7969 réponses à ce sujet

[Cespar]

After an ass-ton of thinking, I've decided my first Inky will be a dwarf. These awesome, big-eared, stumpy legged bastards are just oddly... irristable. Now to by a computer that can actually play this ****** game. (mine is dying )

Awww, come here! *Open arms out wide.* 

[Apollo Starflare]

Very pleased to see a Dwarf thread on the boards. Just finished my first playthrough as a female Dwarf warrior and really enjoyed how reactive the game is to your race.

 

Valdis Cadash:

 

 

Speaking of computer problems, I'm having a hard time getting a comment by Varric to trigger. During the prologue, if you go up the hill to the left of the burning house (where the demons have killed people around a camp fire) and walk back down, a companion generally remarks on your origin. If you're a Dalish elf, Solas comments on having crossed paths with your people before. If you're a Qunari, Varric mentions the Qunari in Kirkwall. If you're a dwarf, Varric guesses that you're a surface dwarf like him, probably carta, as you have that shady smuggler look. The three responses are "Very perceptive," "So do you," and "I'm not a criminal." I chose the second since I'm playing a dwarf who doesn't like the criminal life and so gets defensive and deflective about it, but reloaded immediately after because I wanted to see what would happen if I picked "I'm not a criminal." However, Varric's comment doesn't trigger. =(

 

The same thing happened with my Qunari. Varric commented on her origin the first time they wandered down the hill, but never said it again no matter how many times I uploaded a previous save. Now the same thing seems to be happening with my Dwarf. This is especially irritating because Solas always comments on a Dalish's origin when you walk down that hill, no matter how many times you reload previous saves.

 

Does anyone else have this problem? And/or have you found some solution? 

 

Had the same problem. Couldn't get it to trigger again no matter how many times I tried running around that area/re-loading.

[Tishina]

I came to the same conclusion when I first started playing Inquisition! (Though I went into perfectionist mode and had to settle on an elf to break the cycle.

 

 

Aw, I'm so sorry! *hugs* (Also had that same problem when I first got Inquisition too.  )

 

 

 

Speaking of computer problems, I'm having a hard time getting a comment by Varric to trigger. During the prologue, if you go up the hill to the left of the burning house (where the demons have killed people around a camp fire) and walk back down, a companion generally remarks on your origin. If you're a Dalish elf, Solas comments on having crossed paths with your people before. If you're a Qunari, Varric mentions the Qunari in Kirkwall. If you're a dwarf, Varric guesses that you're a surface dwarf like him, probably carta, as you have that shady smuggler look. The three responses are "Very perceptive," "So do you," and "I'm not a criminal." I chose the second since I'm playing a dwarf who doesn't like the criminal life and so gets defensive and deflective about it, but reloaded immediately after because I wanted to see what would happen if I picked "I'm not a criminal." However, Varric's comment doesn't trigger. =(

 

The same thing happened with my Qunari. Varric commented on her origin the first time they wandered down the hill, but never said it again no matter how many times I uploaded a previous save. Now the same thing seems to be happening with my Dwarf. This is especially irritating because Solas always comments on a Dalish's origin when you walk down that hill, no matter how many times you reload previous saves.

 

Does anyone else have this problem? And/or have you found some solution? 

I had the same problem, and it was annoying because the conversation triggered when I wasn't prepared, and I didn't have time to chose an answer (your window for joining a conversation like that is EXTREMELY brief.) I had the same problem with Solas, though.

[Gilsa]

It's been far too long since I've last played a two-handed maul dwarf.

 

How are upper tier mauls in this game?

 

I'm not a number cruncher nor do I play on nightmare mode so I couldn't really tell you if they have amazing DPS. That aside, they have a couple schematics for dwarven mauls at T2 (regular and masterwork). T3 schematics have generic names, nothing dwarven. I don't recall dropped 2H mauls in the game, but will be paying closer attention this time.

 

I came to the same conclusion when I first started playing Inquisition! (Though I went into perfectionist mode and had to settle on an elf to break the cycle.

 

 

Aw, I'm so sorry! *hugs* (Also had that same problem when I first got Inquisition too.  )

 

 

 

Speaking of computer problems, I'm having a hard time getting a comment by Varric to trigger. During the prologue, if you go up the hill to the left of the burning house (where the demons have killed people around a camp fire) and walk back down, a companion generally remarks on your origin. If you're a Dalish elf, Solas comments on having crossed paths with your people before. If you're a Qunari, Varric mentions the Qunari in Kirkwall. If you're a dwarf, Varric guesses that you're a surface dwarf like him, probably carta, as you have that shady smuggler look. The three responses are "Very perceptive," "So do you," and "I'm not a criminal." I chose the second since I'm playing a dwarf who doesn't like the criminal life and so gets defensive and deflective about it, but reloaded immediately after because I wanted to see what would happen if I picked "I'm not a criminal." However, Varric's comment doesn't trigger. =(

 

The same thing happened with my Qunari. Varric commented on her origin the first time they wandered down the hill, but never said it again no matter how many times I uploaded a previous save. Now the same thing seems to be happening with my Dwarf. This is especially irritating because Solas always comments on a Dalish's origin when you walk down that hill, no matter how many times you reload previous saves.

 

Does anyone else have this problem? And/or have you found some solution? 

