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[Tidus]

In DA:O I found the ashes and return to Redcliffe castle.

 

In DA:I I recruited the mages as full allies and returned to Haven.

 

 

About Sera..Why do I get the feeling Solas knows more about her and keeps mum about it? I also think there is more to Sera then meets the eye.

 

At any rate Sera is now part of my main group on 90% of the quest.

[Krypplingz]

I got this message?

Spoiler

 

When I tried to unpack the Red coat to that location.

Spoiler

You need to create the folder first 

But, since you are going the extracting route, you can skip the folder creation and just extract it in: 

Documents/Bioware/Dragon age 2/packages/core/override

I think it will create it's own folder. 

 

Then you can open that folder and extract rar with the armor you want to use in the same folder. You can delete the other rars if you want to be tidy. 

Then open the folder you just created and delete all the feather erfs, except the one you want to use. Keep that in. 

And then you should be good, if you don't plan to romance him.

 

If you plan to romance him, extract the Romance token file into 

Documents/Bioware/Dragon age 2/packages/core/override

Open the folder you created and delete the Crest type you don't want to use. Then open the other one and delete all the erfs except the one you plan to use. 

And you're good to go. 

 

[Melbella]

I also have the goal of rivaling Bethany to see if I can get something out of her that isn't so super bland, which requires a rogue or warrior class.
 

[snip]

I had a bunch of random questions that don't really deserve their own threads.

• 
  
• I've randomly seen people imply/suspect that Sera is some sort of Elven goddess soul thing.  Her Denerim Red Jenny background seems pretty legit and although Solas tried to "teach" her, I don't think it was because she was a fellow elf soul thing. so WHY
• In a thread, someone implied Cassandra was in DA2. did she show up in the Sebastian expansion I've never played, cuz I read that Cassandra got cut out of DA2 and I is confused.
• I still don't get why Varric and his lady love, Bianca didn't work out. I read the comic with the weird Fade flashback and all he says is " We tried it [eloping?] and it didn't work." 
• Is Multiplayer something ever worth playing? Does it even have story? the only time I've ever successfully group played was in Left4Dead and every other time, people didn't like how slow I was. Or thought my strategy imperfection was terrible. 

Re: Bethany: make her a Warden and side against mages often. She'll hate you.

 

1, The Sera thing just sounds like wishful thinking to me. I would like to see her reaction though, if it turned out to be true. As if that girl don't have enough self-hate already!

 

2. Varric is telling Cass the story of Hawke. She drags him into the Hawke estate at the beginning to interrogate him and the game goes back there at various times as the story progresses. The intermissions between acts (like after the Arishok fight, when Cass seemingly has developed a case of hero worship) and also to introduce both Legacy and MotA. Also at the end, where she talks with Leliana about what to do next.

 

3. Well, other than Bianca is a *****, you mean?  Yeah, dwarfy politics infect the surface dwarves just as much as they do Orzammar.

 

4. No story in MP, although the characters you play do appear wandering around Skyhold and act as agents in WT operations. I had trouble getting connected with more than one person in a match, so I haven't played it more than a few hours. Which sucks, because I want that dragon décor for Skyhold, dang it!
 

[phoray]

Last time on Dragon Age Inquisition with Mara the Rogue:

 

 

"Erimund headed in that direction-There's an abandoned Warden fortress in that direction. Adamant." ~Alastair

 

"The Warden and I will scout out Adamant and confirm that the other Wardens are there and we'll meet you back at Skyhold." ~ Aria Hawke

 

Spoiler

 

Hawke and Varric finally noticed Mara observing them, and Hawke turned towards her. "I tracked that Venatori Mage back to Adamant Fortress.They're looking at assault options in the War Room now. Your Advisers are a sharp bunch."

 

"I agree. I'll head in now." Things were coming to a head; a younger Mara may have delayed, fearing the decisions to come. Not anymore.

 

Pushing through the heavy wooden doors, Mara was greeted by the sigh of her three Advisers in deep discussion. Cullen was gesturing at the map emphatically, arguing a point with Leliana. 

 

Mara cleared her throat, making them aware of her. "I'm ready."

 

They all straightened. Leliana began. "Adamant Fortress has stood against the Darkspawn since the Second Blight."

 

Cullen seemed excited and broke in, "Fortunately for us, that means it was built before the age of Modern Siege Equipment."

 

Mara pointed out the obvious, "We lost all our major war equipment when we lost Haven." But Cullen just smiled and looked to Jose.

 

"Lady Seryl was pleased to lend the Inquisition her sappers. They're already delivered the trebuchets."

 

Mara raised her brows at Jose, pleased and surprised at the efficiency all at once." Good job, Jose." She gracefully nodded her appreciation of thanks.

 

Mara did have to mention the Bronto in the room though. " None of that accounts for the Wardens summoning a giant demon army..."

 

That reminder did put a damper on their spirits.

 

Cullen turned to Leliana and haltingly said, "The Inquisition Soldiers can breach the gate, But if the Wardens already have their demons..."

 

Leliana remained confident however, "I've found records of Adamant's construction. We can limit the field of battle with choke points."

 

Cullen regained his enthusiasm; "We can cut off reinforcements and carve a path between your group and Warden Commander Clarel."

 

Mara leaned back on her heels, and took a breath, considering the proposed course of action. Her party and Mara, fighting through the remaining Warden forces of Orlais through fortified ground while Inquisition forces were used as more of a distraction than a deciding factor. The losses on both sides... But the Wardens had made their decision, hadn't they?

 

"Taking this fortress is going to get a lot of good soldiers killed." Mara finally said.

 

The room kind of stilled at that comment. Jose broke in softly, serious. "Our soldiers know the risks, Inquisitor. And they know what they're fighting for." She continued on, optimistcally, "It's also possible some Wardens may be sympathetic to our cause. Alastair, for example, as well as the poor soul who was sacrificed before your eyes had second thoughts."

 

Cullen turned back to the Inquisitor, bracing his shoulders. The tone of a soldier came through strong and clear. " We've built the siege engines and readied our forces, Inquisitor. Give the word, and we march on Adamant."

 

Mara returned his gaze, her amethyst eyes just as serious. "We march."

 

 

Mara had seen the skirmishes between the Templars and Mages up close. and Haven had been chaos. But this? This was driven and purposeful attack on a stated foe with proper equipment and Cullen steered it masterfully, as if he'd been in a war all his life. Impressive; she could understand completely why Cassandra had sought him out to lead their forces. 

 

The battering rams were pushed forward as small boulders and large rocks rained down on the Inquistions forces from above. The golden Griffons gleamed in the remaining light of the day. At first, Mara turned her eyes away when the men fell, but her gaze fell on her companions... Cullen caught her gaze, fierce, before resuming issuing orders to those around them. She steeled her heart and returned her sight to the battlefield. She owed the men that. They were earning her this chance.

 

The battering finally yielded results and Cullen motioned her forward to enter the fortress.

 

 

Mara felt oddly calm as she heard swords and screams, not all human, around her.  She heard Cullen's words, and turned to face him.

 

"We'll keep the host of demons occupied for as long as we can." It seemed war situations before a perpetual grit into his face and tone.

 

"That's a worrying lack of specificity there, Commander." She almost said that jokingly. She was beginning to think this calm was more of a self defense mechanism kicking in, if she could joke in the middle of all this death. Cullen didn't seem to judge her too heavily, for it, however.Or was too busy too.

 

"Warden Alastair will guard your back. Hawke is with our soldiers on the battlements. She's assisting them until you arrive."

 

A shriek nearby as someone, she didn't know if it was Inquisition or Warden, fell over the battlements into the courtyard. A demon soon came to the edge and looked her in the eye. Mara felt chilled.

 

"There's too much resistance on the walls! Our men can't get a foothold. I need you to clear out the enemies on the battlements. We'll cover your advance!" And Cullen swiftly turned, shouting more orders to the men around him. 

 

Mara was bemused. In the end, in spite of all this Herald of Andraste business, she was just another soldier.

 

"Well, guys," Mara said to Dorian, Varric, and Blackwall. "Let's not disappoint them." They masterfully battled their way to the battlements. Their time in Orzamarr fighting crazed dawrven fanatics was paying off. As they entered the main Bailey, Mara heard shouts over all the battle din.

 

"Stay back! We will not be sacrificed for some insane ritual!" Mara broke into a run. If there were actual sane Wardens that could be salvaged from this mess, they would be high priority. As they reached main ground, battle with Warden Mages broke out.

