37 réponses à ce sujet

[congokong]

What I mean is that the game nudges you into certain decisions, and that some of them result in the most dramatic cinematics/story-telling. Obviously you can do whatever you want that fits your pc which is what I always do but if Bioware was telling DA:O as a one-version story how do you think it would go?

 

Background:

 

I've always pictured the warden best as a female mage; either elf or human. The human one gives a connection to DA2 but it's not necessary. Considering the attention mages get and the length of this origin it just feels "right" that the main character is a mage themselves. It also gives a personal connection to Jowan who plays a large role in Redcliffe's events.

 

Romance:

 

They're female because it seems the best romance is with Alistair. It resembles something out of a fairy tale; especially with him possibly becoming king and what that would mean for them. They're also the 2 surviving Grey Wardens which gives them a connection right there. The romance also progresses very well. Some people might pick Morrigan as the best romance but I disagree. I think it says more about becoming friends with Morrigan if sexual attraction isn't clouding the issue. Morrigan bonding with the pc when she expected to be turned away flows better when a male warden isn't trying to bed her. Lastly, asking Alistair to do the dark ritual (especially when romanced) is one of the most intriguing/awkward scenes in the game that's denied if playing a male.

 

Companions:

 

As absurd as some of the recruitments are, I assume they're all meant to be recruited to maximize story-telling.

 

Major quest decisions:

 

- Redcliffe is supposed to be saved.

- Connor is saved but I think Isolde should sacrifice itself. The "Circle of Magi to the rescue" element with Connor just playing with his toys while he waits is too "perfect" for the story.

- The urn is saved but I believe the pc is supposed to lead Kolgrim on and then not go through with defiling the ashes. Then she slays the high dragon too.

- The Circle of Magi is meant to be saved; especially since she's from the Circle.

- The werewolf curse is meant to be lifted. There's so much build up towards it and the way it ends is touching.

- The anvil is meant to be destroyed. While I usually save it for drama seeing the warden swing their hammer over it is pretty awesome. Couple that with a golem working over a forge to make a crown... Yeah, it's meant to be destroyed. It also gives a 180 twist since up to that point the goal was to preserve it.

- I never do it but I think the warden is meant to be captured at Howe's estate.

- Caladrius is meant to be killed in the alienage I think.

- I'm really unsure of what feels best for the Landsmeet. Alistair is meant to be king for certain I think and Loghain is meant to be slain by the warden. You learn the downside of this too late when Riordan explains the "need" for Grey Wardens. I'm unsure if a romanced Alistair is meant to be convinced to marry Anora, if Anora betrays them at the Landsmeet, or if they are even meant to win the Landsmeet against Loghain. Whatever happens, I feel the romance ends with an unhardened Alistair afterwards.

-As already mentioned, for story's sake I believe the dark ritual is meant to be performed; largely because the pc loves Alistair and (like Wynne warned) they're letting their feelings get in the way of their duty as a Grey Warden.

 

Major quest order:

 

I've thought the ideal order is Redcliffe, Circle of Magi or Urn, Dalish, and then Orzammar. This allows the romance to actually start after Alistair gives the flower after Redcliffe; then progressing to them consumating the relationship by the time they reach Denerim looking for Genitivi after Alistair's personal quest is done.

 

 

 

Do you have a different view of the best story?

[Hydwn]

There is a "canon" story that they use for the novels and comics.  It had a Dalish female elf warden who sacrifices herself to kill the Archdemon.  Alistair is on the throne.  The canon Hawke is a male mage who sided with the mages.  

 

I'm not sure about the other decisions.  I suspect that it's like the "martyr" prebuilt history for DA2.  That one sides with Bhelen, and I think saves the anvil, sides with the Elves, saves Connor, etc.

