1890 réponses à ce sujet

[Vaeya]

@Gala- That's good to hear. x3

And yeah, that's why I was wondering. Greagoir and Emeric were old but showed no signs of dementia. And heck, then there's Samson who isn't that old but has only been scraping by... This whole Lyrium addiction aspect is really curious. I hope they delve into it deeper in the next game, or even DLC or expansion. Or book. Either works. I just want the information~ XDDD

I will probably post it on FF once I get a few more chapters written. But like I said, it's not the typical pairing. *giggles* So I'm not sure how many of you would actually care to read it/like it. XD

Edit for the top: (this is a first for me! >w<)

Modifié par Vaeya, 09 août 2011 - 04:35 .

[Illusionary Ennui]

Avilia wrote...

Well said Gala!

Reading your post and the others here on this topic made me think. Cullen would make a good Seeker. Makes me wonder if in DA3....

I actually had that in mind for one of my fan fictions, not a Cullen-centred one but he plays a decent role in that one... *blinks* Please stop reading my mind - I have the notes to prove it. 

Seriously, though. It's a valid move, career- and stance-wise, for him. To serve the Divine, a holy purpose, would eliminate some of the potential of the depravities he's faced in the past and offer opportunity for something greater... unless the Chantry and the Divine are also corrupt as well... but that's another tale. <_<

-------

On a side note, I finished my canon playthrough - felt awfully guilty for siding with the Templars in hopes of changing the Knight-Commander's view and minimize casualties, but having Carver and Cullen step forward to protect me and those farway looks the Knight-Captain kept giving me... I mayfeel a slightly less dispicable.

"You must steel yourself for what it to
come. We both must."

Justly so, Knight-Captain... and that is so going into my story.

Modifié par Illusionary Ennui, 09 août 2011 - 05:33 .

[Avilia]

Seekers 'police' the Templars. It seems to me that Cullen has a couple of big ticks on his c.v. for that job:

1. Seen the worst mages can do - check (twice)
2. Seen the worst Templars can do - check

Cullen's view of what Templars should be seems to me to be more closely aligned to what the Chantry actually teaches. Rather than a more hardline view pushed by fanatics of either side.

Only problem is how to fit it in the time line because if he's a Seeker, why is Cassandra chatting to Varric? Curse it!!

Edit - I was writing this while V and II posted so its not in reply to their posts but rather clarifying my idea   I'm not mind reading I promise - I actually started a ff where Cullen was Seeker as well

Modifié par Avilia, 09 août 2011 - 05:29 .

[Galagraphia]

@Vaeya, well I don't ship Cullen with Hawke. My mage Hawke VIda (Amell import) respects him and she's trying to prove that some mages are ok (which is incredibly hard after what her "cousin" put poor Cullen through); my templar Hawke Dinah (Cousland import) always tries to drag him out of the Gallows, buy him some fire water and steal his templar secrets. And make him smile maybe, because he's so bloody serious, and Dinah is a joker. One night she's getting so drunk that he hugs both him and Varric and says that she would marry them both, but Andraste and Bianca would be jealous, so she won't Cullen quickly escapes to the Gallows after that, because he doesn't drink much, and that woman is scary.

@Avilia, yay, you are writing DA fanfiction again!

Maybe Cullen will join Seekers after Cassandra meets Varric? Well, Varric's words will prove that Cullen didn't betray the order, and it's obvious that Cullen doesn't want the war, just like Cass. So I can see them joining their efforts.

[Avilia]

Hawke's wondering if the Templars need more recruits now that Wilmod is dead:



Good thoughts Gala - I might use them if you don't mind?  Assuming my muse stays home and doesn't wander off again 

Modifié par Avilia, 09 août 2011 - 12:27 .

[Galagraphia]

@Avilia, you are welcome! I think it's ok to share
lol, in Obsession universe it would be pretty hilarious if he joined Seekers. Because he saw Rhiamon and Leliana kissing right after the Broken Circle. (It was a "I hate you Cullen, you are an ass, watch how I'm kissing a girl to make you bloody miserable!" kiss Because Rhia was just so mad at him.) I can see Cullen giving Leliana suspicious looks: "What did they do together? Did they do something? Oh, Maker! I want to stop thinking about it. Now!" XD

Modifié par Galagraphia, 09 août 2011 - 12:36 .

