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

Davian Korran · Dec 15, 2012

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spoiler_warning: Update within

Now. Now I truly didn't know what to do.

So instead, I just got angry. I'm so smart and socially adept.

I don't know if Varric took pity on my pathetic attempt to help, or if part of him just knew I was trying to help him, but whatever the reason, he tucked the sliver into my hand. I felt a bit dizzy, but all things considered, I just felt blessed I wasn't hearing music yet. Varric probably had longer exposure while inspecting the house before setting it up for sale.

I miss the real Anders. I didn't realize until this evening how much I missed him. Another thing I lost, I guess.

I pretty much left him sitting outside with Anders and Fenris waiting on him and sprinted off to catch Sandal before bedtime because I was NOT prepared to carry that thing for a second longer than I had to, let alone a full night's sleep. Anders mentioned they'd take him to the Hanged Man, heavily implying I should go there and check on Varric once he had time to get his head back on straight.

Luckily, I caught Sandal still up with fifteen minutes to go, and I took his initial, fascinated silence for a very good sign.

Figured Bartrand didn't wave his ill begotten prize around the camp, really. Probably terrified someone would lock HIM up somewhere.

Maker, that's awful.

I just wanted it gone. And I wanted to go and find Varric sane.

Bodahn, as usual, had bigger plans.

And so did Sandal. Well, as long as the thing was rendered harmless, that was all I cared about as I rushed out again.

(You get a Primeval Lyrium Rune here, another special rune that can't be gained anywhere else. Alternately, if you like encouraing self-hatred, you can let Varric keep the shard and he'll put it in Bianca, giving her an extra rune slot.)

I found Varric - thank the Maker the old Varric - waiting for me at the Hanged Man. I even managed not to burst into relieved tears.

And I was glad I hadn't lost him, more than I knew how to put into words.

So I did what I always did. Said something stupid and hoped the implicit sentiment transferred well enough without words.

But I think I can always trust him to get me. Maybe that's what the truest soul of friendship is. Oddly, though, the next moment he fell into a foreboding, brooding silence and that cold hand was right back again.

I hoped to my fancy boots this was something I could joke away.

Lucky for me, Varric always, always delivers. He's the best, simple as that.

So, okay, I got so happy and relieved I may have gone a bit overboard, but that's emotion for you. Sooner that than act like a Qunari. Well, most Qunari.

This could be either excellent or very bad. If he told me he was going to leave, too, though...

But of course he didn't, because he's the best. All of the best.

And finally something proper to toast on. Danger past and all, I'd call this night a good one, despite my fears. At least some things still go right these days.

End entry.

Antiqua · Dec 16, 2012

Varric and sarcastic!Hawke are the best broest bro who ever broed.

Davian Korran said: ↑

Merrill: You really believe don't you?
Anders: What are we talking about?
Merrill: Believing. You do I can tell, in freedom, in mages, in good spirits and bad templars. With more fire than the sun.
Anders: And your point is?
Merrill: I miss it sometimes, things being certain.
Anders: Some things are certain.
Merrill: Not anymore.

This banter.

Davian Korran · Dec 16, 2012

Introspective Merrill is the best Merrill. I like it when they actually take a moment to remind us she's not stupid as much as insanely ditzy and impractical.

As for Varric, I remember REALLY freaking out when he started acting out in that quest until I reminded myself he wouldn't go insane. Not because Bioware wouldn't do that to us - they totally would - but because he was sane enough to narrate this to Cassandra in the framing device.

Antiqua · Dec 16, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

As for Varric, I remember REALLY freaking out when he started acting out in that quest until I reminded myself he wouldn't go insane. Not because Bioware wouldn't do that to us - they toally would - but because he was sane enough to narrate this to Cassandra in the framing device.

He could have went insane between end-game and Cassandra's interrogation. And then he could have been killed by Hawke.
I see dead people....

I remember freaking out because I was worried he would go insane later. Like a timed bomb.

Davian Korran · Dec 16, 2012

A bit more banter unlocked:

Fenris: I was speaking with Donnic the other day...
Aveline: Since when do you talk with my husband?
Fenris: He... comes to the mansion once a week? We play diamondback.
Aveline: What? Why am I not invited to these games?
Fenris: He says you get angry when you lose.
Aveline: I do not! All right, perhaps I do. Still, that's no reason not to tell me.
Isabela: Perhaps he longed for less masculine companionship?
Aveline: Shut up, whore.

Aveline: There's a war coming. Does it feel different, fighting by choice?
Fenris: You were never ordered to kill?
Aveline: I was a soldier, but I was willing.
Fenris: I was willing, as well, but not by choice. *Laugh* If that makes any sense...
Aveline: Does anything in this mess?

Aveline: Thank you for that tip, Fenris.
Fenris: You caught them, then?
Aveline: Yes—a whole nest of slave runners working out of the Undercity.
Fenris: I imagine you imprisoned them?
Aveline: Sadly, they never made it to prison.
Fenris: You always know how to make me smile, Aveline.

Again, stellar voicework on the last line, that barely restrained glee.

Sebastian: You know, if you have time, I could give you a few archery pointers...
Varric: Excuse me?
Sebastian: Sometimes your shots veer a little left, I thought maybe your cocking ring was off. I could take a look if you like.
Varric: You want to touch Bianca's cocking ring?!
Sebastian: It was just a thought!

Varric: So, I've known you for three years now. I give up. You beat me. What is it? You like boys? Sheep? You slept with your sister?
Sebastian: What are you talking about?
Varric: What are you hiding? Nobody's this bloody clean. After you leave the chantry you... get drunk at the Hanged Man and walk around in women's clothes?
Sebastian: I've been honest with you and Hawke.
Varric: Liar.
Sebastian: Lying is a sin.

Sebastian: You need to seek atonement.
Merrill: I know I should've died there, not Marethari. Don't you think I feel guilty enough?
Sebastian: Guilt isn't a punishment. It's a reminder of the things you haven't set right. The only way to shed its burden is to repent with a sincere heart and to rectify your failings.
Merrill: But how? The Keeper is dead, my clan lost everything because of me. There's not enough I can do in this lifetime to make up for that!
Sebastian: It was your pride that led you to the demon. Admitting what you can't do is a good first step...

Joie de Combat · Dec 16, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

A bit more banter unlocked:

Fenris: I was speaking with Donnic the other day...
Aveline: Since when do you talk with my husband?
Fenris: He... comes to the mansion once a week? We play diamondback.
Aveline: What? Why am I not invited to these games?
Fenris: He says you get angry when you lose.
Aveline: I do not! All right, perhaps I do. Still, that's no reason not to tell me.
Isabela: Perhaps he longed for less masculine companionship?
Aveline: Shut up, whore.

...

Aveline: Thank you for that tip, Fenris.
Fenris: You caught them, then?
Aveline: Yes—a whole nest of slave runners working out of the Undercity.
Fenris: I imagine you imprisoned them?
Aveline: Sadly, they never made it to prison.
Fenris: You always know how to make me smile, Aveline.

Again, stellar voicework on the last line, that barely restrained glee.

And this is why Aveline, Fenris, and Varric are my party of choice. They're such buddies.

