97 réponses à ce sujet

[Das Tentakel]

I have always had the Impression that thedas is much larger than Europe - Par Vollen, Seheron and their likes are pretty clearly tropical in their Climate, while I interpreted the Korcari Wilds as borderimg on frozen Tundra in the South. The western Approach is not on the same latitude, but, judging from it's Position on the Map, I think it's perfectly valid to be a full on Desert like depicted. It lies fairly far into the Continent, waterways are distributed west and north, south and east are block by a Rainshadow. It will most likely be incredibly hot at Day, while reaching equally extremely cold Temperatures in the Night. Add to that the Seasons and you have a very good reason for scarce Vegetation. I think it is comparable to the Gobi Desert, which looks for example, this Way:

 

We don't know the size of Thedas, and there's probably a good reason for that. Once they do give official measurements, they would probably open a can of worms regarding climate, travel times, the whole shebang, for nitpicking fans to complain about.

 

There was a discussion a long time ago on the Dragon Age wiki about the size of Ferelden. It didn't reach a sufficiently 'final' verdict, but one of the more 'reasonable' conclusions was that Ferelden was slightly smaller than Puerto Rico. I don't think it's that size, but it's just that the information that is available from 'the sources' can be reasonably interpreted to mean a rather small Ferelden, and subsequently a rather small Thedas (a third of the size of the UK, to be exact).

 

Of course, Tamriel is effectively even worse. It's supposed to be a continent-wide empire, but the various Elder Scrolls games have basically turned it into a landmass the size of...let me guesstimate...the Greek island of Thasos?.

 

Yup, all of Tamriel would fit around 20 times in Ferelden at a minimum.

[PsychoBlonde]

The Korcari Wilds are canonically pretty dang misty and have a lot of tree cover, which would contribute to day-to-day relative coolness. They're also closer to the water, which creates a more temperate climate. It's entirely possible they just happen to be near the Thedosian equivalent of the Labrador current.

 

Whereas the Western Approach actually seems slightly north of the Korcari, and since Thedas seems to be in the Southern Hemisphere of whatever planet, it's closer to the equator. Add in some unmoderate-by-the-presence-of-water winds, minimal plantlife cover, and possibly some Blight, you get a warm desert.

"Blistering" doesn't necessarily have to mean "hot", too.  The term means "severe" or "intense" not "hot".

There could also be substantial vulcanism which can do crazy things to a climate.

[Inquisitor Mary Sue]

Just once it would be nice to see the fans say "you know what, that really doesn't make any sense at all" instead of inventing all manner of half cocked theories as to why it can't possibly be implausible. I get that you are all fans of the series but this does not mean that you can't acknowledge any flaws in the series, holding blindly to the assertion that the Dragon Age series is perfect only makes your assertions look disingenuous.

[LinksOcarina]

Fantasy worlds always had weird topography that is physically impossible if science were involved. The reason for that of course is because its cool to visit a desert, a swamp,and a snowy tundra all in the same breath.

[cronshaw]

Just once it would be nice to see the fans say "you know what, that really doesn't make any sense at all" instead of inventing all manner of half cocked theories as to why it can't possibly be implausible. I get that you are all fans of the series but this does not mean that you can't acknowledge any flaws in the series, holding blindly to the assertion that the Dragon Age series is perfect only makes your assertions look disingenuous.

OPs initial insinuation is flawed because he is comparing earth's climate to a planet that is not earth. Since we don't know much physical information about the universe that Thedas occupies making assumptions about what the weather should be like is pointless. To be honest OP's "common sense" complaint only really makes sense if you ignore several pretty simple explanations for why the climate may be like that, many of which are in this thread. So find something that is truly incongruous (because I'm sure there is quite a bit of stuff) and I'll be happy to criticize the game with you.

[Herr Uhl]

Just once it would be nice to see the fans say "you know what, that really doesn't make any sense at all" instead of inventing all manner of half cocked theories as to why it can't possibly be implausible. I get that you are all fans of the series but this does not mean that you can't acknowledge any flaws in the series, holding blindly to the assertion that the Dragon Age series is perfect only makes your assertions look disingenuous.

 

The OP asked for explanations. And shock and horror, that is what it got.

[Maraas]

Just once it would be nice to see the fans say "you know what, that really doesn't make any sense at all"

Rest assured they would if it didn't. The fans are usually first to point out flaws. Moreover, they're absolutely capable of inventing some. Remember DA2? In this case, however, the point is moot at the very best. There's nothing inherently wrong with what OP (and you, apparently) found implausible.

[Feybrad]

We don't know the size of Thedas, and there's probably a good reason for that. Once they do give official measurements, they would probably open a can of worms regarding climate, travel times, the whole shebang, for nitpicking fans to complain about.

 

There was a discussion a long time ago on the Dragon Age wiki about the size of Ferelden. It didn't reach a sufficiently 'final' verdict, but one of the more 'reasonable' conclusions was that Ferelden was slightly smaller than Puerto Rico. I don't think it's that size, but it's just that the information that is available from 'the sources' can be reasonably interpreted to mean a rather small Ferelden, and subsequently a rather small Thedas (a third of the size of the UK, to be exact).

