Dragon Age: Origins Preview
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An introductory cut scene then set the stage for our life so far. The city of Orzammar was once a powerful dwarven capital, but it waned into decay after being cut off from the outside world by the darkspawn. In the caste-based dwarven society, different neighborhoods house different castes of citizens. Our dwarf was casteless, born into the slums where thievery and murder are common and beggars line the streets. The cut scene launched us into a conversation with our sister who was dressed up quite prettily, something we didn't expect in our rough and tumble neighborhood. It all became clear when a swarthy goon wandered into the room and starting talking her up. Apparently this anything-but-charming fellow was something of a local crime boss who, over the course of our childhood, had become something of a patron to our family. She was dressed up prettily because he was hoping to set her up with a rich noblemen. Gaining a noble's favor would not only insure her prosperity, but ours and the boss's as well. Our role in the deal was to act as his strongman, robbing and murdering to suit his whims. Apparently there aren't many ways out of poverty in Dragon Age: Origins.
As tempting as the offer of a sharp blade and new armor seemed, it was hard to warm up to the idea that this guy was basically trying to sell our sister off. We spoke a few sharp words in hopes of getting him to ease up, but were chastened by our sister who, according to the boss, (knew the slope of the land.) A little more cheek earned us the warning that we were (on loose sand.) Like most dwarves, those in Dragon Age: Origins appear to be deeply connected to the earth and the stone from which they carve their cities. It was great to hear this connection permeating the game world in the dwarf's geologically-themed vernacular, and it added another facet to our rapidly crystallizing world.
