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[Dragon Age: Inquisition] - Jaws Of Hakkon DLC out now for PC, XONE - others in May
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This is literally what 99% of Circles are.
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I love that dumb hat. I keep it on Solas.
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Unfortunately that is not true. They force people away from their families and friends, and the mages have no choice, none, at all. They go, or they are an apostate and will either be killed, made tranquil, or forced to a circle.
Once in the circle it might be more nurturing, but that's entirely up to the relationship between the templars and mages at that particular circle.
They are forced to give up blood so that even if they dare to try and escape, they can be tracked down at any moment to be punished, even if they would never have made any trouble in their life.
It's a prison, period. That it's not always a horrible prison doesn't change the fact. It needs to be something more amicable to all parties, as it stands now mages are little more than slaves and prisoners.
3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
"Hey there, Bobby. I know you accidentally set your mother on fire. Now, we could send you somewhere where you can study and learn how to not accidentally set people on fire with your brain but hey, totally your choice!"
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I would like to add that this decision for Wicked Eyes can produce a truly hilarious sequence later.
Then again, almost all of the Sit in Judgement sequences are kind of hilarious. I'm looking at you, Goat Man.
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Edit: Also, hey, don't lobotomize people. That's not okay.
3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Using circles and mages being completely free are the two extremes and cannot happen. There must be middle ground. Also, seriously guys, I did that we are all *really* passionate about this topic, but its approaching goosery levels of intensity. Take a day or two off, and cooldown.
It is unfortunate that the game doesn't give us many viable third options, or choices along a spectrum in degrees. I think that is a failing of computer games. Were this a sit-down DnD game, or Pathfinder game, the players could hash out a viable system.
As it stands for my solution to this whole mess:
spoiler for giant fuck-off post
1. Magic is inherent and a core aspect of who the mage is. Trying to remove it is the same as cutting off a normal person's arm or leg, or lobotomization.
(keep this in mind, because I'm not finished with this)
2. Because of magic's very nature and potential for destruction, a mage must submit to a phylactary. I cannot see any way around this at the current time. It is the same as registering for a sidearm, except this sidearm is a part of the person with possible tac nukes in the chamber. Giving a phylactary should be viewed as an act of good faith and trust in the mage for doing so.
3. Schools and colleges will be the normal means of congregation and learning. This part is key. A full fledged and Harrowed Mage is allowed to come and go as they please from a school or college. They can have as extraordinary or mundane lives as they wish. They can marry, have children, own land, pay taxes, etc.
4. What of newly found mages? Young ones? I hate to force this upon them, but they must attend the schools. They must be taught how to defend themselves from demons at the very least, for the protection of everyone, including themselves. They can still meet with their family, friends and kin. While the student cannot leave until they are Harrowed, the school will make every effort possible to allow a student to see their family, paying for the trip, offering hands to help with harvest, etc. Given that mages are a rather small percentage of society, this can and should be done.
5. What of the purpose of mages? Mages first and foremost are servants of the people. They use their magic to help society, whether that's to keep frost from withering crops, helping the sick and injured, helping against darkspawn and blights. Using magic to help construction projects, or to produce favorable wind currents for trade. If people see mages helping and protecting the weak and the sick, they would be less scared of what a mage really is. You overcome the fear with exposure, you don't lock it away out of sight. This reciprocates to mages as well. Mages see people as people and not potential blood sacks of power. As servants of people, they are humbled and know that their power is for the good of society.
6. Mages cannot become leaders of nations. This ties more into the philosophy that mages are servants, but Tevinter is a good example of not allowing mages becoming leaders. It would eventually lead to a mageocracy. (Dorian even mentions as much, anyone can be a Magister, it's just 'incidental' that all Magisters are mages). I would even say that mages can not be chancellors or advisors-to-the-ruler. There is too much possibility for a coup or usurpation of power (most Disney films). Mages can be called upon in a public or court forums for advice and insight into topics from abominations to the fade and from crops and economics to national interests, since going to the schools means more than just learning about magic, but having learned of other things along the way.
7. Mages cannot become part of any army, save the Wardens or in defense against darkspawn. Again, mages are servants of the people, not pawns or power brokers in the Game of Thrones. Seriously, fuck those in power that would use magic as a weapon in wars against man.
