7155 réponses à ce sujet

[FadelessRipley]

I couldn't agree with you more.  One of my pet peeves about bringing in EU characters is how much is lost between the two mediums.  Even going back to Origins, I would have never known that Loghain was an honorable war hero.  I would have never known that he had some good, if not extreme reasons for what he did in the game.  In the game, he's pretty 2-dimensional, unless the player makes him a Warden.   That was fairly minor to me, since he's the secondary villain, and an optional party member.
 
When I was playing Inquisition for the first time, I can't tell you how many times I said, "I'm so glad I read Asunder and TME first."  Otherwise, sadly, some chunks of the story make no sense to the player.  What's worse is that many times that it seems like the writers expect that the player to have read the source material.  Cole's story about being locked in the cupboard sounds like nonsense (or worse, a Harry Potter shout-out) unless you read Asunder.   The final sparks of the mage/templar war as well as Wynne's death are in there as well.  Shoot, I keep wondering where one of the major anti-heroes of Asunder, Adrian, was. The entire story of the civil war in Orlais is in TME.  It also gave hints about Briala being given an orb at the end of the book, with zero mention of that in the game.
 
Ugh, sorry for the rant there.  Quick, someone post a hottie from Spartacus or Vikings to lighten the mood!
 
As to your second point, to be fair, a lot of the NPCs and companions in this game look younger than their years.  Leliana is 39 at the youngest, and Varric's age is confirmed at 40 as well.  Alistair is also 40, and Cullen's gotta be getting close to it.  Cassandra is at least 38-40 years old as well.  Shoot, I think Loghain is pushing his late 50s and still looks really good considering.  I think the Frostbite engine is part of the reason why.

Same here. In hindsight I have to kind of laugh at BioWare saying that Inquisition was friendly to people who are completely new to the series - er, really?? I guess as I've played both games, all DLC and read the books and graphic novels it's hard for me to imagine being a DA virgin, but I could easily see people being lost or simply not giving a toss about half of these characters. This game nods to so much of the other work. Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts was especially enriched. I drove myself bonkers trying to reconcile Celene and Briala because I wanted a happy ending after all the heartache. I finally cracked and consulted the wiki, only to find there aren't actually enough sodding Halla statuettes in the first place. :-/

Also agree with Thedas' seemingly excellent anti-ageing products. Given the few years Leliana has had, bae must be using blood magic to keep looking so well!

On topic: someone trying to change the Chevalier corruption from within could be a good KISA alright.

[Grieving Natashina]

Same here. In hindsight I have to kind of laugh at BioWare saying that Inquisition was friendly to people who are completely new to the series - er, really?? I guess as I've played both games, all DLC and read the books and graphic novels it's hard for me to imagine being a DA virgin, but I could easily see people being lost or simply not giving a toss about half of these characters. This game nods to so much of the other work. Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts was especially enriched. I drove myself bonkers trying to reconcile Celene and Briala because I wanted a happy ending after all the heartache. I finally cracked and consulted the wiki, only to find there aren't actually enough sodding Halla statuettes in the first place. :-/

Also agree with Thedas' seemingly excellent anti-ageing products. Given the few years Leliana has had, bae must be using blood magic to keep looking so well!

On topic: someone trying to change the Chevalier corruption from within could be a good KISA alright.

Forgive the ribbing, but this was the same company that said ME3 was friendly to new players too.  That game is not newcomer friendly, and you will get the absolute worst world state if you pick the default.  Why does BioWare keep doing that?  Dragon Age is the same way.   Eh, that was a rhetorical question, but still mildly frustrating.

 

You know that I don't indulge in much EA/BioWare bashing, but I was afraid that would happen with this game.  I had a feeling that Cole, for example, was going to come off as nonsensial to some players that didn't read the book.  And I was right.  

 

I didn't know about the Halla statues, but I'll keep my eye out.  I could have sworn that my dwarf archer was able to get all the statues, but I could be mistaken.  That was back in December, just before patch 2.   I'm playing an elven archer but due to the DLC, I'm taking a break.  I look forward to it, but I've had issues with DLC compatibility in the past with BioWare games.  Also, and not to sound like a whiner, but I do want to make sure my mods won't interfere with the DLC, so I'm waiting for a bit for reviews on that front.