I also love Varric's input in that first banter, and Fenris's hasty disavowing of any knowledge of gambling going on in his house.

Davian Korran · Dec 16, 2012

Fenris' innocent voice is the best, but I only managed to hit that variation once. I wish there was a way to anticipate these things a bit better, though I guess at least it keeps it random what banter you get.

Davian Korran · Dec 16, 2012

Aaaand then I totally forgot about the companion quest of one of my favourite companions unlocking! *facepalm*

Well, TOMORROW it'll be Best Served Cold, anyway.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

Hi Bob. I checked my mail this evening.

The Comte is a good man. Sometimes I wonder if Mother wouldn't have been better off married to him. Maybe he could have kept her safe... stayed with her longer...

Meredith was her usual brief self, but I did have half a mind to deal with it as the first thing after my mail. Few things are more urgent than making sure she keeps what little patience she has left and as Champion, I am Foremost Babysitter of Powerful People.

But as I said: Few things. Some things are FAR more urgent, and anyone messing with Aveline immediately makes the top of my priority list. Fuming as I was when I ran out the door to warn her, though, I kept a warm thought for Cullen. It was truly decent of him to warn me. No one expected a templar to care this much, especially these days.

I walked in on something that indicated the templars was already, illegally, trying to act on those reports. As expected, Aveline showed him the door very quickly and turned to face me. She looked tired. I wished I had better news.

I decided to start light. Maybe I had misread this and it wasn't as big a deal as Cullen feared.

Ah, good old Kirkwall. Expect the worst and be right every time.

I figured if I had to tell her, I better do it her way - be blunt, be direct, reduce trauma. In theory, anyway.

Knowing dear Aveline all she wanted from him and all he'd get was a swift kick in the rear, but sadly even Aveline can't solve everything that easily.

She very appropriately asked me "What?", so I handed her the letter, and I swear, smoke was coming out of her ears by the end of it. I was starting to get why Cullen had sent me and not come in person.

I felt like she was offended at me even for bringing this here, though I suppose you could read it as an implicit accusation. I really should take some lessons or something in social graces and implicit cues one day.

(You get a choice before this in the vein of Hawke stating whether they believe in the accusations or not and if you pick that you do, she is VERY pissed off.)

It was also exceedingly likely I just misread her, of course.

Best be agreeable just in case, I figured.

I forewent going "Sir, yes sir!" out of a love of having functioning limbs. Luckily, darkness had been falling even as we entered, so we could leave right away.

We found Donnic in a bit of a tiff, and even though he seemed more up for it this time, we still went in to lend a hand. In general the Docks at night would be one of the least safe postings in Kirkwall, so Aveline had a splendid case already.

(The glow is Hawke's newest passive abillity, a sustained shield that raises her defense stat by 20.)

I never met a man as polite as Donnic, especially now that the embarrasing wounds from Aveline's 'courting' has healed. He's a remarkable man. Amazing sometimes. I wonder if I feel nothing for him romantically because I know he's taken or because he was never my type to start with.

Still, mandatory queries, and then maybe we could find Cullen and put this to bed before we went ourselves, as little as I liked how this little exercise was even required.

Donnic, as usual, took it pretty well in stride, and he told me what I could probably have figured out myself. That was Aveline, quintessentially and true to heart.

He smiled at her, she smiled back, then I ended up smiling, too. Adorable together.

He's like a big, fussy puppy sometimes. Still, as rarely as I am ever likely to hear that sort of talk from Fenris, I feel it all the stronger when he tries, exactly because he struggles with it so badly.

She wasn't blushing, but her voice was. I had a feeling Donnic had questions, but he'd be saving them for later. Just as well. Aveline might have satisfactory answers to them by then, if luck held.

Joie de Combat · Dec 16, 2012

Aveline is still the biggest BAMF in Thedas. I will never be convinced otherwise.

Davian Korran · Dec 16, 2012

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spoiler_warning: Update within

We left Donnic to his bloody, self-imposed work and made for the Gallows to report directly to Cullen and Maker willing sort the mess out.

(For my sake, please pretend they're speaking in the evening?)

He was fidgetting. I had a strong sense he felt more than a little uncomfortable ministering this entire little affair. It's a sad thing to say, but these days your decency can be the bane of your own ability to sleep at night in Kirkwall. I wonder sometimes how Carver is getting on after he got back.

But right now all that mattered was Aveline. I could worry about Cullen when that was put to bed.

Even if he was the one who put me on the scent he seemed remarkably unsurprised. And if he put so little stock in it, what was that templar doing earlier?

Aveline, too, wanted some answers. Some good ones.

I'm not sure why his answer surprised me even in the slightest. Power grabs, politics, bullshit. Always the same in blasted Kirkwall, well, NOT against my friend.

For the first time during that conversation I realized how tired he looked. It made complete sense, of course. Meredith has decided sleep is an elective and of course her overworking would strain her right hand man, too. I made note to deal with her problem when Aveline was cleared fully and take that load off his back as much as possible.

And keep him from making a terrible mistake due to strain in the now.

I could suddenly hear Viscount Dumar telling me in his office that "Fanatics are bravest in the shadows where their lies can't be argued."

I wish he was still alive. People underestimate how much he did to keep things together. He deserves better than toe-cringing losing head jokes and a lukewarm memory.

Aveline, understandably, had more grounded concerns.

Cullen, though, is a good man. He didn't have to alert me, either, he could have just let the rumours run its course, sacked Aveline, and expanded templar rule in the city, but he hadn't because that wouldn't be the right thing to do. A very, very good man.

Another sentiment I imagined Aveline would entertain later, if at all, but Maker did I rue her hidden detractor. You really should know from glance not to mess with her.

Regardless, we were off to Lowtown. At least this time ther stench of fish wasn't pervading everything unlike Donnic's route.

Aveline, unlike me in any situation ever cut straight to the point.

Jeven. The Arishok once asked me if three years was a long time to a hateful fool. It seems the answer I should have had was 'six isn't.'

Considering Jeven had tried to lead half of them into ambushes to pass information to criminals, I was surprised he had even been stupid enoigh to think his ex-subordinates would hold him in anything but the outmost contempt.

At least Jeven didn't sound like a man even close to pose a threat. I perked up in instant belief this could be solved nice, fast, and easy.

I should have known better, really. In Kirkwall, all you need is more stupid than sense and an idea and a horde of suicidal morons will follow you. I call it the Petrice Principle.

Which is amusing when the woman herself had none.

I lose some faith in sentient progress when people can't even learn from blatant mistakes. being anti-Qunari at best just got you killed before the innocents were slaughered in the resulting war.

Brennan, as to explain, handed Aveline a troublingly well made flyer. Always depressing when you have to kill talented people due to their own stupid.

She really sounded sorry, too. I wonder if Aveline even understands just how much loyalty she can inspire in any one person.

Davian Korran · Dec 16, 2012

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spoiler_warning: Update within

Brennan got out of there like an arrow, and I couldn't blame her. Aveline stomped off with fire in her eyes and didn't even check to see if we followed.

We did. If nothing else to spare some of the lunkheads the humiliation of dying to her glare alone.