 

Constantly. Even when I think I've cracked the code, the game laughs at me. =p The surefire solution is to reload to a save BEFORE Varric and Solas join the party (I save on the ramp where Cassandra comments that you can hear the fighting). Yeah, you'll have to pound the spacebar to hurry up through the cutscene and fight two groups of monsters again to get back to that spot where the banter will trigger, but losing 5 to 10 minutes of your time is worth it for dwarf content.

 

Now, if you merely just wanted to hear the responses for all three options, I've got the conversation saved in notepad and will be happy to copy/paste that over. If you just want to be a completionist and be able to interact with Varric fully, then starting over from closing the rift will work. I have not tested this with a save right after closing the rift (just prior), but theoretically that would work, too.

 

As a bonus, choosing the mountain path will get another dwarf reference from Varric (when you find the bodies of the soldiers). Nothing if you charge straight ahead to the temple.

[TEWR]

What's wrong with Cadash? I prefer Cadash to Brosca, really. I might get around and start writing fanfic about Cespar Cadash, soon. 

 

Oh there's nothing wrong with Cadash -- I may even write a few Cadash fics here and there -- but I kinda wanna start up my DAO fanfic again and work on Xanthos' story as much as possible to flesh him, and the other Wardens who traveled with him, out fully. Start on the origins to work my way up, I suppose.

 

But like I said, there's no guarantee I'll be able to even commit to writing it.

[Cespar]

Oh there's nothing wrong with Cadash -- I may even write a few Cadash fics here and there -- but I kinda wanna start up my DAO fanfic again and work on Xanthos' story as much as possible to flesh him, and the other Wardens who traveled with him, out fully. Start on the origins to work my way up, I suppose.

 

But like I said, there's no guarantee I'll be able to even commit to writing it.

Well at least you're honest with yourself about not committing. I noticed that you're quite taken with Xanthos. What did you head canon him doing after the blight? How did you go about him becoming the King?  

[Gilsa]

Honestly, I couldn't wait, so my Cadash is in the Hinterlands now. If you could copy/paste the responses for all three options, I'd greatly appreciate it. Right now it's more for curiosity's sake than anything. (Even if it turned out "I'm not a criminal" turned out to be more "in-character" than what my character said, I don't know if I could face turning back the game clock an hour and a half. I've replayed the prologue so many times I'm sick of it.)

 

And yeah, I love Varric's remark on the mountain path. "I'm leaving that to the other dwarf." Aw, dwarven kinship!

 

(BTW, I love how random humans and dwarves in Haven talk about the Herald Cadash. All the humans asking stupid questions or making ignorant remarks about the Herald being a dwarf, and the dwarves giving intelligent yet snarky answers.)

 

Not a problem. And I know what you mean. There's a dwarf/human spy in the tavern that is maddeningly difficult for me to trigger. I think I spent maybe 40 minutes running around Haven in a circle (and reloading) trying to get them to spawn because I was about to start "In Your Heart Shall Burn" and that was going to be the point of no return. If those two had anything more to say, now was the time! =p

 

Varric prologue dialogue, all options listed below:

Spoiler

Varric: "So, let me guess: Surface dwarf, maybe part of the Carta?"
Cadash: "What makes you say that?"
Varric: "I can tell a proper Orzammar dwarf from twenty paces. Also, you have that shifty-smuggler look to you."

1. [Very perceptive.]
Cadash: "You have keen eyes."
Cassandra: "An an enormous mouth."
Varric: "And clever hands. It's all part of my charm."

2. [So do you.]
Cadash: "I'm not the only one with a shifty-smuggler look."
Josephine: "Varric did not destroy the conclave."
Varric: "That you know of. We shifty-smuggler types can be tricky."

3. [I'm no criminal]
Cadash: "Are you calling me a criminal?"
Cassandra: "You are a criminal."
Varric: "Now, now -- nothing wrong with being a criminal. Keeps the guards in business."

 

(No response selected)
Varric: "I'll take that as a yes. I'm so pleased."

 

 

Oh there's nothing wrong with Cadash -- I may even write a few Cadash fics here and there -- but I kinda wanna start up my DAO fanfic again and work on Xanthos' story as much as possible to flesh him, and the other Wardens who traveled with him, out fully. Start on the origins to work my way up, I suppose.

 

But like I said, there's no guarantee I'll be able to even commit to writing it.

 

I swore off DAO forever, but now I find myself wanting to replay it just to make a fresh batch of notes. I really wish there was a flycam for DAO so I could just get lost in the Deep Roads and admire the architecture.

[Carmen_Willow]

One of my favorite albeit sad moments in DA:O was

Spoiler

 walking into the Denerim market and learning that my first love had married another. 

[Cespar]

One of my favorite albeit sad moments in DA:O was

Spoiler

 walking into the Denerim market and learning that my first love had married another. 

That bastard!

[Gilsa]

Sing it. One of my biggest issue with being a perfectionist is getting random comments that triggered perfectly in previous playthroughs to trigger properly in new ones. The tavern is especially difficult because so many people talk at once and the singer sings too, so another conversation or song can trigger in the middle of it and drown it out.

I KNOW!! I wanted to tear my hair out and scream, "SHUT IT WITH THE CHANT OF LIGHT ALREADY!" I use the walk toggle to inch my way in the bar so when I cross the door frame, it triggers the dwarf conversation without getting close to the bard and Flissa. The sisters chanting are the worst since I'm still in their conversation range.
 
