113 réponses à ce sujet

[General User]

I almost agree, I would phrase that as:

The Chantry may be more horrible than some realize, and less horrible than others imagine.

[Xilizhra]

General User wrote...

I almost agree, I would phrase that as:

The Chantry may be more horrible than some realize, and less horrible than others imagine.

I'd really only keep the first as having any significance. The evil within the Chantry runs deep, though it admittedly doesn't compose the near-entirety of its concept like the Templar Order.

[General User]

Evil?
...

Or corruption?

[Sid66]

Did elthina desreve to die no to blame her, alone for what happen in kirkwall is just well stupid, in my opinion. Only three people are to blame orsino, meredeth, anders the only thing elthina is gulity of is not acting faster in the whole qunari matter. Orsino hid blood mages including the one that killed, hawke mother and lot of women over the course of the story. Meredeth for allowing the idol to drive her mad,Spoiler alert !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(if you side with her in beinging of act 3 later you find out that her sister was a mage she was untrained and got possessed and wipe out her family) So to me that was the main reason she treated the mages the way As for the no good murder well you guys no what he did, the flip side of freedom is responsibility and no mage i came across in kirkwall ever took responsibility for thier actions it was always the templars fault. In the end for me no-one was right in the game not Anders, meredeth, or Orsino. But my main point is that we can all say what elthina could have done or not have done, She had think of what has best for kirkwall "The needs of the many sometimes must outweigh the needs of the few" That my opinion she was pull in many directions she didn't know where to go.

[LobselVith8]

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

That must explain why the templar bowed to Elthina as a sign of respect, and why Meredith throws a fit in front of the entire audience regarding her thoughts that Orsino should be brought back in chains. Remember, Elthina is a popular Grand Cleric.

There are many cultures that use the bow as a sign of respect.  And in many different situations too.

Like in addressing the highest ranking member of the Chantry of Andraste in Kirkwall, to whom the Knight-Commander is a subordinate.

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Also, becoming a dictator over the entire city is certainly not part of normal operations for the Order of Templars, even a Knight-Commander, especially when such a position has caused so many people to want Meredith's removal - civilians and nobles will rally around Hawke if he publicly opposes her and mages and templars will work together to see her removed from power.

Orsino makes his appeals to Elthina and Hawke because they are the only figures in Kirkwall who can publicly oppose Meredith. 

In all fairness, a qunari attempted coup that left the city leaderless isn't part of anyone's normal operations.   Meredith faces opposition in Kirkwall not due to her assuming power, but rather her refusal to relinquish it.  Nevertheless, she still enjoys a substantial base of support in Kirkwall, both inside and outside the Templar Order, so thinking that she is just one good shove (from Elthina, Hawke, etc. or any combination thereof) away from being toppled is off by a far sight.

Civilians and nobles will rally around Hawke if he publicly opposes her, and there are templars who have allied with mages to remove her from power. It's also illegal for the Knight-Commander to hault the election process and become the dictator over the entire city-state, and part of the reason she can so is because her superior (the popular Grand Cleric) doesn't stop her actions or oppose her dictatorship.

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Such is the nature of having the Knight-Commander be your subordinate:

"Reverend Mother Elthina assumed the mantle of grand cleric almost twenty years ago; she is responsible for the spiritual well-being of southern Free Marches (everything south of Starkhaven and the Minanter River). She has long been a calming presence in the city, renowned for her kindness andgenerosity. People frequently turn to her to mediate disputes-particularly those involving the powerful Templar Order, over whom she holds authority as the Chantry's ranking representative."

Again, just being someone's nominal superior in an organization does NOT mean you can interfere in their affairs as you see fit.  Especially with a separate branch of that organization which has it's own distinct imperatives, official and otherwise.

If Meredith is breaking the law by holding political power, then it does mean Grand Cleric Elthina should intervene, especially when her codex addresses she holds authority the Order of Templars in Kirkwall:

"She has long been a calming presence in the city, renowned for her kindness and generosity. People frequently turn to her to mediate disputes-particularly those involving the powerful Templar Order, over whom she holds authority as the Chantry's ranking representative."

Clearly, Elthina has the authority to intervene if Meredith has gone too far.

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Based on her dialogue with Hawke, Elthina makes it clear she is letting the Maker sort things out, which is odd because it goes against the teachings of the Chantry (which is why Leliana suffered so much opposition to her claims at Lothering because it went against what the Chantry taught).

