into the ruin.
"This is foul, dark magic. I'm glad we're here to help you destroy it." Lyra said, nodding at Blackwall.
"I am grateful for the assistance. I am skilled, but I doubt I'd be able to progress as quickly or without serious injury without aid." Blackwall replied.
"Why not call for aid then? Surely other wardens would come?" Tamlen asked.
"We have only recently been allowed back into Fereldan. There was a failed grab for power by a splinter group of wardens in Fereldan a few centuries ago. Since then, we've been imprisoned any time we enter the country. Besides, the taint would not wait for me to summon reinforcements. By the time they arrived, it may have already taken your clan, or infected the local wildlife. This forest is old; I wouldn't want to have to burn it down to cleanse the land of the blight."
Eyes wide at that, the two hunters looked at him in shock.
"Is there truly no other way to cleanse an area the darkspawn have been?" Lyra asked quietly.
"There are other ways, but the main 3 ways to cleanse it from the area is fire, time, and blood magic. It'd be impossible to stop people and animals from coming to the forest, so time isn't a feasible option for an area like this. I don't think I need to elaborate on why blood magic isn't an option." Blackwall said, lifting his shield as they entered the next room.
"When is blood magic ever an option? It's evil!" Lyra said, glaring at him.
"Let me ask you this. If one of your hunters was told that he had a disease, and he would spread it to the clan. This would lead to the clan's death. Would he stay? Or would he prefer to end his life on his life on his own terms? Or what if his death meant that the clan could escape a deadly ambush? Those are the types of questions that Wardens have to answer. The Darkspawn are not a normal enemy that you can just defeat and move on from.
The taint poisons everything it touches, even if it doesn't seem obvious. The longer something is tainted, or around something that is, the worse it gets. That's why the Wardens have to consider such extreme options."
Seeing the two hunters look away, he nodded.
"I don't particularly like the idea myself, but if I told you the only way to save your clan was through blood magic, can you honestly say you wouldn't consider it?"
Sighing, Tamlen nodded.
"I guess I can understand that Warden. It does comfort me that you seem to have just as much abhorrence for it as we do."
Smiling grimly, Blackwall moved further into the room. Hearing a roar, the two hunters rushed into the room in time to see Blackwall on the ground, his shield between him and what looked like a bear of some kind. Reacting quickly, the two began to launch arrows at it, quickly blinding it. With a final arrow sinking into its head, it collapsed on top of the man. Rushing over and rolling it off him, they each grabbed one of his arms and helped him up.
"Thanks for the assist. Bereskarn aren't normally that much of a challenge, but this one seemed different. Didn't even realize it was there until I was on the ground. Still, I'm glad it was me and not one of you. Otherwise, this would be a much more somber conversation I think."
Nodding at his assessment, Lyra looked at the beast.
"Is this what you meant when you said the blight infects things? It feels… wrong. Should we burn it?" She asked.
"Not unless you want to get infected. The normal ones and lesser darkspawn can get burnt en masse, but for the stronger ones or older ones like this, they need to be burnt by Wardens. We have certain abilities that make resisting the blight easier for us than it is for everyone else." Blackwall said cryptically.
"Why aren't there more Wardens, then? That seems like something worth spreading around." Tamlen asked.
"All magic comes with a price. Most of the time it's paid in the time you spend learning it. For the more esoteric or powerful stuff, it gets a bit steeper. And the life of a Warden isn't always as glorious as the stories tell it." At this, the trio shared a brief moment of silence before Tamlen approached a nearby mirror.
"It's beautiful, isn't it? I wonder what the writing says. Whatever it is, it's definitely Elven. I've seen this script in some of the Keeper's books she keeps about The Dales."
"Tamlen, maybe you should back away from that…" Lyra said, reaching out to him.
Before she or Blackwall could stop him, he reached out like he was in a trance.
"It's showing me places, I can see a city! And… there's a great blackness… It… it saw me! Help! I can't look away!"
There was a flash of bright light, Lyra felt herself thrown back against Blackwall. She felt the two hit the wall as all went dark.
-BACK AT CAMP-
"…mmhm… my head. Did anyone catch the Halla that kicked me?" Lyra muttered, blearily opening her eyes, and feeling the headache.
Looking out towards the rest of the camp, she saw an armored figure talking with the Keeper, and it all came back to her. Eyes widening, she tried to stand up to go over to them.
'When did we get back here? And where's Tamlen? If I was in the medical tent, why isn't he?'
Stumbling out of the tent and leaning against a nearby tree, Fenarel approached her and helped her stand.
"You're awake! You've the gods' own luck, lethallan. Everyone was worried sick about you. How do you feel?"
