Let's press the button of awesome - Stolen memos found

[Erebus]

So... is it actually possible for Bartrand to survive this or is this another pseudo-choice ?

 

[oldmanpaco]

So... is it actually possible for Bartrand to survive this or is this another pseudo-choice ?

He survived in my game but did not make another appearance. So basically it does not matter if he lives or dies.


BTW - I'm late to the party so someone needs to tell my why twinkle toes is in the group? For the surprise sodomy?

 

[Twinkle]

PART 5 - GAS ATTACK.

Time to pursue more story quests. We start with Qunari diplomacy.

Random Qunari dude wants to give us a task.

You are Hawke. A patrol went missing along the Wounded Coast.

The Arishok says you have some semblance of honor.

So tell me, did you kill them?

I haven't killed any Qunari recently. Mind your tone or that could change.

I believe you.

If you are not responsible, I waste my time here.

OK, the diplomacy part.

Serah Hawke.

Well?

Last we met, I did not know your name. Did not care to.

You have changed your fortune over the years. The Qunari have not.

I offer a courtesy, Hawke. Someone has stolen what he thinks is the formula for gaatlok.

You will want to hunt him.

I got next to nothing from our last deal. Solve your own problem.

Hawke turns away.

Thousands will die.

AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH

The stolen formula was a decoy. Saar-qamek -- a poison gas, not explosives.

A small amount is dangerous enough to your kind. But if made in quantity, perhaps by someone intending to sell it...

Gunpowder. Poison gas. What will you horny bastards bring the next time? Nukes?

That merchant... Javaris?

Would he be cautious, or would he assume success and make enough to threaten a district?

A courtesy, Hawke. You will want to hunt him.

Varric may know about midget's whereabouts.

Any idea where we can find Javaris?

I heard about a sell-off. Merchant territories and such. They don't do that unless someone left in a hurry.

I'd have figured he rooked some noble. He's sure not a burglar.

Just tell me where he is.

I haven't kept up on the squirt. Ask the Coterie.

Panahedan, Hawke. It will be interesting to see if you die.

That was encouraging. Well, Darktown it is.

No time for psychotherapy, you lazy asses!

I'm sorry about your brother, Varric. Have you any other family?

I have family like a rat has flees, Daisy.

Does that mean you have a lot of family, or that they make you itch a lot?

Both.

This woman must give me an answer.

You're selling the assets of Javaris Tintop?

We are. Limited districts, limited contracts. Keeps territory clear and separate from the start.

He had a meager lot, but he's kipped with dues outstanding, so up it goes.

I need to find Javaris now. Where's he hiding?

Scary. Anyone else, I'd jump to their defense. Unless they owed me like he does.

Javaris left in a hurry. I'd put him at Smuggler's Cut, if he's avoiding patrols. It empties at a cave outside town.

Tell him I said, "Don't come back."

Javaris doesn't sound like a mastermind at work, here.

So, the mandatory underground crawl.

Down there we are immediately attacked by the member of carta, dwarven crime syndicate. We firmly hold the top position, keeping mages safe. But...

Mooks spawn right in the middle.

Doesn't help them much, though.

We try another corridor, seemingly leading to a dead end.

Heh, it looks like there was an alternative way to deal with the initial wave of mooks. Stepping on this button unleashes a fire trap. Whatever, too late to be sorry.

Even more aggressive midgets downstairs.

Level-up. I unlock templar specialization. Surely this will lead to different NPC reactions and interesting party dynamics, right?

Merrill continues pursuing Entropy path.

Hey, Bioware. Sometimes too much is too much.

Varric gets another easy dmg bonus.

And Anders's Haste spell duration is prolonged as well.

We find a gift for Isabela is one of crates - a ship model.

Outside it's not really that different, except we have to fight humans instead of dwarves.

You are cornered, terrorist scum.

Quit your blubbering, dwarf!

You? Granny's garters, she would hire you. I can't buy a break on discount!

You know what? Go ahead. Take my head and pike it back to that sodding elf! I need the rest.

You brought this on yourself. Who else would steal their powder?

