66 réponses à ce sujet

[Vanilka]

I don't think there's anything wrong with a good character taking the assassin specialisation. As Faerunner stated, it's more of a technique than a lifestyle. Your character may find assassins despicable for what they do but still can learn their skills and use them in combat, instead of making dirty money with them. The fact you may have Zevran with you makes it all that easier because - from RP perspective - watching him, your character can simply get interested in his fighting style and ask him to teach them a thing or two. That doesn't mean your character has to start killing for a living.

Modifié par Vanilka of the Sword Coast, 08 juillet 2012 - 10:47 .

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

thats1evildude wrote...

Have you played Leliana's Song? There's a room in the Hard Line's dungeons where you rescue an elf named Adaia who DG later confirmed is the City Elf's mother. In gratitude, Adaia tells Leliana that she will teach her child that there are good humans in the world.

Unfortunately, IIRC, what happened to Leliana really happened in Orlais. Leliana's Song is much embellished, and the backdrop of Denerim got around having to create new art for Orlais.

Unless Adaia was inexplicably in Orlais, she was never rescued by Leliana or even met her.

This does not stop the idea of the CE being taught by her mother not to hate humans, although since Adaia ended up being killed by them, Shianni raped by them and Soris imprisoned by them...

[Get Magna Carter]

My city elf was compassionate and tolerant of humans though voiced objections to any racism she encountered. She was fighting mainly to protect friends and family in the Denerim alienage and also out of a sense of duty...and she did come to like Alistair and Lelianna
There is a good range of dialogue options available.

[thats1evildude]

Shadow of Light Dragon wrote...

Unfortunately, IIRC, what happened to Leliana really happened in Orlais. Leliana's Song is much embellished, and the backdrop of Denerim got around having to create new art for Orlais.

That's what she tells the Warden, but that could be a lie. LS does not paint a very flattering portrayal of Leliana; maybe she opted for a version of the story that didn't involve the murder of scores of Ferelans.

Plus, with my guy, he probably would have stopped mid-story and said, "Wait, that was YOU who got my mom out of the Hard Line's dungeons?"

Modifié par thats1evildude, 09 juillet 2012 - 06:07 .

[Dintonta]

Faerunner wrote...

Dintonta wrote...

I would like to try to clarify that, if I can, because it's actually what made me blunder, and I feel bad about the fact it looked like I wanted to "knock" your character.

I read your entire post and I think I understand what you're trying to say. I'm sorry I over-reacted.

Thank you! It is a very nice thing to say.  But honestly, when I read back the comment I did:?, I don't think you over-reacted, I just think I blundered. Invaluable lesson here, for the web-noob I am : never impersonnate a character in a post without warning!

Confederate Republic wrote...

Err, anyway, I do have one more problem. See, I planned for my combat styling to be vastly different from my Warrior, planning on a DW Rogue with Stealth and Lockpicking skills. I planned on taking Assassin for gameplay reasons, in that it seems to add perfectly onto the Stealth aspect. However, I don't feel it... right for the character, as killing for a living is likely the last thing he'd want to do. I know you can likely RP it differently then how Zevran is, I'm just not sure in what way.

My two coppers about the assassin spec. : It has already been pointed out that it was more a way of fighting than a way of living. I ++ to that.
Also, about this way of fighting : It's a style which teach how to improve the target's wounds, usually through backstabs. That looks like a rather sinister introduction, but if you examine what it actually implies, you can see it from a totally different POV : Most of the backstab opportunities (in my gameplay experience) happen when flanking an already engaged foe, diverted by a tank pal. In this context what it requires could be seen more like team thinking than murderous science. It's even more true if you look at the description of the mark of death talent (yet another sinister header) which says something like "the assassin fight a way which reveals his target's weaknesses to all the group members" : Team thinking again.
You can also look upon the critical hit chance improvement and the lacerate talent as ways for weak and under-equipped people to compensate for their inferiority, by making each hit count. That requires wits and not necessarily the morbid dedication to perfect a cold "art of death".
Surely, Shianni's ways have already put her cousins in more than their share of minor brawls against stronger, better equipped humans (it's probable that Vaughan wasn't the first to come in the Alienage looking for trouble), and maybe against a few unfriendly neighbors too...
It may make one Tabris early receptive to those assassin teachings (Alienage cousins = close knit team of quick-thinking weaker people). 

