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| − | A '''Blight''' refers to a period when [[darkspawn]] |
+ | A '''Blight''' refers to a period when [[darkspawn]] find and corrupt one of the [[Old Gods]], which is transformed into an [[archdemon]] and leads the horde to attack the surface world. The world has seen five Blights to date; as ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'' begins, the [[#The Fifth Blight|fifth Blight]] has just begun. |
| − | == Blight == |
+ | == The Blight == |
| − | A Blight is distinct from the occasional darkspawn raids, in which the darkspawn are few, scattered, and disorganized, [[ |
+ | [[Image:Blight2.png|thumb|400px|Darkspawn during a Blight]]A Blight is distinct from the occasional darkspawn raids, in which the darkspawn are few, scattered, and disorganized, plaguing only the [[Deep Roads]], underground highway tunnels constructed by the [[dwarves]] at the height of their empire. These tunnels—and natural caverns connected to them—extend throughout [[Ferelden]], and possibly elsewhere in [[Thedas]]. |
| − | When the darkspawn discover one of the Old |
+ | When the darkspawn discover one of the Old Gods—ancient [[dragon]]ic creatures slumbering in the depths of the earth—they infect it with their taint, and it rises as an archdemon. Unified by its will, the darkspawn surge up from their tunnels and spread like locusts across the surface of the lands, destroying all in their path. Survivors are dragged underground to an unknown fate, water sours, crops are spoiled, the land is poisoned and animals sicken. With each passing day, a blight grows. The earth itself withers and dies; the land is leeched of moisture, turning everything dry and brown. The sky fills with rolling, black clouds that block out the sun, making it easier for the darkspawn to surface. As this wasteland spreads, the corruption of the blight spreads with it, diseasing all in its path. |
| − | The only way to end a Blight is to |
+ | The only way to end a Blight is to slay the archdemon, and the only ones who have ever managed such a feat are the [[Grey Wardens]]. For this reason, the order holds the respect of most nations, though their presence in Ferelden is the weakest of them all. The chilling thought is that this Blight has begun to spread from Ferelden for precisely that reason. |
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| + | [[Image:Creature-Blight_Wolf.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A blight wolf]] The Blight disease is the corruption spread by the darkspawn. It twists and corrupts all living organisms. Surviving animals and humanoids are driven mad and develop physical deformities if they do not perish from the disease. Humanoids are transformed into [[ghoul]]s, while animals result in mutations such as [[bereskarn]], [[Blight Wolf|blight wolves]], and [[Corrupted Spider|corrupted spiders]]. In some cases animals (e.g., the [[mabari]] dog helped by [[the Warden]] in [[Ostagar]]) can make a full recovery if given early care; however, most have to be put down to prevent them from spreading the disease further. |
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| − | [[Image:Blight Wolves.gif|left|100px|thumb|Blight Wolves.]] '''Blight''' is also used to describe the disease spread by the darkspawn. It twists and corrupts all living organisms. Surviving animals and humanoids are driven mad and develop physical deformities if they do not perish from the disease. These creatures are known as [[Archdemons]], [[Bereskarn]], [[Blight Wolves]], [[Broodmother]]s, [[Corrupted Spiders]], and [[Ghouls]]. |
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| − | In some cases these animals can make a full recovery if given early care (such as [[Mabari]]), however most have to be put down to prevent them from spreading the disease further. Surviving [[Dwarves]], [[Elves]], and [[Humans]] infected with the disease but who have not become [[Broodmother]]s or [[Ghouls]] are called [[Grey Wardens]]. (However, this only applies to the joining, since it is unquie and involves magic to work. Often, those who drink darkspawn blood outside of the joining, if they survive, will go insane. For example; [[Ruck]]) |
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==The History of Blights in Thedas== |
==The History of Blights in Thedas== |
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[[Image:Concept-TheBlight.jpg|center|650px|The Blight]] |
[[Image:Concept-TheBlight.jpg|center|650px|The Blight]] |
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| − | The [[Chantry]] teaches that it is the hubris of men that brought the darkspawn into [[ |
+ | The [[Chantry]] teaches that it is the hubris of men that brought the darkspawn into Thedas. The [[mage]] rulers of the [[Tevinter Imperium]] sought to usurp the [[Golden City]]—the afterlife created by the [[Maker]] for mortals—but were cast out, twisted by their own corruption, only to return as monsters; the first of the darkspawn. The [[dwarves]] hold no such beliefs; to them, the darkspawn simply appeared one day and have been their bitter enemies ever since. |
