Dragon Age: Dreadwolf – The Answer to a Darkspawn Question

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf - The Answer to a Darkspawn Question

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf – Unraveling the Mysteries of the Darkspawn

Eight years in the making, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf has left fans with burning questions and anticipation. While the previous game’s endings provided satisfaction, they also planted seeds for the sequel. One question that still lingers from Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening is in dire need of resolution.

Released as an expansion in March 2010, Awakening focused on The Warden-Commander, a character who may or may not be the protagonist from the base game, depending on the player’s choices. This gripping story saw The Warden-Commander assume leadership in a region and engage in battles against lingering Darkspawn forces in Ferelden. Many fans regard Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening as one of the greatest expansions ever made, but it left several plot threads unresolved, chief among them being the fate of The Architect and his Darkspawn followers.

The Role of Darkspawn in the Dragon Age Universe

The Darkspawn play a crucial role in the Dragon Age franchise, serving as a stand-in for the orc archetype. However, they are deeply entwined with the series’ lore and mythology. These monstrous beings obey the commands of the Arch Demon, who leads them from their underground lairs to invade the surface world. These invasions, known as The Blights, often require a united front of nations to repel and result in widespread devastation.

According to the franchise’s lore, the first Darkspawn were Tevinter Mages who foolishly tried to invade the palace of The Creator, a god-like figure in the series. As punishment, they were cast down and became the forebears of the iconic antagonists we know today. This intriguing backstory was partially confirmed by Corypheus, the antagonist in Dragon Age: Inquisition. The fate of The Architect, however, remains one of the most tantalizing loose ends in the series. It would be a disservice if the upcoming fourth game failed to address this.

Unveiling the Architect’s Identity in Dragon Age Origins

In Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, the main plot centered around a Darkspawn Civil War triggered by an unexpected catalyst. One of the key figures in the DLC was The Architect, who bestowed upon the Darkspawn the ability to speak and reason. Unfortunately, this led to insanity among some Darkspawn, as they could no longer hear the “song” that compelled them to unearth the Arch Demons. Thus, a civil war erupted between the factions.

Surprisingly, it was revealed that The Architect was responsible for the Blight in the base game’s story. In his quest for answers, he inadvertently awakened the Arch Demon, which subsequently triggered the attack on Ferelden. In Dragon Age: Origins, players had the choice to either kill or spare The Architect, although sparing him would result in losing his assistance against the Broodmother in the final boss fight.

Should players choose to spare The Architect, the ending of Awakening hints that he retreats to the Deep Roads with his remaining Darkspawn. This may explain the decrease in Darkspawn raids, but sadly, the character fades into obscurity. While it’s highly likely that we haven’t seen the last of The Architect, it’s been a long wait for the franchise to even acknowledge his existence again. This is definitely something the fourth game needs to rectify.

In the end, the mysterious fate of The Architect and his articulate Darkspawn companions remains one of the most frustrating enigmas in the franchise. Despite their tremendous significance, the series has yet to fully capitalize on their potential. While Dragon Age: Dreadwolf promises an exciting and intricate plot, it’s our hope that there will be ample room to explore the intriguing world of the Darkspawn.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is currently in development.

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Dragon Age: Dreadwolf – The Answer to a Darkspawn Question