Dark Horse Announces DRAGON AGE: MAGEKILLER
The Dragon Age games have explored many parts of Thedas, but up till now there is one place that has often been referred to, but never actually shown. That is the capital city of Tevinter, Minrathous, and that is the initial setting of Dragon Age: Magekiller. The creative team of renowned writer Greg Rucka (52, Wonder Woman) and the talented Carmen Carnero (Cyclops) are creating two entirely new characters for the Dragon Age universe. The new duo is made up of Marius and Tessa Forsythia, both of whom are mercenaries who, as the title implies, take it upon themselves to rid the world of blood mages and make a living at the same time. Bioware has set a high standard for how well developed their characters are, and Rucka is a huge fan of what they have already done and seeks to add characters and canon that will seamlessly fit in with Bioware's previous work. Here is a bit of what he had to say to Polygon:
"I think the effort that Bioware has consistently put into every on of their roleplaying games — we can talk about Mass Effect, we can talk about Dragon Age, we can talk about Jade Empire, you can go down the list — is really stunning. I know with Dragon Age in particular, we’re talking about a fantasy setting that is probably one of the most fully and beautifully realized examples of world building that we’ve seen."
For those who are worried about getting a Fenris 2.0, you need not worry. Rucka touched on that as well.
"Marius has issues. He is really, really good at what he does, but that’s all that he was ever trained to do. So he is not a Templar gone wrong. It’s not "all mages must die." This is the skill set he sells. He sells it very, very well. And Tessa [...] facilitates, she assists, and then she sort of maintains Marius. But there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him, just as there’s a lot that he doesn’t know about her. So part of [the first] arc is not only an introduction to them but some self discovery."
Admittedly, that is a relief, as Fenris had a great power set, but he was so anti-mage it was hard to ever have him in my party, lest I just constantly lose approval from him.
I have full faith in Rucka to deliver a story worthy of the Dragon Age name, and I couldn't be happier about having Carnero on art duties. Her pencils leap off the page, but are still somewhat grounded in realism. It's a perfect blend for a book like this.
Dragon Age: Magekiller releases in December of this year.