138958 réponses à ce sujet

[Owlfruit Potion]

OK, so now I'm back and probably no more articulate but a bit more buzzed and therefore willing to say things that won't come out as well as I currently think they do:

 

Well sorry to argue since I know you're off, but I have to respectfully disagree. You're right he probably didn't care much for Uldred, but he clearly didn't hate at all before the Broken Circle. To me, that suggests he liked/respected mages other than Amell/Surana. Other mages that may have helped Uldred, or become abominations. Even then, speaking from personal experience, when you find out someone you knew, not even someone you were particularly fond of, when you find out what they are truly capable of, it can be a horrible, horrible feeling. Especially when it affects you and or your friends. And Cullen was tortured, severely. He probably saw his friends brutally tortured too before they were massacred. All because of someone he thought he knew. So that's why I see him as having a legitimate reason to not trust a mage like that.

 

But, I mean, it wasn't just Uldred, though. It was a lot of mages. And, sure, most of them probably hadn't been blood mages, but they'd become abominations nonetheless. And they'd killed his friends, in front of him, and tortured him. Dragged his secrets out of his mind and over the coals.

 

And then, the Gallows happened. Sure, Meredith exacerbated the whole mess, but there were a lot of blood mages there. And here's Anders--a mage outside the templar control, a mage he probably knew from Kinloch hold--and here's Anders becoming everything the templars a trained to hate and fear, an abomination, a murderer, killing innocents, blowing up the Chantry. And there he was, beyond Cullen's reach because of money, because of the Grey Wardens, because of Hawke, who Cullen considers a friend.

 

And then Orsino becomes a blood mage too.

 

I mean, the ending of DA2 points to Cullen seeing that mages aren't all simply the larval form of abominations, but I could hardly blame Cullen for wanting to keep mages at a professional distance, if only to spare himself more pain. Cullen's a better soul than I, I'll tell you that much. I am very much a once-burned-twice-shy kinda gal.

 

GAH.  Sorry, sorry, word vomit, I know you're gone already but I wanted to explain fully my thought process. I don't think he'll adverse to mages, or be class-gated, but if he were I'd totally get where he was coming from.

 

The problem with all of this is (as Phoenix alludes to) that it's not just mages who have betrayed his trust. My point about Uldred was that I think it's fair to assume he had a great deal more personal stake in his relationship with Meredith than with any mage in Ferelden or Kirkwall, and she also betrayed that trust hard, perverting the ideal around which he appears to have built his life and then trying to kill him. And if he couldn't reach Anders, from the warning scene I got the impression it had a lot more to do with the structure and bureaucracy of the Order in Kirkwall (i.e. the templars', possibly Meredith's, fault) than anything to do with Hawke (but correct me if I'm wrong). So is it reasonable for him to distrust and distance himself from all Templars as well, or all stern blonde women in positions of power? Mages may have the capacity to harm someone in more upsetting ways than non-magical people, but they have no innately greater tendency to betray trust. 

 

And just to be clear: given the end of DA2, especially the bit about "they didn't use blood magic to save themselves" etc. (i.e. he is fully capable of thinking rationally/detachedly about the entire situation, despite what he's been through), I think we have every reason to believe that the actual Cullen, the character we've actually seen, will be capable of fully trusting mages who earn it again, etc. All I'm saying is that if he didn't, I'd still find him hot, but less interesting and much less admirable (and not as hot).

 

My question wasn't based so much on that, as my own musings about whether subjecting Cullen to being the object of my mage Inquisitor's affections is a bit cruel given all he's been through.

Even discounting the previous paragraph in my rant, I think he's both man enough and pragmatic enough to turn down any affections that he doesn't feel are a major positive in his life. And assuming he isn't class-gated, I think that means the writers have decided that he will feel that the Inquisitor, mage or not, is a major source of good in his life. 

 

EDIT: And, again, to be clear: I hope any Inquisitor, mage or otherwise, who makes excessively ruthless decisions, or practices whatever DAI's blood magic equivalent is, or asks to play "Desire Demon and Upstanding Knight", or whatever, gets dumped on their ass. I'm not saying it should be sunshine and ponies for every Inquisitor regardless of their decisions. But I think he's a better person than to judge individuals based on the actions of people with whom they happen to share genetic traits.

