153433 réponses à ce sujet

[Wynele]

Speaking of Cole. IIRC one of the writers/devs/somebody-BioWare-shaped said that Cole knew who Solas was and, until the end of the base game, what his intentions were all along. Why didn't our Spirit of Compassion think, "Hey, wow, he's going to hurt a lot of people!" and then proceed to murderknife? (Plot armor aside. )

 

There's probably a really reasonable explanation but because I haven't spelt my mind's just a puddle of dribble right now.

 

My semi-reasonable explanation is that the veil is causing far more harm than good.  After all, Cole has no problems hurting people (or things) that have hurt other people. 

 

I suspect Thedas is quickly running towards an implosion.    

[Raeona]

My semi-reasonable explanation is that the veil is causing far more harm than good.  After all, Cole has no problems hurting people (or things) that have hurt other people. 

 

I suspect Thedas is quickly running towards an implosion.    

 

I suspect that whatever happens, it'll end with Solas saying 'I did not think this through...'

 

As for Cole, I think he has a poor grasp of long term consequences. His modus operandi is more 'this hurts now, make it go away', instead of Solas' 'more pain now means less pain later' approach. 

[Cee]

Cole does tend toward that, which was the reason why he was killing the poor mages in Asunder, but you have to give him a bit of credit, in that he learns to stay his hand because not all pain must be removed immediately, and people can and are pretty resilient and sometimes don't need the intervention. That's part of Cole's arc in Asunder, and it carries over to DAI. He's willing to kill those who are doing harm when you ask, but he wants to help more than anything. Still, he has more restraint and a bit more understanding of people over time.

 

As for Solas' plans, he may not grasp the consequences because they are so large and far-reaching and might not take effect quickly.

[Raeona]

Cole does tend toward that, which was the reason why he was killing the poor mages in Asunder, but you have to give him a bit of credit, in that he learns to stay his hand because not all pain must be removed immediately, and people can and are pretty resilient and sometimes don't need the intervention. That's part of Cole's arc in Asunder, and it carries over to DAI. He's willing to kill those who are doing harm when you ask, but he wants to help more than anything. Still, he has more restraint and a bit more understanding of people over time.

 

As for Solas' plans, he may not grasp the consequences because they are so large and far-reaching and might not take effect quickly.

 

Absolutely, I'm not trying to discredit either character, that's just how I see the contrast between them. Given the nature of the universe they're in, I don't blame them for the trauma they're involved in causing since pretty much everyone in dragon age is trying to stop one tragedy only to accidentally trigger a different one that's usually much harder to fix.

 

I do love this pack of ne'er do wells, they're so endearing. 

[Illyria]

 

Cats can really be so....creepy. I think this one came from Silent Hill. Or was transformed coming out of the Fade.

 

If it was from Silent Hill it would have far less skin.

[Illyria]

I know it's old now, and Silent Hills was canceled.  But you should watch Jesse Cox's Scary Game Squad play through of P.T.  I hate scary games too, and I had the exact same reaction to Bioshock!  (But I love horror movies and watch them all the time.  Usually in the middle of the afternoon with the sun shining!)  My fiance and I watched it together over skype and we were screaming and laughing so hard.  Yeah it has jump scares, that was usually when we'd fall into a fit of laughter.

 

Still not over that.

 

Also, I recommend watching Supergreatfriend's play Slender if you want a horror a LP that's also funny.  In fact, all his LPs are good.

[Solas]

Dad!Solas isn't something I enjoy or look for in fic and meta, but I thought about it idly today and just lolled cuz my inquisitor like..

 

I'm pretty sure any child of Gryff's would be a lil Gryff clone in every way. that kid would run completely wild and roughshod all over and would ignore or do the opposite of literally everything Solas said and it would drive him up the wall 

 

da'len, stand still - there is a bird nest in your hair - da'len, really now, da'len, please

[four year old runs around him hitting his knees with a wooden sword]

- vheNAAAAN

must you encourage such behavior? please help me corral them, they must be taught how to read.

gryff [glowing with pride at strong lil warrior]: [guffaws] lol solas i couldnt read til i was 28 who cares

 

Wee Gryff was semi-feral and had no chill   

[Cee]

Dad!Solas isn't something I enjoy or look for in fic and meta, but I thought about it idly today and just lolled cuz my inquisitor like..

