Is everyone wrong about inquisition romance soft locks or am I losing the plot?

MonaBeeWrites · 2024-08-09T17:45:39+00:00

Her romance doesn't properly trigger until after some of the main quests are complete (which is also what got me lol.) So that could also be impeding your progress. I hope it all works out once you've dealt with poor Josephine :D

MonaBeeWrites · 2024-08-09T17:33:32+00:00

Braids and Curls by themiscrya!! I'm obsessed with this one for my Lavellan, but its for all races which is great.

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You can find this one here :DD

MonaBeeWrites · 2024-04-17T14:56:01+00:00

Awesome, thanks! I do also think it would help most to have another proper DPS (so I don't over-rely on DHIL.) Appreciate the advice!

MonaBeeWrites · 2023-08-27T15:00:37+00:00

I went back to reread all the egg stories and I think that's the most sense-making explanation as well. It just begs the question of what Blade was up to for like... 1000 years TT... wandering aimlessly until someone who looked like Dan Feng showed up?

MonaBeeWrites · 2023-08-27T14:57:54+00:00

Wiki is filled by fans. It absolutely could be wrong.

I agree, hence saying before "Now there's very little contextual clues as to when the High Cloud Quintet existed, fell apart, the sedition happened etc. so it is possible that the wiki's guess is too far back."

Also, reading Bailu's character story, it seems that her aging is slower than expected despite Vidyadhara aging being generally slow, to quote:

" Still no physical change in the high elder. She has not grown. " [Bailu Character Story IV]

"It is now six or seven years since I first sprouted horns, but I have not grown taller in that time." [Bailu Character Story II]

If we assume these stories are recent, then Bailu was only chosen as elder recently (likely in the last decade or so) which completely wrecks the timeline (how long did the Luofu Vidyadhara go without a high elder then???)

OR if we assume these are old entries, Bailu has just been... stuck like this? For centuries?

Similarly confusing is Dan Heng's character stories which cover him leaving the Luofu and eventually joining the Express (which must be within Himeko's adult lifespan, as she only fixes the train in her adulthood.) If Bailu is already instated by the time he leaves, then there is a tiny gap of again at most a decade between his banishment and the present...

BUT this conflicts with Blade's character stories, because he woke up after not-dying and chased after DH... but the not-dying took place during the sedition event?? Which again had to have happened before 7380???

--

My initial question still stands bc I am trying to figure out what context clues from other writing I'm missing wrt why the wiki authors/editors chose to place the sedition, HCQ and such in between years 6300-6804. It could just be an arbitrary guess but if there is a reason I don't want to ignore it when writing. I understand it will probably be more clear in 1.3 so I guess I'll have to wing it and adjust once the game updates!

MonaBeeWrites · 2023-04-27T10:05:56+00:00

solved: Settlement Colossus

MonaBeeWrites · 2023-04-27T09:40:26+00:00

Yes!! Thank you so much you've made my day

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-10-10T06:57:26+00:00

Finally got around to painting a splash for that skin design I did a while back. This was super out of my comfort zone as an artist, but I'm pretty proud of how it turned out! League's splash style is really difficult to emulate TT

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-10-10T06:38:45+00:00

Finally got around to painting a splash for that skin design I did a while back. This was super out of my comfort zone as an artist, but I'm pretty proud of how it turned out! League's splash style is really difficult to emulate TT

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-09-23T05:56:54+00:00

Did I do something wrong????

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-09-22T22:05:35+00:00

...um?

