The Blanketfort (crying and throwing up) - The Official Solas Thread [Spoilers]

Here's something I've been thinking since this exchange on Twitter:









I find that interesting, since we already know at least three ways to Tranquility:

- ritual during which a person is cut from the Fade by lyrium brand,

- a Dreamer killed in the Fade can become Tranquil,

But the most interesting is the last one:

- Tranquility can be self-imposed.

In fact, that's how it's been discovered by the Seekers that the mages get cut from Fade and magic - a mage failed the rite of Tranquility, which left him permanently Tranquil. And that was basically self-inflicted - Cassandra may not tell us the details of the rite, but she doesn't mention lyrium in any quantities (nor we hear Cole mentioning lyrium when he explores her memories of times she's passed the rite); merely fasting and meditation for months .

...Which, you know, sounds suspiciously like in that brief moment Cass sort of achieves he state of Nirvana. Ironically that's what (AFAIK) Nirvana is believed to be - a state in which a human being achieves Enlightenment by cutting themselves from all that causes suffering... which largely means human passions (Nirvana literally translates to 'blown out' or 'extinguished').

It kinda makes me intrigued what Tranquility is in reality (we do know that it helps Seekers obtain their unique powers and makes them either immune or very resistant to possession or effects of blighted lyrium) and what was/is its function among ancient elves.

I actually wouldn't be surprised if Solas practiced entering that state, if it didn't end with permanent state, but had other uses (I can't help but to think about The Deepest Fade codex and how it mentions that "Epiphany requires a mind smooth as mirror glass, still as stone"... which, you know, sounds very Nirvana'ish/Tranquilish). After all, Pharamond mentions trat, ironically, Tranquility resembles a state of dream, with the only problem being that the Tranquil can't seem to wake up from it. So, basically, it does sound like the alternative state of mind that is not meant to be permanent.

Hard to believe, true, considering how much Solas detests Tranquility - but he's the kind of person who (with exception of the Blight) who detests the misuse or abuse of the thing, rather than the thing itself. May it be that it applies to Tranquility as well?

I also can't help but to wonder whether Tranquility may be something he envisions as final fate for himself? I don't know why I think that way, but I kinda wonder whether cutting himself from the Fade is in cards for him and whether it could be self-imposed as well?

As for the discussion on whether killing Solas will be the default slant of the next game, I would assume so. In fact, getting the rosiest, most peaceful and ideal outcome with Solas will probably involve specific choices and hard work even if you did befriend/romance him. That's the impression I get from how it's worked in other BioWare games.

I don't mind it either. I always liked that they made you work for the ideal. It makes it feel more realistic and meaningful. In Solas' case, it would take A LOT to turn him from his path, for very obvious reasons. It shouldn't be easy in the slightest. And yes, I also meant that it would hinge on choices you've made in the past and that certain choices will bar you from the best outcome.

I have to say that I feel pretty "meh" about the idea that best ending should be hard to get... I mean, I guess it makes for a nice surprise if you get if right the first time, but after that, and particularly now that we have the keep, is just going to take looking up the forums and following the right steps... we're all going to be there by the second pt anyway. For me that kind of thing is a little like the clan Lavellan WT mission: if you got ir right the first time you probably didn't realize what a miracle that was; reloading and/or going through a guide doesn't make much to make you feel better once you get it right, you might be relieved but it doesn't feel really special; but, the first time you go get the "everyone is dead" message you really feel like shit, so all in all, I'm going to say it's not worthy

But yes, if there's going to be a good ending, I'd not be surprised if it's tied to making some specific decision. In particular, I have always feared that it might be related to drinking or not from the well of sorrows, something like Morrigan/Mythal wants to kill Solas and if you drunk from the well you won't be able to stop her... I'm so afraid that things might be like that, that I always drink, but I'm seriously thinking about making my first pt in DA4 one where is Morrigan the one who drinks

Hmmm... This is my last spoilered response in the thread, given that this is going in circles now.

<snip>

Okay, I'm done. Sorry for that folks - next time the discussion inevitably arrives to that specific issue and no resolution on the horizon, I'll try and abstain from it.

Oh, of course, this is an assumption based on the theory that Flemeth put a piece of Mythal in the Eluvian for Morrigan. Not that this is my favourite theory, but I can see it being the right one, and I think it's full of interesting possibilities, but I also fear it

Btw, my favourite theory, is that Solas controls the well, even if it's a little creepy for Lavellan, I think too he wouldn't use it, and precisely because he might refrain to do so even if it could benefit him, it could gives us one of those scenes where I droole over him . or it could gives a scene where I end up deeply dissapointed  

If there is a scene where Lavellan approaches Solas/does something to hinder him and he still deliberately refuses to use his power over the Well to stop her, that would make this whole playthrough where I finally drank worth it!

Speaking of Solas' anger over Inky drinking, I still can't believe they haven't patched the game so his line about "begging" you not to drink is in there. It's still missing and it's so glaring. So many players were probably SO confused by his lines back at Skyhold since he seems so adamant against Morrigan drinking during the quest.

One of those players was definitely me I was there trying to resist temption, thinking "oh, i want to drink", and Solas was reinforcing all my distrust of Morrigan, and suddenly I arrived to Skyhols and he's so angry, and telling me he begged me not to drink I was totally   And then in the next pt I try to make sure that I wasn't missing any dialogue or anything, and the same thing happened... For a moment I thought it was made on purpose or something, trying to misguide us or something I'd love to see that scene whith Solas the way it was meant to be... though I'd have needed an option to say something like, "well, you tell  me, you don't want me to drink, you don't want to drink, you don't Morrigan to drink, but you agree with her that one should drink... what's your plan, Solas?"