The Problem with Politics - Let's Play Dragon Age II

FUCK THIS BROWSER. Right. Rewriting the update. I was only 12 images in after all! *beats head into wall*

You have a talent for chosing the right screenshots, you make appear the NSFW stuff much worse than it was - seriously Bioware, what's the point of having pants on? That's not how you felicitate people.
I thought fifty silver is just for touching? You need at least a soverign for sex. Or I'm confusing the Rose with the Pearl?

If only Varric's mother started drinking because of the expedition...

It's frame by frame, so it's actually NOT my fault XD. I think it just comes out worse because it's not animated so you can laugh at how stupid it looks. It is relatively harmless, but I thought after seeing just how the snaps ended up looking it's better to be safe than sorry.

Varric has it as horrible as anyone... he's just so remarkably laid back about it.

But that was a compliment! I never found that scene shocking because of how stupid the entire pant thing is, so it's nice not seeing them and pretending they don't exist.
I should take a "How You Social" class as well.

Ah! Oh! No, I think it's a mutual thing, my bad reading, too. Personally I think Watson's pajamas might have improved matters. I have a feeling Joyce was glad he was wearing pants, though XD

That quest is hilarious. It's also very good for showcasing Seb's character - he's conflicted between his holier-than-thou teaching (damn you chantry, you broke him!) and his natural instincts. He's also fairly childish, which makes sense considering his sheltered upbringing and being educated by snobby hypocrites. It makes for an interesting character, because his chantry-brother persona is infuriating, yet sincere, and his, shall we call his prince persona, is rather selfish and egoistical, while somehow being much more likable. It's clear his faith is genuine but I think he is more loyal to the people of the chantry, than it's actual teaching. I feel like those teaching have been drilled into him, so he holds on to them, because he needs something to believe in, and just vaguely believing there's a higher power doesn't quite cut it.

It's possible I'm forcing my view on him, though, since I kinda like him and wish he would leave the maker alone. He was doing fine before you, Sebbie, he can manage without you now.

Actually, I think that's a very good handle on him. It's times like these I am really glad I got over my apprehension and posted this LP. Everyone posting here has really interesting views on the game and it's broaded and changed how I think about quite a few of the characters.

It's also convinced me there's no reason to ever romance Seb.

It's been alot of fun discussing the game in depth, usually people just complain about the combat and say how much they like Izzy's G-string. So I'm glad you got the courage (and strength of mind) to this LP too!

Well, supposedly the rival "romance" should lead to something more. I kinda doubt it, since considering Seb grand finale, it would take alot to redeem him in the eye of the fandom. But hey, no one expected what they did with Anders, so maybe they'll pull another abomination-rabbit from their fade-hat!

All I know is Reg's mom was spending two sovereigns a pop there.

Kind of related I am suddenly glad Leandra isn't like the mother in Pokémon Gold/Silver... just imagine the letters.

Romancing Sebastian isn't that bad, he's nice and warm. It's just really bad implemented. You're jealous only because he has pretty eyes and Fenris knows it. That's why you modded them! XD

I think you're right about the nobility part. I mean, according to him he spent his younger years whoring but he blushes when Isabela talks about going to the brothel by herself. Sure, probably he has a vivid imagination and I'm sure he was 'bad' when he was younger, but not that much, he was just bad for nobility standards.
I think he wants to be loyal to the Chant, but he just doesn't know how to apply its teaching in real life - probably because nobody taught it to him.
First time you met her and Sebastian, she is just telling Sebastian to not doing something without explaining to him why he shouldn't - it's murder! Really Elthina? Did Andraste not fight anyone because that's a bad thing to do? You should have knew better.
(You can see this also when Sebastian and Anders are arguing: they're both devoted Andrastian, but they can't get along because Anders cares only about the Chant, while Sebastian depends mostly on the Chant and Elthina teachings.)

Also, according to Elthina, Sebastian should obey the Maker just by being a brother, which means doing nothing but praying. Sounds wonderful, but not that useful for someone who has been taught that if there is a problem, then you should do something about it. He likes going around with Hawke because he has a chance to make the world a better place with him - even if Hawke is an ass, he usually does useful stuff like killing bandits, he isn't entirely a criminal.

So, when the time comes, it's easier for him to consider only the parts of the Chant which suits his current situation, because that's pretty much the only thing he's been really taught to do.

(I understand where Elthina comes from and I'm also a "Not interfering" kind of person, but you have responsibility and they don't go away thanks to the Maker. Well, not entirely.)

Well, He had an habit of falling in love with random married girls who were singing and minding their own business and He gets angry at His sons just because - he's a bit like a Greek God. Which isn't always a good thing.

