Dragon Age: Origins, developed by Bioware studios, is the spiritual successor to the award wining Balder's Gate series. Released in November of 2009 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and home computer systems, Dragon Age: Origin has won acclaim from critics and fans alike for its gritty story, compelling characters and excellent play style. Being very well established with role playing games such as Mass Effect, Bioware has created a dark yet heroic fantasy r playing game with astounding depth and storytelling.

During character generation the player gets to pick out all aspects of their avatar. Starting with gender, race and class these elements will dictate what origin stories are available to the player. Depending on what choices you make different characters will react to you in different ways, in addition you may start with a better set of equipment than is available for other characters. Once the player decides on who the avatar is they get the chance to develop what the avatar look like, sounds like and there general attitude.

With six possible origin stories and a multitude of decisions through out the game one play through of Dragon Age: Origins can be drastically different than the second or third attempt. The six potential origin stories are Dwarven Commoner, Dwarven Aristocrat, Dalish Elf, City Elf, Human and mage. If the starting class of mage is chosen then that origin story is the only option, in addition Dwarves are not allowed to be mages, besides those limitations either of the other classes, rouge or warrior, can be played in any of the origins. Multiple ending variations provide a unique twist on the tale each time it is played thus allowing for multiple play through attempts and hours of enjoyment. In addition several down-loadable contents and expansions have been released to compliment the world created in “Dragon Age: Origins.

You start out in the Harrowing, a test to see if you have what it tales to become a mage. This test will give you the introduction to battle and how to play the game. Run down the path and use the vase to grab a few health items, then continue along defeating enemies until you come to mouse. He will explain what you are supposed to do. Now continue down the path and defeat the enemies until you come to the spirit of valor. After you defeat valor he will give you a staff, continue along the path until you come to a sloth demon. From here get him to teach Mouse to be a bear, answer his riddles correctly and Mouse will lean to transform. After this return to the flaming circle with Mouse and fight off the demon. Don't worry about the little wisps just fight the demon. After its finished complete the dialog and you will exit the fade.

After the Harrowing run around the mages quarters to grab all the items that sparkle and talk to other mages for tips on how to play. When you are ready seek out Irvine on your map. Go through the conversation with Irwin and Duncan, afterwords escort Duncan back to his room. Outside the room Jowan is waiting for you, talk to him and then decide if you want to help him or not. Talk to Irwin if you refuse to help Jowan, then after Irwin talk to Jowan again. After you agree to Help Jowan seek out Owain. From here go talk to senior enchanter Leorah. She will ask you to complete a little task for her, agree and gain the extra provisions and experience from killing spiders.

The infested storerooms start with you running straight down the corridor, kill the first spider and then turn left. From here proceed down the corridor and kill the next spider you come to, there is a small clover like area with a lot of goodies for you to claim. Keep following the path, each time you see a cocoon be careful as a spider will drop down and attack. Once you have killed all the spiders return to Leorah. With her signature return to Owain and claim the rod, then return to Jowan.

With Jowan and Lily go back down the stairs and to the first floor, from here go into the basement. Open the first door and continue to the second. From here turn right and start down the corridor. After you open the door you will be attacked by the suit of armor behind you. Continue through the door and defeat the next two guards, after which go down the corridor opening the two side rooms and claiming the items within. Through the next door defeat the two guards and claim the items.

The next door leads to three sentinels, one being a mage, defeat the mage first then take out the other two guards. Past them is another door, inside is a deep stalker group. Kill all of them and open the cabinet in the corner for some items. Through the next door is another group of three sentinels, follow the same strategy as before, once they are defeated go down the corridor and through the door. Take out the sentinels and claim the items. Through the next door re another group of three sentinels, after them is the final door. Open it and claim all the items in it, then move the bookcase out of the way and use the statue of the dog to break down the wall.

In the next room you face three more sentinels, one of which is much stronger than the other ones you have faced. Once they are defeated go up the stairs and claim Jowan's phylactery. Exit through the “Second Door” and of of the basement.

From here are join Duncan to become a Gray Warden. Once the dialog is completed you are free to explore the camp. Sell off the items you do not want to the quartermaster and buy any provisions you need, the backpack is an excellent item to buy to increase the items you can carry. Next go to the Kennel Master and accept his request. When you are ready to continue make your way to the arrow on the map, here you meet Alistair. Then go back to Duncan and continue along the storyline and enter the wilds.

Start off entering the woods and going down the path. You will be attacked by several groups of wolves. After they are defeated you come to a corpse, inspect it and take the letter of Jogby. Continue on and you will find a dying soldier. Past the dying soldier and on the left you will find the wild flower the Kennel master was asking for. As you continue you come across a group of darkspawn. Defeat them and loot their bodies. To the right of the arch where you fought these darkspawn is a path, follow it to a second group of darkspawn around a camp. Loot their bodies and take everything from the chest in the camp. You also find the first trail sign here, activate it and continue along to the second trail sign on your map.

