natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207 
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 21, 2018 4:10:24 GMT
Lee It's just terrible level design all around. I think most of my problems can be summed up with the Redcliffe Farms. Having that level 12 rift right next to the level 7 farm area in the near the end of the river. The path is so close that you can get aggro easily (my poor first mage, who didn't have stealth...) It's even possible that this could be the first damn rift you see. Getting horses is an early quest and objective for the player; one of the very first you get in the zone. Then there is the horses. I'm not going too much into this again, but a majority of the Hinterlands area is very poor for staying mounted. So you have this semi-useless mechanic, needed for one quest in the Exalted Plains, that is unlocked right next to a rift 5 levels above the area around it. Thank the gods the game does get a lot better from here. I tend to go hit the Storm Coast to hit about level 8-9 before I decide on Robes (Mages) vs Skirts (Templars.) I haven't decided which this character is going towards yet. She's a follower of Andraste, but is pretty skeptical when it comes to the Chantry's teachings. I'll know when I get there. She is going for Cullen. I need the easy happy (enough) ending for her.
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Post by Lee on Jul 21, 2018 4:22:24 GMT
She is going for Cullen. I need the easy happy (enough) ending for her. Sounds awesome. I adore that romance.  Enjoy it! |
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 21, 2018 4:49:04 GMT
She is going for Cullen. I need the easy happy (enough) ending for her. Sounds awesome. I adore that romance. Enjoy it! Hehe, I always do. My favorite romance used to be Iron Bull, but Trespasser changed that.* The one line of extra dialogue at the very end seemed way too anticlimactic. I don't go for Blackwall and Sera is more of a little sister than someone that I'd like my lady characters to knock boots with. I didn't feel like playing another elf falling for the hot liar, so my cheesy happy ending with the knight sounds good. My first romance with Cullen was on my Champion-specced warrior, which even had me going "dawwww" by the end. *Not due to the Qun decision either. To hell with the Qun; I've always picked the Chargers. |
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Post by Lee on Jul 21, 2018 4:53:56 GMT
Trespasser's epilogue slides are worse than the blight (mostly how they invalidate all your choices). It was pretty much bad for most of the romances, and it irks me that only a couple of the romances got good content there. |
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 21, 2018 5:02:05 GMT
Trespasser's epilogue slides are worse than the blight (mostly how they invalidate all your choices). It was pretty much bad for most of the romances, and it irks me that only a couple of the romances got good content there. After DA:O's notorious epilogue slides and the disappearance of Hawke, I thought the ending slides were fine as a whole. Most of the romance slides that I've seen were at least decent. I like Cass' little shoutout and of course, Solas and Cullen steal the show. But Iron Bull's one implies that they aren't ever together. The one with Cass mentions that the IQ goes to see her sometimes. With Bull, I was left wondering if they were still together at all afterward. Not a question I had to ask with the other romance ending slides. |
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Post by Lee on Jul 21, 2018 5:14:33 GMT
Trespasser's epilogue slides are worse than the blight (mostly how they invalidate all your choices). It was pretty much bad for most of the romances, and it irks me that only a couple of the romances got good content there. After DA:O's notorious epilogue slides and the disappearance of Hawke, I thought the ending slides were fine as a whole. Most of the romance slides that I've seen were at least decent. I like Cass' little shoutout and of course, Solas and Cullen steal the show. But Iron Bull's one implies that they aren't ever together. The one with Cass mentions that the IQ goes to see her sometimes. With Bull, I was left wondering if they were still together at all afterward. Not a question I had to ask with the other romance ending slides. Iron Bull was the only romance I had left by the time the slides roled around since Dorian already peaced out leaving a skype crystal behind. sigh...I didn't mind Iron Bull's slide too much since to me it just implied that he would still do missions with the Bull's charagers but would always come home to the quizzy. that's what I got out of it-but clearly a lot of people did not. For me it was mostly how they are like no matter what choice you made both the college of mages and the circle are going to be around. It's like sure you freed the mages-but half the mages are like "you know freedom is kind shit lets be slaves again!" |
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Catilina
The Beastmaster
Wanted Apostate
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Post by Catilina on Jul 21, 2018 11:43:41 GMT
