What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

Fucking work, I want to play! I must find one-two hours!
Now am I thinking about with which character?

Aerland Amell
Ralph Hawke

Hah, thanks... Both I think, I played Circle Mage Origin a long ago, and never played red Hawke before, seems so fun.

Ah! I don't believe, finished my work, then I have a little time for fun!

Ralph Hawke then:

Ralph kindly congratulated to Aveline for her appointment
"You was annoying as guard, as captain you are unbearable. Keep your law in your office! I do not want to spoil a friendly relationship."

Later he helped to Isabela
"End this conversation!"
"You've already faced him. Do not let yourself be blackmailed!"

A good program for a date
"Come on, let's do something exciting! I hope you will enjoy it as much as I am!"

Ralph Hawke

Deep Roads expedition

Varric: "Be happy, Bartrand, meet our partner, Hawke!"
Bartrand: "Money? Maps?"
Me: "These?"
Bartrand: "Where did you get it?"
Anders: "A mage did it."

Me: "Can we go now? ... Mother?" (Wtf?)
Mother: "Don't take Carver on the Deep Road, I don't want to lose both of you! Leave him at home with me!"
Carver: "Mother, I'll be fine!"
Me: "If you try not to worry and whine..." (I'm starting to get used to Mother's accusing gaze. Nevermind. Carver's a big guy, can take care of himself.)

Finally we arrived to Deep roads.
Bartrand became a prick.
Anders hates the Deep Roads.
And Bodahn lost his son.
Great start. At least Carver doesn't worry. A pleasant surprise. Whatever. First, let's find the boy... if he's alive.

We found the boy. Stronger, what I expected. And how he survived alone? Really strange dwarf. Never mind, everyone's happy, let's go on!

According to Bartrand, we found a strange place. He never seen similar, despite he born in Orzammar.
True, I also didn't hear of any kind of lyrium, what's red. Anders warn, that this is not good kind, I also feel that.

We found a weird idol. When I gave it to Bartrand, he looking at this stuff bewitched, then left us, and slammed the door behind him...!
You fucking little bastard!

No matter, we'll find a way out of this shit, kill Bartrand, and live happily ever after.
Too bad it never that simple ...
What kind of monsters are these? Demons? Yes, I feel, and Anders warns too, Carver still doesn't worry.
According to Varric these are rock wraiths, from the ancient dwarven legends. They should not even exist.
Good. It's time to send them back to the world of legends.

Well, it looks like we survived, plus found some expensive ancient stuff... Looks like the expedition was worth it. Let's go home!

Carver: "Brother, let's have a little rest. I dont feel good."
Me: "C'mon, Carver! You starting to whine now, when it's over? Do not annoy me! Just go! ... Carver? CARVER!"

"This is the Blight. I feel", Anders said.
Carver scared. "Just as the Templar, Wesley, I will die like him..."
"You don't! I will not let this happen!"
Anders: "If the Wardens are here, they can help... yes, this can works."

Lead the way, Anders!
Soon we found them. Their leader –Anders called him: Stroud– seemed not helpful.
Anders asked him and tried to convince him. And I have threatened him. Finally, we persuaded him.

We said goodbye. Perhaps forever.

We finally got home. That's not how I imagined it.
Anders said, Carver will survive. He's stronger than he even thought about himself.

You'll be a rich man... echoed in my head.

I entered to the hause...

Ralph Hawke, aggressive/sarcastic blood mage. Planned: everyone rivalry, except Anders. Failed attempt, Fenris already friend... and more. Accidentally. Planned romance: Anders. Still in progress.

A few days ago we went to Sundermount to taking some weeds and killing some bandits, but slave hunters ambushed us. They wanted Fenris. Idiots. Before all bastard died, one of them told that Danarius's apprentice is nearby, in a cave. Let's go!
Human sacrifice. Great. Let's burn up the place!
Frightened elf girl came in, she asked that we should not hurt the Magister. I did not promise. Instead, I offered her a job. Fenris was angry, supposed I want a slave. Of course, I want, I'm a mage, what else I would want, idiot angry... eh, whatever! I told him that I would pay to her, like everyone else. He calmed down. It's time to trust me, you fool!
Anders said there was no man (mage, ofc...) who could be able to do such a thing. It's time to stop trusting in the people (every mage), you fool!

We killed some people, moving corpses and demons, and finally, we got to Magister. She was an easy prey. She was lying on the floor when she offered to Fenris, if we let her go, she speaks about Fenris's sister. Fenris promised, but he failed. He could not control his anger. I tried to talk with him, but he jus said, all Mages could be rotten... I almost sent him to the Void, but Anders was quicker. And surprisingly more kind than I would have been. So I just told him we can search for his sister if he wants. He left us.