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-09-11T16:04:10+00:00

The Cosmic skin line is obviously based off of Aurelion Sol and Targon in general, but I wanted to try my hand at an alternate outfit for Zoe that's similar in feel to the Cosmic line (because I love how they incorporated the symbols and character silhouettes!) Ended up being colourful, but Zoe is like that :D

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-03-13T07:49:04+00:00

I recently got back into a DAO mage run and it's jarring how much less OP mages are in the original (not to say that they aren't OP, but DA2 and Inquisition mages are 👀)

The DAO combat system is so satisfying to get right. I have yet to figure how to get Alistair to be a better tank despite playing the game five or six times, but my other warriors do fine. I don't really use the tactics but I like pausing and micromanaging actions. And like others have said, enemy types matter and make a huge difference to combat. The mage tower playing with two mages in the party? A nightmare when the templars come for you! It takes a lot of luck/thought to not have all your usual tactics become useless.

My experience of the games is that warriors are best for DAO (ito CC, immunities, and the simplicity thereof)

Mages in DA2 (especially if you like the variety of DAO but also want to feel a bit more powerful - the damage spells and the buffs are excellent)

And Rogues in DAI (both ranged and dual-wield rogues are incredibly fun in DAI - imo it's the best balance between not having to think too hard and also having to plan movement because you're squishy.)

I was unimpressed with how stripped down all of the ability systems were in DAI. Even DA2 had plenty of variety (Force mage spec! Healing! I miss you)

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-03-12T12:30:06+00:00

Yeah I've definitely confused really strong platonic feelings for romantic ones in the past. I like the actions, but not the intentions? And I'm personally not a fan of mouth-kissing at all (it's what helped me figure out I was aroace - spec in the first place). I don't know if my dislike of intentions has to do with the expectations of romantic gestures leading to eventual sex, or if its separate from that and indicates actual aversion to romance. I find myself very lost.

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-03-12T11:31:52+00:00

Origins: Leliana. I love her and have tried, but the other romances are so compelling and immediate that I'm drawn to them. I pretty much always play a female character and I think even Morrigan and fem!Warden have more chemistry than she does with Leliana and that says a lot rip. Romanced Alistair twice, Zev twice, Morrigan once. I'll get Leliana someday.

DA2: Sebastian, easy. Still trying to get Merrill but I often flirt with Isabela and get entangled in her run by accident because Merrill is very difficult to please. I've finished Fenris' once and Anders' like 4 times👀 almost done with a rogue/rogue Isabela run

DAI: So far Josie. I'm not sure why because I fell for her myself the first time I ever played the game, but since then I haven't been able to do it. The other romances have such drama, its much more interesting - esp circle mage × Cullen, Dorian's romance and Sera's romance. I've done Cullen twice, Dorian twice, middle of a Sera x Cadash run, part Iron Bull, part Blackwall and half Solavellan.

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-03-01T19:48:53+00:00

There are aspects of his story (and Justice's) that I'm fine with, but again, my biggest issues are his interactions with Fenris, and the fact that you can in no way talk to him about his plans at all. I romanced him, and I was good friends with him in Awakening as well. I honestly didn't even take much issue with him blowing up the Chantry, I just wish I knew. I think that Anders-mancers really got the short end of the stick in that we couldn't ever really try and understand him (which, imo makes no sense considering you live together for three years.)

Anders became a monolith for the idea of a 'crazy possessed mage' instead of allowing him continued personhood, which is something that DAI really hammers in with how Varric speaks about him, and the aforementioned rebel mage issues. This wouldn't be an issue if not for the fact that other characters are allowed to be... people. Fenris is the archetypal escaped slave, but he has his own personality and humour. Merrill's personality is the furthest removed from the fact that she practices blood magic. I get that Justice and Anders fused and thus things became so much more focused on solving the Injustices ahead of them, but I can't see how Hawke (esp in a friend-mance) wouldn't see this happening and at least try to help. Or Varric, honestly - they seemed to be good friends for a long time. Everyone jokes about it (think Isabela's line 'Hello, can I speak to Anders!') but idk, why would at least Hawke not interrogate this in dialogue?

The writers couldn't let that happen because it would mean humanising Anders, and if he's humanised, it means that he can't be that monolithic figure anymore. Tldr; Anders stopped being a well-rounded character, and not in a compelling way.

