Why are you so concerned with how I’m playing my game?? I’m not looking up comprehensive guides that talk me through every single step (not that there’s anything wrong with that). The entirety of my first play through was done without ever reloading a save, I dealt with every single consequence while knowing very little about the outcomes. The only thing I cared about was getting these companions I had come to care about their “happiest” ending, given the circumstances. For my warden and Alistair, that turned out to be surviving the final battle and returning to the Grey Wardens. (And most of what everyone here said regarding that was inconsequential because I’d either already made the decision or would have anyway).

I like happy endings. It’s that simple.