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[Shizukai]

@Medhia_Nox

For you asked leldra, how she thinks about her character involvement and for I already explained expansively how

I think and feel about Solas, I will not answer "big" in here.

 

There's just one thing I want to put in here, just as a thought-provoking impulse (not as the all-explaining answer though):

The idea of love.

 

The very concept of maybe being okay with getting blindfolded for a while. Especially when there's no early realizing of all the wrongs connected, all the strings attached. The idea of identification with and within someone being somehow similar to you (and somehow not). The wish for something or someone to hold onto while the world is tearing itself apart. And maybe the inability to judge with a clear view. And finally, at the end... being at your own heart's mercy.

 

The Inquisitor is a mortal being,not some superior god-like creature.

Finding love is no weakness. Being bound to it is. And we all got weaknesses, don't we?

 

 

 

[Ieldra]

Well, I read what you wrote - but, of course - I simply have a different view of all of it.  
 
Do you, Ieldra, believe that your romance changes the morality of the situation?  Not how Ki'ina feels about it, but how you approach it.  For example, for me - I could play Ki'ina - but my motivation for telling that story would be how love blinds a person to what should be clear.  The same question applies to being an elf.  Racial pride is not - to me - a reasonable factor in determining how I feel about Solas' plans.  Of course - I could play a character blinded by racial "dignity" - but that's how I would approach the character.

NOTE: I'm not arguing whether your character IS blind. I'm asking how you see it. Do you think species and love alter the morality of Solas' plan?

An interesting question which I pondered as well. In the end, no, I do not believe that, and that's why I don't play Ki'ina as wanting to go along with Solas' plans. The goal appeals to her emotionally, but she couldn't support it at such a price. What it does change is the character's emotional involvement in what happens, which makes the decision more intense, where my other characters make the decision in a more detached way.

As for Solas' plans, I see it like this: something he did took from the elves something integral to them, and he wants to give it back. I can't see that as completely evil, regardless of the fact that in my opinion, excepting only matters of survival, the moral dimension of a decision should be dominated by the concerns of those alive now, rather than those who had been alive in the past, or will be in the future, simply because they do not exist. You can also see it as the restoration of a natural order, by which I mean that order that would exist with no intervention by human artifice. I do not believe in the intrinsic desirability of such a natural order, but some do, and from their viewpoint, what Solas does is actually good.
 

My view truly colors everything I see about Solas and any character I would play that is interested in knowledge, magic, the Fade, etc. would still disagree with him on nearly every point.  I cannot actually wrap my head around the idea that any modern Thedosian would genuinely want the Veil to come crashing down at the whim of someone who claims they were an ancient elven "whatever".  That, of course, only matters to me - not to anyone else who's experiencing the game.
 
But because of it - I cannot feel anything other than drive to defeat Solas.  To bring him low before his plan comes to fruition.  To drive him, and anyone else like him that would decide what is best for all of Thedas based solely off their will back into whatever prison they escaped from.  So, I do feel strongly about it... but in an entirely different fashion.

The question is: what actually *is* better? I have outlined in the section "thematic considerations" why I would support the status quo against both Solas who wants the Veil gone and the qunari who want it strengthened so that magic disappears, but that's a preference made from my own philosophical leanings. I can't know my preference is better than anyone else's, which is why I agree with you that Solas should be stopped in this specific situation. However, I do not generalize from that because there are variations of "better" which are independent from what a majority wants right at this moment. Look at the situation on Earth and you know that's true.

As for Ki'ina Lavellan, she also thinks Solas should be stopped, but she still loves him, so she hopes she can make him see reason. I also have no desire at all to "bring him low", exactly because of what I said before.
 

Question to anyone out there:  Is there anyone who played an elf that disagreed with Solas?  I'd be very interested in an elf that opposed him and I might try that for myself (though I suspect it wouldn't add enough to warrant an entire playthrough).

I just explained that I did. There is an option, if you play an elf, to tell him you agree with him. I did not use that option. And I said that I'd try to convince him to hold off. Well, you don't have a choice about the latter, which I find hypocritical, but I'd have done the same even the option existed. With Ki'ina anyway, if perhaps not with another elf. 
 

