AndreaDraco wrote:You've imported your Ultimate Sacrifice save then?
Well, I guess Anders went to the Blackmarsh with the Orlesian Warden.
About Orlais... I just met King Alistair. Apparently Orlais is up to its old game and is hoping to reclaim Ferelden for its own. Another war brewing?
About who you met...
You know they're setting up DRAGON AGE III.
It's in the writing all over.
In Act II if you talk to ... uh, what's his name... the "father" of "Enchantment?" - he says, "When the time comes, I will be parting here, and heading to Orlais. Can you imagine me in the High Court of Orlais?" (Because he gets an offer by the King/Queen who has heard of the Enchantments from "Enchantment?").
So clearly they're moving him there to prepare you for Dragon Age III... so that his appearance there is already explained.
Incidentally, Tawmis, have you already completed the "On The Loose" quest?
I was very upfront with Meredith, after siding with Orsino during the public confrontation that opened the act. I told her that I wouldn't bring other mages under her yoke and when she - albeit in a veiled manner - threatened me, I told her that her menaces weren't going to work. But, in the end, I chose to seek out these three fugitives, in the hope that I could help them.
Out of three, only the young comte de Launcet was saved, because he was just a boy wanting to live his life. And this brings me to my complaint: I'm all for the freedom of mages but, like Anders always say, blood magic is really dangerous and must be challenged. What irks me is that every single apostate in this game - minus de Launcet - is a blood mage. Every single one of them. They may resort to blood magic because they are pushed by the Templars, sure, but I'd have liked more... harmless apostates, fleeing the Circle of Kirkwall to escape Meredith's paranoia. To have each and every one of them resort to blood magic... well, it kind of proves the Templars point. Anders said it best: "What is it with you and blood magic?" Sometimes I feel like the game is trying perhaps a bit too hard to make me want to sympathize with the Templars. It's like the developers pushed really hard on the blood magic thing in fear that every single player would ally with Orsino and his mages.
I must say, however, that - blood magic aside - what the Templars and Meredith are doing in Kirkwall is so loathsome that, at least with me, they failed: I will never, ever side with the Templars, who are abusing their powers to enslave an already oppressed minority. And amongst them, Grand Cleric Elthinna is the worst: by doing nothing and saying that the Maker will sort this through, she is de facto allowing Meredith's madness to spread.
And yes, I agree with you about the direction of a possible sequel. As soon as Bodhan mentioned moving to Orlais, I just pictured DA3 taking place in Val Royeux. I'd like a game set in Orlais, even if I'd prefer to visit the Tevinter Imperium.
AndreaDraco wrote:
Incidentally, Tawmis, have you already completed the "On The Loose" quest?
I was very upfront with Meredith, after siding with Orsino during the public confrontation that opened the act. I told her that I wouldn't bring other mages under her yoke and when she - albeit in a veiled manner - threatened me, I told her that her menaces weren't going to work. But, in the end, I chose to seek out these three fugitives, in the hope that I could help them.
Out of three, only the young comte de Launcet was saved, because he was just a boy wanting to live his life. And this brings me to my complaint: I'm all for the freedom of mages but, like Anders always say, blood magic is really dangerous and must be challenged. What irks me is that every single apostate in this game - minus de Launcet - is a blood mage. Every single one of them. They may resort to blood magic because they are pushed by the Templars, sure, but I'd have liked more... harmless apostates, fleeing the Circle of Kirkwall to escape Meredith's paranoia. To have each and every one of them resort to blood magic... well, it kind of proves the Templars point. Anders said it best: "What is it with you and blood magic?" Sometimes I feel like the game is trying perhaps a bit too hard to make me want to sympathize with the Templars. It's like the developers pushed really hard on the blood magic thing in fear that every single player would ally with Orsino and his mages.
I must say, however, that - blood magic aside - what the Templars and Meredith are doing in Kirkwall is so loathsome that, at least with me, they failed: I will never, ever side with the Templars, who are abusing their powers to enslave an already oppressed minority. And amongst them, Grand Cleric Elthinna is the worst: by doing nothing and saying that the Maker will sort this through, she is de facto allowing Meredith's madness to spread.