About the ranger spec. : Maybe there is a parallel to draw between it and the use of the survival skill in Elhora's halla quest. Elhora has spent her life tending the Hallas herd, which is a traditional role amongst her people.
Yet, she is unable to appease one of them. You may very well RP that quest with an Aeducan dwarf who has encountered only a few animals in his whole life (mostly subterranean, hostile or cooked), much less a halla.
And since you may have given him/her an improved level at survival (due to his/her exile experience), he/she could actually do better than Elhora herself. If you speak to Hahren Sarel after, he will make a nice comment on your natural gift of empathy with animals.
I think that may work as well for the ranger spec : Her talents may not come from some prior teaching or tradition but from personal empathy.
You may consider it is not unusual for people in difficult personal situation (especially withdrawn children), to develop a strong interest in animals. Or you could imagine that your gold-hearted Tabris couldn't resist feeding that starving wolf who was hanging around the camp at night, with some of "Dog's personal reserve" bones (I let you imagine this last's reaction.)

Personally, I like to give the bard spec. to my elves because it looks like story-telling is an important part of both elven cultures. One of my favorite conversations in the whole CEO is about story-telling. You'll get it in the intro by catching two children playing in the backstreet (get Soris first for just a lil' bit more fun).
I don't think it will get you closer from the shadow spec. you wanted but I'm pretty sure it would still differ from your previous RP.

I hope it helps!

Modifié par Dintonta, 09 juillet 2012 - 06:41 .

[Shadow of Light Dragon]

thats1evildude wrote...

Shadow of Light Dragon wrote...

Unfortunately, IIRC, what happened to Leliana really happened in Orlais. Leliana's Song is much embellished, and the backdrop of Denerim got around having to create new art for Orlais.

That's what she tells the Warden, but that could be a lie. LS does not paint a very flattering portrayal of Leliana; maybe she opted for a version of the story that didn't involve the murder of scores of Ferelans.

Plus, with my guy, he probably would have stopped mid-story and said, "Wait, that was YOU who got my mom out of the Hard Line's dungeons?"

Mine would have warned her to pick another elf to "pretend-rescue".

Anyway, she pretty much states in LS that creative liberties abound. The backdrop wasn't important.

[thats1evildude]

Shadow of Light Dragon wrote...

Anyway, she pretty much states in LS that creative liberties abound. The backdrop wasn't important.

But there's more evidence that LS happened than the Orlesian version of events. Sketch and Bonny Lem both exist. Bann Perrin was humiliated.

[Confederate Republic]

Personally I always assumed that LS was the canonicle depiction of her backstory. There is no evidence what-so-ever that the version in which it occurs in Orlais is true, and we only hear it once, when there is that the events in LS occured, Sketch among them.

Anyway, about Elves, I had a few more questions. Yes, I know this is likely getting dull, but, I should (Hopefully) have all my remaining questions... inquired in this post. My first question is very likely my most important.

1. After doing a bare playthrough (Just the base Origins game) I plan to do a "Story" build this time around. I'm going to read the first two novels (Stolen Throne and The Calling) then possibly Leliana's Song, then the main Origins campaign (With all DLC), then Awakening, Amgarrak, Witch Hunt, DA2, and so-on in chronological order. My first and only full playthrough was that of a Human Noble, and I have to say, I can't help but shake the feeling that it's the "Proper" origin, meaning the main "Story" based one. It just... fit so perfectly, I have trouble imagining doing it as an Elf, or Mage, or Dwarf. Basically I want to know if a CE could "Fit in" just as well as a Noble with the main series storyline, from Stolen Throne, to Asunder, and beyond. Since I plan for this playthrough to be my official "Canon" that will fit in with Bioware's main canon (Novels, Silent Grove, etc.) I pretty much would like to know how well the Elf origin lends itself to Thedas as a whole. Would it feel likely poorly copy-pasted, or would it fit just as well as a HN?