Whereas you are interested primarily in magic and the Fade... I am curious more about the Qun, Tevinter, the Avvar and - of course - the dwarves and their new Titan creators.  I have a rather large disdain for people as individuals - but I find cultures fascinating and far more interesting to explore than the undercurrents of the world (both IRL and in IPs).  I am more interested in how people feel about magic... than how it works .  How they deal with mages - than why mages have magic.  (mostly because I think without being a designer - discussing it is just a lot of pareidolia)

What I'm primarily interested in is not necessarily magic and the Fade, but matters of increasing individual autonomy (that should be no surprise if you know what I've written about ME3) and empowerment, which is why Solas is interesting to me. Magic is interesting to me because it is a means to a higher level of autonomy. If we all came to have that kind of power eventually, would we destroy the world in our conflicts or would we, should we survive, have learned to use it responsibly? What if using it responsibly means accepting large-scale damage as a side effect? Not that I think Solas is acting responsibly, but he's a hook into those themes.
 

Descent was my favorite new addition - though I truly enjoy anything about the Avvar as I have a weak spot for more animist oriented religions in general.  I have really high hopes for Shaper Valta.  Though I originally wanted Golems like Shale to be "dwarven mages" as I think it would have been a far more original take... I am pleased to see that the dwarves have no been completely forgotten,  I have to admit - I like that their burdens have been infinitely greater than that of the elves and yet - they don't spend their entire lives looking backward.  Quite the opposite - I'm not sure I like that the Shaperate has destroyed dwarven history. 
 
Whereas I have no interest in Solas... I wanted to spend an entire 100+ hour game exploring the Deep Roads now... learning about the dwarven people, the Titans, their relationship to lyrium, the "potential" hive mind nature of the original dwarves (eusocial creatures fascinate me)

Unsurprisingly, I see we are philosophically opposed Regardless, I'm interested in cultures as well, which is why I have high hopes for the next game where we'll hopefully find ourselves in Tevinter and its war with the qunari, though you can guess why the Qun is anathema to me. I can understand, in a detached way, that it may appeal to some people and why, but I couldn't put myself in their shoes. As for the Dwarves and the Titans, I think we'll go there as well, eventually.

[Krypplingz]

It was an interesting read. Don't agree with everything that you wrote, but it was an interesting point of view. But I'm glad that the game was mostly enjoyable for you

 

Some questions I spotted:

Spoiler

Also, the question: why did the Divine authorize the Inquisition?

-Probably a back up plan if the peace talks blew up. First try to compromise, then just beat it down with the Divine Cudgel.

 

Hmm....has a patch removed the wildlife in Haven? In earlier games, the valley was full of rams and druffalo, now all I get are some nugs.

-There were some druffalo and rams across the river in my game.  

 

I back out of the war table in order to speak with Josephine - and run into Marquis DuRellion and his silly mask. For a member of Orlais' nobility, his fashion sense is rather lacking - or it just that the mask design was given to a newbie at Bioware?

-I always thought that the charm of Orlesian fashion was it's ridiculousness. Like taping a bunch of birds in your hair and then spending your day with a hair filled with bird droppings. Or wearing Alexanders McQueens Lobster shoes. It looks weird, but it's fashion. And fashion is danger.  

 

But first things first: the closing of the Breach. I always experience a narrative dissonance when I consider that I actually manage to close the Breach. Shouldn't the rifts vanish? Should the sky not be completely clear? The story is lacking an explanation, and I think there was a major story overhaul somewhen in the development process that resulted in this event being moved forward.

-I saw it as closing a large, infectious wound. You stop most of the bleeding, at least for a while, so it stops spreading on the skin and creating new wounds.

But the old wounds still need to be closed and cleaned up. And since this is a volatile wound, the sutures might rip open, so you still need to keep an eye on the wound.

 

 More displeasing is that I can't figure out what the occasional purple fires mean that appear here and there as you walk along only to vanish again within a second. If anyone knows, please tell.

-Those are Harlequins. You can sneak up behind them and whistle at them, but you need to preform some serious voodoo magic to accomplish it.  

 

On the way there I manage for the first time to get the thing - I don't even recall what it was - on the wooden lattice.

-WHAT WAS IT. I NEED TO KNOW. *cough* Just you know, if you remember it again. 