[Avilia]

haha - that would be funny I think. He'd follow Leliana around glaring and she'd wonder why.

[R2s Muse]

Gala, you are such an eloquent defender of Cullen, I salute you! Part of the reason I started writing down what he said in Act I was to prepare myself for such... disagreements, with evidence. But in the end, after seeing what's been happening in some of the other threads recently, I think forums are not a great place for divisive discussions when folks are responding from their gut feeling of "I just don't like him." 

I completely agree with you that he has been doing his best to follow the basic tenets of the Order, following the will of Andraste, and that the Order is not inherently evil. In Kirkwall there are some sadistic bad apples, and unfortunately, Meredith's "judge, jury and executioner" approach to being a templar has protected and supported folks like Alrik. But, there are also many who are more reasonable, like you've mentioned.

I like your description of Meredith as someone doing her job who believes she's doing right. I think this is what makes her such a compelling character. Of course, her Act 3 day-to-day measures are still rather extreme, with locking the mages in their rooms and treating the Circle much more like a prison; but she's not raving at this point. Cullen has not opposed her measures openly, but he's clearly having a crisis of conscience. And, this is in spite of the fact that he told himself he would never again question the Order. So... in the end, he doesn't question the Order -- he questions Meredith, first opposing her execution of the surrendering mages, and then opposing her turning on Hawke, which is the straw that broke the camel's back. I see it all as a logical progression for him standing up for what he believes the Order stands for, and resolving his own personal crisis.

Ugh... sorry for the wall of text... I've writing been about this topic in my post-Act 3 fic, so it's fresh!

But, I love the idea of him becoming a Seeker, and now feel dumb for never thinking of that!! Or at least, a Seeker like Cassandra, who seems reasonable and focused on creating checks and balances and limiting abuses for both the templars and mages. My one misgiving with this idea is that I also have a sense that there are Seekers who are a bit more sinister and Inquisition-like. From the codex on them:

I can say the following things with certainty: they serve the Divine and they are feared. When a Seeker steps from the shadows, templars run for cover ...  It’s said they are immune to a blood mage’s mind control and possess the ability to read minds or erase memories, but this is likely exaggeration."

And, then from the official strategy guide's epilogue:

"Perhaps more intriguing, is there a reason why Hawk is now gone, like the Warden, as revealed by Cassandra in the final scenes? Do the Champion and the Hero of Ferelden have more in common than we know? And what do the mysterious seekers of truth have to do with this? Will some kind of inquisition be at the heart of events of the next Dragon Age title?

Modifié par R2s Muse, 09 août 2011 - 07:32 .

[Avilia]

An inquisition? I find that idea intriguing. Wading into the mess left by the war/rebellion and sorting it out.

Hmm.. Interesting info R2

[Galagraphia]

@Avilia, you know, I kinda want to draw a crack comic about it now It won't really happen, because I doubt Cullen will join the seekers in Obsession. Because he's partially responsible for the Warden's disappearence. 

@R2 Well, Cullen is totally immune to blood magic. How else would he survive Uldred's rebellion? Makes sense. Heh, but I doubt seekers read minds, it's blood magic and creepy-creepy-creepy. And bad! I would prefer shooting holysmites out of their arses eyes.
And I agree with your opinion on his actions in act 3. 
Also, it's funny how people like to say that all templars are bad because Alrik is a bastard, but if you start counting, there were much more crazy and dangerous blood mages in Kirkwall than crazy and dangerous templars. For example, one of the bands you kill on the night streets are blood mages and their thralls. And people wonder why templars are so strict in Kirkwall! Because Kirkwall is a crazy place where the Veil is too thin and blood mages, demons and abominations are something usual.

(And I'm a pro-mage player, btw)

[Bekkael]

Gala, you're right. There are WAY more crazy mage types than sicko templars in Kirkwall, and I'm a rabid mage supporter too, but not a blind one like Anders. (Although he admitted Thrask was decent, I don't think he felt similarly about Cullen. Too bad.)

As for people who just don't like Cullen... *shrug* I started DA2 with a pretty sad/low opinion of his character, based on the epilogue of DA:O, but his reasonableness and kindness quickly stole my Hawke's heart. AND HE IS A BLOODY MINOR CHARACTER!!! I think folks who refused to soften toward him, just aren't capable of being open to character persuasion and change, and are too set in their pre-conceived notion of what that character is all about. I may be blasted for that, but if I can have my opinion radically altered, I think anyone could. And, no, I didn't change my view just because of how pretty a pixel-man he is either...although that doesn't hurt!

