The canine companion of Genesis is referenced in the Codex of Velgard

summary

  • Barkspawn from Dragon Age: Origins may have spawned another heroic hound named Ostagar.

  • Barkspawn can die near the beginning of Genesis, but it's not a very popular option.

  • A codex entry from The Veilguard may indicate that the Barkspawn authentically survive the events of Origins.

Anyone who played Dragon Age: Origins remembers the Barkspawn (or Dog), a loyal Mabari war hound that can be recruited in a number of ways at the start of the game, depending on your character's origin and other circumstances. As it turns out, Barkspawn is referenced in a codex entry in Dragon Age: Veilguard, meaning he may have canonically survived the events of Origins and beyond.

Most players recruit barkspawn because the game gives you so many opportunities to do so and… who doesn't love a dog? If you play as a human noble the barkspawn will join you during your spawn and stay with you for the rest of the game. However, other origins must heal the Barkspawn of the Scar in Ostagar and recruit them in one of two opportunities presented after completing that quest. There's also the extremely harsh possibility that you can mercy kill a barkspawn instead of healing it. Interestingly, if you pass on recruiting Barkspawn, you can actually recruit a different Mabari to return to the Ostagar expansion. Is this new mbari also barkspawn? Unfortunately, this is too multifaceted a question to answer in this article.

Once recruited, Barkspawn cannot be destroyed during Origin events. He's not a particularly strong dude but can be an acceptable crowd control-focused off-tank if someone wants to include him in a party. After the events of Genesis, Barkspawn is sent to Denerim to resettle the Mabari population, meaning he does not accompany the Warden to Amaranthine during the Awakening. He rejoins the player for the Witch Hunt, with his fate later unknown. Presumably, he followed the Warden in their quest to cure Kaling.

A dog named Ostager

Dragon Age Origins Barkspawn

Barkspawn is referenced in a codex entry from The Wellguard where he may have spawned another heroic Mabari named Ostagar. This offspring is apparently named for the ruins where the barkspawn battled the darkspawn scourge. The codex, entitled A Dog Named Ostagar, reads as follows:

He was a loud thing. Last left in her litter. The man swore he was descended from the valiant mabari of Ostagar, the fearless dogs who had seen the fifth blight. But I didn't have a dog. After that defeat on Deep Road, I had to face what was left of my life alone.

There was a fire that night. I carried a bucket with the rest of the villagers and put out the fire. I found that puppy. I could not find the man anywhere. I tried to shake the dog, but two days after going outside the village he came to my camp. I called him Ostagar and told him I could stay “for now.”

I tried to find a place for him to live—a farm, a quiet village, perhaps a noble's villa. But Ostagar never wants to be left behind. “For now” turned into months and then a year and then I couldn't imagine life without him.

I thought we would only be in Weisshaupt for a week. Then came the darkspawn army, the archdaemon, that god… Ostagar and I ran through the fallen towers, and clawed our way through the crowd. Then, for the first time in three years, Ostagar was not on my side. I was alone.

As the wall collapsed and the room filled with smoke, I pictured Ostger running. Maybe he was gone. He can escape Weisshaupt and find the farm I should have left him in the first place. If I was alone, Ostagar would be fine if it was safe.

I heard the darkspawn snarl, then fall silent. I was pulled from the wreckage, though I wasn't sure I wanted to be—and Ostagar was there wagging his tail.

Evka and Antoine told me that all the trouble in Thedas. They asked if I would go to Ferelden and send reports. I will show Ostagar the ruins named after him. I don't know if he is related to those fifth blight mbari, but for me, he is the best of them.

– From Warden Norrie's Journal.

This codex entry is found near a bedroll at Lavendel in the Hossberg Wetlands. Unfortunately for Ostagar and perhaps the Barkspawn, the Sixth Blight destroyed much of Thedas, leaving the fate of these brave Mabari unknown.

mixcollage-07-dec-2024-08-30-am-9101.jpg

Dragon Age: The Velgard is the long-awaited fourth game in BioWare's fantasy RPG series formerly known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. A direct sequel to Inquisition, it focuses on Red Lyrium and Solas, the aforementioned dire wolf.

Leave a Comment