Harrowing

The Harrowing is a test that every mage apprentice must go through to become a full circle mage. The test involves a mage entering the Fade with the use of lyrium. Once in the fade the mage apprentice must face, and subsequently overcome, a demon who wishes to posses the mages body and enter the living realm. The demon is summoned by the mages of the Circle of Magi to the same part of the fade the mage apprentice enters and is promised a living body to be waiting for it when it arrives. If the mage apprentice succeeds in resisting the demon he is granted the title of mage and becomes a full member of the Circle of Magi.

However, if the mage is overwhelmed by the demon, or takes too long to complete his task, the mage is killed by a group of Templars who are standing by so the mage does not become an abomination and is not a threat to the Tower or the rest of Ferelden.