Samson does sound like Sten when admitting the crime he committed. Sten admits he forfeited his honour, that his crime was unforgivable and there was no going back.
Similar lines are said by Samson during his trial:
Did I ask for mercy?
I'm not offering a defence!
I know what I did. I know none of you can understand why.
I saw what Corypheus was doing.
PS: Does that mean Samson would make a good follower of the Qun?
wut
[Random rant]
What pisses me off in DA2 is that Samson gets thrown out of the Order for something harmless (being the mailman for a mage and his sweetheart), but real criminals like Ser Alrik remain in the Order.
I try to justify Meredith's rigidity in my head by reminding myself that Kirkwall was indeed suffering external attacks from blood mages associated with the Resolutionists - as Sister Nightingale warns us in Act 3 -, but that was a MAJOR oversight from the Knight-Commander's part. I'm sorry, but this is blatant incompetence. She didn't know what was going on inside the Order very well. I bet most severe crimes perpetrated by Templars went completely unnoticed by her.
Expel the good doer, that should've received only a mild reprimand and allow the rapist torturer to remain? Really?
I think it helps to remind yourself that Meredith was running the Templars at this time. She's a smart lady, she knows exactly what kind of Templar order she wants to build: one that doesn't think of mages as people at all.
This is a great meta article on Samson that explains Meredith's motivations: http://flutiebear.tu...he-story-of-ser
I think it helps to remind yourself that Meredith was running the Templars at this time. She's a smart lady, she knows exactly what kind of Templar order she wants to build: one that doesn't think of mages as people at all.
This is a great meta article on Samson that explains Meredith's motivations: http://flutiebear.tu...he-story-of-ser
One of the most complete articles on Samson's character. What amazes me is how the author succesfully drew a parallel between his expulsion from the Templar Order and the crisis that Kirwkall was undergoing.
It's easy for players to blame him for his misfortune. Not so easy to see it as a consequence of a much bigger context that was already falling apart...
What also amazes me is how an NPC caught someone's attention so intensely that it merited an in-depth analysis on him. I believe the same thing must be happening -or will happen - to Abelas as well. He's become quite popular in a relatively short amount of time. 
Forgive me, Inquisitor. For personal reasons, I have relieved Josephine, as you might expect.
Knight-Templar Samson, general to Corypheus, traitor to the Order. The amount of smut dedicated to him cannot be measured.
His body is too valuable (not) to take. AO3, Tumblr, many would see him [CENSORED]. I can't say I'm not one of them.
Forgive me, Inquisitor. For personal reasons, I have relieved Josephine, as you might expect.
Knight-Templar Samson, general to Corypheus, traitor to the Order. The amount of smut dedicated to him cannot be measured.
His body is too valuable (not) to take. AO3, Tumblr, many would see him [CENSORED]. I can't say I'm not one of them.
Based on the amount of Cullen x Samson smutfic, I don't doubt it, Commander :WINKY FACE:
We don't have Cullen x Inquisitor, or Solas x Inquisitor numbers, but we've got 14 fics up (from the same like, 5 of us on Tumblr) haha!
I am so confused by the thing for Samson...
What's confusing?(honest question)
I can only speak for myself, but he's an incredibly sympathetic character -- which was sort of the point with Calpernia and Samson. You were supposed to - hopefully - feel for them on some level. Which I do, for both. They made stupid choices but deserved better. I'm more interested in their story than I am in Corypheus'. I hope BW brings them back to wrap them up nicely instead of just relegating their fates to codex entries. I never felt any type of hatred for either character.
As for the attraction - eh. To each his own. The fan-writing on him has been actually been pretty good - which seems to be common among fanfiction for small NPCs. The writer doesn't feel beholden to canon since there isn't much story there and it's not quite as jarring when they stray a bit. That's kind of how I personally fell into it. I don't see being attracted to him any different than being attracted to Blackwall or even Solas -- jury is still out on what's going on with him --- all are people with pasts that just catch up to them. With Samson, he unfortunately just hitched his cart to the wrong horse. You can paint a really nice redemptive arc for him, have a guy who lost his way sort of find his faith again. It can be very poignant. I find it a bit sad that people can't enjoy his character - even non-romantically - because he's "gross"(which I've seen) or a "villain" which is an incredibly reductive view of him.
I am so confused by the thing for Samson...
Since you're a fan of Solas, you must've noticed the following phenomenon going on in the fandom as of late:
I've noticed there are many stories in AO3 where the Inquisitor was left by Solas and found solace in Samson's company. Mind you, most of these stories usually involve a good amount of physical entanglement.
(This one, though, is an exception)
After reading a couple of them, you realize the reason for choosing Samson is because the Inquisitor is having a hard time dealing with her own heartbreak. She then develops an addiction - it can be booze or lyrium- to numb the pain.
Since Samson is seen as a man that embodies human weakness and is incapable of standing up and fight against it, the Inquisitor relates to him in her most vulnerable moment. He understands what she's going through by experience. That's about it; for Solas fans, anyway.
