1058 réponses à ce sujet

[Iakus]

Spoiler

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

 

Spoiler

Well, he died while his mind was in the Fade, conversing with his master.  But we don't know if he was struck down in the Fade or in the waking world (remember, he explicitly thought about how he didn't bother setting up the wards to protect his physical body  

[Mistic]

Spoiler

Well, he died while his mind was in the Fade, conversing with his master.  But we don't know if he was struck down in the Fade or in the waking world (remember, he explicitly thought about how he didn't bother setting up the wards to protect his physical body  

 

Yeah, the murder was left ambiguous enough. I hope we have some way to see him again, but it's more wishful thinking than anything.

 

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.

 

I doubt that person is Fen'harel, for the same reasons you have posted.

Spoiler

Every time Felassan talks about Fen'harel, I get the feeling that he's not talking about his master, but about himself. In a metaphorical way, of course.

 

His position is the same as Fen'harel. Part of no group, although some try to claim him, but always in the middle of things. More of a trickster than a benevolent or an evil person. You never know whose side he is... not even his boss knows! And he always has a soft spot for those who treat him right and ask for his help, even if at first you aren't sure if he's helping or not.

[TheLittleBird]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but what I also found interesting was how the fights played out. Let's take the varterral-fight as an example.

 

This wasn't just a description of combat, it was also conflict-development. We have Mihris shouting bad stuff about Ser Michel, and we have Remache trying to kill Celene, ending in him getting stabbed by Grand Duke Gaspard - in what I think was the best chevalier's code-related moment in the whole book.

[calvinien]

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

I hope you are right. Lork knows the elves could use a break (one of my few issues with drgaon age is that they tend to use "the elves get their asses kicked" the way Game of thrones uses rape. At this point it is almost punctuation.) I still can't help but feel like Briala is unintentionally making things worse. As I said before I really do hope inquisition lets us form some kind of truce between her and celene. I can certainly see how her forces would be an excellent boon for the covert side of the inquisition.

 

 

 Celene would be the better ruler despite her being exposed to be pretty much a sociopath at the end.

I disagree wholeheartedly with the interpretation that Celene was a sociopath. Her characterization as I understood it puts her as a decent person and an idealist in a very cutthroat and disfunctional system that tends to end with idealists getting nailed to things by darkspawn.

 

 

Spoiler

Look at it this way: if hawke spares anders at the end of DA2, Sebastian threatens to burn kirkwall to the ground. And up till then he had always been portrayed as the squeaky clean white knight. Celene’s last words to Briala were not “I’m going to kill all the elves for this/veangeance shall be mine!” Her last words to Briala are essentially “I’ll win this war without you, I’m happy you found something your people can use, and I’ll miss you because I love you.”Sociopath implies she doesn't actually care...and I think the reason why the book is so heartbreaking is because it takes the time to establish that Celene ansolutely cares about Briala and the elves. Now we can debate how necessary her actions were, but the chapters from her point of view I don’t think there can be any doubt that she thought her actions were absdolutely necessary and wouldn’t have done them otherwise.

 

(I’m also willing to cut her a bit of slack given how she was raised in the cutthroat world of orlesian politics where backstabbing is essentially required to survive, was 16 at the time, had just lost her family and most importanbtly routinely expressed intentions to help the elves in her own private thoughts.)

 

I see celene as being a lot like your typical Bioware PC. Every now and then she is put in a situation where there is no right answer. There is only the least wrong one.

 

Compare to Gaspard who is willing to use tactics he claims are beneath him, associate with people who have no honour, and drag the empire into 3 simultaneous wars. The fact that he holds to some code of chivalry no more excuses his action than it would the Arishok in DA2. The guy has rivers of blood on his hands for no other reason than to stroke his ego (and while he claims he’s doing it for the sake of the empire, a bloody civil war + mage/templar war+ invasion of ferelden, while perhaps not enough to destroy orlais entirely would made them sitting ducks for pretty much anyone  else.)

 

Spoiler

There's also his actions after the duel which COMPLETELY undercut his pretence of honour. Two people on his side cheated for him (three if you count briala since he had clearly lost the duel when she called Michel off). Apparently a Chevalier can profit form dishonourable tactics as long as he learns about it after he already has what he wants. If he was really an honourable man, he would have conceded defeat. If not for when his people cheated, if not for the fact that michel BEAT HIM ANYWAY but for the fact that he only 'won' on a technicality that should be beneath the honourable knight he pretends to be.

