Darkspawn taint makes you one ugly bastard regardless of what you were like before, this is best shown by Tamlen from the dalish origin's before and after shots (he comes back late in the game and IIRC looks a bit like a Shriek).
Unless you're certain blonde mage who somehow managed to get away with it for almost a decade.
And it's not like we can really tell who's going to survive the Joining anyways. If I remember The Calling correctly, Duncan went through it as a punishment, with the one who made him do it fully expecting him to die. And then there's Mhairi.....
Don't you get their stuff anyway? I remember stripping them off every play through so I could sell it to merchants until I just didn't bother one pgame and I remember being surprised at finding the gear in my inventory after the Cutscene.
Bitch, there's no probably about it. Orlais and Feralden get along not too well. And Logain wouldn't have gotten so much support on his "Fuck Orlais with a spiked halberd" platform if there wasn't more than a fair share of hatred aimed that way.
Don't you get their stuff anyway? I remember stripping them off every play through so I could sell it to merchants until I just didn't bother one pgame and I remember being surprised at finding the gear in my inventory after the Cutscene.
Huh, never noticed that, looks like you do get their stuff. And here I thought you had to ruin the scene nearly as badly as some nude mods ruin Return to Ostagar (by giving Cailan a visible post-mortem erection) to get their stuff.
I never noticed the skull candle before, and why do so many characters have messy bookshelves?
Morrigan: Ah, your eyes finally open. Mother shall be pleased.
Duran: What happened to the darkspawn?
Morrigan: You were injured, and then Mother rescued you. Do you not remember?
Duran: She rescued me? You mean from the tower?
Morrigan: Mother managed to save you and your friend, though 'twas a close call. What is important is that you both live. The man who was supposed to respond to your signal quit the field. The darkspawn won your battle. Those he abandoned were massacred. Your friend... he is not taking it well.
Duran: What happened to the Grey Wardens? And the king?
Morrigan: All dead. Your friend has veered between denial and grief since Mother told him. He is outside by the fire. Mother asked to see you when you awoke.
Duran: Were my injuries severe?
Morrigan: Yes, but I expect you shall be fine. The darkspawn did nothing Mother could not heal.
Duran: What about Alistair? Is he all right?
Morrigan: He is... as you are. I suppose it would be unkind to say he is being childish.
Duran: Thank you for helping me, Morrigan.
Morrigan: I... you are welcome, though Mother did most of the work. I am no healer.
Duran: Why does your mother want to see me?
Morrigan: I do not know. She rarely tells me her plans.
Duran: I have some questions, if you don't mind.
Morrigan: I do not mind. Take your time.
Duran: Are we safe here? Where are the darkspawn?
Morrigan: We are safe, for the moment. Mother's magic keeps the darkspawn away. Once you leave, 'tis uncertain what will happen. The horde has moved on, so you might avoid it.
Duran: How did she manage to rescue us, exactly?
Morrigan: She turned into a giant bird and plucked the two of you from atop the tower, one in each talon. If you do not believe that tale, then I suggest you ask Mother yourself. She may even tell you.
Duran: Why did your mother save us?
Morrigan: I wonder at that myself, but she tells me nothing. Perhaps you were the only ones she could reach. I would have rescued your king. A king would be worth a much higher ransom than you.
Duran: I happen to by of royal blood, you know.
Morrigan: Yet now you are a surface dwarf. My king's ransom might be a long time coming.
Duran: Are there any survivors besides us?
Morrigan: Only stragglers that are long gone. You would not want to see what is happening in that valley now.
Duran: Why? What's happening?
Morrigan: Are you sure you want me to describe it?
Duran: Yes... please.
Morrigan: I had a good view of the battlefield. 'Tis a grisly scene. There are bodies everywhere, and darkspawn swarm them... feeding, I think. They also look for survivors and drag them back down beneath the ground. I cannot say why.
Duran: Why did Teyrn Loghain abandon the king?
Morrigan: I do not know who this Loghain even is. Perhaps ask mother of it.
Duran: I think I've asked enough questions.
Morrigan: I agree. 'Tis time to speak with Mother then be on your way.
Interesting that she can use magic to keep the darkspawn away. I honestly have to wonder why some people thought Morrigan was going to be irrelevant after she turns up with a name like that and gold eyes in a setting where eye and hair colour are generally normal and auto-joins the party.
Now to talk to Flemeth and Alistair and kick the plot off, I considered going through Flemeth's dialogue several times to ensure I got everything but I feel like I got enough the first time.
Flemeth: See? Here is your Grey Warden. You worry too much, young man.
Alistair: You... you're alive! I thought you were dead for sure.
Duran: I'm not, thanks to Morrigan's mother.
