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[ElitePinecone]

It looks like the novel will be released on April 8.

The description seems to have changed slightly since the original version from last year:
 

Empress Celene of Orlais rose to the throne of the most powerful nation in Thedas through wisdom, wit, and ruthless manipulation. Now, the empire she has guided into an age of enlightenment is threatened from within by imminent war between the templars and the mages even as rebellion stirs among the downtrodden elves. To save Orlais, Celene must keep her hold on the throne by any means necessary.

Fighting with the legendary skill of the Orlesian Chevaliers, Grand Duke Gaspard has won countless battles for the empire and the empress. But as the Circle fails and chaos looms, Gaspard begins to doubt that Celene’s diplomatic approach Orlais’ problems will keep the empire safe. Perhaps it is time for a new leader, one who lives by the tenets of the Chevalier’s Code, to make Orlais strong again.

Briala has been Celene’s handmaid since the two of them were children, subtly using her position to help improve the lives of elves across Orlais. She is Celene’s confidante, spymaster, and lover, but when politics force the empress to choose between the rights of the elves and the Orlesian throne, Briala must decide where her true loyalties lie.

In this thrilling tie-in to the award-winning Dragon Age™ games, alliances are forged and promises broken as Celene and Gaspard battle for the throne of Orlais. But in the end, the elves who hide in the forests or starve in the slums may decide the fate of the masked empire.

Seems to link into Inquisition a fair bit, especially with the whole "mounting chaos" aspect. I wonder if the situation between Celene and Gaspard will be resolved in the book, or left to the game? It could have implications for how Orlais looks when we travel around it in DA:I, especially in terms of who is in charge and whether the elves are still rebelling. Depending on when it's set, we might find out more about the progression of the mage/templar war also.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to reading the novel - the DA books generally do a great job of expanding the universe and I'm a big fan of Patrick Weekes' writing. 

 

Modifié par ElitePinecone, 19 mars 2014 - 06:21 .

[The Elder King]

In the GI coverage it was stated that the nations in the south can't act to solve the Fade tears due to infighting. It could mean that the OCW isn't over.
I'm looking foward to reading it too. I really liked Asunder, and I'm a fan of Weekes's writing.

Modifié par hhh89, 24 janvier 2014 - 01:40 .

[Knight of Dane]

Why'd this book need another thread?

[nightscrawl]

Thanks Pinecone! I didn't even know that there was a full title or an Amazon page for this yet, let alone a release date. Yay!

[In Exile]

There is no way the Orlesian civil war will end before DA:I, since it's the expy for the Ferelden civil war in this DA:O plot structure successor.

[ElitePinecone]

Knight of Dane wrote...

Why'd this book need another thread?

nightscrawl wrote...

Thanks Pinecone! I didn't even know that there was a full title or an Amazon page for this yet, let alone a release date. Yay!

In Exile wrote...

There is no way the Orlesian civil war will end before DA:I, since it's the expy for the Ferelden civil war in this DA:O plot structure successor.

Good to know you're already an expert on Inquisition's plot. Mind sharing?

[In Exile]

ElitePinecone wrote...
Good to know you're already an expert on Inquisition's plot. Mind sharing?

If you want, I can track down the dev posts about how DA:I will be much closer in plot structure to DA:O from the early days when DA:I was announced. I don't see why this snark is called for. 

[ElitePinecone]

Sorry, I thought your post was another "herp derp Bioware never changes its plot" thing.

[In Exile]

ElitePinecone wrote...

Sorry, I thought your post was another "herp derp Bioware never changes its plot" thing.

No. Bioware's plot structure is a product of how they allow players to choose how to complete their quests. I really dislike it, but Bioware's improved on it (exlcuding DA2/JE which deviated from it). I'd wager DA:I will be a bit like a mix of DA:O and ME2, in that they'll borrow the epic scale plot and world at war from DA:O, but (apparently, and I can try and track down these quotes) gate your story content based on how far along you get in "growing" the Inquisition (like growing your team in ME2, is my analogy).

[Ieldra]

I'm looking forward to this book - and I'm curious how Weekes' first excursion into the writing of novels will turn out. With "Asunder" being the only book based on a video game I know which holds up well by literary standards, I have some hope that these books may be in the process of leaving the "strictly for fans" corner behind.

[TK514]

In Exile wrote...

ElitePinecone wrote...

Sorry, I thought your post was another "herp derp Bioware never changes its plot" thing.

No. Bioware's plot structure is a product of how they allow players to choose how to complete their quests. I really dislike it, but Bioware's improved on it (exlcuding DA2/JE which deviated from it). I'd wager DA:I will be a bit like a mix of DA:O and ME2, in that they'll borrow the epic scale plot and world at war from DA:O, but (apparently, and I can try and track down these quotes) gate your story content based on how far along you get in "growing" the Inquisition (like growing your team in ME2, is my analogy).

i certainly wouldn't mind another character focused installment like ME2.  I recognize that's not what you're saying DA:I will be, your mention of ME2 just reminded me.

As for the novel, I thought Weekes was the strongest part of ME3, so I'm willing to give him a shot.  I just hope we don't end up with a black and white story, but that all parties have good and bad points.

[In Exile]

Ieldra2 wrote...

I'm looking forward to this book - and I'm curious how Weekes' first excursion into the writing of novels will turn out. With "Asunder" being the only book based on a video game I know which holds up well by literary standards, I have some hope that these books may be in the process of leaving the "strictly for fans" corner behind.

I'm pretty sure Patrick Weekes has written a novel before, so this would be his second. It was called the Palace... something?

