This entry is part of the special CHRONICLES blogpost series here on elocutio.nu retelling the story of the Dragon Age: Origins videogame. Go here for an introduction to the story and a full overview of all the available chapters ~
[please note] This post contains spoilers !
Arl of Redcliffe
After fighting a gruesome demon at the Circle Tower, Anaïs and her friends head for Redcliffe. Arl Eamon could be a powerful ally and since he raised Alistair, before sending him off to join The Templars, it should not be hard to convince him to join their cause to fight The Darkspawn. Just before the group heads towards the village Alistair wants to speak to Anaïs alone. He confesses that he is actually King Cailan‘s half brother! But he also stresses he is not interested in becoming king and thinks Arl Eamon is the best candidate for being crowned the new king.
In the village just nearby Redcliffe Castle they meet Ban Teagan who informs Anaïs and her friends of the grave situation the village has been in. Nobody has been able to reach the castle and the villagers have been fighting off the undead attacking the village at night. He fears something is very wrong at the castle and is afraid something terrible has happened to Arl Eamon who has also fallen ill! Anaïs first has to help the villagers before she is able to reach the castle…
After a long night fighting the undead attacking the village it seems the road is clear to reach the castle. Just when Anaïs and Ban Teagan talk about how to reach the castle via a secret passageway, Lady Isolde shows up. She pleads Ban Teagan to return with her to the castle because she needs his help. Even though Isolde is Arl Eamon’s wife the group does not trust her. But Ban Teagan decides he has to help Isolde and he will return with her to the castle via the main route. There’s no other option left for Anaïs and her friends to take the secret passageway alone.
The secret passageway leads Anaïs to the dungeon where the group stumbles upon a rogue mage. As they question him about what happened at the castle and the undead attacking the village he confesses he poisoned the arl, but that these monsters were not his doing. He says Lady Isolde hired him to teach her son Connor how to deal with his talent for magic. Something has gone wrong and Connor has become possessed by a demon!
The group is shocked by the news, but still doesn’t fully trust the rogue mage. Anaïs decides that it’s safer to keep the mage locked up while the group finds out where Connor is and if they can actually do something about it.
As the group reaches the Main Hall they are greeted by a scary sight. Connor has Ban Teagan jumping around as a jester while his mother Lady Isolde is watching filled with fear. The boy is clearly possessed by a demon. Not wanting to engage in direct combat the demon sends guards towards Anaïs and her friends. After a short fight Connor flees, but the demon is not yet defeated.
Lady Isolde pleads Anaïs to help her save Connor from the demon. She releases the mage from the dungeon who was originally brought in to help her son learn magic. Since he has not enough lyrium to perform a powerful spell needed to vanquish the demon he desires a blood offering. Fortunately Wynne suggests to ask the mages at the Circle Tower for help. They are powerful enough and of course have enough lyrium as well. Anaïs hurries back to the tower as fast as she can.
On the road they are stopped by a woman needing help, but soon the group realizes it is actually a trap! They were followed by the Antivan Crow Zevran hired by Loghain to kill the two remaining Grey Wardens, Anaïs and Alistair. But Zevran and his fellow attackers are no match for Anaïs, he falls and surrenders. Anaïs decides to spare his life, but in return he has to help them in their quest. Zevran agrees and joins the group.
Anaïs returns to Redcliffe Castle with First Enchanter Irvin and a few other mages. With their combined strength and lyrium supply they are able to cast the spell that sends one mage into The Fade to battle the demon that is possessing Connor.
It is Morrigan who goes into The Fade to battle the Desire Demon. The demon tries to bargain with Morrigan by offering her special skills, but Morrigan knows better than to listen to it. This demon feeds on people by fulfilling their desires via an illusion. Morrigan defeats the demon and frees Connor of it’s power.
Now that the demon is vanquished Redcliffe slowly turns back to normal. Ban Teagan and Lady Isolde are both overjoyed Connor is freed from the demon, he seems to have no recollection of his possession whatsoever. Unfortunately Arl Eamon is still comatosed by his illness. They ask Anaïs to look for the Urn of Sacred Ashes. This legendary artifact should be able to cure the arl. Anaïs decides to hunt down this urn, not just because the arl can be a powerful ally… she also wants to do this for Alistair.
Comments are closed.