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[Ssekyr1]

First, I’ll start by saying that this will be a rant more than anything. Since Origins I’ve been a fan of Dragon Age’s idea of elves. I typically play an elf when given the opportunity, for myriad reasons ultimately irrelevant to this post. However, given my love for the race and, in particular, the race DA games have presented, I tend to become emotionally invested in the books (Fiona and Briala, for example) and the games (Hero of Fereldan, Fenris, Merril, etc). Oftentimes this is satisfying, as Bioware seems to enjoy their creation nearly as much as I. Then again, there is always a lot left unsaid / that remains utterly cryptic.

 

While Inquisition does ‘answer’ a lot of questions, it raises many more and demoralizes me overall. There are a number of things that harm me, if not outright damn my emotional investment. Examples start here, SPOILERS.

 

Primary, the game seems to be designed around the Andrastian human’s perspective. You’re barely acknowledged as an elf, much less Dalish. And even then, only in passing. This spans the entirety of the game, around 92 hours for me. This game seems to be written with DA2 and Hawke in mind; that is, male or female? Class? Decidedly and definately human. Now, I haven’t played a dwarf or the Tal-Vasoth kossith (something I couldn’t justify, even with their paragraph detailing why you’d be at the Conclave) so, I don’t know if it’s the same for all races.

 

Secondary, the whole experience was maddening and saddened me deeply, so much so I’m ashamed to admit it. For instance, I chose Cullen to stop a Freemarcher noble from culling his alienage. While Cullen was semi-successful in this operation, my entire clan (Clan Lavellan) was killed in vengeance. Now, I understand how this would happen, I understand that perhaps if I had chosen another advisor it wouldn’t have, both are beside the point. No one in the Inquisition even mentioned it. No apology that it occurred, no acknowledgement that it occurred. It was swept away simply because the operation completed, damn the consequences. What’s more, it’s impossible to role-play that sadness when the character herself didn’t acknowledge it. Sure, there are bigger issues, but having the community that raised her be erased would take some coping.

 

Tertiary, The introduced lore and the romance with Solas. The Solas romance was terribly written, facing facts. There is literally no reciprocation, which bothered me and still does even with the evidence as to why.  I’ll start by saying that it’s apparent why Arlathan fell, despite the self-infliced slavery and superiority (over other elves? subraces? Unlcear). Elves in DA games have and are the same as humans in DA, given the revelations.  They committed all the same errors Chanter’s, Vint’s and all other manner of Thedasian humans do now.   They were no different, given the revelations at Mythal’s Temple. Hell, Abelas simply refused to acknowledge we were similar, even though he too must have been a slave (or something), wearing vallaslin as he was. He went so far as to call my character shemlen, which further illustrated to me that elves are now and were then just as fractious and petty as any Orlesian. When the final 'romance' scene between Lavellan and Solas played, I wasn't heartbroken like some others. I kind of expected this. The single revelation (about vallaslin) was damning, and made the Inquisitor hiccup, wondering what else her people had gotten wrong (all of it, apparently).

 

Final. The ending cinematic with Flemeth and Solas (now Fen’Harel). While he seemed distraut by his abruptly leaving my Inquisitor and equally with losing the Orb, his purpose for wanting either was never illustrated or explained in a reasonable way. Then, Flemeth / Urthemiel / Mythal takes his body. Now, this is well and good. It’s not so bad to keep such powerful, possibly divine, legends all locked together; but to what end? A four hour DLC to be released in a year? Or simply the continuation of a franchise? It's about that money, after all. While I don't blame anyone for desiring money, I know plenty of satisfying authors who don't **** thier product in doing so.

 

I know the city elves are whelps, either succumbing to the chantry and being thankful, or chafing yet unable to escape their yolks. The Dalish, while noble, eternally grasp at straws of a past they can’t hope to recover or even comprehend, despite Solas / Fen’harel’s words to Abelas at his departure. What will the so-called ‘Ancient Elves’ deign to teach their lesser kin? Very little, I suspect.

