Reviewing Origins in Dragon Age: Origins - Magi Origin

Hello, everyone! I'm Cole form The Kingdom, and today we're going to start looking at the origin stories in Dragon Age: Origins. So we'll talk about what I like and don't like about each of them.
The Magi Origin is sitting as my least favorite at the moment - maybe that will change as I play through the rest of them again. We talk about the characters, quests, design, how well it sets up the rest of the game.
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TAGS: Dragon Age, Inquisition,Origins,Dreadwolf,Bioware,Classes,Fan Theory,Lyrium,Magic,Mage,Hawke,Inquisitor,Warden,Blight,Mythal,Flemeth,Skyhold,Grey Wardens,Dwarves,Dwarf,Elves,Elf,Qunari,Qun,Tevinter,Kossith,Templar,Solas,Fen'Harel,Dread Wolf,Idol,Trespasser,Evanuris,Titans,Tranquil,Sandal,Darkspawn,Emissaries,Disciples,Eluvians,Crossroads,Morrigan,Romance,Companions,Dalish,Warden,Elvhenan,Arlathan,Forgotten Ones,Well of Sorrows,Andraste,Maker,Spirits,Demons,Ancient,History,

[@cozartenma7009]

I liked that the Magi origins gives you the Feeling of stepping into an unkown hostile world since you never left the Tower before. The Fade itself was ok. I remember walking through the gloomy landscape for the first time seeing the black city in the distance giving me the chills. Since the Fear of Mages is one of the Main themes in the Dragon Age franchise I would say that it may be one of the most important origins even if not the most entertaining one

[@glowhoo9226]

Same for inquisition. I was disappointed with how the magic got watered down so much, but it makes a lot of sense for the inquisitor to be a circle mage, considering the mage/Templar conflict going on.

[@XanderDorn]

The mage origin follows a certain theme of putting people, be they players of a video game, or readers of a book, in a place that is isolated from the larger world in order to not have too much of a gap between what a new player/reader would know and what a point of view character would know. It also promises that mages would not be treated like other people by the wider populace up to the point of being actively hunted as an apostate. But as soon as you leave the tower and even without being a warden giving you any legal protection from getting hunted by any templar in Ferelden after the betrayal of Loghain you can just go to the market square of Denerim and cast a fireball into the crowd without anyone even flinching. So I'm not even blaming the mage origin story that much as more the execution of playing a mage after you leave the tower or rather after you leave Ostagar. A mage origin should be by far the most challenging in Origins, but it's not.

[@bluemuppet6]

it's funny, according to Bioware one of the writers who worked on DA:Origins stated that the mage origin path is not recommended for beginners. but what you said about new players choosing the mage gives you less information about the world outside since they are people that are isolated, and because it's not just the chantry and people who fear magic, but even mages have a certain view about having the responsibility to be mindfull about magic. that's why the first Enchanter is always a guy who has more experience to know both sides of magic, but as people they feel ostracized as a result. instead of being treated like a normal person, because of people's perception and fear of magic, there a little standoffish to those who are blessed with the gift of magic. i think playing the origin story a few times, then also what happens in DA2 and DA:I especially if you play as a mage in Inquisition, i think there's more to it than people fearing magic, i think there's also some jealousy involved. because think about it, with the damage magic can cause in the wrong hands, we know enough in the world of Dragon Age, backstabbing and betrayal is common. but those who lack the gift of magic; there options are limited, so i think the way mages are treated, it comes from two places, those who fear magic even if they know the person is good and doesn't abuse it, and those who have evil intentions are jealousy of there gift. so it's understandable why mages feel like if the only place they can be free from any hostility from the outside world, they would need a place to call home. but there's a second problem relating to mages, all mages are required to perform the rite, and are not allowed to leave the tower at anytime. Templars have to keep watch over all mages, even the first enchanter, although the knight commander is kinda like a co-equal. so in this regard, the knight commander would have the final authority if any abuse of magic happens. that's why had it not been for Duncan, who knows what would've became of our origin character, because even if you went to the first enchanter and told him, that would not look good on the first enchanter. but as first enchanter he'll only go so far with Jowans plan, even among mages blood magic is something that is seen as evil. which in most cases that usually ends up being the case, but it's interesting that our character can become a blood mage warden and nothing can happen to you since the wardens are not bound by the chantry, however they still have to obey certain rules in places that forbid the practice of blood magic. i read somewhere a long time, people never understood what the harm was in blood magic, well as a rpg it's something we can become, but after having played all 3 games, i can give a few reasons why in there world blood magic is bad. not only do you take life energy to sustained yourself, but the blood itself is demonic. which means there's a greater chance of losing control of your will, demons already are attracted to you just by being a mage, but they have no control. however a mage can bring them into there world, and if they got blood magic, it's likely they got it from a demon. it's interesting when you think about it.