 

I'm pretty sure any child of Gryff's would be a lil Gryff clone in every way. that kid would run completely wild and roughshod all over and would ignore or do the opposite of literally everything Solas said and it would drive him up the wall 

 

da'len, stand still - there is a bird nest in your hair - da'len, really now, da'len, please

[four year old runs around him hitting his knees with a wooden sword]

- vheNAAAAN

must you encourage such behavior? please help me corral them, they must be taught how to read.

gryff [glowing with pride at strong lil warrior]: [guffaws] lol solas i couldnt read til i was 28 who cares

 

Wee Gryff was semi-feral and had no chill   

 

Now I kind of want art of little Gryff.

[Solas]

Now I kind of want art of little Gryff.

omg I wish I could draw haha. little Gryff in my head is so cute I s2g

[Illyria]

omg I wish I could draw haha. little Gryff in my head is so cute I s2g

 

I picture little Gryff as a mage.  Because a Gryff with the power to shoot lightning at fools is an interesting thing to consider.

[Solas]

I picture little Gryff as a mage.  Because a Gryff with the power to shoot lightning at fools is an interesting thing to consider.

her wooden sword did a lot of damage in its day 

[Homeboundcrib]

I've finally flattened Haven to the ground. Yay. Had to split the chapter in two, somehow tripled my expected wordcount there. So the first half's up, the second still requires heavy editing. If anyone here reads it, that is.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can't unsee this.

Morning thread I pop on and see this lol the front on view of Solas, to me kinda looks like a young doctor house hahaha. I can never imagine Solas with hair and a beard.

[Cee]

Oh good, I'm out of likes again.

 

But yes, little Gryff .

[rowrow]

My semi-reasonable explanation is that the veil is causing far more harm than good.  After all, Cole has no problems hurting people (or things) that have hurt other people. 

 

I suspect Thedas is quickly running towards an implosion.    

 

When isn't Thedas heading for a 'plosion of some kind?

 

I think that with Cole, the intent that he reads off the other person counts for a lot. He knows Solas isn't inherently cruel or heartless. As for whether he understands fully what Solas' plans mean for all the people of Thedas, it's hard to say. It's difficult to tell with Cole, sometimes. I think much of what he knows about the world comes from what he reads in people's heads rather than what he sees. I mean he doesn't bat an eye at bedroom roleplay, but he can't seem to grasp that Orlesians don't actually have masks for faces, or that clothing comes off of people.

[_Lucinia]

Still not over that.

 

Also, I recommend watching Supergreatfriend's play Slender if you want a horror a LP that's also funny.  In fact, all his LPs are good.

I probably never would have played it, because I can't handle games like that.  I have a problem where I just get way too immersed and the atmosphere of those games stress me to the point that it's not enjoyable.  That said, I am still not over it either.  It would have been an incredible game and I am disappointed and let down that the world will never get to experience it.

 

I love the comedy style Let's Plays.  Jesse Cox's Scary Game Squad also did Slender.  It was such a blast.  Listening to grown men scream and freak out is so much fun.  Back in the day I had Silent Hill 2.  I tried to play it but instead I forced my bf at the time to play it for me.  It was less stressful to watch rather than be in control.  I think despite how old the game is now it would be a good one for a funny youtuber to do a Let's Play of!

 

More on topic, but not Solas related:  Hespith's rhyme and the Broodmother reveal in Origins still creeps me out to this day.

[Cee]

When isn't Thedas heading for a 'plosion of some kind?

 

I think that with Cole, the intent that he reads off the other person counts for a lot. He knows Solas isn't inherently cruel or heartless. As for whether he understands fully what Solas' plans mean for all the people of Thedas, it's hard to say. It's difficult to tell with Cole, sometimes. I think much of what he knows about the world comes from what he reads in people's heads rather than what he sees. I mean he doesn't bat an eye at bedroom roleplay, but he can't seem to grasp that Orlesians don't actually have masks for faces, or that clothing comes off of people.

