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[Giffygas]

I got a lot of the same vibes as most of you from the book. I think that Fellasan was an agent of the dread wolf, he also hinted to the "spirit" that things will be quite chaotic very soon, I think Fen'Harel is going to have a huge part in inquisition. Gaspard really grew on me over the course of the book an honourable man, just abit worried about him and Ferelden. Celene in contrast by the end of the book is quite the opposite, deceitful and ruthless but that's all part of "the game".

[Heimdall]

Just finished the book yesterday and completely amazed.
   
Can I ask about another character, like Lienne de Montsimmard? Character wise, I don't particularly find anything interesting about her, but I'm kinda intrigued nonetheless.
 

Spoiler

I mean, she's a mage, and mage is the class I love the most after rogue.
She's an apostate, but her power and knowledge about magic and the Fade and its residents is... unnatural.
Sure, I believe she may get literature about such things quite easily, given her noble position. And her family might secretly invite another apostate or even Circle mage to train her control her power. But she is so powerful in creation and entropy spells that I doubt can be achieved by simply training in secret.
I suspect a demon is in play, but I don't think I found any reference to that in the book. When I checked the wiki, Lienne is categorized as an abomination. Where do you get to know that? If somebody would please enlighten me...

Spoiler

Someone must have confused her with Mihris. Lienne was never an abomination. She's just well educated.

[TMJfin]

Just finished the book yesterday, loved it, took just one and a half days (damn work). Really liked Felassan, but knew he would die, usually happens with my favourite characters

 

 

Hated Gaspard, but started to like him a little at the end. Celene Celene, I really don't know what to think of here. Her relationship with Brialla was very bittersweet. All in all, great job from Mr. Weekes. If it comes to choice in Inquisition, my first Inquisitor will side with Celene. Sorry, just randomly rambling here

[Mistic]

Hated Gaspard, but started to like him a little at the end. Celene Celene, I really don't know what to think of here. Her relationship with Brialla was very bittersweet. All in all, great job from Mr. Weekes. If it comes to choice in Inquisition, my first Inquisitor will side with Celene. Sorry, just randomly rambling here

 

One of the higlights of this book, as many others have pointed out before, is that characters and situations are three-dimensional. There are serious flaws and redeeming qualities for each character, and conflicts and problems are born from a series of events in which several people have their share of responsibility.

 

Still, after finishing the book (at last!) I'm still pro-Celene. Her ideas for Orlais are still better than Gaspard's, although he's an honest man (for an Orlesian noble), brave and true to his word. However, it doesn't mean all my Inquisitors will be pro-Celene...

[PlasmaCheese]

I just finished. I only cared for Felassan and Gaspard...and....

Spoiler

FELLY DIEDDDD *sobs*babbywhyyyy

It's as if they were the only two honest people. Everyone else pissed me off with their phony BS. I was tired of The Game and codes and political crap.

I, for one, really enjoyed how well-written the fight scenes were. I loved guessing what spells they were using and what creatures they were fighting by the wonderful descriptions, well before the book explicitly stated it.

Spoiler

Like. Did Felassan use Mana Clash on Mihris?

Then, I'd squee in delight when I guessed right. Fight scenes felt like more than half of the book, actually. Which was better than all of that "OMG, you have two hairs out of place. You must've just killed that kitten. Lrn2TheGame, n00b." Guess I'm not big on political intrigue, but it was still an enjoyable read. Lot of things I didn't expect happened and I enjoyed it overall. :3

[XMissWooX]

Just got round to finishing the book.

I enjoyed the story, both the political aspects near the beginning and the adventure aspects near the end. Liked the characters - each one had their own flaws, which I felt added depth to them. The combat was fun to read too.

I have to say, what I enjoyed most were the little hints for the future of DA.

Spoiler

I was very intrigued about Imshael:
"The first of the magus cast themselves deep in the Fade in search of answers and power, always power. They found the forbidden ones — Xebenkeck, Imshael, Gaxkang the Unbound, and The Formless One. Many conversations were had and much of the fabric of the world revealed. And thus the magic of blood was born."
- from the DA Wiki

The Warden (potentially) killed Gaxkang, Hawke (potentially) killed Xebenkeck, and now we have Imshael appearing.
I also note he has the ability to affect people's minds and make them invisible/unnoticeable, very similar to Cole's powers.