 

 

And I missed this in the multi-quote and it always gets messed up when I add things, so I won't, but with respect to CuriousArtemis's comment about power dynamics, that's why I like Cullen x Amell/Surana and Cullen x mage!Inquisitor but can't stand Cullen x Bethany. Even if he was previously in the jailer role for the first two, he has no institutional power over them now.

[Lorien19]

Dragon Age Inquisition Main Theme - Trevor Morris

 

Lead them or fall - Trevor Morris

 

Both of these are hauntingly beautiful. Still gives me goose bumps. I want this soundtrack meow!

 

Oh and I forgot the map music

 

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the soundtrack so far!I think that dragon age Inquisition,is going to be one of those game where I randomly pause in the middle of the game just to hear the music.

[LolaLei]

Apparently we won't have the option to be a blood Mage this time, so it doesn't really matter.

[Brian ofthe Dialogue Wheel]

Apparently we won't have the option to be a blood Mage this time, so it doesn't really matter.

Necromancy is a similar creature with a few different spots, though.

[LolaLei]

 

Ooo, he mentioned stuff about the DA Keep! I'm not even sure he was supposed to drop spoilers like that, LOL!

[LolaLei]

Necromancy is a similar creature with a few different spots, though.

 

Not blood magic though. Cameron Lee said in one of the interviews/articles that it wouldn't be.

[The Elder King]

You know... I thought they told us that the demo footage in Redcliffe took place a ways into the game, so this part surprised me. But agree. I don't ever expect a clean ending to that.
 
You know, I almost forgot that they once told us that the mage-templar war was not a central part of the game. I wonder if that's a case of "so, what I told you was true... from a certain point of view."

 
Yeah, they weren't very clear. Though they stated the part of the demo is after some branching choices, and siding with one of them early on might be the 'branching choice' they were referring to. 

You're probably right. God dammit. That seriously pisses me off.

Can't say I'm that excited about it, considering that both sides are acting in a way tha pisses me off in Redcliffe.
I'm still skeptical on the war being resolved completely, expecially 'early on' and in Redcliffe though. It seems a bit anticlimatic, even if the war isn't the major plot of the game.

[LolaLei]

 
Yeah, they weren't very clear. Though they stated the part of the demo is after some branching choices, and siding with one of them early on might be the 'branching choice' they were referring to.  Can't say I'm that excited about it, considering that both sides are acting in a way tha pisses me off in Redcliffe.
I'm still skeptical on the war being resolved completely, expecially 'early on' and in Redcliffe though. It seems a bit anticlimatic, even if the war isn't the major plot of the game.

 

Poor Tegan, sounds like they've run him out of his own home. It's not a problem, I'll get it back for him and set something up for the mages elsewhere. The Templars can go swing, LOL!

[The Elder King]

Poor Tegan, sounds like they've run him out of his own home. It's not a problem, I'll get it back for him and set something up for the mages elsewhere. The Templars can go swing, LOL!

Honestly, I'd like the option to stop the war of mages and templars by force and put Teagan back in Redcliffe castle. I don't think it'll be an option, as the compromise between mages and templars won't.
Putting aside the reason to support mages or templars (or neither of them), judging by the info we know I wouldn't support either of them in Redcliffe. They're absolutely terrible, killing common people because they either give them strange looks (mages) or because they think they support mages (templars).
Oh well, Thankfully in my first playthrough I'll play a dalish of a dwarf, so I can roleplay a character not invested in the war and wait to see if the choice I personally want to support with my canon isn't truly in the game (don't care if at the start of near the end).

[Galagraphia]

 
As a general question, not specifically directed to Owlfruit Potion but to the thread as a whole:
 
If this were the case - if Cullen really was never able to completely move past this view - would it change how you see him as a character or how much you like him? I don't necessarily mean your Inquisitor, because obviously that would vary a lot based on the character, but you as player/Cullen fan.
 
No particular reason for the question, just curious.
 

