Haha, without sadness, the happiness wouldn't be as sweet
But I keeping getting called Satan and Monster doing stuff like this, still unsure whether to be gleefully elated or saddened panda by it ^o^;;
You are a monster, your latest Leliana comic attests to this. 
It broke my heart, and I only romanced her once in my 10+ playthroughs.
This is what I saw when I first saw that pic:
Here's my two cents about Dorian based on what I think I know about him.
I think I would prefer Dorian to not to be such a "goody-two-shoe" Defector from Decadence.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: I want Dorian's opinions on blood magic and slavery and Tevinter and all of that, to be less about "tey r teh evulz!" and more about being nuanced and complex and grey.
Dorian might oppose blood magic not just because he sees it as morally and ethically objectionable, but because it is also used excessively and without discipline. All of that, and the horrifying sacrifices too. BUT, he should be ok with using his own blood in moderation. And sacrifice only as a desperate last resort.
He might oppose slavery not just because he sees it morally and ethically objectionable, but because it also holds Tevinter back and weakens it because they are so dependent on it.
Things like that.
I actually hope he will be a goody two shoes (within reasons ofcourse). So far we haven't met a single nice person from Tevinter.
Not everything needs to be complex and grey.
Oh, I don't know. You can make very reasonable-sounding arguments for why the Andrastian fear of blood magic is extreme and irrational compared to the good it can do. And Tevinter has a pretty strong argument that slavery is needed to maintain itself as the bulwark against the Qunari- a self-serving argument of arguable accuracy, but a legitimate one in terms of which is the greater threat.
A good deal of the cultural moralities we've seen so far in Southern Thedas have been absolutist in nature. If you don't believe in moral inherency arguments, you can make pretty sound justification arguments for immoral actions.
Interestingly, it seems that some try to discourage blood magic in Tevinter for pragmatic reasons. WoT provides "Responsible blood magic" from Magister Aesthia to her apprentice. From the disastrous Fade Walk and Ascended Man experiments to the futility to use such a display against Qunari (instead of making them afraid, it enrages them), it points out why using blood magic doesn't tend to end well.
I can see Dorian accepting magocracy. Why shouldn't he? The nobles in Tevinter are all mages. Even Hessarian, the first great Thedosian reformer, was a Magister himself. The Imperial Chantry was thought as a way for the non-mage Soporati class to access higher positions, while the Circles were repurposed as learning centers to prepare the mages for a life of public service. So, unless Dorian is a total revolutionary that wants to overthrow the feudal system, putting limits to the abuses of the Magisters and going back to Hessarian's initial plan seems a more likely goal for him.
Yeah, there haven't been many radical democratic revolutionaries in the games 
What would Dorian want Tevinter to become even if he were against the magocracy? A kingdom? Oligarchy? I hardly think anyone's written a defence of pluralism and universal human rights in this setting.
Everyone seems to accept some sort of hierarchical system, and even the country with the most sympathetic presentation (arguably, Ferelden) is a monarchy where the ruler holds real power and the only parliament-analogue is made up of hereditary nobles.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
Yeah, there haven't been many radical democratic revolutionaries in the games
What would Dorian want Tevinter to become even if he were against the magocracy? A kingdom? Oligarchy? I hardly think anyone's written a defence of pluralism and universal human rights in this setting.
Everyone seems to accept some sort of hierarchical system, and even the country with the most sympathetic presentation (arguably, Ferelden) is a monarchy where the ruler holds real power and the only parliament-analogue is made up of hereditary nobles.
Well, the poorest segments seem to have a better awareness of "human rights" than anyone (although they're not human. Dusters and both elven societies). In their own world at least, Dusters are limited merely by their ruthlessness or resourcefulness. Not heirarchy. Anyone can be a Baraht or Jarvia. So long as you survive. Elves just have Hahren and Keepers. And they can kill their own Keepers at that.. so it's not really a powerful position. Just a lorekeeping position.
