Dragon Age storyline please?

I've downloaded the demo of Dragon Age II just now and played some of it. I am so hooked on these RPG games. Now, the game is fantastic. But I've never even owned the first one nor heard about it. Can someone briefly explain the storyline as of the first Dragon Age and now the second? I'm hooked on this game I need to buy it too. I'm confused as of what the plot is, who the characters are, etc...of course, because I just started. Maybe I shouldn't have dove into this game in the second one, because it's confusing, yes. But please direct me towards somewhere I can learn the storyline or briefly explain it.