Yes, the cake is a lie – about the mages: this is a series, they must keep the story-line, they'll not make 3 different games. So: the mages are free – and not, the Circles are eliminated – and not, the mages want to be free – but don't want to be free. And they can't justify one decision over the other, people on the other side would revolt... So: your decision not really matters. Think about it: this is three absolutely different Divine with absolutely different politics. How hard can be to keep the balance for a next part of the series? I can understand this: they insist their grey morality(TM), but I don't really like the romances' end (what a surprise!). At least I can imagine that Bull and the Inquisitor are together, but from time to time the life takes them apart, they always go home... the epilogue doesn't exclude that – fortunately. (Similar end, like with Zevran?) "And on every job, Bull wore the necklace his Kadan had given him... so that no matter how far apart life took them, they would always be together." |
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 21, 2018 13:06:52 GMT
Catilina I guess it irked me that my character wasn't even given the option of joining the Chargers. If Red Jenny can make a crossbow arm, then surely Dagna or someone could have done the same for the IQ. It came off to me as that the Bull and the IQ will never forget their time together, but their shared life is more or less over. That's in contrast to the rest of the romances, that have more than one line mentioning the romantic outcome. It just felt like a total letdown. I still really like Bull as a character and he's absolutely entertaining to take along for dragon fights. I just don't think I could romance him again. Anyhow, I finally got to VR. I think I'm siding with the Templars this time, but not because of my beliefs about mages and all that, nor my character's. My assassin thinks that throwing more magic at the Breach is an awful idea and thinks it's more practical to have Templars. They can suppress magic in a world gone haywire, and they are good basic fighters as well. I am more of a mage fan, but unlike DA2, I don't feel like the game makes me look like a total jerk for picking the Templars. So I mix it up from time to time, particularly on my agnostic characters. My Andraste followers (when I play them, which is rare) usually side with the Templars as well.
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Post by disgustednoise on Jul 21, 2018 15:01:41 GMT
Think I'm going to go with DAI next. I've never done a back to back to back look at the series.
Not sure which kind on Inquisitior I want to go with, though. I basically did replays of my canon (male rouge Cousland/Hawke) for the other two, but I'm pretty sure I did that for DAI within the past year or so. I'm considering going female and/or warrior and/or dwarf.
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 22, 2018 3:09:38 GMT
I realized last night that I recruited Sebastian for the DA Keep. I usually don't set him to recruited with Anders alive because of the rather stupid and pointless hissy fit that Seb throws. Sure Seb, go after Kirkwall for something resolved years ago... while a hole in freaking reality threatens the world. DAI managed to confirm every negative thought I had about the spoiled twit. I found an NPC in the Hinterlands that I hadn't found before. His name is Giles and hangs out on the northern road in the Crossroads. I just got the quest to recruit Blackwall, but I wanted to finish the apostate stash quest first. I grabbed the stash and went back to the Crossroads to turn in. When I found that NPC Giles, I was able to ask him about Blackwall. It was neat getting a 100% outside perspective on the man that Blackwall appears to be at this point. I've got everyone recruited and I'm at level 6. Once I hit 7 or so, I leave the Hinterlands to go play in the Storm Coast. I did my usual thing of taking care of all but one of the Crossroad quests as well as the quests for the cult in the hills. The one quest I haven't turned in requires Viv in my party so I can grab another agent. I just got the Iron Lady though and I'm trying to knock a couple more quests out. I typically knock out the entire SW part of the zone, minus most of the rifts. I get about half to three quarters of the way through that part of the zone before Solas starts nagging me to go to VR. Every 10 minutes. Thanks for patching that into the game, dev team.  Sometimes I'll do the Fallow Mire before I go back to the Hinterlands, but I'm roleplaying that Kaliya is a little afraid of the undead. Which sucks for a melee rogue.  |
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 22, 2018 14:44:10 GMT
Quick note: I'm ignoring the Requisition Table outside of a couple of quests and the Skyhold upgrades. I like keeping my mats and not filling up my inventory with useless crap. Doing the majority of side quests early on helps more with the Power crunch than the stupid table does.
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 22, 2018 19:46:35 GMT
Okay, last post in a row. I apologize for that, but I noticed something when I was playing a couple of hours ago.
I found the first Astarium you're intended to find in the game, and took a second to read the Codex. Apparently there used to be a lot more of those things than what we find in game. They were destroyed by folks worried that those items could damage the Veil.
A little bit later, I was doing the first of Solas' "veil strengthening" quest and I ended up taking a very close look at his artifacts. If you look at them, they look like small versions of the Astariums. Oh crap...
In the words of TV Tropes: "Nice job breaking it, Hero!"