Wait, you're tracking for the Qunari?

Then she did it, that elf got them after me for nothing! Bitch-born!

The obvious thief was perhaps a bit too obvious.

Look, I'm minding business, same old, and out of the blue some elf tries to kill me.

Says she's got the Qunari powder and I'm her cover. I slipped her, hired some bodyguards, and ran for it.

And now you're here. Great.

You always were a good liar.

Let me ask you something... are you exploding?

Well, then I probably don't have the sodding powder, do I?

Here, you want to drag dark into light, I had a man follow her. The elf's in Lowtown.

I just want to get out. With my dead guards. Thanks for that.

You and I are done.

Good and good. Thanks to you, I've got a lot of dead gear to haul. Sodding dog-lord in-roader.

Surprise!

Knife pierces his stupid skull.

Varric shakes his head in disgust.

He bothered me.
Varric rivalry +5.

We were chasing the wrong trail all the time. We have to go back to Kirkwall.

A guardsman stands here to warn bystanders.

All of you, I can't fight the damned air! You want to live, stay out!

Move, guard. I need to pass.

Wait. Messere Hawke?

Maker, please, the street is death. There was a cloud that drove people mad, and now a seeping mist that kills.

All I can do is warn people. If someone like you dies on my watch, I'm right stuffed.

Tend the herd, boy. I'm going in.

Shit.

No worries, bro. The regen will take care of it.
The task is simple - retrieve a steel latch and close a barrel. Repeat four times. But there is a catch.

Mooks spawn in hordes every time you do it.

They are batshit insane.

The second barrel - another wave.

The Arishok was right. The poison got the thieves.

And everyone else, it seems.

Third!

Time to tell Arishok how he was right... and wrong.

It's good to be a plumber.

Their leader appears at last.

You, elf! Is this your doing?

Is that? Serah Hawke! You have enemies.

I'm glad it's you, really. These poor people. You are a much better target!

Explain yourself. Now.

Qunari take my people! My siblings forget their culture, then go to the Qun for purpose. We're losing them twice!

So, I get help from your people. We'll take the Qunari thunder, make some accidents, and make them hated!

But this... this is all wrong.

Only one thing to do with a mad dog.

It can still work. They are hidden in your city. They'll enrage the faithful, and make sure the Qunari are blamed!

Me, I'm finished. I just need a few more bodies. A few more!
Varric rivalry +5.

You suggest playing nice with a mad murderous bitch? Fuck off, Varric.

Just. Die. Already.

PHEW.

So, I was wrong about our thief.

Very.

They say we were careless with our trap, that this is our fault. But even without the saar-qamek, there would have been death.

This elf was determined to lay blame at our feet.

But your feet didn't do anything wrong! Did they?

Selfishness, want, denial -- how do you allow this to continue?

Most of Kirkwall hates you as much as you hate being here.

Since we arrived I have seen nothing but greed and weakness. Dwarves, humans, elves -- just... festering. No order, no goal.

You are one of the few I have met with any ability. And yet this too was random, a result of selfishness.

I cannot fathom how a mire like this can be justified.

We are hated? How do you not hate yourselves and this... chaos?

I agree it's a mess.

But you don't see that as a problem?

I see it as an opportunity, and I intend to take full advantage.

Karasten are soldiers. The Qun made it so. They can never vary from that assigned path, never be other than they are meant to be.

But, they are free to choose within that role. To accept and succeed, or deny and die. Glory is clear and defined.

It is an undeniable certainty. What "full advantage" can you take without that authority?

Have you come here to proselytize? To convert?

No. Foundering here was unexpected. I have purpose other than watching you rot.

Your kind may force our role to change if the Qun demands.

Why aren't you more concerned about her supporters?

Our enemies strike from shadow because they cannot stand before us. This is not a revelation.

And it doesn't matter. I am not here to fight; I am here to satisfy a demand you cannot understand.

And when will that be?

It will take as long as needed. No ship is coming. There is no rescue from duty to the Qun.

I am stuck here.

You keep going on about that, but never say anything.