Of course, when we got there, the morons at least demonstrated some precious few bits of information had been imparted into their empty skulls over the years.

Sometimes I wonder if being so stupid you get yourself into this counts as illness or just suicide. Aveline ignored them as we muscled through the crowd. Sadly, no one took the hint to leave.

I mean, his bullshit wasn't even that impressive. By an large hating Fereldans stopped being trendy the moment one of them SAVED the bloody city.

Aveline, needless to say, was NOT amused.

If I were him I'd worry more about her strong sword arm than her name and origin, but then if he wasn't a suicidal moron he wouldn't have tried to ruin her in the first place.

The stupid at work here was making my head hurt. Granted, he probably knew it was over the moment we tracked him. He should have known it was over when not a single person who knew Aveline would do a thing against her.

(At this point you can either use your own dialogue wheel against him or leave it to Aveline. Why it's a choice, I haven't a clue.)

But again... a smarter man would never have been in this position, let alone have gotten into debts with criminals when he was Gard Captain LET ALONE trying to use his own mean as dispensable packages with legs.

Aveline spoke well. She spoke very well. Unfortunately she failed to realize this people didn't care about favour and fault, they only cared about getting into a scrap. Their kind always does, and in the end they always die when they finally pick a fight with someone who can strike back.

No words could stop that.

Of course, Aveline knew that better than anyone. And unlike Jeven, she had the strength of character to have allies with skill and loyalty beyond wanting to stab things for fun.

It wasn't even a contest. It wasn't even a hard fight. Just as Jeven's rebellion, it was nothing but a sad, pointless waste of human life.

When it ended, Aveline sounded as hollow as I felt. I'll never learn to like fighting, but it's especially hard when it's so foolish, so avoidable.

As I marched after Aveline, though, I worried. She didn't seem relieved in the slightest her position was secure. In fact she didn't say anything, or even walked with us - she stayed by herself up ahead, brooding. Not like her at all and very worrying. She only spoke when I shut the office door behind us.

Her skill for summing up remained excellent, though. I nodded solemnly.

She sounded deeply frustrated. It wasn't as if I didn't understand how she felt, though. That whole mess with Corypheus three years ago and cases like it seems fond of popping up in and around Kirkwall. Varric's woes with Bartrand, too. Fenris and Danarius. Isabela's debts to Castillion...

I have to wonder if it's a Kirkwall thing or misery just loves company, but I think we all knew how she felt to a degree.

And just like that she'd lost me. I wasn't sure what she was talking about now.

Donnic chose such a good moment to intervene I had to wonder if he had been listening at the door, but regardless, I'd take it. Maybe he could help where I couldn't.

Davian Korran · Dec 16, 2012

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Seeing Aveline doubt to me felt a bit like that moment as a kid when you're first made to realize your father may want to banish the clouds from the sky for you, but it isn't within his power. Like seeing an elder tree fall down.

Donnic, being quite the bit smarter than our recently deceased foes immediately seemed to pick up something was wrong, and he didn't waffle when he did.

He bowed and left. I hesitantly looked to Aveline, trying to scrutinize her countenance for clues.

(I imagine that line of his depends on if he's her husband or not because as Jackrabbit mentioned earlier if you neglect to bring them together he doesn't get along very well with her.)

The elder tree put down roots and all was well in the world again. Sensing she needed some time to herself, I left the office, making note to check on her in the morning. Right now, I need some sleep. It's been a strange night for us all.

End entry.

Hi Bob. Turns out I wasn't the only one wanting to check up on Aveline. I could hear her giggling inside as I approached, but it wasn't THAT giggle, and I'd passed Donnic heading inside anyway.

Instead, I found Isabela inside, apparently in the midst of a very funny story considering they were both short of breath and giddy and NOT in that sort of way.

I have to say, I can very well live with not understanding what in the world she was on about, but whatever helped Aveline at that time was greatly appreciated.

Accurate character assesment aside, in a personal crisis, you can't ask for better company than Isabela. She can brighten up anything simply by being herself and obscene.

She winked at me and left. Well, I supposed a tipsy Aveline was better than a defeated, depressed version.

At least she seemed sober enough to decribe the Isabela parable rather succintly. It's nice how good friends they've become. It gives me hope even for Kirkwall.

But Aveline had other matters to discuss with me.

Seven years that took. A silent, chilly reminder how many people died while Aveline and Carver somehow made it out alive. Sometimes I can almost believe in miracles.

I did not like the sound of that. I did not like it at all. Considering everything, she might even be thinking seriously about it. She liked being a soldier, after all.

An excellent question with the rather predictable answer 'of course not, he's Carver'.

I hope there's a special place in the Void reserved for Loghain Mac Tir, though, and I hope it's special in a very bad way. What a beast of a man.

I wasn't sure what this had to do with anything, but I just let her talk.

I always thought Carver didn't like discussing it because he was Carver, but what she said now made me think it was simply he knew he couldn't make us see, understand, how he had felt back then. Aveline was doing an eloquent job of it, but even then I doubt anyone but the veterans can fully understand.

And that's when I realized what she was doing and nearly facepalmed.

She was having me on and she was enjoying it. I think Isabela might be a bad influence on her.

Well, no reason to encourage her to try that trick on me ever again. My heart can't take all the concerns about being left behind.

I would never do that more than ten times a day and probably a fair point also oh well.

I figure even if one day it breaks between Fenris and me, Maker forbid, and even if Bodahn and Sandal leave, I'll be fine. I have Varric, I have Aveline, I have people who care about me. Ultimately, everything else, well...

I'll let you know how things went with the Knight-Commander when I get back, Bob.

End entry.

Antiqua · Dec 17, 2012

Aveline <3
May I also say that I really like her storyline? She is really a connection between the present and the past. And I love that talk about Ostgar.
I kinda wish they did add something more about the entire "ferelden refugees" thing.

Davian Korran said: ↑

Sebastian: You know, if you have time, I could give you a few archery pointers...
Varric: Excuse me?
Sebastian: Sometimes your shots veer a little left, I thought maybe your cocking ring was off. I could take a look if you like.
Varric: You want to touch Bianca's cocking ring?!
Sebastian: It was just a thought!

Oh, Sebastian.

Davian Korran said: ↑

Sebastian: You need to seek atonement.
Merrill: I know I should've died there, not Marethari. Don't you think I feel guilty enough?
Sebastian: Guilt isn't a punishment. It's a reminder of the things you haven't set right. The only way to shed its burden is to repent with a sincere heart and to rectify your failings.
Merrill: But how? The Keeper is dead, my clan lost everything because of me. There's not enough I can do in this lifetime to make up for that!
Sebastian: It was your pride that led you to the demon. Admitting what you can't do is a good first step...

OH, SEBASTIAN.

EDIT: I forgot to ask, which colour eyes are Joyce's ones?

Davian Korran · Dec 17, 2012

You may! I really like her, too, and she's such an atypical character for the genre. She's so stable and mature, and not in the Mother To Us All sense Wynne was, because she's still quite young herself and trying to figure things out. It also doesn't hurt, as I think is close to thread consensus that she's one hell of a BAMF and is an authority figure actually portrayed positively. I understand and see the appeal of the outlaw with the golden heart and all, but it's nice when you have a character like Aveline going off the beaten path and even being done so well.

