Not exactly true, not exactly false.
It's still rubbish in a setting though.
Time travel is ridiculous but necromancy, resurrection, elemental control, shape-shifting, gravity manipulation, magic runes, magic barriers, alchemy, golems, spirits, demons, mind control and magic flying cows are just fine?
Seems to me that time travel is just another random thing in Thedas. In DA 4 I'm honestly expecting parallel universes to be a thing. We might even get a Jade Empire crossover. 
Why not.
At least they, unlike the Maker, have the advantage of existing.
Time travel is ridiculous but necromancy, resurrection, elemental control, shape-shifting, gravity manipulation, magic runes, magic barriers, alchemy, golems, spirits, demons, mind control and magic flying cows are just fine.
Time travel is ridiculous but necromancy, resurrection, elemental control, shape-shifting, gravity manipulation, magic runes, magic barriers, alchemy, golems, spirits, demons, mind control and magic flying cows are just fine?
Seems to me that time travel is just another random thing in Thedas. In DA 4 I'm honestly expecting parallel universes to be a thing. We might even get a Jade Empire crossover.
Why not.
Time travel has always been ridiculous in media, time manipulation however is perfectly fine and reasonable 
Time travel has always been ridiculous in media, time manipulation however is perfectly fine and reasonable
Time travel is indeed a concept that can easily turn stupid in unworthy hands when it comes to science fiction that grounded in some form of scientific reality, but time travel in Thedas is magic and to be me magic is about looking reality and logic straight in the eye and slapping it with a novelty rubber chicken.
They didn't ask for my consultation writing the lore.
Their loss.
Oh man, that would have been hilarious.
Quest objective: "Get Howe exonerated for the Alienage massacre. After all, he was only following orders."
Oh man, that would have been hilarious.
Quest objective: "Get Howe exonerated for the Alienage massacre. After all, he was only following orders."
It seems that the OT has been changed? Well, then have a gif.
Have to admit though regardless I'd love to see them completely 86 the character of Cole. Wow... that was just fingernails on a chalkboard for me. Again, probably just me. Lol
That guy? Gave me a big dose of the creeps. No point in changing my shorts when he was around (or not). Couldn't work out whether he was useful or not but enjoyed his mini quest
Guest_Caoimhe_*
I played both paths and found the mage one made more sense in my opinion. We still find out Cory's intentions, you still deal with the Templars later on and you get to wrap up unfinished business with Samson and Cullen.
I guess since DA2 was my first DA game, when Cullen joined me on that mission, then talked about what happened to Samson, it felt familiar based on my choices as Hawke (I really thought I saved Samson, but I feel like I failed now). I didn't get that feeling with the Templar path. It was sad though, tragic even and well written, but it just didn't fit with how I played DA2 (even though my mage Hawke sided with the Templars at the end of that one), so I prefer the mage's path for that reason alone.
I also find it more emotionally engaging regarding Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts if you see what can happen if Celine dies, instead of seeing a statue of her implementing her doom in a bloody room.
In the end, I liked both paths, but chose the one that fit my other DA choices best and was happy with the results.
In hindsight, I dislike the inclusion of Samson entirely. He's just more fodder for the 'Hawke fails at everything' crowd, since Hawke has a couple of conversations with the guy and can determine his DA2 fate.
Also, just personal opinion, when it comes to character introductions, Dorian showing up out of nowhere and being accepted makes a lot more sense than the same situation with Cole.
Hardy harr har.
o.o Seriously though decrying the Maker as false when Bioware said there is just as much chance of him existing as not existing is humorous.
According to DA lore the Maker cleared off ages ago as he was completely disgusted with the Tevinters , but basically all humans. He didn't walk out once but twice, so whatever the Chantry has chanting about for all those years doesn't appear to be working. BTW the hero is NOT the Herald of Andraste mine is just " A naughty little boy" in Dalish
Oh man, that would have been hilarious.
Quest objective: "Get Howe exonerated for the Alienage massacre. After all, he was only following orders."
Betcha it was his idea in the first place - nasty little weasel. I don't trust anyone with a nose that could get pickles out of a jar!
Guest_Caoimhe_*
In hindsight, I dislike the inclusion of Samson entirely. He's just more fodder for the 'Hawke fails at everything' crowd, since Hawke has a couple of conversations with the guy and can determine his DA2 fate.
Also, just personal opinion, when it comes to character introductions, Dorian showing up out of nowhere and being accepted makes a lot more sense than the same situation with Cole.
I think the biggest screw over for Hawke it Worthy in DAI. Lol
Er, polytheistic pantheons do generally have gods who aren't omnipresent, and they can sometimes be killed. Most of this, we sort of already knew or could gather.
At least they, unlike the Maker, have the advantage of existing.