What teachings are those? 

Leliana left her Lothering cloister not because of what the Chant taught, but because of what she learned from it.  A subtle but important distinction.

Since I never claimed Leliana left the Lothering Chantry because of the differences she faced there, I'm not certain why you're arguing the point. In addition, Leliana makes it clear she faced opposition because she believed the Maker has not abandoned humanity, when the Chantry teaches that the entire point of bringing the Chant of Light to the four corners of the world is to bring back the Maker.

[WhiteKnyght]

Funny. Elthina says that death is never the answer and praches against violence, yet she acts as the voice for a religion that subjugates anybody who does something they don't like.

The Tevinters, the Dales, the Qunari, and now the Mages.

[Herr Uhl]

The Grey Nayr wrote...

Funny. Elthina says that death is never the answer and praches against violence, yet she acts as the voice for a religion that subjugates anybody who does something they don't like.

The Tevinters, the Dales, the Qunari, and now the Mages.

And the Darkspawn, don't forget about them!

[LukaCrosszeria]

Inprea wrote...

How much responsibility for what happened do you think Elthina carries based on her position and knowledge? Do you believe that her neglegence was great enough to be considered a crime? Finally if you believe she did commit a crime through her failings what punishment do you believe it deserved?

The templars are the military force of the Chantry and the Chantry's highest leaders are the Divine and the Grand Clerics. Elthina stood by and let Meredith and who knows how many rabid templars abuse the mages while knowing what was going on. A knight-commander of the templars has no business ruling a city, yet Elthina stood by and let a paranoid madwoman turn Kirkwall into a police state where mages were unjustly hunted and abused, which in turn made the mages desperate and drove them to blood magic. If she had done something, Anders would have never gone so far as to blow up the Chantry. He was right about her and about the mages dying a slow death too.

So yes, I agree with you, she carries the biggest responsiblity for what happened. She was the only one who could have stopped Meredith and she didn't.

Edit:l I forgot to say I found her comment to Orsino especially callous too in the begining of Act Three, telling him off while at the same time allowing Meredith to pile outrage upon outrage. A good shepherd looks after his entire flock, not just the ones she or he favors. And her choir boy is as much of a hypocrite as she is. I wish I could play Hawke in DA3 just to pound Sebastian into the ground. (off topic, but he royally pissed me off at the end, pun intended).

Modifié par LukaCrosszeria, 07 novembre 2011 - 08:36 .

[AlexXIV]

Herr Uhl wrote...

The Grey Nayr wrote...

Funny. Elthina says that death is never the answer and praches against violence, yet she acts as the voice for a religion that subjugates anybody who does something they don't like.

The Tevinters, the Dales, the Qunari, and now the Mages.

And the Darkspawn, don't forget about them!

Darkspawn ain't sapient ... aside from those who are.

[Gervaise]

To say that if Elthina had done something Anders would never have blown up the Chantry is mere speculation and I believe incorrect. Whilst he gets Hawke to distract Elthina with an ultimatum, if her speaking out was really going to influence him, then he would have awaited to outcome before planting his bomb. After all he has already stated to Hawke that he is going to mix the ingredients together and then boom, "Justice and I are free", because he doesn't invisage being spared for his crime and in fact wants to be killed so he can be a martyr for the cause.

And if she had spoken out in favour of the mages, it would have been the Circle mages, not apostates and not mage freedom, particularly since by this point it would seem that the majority of apostates had turned to blood magic. Anders admits as much when talking to Hawke. It was the discovery that there was a templar/mage conspiracy in the Gallows involving blood mages that probably gave Meredith the final push to take the action she did.

Also Anders' action is part of a wider movement known as the Resolutionists whose avowed aim is to spread terror and has already started doing this in other parts of Thedas. When Lelianna comes to Kirkwall on behalf of the Divine, they attempt to ambush her but end up targeting Hawke instead. However when Lelianna says "If Kirkwall falls to magic, none of us is safe," he most pointedly says "None of you." And the chilling emotionless way he says this foreshadows the action that he will take.

