What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

Everything seems weighted in favor of helping the mages.  You go to Val Royeaux and Lord Seeker Lucius immediately turns you down.  Except for Ser Barris, who seems like a nice, pious fellow, the Templars seem like thugs.  Then you go to Redcliffe and find out that the Venatori have laid claim to the mages under mysterious circumstances.  Every mage you meet - except for Linea - seems to be nice and want to be free of the "Vints."  You even have two Vints - Dorian and Felix - who give you insights into what you'll face.  Unless you're playing a human warrior or rogue who's suspicious of magic, who wouldn't choose the mages?  It's hard not to choose the mages after visiting Redcliffe.

To balance things out, they should've had some sympathetic  Templars sending messages to Cullen or something asking for help. Oh well...

You are right, all is pointing towards mages, you have sympathetic side characters - even mages helping at the crossroads. They could have put some helping templars in there too. Apart from Ser Baris in Val Royeaux and Lysette in Haven I can't remember a single sympathetic templer in that game (ok- Cullen, but technically, he is not a templar anymore) and Evangeline is mentioned, but that's it. You have a lot of really nice and sane mages around.
It as like that in the other games too: DAO: helping the templars means killing all mages (and loosing Wynne, my second favorite companion after Zevran) and I guess, most people will at least take a look into the tower before making that decision. DA2: Meredith is crazy as hell and obviously is using Anders terror act as a cheap excuse to get rid of her mages, while Orsino at least tries to reason. And most of the nice templars are dead by the time, you have to decide, but there are still some 'normal' persons on the mage side alive like Sol, Alain or Bethany (if playing a non mage Hawke). I had wish for the option that Cullen and some other not so crazy templars ask for help in stopping Meredith killing spree.

Another Brosca fan here - one of my favorite origins, together with Dalish and City elf


I just got a gift from Vivienne - and what a sweet scene it was. Viv showed the family of the late Duke Bastien Skyhold and after that, she gave me a ring. What a great scene, I missed it before, because  did get the wyvern quest so late in game that I only did get the poor guy dying and a conversation about the events with Viv afterwards before I had to go and face Cory. I really loved that scene

   Your faithful chantry boy is waiting for you. 

Any official word on that? I've seen nothing definitive; mostly speculation based on how long it takes BW to come out with sequels.  Three years seems to be the magic number but nothing has been announced for 2017. (When was the new Mass Effects game's release date announced?) Dragging it out to 2020 seems a very bad idea. People will have forgotten about the game by then. My guess - and just a guess - is 2018 with an announcement in Fall 2017.

I started yet another female elf mage run. Mostly, I was just inspired by an image I first saw at Faces of Gaming and later found the sliders here:

www.nexusmods.com/dragonageinquisition/mods/44/?

I liked her pixie-like look. I wanted her to be more "elfy" but not ugly. I felt my last elven females may have looked too human. By contras Here's what I was able to produce using the sliders:



Not quite as "pixie-like" as the original author's creation, but not too bad. I wish there was an easier way to copy these things.

I'm not sure what I want to do on this PT. Either a completionist run (I've already collected all the mosaic pieces for "The Fall" or an abbreviated "phoray run." At this point, I've completed all major tasks in the Hinterlands and recruited the mages - AGAIN! (Hard to imagine a Dalish elven mage choosing otherwise.) For romance, I've decided to hit the heart button for everyone and see which one culminates into a full romance first. (With all the chatting with companions required, probably not an "abbreviated phoray run"! )

She looks very pixie -like. I like her . I'm not very good with that face shape, but you did a great job.

If I would go for the first romance available, I would mostly end with Blackwall or Solas, they are the first to make advances, even if I don't flirt with them.
I wish, I'll be as organised as you and other players and finish one playthrough before starting another, but I often have 3-4 playthroughs simultaneous, that's why it take me so long to finish one

Where in the world did you find the ever elusive Ferelden locks?

deadlydwarf

And here I thought Cullen was easy. Like super easy. He's an advisor, doesn't even have points

Prior to Solas, I never did any of the female to male companion/advisor romances, so I don't know; all unknown territory to me. I just know that after having the mages join the Inquisition on favorable terms for the mages, Cullen, IB, and Sera disapproved while Solas & Blackwall approved.  What do you mean:  "...doesn't even have points?"   Is he a sure thing like Josephine?

tacsear

So, what do you think about Stolen Throne so far?

I often have trouble finding those to fill that specific requisition. Got lucky in my current Champion run though.

I'm about to start the Descent, but thinking a bit on strategy on fighting tougher enemies in the lower levels. Those sha-brytol and rock guardian final boss especially. Last time I beat this DLC, I used hidden blade masterworks; cleansing and demon slaying runes; Viv and Dorian each had winter, lightning and fire magic; fully upgraded potions and lifeward amulets. Also not sure who'll be in the party. I don't have Vivienne on my roster, so Dorian is the only mage. I kinda want to take Cole, because he's a DW Assassin and Alex can take care of herself in fights.

Were you able to do both at one time?  Wouldn't one get jealous?  I know Sera notices rivals.  Leli acts like a pitbull to protect Josephine.