Continue along the path and you come to a third group of darkspawn. The path to the right leads to the third trail sign and a group of darkspawn that will attack from secret. From here continue forward until you reach the fourth trail sign. Make a loop to where you fought the first group of darkspawn, to the right past the fallen log is another group of darkspawn. Defeat them and use the trail sign next to them. Continue east and you will find a group of darkspawn fighting a pack of wolves, defeat them and search the area to find the deceased missionaries. Continue south east to find the next trail sign and more darkspawn.

To the south you will come across a bridge with more darkspawn and another trail sign. Be careful on the far side of the bridge is a group of traps. Try and get your melee fighters to disable or set off the traps. Once they are defeated loot the bodies and read the letter about local myths. With all the trail signs are activated head to the camp in the south. Here a group of darkspawn are waiting, once they are defeated you can claim the treasure for yourself. With all the items collected continue to the east. Go north and to the edge of the pool of water and use the ashes to summon the spirit. With the spirit defeated continue on to the Warden's Cache.

Once in camp go back to the Kennel master first. Next strip everything off your two companions, Daveth and Jory, and sell everything you don't plan on using and buy any items you need, another backpack would be useful. When you are done return to Duncan and begin the joining ritual. Once the ritual is over go with Duncan and Alistair to meet the king.

Once it is over proceed to the tower marked on your map. Run across the bridge as arrows and boulders rain down on you, when you come to the stairwell two guards will inform you that the tower has been over run. The two soldiers will join you and together your band will begin its assault on the tower. Move up the stairs and into the courtyard, you will be attacked by a group of darkspawn on the ground as well as several darkspawn archers from the platform behind the foot soldiers. Deal with the foot soldiers first and the archers second. Once they are defeated and looted continue towards the east, you will encounter more enemies as you progress.

Keep moving forward until you reach the tower. Once inside the tower you com to a maze of furniture placed to block your path. This maze conceals several traps while archers will attack you from a distance. Have your melee fighters rush forward while your ranged combatants wait to approach. In the next area there are two doors, both contain enemies, once you open one set of doors enemies will rush from both sides so set a trap if you are able to. Strip the room of all valuables and continue through to the next wave of enemies and the staircase upwards.

On the second floor you start out in an open room, open the two side rooms ahead and clear out the enemies that you find. From here continue into the corridor and clear out the enemies that you come across, use the ballistas to start the fight off with a bang. Defeat the enemies that remain and continue to the third floor. Defeat the enemies ahead and open the door, from here open the cages to release the mabari and defeat the enemies. In the next hallway is a series of rooms, behind each door is a group of enemies, once you start fighting one group of enemies the others will join in. Continue along defeating enemies until you come to the top floor door. Here save your progress and continue through.

On the top floor you will face the tower boss, an ogre. The ogre has a high physical attack and check but low mental checks so try and paralyze or stun him often. After you defeat and strip the ogre take off all the equipment of the two guards that followed you and and light the signal.

Next stop is the city of Lothering, if you helped out the mabari hound he will appear on the road amidst a group of enemies. As you try and enter the city you will be accosted by a group of bandits once you have paid/bribed/killed the bandits you are free to enter the city. From here you can talk to the locals and take on a series of side quests. You can defeat bandits, make traps, make health potions, look for lost relatives, all of which offer experience points and gold so make sure to capitalize on this opportunity.

You also have the option of recruiting two new members for your team, Sten the warrior and Leliana the rouge. To free and recruit Sten yo must find him locked up outside of the town and talk to the reverend mother at the Chantry, there persuade/lie/intimidate her into releasing Sten. For Leliana go to the tavern, there you will be assaulted by a group of enemies and she will offer to join you. Once you have completed all the side quests make your way to the exit of the village to help two dwarfs who are under attack, you are then free to leave town.

As soon as you leave the city you are taken to the camp ground. This is an excellent time to talk to your team members, give them gifts and foster your relationship with them. In addition you can also sell off all your excess items that you have collected and have the runes you have found folded into your weapons by the two dwarfs you saved earlier. When you are ready save your game and make your way to the next area.

When you arrive at the entrance to the tower you find it locked down. Go to the tavern to the west and talk to those outside to take on extra quests. Once you are finished go to the Templar on the dock and persuade him to let you enter the tower. You find the tower is locked and demons are in control. Agree to help cleanse the tower and enter. Make your way through the carnage searching for treasures and loot. Continue along and you find a group of mages and a barrier. Wynn is a a mage you can recruit to join you who is adept at using healing magic.

For the circle of magi Wynn must be in your party, select your two other allies and make your way up the tower. First you come to the library, several demons will be waiting for you. Once they are defeated you can go through a summoning ritual for a few minor rewards. Once you are done with the library exit and defeat the enemies guarding the stairs leading upwards.

Once you are on the second floor start exploring the rooms straight ahead of you. After you speak with Owain you will begin searching the hallway that is in disarray, several enemies will jump out and start using magic to fight you, if you have a Templar in your group use him otherwise take them out quickly as they will start to heal and prolong the fight. Move through the next several rooms clearing out enemies and claiming any treasures you find. In the fallen statue of Andraste you find a vial, save your game before you touch it as the vial will unleash a very powerful enemy that is optional to fight. Once he is defeated loot the body and continue along the corridor and up to the third floor.