We went back to the Kirkwall, in The Hanged Man, I got home at dawn. Fenris waited for me. He apologised. This is slowly becoming his habit. I do not mind. But he did not want to come in.

Later I talked to Orana, the elf girl from Hadriana's Cave. Interesting conversation, I never heard similar before.
"I even feel sorry for the Magister, is that bad?", she said.
"Hadriana killed your father. For his blood! Why you feel sorry for her" I wondered.
"She tried so hard!… The other Magisters just laugh at her … I know what she did, but…"
I don't understand. Anyway, I told her, that she not a slave anymore.

I couldn't stop thinking about, what Orana said, and Fenris came into my mind. I must visit him. But first, deal with more practical things. Aveline told me, that Emeric, the Templar who investigated in that weird case of the lost ladies, harass her with his crazy ideas. But what about he's right? I'm still convinced, that not every Templar is totally mad, despite what I experienced. For example, this one seemed quite normal. True, just careful with him, he old enough, maybe only the lyrium is talking in his head. Let's take a closer look at the situation!
I take Anders Aveline and Sebastian, and we went to the Gallows. At Gallows an angry Templar lady stopped us. She's looking for some Templar, named Karras or something, she said I killed him. It may be true, but I can not register all the names of the Templars, whom I killed. I'm sure I had the proper reason why I did it, I always find a proper reason to killing things. Ah, so! That prick! I just wanted to let the Starkhaven apostates go. It was fair I killed him, I blame him. Why he interfered? Just that Templar Lady. So, get out of my way, my Lady, or you will die too... I mean, please. (Why do not my advice be accepted? Fools.)

Anders, my naive Love, thanks for your care, but spare your energy to the others, I have an alternate channel to healing.

Well, the program has changed. I completed my daily limit of the Templars, so Emeric's issues put off. Let's concentrate more pleasant things! For example The Hanged Man, and later Fenris. I need some drink before I visit him, but I'm sure he has better-qualified alcohol than this rat urine.
He was drinking, when I arrived. I happily join him, though he was a bit drunk, I was not completely sober either.
He talked to me about his escape. He told, that he didn't exactly want to escape, this rather was an accident. He talked about the Fog Warriors, who wanted to protect him from his master, but he killed them all for his master. I suppose I started to understand Orana. And the behavior of the Circle Mages whom Anders talked about. And I also always wondered, why they don't rebel or just try to escape... Holy fucking shit terrible thing!
But I have a friend. Or more? I'm an idiot, I must stop that! I love Anders, and Fenris would never accept me that's for sure! Go back to the Hanged Man!

Late night I got home, thoroughly drunken. In the foreground, Fenris was waiting for me. His intent was clear and met with mine.
It was only dawn when I woke up. My head was buzzing. Fenris was standing at the fireplace, completely dressed, his sword on his back. Prepared to leave. He talked about his flashing memory fragments, and how confusing it is. He did not let me help him, just apologized (how I am not surprised!), and left. So... It's over. Maybe it's better this way.

I dressed up and went to Anders to the clinic. Recently a vendor offered to me a Tevinter Chantry Amulet, and I bought that to Anders, I almost forget that. Haha, how surprised he was! He told me, I want him to be executed! But I saw he's happy.

Then we met with Fenris and went to the harbor. I got a weird letter, someone ask me to help to the Mages. Of course, I will. It's illegal and serves a good cause. I like! It's a shame I did not bring Aveline with me!

Okay, time to face some Templars again! I told Aveline to join. Go to the Gallows!
I had to stop at the right hand of the Knight Commander! I like to hear the rumors from the original source. So: seems the rumors didn't lie: the Knight Commander is on the straight way to be totally mad.

Go to Emeric, we can not be deferred. If he's right, this is important.
Emeric suspects a serial killer, and told, that Meredith stopped the investigation, but the City Gards did a bad job. Aveline angry, and seems to consider Emeric idiot, but I tend to believe him, at least worth it's worth checking out. I promised him that I will investigate the case.

Aveline returned to her job, and we went to Chantry. Sebastian joined, I promised him to visit the Harimann Manor, and help to fix this issue.
But first I must talk with the Grand Cleric about the Mages and Meredith. Harrowed people tranquilized? She must stop this crime!
"The Maker’s time’s not men’s time. We don’t need to rush.The Chantry’s not a domineering Father with a whip always in Hand. She’s a gentle Mother, who knows her children learn best when allowed to learn themselves." She said. Idiot! (Seems almost everyone's idiot here! I'm not even surprised. I can only count on myself and my friends. Just as always.)