 

More on topic, I think we've gotten some cool ideas going for a KISA.  The Viking pics that were posted much earlier in the thread are now relevant, since I think the Avvar could provide some interesting potential LI as well.  I'll admit, my preference is still a dwarf member of the LotD, but those Sparactus and Vikings pics have left me open to more ideas.  

[sandalisthemaker]

Same here. In hindsight I have to kind of laugh at BioWare saying that Inquisition was friendly to people who are completely new to the series - er, really?? I guess as I've played both games, all DLC and read the books and graphic novels it's hard for me to imagine being a DA virgin, but I could easily see people being lost or simply not giving a toss about half of these characters. This game nods to so much of the other work. Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts was especially enriched. I drove myself bonkers trying to reconcile Celene and Briala because I wanted a happy ending after all the heartache. I finally cracked and consulted the wiki, only to find there aren't actually enough sodding Halla statuettes in the first place. :-/

Also agree with Thedas' seemingly excellent anti-ageing products. Given the few years Leliana has had, bae must be using blood magic to keep looking so well!

On topic: someone trying to change the Chevalier corruption from within could be a good KISA alright.

 

Plus the whole elven gods thing.  I really like that new info, but people who aren't lore buffs or new to the series would have been lost during the Well of Sorrows as well.  

 

I wouldn't have a problem with a Chevalier.  Most people who oppose them do so because of the info  (from one of the novels) about an initiation rite involving harassing and possibly killing elves.   And if the character is against those practices, then they would align even more closely with what this thread is asking for. That could be part of a troubled past, something that I'm not against so long as the character is currently a KISA.  That's why I consider Blackwall a KISA. 

[Grieving Natashina]

Plus the whole elven gods thing.  I really like that new info, but people who aren't lore buffs or new to the series would have been lost during the Well of Sorrows as well.  

 

I wouldn't have a problem with a Chevalier.  Most people who oppose them do so because of the info  (from one of the novels) about an initiation rite involving harassing and possibly killing elves.   And if the character is against those practices, then they would align even more closely with what this thread is asking for. That could be part of a troubled past, something that I'm not against so long as the character is currently a KISA.  That's why I consider Blackwall a KISA. 

Or during the scene with Flemeth and Morrigan.  The game treats the scene with the reverance it deserves for such an important character, but Flemeth is barely mentioned in most of the EU, save World of Thedas and one of the comics.  Even then, the game expects the player to know how she is and why her talking to Morrigan is so important.  That's even without the former OGB getting involved.

 

I agree with you about Blackwall.  I think why some people disqualify him is because he spend the better part of 4 years lying about everything that he was.  Well, minus the solider part.  I know it was 4 years, because you can find a note about the massacre that sets the date of the event at 9:37 Dragon.  I disagree with those folks, because of how he acted while he was disguising himself.  He was constantly striving to overcome his previous dishonor ever second he was "Blackwall," as well as when he (possibly) returns as himself.  

 

He didn't turn to banditry, or waste time after the real Blackwall died drowning in his sorrows.  He set aside any self pity and tried to live up to the ideal he thought the Wardens were.   I don't think he made the right decision by hiding.  Nor do I think he should have let his men take the fall, but afterward he was almost honorable to a fault.  

 

I agree he's a KISA, but I'd rather make sure my character doesn't have to learn his real identity for a romance.  _{Yes, I'm looking at you as well, Solas.}

[sandalisthemaker]

Or during the scene with Flemeth and Morrigan.  The game treats the scene with the reverance it deserves for such an important character, but Flemeth is barely mentioned in most of the EU, save World of Thedas.  Even then, the game expects the player to know how she is and why her talking to Morrigan is so important.  That's even without the former OGB getting involved.

 

I agree with you about Blackwall.  I think why some people disqualify him is because he spend the better part of 4 years lying about everything that he was.  Well, minus the solider part.  I know it was 4 years, because you can find a note about the massacre that sets the date of the event at 9:37 Dragon.  I disagree with those folks, because of how he acted while he was disguising himself.  He was constantly striving to overcome his previous dishonor ever second he was "Blackwall," as well as when he (possibly) returns as himself.  

 

He didn't turn to banditry, or waste time after the real Blackwall died drowning in his sorrows.  He set aside any self pity and tried to live up to the ideal he thought the Wardens were.   I don't think he made the right decision by hiding.  Nor do I think he should have let his men take the fall, but afterward he was almost honorable to a fault.  

