Off current topic because this forum is moving like lightning right now, and I am up to my eyeballs in correcting and lesson planning but I am taking a short break for sanity's sake:

I can't even begin to process all the feel that this trailer has called up. It looks epic. Between my job and home life, I am going to be hard pressed to find time to finish my game (one of the bad things about my obsession with modding is that I tend to complete restart games from the beginning and now my game has a wired bug where it does not like to let me start a new game- I end up stuck in the fade after character creation)

I know this has been discussed, but I am throwing in my two cents: Solas does sound different to me, almost like it is a new voice actor, but after watching it a few times what I think is that Solas' intonation during most of Inquisition is Fen'Harel intimating the speech patterns of modern elves who all have this welsh-like accent. While what we hear at the end of the Trespasser DLC trailer is how Fen'Harel actually speaks. I have gone back and froth between my game and the trailer more than a few time now and that's what I get. The trailer voice lacks the breathy quality of the welsh accent that Solas had during the main game, as well as being deeper and more commanding.

After reading the tweet about walking away completely intrigued, but maybe not completely satisfied with the Solas romance option/references in the DLC I really just want to throw something at Bioware. Intrigued, you say Bioware? My character romanced him, I was already intrigued, now I just want some answers and a satisfying ending to the romance that is less heart-wrenching than in the main game. Bittersweet? I'm down with that. Gut wrenching and heartbreaking, please, please only if it is so epicly written that I am smiling on the inside while the tears roll.

Grabs a team optimism flag, showers self with hope infused glitter, and bunkers down in a corner of the blanket fort with an industrial sized jar of Nutella, just in case...

Okay I think I am ready for the 8th now

Or it could be both. But the Tenth Dr reference is heavy on the this all ends in a bittersweet and sweeping tragic way for our Quizzy.

Can someone explain the 10th doctor reference? I've only seen 1 episode of Doctor Who and don't know much about the show.

The Tenth Doctor's regeneration ends with a montage of him saying a final good bye to all his previous companions and making sure they are all alright before that incarnation of the Doctor "dies". It could refer to how this is your last hurrah with your inner circle, it could refer to the fact that the Inquisitor dying at the end is a playable option.

captaincaranis also posted a while back that someone what stealing their shots. The additional shots on the Solas-an site are also on captaincaranis Imgur site, which has less hits 0n it than the original Tumblr page. So unless someone had blatantly copied all of their shots, I think it is probably them. Also, some older shots that came down the first time they closed their blog are back up on this new site. I do think they were getting flack via asks or may be submits and not via the reply function when you like or reblog. I had a few conversations with them about their work and it seemed like they have low self-esteem or something else going on for them that made negative comments that much more hurtful.

Trying not to get excited that Solas is seen in combat in the last seconds of this, as it could just mean that it is a DLC that can be played pre or post dealing with Cory.

edit: confirmed NOT a post game DLC  https://twitter.com/...961988551421952

I interrupt this lovely conversation for a brief butt grab. In other words: Next page is done! Read it all -> here <-
Preview:

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....now on to your regularly scheduled programming. (I fell behind in reading posts and need to catch up!)

I love your little details, the freckles on his nose stood out for me this time. I both can't wait for more, but also could as this is probably not going to end with rainbows and sunshine, or them riding off into the sunset.

Gosh darn it, I want a DLC!

Out of curiousity, How would you as Solas fans (those who romance him and do not) feel if there was no involvement of a Post game dlc for closure? I'm curious!

I think it would depend on what you mean by "no closure." If it means that we do not see Solas at all until the next game, I would be disappointed, especially since the end of the game implies that the Inquisition is looking for him, even if its something of a fruitless task at this point. If you mean that we get no special scene with Solas, again I would be disappointed. We get precious little interaction with Solas in terms of the romance, it would be nice to have something more than Crestwood as the last time my Quizzy had an intimate conversation with Solas. I don't even want a sex scene, as I enjoy the fact that they left how sexual your relationship is ambiguous and open to fan interpretation, but another kiss would be nice. If you mean that there is no dialogue referencing the type of relationship you had with Solas in any of its forms, they I would be both disappointed and a bit angry, as that would seem as lazy writing on Bioware's part. 

Been writing a lot lately and as always, I have been listing to music while doing so. Between what's happening in my long form Alistair/Cousland fic and what's happening with Solas, well this song has me in tatters. If the playlist is still a thing, then I would like to submit this song for consideration. Someone pass me the Nutella,

Inquisitors Week has been rather productive for me in terms of character development for my cannon Quizzy, but I have totally lost track of the discussion here.

