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[ElementalFury106]

Hello all. So since Inquisition has officially come to an end following the Trespasser DLC, I'm putting the finishes touches on all my multiple playthroughs, including my canon.

 

I've completed 11 full Inquisition playthroughs, adopting different personalities/morals/philosophies/outcomes across my varied Inquisitors. Out of these 11, I hold 2 of them to be absolute canon. Here is my train of thought when it comes to RPG gaming and role-playing across world states that have replay-value;

 

There is one absolute canon. It is my main playthrough, the first playthrough I ever do in a newly released installment, and the one I import with each addition to the franchise. HOWEVER, I also have an alternate canon. The alternate canon is just as legitimate as the original canon, yet is the product of meta-gaming (knowing the events of the game, its variations, and creating characters/playthroughs in accordance to that knowledge).

 

For both Mass Effect and Dragon Age, I've had my canon and my alternate canon. For those who would like to know precisely what I mean, it goes like this;

Spoiler

 

Dragon Age Origins;

 

Canon: Talion Surana, Male Elf Mage (Circle of Magi Origin). Arcane Warrior/Spirit Healer. Morrigan romance. Harrowmont is King of Orzammar. Loghain executed. Alistair and Anora rule. Dark Ritual performed. 

 

Alternate Canon: Natia Brosca, Female Dwarf Rogue (Dwarf Commoner Origin). Assassin/Bard. Alistair romance (break up following his marriage to Anora). Bhelen is King of Orzammar. Loghain made a Grey Warden. Alistair and Anora rule. Loghain slays the Archdemon and dies.

 

Dragon Age 2;

Canon: Donovan Hawke, Male Mage. Spirit Healer. Merrill romance (friendship). Carver is a Grey Warden. Defeated the Arishok. Sided with the Mages.

 

Alternate Canon: Garrett Hawke, Male Two-Handed Warrior. Berserker. Isabela romance (rivalry). Bethany is a Circle Mage. Defeated Arishok. Sided with the Mages.

 

So my canon playthrough of Inquisition has long since been established, and remains absolute to me. However, it has come time for me to select an alternate canon as my RPG gaming tradition dictates. I have decided on that this particular playthrough of mine will be my official alternate canon (because I just really freaking enjoyed it plus story stuff):

 

Ellana Lavellan. Mage. Necromancer.

-Solas romance

-Allied with the Mages

-Denies being sent by Andraste

-Hawke survives Adamant, Stroud left behind

-Briala rules Orlais

-Allied with Mythal's Sentinels

-Drank from the Well of Sorrows

-Disbands the Inquisition

 

So finally, here is the dilemma I face. In this playthrough, I sacrificed the Chargers, thus keeping Iron Bull loyal to the Qun. I did this because:

Spoiler

Ellana is a very compassionate and idealistic person. She feels very deeply about her people, and works towards brings Elves from all walks of life back together to restore the greatness (lol sike) that once belonged to the Ancient Elves. She is not ruthless or calculating, however, she realizes the threat the Venatori pose and knows that her people are aware of the ultimate risks they must take to achieve peace. She honors the Charger's sacrifice, as it saves many lives in the long run by destroying the Venatori's spy network.

 

However now that Trespasser reveals that Iron Bull will betray you as a result, I'm left conflicted about this. Aside from a few decisions, this playthrough puts me in complete harmony with my paramour Solas, as we agree and fight for similar reasons despite our difference of perspectives. This may be petty of me, but I really don't want to give him ammunition against me during our final meeting.

 

As for the playthrough itself, it's too late now. As I boot up Trespasser in this playthrough, Iron Bull will eventually turn. I'm not gonna reload all the way back just to change that. But I'm wondering whether I should change the ultimate decision in the keep.

 

I understand it's very silly of me to overthink so much about such an subject, and write a whole essay on something so trivial, but as a person who only games to immerse themselves, these things matter to me. 

 

I am very much against meta-gaming in general, yet I find myself conflicted by it regardless. What do you guys think I should do?

[AnUnculturedLittlePotato]

What's...the question exactly?
I mean not all of those choices are top tier meta game but I'm not sure what it is your asking? >.>'''

[ElementalFury106]

What's...the question exactly?
I mean not all of those choices are top tier meta game but I'm not sure what it is your asking? >.>'''

 

Last few lines of the post. Do you think I should ultimately change the decision to deny Solas ammunition against me?

[AnUnculturedLittlePotato]

Last few lines of the post. Do you think I should ultimately change the decision to deny Solas ammunition against me?

I would change it based on if you value the alliance over the chargers.
Solas' ammunition is irrelevant in my eyes.

We also need to consider that the alliance is shaky as best, a complete lie at worst.

[ElementalFury106]

I would change it based on if you value the alliance over the chargers.
Solas' ammunition is irrelevant in my eyes.

We also need to consider that the alliance is shaky as best, a complete lie at worst.

 

My Lavellan very much values the Charger's lives, yet would lay down her own life were the positions reversed. For the good of the ultimate cause, their sacrifice won't be forgotten.

