It was confirmed that the last Cole/Solas conversation wasn't about Lavellan? Who else would it have been about then? For Solas to say that in regards to someone he used to care about is confusing otherwise because it has no context to draw from.
I think you get the same Cole message even if there's no romance?
I remember I did get it with my male Lavellan , unless some lines are changed?
It was confirmed that the last Cole/Solas conversation wasn't about Lavellan? Who else would it have been about then? For Solas to say that in regards to someone he used to care about is confusing otherwise because it has no context to draw from.
True, and it did leave people wondering. But Solas did come to care about and form friendships with other members of the Inquisition, so the idea that it could only have been for a romanced Lavellan wouldn't work anyway. If you follow the words precisely the context does show that they are meant for Cole - though I agree it could be hard to pick up on at first.
"I'm Sorry, Cole, but with your gift I fear that you might see the path I now must walk in solitude forever. This fate is mine alone. Indeed, I would not wish it on an enemy, much less someone that I once cared for. Though you reach out in compassion, I must now insist that you forget."
Cole contacted Solas, or otherwise spoke to him, hoping to help. Cole is compassion, it's what he does. The conversation is clearly one between the two of them, and only by chance overheard by Lavellan (or, I guess, any other inquisitor).
There were a few points through the game where dialogue was confusing, or didn't have enough context behind it, but at least this one was cleared up.
(to midnight_tea) I cannot help but wonder if his ability to do this is restricted to spirits although I do not believe he would have touched Lavellan's memory even if it wasn't.
I don't think he can affect only spirits. Remember the scene in the Fade and how he woke up the Inquisitor with 'wake up' command?? He pretty obviously has ability to control or affect people's behavior (something other Dreamers can do as well) - and seeing that he could erase Cole's memory (no matter if he's no spirit or human), he seems to posses at least partial ability to make people forget about stuff. Maker knows how many times he's used that ability before...
In fact - and this is entirely speculation on my part, though it seems to be half-confirmed by Weekes in Nerd Appropriate interview - I think there was a short moment during which Solas fully intended to forget about at least some portion of his past prior to deciding he has to break up with Lavellan.
We see that Cole (if made to be more spirit-like) can do this to himself, so it's possible Solas can affect himself too, being someone who understands spirits and Fade so well.
It would however effectively mean lying to himself (aside from lying to the woman he loves AND abandoning whatever mission he has), and since it would be too much in conflict with his nature (he values honestly and truth), he can't bring himself to do that.
True, and it did leave people wondering. But Solas did come to care about and form friendships with other members of the Inquisition, so the idea that it could only have been for a romanced Lavellan wouldn't work anyway. If you follow the words precisely the context does show that they are meant for Cole - though I agree it could be hard to pick up on at first.
"I'm Sorry, Cole, but with your gift I fear that you might see the path I now must walk in solitude forever. This fate is mine alone. Indeed, I would not wish it on an enemy, much less someone that I once cared for. Though you reach out in compassion, I must now insist that you forget."
Cole contacted Solas, or otherwise spoke to him, hoping to help. Cole is compassion, it's what he does. The conversation is clearly one between the two of them, and only by chance overheard by Lavellan (or, I guess, any other inquisitor).
There were a few points through the game where dialogue was confusing, or didn't have enough context behind it, but at least this one was cleared up.
Oh, I know it was Cole who contacted Solas, that had been clear to me immediately and that the conversation was taking place between them.
However, I still don't think it was well executed because why wouldn't a player assume that the "much less someone that I once cared for" line would be directed at their Lavellan because everything else in the game revolves around them, why wouldn't this conversation as well? It's completely understandable why it caused lots of confusion.
Oh, I know it was Cole who contacted Solas, that had been clear to me immediately and that the conversation was taking place between them.
However, I still don't think it was well executed because why wouldn't a player assume that the "much less someone that I once cared for" line would be directed at their Lavellan because everything else in the game revolves around them, why wouldn't this conversation as well? It's completely understandable why it caused lots of confusion.
... Because not everyone played female Lavellan and romanced Solas, yet got the same dialogue? I heard those lines first after a playthrough with my human rogue.
It's obviously about Cole, yes. Thankfully, "everything else" in the game does not revolve around entirely optional content like a romance. The deep friendship between Cole and Solas is always there no matter what kind of Inquisitor you play -- and that friendship makes him pushing Cole away as he does so chilling for me. As I said in a previous post, if he cuts ties with one very dear friend and murders another, it's hard to imagine anything giving him pause now.
