Childer, Witches and Oh My! - Let's Play Dragon Age DLC!

Rogueheart · Dec 29, 2012

I was so mad you couldn't just go in there and kill Vaughan then but I suppose my Warden wouldn't have had a story if that had been the case but still ugh hate him so much ugh ugh.

Davian Korran · Dec 29, 2012

Rogueheart said: ↑

I was so mad you couldn't just go in there and kill Vaughan then but I suppose my Warden wouldn't have had a story if that had been the case but still ugh hate him so much ugh ugh.

I'm right there with you... I was told in the DA2 thread Vaughan is so terrible he draws down Male Hawke for some people just because they share VA, that's how bad he is.

Joie de Combat said: ↑

And I'm realizing as we go along that I never actually managed to hear this story or encounter Marjolaine in DAO, either.

My first run through, when I got to Lothering and the guy outside the inn helpfully warned me not to go inside because Loghain's men were in there, I had a momentary lapse, forgot I was playing an RPG, and thought 'hey, that sounds like good advice, I should avoid going in there'. So I missed recruiting Leliana entirely.

By my second pass through, I'd learned better, but I fell afoul of that bug or whatever it was that made it so if Leliana likes you too much too fast a lot of her personal stuff fails to trigger.

Whoops!

If you want, I think I can scrounge up a save with the meeting with Marjorlaine in the very least and screenshot it for you. I'm more unsure on the relating of her tale since I tend to get that very early.

Davian Korran · Dec 30, 2012

Okay, it turned out I had an autosave literally RIGHT before confronting her. The story, though, is a loss. You can probably catch it on youtube, though.

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spoiler_warning: Majorlaine's appearance in DAO with special guest star Davian Cousland spoiling the hell out of Leliana's Song

The lead-in here is having Leliana tell you her story. The next time you travel, a random encounter will travel where you meet a band of highly trained mercenaries who on defeat will reveal that they were paid to kill a 'little red-haired girl' and do with her companions as they pleased. They also reveal their contact was in Denerim, so naturally, after advising you spare their lives, Leliana would like to go there as she suspects Majorlaine has found her.

She's right. And yes, that dress is the lootable I was talking about.

I took out my Dragon Age Redesigned Leliana mod, but I wasn't in the mood for digging out Sten's. Basically, as I play DAO and DA2 back-to-back a lot, most of my mods that aren't sprucing up NPCs to make a rerun for the tenth time funnier are about matching things between the games. Sten's armour there is also user content.

And yes, the account I use is half named for that vacuously staring young lady next to Leliana.

This was also for me a good preview of what screenshotting Awakening and Witch Hunt will be like. What I did here was highlight the response I was going to make. Does that translate well enough, those of you who read this?

That line of hers started a slight running in-mythos gag, incidently. A few Kirkwallers also think the place smells like wet dog.

Gee, thanks, Majorlaine. Still a bitch, I see.

Pictured: Mid-blink screenshots actually supporting the model's acting.

I should add here Leliana isn't sparkling, it's the visual effect from her passive buff, Song of Courage, which increases party mana/stamina regen, and the stars move upwards. I just accidently caught one sitting on her collar.

Leliana, the LP already established she's a creepy bitch even to people who can't hear her talk. And I can. Ever so much.

Again, my praise to the voice actress who manage to make the first part of the line sound very. very creepy indeed.

At least Present Day Leliana seems to have finally had enough of her shit. Finally.

... so, yeah, I think we need an adult. I swear, she's even creepier to me after the discussion earlier. I did cut a line before this where she flatly admits she thinks Leliana has evidence she can use to get her into trouble and that she's very willing to murder her so save her own skin, so there's that, too.

And seriously, Leliana's hair is neater than it was in Song. She's even got a tiny braid in it. It's not boyish.

(The comment does make sense with the usual mod I use for her that does make her hair frizz up and look a tad messy, I suppose)

I've no idea the time it's been, but I like to imagine Majorlaine just sat on her ass in that rose bush Leliana mentioned for years, waiting for the time to jump put and offer her a ride home to Orlais.

Leliana, like the player at this stage, has a hard time believing how egocentric she is. Unfortunately, unlike Gossam Tabris or Daala Brosca, Davian isn't sassy enough to pick the first option. Sten seethes with dissapointment.

Leliana makes the best faces sometimes. The very best.

She has some more lines before this about how Leliana is just pretending to be a great galpal, that she will turn on us, blah-blah, it's hard to hear over how much of a bitch she is.

Davian's response was basically that she trusts Leliana no matter what she says, and this line of Leliana's follows a touched "Thank you."

Aaaaand then we fight. And as usual I am very smartly starting this quest before I have insta-Wynne, that is, I have no healer and Sten is made of wet tissue paper.

Don't let her fighting in a dress using her fists fool you. Majorlaine is a Boss Class mob, has a ton of health and hits like a truck. Ignore the random Qunari in the back - another mod to match their appearance to DA2.

Eventually, she dies.

When she falls, Leliana has this to say.

This triggers the famous Hardening/Not Hardening conversation back at camp. I never harden her. Why prove Majorlaine right?

And that concludes Majorlaine's appearance. I am impressed how memorable she is considering the short screentime she has, and I think putting her in a DLC was the right choice - even if they had to change a few story details.

Davian Korran · Dec 30, 2012

Meanwhile, back in the madsafehouse

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First stop, Lem. Leliana has taken to fidgetting every time she's in frame, so I tend to agree with Lem there.

At this point you finally feel like all those points you allocated in Cunning every time she leveled up actually pays. Yes, Leliana! Hold on to that critical sense!

You're kind of a greedy bastard, Lem, aren't you? You're lucky Joyce isn't the protagonist.

I feel pretty sorry for Leliana through this entire segment. It's a solid reminder how young she is during all this. You get the feeling it's literally the first time she's seen something she isn't entirely convinced Majorlaine can make okay. It's a tragic coming of age story in that reading. Coming to realize your parents or authority figure can't just fix everything and isn't infalliable.

Shorthand: Some adults are jerks. Thanks for nothing, Lem. We'll be over here, talking to Sketch. After we buy him some upgrades.

Leliana walks in on Sketch and Tug arguing about the dinner. Indication is Sketch is the one cooking, so Leliana seems to think that's a fine way to begin the conversation.

Leliana realizes at this point it's worse on Sketch regardless. He's not only an illegal mage who will be tossed into the Tower og Mgai if caught, he's an elf, second-class citizen and there's a significant risk they'll just murder him and be done with it.

Another really young line from Leliana. 'We can fix this' becomes her litany during this part, and the earnest way she says it is heartbreaking. She believes.

Sketch isn't buying what she's selling, but then he's really the character with the most to lose here.

Leliana can't imagine things going so badly they have to avoid their home country, Orlais, altogether. Well, Majorlaine's, anyway. We know from DAO Leliana was born in Ferelden but raised in Orlais, and Sketch and Tug's accents really aren't all that Orlesian. Mark of the Assassin establishes City Elves in Orlais do have the accent, so...

