4643 réponses à ce sujet

[dragonflight288]

eluvianix wrote...

Riverdaleswhiteflash wrote...

durasteel wrote...

Riverdaleswhiteflash wrote...
Since both the mages and templars would be under the Seeker's control in this model, it shouldn't be hard to find the more rational ones out of the group. This won't be perfect, but it's as close as I can think of getting.

As I understand it, Seekers often come from the Templar order. Until it becomes possible for a mage to become a Seeker, and the mages join and rise to share positions of authority within the organisation, then the Seekers cannot be an impartial arbiter between Temple and Circle.

That's the idea.

That is actually not that bad of an idea, now that I think about it. Having mages become seekers could be very good, considering the Seekers seem to be the Templars watchdogs.

Hmm. This idea has merit. It also helps that I can't help but picture Lambert's face if his organization starts recruiting mages...well he'd never go for it, but I'm picturing him and his followers arrested and having a responsible mage with a good, solid record taking his place, partnered with a templar, like Evangeline or something, and watching them inform him they are now leading the Seekers.

Maybe a branch of mages and a branch of templar like seekers, each commanding some of the other, but neither having full control over the other within the Seekers themselves.

[Hellion Rex]

dragonflight288 wrote...

eluvianix wrote...

Riverdaleswhiteflash wrote...

durasteel wrote...

Riverdaleswhiteflash wrote...
Since both the mages and templars would be under the Seeker's control in this model, it shouldn't be hard to find the more rational ones out of the group. This won't be perfect, but it's as close as I can think of getting.

As I understand it, Seekers often come from the Templar order. Until it becomes possible for a mage to become a Seeker, and the mages join and rise to share positions of authority within the organisation, then the Seekers cannot be an impartial arbiter between Temple and Circle.

That's the idea.

That is actually not that bad of an idea, now that I think about it. Having mages become seekers could be very good, considering the Seekers seem to be the Templars watchdogs.

Hmm. This idea has merit. It also helps that I can't help but picture Lambert's face if his organization starts recruiting mages...well he'd never go for it, but I'm picturing him and his followers arrested and having a responsible mage with a good, solid record taking his place, partnered with a templar, like Evangeline or something, and watching them inform him they are now leading the Seekers.

Maybe a branch of mages and a branch of templar like seekers, each commanding some of the other, but neither having full control over the other within the Seekers themselves.

And perhaps with 2 lead seekers, one mage and one templar. Although hopefully, that will not end up like Meredith vs. Orsino.

[dragonflight288]

Which is why I mentioned that the mage leader would control some templars and some mages, while the templar leaders would also control a few of both, and neither would have complete control of either.

[Hellion Rex]

dragonflight288 wrote...

Which is why I mentioned that the mage leader would control some templars and some mages, while the templar leaders would also control a few of both, and neither would have complete control of either.

D*mmit. Now I really wanna play DAI!

[dragonflight288]

As do I. So does my sister.

[Lord Raijin]

eluvianix wrote...

That is actually not that bad of an idea, now that I think about it. Having mages become seekers could be very good, considering the Seekers seem to be the Templars watchdogs.

Or better yet allow mages to become templars and if they prove themselves worthy enough then let them become Seekers. That way both party would have no excuse for attacking each other. I strongly support this kind of system.

Templars needs Mages and Mages needs the Templars. Let them BOTH work with each other.

#Team work on both sides.
Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him.
Foul and corrupt are they
Who have taken His gift
And turned it against His children.
They shall be named Maleficar, accursed ones.
They shall find no rest in this world
Or beyond.
-Transfigurations 1:2

[Riverdaleswhiteflash]

dragonflight288 wrote...

Which is why I mentioned that the mage leader would control some templars and some mages, while the templar leaders would also control a few of both, and neither would have complete control of either.

I would prefer that there only be one organization, insofar as is possible. The more the Templars and mages in the Seekers see themselves as essentially the same kind of people, the more likely this is to work.

[TheKomandorShepard]

Hazegurl wrote...

You said because he crushes people's
hearts. But anyway, yeah he made a promise and broke it, it's up to you
to determine if that makes him untrustworthy. IMO, None of the people he
made a promise to is worth him keeping it to. They all deserved to
die. He keeps his word to Hawke so that's what matters the most to me.
The only times he is not loyal to Hawke is when Hawke shows that he/she
is not loyal to him.

 I stand corrected on the whole attacking
mages thing, I misunderstood. However, disagreeing with someone
doesn't make a person untrustworthy. Anders agrees with a Pro mage Hawke
and still lies and betrays them. 

