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The Complete Defense of Loghain Mac Tir


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#351
jon 45

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Asylumer wrote...


As I said, I believe Loghain is guilty of many things, but not of intentionally betraying Cailan at Ostagar.


Ah, that's all you're arguing? I must confess the constant discussion of various things not directly related to the battle at Ostagar had me confused.

Personally I like to approach the whole thing from an even more "meta" point of view. Loghain as the villain who colludes with Howe to seize power by getting the king killed on campaign makes for a much more cohesive storyline. It insures that, no matter what the origin of the PC, there is a unifying thread woven throughout the game's narrative.

#352
robertthebard

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jon 45 wrote...

Asylumer wrote...


As I said, I believe Loghain is guilty of many things, but not of intentionally betraying Cailan at Ostagar.


Ah, that's all you're arguing? I must confess the constant discussion of various things not directly related to the battle at Ostagar had me confused.

Personally I like to approach the whole thing from an even more "meta" point of view. Loghain as the villain who colludes with Howe to seize power by getting the king killed on campaign makes for a much more cohesive storyline. It insures that, no matter what the origin of the PC, there is a unifying thread woven throughout the game's narrative.

What he truly means to say is that in light of his initial post being chewed up and spit out, he has retreated to this fallback position to save face.

#353
Sabriana

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outlaworacle wrote...

CAUSE FOR REJOICE FOR THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH ME AND/OR HATE MY STINKING GUTS!!

So, I PM'd Mr. Gaider to see if he could weigh in on this thread and hopefully put the debate to rest. He did not want to get dragged into this thread but he was kind enough to answer the questions I had for him via PM, so here's the skinny. There was more said but this is the most relevant part in regards to whether Loghain and Howe were in cahoots prior, whether Loghain authorized the Cousland murder, and whether he consciously premedidated Cailan's betrayal.

I don't think Loghain had anything to do with the death of the
Couslands. Once it was done, however, there wasn't really anything he
could do -- his alliance with Howe already existed, and the situation
at Ostagar tied his hands. He couldn't get rid of the only powerful
ally he had in his pocket.


I stand corrected. My execution is at 8, party starts at 8:15.


Jeebus, reading this long thread took a long time..., I believe I have a headache now because of it :)

Well, that sort of puts the spin more on my side of the view. I didn't believe that Loghain 'was in' on Howe's plan, but that he took advantage of having Howe on his side later on. I stated that many times, and I'm glad that D. Gaider also 'doesn't think' Loghain had a hand in Howe's plans to wipe out the Cousland blood-line.

Lol to D. Gaider for giving once again an ambiguous, definite answer.

#354
Lotion Soronarr

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It's easy to see what has been going on these forums for a while.

Loghain is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...oInLeatherPants

And Alistair is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...onTheDeathEater

Read. Ti's very informative.

#355
Apophis2412

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Lotion Soronnar wrote...

It's easy to see what has been going on these forums for a while.

Loghain is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...oInLeatherPants

And Alistair is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...onTheDeathEater

Read. Ti's very informative.


Interesting viewpoint and one I can agree with. I found the following segments most enlightening:

On Loghain:  In fairness, more than a few authors have written morally amibiguous characters, then act surprised when sections of a fandom embrace them as heroic. This is dirty pool. The personal nature of morality means that actions one person finds to be equatable to dog-kicking will seem perfectly justified, even pragmatic to another, especially if it's of the Designated Evil variety. This is especially common with the Magnificent Bastard and the Designated Villain. This can be especially true if the setting is the Crapsack World or World Half Empty: in a state of moral ambiguity, if the heroes are not good, and the bystanders are not innocent, audiences will naturally root for the coolest character.

On Alistair: Often, in creating Ron The Death Eater, the writer spins his canonical (non-evil) actions into evil acts. This can be seen as a kind of deliberateFlanderization — every possible negative trait of the character is exaggerated until they become a Complete Monster. A measure of ruthlessness becomes complete and utter sociopathy, a tendency towards holding grudges becomes an obsessive hatred of anything they dislike, slight denseness becomes raging stupidity, et cetera.

#356
Asylumer

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*sigh* I suppose I should put down these delusions... hard.

robertthebard wrote...

You should really play the game.  Wynne is not positioned with Loghain.  She is with the King's forces.  As I pointed out in my initial post, if Loghain could see the battlefield from his ambush point, then the darkspawn could see him.  The whole point of an ambush is that the people you're ambushing can't see you.


