Agreed. Nate Howe had a very devoted following here on the BSN, and yet here he is NOT appearing in DAI. So clearly fan-service isn't BioWare's primary concern. Loads of people wanted to see Sigrun or Shale back again as well, but they're not around (at least in any significant capacity) either. So perhaps, just perhaps, there have to be additional reasons beyond popularity for a character to return?
I'm not one of the people thinking it, but I have to post this. 
When you're a part of a system, it's not as easy as to stand up and change it. For example, a guard may find the condition of a prison to be despicable, but he wouldn't be able to change it even if he wants to. Changes only happen when the higher up screws up badly in which present an opportunity for either a revolt from the lower power or a takeover by someone of similar class, which was what happened when Meredith declared the annulment.
If he uses that excuse I will punch him in the face or at least be mean to him. There are tons of thing he could've done, contacting the seekers, grand cleric or divine(if grand cleric did nothing). He could've worked behind merediths back to spread his own influence within the tempalrs or confronted her directly or even joined with thrask. But instead he chooses to literally do nothing until well after the right of annulment is called.
If he uses that excuse I will punch him in the face or at least be mean to him. There are tons of thing he could've done, contacting the seekers, grand cleric or divine(if grand cleric did nothing). He could've worked behind merediths back to spread his own influence within the tempalrs or confronted her directly or even joined with thrask. But instead he chooses to literally do nothing until well after the right of annulment is called.
Read this, this is from David Gaider's blog
"I have seen both good and evil come from magic," Cullen stated, staring into the Inquisitor’s eyes. "There was a time I sympathized with mages. And there was a time I loathed them. In Kirkwall, I ignored rumors and my own instinct, foolishly thinking my cause was just, that my superior was above such influences."
"And what of the present?" The Inquisitor asked. "What do you have to say now?"
The templar chuckled, a sigh soon following. “Now… Now, I’m certain that I don’t know half as much as I did. Likely nothing at all.” He paused to smile. “Perhaps that’s progress in of itself.”
Accurate fan blurb is accurate.
Plus: Cullen revealed! Yay!
After his competences in kirkwall well lets say that i wouldn't put him even in rank of soldier but well fanservice.
I completely agree
he has not show any set of leadership skills required to lead an army
and being prompted to knight-captain was just so the "cullen fans" and have him in the game in a somewhat meaningful role in the game
If he uses that excuse I will punch him in the face or at least be mean to him. There are tons of thing he could've done, contacting the seekers, grand cleric or divine(if grand cleric did nothing). He could've worked behind merediths back to spread his own influence within the tempalrs or confronted her directly or even joined with thrask. But instead he chooses to literally do nothing until well after the right of annulment is called.
he only decides to stick up to Meredith to save his own neck
he only decides to stick up to Meredith to save his own neck
That is definitely a possibility. One I have considered.
Read this, this is from David Gaider's blog
Accurate fan blurb is accurate.
"I have seen both good and evil come from magic," Cullen stated, staring into the Inquisitor’s eyes. "There was a time I sympathized with mages. And there was a time I loathed them. In Kirkwall, I ignored rumors and my own instinct, foolishly thinking my cause was just, that my superior was above such influences."
"And what of the present?" The Inquisitor asked. "What do you have to say now?"
The templar chuckled, a sigh soon following. “Now… Now, I’m certain that I don’t know half as much as I did. Likely nothing at all.” He paused to smile. “Perhaps that’s progress in of itself.”
Plus: Cullen revealed! Yay!
Ya I saw that. It did make my approval of him go up. And I am finding myself wanting to see his story in dai. But it doesn't change what he does and doesn't do in Kirkwall and it wont change my hate for the person he is in da2. Though admitting he was wrong is a step in the right direction.
Consider that Cullen's fanbase wasn't tha big prior to DA2's release. Nathaniel or even Teagan had bigger fanbases.I completely agree
he has not show any set of leadership skills required to lead an army
and being prompted to knight-captain was just so the "cullen fans" and have him in the game in a somewhat meaningful role in the game
Generally I find that people who cry fan service often ignore the fact that Bioware is trying to tell a story here. Bringing characters forward and developing them over several volumes is a good way of keeping the audience interested. It also gives the writer people to focus on and leads to more complicated characters.