 

EDIT: I looked it up.  I'm not *absolutely* sure the "Mertyr" prebuild is their canon, but it ends the same way with a dead female Dalish Warden, so I'm guessing it's meant to be.  It has Connor living, mages recruited, Bhelen recruited, anvil destroyed but Branka sided with in the fight, Ashes revealed, Loghain recruited, hardened Alistair ruling with Anora.  An Orlesian Warden saves Amaranthine in Awakening, and sides with the Architect.

[TheEternalStudent]

What I mean is that the game nudges you into certain decisions, and that some of them result in the most dramatic cinematics/story-telling. Obviously you can do whatever you want that fits your pc which is what I always do but if Bioware was telling DA:O as a one-version story how do you think it would go?

 

Background:

 

I've always pictured the warden best as a female mage; either elf or human. The human one gives a connection to DA2 but it's not necessary. Considering the attention mages get and the length of this origin it just feels "right" that the main character is a mage themselves. It also gives a personal connection to Jowan who plays a large role in Redcliffe's events.

 

Romance:

 

They're female because it seems the best romance is with Alistair. It resembles something out of a fairy tale; especially with him possibly becoming king and what that would mean for them. They're also the 2 surviving Grey Wardens which gives them a connection right there. The romance also progresses very well. Some people might pick Morrigan as the best romance but I disagree. I think it says more about becoming friends with Morrigan if sexual attraction isn't clouding the issue. Morrigan bonding with the pc when she expected to be turned away flows better when a male warden isn't trying to bed her. Lastly, asking Alistair to do the dark ritual (especially when romanced) is one of the most intriguing/awkward scenes in the game that's denied if playing a male.

 

Companions:

 

As absurd as some of the recruitments are, I assume they're all meant to be recruited to maximize story-telling.

 

Major quest decisions:

 

- Redcliffe is supposed to be saved.

- Connor is saved but I think Isolde should sacrifice itself. The "Circle of Magi to the rescue" element with Connor just playing with his toys while he waits is too "perfect" for the story.

- The urn is saved but I believe the pc is supposed to lead Kolgrim on and then not go through with defiling the ashes. Then she slays the high dragon too.

- The Circle of Magi is meant to be saved; especially since she's from the Circle.

- The werewolf curse is meant to be lifted. There's so much build up towards it and the way it ends is touching.

- The anvil is meant to be destroyed. While I usually save it for drama seeing the warden swing their hammer over it is pretty awesome. Couple that with a golem working over a forge to make a crown... Yeah, it's meant to be destroyed. It also gives a 180 twist since up to that point the goal was to preserve it.

- I never do it but I think the warden is meant to be captured at Howe's estate.

- Caladrius is meant to be killed in the alienage I think.

- I'm really unsure of what feels best for the Landsmeet. Alistair is meant to be king for certain I think and Loghain is meant to be slain by the warden. You learn the downside of this too late when Riordan explains the "need" for Grey Wardens. I'm unsure if a romanced Alistair is meant to be convinced to marry Anora, if Anora betrays them at the Landsmeet, or if they are even meant to win the Landsmeet against Loghain. Whatever happens, I feel the romance ends with an unhardened Alistair afterwards.

-As already mentioned, for story's sake I believe the dark ritual is meant to be performed; largely because the pc loves Alistair and (like Wynne warned) they're letting their feelings get in the way of their duty as a Grey Warden.

 

Major quest order:

 

I've thought the ideal order is Redcliffe, Circle of Magi or Urn, Dalish, and then Orzammar. This allows the romance to actually start after Alistair gives the flower after Redcliffe; then progressing to them consumating the relationship by the time they reach Denerim looking for Genitivi after Alistair's personal quest is done.

 

 

 

Do you have a different view of the best story?

They generally point you to 'moral' options, there's rarely a cost. Saving Redcliffe doesn't cause more people to die in the Blight, going all the way to the circle, spending however long to clear it out, and returning to save Connor has no impact. As for the non-moral calls, like kingships I don't think they push you to Bhelen or Orzammar, they make it clear both are asshats, but they do push to side with Allistair as king.