Should I argue the wind? Very well. Filth stole from us. Not now, not the saar-qamek. Years ago.

A simple act of greed has bound me. We are all denied Par Vollen until I alone recover what was lost under my command!

My, he is bursting with rage!

That is why this elf and her shadows are unimportant. That is why I do not simply walk from this pustule of a city!

Fixing your mess is not the demand of the Qun! And you should all be grateful!

Or maybe not. It sounds more like a hysterical butthurt. Who offended you, big boy?

Thank you, human, for your service. Leave.

He's on the edge. The viscount should know.

Yeah.

Years of nice, quiet anxiety... gone. Along with a whole street.

I killed the thieves responsible.

Right. A mad elf, pushed by zealots, likely hidden in the very groups I have to appease.

The Maker has a grand sense of humor.

And the Arishok -- I suspected he had no plans to leave. I didn't know it was just as annoying for him.

He's a hair from the edge. You need to keep everyone calm.

Too late, I fear. It's a shame -- has was making overtures of cordialness. Your influence, no doubt.

Get to what happened.

A Qunari delegate and entourage paid me a visit. It was civil, tentative. Hopeful.

They left my chambers with precision, but were not reported by the outer guard. They are missing almost literally from my doorstep.

What, do you imagine, will be the Arishok's reaction?

I've had enough to do with the Arishok. I don't need this.

None of us do, Serah Hawke. Someone is pushing very hard, and I fear they want this to end badly.

Speak with Seneschal Bran. Then you will see why I cannot trust anyone else with this.

FFS, there will definitely be blood. Stop licking their asses, moron, and act until it's too late! Ah, the player always don't have any choice in truly serious matters.

You have information about the missing Qunari?

I am to help you, yes. Viscount Dumar would appreciate discretion in this matter.

I would prefer that you were not involved at all, but that is neither here not there.

I don't need your opinion. Get to what you know.

The delegate and his entourage could not be made to disappear without the knowledge of the city guard.

Not coincidentally, a number of recent recruits have failed to report. You should start with one of them.

Although, where you find a swordsman so eager to sell his honor and duty, I'm sure I don't know.

The Hanged Man.

Hanged Man.

Obvious one, that.

Right. Then you know what to look for.

I can't imagine this has occurred without notice. There is always a weak link.

Another angry book is within the Kirkwall's seat of power, no less.

Merrill rivalry +10

Just like in the chantry: demons and zero reaction.

New letters arrived while Hawke was absent.

Later, later.

End of line.

 

[Erebus]

Gods, I really hate the "proud and honor-bound warrior race" cliché.

 

[Esquilax]

To be fair, the Qunari are a lot cooler and more interesting than most of the other stuff in the Dragon Age lore. Speaking of which, I was looking at the last update, how the fuck did Bartram, a dwarf, become possessed by a demon? Makes no sense. Maybe I missed something, though.

 

[Twinkle]

When he snatched the lyrium idol in the Derp Roads expedition. Technically, he wasn't possessed. This kind of ancient evil is different from your usual demons. It will play a major role in the storyline further.

 

[lightbane]

Karasten are soldiers. The Qun made it so. They can never vary from that assigned path, never be other than they are meant to be. But, they are free to choose within that role. To accept and succeed, or deny and die. Glory is clear and defined.

Intelligence: So, these soldiers can choose between obeying their role and live, or disagreeing to do so and in response suffer a quick and painful death. Talk about deep, meaningful C&C.

 

[Brother None]

It's pretty BioWare-esque. Either do it the way we want you to or fail. Very #BaldursGate

 

[DraQ]

 

[Twinkle]

PART 6 - STRANGE BUTTFELLOWS

Completing story missions unlocks more companion quests. Let's start with Aveline.

Hawke. I need... a favor that I can only trust to you.

This doesn't sound good.

It should be a small matter, but I worry.

I need you to give something to guardsman Donnic. Here, in the barracks. No questions, and he is not to know it's from me.

Sod off, woman. I can help you move up the social ladder, but arranging your personal life - no way. Besides, you are non-romanceable anyway.

