Ah the wonders a shower does for the thoughts. Warning: Spoilers concerning Dragon Age: The Masked Empire below.
Briala is a brunette, darker in skin and very Orlesian... Do you even read what you quote bro?
I don't know how I missed this before. Saying someone is darker than Celene isn't saying much, she's as pale as they come. The quote says she has light brown hair, and how she's embarrassed by her natural tan. Not the dark brown hair that would throw her into the brunette category at least in my books (which may not match your books. I have some pretty crazy books.). I addressed my views on that earlier. The pictures I see of Sera do indeed show her with a tan and freckles. Her tan is not crazy dark like the fan consensus seems to be concerning Briala. But it's definitely darker than Celene. I think wiggle room for her character's appearance does exist such is the nature of written descriptions.
Briala doesn't strike me as impulsive at all, but careful and she can be manipulative.
Since you've read TME:
You know what happens when Briala pieces together that Celene killed her parents. Briala holds on to this info and comes up with a plan to take the eluvians from Celene. She has to hold onto some very strong emotions for the whole time.
If that was Sera, she would have just lashed out angrily at Celene, causing quite the scene I'm sure, as soon as she figured out what had happened when her parents died.
Anyway, if you want to talk about personality types (I'll use Myers Briggs as an example), I'd say Briala is more of an INTJ while Sera is likely ESFP...so pretty much polar opposites.
Sera does 'stand up for those caught in the middle' and hates those that fight for 'the greater good'. Briala is concerned with acquiring elven rights in Orlais at any cost. She's willing to prolong a Civil War between Celene and Gascard which will result in death and suffering for many people (humans and possibly even elves included) that are caught in the middle. Sera wouldn't do anything like this or support it as it's a perfect example of someone sacrificing the 'common folk caught in the middle' for a 'greater good'.
You're right, I would never use the word impulsive to describe Briala as we know her from TME. Calculating, intelligent, thoughtful, and despite what I said earlier even playful at times are words I would use, but compulsive no. And save for maybe a red lyrium rod through the brain it takes a lot to change a personality. Now all aboard a logic train concerned with playing devil's advocate in this situation.
But where was Briala at the end of TME? She had just lost the love of her life, her mentor, her hopes, and in large part the framework in which she viewed her entire world. The Dalish elves were not who she thought they were, her love was not what she had hoped for, and her pivotal moment in her life had ended up being a lie, simply part of the game. She finds herself with access to the Eluvians and a new goal of uniting her people through a purposely drug out chaos. Events like these change a person. No mentor to guide her, no love to devote herself to. What does one become when she suddenly must find her way on her own. Perhaps a different person? Perhaps on purpose?
Those who are stuck in the middle? A group who has been for centuries are the elves, and I think it's a false notion to think that she only cares about the city elves and the dalish. Her new found access allows her to be a robin hood of sorts, everywhere at once, but never found. To help not just her people but all those that will suffer due to those in power using them as pawns seems like a natural progression in her end goal. After all it wasn't as black and white as the Dalish (let the humans kill each other off and we'll just wait), she wasn't racist or blind to injustice, she's seen enough racism in her life. What better way to free the elves than to get the people on your side?
What do you think would be the force that would be in direct opposition to her goal of continued chaos or perhaps one that can be used for her own ends? A force of order. A force like the Inquisition. It would strike me as odd if she didn't feel the need to infiltrate such a power and attempt to direct it towards her goals, just as she did with Celene during her stay at her side.
It seems strange to me that a lot of people seem to know exactly who and how Sera is. Well it's not entirely strange, I understand forming attachments to upcoming characters, but the only information I can find are pictures and a short description introducing her character. Hardly grounds to completely dismiss an idea. If there's a trove of information concerning her some where point me in the direction, because I would like to check it out. I did do my research before posting this, and I didn't find enough to dissuade the idea in my mind.
I expect twists from Bioware which isn't without precedence. Examples such as Revan from KOTOR, as SirGladiator mentioned, Master Li from Jade Empire, Kreia from KOTOR2, and probably my least favorite (and not much of one) the Star Child from ME3. The possibility exists, although it's small. It would definitely make for interesting writing. Then again why cheat ourselves from an entirely new character being written? Either way is fine with me. Although like I said earlier I hope the characters from the novel do show up. If more than just Cole ended up being a party member that would be pretty nifty, but if not Cole's a pretty interesting character in his own right. I am up for being wrong about this. The most I can do before further information is brought forth is skip stones in conjecture.
How certain can we be concerning a game that hasn’t even released?