Reignite

We’ve made it to the end of Season 5! Time to talk about the highs and lows of Dragon Age: Origins and all of its DLC. We also chat about our prep for Season 6 and what to expect as we gear up for our next adventure! Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. If you want tickets to GIFCon you can grab them here! If you want to check out the “Fun” & Games' chat about signposting in games you can listen here. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Remember those nobles? We can’t put them off any longer. They want to know what we plan on doing about the Darkspawn. We’re sent off to Amaranthine only to learn that the city guard considers Amaranthine to be a lost cause and The Mother is marching on the keep. Here is our big choice–do we stay and search for survivors or do we return to our keep to defend it? No matter what we decide, we then must take the fight to The Mother. The Architect asks us to stand with him against her and to allow him to continue his experiments to give Darkspawn free will. Another ethically sticky situation. With or without the Architect, the Mother must be taken out. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. If you want tickets to GIFCon you can grab them here! If you want to check out the “Fun” & Games' retrospective on the Xbox 360 you can listen here. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here! To donate to Nex Benedict’s GoFundMe click here.

The nobles are gathered, concerned about how the wardens will protect them in the coming war with the Darkspawn. But before we deal with all that noise, it’s time to fuck off for a bit and help our friends with their problems. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. If you want tickets to GIFCon you can grab them here! If you want to check out the “Fun” & Games PAX East 2024 Special you can listen here. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here! To donate to Nex Benedict’s GoFundMe click here.

At Knotwood Hills, we find the Darkspawn trying to drag away a member of the Legion of the Dead– Sigrun did not consent. With the Warden’s help, Sigrun returns to Kal’Hirol, the site of some serious darkspawn activity that obliterated her faction of the Legion, leaving only her behind. Here we finally see both sides of the Darkspawn schism push against each other–hurlock against hurlock, genlock against genlock. After winding our way through Kal’Hirol, we find that the Broodmothers are at it again and only we can stop them. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here! To donate to Nex Benedict’s GoFundMe click here.

The Warden enters the Wending Wood to investigate the caravan attacks and finds wreckage being picked over by looters. After running around the wood, fighting darkspawn, sylvans, arguing with a botanist, talking statues, and doing some research–it becomes clear that not everything is as simple as it appears. We encounter an elf hellbent on defending the woods as the home of her brutalized and murdered clan of Dalish as well as human mercenaries ripped apart–all a ruse put together by the darkspawn. Velenna relents with the evidence we present her, her sister’s amulet found on the body of a darkspawn. She joins us with the intention of rescuing her sister or at least resolving what happened to her and we are pushed further along the narrative of this war between darkspawn. A mysterious being puts the squad to sleep and they wake again in captivity. Velenna’s sister, disconcertingly presenting as someone tainted by darkspawn, arrives to help us escape. We fight through only to watch Seranni escape with the mysterious darkspawn leader. Velenna asks the warden to allow her into the Grey Wardens so that she may rescue her sister.Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here! To donate to Nex Benedict’s GoFundMe click here.

We take our first step out of Amaranthine toward Blackmarsh, where Grey Warden Kristoff is rumored to have disappeared. Blackmarsh is shrouded in mystery and fear–rumors of hauntings and monsters become reality as the warden moves through the marsh. Unfortunately, it’s too late to rescue Kristoff. He was killed as a ploy by darkspawn to draw the Warden in and trap them in the fade. In order to escape, they must face the Baroness who long ago trapped an entire village in the fade to punish them for turning against her. With the help of a righteous spirit, they succeed–only to be dropped back into reality along with that spirit and the possessed baroness. Once we destroy her and her pride for good, the villagers can finally be free from their fade prison. Our new friend is not so lucky. He is trapped with us on the wrong side of the veil and needs guidance to figure out his next steps. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

We still haven’t quite gotten into the meat of the story, but we’re getting there! We’ve started clearing out the basement of darkspawn, found some nifty trinkets to give our friends, explored the city of Amaranthine, such as it is, opened up the way for the main quests, and dealt with some smugglers! Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

With two new wardens at our side, it’s time to see what we’re working with. Our counselors, Captain Garavel, Seneschal Varrel, and Mistress Woolsey all have something for us to work on. Everywhere we turn, someone is in need. While exploring the Keep, we encounter a burglar, a stone mason, and a courier with missions for us to complete. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

We have finally moved on to Awakening. Whether you’re importing a surviving Hero of Ferelden or starting fresh with a new warden, we enter the scene as the Warden Commander for Amaranthine, holdings granted to the Wardens as a result of their role in ending the Blight in Denerim. As always, the first day of the job goes to hell as we discover a sneak attack launched on the keep by darkspawn. They’re organized, they’re determined…and one of them can talk. With the help of Mhairi, we fight our way through the village to the keep where we rescue civilians, recruit a new mage and a familiar face, and face off with the mysterious talking darkspawn. Success leads to new grey wardens, but unfortunately, not everyone makes it through the joining. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