I just found out in the Blackwall thread that there's a farmer that will talk about the rifts opening and the bandits moving in on the chaos, but Blackwall came along to help out. Apparently you need to have the quest to find Blackwall in your log and the conversation disappears once you recruit him. So now I gotta backtrack to an earlier save to find that farmer because I want to know what he says about Blackwall.
 

Oh, thank you! This is perfect! (Turns out "So do you" was the most in-character for my Cadash. That's a relief.)
 
By the way, this is her: Marra Cadash.
 

She looks fantastic! Looks a lot like the redhead on female Cadash card actually. I have two Cadash broads -- one's an Aeducan world state and the other is a Brosca world state. Aeducan is my "canon" world state, but it didn't feel right to play a non-dwarf on a Brosca import. It actually gave me a chance to explore more content from a dwarf PoV (mage/templar, Celene/Gaspard, well/no well, etc) so that worked out.

Spoiler

Aeducan world state


Brosca world state

[Cypher0020]

A piece of my heart will always belong to Gorim   My F!Adeucan was never happier..........sod it all Behlen........I love that moron, but he broke up her love life!

 

Luckily, she has comfort in the arms of Zevran    who knows what it's like to be hurt

[Tishina]

*snip*

(BTW, I love how random humans and dwarves in Haven talk about the Herald Cadash. All the humans asking stupid questions or making ignorant remarks about the Herald being a dwarf, and the dwarves giving intelligent yet snarky answers.)

Actually, when you're playing a Dalish IQ, there's a human standing near the merchants bad-mouthing elves in Skyhold (with a Dalish IQ, he's either stupid or an agent trying to cause problems,) and a dwarf more or less giving him "you have to be s*****g me" responses, lol.

[Cypher0020]

I looooove all my dwarf wardens

 

F!Brosca, F!Adeucan, M!Adeucan

 

I'm particularly in favor of him, Baltion, since he's my sole male warden, whose love of his life is the amazing Leliana   

 

He slept with Mardy, yes.......but that was his princely days, an Morrigan......buuuuuuut....life was on the line

 

I headcanon he visits his son(s)?s an nephew often in the years following the Blight 

[Gilsa]

Actually, when you're playing a Dalish IQ, there's a human standing near the merchants bad-mouthing elves in Skyhold (with a Dalish IQ, he's either stupid or an agent trying to cause problems,) and a dwarf more or less giving him "you have to be s*****g me" responses, lol.

 
NooooooooooooOOOoOOoOOOOoooo. I do not need a reason to play an elf because I'd do it just to hear more dwarf stuff. *cries* =p (I have a human playthrough planned at some point so I can see the world most players are seeing and understand their PoV on the forums better.)

Seriously, right?? No one wants to listen to your Chant of Light! The MAKER doesn't listen to your Chant of Light! SHUT UP!
 
A farmer mentions Blackwall? This wouldn't happen to be Giles at the Crossroads, would it? I couldn't get him to say spit!

I think so. I haven't looked yet. I just know that the Lone Warden needs to be an active quest in your log. I'll have to dig through the BW thread to see exactly what was said about finding this farmer.
 
 

Thank you! (It took literally weeks of fiddling with the CC to get her looking this good.) To be honest, the tarot card is what I was going for. I didn't know how I wanted my dwarven broad to look going in, so the tarot card at the beginning seemed as good a model as any. Added to that, I was thinking of romancing the Iron Bull with her and learned from another playthrough that he has a thing for redheads, so it seemed perfect. (I know he doesn't comment in-game, but that's what headcanon is for.)

That all fits.
  

ice! They both look like women of strong character. Which Cadash made which big game decisions? (As in, did the Aeducan worldstate Cadash side with mages and Brosca side with Templars, etc?)
 
I pretty much make the same world decisions each time since my Lavellans and Adaar are pretty sympathetic to mages and other minorities, being non-human apostates themselves. Cadash is pretty much the only character I can play that can side with Templars and make "not bleeding heart" decisions (like banish the Wardens or choose a kingmaker outcome that doesn't result in Briala taking over). As a dwarf that can't dream or use magic, she can't conceive it, thus doesn't trust it, thus would rather turn to Templars. As a carta member, she's used to making ruthless decisions.

It's funny because my Aeducan was the "commander" and made decisions for the greater good. Brosca was this muscle while Leske was the smooth talker so I didn't put any points in persuade for Brosca. Got so many doors slammed in her face so decisions were made on results she could get. (For example, werewolves weren't cooperating with her due to lack of persuade and since they made no offers of fulfilling the treaty or anything, there was no reason for her to be sympathetic or team up with them. She made a deal with Zath to get the heart and that's what she did. He showed up in the end.)

HOWEVER, the roles have been reversed this time.

Aeducan-world state Cadash was a violent thug so I avoided putting any points into perks that would give her knowledge on magic, history, etc:
- Allied with mages (they're downtrodded and forced to a certain lifestyle, she could understand that)
- Banished the Grey Wardens (she didn't want Corypheus to turn them against her in the final battle and she banished them for their protection, to be away from his influence)
- Kept Celene in power, spared Gaspard (no reason to upset the status quo, Gaspard wasn't heinous enough to merit an execution since the other two were just as bad as he was)
- Didn't drink the well. Wasn't touching that stuff or getting involved wtih elven gods since she wasn't cooperating with the Chantry either.