Oh Sketch... it reminds me of a line in Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords when you discuss her mother with the Handmaiden and she has a line that always struck me as profoundly sad where she points out to miss her mother she'd have to have known her. No longing where there was no absence to be filled or something.

Sketch is basically saying here he'd prefer the fear of loss because then at least he'd have something. It's a very telling moment for the character.

Mercifully, Tug brings us back down to earth before I pontificate too much.

God, I love these two. And Sketch's delivery, incidently, is basically "You murder music." said very dryly.

Goddamnit, Leliana, I want to know more character stuff!

Don't ask me what he thinks Majorlaine tells Leliana that he has to make that face. This part was a pain to screenshot, too, because the hand-to-face proportions on the male elf is pretty bad, and half the screenshots had GIANT DISTURBING MEATHOOKS waving around his face.

Tug helps bring the point home. Leliana doesn't seem to get it.

At this point me playing goes HOW DID I MISS ALL THIS THE FIRST TIME and I start thinking on that speech earlier. Leliana's Song is veeeeery subtle on characterization for a Bioware game. As I said, it doesn't help you barely ever talk to your companions.

Epiphany ignored! But she is right about needing to bring this to Majorlaine directly. I just like to pause for character, because in the end it's what makes the RPG to me.

Thanks, Sketch, love you, too! Don't make such a sad face...

And now for something completely different: A dwarf with a tattoo on his face.

Davian Korran · Dec 30, 2012

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It's like Sketch is the little brother she plays confident with, but with Tug he's the big brother and she wants his output.

Tug is pretty much all for letting people figuring things out for themselves.

I'll let you decide if he's wise or just lazy.

As an aside, the lighting is done beautifully for this sequence.

That's a healthy attitude you got there, Tug.

New to the player, but nice way to slip it in. For some random bothering nobles, Majorlaine sure put a lot of work into this.

Tug probably has the hard of it there, and good eyes. She might even have assumed it would stop any questions being asked. Tug is pretty reticient, but Leliana is cocky and talkative, and Sketch the nervous type.

Oh Leliana, you break my heart sometimes. Against, this is just so earnestly voiced.

I remember keenly why I like you now, Tug.

Again, just a nice, subtle change in tone. With Sketch she's convincing, with Tug she's seeking approval.

Aw, he's like an aloof older brother. A perverted aloof older brother.

I swear, it's like she's using the reality check Sketch pulled now to impress him and it's adorable.

I love how the conversations with Sketch and Tug have Leliana on the opposite side of nearly every argument made.

But Tug has some pull, and she's willing to listen to what he says, especially if it saves her a potentially frustrating conversation with the woman she loves.

Tug gives her an inch, maybe in recognition of her faltering conviction.

He's just so lazy he prefers Leliana takes the fallout, or, he is wise enough to know if Majorlaine listens to anyone, it's Leliana. Take your pick.

As I said, litany. Poor girl.

Thank you, Tug, that was reassuring. Now, you can check out Tug's bedroll and Sketch's books for the most information you will ever get of these two guys.

No joke, I have university books I haven't sold for EXACTLY that reason. 'Descriptive Danish Economy' isn't exactly something you take with you to read you to sleep. Because it would work too well and then it'd slam on your face and break your skull.

I have to date not looked up 'callus' because I am afraid what I am going to find out. Damnit, Tug.

Davian Korran · Dec 30, 2012

So, we take our worries to Majorlaine. Want to take bets at how that goes over?

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I really wish I had a shot of her looking less like she's about to wag her finger and go "OH NO, YOU DIDN'T!". Leliana, however, stands her ground.

Just to confirm, really, that Leliana is like a blundering kid sometimes. Other people aren't really people to her at this point, they're toys in the game. When it concerns a person she does care about, though, her heart will never stop bleeding.

Incidently, when she tells the story to the Warden she phrases this part approximately so: "My life as a bard taught me that allegiances must be kept fluid. It was not my concern was that she was a traitor, but that she could be punished if she were caught."

Goddamnit, Majorlaine. It's impossible to talk to you. Leliana in the tale glosses over this part and just leaves it at Majorlaine avoiding the question and saying it was an old case, a closed matter.

You have an option to admit jealousy here, but Leliana's seemed more concerned with the papers after that issue arose, so I go with the option to probe into this.

Leliana, you're a dear person, but I was hoping for more anger. Oh well.

Good, thanks, Majorlaine, we needed more creepy from you.

Leliana is too worried to go along with this, though. I like to think part of Sketch's concerns weigh on her, but, eh, probably not. She's sincerely just trying to save her cocky lover from her own arrogance.

There's a slight switch in Majorlaine's tone here. She sounds the slightest bit more serious now.

"I believed her." Leliana later tells the Warden. And why wouldn't she?

That line, that face, that voice. After this I am going to eat cream-rye-chocolate mix.

I think it says a lot for Leliana's character that she is thanking Majorlaine for something they're primarily undertaking so MAJORLAINE won't be hanged.

Still, Leliana is appeased and Majorlaine leaves the room. We go back to check in with Tug.

Tug's a good guy. And what on earth is Sketch's legs doing?

And here we get 'fix it' for the third time. Leliana's really hanging onto this, with that childlike, blind faith she has in Majorlaine at all times.

Tug turns back to the fire after that cryptic comment and all Sketch gives is passive dialogue he wants this overwith, so we go to Majorlaine to change scene.

When the woman who thought breaking into the Arl's estate was a fun vacation says 'not easy', you better believe her. My guess; the game warns me I should clear inventory and buy stuff.

Note also Leliana's Song has a REALLY annoying habit. It's want to remove your weapons every time you speak to Majorlaine so you have to put them on manually. It's especially dangerous if you accidently sell them.

Considering the noise, I think what we did was closer to being a 'blunder in'.

Pictured: Leliana being innocently optimistic and precious.

And even Majorlaine is moderately reassuring! Off to the estate we go, lads!

Eightball · Dec 31, 2012

I never noticed how bony...Leliana's collar bones are. Good lord.

Davian Korran · Dec 31, 2012

Eightball said: ↑

I never noticed how bony...Leliana's collar bones are. Good lord.

DAO anatomy can get confusing, especially on the women. She has collar bones of an underweight woman, but she clearly isn't. The Studded Leather female look, though, is another reason I was so fond of DA2's armour generally covering a bit (not as bad at the Dalish set, though). And the hands are less gigantic. I mean... these hands... they can nearly wrap over their entire skull, some of the characters...

Sheepherder · Dec 31, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

That line, that face, that voice. After this I am going to eat cream-rye-chocolate mix.

+ + = ???

Davian Korran · Dec 31, 2012

Sheepherder said: ↑

+ + = ???

I am so bummed I ate the last so I can't show you. Basically, what you do it you put dark rye bread and 70% chocolate in a mixer, then layer that with whipped cream and add a veneer of family tradition and myth and you get what we call the family Christmas Dessert.

We... make bread from rye here.

Davian Korran · Dec 31, 2012

Back on topic, it's time to go back to the future estate,

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Leliana does her best to look and sound optimistic, but you get the general sense she's been chipperly chatting away to avoid nervous, prolonged silences for a while now, and Majorlaine just 'mmm's her.

