522 réponses à ce sujet

[Sarah1281]

I'm not sure Cailan marrying someone he actually loved was feasible (it often doesn't work out that way for Alistair) but I could see him setting Anora aside if she proved to be a problem. If they were in love or if she were ruling jointly with him like she can do with Alistair she could safely confront him but as it was she was on the throne to make his parents and Loghain happy and to have an heir and his parents were dead, he couldn't get along with Loghain, and an heir wasn't happening. He may not have wanted to put Anora aside but if this whole campagin really opened his eyes (partially shown through the CE and HN origins especially when you explain how you got recruited) then he might have felt it was necessary and done so. As for who administrated the land while he was away, he could have appointed a chancellor. Hell, he could have made Anora chancellor and she would have probably been happy.

[Sarah1281]

It wasn't the Orlesian bard thing that couldn't be overlooked (Isolde anyone?); Katriel was an elf and as Alistair will tell any non-HNF would-be Queen: the Landsmeet would never go for it.

[Stoomkal]

I do not really say there being any *real* relationship between the portrayal of these characters in Origins, and how they were portrayed in RTO.

In the original, Cailan was represented as a naive fool. In RTO they threw in a "plot twist". There were also doubts cast about Anora, and a silly reference to Cailan knowing he would lose but doing it anyway...

This is all silly. They were *different* writers. The main team had well given up on Origins and were hard at work on Awakening. I do not see any similarity to the two portrayals.

It is like an episode written by other people who were adding extra detail - that may not have made much sense.

Cailan in Origins and Cailan in RTO are different elements. Think of the "Architect" in The Calling and the "Architect 2.0" that was portrayed in Awakening.

It is apples and oranges... with bugs.

EDIT: spelling...

Modifié par Stoomkal, 29 mars 2010 - 08:52 .

[Xandurpein]

I am very doubtful about all the interpretations that Cailan knew much more and was much cleverer than he did seem in DA:O. If Cailan was such a good and clever King that really held the nation together, why does everyone else thinks that it is Anora that runs the country? Even those who don't like Anora admit that she is the one that runs the country during their rein.

The notes in Cailan's tent can be interpreted in many ways, but it's not really no point in arguing against that most of Fereldan thinks that it is Anora that actually ruled the Kingdom.

Modifié par Xandurpein, 29 mars 2010 - 10:41 .

[Xandurpein]

I think it's been mentioned before, but Awakening indicates that Anora isn't necessarily barren, it rather seems to be that she is less than thrilled about the prospect of becoming pregnant, as witnessed by Loghain in his cameo if you play HNM who married Anora.

[Huojin]

Xandurpein wrote...

I am very doubtful about all the interpretations that Cailan knew much more and was much cleverer than he did seem in DA:O. If Cailan was such a good and clever King that really held the nation together, why does everyone else thinks that it is Anora that runs the country? Even those who don't like Anora admit that she is the one that runs the country during their rein.

I just wonder if Cailan's as clever as everyone claims due to the RtO letters, why is he stupid enough to risk his life on the front lines?  He sends Alistair to the tower, people assume, to save him (and not for plot convenience ^_~) but really... people might know about Alistair, but how many of them would accept some random royal bastard as their king?  With Cailan dead and Alistair still around and NOT being hunted by Loghain, the nobles would still have rebelled and fought each other for personal gain.

Everyone (Duncan, soldiers, Loghain's guard, Cailan's guard) says repeatedly prior to Ostagar that Loghain doesn't think they have enough men to win/they need reinforcements, but Alistair is still dumb enough to say "we WERE fighting the Darkspawn, the king had nearly defeated them!" to Flemeth, and Cailan's dumb enough to risk his life fighting on the front lines.

Hoping to get a ton of his soldiers slaughtered JUST to make Loghain let the Orlesians in for reinforcements is really, really stupid.  Even if you did accept Orlesian help, after more than half your army has been killed, you're not likely to be in a better position than before, even if the idiot HAD survived. And what kind of Ferelden trusts a strong, well-rested, well-fed army from a previously occupying empire that outnumbers your own? They'd surely have been even more unwelcome after that than before.

Diplomatic relations with Orlais =/= allowing their military force into Ferelden.

There is still a lot of bitterness from the Jewish community about the actions of the N***s, there is still bitterness from the black community about how they were treated in the 60s here.  I find it VERY odd that there's not more anti-Orlesian feeling in Ferelden, considering it has only been 30 years since they were last enslaved, raped, pillaged, murdered...