Overall, I don't see how any
of this discredits Fenris' account of his own life experiences within
Tevinter. He knows more about it than Hawke that's for sure. Now if you
had said that his word about Tevinter doesn't count based on his
memories being wiped most of the time then I would agree to a point.
But to claim that his word doesn't count based on him breaking a
promise, crushing hearts, and disagreeing with a pro mage Hawke doesn't
hold much water, imo.

Ok heard that i trust person that crushes other peoples hearts literally now judge how that sounds. whether they are not worthy it is rather personal judgement he break his word as well that he betrayed
peoples who protected him and killed them.Fenris is full of hate as
well Anders i don't say don't belive in everything what he says just be
very suspicious now if i bring every thing that anders says about circle i would be probably
be attacked how dear i bring up what anders say when he such biased and
to the some point it is right that same goes for fenris. i don't think
his gone memory is very important whether he is trustworthy or not. 

durasteel wrote...
As I understand it, Seekers often come from
the Templar order. Until it becomes possible for a mage to become a
Seeker, and the mages join and rise to share positions of authority
within the organisation, then the Seekers cannot be an impartial arbiter
between Temple and Circle.

It don't have any real chance to function it will end with mages seekers blocked as in circle technically mages rule there practically knight commander and chantry are untouchable god there and kirkwall proves that.    

dragonflight288 wrote...

Which is why I mentioned that the
mage leader would control some templars and some mages, while the
templar leaders would also control a few of both, and neither would have
complete control of either.

LoL it like saying that alistair and anora have equal power because both are in charge by nature non-mage will get more control because non-mages will approve their actions. 

Modifié par TheKomandorShepard, 10 novembre 2013 - 09:33 .

[Lotion Soronarr]

durasteel wrote...
As I understand it, Seekers often come from the Templar order. Until it becomes possible for a mage to become a Seeker, and the mages join and rise to share positions of authority within the organisation, then the Seekers cannot be an impartial arbiter between Temple and Circle.

That's like saying Military Police and Internal Police cannot be trusted to watch over the military or police.

They may come from the same background,but the weight of duty and the job they perform tends to form a gulf and mistrust. Normal military or police generally do not like IP's or MP's.

[Lotion Soronarr]

Icy Magebane wrote...

I still say that the best solution is to add mages to the Templars. Call them by whatever name you want, but this "us" vs. "them" mentality needs to go. I'm sure there are many mages who favor peace and order, so why can't they work alongside non-mages with the current Templar abilities and training to oversee the Circles? If those good-intentioned mages somehow wind up getting possessed (although I see that as unlikely), at least they'd already be in close proximity to people who could put them down quickly...

It can't go away and it won't.

Within any group you have divisions and hates. Libertarians hate the loyalists. Tempalrs hate tempalrs. Mundanes divide themselvs into groups.
It is always "us vs. them".
The very job of policing mages would make it so. Even if you had mages policing mages, those mages would be hated and mistrusted, which would in turn cause them to hate and mistrust.

[IanPolaris]

Lotion Soronnar wrote...

durasteel wrote...
As I understand it, Seekers often come from the Templar order. Until it becomes possible for a mage to become a Seeker, and the mages join and rise to share positions of authority within the organisation, then the Seekers cannot be an impartial arbiter between Temple and Circle.

That's like saying Military Police and Internal Police cannot be trusted to watch over the military or police.

They may come from the same background,but the weight of duty and the job they perform tends to form a gulf and mistrust. Normal military or police generally do not like IP's or MP's.

Sadly and in most parts of the world even today, that's in fact accurate.  MPs and Interal Police can't be trusted to police their own.  That was certainly true in a Midaeval Style society that Thedas is emulating and most certainly and obviously true in the Dragon Age universe as it has been presented through Asunder.

-Polaris

[IanPolaris]

Lotion Soronnar wrote...

Icy Magebane wrote...

I still say that the best solution is to add mages to the Templars. Call them by whatever name you want, but this "us" vs. "them" mentality needs to go. I'm sure there are many mages who favor peace and order, so why can't they work alongside non-mages with the current Templar abilities and training to oversee the Circles? If those good-intentioned mages somehow wind up getting possessed (although I see that as unlikely), at least they'd already be in close proximity to people who could put them down quickly...

It can't go away and it won't.