2. How big a roll will your race play into the main campaign? As in, post-origin. Will all the NPCs such as in Denerim and Redcliffe basically be "Hello, you are an Elf!" and you'll likely respond with either "Watch your tongue shem, or I'll cut it out!" or "What? Elves aren't ALLOWED to be Grey Wardens?" Or will it follow more along the fact of you being a Grey Warden then it will you being an Elf. Personally the reason I'm so interested in the Origin is, beyond being different from my Noble playthrough, I want to try sort of a commonor rogue feel, the peasent who goes from Zero to Hero. If it will be more about "Elf Pride" then "Rags to Riches" then I likely won't enjoy it as much.

3. Would you see a romance with either Leliana or Morrigan feasable as an Elf Male? Is it ever stated they could even be attracted to an Elf, or would it just feel... off?

*Whew* Hopefully that should cover everything.... I just kinda want as much information as possible before I make my final decision to put forward my own personal canon.

[Corker]

1. Haven't read the novels, but I don't think the Noble origin is any more or less tied in to the supporting stuff.

Human Noble has the advantage of its dramatic climax (revenge for the massacre, possible royal marriage) at the same time that the overall story has its dramatic climax. City Elf, IMO, has a dramatic climax just before the Landsmeet, during Unrest in the Alienage, when you beat down the Tevinter messing with your people. Added bonus: You can defend the Alienage during the Siege of Denerim.

No other Origin is *defending their actual home from the Archdemon.* That is pretty awesome.

2. NPCs will occasionally remark on your elfitude, but not incessantly, and you generally have dialogue options to minimize or outright ignore their comments. It will only be about Elf Pride if you want it to be.

3. I can easily see Morrigan with an elven man. Raised as she was, I don't think she has the "elves are inferior" thing ground into her. The Warden is powerful, she likes powerful men, ergo she likes the Warden.

Lelilana... there is a very short (two dialogue) sequence that "deals" with Leliana's experience of elves in Orlais. I understand that there couldn't have been more, but I wish there was; I think it's supposed to signal that Leliana is an open-minded and good-hearted person, and is willing to work on her prejudices "off-screen." My elves don't generally find that convincing enough; your mileage may vary.

[actionhero112]

I would say all origins get commented on throughout the game, but the comments on your elfitude aren't always aggressive. I don't think it's necessary to go around and figuratively stab people with your knife ears.

Plus City Elf Male is Braveheart (essentially). Which is just cool.

But to answer your question, it does fit in well with the main story. I would say almost all origins do, bar the Dalish Elf Origin which has slim mention in the main stories.


For a more fulfilling experience, I would probably say romancing Zevran is your ideal romance. You are both essentially conscripted into various organizations that focus on killing things.

However if you're not comfortable with your warden being gay, I would say Morrigan, not because she has things in common with you, but because she plays a larger role in the overall story.

[jillabender]

actionhero12 wrote…

Plus City Elf Male is Braveheart (essentially). Which is just cool.

Hehe… I have to admit, I thought of Braveheart too when I first played through the City Elf origin!

[jillabender]

Faerunner wrote…

I don't know about the novels, but I think the city elf fits into the main story just as well as the human noble, just in a different way. To put things in perspective: the City Elf is the only Warden that was born and raised in Denerim, the largest city and capital of Fereldan. When you return to Denerim near the end of the game and Eamon brags about how Denerim is essentially the heart and soul of the nation, only the city elf can swell with pride.

The game starts with you storming a castle to kill a corrupt noble for hurting your people. After returning to Denerim when the Landsmeet is called, you get to storm the same castle to kill an even more corrupt noble for inflicting an even greater wrong on your people. There's a feeling that everything has come full circle. There is also emotional signifiance for killing Howe just as there is for the human noble, as he's been slaughtering your people for months.