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| − | The [[Dwarves]] however hold no such beliefs, to them the darkspawn simply appeared one day and have been their bitter enemies ever since. The dwarves have no superstitions about the source of the darkspawn, they could just as easily be a product of the [[Codex Entry: The Gangue Shade|The Gangue]] as far as they are concerned. |
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===The First Blight=== |
===The First Blight=== |
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| + | [[Image:Archdemon.png|thumb|200px|An archdemon]]After the corruption of the magisters, the first darkspawn awaken [[Dumat]], the first among the Old Gods, as the first archdemon. Thedas is nearly overrun; the dwarves come near to extinction, leaving only [[Orzammar]] and [[Kal-Sharok]]. The first [[Grey Wardens]] appear, and Dumat is finally slain at the Battle of the Silent Plains in 992 TE. The Tevinter Imperium is left severely weakened, resulting in a barbarian invasion led by [[Andraste]]. |
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| − | The First Blight Occurred in the [[Tevinter Imperium]], and was supposedly led by the Archdemon version of Dumat, leader of the Old Gods. Though it was eventually defeated, the Blight left the Imperium severely weakened, making it easy for the barbarians who invaded not long after (led by [[Andraste]]) to push the Imperium back. Furthermore, in the aftermath, the darkspawn fled into the Deep Roads, nearly eliminating the dwarven empire in the process. On the surface, the [[Grey Wardens]] were created as an organization to combat the Blight. |
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| + | * [[Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 1]] |
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| + | * [[Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 2]] |
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| − | ==== Part 1: The Second Sin ==== |
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| + | * [[Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 3]] |
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| + | * [[Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 4]] |
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| − | <div style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; font-style:italic;">"Thedas is a land of fierce diversity, from the assassin-princes of Antiva to the faded griffons of the Anderfels, but in my travels, I have found one tale that unites the people of this land. It is a story of pride and damnation, and although the telling differs, the essence of the tale remains the same. |
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| − | At the height of its power, the Tevinter Imperium stretched over much of Thedas, uniting the known world under the rule of the tyrannical magisters. It is said that the Old Gods whom the magisters worshipped gave them the knowledge of blood magic, and the magisters used this forbidden power to cement their rule. The blood of elven slaves and humans alike ran down imperial altars to fuel magister greed, the tales of their excesses so horrifying that one can only be grateful that blood magic is prohibited today. |
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| − | But all that stands tall must eventually fall. Perhaps they foresaw their ruin, or perhaps their pride knew no bounds, but whatever the reason, the magisters dared to open a magical portal into the Golden City at the heart of the Fade. They sought to usurp the Maker's throne, long left unattended in the Golden City after the Maker turned his back on his creations. They would storm heaven itself with their power and become as gods. |
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| − | This is what the Chantry, in its oft-exercised tendency to understate, refers to as the second sin. |
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| − | According to most versions of the tale, the magisters did indeed reach the Golden City and walked into the home of the Maker, where no living being before them had dared, or been able, to tread. But humanity is not meant to walk in heaven. The magisters were wicked with pride and other sins, and their presence tainted the Golden City. What once was a perfect, holy citadel became a twisted home of darkness and nightmares. The magisters were expelled back through their gateway and cursed for their treachery. As the Golden City had been tainted, so were the magisters twisted and transformed into things of darkness--the very first of the darkspawn. The Golden City, once a shining beacon at the heart of the Fade, became the Black City, a reminder of all that man's pride has cost."</div> |
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| − | :— Excerpt from ''Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry Scholar'' |
