inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
May 16, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
26,692
gervaise21
10,816
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Aug 21, 2019 8:31:25 GMT
Da4-my guess/theory is we are part of a caravan and forced to flee to tevinter. Only problem with this is why would we be fleeing towards Tevinter, particularly if the war with the Qun had already begun? However, I suppose there is potential in the idea that we were only a visitor to the Imperium, for whatever reason, and then got caught up in the chaos that was caused by the outbreak of war. As you say, that would account for us having no actual roots there and the lack of local knowledge that would need everything to be explained to us. Such a scenario would likely give us a short backstory, as with DAI, but leave us to fill in the rest with our own RP ideas. It would also make us an ordinary individual trying to rise to the challenge again, rather than the "chosen one" concept we had with DAI.
|
|
inherit
1033
0
May 16, 2024 21:41:43 GMT
31,347
colfoley
16,635
Aug 17, 2016 10:19:37 GMT
August 2016
colfoley
|
Post by colfoley on Aug 21, 2019 19:04:54 GMT
Da4-my guess/theory is we are part of a caravan and forced to flee to tevinter. Only problem with this is why would we be fleeing towards Tevinter, particularly if the war with the Qun had already begun? However, I suppose there is potential in the idea that we were only a visitor to the Imperium, for whatever reason, and then got caught up in the chaos that was caused by the outbreak of war. As you say, that would account for us having no actual roots there and the lack of local knowledge that would need everything to be explained to us. Such a scenario would likely give us a short backstory, as with DAI, but leave us to fill in the rest with our own RP ideas. It would also make us an ordinary individual trying to rise to the challenge again, rather than the "chosen one" concept we had with DAI. the Inquisitor was normal before the mark.
|
|
inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
May 16, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
26,692
gervaise21
10,816
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Aug 21, 2019 19:26:21 GMT
the Inquisitor was normal before the mark. Yes, but once they had the mark everything changed, plus it did give you a unique power that no one else had and was rather vital to solving the hole in the sky. Strangely enough, if they were to bring back the DAI PC you would now be just an ordinary person again as what made you unique has been stripped from you. Admittedly you would still be the former Lord Inquisitor of Thedas but even that would mean next to nothing up in Tevinter now you don't even have your original organisation backing you. Still, I prefer the idea of starting from scratch with a person who has nothing particular to recommend them apart from their ability to survive whatever is initially thrown at you. Then build from there.
|
|
inherit
1033
0
May 16, 2024 21:41:43 GMT
31,347
colfoley
16,635
Aug 17, 2016 10:19:37 GMT
August 2016
colfoley
|
Post by colfoley on Aug 21, 2019 19:35:43 GMT
the Inquisitor was normal before the mark. Yes, but once they had the mark everything changed, plus it did give you a unique power that no one else had and was rather vital to solving the hole in the sky. Strangely enough, if they were to bring back the DAI PC you would now be just an ordinary person again as what made you unique has been stripped from you. Admittedly you would still be the former Lord Inquisitor of Thedas but even that would mean next to nothing up in Tevinter now you don't even have your original organisation backing you. Still, I prefer the idea of starting from scratch with a person who has nothing particular to recommend them apart from their ability to survive whatever is initially thrown at you. Then build from there. I know. But my point is whatever the background is the protagonist could get some kind of macguffin early in the story.
|
|
midnight tea
Twitter Guru
gateway beverage
Posts: 7,095 Likes: 16,599
inherit
gateway beverage
109
0
16,599
midnight tea
7,095
August 2016
midnighttea
|
Post by midnight tea on Aug 21, 2019 19:54:30 GMT
the Inquisitor was normal before the mark. Yes, but once they had the mark everything changed, plus it did give you a unique power that no one else had and was rather vital to solving the hole in the sky. But having a unique power that is a solution to a problem ain't all what "Chosen One" is. By the same logic, the Warden was the "Chosen One" ever since they went through the Joining, because them being the Warden is what was crucial in mobilizing a quick response against the Blight. In fact - given the existence of The Darkspawn Chronicles, in which we can see that Alistair is unable to stop the Fifth Blight on his own - it could be easily argued that HOF was indeed the Chosen One, because there were two (three with Riordan) Wardens in Ferelden during the Blight and only one succeeds in stoping the Blight. Again, unique power in itself isn't necessarily what makes a character the Chosen Ones, but whether they and only they are able to succeed at something. New PC in DA4 may be a completely average Joe Schmoe, but if they are in a position that only they can succeed or solve something then they are Chosen Ones too without ever acquiring any sort of unique power. Also - I struggle to see Inquisitor as 'ordinary' post-Inquisition. All the things they went through is what now sets Inquisitors apart from ordinary people and puts them in story in a position of a direct counterpart to Solas.
