What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

That's him there. Black hair, blue eyes, and my fraps white washes my pics a bit, so a tad darker. 

There are dangonlings near the dragon in the Hinterlands, right? And I remember deep stalker as being pale mud brown, does their hide actually turn a different color as a crafter armor?

Really? I was told they were just "alright", better than nothin'

Ser Thrask asked us to try and convince a group of apostate mages to hand themselves in before his fellow templars arrived with a different solution.
Inside we had to cut our way through blood mages and the rotting corpses of numerous undead.
Following which, Isabela asked if I thought she needed a bath.
Ah, you have to ask?
Bethany killed a group of fellow mages with a firestorm, and thought it was almost fun.
I'm starting to think Merrill is the only sensible one in the group.
We find their ringleader, and he starts raising the dead to attack us.


Mum didn't want me to take Bethany into the Deep Roads, but I assured her she'll be fine.

While wandering aimlessly through Crestwood today, I came upon the back gate to Caer Bronach and it occurred to me that it would have been cool to be able to sneak into the keep and take it that way, rather than storm the front gate.

Then, after exploring the formerly-flooded caves, I found several Deep Roads areas that I hadn't seen on my previous two playthroughs. I think I must have always backtracked after closing that rift, or fast traveled back to town, maybe.

It's impressive how fast old Crestwood dried out after spending a decade under water

Edit to complain about the Bull romance so far, and it's lack of...anything. I felt some emotion by this point from Dorian and Cullen. Some flirting, some mutual interest, some chemistry. I get nothing from Bull. I do hope it gets better soon.

This goes through my head everytime I'm out there and grabbing camps:

I didn't play too much tonight. I took a nap earlier because anything below zero (F) makes me want to hibernate. I did do a few things though:

--Talked to Rat, the squire for Sutherland. I need to go send someone from the WT to track them down. Once I do I'll head out to the Storm Coast and save them.  That'll wrap up the quest chain.

--Got my endgame armor dyed. It's a battlecoat. White dragon leather, silk brocade cloth and dragon bone for the bits. It looks sharp.

--Bull actually looks pretty dangerous.  I had already tinted the metal of his armor using Bloodstone.  When I made his axe (called "Pride of the Chargers,") I ended up using Fade-Touched Bloodstone.  His leather color is bear leather.  I've hit level 19.  I can't wait to see what he's going to look like at max level at this rate.  

--Managed to get some good gear crafted for Varric. Freaking finally. I gave him +3 Guard on hit.  I call it "Hawke's Gift."  Cole got Varric's old coat.  Considering it's called "Varric's Warm Coat," I thought it was fitting to pass that to Cole.  Varric does see Cole as a little brother.  I could see him doing that for the kid.

--I've got a set of endgame armor I need to make for Dorian before too much longer.  I'll probably go with +3 Guard for his gear as well.  Once I get his done my armor should be fine for the DLCs.  I've got my shield left to make but I need dragon parts.  I'm debating about putting chain lightning per hit on it or waiting for a fade-touched that gives Walking Fortress on hit.  I might go with the former since it will help if my War Cry is on cool down and I've already got my hands full.  Dunno yet.

--All of my endgame gear is going to have frost resist built into it.  I've found that is the most useful resistance stat for the rest of the game, including the DLCs.  Lightning is a close second but it's easier for everyone to have frost resist in the armor.  I build the pieces for other resistances and defense as I need to.  

--Did the initial conversaton with Morrigan and Kieran. Such an odd child but not too weird all things considered. Too bad we'll probably never see him again.   I still feel that the DR either should have been mandatory or otherwise not involving a child.  It was such a potentially interesting plot.  As it is it adds a lot of flavor and character depth to Morrigan in DA:I.  So that's something.

--Started Emprise du Lion. I'm glad that I know the area much better than I did last time. I was running in circles a lot on my elf. This time I knew right where to go. I also finished the Memories of the Grey quest for Blackwall. "It feels good to help the Wardens. Despite everything." I think Thom needs a hug.

--I unlocked the Operation to repair the bridge in the zone. When I got back to Skyhold, I realized there was a few quests on the WT that I wanted to knock out. I'd like to get Sutherland done among others. I looked and everyone was on 6+ hour long WT missions. I decided I'd rather save/exit from my character for now.

--I did roll up an elven mage for giggles and got her to Haven. Will I play her much? I don't know. I get addicted to making new characters. Also, I like having ones rolled up and ready to go in case I get a hankering for a new toon and the internet is down.

--Edit:  Non spoiler tip #1.  The final boss of Descent hates lightning.  Also, spikes will shoot up from the floor doing a shitload of damage.  When the Inquisitor yells for you to move, start moving.  The boss also has large arms that will smack around anyone in range to boot.  The best advice I have is to bring nothing but ranged characters for dps.  Three mages is best but two with Varric or Sera also works well.  Make sure your mages are respecced to Spirit and Lightning.  You can use lightning runes if you want but I prefer to keep corruption or demon-slaying runes.

--Non spoiler tip #2!  If you're getting ready to do Trespasser, make sure you have plenty of lightning resist.  Especially for the final parts of the DLC.  It will help a lot for the fights, particularly the final boss.  The game will make it pretty clear when it's going to be the last time you leave the home base in the DLC.  