Then you get to return home in Unrest in the Alienage, which I don't have to explain has far more personal significance for the city elf as the human noble. Once you discover the slave-trading, this gives you even more motivation for wanting to take down Loghain. You get a personal reason to get Howe AND Loghain.

I suppose you can argue that the Landsmeet itself is more significant to a human noble; after all, it's full of fellow nobles and you get to rejoin your flock. However, when you think about it, the city elf finally gets a chance to shine. After years of being under the heels of these human nobles, suddenly, for the first time, you get to walk in as an equal, not a servant. You get to control their destiny--your words and decisions will determine who will be the new ruler of Fereldan. For the first time, you get the floor. They have to sit down and shut up. And it is a glorious feeling.

Everything you've ever done, everything you've worked for, comes to a head by the end. After the Landsmeet is called, you have a personal reason to want to take down Howe, rescue the Alienage, defeat Loghain, and elect a new monarch (Alistair or Anora: either way, they will give more right to your people).

Also, as Corker said, the City Elf also gets to protect their home from the Blight. You get to fight alongside your family to protect your home just before you head off to the final battle that will save everyone. No other feeling like it in the world.

So, yeah. I would seriously argue that the city elf is just as significant to the main plot, just in a different way.

I completely agree – all of those are things are part of what makes playing as a City Elf so satisfying to me.

Modifié par jillabender, 10 juillet 2012 - 03:29 .

[Dintonta]

Wow! That's a lot of questions! Don't worry, it's far from getting dull!
But It may be easier to answer them into the reverse order :

Confederate Republic wrote...

3. Would you see a romance with either Leliana or Morrigan feasable as
an Elf Male? Is it ever stated they could even be attracted to an Elf,
or would it just feel... off?

I rarely RP males, and when I do so, I'm uncomfortable with romances, so Leliana is the only girl in DA:O my PCs romanced : Both my city and dalish elves for that matter. For me, it was by far the most fitting race to go : Consider Leli's interest in elven lore (The way she tell the childhood of Aveline and that story of eternal love inscribed in the stars she likes so much and which is sooo... Tolkienesque, her elven song at camp night, her chosen way to fight with bows...).
That relationship has even a very good little twist in a conversation I wouldn't want to spoil...
Also, since Leliana's love and beliefs emphazise so much on mutual understanding and spirit bonding, I surmise your PC's gender makes little difference.

Confederate Republic wrote...

2. How big a roll will your race play into the main campaign? As in,
post-origin. Will all the NPCs such as in Denerim and Redcliffe
basically be "Hello, you are an Elf!" and you'll likely respond with
either "Watch your tongue shem, or I'll cut it out!" or "What? Elves
aren't ALLOWED to be Grey Wardens?" Or will it follow more along the
fact of you being a Grey Warden then it will you being an Elf.

As first answer to your OP : Don't worry about it...
Actually, past the intro, most of the "Hey, you are an elf!" comments aren't really malicious (they are rather involuntarily uncaring) and nobody latch upon your race. The game never force you to choose a bitter answer : You have frequently even more other options. And yes, you are much more treated like a grey warden than like an elf.

Confederate Republic wrote...


Personally the reason I'm so interested in the Origin is, beyond being
different from my Noble playthrough, I want to try sort of a commonor
rogue feel, the peasent who goes from Zero to Hero. If it will be more
about "Elf Pride" then "Rags to Riches" then I likely won't enjoy it as
much.

Hey, I'm a bit curious here (if you don't mind) why didn't you ask about the DCO, which is precisely all about the "from Rags to Riches" theme?

Confederate Republic wrote...