|
|
inherit
Champion of Kirkwall
1212
0
8,023
Sifr
3,737
Aug 25, 2016 20:05:11 GMT
August 2016
sifr
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
|
Post by Sifr on Sept 1, 2019 6:28:39 GMT
Crazy lore-related theory; Kinloch is the (original) Avvar name for Lake Calenhad. Thefore the Avvar settlement there (later the Circle) really was the "Kinloch Hold".
(Avvar legend says a mountain named "Belenas" once resided there, but would it have retained that name after the mountain was destroyed, leaving only the lake? What was the lake called before being renamed after Calenhad, four hundred years ago?)
|
|
midnight tea
Twitter Guru
gateway beverage
Posts: 7,095 Likes: 16,599
inherit
gateway beverage
109
0
16,599
midnight tea
7,095
August 2016
midnighttea
|
Post by midnight tea on Sept 1, 2019 13:26:45 GMT
Ha! I finally remembered what was I wondering about some time ago.
You know how Mortalitasi belief system circles around the idea that when a soul of the dead crosses the Fade it displaces a spirit?
Do you think there's any truth in that belief, however small and twisted?
On some level it would make some sense. I don't know we can assume that the Fade is infinite, but it's always a problem with immortal people/souls... at some point wherever they go to would become rather crowded. Logically, it would also be true with the world as Mortalitasi believe it - eventually (especially at a time of population decline) the number of displaced spirits/zombies would grow quite big or in fact outnumber the number of living people.
So is there some 'recycling' going on? We do know that the idea of reincarnation is not alien to the world of Thedas. Sooooo... if someone dies their soul returns while other is pushed out back to life?
Perhaps reincarnation per se is something that happens to more robust souls (we do know that Avvar believe only some people get to be reborn) while the weaker ones degrade to spirits or wisps and may eventually strengthen in time back to soul status or decay and become a basis for new souls?
It would also make Mortalitasi belief tragically misguided if reincarnation as described above indeed happens and it turns out that they trap spirits (even if wisps) that at some point were supposed to cycle back to a fresh soul/new living being on their own.
|
|
inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
May 16, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
26,692
gervaise21
10,816
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Sept 2, 2019 14:11:55 GMT
Perhaps reincarnation per se is something that happens to more robust souls (we do know that Avvar believe only some people get to be reborn) while the weaker ones degrade to spirits or wisps and may eventually strengthen in time back to soul status or decay and become a basis for new souls? It would also make Mortalitasi belief tragically misguided if reincarnation as described above indeed happens and it turns out that they trap spirits (even if wisps) that at some point were supposed to cycle back to a fresh soul/new living being on their own. This is partly why I question Solas' muted response to the Inquisitor taking the Necromancy specialisation. He says there is nothing wrong with it provided no intelligent spirits are harmed, implying that the wisps the Mortalitasi capture are not sentient. I believe Viuus Anaxas also claims it is just a bit of ephemera. Yet the whole point of the jewelled skull as a vessel is that the spirit inside it is used to instruct the novice Mortalitasi, suggesting it is capable of rational thought. When Solas' friend is returned to the Fade, it is as no more than a wisp of energy, yet he admits that it could later develop into another spirit of Wisdom even if it no longer has the personality and memories of his friend. Which is actually very similar to the Avvar idea of reincarnation, where the individual does not consciously remember their former life but may have glimpses through dreams and portents (from the Fade). Also Cole was utterly against the idea and surely as a spirit he should know what is going on. Since Solas does remonstrate with Dorian over his use of spirits as a Necromancer, I think that perhaps he was simply being tactful for reasons of expediency when it came to the Inquisitor. Bearing in mind we have now been told (by Mary Kirby?) that necromancy is blood magic and that the Chantry have conveniently turned a blind eye to the practice in Nevarra (probably for political reasons), I think it is likely that the use that the Mortalitasi make of spirits is far from benign to the spirit involved, even if it is not done deliberately but is merely misguided on the part of the mage.