The fact that he (a loyal and obedient knight), stands up to his commanding officer to defend a known mage is really mind-blowing. He isn't a puppet of the Chantry, but a man of strong conviction, and he will defy authority to do what he feels is right. That proves he has integrity and a very strong backbone. I think it also proves his story is far from over, since the writers went to such lengths to develop and mature his character from DA:O.

That's my opinion, anyway. Why else would they write him siding with the Champion NO MATTER WHAT, if there weren't already plans for some type of future inclusion? It wasn't necessary. Hawke didn't NEED him, per se...

(To those who said this board is a happy place: It is!!!! It's a happy, minty, lyrium-infused room full of Cullen! How could it be anything other than kind, cordial, and welcoming? We represent the coolest templar in the DA universe.)

[Rumpeline]

Bekkael wrote...

Gala, you're right. There are WAY more crazy mage types than sicko templars in Kirkwall, and I'm a rabid mage supporter too, but not a blind one like Anders. (Although he admitted Thrask was decent, I don't think he felt similarly about Cullen. Too bad.)

As for people who just don't like Cullen... *shrug* I started DA2 with a pretty sad/low opinion of his character, based on the epilogue of DA:O, but his reasonableness and kindness quickly stole my Hawke's heart. AND HE IS A BLOODY MINOR CHARACTER!!! I think folks who refused to soften toward him, just aren't capable of being open to character persuasion and change, and are too set in their pre-conceived notion of what that character is all about. I may be blasted for that, but if I can have my opinion radically altered, I think anyone could. And, no, I didn't change my view just because of how pretty a pixel-man he is either...although that doesn't hurt!

The fact that he (a loyal and obedient knight), stands up to his commanding officer to defend a known mage is really mind-blowing. He isn't a puppet of the Chantry, but a man of strong conviction, and he will defy authority to do what he feels is right. That proves he has integrity and a very strong backbone. I think it also proves his story is far from over, since the writers went to such lengths to develop and mature his character from DA:O.


That's my opinion, anyway. Why else would they write him siding with the Champion NO MATTER WHAT, if there weren't already plans for some type of future inclusion? It wasn't necessary. Hawke didn't NEED him, per se...

(To those who said this board is a happy place: It is!!!! It's a happy, minty, lyrium-infused room full of Cullen! How could it be anything other than kind, cordial, and welcoming? We represent the coolest templar in the DA universe.)

I totally agree with you, I also think they have plans with him. And like you said: Even though he was a minor character, he totally stole the show in the few scenes he had....mmm, does this expression even exist in English? I hope you know what I mean

[Rumpeline]

Galagraphia wrote...

@Avilia, you know, I kinda want to draw a crack comic about it now It won't really happen, because I doubt Cullen will join the seekers in Obsession. Because he's partially responsible for the Warden's disappearence. 

@R2 Well, Cullen is totally immune to blood magic. How else would he survive Uldred's rebellion? Makes sense. Heh, but I doubt seekers read minds, it's blood magic and creepy-creepy-creepy. And bad! I would prefer shooting holysmites out of their arses eyes.
And I agree with your opinion on his actions in act 3. 
Also, it's funny how people like to say that all templars are bad because Alrik is a bastard, but if you start counting, there were much more crazy and dangerous blood mages in Kirkwall than crazy and dangerous templars. For example, one of the bands you kill on the night streets are blood mages and their thralls. And people wonder why templars are so strict in Kirkwall! Because Kirkwall is a crazy place where the Veil is too thin and blood mages, demons and abominations are something usual.

(And I'm a pro-mage player, btw)

I agree with you, there were really a LOT of crazy mages in Kirkwall, and I am also a pro-mage player So you definitely cannot say that all templers are bad. Most of them are just doing the best they can and are following orders. They probaly have been happy to see Meredith die after her strange behaviour and are now more than wiling to follow Cullen..... maybe into an expansion or DLC....????

*Cross fingers*

[Avilia]

I do find it interesting that people say the Templars are worse than mages.  As you've said, more mages go nutso.

