A Complete Timeline of the Dragon Age Universe (2024)

The world and universe of Dragon Age has seen more than its fair share of world-changing, era-defining historical events. From the various Darkspawn attacks known as "Blights" to the War of the Templars and Mages, the series is steeped in rich history. This article will compile and explain all known lore and media evidence in chronological rather than release order, and clarify how ages and years function in Thedas.

In this gaming universe, time is primarily measured by the Chantry Calendar, which divides history into ages, each lasting a century. For example, the "Dragon Age" is the ninth age since the founding of the Chantry. Events occurring before its founding are part of the "Ancient Era." When the 99th year of an age approaches, the Divine seeks a sign or premonition to define the upcoming era. The ninth age was initially to be called the "Sun Age" until a high dragon—thought to be extinct—rose from the mountains, earning the upcoming century the title of "Dragon Age."

Each Age of Thedas

• Ancient: Before the founding of the Chantry, the Ancient Age stretches deep into unrecorded history. It features key events such as the arrival of the first humans in Thedas, the creation of the Dwarven Deep Roads, the first and longest Blight, the discovery and loss of golem-making, Andraste’s invasion of the Tevinter Imperium, and the establishment of the Dales and the Grey Wardens.
• Divine: After Andraste’s death, her disciples establish the Chantry, and Justinia the First is named the first Divine. The Circle of Magi is also formed during this age to aid in combating the Second Blight.
• Glory: Named after the defeat of an Archdemon, this age sees tensions between humans and elves escalate into war. The Orlesian Chantry initiates an Exalted March, annexing the Elven Dales.
• Towers: Following the completion of the Grand Cathedral of Val Royeaux, the Third Blight begins but is quickly quelled, thanks to the Grey Wardens' swift response. The Chantry divides into the Orlesian and Imperial branches.
• Black: The Orlesian Chantry launches four Exalted Marches against the Imperial Chantry. Meanwhile, the Orlesian Empire attempts but fails to invade the Alamarri lands, Andraste’s homeland.
• Exalted: The Exalted Marches spill over into this age but halt when the Fourth Blight breaks out. With Orlais and Tevinter refusing to aid, the Grey Wardens unite the rest of Thedas to face the threat. Elven Grey Warden Garahel sacrifices himself to slay the Archdemon, nearly eradicating the Darkspawn. This age also marks the extinction of the griffons. King Theirin unites the Alamarri tribes, founding Ferelden in 5:42.
• Steel: Named for the murder of Antivan Queen Madrigal, found slain by four steel swords, this age sees dragons hunted to near extinction and the Qunari launching the First Qunari War against Tevinter.
• Storm: The First Qunari War ends in a stalemate. The Orlesian and Imperial Chantries unite to call for an Exalted March against the Qunari, ending the conflict except for Tevinter, which continues to fight the Qunari. The Grey Wardens are expelled from Ferelden following a failed coup.
• Blessed: Orlais invades Ferelden and sacks Denerim. The Theirin royal bloodline persists in resisting this invasion, fueling the Fereldan Rebellion.
• Dragon: This is the age most prominently featured in Dragon Age media. Orlesian troops are driven from Ferelden, the Fifth Blight breaks out (seen in Dragon Age: Origins), a Darkspawn civil war erupts, and conflicts between the Templar Order and Circle of Magi intensify. The Templars secede from the Chantry and begin hunting rogue mages. Peace talks between Templars and mages are interrupted by the Elder One, leading to the reformation of the Inquisition (Dragon Age: Inquisition). Later, the Exalted Council deliberates the fate of the Inquisition, which is disrupted by a Qunari conspiracy to take control of the southern Thedas. Fen'Harel, the elven god of rebellion and betrayal, begins uniting elves from across the land under his banner.

The Stolen Throne Novel Takes Place at the Start of the Age

Date-9:00 Dragon

The very first piece of Dragon Age lore and media fittingly aligns as the earliest chronologically in the series, set at the turning of the age from Blessed to Dragon. Written by David Gaider, the novel introduces readers to Thedas and provides essential background on the significant relationship between King Maric and Loghain Mac Tir. It also introduces Rowan, a warrior who eventually marries Maric and becomes the mother of Prince Cailan.

The Calling is Another Novel In the Series

Date-9:11 Dragon

This novel delves into King Maric's exploits with the Grey Wardens. The famed order was reinstated in Ferelden by Maric himself after a 200-year absence, and he even joined them on an expedition into the Deep Roads.

During this journey, Maric forms bonds with two figures crucial to Grey Warden history: Fiona, who would become the first Warden to remove the Darkspawn Taint from herself, and Duncan, the Warden-Commander who would later recruit the protagonist of Dragon Age: Origins into this legendary order.

Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker Shows the Early Exploits of Cassandra

Date- 9:22 Dragon

Cassandra Pentaghast, a pivotal companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition and a Seeker of Truth within the Orlesian Chantry, takes center stage in this anime film. The film delves into themes of betrayal, conspiracy, and intense combat scenes. Inquisitionplayers will recall Cassandra’s deep grief over Divine Beatrix’s death at the game’s outset, and this anime expands on their relationship, offering more insight into Cassandra's connection with the Divine and the impact of her loss.

Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker

Not Rated

Fantasy

Animation

Director

Fumihiko Sori

Release Date

February 11, 2012

Cast

John Swasey , Mike McFarland , Pam Dougherty , R. Bruce Elliott , Luci Christian , Colleen Clinkenbeard

Writers

Jeffrey Scott , Sean Whitley

Runtime

90 minutes

YouTube Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVqxYBqlSqE

Producers

Justin Cook

Character(s)

Byron (voice) , Lazarro (voice) , Divine (voice) , High Seeker (voice) , Revered Mother (voice) , Cassandra Pentaghast (voice)

Leliana's Song is DLC for Dragon Age: Origins

Date-Sometime before 9:30 Dragon

Leliana, the fan-favorite Orlesian bard, initially arrived in the village of Lothering to become a Lay Sister of the Chantry. She later joins the Grey Warden as a companion in Origins and eventually becomes an advisor and spymaster for the Inquisitor.

Leliana's Song reveals the origins of Leliana’s darker, more secretive side and explores the beginnings of her close friendship with Divine Justinia V.

Dragon Age: Origins Is the First Game In the Series

Date-9:30-9:31 Dragon

Dragon Age: Origins, the beloved first video game in the Dragon Age series, is the role-playing game that launched the war-torn world of Thedas into the mainstream. The player takes on the role of a new recruit to the Grey Wardens, who must rise to a leadership position, uniting the land to defeat the Archdemon and prevent the Fifth Blight from plunging Ferelden into darkness.

Origins introduces fans to several key characters who play pivotal roles in the series, such as Leliana, the bard-turned-spymaster, and (depending on story choices) King Alistair.

Dragon Age: Origins

RPG

Systems

Franchise

Dragon Age

Platform(s)

PS3 , Xbox 360 , PC

Released

November 3, 2009

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Eclipse

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content

How Long To Beat

40 Hours

X|S Optimized

No

Wardens Keep Adds a New Location to Dragon Age: Origins

Date-9:30 Dragon

Set during the Fifth Blight, this DLC introduces a mysterious dungeon for the Grey Warden protagonist to explore, which can occur either before or after the final battle against the Darkspawn in Denerim, depending on player choices.

The DLC also includes the quest Warden's Keep, where the player assists Levi Dryden in redeeming his family name by uncovering the history of the Grey Wardens in Ferelden. Levi is a descendant of Sophia Dryden, the Warden-Commander whose actions led to the Grey Wardens’ banishment from Ferelden for over 200 years.

Stone Prisoner Gives the Grey Wardens an Ancient Weapon

Date-9:30 Dragon

This Dragon Age: Origins DLC introduces a unique stone companion to the party: Shale, an ancient golem. Shale is recruited by purchasing a control rod from a Dwarven merchant and traveling to the village of Honnleath.

Once activated, Shale can be convinced to join the fight against the Darkspawn. A powerful and comical companion, Shale harbors a deep-seated hatred of birds, likely stemming from spending over 1,000 years as a statue.

Dragon Age: Wardens Fall Was a Machinima Series

Date-9:31 Dragon

In a rare and hard-to-find piece of media, Dragon Age: Warden's Fall was a short episodic series created by the iconic brand Machinima. Officially sanctioned by BioWare and considered canon, the series was crafted using Dragon Age: Origins modding tools.

Warden's Fall follows Grey Warden Kristoff as he uncovers the existence of a sentient Darkspawn, a discovery that foreshadows events in the Awakening DLC, where Kristoff ultimately falls under possession.

Awakening Takes Place 6 Months After the Archdemon's Defeat

Date-9:31 Dragon

The first DLC released for Dragon Age: Origins, Awakening, takes place six months after the defeat of the Archdemon and the end of the Fifth Blight. This DLC follows the Warden-Commander on a mission to address a new Darkspawn threat and to re-establish the Grey Warden presence in Ferelden.

The new Darkspawn threat centers on an internal civil war, with factions divided between those loyal to the enigmatic Architect and those following the vengeful Mother.

Witch Hunt Takes Place a Year After the Archdemon's Defeat

Date-9:32 Dragon

Taking place a year after the Fifth Blight and the defeat of the Archdemon, the Witch Hunt DLC sees the return of Morrigan, the witch who played a pivotal role in aiding the Warden-Commander.