Thanks, Majorlaine, your overwhelming gratitude make the grave risk we take to save your ass all worth it. Leliana, once again disappointing me, doesn't call her a bitch and just steps forward to take the papers.

As she does, though, she's startled by a ruckus in the castle.

As usual, Tug is genre savvy enough to know when things have gone bad and calm enough to mostly sound mildly irritated when it does.

And then she runs off. Goddamnit, Majorlaine.

After taking a moment to gear up Sketch with stuff I bought from Lem, though, we're on her tail. Or would have been if she didn't goddamn disappear on us all the time.

You don't have to do all that much fighting heading out, but if you miss out on loot and cash and we can't have that, can we?

As a nice little vignette callfoward, you find one room filled with the mabari hound meals, dead nugs, which really gets to Leliana, who can't believe anyone could make themselves kill such an adorable creature.

Your Warden can heal that bit of pain by giving her a pet nug in DAO. She calls it 'Schmooples'.

DAO, like DA2 has some killing blow emotions, and a few are very nicely choreographed, which can be hard to remember over all the blood gushing everywhere. Regardless, with the Weapon Master defeated, we can safely loot the armory and make a beeline for the exit in pretty much the exact opposite route the City Elf takes in their Origin, provided they're male and coming to help the women.

It's not a long way out, but Sketch and Tug will urge you on if you dally around to loot. Not that I care, but it's a nice touch to add in some urgency.

We get out, but as usual, Tug has a good point. It wasn't that hard to make it out here considering the alarm was struck.

To Leliana, though, it goes like this: Mortal Danger < Majorlaine. It's her story, so we humour her.

As luck would have it, she's right on our path out anyway. And acting so suspicious even Leliana is starting to get it.

Leliana, you're a sweet, dutiful girl, and I really think you deserve better. I just wanted that said as soon as possible.

Majorlaine FINALLY stops sounding sultry and menacing, and somehow her maternal, calming voice is even creepier.

Leliana, probably close to a heart attack, keeps trying to stay positive. Her entire voice direction here seems to have read 'CHILD LOST IN SUPERMARKET' and it's very effective. That innocent, never-faltering hope in her voice.

Majorlaine makes sure we remember she's creepy as hell in case we have the memory of goldfish. And yes, she whispers this part.

Poor Leliana. Poor, poor stupid Leliana. I doubt Majorlaine likes to share plan credit, for one.

If you go a few screenshots back you'll notice she was wearing a knife in the wide shot that's disappeared when the cutscene starts. Or rather...

It went into her hand. And now it's gone into something else.

If you need a moment to scream FUCK YOU, MAJORLAINE, I will understand. And goddamnit, Song of Courage, NOT the place to apply a sparkle. Goddamnit. And goddamn Majorlaine, goddamnit. You're even smiling when you do it, GODDAMNIT.

Davian Korran · Dec 31, 2012

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TV reliably informs me pulling a knife out is a bad idea, Leliana, you might bleed out. And anyway, why do you look so happy? I really didn't get lucky screenhotting this part in general. It's hard when the model moves so much.

Goddamnit, Majorlaine.

Leliana is starting to pass out at this stage, but we get the first good view at Majorlaine's knife. It's changed materials from when she was friendly, for some reason; it was Red Iron before. And heeeey, remember that asshole she was seducing before? He's back. And the game now introduces him as Harwen Raleigh. Remember the journals? Yeah.

Sketch, I love you, but I didn't buy you that gear just to watch you give up. SET EVERYONE ON FIRE, aren't you a mage? Zafehouse: Diaries reliably informed me fire solves EVERYTHING.

Fuck everything FUCK YOU. For once Song of Courage helps, though, by adding some lipgloss on his face.

(The story here cuts sharply from the tale related in DAO. Leliana never mentions Raleigh, she claims Majorlaine just said she would take care of it and altered the documents so Leliana was the apparent traitor, then had her arrested by the chevaliers.)

Harwen tries, but on the creeper scale, he's no Majorlaine. She, at least, stays mercifully quiet throughout this.

SKETCH, FIRE. NOW.

Alas, the screen goes black during his line, and it soon fades into weak, miserable sobs...

.... as we find Leliana in a dungeon, broken, wounded and miserable, betrayed by the woman she loved and bereft of her friends. And... that's a lot of blood...

A hole in the ceiling decides now would be a good time to have a word and I spend a moment wondering why she's in a cell with a giant hole in it before I realize it's a hole for air and it's barred, it's just hard to tell in the light.

Leliana is, understandably, not as trusting these days. And this IS a female voice with an Orlesian accent, though it doesn't sound like Majorlaine. Someone older, maybe.

Leliana, maybe realizing she doesn't have much to lose, rises and limps over to stand under the light.

That's right! We'll find Sketch and Tug soon enough, and then we'll get out of here! You're capped in lockpicking, after all.

In case we needed a reminder of what a callous bitch Majorlaine is. Leliana has a line in DAO where she mentions Majorlaine loved her only so long as she could control her. It's not that out there from what we've seen she seduced Leliana and trained her just to have an extra pair of hands hauling in cash for her.

And Leliana seems to finally catch on to that, too. Unfortunately she does so with the realization she's screwed.

Voice From Above, though, tosses down a small present and brings out a good point. Leliana mentions her mother was a servant to an Orlesian Lady, Cecilie, who took Leliana in and raised her after her mother died. She's never been alone in the sense she has been for however long she's been in this cellar, tortured and frightened.

A line that makes a lot of sense if you know Leliana from DAO.

That, however, is all it had to offer, and Leliana is deeply frustrated.

Not to mention, understandably frightened and helpless at the only kind voice she's heard a while just demanding things from her and turning away.

No answer. It seems we're alone in this and, hilariously, we have none of our items!

Leliana is understandably thrilled about having to break out barehanded, but this is quite my favourite game scenario in DAO. I like breaking out and making do with what I can loot off enemies. Sort of like a survival mode, I guess, or like the Peragus Level in TSL.

Leliana is not suitably impressed considering she at least isn't starting off in her underwear. However, there's the matter of the package Voice left...

Voice, I LIKE you. Dragonbone, incidently, is one of the highest material tiers in the game. Due to the mod, it's going to be bright golden for us.

(Leliana gets her second specialization at this level and I make her a Ranger. I always make her Bard/Ranger and Zevran Assassin/Duelist.)

Rogueheart · Dec 31, 2012

The sparkle on the knife made me spit my drink. Beautiful.

I really like Sketch getting all afraid, personally. It warmed my cockles to see Tug kind of really defending him, 'cause they're good bros. :] Excellent excellent companions.

Davian Korran · Dec 31, 2012

Rogueheart said: ↑

The sparkle on the knife made me spit my drink. Beautiful.

I really like Sketch getting all afraid, personally. It warmed my cockles to see Tug kind of really defending him, 'cause they're good bros. :] Excellent excellent companions.

Song of Courage is the gift that never stops giving. I'll miss it when I play a character who doesn't have it. Oh well, maybe if the Rogue option wins for Awakening!

