5 bucks says we meet the ghost of shartan
Why? Shartan died fighting the Tevinter Imperium. He never knew the Dales. Also, we've already met his ghost in DA:O.
Which means it'll probably be heavily tied to the elven plotline... interesting possibilities arise, and I don't think they'd be teased just to be snatched away.
True, but I think some people are afraid the elven plot will be subordinated to the Orlesian plot, no matter how meaningful it may be.
Which means it'll probably be heavily tied to the elven plotline... interesting possibilities arise, and I don't think they'd be teased just to be snatched away.
Tied, but hopeful not relegated to a minor plot point or sidelined in favor of it. Frankly, the Orlesian civil war holds no interest for me, and I'm not seeing the point in having the political struggle between Celene and Gaspard for the throne be the primary focus in two different nations.
Why? Shartan died fighting the Tevinter Imperium. He never knew the Dales. Also, we've already met his ghost in DA:O.
I'd venture that the "spirit" of Shartan there was about as real as the "spirit" of Tamlen, who said we wouldn't speak again... before we did, albeit horribly. Or Jowan or Shianni, who weren't even dead.
Tied, but hopeful not relegated or sidelined in favor of it. Frankly, the Orlesian civil war holds no interest for me, and I'm not seeing the point in having the political struggle between Celene and Gaspard for the throne be the primary focus in two different nations.
Somehow, I don't think Bioware would let a culturally unique happenstance like this be sidelined by the Orlesian thing that could just as easily be handled in Orlais proper.
Tied, but hopeful not relegated or sidelined in favor of it. Frankly, the Orlesian civil war holds no interest for me, and I'm not seeing the point in having the political struggle between Celene and Gaspard for the throne be the primary focus in two different nations.
It's the most powerful country in Thedas and most of the action in Inquisition will happen there. Even if you don't find it interesting, it's very likely that the real problem at hand (the Veil Tears) can't be solved without mending Orlais first. Like Ferelden; maybe someone liked the Dwarven plotline better, but to stop the Blight you needed Ferelden in one piece.
By the way, which two different nations are you talking about? Orlais and Ferelden?
It's the most powerful country in Thedas and most of the action in Inquisition will happen there. Even if you don't find it interesting, it's very likely that the real problem at hand (the Veil Tears) can't be solved without mending Orlais first. Like Ferelden; maybe someone liked the Dwarven plotline better, but to stop the Blight you needed Ferelden in one piece.
But Ferelden's political issues were all crammed into one main quest at the end of the game, and it wasn't that much longer than the Orzammar questline (if anything, the Deep Roads made A Paragon Of Her Kind significantly longer). I'd have no objection to something like that.
Technically I don't think any of the spirits in ancient ruins we've met over the course of the previous games are "ghosts" but that doesn't mean we won't see memories of the events back then. I always figured the inhabitants of the the Brecillian Ruins and the Andraste's Temple were fade spirits. But spirits that had memories of the real events that happened back then.
Tied, but hopeful not relegated to a minor plot point or sidelined in favor of it. Frankly, the Orlesian civil war holds no interest for me, and I'm not seeing the point in having the political struggle between Celene and Gaspard for the throne be the primary focus in two different nations.
Considering Celene is looking for compromise with the Dalish clans, I'd say she is a very key element in reclaiming the Dales.
You're still getting a little ahead of yourself if you can actually bring down Orlais or restore the Dales. The preview doesn't really say much.
Some of us have read the larger preview of "The Masked Empire", and are hopeful that an elven plot will exist in Inquisition. Letting the Orlesian Empire fall apart would simply be a bonus.
Also Shartan was killed in another part of the world before there ever was a Dales, he's only indirectly related to the Exalted Plains.
To an extent. Having a homeland of their own was still the dream in Shartan's time, and his leadership of the elven slaves he lead to freedom, and then against the Imperium, made that homeland possible.
As the History of the Elves reads, "The rebellion was brief but successful; the death of the prophetess did not end our fight, and we fought on for independence even as the human Imperium began to crumble. In the end, we had won freedom and the southern reaches of land known as the Dales.
"It was a home, a new chance to gather and rebuild all that we had lost. In our centuries of slavery we had lost our immortality, our language, our culture, our crafts… but never our sense of belonging to each other. From across Thedas we came to the Dales. We walked on foot, sometimes crossing thousands of miles with naught but our will to sustain us. Many of us perished on the Long Walk, but those of us that arrived at our new home were all the more determined.
"There, in the Dales, our people revived the lost lore as best they could, and even turned to worship the old gods in their ancient prison. They called their first city Halamshiral, 'the end of the journey,' and founded a new nation, isolated as elves were meant to be. They created an order called The Emerald Knights and charged them with watching the borders for trouble with the humans."
Depending on who leads this elven retaking, I might find myself reluctantly burning the Dales to the ground. I'd rather them compromise with Celene than attempt to war on Orlais.
It's the most powerful country in Thedas and most of the action in Inquisition will happen there. Even if you don't find it interesting, it's very likely that the real problem at hand (the Veil Tears) can't be solved without mending Orlais first. Like Ferelden; maybe someone liked the Dwarven plotline better, but to stop the Blight you needed Ferelden in one piece.