[congokong]

They generally point you to 'moral' options, there's rarely a cost. Saving Redcliffe doesn't cause more people to die in the Blight, going all the way to the circle, spending however long to clear it out, and returning to save Connor has no impact. As for the non-moral calls, like kingships I don't think they push you to Bhelen or Orzammar, they make it clear both are asshats, but they do push to side with Allistair as king.

Yup, I certainly get the vibe that you're meant to be "paragon." It's the same with Mass Effect if you've played it. Best example in that series is when you have the option to free the rachni queen (paragon) or kill it (renegade) in ME1. Regardless, it comes back in ME3. If you killed it earlier the new queen is some artificial reaper hybrid, but clearly it was meant to be freed. The same with some characters like Legion who later get replaced by Legion "lite" if they are killed. Clearly Legion was meant to survive.

 

I didn't mention it in the OP, but I don't feel Bioware pushes you towards either Bhelen or Harrowmont.

[congokong]

EDIT: I looked it up.  I'm not *absolutely* sure the "Mertyr" prebuild is their canon, but it ends the same way with a dead female Dalish Warden, so I'm guessing it's meant to be.  It has Connor living, mages recruited, Bhelen recruited, anvil destroyed but Branka sided with in the fight, Ashes revealed, Loghain recruited, hardened Alistair ruling with Anora.  An Orlesian Warden saves Amaranthine in Awakening, and sides with the Architect.

Well, I never pictured Loghain being recruited as "canon" in any way. It comes across as too absurd to me.

 

I didn't mention Awakening in the OP but there aren't many choices there anyway. I'm unsure about Amaranthine but I get the vibe that you're supposed to side with the Architect for maximum story-telling; especially when you get the revelation that he accidentally caused the last blight.

[Icy Magebane]

Do you have a different view of the best story?

An incredibly different one, in fact, but yours was also interesting.  I'm of the opinion that there is no storyline that is "meant to be," and that includes Bioware's canon.  In DAO, every origin story goes into enough detail that it can easily become some player's favorite, and there is enough flexibility among the dialogue choices that the Warden can follow a consistent morality or value system, or even realistically change their views during the course of an adventure.  I have found many different versions of the Warden to be satisfying, and so I reject the idea of a "right" way to play the character.  The possibility of obvious "correct" outcomes like the Redcliffe example seems to have at least been addressed in DAI, as evidenced by the Crestwood mission in the old demo.  Hopefully most scenarios follow this model and we will no longer have ridiculous situations like a demon sitting around twiddling its thumbs for weeks while the Warden faffs about across Ferelden.

 

There is also the issue of so much content specifically crafted for certain backgrounds...  The human noble comes to mind, as the Cousland family was apparently a contender for the throne of Ferelden and the Warden can be recognized by Teegan, Cailan, and many nobles in Denerim.  Arl Howe is a prominent villain throughout the story but means little to non-Cousland Wardens.  With that in mind, I must also dispute the possibility of any Warden being the most logical choice.  They all have some vested interest in the story.

 

With the release of DAI, they've stated that the default world state will be the one in which anybody who can be killed will be killed in order to avoid loose plot threads and limit confusion for new players.  The default setting is merely the simplest presentation of the story, with no regard for right or wrong choices on the part of the protagonists.  If they actually follow through with this, it would demonstrate that they have been sincere in their attempts to give us the ability to interpret and portray the protagonists in a number of equally valid ways, and that they do not wish to impose a specific canon on the player that might influence their choices.  There is, of course, a difference between, saying and doing, and so we'll have to wait and see if they were serious about that.

[Lavaeolus]

There's a certain amount of drama to be had if you refuse the Ritual, and then Alistair goes all "I can't let the woman I love die ;-; chaaaarge" on you. So, maybe it'd be most dramatic to have the PC try and fail to persuade Alistair to perform the Dark Ritual, and then have him act so. That way you'd still get the big celebratory party, too. The Dark Ritual doesn't really add much apart from what'll happen in future games, so going in about to die would be better for Origins alone.