Sebastian wasn't too bad received, however. Also, for a lot of people Seb grand finale didn't matter too much. His friendmance didn't sound right at the end, instead, considering what Varric says. The rivalmance is okay until the end, when it's not. And Hawke has bad flirting habits with him. I can forgive her because he's cute when he's embarrassed.

Thank you for reminding me, now I think I got it: there is the low service (fifty silver - touching only), the standard service (one soverign - sex), and the luxury one (two sovereigns - high class prostitutes).
Then there are the special ones, which cost...five sovereigns, I think? I'm not sure they even cost something, since you can request it only after going to the Rose a lot and Kat just says something like 'Very well, follow me' and afterward I was busy being outraged. I thought she cared! Instead the brothel went yandere on me.

That lovely woman would buy you the better things! "Went shopping, got you a lyrium potion | Went shopping, got you a new sword ! Went shopping, got you a gift card for the Blooming Rose"
And that's why Hawke never got an Arishok plush toy for his/her birthday.

I think the Maker very Greek. All he needs to complete the set is trying to seduce Andraste turning into a cow.

A bit more banter opened while I did today's update. I call it All Of Seb's Stuff Triggers At Once And Fenris Is Still Adorable And I Hate Rivalling Izzy But It Sure Triggers Fun Lines

Sebastian: You seem very angry.
Anders: And here I thought the Chantry was against mind-reading...
Sebastian: Did something happen to you in the Circle? I understand there were problems in Ferelden...
Anders: Are you saying a mage can only be unhappy in the Circle if demons were involved? No, it's not about Uldred. It's not about being beaten or raped by a templar— that does happen, but I've been fortunate. It' s a larger principle: the freedom every man, woman, and child born in Thedas have as a natural right.
Sebastian: You were given to the Circle. I was given to the Chantry. Hawke was driven away from home by the Darkspawn. None of us are free.

Aveline: Has Starkhaven called for it's lost prince, Sebastian? Would you give up if the city has moved on?
Sebastian: Like Ferelden "moved on" after Cailan?
Aveline: You've been reading.
Sebastian: It's a good tale. I'm inspired by the Warden Alistair. But I doubt that's how you see me. I don't intend to let anyone die restoring me to my place, Aveline. The risks are mine. And that will have to satisfy.
Aveline: It was well said, I give you that. We'll see.

Sebastian: It's been very exciting working with Hawke.
Varric: Are you for real?
Sebastian: It seems like she's involved every time something goes wrong in Kirkwall. I've never had so many opportunities to help people!
Varric: All right. I thought I was getting tired of moody. I take it back. You're making my teeth ache.

And now hold these two banters against each other and tell me Anders claiming he isn't two people isn't utter bullshit.

Aveline: So you're two people, Anders and... Justice?
Anders: That's not strictly accurate.
Aveline: But you are of two minds.
Anders: Many people are.
Aveline: Now you're the one not being accurate.
Anders: I thought those were the rules of this game.
Aveline: I never know who I'm talking to with you...
Anders: Then it's fortunate it doesn't occur often.

Anders: So, I never expected to be palling around with the captain of the guard!
Aveline: We're not "pals."
Anders: We're not? What about that time we painted each other's toenails?
Aveline: Do you want something?
Anders: Love, life, and liberty! What more does a man need?
Aveline: You're in a jolly mood.
Anders: Well, when you're here, I know you're not leading men into Darktown to arrest me.

(I think line guidance for that last one to Adam Howden just said "*^_^*, full on *^_^*")

Fenris: You should have lived in Tevinter. You'd be happier there.
Anders: You're probably right.
Fenris: There, your magic would be a mark of honor. Apprenticed to the right Magister, you would do well.
Anders: Is there a down side?
Fenris: Only if you're bothered by owning a few slaves and performing the occasional blood ritual.
Anders: So they all do those things?
Fenris: Just the ones who don't complain about how powerless and persecuted they are...

Fwiw, I write my LPs in google docs, which saves automatically, then just copy and paste it into the thread reply window. You can upload the screenshots into the googledoc, and even the images get copied over properly and automatically when you paste it in here.

Thank you! Definitely taken under advisement!

Yea, the forum reply window is the last place to be writing LPs or anything longer than, well, a reply... since there's no save function AFAIK. Googledocs, notepad, wordpad, anything but the browser window. Copy, paste, rinse and repeat.

I am ashamed to say I never even considered it. I think I have as much common sense as your average dating game protagonist, which is to say not very much at all.