 

Of course, Tamriel is effectively even worse. It's supposed to be a continent-wide empire, but the various Elder Scrolls games have basically turned it into a landmass the size of...let me guesstimate...the Greek island of Thasos?.

 

Yup, all of Tamriel would fit around 20 times in Ferelden at a minimum.

 

Well, Thedas has to be of *some* Size, given that the southernmost (=coldest) Part we know about - the Korcari Wilds - appear to be at least of scandinavian Climate, while the northernmost (=hottest) Part - Par Vollen - appears to be tropical, given that Sten says that they have Monkeys there. It hast to span at least, say, three quarters of the southern Hemisphere in Latitudes. Think of the 0th to 60th Latitude.

 

Of course, another possibility is, that the Planet with Thedas on it, is significantly smaller than Earth.

[mikeymoonshine]

Just once it would be nice to see the fans say "you know what, that really doesn't make any sense at all" instead of inventing all manner of half cocked theories as to why it can't possibly be implausible. I get that you are all fans of the series but this does not mean that you can't acknowledge any flaws in the series, holding blindly to the assertion that the Dragon Age series is perfect only makes your assertions look disingenuous.

 

Well that's sort of the point of a theory, to attempt to explain something we do not understand based on the knowledge we have. Assuming it doesn't make sense is just as silly as assuming it does because we don't have enough info to know either way. In fact it's more silly because we are talking about a fictional world here so a fictional explanation is more acceptable. 

[Maraas]

Of course, another possibility is, that the Planet with Thedas on it, is significantly smaller than Earth.

Well, that would explain a few things. ))

 

[Feybrad]

Well, that would explain a few things. ))

 

 

Exactly. Mystery solved.

[Inquisitor Mary Sue]

OPs initial insinuation is flawed because he is comparing earth's climate to a planet that is not earth. Since we don't know much physical information about the universe that Thedas occupies making assumptions about what the weather should be like is pointless. To be honest OP's "common sense" complaint only really makes sense if you ignore several pretty simple explanations for why the climate may be like that, many of which are in this thread. So find something that is truly incongruous (because I'm sure there is quite a bit of stuff) and I'll be happy to criticize the game with you.

 

Thedas may not be Earth however it's climate is based on Earth's climates so one would assume that it follows the same rules, while I know Thedas is a fictional world and the writing is all made up one would still hope that the writing follows some sort of logic to provide some sense of believability to the world. We already know that Thedas is located in the southern hemisphere so one would expect it to be warmer in the north and colder in the south, unless the blistering hot desert in the south is the result of some powerful magic it's existence is highly implausible and seems to indicate that the layout of the world isn't as well thought out as one would hope.

[Avaflame]

How is this thread still alive?! Pretty sure it was shown to be irrelevant like, what? Two posts in?

[Das Tentakel]

Exactly. Mystery solved.

 

Not entirely; there's the size of the planet of course.

Well...if we take the map of Thedas...it has 25 units along the north-south edge. Taking the old Dragon Age wiki discussion about Ferelden's size as a starting point, these units represent perhaps 10 km or 10 miles. Let's be generous, 10 miles. North to south the map stretches from an icy south to a tropical north. So let's double these 25 units, add another 10 for the polar caps, and the north pole - south pole distance would be about 600 miles, or a little less than 1,000 kilometres. The north-south and back circumference of the planet would be about 2,000 kilometres or a little less. That's roughly two-thirds of the equatorial circumference of the dwarf planet Ceres.

 

As for reconciling the resulting low gravity, atmosphere etc., I invoke voodoo gravity.

 

I

[Ailith Tycane]

I live in a place where it's 101 degrees F outside today, but got down to -5 last winter. This discussion really needs to stop, lol.

[Feybrad]

Not entirely; there's the size of the planet of course.

Well...if we take the map of Thedas...it has 25 units along the north-south edge. Taking the old Dragon Age wiki discussion about Ferelden's size as a starting point, these units represent perhaps 10 km or 10 miles. Let's be generous, 10 miles. North to south the map stretches from an icy south to a tropical north. So let's double these 25 units, add another 10 for the polar caps, and the north pole - south pole distance would be about 600 miles, or a little less than 1,000 kilometres. The north-south and back circumference of the planet would be about 2,000 kilometres or a little less. That's roughly two-thirds of the equatorial circumference of the dwarf planet Ceres.

 

As for reconciling the resulting low gravity, atmosphere etc., I invoke voodoo gravity.

 

I

 

10 miles? 1 Unit only ten Miles? What the fork?

 

The darkspawn Horde needed approximately 1 Year (!) to get from Ostagar to Denerim. If that were true, Ostagar and Denerim would be roughly 50 Miles from each other. Measure in Terrain and something and you still would have the slowest Invasion ever.

 

Measurements made with a Ruler at my Screen. Rough Estimations. I don't claim they're completely right, but the idea stays the same.

 

I don't think Thedas' Planet is any smaller than Earth.

