Blood Mage (Origins)

Blood Mage is one of the mage specializations in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening. A blood mage employs dark rites, originally taught to mortals by demons, in order to access more powerful magic. A blood mage must be willing to sacrifice their own life force or that of others in order to wield this power.

Unlocking
Dragon Age: Origins: During the Arl of Redcliffe quest line, a mage Warden can unlock the specialization if they enter the Fade to confront the Desire Demon. No other class can unlock it (even if Jowan is authorized to send a non-mage Warden), nor can any NPC mage sent in the Warden's stead. At the end of this Fade episode, you'll meet up with the true form of the Desire Demon; if you elect to converse with it, and strike a deal, one of the rewards available is the Blood Mage specialization. (If you do decide to go this route, plot results are the same as if you kill the demon - until the Epilogue, which will reveal a different fate for Connor. (See here for the Desire Demon dialogue tree.)

Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening:
 * It can be unlocked by purchasing the manual from the bartender at The Crown and Lion tavern in Amaranthine.


 * Additionally, the Baroness may also teach this specialization to the Warden-Commander during the Shadows of the Blackmarsh quest, if she is persuaded to give another reward in return for the latter's help in dealing with the villagers.
 * This is currently bugged for, however there is an unofficial fix for PC users.

Blood Mage restricted/improvement gear
, obtained by winning four unofficial proving matches in Orzammar. , worn by Avernus in the Warden's Keep DLC. , found inside an egg in the Wyrmling Lair. (while this item does not have the "Improves blood magic" property, in can only be used by a character with the Blood Mage Specialization). , found in an armoire during the Freedom for Anders quest in the Awakening expansion , appears in inventory after completing The Golems of Amgarrak DLC

Arcane Warrior
A particularly useful solution to a low Mana pool. Constitution is highly recommended with this combination. Blood Wound is an excellent asset for the more offensive Arcane Warrior or a tank drawing threat.