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 24, 2018 23:00:01 GMT
So, I lied. It's been a couple of days, so I don't feel self-conscious about posting again. --After finishing up the Storm Coast, I did everything in the Hinterlands but IHW and the three more powerful rifts. Made sure to get enough points in Secrets in order to get Deft Hands/Fine Tools. Then I jogged over to the Fallow Mire, mainly for some solid cloth drops. Oddly enough, I always have fun with the zone than I think I should. Then I went back to the Hinterlands (for the second to last time, thank god) and did IHW. She got as far as getting the anonymous letter. While my character doesn't hate mages or magic, seeing the Imperium there was enough to get her to "nope" out and get the Templars. She considered that fool Fiona (my character's thoughts, not necessarily mine) beyond hope. She figured why fight magic with magic, when there were plenty of well-trained soldiers that could suppress magic. Solas was salty about siding with the Templars, but I know what to do about the approval hits. I've managed to maintain a friendship with Solas on characters that both kept the Templars intact and allowing the Wardens to stay. It's just a little tricky. I usually just drag him around everywhere, click on his possible Veil destroyers artifact and generally show him Kaliya's good deeds until his personal quest pops up. Kal may not have trusted Fiona, but she likes Solas quite a bit. That being said, when Faded for Her pops up, I'm doing that and then swapping to my man Dorian. Dorian is and will always be one of my all time favorite mages in the series. He reminds me a lot of both gay and straight male friends of mine in the past. I knew straight guys that were about as flamboyant as Dorian. The Renaissance Festival actors tend to be OTT in (mostly) the most wonderful way. --Got all of the War Table missions pre-Skyhold finished. I even got the Bright "Axe" outta the way. I still hate the War Table and that will never change. However, it's a lot more tolerable with the handy-dandy guide I use. I had been using Fextralife's guide, but I didn't care for the layout. --Got the weird little cutscene glitch in Haven. I forgot that the IQ reacts to Varric cheering at the trebuchet...even when Varric isn't there. Normally I take Varric to rescue the named NPCs, but I took Bull/Cass/Solas instead. --No dragon kills yet, but soon. I'm finally get into Tier 2-3 mats. Once I know my gear and resistance is set, I'm off to the Hinterlands. Again. I'm only level 12, so one more level should do it. --I gave my character some rather nasty and deep scars after Haven. Second from the left on the scar intensity scale. Her face doesn't look cracked, but she has a scar on her neck, a deeper one of the side of the bridge of her nose, and a very jagged and deep cut on her cheek. They aren't getting removed, but I am going to fade them over time. They'll be staying though. A few scars fit Kaliya. --Every time I play, I keep forgetting about the insane number of conversations that pops up after getting to Skyhold. I love talking to the companions, but it can feel like a bit of a slog depending upon my mood. It helps that I adore quests such as bringing Varric along to tease Cassandra about "Swords and Shields." --Her weapons are named Slash (dual-blade) and Slice. So creative I know, but I'm saving the better names for more end-game stuff. --I remember when I used to spend gold on gear. Now it's all about crafting mats to take advantage of my tier 3 (and higher) recipes. I hope that the owner is happy taking my money. Seriously, he's crazy, eternal and eternally old. If someone says that it's help fund research for his condition, then he must spend millions of gold annually on that project. Edit: Catilina I was lurking on reddit and one of your posts there mentioned it was you. I wasn't stalking, promise. Just found a very pro-Anders post and someone called you by your BSN name. Kinda odd. |
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Catilina
The Beastmaster
Wanted Apostate
Posts: 827
Likes: 3,282
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Post by Catilina on Jul 24, 2018 23:19:37 GMT
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 25, 2018 0:08:40 GMT
It was in an old reddit post that I noticed in the DA reddit. I don't remember what the context was in regards to Anders, but someone had noticed that post and asked, "Catilina?" The response was "Greetings!" It was from...about a month ago? I've been archive binging the DA reddit over the last day or so. When they said that, I recognized your writing style. I've been seeing your posts off and on for about 4 years now, so I am familiar with how you write. I had see some very anti-Chantry/pro-mage posts as well that read like your posting style. On topic: I forgot to mention that the game decided to crash on me while doing my final quest for the day. It was during Josie's quest involving "the Comte" and it crashed as I tried to go back to Skyhold. I hadn't made a hard save in the last hour, and that hour involved a crapload of conversation that I didn't want to redo. Thankfully, the autosave had kicked in just before I talked to Josie in VR. I finished the quest, got back to Skyhold and hard saved. It was annoying, but I needed to finish the chores I had for the night anyhow. I was just thankful that my auto-save didn't get corrupted. Once my 60 lb 9 month old dog settles back down, I'll be going to Crestwood. I may or may not pick up Loghain, but I'm more after the parts I need for the Assassin spec. I got lucky and already had two Assassin's Weapons looted. I could get it from the Lyrium Smugglers in the Hinterlands, but the mob density for the drop is much better in Crestwood with the bandits. |
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Catilina
The Beastmaster
Wanted Apostate
Posts: 827
Likes: 3,282
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Post by Catilina on Jul 25, 2018 0:34:22 GMT