 

Although I'd probably spare Loghain for a good story, simply because the "main" antagonist (the Archdemon's just a big scary monster) could do with some more fleshing out, Alistair's leaving scene's pretty dramatic, and it adds a new dynamic to the cast. I don't imagine recruiting Loghain will ever be "canon", however, especially since they want most of the people you met to be defaultly out of the picture.

 

Generally, I don't think the developers were shooting for one particular route, except maybe assuming you wouldn't be a mass murdering a-hole, and maybe even be a little bit idealistic. Though given how much resistance she puts up, the Warden is probably meant to be captured by Cauthrien and tossed in the dungeon. Avoiding it is just a nice "well done!" bonus on the game's part.

[sylvanaerie]

The only real 'canon' that's meant to be: The Archdemon is slain.  All other 'choices' are illusory, they are just window dressing to the story.  Dragon Age is very personal, from player to player it will vary, but everyone who finishes the game reaches this same conclusion regardless of what steps they made on the journey to get there.

[congokong]

There's a certain amount of drama to be had if you refuse the Ritual, and then Alistair goes all "I can't let the woman I love die ;-; chaaaarge" on you. So, maybe it'd be most dramatic to have the PC try and fail to persuade Alistair to perform the Dark Ritual, and then have him act so. That way you'd still get the big celebratory party, too. The Dark Ritual doesn't really add much apart from what'll happen in future games, so going in about to die would be better for Origins alone.

 

Although I'd probably spare Loghain for a good story, simply because the "main" antagonist (the Archdemon's just a big scary monster) could do with some more fleshing out, Alistair's leaving scene's pretty dramatic, and it adds a new dynamic to the cast. I don't imagine recruiting Loghain will ever be "canon", however, especially since they want most of the people you met to be defaultly out of the picture.

 

Generally, I don't think the developers were shooting for one particular route, except maybe assuming you wouldn't be a mass murdering a-hole, and maybe even be a little bit idealistic. Though given how much resistance she puts up, the Warden is probably meant to be captured by Cauthrien and tossed in the dungeon. Avoiding it is just a nice "well done!" bonus on the game's part.

Refusing the ritual certainly has its merits, but can Alistair even refuse to do it. I've tried being a major jerk but unless the pc says "forget it" he always gave in. And I know too well that if you refuse the ritual and bring him along to kill the archdemon he'll charge at it without allowing you to stop him (without mods). If the warden could knock him out instead of leaving him at the gate I'd say that would trump doing the ritual for story-telling.

 

I deserved a trophy for coming out of that Cauthrien scene alive. I remember something like that in Mass Effect 2's DLC Arrival where you get a trophy for beating everyone. If you "die" you end up captured, and if you kill them all you... end up captured anyway. lol

[congokong]

The only real 'canon' that's meant to be: The Archdemon is slain.  All other 'choices' are illusory, they are just window dressing to the story.  Dragon Age is very personal, from player to player it will vary, but everyone who finishes the game reaches this same conclusion regardless of what steps they made on the journey to get there.

I already said this in the OP. That doesn't mean certain choices fit better and/or Bioware nudges you towards making them.

[sylvanaerie]

Refusing the ritual certainly has its merits, but can Alistair even refuse to do it. I've tried being a major jerk but unless the pc says "forget it" he always gave in. And I know too well that if you refuse the ritual and bring him along to kill the archdemon he'll charge at it without allowing you to stop him (without mods). If the warden could knock him out instead of leaving him at the gate I'd say that would trump doing the ritual for story-telling.

 

I deserved a trophy for coming out of that Cauthrien scene alive. I remember something like that in Mass Effect 2's DLC Arrival where you get a trophy for beating everyone. If you "die" you end up captured, and if you kill them all you... end up captured anyway. lol

 

I think it depends on his approval rating with you.  Obviously, an Alistair who hates your PC won't be willing to do the ritual, though I am sure you can persuade him to.  Probably ridiculously high difficulty though.  And even then, if he hates you, he is still willing to take the final blow, though he isn't hard wired to give you no choice as with a romanced Alistair.