To me, RtO just made Cailan look more like a fool than before.  I kinda liked him (how could you not!?) but reading the notes just... whut.

Modifié par Huojin, 29 mars 2010 - 11:35 .

[Xandurpein]

Huojin wrote...

I just wonder if Cailan's as clever as everyone claims due to the RtO letters, why is he stupid enough to risk his life on the front lines?  He sends Alistair to the tower, people assume, to save him (and not for plot convenience ^_~) but really... people might know about Alistair, but how many of them would accept some random royal bastard as their king?  With Cailan dead and Alistair still around and NOT being hunted by Loghain, the nobles would still have rebelled and fought each other for personal gain.

Exactly. Alistair is a bastard and has no natural claim on the throne. It takes an Landsmeet decision to change his status so he can become eligble as heir. If Cailan really was saving Alistair so he could take over after his death, why did Cailan not do anything at all to make sure Alistair got legally recognized as his heir.

[Feraele]

errant_knight wrote...

When the game starts, we see an apparently overconfident king who's looking for easy glory. He's open to the idea of additional troops from Orleis, something that is vehemently opposes by Loghain, but doesn't want to wait for that to happen. It appears to be more of an idea that he favors than actual fact, and he doesn't seem to think it's necessary.

Later, we find out that not only does he think it's necessary, he has all the treaties in place to allow it to happen. We also find out that he has serious doubts about the outcome of the battle at Ostagar, and even has doubts about his own survival. He's made arrangements to preserve the treaties if he is killed. It would seem that Cailan was playing a much deeper game than it appeared.

This creates a big question. Why didn't Cailan want to wait? Why was he so determined that the battle be fought when it was? If Cailan told Elric that there would be no victory at Ostagar, it would seem to imply that he knew something that Duncan, who believed the plan would succeed, did not--something that cast doubt on victory, but also made it imperative that they not wait for the Orleisians. What would that have been, and why wouldn't it be something he could share with Duncan? Why would he not wish to wait when he'd arranged for a stronger force to be available, clearly believing that was important?

Did he suspect treachery from Loghain, perhaps fearing a move against the crown, a civil war that would divide the armies making it impossible to gather such a large force again? He seems surprised by Howe's treachery, so perhaps not. Was it something else that we have no hint of? One has to wonder.

I think Cailan should be given a little more credit than he is currently..I think he suspected there was a plan afoot possibly for his own assassination or whatever. 

I am still not sure why he wouldn't have waited for the Orlesians to arrive, granted the Fereldan populace wouldn't have been too happy about Orlesian forces wading into the fray..given the prior history, but still.

Perhaps Cailan was under the impression the Archdemon would appear?   Its too bad we aren't given more of an insight into Cailan himself,  other than  "other people's thoughts and impressions of him."   Really the only direct things from Cailan himself are those letters at Ostagar,   most other things we know is he spent time knocking heads with Loghain continuously,  with Loghain putting his own twisted, paranoic view of things out there.

Also..if you read the dialogue before Alistair and your PC go to the Tower of Ishal,  Duncan states explicitly that Cailan expressly wanted your PC and Alistair to go to the Tower.   Did Cailan know that Alistair was his half-brother?   More than likely.   Was this Cailan's attempt to preserve what was remaining of the Theiran line...more than likely again.

Going to  the Tower of Ishal was viewed by everyone there as the "safe" thing to do.    Cailan preserving his half-brother in case something happened to himself?   Very plausible.

There was more mystery and intrigue there..than meets the eye it seems.  

[errant_knight]

Huojin, you might want to read the earlier pages of the thread. There's been quite a bit of discussion about the points you mentioned, some of which rebutt them well, in my opinion.

Actually, this is probably a good time to ask that newcomers to the discussion take a moment to acquaint themselves with previous discussion, otherwise the thread will start going in circles as we rehash things that have already been discussed without bringing up new points. If we all know where we've been, we can zero in on elements that haven't been discussed enough, or new ideas.

Stoomkal wrote...

I do not really say there being any *real* relationship between the portrayal of these characters in Origins, and how they were portrayed in RTO.

In the original, Cailan was represented as a naive fool. In RTO they threw in a "plot twist". There were also doubts cast about Anora, and a silly reference to Cailan knowing he would lose but doing it anyway...