8. Blood magic, [REDACTED PLOT] magic, mind alteration magic, fucking crazy world ending magic. Banned. Do not do it. I don't care what your reasoning for it. These are considered heinous acts akin to genocide and rape. Blood magic is self destructive regardless of whatever you plan to gain from it, and it is too easy to keep using it, and its all the more heinous if you use someone else. Such acts require a punishment of the same magnitude, and not done lightly or on a whim. Death is too easy for someone willing to spill blood... Tranquility. They will serve a better purpose as living reminders of what it means to use such magic.
Yes I am fully aware of what Tranquility means and what it does to people. But in Thedas, it seems that people only really take notice and know you are serious about something when you Tranquil someone so... there you go. I am willing to bear the mantle of judge and executioner/ice pick lobotomy facilitator.
What of Templars in this new system?
1. Templars, first and foremost, are protectors of everyone. They protect mages and regular people alike. They exemplify everything that is just and right in the races of Thedas. Akin to King Arthur's ideal of his Knights of the Round. To always do the right thing, to stand up for the downtrodden, to help the weak and poor and destitute.
2. Templars have no right or jurisdiction over how mages or regular people live their lives. It shouldn't have to be stated, but well there it is. Protectors turned into jailors between Andraste and now so I might as well state it.
3. Templar initiates and rank and file will not be subjected to lyrium. I do not care what the 'benefits' are for using it, you will not create an army that is beholden to whoever controls the lyrium/spice. In fact, I'd just cast aside lyrium all together. The addiction would undermine a Templar's judgement of doing the right thing, etc.
4. Templars would be servants of the people as well, like mages, but in more martial roles. Like the townwatch or police. Templars are to work hand in hand with mages to capture and subdue rogue mages. Since they hunt mages, they would be taught how to face mages in combat, without lyrium as a crutch. It can be done. Many heroes have done so before.
Steam - NotoriusBEN | Uplay - notoriusben | Xbox,Windows Live - ThatBEN
WHERE THE FUCK IS THIS HELMET
It was in the trailers and I want it for Cassandra but it's nowhere to be found!!
Also, in regards to Connor, that wouldn't have happened if they weren't trying to hide his magic because of the circles. If he would have been enrolled in magic school at the first sign of powers, it would have completely sidestepped that ugliness.
Both of those groups take very careful care of their young mages, though.
1) Tevinter has Circles.
2) The Dalish also send ten year olds into the wilderness alone when they have "too many" mages. Should that happen, too?
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That's only for badasses who already have like an entire lion's mane around their shoulders.
Do you have an entire lion's mane on your shoulders???
2) Who cares what other things the Dalish do? That has nothing to do with anything.
Because the Dalish operate in tiny nomadic units that are an entirely different culture and have a mage on hand to dedicate all of their time to mentoring one or two mages? It's a completely different paradigm.
And the Tevinter imperium still has Circles. We don't know the details of how young mages are trained but I doubt they let them run willy nilly without supervision.
B-but Cullen didn't even have it in-game!
Unless I missed it? Either way, I'm the goddamn Inquisitor, if anyone deserves a lion helmet it's me hand it over blondie
1) Considering mages can live outside the Circles elsewhere...what's your point?
2) It absolutely matters when your argument is "The Dalish take care of their mages." The Dalish take care of two or three of their mages and fuck the rest.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
(The great bears ate them all.)
1) But not really. They are ripped from their families, and are given almost no autonomy. Some privileged mages get to do other things, but many are locked away and also lobotomized whenever the Templars feel like it.
2) No it doesn't. This is the same nonsense as the "But Tevinter also has slavery" argument. (That doesn't have anything to do with the way mages are treated in Tevinter. This doesn't have anything to do with not locking away mages.) The Dalish kick out mages because they don't want to get caught by Templars who FUCKING HUNT MAGES!
Shit, even Bethany gets day passes if she goes to the Circle, and she's in fucking Kirkwall
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Hey, tell me, is Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters a prison?
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Also, this is verging on derailing, so I'm gonna stop here.
I swear I got that helm in my first playthrough but I have since deleted that character and don't have it in any others.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Little kids are just like drawing lions all day. Cullen wanted a sick lion helmet all his life and now that's he adult, he can have that you can't stop me mom.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
http://www.strawpoll.me/3211375