[Lavaeolus]

As you talk with Alistair, the game tracks how convincing you are. Each good argument increases a variable by 1 or 2 or so, with having 3 or more sealing it. You can lower it with bad arguments too. With high persuasion, you'll pretty much guaranteed success, though the greater your arguments before the time for persuasion comes the easier the check is. Same with Loghain, though he can be outright ordered to do it, granting some snark as you say "well he's agreed to the Ritual".

 

If you have low persuasion, fail to give a convincing argument, aren't liked by him, and don't pull any "you love me, right?" cards, the more and more likely it is he'll end it with a firm "no".

[Darkly Tranquil]

I don't think there is a "canon" version, but there is definitely a "conventional narrative path" that one would typically except a fantasy adventure novel telling the story of DAO to take. I'd agree with most of what you said, except for the part about which Warden it's meant to be. I think any of the Origins could work, but a female romancing Alistair definitely seems to make the most sense and creates the most drama.

[Hydwn]

Well, I never pictured Loghain being recruited as "canon" in any way. It comes across as too absurd to me.

 

I didn't mention Awakening in the OP but there aren't many choices there anyway. I'm unsure about Amaranthine but I get the vibe that you're supposed to side with the Architect for maximum story-telling; especially when you get the revelation that he accidentally caused the last blight.

 

And it seemed odd to me as well.  That's why I was surprised for the Martyr build.  They gave it the ending that they use for the novels and comic books so I assumed it was their default history - the one you'd get as a default in Inquisition if you don't import.  

 

But to get it, you have to make Alistair cynical, then reject him by recruiting Logain and marry him off to Anora.  The whole point of recruiting Logain is to sacrifice him, pretty much, but this Dalish warden decides to sacrifice herself and Logain live.  I don't know if anyone's ever deliberately played Origins that way

[Darkly Tranquil]

The Martyr ending is probably most convenient for Bioware to work with since it ties up many more loose neatly than any other ending.

[Hydwn]

The Martyr ending is probably most convenient for Bioware to work with since it ties up many more loose neatly than any other ending.

 

Not really.  It's the only one that leaves Alistair and Loghain running around Ferelden alive and well.  That's got to come to a head sooner or later.

[congokong]

I don't think there is a "canon" version, but there is definitely a "conventional narrative path" that one would typically except a fantasy adventure novel telling the story of DAO to take. I'd agree with most of what you said, except for the part about which Warden it's meant to be. I think any of the Origins could work, but a female romancing Alistair definitely seems to make the most sense and creates the most drama.

My entire OP is subjective of course. It just felt like the most fitting background. I mean, how many times is the pc acknowledged as a mage yet are they ever referred to as a warrior or rogue? You're either a mage or non-mage. I can see someone believing the female Cousland who marries Alistiair for the happy ending is more fitting. Some say it gives Howe more of a role if he kills your family but there's barely anything extra with him. You just know who he is sooner.

 

 

The whole point of recruiting Logain is to sacrifice him, pretty much, but this Dalish warden decides to sacrifice herself and Logain live.  I don't know if anyone's ever deliberately played Origins that way

That takes meta-gaming to know. I thought Riordan was crazy or a true bleeding heart liberal to try to spare Loghain until I learned his reason. Still, I would have taken any soldier over the man who tried to exterminate the Grey Wardens if having wardens on hand is so vital.

 

A Dalish warden who sacrifices themselves over Loghain truly is a martyr. They'll kill themself to spite him? Talk about petty.

