Table Of Content•
BIRTH OF THE DRAGON AGE
I honestly forget when James Ohlen, the original lead designer for Dragon Age: Origins, first came to discuss
building a setting for BioWare's new fantasy game. At that point, it was still a very vague concept. . and the
years that followed were such a blur as we tried to figure out what kind of game we were making. It all seems
like ancient history. I remember the parameters I was given: a traditional fantasy world, complete with wizards
and dwarves and elves and all the things one expects out of fantasy. I remember sitting there, doodling maps
and feeling very strange about the entire process.
I mean1 making your own fantasy setting is something every game master worth their salt does at one
point or another1 isn't it? You don't have to worry about someone else's baggage affecting your campaign, or
be concerned that your players might know more about the setting than you do. You get to start from scratch,
mixing the elements you like most into your flavor of fantasy world. The real question was: what would those
elements be? Outside of the parameters l was given, and the necessity of this being a setting for a game that
you can play in and not just read about, l wasn't sure. This wasn't some homebrew campaign, but something
millions of people would experience. Who does this sort of thing as part of their job? It seemed a little surreal.
What I eventually settled on was a setting grounded in realism: "What if our own history had magic and
elves and dwarves?" It's not really our own world, obviously, but I wondered how people would realistically
cope with neighbors who could cast spells and summon demons. How would they react to people who were
inhuman? How might Christianity be different if, instead ofJesus, it had been founded by Joan of Arc? What
would it mean to have fantasy religions where gods were not known entities who provided spells to believers,
but instead required faith in their existence? l wanted to subvert some of the common fantasy tropes while
still keeping the conventions recognizable-elves who had been brought low rather than remaining aloof and
immortal; dwarves who were conniving political schemers rather than stouthearted Scotsmen; mages who
were feared for good reason.
And the best part? Everyone on the team was on board with the idea. Discussions led to the creation of
the Qunari and the Blight. The nation of Ferelden as the location for the first game appeared, and concept art
started to bring to life what had previously only been scribbles on paper. What tabletop world builder gets
that? Seeing Thedas evolve from where it began and becoming a real thing, until it finally went out to the fans
and was embraced wholeheartedly by so many, has been the highlight of my career.
I look forward to seeing where we take it next.
- David Gaider, Lead Writer
THE EVOLVING WORLD OF THEDAS
The book in your hands covers a huge swath of the Dragon Age world. Races, politics, nations, it's all here:
ruthlessly fact checked, beautifully illustrated, and artfully arranged.
Every section contains all-new content that explores and expands upon the world of1hedas. Most of the
amazing art pieces have never been released before this. Also included are many narrative sidebars written
specifically for this compendium by our writing team. Some shine lights on unexplored corners of the world's
rich history. A few hide hints about the future of Dragon Age. Which? Well, that would be telling.
Suffice it to say that we've long held that Dragon Age is not a world coming to an end. There are more
stories to tell and more places to visit. The team has very consciously seeded the world so that we have a vast
array of intriguing locations at our disposal when deciding where to set a new comic series, novel, or game.
There is a larger-scale plan for how the world will evolve, but we always want it to be growing, not coming
to a conclusion. This book, then, with its tantalizing new information, is just another step on that journey.
Thanks for coming with us.
Ben and Nick here at BioWare, along with the incredibly talented folks at Dark Horse, have created
something very special. I sincerely hope you enjoy this deep dive into the world ofThedas as much as I've
enjoyed watching it come together.
- Mike Laidlaw, Creative Director
LEGEND
•MAJOR POWERS •
Chantry: The dominant religious The Anderfels: In the bleak and
institution in Thedas spreads the word blighted Andcrfcls, dying is easier
ofthcMakcrandintlucncesnearlycvcry than living.
human nation on the continent.
ti
Elves: This once-great people have Grey\\lardens: The Wardens are an
been relegated to the fringes of order dedicated to protecting Thedas
human society. from the Blight above all costs.
