Character Urthemiel
Race:	Old God → archdemon
Title:	The Dragon of Beauty
Affiliation:	Old Gods → darkspawn
Appearances:	Dragon Age: Origins

Urthemiel or the "Dragon of Beauty" was one of the Old Gods, a draconic creature worshiped as the god of beauty by the Tevinter Imperium. Urthemiel was awakened by darkspawn and transformed into an archdemon in 9:30 Dragon, shortly before the events in Dragon Age: Origins, which revolve around the Fifth Blight.

Among the ancient Tevinter people, Urthemiel was the fairest and most graceful of the Old Gods. His beauty is now a horrid mockery of the being he once was. If not religious canon of the Tevinters, at least some dragon cults believed Urthemiel fathered a daughter, Urzara.

Although Urthemiel appears in Dragon Age: Origins, he is referred to simply as "the archdemon" in all dialogue moments. However, the codex entry on the Archdemon will refer to him by his name after seeing him in Bownammar.

Background Edit

There was a holiday dedicated to Urthemiel back in the times when the Old Gods were still widely revered. It was called "Urthalis" but this holiday is now known as Wintersend and is dedicated to the Maker. It is celebrated at the beginning of Pluitanis.

“I do not seek to rule my brethren. I only seek to release them from their chains.” — The Architect This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening. Click here to reveal them.

It is revealed that Urthemiel was found not by the main darkspawn horde, but by the mysterious, sentient darkspawn known as the Architect. After a failed attempt to induce Grey Warden blood to Urthemiel, which the Architect believed would disrupt the Old Gods' hold over the darkspawn, Urthemiel became tainted, beginning the Fifth Blight.

Involvement Edit

Dragon Age: Origins Edit

“We now have a dog and Alistair is still the dumbest one in the party.” — Morrigan This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: Origins. Click here to reveal them.

Urthemiel is the main antagonist of Dragon Age: Origins and is first viewed by The Warden in dreams, before actually witnessing the archdemon firsthand at the Dead Trenches, where it commanded the darkspawn horde to move towards the surface.

Urthemiel led the darkspawn horde to attack Denerim, the capital of Ferelden, where it was promptly slain by the last two Grey Wardens remaining in the country. The Fifth Blight was the shortest in history, ending the same year it began.

If Morrigan performs the ceremony before the final battle to prevent a Grey Warden from dying in order to destroy the archdemon, Urthemiel's soul is transferred into the body of Morrigan's unborn child. She claims that the Old God will not be evil, but simply become a child with his soul.

Dragon Age: Asunder Edit

“I spent my time cleaning. Like a servant.” — Shale This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age: Asunder. Click here to reveal them.

In the novel Dragon Age: Asunder, the likeness of Urthemiel appears in the Fade to disrupt Wynne, Rhys, Adrian, Knight Captain Evangeline and Cole's efforts to find the Pride demon that possessed the Tranquil Pharamond. An intense battle ensued, and ultimately the likeness is driven away. Wynne then reveals that it was actually a demon disguising itself as Urthemiel using her memories of The Battle of Denerim.

See also Edit

• Codex entry: Archdemon
• Codex entry: The Old Gods
• Vestments of Urthemiel