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visceralcoma · 2 months ago

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If anyone has a higher opinion of Vivienne, reblog with your defense of her. Maybe there's something I missed somehow, I'd love a debate on this!

Just quoting this because you asked and I got sent this post BECAUSE you put this in there. Normally I don't engage with Vivienne haters because people are allowed to have their negative interpretations about characters. But you not only asked but also posted this into the main character tag instead of just labelling this as vivienne critical or anti vivienne.

Her experience as a mage was NOT privileged or a life of luxury. She did not come from a noble family, but from abject poverty. And we can infer this by some cryptic dialogue Cole says in reference to Vivienne

[Cole about Vivienne] "A breath-caught smile from the Enchanter as the candle lights. The walls are safe; she will never be hungry again."

This is referencing a moment in her life before she became Duke Bastien's pet/lover (whatever you want to call it). The fact she even had to worry about never going hungry again either means A, the circles weren't feeding her enough - which is doubtful because as a "well behaved" mage she would have been given food, or B her life before the circle was rife with such abject poverty it was a constant worry. In either instance, it means she did not live a life of luxury, did not come from privilege or wealth. She clawed her way up to a position of prestige in a system that was not meant for people like her.

For her gameplay, the Knight Enchanter is an Orlesian-Human reskin of the Dalish Arcane Warrior. Originally the entire subclass was extremely badass where you could solo a dragon as it. But Bioware nerfed it because it made all other subclasses pale in comparison. Seriously those abilities were so much more powerful on release. Most people who played as mage, chose the knight enchanter specialization because of that. But they readjusted the percentages, cooldowns, and damage so that it offered more chance of party-cooperation instead of it being the MVP of the battlefield. Me thinks you only know of this depleted version of the knight enchanter.

You compare Vivienne to Sera about Sera being for the common people, yet it is Vivienne - NOT Sera who approves of the inquisitor for saving the 6 townspeople in Haven. It is Vivienne - NOT Sera - who consoles the Inquisitor if they show remorse and grief over who they couldn't save. And it is Vivienne who is painfully aware of how mages are seen by the common people, commenting on how a Mage!Inquisitor is being an example. Whether it be to other mages or to common folk for what Mages can do and be for them. How they're not scary and what they can offer. Something Vivienne is clearly trying to do herself by living as an example of what mages can be for the common folk. Also she knows to fear Templars. Its very evident in banter with Cole if you bothered to take them out together (where Cole invades her privacy to reveal this despite her telling him not to address her)

Cole: You're afraid. You don't have to be.

Vivienne: My dear Inquisitor, please restrain your pet demon. I do not want it addressing me.

(If Inquisitor supports Cole.)

Inquisitor: He's not doing any harm, Vivienne.

Vivienne: It's a demon, darling. All it can do is harm.

(If Inquisitor supports Vivienne.)

Inquisitor: Cole, Vivienne doesn't want to talk right now.

Cole: She's afraid!

Cole: Everything bright, roar of anger as the demon rears. No, I will not fall. No one will control me ever again.

Cole: Flash of white as the world comes back. Shaking, hollow, Harrowed, but smiling at templars to show them I'm me.

Cole: I am not like that. I can protect you. If Templars come for you, I will kill them.

Vivienne: Delightful.

So to make the bold claim that she never experienced Templars beating her up, when they very clearly stood as a force above her - controlling her - a symbol and presence and reminder to fear them. As if just the mere threat of on fuck up isn't as traumatic as being physically beat up. She VERY much knew the terror of going through the Harrowing, that failing to do so would mean execution. She lived that existence. Its no wonder she holds their leash tight once made Divine.

And that all goes without saying the casual racism she experiences on the daily while in court.

Cole: Stepping into the parlor, hem of my gown snagged, no, adjust before I go in, must look perfect. Vivienne: My dear, your pet is speaking again. Do silence it. Cole: Voices inside. Marquis Alphonse. Cole: “I do hope Duke Bastien puts out the lights before he touches her. But then, she must disappear in the dark.” Cole: Gown tight between my fingers, cold all over. Unacceptable. Wheels turn, strings pull. Cole: He hurt you. You left a letter, let out a lie so he would do something foolish against the Inquisition. A trap. Vivienne: Inquisitor, as your demon lacks manners, perhaps you could get Solas to train it.