And Sebastian, you REALLY should know better than trying to steal Bianca from Varric. Don't get greedy.

Sedrine · Dec 17, 2012

Gah. I finally caught up on this thread. Aaaand I've forgotten all the comments I wanted to make. Possibly because it's 1:45AM. Typing is hard when sleepy... Goodnight.

Davian Korran · Dec 17, 2012

Sedrine said: ↑

Gah. I finally caught up on this thread. Aaaand I've forgotten all the comments I wanted to make. Possibly because it's 1:45AM. Typing is hard when sleepy... Goodnight.

Goodnight and thank you*! I'll try to not explode as much into updates. There's a bit to go yet, but I'm done with the parts that inspires 5-post updates a day.

*whoever she's in ev'ry magazine
She's been photographed, seen
She is known
We don't like to rush
But your case has been packed
If she missed anything
You can give her a ring
But she won't always answer the phone...

Yes, I like reciting songs at any flimsy excuse.

Davian Korran · Dec 17, 2012

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spoiler_warning: Update within

Hi Bob! A lot happened today.

I found Meredith waiting for me surprisingly patiently and a little bit depressed. I had heard rumours, but I had no idea she was this badly off lately. She also seemed far calmer than the last time I spoke to her.

As to the point as ever, though. And I did not like the word 'conspirancy'. It's what crazy people say.

And of course, OF COURSE the mages were to blame. I'd have died from shock if she blamed literally anyone else. Always mages with her.

And always defending Elthina with Sebastian.

I wasn't sure what I'd done to deserve special clarification, but I wouldn't go so far as to call what he said 'treason'. Mostly frustrated ranting skirting on... well... treason.

This was really starting to sound unbelievable. Paranoid as she was, she couldn't honestly be starting to suspect her own people in this.

But she was clever enough to intepret the face I was making in seconds. 'I know how it sounds' was a good sign, though. That meant she was reasoning somewhat rationally to be able to judge her own behaviour.

Fair enough, but she still seemed very, very fast to blame mages and she always had.

I'd like to finally know why, since she actually seemed to trust me.

(Actually quite the nice construction. If you support Orsino in the square, he's the one to give out this quest and you never get this chance to have Meredith explain her side of things. Instead here, we forego hearing Orsino's side. I mentioned it before, but this game is fond of rewarding consistency in choice.)

I wasn't prepared for the tender, gentle tone of her voice or the vulnerable look on her face. I'd never seen Meredith look more human than just then, and in a way I felt uncomfortable, as if I were trespassing. On the other hand, she didn't even hesitate for a second to speak to me, nor demanded the others waited outside.

Bethany and me. It could have been the story of us so far.

I could see her as the little girl she had been. Like Carver with Bethany, always trying to take care of her.

Oh.

I wondered for a moment how old she had been, and how fresh the wound was when someone told her just how many people her sister killed. One act of kindness cost seventy-one lives and wounded a little girl's mind forever. Magic is a miserable thing.

She was trying to keep other well-meaning people from knowing the suffering she had or meet the death her parents had. A lot of things started making sense to me.

But I couldn't think of anything to say that didn't seem awfully inadequate and stupid.

I never, ever forget the sound it made when the Ogre slammed the life out of my dear, sweet little sister, the slow, rasping cough that took away my father or the twisted smile on my mother's murderer's face. I couldn't even start to imagine the misery contained in remembering your parents dying to a monster that used to be your poor, gentle sister.

I'm not sure Meredith is pitiless as it's often claimed. I think it's like Aveline. She's suffered a wound in her past and she tries to heal it with overbearing and duty.

She looked pointedly at me. I tried to meet her gaze, but I also recognized I was steering us away from the actual matter at hand, so I thanked her for her candour and returned to the topic at hand.

Namely this 'conspirancy'.

Davian Korran · Dec 17, 2012

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spoiler_warning: Update within

Fair to be fair, that did sound bloody dodgy.

So did that, but for other reasons. People can be traitorous for their own reasons. It's not always blood magic.

And then back to just being dodgy in the usual manner. Orsino sounded like he wasn't exactly doing anything to assuade Meredith's fears here.

What good is he in the job if all he does is make things worse?

Surprising to hear Meredith defend Orsino, but a relief, too. I'm not sure she's as lost as they all seem to think. Maybe she's just like me, a socially awkward disaster with people.

Regardless, I told her I'd help.

I had a feeling Cullen aside she probably didn't have much call to say that.

To be fair if she wanted people to take her seriously, she'd need to sleep more so she'd look less crazy.

Leading us to the next question on the menu. I didn't want to be the bringer of bad news to be stabbed if she was in an ornery mood.

She sounded very calm and matter of fact saying it, and it reassured me immensely. She's not the monster people see her as.

She moved over and scribbled the exact location, then handed me a note.

The De Launcet courtyard, of all strange places. Well, it was the largest open spot in Hightown, but it still seemed awfully out in the open. I agreed with Meredith's notion this couldn't happen without Templar cooperation and that painted a dark picture indeed.

That much I could definitely do, and I told her as much. I left her there In a muich reassured state, so I didn't mund mind Orsino demonstratively slamming his door as I passed his office. I might have been in a less sunny mood, had I known what was coming to pass as I went to gather some backup that shouldn't arose possible apostates.

By the time I had convinced Merrill no one would be harmed by her personally doing this unless they deserved it, dark had fallen and we went straight there, only to find what seemed like something mighty suspicious indeed. Men int emplar and Circle garb... talking peacefully. Some of those were dressed as senior mages, too.

They also had an obvious case of guilty conscience because they practically jumped a feet into the air upon seeing us.

And then the guy whose robes were the highest ranks ran off and we find ourselves in quite the absurd pickle.

(Even if the templar looks like he might be one act of altruism and a bridge over the river Seine from being finished off - yes I got him that facial mod just to make that observation to myself. I am a lousy human being.)

Fight templars and mages. At least their immediate resorting to violence already proved Meredith was right. Something mighty fishy was going on here.

I wonder sometimes whose job it is to clean all the bodies we leave around in the streets up. They're always cleared by morning. Anders, still in his helpful mood, suggested to me we check the bodies for clues, though, and I went to check the highest ranking templar plate.

They always write things down, don't they? We had a pleasant stroll to the Docks to count our blessings, but I wasn't prepared for what we found there.

Six years ago Macha told me Keran was so idealistic, so devout. Six years later I find him consorting with rebel mages, the same sort that kidnapped and tortured him. At that moment I could almost believe Meredith's claim blood magic had to be at work. What else did I know that could turn a boy like that?

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

This isn't the prelude to a giant bulk update, I just plain couldn't get Imgur to spit out the last 20 screenshots last night, so you'll be getting them quite the bit later; namely now. That kind of messes up the flow, but I suppose when people read up at any later time it doesn't really matter. Where were we... Ah yes, Keran.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

My blood magic thesis was remarkably quickly debunked as he came about and ran off. I was relieved for once people weren't just dying figuratibely and literally to fight us, but this also meant he was here of his own free will.

This. This was very wrong.

