338 réponses à ce sujet

[NewYears1978]

I finally got my copy too, mailman just brought it. I'm at work though so I have to do the "necessary" work first..before I chill and read =)

[Leman]

Bob the Insane wrote...

This introduces some nice concepts.

1. the Darkspawn are not just an unthinking horror
2. reinforces the sacrifice involved in becoming a Grey Warden
3. mages are powerful but limited
4. there are magic objects that can ward off the taint
5. only the dwarves can make dragon bone stuff
6. the taint normally kills humans
7. the taint seems to prefer manufactured architecture to spread

A couple of questions from the story,

If in spreading the taint to a large group means most will die but some will become darkspawn (half-darkspawn?) then what is special about the Grey Warden cerimony? Is it like a taint vacine?

Why did the taint not appear to spread into natural caverns?

If the Grey Wardens are effected by the taint can they pass it on? Are they carriers?

I don't think it can be said that the darkspawn are not an unthinking horror. The Architect said that were the old gods slain that the darkspawn would turn on each other. My guess would be that they would kill each other until someone like the architect gave them direction. However, we don't know how often one like the Architect is created. We don't even know how they are created. They can not be just human/elves/dwarves that were tainted as the process is far too slow and lethal for there to be so many.

While this blight has been hundreds of years in the making, the timeline says that the previous blights weren't nearly as far apart. So there would not be enough time for the darkspawn horde to regain its numbers just by waiting for infected people to turn.
I guess they could be sending raiding parties up to snatch up villiage, but nothing has ever been mentioned in that reguard.

As far as your taint question, it seems to me that the tain was in quite a few of the natural caverns. Specifically the ones the darkspawn were digging in and also the area the party camped at before Genevieve left. While the camp area was dwarven architecture, it was specifically stated that the tunnel they went into (the Deeper Roads I think it was called) was at least partially natural.

The other places that were natural and had no taint were the cavern system with the green water and the dragon's lair. My assumption would be that the dragon could easily keep the taint away and either the unnatural water or the stalagmite monsters were also able to keep the taint away.

There was also no taint in the dwarven mansion, at least not in the room with the demon. Maybe the taint is just lazy and only infects places that wont resist

It also doesn't seem like the taint is passed on by the Wardens as there have been childs birthed from them and, as far as we know, had no side effects.
If Fiona's son does turn out to be Alister, I would be curious to know if he was required to partake of the joining or because of his Warden mother he was already tainted. I guess that will truely answer your question.

As far as the specialness of the Joining, the Architect went into some detail about the process that explained it a bit. I can't remember it word for word but he states that the drinking of the darkspawn blood injects the taint in an extremely large dose which has some effect that I have already forgotten.  

Damn guess I need to re-read it. Le Darn

[Isaantia]

Wait Finona's son is Alistair?

[Servant of Nature]

Isaantia wrote...

Wait Finona's son is Alistair?

Wat?! 

Where'd the red hair come from?  Jebas I don't want Maric's kid!  He'll hump all the elves!

Modifié par Servant of Nature, 16 octobre 2009 - 08:38 .

[Isaantia]

Servant of Nature wrote...

Isaantia wrote...

Wait Finona's son is Alistair?

Wat?! 

Where'd the red hair come from?  Jebas I don't want Maric's kid!  He'll hump all the elves!

I know right? I'm totally playing a Human female so I'll have to watch myself when we're adventuring in taint-filled tunnels together!

He can't be Fiona's son.. where did you hear that Leman?

...but Zevran is blonde! haha.

I know, I know the kid has human ears.

[Polyhymnia]

I think they are both too old to be Fiona's son. My impression is that he would be a teenager by the time of the game. Though it be really neat if he was a companion.

[Leman]

I said IF people "IF!" Nooo don't burn me at the stake... nooooooooooooooo.



It was a speculation that was running around and I just used it as an example out of convenience. I doubt that Alister is their son personally, but he was a target that I could used to speculate on since he is well known and a Grey Warden.

[Isaantia]

How long after the Calling does the game take place?

[Servant of Nature]

Leman wrote...

I said IF people "IF!" Nooo don't burn me at the stake... nooooooooooooooo.

It was a speculation that was running around and I just used it as an example out of convenience. I doubt that Alister is their son personally, but he was a target that I could used to speculate on since he is well known and a Grey Warden.

I understand, I just don't want someone who should be a member of Elf Humpers Anonymous, so I kind of freaked out.  Maric was bad enough to read about... I just need to hope Cailen didn't inherit it.  Rowan's awesomeness should breed that out I think.

[Red Viking]

Rumor has it that Morrigan is another fruit of Maric's loins.

[Leman]

I dunno. I don't think Flemeth is an Elf. So unless he was forced into it I don't see him willingly jumping her bones.

[Red Viking]

She can shapeshift, can't she?

Modifié par Red Viking, 16 octobre 2009 - 09:47 .

[hooligan402]

Isaantia wrote...

How long after the Calling does the game take place?

IIRC, The Stolen Throne was 30 years before DA:O, and The Calling is roughly 11 years after Stolen Throne ..... so it's about 19 years from The Calling to DA:O.

[Isaantia]

Well Maric was alone with the Witch for the night. Who knows maybe she's the one who got him started on his elf-women in taint-filled tunnels fetish. I suppose it's more possible that Maric is Morrigan's father. I would believe that before I would believe Alastair was.

