I take it the reward took the form of points you could add to your attributes?
Yes. An equivalent of two level-ups.
PART 17 - URBAN CHAOS, I
Itz coming to Kirkwall. No one can stop it. This is the last feeble attempt to negotiate, doomed to fail since the very beginning.
I'd wrap up any other business before we go. It's already a mess, and could get worse.
Let's go.
I request an audience with the Arishok.
He will allow it, but not in this number.
I will only bring my friend here and a small complement of my guard. Is that few enough?
It is.
Enter.
The Arishok stands here, armed and angry.
Shanedan.
Greetings, Arishok. We come regarding the elven fugitives that took refuge here.
Irrelevant. I would speak to Hawke about the relic stolen from my grasp.
One of my former companions stole it.
Her part was clear. Your admission... is welcome.
An issue for another time. We're here for the fugitives.
The elves are now viddathari. They have chosen to submit to the Qun.
They will be protected.
Have they truly converted, or are they simply using you as a shield?
They have chosen, and so have I.
You have not hidden the abuses of your zealots, or the corruption of this city. You will understand why I must do this.
Let us look at your "dangerous" criminals.
Speak, viddathari. Who did you murder and why?
A city guard forced himself on our sister. We reported him... or tried to.
But they did nothing about it, no matter what we said. So my brothers and I paid him a visit.
That doesn't excuse murder!
I would have done the same thing, in their shoes.
Hawke, that's not helping.
Their actions are mere symptoms. Your society is the disease.
They have chosen. The viddathari will submit to the Qun and find a path your way has denied them.
You can't just decide that. You must hand them over.
Tell me, Hawke, what would you do, in my place?
Give us the elves or we'll take them by force.
Hawke...
Impressive. But I am committed.
I cannot leave without the relic, and I cannot stay and remain blind to this dysfunction.
There is only one solution.
Arishok, there is no need for--
Vinek kathas.
It's a trap! The qunari unleash a rain of spears on our heads.
Our escort is down in mere seconds. Yet Hawke and Aveline are unharmed. What's wrong Bioware, Armor Class isn't useless after all?
Meanwhile Hawke knocks out a Qunari grunt with an armored fist.
Aveline passed intelligence check and actually uses swords.
Not here! Too open! Go. Go!
What a tension! Still the Qunari are dumb. They should've closed the gate before launching a traitorous attack.
Hawke!
We reach the Lowtown.
Can you hear it? The Qunari must be spreading out. They're attacking the city!
Why? What could they possibly hope to accomplish?
You heard the Arishok. He's done playing nice, and damn the consequences.
You may be right.
Whatever it is, we need to do something quickly. But we'll need some help.
The rest of the party warps in.
Are we under attack?
The Qunari are assaulting the city -- and fast. The Arishok planned this for who knows how long.
I'll rally the guardsmen. I suggest heading to your estate in Hightown. Be careful.
Aveline rivalry +10.
The first encounter. Qunari spawn in waves, hitting the party from all directions. Nevertheless, AoE spells work like a charm.
We stumble upon Grey Wardens trying to fend off Qunari assault.
In a half a minute the bad guys are finished. A "twist" is upon us. This Warden guy with awesome mustache is the one who recruited Bethany in the Derp Roads.
And here she is. Long time no see.
Somehow, I knew it would be you.
Bethany!
Hello, Brother. How fitting we should meet here.
A "thank you" might be in order, don't you think?
I must say, it's less painful than the last time you saved my life.
You have our sincere thanks. This attack was... most unexpected.
Stroud, we need to move. We've already delayed too long.
Very true.
I cannot believe the Qunari would dare such an attack. This will lead to war with the Free Marches for certain.
I fear pressing matters take us elsewhere, but we can spread word to the other free cities. Perhaps they will bring aid.
Wait-- I need to tell you about Mother.
I know. When we got the news, the Wardens helped me hold a wake. I'm... glad you were with her. In her final moments.
This is not the time.
