Forum:Will the Warden ever be playable again?

Forums: Index > Game DiscussionWill the Warden ever be playable again?

Note: This topic has been unedited for 3230 days. It is considered archived - the discussion is over. Do not continue it unless it really needs a response.

I was thinking yesterday about hawke and the inquisitor, and how the Inquisition was looking for the Warden or Hawke to lead them and it occurred to me would they ever bring back the warden character we created from origins. It makes sense that they might do this because Hawke made a cameo appearance in Inquisition. Do you guy's think this makes sense? Will it probably happen?

Originally the Warden was supposed to make an appearance just like Hawke did. However the major issues they ran into were the limited customization options (when compared to the number of hairstyles and such Origins gave us) The fact The Warden did not have a voice (or rather they had multiple voices to choose from) there was essentially too many variables, and Bioware decided if they couldn't get it right (and appease the fanbase) they'd rather not include them at all. The Warden was too "personal" for some people, and the idea of Bioware taking their character and changing it (even a little) didn't sit well. So chances are We wont be seeing the Warden anytime soon. Warden Mage: Ferris (talk) 15:53, June 3, 2015 (UTC)

Wait, what @ Warden was meant to actually appear? Riley Heligo ^{The Forgotten Sinner} 15:55, June 3, 2015 (UTC)

The Hero of Ferelden was originally going to be the warden ally in Here Lies the Abyss.

-HD3 ^(Talk) 16:17, June 3, 2015 (UTC)

Not to be that guy, but where was that ever stated? I recall a Tweet stating that Alistair's appearance in the Enemy of Thedas trailer wasn't the appearance of /The/ Warden but not they were actually going to appear. Riley Heligo ^{The Forgotten Sinner} 16:23, June 3, 2015 (UTC)

I don't have the time to go looking for a link or anything, I'll see if i can find one a later. I believe it was one of the times they had Q&A or did a Demo they had mentioned "The Warden and Hawke will appear in Inquisition, oh and maybe Flemeth" this caused excitement and eventually they had to do some kind of official statement to clarify The Warden would not be appearing. Warden Mage: Ferris (talk) 16:42, June 3, 2015 (UTC)

It would be cool to see the Warden again. Its really reassuring that Hawke was editable in Dragon Age Keep. Proves that it could do the same for the Warden in future Dragon Ages. While the fact that the Hero of Ferelden is a silent protagonists, this could be remedied by taking a poll with the fan base on who would be the best voice actor for the character. It wouldn't impact the sales as much because the fan base would already have an idea what to expect. At the very least make a warden playable.

^Please sign. Let's not forget that the Warden could be dead. While this wouldn't make it impossible for him/her to appear in the game as an NPC, it would make it impossible for them to ever be the main protagonist again. Otherwise Bioware would invalidate every worldstate where the Warden dies.

Also, the fact that the Warden is a silent protagonist is a bigger obstacle than some might think. I can't see them finding anyone who could accurately reproduce the voice we invented in our minds. Silver Warden (talk) 19:00, June 3, 2015 (UTC)

I agree that reproducing the Warden would have been too much of a headache for Bioware because as others have said, its too personal, just like most fans agree that Origins remains the favorite despite the graphics and limitations of the game. It was the first in the series and most of us hold it in a special place, that Warden...the one each of us made is a larger then life character and really Bioware would have nowhere to go but disappointment no matter how hard they tried. They realised this and took a step back. Hawke was easier because He/she had a voice and a personality already carved out. Yes you had options on Diplomatic/Humorous/Aggressive but for the most part, Hawke was Hawke and it was easier to replicate them.

