If Solas is a wolf he's a reluctant lone wolf who sits on an isolated hill and howls because he wants others to howl back yet knows he can't run with them. Except what Solas really is is a person who just happens to like wolf-y imagery and may or may not be able to shapeshift into the form of a wolf because magic.
Really, though. Does Flemeth act like a dragon? Does Morriga act like a bear/raven/giant spider/swarm?
If someone was looking for advice/opinions on what others thought was "best" Lavellan I would say mage, because for me personally I feel like it fits. BUT I would never, ever tell anyone they were wrong for playing a rogue or warrior.
I hear you on the DA:O though. My canon Warden was always a mage. (I really resented needing to be Cousland if you wanted Alistair to be King and not leave you. My first play through he wasn't hardened, was so upset when he dumped me. I had to redo a bunch of stuff just to fix it, and stay together as wardens) I could never decide between Amell or Surana. But with what happens in DAI, and the choice you have to make.... Cousland has to be my canon Warden, and I am not happy about that.
So, one thing I'm curious about: Am I the only one who ended up making canon exhiling the Wardens just because Solas says it's best? I know it doesn't say much about me having my own opinions and such
but I can't help feeling that he has more information about everything and since his opinions and preferences 99% of the times match my own, I have kind of assumed that I should trust his advice even in this case, where I'd have done otherwise... Don't you think he knows something more than he says he does about all that? Ordo you think I'm going to regret in DA4 leaving my fascination with Solas blind me?
His banter with Varric shows he realizes the necessity for the Wardens (he acknowledges the Wardens bought time for Thedas by ending the blights). It seems his dislike of the Wardens stems from their plan to kill the Old Gods, rather than any other irresponsible actions they took. And I think he's right in that there will probably be dire consequences if all the Old Gods are killed.
But I don't think it's a good idea to banish the Wardens. I just don't see how that solves anything in the long run, since it's not like the entire order is being disbanded. I'd prefer to keep them around, where the Inquisitor can keep an eye on them.
I don't think it's a bad thing to agree with Solas most of the time, since he does have very compelling arguments. But he is a bit idealistic sometimes. I mean, It's not like he has offered a better solution for dealing with the Blights. My decisions align with his preferences maybe half the time in those story quests. I always have to gain back approval with the elven artifacts and through dialogue/ judgments.
ETA: I agree that it makes sense to banish them if you're worried they'll be corrupted by Corypheus, I'm just talking about banishing them not solving Solas's problem with the Wardens.
So, one thing I'm curious about: Am I the only one who ended up making canon exhiling the Wardens just because Solas says it's best? I know it doesn't say much about me having my own opinions and such
I don't exile them but I think there are good reasons to. Just think what would happen if news got out in Orlais that they helped kill Divine Justinia. It could upset everything you've worked to build if they're your allies. Basically I save them and send them to do the dirtiest work at the war table. They need to earn their way back, just as they did in Ferelden. Maybe one day the order itself will learn.
As for Solas in fanfiction, you get what you pay for most of the time. lol Hence why I only read by multiple or trusted recommendations, and stay away from the kink meme entirely. And tumblr, mostly. It helps preserve my faith in humanity. Fandom is something I prefer to keep at arm's length.
I don't exile them but I think there are good reasons to. Just think what would happen if news got out in Orlais that they helped kill Divine Justinia. It could upset everything you've worked to build if they're your allies. Basically I save them and send them to do the dirtiest work at the war table. They need to earn their way back, just as they did in Ferelden. Maybe one day the order itself will learn.
As for Solas in fanfiction, you get what you pay for most of the time. lol Hence why I only read by multiple or trusted recommendations, and stay away from the kink meme entirely. And tumblr, mostly. It helps preserve my faith in humanity. Fandom is something I prefer to keep at arm's length.
I exiled the Wardens, but because I thought it was the safest thing for everyone, including them, ya know..until Coryphenus is dead? I thought I was just sending them back to Weisshaupt to chill. At that point I thought I still had a Warden (Blackwall)... I'm going to punch in a new world state, with a Dalish HoF and a throwaway Hawke who didn't romance anybody because I really missed not being able to talk to Alistair.
So, I wonder if the orb's power is similar to the Mask of Fen'Harel. Since the mask, using blood magic opens a portal in the sky...into the fade. Any opinions on this?
http://dragonage.wik...sk_of_Fen'Harel
Edit to add more: Also, I wonder if the constellation Fenrir and the older legend about the wolf fleeing from the hunter by way of the sky, is related to the creature that was punished from taking on wings and cast back down to earth. A monster to be hunted by Andriul. However, I say that I think that much of the lore is wrong, or at least confused lol. So this is again way out there.