And also just for the record Tevinter Magisters use their Chantry and Templar Order to eliminate people who oppose them. The Qunari use the Ben'Hassrath (the clerical arm) and others to hunt down and kill those who oppose them, or alternatively capture them and forcibly re-educate them or turn them into mindless drones. Many of the mages in Kirkwall and the Resolutionists think there is nothing wrong in terrorising and killing those who oppose them. And whilst the Dalish may not have been responsible for the Exalted March on them (the jury is still out on that one), those that fled the encroaching army, went over the Frostbacks and killed the barbarians that were already there as a pre-emptive strike on the basis that the barbarians "had no honour" and therefore it was better to be safe than sorry. (Just been replaying Origins so this is fresh in my mind). So the Orlesian Chantry do not have a monopoly on intolerance and brutality - it is an inherent problem throughout Thedas.

[dragonflight288]

Very well spoken Gervaise.

[General User]

LobselVith8 wrote...
Like in addressing the highest ranking member of the Chantry of Andraste in Kirkwall, to whom the Knight-Commander is a subordinate.

Is the concept of formal social courtesy really so alien?  Hawke can bow to Elthina too, you know.

LobselVith8 wrote...
Civilians and nobles will rally around Hawke if he publicly opposes her, and there are templars who have allied with mages to remove her from power. It's also illegal for the Knight-Commander to hault the election process and become the dictator over the entire city-state, and part of the reason she can so is because her superior (the popular Grand Cleric) doesn't stop her actions or oppose her dictatorship.

Some nobles and commoners will rally around Hawke, others Meredith.  The Templar Order's seizure of power in Kirkwall could almost be called a constitutional crisis.  It's the process of establishing all new precedents, terms like "legal" and "illegal" don't strictly apply.

LobselVith8 wrote...
If Meredith is breaking the law by holding political power, then it does mean Grand Cleric Elthina should intervene, especially when her codex addresses she holds authority the Order of Templars in Kirkwall:

"She has long been a calming presence in the city, renowned for her kindness and generosity. People frequently turn to her to mediate disputes-particularly those involving the powerful Templar Order, over whom she holds authority as the Chantry's ranking representative."

Much like the Arishok, I feel as if "I am no more equipped to explain than you are to understand."  I should think it's much more the former since the concepts of "scope of authority", "limited power", and "organizational imperatives" are not terribly complex.

LobselVith8 wrote...
Clearly, Elthina has the authority to intervene if Meredith has gone too far.

That's just it, especially given that Meredith controls a large, well armed and trained force (while Elthina has only her personal popularity to bank on), whether Meredith goes too far or not is a matter of opinion.  Unless Elthina can point to clear and gross violations of Chantry or Kirkwall law (and maybe not even the latter) on Meredith's part, the Grand Cleric has no real grounds to dismiss the Knight-Commander or even dictate/interfere with how she does her job.  And, no.  Assuming duties outside one's normal scope during a crisis does not constitute a violation of anything.

LobselVith8 wrote...
Since I never claimed Leliana left the Lothering Chantry because of the differences she faced there, I'm not certain why you're arguing the point. In addition, Leliana makes it clear she faced opposition because she believed the Maker has not abandoned humanity, when the Chantry teaches that the entire point of bringing the Chant of Light to the four corners of the world is to bring back the Maker.

Leliana left Lothering because that's what she believed the Maker wanted her to do.

[AlexXIV]

If Elthina was the person with highest authority in Kirkwall, then everything that happened is in her responsiblitly. Whether she was too weak, stupid or just unwilling to prevent it doesn't really matter. It was her job. Nobody forced her to be Grand Cleric. She wanted to be it for some reason which we don't really know. Lifes depended on her doing her job well enough. And she failed.

Would Anders have blown up the Chantry even if Meredith was replaced? Would Orsino become bloodmage even if the templars didn't tranquil so many mages? Speculation? Honestly, if the reasons for something happening are erased, why would it still happen? Wars are no force of nature. It is not out of our control to stop them. Question is do we even want to stop them and are we doing enough. In Elthina's case I can savely say no, not enough. She seems to me rather unaware of the things that happen around her in all her talking and doing. And I think that's why Anders didn't mind blowing her up. He was disappointed. And not only he.

Modifié par AlexXIV, 08 novembre 2011 - 01:03 .

[dragonflight288]

Elthina may have had the highest authority, but Meredith had the most swords, the support of the guard, many citizens honestly believed she held the moral high ground from fear of blood magic and that she overthrew the tyrant before Dumar. Meredtih was more popular than she appeared on-screen.

Add in her paranoia and many templars under her command were trying to get Aveline fired so they could consolidate power in Kirkwall by taking over the guard, there's literally only so much Elthina can do.

