1268 réponses à ce sujet

[Master Warder Z_]

This is too vague for me to reply. Perspective of what? His gender?

Indeed.

Others don't necessarily share the view that he is indeed a he.

Common courtesy and all.

[Tigrae]

Indeed.

Others don't necessarily share the view that he is indeed a he.

Common courtesy and all.

 

Common courtesy doesn't cover willfully misgendering a person. Thankfully, Krem's gender isn't up for debate, as he identifies as a man.

 

This is the Samson thread, but I imagine everyone in the Krem thread would love to have this discussion with you.

[Tigrae]

More Samson in the Samson thread:

 

 

[Source]

[Master Warder Z_]

Okay I definitely wish I could kill him now.

[SmilesJA]

Yes more Samson please. So what if the roles were reversed, that Samson was the military advisor and Cullen the servant of Corypheus. How would Samson handle the Inquisition's military?

[Tigrae]

Yes more Samson please. So what if the roles were reversed, that Samson was the military advisor and Cullen the servant of Corypheus. How would Samson handle the Inquisition's military?

 

I'm not really sure, to be honest. I wish we had more time with his character. I'm not sure if he's leading the Red Templars because he's good at it, or just because he shows the least amount of corruption from the red lyrium (or both!)

 

We know he was given his sun shield by the Knight-commander of the Gallows himself, so I think, based on that, we can assume he was an exceptional templar. I think he carries a heavy burden of guilt about being caught and Maddox being made Tranquil because of it. I have a feeling he'd be just as protective and proud of his troops as Cullen is. Where Cullen might be seen as a tight-ass, orderly, workaholic, Samson's soldiers might see him as more jovial, as one of them, I think he would act far less serious than Cullen, maybe even less orderly. I see Cullen as more intellectual, and Samson as more emotional. Both would give the Inquisition 110% if they truly believed, but that might be more of a templar trait (as in the Order attracts people who have faith) than their individual traits.

 

I mean, they're both warriors, I think they'd be very similar in the basics - training their soldiers how they themselves were trained.

 

I have a feeling their war table missions would still be pretty similar: punch a bridge into existence, tell nobles they're full of ****, Orlais sucks, and "No, this is ridiculous."

 

How do you imagine Samson handing the Inquisition's military arm?

[SmilesJA]

Pretty much the same as what you said, though I would imagine that Samson's methods will be more extreme due to him being a slave to his lyrium addiction.

[TheLastArchivist]

More Samson

 

 

 

source¹

 

(This tumblr is actually full of Samson-related stuff  )

[TheLastArchivist]

Moar Samson

 

 

source²

[TheLastArchivist]

Talking about AU, I wonder how Samson would deal with his lyrium addiction.

Would he have the strength to quit lyrium on his own?

 

Or would the Inquisitor have to convince him -even force him- to do so? 

What if he were betrayed by templars under his command who took red lyrium, thinking that would make them stronger and he had no choice but to cut down the poor sods? Would that frighten him enough into taking an attitude?

[SmilesJA]

Samson wouldn't give up his lyrium addiction, he will try but in the end he'll convince himself that he needs the drug in order to function properly. However if he were  to cut down his comrades after seeing them be consumed by  Red Lyrium, he would seriously consider trying to quit. But in the end I feel that Samson is too weak willed to actually go through with it, though he would probably stay clear of Red Lyrium.

[SmilesJA]

To be honest I thought Samson was wearing Rogue Hawke's armor on the first picture!

[Luckyanna]

Pretty much the same as what you said, though I would imagine that Samson's methods will be more extreme due to him being a slave to his lyrium addiction.

 

The Inquisition has enough lyrium for the templars and mages in its employ, so Samson would get his fix regularly and if he didn't have to worry about his next dose, I'd think he'd be able to function just fine, so I doubt his methods would be any different from Cullen's. It's eerie really, how the two are alike.

[Tigrae]

Talking about AU, I wonder how Samson would deal with his lyrium addiction.

Would he have the strength to quit lyrium on his own?

 

Or would the Inquisitor have to convince him -even force him- to do so? 

What if he were betrayed by templars under his command who took red lyrium, thinking that would make them stronger and he had no choice but to cut down the poor sods? Would that frighten him enough into taking an attitude?

 

Cullen chose to stop taking lyrium because he wanted nothing to do with the Order. It was the one physical thing still making him a "templar". He can take off the armor, he can change his mindset, but he still has that lyrium leash. He'll always be an addict, every templar will always be an addict - but they can be in recovery.

