What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

--Began by running around the Hinterlands. I don't hate the zone as much as I used to, but I prefer getting as much out of the way at the start that is possible. Solas did something new (to me) by bitching at my character. "The clerics are ready to see us." Every 10 minutes or so. I finally yelled at the screen, "Fine! I'm going already."

--I've got both a webpage (thank you Fextralife) as well as a hand-written cheat sheet for the War Table. I'm not going to screw up and lose Aspen's clan nor the remaining Wardens, thank you very much game.

--Finished that, went and picked up the other recruits. Sera isn't as bad as I remember, despite my character being an "elfy-elf." She's just young and Aspen knows how to placate her. Good thing, because...

--I sided with the mages this time. I've done both sides before, but my anti-Circle elf would never have considered the templars. Out of the two quests, it's my favorite. Not because I'm that pro-mage (I'm more like the dwarves in that regard,) but because it shows the player what could happen if Cory won. Sooo creepy.

I'd taken Varric with me like usual, but this time I took Blackwall with me instead of Cass. Thinking about it, most of the characters found a way to stay sane while captured. Varric hums Bianca's song; Cassandra has her faith; Solas is...Solas. Blackwall is barely holding on by a thread. Wish I had taken him with me the first time I played.

--Once that was done, I finished up the Hinterlands (with one exception,) Fallow Mire (which I actually really like) and the first half of the Storm Coast. The Storm Coast is one of my absolute favorite zones in the base game.

--Killed that dragon in the Hinterlands on the first try at level 12. I did have the perk to get more potions and I had upgraded Healing and Regen before heading out. I had two pots left, but I got her. I'd forgotten about the staff she drops. That I can't use for 3 levels. Figures.

--Saved everyone at Haven. It took me a reload, since I'd missed Adan. I took control of Cass and got it done. I also took my time once everyone was saved to loot and clean up. Those templars drop some of the first real amounts of cash from mobs so far.

--Became the Inquisitor. I'll dink around over the next few days and see if I can get that screenshot I took of her uploaded. I'm on console this time around, so no easy access to imgur for me.

--I spent a crapload of time running around Skyhold when I first got there. My very first step was to talk to Solas. I was furthering the romance and I wanted out of that beige. Aspen looks respectable now and not like she's lounging in her pjs.

--Talked to Bull, got drunk with him. I'll be drinking with his Chargers next time I play.

--Got Cole recruited. I've already decided to make him a human. Despite the affection hit from Solas, I personally enjoy that option. I have kept Cole as a spirit before and I wasn't a huge fan. Solas will get over it, since I've gotten the romance locked.

--Chatted with Dorian and did his personal quest. I liked it. Part of the reason is pragmatic. All I have to do for the big quest is run to Redcliffe. Quick, easy and I didn't pick the "Company of men" option. Aspen is a little sheltered, but not stupid.

--Broke up the fight between Varric and Cassandra. I always chew Cass out, telling her that shoving around Varric was beneath her. I then calmed her down and got that affection back. I also had Aspen bring up the idea about the fate of the Chantry to Cass. I'm currently debating about making Cass the new Divine, or leaving that to Leliana. Both have their pros and cons, but I'm not sure how my character is going to feel about that until I'm there.

I personally prefer Cass, since she's reasonable and completely upheaving the status quo is not a great idea to me. Vivienne is too powerful and is a mage to boot. That would further destroy the Chantry. Leliana could lead it into a sort of "Golden Age," but the Chantry loves it's martyrs.

--Varric isn't an instant best friend like he was in DA2, but I enjoy having him around. He's pretty easy to get along with. After doing the mage side quest, it becomes apparent that he does have a real core of strength at his center.

--I've had Iron Bull set up as a tank. Frankly, most of the 2H fighters in DA tend to be squishy. Fenris was without some really good gear and I noticed it with Sten too. I had no problem keeping my Templar Spec'd/Templar-sympathetic Hawke alive, but with companions? Forget it. Once I get access to some guard belts I might change him back.

--Knocked out Solas' quest for his spirit friend. A memory floated into my mind about this encounter bugging out even if you did it right. Sure enough, I got rid of the bindings and the demon was still attacking. A quick reload fixed it. Solas' romance is locked in. Countdown to the worst heartbreak that my elf could ever imagine. I usually avoid tragic romances in BioWare games, but this one adds to the plot. More than I can say about Thane in ME. Anyway...

--Played chess with Cullen and also empathized with his efforts to quit lyrium. When I first did the quest (and after I finished the chain,) I tossed out a very rare Tweet. I am a former drug addict and I had to let the writer know that I thought she did an amazing job.

--Did Sera's personal mission against Lord Harmond. I heard that the bug related to her quest had been fixed, but after Solas I was feeling paranoid. The bug that I encountered was if you brought more than just her along for the quest, you couldn't talk to the noble and finish it.

I took the nobility option right away, since I had that perk. Sera's reaction gives me a chuckle and it's better than her beating the guy to death. I saw it once in-game. I made the mistake of questioning Harmond for too long. My reaction was, "Holy shit, Sera! You psycho little girl."

--Started the Exalted Plains, sticking to the south. I have some Dalish butt to finishing kissing. I've caught that damned golden calfwhite buffalohalla. Cleared out the demons around the burial grounds with a mental note to raid the place later. I still need to get them the Great Bear pelts and I haven't gotten there yet.

--I also remember why I kinda hate the Exalted Plains. It's those whiny and emo NPCs that keep bitching about the undead rising. This wouldn't be soo bad if they shut up once the zone was cleared. The history of the area is neat; I love the visuals too. However, when one of those damned NPCs says, "I hate waiting to die,"over and over again, I mute the TV.

The Seeker collected two elves, male and female. The rest died defending their camp. Unfortunate, but a small price to pay. The male has since dashed his head on the wall. Odd. Don't all living beings strive for survival?

The Seeker confessed that he did more than simply collect the elves. He found the elves and humans at odds, then exacerbated the conflict by making the humans look responsible for the two elves' disappearances. He said he wanted to see how the elf leader would react. Odd again.

The female elf has developed a...bond of sorts with her guard. Many of the other disciples seem drawn to her as well. The Seeker says her name is Seranni. Perhaps I should speak to her. Maybe she will understand.

-The female elf is accommodating, allowing me to take her blood for my work. Perhaps she thinks I'll release her if she cooperates.

-My disciples report that another elf is rampaging through the woods, killing humans. Revenge for what we did to her kind, only she hasn't seen through the Seeker's ruse. We'll keep this from Seranni. If she is upset, she may stop cooperating.

-Perhaps I should have killed it while it slept.