It only became a desert after the second Blight, because it killed everything.
I think he traveled there after he woke up.
The place was Blighted seemingly beyond recovery, but I don't think it just turned into a desert after that. It seemed to be either a natural process or something that has happened way earlier.
The place was Blighted seemingly beyond recovery, but I don't think it just turned into a desert after that. It seemed to be either a natural process or something that has happened way earlier.
IIRC they state explicitly that the place turned into a desert after the Second Blight. Sorry that I don't have the time to look for that reference.
Maybe you're both right. It could have been a desert 5000 years ago, when Solas got stuck out there for whatever reason, and then later there was an environmental shift due to magic or natural forces. Maybe the Veil changed the landscape utterly there into a greener place, but then the 2nd Blight rolls around and all the death and destruction reverted it to desert...
Damn it, all of these comments
I need to take notes and probably, finally do comedy barf #2.
To be fair, he is just too dreamy in that armor. I cannot help it.
Anyway, if you look at the picture, the golden part around the legs has clips it seems. So I think he just puts on the normal chainmail leggins that are under it, and then clips the golden pieces together for extra padding and protection sexyness 
I just love when I'm in the middle of fighting a dragon and the power goes out. 
Either Solas uses magic to get into that armor or he's just wearing shiny golden leggings with faces..
(either way, I approve!)
SpoilerSpoiler
The password for that armor is June Enansal.
Yep.
Don't ask how I know.
I guess what irks me is this attitude that people would totally romance him if he LOOKED a certain way; never mind his personality, intelligence, and interesting backstory.
I know that feeling. I get a bit annoyed whenever someone says they'd romance Solas if he just had hair but then I remember that I'm not really one to talk - like, I just can't get past Blackwall's beard. I can't. Maybe if his character resonated with me more, but not as he is. It's not that I dislike all facial hair - I can appreciate a trim goatee (Like, damn, Hanzo from Overwatch pulls it off pretty well, and I may or may not occasionally use Adam Jensen's face as my desktop background.) but that lumberjack beard is just... I can't. I want to. But I can't.
I also have a hard time really appreciating Solas art that gives him dreadlocks. I like the whole... side-cut ponytail hairstyle, but dreadlocks are just a huge turn off for me. So it'd be rather hypocritical of me to fault people who feel the exact opposite.
*Snip*
I can't really speak to his logic because... well, it's his logic, but I think his reasoning was less "The Inquisitor's dealt with no hardship or true obstacles up to this point" and more "their victory would've been 'free,' since they lost nothing they could not eventually get back."
I think he was thinking along the lines of Earn Your Happy Ending (Which admittedly is a pretty poorly defined trope), that without Trespasser, victory would've come with little cost, since no real sacrifice is ever made or asked of the Inquisitor (Compare to the Warden, who has to make the choice with the archdemon, and Hawke who... well, Hawke.) Like, the only real sacrifice you make is in the Fade, and really, that's a sacrifice being asked of the player - the Inquisitor has no real stake in these people, not to the degree that the player does. Even Haven, devastating as it was, only targeted nameless NPCs, minor side-characters, and that one Chantry guy who's job for most of the story was to just be an jerk. To him, that sort of... cheapened the victory, I guess? I dunno, I think that was his reasoning, but I could have misinterpreted. *Shrug* Still, I agree that it's particularly bad for Lavellans though, even if you don't romance Solas. Temple of Mythal definitely would've been a punch to the gut.
Plus, I'd like Solas to get something right for a change
I'm pretty sure Mythal's aware of and encouraging Solas' plan, but I don't think she's fabricating information and directly manipulating him into doing it. Just... being opportunistic. She may be using him, but I think he decided on this course of action all on his own. (After all, he didn't even know she was alive until the Temple, but he's been on this path since he woke up.) Not to mention... can't Flemythal make that whole "Reckoning that shakes the heavens" motive rant while Solas is in your party? Standing right behind you? Probably paying attention to the elven goddess making vague but ominous declarations of change? So... he's probably aware that she's got plans of her own, and assuming he's not in on them, he's probably at least looking out for it.