 

Samson was forced to stop taking lyrium once and it hurt; finding a fix defined his life, his choices, it kept him in Lowtown for a decade, the idea of having it again helped him decide to betray Thrask's rebellion against Meredith.

 

Cullen seems like he was lucky enough to have the inner strength, inner drive, to do most of his recovery on his own. He also had Cassandra, someone who I believe he greatly respects, to hold him accountable, and I don't believe Cullen is big on disappointing people. There might have been days he didn't relapse just because he didn't want to have to tell Cassandra and think about how disgusted she'd be in him (which I doubt she would, but I could see him thinking it).

 

If Samson found himself just as disgusted with the Order as Cullen did (in an AU), he might think about kicking his habit. He knows what not having lyrium feels like, though, I would assume he would be terrified to stop. He probably feels "normal" again with his daily, regulated dosage of lyrium. There's a huge difference between deciding to stop, and being forced to stop. It's also more difficult with each relapse to stay in recovery. Besides his reasons for quitting, I think it would depend also on his support network; does he feel safe in the Inquisition? Does he feel like he can make this decision without jeopardizing his faculties (like Cullen does)? Does he feel like he can do this? Does he feel like he can depend on other people to tell him that he CAN do this, in the way he needs to hear it ("We believe in you." or "I order you to do this, soldier." or "We're here for you, whenever you need it.") Whether he could actually do it? I'm not sure. His situation this time could be so much different. It could be his choice this time, it could be around people who would support his choice and reinforce it, it could be made easier with the resources the Inquisition has at it's disposal (Dagna, potions, etc). I want to say he could do it, because I enjoy redemption stories, but he could very well not ever think of stopping.

 

Templars aren't rabid animals on their lyrium, I don't think him or even Cullen, staying on blue lyrium would change them from who they are. Cullen's mood changes when you tell him to keep taking lyrium because he's crestfallen that the Order still has him, that he can't escape. That he tried, and he failed, and I'm sure adding another failure to his list is not something he enjoys feeling.

[Catwall]

I like what you wrote so much, Tigrae. I think it's important to consider the role of support networks and social accountability when it comes to managing addiction, yet so rarely are they mentioned. The implications of that omission are even more troubling in the real world, where many, if not most, types of addiction have been found to have a genetic component.

 

Not strictly related to Samson, but whatever.

[TheLastArchivist]

I really liked her answer, too! That would be the crux of the matter: if Samson would have enough support within the Inquisition (in an AU) to quit lyrium and win the battle against addiction.

[SmilesJA]

The Inquisition has enough lyrium for the templars and mages in its employ, so Samson would get his fix regularly and if he didn't have to worry about his next dose, I'd think he'd be able to function just fine, so I doubt his methods would be any different from Cullen's. It's eerie really, how the two are alike.

 

I should've said a little bit extreme. 

[Tigrae]

That's the thing, this addiction, it's always about managing it - week by week, day by day, even hour by hour, minute by minute on the difficult days. Cullen has access to lyrium whenever he wants it, it's not an illegal substance. I've seen people compare lyrium to hard drugs like heroin, but I liken it more to alcohol. It's everywhere, it has a purpose, people don't look down on you for using it, some people can use it only when they want to, but some have to have it. Some have to have it to the point where they need to have it otherwise they'll die. Obviously alcohol has the side effects of being drunk, but lyrium's side effects are being able to dampen magic.

 

If you've conscripted or partnered with the mages, or built a mage tower, there are probably chests full of lyrium potions hanging around in Skyhold. On days when his hands shake or he feels shitty, he has to think that right over there, just a 5 minute walk away, there's a little vial he could just pop open and pour down his throat and he'll feel ok again. It's a choice that Cullen keeps to himself, whether he thinks it's his penance for how he treated mages, or just one of those challenges the Maker gives people, he suffers it by himself (although I suppose he does open up to the Inquisitor, and even more to a romanced Inquisitor, and Cassandra is essentially his sponsor).

 

I really wish the game could give a better representation of the process of entering recovery, that it doesn't have to be by yourself. I do love that when you side with the Templars, and have Cullen stop his lyrium, in the epilogue it describes that more templars are stopping lyrium. It makes me imagine a bunch of ex-templars all reciting some 10-step program, or talking about how they're doing that day with other templars. Maybe with Dagna's help, Cullen and she make a program for these templars, maybe they have sober living facilities for those that need it.

