Dual Protagonists in Dreadwolf?

The opening scene to DAD will be Varric and Lace getting married.

Overall I would really like this, just with one change that addresses the problem you note: The Inquisitor also goes on a mission themselves every once in a while instead of just being stuck wherever the HQ is and all the missions being the new PC. 

According to the epilogue to Trespasser, if you hand over the organisation to the Divine, then Par Vollen is said to approach her, willing to continue their alliance, but then request she sides with the Qun against Tevinter. That proposal would fall apart fairly quickly after the Antaam invaded Antiva. The only way Par Vollen could retain any sort of credibility would be to side with the Divine against their own Antaam. I can't see that personally, although I suppose they could offer Ben'Hassrath agents to assist in the push back. To be honest, though, I think the old alliance died a death once the Llomerryn Accord was broken, regardless of whether Par Vollen attempted to deny their approval of the action and, of course, it is equally possible there never was one because of our actions in DAI.

However, working against Solas is a different matter. In TN Gatt recommends to Vadis and Irian that they seek out a "dwarf in Kirkwall" (that I assumed to be Varric but could equally be Harding) who is an ally in their efforts against Solas. That suggests that Par Vollen and the Ben'Hassrath are co-operating with the Divine, or the Inquisitor in a disbanded world state, to track him down and neutralise his threat. It was curious that in the very next story, Charter maintains that the Ben'Hassrath turned down her invitation to the meeting and yet admits they know more about Solas' movements than most, so it is possible this was a tale invented for the benefit of the others present, or the Ben'Hassrath had suspected Solas knew about and might try to infiltrate the meeting, so genuinely declined to be involved, preferring to study what happened.

I was unclear if Rasaan was working independently of Par Vollen or part of their initiative but we know the Qun was still continuing their magical research after Trespasser and presumably Solas considers it enough of a threat to him to get his agent to destroy the facility a second time. So, it would seem that Par Vollen and the Divine/Inquisitor have agreed to work together on the basis of the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" but only with respect to that threat. I suppose that is pretty much how the arrangement worked against Corypheus but apparently was not considered dissolved after his defeat, may be because Par Vollen realised Solas was still a threat. They didn't inform the Inquisitor because they were probably unsure how much they were compromised by his time in the Inquisition and knew it was riddled with his agents.

I've always been puzzled how the Viddasala was aware that Corypheus' orb came from Solas but presume they had been keeping a watch on the Venatori and so they worked back from them receiving it to the original source of the object. She definitely said it was the explosion at the Conclave that got them studying magic and possible ways of strengthening the Veil and Solas admits his agents and Qun agents ended up tripping over one another, probably because both of them were using elves. We also know from Irian that both the Qun and Solas had tried recruiting her, so I imagine it was a similar case with a lot of city elves, with some ending up as double agents. I rather suspect that Solas stopping the Qun in Trespasser wasn't just because they "offend me" but because they were becoming a thorn in his side. Remember the message he gave to the Viddasala after instructing her to leave: "Tell the Qunari to trouble me no further". The reason he was initially willing to spare her was that he wanted to use her as his messenger. So, apparently the Qunari had been troubling him and they continued to do so after Trespasser. Something in their research is either a threat to his plans or to him personally and this is why both sides are willing to work together against him.

I did wonder about this myself. At the very least he knew that something needed to be done to it to control the build-up of magical energy. That hadn't been a problem whilst combating Corypheus because we were using it on such a regular basis to close rifts but after sealing the Breach a second time and closing the remainder of the rifts, I imagine it needed to be switched to "off" to prevent overload and that was the vital bit of information he failed to provide us with until it had maimed our arm beyond healing, so the only way to stop the process was to cut it off.

Yeah the Antaam attacking Antiva for some reason pretty much ruins that. Though I could see it being possible for the other two of the Triumverate to oppose the Antaam (and maybe even some of the Antaam if they go a civil war route with it). It’d be nice if handling them was similar to the Geth-Quarian conflict in ME3 where you can get peace but it’s really hard and depends on choices made throughout the franchise. I still stand by the Triumvirate as a whole being genuine in that letter to Josephine we find in Viddasala’s office, since if that was part of the ruse why would she crumple it up and throw it into the corner instead of letting it be delivered? But I doubt Patrick will do that again since they straight up said people who side with the Qun over the Chargers chose wrong and insinuated are bad people(we can’t be friends).

I definitely see them aiding against Solas if we choose to work wit them. I just hope they don’t have us doing things like letting them keep Antiva or Tevinter or go unpunished for their atrocities in a deal for that cooperation.
As for how they knew all that, my guess is The Iron Bull told them. He is a member of our outer inner circle so could be privy to that information, especially since most is learned before he could leave the Qun. Not in the mindset of selling us out, but genuinely trying to get info to give us or at least alert his people.

Good point. 

I think there is a reason that the writers introduced a schism in the Qun and it is likely because they want us to be able to work with Ben'Hassrath agents with a clear conscience. Of course, it could turn out they are double dealing a second time but I'm hoping the writers play it straight with the qunari from Par Vollen and it is other groups that turn out to be a double edged sword or where we have to make a choice like we did with the Iron Bull. Nevertheless, I wouldn't mind betting that having a Ben'Hassrath agent in our party simultaneously with perhaps a Crow and a Sicarri or Shadow Dragon will lead to some fireworks between companions.

Actually it has occurred to me how many of the factions that seem to be associated with the current plot have historically enlisted elves among their ranks, which means they could be infiltrated and compromised by Solas:

Magisterium and noble families generally that keep slaves: As emphasised in Masked Empire and in the Winter Palace plot, people tend to ignore the servants as though part of the furniture, so plenty of scope there to undermine Tevinter from within (the Qun also do this) but also gain leads on important artifacts that were plundered from elven ruins in the past.

