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[The Ascendant]

One of the most debated topics in the Dragon Age universe is magi and the use and application of the powerful force known as magic. As the name implies this is not a debate on mages but rather what makes who they are.
Let's begin with what we know. The manipulation of mana is what defines a mage. All magic comes from the Fade, the spirit world where demons and spirits live and where all mortals "souls" go to when they dream, except dwarves. Mages are the only beings who can remember their excursions and some can even manipulate it. These "dreamers" are both exceptionally rare and powerful. Thus far only elves and humans have been confirmed to be dreamers. Whether there are any Qunari dreamers is unknown. The nature of the Fade is difficult to comprehend. There is no time, physics or geography. The sole exception is the "Black City" which is visible and a common sight but there is no confirmed proof of anyone reaching it. One area of interest is the genetics of magic. In the Tevinter Imperium magic is a highly valued trait and the magisters boast an extensive genealogical record on the noble families who posses magic. The Altus class are mages descended from those who have had magic in their lineage for centuries. However the existence of the Laeten class, mages who come from families who until recently displayed no magic at all. This implies that while it can be inherited through the family it is also can be sporadic. Further proof of the volatility of magic is the Qunari. The Tamassarans control a strict breeding program deciding who should mate with whom. This crude form of eugenics has not prevented the Qunari from producing their own mages, the Sarebas. The Qunari have a deep fear of magic because as mentioned before all magic comes from the Fade, the realm of constant change and malleability. The Qun strives for order in all manner of things. To them you cannot control a talent which comes from a realm which is fundamentally in constant change. If magic was an inherited trait surely they would have suppressed if not outright eleminated this gene. But despite their efforts Saarebas are still seen.
Magic is undeniably dangerous but with the proper training mages can control their powers, resist demonic possession and achieve wondrous things. Why demons seek to possess mages is a mystery but the fact they alone retain conscious in the Fade may have something to do with it. However as seen in DA2 and Asunder demons and spirits are not restricted to mages or corpses. With encouragement they can even inhabit non magi such as the templar recruit Wilmond or Evagaline who was possessed by the spirit of Faith. If they can inhabit anyone why focus on mages?
One component which is essential for any mage is Lyrium which in its raw form is a blueish glowing ore when refined can be made into potions which can quickly replenish a mage's mana if they are in a pinch. Templars also make use of Lyrium, using it as a catalyst to either augment or enable their abilities, which are primarily focused of depriving a mage of mana to neutralize them quickly. Despite its uses Lyrium is no t without its risks. Templars who are deprived of it will eventually become weaker and may go senile. There are instances where mages who drink too much becoming mutated and become inhuman monsters. One interesting aspect is the discoveryof Red Lyrium which is even more powerful but even more dangerous as normal Lyrium. Those who have been exposed have often acquired amazing abilities, but at the cost of going incurably insane and becoming incased in it becoming a walking crystalized monster.
Lyrium is not the only source of power however. More available but somewhat more sinister is blood. It has been shown repeatedly that often complex and expensive rituals can be solved either with a small amount of blood or even sacrificing living people. It was allegedly a massive blood magic ritual which blackened the Golden City and created the Darkspawn. Like Lyrium mages are not the only ones who can utilize the power of blood. Reavers are warriors who train themselves to exploit their blood and enhance their prowess. Dragon blood seems to be not a necessary but augmentative reagent. Like magic, it can lie in the genes of families for generations and be used to augment magical powers.
One of most interesting sources of Arcane power is the Darkspawn Taint. The Grey Wardens use their connection to the Darkspawn hive mind to sense them and slay the Archdemons. According to the ancient mage Avernus, blood magic comes from demons but the Darkspawn Taint is alien to them. His research while unethical showed that all Grey Wardens even non mages can access this power giving them unique spells. If the Taint is foreign to the residents of the Fade, where does it come from.
Finally one of the most unique of "magic" is the Dwarven enchanter Sandal. Described as a "savant" and saying few words Sandal is an odd character in the games. He has an amazing talent for making enchantment runes and even safely disposing the extremely dangerous red Lyrium which has proven debilitating for all others who encounter it. Perhaps most bizarre is his unseen but obvious fighting prowess. He has been seen more than once in a room littered in corpses, blood drenched all over him and his only explanations have been "Enchantment?" "Boom!" and "Not Enchantment." Another notable feature is his 'prophecy' which gives a brief outline of the plot for Inquisition. What is he and what does he know?
With the Veil separating the two worlds tearing apart magic will have an undeniable role to play and the demons who plague the Mages of Theda's will know plague everyone else. Will we learn more of the natureof magic, or will it be forever a mmystery we puny mortals can scarcely comprehend? Forever chaotic forever vague. Thanks for reading. My apologies to anyone who has started a similar topic. Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.

[TheForgottenOne]

The Taint need not come from the Fade. In the Witch Hunt DLC Morrigan states that there are realms apart from the Fade. Yet according to the Chantry version of the Origin of Blights the Taint did come from the Black City which is at the Center of the Fade. Both of these are contradictory statements.

What happened during the siege of the Golden City is unknown. When it comes to Sandal, I feel he had something to do with the Primeval Thaig. He got lost in it, then killed a horde of Darkspawn and an Ogre with "Not Enchantment", and then Hawke finds him. When Bodahn asks him to thank Hawke for saving him, he appears to be sad. Also he appears to be unaffected by the Red Lyrium which came from the Thaig. The "HE" in Sandal's prophecy could refer to several characters, possibly Morrigan's child, The Maker, The Inquisitor (but then the inquisitor could be female), Fen'Harel etc.

Sandal could belong to a race of dwarves who were not cut off from the Fade implying he might be a mage.

I think that demons try to look for mages because they are the only ones who can consciously travel from our realm to the Fade and back. Even when demons possessed others, the possession was facilitated by a mage (Tarohne in the case of Vilmod). Mages seem to be the demons' easiest way out.

Mages have been shown to be power hungry. And demons are like salesmen tempting mages with power, wealth, love, etc. ultimately tricking them.

One thing for sure, magic arises because of a certain connection to the Fade. With a giant Veil tear, A civil war between mages and Templars and Flemeth we will learn more about the nature of magic.