If in DAI Cullen still thinks that mages can never be trusted, because of reasons (well, he has good reasons, we talked about them ten million times), I will be very disappointed. I would think it's inconsistent low-quality writing you usually don't expect from BioWare.
You see, in Origins, while he was in that bubble, or right after, he already was aware that not all mages are evil. It's when he says, "mages are evil, blah-blah-blah, " and you can say, "But I'm a mage too!" And he says that you are ok, because you weren't there, so he kind of can be sure you are not a blood mage, and he sees that you are trying to help, and he's ok with it. And later, you can get that dialogue where he wishes you good luck with your fight against the Blight. He's clearly still not ok, but he trusts you, a mage, with basically saving the world, and gives you Maker's blessings.
Later in Kirkwall, he develops this friendship with Hawke, and in act 2 it becomes obvious that Hawke is an apostate, but Cullen is still friendly in act 3, and he defends Hawke from Meredith. I think it indicates that Cullen can trust a mage, that he can trust what his heart tells him about it more than to what is written in some fat book somewhere. So if in DAI he says, "Amell was a good woman/man, Hawke was awesome too, but you, my friend, you I will never ever trust, because you are a mage!" then I will just give up on him. Because apparently he hit his head, and he's not the same Cullen I remember.

[LolaLei]

Honestly, I'd like the option to stop the war of mages and templars by force and put Teagan back in Redcliffe castle. I don't think it'll be an option, as the compromise between mages and templars won't.
Putting aside the reason to support mages or templars (or neither of them), judging by the info we know I wouldn't support either of them in Redcliffe. They're absolutely terrible, killing common people because they either give them strange looks (mages) or because they think they support mages (templars).
Oh well, Thankfully in my first playthrough I'll play a dalish of a dwarf, so I can roleplay a character not invested in the war and wait to see if the choice I personally want to support with my canon isn't truly in the game (don't care if at the start of near the end).

 

What I can't tell is if their extreme actions is, in part, being fueled by the big bad/his agents if they really have been pulling strings behind the scenes for years like what was suggested. If it is, then I feel kinda bad for both sides.

 

Personally I blame the Chantry for all of this, lol.

[LolaLei]

If in DAI Cullen still thinks that mages can never be trusted, because of reasons (well, he has good reasons, we talked about them ten million times), I will be very disappointed. I would think it's inconsistent low-quality writing you usually don't expect from BioWare.
You see, in Origins, while he was in that bubble, or right after, he already was aware that not all mages are evil. It's when he says, "mages are evil, blah-blah-blah, " and you can say, "But I'm a mage too!" And he says that you are ok, because you weren't there, so he kind of can be sure you are not a blood mage, and he sees that you are trying to help, and he's ok with it. And later, you can get that dialogue where he wishes you good luck with your fight against the Blight. He's clearly still not ok, but he trusts you, a mage, with basically saving the world, and gives you Maker's blessings.
Later in Kirkwall, he develops this friendship with Hawke, and in act 2 it becomes obvious that Hawke is an apostate, but Cullen is still friendly in act 3, and he defends Hawke from Meredith. I think it indicates that Cullen can trust a mage, that he can trust what his heart tells him about it more than to what is written in some fat book somewhere. So if in DAI he says, "Amell was a good woman/man, Hawke was awesome too, but you, my friend, you I will never ever trust, because you are a mage!" then I will just give up on him. Because apparently he hit his head, and he's not the same Cullen I remember.

 

I think with Cullen it'll likely be on a case-by-case basis. It might take him a little while to trust a mage initally but he'll get there in the end if that mage has proved his/her worth. Hell, if he's not class gated then he must be able to trust one enough to shag/get into a relationship with a mage Inquisitor, so some progress has been made, at least!

[The Elder King]

What I can't tell is if their extreme actions is, in part, being fueled by the big bad/his agents if they really have been pulling strings behind the scenes for years like what was suggested. If it is, then I feel kinda bad for both sides.
 
Personally I blame the Chantry for all of this, lol.

