153431 réponses à ce sujet

[Ghost Gal]

You're wrong about Wynne's son - he's never part of Zathrian's clan.

 

I never said "Wynne's son," you did.  (I know others have already pointed out that Aneirin is her old elven apprentice, so I'll refrain.)

 

We actually don't know how the selection process for a First works - it could well be they have more than one mage at that point, and then the losers face exile.

 

Fair point.

 

In my defense, I only said DAO "doesn't mention an upper limit of mages" (which I still think applies), and I don't think they really implied the losers faced exile, so I still find the "all mages without Keeper in the title face exile" retcon in DAI a little hard to swallow.

 

(I was always under the impression that while only mages could become a Keeper, First, or Second, Dalish mages could be other things besides "Keeper/First/Second or banished." Maybe a healer, or learn to control their magic then get assigned to other tasks, etc. Shows what I know.)

 

But I think practically you're right that (like the whole bit about Tal-Vasoth) that was something of an ass-pull for Bioware to try and justify the Circles.

 

... Sorry for the delay, I just checked to see if the ground froze over.

 

You agreeing with me on anything is shocking enough, but conceding the three-mage rule is a "something of an ass-pull" retcon? You hate the Dalish. I thought you'd jump at the chance to condemn them on this.

[CapricornSun]

Art break.

 

Fen'Harel x Sylaise. Artist's headcanon that her Lavellan is a reincarnation of Sylaise so it's sort of Solavellan but not really? 

Spoiler

Source: http://solavellangar...avellan-but-its

 

 

Solavellan comic WIP.

Spoiler

Source: http://snidy.tumblr....olavellan-comic

 

 

Sketches of Solas and Lavellan kissing, and a sketch of Lavellan to fight art block.

Spoiler

Source: http://baroqueboudoi...ht-art-block-to

 

 

Solas with hair and bald Solas.

Spoiler

Source: http://curiousstrawb...-dread-wolf-the

 

[In Exile]

I never said "Wynne's son," you did.  (I know others have already pointed out that Aneirin is her old elven apprentice, so I'll refrain.)

 

I confused it, sure, but the point still stands. 

 

In my defense, I only said DAO "doesn't mention an upper limit of mages" (which I still think applies), and I don't think they really implied the losers faced exile, so I still find the "all mages without Keeper in the title face exile" retcon in DAI a little hard to swallow.

 

(I was always under the impression that while only mages could become a Keeper, First, or Second, Dalish mages could be other things besides "Keeper/First/Second or banished." Maybe a healer, or learn to control their magic then get assigned to other tasks, etc. Shows what I know.)

 

You agreeing with me on anything is shocking enough, but conceding the three-mage rule is a "something of an ass-pull" retcon? You hate the Dalish. I thought you'd jump at the chance to condemn them on this.

 

I'm of the view that there isn't anything in DA:O that implicitly contradicts the retcon in DA:I regarding the 3-mage rule, apart from the number of apprentices one needs to have a First, but that's more of a timing issue, and it can easily be hand-waved away with practicality and some creative definition. But I think it's clear proof that Bioware didn't come up with this "rule" at the time in DA:O.

 

I also happen to think it's entirely consistent with the views we see the Dalish express on magic to have such a rule, which is why I don't think the issue with it is how it retroactively affects the Dalish, but rather in how absurd and contrived it is to try and justify the need for templars. All of a sudden, a lot of cultures that did not seem to need templars - the Dalish chiefly - have equally awful systems to treat mages? And we're supposed to think that maybe the templars aren't so bad? Nonsense. 

 

Anyway, I don't hate the Dalish. I just think the Dalish represent a series of attitudes and views I find to be really awful. Since this is all off-topic, I've put it in a spoiler box. More generally, I think the Dalish culture really hurts the elves, who I feel strongly for as a downtrodden and exploited group.

 

Spoiler

They're racial essentialists, in that they've  essentially built-in some awful things IRL racists (of the white-supremacist variety) believe into their religion/culture (like the importance of racial purity, that Other™ races are disease carrying vermin, and that the dream society is one that is racially pure). And the worst part about all of it, to me, is that some people think this is defensible because the Dalish are right - there's something essentially elven that they do lose if they aren't racially pure. But the moral of all of that - the nugget position - is that IRL racists aren't wrong because their views are fundamentally morally repugnant, but because they're factually wrong. If we could somehow scientifically prove "whiteness" is a thing, then the KKK would suddenly have a point on this rationale, and that's awful enough to make me physically nauseous.

[Colonelkillabee]

Out of curiosity, do you think that Merrill would side with Solas ? Or would she oppose him ?