In the first few rooms you will be attacked by a swarm of corpses and an Arcane Horror, use any crowd control spells/abilities you have o take out the corpses and then focus on the arcane horror. When you are ready and the outer rooms are clear open the center room and fight off the abomination and save the tranquil. With that completed you can start a side quest to fight a powerful boss.

Start by going back to the start of this floor, there is a room with several statues that can be activated, activate them in the following order, statue with a bowl, second statue with a sword facing up, third statue with a sword facing down. Next go back to the room with the tranquil you saved, the room that leads to the fourth floor, and activate the statue with a shield. Now go back to the first floor, where you met Wynn and go to the basement. This will summon the monster, once he is defeated claim your prize an go back to the fourth floor. Continue to clear out the outer rooms and loot the treasures there in. When you are ready enter the center room and you will be thrown into the fade.

Walk up to Duncan and start the fight. Go through the fade key and talk to Naill, from here use the portal and gain the ability to shape change into a mouse. Change your form and use the mouse hole. Continue down the path defeating enemies until you reach Niall again, then use the pedestal and continue along the path in the fade.

The Darkspawn Invasion, use the mouse hole and you come to an area where the path forks. The path straight ahead leads to an empty room that contains an item that will increase your cunning. The left path leads to a room with two darkspawn and the path forward. At the end of the path are three darkspawn and a mouse hole. The mouse hole leads to a small corridor with three more darkspawn, defeat them or pass by them as they have no treasure and use the mouse hole. The mouse hole leads to another fade spirit who will teach you another transformation, the spirit form is now unlocked.

Use the essence of wisdom in the room and then use the fade pedestal. Return to the Raw Fade and use your spirit form to open the translucent doors. The spirit door after the fade portal leads to a plus one in dexterity while the spirit door at the start of the level leads to the first boss fight. Once the boss is defeated use the spirit form to collect the plus one willpower from the statue and return to Naill. Use the fade portal to travel to Weisshaupt Fortress and spirit form to collect the next essence of willpower.

The Burning Tower starts next to a mouse hole and a door. The mouse hole leads to another essence, the door and fight off the enemies in the coming rooms. You make your way to a staircase, from here make your way through the maze defeating enemies until you come to the mouse hole on the east side. Through the mouse hole you come to a boss battle. Once you defeat the boss you get the power to transform into the burning man, use this power to cross through the fire barriers.

Transform into burning man and exit through the south door and past the barrier, go west and use spirit form o use the spirit door and collect two more essences. Then make your way to The Mages Asunder.

You start in a room with two mouse holes and two doors. The first mouse hole leads to an essence of strength, the second leads to a fight with two mages. This room is the first room in the corridor that the door you start at leads to, the corridor also attaches to a second room with two mages an essence and a codex, as well as a third room with four crazy mages that will fight each other.

At the end of the corridor is a room with three servants and the path forward. Use the burning man form an pass through the barrier, stay in this form and defeat the rage demons that attack as they will only attack with fire and you are immune. From here save your game and then open the door, several mages will be waiting and they pack quite a punch. Use the burning man form to fireball all the mages repeatedly, from here continue forward through the door. Stay in burning man form and make your way up the stairs, from here defeat all the enemies, two fireballs should do it, and gain the last transformation.

Make your way up the stairs and defeat the enemies in front of you. Use the golem form to open the massive door and defeat the two enemies ahead. Move around the next area defeating enemies and collecting essences, use either spirit form or golem form to destroy golems easily. When you have cleared out all the rooms use golem form to open the massive door. Then switch to burning man form and fireball the two arcane horrors. Spirit form to go through the spirit door and defeat the golem to collect an essence and then the mouse hole after that lads to two more golems, a massive door and three essences. Back through the spirit door is a regular door and the boss of this level. Once the boss is defeated use the fade pedestal and travel back to the Burning Tower.

Use golem form to open the massive door and burning man to continue. Make your way past all the enemies and to the boss. Once the boss is defeated collect the essence in the room and then use the font to visit A Nightmare and rescue one of your party members. Then make your way to the Templar’s nightmare. Here you come across two rooms with enemies and several mouse holes and fade portals.

The mouse hole in the first room leads to a dexterity increase, the mouse hole next to the fade portal in the next room is the way forward. In this room you are attacked by an ogre and more demons. Then use burning man form to enter the next room and use the mouse hole, defeat the enemies waiting for you and then use the spirit door. Make your way past the enemies and past the massive door to the fade portal. Continue on and follow the boss when she jumps down the mouse hole after you save your game. Defeat her and use the essence, then use the fade pedestal to go to another nightmare and rescue your comrade.

Next the Darkspawn Invasion here you will use golem form to open the massive doors and past the enemies to the boss. Once defeated rescue your last comrade and then go to the Inner Sanctum. Defeat the boss hat has been controlling everything. Back in the real world grab the item off of Naill's body and continue up the tower.

Right before you reach the top of the tower you meet a Templar who is in a protective aura. Speak to him and then save your game. Once in the boss fight run around to the mages and say the litany to keep them from turning into demons. The litany is under the advanced options of the radial menu, you will see a white circle around the mages as they start to turn, run into the circle and use the litany to stop it. Once defeated loot Uldred's body and then speak to Irving.