Within any group you have divisions and hates. Libertarians hate the loyalists. Tempalrs hate tempalrs. Mundanes divide themselvs into groups.
It is always "us vs. them".
The very job of policing mages would make it so. Even if you had mages policing mages, those mages would be hated and mistrusted, which would in turn cause them to hate and mistrust.

Sure, nobody likes authority figures especially when they have power over them.  That's always been true and probably always will be true.  The part you are missing is accountability.  The Templars and Seekers need to be accountable for their failures as a police force and having mages as part of that police force increases said accountability mainly because it inhibits (not prevents but inhibits) and "us vs them" mentality.

I also note that the recruitment and vetting process for Templars and Seekers as it stood circa Asunder was absolute rubbish for the job they were tasked to do.

-Polaris

[MisterJB]

Icy Magebane wrote...

You don't need to be hit because you already know that avoiding death is a good thing. "Avoid death = good" has already been proven.  <_<  But yeah, let's totally not work with beings capable of generating electricy through the force of their will.  That can't possibly lead to technological advancements or improve our lives in any way.

I know you are being sarcastic but you are right. Let's not, in fact, become even more reliant upon magic.
If the non-mages of Thedas become reliant upon magic on their daily lives like the modern world is reliant upon electricity or oil, then the great providers, the mages, will have great dominance over non-mages which is one of the things the Templar Order exists to prevent.

[dragonflight288]

MisterJB wrote...

Icy Magebane wrote...

You don't need to be hit because you already know that avoiding death is a good thing. "Avoid death = good" has already been proven.  <_<  But yeah, let's totally not work with beings capable of generating electricy through the force of their will.  That can't possibly lead to technological advancements or improve our lives in any way.

I know you are being sarcastic but you are right. Let's not, in fact, become even more reliant upon magic.
If the non-mages of Thedas become reliant upon magic on their daily lives like the modern world is reliant upon electricity or oil, then the great providers, the mages, will have great dominance over non-mages which is one of the things the Templar Order exists to prevent.

Why not develop both magic AND technology? Most people in thedas already have a strong distrust of magic. Heck, even Ser Perth in Redcliff admits he wouldn't accept any magic amulets because magic is cursed by the Maker, but he will take completely useless Chantry amulets and doesn't believe they have no special properties, even when the Revered Mother told him. And I also think he remained skeptical if our Warden told him the Revered Mother couldn't help them.

[MisterJB]

In theory, no reason. In practice, one couldn't help but become dominant and stiffle the other. For example, despite all the distrust, the streets of Val-Royeaux are already illuminated by glow lamps produced in the Circle. So long as those exist, there is no incentive to invent electricity.
Unlike magic, technology doesn't automatically exclude the great majority of the population. It's deveploment would contribute to the economical independence of non-mages from mages and it would diminish the gap that exist between the two groups.

[TEWR]

Why not develop both magic AND technology?

Because while that is ideal, people are pretty much lazy to put it bluntly. Why invent something that does something that magic already does?

That doesn't mean it couldn't happen and that it shouldn't. It's just that if a person has a choice between working for months if not years to develop a telephone or just using a sending stone... he's gonna choose the latter more then likely.

The Qunari ironically are the counterpoint to all of this. After they saw how bad magic could be as a weapon, they began to have their mages progress (albeit slowly). Whether this has hindered them technologically is anyone's guess, but chances are it hasn't given their societal structure.

Modifié par The Ethereal Writer Redux, 10 novembre 2013 - 04:09 .

[MisterJB]

I think it's a pity that the DA games have never tried to approach this topic. The gamers center mostly around the danger of abominations or blood mages controlling kings but shy away from questioning how magic may dominate society in other ways or how it stiffled human advancement. The closest it came to was during "Blackpoweder Courtesy" where Hawke can wonder what is the point of having gunpowder when magic can produce the same effect but is reminded that the common man doesn't have magic and that gunpowder can be more easily used.

In a related topic, I hope there will be better dialogue options. DA2 was like a long debate in these forums except I couldn't answer like I wanted to.
Mark of the Assassin fixed this; mostly anyway. The argument with Tallis was better than any with Anders.

[Inprea]

MisterJB wrote...

I think it's a pity that the DA games have never tried to approach this topic. The gamers center mostly around the danger of abominations or blood mages controlling kings but shy away from questioning how magic may dominate society in other ways or how it stiffled human advancement. The closest it came to was during "Blackpoweder Courtesy" where Hawke can wonder what is the point of having gunpowder when magic can produce the same effect but is reminded that the common man doesn't have magic and that gunpowder can be more easily used.

