What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

HAwke: Why is it always Hakee to the rescue?
Templar Emeric: I can't answer to that.

it just struck me as funny.

Meredith even didn't know about Karl made Tranquil by Alric... Meredith did nothing wrong...

Haha, sarcasm, ofc... I heard that argument, and I loved it a lot. Especially that Karl and Alric one. I can't believe, that a Templar would be able just tranquillizing anyone without his superior knowing it, and wouldn't be responsible for it. This would be that "Order"? Mads, murderers and perverts...

And:

Many of Meredith's Templars were criminals many people knew about it. Only she and Elthina didn't. Seems funny. True, Elthina even didn't know about Petrice... Seems she's just a poor innocent dumb in Kirkwall's highest position.

Won't lie, my decision is greatly influenced by the love I have for my F!Tabris and her relationship with Zevran  

She has so much built up anger and mistrust about the way she and her family/other elves have been treated.  Zevran is able to slowly worm his way past her walls and help her start to relax and let go of that anger - be able to start enjoying the little things again.  Experiencing/seeing what she did the day of her wedding, the fact that it is fairly obvious that this isn't the first time Vaughan has pulled shit like that, and depending on how dark you want to go with what happened the night Adaia was killed/taken away - and it's more than likely that she's been exposed to sexual violence, even if she was never a direct victim of it.  Growing up the way he did, I think he would be able to recognize the signs on that in her and help her gain trust in touch. (As passionate and enthusiastic of a lover as he obviously is, I also picture him being a patient and encouraging lover if that's what was needed).  Most/many in the Alienage see Tabris as troublemaker and are happy to see her leave (just walk through the Alienage before you leave with Duncan and listen to some of the same NPCs comments).  But those same characteristics and talents that seemed to ostracize her back home, are exactly what he finds so attractive about her.  He doesn't try to convince her to put down her blades, but encourages her skils and helps her hone them (especially if you did like I did and have a DW Rogue that ends up taking the Assassin spec...).

Then you have Zevran, who has essentially been used and abused his whole life with no one that ever truly cared about him (except maybe Rinna, but we all know how that turned out).  I think the Warden was his first true friendship, let alone love.  I mean just look at when you give him the gloves - he seems truly amazed that someone was giving him a gift that didn't have any strings or conditions attached, let alone one that had such meaning for him.  And despite all of his talk and his confidence in his abilities, I think he probably has a low opinion of himself personally (the Crows have a tendency to beat out foolish notions such as self-worth and identity early).  Both the brothel and the Crows taught him that emotions and caring for someone else is at best an illusion and a weakness.  Then comes along Tabris.  Despite how hard her life was, she grew up with cousins that she knew would have her back as quickly and fiercely as she has theirs, a father who loves her unconditionally and tried to protect her the best way he knew how, and a mother that not only taught her how to fight but also that she was worth fighting for.  Even if she might be ready to give up on herself, she would keep fighting to protect those she loves.  Zevran slowly starts to realize that caring strongly about someone isn't just something that could be used against you, but something that you can draw on for strength when you're running on empty and give you hope for something more/better to keep you going forward (although sorting out and realizing these feelings still confuses the crap out of him).  And Tabris would be determined to help him see in himself the same things she sees in him (the strength, worth...) and wouldn't give up until he does.

And yeah, sorry for that wall of text... but I guess I have a tendency to get a little carried away when talking about my babies.... 
Oh, and speaking of babies (since someone brought it up): I don't see them having any biological kids, but rather "accidently adopting" a few along the way (see spoiler below).


Some how I don't see Zevran being able to remain inconspicuous, regardless of the pairing, lol 

Why would you even have that quest in your journal? If you don't roll sarcasticHawke+Varric you're playing DA2 wrong.  Bullshit them away every time!

I wish it was possible to kill just Karras in another quest later on if you didn't fight the Templars in this one. Bastard needs to die, but I trust Grace to run free about as far as I can throw her...

Wiki says even if you send him off he dies so I think we're doomed to get the quest unless you side with him against thrask or something

Who dies? Karras? No. He's who says to Hawke at the Act3, that the mages will be fucked, because of Meredith already sent the request to Right of Annulment to Val Royeaux.
And Alain says, he threatened him to make him Tranquil if he speaks about his visits in Alain's cell.

