Darkspawn

Darkspawn are tainted creatures that dwell in the Deep Roads. When they uncover one of the Old Gods, they somehow change it into an Archdemon, which then leads them in an attack against the surface world.

The darkspawn function in a sort of hive-mind once an Archdemon has been awoken. Otherwise they war amongst each other as much as against the other races.

Territory conquered by the darkspawn becomes diseased, a rotting place of twisted creatures infected by the blight. Creatures that come in close or frequent contact with the darkspawn often become diseased themselves. Examples include blight wolves and ghouls. While the blighted creatures often work alongside the darkspawn, most often because of force, their lifespan is such that their use is severely limited. Even a ghoul's lifespan can usually be measured in months.

History

 * "And so is the golden city blackened


 * With each step you take in my Hall.


 * Marvel at perfection, for it is fleeting.


 * You have brought Sin to Heaven


 * And doom upon all the world."


 * - Canticle of Threnodies 8:13

According to the Chantry, it is the hubris of men that brought the darkspawn upon the world. They teach that when the magisters of the old Tevinter Imperium entered the Golden City, they offended the Maker, and brought corruption to the Golden City. They were cast out, transformed into the hideous monsters known as darkspawn, and forced to flee the light of the sun, retreating into the Deep Roads.

The dwarves don't give as much credit to Chantry legendry, but they themselves have no known origin story for the darkspawn. As far as the dwarves are concerned, first there were no darkspawn, then there were. The darkspawn hordes invading the Deep Roads ended up crippling the dwarven empire, leaving only Orzammar and Kal-Sharok, the latter of which was completely isolated from the outside world until recently.

The first Blight occurred about 1300 years previous to Dragon Age: Origins, and the current Blight is the fifth. It is also the only one that has begun as far south as Ferelden.