A concern then for a later time as templars and mages with less reservations rushed to help Silly Hat man remind me that a) this was bad and b) THIS was EXACTLY why almost no one wears hats these days.

(Once again my eternal gratitude to @videetcedere who told me of the Hide Helmet option. If only it worked on NPCs...)

It's getting harder and harder to get through to Anders when he's even the slightest bit out of emotional balance, but I was relieved to realize Vengeance seemed to be as eager to at least help us get rid of the templar half of the problem as Anders would have been.

(Amusingly what he's doing there isn't some mighty hell vortex. He's just applying a buff. I always spec Anders as Support Mage and the blue blur lines we all have is the Haste spell, another buff he cast for us.)

Still, you'd honestly think they would know of me well enough to at least TRY having a chat. Meredith had asked me for answers, not corpses, so the constant fights were really grating on my patience.

(Things I learned this playthrough: Arcane Shield makes for very pretty battle screenshots.)

The moment it was over, thankfully, Keran emerged from hiding to give me my first actual answers. I wasn't yet sure what 'it' he was referring to, though.

That, that I could believe. Keran at his heart will always be a kind, earnest lad, and I wanted to believe this wasn't what it looked like, though the paranoia and the casual approach to violence I had seen so far was not happy signs.

Now I didn't understand a thing. Well, I did understand why he'd be against kidnapping, but who? What? They clearly hadn't been trying to kidnap me, so where did that leave my being 'the one'?

(She's the one. She's the only one.)

Ill. This boded it.

I felt my vision blacken out for a moment. He sounded like this had held for a bit and I'd only just left Fenris at his mansion to go to check this out.

And then all I felt was red-hot, murderous rage. They DARED. They had DARED.

(If your sibling is alive, the game will always have them be the victim here. If they're dead, it's the romance partner. If you romanced no one, it's whoever you have the highest relationship score with - that means it could be anyone in this playthrough assuming I let Carver die in the Deep Roads and didn't romance Fenris becayse everyone is at max Rivalry/Friendship)

Maker's underhoses, THIS ISN'T HARD. I have one, ONE immediate family member left alive and IF YOU MESS WITH MY FAMILY, I WILL BREAK YOU.

I will find you, and I will break you, and then I will set your home on fire and THIS WAS A RATHER WELL KNOWN FACT THANKS TO VARRIC. They always listen to the wrong parts of the stories, don't they?

(Aggressive option is go, and the line is delivered with barely restrained murderous rage.)

Thrask. Thrask had orchestrated all the disappearances, had my brother kidnapped as leverage sooner than trying to explain himself to me. If he was behind all this, it certainly explained why Keran was here, but not what compelled this crazy reasoning. Had he even tried to speak to Meredith?

But before I rushed off to BREAK the son of a bitch who took my brother, I better make sure I was gunning for the right bastard. Keran, however, confirmed it. The same Thrask.

He started out with quite the bit of momentum, but he started trailing off as he noticed the no doubt rather contorted, pissed off look on my face. If they wanted my help, they could have asked. Kidnapping Carver was unforgivable. We could be nothing but enemies now.

It seemed the full extent of their mistake was finally dawning on Keran, because I had a feeling he would have begged if he didn't have a stronger character than that.

He'd helped, and he'd spoken against the kidnapping. I wasn't going to hurt him, though I knew the right way here would probably be to have him arrested. All that kept me from feeding him to Meredith on that count was remembering Macha's livelihood depended on him. I hoped another time he'd take that more seriously.

I could even believe that. I hoped, truly hoped, when I found Thrask I'd learn it was a tragic misunderstanding of overzealous members and he had taken care of it and freed Carver. Otherwise, he would have to die.

Six years ago Saemus had cried for Ashaad in that spot in much the same manner his father would cry for him in the Chantry later on. I never considered it a very happy place, but Keran's assurance Carver would be relatively unharmed, if probably pissed off, at least gave me some hope.

I wouldn't going to discuss with him, and I honestly didn't care what he did as long as he would get out of my sight. I didn't have time to waste for anything.

Except maybe pick up an interesting knicknack Fenris could tell me about in happier times.

We were off to the Coast.

(Final companion gift item found. This also means our last companion talk before the end game will be with Fenris!)

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

Antiqua said: ↑

EDIT: I forgot to ask, which colour eyes are Joyce's ones?

Ah, shit, I didn't see this until now. Let me go and check and sorry for the lateness >_>

*opens game*

Eyes number 5 one the slider. I MIGHT have some additional eye hue mods, but if so, it's the brighter of the orangy options that aren't quite yellow. Note that being these are Act 3 values, her cheek fullness is a bit off - I reduced it in Act 3 to make her look a bit more mature than in Act 2 and 1.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Joyce in the CC as it looks on my PC

Sheepherder · Dec 18, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

Except maybe pick up an interesting knicknack Fenris could tell me about in happier times.

(Final companion gift item found. This also means our last companion talk before the end game will be with Fenris!)

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Your history lesson with Sheepherder. Might spoil Fenris' dialogue, I wouldn't know.

A misericorde was a long, narrow knife, used in medieval times to deliver the death stroke (the mercy stroke, hence the name of the blade, derived from the Latin misericordia, "mercy") to a seriously wounded knight. The blade was thin enough so that it could strike through the gaps between armour plates.

This weapon was used to dispatch knights who had received mortal wounds, which were not always quickly fatal in the age of bladed combat; it could also be used as a means of killing an active adversary, as during a grappling struggle. The blade could be pushed through the visor or eye holes in the helm with the aim of piercing the brain, or thrust through holes or weak points in plate armor, such as under the arm, with the aim of piercing the heart. The weapon was known from the 12th century and has appeared in the armaments of Germany, Persia, and England.

Euthanasia was administered by thrusting below the neck down into the heart.

Also:

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

Fenris doesn't mention it overmuch, less than I remembered really, and I didn't know it had historial basis before now. Thanks for sharing!

Joie de Combat · Dec 18, 2012

Although the Blade of Mercy, like all of Fenris' weapons, is a two-handed sword (and not even a very good one, sadly enough).

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

Joie de Combat said: ↑

Although the Blade of Mercy, like all of Fenris' weapons, is a two-handed sword (and not even a very good one, sadly enough).

Yeah, I put together the next update and it basically went "Here you go, love." "Thanks." "Now use The Empress' Point again. And don't make that face.I'm saddled with Boob Staff. We all make sacrifices."

Joie de Combat · Dec 18, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

Yeah, I put together the next update and it basically went "Here you go, love." "Thanks." "Now use The Empress' Point again. And don't make that face.I'm saddled with Boob Staff. We all make sacrifices."

You'd think they'd give the Meaningful Gift Weapon better stats. Even my first time playing when I had no DLC weapons at all, by the time I found the Blade of Mercy and gave it to Fenris it was already obsolete.

I let him run around with it for a while anyway, for the same reason I don't ever sell anyone's starting gear, but still.

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

Joie de Combat said: ↑

You'd think they'd give the Meaningful Gift Weapon better stats. Even my first time playing when I had no DLC weapons at all, by the time I found the Blade of Mercy and gave it to Fenris it was already obsolete.