In a related topic, I hope there will be better dialogue options. DA2 was like a long debate in these forums except I couldn't answer like I wanted to.
Mark of the Assassin fixed this; mostly anyway. The argument with Tallis was better than any with Anders.

That's an interesting theory but with no means of testing it that's all it is. Unless the writers want to flat out say that magic has harmed human advancement.

I could just as easily claim that their advancement has been harmed by locking the most educated amongst them in towers and not letting them be free to practice what they've learned. Case in point. In Awakening we find a woman researching plant life that can survive in blighted soil and may be able to help restore blighted lands. Now while she may use her magic to accelerate her studies she's still relying on a naturally occurring plant. This doesn't require the use of magic but it does require the person  to be free to conduct her studies and apply what she's learned.

Anders is another case. Before he blows up the a chantry. He's seen giving Isabella a salve. I doubt that it's liquid magic. How about letting some people who've studied sickness be free to teach others how to avoid it? Alchemy actually produces some very powerful healing items and doesn't require the use of magic. Now given that most people don't even live near mages shouldn't there be more alchemist?

My theory is that they're three main things hindering their advancement. Well without involving the writers. The first is that there needs to be a sufficient food surplus which I'm not certain exist. After all starving people or people who have to dedicate all their time to securing food aren't going to be doing much thinking except on how hungry they are. The second thing is people need to feel safe and I don't want to see anyone blaming that on mages. With the Qunari, internal fighting between nations, the darkspawn and general fear of the unknown they have plenty to make them feel insecure. Now keep in mind I said they need to feel safe not be safe.

The final thing they need is an effective mechanism for information to flow through aka a printing press. This part is tricky of course as people also have to be willing to share the information. You mentioned the provider of a service having power over those who that need the service. That's true. Now while knowledge of metal working doesn't require magic it can require you to be born into the right family. If for example me and my family has made a good living making top quality steel for generations why would I want to tell anyone how we did it? That would lead to competition that could threaten the livelihood of my children and myself.

So for me. Unless you can prove that there is sufficient food, people feel secure and there is an effective mechanism for information to flow then I would say that magic hasn't hindered human development but rather the environment has. Naturally I can't test my theory either so that's what it is.

[DKJaigen]

MisterJB wrote...

I think it's a pity that the DA games have never tried to approach this topic. The gamers center mostly around the danger of abominations or blood mages controlling kings but shy away from questioning how magic may dominate society in other ways or how it stiffled human advancement. The closest it came to was during "Blackpoweder Courtesy" where Hawke can wonder what is the point of having gunpowder when magic can produce the same effect but is reminded that the common man doesn't have magic and that gunpowder can be more easily used.

In a related topic, I hope there will be better dialogue options. DA2 was like a long debate in these forums except I couldn't answer like I wanted to.
Mark of the Assassin fixed this; mostly anyway. The argument with Tallis was better than any with Anders.

MisterJB. Magic is simply to rare for common people to take benefit from. If their is a reason why scientific progress is stiffeld i suggest you look to the chantry. Autopsies are forbidden, critical points of view in history are forbidden  and the univesity of Orlais clashes with chantry dogma. as long as you cannot theorize progress remain limited.

[DKJaigen]

Inprea wrote...

MisterJB wrote...

I think it's a pity that the DA games have never tried to approach this topic. The gamers center mostly around the danger of abominations or blood mages controlling kings but shy away from questioning how magic may dominate society in other ways or how it stiffled human advancement. The closest it came to was during "Blackpoweder Courtesy" where Hawke can wonder what is the point of having gunpowder when magic can produce the same effect but is reminded that the common man doesn't have magic and that gunpowder can be more easily used.

In a related topic, I hope there will be better dialogue options. DA2 was like a long debate in these forums except I couldn't answer like I wanted to.
Mark of the Assassin fixed this; mostly anyway. The argument with Tallis was better than any with Anders.

That's an interesting theory but with no means of testing it that's all it is. Unless the writers want to flat out say that magic has harmed human advancement.

I could just as easily claim that their advancement has been harmed by locking the most educated amongst them in towers and not letting them be free to practice what they've learned. Case in point. In Awakening we find a woman researching plant life that can survive in blighted soil and may be able to help restore blighted lands. Now while she may use her magic to accelerate her studies she's still relying on a naturally occurring plant. This doesn't require the use of magic but it does require the person  to be free to conduct her studies and apply what she's learned.