 

This installment of dragon age left a horrific taste in my mouth.  I played through Origin’s countless times, DA2 got three. I plan on going back as a male human, leaning towards Cassandra or Dorian. I'm thinking the game will be a little more gratifying as a human.

[azanimefan]

this was foreshadowed in one of the books that was released... the one about the orlesian civil war.  one of the characters was an orlesian bard/courtier who was mistress to the empress and a city elf.  she was learning about the dalish from a dalish elf who was visiting her in secret.  she had almost the same misconceptions about the dalish and ancient elves as you did.  her dalish teacher raised some fantastic questions in their conversations "if those stories are true, who washed the cloths?  who made the food?"  type questions, making her realize that the stories of the old elves was just that... idealized legends, that hid the truth.  the truth being they weren't perfect and it wasn't a utopia, and there had to be something wrong in their kingdom for humans to be able to overthrow them and drive them out.  there were castes, and slaves and blood magic and necromancy being performed all the time.  i mean look at all the old elven temples and areas you enter they're practically reeking of blood magic.  where did Ancient Tevinter learn all that crap? they learned it from the elves.  

[Ssekyr1]

Right, I read Masked Empire. You're focused on my final paragraph, assuming that's what bothered me the most. It didn't, but it does demean them in some eyes. I respect them for all the traditions they had. Look at the lost Temple of Dirthamen, for example. Blood magic, not necessarily profane, but certainly alien to any race now walking Thedas. Arlathan's legacy is gone, so are the people. Too many questions need answers that wont get them,

 

My major complaints were, concisely, this game doesn't make the character feel elven nor does it do a good job explaining literally anything that arose in previous installments. Simply more fuel for future fires. Too many tangled ends, too many loose ideas. I feel that it detracts from the overall story, despite the game's immersion in elven zones / lore.... I mean, the most of Halamshiral you see is the Winter Palace.

 

Really, the best that this game offered was putting Briala on the Lion Throne (indirectly) and..well... and? Unsure. At least from the perspective of my Inquisitor. And forcing the Maker and Andraste the whole time is also a detractor, but that's irrelevant. No elven characters speak to you, short of Solas who is neglected so far as writing goes (or in comparison to Bull, Varric, Dorian or Cassandra) and Lirandil. Seriously? One Clan in ALL the Dales? Well, that we meet, anyway.

 

It would probably be best if Dragon Age elves only existed in lore and history, but they were extinct otherwise. As it stands, and despite Briala and an elven Inquisitor, they're a dying race. The best they can hope to accomplish is becoming sovereign over a region again. And look how well that went last time.

[staindgrey]

Primary, the game seems to be designed around the Andrastian human’s perspective. You’re barely acknowledged as an elf, much less Dalish. And even then, only in passing. This spans the entirety of the game, around 92 hours for me. This game seems to be written with DA2 and Hawke in mind; that is, male or female? Class? Decidedly and definately human. Now, I haven’t played a dwarf or the Tal-Vasoth kossith (something I couldn’t justify, even with their paragraph detailing why you’d be at the Conclave) so, I don’t know if it’s the same for all races.

I believe this is because Hawke was originally intended to be the central character of this game as well. They were wanting to create their own "Shepard", a more recognizable character that could be used across multiple sequels. Because of the backlash DAII received, they decided to distance themselves from Hawke, but still used the same general story layout. That's why they had to start the game with a conveniently timed magical terrorist attack that gave this one random person tons of influence and power.

 

I'm also playing a Dalish elf, and I understand where you're coming from. There area few moments that really feel authentic to the Dalish experience, but those are somewhat few and far between.

[Ssekyr1]

I believe this is because Hawke was originally intended to be the central character of this game as well. They were wanting to create their own "Shepard", a more recognizable character that could be used across multiple sequels. Because of the backlash DAII received, they decided to distance themselves from Hawke, but still used the same general story layout. That's why they had to start the game with a conveniently timed magical terrorist attack that gave this one random person tons of influence and power.