I think oppose him, especially if she romanced Hawke. He is Fen'harel after all.

[Elessara]

I confused it, sure, but the point still stands. 

 

 

I'm of the view that there isn't anything in DA:O that implicitly contradicts the retcon in DA:I regarding the 3-mage rule, apart from the number of apprentices one needs to have a First, but that's more of a timing issue, and it can easily be hand-waved away with practicality and some creative definition. But I think it's clear proof that Bioware didn't come up with this "rule" at the time in DA:O.

 

I also happen to think it's entirely consistent with the views we see the Dalish express on magic to have such a rule, which is why I don't think the issue with it is how it retroactively affects the Dalish, but rather in how absurd and contrived it is to try and justify the need for templars. All of a sudden, a lot of cultures that did not seem to need templars - the Dalish chiefly - have equally awful systems to treat mages? And we're supposed to think that maybe the templars aren't so bad? Nonsense. 

 

Anyway, I don't hate the Dalish. I just think the Dalish represent a series of attitudes and views I find to be really awful. Since this is all off-topic, I've put it in a spoiler box. More generally, I think the Dalish culture really hurts the elves, who I feel strongly for as a downtrodden and exploited group.

 

Spoiler

They're racial essentialists, in that they've  essentially built-in some awful things IRL racists (of the white-supremacist variety) believe into their religion/culture (like the importance of racial purity, that Other™ races are disease carrying vermin, and that the dream society is one that is racially pure). And the worst part about all of it, to me, is that some people think this is defensible because the Dalish are right - there's something essentially elven that they do lose if they aren't racially pure. But the moral of all of that - the nugget position - is that IRL racists aren't wrong because their views are fundamentally morally repugnant, but because they're factually wrong. If we could somehow scientifically prove "whiteness" is a thing, then the KKK would suddenly have a point on this rationale, and that's awful enough to make me physically nauseous.

 

The problem with the Dalish beliefs on elven racial purity isn't their view on intermarriage with humans as a human and elf pairing would only lead to more humans but in the attitude that some clans (not all obviously) have towards city elves.  There's a great deal of prejudice from some Dalish against city elves, where they don't even view the city elves as "real" elves.  Very similar to the attitude that Abelas expresses towards a Dalish Inquisitor.

[Colonelkillabee]

I wanna destroy her empire. I would enslave her elvhen so hard even her ancestors would feel it.

Feel the elven love and chilax bruh just admire the booty and let the anger flow from you...

[Elessara]

I think oppose him, especially if she romanced Hawke. He is Fen'harel after all.

 

I agree although not because Solas is Fen'Harel.  Merrill wants to help the elves but I don't believe she would go so far as to basically wipe out everyone that currently lives.  Help the elves?  Yes.  Kill everyone else to accomplish that?  Not so much.

[In Exile]

The problem with the Dalish beliefs on elven racial purity isn't their view on intermarriage with humans as a human and elf pairing would only lead to more humans but in the attitude that some clans (not all obviously) have towards city elves.  There's a great deal of prejudice from some Dalish against city elves, where they don't even view the city elves as "real" elves.  Very similar to the attitude that Abelas expresses towards a Dalish Inquisitor.

 

Re: the bold, again in spoilers since it's OT:

 

Spoiler

The bold is my point: that's just saying IRL white supremacists are right. They think that any non-white/white pairing will "dilute" the "white" race. If we say that the only reason this is objectionable is because they're wrong as a matter of fact, well, again, I find that completely repugnant.  

 

The Dalish view on CEs is something I have an issue with, and yes, it's a very ironically "Elvhen" view. It's why I find how Abelas and Solas react so hilariously ironic. 

[Elessara]

Re: the bold, again in spoilers since it's OT:

 

Spoiler

The bold is my point: that's just saying IRL white supremacists are right. They think that any non-white/white pairing will "dilute" the "white" race. If we say that the only reason this is objectionable is because they're wrong as a matter of fact, well, again, I find that completely repugnant.  

 

The Dalish view on CEs is something I have an issue with, and yes, it's a very ironically "Elvhen" view. It's why I find how Abelas and Solas react so hilariously ironic. 

 

Response to the spoiler:

 

Spoiler

 

Err ... whilst humans and elves can interbreed they ARE different races.  Humans of different skintones are NOT different races, they are the same race.  If elves interbreed with humans too much they DO run the risk of there being no more elves.  If humans of different skintones have children together their children will still be human.  These are distinct differences and no, pointing this out is most definitely NOT saying that white supremacists IRL are correct.  White supremacists are incorrect because they believe "white" is a separate and distinct race from "non-white" and that is utterly wrong.  However, in the DA world, "elf" is a separate and distinct race from "human".