I spent my valentines spreading love to all the Wardens at Adamant. Even gave them a trip as a bonus!

Today I think I'll make new friends in the Winter Palace!

I basically ship Zev with all my wardens, because tehre is no alternative for me. But I really liked him with my Taena Brosca and generally with frogue Tabris. But Mahariel is interesting with him too, because he is curious of the Dalish, she needs to know more about all the other people out there, so they make a great team

About Karras: I agree, that he should die, but the problem is, I want Grace in the circle, because ooc I hate that character and ic she just asked me to kill one of the three decent templars in Kirkwall (and she kills him ehrself in the end but that is ooc again). The other two are Emeric (is there anyone who doesn't find Emeric adorable?) and Kevan. Cullen only gets better in DAI for me

I explicitly said I would boot Carroll into the lake.

So yeah, what was done today.

Bothered the local mages, not with Wuxia mind you, but I can see how you might get confused.
Kerdik decided that he did not have any more business in Lothering, having been paid for all the Chantry board quest. So he headed out with Leliana, Alistair and Kallak to Redcliffe, but took a wrong turn and ended up at the Tower. It was on the list either way, so he intimidated his way onto a boat and set off to the Tower. Managed to cut a deal with Gregoir, he would sweep the abominations to their deaths and in return get the Templars help, along with not being hassled over all the cool magic items that would find their way to his rucksack.

The plan went awry quite soon, as he stumbled upon Wynne and her kids. She managed to persuade him to help her instead, using her words. Magical bosom may or may not have helped as well.
Either way, she ended up teaming up with him in his sweeping Quest. Kallak stayed behind to protect the children.
Combat was quite fun, the group had decent synergy, Kerdik took most of the attention, Alistair took the rest, Lelianna pricked bottoms with her knifes and Wynne kept them from bleeding to death.
Was a bit miffed that they only managed to save one Tranquil from being morphed, but one is better than none I guess.

Eventually the group hit nap time via the Sloth demon on the upper levels.
Kerdik did fairly good on his lonesome, quickly grasping the morphing methods. He managed to save Wynne and Leliana from their nightmares, but decided to let Alistair relax and eat his pie. Only out of kindness and not out of a silent hope that Alistair would stay behind once he got out. Alas, or luckily, Alistair found his way back to the group after the demon had been defeated.
All grumbled rejoiced.

Kerdik was a clever lad and used the Litany to his benefit on the last floors. It seems to stun undead, abominations and demons, so it was quite handy during the rest of the sweeping.

And then I hit a snag, because the game is mean and wont let the companions succeed in charisma checks. Kerdik listened to Cullen and figured that his way was sadly the most logical way. No way to know in what state the mages on the upper floor were, so their death seemed to be the only option. Nobody objects during the convo, but as Kerdik tells Cullen to stay safe, it will all be over soon, Wynne suddenly pipes up with that she will not allow this and she will defend the Circle to the death. Okay. You should have tried interjecting into the conversation earlier, but still.

Then Alistair interjects. "Whoa...one second here. I sense that things are quickly going down hill". Indeed Alistair. Now at this point, I would have loved to get the chance to listen to his attempt to defuse things. Kerdik is a fairly reasonable dwarf and would have settled for deciding to deal with Uldred first, try to save the mages and keep death as a last resort.
But no...Time for talk is over or the old lady made her choice. Screw you game.

Then Leliana interjects and tries to make Wynne consider, another chance to defuse the situation and settle on a more peaceful path.
But nope, Wynne wants to fight. "I cannot let you harm them. I am sorry we could not agree, and I'm sorry that I must stop you".
You stupid hag, you didn't even try to talk him down. Gah. Anyways, as usual she ends up loosing her head.

And now I have the dilemma of: will I go on without her or bend and pick another dialog option and then headcanon I got the talking down I wanted.
Kerdik is probably going to spare the mages once he sees that it's a legitimate option so bah.
Either way, problem for another day. Now for my own sleep and hoping my Sloth demon will also prove defeat-able.