[@XanderDorn]

@@bluemuppet6 One argument against recommending the Mage origin in the first playthrough of Origins would be that the magic system is more complicated than warrior and rogue abilities.

[@bluemuppet6]

@@XanderDorn ya that's true, although some spells are pretty simple to use and straightforward, but others aren't so simple. even then i think what makes the mage path more challenging for new players is because, a rogue and especially a warrior can take more damage in battle. it's very easy to point the rogue or warrior to attack, with a mage they can't quite deal being on the frontlines. because the character you play out of the 6 origin stories puts you at the center position, a mage is best served to support the party at a distance, but even the Ai is programmed enough to go after a mage, since a mage is the biggest threat on the field in a group of warriors and rogues, it's just like in the normal game of D&D, if you see any mage and you don't take him out first or her first, they'll make your life a living hell. now there is one benefit to choosing, becoming an arcane warrior gets you closer to a rogue in terms of being able to take more damage in combat, but arcane warrior is still not quite a true warrior. but one benefit about the arcane warrior is, you get to wield a sword and be able to use some magic spellcasting. the only downside is, you don't get the warrior benefits that a warrior gets, but you can get things that help protect the mage. i think one is called shimmering shield, i don't remember if that's one, but there's one that gives the mage some melee damage resistance, and it's available if you choose the arcane warrior specialization. it can be a fun class to experience, but it's definitely not a beginners class. the problem is most people are attracted to the D&D side of magic, and for good reason, there's so much role play with a mage, but your first time should always be with a warrior. even the rogue will offer some challenges, they may have quick reflexes and speed, but enemies can easily knock you down. however a rogue can lead on the frontlines, just not have all the enemies focus on your character. some people think playing a warrior is kind of boring, and it kind of is, but that's the purpose of a warrior, there primarily a tank who take the most damage, up to a point, it's mostly the armor rating a warrior gets compared to a rogue and mage. even light armor on a warrior has a better rating, but i wouldn't say playing as a warrior is completely boring, because playing as a two handed warrior or duel is alot of fun. usually whenever i play as a warrior, i usually make Alister my tank, and my character is the primary damage dealer. Stan makes a nice second alternative combat warrior, but he surprisingly doesn't take much to die, and that's even after you start trying to put points into health.

[@sarialue]

I play this Origin wayy too much lol, great video Cole!

[@christineherrmann205]

"Then we jump into the toilet- I mean the Fade." 🤣

[@Knight1029]

I always think the Mage origins is so invaluable for what it does. In every other origin it doesn't give a solid explaination on what magic or the Fade is. It gives enough to understand but that is it. I hope you do the Dwarf Commoner soon because that is my favourite origin by far. Love how it develops the world but also on how it feels different going back to the place you began the game in.

[@findyourcenterbbc8483]

This is my favorite story out of all of them, suranna is my main character, I love the detail that your character can't remember where your from if you want. And the inherent fear of mage and the chantry and the Templar and how circles have become prisons and corrupted over time.