 

Alastair tried to reach out to his fellow wardens. "Brothers, Can't you see this is madness?" There was no response from the Warden Mages, their glowing red eyes creepy in the twilight. Unfortunately, they had to slaughter them, but the eyes were still there in the back of Mara's mind.

 

The remaining non mage Wardens looked at her group warily, wielding their weapons half mast, unsure of their next move. They looked exhausted and frightened and Mara saw her last chance.

 

"The Inquisition is here to stop Clarel, not to kill wardens. If you fall back now, you won't be harmed." Mara held her breath, waiting. What seemed an eternity but was probably a few seconds later, one of them relaxed, lowering his weapon. 

 

"All right. My men will stay back. We want no part of this."

 

"Nicely done," Dorian said to her in an aside. "I'm glad some of them could be reasoned with."

 

Mara nodded, then turned her back on the Wardens who were no longer her enemy. Time was of the essence. It was time to break out her training and put it to full use. She'd carried her bag of Tempest potions into battle; it was time to use them.

 

First, the power of cold, to freese her enemies in place for her to deliver the death blow. A mercy, she was sure, for some of them to not see it coming. She told her party to hang back on the stairs as she snuck up on her foes. There were three, two wardens and a demon. She stilled herself between the trio, took a breath, and smashed the vial against herself. The chemical reaction was swift, coating her armor in ice itself and, amazingly, freezing all of those around her in place.

 

 

Mara's eyes widened in amazement. Then she smiled. This changed everything. She felt truly powerful, truly unstoppable; she made quick work of the trio, before even the rest of her companions could join her.

 

As Dorian walked up to her, he took in the scene of sliced icicle bits on the ground. "Well, that's certainly something; you may match my ice spells on the field now." Varric just tsked, impressed, and Blackwall gazed at her with a new level of respect. She felt great-next!

 

After they cleared the three choke points on the battlements, they reconnected to Hawke. "Fancy meeting you here," Hawke joked, "They need help down the way. Do you need me with you, or shall I go to them?"

 

Her breathe fogging from the frost off her armor, Mara grinned. "Go for it. We can handle ourselves just fine here." 

 

Hawke left, and Dorian chipped in, "I suggest we keep moving. Soldiers get tired; demons, not so much." Mara nodded in acknowledgement and headed back for the stairs.

 

Smash, freeze, daggers and swords shattering, death.

 

Smash, burn, daggers, wardens falling, electricity flying through the air, ozone on the air, death.

 

Smash, time slows to a crawl, daggers whiplash, an arrow flies through the slit of one Warden's helmet, death.

 

Suddenly, there were no foes before them and Hawke had returned.

 

"Hawke saved a lot of lives on the battlements, Inquisitor." Alastair observed in the quiet.

 

Hawke agreed, "Even more the newer Wardens even stood down. It would be nice to avoid as much bloodshed as possible."

 

Mara's adrenaline was really rushing, "Good. Let's move forward!"

 

The scene they interrupted was odd, to say the least. Commander Clarel above, a dead body before her and Erimund beside her. Wardens all around looking to their leader as if some speech were going on. A rift at the center of it all causing green eerie gasses to trail around all those present, weighing the air.

 

Erimund was quick to notice them from his vantage point. "Stop them! We must continue the ritual!"

 

His nasally voice grated on Mara's nerves. How dare he. How dare he whip the Wardens into a confused and scared frenzy.

 

Angry, she answered his orders with accusations," Clarel, if you finish that ritual, you're doing just want Erimund wants." Clarel did not immediately ignore her.

 

Erimund jumped in, "The Wardens are only trying to do their duty to save this world and you attack them!"

 

Mara had to hold herself back from zigzaging through Wardens and putting a dagger into that liar's throat. "I attack any that do the work of Corypheus whether knowingly or not!"

 

Clarel looked shocked, doubt suddenly on her face. Mara couldn't here what she said, but she saw Clarel say something to Erimund. Erimund ignored her, continuing to speak to the group as a whole.

 

" Hate me for using blood magic, but do not hate the Wardens for doing their duty! They make the sacrifices that no one else will. Warriors dying for a world that will never thank them!" Clarel seemed to be relaxing into these words, wanting to believe them.

 

Alastair stepped in, " And then you bind them  to Corypheus!"

 

Erimund turned to Clarel, seeming to be trying to convince her of something just minutes before she'd been so confident of. They almost had her ...

 

But no. "Bring it through!" Clarel ordered her mages. They lifted their arms to the rift. Hawke looked resigned; obviously too many blood mages had been in her life to have hope about this situation.

 

Mara, desperate, called on Alastiar and Blackwall. "Talk some sense into them, please."

 

"I helped fight the Archdemon in Fereldan. Would you even consider listening to me?" But no, these Wardens had already ignored Alastair before. He was a traitor in their mind. 

 

Blackwall tried. " You don't know me, but you may have heard my name. Like you, Iv'e given my life to the Grey Wardens. The first time I put on this armor, I felt I belonged." Where Alastair's objections had fallen on deaf ears, Blackwall's firm passionate voice seemed to be finding some leverage. "I felt like I was part of something honorable, something with a purpose. I know  how good that feels. how safe." His voice rose to reach them, "But fighting and dying here, today, won't stop the Blight! If you want to stop the Blight, kill that bastard up there! His master is the living embodiment of it's corruption."

 

Wonderful. The group had been touched by his speech. They turned in doubt towards their leader, Clarel. In the silence, Mara could finally hear what Erimund was saying to Clarel, his tone anxious and frustrated leading to a higher pitch that carried farther.

 

"Clarel, we have come so far. You're the only one who can do this." But his words were the ones to fall on deaf ears now.

 

"Perhaps we could take the time to test the truth of these charges, to avoid more bloodshed."

 

Erimund was obviously disgusted and didn't hide it," Or perhaps I should bring in a more reliable ally." He turned from her and looked directly in their direction, tapping his staff on the stone as he spoke, "My master thought you might come here, Inquisitor! he sent me this to welcome you!"

 

 

Mara didn't quail this time, though...er, much.

 

However, Clarel, finally realizing she'd been duped, attacked the dragon, drawing it's attention from her party to Erimund and Clarel themselves. 

 

"You idiot!" Erimund shouted at her, before running off to his right. A fireball landed mere moments later in his previous location. Clarel had backed off. 

 

"Help the Inquisitor!" Clarel shouted, before giving chase to Erimund.

 

Mara would have joined that chase, if it weren't for the fact that a massive demon came through the rift the mages had been so oddly focused on despite all the talking and Dragon appearances. However, it stood no match for the heavy damage her party and her tempest ways were dealing, and they quickly followed after Erimund and Clarel.

 

From a distance, Mara could see the two. Erimund appeared no match for an angry battle hardened Warden Mage and soon lay on the ground in the fetal position.

 

 

Finally, they were close enough. He should really not try selling them on Corypheus from his vantage point on the ground...

 

 

The sound of great wings beating from above whipped dust into her eyes..  She rubbed them quickly, and opened one eye.

 

 

Did she say close enough? Maybe they were too close. Far too close.

 

Too quickly for all of them, however, the dragon exacted it's revenge on Clarel, making her appear more a dog chew than a person. 

 

The dragon flew up behind them, Clarel in it's mouth. Pulling weapons, we turned to face it, backing up involuntarily as we did so. It spit Clarel out, who, amazingly, seemed to still be alive despite what Mara imagined to be the equivalent of 20 full length daggers having been jabbed into her body by the Dragon's teeth. The dragon's attention was on Mara and company, now, and it creeped toward them.

 

Mara realized they'd just trapped themselves on a dead end bridge. Damn it, this was not good. Mara was only half listening to Clarel where she seemed be dying and praying aloud on the ground.

 

 

The dragon stepped closer, nearly smashing Clarel with it's clawed paw. It could have had them by now, it was obviously taking some sort of enjoyment from stalking it's potential kill. Mara gripped her daggers harder, her mind racing about what potions she had left remaining. Lightning, maybe, to buy them some time---

 

 

Mara noticed a glow, and gave her full attention to Clarel, still alive, laying below the dragon, "In death--" She shouted, and their was an explosion, knocking the dragon into the air, but this time, not in control of itself at all. Clarel had magical suicide bombed the dragon as her final action in death. but Mara didn't have much time to think, as that bomb? Remember the dead end bridge? Yeah, those two don't mix.