Anders is another case. Before he blows up the a chantry. He's seen giving Isabella a salve. I doubt that it's liquid magic. How about letting some people who've studied sickness be free to teach others how to avoid it? Alchemy actually produces some very powerful healing items and doesn't require the use of magic. Now given that most people don't even live near mages shouldn't there be more alchemist?

My theory is that they're three main things hindering their advancement. Well without involving the writers. The first is that there needs to be a sufficient food surplus which I'm not certain exist. After all starving people or people who have to dedicate all their time to securing food aren't going to be doing much thinking except on how hungry they are. The second thing is people need to feel safe and I don't want to see anyone blaming that on mages. With the Qunari, internal fighting between nations, the darkspawn and general fear of the unknown they have plenty to make them feel insecure. Now keep in mind I said they need to feel safe not be safe.

The final thing they need is an effective mechanism for information to flow through aka a printing press. This part is tricky of course as people also have to be willing to share the information. You mentioned the provider of a service having power over those who that need the service. That's true. Now while knowledge of metal working doesn't require magic it can require you to be born into the right family. If for example me and my family has made a good living making top quality steel for generations why would I want to tell anyone how we did it? That would lead to competition that could threaten the livelihood of my children and myself.

So for me. Unless you can prove that there is sufficient food, people feel secure and there is an effective mechanism for information to flow then I would say that magic hasn't hindered human development but rather the environment has. Naturally I can't test my theory either so that's what it is.

A very good point. you first need to survive before you can do some actual research. It somewhat bitterly reminds of some of the idotic education programs we set up in third world countries. We teach the childeren their nothing of practical value while we should be teaching them how to be good farmers so that future generations have an abundance of food. But that is not allowed because of politcal correct thinking

[Hazegurl]

durasteel wrote...

Merrill never betrays anyone, and when she deals with demons, she does so very carefully. Remember, she told Anders he was an idiot for trusting Justice, because all fade spirits are dangerous. She interacted with a demon once before you met her, and when she tried to do so a second time she took ample precautions. That ended in tragedy because of Marethari, not Merrill.

Right, she never betrays anyone and she's actually much brighter than Anders. Although the fact that she has no issue with talking to demons in the first place is a cause for alarm.

[EmperorSahlertz]

DKJaigen wrote...

MisterJB wrote...

I think it's a pity that the DA games have never tried to approach this topic. The gamers center mostly around the danger of abominations or blood mages controlling kings but shy away from questioning how magic may dominate society in other ways or how it stiffled human advancement. The closest it came to was during "Blackpoweder Courtesy" where Hawke can wonder what is the point of having gunpowder when magic can produce the same effect but is reminded that the common man doesn't have magic and that gunpowder can be more easily used.

In a related topic, I hope there will be better dialogue options. DA2 was like a long debate in these forums except I couldn't answer like I wanted to.
Mark of the Assassin fixed this; mostly anyway. The argument with Tallis was better than any with Anders.

MisterJB. Magic is simply to rare for common people to take benefit from. If their is a reason why scientific progress is stiffeld i suggest you look to the chantry. Autopsies are forbidden, critical points of view in history are forbidden  and the univesity of Orlais clashes with chantry dogma. as long as you cannot theorize progress remain limited.

Magic is used widely and in commonly used day-today appliances, such as the Glowstones in Val Royaux. Though that is enchanted items and not "active magic". Still, magically enchanted items are widely used.

[Hazegurl]

TheKomandorShepard wrote...

Ok heard that i trust person that crushes other peoples hearts literally now judge how that sounds. whether they are not worthy it is rather personal judgement he break his word as well that he betrayed
peoples who protected him and killed them.

Right, it's up to you to determine whether or not those people are worth him keeping his word to. The way I see they are not. And if you meant those Fog Warriors. Yeah it was a crappy thing to do. But he was enslaved and his master had returned.  That would be a cause of suspicion. Would he betray you if confronted by his master? That's a good question to ask.  But he doesn't and I don't see what that would have to do with his account of life in Tevinter.

Fenris is full of hate as
well Anders i don't say don't belive in everything what he says just be
very suspicious now if i bring every thing that anders says about circle i would be probably
be attacked how dear i bring up what anders say when he such biased and
to the some point it is right that same goes for fenris. i don't think
his gone memory is very important whether he is trustworthy or not. 

It's not the fact that you are suspicious that I am disagreeing with. It is your reason.

You chose not to fully believe Fenris because:
He kills people, like you and everyone else.
He betrayed the Fog Warriors
He made promises to people who abused him and broke them
He disagrees with your Pro Mage ideals

imo, I think his memory loss would be a better reason to be suspicious about his account of Tevinter life. He doesn't even remember that he competed to be Danarious' slave.