Also, the big ??? With Felassan near the end.

Overall, very good book
Now to read through The Stolen Throne and The Calling...

[Rel Fexive]

Spoiler

I was very intrigued about Imshael:
"The first of the magus cast themselves deep in the Fade in search of answers and power, always power. They found the forbidden ones — Xebenkeck, Imshael, Gaxkang the Unbound, and The Formless One. Many conversations were had and much of the fabric of the world revealed. And thus the magic of blood was born."
- from the DA Wiki

The Warden (potentially) killed Gaxkang, Hawke (potentially) killed Xebenkeck, and now we have Imshael appearing.

 

I'd forgotten about that connection. Very interesting!

 

One thing I noticed, though....

 

Spoiler

Did anyone see a similarity in the appearance of 'choice spirit' Imshael and David Gaider?

[Dean_the_Young]

One of the higlights of this book, as many others have pointed out before, is that characters and situations are three-dimensional. There are serious flaws and redeeming qualities for each character, and conflicts and problems are born from a series of events in which several people have their share of responsibility.

 

I don't know many people who have identified Briala's character flaws. I'm a bit murkey on them myself- I think her stated goal of perpetuating the civil war is short sighted, and I suppose I could peg her with a touch of a messiah complex from viewing herself as a natural leader of the City Elves (who generally don't know about her and probably don't give two ----- about her personally past what she offers them), but nothing on the level of Celene's dependency and waffeling or Gaspard's open warmongering.

[Palidane]

I don't know many people who have identified Briala's character flaws. I'm a bit murkey on them myself- I think her stated goal of perpetuating the civil war is short sighted, and I suppose I could peg her with a touch of a messiah complex from viewing herself as a natural leader of the City Elves (who generally don't know about her and probably don't give two ----- about her personally past what she offers them), but nothing on the level of Celene's dependency and waffeling or Gaspard's open warmongering.

Briala is ruthless, and cold. She is totally willing to let the ends justify the means. She only really cares about the elves, and is planning on letting thousands of humans die. She is blind to Celene's actual character, and takes twenty years to see her for who she actually is.

[TheJediSaint]

Briala is ruthless, and cold. She is totally willing to let the ends justify the means. She only really cares about the elves, and is planning on letting thousands of humans die. She is blind to Celene's actual character, and takes twenty years to see her for who she actually is.

 

Celene doesn't really know who she is herself.   Really, the only character who knows who they are the whole way through is Gaspard.  Michel figures out who he really is at the end.

[Mistic]

I don't know many people who have identified Briala's character flaws. I'm a bit murkey on them myself- I think her stated goal of perpetuating the civil war is short sighted, and I suppose I could peg her with a touch of a messiah complex from viewing herself as a natural leader of the City Elves (who generally don't know about her and probably don't give two ----- about her personally past what she offers them), but nothing on the level of Celene's dependency and waffeling or Gaspard's open warmongering.

 

As Palidane says, Briala's blindness and naivety for certain things is her most glaring flaw. Time and time again, Felassan tries to deflate her bubble in the least traumatic way, to no avail. She needs to experience it first hand to believe it: the Dalish won't help just because they're elves, the City Elves won't understand just because Celene is trying her best, Celene isn't really pro-elves, ancient Arlathan wasn't an elven paradise, etc.

 

That is a character flaw. Perpetuating the war is not a character flaw, it's a bad decision (or not; let's see what happens in DA:I).

 

The thing is, she represents the sympathetic POV and her character serves to introduce the reader into that world, no matter if they didn't know of Dragon Age before. In fact, several of Briala's misconceptions were shared by fans prior to TME. That might make harder to spot her flaws, because they're our flaws too, to some extent.

[Dean_the_Young]

As Palidane says, Briala's blindness and naivety for certain things is her most glaring flaw. Time and time again, Felassan tries to deflate her bubble in the least traumatic way, to no avail. She needs to experience it first hand to believe it: the Dalish won't help just because they're elves, the City Elves won't understand just because Celene is trying her best, Celene isn't really pro-elves, ancient Arlathan wasn't an elven paradise, etc.

