Dragon Age The Veilguard Criticism Thread (formerly Skepticism Thread) [Spoilers]

Strangely enough, in view of subsequent relevlations, starting with Corypheus in Legacy and then continuing in subsequent games, it would seem that Hessarian for the most part got it right. It was the Magisters who released the blight on the world. What he got wrong is that it was already there, contained in the city and the actions of the Magisters simply let it out. However, it must have originally appeared gold from the outside, so if breaking in caused the gradual spread of the black to change the external appearance of the city, then if he was seeing this as a vision then it would seem as though it only happened because of the Magisters.  Also, contrary to what is said in DAV, Andraste didn't actually get it wrong that it was the responsibility of evil spirits being envious of what they saw in the world outside the Fade. She just missed the bit out where they left the Fade and crossed over into that world and became elves.    In view of the fact that we know the Chantry changed stuff for political reasons, may be there was something about it originally.   Or may be Andraste thought it expedient to leave it out for the sake of her elven allies. *   Also, we know that all races would appear to have suffered from collective amnesia after the Veil, either because of the Veil or perhaps certain powerful beings in the Fade not wanting them to remember.    Andraste clearly was in contact with some being in the Fade.   May be it was just selective with the truth.  Hmm, I wonder who that sounds like?

* If you have read WoT2 you will know that there is an entry where it says an old elven poem lamenting what happened through the actions of the Wolf (probably written by his followers) was found in the grounds of the Temple of Mythal.   Somehow elements of this poem wound up in an old Alamarri war poem and finally a Ferelden lullaby called Where the Willows Wail.   So, it does make me suspect that perhaps Andraste or alternatively Shartan did know more of what happened in ancient times                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

I think you will find that was me. I've seen the aftermath. Minrathous doesn't look good. Lots of burning buildings but the stress still seems to be on the Venatori taking control. Also, the Viper gets a blighted wound. Don't know enough about that character to know whether you would care.

Another aspect I wasn't clear on is that if Treviso goes down, that helps the Antaam. Not keen on doing that either. So, it does seem a choice between stopping the Antaam and helping the citizens of Treviso (because the Crows are pretty useless on their own) or stopping the Venatori (because the Magisterium is totally corrupt by now and the Shadow Dragons can't cope on their own). Yet Minrathous ends up being blighted anyway. I know that is hindsight working but I wish the consequences were clearer. If either city had been totally obliterated, I think that would have made it more impactful but I guess that would have been too difficult to accommodate with regard to the later story, which is why they heavily weight it towards "saving" Minrathous.