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| − | ==== Part 2: Dumat Rises ==== |
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| − | <div style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; font-style:italic;">“People today have little concept of the consequences of the second sin. Oh, believe me when I say that when asked, pious, Chantry-going folk will curse the use of foul magic, spitting and snapping their fingers--but none live today who actually remember the horror that was unleashed so very long ago. Whatever records might have existed regrettably did not survive the chaos and ignorance that was to follow. We have only the tales of survivors handed down through the murky ages and the dogma of the Chantry to instruct us, and that is precious little indeed. |
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| − | I believe I am not understating when I say that the second sin unleashed the bane of all life upon Thedas. The darkspawn are more virulent than the worst plague, a heartless force of nature that came into our world like an ill wind. We know from accounts of later Blights (as these darkspawn invasions came to be called--never has a more appropriate name existed) that the darkspawn spread disease and famine wherever they tread. The earth itself is corrupted by their presence, the sky roiling with angry black clouds. I do not exaggerate, my friends, when I say that a mass gathering of darkspawn is an omen of dread cataclysm. |
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| − | It is said that those cursed magisters who became the first darkspawn scratched at the very earth to find solace in the darkness of the dwarven Deep Roads, and there in the shadows they multiplied. Whether by intelligent design or by some last vestige of worship in their minds, they attempted to locate the Old Gods they had once served. They found what they sought: Dumat, first among the Old Gods, once known as the Dragon of Silence before the Maker imprisoned him and all his brethren beneath the earth for the first sin: usurping the Maker's place in mankind's heart. |
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| − | The slumbering dragon awoke, freed from the Maker's prison by his twisted followers, and became corrupted himself. Dumat was transformed into the first archdemon, his great and terrible power given will by a rotting, unholy mind. With the darkspawn horde following, Dumat rose and took wing in the skies once again, bringing ruin to the world the Maker had created. The Old God had become the eye of a dark storm that would ravage the entire world.”</div> |
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| − | :—An excerpt from ''Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry Scholar'' |
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| − | ==== Part 3: The Dwarves Fall ==== |
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| − | <div style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; font-style:italic;">"The ancient world during the First Blight was very different from the one we know today. Aside from the civilized rule of the Imperium, humans as a race were largely barbarous and splintered, divided into clans and tribes and squabbling among ourselves for resources. At the same time, deep beneath Thedas’s great mountain ranges spanned a dwarven culture as organized and advanced as ours was primitive. |
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| − | As the darkspawn bubbled up to the surface from their underground lairs, mankind first buckled and then fought back. The armies of Tevinter attempted to face down the multitudes of twisted creatures and the horrid rotting of the land around them, but they could not be everywhere at once. Human history remembers the First Blight as a time of terrible devastation, and those stories are accurate, but in our arrogance, we often forget the price paid by the dwarves in their isolated mountain kingdoms. |
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| − | The dwarves faced far greater hordes than the humans as the darkspawn challenged them for control of the underground. Despite the might and technology the dwarves brought to bear, the savage darkspawn tore through them, first destroying the more remote thaigs before swallowing up entire kingdoms. Think of it: an entire civilization lost in the space of decades. Compared to the near-genocide that the dwarves faced, what we humans call the First Blight must have seemed a mere skirmish to them. Against the darkspawn, the dwarven lands have always taken on the brunt of the fighting and the majority of the sacrifices. |
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| − | Four dwarven kingdoms finally managed to combine their might and fight back, and that cooperation saved them. But for the rest of their lands it was too late. The darkspawn had taken the Deep Roads, the majestic underground passages that linked the dwarven lands throughout Thedas. The darkspawn could now attack anywhere on the surface through these tunnels. Humanity simply was not prepared for an onslaught such as this. It was clear that the warfare we knew would not avail us. We had to find a new way to fight. |