I really have better things to do. You know that.

All right, Hawke. I'll shelve this for now. It's... not urgent.

But, if you change your mind, I don't think I can let this go.

Better things to do, yes. Anders, get your rectum ready.

Have you noticed how many Tranquil are in the Gallows courtyard lately?

And don't tell me I'm just sensitive to it. I've been watching and every day there are new Tranquil, selling their bloody wares.

Good mages, too. People I know passed their Harrowing.

Doesn't Chantry law say that mages who pass their Harrowing can't be made Tranquil?

Exactly.

The templars are using the Rite of Tranquility to silence those who speak against them.

They're working on a deliberate plan to turn every mage in Kirkwall within the next three years.

Who's behind this?

The plan is the work of a templar named Ser Alrik.

I've had a run-in with him myself. He's the one who did the ritual on Karl. Nasty piece of work, likes to make mages beg.

How do we stop them?

I've been working with a group, a secret mage underground that helps others escape the Gallows. They have a way in.

A secret entrance under the walls of the Gallows.

Come with me tonight, please. Help me find the evidence of Ser Alrik's "Tranquil Solution."

I wouldn't let you face this alone.

You are the one bright light in Kirkwall.

I've always feared being made Tranquil. Now more than ever.

I'm ready to go when you are. Our entrance is concealed not far from here.
Anders friendship +5

I am very angry about templars! Dwarven criminals block the path to the said tunnel. Temporarily.

It's not like I have an option.

This is it. This tunnel will take us into the Gallows.

Are you ready to help me find the evidence of the "Tranquil Solution?"

Let's go.

If we find evidence of Ser Alrik's plan, I'm taking it straight to the grand cleric.

She will not be able to claim neutrality then.

The tunnels are in heavy use by smugglers.

The old joke about pantaloons still lives. Seriously, Bio, let it go.

In addition to criminals we encounter angry spiders.

Finally, we see the templars cornering a lonely mage girl.

No... please! I haven't done anything wrong.

That's a lie. What do we do to mages who lie?

I just wanted to see my mum. No one ever told her where they were taking me.

No. No, this is their place. We cannot--

Ouch. He begins transforming into demonic form.

So, you admit your attempted escape? You know what happens to mage girls who don't toe the line around here, don't you?

The girl falls on her knees.

Please, no! Don't make me Tranquil! I'll do anything!

That's right. Once you're Tranquil, you'll do anything I ask.

Can I watch?

Get your hands off her!

You fiends will never touch a mage again!

Fight!

We retreat and make our stand at the bridge.

Enemy hunter has broken the line and killed one of our mages, but with the majority of mooks gone he's not that dangerous anymore.

And now it's Alrik's turn.

Hawke picks up the documents from his body.

We finish off the remnants.

They will die! I will have every last templar for these abuses!

It's over, Anders. They're all dead.

Every one of them will feel justice's burn.

Get away from me, demon!

I am no demon! Are you one of them, that you would call me such?

Anders, that girl is a mage. We rescued her from being made Tranquil.

She is theirs! I can feel their hold on her!

U mad.

She's the reason you're fighting, Anders. Don't turn on her now.

Please, messere...

He prepares the fatal blast, but at the last moment his demonic form fades away.

Maker, no. I almost... If you weren't here...

I-I need to get out of here.
Anders friendship +15.

After looting bodies we leave these damned caverns as well.

You-you saved my life, messere. What was that thing?

He's a demon, whether he admits it or not.

Can I... go home now?

Find your parents, but don't stay there. You must leave Kirkwall.

I know. There's nowhere in the city where Ser Alrik's men won't find me.

Thank you, messere. Andraste herself must have put you in that room.

I am waiting for your excuses.

Trash. Trash. Keep. Trash. Trash...

Hmm, what are you doing? Reviewing your Bioware games collection?

Won't be needing that anymore...

This is all Ser Alrik had. Looks like the "Tranquil Solution" began and ended with him.

Let me see that! The Divine... rejected the idea. Meredith rejected the idea! This was... not what I expected.

