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[Caddius]

There are times where Solas borders on being a significantly more palatable version of Javik. And I HATED Javik.  I appreciate the view point and history that he revealed to the player, that the Protheans were total *****, and ruthless conquerors. But oh god, whenever Liara ventured to his side of the ship I felt a palatable sense of dread. 

I think the difference is that Solas' curiosity and wisdom repeatedly rips holes in his carefully constructed pre-conceptions of the current Thedas he finds himself in  and the races living within it. The other aspects of his nature prevent him from blindly accepting a one-dimensional read of his surroundings. He's always looking for, seeking, and finding duality. He trends towards being upset at you WHEN you fit his preconceptions. He wants you to surprise him.

Unlike Javik who'd be happy to throw you back in the primordial soup you came from but... Reapers. Priorities.

(I know that's unfair to Javik, but man did he consistently brush me the WRONG way. All the time. Every time.)

Interesting point of view.

Javik happens to be one of my all-time favorites, though.  But I can see how he can rub people wrong. Very easily.

I pitied Javik.

The Prothean Empire before the Reaper Invasion or the Metacron Wars sounds like a frighteningly successful Roman Empire. (To be fair, everything sounds like Rome to me.  ) It was brutal and unpleasant. Most nations seem that way to me. It's just that the Protheans were better equipped to push the envelope farther and farther. The 'knowing your species at a touch' thing in particular would make the cultural absorion 

The Reaper War twisted the Prothean psyche in disturbing ways. Apocalyptic scenarios on that scale do that. We see only the beginnings of that shift in ME3 with the Council races, and that's upsetting enough.

I've always seen Javik as a Renegade Shepard that's failed and been failed in every possible way, and he's determined to finish the job and let his people rest. He wishes he could have had a different life, but that's not the hand he was dealt.

By the end, he seems wistful and envious when it comes to the younger races, their naivete. My heart may have melted a little the first time he said, "Thank you, Commander. I have grown to enjoy my time among the-*pauses, looks surprised* among the young."

...And now I'm imagining Javik and Solas meeting.

EDIT: I took the redeem route when I first thought sending him to the Wardens would kick him out of the party. I need my tank for dragons, dammit!  But I really wanted the option to slap down the idea of him still using the name of Blackwall. If I was in his position, I'd have Solas draw (I'm assuming he can draw as well as he can do frescoes.) a teen heart-throb version of Real Blackwall, or maybe a Rocky poster. And put it up in Rainier's barn and have him look to it for inspiration as he practices and plans out ways to reform the Wardens.

But I do see the rationale behind Rainier wanting to keep using the name.

[Catriana]

I didn't mind Blackwall all that much, but my Lavellan thought he was 100% useless as a Warden. Still, she took him along because he's good at using that shield.

[Tielis]

People are getting disagreeable about Solas Hair mods and I'm just thinking "why care"? I rather people shared the mods that they made than keep it to themselves.

 

All this play-as-intended makes me want to do something malicious, like make Cullen look more like a meth addict.

 

Seriously, I have no clue why some people care so much how others play their own game in the privacy of their own house on their own computer.  Log in one's eye and all...

 

FYI, Vivienne's voice actress is of Indian, Swiss, and Italian descent.  If someone wants to make the character look like the VA (or purple spotted skin with pink and green striped hair) for their own game, well, personally I don't see it as a crime against nature.

[Meer]

I thought Cole was the one who called Bull "The" Iron Bull? Which is adorable.   I think Solas just calls him Iron Bull. Especially after they become friends. And yeah, Viv is always "Enchanter", and her version for Solas is "Apostate". Their banter is hilarious. They're trying to out-polite each other while being as snarky as possible. It's amazing.

That is completely possible. *Laughs.* My memory is awful sometimes, and I tend to drag both Cole and Solas everywhere. On my last character, I ended up with Solas/Vivienne/Dorian while I tanked for them--that...that was a sass party if I've ever seen one, haha. While Vivienne and Solas do their polite snark, suddenly Dorian and Vivienne come to an agreement that the wine at Skyhold is terrible. It's tremendous fun, but I felt a little bad for Solas even though he gave as good as he got.

[miraclemight]

Heh, yeah, Solas is quite the protector. I am so, so glad I caught this footage because it's classic Solavellan. T'was my first playthrough and I hit THAT Fade Rift in the Hinterlands, under-leveled for it... was also still figuring things out so I herp-a-derped through the thing and also didn't realize you could revive people... so, things went horribad but Solas was THERE for my Lavellan. Had two extremely significant last-minute barriers to save the day and casting the last one on her basically cost him his life in that very last moment, but it was just the boost she needed to end the fight and miraculously raise everyone back up.