Her fear of Irrelevance is a pretty valid fear as she's clearly been trying to be symbol of what Mages CAN be if trusted with more responsibilities, and more freedom. if circle mages didn't live in circles like Kirkwall or Kinloch Hold, but like Ostwick or the White Spire. She wants to uplift the experience of all other mages in circle towers t be closer to what she had, so they had a better experience. It's not the best of course, but it's a step in the right direction. And is what she does when she is made Divine with high approval, makes it so mages have more responsibilities - showing they can contribute to the public. Because lasting changes happen with inches, and this is an inch that is doable. Give the mages more responsibilities, change the public's opinions of mages - get more freedoms for mages while they continue to have support from the circles in terms of lodgings, food, and protection. Vivienne wants to reform the circles, not keep the status quo like Cassandra does. So what happens if she's irrelevant. No other circle mage has clawed their way to the point that she is, if she is irrelevant, who will actually help her fellow circle mages? No one. Thats why she fears being irrelevant.

Vivienne did not join the Inquisition because Morrigan stole her position. Vivienne joined because Morrigan had Celene's ear as the Occult Advisor, where as Vivienne was the Court Enchanter (which is essentially a court jester role, and one Vivienne brought respect to, and is a huge step toward mage emancipation)- that's two different positions. Vivienne says as much that no one took anything from her. But that Celene was listening to Morrigan instead of her and that was her prerogative. She didn't agree, and Celene never forced her out - but Vivienne left anyway because she couldn't sit idly by while Morrigan ruined the reputation of Mages she has created in the court. Especially not when there were more important things at stake, like the end of the world thanks to the Breach.

Also the fact Vivienne at no point leaves the inquisition despite the low approval is a testament that it isn't about her. The world is more important than petty disagreements with the Inquisitor. And the worst she does at low approval is a Sera-worthy prank, moving your stuff around. (Which actually reminds me of how Sera tries to prank Vivienne many times, and Vivienne sounds amused by it. I am willing to bet Vivienne dealt with far more creative pranks in the circles than what Sera was trying, and thats why she was largely unbothered).

Some Bonus points and headcanons. A High approval Vivienne gives the inquisitor a ring. No other companions or advisor does the same. And my sapphic heart about died seeing the symbol of a queerplatonic relationship with that. That's a pretty solid symbol of a proposal, even if she can't do anything with it. I always headcanon that we can flirt with her, but can't romance her because she knows the circles will be back and having a romance she actually cared about would be dangerous if the Templars were be back in power. But a ring, as a symbol of her affection for you - is all she can do. With all the heart ache of pining.

So there ya go. I apologize for the length.

I was thinking back on all the companion characters across the Dragon Age series, and besides that one Dalish mage lady from Awakening whose name I can't remember, there's only ONE companion that I legitimately hate...

Vivienne from Dragon Age Inquisition.

I cannot stand her, both in terms of story and gameplay.

Gameplay is self explanatory: when you unlock all the companion characters unique skill trees halfway through, Vivienne has absolutely GARBAGE abilities. I get why "melee mage" might be interesting in concept, but it was executed so poorly. A mana sword spell, a worse version of fade step, and time bubble spell that doesn't even work on larger enemies (compared to Sera's flask of Lightning that can Za Warudo a fucking dragon, it's an absolute joke). It's whole "noble militant" history thing (via the trainers dialogue for this subclass as a mage inquisitor) feels unbearably snooty after the past two games delved into how oppressed the mages are. And Vivienne, as a character, to have this subclass is even more ammunition to my hatred. Her experience with being a mage was nothing but privilege and luxury, so learning that fighting style of "dangerous elegance that inspires your allies" makes me wanna barf then introduce her to Fenris and Anders to give the boys something to agree on: Vivienne is as privileged as the Tevinter Magisters and cares nothing for the abuse and oppression the Circle Towers have always contained. Let's see how her little glowy sword does against the two of them...