Depending on how your relationship with Morrigan unfolds and if you give her the Black Grimiore from the Circle of Magi you can go back and confront Flemeth and even fight her. She transforms into a dragon but is stationary so you don't have to worry about her running all over the place. This is a long fight so bring lots of potions to heal yourself. Once defeated you get her key and can enter her hut. In the hut you find her real grimioure and a new set of robes for Morrigan.

When you are done head back to camp and sell your goods. Pick up anything you need and talk to your party members, when you are done prepare for your next destination. You find Redcliff under attack and the villagers in need of aid. Head to the village and complete the side quests to raise the troops moral. When you are done prepare for nightfall and the assault of the village will begin. Once the night is won you are free to enter the castle through the secret passageway.

Go through and talk to the mage that helped start this. In the next room you will be attacked by several enemies and find a staircase leading up to the castle. Make your way through the castle clearing one room at a time, most rooms will contain enemies but they will attack in small groups. Eventually you will come to the basement, go through the basement and you will end up in the courtyard which is full of enemies. Once they are dealt with make you way inside to see what the cause of the trouble.

Once you have decided how you are going to handle the child either kill him or enter the fade. Take the path up to the Arl and speak to him, then move along and speak to Connor. Keep making your way back and forth and eventually the demon will appear. Negotiate or fight, when you are done the boy will be freed and you can continue along on your path to Denerim to seek out the Urn of Sacred Ashes.

Once in Denerim run around and complete side quests as you like, there are a lot, and shop for rare items. When you are ready to continue the storyline go to Genitivi's House and talk with the man inside then on to the Village of Haven. Once you enter the village you will be questioned by a guard. Once you are done with him go to the house on your left and find the alter. Once you leave you will be attacked by a series of villagers, make your way up the stairs defeating enemies until you come to the Chantry. Inside you meet the Reverend Father, once he is defeated loot his body and continue through the fake wall. Here you will find Brother Genitivi, have him show you to the mountain side and continue your search for the urn.

At the bottom of the stairs there are two paths, the left leads to some enemies and treasure, the right leads to more enemies, more treasure and a sealed door. After that make your way to the top of the stairs here the path on the right leads to some treasure while the left path leads to several groups of enemies and a lot of treasure as well as the key to the door you passed earlier and a sealed door. With you key, and loot, in hand go back to the sealed door and open it. The room contains three treasure chests one that has a key to the main door. Go back up the stairs and use the key on the sealed door to make your way deeper into the temple.

The next two rooms contain enemies waiting to ambush or trap you. The next room is the center of a fork, here enemies from both forks will attack you and pincer you between them, focus on the mage from the east as he will stun you and attack from a distance. Work your way up from either side, or both to collect experience and treasure, to the higher level of the wyrmling lair. Make your way into the caves pushing forward and past your enemies. Eventually the path will diverge to the left and the right. The left side leads to a second branching one to the west and one north. The westward path leads to the head of the cult Kolgrim. Once you have dealt with him you are free to exit to the mountain top. The Northward path will lead eventually to a room with a few unique treasures. The path to the right will lead to a dragon nursery with two drakes.

On the Mountain top you find a dragon making its home. Run down the mountain and ring the gong if you wish to fight the dragon. The Dragon is incredibly challenging, you must have a good supply of health and mana potions on hand if you wish to challenge it as well as several injury kits for afterward. The dragon will keep flying from one location to another, stage you characters where you want them, example archers and mages away from combat and use the advanced settings to have them hold there positions and then move the melee warriors by hand. This is a long fight, it takes a significant amount of time to fight and win so make sure you are ready for the long haul and bring as many fire resistance items as you can. When/if the dragon is dead make your way into the temple and speak to the Guardian.

Make sure to loot the room and then answer the questions of the spirits, if you answer them correctly the spirit will depart quietly, if not you will have to fight, the answers to the riddles are as follows starting with the first left hand guards and continuing clockwise around the room: dreams, home, jealousy, mercy, hunger, mountains, vengeance, a tune. Once the spirits are done testing you move to the next room where you will fight a shadow version of yourself.

The next area is a puzzle, move your party members to different sections of the floor to make a bridge section appear for a character to pass over. Start by having one party member stand on the third panel to the left and a second on the third panel to the right. The next section is the second panel to the right and the sixth panel to the left. The third section is the first panel to the left and the first panel to the right. The least section is the fifth panel to the right and the fifth panel to the left. Once your party member has crossed the other party members will join them. In the next section inspect the altar and remove your equipment, then walk through the flame and approach the ashes. Depending on who you talked to, what you decide to do and who is is your party yo may end up fighting and killing a party member or two so be prepared for a fight.

With the ashes taken/defiled loot the room and exit to the mountain top, you may have to fight your way depending on what happened with the Reverend father. Once you are finished use the shortcut to the west to go back to Brother Genitivi. With the ashes in hand go back to Redcliff castle. Once things are settled you are informed that you should continue with the treaties before the landsmeet can be held. Continue along your pah and seek out the next group you wish to pursue.