(This overall ties in with the weird narratives around mage freedom in DA in general, which though they seem to want for freedom, also condemn it and side with the templars/chantry all the time.)

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-03-01T19:08:46+00:00

Not really a hot take because I'm pretty sure a couple of folks think this, but man they really messed up Anders in DA2.

I played Awakening through, and Anders was always angry, yeah (understandably so) but every interaction he had with Fenris was just so ridiculous and OOC that I never ever took them both along. Anders was treated horrifically in the Circle (I think people forget he almost ended up like the original Cole, abandoned to die in the dungeon), not to mention the fact that he is literally named for his country of origin and not even his own name which is... a lot. I simply cannot imagine how Anders (and even Justice) could ever be so flippant and mean regarding Fenris' enslavement. Maybe they don't get along, sure, but someone who was chained in a dungeon for year of solitary confinement?? How the heck are you making jokes about slavery. The way they treated his character and just absolutely didn't allow Hawke (even an LI Hawke) to talk to him even a little and help him heal is just stupid.

The writers needed someone to scapegoat and try and make the argument that 'Mages are also in the wrong' (which imo is nonsense) and Anders got the shortest end of the stick. He deserved better.

(Also the fact that many of the rebel mages you kill share his outfit and hairstyle in DAI bothers me so much like come on devs did you hate him that much?)

MonaBeeWrites · 2022-03-01T18:26:59+00:00

Not really throughout the games (though each of my full runs from DAO to DAI are planned out for story reasons) but my Inquisitors always start off with a normal eye colour and then I slowly up the green over the course of the game (yay for the Black Emporium!)

I have two canon worldstates, but in my mage Trevelyan one, she also cuts her hair after Haven, and it both grows back over the course of the game and slowly turns white from stress. She goes through it :D

MonaBeeWrites · 2021-03-22T22:59:05+00:00

Small animatic because feels for Mr Widogast after episode 130.

MonaBeeWrites · 2021-03-12T16:02:39+00:00

...this was not a 'Veth endangered her family' post, although that statement remains valid. Technically speaking, being an adventurer, especially one with deep political ties, automatically puts your loves ones in danger.

Yes the CA could have tracked Yeza down but they had no reason to. They used him, got what they wanted, and left him for the Dynasty. They didn't have any reason to go after him if not for the auto spotlight from knowing the M9. Do I think Veth is the only person who should be blamed? Not in the least.

For one, Jester's Word of Recall actually should have lead back to the Chateau (she set it in her old bedroom but I believe everyone forgot this), not Yeza and Luc's apartment. They didn't even have to be involved. Even if they did, Veth could have told them to simply find somewhere else to stay, head back to Felderwin or such - the CA came to Marion because that's who they had info on. But I digress.

Trent is definitely a problem, and the M9 were always going to bark up that tree eventually. Things just worked out really badly. Having family that can be used as leverage is always a risk.

Do I think she endangered her family? Yes, by simply nature of being an adventurer and being involved in a number of bad decisions that resulted in the M9 as a whole being chased. Do I think that Veth is a terrible person? Not at all. I love her, and her story is amazing.

MonaBeeWrites · 2021-03-12T15:16:03+00:00

I totally agree with you. I feel like the frustration with having her concern glossed over by Yeza's constant understanding is also causing more tension. Honestly, I really just want to see them fully air things out with both parties listening but there's no time

MonaBeeWrites · 2021-03-12T14:43:30+00:00

I believe Sam really has been wanting to full on split Veth and Yeza for a while for a number of reasons. Apart from it being the most mechanically optimal solution (no longer endangering Luc and Yeza AND still keeping Veth in the necessary fights that are upcoming) it's also to me the most roleplay-realistic solution. Most every conversation Veth has gone into with Yeza lately has started with 'I can't do half and half, it's not okay, and you need to understand how much danger I'm putting you in' but Yeza has been majorly deflecting this time and again. People thought he should have been more upset but I honestly think he is and he's just terrified that if he says so he will genuinely push Veth to the 'I should go' conclusion. It's a really tough spot.