 

I agree he's a KISA, but I'd rather make sure my character doesn't have to learn his real identity for a romance.  _{Yes, I'm looking at you as well, Solas.}

 

 

Oh god, the Flemeth Scene.  

 

The one without Kieran at the shrine just pales in comparison to the one with Kieren in the Fade IMO.  I still get goosebumps thinking about it, I loved it so much.  But yeah, I have no clue what new players were thinking during the Flemeth scene and her big reveal as Mythal.  

 

Well, besides "???????????????????????"

 

God dat Flemeth scene, though. 

[Grieving Natashina]

Oh god, the Flemeth Scene.  

 

The one without Kieran at the shrine just pales in comparison to the one with Kieren in the Fade IMO.  I still get goosebumps thinking about it, I loved it so much.  But yeah, I have no clue what new players were thinking during the Flemeth scene and her big reveal as Mythal.  

 

Well, besides "???????????????????????"

 

God dat Flemeth scene, though. 

If I wasn't returning to Thedas, and instead just got there, I would have gone, "Um, okay.  Who is this lady with the horns?  Why does Morrigan hate her mom?  Wait, what's the horned lady doing to the kid?  And she was going to possess Morrigan? When?  How?  I'm so bloody confused right now."

 

That was an amazing scene, especially since Kieran was the OGB in my world state.  One of the best in the game, to be honest.  One look from Flemeth showed me how much the player doesn't know the actual woman.  I'll post a screenshot in a relevant thread sometime.  It's a shame that there is no build-up really, or any way of driving home how important those events were aside from the music and the general atmosphere lending gravity to the situation.  It was like, "Sorry kid, you should have played the first two games."  That seems like a direct contradiction to, "This is newcomer friendly."

 

Going back on topic (gah, I keep sidetracking, sorry guys,) I would love to see a Templar as a KISA.  One of the big reasons why is that I'd like a current member of the Templar order, or at least one that wants to reform the order, as a companion.  I was never the biggest Cullen fan, but I was hoping he was a party member.  We've gotten perspectives of Circle Mages, apostates and those that were never in a circle at all (Morrigan and Solas.)  I would like to have someone that is, or was, a fully-fledged Templar.  Alistair was pulled out of the Templars before he did much more than take his first lyrium draft.   I know, a gay/bisexual Templar KISA feels like an overdone idea, but I'd still like that.  

 

Or, an older Warden like what Blackwall appeared to be.  Not someone on the verge of his Calling, but not a fairly green recruit like Alistair (or Nate and Sigrun, which were brand new Wardens.)  Alistair had been in the Wardens for 6 months and knew as much about the Archdemon/Warden soul cancellation as much as the player did.  I also don't want someone like Anders, that ended up hating and resenting the Wardens and becoming a non-active member.   It's not like you can quit being a Warden, but you can quit the duties of one until the Calling hits.

[FadelessRipley]

There's a fair bit to damn the Chevaliers in game, too. There's Liselle's account in Denerim Market in Origins, and the graduation "tradition" is actually referenced in codex in an entry about an elf who stood up to them. For the life of me I can't remember where - and I only saw a screenshot posted on BSN very recently, too. Dammit!

But yes, someone Michel-esque could work - having a true personal honour and upholding what the Chevalier ideals are *supposed* to be.

 
I know, a gay/bisexual Templar KISA feels like an overdone idea, but I'd still like that.  
 
Or, an older Warden like what Blackwall appeared to me.  Not someone on the verge of his Calling, but not a fairly green recruit like Alistair (or Nate and Sigrun, which were brand new Wardens.)  Alistair had been in the Wardens for 6 months and knew as much about the Archdemon/Warden soul cancellation as much as the player did.  I also don't want someone like Anders, that ended up hating and resenting the Wardens and becoming a non-active member.   It's not like you can quit being a Warden, but you can quit the duties of one until the Calling hits.

These are my favourite ideas. I'm in the Templar camp too, and a warden would be excellent. That's basically what I headcanon my Warden Cousland as. She's noble in the true sense of the word - always strives to avoid bloodshed where possible and help out those who need it. She tried to make the most moral decisions possible all throughout Origins and the DLC. Plus she saved the damsel in distress. Alright, so maybe Leliana isn't exactly a damsel in distress...