 

That is a character flaw. Perpetuating the war is not a character flaw, it's a bad decision (or not; let's see what happens in DA:I).

 

The thing is, she represents the sympathetic POV and her character serves to introduce the reader into that world, no matter if they didn't know of Dragon Age before. In fact, several of Briala's misconceptions were shared by fans prior to TME. That might make harder to spot her flaws, because they're our flaws too, to some extent.

 

Sounds like she's the reasonable but somewhat ignorant western liberal insert perspective, then.

 

Alright, that makes sense- thanks.

[dragondreamer]

Spoiler

 

"I had something you wanted."  Briala kept smiling.  "And your people are my people, even if they've forgotten it.  I will work with the Dalish, but only if they help all our people.  Pass that on to the next clan you meet."

 

With that, the elven Inquisitor being Dalish suddenly becomes very significant.   

[Hellion Rex]

Spoiler

 

 

With that, the elven Inquisitor being Dalish suddenly becomes very significant.   

Exactly. I'm thinking Mihris could very possibly attach herself to the clan the Dalish Inquisitor is from. Would be a good tie in.

[Hellion Rex]

As Palidane says, Briala's blindness and naivety for certain things is her most glaring flaw. Time and time again, Felassan tries to deflate her bubble in the least traumatic way, to no avail. She needs to experience it first hand to believe it: the Dalish won't help just because they're elves, the City Elves won't understand just because Celene is trying her best, Celene isn't really pro-elves, ancient Arlathan wasn't an elven paradise, etc.

 

That is a character flaw. Perpetuating the war is not a character flaw, it's a bad decision (or not; let's see what happens in DA:I).

 

The thing is, she represents the sympathetic POV and her character serves to introduce the reader into that world, no matter if they didn't know of Dragon Age before. In fact, several of Briala's misconceptions were shared by fans prior to TME. That might make harder to spot her flaws, because they're our flaws too, to some extent.

Very good analysis. However, from my own perspective, I didn't find her very sympathetic, especially by book's end.

[lynroy]

Spoiler

 

 

With that, the elven Inquisitor being Dalish suddenly becomes very significant.   

True enough and something I was thinking as well.

[calvinien]

Just finished The Masked Empire last night.

 

Some interesting times ahead for a pro-elven Inquisitor...

 

Spoiler

I wonder just how far you'll be able to aid the elves. Will you be able to help Briala play sides against one another, crushing both? Having access to the Eluvians (can't wait to see what that's like) would certainly offer some interesting tactical advantages. And also makes me curious where Morrigan actually went... "Beyond this world and beyond the Fade"? Did she live in the Eluvian world or did she actually go to some place?

 

Fellasan...

 

Spoiler

One of the few surprises in the book is when he is killed at the end. Certainly meant to have some significance... I wonder if the Inquisitor will merge with the spirit of Fallasan, which allows him to close the Fade portals. Some potential internal turmoil as well...?

 

I don't think Fellasan was the Dread Wolf, but... I have a feeling he was the shadowy figure behind him. When Briala thought the Dread Wolf might have been pleased with her plan, Fellasan disagreed and shortly wound up dead himself.

 

 

 

 

I just finished in 10 minutes ago. I have NEVER been this engrossed in a tie in novel before. Masked Empire is easily the best non game thing bioware has put out. It was tense during the fight scenes and teared up during the sad ones. Just an amazing achievement.

 

BTW I'm a bit of a noob here, is there a way to use spoiler tags without typiing spoilers?

 

Spoiler

  I doubt you'll be able to solve ALL of the problems at once. It looks to me like the orlesian civil war willl be inquisition's deep roads. You need to essentially go through two quest lines. ONe is helping to resolve the war, the other is dealing with the rebellion. My impossible hope is that you can do it in a way that gets Celene and Briala back together because they are my favourite pairing in ever and I'm still mad they break up. But I know BW almost certainly won't allow that so I'll settle for just being able to save them both. And i REALLY want to murder Gaspard in a god of war style quick time event. As for fellassan, I think we are meant to think it was the dread wolf behind him. He talks about him enough that it has to be in our minds in the book. We are clearly supposed to think it was Fen'harel. I'm inclined to belive it is not. Bioware has said they'll never show which religions are right or wrong....so it could be flemeth or whoever the big bad of DAI is posing as the dread wolf.

