Summary
BioWare’s next installment in theDragon Ageuniverse,Dragon Age: The Veilguard, is now on the horizon, with fans expected to get their hands on it in fall 2024.Information has been drip-fedto the public, such as the companions players can expect to meet, the title of the player character, and the fact that gamers will be seeing previously unexplored parts of Thedas.
What has not been made clear, however, is who will be returning outside of the already announced characters, such as Lace Harding, Varric, and Solas. But even withoutany other returning characters, fans might still expect to see ripples from decisions of previous titles. The Warden had to make some pretty major decisions that would shake the world even outside of Ferelden and may still have an impact in the story ofVeilguard, even if decades have already passed.
6The Player’s Backstory And Romance Choice
Though A Minor Choice, It Could Influence Dialogue Or Codex Entries
One of the most important choices, specifically for the player, are the characters they will be playing as. InOrigins, gamers have the option to completely customize their Warden,selecting their origin story,gender, class, and their appearance. Though the options might be a little lacking compared to the standards of today, the number of origin stories and how they all differ is impressive, and it could determine how others address and view the Warden.
Along with customization, the player characters also have the option of 2 out of a possible 4 romance choices, as Morrigan and Alistair are exclusive to male and female Warden’s respectively. It is entirely possible these choices could be reflected inVeilguardthrough shared dialogue between NPCs or even be mentioned as part of the lore. It would mostly be fan-service rather than majorly swaying the games' plot, but players would likely be pleased to see these decisions reflected in their world.
5The Fate Of Redcliffe
Redcliffe Might Serve As A Stark Reminder About Placing Trust In The Hands Of A Hero
DuringOrigins, players will travel to various locations across Ferelden, including the village of Redcliffe, which has become the darkspawn’s next target as they sweep across the land, leaving only ruin and death in their wake. It is a quest that gamers can fail without resulting in a game-over, as they can choose to let it be overwhelmed, or it might happen due to the players' carelessness.
It certainly affects how NPCs might view the Warden, as, if they cannot even save one settlement, how can they expect to save the entire continent? And failure could result in people using it as a reason to perhaps not trust the Rook when trying to save a settlement from an invasion - if even the mighty Warden failed, what hopes could this new hero have? But whether they save it or not, the choice will likely be reflected through the in-game law, and who knows what other consequences this might have over the years since the events ofOrigins.
4The Circle Quest
Friction Between The Mages And The Templars Has Always Been Present In Dragon Age
Despite the name of the series beingDragon Age,conflict between various factionsis always present in the games' plot, with none being more tenuous than that of the Templars and mages. In the world ofDragon Age, magic is a two-edged blade, as its use can attractdemons from the Fade, the plane that mages tap into when casting. Opportunistic demons can sometimes take advantage of young and naive mages, offering deals that only really benefit the demon in the end. Mages in the Circle have to undergo the Harrowing to prove they can resist such temptations.
Templars are the other side of the coin, and inOrigins, players needed to choose between one of these two factions. This decision could potentially ripple in the plot ofVeilguard, especially since it is set in Tevinter, where the mages rule. If players sided with the Templars, for example, maybe the Magisters might begin to view that faction as a threat to all mages.
3Did Loghain Live Or Die?
The Landsmeet Allows Players Their Revenge Or To Turn An Enemy Into An Ally
Loghain is a complex character. Though he serves as an antagonist for the two remaining Wardens after he pulls back his army at the Battle of Ostagar, he holds great sway in the land and seems to have some care for the fate of the country anda lot of love for his daughter. There are even arguments to be made that he made the choice to preserve manpower to protect the rest of the country as Ostagar was already lost.
When attending the Landsmeet, players have the chance to confront Loghain regarding his actions at Ostagar, and they will be presented with a choice: execute him or conscript him into the Grey Wardens. If conscripted, it is not completely out of the realm of possibility that he will still be alive whenVeilguardoccurs, and if dead, there might be some mention of the one man who nearly sealed the fate of Thedas by eradicating the Grey Wardens.
2The Monarch Of Ferelden
The Warden Could Choose Who To Give The Crown To
The current King of Ferelden perishes in the battle at the start of the game, but there are two possible heirs to the throne: Anora Mac Tir, Cailan’s widowed wife, and Alistair Theirin, Maric’s illegitimate son. During the final hours of the game, players are saddled with the burden ofchoosing who shall rule over Ferelden, Anora or Alistair. If the player is a Cousland, they can even choose to marry and become the King or Queen alongside them, dependent on their character’s gender, or they can even decide that Alistair and Anora should rule jointly.
This decision had an impact on the follow-up games,Dragon Age 2andDragon Age: Inquisition, and there is nothing to suggest it couldn’t inVeilguard. Even if it’s meant to primarily take place in Tevinter, who is to say that players won’t receive a royal visit from the King and/or Queen of Ferelden? This would be a treat to long-time fans of the series.
1The Warden’s Final Fate In Origins
Depending On Final Choices Made, The Warden Could Live Or Die
The Grey Wardens are needed to put an end to the Blight. If the Archdemon is killed by anyone else, its soul will possess the body of the nearest darkspawn, thus the Blight won’t really end. If it dies at the hands of a Grey Warden, the soul will possess that Warden and kill both of them. Fortunately, Morrigan offers a way out for the Warden by conceiving a baby with either the male Warden or Alistair, who promises that the soul will be absorbed by her child, no sacrifice needed.
As such, there are multiple waysOriginscould end. By not doing the ritual,the Warden could die, or Alistair might sacrifice himself. While it is unlikely the silent protagonist ofOriginswould appear in-game if they survived, there might still be repercussions to the choice made, especially in regard to the Dark Ritual.