Yeah, there haven't been many radical democratic revolutionaries in the games
What would Dorian want Tevinter to become even if he were against the magocracy? A kingdom? Oligarchy? I hardly think anyone's written a defence of pluralism and universal human rights in this setting.
Everyone seems to accept some sort of hierarchical system, and even the country with the most sympathetic presentation (arguably, Ferelden) is a monarchy where the ruler holds real power and the only parliament-analogue is made up of hereditary nobles.
Well, according to WoT, the Dwarven city of Kal-Sharok may be the nearest example to a more equal parliamentary system (they don't care about castes so much and the members of the Assembly can come from any family), but it's hard to say until we visit the place. StreetMagic also points out that certain groups don't give such an importance to hierarchy. However, criminal gangs and Dalish tribes are much, much smaller than any given country in Thedas, so they're easier to manage that way.
Of course, DA games have provided options to express the character's dissatisfaction with that, such as cursing the nobles or even one instance where the character said "we have no king" (although it was the Dalish Warden, so maybe it isn't the best example). However, all in all, there won't be a French Revolution near in Thedas. Peasant revolts I could see, though.
It's sort of similar to the idea that concepts need to exist in language and culture before people can even parse them as potential realities - if Thedas' intellectual and philosophical traditions have no real understanding of popular sovereignty or even necessarily equality, then it might not even occur to anybody to believe that a democratic system as *we* know it could ever be possible. Everyone takes the status quo for granted - which is definitely a human thing! - and struggles to imagine an alternative, especially one as downright radical as a democratic nation.
(In the same manner as some of the dev responses to people asking for opportunities to express atheism - in a society where belief in a higher power is so ingrained in everyday life and an entire civilization's culture, and where nonbelief seems to be largely a personal matter instead of an organised movement, how appropriate is it for a character to even be able to do that?)
Dorian could well be that one person who sparks a wider movement (MAGIC LENIN), but I see him being reasonably comfortable with mages having power and influence.
Hopefully we find out more, if the interview with his writer comes later tonight.
edit: wow i am terrible at spelling today
I'm so glad he's be finally revealed, he's technically the last one too. I suppose he's similar to Vivienne in the way that his appearance means something to him, be good to see that acknowledged in-game narration somewhere. He's probably my favorite companion, not far ahead of Cole but I love them both.
It's sort of similar to the idea that concepts need to exist in language and culture before people can even parse them as potential realities - if Thedas' intellectual and philosophical traditions have no real understanding of popular sovereignty or even necessarily equality, then it might not even occur to anybody to believe that a democratic system as *we* know it could ever be possible. Everyone takes the status quo for granted - which is definitely a human thing! - and struggles to imagine an alternative, especially one as downright radical as a democratic nation.
(In the same manner as some of the dev responses to people asking for opportunities to express atheism - in a society where belief in a higher power is so ingrained in everyday life and an entire civilization's culture, and where nonbelief seems to be largely a personal matter instead of an organised movement, how appropriate is it for a character to even be able to do that?)
Dorian could well be that one person who sparks a wider movement (MAGIC LENIN), but I see him being reasonably comfortable with mages having power and influence.
Hopefully we find out more, if the interview with his writer comes later tonight.
edit: wow i am terrible at spelling today
Dorian being from Tevinter where mages are not as looked down on and having that kind of influence there could likely mean that he will fuel the mage rebellion. It will be interesting to see his views on how mages should be treated.
Wow. That there is a handsome mage. Getting a major old Hollywood vibe from Dorian. Douglas Fairbanks meets Errol Flynn. They are just knocking the companions out of the park. I think I have a favorite now. Witty, cultured, awesome mustache. Must...not...swoon...So, this is what Cullen does to fangirls, huh?
I wouldn't have any problem with Dorian being pro magocracy (?).
I mean , I wouldn't say it's a wonderful idea from an IRL point of view, of course.
But in Thedas , I think mage "freedom" the way Anders was picturing it ,is...crazy.
