Well, the Dragon Age Origins starting stories are quite diverse. For example, the Dalish elf starting story lets you experience the life of an outcast among humans while trying to preserve the elven heritage. It's full of cultural elements and a sense of mystery. And the City Elf starting story is more about survival and resistance within the human - dominated cities.
In Dragon Age Origins starting stories, a significant element is the introduction of the game's lore. Through the stories, players learn about the different races, their histories, and their current situations. For instance, the Dwarf Noble story reveals a lot about the dwarven society's structure and its political system. Another key element is the moral choices presented right from the start. Whether it's choosing between loyalty and justice in the human noble story or something else, these choices shape the character's path throughout the game.
The Dalish Elf origin can be considered the best starting story too. As a Dalish Elf, you are part of a unique and somewhat isolated culture. You get to experience the traditions, beliefs, and the struggle of your people right from the start. It's full of mystery as you deal with ancient elven lore and the threats that face your clan. Plus, it gives you a different perspective on the world compared to other origin stories.
For me, the Dalish Elf origin story is one of the best. It gives a rich look into the elven culture and the challenges they face. You start as an outcast in your own clan, which immediately sets up an interesting personal journey of self - discovery and finding your place in the world.
In my opinion, the Human Noble origin story is one of the best. You start as a member of a noble family, which gives you a sense of power and responsibility from the get - go. It also has some great character - building moments early on, like dealing with family politics and the sudden turn of events that force you into the adventure. There are some really emotional moments related to your family and the fall from grace that can be very engaging.
You should consider your play style. If you like a story full of political drama, the Human Noble origin might be best for you. It has a lot of court intrigue and power struggles.
The Mage origin story. It's really engaging as you are part of a group that is both feared and respected in the game world. You start in the Circle of Magi, which is full of its own politics, secrets, and power struggles. There are strict rules and regulations that you have to deal with, and the relationships with your fellow mages and the templars are complex. It's a story that quickly grabs your attention and keeps you hooked as you navigate through the dangerous world of magic and those who seek to control it.
I'd say the Dwarf Commoner origin. You start as a regular dwarf in a society that has a very strict caste system. You have to fight your way up, face discrimination, and deal with the political turmoil within the dwarven society. It gives you a great perspective on the dwarven culture and how different it is from the other races in the game. You get to interact with different dwarf factions and make choices that shape your journey in a unique way.
The shortest origin story could potentially be the Mage origin if you rush through it. You begin as a mage in the Circle of Magi, and there are some key events like the Harrowing. But if you just focus on getting through the main events without delving too deeply into the politics and side - issues within the Circle, it can be a relatively short origin. However, this might mean missing out on some interesting lore and character development within the origin.
It could also mean six main story arcs that the player can experience throughout the game. For instance, one arc could be about uniting different clans, another about solving a mystery in a particular region, and so on. Each of these arcs would contribute to the overall narrative of Dragon Age Origins.