Indeed I am grateful The Warden didnt apear as the Warden Ally because man would that have been a gun wrenching decision to make...My warden or my hawke..... I mean Stroud...pfft goodbye don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out but my Warden......man yeah I might have needed Therapy after that :D Dupmeister (talk) 15:33, June 4, 2015 (UTC)

Hopefully not, seeing as they if you asked me did manage to mess up Hawke's personality too and he (or she) at least had the benefit of being voiced and having a more set general attitude (diplomatic, sarcastic or aggressive). For the warden it would be downright impossible to not do anything wrong. Caspoi (talk) 15:56, June 4, 2015 (UTC)

It would have been heart wrenching indeed to choose to let the Warden or Hawke to sacrifice themselves to save the inquisitor. If the Warden had a set voice actor it would really be the moment of my year. I may or may not squel when that happens. - deltawarden1873

There a conversation between Mike Laidlaw and a fan who asked if we would ever see the Warden again, and Laidlaw said he doesn't think the Warden would ever work as a NPC and aren't going to reappear anytime soon. --5.64.201.130 (talk) 18:08, June 4, 2015 (UTC)

Don't forget that the Warden, in the default world state, is dead, and there is no way to write around that. No fill-in NPC would have the gravitas needed to fill the role if there is no living Warden, except for perhaps the Orlesian Warden-Commander from Awakening, but they're practically a non-person at this point, being completely ignored in Inquisition. Also, I kind of like the idea of the Warden disappearing once their job is done. It fulfills the mythic archetype. The Hero completes their journey, but they've been so changed by it that they can't return to a normal life. Frodo in the Lord of the Rings, Link in the Legend of Zelda, and so on. It just feels right to me. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 19:10, June 4, 2015 (UTC)

To add to this, as I highly agree, (like with the elderscrolls series) the PC often becomes so powerful, their presence eliminates all conflict, as whatever problem could typically be solved on the whim of the Hero. However, if they're preoccupied, or dead, etc it allows for tension to build and stakes to be raised. You see this within "The Hobbit" Gandalf often is gone, or has his hands preoccupied and cannot intervene. While I love my Warden, I do prefer them to be absent from the current affairs... tho I do think he deserves a better reason than "researching the cure for the calling" it seems to me with all that was happening, he could set aside some reading to help people. I would have preferred something like "they're currently working with Orzammar to clear a path to Kal-Sharok" This puts them out of reach of messages, meaning they wouldn't even know about the breach to even try and help. It would also set up some nice false hope we may eventually see Kal-Sharok! Warden Mage: Ferris (talk) 20:18, June 4, 2015 (UTC)

The 'researching the Calling' excuse was used because it gave the Warden a reason to be beyond Thedas entirely, which they now are. That's why the Warden doesn't come back to help, they're too far away. Remember, they're far to the west, in a place that has never seen the Blight. The Western Approach, which is already in the west of Orlais, was where a Blight STARTED. To be beyond that, they're well off the map, literally. Although why they think there's an answer there is another question entirely, as if this land has never seen the Blight, then how would they know how to get rid of it, but I digress. And seeing Kal-Sharok is actually quite likely in Inquisition DLC, if you ask me. One of the future DLC is likely going to be based on the Deep Roads, due to a comment in a Kotaku Q&A with Aaryn Flynn and Mark Darrah, and Kal-Sharok is beneath Orlais, so I believe that's where we'll be going. Hell, the Inquisition already has had contact with Kal-Sharok in a War Table mission, so why not flesh that out some more. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 01:02, June 5, 2015 (UTC)

Not that I want this to happen, or that I think it is even remotely likely, but it is hypothetically possible for the Warden to return as a NPC without invalidating the worldstates where he/she is dead. The Warden would simply have to be an NPC that only appears in some worldstates, like Alistair or Zevran or Loghain. His/her role would have to be non-critical, so it really couldn't be much more than a cameo. Still, it's within the realm of vague possibility, if a variety of technical hurdles can be overcome. Silver Warden (talk) 15:57, June 5, 2015 (UTC)

I understand that, but still think its a bad idea. Because the Warden is so close to so many people's hearts, I wouldn't even risk trying to put them in because there's almost no way for it to work without angering a large portion of the already fractured Dragon Age fanbase. Hell, the only thing I thing we all agree on is our hatred for Arl Howe and Sister Petrice. The last thing we need is more infighting. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 16:35, June 5, 2015 (UTC)

With that much chaos between powerful editors we could create another Breach! Sorry, had to say that. Anyway, I do agree it's a really risky idea and will probably never happen, but I still think it's theoretically possible to bring back the Warden in some fashion while still appealing to most fans. However what I would want, rather than a cameo, critical or no, would be for them to actually be playable again. To have the Warden return in the next DA game having retrieved the cure to the calling and wanting to give it to all Wardens, but finding the civil war or whatever mystery has silenced the Wardens in the north. Anyway, I'll stop babbling now. SenjiBen (talk) 21:45, June 5, 2015 (UTC)