Having authority over someone in one thing, but when the person you have authority over has more direct political power than you yourself do, there's not a lot you can do besides scolding them.

[AlexXIV]

You can protest. Instead of pretending that everything is alright. I don't blame her for being weak, just for being a puppet.

[LobselVith8]

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Like in addressing the highest ranking member of the Chantry of Andraste in Kirkwall, to whom the Knight-Commander is a subordinate.

Is the concept of formal social courtesy really so alien?  Hawke can bow to Elthina too, you know.

If Hawke decides to work for Elthina and acknowledges her authority. That still doesn't dismiss the fact that Grand Cleric is second only to the Divine. According to the Chantry Hierarchy, "Beneath the rank of Divine is the grand cleric. Each grand cleric presides over numerous chantries and represents the highest religious authority for their region."

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Civilians and nobles will rally around Hawke if he publicly opposes her, and there are templars who have allied with mages to remove her from power. It's also illegal for the Knight-Commander to hault the election process and become the dictator over the entire city-state, and part of the reason she can so is because her superior (the popular Grand Cleric) doesn't stop her actions or oppose her dictatorship.

Some nobles and commoners will rally around Hawke, others Meredith.  The Templar Order's seizure of power in Kirkwall could almost be called a constitutional crisis.  It's the process of establishing all new precedents, terms like "legal" and "illegal" don't strictly apply.

It's illegal for templars in the Order of Templars to assume political power. According to Divine Beatrix III, "It is not our place to interfere in political affairs. We are here to safeguard the city against magic, not against itself."

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

If Meredith is breaking the law by holding political power, then it does mean Grand Cleric Elthina should intervene, especially when her codex addresses she holds authority the Order of Templars in Kirkwall:

"She has long been a calming presence in the city, renowned for her kindness and generosity. People frequently turn to her to mediate disputes-particularly those involving the powerful Templar Order, over whom she holds authority as the Chantry's ranking representative."

Much like the Arishok, I feel as if "I am no more equipped to explain than you are to understand."  I should think it's much more the former since the concepts of "scope of authority", "limited power", and "organizational imperatives" are not terribly complex.

It's not difficult to understand that Meredith has illegally assumed control over the city-state of Kirkwall and become its dictator, causing much unrest among the people who want her removed from power - commoners, nobles, mages, and even some of her own templars. 

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Clearly, Elthina has the authority to intervene if Meredith has gone too far.

That's just it, especially given that Meredith controls a large, well armed and trained force (while Elthina has only her personal popularity to bank on), whether Meredith goes too far or not is a matter of opinion.  Unless Elthina can point to clear and gross violations of Chantry or Kirkwall law (and maybe not even the latter) on Meredith's part, the Grand Cleric has no real grounds to dismiss the Knight-Commander or even dictate/interfere with how she does her job.  And, no.  Assuming duties outside one's normal scope during a crisis does not constitute a violation of anything.

Assuming political power is a clear and gross violation for a templar, even for the Knight-Commander.

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Since I never claimed Leliana left the Lothering Chantry because of the differences she faced there, I'm not certain why you're arguing the point. In addition, Leliana makes it clear she faced opposition because she believed the Maker has not abandoned humanity, when the Chantry teaches that the entire point of bringing the Chant of Light to the four corners of the world is to bring back the Maker.

Leliana left Lothering because that's what she believed the Maker wanted her to do.

Which contradicts the basic teachings of the Chantry, which is that the Maker has abandoned humanity, and will not return until the Chant is sung from the four corners of the world.

[EmperorSahlertz]

LobselVith8 wrote...

General User wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

Civilians and nobles will rally around Hawke if he publicly opposes her, and there are templars who have allied with mages to remove her from power. It's also illegal for the Knight-Commander to hault the election process and become the dictator over the entire city-state, and part of the reason she can so is because her superior (the popular Grand Cleric) doesn't stop her actions or oppose her dictatorship.

Some nobles and commoners will rally around Hawke, others Meredith.  The Templar Order's seizure of power in Kirkwall could almost be called a constitutional crisis.  It's the process of establishing all new precedents, terms like "legal" and "illegal" don't strictly apply.

It's illegal for templars in the Order of Templars to assume political power. According to Divine Beatrix III, "It is not our place to interfere in political affairs. We are here to safeguard the city against magic, not against itself."

