Key recommendations
- BioWare offers graphic novels, lore books, animated adaptations, and more for
Dragon Age
fans. -
Dragon Age
Romanians, such as
Tevinter Nights
and
The Masked Empire
directly complete the games. - There was a comic strip featuring Orson Scott Card, but fans don't look down on him.
No lore is complete without additional props that support a game's persistent world. BioWare, in their (sometimes) wisdom, knows this and has created many complementary stories for Dragon Age games over the years. From simple traditional books to digital collaboration comics, there's something for everyone.
Fortunately, the catalog is nowhere near as large as for something like this Halo or Star Wars; BioWare keeps things tidy with directional stories, most of which are tied to in-game events. He also regularly collaborates with Dark Horse Comics to create amazing graphic novels. But how much Dragon Age isn't it in the games themselves?
Because it's about media other than games, related games
Dragon Age Journeys, Dragon Age Legends, Heroes of Dragon Age and Dragon Age: The Last Court
will not be included.
Dragon Age Lore and Art Books
The ultimate companions for hardcore fans
- The World of Thedas Volumes I and II
- Art of Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Dragon Age: The Poster Collection
- Dragon Age coloring book for adults
Every RPG needs accompanying art books and lore, right? BioWare offers fans beautiful hardback editions of the world of Thedas. They house information about all the countries and cultures of Thedas, personal backgrounds, concept art, and more. There's even a section on Thedosian fashion and a retrospective on Hawke's family tree.
Additional content includes a poster book and a coloring book with dozens of intricate drawings for fans to complete – including some early concept art from origins. It features characters and events from all three games, so it's best to play the games first to avoid spoiling any plot reveals.
Dragon Age novels and books
Like graphic novels, but with less art
- Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne by David Gaider
- Dragon Age: The Summoning by David Gaider
- Dragon Age: Asunder by David Gaider
- Dragon Age: The Masked Empire by Patrick Weekes
- Dragon Age: The Last Flight by Liane Merciel
- Dragon Age: Hard in Hightown by Varric Tethras (as written by Mary Kirby)
- Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights from Tor Books
Story novels are similar to graphic novels in that they are companion pieces Dragon Age games and fill in the story blanks or set up characters and stories for Veilguard. However, Hard in Hightown it's just a collection of fragments found everywhere Inquisitionas written by fictional author Varric Tethras.
Dragon Age: The Last Flight tells the story of bringing back the gryphons, while The Masked Empire serves as a political thriller prequel to the mission “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts” from Inquisition. Most relevant would be the recent addition to the catalog known as Tevinter Nights — a collection of stories set across the land of Tevinter with new and familiar faces like Dorian Pavus setting the events of Eilguard.
Dragon Age tabletop RPG
Best for fans of Dragon Age games
- Includes RPG Sets 1, 2, and 3 along with a core rulebook and a sourcebook.
- Still available on Green Ronin with extended content.
First released in 2010 by Green Ronin publisher Chris Pramas wrote Dragon Age Tabletop RPG for 3–5 players that weaves mages, warriors, and rogues into Thedas, challenging enemies and other threats from around the world. These may include Darkspawn, spirits of the Fade, Orlesian nobles, and more as they explore dwarven ruins, the Orlesian courts, and perhaps the Fade itself. Each box adds more content, with Box 1 featuring a story about Fereldan, Box 2 featuring a story about the Chantry, Gray Wardens, and Orzammar, and Box 3 featuring a story about Orlais, Tevinter, and the Dales.
The game uses its own set of rules and systems that are not alike Dungeons and Dragons. Some fans have said that after level six, the game gets a bit heavy despite an excellent battle system. Players are generally quick to pick up the systems, though, so it can be a great initial entry into TTRPG mechanics for newer players who are also fans of Dragon Age.
Dragon Age TV, mini-series and animation
A mixed bag that acts as extra content
- Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker by Jeffrey Scott and directed by Fumihiko Sori and animated by Oxybot.
