I can't say I've seen any of these darkness monsters myself, but they sound similar enough, yes. The only difference I know of is that if the darkspawn taint gets into your blood, there's no cure other than becoming a Grey Warden like me.

...and that may not be much of a cure, really.

[He forces a smile, not wanting to dwell on that for too long.] Still, I'm certain the ones here don't have that problem!


...now what were those astromonks you were talking about?