Suffice to say, Samson's deep understanding of weakness is a central theme in my fanfic. 
Why Samson is not a degenerate
(long texts below. read only if you have the patience for it 
)
Spoiler
I am so confused by the thing for Samson...
Were you wanting to express an opinion or did you want to discuss why the people in this thread enjoy the character, or both? No one here is going to be able to convince you of anything, no one convinced us of anything. It sort of just happens.
I really enjoyed his character in DA2, since it's one of the first Templars we meet who isn't trying to be a knight in shining armor, who has very visible flaws. I was so damn sad and disappointed when I saw him leading the Red Templars into Haven. He's a very interesting character to me, so I'm here in this thread.
Put simply, he's not a one dimensional, moustache twirling villain who sees the protagonist and is all 'muhahaha'. Although we haven't seen it all (and might not see it all) he has a complex backstory built up over 2 games (some of which is only hinted at).I am so confused by the thing for Samson...
Just butting in to say that another Samson fan here. He's quite honestly one of my favorite DA characters, starting from his debut in DA2. I always liked his personality, outlook and story.
Really tragic character as well since he obviously was an excellent example of a good Templar. One who knew his purpose but wasn't blinded by their Order and "righteous sacred duty". Nor did he see mages as something that must be hated and mistreated, like they wouldn't even be people. He was willing to do a good deed for them, right by any standards (except Meredith's), but was harshly punished for it which led to all kinds of ****. Meanwhile Templars who deserved to be punished and expelled, were left to proceed with their abuse and devious deeds. It's sad and frustrating.
Samson's personality, development and downfall is really interesting to me. What led him down this path is a combination of many things which cannot be summarized by just saying "he was weak/he was crazy/etc". Not your typical antagonist by any means and I personally love all the layers he offers.
I'm almost positive that Samson will be dead by the beginning of the next game. The red lyrium withdrawal will kill him. I suspect this because Samson is strongly implied to have died if you play Champions of the Just, in having failed to become the Vessel, and this would enable his story to be relatively easily wrapped up.
I'm almost positive that Samson will be dead by the beginning of the next game. The red lyrium withdrawal will kill him. I suspect this because Samson is strongly implied to have died if you play Champions of the Just, in having failed to become the Vessel, and this would enable his story to be relatively easily wrapped up.
You know what would be really interesting? A story that has two sides, one where you choose the Templars, the other where you choose the mages and it follows both Samson and Calpernia from DA2 to DA:I. It would be a neat little story that captures both sides of the choices you can make. I get the feeling though they have a 'canon world state' if you go by the keep and see what the default settings are.
I'm almost positive that Samson will be dead by the beginning of the next game. The red lyrium withdrawal will kill him. I suspect this because Samson is strongly implied to have died if you play Champions of the Just, in having failed to become the Vessel, and this would enable his story to be relatively easily wrapped up.
Sadly true.
Oh, my dear sourpuss...at least you'll live on in fanfic lore.
I'm almost positive that Samson will be dead by the beginning of the next game. The red lyrium withdrawal will kill him. I suspect this because Samson is strongly implied to have died if you play Champions of the Just, in having failed to become the Vessel, and this would enable his story to be relatively easily wrapped up.
Samson will live forever!
Are y'all forgetting that we've got Dagna working down in the Undercroft on this? She's gonna save the day.
Yes! If somebody, Dagna might be able to do something to slow the corruption inside Samson at least. She is a crafty little dwarf.
Either way or other, it would be nice if we could learn more about him in one of the upcoming expansions of the storyline.
Edit: and I am curious what will be his "canon" story. There is no option to sentence him to death during his trial (almost all other prisoners can be executed), it might mean that there are some further plans with him. (*pretty please*)
Modifié par Rannah, 18 mars 2015 - 07:53 .
Are y'all forgetting that we've got Dagna working down in the Undercroft on this? She's gonna save the day.
I think his situation with the red lyrium is very, very interesting, actually. I think there's no denying that it's going to get him eventually, but even Dagna will say that his resistance appears to basically be inherent: "he doesn't do anything". (fortified by Corypheus, perhaps, but that's well withdrawn, and we don't know how the red's after-effects are, once you've been removed from it, at least in the manner/to the extent he was taking it). But there's not a ton of reason to believe that he's not at least stable for the near future.
Kind of like how it is for Grey Wardens, as it happens. Now, we know it's not exactly the same; he's not exactly sensing Darkspawn or whatever. But I think there's something there, in the similarities of the massive resistance to their respective poisons. There's very valuable information in that.
I think his situation with the red lyrium is very, very interesting, actually. I think there's no denying that it's going to get him eventually, but even Dagna will say that his resistance appears to basically be inherent: "he doesn't do anything". (fortified by Corypheus, perhaps, but that's well withdrawn, and we don't know how the red's after-effects are, once you've been removed from it, at least in the manner/to the extent he was taking it). But there's not a ton of reason to believe that he's not at least stable for the near future.
