What did you do today in DA? [Spoilers]

I gather that demons were less of a problem because spirits had easier access to the mortal world, so they weren't so estranged from the mortal world. They probably still existed, but the distinction between a demon and malicious mage was probably a fine one. Think more demons like Imshael.

Yesterday, Katriel and her companions went to the Arbor Wilds supported by Inquisition and Orlesian forces after reports indicated a large number of Red Templars and bewitched Grey Wardens were operating in that area, their purpose unknown. (Question: Erimond's binding ritual seemed to enslave only Grey Warden mages while Grey Warden rogues and warriors were sacrificed to complete the ritual. So why do we see bewitched Grey Warden warriors here in the Arbor Wilds?)

Soon after beginning operations, Katriel, Morrigan, and Solas immediately begin noticing ancient Elven ruins. Could this be some sort of lost temple? Among the enemies they encounter are some strangely-dressed elves who fight not only Inquisition forces, but also those of Corypheus. They are not Dalish and certainly not City Elves. Who could they be?

As they approach the main part of the ruins, they see an extraordinary site: Corypheus, Samson, and some Grey Wardens facing off against a group of the strange elves. (Descendants of ancient elves perhaps?) Corypheus picks up the leader of the elves and then lets off an extraordinary burst of energy that kills all the elves and destroys Corypheus' body. Samson and his Templars then proceed unhindered into the ruins. But what of Corypheus? Before any of Katriel's group can venture a guess, the body of a dead Grey Warden begins to convulse as the result of some Dark Magic and all are shocked when Corypheus emerges from the corpse. Katriel and her group run toward the ruins following in Samson's tracks while Corypheus' Dragon comes to spirit him away.

(Note: I imagine this is what would happen during a Blight with an AD transferring its soul to a nearby Darkspawn. Regarding GWs, can Corypheus transfer into the body of any Grey Warden at any time? Or does it have to be one who has been entranced via Erimond's binding spell? At the War Table, they mention that Corypheus' dragon makes this body-jumping possible. But what about Larias and Cory in Legacy? How did he get into Larias' body without the Dragon?)

They arrive at the gates of the Temple which are magically sealed. They can follow Samson who jumped into crevice leading who knows where or they can enter the Temple after completing three rituals. Reading the inscriptions on the Temple Walls indicate what Corypheus is looking for: the Well of Sorrows. (Morrigan previously theorized Corypheus was after an eluvian.)

After completing the ritual, Katriel enters what turns out to be the Temple of Mythal. And soon, she comes face to face with the strange elves and their leader, Abelas. He reveals that these elves are not the descendants of ancient elves; they are ancient elves! They are the Sentinels: elven warriors, mages, and rogues whose sole purpose is to safeguard the Well of Sorrows. Fearing the temple will soon be overrun, Abelas is ready to destroy the well. Morrigan, who greedily desires the Well, shape shifts into a bird and flies toward the well. Katriel is conciliatory and wants to ally with Abelas to at least keep the Well out of Corypheus' hands. So Katriel and the rest of her group make their way through the Temple. Just before reaching the Well, they encounter Samson and his Red Templars. (Katriel was Level 21 and her companions were level 20). Samson arrogantly brandished his Red Lyrium armor and Katriel took the smile off his face using Dagna's special rune to neutralize the armor. (Note: I first tried the fight without Dagna's rune, but things did not go so well...) The fight was tough, but Katriel defeated Samson and sent him to Skyhold.

Katriel arrives at the Well of Sorrows just as Abelas and Morrigan get there. She convinces Abelas not to destroy the well, denying its knowledge forever to the elven people. She argues with Morrigan who wants to partake of the well herself. Katriel is adamant, however. The Well is part of her elven heritage; Katriel should drink from it. She steps inside the well and is briefly overwhelmed. She revives just in time to open the eluvian and escape with her party just as Corypheus arrives. There is a price to pay for those who partake of the well, but the look on Corypheus' face when he realized that Katriel had beaten her to the well made it all worth it!

I'm especially annoyed by the request for the waterplant, spindleweed, when it's growing nearby along the waterline. Seriously?! Did you bother to go and look or just sit and whinge?     The bear hide is understandable. The rest, no. 

When Cass asked about the Inq's background, I chose the one that said they wandered around the north, they worked hard; rising at dawn for chores and hunting for food, working on the aravels, etc, etc. It's a hardworking clan, not a slack group of elves sitting around bemoaning their lacks. I headcannon that the Lavellan Keeper is practical and wise and the clan would follow her example.  

For the previous PT, I figured the elven Inq (Solas romance) would return to her clan at the Free Marches, Wycome, where they're established. There, someone came up with a prosthetic for her missing left forearm and hand (I actually would prefer it that it could be healed. Has anybody seen a crippled warrior with missing limbs in DA so far?) and she picked up her life as best as she can while quietly working with the rest of the now disbanded Inquisition war council to decide on how to mitigate the chaos that is to come. She would not abandon her fighting skills however; she's not totally crippled.

Alex took down the Highland Ravager high dragon in Emprise du Lion with Cassandra, Bull and Varric. It was a pretty easy fight just like the Sandy Howler.

"Hey Varric, you're getting good at killing dragons. Might as well call you a Dragonslaying Sharpshooter," Bull commended nudging the dwarf.

Cassandra let out a snort.