It's entirely IC for Sketch to give up, I'm just grousing because I have realized Tug always gently ribs him because he's soooo ribbable along with being adorable and precious. I really like those subtle character things they always give Tug, though, and the trying to defend a hapless Sketch always wins first prize there.

Sheepherder · Jan 1, 2013

Davian Korran said: ↑

I am so bummed I ate the last so I can't show you. Basically, what you do it you put dark rye bread and 70% chocolate in a mixer, then layer that with whipped cream and add a veneer of family tradition and myth and you get what we call the family Christmas Dessert.

We... make bread from rye here.

I am aware you were referring to Rye bread, I just have an odd sense of humor. I was just wondering how you manage to put bread, chocolate, and cream together. Now I know: it's more or less a bread pudding. Delightful.

Davian Korran · Jan 1, 2013

Sheepherder said: ↑

I am aware you were referring to Rye bread, I just have an odd sense of humor. I was just wondering how you manage to put bread, chocolate, and cream together. Now I know: it's more or less a bread pudding. Delightful.

It apparently used to be something called 'Peasant Girl in Veils' but somewhere along the line I think the Second Word War got in the way of having apples to put in it, so now we're making bread pudding with this filling.

I'd actually wish when they do so much other random entries Bioware could have left more than just joke recipes in DAO. Apart from confirming apples and cabbages exist it's pretty unclear what the characters eat. You see dead oxen sometimes, and I think Alistair mentions some sort of lamb dish bantering with Leliana, but... actually, come to think on it, that banter told me everything I needed or wanted to know about Fereldan 'cuisine'.

Davian Korran · Jan 1, 2013

On the less distubring front, it's time to pull a prison break.

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The key works on the door, and Leliana is at least through one difficult stage of the plan. Walk With Multiple Stab Wounds is a work in progress.

She doesn't exactly make it very far, though. The path ahead is swoftly found to be blocked, and the now mockingly titled main quest, The Game, highlights a crank in the next room.

The door is opened with predictably results. However, Sketch cries out, and Leliana yells his name back. There's also some strange guy in the room who's clearly a fellow prisoners, but no sign of Tug... yet.

Leliana proves herself very useful indeed with that nice little knife, which is good because Strange Guy is busy wetting himself and Sketch is barely conscious on the floor. Unfortunately I miss Leliana scoring a decapication critical hit when she kills the guy coming in from the right here.

When they fall, Sketch and Guy joins us, and Guy speaks just enough to reveal he's voiced by Adam Howden, who provided the voice for Anders in Dragon Age II.

Leliana sounds close to despair when she says "Not more of them..." which is a telling contrast to her giggling delight in every fight earlier. but with the aid of primarily Sketch who has acces to all his abilities no matter what weapon he has or hasn't, we pull through and I take a moment to level up Sketch and our new pal...

... new pal Silas. I give him the Templar specialization and notice his allocated points are all in sword-and-shield as well as Base Warrior. Rather like... Tug.

Sketch gets Arcane Warrior as his second spec.

She seriously sounds like she's about to cry saying this, and she worries Sketch, too, who sounds genuinely concerned as he says "Leliana?"

On that cheerful note, we approach the chest over yonder, hoping Raleigh being an utter douchebag also means he does the classic mistake of stashing our stuff nearby.

Score. Unfortunately, Tug's stuff isn't here, so Silas will have to fight without boots, gloves or a shield for now. That makes him essentially dead weight because most of his abilities tie to bashing a shield into stuff.

We gear back up, pull the lever and...

Run a very short distance before being plot-blocked again. Silas does remark on the absurdity, but inside we go.

Into the ostensible torture chamber. Silas does make use of his one Templar ability to seriously mess up the mage leading the enemies in here, but it's hard to notice anything over the thick cloud of creepy and... what's that on the rack?

Blood... everywhere... and bones... and I think we solved who was using the torture chamber back at the estate.

We approach the main chamber, and Leliana runs inside in a cutscene, making a face.

Pictured: Worst moment in the game.

We got here too late, and Sketch sounds absolutely heartbroken trying to speak to a body that isn't Tug anymore. They didn't even leave him his dignity, and Silas is respectful enough to stand back and be silent while Sketch and Leliana's hearts break into bits.

GODDAMNIT, MAJORLAINE.

Finally, Leliana and myself are in accord. A telling moment for her character, though. When it's escaping for her own sake she wants as little fuss at possible, doesn't care about punishing the guilty, but now she's lost a close friend, it's a different matter entirely. I sometimes wish they'd done a DLC for each companion, really. I enjoy this in-depth look at Leliana.

We do still need to get out, though, and I loot a nearby rack hoping to find a shield for Silas. Instead... we find a few commodities and... Tug's axe.

Apart from this being genuinely sweet and heartbreaking, I'm realizing as I write this the sentence is in play elsewhere. In DA2 you can find a hidden vendor called a Nexus Golem who will spew several weird sentences, a few being in Dwarven, but apart from mentioning the Shaperate and times turning, he says "The stone lives beneath Orlais."

Tug's Edge is an unusual gift in that it can be given to more than one companion. Silas will transform it into a weapon, and Sketch will gain massive approval, but is unable to use it, and as such, the item is lost.

Vote time.

Do we give the weapon to Sketch as a memento of his friend?
Or
Do we give the weapon to Silas to use for our escape?

I will mention Silas is currently armed.

Joie de Combat · Jan 1, 2013

Aw, Tug. :c

Give it to Sketch. It's the least we can do.

Davian Korran · Jan 1, 2013

Joie de Combat said: ↑

Aw, Tug. :c

Give it to Sketch. It's the least we can do.

I honestly don't see anyone contesting that since I know Rogueheart adores Sketch and Minardii liked that post, so ONWARDS TO FREEDOM.

Drink from the pool
How clean the taste
Never forget the years
The waste
Do not forgive them for what they've done
They are the guilty
Everyone!
The day begins and now let's see
What this new would can do for me...

*ahem*

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spoiler_warning: Update within

It goes without saying I find this so heart-warming I couldn't ever not hand it over to him, even if it meant having Silas fight bare-fist as well as bare-foot.

The voice acting here is also genuinely sweet. It feels like a bigger moment than screenshot can convey.

He says this very tightly and firmly. More conviction than he's shown towards anything so far, poor lad. Unfortunately, we can't do anything else for Tug - not even bring his body with us to make sure it's treated respectfully.

Oh shut up, Silas, this is why nobody likes Anders. Relatively speaking.

Let's just focus on finding you some boots before you catch pneunomia.

Three steps and we run into a new pair of mobs who, as usual, surrounds Leliana. Silas can't do much tanking without a shield or... much armour... so I take it slow and careful and activate the Bard Ultimate: Captivating song. It pacifies and grounds Leliana, but it also stuns every enemy in range, so Silas and Sketch can work through them.

Happily, we locate a shield at long last in a chest they were guarding, and Silas goes from entirely useless to designated tank. In theory he should actually be better at it than poor Tug, Maker rest his soul, because he has a slight bit more focus on defensive talents.

In the next room, we find even more guards, as well as a woman crying for help. More victims of Raleigh. I really don't like him.