Brosca-world state was modeled after Judi Dench's "M" from James Bond so I made her a classy older broad that had connections everywhere due to her Carta position. All decisions were made on obtaining secrets or getting results.
- Allied with templars so they'd be soldiers under her command (more agents, whee)
- Allied with Grey Wardens (more agents, whee)
- Gaspard on the throne, Briala executed (he was a guy that had an army and would provide results, Briala was collateral damage as I didn't see a dialogue choice to stop her execution, whoops, sorry, Briala).
- Drank the well because it was TOP SECRET INFO! (For my eyes only!)

[TEWR]

 

Well at least you're honest with yourself about not committing. I noticed that you're quite taken with Xanthos. What did you head canon him doing after the blight? How did you go about him becoming the King?  

 

Spoiler

Post Blight he settled down in Orzammar for a time and married Nerav Helmi while taking Mardy and their son Trian into his newly established household, with Leliana joining him as well (he romanced her and Morrigan) before she left to see Dorothea. He began the long process of instituting reforms in Orzammar, which netted him enemies, but the combined leadership of him and Nerav helped pave the way and weed out said enemies. 

 

He also had allies in the other Houses as well, like Jerrik Dace, whom he helped with Amgarrak in order to foster relations between his house and House Dace.

 

Some of the things he did was to work to establish an independent Circle of Magi in Orzammar after Dagna published her thingy from her studies at the Circle, with an institution of Dwarven Templars that also attempted to train in the Spirit Warrior school (this required Mages to pull Dwarves into the Fade). 

 

He also sent Renvil Harrowmont as his ambassador to Kal-Sharok while planning the logistics of an expedition to meet up with them (really, the fact that Bhelen waits ten years to do this makes me question his competence more then I already did). And, like King Eithnar Bemot before him, he declares that the entire Warrior Caste is answerable to him (or Trian Aeducan whom Xanthos appoints High General, who lives in my headcanon. Or Nerav. Basically the King/Queen and whomever they appoint) as the Dwarves are locked in an eternal war against the Darkspawn.

 

Darius Brosca also returned home and took up the mantle of Warden-Commander of Orzammar and was a vital military asset for expeditions in the Deep Roads.

 

This was all in the first six months of his reign (the Kal-Sharok expedition was planned, but didn't happen for a while) but eventually he received word that the Wardens of Amaranthine wished him to join up with them and lead them, as it only seemed right for the one who was Warden-Commander during the Blight to take up that role. But he was reluctant and told them no at first, as there were other people who could do it. 

 

While some Wardens went elsewhere (Darrien Tabris was sent to the Free Marches, Gatrie Amell and Jowan to Soldier's Peak) and Amalia Cousland and Damaeus Cousland took up the role of Chancellor to the throne/Teyrn of Gwaren respectively, there was still Anessen Mahariel, Lysa Mahariel, Vanessa Surana, and the female Amell (whose name either escapes me or I dropped as it wasn't right for her) who could lead the Wardens of Amaranthine.

 

But the Wardens wouldn't stop pestering him with the notion and so he eventually capitulated and had Nerav rule in his stead, continuing to pave the way for the reforms Orzammar needs.

 

As it happens, it was for the best that he go to Amaranthine, as it allowed him to train Anessen Mahariel completely for the role of leader, but moreover he found Kal-Hirol and its history. After sending word to Nerav to have her house and his lead an expedition to Kal-Hirol in his name, he had Amaranthine's forces help carve out the opposition from the other side with him at the lead. The history there helped justify his reform for the casteless to bear arms, as he had to take it slow at first -- Darius served as a role model, but he couldn't open it up so quickly until Kal'Hirol's history showed the citizens of Orzammar there was little reason to stop it from happening.

 

His decision to spare and ally with the Architect also led to the Darkspawn thinning out for the Dwarves and allowed them to take an unprecedented amount of ground in such a short span of years, while he also served to talk with the Architect about this alliance after the Mother was dealt with.

 

Along with the casteless thing, he expanded trade with the surface while also looking to rebuild Dust Town and ensure it's properly fortified, as the old city no doubt leads out to the Deep Roads and could be a cause for concern. 

 

Eventually, after the events in Amaranthine -- which I headcanon take about three months -- he returned home and, as I said, assisted Jerrik with Amgarrak. His travels with Shale had shown him that there was vast untapped potential for the Golems and Kal'Hirol showed him that what he thought he knew was only the tip of the iceberg (also before he went to Amaranthine he "met" with Branka. And by met I mean removed her as she was a liability and assigned control of the Anvil to the Legion). And what happened in Amgarrak, well, he took all of the research notes and had the army secure the area because he didn't want to take chances that the Harvester was done for. 

 

Once that was done, he had had enough of adventuring for a time and dealt with the political aspect of things, and one year later after a few assassination attempts he shrewdly enacted a plan that had the Assembly seem culpable for a crime against the throne which he said "forced him to disband the Assembly and assign powers of autocracy" to himself -- think Vayne Solidor, more or less. He had the army more then well on his side to justify it.