 

Her friends and her tried to make a run for it, but it was too little too late. She was falling, falling...fear, shock, instinct, her hand glowing, a new feeling... and then a rift appeared below her.

 

 

She tensed, closing her eyes at the brightness and then--

 

But the air whipping past her skin slowed. She opened her eyes, seeming to float towards the ground below before...actually, just stopping short of it, frozen in air. Mara reached out one finger, curious fascination with this turn of events guiding her. Touched the ground and--

 

 

Groaning a bit... She'd said it before, and she'd say it again, she was sure. Despite what was happening, at least she wasn't dead.

 

She found her feet and stood to look at her surroundings.

 

 

Ummmm...okay. Ideas Guys?

 

 

Writing break time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[coldwetn0se]

4. No story in MP, although the characters you play do appear wandering around Skyhold and act as agents in WT operations. I had trouble getting connected with more than one person in a match, so I haven't played it more than a few hours. Which sucks, because I want that dragon décor for Skyhold, dang it!

I am officially (hands Mel a Golden Ticket) inviting you to a match of MP. I will gladly run through Fereldan Castle, so you can get the Dragon Decor. It won't take long, and I have a Saarebas that can keep you barriered. Origin ID: coldwetn0se

[phoray]

Re: Bethany: make her a Warden and side against mages often. She'll hate you.

 

1, The Sera thing just sounds like wishful thinking to me. I would like to see her reaction though, if it turned out to be true. As if that girl don't have enough self-hate already!

 

2. Varric is telling Cass the story of Hawke. She drags him into the Hawke estate at the beginning to interrogate him and the game goes back there at various times as the story progresses. The intermissions between acts (like after the Arishok fight, when Cass seemingly has developed a case of hero worship) and also to introduce both Legacy and MotA. Also at the end, where she talks with Leliana about what to do next.

 

3. Well, other than Bianca is a *****, you mean?  Yeah, dwarfy politics infect the surface dwarves just as much as they do Orzammar.

 

4. No story in MP, although the characters you play do appear wandering around Skyhold and act as agents in WT operations. I had trouble getting connected with more than one person in a match, so I haven't played it more than a few hours. Which sucks, because I want that dragon décor for Skyhold, dang it!
 

 

I could stretch that idea into why she freaks out about the Fade so much...but then again, that's explained as her religion issues.

 

Oh, I knew she was in the game that way. I saw her as being mentioned in more than a storytelling capacity.  (wait, that was Hawke's house?)

 

yeah, that side quest didn't look good on her did it... Have you ever thought of Varric as a bit sad?

1. He loves writing, but his first books were failures because of racism inherent to Thedas.
2. He tries to elope, but then has to bow down to Dwarven politics when he doesn't even like Orzammar; rejects it even. 
3. His brother goes nuts and depending on Hawke, he either dies or goes to an insane asylum. A loss either way.
4. Depending on the Inquisitor, he loses his best friend, I think, ever. Even though he can come to admire the Quiz, even follow him/her in super believing/supporting way, I dunno. The feeling of friendship just isn't the same that I see in him for Hawke. But I guess they had ten years and the Quiz and him only ever get 3-4.

[Gilli]

4. No story in MP, although the characters you play do appear wandering around Skyhold and act as agents in WT operations. I had trouble getting connected with more than one person in a match, so I haven't played it more than a few hours. Which sucks, because I want that dragon décor for Skyhold, dang it!

 

 

If you want, we can try to connect again and I'll help you to get the Dragon Decor

It's so pretty

[Melbella]

I am officially (hands Mel a Golden Ticket) inviting you to a match of MP. I will gladly run through Fereldan Castle, so you can get the Dragon Decor. It won't take long, and I have a Saarebas that can keep you barriered. Origin ID: coldwetn0se

 

If you want, we can try to connect again and I'll help you to get the Dragon Decor
It's so pretty

Haha...thanks, guys! Er, gals.  I will take the matter under advisement.

I finally got all my screenshots from IHYSB and later uploaded. Whew, that took a while. I'll try to not to overload the thread but no promises.

I'm pretty sure the lyrium dragon was flirting with Andreia here. Her response? "Eww, buzz off ugly beast thingie!"

Spoiler

Becoming Inquisitor

Spoiler

Getting her priorities in order.

Spoiler

I like conscripted Fiona better than allied Fiona. Rather than saying she'd make the same choices all over again, she says she regretted the choice to go with Alexius but couldn't see any other option.

Spoiler

Your Trainer

Spoiler

I usually recruit Dennet before Skyhold but didn't this time. If you bring Dorian, he can help you persuade the guy to join up.

Spoiler

I'm using the zoom in mod for the first time. I had no idea this guy (the dalish scout in EP) was this old!

Spoiler

Solas' quest.  Andreia stopped him from killing the stupid mages.

Spoiler

I love her expression here.

Spoiler

Finally, Andreia's first dragon hunt. I brought Bull so the conversation with him later makes sense. Also had red Templars pop up for the first time during this fight.

Spoiler

All caught up now!

[phoray]

 

Haha...thanks, guys! Er, gals.  I will take the matter under advisement.

I finally got all my screenshots from IHYSB and later uploaded. Whew, that took a while. I'll try to not to overload the thread but no promises.

I'm pretty sure the lyrium dragon was flirting with Andreia here. Her response? "Eww, buzz off ugly beast thingie!"

Spoiler

Becoming Inquisitor

Spoiler

Getting her priorities in order.

Spoiler

I like conscripted Fiona better than allied Fiona. Rather than saying she'd make the same choices all over again, she says she regretted the choice to go with Alexius but couldn't see any other option.

Spoiler

Your Trainer

Spoiler

I usually recruit Dennet before Skyhold but didn't this time. If you bring Dorian, he can help you persuade the guy to join up.

Spoiler

I'm using the zoom in mod for the first time. I had no idea this guy (the dalish scout in EP) was this old!

Spoiler

Solas' quest.  Andreia stopped him from killing the stupid mages.

Spoiler

I love her expression here.

Spoiler

Finally, Andreia's first dragon hunt. I brought Bull so the conversation with him later makes sense. Also had red Templars pop up for the first time during this fight.

Spoiler

All caught up now!

 

 

I am amused at how Dorian goaded Dennet into joining up and like your dragon battle pictures pretty well. It's hard to capture and battle at the same time, eh?

 

It's incredible, not dying! ha! Do you actually like the rift class?

 

Seeing your Blackwall scene reminds me... I honestly believe Mara will be the last Quiz to romance Blackwall. Lesbian dwarf for Jose, lesbian Qunari for Sera, straight male human/elf for Cass, and a gay human or elf for Dorian and I think I will have covered all my DAI PTs until we actually know what DA4 will come out. I will have to auto skip his horrible dog story in the future. Also, his beard is super awful. LOL

[Melbella]

It's hard to capture and battle at the same time, eh?

Well.....Pause, rotate camera, switch to another squaddie, rotate camera again, change to tac cam and zoom out, change back to normal cam, switch squaddies again, finally....printscreen! Un-Pause and continue the fight. Wait for the next good shot.

 

Repeat above as needed.

 

I do like rift mage....I just wish it wasn't mostly recycled DA2 force mage + primal spells from the first 2 games. They make it sound like something never-been-seen-before-because-rifts-are-a-new-phenomenon. Except, it isn't.  Kind of like Cass' Seeker abilities are completely different from what Templars can do, and then they give her the same Templar spec everyone else uses.  

[phoray]

Well.....Pause, rotate camera, switch to another squaddie, rotate camera again, change to tac cam and zoom out, change back to normal cam, switch squaddies again, finally....printscreen! Un-Pause and continue the fight. Wait for the next good shot.

 

Repeat above as needed.

 

I do like rift mage....I just wish it wasn't mostly recycled DA2 force mage + primal spells from the first 2 games. They make it sound like something never-been-seen-before-because-rifts-are-a-new-phenomenon. Except, it isn't.  Kind of like Cass' Seeker abilities are completely different from what Templars can do, and then they give her the same Templar spec everyone else uses.

oh...oh... that's how I'm supposed to be doing it...   I guess I lucked out with some of my shots then. 

 

I hadn't played as Mage in any of my previous playthroughs and spend as little time putting tactics on othe rpoeple so I didn't recognize the spells. I just knew they were nothing like what I expected; which what I expected was watered down Trespasser powers, so ya, let down.