At least they're all still alive, and that's when we run into holdasecond.

My jaw absolutely dropped when I did Song for the first time. I haven't played a single Origin as much as the City Elf one, so Adaia's name was intimately familiar to me being I wear her boots for the first part of the game as one. As inherited and passed on by my character's father. From my character's mother.

There was some spinning in chairs and giggling.

Actually, Adaia, from Cyrus' stories, the wonderful one is you.

Adaia has very few lines, but I felt really glad to be able to help her when it's too late as of DAO where she's once again gotten entangled trying to fight unjust humans and dies. As for teaching her kid...

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Several years later, at the bank of Lake Calenhad

"Gossam, now we're dating and all it might be a good time to tell you how I met your mother."

Not gonna lie, as much as her cynical cockyness was getting on my nerves, I'd feel better with it than poor Leliana being this depressed and despondent. Goddamnit, Majorlaine.

The other two prisoners aren't famous cameos or anything, but I wanted to include their lines because I think it's the first time Leliana has truly felt the warm, fuzzy sensation of helping someone without getting anything in return but knowledge you did the right thing. Maybe as Voice intended, maybe not, but regardless, it doesn't stop her moving forward.

Despite gaining so much affection from the gift he got a massive bonus to his Magic skill, Sketch very nearly lets Leliana die in the next battle by using Heal on himself when he's at 30% health and she's at 10% and getting clobbered by a mage. Thanks, dude.

The voice acting here sounds strained and out of breath and kindly reminds you of the fact this level started with Leliana sobbing in a pool of her own blood. She's been going on adrenaline, but she's close to spent now.

Happily, we're almost through, which is good, because the next moment the door starts glowing. I've seen light act like that precisely once in my life when I nearly passed out from dehydration on a bike trip. Not a good sign.

She limps a few steps, then falls on her knees and crawls forward. I assume Silas and Sketch watch in shocked horror rather than BEING JERKS WHO AREN'T HELPING.

(Seriously, the light acted just like that. It was like the entire world went shiny.)

Not thanks to those two bastards, she gets up and determinedly limps on, gasping and groaning with pain for each step.

And then she falls with a thud as the life engulfs everything...

And Voice is the last thing she hears before falling into merciful unconscious...

Minardii · Jan 1, 2013

Ha, I do love how Silias was like "Coulda used that :(". And I totally, totally would have missed the subtle "Hey City elf originnnn..." reference. I am ashamed. (So shocking, but it's my favorite origin as a female. Noble's my other one).

Awesome! But uh oh.

Davian Korran · Jan 1, 2013

Minardii said: ↑

Ha, I do love how Silias was like "Coulda used that :(". And I totally, totally would have missed the subtle "Hey City elf originnnn..." reference. I am ashamed. (So shocking, but it's my favorite origin as a female. Noble's my other one).

Awesome! But uh oh.

Uh-oh indeed...

It's actually the same for me. I really like the Human Noble as a female and the City Elf for either gender. City Elf is the only Origin I finished the game as for both genders, and I was beyond giddy it got a reference in Leliana's Song, which is probably some of my favourite DLC for the game in total.

Rogueheart · Jan 1, 2013

ADAIA. MOMMY.

/lies on side

/feels everything

Davian Korran · Jan 2, 2013

So, the talking and talking and talking in one incredibly unbroken sentence moving from topic to topic so that no had the chance to interrupt it, really it was quite hypnotic went on for 100 screenshots after severe cropping efforts. I really don't like it when it splits 100 because if you do two batches they won't be symmetrical and 40 always felt like a small batch to me. All the same, in the interest of not clogging the page up, I'll see if I can't sensibly split this between two days.

Also, I would like you all to start considering Awakening because we're close to done with Song (as per usual, kindly bold your votes). Namely:

THE WARDEN
Origins Import
Orlesian Warden

I have a Warden of pretty much every gender and origin and if I don't, they can be insta-levelled to Awakening on import even if they didn't finish Awakening. See it basically as what sort of Origin you'd like to see the characters react to.

GENDER
Female
Male

RACE
Dwarf
Elf
Human

CLASS
Mage
Rogue
Warrior

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Anything you'd like here, really. Thanks to appearance mods demanding certain CC mods installed, the CC can do some truly freaky things. If for instance you want anime hairstyles and pink eyes or hair it's doable (but please don't? XD). Mostly I mean skin tone, eye hue, general hairstyle, that sort of thing. Only applies if I'm not importing an existing Warden, a fairly exhausting list of which can be found here.

GENERAL CHARACTER CUE
Nice
Selfish
Violent

I'll leave all actual plot decisions to vote, but I don't want to pause every time the choice is basically "be rude" or "be nice", so as a general advisory, I'd like to know this.

And of course if you don't care either way, feel free to just vote on what does matter to you.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

The screen fades back to images as some unknown voice screams, then cries out for this nice lady, presumably Dorothea, who is rushing towards a chamber.

Leliana acts on her understandably rattled survival instinct, but really, that woman isn't even armed and I doubt the dungeon was filled with Chantry sisters.

Dorothea chooses this moment to speak and reveal herself as Voice. Maybe realizing as much, Leliana puts the knife away. Everyone still has disturbingly gigantic hands.

Dorothea reveals a pleasant amount of common human empathy that might just save her from getting stabbed. it might be a good time to mention that...

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spoiler_warning

... Codex entries in DA2 will mention the current Divine, that is, the Pope in the Chantry structure, Justinia, was named Dorothea before taking her Divine name. Just putting it out there.

... Leliana's care count might have risen, but not that much. Not that I can fault her for being in a foul mood, exactly.

Making her basically a bishop in terms of real-world Christian Church ranks. It goes Brother/Sister>Mother>Revered Mother>Grand Cleric>Divine. As you may have noticed, only women can rise in rank because Andraste was a woman.

I'm not sure if she's snapped from the abuse or just can't believe this shit never stops getting worse, but in any case, that smile is a bit unsettling.

What, you're Orlesian, too? NEVER would have guessed from the AK-ZENT.

Pictured: The moment most players start wondering what the hell Majorlaine got them into.

Leliana wisely focusses on a topic less likely to break her brain. I'm just glad she stopped smiling.

She has a throwaway aside after this about how Leliana would look good in braids which is of course a reference to her hairstyle in DAO.

I also really like the Origins style Chantry look. I'm fairly sure it's a deliberate choice to make them look danger and less bright in DA2. Leliana's Song is very nicely played back to back with DA2 because they radically differ in what sides of the Chantry they show. Hold Dorothea against Mother Petrice and you'll see what I mean.

And then cleanse your brain from exposure to that bitch.

Ah, sorry, Dorothea, what were we talking about? Oh, right, why you cared enough about Leliana specifically to play the Myriel to her Valjean.

(Sorry, it's the avatar, I have to reference when it's THAT obvious)

... wait, what? Aren't you a priest?

... you're not suggesting that...

Yes, Leliana, focus on your outrage! That's also pretty fair because, SERIOUSLY, JESUS CHRIST, IF YOU'D WATCHED THOSE PAPERS BETTER, TUG WOULD STILL BE ALIVE.