|
|
midnight tea
Twitter Guru
gateway beverage
Posts: 7,095 Likes: 16,599
inherit
gateway beverage
109
0
16,599
midnight tea
7,095
August 2016
midnighttea
|
Post by midnight tea on Sept 2, 2019 15:41:17 GMT
Perhaps reincarnation per se is something that happens to more robust souls (we do know that Avvar believe only some people get to be reborn) while the weaker ones degrade to spirits or wisps and may eventually strengthen in time back to soul status or decay and become a basis for new souls? It would also make Mortalitasi belief tragically misguided if reincarnation as described above indeed happens and it turns out that they trap spirits (even if wisps) that at some point were supposed to cycle back to a fresh soul/new living being on their own. This is partly why I question Solas' muted response to the Inquisitor taking the Necromancy specialisation. He says there is nothing wrong with it provided no intelligent spirits are harmed, implying that the wisps the Mortalitasi capture are not sentient. I believe Viuus Anaxas also claims it is just a bit of ephemera. Yet the whole point of the jewelled skull as a vessel is that the spirit inside it is used to instruct the novice Mortalitasi, suggesting it is capable of rational thought. When Solas' friend is returned to the Fade, it is as no more than a wisp of energy, yet he admits that it could later develop into another spirit of Wisdom even if it no longer has the personality and memories of his friend. Which is actually very similar to the Avvar idea of reincarnation, where the individual does not consciously remember their former life but may have glimpses through dreams and portents (from the Fade). Also Cole was utterly against the idea and surely as a spirit he should know what is going on. Since Solas does remonstrate with Dorian over his use of spirits as a Necromancer, I think that perhaps he was simply being tactful for reasons of expediency when it came to the Inquisitor. Bearing in mind we have now been told (by Mary Kirby?) that necromancy is blood magic and that the Chantry have conveniently turned a blind eye to the practice in Nevarra (probably for political reasons), I think it is likely that the use that the Mortalitasi make of spirits is far from benign to the spirit involved, even if it is not done deliberately but is merely misguided on the part of the mage. But is the skull housing an unwilling spirit? It appears that it is not ("they must ensure it is respectful, and that it pulses with power enough to demonstrate their serious intention"). Spirits also reside in blades of Arcane Warrior's spirit sword or they within peaceful abominations like in case of Avvar. Or guard Fen'Harel's sanctuary, etc, etc. It appears that for Solas the issue doesn't lie in spirits being there, serving or helping people, but whether they do so willingly (plus, whether they're treated with respect). Cole on the other had does appear to have issue not with the helpful skull-spirit, but with pulling on the little pieces/wisps, which he calls 'bits that could be'. It does give legs to the idea that eventually wisps can coalesce into something more - and since he's being as sensitive to well-being of creatures as small as spiders, it would also make sense that he's sensitive to fate of little wisps. Solas may simply be more pragmatic in this regard; he is a dude on a mission that may demand even bigger sacrifices after all, and even when Inquisitor slaughters ToM Sentinels he is deeply upset by it, but ultimately helps deal with them as well, because the objective is just too important (although he does disapproves slightly when told that reasons to pick up necromancy is no more than a tool and is kinda 'uh, at least so long as intelligent spirits aren't harmed', while he slightly approves if told that Inky hopes to learn more about spirits that way). Anyway, whether Cole or Solas knows more about what happens to wisps is anyone's guess tho. We do know that they aren't always of a singular mind when it comes to spiritual side of things, even if they're not necessarily in disagreement. Cole, for example, didn't know that there were spirits of wisdom It makes sense in a sense that he's a young, naive, fleeting creature whose knowledge on mamy topics seems to come more from spirit's deeply intuitive grasp of things, rather than something properly studied and learned - which raises questions what has Solas learned and knows about spirits that spirits themselves may not necessarily know or see a larger picture of. I mean... aside from questions how does the Veil affects the whole process compared to times prior to it, the one thing that seems pretty apparent to me is that what's important in both summoning spirits and interacting with Fade overall is the summoner's intent. If the mage is respectful and brings spirit forth for good reasons then perhaps even the wisps they use and break may eventually seed 'the good stuff' to cultivate the growth of better spirits in the Fade. In that regard Cole urging Inquisitor to be mindful of what they do as necromancers may therefore help seed gentler sentiments - Solas may not feel the need to do that because either he thinks Inky is already doing fine in 'seeding the good stuff' department or (in case of those Inkys Solas doesn't care about) he thinks his advice may land on deaf ears.
