I've never really understood how Celene's blackmail is supposed to work. What has she done that she'd find damaging to be revealed?
Peace talks are supposed to be neutral ground. By arranging to have troops ready to intercept Gaspard, she violated the terms of the negotiations.
It was easily the worst part of the whole game. This was largely due, in my opinion, because they seemed to have expected players to have read their books. For someone who hasn't (and never will), it was very hard to determine what the heck might be going on with those three 'rulers' as they clearly didn't include enough content in the game to determine which, if any of them, was fit to rule.
Peace talks are supposed to be neutral ground. By arranging to have troops ready to intercept Gaspard, she violated the terms of the negotiations.
Its her palace, not neutral ground. And it'd be odd terms for negotiations that required you to let the other guy treacherously assassinate you.
It was still supposed to be a peace talk. Celene, Gaspard, and Briala were all sneaking troops to it in violation of the truce.
It was still supposed to be a peace talk. Celene, Gaspard, and Briala were all sneaking troops to it in violation of the truce.
Gaspard also violated the term of the peace talks. That's how you blackmail him.Its her palace, not neutral ground. And it'd be odd terms for negotiations that required you to let the other guy treacherously assassinate you.
Gaboard also violated the term of the peace talks. That's how you blackmail him.
Gaspard planned a surprise attack on the peace talks at Celene's palace, Celene countered it. How is this a violation of the truce?
She seduced and tied up one of his officers.
Before she learned of his treachery
Look, the only way peace talks work at all is if all forces agree to lay down their arms for a chance at negotiation. Neither Celene or Gaspard actually did that. If one of them had succeeded in killing each other, the point would be moot, since the throne would no longer be contested. But since they ARE both alive, then they can both be blackmailed, because neither side can afford to lose support if you reveal they were never willing to give the peace talks a chance.
She seduced and tied up one of his officers.
Before she learned of his treachery
She seduced and tied up one of his officers.
Before she learned of his treachery
Yeah but... it's a civil war. I guess it's bad because she broke a truce? I'm sure Gaspard's gutted tens of people who are entirely loyal to her.
It all seems incredibly weak stuff to me to undermine someone's political support so much that you could browbeat them into submission.
Yes? I know. I'm not sure why anyone would say anything other than "well played, Celene" if told about that, particularly since that was how she learned of Gaspard's plans. I mean, more strait-laced realms might blink at the Empress doing this personally rather than via an agent, but this is Orlais.
She didn't follow through on her promise of kinky sex. How outrageous! This is Orlais dammit!
Though I have wondered what the scene would be like if Celene and Briala are reconciled. They decide to discretely retire to her bed chamber and when they get there the guard is still tied up because the Inquisitor never let him go.
Celene: Oh! I... forgot about him. 
Briala: Well, this is a surprise. 
Celene: I suppose we should release him. 
Briala: Hmm... yes, let's release him together, shall we? 
Celene: ... 
Guard: ![=]](https://lvlt.forum.bioware.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sideways.png)
Yeah but... it's a civil war. I guess it's bad because she broke a truce?
Yes
I'm sure Gaspard's gutted tens of people who are entirely loyal to her.
Funny thing. There was a scene in The Masked Empire where one of Celene's scout's was captured by Gaspard's men. Gaspard was going to execute him, but did so by giving the guy a sword and challenged him to single combat. He gave instructions to his men that if the scout managed to kill him, he was to be given a horse, supplies, and be allowed to leave with no repercussions. The guy lost, of course, But Gaspard believed in treating soldiers with honor. He'll kill them in a fair fight (as defined by the chevalier code) But he wasn't big on torturing, humiliating, or otherwise mistreating people willing to die for their cause. He doesn't even like employing bards.
It all seems incredibly weak stuff to me to undermine someone's political support so much that you could browbeat them into submission.
It's not about honor, it's about the appearance of honor.
It's not about honor, it's about the appearance of honor.
Sure, but it ultimately doesn't seem like a serious enough breach of etiquette that the other would just be totally abandoned by all those who previously supported them and all those who stand to gain by the other's ascension. Civil wars are messy affairs and how we end this one is almost - but not quite - as dumb as how we end the one in DA:O.
But Celene did give the peace talks a chance. Her move was in response to Gaspard, and if Gaspard doesn't move then nothing happens.
It was easily the worst part of the whole game. This was largely due, in my opinion, because they seemed to have expected players to have read their books. For someone who hasn't (and never will), it was very hard to determine what the heck might be going on with those three 'rulers' as they clearly didn't include enough content in the game to determine which, if any of them, was fit to rule.