- Dragon Age: Absolution by Mairghread Scott, Mae Catt and Tim Sheridan for Netflix.
- Dragon Age: Warden's Fall by Machinima in partnership with BioWare.
- Dragon Age: Redemption by Machinima and Felicia Day in partnership with BioWare.
BioWare has never had much luck with TV adaptations over the years and Dawn of the Seeker comes out as a prime example. Cassandra's characterization is a bit off and the animation style feels immature considering the type of stories Dragon Age say. In stark contrast, the live-action Machinima series starring Felicia Day (who lends her likeness to Tallis in YES2) holds up quite well and also stays in line with tradition.
Netflix's latest animated adaptation, absolution, follows Miriam and friends as they attempt to steal a Blood Magic artifact with only one problem: the son of Miriam's former slave master's house and the powerful Tevinter family, Ammosines, also wants it. It takes place between Inquisition and Veilguardand reveals something odd about a character that fans will remember YES2. The six-episode arc is short and sweet, with Kimberly Brooks voicing Ashley Williams in Mass effect games, giving voice to Miriam here.
Dragon Age Darkhorse Comics and Graphic Novels
Direct Companions and Knowledge Expansions
- Those Who Speak
- Until I Sleep
- The Silent Grove
- The Dark Citadel
- Blue Wraith
- Deception
- Knight errant
- Magekiller
Dark Horse's graphic novels always feature impressive art and well-crafted stories all around Dragon Age universe. They also occur concurrently with or between games' events, such as with the missing ones which serves as a prequel to Veilguard. Fans of Alistair and Isabela should take special care to pick up Those Who Speak, Until I Sleepand The Silent Grove, while filling in some blanks about Alistair's cursed lineage and Isabela's past before she escaped the Qunari. Each story deepens the lore around a certain character, but also introduces new individuals, who appear in multiple comics.
Fans can pick up too Wraiths of Tevinter – a compilation of Blue Wraith, Deceptionand The Dark Citadel — or Library Edition Volume 1which combines Those Who Speak, Until I Sleepand The Silent Grove to keep the stories in one tidy package. Library Edition Volume 2 combines Magekiller and Knight errant.
Other Dragon Age comics
Funny additions and things never talked about
- Dragon Age Origins by Penny Arcade
- Dragon Age Origins Awakening by Penny Arcade
- Dragon Age 2 by Penny Arcade
- In retrospect by Penny Arcade
- Dragon Age: Apocalypse by David Gaider
- Dragon Age by Orson Scott Card, Aaron Johnson, Mark Robinson, and Anthony J. Tan
BioWare has a long history of working alongside other creators to create content in other mediums to support their game IPs. Penny Arcade Comics for Dragon Age pokes fun at the world and characters (as we saw above) in the comedic style of the Penny Arcade comics themselves.
The Dragon Age comic with contributions from Orson Scott Card was named Star Wars Holiday Special of Dragon Age content. That means these comics are definitely not canon, and many fans didn't think they were very good either. Instead, the short comic Dragon Age: Apocalypse features art by Aimo and a scene cut from origins where Morrigan has doubts about performing a certain ritual.
Dragon Age short stories
Small vignettes in specific characters
- Paper and steel by Joanna Berry
- I pay the Ferryman by Joanna Berry
- The Riddler of Truth by Joanna Berry
BioWare has long supported writers by posting content to their site in the form of short stories. There are even seven stories currently Veilguardbut for Inquisitionthe two lesser baddies (Calpernia and Samson) each have their own stories to flesh out their backgrounds, personalities, and goals. The stories come after YES2 and before Inquisition. The Riddler of Truth shares more information about Celene's family member Florianne de Chalons.
There was also a series of stories for the companions of YES2 which is more like micro-fiction from a range of writers around the world Dragon Age series. These vignettes, like the subsequent stories after them, provide little insight into the characters, but the one about Anders provides the most insight as Anders struggles with the spirit of Justice within himself, which he corrupts.