[Mistic]

Compare to Gaspard who is willing to use tactics he claims are beneath him, associate with people who have no honour, and drag the empire into 3 simultaneous wars. The fact that he holds to some code of chivalry no more excuses his action than it would the Arishok in DA2. The guy has rivers of blood on his hands for no other reason than to stroke his ego (and while he claims he’s doing it for the sake of the empire, a bloody civil war + mage/templar war+ invasion of ferelden, while perhaps not enough to destroy orlais entirely would made them sitting ducks for pretty much anyone  else.)

 

Spoiler

There's also his actions after the duel which COMPLETELY undercut his pretence of honour. Two people on his side cheated for him (three if you count briala since he had clearly lost the duel when she called Michel off). Apparently a Chevalier can profit form dishonourable tactics as long as he learns about it after he already has what he wants. If he was really an honourable man, he would have conceded defeat. If not for when his people cheated, if not for the fact that michel BEAT HIM ANYWAY but for the fact that he only 'won' on a technicality that should be beneath the honourable knight he pretends to be.

 

We really need to know the chevaliers' code of honour. But I'm not surprised at Gaspard finding ways to circumvent it; it's not as if religious commandments fare any better.

 

The thing with Gaspard that I suppose many people find commendable is that he is true to his word. Probably he may indulge in the "exact words" trick, but if he gives you his word, you know he will fulfill it, no matter how disadvantageous it may be for him. Meanwhile, we do know that Celene's word is only as valuable as the situation requires.

 

Still think Celene would be a better ruler, though. In the end, even Gaspard admitted that his actions have weakened Orlais.

[Heimdall]

We really need to know the chevaliers' code of honour. But I'm not surprised at Gaspard finding ways to circumvent it; it's not as if religious commandments fare any better.

The thing with Gaspard that I suppose many people find commendable is that he is true to his word. Probably he may indulge in the "exact words" trick, but if he gives you his word, you know he will fulfill it, no matter how disadvantageous it may be for him. Meanwhile, we do know that Celene's word is only as valuable as the situation requires.

Still think Celene would be a better ruler, though. In the end, even Gaspard admitted that his actions have weakened Orlais.

I agree. The only thing I find commendable in Gaspard is that he keeps some code of honor, at least in the sense that he keeps his word and respects like qualities in others. Despite that, he still manages to act every bit as ruthless as Celene (Unless he's precisely promised not to) and he admits later that a large part of his reasoning for going against Celene is because he just wants the throne. Add to that his imperialist agenda... and he really doesn't win many points with me.

Celene may lack that honor, but I like her because I believe she's a genuine reformer. For all her underhandedness, she's not a traditionalist like Gaspard, whose attitude towards such causes appears to be apathetic at best. She's willing to challenge the status quo in an attempt drag Orlais into a more egalitarian era. That's what brought on this whole mess really.

[Vilegrim]

well, said it before and will say it again:  Nothing wrong with Orlais that a few million impalements would not solve, every single person who prays to the maker must die, then a civilised country can emerge, and all that blood will makes the soil wonderfully fertile.

[bairdduvessa]

well, said it before and will say it again:  Nothing wrong with Orlais that a few million impalements would not solve, every single person who prays to the maker must die, then a civilised country can emerge, and all that blood will makes the soil wonderfully fertile.

should i call you little dragon?

[Chaia]

Finally been able to get to read this, finished it very quickly and loved it, I'm guessing we're going to meet the bigger characters in DA:I from the book such as Celene, Briala, Gaspard etc and can't wait for it. I can probably see BW not allowing it but I would like to get Celene and Briala (possibly my favourite pairing within DA so far) back together even if its just getting their goals and fractions aligned. I did gain some respect for Gaspard by the end, but still hated him. 

 

I would like to see more of Michel and Imshael, but I kinda see that being more DLC content (like Legacy and Corypheus) 

 

So I take it each of the three books coming out between DA:2 and DA:I is to get us ready for the main conflicts within DA:I (I'm already rereading Asunder) Mages vs Templars, Orlais Civil War etc. I was looking forward to it all, apart from whatever on Thedas is going on with the Grey Wardens, I just never found them interesting, but I have to say after The Masked Empire, and rereading Asunder, I'm looking forward to Last Flight.

[Heimdall]

well, said it before and will say it again:  Nothing wrong with Orlais that a few million impalements would not solve, every single person who prays to the maker must die, then a civilised country can emerge, and all that blood will makes the soil wonderfully fertile.

The opportunity to go the Vlad the Impaler route? Yes please.

[Alexius]

I just finished reading this; I've never been so engrossed by a tie-in novel.

