I keep getting hit with the hellspiral. It's awful. Since yesterday after my dream and replay of the scenes.
Let me off
.
Just when you think you're out ...
I actually had the weirdest dream *after* seriously hellspiraling for a night. I dreamt Solas was really the McDonald's clown. His big plan is to fill the world with french fries.
I don't give my subconscious enough credit sometimes 
In DA: O, it was said that the Wardens could go up to thirty years before the Calling really started to take hold, but there was no guarantee that it would not start much sooner. I think people want their Warden to live forever, but I kind of think of the taint like cancer - sometimes it takes you right away, just like that, sometimes you linger for years.
As long as the devs want to keep writing in little side things for people who have Wardens that are still kicking, I think that's cool, but don't pretend that they can't go at any time. It kind of takes away from the horrific nature of what was done to them to become a Warden.
Hmm, well I guess that could be true. Maybe the looming shadow of the Calling is what made the Warden decide to hunt for a cure (at the worst possible point, but how were they to know Southern Thedas would go to sh*t as soon as they left? ). I wonder what will be done with the Warden in the future... they can't possibly still have her/him hunting for the cure, and if my Warden was searching for it she found it. The Warden gets sh*t done. So how will they sideline a cured exWarden? I hope they don't kill them 
I will cry like a small child.
I have no doubt that Sera would have been hated a lot more if she was a male. That cutesy, prankster, unintelligible rebel type works a lot better in DA because she's female. How often do you see a young male with that personality type in media for a mature audience? And when you do I can almost guarantee that the media is targeted at women and is probably Japanese (aka shoujo). Bratty females are often more tolerated than bratty males.
Solas I'm much more unsure about. Part of me thinks he'd have been well received as a female character, not if she Solas was bald though. Our society puts too much of a emphasis on female hair for that to go unnoticed. I might be a terrible person for saying so, but I think a lot of guys would be put off by a bald female character and wouldn't romance her simply for that reason. I think many women would be too, but from my experience the straight guys are a little more vocal on potential love interests looks than women are. I don't think she Solas would be hated more, but I doubt her romance would be as popular as he Solas's is.
It's interesting to think about how gender might effect our perception of characters.
I actually had the weirdest dream *after* seriously hellspiraling for a night. I dreamt Solas was really the McDonald's clown. His big plan is to fill the world with french fries.
Haha what.
Fen'donald?
Solas I'm much more unsure about. Part of me thinks he'd have been well received as a female character, not if she Solas was bald though. Our society puts too much of a emphasis on female hair for that to go unnoticed. I might be a terrible person for saying so, but I think a lot of guys would be put off by a bald female character and wouldn't romance her simply for that reason. I think many women would be too, but from my experience the straight guys are a little more vocal on potential love interests looks than women are. I don't think she Solas would be hated more, but I doubt her romance would be as popular as he Solas's is.
The men who romanced Jack in Mass Effect 2 would probably disagree. Though Jack was another character who also appeals to a lot of queer women, and she's straight. As far as characterization goes, I feel like Jack's story had some missed opportunity in it. You don't get the full story if not romancing her, which is fine, since some things are just for the closest person to you, but at some point, if you're female Shepard, she just kind of tells you to go away and that's it. No new dialogue. And despite the small role she has in ME3, I love what they did with Jack.
I think this franchise has done a great job at it. We have great female characters both on the side of the good guys and the bad guys.
For instance, I can't bring myself to hate Meredith. I don't see a woman that enjoys torturing people but someone who cares about protecting Kirkwall so much that she loses sight of everything else.
Catching up on the thread. I'd give you a like, but I'm out, so have a 
<snip>
If Cassandra had been available to female PCs, I don't think Solavellan hell would've happened for me.
Then it's a good thing she was straight Cee! If not you wouldn't be here to share in our misery discuss an share cookies with all of us!
I think this franchise has done a great job at it. We have great female characters both on the side of the good guys and the bad guys.
For instance, I can't bring myself to hate Meredith. I don't see a woman that enjoys torturing people but someone who cares about protecting Kirkwall so much that she loses sight of everything else.
The only reason I can't bring myself to hate Meredith is because she was guano crazy. The whole red lyrium was the root of all her evils thing always felt like a cop-out to me too. Her character would have had much more of an impact on me if she had committed those atrocities on her own merits and not just because of the red lyrium effecting her for the past couple of years. Can you imagine if you found out Howe had gone insane to do exposure to some evil artifact? How much would that have taken from his character?
