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"redemption arcs are toxic, you shouldn't try to fix someone!"

actually it is so important to me that being in community and experiencing human connection can save people. thanks

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I understand and agree with a lot of the frustrations about the shortcomings of Inquisition as a story. but sometimes when I hear people complain about the chosen one narrative in it I do want to just be like... you know it's a deconstruction of the concept more than anything, right. the inquisitor isn't actually chosen by anything except stumbling into the wrong (right?) room at the right (wrong?) time because they like, heard a noise or whatever. or if you think they are chosen, as many do in-universe, that's something you have to take on faith, the maker-or-whoever moves in mysterious ways indeed-style. the Inquisitor isn't actually a Destined Chosen One, they're a Just Some Guy in a fancy hat, self-delusions of grandeur to taste as you'd prefer.

a running thread that goes through all of the personal quests of the companions is the concept of a comforting lie vs. an uncomfortable truth, upholding old corrupt structures vs. disrupting them, and the role of faith in navigating that. (blackwall the warden vs. thom rainier the liar and murderer. hissrad vs. the iron bull, or is that the other way around? cassandra and the seekers -- do we tell the truth about what we find, even if it means dismantling the old order of the world? and so on.) and your inquisitor IS at the same time a comforting lie (a necessary one, in dark times? the game seems to ask) and an uncomfortable truth (we are the result of random fickle chance, no protective hand is held over the universe, it's on us to make a better world because the maker sure as hell won't lift a divine finger to help anyone, should he against all odds exist). faith wielded for political power... where's the point that it crosses the line into ugliness? is it before it even begins? what's the alternative? will anyone listen to the truth, if you tell it?

interesting how you also get a mix of companion agency in this -- you have characters like dorian who ALWAYS choose one side of the comforting lie vs. uncomfortable truth dichotomy. he will always make up his own mind to go back to tevinter and try to dismantle the corruption of the old system no matter what you say, or how you try to influence him. meanwhile iron bull is on the complete opposite side of the spectrum -- so psychologically trapped and mangled, caught in an impossible spiritual catch-22, that his sense of identity is left entirely to you and your mercy. you cannot change dorian in any way that matters; you can be his friend or not, support him or not, but he is whole no matter what. you are given incredible and potentially destructive-to-him power over bull's soul. it's really cool (and heartbreaking) to think about.

this is a game about how history will eat you even while you're still alive, and shape you into whatever image it pleases to serve it, and for all your incredible power right now you are powerless in the face of the gravitational force of time -- of more than time, of History. you won't recognize yourself in what History will make of you, because you belong to it now. you don't belong to yourself anymore and you never will again. the further you were from what it needs from you to begin with, the more you will find yourself distorted in its funhouse mirror. (why hello there inquisitor ameridan, same hat!)

and to me this is so much the core of what Dragon Age is about right from the Origins days -- how and by whom history gets written, the inherent unreliable narration of it all. I hope you like stories, Inquisitor. You are one now.

I do think it's probably still the weakest of the games narratively, and it's hampered by its structure and bloated systems. but I also find it disingenous to say that there's nothing deeper or actually interesting going on with it, thematically. if you're willing to engage with it there is Some Real Shit going on under the high fantasy-tinted surface.

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my favourite part of baldurs gate so far is the stardew valley grandpa showing up to eat cheese in your camp and tell gale that his ex gf wants him to kill himself

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Astarion’s simple plan

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Stars Aesthetics

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Comet Pons-Brooks l March 1, 2024 l Aleix Roig

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Pictured: Gale rolling a nat 1 on his insight check

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Pro life tip: it is literally not your task to solve when it comes conflict between two good friends

Learning the hard way but when you act as middle man you only stand to lose in the situation most of the time. Frankly pull out of the situation altogether and it might cause short term strife. But ultimately long term it’s beneficial

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Astarion using a small mirror to gaze at Tav without them knowing. The party has just gotten out of battle, and Tav is patching up. Astarion pulls the mirror out ever-so-subtly to see they are well- because no he won’t dare go up and just ask if you are okay. If Astarion did that would mean he cared and he reasons that staring at you with the mirror is not the same thing.

Astarion ,using a mirror so obviously even though he has no reflection, and everyone else noticing it but Tav.

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— valentine’s day 💌💕

[Free] Masterlist Headers & Dividers!

Please consider liking or reblogging if you use 💕

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DO NOT DO THIS!!!

If a website has a paywall, like New York Times, DO NOT use the ctrl+A shortcut then the ctrl+c shortcut as fast as you can because then you may accidentally copy the entire article before the paywall comes up. And definitely don't do ctrl+v into the next google doc or whatever you open because then you will accidentally paste the entire article into a google doc or something!!!! I repeat DO NOT do this because it is piracy which is absolutely totally wrong!!!

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i love my wife

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So keeping in line with my new years resolution was to just try new things and be okay with stepping out of my comfort zone. So I did go on what was like a border line blind date with someone as I was set up through a friend- felt absolutely no spark at all. I was honest with the guy and told him exactly that and that’s what I was looking for.

The man sends me a snap and I open and don’t reply. And then….

Him: “what are your thoughts are on a friend-with benefits relationship? My guess is your looking for a long term commitment type of a relationship but I just thought I’d ask”

Just didn’t reply but really wild leap of question to make to someone you barely know, told you they weren’t interested, and just wasn’t interested in talking to you afterwards. (Got no problem with people having these type of arrangements but me and this dude are not even friends)

And to also specifically identify CORRECTLY even about what I’m looking for but then ask that

That’s wild

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bringing this meme back, just for ascended astarion

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Wyll is an absolute gem

Ok, folks, you know. I love Wyll as a character. Just look at these:

He sold his soul to the devils 

He is mutilated for life

His father, the only person he respected, disowned him

His ass belongs to the batshit crazy demon who put him in the bureaucracy hell

There is a brain-eating parasite in his brain

He is 2-minutes away from turning into a tentacle monster

But gods, he is so calm about it. He is never angry, never upset, supports other characters, and never loses hope. How can't you love Wyll? Wyll is everything.

ADD: Wyll is the only character in the game who is "your typical fantasy hero." He is a brave, chivalrous nobleman, ready to challenge any monster to protect common folks. Tragic backstory, of course - sold the soul to save his people. Imagine him being an MC in a classic fantasy book. Or the protagonist in an old movie. But always - heroic, kind, brave, cunning. Wyll is the character who saves the princess, Wyll is the character who fights the greater evil, and Wyll is this very guy who wears shining armor and leads his loyal people to the battle.  He is a paladin who has to be the warlock. He is the prince who has to be an outcast. He is a nobleman having to leave among the poor. He is the character fantasy writers dedicate long-ass series of books slowly upgrading them to be the Chosen ones and the promised princes.

Wyll is perfect. Protect Wyll at all costs.