Duncan

"Men and women from every race, warriors and mages, barbarians and kings...the Grey Wardens sacrificed everything to stem the tide of darkness...and prevailed."

Duncan is the Warden Commander of the Fereldan Grey Wardens from 9:10 to 9:30 Dragon. When Urthemiel rose and the Fifth Blight began, he recruited and mentored The Warden and Alistair shortly before the battle at Ostagar. He was among the first Wardens allowed to return to Ferelden after the actions of Sophia Dryden resulted in the order being exiled from the country. Subsequently, he faced suspicion and hostility in his search for new recruits.

Background
Duncan is Rivaini in appearance, his father, Arryn, from Ferelden and his mother, Tayana, from Rivain. Duncan was born in Highever, then they moved from Ferelden to Orlais, where eventually he became a thief surviving on the streets of Val Royeaux after the death of his parents.

Barely more than a boy, Duncan broke into an inn room to rob it, and was confronted by his victim while attempting to steal a ring. The man refused to give in, even with a knife to his throat, and they fought; in the struggle, Duncan fatally wounded his victim unintentionally. As the man lay dying, he thanked Duncan, to his shock and horror.

The chevaliers informed Duncan as he was arrested that the victim was a Grey Warden. When Commander Genevieve offered him a place among the Grey Wardens the night before his execution, he refused. Grey Wardens' life must be horrible indeed to thank the one who murdered him. However Genevieve showed up the next day during his execution and used the Right of Conscription in order to forcefully recruit him into the order. He was not entirely wrong at first; his fellow Wardens despised him, and in the months that followed, an unhappy Duncan attempted to run away several times, and continued to steal when the opportunity arose, a habit that saved his life in the Kinloch Hold some months later.

Involvement
Duncan appears in every Origin story, searching for a recruit to join the Grey Wardens to aid against the growing threat of the Fifth Blight. He will recruit the Warden either voluntarily or through conscription, and is usually available to answer questions about the Grey Wardens and the darkspawn horde massing in the Korcari Wilds during the origin story.

Quotes

 * (Duncan's narration in the "Join Us" trailer) "We bear a sacred burden. For an age, we have protected the lands of men. But now, a blight is upon us and we dare not falter. Regardless of race, noble or commoner. The best must take up our banner to save us all from annihilation. We are the Grey Wardens. Join us."
 * (to a City Elf Warden) "Surely it has not escaped your notice that I am both armed and armored. Any fight between us would be rather one-sided."
 * "I sometimes wonder if the Chantry's many laws regarding magic are even necessary. Darkspawn are a greater threat than blood mages, even abominations. It takes decades for the world to recover from a Blight."
 * "Be careful what you wish for. Power is treacherous. I have seen many people--great leaders--consumed by it."
 * "A word of advice from someone who's battled abominations and worse: a cavalier attitude will only get you into trouble."
 * "From here, you two are on your own. Remember, you are both Grey Wardens. I expect you to be worthy of that title."
 * Duncan: "You're talking to the wrong Grey Warden. All I know is that they spent all their time searching for the Old Gods." King Maric: "That's it? Nothing else? They must be boring at parties." Duncan: "That's pretty much it. They don't think, exactly."

Trivia

 * In Bioware's character file for him, his appearance is described as: "Bearded, muscular, hair graying at the temples. Has a noble bearing."
 * Codex entry: Duncan states that his father was from Tevinter and his mother from the Anderfels, while Dragon Age: The Calling describes him as half-Fereldan, half-Rivaini. David Gaider confirmed that the latter version is the correct one.
 * Duncan is the first shared similarity between all of the origins.
 * Duncan's set of armor is unique—he is the only character using such an armor model.
 * Duncan's death was confirmed by David Gaider. "Duncan is dead. If he appears again, it would have to be in a story that takes place prior to Origins, if anything."
 * If a male Dwarf Noble completes the Of Noble Birth quest, he has the opportunity to name his son Duncan.
 * Though Duncan is confirmed to be dead, his body is never found at Ostagar, though his weapons will be found impaled in the ogre he had slain before falling at the hands of the darkspawn.
 * Duncan will have new dialogue options if you try to pickpocket him and fail.
 * In the cutscene where Duncan kills the ogre he uses two Crow Daggers instead of Duncan's Sword and Duncan's Dagger.
 * It's possible to steal a master or grandmaster hale, silverite or cold iron rune or clear grade small or large crystal from him at Ostagar, twice, one before going to the Korcari Wilds and one after.
 * Despite wielding two weapons in a rogue style in both The Calling;' and Origins'' you can later find a shield belonging to him in the Grey Warden Vault in Denerim. It's unknown if he actually used it in battle or not.
 * The general similarity between aspects of Duncan's armor and that of Isabela appears to be indicative of a Rivaini style of armor.