Grey Wardens
The Grey Wardens are an elite order of warriors sworn to eradicate the darkspawn menace that had plagued Thedas for nearly two centuries. Founded during the darkest days of the cataclysmic Blight, they remain vigilant against an enemy capable of corrupting everything it touches. From the command halls of Weisshaupt Fortress in the harsh Anderfels, the Wardens deploy across the continent, determined to shield Thedas from the ever-present threat lurking beneath the surface.
They trace their origins to a desperate moment, when traditional armies crumbled under the darkspawn onslaught. A small band of resolute soldiers—drawn from varied backgrounds—set aside their differences and united under a single, uncompromising mission: to do whatever it took to halt the tide of destruction. Over centuries, this ideal has shaped the Wardens, forging a culture where race, class, or creed means little compared to an individual’s capacity to battle Darkspawn.
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Central to the Order’s identity is the Joining, a mysterious ritual that few survive. Those who do are known to be stronger, faster, and more resistant against the Taint. They become a remarkable force against the darkspawn hordes, capable of finding them and cleaving through dozens at a time.
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Though some idealize them as saviors, the Grey Wardens in truth dwell at the moral edges of warfare, employing any tactic or resource necessary to hold back the Blight. Their willingness to work with blood mages or strike ruthless bargains if it grants an advantage has sparked controversy. Yet, few can deny that in the endless fight against a foe that cannot be reasoned with, the Wardens’ unorthodox methods culminated in Thedas's favor, Archdemon Dumat's slaying being proof.
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Beholden to no temporal lords, the Grey Wardens have been free to sacrifice villages and fortresses that cannot be defended, preserving their might for the clashes that they claim truly matter. This is met with skepticism, but their overall focus on preserving life keeps most hopeful that the Wardens are a force for good.
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Over time, they have become an institution in their own right: part legion, part secret society, and part unbreakable brotherhood. While some still question the morality of their means, none can dispute that wherever the darkspawn surface, a call for the Grey Wardens soon follows.
CAREER TRAITS
Lifespan: Roughly 30 years from their Joining
Height: +5cm
Languages: Common, Darkspawn (Understanding)
Physique: Above Average of Race
Movement Rate: Base Race
CAREER FEATURES
Standard Skills +5: All Physical Skills
Available Cultures: Base Race
Taint Immune: Unable to suffer the Tainted status
Improved Physique: +1 AP, +2 HP to all Hit Locations, +1 Damage Modifier, +1 Spellpower​
History
In the early years of the First Blight, during 890 TE, the armies of Thedas found themselves overwhelmed. Even the mighty Tevinter Imperium, reeling from internal strife, could not stem the darkspawn flood. It was at Weisshaupt Fortress, in the barren wastes of the Anderfels, that a handful of determined warriors, including defectors from Tevinter and dwarven volunteers, founded the Grey Wardens.
Several notable dwarven warriors, led by Moroc the Maul and Tholdrec Steelheart, were present at the Grey Wardens' founding and are a key reason why there is no loss of Dwarven caste associated with becoming a Grey Warden. They shared all they had learned about the darkspawn with their Warden allies.
A group of the Orth people from the Wandering Hills and the northern reaches of the Hunterhorn Mountains, who knew how to "tame" griffons, also joined the Grey Wardens ranks and taught them how to ride the beasts in battle. Although there are no written records about it, it is widely believed that the Grey Wardens took their name from the griffons' grey coloration.
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The Wardens began an aggressive campaign against the darkspawn, reclaiming lands that most had given up for lost. They proved to be a desperately needed spark of hope in the darkest of hours, and quickly gained renown. In -203 Ancient, rallying the Tevinter Imperium and the Arlathan Enclave, the Grey Wardens managed to defeat Archdemon Dumat in the Silent Plains.
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In the decades following, many treaties and alliances were formed in reverence of the Grey Warden's and their sacrifices. The Rite of Conscription became an underlining document, one granting the Wardens the power to force from peasant to king into Grey Warden service. Whether these will be followed should a Blight rise again remains something to be seen.
The Maker smiles sadly on his Grey Wardens, so the Chantry says, as no sacrifice is greater than theirs.
Culture
"There was a stir within his blood
And the dreams lay thick upon him.
A call did beat within his heart.