Perhaps I should try talking to the grand cleric. Maybe she's more reasonable that I thought.

Thank you. I will think on what you've said.
Anders friendship +15.

I am not finished with you.

What are you doing?

Putting out milk. I miss having a cat around. But I think the refugees have scared them all off. Or maybe eaten them.

You know, I've been meaning to thank you.

You don't need to stick your neck out for the mages here, but you have.

You let those apostates from Starkhaven start over. Maybe they can be an example for the world.

I've always had a thing for scrappy underdogs.

I've tried to hold back.

You saw what I almost did to that girl.

You've seen what I am.

But I'm still a man. Don't expect me to resist forever.

Yeah! Just jump on my chest spike.

I don't want you to resist.

If we could die tomorrow, I didn't want it to be without doing that.

I've never felt this way about anyone.

I thought with Justice... this part of me was over.

I can't give you a normal life. If you're with me, we'll be hunted, hated. The whole world will be against us.

If your door is open tonight, I will come to you. If not, I'll know you took my warning at last.
Anders friendship +25.

How can I resist?

You're here. I wasn't sure you would come.

Justice does not approve of my obsession with you. He believes you're a distraction.

It is one of the few things on which he and I disagree.

I you hadn't come, I'd be out looking for you.

Are you sure you want me here?

Did you decide you wish something more than a quick tumble with Isabela?

It never happened.

When I was in the Circle, love was only a game. It gave the templats too much power of there was something you couldn't stand to lose.

It would kill me to lose you.

You didn't come here to talk.

No mage I know has ever dared to fall in love.

This is the rule I will most cherish breaking.

Hawke is a catcher?

On the next morning.

I love you.

I've been holding back form saying that. You should have a normal life, not be tied down to a fugitive with no future.

But I don't ever want to leave you.

Awesome, awesome options. Now GTFO from my house, you dirty slut.

This was a bad idea. I think you should go.

What?

I said leave. I don't want to talk about it.

You're breaking up with me?

I... we talked about this. Everything you said, you... used me.

I won't forget this.
Anders rivalry +15.



End of line.

 

[lightbane]

Lulzy update.

 

[Erebus]

Much like "I want to be a dragon", it would be pretty fun if you could actually answer "I'm hungry". But, judging from what we've seen so far, it's probably translated in a BS way.

 

[Sceptic]

To be fair, the Qunari are a lot cooler and more interesting than most of the other stuff in the Dragon Age lore.

That really says it all...

Hawke is a catcher?

Now THAT'S what I call a twist!

 

[Brother None]

That immediate dump was epic.

Come with me tonight, please. Help me find the evidence of Ser Alrik's "Tranquil Solution."

I did not just read that. As subtle as a fucking brick to the face. At least they resisted calling Ser Alrik "Ser Adolf".

 

[Esquilax]

I did not just read that. As subtle as a fucking brick to the face. At least they resisted calling Ser Alrik "Ser Adolf".

I think that's worthy of a at least.

 

[RK47]

That immediate dump was epic.

Come with me tonight, please. Help me find the evidence of Ser Alrik's "Tranquil Solution."

I did not just read that. As subtle as a fucking brick to the face. At least they resisted calling Ser Alrik "Ser Adolf".

Oh, to my female Hawke it came off as an excuse to have sex or something.

 

[Twinkle]

PART 7 - DUMPING DOWN.

Next day - next target. Today we are going to hit an elf.

I've got something to show you! Come and see.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

The broken mirror from DA's Dalish origin. Hawke is unimpressed.

You're much prettier.

I'm sure you say that to Varric at least once a day.

Twice, usually. But can you blame him? Nobody can resist this face.

I've spent the lasy few years restoring this.

One of my clan found it in the Brecilian Forest, we think.

Poor Tamlen. We never found him. Just the shattered pieces of the eluvian.

This thing may have killed someone, and you brought it here?

It's not dangerous, I promise! I fixed it. Or tried to. With blood magic. The mirror won't hurt anyone.

I cringe every time she says that. She has no idea what she's messing with.

I do! I have it totally under control.