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| − | Thus came our salvation: The Grey Wardens were born.</div> |
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| − | :—An excerpt from ''Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry Scholar'' |
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| − | ==== Part 4: Griffons Take Flight ==== |
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| − | <div style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; font-style:italic;">"Founded at Weisshaupt Fortress in the Anderfels, the Grey Wardens offered humanity hope in its darkest hour. Veterans of decades of battles with the darkspawn came together, and the best among them pledged to do whatever was necessary to stem the tide of darkness that swept across the land. These great humans, elves, and dwarves pooled their knowledge of the enemy and formed a united front to finally put a stop to the archdemon’s rampage. |
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| − | And stop it they did. Ballads are still told today of the first Grey Warden charge into the waves of darkspawn at the city of Nordbotten, each Warden facing 10, 20 darkspawn at a time. Squadrons of Grey Wardens mounted on their mighty griffons, soaring through the blackened skies and battling the terrible archdemon with spear and spell. Oh, what a sight it must have been! |
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| − | Incredibly, the Grey Wardens won that first battle. They raised their arms in victory, and suddenly there was hope. The Grey Wardens led the lands of men and the last stalwart defenders of the dwarven halls against the hordes of the archdemon Dumat for the next 100 years, gaining and losing ground but never backing away. They recruited whoever possessed the skill and strength to raise their banner from all over Thedas, making no distinction between elven slave or human nobleman. Finally, nearly two centuries after the first Old God rose from the earth, the Grey Wardens assembled the armies of men and dwarves at the Battle of Silent Fields. It was then that Dumat was finally slain and the First Blight ended. |
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| − | The Tevinter Imperium would face a new challenge with the coming of the prophet Andraste, and thoughts of the Blight grew distant. With their defeat, the darkspawn were considered no longer a threat, but with the wisdom of hindsight, we all know that conceit proved to be hopeful and foolish indeed. The task of the Grey Wardens was far from over.</div> |
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| − | :—An excerpt from ''Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi, Chantry Scholar'' |
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=== The Second Blight === |
=== The Second Blight === |
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| − | [[Zazikel]] awakens in 1:5 Divine and the second Blight begins, with darkspawn coming out of the mountains in all corners of the continent. They |
+ | [[Zazikel]] awakens in 1:5 Divine and the second Blight begins, with darkspawn coming out of the mountains in all corners of the continent. They slaughter the entire city of [[Nordbotten]] in the [[Anderfels]] before the Grey Wardens finally get the word out. The [[Free Marches]] and [[Orlais]] are hard-pressed to defend themselves, but the Grey Wardens and the armies under Emperor [[Kordillus Drakon]] make the difference. Just over ten years into the second Blight the Orlesians defeat several hordes of darkspawn, including the hard-fought victory at the [[Battle of Cumberland]]. As the Orlesians and Grey Wardens share continued victories, the second Blight winds down to it's last battle in [[Starkhaven]]. Led by the Wardens, the human army destroys Zazikel and the darkspawn are routed for the second time. |
=== The Third Blight === |
=== The Third Blight === |
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| − | The Old God [[Toth]] awakens in 3:10 Towers and the third Blight erupts in the central lands of Thedas with darkspawn coming in greater numbers than ever before. Darkspawn swarm the Tevinter cities of [[Marnas Pell]] and Vyrantium as well as the Orlesian cities of [[Arlesans]] and [[Montsimmard]]. The Grey Wardens in both of these countries are able to quickly organize a defense, and despite heavy losses in the besieged cities, the darkspawn are pushed back. Darkspawn proceed to ravage what is modern-day [[Nevarra]] as well the Free Marches, attacking cities along the [[Minanter River]]. Pressure from the Grey Wardens in Weisshaupt convinces both the Orlesians and Tevinter to unite, but constant to send aid to the beleaguered city-states. After fifteen years of conflict, the armies of Orlais and Tevinter meet in [[Hunter Fell]] and join the Grey Wardens in ending the Blight. Toth is destroyed, and the darkspawn are slaughtered in one of the bloodiest battles in history. |