1. After doing a bare playthrough (Just the base Origins game) I plan to do a "Story" build this time around. I'm going to read the first two novels (Stolen Throne and The Calling) then possibly Leliana's Song, then the main Origins campaign (With all DLC), then Awakening, Amgarrak, Witch Hunt, DA2, and so-on in chronological order. My first and only full playthrough was that of a Human Noble, and I have to say, I can't help but shake the feeling that it's the "Proper" origin, meaning the main "Story" based one. It just... fit so perfectly, I have trouble imagining doing it as an Elf, or Mage, or Dwarf. Basically I want to know if a CE could "Fit in" just as well as a Noble with the main series storyline, from Stolen Throne, to Asunder, and beyond. Since I plan for this playthrough to be my official "Canon" that will fit in with Bioware's main canon (Novels, Silent Grove, etc.) I pretty much would like to know how well the Elf origin lends itself to Thedas as a whole. Would it feel likely poorly copy-pasted, or would it fit just as well as a HN?

My, my, but it's nearly a new topic you open here! :happy:Something like "Which origin do you think fits better the whole DA epics?"
It's truly difficult to answer this, especially if you consider that Bioware may give a new twist to those in DA3.
It would be strange to establish your "perfect canon story-line" just to realize it doesn't fit anymore what follows. If you care for DA3, perhaps it would be safer to choose as "canon origin" the one you feel personaly the most compelling instead of the one you would find the most fitting.

Anyway, I only played through DA:O (with all DLC), Awakening, Witch Hunt and Amgarrak, so I'm a bit limited here.
But to answer you (and from what I know of DA epics) : I'm certain that each origin has its own strong specific way to fit in the story. I wrote before that I regretted the lack of opportunity to RP a rather bitter CE, but since it's not your slope, I see no reason why it should frustrate you.
I also think that what could look like one's "canon story-line" highly depends on what  one's POV on DA adventures is, as far as those are published. For ex :
_If you focus on the Blight's origin, considering that it is the most meaningful event in all Thedas History (and if that sort of greater mystical event is your scope) you may find either a mage or a dalish elf (depending on your POV on the Blight's ancient history) the most fitting RP : You may imagine a blood mage eager to understand what Tevinter magic was involved, in hopes to revert the curse. It would make the whole Ferelden's politic a little less personal to her than to the HN, But it could give a different highlight to Avernus (like-minded fellow), to the whole mage-Chantry conflict ("Their superstitions prevent us, wardens, to know fully what we are facing.") and to Loghain ("A politic who isn't above helping us, libertarian warden-mages")
You may also imagine a Dalish eager to understand the mysteries of old Arlathan, its war against Tevinter, and its possible ties to the Blight ("Why are the Eluvians tainted? What underground city did Tamlen see in the mirror, when it is thought that Arlathan was buried under piles of rocks, and that darkspawn precisely come from below ground? Is there a relationship between the Black City and the Eluvian Land beyond the Fade? Is there any relationship between the old Tevinter gods and the ones the dalish consider to be bad? ") That would gave importance to some aspects of the DA world the HNO do not stress as much.
_If you disregard the Blight's history while you find that the present endless fight against the Darkspawn is what shapes Thedas cultures (and if your scope in DA is about that stalwart resistance). Then you may find that Orzammar is the "eye of the storm", not Ferelden. Thus both of the dwarven origins could be more meaningful to you than the others. (Mmmh... maybe more the DNO.)
_If your scope is on Ferelden's politics, while the Blight would just be a narrative opportunity to see how goes a kingdom in turmoil (like in the world of G.R.R. Martin), you may indeed prefer the HNO.
_If your scope is on Ferelden's society, you could see the Blight as a narrative opportunity for a change. And you may find the CEO most fitting.
_If your scope is about the incredible rise of a single hero came from nowhere, with the whole Blight and other Thedan strifes just cast as a background for it, you may find interrest in the DCO.

I hope those few suggestions may help you, and I am sure there is plenty of others : What I find pretty amazing in DA:O is the replayability of the whole.

Modifié par Dintonta, 10 juillet 2012 - 04:16 .

[Confederate Republic]

Faerunner wrote...

Confederate Republic wrote...

1.
My first and only full playthrough was that of a Human Noble, and I
have to say, I can't help but shake the feeling that it's the "Proper"
origin, meaning the main "Story" based one. It just... fit so perfectly,
I have trouble imagining doing it as an Elf, or Mage, or Dwarf.