And honestly I don't think DA has had that many compelling "bad guys" male or female. Inquisition showed us some buds of potential with Calpernia and Solas, but all the major baddies have been kind of forgettable in my opinion. Well the Architect was cool, I'll give them that 
I think MJ and I are the 'Cassandra's heterosexuality led us into the Solavellan hellspiral' team. 
Haha what.
Fen'donald?
I don't even know
I think gender is a factor for many more people than they think. Prejudice wouldn't be as damaging as it is if it were wholly conscious. Nobody (or very few, one assumes) wakes up each morning deciding to be unfair and bigoted. It's a blind spot for a lot of people. Intending to be unbiased doesn't mean you are - that's just being way over-optimistic about human nature
Definitely and it's largely a subconscious thing, even for the best of us.
And for the original image, obviously I don't know what the original poster was thinking when they made it, but it seems like they were leaning towards the assumption that the characters would be less liked as female and more liked as male. Something I highly doubt with Sera (and with a lot of other "cutesy" characters) because of her somewhat naive and immature personality. Prejudice effects everyone even if it is the most harmful and blatant against minorities.
The men who romanced Jack in Mass Effect 2 would probably disagree. Though Jack was another character who also appeals to a lot of queer women, and she's straight. As far as characterization goes, I feel like Jack's story had some missed opportunity in it. You don't get the full story if not romancing her, which is fine, since some things are just for the closest person to you, but at some point, if you're female Shepard, she just kind of tells you to go away and that's it. No new dialogue. And despite the small role she has in ME3, I love what they did with Jack.
I was making general assumptions 
although from what I've seen of Jack she seems to be the "rebellious spirit" type. I think deviant fashion is far more acceptable with that type of character. Do you think a bald female version of Solas would be a popular romance for males?
Maybe I'm just too cynical
Just when you think you're out ...
I actually had the weirdest dream *after* seriously hellspiraling for a night. I dreamt Solas was really the McDonald's clown. His big plan is to fill the world with french fries.
I don't give my subconscious enough credit sometimes
Haha what.
Fen'donald?
Someone should make this an AU fic.
Someone should make this an AU fic.
This is a scary thought.. .
Rebellious isn't necessarily the real story with Jack. She acted out but is also majorly just hurt and defensive. She has been abused - physically, sexually, psychologically - tortured, drugged, and treated terribly by everyone for her whole life since they abducted her to be a lab subject at 4. There's a lot to Jack though, and yeah, she has engaged in some criminal stuff and is very, very powerful. That much power, along with anger, anxieties, and such can be a lethal combo. In any case, a lot of what was done to her is just so horrible and could've maybe been handled better.
I think MJ and I are the 'Cassandra's heterosexuality led us into the Solavellan hellspiral' team.
Have you tried her romance as a male? I haven't made a male Inquisitor (I vastly prefer playing as a female) yet, but when I do he shall go to Cassandra
Rebellious isn't necessarily the real story with Jack. She acted out but is also majorly just hurt and defensive. She has been abused - physically, sexually, psychologically - tortured, drugged, and treated terribly by everyone for her whole life since they abducted her to be a lab subject at 4. There's a lot to Jack though, and yeah, she has engaged in some criminal stuff and is very, very powerful. That much power, along with anger, anxieties, and such can be a lethal combo. In any case, a lot of what was done to her is just so horrible and could've maybe been handled better.
You seem to like her a lot anyway. What do you think the devs messed up or missed out on with her character?
The only reason I can't bring myself to hate Meredith is because she was guano crazy. The whole red lyrium was the root of all her evils thing always felt like a cop-out to me too. Her character would have had much more of an impact on me if she had committed those atrocities on her own merits and not just because of the red lyrium effecting her for the past couple of years. And honestly I don't think DA has had that many compelling "bad guys" male or female. Inquisition showed us some buds of potential with Calpernia and Solas, but all the major baddies have been kind of forgettable in my opinion. Well the Architect was cool, I'll give them that
x 1000 agreed on Meredith. I was really disappointed that red lyrium had anything to do with her. To a lesser extent, I'm not happy about Justice inhabiting Anders for the same reason. But I think Bioware wanted to quite deliberately give plenty of ammunition to people arguing for both sides of the templar/mage issue. Having people mess up purely on their own merits tends to make that difficult But I do feel they err too much on the side of trying to make every side equally terrible sometimes. That whole Orsino thing at the end of DA2, for instance, was such a head-scratcher for me when it emerged. What?