Oh? Perhaps I'm misremembering, but I recall from her conversation that she specifically states she will not be with the King in the battle. I'm not surprised that you've yet another baseless claim though... it's largely why I've been ignoring you.

Or hey, maybe I should just open the Toolset right now and be sure?

PC: "Will you be fighting beside the king?"
Wynne: "Not precisely. The Grey Wardens will be on the front lines, not the mages. Still, we have our parts to play."

What do you know... robertthebard caught in a lie. Tsk. Anyone who can see my post history knows I can admit when I've been wrong about something, but can you say the same?

Most ambushes involved not being seen, yes, but it is altogether idiotic to believe both parties must not see each other for one to be hidden. I mean really now, I thought everybody realized covering your eyes doesn't make you invisible.

But no... go ahead with believing that Loghain's forces couldn't be hiding in the dark and still spot the vast horde of Darkspawn. Ignore the witnesses and everything... it's what I've come to expect from you.

Ser Donall was in Lothering when Loghain's troops passed through.  Why was he in Lothering?  Looking for the Urn of Sacred Ashes.  Why look for the Urn if it's not needed?  We have Jowan, Bann Teagan, the Knight that's actually in charge of the defence of Redcliffe and Isolde that Eamon has been sick/poisoned since before Cailin died.  We also have Connor in the Fade, while we wander from one incarnation of the Desire demon to the other, asking if we're the one that made his father ill.  Which is truly ironic, if you use Jowan in the Fade.


OBJEC... oh why bother. You're hopeless.

Give me proof already. We know Arl Eamon was poisoned but so far all I've seen is baseless claims on when that happened from you. Show me where it says Eamon was poisoned before battle please. Ser Donall is discredited. You want him to be credible again? Explain how Loghain could be arguing with Cailan at camp for several days before the player arrives and yet be in Denerim to meet Jowan (who'd have to first be brought there). Go ahead. I'm waiting. It should at least be plausible... no teleportation beams allowed, sorry.

However, it's easy to see how Loghain could have so many followers post Ostagar; the gullibility seems to run right out of the game into people that play it, and refuse to accept even the "Word of God" that Loghain was indeed plotting against Cailin.


It's funny how people see what they want to see in words that can mean many things. You take your own interpretation as undeniable proof of your own assumptions.

He was delusional in that even at the Landsmeet, he still insists that Orlais was the enemy, not the darkspawn.  You can even score a point against him at the Landsmeet by pointing that out.


*yawn* An either or thing, eh? How about I just open the Single Player module and look for myself. Hmm..

Loghain: "The Blight is indeed real, Wulff. But do we need Grey Wardens to fight it?"

So the Arl who's lost nearly everthing to the Blight supports you for mentioning it. Great proof you have there.

I've accounted for Loghain's delusions in my own scenario, but his delusions weren't at the point where he'd not listen to reason and he had logic behind them, though logic fueled by false presumptions. If he was delusional to the point you claim he'd never have submitted to the player's execution so calmly -- he'd be utterly convinced that his course was the right one. Yet he surrendered and acted like a completely calm rational person afterwords... yep... crazy-on, crazy-off. Makes perfect sense.

I'm not one to deny people their delusions though, so feel free to ignore in game facts if you wish.  In reading the whole thread, countless times in various discussions, I have seen nothing presented that supports your initial post, other than a blind desire to be a follower.


You clearly have no desire to be impartial in this. You see proof where there is only suspicion. I've given reasons for my logic, you have only distorted truth to fit your purposes. Any rational person can see through your lies rather easily; you can rant all you want, but it doesn't change the facts. There are many admissions I've made in this thread and I hardly see Loghain as an ideal of behavior. I'm such a great follower, aren't I?

You'll be sad to notice that if the PC does minimal footwork on the Landsmeet, Loghain is defeated there every time.  It's funny too, since the Landsmeet will accept the word of a City Elf, Dwarf or Dalish over Loghain.  Let alone the last known surviving Cousland.


Sad? The PC is the protagonist of the story. Nobles are not necessarily noble of character and have their own reasons for choosing sides in politics. You assume... well... everything.

Are we done here? I revised my post to be as nice as possible, but you really need to get your head out of your ***.

#357
Asylumer

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robertthebard wrote...