[phoray]

Continued. I'm kinda determined to marathon write and play my weekend away. 

Spoiler

"I'm open to ideas about where we are, guys."

 

Hawke was ruffled. "If this is the afterlife, I'm going to have to have a talk with the Chantry. This looks nothing like the Maker's bosom."

 

Of all people she thought would have a clue, Alastair was the first to add to the situation. "You did something with your mark, Inquisitor.  I have been to the Fade twice before, family was always involved, but this..."

 

Dorian piped in, "I have visited the Fade often. Had a nice chat with a Desire Demon once before it tried to possess me. However, this is nothing like what I've seen before. This is no one's dream."

 

AS Mara was looking around, someone asked her if this looked like where she'd been before. "I don't have any memory before falling out of that tear in the Veil. Let's move forward; it's better than just standing here."

 

Cresting the odd stone stairway before them, Mara received a shock.

 

 

"What? That can't be..." Alastair softly exclaimed.

 

"I greet you, Warden. And you, Champion."

 

Mara finally found her words. "Divine Justinia." She paused, uncertain. "Back at Haven, I saw... I thought I saw...How can you be here?" 

(It just occurs to me that this line doesn't make sense. If the Quiz has no memories, there is no 'thought I saw'. There is only, 'we all thought you dead by absence, right? moving on.)

 

Alastair answered. "She isn't. Things in the fade have a tendency to show up looking like people you know. Demons mostly."

 

The older woman, possibly Justinia, smiled. "You think my survival impossible, yet here you are, alive, in the Fade yourselves."

 

"But what are you?" Hawke demanded.

 

"There is no sense in debating what I am when time is so important."

 

Hawke huffed, frustrated. "How hard is it to answer one question? I'm a human and you are....?" 

 

"I am here to help you." She responded, benignly. Hawke practically growled in response, but stopped asking questions.

 

The discussion turned to Mara's memories, or lack thereof. That a Fear demon had somehow taken them from her. However, Mara wasn't actually that curious about the lack of those memories; they didn't affect what needed to be done right now. She was just interested in knowing how to defeat the demon and get back home. Nevertheless, the "Divine" insisted that she must regain her memories as some form of taking back power from the Demon. Ah, well. After dispatching some wisps, she quickly collected  4-5 "memory" orbs. Then something painful started happening. Flinching and gritting her teeth, she chided herself for being so trusting....

 

But then she was somewhere...seeing/feeling Corypheus himself walking towards the Divine, the orb glowing before him as he ordered Wardens to hold "the sacrifice."

 

The Divine crying out for help.

 

Saw herself barging in, having heard that cry, and graceful as ever, demanding, "What's going on here?"

 

Saw the Divine knock the orb from Cory's hand, saw/felt herself reaching to catch it and then--

 

 

Ugh, sudden relief, as the vision memory left her. Could she not volunteer for that ordeal again? no? There was one thing, though.

 

" i was right.  I did this myself, through my actions. No Maker required. I never thought Andraste did this."

 

"That mark on your hand was put their by Corypheus's orb. "Alastair added. He looked a little worse for wear, and Mara released they'd all been dragged along for the ride on Vision Street.

 

"Corypheus wanted to use the Orb to tear open the veil and go to the Black City for himself." The "Divine" said. "You disrupted his plan. You have recovered part of yourself, Inquisitor. But now the Fear Demon knows you are here."

 

Thanks, "Divine". A little warning on consequences would have been nice. As they walked, Hawke asked if Alistair were at all concerned about the fact that Wardens were holding the Divine in that vision. Alistair reminded her that they'd just seen mind controlled Wardens making a demon army before falling into the Fade. Hawke seemed put out anyhow. Alistair said they could argue about it later. Varric wondered if that'd really been the Divine, and Dorian said he thought her spirit, not demon. Demons always asked for something.

 

Blackwall was more concerned about the upcoming battle with the Fear Demon. "From what she said, I don't look forward to meeting it."

 

Varric chimed in,"Sound like it preys on fear and steals people's memories. Low, even for a demon. Memories are what makes us who we are. A demon that takes them away? I don't want to think about that."

 

As they battled their way forward through the Fade, the Fear Demon's voice tried to chip away at their minds, tried to cause doubts. Alistair seemed to least bothered by what the demon said, bringing up someone named Morrigan having been worse.

 

 

"Did you think you mattered, Hawke? Did you think anything you ever did, mattered? You couldn't even save your city. How could you expect to strike down a God? Anders is going to die...just like your family, just like everyone you ever cared about."

 

Aria Hawke seemed to be the most bothered by the demon's comments, her face becoming yet grimmer.

 

They seemed to be nearing their destination when it was again time to collect her memories, painful little things. She braced herself for the next vision.

 

Spiders, running, a green sky. The Divine reaching for her, her reaching the peak, and then...it was the Divine or Mara. The Divine looked her straight in the face. "Go." And she threw her wizened and robed body into the oncoming spider horde. Mara jumped through the portal...and fainted.

 

It was all there. "It was you. Everyone thought it was Andraste sending me from the fade, but it was the Divine behind me. And then you...she died."

 

"So this can't be the Divine." Alastair commented. They'd all suspected yet hoped at the same time.

 

"Were you a spirit, watching the Divine from the Fade, inspired by her faith?" Mara asked, feeling quiet.

 

"That's as good an answer to what I am as any." The spirit responded ambiguously.

 

"What we do know is that Mortal Divine perished at the temple, thanks to the Grey Wardens. And you aren't her." Hawke said angrily at the spirit.

 

"I am sorry if I disappoint you." The spirit said so sincerely that Hawke looked ashamed of herself. 

 

 

"What?" Alistair said in response to Hawke. "It wasn't their fault! Seriosuly, we can debate the depressing details when we get back to Adamant."

 

"If the Grey Wardens and their demon army haven't destroyed everything while we were gone!" Hawke's anger had resumed. 

 

Alistair was finally goaded. "So, what are you saying? Terrible actions are only justified if they're your terrible actions? You killed nearly every mage in Kirkwall."

 

There was that ashamed face again. Aria Hawke swallowed."Yes! Because too many of them were practicing blood magic, just like your precious Wardens. They made terrible decisions. But you'd ignore that, because you can't imagine a world without the Wardens... even if that's what we need!"

 

Blackwall, shocked, broke in, "What are you saying? That you want to get rid of the Wardens? Everyone makes mistakes. They would have died to save us!"

 

Dorian pondered aloud, "They might still be useful. What if Corypheus conjures another Blight? You never know."

 

Mara looked at Varric for his imput, since everyone seemed to have something to say. Begrudgingly, he gave his opinion. "I don't know what to tell you. There are a few good ones, but an awful lot of the Wardens I've known went crazy." 

 

(   Isn't the only one he really knew Anders? There was more than just being a Warden going on there.)

 

Mara had enough of this debate in the middle of the Fade. "Come on, Hawke. Alistair isn't defending blood magic or demons. You know the cost of a Blight as well as, if not better than, any of us. The Grey Wardens are the only force who can stop that." This put an end to the argument, for now. Thank goodness.

 

With heavy encouragement from the Spirit, Mara and company finally reached the edge of the Battle. The Fear Demon merely waited, knowing that their only path lay through him.

 

 

Calmly, she had everyone check their equipment. "This is going to be a big one, guys."

 

Varric chuckled. "Really? That's your big speech?"

 

Mara smiled awkwardly, "Speeches have never been my strong point. Uninspiring, certainly. But you'll make me sound cool later right?" He merely laughed again in response. However, Dorian and Blackwall weren't in a banter mood. It was time.

 

 

Ya know, she wasn't usually afraid of spiders, even the big ones. But this one was a high cry from just big. However, the Spirit came up from behind, glowing brightly, and spoke to the group as she floated towards their foes.

 

 

The spirit blasted the giant spider, disappearing in the process. Mara felt a pang of loss at the very helpful spirit dispersing; they wouldn't have made it this far without her.

 

The spider seemingly gone, we all turned our attention to the equally hideous, yet smaller, Fear Demon. A lengthy battle later, he dispersed just as the Spirit had and the group saw their chance.

 

Varric, Dorian, and Blackwall made it but then... she guessed in that lengthy battle, the Spider Demon had regained it's strength to come after them once again. However, their forces were not only halved, but exhausted. 