It's not exactly fair to hold it against elves, mages and dwarves if you haven't even given them a chance.

That's kinda why I'm asking, since I'm ignorant against those subjects. I mentioned that the only origin I've played fit well into the main story, and I wanted to ask if the others felt the same way.

Also, what's wrong with elven pride? =(

Well, I personally never really liked Dragon Age Elves. To quote Anders, "You
know that chip on your shoulder? I think it has replaced your head." I
personally always found any "Minority" species who constantly harp on to
humans about how they wronged them in some way incredibly annoying, and
I have no interest in playing that way. As far as Elf culture, I have no problem with it, but it seems like in Dragon Age, "Elf Culture" basically means complaining that humans wronged your people.

3.
Would you see a romance with either Leliana or Morrigan feasable as an
Elf Male? Is it ever stated they could even be attracted to an Elf, or
would it just feel... off?

Why would it? You've seen how
accepting and open-minded Leliana is of most people. She's a kind,
loving, sympathetic philanthropist who cares about people of all
walks of life, regardless of their race. She also likes people who are
good and noble and heroic, and if you play your character like that, she
will love him, no matter his race. Leliana seems to also have a lot of
respect and reverence for elves, as she'll compliment an elven Warden
in the best way she can at one point in camp (unintentionally for the
wrong reason, as you'll discover), and of course there's her song
(Leliana's Song) which is in elven. She wouldn't have learned it if she
didn't value elves.

Morrigan also doesn't seem to care about the
cover of the book, but the content. She's a shape-shifting witch of the
wilds that spends more time in animal form than human, and she cares so
little about people when she first meets them that she has to learn to
value their character in order to value them. She's attracted to power,
and if your Warden can show that he is physically and/or emotionally a
force to be reckonned with, I can see her liking him. Likewise, she can
learn to value a person emotionally if they're supportive of her in
conversation, give lots of meaningful gifts and/or help her against
Flemeth.

So, yeah, for different reasons I don't think Leliana or Morrigan are the types to think less of an elven man.

Those are both really good reasons, nothing really else to say.

Dintonta wrote...

Confederate Republic wrote...

Personally the reason I'm so interested in the Origin is, beyond being
different from my Noble playthrough, I want to try sort of a commonor
rogue feel, the peasent who goes from Zero to Hero. If it will be more
about "Elf Pride" then "Rags to Riches" then I likely won't enjoy it as
much.

Hey, I'm a bit curious here (if you don't mind) why didn't you ask about the DCO, which is precisely all about the "from Rags to Riches" theme?

I was actually hoping you wouldn't ask this. :innocent: Since my reason is pretty shallow. I don't really care for how male Dwarves look. Which is pretty sad, since I do find the Dwarven section perhaps the most fascinating, and lore about the Dwarven Empire, Lyrium, Darkspawn, Archdemons, Broodmothers, and the Deeps is the most interesting to me. The DC would be the most appealing, but I can't get past the look for some reason,

Confederate Republic wrote...

1. After doing a bare playthrough (Just the base Origins game) I plan to do a "Story" build this time around. I'm going to read the first two novels (Stolen Throne and The Calling) then possibly Leliana's Song, then the main Origins campaign (With all DLC), then Awakening, Amgarrak, Witch Hunt, DA2, and so-on in chronological order. My first and only full playthrough was that of a Human Noble, and I have to say, I can't help but shake the feeling that it's the "Proper" origin, meaning the main "Story" based one. It just... fit so perfectly, I have trouble imagining doing it as an Elf, or Mage, or Dwarf. Basically I want to know if a CE could "Fit in" just as well as a Noble with the main series storyline, from Stolen Throne, to Asunder, and beyond. Since I plan for this playthrough to be my official "Canon" that will fit in with Bioware's main canon (Novels, Silent Grove, etc.) I pretty much would like to know how well the Elf origin lends itself to Thedas as a whole. Would it feel likely poorly copy-pasted, or would it fit just as well as a HN?