I think I agree on the general lack of compelling baddies as well, but that's probably because those few I would class as full villains are much less interesting purely for that reason. I get much stronger negative reactions to characters who many wouldn't even consider villains - Anders for example. DA is full of morally ambiguous characters, and that is super compelling.
Personally, I don't think arch-villains are terribly important to me as a narrative device. I don't necessarily need a personalised villain. I love the Blight as a villain, for instance. And the Reapers. I find the whole struggle against overwhelming odds, as well as our own worse natures, much more compelling. I never needed Harbinger or TIM or the Architect to make things interesting for me, and in fact I never found them that interesting. I thought Flemeth would have made a great villain, because she seems like an amoral force of nature more than anything else. I can't hate her, but she definitely scares me.
I know right? I love the stuff she's expounding upon with the spirits. I kind of headcanoned some similar things, but I love reading about it in an actual story.
Edit: Top Solas
^That is a really cool image!
So I've avoided joining in on the Feynite hype since I'm all a wannabe hipster and reject the popular, but my goodness can they write! Looking Glass is such a page turner and they update it sooo quickly (while not being quick enough ). The world they built up and their original characters and representation of canon characters is spectacular!
I actually went and checked out her other fics and although it's popular I'm meh (it was still a good read though!) about the Dread Wolf's Heart... what I really like is their fic called The Damn Bagel Fic and Bagel Bites (read in that order) it is positively ridiculous while simultaneously being tear inducing hilarious and the fics greatness is definitely in large part do to their Lavellan. The character is wonderful on the same level as humorous Hawke, but even more ridiculously dramatic. If you're feeling down I definitely recommend those!
Sidenote: What is it with the Solas fandom and baked goods?
Also I recommend The Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center by Feynite and if you guys missed this spin-off (is that the right word for it?) chapter of Looking Glass called Little Sacrifices which is terrible in a wonderfully written way.
Okay I'm done obsessing over Feynite. I've actually been reading a lot of new DA fics lately. People put so much effort into their writing *-* you're all so wonderful!
Re: Feynite, it seems that she might be taking a break for a while. 
http://feynites.tumb...i-need-to#notes
Have you tried her romance as a male? I haven't made a male Inquisitor (I vastly prefer playing as a female) yet, but when I do he shall go to Cassandra
Yes, Cassandra made me make my first ever male PC in a game where I have a choice. She's just a wonderful character. He's a little on hold since I need to get his sliders and then reroll since i forgot to change the world state. I want Warden Alistair this time and to change a few other choices for an alt experience.
You seem to like her a lot anyway. What do you think the devs messed up or missed out on with her character?
Re: Feynite, it seems that she might be taking a break for a while.
http://feynites.tumb...i-need-to#notes
Spoiler
Ugh, people sometimes. If you dislike something so much, unfollow, stop reading, etc. Just move on with your life, don't be mean to other people.
Her fics haven't seemed like my thing, so I haven't read any, but a lot like them. Criticize, sure, but be civil about it.
Hopefully it gives her time to feel better.
Ugh, people sometimes. If you dislike something so much, unfollow, stop reading, etc. Just move on with your life, don't be mean to other people.
Her fics haven't seemed like my thing, so I haven't read any, but a lot like them. Criticize, sure, but be civil about it.
Hopefully it gives her time to feel better.
I know right?
There's actually a fic out there with that premise - Solas loses a bet and has to kiss all of the inner circle: http://archiveofouro...apters/11654830
It's well-written but it hits my embarrassment squick too hard for me to read.
Thank you so much for pointing me in this direction I'm two chapters in and I love it XD
Also this thread sure moves fast, doesn't o.o
x 1000 agreed on Meredith. I was really disappointed that red lyrium had anything to do with her. To a lesser extent, I'm not happy about Justice inhabiting Anders for the same reason. But I think Bioware wanted to quite deliberately give plenty of ammunition to people arguing for both sides of the templar/mage issue. Having people mess up purely on their own merits tends to make that difficult
I think I agree on the general lack of compelling baddies as well, but that's probably because those few I would class as full villains are much less interesting purely for that reason. I get much stronger negative reactions to characters who many wouldn't even consider villains - Anders for example. DA is full of morally ambiguous characters, and that is super compelling.