 

This was a problem, literally no getting around it.

 

"Go!" Hawke said to Mara and Alistair, "I'll cover you!"

"No! You were right, this was the Warden's mess,"Alistair replied. "A warden must take care of this. A warden must--"

"A Warden must help them rebuild! that's your job!" Hawke shot back.

 

They seemed to be waiting on her to make the final choice. Again. Again, she must make a decision. A decision of sacrifice and death.

The Wardens being in total chaos back in reality. An infamous personality and a hero. A possible archdemon still remaining to take care of. Mara knew what she must do.

 

As she made her choice, the image of Varric's face as he looked up at Hawke remained forefront in her mind.

 

 

The name seemed almost wrenched from her lips, painful to say. She felt that maybe she should have volunteered but she was the only one with the Anchor...

 

Hawke looked at her, resolute. "Tell Varric goodbye for me." and Hawke sprinted towards the monster, her bladed staff loose to her side.

 

 

------Aria Hawke Perspective----

 

Aria had turned down the Viscountess position in Kirkwall because she didn't deserve to lead people she had, in her mind, failed so spectacularly. She had not executed Anders, and ever since, they had been together, striving to atone, and striving to be rid of Vengeance. What few leads they had found had been dead ends. Then the possibliity of Corypheus being alive came up, and Anders could not follow her. They both knew what had happened the last time Anders had been near; Anders had lost himself, summoned demons, and truly scared Hawke, although she'd never admit it to him. the last night they had together, she'd lain with him, holding him closely afterwards, playing with his scraggly hair as she lay on her side looking at him.

 

"If not for you, I would be dead." Anders said quietly. 

 

Hawke paused. At first she thought he was referencing his near execution that she had decided against; she couldn't have brought herself to kill the man she loved, no matter how warranted. But... no. He didn't mean that.

 

"I can't imagine a world where you are not with me. I only live because you are here, Aria. I--"

 

But Aria shushed him. "Why so dramatic, Anders? You act like I might not come back."

 

Anders turned, and cupped her cheek with his free hand. "Corypheus nearly ended us before. And now you are without any of us. Not me, not Fenris or Aveline, not even silly Merril. You..." His eyes watered and his voice became thick. "You may not come back."

 

Aria Hawke looked into his haunted golden eyes, love and sadness welling up within her. "I must do this, Anders. I made...so many mistakes in Kirkwall. Corypheus is one of them. I..."Words could not do her emotions justice but she tried anyway. "I love you, Anders. That will never change. I'm determined to free you of Vengeance, I have so much I want to do with you. I want to return, you must believe that."

 

He stroked her skin, not looking at all less sad at her words. "That will have to be enough, then." He finally said, his voice as raspy as the stubble on his beloved jaw. They kissed, and held each other even tighter.

 

In the end though, here she was. There was what she wanted....

 

And then there is what she must do.

 

 

Sorry, guys I just made myself cry. Gotta go grieve.

[ThePhoenixKing]

I know that a lot of people say Rivalry path makes no sense, at best it's like an "agree to disagree" ,but I think it adds so much replay ability to the game.  In origins, if  some of them hated you, they left. Same for Inquisition. So, major consequences if you didn't make everyone at least neutral. Honestly, I don't know how to not be friends with everyone in Inquisition, guess an overall evilness? I pretty much play the way I want, and everyone has liked me through three play throughs.

 

I wonder if I've just never sold her shield.. I am sentimental like that. I've never heard her make a comment about the shield one way or another. 

 

The problem with the Rivalry system in DA2 was there was no hook for Rivaled party members to stay. With Origins and Inquisition, I could kinda see it working: a companion may not like you, but they're willing to tolerate working with you in order to help save the world. With DA2, there is no grand goal you're working towards together, and as such, it comes across like "I hate your guts and all you stand for, now would you please come and help me achieve goals you stand in opposition too." Why would Anders, for example, risk himself and his fellow apostates by hanging out with a Templar-friendly Hawke? Why would Aveline continue bending the law for a Hawke she's willing to physically attack? It just didn't come across as particularly realistic.

 

I had a bunch of random questions that don't really deserve their own threads.

 

1. I've randomly seen people imply/suspect that Sera is some sort of Elven goddess soul thing.  Her Denerim Red Jenny background seems pretty legit and although Solas tried to "teach" her, I don't think it was because she was a fellow elf soul thing. so WHY
2. In a thread, someone implied Cassandra was in DA2. did she show up in the Sebastian expansion I've never played, cuz I read that Cassandra got cut out of DA2 and I is confused.
3. I still don't get why Varric and his lady love, Bianca didn't work out. I read the comic with the weird Fade flashback and all he says is " We tried it [eloping?] and it didn't work." 
4. Is Multiplayer something ever worth playing? Does it even have story? the only time I've ever successfully group played was in Left4Dead and every other time, people didn't like how slow I was. Or thought my strategy imperfection was terrible. 

 

 

1) Absolutely no clue, other than perhaps the compulsion to over-inflate Sera's importance. Seriously, I've yet to see the slightest argument on the subject that's the least bit convincing.

 

2) Cassandra was present during the game's framing sequence; she's the one Varric's telling the story to.

 

3) I don't think we ever get a full, top-to-bottom explanation, but from what I understand from her cameo appearance, it has to do with her being married off to someone in the Dwarven Merchant's Guild by her parents (please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong).

 

4) Not really, no, but I'm not a big MP kinda guy in most games (ME3, Titanfall and Overwatch are the only games that I've done any notable amount of multiplayer in).

[Obsidian Gryphon]

My last DAI PT is hanging.    Still on my ME3 PT though I put it aside to finish DFC, the last book.

 

OT. The story is wrapped up neatly, most questions answered. I think I got the good ending for the secondary protag though I think most DFC fans would call her the main protag. But nothing can replace April Ryan, she is always the main protag for me. Some would say there's no difference but there is; I feel more for April. Players watch her evolve from young uncertain girl to one with a goal, her words from her journal a gateway into her character. Then everything was thrown upside down. Cast adrift. War. Fans grieve to see her slide, losing faith, losing herself ten years down the road. I'm still not certain to one question about April and I can't access the crazy forum (it's got an unreliable host); it's choosing to act up. But I believe it is as shown; she's the phoenix.  

 

Bioware is well known for their plastic fake hair and the horrible hairstyles. DFC is not developed by a AAA company but they try their best. So DFC fans get ...

 

Spoiler

 

The hair doesn't move. It's also plastic looking but it's got style. 

 

     

 

Clothing style. Love this latest addition in the last book.

 

 

The White Dragon mural. 

 

 

A reborn April Ryan. Different. Not the "old" April Ryan, part of her and yet not. Bits and pieces of her. Saga knows who she is, what she is, what she can do and her purpose.

 

Oh I forgot. Her hair does move. 

 

[Bardox9]

The journey of Warden Drako Amell thus far,

 

Spoiler

http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20269078
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20272308
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20274342
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20281695
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20283458
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20287283
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20289122
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20291276
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20292998
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20297766
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20299702
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20303104
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20307527
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20314000
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20321289
http://forum.bioware...ops/?p=20324764

 

The tale continues,

 

I am woken up by the shrieking voice of Mistress Woolsey. A bean counter sent by the order to attend to the financials of the Arling. Her skill set will prove invaluable, but... the old bat never stops complaining... Seneschal Varel has tried running interference for me. Between her rantings, Woolsey said something about merchants being attacked on the roads. Probably just bandits. In an attempt to just get the old bag to shut up, I will take Nathaniel, Oghren, and Anders out to investigate. I could probably send one of them out to do it alone, but I need to see them try to function as a team. But first I have to meet with the local Banns. Something about vowing oaths to me as the ruling Arl... The pomp and ceremony of this job is irritating, but I'll do what I must. Ceremonies Vs Tainted monsters... I'll take the monsters. I can throw a fireball at them.... As soon as this is over, I'll take the recruits and head for the city first to talk to some of the merchants there for any additional information they may have.

 

... Ran into a darkspawn raiding party. A team, my people are not. At least not yet. We took down the Darkspawn, but not as quickly as we should have. (Forgot to set up the combat AI's. They were at default. blah!) Finding our rhythm is going to take time (about 4 minutes to set them up proper). Some of the people of the farm hold were killed by the raiding party. Too few to account for all the living space. Since there were no drag marks leading away from the area, I can only assume the people ran away while a few brave souls stayed to buy them time. I haven't seen a single patrol on the road yet. I'll have to talk to Captain Garevel when I get back. This needs to be addressed quickly...

