"Simple answer first - he survived by being present at Vigil's Keep when it's overrun, scratching up a genlock, somehow dodging shrieks, and finding his own corner to stay safe. And I'm glad I took him into the Deep Roads, as he helped with excellent bat-and-dodge moves more than once. And now for the long one."

He sits back and picks his cup back up, sipping his tea before he starts in. "Seventh escape attempt. I got captured. It was most definitely to be my last; everyone knew what was coming if I tried it again and failed. As they hauled me back, we stopped at Vigil's Keep where they had a few handy cells. That night, while I was still wearing those lovely cuffs that mean no magic, the Keep was, as mentioned a moment ago, overrun. The Templars died right up against the bars of my cell, and I stayed in the corner because what else was I supposed to do? No magic, darkspawn everywhere... After a lovely little stalemate, the darkpawn moved on."

Another sip. He doesn't like remembering any part of being in a cell or held, and tea helps.

"I took my chance, fished in one's pockets for the keys, got out of shackles and cell, and ran. I got perhaps fifteen feet before I saw someone screaming for help, so I started setting Darkspawn on fire. I was setting more on fire when the Hero of Ferelden," Purrelden's ears perk up and she comes to his hands to headbutt them. With a smile, Anders resumes petting her, "showed up with a little entourage, and I wound up helping liberate the Keep. When that was done, I was about ready to run again. Instead, another Templar turned up. And accused me of murdering my guards. The ones covered in Darkspawn wounds, like teeth and claw marks. I got called a few names, everyone got informed of how I was to be taken back and killed... and then Jonas stepped in and offered me conscription."

Anders shrugs. "Given my options, the choice seemed easy. And that's the short version of how I became a Grey Warden."