44 réponses à ce sujet

[bayareadodger69]

So ok, I just have to say that DA:O was designed very well. So well, in fact, that a major decision I made in the story line is really affecting me personally. I was up playing late last night, and I was in the Haven Temple. I decided to help the fanatics (despite me playing a motly 'noble' warrior) and taint Andraste's ashes with the false Andraste's blood.

The guilt didn't really set in until two things happened: 
First, part of my decision was based on the possibility of gaining more allies in the battle aganst the Darkspawn. After I got back and asked the Cultists to help in the struggle I was flat out denied. Wow. Morrigan,you were WRONG!

Then, I get back to camp, and Leliana starts asking me what we found (I don't take her with me much, favoring Zevran). I show her the pouch of ashes. She wants to know where the rest are. I say "they're safe." Then she says I'm being evasive, so I spill the beans, and she storms off, calling me a monster. Double wow.

The point is, I can't remember a game where I actually felt guilty in real life for what I've done in game. I'm also an atheist, but it got me to thinking, "what if that was like, The Shroud of Turin?" It wouldn't mean much to me, but my decision to taint such an artifact would affect millions of people. I have felt guilty about this all day at work, even! My first thought was to go back to a prior save, but I will play it out. After all, what good is an RPG if your decisions have no meaning? 

Good job Bioware. The Ashes of Andraste quest was a very thought provoking venture, and the profound affect it has had on me has exponentially increased my immersion. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this quest? Maybe it's just because, as I said, I am rolling a mostly noble character, so this decision was a tough one. If I were rolling a douchebag, I might not have been as affected.

Thoughts?

[JohnF1986]

Yes, that was one of the more difficult things to be evil at. Truly making me think about the consequences, or rather my character ponder what might be more profitable.

And nice comparison to the Shroud. It's not a secret that Andraste is mostly a female JC, so the implications of desecrating such an artifact are rather meaningful to the common player.
One of the really mature plotlines in the game, and for that a big kudos to those responsible.

[Livemmo]

Never have Leliana in your party when you do that...

[dk3dknight]

Actually its better to kill the cultist for his sword.

[JamesX]

Cultist has a Battle Axe, the Sword one is someone else but in the same area.

[Alynna_tp]

It doesn't matter if she's in your party or not the next time you talk to her she will get huffy and leave. Wynne might leave too I can't confirm that for you though.

[JamesX]

It actually matters some.. since if she is in your party she turns hostile and attacks you.

[Kash_Jay]

When you go back to Brother Ginitivi, he want's to expliot the ashes. [Some memeber of the Chantry am I right?]  So my first thought was.."Oh noes. Bad things will happen." It seemed as though Wynne was behind my decision, then I killed the poor guy, and Alistair wasn't having that, nor was Wynne. But yeah, I slayed the cultist for his battleaxe. Why might you ask? No reason, since I was a rogue and battleaxes are useless to me. Though, I kinda wanted to unlock reaver for Sten on my next play through. :<

[bayareadodger69]

Funny thing is, I didn't make my decision based on loot or approval (though I was happy Morrigan FINALLY approved of SOMETHING I did ), but on where the decision would put me in terms of the defense against the Darkspawn. To have that thrown back in my face, and THEN lose anothe sword arm (Leliana), it kinda stung. I did a bad thing to advance the greater good, and it backfired. Good intentions paving the road to Hell and all that, I guess... no loot can make up for that.

[Spaghetti_Ninja]

I don't think ruining the ashes is ''evil'', despite what these Chantry nutjobs might think.



Amusingly, if you just take the ashes to the Arl straight away Leliana won't even notice anything, but Wynne does.

[JamesX]

Destroying the Ashes to fuel the power of lizard worshiping cultists who suck souls for power (beign reavers) and murder people at a whim to achieve their goals... is not evil? >.>

[Flamin Jesus]

Destroying an unquestionably powerful and unique artefact of ACTUAL tremendous practical value that could not only help countless sick and dying people, but also provide hope for the masses is not evil? For me it's the closest thing you can come to doing something truly evil in the game, and I'm not even religious!