 

I made this decision for her long ago, before the knowledge of Iron Bull's betrayal became a factor. While Bull's betrayal isn't what ultimately bothers me, it's how it affects my dialogue with Solas.

 

He says such a douchey thing. I'd really hate for Lavellan to go through that, as irrelevant as it may be.

 

And this is why I'm conflicted.

[AnUnculturedLittlePotato]

My Lavellan very much values the Charger's lives, yet would lay down her own life were the positions reversed. For the good of the ultimate cause, their sacrifice won't be forgotten.

 

I made this decision for her long ago, before the knowledge of Iron Bull's betrayal became a factor. While Bull's betrayal isn't what ultimately bothers me, it's how it affects my dialogue with Solas.

 

He says such a douchey thing. I'd really hate for Lavellan to go through that, as irrelevant as it may be.

 

And this is why I'm conflicted.

If your quizzy can't overcome a sentence to the point it sends her into a ruinous spiral then one must wonder if she really would lay down her life, no?

[vertigomez]

Well, metagaming is all I do, so I'm probably not going to be much help. My first playthrough isn't my "canon" - it's my total throwaway, bullshit, let's-see-what-this-button-does playthrough. I usually don't even finish it.

If you're unhappy with your decision, go ahead and change it. You're crafting the story you want to see.

[Abyss108]

Don't change it! 

 

My own Lavellan has made what I think are some truly terrible decisions, but I haven't changed them because it wouldn't make sense for her character. 

 

Stories are more interesting if everything doesn't go perfectly anyway!

[Cute Nug]

Since this isn't your canon canon you have stated some wiggle room with your alt canon. Play both versions and decide later. It's a game so look for what gives you the most enjoyment and excitement looking forward to a hoped for DA4. Still have plenty of time to decide. Either sounds good. 

[Caritas_Lavellan]

People make mistakes. It's what makes us real. Solas understands that.

Solas: I wish to apologize for what I said to you, Blackwall.
Blackwall: You were right, though. I deserved it.
Solas: My people had a saying long ago - "The healer has the bloodiest hands." You cannot treat a wound without knowing how deep it goes. You cannot heal pain by hiding it. You must accept. Accept the blood to make things better. You have taken the first step. That is the hardest part.

Mind you, I understand your dilemma rather well - and am playing right through another game to change precisely that decision. The third story in Earth Mind (link below) explains how I felt about it.

[ottffsse]

Wow that's a lot like my cannon except I played human and just had Solas as a respected friend. I was not really trying but at some point he gave me that subtlety rarely found speech.

But I was playing a less scrupulous inquisitor. Someone who prefers power but also recognizes the need for order. So I sacrificed the chargers. I had Cass, blackwall, solas, varric, Dorian, Viv's, and for some reason Cole as friends but Sera not a friend. I was not trying but I considered Dorian my friend though too, respected Viv's and Cass and blackwall grew on me to the point my Quizzy considered romancing him (head cannon opposite diametrical opinions attract as long as they are aligned on the order/ chaos axis).

My big question is that I was playing a cunning character so I have no clue how to reconcile the end:

Spoiler

telling solas I will redeem you while in the meantime making all kind of contingency plans to stop him at all costs.

[Dai Grepher]

Answer is simple. Don't do the Storm Coast quest. Then no one is sacrificed... except Iron Bull when he attacks you anyway.

 

But I doubt Solas is going to bring up anything you did in Inquisition in the next game. Unless you're referring to something at the end of Trespasser I'm not aware of. I sacrifice the chargers and I regret nothing.

[Illegitimus]

Wow that's a lot like my cannon except I played human and just had Solas as a respected friend. I was not really trying but at some point he gave me that subtlety rarely found speech.

But I was playing a less scrupulous inquisitor. Someone who prefers power but also recognizes the need for order. So I sacrificed the chargers. I had Cass, blackwall, solas, varric, Dorian, Viv's, and for some reason Cole as friends but Sera not a friend. I was not trying but I considered Dorian my friend though too, respected Viv's and Cass and blackwall grew on me to the point my Quizzy considered romancing him (head cannon opposite diametrical opinions attract as long as they are aligned on the order/ chaos axis).

My big question is that I was playing a cunning character so I have no clue how to reconcile the end:

Spoiler

telling solas I will redeem you while in the meantime making all kind of contingency plans to stop him at all costs.

 

How is that a problem?  Convincing Solas not to do something crazy is a rational plan A.  Being ready to kill him if he can't be convinced is a sensible plan B.  

[ottffsse]

no it's not really a problem except the game makes it appear like in the end you have to outright commit to one. while it is more clever to keep options open (sorry for the pun wordplay there). 

 

in the end it probably means you are willing to stop solas at all costs though so that is probably the keep state one should select in that case. 

[Cobra's_back]

Would like your opinions regarding changing canon decisions/meta-gaming?

 

The answer is NO. You should have known Iron Bull would be loyal to the Qun. You made him loyal to the Qun. Sacrificing the Chargers to save the dreadnought is exactly what a Qunari would do.

 

I had my Elf do this as well but my human didn't. The why is because many elves join the Qun.