 

... Finally we reach Amaranthine. There are people begging their way into the city. Or trying to. This city is the Jewel of the Arling, or so they say. Nathaniel has a sister in the city. He asked to look for her. Didn't have to look far. She was near the market place. Seems that while he was away in the Free Marches, she got married. Has a child on the way. I left them to catch up while the rest of us scattered around to the merchants to find out all we could about these attacks on trade caravans. Most of it doesn't make sense. We find little more than frightened stories. But we have a heading at least. The Winding Wood. A quick resupply and we will head out...

 

... We stomped around those woods for hours before we came across a Caravan. It was burning and surrounded by bandits, but I don't think they were the ones that hit it. I can feel a residue of mana coming off the flames. None of the bandits were mages. They were just scavengers. Picking the bones, so to speak. They would have to be dealt with anyway so we set upon them. Killed some. Others ran off in fear. This battle was slightly more organized. The personalities of our group are in conflict, but they are beginning to respect each others abilities.

 

We chase after the last of the bandits when he suddenly stops. He heard something that frightened him more than us. The real culprit finally revealed herself. A Dalish mage, Velanna. After some... doing... We find out what started all this. Velanna believed that some humans had attacked her clan while she was away. Something was wrong though. I could sense Darkspawn all over the place. Under us. Around us. They were hiding and watching us from the shadows of the tree line. They had laid human weapons all around the Dalish camp to sell the idea that humans attacked the camp. Why? What the hell is going on here?... There are mining tunnels near by. That must be where the Darkspawn are hold up. I was not planning on putting the team to the test so soon, but it can't be helped...

 

...Upon entering the tunnels I can immediately feel a strange aura about the place. I couldn't quite place it. It was Something similar to what I feel when Darkspawn are near, but this was... different. New... or maybe old... very old... Whatever it was, it laid a trap for us and we fell right into it. I expected it to kill us, but it took us captive instead. It was unlike any Darkspawn I had ever seen. It's intelligence was beyond what I thought the creatures were capable of. It wanted to use us for experiments of some kind. I was not sticking around to find out. Far too many things left unfinished to allow myself to sit down and die in some warped experiment. Luck founds us though. Velanna's sister was with this creature. She came to us in our holding cell and gave us a key, babbled some nonsense, and then ran off. I have no idea what is going on here, but we need to escape.

 

With the door open, we make our way through the tunnels and take what armor and weapons we can find as we go until we find our gear. An Alpha Hurlock had my things. An Emissary. It was wearing my ring... It was using the power of my loves memento to fuel it's spells... I had never felt true rage before that moment... I unleashed a Mana Clash with all I could muster and cooked the Emissary from the inside out. The cavern continues to rumble as I reclaim what is mine... I'm going to need new robes, this smell is NOT coming out...

 

..We eventually fight our way out through dozens of Darkspawn, a pair of Drakes, and we also met a very nice Qunari who has agreed to sell his wears at Vigils Keep. Woolsey might actually go a day without complaining. Velanna has insisted on joining us and even demanded we make her a Warden. I feel her motives are all to selfish, but right now I can't be picky. On the way out of the Winding Wood, we find a healthy amount of Granite. Some proper stone for our Dwarven Stone Mason to work with. There were still some good ore veins in the mine as well. Wade will be able to use this for new arms and armor for the Vigil's troops.

 

I could no longer sense any Darkspawn in the area. With Velanna coming with us and the bandits being driven out, the road should be safe for future caravans. I'll increase the patrols in the area just to be sure... First things first, back to the Keep and straight to my quarters. This robe stinks of crispy Hurlock...I'm burning this thing... This "Architect" must be found. I've never seen or heard of a Darkspawn like this one. If anything of what he was babbling about was possible, separating his head from his neck is my new pet project.

[phoray]

Okay, I bawled a bit about killing my Aria Hawke and hit the store for chocolate and strawberries. Heart soothed for now. Onwards.

 

Back from the Fade

Spoiler

 

Mara jumped through the tear in the Veil and back into her world. Swiftly, she went to use her Anchor to close it, feeling the presence of the Spider Demon close on her heels.

 

 

It had quickly been second nature to call on the power of the anchor... Stay sharp, Mara.

 

Alistair limped forward and Mara briefly wondered what had happened to him; maybe traveling through the veil had not been so easy for him.

 

"No demon army for Corypheus. it appears that the Divine- or her spirit- was right. You know everyone thinks you just performed another Miracle, right?"

 

Mara nodded, unsurprised. "People need something to believe in."

 

Alistair smiled. " I suppose "the Inquisitor and her Warden friend escaped by the skin of their teeth" wouldn't be as good for morale."

 

But then a voice she'd been dreading since she'd closed the rift broke through. "Where's Hawke?"  Varric asked, as he parted the crowd. He finally reached her, looking up at her, before asking his question again.

 

 

Mara swallowed. In split seconds, she imagined giving some sort of rousing speech that would honor Hawke's sacrifice but then... no. she had only been too right. Making up stories and inspiring speeches was something reserved for Varric, or anyone else. But she would not spin a story for Varric about Hawke to his face.

 

"She... didn't make it." Was all Mara could choke out, looking into her friend's face as she watched it fall in sadness.

 

 

That's all he said before he turned and left and Mara felt frozen to where she stood in remorse.

 

 

Her grief was interrupted as another Warden came up to her and Alistair. "We stand ready to make up for Clarel's...tragic mistake. Alistair, you are the senior surviving Grey Warden."

 

Alistair turned to her and asked her what she would have them do.  She knew it was not just Alistair waiting for her answer so she raised her voice for the crowd. "The Wardens stay and do what they can to help. Alistair has trust in the Wardens and that they are worth saving... and I trust him. There are still plenty of demons left to kill."  There. Not inspiring, but honest.

 

Alistair spoke to her again, "While they do that, I will report to Weisshaupt. Corypheus won't catch us with our trousers down again." The other Warden approached her as well. "Thank you, your worship. We will not fail you." Before Alistair departed, he said one more thing to Mara.

 

"You've already created something big with this Inquisition. I wish you luck leading it."

"Thanks, Alistair. I'll need it." She let out a breath, and turned to Dorian and Blackwall. "I need a break. Let's go home."

------

 

Resting was not to be, for Leliana insisted on a debriefing her as soon as she returned. 

 

"All in all, it sounds like you did the best you could, Inquisitor. Alistair sent one final report; he is on his way to Weisshaupt. " She led them away from the sunlight of outside, in to her birds. Leliana was probably already planning several crow messages. "AS for the remaining Grey Wardens, they are fighting demons and red templars while remaining clear of the Venatori. I consider this venture to be a succuess."

 

Mara frowned. "Don't just credit me. We owe almost all of it to Hawke and the Divine."

 

"True. And even though you took an entire army from Corypheus, it will matter little if Orlais falls into chaos."

 

Goodness. Quick subject change much.

 

"All arrangements have been made for the Ball in Halamshiral. Let us know when you are ready to proceed."

 

Mara wilted, her energy just gone. "Seriously, Leliana. The only thing I'm ready to proceed to is bed."

 

Leliana pursed her lips. "Very well, Inquisitor." Mara felt dismissed, so she turned to leave.

 

Leliana interupted her departure however. "Divine Justinia, or her soul, or the spirit that took her form... I read your report. I know it isn't clear but...What was she like?"

 

Mara took a moment to consider the question before answering. Finally, "She seemed calm, serene, even. And she guided us the whole way through." Which reminded Mara. "She told me to tell you something."

 

Leliana waited, bowed over the railing, still.

 

"She said, "I'm sorry, I failed you too."" Mara expected a reaction but all she got was silence. A few moments, alter Leliana suddenly straightened. 

 

"I should finish this before it slips my mind. perhaps later we might discuss the matter further." she said, without turning.

 

Mara happily left to go slip into the covers of her new bed. A Dwarven bed. A gift from Varric, since he'd seen her admiring the ancient one during their trip to Orzammar. Oh boy. Guilt trip as she falls asleep.

 

------

 

The next morning, her and her companions' trip to the Fade was on everyone's lips. Vivienne was super curious, stopping just short of interrupting her breakfast, asking her all sorts of questions about her experience. Iron Bull seemed to be having a panic attack about Demons in the Fade that he literally needed to be beaten out of. Odd man. Cole seemed more absorbed by some worry he was not yet ready to share with her...