Strange: the manor's door wasn't closed. Inside the things were even stranger. The Harimanns seems didn't realize our presence. Sebastian said he had never seen them like that before. I suggest demonic influence, the signs are typical. That's proved: we found a stair to the basement, and lower places. Nobody knew about this place. I was not really surprised again: our manor also has a tunnel. Seems Kirkwall full of strange old passages.
Of course demonic presence! We found Lady Harimann in the companion of a desire demon. Sebastian questioned Lady Harimann, and the demon tried to tempt him. We killed it before could do more trouble.

Sebastian seemed vulnerable. He told, that the demon was right about his feeling. I assured him again, that he will be a very good ruler, and even give to him a long bow, what I found at a mercenary. The crest of Vael family decorated it, so I thought, that's his. Anyway, he's not that boring choirboy, what it seems for the first sight. Not even harmless.

To be continued... sometime.

I can't say I rate DA graphics too highly, however, I'm glad someone else has pointed this out - the facial expressions are excellent. It's not just in DA2. There was this scene in DAO where I was surprised in a wow way.

When I played a good aligned Warden and although I have avoided romance flags with Morrigan she confessed to having feelings for him. When she came and asked for the ritual my Warden declined. This resulted in her leaving - however - when she was leaving I could see her face. She paused mid-step and that felt like she was strongly second guessing that decision. And then her expression - it had this mix of hurt and regret.

A couple of runs later, I was playing this evil Sauron type Warden who kicked puppies and defiled urns. I must point out that in both cases Morrigan approval was around 90. When Morrigan came for the ritual - this Warden also sent her walking. When Morrigan was walking out of the room - her facial expression gave me the CREEPS. Her eyes narrowed malevolently and her mouth down turned. Brr!

Morrigan had two different reactions and two different facial expressions based on the Warden who sent her away.

It's also interesting how contradictory Morrigan is. With the first Warden she disapproved of every single decision - yet this Warden had to use 'let's be friends' line more than all my other Wardens put together. Then, Morrigan had tremendous respect for my evil Warden. She clapped and danced at his decisions - yet not once had the romance flag been triggered.
 

Ralph Hawke (Background)
Merrill sent a message, that she wants to show anything, so, we visited her one morning.
She shows me a big broken Mirror. I still felt some magic on it. Merrill said, that she cleansed that with blood magic, and told, that this "Eluvian" caused the problem in her clan when the Blight started. This mirror killed one of them. Now she wants to restore this thing's power, because she supposes, that this mirror is one piece of his people's forgotten history. A forgotten magic! Seems dangerous. I love it! Anders does not share my interest. I should not have brought him with me.

I decided I will help her. We went into The Hanged Man for Isabella. Seems, she loves Merrill, perhaps will counterbalance Anders, and calm Merrill. She a bit fears from the talking with the Keeper.
Inside The Hanged Man Varric told a story to the people. About me. Suddenly he finished and waved. What does he want?
He's asking about Anders. "what's-His-Name that mage" he said... and warns me that it's a bad idea to live with a possessed mage. Enough, dwarf! My private life's not your story!
I angrily left the tavern.

Varric got scared. I can not stay mad at him. So I'll pay to a beer to him... again. Later.
Now: go to the Sundermounth!
Merrill asked the Keeper for an ancient artifact, whit probably she will able to restore this mirror. The Keeper finally a promised, that, but first asked us to kill a monster...

We went to the cave, where the monster lived, and a scared elf ran before us. it could have been terrible, what he had seen inside. But not so terrible, like... Merrill...? What did the Keeper tell him? Or what happened? The elf ran back straight to the monster. We killed the monster, but that poor boy died, Anders couldn't help him. But was bitter, and blamed the blood magic. Again... oh man...!

Back to the Keeper! Merrill asked her, what she told to the clan about her. I'm sure, that that Marethari killed that guy. Idiot. No matter, we got the Arulin'Holm.
Anders, Love, when you'll stop the worry about the fucking blood magic?!
But Merrill was grateful, she told, I'm her only friend.

Go back to Hanged Man! I need to placate Varric.
In the Hanged man, we met with Fenris, and that man, who was suspected involving in the qunari issues. Let's ask, what he knows... I never refuse a little tavern brawl and some intimidation.
The guy spoke about a templar... with the signet of the Grand Cleric. Nice. But Anders doubts.

Okay, to the Chantry!
Anders still doubts. According to him, a drunk’s words is not enough evidence. Now I WANT to know, what'ts going on!
Sister Petrice! What a surprise! Last time we met, I was forced to kill a bunch of qunari...
She said, that her ex-bodyguard, ser Varnell, that Templar, became untrustworthy, we must go after him.
Varric suspects, this is a trap. Of course, this is it, but this information the only, what we have.

Back to The Hanged Man!