 

I have no idea how a dragon could contribute to the qunari cause, but there's that.

-The dragon breathes venom. So it's like a large spider with wings from which you can extract massive amounts of venom. Much more efficient than a spider farm.  

 

And some nitpicks about the plot parts.

Spoiler

Before the actual confrontation with the demon, we see the templars taking lyrium - I'll mention this here since lyrium addiction comes up later in Cullen's quest, where I don't think it's handled well. These templars don't appear to have a problem with it - nobody mentions it even if you ally with them and have Barris around for the whole game.

-At that moment they are taking Lyrium to do their jobs. The extra Lyrium is needed to do the job properly, like the fat cleaner is needed to clean greasy kitchen appliances. So even if the substance burns and causes you grief, you grit your teeth and use it.

They also don't talk to the Inquisitor about it, since he's not in charge of their intake and the substance is needed for them to use their abilities to their fullest extent. If they become part of the Inquisition it's like when a smaller company is bought by a bigger company. The workers of the smaller company would complain to the smaller companies boss about bad (but necessary) working conditions, not the head of the bigger company. 

At least, that is how I see it. They might have problems with their working conditions, but they keep the complaints within their work group. 

 

I make my way to the "Lord Seeker" upstairs and get sucked into a representation of my own mind. I like the idea of this sequence, except that the scenes shown me by the envy demon fail to touch me because they're completely out of character for almost any character I make in games like these.

-I figured that Envy wanted the institutional power and was mucking through Quizzys mind to see how they would go about it, so Envy could remain in character as long as they could. Like if you wanted to roleplay Fenris as a slave trader and wanted to see how he would act if in that position. Sure you need to change some details, but you can mold some already existing characteristics into the role. 

 

 Dorian, hmm...I understand him and I don't. I mean, arranged marriages are the norm in Thedas' upper classes, and it's generally understood that you don't need to interact more with your spouse more than your duty demands.

-Well Tevinter is also about appearing to be perfect. So he'd have to live and sleep with a person he was not attracted to and maybe didn't even like. He'd have to attend parties with her and pretend everything is okay.

And well, his parents kind of messed up with his perception of marriage. If you grow up only seeing marriage as a horrible contract binding your with a person that you hate, you might not have a lot of interest in getting married. Straight or gay. Like how children growing up with abusive alcoholics might start to despise people who drink when they grow up.

 

Up into the Royal Wing to explore everything. I save an elven spy from a harlequin, but I don't know what's so bad about Briala sending her here. You're a spy, girl, you didn't happen to think this wouldn't be dangerous, did you?

-Or she might just be a regular servant that Brialla convinced to go looking for documents, since elves tend to be “invisible” by nature. A lot of Briala's people where probably just regular elves who were fed up being stepped on by humans, not super talented spies. 

But I'm biased since I loathe Briala.  

 

where Celene's locket is kept in the servants' quarters. Oh, and...why is this to be found in the servants' quarters? This is a personal item of Celene's that she kept and didn't lose! I can only say the level designer really f***** this up.

-Maybe these were her old quarters before the Winter Palace was renovated and she moved to better quarters but kept the locket behind the secret magical door in her old room. She probably figured that people would break into her room to look for blackmail, not some old room in the servants quarters.

 

Oh and Ki'ina looks lovely

[Medhia_Nox]

There's just so much about Solas' assertion in the last encounter I believe is a lie - or, more appropriately - a misconception on his own part (I think he actually believes it).

 

I think it's clear by now that I believe the Evanuris (of which Solas is/was one) were spirits who took the form of elves (I've stated it in several threads).  I believe it is supported enough to not be simply a crack-pot theory even if it is wrong. 

 

- I need to see evidence before I believe Solas actually created the Veil.  We're also told the Maker created it.  I'm not inclined to believe the Chantry tale is a lie just because it's the Chantry, but Solas is telling the truth because he's standing in front of me.  I believe it's possible he strengthened the Veil, perhaps like the Qunari wish, but I simply will not take his word.  I wonder if there's a sarcastic response and if you can say:  "Yes, and I created the Golden City Solas."