|
|
melbella
N6
Trouble-shooting Space Diva
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Origin: melbella
Prime Posts: 2186
Prime Likes: 5778
Posts: 7,959 Likes: 24,340
inherit
214
0
May 16, 2024 19:09:55 GMT
24,340
melbella
Trouble-shooting Space Diva
7,959
August 2016
melbella
Bottom
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
melbella
2186
5778
|
Post by melbella on Sept 2, 2019 16:12:57 GMT
Bearing in mind we have now been told (by Mary Kirby?) that necromancy is blood magic and that the Chantry have conveniently turned a blind eye to the practice in Nevarra (probably for political reasons), I think it is likely that the use that the Mortalitasi make of spirits is far from benign to the spirit involved, even if it is not done deliberately but is merely misguided on the part of the mage. I'm sure this was explained somewhere but it makes no sense to me unless we define blood magic as "dealing with demons(spirits)"? Which, it isn't. Certainly not exclusively. And, if we do so define it, then spirit healers would also be blood mages. Which, they aren't.
|
|
midnight tea
Twitter Guru
gateway beverage
Posts: 7,095 Likes: 16,599
inherit
gateway beverage
109
0
16,599
midnight tea
7,095
August 2016
midnighttea
|
Post by midnight tea on Sept 2, 2019 16:25:43 GMT
Bearing in mind we have now been told (by Mary Kirby?) that necromancy is blood magic and that the Chantry have conveniently turned a blind eye to the practice in Nevarra (probably for political reasons), I think it is likely that the use that the Mortalitasi make of spirits is far from benign to the spirit involved, even if it is not done deliberately but is merely misguided on the part of the mage. I'm sure this was explained somewhere but it makes no sense to me unless we define blood magic as "dealing with demons(spirits)"? Which, it isn't. Certainly not exclusively. And, if we do so define it, then spirit healers would also be blood mages. Which, they aren't. Well the blood magic is specifically magic that derives from concept of suffering and sacrifice. So it's true that the line between other forms of magic and blood magic may be quite blurry at times, but I think spirit healers derive their magic from calling upon the help of fully-formed and willing spirits, while in necromancy it's more bits and pieces (usually simpler than spirits) that are forced by necromancer to animate corpses and so on, thus there may be an element of sacrifice/suffering there that ain't as prominent in other forms of magic, but is fairly abundant in blood magic. It may be why it's categorized as a branch of it.
|
|
melbella
N6
Trouble-shooting Space Diva
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Origin: melbella
Prime Posts: 2186
Prime Likes: 5778
Posts: 7,959 Likes: 24,340
inherit
214
0
May 16, 2024 19:09:55 GMT
24,340
melbella
Trouble-shooting Space Diva
7,959
August 2016
melbella
Bottom
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
melbella
2186
5778
|
Post by melbella on Sept 2, 2019 16:39:18 GMT
I'm sure this was explained somewhere but it makes no sense to me unless we define blood magic as "dealing with demons(spirits)"? Which, it isn't. Certainly not exclusively. And, if we do so define it, then spirit healers would also be blood mages. Which, they aren't. Well the blood magic is specifically magic that derives from concept of suffering and sacrifice. So it's true that the line between other forms of magic and blood magic may be quite blurry at times, but I think spirit healers derive their magic from calling upon the help of fully-formed and willing spirits, while in necromancy it's more bits and pieces (usually simpler than spirits) that are forced by necromancer to animate corpses and so on, thus there may be an element of sacrifice/suffering there that ain't as prominent in other forms of magic, but is fairly abundant in blood magic. It may be why it's categorized as a branch of it.