 

Then when Witch Hunt's time came along and he heard about Morrigan, he decided he couldn't just leave that information alone. So he took his faithful Mabari, whom had been part of a Shaperate breeding program for Orzammar, off with him to look for her. But before he did that he sent a letter to Leliana telling her that he was going to be gone on a long trip, while he informed Nerav that he was going to look for her. She understood and said she would take care of the ruling while Trian took care of the military aspects.

 

Then he goes through the Eluvian with Morrigan and raises Kieran in the Crossroads, with the three of them occasionally popping back into Thedas for something that helped Morrigan or Kieran or even Xanthos (and he would send letters back to Nerav, mostly assuring her that he was alive).

 

Whoo.... that was a lot. And that doesn't even touch how at about 9:38 Dragon he started looking into the Calling, but when Nasir sent word of the threat they were facing he dropped everything and returned to Orzammar, sent an expedition of scholars and soldiers to pick up where he left off -- led by Darius -- and helped Nasir tackle Corypheus (you can read what I believe the Nightmare Demon would say to him here)

 

Spoiler

As for how he became king, well, that's a tale in and of itself. Though I can only speak of what he did with in-game events, as I have to envision what headcanon things there might be (the in-game things are enough to justify it however). And when I say in-game events, I mean the quests, as it's not possible for a DN to take the crown back in the game despite the historical and cultural precedent. A lot of what I say happens in-game, but it's not given any sort of connection to the idea of taking the crown back.

 

He first returned to Orzammar and found it in turmoil. A dozen votes held by the Assembly in the span of the three weeks since Endrin's death, with civil war imminent on the horizon. The Assembly is deadlocked, stone for stone, with Bhelen and Harrowmont having 40 votes each.

 

Many in the Assembly were suspicious of Bhelen's rise to power (at this point Trian is still believed to be dead). Many of the common folk were similarly suspicious, often venting the things Harrowmont wouldn't openly declare, though it was not enough for any meaningful difference. That it existed though was a great deal.

 

After seeking out Steward Bandelor and seeing how Bhelen's allies were trying to cut off the surface trade temporarily so that they could take over all the contracts, he talked to Vartag and "convinced" him that he was willing to put aside his own revenge for the means to put Bhelen on the throne. 

 

Vartag bought it hook line and sinker and handed over the forged promissory notes to Xanthos. Xanthos knew Harrowmont well enough to understand that he would never do something so irresponsible and stupid and dishonest, and so he took them to Shaper Czibor to verify this. He studied the originals and compared them and Czibor said that the Ministry of Lands would investigate the Gavorn clan for this.

 

And since the Gavorn clan, and Vartag especially, are close-knit with Bhelen, this merits an investigation into Bhelen as well.

 

Now, Bhelen is the kind of person who will sacrifice anyone for his ambitions. He got rid of his brothers and even his lesser cousin Revelka doesn't mean anything to him. If he's willing to cast aside family loyalty, I have no doubt that he'd throw the Gavorns under the bus to save his own face when faced with scrutiny.

 

Xanthos capitalizes on this and offers Vartag a way out. Testify against Bhelen and he'll be allowed to join the Legion, or be arrested and tried by the Shaperate (the guards were behind Xanthos).

 

Next, he talked with Orta and, upon hearing that she may have descended from House Ortan, told her that he would go and find the records if he should head out into the Deep Roads. In exchange, as she would be put onto the Assembly immediately, she would give him her vote and make a donation to the campaign against the Blight.

 

Next, he heads to the Glory Proving and enters independently and upon winning, proclaims in the loudest voice possible:

 

"Look on me fair Orzammar, and know that I am the one the Ancestors have chosen as their victor! This Proving, held to honor the memory of my father, was brought about to decide who should rule, whom the Ancestors favor! I have entered under no name but my own, so who here can deny that I am to be your king, meant to champion Orzammar into a new age?! Who here would say that I do not have valos atredum?!"

 

This was meant merely to put doubt and confusion in the hearts of the people and rally some of the nobility to him, as Nerav Helmi assures us that many of the nobles no doubt regret their decision to exile him. More to the point, he wanted to get the attention of Lord Harrowmont.

 

After meeting with Harrowmont, he tells him that he should support his bid for the crown when the time is right. He decides that he needs to take down Jarvia and her Carta in order to properly show to Orzammar that he is the strong king it needs, the one who can defend it from any sort of threat it faces -- foreign and domestic. 

 

Upon coming down here with Darius and some other companions -- and meeting Leske, where Xanthos gave him a speech that broke his resolve at betraying his old friend -- he took down the Carta and also ingratiated himself with Zerlinda's family. Having a Mining Caste clan on his side was a good step. He also got the incriminating papers that put Bhelen and the Carta as responsible for Trian's death.

 

(he also took Rogek's deal, but he had plans to use smuggling for Orzammar's benefit)

 

And finally, upon getting Branka to forge for him a crown and write down that she indeed gave her support to whomever Xanthos wished, he told the Assembly that she wished for him to become king. Many thought this merely a power grab by an exile, but when someone from the Shaperate presented the evidence linking Bhelen to Trian's death -- which was itself brought to the Shapers by someone from House Harrowmont, as Xanthos couldn't bring it himself -- and he presented the writ from Branka detailing her words, the Assembly had no choice but to accept.