What he truly means to say is that in light of his initial post being chewed up and spit out, he has retreated to this fallback position to save face.


lol.

My inital post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, if you hadn't noticed. I don't know how much more ham I could've crammed in there, but I even conditionalized my statements to refer specifically to Cailan's betrayal. "My client is totally innocent (of this crime) your honor!"

There is still plenty of truth in there. Perhaps I put too much faith in the reader to know when I was serious and when I wasn't. I'm not the best writer in the world afterall.

jon 45 wrote...
Ah, that's all you're arguing? I must confess the constant discussion
of various things not directly related to the battle at Ostagar had me
confused.


You'd think they had nothing at all to do with Loghain at Ostagar, but time and time again they're brought up as proof of there being a plot to kill Cailan before the battle. It's mind-boggling.

Modifié par Asylumer, 11 janvier 2010 - 11:52 .


#358
nos_astra

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Lotion Soronnar wrote...

It's easy to see what has been going on these forums for a while.

Loghain is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...oInLeatherPants

And Alistair is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...onTheDeathEater

Read. Ti's very informative.

'Tis indeed. Explains perfectly the ongoing fights on Alistair-hate and Loghain-love. ^_^

#359
soteria

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Asylumer, your posting style really detracts from your case. Trying to act like a lawyer when you don't even know how an objection works... yeah.



It doesn't matter if Ser Donall is telling the complete truth. We know from the corpse of another knight and himself that they left seeking the Urn of Sacred Ashes, because Arl Eamon was sick. There's a bit of a plot hole here; how could Jowan reach Denerim, talk to Loghain, and make it back to Redcliffe in time to tutor Connor and have everything happen? Oh well. Based on travel times (Redcliffe -> Lothering, Ostagar -> Lothering) and communication available at the time, Arl Eamon had to be poisoned before the battle. If not, the order had to be given prior to. Before or after, why poison him? The guilty flee when no man pursues. The innocent man doesn't need to cover his tracks.



Loghain's testimony to Wynne about the battle HAS been discounted, you just have to hold onto it or your already tattered argument becomes more hopeless. We have only his own heavily biased testimony to suggest he could see the battle, and a lot of reasons to suggest he couldn't. Why use a beacon if he could see it? The cutscene in which you see his army doesn't suggest any sort of vantage point from which he could see it. If so, he wouldn't be hidden at all; it's a flat area. Can you even hear the battle in the cutscene? I can't remember.



You really seem like you're grasping, and ignoring the weight of evidence.

#360
jsachun

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Gee, His only a hopeless romantic that tries to be heroe himself. C'mon, thats not too bad. Afterall King Cailan wanted all the glory for himself and the wardens. How would you feel if you were made to feel redundant?

Modifié par jsachun, 11 janvier 2010 - 12:04 .


#361
Xandurpein

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I see no problem in believing Loghain may have seen the Darkspawn horde himself. The easiest way to hide an army, while still have it close enough to the chosen battlefield to arrive in time, is to hide it behind a ridge or possibly inside some woods, but giving orders to troops inside a forest is hard so behind a ridge is much better. Either way it would be easy for those hidden to have a commander peer over the ridge/the edge of the forest without being seen. That is really no problem at all.

That said. If Loghain can see the battlefield his actions are not less suspicious. First of all it makes no sense for him to claim the battle was lost because the beacon is lit to late. He could see the armies clashing. He is a great tactical master. He should instantly have seen when the best time to strike was and should never be excused because he sits and waits for the signal.

Modifié par Xandurpein, 11 janvier 2010 - 12:12 .


#362
robertthebard

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Asylumer wrote...

*sigh* I suppose I should put down these delusions... hard.

Oh? Perhaps I'm misremembering, but I recall from her conversation that she specifically states she will not be with the King in the battle. I'm not surprised that you've yet another baseless claim though... it's largely why I've been ignoring you.

Or hey, maybe I should just open the Toolset right now and be sure?

PC: "Will you be fighting beside the king?"
Wynne: "Not precisely. The Grey Wardens will be on the front lines, not the mages. Still, we have our parts to play."

What do you know... robertthebard caught in a lie. Tsk. Anyone who can see my post history knows I can admit when I've been wrong about something, but can you say the same?


So where is the dialog to suggest that she was with Loghain?  Isn't it factual that squishies are not on the front line?  You see, this "proof" that I'm not up on what I'm talking about doesn't prove anything.  You assert that she's not on the front lines, but I notice you don't provide proof that she was with Loghain either.  Basic tactics, mages are never on the front lines.

