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[Ieldra]

In the DAI presentation at GamesCom, a soldier calls the Inquisitor "Herald of Andraste". Furthermore, in the trailer we see the Inquisitor touching hands with a Fade spirit which can conceivably be seen as Andraste, in a manner altogether too reminiscent of the scene "The Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo.

I am...worried. Yet again it appears one my protagonists is doomed to be associated with religious themes, and I wonder if in-world, we'll be able to disassociate ourselves in a mature manner. Of course you have little control over how you're perceived by the world, but I don't want to end up supporting the Chantry, I wish to be able to make my stance unmistakably clear, and do so without being overly rude or having to engage in acts of senseless cruelty. There have been some discussions of unintentional messages sent by games lately, and I do not wish this game to send the message "If you're not religious, maybe you're not evil, but you're at least an ass".

This plays right into what I've been concerned about ever since the title "Dragon Age: Inquisition" was revealed, and Bioware representatives saying we don't have to support the Chantry sound suspiciously like those who said we could roleplay against the Alliance in ME3. We all know how that turned out.

[EmperorSahlertz]

Being associated with Andraste does not neccesarily mean you support the Chantry. Actually you could become the greatest enemy of the Chantry with a title such as "Herald of Andraste".

[Jazzpha]

Being associated with Andraste does not neccesarily mean you support the Chantry. Actually you could become the greatest enemy of the Chantry with a title such as "Herald of Andraste".

Yup. The progenitor of a religion and the religion they created are not equivalent, because practitioners of faith act as interpreters and things get muddy.

[katerinafm]

They've said before that while others might want to make you Dragon Age jesus, you'll have the option to encourage that or tell them they're insane, basically.

[jlb524]

I think calling yourself that and claiming Andraste touched you in the Fade really goes against Chantry teachings since Andraste is supposed to be somewhere beyond the Fade at the Maker's side.

[SardaukarElite]

We know the Inquisitor is often referred to as 'Inquisitor' or 'Eminence', which fills the role of name for variable name protagonist. So I'm wondering whether this is actually a changeable title. If you do some plot thing, people call you Herald of Andraste, other plot thing you get called Dragon Wrangler, or whatever.

 

Or it might be a thing you get called, and you can complain about it but not stop them, because resources.

[Ieldra]

Being associated with Andraste does not neccesarily mean you support the Chantry. Actually you could become the greatest enemy of the Chantry with a title such as "Herald of Andraste".

Of course. The question is will the game let me play that way?

Will it let me, for instance, play up the angle "If Andraste chose me, she's chosen a mage, and one who isn't averse to using her own blood to power her magic. What does that tell you?"

Being perceived as a religious figure is something my main Inquisitor would resent. Were I writing this story, I would use that to give her personality more focus and her story a personal conflict beyond the main plot. Will DAI give me that opportunity?

[ManOfSteel]

We know the Inquisitor is often referred to as 'Inquisitor' or 'Eminence', which fills the role of name for variable name protagonist. So I'm wondering whether this is actually a changeable title. If you do some plot thing, people call you Herald of Andraste, other plot thing you get called Dragon Wrangler, or whatever.
 
Or it might be a thing you get called, and you can complain about it but not stop them, because resources.

I can imagine the Inquisitor would get called different things by different people. I could easily see the Inquisition's soldiers referring to you as Inquisitor, Lord/Lady, Eminence and Herald (of Andraste).

[CrazyGobstopper]

Of course. The question is will the game let me play that way?

Will it let me, for instance, play up the angle "If Andraste chose me, she's chosen a mage, and one who isn't averse to using her own blood to power her magic. What does that tell you?"

No, because blood magic won't be a specialization option for mages.

[Mistic]

As EmperorSahlertz said, being associated with Andraste isn't the same as working for the Chantry. I mean, there are other organizations in Thedas that are associated with Andraste, yet not part of the Chantry (from the Imperial Chantry to the now rebel Templars and Seekers).

