> I know RP is free for and I should just jump in, but I wanna make sure of something. I assume I'm in redcliffe, one of those able bodied drawn into it?

You don't have to be no. You could be though inquisition forces will be met soon. Aban makes it through the darkspawn lines (almost dead only saved by inquisition scouts) and most of the able bodied make it out in a small ship who then start acquiring allies to help kill the darkspawn