+ | The Old God [[Toth]] awakens in 3:10 Towers and the third Blight erupts in the central lands of Thedas with darkspawn coming in greater numbers than ever before. Darkspawn swarm the Tevinter cities of [[Marnas Pell]] and [[Vyrantium]] as well as the Orlesian cities of [[Arlesans]] and [[Montsimmard]]. The Grey Wardens in both of these countries are able to quickly organize a defense, and despite heavy losses in the besieged cities, the darkspawn are pushed back. Darkspawn proceed to ravage what is modern-day [[Nevarra]] as well the Free Marches, attacking cities along the [[Minanter River]]. Pressure from the Grey Wardens in [[Weisshaupt]] convinces both the Orlesians and Tevinter to unite, but constant to send aid to the beleaguered city-states. After fifteen years of conflict, the armies of Orlais and Tevinter meet in [[Hunter Fell]] and join the Grey Wardens in ending the Blight. Toth is destroyed, and the darkspawn are slaughtered in one of the bloodiest battles in history. |
=== The Fourth Blight === |
=== The Fourth Blight === |
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| − | The fourth Blight begins with the arrival of the archdemon [[Andoral]] just as the Chantry's exalted march against the Tevinter Imperium ends. This time, the darkspawn appear in great numbers in the northeast and northwestern regions of Thedas. As [[Antiva]] is overrun, and its entire ruling family slaughtered, the darkspawn pour into the Free Marches and Rivain. Meanwhile the Blight rises in the Anderfels once again, with the capital city of [[Hossberg]] coming under siege. Orlais and the Tevinter Imperium are attacked by fewer numbers and are able to drive the darkspawn back into the depths of the Deep Roads; despite these successes they send next to no aid to the devastated nations. |
+ | The fourth Blight begins with the arrival of the archdemon [[Andoral]] just as the Chantry's [[Exalted March|exalted march]] against the Tevinter Imperium ends. This time, the darkspawn appear in great numbers in the northeast and northwestern regions of Thedas. As [[Antiva]] is overrun, and its entire ruling family slaughtered, the darkspawn pour into the Free Marches and [[Rivain]]. Meanwhile the Blight rises in the Anderfels once again, with the capital city of [[Hossberg]] coming under siege. Orlais and the Tevinter Imperium are attacked by fewer numbers and are able to drive the darkspawn back into the depths of the Deep Roads; despite these successes they send next to no aid to the devastated nations. |
| − | In 5:20 Exalted the |
+ | In 5:20 Exalted the elven hero [[Garahel]] leads an army of Grey Wardens and Anders to the city of Hossberg and breaks the siege. With his fellow wardens from Orlais and the Anderfels, Garahel marches to Starkhaven and forms an alliance between the minor kings and teyrns of the Free Marches. Under the banner of the Grey Wardens, this united army marches north, eventually freeing the nation of Antiva from the terror of the darkspawn in the battle of the city of [[Ayesleigh]]. It is here where Garahel dies, having personally defeated Andoral in combat. |
So many darkspawn are slaughtered in the fourth Blight that it is considered certain that they will never return. This belief is compounded by rulers choosing to tell the people that the Blight was forever defeated as a way to restore order. Despite the fact that the surface world would not see another Blight for 400 years it is continuously felt underground by the dwarves of Orzammar, a fact that is largely ignored by most except the Grey Wardens. |
So many darkspawn are slaughtered in the fourth Blight that it is considered certain that they will never return. This belief is compounded by rulers choosing to tell the people that the Blight was forever defeated as a way to restore order. Despite the fact that the surface world would not see another Blight for 400 years it is continuously felt underground by the dwarves of Orzammar, a fact that is largely ignored by most except the Grey Wardens. |
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=== The Fifth Blight === |
=== The Fifth Blight === |
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| + | {{DAOSpoiler| |
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| − | The current Blight that occurs in Ferelden. It is the first Blight that has occurred as far south as Ferelden. Ferelden is the least prepared of the nations of Thedas, with a mere handful of Grey Wardens where most have hundreds. The Wardens are freshly returned to the kingdom after being banned for two centuries, and their leader Duncan is desperately seeking to increase their ranks when the game begins. |