[@ViewtifulBeau]

This was my first Origin. But I am not biased. It has alot of problems. The initial opening is great! "Magic exists to serve man, never rule over him". You're intrigued... just what IS the Harrowing? What IS the Fade? Suddenly you touch liquid Lyrium and boom: you're in the Fade... Very cool area. Full of interesting spirits and lore. And at the end of this section, i still remember what the Pride Demon "mouse" told me: "You are a smart one. Simple killing is a warrior's job. The real dangers of the Fade are preconceptions, careless trust... pride. Keep your wits about you, mage. True tests never end." I think after that everything else was severely underwhelming for me. You just have to go along with whiney Jowan because he's your supposed friend but we just met this guy, he means nothing to me. Getting all the codex entries and talking to your fellow Mages and apprentices, senior enchanters and Templars was cool. Cullen was a swell guy. I can empathize being the new guy regardless of our differences. If I had a choice, I would've been a Templar instead tbh. We get our congrats from Irving, Gregor and Duncan which is a nice scene. Then everything falls apart for me with the Jowan quest. Like bro, I get it, I'm truly sorry for you. Tranquility is horrible and I wouldn't want that for me neither but you've said they're making you Tranquil on the basis that you're a Blood Mage. Quite the accusation. I don't believe its entirely false because who would gain anything falsely claiming an apprentice is a Blood Mage? AND you have this forbidden love thing with Lily AND you want to escape? Hmmmm... curious. The fact that Irving forces you to go along with his plan is crazy. You're basically his protégé and a newly christened Mage. It doesn't make sense to me that he would force you into this to get evidence on Lily is insane. Clearly they're young and dumb and willing to do anything to escape. What more proof do you need? From that moment on I was never into Mages being controlled in Circle Towers. You get torn from your family to get brainwashed into thinking the Circles are good for you. I understand the suspicion and caution and fear non Mages and Templars have but you can't generalize a group, put them in a box and sweep them under the rug and expect the problem to go away. If that makes me an Apostate fine but I'm a true neutral dammit. Anyway after shit hits the fan, Jowan escapes which I like. It shows just how powerful Blood Magic is, even in the hands of an absolute novice. I don't understand why Gregor has such a huge hate boner for you though. You were literally forced into doing what the 1st enchanter wanted so really, he should be mad at Irving. I never said yes so fast to Duncan in my life. Get me the hell out. So TL;DR I liked the lore and class mythos but not the plot.

[@nofacetobi726]

Yeah.. here early for once. Keep up the lore vids. These speculations makes my own writing so much easier when im stuck.

[@derrickmiles2153]

Ok

[@chasebroughton7373]

Please do Dwarf Noble soon. That’s the origin that put Origins in 1st place (for DA games) and beat DA2. There was always something special about the sequence of events before the exile, during the exile, and the return to Orzammar that I feel was done extremely well for the most part.

[@ctyoro5086]

Really like this idea for vids. Human noble and mage are my favorites, I have a really tough time deciding which to use for my canon story(I go back and forth on them)

[@MalarikFilms]

Your content is amazing (binging it) Just finished my human noble play through and I'm ready for the origin reviews.

[@jereboy2005]

Just found this channel randomly, I think the algorithm knows I want to board the Dragon Age hype train. This is my main/first Origin. It's what introduced me to this franchise. I love it and have replayed it as male/female of both Elf and human several times over. I love it. I love how it makes the Fade feel weird and unsettling. Like it's just not quite right. I never considered it should be beautiful before. This is both my Canon warden playthrough and my first playthrough world states!

[@glowhoo9226]

I think the fade looks the way it does because so many people fear it. Circle mages would be terrified of going into the fade and facing a demon, and solas does say the fade is shaped by your own thoughts and emotions. So if you go into the fade expecting a nightmare, then a nightmare is what you’ll experience. But when people dream, they expect good things, so the fade gives them good experiences. Like Dorian hanging out with a desire demon, feasting on grapes and wine. Or someone simply dreaming of spending time with a loved one in a cozy cottage.

