Editing Human Noble Origin

{{Quote|For generations, your family, the [[Cousland family|Couslands]], has stewarded the lands of [[Highever]], earning the loyalty of your people with justice and temperance. When your [[Ferelden|country]] was [[Second Orlesian Invasion of Ferelden|occupied]] by the [[Orlais|Orlesian Empire]], your [[Bryce Cousland|father]] and grandfather served the embattled [[Fereldan royalty and nobility|kings]] of your land. Today, your [[Fergus Cousland|elder brother]] takes up House Cousland’s banner in service to the Crown—not against the men of Orlais, but against the bestial [[darkspawn]] rising in the south.}}

<onlyinclude>{{QuestTransformer
|style       = {{{style|}}}
|supertitle  = 
|name        = [[Human Noble Origin]]
|type        = 
|caption     = 
|image       = Humans - Noble.jpg
|px          = 270x360px
|location    = [[Castle Cousland]], [[Highever]]
|start       = New campaign with [[Human]] Noble character ([[Warrior]] or [[Rogue]])
|end         = [[Ostagar]]
|rewards     = 
|previous    = 
|next        = [[Joining the Grey Wardens]]
|qcat        = Origin story
|related     = 
|see also    = 
|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins]]
}}</onlyinclude>

The '''Human Noble Origin''' is one of six [[origins]] available in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' for the [[Playable character]]. This character begins as the youngest child of the [[Fereldan royalty and nobility|Teyrn]] of [[Highever]], one of the most powerful nobles in [[Ferelden]]. Your father has tasked you to steward Highever while he and your elder brother leads your family's soldiers to join King [[Cailan Theirin]]'s army at [[Ostagar]].

The default name is "Aedan [[Cousland family|Cousland]]" if male, "Elissa Cousland" if female. The first name can be changed to whatever the player chooses. However, the surname is fixed. [[Rogue (Origins)|Rogue]] and [[Warrior (Origins)|Warrior]] humans start with this origin. For human [[Mage (Origins)|mage]] characters, see [[Magi Origin]].

== Introduction ==
{{Quote|Some lands are ruled by men and women who believe that they have been elevated to their rank by the [[Maker]] Himself, but in [[Ferelden]], rulers must earn their place. The nobility is not suffered gladly, as the [[Orlais|Orlesian]] Empire discovered to its dismay when it attempted to occupy the land.<br /><br />The Couslands have stewarded the lands of [[Highever]] for many generations, dating even to before Ferelden's [[Calenhad Theirin|first king]] was crowned. They have persevered so long because of their reputation for justice and temperance, as well as their willingness to lead men into battle. With the rise of the [[darkspawn]] horde in the south, it thus falls on the [[Bryce Cousland|Teyrn of Highever]] to send out the call once again: duty demands that an army be sent to [[Cailan Theirin|King Cailan]]'s aid at once.<br /><br />As the Couslands will quickly discover, however, the evil horde to the south is not the only darkness in Ferelden; treachery stalks the halls of [[Castle Cousland]] as well.<br /><br />As a young scion of the [[Cousland family]], the duty of carrying its banner will fall to you. Will you live up to your family's proud heritage? Or will you forge your own path, and damn the consequences?||<ref>[http://dragonage.bioware.com/dao/characters/human_noble/ Official ''Dragon Age: Origins'' site – Human Noble Origin]</ref>}}

== Plot ==
Teyrn [[Bryce Cousland]] and his oldest son [[Fergus Cousland|Fergus]] are preparing to heed King [[Cailan Theirin|Cailan]]'s call to battle [[darkspawn]] at [[Ostagar]]. The Human Noble is charged with stewarding [[Highever]] with a token force in their absence. Arl [[Rendon Howe]] of [[Amaranthine]] waits for his forces to join the teyrn's at Highever. At [[Castle Cousland]], the tardiness of Howe's men is being discussed in the main hall as Fergus' younger sibling (the [[Playable character]]) enters; they are greeted by Arl Howe and Teyrn Cousland, and introduced to [[Duncan]], a senior [[Grey Warden]]. Duncan explains his mission to look for Grey Warden recruits and suggests that the Human Noble would be a promising recruit—already knowing this idea will be rejected by Teyrn Cousland and that Bryce would politically pressure him to not pursue it any longer. Even so, Duncan also has his eye on Ser [[Roderick Gilmore|Gilmore]] as a potential candidate. 