Most ambushes involved not being seen, yes, but it is altogether idiotic to believe both parties must not see each other for one to be hidden. I mean really now, I thought everybody realized covering your eyes doesn't make you invisible.

But no... go ahead with believing that Loghain's forces couldn't be hiding in the dark and still spot the vast horde of Darkspawn. Ignore the witnesses and everything... it's what I've come to expect from you.


If they could see the battlefield, what use was the beacon?  "It's not a dangerous task, but it is a vital one".  Who says that?

OBJEC... oh why bother. You're hopeless.

Give me proof already. We know Arl Eamon was poisoned but so far all I've seen is baseless claims on when that happened from you. Show me where it says Eamon was poisoned before battle please. Ser Donall is discredited. You want him to be credible again? Explain how Loghain could be arguing with Cailan at camp for several days before the player arrives and yet be in Denerim to meet Jowan (who'd have to first be brought there). Go ahead. I'm waiting. It should at least be plausible... no teleportation beams allowed, sorry.


Give me proof that Loghain was indeed in the camp for several days.  I'll notice that you have failed to do so so far.  For all we know, Loghain arrived just before we did.  I don't recall any dialog options in any convos that state he was involved with any of the skirmishes previously, so open up that toolset and prove he was there.  Do try to avoid the Cherry Picking though.  It's not a very good tactic against someone that's actually played the game.


 


It's funny how people see what they want to see in words that can mean many things. You take your own interpretation as undeniable proof of your own assumptions.

*yawn* An either or thing, eh? How about I just open the Single Player module and look for myself. Hmm..

Loghain: "The Blight is indeed real, Wulff. But do we need Grey Wardens to fight it?"

So the Arl who's lost nearly everthing to the Blight supports you for mentioning it. Great proof you have there.

I've accounted for Loghain's delusions in my own scenario, but his delusions weren't at the point where he'd not listen to reason and he had logic behind them, though logic fueled by false presumptions. If he was delusional to the point you claim he'd never have submitted to the player's execution so calmly -- he'd be utterly convinced that his course was the right one. Yet he surrendered and acted like a completely calm rational person afterwords... yep... crazy-on, crazy-off. Makes perfect sense.


He listened to the reason of a sword in his guts.  However, I find it extremely amusing that you would use quote him immediately after we call him on who the true enemy is, but conveniently leave out the dialog just prior, where we have the option of telling him that the Blight is the enemy, not Orlais.  This tactic is known as Cherry Picking.  You pull a line out of context to try to prove a point.  However, your failure here is that the line you want to use is a response to calling Loghain on; "So tell me warden, how will Orlais take over Ferelden?  Will they deign to send troops, or will they just pull this bastard's strings".  Not even a good effort on your part.


 



You clearly have no desire to be impartial in this. You see proof where there is only suspicion. I've given reasons for my logic, you have only distorted truth to fit your purposes. Any rational person can see through your lies rather easily; you can rant all you want, but it doesn't change the facts. There are many admissions I've made in this thread and I hardly see Loghain as an ideal of behavior. I'm such a great follower, aren't I?




 


Sad? The PC is the protagonist of the story. Nobles are not necessarily noble of character and have their own reasons for choosing sides in politics. You assume... well... everything.

Are we done here? I revised my post to be as nice as possible, but you really need to get your head out of your ***.

Ok, so short of cherry picking a few lines of dialog to support your claim, what have you proved?  Cherry picking is  a really good tactic, especially in long threads where people may not read the whole thing.  But when it comes to game dialogs that people likely didn't push Esc to get through, it's pretty pathetic.  So, yeah, you caught me.  I just hate it when people ignore facts to try to support something, and then resort to calling people liars when they call 'em on it.  It's what I've come to expect from some types of posters, you know, the "I'm always right, and I have proof, so long as you ignore all the stuff that doesn't fit" types.

Modifié par robertthebard, 11 janvier 2010 - 12:24 .


#363
Sarethus

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Ulicus wrote...

Sarethus wrote...

Problem with that scenario is as I said, we have Duncan saying that this plan would work (ie. the battle is winnable) We also have a number of soldiers stating that Ostagar has good defences and that they could win even when outnumbered as they were.