 

 

The AI interactions and the timing of shout outs and spellcastings sometimes leads to such dramatic battle scenarios in this game. Like those times when you are so focused on an enemy that you fail to notice another one approaching you from behind, not until they raise their swords to strike you down. "Solas!" you think, because among all the companions, he's only one who can aid the Inquisitor in time. You don't even have to switch to him, because the next moment a Stonefist is hurled across the battlefield to collide into the ambusher, making them one with the wall.

 

Cole still remains my number one knight-in-shiny-armour though. I've lost count of the times he appeared out of thin air to Twin Fang a Prowler who was about to Twin Fang me.

[tsunamitigerdragon]

He's especially bad about the Qunari, and from what I hear he knows the difference between a Vashoth and a Qunari but still calls your Inquisitor a Qunari, as if it's a blanket term for a race instead of the religion/lifestyle. He tends to be insulting while at the same time going "But you're the exception!" it doesn't really make a person feel good to be told that (speaking from personal experience).

 

I love Solas, he's intelligent and thoughtful, but I feel like he either forces himself or genuinely has these racial biases (prejudices?) and that, I think, is sort of his big flaw. And I say that in the sense that he possibly does this because he has a strong need to reject 'this age' as it stands. Everything that has evolved, everything that is now is twisted and wrong and he cannot accept it. Anything that contradicts this opinion is an exception, because to believe otherwise would mean that the world isn't as bad as he's judged it to be.

 

It's not the same sort of internalized prejudice that Sera has, it's like he just...refuses to believe there's anything solidly good about this age. He can't, and that's why he says a lot of the insensitive things he does. I find that aspect of him fascinating, and it makes me wonder if, given enough time, would Lavellan (or any other friendly inquisitor) have been able to change his worldviews just enough.

 

On a side note, he does question whether or not he was wrong about the Dalish as a whole during the romance so...*shrug*

 

/rambling

 

"Pride and Prejudice" - A Romance Novel by Patrick Weekes.

An elvhen dreamer possessing a singular fortune of ancient knowledge is confronted with a powerful elven woman from the countryside of Thedas. Her family's want of intellectual and cultural propriety leads him to initially disdain her and consider her beneath him due to his prejudice, wounding her pride. A battle of wits begins - the character traits of pride and prejudice swimming and swapping between them in such intervals that they seem indistinguishable - forcing them to learn that they are more alike than either one would have guessed. A respect forms between them that blossoms into an unlikely romance. But can they overcome their differences in background? Their faults of character? Can they be humble enough to forgive and be forgiven in turn?

 

------
We'll just have Abelas play the role of Lady Catherine de Burg - "But what of your people, shemlen?!" "My people were the elvhen and I am the elvhen's daughter. So far we are equal." "OH! THIS SHALL NOT BE BORN. ARE THE SHADES OF ARLATHAN TO BE THUS POLLUTED!?"

[dragondreamer]

Cole still remains my number one knight-in-shiny-armour though. I've lost count of the times he appeared out of thin air to Twin Fang a Prowler who was about to Twin Fang me.

 

This.  More than once I've turned around just in time to see stealth!Cole get the jump on a stealthed guy who was about to jump my Inquisitor.  Always awesome.

[Mims]

Help, I need to travel to the future where all the fanfics I have bookmarked are completed. 

[Meer]

"Pride and Prejudice" - A Romance Novel by Patrick Weekes.
 

We'll just have Abelas play the role of Lady Catherine de Burg - "But what of your people, shemlen?!" "My people were the elvhen and I am the elvhen's daughter. So far we are equal." "OH! THIS SHALL NOT BE BORN. ARE THE SHADES OF ARLATHAN TO BE THUS POLLUTED!?"

...Would that you could be given a prize for this. It's a gem, thank you. Still laughing too hard to breathe. 

[Catriana]

"Pride and Prejudice" - A Romance Novel by Patrick Weekes.

An elvhen dreamer possessing a singular fortune of ancient knowledge is confronted with a powerful elven woman from the countryside of Thedas. Her family's want of intellectual and cultural propriety leads him to initially disdain her and consider her beneath him due to his prejudice, wounding her pride. A battle of wits begins - the character traits of pride and prejudice swimming and swapping between them in such intervals that they seem indistinguishable - forcing them to learn that they are more alike than either one would have guessed. A respect forms between them that blossoms into an unlikely romance. But can they overcome their differences in background? Their faults of character? Can they be humble enough to forgive and be forgiven in turn?

 

------
We'll just have Abelas play the role of Lady Catherine de Burg - "But what of your people, shemlen?!" "My people were the elvhen and I am the elvhen's daughter. So far we are equal." "OH! THIS SHALL NOT BE BORN. ARE THE SHADES OF ARLATHAN TO BE THUS POLLUTED!?"