Spoiler

  Anyone else kindof feel like Masked Empire was the DA equivalent of under the red hood? Everyone gets what they want.....sort of, but it's still a downer ending.

[calvinien]

I don't know many people who have identified Briala's character flaws. I'm a bit murkey on them myself- I think her stated goal of perpetuating the civil war is short sighted, and I suppose I could peg her with a touch of a messiah complex from viewing herself as a natural leader of the City Elves (who generally don't know about her and probably don't give two ----- about her personally past what she offers them), but nothing on the level of Celene's dependency and waffeling or Gaspard's open warmongering.

 

Her stated goal is crazy. It's essentially a reformat of the more stupid Dalish plans. "Wait for the shemlen to kill each other off, then we swoop in." When has that ever worked? IMO it would have been better for everyone if she supported celene. Crush the rebllion with elven help and gain the respect of the nobility. If some noble tries to rebel when elves are gievn rights? Easy enough to kill off with the eluvians. They'll get the message. Suppose her plan works (ignoring that making peace will almost certainly be a major questline in DAI)...ok so she weakens orlais. Great. So now the tevinter...the slavery happy nearly one dimensionally evil except for one woman empire that enslaved them the first time...can just march in on one of their oldest rivals?

[Isaantia]

Wow this was a fun read! DAT ENDING THO. So now I have questions!

 

 

Spoiler

1. Is Ser Michel going to be a companion? He totally sounds like companion material.
2. Felassan sure knew a lot about Fen'Harel. He also knew a lot about the Dalish history in general - like more than Keeper-level - too much. And I am confused as to who kills him in the end - was it Ser Michel because he realized ? Surely this dude has been on the run from various people all his life, so why let some one kill him now? Or was his whole purpose to start this war for elven freedom and that was his own deal with some "spirit"? Is that why he didn't want the password - because he's carrying two? Is he really Ishmael?
3. I liked that Briala realized her Elven elders were no better than any other nobility. She's got the eluvians but how long before the other elves mess this up for her in the name of "justice"? I don't feel like she's going to be a great leader.  

[Fredward]

Spoiler

1. Felassan sure knew a lot about Fen'Harel. He also knew a lot about the Dalish history in general - like more than Keeper-level - too much. And I am confused as to who kills him in the end - was it Ser Michel because he realized ? Surely this dude has been on the run from various people all his life, so why let some one kill him now? Or was his whole purpose to start this war for elven freedom and that was his own deal with some "spirit"? Is that why he didn't want the password - because he's carrying two? Is he really Ishmael? 

 

Spoiler

The person/thing that kills Felassan is the person/thing he's reporting to and telling he can't/won't tell him/her/it the password for the eluvians. Personally I think it's Fen'harel. Or someone claiming to be Fen'harel. I kiiiiiinda think it's Flemeth cuz I can see how she might want access to the eluvians to get to Morrigan. Then again it might also be the person/being responsible for the Tear.  The eluvians Briala is using all seem to be relatively uncorrupted but we still know the corrupted ones lead elsewhere, perhaps the Golden City? Man I'm getting conjecture everywhere but yeah, pretty sure that whoever Felassan reported to killed him. ALSO. Whoever he's reporting to must have some precognitive ability since they pointed him in the direction of Briala long, long before she became Mistress of the Eluvians.

 

Her stated goal is crazy. It's essentially a reformat of the more stupid Dalish plans. "Wait for the shemlen to kill each other off, then we swoop in." When has that ever worked? IMO it would have been better for everyone if she supported celene. Crush the rebllion with elven help and gain the respect of the nobility. If some noble tries to rebel when elves are gievn rights? Easy enough to kill off with the eluvians. They'll get the message. Suppose her plan works (ignoring that making peace will almost certainly be a major questline in DAI)...ok so she weakens orlais. Great. So now the tevinter...the slavery happy nearly one dimensionally evil except for one woman empire that enslaved them the first time...can just march in on one of their oldest rivals?