Duncan saying the plan would work means only that Duncan thinks it will lure out the archdemon and give them a shot to end the Blight. It doesn't necessarily mean that Duncan thinks they're going to get through it with flying colours. Besides, Duncan isn't the tactician (we're told) Loghain is. There's a reason he's going "look to Teyrn Loghain to make up the difference" and I can't imagine it's because he's better at the job. 


Wrong here, Majorly. Duncan and the other wardens did not sense the archdemon near by and they were certainly not hoping to destroy the archdemon there. While the King may have thought of this as a final battle of sorts, Duncan and the wardens knew it would be just one of many to come and the full quote is "Our numbers in Ferelden are too few. We must do what we can and look to Teyrn Loghain to make up the difference."  Duncan was refering about the number of troops from Loghain's army not about Loghain's strategy.

Ulicus wrote...
And, as I mentioned previously, even if Loghain thought they had a chance of winning the battle (and my own opinion is that they could well have ended the Blight then and there... but I'm not Loghain), he may have judged it would be at too great a cost. Sometimes it's better to withdraw than gain a phyricc victory.

Since there isn't a Blight in his eyes and this is just a prolonged darkspawn incursion, why throw so many lives away on this one battle?


They couldn't have ended the blight because the Arch demon wasn't present and Loghain's ability to judge the battle field conditions is suspect as if he could do that then a beacon would not be needed.

Ulicus wrote...

Sarethus wrote...
Also note he states that line when you quoted when Cailan praises the new Grey warden recruit (PC) for surviving. No where during the strategy discussion does he state they need more men. He does state that he doesnt want the Orlesians though.

Really? Hmm. Maybe I remembered wrong, then. I was pretty certain that line was what prompted Cailan to say "Then perhaps we should wait for the Orlesians".

If I'm mistaken, then "whoops".


Loghain says "You risk too much, Cailan! The darkspawn horde is too dangerous for you to be playing hero on the front lines." and then Cailan brings up waiting for the Orlesians at the very start. The line you quoted was after Cailan praised the Grey Warden recruit for surviving.

Ulicus wrote...

Sarethus wrote...
Finally during the strategy discussion, Loghain was trying to dissuade Cailan from fighting with the Grey Wardens but at best you could argue that he didn't want the King to die in the trap he set for the grey wardens while at worst he was using reverse psychology to goad him into the trap.    

Yeah, this whole "trap for the Grey Wardens" thing conjecture as far as I'm concerned. Loghain didn't give a crap if they died, sure - but it was Cailan who demanded that he and the Grey Wardens be out at the forefront. I get the impression Loghain would have happily held the walls with everyone rather than fight that battle then and there. Or left. That wouldn't have been a smart move of course, since this is a Blight... but that doesn't factor into Loghain's decisions.


That would be illogical. The plan that was setup is a classic hammer & anvil plan and it works. Leaving would have allowed the Darkspawn further access to the Fereldan, whereas stopping them at Ostagar prevents towns like Lothering from being destroyed.

Ulicus wrote...
Until after Ostagar, where they're useful as scapegoats and at that point just Orlesians wanting to come into the country in his eyes, I don't really get the impression he has a huge vendetta against them. He doesn't think they're needed and isn't bothered about throwing them to the wolves if it means he can save his own forces... but I don't think it's a "bwahahahaha i shall destroy the Wardens" scheme.


Actually he thinks they are Orlesian tools as evidenced during the landsmeet when he spouts off accusations about us helping Orlais.

#364
Lotion Soronarr

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[quote]Asylumer wrote...

Oh? Perhaps I'm misremembering, but I recall from her conversation that she specifically states she will not be with the King in the battle. I'm not surprised that you've yet another baseless claim though... it's largely why I've been ignoring you.
[/quote]

She was acting as support. While not at the front lines, she was in position to see the king.


[quote]
Most ambushes involved not being seen, yes, but it is altogether idiotic to believe both parties must not see each other for one to be hidden. I mean really now, I thought everybody realized covering your eyes doesn't make you invisible.[/quote]

What's the point of a signal in the tower then? If Loghain could see the battle, then he coudl easily decide the optimal time for a charge himself.
And we aren't talking about one man hiding in the bushes, we're talking about an amry. They are notoriously difficult to hide. Why risk detection whne the whole plan rested on the surprise attack?
So no, beliving that Loghain and his men had a clear view of the battle AND remained hidden is stupid.



