Darkspawn are-- ( creators, how to explain the darkspawn. ) Creatures who have been tainted, whether through contact with other Darkspawn or the fact that they were simply created that way. They have no guiding purpose but to seek out an Old God and corrupt it to become something like themselves, and then kill and corrupt all that dwell upon the surface of Thedas as the new Archdemon leads them.

Tevinter is to the north of Fereldin and Orlais, as well as several other countries. It is the oldest still-surviving shemlen nation; one that benefited from picking through the scraps and remains of Elvhenan and Arlathan in order to propel itself to greatness. ( shes's bitter, but not as bitter as solas might be about it. so there's that, at least. ) They practice blood magic and keep slaves as well.

( just so she's clear about what a cesspit it is. no hard feelings, dorian. )