 

More so when Trian came in, to the surprise of all, and confirmed the story.

 

Bhelen wouldn't capitulate, saying that the entire thing was the work of Xanthos' mind and that he was forced to do it, and so Xanthos called for an Honor Proving like Darvianik Vollney had done when he was accused of fratricide. Bhelen accepted and was defeated, but Xanthos didn't kill him.

 

He offered him one last chance to atone and repent for his crimes by joining the Legion and heading to Bownammar (but he knew that Bhelen wouldn't accept because Bhelen knew he'd never survive due to Xanthos and Kardol being friends, it was merely for the public relations that he did it) and so Bhelen was arrested and sentenced to death.

 

Rica was understandably pissed but Darius assured her that Bhelen didn't really care for her (something I kinda believe as I watch how Bhelen treats her. He showers her with gifts and jewelry but I don't think he treats her as a person he can trust, since he doesn't tell her the truth about himself -- which politically speaking he doesn't have to do and shouldn't do). I think he viewed her more as a tool, rather then a person, like the rest of Orzammar society. 

 

But as people no doubt know by now, I hate Bhelen with a passion so maybe that colors my perspective.

 

I would however like to make that into a mod for DAO, but I can't get the DAO toolset to work for me sadly. Shame too, as now that I'm playing the PC version I feel I should do that. Wanted to for the longest time. Most of what I said above is taken from a lot of the codexes or in-game dialogue that supports the idea.

 

Makes me sad. 

 

That said, I'd be ecstatic if someone would help make that mod for me. 

 

Also, bear with me for what you read above. I've been fighting a pretty bad cold for the last few days and my head's been killing me today so I was trying to get the basic premise down of his rise to king and what he did post-blight. On my feeling better days I could talk about it in depth.

 

The above headcanon is the property of TEWR

[Tishina]

 
NooooooooooooOOOoOOoOOOOoooo. I do not need a reason to play an elf because I'd do it just to hear more dwarf stuff. *cries* =p (I have a human playthrough planned at some point so I can see the world most players are seeing and understand their PoV on the forums better.)

*snip*

lol! Well, it isn't huge amount of conversation. The human says something about being relieved at being able to deal with the dwarf instead of one of them. The dwarf starts naming off things like mages, templars, "Sisters? Nobles? Merchants? Commission men?," and the human finally says, "Elves, you twit." The dwarf responds with, "Is that it? Human." His tone is dripping in insult when he calls him human. The first time I walked past that conversation, I thought I was imagining things; I mean, who walks into a fortress full of people who think an elf is some sort of holy figure and starts insulting elves? There may be a second version of the conversation, I'm not sure. But I wanted to ask the dwarf what his name was and get him promoted.

[TEWR]

One time I got a bit of dialogue between an Elf and a Chantry priest and the Elf was like "I heard there were some verses in the Chant of Light about an elf" and the priest went what was basically "NOPE NOPE THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT TRUE NOPE NOPE NOT TRUE AT ALL NOOOOOOOO NEVER WERE THERE ANY ELVES IN THE CHANT."

 

I'll try to get the images for you guys.

 

Spoiler

 

that's them in the background, near the stairs.

 

 

 

 

there we go.

[TEWR]

And then she concludes with, "But that doesn't mean the Maker loves you any less."

 

Sure it doesn't. 

 

EDIT: I personally love a random conversation at Skyhold if you elect Briala the power behind Gaspard's throne. A random human is learning (and butchering) elvish because he wants to make a good impression in Briala's court. His dwarf buddy snarkily tells him he needs to keep practicing. I don't fully remember how the human responds, but it was something like, "If I needed help with words, I wouldn't be talking to you." The dwarf in question responds (with dripping disdain), "You clearly don't understand how words work." 

 

I recall that dialogue as well! Though I think I got it on my first run where I had everyone of them unite and put aside their differences for the time being. The basic premise was the same though, minus the learning Elvish bit I think, with the Dwarf having such disdain for the human and saying the exact same line.

 

I dunno. Sometimes it's hard to hear the ambient dialogue over everything else.

[Cespar]

 

 

 

Spoiler

Post Blight he settled down in Orzammar for a time and married Nerav Helmi while taking Mardy and their son Trian into his newly established household, with Leliana joining him as well (he romanced her and Morrigan) before she left to see Dorothea. He began the long process of instituting reforms in Orzammar, which netted him enemies, but the combined leadership of him and Nerav helped pave the way and weed out said enemies. 

 

He also had allies in the other Houses as well, like Jerrik Dace, whom he helped with Amgarrak in order to foster relations between his house and House Dace.

 

Some of the things he did was to work to establish an independent Circle of Magi in Orzammar after Dagna published her thingy from her studies at the Circle, with an institution of Dwarven Templars that also attempted to train in the Spirit Warrior school (this required Mages to pull Dwarves into the Fade). 

 

He also sent Renvil Harrowmont as his ambassador to Kal-Sharok while planning the logistics of an expedition to meet up with them (really, the fact that Bhelen waits ten years to do this makes me question his competence more then I already did). And, like King Eithnar Bemot before him, he declares that the entire Warrior Caste is answerable to him (or Trian Aeducan whom Xanthos appoints High General, who lives in my headcanon. Or Nerav. Basically the King/Queen and whomever they appoint) as the Dwarves are locked in an eternal war against the Darkspawn.