 

- I need to know "why" he feels it is necessary.  Of course, he is elusive in the last conversation - even going so far as taunting (how I felt) that he could tell you, but he won't.  For me - I interpreted it as:  "That's because talking it out would convince you you're wrong."

 

- I need to know more about the Evanuris.  "Were" they the boogiemen he claims they were?  Maybe they were the good guys and in his "Pride" Solas locked them away because he wanted to be the only one?  Now, everything I've seen in codexes suggests none of them were "good" - but this doesn't exonerate Solas as he's never expressly exempt (and Mythal is the one given credit for killing the Titan(s) which puts her on my list of "targets").  For me, it's possible he was simply the "worst of the worst" instead of the "best of the worst" which is how he seems to be portraying himself.

 

- I need more sources corroborating Solas' claims about Elvhenan.  QUESTION:  Can you have the Fen'Harel (or Mythal for that matter) Valaslin and, if so,does he want to remove it if you do?  Given his hatred of the other Evanuris - the claim that tattoos dedicated to the other "gods" are slave markings could just be his own prejudice.

 

My opinion about Solas "can" change.  It certainly changed about Cole who I was, prior to playing DA:I, convinced I would be killing, imprisoning, whatever.  But I am the type of person that makes decisions and acts upon them, then changes his mind when new information arises.  I am largely incapable of idly standing by and observing.  

 

Had Solas simply sat down for a debate on this concept - I would have thought nothing more than condemned it and asked questions.  But he acted and, by extension, I felt compelled to have whatever PC I play act in turn. 

 

If, before he commits to acts (and my personal philosophy does not make room for erasing what you've done.  Actions must be lived with, not abolished.) he presents new information... I will consider it for my own playthroughs.

 

But, I will say that I think a more realistic representation of the character I believe Solas to be... would commit to his actions coldly, calculatingly and without remorse because he sees modern Thedas as nothing but ants to be crushed.  Even after admitting the Inquisitor proved him wrong... someone who is supposed to be his closest friend, and potential lover - he remains unmoved. 

 

I don't see any believable thing another PC could do that would change his mind.

 

Things that could stop Solas (given his extreme power level)

 

- The Blight (I'd actually like to see the Architect return to stop him... but usher in a new, real Blight for a future DA title)

- Mythal - while the evidence that she killed the Titan(s) is, for me, damning - Mythal as Flemeth is long time removed from that being. 

- Morrigan - this is who I think will actually be important in stopping Solas.

- Shaper Valta - my "dark horse" candidate of poetic justice.

 

I'd LOVE for the next character to truly be called to questionable acts to stop Solas.  Would someone like me.. who has a very rigid moral compass... let the world die or would I... I dunno... embrace the Blight to stop Solas?  Or kill another Titan?  Or... use an insanely powerful blood magic spell (anyone who has ever read my rants about blood magic would know how much this one would get to me)?  

 

"IF" Solas and his plot are the next story (and I'm not sure I want it to be).  I'd like:

 

1)  Help Solas.  Betray all by assisting Solas at the final moment to usher in a new world  ((I only say "betray" because they're never going to tell two entirely different stories in one game. So the only way to assist Solas is to play your hand at the end of the game and betray all those who thought you were really trying to stop him)).

2)  Refuse to make the choices that stop Solas.  Accept annihilation in the name of a rigid moral code.

3)  Embrace "X" to stop Solas and save modern Thedas (I'd like the Chantry to consider it the Third Sin - not because you're affiliated with the Chantry or anything, but because in history it will be considered "that bad") 

[vbibbi]

There's just so much about Solas' assertion in the last encounter I believe is a lie - or, more appropriately - a misconception on his own part (I think he actually believes it).

 

I think it's clear by now that I believe the Evanuris (of which Solas is/was one) were spirits who took the form of elves (I've stated it in several threads).  I believe it is supported enough to not be simply a crack-pot theory even if it is wrong. 

 

- I need to see evidence before I believe Solas actually created the Veil.  We're also told the Maker created it.  I'm not inclined to believe the Chantry tale is a lie just because it's the Chantry, but Solas is telling the truth because he's standing in front of me.  I believe it's possible he strengthened the Veil, perhaps like the Qunari wish, but I simply will not take his word.  I wonder if there's a sarcastic response and if you can say:  "Yes, and I created the Golden City Solas."

