spoiler What are the TRUE origins of the Darkspawn...?

[SpellAndShield]

in the game or otherwise that gives us a hint or some accurate information on the real origins of the Darkspawn?

 

In the very beginning Wynne claims it may be an allegory but what is the truth? I wonder...

[OldBook3]

We never really find out.

 

The writers on the Bioware forums have indicated that there's some truth to the Punishment from the Maker story, but that it's not the whole truth.

 

Personally, based on the similarity between the Darkspawn Taint and what happens in the Circle Tower when the abominations take over, and based on lots of little hints in the game, I think the Darkspawn are a form of Abomination Spawn.

 

The Tevinter Mages entered the Golden City in the Fade. Did they turn it into the Black City? Maybe. By their sinful nature or by the nature of the magic they used to gain entry? Dunno.

 

They became abominations / the first Darkspawn and were cast down. This part may or may not be true; the Dwarves doubt it, which may be a red herring or may mean there's more to the story.

 

These first Abomination Darkspawn created the first Broodmothers (if any of the Mages were female, they may have been the first Broodmothers). They in turn bred generations of Darkspawn who had never been Humans, Dwarves or Elves, and who almost always lacked real free will. These Darkspawn live all their lives hearing the Calling, the pure and perfect song of the sleeping Old Gods.

 

These Old Gods may have been trapped by the Maker in sleep as a punishment, or may just be hibernating. There are texts in game that suggest both.

 

The Darkspawn must seek the Old Gods, but when they find them the Taint spreads, and the Old God becomes an Archdemon. Whatever the Old God may have been before, as an Archdemon all it wants is destruction, and the Darkspawn must follow.

 

Hopefully in DA:2, we'll get more answers.

[brokenergy]

Morrigan would bring this up if you take her to the circle tower. I don't remember the exact phrasing but she compares darkspawn's taint to the abominations in the tower, suggesting that they are connected in a way. But like Book said maybe more answers on DA2.

[SpellAndShield]

Morrigan would bring this up if you take her to the circle tower. I don't remember the exact phrasing but she compares darkspawn's taint to the abominations in the tower, suggesting that they are connected in a way. But like Book said maybe more answers on DA2.

 

I remember when she said that, something to the effect of corruption not unlike the darkspawn...I wonder if they are related.

[danscott84]

Avernius (sp) metioned something about the chantry being wrong when you talk to him in the Warden's Keep. I don't remember the exact wording, but he mentions that blood magic stems from demons, hinting that the taint may also stem from them.

[SpellAndShield]

Avernius (sp) metioned something about the chantry being wrong when you talk to him in the Warden's Keep. I don't remember the exact wording, but he mentions that blood magic stems from demons, hinting that the taint may also stem from them.

 

No, it's the opposite; I am almost quoting here:

 

Avernus: Blood magic stems froms demons; they could counter every bit of lore I knew BUT the darkspawn taint, THAT is alien to them and it has power!

 

So it appears they are not related, at least according to Avernus.

[danscott84]

Avernius (sp) metioned something about the chantry being wrong when you talk to him in the Warden's Keep. I don't remember the exact wording, but he mentions that blood magic stems from demons, hinting that the taint may also stem from them.

 

No, it's the opposite; I am almost quoting here:

 

Avernus: Blood magic stems froms demons; they could counter every bit of lore I knew BUT the darkspawn taint, THAT is alien to them and it has power!

 

So it appears they are not related, at least according to Avernus.

 

Ok, I couldn't remember for sure if he said the darkspawn taint or the Grey Warden taint since theirs is different due to what Riordan says. The Grey Warden joining using a combination of fresh darkspawn blood, lyruim, and preserved blood from an arch demon.

 

EDIT: also, Ruck mentions a difference in the taint between the wardens and the darkspawn.

 

Edit again: I just had a thought. It stems from a combination of things, so tell me if I'm on the wrong track. The Tevinters worshipped the old gods believed by many to be dragons. The Andraste followers drank the blood of the high dragon to gain their reaver abilities, and the wardens include the blood of an arch demon (tainted old god/dragon), so with all of those in combination, wouldn't one consider the taint originated with dragons somehow?

[SpellAndShield]

Avernius (sp) metioned something about the chantry being wrong when you talk to him in the Warden's Keep. I don't remember the exact wording, but he mentions that blood magic stems from demons, hinting that the taint may also stem from them.

 

No, it's the opposite; I am almost quoting here:

 

Avernus: Blood magic stems froms demons; they could counter every bit of lore I knew BUT the darkspawn taint, THAT is alien to them and it has power!

 

So it appears they are not related, at least according to Avernus.

 

Ok, I couldn't remember for sure if he said the darkspawn taint or the Grey Warden taint since theirs is different due to what Riordan says. The Grey Warden joining using a combination of fresh darkspawn blood, lyruim, and preserved blood from an arch demon.

 

EDIT: also, Ruck mentions a difference in the taint between the wardens and the darkspawn.

 

Edit again: I just had a thought. It stems from a combination of things, so tell me if I'm on the wrong track. The Tevinters worshipped the old gods believed by many to be dragons. The Andraste followers drank the blood of the high dragon to gain their reaver abilities, and the wardens include the blood of an arch demon (tainted old god/dragon), so with all of those in combination, wouldn't one consider the taint originated with dragons somehow?

 

Given that Bioware is all about mechanics and less about story (sad but true) they probably haven't given it much thought. Your guess is as good as any other one I reckon...

[danscott84]

"Given that Bioware is all about mechanics and less about story (sad but true) they probably haven't given it much thought. Your guess is as good as any other one I reckon... "

 

 

That's unfortunately very true. And my fiance caught this thread and has another theory. She just recently finished the Dalish Origin, and came up with a tie to the elves. Merrill says that there were no darkspawn during the time of Arlathan, and Lanaya later says in the Nature of the Beast that the elves' blood was quickened during their enslavement by the Tavinters causing their loss of their immortality. My fiance believes that what causes that quickening is tied into the birth of the darkspawn. Whichever theory is on track, the huge underlying theme is blood.

[brokenergy]

Certainly there is merit to your fiancée's theory as Arlathan seem (in codex btw) to have fallen when the Tervinter mages who summoned demons and dragons.

 

http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Elvhenan

 

These dragons could be the archdemons before they succumbed to the taint or high dragons. In DA2 there is mention of Arlathan if you read Arl Foreshadow's notes so i would expect more about it. There is a theme of self-sacrifice, the end justifying the means, blood and tough choices in DA and I expect there to be more of the same. I just hope that BW doesn't fail us of giving a half-baked product.