[Hazegurl]

MisterJB wrote...

I think it's a pity that the DA games have never tried to approach this topic. The gamers center mostly around the danger of abominations or blood mages controlling kings but shy away from questioning how magic may dominate society in other ways or how it stiffled human advancement. The closest it came to was during "Blackpoweder Courtesy" where Hawke can wonder what is the point of having gunpowder when magic can produce the same effect but is reminded that the common man doesn't have magic and that gunpowder can be more easily used.

In a related topic, I hope there will be better dialogue options. DA2 was like a long debate in these forums except I couldn't answer like I wanted to.
Mark of the Assassin fixed this; mostly anyway. The argument with Tallis was better than any with Anders.

I agree. We also see during that quest how advanced Dwarves and the Qunari are when it comes to weaponry. Also in Awakening we saw a difference in Dwarf locks vs the magical locks in Origins. In DA:O during the Magi Origins quest you have to get past a locked door, that is locked using magic. It was a strong lock and effective but the locking mechanisms in the basement of Vigil's Keep seem far more effective than that one. I believe you could just open the magic door from the other side.   

I wouldn't be surprised at all if these two groups advance in technology before any other. The Dwarves are great builders and we know that black powder will eventually lead to canons and guns etc. 

I also agree about the dialogue for Hawke in DA2. I think that Anders manifesto scene should have been the best place for Anti-Mage Hawke and Anders to say what they think. But it was so short and I never felt that my Hawke could truly say what I wanted him to say. I hope more effort is placed on the dialogue in DA:I

[MisterJB]

Inprea wrote...
That's an interesting theory but with no means of testing it that's all it is. Unless the writers want to flat out say that magic has harmed human advancement.

I could just as easily claim that their advancement has been harmed by locking the most educated amongst them in towers and not letting them be free to practice what they've learned. Case in point. In Awakening we find a woman researching plant life that can survive in blighted soil and may be able to help restore blighted lands. Now while she may use her magic to accelerate her studies she's still relying on a naturally occurring plant. This doesn't require the use of magic but it does require the person  to be free to conduct her studies and apply what she's learned.

Anders is another case. Before he blows up the a chantry. He's seen giving Isabella a salve. I doubt that it's liquid magic. How about letting some people who've studied sickness be free to teach others how to avoid it? Alchemy actually produces some very powerful healing items and doesn't require the use of magic. Now given that most people don't even live near mages shouldn't there be more alchemist?

The mages are not the sole educated people on Thedas. Education is more common amongst their numbers because it is provided by the Circle but we have seen human and dwarven scholars and healing potions are easily bought off any common vendor. Of course, this might be due to gameplay needs but herbalists have been mentioned at least twice in DAO and DAA and there is no reason to believe these jobs are exclusive to mages.
Also, given the fact that Val-Royeaux uses glow lamps; which are produced in the Circle; indicates that the Circle doesn't need to be more open in order for Thedas to "enjoy" magically produced items.

My theory is that they're three main things hindering their advancement. Well without involving the writers. The first is that there needs to be a sufficient food surplus which I'm not certain exist. After all starving people or people who have to dedicate all their time to securing food aren't going to be doing much thinking except on how hungry they are. The second thing is people need to feel safe and I don't want to see anyone blaming that on mages. With the Qunari, internal fighting between nations, the darkspawn and general fear of the unknown they have plenty to make them feel insecure. Now keep in mind I said they need to feel safe not be safe.

The final thing they need is an effective mechanism for information to flow through aka a printing press. This part is tricky of course as people also have to be willing to share the information. You mentioned the provider of a service having power over those who that need the service. That's true. Now while knowledge of metal working doesn't require magic it can require you to be born into the right family. If for example me and my family has made a good living making top quality steel for generations why would I want to tell anyone how we did it? That would lead to competition that could threaten the livelihood of my children and myself.

So for me. Unless you can prove that there is sufficient food, people feel secure and there is an effective mechanism for information to flow then I would say that magic hasn't hindered human development but rather the environment has. Naturally I can't test my theory either so that's what it is.

I won't claim that the technological stagnation of Thedas can be blamed, entirely, on the overreliance on magic but it is, certainly, a factor.
The dwarves are much more advanced; and some of their inventions like the smokeless coal were created after the First Blight; and they deal with the greatest threat on Thedas in a daily basis.