One road was left before him."
- Grey Warden Tome: Shred of Blue
While many martial orders uphold strict hierarchies and lineage, the Grey Wardens embrace a code of inclusivity: individuals of any race, nationality, or station may be recruited, provided they exhibit the capability or potential to fight the darkspawn effectively. This ethos extends even to criminals, who might find redemption—and a grueling test of loyalty—within the Order’s ranks.
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Beneath their stoic exterior, the Wardens value camaraderie and practicality. They share the chilling knowledge of the darkspawn Taint through the Joining, creating a collective connection that outsiders struggle to comprehend. Amid ceaseless battles, many Wardens maintain a black humor and direct approach to interpersonal bonds, forging close-knit circles that can withstand the horror of unending war.
Organization
The Order of Grey Wardens is commanded by the First Warden in Weisshaupt, and consists of a system of semi-autonomous branches led by a local commander. Though there is a hierarchy, in practice this is frequently defined by seniority (decided by time of Joining) in the Order.​
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First Warden: The commander of all military matters, though most military command falls to the Warden-Commanders as the First Warden focuses on overall strategy rather than tactics.
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High Constable: Second-in-command to the First Warden, and the aerial commander if griffons are employed.
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Chamberlain of the Grey: The senior archivist at Weisshaupt, and to whom Warden-Commanders send yearly reports.
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Commander of the Grey: Also known as Warden-Commander. These are senior Grey Wardens that command dozens of their fighters, and are who Clan Leaders primarily communicate with and aid in their missions.
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Constable of the Grey: A Warden-Commander's second-in-command, the Constable, or Warden-Constable, acts as the Field Commander when the Warden-Commander is away.
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Senior Warden: A formal title given to veteran Wardens who deserve special privilege.
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Archivist: The archivist of a given Grey Warden section.
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Warden: These are the rank-and-file members of the Order.
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Warden-Recruit: An individual selected to join the Wardens, but who has not yet undertaken the secretive Joining ritual. Failed recruits' names are kept in the archives of Weisshaupt in honor of their sacrifice...​​​​
GREY WARDEN CHARACTERS
To become part of the Wardens, a recruit must first go through a secret ritual called the Joining. The ritual requires an individual to drink tainted blood procured from a darkspawn. A chalice is typically used to consume the blood; once swallowed, the individual will either pass out and awaken shortly after, or experience excruciating pain as the taint will lead to their death. Those who refuse to participate in drinking from the chalice, once the Joining commences, are immediately killed to protect what the ritual entails. No character outside of the Grey Wardens knows the details of the Joining nor is allowed to.
Grey Wardens go where they are needed most, fight darkspawn wherever they appear, and do whatever it takes to stop them. They act as a frontline presence and investigate darkspawn activities as well. Even if a Grey Warden were to abandon their duty, the Grey Wardens will either drag them back or their Calling and connection to the darkspawn will lead the darkspawn to eventually find them.​
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Even for their willingness to use any tactic, however, a philosophical split—unknown to people not associated with the Order—has long divided the Grey Wardens into two distinct factions: the ones who feel that the eradication of darkspawn is paramount, and the ones who see their protective mission as the greatest purpose of their calling.
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For instance, if a village is under attack by a host of darkspawn, the Grey Wardens oriented to protection would chance alerting the darkspawn to their presence by warning the villagers of the danger, helping them to safety as best as they can before facing the monsters; while those oriented to destruction would be more likely to sacrifice the village before springing a more effective ambush on the darkspawn. The dead villagers, in their minds, are an unfortunate but necessary sacrifice.
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The Grey Wardens' first allegiance is to their duty, and their second to the Order, but Wardens are not expected to abandon the lives they had before their Joinings. Rather, they are encouraged to put their worldly ties to use in furtherance of the Order's aims. Noble titles and merchant wealth can often accomplish what weapons cannot. Grey Wardens are also allowed to marry, have romantic relationships or retain the relationships they had before joining the Order, if they want to.​
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Whatever relationships they maintain or cultivate, however, Wardens are expected to remain neutral, and are discouraged from taking the field in civil or religious conflict against any enemy other than the darkspawn.​
“We are Wardens! One and all! Fight's for justice, shield's for vengeance! Crush our enemies! One and all!”