My, my, but it's nearly a new topic you open here! :happy:Something like "Which origin do you think fits better the whole DA epics?"

Honestly, the only reason I didn't open a new topic was because I feel I've already made too many I personally have enough questions that are different enough in topic that I could end up filling the whole front page of the Quest and Lore forum.

It's truly difficult to answer this, especially if you consider that Bioware may give a new twist to those in DA3.
It would be strange to establish your "perfect canon story-line" just to realize it doesn't fit anymore what follows. If you care for DA3, perhaps it would be safer to choose as "canon origin" the one you feel personaly the most compelling instead of the one you would find the most fitting.

Anyway, I only played through DA:O (with all DLC), Awakening, Witch Hunt and Amgarrak, so I'm a bit limited here.
But to answer you (and from what I know of DA epics) : I'm certain that each origin has its own strong specific way to fit in the story. I wrote before that I regretted the lack of opportunity to RP a rather bitter CE, but since it's not your slope, I see no reason why it should frustrate you.
I also think that what could look like one's "canon story-line" highly depends on what  one's POV on DA adventures is, as far as those are published. For ex :
_If you focus on the Blight's origin, considering that it is the most meaningful event in all Thedas History (and if that sort of greater mystical event is your scope) you may find either a mage or a dalish elf (depending on your POV on the Blight's ancient history) the most fitting RP : You may imagine a blood mage eager to understand what Tevinter magic was involved, in hopes to revert the curse. It would make the whole Ferelden's politic a little less personal to her than to the HN, But it could give a different highlight to Avernus (like-minded fellow), to the whole mage-Chantry conflict ("Their superstitions prevent us, wardens, to know fully what we are facing.") and to Loghain ("A politic who isn't above helping us, libertarian warden-mages")
You may also imagine a Dalish eager to understand the mysteries of old Arlathan, its war against Tevinter, and its possible ties to the Blight ("Why are the Eluvians tainted? What underground city did Tamlen see in the mirror, when it is thought that Arlathan was buried under piles of rocks, and that darkspawn precisely come from below ground? Is there a relationship between the Black City and the Eluvian Land beyond the Fade? Is there any relationship between the old Tevinter gods and the ones the dalish consider to be bad? ") That would gave importance to some aspects of the DA world the HNO do not stress as much.
_If you disregard the Blight's history while you find that the present endless fight against the Darkspawn is what shapes Thedas cultures (and if your scope in DA is about that stalwart resistance). Then you may find that Orzammar is the "eye of the storm", not Ferelden. Thus both of the dwarven origins could be more meaningful to you than the others. (Mmmh... maybe more the DNO.)
_If your scope is on Ferelden's politics, while the Blight would just be a narrative opportunity to see how goes a kingdom in turmoil (like in the world of G.R.R. Martin), you may indeed prefer the HNO.
_If your scope is on Ferelden's society, you could see the Blight as a narrative opportunity for a change. And you may find the CEO most fitting.
_If your scope is about the incredible rise of a single hero came from nowhere, with the whole Blight and other Thedan strifes just cast as a background for it, you may find interrest in the DCO.

I find the most fascinating kind of a cross between the Orzammar/Dwarven and Human Noble origins. Both the politics of the surface world, and the immense history with the Darkspawn, Dwarven Empire, and such are my favorite things about the game. Only thing is I've already done the HNO, and... well... I already mentioned about Dwarves.

I hope those few suggestions may help you, and I am sure there is plenty of others : What I find pretty amazing in DA:O is the replayability of the whole.

I agree most definitaly. The hard part is figuring out what to pick

Modifié par Confederate Republic, 10 juillet 2012 - 05:04 .

[Dintonta]

Confederate Republic wrote...

Dintonta wrote...

I hope those few suggestions may help you, and I am sure there is plenty of others : What I find pretty amazing in DA:O is the replayability of the whole.