Well, all the ones you RANDOMLY encounter are Blood Mages, and two of the three that you go after turn out to be Blood Mages (they're both apparently pushed by what the Templars did to them). But some of the Apostates in the first act, are not Blood Mages. There's the one quest - with the Templar outside the cave - where their leader is a Blood Mage, but the woman tells him that it's wrong (then the fight breaks out). So there have been some who were not Blood Mages... but yes, the vast majority seems to be leaning that way. But I just got the impression, this is how it is in this area. With the Templars, almost every mage you encounter has been driven to Blood Magic because of the environment they're living in. (And it's a quick, easy way to have a bunch of evil magic users to throw at the party!)
AndreaDraco wrote:
And yes, I agree with you about the direction of a possible sequel. As soon as Bodhan mentioned moving to Orlais, I just pictured DA3 taking place in Val Royeux. I'd like a game set in Orlais, even if I'd prefer to visit the Tevinter Imperium.
Tawmis wrote:
But some of the Apostates in the first act, are not Blood Mages. There's the one quest - with the Templar outside the cave - where their leader is a Blood Mage, but the woman tells him that it's wrong (then the fight breaks out).
Ahem... wait for it...
I just finished Aveline's personal quest for Act 3. Beside Anders, hers are perhaps the companion quests I liked the most, especially the one where she tries to seduce Donnic and you have to clear the road ahead of them.
And just so you know the ones I liked the least are Fenris (too predictable) and Sebastian, apart from the one in Act 3, which was nice thanks to the appearance of... ahem... Lady Nightingale. If you've already played the quest, you know whom I'm talking about.
AndreaDraco wrote:
I just finished Aveline's personal quest for Act 3. Beside Anders, hers are perhaps the companion quests I liked the most, especially the one where she tries to seduce Donnic and you have to clear the road ahead of them.
Well, I think I just finished Act 1. I'm after the Deep Roads and now talking to the Viscount.
So far, I really like the game and the characters are definitely growing on me. Out of all of them, Varric is probably my favorite. I also like Isabela's sense of humor and how "dirty" she can be sometimes. Her banter with Varric is absolutely hilarious!
There is, however, one thing at the end of Act 1 that really, really ticked me off. I kept Bethany at home and didn't bring her with me to the Deep Roads. Now I come back and suddenly there's a Templar arresting her!? She's getting sent to the f*cking Mage Circle!?
Although the game didn't let me, I wanted to torture and then murder that Templar and wear his head as a hat. Needless to say, I did not like that outcome.
Please tell me I get to slaughter Templars later.
I also noticed that the weapon and items Bethany had aren't in my inventory, so did I permanently lose them? I haven't checked out the estate yet, so maybe there's a chest with all of her former items.
DPX, believe me, if you're so inclined, there will be plenty of opportunities to slaughter Templars later on!
About Bethany (or Carver, for that matter), yes, if you leave them behind when descending into the Deep Roads, you'll loose them to the Circle or the Templars (Carver joins). However, as for your equipment, later on, if you play your cards well, there's a chance to regain them as permanent companions in the last portion of the game. I think they keep the weapons you gave them, but I'm not 100% sure.
About the Deep Roads, did you like the Rock Wraith? And, after completing it, what's your opinion on Act 1? Too long? Too dispersive? Does it lack focus or did you like it this way?
AndreaDraco wrote:DPX, believe me, if you're so inclined, there will be plenty of opportunities to slaughter Templars later on!
Good. With the exception of Thrask, I've never liked those holier-than-thou assholes. It's DA's version of the "Spanish Inquisition."
AndreaDraco wrote:About Bethany (or Carver, for that matter), yes, if you leave them behind when descending into the Deep Roads, you'll loose them to the Circle or the Templars (Carver joins). However, as for your equipment, later on, if you play your cards well, there's a chance to regain them as permanent companions in the last portion of the game. I think they keep the weapons you gave them, but I'm not 100% sure.
Ah... okay. At least Wynne is probably still in the Circle and given that Bethany's related to my Warden, maybe her time there won't be too bad. Just so long as the Templars don't turn her into a tranquil.