 

 

As you talk with Alistair, the game tracks how convincing you are. Each good argument increases a variable by 1 or 2 or so, with having 3 or more sealing it. You can lower it with bad arguments too. With high persuasion, you'll pretty much guaranteed success, though the greater your arguments before the time for persuasion comes the easier the check is. Same with Loghain, though he can be outright ordered to do it, granting some snark as you say "well he's agreed to the Ritual".

 

If you have low persuasion, fail to give a convincing argument, aren't liked by him, and don't pull any "you love me, right?" cards, the more and more likely it is he'll end it with a firm "no".

 

Is there a video of this? What does Morrigan do if you come back and say Alistair refused? I wish there was an option for torn pc to tell Morrigan to say what she said to them to Alistair and if he agrees then she should do it; that it shouldn't be the pc's decision. Then Morrigan would have reconsidered treating Alistair like crap all game.

[theskymoves]

 

Is there a video of this? What does Morrigan do if you come back and say Alistair refused? I wish there was an option for torn pc to tell Morrigan to say what she said to them to Alistair and if he agrees then she should do it; that it shouldn't be the pc's decision. Then Morrigan would have reconsidered treating Alistair like crap all game.

 

Female warden? Morrigan pitches a fit and leaves, same as if you refuse her offer from the start.

[gottaloveme]

And Morrigan tells you there is no point in shapeshifting to look like other people. Pfft right?

[theskymoves]

Not really.  It's the only one that leaves Alistair and Loghain running around Ferelden alive and well.  That's got to come to a head sooner or later.

 

*scratches head*

 

recruit Loghain

marry King Alistair off to the blond

accept Morrigan's offer

Warden not dead (no 'Martyr' ending)

but Loghain and Alistair are both still scampering around Ferelden 

 

Or do all that, but let Alistair run off to Kirkwall with a bottle in his hand. Warden!Loghain isn't in Ferelden, either, so why should Alistair have to be there?

[DinkyD]

Excellent post OP. I agree with the best story being a romance with Alistair – although my view is skewed as I've not played as a male warden yet, only read about it. Bravo Bioware, for creating a plot line where female players/female pc's don't feel like token additions into a game that was really designed for a male pc.

 

So far I've played the mage and female noble origins, and I'm torn between them as to which fits best. Jowan's moving story ties in delightfully with Redcliffe (edit: and the Circle of course! - almost forgot), but I'm not sure there's much for mages after that, and the game encourages you to do Redcliffe/Circle early. The human noble's origin ties in more with the climax of the story, the Cousland's need to see justice for their family mirrors Alistair's need to see justice for Duncan – and as romance partners, they have this shared goal or connection. A mage too, could want to for Loghain's manipulation of Jowan, but I think this is less strong motivation.

 

(Given that mages are feared and hated, and elves are second class citizens, there has always been a bit of suspension of disbelief required for me on how everyone treats you with respect over and above that which would obviously be due to being a Grey Warden – Grey Warden's are not universally liked in Ferelden either iirc. And not everyone can know you're a Grey Warden when they meet you. Playing a Cousland makes it all a bit easier, but of course, this is due to game limitations, so I try to ignore that. But the DA setting makes a Cousland a easier fit I feel.)

 

But I'm not sure that you are expected to choose the ritual with a female pc. (with a male that romanced Morrigan, it must be easier to accept?)

 

Wynne, I think, is meant to be a wise character to whom you ought pay heed, and she says that love is “ultimately selfish”, and I think that this is some hint as to you're going to be tempted to do Something Really Bad because of love. She also has a lot to say on the subject of being a Warden, and amongst that she says that Warden's have to be willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Going on to use a “get out of Archdemon free-card” and letting loose a possible threat of unknown power, may make you a Bad Warden who's avoiding their duty.