Edit:

Yes, The Palace Job. He's also written short stories. See below:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Weekes

Modifié par In Exile, 24 janvier 2014 - 04:59 .

[Darth Death]

The elves can't catch a break, now can they? I also hope Briala back stabs the empress for her people.

[In Exile]

Darth Death wrote...

The elves can't catch a break, now can they? I also hope Briala back stabs the empress for her people.

I'm not sure how that would help. Gaspard - as a Chavelier, ye of the order who allegedly are above the law and abuse their position for things like rape - is unlikely to be all that pro-elf, even if he's using them as a weapon against Celene. 

[Ieldra]

In Exile wrote...

Ieldra2 wrote...

I'm looking forward to this book - and I'm curious how Weekes' first excursion into the writing of novels will turn out. With "Asunder" being the only book based on a video game I know which holds up well by literary standards, I have some hope that these books may be in the process of leaving the "strictly for fans" corner behind.

I'm pretty sure Patrick Weekes has written a novel before, so this would be his second. It was called the Palace... something?

Edit:

Yes, The Palace Job. He's also written short stories. See below:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Weekes

My info was apparently out of date, LOL. That looks interesting.

[Danny Boy 7]

In Exile wrote...

Darth Death wrote...

The elves can't catch a break, now can they? I also hope Briala back stabs the empress for her people.

I'm not sure how that would help. Gaspard - as a Chavelier, ye of the order who allegedly are above the law and abuse their position for things like rape - is unlikely to be all that pro-elf, even if he's using them as a weapon against Celene. 

Didn't he also try to imprison Wynne in Asunder because she wouldn't help him against Celene? I don't know since I didn't actually read Asunder. I get the feeling he's either going to be Loghain esque or be like the Bhelen/Harrowmont decision I.e. the bad guy but with the most progressive stance. Idk though. 

[Jedi Master of Orion]

I'm very interested to read this book. And  I've never read a Bioware novel before. I'm much more interested in elves and Orlais than mages and templars. Plus, once it comes out we might be able to talk about all the elf topics with more clarity.

I'm guessing that it's going to cover the start of the Orlesian Civil War the same way that Asunder detailed the outbreak of the Mage Templar war?

Modifié par Jedi Master of Orion, 24 janvier 2014 - 09:23 .

[Gervaise]

The odd thing about the synopsis is that the timeline seems to tie in more with DA2 than the book Asunder. It suggests that Gaspard's action is as a result of the Circles failing. But in Asunder the civil war had already begun before the fall of the Circles, and this in turn was some time after Ander's attack on the Chantry because whilst this latter action had caused unrest and an increase in tension between mages and Templars, no definitive action had been taken by the mages. Celene had already left for southern Orlais and the capital was in turmoil when the meeting was called of First Enchanters which led to the breakdown of the Circles.

That said, it would seem that The Masked Empire will be telling the story that was hinted at in Asunder concerning the Empress Celene, which in some ways is a pity as I was hoping that resolving the Orlesian Civil War would form part of the plotline in DAI.

[myahele]

I wondermif we'll be seeing the return of the night elves which tipped the scales in fereldans favor

[Red Panda]

^ They were probably disbanded, so ex- night elves are a better chance.

Not that it makes a difference though. They wouldn't be as organized though.

[Maria Caliban]

I am so glad that this thread title didn't use Weekes's as the possessive.

[Sylvius the Mad]

Maria Caliban wrote...

I am so glad that this thread title didn't use Weekes's as the possessive.

Why? That would have been correct.

[myahele]

Oh yeah, that's what I meant. They probably were disbanded or were given to orlais as part of the peace treaty were they were promptly tortured and killed by the nobles/ chevalier.

I am sure some survived or they are remembered by some elves and will follow in thier footsteps.

Thier return in one way or another will make sense in this novel or future game

[TheBlackAdder13]

myahele wrote...

Oh yeah, that's what I meant. They probably were disbanded or were given to orlais as part of the peace treaty were they were promptly tortured and killed by the nobles/ chevalier.

I am sure some survived or they are remembered by some elves and will follow in thier footsteps.

Thier return in one way or another will make sense in this novel or future game

I like to think that the city elf PC from origins' mother was a night elf -- hence how she learned how to fight. 

[nightscrawl]

Jedi Master of Orion wrote...

I'm very interested to read this book. And  I've never read a Bioware novel before. I'm much more interested in elves and Orlais than mages and templars. Plus, once it comes out we might be able to talk about all the elf topics with more clarity.

I'm guessing that it's going to cover the start of the Orlesian Civil War the same way that Asunder detailed the outbreak of the Mage Templar war?

I suggest you also read Asunder. It takes place in Orlais and briefly touches on some of the political issues. In addition, Asunder sets up the environment for The Masked Empire.

At this point, I don't really think that the first two are required reading unless you are interested in Maric (The Stolen Throne) or the darkspawn (The Calling). Those novels are pre-DAO canon and have nothing to do with our characters. On the other hand, Asunder and The Masked Empire both take place post-DAO/DA2 in a world that has been influenced by our PCs, so I tend to feel that the players are more invested in those novels from a world building standpoint.


All of that aside, as with other threads about the novels and other ancillary materials, I feel it necessary to point out that they are not required reading, as DG has said on a few occasions.

Sylvius the Mad wrote...

Maria Caliban wrote...

I am so glad that this thread title didn't use Weekes's as the possessive.

Why? That would have been correct.

Lol. Here's a tumblr posting for you.



(I agree with you btw, Sylvius.)

Modifié par nightscrawl, 25 janvier 2014 - 07:52 .