Possibly. Though I think the agents of chaos had a role in the falling of the system, not on how those groups are acting now.
I don't see why the Chantry is at fault for their behaviours though. The Chantry might've faults in the falling of the system in the way it did (some mages and templars/Seekers have their own fault though :whistle), but the way mages and templars acted (unless they're controlled/influenced by someone), is on their hands.

[The Elder King]

I personally think his character development for DAI centers about the events in DA2. Like in DAO his opinion of mages and magic changed due to Uldred's actions and torture, his faith in the Order might've changed in some ways based on Meredith's actions.
I think he'll still be pro-Chantry (I think all advisors are due to Cassandra having a central role in the formation of the Inquisition), but his views might be different.

[LolaLei]

I personally think his character development for DAI centers about the events in DA2. Like in DAO his opinion of mages and magic changed due to Uldred's actions and torture, his faith in the Order might've changed in some ways based on Meredith's actions.
I think he'll still be pro-Chantry (I think all advisors are due to Cassandra having a central role in the formation of the Inquisition), but his views might be different.

 

See, that's something I don't fully understand. If it's Cassandra that formed the Inquisition based off of the Divine's plan B then how is it that the Inquisitor is supposedly the founder? I mean, I know we are the leader of the Inquisition, but it's Cassandra's thing.

[Galagraphia]

NO. I WANT A DORIAN CHARACTER PROFILE FIRST. THAT IS THE PRIORITY!!!!!
 
Damn....now I kinda feel bad for the Cole fans who haven't gotten anything yet...

They got a whole book. I wouldn't mind a book about Cullen, lol I feel bad for Scribbles' fans. They are very unfortunate.

[LolaLei]

They got a whole book. I wouldn't mind a book about Cullen, lol I feel bad for Scribbles' fans. They are very unfortunate.

 

Lol, yeah the only complete unknown left now is Scribbles.

[The Elder King]

See, that's something I don't fully understand. If it's Cassandra that formed the Inquisition based off of the Divine's plan B then how is it that the Inquisitor is supposedly the founder? I mean, I know we are the leader of the Inquisition, but it's Cassandra's thing.

It might be a co-foundation; If the Inquisition isn't found right after the prologue, but after some quests (possible after we went to Therinfal?) the PC can influence Cassandra in some ways. Though without knowing what are exactly our characters' backgrounds, it's hard to say.
It's still possible that they hyped the founder thing, while in truth we are just the 'original' leader.
I might start a thread Monday, where there are higher chances of devs responding, and hoping for a response.

[Xilizhra]

 
Yeah, they weren't very clear. Though they stated the part of the demo is after some branching choices, and siding with one of them early on might be the 'branching choice' they were referring to.  Can't say I'm that excited about it, considering that both sides are acting in a way tha pisses me off in Redcliffe.
I'm still skeptical on the war being resolved completely, expecially 'early on' and in Redcliffe though. It seems a bit anticlimatic, even if the war isn't the major plot of the game.

If the war's resolved this game, it'll probably be through no action of our own, with the Redcliffe choice just being flavoring for the game as a whole. Save imports=no choices that truly change the world until the last game.

[LolaLei]

It might be a co-foundation; If the Inquisition isn't found right after the prologue, but after some quests (possible after we went to Therinfal?) the PC can influence Cassandra in some ways. Though without knowing what are exactly our characters' backgrounds, it's hard to say.
It's still possible that they hyped the founder thing, while in truth we are just the 'original' leader.
I might start a thread Monday, where there are higher chances of devs responding, and hoping for a response.

 

Presumably we pop out of the fade in-front of the soldiers just after everyone has died, so perhaps the Inquisition gets formed once Cassandra has dragged us back to where ever it is she's currently based and mulled things over.

 

... That being said, in the trailer the soldiers that find us were already wearing the Inquisition insignia on their armour, so perhaps we pop out of the Fade a few days/a week later? By that point Cassandra's already in the process of forming the Inquisition with the intention of her leading it, but with our magic Fade hand she has no choice but to hand it over to us?

[LolaLei]

If the war's resolved this game, it'll probably be through no action of our own, with the Redcliffe choice just being flavoring for the game as a whole. Save imports=no choices that truly change the world until the last game.