But... it doesn't work. I've tried everything, and I think it's because it needs to be finished with a special tool.

An aurlin'holm. And my clan has one. It's been in their hands for generations...

Go talk to the Keeper, then.

I just can't!

You have no idea. The Keeper... I can't talk to her. We fight or talk circles around each other.

She has a disappointed frown that turns your bones to jelly! Please help me? You will, won't you?

I'll go with you.

Ma serannas! I'll find some way to repay you, I promise!
Merrill rivalry +10.

You bet. You can't advance in courting before you complete her errand. Such is the harsh way of life.

Remember Feynriel from the first act? Ugly whiny elven would-be ubermage whom Hawke refused to turn over to the templars? This is the direct consequence of sending him to the Dalish camp.

Continue harassing our hunting parties, templar, and there will be consequences.

Hand over Feynriel. You heathens have no idea of the danger an apostate poses.

Elves were using magic when your primitive ancestors still lived like beasts. If you dare interrogate one of my hunters again--

The Maker be my witness, I will bring Feynriel to the Gallows.

Hawke? You may want to leave before this gets... messy.

You've gone too far, templar. I won't let you kill these people.

Traitor!

Oh, cheer up, Blondie. You're making me cry just looking at you.

Don't.

You made a mistake. It happens.

I almost killed a girl.

You've killed two-hundred and fifty-four by my last count. Plus about five hundred men, a few dozen giant spiders, and at least two demons.

It's not the same.

Why? Because you feel bad about it? Maybe that's the problem.

Dwarven bro raises an interesting question. Average RPG protagonist kills more people than some RL local conflicts. Yet it is rarely explored theme.

Keeper.

You return to us, da'len. Have you reconsidered this path at last?

I...

She came to ask you for something.

Yes.

Keeper, I need the arulin'holm, the ancient carving blade that Master Ilen keeps.

I see. You wish to rebuild the evulvian.

You don't have to approve of it. I'm invoking vir sulevanan. I'll do whatever task you wish.

Well, I'm glad to konw I can still disapprove.

It is your right. I will give you a service to perform, if you insist.

What's this service?

A varterral has taken the lives of three of our hunters.

It lairs in a cavern in the mountainside. Seek it out. Slay it. No one else must full to its anger.

Do this for us, and I will give you the arulin'holm. May the Dread Wolf never catch your scent.

We buy a gift for Merrill at the local shop.

The cave entrance is guarded by zombies.

And inside... oh, yeah, eight legs of love.

We found a dead, chewed body of the one of the missing hunters.

Radha...

Falon'Din guide you, lethallan.

What were the hunters doing in here?

The Keeper would have sent them to recover elven artifacts from the Varterral before the camp had to move again.

So your Keeper sent them to their deaths?

No, normally they let the Dalish come and go as we please.

Something must have provoked it!

Why did this happen?

Oh, Harshal... I'm so sorry. I'll tell Ineria for you...

Moar spiders,

Chandan!

Tread carefully, lethallin. May the Trickster never find you in the beyond.

We should give their clan amulets to the Keeper. Their families should know that they died bravely.

The only survivor stumbles upon us.

I know you're there. Show yourself!

Hello?

Praise Andras-- I mean the Creators. I thought I'd never get out of--

Merrill?

Aneth ara, Pol. Are you hurt?

Stay back! What do you want from me?

Pol, what's wrong? I'm here to help!

Stay back! Don't touch me!

Be still! You'll attract the varterral's attention!

No! Keep away from me, monster!

Creators, help me! Someone, please!

He runs away.

Pol, no!

We have to catch him. Hurry!

The varterral is not amused by this display of idiocy.

Hold on, Pol! We're coming!

The Varterral is fat but relatively harmless boss. The annoying part is that he has many AoE attacks, thus you are forced to deal with shitty camera all the time to move your mages out of the harm's way.

Stonefall can be evaded by hiding form his line of sight.

Then it summons minions.

Pol... maybe it's not too late!

You can help him, can't you, Anders? You can heal anyone!

Merrill... he's gone.

Why did you run? You shouldn't have run!

