Took a break from DAI and finally conquered DAO and... wow! I did it in 3 days! Archdemon was easy to beat, but the final battle was epic, especially thanks to my Warden Amell and Loghain (they shared the finishing blow to end the battle, though Amell did the final final blow lol. Just too perfect after they became close friends)! Just beat Awakening (Alistair still holds a grudge about Loghain lol and I saved both the City and the Keep) and now I'm playing DA2 again. I find many things in DAI connecting now. Loving this!
Seeing Haven as it was, and even recognizing the area though it was more built up in DAI was fun! I saw what Josie's office looked like 10 years earlier and the room where the Brother is, became a bedroom in DAI. Redcliffe too had similarities between games.
Also I think I met Sera... or heard her I should say. Gave a painted wooden box to a Red Jenny home, and heard a child giggle. She did say she was 10 in DAO (and the Red Jenny note had doodles on it like she does in DAI). And Justice not only opened my eyes to DA2 more, but also helped me see Cole differently, Wynne too helped me gain a better perspective on spirits. Cole is definitely unique.
I really recommend playing DAO and DA2 again if you haven't in a long time. It makes DAI even more sweeter, and gives you a different perspective than you might have had last time you played. I know for me it did.