Alistair: This doesn't seem real. If it weren't for Morrigan's mother, we'd be dead on top of that tower.
Flemeth: Do not talk about me as if I am not present, lad.
Alistair: I didn't mean... but what do we call you? You never told us your name.
Flemeth: Names are pretty, but useless. The Chasind folk call me Flemeth. I suppose it will do.
Alistair: The Flemeth from the legends? Daveth was right--you're the Witch of the Wilds, aren't you?
Flemeth: And what does that mean? I know a bit of magic, and it has served you both well, has it not?
Duran: We can't be safe here. Where are all the darkspawn?
Flemeth: The largest part of the horde has moved on. We are safe enough for now--old Flemeth knows a thing or two about hiding. The longer you are here, the less that is true, however. These things will notice you eventually.
Duran: If you're Flemeth, you must be very old and powerful. (I regret picking this, doesn't feel right for a dwarf)
Flemeth: Must I? Age and power are relative--it depends on who is asking. Compared to you, yes, on both counts.
Alistair: Then why didn't you save Duncan? He is... he was our leader.
Flemeth: I am sorry for your Duncan, but your grief must come later... in the dark shadows before you take vengeance, as my mother once said. Duty must come now. It has always been the Grey Wardens' duty to unite the land against the Blight. Or did that change when I wasn't looking?
Duran: Of course not!
Alistair: But we were fighting the darkspawn! The king had nearly defeated them! Why would Loghain do this?
Flemeth: Now that is a good question. Men's hearts hold shadows darker than any tainted creature. Perhaps he believes the Blight is an army he can outmaneuver. Perhaps he does not see the evil behind it is the true threat.
Alistair: The archdemon.
Duran: What is this archdemon, exactly?
Flemeth: It is said that, long ago, the Maker sent the Old Gods of the ancient Tevinter Imperium to slumber in prisons deep beneath the surface. An archdemon is an Old God awakened and tainted by darkspawn. Believe that or not, history says it's a fearsome and immortal thing. And only fools ignore history.
Duran: Will you help us fight this Blight, Flemeth?
Flemeth: Me? I am just an old woman who lives in the Wilds. I know nothing of Blights and darkspawn.
Alistair: Well... whatever Loghain's insanity, he obviously thinks the darkspawn are a minor threat. We must warn everyone this isn't the case.
Flemeth: And who will believe you? Unless you think to convince this Loghain of his mistake?
Alistair: He just betrayed his own king! If Arl Eamon knew what he did at Ostagar, he would be the first to call for his execution!
Duran: Arl Eamon? Is this someone important?
Alistair: I suppose... Arl Eamon wasn't at Ostagar; he still has all his men. And he was Cailan's uncle. I know him. He's a good man, respected in the Landsmeet. Of course! We could go to Redcliffe and appeal to him for help!
Duran: Surely there are other allies we could call on.
Alistair: Of course! The treaties! Grey Wardens can demand aid from dwarves, elves, mages, and other places! They're obligated to help us during a Blight!
Flemeth: I may be old, but dwarves, elves, mages, this Arl Eamon, and who knows what else... this sounds like an army to me.
Alistair: So can we do this? Go to Redcliffe and these other places and... build an army?
Duran: Why not? Isn't that what Grey Wardens do?
Flemeth: So you are set, then? Ready to be Grey Wardens?
Duran: Yes. Thank you for everything, Flemeth.
Flemeth: No, no, thank you. You are the Grey Wardens here, not I. Now... before you go, there is yet one more thing I can offer you.
Morrigan: The stew is bubbling, Mother dear. Shall we have two guests for the eve or none?
Flemeth: The Grey Wardens are leaving shortly, girl. And you will be joining them.
Morrigan: Such a shame-- What?
Flemeth: You heard me, girl. The last time I looked, you had ears! (laughs)
Duran: Thank you, but if Morrigan doesn't wish to join us...
Flemeth: Her magic will be useful. Even better, she knows the Wilds and how to get past the horde.
Morrigan: Have I no say in this?
Flemeth: You have been itching to get out of the Wilds for years. Here is your chance. As for you, consider this repayment for your lives.
Duran: Was this your idea all along?
Flemeth: Pardon me, but I had the impression that you two needed assistance, whatever the form.
Alistair: Not to... look a gift horse in the mouth, but won't this add to our problems? Out of the Wilds, she's an apostate.
Flemeth: If you do not wish help from us illegal mages, young man, perhaps I should have left you on that tower.
Alistair: Point taken.
Morrigan: Mother... this is not how I wanted this. I am not even ready--
Flemeth: You must be ready. Alone, these two must unite Ferelden against the darkspawn. They need you, Morrigan. Without you, they will surely fail, and all will perish under the Blight. Even I.