 

Yeah, it'll probably just stop them fighting temporarily whilst this Fade breach is going on.

[Galagraphia]

It might be a co-foundation; If the Inquisition isn't found right after the prologue, but after some quests (possible after we went to Therinfal?) the PC can influence Cassandra in some ways. Though without knowing what are exactly our characters' backgrounds, it's hard to say.
It's still possible that they hyped the founder thing, while in truth we are just the 'original' leader.
I might start a thread Monday, where there are higher chances of devs responding, and hoping for a response.

I suspect that the game will begin like in the trailer: we fall out of the Fade, soldiers bring us to Cassandra, and after some quick interrogation we begin our tutorial mission to close the first breach. And Cassandra sees that our hand does that stuff, and she says, wow, you should be in charge, because you are the only one who has the power to save the world. And then we go to Val Roiiuyfjcrgihiimijftrswe-whatever-its-called, where Chantry wants to elect a new Divine, and Cassandra say, "Bullshit! We will have our own Inquisition with blackjack and hookers! Mr/Miss Glow Hand here will be the boss. Cullen, take all their lyrium!" And then our adventures will begin

[Galagraphia]

Presumably we pop out of the fade in-front of the soldiers just after everyone has died, so perhaps the Inquisition gets formed once Cassandra has dragged us back to where ever it is she's currently based and mulled things over.
 
... That being said, in the trailer the soldiers that find us were already wearing the Inquisition insignia on their armour, so perhaps we pop out of the Fade a few days/a week later? By that point Cassandra's already in the process of forming the Inquisition with the intention of her leading it, but with our magic Fade hand she has no choice but to hand it over to us?

I need to watch that again, I thought the soldiers were Seekers. But you may be right, and we fall out of the Fade after she started forming the Inquisition. Although this would make me wonder how did we survive in the Fade, because the Fade kind of sucks the life out of you. At least when you travel there mentally/spiritually, and not physically, like our Inquisitor apparently did.

Also looks like I missed an interesting interview? My tablet doesn't show videos. I'll check it out when I get home.

[The Elder King]

If the war's resolved this game, it'll probably be through no action of our own, with the Redcliffe choice just being flavoring for the game as a whole. Save imports=no choices that truly change the world until the last game.

I don't know. Cameron said we can end the war early on, and he said we can support mages and templars, with the demo being part of a mage support playthrough.
I still think the 'war' they're referring to might be the one in Redcliffe, because it makes no sense to me how all the templars and mages in Thedas (or at least a number enough big to grant a definitive end to the war), are in the hinterlands.
And we have to keep in mind that Redcliffe seems the only area about the mage-templar war.

Presumably we pop out of the fade in-front of the soldiers just after everyone has died, so perhaps the Inquisition gets formed once Cassandra has dragged us back to where ever it is she's currently based and mulled things over.
 
... That being said, in the trailer the soldiers that find us were already wearing the Inquisition insignia on their armour, so perhaps we pop out of the Fade a few days/a week later? By that point Cassandra's already in the process of forming the Inquisition with the intention of her leading it, but with our magic Fade hand she has no choice but to hand it over to us?

It seems likely.

[Fialka]

I suspect that the game will begin like in the trailer: we fall out of the Fade, soldiers bring us to Cassandra, and after some quick interrogation we begin our tutorial mission to close the first breach. And Cassandra sees that our hand does that stuff, and she says, wow, you should be in charge, because you are the only one who has the power to save the world. And then we go to Val Roiiuyfjcrgihiimijftrswe-whatever-its-called, where Chantry wants to elect a new Divine, and Cassandra say, "Bullshit! We will have our own Inquisition with blackjack and hookers! Mr/Miss Glow Hand here will be the boss. Cullen, take all their lyrium!" And then our adventures will begin

Every statement made by Cassandra should be prefaced with "bullshit!"  Just sayin'.

 

Seriously though, I love that girl   I will so make her my best friend in the game.  Whether she wants to be or not.   

 

But yes, this.  It seems to me the Inquisition is in the process of being put together.  Maybe they don't necessarily have a formal leader yet.  Glowy Hand ™ just makes you a shoe-in, so to speak.