Tevinter Sicarri: Usually use slaves and keep their families as hostages to ensure their loyalty. Whilst slaves are not exclusively elves in Tevinter, invariably the associated media tends to make it appear as though that is the case, particularly when it comes to those slaves that are treated the worst. Whilst it is possible they are treated well enough to remain loyal because of the benefits to themselves, there is potential there to recruit double agents.

Qunari: Regularly recruit from among the city elves precisely because they are generally poorly treated across Thedas, so have nothing to lose in joining up (or so they claim). They certainly would have no sense of loyalty towards the hierarchy that the Qun are attempting to replace. However, those who have grown up outside the Qun are also more likely to observe its shortcomings and be open to subversion by Solas' agents.

Crows: Have a fair number of elves in their ranks but whilst there are (or were) elves among the Talons, it was said that one of them, Bolivar, looked down on Teia as a street rat who had risen above her station in life, so it would seem that those others at the top probably got there through their family connections (the First Talon would seem to currently be a hereditary position based off the rank of the house they come from). Anyway, I imagine most elves recruited from the streets, like Zevran, are really no better than slaves, even if they do occupy a gilded cage, since failure or attempting to leave the organisation usually results in execution. Already well trained as assassins, Solas might well be able to offer them a way out that they find attractive.

Shadow Dragons: Definitely help runaway slaves, which includes elves. Whilst this might make the elves favourably disposed towards them, it does leave them exposed to infiltration by enemy agents. That elf in the Missing definitely seemed a bit suss to me.

At this point is seems more pertinent to ask is any elf not potentially working for Solas?    It certainly makes it problematic for me since I have a soft spot for elves.   You'd think I'd have learned my lesson having been burned by Solas but I am going to have to be careful.

With what they’ve set up, we most likely will be part of them or at the very least an ally of the Inquisition. To be honest I agree with you since if we are that’s just another reason why couldn’t we just continue as the Inquisitor?

To bring this back on topic, if they did dual protagonists it would be interesting if certain choices and different agendas left us interfering with ourselves.

Yes, this.

If we work with the Inquisition anyway then the entire "we need someone Solas doesn't know" reasoning lands flat on its arse because our connection with them will lead Solas right to us anyway. And in that case, why play a copy when the original still exists.

Of course on the other hand I distinctly remember disbanding the Inquisition at the end of Trespasser and sending everyone home to a well deserved safe civilian life with a heart felt "thank you for your service, I will miss you all". DAD better doesn't reverse that decision.

And I would greatly prefer to not have to work with the Qunari. Other than the problems I have with their entire philosophy there are also security concerns. If connection with the Inquisition can lead Solas to me, I'm sure that a connection to any other big faction can do the same thing.

And I really want BioWare to make good on their trailer theme "what will you do when those in power do nothing". I mean, let's face it, the protagonist is going to have to do all the work anyway.

Yes, I do find it comical. Incidentally, I've another group to add, the Lords of Fortune. Whilst they have members from a variety of races, it would be a good way for a follower of Solas to integrate with a group specialising in finding and retrieving ancient artifacts or dealing with threats, minor or otherwise, that other individuals or groups do not wish to deal with themselves. So, an elf working for Solas may be able to discover useful leads about artifacts he is interested in and ingratiate themselves into any recovery mission. However, should anyone try employing member(s) of the Lords of Fortune to engage in the hunt for Solas, they are immediately on to them and can ensure it doesn't succeed, either by giving them false leads or just ensuring they come to a bad end.

As for the Veil Jumpers, unless they come from a different ancient tradition that has always been opposed to the Dread Wolf, I would question exactly where they acquired their expertise. Even if they are enemies of Solas, it is likely he would ensure he has a mole among them for that very reason.

So, that just about covers every potential faction that has been showcased either in TN or the Missing, apart from the Grey Wardens and I think we are going to find they have more immediate problems to deal with that means Solas doesn't concern himself with them.

This is probably going to happen at some point, whether we are officially part of the Inquisition or not. It may take the form of something the Inquisitor did in the past or, something our new hero does in the present, preventing an alliance of some sort, or failure to prevent some adverse event. If nothing else, it may arise if we get close enough to Solas that the decision over what to do with him becomes relevant.

Then there is the matter of the Well of Sorrows. It is likely they will simply try and quietly forget about that decision but, if it continues to be important, after absorbing Mythal it does seem as though Solas should now have control over the drinker. If the Inquisitor was foolish enough to drink, that could mean they will be confronting the new hero to prevent them getting to Solas (otherwise the default protector would be Morrigan). I seriously doubt they would do this though. If anything, whatever Flemeth sent through the eluvian was intended to prevent this and since data mined notes suggested she was passing her power to Morrigan, this means the Well drinker will now be subject to her, if Morrigan didn't drink herself. Morrigan may be another character that will be quietly side-lined now DG is not lead writer but, if not, it will be interesting to see whose side she is on.

I imagine that’s how it’ll go. We won’t start as a member but somewhere in the game we join. Maybe have it be optional. To use an example from what we’ve heard of the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077 you can either take an oath to the NUSA or choose not to and just be a mercenary. Overall you’re still beholden to your employer, but it gives flavor differences.

I didn’t mean intentionally scuppering them. More you make a choice that seems the right one for Protagonist A, but it makes things harder for Protagonist B. Like how certain choices in past BioWare games were the right thing to do but did come back to bite us as well.