Well, I guess I'm a little more literal-minded in thinking that blood magic is magic fueled by blood. If we take the 'sacrifice" concept to the extreme, any sufficiently complex spell, regardless of how it's powered, is going to require sacrifice, either of the person casting the spell or from some other power source. In that sense, any magic can be "blood magic," which is just absurd (ignoring, for the moment, that lyrium is titans' blood).
|
|
midnight tea
Twitter Guru
gateway beverage
Posts: 7,095 Likes: 16,599
inherit
gateway beverage
109
0
16,599
midnight tea
7,095
August 2016
midnighttea
|
Post by midnight tea on Sept 2, 2019 16:54:51 GMT
Well the blood magic is specifically magic that derives from concept of suffering and sacrifice. So it's true that the line between other forms of magic and blood magic may be quite blurry at times, but I think spirit healers derive their magic from calling upon the help of fully-formed and willing spirits, while in necromancy it's more bits and pieces (usually simpler than spirits) that are forced by necromancer to animate corpses and so on, thus there may be an element of sacrifice/suffering there that ain't as prominent in other forms of magic, but is fairly abundant in blood magic. It may be why it's categorized as a branch of it. Well, I guess I'm a little more literal-minded in thinking that blood magic is magic fueled by blood. If we take the 'sacrifice" concept to the extreme, any sufficiently complex spell, regardless of how it's powered, is going to require sacrifice, either of the person casting the spell or from some other power source. In that sense, any magic can be "blood magic," which is just absurd (ignoring, for the moment, that lyrium is titans' blood).
Blood seems to be only important in a sense of what it symbolizes, rather than having some sort of inherent power - so ultimately it is still about concept, just like in rest of DA's magic system. Also... if we take into account that a lot of mages use lyrium, which IS actual blood (also characterized as gift/sacrifice of Titans) then indeed most types of magic are fueled by blood magic anyway (as are Templar powers). And Solas does tell us that ultimately magic is magic, just like water is water - it only matters how it is used. So there indeed may be no meaningful distinction between blood magic and the rest if we look from far enough distance. The distinctions may ultimately be largely arbitrary and exist mostly because a lot of people will them into existence (since in this magic system will, belief and memory is a primary force) or because it helps to kinda grasp this whole Fade thing. I guess it could be roughly compared to constellations on the sky. They're arbitrary constructs, even if they're useful in helping us study and navigate the night sky, plus we've assigned a lot of cultural significance to them.
|
|
inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
May 16, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
26,692
gervaise21
10,816
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Sept 2, 2019 20:08:54 GMT
I'm sure this was explained somewhere but it makes no sense to me unless we define blood magic as "dealing with demons(spirits)"? Which, it isn't. Certainly not exclusively. And, if we do so define it, then spirit healers would also be blood mages. Which, they aren't. I was rather surprised to see this quotation from a Dev but there it is. I think Midnight might be onto something with the sacrifice/suffering element though. Divine Justinia I originally condemned blood magic specifically because of the way it can be used to control others and the spells used are only available to blood mages. She was obviously thinking about earthly people but essentially Necromancy is causing a similar sort of control over spirits, which could have been where Mary Kirby was coming from. It is not what fuels the spell but the result that is related. Just as some blood magic sacrifice can be done willingly by allies to the mage, so some necromancy is working with willing spirits. However, in other cases the wisp/spirit seems to be utilised automatically without giving consent.
|
|
xerrai
N3
Posts: 842 Likes: 1,156
inherit
1451
0
1,156
xerrai
842
September 2016
xerrai
|
Post by xerrai on Sept 2, 2019 20:16:29 GMT
Bearing in mind we have now been told (by Mary Kirby?) that necromancy is blood magic and that the Chantry have conveniently turned a blind eye to the practice in Nevarra (probably for political reasons), I think it is likely that the use that the Mortalitasi make of spirits is far from benign to the spirit involved, even if it is not done deliberately but is merely misguided on the part of the mage. I'm sure this was explained somewhere but it makes no sense to me unless we define blood magic as "dealing with demons(spirits)"? Which, it isn't. Certainly not exclusively. And, if we do so define it, then spirit healers would also be blood mages. Which, they aren't.