Make arms/legs/helms.  Ring velvet is a good one to use since it's cheap in the BE and a rather common drop.  Save any good quality lightning resist belts and Cowl of the Overseer; upgrade tonics if you use them.  Also before you start the DLC, you can save up for the elemental resist belt from the Black Emporium.  Every little bit is going to help.

Natashina

I really like the names for your gear that you come up with.

Yes, nothing like doing a little house cleaning and shuffling armor around!  The B-Team (Cole and Iron Bull) always get the hand-me-downs!

You're not kidding about Trespasser!  I found out the hard way that the Saarebas has some really nasty lightning powers!  After getting slaughtered despite having my team outfitted with the latest armors, I had to go back and craft some electricity resistance gear.

 Regarding lightning resistance belts, I found out at the forbidden oasis that the very last door to open is one that has superb lightning belts!  So there really is a reason to collect all the shards!

I finished the game with Reinhardt Hawke. (Act 3, part 2.)  Prequel: 45, 49, 57
(The Legacy miss yet, perhaps later...)

Knight-Captain Cullen sent a message that he want to talk to me. Let's see, why. So: he says, someone accused Aveline to cuddling he guards. I must to warn her.
As I got there, Aveline argued with a Templar, and looked very angry. But that was nothing compared to when I told her, what Cullen said me. We supposed, they accused her probably because of Donnic, then we went to check exactly what doing Donnic.
As we have guessed: Donnic waded knee-deep in the bandits. There are no "cuddling". We went back to Cullen, who said that the complaints came from the Lowtown, where we informed, that the complains came from the ex-Guard-Captain: Jeven. We solved this problem, Aveline's name cleared. By the way, I feel, the guards are with me.

At home Meredith's letter was lying on the table. She also need my help. Of course, what else... She asked me to look for some apostates. When I refused her, she gently reminded me, that my sister in the Circle. If you dare hurt Bethany, you'll... I just wanted to tell: that your sister is a good Mage, she said. Obviously ... nice parry, Knight Commander! ... So, you gave me a rope... well, just tell, what do you want! We must to find three apostates. Executioner's work. Let's see, what we can do!

The first, Huon an elf from the Alienage, crazed. He sacrificed his wife, became abomination, and tried to destroy us. Just tried.

When we looking for the second one, a woman, called Evelina, in the Darktown we found two Ferelden refugee orphans. She saved them and a few more children, and he took care of them. When they arrived in Kirkwall, Evelina came into Circle, and asked for help, to be able to continue to take care of the kids. Instead help, they wanted to lock her. Poor fool, I wondering what she hoped? The persecution made she mad, the desperation turned her to the Blood Magic. Finally we killed her. I gave money to the oldest boy, to be able to care of the others.

Then we went to the Hightown to visit, Emile du Launcet's parents. His father said, that probably we could find Emile in The Hanged Man... But they are sure, that Emile not Blood Mage just a terrified kid. Okay, but they are his parents, what they can say? They not lied: this dangerous Blood Mage a miserable boy, who had never been outside of the Circle, since his childhood. He just wanted some happy moment. He must to leave Kirkwall, immediately. I decided to give him some time for escape, before I going back to Meredith.

On the way back we met the allied nobles. One of them betrayed and ambushed us with Templars. That's tiresome... all Templars are suicidal? That was enough for today.

Returning home I received bad news. Bodahn and Sandal will leave us, they wants to go to Orlais. Oh shit ... I think I a little envy.

After a few days I went back to Meredith, to report her Blood Mages. She already heard about Evelina and Huon, however, he asked about Emile. I told her, I had let him go. Perhaps I need to be more careful, but I could not resist... but Anders either. He vehemently accused Meredith, and spoke about that for Evelina's and Huon's fate is the Circle's responsible. How I love when he so passionate! Meredith had threatened him. Now I'm sure, I'll kill her... only a matter of time.

A few days later, Orsino's letter was waiting for me at home. He asked me to help investigate a strange case without the involvement of the Templars. The trails led to a warehouse. The conspirators attacked us. Among them were Keran, the templarling, who we saved from a bunch of crazy blood mages a few years ago. He refused to attack us and at the end of the battle he said that some Templars and Mages allied against Meredith. They kidnapped Bethany. What? Why? We must to go there immediately!
We found them on The Wounded Coast, as Keran told. Thrask don't wanted to kill Bethany, but a mage, Grace, who we saved before, killed Thrask, and turned against us. (By the way, I told already, that I must to careful with the save of the people?) Cullen arrived with Samson, that miserable lyrium addict ex-Templar, who "helped" Feynriel... He looks a bit better now. On the way we met him, he want Meredith's fall, but can't turn against her, because he considers mages too dangerous. Meredith the main danger in Kirkwall, not the mages... nevermind. Bethany „safe”, let's go back to Orsino!

Finally we are at home. And now we can talk about, how much you want to pay, if I slit my wrists and dance naked under the moonlight just for you, love...