Frostback Mountains is the entrance to the dwarven lands, you are immediately attacked once you enter the area by a band of skilled mercenaries, try and stay healed and focus on their mage to end with as little trouble as possible. Once you are finished shopping and questing outside the city head to the doors and make your way into the city.

As you enter you witness a quarrel between two factions of dwarves. Once in the city you can shop and complete quests at your leisure, when you are ready go to one of the two contenders for the crown to continue. They will each have you fight in the Proving for them to make sure you are serious, in addition you are tasked with finding out why their fighters resigned, if you can their fighters to join in again it will make the coming fights easier.

You face off one fight after another with a break in between as you choose. Make your way through all the fights and win the Proving. Once the fights are over report back to your connection and then meet with the prospective king. Perform the next task, make your way into dust town to deal with Jarvia. As you make your way to dust town you will be ambushed by a group of dwarves from the other camp, when they are defeated you are free to enter dust town.

Once you enter dust town you will be attacked by another group of dwarves, past them and down the road is a store where Alimar works, slip him some money/beat him up, and get the story on Jarvia. Down by the fire you find a dwarf woman by the name of Nadezda talk to her and she will tell you how to enter Jarvia's hideout. Enter the slum hideout down the road and fight the dwarves inside to get a key to Jarvia's hideout.

Next enter her hideout and run down the corridor to find a group of henchmen waiting for you. Past them the path diverges into a series of rooms. Each room will contain enemies and loot, clear them out as you progress down the path. At the end of the long path you finally come to Jarvia and her men. Jarvia is surrounded by many low level rouges, several traps and she herself will stealth and run around the level unexpectedly. Try and use area affects talents to knock down her rouges and focus your efforts on her when she does pop up.

After she is defeated collect the items off of her and her thugs, her room has a couple of treasure chests and she has a key to the path ahead that exits the area. Take the path out and return to your employer. The last task is to enter the deep roads and find Branka. As you approach the soldiers guarding the entrance to the deep road you will be approached by a dwarf named Oghren. He will ask to join you in the search for Branka.

Make your way to Caridin's Cross, the deep roads are large and have many enemies, a lot of treasure and a few side quests. As you enter you are approached by a group of dwarves hired to stop you. Past them the road will diverge to the right and the left. The right side path leads to an open cavern that contains several waves of darkspawn and a bridge that spans a gap in the cavern floor. In addition the cavern has a tunnel to the south that leads back to the deep roads and more darkspawn.

The path to the left will eventually lead to the same spot but takes you through packs of deep stalkers. After both tunnels come together you can take the far east part of the road to an overturned cart and find another vial in it to fight an optional Revnant. Keep following the road to the east and you come across a tunnel north with darkspawn and deep stalkers in it. At the end of the tunnel you find the deep stalker breeding ground and wave after wave of deep stalkers will attack until the matriarch shows herself and is defeated. Back on the road follow it as the road turns south and you will find another tunnel on the west wall with more darkspawn and loot while the tunnel itself leads back to the road. You have to exit through the southernmost exit to reach Ortan Thaig.

Ortan Thaig starts like the other parts of the deep road, as you proceed you find a dead ogre and several dead spiders outside a tunnel and the road blocked. Take the tunnel and you find several darkspawn corpses, past them you find a cavern filled with spiders waiting to attack you. Keep following the path and you will find several more fights between darkspawn and spiders that you can watch/join.

At the end of the path you find the city still guarded by ghosts of dead warriors. Defeat them and search the city for loot and hints on Branka's location. Eventually you will find Ruck. I you make friends with him you can trade and sell off some of your items. Keep searching the city and you will find more enemies and a “mystical site of power” where you can complete a quest. In the city there are two bridges that span a gap, on the far side of the bridge are two more enemy spirit groups waiting for you.

Make your way down the corridor and over the bridge to find several swarms of spiders and a few darkspawn, keep making your way around this area and you will find the spider queen. She will fight with several waves of her spider minions and use webs to stop you and freeze you very often. Try and keep your party spread out and your ranged characters away from the action to reduce the effect as much as possible. Focus on the queen when she is fighting and you will defeat her and her minions. Once defeated you can find Branka's journal and a clue to your next destination. Continue down the corridor and into the dead trenches.

As you enter the Dead trenches you find several dwarves under attack from darkspawn, jump into the fray and defeat the darkspawn. Then talk to the dwarves. Make your way across the bridge, on the far side is an ogre with eight archers at his back. The archers are easy to kill but they can be very annoying in this fight so have your melee fighters engage the ogre and then use area of attack skills to take out the archers.

On this side of the bridge make your way into the rooms and the tunnels for a lot of experience and treasure. You will find that there is a tunnel that worms around the back of the map filled with darkspawn and catacombs laced with items as well as several very challenging enemies. The most challenging is the Forge master, at the end of the tunnel in the far south there will be a large room filled with pillars, further south to that room is a cavern filled with darkspawn and the forge master. He is very resistant to fire attacks and has a lot of support, in addition he has good range and melee capabilities, take out all his minions and then gang up on him to defeat him. The easiest way to defeat his minions is to lure them out so you don't have to fight them all at once. Have your characters hold there position and then take control of one and attack from range to pull him into the party. Repeat until the forge master is alone. Once defeated loot the corpse for two very powerful weapons and start making your way north.

