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Post by duskwanderer on Jun 29, 2018 22:03:56 GMT
There are a few options, none of which are good: 1.) They trusted Fiona to make the choice - In which case, they deserve what they got. 2.) They agreed with Fiona - Ditto 3.) They didn't agree, but stuck around anyway - They had the option to leave. All these are essentially true, however: 1) Fiona does seem to have consulted with the others before making the decision. She admits she hadn't realised how much their numbers had been infiltrated by the Venatori, who rigged the vote. 2) Same comment - Those who voted for Alexius among the true rebels may have been in the minority but the Venatori agents boosted the numbers in favour, making it seem like it was a majority decision. 3) Until the Herald turns up at Redcliffe they may have been nervous about leaving the relative safety of the Castle and village, having nowhere they could go easily. Even without the threat of a Templar army bearing down on them, they would have been aware of how dangerous the countryside around Redcliffe had become from rogue elements on both sides. I am surprised that those individuals who were unhappy with their situation and actually approached the Herald to say so, didn't then ask to leave with them, as the tranquil did. However, they probably still felt it would be dangerous to do so because of the likely targeting by Templars and preferred to wait until they could leave as a group. I'd also mention that the mage accompanying Fiona to our meeting had a very spaced out, vacant look. I'd love to know if that was deliberate on the part of the writing team/programmers or simply an error in animation. When I saw that mage and then Fiona rubbing her head as though her mind had been fogged and she ought to remember our meeting, my initial reaction was to think they had been the subject of blood magic mind manipulation, which I've always maintained would have been a much more plausible explanation for her change of heart, particularly considering who we were dealing with. Instead I go to the Chantry and am told "it's time magic go with it", which then does put the decision firmly back as the free willed responsibility of those that made it. I still feel that makes Fiona culpable and no longer worthy of leadership. It just seemed she capitulated too easily bearing in mind the reason the mages were fighting in the first place. If they were losing the war, why drag the entire rebel army across the length of Thedas, from Andoral's Reach in north-western Orlais, near the Tevinter boarder, to Ferelden if you are going to ask for political asylum with Tevinter anyway? Why accept the sanctuary offered by the monarch of Ferelden with the backing of their people and then sell them out to an enemy power? If they had been camping out in the wilds it was more understandable but they had been given the use of one of the most defensible castles in all Ferelden. And if she did fear the Templar army, then why not insist they left for Tevinter at once because if they couldn't defend themselves adequately in the castle before he made his offer, what changed? This is why I dislike the Hushed Whispers plot. I think the time magic explanation is ridiculous but even if I "go with it", I cannot remove Fiona as leader of the mages even if I conscript them into the Inquisition. Whilst that at least puts me in ultimate control, the downside is that I am seen as a Circle sympathiser and accused of imprisoning them. Dorian even calls me stupid. Also it increases the chances of getting Vivienne as Divine. My only consolation is that ultimately I am proven right that this is the best path as the conscripted mages ultimately form the Bright Hand, which turns out to be the best outcome at the end of Trespasser whoever ultimately becomes Divine. However, that requires meta knowledge, although it does seem that often what initially is presented to you as the less desirable choice actually works out to be the one you should take. Then your solution is to go with the templars. If you do that, Fiona is your enemy at Haven. Then, she's either slain by you, or buried under a ton of snow. I don;t think she was manipulated through blood magic: Alexius hasn't shown a need to control Fiona, given that she joined out of rash decision making. You can either turn the lyrium-free templars into a new set of Seekers or the Silver Shield, who basically act as travelling rangers. With the added effect of knowing how to fight demons and mages.
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Post by opuspace on Jun 29, 2018 22:59:03 GMT
The story doesn't flow well for me in prioritizing the Templars. I'm not given any reason to believe the Templars are on borrowed time, only that they follow a leader who has his head so far up there he could kiss his own rear, while the Inquisition is struggling for any support in sealing the Breach. In comes Fiona, and from there we find out the mages are being courted by Tevinter, unstable time magic and no indication that speaking with the Templars would get us back in time to deal with the rapidly escalating situation. It just seemed more important to deal with the mages before anything else. They have extremely useful skills that can't be replaced and while Templars can dampen magic, that's about the extent of their ability that separates them from any other skilled swordsman who will eventually need to pitch in and help the Inquisition if only for self-preservation. Top that with the mention of children and Tranquil among them, there's less and less urgency to go save Templar soldiers who never gave any hint that they desperately need help, which makes the revelation of what happened to them all the more tragic.
It takes a lot of headcanon to justify the time delay in gathering nobility support but the Templar plot is still interesting.
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ewigDunkelheit
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Exalt the Dwarf Age!
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by ewigDunkelheit on Jul 2, 2018 19:38:23 GMT
My canon chooses to side with the Templars for help with the Breach. My Inquisitor is from a marginalized race, but a firm Andrastian, so she looks to restore the status quo to play a part in it. She does visit Redcliffe and speak with Alexius, but wants to avoid further potentially treacherous dealings with a Tevinter Magister and a disaster-prone Grand Enchanter, and has more interest in solidifying and possibly joining the Templar Order. My Inquisitor agreed with Cullen's plan to suppress the Breach even before meeting with the possible allies.
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ewigDunkelheit
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Exalt the Dwarf Age!
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Exalt the Dwarf Age!
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
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Post by ewigDunkelheit on Apr 25, 2022 19:30:30 GMT
Resurrecting this thread as I revisit the concept due to a change in canon character. I still prefer Calpernia as the nemesis, and Cole's introduction at Therinfal provides more significant motivation for taking a chance with recruiting this "being," but my Lavellan's background makes her hesistant to associate with Templars. When visiting Val Royeaux, witnessing the Templar's actions, and being rebuffed by them, only to be followed by the mage leader being amenable to negotiations, nothing sways my Inquisitor into attempting to ally with the Templars. When investigating Redcliffe, she is disturbed by the Tevinter presence, and potentially disastrous magical forces being brought to bear, so she seeks to resolve that mess first. Ultimately, she conscripts the mages, and chooses instruction in the Templar arts to help her against demons and other mages afflicted with poor decision-making. It is an interesting experience for me, since, prior to this, I have always chosen to play as a faithful Inquisitor that sides with the Templars.
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Post by Iddy on Apr 29, 2022 12:29:35 GMT
It just seemed natural, since she was a mage herself. And as the poster above said, the first contact with templars in Val Royeaux doesn't indicate that you're likely to come to an agreement with them.
The Inquisitor has to be really determined to get the templars' help to still pursue them after being antagonized that way.
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