[Grieving Natashina]

Oh awesome!  The character I consider my KISA was my female human Inquisitor, Valena.  She was actually inspired by this thread.  I had never tried sword and board warrior before, but I wanted to after hanging out with these folks.  I picked several more Lawful Good answers I would have otherwise, and at times I rolled my eyes as a player with how goody-goody she came across.  That didn't bother me though, since I was RP'ing and there is a difference between me and my characters most of the time.  I made sure she had a sense of humor, and amusingly, her romance was the Bull.  He was a good Chaotic Good counterpoint to her LG point of view.

 

Plus, I'll admit that I'm curious to see the state of the Wardens and the Templars after this game.  A KISA would help with that perspective, and it would be nice to see a male member of the Wardens or the Templars that's openly gay.

[FadelessRipley]

Oh awesome!  The character I consider my KISA was my female human Inquisitor, Valena.  She was actually inspired by this thread.  I had never tried sword and board warrior before, but I wanted to after hanging out with these folks.  I picked several more Lawful Good answers I would have otherwise, and at times I rolled my eyes as a player with how goody-goody she came across.  That didn't bother me though, since I was RP'ing and there is a difference between me and my characters most of the time.  I made sure she had a sense of humor, and amusingly, her romance was the Bull.  He was a good Chaotic Good counterpoint to her LG point of view.
 
Plus, I'll admit that I'm curious to see the state of the Wardens and the Templars after this game.  A KISA would help with that perspective, and it would be nice to see a male member of the Wardens or the Templars that's openly gay.

Aye, all my PCs have a similar personality - mostly "paragon", to borrow the Mass Effect term, but with witty sense of humour and charm. None of the DA PCs have ever taken any drastic renegade actions I don't think - though Hawke would have lopped Petrice's head off herself given the chance! Hawke doesn't fit the trope though. Or does she...? She was a warrior and a soldier...She was more cheeky because the diplomatic FemHawke just sounded too ridiculously saintly even for me! Mind you I don't think a KISA necessarily has to be a total stuffed shirt or really naive - although it's incredibly endearing in Aveline, Alistair and Cullen.

My Inquisitor doesn't count either on account of being Tal-Vashoth and a mercenary I expect, though she chose similar actions to what the Warden would have done. I headcanon that she was a merc out of necessity - not many jobs going for Tal-Vashoth around Thedas!

I still love the Wardens, even after all that went down. I like the *idea* of Templars, but I've always been slightly more pro-Mage in game. The Warden refused Cullen's request to kill innocent mages, Hawke sided with them, and so did the IQ. I don't see a problem with the order staying around after a massive overhaul. The state of flux both orders will be in is ripe for some dashing noble KISA goodness!

[daveliam]

My Inquisitor doesn't count either on account of being Tal-Vashoth and a mercenary I expect, though she chose similar actions to what the Warden would have done. I headcanon that she was a merc out of necessity - not many jobs going for Tal-Vashoth around Thedas!

 

My canon Inquisitor was a total KISA type and he was Tal-Vashoth.  I chose the absolute most "paragon" choices in every case and he was a two-handed warrior.  I head canoned that he was a merc out of necessity, like you said, because of racism against qunari.  While he was fairly clueless about the Qun and considered himself a Marcher, the strong prejudice against Qunari limited his options.  And, since he was an amazing warrior, being a merc was the natural fit.  I see the Valo-Kas as a Tal-Vashoth merc group (even though you can select through dialogue that they are mixed race or mostly human) and I see Talan (my Inquisitor) as the socially bumbling do-gooder who rises through the ranks on merits, versus his comraderie (side note, I see a great friendship between him and Shokrakar where she finds him utterly frustrating and naive, but respects his combat prowess and 'do-good' approach).  When the chance to work the Conclave job arose, it was a no-brainer that Talan, with his Marcher attitude/beliefs, would be one of the ones to go.  And, though he's not Andrastian (his parents were of the Qun, after all), he jumps at the opportunity to use the Inquisition as his way to gain the acceptance that he's always sought from both the Andrastian and Tal-Vashoth communities.  As time goes by, he comes to see the Inquisition as a force for doing 'good' and restoring order in order to save lives, so he becomes fully committed to the cause and embraces his role as Inquisitor. 

 

And, on the way, he meets a dashing, sassy Tevinter mage and they fall in love and live happily ever after.  The End. 