Nothing in your quote says that it is illegal for the Templars to prevent the elections of a new Viscount. All your quote actually said was, that the Divine didn't feel it was the Chantry's place to rule, not that they weren't allowed to.

[LobselVith8]

EmperorSahlertz wrote...

LobselVith8 wrote...

It's illegal for templars in the Order of Templars to assume political power. According to Divine Beatrix III, "It is not our place to interfere in political affairs. We are here to safeguard the city against magic, not against itself."

Nothing in your quote says that it is illegal for the Templars to prevent the elections of a new Viscount. All your quote actually said was, that the Divine didn't feel it was the Chantry's place to rule, not that they weren't allowed to.

Meredith wasn't simply preventing the election of a new Viscount, she was acting as the new Viscount through her role as Knight-Commander and her control over the largest army in the area, installing a dictatorship over Kirkwall through her templar army.

Modifié par LobselVith8, 08 novembre 2011 - 05:01 .

[EmperorSahlertz]

uuuh dictatorship... Like the Viscountcy ALREADY were... How dare she impose DICTATORSHIP on an already DICTATORIAL Viscountcy!..... Transparrent rethoric is tranparrent...

The way the politics of Kirkwall works, allowed her to block the election of a new Viscount, and for her to rule in the absense of a Viscount. Which is not at all disallowed anywhere in any of the laws we have acces to. She has the biggest stick, she is in charge, she was in charge even while there was a Viscount, so I really don't see the big deal.

[General User]

LobselVith8 wrote...
If Hawke decides to work for Elthina and acknowledges her authority. That still doesn't dismiss the fact that Grand Cleric is second only to the Divine. According to the Chantry Hierarchy, "Beneath the rank of Divine is the grand cleric. Each grand cleric presides over numerous chantries and represents the highest religious authority for their region."

I wasn't trying to dismiss dismiss the fact that Grand Cleric is second only to the Divine, just the opposite in fact.  Elthina's position in Kirkwall society is such that almost everyone, save those who lack in social graces, would bow to her.

LobselVith8 wrote...
It's illegal for templars in the Order of Templars to assume political power. According to Divine Beatrix III, "It is not our place to interfere in political affairs. We are here to safeguard the city against magic, not against itself."

EmperorSahlertz wrote...
Nothing in your quote says that it is illegal for the Templars to prevent the elections of a new Viscount. All your quote actually said was, that the Divine didn't feel it was the Chantry's place to rule, not that they weren't allowed to.

What he said.

LobselVith8 wrote...
It's not difficult to understand that Meredith has illegally assumed control over the city-state of Kirkwall and become its dictator,

Does Kirkwall have a constitution?  If not, then the only way to establish illegality is via precedent.  As I recall Marlowe Dumar served as Viscount at the Templars sufferance after the Order ousted his predesessor.  As much as anyone might like to say that Kirkwall should follow it's tradition of electing a new Viscount from the ranks of the nobility, the precedent is also established that the Viscount's seat is the Order's to do with as they please.

LobselVith8 wrote...
causing much unrest among the people who want her removed from power - commoners, nobles, mages, and even some of her own templars.

And well supported by people who want Meredith to remain in power or even take over the city officially.  Including commoners, nobles, and the vast majority of her own templars.

LobselVith8 wrote...
Assuming political power is a clear and gross violation for a templar, even for the Knight-Commander.

No.  It's assuming a role beyond the scope of their duties, nothing more and nothing less.

Modifié par General User, 08 novembre 2011 - 05:56 .

[AlexXIV]

Well one should assume that the title and position of Viscount, being a nobility title, is inherited by such. I mean can you imagine Knight Commander Gregoire seize the throne of Ferelden? So basically I wonder if Meredith had any claim to that title, or where from actually. Considering Elthina could have taken over as well, for the time until nobility had chosen a successor for the dead Viscount.

Disappointing that Hawke couldn't do it. Act3 would have made more sense with Hawke as Viscount. Even though running around the streets killing stuff isn't exactly what Viscounts do. But ... well ... it didn't have to happen that way.

Modifié par AlexXIV, 08 novembre 2011 - 06:27 .

[esper]

AlexXIV wrote...

Well one should assume that the title and position of Viscount, being a nobility title, is inherited by such. I mean can you imagine Knight Commander Gregoire seize the throne of Ferelden? So basically I wonder if Meredith had any claim to that title, or where from actually. Considering Elthina could have taken over as well, for the time until nobility had chosen a successor for the dead Viscount.

