Champions of the Just or In Hushed Whispers?

Definitely In Hushed Whispers. I found it better in every way compared to the Templar mission. Plus, IHW has no DAMN BABYSITTING

Definitely prefer Hushed Whispers. I've done both twice, now - once recruiting and once conscripting, for you know...content experience. But going forward, unless I find a meaningful role-playing reason for doing otherwise, Hushed Whispers is likely to be my go-to option.

I don't dislike Champions of the Just, but the timed stuff bugs me.

Much prefer the 'dark future' experience in IHW.

Done

IHW. I simply don't feel as good if I go the Templar route. I mean, I feel guilty for how either group turns out (Red Templar vs. Venatori), but somehow I feel really bad for forsaking the otherwise civilian mages to Cory.

Curiously, though I still feel bad for the Templars, I don't feel as bad as I would if I let the mages be conscripted even though their fate is worse from a certain point of view. I suppose its because of how I view the Order, but still. It leaves me a bit surprised at myself.

And yes, I do base my decision based on what happens to the characters and not the quest itself. I personally find both to be lacking in some way. IHW brought time travel to the mix (and did rather poorly at it imo) and Champions of the Just just seemed pretty over the top with Envy even though the situation itself didn't seem that heavy.

That being said, of the two I do find myself questioning elements of the series with Hushed Whispers more than I do Champions of the Just. I guess it just explored more elements like the potential of red lyrium and a world with a tattered veil whereas Champions of the Just was just concerned with a particularly rare demon and human corruption from within.

I quite like Envy. I enjoy hammy villains.

I suspect any preference for IHW is based on it being the Mage path rather than the merits of the actual quest.

I feel Champions of the Just is better written and I think Calpernia is better than Samson. Plus you get the extra little tidbits about corypheus that make him slightly less "Mwahahahahahaha evil" villain. However, I do In Hushed Whispers more simply because of Dorian, my own view on mages, Dorian, and Dorian.

In truth I found the whole idea of having to make a choice between the two rather contrived. What happened to promoting peace and understanding between the two warring factions? I'll admit that the narrative pushed the player more towards choosing mages, which I think it shouldn't have (and I have a tendency to push against the plot when I feel I'm being led by the nose).

As regards the opposing plot lines, I feel they were both good, and it was a real shame that each introduced a separate companion, as the reason to put up with Cole in particular is lessened if one has not had the chance to build a relationship with him.

Each plotline in terms of gameplay, interaction and revelations gleaned I think is good, even though some aspects of the time travel scenario does not hold up well to logic.
I think Ser Barris is a better ally to gain than Fiona, what with his War Table missions and the chance to promote him Knight Commander.
I'd agree that Calpernia is a better protagonist than Samson, though I also think the Red Templars make a better enemy faction than a reinforced Venatori group.

I agree that the game (the whole series in fact) seems to push us more to side with the mages. I have as well, both in Origins and DA2. So in Inquisition I went with In Hushed Whispers without even thinking about it too much. Because the series had taught me that mages = good, templars = bad. Only when I started to think more about the situation, I started to actually prefer Champions Of The Just. Both for story and gameplay reasons. And as much as I love Dorian, I like having him warn me about the attack at Haven, because Cole just showing up is a little too random for me.

So while I think IHW is a great mission, I prefer COTJ simply for story purposes (however I do conscript the Templars).

Also, I've done 3 playthroughs and not once have I seen any wartable missions for Ser Barris. I know they're supposed to be there but I've missed them every time. I don't know if it's a bug or what, I'd love to make him Knight Commander

Oh yeah! Makes sense, should have realised. Ah well then

Heart-wrenching In Hushed Whispers, definitely, although I'd prefer Calpernia here, who is a much more interesting character than Ser Barris and Samson combined.

IHW with Calpernia as, for instance, Alexius's former slave who became his assistant (replacing Dorian), only later to betray him for Corypheus.

Ah well, a girl can dream.

I chose hushed however there are certain things i miss

The demon fight- i like the design of the demon and fighting doppleganger
Cole is much more fleshed out
Hate sacrificing the good templars
Calpermia

Either way you losing out on interesting npcs

(Yes, especially I like Samson's story and when he speak about the Templars and the Chantry relationship on the judgement.)