 

- I need to know "why" he feels it is necessary.  Of course, he is elusive in the last conversation - even going so far as taunting (how I felt) that he could tell you, but he won't.  For me - I interpreted it as:  "That's because talking it out would convince you you're wrong."

 

- I need to know more about the Evanuris.  "Were" they the boogiemen he claims they were?  Maybe they were the good guys and in his "Pride" Solas locked them away because he wanted to be the only one?  Now, everything I've seen in codexes suggests none of them were "good" - but this doesn't exonerate Solas as he's never expressly exempt (and Mythal is the one given credit for killing the Titan(s) which puts her on my list of "targets").  For me, it's possible he was simply the "worst of the worst" instead of the "best of the worst" which is how he seems to be portraying himself.

 

- I need more sources corroborating Solas' claims about Elvhenan.  QUESTION:  Can you have the Fen'Harel (or Mythal for that matter) Valaslin and, if so,does he want to remove it if you do?  Given his hatred of the other Evanuris - the claim that tattoos dedicated to the other "gods" are slave markings could just be his own prejudice.

 

My opinion about Solas "can" change.  It certainly changed about Cole who I was, prior to playing DA:I, convinced I would be killing, imprisoning, whatever.  But I am the type of person that makes decisions and acts upon them, then changes his mind when new information arises.  I am largely incapable of idly standing by and observing.  

 

Had Solas simply sat down for a debate on this concept - I would have thought nothing more than condemned it and asked questions.  But he acted and, by extension, I felt compelled to have whatever PC I play act in turn. 

 

If, before he commits to acts (and my personal philosophy does not make room for erasing what you've done.  Actions must be lived with, not abolished.) he presents new information... I will consider it for my own playthroughs.

 

But, I will say that I think a more realistic representation of the character I believe Solas to be... would commit to his actions coldly, calculatingly and without remorse because he sees modern Thedas as nothing but ants to be crushed.  Even after admitting the Inquisitor proved him wrong... someone who is supposed to be his closest friend, and potential lover - he remains unmoved. 

 

I don't see any believable thing another PC could do that would change his mind.

 

Things that could stop Solas (given his extreme power level)

 

- The Blight (I'd actually like to see the Architect return to stop him... but usher in a new, real Blight for a future DA title)

- Mythal - while the evidence that she killed the Titan(s) is, for me, damning - Mythal as Flemeth is long time removed from that being. 

- Morrigan - this is who I think will actually be important in stopping Solas.

- Shaper Valta - my "dark horse" candidate of poetic justice.

 

I'd LOVE for the next character to truly be called to questionable acts to stop Solas.  Would someone like me.. who has a very rigid moral compass... let the world die or would I... I dunno... embrace the Blight to stop Solas?  Or kill another Titan?  Or... use an insanely powerful blood magic spell (anyone who has ever read my rants about blood magic would know how much this one would get to me)?  

 

"IF" Solas and his plot are the next story (and I'm not sure I want it to be).  I'd like:

 

1)  Help Solas.  Betray all by assisting Solas at the final moment to usher in a new world  ((I only say "betray" because they're never going to tell two entirely different stories in one game. So the only way to assist Solas is to play your hand at the end of the game and betray all those who thought you were really trying to stop him)).

2)  Refuse to make the choices that stop Solas.  Accept annihilation in the name of a rigid moral code.

3)  Embrace "X" to stop Solas and save modern Thedas (I'd like the Chantry to consider it the Third Sin - not because you're affiliated with the Chantry or anything, but because in history it will be considered "that bad") 

Solas wants to distance himself from the Enuvaris and make himself out as better than they were.  It does seem like false or misdirected modesty that he claims he was not a tyrant like they were, that he only wanted his people to be free. Sure, he can say that now, as there's no one around to contradict this, and in his years of sleep he could have justified his actions as such. Just because he doesn't see himself as a god king doesn't mean his followers didn't, even if he didn't actively encourage them to worship him.

His attitude of having all of the answers but not deigning to share them at the end shows his pride, as well. He is dangerous because he thinks he's the benevolent dictator rather than just a power mad tyrant, so he can justify atrocities in the mistaken name of the greater good.