I hear that there are Templars abusing their power - and there are, Alrik and the one that comes after Grace (who should be allowed to kill Grace as it turns out...).  I'm sure there are some I'm forgetting but that's all that comes to mind right now.

I also hear that they make mages tranquil at the drop of a hat.  Hmm. Grace, even if the Templars think she killed what-his-name, is standing about in the Gallows courtyard, chatting to another mage who escaped with her.

She obviously holds some power because if you click on Thrask he says "I'm the only Templar Grace will tolerate near her people".  Erm, so she has that much control over what goes on?

Its either incredibly strong plot armour or sloppy story telling imho.  Its also not consistent with what I hear about mage's treatment.   I don't take much Anders says seriously, he's possessed by a demon and more than a little obssessive about mages and templars.  So, him telling me Templars are abusing their power isn't what I'd call a good source.

Sorry, this isn't the place to discuss this but I've wanted to say that for ages!  I know its an unpopular position to take but even going into DA2 as a mage supporter, by the time I get to Act 3, I can't do anything but side with the Templars.

"Kirkwall - more blood mages per square inch than Minrathous."


While I'm bracing myself to be shot down in flames, I'll say something on topic ;-)

Great I can't think of anything now...  Have a picture instead!

One of Gala's works (hope you don't mind Gala):



EEdit - minor typo..

Modifié par Avilia, 09 août 2011 - 09:27 .

[Vaeya]

@Avilia- wow. Haha I agree with you so much. TwT I'm glad I'm not the only one. Ill say more later but right now I'm on my phone at work. XD *dies*
Edit: Okay, finally off. <3
But yes, I agree. Alrik and Emerick were the extremist Templars, and Meredith, as well.There were only a few of them, and their Knight-Commander was one of them, so of course Templars, being very obedient to their order, would obey her. It isn't in them to question authority, but some still do.

Where there were only a few extremist Templars present, there were tons of Blood Mages. So many that I'm surprised the Templars had time to spare standing in the Gallows rather than walking through Kirkwall at night to find them. XD

The whole Grace situation, I agree. She seemed to be treated leniently, considering who she had been involved with.

Anders... I liked him in the beginning, especially when he mentions Ser-Pounce-A-Lot and his love of cats. (I'm a cat-lover to the extreme. XD) But what he says sometimes is too much, even for me who always plays mage PCs more than any others. The Templars are doing their jobs, and I think that it is quite justified. They're there to protect the mages from turning into demons, but also to protect people around them if they were to do so, which is quite possible. Now obviously, some Templars take this to the extreme which is uneccesary and only provokes mages to the extreme anyway. But the theory, in general, should work. Mages and Templars can coexist if both parties learn to trust one another, if both just accept the fact that they are what they are, and they can't change that fact.

I'm sure many people may have thought of this before me, but a revised system may work. Instead of trapping the mages in a circle, away from normal people, why not let them live outside of it? Perhaps when apprentices pass their Harrowing and become mages, they can be assigned a Templar to them and go out into the world, thus freeing the mage AND Templar from prison in the circle. Then again, if they prefer to stay in the circle, they can. But this allows more freedom to mages, and therefore lessening the urge to consort with demons.

Er, sorry! Rambling and kind of went off topic. Ahem, back to responding to your statements, Avilia. XD

But yes, I agree. Anders is kind of... no, he is very biased. XD He's not a very good source of advice on the mage vs Templar argument. I find myself in agreement with you, Avilia... Towards the end, even with my Mage, I can't help but side with the Templars. And no, it's not because Cullen is super handsome- that's just a perk ;D- but because of all the blood magic going on in Kirkwall. Heck, not to mention Orsino knew of Quentin and did nothing about it. After that I just... can't side with Orsino. DX Even in my Mage!Hawke playthroughs. (I've sided with the Mages only once, and the Templars twice now. XD)

Again, sorry for the slightly off-topic rant of my views and such.

Edit 2: D'aw... Did the picture I post at the top disappear for others, too? I don't understand, when I go to edit it it shows up, but then it keeps saying **Image removed** etc. :c sadface.

Modifié par Vaeya, 09 août 2011 - 10:54 .

[R2s Muse]

Vaeya wrote...

Edit 2: D'aw... Did the picture I post at the top disappear for others, too? I don't understand, when I go to edit it it shows up, but then it keeps saying **Image removed** etc. :c sadface.