I've never read the books beyond the codex entries in the game and I thoroughly enjoyed "Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts" (with the exception of course of all the busy work like coin collecting and rumors). While it would certainly be nice to not leave the country in the hands of a corrupt despot, that was never the point. The Inquisitor was there to stop collapse of Orlais and get their political wheels to stop spinning the mud so they can help with great and immediate threat to the world. 
Besides, it would be functionally impossible to understand the 3 contenders even if we had known them for years ... that is how the "Game" is played, once you reveal your hand you either win or you die. You keep your true goals close to the chest. You are essentially forced to choose between 3 politicians who you have vague understandings of (both as a player and a character): A realist who's concern is stability but due to that concern is extremely hesitant to take risks or start meaningful reform; An idealist who is willing (and has) taken great risks and is willing to push through radical reform policies regardless of their popularity with the Orlesian populous; and a Warmonger who exemplifies force and therefore extremely strong and decisive, but who also wishes to expand Orlais influence and domain. With the exception of the pair consisting of the Realist and the Warmonger you can also end the mission with a combination of the contenders.
I went with a combination of the Realist (Celene) and the Idealist (Briala) as I valued stability and reform over strength (and I thought having all three allied was only asking for trouble down the road). My Inquisitor didn't have all the answers, but a decision needed to be made ... sometimes things like that happen and you have to just roll with it.
Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts is a lot more fun for me after I learned how to max out Court Approval fast and I began skipping out on collecting anything but Halla Statues.
There's also no "right" candidate for the throne. Like the Landsmeet in Origins, it comes down to which candidate you like more. I personally like Gaspard ruling alone the most, but ingame I always blackmail the 3 into a truce so I could get the Mask of the Grand Duchess.
Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts is a lot more fun for me when I learned how to max out Court Approval fast and skipping out on collecting anything but Halla Statues.
There's also no "right" candidate for the throne. Like the Landsmeet in Origins, it comes down to which candidate you like more. I personally like Gaspard ruling alone the most, but ingame I always blackmail the 3 into a truce so I could get the Mask of the Grand Duchess.
You pretty much get that mask no matter what. I've never blackmailed all three and i've gotten that mask everytime.
Oh right, you only need the 80 Court Approval for exposing Florianne to get the Mask of the Grand Duchess.
I guess I mixed that detail in and forgot because that's the only reason I have for keeping Celene alive.
It was easily the worst part of the whole game. This was largely due, in my opinion, because they seemed to have expected players to have read their books. For someone who hasn't (and never will), it was very hard to determine what the heck might be going on with those three 'rulers' as they clearly didn't include enough content in the game to determine which, if any of them, was fit to rule.
Briala
This is my least favorite quest and I wish it were optional. I find Orlesians to be stupid boors quite frankly and I hate having to rush through everything
Court approval is SO easy to get and keep. There is a trick, in case you plan to redo the mission.
2 times during the night you hear the bells and Inqui says it's time to get back to the main room. One is before you meet Morrigan and the other one before you dance with Florianne.
If you hear the bell, go near the door, but do not go into the main room until you hear the bell a second time. Then Inqui will say "now I'm fashionably late!" and this gives you 20 extra court approval points.That, and collecting gossip for Leliana/throwing a few coins, is enough to keep you around 100 all times even when you wander the Palace a little longer
Yeah hat's whqat I managed to do with my Louisa Travelyan playthrough earlier got all 3 idiots to work together thisw time as well first time I've managed that earlier today
I think each ruling combination has benefits to specific Inquisitors, and adds to reply value.
My male human mage respected the sovereignty of all nations, and believed that interference in Orlais' throne was uncalled for. So he made the three-way deadlock possible.
My female elven mage didn't care about the humans or even the flat ears really, but she felt that Briala might lead those elves to a better life, which could in turn lead to more of them turning to the Dalish pantheon. She also hated Celene for her past actions and general incompetence. But she also wasn't about to let a warmonger have control of the most powerful human nation in Thedas and possibly put the Dalish at risk. So allowing Celene to die, Gaspard to rule, and Briala to rule him in secret was the best option for this Inquisitor. Plus, she had already dealt with the demon army at Adamant, so Celene's death meant nothing by then.
A Vashoth Inquisitor might support Celene, since she seems more likely to keep the Game going, thus supply more opportunities for hired mercs for the nobles. Gaspard might be more focused on building up the Orlesian military, which leaves little room for mercenaries.
Celene and Briala reconciled might benefit the carta in their smuggling, which the dwarven Inquisitor would approve of.
A human warrior might favor Gaspard for his dedication to a strong army to defeat Corypheus, and any hostilities raised between Orlais and Ferelden might benefit the Free Marches since they can sell food and supplies to either side.
So I think the "right" choice depends on your Inquisitor.
Also I read somewhere that you can't use the naked guard's testimony as blackmail against Celene unless your court approval is over 50 or something like that.
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