Leliana's Song DLC Incoming, Details

Haven’t had enough Dragon Age yet? Is Awakening under your belt, and yet you’re still hungry for more? Well, this July 6th, Bioware is releasing another piece of DLC for Dragon Age: Origins titled “Leliana’s Song,” and it will cost 7 dollars.  They describe it as follows:

Assume the role of Leliana, a young bard involved in a criminal ring that deals in political secrets. Accompanying her mentor Marjolaine on a high-risk mission, Leliana soon finds herself entangled in a game of intrigue that she cannot escape with just her beauty, charm, or stealth. The only way out of this game is to kill or be killed.

A description which, frankly, makes me a little worried. I want to talk my way out of things! Isn’t that what a bard does? Why would I be interested in a combat-oriented release, when the combat in Dragon Age isn’t why I loved the game so much? Not that my reservations matter, because I’ll be buying this DLC the second it hits. Which reminds me, I really should get on playing Awakenings. I’m currently stuck on my perfect playthrough in Origins, because honestly, who can deny that the Fade in the Mage’s Tower is just a big bitch to play through?

Watch the trailer for Leliana’s Song below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LfZAIaMzPI]

In an interview with IGN, Bioware’s senior writer Lukas Kristjanson revealed details about what we’d see in Leliana’s Song. The DLC is a prequel that takes place before both Origins and Awakening, and it follows a snippet of Leliana’s life as a bard. Those of us that befriended Leliana in DA probably know about her troubled history with her mentor Marjolaine, but we only saw the…conclusion of that relationship. The DLC will let us see how it all happened “in person.”

Playing through the DLC will not change anything in Origins, though there is an item at the end which can transfer over to your normal game. Those of us that have played other pieces of Dragon Age DLC know that any items that you receive in DLC tend to border on overpowered, but early Leliana in Origins needs all the help she can get. While nothing will change in Origins, your opinion of Leliana might, since we will see her in a completely different light. Lukas says that, at this point, Leliana is “enjoying the life that the Orlesian game of intrigue demands—no ties, no consequences…It’s one of those heists where big consequences ride on naive decisions in dangerous places.” This is a marked difference from the Leliana we see in Origins, which is humble, a bit shy and a part of the Chantry.

Still not convinced? Well, there are three other snippets which may interest you. First, this DLC will be fully voiced–ala Mass Effect. Second, we will, reportedly, be able to see teasers of the early lives of other key characters in Origins. Lastly, there will be unique trophies and achievements for this piece of DLC.

Make sure to start your download on July 6th!