Magi Origin

"If you want to survive, you must learn the rules and realize that sometimes, sacrifices are necessary."

- First Enchanter Irving

Gifted with a power considered dangerous by most, you have spent most of your life secluded in the remote tower of the Circle of Magi to be trained and watched closely by the dreaded templars. Now your final test is upon you -- succeed and prove your strength or be slain. Note that unlike other origins, this one is based solely on the class. You can play as either a Human or Elven mage; the plot is the same for humans and elves, with a few minor conversational differences. You cannot play as a Dwarven Mage since Dwarves cannot use magic.

"The Circle of Magi exists to protect mages from a world that fears them, or so the young apprentices that are brought there are told. In truth, it exists as much to protect the world from the mages themselves. A time once existed when mages ruled the known world, bringing down ruin upon their enemies until at last they were overthrown. Now they are watched carefully by the templars, mage-hunters aligned with the Chantry priests who would not hesitate to strike down any mage at the first sign of corruption. 

''For the temptations offered to mages are many. Their power draws demons to them from the Fade, demons that will attempt to wrest control of a mage's body and transform him/her into a vile abomination. What these demons cannot take by force they will sometimes attempt to take through deceit, offering knowledge of forbidden blood magic that allows a mage to control the minds of others and use their very life force to fuel his/her powers, leading him/her down a dark and destructive path. ''

''All apprentices are taught to resist these temptations in the Circle of Magi, and the day comes when they must pass their final test: the Harrowing. They are literally thrown to the wolves, given over to a demon to either summon the willpower to defeat it or be possessed and die at templar hands. If the apprentice refuses they are made Tranquil, cut off from all emotion and magic and rendered unable to be possessed for their own good. There are no other options, save to flee and be branded an apostate and thus hunted by the templars forever.''

Welcome to the Circle - the power to command the forces of magic is yours, for a price"

Plot
On starting a new game with a character of the Mage class, you will find yourself in the Harrowing Chamber, receiving warnings and advice from Knight-Commander Greagoir and First Enchanter Irving. Cullen, a young templar, can be spotted in the background.

You are about to undergo your Harrowing, the final test of your apprenticeship. You will use lyrium to enter the Fade and face a demon. You must overcome the demon, or else turn into an abomination and be slain by the templars.

The Harrowing
Your apprenticeship is over. You are sent into the Fade to defeat a demon, to prevail...or die.

A Mage of the Circle
Waking up after the Harrowing, your friend Jowan tells you that First Enchanter Irving requires your presence. In Irving's office, you are formally welcomed into the Circle and introduced to Duncan, one of the fabled Grey Wardens.

Bound in Blood and Magic
Jowan waylays you after you leave Duncan, and asks for your help. He introduces you to his love, Lily, who has made a very disturbing discovery. They want your help to break into the Tower basement and destroy Jowan's phylactery so he can escape from the Tower unpursued.

Infested Storerooms
Senior Enchanter Leorah has been in a bad mood all day. Perhaps you can help her out and get a favour in return? (this quest is entirely optional if you can find another Senior Enchanter to help you complete Bound in Blood and Magic.)

Result
Jowan and Lily are confronted as they return to the Apprentice Quarters level; Jowan escapes using forbidden blood magic. The protagonist is recruited by Duncan into the Grey Wardens, and leaves with him for Ostagar. If it has not been unlocked in a previous playthrough, on arrival in Ostagar the Harrowed achievement will be awarded.

Initial Statistics
In addition to those selected by the player at character creation, a Magi Warden automatically begins with the following:


 * Skills: Combat Tactics and Herbalism
 * Starting Spells: Arcane Bolt
 * Initial Gear: Apprentice Robes, Leather Boots

Items
Plot Items:

The Fade:

Circle Tower:

Storerooms:

Basement:

Characters

 * Cullen: A young templar who attends The Warden mage's Harrowing and who appears later in the campaign in the halls of the Tower. He has romantic feelings for a female mage warden, whether elven or human. He also appears in the Broken Circle questline.
 * Duncan: The Commander of the Grey in Ferelden.
 * Eadric: An elven mage apprentice doing research into his heritage.
 * Eleni Zinovia: A petrified woman/statue stored in the tower basement.
 * First Enchanter Irving: The First Enchanter of the Circle Tower in Ferelden.
 * Jowan (temporary companion): An apprentice mage and best friend of the character.
 * Keili: A troubled and deeply religious mage apprentice.
 * Knight-Commander Greagoir: Leader of the Templar Order in Kinloch Hold.
 * Lily (temporary companion): A Chantry initiate who is involved with Jowan.
 * Mouse (temporary companion): A being encountered in the Fade who claims to be a failed apprentice.
 * Niall: An Isolationist mage seen conversing with Senior Enchanter Torrin.
 * Owain: The Tranquil manager of the stockroom. He appears in the origin story and in the later Broken Circle questline.
 * Senior Enchanter Leorah: A mage in charge of the laboratory.
 * Senior Enchanter Sweeney: An elderly, possibly senile, mage with tales to tell of the Circle Tower.
 * Senior Enchanter Torrin: An older mage who will discuss the Fraternities of magi with Niall and the Warden.
 * Spirit of Valor: A benevolent Fade spirit that will offer the Warden a staff for use during the Harrowing.
 * Templar Bran: a templar who guards the main doors of the Tower.

Bugs

 * During the final cutscene, after Jowan escapes, the templars will take Lily away to Aeonar. You will see Lily walk away, but in a birds eye view of the conversation between Irving, Greagoir and the Warden, you will see Lily standing in the corner.

Trivia

 * In Dragon Age 2 when Hawke speaks to Knight-Captain Cullen, Cullen will remark on Hawke's new role as scion of the Amell family and will remark on his relationship with the Warden. (If the Human Warden was female he will comment on his crush he had once had on this "remarkable woman.")
 * The Magi origin was written by Sheryl Chee, as was the Broken Circle quest.