Um, Davian, ya know, just because we voted for snarky Hawke, you don't have to always pick the saracastic answer. It's okay to vary a bit - sometimes snarky Hawke is too much of an ass, even for me. Like with Seb X_X
So don't force yourself! Joyce is your Hawke, after all.

Ahhh, I hate when Seb acts all reasonable with Anders, it makes me like him so much more, I can't deal with it! Seb is the most confusing character ever, I just ca't handle him at all. I think I'm in love with him.
Anders totally has s split personality, and sadly as the game goes on, the stick-in-the-mud one takes over. His playful banters are my one hope, the shaky foundation upon which my head canon resides.

I try to vary it a bit. When I know she's going to be a jerk, I generally veer to Diplomacy, but I didn't try a few of these before and that hundred bandit one.... yeah. Ironically Seb loved it. He's close to max friendship. Like you say, the guy is one walking contradiction sometimes. Like Anders, really, they have a mode I like and a mode I cannot stand. For Anders, what I love is that old-style Anders sense of fun and joy he thankfully does retain, albeit less and less. I literally got both those banters in a row, both aimed at Aveline and it was just screaming at me. No way they didn't mean for that to come out that way.

It's easy to forget Seb has a sense of humor, so it's shocking whenever it pops out. I really hope he shows up in DA3, that guy needs some sorta resolution.

I hope Anders was meant to be seen as someone walking a very thin line, sanity wise, and not just been written by too many writers. Also I sometime think this game should be called Anders Age, since he's kinda the first thing that pops into my mind when I think of the game (after Varric, of course, but a storyteller he prefer the shadows, no?)

I just gotta say how much I love Seb's armour? Especially the torso part, in a way it looks like a bikini, hah.

I guess I kind of can see now where people come from when they put females in such ridiculous armour. Even though they usually have way more impractical armour than Seb here.

What, no word on the belt? Davian, did you put up the banter from Anders about the belt? I love that one~

Seb's armor is some royal tradition, so it has an excuse for being more pretty the useful (like himself). It's rather practical though, for a fantasy armor, and actually there's a mod to get one for Hawke, it's quite fetching. But the buckle, CANNOT UNSEE.

Not yet. They refuse to talk to each other, but I WILL get it. No matter how much running around I need to do for it!

Now that you mention it, it's nice to have a game that objectifies the guys as much as the girls XD

Belt? What belt? I don't know anything about any stupid ridiculous looking belt. Hrrmph.

It's just the way the chainmail-looking tunic clings to him and the upper part of the armour just hides enough, you know?

I got a feeling that fem!Sebastian might not have the chainmail there, being bare. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that's the case. I'm off to see if there's a genderbent Seb somewhere.

EDIT: Huh, I only found three fem!Sebastian. And two of them had the exact same armour (One with more breast on her top piece) while the other didn't have the white part. I actually feel a bit proud :')

The buckle thing will be very clear when I hit the right banter, don't worry XD

But this stupidity leads to one of the loveliest off screen moment~~

I think I was gave him this book when we were rivals. Ooooh boy, did it end up well.

Yeah, Fenris rivalry was one long row of "T_T" for me.

And in case anyone wonders what Anders' VA looks like, here he is on New Tricks.

Anders was written precisely with that intent:

I remember reading on the BSN forum that actually his rivalmance triggered a lot of memories with people who had a similar experience in real life because it was realistic. I don't know about that, but it sure made me feel like shit.

And guess who will be happy to help Fenris with this whole reading thing too? ~

I like doing that with a romanced Zevran XD (The card thing, not the sleeping one. I did that only once while romancing Morrigan - threesome with Zevran because why not - and Leliana - Oghren fainted.)

Marry me, we'll read awesome book together.
*and there it goes my entire evening*

Guys stop making me want to ship it.

You know you want it.

Someday I'll make friends with people who don't enable all of my bad ideas.

I don't see any bad idea, only good ones.

Fenris talking... mmm... Sebastian's accent... huh... did I miss anything?

The idea is rapidly growing on me. Definitely keeping an eye on them whenever I get around to romancing Merril. (Now I want to make a mage Hawke and have a party consisting of Fenris, Isabela, and Sebastian. No regrets.)

Any time they have a scene together = I have to check my journal and codex for the information because I register nothing but the voices.

As it should be. I'm trying to figure out in which playthrough I can have them as an headcanon. And that party sounds so much fun <3

I spend so much time staring at how beautiful they all are and listening to their voice that I'm surprised that I even finished this game in the first place.

That party WOULD be fun and if you romance Isabela tada~ You have a base for the headcanon!

See but if you don't finish the game you don't have more opportunities to ogle everyone!