I don't exile them but I think there are good reasons to. Just think what would happen if news got out in Orlais that they helped kill Divine Justinia. It could upset everything you've worked to build if they're your allies. Basically I save them and send them to do the dirtiest work at the war table. They need to earn their way back, just as they did in Ferelden. Maybe one day the order itself will learn.
As for Solas in fanfiction, you get what you pay for most of the time. lol Hence why I only read by multiple or trusted recommendations, and stay away from the kink meme entirely. And tumblr, mostly. It helps preserve my faith in humanity. Fandom is something I prefer to keep at arm's length.
Yes, fandom seems to primarily involve squicky fan fiction and lots of unnecessary haters. I've found tumblr to be particularly bad for this.
Ya know..it's nice to find people who are as obsessed..perhaps even more so...about a character as I am. I made a picture of Solas and Lavellan a cover on my Facebook page..and a few people liked it..but no one know what it was a picture of. Made me a little sad..I have no friends who have played this game yet. I used to talk about this things with my ex...but..he's not in my life anymore. I'm glad I found all of you. You don't judge me!!! :-P
Stop reading my mind! 
So, I wonder if the orb's power is similar to the Mask of Fen'Harel. Since the mask, using blood magic opens a portal in the sky...into the fade. Any opinions on this?
http://dragonage.wik...sk_of_Fen'Harel
Edit to add more: Also, I wonder if the constellation Fenrir and the older legend about the wolf fleeing from the hunter by way of the sky, is related to the creature that was punished from taking on wings and cast back down to earth. A monster to be hunted by Andriul. However, I say that I think that much of the lore is wrong, or at least confused lol. So this is again way out there.
"and so the mage kidnapped a Dalish woman to use her blood in the ritual."
Speaking of the Wardens, did anyone else choose Warden+Morrigan/Hawke+Anders/Inquisitor+Solas pairing in their canon? I don't know how, it just happened. 
And I've been thinking: if the Warden succeeds in his quest(and Bioware would probably use the final part of that quest in one of the future games, at that!), it would mean happy ending for both pairings: the Warden and Anders would lead longer lives, see Kieran grow, be with Hawke throughout their entire lives, and so on.
I'm pretty happy about how Hawke/Anders and Warden/Morrigan turned out, but longer lifespans still sound great. And it connects to Solas/Lavellan: their lifespan gap is even larger, after all. Maybe a quest for her to reach godhood, to become a Dreamer? (yeah, like it'd work for f!Cadash! Still, nice to dream.)
"and so the mage kidnapped a Dalish woman to use her blood in the ritual."
:: Shrugs :: The mage that stole the dalish was a qunari....
Yes, fandom seems to primarily involve squicky fan fiction and lots of unnecessary haters. I've found tumblr to be particularly bad for this.
Tumblr is probably what inspired Sera's character.
PW tweets about seeing stuff on the character tags. I don't know how the writers can deal with that fandom stuff. Some of it they must get a kick out of, but you'd have to heavily filter it.
That said, I do tumbl myself (lackadaisically) and would follow others here. The good parts of fandom make it worthwile.
I plan to try a mage Lavellan after my archer one. Oddly enough, I viewed Chesha, my 2h Warrior as my canon forever. Now Tiger Festival (lol) has endeared herself to me more. I like the unaccented voice much better and she feels more natural.
But in regards to the dynamic with Solas, I sort of prefer my Lavellan being mostly mundane. It allows her to be even more fascinated by him and what he can do, because she can't magic. Every spell he casts has the potential to amaze her. I also imagine it makes her dream-walking, that much more surprising to him. And in the end, when she finds out who he really is, not being a First will allow her to maintain her wide-eyed wonder instead of battling the duty taught preconceptions of a Keeper's First. Of course, she will share the same reservations as any downhome Dalish gal might once they discover they've been macking on the Dread Wolf, but she will not feel as if she had betrayed her purpose to her clan - something a First might.
Granted, that could add a whole different level, which I plan to headcanon for my magey Lavellan, but I like the Huntress idea better for the long run.
Also, being an archer instead of a warrior like Chesha was, she gets to fight at his side while her arrows shatter the opponents he has put on ice. She can also do backflips over his head while he's tossing out barriers and frozen pain, and still put herself between him and any hapless bad guy that gets too close. In my mind, the choreography between them is fantastic. Of course, in the actual game, half the time my backflip shot clips me off the side of a tree and rockets poor Tiger into orbit. But in my head? Fantastic!
Can I just give you a hug and some cookies for this? 
I enjoyed reading through your explanation on how a non-mage Lavellan would fit with Solas, whether romanced or not.
Makes me wish I could explain my thoughts better, like everyone else on this thread. xD
If someone was looking for advice/opinions on what others thought was "best" Lavellan I would say mage, because for me personally I feel like it fits. BUT I would never, ever tell anyone they were wrong for playing a rogue or warrior.