 

I think this is probably the case, with regards to intent. Cole tells Solas he didn't do _______ to be right, but to save them, and then reassures him he could let whoever go (and now since we know his attitude toward the rest of the Evanuris was not a good one, the ones he tried to save are more than likely others, elves in uthenera, or maybe some other form of ancient elves we don't know about). But Cole senses Solas' intentions are from some good place, even though in the execution of those plans, many might be affected badly. Or not, I don't think even Solas is 100% certain this will cause the destruction he thinks it will.

 

As a rather intuitive person, it's hard to explain how effective it can be to get a real sense about someone or something that others may not feel or understand.

[Illyria]

I probably never would have played it, because I can't handle games like that.  I have a problem where I just get way too immersed and the atmosphere of those games stress me to the point that it's not enjoyable.  That said, I am still not over it either.  It would have been an incredible game and I am disappointed and let down that the world will never get to experience it.

 

I love the comedy style Let's Plays.  Jesse Cox's Scary Game Squad also did Slender.  It was such a blast.  Listening to grown men scream and freak out is so much fun.  Back in the day I had Silent Hill 2.  I tried to play it but instead I forced my bf at the time to play it for me.  It was less stressful to watch rather than be in control.  I think despite how old the game is now it would be a good one for a funny youtuber to do a Let's Play of!

 

More on topic, but not Solas related:  Hespith's rhyme and the Broodmother reveal in Origins still creeps me out to this day.

 

I saw a really good blind LP of the first two Silent Hill games.  That was really funny since he'd go from snarking at the outdated graphics and wonky script+acting to terror really quickly.

 

I recommend playing Silent Hill 3 and using the reward code (all available online) to give Heather the transformation key.  You can play the entire game as a frigging magical girl!
 

[Cee]

Oh Tumblr, you might know me a little bit.

 

Recommended searches:

 

Illustration

Dorian Pavus

Isabela

inquisitor

Fen'Harel

Hawke

Solas

DAI

[Sable Rhapsody]

her wooden sword did a lot of damage in its day 

 

Now I'm picturing all of our little Lavellans causing havoc together.  With poor Keeper Deshanna trying to keep some semblance of order and threatening to turn the aravel around

 

Little Gryff whacking everything she can reach with her wooden sword.  Little Clariel chasing after birds.  What were your Lavellans like as little kids?

[SoSolaris]

I shared that since I thought it was an interesting perspective but my own opinion and circumstances are more like yours. It's rare that I like AUs, and I prefer that something make sense and follow/take from canon and is, at least, consistent in some way. That said, gender or racebending is something I'm generally cool with too, even if it's not something I'm into (With Solas, for instance, there are mods to make him darker like concept art, but some of these depictions may also be slightly problematic). I'm a mixed, bisexual Latina, who grew up poor, raised by a disabled mom. Can't underestimate the value of intersectionality and increasing the number of voices and perspectives we hear. I also tend to be keyed into how diverse something is, whose stories are being told, and how.

Though I think creating new characters is better, and slowly changing in the mainstream because a lot of companies are super risk averse. But we've been seeing changes and people going and supporting the things they want to see more of, which is great. But there are still a lot of issues, systemic and otherwise, that we need to encourage creators all over to both change and support the work of others. In terms of minority representation and representing bodies not always seen in media. Yes, please. I've taken on writing things that needed some love in the representation department.

Anyhow, I love exploring fandom and I'm firmly on the positive side of expression. But there are also those who would condemn the value of such expression, and to them, I say boo and go write another paragraph.

Hah wow same. I'm a black, bisexual woman raised poor by a disabled mom too. While things could have been a lot worse, my background has certainly colored my view on a lot of subjects.

And I definitely understand and sympathize with the intent behind racebending, and I appreciate that people are really trying. But sometimes it makes me want to throw my hands up and say "Let's make new characters, with new motivations and depth and personality, who may have a history in dealing with cultural issues and has the background to react to it, instead of just painting an existing character a darker shade of brown and calling it diversity."

PoC deserve better than that. Maybe it also unsettles me because the same can easily be done in reverse, and to very hurtful implications (pale Isabela anyone).

But it's probably mostly done for fun, and I'm overanalzying and projecting a level of cultural awareness on an activity that maybe doesn't need it. You're definitely right that things are changing positively, bit by bit, and racebending is a part of the results; it shows that people are trying their best to change the status quo in their own way. And I'm all for that regardless.