As a character in the Narrative, she is introduced around the same time as Sera, and at first most players (including myself!) felt repulsed by Sera and charmed by Vivienne. As the game progresses, you come to see them in opposite lights:

Sera is, above all else, a protector of the common people. She, and the rest of the Friends of Red Jenny, undermine the nobility who abuse their power over others, just by gaining the trust and help of the servants those Noblemen believe are beneath them. Through all that brash demeanor and colorful swearing, she keeps the Inquisitor humble, reminds them that their title and authority will get in the way of saving the world if they forget that they and all who serve the Inquisition are people.

Vivienne, on the other hand, is an entitled brat who never lived in a Circle Tower long enough to see the truth of what they are: Prisons. She got to learn magic from the comfort of Orlais, and played politics as she danced the waltz before snacking gingerly on some shrimp or whatever. She was never beaten bloody by a Templar who was just looking for an excuse to "punish" a mage, or gone through The Harrowing with the terror of knowing failure means execution by the Templars, or Maker forbid being thrown into a damp cell and forgotten about by the Templars who put her there until starvation claimed her life; Cole can attest to that last one if Vivienne dares to deny that level of cruelty being possible from the "protectors" of the mages.

In "Here Lies The Abyss", there is a graveyard in the Nightmare's domain; a graveyard where the tombstones read out the darkest terrors of all the companions. I'm still fascinated and confused by what Sera's fear of "The Nothing" means, and would love some explanations in the reblogs! But Vivienne's fear is... Irrelevance! 😂 Yeah Vivienne, it must be scary to be forgotten about huh? To lose your popularity, your attention, your "friends" among the nobility? Josephine could do it to you, it'd take her a week at most and I'd be more than happy to order her to destroy your precious reputation...

Vivienne joined the Inquisition because Morrigan stole her spot as Empress Celene's "occult advisor", and she wanted to feel and be important again. But I am happy to leave her to her own devices in Skyhold, letting her wallow in her insignificance.

If anyone has a higher opinion of Vivienne, reblog with your defense of her. Maybe there's something I missed somehow, I'd love a debate on this!

#long post #madame de fer #enchanter vivienne

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warpedlegacywrites · 5 months ago

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The Reign, ch14: A Future without Hope

Theresa meets with Fiona and Vivienne to discuss the future fate of mages in Thedas.

“Mages have waited long enough for our freedom.” Fiona’s aura stretched outward in a dense, threatening fog. “If it will not be given willingly, it must be taken by force.” Vivienne was unphased. “I hear that so wearily often. It must be a great comfort to the common folk to know that their survival is trivial, compared to our freedom.” “The two needn’t be mutually exclusive!” “Oh but they are. However much we may wish it, we are not like everyone else. Anyone can see that a chevalier is armed and dangerous, and they can see when his blade is about to strike. But they cannot see us coming. And we cannot simply leave our magic at the door like one would a sword. The world is not ready to trust mages.” “And when, in your mind, will they be ready?” “I’m sure I don’t know. But certainly not on the heels of the most violent uprising in living memory. Justinia’s death shattered the balance of power in Thedas. If it is not restored quickly, countless lives will be lost. Mages, templars, innocents of all kinds now look to the Inquisition to decide their fate. We must be their example. Now is not the time to push the envelope.” “What would you propose?” I asked quickly, in hopes of redirecting them. Vivienne spoke to me, but kept her eyes on Fiona. “Rather than destroy the phylacteries, keep them close at hand, here in Skyhold. It would also be wise to create new ones for every mage already present. They will be well-protected, and enable us to have a more accurate accounting of our numbers.” “With, no doubt, the caveat that we use them to track down any who do not wish to join our ranks?” Fiona sneered. “How remarkably loyal of you.” “Do not use words you don’t understand, Fiona,” Vivienne answered coldly. “You only betray your own ignorance.”

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#my writing #theresa trevelyan #inquisitor trevelyan #grand enchanter fiona #vivienne de fer #mage politics #mage freedom #Circle politics

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