Oh, I know. I respect that people have their reasons saying that a mage!Lavellan best suits for Solas. It's just that I feel that regular, huntress Lavellan gets shoved aside just because she's not magical or can't do Fade things. In things like the Solas romance videos or Solavellan fanfics that I've read so far, the Lavellan featured is almost always a mage. For fanart it's a bit more ambiguous since Lavellan's class is not always shown.
Sorry if I'm sounding like a child right now. It's petty, I know. It's just something that's been nagging me for quite a while. 
I hear you on the DA:O though. My canon Warden was always a mage. (I really resented needing to be Cousland if you wanted Alistair to be King and not leave you. My first play through he wasn't hardened, was so upset when he dumped me. I had to redo a bunch of stuff just to fix it, and stay together as wardens) I could never decide between Amell or Surana. But with what happens in DAI, and the choice you have to make.... Cousland has to be my canon Warden, and I am not happy about that.
I guess I was lucky(?) in my romance with Alistair. My canon Warden is a Dalish and the way I played it (and knowing nothing about he whole "hardening" thing), I always wanted to make sure Alistair was happy so I pretty much "babied" him. So I didn't make him king because he really didn't want it and I know I would feel bad if I forced him on the throne. Which is funny later on, because I had to convince him to do something he didn't like, which is to sleep with Morrigan, just so no Warden had to die when they struck the final blow to the Archdemon. I am the worst...
So I guess so far, I'm pretty happy having Alistair in the Wardens. Especially in DA:I when he starts talking about the HoF and how in love they both still are after all these years. But yes, that meant I had to choose between leaving Alistair or leaving Hawke. I chose to leave Hawke behind, which means that Anders will be left alone... Oh well... The things I do for Alistair. 
But I guess what I'm trying to say is... while Cousland marrying Alistair is said to be the ultimate happy ending, I wouldn't say that my choice of keeping him as a Warden is bad either. Because when my Lavellan talked to him in DA:I about his relationship with my Warden, he seemed truly happy.
Granted, it sure takes a lot of effort to get that happiness though, I'll tell you that. I admit, if I made him king, I wouldn't have to worry so much about him in DA:I. ^__^;
So I guess so far, I'm pretty happy having Alistair in the Wardens. Especially in DA:I when he starts talking about the HoF and how in love they both still are after all these years. But yes, that meant I had to choose between leaving Alistair or leaving Hawke. I chose to leave Hawke behind, which means that Anders will be left alone... Oh well... The things I do for Alistair.
But I guess what I'm trying to say is... while Cousland marrying Alistair is said to be the ultimate happy ending, I wouldn't say that my choice of keeping him as a Warden is bad either. Because when my Lavellan talked to him in DA:I about his relationship with my Warden, he seemed truly happy.
Granted, it sure takes a lot of effort to get that happiness though, I'll tell you that. I admit, if I made him king, I wouldn't have to worry so much about him in DA:I. ^__^;
Oh I was always happy with my decision to keep him as a Warden. I could never kill Hawke or Alistair. Impossible decision for me. I want to see Warden Alistair so I do have a M!Hawke import that will be slightly easier for me to leave behind. If only I didn't love Alistair and F!Hawke as much as I do 
.
I am excited though to play my Archer Lavellan soon. Will be nice to see the romance with Solas with a non-mage!
I want a smutty fic where Solas and Lavellan are both really nerdy and trading lore and magical theory and stuff. Like they'll be sitting in the camp with others and they'll start talking normally about this stuff and as the conversation goes on their voices will get all husky as if they're talking dirty and everyone else will be uncomfortable because they can heir the subtext in the tone of their voices and Solas will realize it and suggest "perhaps we should continue this conversation somewhere private so we don't disturb the others" and then they'll leave and everyone else will be like "you two are not discreet!" and then they'll do the do while continuing to talk about lore and theories until they can no longer focus on the conversation and when it's over Lavellan will be like "that was a stimulating discussion."
So I punched in my "Throw away Hawke" world state, guess that means I get to make a new Lavellan, right?
Off topic question for anyone who didn't roll a mage for their first Solasmance (purposely or not).
Did anyone else reroll their Lavellan after hearing Vivienne tell her that "mages need the company of other mages?" I originally created a rogue to be the typical Dalish archer, but for some reason that line really struck a chord me. I know she meant it as platonically as possible, but the idea of it affected me enough that I immediately went nopenopenope, and created a mage Lavellan instead.
I kept myself so spoiler-free about DAI that I knew literally nothing about the companions, the romances, or anything about the story. All I knew about Solas was what was introduced through his dialogue in Haven, but after hearing that line from Vivienne I couldn't get the idea that yes, Solas would be really cool to try and flirt with as a mage, but more importantly he might be willing to share more of his self than with a non-mage who can't explore the Fade as he does. The lonely apostate who could (potentially. no romance knowledge) take my Lavellan on Fade adventures they would remember? Too good of an idea to pass up.