 

I'm also playing a Dalish elf, and I understand where you're coming from. There area few moments that really feel authentic to the Dalish experience, but those are somewhat few and far between.

 

Well, then why release the product? Simply delay it longer, imo. They promised four races over a year ago, I'd think they'd have enough time to write in those races. I imagine it's the same story for Dwarves and Qunari. Regardless, it's probably beneficial that you're not emotionally invested in the franchise. Otherwise, I'd emphatically recommend a reroll.

[peasant007]

I dunno.  I'm also playing an elf and it seems that people won't shut up about it *shrugs*

[mikeymoonshine]

I'm with you on the whole clan Levallan war table crap, that was annoying. Race reactivity was played up for this game when really it wasn't all that. Solas's romance was a late addition that came with the time extension so I didn't expect much from it.

 

I am also pretty sure that Flemeth did not posses Solas, I think he took her life force and power from her. He also said before hand that he should be the one to pay the price (for his failure to unlock the power of the orb) but the people needed him indicating that she was the one that was going to have to pay. She also seemed to willingly allow him to do what he did. I am hoping that she is not actually dead in some way but  don't think she has possessed him.

[jlb524]

I do agree and I feel the story/themes fit better with a human that's coming from an Andrastian background...one who has lived a pretty sheltered life up until the Breach occurs and never really questioned things like faith in the Maker or the (human) social institutions around Thedas (Circle/Templars/Grey Wardens/etc).   The human Inquisitor just feels more involved on many levels instead of looking at these things as an outsider.

 

Though, I always felt Origins fit better with a human (noble mostly) as well.

[Ssekyr1]

I dunno.  I'm also playing an elf and it seems that people won't shut up about it *shrugs*

 

Really? This is the only thread I've seen pertaining to race reactivty and elves in general.

 

I'm with you on the whole clan Levallan war table crap, that was annoying. Race reactivity was played up for this game when really it wasn't all that. Solas's romance was a late addition that came with the time extension so I didn't expect much from it.

 

I am also pretty sure that Flemeth did not posses Solas, I think he took her life force and power from her. He also said before hand that he should be the one to pay the price (for his failure to unlock the power of the orb) but the people needed him indicating that she was the one that was going to have to pay. She also seemed to willingly allow him to do what he did. I am hoping that she is not actually dead in some way but  don't think she has possessed him.

 

Did you try the war table with Cullen, as well? I wonder if it'd go different with Josephine or Lelianna, both are more tactful in different ways.

 

Regardless if Fen'Harel exists now as Urthemiel and Mythal or Flemeth exists as all three, they all still exist. But, to what end? Specualtion on my part will be fruitless simply because the answer is apparent. A new installment is forthcoming. Something that doesn't delight me quite the way the forthcoming DA2 and then DA:I did.

[Ssekyr1]

 

I do agree and I feel the story/themes fit better with a human that's coming from an Andrastian background...one who has lived a pretty sheltered life up until the Breach occurs and never really questioned things like faith in the Maker or the (human) social institutions around Thedas (Circle/Templars/Grey Wardens/etc).   The human Inquisitor just feels more involved on many levels instead of looking at these things as an outsider.

 

Though, I always felt Origins fit better with a human (noble mostly) as well.

 

 

I imagine so. Perhaps I did myself a disservice thinking any differently, given DA2's racial restriction. Regardless, I will be starting a completionist campaign today. I'll create a human mage.

[Uriel]

I don't know, I played Dalish, and everyone would talk me about that at a time. Since I role played that I believe in Dalish pantheon, I also had religious debates with some about that. Solas of course had the most conversation around elves, but Sera too (she doesn't like elves strangely ^^). So no, I didn't feel out of place at all, and it was fun to see someone from a despised race becoming so important, and realizing at the end, that yes, his ancestors are really special, even if his culture misunderstands numerous things.

[Heimdall]

Guys, remember that the race options were only added in later stages when they received that extra year of development time. Before that they had the whole story laid out for a human protagonist, not Hawke, as Hawke was never intended to be the protagonist of this game, but still a human protagonist for reasons of keeping the amount of work manageable.

