We’re out prowling the Wounded Coast for raiders, Anders, Fenris, Sebastian, Hawke, and I. The three boys are at it again, each sniping at the others with his own flavor of self-righteousness. Hawke is wishing she’d left them behind and brought Isabela and Varric instead. At least then she might have heard a good dirty joke.

We’re all distracted when we stroll into a sandy clearing and find ourselves surrounded by a dozen thieves, rogues and assassins. It isn’t long before Anders and Sebastian are down, and Fenris and Hawke are flanked on all sides, bleeding heavily…

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It’s pretty much assumed that a third installment of the Dragon Age series is already in the mix, or, at least, should be after the open-ended finish of Dragon Age 2. The game has received its fair share of criticism (including downright butchery by some reviewers), so there’s plenty to go from when considering how to take the good from both Origins and Dragon Age 2 and solidify a product in a presumed Dragon Age 3. Here’s a list of five suggestions toward designing a winner in Dragon Age 2.

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The dwarves have their ancestors and paragons. The Dalish worship the Creators. But if you’re born in any of the human nations of Thedas, the Andrastian Chantry is your religion of choice. While kings and viscounts play with politics and the templars guard the mages, the Chantry is both spiritual shepherd and moral authority to Thedas’ people. The Chantry influences nearly every aspect of life in Thedas from art and culture to war and foreign relations. And with religious authority over mages, templars and the average citizen in Orlais, Ferelden, the Free Marches and beyond, Chantry law dictates the lives of thousands every day.

In Dragon Age II, Kirkwall’s chantry is the third party in the furious conflict between the city’s mages and templars. But while Orsino and Meredith are baring their teeth, while the city templars crack down on the mages, and the mages resort to blood magic and demonic possession in attempts to break free, Grand Cleric Elthina remains neutral, repeatedly refusing to side with either faction. Read the whole story

The Grey Wardens: mysterious and mythical, unrivaled when it comes to battling darkspawn.  The Wardens provide an extended family and feeling of camaraderie to their recruits.  And for those conscripted from situations that would have ended in certain death, like Daveth was in Origins, the Joining seems a small price to pay for another chance at life.  However, the price is higher than one may realize.  Being a Grey Warden means that even in a non-Blight, you are living on borrowed time.

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If you’re an achievement hunter, you’ve likely scoured the Kirkwall area for the hidden messages of the Band of Three. Their scattered notes tell of an investigation into the city, trying to uncover a deeper reason for why Tevinter had such an interest in Kirkwall. And the secrets they uncover are dark and wicked.

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Leliana’s checkered past naturally makes her a perfect candidate to become a Chantry Seeker. Cunning, persuasive and skilled in combat, she is well-suited to be a covert agent of the church. But it is her connection to the new Divine that makes Leliana a truly valuable agent to the Chantry in this time of turmoil.

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