I let him run around with it for a while anyway, for the same reason I don't ever sell anyone's starting gear, but still.

This. Considering they went to the trouble of making Bianca level up with Varric I can't understand why they leave The Blade of Mercy, The Shield of the Knight Herself and the Starkhaven Longbow with such terrible stats. The former especially because it's very hard for me, anyway, to play in a way so he doesn't end up getting it right before the endgame.

Actually, in that vein since I just figured out how to at least get up the first 20 images, the update to conclude Best Served Cold (80 images) will commence shortly and once it's done, all that remains is the very last quest, The Last Straw.

We're seriously almost done here, people.

Joie de Combat · Dec 18, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

Actually, in that vein since I just figured out how to at least get up the first 20 images, the update to conclude Best Served Cold (80 images) will commence shortly and once it's done, all that remains is the very last quest, The Last Straw.

We're seriously almost done here, people.

Yay! :D

...man, your work ethic makes me ashamed of my lack of progress on my Jade Empire LP.

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

Joie de Combat said: ↑

Yay! :D

...man, your work ethic makes me ashamed of my lack of progress on my Jade Empire LP.

Yay indeed ^_^

When you do write an update it's a really great one every time, though.

Joie de Combat · Dec 18, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

When you do write an update it's a really great one every time, though.

Aww, thank you!

I should be able to get back to a more regular update schedule once the holiday season is over. It's the busy season for my job so I don't have a lot of energy to spare right now.

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

Unsurprisingly, the Wounded Coast, like the rest of bloody Kirkwall, had no shortage of suicidal idiots standing between me and Carver. We gave them the death they were clearly itching for.

Of course, as we did, the dead rose around us, and I now had very mixed feelings for Thrask. A good man couldn't possibly allow this. The first and foremost duty of a templar is to keep mages safe from the tempation to resort to it, and these mages called it out for convenience, didn't hesitate as they cut. As if they were in the habit.

This wasn't right.

It was around then Samson appeared, looking as ragged as ever. Maybe Thrask wasn't smart enough to pay the ex-Templar in the lyrium he craved if he was, and so it seemed, about to betray him.

I'd do whatever it'd take and speak to whomever I had to to finally get some answers, though.

So Thrask knew. He had my brother kidnapped to blackmail me, he let mages sneak out and practice blood magic. Could six years really change a man this much? How monstrous did he find Meredith if he found THIS preferable?

All I knew was that he deserved whatever she'd do to him for what I'd seen here already, even discounting Carver.

Of course, whether he was the reliable witness was a matter up for debate as I saw it...

Samson had a saddening lack concern about how I saw him, though. I had to wonder for a moment who he used to be like, before addiction crippled and sucked his dignity from him, and I suddenly wondered if Meredith remembered to take her lyrium in her current state. That might explain that wan and gaunt look of her, as well as her outbursts.

Of all people I could understand why he would resist Meredith. She ruined his life because in a moment of compassion he smuggled some innocent love letters from a mage boy to his girlfriend. Harmless in the grand scheme of things, harmless when you considered monsters like Karras and Alrik who ruined the Order's good name, and here he was turning his back on the shot at vengeance because in his book, blood magic was going too far.

The templar Samson must have been a exceptional man.

I actually stopped feeling murderous rage for a moment. It was nice to finally after so many crushed illusions to find integrity in the least likely place. Sometimes people really can surprise you in a positive way. I'd almost have foresworn it.

At least for Kirkwall, this seemed tragically true. What Thrask was doing here might well doom the Circle, really. There'd be no telling how many mages he had let fall in failing his responsbilities this much.

I was glad this wasn't my headache. I pitied whoever mage hadn't been part of this and didn't ask for this.With luck, if it was handled delicately, no one would have to do anything drastic, though. Thrask might name every mage he allowed blood magic if it meant saving the others.

Good, because I wasn't sure asking nicely would fly with the kind of bastard who thought kidnapping my brother was the way to scare me into obedience. I told him to hurry.

As for me, I had a few truths to impart upon a certain brother-napping bastard.

We were surrounded and he had several high ranking people with him, but I barely even paid attention. All I could see was Carver's body on the ground, deadly still, unmoving. I was too far away to see if he was still breathing.

I wanted to kill them all.

Whereas I had lost every last thread of respect I ever had for the man after this. Leading kids like Alain and Keran into this, the blood magic, the crimes... he was just making the Meredith situation worse by riling her up, the bloody idiot.

And I had neither the time nor the patience to listen to his self-glorification. Until I was sure Carver had at least not been harmed, we had nothing to speak about.

Good. Then we could talk, I thought. And that meant, to my immense relief, Carver remained alive.

I was about to explain in extensively detail what part of my staff I was going to shove up what orifice of his if he thought he could blackmail me, but that never came to anything.

GRACE. I had to wonder if she'd ever told Thrask how she planned to have him killed for her own sake back then. Unlikely, when she seemed to be second in command. That certainly explained where the blood magic ideas stemmed from.

All I knew was that if anyone touched a hair on my brother's head, they'd be dead before they could even try to contemplate how colosally idiotic that idea had been.

NOBODY. MESSES. WITH. MY. FAMILY.

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS UPDATE EVEN IF I HAVE TO MANUALLY DRAG EACH IMAGE INTO THE UPLOAD FIELD BECAUSE THAT'S APPARENTLY HOW FIREFOX WANTS TO GO ABOUT IT AND IE AND IMGUR AREN'T TALKING.

*deep breath*

After this LP finishes God knows what I will miss the least is daily wrestling matches with bloody image uploads.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Upload within

Isabela has an excellent memory and an even more excellent ability to drag me back down to earth.

We did send all of her. Not just her ass, though looking at her face, she could have fooled me.

Thrask seemed to have finally decided logic was too much to bother with all together. Meredith doesn't kill innocents as far as I know, and even if she did, how did a templar serving her count as 'innocent'? Not that I was going to point that out to him.

I now understood absolutely nothing.

Now I did and I wanted to facepalm. I had no doubt all the colosally terrible ideas in this were HER doing and it all made sense now. It was a very stupid way to try and oust Meredith, but it was made sense seen as one big farce to punish me.

She was an even bigger bitch than and thought. No matter her quarry with me, Carver was blameless.

But apparently she was as stupid as she was vile, so I'd have to reiterate for her benefit. MY FAMILY. NOBODY MESSING.

(This is the Aggressive response corresponding to 'Don't mess with me'. It's not always easy to find out what the options actually cover, but I am well satisfied with that one.)

Lucky her. I was going to kill her as swiftly as possible. I was almost certain whoever's been stuck listening to her bitchy whining for six years would also sooner die than enduring one more minute with her.

Oddly, I felt no compulsion to intervene. I suppose I've always known people, at least on the surface, enough to sense it if things are about to go very wrong.

(His hands still don't match his face. So many damned mods and no fix for this.)

And Alain... never was and never had been a killer as much as an unlucky boy trapped in bad company.

Grace, though, was a bitch and far, far worse than I had sensed back then. She'd been like a snake captured in a snare all this time, growing worse and worse even as they'd tried to contain her. And she needed to die now.

(It may not translate very well, but she slaps Alain here.)