From what I've seen of Vashoth playthroughs, they're race is satisfactorily referenced and acknowledged. Then again, they aren't as involved as a Dalish elf in the lore revelations.

And from what I remember, the Solas romance was also added in the past year thanks to the extra development time. I haven't experienced it myself, but it might suffer from rushing as a result.

[elrofrost]

I agree too. Consider a dwarf - who worships paragons and frankly, why would a dwarf be at the conclave in the first place? This is a VERY human-focused game. And it makes more sense playing as one. 

[mikeymoonshine]

Did you try the war table with Cullen, as well? I wonder if it'd go different with Josephine or Lelianna, both are more tactful in different ways.

 

Regardless if Fen'Harel exists now as Urthemiel and Mythal or Flemeth exists as all three, they all still exist. But, to what end? Specualtion on my part will be fruitless simply because the answer is apparent. A new installment is forthcoming. Something that doesn't delight me quite the way the forthcoming DA2 and then DA:I did.

 

Nope, picked the same as you, ah well. 

 

Well my theory is that Solas is trying to somehow bring Arlathan back. It did disappear after all and it wasn't coz of Tervinter, i think he was responsible for the fall but it was by accident and he was just trying to end the civil war. He probably tricked both sides like the stories say but ended up causing the fall. 

[Ssekyr1]

Nope, picked the same as you, ah well. 

 

Well my theory is that Solas is trying to somehow bring Arlathan back. It did disappear after all and it wasn't coz of Tervinter, i think he was responsible for the fall but it was by accident and he was just trying to end the civil war. He probably tricked both sides like the stories say but ended up causing the fall. 

 

That would be great, to be honest. I'm certainly curious to see what happens.

[mikeymoonshine]

That would be great, to be honest. I'm certainly curious to see what happens.

 

Well hopefully they do something with it and I hope it's good. 

[herkles]

That would be great, to be honest. I'm certainly curious to see what happens.

The biggest rumor for DA4 is that we are going to go to Tevinter. The devs, notably Gaider and Lee have spoken about wanting to place the next games(da4-6) in the north of Thedas. In the tevinter there is the Arlathan Forest. I do not doubt that if we go there, there will be quite a bit of elven stuff to see. 

 

I have yet to play an elf, though I have one planned for after I finish my current playthrough, also so I can romance solas. So I can not comment on how the game is from the perespective of an elf yet. 

[Nyaore]

I actually enjoyed playing as an Elf a great deal, with the notable exception of the Temple of Mythal where it felt the game completely forgot what race I was, and where my Inquisitor came from in order to spout exposition. Yes, I know Solas has been pounding it into her head that she doesn't know the whole story and I'm more than fine with that, but she shouldn't be asking 'who was Mythal' when even if she doesn't know the particulars she's been worshiping the damn goddess and the rest of the pantheon since she was in nappies.

[Uriel]

Yes, I agree with that, the only place in this temple where you can show some of your knowledge is when you say that your clan built Fen'Harel statues outside the camp for protection.

[Ssekyr1]

The biggest rumor for DA4 is that we are going to go to Tevinter. The devs, notably Gaider and Lee have spoken about wanting to place the next games(da4-6) in the north of Thedas. In the tevinter there is the Arlathan Forest. I do not doubt that if we go there, there will be quite a bit of elven stuff to see. 

 

I have yet to play an elf, though I have one planned for after I finish my current playthrough, also so I can romance solas. So I can not comment on how the game is from the perespective of an elf yet. 

 

Strangely, this post is comforting, and I thank you for that. It's obvious they wont stop making dragon age games, likely the story will continue in new and exciting ways. I was unaware of the rumors concerning future releases, much less the plans. However, if Gaider himself isn't tired of it, that's a start. In any case, I look forward to future releases and thanks again for the post.

 

In fact, thanks to everyone who's posted so far. I know it kinda lame to be down because of this, but hey, 92 hours is no small chunk and the disapointment was real, at least concerning my first playthrough.