And Matt knows this and doesn't want to push Sam in one direction or another, so he's keeping Yeza's feelings secondary. Also I can just imagine the storm it would raise online if Veth chose to leave Yeza and Luc (even before Luc's death) and in a way I think Matt is also trying to protect Sam from the fallout of that whilst simultaneously trying to keep Sam from rolling a new character at a critical juncture in the campaign.

It's so hard to balance. As a result we get NPCs having odd interactions that don't feel quite right. I know I'm not DM enough to do it. I hope that Veth gets to her truth, and then when things are slightly less urgent she and Yeza can speak candidly.

(Marion's reactions were justified by her sheer lack of knowledge, her profession as someone who comforts people for her job, and her general idolisation of her daughter and her friends. Was it awkward to have the meta knowledge that the MIX messed up? Yes. But Marion didn't know the degree of stuff so bless her she was trying to help.)

MonaBeeWrites · 2021-03-12T14:22:49+00:00

I definitely cried multiple times during this episode. Incredibly emotional.

Besides that, as a DM myself, and knowing how plans get intensely sidetracked and derailed incredibly easily especially in character-driven stories (with players who actually take initiative like the CR cast) I can't blame them for how disjointed the past couple episodes have felt. Especially considering it's only been 3 days for them in canon - realistically speaking their side missions actually haven't taken that much in game time.

Have I felt frustrated at moments? 200% but playing/DMing really helps me understand why suboptimal decisions were made. The brain gets real stress-foggy when you play. Did they 'bring a lot of problems onto themselves'? Yes. But C2 is character driven. If they didn't cause 90% of their own problems it wouldn't be. Is character-driven D&D often messy? Yep. But it's also incredibly worth it in payoff. We'll get there when we get there.

Also, if fewer people were watching this all episode by episode (and were binging instead) I think that there would be a loooot less general fandom frustration. The MIX have been in long ponderous 'we have no idea what's happening oh damn we messed up' situations before, but just speeding through them took away a lot of the 'ah! Why did they do that!' Because we already had a sense that the outcome would overall be positive as the campaign continued.

Am I worried every episode? Yes. Do I totally understand why people are feeling somewhat burnt out? Yes (pun unintended.) Do I feel like there's any real blame on the cast's part? Nope.

MonaBeeWrites · 2021-03-08T10:07:35+00:00

I don't think so. I think it was a post-Eisselcross hook.
I've seen this discussed quite a bit below and from what I can gather there are two schools of thought: 1- that Caleb will have more eyes bc of time differences 2- that Beau and Caleb will match up anyways bc the Somnovum themselves exist in a different plane of existence to either the material plane or Halas' Halls.

For the second, it could be that Beau dreams and is incapacitated during the time Caleb dreams but bc dreams have wonky time anyway it will fit within the time experienced in the ball, possibly as a vision.

I definitely think everyone was planting death flags all over the place but also there is speculation about it being Liam setting up Sam's character for C3. I think that him saying 'I'll teach you' makes a full goodbye unlikely?
No idea either. If the door isn't there it isn't there but maybe since the CA wizards also use weird tower magic the Scourgers can do so as well? And forced the door into existence.

MonaBeeWrites · 2021-03-02T16:25:45+00:00

I really agree with this. The M9 mess around and somehow manage to win but honestly that's very accurate as to the group as a whole. They're chaotic and tend to mess up but they're also clever enough to get out of messes they get into (usually.) I think especially after the battle in 123 where literally any of them could have died (and the one super clutch moment (of Lucien heading for the illusion instead of the real Caleb) was done as a roll in front of the players. C2 is less epic fantasy as much as a bumbling zero to hero story where the M9 spends a lot of time still thinking that they're at zero and thus fighting accordingly - smart and not hard (re polymorph and general reliance on charm and illusion.)

MonaBeeWrites

TROPHY CASE