[eyezonlyii]

My canon Inquisitor was a total KISA type and he was Tal-Vashoth.  I chose the absolute most "paragon" choices in every case and he was a two-handed warrior.  I head canoned that he was a merc out of necessity, like you said, because of racism against qunari.  While he was fairly clueless about the Qun and considered himself a Marcher, the strong prejudice against Qunari limited his options.  And, since he was an amazing warrior, being a merc was the natural fit.  I see the Valo-Kas as a Tal-Vashoth merc group (even though you can select through dialogue that they are mixed race or mostly human) and I see Talan (my Inquisitor) as the socially bumbling do-gooder who rises through the ranks on merits, versus his comraderie (side note, I see a great friendship between him and Shokrakar where she finds him utterly frustrating and naive, but respects his combat prowess and 'do-good' approach).  When the chance to work the Conclave job arose, it was a no-brainer that Talan, with his Marcher attitude/beliefs, would be one of the ones to go.  And, though he's not Andrastian (his parents were of the Qun, after all), he jumps at the opportunity to use the Inquisition as his way to gain the acceptance that he's always sought from both the Andrastian and Tal-Vashoth communities.  As time goes by, he comes to see the Inquisition as a force for doing 'good' and restoring order in order to save lives, so he becomes fully committed to the cause and embraces his role as Inquisitor. 

 

And, on the way, he meets a dashing, sassy Tevinter mage and they fall in love and live happily ever after.  The End. 

*in Rion voice from multiplayer* So how's everyone doing today?

[FadelessRipley]

My canon Inquisitor was a total KISA type and he was Tal-Vashoth.  I chose the absolute most "paragon" choices in every case and he was a two-handed warrior.  I head canoned that he was a merc out of necessity, like you said, because of racism against qunari.  While he was fairly clueless about the Qun and considered himself a Marcher, the strong prejudice against Qunari limited his options.  And, since he was an amazing warrior, being a merc was the natural fit.  I see the Valo-Kas as a Tal-Vashoth merc group (even though you can select through dialogue that they are mixed race or mostly human) and I see Talan (my Inquisitor) as the socially bumbling do-gooder who rises through the ranks on merits, versus his comraderie (side note, I see a great friendship between him and Shokrakar where she finds him utterly frustrating and naive, but respects his combat prowess and 'do-good' approach).  When the chance to work the Conclave job arose, it was a no-brainer that Talan, with his Marcher attitude/beliefs, would be one of the ones to go.  And, though he's not Andrastian (his parents were of the Qun, after all), he jumps at the opportunity to use the Inquisition as his way to gain the acceptance that he's always sought from both the Andrastian and Tal-Vashoth communities.  As time goes by, he comes to see the Inquisition as a force for doing 'good' and restoring order in order to save lives, so he becomes fully committed to the cause and embraces his role as Inquisitor. 
 
And, on the way, he meets a dashing, sassy Tevinter mage and they fall in love and live happily ever after.  The End.

Perfect! Just replace your sexy Vashoth man with my sexy lady and Dorian with Josie, and I'm sorted!

[daveliam]

So we've added in a 'noble reformer Chevalier' to the list of gay/lesbian KISA's that we've conceptualized:

* LoD (or Rock-Knocker) dwarf KISA

* Nevarran Dragon Hunter KISA

* Lady Qunari Blacksmith KISA

* Grand Tourney Marcher KISA

* Noble Reformer Chevalier KISA

 

I've seen people talking about a templar KISA, an ancient elf KISA, a Tevinter gladiator KISA, and a city elf squire KISA, but no one has tried to flesh them out at all.  Anyone want to try to take a stab at them?  Who are they?  What is their motivation?  Let's keep building our gay KISA ranks!

[Steelcan]

ohhhhhh gladiators....

[FadelessRipley]

So we've added in a 'noble reformer Chevalier' to the list of gay/lesbian KISA's that we've conceptualized:
* LoD (or Rock-Knocker) dwarf KISA
* Nevarran Dragon Hunter KISA
* Lady Qunari Blacksmith KISA
* Grand Tourney Marcher KISA
* Noble Reformer Chevalier KISA

I've seen people talking about a templar KISA, an ancient elf KISA, a Tevinter gladiator KISA, and a city elf squire KISA, but no one has tried to flesh them out at all. Anyone want to try to take a stab at them? Who are they? What is their motivation? Let's keep building our gay KISA ranks!