The story follows the Grey Wardens as they track Morrigan down, seeking answers to pressing questions left unresolved after the events of Origins. The DLC is heavily influenced by the relationship choices players made with Morrigan in the base game and serves as a precursor to her reappearance in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Dragon Age II Has Multiple Time Jumps

Date-9:30-9:37 Dragon

Dragon Age II spans several years, unfolding through time jumps that take players from the Darkspawn takeover of Lothering after the Battle of Ostagar to the climactic Battle of Kirkwall. The story is recounted by the Dwarven rogue Varric, who is being interrogated by Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast.

The game follows Hawke and their family as they flee from Lothering and eventually journey to Kirkwall. Along the way, they encounter a high dragon—who reveals herself to be Flemeth, Morrigan’s mother. Flemeth offers Hawke a deal: transport an amulet to a Dalish Keeper in the Free Marches in exchange for safe passage.

Dragon Age 2

RPG

Systems

Franchise

Dragon Age

Platform(s)

PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360 , PC , macOS

Released

March 8, 2011

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Lycium Engine

ESRB

Mature // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Content, Violence

How Long To Beat

26.5 hours

X|S Optimized

No

Steam Deck Compatibility

Unsupported

How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)

57.5 hours

The Exiled Prince Introduces A Potential Companion

Date- 9:33 Dragon

This DLC begins after Hawke has gained some renown in Kirkwall. The titular Exiled Prince is Sebastian Vael, whom Hawke assists in seeking justice against those who murdered his family. By following the right quest choices, Sebastian, a skilled archer, becomes recruitable as a companion starting in Act II.

Legacy Is a DLC That is the Earliest Introduction of Corypheus

Date-Sometime before 9:37 Dragon

The Legacy DLC introduces significant plot points and marks the debut of Corypheus, who later becomes a central antagonist in Dragon Age: Inquisition. The storyline and the history established between Hawke and Corypheus carry forward into the events of Inquisition.

In Legacy, Hawke, already struggling after the destruction of their village, arrives in Kirkwall only to become the target of a criminal cartel intent on obtaining a sample of their blood. This quest takes the player to an ancient Darkspawn prison, where they ultimately come face-to-face with Corypheus himself.

Dragon Age: Redemption Was a Live-Action Web Series

Date-Sometime before 9:37 Dragon

In the Dragon Age II DLC Mark of the Assassin, the adventures of Tallis, a Qunari elf, are chronicled in a live-action format. The character was inspired by her actor, Supernatural alum and self-proclaimed nerd Felicia Day. This story arc follows Tallis as she pursues a rogue Qunari mage, hoping that capturing him will restore her place within Qunari society.

Mark of The Assassin Was the Final DLC for Dragon Age II

Date-Sometime before 9:37 Dragon

This DLC quest lacks an official canon date, taking place sometime during Hawke’s years in Kirkwall but certainly before the final events of the game. It introduces players to Tallis, the elven assassin mentioned earlier. Hawke and their party join forces with Tallis to infiltrate an Orlesian estate on the outskirts of the city, embarking on a high-stakes mission for a mix of motives steeped in classic fantasy intrigue.

A Dragon Age Graphic Novel Trilogy

Date- 9:38-9:40 Dragon

This trilogy of graphic novels includes The Silent Grove, Those Who Speak, and Until We Sleep. The first novel, The Silent Grove, follows familiar faces—Alistair (now King of Ferelden), Varric, and Isabela—as they embark on a journey to Antiva City. The second novel, Those Who Speak, continues from where the first left off, shifting focus more toward Isabela and her personal story. The final novel, Until We Sleep, centers more on Varric as the trio’s adventures in Antiva reach their conclusion.

Asunder Showcases The Mage And Templar Conflict

Date- 9:40 Dragon

Asunder, written by David Gaider, takes place three years after the events of Dragon Age II and delves deeper into the Mage-Templar war, offering insight into its causes and tensions. The book also expands on the backstory of Cole, the enigmatic character who becomes a potential companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Cole’s story reveals him to be a Spirit of Compassion, adding a unique and complex layer to his mysterious nature.

The Masked Empire Helped Set Up Inquisition

Date- 9:40 Dragon

The Masked Empire, written by BioWare writer Patrick Weekes, is another tie-in novel leading up to the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition. This novel explores the origins of the Orlesian Civil War, detailing the intrigue, shifting alliances, and betrayals that shape the conflict. The story centers on the battle for the throne between Grand Duke Gaspard and Empress Celene of Orlais, showcasing their war of words and the complex web of loyalty and rivalry surrounding them.

The Last Flight Novel Focuses on the Grey Wardens

Date- Both 9:41 Dragon and 5:12-5:20 Exalted

The Last Flight unfolds across two separate timelines, including the furthest point explored in official Dragon Age media. This novel shines a light on the Grey Wardens and their often complicated, less-than-pristine history. It follows elven mage Valya, recruited into the Grey Wardens after the Fourth Blight, who is tasked with researching historical records of past Blights to uncover valuable insights. Her discoveries lead to the potential revival of the Grey Warden griffons, a legendary symbol of the order long thought lost.