Kind of like how it is for Grey Wardens, as it happens. Now, we know it's not exactly the same; he's not exactly sensing Darkspawn or whatever. But I think there's something there, in the similarities of the massive resistance to their respective poisons. There's very valuable information in that.
You know, since you mentioned the Wardens, it's worth to point out that the HoF is out there somewhere (if alive) searching for the cure to the taint.
This was the theme of chapter 2 of my Samson fanfic, btw. Moar advertisement, mwahaha
By the way, have you noticed how the effects of both lyrium and taint are practically the same? People hear voices. When they become too strong due to prolonged exposure, the victim loses all control over herself and automatically obeys them (the case of darkspawn). Or goes downright insane (The dwarf Ruck).
I think that's Sandal's case. Bodahn found him in the Deep Roads. He was exposed to the lyrium at an early age. He must hear those voices continuously. Which leads to the inevitable conclusion that he's not mentally ill, you know. He's just constantly immersed in that ocean of thoughts. He lives more in his head than in the physical world, but he's fully aware of everything going on here. He just keeps quiet and listens to the voices most of the time.
And I bet they taught him how to do...ENCHANTMENT!
Sorry, couldn't resist. 
Yeah, the relation between red lyrium and Wardens on the spoilered grounds is something I think about a fair bit, though I haven't decided yet how I'm going to run with it when I get to my own work. (I'm still very carefully setting up pins and Samson was a late addition to my mix, when I'm not distracted by sideline one-shots like the one you so kindly linked to earlier)
I do definitely think the fact that he must survive the trial is very telling that his place in the story isn't complete, even if it's never so big a place again. But both he and Cal are such fascinating characters, I can't complain at all.
Yeah, the relation between red lyrium and Wardens on the spoilered grounds is something I think about a fair bit, though I haven't decided yet how I'm going to run with it when I get to my own work. (I'm still very carefully setting up pins and Samson was a late addition to my mix, when I'm not distracted by sideline one-shots like the one you so kindly linked to earlier)
I do definitely think the fact that he must survive the trial is very telling that his place in the story isn't complete, even if it's never so big a place again. But both he and Cal are such fascinating characters, I can't complain at all.
I love your One-Shot. 
It shows the Inquisitor having a meaningful rapport with Samson. His reaction to when she brings him cake is so cute. He's all like: but nobody ever did this for me, and here I am, being spoiled by this lady.
In most fanfics out there, Samson is usually depicted as an outlet for sexual frustration, much like Cullen. No problem with such stories, to read a bit of smut now and then is quite refreshing. The problem is, you begin to miss normal stories, where you see the characters as human beings. Thank you for sharing one of such stories with the fans. 
@Kissiebear - I just genuinely didn't understand it. For some reason I understood the thing for Calpernia (as a sympathetic character with complex reasons for their choices, more interesting villian storyline than Cory [not to reduce him or her to a simple villian of course, just wording], etc) but not Samson?? I didn't and don't hate him obviously (though my Inquisitor did, but that's RP).
@ModernAcademic, I don't consume much fanfiction. I've definitely noticed
1) A surge of Samson fanfic on my tumblr dash [this is what spurred my question tbh]
2) The trend in the Solas fanfic fandom to have Lavellan find solace in Abelas after Solas leaves
but not what you mentioned.
A+ analysis you've written there (I read it all), very interesting.
@Tigrae: I didn't have an opinion on Samson to express (sry if it looked like I was coming in here to bash him, that wasn't the intent), my intent was to ask and find out what it about him as a character that people were enjoying so much. It appears I neglected to type the second sentence of my post 
sry everyone I was sleepy 
@Everyone thanks for sharing with me Samson's appeal, there was a lot of insight and it makes sense. I am now going to pay very close attention to Samson's arc in my current playthrough
@Kissiebear - I just genuinely didn't understand it. For some reason I understood the thing for Calpernia (as a sympathetic character with complex reasons for their choices, more interesting villian storyline than Cory [not to reduce him or her to a simple villian of course, just wording], etc) but not Samson?? I didn't and don't hate him obviously (though my Inquisitor did, but that's RP).
@ModernAcademic, I don't consume much fanfiction. I've definitely noticed
1) A surge of Samson fanfic on my tumblr dash [this is what spurred my question tbh]
2) The trend in the Solas fanfic fandom to have Lavellan find solace in Abelas after Solas leaves
but not what you mentioned.
A+ analysis you've written there (I read it all), very interesting.
@Tigrae: I didn't have an opinion on Samson to express (sry if it looked like I was coming in here to bash him, that wasn't the intent), my intent was to ask and find out what it about him as a character that people were enjoying so much. It appears I neglected to type the second sentence of my post
@Everyone thanks for sharing with me Samson's appeal, there was a lot of insight and it makes sense. I am now going to pay very close attention to Samson's arc in my current playthrough
I'd suggest playing DA2 first to really understand why Samson did what he did.
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