 

Darius Brosca also returned home and took up the mantle of Warden-Commander of Orzammar and was a vital military asset for expeditions in the Deep Roads.

 

This was all in the first six months of his reign (the Kal-Sharok expedition was planned, but didn't happen for a while) but eventually he received word that the Wardens of Amaranthine wished him to join up with them and lead them, as it only seemed right for the one who was Warden-Commander during the Blight to take up that role. But he was reluctant and told them no at first, as there were other people who could do it. 

 

While some Wardens went elsewhere (Darrien Tabris was sent to the Free Marches, Gatrie Amell and Jowan to Soldier's Peak) and Amalia Cousland and Damaeus Cousland took up the role of Chancellor to the throne/Teyrn of Gwaren respectively, there was still Anessen Mahariel, Lysa Mahariel, Vanessa Surana, and the female Amell (whose name either escapes me or I dropped as it wasn't right for her) who could lead the Wardens of Amaranthine.

 

But the Wardens wouldn't stop pestering him with the notion and so he eventually capitulated and had Nerav rule in his stead, continuing to pave the way for the reforms Orzammar needs.

 

As it happens, it was for the best that he go to Amaranthine, as it allowed him to train Anessen Mahariel completely for the role of leader, but moreover he found Kal-Hirol and its history. After sending word to Nerav to have her house and his lead an expedition to Kal-Hirol in his name, he had Amaranthine's forces help carve out the opposition from the other side with him at the lead. The history there helped justify his reform for the casteless to bear arms, as he had to take it slow at first -- Darius served as a role model, but he couldn't open it up so quickly until Kal'Hirol's history showed the citizens of Orzammar there was little reason to stop it from happening.

 

His decision to spare and ally with the Architect also led to the Darkspawn thinning out for the Dwarves and allowed them to take an unprecedented amount of ground in such a short span of years, while he also served to talk with the Architect about this alliance after the Mother was dealt with.

 

Along with the casteless thing, he expanded trade with the surface while also looking to rebuild Dust Town and ensure it's properly fortified, as the old city no doubt leads out to the Deep Roads and could be a cause for concern. 

 

Eventually, after the events in Amaranthine -- which I headcanon take about three months -- he returned home and, as I said, assisted Jerrik with Amgarrak. His travels with Shale had shown him that there was vast untapped potential for the Golems and Kal'Hirol showed him that what he thought he knew was only the tip of the iceberg (also before he went to Amaranthine he "met" with Branka. And by met I mean removed her as she was a liability and assigned control of the Anvil to the Legion). And what happened in Amgarrak, well, he took all of the research notes and had the army secure the area because he didn't want to take chances that the Harvester was done for. 

 

Once that was done, he had had enough of adventuring for a time and dealt with the political aspect of things, and one year later after a few assassination attempts he shrewdly enacted a plan that had the Assembly seem culpable for a crime against the throne which he said "forced him to disband the Assembly and assign powers of autocracy" to himself -- think Vayne Solidor, more or less. He had the army more then well on his side to justify it.

 

Then when Witch Hunt's time came along and he heard about Morrigan, he decided he couldn't just leave that information alone. So he took his faithful Mabari, whom had been part of a Shaperate breeding program for Orzammar, off with him to look for her. But before he did that he sent a letter to Leliana telling her that he was going to be gone on a long trip, while he informed Nerav that he was going to look for her. She understood and said she would take care of the ruling while Trian took care of the military aspects.

 

Then he goes through the Eluvian with Morrigan and raises Kieran in the Crossroads, with the three of them occasionally popping back into Thedas for something that helped Morrigan or Kieran or even Xanthos (and he would send letters back to Nerav, mostly assuring her that he was alive).

 

Whoo.... that was a lot. And that doesn't even touch how at about 9:38 Dragon he started looking into the Calling, but when Nasir sent word of the threat they were facing he dropped everything and returned to Orzammar, sent an expedition of scholars and soldiers to pick up where he left off -- led by Darius -- and helped Nasir tackle Corypheus (you can read what I believe the Nightmare Demon would say to him here)

 

Spoiler

As for how he became king, well, that's a tale in and of itself. Though I can only speak of what he did with in-game events, as I have to envision what headcanon things there might be (the in-game things are enough to justify it however). And when I say in-game events, I mean the quests, as it's not possible for a DN to take the crown back in the game despite the historical and cultural precedent. A lot of what I say happens in-game, but it's not given any sort of connection to the idea of taking the crown back.

 

He first returned to Orzammar and found it in turmoil. A dozen votes held by the Assembly in the span of the three weeks since Endrin's death, with civil war imminent on the horizon. The Assembly is deadlocked, stone for stone, with Bhelen and Harrowmont having 40 votes each.

 

Many in the Assembly were suspicious of Bhelen's rise to power (at this point Trian is still believed to be dead). Many of the common folk were similarly suspicious, often venting the things Harrowmont wouldn't openly declare, though it was not enough for any meaningful difference. That it existed though was a great deal.

 

After seeking out Steward Bandelor and seeing how Bhelen's allies were trying to cut off the surface trade temporarily so that they could take over all the contracts, he talked to Vartag and "convinced" him that he was willing to put aside his own revenge for the means to put Bhelen on the throne. 