 

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR EVERYONE IN MY WORLD!

*tosses flowers everywhere*

[Bugsie]

My view is that red Lyrium might be a drug harder to overcome an addiction from than the regular stuff. That's what my head canon thinks anyway. The regular stuff might not cut it for withdrawal. Makes for more angsty fiction IMHO.

I'd like for the game (or alternatively a book/novel/comic if there isn't already) to delve into the recovery angle a bit deeper too.

And Tigrae, excellent posts.

[Catwall]

It has always bothered me how the popular rhetoric of addiction glamorizes its struggles, framing it as something individualistic and heroic. But it isn't really a "battle" that can be overcome or won. It's a condition that can be managed, but typically not without outside support.

 

Also, I agree with you Bugsie. It might not make for an epic heroic tale, but seeing how lyrium addiction's management and recovery are handled at the systemic level, if at all, would be really interesting.

[Tigrae]

My view is that red Lyrium might be a drug harder to overcome an addiction from than the regular stuff. That's what my head canon thinks anyway. The regular stuff might not cut it for withdrawal. Makes for more angsty fiction IMHO.

 

Oh for sure, I should have clarified that I was talking about the blue stuff. Both canon and Samson AU, the commanders would be on blue lyrium.

 

I imagine trying to get off red lyrium being something like grain alcohol, or someone abusing multiple substances. The fact red lyrium is blighted, is hot (if you notice the snow around red lyrium is melted in Emprise du Lion, and Samson says wearing the armor is like being on fire), and without the proper "care" (Imshael the gardener), will start growing on you and killing you, makes it a whooooole different beast.

 

What do you think your Inquisitor did with Samson's red lyrium addiction if he's given to Cullen or Dagna? Would they continue giving him red lyrium? Do you think he could be weaned back onto "safer" blue lyrium and eventually off of it? Would your Inquisitor be ok with him using a normal dosage of blue lyrium?

[Tigrae]

It has always bothered me how the popular rhetoric of addiction glamorizes its struggles, framing it as something individualistic and heroic. But it isn't really a "battle" that can be overcome or won. It's a condition that can be managed, but typically not without outside support.

 

Also, I agree with you Bugsie. It might not make for an epic heroic tale, but seeing how lyrium addiction's management and recovery are handled at the systemic level, if at all, would be really interesting.

 

Yes! I wonder if it's some kind of cowboy mentality of shouldering your burden all by yourself. "If you really wanted this, you would just do it" when there's so many other factors. "If you can't do this yourself, you obviously don't want it that badly. You're weak. You deserve this." I think that unless you've been made aware of it, the daily challenge that people in recovery face is so heroic, but it's not outwardly glamourous.

 

Every templar is made into an addict, that's what the Chantry asks of them. That's what they're willing to do, they're willing to become an addict to protect people. I'd venture that some or most don't really know what that really means, since most of them are too young to even understand, but that's what they're willing to give up.

[TheLastArchivist]

More Samson

 

 

source

[TheLastArchivist]

From Tumblr

 

That's it. Keep growing strong, my beauties. Don't ever stop spreading the love for our precious templar.

 

We are Samson's legion. We won't be ignored any longer. And we certainly won't be silenced. 

 

Surrender to the allure of the lost templar and give in to the red lyrium's bittersweet song...

 

 

 

 

 

 

wtf

 

(Ok. Got a bit carried away. Sorry.)

[TheLastArchivist]

What do you think your Inquisitor did with Samson's red lyrium addiction if he's given to Cullen or Dagna? Would they continue giving him red lyrium? Do you think he could be weaned back onto "safer" blue lyrium and eventually off of it? Would your Inquisitor be ok with him using a normal dosage of blue lyrium?

 

Those are excellent questions. The other day, I was pondering how did Samson manage to withstand his forced withdrawal if he was condemned to prison.

Remaining in jail without his regular dosage could eventually kill him.

I can't imagine a worse fate than dying of pain. He might even try suicide just to avoid it altogether.

 

(Btw, this would make for an excellent one-shot, if anyone is in the mood.

Try to imagine Samson reliving all the most important moments of his life in the minutes before he departed from this world...and then being -perhaps- rescued in the last minute by either Cullen, Dagna or the Inquisitor herself...)