 

I'm pretty sure we won't work for them, in the sense of having the Chantry as our boss. I mean, an image from the game not long ago with an elven Inquisitor had one character questioning the Inquisition precisely because they weren't Chantry:

 

Spoiler

 

However, another thing is how others perceive your actions. If your followers think you're Andraste's chosen hero, I don't think there's much that can be done to make them think otherwise. The same if the Chantry uses that story to say "See? The Maker helps us!". I mean, don't people wonder how the Chantry justifies the Grey Wardens, an order that admits pagans and blood mages among their ranks and whose rights overwrite the Chantry's? According to World of Thedas, the Chantry says that the Maker "smiles sadly on His Grey Wardens" because no sacrifice is greater than theirs. So there you are, the Chantry will look for an explanation to tell your tale while at the same time making you a paragon of Andrastianism, like it or not.

 

I think calling yourself that and claiming Andraste touched you in the Fade really goes against Chantry teachings since Andraste is supposed to be somewhere beyond the Fade at the Maker's side.

 

Only if you are claiming that. That figure in the trailer is probably a powerful spirit, not Andraste. The "Herald of Andraste" title could be what your Andrastian soldiers call you, because they would think "that's too much coincidence; Andraste must have arrenged things so Thedas has a superhero when it needs him/her most!". The end of the Fifht Blight was justified as the Maker's will by Elthina in DA2, after all, without the Warden claiming to be anything.

[SardaukarElite]

I can imagine the Inquisitor would get called different things by different people. I could easily see the Inquisition's soldiers referring to you as Inquisitor, Lord/Lady, Eminence and Herald (of Andraste).

 

Indeed, and I can see why falling out of the sky and going on a quest to save the world could lead to people thinking you're sent by the Maker. But for all we know this Inquisitor could be a reaver and Andraste is another High Dragon.

 

----

 

Being made a messiah could be a really interesting plot arc, if there was enough agency in the character's response.

[Wulfram]

Only the true Herald would deny their divinity!

[LobselVith8]

In the DAI presentation at GamesCom, a soldier calls the Inquisitor "Herald of Andraste". Furthermore, in the trailer we see the Inquisitor touching hands with a Fade spirit which can conceivably be seen as Andraste, in a manner altogether too reminiscent of the scene "The Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo.

I am...worried. Yet again it appears one my protagonists is doomed to be associated with religious themes, and I wonder if in-world, we'll be able to disassociate ourselves in a mature manner. Of course you have little control over how you're perceived by the world, but I don't want to end up supporting the Chantry, I wish to be able to make my stance unmistakably clear, and do so without being overly rude or having to engage in acts of senseless cruelty. There have been some discussions of unintentional messages sent by games lately, and I do not wish this game to send the message "If you're not religious, maybe you're not evil, but you're at least an ass".

 

I'm hoping that the protagonist will be able to disassociate himself from the Andrastian faith. It would be realistic that a Dalish elf who follows the Creators or a Vashoth who might be atheist may not want to be seen as part of the religion espoused by the Chantry. Hopefully, the dialogue options won't be slanted against players who aren't interested in serving as part of the Chantry faith.

 

This plays right into what I've been concerned about ever since the title "Dragon Age: Inquisition" was revealed, and Bioware representatives saying we don't have to support the Chantry sound suspiciously like those who said we could roleplay against the Alliance in ME3. We all know how that turned out.

 

Given how most of the Inquisition itself are basically former members of the Chantry (specifically it's militant arm), others have the same concern about how much agency the protagonist will actually have. I'd prefer to avoid another Hawke incident, where I end up playing as a character who is mostly defined by the developers, rather than myself.

[EmperorSahlertz]

Of course. The question is will the game let me play that way?

Will it let me, for instance, play up the angle "If Andraste chose me, she's chosen a mage, and one who isn't averse to using her own blood to power her magic. What does that tell you?"

Being perceived as a religious figure is something my main Inquisitor would resent. Were I writing this story, I would use that to give her personality more focus and her story a personal conflict beyond the main plot. Will DAI give me that opportunity?

That's an easy answer, since you cannot become Blood Mage: No, it won't.