[Giantdeathrobot]

Given the differences in latitude, precipitations and geography, it seems plausible to me. Add to that the implication that it became a wasteland because of the Darkspawn and such, and I really don't see the problem. The place is also on a level with Denerim or the Brecilian Forest, not the Wilds.

[Das Tentakel]

10 miles? 1 Unit only ten Miles? What the fork?

 

The darkspawn Horde needed approximately 1 Year (!) to get from Ostagar to Denerim. If that were true, Ostagar and Denerim would be roughly 50 Miles from each other. Measure in Terrain and something and you still would have the slowest Invasion ever.

 

Measurements made with a Ruler at my Screen. Rough Estimations. I don't claim they're completely right, but the idea stays the same.

 

I don't think Thedas' Planet is any smaller than Earth.

 

I don't either, but it's based on the discussion here: http://dragonage.wik...ig_is_Ferelden?.

Basically, in DA:O there's a bit of dialog where it turns out the Darkspawn horde are two days from Denerim. The army at Redcliffe force-marches to the city the following morning, and arrives around the time the Darkspawn have broken into the city. 

Based on this, the people involved in that discussion arrived at a plausible 10 miles (or maybe 10 km, Canada uses km) per unit.

 

There's another tidbit in World of Thedas, where it is mentioned that the Nahashin Marshes are three days away from the Heartlands. Of course, since it doesn't say from what part of the Marshes to what part of the Heartlands and we don't really known if it's travel by foot or by horse, the condition of the roads etc. it's not really helping. But it is, in principle, compatible with the conclusions in the old Wiki discussion.

 

By the way, I don't think personally the world of Thedas is that small. It's just that the distances, as so much with the world, are rather fuzzy and undetermined. Like I said, it may not be an accident that we don't know distances / dimensions when it comes to Thedas. Nor is this unique to Thedas, quite a few fictional places suffer from similar 'problems'.

 

It's not a biggie anyway, as Thedas' main purpose is to serve as a framework to kill things, loot their stuff, and level up until your Avatar is a badass. I hope nobody is losing sleep because 'the figures don't add up'.

[dutch_gamer]

Just once it would be nice to see the fans say "you know what, that really doesn't make any sense at all" instead of inventing all manner of half cocked theories as to why it can't possibly be implausible. I get that you are all fans of the series but this does not mean that you can't acknowledge any flaws in the series, holding blindly to the assertion that the Dragon Age series is perfect only makes your assertions look disingenuous.

And I just for once to see some people admitting that not everything is flawed. Enough posts have shown the flaws in the assumption of the OP, maybe you could read those posts instead of wanting Bioware to be wrong for whatever reason. Holding the blind belief that Bioware is wrong is not a good approach either.

[Inquisitor Mary Sue]

And I just for once to see some people admitting that not everything is flawed. Enough posts have shown the flaws in the assumption of the OP, maybe you could read those posts instead of wanting Bioware to be wrong for whatever reason. Holding the blind belief that Bioware is wrong is not a good approach either.

 

I never said everything was flawed however I am not deluded enough to think that everything that Bioware pulls out of their arse is a nugget of gold either, Bioware does do many things well however that does not mean that there aren't a lot of aspects of their work that leave a lot to be desired, to truly appreciate a series you need to acknowledge the flaws as well as it's strengths, if you can't do that then are you really a fan of their work or are you just deluding yourself into thinking that you are?

[Maraas]

if you can't do that then are you really a fan of their work or are you just deluding yourself into thinking that you are?

(shakes head): I think you've got yourself a very fitting handle here. Spot on.

[In Exile]

I don't either, but it's based on the discussion here: http://dragonage.wik...ig_is_Ferelden?.

Basically, in DA:O there's a bit of dialog where it turns out the Darkspawn horde are two days from Denerim. The army at Redcliffe force-marches to the city the following morning, and arrives around the time the Darkspawn have broken into the city. 

Based on this, the people involved in that discussion arrived at a plausible 10 miles (or maybe 10 km, Canada uses km) per unit.

 

There's another tidbit in World of Thedas, where it is mentioned that the Nahashin Marshes are three days away from the Heartlands. Of course, since it doesn't say from what part of the Marshes to what part of the Heartlands and we don't really known if it's travel by foot or by horse, the condition of the roads etc. it's not really helping. But it is, in principle, compatible with the conclusions in the old Wiki discussion.

 

By the way, I don't think personally the world of Thedas is that small. It's just that the distances, as so much with the world, are rather fuzzy and undetermined. Like I said, it may not be an accident that we don't know distances / dimensions when it comes to Thedas. Nor is this unique to Thedas, quite a few fictional places suffer from similar 'problems'.

 

It's not a biggie anyway, as Thedas' main purpose is to serve as a framework to kill things, loot their stuff, and level up until your Avatar is a badass. I hope nobody is losing sleep because 'the figures don't add up'.

 

I'm pretty sure those distances were just made up. Like, the two days line is probably a throwaway. 

[Allan Schumacher]

I never said everything was flawed however I am not deluded enough to think that everything that Bioware pulls out of their arse is a nugget of gold either

 

No one here is saying everything we do is a nugget of gold either.  There isn't even assurances that the same people defending us for this are defending us for other things.

 

Thread closed.