 

Vartag bought it hook line and sinker and handed over the forged promissory notes to Xanthos. Xanthos knew Harrowmont well enough to understand that he would never do something so irresponsible and stupid and dishonest, and so he took them to Shaper Czibor to verify this. He studied the originals and compared them and Czibor said that the Ministry of Lands would investigate the Gavorn clan for this.

 

And since the Gavorn clan, and Vartag especially, are close-knit with Bhelen, this merits an investigation into Bhelen as well.

 

Now, Bhelen is the kind of person who will sacrifice anyone for his ambitions. He got rid of his brothers and even his lesser cousin Revelka doesn't mean anything to him. If he's willing to cast aside family loyalty, I have no doubt that he'd throw the Gavorns under the bus to save his own face when faced with scrutiny.

 

Xanthos capitalizes on this and offers Vartag a way out. Testify against Bhelen and he'll be allowed to join the Legion, or be arrested and tried by the Shaperate (the guards were behind Xanthos).

 

Next, he talked with Orta and, upon hearing that she may have descended from House Ortan, told her that he would go and find the records if he should head out into the Deep Roads. In exchange, as she would be put onto the Assembly immediately, she would give him her vote and make a donation to the campaign against the Blight.

 

Next, he heads to the Glory Proving and enters independently and upon winning, proclaims in the loudest voice possible:

 

"Look on me fair Orzammar, and know that I am the one the Ancestors have chosen as their victor! This Proving, held to honor the memory of my father, was brought about to decide who should rule, whom the Ancestors favor! I have entered under no name but my own, so who here can deny that I am to be your king, meant to champion Orzammar into a new age?! Who here would say that I do not have valos atredum?!"

 

This was meant merely to put doubt and confusion in the hearts of the people and rally some of the nobility to him, as Nerav Helmi assures us that many of the nobles no doubt regret their decision to exile him. More to the point, he wanted to get the attention of Lord Harrowmont.

 

After meeting with Harrowmont, he tells him that he should support his bid for the crown when the time is right. He decides that he needs to take down Jarvia and her Carta in order to properly show to Orzammar that he is the strong king it needs, the one who can defend it from any sort of threat it faces -- foreign and domestic. 

 

Upon coming down here with Darius and some other companions -- and meeting Leske, where Xanthos gave him a speech that broke his resolve at betraying his old friend -- he took down the Carta and also ingratiated himself with Zerlinda's family. Having a Mining Caste clan on his side was a good step. He also got the incriminating papers that put Bhelen and the Carta as responsible for Trian's death.

 

(he also took Rogek's deal, but he had plans to use smuggling for Orzammar's benefit)

 

And finally, upon getting Branka to forge for him a crown and write down that she indeed gave her support to whomever Xanthos wished, he told the Assembly that she wished for him to become king. Many thought this merely a power grab by an exile, but when someone from the Shaperate presented the evidence linking Bhelen to Trian's death -- which was itself brought to the Shapers by someone from House Harrowmont, as Xanthos couldn't bring it himself -- and he presented the writ from Branka detailing her words, the Assembly had no choice but to accept.

 

More so when Trian came in, to the surprise of all, and confirmed the story.

 

Bhelen wouldn't capitulate, saying that the entire thing was the work of Xanthos' mind and that he was forced to do it, and so Xanthos called for an Honor Proving like Darvianik Vollney had done when he was accused of fratricide. Bhelen accepted and was defeated, but Xanthos didn't kill him.

 

He offered him one last chance to atone and repent for his crimes by joining the Legion and heading to Bownammar (but he knew that Bhelen wouldn't accept because Bhelen knew he'd never survive due to Xanthos and Kardol being friends, it was merely for the public relations that he did it) and so Bhelen was arrested and sentenced to death.

 

Rica was understandably pissed but Darius assured her that Bhelen didn't really care for her (something I kinda believe as I watch how Bhelen treats her. He showers her with gifts and jewelry but I don't think he treats her as a person he can trust, since he doesn't tell her the truth about himself -- which politically speaking he doesn't have to do and shouldn't do). I think he viewed her more as a tool, rather then a person, like the rest of Orzammar society. 

 

But as people no doubt know by now, I hate Bhelen with a passion so maybe that colors my perspective.

 

I would however like to make that into a mod for DAO, but I can't get the DAO toolset to work for me sadly. Shame too, as now that I'm playing the PC version I feel I should do that. Wanted to for the longest time. Most of what I said above is taken from a lot of the codexes or in-game dialogue that supports the idea.

 

Makes me sad. 

 

That said, I'd be ecstatic if someone would help make that mod for me. 

 

Also, bear with me for what you read above. I've been fighting a pretty bad cold for the last few days and my head's been killing me today so I was trying to get the basic premise down of his rise to king and what he did post-blight. On my feeling better days I could talk about it in depth.

 

The above headcanon is the property of TEWR

 

First, I hate your guts for making me read all of that! 

 

Second, Xanthos sounds like he really doesn't get emotional connected to the ladies he bond with, and they don't seem to have a problem with it at all. I know marriage is more of a political thing than love, but surely Leliana wouldn't just stick around for all of that. He even goes with Morrigan through the Mirror, so I guess he really doesn't care about love or attachments. 

 

I noticed that you kept all the others "origins" wardens alive, and also with their own part. How does that work?