Morrigan: I... understand.
Flemeth: And you, Wardens? Do you understand? I give you that which I value above all in this world. I do this because you must succeed.
Duran: She won't come to harm with us.
Morrigan: Allow me to get my things, if you please.
I wonder just how sincere Flemeth was being about them needing to succeed or everything dies in the Blight and valuing Morrigan above all (probably not at all but I could be wrong). I also seriously have to wonder why so many people in-story forget the bit about how only Grey Wardens can kill an archdemon otherwise it'll just keep coming back.
Morrigan: I am at your disposal, Grey Wardens. I suggest a village north of the Wilds as our first destination. 'Tis not far and you will find much you need there. Or, if you prefer, I shall simply be your silent guide. The choice is yours.
Duran: Actually, I have some questions.
Morrigan: I may have answers. Ask.
Duran: How are we going to get past the darkspawn?
Morrigan: The real question is how are we going to get your friend past the darkspawn, is it not?
Alistair: That's true. We can sense the darkspawn. Conversely, they can sense us.
Duran: I don't sense any darkspawn.
Alistair: You won't right away, no. It takes time. We should be able to sneak past smaller groups, but larger ones or particularly intelligent darkspawn will always detect us.
Morrigan: Mother has given me something else for them to "smell" instead as we pass by. 'Tis important we head out of the Wilds, however, not farther in.
Duran: The darkspawn are camped farther in the forest?
Morrigan: They come from underground, like an eruption. They broke through deep within the forest and that is where they will be most concentrated.
Duran: Have you never been outside the Wilds?
Morrigan: From time to time. I have been to the village I mentioned, watched its people, and pondered what curious beings they are. On occasion, I purchased goods from the village merchants. There I spoke with men, a little. There they stared and knew me as an outsider. Mother wishes for me to expand the horizon of my experience beyond the Wilds. Even she was not born here.
Duran: Is that what you want?
Morrigan: What I want is to see mountains. I wish to witness the ocean and step into its waters. I want to experience a city rather than see it in my mind. So, yes, this is what I want. Actually leaving is... harder than I thought, however. Perhaps Mother is right--it must simply be done quickly.
Duran: What skills do you have, exactly?
Morrigan: I know a few spells, though I am nowhere near as powerful as Mother. I have also studied history. And your Grey Warden treaties.
Alistair: Can you cook?
Morrigan: I... can cook, yes.
Duran: Never mind him. You don't have to cook.
Alistair: You missed your chance. Now it's charred rabbit from here on out.
Duran: Are you really Flemeth's daughter?
Morrigan: 'Twas she who raised me and thus I consider her my mother, born from her womb or not. 'Tis what you meant, yes?
Duran: I'm just wondering her age.
Morrigan: She would no more tell me than than you, I assure you.
Duran: Tell me about this village to the north.
Morrigan: 'Tis a small place of little consequence called Lothering. No more than a stop along your Imperial Highway where travelers purchase goods from local farms and smiths. I would go there more often were it not for the town chantry. It makes the village particularly intolerant and unpleasant for a stranger such as me.
Alistair: A chantry? And they never, in all this time, thought that maybe you were a witch?
Morrigan: Of course they have. They even called out their templars once. They found nothing.
Duran: Is there any reason to go to Lothering, then?
Morrigan: I mention it for its tavern, where travelers gather with news from other places. 'Tis small enough that our appearance might go unnoticed. Beyond that, 'tis close and I know the way.
Duran: I have no more questions.
Morrigan: Farewell, Mother. Do not forget the stew on the fire. I would hate to return to a burned-down hut.
Flemeth: Bah. 'Tis far more likely you will return to see this entire area, along with my hut, swallowed by the Blight.
Interesting that Flemeth knows how to hide the group from the darkspawn, it reminds me of just how many times I wished that it was possible to roleplay a mage mad scientist in this (or, failing that, how much I'd like to play as a mage mad scientist in a quest, it'd probably go completely off the rails if allowed to continue past the time of Awakening however as the players would probably stumble on or work out a horribly overpowered combination of magical effects). And Lothering is of little note comment is kind of hilarious in hindsight considering Leliana, Sten are introduced there and Hawke is from there.
Despite how it looks like a one room thing from the inside, Flemeth's house is actually three rooms, and goddamn I wish I had a freeroaming camera for shots like this.
Time for a final set of questions.
Flemeth: Have you not left yet? I hope you are not hanging about for some stew.
Duran: Could you answer some questions?
Flemeth: Questions, questions! One would think a Grey Warden would be more interested in action. (sigh)
Duran: Can I ask about your magic?
Flemeth: What good would it do you? You are no mage. It is sufficient that I have passed on my knowledge to Morrigan, and I shall pass her on to you.