Take this. It is all we can spare, but perhaps it will be of use.
His gift is a ring named "Warden's Promise". Gay innuendo is strong with this one.
Goodbye, Brother. Take care of yourself.
Maker watch over you, my friend.
Eh, that meeting was awkward. I H8 U SCUM 4 SAVING MY VIRGIN ASS GTFO NVM OK G2G BAI BRO111111
We plough through another horde of qunarispawn and reach the exit.
The Hightown.
We see two qunari dragging a helpless, crying woman. Is there a chance of witnessing a tastefully done rape?
Parshaara! Quit your struggling, woman!
Teth a! Bas!
Then the Arishok failed to take you captive. Unfortunate.
Unfortunate, indeed. Instead of rape with have to be content with bodies exploding into red goo.
We whack these moles with ease, but...
ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL
Suddenly a Qunari mage appears and knocks down the entire party.
He is preparing another spell that'll finish the party for good.
The majestic twist worthy of Call of Duty's audience appraisal! At the last The mage discovers something pointy and edgy inside his chest.
AWESOME!
Rip-off is so accurate that she even helps Hawke to get up.
I am Knight-Commander Meredith.
I know you.
The name "Hawke" has turned up in my reports many times. Too many.
But that doesn't matter now.
The Qunari are taking people to the Keep and may already be in control. We will need to deal with them.
I'm not one of your templars. I don't take orders.
This is your city as well as mine. Defend it.
Head to the Keep, and I will see if I can find more of my men. These creatures will pay for this outrage.
On the streets we see even criminals fight with the Qunari. Still they have to be whacked.
Serious Hawke: the 132356th encounter. Shooter developers cry out loud.
A city square is filled with the corpses of the fallen magi. However, their leader seems to be unharmed and just unconscious.
Many thanks, my friend.
We need all the magic we can get.
Of course, of course. But what of the others...?
There are no "others", ho ho. But in the case Bethany joins The Circle she'll be here as well, unscratched. Thta's what happens kids when you mark your NPCs "essential".
Gone. I told them to run...
No time for emo bullshit.
First Enchanter Orsino. You survive.
Your relief overwhelms me, Knight-Commander.
There is no time for talk. We must strike back. before it's too late.
And who will lead us into this battle? You?
I will fight to defend this city, as I have always done!
To control it, you mean! I won't have our lives tossed to the flames to feed your vanity!
The conflict between the mages and the templars and between the first enchanter and the knight-commander personally are the central themes that drive the game's plot. Unfortunately, despite a significant potential, it misses the mark and turns into derp-fest in the end with the leaders of both parties becoming complete loonies.
This particular dialog choice is the prime example of the faux C&C Bioware is famous for: no matter who's the leader Hawke has to wipe the viscount's castle and face the Arishok alone.
I won't have you two at each other's throats. I'm in charge.
You? You're not even of this city!
Neither am I, yet I don't hear you complaining about us both fighting to defend our home.
Very well, then. But whatever you plan, be quick about it.
Tell us, then: what is our course of action?
We need to find out why they're gathering hostages.
An excellent choice. Let's move quickly.
Of course, the entrance is blocked.
Note Orsino using lean function and Hawke being a shameless next-gen wall-hugger. That's how Bioware tries to appease both new and old
RPG action fans.
There seem to be a great many of Qunari at the Keep's entrance.
Then they've already taken it over. Clearly they've been planning this for some time.
This is the only way in. We must assault them now, before their numbers grow.
Are you mad? They have hostages! We need a distraction.
Decide quickly. We have no time.
The hostages will survive either way. The choice is purely cosmetic.
We need to get inside now.
Orsino, make sure there are no surprises.[/size]
There is no need to fight here, really. Almost invincible gang of templars can easily dispatch the horny fuckers.
They are finished.
We need to find the viscount, and quickly.
There's more coming!
Go. We'll deal with them.
And so Hawke enters the castle.
This update is huge, but the second act is not over yet. End of line.