It was in an old reddit post that I noticed in the DA reddit. I don't remember what the context was in regards to Anders, but someone had noticed that post and asked, "Catilina?" The response was "Greetings!" It was from...about a month ago? I've been archive binging the DA reddit. When they said that, I recognized your writing style. I've been seeing your posts off and on for about 4 years now, so I am familiar with how you write. I had see some very anti-Chantry/pro-mage posts as well that read like your posting style. Ah, yes. I remember. I thought it's new. From time to time people recognize me. Not that hard to recognize my "style"... haha, my terrible English and impatient answers... |
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 25, 2018 0:45:06 GMT
It was in an old reddit post that I noticed in the DA reddit. I don't remember what the context was in regards to Anders, but someone had noticed that post and asked, "Catilina?" The response was "Greetings!" It was from...about a month ago? I've been archive binging the DA reddit. When they said that, I recognized your writing style. I've been seeing your posts off and on for about 4 years now, so I am familiar with how you write. I had see some very anti-Chantry/pro-mage posts as well that read like your posting style. Ah, yes. I remember. I thought it's new. From time to time people recognize me. Not that hard to recognize my "style"... haha, my terrible English and impatient answers... Don't be too hard on yourself with your English skills my friend. You've seen the internet.  It was about how you presented your point of view. It wasn't so much the English as it was the tone. I don't think of your answers as impatient. I see them as impassioned. |
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Post by disgustednoise on Jul 25, 2018 2:37:24 GMT
So I started DAI over the weekend, but I wasn't really getting invested, so I decided to play through the other warden origin stories in DAO. I played the Mage one the very first time I picked up the game, but every time since then I've gone Human Noble.
Today I did the Dwarf Noble, City Elf, and redid the Mage. Honestly, I was really impressed and sort of disappointed in myself for not doing this earlier. I know I'm never going to be someone who does multiple complete play throughs with non-humans, but I thought the origins do a much better job of introducing the player to the different aspects of Thedas than what you get in the base game when you reach those places for the first time.
It's sort of shame that they made all of it optional and locked off to separate plays. I don't think anyone will ever replace Cousland in my heart, but (with the bi mod) I was so into the mini-romance my male Aeducan had with Gorim and I was really invested in who my Tabris was as a person. I think I might actually continue with her, rather than make a female Cousland, whenever I decide to do a Morrigan romance at some point. (Probably will be after I finally do the Alistair romance with a male Amell, though.)
I'm going to do the Dalish Elf and Dwarf Commoner tomorrow, but I already feel like I have a much better understanding of why some people are such elf/dwarf enthusiasts. it definitely feels distinctly different whereas it's mostly cosmetic in DAI.
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 26, 2018 2:02:00 GMT
disgustednoise My favorite will always be the Dwarf "commoner." I had tried the other intros, but that was the one that got me into the series. I hope you enjoy it! It turned me into a hardcore DA dwarf fan for life. Once Koda gets older, I can go back to PC gaming to replay DA:O. My PS3 is slowly dying, so I'm not picking up any more games for it. Plus, I think about playing Awakening without the bug fix mods and twitch slightly. --Ding dong, first dragon dead. As usual, I took Bull with me for the fight. Seriously, everyone should be that thrilled to go to work everyday. I haven't had the drinking scene with him yet, but that's because I've been running around. --Started the Sutherland quest chain. This is probably one of my favorite minor quests in the game. I like that we get to be the benefactor for a small rag-tag group of adventurers after so many years of playing the other way around. --I didn't have enough rep with Solas to get his quest to trigger. I decided to start Crestwood. Between questioning the lovers in the Inn and dealing with Command, I got enough to trigger the quest. As long as I keep him happy in conversations and bring him in when I click on his orbs, I'll be able to keep the Wardens intact without pissing Solas off too terribly much. --A quest in the Exalted Plains is starting to bug me. It's the quest Pressed for Cache. The commander in the far west fortress wants you to get supplies. The first 8 aren't a problem, but the last two is a different story. One of them is near the Dalish camp where the hunter fought the undead; the other is in the damn camp. It was so subtle I didn't notice it at first, but the folks in Orlais really don't give a shit about the elves. It's gotten to the point where I don't do that quest on my elven PCs period. --I'm taking around Cass/Solas/Dorian for now. I love the banter when Solas stops remembering to be angry at Tevinter and Dorian stops being self conscious and they talk shop. I keep expecting my rogue to go, "Okay, nerds." --I ended up finishing the Exalted Plains without intending to. It has imho a really good quest structure and flow. I can easily find all of the ramparts before even getting to the fort. The dalish approval is usually a done deal before I leave. The only thing I haven't done is go and kill the dragon. --I'm farming shards, but ignoring mosaics this time. I find I can only do one or the two in any given playthrough. Too much feels too grindy for me, and I'm a freak that likes grinding oftentimes in RPGs. --Josie's debt is free and clear. I'll probably never use Sister McStabby for that quest. Leliana is getting better with softening, but I'd rather not encourage her more, um, creative tendencies. More later!
