natashina
Grizzled Warrior
I've been using a tablet for so long my laptop screen seems so big.
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Post by natashina on Sept 1, 2018 15:50:34 GMT
After finishing Trespasser again a few days ago, it got me thinking about Solas' role in DA4. For the players that dislike him, there's no need for extra motivation to make him into a fully fledged villain. However, for players that like Solas, the DA team needs to show us why he's truly a villain in the eyes of the new player character. I don't think (for the players that like him,) he'll stop being sympathetic all together, but we also need to see the other side of the story. So far, we only have Solas' word, some murals and a few cryptic books from the Shattered Library to go by. Obviously the truth isn't going to be that simple.
As I was thinking about this, I flashed back to a very early conversation with Solas. It's the one where he's talking about Ostagar and he pretty much states that both perspectives about the battle were correct. That the Fade can reveal multiple sides to the same truth and/or fact of history.
Since the Fade has become a DA tradition at this point, I was thinking about using that. Say the PC ends up in the Fade via a dream. While there they can go different rooms/areas. Each little area shows bit of the Elvhen empire at its height. Maybe even show the murder of Mythal. Then at the end of the area, some sort of a major villain moment from the Wolf's past. Something truly terrible he's willing to do in order to accomplish his goals. Something much worse than just the raw chaos and madness that removing the Veil would likely cause. Something he'd be more than willing to do again. Something that can make a sympathetic returning player (like me) feel some disgust for. I've got a few ideas, but nothing I'd call inspired.
Anyway, what do you guys think? What would you like to experience as a player for the inevitable Fade level?
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Post by Rouccoco on Sept 2, 2018 17:26:21 GMT
It would be neat to have someone, who can move around the fade without it distorting around them to match their hopes and fears. Like in Trespasser. It will happen, they're not done yet with the old elven lore. But I'm not sure how to do dream sequences without imposing strict plot timeframes.
I feel there's more to lifting the veil than just chaos. Solas is speaking as if everyone will surely die. I felt the game implied it would be a sort of atomic-like event.
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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 Sept 2, 2018 18:19:53 GMT
Well, I'm not too worried about a possible time limit to exploring the Fade. There hasn't been one so far, so I'd doubt we'd have one in DA4. For the area, I was thinking the player somehow is pulled into the memories of a spirit rather than a direct dream. Like if a spirit put the companions to sleep and is pulling them through its memories.
I think the Veil coming down is going to be disastrous in two ways. First, it's obvious that the laws of standard physics don't apply to the Fade. Without the Veil, we could suddenly see towers start floating up into the sky and other ways gravity goes haywire. However, the main issue I see is the exposure of people to spirits. An overwhelming majority of the people of Thedas hate and fear any creature of the Fade and most don't know (or care) about the existence of the more benign spirits. There is going to be a whole lot of spirits becoming demons due to this. I've thought for awhile that it was going to be the upset spirits becoming demons and attacking everyone that's going to lead to the death of people en masse.
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Catilina
The Beastmaster
Wanted Apostate
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Post by Catilina on Sept 2, 2018 18:27:36 GMT
Yes. I think this causes a chaos. Physical and mental destruction. Not necessary would die "everyone" – but it's a big change – what shakes both worlds. But I'm not that good in making theories, my imagination is very limited.
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Post by Rouccoco on Sept 2, 2018 20:03:09 GMT
Well, I'm not too worried about a possible time limit to exploring the Fade. No no, I meant that game narratives that involve world hopping in dreams have usually shorter spans - like weeks or so. When you show the PC going to sleep often, it slows the pace. On the other hand DA always had this problem, all of the games take place during at least a year, and I did not feel it with DAO and 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
|
Post by natashina on Sept 2, 2018 20:38:44 GMT
Well, I'm not too worried about a possible time limit to exploring the Fade. No no, I meant that game narratives that involve world hopping in dreams have usually shorter spans - like weeks or so. When you show the PC going to sleep often, it slows the pace. On the other hand DA always had this problem, all of the games take place during at least a year, and I did not feel it with DAO and DAI. I was just thinking a one-time dungeon like with Sloth and in the Tower in DAO. The PC and company is out exploring and run into some ancient elven ruins. Either an old trap or a guardian puts them to sleep, where a spirit shows them a few old memories of the Elvhen empire, including sort of direct "villain" moment involving Solas. Make it about the length of the Nightmare segment at about 60-90 minutes of playtime max. The one in DAO is far too long (and buggy on PC) and the one in DA2 was too short for me. A dungeon in the Fade is a DA tradition right along with the Deep Roads and shady apostates. With that in mind, I figure that a Fade dungeon that shows another side to the Elvhen empire and the Dread Wolf could be an opportunity to show a darker and less ambiguously evil side to Solas. It's also a nice tidy lore excuse to use a dungeon style that has been in all of the games so far. |
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Post by Scottphoto on Sept 25, 2018 19:17:49 GMT
Im late to this post but I think its a great idea. Not only it helps to go deep on Solas for us, but for a complete new player it also works to introduce them to Solas.
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Much love right back at ya!