I do agree that they're going to have to give him some major victory or two if they want the player to take him seriously (Both as a genuine threat and as a competent character.) But, seeing as how they acknowledged that as an issue with Corypheus, they'll probably be sure to not let it happen with Solas.
The password for that armor is June Enansal.
Yep.
Don't ask how I know.
June. Mythal's personal designer was a double agent for June.
I blame you, June.
Not for the pelts, though. Solas only has himself to blame for crotch fur.
June. Mythal's personal designer was a double agent for June.
I blame you, June.
Not for the pelts, though. Solas only has himself to blame for crotch fur.
btw, I just read your new chapter and I love it.
Your Felessan is delightful.
btw, I just read your new chapter and I love it.
Your Felessan is delightful.
Awww, thanks! 
He's so much fun to write!
IIRC they state explicitly that the place turned into a desert after the Second Blight. Sorry that I don't have the time to look for that reference.
There was a banter of Cole's that said the place used to be covered with trees. I imagine the blight had a lot to do with the death of the area, the second Blight was around 800 years before Inquisition.
Okay found the Western Approach Wiki
This area was the site of a major battle during the Second Blight. The darkspawn swarmed out of the great chasm to the south named the Abyssal Rift and corrupted the land beyond recovery. Now it is a stark and sad place with unstable purple sands, occasional rocky pillars and ridges jutting out of them and strong howling winds. At night the air grows still and the sky is alight with shimmering auroras, but this is also the time when the darkspawn come out of hiding.
I think it's reasonable to think Solas was there in his year before joining the Inquisition.
So, this banter just came up on my tumblr dash from dai-banter:
This is basically what Solas thinks is going to happen if the Veil is removed, I think - that people would have zero control over their magic/emotions/whatever once they had access to it again, because of spiritual atrophy. I realize that this pretty much already known, it just struck me as one of those moments where you know she's talking about one thing and he's talking about it on multiple levels.
There was a banter of Cole's that said the place used to be covered with trees. I imagine the blight had a lot to do with the death of the area, the second Blight was around 800 years before Inquisition.
Okay found the Western Approach Wiki
I think it's reasonable to think Solas was there in his year before joining the Inquisition.
There's also the official codex entry on the Western Approach. That's the source I couldn't look for earlier. It specifically says the place turned into a desert 800 years ago during the Second Blight.
Yes, channel despair to the thighs and crotch area.
..
There was a banter of Cole's that said the place used to be covered with trees.
I want to see this! I found he said in the Emerald Graves, "I like trees. Trees don't hurt people". Blessed cinnamon roll.
He also says in the Western Approach, "The song never sang for them. They were lucky." My bet is that Razikale is down there, since she went silent.
So, this banter just came up on my tumblr dash from dai-banter:
- (Following "Promise of Destruction")
- Cassandra:Solas, I assume you know it's possible to reverse the Rite of Tranquility.
- Solas:I did hear of what you learned, yes.
- Cassandra:I know of only one mage thus cured, and... he had no control of his emotions. He was distraught.
- Cassandra:Do you think that would have passed? If the Tranquil are cured only to end up thus...
- Solas:They would be a danger to themselves and others, yes.
- Solas:It is difficult to say. In your Vigil, you were Tranquil for but a moment. They have suffered much longer.
- Solas:Such control is like a muscle, atrophying without use. Given time it might be restored, but until then...
- Cassandra:That may be a risk we are obligated to undertake.
- Solas:They will be grateful...even the ones who do not survive.
This is basically what Solas thinks is going to happen if the Veil is removed, I think - that people would have zero control over their magic/emotions/whatever once they had access to it again, because of spiritual atrophy. I realize that this pretty much already known, it just struck me as one of those moments where you know she's talking about one thing and he's talking about it on multiple levels.