I'm out of likes, but I approve. I was going to say why don't we all create a character, even really basic, and do a little intro for them? Don't worry about perfect lore adherence, just go with the flow. From what I know of this thread any criticism will be constructive. I'm trying to build a Templar lady in my head. She's kind of modelled after Cullen story and personality wise.

EDIT: Or or or... Plagiarise the heck out of my Warden KISA and make her an NPC!

It's pretty late here, but I might post an intro tomorrow.

[Grieving Natashina]

*in Rion voice from multiplayer* So how's everyone doing today?

Coffee good.  

 

I'm about to go play some ME.  Sorry Kaidan, but I met Ashley's voice actress.  You're getting left on bomb duty.  

 

How are you hun?

[Steelcan]

Coffee good.  

 

I'm about to go play some ME.  Sorry Kaidan, but I met Ashley's voice actress.  You're getting left on bomb duty.  

 

How are you hun?

oh why would you do that to yourself.....

[SardaukarElite]

a Tevinter gladiator KISA (...) but no one has tried to flesh them out at all.  Anyone want to try to take a stab at them?

 

"My name is (Something Something Something), commander of the Armies of (something), General of the (Something) Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE Archon, Aurelian Titus. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered husband. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

 

Okay, it has been done before.

[Steelcan]

"My name is (Something Something Something), commander of the Armies of (something), General of the (Something) Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE Archon, Aurelian Titus. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered husband. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

 

Okay, it has been done before.

[FadelessRipley]

Coffee good.  
 
I'm about to go play some ME.  Sorry Kaidan, but I met Ashley's voice actress.  You're getting left on bomb duty.  
 
How are you hun?

Out of likes... Kaidan always gets left on bomb duty for my Shep. #SorryKaidan I've never once saved him, but then I never deviate from a playthrough. I don't hate him, actually I headcanon a closeclose bro friendship between him and my FemShep, and she often thinks of him. It just has to be Ashley for me.

[Grieving Natashina]

oh why would you do that to yourself.....

 

 

Out of likes... Kaidan always gets left on bomb duty for my Shep. #SorryKaidan I've never once saved him, but then I never deviate from a playthrough.   I don't hate him, actually I headcanon a closeclose bro friendship between him and my FemShep, and she often thinks of him. It just has to be Ashley for me.

 

  

 

I meet Kimberly Brooks last year at Denver Comic Con, along with Jennifer Hale and Mark Meer.  My husband knew that those VAs were going to be there, and surprised me with it.  I have Mark's autograph on a picture of Shepard framed above my desk from that.  Anyway, Kim sounds exactly like Ashley and as a result, I haven't been able to leave her on Virmire since.

 

That doesn't stop me from firing up Gibbed for ME2.  With a few clicks of checkboxes, Ashley can be dead and Kaidan alive.  I'll keep him alive next time, but for now, he's toast.  I also like Kaidan as a character and I don't find him boring.  He's certainly a KISA (see, I'm sorta on topic,) but Kimberly kinda ruined it for me.  

[Hellion Rex]

Coffee good.  

 

I'm about to go play some ME.  Sorry Kaidan, but I met Ashley's voice actress.  You're getting left on bomb duty.  

 

How are you hun?

But how you could you say no to that sexy man?

[Incantrix]

Meh, I am honestly not that pressed to demand a KISA. If it fits the story then sure, but I don't want fan service because BSN said so, I would roll my eyes so quick.

Besides, goody two shoe romances have never appealed to me and if they made the ss romance a goody blah blah "cullenesque" romance I would be so pissed.

[Steelcan]

But how you could you say no to that sexy man?

sorry but the title of sexiest man in ME is occupied

[Grieving Natashina]

But how you could you say no to that sexy man?

Eluvianus!!!!!  <HUG>

 

I think meeting Kim Brooks screwed up my RP.  Kaidan will survive on my next Shepard.  This is only my third time playing the series, so he'll live in another world state.  I started the series for the first time last May and I met the VAs literally 10 days after I finished the series for the first time.  It's colored my views big time.  I still can't play a male Shepard though.  I was laughing so hard at his running animation, that gorilla stomp in ME2, that I exited and restarted the game as a female character.