Alistair Theirin

Alistair was born as the bastard son of King Maric and a serving girl at Redcliffe. This scandal was something Maric tried to keep from his wife, Rowan, but Alistair lived with the shadow of being a "bastard prince" over his head for all his life. He was firmly informed he was never in line for the throne, but that was always fine with him. The whole idea of being a king terrifies him, and he's much happier being a Grey Warden.

Although he slept in the kennels with the dogs at Arl Eamon's estate until he was ten, he's very loyal to the man who had a hand in raising him. Eamon remarried a young Orlesian woman named Isolde, and she suspected the rumors of Alistair's parentage going back to Eamon were true. To keep marital bliss in the Redcliffe castle, Alistair was packed off to the Chantry to be raised and trained as a templar. He was miserable there and furious at Eamon for abandoning him. Eventually, Eamon stopped coming to try and visit him, and Alistair grew up under the training of the templars at Chantry near Redcliffe. He drove most of the brothers to distraction, as well as his first templar trainer, Bran. The older man dubbed Alistair "Ser Pot Srubber" before the templar was transferred to duty at the Circle Tower.

Alistair was only months away from being forced into his vows and taking lyrium when there was a tournament held for the Grey Warden commander of Ferelden. Alistair wasn't allowed to participate, but as one after another showed their prowess and Duncan did not choose, the Warden called that Alistair should have an opportunity as well. This didn't sit well with anyone, but Duncan's request was obeyed. Alistair didn't fight best that day, and was beaten many times. Even when he lost, he gave his fallen opponent a self mocking grin and helped them up. When he won, he did so with a shrug and smile.

At the end of the day, Duncan announced his choice, and was forced to Conscript Alistair because the Grand Cleric didn't want to let him go. The brothers were secretly relieved, as the abbey was much, much quieter after he vanished.

Spending several months traveling and training with Duncan, Alistair began to adopt the grizzled old war veteran as a father figure. Always patient with him, in spite of the jokes and glib attitude, Duncan inspired Alistair toward his full potential. He was thrilled to become a Grey Warden and readily embraced his Joining when the time came. Six months later, they were together at Ostagar, and Alistair was delighted to be the Junior member in charge of helping the new recruits.