Duncan is your mentor in Dragon Age: Origins; a Warden Commander of the Grey Wardens who recruits you to join their noble cause. He leads the Grey Wardens against the darkspawn in a massive battle at the beginning of the game, but when your ally Loghain betrays you and retreats from the battle, the Grey Wardens and the royal army are overwhelmed and defeated. Duncan puts up a spectacular fight, but it's not enough to save him from the darkspawn horde. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5W3CujMa9A What makes this particular death so sad is that, beyond yourself and fellow Grey Warden Alistair, no one is left to remember and mourn Duncan. He was a strong and honorable man who gave your character the opportunity to serve a higher purpose, and he ended up losing his life through treachery and deceit. A tragic set of circumstances to be sure, but provides fantastic motivation to keep playing and see Loghain pay for his crimes.