What do we know of darkspawn?

Darkspawn are tainted creatures from the depths beneath the underground dwarven realm. The Chantry teaches that a group of Tevinter magisters broke through the veil and entered the Maker's Golden City, corrupting it and bringing that corruption back with them into the world; all whom they touched were also corrupted, creating the darkspawn.

Four times an archdemon has risen up and led a darkspawn invasion of the surface in what the people call Blights. The Fourth and most-recent Blight overran Anderfels, Antiva, the Free Marches, and Rivain four centuries ago, and lasted twelve years before the archdemon was defeated.

Anything beyond that will require a Cunning test vs. TN13. Arcane Lore, Historical Lore, Natural Lore, and Religious Lore all apply, and will tell you more from that perspective on a successful test.

rolled 16 using 3d6+1 (6 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 6, 3.  CUN.
Ah, remember Fost was raised by a very devout mother ^^

Apologies all, been somewhat distracted over the past few days but I'm good to go again.

18:39, Today: Richard rolled 13 using 3d6+1 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 2, 5.  cunning (history lore).

Apparently Richard was mostly paying attention during history class

Fost
Chantry scholars state that the archdemons are the old gods of the ancient Tevinter Empire; when one is discovered by the darkspawn in the Deep Roads (ancient underground highways tunneled by the dwarves to connect the cities (thaigs) of their vast empire), it sparks a Blight, which is marked by a growing presence of darkspawn on the surface.

The Blights are the Maker's punishment of mortals for the hubris of the ancient magisters who breached the Golden City. The devastation caused by the First Blight (which lasted nearly two centuries) is said to be why the Maker revealed himself to Andraste and lead to her rise and martyrdom (and the foundation of the Chantry).

Small warbands of darkspawn occasionally raid the surface, even when a Blight is not imminent; such raids are infrequent and limited in scope, but they can harm the land itself (blighted land appears withered and barren, and takes years, and even decades, to recover). On the other hand, such small raids are also the first signs of a Blight, so there's reason to fear any darkspawn incursion on the surface, and good reason to alert authorities as soon as possible.

(Fost saw no evidence of Blight corruption in the land when he followed the tracks north to the dwarven steps. If darkspawn are here, they may have only recently arrived on the surface.)

Richard
The Fourth Blight followed immediately after an Exalted March against Tevinter, and the bad blood of that march likely extended the length of the Blight, due to Tevinter's refusal to contribute to the greater effort against the archdemon (and Orlais choosing to protect its borders and only send a token force to join the alliance).

The last century has been rife with speculation that another Blight is near. Of course, that speculation has been wrong on each count, with at least five legitimate statements that it would be coming in 8:55 Blessed, 8:93 Blessed, 8:99 Blessed, 9:3 Dragon, and 9:18 Dragon. The current popular predictions are either 9:24 Dragon or 9:30 Dragon, with the majority betting on the earlier date.

The other thing Richard recognizes is that this is a pretty, well, sparsely populated area of the kingdom. The land is less than arable along this stretch of coast, and there may be one village between here and the Circle to the north. If the tracks are created by darkspawn, this is probably the best place for it.

Well, bother.
Looks like escape from the cave is the most we can get out of this situation.
Unless someone else intervenes ;)
Preferably someone with better COM, lol.

Just what time is it ?
I kind of lost track.
Are we near dusk ?
Is an encounter with the darkspawn without actually seeking them out even a possibility ?

Oh, and btw: Fost may be well way over his head there.
I have no idea about darkspawn and I understand that it can be anything really.
In my head I am imagining 'goblins' - or maybe 'orcs' - in other systems (e.g. DnD), so probably quite a challenge to 1st level characters, but manageable if coming up with a sound plan of sorts, tactics if you will.

