Disclaimer
I don't own Dragon Age, Bioware does. I play a modded version, so here is the list of some of the mods that I use. I don't own any, and because of that I will add in links to the mod pages.
A Malcolm Face Trailer CG Grey Wardens Calling Sacred Ashes by fallingangel89 dragonage/mods/650/?
Armor of the Wardens Burden by Amycus dragonage/mods/2706/?
Chantry of Ferelden - Robes by TommyIrianto dragonage/mods/3255/?
Kirkwall Exports by Amycus dragonage/mods/3098/?
Concept Art Girl by akgyi dragonage/mods/685/?
Concept Art Mage Robe by LevanaFay dragonage/mods/3595/?
DA2 Isabela and Flemeth to DAO by hsli dragonage/mods/2636/?
DA2 Elves for DAO - Retain Variety by MsBarrows dragonage/mods/3682/?
Glowing Eyes for the Grey Wardens Project by fallingangel89 dragonage/mods/628/?
Lelianas True Sacred Ashes Armor by Raughnut – Aranox dragonage/mods/1444/?
Mages of Ferelden by TommyIrianto dragonage/mods/3253/?
morrigan sacred ashes trailer robes by Raughnut dragonage/mods/1902/?
RLs Mabari MadnessbyRogueLass dragonage/mods/4436/?
Sacred Ashes CG Facesby Thrane, minus Sten, dragonage/mods/463/?
Templars of Ferelden - Armors by TommyIrianto dragonage/mods/3256/?
Tranquil Brand by Dalishious dragonage/mods/4505/?
qunari update by tmp7704 project/4592/
Now the reason I included the links is so that you can get a look at what these mods do. I am not that good at descriptions. And also because if I put every down that is required to make these work it would be at least two pages.
Now I will go into my character. Lord Malcolm Cousland, his face and voice, along with Leliana and Morrigan, is based off of the Sacred Ashes trailer. I am kinda basing him off of YouTuber HokieGamer's Aedan Cousland, because I have not played the game in a while I am using his videos as I write this story, but I will change some stuff up a little. But, unknown to all but his trusty Rottweiler, Goliath (let's face it we all love Rotties), he practices his magic alone. Yes, believe it or not, he has the qualities of an arcane warrior. However, he never unlocked his magic, until a few months before the game took place. If you have seen the above mentioned trailer you get where I'm coming from, when his eyes glow with magic. So far his magic arsenal only has lightning spells, such as Lightning, and a new spell called Electric Weapons, similar to Flaming Weapons. Now the non-magic glowing eyes will be added after the Joining. Duncan has the Warden's Calling glow, and Alistair has the Sacred Ashes glow. Now, let the story began.
Prologue
For generations, your family, the Couslands, has stewarded the lands of Highever, earning the loyalty of your people with justice and temperance. When your country was occupied by the Orlesian Empire, your father and grandfather served the embattled kings of your land. Today, your elder brother takes up House Cousland's banner in service to the Crown-not against the men of Orlais, but against the bestial darkspawn rising in the south.
Teyrn Cousland speaks to Arl Howe, "I trust, then, that your troops will be here shortly?"
Howe replies, "I expect they will start arriving tonight, and we can march tomorrow. I apologize for the delay, my lord. This is entirely my fault."
The Teyrn turns around, "No, no. The appearance of the darkspawn in the south has us all scrambling, doesn't it? I only received the call from the king a few days ago, myself." As he walks closer to Howe he continues, "I'll send my eldest off with my men. You and I will ride tomorrow, just like the old days!"
"True. Though we both had less gray in our hair then. And we fought Orlesians, not… monsters."
The Teyrn replied while laughing, "At least the smell will be the same." At this point Malcolm Cousland walks in, in his noble clothing and a dagger on his hip. His father sees him out of the corner of his eye, "I'm sorry pup; I didn't see you there. Howe, you remember my son?"
"I see he's grown into a fine young man. Please to see you again, lad, but do you always have to walk around with a dagger?"
"Please to see you too Arl Howe, and yes, I have made it a point to always carry something around for self-defense. Is your family here?"
"Oh no, I left them in Amaranthine, well away from the fighting in the south. They do send their best wishes. My daughter Delilah asked after you. Perhaps I should bring her next time."
Malcolm smiles at that, remembering the first time him and her met. "I'd like that."
"Good!" the Arl exclaims, "She goes on about your prowess as a warrior." He lowers his voice as he says, "I think you have an admirer, young man." Malcolm's cheeks get a bit warm from that comment.
"At any rate, pup, I summoned you for a reason. While your brother and I are both away, I'm leaving you in charge of the castle."
Malcolm's jaw dropped, all signs of embarrassment gone. "What? Why can't I go into battle with you and Fergus?"
"I'm certain you'd more than prove yourself, but I am not willing to deal with your mother if you join the war. She'd kill me if I let you go. She's already twisted into knots about Fergus and me going."
"That's not fair! I want to fight!"
"You'll have your chance soon enough. This is no needless task. I ask you to take a great responsibility. Only a token force is remaining here, and you must keep peace in the region. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away, yes? There's also some one you must meet." He turns to a guard. "Please… show Duncan in." The guard hits his chest and walks off.
A bit later. The guard returns with an almost elder man, who Malcolm assumes is this Duncan. As he walks up Duncan says with respect, "It is an honor to be a guest within your hall, Teyrn Cousland."
Arl Howe exclaims with surprise on his face, "Your Lordship, you didn't mention that a Grey Warden would be present."
Teyrn Cousland holds his hand up as if to calm Howe, "Duncan arrived just recently, unannounced. Is there a problem?"
Howe calmly replies, "Of course not, but a guest of this stature demands certain protocol. I am… at a disadvantage."
"We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person, that's true." He turns to Malcolm, "Pup, Brother Aldous taught you who the Grey Wardens are, I hope?"
Malcolm answers eagerly, "They defeated the darkspawn long ago."
Duncan adds in, "Not permanently, I fear."
Teyrn Cousland says, "Without their warning of the darkspawn rising now, half the nation could have been overrun before we'd had a chance to react. Duncan is looking for recruits before joining us and his fellow Wardens in the south. I believe he's got his eye on Ser Gilmore."
Duncan replies to that saying, "If I might be so bold, I would suggest that your son is also an excellent candidate."
Malcolm perks up upon hearing this but his father steps in arguing, "Honor though that might be, this is one of my sons we're talking about."
Thinking that he deserves a say in this Malcolm interjects with, "I think I rather like that idea, Father."
His father, as if he did not hear his son, continues, "I've not so many children that I'll gladly see them all off to battle." His eyebrow raises, "Unless you intend to invoke the Right of Conscription…?"
Duncan, to ease the Teyrn's fears, simply replies, "Have no fear. While we need as many good recruits as we can find, I've no intention of forcing the issue."
The Teyrn walks back to the spot where he was just a sec ago, then turns to Malcolm, "Pup, can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone?"
Malcolm replies with a disappointed voice, "Of course, Father."
"Hey, while I know you would prove yourself in battle, I know that you would be safe here, and that is what I care about more than watching you prove yourself to others. In the meantime, find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me."
"Of course, Father," Malcolm says with a small bow, "I'll leave you to your planning." He walks off.