[Medhia_Nox]

@vbibbi:  I will really only think of Solas a well designed character if he sticks to the character I believe is presented.  Yes, I know how that sounds: "If things go the way I think they would, Solas is a deep character." 

It isn't exactly what I mean, but I'm not going to defend it.  Solas' character IS a pretty perfect villain.  He truly believes he's good.

For a person like Solas to realize he's wrong, would be absolutely devastating for his psyche. 

 

Think Javert of Les Miserables.  When he realizes his perfect world view has a crack in it... he has no other choice but annihilation. 

[Melbella]

- I need more sources corroborating Solas' claims about Elvhenan.  QUESTION:  Can you have the Fen'Harel (or Mythal for that matter) Valaslin and, if so,does he want to remove it if you do?  Given his hatred of the other Evanuris - the claim that tattoos dedicated to the other "gods" are slave markings could just be his own prejudice.
 

 

 

Yes, he will still offer to remove Mythal vallaslin. Are there Fen'harel vallaslin? That would seem contradictory.

 

Also, he still freaks out about a Mythal-vallaslin-wearing Dalish drinking from the Well.

[Medhia_Nox]

@Melbella:  One might ask why Mythal has vallaslin since they (Fen'harel and Mythal) seem friendly.  Did she renounce her place among the Evanuris?

 

Come to think of it... how is Mythal, one of the Evanuris, NOT trapped with the others? 

NOTE:  And there are a maddening number of things that do suggest Sera "might" just be Andruil.

[Evamitchelle]

There's just so much about Solas' assertion in the last encounter I believe is a lie - or, more appropriately - a misconception on his own part (I think he actually believes it).
 
I think it's clear by now that I believe the Evanuris (of which Solas is/was one) were spirits who took the form of elves (I've stated it in several threads).  I believe it is supported enough to not be simply a crack-pot theory even if it is wrong. 
 
- I need to see evidence before I believe Solas actually created the Veil.  We're also told the Maker created it.  I'm not inclined to believe the Chantry tale is a lie just because it's the Chantry, but Solas is telling the truth because he's standing in front of me.  I believe it's possible he strengthened the Veil, perhaps like the Qunari wish, but I simply will not take his word.  I wonder if there's a sarcastic response and if you can say:  "Yes, and I created the Golden City Solas."

 
Solas isn't the only one who says he created the Veil. When you go through the Vir'Dirthara, one of the 'last words' the Archivist plays back to you is of someone saying they'll kill Fen'Harel for creating the Veil. That's as close to a first-hand witness you can get given that it happened thousands of years ago.
 

- I need to know "why" he feels it is necessary.  Of course, he is elusive in the last conversation - even going so far as taunting (how I felt) that he could tell you, but he won't.  For me - I interpreted it as:  "That's because talking it out would convince you you're wrong."
 
- I need to know more about the Evanuris.  "Were" they the boogiemen he claims they were?  Maybe they were the good guys and in his "Pride" Solas locked them away because he wanted to be the only one?  Now, everything I've seen in codexes suggests none of them were "good" - but this doesn't exonerate Solas as he's never expressly exempt (and Mythal is the one given credit for killing the Titan(s) which puts her on my list of "targets").  For me, it's possible he was simply the "worst of the worst" instead of the "best of the worst" which is how he seems to be portraying himself.

 
Making the Evanuris good and Fen'Harel evil after all would kind of go against the point of these reveals in the first place. If Fen'Harel is the bad guy who tricked the good Evanuris away, well that doesn't really change anything, the Dalish have already been saying that for the past centuries.
 

- I need more sources corroborating Solas' claims about Elvhenan.  QUESTION:  Can you have the Fen'Harel (or Mythal for that matter) Valaslin and, if so,does he want to remove it if you do?  Given his hatred of the other Evanuris - the claim that tattoos dedicated to the other "gods" are slave markings could just be his own prejudice.

 
There is no vallaslin for Fen'Harel. The devs released the official 'which vallaslin corresponds to which god' picture a while back, and Fen'Harel isn't one of them. In the first elven ruins one of the mosaics says this "The brand of the Evanuris can be lifted from you, that all may know you oppose their cruelties. None here are slaves. All are under our protection. All may choose to fight." But that place was created by Solas, and he himself says that he was being painted in a better light than he deserved. It could be that the vallaslin started out as a way to honor the gods (like the Dalish currently use it), and then evolved into a slave brand. It's certainly a bit surprising to see Mythal have vallaslin if they were only ever slave brands.
 