Personally, I don't think arch-villains are terribly important to me as a narrative device. I don't necessarily need a personalised villain. I love the Blight as a villain, for instance. And the Reapers. I find the whole struggle against overwhelming odds, as well as our own worse natures, much more compelling. I never needed Harbinger or TIM or the Architect to make things interesting for me, and in fact I never found them that interesting. I thought Flemeth would have made a great villain, because she seems like an amoral force of nature more than anything else. I can't hate her, but she definitely scares me.
Yeah! Orsino's ending made no sense for a pro mage Hawke! You're spot on with saying that they tried too hard to be equal. And even after all that I still don't hesitate to choose the mages!
I agree about Anders and Justice too and I hate when Justice is used as an excuse for Anders's actions. I think it's much more interesting storywise if Justice and Anders both twisted each other and then equally made that decision or if Anders was influenced by Vengeance, but not forced. That takes away from the severity of Anders's decision and it doesn't do his character justice (haha.).
Morally ambigious characters seem to be a speciality of BioWare's 
I love them! It's hard to even think of Solas as a villain... at least not yet. We'll see how far he's crossed the line in the next game!
I love a well written and memorable villain, but I agree that they aren't super necessary for a story, I just think they add a lot. I was watching Honest Trailer's Avengers: Age of Ultron and it went through the Marvel villains and how most of them are subpar. That doesn't make the movies bad though, a lot of them are great movies even with less than great villains.
I hope Flemeth shows back up again and is working against both Solas and our goals!
Rebellious isn't necessarily the real story with Jack. She acted out but is also majorly just hurt and defensive. She has been abused - physically, sexually, psychologically - tortured, drugged, and treated terribly by everyone for her whole life since they abducted her to be a lab subject at 4. There's a lot to Jack though, and yeah, she has engaged in some criminal stuff and is very, very powerful. That much power, along with anger, anxieties, and such can be a lethal combo. In any case, a lot of what was done to her is just so horrible and could've maybe been handled better.
Jack is a character with a really fascinating premise who I thought was handled clumsily and almost exploitatively at first. If they'd given her a better treatment I think she would've been a character very dear to my heart, but as she is, I find her disturbingly cartoonish. I honestly think that the way she's written, most players would never have let her on their ship if she was male. It feels like the whole 'super-biotic psycho terrorist' angle wasn't taken seriously enough by the writers - because she's a young woman. At the same time, much of her personality feels designed to titillate rather than to evoke real sympathy or serious thought about what she's been through. Not cool.
Re: Feynite, it seems that she might be taking a break for a while.
http://feynites.tumb...i-need-to#notes
Spoiler
I know right?
Spoiler
Uh, people. Why must people do a**holey things? Criticism is criticism and should be expected if you're sharing your work, but needless insulting and making plain stupid comments... er, people peeve me off.
Yes, Cassandra made me make my first ever male PC in a game where I have a choice. She's just a wonderful character. He's a little on hold since I need to get his sliders and then reroll since i forgot to change the world state. I want Warden Alistair this time and to change a few other choices for an alt experience.
Spoiler
Ah, I see. That would rub me the wrong way too. I understand the romances are there to really get in depth with a character, but it shouldn't come out like you were meant to romance the person.
Your protagonist is always playing therapist and helping people overcome their past traumas. It sounds like it fits, and it sounds like a cute scene
Jack is a character with a really fascinating premise who I thought was handled clumsily and almost exploitatively at first. If they'd given her a better treatment I think she would've been a character very dear to my heart, but as she is, I find her disturbingly cartoonish. I honestly think that the way she's written, most players would never have let her on their ship if she was male. It feels like the whole 'super-biotic psycho terrorist' angle wasn't taken seriously enough by the writers - because she's a young woman. At the same time, much of her personality feels designed to titillate rather than to evoke real sympathy or serious thought about what she's been through. Not cool.
That's another aspect where I agree. I think it gets better over time though, but still has issues in her portrayal. The fact she's super powerful and has that reputation and is a woman was supposed to be this surprising thing due to intended assumptions. Certain aspects I can buy as being mmore defensive in nature and thus reaching out externally. But I think they could've done a better job overall.
Retour en haut
) promiscuity. I remember some of the comments that people made about Isabela...
)