[quote]
Give me proof already. We know Arl Eamon was poisoned but so far all I've seen is baseless claims on when that happened from you. Show me where it says Eamon was poisoned before battle please. Ser Donall is discredited. You want him to be credible again? Explain how Loghain could be arguing with Cailan at camp for several days before the player arrives and yet be in Denerim to meet Jowan (who'd have to first be brought there). Go ahead. I'm waiting. It should at least be plausible... no teleportation beams allowed, sorry.[/quote]

Loghain is where the plot tells he is. That's the power of plot at work - which conveniently sometimes ignores minor things like distance or time.
And no, you haven't discredited Donell.



[quote]
I've accounted for Loghain's delusions in my own scenario, but his delusions weren't at the point where he'd not listen to reason and he had logic behind them, though logic fueled by false presumptions. If he was delusional to the point you claim he'd never have submitted to the player's execution so calmly -- he'd be utterly convinced that his course was the right one. Yet he surrendered and acted like a completely calm rational person afterwords... yep... crazy-on, crazy-off. Makes perfect sense. [/quote]

If he was rational he would have given up LONG before the Landsmmet. Or he would have given up one Alistair showed up there. Or after he LOST the Landsmeet. But no, he decides to kill everyone rather than submitt.
Crazy? Very much so.



[quote]
You clearly have no desire to be impartial in this. You see proof where there is only suspicion. I've given reasons for my logic, you have only distorted truth to fit your purposes. Any rational person can see through your lies rather easily; you can rant all you want, but it doesn't change the facts.[quote]

You clearly have no desire to be impartial in this. You see proof where there is only suspicion. I've given reasons for my logic, you have only distorted truth to fit your purposes. Any rational person can see through your lies rather easily; you can rant all you want, but it doesn't change the facts.
There, I can do that too. Dion't I look smart and impartial now?Posted Image

Modifié par Lotion Soronnar, 11 janvier 2010 - 12:23 .


#365
Asylumer

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Xandurpein wrote...

That said. If Loghain can see the battlefield his actions are not less suspicious. First of all it makes no sense for him to claim the battle was lost because the beacon is lit to late. He could see the armies clashing. He is a great tactical master. He should instantly have seen when the best time to strike was and should never be excused because he sits and waits for the signal.


I actually addressed this in my original post. Why bother having a signal at all if it weren't necessary in some way? Wynne's testimony has yet to be seriously discredited (my opposition has even lied trying to disprove it) and points towards Loghain being able to see the battlefield from his position.

From this we can conclude that Loghain could see just enough of the battle to make a decision about the plan's chances for success, but not enough to know when to strike.

#366
Lotion Soronarr

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Asylumer wrote...
From this we can conclude that Loghain could see just enough of the battle to make a decision about the plan's chances for success, but not enough to know when to strike.


Grasping at straws I see. You realise that statement makes no sense?

You cannot make decisions about how a battle plan works wihout having a clear overview of the battle.
either he knows enough for both or he doesn't know enouugh for either. There is no in-between.

Even if what you say is possible, then he shoukld have charged to get the king the second he though things were starting to go wrong.

#367
wwwwowwww

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Too assume one could not see the battlefield is shortsighted. The beacon was to be lit so that he could charge in yes, but that's not to say that he couldn't see the battle, it's just to say that he couldn't see get the signal that Alistar could to signify the right time to join in.



At the beginning the PC asks how do I know when to light it, and Duncan tells him that Alistar will know. I'm guessing through some sort of Grey Warden mojo sort of thing, Lohgain doesn't have Alistars mojo so had to wait for the signal.

#368
robertthebard

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Asylumer wrote...

Xandurpein wrote...

That said. If Loghain can see the battlefield his actions are not less suspicious. First of all it makes no sense for him to claim the battle was lost because the beacon is lit to late. He could see the armies clashing. He is a great tactical master. He should instantly have seen when the best time to strike was and should never be excused because he sits and waits for the signal.


I actually addressed this in my original post. Why bother having a signal at all if it weren't necessary in some way? Wynne's testimony has yet to be seriously discredited (my opposition has even lied trying to disprove it) and points towards Loghain being able to see the battlefield from his position.

From this we can conclude that Loghain could see just enough of the battle to make a decision about the plan's chances for success, but not enough to know when to strike.