So does anyone have the Cliffnote's version?

Abit off topic but I think I am subconsciously refusing to finish the game till I know if we are going to get a Solas based DLC or at least some kind of Solas related content. Also, I tried to play JOH with Solas post break up and I really could not even look at him. So, even though I love all his little insights, I think my canon Quizzy will be running that post main campaign. 

*Attempts to catch up with convo, decides it is just not going to happen today*

Yeah, so if anyone is interested in crying today I just posted this for Inquisitor week Day 2: Favorite Romance/Religion. I cried writing the last bit, so consider yourselves warned:

http://niamaduir.tum...cea-time-is-not

Also, if anyone is wondering, I changed the name on my cannon Inquisitor as I am re-rolling her playthrough with some mods, that and after rolling my alternate Lavallen I finally got a nose I liked.

I should really not listen to the score for Princess Mononoke while bounce between here, tumblr, and my work for Fenxshiral, way too many feels, also saw this on Tumblr:

http://kimikoyukiart.tumblr.com/

It's lovely, but sooooooo not helping, *goes to comfy corner of blanket fort to cry*

See, I'm actually sitting here debating on what the fiber content of his sweater would actually be. At first I jumped to the idea of something like a merino wool, but I kind of wonder if it might actually be a linen or cotton blend.

 

Ahh, yes. Solas has brought together my two ultimate ways to nerd out.....video games and yarn. Damn you Mr. Weekes for officially creating the perfect character.

I felt this way about Dr Who and I was almost swayed to once again try to learn to knit so I could make my hubs Tom Barker's scarf. But sadly I am all thumbs when it comes to coordinating two needles. Much better with a crochet hook and I am terrible proud of the Angry Bird Amigurumi  and hat I made for my nephew.

Spoiler

Looking forward to seeing your finished product

Also found this amusing post on Tumblr about his sweater, the writer has some strong opinions and their language reflects that:

http://becausedragon...ng-sweater-okay

You know, in my first (and blind) playthrough I thought it odd that he insisted that the orb would be found intact. Looking back I don't know what made me feel this way, but every time mention of the orb came up I just got this feeling that it wouldn't be that simple. Imagine how I felt when the thing actually broke?

For me, that line was total foreshadowing that the orb was going to end up broken. I also think that it is an additional comment on Solas' hubris that he can't even imagine the possibility that the Orb might be compromised enough to end up broken or that something could break it. With all the evidence we have that red Lyrium is really messed up, it surprises me that you can't have a conversation with Solas about the impact Corypheus' magic might have had on the Orb. Of course, a conversation like that could have drastically changed to outcome of the game. And ditto for any conversation on how to properly use the Orb to heal the Breach without potentially using up all its magic.

@ Cee is it just me or does it make a kind of tinny hollow sound as it hits the ground? This could just be what the developers decided was going to be the noise it would make being made of some unknown material

So my canon Lavellan did not drink from the Well, but it was based on what Cole said to her rather than what Solas said. She would probably then spend a lot of time picking Morrigan's brain about the knowledge she gained from the Well and be quietly amused by Morrigan being bound in some way to her mother/Mythal.

My second playthrough Lavellan will probably drink from the well. She doesn't believe in the divinity of the Creators, and if they are not all sealed away then she believes that they have possibly faded into uthenera or something, since she has seen no evidence that they care about the People at all. So she would dismiss the idea that there will be any real consequences to drinking from the Well. 

On another note about Solas, the Anchor, and the Orb. Is anyone else wondering why the orb broke? The way Solas talks about the orb, he makes it sound nigh indestructible. I have two theories 1) whatever the Inquisitor does when they use the orb to heal the Breach somehow uses all the remaining magics within the orb 2) the blight related magics that Corypheus uses to unlock the orb compromises its integrity in some way

I know that there are chunks of the Temple of Sacred Ashes falling out of the sky, but I am not really buying that as the sole reason that the Orb is in pieces. It did survive the explosion at the Conclave after all.

 

Which God did your Lavellan pick for her vallaslin and why?

My canon Lavallen has Mythal's. Partially because I like the branches/tree motif, but also because she was being groomed to be the Keeper's Frist from an early age and she knew that being Keeper would involve making hard decisions to ensure the safety of the clan. 