This is all silly. They were *different* writers. The main team had well given up on Origins and were hard at work on Awakening. I do not see any similarity to the two portrayals.

It is like an episode written by other people who were adding extra detail - that may not have made much sense.

Cailan in Origins and Cailan in RTO are different elements. Think of the "Architect" in The Calling and the "Architect 2.0" that was portrayed in Awakening.

It is apples and oranges... with bugs.

EDIT: spelling...

Now, now.... We're here for the discussion, so there is no silly, as long as people back up their points with examples from the game. It's just that kind of thread.

TV shows are written by many writers, but all episodes are part of 'canon'. A game is much the same. It's up to us to find ways to make it all fit together up to the point that we receive new information that needs to be taken into account.

Modifié par errant_knight, 29 mars 2010 - 03:54 .

[Huojin]

errant_knight wrote...

Huojin, you might want to read the earlier pages of the thread. There's been quite a bit of discussion about the points you mentioned, some of which rebutt them well, in my opinion.

I did, and my post was really in response to all the points made; I think you might need to re-read what I said properly (no offense).

I hadn't ever thought that Cailan had some weird strategy involving murdering half his army to try and entice Loghain onto the battlefield/allow Orlesians in - someone else mentioned it, and I responded to it in my comment. I'm pretty much responding to a lot of earlier points made, just NOT from Cailan's side.  I don't like him any more ... XD

Modifié par Huojin, 29 mars 2010 - 07:02 .

[errant_knight]

Huojin wrote...

errant_knight wrote...

Huojin, you might want to read the earlier pages of the thread. There's been quite a bit of discussion about the points you mentioned, some of which rebutt them well, in my opinion.

I did, and my post was really in response to all the points made; I think you might need to re-read what I said properly (no offense).

I hadn't ever thought that Cailan had some weird strategy involving murdering half his army to try and entice Loghain onto the battlefield/allow Orlesians in - someone else mentioned it, and I responded to it in my comment. I'm pretty much responding to a lot of earlier points made, just NOT from Cailan's side.  I don't like him any more ... XD

Okay, my mistake, I couldn't tell you were responding, and I'm supposed to be working, so I haven't had time to respond in detail. I tend to agree that I don't see Cailan as particularly Machiavellian in terms of his presence on the field. I think it's more likely that from a leadership perspective, he thought it would be better for morale if he was in the vangard.

Apart from that, I still think the point you raised about not waiting for the Oleisians was addressed. Waiting means retreating from Ostagar and allowing the darkspawn to spread north. It defeats the purpose of massing the army at Ostagar. At very least, I believe that Cailan wanted to reduce their numbers significantly, even if they were unable to stop them there.

Xandurpein wrote...
Exactly. Alistair is a bastard and has no natural claim on the throne. It takes an Landsmeet decision to change his status so he can become eligble as heir. If Cailan really was saving Alistair so he could take over after his death, why did Cailan not do anything at all to make sure Alistair got legally recognized as his heir.

I have to disagree entirely, I'm afraid. In the absence of a legitimate heir, Alistair is the only known person of Therin blood. He's the only person that does have a natural claim to the throne. There seems to be a stigma, but that doesn't  seem to be insurmountable. Landsmeet doesn't change Alistair's status, it just chooses between two competing factions as is the right of the nobility in Fereldan. I think that Cailan made the decision while at Ostagar, and would have names Alistair officially had he survived, but that's speculation as we have no evidence in-game as to what Cailan or Loghain's intentions may have been prior to the battle.

Modifié par errant_knight, 29 mars 2010 - 09:26 .

[Alikain]

errant_knight wrote...

melkathi wrote...

I got a screenshot of the sentence, so noone needs to remember stuff
link:
http://img208.images...10020403511.jpg

Keeping Loghain at bay... I hadn't really considered what that might mean, especially in relation to Duncan. I assumed it referred to complaint about the idea of Orlesians crossing the border, and the Grey Wardens leading the battle, but...hmmm.... What did Loghain want from Duncan?

The way i see it, it seems both Duncan and Cailan knew about Loghain plans, (him been a power hunger general) but even the king couldn’t move against such a general. Cailan knew the only way out was his own death and doing so he put his brother on the throne .This is why Alistair was kept out big major battles .By making Alistair do all the less important stuff Loghain did not see the through motive behind Cailan actions, and that kept Loghain at bay.

[Sarah1281]

Except...if Cailan couldn't take Loghain out of power how would the completely inexperienced Alistair manage it? Or did he envision Alistair just being Loghain's puppet?