 

And no, the game will NOT let you tailor your character to your exact specifications. If you want that sort of freedom play pen and paper RPGs, where you are your own master. Computer RPGs are on a budget and will have to limit the possibilities of the player, to enhance the story coherency.

[Ieldra]

However, another thing is how others perceive your actions. If your followers think you're Andraste's chosen hero, I don't think there's much that can be done to make them think otherwise. The same if the Chantry uses that story to say "See? The Maker helps us!".

I know that. That's why I didn't say I want to disassociate myself *successfully* in others' eyes, only that I want to make my stance unmistakably clear without having to be an ass about it. If I'm fated to be perceived as a religious figure, at least let me make every attempt to discourage people, so that I won't feel the story attempts to make me complicit in turning my character into someone I don't like. Yeah, I recall ME3 not too fondly in that regard.

[Ieldra]

Being made a messiah could be a really interesting plot arc, if there was enough agency in the character's response.

Indeed. Player agency is the main issue here.

[Reznore57]

We knew some people would see you as the "Maker chosen".

That's also why you lead the Inquisition , because you're a beacon of hope and faith.

In theory you can roleplay against that.

 

I hope so because my Dalish would roll his eyes so much at the "Herault of Andraste" stuff ,his eyes would fall out of their sockets.

 

I think it's fair enough for an Inquisitor to says "Hell , no...I don't believe in this.Don't call me that."

But most humans in Thedas believe in Andraste and the Maker , unless they hate the Inquisitor for X reasons (races etc..) , people are going to see a miracle in this.

And to be honest , during those dire times , when everyone is afraid and fighting each others....I'm not sure it's the right moment to spit on people's faith.

And nobody is going to believe the Inquisitor if he/she goes there is no Maker.

 

Faith is a powerful thing in itself , Gods and miracles being true or not is irrelevant IMHO.

I'm quite thrilled to see how the story unfold , and I hope it will raise question about faith in general.

This is the kind of stuff I'm very interested in , and I like religious symbolism too.

[SardaukarElite]

And no, the game will NOT let you tailor your character to your exact specifications. If you want that sort of freedom play pen and paper RPGs, where you are your own master. Computer RPGs are on a budget and will have to limit the possibilities of the player, to enhance the story coherency.

 

But it will still feature choices. If the Inquisitor is made into a religious figure head having the option to not be cool with that is pretty obvious. I would expect it to be there, though the exact details and motives will be limited.

[Ieldra]

*Uh...trying to delete this. How do you delete a post*

[Swaggerjking]

Well just because you can't be a blood does not mean you cannot be anti chantry and reject the idea that was andraste or just embrace andraste and use your association to reform the chantry

[EmperorSahlertz]

But it will still feature choices. If the Inquisitor is made into a religious figure head having the option to not be cool with that is pretty obvious. I would expect it to be there, though the exact details and motives will be limited.

Yes. Do any of you have reason to believe that BioWare will NOT include an option to voice our characters displeasure at the religious connotation?

[Undead Han]

Being viewed as some sort of Maker-sent prophet could be interesting, particularly if there is an option to play it either as a pious Andrastian who believes his or her own hype, or as a charlatan who exploits it to keep the plebs in line.

[Ieldra]

That's an easy answer, since you cannot become Blood Mage: No, it won't.

Gameplay and roleplaying are unrelated.
 

And no, the game will NOT let you tailor your character to your exact specifications. If you want that sort of freedom play pen and paper RPGs, where you are your own master. Computer RPGs are on a budget and will have to limit the possibilities of the player, to enhance the story coherency.

Fine-tuning may be impossible, but a game with rpg elements should let you define the most important aspects of your character's personality. I really don't care if I, say, can't be rude to Cassandra, because that's completely insignificant. However, your faith, or the absence of it, or your attitude towards being perceived as a religious figure, that I consider very important, especially in a story where it may become important.

[Milan92]

Being viewed as some sort of Maker-sent prophet could be interesting, particularly if there is an option to play it either as a pious Andrastian who believes his or her own hype, or as a charlatan who exploits it to keep the plebs in line.

 

"Cass, look! They think I'm people!"