This time I felt the intent to kill intensely, but before I could put myself between her and Carver, I was beaten to it.

In a way I felt sorry for Thrask. He had the right idea, peace and cooperation between mages and templars. If she hadn't trusted Grace and let her twist it into just another blood mage cult, it might have been the force of good he had wished for.

But it is as Fenris once told me. What has magic touched that it doesn't spoil?

Thrask seemed to think at this stage even a mage as depraved as Grace could be dealt with with a gentle, but firm hand.

But as she said just then, that was where he was wrong.

No one even had time to step in this time. One flash of light, as the best man I had ever seen wear the sun-shield fell, dead to a monster he had helped uncage with his good intentions. He had deserved a better end than this.

Luckily, she was directing her aggression towards us. Not ideal, maybe, but better than hurting Carver, who was defenceless.

Shock of shocks, after we killed her even faster than she killed Thrask, an abomination rose from the body. Good. She deserved to die as ugly as she had always behaved towards us.

We got them all.

(Grace, incidently, drops the last piece of the Champion set, the hood. It makes no visual difference, but it's nice to finally have it since it bestows a set bonus on us.)

Not everyone fought us, though, and Alain was foremost of them. I figured that at least earned him the right to be heard out. If he hadn't told Grace no, Carver would have been dead, same as Thrask, and with as little opportunity for us to help.

Maybe I should have stopped him, but right at that moment I wanted Carver freed, and preferably without resorting to blood magic myself.

I am a selfish bitch.

A selfish, selfish bitch.

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

Ah, you can select numbers at a time to put into it. Well, that make it easier.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

But I can't lose him, too. Not Carver. If that's the one thing I choose to be selfish about as Champion, so be it.

My big, loud, obnoxious, adorable lunkhead of a little brother.

I only hope one day I'll be able to phrase a sentence to make it clear to him just how much he means and has always meant to me.

But even if I never do, I really think it'll be okay, everything, somehow, one day.

If we could ever go five seconds without getting interrupted, that is. On the other hand, I knew very well I'd asked Samson to hurry.

He had hopefully mentioned the blood magic, and that I intended to oppose Thrask, not join him. With luck, he even knew enough they could make sure only the guilty paid for this.

Alain is a good boy. A very good boy.

I couldn't fault Cullen for his apparent weariness, though. This was just about the worst damn thing that could possibly happen. On the other hand, they hadn't witnessed his saving Carver's life, so...

Credit paid where it's due. Grace was the real monster in this. No reason we let her ruin even more.

What a glum way to say it. Also true, probably, knowing Kirkwall, but Alain had helped before it was obvious who would win.

Alain looked like he understood perfectly that even this was more than he could hope for as they led him off. I breathed out, however, knowing there remained quite the bit to sort out here.

Everyone who remained even slightly alive. We're becoming quite deadly, I think.

I wanted, in part, to demand more bloodshed, but Carver was safe now and I knew that wasn't the wy forward.

Thrask did all he did because he felt Meredith went too far and never gave concessions. First comes mercy. As Father told me once, nothing stays where nothing grows. Peace doesn't come through killing every dissident.

Luckily, I think I can count on Cullen to make sure cooler heads prevail in general. I also knew Meredith would probably like me to report back fast, but as much as Anders had behaved himself, keeping them in the same room seemed unwise, so I went to change my company and indulge some curiosity.

Darling Fenris. Six years and he hadn't figured out how the curtains work. One of these days I WILL talk him into cleaning up in there, though.

A matter for another time, though. I could see his eyes widen with fascination the moment he saw it, and now I was truly curious.

And that sounded like a contradiction in terms to me. I hoped he planned to elaborate.

Fine craftmanship aside it being a souvenir would explain why we found it stashed at the docks.

Rather anti-climatic. He must have noticed how disappointed he looked, though, because he gently shook his head at me.

Davian Korran · Dec 18, 2012

Okay. As I am now rewriting this for the THIRD TIME because apparently if the net goes and my browser freezes it corrupts the backups and make THEM freeze the window immediately again I am going to update this post one picture with text at a time. It will total to twenty, and I know it's a bit inconvenient, but I've been trying to update for an hour now and I am not going to let this stupid pc defeat me when I finally beat imgur. You will need your refresh keys for this. I apologize for the inconvenience.

The update is now here in its entirety. I hope I never have to do that again >_>

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

I admit, I love it when he teases me. He's really come far in the six years I've known him.

He held out his hand and I placed the hilt in it, stroking the unmarked skin between two tattoo lines with my thumb gently before withdrawing. He winked at me, then raised the blade slightly, wielding it with his usual, casual elegance.

He traced his fingers along the dull edge of the blade, and it reacted by sparkling with a warm, amber glow. Beautiful, and clearly enchanted. I wasn't sure as to the effect, but it was clearly it was no ordinary souvenir.

And I could think of no better way to use it than spite Danarius' memory by giving Fenris something to hold that bastard had always wanted.

He clearly appreciated the irony at work as well, and he has such a lovely smile. Also, if nothing else, that sword can double as a reading lamp.

(A rival Fenris will be angry and refuse to accept the gift at all.)

He's spent most of the first part of his life miserable because of other people. If I can, I I want to make sure the other parts will be ones of joy, as long as he needs me.

(As long as loooooove is long
I'll love him
Right or wrong
I know that I'll be strong
As long as heeeeee
Neeeeeeeeds
Meeeeeeee!)

Happily, he also had time to accompany me, but before we went to Meredith, I figured I'd hit the last sane man left in the Gallows up for the lay of the land. It might help me anticipate how to deal with Meredith.

And I kind of wanted to see him. I have Fenris now, but that doesn't change the face he has a very pleasant face, does it?

I was relieved to hear they'd heeded my advice. In my best opinion, the best way to abttle Thrask was to prove him wrong, not enforce everything he had turned against. Nothing stays where nothing grows, Father always told me.

Fair enough, really. It was more mercy than Grace had had for Thrask. I asked about Carver and he assured me Alain had been very helpful in treating the remnants of the spell Grace used still stuck in him. Relieved, I bid him farewell and good luck - I left him looking like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I had my own heavy duty to performs, but since there was no easy way to tell Meredith people hated her enough they'd conspire against her personally, Mouth decided it didn't need Brain again and said it in the worst possible way conceivable. Well done, Mouth.

She took that surprisingly well, but I was immensely confused when she started talking about Orsino, close to the only prominent person in the Gallows NOT featuring on either side of the fiasco.

I could not put this in anything but none uncertain terms. While Orsino's speech might indirectly have enflamed Thrask, he was blameless in this, and the city needed their cooperation. Meredith had to see that.

She sounded slightly annoyed with Cullen, which did absolutely not bode well. I am convinced the day she stops listening to his council is the day the Gallows will dissolve into open warfare. For now, I was glad he had to courage to insist on truth, and not just what Meredith wanted to hear.

For her sake, for everybody's sake, I couldn't let her make everything worse.

I suddenly felt very cold. Were they right? Had she lost her mind under the strain?

Aveline was right, but I wasn't sure this was the time or the place. We couldn't force Meredith to calm down.