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| + | [[Urthemiel]] is awakened in 9:30 Dragon and darkspawn swarm southern [[Ferelden]]. The Fereldan army commanded by [[Loghain Mac Tir]] achieves a few minor victories, but is devastated at [[Ostagar]], where [[King Cailan Theirin]] and all but two of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden are slain as Loghain unexpectedly withdraws from the battle and usurps the throne. A civil war between factions led by Loghain Mac Tir and [[Eamon Guerrin]] ensues while the darkspawn horde pushes toward [[Denerim]]. Arl Eamon's faction, assisted by the two remaining Grey Wardens, manages to overthrow Loghain, but the darkspawn invade Denerim. In the following battle (where Ferelden is aided by dwarves from Orzammar and other allies depending on the player's actions), however, Urthemiel is slain by the last Grey Wardens and the Blight ended "before it even began". |
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| + | }} |
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| + | === The Sixth and Seventh Blights === |
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| − | Its outcome may be different, but nonethless, it is the shortest blight to date, not lasting even a year. Hence the end game credits saying "The blight was stopped before it even began." |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
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* See also: [http://blogs.ign.com/BioWare_Games/2008/12/17/108129/ IGN Article: Face The Darkness] |
* See also: [http://blogs.ign.com/BioWare_Games/2008/12/17/108129/ IGN Article: Face The Darkness] |
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| + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Blight, The}} |
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[[Category:Blights]] |
[[Category:Blights]] |
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[[Category:Lore]] |
[[Category:Lore]] |
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Revision as of 19:13, 6 April 2010
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A Blight refers to a period when darkspawn find and corrupt one of the Old Gods, which is transformed into an archdemon and leads the horde to attack the surface world. The world has seen five Blights to date; as Dragon Age: Origins begins, the fifth Blight has just begun.
The Blight
Darkspawn during a Blight
A Blight is distinct from the occasional darkspawn raids, in which the darkspawn are few, scattered, and disorganized, plaguing only the Deep Roads, underground highway tunnels constructed by the dwarves at the height of their empire. These tunnels—and natural caverns connected to them—extend throughout Ferelden, and possibly elsewhere in Thedas.
When the darkspawn discover one of the Old Gods—ancient dragonic creatures slumbering in the depths of the earth—they infect it with their taint, and it rises as an archdemon. Unified by its will, the darkspawn surge up from their tunnels and spread like locusts across the surface of the lands, destroying all in their path. Survivors are dragged underground to an unknown fate, water sours, crops are spoiled, the land is poisoned and animals sicken. With each passing day, a blight grows. The earth itself withers and dies; the land is leeched of moisture, turning everything dry and brown. The sky fills with rolling, black clouds that block out the sun, making it easier for the darkspawn to surface. As this wasteland spreads, the corruption of the blight spreads with it, diseasing all in its path.
The only way to end a Blight is to slay the archdemon, and the only ones who have ever managed such a feat are the Grey Wardens. For this reason, the order holds the respect of most nations, though their presence in Ferelden is the weakest of them all. The chilling thought is that this Blight has begun to spread from Ferelden for precisely that reason.
The Blight Disease
A blight wolf
The Blight disease is the corruption spread by the darkspawn. It twists and corrupts all living organisms. Surviving animals and humanoids are driven mad and develop physical deformities if they do not perish from the disease. Humanoids are transformed into ghouls, while animals result in mutations such as bereskarn, blight wolves, and corrupted spiders. In some cases animals (e.g., the mabari dog helped by the Warden in Ostagar) can make a full recovery if given early care; however, most have to be put down to prevent them from spreading the disease further.
The Thaw
The Thaw is the period at the ending of a Blight, when the archdemon is defeated and darkspawn are fleeing back into the Deep Roads. When Grey Wardens have defeated the Blight, they often seek out remaining darkspawn in what is called the Thaw Hunt.
The History of Blights in Thedas
The Chantry teaches that it is the hubris of men that brought the darkspawn into Thedas. The mage rulers of the Tevinter Imperium sought to usurp the Golden City—the afterlife created by the Maker for mortals—but were cast out, twisted by their own corruption, only to return as monsters; the first of the darkspawn. The dwarves hold no such beliefs; to them, the darkspawn simply appeared one day and have been their bitter enemies ever since.