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natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
Posts: 207
Likes: 1,203
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Post by natashina on Jul 26, 2018 23:04:49 GMT
I've been busy over the last day or so, both in and out of game. Few things are relaxing after spring cleaning the house like killing things.
Well, it's official: Pretty much the entire Inquisition loves my rogue. Solas, Cass, Blackwall, and Bull are all maxed out for affection. Cole, Sera, Varric, Dorian and Vivienne aren't quite there yet, but they are giving the high affection greetings. I ended up getting several quests to pop last night. Funny though. I got that high in only 5 zones. Hinterlands, Storm Coast, Fallow Mire, Crestwood and the Exalted Plains. I've never gotten such high affection so fast, even on my pro-Mage anti-Warden characters.
Now, I haven't done the Wardens quest yet, but even then, affection will be easy to regain.
--Went out to do All New for Solas. As usual, I attempted to save the spirit and let Solas kill the mages. For one, they are idiots. The guy in charge of that little band mentions that he's from Kirkwall. A place that where it is known that trying to summon spirits where the Veil is thin is a terrible idea. Also, I have no doubt that I would have wanted the same. For both my character and for myself.
--Did Cassandra's quest to go after the Lord Seeker. Replaying this quest, something occurred to me. The dialogue and the conversation trees reminded me of Hawke. Even down to how the lines were delivered. It was probably a quest that was written and worked on way back when DA:I was going to be another Hawke story.
--Saved the Chargers, naturally. I took Dorian and Solas for that trip. If you haven't, I'd recommend it. Dorian will start a debate with Gatt over the Qunari Empire during the initial conversation and Solas will question Gatt over the slavery issue. It makes me chuckle every time.
Even if I didn't know a thing about the Qun, something about how Bull says, "These are my men" would be enough to save them. To me, killing the Chargers would be killing someone's family. That's something none of my characters could/would do, especially for an alliance of convenience with a group known for wanting to take over all of Thedas.
--Dorian's quest with his father was also done. I like how the emphasis is on communication, not forgiveness. This one is a little personal for me. Without going into too many personal details, I basically grew up without my extended family due to estrangement. My mother's father adopted a son after he get remarried and wrote my mom (his only blood child) out of the will.
The kicker was my father and his dad. About a year after my dad left 'Nam (so about 1972,) my grandfather visited my dad at his house. My father had long hair and looked like a pot smoking hippie, something my grandfather never approved of. They got into a fight and didn't speak to each other until 1995. 23 years is a long time.
Anyway, my grandfather tracked down my dad and they finally started talking again. They forgave each other over a series of phone calls during the course of that summer. Things were much better and while feelings were still a little sore, they had reconnected. My grandfather was talking about coming here, and I even got my first birthday card from him.
Unfortunately, he got small cell cancer and died within weeks. He was never able to come here. All that time wasted because those two couldn't set aside their pride long enough to apologize for something stupid that happened years before I was even born.
It's not to say that I'd want or expect Dorian to forgive his father. I also know that what happened in my family is magnitudes smaller than that. However, the IQ never asks Dorian to forgive his father, nor demand that Dorian's father apologize to him. It's more about closure and it was clear to my character (and to me) that Dorian's father deeply regrets what he's done.
That doesn't mean that Dorian should immediately embrace his father in a Hallmark moment. It does mean that, for better or worse, both men have this off of their chest. Considering that Dorian is one of my current character's best friends (Cass is the other,) my rogue would want Dorian to be able to confront his father. Keeping that bottled up is unhealthy.
--I started WHWM. Since the game won't give the girls a dress (grr) and we can't even wear the mask (double grr,) I put on heavy makeup and got as girly as possible. My makeup on my characters tends to be light these days, minus the eyeliner slider. She looks great, however I am looking forward to washing her face when this is done.
I haven't gotten a chance to explore the servants quarters yet. Koda the Gigantic Puppy doesn't so much sleep as take 3-4 hour long power naps 2x a day to recharge. With the puppy bouncing on my lap and trying to get the older dog to play, I figure that it could wait. I parked poor Kaliya next to the announcer at the Ball. The names and descriptions of the nobles are pretty funny.
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Enjoy it! 