As for making Cole forget, my interpretation is that Solas is able to do this because of a combination of his keen knowledge of spirits and the intimate emphathic link they have in that moment. Cole must have been "wide open" when he reached out and tried to help, plus he trusts Solas, so he likely never even thought of expecting any kind of "attack".
I don't think he uses any special powers to mess with the Inquisitor during the Fade sequence, either. Going by my own very limited experience with lucid dreaming, it's not uncommon to wake up upon realizing that I'm dreaming even when I'd rather continue -- it's kind of a moment of imbalance that easily tilts towards waking, and I can definitely imagine that if someone was there with me and gave me a little verbal "shove" like that, it'd be enough to make me "fall over". After all, Solas is a master of controlling his dreams, while the Inquisitor is just taking a first baby step into that world. (Lucid dreaming is definitely one item on my list of "hooks" that the game would let us explore more instead of dangling them in front of us once and then turning them into red herrings. It would have been really neat to be able to ask Solas for advice on practicing it after that dream, and have at least one other cutscene in which our character has a Fade-dream of some kind. Be it related to the main plot or something from our past or whatever.)
In short, both situations feel more like him being able to manipulate the other person because his experience and determination give him the upper hand compared to his friend's unguarded and selfless compassion (Cole) or stumbling confusion (the Inquisitor), not him using any magical tricks.
Ah, yes, the Fade sequence. Another confusing point in the game that makes people wonder if Solas bonked the Inquisitor upside the head or slipped them something in their drink. Or even yet, "invaded" and "violated" the Inquisitor's dream, even though dialogue outside of the romance tells you that the Inquisitor found Solas while dreaming, and not the other way around.
I really wish we could have explored conversation hubs and still have had the flirt option available. 
Dreamers are known to be able to manipulate people and their dreams, to such large extent that they're even able to kill them or make them go crazy - I don't think Solas does it often or goes that far, simply because he might be too principled for it (he's very much for freedom of personal thought, and manipulating people and their dreams is very much invading their freedom) or because everything that happens to the world and Fade affects his talents... but considering that sometimes he feels that he has to (like with Cole), I don't really have much doubt about him having magical way of controlling or affecting people - be it because he's a Dreamer or expert on the Fade or - most likely - both.
... Because not everyone played female Lavellan and romanced Solas, yet got the same dialogue? I heard those lines first after a playthrough with my human rogue.
Which is what I mean about that scene not being executed well because it very pointedly involves your character, so it is no wonder why it would be confusing to those of us who do play the Lavellan/Solas romance the first time we encounter it.
Actually my first character and romance was elf mage and Solas, I just never went and checked if Cole has anything to say 
And I'm not saying that the dialogue itself isn't vague, like many things or dialogue options elsewhere, but in that particular case there are enough pointers in lines themselves to suggest that the person Solas spoke to (and about) was indeed Cole.
See? This is where we'll have to agree to disagree because I don't think there were enough pointers to make it obvious at all.
Ah, yes, the Fade sequence. Another confusing point in the game that makes people wonder if Solas bonked the Inquisitor upside the head or slipped them something in their drink. Or even yet, "invaded" and "violated" the Inquisitor's dream, even though dialogue outside of the romance tells you that the Inquisitor found Solas while dreaming, and not the other way around.
I really wish we could have explored conversation hubs and still have had the flirt option available.
The idea that Solas perhaps slipped the Inquisitor an elven mickey does nothing good for the imagination.
Ah, yes, the Fade sequence. Another confusing point in the game that makes people wonder if Solas bonked the Inquisitor upside the head or slipped them something in their drink. Or even yet, "invaded" and "violated" the Inquisitor's dream, even though dialogue outside of the romance tells you that the Inquisitor found Solas while dreaming, and not the other way around.
I really wish we could have explored conversation hubs and still have had the flirt option available.
That's actually a pretty hilarious mental image - "Let's go somewhere more interesting than this" *whacks IQ's head with end of the staff*
The idea that Solas perhaps slipped the Inquisitor an elven mickey does nothing good for the imagination.
Good thing he didn't, then.
Wait there's a scene where Solas explains he didn't just knock you out when you spoke with him?
Yes, but apparently you can't get it if you take romance dialogue. Which is dumb beyond words. Not so much an explanation but it is stated you sought him out while dreaming, and thus his "...you continue to surprise me" comment. The anchor makes it possible. I'm sure the dreaming dwarfs were happy to learn that.
Eh, it adds to the replayability factor. Or, if you're like me, you can just save the game before any cutscene and explore the options Ever since the DirectX error stopped plaguing me, it hasn't really been a chore.