On the next day at the Gallows a Templar, called Ser Karras, told us, that Meredith has sent to Val Royeaux for the Right of Annulment. No! Bethany! And I can not do anything, just hope. I feel like I'm not very good at it. Helpless anger flooded me.

In the morning a messenger brought a letter from Orsino. Meredith has gone too far.
I picked up the others, luckily I found everyone, and we hurried to stop Meredith's madness. I was hoping that it is not too late. Meredith arguing with Orsino, and there was also Bethany. Bethany was glad we came. Orsino wanted to go for Elthina, to protect them. Foolish hope...
Anders unexpectedly stepped forward. He began to speak. For a minute Justice flare up, blood froze in my veins, but Anders continued. He was firm and determined. „The Circle has failed, the time has come to act...” What did you done?" I asked. He bowed his head, and said, „that can be no turning back”. In that moment, with a huge rumble exploded the Chantry building. „There can be no peace!”, he told. What I felt? Strange but it's hard to recall. I surprised? I think, yes. Despite that Anders said something about that easy to support a cause as long as no victim. So: I can say, I expected something similar, but I was not prepared for it. Not even he. He slumped on a crate, and and waited for the judgment. He was sure about that he will going to die. Sebastian (and many others) want me to kill him. No! He was right: there can be no peace. Go to the Gallows to finishing this!
I was not sure about it, but everyone followed us, except Sebastian. He went to Starkhaven to collect his army against Kirkwall. But it can wait.

The Templars were outnumbered. I worried about Bethany, but she seems strong and enthusiastic. „A new age begin today”, she say. She never was so confident before. Orsino worries me more, he seems uncertain.
Everyone wanted to say something before the battle. I admit, it felt good.

The battle started. The Templars rushed us, only a few Mage survived. Orsino lost his mind, slit his wrists and by use the corpses he became some-kind fucking big abomination. I never seen similar thing. Oh shit!

After we killed that thing, we went for Meredith. We must to face with her. I try not to think about the overwhelming odds. I did not plan to die today.
Meredith and Cullen waited for us. Meredith want to kill me. I think she has long been waiting for this moment. Cullen don't agree with her, and confront her. She flail with her sword, shouting, that the knight-captain infected by blood magic. Finally she became totally crazy. Her sword made from the red lyrium, what we were discovered years ago in the the Deep Roads. Smart Templar! Have strong willpower. Oh yes, every abomination thought this, before died. C'mon, Knight Commander, let's share their fate!
Cullen joined us, the others moved aside. It was crazy fight.

When finished, I looked around and thought about, what will happen to us. Templars everywhere. What they will doing with my sister? Anders? Nothing. Cullen ordered them to back. The road was opened toward the harbor. Bye Kirkwall, bye my home! I will never return. „Then we will be fugitive together!” It was my decision and did not regret it.

Natashina

I like that we can name equipment, that is some cute RP you got there.

---

TODAY,I actually played the game. This male elf is still in the spirit of Ameridan, but since I re rolled for a handsomer elf, I've decided to steer clear of some of the top right replies. I guess you could call them Diplomatic, but they are usually just blander than sugar free vanilla ice cream as far as I can tell.

I hated his clothes and he ended up more pale than I intended, so I rectified both of those things. Went to the Hinterlands, and marked the Watch Towers. But left the Wolves for when I have Cole. I love Cole. I want to hear him talk about everything. Left the horse race for Iron Bull too, as that's easy approval points. After I picked up what I thought was enough material, I headed back to Haven and petted the Golden Nug. It was like a magical mind meld, and filled me with information about Inquisitors of alternate universes! ... Or something. But since I have no silverite, I was left with only the mage stuff. Which looked terrible on a male elf, so I went with the Formal Wear for lack of current better options. Since his history has him going outdoors often, he needed more of a tan. Off to the Emporium. One shade difference really improved him for me, I actually find him attractive now.



There he is, flirting with Cassandra, that rascal. (I've turned off subtitles. I don't much like them in my screen shots and I can understand everyone at this point.)

Then I enjoyed the argument between Roderick and Cullen. I always put myself just so between them so I can watch my character's head whip back and forth.



I'm thinking about getting to level 7, then turning on the trial that slows levels on top of Even Ground. I wouldn't have wanted to drag to level 4, because a lot of loot even in the Hinterlands requires at least that.

Also, having the game on Hard puts so many mages and templars in the Hinterlands! It actually feels like a war! I approve.

Just finished Trespasser and truly enjoyed it, though I probably botched the culminating scene. What follows are dumb questions and comments:

Its one of my favorite areas. The best part is the quest, Tomb of Fairel. Some good schematics and lots of coin. Oh yeah. The dragon.

Kipper, thanks for the thoughtful replies!  All of a sudden, Dragon's Breath begins to remind me of that terrorist chemical attack in Kirkwall in DA2!  (I remember a mad female elf being involved.  But now I wonder if the Qunari had a hand in that too...)

Kipper Natashina  Yes, the monster Saarebas was a bear!  (And about as big as one of those Great Bears too!)  After crafting electricity resistant armors to protect my team from the first Saarebas' I ran into, however, this fight ended up being doable.  (That and I was at Level 27 plus.)