 

Spoiler

I don't think that's her goal at all, she's just gonna use the chaos to make their lives better. Whatever that entails. I'm imagining it's gonna mean moving some of them into the secret places that can only be reached with the eluvians, making sure the war goes on for as long as possible by playing both sides, stealing supplies and moving them into the alienages, making sure the nobilty knows any untoward actions against the elves will now lead to swift and bloody retribution yah know, that kinda thing.

 

Briala is not stupid after all, she sticks with Celene yes because she loves her but also because she truly believes that in the long run it would be best for her people, even though she wants to help them right now and in a more immediate way she realizes this won't work. Well until now. But even with the eluvians declaring all out war against the humans won't succeed, I think she'll use it as leverage to get some impressive concessions but if it comes to all out war I don't see it going to well... The major benefit of the eluvians is speed and secrecy, if everybody suddenly knows to look for elven rebels popping out of nowhere you already lose one of those. Plus the eluvians that come out in/near cities can still be broken and they will be if a large contingent of elves suddenly marches out of someone's basement.

 

To me she seemed like a big picture kinda gal, I might have misjudged her but I don't think she'll go for immediate gratification.

 

[ev76]

Just finished reading my first ever novel based on dragon age. Must say mr. Weeks great job. Really enjoyed the book, It was a good appetizer to the main course (dragon age inquisition)
Some of these characters I hope we meet in passing in dragon age inquisition. Now I'm going to have to look for asunder at my Barnes and noble book store.

[Morroian]

Finished it yesterday, it was good. Definitely wouldn't mind reading some more of Weekes' work inside or outside of TheDAS. My one gripe would be too much fighting and not enough character development. 

 

I've just finished it and I'd disagree with that. There was a fair bit of fighting but all the characters were more than one dimensional. Great work by Patrick, it is arguably the best of the DA novels. Like others I found Gaspard quite sympathetic by the end although his plans to invade Ferelden aren't smart. Celene would be the better ruler despite her being exposed to be pretty much a sociopath at the end. Loved Fel and think it has to be Flemeth or the DAI antagonist who killed him. I was gobsmacked to meet Imshael, That was something I didn't expect. I clearly think we're going to see Imshael and Michel in DAI.

 

Brialla should have been more sympathetic but she remained quite cold at the end, like others I imagine we'll probably be allying ourselves with her in DAI.

[Kleon]

Spoiler

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Felassan die in the fade? Meaning he would be made tranquil?

[Oasis_JS]

I've just finished it and I'd disagree with that. There was a fair bit of fighting but all the characters were more than one dimensional. Great work by Patrick, it is arguably the best of the DA novels. Like others I found Gaspard quite sympathetic by the end although his plans to invade Ferelden aren't smart. Celene would be the better ruler despite her being exposed to be pretty much a sociopath at the end. Loved Fel and think it has to be Flemeth or the DAI antagonist who killed him. I was gobsmacked to meet Imshael, That was something I didn't expect. I clearly think we're going to see Imshael and Michel in DAI.
 
Brialla should have been more sympathetic but she remained quite cold at the end, like others I imagine we'll probably be allying ourselves with her in DAI.

 

 

Spoiler

Yeah..my first novel in a long time..that I couldn't stop reading.. , That for me..tells me something. , It was wonderful to read on the tablet.. help me a lot...with the words..

hmm. going into fan mode.here . I am not surprise at all she turn all cold..Brialla pretty much finally figure out what Celene did to her family..also knew she would play on their love for each others to bend her will. (being also she just wanted to make special elf army.. not really free them) Also learning the cold hard truth about the the Dalish elves really thinkp about the rest of them. But yeah.. I agree it was one best reads from DA...really had me hook.... Big time feel in love Fel.. I keep things he was the old ones or trickster wolf him self . I was thinking Felmeth was working with him.. but who knows..

Spoiler

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Felassan die in the fade? Meaning he would be made tranquil?

Spoiler

I don't believe he was kill in dream world. when he was talking to his partner.. someone kill him from the real world. so he not affect by the whole becoming T. He just went silent, from being attack in the real world

[Thumb Fu]

I hope we meet Ser Michel De Chevin in Inquisition, such a good character! Gaspard as well, by the end i actually respected him a whole lot, i still didn't like him, but my god did i respect him lol.

Also let the record state Briala is a stupid ******.