What's your favorite origin story in Dragon Age Origins? 😊

[Nonoloth Caragasinth]

I have to say that in terms of hierarchy it will be:

1. Dwarven Noble
2. Dwarven Commoner
3. Human Noble
4. City Elf
5. Circle of Magi
6. Dhalish Elf

I hope... The next game would have unique origin stories for each race. The addition of the Qunari would make it very interesting. 😁

[Stormsong]

1. Dwarven Noble

2. City Elf

- These 2 are first because they offer a perspective that isn't explored again at all in the series, an interesting one at that. Lower ranked dwarves/dwarven criminals, humans, the dalish and mages get pushed into your face quite often. These though, are either locked away or uninteractive footnotes (DA2 alienage anyone?) for most of the time after these origin stories, and that continues right into DAI.

3. Human Noble

4. Dwarven Commoner

5. Circle of Magi

-I just didn't feel compelled to act in this one like I did the others. Do the one thing every mage does, which in and of itself could have been handled better imo. Then follow your whiny friend about until Duncan kidnaps you out of what can be nothing other than mercy at this point.

6. Dalish Elf

- Boring, and considering how important some of the things that happen in this one are to...well everything, that's unfortunate.

In response to your mention of a Qunari origin. Seeing Qunandar would be pretty cool.

[Nonoloth Caragasinth]

@ Stormsong the Fallen - I agree with your assessment about the first two origins (Dwarven Noble and City Elf) have not been explored more than they should in subsequent games. It would be great if they could explore Dwarven Nobles and politics again but in a more in depth manner than they did in the first game. There are a lot of potential storylines there that could be explored.

The City Elf origins would be interesting as well if the City Elf would be in Tevinter on the next game. We will get to see an Elven perspective at the bottom of the social ladder in an Empire built on the foundations of slavery. As per the original City Elf Origins in DAO I liked it because it reminded me of Braveheart plus the dynamics of the interacial tension that humans and elves have for each other. It explored social issues and what's life for the common man in an aristocracy in Fereldan.

Human Origins - I like the intrigue that a story like that could have had. It was well done. However, I thought they could have done it better, I think.

Dwarven Commoner - I liked the story idea of an underdog and that's why it's second on my list.

Circle of Magi - I liked it. But my normal preference is to play melee fighters/rogues so personally I didn't really find it appealing.

Dhalish Elf Origins - Yes. Totally boring. I definitely agree.

"In response to your mention of a Qunari origin. Seeing Qunandar would be pretty cool." --- YEAH IT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!

I hope they implement origin stories again on the next game. :D

[Undead Rufus]

1. City Elf

(I agree that it's an often-referenced but under-utilized aspect of the game universe. BioWare routinely trots the elves out as if say, "Look! They're oppressed!" But very little is ever done with it, not even when Merrill moves into the alienage in DA2. The origin story in DAO, however, is really well done.)

2. Circle Mage

(Yeah, mages/templars have been front and center since 2009, but this lore wasn't so overcooked when DAO released. I've probably created more Circle of Magi characters than anything else, though I always wished I could start as an apostate instead).

3. Toss-up, except Dalish Elf (which is just boring — in fact, the Brecilian Forest segment of the main plot isn't that great, either).

[Zeetarb]

1. Dwarf Commoner. I enjoyed that one the most, it seemed it had the tightest plot, good family bonds that were just there, they weren't plot devices in the origin story. Can't think of any inconsistencies or silly railroading.

2. Human Noble. My first one, would have been my top but for the ending. Enjoyed the setting and the Castle, wish there was more time exploring that before things turn bad. Your mother's choice in the ending is just stupid though, kind of ended it on a sour note.

3. Dalish Elf. I think most people hate that because of the re-used dungeon I suppose? I dunno, enjoyed the clan aspect and the foreboading over the artifact and the illness, seemed to give a decent enough reason; though it would have been better if they had one or two little instances of you feeling the impacts before the joining. Could have just been one line of dialogue from your end even.

4. Mage. I liked the fact the main story has two very different ways it can play out while still winding back to the same place. Although a bit of a shame you can't let mouse win for a game over. Mage stuff in other games means it's a bit uggghhhh going back to it now. Jowan being a blood mage was a shock first time around. Then after later games ... of course everyone everywhere is a blood mage.

5. City Elf. I like the two different branches depending on gender. But the story is pretty cartoonish and over the top. They were trying to make it horrifying, but to me it just seemed too ridiculous. Especially at the end when your like oh well I'll leave what could go wrong right and the other elves are all sure we'll stay no possible consequences.

6. Dwarf Noble. I liked the start and the setting, very cool. Hated the clear, obvious, and potentially out of character railroading though. i.e. if bhelen thinks you are buying his scam, your other brother will attack you if you don't and even if you beg him off. Completely out of character for him even if Bhelen has messed with his head; and if you've read his diary there is information you could have used to talk him out of it.

If not, and you convince Bhelen you don't buy it; the way everyone is so quick to turn on you when there are clearly a tonne of other hostiles down there and you were miles away is over the top.

When I played through the set up was so obvious I could see it miles away, but there was no choice I could make to do anything other than walk into it and then not defend myself with the information I had. I found that irritating.

I love the origin stories though. Best part of the game.