 

Fiona even had something to say; she wasn't sure she would have done the same, as forgiveness could be difficult. 

 

"I hope the Order values what you've done and gives you no reason to regret it."

 

(such a better reaction than the one where I allied with the mages. That time, she said something like I shouldn't have done it at all, yet my compassion for Orders in Trouble had gotten her allied...hypocrite.)

 

Dorian was angry, but not at her. Very upset about being in the fade. Asked her if she was alright.

 

"Honestly, No. We lost Hawke. As a result of my choice, specifically. I'm going to beat myself up about that a while." Dorian clapped her on the shoulder, looking sympathetic. 

 

"That any of us made it out of there alive is difficult to believe. No one has physically been there in 1000 years, you realize?"

 

Mara grimaced. "That's not exactly comforting, Dorian."

 

He just seemed to accept that comment, paused, then went on. "We can't let people know that this happened for real. Let them speculate. There are enough idiots in the world that think with enough blood magic they can find all the answers to their problems. Now. If I could just prove he was a grasping ankle biter with no family to speak of? Well, the luster would just come right off."

 

Mara murmured agreement and left to wander a bit aimlessly in thought. She wouldn't be accomplishing much this day, she could tell. To her detriment, she wandered into Solas's space. He was not happy. Not with the Wardens for trying to outsmart a Blight and he was not happy with her for choosing to not exile them. However, after shredding her with his angry comments, he realized she was practically finishing. "Forgive me. The entire idea is just unnerving.

 

Sera was just a hot mess; she wasn't entirely certain what she was unhappy about. As far she could tell, it seemed she was just upset about the Fade, magic, and wardens. Reminded her of darker times as a child in Denerim. She was pleased that Mara hadn't just shrugged off Hawke's sacrifice, however. And gave her a hug before Mara left.

 

When she found Cassandra, she seemed to be writing. She stopped when Mara walked up. Turns out she was trying to write about what happened in the Fade despite her having not been there. Unsurprisingly, she was more specifically caught up about the "Divine". "Cassandra, all I know is that she helped us. Knowing that, does it even matter?"

 

"It matters to me."  Cassandra said, sincerely. "To what I write." Mara thought she was searching so desperately hard for a solid anwer, but she had none. Nonetheless, she gave her her best guess.

 

"It think it was a spirit. That's it." Cassandra seemed to accept her response as truth. Sigh.

 

"Perhaps it saw Justinia's soul and and admired it enough to carry out her wishes. I hope that's true. I want to believe it." she suddenly changed subjects, looking Mara over with concern. "When they told me you were physically in the Fade, I was terrified for you. The last time such a thing happened, we created Darkspawn. We created Corypheus." She sighed, the added. "The world needs to know the truth this time. No more legends lost to the ages."

 

At this point, Mara was just avoiding Varric, whom she had seen had resumed his usual place by the fire. Bad habit, that avoidance but still... it was all too raw. Decided that hanging out with Blackwall would be soothing. Not that she expected total relaxation with him, necessarily.  He probably had something to say about the events at Adamant as much, if not more, than everyone else.  Mara didn't have much experience with romantic love, was it supposed to be relaxing? She admired the man, he admired her, the attraction was there, and they cared about each other's happiness... that was love, right? Her introspection came to an end when her feet had the very man of her thoughts before her. Chopping wood, off all things. But if there was one thing she did know about the man, which was a very short list, she realized, it was that he liked to keep his hands busy. 

 

He noticed as she came to a stop beside him, still a distance away, wary of splinters flying in her direction.

 

He did not pause in his chopping efforts as he spoke to her. "Someone I knew once described Adamant to me." CHOP. " 'Adamant is, and always will be, the Order' he told me. 'A guardian on the edge of the abyss, the lone soul that stares into oblivion and doesn't waver.' That's what Commander Clarel tried to be. What they all tried to be. None of the Wardens we saw wavered. They gave their lives- "CHOP "-willingly." Mara leaned against a tree, settling in for their conversation. He went on, "They died for us, and Corypheus twisted their sacrifice to make it his own!"

 

He finally stopped speaking, reaching for another log to destroy...er, chop. "And that's why he has to die." Mara replied, simply. Blackwall stood straight, abandoning his axe for the moment.

 

"You'll get no argument from he." He stated. "There's no one to blame but Corypheus. Even Clarel's intentions were righteous. Her desire to protect was so strong, it led her astray. It's not right. To want to be good, do good...and have it turned against you."

 

She loved hearing him talk, even when it was about gloomy subjects, most of the time. She cared about him.

 

"They should have had your resolve, Blackwall. You've never faltered and you never will." Mara blushed a bit as she smiled at him. She believed in him and what he stood for, and she refused to hide it. 

 

Blackwall looked at her oddly before replying, "Before the Inquisition, before you, I had the Wardens.The vow I made to them. It's not the armor or the trappings. It's not the Joining. At the heart of it, all a Warden is, is a promise. To protect others...Even at the cost of your own life."

 

Mara sauntered over to him and kissed him on the spot. afterwards, he joked, "I guess the beard doesn't bother you as much as I thought." a few minutes later, they parted ways. Things to do.

 

Walking back towards the Main Hall, Mara felt a little lighter. See, visiting him had taken her mind off... oh yeah...

 

She realized her mistake as soon as she entered the double doors. Varric. Sigh. There was no helping it.

 

 

Oh boy. Mara was going to cry, wasn't she. The story was a light one, however, showing a side to Hawke that Mara would never have realized considering the grim serious woman she'd met. Obviously she'd been a sarcastic good hearted trickster before the events that changed her prior to Mara's meeting her.

 

"Keep going. I'd like to hear the rest of the story." Mara encouraged him, when it seemed like he was winding down too soon. 

 

Varric resumed; "They kick in the door and Hawke yells, "You're just in time!" and drags them over to the table for a game of Wicked Grace." Varric laughed, lightly, his heart not totally in it, then sobered. "Hawke just... had that effect on people." He looked down at the floor, rubbed at his face a little. 

 

"I know Hawke was your friend."  She said, the blatantly obvious. "I know this couldn't have been easy for you." 

 

Varric looked her straight in the eye, despite their height difference. "I should have stopped her. She'd already paid enough."

 

They were both quiet a moment. Varric shrugged. "I always wanted to tell that story. Thanks.....I have letters to write. Carver should be told. I don't even know for sure where Anders is..."

 

They parted ways, both grieving, but Mara was relieved she'd discussed it with him. Relieved he didn't hate her for her choice to encourage Hawke to remain behind.

 

She finished her rounds with Josephine. Jose brought it to her attention that a rumor had started. That Andraste herself had spoken to her in the Fade. Mara responded with some heat that she did not see Andraste anywhere. No Maker had been present for any of this! But Jose asked nevertheless... Mara was adamant. They would say nothing.

 

(My first time choosing that option. and then the game took the satisfaction of that decision away by Jose saying they'd all imagine something even more amazing than what I would have told them. BAH HUMBUG)

 

Mara left Jose's office, heading for the War Table Room. But stopped in her tracks once she entered the hallway.

 

Was it just two days before when she'd seen Hawke and Varric joking with each other in this hallway? She'd...

 

With a heavy heart, she pushed the wooden doors open. Back to work.

 

 

You may have noticed I did not talk to Cullen. Because I have ignored him since he went to his office to save ALL the scenes for later for "purposes. "After that Blackwall Scene, I think I've decided it makes more sense to do Winter palace before Adamant because his deciding to leave to save his subordinates makes better narrative sense. Next time! Also, I tried the hugging and the not hugging scene with Varric, and decided I actually liked the not hugging one better. I know, weird, right? Who doesn't want to hug Varric? But he seemed more embarrassed by it then really comforted, so I decided it would be a bit selfish of the Quiz to do it. Like it would actually make her feel better, not him.

 

I've been writing over 6 hours at this point. I still haven't fully caught up with what I've played so far. Three Judgements and the Winter Palace. Tomorrow!

 

[Melbella]

Getting ready to head to the ball. I think this will be a Celene rules alone game, and I might decide to fight Florianne for the first time. It feels weird doing that before going to Crestwood but I don't want to risk messing up the Alistair/Morrigan meeting. I haven't even talked to Varric/Hawke yet on the ramparts.