 

And I'm also not saying this makes the prejudice against humans that some Dalish have correct or good.  It does not.  But if they want to keep the elven race in existence then elves (both city and Dalish) do need to limit intermarriage.  Because it's not simply dilution for the elves.  Any child of a human and elf pairing will be human.  Not half elf like in D&D but fully human.

 

[Qun00]

There is no doubt in my mind that the decision to have human x elf couples only produce human children was a simple matter of convenience.

Much easier than bothering with the design and animation for half-elves.

[Elessara]

There is no doubt in my mind that the decision to have human x elf couples only produce human children was a simple matter of convenience.

Much easier than bothering with the design and animation for half-elves.

 

And then people would want to play as half elves so they'd have to decide how tall the half elves would be which would probably be somewhere between elf and human so they'd have more animations to deal with between the PC and NPCs and more lines of dialogue referencing their half elfishness and what kind of background would they have (most likely would be a city elf/human pairing) ... etc.

 

That said, I'm actually not convinced that not allowing half elves to exist was purely a matter of convenience for the writers. 

[Illyria]

Out of curiosity, do you think that Merrill would side with Solas ? Or would she oppose him ?

 

I think she'd be interested in a world without the veil (because Merrill is all about reaching beyond the potential of magic) but she'd oppose his methods.

[Cute Nug]

I'm actually shocked. I've.... there are so few people that ever admit they're wrong on the internet.

 

The Dalish attitude toward mages is, to me, strange. I think they're very de-humanizing toward mages with the fact that they basically treat them like prized chattel - trading them around so that each Dalish group has their share. I find that to be very demeaning toward the inherent autonomy and personhood of a mage, even if notionally this is a privileged position. Throwing them away because they're inconvenient isn't exactly contrary to this attitude. 

 

I think what people struggle with re: the 3 mage rule is this idea that because the Dalish prize "mages", they have to value individual mages. But we see with Tevinter that this isn't true. 

 

I thought I was wrong once .... but I was mistaken.

[NightSymphony]

Art

 

May the Dread Wolf Take You

http://harbek.devian...e-You-601565020

 

A bunch of doodles

http://demdoodles.de...dumpp-602053083

[Addictress]

I think she'd be interested in a world without the veil (because Merrill is all about reaching beyond the potential of magic) but she'd oppose his methods.

What if friend'd Merrill, not remorseful in particular of her ways, ends up becoming bitter like Leliana, embracing her darker nature. Then she might listen to Fen'Harel.

[Qun00]

I thought I was wrong once .... but I was mistaken.

Dat reference isn't wasted on me, my friend.

[Xilizhra]

What if friend'd Merrill, not remorseful in particular of her ways, ends up becoming bitter like Leliana, embracing her darker nature. Then she might listen to Fen'Harel.

Wouldn't that imply that Merrill had a darker nature?

[Qun00]

Demonic deals are a tiny, tiny step into a darker side.

[Addictress]

Wouldn't that imply that Merrill had a darker nature?

Doesn't she?

 

*thinks*

 

*thinking....*

 

Well, hell, I didn't think Leliana had a darker nature any more than Merrill had at the end of Origins, and suddenly she's a bitter queen in Inquisition. They pulled that off somehow.

[Qun00]

I haven't unlocked much in the Keep, so I need to ask: What were the choices in DAI's default state? Well of Sorrows, ally/exile the GWs, Orlais, etc.

[AlleluiaElizabeth]

I haven't unlocked much in the Keep, so I need to ask: What were the choices in DAI's default state? Well of Sorrows, ally/exile the GWs, Orlais, etc.

Spoiler

Inquisitor - Female Rogue Trevelyan, No Specialization

Romance - None

Companions - Didn't recruit anyone that had to be recruited. Was not friends with Cass/Varric/Solas, nor completed their loyalty quests.

Advisors - Didn't help them out or even hear any of the advisor's problems. Basically never spoke to them outside the war room.

Keeps Captured - None.

Optional areas touched on - None.

Judgments & Chore Table - Untouched.

Wrath of Heaven - "refused to acknowledge being chosen for a purpose by Andraste". Basically, not faithful.

Completed In Hushed Whispers, Mages Allied

In Your Heart Shall Burn- Declared the Inquisition would stand for Order.

Here Lies the Abyss - Grey Wardens rebuilt. Hawke dead.

WEWH - Celene alive, rules alone. Florianne dead.

Nemesis - Samson's armor learned about (aka nemesis quest was done), but not actually affected in Temple of Mythal (aka did not use Dagna's rune).