 

Everything about this post is magical.

[RedMagister]

He's especially bad about the Qunari, and from what I hear he knows the difference between a Vashoth and a Qunari but still calls your Inquisitor a Qunari, as if it's a blanket term for a race instead of the religion/lifestyle. He tends to be insulting while at the same time going "But you're the exception!" it doesn't really make a person feel good to be told that (speaking from personal experience).

 

I love Solas, he's intelligent and thoughtful, but I feel like he either forces himself or genuinely has these racial biases (prejudices?) and that, I think, is sort of his big flaw. And I say that in the sense that he possibly does this because he has a strong need to reject 'this age' as it stands. Everything that has evolved, everything that is now is twisted and wrong and he cannot accept it. Anything that contradicts this opinion is an exception, because to believe otherwise would mean that the world isn't as bad as he's judged it to be.

 

It's not the same sort of internalized prejudice that Sera has, it's like he just...refuses to believe there's anything solidly good about this age. He can't, and that's why he says a lot of the insensitive things he does. I find that aspect of him fascinating, and it makes me wonder if, given enough time, would Lavellan (or any other friendly inquisitor) have been able to change his worldviews just enough.

 

On a side note, he does question whether or not he was wrong about the Dalish as a whole during the romance so...*shrug*

 

/rambling

 

i remember when Solas advises Sera about using her group for political upheaval. Every bit of his manipulative - i mean his genius, shines through, and freaks Sera out. Makes sense. Sera doesn't enjoy political games because it's sort of dirty and people get hurt.  For her, it's just better to kill an ******* outright and beat him to a pulp. To become a manipulative monster? never. In this way she's still innocent and childish. And solas won't understand because he wants more. 

[tsunamitigerdragon]

. 

[Tielis]

I liked it and am loving your post.  He views the whole Inquisition this way - especially his friendship with Cassandra and Varric.  He seems to be constantly surprised by their wisdom and insight but seems to chalk it up to them being exceptional.  The rest of humanity is brutish and awful. The Dwarves are narrow-minded, stubborn fools chained by their own tradition.   You just want to shake him and say "NO! YOU AREN'T RIGHT ALL THE TIME.  WE ARE WORTH SAVING."  I'm still amazed that I romanced this nerd.

 

ROFL all I could think of after reading this is SOLAS IS THE ORIGINAL HIPSTER.  

[Avejajed]

So did the Elvish have arenas? Saw a codex mentioning a rumor of one in exalted plains. One wonders who would have fought there. Slaves against slaves? Slaves against beasts? Or maybe they were too refined after all. I think the gods would have enjoyed such sport, especially Andruil.

[vierrae]

I'm, probably, completely off-topic, just lurking through deviantart. So here's Ghilan'nain.

http://smilika.devia...-nain-451699974

[jellobell]

That is completely possible. *Laughs.* My memory is awful sometimes, and I tend to drag both Cole and Solas everywhere. On my last character, I ended up with Solas/Vivienne/Dorian while I tanked for them--that...that was a sass party if I've ever seen one, haha. While Vivienne and Solas do their polite snark, suddenly Dorian and Vivienne come to an agreement that the wine at Skyhold is terrible. It's tremendous fun, but I felt a little bad for Solas even though he gave as good as he got.

I took Solas, Viv, and Dorian around for a while as a mage. Team Mage was the sassiest, and surprisingly badass. Everyone had a barrier and everything else was on fire. And Solas definitely gave as good as he got. After a while I swear he and Viv were enjoying themselves way too much.

 

 

 

There's a certain joy in finding someone who's got just as sharp a tongue as you do and who is willing to use it.

 

Solas and Dorian's relationship is a bit different. Poor Dorian just wants a fellow mage to nerd out with and Vivienne is...Vivienne, so he approaches Solas instead. But the problem is that Dorian is a well-meaning but spoiled rich kid and Solas is a grumpy old man, so every time he tries he accidentally puts his foot in his mouth. However after a while they do manage to be nerds together and it is adorable.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jflcgcsCV40

[Avejajed]

Welp, I now know my life calling. To make the ultimate Pride and Prejudice mash-up of Dragon Age KNOWN TO MAN.

Taking suggestions for character fills, like now. Varric or Cole as Mr. Bingley? Cassandra for Jane? And who will play Mr. Wickham!?

I just really love Northanger Abbey when everyone loves P&P. Lol.

[Caddius]

So did the Elvish have arenas? Saw a codex mentioning a rumor of one in exalted plains. One wonders who would have fought there. Slaves against slaves? Slaves against beasts? Or maybe they were too refined after all. I think the gods would have enjoyed such sport, especially Andruil.