Dragon Age: Inquisition Brought an Ancient Threat Back

Date- 9:41-9:42 Dragon

This entry marked a major leap forward for the Dragon Age series, offering a richly expansive open-world RPG experience. The game follows the protagonist, who finds themselves at the heart of a world-changing cataclysm, ultimately becoming the Inquisitor. Fan-favorite characters make a return, including Varric, Cassandra, Alistair, and even Hawke, each bringing depth and continuity to the evolving story of Thedas.

This game expands the world of Thedas more than ever, allowing players to explore new regions, including the grand empire of Orlais. The previous protagonist, the Warden-Commander, is referenced throughout the story as still being active, though notably absent. The Inquisitor learns that the Warden-Commander is currently seeking a cure for the Darkspawn taint, which keeps them occupied and unavailable to assist directly.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Action RPG

Franchise

Dragon Age

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , PC

Released

November 18, 2014

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Magekiller Is a Five-Issue Comic Series

Date- 9:41-9:42 Dragon

This comic series takes place during the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition, following two blood mage hunters, Marius and Tessa. Their story intersects with various key plot points from the game as they navigate the dangers and mysteries of Thedas, often crossing paths with familiar events and characters.

Dragon Age: Trespasser Sets Up Veilguard

Date- 9:44 Dragon

The Trespasser DLC takes place several years after the conclusion of Dragon Age: Inquisition, following the Inquisitor as they investigate the true cause behind the cataclysm that tore open the Fade. Though not groundbreaking in scope, Trespasser offers a few hours of additional content, focusing on interactions and relationship-building with the beloved cast of characters. Like the Citadel DLC from Mass Effect, it provides fans with a sense of closure, offering meaningful moments with characters and a final farewell to the Inquisition storyline.

The Knight Errant Is Another Five-Part Comic Series

Date- 9:44 Dragon

The Dragon Age comic series The Knight Errant follows an elven squire traveling to Kirkwall for the appointment of a new Viscount. True to RPG style, the protagonist quickly finds themselves entangled in a much larger and complex situation. While the exact date isn’t specified, it’s estimated to occur sometime after Dragon Age: Inquisition, as familiar characters from Inquisition appear in new roles throughout Thedas.

Dragon Age: Knight Errant #1

WRITER

Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir

Artist

Fernando Heinz Furukawa

Cover Artist

Sachin Teng

Publisher

Dark Horse Comics

Price

3.99

Release Date

May 10, 2017

Colorist

Michael Atiyeh

Dragon Age: Absolution Brought Thedas to Netflix

Date- 9:44 Dragon

With Dragon Age: Absolution, the developers expanded the series into yet another medium: a six-episode Netflix series. This show introduces brand-new characters while bringing back familiar faces like Cassandra Pentaghast (Dragon Age II and Inquisition), Meredith Stannard (Dragon Age II), and the freedom fighter Fairbanks (Dragon Age: Inquisition).

The Wraiths Of Tevinter Is A Comic Anothology Series

Date- 9:40-9:45 Dragon

This comic series, comprising Deception, Blue Wraith, and Dark Fortress, unfolds after the Trespasser DLC and is set in the Tevinter Imperium, paving the way for new stories and conflicts following the events of Inquisition. Known collectively as the Wraiths of Tevinter, the series introduces Olivia Pryde, a washed-up actress devising a new scheme in the city of Ventus. True to the expansive RPG style, the city is also facing the looming threat of a Qunari invasion.

The Missing Follows Varric Tracking Down An Old Friend

Date-9:45 Dragon

The Missing is the latest non-video game addition to the Dragon Age universe: a four-part comic series featuring fan-favorite dwarf, scout, rogue, and storyteller, Varric, on a mission to track down Solas. For players familiar with Inquisition, Solas's betrayal of the protagonist and his retreat into the Fade sets the stakes for Varric’s quest. This comic series directly prepares fans for Veilguard, tying together past storylines, characters, and their evolving roles within the newly released game.

Date-Around 9:52

The latest game in the series, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, is set a decade after the events of Inquisition, in the wake of the cataclysm that shook Thedas. Solas has begun his ritual to tear open the Veil, unleashing demons and ancient gods through fractures in reality. Players take on the role of "The Rook," who leads a party of seven to prevent this looming disaster. Former members of the Inquisition, once allied with Solas, have now recruited Neve Gallus, a Tevinter private investigator and mage introduced in Tevinter Nights and The Missing, to join the fight.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

RPG

Franchise

Dragon Age

Platform(s)

PC , PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X

Released

October 31, 2024

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

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