Summary
There’s a lot to unpack in the societies ofDragon Age: Origins, and the available backgrounds cater to a variety of fantasy tastes. For those players who see themselves mingling with Ferelden aristocracy, the Cousland origin will start them off high on the food chain. The Human Noble is the daughter or son of the Teryn of Highever, Bryce Cousland, and Ferelden is their oyster. The power of the player’s family is rivaled only by the Mac Tirs and Ferelden royalty. Such good fortune cannot last, of course, but unlike the other origins, Cousland Wardens have the opportunity to make a regal comeback.
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Playing a human noble layers on the angst, as this Warden falls from a precipitous social height. Being a member of the Order of the Grey Wardens is synonymous with self-sacrifice, but few feel the sting of losing their former life more than the Human Noble. The Warden never again commands the respect of those who were once their peers and inferiors as a Cousland. Their name is sullied and all but forgotten. But theHero of Fereldenhas a shot at making the Cousland name a legend no one would dare forget.
10Meet The Couslands
The Human Noble origin beginsDragon Age:Originslike a fairytale, allowing players to connect to the Cousland family just enough to care about their fate. Then it all goeshorriblywrong. The player’s flight from their family estate concludes with gut-wrenching goodbyes with Bryce and Eleanor, whetting the player’s appetite for righteous vengeance.
Although Cousland Wardens aren’t alone in coming with a family attached, this origin is the only one that fuels the story with continual emotional motivation from the Warden’s former life. It’s wholesome for the few scenes it lasts, and players will lament its loss every time a cutscene ofTerynHowe rubs salt in their wounds.
9The Andrastian Angle
For players who are fascinated byDragon Age’sspirituality and religions, the Human Noble origin is the optimal choice to play a devout Andrastian. It’s made clear that Castle Cousland’s chapel isn’t unfamiliar territory for the player, nor is Chantry doctrine. Like any good noble who is practically royalty, the Couslands are well-educated in the will of the Maker.
The Andrastian faith is dominant in Ferelden, making a Warden who keeps the faith a participant in some of the most ground-shaking theological discoveries of the age. Players who roleplay a Cousland who lost faith, however, will get an even greater kick out of having a shot at committing the worst kinds of blasphemy, knowing full well how sacrilegious their actions are.
8Ferelden Politics Will Mean Something
Players who choose the Human Noble background are right to expect more insight and influence compared to other origins when it comes to the game’s political subplots. There’s pressure on a Cousland Warden to put their political skills to use in a new way as a Grey Warden, and clinging to their past grandeur is only indulged so far.
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A Cousland Warden won’t have a meaningful edge over the others that translates to gameplay mechanics, but as always, the character’s education plays a part in the knowledge they display. Nobility will shun the Couslands as ostracized nobles, but that doesn’t negate the fact that a Cousland has the right bloodline to potentially rule over them.
7Raised To Be A Leader
As the child of a Teryn of Ferelden, it’s assumed that the player’s character is not just another subject of the crown. Although an origin story is not enough room to go into great detail, the game makes an effort to impart to the player that their characterwas always meant to lead, if not necessarily rule.
A Cousland player won’t lead as the Warden-Commander because of birthright, but an aristocratic background adds a lot of credibility to Alistair’s choice to take a step back despite his advanced experience. While all variations of this scene have an explanation, it makes the most sense when playing a Cousland.
6Access To Privileged Education
In Ferelden, the nobility has a distinct edge when it comes to education. From the beginning of the Human Noble origin, the player is given a taste of what it means to have access to knowledge, training, and resources. For lore buffs who like to feel like they’ve at least heard of things,a Cousland playthroughis a satisfying experience.
Castle Cousland’s library is envied, and the player can get a feel for what it’s like to have a historian as a tutor when they’re treated to a pop quiz by Aldous. Contrary to the other origins, the Human Noble is meant to have a basic understanding of politics, different cultures, history, religion, military tactics, and more, which is reflected in the dialogue.
5Emotional Support Mabari
Although all Wardens get the chance to recruit a mabari, the Cousland origin is the only one where the player begins the story with their best friend. This adorable beast is a war dog, but it’s undeniable that Howe’s brutal betrayal is easier to weather with a loyal hound at heel.
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The Mabari companion is universally popular despite being less and less useful in battle as the game progresses. Yet, there’s something special about knowing this dog has been with the Warden through thick and thin, including the traumatic events that lead to the player becoming a Grey Warden in the first place. Good thing there’s anExtra Dog Slot mod!
Dragon Age: Originsis great at making all players hate the main villain regardless of the Warden’s background. But the Cousland origin is one of those that makes itreallypersonal. Loghain knows the Couslands from before the events of Ostagar, and he is revealed to bethe ultimate mastermindbehind Arl Howe’s takeover.
Getting back at Loghain for Ostagar is always satisfying. But for the Couslands, foiling Loghain’s coup is a matter of honor and justice. As a result, gaining the Warden’s supporters throughout the game is not just a rallying cry to defend against a greater evil, it’s also a personal appeal to take down the most hated enemies of the game.
3Howe Is A Personal Enemy
The Human Noble and City Elf origins are the only two who are given specific reasons to loathe Loghain’s henchman as much as the regent himself. Howe is a distinctly unlikeable person, but no one gets to know the depth of his awfulness quite like the Cousland Warden does.
Howe is a family friend whose son or daughter might marry the player’s character one day. In return for the Couslands' friendship and hospitality, Rendon tries his very best to murder them all in their sleep.
2All Hail Ferelden Royalty
The Couslands are nobles, meaning players who choose this origin can become king or queen. Male Couslands don’t have Theirin blood in their veins, but they can marry Anora, Cailan’s widow. This puts an especially interesting twist into the story because in this playthrough players must become Loghain’s son-in-law!
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Players who choose a female Cousland instead and who romance Alistair have the option to become the next Queen of Ferelden with theirin-game love interest. For players looking for a classic fairytale ending in a dark and medievalesque setting, the Human Noble is a refined experience regardless of gender.
1An Origin That Takes A Game To Conclude
Nothing beatsthe narrative pacingof the Human Noble origin. A Cousland Warden becomes painfully aware of the conspiracy revealed to all when Loghain quits the battlefield at Ostagar before anyone else. Every cut scene with Howe says volumes to players betrayed by him, and exacting vengeance for that is all the more satisfying for how long it takes to achieve.
Although all the origins wrap up with the player being consigned to a life of fighting darkspawn if they survive long enough, a Cousland Warden is also able to snatch back the reins of power. The significance of this bloodline carries over toDragon Age Origins -Awakeningas well when the Warden-Commander inhabits Vigil’s Keep, formerly the seat of the Howes, no less.
Dragon Age: Originsis available on PC and last gen consoles like PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