My opinion about Solas "can" change. It certainly changed about Cole who I was, prior to playing DA:I, convinced I would be killing, imprisoning, whatever. But I am the type of person that makes decisions and acts upon them, then changes his mind when new information arises. I am largely incapable of idly standing by and observing.

Had Solas simply sat down for a debate on this concept - I would have thought nothing more than condemned it and asked questions. But he acted and, by extension, I felt compelled to have whatever PC I play act in turn.

If, before he commits to acts (and my personal philosophy does not make room for erasing what you've done. Actions must be lived with, not abolished.) he presents new information... I will consider it for my own playthroughs.

But, I will say that I think a more realistic representation of the character I believe Solas to be... would commit to his actions coldly, calculatingly and without remorse because he sees modern Thedas as nothing but ants to be crushed. Even after admitting the Inquisitor proved him wrong... someone who is supposed to be his closest friend, and potential lover - he remains unmoved.

A more accurate representation for me would be to say that Solas views modern Thedas the same way the Inquisitor views the dark future of In Hushed Whispers: as a mistake to be corrected. As for the people of Thedas, he basically sees them the same way they view spirits, aka not people. I also wouldn't say he's unmoved when confronted with a friendly or romanced Inquisitor, the final confrontation is quite emotional. He just pushes those feelings away because they get in the way of his duty, and because he feels a lot of guilt about having caused the destruction of the elves. 
 

@Melbella:  One might ask why Mythal has vallaslin since they (Fen'harel and Mythal) seem friendly.  Did she renounce her place among the Evanuris?
 
Come to think of it... how is Mythal, one of the Evanuris, NOT trapped with the others? 

NOTE:  And there are a maddening number of things that do suggest Sera "might" just be Andruil.

 
She was murdered before the other Evanuris were trapped.

[Madfox11]

Doubt the elves saw them as a mark of slavery. Those are Solas' words. He wouldn't be the first person to call something slavery while the person in question would consider it something else. I am sure he sees the Iron Bull and Tallis as slaves of the Qun for example.

 

It should be noted that Solas refuses to tell you the details on the Veil because he fears he gives you the tools to stop him. It might be pride speaking with him refusing to reveal he actually knows very little. If true though, you don't need something as powerful as Solas to stop him or the Inquisitor actually has the potential for such power. Otherwise he would not fear to tell too much. He is rather arrogant after all...

[Ieldra]

Yes, he will still offer to remove Mythal vallaslin. Are there Fen'harel vallaslin? That would seem contradictory.

 

Also, he still freaks out about a Mythal-vallaslin-wearing Dalish drinking from the Well.

Which is quite natural. Consider Abelas. He might not mind being bound to Mythal's will, but bound he is nonetheless. You might be a slave to a friendly master, but that doesn't make you less of a slave.

 

@Madfox11:

Regarding the vallaslin, they could be nothing more than a symbolic mark of devotion, or they could've been magical brands that let the Evanuris read your mind,  perceive through your senses or control you. We don't know - but I'd be surprised if there wasn't *something* magical about the originals. The creation of the Veil probably disabled that magic as well. 

[vbibbi]

Which is quite natural. Consider Abelas. He might not mind being bound to Mythal's will, but bound he is nonetheless. You might be a slave to a friendly master, but that doesn't make you less of a slave.

 

@Madfox11:

Regarding the vallaslin, they could be nothing more than a symbolic mark of devotion, or they could've been magical brands that let the Evanuris read your mind,  perceive through your senses or control you. We don't know - but I'd be surprised if there wasn't *something* magical about the originals. The creation of the Veil probably disabled that magic as well. 

Right, isn't there blood involved in vallaslin? So prior to the Veil, it could have been a rudimentary form of blood magic, where the Enuvaris could track their followers through the blood writing. Maybe if someone with vallaslin was attacked, the Enuvaris could tell who was the attacker, and which of their rivals perpetrated the attack.