Ferelden, Orlais, and the Dales seem to be the main regions we will explore. As long as the elven plot exists, I can deal with being forced to help Celene or Gaspard, although I won't dismiss my preference to side with neither one. Having read the extended preview for "The Masked Empire", I'd choose helping the elves over both candidates.
By the way, which two different nations are you talking about? Orlais and Ferelden?
Orlais and the Dales.
Tied, but hopeful not relegated to a minor plot point or sidelined in favor of it. Frankly, the Orlesian civil war holds no interest for me, and I'm not seeing the point in having the political struggle between Celene and Gaspard for the throne be the primary focus in two different nations.
You already get the Elves being solely Dalish. Stop being selfish and asking for more. 
Ferelden, Orlais, and the Dales seem to be the main regions we will explore. As long as the elven plot exists, I can deal with being forced to help Celene or Gaspard, although I won't dismiss my preference to side with neither one. Having read the extended preview for "The Masked Empire", I'd choose helping the elves over both candidates.
Even if the more aggressive factions dominate and attempt to make war on Orlais?
Depending on who leads this elven retaking, I might find myself reluctantly burning the Dales to the ground. I'd rather them compromise with Celene than attempt to war on Orlais.
And why would you do that?
You already get the Elves being solely Dalish. Stop being selfish and asking for more.
No.
Even if the more aggressive factions dominate and attempt to make war on Orlais?
Yes.
Considering Celene is looking for compromise with the Dalish clans, I'd say she is a very key element in reclaiming the Dales.
You're taking about the scene where Celene was captured by one of the Dalish clans, because the closing chapters puts that into context.
Depending on who leads this elven retaking, I might find myself reluctantly burning the Dales to the ground. I'd rather them compromise with Celene than attempt to war on Orlais.
I'd rather the elves claim the Dales without capitulating to either Celene or Gaspard. Even if it means Orlais falls.
And why would you do that?
Because I don't believe that they would win, even with the eluvians on their side. The eluvians are way too unpredictable, and we don't even know if the Dalish are even aware of how to activate them all.
But Ferelden's political issues were all crammed into one main quest at the end of the game, and it wasn't that much longer than the Orzammar questline (if anything, the Deep Roads made A Paragon Of Her Kind significantly longer). I'd have no objection to something like that.
But remember that the civil war transpired in many other quests. The events at the Circle Tower and Recliffe were caused indirectly by Loghain's machinations, and you met one of your possible companions when assassins were sent to kill you in Loghain's name. It wasn't overbearing, though.
To an extent. Having a homeland of their own was still the dream in Shartan's time, and his leadership of the elven slaves he lead to freedom, and then against the Imperium, made that homeland possible.
As the History of the Elves reads, "The rebellion was brief but successful; the death of the prophetess did not end our fight, and we fought on for independence even as the human Imperium began to crumble. In the end, we had won freedom and the southern reaches of land known as the Dales.
You realize that for all we know Shartan may have been Andrastian, don't you? So maybe the elven nation he envisioned wasn't the same.
Orlais and the Dales.
You already get the Elves being solely Dalish. Stop being selfish and asking for more.
Never! 
Even if the more aggressive factions dominate and attempt to make war on Orlais?
In the same way Orlais might dominate Ferelden? Celene tried to take it over with a marriage to King Cailan, while Gaspard wants a more direct approach. Ending the Orlesian occupation of the Dales is the goal. I've read nothing about Celene and Gaspard so far that makes me hesitant on pursuing that.
You're taking about the scene where Celene was captured by one of the Dalish clans, because the closing chapters puts that into context.
Spoiler
Even still though, how can Briala actually "claim them"? Do we even know where they all are, or even how to activate the damn things?
Never!
Greedy monster. I expect nothing less from Dalish scum. 
Because I don't believe that they would win, even with the eluvians on their side. The eluvians are way too unpredictable, and we don't even know if the Dalish are even aware of how to activate them all.
If it's going to be a choice at all, it'll be almost certain that the Dalish will be able to win somehow.
But remember that the civil war transpired in many other quests. The events at the Circle Tower and Recliffe were caused indirectly by Loghain's machinations, and you met one of your possible companions when assassins were sent to kill you in Loghain's name. It wasn't overbearing, though.
Spoiler for "the Masked Empire"
The question is how far Gaspard and Celene's armies are going to hurt the Dales. The armies are big, but not that they can span and destroy all of the Dales. If this picture is depicting what the Dales looked like right after Exalted March, then I don't want to know how badly affected they are going to be after the veil tears.
I highly doubt there will be the utter victory or defeat of any faction, simply for continuity's sake.
Even still though, how can Briala actually "claim them"? Do we even know where they all are, or even how to activate the damn things?
I think we'll have to wait for the book to be released to clarify things. A preview can't go further.
Because I don't believe that they would win, even with the eluvians on their side. The eluvians are way too unpredictable, and we don't even know if the Dalish are even aware of how to activate them all.
You realize that for all we know Shartan may have been Andrastian, don't you? So maybe the elven nation he envisioned wasn't the same.
There's nothing to suggest that. Andraste brought back worship of the Maker among the human tribes, while the elves followed the old traditions, and created an entire kingdom in pursuit of restoring their lost culture. I don't see why Shartan would forsake the Creators for a shemlen religion.
If it's going to be a choice at all, it'll be almost certain that the Dalish will be able to win somehow.
Very tangentially. It's just a background element and doesn't interfere with any of the main quest content elsewhere.
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