[MayriyaNoori]

I picture my Lavellan following the Keeper all day asking too many questions. And looking over at all the other youngsters getting ready to go out on hunts and stuff together while she sits trying to learn to read(and as a teenager sneaking off anyway). And finding literally any excuse possible to cast a spell.

 

Basically, Keeper Deshana in my world state had some serious headaches with this First.

[Uirebhiril]

Little Gryff whacking everything she can reach with her wooden sword.  Little Clariel chasing after birds.  What were your Lavellans like as little kids?

 

Probably much like she is as an adult - climbing everything and sliding down hills with no care or concern for personal safety regardless of how far the drop is on the other side. Though I sort of blame the game for that one, since it did nothing for my impatience of finding the right path up or down mountains and hills. The number of times I'd stop just short of going over a cliff was magic of its own sort, and I expect Lavellan gave her companions a heart attack or two for it. When it came to shard collecting at the Forbidden Oasis, I so want to headcanon they tied her up to a tree while they went to safely collect the shards.

 

They probably also thought she was nuts for sliding down a hill when they would walk down the proper path, two steps away from where I said "eff it all" and just took the short route.

[Ellawynn]

Wow ok, that nap took way longer than I thought it would hahaha. Had to catch up on some writing first, but I've got free time right now, finally. So, Looking Glass defense under spoiler tags.

 

Spoiler

From what I've read, the criticisms seem to boil down to three points:

 

1. Lavellan is behaving irrationally and hypocritically

 

2. Feynite's pulling the rest of the world down to shine the spotlight on Lavellan

 

3. Lavellan's magical abilities were achieved too quickly and are unbelievably OP

 

To which I say:

 

1. She is. And she acknowledges it. That's actually one of Lavellan's main inner conflicts in this story. She looks at this old world, with all its magic and splendor, and all she can see is her own world, destroyed just so this one could survive. So of course she's bitter about it. Of course everything she sees, even the wonderful things like the food and the library and the entirety of glorious Arlathan, that's going to be tinged with judgment and hate. I don't, really understand how you can think she's behaving irrationally. She's had her entire world destroyed. It would be perfectly understandable if she reacted by hating Elvhenan completely and sabotaging it, or abandoning it to its previous fate. Maybe if she lets the past run its course like it did before, her world has the chance of being restored again sometime in the future. It'd be despicable to do that, but hey, ****** for tat. But she doesn't abandon them. And not because she's afraid of Mythal's followers killing her if she flees, she doesn't really care what happens to her. Instead, the reason she doesn't leave is because she just thinks it's the right thing to do. Simple as that. She refuses to think the same way Solas did, that these aren't people the same way her people were, that it's alright for them to die just so her world has a chance of once again surviving. And I just can't see how that's anything but admirable.

 

2. Two things here:

 

i) Elvhenan really was twisted. It's the greatest empire Thedas has ever seen, founded during a time of war, ruled by immortal mage kings who considered themselves gods, and fueled by slavery.

 

ii) Since we're seeing this place through Lavellan's perspective, of course we're going to focus more on the shady sides of Arlathan instead of the shiny bits, and even the latter's going to be tinged grey. That's just the way perspective works, and as she's becoming more and more comfortable in this world, her perspective's also becoming kinder. Take the way her image of Mythal's temple has changed over the story. At first it was just this intimidating alien place where people kept peering at her like she was some insect. But after she came back from Arlathan, it's now a lot more homely. I'm sure we'll see a nuanced version of the rest of Elvhenan and the Dwarven lands soon.

 

3. Maybe? But she has a god's power beating inside of her chest, so it's not implausible. Just as her defeating Pride in a spar isn't implausible, since Solas himself says Elvhen looked down on contact fighting if you take up the KE specialization. But is it too contrived? It didn't come off like that to me because the explanations about how magic worked in this world were sound. And she may be special, but as Eivuwan said she defers to other people too, and she doesn't have an answer to every problem under the sun. She's still just making it up as she goes along, like everyone else, even if she is more knowledgeable and better equipped than most. Again, kind of like Solas.