Morrigan: Like a worn dress or an old pair of shoes.
Flemeth: Are you still here? Hmph. You cannot give them away, apparently...
Duran: How long have you lived in the Wilds?
Flemeth: Since before I was wrinkled and old. Ha! You may think it strange, but I was once young and beautiful just as Morrigan is now. Yes, men desired Flemeth then, and some even killed for her...
Duran: You don't seem happy about that.
Flemeth: I am not, nor was I then. It dictated all that followed. But enough, you have your task to complete.
Duran: Do you have any advice?
Flemeth: About the darkspawn?
Duran: About anything, really.
Flemeth: Then hear this: I laugh at a world full of stupid humans who ignore the Blight's evil and abandon their vigilance to chase mortal goals. Remember, it is up to you to destroy the Blight. Pray not for someone else to destroy it. It will always nip at your heels.
Duran: I have no more questions.
Flemeth: Then we are done. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some dinner to eat.
I wonder how she'll dodge the magic question when I play through this with a mage.
And this is the map of Ferelden, the blood trail is where the party is travelling to, the swords are marking a place where their travel gets interrupted and the black cloud is marking how far the Blight is progressing (or the dark clouds that come with the Blight). If you look closely, you can see Highever, Gwaren and Amaranthine's locations marked on the map (even though they're not named), maybe I'll go back and draw some arrows to mark their locations along with that fourth city north-north-east of the circle tower.
But before the fight begins, the cutscene changes to Denerim.
You can even see Fort Drakon in the distance.
Unlike everything else in their nation, Ferelden nobles are colourful.
And this is Bann Teagan, strangely enough, he's in Denerim even though his town should be coming under attack by the undead soon, I'd better not do Redcliffe first otherwise bits of it won't make sense.
And this is Anora, the queen of Ferelden and the one who handled most of the actual ruling while Cailan was alive, she's Loghain's daughter and is resented by a number of nobles for being the daughter of a commoner and the queen.
Loghain: ...and I expect each of you to supply these men. We must rebuild what was lost at Ostagar, and quickly. There are those who would take advantage of our weakened state if we let them. We must defeat this darkspawn incursion, but we must do so sensibly and without hesitation.
Bann Teagan: Your lordship, if I might speak?
You have declared yourself Queen Anora's regent, and claim we must unite under your banner for our own good. But what of the army lost at Ostagar? Your withdrawal was most... fortuitous.
*nobles gasp and gossip*
Loghain: Everything I have done has been to secure Ferelden's independence. I have not shirked my duty to the throne, and neither will any of you!
Teagan: The Bannorn will not bow to you simply because you demand it!
Loghain: Understand this: I will brook no threat to this nation... from you or anyone!
*walks off*
Anora: Bann Teagan, please!
Teagan: Your Majesty. Your father risks civil war. If Eamon were here...
Anora: Bann Teagan, my father is doing what is best.
Teagan: Did he also do what was best for your husband, your Majesty?
It was a very brief fight since he was the only one alive and had only a sliver of health left, and I'm barely out of the tutorial and the party mage has more spells than you can have in Inquisiton.
On the corpse of a fallen templar, I find these.
Knight's Locket: This golden locket bears within it a tiny painting of a pretty brown-haired woman. It is impossible to tell who the woman might be, but whoever owned the locket was quite fond of her.
Knight's Note: This crumpled note is written by Ser Henric, a knight of Redcliffe.
So many of my fellow knights have been searching for the Urn. Surely one of them must have found Brother Genitivi by now. Still, until I hear that all is well, I must proceed as planned. Brother Genitivi holds the key to finding the Urn of Sacred Ashes: We always knew this, but I believe I now know where Brother Genitivi lies. I have been to his home in Denerim and found the trail, and I am amazed that other knights have not done likewise. Unless they have? No, it is best not to get caught up in thoughts of conspiracy. Ser Donall awaits my report in Lothering. I must go to him immediately and report what I have learned. Should anyone find these ramblings, all I ask is that he be informed of my fate. I pray that he complete what I cannot.
The knights have already been sent out and we now know of the 5th quest of the game, hunting for the Urn of Sacred Ashes, I've never bothered to try it but I've heard that you can do it before you even visit Redcliffe.
Lothering, a town of little note that is going to die very soon and has refugee problems. Mostly in the form of refugees who are staying there even though they know the darkspawn are coming.
Alistair: Well there it is. Lothering. Pretty as a painting.
Morrigan: Ah. So you have finally decided to rejoin us, have you? Falling on your blade in grief seemed like too much trouble, I take it?
Alistair: Is my being upset so hard to understand? Have you never lost someone important to you? Just what would you do if your mother died?
