Miri1984 wrote...
It seems a lot of people think it's better for Anders to be on the rival path because he splits from Justice more, and it makes the bombing more Justice's fault than Anders. I disagree. He joined with Justice because he wanted to free mages. The mage fight was always ANDERS' fight, not the fade spirits'. Justice sees the Justice of it (hur hur) and so agrees to join with him. Their goals are the same. The method he goes about doing it is called into question at the end on the rival path, but that's all. The fight is the same.
People can not like what he did, I understand that. But saying the rival path is better for him because it makes him lose control of his body so Justice can plant the bomb... doesn't sit right for me. I don't think it is better for him. I think it's better for HAWKE, because then they can feel like they've tried to stop something they disagree with (if they disagree with it). But not for Anders. He's going to have to live with it for the rest of his life regardless (even if that life is very short).
He doesn't think it was a GOOD thing to have done, but on the friend path he thinks it was necessary.
I liked your (articulate and well-argued!

) point, Miri, and it gave me some food for thought. Like you, my post is not meant to be inflammatory - I just like playing devil's advocate.

I just finished an Awakening playthrough with Anders and Justice in my party at all times, and the party banter they both go through leads me to believe that the mages' plight is of extreme concern to Justice for a couple reasons.
First, he sees Anders being profoundly affected by the second-class citizenship of mages and is surprised and confused that Anders is unwilling to take the next step and work for the freedom of all mages. He encourages Anders to look at the bigger scope of his predicament, even telling him that he's obligated to fight for justice for all mages: "You have seen oppression and are now free. You must act to free those who remain oppressed."
Second, I think Justice takes on the mage issue as a replacement for killing darkspawn. He may even realize that things with the Mother and Architect will eventually come to a head, and that the need for justice against the darkspawn (and avenging Kristoff) will be over. But as a spirit of Justice, he needs a new cause. The plight of mages gives him something greater to work for.
This unfortunately makes both friendship and rivalry difficult. I wouldn't go so far as to say a rivalmanced Justice acts on his own initiative in Act III, as I don't think Anders can truly ever be separate from Justice again. But I do think that merging with Justice brings Anders' own actions into a larger scale. Anders on his own isn't about fighting for freedom - he's about enjoying his own independence, and making sure he personally isn't caught by the templars again. It's Justice's influence that helps him expand his philosophy of "freedom for self" into "freedom for all mages."
Would a non-possessed Anders ever take such a bold, earth-shattering step like blowing up the chantry? I don't think so. I think he needs the influence of a spirit, a creature with a different perspective, in order to make that leap.
Again, just my opinion. I love this thread!

EDIT: I also found it fascinating that when you meet Wynne outside the Amaranthine chantry when she's on her way to the College of Magi, Anders actually agrees with Wynne that the Libertarians are going about seceding from the Chantry in the wrong way. So while yes, Awakening Anders wants mages to be free, he's not ready for the bold steps it will take to get them there.
Modifié par bloodtallow, 26 mars 2011 - 02:15 .