Like most political conflicts in Thedas, we'll probably be an onlooker who is at the centre of the storm, rather than the cause of conflict. Which is a shame, I'd love to RP a revolutionary one of these days.
That would be amazing, but have you noticed that BioWare takes a dim view of revolutionaries in Thedas?
I didn't notice it until my friend pointed out that characters who try to change the status quo are always depicted as terrorists or well-intentioned extremists, while the player character always has to save or maintain the status quo. I said "That's not true!" ... until I thought about it and realized, yes, it is.
I mean, in DAO you don't rebel against the oppressive Circle system, you just defeat the demons and either massacre the mages or give control of them back to the Templars. In Orzammar, you solve a succession crisis by choosing one of two candidates to uphold Orzammar's monarchy. In Ferelden, you depose Loghain and replace him with one or two royal candidates to uphold Ferelden's monarchy. (Mages, casteless, and elves are still under-heel.)
In DA2, the Arishok calls Kirkwall a cesspool of corruption (of which he's not wrong), and Hawke defeats him to maintain the Kirkwall noble's power. (Which doesn't solve any of the problems the Arishok pointed out. Kirkwall nobles and guards still oppress elves, and Hightown still grows fat while people starve in the lower towns.) In Act 3, Anders is a terrorist who blows up the Chantry to force mages to rebel, and while Hawke can side with mages, it's mostly to try to show, "Hey, they're not crazy terrorists like Anders so you shouldn't kill them," not "MAGE PRIDE!"
In DAI, we once again restore the status quo in a lot of ways. We ensure that the oppressive Orlesian Empire doesn't crumble into chaos (which is what Corypheus wants), and we ensure that the Chantry doesn't crumble by helping them (directly or indirectly) elect a new Divine. Admittedly we do better this game since we can get the Circles abolished, possibly the Templars and Seekers liquidated, and put an elf in charge of Orlais, but I have a feeling those will have negative consequences in Tresspasser...
In general, BioWare seems to takes a dim view of revolution in these games. The lesson always seems to be, "It's better to maintain an oppressive system to ensure stability than to try to create a better society since the ensuing violence and chaos would be worse," and even "It's pointless to try to start a revolution because today's oppressed will just become tomorrow's oppressors." When Solas prods Sera to try to make lasting change, she herself basically says, "What' the point of taking down the top since there'll just be another one to frig it all up again?"
Speaking of which, Solas recognizes widespread misery and corruption and oppression all over Thedas and is trying to do something to stop it, but I'm sure he'll be vilified for it, both from the devs and players alike. (Doesn't he know that you're supposed to support the status quo like the players always do?)
Meh, sorry for the rant and ramble. I just noticed that.
(In short, I agree with you that I would LOVE to be a revolutionary--especially for elves!--but it seems "revolution/ary" is a dirty word for BioWare's Thedas.)
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