Eh, Corypheus seems to confirm enough of the Chant of Light to make it pretty clear (to me) that the Maker exists. Or did exist at one time.
But that still begs the question Morrigan keeps asking "What is a god?" What is the Maker? What is/was Mythal? Who were the Old Gods and what makes them different from high dragons?
Eh, Corypheus seems to confirm enough of the Chant of Light to make it pretty clear (to me) that the Maker exists. Or did exist at one time.
But that still begs the question Morrigan keeps asking "What is a god?" What is the Maker? What is/was Mythal? Who were the Old Gods and what makes them different from high dragons?
Flemeth herself insinuates that the Elven 'gods' might not be as divine as the title would suggest, if I recall correctly.
I don't know, but when I'm buying a RPG, I expect to have the ability to roleplay. That might come of as a bit harsh but people who want "better narrative" and imply that to achieve that the story has to be more linear with less customizable protagonists are welcome to buy games from other genres.
Though, more related to the topic, I too preferred the Templar side in terms of story and getting a "slightly" better understanding of the main plot. But both Calpernia and Samson are not developed enough. The Mage-Templar conflict in general is too easily and quickly resolved.
That guy? Gave me a big dose of the creeps. No point in changing my shorts when he was around (or not). Couldn't work out whether he was useful or not but enjoyed his mini quest
Well the game seems to have two favored NPC's and I have to admit I find that incredibly annoying. Varric I do actually kind of like but I have to admit that it bothers me that I'll end up getting 50 amulets of power for him for every one I get for any other character. Worse yet, Bianca. Ok, this is supposedly a one of a kind completely unique crossbow that no one else can use or have, but every single merchant in the game carries either upgrades, schematics for upgrades or both for the dang thing. Seriously? Getting a schematic for a decent one handed weapon or some halfway decent armor is like pulling teeth at first, but man I can't swing a dead cat without running across all sorts of stuff for this weapon which is ludicrous considering there is only supposed to be one in existence. Sort of limits your market quite a bit as a merchant.
Cole on the other hand, eh. Creepy, annoying, and so incredibly needy. I'm mean come on, I'm out here trying to save the world. I really don't have time to deal with your emotional issues. Like Varric I get tons and tons of amulets of power for him for every one I get for anyone else, and to make matters worse if I do decide to give him his walking papers and not let him join the Inquisition the rest of the game I'm getting nagged anytime I get a load screen.
After my first couple of initial play-throughs this time around when I got to skyhold I just avoid going to the area where Cole is and triggering that scene. That way I don't have to skip past him all the time in my companion screen but I don't get the damn nag screens about not letting him join either. Bad enough he's an angsty twit, but I really despise the way the game designers seemed to want to force his use. I really, desperately hope they do not make him a big component in any future storyllnes. Because wow. Ick.
If the entire Inquisition and Ferelden army couldn't stop the Venatori in the bad future, what makes you think Templars are all you need?
That probably had more to do with demons and nobody being able to seal the rifts (no 'Herald) than anything else.
Don't forget how your advisors outright say that even if you could invade Redcliffe, the Fereldens would just see the Inquisition as Orlesians starting a war and would start a war with the Inquisition. Don't forget how your advisors outright say that the Venatori would already be long gone by the time you are done recruiting the Templars. In other words, are you really going to waste time hoping for an army that you know will anger Ferelden and start a war with Ferelden while also allowing a hostile foreign power to take the mages and go to war most likely against you while you are busy hoping not all the Templars are douchebags like the ones in Val Royeau.
Again, I have no interest in invading Redcliffe. That is a fool strategy, which is not only what you're doing in that quest, but you are also going in without an army behind you (just spec-ops)!
I would rather draw them out and fight on homefield or neutral ground. So, let them be long gone.
And I do not have to hope anything. I know it to be true that there are stand-up individuals in the Templar Order, from past experience (which you should also recognize, seeing as people similarly stereotype your poor mages). In fact, I do not need the Templars to be good people either, just willing to help my cause. Given what they stand for, it is very likely one can garner some support from them in a mutual goal of sealing the Breach.
Also, you have no idea Red Templars even exist when you are deciding a mission. All you know that the Templars are hiding out at Therinfal. There is absolutely zero indication your character thinks anything is wrong with the Templars until the Red Templars attack. The entire start of the mission was you essentially discussing the situation with Lucius and hoping some templars will aid the inquisition.
Something called "The Inquisition" should not be so in-the-dark about that kind of a development. Leliana should be taken to task for that. The Inquisition as a whole deserves blame for letting that happen under their nose, especially since what Lucius does at Val Royeaux should have set off some warning-bells.