Also, I'm pretty sure that they discuss stuff in depth somewhere off-screen - I mean, it's impossible that whatever dialogue and cut-scenes we have is all there is in terms or interactions.
I hate him for a lot of reasons, not least because his face alone makes me want to punch him repeatedly.
Combine Voldemort's facial structure with cartoony ears and a perpetually smug expression and you've got a big case of "I REALLY want to punch you in the ****ing jaw".
What are you talking about? He's obviously a more handsome brother of the Nosferatu...
What are you talking about? He's obviously a more handsome brother of the Nosferatu...
If Nosferatu and Voldemort had a drunken one-night stand... Yeah, maybe that is what Solas looks like.
Lol, it's a matter of preference I suppose. He may not be the classical beauty the like of Cullen, but personally I don't think he's bad looking.
I also have to say that what I really like in DAI is that each character looks different and we wouldn't mistake it for another. What I'm amused by though is how different faces look like in different lightning conditions (one of reasons why we sorely miss edit button for our own characters) - Solas in particular.
In one light he looks older, with all the subtle wrinkles and scars marking his face and head (what, did he... BURN his hair out? Also, where did he hit his head so hard? The scar on his forehead sticks like sore thumb on ultra PC settings...) only to look like a slim 20-year-old in some cut-scenes.
The Fade dream is definitely my favourite scene with this character. It's a glimpse at a somewhat more unguarded Solas, and he sounds genuinely delighted and amazed (especially if you're not playing a mage) to have you visit him and show you around. If the Inquisitor has expressed interest in the Fade and spirits before, befriended Cole and shown respect for his spirit nature, then this dream sequence feels like another step on the path of a long journey to a greater understanding of a world that most people, even most mages, don't remotely care about or understand in the fond way that Solas does. For the first time in who knows how long, he has found someone to maybe share a little of that with. I just wish the dialog would have allowed us to realize it's a dream much sooner, because it was obvious the moment we stepped into "Haven" -- but I guess that too can be explained by the Inquisitor just taking baby steps into lucid dreaming and not having the clearest mind there yet.
Of course, my delight at that best scene with Solas was dampened by what may be the worst following immediately afterwards. I immediately ran back down to talk to him in hopes of raving about the Fade and asking for advice on learning how to dream like that more often -- and felt like he kicked me in the guts instead. The balcony talk has him trying to be friendly, but is such a display or thoughtless bigotry, hypocrisy and backhanded non-compliments that I really wanted to take him to task for it big time. These two scenes and the stark contrast between them kind of sum up a lot about this character.
Oh, I don't know - I quite like the balcony scene, simply because I think it shows more vulnerable and conflicted side of Solas.
The Fade dream sequence is likely what you say it is - him being fascinated and delighted with the fact that someone else can visit him in the Fade and that the Herald entertains the idea that the world is more complex, but at that point in the story/playthrough Inquisitor is probably not much more for him than a curiosity. While he opens up a little, he's still very much guarded and careful, plus we can still lose a lot of approval with him and never trigger the balcony scene.
In the balcony scene however Solas comes to acceptance that Inquisitor is actually The Real Deal - which is probably not an easy thing for him.
What I mean is... he has his plans or his mission and I don't think anyone doubts that they require doing something either controversial or downright awful - and even if he's conflicted about it, he seems determined to go through with it. Psychologically it would mean that he'd have to keep convincing himself that either it's worth it or the world or people he's going to sacrifice is all kinds of bad - and people he encounters in Inquisition simply prove him wrong. Aside from Inquisitor, he has a very good opinion about Cassandra (how could he not? Cass is AWESOME), seems to like Varric and many other companions and seems to be genuinely sympathetic to plea of many people met along the way.
So on one side, I get a feeling that he really wants to justify his actions and keep believing all kind of bad things about the world (though it's not like the world doesn't give him ample reasons to think that way, nor it's like he puts ancient elves/gods on pedestal, judging from available dialogue and banter) - but on the other, he sometimes seems almost happy and relieved to find out that it's not all that bad and perhaps worth fighting for. I also think that what Blackwall said about Cullen at some point fits hims as well (I paraphrase): "He's seen the best and the worst what world has to offer - and he still struggles with where it leaves him."
Personally, I just love it. Shows just how complex and dynamic the character is and promises some REALLY interesting stuff to happen in the future.
If Nosferatu and Voldemort had a drunken one-night stand... Yeah, maybe that is what Solas looks like.
Guest_Challenge Everything_*
I don't know why, but the title of this thread made me laugh. The polite announcement of hatred.
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