Summary
The Grey Wardens are one of the oldest factions inDragon Age. Unfortunately, since their defeat of the Fifth Blight inDragon Age Origins, the Grey Wardens have not had a good run of luck in Thedas in large part thanks to Corypheus. InDragon Age 2, the Order was given a cameo role, while inDragon Age: Inquisitionthey were put under the thrall of Corypheus, where the Order was either exiled from southern Thedas or almost wiped out because of a series of unfortunate missions.
This article contains story spoilers forDragon Age: The Veilguard.
The Grey Wardens have faced numerous failures that have caused untold damage in both Orlais and Ferelden thanks to their secrecy, such as participating in the murder of the Divine, driving the griffons to extinction because of blood magic and the blight, summoning a demon army, and working for Corypheus. Luckily, much of that will be repaired inDragon Age: The Veilguard, where the Order is instrumental in the fight against the Evanuris and sees the return of the griffons.
The Grey Wardens' Actions Damaged Their Cause in Dragon Age: Inquisition
Corypheus and the Inquisition took a toll on the Grey Wardens, and their reputation took a hit inDragon Age: Inquisitionas they could be controlled by Corypheus through the Blight and their fear of the Calling. TheGrey Wardens' enslavement to Corypheusled to their lending Corypheus their assistance in the ritual that led to the Divine’s death, the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, and the summoning of a demon army that was intended to overwhelm Orlais.
Blackwall’s role inDragon Age: Inquisitionwas another factor, as he was revealed to not be a Grey Warden at all. This was a disappointment for players who wanted a Grey Warden companion. However,Dragon Age: The Veilguardhas a companion who is a genuine Grey Warden. Davrin is a Grey Warden companion and a legitimate member of the Order who plays a large part in the Grey Warden storyline inDragon Age: The Veilguard, andDavrin has a griffon companionwho accompanies him in battle. This is a massive step towards repairing the Grey Wardens' reputation inDragon Age: The Veilguard.
How Dragon Age: The Veilguard Repairs the Grey Wardens' Reputation
A Grey Warden Companion Could Generate Lost Sympathy for the Faction
In trailers and other previews, the Grey Wardens are an active faction that works with Rook against the Ghilan’nain, both at the siege of Weisshaupt and against Ghilan’nain’s blighted dragons. The Order is likely to prove to be instrumental indefeating the elven gods, who use the Blightitself as a weapon, as well as Ghilan’nain who creates and uses darkspawn for her armies. In addition, Ghilan’nain is seen using an archdemon during the siege of Weisshaupt. Archdemons can only be killed permanently by Grey Wardens and, although the outcome of the battle at Weisshaupt is currently unknown, it’s likely that the Grey Wardens will be instrumental in the battle against one.
Despite the rumors of a civil war that threatens to tear the Order apart in Weisshaupt, the Grey Wardens that have been depicted inDragon Age: The Veilguardhave been competent and united against the Evanuris,the darkspawn, and the new forms the Blight has taken. Even though there was conflict between Rook and the First Warden, where the First Warden underestimated Ghilan’nain as a threat, it’s possible to talk him down, and it’s made clear that he’s behaving irrationally because of the combined stress of the Calling and the proximity of the archdemon.