After being tasked with instructing Fergus to depart immediately with the bulk of the Cousland forces, the Human Noble is intercepted by Ser Gilmore, a knight in Highever's service; Teyrna [[Eleanor Cousland]], the Human Noble's mother, wishes them to collect their [[Dog|dog]] from the kitchens. As it turns out, Dog chased a bunch of rats and cornered them in the larder. After the rats revealed themselves, the Human Noble and Ser Gilmore helped Dog kill the pests. 

If the Human Noble seeks out their mother Eleanor, they will find her entertaining guests—Lady [[Landra]], accompanied by her son, [[Dairren]], and her lady-in-waiting, [[Iona]]. Flirting with either Dairren or Iona could result in the Human Noble inviting either admirer to their bedroom for sex later that night.

The Human Noble finds Fergus telling his goodbyes to his wife, [[Oriana Cousland|Oriana]], and his son, [[Oren Cousland|Oren]]. Bryce and Eleanor join the rest of the family to complete their farewells. After finishing the tasks asked of them, the Human Noble heads for bed.

In the middle of the night, Arl Howe's "late" men unexpectedly turn on the Couslands, and [[Siege of Castle Cousland|seize]] the castle. The Human Noble wakes up when they hear the sounds of battle and Dog growling at their door. A servant opens the bedroom door to warn the Human Noble that the castle is under attack (or the Human Noble's lover is killed as they were investigating the commotion outside) before being slain by enemy soldiers. The Human Noble and Dog fights their way out of their bedroom and searches for the rest of their family. The Human Noble finds Eleanor, who explains that the teyrn is missing. A quick search of the other rooms will reveal Fergus' son and wife murdered. Teyrna Eleanor, saddened and outraged, [[The Cousland Treasury|suggests]] retrieving a [[Family Sword|family heirloom]] [[Shield of Highever|or two]]. She also suggests using the servants' exit at the larder to escape. In the main hall, Ser Gilmore, directing the few remaining defenders and holding off Howe's soldiers, tells the Human Noble and Eleanor that Teyrn Bryce was wounded but was last seen headed for the larder—ostensibly he was hoping his family would meet him there.

In the larder they find Bryce, gravely wounded and unable to move. Bryce states he was ambushed by Howe's men but Duncan rescued him and brought him there. Duncan fights his way to the larder and confirms Bryce's fear: Howe's men have surrounded the castle and with Bryce injured, he cannot make the escape. Duncan asks to recruit the Human Noble in exchange for helping them escape; since the [[Blight]] demands he leaves with a Grey Warden candidate. Bryce acquiesces, wanting his youngest child to tell Fergus what has happened. Duncan offers to save Eleanor too, but she refuses to leave her husband's side, and they are both killed as Duncan and the Human Noble escape.

== Quests ==
:{{:Father's Task|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Mischief in the Larder|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Howe Treachery|style=iconmini}}
:{{:The Cousland Treasury|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Sweet Iona / Sweet Dairren|style=iconmini}}

== Characters ==
* '''[[Fergus Cousland]]'''
* Teyrn '''[[Bryce Cousland]]'''
* Teyrna '''[[Eleanor Cousland]]''' <small>(temporary [[Companions (Origins)|companion]])</small>
* '''[[Oriana Cousland]]'''
* '''[[Oren Cousland]]'''
* '''[[Dairren]]'''
* '''[[Dog]]''' <small>(companion)</small>
* Warden-Commander '''[[Duncan]]'''
* '''[[Iona]]'''
* Mother '''[[Mallol]]'''
* Lady '''[[Landra]]'''
* '''[[Nan]]'''
* Ser '''[[Gilmore]]''' <small>(temporary companion)</small>
* '''[[Aldous]]'''
* Arl '''[[Rendon Howe]]'''

== Statistics ==
[[File:Cg ico origin human noble.png|right]]
In addition to those selected by the player at character creation, a Human Noble Warden automatically begins with the following:

=== Initial skills ===
:{{:Combat Training|style=iconmini}} and either {{:Combat Training|style=iconmini|tier=2}} (Warrior) or {{:Poison-Making|style=iconmini}} (Rogue)

=== Initial talents ===
:{| class="daotable"
| [[Warrior talents (Origins)|Warrior]]
| {{:Shield Bash (Origins)|style=iconmini}}
|-
| [[Rogue talents (Origins)|Rogue]]
| {{:Dirty Fighting|style=iconmini}}
|}

=== Initial equipment ===
:{| class="daotable"
| [[Armor (Origins)|Armor]]
| {{:Leather armor set|style=iconmini}} or {{:Studded Leather armor set|style=iconmini}}
|}

== Unique items ==
:{{:Family Sword|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Shield of Highever|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Heavy Maul|style=iconmini}} or {{:Executioner's Helm|style=iconmini}} <small>''(randomly looted from a Howe Knight)''</small>

== Results ==
[[File:Last of Line.png|right|"Last of Your Line" achievement trophy]]
The PC travels with Duncan to [[Ostagar]], where they are greeted by [[Cailan Theirin|King Cailan]]. The king mentions that [[Fergus Cousland|Fergus]] is in the [[Korcari Wilds]] on patrol, but there is no opportunity for the PC to seek him out. (The fate of Fergus is not revealed until the [[Epilogue (Origins)|Epilogue]].) When the PC first arrives at Ostagar the achievement [[Achievements (Origins)#Quest Achievements|Last of Your Line]] will be awarded.

== Codex entries ==
:{{:Codex entry: Andraste: Bride of the Maker|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Arl Rendon Howe|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Dog|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Dogs in Ferelden|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Geography of Ferelden|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Highever|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: History of Ferelden: Chapter 1|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Mabari War Hound|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: The Maker|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: The Noble Families of Ferelden|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Politics of Ferelden|style=iconmini}}
:{{:Codex entry: Rat|style=iconmini}}

== Trivia ==
* Teyrna Cousland recognises Howe's men by their shields, but very few of those encountered bear shields, let alone [[Howe Guard Shield|this]] one.
* After killing the Giant Rats in the Pantry, Ser Gilmore mentions that it "sounds like the start to every bad adventure tale my grandfather used to tell me". This is a reference to "giant rats" being the first enemy fought in many fantasy RPGs.
* The majority of the Human Noble Origin was written by [[BioWare]] lead writer [[David Gaider]].<ref>{{BWF|date=January 8, 2010|author=[[David Gaider]]|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412045523/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/43582-writers-of-dragon-age/page-6|title=Writers of Dragon Age}}</ref>
* According to [[Dairren]], "everyone" says that the Human Noble is more likely to succeed the teyrn of Highever over their brother Fergus.
{{SpoilerDAO|* This origin is the only background which allows the player to marry [[Alistair]] or [[Anora]].}}

== Bugs ==
* During [[Mischief in the Larder]], the pantry door leading to the kitchen area may not open or unlock after defeating the rats preventing the opportunity to name Dog. To avoid this, refrain from spamming the Escape key to skip ahead, and let Ser Gilmore initiate the next conversation instead of interacting with him.
* The northern door of the main hall may become stuck and prevent you from completing the quest. To avoid this, save just after [[The Cousland Treasury]] is initiated; make opening that northern door your first priority (after surviving the fights along the way, and ''before'' retrieving gear from the treasury) and wait for Ser Gilmore to tell you about the teyrn (rather than attempting to initiate conversation yourself).

== See Also ==
* [[Cousland family]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="210" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center" orientation="landscape">
Human Noble.JPG|Human Noble concept art (with border)
Castle Cousland - Nobles talking.png|Teyrna Eleanor Cousland, Lady Landra, Dairren and Iona talking.
Castle Cousland - Highever forces.png|Cousland forces leaving the castle
Castle Cousland under attack.png|Castle Cousland being under attack
Castle Cousland's chapel praying.png|Mother Mallol praying along with two soldiers
</gallery>

== References ==
<references />

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Origin stories]]
[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins quests]]
<!--Interwiki links-->
[[es:Noble humano (origen)]]
[[fr:Origine Noble humain]]
[[uk:Вельможна людина (передісторія)]]