[@scottfast7809]

Little late but if you talk to the templar by the stairs that lead uo next to Irwin's room the templar says the floor/dinning hall is locked until dinner is served.

[@the-dark-side.]

"Simple killing is a warriors job. The real dangers of the fade are preconceptions - careless trust - PRIDE. Keeps your wits about you Lavellan, true tests never end." Did I say Lavellan? He actually says mage. lol But you Lavellans who still think you can save Solas. That origin quote was made just for you.

[@glowhoo9226]

I think saving solas is going to end with him sacrificing himself to stop a greater threat. He clearly doesn’t LIKE what he’s doing. But he’s responsible for the veil in the first place, and thus he feels like he HAS to bring it down, regardless of the consequences. I think the best evidence of this is during his banter with varric about man stranded on an island. The man stays on the island and builds a life for himself. Solas sees it as the man giving up, because he isn’t leaving to search for other people, but varric says the man hasn’t given up, because he’s still waking up every day, eating, finding things to do, and continuing to live. It stops solas for a second, and he’s forced to realize that varric might have a point.

[@the-dark-side.]

@@glowhoo9226 i like this theory. I hope they don't do it because they really need to stick the "Solas is actually a bad guy, guys" landing on this one. Because they can't make him a "make elvenan great again" Corypheus type character for the OG and then say he's willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. He was willing to sacrifice OTHERS for the greater good. The entire world-TWICE, but never himself. That's also the thing. Solas is pride. Full of himself. Only I could fix the problems type guy who is the same guy who created the problems. People empathize with Solas because he isn't hideous but him and Corypheus are the exact same character.

[@furryfloofer8742]

The plus I'll give for the mage origin is that the information that origin gives is relevant to DA2 and DAI, the mage templar war, it gives some exposition on that sort of stuff that becomes important later. It's the second most relevant origin for the later entries after the dalish elf. In the context of origins itself...yeah it isn't so great.

[@lostlicense]

Yeah, the Fade is U G L Y. First time playing Origins, I sorta got grossed out. :/ Agree massively with level designs not feeling big enough. Felt the same about Denerim too. Only felt like it was truly given scale at the end of the game, during the seige. Agree about the characters and quests. I at least liked I could be a dick to Jowan in every interaction, even being given an option to be a bit of a bully. Makes it feel less like a Garrus situation where you are assigned a best friend. Might have liked a ranking tbh XD. Magi isn't my favourite. Definitely low (but not as low as the Dalish or Human Noble origin.) Would love to see City Elf or Dwarf Noble soon. Male City Elf is very special to my heart. :')

[@raydavis8530]

For those who did not know if you choose the human mage origin you are the cousin of Hawke in da2. It fists well if you make a full mage playthrough throughout all 3 games.

[@Skeithwannabe]

Though I consistently play Mage in Origins that more for gameplay and Mage is by far the most boring Origin that slightly better only because of ties to DA2 and that only for humans, elf mages are a big nothing burger. All the other Origins set Origins better. Dwarf Commoner is my favorite Origin bar none too bad you get enough warriors in Origins already and thieves get glitched out their best stuff (Console Only) plus dwarves look worse with Origins old graphics

[@mylifeisalie143]

There are 80 apprentices beds alone I counted so there is room!

[@thetokenwon506]

gameplay wise mages are my favorite of all the play styles but story wise the mage origin is incredibly dry and uninspiring. there should have been more to it and yeah the fade should look more magical and wonderous.

[@baronvonboomboom4349]

I know this video is a year old or so but iv recently decided to revisit the dragon age trilogy and was going to mod it this time around. Have you thought of revisiting this video with the mod that restores cut content, which iv heard includes a lot of dialog from the mage origin?

[@DarkKing009]

If you're an elf the elf who is reading nothing much more extensive conversation with the PC that allows the elf Mage PC to create the backstory of the character

[@uzzab6937]

I like the mage gameplay but don't like the reactivity post-origin. I double dipped and did Elven mage and it didn't feel like anything special. City elf lite maybe.