Happily, she sounded more rational the next moment. At least she knew she had no actual proof Orsino was the evil incarnate.

I did not like the sound of that one bit. I think she's losing it. Maybe she lost it a long time ago and I just didn't want to face it.

Against my better judgement, I left her to it. I have a horrible feeling, though, Bob. I think we're past the point where this can end well, and I feel like I am watching that Ogre grapple for Bethany again, hopelessly out of range, aware of what will happen and unable to stop it.

I have to go now, though. It's gotten late.

I'm almost out of pages. I wonder if it will ever be a problem for me. The way things are going, probably not, huh?

End entry.

Minardii · Dec 18, 2012

Ha, interesting to see this all from the Templar's side; I never took a side in the beginning fight, so I got to deal with Orisino for most quests (Except for chasing down the rogue mages for Meridith). I also always encouraged them to take back Samson.. Eh, I liked making him a little happy after all of his hardships!

PS: Fenris. Yes.

Davian Korran · Dec 19, 2012

I usually tell them to take him back in, too, since I'l pretty much committed at this stage, but it always gets me how they apparently refuse to give him a proper uniform back XD I mean; "Welcome back to the templars, Samson. After you left, most mages here have turned to blood magic and psychotic hatred of templars, so here's a shield to identify you as one." "... um, thanks, but what about armour?" "Nah, what you're wearing will do."

I was surprised the first time I sided with Meredith, too. Considering the general vibe it's the 'wrong' choice, I was pleasantly surprised at it actually fleshing her out a bit more, albeit at the cost of Orsino. You can't really play the game once for a full picture, I guess.

Sedrine · Dec 19, 2012

Davian Korran said: ↑

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spoiler_warning: Update within

Oh my god, wtf is wrong with her NECK?!

Davian Korran · Dec 19, 2012

Sedrine said: ↑

Oh my god, wtf is wrong with her NECK?!

Clearly the next Age after the Dragon Age will be the Neck Age inspired by the truly grotesque sights spotted in and around Kirkwall as defenses against vampires with truly disappointing facial hair and/or the zombiecalypse surviving robots and evil little girls.

Davian Korran · Dec 19, 2012

I thought I'd go ahead and screenshot the opening of The Last Straw. And then I reduced. And reduced. And then.

100 goddamn screenshots and it was mostly the opening sequence. Sooo... yeah... last quest might be a few days. Let's see what I have time for for today.

You can consider endgame officially started. I have butterflies in my stomach doing this.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

Hi Bob. I've no idea how to start this... or end or even... I guess I'll just narrate today, see where it goes.

A letter arrived from Meredith. I didn't really think much of it after her last paranoid rantings, but I thought I might as well make good time there after lunch.

(If you support the mages, Orsino will send you a suspiciously similar letter.)

We barely had time to enter the suspiciously empty courtyard, though, before what looked the youngest recruit of the order came to greet us.

(A Circle mage if Orsino sent the letter.)

Apparently they had both stormed off, Orsino to appeal some matter to the Grand Cleric and Meredith to stop him, both with their own personal contingents. I asked if Carver had gone.

He had.

We could hear them yelling all the way from down on the docks, so I more or less pulled along whoever was in range. I had a terrible feeling about this, and not only because it seemed like someone had lit a random fire in the street.

I almost found the tantrums I could witness ahead calming, though. If nothing else by now I know how to deal with adults behaving like children.

It seemed to me Orsino had a point there. Of course, granted, I didn't know what had provoked this.

Damning reason. If it were true.

It seemed as if Thrask's conspiracy was dragging its thick, slimy shadows over everything still. I was starting to doubt the rift it had sowed could ever be mended.

Carver and the others might be happy to stand here and watch them play havoc with the single most important equilibrium in the city.

They were being STUPID. Stupid stupidheads.

For once I didn't actually feel sad. I was much, much to annoyed with him for being petty enough to make this about being mad at me instead of caring about the crisis at hand.

As a small blessing, though, at least it had stopped Meredith from shouting for a second. I took a deep breath, hoping calm might start a positive circle instead of the vicious bullshit currently going on. Carver mercifully shut up, too.

Provided everyone could get over the hurt feelings for a moment, I hoped I could at least make sure they didn't start coming to blows until Elthina could get there and send them home.

Honestly, having seen the ones joining Thrask, it was hard to argue with her. Making choices that suicidal WAS monumentally stupid.

That was the problem, really. Both were right, but both, Meredith especially, took it to irrational extremes so no neutral party could throw in their lot with either.

But these two weren't lone agitators. With Dumar gone, they and Elthina were the most powerful people left in the city. Leaders set examples. They don't bitch like whiny children - especially not in front of their men.

Yes, I had.Year after year after year here, but I had also met mages like Ella and Alain, innocent kids just wanting to exist without offense, taken from their families. I am a mage. I never wanted power. Neither did Bethany, or Father. It's never that simple, just like Cullen is a good templar and Alrik was a bad one.

Orsino seemed the most riled up, so I voiced the part of my opinions that supported him in that instance. Cullen... she had stopped listening to him as he started opposing her more paranoid reactions. I wondered if I were to be next.

And a change came over her countenance. She looked... touched, somehow, as if she hadn't considered what we said in a long time. As if she were actually listening. Maybe we could turn this yet, I thought.

I am stupid.

Davian Korran · Dec 19, 2012

Ladies, gentlemen, prepare your desks for heading.

(toggle_spoiler)
spoiler_warning: Update within

For what it was worth, I think she honestly meant it. The cold, pitiless distance everyone regarded her as having even as I arrived in Kirkwall might have been just the coping mechanism of a sensitive girl who had lost everything and whanted others to never suffer as she had.

But that wasn't helping right now.

Orsino didn't leave us time to make anything of Meredith's unexpected expression of emotional vulnerability, and if there ever was a moment to reach in, it was now past.

For a moment I thought he was angry enough to strike her, but he never had the chance. If only. It would have caused less damage than the interruption.

No one had seen Anders all day, and he had chosen a damned queer time to barge in, I thought, though he walked with definite purpose, determination... Vengeance's emotionless, perfunctory diction. I didn't understand.

Neither did Meredith. If only we had. If anybody had...

I facepalmed, fuming. I really wanted to slap him and tell him we didn't have time for his shit right now. We had a conflict to prevent.

He was taking 'not helping' to an even higher level than usual.

There was a stirring in the air.

For a moment I deluded myself it was just Vengeance manifesting, but the pulse, the hum in the air grew louder and louder.

I didn't understand. I tried my best not to. To not remember his 'potion'.

(Pictured: Anders' inability to look normal in screenshots ruining his pathos)

But facing away from what might hurt you is a luxury only children have. I grabbed his shoulder. He felt so cold...

He pulled away from me... slammed his staff into the ground in what sounded like a sequence and...

((GOD...))

((.... DAMNIT....)

((.... ANDERS....))

((... YOU...))

((.... FUCKING...))

((.... fuck.))

For a moment, everyone was quiet, transfixed, frozen in utter disbelief at what he had just vanished.

It didn't last.

Joie de Combat · Dec 19, 2012

DAMMIT, ANDERS.

...also how did I never notice how creepy Meredith's sword is until just now.

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