I'm not too sure its even the spirit thing so much as it is the body thing. The 'have a wisp possess that corpse' part. By all accounts spirit mediums have a lot more contact with spirits than necromancers do, and that doesn't qualify as blood magic. So if I had to guess, the main differentiating factor between spirit healers and necromancers is that the latter includes the possession of a dead body as opposed to just channeling a spirit. Well that and necromancers tend to use wisps instead of fully fledged intelligent spirits. But the Mortalitasi apparently have a system set up where not only do they get the wisp to get inside the body, they get the wisp to stay with the body. Which is...peculiar when you consider how wisps tend to function. Sure wisps will come around and either attack the living (wisp wraiths) or some sort of menial task like enhancing spell power but I never got the indication that they would stay around in one area for long. Not unless they were interested or drawn to an area somehow. I imagine most wisps, if left to thier own devices, would check out a corpse and just...wander off at some point. Or start messing around. Or they get stuck. The fact that they apparently get introduced to a dead body and then stay in the dead body implies that there could be some sort of (blood?) binding in place that prevents the wisp from simply leaving. But then again lore on the specifics regarding the Mortallitasi is pretty sparce. So I could be wrong. Do they ever have to visit the Necropolis to make sure every body is still posessed?
|
|
midnight tea
Twitter Guru
gateway beverage
Posts: 7,095 Likes: 16,599
inherit
gateway beverage
109
0
16,599
midnight tea
7,095
August 2016
midnighttea
|
Post by midnight tea on Sept 2, 2019 20:28:31 GMT
I'm sure this was explained somewhere but it makes no sense to me unless we define blood magic as "dealing with demons(spirits)"? Which, it isn't. Certainly not exclusively. And, if we do so define it, then spirit healers would also be blood mages. Which, they aren't. I was rather surprised to see this quotation from a Dev but there it is. I think Midnight might be onto something with the sacrifice/suffering element though. Divine Justinia I originally condemned blood magic specifically because of the way it can be used to control others and the spells used are only available to blood mages. She was obviously thinking about earthly people but essentially Necromancy is causing a similar sort of control over spirits, which could have been where Mary Kirby was coming from. It is not what fuels the spell but the result that is related. Just as some blood magic sacrifice can be done willingly by allies to the mage, so some necromancy is working with willing spirits. However, in other cases the wisp/spirit seems to be utilised automatically without giving consent. It may also be that the wisps may ultimately be willing, but they may not be big fans of what they are asked to perform. That would be the 'sacrifice' part. We do know that many spirits will do anything to jump on another side of the Veil, but it may also be that residing in dead bodies is kinda icky for most of them or not something they'd do if given an alternative. Cole didn't posses original Cole's body and the spirit that saved Wynne preferred to revive her rather than simply possess her body. It is, however, also possible that there may be something about alien body, remaining blood or associated decay/concept of death that also has something to do with necromancy being a subset of blood magic. Perhaps it corrupts the poor things in some ways. Or it could be all of the above.
|
|
DragonEffect
N2
Pathfinding my way through life.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 199 Likes: 435
inherit
1501
0
435
DragonEffect
Pathfinding my way through life.