Disappointing that Hawke couldn't do it. Act3 would have made more sense with Hawke as Viscount. Even though running around the streets killing stuff isn't exactly what Viscounts do. But ... well ... it didn't have to happen that way.

Local hero or not, I am rather sure that the Chantry in Orlais would have called an exalthed march on Kirkwall if my blood amge had tried to take the throne. Not that she was even remotely interested in it. Also Meridith would never had allowed for a mage to be vicount no matter what.

[AlexXIV]

esper wrote...

AlexXIV wrote...

Well one should assume that the title and position of Viscount, being a nobility title, is inherited by such. I mean can you imagine Knight Commander Gregoire seize the throne of Ferelden? So basically I wonder if Meredith had any claim to that title, or where from actually. Considering Elthina could have taken over as well, for the time until nobility had chosen a successor for the dead Viscount.

Disappointing that Hawke couldn't do it. Act3 would have made more sense with Hawke as Viscount. Even though running around the streets killing stuff isn't exactly what Viscounts do. But ... well ... it didn't have to happen that way.

Local hero or not, I am rather sure that the Chantry in Orlais would have called an exalthed march on Kirkwall if my blood amge had tried to take the throne. Not that she was even remotely interested in it. Also Meridith would never had allowed for a mage to be vicount no matter what.

As far as I know Meredith mostly rules by force. And doing that she would only rule until a greater force takes it from her. Well I think that Hawke is a bloodmage/apostate is rather unknown. I think if he was a bloodmage and Meredith knew it she would not have hesitated to order to kill Hawke. Not to mention that Cullen would hardly have protested against it. I mean ... 'bloodmage'. That's the trigger word for most templars to draw their swords and start hacking and slashing. Aside from 'demon'. And think about this: If you side with the templars in the end Hawke becomes Viscount. Even as an apostate/bloodmage.

Modifié par AlexXIV, 08 novembre 2011 - 06:52 .

[esper]

AlexXIV wrote...

esper wrote...

AlexXIV wrote...

Well one should assume that the title and position of Viscount, being a nobility title, is inherited by such. I mean can you imagine Knight Commander Gregoire seize the throne of Ferelden? So basically I wonder if Meredith had any claim to that title, or where from actually. Considering Elthina could have taken over as well, for the time until nobility had chosen a successor for the dead Viscount.

Disappointing that Hawke couldn't do it. Act3 would have made more sense with Hawke as Viscount. Even though running around the streets killing stuff isn't exactly what Viscounts do. But ... well ... it didn't have to happen that way.

Local hero or not, I am rather sure that the Chantry in Orlais would have called an exalthed march on Kirkwall if my blood amge had tried to take the throne. Not that she was even remotely interested in it. Also Meridith would never had allowed for a mage to be vicount no matter what.

As far as I know Meredith mostly rules by force. And doing that she would only rule until a greater force takes it from her. Well I think that Hawke is a bloodmage/apostate is rather unknown. I think if he was a bloodmage and Meredith knew it she would not have hestated to order to kill Hawke. Not to mention that Cullen would hardly have protested against it. I mean ... 'bloodmage'. That's the trigger word for most templars to draw their swords and start hacking and slashing. Aside from 'demon'. And think about this: If you side with the templars in the end Hawke becomes Viscount. Even as an apostate/bloodmage.

Meridith and all the nobles know that Hawke is a mage by the end of act two (allthough the blood mage thing is unknown even by your own group. Specalization regonation is my first wish for da3). Meridith is just not politically suicidial and put a different leash on Hawke by tolerating him/hers magic as long as they are the champion and protect the city. She directly says that if you refuse to do on the loose. However,if Hawke was to be vicount neither Meridith nor the chantry in Orlais would have accepted that.
Appenrently Gaider have even admitted that Vicount Hawke if siding with the templars was a mistake born from there only being two endings that doesn't take class into account, but if we don't speak in what should have been. Meridith was dead when Hawke is Vicount. If she wasn't hawke wouldn't have been vicount. And by the time Hawke is named Vicount the chantry is too busy with revolting mages and rebelling templars to have the recoursces to deal with a mage on the throne. 

[AlexXIV]

Ah right I didn't know the part with DG saying it was a mistake. I guess there is not much point in making a mage Viscount then because it probably won't be recognized in DA3 anyway.