I wish I had known Bethany would get taken to the Circle ahead of time. The whole reason I didn't bring her to the Deep Roads was because I had accidentally read that she dies down there or joins the Grey Wardens if Anders is present. I wanted her to remain a member of my party, so I thought I could prevent losing her by leaving her home. Looking back, becoming a Grey Warden would've been preferable, assuming she survives the Joining.
Too bad Anders didn't follow you into your home and pull the old "right of conscription" ploy that Duncan did with our Warden. Sure, Bethany would've had to leave anyway, but at least she'd become a Grey Warden, with far more autonomy and authority than she'd ever get as at the Circle. Plus, it'd be nice to see the Templars get really mad.
I'm not TOO concerned about getting those weapons back. Sure, the Staff of Parthalan is good, but I'm rapidly finding better and better equipment all the time. I've already replaced Hayder's Razor with a warhammer I found in the Deep Roads. I won't lose any sleep over that -- Hayder's Razor looked ridiculous.
AndreaDraco wrote:About the Deep Roads, did you like the Rock Wraith? And, after completing it, what's your opinion on Act 1? Too long? Too dispersive? Does it lack focus or did you like it this way?
The Rock Wraith was tough! It wouldn't been so bad if it didn't curl up into a floating ball and send out waves of energy that constantly hurt my party and me.
Fortunately, I have Anders loaded with offensive powers (he still has some defensive ones, but most Heal and a few sustainables) so he could blast that thing. Firestorm, Tempest and Crushing Prison helped a lot.
I thought Act 1 was good at introducing everyone and presumably setting the stage for Acts 2 and 3. I don't feel like I'm working toward a goal right now. In DA:O the objective was to defeat the Archdemon, but in DA2... well, no idea.
DeadPoolX wrote:
Ah... okay. At least Wynne is probably still in the Circle and given that Bethany's related to my Warden, maybe her time there won't be too bad. Just so long as the Templars don't turn her into a tranquil.
She is being taken to the Kirkwall Circle, not the Fereldan one.
Too bad Anders didn't follow you into your home and pull the old "right of conscription" ploy that Duncan did with our Warden.
Well, technically he's no longer a Warden, so he couldn't have conscripted her. Anyway, if you're interested in going back and redo the Deep Roads to prevent Bethany from joining the Circle, if I'm not mistaken you can meet a Circle/Templar sibling two times after that and a Grey Warden one three times.
DeadPoolX wrote:
Ah... okay. At least Wynne is probably still in the Circle and given that Bethany's related to my Warden, maybe her time there won't be too bad. Just so long as the Templars don't turn her into a tranquil.
She is being taken to the Kirkwall Circle, not the Fereldan one.
Oh yeah... I forgot about that.
AndreaDraco wrote:
DeadPoolX wrote:Too bad Anders didn't follow you into your home and pull the old "right of conscription" ploy that Duncan did with our Warden.
Well, technically he's no longer a Warden, so he couldn't have conscripted her. Anyway, if you're interested in going back and redo the Deep Roads to prevent Bethany from joining the Circle, if I'm not mistaken you can meet a Circle/Templar sibling two times after that and a Grey Warden one three times.
I'm not going to play through it again. I guess I can rationalize Bethany going to the Circle by she'll live longer and might get a chance to teach other Mages, which I can see her liking, at least to some degree.
DeadPoolX wrote:
Well, I think I just finished Act 1. I'm after the Deep Roads and now talking to the Viscount.
So far, I really like the game and the characters are definitely growing on me. Out of all of them, Varric is probably my favorite. I also like Isabela's sense of humor and how "dirty" she can be sometimes. Her banter with Varric is absolutely hilarious!
As the story teller, they REALLY develop Varric.
DeadPoolX wrote:
There is, however, one thing at the end of Act 1 that really, really ticked me off. I kept Bethany at home and didn't bring her with me to the Deep Roads. Now I come back and suddenly there's a Templar arresting her!? She's getting sent to the f*cking Mage Circle!?
Although the game didn't let me, I wanted to torture and then murder that Templar and wear his head as a hat. Needless to say, I did not like that outcome.
Please tell me I get to slaughter Templars later.