I agree most definitaly. The hard part is figuring out what to pick

I'd say : why worry about picking if you are going to play them all, anyway?
Are you in a hurry to find that "ultimate favorite RP choice" of yours, because you worry that too many PT could spoil the game before you'll find it, or simply and sadly because you lack the time to give all origins a try?
I can give you my two bits about those, depending on your reason, but about your OP, I'm sorry, I can't find anything to add to the very good insights and suggestions the other passionated CE players have already given to you...

Confederate Republic wrote...
I was actually hoping you wouldn't ask this. :innocent: Since my reason is pretty shallow. I don't really care for how male Dwarves look. Which is pretty sad, since I do find the Dwarven section perhaps the most fascinating, and lore about the Dwarven Empire, Lyrium, Darkspawn, Archdemons, Broodmothers, and the Deeps is the most interesting to me. The DC would be the most appealing, but I can't get past the look for some reason,

It truly depends on what part of that look bothers you.
If it's the face, it could be worth check the forums about the character generator, or the toolset forums about creating a face morph and exporting it in a saved game (last time I did that, it had a limitation about shapechanging though, albeit a really easy one to turn around).
If it's a more overall problem, such as disliking the look of small, squat, hairy and rotund heroes, I think you shouldn't hesitate to open a new topic about that or to ask boldly "How could I even want to RP a stinkin' ugly bearded runt?" in threads with headers like "Dwarves rule Thedas!!! The Orzammar's friends Forum":devil:
Also, don't forget that the way you look at your character may change greatly during the course of  the game. My favorite DC didn't look the same at all when she was strolling with Leske in Dust-Town street, trotting off happily on the road to Ostagar behind lovely "long-legs" Duncan:wub: , making some giant villains fall loudly, or making the whole Landsmeet silent by her mere small presence...

Modifié par Dintonta, 11 juillet 2012 - 02:45 .

[Confederate Republic]

Well, I don't have any more questions, really. At least not about City Elves. I do have plenty more questions, but unrelated to this topic. I don't know, maybe I should make an "Official Confederate Republic Stupid Questions Thread" to save time from filling up the forum.

Thanks again to everyone for the answers. They may not be what I was hoping for, but they were answers nontheless.

[emeraldtrader]

My CE started out very guarded and distrustful of humans. However, during her long journey her perceptions changed. Not all humans are bastards. She maintained a strong intolerance for those who abuse power, intimidate and exploit others, like those pesky demons who like to feed off mortals.

I felt a little let down emotionally when I finally got my character home. I don't know what I was expecting, but it felt a little like "wham bam" and it's over.

I was also disappointed with the weak dialogue choices for my character when responding to Alistair about my marital status.

"He died"
"Oh, I'm sorry"
"I didn't want to get married anyway"

[Phoenix_Fyre]

Wooow nice thread!

I'm currently playing a nice Tabris who thinks humans are amusing, especially Leliana and Alstair, the latter she'll end up starting a relationship with

If anything, I see the dalish as being the most angry towards humans

[transmutable]

My City Elf was constantly bleeding compassion. She was going to save everyone, and usually did. At one point in Lothering I think Morrigan says something like Are you going to give all our money to every starving orphan ever? Why yes, Morrigan. Yes I am.

Absolutely no patience for rapists though.

[jillabender]

emeraldtrader wrote…

I was also disappointed with the weak dialogue choices for my character when responding to Alistair about my marital status.

"He died"
"Oh, I'm sorry"
"I didn't want to get married anyway"

I actually remember there being a few terrific dialogue options during that exchange, although it's probably possible to miss them. I remember my very first character, a City Elf who romanced Alistair, having the option to say:

"Imagine a storybook wedding: this was the opposite."
"There were rapists. And we got the wrong cake. Disastrous!"

Modifié par jillabender, 19 juillet 2012 - 10:47 .

[thats1evildude]

I like that exchange with a CE Warden who's romancing Leliana, as she's initially led to believe that she's The Other Woman. She practically has to pick her jaw off the ground.

"You're … married?! You didn't mention that!" 

Modifié par thats1evildude, 19 juillet 2012 - 11:58 .