*facepalm* Please tell me you mean it was while you were asleep. Or poisoned.

Thea, REALLY not helping me sell you as an example of the Chantry's good sides here. Still, I guess erare humanum est and all that. At least the rest of her lines make a lot of sense now. And goddamnit, Majorlaine, you can't just treat people that way. Or, evidently, you can, but you shouldn't.

Understandably losing Tug and being tortured because Dorothea couldn't say no has left Leliana somewhat unable to sympatize with the woman's broken heart or resulting issues from the theft.

... what?

She does say it very earnestly, and she doesn't have the profound creeper vibe Majorlaine does, but that's still a weird thing to say out of the blue. Leliana's main need was not bleeding her kidneys out and that's taken care of, so...

Joie de Combat · Jan 2, 2013

Davian Korran said: ↑

Also, I would like you all to start considering Awakening because we're close to done with Song (as per usual, kindly bold your votes).

I have to go with a Female Human Rogue from an Origins import, operating on a generally nice character axis.

Especially if we're going to be hanging around with Nathaniel a lot. Playing a Cousland opposite Nate just gives us that extra degree of tasty, tasty backstory!

Davian Korran · Jan 2, 2013

Joie de Combat said: ↑

I have to go with a Female Human Rogue from an Origins import, operating on a generally nice character axis.

Especially if we're going to be hanging around with Nathaniel a lot. Playing a Cousland opposite Nate just gives us that extra degree of tasty, tasty backstory!

I like the way you think!

(Sorry for the slow respond time; I am trying to teach my mother to play Xbox.)

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

I love how Leliana's ability to be sceptical is inversely proportional with how kind the person she's speaking to is. Granted, Dorothea hasn't exactly oozed of competence so far, so maybe it doesn't hurt to be sceptical if she actively tries to help you.

This just in: Majorlaine always was a bitch who used and discarded people. Glad we got that cleared.

Translation: I am going to point you at Majorlaine like a Leliana-shaped missile to save my own ass. Well, if Ferelden has a word for missiles.

She leaves a very listless and despondent Leliana behind. I take a moment to rummage around for the last Masterwork Leather Piece, and after assembling the Battledress of the Provocateur, I go looking for Sketch, who is very relieved to see us alive.

A weird way to phrase it, but your're welcome, sweetie. You look awful fancy in that robe, though. Stats aside, maybe I shouldn't have bought it.

Ah. Fuck Raleigh. And fuck Majorlaine. Did she really have to involve Sketch and Tug when she's only really screwing with Leliana, or was making Leliana the one to be sold as the ringleader some kind of twisted display of affection?

(Again, breaks from the story, in DAO Leliana says it was Orlesians who tortured her - basically what would have happened if Raleigh sold her on, I guess, and thereby omitting the whole I Helped Orlais bit which might be a good idea talking to a Fereldan.)

You and me both, Leliana. I'll miss him. And I do wonder if Leliana just omits Sketch and Tug in DAO because it's still too painful for her to discuss.

Oh God, Tug... he must have known what would happen, why would he take that risk?

... oh Tug... Sorry I ever even considered passing the axe on to Silas...

Another scene with poignant voice acting from them both. Leliana pretty much sounds like the player might be feeling if they were getting fond of him. After what he did for Sketch, though, it's hard not to subsequently play and feel extremely honoured to be in his company.

You have two options here. One is about saying we can at least get revenge, but the other...

... the other is the less bloodthirsty and a favourite of mine because it's a clear indicator how we get from the callous young woman from the start of the DLC to the Leliana we know in DAO.

That's okay, pumpkin. I'm not sure she does, either.

God, he's adorable.

She says this with such calm, earnest confidence and considering how angry she was before, I think she's just putting on her brave face for Sketch, but it's a sweet moment regardless. She really takes pains to ease his burdens sooner than add to them.

Speaking of which...

Leliana finds Silas praying, but he readily enough stops and turns so we can speak with eye contact. He's also very clearly using Human Male Preset 1.

Pictured: When you realize Silas is a pretty decent guy. That remark about Tug's axe tosses it up in the air, but I remember when I first heard Anders speak in DA2 I was inclined to like him primarily because he sounded like Silas.

I just wish he didn't disappear after Song. Apart from Tug, he's the character you walk away knowing least about. At this stage, though, you can just appreciate, I think, that he seems to be a decent guy.

Maybe for a fresh perspective, Leliana addresses the scale of the problem.

Silas, I am starting to see why you valued better chances at escape higher than Sketch's feelings. Considering we found Leliana a broken, weeping mess after one week... poor bastard.

Fair enough, Silas. Fair enough.

Joie de Combat · Jan 2, 2013

Upon further consideration, a Warrior Warden would also be fine depending on how you prefer to balance your party. Either way I just want that Human Noble background to make things extra wonderful and awkward with Nate.

...aw, Tug. Aw, Sketch. :c I am having a lot of feelings here.

Davian Korran · Jan 2, 2013

Joie de Combat said: ↑

Upon further consideration, a Warrior Warden would also be fine depending on how you prefer to balance your party. Either way I just want that Human Noble background to make things extra wonderful and awkward with Nate.

...aw, Tug. Aw, Sketch. :c I am having a lot of feelings here.

I think Davian is a warrior, so I can import her if you halfway like the way she looks, provided she wins the vote. I guess at least my name would make a bit of sense in terms of the LP for once if I did that.

And seriously. I started having a really bad feeling about Tug's chances when I played the first time and realized Silas was a Sword-and-Shield warrior, same as him. DAO generally doesn't do overlapping classes, so I knew in the very least I'd lose of one them by mission's end. I was prepared for... what the game had in mind, and even less so Sketch revealing Tug died willingly to protect him. As far as kicks in the feeling gland goes, no DLC brings the pain as shockingly as Leliana's Song, and that's even knowing Majorlaine will betray you from the start.

Joie de Combat · Jan 2, 2013

Davian Korran said: ↑

I think Davian is a warrior, so I can import her if you halfway like the way she looks, provided she wins the vote. I guess at least my name would make a bit of sense in terms of the LP for once if I did that.

I have no real preferences with regards to appearances, so that would work if other folks go for it!

Davian Korran · Jan 2, 2013

Joie de Combat said: ↑

I have no real preferences with regards to appearances, so that would work if other folks go for it!

The definite upside being I can forego my usual 50 minute CC tweaking sessions. I'm... not exactly good at moderating myself.

Joie de Combat · Jan 2, 2013

Davian Korran said: ↑

The definite upside being I can forego my usual 50 minute CC tweaking sessions. I'm... not exactly good at moderating myself.

Oh, do I ever know that feeling. One of the reasons I ended up going with the default appearance most of the time in DAII - oh hey, a face that looks good and I don't end up spending two hours fiddling with sliders!

Mass Effect 2 and 3 were even worse, trying to replicate what I did in the first game because it didn't transfer properly. I had such a pretty Shepard! D:

Davian Korran · Jan 2, 2013

Joie de Combat said: ↑

Oh, do I ever know that feeling. One of the reasons I ended up going with the default appearance most of the time in DAII - oh hey, a face that looks good and I don't end up spending two hours fiddling with sliders!