 

Spoiler

I probably should make this clear here, bear in mind that I'm at the bottom of chapter six right now. When I first posted on this subject I think I was somewhere in the middle of chapter four (And the whole rant was started because Haninan just came in and I figured that - what with his popularity - he would be the first character to actually call Lavellan on her crap. Needless to say, when he turns out to just reinforce her beliefs, I was... a bit fed up). Just to give you an idea of where I am.

 

1. I acknowledged that a lot of Lavellan's bitterness came from the fact that she's comparing this world to the home that was sacrificed to achieve it, and of course she's going to find it lacking. But again, it doesn't do much to blunt how annoying she is to me. I perfectly understand her motivations and feelings - but they're still irrational. They're hypocritical and warped, and by definition, illogical. And it's not just towards the ancient elves, it's her attitude to Solas, too. How she accuses him of childishness and petulance when she's just as bad if not worse. (Something which has continued, by the way. She pulled that glitter trick on him again in the tavern, and I'm just sitting here like - "No Lavellan, it's not cute, it's not funny, you look like twice the child you accuse him of being.") Stuff like that.

 

And I haven't really seen her come to any epiphany of how she must save this future and the elves. For the most part, it's been mocking their culture as overwrought and useless and pining for home. Just recently in chapter six, she contemplated leaving Arlathan and abandoning them all to their fate because the Evanuris' discussion was taking too long - that doesn't sound like someone commited to saving them. 

 

 

2. Elvhenan did have it's darker aspects, and i'm glad Feynite's not shying away from them. But the way this story tells it, it has nothing but dark aspects. The people are jerks who don't see her as people. The architecture's overwrought and pointless and structurally unsound. They apparently don't even understand the concept of other languages? Like Lavellan literally has to explain to them that the dwarves just don't speak the same language as them - seriously? The elves never figured that out for themselves? The elves, who are immortal, and live in a society thousands of years old, that arose from warring tribes so they can't be unfamiliar with the idea of cultural diversity - they didn't even stop to think that the dwarves have some method of communication? That just strikes me as such an obvious attempt to play the elves off as superficial and self-obsessed so Lavellan can look better in comparison.

 

And even the undeniably good parts we see of Elvhenan - they can regrow limbs! They can construct organic automatons! They can build these marvels of engineering! Solas can fly goddamit! - are either completely ignored or somehow warped into being awful by Lavellan's perspective. Even the characters themselves, the only good ones - Curiosity, Compassion, Haninan - are the ones who don't challenge Lavellan on what she thinks. Solas - who you'd think would be the voice urging to see value in this world, just as she was for him in her's - does nothing to defend his home. He seems to only be counted among the good ones (And only tentatively) because he's coming around to her side. 

 

(And I'll admit, my view of LG is at least a little tainted by Dread Wolf's Heart, which had the same problem for me - to a smaller degree, yes, but with even less justification.)

 

3. This wasn't - I'm not actually that upset about this. It's a minor annoyance at best, and since it has yet to show up as regularly as my other criticisms, I don't... really care that much about it. I'm just surprised that an otherwise quite polished author managed to miss such a massive red flag.

[Sable Rhapsody]

PMed you the Google Doc link, threaddad.  For everyone else, here's the link to the gradschool AU.  Lemme know if you have any problems accessing the Google Doc.

 

I wasn't able to resist making minor editorial changes for clarity and grammar.

[Sable Rhapsody]

Probably much like she is as an adult - climbing everything and sliding down hills with no care or concern for personal safety regardless of how far the drop is on the other side. Though I sort of blame the game for that one, since it did nothing for my impatience of finding the right path up or down mountains and hills. The number of times I'd stop just short of going over a cliff was magic of its own sort, and I expect Lavellan gave her companions a heart attack or two for it. When it came to shard collecting at the Forbidden Oasis, I so want to headcanon they tied her up to a tree while they went to safely collect the shards.

 

They probably also thought she was nuts for sliding down a hill when they would walk down the proper path, two steps away from where I said "eff it all" and just took the short route.

 

Sera and my Lavellan had a habit of using Leaping Shot...and accidentally (or on purpose ) vaulting off a cliff.  No wonder Solas kept casting Barrier on Lavellan, even though she's an archer and miles from the fray.