[errant_knight]

Alikain wrote...

errant_knight wrote...

melkathi wrote...

I got a screenshot of the sentence, so noone needs to remember stuff
link:
http://img208.images...10020403511.jpg

Keeping Loghain at bay... I hadn't really considered what that might mean, especially in relation to Duncan. I assumed it referred to complaint about the idea of Orlesians crossing the border, and the Grey Wardens leading the battle, but...hmmm.... What did Loghain want from Duncan?

The way i see it, it seems both Duncan and Cailan knew about Loghain plans, (him been a power hunger general) but even the king couldn’t move against such a general. Cailan knew the only way out was his own death and doing so he put his brother on the throne .This is why Alistair was kept out big major battles .By making Alistair do all the less important stuff Loghain did not see the through motive behind Cailan actions, and that kept Loghain at bay.

Hmmm.... Could you give some examples? I'm not seeing evidence of that in game.

Sidenote: This thread seems to be seeing renewed activity, so I'll just point out for newcomers that while we're expressing our opinions here, we're backing them up with concrete examples, quotes, etc, and doing our best to make this a thread of analysis more than speculation. So, welcome to the discussion, everyone! The only rules of the thread are be polite, stay on topic, and 'show your work.'

[Raiil]

 For what it's worth, my two cents:
I don't think that Cailan or Duncan knew that Loghain was going to pull out. Loghain had never shown himself to be anything but a natural son of Ferelden, ready to protect it at any cost. What I do believe, however, is that both Cailan and Duncan understood some things about the Blight that Loghain didn't (while I doubt Cailan knew every aspect of being a Warden, he obviously had more respect for them and would be more likely to pay attention to their history and whatnot). Hence Duncan and Cailan watched one another's backs, including Cailan defending the Wardens and Duncan keeping Loghain 'at bay'. Both are aware that something big is going down, even if Loghain is too stuck in his ways to see it.


I always thought that one of the reasons why the Warden is chosen specifically by Duncan is to be paired up with Alistair, whom Duncan knows to be the closest thing that Ferelden has to an heir- not necessarily as a romantic partner or even a friend, but a natural ally who would protect Alistair. Sending Alistair and the Warden out of harm's way is a sound tactical choice; since not all Origins lend themselves to a battle-ready background, it's sending the potential heir to the throne and someone who is potentially unskilled in battle out of harm's way. This has the (unintentional) bonus of throwing a real wrench in Loghain's plans- the Warden and Alistair are pretty much prepared to listen to only one person, and that's Duncan (or the King with Duncan's blessing). I doubt either were prepared for the magnitude of Loghain's betrayal; had Duncan known this, I think he would have persuaded/forced Cailan on off the field. Duncan's not going let some hook nosed bastard make life that difficult for the Wardens if he can do anything about it.

Cailan was not an idiot, I think that much is clear. I believe that he was looking for glory, but his idea of it was really to protect his home, not to bring such a shine to himself. He is prepared to do what it takes to protect Ferelden, including protecting his half-brother should the worst occur. Alistair is, ultimately, an insurance policy for both Cailan and the Wardens; should Cailan fall and Alistair ascend the throne, the Wardens have a king who will look out for them and Maric's bloodline continues. However, it's a last-ditch line against a worst-case scenario. Had they thought that they were both going to fall, I believe there would have been some effort made on Cailan's part to prepare Alistair, even if it was done in a round-about way.

[Sarah1281]

it's sending the potential heir to the throne and someone who is potentially unskilled in battle out of harm's way.

Which origins aren't skilled in battle? I haven't played Mage and I understand they just became a full mage so possibly that one but they're still seen as very skilled, just defeated a demon that tried to possess them, and helped Jowan liberate his phylactory. DE is a full hunter for their clan, CE was trained by their mother and slaughtered their way through the Arl of Denerim's estate, HN is widely known for their skill and slaughtered their way through Howe's guards to reach their father, DC is a thug who won several proving fights Duncan witnessed and slaughtered their way through the carta, and the DN was just made a commander, possibly won a proving, and slaughtered their way through the deep roads to reach him. Duncan didn't take pity on these people and think he'd need to coddle them; he thought they would prove useful.

[Raiil]

Sarah1281 wrote...

it's sending the potential heir to the throne and someone who is potentially unskilled in battle out of harm's way.