Mass Effect 2 and 3 were even worse, trying to replicate what I did in the first game because it didn't transfer properly. I had such a pretty Shepard! D:

The import was so massively awful. Amusingly the Shepard I did PRACTICALLY BLIND because the pc I had couldn't handle ME at all so everything was big squares and nothing rendered ended up looking fine and always imported through all three games without a hitch, but my first male Shepard... looking at his import is like looking at a human evolution chart backwards. By ME3 he looked like he should be swining from tree to tree rather than wear space armaments.

I always let the CC tempt me and I always spend most of the release day for an RPG fiddling with sliders. It goes without saying I have an even unhealthier relationship with the Sims CC...

Joie de Combat · Jan 2, 2013

Davian Korran said: ↑

The import was so massively awful. Amusingly the Shepard I did PRACTICALLY BLIND because the pc I had couldn't handle ME at all so everything was big squares and nothing rendered ended up looking fine and always imported through all three games without a hitch, but my first male Shepard... looking at his import is like looking at a human evolution chart backwards. By ME3 he looked like he should be swining from tree to tree rather than wear space armaments.

The import really was just generally terrible. And the changes they made to the character model options between 2 and 3 didn't help anything, either. I eventually got my "canon" Shep looking really nice in ME2, but 3 was just kind of a lost cause, sadly.

And of course there's always the adventure of making something that looks really good in CC and then I start the game and it turns out it's actually horrible and I have to reload. I don't even know how many times I've played the opening sequence of the first ME trying to get foreheads and cheekbones to look decent from angles other than the vague tilting this way or that allowed in the CC.

Davian Korran · Jan 2, 2013

Joie de Combat said: ↑

The import really was just generally terrible. And the changes they made to the character model options between 2 and 3 didn't help anything, either. I eventually got my "canon" Shep looking really nice in ME2, but 3 was just kind of a lost cause, sadly.

And of course there's always the adventure of making something that looks really good in CC and then I start the game and it turns out it's actually horrible and I have to reload. I don't even know how many times I've played the opening sequence of the first ME trying to get foreheads and cheekbones to look decent from angles other than the vague tilting this way or that allowed in the CC.

That IS a very nice looking Shepard.

I just hope Bioware learns from DA2 and makes the CC re-enterable. It was so great to not have to start over in that game due to a wrong skintone or the likes and I did a lot. The lighting in the CC sucked and half the time even now when I start a game the Hawke ends up two skintones too light in terms of what I was trying to do. Joyce spent the entire LP with fairer skin than her entire family by accident, not design.

Minardii · Jan 2, 2013

I liked the Female Rogue option, but the Warrior option is also quite deliciously fun! ... All of my Noble chars were Rogues, because it was super amusing to me (High nobility, but one of the "dirty" classes). I also quite agree to the Noble background for the extra flavor.

And yeah. I too spend FOREVER in character creation.. I just hope they add much more hairstyles in DA3.. And make them look better.

Eightball · Jan 2, 2013

I vote female rogue, nice route for Awakening. Do we ever learn what happens to Silas or Sketch?

Joie de Combat · Jan 2, 2013

Doesn't Sketch have kind of a cameo sidequest in DAII? I haven't gotten it myself, but I've read something about it.

Davian Korran · Jan 3, 2013

Minardii said: ↑

I liked the Female Rogue option, but the Warrior option is also quite deliciously fun! ... All of my Noble chars were Rogues, because it was super amusing to me (High nobility, but one of the "dirty" classes). I also quite agree to the Noble background for the extra flavor.

And yeah. I too spend FOREVER in character creation.. I just hope they add much more hairstyles in DA3.. And make them look better.

More hair would be nice. DA2 is better than DAO in that aspect, but there's I felt like I burned through most of the decent ones (and one not very flattering) during Joyce's 4 phases when I played.

So so far it seems certain it'll be a human female noble, and you all seem slightly more partial to the rogue than the warrior. Tally counted. *nods*

Eightball said: ↑

I vote female rogue, nice route for Awakening. Do we ever learn what happens to Silas or Sketch?

Joie de Combat said: ↑

Doesn't Sketch have kind of a cameo sidequest in DAII? I haven't gotten it myself, but I've read something about it.

Sketch, yes, Silas, no. Joie is right, he appears in a blink-and-miss-it cameo in DA2 started from the Chantry Board called Sketchy on the Details. I could SWEAR I covered its conclusion in the LP, but I can't find the relevant post after some digging (the problem with the spoiler tags is I can't just open a page and search for the word Resplit, which I remember using). The bulk of it is that thanks to Leliana embellishing a few details and him being her known associate, he's being hunted by Antivan Crows, Qunari Death Squads, Rivaini soldiers and Denerim Avengers (honey, Sketch, you were totally guilty of that last one and that makes me wonder about the others). Hawke kills the men sent after him and he rewards you with a perfectly useless staff called Sketch's Resplit Staff that can't hold a candle to Boob Staff, then wanders off with a warning to Hawke about being careful when associating with storytellers.

Silas, I am starting to wonder... if he stayed with the Chantry and there's no reason why he wouldn't when Leliana, who was much more reluctant, did, I wonder if they aren't saving him for DA3. There's a few indications; we know the game will probably deal with the templar-mage conflict to a degree and the Chantry is knee deep in everything.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning

And if Dorothea became the Divine and Leliana serves as her agent as well as being a Seeker, who's to say that isn't the exact career path Silas took?

Davian Korran · Jan 3, 2013

On the subject of Silas I just realized his scene got cut in half because of the update schedule, so here's the second half.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

Yes, you aren't a criminal, Silas, are you? Like, say, a rebel mage who just dyed his hair and honestly sound a lot more charming when he isn't whining at me?

(Sorry, I went through the Act 2 screenshots in the DA2 LP looking for Sketch's cameo and I had to see Anders whine about mage rights ALL OVER. AND PETRICE. PETRICE.)

Well, at least you didn't break a window and stole some bread. We're cool.

Raleigh isn't. Fuck Raleigh.

(Interesting bit of etymology here; Raleigh is an old English name meaning, amongst other things 'red clearing'. If you ask Leliana if she knows something about Redcliffe she will mentions areas with red clay in the earth usually have an old tale connected to them about innocent blood unjustly spilled, seeping into the soil and colouring it so it's never forgotten. His name might not be coincidental, is what I am saying.)

I hope you die in a fire, Raleigh. I really do.

(Silas is actually pretty restrained about it, in a Fenris-pent-up sort of way. It's pretty weird after so long to learn Adam Howden can do low-key rage so well.)

Leliana does have a point. Even without a shield (which is already a weird thing for a poacher to be trained in), Silas had the easiest time staying alive in the dungeon, though that may have a few things to do with damage-aggro-tanks without shields-issues.

The first five times he said this, I assumed he meant literally. It's one of those times where I struggle to understand randomly because English isn't my first language, and it's even stupider because it's a metaphor, or whatever you'd call it, here as well.