Varric guffawed and shook his head. "Tiny, you come up with the worst nicknames! I'm just helping the Inquisitor!"

"Yeah, yeah... sure you are," the Qunari mercenary captain answered not believing him.

Later, Alex ventured into the Arbor Wilds with her troops and Morrigan. I did this quest solo for the first time and it wasn't too bad. Fighting the enemies at the three barricades and in the Temple of Mythal took a while. Enemy archers and mages were annoying. But our heroine held her ground when mobs surrounded her. She also had some help from the allied sentinel elves.

When Alex encountered Calpernia at the well of sorrows, she exposed Corypheus' plans and let her rebuild Tevinter. Calpernia thought this was a mockery at first, but when she found out the truth, she took off to confront her master.

As for who drank from the well, the lady Inquisitor allowed Morrigan to have it. It was hard enough that Alex lead the Inquisition and possessed the anchor.

After their victory in the Wilds, battling Corypheus himself is all that's left.

Another one of the targets from Unfinished Business - Jepler the Unbound - appears to be named after then-cinematic designer (now Narrative Presentation Lead) John Epler. I assume that Ser Rebenger Torn, Ser Hildebrandt and Gordon the Frank are also named after staff members, but I've never read the credits closely enough to work  out which ones.

Went through rather indescriptive series of sidequests clearing the journal up before starting Wending Wood. Wending Wood was rather boring save for Ines. Would have loved to take her as Wynne 2. Instead got Velanna. And with it a normal Inventory crisis. I like her (save for the obligatory sister subplot that at this point annoys me) but to keep her, after plowing through the mines undergeared, I will have to return to the Keep, get Anders, strip gear from him, then give it to Velanna all the while wrestling with the Inventory. But, then I will get access to more companion banter, since Anders by now probably exhausted himself and I can play with a Shapeshifter finally. Sigurd though is out of luck... Nathaniel stays.

The thick layers of clothing under the armor ward off the cold but not the wind. Every passing sweep dried her slowly and left fine sand behind. She had wrapped a length of cloth around the lower half of her helm and found that to be a bad idea. Her eyes were dry and horribly gritty. She fashioned a hood and her vision narrowed to a gap. It was fortunate they were in the month of the bright moon. Despite the darkness, the light of the moon kept the worst shadows at bay. If only it could keep the spirits away too. She had no idea what it was that they encountered four times on the dunes. It was no demon for it had a human form of an Andrastian pilgrim and it had left behind a bow for her. A spirit like Cole perhaps? Why should it come to her when she did not believe in the Maker?

Solas had not said much except a cryptic sound when the pilgrim disappeared. A friendly spirit of purpose was all he said. Sometimes she wished she could simply shake the answers out of him than waste time mouthing them.

*

I'm noting differences between this PT and the previous. Both are elven rogue Inqs.

Previous PT : The pilgrim did not appear at Hissing Wastes. The travel point at Fort Revesan disappeared after Winter Palace.
Present PT : Pilgrim appeared. Travel point at Fort Revesan did not disappear after Winter Palace.

My first elven PT map sequence and cutscenes with companions were all over the place because I played a archer rogue. This means I have to hit Western Approach early. The present PT is the same too except that it seemed the companion cutscene seemed more in sequence.

Example. Cass dialogue after arrival at Skyhold.

Old PT : Cass talked about Lord Lucious. Next, she talked about how Thedas would be. Her book quest came after.
Present PT : Book quest came first. Next came her request to hunt down rogue mages and templars.

Reading Obsidian Gryphon comments....

So, on previous PTs, Cass would talk about how Thedas would change after both Adamant and Winter Palace were completed. This was also the time that she being presented as a Divine Candidate would occur. It made sense for her to say all that stuff at this point. We made major decisions about the rulers of Thedas as well as other things and it's possible she may personally have a say in what is to happen in the Chantry.

This LAST PT, this scene happened either just before Adamant or right after. And it boggles me, because what the HECK is she talking about reshaping Thedas for... when all we want to do is stop Coryphaeus? Like the timing of that scene there had me and my RP Character scratching our heads exactly how we do during that silly Trespasser marriage conversation.

I kinda want scenes to be more tied to events than just approval?

No. Sorry, my bad, I should have put in more details.

Cass dialogue, whether Winter Palace is done or not, always goes like this for me when I play a female warrior.

Fight with Varric
Guilty Pleasures (book quest)
Seek out rogue mages and templars
Seek out Lord Lucious
Talk about Tedas future

In the first elven PT, everything was scrambled.

Fight with Varric
Talk about Thedas future
Seek out Lord Lucious
Guilty Pleasures
Seek out rogue mages and templars

I was thrown out of my stride, albeit a bit confused.

For the present PT, also another elven Inq. It seems to be following the logical course. The fight, GP, rogue mages / templars triggered.

I have no idea what turned the first elven PT on its head. Mayhaps those were already the first signs that something is wrong. 

 

I followed a link to a review of the Origins Pragon Quest on the Twitter Thread. One of the responses to that review stated that "unless you let Branka live, Harrowmount is never able to overcome Bhelen's supporters".... making his epilogue slide show him to be a poor king as a result, was what I inferred.

A.I. pathing fouled up. Inquisitor: What in Creator's name is going on here?!! A monster in Skyhold?



The dwarf and elf on either end were treadmilling btw.