Cries out loud

Pol brought this on himself. He was a coward.

He wasn't! You of all people should understand the courage it takes to leave the world you know behind!

Pol wasn't like the others. He was city-born. Worldly. He ran away from Denerim and found us.

I thought if anyone would understand, he would. This... something is very wrong. I want to see the Keeper.
Merrill rivalry +10.

Level-up time. Awesome the Destroyer.

Merrill gets instacrit debuff that works even against bosses.

Nice aura upgrade.

Attack bonus for Varric.

Pol... what was he thinking? He acted like I was a monster...

Myabe he was thinking, "Aaah! Blood mage!" That's the most likely scenario.

Bioware won't let you go. As you backtrack through the corridors you'll encounter rising zombies. Why? Because it's awesome111

The way everyone looked at me in the camp when we arrived...

what have they saying about me? They must think I'm worse than the Blight!

I've never hurt the clan!

They had no reason to be afraid of me! None of this makes any sense.

None indeed.

On the fresh air.

It's not a good feeling, you know.

What?

Being an abomination. I just got a taste of your future.

I'm not that foolish. Our relationship is, um, strictly platonic.

It's like you're trapped in your own body, seeing out your eyes, while someone else moves you like a puppet.

And you're trying to scream, to move a single muscle, but there's no escape. Until you look down at the blood on your hands...

Stop it. You're scaring me.

That's the point.

The varterral is dead.

Ma serannas. I'll breathe easier, knowing that we will lose no more people to it.

We found these...

Hands over the amulets

I'll return them to their families.

We lost Pol. In the cave, he... he fled at the sight of me, straight into the varterral.

Many of the clan fear you'll bring back the corruption -- or worse -- from the mirror.

And where did they get that idea?

I am their Keeper, da'len. It was my duty to warn them.

It's still not too late for you to return to us. Reconsider -- there's no need for you to live alone.

Must we go over this again? You'll never accept what I'm doing.

The eluvian is a trap. It cost us Tamlen. It led you to blood magic. Will you let it twist you further from who you really are?

And who am I?

A byproduct of Gaider's brainfart after watching too much Avatar?

We've done as you asked. Honor our bargain. Give me the arulin'holm.

Hawke... because Merrill won't listen, I give this heirloom of my clan to you for safekeeping. Please.. don't let her do this.

Thank the Creators! I thought... maybe she'd go back on her word.

In before you ask: this choice does not affect anything.

Working on that mirror is crazy. You need to stop this.

You're siding with the Keeper?

Over the blood mage? I vote "yes."

This is dangerous, yes, but it is restoring something vital to my people!

I know what I'm doing, Hawke. Give me the arulin'holm.

I'm keeping it. I can't let you do this.

You're keeping a priceless heirloom of my clan? You have no right! You're not even Dalish!

I can't believe you! Why did I trust you? You're just a shemlen like all the others!

I... I have nothing further to say.
Anders friendship +10.
Merrill rivalry +15.

The herbalist asked Hawke to find the Dalish tattoo ink. Local craftsman should know about it.

Oh... Merrill. So you've returned. How has your time been among the shemlen?

It's been nothing but roses and rainbows, Master Ilen.

The alienage is lovely in the spring. The collapsing shacks and drunken brutes are nicely offset by the knee-deep mud.

This path has been of your own choosing, Merrill. A path that has saddened the clan greatly.

Perhaps if the clan was more accepting of the ancient ways and not so mired in fear--

Enough. We will not bicker like children in front of strangers. We cannot undo what is done.

My apologies for that... display. Perhaps we can start again?

I am Master Ilen, a crafter for this clan.

Forced to stay so close to this shemlen city, I've seen my share of outsiders pass through our camp. Is there something you needed?

Do you sell the ink you Dalish use for tattoing?

How dare you! That ink is sacred! We would no sooner sell it to shem than we would sell our own children!

BAWWWWW! Now it's time for the reality check. The ink is in unlocked chest just a few steps away. LMAO.

How could you do that to me? How could you steal a priceless relic of my people?

I trusted you!

