"The average darkspawn possesses a simple animal cunning, though they have no language. Instead, they are all connected through the taint, which serves as a hive-mind. Emissaries are more intelligent and can cast spells, tapping into their taint rather than the Fade as mages do. Fortunately, they are also rarer. Most who are not Grey Wardens or travelers of the Deep Roads will never encounter one outside a Blight. Without an archdemon to lead the darkspawn, the chain of command -such as it is- falls to whatever alphas survive the fights for dominance. Emissaries keep them focused on searching for Old Gods to corrupt into archdemons, thus eventually beginning another Blight in due time."

Garahel whines at mention of emissaries, still remembering the last time Inessa and other Grey Wardens encountered one. It's possible that some of his scars belong to that incident.