Which origins aren't skilled in battle? I haven't played Mage and I understand they just became a full mage so possibly that one but they're still seen as very skilled, just defeated a demon that tried to possess them, and helped Jowan liberate his phylactory. DE is a full hunter for their clan, CE was trained by their mother and slaughtered their way through the Arl of Denerim's estate, HN is widely known for their skill and slaughtered their way through Howe's guards to reach their father, DC is a thug who won several proving fights Duncan witnessed and slaughtered their way through the carta, and the DN was just made a commander, possibly won a proving, and slaughtered their way through the deep roads to reach him. Duncan didn't take pity on these people and think he'd need to coddle them; he thought they would prove useful.

I usually play as a mage so yes, that is part of it. But being a skilled fighter =/= being skilled in battle. Going one on one, or one on three, is a hell of a lot different than being tossed into a fray with a cast of thousands. It's also why I said potential. In some cases, obviously they know a lot of fighting, but it's a 'one size fits all' solution. Either they're not trained or they're perhaps too new to charge into battle. I wouldn't put a Dalish Archer frontline and center of a darkspawn horde unless I was certain they had some skill with another weapon.

I don't think it's a matter of pity. It's practicality. Don't put the froshie in danger's way unless it's absolutely necessary. There was another task that needed to be done, and sending Alistair and the PC helps everyone but Loghain. The heir and the greenhorn are out of danger's way, so Alistair isn't alone and a potentially non-battleready Warden isn't going from the frying pan to the fire. The heir to the throne is being kept safe (theoretically). Cailan and Duncan don't have to fret over him because Alistair has backup. Everyone wins until Loghain decided to be a douche canoe and retreat.

[Thalorin1919]

I think Cailan considered Alistair seriously as an heir to the throne, until he finally had a child. The only thing was that, why didnt he do that earlier?



I mean I think he knew there was a pretty good chance that he would die in the battle. If I were Cailan, I would've called all the Arls, Banns, Teryns, and Loghain around and let them all know that I name Alistair as my heir. Or at least leave a letter or...anything. I guess he just wasnt expecting to die.

[errant_knight]

Valentia X wrote...

 For what it's worth, my two cents:
I don't think that Cailan or Duncan knew that Loghain was going to pull out. Loghain had never shown himself to be anything but a natural son of Ferelden, ready to protect it at any cost. What I do believe, however, is that both Cailan and Duncan understood some things about the Blight that Loghain didn't (while I doubt Cailan knew every aspect of being a Warden, he obviously had more respect for them and would be more likely to pay attention to their history and whatnot). Hence Duncan and Cailan watched one another's backs, including Cailan defending the Wardens and Duncan keeping Loghain 'at bay'. Both are aware that something big is going down, even if Loghain is too stuck in his ways to see it.


I always thought that one of the reasons why the Warden is chosen specifically by Duncan is to be paired up with Alistair, whom Duncan knows to be the closest thing that Ferelden has to an heir- not necessarily as a romantic partner or even a friend, but a natural ally who would protect Alistair. Sending Alistair and the Warden out of harm's way is a sound tactical choice; since not all Origins lend themselves to a battle-ready background, it's sending the potential heir to the throne and someone who is potentially unskilled in battle out of harm's way. This has the (unintentional) bonus of throwing a real wrench in Loghain's plans- the Warden and Alistair are pretty much prepared to listen to only one person, and that's Duncan (or the King with Duncan's blessing). I doubt either were prepared for the magnitude of Loghain's betrayal; had Duncan known this, I think he would have persuaded/forced Cailan on off the field. Duncan's not going let some hook nosed bastard make life that difficult for the Wardens if he can do anything about it.

Cailan was not an idiot, I think that much is clear. I believe that he was looking for glory, but his idea of it was really to protect his home, not to bring such a shine to himself. He is prepared to do what it takes to protect Ferelden, including protecting his half-brother should the worst occur. Alistair is, ultimately, an insurance policy for both Cailan and the Wardens; should Cailan fall and Alistair ascend the throne, the Wardens have a king who will look out for them and Maric's bloodline continues. However, it's a last-ditch line against a worst-case scenario. Had they thought that they were both going to fall, I believe there would have been some effort made on Cailan's part to prepare Alistair, even if it was done in a round-about way.

Heh, I agree in principle, but feel the need to point out that Loghain has been highly respected until that point, and there was no reason to think ill of him. To find him annoying in his reticence to make use of the only available backup they have, but not to disrespect him. I'll also point out that Fereldans, in general, tend to have strong features.