No matter what we chose before the battle against the Archdemon, Morrigan leaves our party and disappears as she promised she would. The Warden sets off to find her, whether to help an old friend or get revenge for a perceived slight is up to the player. Along the way we meet Ariane, a Dalish warrior who also hunts Morrigan, but to retrieve a stolen item, and Finn a mage who is interested in the elven artifacts called Eluvians. This new team works together to track down an active eluvian with the hope of finding Morrigan as well. When we do, we don’t get quite what we expected. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

It’s time for a solo mission! Sort of. The warden leaves behind their companions to return to the Deep Roads. Here they join Jerric Dace as they retrace the steps of an expedition for Amgarrak, a laboratory said to have recreated the work of Caridin with the help of a Tevinter mage. 20 men disappeared on the expedition for this lost research, including Jerric’s brother. Together, with his trusty bronto Snug, you discover the gruesome secrets of the Golems of Amgarrak. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Before Leliana was a sister at the Chantry, she was a bard in Orlais, working for Marjolaine. This DLC is a glimpse into the moment that changed the course of Leliana’s life. With her friends Sketch and Tug, Leliana sets about to create chaos in Ferelden at Marjolaine’s request. What starts as a night of rowdy mischief-making in the name of Orlais turns serious when Leliana realizes one of Marjolaine’s tasks can result in treason and possibly death for all of them. But is that the end of the story? Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Now that our warden’s story is over–for the moment, at least–we turn our attention to another timeline, one in which our warden does not survive the joining and it falls to Alistair to end the Blight. As a Darkspawn Vanguard, we must follow the Arch Demon’s instructions and fight our way to Fort Drakon where a final battle will decide the fate of Denerim. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Before we can take on the horde, Riordan has some important information for our wardens. Apparently the reason Grey Wardens are the only ones who can end a blight is because their darkspawn blood will draw the soul of the archdemon into the Warden’s body, destroying them both. Fun! Ultimately, one of our Wardens must die, it seems– except our swamp bestie Morrigan has a solution. Get the lady preggers and we all walk away free and clear. What to do, what to do? No matter what, we take to the streets of Denerim to quell the horde and fight our way to Fort Drakon for our final stand against the Archdemon. How will our stories end? Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Bluesky and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Now that we’ve uncovered yet another one of Loghain’s nasty little secrets, it’s time to confront him at the Landsmeet! A debate breaks out where the Warden gets the opportunity to use everything they’ve learned about Loghain’s actions as regent to sway the Landsmeet. Unfortunately, our outcome is not guaranteed. It all comes down to how we’ve handled our interactions leading to this moment. At the end who will sit on the throne? Who will lead Ferelden against the Blight? Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Thanks to an alliance with Anora, the Warden learns that there is UNREST IN THE ALIENAGE. I’m surprised anyone gives a shit but I guess you don’t want the dying screams of the systematically oppressed to drown out the voices of the nobility, right? The Warden & Crew visit the Alienage where elves are forced to live impoverished to find that Tevinter mages are present claiming that there is a plague that only they can cure– but some people are going into quarantine never to be seen again. The Warden must unravel the mystery to find out what this has to do with Loghain. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Back to our regularly scheduled programming– Now that we’ve got a bunch of nonsense out of the way, we can tell Arl Eamon that we’re ready to start the Landsmeet. Loghain wastes no time arriving at Eamon’s doorstep to let us know he won’t stand for our challenge to his authority. It’s clear we need a better foothold in the city. Once Eamon leaves us to our own devices, we can finally handle our remaining companion quests and then embark on a mission to secure an unlikely ally. Disguises and treachery abound in this episode. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Our final DLC journey is back to the battlefield of Ostagar. We return to the place where it all began, a place changed by time and war, overrun by the darkspawn that destroyed an army. While we explore, we learn more about King Cailan as well as recover his arms, armor, and eventually– his body. We also do some of the companion quests! Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

Levi Dryden has been hanging out in our camp for AGES just waiting for the warden to pay attention to him. Apparently Duncan promised to help Levi discover the truth behind his family’s alleged betrayal and regain Warden’s Keep as a strategic outpost. So off we go to do just that! Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!

While traveling across Ferelden, we come across a merchant stuck at a crossroad–literally. He offers us a golem’s control rod but no golem. The Warden, an intrepid explorer always interested in opportunity, takes their team to Honnleath where the golem is said to be waiting but so are the Darkspawn. Special thanks to Redd Spinks for our new amazing logo as well as to Radek Wade and Echoes of Oblivion for the song World of Thedas, which we use as our theme music. You can find the show on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Facebook! Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! Rate us on Spotify! Wanna join the Certain POV Discord? Click here!