Given all our theories on the connections between the ancient dwarves and the ancient elves, I could totally see the Arlathan elves having arenas where the gods' champion settle disputes with each other rather than having them go nuclear directly. Likewise for the nobility. Add in some of the usual bloody spectator sport, and the elves trying to make the combat artsy rather than effective for entertainment/art's sake, and it makes perfect sense to me.

Sort of how the 'ancestors judge the victor'. But with Elgar'nan literally watching you fight throwing popcorn and shoving pomegranate juice at Fen'harel, demanding he take a bet on who is going to win.

(Abelas wins.)

I haven't found this Codex entry in the Exalted Plains.

Not yet.

[tsunamitigerdragon]

. 

[Avejajed]

Given all our theories on the connections between the ancient dwarves and the ancient elves, I could totally see the Arlathan elves having arenas where the gods' champion settle disputes with each other rather than having them go nuclear directly. Likewise for the nobility. Add in some of the usual bloody spectator sport, and the elves trying to make the combat artsy rather than effective for entertainment/art's sake, and it makes perfect sense to me.
Sort of how the 'ancestors judge the victor'. But with Elgar'nan literally watching you fight throwing popcorn and shoving pomegranate juice at Fen'harel, demanding he take a bet on who is going to win.
(Abelas wins.)
I haven't found this Codex entry in the Exalted Plains.
Not yet.

It was a landmark, actually. Close to the first camp you get to, up on the wall arches. Called ruined arches.

[Tielis]

Given all our theories on the connections between the ancient dwarves and the ancient elves, I could totally see the Arlathan elves having arenas where the gods' champion settle disputes with each other rather than having them go nuclear directly. Likewise for the nobility. Add in some of the usual bloody spectator sport, and the elves trying to make the combat artsy rather than effective for entertainment/art's sake, and it makes perfect sense to me.

Sort of how the 'ancestors judge the victor'. But with Elgar'nan literally watching you fight throwing popcorn and shoving pomegranate juice at Fen'harel, demanding he take a bet on who is going to win.

(Abelas wins.)

I haven't found this Codex entry in the Exalted Plains.

Not yet.

 

Of course Abelas wins.  

 

And I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sees Elgar'nan as your typical obnoxious jock.

[Caddius]

"Tevinter has their elf lore as right as always."

I really like the idea of the Creators interacting with the Neromenians and the Tevinter in particular, and Solas finding them annoying little brats. 

[Meer]

I took Solas, Viv, and Dorian around for a while as a mage. Team Mage was the sassiest, and surprisingly badass. Everyone had a barrier and everything else was on fire. And Solas definitely gave as good as he got. After a while I swear he and Viv were enjoying themselves way too much.

<snip>

 

There's a certain joy in finding someone who's got just as sharp a tongue as you do and who is willing to use it.

 

Solas and Dorian's relationship is a bit different. Poor Dorian just wants a fellow mage to nerd out with and Vivienne is...Vivienne, so he approaches Solas instead. But the problem is that Dorian is a well-meaning but spoiled rich kid and Solas is a grumpy old man, so every time he tries he accidentally puts his foot in his mouth. However after a while they do manage to be nerds together and it is adorable.

 

Right! These are some of my favorite interactions Viv and Dorian have with Solas, too. At first when he would get into it with either of them, I would quietly be like "oh my gosh, you guys please don't fight," but it quickly became fun and even enlightening for each character. For Vivienne, as you say, it must have been fascinating to have such a powerful and learned apostate to debate with. Even when she seemed annoyed, I have the feeling she really appreciated having someone to spar mentally with. There probably aren't many in Orlais that could speak to her thus. And poor Dorian indeed. He was so sincere! I always wished he and Solas could have come to some stronger accord , but at least there was mutual respect. I also like the conversation they have where Solas acknowledges Dorian's power, haha. It seems like he'd really appreciate that.
 

It's because P&P is such good fodder - it's so EASY to make fun of.

Persuasion is my ultimate Jane Austin novel, but that isnt the right fit for a Dragon Age mash-up. I suppose it could be - 10 years after DA:I, but with the male LI doing the leaving and the female LI being left behind, the Inquisition emotionally and personally overriding her and her desires for her life, til she all but disappears into the background of her own life... 

Persuasion is my favorite too! Perfect as a comparison for Solas/Lavellan in some ways, and the ending... Ah, the letter is one of the most romantic things in Austen.

[tsunamitigerdragon]

. 

[Uirebhiril]

I have died a glorious death of laughter.

 

 

http://aicosu.tumblr...featuring-sylar