People who become companions tend to lose stature. I'd rather have Calpernia not suffer that fate and have her as a possible ally, depending on a choice you make in the game.
Is it such a bad fate? How many examples we have of former NPC that became companions later? Isabela, Merrill and Cassandra come to mind and, frankly, I think them being companions turned them into more interesting characters.
I predict both Calpernia and Maevaris will be DA4 companions in order to give contrasting looks at the Imperium. I assume Dorian is going to get the NPC treatment like Morrigan did.
Is it such a bad fate? How many examples we have of former NPC that became companions later? Isabela, Merrill and Cassandra come to mind and, frankly, I think them being companions turned them into more interesting characters.
Is it such a bad fate? How many examples we have of former NPC that became companions later? Isabela, Merrill and Cassandra come to mind and, frankly, I think them being companions turned them into more interesting characters.
My problem is that people who become companions tend to get subordinate to the player character. Isabela and Merrill were never on the same level, so they didn't lose. Cassandra was written exceptionally well but even she has a "second rank" aura about her in DAI, as opposed to DA2.
My problem is that people who become companions tend to get subordinate to the player character. Isabela and Merrill were never on the same level, so they didn't lose. Cassandra was written exceptionally well but even she has a "second rank" aura about her in DAI, as opposed to DA2.
I understand. However, I think that even in that situation, Calpernia fits for the same reason as Cassandra: because they feel more like Darth Vader material than Palpatine material, if you get my analogy. Cool and powerful, but always second to another one, long before they met any PC.
Cassandra was a hero back in the anime movie, but she was always content at being the right hand of someone more powerful, and even in DA2 she became leader of the remaining Seekers only because the actual leader defected. And then a smartass dwarf played her like a fiddle. Calpernia too was only leader of the Venatori because the actual boss said so, and she was left in the dark about her final fate, which can't be said of Samson.
Also, I'd dare to say that Bioware doesn't treat NPCs any better. Sometimes it seems as if they can be derailed even more.
I understand. However, I think that even in that situation, Calpernia fits for the same reason as Cassandra: because they feel more like Darth Vader material than Palpatine material, if you get my analogy. Cool and powerful, but always second to another one, long before they met any PC.
Cassandra was a hero back in the anime movie, but she was always content at being the right hand of someone more powerful, and even in DA2 she became leader of the remaining Seekers only because the actual leader defected. And then a smartass dwarf played her like a fiddle. Calpernia too was only leader of the Venatori because the actual boss said so, and she was left in the dark about her final fate, which can't be said of Samson.
Also, I'd dare to say that Bioware doesn't treat NPCs any better. Sometimes it seems as if they can be derailed even more.
It's more than just that. As soon as they become companions, characters stop being responsible for significant parts or aspects of the story and cease to do things on their own initiative. Calpernia may have been second to Corypheus, but she acted on her own initiative and had responsibility for the actions of the Venatori. None of the companions has that, they are irrelevant for the plot and do nothing of signficance because they have to be replaceable. This reduces the appeal of all the companions IMO. Except for Solas. Future antagonist or not, it's one of the reasons he's my favorite companion in DAI.
I think Calpernia should retain her initiative, responsibility and power. If that can be made compatible with being a companion, fine, but I very much doubt it.
Hm, she's one character that might make sense and be done well if they bring her back. I generally hate the excessive returning characters, characters carried over from older games that have a different hero, characters being carried over from books and comics, etc...but Calpernia might be an exception for me. I wouldn't want her as a companion though, I'd prefer as many new characters as possible to be companions.
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