When it comes to character background options, the Dragon Age series has been far from consistent. Dragon Age: Origins let players choose between six unique prologues based on their character's background, each with unique implications for the rest of the game as players returned to familiar locations and saw faces from their pasts. Dragon Age 2 did away with this entirely, and while Inquisition brought back race options many fans will be hoping to see the full origins system return in Dragon Age 4.
Dragon Age 4 will take place in the Tevinter Imperium, which presents the opportunity for some extremely unique origin options. Not only does Tevinter have a rigid but diverse social hierarchy, but the human nation has a very interesting relationship with the other races of Thedas which could make it the perfect setting to bring back the origins system in full. Here are just five of the origins players should have access to in the next game.
The Dwarf Mage
Dragon Age: Inquisition's "The Descent" DLC heavily hinted that Dwarves may be able to become mages in Dragon Age 4. Towards the end of the story Dwarven character Shaper Valta is struck by a vein of pure lyrium. She is then able to cause an effect which the Inquisitor themself will describe as a spell. Dwarves have been unable to become mages in Dragon Age so far, because their long-term exposure to lyrium in the lore has made them immune.
However, not only does Inquisition imply Dwarf mages may be on the way, but a Dwarf mage could be a particularly interesting diplomat sent to Tevinter. The Tevinter Imperium and the Dwarves of Thedas have one of the setting's strongest diplomatic relationships, with Dwarven embassies across the empire. If Dwarves can become mages who better to train them than their oldest ally, a magic-driven human nation?
The Elven Slave
Dragon Age 4 will see the Dread Wolf, Solas from Inquisition, attempt to tear down the Veil between Thedas and the Fade. In doing so he hopes to redeem himself for creating the Veil to begin with, which severed the Elves from the Fade and made their empire vulnerable to the Tevinter Imperium. By the Dragon Age itself Tevinter has been known for its Elven slaves for centuries.
Many Elves will likely join Solas, even though his plan could destroy the other races of Thedas. Long before the arrival of humans, the Dread Wolf helped save the Elves from slavery at the hands of their own "gods." Other Elves have turned to the Qun in the hopes that it holds the key to their liberation. The ability to start Dragon Age 4 as an Elven slave would open up a world of possibilities, as well as allowing players to gain vital insight into Tevinter society from the bottom up.
The Qunari Invader
The Qunari Wars may have ended for most of Thedas years ago, but Tevinter and Par Vollen never signed a single treaty. Inquisition's "Trespasser" DLC made it clear that the Qunari are on the march once again, and recent lore even has the Qunari taking over the Tevinter city of Ventus in 9:44 Dragon. Qunari society assigns roles to its citizens, so a Qunari who has been sent from Par Vollen to Tevinter as an involuntary invader could be a particularly interesting premise for a prologue. Unlike Dragon Age: Inquisition, it would also give players the option to play as a Qunari who is still practicing the Qun, instead of a Tal-Vashoth.
Sten from Dragon Age: Origins is now the Arishok - the Qunari military leader. A Qunari invader origin could see the player receive a special mission from Sten, and head to Tevinter as part of a hostile force before becoming caught up in the Dread Wolf plot and seeing the bigger picture. Inquisition also hinted that the next game might confirm rumors that the Qunari have dragon blood in them, which could make playing as a proud adherent of the Qun very interesting. Since the Qunari consider any follower of the Qun a Qunari, this origin could even be open to all races.
The Raised Peasant
The Tevinter social hierarchy is divided into three main groups. At the top are the mage upper class, in the middle are the citizens without magic, and at the bottom are the slaves. However, if a slave or non-magical citizen gives birth to a child who shows magical potential, they are whisked away from their life of poverty and made a member of the Praetari.
The Praetari are members of the upper class, and if they are able to keep their magical bloodline going for a few generations they get to move up to the next level. However, they are looked down upon by many of the mages in Tevinter with more prestigious bloodlines. A character from a lower class background who was drawn into the aristocracy because of their magic could be a great character to roleplay as in Tevinter, with a foot on both sides of the empire's harsh class divide.
The Altus Aristocrat
Another origin option for mages could have them born as a part of the Altus. The Altus are the elite of the elite among Tevinter's aristocracy, claiming to be able to trace their bloodlines back to the "sleepers" who first explored the Fade and developed the practice of magic that has fueled the empire for eons. Similar to the human noble origin in the first game, an Altus aristocrat origin would likely see the player caught up in court scheming and political plotting.
Playing as a powerful mage could be very interesting as Solas attempts to bring down the Veil between Thedas and the Fade. Some families may see the Dread Wolf's plans as a risk to their very way of life. Others may see it as an opportunity to expand their powers even more. One thing's for sure, fans who like ridiculously extravagant clothes and snappy dialogue options would likely have a ball as an Altus of Tevinter's upper crust.
Dragon Age 4 is in development.