Honestly I found Cullen appearing in DA2 more of an unlikely event than him being in the Inquisition. I'm not saying he shouldn't have been in DA2 the explanation was enough but it involved a (sort of) retcon of his epilogue information, (apparently it was just hearsay). It was also a bit random and his role could have been played by any other Templar. This time he has a much better reason to be in the role he is in.
He was a Knight Captain and the one to take command from Meredith so naturally he would lead the Templars afterwards. They were always more or less in control of Kirkwall anyway so it would be up to him to restore order. Then Cassandra shows up and decides to recruit him.
He is a military adviser for the Inquisition not a general of some huge army, the Inquisition will arguably be more like the Templars anyway than like a regular army.
I think he makes perfect sense.
What worries me is that we are told here are you 3 advisers, you have zero agency about hiring and firing, you get these guys, zero choice. 2 I know already I am completely opposed to, and unlike companions where I can completely ignore them in camp until they leave at the worst case, Cullen is my military advisor, Lelianna is my 'political' advisor...and I want neither of them anywhere near me, but appear to be given no choice.
I mean it's not like Lelianna would take the mission that really needs doing: Assassinate the entire chantry hierarchy, finish the job Anders so gloriously started.
Inquisition is not about crushing the chantry. As stated prior, it may be best for you to step back and wait to see if the game is for you if at this point you're becoming reasonably convinced that we're forcing you to do things you don't want to do.
I understand, you don't like the chantry and you want to destroy it. That's not the focus of the game though. Sorry.
Lelianna is my 'political' advisor
No, she is your espionage/intelligence adviser. Scribbles is the political/economic adviser.
Inquisition is not about crushing the chantry. As stated prior, it may be best for you to step back and wait to see if the game is for you if at this point you're becoming reasonably convinced that we're forcing you to do things you don't want to do.
I understand, you don't like the chantry and you want to destroy it. That's not the focus of the game though. Sorry.
Obviously the game is about the demonic invasion and the Breach. However, I do hope that we do not have to play by any existing organization's rules or kowtow to them...
I would very much like to tell the Chantry to sod off and that the Inquisition will do things their own way, should the Chantry want to have a say, as well as limit their influence on Theodosian society.
Agreed. Nate Howe had a very devoted following here on the BSN, and yet here he is NOT appearing in DAI. So clearly fan-service isn't BioWare's primary concern. Loads of people wanted to see Sigrun or Shale back again as well, but they're not around (at least in any significant capacity) either. So perhaps, just perhaps, there have to be additional reasons beyond popularity for a character to return?
Obviously the game is about the demonic invasion and the Breach. However, I do hope that we do not have to play by any existing organization's rules or kowtow to them...
I would very much like to tell the Chantry to sod off and that the Inquisition will do things their own way, should the Chantry want to have a say, as well as limit their influence on Theodosian society.
Well thing is the "Chantry" as we know it , doesn't really exist anymore.
It's breaking apart , and I assume you have Chantry folk supporting Justinia point of view (need to reform) and others who don't.
Seems our Chantry members were supporting a bit of change.
But I don't think they'd support you if you try to hurt the faith as a whole.
Because a person like Cullen is not good leadership material. If they're retconned and rewritten his personality since DA2 I might reconsider, but that would still feel forced.
I'm allowed my assessment, and I stand by it. I don't see it changing without major changes to the character.
Oh you most definitely are allowed you opinion 
But I'd like to know why you think he isn't good leadership material? Is it because you think it's fanservice? Is he too pretty? Not enough scars?
What about his experience in dealing with tyranny and abominations? Or the strength of his will? Or the training he's received? Even if you didn't think he made a good leader in DAO or DA2, do you seriously think the events in both games haven't evolved his character (even though he's the epitome of character development) and personality? Even in the interview that was just posted, we learned that he's one of the people (along with Cassandra) that paved the way for the Inquisition. Why? Because he's a great leader. I firmly believe people tend to dislike him because they didn't care to truly know what was provided to the player. He was already a good leader in DA2-and I suspect he'll be a great asset as an adviser in Inquisition. A person doesn't live through hell twice and not come out with a good share of lessons learned, and the know-how needed to help lead something like the Inquisition.
Since Cullen will be the military advisor, will he tell us who became the Knight-Commander and Knight-Captain in Kirkwall? I would be curious about that.