You mean you've refuted us by using Cherry Picking, and lies of omission to counter arguements?  Such as Bann Wulff?  You know, where you're in the toolset and see that he pipes in about the blight immediately after you tell Loghain that the Blight, not Orlais, is the enemy, and yet only pull the quote where he responds to Wulff to substantiate what you claim?  Yeah, that was a nice job.  Posted Image

#369
robertthebard

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wwwwowwww wrote...

Too assume one could not see the battlefield is shortsighted. The beacon was to be lit so that he could charge in yes, but that's not to say that he couldn't see the battle, it's just to say that he couldn't see get the signal that Alistar could to signify the right time to join in.

At the beginning the PC asks how do I know when to light it, and Duncan tells him that Alistar will know. I'm guessing through some sort of Grey Warden mojo sort of thing, Lohgain doesn't have Alistars mojo so had to wait for the signal.

Then, by this logic, he should have charged when the beacon was lit.  Anything else implies that he intended to leave the field regardless.

#370
nos_astra

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If he could oversee the battlefield why would he need the beacon to be lit? He could've decided for himself when to join the battle. So he probably couldn't see it, I take it.

#371
Asylumer

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[quote]robertthebard wrote...

So where is the dialog to suggest that she was with Loghain?  Isn't it factual that squishies are not on the front line?  You see, this "proof" that I'm not up on what I'm talking about doesn't prove anything.  You assert that she's not on the front lines, but I notice you don't provide proof that she was with Loghain either.  Basic tactics, mages are never on the front lines.[/quote]

From her Loghain conversation maybe? From her testimony at the Council? I see you have not been paying attention. She saw Loghain leave the battlefield. Otherwise she wouldn't have been so furioius at his "betrayal", have backed down when he brought up the Darkspawn horde, and been rather adamant about it when she confronted Uldred at the Council.

Am I assuming too much of her character when I say she wouldn't have backed down? She's a rather persistent nuisance if you hadn't noticed, and loud with her opinions. I think it's highly improbable that she'd not push further.

[quote]If they could see the battlefield, what use was the beacon?  "It's not a dangerous task, but it is a vital one".  Who says that?[/quote]

Answer is in the OP... you have no excuse here.

[quote]Give me proof that Loghain was indeed in the camp for several days.  I'll notice that you have failed to do so so far.  For all we know, Loghain arrived just before we did.  I don't recall any dialog options in any convos that state he was involved with any of the skirmishes previously, so open up that toolset and prove he was there.  Do try to avoid the Cherry Picking though.  It's not a very good tactic against someone that's actually played the game.[/quote]

Ever talk to the King and Loghain's guards? You are correct that I did not include that evidence in the OP, but I'm rather positive it was brought up by another poster later on in this very thread. If you had actually been interested in debating you'd have seen it. My OP argument was that it was highly unlikely for Loghain to not be at Ostagar since he was the general of the army.

The guard talk is far harder evidence though. My fault I suppose.

[quote]He listened to the reason of a sword in his guts.  However, I find it extremely amusing that you would use quote him immediately after we call him on who the true enemy is, but conveniently leave out the dialog just prior, where we have the option of telling him that the Blight is the enemy, not Orlais.  This tactic is known as Cherry Picking.  You pull a line out of context to try to prove a point.  However, your failure here is that the line you want to use is a response to calling Loghain on; "So tell me warden, how will Orlais take over Ferelden?  Will they deign to send troops, or will they just pull this bastard's strings".  Not even a good effort on your part. /quote]

You failed to understand, or there's a failure to communicate here. You accused Loghain of thinking Orlais was THE enemy, but he clearly recognizes the threat of the Blight... he just thinks Ferelden doesn't need the Wardens to do it. There's such a thing as fighting a war on two fronts.

I even made it a point that I thought Loghain was delusional, but not so delusional as to kill Cailan and be completely beyond reason. He was normal delusional, not crazy delusional. He's guilty of jumping to conclusions, yes, but if that made him crazy you'd better pack up and get ready to head to the funny farm yourself.

#372
Saryala

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Whisa wrote...

Apophis2412 wrote...

Why must Loghain die? He may have been a criminal, but there are more important things to worry about, like the Blight.