I'll have time to post something later tonight

So, the darkspawn are Thedas' equivalent to orcs, goblins, ogres, and self-controlled undead (like ghouls and ghasts). Lower levels of these creatures are considered "Minor" threats within the game rules, which is an acceptable challenge to 1st-4th level characters. Darkspawn are mortal creatures, but are born with the taint of the Blight (and some can infect others); a person who is infected with the taint, if they survive for any length of time, become "ghouls," and eventually seek out darkspawn to serve them. They really are the bogeymen of Thedas.

Most are in the Deep Roads, and the dwarves are in an eternal war with them there (the First Blight nearly destroyed dwarven civilization).

Traditional "zombies" and "skeletons" are represented by spirit-possessed corpses. In Thedas, since this is always a possibility, the dead are cremated in a funeral pyre. Animated corpses more prevalent on ancient battlefields and other places away from civilization, where the dead are likely to receive no such treatment.

Here's a link to Spirits in the Dragon Age wiki: https://dragonage.fandom.com/wiki/Spirit

And, yes, darkspawn seek to destroy things and taint all they see. A chance encounter with them is usually rare, but possible, especially in places where caves may extend deep into the earth, or ancient dwarven surface entrances. Given that you're within walking distance of those dwarven steps, it's possible an entrance to the Deep Roads has recently opened up there.

Oh, excellent speech, Fost. I'll give you a +2 to your roll, for a total of 13. I'll post results in the game thread.

Thanks.

Hehe.
Do note: I did not intend to go on a lenghty dungeon delve. I want to seek those half dozen and kill them, perhaps interrogate them, hopefully learn how many there are to bring intelligence to the local nobles.
Essentially look out for them to pass nearby, track them and do them in.
The boy... oups, need a plan there
But before I delve into that IC let's first have the reaction of my companions ^^

That took a little longer to type than I expected.

Where do you intend to tske the boy.
We were ordered to deliver him to Bournshire, no idea where that is.
Not sure we can keep up these guys' enthusiasm very long.
Redcliffe is also... 2 days, 3 or 4 back and forth?

https://www.pinterest.de/pin/401946335493215018/

Where is the Bann of Bournshire?

I don't think there has been any official map that has placed any of the bannorns with any accuracy (or any official source that has named more than a few banns). (And, since the freeholders pick the banns that represent them, the borders of banns can occasionally shift from one generation to the next.)

So, lacking any information beyond the name of a place (Bournshire, the location of a monastery), I placed it nominally NNE of Lothering (38 miles north, and 16 miles further NE), within the Bannorn.

Guys ?
Shall we proceed with Fost's rush forward or do you have objections ?

Also, where shall we put the boy while we all go deepspawn hunting ?

We should definitely take a look but 'advance to the rear' if they're too strong.

The safest option is likely to take the boy with us and keep him with the ranged / casters for protection.

We have approximately 8-12 years before the Blight does occur, if Alister's age is any indication.

Hey, no using player knowledge of the future. ;)

That's why I posted in OOC :)

Well... I mean, Meric is still King of Fereldan.

And, if my meagre reading Server right, if we get Alster killed the point is moot, no?

Alistair's death as a boy would have repercussions for Dragon Age: Origins, primarily through some of the subplots. The main plot revolves around the Warden PC character's efforts to stop the blight, so most of the storyline will remain the same. The nobility would have only Anora left as a choice to rule at the conclusion of the story (even if "the Warden" is a human noble, as she was the consort to the last king and no other members of the bloodline remain).

That said, the boy is important to Arl Eamon, so let's not let it come to that, eh? ;)

I'm giving Loran a chance to respond to Fost's question before moving on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:33, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

I mean, ideally you have Anora and Alistair on the throne and induct the last hero of Fereldan into the Gray Wardens. That way, you get probably one of the best companions in the game and then you don't have to become Dragon Kibbles at the conclusion. One of the harder outcomes, to be sure, but one that I think is the best of all possible ones.

I almost want to run through Origins again...

I know that he is very busy these days

In reply to Richard (msg # 460):

I just did this in my recent playthrough. I was feeling nostalgic...