Keep following the path north and you will come to a survivor of Branka's party. Talk to her and she will run away following her you will find two ogres blocking your path, once they are defeated use the door to the east and enter the Legionnaires shrine. Approach the alter and take the items, as you go to leave the souls of the dead legionaries will try and stop you. Once outside the shrine, use the key on the “ominous” door to the east and continue to follow the path. At the end of the path you will find the brood mother. She is a massive darkspawn and a boss fight awaits you. She is stationary but has a lot of health and will summon more darkspawn to help her. Keep your attacks focused on the broodmother until the darkspawn come. Defeat them quickly as they will swarm and will attack whomever is closest to them, usually a mage or archer. Stun them and defeat them as quickly as possible so you can resume attacking the broodmother. Exit east to gain access to the anvil of the void area.

Here you find that Ogrehn will force his way into your party and Branka waiting for you. Talk to her and head north, here you will find corpses strewn about the area and will be attacked by several waves of enemies. Once you defeat the last wave of enemies, they have an ogre with them, make your way down the tunnel that the darkspawn came from. Several more waves of enemies will attack you as you proceed down the tunnel, make sure to loot the bodies as you go. At the end of the tunnel you find a room filled with poison gas, have your party stop outside the room and send one member into it. There are four golems in the poison gas, as you approach one will awaken and attack you, lead it outside the room to your waiting party, each of the four golems will awake one after another and attack. Once they are all defeated take your party through the room and down the next hallway.

The next room is lined with golems, as you proceed through the room two sets of two golems will awaken an fight you. After they are defeated he doors will open and you can continue forward. The next room has a spinning column in the center with four faces on it and four anvils evenly spaced around the column. The column will summon spirits to attack you, one in front of each anvil. As you defeat a spirit the anvil will glow, touching the glowing anvil will send a beam of light into the column damaging it. Your goal is to send a beam of light into each face that is either a light or has darkness around it, if you send a beam into a face that has already been hit then you will deal no damage to the column. Once all the faces of the column are deactivated save your game and continue on to the real boss fight.

The next room you find Branka as well as another Paragon, Caridin, fighting over the anvil of the void. Once you make your decision between the two paragons a fight will take place between you and your chosen paragon and the defeated paragon with golems. Defeat the opposing golems so your golems and party members can all attack the paragon at once. Once defeated loot the fallen enemies and continue on to the anvil. With everything completed and the token of favor from the paragon return to your chosen king to be. Once the fight is over you are free to shop or complete any more quests you have outstanding.

Brecilian Outskirts is the temporary home of the Dalish elves, as you enter you are brought to the leader and find out that they are under attack from werewolves. Agree to help the elves so that they will help you fight the blight. Once you are free run around town buying supplies and taking up side quests. Once you are ready head into the forest. In the forest you will be attacked by several wolves and werewolves. As you progress the werewolves will stop and talk to you. After the discussion head deeper into the forest and defeat the werewolves that attack you.

There is a hill to the east with a tombstone that is protected by darkspawn, the tombstone is part of a quest you can take later. As you make your way along the path east it will fork several times, to the south you will find a clearing of trees and several new sylvan to fight. At the end of the path is the Grand Oak. He will make a request of you, choose to accept it or not and continue along. Past the grand oak and to the right is a camp site, if you inspect it you will be thrown into a fight with a spirit. With the shade defeated pillage the camp and make your way north to the next area.

Continue along the path until you come to the center, due east is the way forward but the path is blocked, travel north east to find the man who stole the acorn. After you are done with the hermit continue in the area to finish of or start new quests and then go back to the grand oak tree. With the branch in hand you can now pass through the barrier in the east forest. Past the barrier you find more werewolves and the white wolf. Continue along the path and enter the ruins, the wolf hideout.

As you go down the stairs you come to an intersection of four paths, the one you just entered from, one to the south that is just a room, a path east to the werewolves lair but you find the door barred, and the path west that you must take. Follow the path defeating spiders and make your way down the flight of stairs, here a dragon will attack you, be careful as the area has several traps designed to hold you in place for the dragon. Make sure to take all the loot from the dragons hoard and then head into the lower level.

Keep following the path and the ghost child past the spiders and the skeletons. As you search the rooms you will find a lot of treasure and more side quests. Keep fighting your way down the hallways defeating enemies and taking loot, you will come to a room full of skeleton archers, the room is also full of traps so have a rouge go through and disarm the traps. After this room you will make your way down to a grand staircase with a few skeleton archers on it, at the bottom of the staircase is an arcane horror waiting for you. It will teleport around the level and summon other skeletons to aid it, just focus on the arcane horror.

Clear out the rooms to the south and continue north past the enemies to a hole in the floor leading to the werewolves den. Make your way into the area until you come to the gate keeper, he will stop attacking and start asking you questions. Once you have met the lady of the wood fight with her or bring Zatherin back, the door to the surface has bee unlocked to help you come and go quicker.