This thing isn't just some symbol of imagined spiritual value, it has actual powers that can benefit people!

[bayareadodger69]

Flamin Jesus wrote...

This thing isn't just some symbol of imagined spiritual value, it has actual powers that can benefit people!

In point of fact, it is a REAL artifact of spiritual value and divine power. I considered that choice very evil (especially within the scope of my character). I mean, it's basically PROOF of there being a Maker. Perhaps the Maker will forgive me because of my intentions... :/

[EDIT] - In fact, if any religion possesed this type of artifact in reality (and it became public), I doubt there would be any athiests (like me) running about any longer.

Modifié par bayareadodger69, 14 novembre 2009 - 12:21 .

[Flamin Jesus]

It's not necessarily proof of the maker, Andraste could, after all, just have been some sort of exceptionally powerful mage or something and this could have carried over to her remains. Nonetheless, it's proof that at least SOME things the Chantry claims aren't entirely untrue.

[The Angry One]

That or it's one hell of a placebo.

[Flamin Jesus]

"And what does your healing spell do?"

"It convinces people they are fine"

"Does it actually help them?"

"Nah, but it only costs half as much as all the actual healing spells!"

"BOUGHT! Ten batches for our commons district medic!"

[JamesX]

Considering the nature of the Fade, Andraste might be touched by a extremely powerful spirit.

It doesn't mean she is the bride of the maker. Nor does it mean she isn't. The extremely powerful spirit can very well be the maker XD

[Flamin Jesus]

Is it wrong to think "And now show me exactly where the spirit of the maker touched you." while reading that post?

[ComTrav]

I started out fully intending to despoil the ashes. (This Andraste stuff is all human nonsense anyway.) The cultists got me past the High Dragon, too.



Going through the shrine and tests, though, made me see the significance of the Ashes. I was particularly floored when "Origin Tie-in Character" showed up and urged me to move beyond my past. (Any time the origin story is reflected in the main game, I'm happy...) I try to do an 'evil' playthrough, and I turn into a softie...(and in the ending, despite promises of moral ambiguity, my 'good' decisions all turn out well while my 'evil' decisions end badly.)



Also, Wynn was in my party at the time, and I'll bet she'd leave, and I didn't want to go through the rest of the game without at least the OPTION of 2 mages. If you want to unlock reaver you can always do the slightly game-y option of reloading and doing it.

[Flamin Jesus]

Not to mention that the guardian just looks so sad and shocked when you defile the ashes, you can't do that to him. O_o

[The Angry One]

Too bad there isn't an option to pilfer the Urn and take it with you.

I'm sure Leliana and Wynne could be convinced it's a good idea with a "for the greater good" speech while you secretly snort the ashes in camp.

[AirWonderCross]

I didn't understand why your character only took a handful of ashes... when he/she could have taken the whole thing. xD But then again.. the gods could get pissed at you.



If you don't want the Reaver specialization, then I don't suggest defoiling it... unless you always hated Wynne or Leliana.

[The Angry One]

In terms of karma, my philosophy would be "I passed the freaking bridge gauntlet, I deserve 10 Urns thank you very much"

[AirWonderCross]

Yeah I know... it was disappointing that you had to go through all that trouble for Arl Eamon who REALLY isn't necessary to attack Loghain... in all do respect, you could have just set up the Landsmeet yourself.

[Flamin Jesus]

The Angry One wrote...

Too bad there isn't an option to pilfer the Urn and take it with you.
I'm sure Leliana and Wynne could be convinced it's a good idea with a "for the greater good" speech while you secretly snort the ashes in camp.

"Wait, this isn't cocoa! You put dead messiah into my milk!"

"What did you wash those sheets with? They look so... cleansed!"

"Why are you throwing water balloons at those zom... NOT THE ASHES!"