My other Lavallen has Ghilan'nain's. She has a Mowgli/Romulus&Remus like origin, having been found living with a herd of wild Halla. She was about seven when Clan Lavellan found her on the edge of the Green Dales, they never found any sign of her clan. She takes a rather dim view of the Creators because of this (she still has vague and terrifying nightmares about whatever did happen to her original clan) and while she would not argue their existence, she would argue their divinity. If she had the option to refuse the vallaslin she probably would have, but choose Ghilan'nain's so as not to upset the clan many of whom already whisper about her being some sort of agent or gift from the goddess.

I don't think I've ever managed to do Carver's friendship route.  Rival!Carver with purple!Hawke is just too much fun.

'Sister, no!'

'Sister, YES!'

(Carver Rivalry +1billion)

 

 

I totally agree with this sentiment, but that maybe because the rival path with Carter reminds me of my relationship with my own younger brother's so it is fun to go around game tweaking Carter's nose. It's like getting a one up on my own siblings. Plus I love purple Hawke's brand of snark.

in regards to all Inquisitor's being special in some way, I would be interested to hear what Cole says to each racial version of the Inquisitor. In particular I am interested in the lines he says after talking about how bright the Inquisitor is. For those of you who have played other races, are the lines different? Does anyone know if there is a video for that?

Huh, you don't need Cinematic tools for that. I think it which number he is in party composition to see it. I think I got that expression and he looks either furious or disgusted.

 

I suppose he's not a fan of seeing buff, blonde dudes chained to a bed.... Which makes me wonder why he was looking in the first place xD

 

What, Solas? You're not pleased with old-gen body model sacrifices, that has left everyone with low-poly, low-texture versions? Or are you disturbed by lack of... parts?

Do you know what number he need to be to see this without Cinematic Tools?

I still can't get over the Solas breaks your heart.....ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: BELOVED AND PRECIOUS

 

 

 

....

You know, it does add to the heartache, but like the locked-in state of the romance, I can't help but think it is purposeful in some way. Maybe as a way of saying that despite the breakup a romanced Lavellan is still beloved and precious to Solas.

That really is beautifully done! I bet Niamaduir is chuffed

My grin is cheek aching big.

@  Illyria:  Clean up the glitter? You don't clean up glitter, that was the point of the glitter. Now no one can wash the optimism away! *giggles madly with a wide cheshire girn*

*Edit: I am so happy about my commission that I am completely failing at typing today. And I forgot to add, someone mentioned to geekyjez over on Tumblr that Solas has a very interesting facial expression on his face when you find that guard tied to Celene's bed for those of you have DAI Cinematic Tools

My Tarot card is done!

 http://needapotion.tumblr.com/

Creators, that smile...it's so distractingly cute and melt worthy...now what were we talking about?  Ummm, Solas yes, well umm, I think...I think I am going to add a line or two an embarrassing piece of self-insert fic that I can't believe I'm even writing. Yep, that's what I think...excuse me.

Well, I've had my fill of being negative about Solavellan.  BACK TO TEAM OPTIMISM!

 

*WAVES GIANT TEAM OPTIMSIM FLAGS AND THROWS CONFETTI EVERYWHERE*

 

Everything will be fine and we'll get an ending that is sunshine and rainbows!

*Hands Illyria a giant tube of glitter the color of Solas' eyes*

Use this, it sticks better than confetti and is impossible to completely clean up.

And now some more awsome shots from captaincaranis

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For the fact that statically, elves are not rolled by a high # of players, Fenxshiral of Project Elvhen has a ridiculous number of name request for names that have Fen (wolf) in them. I have spent most of the last two days editing his asks into an easy to use "Elvhen Name Book." I think by the time I am done the Fen section of names is going to be quite long.

Back on topic, the scar is interesting since it does not seem to come from a blade, like the ones we see on Cassandra, but there just too may variables, and I am on my 2 glass of wine after spending most of the evening alphabetizing so my brain has very little capacity for theories right now.

Methinks that the jawbone, like all the hints in DA:O and DA:2, is just another way of hiding the truth of who Solas is in plain sight.

And now I'm off to run about the Hinterlands and possibly the Fallow Mire with a party of mages so I can listen to Vivienne, Dorian and Solas heckle each other 

Veering off topic for a moment -- just so I can assault you with Solas-related arts. Two new pages this time! Previous pages found in a storage locker under the sea.
Preview:
 

Spoiler

I love the "thunk" and the cut away to their feet with the statuette between them. I don't know why, but it makes me incredibly gleeful.