I should think not. You seem like a decent chap so far. And that's a very fetching armour upgrade they've given you. I wish Leliana's stuff would match to the chestpiece, too.

She does have a point. That plan has some holes in it. He literally knows nothing about her save the fact she was also Raleigh's prisoner.

Unless... how long was she out, again? DID SKETCH SPILL THE BEANS ABOUT THE KNICKERS?!

He totally knows about the knickers. Shit. Abort mission! Abort mission! KICK HIM ON THE CROTCH AND RUN.

Oh, wait, no, he's just being penitent and decent. I'd forgotten that was even an option for human behaviour. Or, possibly, Dorothea just asked him to help board Leliana on the Save My Ass train.

Sadly, that's probably true, even if you did know what you wanted. Well, Silas? Your move.

Ahfhwthkdhsgisg, that earnestness he says it with really sells the line, and it's a beautiful moment in the DLC because it's the first time someone's been genuinely interested in her without having an angle or a catch. Sketch and Tug never asked anything of Leliana, but they didn't ask her anything, either. Silas barely knows her. He just cares bcause she seemed upset.

And now you know why I entered DA2 predisposed to like Adam Howden's voice.

Please be in more games and don't turn into an insufferable asshole, Silas...

Charming, did you, Leliana? And how long were you traveling together you got to know him that well? More importantly; WHY ISN'T THAT IN THE GAME?!

Anyway, I go and investigate a statue of Andraste to unlock another telling codex entry.

The associated dialogue as the entry unlocks is "'Blessed be our Maker and His Prophetess Andraste, given to the Holy Flame.' She's beautiful."

But then, over yonder, I spot...

Ah, our morally dubious ninja merchant. Hello, Lem, you merry asshole!

Leliana, the guy watched you steal from a collection plate and probably sold the information on. Is it that far-fetched he'd follow you here?

Gee, thanks. Still, considering what happened to Tug, maybe he had the right idea.

... just how many people came out? I only saw three. And I am sure at last one of those hurried back home to her CHILD and hugged it.

... excellent point, Leliana. That was actually more or less his way to greet us after a week of being tortured. And not even a word for Sketch or Tug.

... Lem, you better not be insinuating what I think you are.

TUG. WAS. KILLED. That is not 'dropping a ressource' and why is your tone suggesting you don't disapprove provided her pay was high enough?

Davian Korran · Jan 3, 2013

We return you to your reguarly scheduled LEM, THE FUCK.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

Not even Leliana can believe this shit and she knows the guy.

Lem, the fact one possible Danish translation of your name is 'dick' really explains itself right about now. The other prossible translation is limb.

Leliana, I am liking you more and more. I think Majorlaine and Lem are playing a different game from all of you, though.

That's not...

NINJA MERCHANT BURN. Or possibly this was all Lem gently telling us to reconsider the path we're on. Whichever way, Leliana buys some items in her shocked state and staggers into the sister we were harrassing earlier.

Maybe making her way to apologizing for the knife waving, Leliana tries to strike up conversation.

You know, normally I'd consider that rude, but Leliana DID threaten her with a knife. And we're the pet project of an Orlesian Revered Mother who's endagering the entire Chantry just because she thought Majorlaine was hot.

As per Joie's 'relatively nice' directive, Leliana apologizes like a good girl.

What, you lost your good friend in a conspiracy that was started mainly because you wanted to do right by your mentor/lover and that threatens to bring two nations to war, too?! Fancy that.

Leliana reminds the Sister sin isn't contagious.

Miss, you've lost me. If you worry for Leliana, serenely skedaddling in lieu of trying to help seems like a strange approach.

Sure you won't. Notice in the background Silas is wearing a shield with the templar crest. We found it in the dungeons and it doesn't have great stats, but I'm letting him keep it for the heraldry.

Goodbye, strange lady! We need a word with Revered Mother Hot For Bard anyway.

Well, that's lovely. Both flies in one place to swat.

As Leliana mentioned in the codex entry, she really didn't pay much attention to anything she read back then. Also a good way to explain Protagonist Ask Dumb Questions issue.

Dorothea displays admirable patience. Truly, truly admirable patience.

And I suddenly really like Dorothea. She's got the teeth Elthina lacked.

Somewhat too many teeth because that is a good point COULDN'T YOU HAVE COME BEFORE AND WAS THE ENTIRE PLAN CONTINGENT ON LELIANA MAKING IT OUT BEFORE BLEEDING TO DEATH?

On the plus side, Leliana, this time the hoops you jumped was because the person was trying to instill self esteem on you rather than play you like a cheap fiddle.

Pictured: The revelation Leliana would NOT have done well as a protagonist in DA2.

Davian Korran · Jan 3, 2013

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

Also pictured: Why Dorothea is an example of the Chantry's better sides. What I wouldn't have given to have a companion not preach at me at times in DA2.

Leliana wears the face of scepticism when speaking to Dorothea, but it's nice to see she's so concerned for Adaia everyone else.

For the record, Fort Drakon in Denerim has a huge goddamn torture cellar. WHAT WAS RALEIGH DOING THAT'S BETTER?

Five years for what he did
The rest because he tried to run!

Sorry. Well, good for Silas!

Leliana does have a point, but the Chantry is super-national, so it's not really that odd.

The Chantry has arms pretty much anywhere that isn't under the Black Divine in Tevinter and Qunari Lands, so if you're in with them, you have access to a lot of intelligence. WHICH IS PRECISELY WHY YOU LOCK PAPERS UP BEFORE SNOGGING MAJORLAINE, DOROTHEA.

Yeah, fancy that. It's hard to administer to people who are hiding from you and if they start realizing they're fine without Chantry oversight, you have a problem.

So another time, lock up the papers.

Still, they have a limited period of viability, you'd think. Troops move.

Hypothetical as might be, I can see why she's worried. Unprovoked border skirmishes even by a man not sanctioned by the monarchy... the whole point of Ferelden is that most freeholders at large do whatever the hell they want, so it's hard to say what's Landsmeet decisions and what's one man being a moron.

That could indeed spark a war.

Leliana is more optimistic than I am.

Dorothea isn't.

And Leliana is about ready to enact her epic vengeance upon Majorlaine. Or Raleigh. Or just get the papers back.

WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE BEEN SO PERCEPTIVE BEFORE TUG DIED? Okay, frustration aside, it's a nice, telling moment for Dorothea and the first indication she isn't just a user like Majorlaine.

Because that's the thing about her. She doesn't technically have to give a shit about why Leliana helps as long as she helps. In fact she risks losing the help because there's things that matter to her more.

... she cares more about helping her fellow man than upholding the Chantry's reputation. She cares so much she'll forego the chance at fixing the mistake and ruin herself RATHER THAN LET LELIANA DO THIS FOR THE WRONG REASONS.

This is the most reassuring answer you can give her. No, really.

I really, really like Dorothea, much as I grouse about her poor judgement. She's big on letting people figure things out on their own, but she'll interject if she thinks she can help.

Trust me, Dorothea, Leliana has probably done worse while being under Majorlaine's sway. Much worse.

She wishes us luck, and the scene changes - we're moving to the final level in the game.

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