"Fenarel… where's Tamlen?"
"I.. I think you should talk to the Keeper. You've been out of it since yesterday, but the human found a way to stabilize you."
Helping her towards the pair, halfway there she found the strength to walk unaided. Still keeping an eye on Lyra, they were greeted by Keeper Marethari.
"I see you are awake da'len. Warden Blackwall was just updating me on how you two came to meet. I am proud of you and Tamlen for aiding an ancient ally of all people. Especially against such foul magic."
"Keeper, where is Tamlen?"
"That blast from the strange mirror, an eluvian according to your Keeper, threw you and I out of the room and sealed the door. I carried you back after being unable to bypass the ward. I was hoping she or someone else in the clan knew more about the artifact. There may still be a chance for Tamlen, although if he was afflicted as you were, we must hurry." Blackwall explained.
"Afflicted? What do you mean?" Lyra asked, while the three elves all looked at Blackwall in worry.
"I can explain more later, but I've managed to stabilize your condition. Keeper Marethari was just trying to convince me to take some of your hunters with me in case the danger has grown. I've been trying to talk her out of it. I don't want to put more lives at risk."
"If you will not take a hunting party, at least let me send my first with you. She knows enough about the ancient writings to be able to help take the ward down. Otherwise, I'll just have to send a party in after you."
Sighing in defeat, Blackwall nodded in agreement.
"I'm coming, too." Lyra said.
"No, da'len. You have not yet recovered from your injuries. Duncan and Merrill can see this through." Keeper Marethari said, frowning at Lyra.
"You know I can sneak past our sentries. Do I need to turn your argument back around, or can I go find my best friend alongside a trained mage and experienced warrior?" Lyra said, Looking into the Keeper's eyes.
Keeper Marethari had a sour look on her face, but nodded. Looking at Fenarel, she nodded at him before replying.
"Very well. Fenarel will go with you as well. He can watch your back and be there to assist if your affliction worsens."
Knowing that there was no better options, Lyra nodded before looking towards Blackwall and Fenarel.
"I can go talk to Merrill. Why don't you and Blackwall talk. Maybe the three of you can come up with a plan by the time we come back."
Fenarel walked off, leaving the three of them alone.
"This may seem a bit callous, but trust me when I say that you have my sympathies. In all truth, I'm not sure what will be left there of Tamlen. You barely survived with myself and the Keeper doing our best to aid you. I just don't want to give you false hope." Blackwall said.
A grim look passed between the three of them as they reviewed what happened from Lyra and Tamlen's perspective up until the room with the eluvian. Merrill and Fenarel arrived and listened to the rest as they laid out the ruins by sketching a basic map into the dirt.
-TIME SKIP-
Entering the cave again, it was clear that something had changed. There was a heaviness in the air that wasn't present before.
"Lyra… why would you and Tamlen enter such a cursed place? This place feels… sick."
Merrill glanced at Lyra in worry.
"It wasn't like this last time. Something has changed."
Blackwall didn't comment, just pushing open the door and moving further into the ruins. The first sign of trouble came when they entered the room where Lyra and Tamlen had first encountered Blackwall.
"Weren't there more spiders here? I could've sworn we'd killed more than this…" Lyra said, seeing only a dozen corpses left.
"Merrill was right earlier when she said this place is sick. I sense darkspawn nearby, and they tend not to be too picky when it comes to their food." Blackwall said gruffly, drawing his sword.
Following his example, the others drew their weapons, Merrill casting an enchantment on them all that caused their skin to harden. Nodding in thanks at the mage, the group moved into the next room.
The door had been torn from the hinge, and constructed into a crude effigy around the statue of Sylaise. A quick spell from Merrill had the effigy reduced to ash, and while the other two gazed at it in wonder, Lyra and Blackwall moved towards the next room.
Before they could enter, however, a creature burst out of the doorway and rushed at them. Hit by two arrows and a shock spell, it collapsed with a screech. The party quickly rushed to the doorway, Lyra and Merrill attacking at range while Fenarel and Blackwall moved to attack with their blades.
A group of a half dozen darkspawn rushed them, taken down to 5 after a shot from Lyra at the one in the lead. As it fell, it tripped up one of the others, leaving four more to close with the two swordsman. Merrill focused on healing the two, while Lyra finished off the one that had fallen down. Before she could try to hit one of the others, Blackwall pushed forwards and opened two of them up. Fenarel, following his example, managed to hamstring one of the last two. A quick swipe caught his shoulder, forcing him to move back closer to Merrill.
Merrill launched a frost spell at the other two, holding them in place long enough for Blackwall to finish them off. As she moved to work on Fenarel's shoulder, Lyra saw Blackwall go and push his sword through each one's head.