I don't know what the arulin'holm can do, but I know you can't be responsible for it.

I'm not a child asking for a puppy! I've trained my entire life to be a Keeper!

Everything I do, everything I've ever done, was for the good of my people. Don't talk to me about responsibility.

I can't believe I've been such an idiot, believing you'd help me. Go. I'd rather be alone.
Merrill rivalry +10.

No, you won't.

May the Dread Wolf take you, you worthless hunk of glass!

It won't work! All the years I've wasted on it, and it's still a flaming mirror with no reflection!

Why have you come? Is it time for another lecture about how reckless I'm being?

I care about you, Merrill. I wanted to check on you.

Just don't. Please don't say you're doing this for my sake.

I don't need you, or Marethari, or anyone else to look after me!

I can save my people with this mirror! Just stay out of it!

Someone has to be there when this falls apart.

Stop trying to save me!

I've given up everything to rebuild my people's past, and you just threw my sacrifice in the garbage.

Get out of my house. I never want to see you again!
Merrill rivalry +20.

I'm a persistent fucker. You won't get away, loli.

I've got something for you.

Ooh. Did you get this from Master Ilen?

It looks like his work. He's always carving halla out of bits of scrap.

Before we left Ferelden, he had so many the Keeper said he'd need ten real halla to pull his carved ones north.

That doesn't sound healthy.

I suppose you would see it in a bad light.

It's a kind gift. I should put this away somewhere.
Merrill rivalry +15.

Time to return to the estate.

Just as planned.

Hawke?

Back at my house... I should never have said--

I didn't mean it.

"I never want to see you again," doesn't leave much room for interpretation.

I told you before. I always say things that are painfully stupid.

I know that you mean well. I just wish...

You can't save me, Hawke. It's not worth trying.

Who said I would?

I'm not letting you destroy your own life.

So you're willing to burn along with me?

If you stick with me, you and everyone you love will be in danger.

Do you understand? I... I can't bear if anything happens to you because of me.

She says exactly the same things as Anders.

It will be all right, Merrill.

Don't save me. Please, just... don't.

Merrill...

It's all right.

They even re-use the same animation sequence.

On the next morning.

What happens now?

Are we... what did this mean?

It was just a fling.

Of course. I suppose I'm just being silly, thinking...

I should go.



End of line.

 

[Erebus]

They even re-use the same animation sequence.

But this time, Hawke's on top and probably not on the receiving end, unless Merrill's hiding a strap-on under that bed.

 

[Brother None]

Awesome Hawke is a manwhore.

But wow, is there any limit to the laziness of BioWare? Reusing romance animations, but turning Hawke into the girl for homosexuals? That's...uh....uuuhhhhhh....uhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Sceptic]

turning Hawke into the girl for homosexuals?

Makes sense. Otherwise they'd have to make 2 sets of animations for male romances, depending on Hawke's gender. Making him always the girl, regardles of his gender? problem solved

 

[RK47]

.....ugh. Merryll. What the fuck? I cannot believe people still thinks there's any value in her character writing.

I HATE U I HATE U I DUN WANNA SEE U AGAIN

.....sorry let's fuck.

 

[lightbane]

More like Death HAX!!!! Right? Instant critical sounds very broken... Also, please tell me that you can kill Merril and that you'll do so later, her mary sueness is painful to watch.

 

[Radisshu]

To be fair, the Qunari are a lot cooler and more interesting than most of the other stuff in the Dragon Age lore. Speaking of which, I was looking at the last update, how the fuck did Bartram, a dwarf, become possessed by a demon? Makes no sense. Maybe I missed something, though.

They're the only good thing about it, despite the silly horns.

EDIT: Hawke's treatment of Merrill & Anders

 

[DraQ]

I still can't grow accustomed to how creepy Merrill's face is.

Her tattoos seem to have come from the the bottom of the deepest chasms of the uncanny valley and that's coming from a guy who finds facial tattoos to be pretty cool (if obviously cheap) way to style characters in fantasy.

 

[Luzur]

Lulzy update.

breakup, like a boss.

with an ass full of cum.