Quest Magi Origin
Location:	Circle Tower
Start:	New game with Mage class
End:	Ostagar
Next:	Joining the Grey Wardens
Appearances:	Dragon Age: Origins

Gifted with a power considered dangerous by most, you have spent most of your life secluded in the remote tower of the Circle of Magi to be trained and watched closely by the dreaded templars. Now your final test is upon you -- succeed and prove your strength or be slain. Note that unlike other origins, this one is based solely on the class. You can play as either a Human or Elven mage. -- the plot is the same for humans and elves. You cannot play as a Dwarven Mage since Dwarves cannot use magic.

"The Circle of Magi exists to protect mages from a world that fears them, or so the young apprentices that are brought there are told. In truth, it exists as much to protect the world from the mages themselves. A time once existed when mages ruled the known world, bringing down ruin upon their enemies until at last they were overthrown. Now they are watched carefully by the Templars, mage-hunters aligned with the Chantry priests who would not hesitate to strike down any mage at the first sign of corruption.

For the temptations offered to mages are many. Their power draws demons to them from the Fade, demons that will attempt to wrest control of a mage's body and transform him/her into a vile abomination. What these demons cannot take by force they will sometimes attempt to take through deceit, offering knowledge of forbidden blood magic that allows a mage to control the minds of others and use their very life force to fuel his/her powers, leading him/her down a dark and destructive path.

All apprentices are taught to resist these temptations in the Circle of Magi, and the day comes when they must pass their final test: the Harrowing. They are literally thrown to the wolves, given over to a demon to either summon the willpower to defeat it or be possessed and die at templar hands. If the apprentice refuses they are made Tranquil, cut off from all emotion and magic and rendered unable to be possessed for their own good. There are no other options, save to flee and be branded an apostate and thus hunted by the templars forever.

Welcome to the Circle - the power to command the forces of magic is yours, for a price" ^[1]

Plot Edit

On starting a new game with a character of the Mage class, you will find yourself in the Harrowing Chamber, receiving warnings and advice from Knight-Commander Greagoir and First Enchanter Irving. Cullen, a young templar, can be spotted in the background.

You are about to undergo your Harrowing, the final test of your apprenticeship. You will use lyrium to enter the Fade and face a demon. You must overcome the demon, or else turn into an abomination and be slain by the templars.

Walkthrough Edit

The Harrowing Edit

Main article: The Harrowing

Your apprenticeship is over. You are sent into the Fade to defeat a demon, to prevail...or die.

A Mage of the Circle Edit

Main article: A Mage of the Circle

Waking up after the Harrowing, your friend Jowan tells you that First Enchanter Irving requires your presence. In Irving's office, you are formally welcomed into the Circle and introduced to Duncan, one of the fabled Grey Wardens.

Bound in Blood and Magic Edit

Main article: Bound in Blood and Magic

Jowan waylays you after you leave Duncan, and asks for your help. He introduces you to his love, Lily, who has made a very disturbing discovery. They want your help to break into the Tower basement and destroy Jowan's phylactery so he can escape from the Tower unpursued.

Infested Storerooms Edit

Main article: Infested Storerooms

Senior Enchanter Leorah has been in a bad mood all day. Perhaps you can help her out and get a favour in return? (this quest is entirely optional if you can find another Senior Enchanter to help you complete Bound in Blood and Magic.)

Result Edit

Jowan and Lily are confronted as they return to the Apprentice Quarters level; Jowan escapes using forbidden blood magic. The protagonist is recruited by Duncan into the Grey Wardens, and leaves with him for Ostagar. If it has not been unlocked in a previous playthrough, on arrival in Ostagar the Harrowed achievement will be awarded.

Initial Statistics Edit

In addition to those selected by the player at character creation, a Magi Warden automatically begins with the following (regardless of race):

• Skills: Combat Tactics and Herbalism
• Starting Spells: Arcane Bolt
• Initial Gear: Apprentice Robes, Leather Boots

Items Edit

Plot Items:

The Fade:

Circle Tower:

Storerooms:

Basement:

Characters Edit

• Cullen: A young Templar who attends The Warden mage's Harrowing and who appears later in the campaign in the halls of the Tower. He has romantic feelings for a female mage warden, whether elven or human. He also appears in the Broken Circle questline.
• Duncan: The commander of the Ferelden Grey Wardens.
• Eadric: An elven mage apprentice doing research into his heritage.
• Eleni Zinovia: A petrified woman/statue stored in the tower basement.
• First Enchanter Irving: The First Enchanter of the Circle Tower.
• Jowan (temporary companion): An apprentice mage and best friend of the player character.
• Keili: A troubled and deeply religious mage apprentice.
• Knight-Commander Greagoir: Leader of the Templar Order in Ferelden.
• Lily (temporary companion): A Chantry initiate who is involved with Jowan.
• Mouse (temporary companion): A being encountered in the Fade who claims to be a failed apprentice.
• Niall: An Isolationist mage seen conversing with Torrin.
• Owain: The Tranquil manager of the stockroom. He appears in the origin story and in the later Broken Circle questline.
• Senior Enchanter Leorah: A mage in charge of the laboratory.
• Senior Enchanter Sweeney: An elderly, possibly senile, mage with tales to tell of the Circle Tower.
• Senior Enchanter Torrin: An older mage who will discuss the Fraternities of magi with Niall and the Warden.
• Spirit of Valor: A benevolent Fade spirit that will offer the Warden a staff for use during the Harrowing.
• Templar Bran: a Templar who guards the main doors of the Tower.

Notes Edit

• If the Magi is human, his/her mother would be Revka Amell.

Gallery Edit

Mage concept art

Cullen and another Templar witness the Magi's Harrowing

Mages can use lyrium to enter the Fade, the realm of dreams and spirits

Meeting what appears to be a talking mouse

Mouse claims to be another mage apprentice, killed by the Templars for taking too long to complete his Harrowing

A Spirit of Valor can aid The Warden by giving them Valor's Staff

Meeting a spirit called Sloth in the Fade

A Rage Demon found in the Fade

Meeting Duncan, a Grey Warden, along with Greagoir and First Enchanter Irving

A Sentinel, guardian of the Tower's repository

A Robed Sentinel, magic-wielding guardian of the Tower's repository

Sentinel Guardian, lieutenant level guardian of the Tower's repository

Add a photo to this galleryAdd a photo to this gallery

Bugs Edit

• During the final cutscene, after Jowan escapes, the Templars will take Lily away to Aeonar. You will see Lily walk away, but in a birds eye view of the conversation between Irving, Greagoir and the Warden, you will see Lily standing in the corner.

See also Edit

• Circle of Magi
• Templars
• Chantry

References Edit

1. ↑ BioWare Dragon Age: Origins Site - Mage Origin