[errant_knight]

Thalorin1919 wrote...

I think Cailan considered Alistair seriously as an heir to the throne, until he finally had a child. The only thing was that, why didnt he do that earlier?

I mean I think he knew there was a pretty good chance that he would die in the battle. If I were Cailan, I would've called all the Arls, Banns, Teryns, and Loghain around and let them all know that I name Alistair as my heir. Or at least leave a letter or...anything. I guess he just wasnt expecting to die.

While illegitimacy was an issue, and some of the nobility bring it up, bloodlines are even more to the point. An illegitimate Therin is still a Therin, and a Mac Tir...isn't. Even if some are willing to establish a new royal bloodline, others are going to see it a Eamon does, that they didn't go to all the trouble of putting one Of Calenhad's line on the throne to loose their royal line in one generation. Hence the civil war. If illigetimacy ruled Alistair out entirely, the war would have been over before it began.

[Raiil]

Well that's sort of my point. I don't think Duncan or Cailan necessarily thought Loghain was going to run off into the night with his troops. They may have thought he was being a jerk about everything, but there's nothing that makes me think that they thought he was going to split. Removing Alistair from the scene isn't because they thought Loghain was going to be duplicitous; it's because this is a battle and people die in them, so sending Alistair off just in case is the smart move.

[Addai]

Thalorin1919 wrote...

I think Cailan considered Alistair seriously as an heir to the throne, until he finally had a child. The only thing was that, why didnt he do that earlier?

He has only been on the throne for 5 or 6 years.  If he puts Alistair in the succession, it complicates things for any heir that comes after that.  It's all speculative, but if Cailan is trying to keep Alistair as a spare in the pocket, then the idea has probably only occurred to him recently, perhaps since Duncan recruited him and Cailan came face to face with him again, with Eamon at his back talking babies.

We also know that Cailan left a lot of things undone.  The darkspawn simply came as a surprise.  As Bryce Cousland says at the beginning of the HN origin, the horde has them all scrambling.

But a letter or will would have been a good idea, yes.

[errant_knight]

Valentia X wrote...

Well that's sort of my point. I don't think Duncan or Cailan necessarily thought Loghain was going to run off into the night with his troops. They may have thought he was being a jerk about everything, but there's nothing that makes me think that they thought he was going to split. Removing Alistair from the scene isn't because they thought Loghain was going to be duplicitous; it's because this is a battle and people die in them, so sending Alistair off just in case is the smart move.

Yep. You don't put the only available heir to the throne right next to the sitting monarch when you're in a battle. It's just common sense. The mission to the tower was expected to be the safest possible mission at Ostagar. It made perfect sense to send the newbie and the heir, much to their chagrin.

Addai67 wrote...

Thalorin1919 wrote...

I think Cailan considered Alistair seriously as an heir to the throne, until he finally had a child. The only thing was that, why didnt he do that earlier?

He has only been on the throne for 5 or 6 years.  If he puts Alistair in the succession, it complicates things for any heir that comes after that.  It's all speculative, but if Cailan is trying to keep Alistair as a spare in the pocket, then the idea has probably only occurred to him recently, perhaps since Duncan recruited him and Cailan came face to face with him again, with Eamon at his back talking babies.

We also know that Cailan left a lot of things undone.  The darkspawn simply came as a surprise.  As Bryce Cousland says at the beginning of the HN origin, the horde has them all scrambling.

But a letter or will would have been a good idea, yes.

Yeah, I don't think Cailan wanted to commit to anything, or to draw attention to Alistair until he was absolutely certain that he wouldn't have a child of his own. His resistance to Eamon's idea of putting Anora aside might not only have been a matter of decency, but also mean that he hadn't entirely given up.

Making Alistair a formal heir would not only complicate things, but make it possible that Alistair, if he was a different kind of person, would resist being replaced by a new heir, or that powerful people would attemt to use him as a figurehead to do so.

A letter would certainly have been a good idea, but they wouldn't want to wreck the big reveal by planting something that would show Alistair's identity before Redcliffe, which could happen given that the quests can be done in any order. It would make sense for such a letter to have been found in RtO, but they were very careful to make all the letters ambiguous. I don't think they want us to know the facts of the politics that was going on behind the scenes.

Modifié par errant_knight, 29 mars 2010 - 10:23 .