Zathrain will be waiting for you up top of you choose to bring him back down, in the end you will have to fight someone and choose a side. Go for the leader and use area of attack spells/skills to hit the supporters. Try and knock down the leader as much as possible to keep them from using their abilities. With the battle over go back to the dalish encampment and finish the quest and side quests.

With all the treaties delivered and all the factions ready to help it is time to call the landsmeet. Go back to Redcliff castle and talk with the arl, once that is completed make your way to Denerim and Logain. After the conversation run around the castle talking to everyone you can, especially the nobles and then find the arl again to talk strategy.

Once you are with Arl Eamon you are requested to aid the queen, make your way out of the building and to Howe's Estate. Start by following Erlina around the side of the estate, be quick and you should be able to avoid most fights, if not turn around and kill the guards quickly. Once you are past the garden Erlina will stop you and distract the guards, put on your disguises and move around into the bushes until the guards are away from the entrance. Once they are lured away run inside and begin to look for the queen.

Make your way to the queen on the map, none of the guards or servants will bother you. Make your way down the hallway and steal all the treasure you can find, if you brought a rouge with you open the large metal chest and take all the gold inside. Do down the stairway and make your way through the dungeon to the mage on your map.

The dungeon starts out with only a few guards and a little treasure, as you progress though you find two rooms next to each other completely filled with guards. You will notice that one door is open and the other is shut, attack the guards in the room with the open door as the other room will not be aware of your actions so you can fight them each one at a time.

Once they are all defeated go into the torture chamber and defeat the enemies and free the imprisoned. Keep taking out the guards and freeing prisoners until you come to Howe himself. Once Howe is dead use the key and go through the metal door behind him and release the prisoners. Now make your way back to the queens chambers and release her. As you try and exit you will be stopped and a fight will ensue, if you lose the fight you are captured and brought to Fort Drakon.

In Fort Drakon you start out with no armor, weapons, accessories or items, just your own skills. Get the guard to enter you room and jump him, then go to the wooden chest in the room to claim all your gear back. Head out the door and a guard with two mabari will try and stop you, once he is defeated go down the hallway and to the armory, here you can put on a couple of uniforms and try to blend in or keep your current equipment and fight your way out.

Make your way through the rooms killing/manipulating the guards until you come to the colonel's chamber. The colonel has the key to the front gate so either kill him and take it or try and maneuver it out of him. As you make your way to the front of the fort fight past the guards in the room with ballistas, then in the next area other party members will show up to help you fight your way out.

Once outside go to the Gnawed Noble tavern in the market distract and complete several of the quests, then return to Arl Eamon. Speak to the Arl, Alistair and Anora to figure out who you will but your bid on for ruler. When you are done leave the mansion and go to the Elven Alienage.

Once inside the alienage you find the elves little better than slaves, work your way through the city talking to the villagers and looting the houses. You see a line of people in front of a building with one elf speaking out against the people in front of the building. Speak with them and find out what you can about what is going on. You can fight the guards now but the doors require a key to enter, go to the back of the building and to the apartments.

Search through each room and you find that the elves are being ordered and shipped away. Make your way out the back of the building and through the guards in the back. Next enter the warehouse and through the guards. Once you make your way inside you will come to the ring leader, he has several archers with him and is a powerful mage so try and stun him and the archers as much as possible and spread your party out. Once they are defeated release the prisoners from there confinement, loot the bodies and take the key you find.

Exit out the back and make your way to the building that the slavers were using to trick the elves, inside you find more loot, next talk to Shianni.. With proof of Logain's aid in the slaver trade go back to Arl Eamon.

With everything in place go to the palace to confront Logain. As you enter the palace Ser Cauthrien will ambush you. She is strong but the main threat is again from the archers she travels with. Defeat them and let your tank keep Cathrien busy. Depending on how the landsmeet goes you may end up with Alistair leaving your group permanently, Logain joining you, a fight against all of Logain's men, or a duel with Logain.

With the landsmeet over and the throne decided it is time to march against the darkspawn, gather your allies and finish any side quests and then make your way to Redcliff. As you enter the town you find that darkspawn have invaded and everyone has fled to the castle. Work your way down through the town defeating darkspawn as you go. At the castle you find the castle under siege from a large group of darkspawn, run in and attack the darkspawn on the stairs to save as many guards as possible. Darkspawn will be reinforced from the city until at last an ogre alpha appears.

Once all the darkspawn are defeated save your game as this is the last opportunity to turn around before the final dungeon, when you are ready talk to the messenger and ask him to take you inside. After speaking with everyone you make your way to battle and march with your army. As you reach Denerim you are thrown into a fight with all of your allies and a few fellow soldiers. You will fight off several low level darkspawn that keep appearing. Once they are defeated follow Riordan.

You are given the option of going straight for the Archdemon or seeking out its generals first. Seek out the generals and destroy them, you have the option of summoning each unit you have collected to aid you by using the advanced tactics options but save them for the final fight with the Archdemon instead.

As you enter the market distract several ogres will attack you. Have your party hold in an alleyway and draw the ogres to you, this should keep there numbers manageable hopefully you are only fighting one or two at a time. Keep cutting away at them and you will clear the area, follow the same tactic for the General. Once this area is clear make your way to The Alienage.