Obviously the game is about the demonic invasion and the Breach. However, I do hope that we do not have to play by any existing organization's rules or kowtow to them...
I would very much like to tell the Chantry to sod off and that the Inquisition will do things their own way, should the Chantry want to have a say, as well as limit their influence on Theodosian society.
Originally they said we were forming the inquisition in opposition to the Chantry and they have stated that we don't have to support them.
Here is my take on it (which does involves some speculation.
The Inquisition wasn't originally part of the Chantry but they did eventually join with them creating the Seekers, Templar order and the circles. So now we know that reforming it was Justinia's idea, it was a sort of plan b. We also know that she ended up carrying out that plan as that is actually what Cassandra and Leliana were part of in DA2.
Now Justinia is head of the Chantry but she doesn't always seem to have the same views as the majority of the Chantry and she did allot of things secretly. So this group may not have actually been under her control officially.
Anyway it wont be officially or unofficially by the beginning of the game. Our PC has the ability to close veil tears and is also apparently seen as a sort of prophet of the maker (or something) by many. This is why we are the Inquisitor and it also means that we can't really be overthrown. The Inquisition needs our PC to close the tears and as it's figurehead so people like Cassandra, Leliana and Cullen will have to put up with our decisions or leave.
So I really don't think we will be forced to support the Chantry or do as they say.
Obviously the game is about the demonic invasion and the Breach. However, I do hope that we do not have to play by any existing organization's rules or kowtow to them...
I would very much like to tell the Chantry to sod off and that the Inquisition will do things their own way, should the Chantry want to have a say, as well as limit their influence on Theodosian society.
I seem to remember them saying we can tell the Chantry, or the Templars, or pretty much anyone to go away because we are the Inquisition and we will do it our way, and if they don't like it oh well.
Consider that Cullen's fanbase wasn't tha big prior to DA2's release. Nathaniel or even Teagan had bigger fanbases.
Both did get slight cameos in DA2 as well
Both did get slight cameos in DA2 as well
Only if you had certain flags trigger, Cullen was there no matter what
i think that it was a huge mistake to force DA players to have Cassandra and especially Cullen with Leliana as our companions and especially make them our advisors
i hope that we can execute or at least send them far far away
Not early on in the game, I guess. And I think it'll be very hard to make them leave.i think that it was a huge mistake to force DA players to have Cassandra and especially Cullen with Leliana as our companions and especially make them our advisors
i hope that we can execute or at least send them away
Not early on in the game, I guess. And I think it'll be very hard to make them leave.
after i know the news that we are not have "blood magic and consequences of being blood mage"
and that our "non-related to Orlais Chanty" Inquisition have mostly Orlais Chantry/Templars members and advisors(who are forced to us) as Cassandra, Lelianna and Cullen(want to execute all of those people who deserve it, especially Cullen)...and even Vivienne are pro-Chantry Cirle and represent Orlais empire what i wanted to destroy with their Orlais Chantry and Templars organisations
i do not believe that we have this options at all...we are forced to have them and we cant harm them because they are Gaider favorite characters especially Lelianna and Cullen
It'd be better to not expect to have the option.after i know the news that we are not have "blood magic and consequences of being blood mage"
and that our "non-related to Orlais Chanty" Inquisition have mostly Orlais Chantry/Templars members and advisors(who are forced to us) as Cassandra, Lelianna and Cullen(want to execute all of those people who deserve it)...and even Vivienne are pro-Chantry Cirle and represent Orlais empire what i wanted to destroy with their Orlais Chantry and Templars organisations
i do not believe that we have this options at all
He wouldn't got to where he is now without them. He got a few people swooning hence he was kept around for the purposes of Pandering. The devs can sugar coat it all they like. If Cullen didn't develop fans in Origins I can say without hesitation he wouldn't be in DA 2.
This is an unfalsifiable perspective of yours. If there's nothing that we can say or show to convince you otherwise, then you've painted yourself into an irrational (in the literal sense of the term, since your perspective is fundamentally unscientific) corner and as such it's not a particularly compelling position to have.
You're free to feel this. That doesn't make you correct.
This just makes me hate (the idea of) him that much more. 
*hahaha!* No really...
For the sake of the character, I hope he's well written, because if he sucks... *smh* Maker help you BioWare! *laughs*
Retour en haut