[Vormaerin]

I agree too. Consider a dwarf - who worships paragons and frankly, why would a dwarf be at the conclave in the first place? This is a VERY human-focused game. And it makes more sense playing as one. 

I take it you didn't play as a dwarf?  Because its quite well explained why you were there.

[Anuer]

I felt that they established pretty well that you were an elf. It came up far more often than it did in Origins, at any rate, where it only tended to pop up in re-visiting your origin's areas. You could always push back about believing in Andraste, Elf-dialogue came up in most critical areas.

 

The Lavellan board quests were pretty bad, admittedly.

 

I think that you're disappointed, but that's honestly how the Elven experience is supposed to feel. They're a broken, dwindling race, unable to compete with Humans in population or organization. The Dalish have consistently been shown to repeat half-forgotten tales (Merrill is supposed to know as much as anyone about Elven lore as a First, but doesn't really understand what an Eluvenan is) about a kingdom that was in and of itself an attempt to remember an even older, faded empire (which happens to have some crazy-cursed ruins even in Origins--an early red flag). I'm wondering: what did you expect from the game, or what would have been satisfying to you.?

[Myusha123]

At the very least you got more references of your race in Inquisition as an Elf, then if you were a Dalish in Origins. 
Does sound stupid to let a Dalish Elf ask something like who is Mythal. Haven't gotten there myself, but they should've asked something like "What is Mythal to you Solas?" or have Solas/Inquisitor explain Mythal without questioning. 

[herkles]

Strangely, this post is comforting, and I thank you for that. It's obvious they wont stop making dragon age games, likely the story will continue in new and exciting ways. I was unaware of the rumors concerning future releases, much less the plans. However, if Gaider himself isn't tired of it, that's a start. In any case, I look forward to future releases and thanks again for the post.

 

In fact, thanks to everyone who's posted so far. I know it kinda lame to be down because of this, but hey, 92 hours is no small chunk and the disapointment was real, at least concerning my first playthrough.

you are welcome. I look foreward to going to the north. Less because of the elves, though I am looking forward to learning more, and more because it gets to show us more unique and interesting locations. From Rivain to Tevinter, the lands of the north seem a tad more interesting and fascinating then the southern lands.

[Ssekyr1]

I felt that they established pretty well that you were an elf. It came up far more often than it did in Origins, at any rate, where it only tended to pop up in re-visiting your origin's areas. You could always push back about believing in Andraste, Elf-dialogue came up in most critical areas.

 

The Lavellan board quests were pretty bad, admittedly.

 

I think that you're disappointed, but that's honestly how the Elven experience is supposed to feel. They're a broken, dwindling race, unable to compete with Humans in population or organization. The Dalish have consistently been shown to repeat half-forgotten tales (Merrill is supposed to know as much as anyone about Elven lore as a First, but doesn't really understand what an Eluvenan is) about a kingdom that was in and of itself an attempt to remember an even older, faded empire (which happens to have some crazy-cursed ruins even in Origins--an early red flag). I'm wondering: what did you expect from the game, or what would have been satisfying to you.?

 

If their intent was to clarify the People's wretched state, they certainly accomplished it multifold and without flaw. Perhaps the demoralization concerning the elves is leading to something greater. I don't know. As for not feeling Dalish in Origins, I'd wholeheartedly disagree. It's apparent literally everywhere, given the dialogue choices illustrating your (the PC's) obliviousness to ANY custom outside of Brecillian. At Ostagar, in Redcliffe, in Denerim's alienage, in Orzammar, with Zevran, Allistair, Leliana to list a paltry few... it's all seperating you and stregthening your perceived heritage and immerision. Origin's did a fantastic job realizing racial reactivity and DA2 did a great job with story telling without having to worry about Hawke's race. DA:I is clearly written for an Andrastian. Granted, that would work with any race aside from kossith, even Tal-Vasoth (who are arguably more and less familiar with the Chant) or the Dalish. City Elves, sure, but you aren't given that opportunity. Hell, it'd been as easy as saying you were a house servant who stumbled on the Divine's murder.