Morrigan: Before or after I stopped laughing?
Alistair: Right. Very creepy. Forget I asked.
Duran: What did you want to talk about, Alistair?
Morrigan: His navel, I suspect. He certainly has been contemplating it for long enough.
Alistair: Oh, I get it. This is the part where we're shocked to discover how you've never had a friend your entire life.
Morrigan: I can be friendly when I desire to. Alas, desiring to be more intelligent does not make it so.
Alistair: Anyway... I thought we should talk about where we intend to go, first.
Duran: We need to hear some news before we can decide.
Alistair: But we need to decide what our general plan is for afterwards, don't we? I think what Flemeth suggested is the best idea. These treaties... have you looked at them?
Duran: Yes, I have.
Alistair: There are three main groups that we have treaties for: the Dalish elves, the dwarves of Orzammar, and the Circle of Magi. I also still think that Arl Eamon is our best bet for help. We might even want to go to him first.
Duran: What do you think we should do, Morrigan?
Morrigan: Go after your enemy directly. Find this man, Loghain, and kill him. The rest of this business with the treaties can then be done in safety.
Alistair: Yes, he certainly wouldn't see that coming! And it's not like he has the advantage of an army and experience and--
Morrigan: I was asked for my opinion and I gave it. If your wish is to come up with reasons why something cannot be done, we will stand here until the darkspawn are upon us.
Duran: I'm ready to get going.
Alistair: Fair enough. Let's head into the village whenever you're ready.
I get the feeling that he was just sick of arguing with Morrigan and let me head into the village when ready without settling on a choice. Still, do I go with the Circle first and get Wynne and some easy levels or do I go for Orzammar first and get Oghren early enough that I can see his character properly (this is gonna be a warrior-heavy party, especially since Sten also requires that he be taken everywhere to show off his full character) despite the difficulty of doing Orzammar early?
I'd forgotten the chickens.
Morrigan: I have a wonder, Alistair, if you will indulge me.
Alistair: Do I have a choice?
Morrigan: Of the two of you that remain, are you not the senior Grey Warden here? I find it curious that you allow another to lead, while you follow.
Alistair: You find that curious, do you?
Morrigan: In fact, you defer to a new recruit. Is this a policy of the Grey Wardens? Or simply a personal one?
Alistair: What do you want to hear? That I prefer to follow? I do.
Morrigan: You sound so very defensive.
Alistair: Couldn't you crawl into a bush somewhere and die? That would be great, thanks.
Now to chat up a peasant to find some stuff about the local situation.
Peasant: We don't see many dwarves in these parts. You here to trade?
Duran: I'm not a merchant. I'm a Grey Warden.
Peasant: Then you'd best clear out. We're loyal to the king here, and word from the north is the Wardens betrayed King Cailan. Teyrn Loghain has a bounty on any who survived.
Duran: Teyrn Loghain betrayed the king, not us!
Peasant: Teyrn Loghain? Betray Maric's boy? Your story needs a bit of work.
Duran: I have some questions.
Peasant: Can't promise I'm gonna answer them.
Duran: Were those bandits always outside the village?
Peasant: Were? You mean they're gone?
Duran: Yes, I drove them off.
Peasant: Well, goody for you. Now there's no one to drive off the blighted refugees. Ser Bryant'll be glad, though. He's been talking about offering a reward for anyone who'd run them out.
Duran: What's going on here?
Peasant: What isn't? We got Chasind barbarians and every farmholder south of Calenhad running from the darkspawn. Not that they'll be safe here with the army gone.
Duran: Who's in charge of this village?
Peasant: You could talk to the elder. Though she's got her hands full getting everyone on their way. For now, most folks go to Ser Bryant. He's head of the chantry's templars.
Duran: You don't have a ruling lord?
Peasant: He's gone to war and taken all his soldiers, leaving us to fend for ourselves. There's not going to be much left when he returns... if he returns.
And here's one of the obstacles in Origins, Loghain is going around telling everybody that the Grey Wardens killed Cailan and a lot of people are listening to him since he's a famous hero of the people who drove out the hated Orlesians.
A family that got screwed over by the bandits earlier.
Father: Greetings, ser dwarf. Your folk are famous for their generosity... Might you spare some bread?
Duran: Here's fifty silvers.
Father: Thank you, that's very kind.
Mother: Bless you! This will help us a great deal!
Doomsayer: Your king is dead! There is no hope! The legions of evil are on your doorstep! They will feast upon our hearts! There is nowhere to run! This evil will conquer the world, like a plague of locusts!
Guy: Please! You're scaring the children!