Of course! Corypheus was only a patsy for the REAL cause of the Breach, Sera! She's so divisive that she tore the sky itself open! And you're not babbling, Merril, I mean SenjiBen. But in all seriousness, the reason I doubt that is threefold. 1.) Every DA game has a new protagonist. They're not going to change that after 3 games. 2.) One of the developers, I don't remember exactly who, said that the Warden's story has ended, as in they'll be out of focus from no on. And 3.) They are possibly dead, there is no way to have them be in a starring role. Sadly, its not even theoretically possible at this point, not in the way you desire. I feel your pain, I miss my badass Dalish Warden Warrior Raeli, but he's not coming back. However, as I said earlier, think of it as fulfilling a mythic archetype. The Hero has finished their journey, but cannot be part of the world they fought so hard to save, because of how it has changed them. It makes their actions even more heroic, if slightly tragic. They fought for something they can never experience. It was truly selfless, as they can't partake of the world they saved. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 01:15, June 6, 2015 (UTC)

Ha ha ha, yes true. Agreed, never thought it was very likely. Sadly it's a pipe dream. But people can dream. I just want to see my Warden and Leliana live happily ever after :( -- Singed Merril, ahem, I mean SenjiBen (talk) 07:38, June 6, 2015 (UTC)

Well, if Leliana becomes Divine, its mentioned that a romanced Warden is by her side, so there's that. And I have to remember Raeli and his love, Zevran, are still traveling together. Warden's probably used to camp sex by now, huh? --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 19:04, June 6, 2015 (UTC)

Aw come on, Petrice isn't that bad... Silver Warden (talk) 19:05, June 7, 2015 (UTC)

You ARE kidding, right? She's a massive smug snake who is only topped by Danarius, who is worse only because of the implied and Word of God confirmed rape of Fenris. Seeing her get killed by the Qunari is simultaneously so satisfying and so frustrating because you don't get to kill her yourself. She is responsible for Meredith assuming complete power over Kirkwall through antagonizing the Qunari into their attack, which killed Dumar and led to an even greater ratcheting up of tensions. In fact, she is, now that I think about it, one of the contenders for being one of the biggest instigators of the Mage Rebellion, which led to the Conclave where Corypheus attacked, which in turn led to the events of Inquisition. So, I now blame her for the entire plot of Inquisition. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 19:14, June 7, 2015 (UTC)

Yes, I was joking. Though if you really think about it, Isabella is responsible for the plot of Inquisition as much as Petrice, Andres, and Hawke. She stole the Tome of Koslun, so without her the Qunari wouldn't have even been there in the first place. And of course, Hawke wouldn't have been in Kirkwall if it weren't for the blight, which we can blame on the Architect, so... Silver Warden (talk) 01:00, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

And the Architect is a magister, like Corypheus (this was confirmed via Word of God), so, yeah. Everything in Dragon Age is Corypheus' fault! I'd say Hawke probably has the least amount of blame. The Deep Road expedition wasn't their idea, and would've happened without them, they didn't cause the Mage Rebellion, so, yeah, they're the least blameworthy. Just the figurehead for it all. And don't forget Flemeth. She saved Hawke to get there, so anything Hawke managed to actually cause was her fault as well. Flemeth and Corypheus, the two biggest causes of shit going wrong in DA. Well, and a third one revealed post-credits of Inquisition, but I won't reveal that for those reading who haven't reached the "creators-is-that?-He's-who?-What-WHAT" moment there. It must truly be seen the first time blind. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 01:37, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

Hawke released Cory. Not intentionally mind you, but still, without him/her Cory would still be sleeping in his prison. That's what I blame him/her for, not the mage rebellion. Silver Warden (talk) 16:20, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

Actually Corypheus would have escaped anyways. Larius mentions the seals to the prison were weakening and Corypheus would have been freed then. All Hawke did was speed up the process. 97.117.168.176 (talk) 01:39, June 9, 2015 (UTC)