I also noticed that the weapon and items Bethany had aren't in my inventory, so did I permanently lose them? I haven't checked out the estate yet, so maybe there's a chest with all of her former items.
Well, for me... Anders wasn't present when I went down to the Deep Roads (and had just given her the staff after the Rock Golem... and it was a nice staff... gone now... I mentioned it in a previous post somewhere when this happened).
DeadPoolX wrote:
I thought Act 1 was good at introducing everyone and presumably setting the stage for Acts 2 and 3. I don't feel like I'm working toward a goal right now. In DA:O the objective was to defeat the Archdemon, but in DA2... well, no idea.
I think because with DA2, there was just that one goal. In DA2, years keep going by, and so you're basically living the life of the character you play. So there is no ONE goal really... it's you interacting with the changing world around you. (At least so far...)
AndreaDraco wrote:
Well, technically he's no longer a Warden, so he couldn't have conscripted her. Anyway, if you're interested in going back and redo the Deep Roads to prevent Bethany from joining the Circle, if I'm not mistaken you can meet a Circle/Templar sibling two times after that and a Grey Warden one three times.
Which I don't understand. In Dragon Age Origins, after you have your nightmare, Alistair says that the Taint in your blood will eventually kill you... so how is it that Anders (or even Alistair for that matter) are "no longer Grey Wardens." I don't believe there's a "cure" for it?
Well, both Anders and Alistair will always remain Gray Wardens, even if they - officially or secretly - left the Order. Anders actually explains this in the game, saying that the Taint will never go away but that, if you try hard enough, you can leave the order behind yourself. Alistair, of course, had to left the order only if made king of Ferelden.
Tawmis wrote:In DA2, years keep going by, and so you're basically living the life of the character you play. So there is no ONE goal really... it's you interacting with the changing world around you. (At least so far...)
Well, the beginning of Act 3 does clarify what Hawke's main goal should be
I forgot to mention before the comments Hawke makes when walking around and clicking on areas in his estate. The funniest comments are about Anders and Isabela and their contributions to the estate.
I've completed that quest where you save half-elven kid who's apparently something called a "dreamer." It was weird when your teammates turn on you in the Fade. I had Anders, Isabela and Varric with me and the only one who was able to fully resist was Anders. As he explained later, having Justice protected him.
I've bought armor upgrades for everyone except Varric and Aveline. I don't know where you can buy their upgrades or if you have to find them. It's funny how everything revolving around Isabela is somehow related to sex. Even her first armor upgrade is called "rigid boning."
While we're on the topic of sex, I've just bedded Isabela. Not a gargantuan feat, but the cutscene was quite entertaining.
Both Varric's and Isabela's approval rating are at 100% and I've flirted with Isabela a lot. Once again, she's not exactly the toughest person to get revved up.
How do you know when you've successfully completed a romance? Is it the sex scene itself?
By the way... while looking up some videos of DA2 on YouTube that're related to Bethany's ill-timed departure, I came across a sequence where you actually punch Isabela? I don't mean in anger, it's part of some sort of mission where she tells you to do it. When does this take place? Do I have to punch her? I have a feeling Aveline would rather do it.
DeadPoolX wrote:
How do you know when you've successfully completed a romance? Is it the sex scene itself?
The sex scene should have unlocked the Flirtatious achievement. However, the only way to complete a romance is to reach Act 3 and follow the main plot quests.
By the way... while looking up some videos of DA2 on YouTube that're related to Bethany's ill-timed departure, I came across a sequence where you actually punch Isabela? I don't mean in anger, it's part of some sort of mission where she tells you to do it. When does this take place? Do I have to punch her? I have a feeling Aveline would rather do it.
I don't know, but it seems like fun! I certainly want to do it!
Anyway, who did you bring in the Fade with you? And, about Act 2, I agree about the comments in Hawke's mansion. Anders' manifesto cracked me up every time
DeadPoolX wrote:
By the way... while looking up some videos of DA2 on YouTube that're related to Bethany's ill-timed departure, I came across a sequence where you actually punch Isabela? I don't mean in anger, it's part of some sort of mission where she tells you to do it. When does this take place? Do I have to punch her? I have a feeling Aveline would rather do it.
