Gearing up for Dragon Age 2

Dragon Age Origins Blog politics The Hawke and the Dove: Thedas Politics

BioWare has revealed many tidbits about Dragon Age 2 and its new protagonist Hawke, but with the game still in early development, it will be awhile before we can put all the pieces together, and get a real sense of the world we’ll visit in their upcoming sequel. Fortunately, this means that speculation is all the more fun! Join us as we take a look at some of the factors in the ever-changing political arena of Ferelden and central Thedas, and try to shed some light on what Hawke may face when Dragon Age 2 is released.

The Future of Redcliffe: Though the Blight took a heavy toll on Ferelden’s forces, Redcliffe has weathered the storm better than most. Arl Eamon’s forces weren’t at Ostagar, and survived Loghain’s massacre. And while all arlings  undoubtedly lost soldiers at the siege of Denerim, both Eamon and his brother Teagan survived the siege.

In fact, with her people  safe, Redcliffe’s greatest challenge now may be securing the future. With Connor removed from the line of succession (through death, demonic possession or joining the Circle) and the prospect of another heir untouched by the curse of magic growing slim, Eamon’s own line is failing. In all probability, the arling will pass to Teagan.

Dragon Age Origins Blog Court in Amaranthine The Hawke and the Dove: Thedas Politics

Northern Instability: We see little of Denerim politics during Awakening, but the hints we have indicate that Ferelden’s new monarch has their hands full. Despite his status as a Grey Warden, Alistair says he cannot stay around for the rebuilding of Vigil’s Keep. And while Anora gives us a courtly welcome to Amaranthine, she is just as eager to return to Denerim. Whatever our problems at Vigil’s Keep, the political situation in the rest of Ferelden is clearly significant enough that it requires a monarch’s full attention.

Unfortunately, this leaves our Wardens on their own as we deal with the nebulous politics of Arl Howe’s former estate. Treachery is abundant here, and it seems the region of Amaranthine is completely divided into those loyal to the crown, and those who were in Rendon Howe’s back pocket. The nobles of Ferelden have always been a fickle lot, but in Amaranthine they have become bitter political enemies who often settle their scores with blood.

Bordering Nations: Depending on how we leave things as Wardens, the situation between Ferelden and Orlais may be one of tentative friendship, or of faltering peace. Many Fereldans can still remember the sting of Orlesian oppression, and the future of both nations may rely heavy upon how we dealt with such mistrust.

If Alistair became king of Ferelden, then it is possible that most of the anti-Orlesian sentiment of Loghain’s generation died with the Hero of the River Dane. But if our Wardens crown Anora, or even more to the point, if we allow Loghain to live, then it is far more likely that Ferelden’s xenophobia spiked after the Blight, and that relations between Orlais and Ferelden are on a downward spiral.

We learn very little about the Free Marches during the Blight and its aftermath. The region apparently lacks a central government, instead being composed of various city-states which band together only in times of crisis.

Dragon Age Origins Blog Shadow Form The Hawke and the Dove: Thedas Politics

In Dragon Age: Awakening we meet Nathaniel Howe, who was sent to the Free Marches a few years before the Blight broke out. While Nathaniel is very different from his father, and seeks to distance himself from the crimes that have sullied the Howe name, he proves throughout Awakening to be a strong fighter and when needed, a deadly rogue.

Though the lore of the Free Marches is largely unknown in Ferelden, as SteveGarbage writes in his recent article on Hawke’s origins, the region has a talent for training capable soldiers. And deadly soldiers operating on their own initiative without the guidance of a monarch or council could certainly muddy the waters for Ferelden and the rest of Thedas in the times to come.

Interracial Diplomacy: Despite heavy losses the political ties between Ferelden and the Dalish, or the dwarves of Orzammar may actually be stronger than they were before the Blight. The Grey Wardens played a key role in securing stability for both nations, by ending the werewolf curse in the Brecilian Forest, and by choosing a successor to Orzammar’s throne.

Possible hurdles still exist in the shadow of the Anvil of the Void, a powerful relic which may in time prove to turn the hearts of dwarves against the surface, and in the increased tensions between the Dalish and their human neighbors.

Flemeth: It has already been confirmed that Flemeth will be making an appearance in DA2, and it wouldn’t be the first time she has played a role in Fereldan politics. As Wardens, we meet her in the Korcari Wilds, where she becomes not only an ally by preserving the Grey Warden treaties we need to reform Ferelden’s armies, but a lifesaver as well. Ferelden’s Grey Wardens would have died out completely if not for her timely arrival at the Tower of Ishal.

But Flemeth has made such interventions before. In The Stolen Throne, she saves the lives of Maric and Loghain, though not before making some cryptic predictions about Maric’s future:

“You will hurt the ones you love the most, and become what you hate in order to save what you love.” — The Stolen Throne by David Gaider, page 367

And that is the catch to Flemeth’s goodwill – it never comes without some price. Nevertheless, in a world where abominations are feared and reviled, and where most demons we meet are hellbent on destruction, Flemeth’s own more subtle movements prove that not all spirits serve the dark forces. But whatever Flemeth’s plans are, they are too complex for us to fully understand.

Whether our Wardens “killed” Flemeth at Morrigan’s behest or allowed her to go free, we do know that it will take more than death to stop her. Time will only tell what role she will play in DA2.

Do you have any predictions for the political landscape of Dragon Age 2? Tell us in the comments.

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