I rolled a Dalish archer, and I didn't really feel like I was any lesser for doing so. I don't think it's a matter of which class is better as it is a matter of perspective.
Personally, I enjoy that my Lavellan is different from Solas in this aspect of herself. There's more curiosity to be had there, more things to share with each other, more things to learn about one another. In the same way that Lavellan is fascinated by Solas's effortless magic, Solas is fascinated by Lavellan's grace and precision in the battlefield. They throw arcane bolts and arrows in perfect harmony. Maybe shatter a bandit or two.
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I can't wait to mess with flycam on an upgraded rig after the holidays eeeee all the Solas screenshots
for my first solasmance, i was a mage because i thought it was perfect. however, since i like to take my LI everywhere with me and rotate the remaining slots (for party banter), i found it a little inconvenient sometimes. for my canon playthrough, i decided to go with archer. besides, if you're not a mage, that's one more excuse to ask solas all those questions and get him to impart some of his wisdom ;D
I dodged a bullet in Origins since I always romance Zevran.
But I definitely agree with you all about Solas (and many characters in general) being terribly OOC in many fan fictions. That's why I generally don't read them (though I do read the stuff you guys write). The characterization I've seen in fan fiction reminds me of the typical heroes found in romance novels, particularly the urban fantasy romance ones with werewolves and such. Especially the shamelessly smutty novels, like Lora Leigh (omg now she writes some smuuuuutty smut!). So apparently lots of people like this "alpha male" thing, and it definitely works for some characters. But not Solas. Not even a little bit. I just don't see it at all.
I have noticed that Zevran suffers from the OOC a lot as well, although not as much as solos and lelliana. It's like geez solos ain't jacob from twilight..
for my first solasmance, i was a mage because i thought it was perfect. however, since i like to take my LI everywhere with me and rotate the remaining slots (for party banter), i found it a little inconvenient sometimes. for my canon playthrough, i decided to go with archer. besides, if you're not a mage, that's one more excuse to ask solas all those questions and get him to impart some of his wisdom ;D
Very valid points. My party pretty much never changes on what is now my canon play through, on Nightmare. Since Solas and I are both mages it doesn't leave much room for switching members out very often. Especially on any of the main quests. So that's another thing I look forward to on my archer play through.
My current (by current I mean, newest, that would be the third...second is on hold because reasons) Lavellan PT with have her as KE, so my party at last can be made up of my favourites.. Solas, Cole and Dorian.
I'm not sure why, but I really liked his face & voice at that scene < 3
My Darel is a rogue, double dagger. no intention to roll a mage to take her place. She is the shadow that cut enemies in battle, expecially when they are stupid enought to go close to her mage.
And is quite cute having Solas cast barriers around her almost in every moment he does this much more than Dorian or Vivienne.
I find the mage/mage pairing a little boring for my taste. I prefer the rogue-warrior/mage pairing better. Both from a gameplay point of view, that from simply the "oppiste attract" thing.
I'd like too see more good FF with rogue-warrior Lavellan too. But at least is not like for DAO that almost seem like I was the only one who rolled a Tabris for Alistair and let him stay a Warden to not have the break up. I'm already happy this time the protagonists are usually elven girls.
So, if/when we meet Solas again, what will your team makeup ?
Im thinking Cass because she and my Lavellan have gotten pretty close. They both have a tie to traditions but want some change, women of action and all, not afraid to say it if theyre wrong. I head canon her as my Lavellan confident even if she probbly doesnt have much insight on Solas, she would respect Lavellan's choice.
Then Cole cause thats where all the insight comes from. I made him more human post breakup, so well see if it affects anything. Im a bit afraid he would sacrifice himself/ something important to get Lavellan and solas back together... being Compassion and all.
Solas is my main mage, so I guess i would replace him with Dorian for that, but if its possible to run a full rogue party then Ill take Varric. I jsut love his leve-headness. Hes very grounding to my Lavellan and reminds her not to cringe at all the bs, but in a more mature way them Sera.
Thats just from the top of my head. You guys?
Joining in in a delay! I'm pretty much on the same page as you (and as everybody here)
Cole is an obvious one, Dorian... I can just imagine his comments about bedding a god >_> Plus, emotional support.
Third one.. Well, it depends. If I need a warrior I'll take either Iron Bull or Cass (I might even replay that just to see different reactions -cough-), if I don't a warrior I'll take Sera. While I don't like Sera I wonder if she'll still feel the need to fill the conversation with fart noises when he speaks of the Elvhen gods.
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