Yeah, somehow I forgot about that. And even if the seals were weakening, I'm betting Corypheus wouldn't be released in time for the Mage-Templar War and thus the Conclave, so he wouldn't be able to blow up said Conclave, etc. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 16:33, June 9, 2015 (UTC)

They could have always gotten some other mage to renew the seals. Hawke and his/her sibling were the only ones who could undo them. Silver Warden (talk) 18:35, June 9, 2015 (UTC)

---

The Warden would likely never reappear in the sequals, but if it's in high demand they could remake/remaster Origins for the newer consoles. I hear they are considering remastering Mass Effect. What would you think about that? Personally if we get stuck with voiced warden, like Inquisition. I want Natalie Dormer to be the English voice, and an extra Welsh or Gaelic accent for elves. Mostly because both human origins (and the elven mage) I picture having sort of upper class sounding English accent, but I don't think that accent would work so well for the city or dalish elf origins. --5.64.201.130 (talk) 20:05, June 6, 2015 (UTC)

They'd better remaster KotOR or Jade Empire first, but otherwise, yeah, I would play the shit out of that. They could also update things like Warden armor to be the kick-ass armor we got in DA2 and DA:I. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 21:07, June 6, 2015 (UTC)

As long as the only thing they update is the graphics. Changing anything else, even tweaking the combat slightly, is a terrible idea. But they can go to town on DA 2. Silver Warden (talk) 19:01, June 7, 2015 (UTC)

I wouldn't mind having the combat updated. Origin's combat was crap compared to Inquisition and even DA2's combat. It was slow, boring, and felt more like a chore than actually fun. --100.36.168.78 (talk) 22:36, June 7, 2015 (UTC)

I guess it is a matter of opinion, but the combat in Dragon Age: Origins was one of the main factors that brought the game so much love and critical acclaim. Yes, the story and characters were exceptional, but Dragon Age: Origins aimed to have that old school "rpg" combat system, especially against the backdrop of many classic-like dungeon crawls, hence evoking a sense of nostalgia. It shouldn't be changed, though I don't mind the combat system in the sequels. I think if a remaster were to happen, I would want graphics to be improved on and that's it, with new weapons and armours being added in. Why change something that works right? 13:43, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

Yeah picking up and retooling Origins on any level is a sure ticket to inciting mobs. There is so much love and nostalgia for that game that most fans would consider a re-release as blasphemous. a more plausible course of action would be to just center Dragon Age 4 back in Ferelden and have it take place during the 6th Blight. This would allow us to revisit many of the same locations but the artists have licence to create their vision of it since it would be in the future. Likewise we could place a voiced Warden but it would be a new Warden so players wouldnt feel touching about changes to "their" character.

Meanwhile we can play a game rich in lore and filled with refrences to the legends of Alistair and the Hero of ferelden ect..

Dupmeister (talk) 14:08, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

I think there's more of a chance that we get those old Ferelden locations in DLC rather than a new game with Ferelden being the main area. Remastering it, whilst keeping the same things that made the game so fantastic would be well received by fans, though I don't think it's needed. Doing what you suggest would feel like a rehash of DAO, though I get other stories would be shoves in there, which would be badly received. The dudes at BW surely have other ideas that could prove to be just as iconic as the DAO plot. Thedas is big, I think fans would much prefer visiting new areas rather than Ferelden again, unless the game spans several nations. 14:26, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

If they ever retool Origins, I'd personaly want the to add in some of the things they never got to do but planned (looking at you Avvar Warden and Jowan compainion/romance). Maybe adding a voice for the Warden (please use Jennifer Hale for a more American sounding voice she's badass) I'd go with an U.S./Cannadian accent, an English accent, and a Welsh or Irish accent (maybe a French one for the Warden-Commander). Also maybe move the combat closer to Inquestision while keeping the feel of Origins. I also want more stuff in the Character department, while I loved the entire cast of Origins I was a bit dissapointed with the amount of content for the realationships the Characters have with eachother as well as with the PC. I don't know, this is just my rambleings disregard this if you disagree, or mercilessly attack me this is the Internet, right? John the Manic (talk) 01:44, June 9, 2015 (UTC)