Doomsayer: Better to slit their throats now than let them suffer at darkspawn hands! There! One of their minions is already amongst us! This man bears their evil stench! Can you not see the vile blackness that fills him?
Duran: Is no one going to shut this madman up?
Templar: Be my guest. I've no urge to try out that axe of his.
Doomsayer: I watched the black horde descend on my people! Darkness swallowed the marshes whole! This minion is but the first of those who will destroy us!
Duran You poor man. What happened to you?
Doomsayer: My family, my clan... those creatures butchered them all. Some of us fled here, but we cannot escape the darkspawn!
Duran: It must have been horrible. How did you escape?
Doomsayer: No! I won't listen to the words of a man tainted by darkspawn!
Duran: (persuade) I'm not evil. Please, won't you talk to me?
Doomsayer: I... ran, hearing my wife's screams as they dragged her off.
Duran: You are not honouring her death by acting like this.
Doomsayer: Are you... calling me a coward?!
Duran: (persuade) I'm calling you an idiot. Listen to yourself for a moment!
Doomsayer: I... I have shamed my ancestors. But the blackness will come...
*runs off*
Priest: He was right, wasn't he? There's no hope for us...
Duran: (persuade) There's always hope. Muster your courage!
Priest: You're right. We can't give up!
Peasant 1: But... we can't fight! What are we supposed to do?
Peasant 2: We can't lie down and die, either. We must go north, to Denerim!
Interesting that the Chasind could sense the taint in Duran. And this is about the last we'll see of the Chasind since we don't really go back to the Korcari Wilds and they've been annihilated offscreen by the darkspawn like Gwaren will be.
And this is Chanter Devons in the standard Chantry uniform, the actual design of Chantry uniforms seems to bounce around in each game.
Devons: And Eileen spoke unto the masses, "My hearth is yours, my bread is yours, my life is yours. For all who walk in the sight of the Maker are one."
Duran: Uh... Greetings?
Devons: (The chanter nods and smiles)
Duran: You don't talk much, do you?
Devons: Let all repeat the Chant of Light. Only the Word dispels the darkness upon us.
Child: He can't answer you. He's Chanter Devons.
Duran: What's a Chanter?
Child: One of them's that can only say the Chant of Light. His board has letters of good deeds to be doing. My father fixed Widow Allison's roof and the Chanter paid him, he did.
Devons: A learned child is a blessing upon his parents and onto the Maker.
Duran: It's like a vow of silence, then? He can't talk normally?
Child: Unless it's in the Chant of Light, no.
Devons: And so Rajmael in the heathen temple recanted. "Speak only the Word; sing only the Chant. Then the Golden City is thine," spoke Andraste.
Duran: A Chanter says, "What?"
Devons: What?
Child: Oh! You got him to speak! Ha!
Devons: Err... What hath man's sin wrought?
Child: Oh, he cheated!
Duran: Have anything of interest on the board?
Devons: Blessed are the peacekeepers, champions of the just.
The Chantry is quite fond of the idea of educating people, you'd think there'd be more educated peasants around. All he's got on the board is a bit about some groups of bandits.
While crossing the bridge, I get another banter.
Alistair: So let's talk about your mother, for a moment.
Morrigan: I'd rather talk about your mother.
Alistair: There's nothing to talk about. And besides, isn't your mother a scary witch who lives in the middle of a forest? Much more interesting.
Morrigan: To you, perhaps. You would find the moss growing upon a stone interesting.
Alistair: You know what's more interesting than that? Apostates. Mages outside of the Tower. That's illegal, you know.
Morrigan: You did not read that in a book somewhere, did you? I hope the small letters did not strain you overmuch.
Alistair: Or we could not talk about your mother. That works for me.
Alistair dodging the topic of his parentage, that's never going to be relevant, nope, not in a million years.
Helpful peasant: You might not want to go in. Tavern's full, and those soldiers are being a nuisance.
Duran: Why is the tavern full?
Helpful peasant: Same reason the chantry's full. Packed with people who fled their homes. The tavern keeper's letting folks sleep on the floors, but he can only fit so many. And those soldiers are getting restless.
Duran: Tell me about these soldiers.
Helpful peasant: They're not here to defend us. They were looking for someone... before they started drinking. I hear they almost killed a man because they didn't like his face. I wonder if they're deserters from the king's army?
Duran: I should go.
Helpful peasant: Of course. If you don't mind my asking... I hear talk of someone giving those bastards outside the village what they deserved. That wouldn't be you, would it?
Duran: Yes, that was me.
Helpful peasant: It was? Hey... everyone! This is the one who drove out those thieving bastards! More will probably come, but it's good to know some justice is left here. Thank you.
And this is Leliana (almost called her Loghain) the Chantry sister and former bard.
