I honestly don't get this attitude toward a Cousland Warden. I played one, and her whole family was brutally attacked. Yes, she came from a notable family, but I never felt like you described. That whole game feels like an uphill climb.
Where's this for Cousland come from? Mine still felt as you described with the other origin stories. Do you have to play up the Noble bit in conversations? (I don't think I did x( except to mention dead mama and papa to Alistair)
Erm, isn't this Cousland dislike a bit harsh? I'm not going to blame your for disliking them or anything. That's your right, but from my position, it seems a bit unkind, if I'm honest. I'm not entirely sure where this tripping out of glorification that you speak of stems, and maybe I've simply forgotten, but I don't recall anything quite to that degree. I remember some remarks and compliments of your combat skills, Duncan saying you would make a good Warden candidate, and then as the game progresses people acknowledging your nobility, but that about sums it up. I honestly just don't remember anyone falling over themselves. My canon Warden is a Cousland
*sigh*
The Cousland Origin literally opens with: "For generations, your family, the Couslands, has stewarded the land of Highever, earning the loyalty of your people with justice and temperance. When your country was occupied by the Orlesian Empire, your father and grandfather served the embattled kings of your land. Today, your elder brother takes up House Cousland's banner in service to the Crown, not against the Orlesians, but against the bestial darkspawn rising in the South." All with grand music swelling in the background to let you know that this family is Important.
Just with that intro, my Mary Sue senses were tingling. And it just got worse from there.
Every character you meet after that intro goes out of their way to tell you how super-special-awesome the Couslands are, and how super-special-awesome you are by extension. Explore the castle and you'll find that every servant, guard, and guest will jump to tell you just how perfect, special, amazing and/or beloved the Couslands are. That one historian who brags about the family's glorious and spotless history to bored squire kids, Ser Gilmore who tells the players the family is not only wealthy/powerful to own a Mabari, but how special you are to have such an exemplar example of the breed imprint on you from an early age, Mumzy bragging about how some guy got drunk and mistook her husband for the king, Darren telling about how when Ferelden first won their independence many wanted to have Bryce crowned instead of Maric, but he humbly turned them down (because of course they did; not enough for the game to brag that your family is the most wealthy and powerful under royalty, they also have to point out that they could be royalty if they wanted it, but they don't because they're just that humble and virtuous), Iona tells how the alienage is so clean and well-governed and the elves treated so well here (of course), etc.
The Couslands are PERFECT. They've always been perfect. And you're perfect by extension.
The only (and I mean only) person who doesn't adore the Couslands is Rendon Howe. Not only is he objectively, irredeemably evil, but he doesn't even have a valid reason for hating the Couslands: He's just jealous of them. Of course. The Couslands are so perfect and flawless, so universally adored, that no one can dislike them for any reason other than to wish they were as awesome as the Couslands. (Did anyone seriously believe that the PC wouldn't be able to get justice for the Cousland family? With how often the game hammers home that everyone adores them, did anyone seriously believe that once they got the Blight and Loghain's dictatorship out of the way, that the Bannorn wouldn't instantly take your side and give your family's stuff back the moment you said, "Howe did this!" )
Ugh, it bugs me how in a world of Grey and Grey morality, the Couslands stand out as the one example of Shining White morality. And the game constantly reminds you that you're amazing super-special-awesome by extension.
Retour en haut
Sorry to vanish--had some snot-faced crying to get out of my system. Rest easy, you lovely labracollie gal. ;_;
