The Harrowing Dragon Age: Origins Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Received from: First enchanter Irving [The Circle Tower - The Harrowing Chamber]
Description: You'll start the game by talking to Irving and Greagoir (M11, 1). They will both tell you that in order to become a mage you must survive a ritual called the Harrowing. During this ritual you'll be transported to a mystical realm and you'll have to defeat a powerful demon. Wait for the main character to end up standing in the [Fade] (M12, 1). Head forward and use your standard array of offensive spells to defeat weak wisp wraiths.
Continue moving forward until you come across a talking rodent, calling himself the Mouse (M12, 2). This creature will then transform to a human being and it will introduce itself as one of the people who didn't make it out of the Fade. Keep heading forward and killing the wraiths. You can also start opening vases found along the way to collect shimmering balls of light (replacement for standard healing potions).
Eventually you'll have to locate the Spirit of Valor (M12, 3). Talk to the creature and ask it to give you an object to help you in defeating the demons. You can achieve the final result by using a high cunning skill (additional dialogue option) or by defeating the ghost in a duel. If you decide to start a fight make sure that you have powerful spells in your arsenal and at least a few of the balls of light. The reward for defeating the spirit will be Valor's staff. You can now leave the ghost alone or finish it off using your newly acquired weapon.
Continue moving forward and get ready to defeat several spirit wolves in the near future. Each time focus on eliminating one of the wolves instead of attacking all the spirits at the same time. Once it's safe proceed to the lair of a Sloth Demon (M12, 4). Initiate a new conversation and ask the demon to teach the Mouse how to transform into a bear. You can achieve the final result by defeating the demon in combat (it'll be harder to win this time) or by solving three of its riddles. The correct answers are the map, the tongue and the dream.
Notice that the Mouse has now transformed itself into a bear which will make winning the last battle in the Fade easier. You'll now have to return to a large area you've passed through earlier on (M12, 5). Watch out for new spirit wolves along the way, because they'll appear out of nowhere.
Locate the Spirit of Rage and talk to it. This time you won't be allowed to resolve the situation peacefully, because the battle will commence after a short introduction. Ignore ALL other monsters and focus your attacks on the main spirit. Once it is been defeated you'll automatically trigger a new conversation with the Mouse. It doesn't really matter which answers you'll choose, because the main character will soon understand that the Mouse is in fact a demon and that it's trying to escape the Fade. Wait for the game to transport you to [The Circle Tower - Student Quarters] (M11, 2) and for the main character to wake up. Jowan will greet you and you can tell him about the ritual or you can keep its details to yourself.