[SlackerBoe]

1. Human Noble
2.Dwarf common
3.Dwarf royal
4. magi
5.Dalish Elf
6. City Elf

[Von Faustien]

City elf
Human noble or mage
Dwarf Nobel
Dalish
Never played commoner dwarf

[Nighinn]

1. Human Noble.
2. City Elf.
3. Dwarf Noble.
4. Dalish Elf.
5. Dwarf Commoner.
6. Magi.

2-4 varies a bit, depending on my mood.

[De gr8 me GuST@!]

i love my city elf, he just wants a hug, (picks your pocket)

[Xerica]

Human Noble ( mainly because there is still more family story in awakening)
(can aso get married :P . good mod for it. my characters wedding posted below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8xTapCavlw

[Sgt. Rock]

1. Human Noble, the character I usually create. Partially because this character has more invested in the main conflict than the others due to the rivalry with Howe, Loghain's chief underling, and their brother being present at Ostagar which gives them extra incentive to take down Loghain. Plus their family was on their way to fight the Blight before they were recruited. Plus extra stuff regarding Nathaniel in Awakening.

2. Dwarf Commoner. Love me some dwarves, and being able to give the authorities the finger when Duncan recruits you is just great. Plus the Commoner's sister is best sister and it makes things wonderfully personal when returning to Orzammar later on and seeing how things have changed.

3. Dwarf Noble. Again, love me some Dwarves, but I preferred the Commoner. Still some good exclusive dialogue and such when returning to Orzammar though.

4. City Elf. Did this once, didn't mind, but eh... not dwarfy enough.

5. Mage. I hit things with swords. It's what I do best. Melting faces with mind fire is confusing and beyond me.

6. Dalish Elf. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ forest hippies playing with a magic mirror. No thanks. Just keep jerking off in your enchanted forest until the darkspawn shove a spear up your ass in the middle of your mirror devil worship. ♥♥♥♥.

[R0S3R4BB1T]

For me personally, and it may change around in the future, it goes like this:

1. Dwarf Commoner - I like how you start off as a criminal due to the unfair cirmcumstances of the caste system of Orzammar. It shows discrimination against one's own race simply because the actions of their ancestors. I like how it could be seen as encouragement for other casteless, like how Sigrun reacts to you if you are a dwarf commoner. And the regret that the dwarf commoner could have after leaving Leske behind.

2. Human Noble - This origin story stood out to me because you have a happy family, an actual happy warm family dynamic that is torn away from you by Howe's teachery. It offers a lot from a story telling standpoint, is the human noble a happy and cheerful person but becomes jaded after what happens to his/her family? Could the human noble have acted like a brat and regret his/her behavior vehemently after she/he loses everything? You also have the chance to marry Alistair or Anora and become king/queen. The only thing I find annoying is the underwhelming reunion with Fergus.

3. Magi - This was the very first time playing as a mage that I actually enjoyed. I've always been more of a rogue type person or sometimes even a warrior. I like the discrimination and dilemma that stands with being a mage in the Dragon Age world. I liked how you had to choose between Jowan, your closest friend, or Irving, the man who is probably the closest thing you had to a father in that tower. I liked making my character have a sort of anger towards Jowan for tricking them. And if you choose the human magi you are related to Hawke, the protagonist in Dragon Age 2 which is cool while the elf magi is a bit of a blank slate.

4. Dalish Elf - Okay so, the dalish elf origin. Short? Yes. A bit underwhelming? Yes. But I like the Dalish culture. The idea of being close to nature intrigues me and the sense of belonging and family that comes from the clan. I like how the Dalish warden is forced away from his/her clan and forced into a world unfamiliar to him/her due to the sickness caused by the darkspawn. You are given the chance to act polite and uncertain of the new circumstances you are forced to face, or act arrogant and outspoken, especially towards shems. I like that later on in the game you have a heartbreaking encounter with Tamlen who you thought to be dead. The Dalish elf warden could be left to wonder what could have been done differently or accept what happened and move on. The friendliness from other Dalish is a bonus too.

5. City Elf - This origin has another happy warm close family dynamic that I really appreciate. I liked making up a story for the little elf kids and the community of the alienage. I like the fighting back vibe that came with fighting your way through Vaughan's house. The discrimination against elves is horrible and the city elf warden becoming such an important person is satisfying. It is a very dark and dramatic story with all the death caused by Vaughan and his lackeys, I was pretty bummed when Nelaros was killed. And it's refreshing to play as a city elf since there is a lot of focus on Dalish elves in the Dragon Age games. The only reason that this origin story is really so low on the list is because I felt the dwarf commoner was a much more powerful underdog story. I NEVER let Soris go to prison or let Vaughan live when I play as a city elf.

6. Dwarf Noble - The Dwarf Noble is a very good origin. I like how it shows how complex dwarven politics are. And it was really sad losing both of your brothers and your father due to the deceit of your own kin. I like from the story telling standpoint the dwarf noble could be an arrogant jerk who is humbled through what happens to him/her or be a kind and giving person (as much as a dwarf noble can be) who then becomes selfish, feeling as though is everyone is out for themselves. This is a very powerful back story. I just didn't prefer this origin over the dwarf commoner or the human noble.

In conclusion they are all very good. And I feel guilty going with one over the other because I get emotionally invested in the characters from all the origins. There are only four love interests and they make the story interesting to me and I get a little weird about letting one of my wardens romance one that I did with another. All of them are worth playing though, even if you finish the game with only a few.

[Lord Haart]

Nice face dare

[dwarfpcfan]

favorite: dwarf commoner, no contest
least liked: Dalish Elf