The First Blight
An archdemon
After the corruption of the magisters, the first darkspawn awaken Dumat, the first among the Old Gods, as the first archdemon. Thedas is nearly overrun; the dwarves come near to extinction, leaving only Orzammar and Kal-Sharok. The first Grey Wardens appear, and Dumat is finally slain at the Battle of the Silent Plains in 992 TE. The Tevinter Imperium is left severely weakened, resulting in a barbarian invasion led by Andraste.
- Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 1
- Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 2
- Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 3
- Codex Entry: The First Blight, Chapter 4
The Second Blight
Zazikel awakens in 1:5 Divine and the second Blight begins, with darkspawn coming out of the mountains in all corners of the continent. They slaughter the entire city of Nordbotten in the Anderfels before the Grey Wardens finally get the word out. The Free Marches and Orlais are hard-pressed to defend themselves, but the Grey Wardens and the armies under Emperor Kordillus Drakon make the difference. Just over ten years into the second Blight the Orlesians defeat several hordes of darkspawn, including the hard-fought victory at the Battle of Cumberland. As the Orlesians and Grey Wardens share continued victories, the second Blight winds down to it's last battle in Starkhaven. Led by the Wardens, the human army destroys Zazikel and the darkspawn are routed for the second time.
The Third Blight
The Old God Toth awakens in 3:10 Towers and the third Blight erupts in the central lands of Thedas with darkspawn coming in greater numbers than ever before. Darkspawn swarm the Tevinter cities of Marnas Pell and Vyrantium as well as the Orlesian cities of Arlesans and Montsimmard. The Grey Wardens in both of these countries are able to quickly organize a defense, and despite heavy losses in the besieged cities, the darkspawn are pushed back. Darkspawn proceed to ravage what is modern-day Nevarra as well the Free Marches, attacking cities along the Minanter River. Pressure from the Grey Wardens in Weisshaupt convinces both the Orlesians and Tevinter to unite, but constant to send aid to the beleaguered city-states. After fifteen years of conflict, the armies of Orlais and Tevinter meet in Hunter Fell and join the Grey Wardens in ending the Blight. Toth is destroyed, and the darkspawn are slaughtered in one of the bloodiest battles in history.
The Fourth Blight
The fourth Blight begins with the arrival of the archdemon Andoral just as the Chantry's exalted march against the Tevinter Imperium ends. This time, the darkspawn appear in great numbers in the northeast and northwestern regions of Thedas. As Antiva is overrun, and its entire ruling family slaughtered, the darkspawn pour into the Free Marches and Rivain. Meanwhile the Blight rises in the Anderfels once again, with the capital city of Hossberg coming under siege. Orlais and the Tevinter Imperium are attacked by fewer numbers and are able to drive the darkspawn back into the depths of the Deep Roads; despite these successes they send next to no aid to the devastated nations.
In 5:20 Exalted the elven hero Garahel leads an army of Grey Wardens and Anders to the city of Hossberg and breaks the siege. With his fellow wardens from Orlais and the Anderfels, Garahel marches to Starkhaven and forms an alliance between the minor kings and teyrns of the Free Marches. Under the banner of the Grey Wardens, this united army marches north, eventually freeing the nation of Antiva from the terror of the darkspawn in the battle of the city of Ayesleigh. It is here where Garahel dies, having personally defeated Andoral in combat.
So many darkspawn are slaughtered in the fourth Blight that it is considered certain that they will never return. This belief is compounded by rulers choosing to tell the people that the Blight was forever defeated as a way to restore order. Despite the fact that the surface world would not see another Blight for 400 years it is continuously felt underground by the dwarves of Orzammar, a fact that is largely ignored by most except the Grey Wardens.
The Fifth Blight
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The Sixth and Seventh Blights
If the myth about there being seven Old Gods are true, and no Blight has featured more than one archdemon, it is possible that there are at least two more Blights that Thedas will have to endure.
Notes
- See also: IGN Article: Face The Darkness