Reasoning behind the execution:

1) He betrayed his king.  Yes, it's ambigous to us the players.  However, in the eyes of the nobles, he did just that.
2) He betrayed his country.  He split them in a civil war with darkspawn ravaging them.
3) He tried to FORCE people to follow him.  Including things he had no right to do, such as seizing their lands.  (Chanters Board Mission, his men have orders to "take the land" if they do not agree).
4) He does not seem to be sorry for any of it at the landsmet.  And does not respect the votes of the landsmet.
5) He tried to have the king's half-brother killed.  Whether he knew Alistair was or not (everyone else seems to!), he almost wiped out the most respected line in the kingdom.
6) Keeping him alive will only continue the split between Loghain and Not-Loghain.  Divided forces against a blight?  Bad.  You need a united force to fight the bigger enemy, not one that might splinter off.

Yes, some of those are evident to us as being either partially false or ridiculous for some.  However, this is what the people who are executing him see.  They don't have the advantage of talking to him after he's killed to see what happened and to see he regrets it.  They don't have the knowledge that there was a prophecy of betrayal that made him unable to see that it would be a blight.  They don't have the knowledge that the man's probably got PTSD and the thought of Orlais makes his mind go boom.  They deal with the facts outlined above.


That's it. I think the reasoning why one can choose to kill him is perfectly understandable...
When I chose not to, I thought one more Gray Warden would be useful - ok, I couldn't believe Alistair would really abandon all he had said he stood for and then we wouldn't have "one more" - and I liked Riordan's proposal.
I knew that it was easy to find reasons to kill him - but I preferred to trust him. 
(Alistair said that joining the Wardens should be an honor and not a punishment - for sure, Loghain at the moment would have seen it as a punishment, even if it was better than death, plus even I wasn't convinced myself that it was more an honor than a pujnishment). 

What if Loghain hadn't really accepted his defeat and would not really follow me if I allowed him to live? What if he betrayed me, tried to kill me again or something? As you said, I hadn't had the advantage of talking to him AFTER sparing him and so on; I knew I was taking a risk when I spared his life - and I was glad to see it went well. 

I can understand why someone would rather execute him on the spot - what I don't understand is how can anyone murder him and not even see a choice there  Posted Image

Maybe it's the Draco in leather pants  syndrome. Very likely. I admit I wouldn't mind Loghain in leather pants.

Lotion Soronnar wrote...

Loghain is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...oInLeatherPants

And Alistair is basicly this:
http://tvtropes.org/...onTheDeathEater

Read. Ti's very informative.


Gotta love Tvtropes  Posted Image

Although I think the first one might work a bit better in our case than "Alistair the Death Eater"  Posted Image

Modifié par Saryala, 11 janvier 2010 - 12:46 .


#373
soteria

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I see no problem in believing Loghain may have seen the Darkspawn horde himself. The easiest way to hide an army, while still have it close enough to the chosen battlefield to arrive in time, is to hide it behind a ridge or possibly inside some woods, but giving orders to troops inside a forest is hard so behind a ridge is much better. Either way it would be easy for those hidden to have a commander peer over the ridge/the edge of the forest without being seen. That is really no problem at all.




Except they weren't on a ridge or the edge of the forest. Wherever they are standing, it is in the open. Loghain isn't up on a hill with his army hidden below, he's right with them. Even if he can see *part* of the battle, he obviously can't see enough of it to make a decision *or there would be no need for a beacon.* He says himself it's a vital part of the plan.



I notice you conveniently ignore or casually dismiss the points you can't contend with, such as the timing of the order to kill Arl Eamon, and whether timing is even relevant. Why kill Arl Eamon if he was innocent? Why accuse the Grey Wardens of murdering Cailan and send assassins after them?

#374
trh5001

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wynne wasnt with loghain or the king the mages were behind the kings army providing support whiel waiting for loghain to charge. If they were with loghains army they would have been to far away to do anything at all and would have suffered minimal losses at ostagar which didn't happen. You can infer from wynnes dialouge options that she was with neither the king or loghain.

#375
Lotion Soronarr

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Asylumer wrote...


If they could see the battlefield, what use was the beacon?  "It's not a dangerous task, but it is a vital one".  Who says that?


Answer is in the OP... you have no excuse here.


Your answer is UNsatisfactory.

Either Loghain needed that signal or he didn't. Everything points that he did (or else it wouldn't be VITAL..why would it be vital if Loghain can see the battle?)
The signal was lit, he didn't charge - even Cauthrien was surprised at this. End of story.

Modifié par Lotion Soronnar, 11 janvier 2010 - 12:58 .