Jeez, my Steam page clocks me in at 113.9 hours of Dragon Age gameplay this week. I think I might be addicted.

So far, I've played an entire game with a City Elf and a Human Mage, and I'm extremely pleasant with how the origins all fit into the gameplay itself. If you play a City Elf, you will be treated much better in the Alienage once you return to Denerim, as well as getting access to the shop again.

As far as companions go, Sha(y)le is my absolute favorite. You learn of Shale's past during the Paragon Of Her Kind quest line (provided you have Shale in your party during that point), and it's pretty deep for a DLC character. Shale also has a LOT of dialogue, and I think the best part of the entire game was the cutscene after getting Shale when you leave the village. Shale stomps on a chicken, and when you turn back to look, Shale just shrugs in a comical manner. Easily one of the funniest cutscenes in the game, along with the Superman homage in the Warden's Keep DLC.