Ash Warriors

{{OrganizationTransformer
|style        = {{{style|}}}
|name         = Ash Warriors
|icon         =
|image        = Kaddis 2.jpg
|px           = 270px
|motto        =
|type         = Mercenaries
|headquarters =
|leaders      =
|ranks        =
|location     = [[Ferelden]]
|appearances  = [[Dragon Age: Origins]]
}}

The '''Ash Warriors''' are an elite and renowned unit of [[Fereldan]] fighters who use vicious [[mabari]] war dogs in battle. They are pious mercenaries who work for no pay, instead working for whatever cause is just. They are so admired by common Fereldans that wherever they go, they are treated as heroes. <ref>[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide|Prima Game Guide: Collector's Edition, pg. 353]]</ref>

==Joining==
Despite the prestige, few people choose to join the Ash Warriors. They are denied the opportunity for both personal wealth and for personal golry.<ref>[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide|Prima Game Guide: Collector's Edition, pg. 353]]</ref>

Indeed, the Ash Warriors' ranks are often composed of former criminals, joining the group as a means to redeem themselves. Their past identities are expunged, as "[e]ven in legal records their old life is erased—contracts voided, marriages annulled, records of birth erased."{{Citation needed}}

==Training==
Part of their training focuses on the belief that you should "die" before battle. This ritual involves other warriors drawing blood via shallow cuts, and then rubbing salt into the bleeding gashes.<ref>[[Kell]] in ''[[Dragon Age: The Calling]]''</ref>

==Fighting style==
The Ash Warriors' training has, according to the Ash Warriors, been passed down since Luthias the Dwarfson, and Alamari, first harnessed the battle-rage of the [[dwarves]]. <ref>The Ash Warrior leader in [[Ostagar]] can tell the Warden that the Ash Warriors' training has been passed down since Luthias the Dwarfson, an Alamarri, first harnessed the battle-rage of the dwarves.</ref> Ash Warriors harness the battle rage inside, nurture it, and draw it out so they cannot fall in battle until their last foe is slain. 

Ash Warriors are also famous for their use of Mabari. They trust their hounds with their lives, as the hounds do them. They fight side by side with their hounds in battle and it is common for an Ash Warrior to pair with their dog for life. The sight, and smell, of the Ash Warriors fighting with their dogs is legendary.<ref>[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide|Prima Game Guide: Collector's Edition, pg. 353]]</ref>

==History==
Some time before or during the Blessed Age, the Ash Warriors were led by a man named Gelgenig who received a vision of [[Andraste]] while the Alamarri warred with the [[Avvar]]s and [[Chasind]] over land.<ref>[[Codex entry: Hauberk of Gelgenig the Faithful]]</ref> He then helped spread the faith of the [[Maker]] and helped unify the religion where Andraste could not, and ever since the Ash Warriors have been fierce adherents. However, this is not to say they are a part of the [[Chantry]], as they predated its formation and do not practice the [[Chant of Light]].

Ash Warriors in the past once stood with [[King Calenhad]] when he was uniting [[Ferelden]], and still remain "king's men."<ref>[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide|Prima Game Guide: Collector's Edition, pg. 353]]</ref>

== Involvement ==
===''Dragon Age: The Calling''===
In ''[[Dragon Age: The Calling]]'', [[Kell]] reveals that he trained with the Ash Warriors.  

===''Dragon Age: Origins''===
The Ash Warriors stand with [[King Cailan Theirin]] ready to fight the [[darkspawn]] at [[Ostagar]]. If the [[Warden]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' is an [[elf]] they will show little to no respect for them, if [[human]] they will simply ask to be let be, if however the Warden is a [[dwarf]] their leader will show great respect and be much more polite.

== Known Ash Warriors ==
* [[Ash Warrior Leader]]

== See also ==
{{:Codex entry: The Legend of Luthias Dwarfson|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
{{:Codex entry: The Ashen Cuirass|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
{{:Codex entry: Hauberk of Gelgenig the Faithful|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
{{:Codex entry: Willem's Bulwark|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}

== References ==
<references/>