 

It is funny how I found myself cheering for some characters one second, only to think of them idiots the next. And I guess Briala had the upper-hand in the end. Still, I think what she did, or plans to do, makes her no different from Celene. Maybe too much alike. In any case, it will end poorly.

 

Now I've been left to wonder how on earth will the state of the world be when Inquisition begins. Pure chaos. I know we've been told before, yeah, but it's interesting to think of the consequences.

[Rolling Flame]

Finally been able to get to read this, finished it very quickly and loved it, I'm guessing we're going to meet the bigger characters in DA:I from the book such as Celene, Briala, Gaspard etc and can't wait for it. I can probably see BW not allowing it but I would like to get Celene and Briala (possibly my favourite pairing within DA so far) back together even if its just getting their goals and fractions aligned. I did gain some respect for Gaspard by the end, but still hated him. 

 

I get the feeling that at some point we'll have to side with either Briala or Celene (and by extension, Morrigan) to get access to the Eluvians. 

[Alexius]

I get the feeling that at some point we'll have to side with either Briala or Celene (and by extension, Morrigan) to get access to the Eluvians. 

 

That's a decision I wouldn't be looking forward to make. At all.

[Aimi]

The opportunity to go the Vlad the Impaler route? Yes please.

Comprehensively militarily defeated and turned into a personal slave by your worst enemy?

Have it your own way.

[OdanUrr]

So, I finished the book. It was an okay read but I prefer Asunder hands down so far. Here are my thoughts on TME (it contains spoilers):

 

https://www.goodread.../show/917896663

[Cobra's_back]

So, I finished the book. It was an okay read but I prefer Asunder hands down so far. Here are my thoughts on TME (it contains spoilers):

 

https://www.goodread.../show/917896663

 

I really thought it was about Briala finally taking off on her own as well. 

[Chaia]

So, I finished the book. It was an okay read but I prefer Asunder hands down so far. Here are my thoughts on TME (it contains spoilers):

 

https://www.goodread.../show/917896663

Whilst I liked it, (my favourite parts were about 'the game' but to each is own) have to agree with a lot of points raised in your review, like Gaspard, and found it bizarre what info Briala did and somehow did not know.

[DumSheeps]

SPOILER FOR THE MASKED EMPIRE:

Anyone else think that the main villain in Inquisition will be the entity from the end of the book ?

[GuitarShredUK]

SPOILER FOR THE MASKED EMPIRE:

Anyone else think that the main villain in Inquisition will be the entity from the end of the book ?

 

 

Spoiler

Imshael?

 

Well...all I'm saying is it'd demonstrably be one immense fade spirit, and/or impeccable at shape shifting to hide who/what it really is a la a T1000. That would be very interesting, but also a bit confusing all at once.

 

Speaking of which - I'm actually really enthusiastic now about the tall, headstrong bearded companion character that you can see on the right side of the group shot at the end of the "Inquisitor Gameplay" trailer is not a Grey Warden, but Ser Michel.

[Jedi Master of Orion]

Imshael wasn't the entity at the end of the book, and yes whoever Felassan was talking to was almost certainly the big bad. I don't see how it could be anyone else unless it was a red herring.

[GuitarShredUK]

Ah, the unnamed entity. I agree that it does seem set up that way, a faceless assailant wanting answers or demonstration of progress. It could be an agent of the antagonist in DAI, but yes I can see the potential there.

[Heimdall]

Comprehensively militarily defeated and turned into a personal slave by your worst enemy?

Have it your own way.

Well, I meant before that part.

[Alexius]

Imshael wasn't the entity at the end of the book, and yes whoever Felassan was talking to was almost certainly the big bad. I don't see how it could be anyone else unless it was a red herring.

 

I agree.

After I finished reading it I wondered when we'd find the answer to that particular point. I guess the ending being of the cliffhanger sort, it's safe to assume that it'll have a great impact in-game. Then again, like you said, it could be a red herring.

[OdanUrr]

About that:

 

Spoiler

I wondered when Felassan conveys a message to Imshael through his tattoos if he wasn't talking about causing the tear in the Fade that appears in Inquisition. Did it occur to anyone else?

[Jedi Master of Orion]

About that:

 

Spoiler

I wondered when Felassan conveys a message to Imshael through his tattoos if he wasn't talking about causing the tear in the Fade that appears in Inquisition. Did it occur to anyone else?

 

I thought it was pretty obvious he was supposed to be referring to the crisis in DAI. Although I didn't think the book's description meant his tatoos literally danced to convey a message.