You know I see it as image removed as well, and I've never seen that before. I don't know if that might result from a content filter or if something went wrong in the bbcode? In case it's something weird in the latter, here's an (overly explicit) guide to posting stuff on the forums that might help.

[Avilia]

I assumed a mod removed it? I've only seen that **image removed** when that has happened. Usually the mod leaves a note to say they've done it and why though.

Very odd. Was it a naughty picture ;-)

[rak72]

I agree with you guys about Anders view of circle atrocities being skewed. Plus I have a soft spot for templars that are doing their job because that could have easily been Alistair . I wish there was an option with the Anders/map quest not to have to kill the templars. It would have been cool if we could have sided with the templars, got Cullen as a companion, then go ransack Anders clinic to get the map. Again, I imagine that Alistair (or Cullen) could have been amongst those slaughtered templars doing their job.

[Vaeya]

@Avilia- Hahahaha! XDD No, it wasn't. It was just a nice closeup of his handsome face. =w= Hehe. If you quote that post, I believe you can see it. XD

@R2- Thanks~ I read it to check and make sure I did it right, and yeah, I did. So I don't understand why it won't show up. XD Fiddlesticks! I liked that picture, too.

@Rak72- Oh gosh, yeah. TwT I hated killing innocents! They were just doing their job.. and you have no choice but to fight them. *sigh* XD
I agree, though. It would have been funny to rage through Anders' clinic with Templars. Imagine his face. *giggles*

As a side note in case people misunderstand... I don't /hate/ Anders, but I don't like him either. He's just in between. XD

Edit: Is the image issue because I'm still a new member or something, maybe? Oh I don't know, but this will bug me until I figure it out. XD

Modifié par Vaeya, 09 août 2011 - 11:49 .

[R2s Muse]

Vaeya wrote...

Totally weird. So, here's a test by quoting it. In the editing window I can see it, and going to the url I can see it. Hmm, may be something weird about it linking to someone's account... or maybe it's not 100% public because you have to be logged in to BSN? A way to avoid might be to just use photobucket or imageshack or something like that.

EDIT: so, odd, look there it is! everyone else see it??

Modifié par R2s Muse, 10 août 2011 - 12:23 .

[Vaeya]

@R2- Hahah yay! There it is! owo That IS weird! And I tried to do it using photobucket and imageshack as well, neither of those worked either. I don't understand, perhaps it's because my account is new, that's the only thing I can think of.

But on subject. He's looks so conflicted/thoughtful and totally handsome there. TwT Gahhhh. XDDD

[R2s Muse]

@Avilia - I LOVE your new sig... "Nobody expects the Inquisition!" LMAO Outstanding!

re: killing templars, that bothered me as well that there was no way to avoid it on several occasions. With Anders's quest, I think I felt the worst when Cullen commented on it happening, something like "Someone killed a dozen of our best men ... in the Chantry! Are the people here animals?"  What bothered me more was Best Served Cold, where you end up having to fight lots 'o templars whether you're pro- or con- . I know they try to explain that it's a "kill first, ask questions later" type of thing, but it still didn't quite sit right with me.

Sorta feel like the templars, with their de-humanizing helmets on, are like the redshirts of Thedas.

[Avilia]

@R2 thanks! I need a clearer shot of Cassandra's eyes though. I can't resist a Monty Python reference...

[Vaeya]

Oh gosh, yes! Best Served Cold made me so sad. TwT No matter what side you took, you couldn't avoid pointless slaughter. Gah. XD

And Cullen remarks on that!? I've never gotten that speech bubble! Damn it! Looks like I'll be doing yet another playthrough. XD Er, I also heard you can turn Anders in to Cullen, and I've been dying to know what course you take to do that... Because no matter what I tried I couldn't. XD

[Yankee23]

Vaeya wrote...

I'm sure many people may have thought of this before me, but a revised system may work. Instead of trapping the mages in a circle, away from normal people, why not let them live outside of it? Perhaps when apprentices pass their Harrowing and become mages, they can be assigned a Templar to them and go out into the world, thus freeing the mage AND Templar from prison in the circle. Then again, if they prefer to stay in the circle, they can. But this allows more freedom to mages, and therefore lessening the urge to consort with demons.

This is very similar to thoughts I had after Origins. Have you read The Wheel of Time? Perhaps mages need Warders!