 

(Interestingly, I've read here that Morrigan considers love a “weakness” but I don't think you get that line as a female pc, only as a male romancing her? To say love is a weakness is to imply it will get you to do things you really ought not. To say that to a female pc and then try to use the pc's love for Alistair to get what she wants would be a massive manipulation fail. Well done on avoiding that one Morrigan)

 

The look on Alistair's face when you talk about the ritual says a lot – and you can back out of the conversation at every step. Morrigan encourages you to lie to him – not easy if you are meant to trust one another. And the most sure way to persuade Alistair is to use lines that sound a lot like emotional blackmail, which is the trick Morrigan tries to pull on you. (What if Alistair loses the woman he loves?) If Alistair refuses, he says something along he lines of – even if you are afraid, I'm not frightened to die to end the blight – Ouch.

 

Alistair mentions being worried about creating “another Bastard Prince” - asking to him to father a child with a woman he dislikes and is hardly going to consider doting mother material is a hard thing to ask – particularly given his own background. Will he have peace of mind afterwards, even if doesn't think it will be a danger to the world? I doubt it.

 

Morrigan is not at all reassuring, and talks very dismissively of the child – a person she wants to control and use to her own ends. And this is your beloved's child. Or it could be – it's not clear what it will be. It will not be harmed she says, but “changed” what exactly does that mean? What are we doing to this poor child anyway?

 

It was very satisfying to tell Morrigan no deal, I'd rather throw myself on the arch-demon than give you what you want.

 

So for me, as one of those majority of players who "tries to do the right thing"  it resigns you towards trying to Ultimate Sacrifice, but we know how that turns out unless you have the foresight to leave Alistair behind. I'm not sure Bioware were nudging us towards that – maybe they were, but Alistair surviving as King became default because they wanted some continuity using a well liked character.

Modifié par DinkyD, 23 août 2014 - 12:20 .

[congokong]

(Interestingly, I've read here that Morrigan considers love a “weakness” but I don't think you get that line as a female pc, only as a male romancing her? To say love is a weakness is to imply it will get you to do things you really ought not. To say that to a female pc and then try to use the pc's love for Alistair to get what she wants would be a massive manipulation fail. Well done on avoiding that one Morrigan)

Morrigan does say love is a weakness to a female pc. I believe it's in the dialogue where you ask her if she is truly Flemeth's daughter.

 

"To indulge in love is to indulge in delusion. Surely a Grey Warden such as yourself doesn't believe otherwise."

 

So once again, Morrigan's behavior potentially works against her own end-game since love could be strong motivation for a female pc to convince Alistair to do the ritual.

[gottaloveme]

She does use it tho' more in manipulating Alistair in the 'caboodling' banter. She asks him if he is in love with his fellow warden - how would he choose if it came to killing archie or saving his love. Alistair replies that one has nothing to do with the other. Morrigan finds this most interesting or most enlightening. Morrigan would be almost certain by this point of Alistair's reaction to the love of his life, even when hardened.

[King Dragonlord]

Refusing the ritual certainly has its merits, but can Alistair even refuse to do it. I've tried being a major jerk but unless the pc says "forget it" he always gave in. And I know too well that if you refuse the ritual and bring him along to kill the archdemon he'll charge at it without allowing you to stop him (without mods). If the warden could knock him out instead of leaving him at the gate I'd say that would trump doing the ritual for story-telling.

 

I deserved a trophy for coming out of that Cauthrien scene alive. I remember something like that in Mass Effect 2's DLC Arrival where you get a trophy for beating everyone. If you "die" you end up captured, and if you kill them all you... end up captured anyway. lol

 

I thought that was a really nice touch in Arrival. A great way to handle a player winning when they aren't supposed to win. "You thwarted us, good job, here's a trophy, but this scene still needs to happen so the artifact will be knocking you out now. But seriously, we're all very impressed up here." 

[King Dragonlord]

While I certainly will be playing the next game and did play DA2, I feel like the story ends with Witch Hunt with a Male Warden going with Morrigan into the Eluvian to meet her son in a place beyond this. 

 

The first game had its moments of feeling enchanted, particularly in camp. Somehow the thought of my Warden fading into mystery after a long turn doing great deeds was appropriate. I've never more felt like a character I played was a legend.