 

Back at Skyhold, Andreia played pranks with Sera and beat Cullen at chess. The WT is cleared as well, so it's a good time to do the next big mission.

Cleared out Victory Rise and Citadelle du Corbeau, and found all the supply caches. All that's left in the Plains is getting into Var Bellanaris (haven't decided if I will or not, though I probably will since I clicked on the door and now the quest is in my journal ) and killing the dragon. Went to the Storm Coast with Blackwall to find "his" old Warden badge. One more chat with him and the romance will start heating up.

[phoray]

Getting ready to head to the ball. I think this will be a Celene rules alone game, and I might decide to fight Florianne for the first time. It feels weird doing that before going to Crestwood but I don't want to risk messing up the Alistair/Morrigan meeting. I haven't even talked to Varric/Hawke yet on the ramparts.

 

Back at Skyhold, Andreia played pranks with Sera and beat Cullen at chess. The WT is cleared as well, so it's a good time to do the next big mission.

Cleared out Victory Rise and Citadelle du Corbeau, and found all the supply caches. All that's left in the Plains is getting into Var Bellanaris (haven't decided if I will or not, though I probably will since I clicked on the door and now the quest is in my journal ) and killing the dragon. Went to the Storm Coast with Blackwall to find "his" old Warden badge. One more chat with him and the romance will start heating up.

 

I can't decide if it feels more right to be left behind naked in a barn or blinking long enough for Blackwall to suddenly be a ninja.  your thoughts on that particular part of the romance?

[Melbella]

I can't decide if it feels more right to be left behind naked in a barn or blinking long enough for Blackwall to suddenly be a ninja.  your thoughts on that particular part of the romance?

 

Well, I like both options, though I don't know if I'd consider one more "right" than the other. Granted, I'm not a fan of seeing ladybits and no BW bits during the barn scene, but there's a great callback to it in Trespasser that made going that route totally worth it. I don't think the Trespasser scene would have the same meaning or importance otherwise, especially if you never even watched the barn scene.

 

However, I also like the non-barn scene, where Blackwall basically decides he may not atm be the man Inqui deserves, but he's going to be, even if it costs him his life.

 

Best part either way: no sad dog story.

[phoray]

Well, I like both options, though I don't know if I'd consider one more "right" than the other. Granted, I'm not a fan of seeing ladybits and no BW bits during the barn scene, but there's a great callback to it in Trespasser that made going that route totally worth it. I don't think the Trespasser scene would have the same meaning or importance otherwise, especially if you never even watched the barn scene.

 

However, I also like the non-barn scene, where Blackwall basically decides he may not atm be the man Inqui deserves, but he's going to be, even if it costs him his life.

 

Best part either way: no sad dog story.

 

Yes, exactly. I wish I could get a blend of both scenes, it's why I'm a bit conflicted.

 

And the dog scene is awful, we are twins about that. 

 

As i have never brought a Blackwall romance to completion and probably never will, how is being left in a barn referenced in Trespasser?

 

Hide my book.

Spoiler

The first time I played was after an Alistair/Origins to Anders/DA2 PT lineup and I wanted to keep my Grey Warden booty trend; seriously! What's funny is that I got bored with him; I wanted sexy times and he wasn't giving it up, unless you count the -getting together- scene's fade to black as sexy times (which I now do.) I just kept getting the awkward posed kissing scene, thinking this worked a bit like Origins. Where are the presents so I can get my schmexy scene now, please.   I wanted to move on to Cullen, as I'd pegged him as mine from the moment he turned on Meredith and became an actually interesting person. Finally I did the right? quest (which I now know to be the completion of both Adamant and the Winter Palace) , my determined "Let's do the deed" mage ignored all warnings....and then he left my human mage naked in a barn. Although, not being modest, this didn't bother me as much as the fact that he chose the morning AFTER to finally go to this hanging he obviously had known about for a bit. Then (gasp) betrayal, as I find out that I didn't even get Grey Warden booty I'd chosen him for, it had all been a lie. Amazingly, even though I had just been going on about him being so boring to my husbands, the amount of betrayal I felt was amazingly strong. Almost made up with him at his trial. But no, I told him to go be a Grey Warden for real and that trust was too important to a relationship, that we could be together no longer. I was actually heart sore about the whole thing. Then had an amazing rebound with Cullen, and was very happy. 

 

Now I'm hardcore into roleplaying my character, so timing is important to me even when I'm bouncing from one lover to another. Iron bull as a one night fling made sense. And Mara, being young, getting admiration/romantic hero/order worship and love mixed up makes sense e.g. Blackwall. How I'm going to get her to Cullen, I don't know per se; it's bubbling in my head, as I've been avoiding his content, but now he just feels like a Commander Mara only sees at war times. and like, half the game is over. And I missed the Cullen dancing scene at the Winter Palace three times now and now I'm wondering if the timing is too off, and I should actually let Mara end the game wiser and single. And create a Character that romances only Cullen from start to finish. 

I realize I wrote you a book. Anyway, I'm leaning toward the ninja moment as being more Mara. She's not as determined as my human mage was to make everything end in a bedroom romp. She loves her friends, so picking that option feels pretty legit, whereas, watching the sex scene side now? I kind of feel like Mara would stop and calmly ask what the heck Blackwall is talking about... not throw caution to the winds and jump him in a barn.

 

P.S. 70 hours in and Iron Bull and Dorian have barely flirted, maybe twice, max. TBH, Dorian wasn't there for all of the Hinterlands, but still. That is a lot of screen time to only get only two flirts.

 

I read somewhere that the Jaws of Hakkon DLC gets the banter flowing. But what I noticed in the Descent DLC is that that the only banter that happened was quest related. I went back there after it was all done for something and found that normal banter had resumes. Is JoH like this? I really want to get them together. Iron Bull isn't awful after I put some of his reaver skills into the No NO tactics area, but I had really wanted to play with Cass this game.

[Melbella]

As i have never brought a Blackwall romance to completion and probably never will, how is being left in a barn referenced in Trespasser?

 
Hiding for spoilers

Spoiler

Thom (and yes, she calls him Thom) has been away making amends where he can. So, they head off for some reunion sexytimes, then she wakes up and he's not there. It's deja vu except....


....he is there this time

 

I read somewhere that the Jaws of Hakkon DLC gets the banter flowing. But what I noticed in the Descent DLC is that that the only banter that happened was quest related. I went back there after it was all done for something and found that normal banter had resumes. Is JoH like this? I really want to get them together. Iron Bull isn't awful after I put some of his reaver skills into the No NO tactics area, but I had really wanted to play with Cass this game.

Banter is normal in JoH since there are no additional companions tagging along. Also note, if the Inquisitor isn't locked in to a romance with someone else, Dorian and Bull will not get together.

 

Re: Cullenmance - definitely worth it to do from the beginning.  Besides, he deserves better than a rebound. 

[phoray]

O

 

 
Hiding for spoilers

Spoiler

Thom (and yes, she calls him Thom) has been away making amends where he can. So, they head off for some reunion sexytimes, then she wakes up and he's not there. It's deja vu except....


....he is there this time

 

Banter is normal in JoH since there are no additional companions tagging along. Also note, if the Inquisitor isn't locked in to a romance with someone else, Dorian and Bull will not get together.

 

Re: Cullenmance - definitely worth it to do from the beginning.  Besides, he deserves better than a rebound. 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I've seen that scene on youtube and had no idea what the significance was. Duh.

 

Well, I may swing Mara his direction in the end, but yes. I was wondering what a regularly paced Cullenmance would feel like. He is definitely better than just rebound material, 

[Melbella]

Andreia is still at the ball. Had to go to bed before I could finish (boo) so she's just about to be accosted by Florianne.

[phoray]

Andreia is still at the ball. Had to go to bed before I could finish (boo) so she's just about to be accosted by Florianne.

Why does your character think Celene ruling alone is good?

[Melbella]

Why does your character think Celene ruling alone is good?

My character? No particular reason, though she's not happy with the discovery of Briala sabotaging the talks, nor is she impressed by Gaspard's admission that he'll basically rule through death-threats and making examples of those who disagree with him.

Me personally? I hate all three of them, and last game I made them all work together so I wanted a different option this time. Sometimes I reunite Celene and Briala, but it rankles that I have to basically give Briala all the credit for stopping the assassination in order to do so.