I think this might be something... Remember, Solas is 'grim and fatalistic' and he doesn't believe in people of modern Thedas. They're like tranquil to him. He probably believes that most of them will not survive removing the Veil, and those that survive would have trouble accomodating to that.
But he might be wrong there or...not entirely right. Maybe this is what we need to show him? Convince him that people of Thedas are stronger than he thinks. The Inquisitor already surprised him. The more people we can convince that the world could work without the Veil, the more can survive that.
I know that feeling. I get a bit annoyed whenever someone says they'd romance Solas if he just had hair but then I remember that I'm not really one to talk - like, I just can't get past Blackwall's beard. I can't. Maybe if his character resonated with me more, but not as he is. It's not that I dislike all facial hair - I can appreciate a trim goatee (Like, damn, Hanzo from Overwatch pulls it off pretty well, and I may or may not occasionally use Adam Jensen's face as my desktop background.) but that lumberjack beard is just... I can't. I want to. But I can't.
I also have a hard time really appreciating Solas art that gives him dreadlocks. I like the whole... side-cut ponytail hairstyle, but dreadlocks are just a huge turn off for me. So it'd be rather hypocritical of me to fault people who feel the exact opposite.
I want to see this! I found he said in the Emerald Graves, "I like trees. Trees don't hurt people". Blessed cinnamon roll.
Here are all the location comments. Western Approach is at 26:02
Edit: Ooops, there's more maps in a second video.
Lol. I would concur, but I'd be a hypocrite, too, because I don't romance Blackwall because of his beard. Plus, he looks old enough to be my dad. So like... I've a mod that removes his beard and he looks pretty good like that. Still too old, though, so no romance.
Well, technically...
But, yeah, I get what you mean.
Well, technically...
But, yeah, I get what you mean.
Considering that....well nvm 
I'm pretty sure Mythal's aware of and encouraging Solas' plan, but I don't think she's fabricating information and directly manipulating him into doing it. Just... being opportunistic. She may be using him, but I think he decided on this course of action all on his own. (After all, he didn't even know she was alive until the Temple, but he's been on this path since he woke up.) Not to mention... can't Flemythal make that whole "Reckoning that shakes the heavens" motive rant while Solas is in your party? Standing right behind you? Probably paying attention to the elven goddess making vague but ominous declarations of change? So... he's probably aware that she's got plans of her own, and assuming he's not in on them, he's probably at least looking out for it.
This part ... I'm not sure if Flemeth says that when you have a party around you? The saves I've used have had Kieran so I usually see Flemeth in the Fade during that part. Does she say the same thing in a playthrough without Kieran?
As far as Solas is concerned, I actually grew fond of him after getting to know him. Wasn't a fan of the bald look, but came to find it attractive cause I liked him. Is that weird? To suddenly find something attractive that you never thought was attractive before just because it's a trait of the character you're romancing?
Nope, perfectly normal! That's something that happens IRL too. My boyfriend's losing his hair pretty young; it happens to most of the guys in his family. And before we started dating I wouldn't have found that attractive, but because it's him, and I love him, it's endearing 
Nope, perfectly normal! That's something that happens IRL too. My boyfriend's losing his hair pretty young; it happens to most of the guys in his family. And before we started dating I wouldn't have found that attractive, but because it's him, and I love him, it's endearing
Oh yeah. Same for my husband who's also going bald pretty early.
Edit: Of all the posts that could be TOP Have delightfully smirking Solas. http://solas-sahlin.tumblr.com/
Here are all the location comments. Western Approach is at 26:02
Spoiler
Edit: Ooops, there's more maps in a second video.
Spoiler
I listened to Cole's parts but heard nothing about trees.
I listened to Cole's parts but heard nothing about trees.
No idea. I just dug out the comments but I don't know when and where he says the tree thing.
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