Here you will find a group of elves trying to defend themselves from a swarm of darkspawn. Stand with them as enemies attack you, most of them are very weak, go to the gate that is blocking the alienage and have your characters hold just around the corner of that location, this should keep you out of arrows reach. The darkspawn attacking here are numerous but very low level for the most part, they re using swarming tactics so stay out of their reach. Use spells like inferno to do damage over a long time to an area, this will destroy dozens of darkspawn. Occasionally a higher level darkspawn or ogre will break through, lead them back to your party and fight them off one at a time. Repeat this tactic until only the general is left. Once this happens swarm him and unleash with everything you have. He uses a lot of glyphs to protect himself but if you know any glyph magic you can destroy his glyphs by casting one of your own over his.

As you approach the Palace distract the action cuts back to the gates and your other party members. Here you take control of the other party members and defend the gate against a swarm of darkspawn. They are mostly low level with one or two emissaries and an ogre thrown in for fun. Use any low level health items you have to keep fighting and continue on to the main party.

Here make your way to the right of the starting point and hold your party behind the wall. Use spells to repeat the tactic of luring in the weaker darkspawn and taking them out in small groups. Once the first level is clear run up the staircase and move your group behind the tower to the right, then repeat until all the darkspawn on the second level are defeated. Make your way up the stairs and around the level and repeat once more for the darkspawn on the third level. Once all the darkspawn are defeated you gain access to Fort Drakon.

As you enter the fort you are presented with a barricade of soldiers and a dragon, as tempting as it is to let your troops run ahead and block, hold your ground and take out the troops in the barricade. They are all lower level, what you don't want to do it start drawing the higher level troops off the stairs in front of you, instead set up an inferno/tempest/blizzard again and draw all the lower level grunts through the magic field.

Once all the lower level grunts are defeated take on the alphas. Once they area is clear go up the stairs and into the fort, you find the bodies of darkspawn and humans slain. Continue forward and you come to an open area with platforms once you are in the center f the room you will be surrounded by shades, the most powerful one appearing behind you. Once they are defeated you will find a powerful genlock mage guarding the way forward, use any talents you have to knock him down or stun him.

Behind the next door you will find a large group of undead and two darkspawn mages, one mage is in the hallway and the other enemies are in rooms waiting. Once you engage the mage all the other enemies will attack at once so set traps for them and then knock the mag down to start the stampede. Once they are defeated go through the closed door and you will find Sandal amidst a ruin of bodies, sell him anything you don't need and stock up on healing items and weapons as you approach the final battle.

The next group of enemies you find are three alphas, use a trap on the door to the room and then use a spell to do damage to them as they are drawn out, make sure your tank is ready with a taunt as soon as the enemies appear. Keep following the path and you find a room full of archers waiting for you, but if you use a spell like blizzard or inferno you can attack them without ever opening the door and the archers will just stand there and wait for you to enter the room.

Once they are defeated turn to your right and take out the “Master Assassin” darkspawn in the next hallway. He will have a few reinforcements but focus on him and let area of affect spells take out the other opponents. The last set of enemies are two ogres and a mage, draw the ogres away first and then defeat the mage as a group. Save your game before going to the rooftop, open the doors and face the final boss battle.

The archdemon is a huge dragon with very high resistances. Immediately summon a support army, the elves are best to summon first. Keep unleashing on the dragon with everything you got and don't be surprised if it resists every thing you try and stun it with. Keep your healer/mage/ranged units far away from the dragon as possible. He will fly around and attack from different positions. Keep moving your units around and use every healing item you posses, no reason to be stingy now. After you have done enough damage, around a third of its health bar, the dragon will fly off to the side and rain fire down on you while summoning a whole host of darkspawn.

Make sure your support army is still strong, if they are defeated summon a good melee unit. Next move your unit away from the dragons area, the dragon will attack the area directly in front of it most often, here have your party hold its position and draw away the darkspawn one at a time to defeat them. Alternatively you can bring your party to the ballista on the side that the dragon is and use the ballista to do some solid damage to the dragon but you will have to fight through the hordes of darkspawn and dragon attacks to do so.

Once the dragon has been damaged enough, or the darkspawn foot soldiers defeated, the dragon will renew his attack. Follow the first tactics again and try to keep all your party members alive and well healed, remember that the support army is mostly there to draw darkspawn/dragon attacks away from your main group and to do a little damage. If needed keep summoning support armies, at around two thirds of damage done to the dragon it will fly off to the opposite side it did last time and summon more darkspawn to defend it. Follow the same tactics as before.

When it finally lands for the last encounter keep attacking with everything you have, use every health/mana/status boost you have and work the Archdemon down to nothing. This is a long fight and there is no reason to hold back, use everything at your disposal.

If you are having trouble with a certain party member open up their tactics screen and modify as needed, for example I was having trouble with Wynn not healing fast enough so I dropped every command she had except healing and mana restoration. When the dragon is defeated you get one last choice of who will make the final blow. Depending on what your actions were throughout the game you can have wildly different endings, enjoy.