Guard leader: They're more than that. Now stay out of our way, Sister. You protect these traitors, you'll get the same as them.
Duran: Let's talk about this before things get out of hand.
Leliana: I doubt he would listen. He blindly follows his master's commands.
Guard leader: I am not the blind one! I served at Ostagar, where the teyrn saved us from the Grey Wardens' treachery! I serve him gladly! Enough talk. Take the Warden into custody. Kill the sister and anyone else that gets in our way.
Unlike with the bandits, I try to focus fire their leader down since every soldier killed unnecessarily is one that can't be sent against the darkspawn.
Nice to see neutral NPCs reacting to combat, you don't always get that in Dragon Age games.
Guard leader: All right, you've won! We surrender!
Leliana: Good. They've learned their lesson and we can all stop fighting, now.
Duran: The Grey Wardens didn't betray King Cailan. Loghain did.
Guard leader: I was there! The teyrn pulled us out of a trap!
Duran: The teyrn left the king to die!
Guard leader: The Wardens led the king to his death! The teyrn could do nothing.
Duran: Take a message to Loghain.
Guard leader: W-what do you want to tell him?
Duran: The Grey Wardens know what really happened.
Guard leader: I'll tell him. Right away. Now. Thank you!
*runs away*
Leliana: I apologise for interfering, but I couldn't just sit by and not help.
Duran: So I see. Where does a sister learn to fight like that?
Leliana: I wasn't born in the Chantry, you know. Many of us had more... colourful lives before we joined. Let me introduce myself. I am Leliana, one of the lay sisters of the chantry here in Lothering. Or I was.
Duran: I am Duran. A pleasure.
Leliana: Those men said you're a Grey Warden. You will be battling the darkspawn, yes? That is what Grey Wardens do? I know after what happened, you'll need all the help you can get. That's why I'm coming along.
Duran: I will need help, that's true.
Leliana: That and the Maker wants me to go with you.
Duran: Why should I care what your god wants?
Leliana: He's not just my god. The Maker has love for all! I... I know you may not believe, but I had a dream... a vision!
Alistair: More crazy? I thought we were all full up.
Leliana: Look at the people here. They are lost in their despair, and this darkness, this chaos... will spread. The Maker doesn't want this. What you do, what you are meant to do, is the Maker's work. Let me help!
Duran: Very well. I will not turn away help when it is offered.
Morrigan: Perhaps your skull was cracked worse than Mother thought.
Leliana: Thank you! I appreciate being given this chance. I will not let you down.
Oh Alistair, we've barely started to bring in the crazy...
And this is where you see that Leliana believes in a practically heretical interpretation of the Chant, one of the main parts of the Chant is that the Maker does not care about the world anymore and that they'll need to spread the Chant to every part of the world (by force if necessary, a convenient excuse for conquering places) before they can convince him to forgive them. Leliana doesn't believe that, she believes the Maker still cares about the world and the people in it.
Next time, I recruit Sten, meet Bodahn and Sandal and finish off Lothering.
. I also seriously have to wonder why so many people in-story forget the bit about how only Grey Wardens can kill an archdemon otherwise it'll just keep coming back.
It was a very brief fight since he was the only one alive and had only a sliver of health left, and I'm barely out of the tutorial and the party mage has more spells than you can have in Inquisiton.
Unlike with the bandits, I try to focus fire their leader down since every soldier killed unnecessarily is one that can't be sent against the darkspawn.
To go over her spells, Winter's Grasp does cold damage and freezes the target, Drain Life does spirit damage and heals the caster in proportion to the amount of damage done, Disorient is a defuff to attack and defense, Vulnerability Hex a debuff that double the amount of elemental damage the target takes (very useful for bosses), Spider Shape lets her turn into a spider and fight in melee if she runs out of mana (synergises well with arcane warrior talents too), Horror paralyses a target, Mind Blast stuns all nearby enemies, making it useful for getting squishy mages out of unwanted fights, Lightning does lightning damage of course and Frost Weapons buffs the weapons of other party members to do frost damage.
Morrigan is actually very DPS focused at the start, especially in contrast to Wynne the party healer.
To go over her spells, Winter's Grasp does cold damage and freezes the target, Drain Life does spirit damage and heals the caster in proportion to the amount of damage done, Disorient is a defuff to attack and defense, Vulnerability Hex a debuff that double the amount of elemental damage the target takes (very useful for bosses), Spider Shape lets her turn into a spider and fight in melee if she runs out of mana (synergises well with arcane warrior talents too), Horror paralyses a target, Mind Blast stuns all nearby enemies, making it useful for getting squishy mages out of unwanted fights, Lightning does lightning damage of course and Frost Weapons buffs the weapons of other party members to do frost damage.