•MAJOR EVENTS
' Dwarves: A stout TJCC ofbuilders, <f) Cirde of Magi: The Circle is an
the dwarves reign over a Si7.ablc association of magcs, connected to E;1::alted March: A Chantry-led
portion of the underground. the Chantry, that teaches and campaign to stop any significant
• enforces the responsible use of magic. threat to Thcdas, especially the
• authority of the Maker.
Qunari: The Qunari are followers
of a religious text espousing absolute ~ Templars: The Tcmplar Order is Blight: An Archdemon leads
• discipline known as the Qun. charged with controlling mages and a scourge of darkspawn to the
• magJCuse. surface, threatening to destroy
alllifeinlhedas .
Orlais: The lavish Orlesian Empire is
a thriving nation of Chantry faithful. Seekers: An elite, authoritative arm
of the Chantry, the Seekers ofTruth
investigatethreatstoChantryorder.
§
Tevinter lmperium: The once-
mighty lmperium is the only mage-lcd
nation in Thedas.
$" AoAtwFrfeanin tCdrtthieiivh tvlbiaadaoa ne:inrs tnbl ,rl f:aya1a rTn emipa dhrconi oursu pi rlscrtoh euhfoelro atmterst d Ai eivi tsnrkes c dltiwyhhnr eaagiyn sndobettoeui, rhm.ns tiahgs iopt lnoiflanra ytgci.e o n -.-.-..,,..c.__........... .....,..,.........,_.. ..-. ....-...__.......,·........_....... - . ,-.n_...-. . ..,.. .-..._._ .-.....~..-.,...- .4 ...... .... . . .. ._..,,._.,. . ..... ..-...-....- ..- ....0 ..·....-. _.. ._..,,_.._.... ......._.·_.- .._.....· .., .... . __. _....- .._,............._._....- . . __...".."..-.... ..,.. ,__'~.... _. .,-.i,.. ...'.. .· ........'_..-_.."..,,....,......._... ,-. .,. ,. ., .., ._•._._..." ...._, ..... _.,. .,.,.... .__.............. -a.. ,..."._,-,. . ... .... .. ..-."..__. _, .--.... ._,.. "..,._._....,..._....' -.,,_,....",.._ .._. ._.....' _ -.-...,.-.f. .. .,..i.._..._ .....,. _.....·.•....,..,,,,..... ~_-.:___..;....:.,.....:..-...:..,.. .;._....: _ ~..-:......:.. . _.._;,.._ ;,_ -.:_. .: - _._~·.. .. :_..:...-. . :_. _. :.. _ :._.;-~._-. ~.._ .-_._.......~·.._ _._.... .... ... ......... ~aNpa;rp:re~aa~tr:i tv~he;rso:iu~dge:hb:ao:ru:st: t:h~e ·
Rivain: The laws of the Qun meet tribal -~.r.- ---------'----.~----.-----~----- Thoughwritten
superstition in this human land where ;~~~~:=- ~=-=~_:._. . ~,.If~_;_ ~~~~::t~~i;e~~;e·s
• Chantry faithful arc the minority. ,....___..,, ... ,..__..,....... - _ ·---- Portionsofthetextare
iKs iarmkwonalgl :t hTeh me coistyt -psotawtee roffuKl-irkawndal l -._-.........; ..-.. .-....:-......:. ..-..-.._......_-.-........-._...-..... r-._ ....- ,..,_.·_.. . wsphootl ipgrhetfeedr ftoo r brreoawdesres
• contested- in the Free Marches. .,,..il.,lim,,m,,,
'"",:;::::::"'"..:..:"·- importanteventsin
_.,...,~ -~ Thedosianhistoryruns
·-·~ thelengthofthebook .
Starkhaven: The kingdom of
Starkhavenisthelargestcity-state
in the Free Marches.
w.
Nevarra: Nevarra is a small but
thriving nation in central Thedas,
known for its art, tombs, and
strong military tradition.
Tevinter Imperium
\
'•
"'. .~ ,~. ..
•
"'
~
-, \Vil Jn