199
Sept 8, 2016 18:37:16 GMT
September 2016
dragoneffect
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by DragonEffect on Sept 5, 2019 2:16:20 GMT
The taint doesn't come from the Deep Roads. It originates from eluvians (or one eluvian) that reside deep within the earth, shortcuts between Arlathan and the heart of the dwarven kingdom, I suppose. Such eluvians are still working and lead straight into the Black City and the place where the taint lies within. After their incursion into the Fade, the seven Tevinter magisters fled through such eluvians and came back to our world, thus carrying the taint within themselves and infecting other life forms, creating darkspawn.
|
|
LadyofNemesis
N5
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 4,834 Likes: 11,959
inherit
10314
0
May 16, 2024 18:20:34 GMT
11,959
LadyofNemesis
4,834
July 2018
ladyofnemesis
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
|
Post by LadyofNemesis on Sept 5, 2019 6:43:54 GMT
The taint doesn't come from the Deep Roads. It originates from eluvians (or one eluvian) that reside deep within the earth, shortcuts between Arlathan and the heart of the dwarven kingdom, I suppose. Such eluvians are still working and lead straight into the Black City and the place where the taint lies within. After their incursion into the Fade, the seven Tevinter magisters fled through such eluvians and came back to our world, thus carrying the taint within themselves and infecting other life forms, creating darkspawn. that might be a good theory in fact, and also tie in with the eluvian we find during the Dalish Origin/Witch Hunt
after all Tamlen states he sees "a city underground" when he touches it, and Duncan says the mirror is blighted. which is a bit confusing imo. to be honest, after all...from Bianca we learn in Inquisition only animals can receive the Blight...so like lyrium, are the eluvians alive in some way?
|
|
revelationeffect
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Posts: 116 Likes: 264
inherit
4290
0
264
revelationeffect
116
March 2017
revelationeffect
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
|
Post by revelationeffect on Sept 5, 2019 12:24:50 GMT
Wouldn't be too surprising given how wild ancient Elven magic can get. I'm personally a fan of the theory that the Taint was developed as a bioweapon to use against the Titans by the Evanuris, then either something went wrong when Arlathan was trapped in the Fade or it was deployed during the civil war the ancient elves engaged in.
|
|
inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
May 16, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
26,692
gervaise21
10,816
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Sept 7, 2019 8:01:16 GMT
Do they ever have to visit the Necropolis to make sure every body is still posessed? Don't know about this but Cassandra says her uncle seemed to prefer spending time in the company of his dead relatives than the living. This is also another thing that seems to discount that the spirits used are mere wisps because she says he actually spends time talking with them (I am pretty sure it implied a two-way conversation). Also the jewelled skull used by the Mortalitasi is said to communicate with them. Both these aspects suggest the spirit used is advanced enough to be capable of speech, which is not the case with wisps. I would have thought a bigger problem was not whether the corpse was still possessed but what happens if the spirit gets tired of just sitting around in a tomb and decides to animate the body it is inhabiting. Possibly this is why Cassandra's uncle spent so much time in the company of these corpses in order to keep them from getting bored and starting to wander.
|
|
midnight tea
Twitter Guru
gateway beverage
Posts: 7,095 Likes: 16,599
inherit
gateway beverage
109
0
16,599
midnight tea
7,095
August 2016
midnighttea
|
Post by midnight tea on Sept 7, 2019 13:27:17 GMT
Wouldn't be too surprising given how wild ancient Elven magic can get. I'm personally a fan of the theory that the Taint was developed as a bioweapon to use against the Titans by the Evanuris, then either something went wrong when Arlathan was trapped in the Fade or it was deployed during the civil war the ancient elves engaged in. I personally think that the Taint is something primordial. The reason it may be viewed as a weapon is probably because it presented itself as such to greedy Evanuris, likely to gain (re-gain?) access to the world, in a similar way it was presented as a reward to Magisters who traveled through the Fade to reach the Golden City. Because yes, I think there's some form of sentience there as well - either the Blight itself has some sort of sentience or is directed by one.