So three real attacks and a few stun attacks. It's only impressive if you only look at the number of spells rather than what they do. In a fight the only two goals are to cause damage and stay alive. The rest is just overly complex nonsense.
So three real attacks and a few stun attacks. It's only impressive if you only look at the number of spells rather than what they do. In a fight the only two goals are to cause damage and stay alive. The rest is just overly complex nonsense.
I also hated having to switch between characters every combat encounter to make sure they're doing what they should rather than mindlessly running into fights they can't win alone or attacking some far off archer while their ass is getting chewed up in melee combat.
Interesting that she can use magic to keep the darkspawn away. I honestly have to wonder why some people thought Morrigan was going to be irrelevant after she turns up with a name like that and gold eyes in a setting where eye and hair colour are generally normal and auto-joins the party.
I wonder just how sincere Flemeth was being about them needing to succeed or everything dies in the Blight and valuing Morrigan above all (probably not at all but I could be wrong). I also seriously have to wonder why so many people in-story forget the bit about how only Grey Wardens can kill an archdemon otherwise it'll just keep coming back.
The knights have already been sent out and we now know of the 5th quest of the game, hunting for the Urn of Sacred Ashes, I've never bothered to try it but I've heard that you can do it before you even visit Redcliffe.
Yeah you can. I did it on my first playthrough by complete accident. I didn't even know why I needed the Ashes at the time, I just went into Genitivis house and one thing led to another and then I'm in a secret temple on top of a mountain killing dragonlins.
I also hated having to switch between characters every combat encounter to make sure they're doing what they should rather than mindlessly running into fights they can't win alone or attacking some far off archer while their ass is getting chewed up in melee combat.
Yeah you can. I did it on my first playthrough by complete accident. I didn't even know why I needed the Ashes at the time, I just went into Genitivis house and one thing led to another and then I'm in a secret temple on top of a mountain killing dragonlins.
Unfortunately I only learned how to challenge the dragon from a video on Youtube just before the Landsmeet. So My first Warden decided to postpone going to the Landmeet so he could go do some dragonslaying instead.
Seriously though, I thought the Sacred Ashes was some kind of really long side quest. I had no idea what they were for, for like 60% of the game. When I completed the Redcliff storyline and Isolde says they need the ashes to cure him, everything just fell into place.
It was just like-
"Ohhhh, do you mean these Ashes..." Pulls pouch from pocket and opens it.
I also seriously have to wonder why so many people in-story forget the bit about how only Grey Wardens can kill an archdemon otherwise it'll just keep coming back.
And this is Bann Teagan, strangely enough, he's in Denerim even though his town should be coming under attack by the undead soon, I'd better not do Redcliffe first otherwise bits of it won't make sense.
And here's one of the obstacles in Origins, Loghain is going around telling everybody that the Grey Wardens killed Cailan and a lot of people are listening to him since he's a famous hero of the people who drove out the hated Orlesians.
Surely historical records showing the dwarves and Tevinter killing Dumat time after time only to have him come back would be enough to win the argument?
Surely historical records showing the dwarves and Tevinter killing Dumat time after time only to have him come back would be enough to win the argument?
But ignoring the dwarve's experiences (surely a golem must have managed to pin it and bash it's head in at least once, right?) along with any other hypothetical kills made in the Blights by non-GWs seems like it'd be difficult.
But ignoring the dwarve's experiences (surely a golem must have managed to pin it and bash it's head in at least once, right?) along with any other hypothetical kills made in the Blights by non-GWs seems like it'd be difficult.
I remember enjoying Morrigan's snark. I really should find time to install DA:O on a PC, but I need to first fix any lingering Windows 10 issues... and then install Origin...
And I don't recall ever sprinkling those ashes into the lake to summon Gazarath; something to keep an eye on for that eventual playthrough I guess.
I'm of the opinion that Cailan was kind of a glory-hound idiot who probably would've ended up causing a civil war if he'd survived. But Loghain makes very questionable choices too, which dogpile into a huge mess for everyone involved.
No kidding. If those letters got out.... He'd be facing a coup from Logain before the day was out. And a good chunk of the nobles and peasants would agree. Ferelden does not have good memories of Orlais. And despite what Hawke's father believes, Orlais wants Ferelden as their puppet.
I remember enjoying Morrigan's snark. I really should find time to install DA:O on a PC, but I need to first fix any lingering Windows 10 issues... and then install Origin...
No kidding. If those letters got out.... He'd be facing a coup from Logain before the day was out. And a good chunk of the nobles and peasants would agree. Ferelden does not have good memories of Orlais. And despite what Hawke's father believes, Orlais wants Ferelden as their puppet.
" Pulls pouch from pocket and opens it.