Mages living like your everyday citizen is never going to happen...if the mages are not the one in charge , you can bet those in power will want to take advantage of mage's power at any cost.
Just like the Chantry put mages in tower and spared most of them to fight during Blight , or fight Qunari.
Besides most humans land are ruled by an elite (nobles , etc...) ,in Orlais the nobles pretend they are chosen by the maker , so untouchable by the peasents.But "noble" is just a title ...In tevinter , the magisters say that mages are the ones blessed by the Maker.I just think a fireball to the face is way more impressive than "I am The Count of Whatever , fear meeee."
I loathe the very idea of "elite" but hey mages are born more powerful , you just can't deny it.
Anyway mostly I'd like a Dorian who's pro mage ruling , but who thinks mages should be aware of the whole "great power , great responsability "etc...
I really like the idea of having that type of debate in game with a character.
I wouldn't have any problem with Dorian being pro magocracy (?).
I mean , I wouldn't say it's a wonderful idea from an IRL point of view, of course.
But in Thedas , I think mage "freedom" the way Anders was picturing it ,is...crazy.
Yeah I sincerely hope Dorian is not on Anders' level when it comes to his stance on mages. I'm just going to hope that him refusing the power he was given in Tevinter will reflect on how he feels about mages and just want to them to be equally respected but watched and not imprisoned or taken advantage of. He seems to recognize the dangers of having too much power quite well.
*nervous wave*
First time in the Dorian thread-- hello all you people! Some of you have some mighty handsome avatars there.
I have a little ol' question, to try and ease into this thread. c:
Has anyone else gotten a bit of a Rhett Butler vibe from him? That's if you're familiar with Gone with the Wind, of course.
*nervous wave*
First time in the Dorian thread-- hello all you people! Some of you have some mighty handsome avatars there.
I have a little ol' question, to try and ease into this thread. c:
Has anyone else gotten a bit of a Rhett Butler vibe from him? That's if you're familiar with Gone with the Wind, of course.
Definitely. We've had a few Rhett clips (a long with GWTW discussions) on here a few times. Very classically handsome... I love the little under eye circles, too. Gives him some darkness.
Oh! I definitely need to hurry and catch up, then!
So far what we know about his character has just given me a very Rhett Butler vibe, and I'm liking it.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
As much as I like Errol Flynn, I'm more worried he'd be like Zevran. Like overly impressed with himself and horny all the time.
As much as I like Errol Flynn, I'm more worried he'd be like Zevran. Like overly impressed with himself and horny all the time.
If it helps, Bioware have said they don't want to write the same character/romance multiple times. So he'll definitely be different. I don't think we'll have any Zevran 2.0. 
As much as I like Errol Flynn, I'm more worried he'd be like Zevran. Like overly impressed with himself and horny all the time.
horny all the time sounds more like irun bull :-D
As much as I like Errol Flynn, I'm more worried he'd be like Zevran. Like overly impressed with himself and horny all the time.
I tend to interpret Zevran's humor as level 10 sarcasm most of the time. I actually think of him as being very self-depreciating, which makes sense once you learn all of his backstory, and why he confronted the Warden.
As for horniness, I'm pretty sure Iron Bull will be the man-****** this time around. #ridethebull
As much as I like Errol Flynn, I'm more worried he'd be like Zevran. Like overly impressed with himself and horny all the time.
Cockiness doesn't necessitate libido overload...
Guest_StreetMagic_*
I tend to interpret Zevran's humor as level 10 sarcasm most of the time. I actually think of him as being very self-depreciating, which makes sense once you learn all of his backstory and why he confronted the Warden.
Oh yeah. When you get to heart of it, he's got a lot of deeper things on his mind. It's just his main presentation reminds me of people who really do behave that way. It gets old after awhile.
Eh. Don't mind me. I'll probably be a second stick in the mud. Just like Cassandra.
I loved Zevran, but I think Dorian will be a classier version. I don't think they'll be exactly alike. I think Isabela is probably more like Zevran than Dorian will be.
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