|
|
revelationeffect
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
Posts: 116 Likes: 264
inherit
4290
0
264
revelationeffect
116
March 2017
revelationeffect
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR
|
Post by revelationeffect on Sept 7, 2019 23:32:55 GMT
Wouldn't be too surprising given how wild ancient Elven magic can get. I'm personally a fan of the theory that the Taint was developed as a bioweapon to use against the Titans by the Evanuris, then either something went wrong when Arlathan was trapped in the Fade or it was deployed during the civil war the ancient elves engaged in. I personally think that the Taint is something primordial. The reason it may be viewed as a weapon is probably because it presented itself as such to greedy Evanuris, likely to gain (re-gain?) access to the world, in a similar way it was presented as a reward to Magisters who traveled through the Fade to reach the Golden City. Because yes, I think there's some form of sentience there as well - either the Blight itself has some sort of sentience or is directed by one. That’s also definitely a possibility. Or perhaps something somewhere in the middle. Seems plausible the Evanuris might have taken a primordial force, perhaps a bunch of spirits, and molded and corrupted them into something perverse, which would explain how the taint can over time warp or actively subvert minds, it would be like a particularly warped kind of possession and they a particularly twisted breed of abomination.
|
|
inherit
7457
0
Apr 25, 2022 11:48:41 GMT
133
smudjygirl
111
Apr 10, 2017 16:09:00 GMT
April 2017
smudjygirl
|
Post by smudjygirl on Sept 8, 2019 3:16:36 GMT
I just wanted to put forward my "premonition banter". Solas tells Sera how he does his thing.
Solas: I heard about your organization, Sera. I am impressed. Sera: Is this a trick? Solas: Hardly. But it is an opportunity. You have already divided your group's membership. That is wise. No one cell can betray all your secrets. The next step is to establish a rhythm. When your enemies pursue, you vanish. When they become complacent, you harass them. When they are weak, you strike in earnest. Sera: Where d'you get all this, then? Solas: Do you wish to be unnerved by another tale of my explorations of the Fade? Or do you wish to learn something? Sera: I don't know. Neither?
|
|
inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
May 16, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
26,692
gervaise21
10,816
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Sept 8, 2019 7:48:08 GMT
Solas: Hardly. But it is an opportunity. You have already divided your group's membership. That is wise. No one cell can betray all your secrets. The next step is to establish a rhythm. When your enemies pursue, you vanish. When they become complacent, you harass them. When they are weak, you strike in earnest. Sera: Where d'you get all this, then?I am pretty sure this was a fairly accurate account of how Solas and his allies fought against the Evanuris or at least their supporters. Of course, he suggests it is just something he saw in the Fade, which is his go to response every time people start asking awkward questions. Whether he adopts similar tactics in the future depends on exactly what his plans are. After all he is not planning on engaging in a rebellion against the status quo but simply sweeping it away and starting afresh, which in a way is what he ultimately did with the Evanuris but it didn't work out as planned. So it is possible he will be adopting a completely different strategy this time round.
|
|
inherit
7457
0
Apr 25, 2022 11:48:41 GMT
133
smudjygirl
111
Apr 10, 2017 16:09:00 GMT
April 2017
smudjygirl
|
Post by smudjygirl on Sept 8, 2019 14:26:22 GMT
Solas: Hardly. But it is an opportunity. You have already divided your group's membership. That is wise. No one cell can betray all your secrets. The next step is to establish a rhythm. When your enemies pursue, you vanish. When they become complacent, you harass them. When they are weak, you strike in earnest. Sera: Where d'you get all this, then?I am pretty sure this was a fairly accurate account of how Solas and his allies fought against the Evanuris or at least their supporters. Of course, he suggests it is just something he saw in the Fade, which is his go to response every time people start asking awkward questions. Whether he adopts similar tactics in the future depends on exactly what his plans are. After all he is not planning on engaging in a rebellion against the status quo but simply sweeping it away and starting afresh, which in a way is what he ultimately did with the Evanuris but it didn't work out as planned. So it is possible he will be adopting a completely different strategy this time round. He's kind of already doing this. Especially the "when your enemies pursue you vanish" part. He doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would stray from the "tried and trusted" way of doing things. He made it sounds like all he really needs to do is gather more power, though, so chances are he will just be sending his minions out to mislead anyone who might find him. I think he'd still use this tactic while he is on the way to his ultimate goal, but whether or not we see him do it is another story. Also i don't think he's necessarily lying when he says he saw it in the fade, he's just not so honest about how, why or who. If he's talking about how he fought against the Evanuris, he technically did "see it" in the fade.
|
|