"Aren't they already dead?" She asked.
"This wouldn't be the first time one of them recently decided to lie in wait. They've been getting smarter and more numerous… ill tidings of what's to come." Blackwall said grimly.
"You mean a Blight?!" Merrill asked, finishing up with Fenarel.
"Indeed. It is why I am wandering through Fereldan. I am searching for recruits to join the Wardens and help us end this before it can engulf all of Thedas."
Sharing a glance with the other elves, they all moved on, taking out one more group of darkspawn, this time only three of them. Moving over to the doorway that led to the eluvian, the party stopped as Merrill raised her staff and began muttering words that Lyra recognized, even if she didn't understand them.
She caught something about 'passage' and 'the key' but the rest was all words she didn't know, or part of a spell. Going over to Blackwall, she leaned against the wall.
"So, any idea what that mirror was?"
"I remember hearing about a similar artifact being found in western Orlais a few decades ago, but I haven't read the reports. I just know that we need to destroy it. I wasn't sure until your Keeper told me its name." He replied, glancing over at her.
"So, why do I feel so weak? You said I had an affliction?" Lyra asked.
"The presence of darkspawn here erases any doubt in my mind about what is wrong with you. You have been infected with the taint. I have managed to slow it's effect, but it cannot be cured."
At this, Blackwall sighed, looking over at her pale face.
"There is a conversation that needs to happen between us and Keeper Marethari. For now, let's focus on making sure it spreads to no one else. It looks like your friend is almost done."
Nodding at him, the two walked back over to Fenarel and Merrill, just in time for a blue shimmer to wash over the doorknob. Reaching out, Blackwall opened the door and led the way into the room.
Before them stood a monstrous creature. A wall of pure muscle towered over them, with sharp claws and dark purple horns that twisted into cruel points. Turning towards them, the white eyes glared at them in ravenous hatred. Merrill threw an ice spell at it, to no effect, and they scattered into the hall as it ran towards them, attempting to gore them on its horns.
Blackwall swung at its side as it passed him, only for his blade to get stuck in its calf. Having to let go of the blade, he backed up as it swung around, letting it run into the stone wall. Merrill's spell seem to have a greater effect this time, freezing one of it's arms to the ground. Seeing the ice already beginning to crack, Fenarel tried to get close to it's head. Before he could try to hit it, the ice shattered and it rolled over. Slamming it's fist into him, Fenarel sailed through the air for a second before landing a few feet away, groaning. Blackwall ran at the creature, shield raised, while Lyra drew it's attention with an arrow imbedding in it's chest. Shooting another one right next to the other, Lyra cursed at seeing how thick this thing's skin was. It made sense now why it didn't use armor or weapons like the other darkspawn.
Before she could try to hit it again, Blackwall slammed into it with his shield. Knocking it down again, he brought his shield down on its chest, driving Lyra's arrows deeper into the flesh. With a roar, the creature tried to grab at him, but Blackwall shifted out of the way, before grabbing Fenarel's discarded blade. Stabbing downwards, the blade went through the creature's right eye. Lowering her bow, Lyra looked over to see Merrill helping Fenarel over to them.
"You okay, falon?" Lyra asked Fenarel.
"I'll be fine. Just a little winded. Guess I owe Master Ilen an apology. All those times I told him I wouldn't need new armor and he made it anyway…"
Smiling at their good fortune, the trio looked at Blackwall.
"So, what was that thing? A darkspawn?" Merrill asked, glancing back at the corpse.
"Yes, although we were quite lucky. This one was still young, otherwise we would've had a hard time bring it down." He replied, smirking slightly when their eyes widened.
"Normally they're about three feet taller, and hit a lot harder. We got quite lucky that this infestation was caught in time. Now, let's go see if we can find Tamlen, as well as destroy the source of this corruption."
Walking into the room with the eluvian again, they all looked at the artifact, it's surface now glowing softly.
"I see no sign of Tamlen. Just the eluvian…" Lyra said, her grip on her bow tightening as she glanced around the room.
"I was afraid of this… I don't think he'll be able to return with us. He may be lost to us forever, trapped in the network of the eluvians."
Dropping to her knees, Lyra felt something inside of her break. Tamlen had been there for her since the beginning. He couldn't be gone. He couldn't just leave her like this.
Merrill and Fenarel moves to her sides, the three taking comfort in one another for a moment. Blackwall gave them some space, moving towards the eluvian. None of the elves bothered to look up until there was a great crash. Seeing the shattered frame and the broken glass, something inside of Lyra snapped. Launching up, she punched Blackwall in the side.