[flem1]

Leman wrote...

It was a speculation that was running around and I just used it as an example out of convenience. I doubt that Alister is their son personally, but he was a target that I could used to speculate on since he is well known and a Grey Warden.

Oh, I think he is.  My first thought on reading the epilogue was "crap, I have to take Alistair along now"?

[Isaantia]

But Duncan would know right away who Alastair's parents are right? I mean he is the only one that knows the secret and he promised to give reports to Maric. I guess 19 years would be enough time. Alastair is really young.



Speaking of Maric and Fiona, considering the City Elf origin, he hasn't really done anything to make life better for them has he?

[Phoenixblight]

I honestly do not think it is one of the team members. Fiona said she wanted the child to have a good life. I do not think Fighting Darkspawn and Blight counts as a good life.

[Damsel of Distress]

Leman wrote...

I said IF people "IF!" Nooo don't burn me at the stake... nooooooooooooooo.

It was a speculation that was running around and I just used it as an example out of convenience. I doubt that Alister is their son personally, but he was a target that I could used to speculate on since he is well known and a Grey Warden.

Alistair being Maric's and Fiona's son would make kinda sense though.

1) His mother died during childbirth. That was Fiona's proposed cover story.

2) He was raised in Redcliffe castle. I believe Rowan's brother is the Lord there. I presume he and Maric get on quite well (Cailan calls him his favourite uncle). It would be a good place for the baby to grow outwith the court, yet still be watched over.

3) Alistair is shunted over to the Templars. Given the lack of backstory so far I've always thought it strange Alistair was enlisted in the Templars. He doesn't seem to have the blind faith which is apparently the most sought after characteristic. The way Duncan deliberately sought for Alistair join the tournament could also be viewed as suspicious if you squint a bit at it. And then Duncan had to use the Rite of Conscription on Alistair, which seems to imply to me that once you're a Templar that's you for life. I'd be very interested if Alistair joined the Templars around the time Maric died/Cailan took the throne.

Modifié par Damsel of Distress, 17 octobre 2009 - 07:11 .

[Isaantia]

Right, which is probably why he joined the Templars in the first place. Sounds like he didn't like the Templars tho. He's an adult now, so I guess its his choice to do it.



I'm still not convinced that Alastair is Maric & Fiona's child, either. But I guess its possible.



So I wonder what Maric's desmise is going to be? From the look of that Violence trailer, & Denerim preview, it appears that Loghain is running the show - and that he doesn't care for Grey Wardens all that much. Is this part of the betrayal that the witch spoke of? If Maric and Cailan are dead, then it leaves Fiona's child as the next in line for the throne, right?

[flem1]

Phoenixblight wrote...

I honestly do not think it is one of the team members. Fiona said she wanted the child to have a good life. I do not think Fighting Darkspawn and Blight counts as a good life.

Except Duncan has inside info, and if he knows a blight is coming and *everyone* will be fighting darkspawn, then the best way to do it is probably from within the Grey Wardens.

[Punahedan]

I am in the middle of The Calling and I have to say it... I KNEW WE HAD TO DRINK DARKSPAWN BLOOD! I knew it!



Having to follow the Calling, though, is a scary idea. I wonder how that'll be tackled in the game.



All the references to cookies, cheese, and Rabbit make me a happy little bug. As does Duncan's personality. Heheh. Maric is also still amusing, though not as much as he was in TST.



It's much more well-paced and written than TST, so I can see Mr. Gaider learned a lot from his previous book. I also find that there aren't very many - or any at all, that I could see - spelling or grammar errors. I appreciate that because it's incredibly jarring and annoying to spot one...it distracts me from the scene.



But, that is all for now. I'm only halfway through, as I said.

[Clammo]

Well I've just finished the book, and although I enjoyed The Stolen Throne I thought this was a much better read, with the writing style having matured considerably.



The illegitimate child's obviously going to cause some rift at some future point - hell, it may well be, as speculated the cause of all the angst in the trailer we saw months ago with all the in-fighting - presumably if Cailan is bumped off by the Dorkspawn then Maric and Fiona's child's gonna be thrust into the mix by the Grey Wardens. Not sure if it's Alistair or not - the thought hadn't occurred to me until I read this thread.



One thing I wasn't certain about was Hafter - how he avoided the taint - is it just a case of him having chowed down on so many Dorkspawn that he's in effect gone through his own Joining, just not in a formal ceremony? As Rabbit's (loved the in book reference!) my number one companion choice I'd like to know if that's how he avoids the taint.



I liked Duncan's character a lot - from what appears to be a solitary, cut-throat background he's gradually maturing into someone with loyalties and the ability to trust people.

[mystupidmouth]

I think Kell said that Hafter underwent the Joining too.

[Phoenixblight]

mystupidmouth wrote...

I think Kell said that Hafter underwent the Joining too.

Correct Kell mentioned hafter was one of them. And Maric made a comment on the Dog doing the ritual.

[rodelbjerg]

I liked reading about that flask of dwarven "ale" Maric got from Aeducan. And that whole campfire drinking that followed was bloody marvelous. Really amusing.

Modifié par rodelbjerg, 18 octobre 2009 - 06:52 .