Temple of Mythal - Inquisitor jumped down the hole and made enemies of the Sentinels. Morrigan drank the Well.

Divine - Cassandra

Descent & JoH - Quests not started.

Tresspasser - Bull betrayed the Inquisitor (which I assume means he just showed up as part of the Qunari forces and tried to kill her, since Bull was never actually recruited.), Inquisition kept as peace keeping force for Divine. Chose to stop Solas, not redeem.

[CapricornSun]

Art post.

 

'The End' by nipuni. Solas and a giant (and I mean GIANT) wolf. 

Spoiler

Source: http://nipuni.tumblr...ry-just-screams

 

 

'Let Them Come' by nanananananablr. 

Spoiler

Source: http://nanananananab...4/let-them-come

 

 

Sexy Solas...  (NSFW but he has fur just barely covering his privates.)

Spoiler

Source: http://amaryllislave...-one-sexysmutty

 

 

'The Good Dream.' Beautiful artwork of Solas carrying his baby.

Spoiler

Source: http://ryliesavage.t...llan-heartbreak

 

 

And sticker version. (Aaah! I want this!)

Spoiler

Source: http://ryliesavage.t...oday-on-some-ld

 

 

Solas, The Lone Wolf.

Spoiler

Source: http://vladimirka.tu...vladilu-finally

 

 

Fen'Harel, The Dread Wolf. (Very bloody version of the previous one.  )

Spoiler

Source: http://vladimirka.tu...nharel-blood-by

 

 

"What do I owe the pleasure?" Rival Solas. (Oooh!)

Spoiler

Source: http://louminx.tumbl...-pleasure-solas

 

 

SSJ Solas!

Spoiler

Source: http://vladimirka.tu...olas-transforms

 

 

Strong warrior!Lavellan carries her nerdy apostate hobo elf boyfriend!

Spoiler

Source: http://kireieleison....-handed-warrior

 

 

Some sad Solavellan from the angsty post-Trespasser Solavellan fic Between Then and Now. ;__;

Spoiler

Source: http://e-denoir.tumb...s-are-trembling

 

 

Dragon Age elf companions.

Spoiler

Source: http://kizzyfrizzy.t...-elf-companions

 

[Illyria]

What if friend'd Merrill, not remorseful in particular of her ways, ends up becoming bitter like Leliana, embracing her darker nature. Then she might listen to Fen'Harel.

 

That's a good point.  A friend!Merrill, totally embracing making the Mirror, her clan dead...

 

could be interesting.

 

But on the whole I think academically Merrill would find Solas fascinating (he's an ancient elf, frigging FEN'HAREL and wants to bring the world back to its natural state) but she'd completely be on the 'maybe you shouldn't destory the world' side.

 

(I'm working on an Inquisitor!Merrill AU.  I have lots of thoughts on this)

 

Wouldn't that imply that Merrill had a darker nature?

 

She's a blood mage, made deals with demons and would do anything to restore what her people have lost.

 

Yeah, she's got a dark side.

[S.W.]

[drops in like a bomb]

 

yo.

 

Illyria told me that 6k was soon so I thought I'd say hi. Also, because I miss you guys.

 

how's things?

 

 

Wouldn't that imply that Merrill had a darker nature?

 

Merrill made a deal with a demon in order to pursue blood magic and forbidden knowledge, knowing that it would potentially put herself and her clan at risk. She absolutely has a darker nature. Even if she doesn't know that much about human culture, she's not naive, and even if her approach is rather cheery, she's not always as such: we see her get snippy, we see her stand up for herself and her point of view, we see her when she's lonely and isolated, and we see her absolutely determined with pursuing her lost past. I think she definitely has the potential to become bitter and for her character development to mirror Leliana's.

[In Exile]

Merrill made a deal with a demon in order to pursue blood magic and forbidden knowledge, knowing that it would potentially put herself and her clan at risk. She absolutely has a darker nature. Even if she doesn't know that much about human culture, she's not naive, and even if her approach is rather cheery, she's not always as such: we see her get snippy, we see her stand up for herself and her point of view, we see her when she's lonely and isolated, and we see her absolutely determined with pursuing her lost past. I think she definitely has the potential to become bitter and for her character development to mirror Leliana's.

 

I don't think that's true. From what we see in DA2, Merrill clearly seems to think that by isolating herself, she's also isolated the clan from any risk. She's willing to sacrifice herself, but not others. I mean, there is an actually insanely dark culmination to her story but I don't think that's one the writers intentionally thought through (her end-game being to ask her lover to execute her in cold blood if she becomes an abomination).