Also, as for a bigger threat, I'd say the Venatori are a bigger one. When it comes right down to it, the Red Templars are just foot soldiers. They can't blend in and only serve as soldiers so that's all they can do. The Venatori meanwhile developed time magic, managed to trick the Grey Wardens into unknowingly serving Corypheus, can successfully kill Celene, and they have a spy network that can firebomb Denerim, brainwash the Nevarran king, plant a spy in Skyhold, send red lyrium to Tevinter, and take control of a town. Really, the Venatori are a bigger threat considering the Red Templars can only fight and not do anything else whereas the Venatori have way more resources and are capable of subterfuge that can do more damage than the red templars ever could.
Let's remember the bolded for the next time you try to claim that preaching the dangers of magic is just fear-mongering. By your own admission, you admit magic makes people more dangerous than simple foot soldiers.
And what good did going to Redcliffe do since the Venatori get up to all these things anyway? At least you have an actual fighting force within your Inquisition to face them if you recruit the Templars. The mages, OTOH, are not necessarily formal combatants.
Red Templars also get up to some very dangerous things, too, if you would like me to list them.
Personally, I (as the Inquisitor) find Red Templars tougher to kill than Venatori. Ergo, I see them as the bigger threat.
Time travel is indeed a concept that can easily turn stupid in unworthy hands when it comes to science fiction that grounded in some form of scientific reality, but time travel in Thedas is magic and to be me magic is about looking reality and logic straight in the eye and slapping it with a novelty rubber chicken.
Ok, I have looked all over the place and opened every single chest I can find, I still haven't found the rubber chicken schematic. Also, would that be considered a one handed weapon, or a two handed one?
Seriously though, from the standpoint of feasibility really like you I don't see the time travel thing as being problematic in a world like Thedas. But from experience having seen it used so poorly and so often as a plot device like many my initial reaction was.. ugh. Really?
Lol
I don't know, but when I'm buying a RPG, I expect to have the ability to roleplay. That might come of as a bit harsh but people who want "better narrative" and imply that to achieve that the story has to be more linear with less customizable protagonists are welcome to buy games from other genres.
Though, more related to the topic, I too preferred the Templar side in terms of story and getting a "slightly" better understanding of the main plot. But both Calpernia and Samson are not developed enough. The Mage-Templar conflict in general is too easily and quickly resolved.
Having just completed for the first time the Mage quest, I tend to agree that the Templar Quest could have been so much better. In terms of boss fight at the end I found the Envy demon in the Templar Quest a tougher fight. However, the mage quest was a much more balanced and rounded experience as a whole. Red Templar's and Behemoths I found tougher than Venatori and mages, but the Mage quest gave my Dalish Elf hunter much better tactical opportunities in combat. Talking of Dalish Elves, in order for me to get over my common sense and tactical preference to the Templar quest I decided to role play as a Dalish Elf. No full blooded Dalish Elf I ever heard of in DA lore is going to support any move to resurrect the Templars and their order after the Exalted Quests that threw them out of the Dales!
I always try to avoid the emotive side of decision making when it comes to making such choices as thrown at me during this game. As far as the mages were concerned I was less worried about the concept of "freedom", than I was about securing a magical counter to the breach. As it was I already had a number of Templars in the Inquisition ranks anyway so rebuilding that bunch of drug dependents (assuming we survive) can always be flagged for later action. The other issue I had was at the end when making a decision about whether or not to conscript or offer an alliance. Conscripting (in either quest) just re-establishes the old status quo which will eventually (despite Cassandra's protests) lead to another devastating conflict. Far better to promote an arms length management philosophy with an alliance, which will grow into a largely self governing institution with a little supervision of course but not direct control. Encouraging the development of enlightenment has to be a lot better than repression any day of the week
I don't think sacrificing role-playing is necessary to create a better story.
I'd actually go one step further and say that unless you fully immerse yourself in roleplaying you will miss out on a lot of the game interactions which continues to source from the political history of Thedas and attitudes and prejudice against non Human races
I originally picked the mages (and have chosen it as my canon) and played through the game with it, and finished it. Then loaded back to the spot to before I chose Templar or Mage, and chose Templar... After playing it, all the way through to the final battle, I don't feel as if I know any more about Corypheus than I did on the mage path, and I have no idea what the Temple of Dumat is. I found the Fade thing with Cole to be funny because of how the Envy demon portrays the Inquisitor (I adore the Envy demon), but I like the time travel thing more(and keeping Fiona alive), even if it breaks established Dragon Age lore, but what the hell, right?
Who cares whether or not your Inquisitor gets the full story. You yourself, can go ahead and do the Templar side just to see it, would it hurt you to? And would knowing this extra bit of info change how you roleplayed your IQ? Point is, you still have to kill Cory at the end, no ifs, ands or butts. I will never spare Loghain but I had the wonderful opportunity of going on Youtube and see the wonderful dialogue you can have with him. Of course in that case, you actually have more than one option and don't have to kill him.
Also, I'd like to know how to post a spoiler? How do I make the clicky box that expands?
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