Not seeming bothered by the assault, the man merely turned and let her hit his armor a few more times as the tears fell. Her arms fell, as she collapsed again. Merrill went to her side and started pulling her away from the mirror, glancing back at the glass strangely.
"I'm sorry about Lyra hitting you like that. Her and Tamlen have been inseparable since they were young. I suspect that you were only her target because there were no more darkspawn to kill. I know I'm not feeling too great about our failure to save my cousin."
"You all have my condolences. I know things like this aren't easy. She is not the first person to lash out in grief, and I am glad she shows enough control to not let it take over at least."
The two followed Merrill and Lyra, Merrill burning every body they passed at Blackwall's suggestion. The trip back to the camp was made in silence.
-LINE BREAK-
Stopping just outside of the camp, Lyra took a minute to clean herself up. She didn't want the younger members of the clan to see her all torn up. The children would already not understand what happened to Tamlen. Following the others, the group reported right to the Keeper.
Keeper Marethari immediately noticed the absence of Tamlen, sighing and leading them all a bit further away to get some privacy.
"I'm sorry Keeper, but Tamlen… he-" Merrill started.
"I know, da'len. You three are some of our best, and Warden Blackwall is nothing to scoff at, either. If the four of you couldn't find Tamlen, I doubt there are many who could have."
"The eluvian has been destroyed. The darkspawn have breached the system in the past, and the taint in the mirror was too great to cleanse. I'm sorry I had to destroy an artifact from your people's past." Blackwall said, bowing slightly to Keeper Marethari.
"I thank you for the apology, although it is not necessary. I would trade as many of those artifacts as I could to return Tamlen to us. But it is enough to know that no one else shall come to harm due to the actions of you four." She replied, making sure to look at each one of them.
Sighing again, she looked at Merrill.
"I need you to talk to Hahren Paivel, Merrill. He now has the sad task of preparing as service for the dead. Fenarel, why don't you go talk to Junar. Have him warn the hunters of the darkspawn, and to have them prepare to leave this area soon. We shouldn't linger after such a tragedy."
Their tasks assigned, the two went to go make the proper arrangements. Blackwall turned to the Keeper and nodded.
"It is as first suspected. Lyra has been infected by the taint. There are only 3 options she has now."
Looking older than Lyra had ever seen her, the Keeper sighed and sat down on the rock behind her.
"What can we do to help her survive it?" she asked.
"There is, unfortunately, only one cure. Grey Wardens are immune to the taint's influence, so if you wish to survive this, you must leave Clan Sabrae and join my order."
"There's no other cure but to leave all I have ever known behind?" Lyra asked quietly.
"The only other alternatives are a slow death from the taint, or a quicker death as a mercy. I'm sorry, but there is nothing else I can offer beyond that."
Feeling a little faint, Lyra closed her eyes and focused on breathing.
"This will hurt the clan greatly to have lost two of our hunters, but I believe you should go with him, da'len. There is always the chance of seeing us again if you can survive, and Tamlen would not want you to throw your life away." The keeper said, meeting Lyra's eyes at the end.
"Will I be able to say my goodbyes, and stay for Tamlen's funeral?" Lyra asked, feeling like she was living someone else's life.
"That shouldn't be a problem. We can stay for another day before we need to depart."
Nodding gratefully at him, Lyra hugged the Keeper before walking over to the Halla. Scratching behind the ear of one of the foals, she let her head rest against it's side.
-TIME SKIP-
Leaving the camp was one of the worst feelings Lyra had ever had. If she hadn't of just lost Tamlen, she'd say it was the worst. Blackwall had not stayed for the ceremony and wake. The Warden had set up a small camp nearby, preferring to leave the clan to grieve on their own, sensing that Lyra would appreciate the time to say her goodbyes. The next morning, the pair of them set off from there, heading south-west.
"I'm going to have to drop you off with Duncan for your joining, then I have to go back to the Anderfels up north. I need to report on my findings with the eluvian, and that we need to watch out for more of them. This is the second time one of my order has encountered them and had to destroy it due to the blight."
"Duncan is the Warden Commander for Fereldan, right? And what is in the Anderfels?"
"Yes, he is. The Anderfels is where Weisshaupt Fortress is, the headquarters of the Grey Wardens."
"Where did you say we were meeting him at? Some old ruin to the south, right?"
"Ostagar."
That's origin number two done! What did you guys think? I tried a different approach with this character, and figured I could give Warden Blackwall some screen-time in this, since Duncan was already on the other side of Fereldan.
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This is the real Warden Blackwall, not Thom Rainier. Figured he'd be a cool character to drop in.
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Hope you guys liked it!
Ameridane