So, it would be Dragon Age: Origins: Director's Cut? I'd be cool with that. And with Jaws of Hakkon, we have a lot more lore on the Avvar, so an Avvar Warden would be easier to implement. I doubt adding in new Origins would happen, however, because they wouldn't have any specific content about them in DA2 or DA:I, and adding new content to what would be a past game at that point isn't going to happen. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 16:29, June 9, 2015 (UTC)

They wouldn't really need to change anything for DA:I, I mean how often are the specifics of the Warden ever mentioned in that game?John the Manic (talk) 16:44, June 9, 2015 (UTC)

Their Codex entry, their letter to the various Inquisitors, somewhere else I'm sure. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 16:46, June 9, 2015 (UTC)

Well that aspect (spanning nations) seemed to have been well received in Inquisition. So perhaps they will expand on that. We have done Ferelden and Orlais so far, and Kirkwall so in the next game maybe we will play a Quinari agent and get to visit Par Vollun, Seharon and Rivan.

Dupmeister (talk) 15:33, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

Short answer: no. Turuzzusapatuttu (talk) 16:36, June 8, 2015 (UTC)

All excuses for not bringing the Warden back are really lame! LOL If he died then bring the orlesian warden instead (in fact you can already imagine it was Stroud) depending on your world state. Let people customize his looks/name like they did for Hawke and for the voice I'm sure nobody will complain. ;)( 62.235.164.187 (talk) 00:26, June 11, 2015 (UTC) )

Yes they could pretty easy bring him back. but people need to let it go a little "the warden will never be the same", "the mods made my warden" "his voice would suck" "his personality and bla bla bla" fuck all that man, all you need is him to be on screen and your imagination to correct the differences that may not be the way you thought. create an ugly dude with a female voice put a helmet on him use your imagination... THERE is your warden from origin back to kick ass. and for those would prefer to not see him again use some warden who became warden commander of ferelden so the producers would not have to made completely different dialogs for him since the king of ferelden would already know him the king of orzammar too and so on. it is a shared blame between the directors and the fans that make his comeback difficult. Eroian (talk) 09:56, June 11, 2015 (UTC)

The Warden is practically a god by now in the Dragon Age universe. Either he died a martyr or did something else. Mine married Anora and became the King (consort) of Ferelden, supposedly ruling in harmony with his wife and at the time became Warden Commander and etc etc. However, I recall very clearly that my badass P.C. did get kidnapped by Wardens one day and disappear in Weishaupt. I think that has so antagonist possibilities right there, and since my Warden was a bit of a...well, not "asshole" so much as "killer" and "anti-hero" (he 'Italic textwas nice to Alastair, Sten and others though! Don't get me wrong!), it'd fit. However, I agree that this specific instance would have to invalidate other world states (unless they make different "conclusions" per pathline--which sounds like PS5 tech right there). That being said, a non-critical cameo during maybe, a visit to Denerim or somewhere s/he might be drying off would be enough to satisfy me. Perhaps an old fashioned, silent NPC with only text would be the perfect solution. Or maybe he's so badass he has other people speaking for him like the Emperor of Japan or a prophet or something!

To sum up, silent NPC would solve most problems. And a limited creation tool for making him on-spot would be realistic, as the Warden would have to be at least 30 years old at the time of Inquisition, if not 40 even.--Alois Val (talk) 19:20, June 16, 2015 (UTC)

Kidnapped by the Wardens and sent to Weishaupt? I'm 95% certain that all surviving Wardens head west to find a cure for the calling. Admittedly, I haven't tried a worldstate where the Warden is married to Anora so perhaps that results in him being sent to Weishaupt, though that seems unlikely. Silver Warden (talk) 19:30, June 16, 2015 (UTC)

I doubt anyone could force the Warden to go anywhere he/she didn't want to go. And from what I've read and played, all living Wardens went west, even if they're Queen of Ferelden. I haven't personally seen the Warden's letter to the Inquisitor if they're the Prince-Consort/King, but considering the gender-flipped version went west, its almost certain that they went west. And, in many cases, imagination is not enough for that. It is just too risky for BioWare to try, especially since Inquisition is just now healing some of the divisions born of Dragon Age II and the hatred born of the Mass Effect 3 ending debacle. They won't risk ruining the goodwill they've earned from Inquisition by trying an idea almost certainly doomed to failure. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 19:42, June 16, 2015 (UTC)