It became immediately clear that Alistair is no Garrus. Nonetheless, in comparison to my other prospects, which comprised the vulpine Zevran (who was only too quick to reattempt my assassination, even after being showered with gifts of friendship and displaying a deceptively high approval) and the vapid, lisping Leliana, the former templar seemed the least objectionable.
Garrus may not be a very good Turian, but he's a man's man, a master tactician, and loyalty incarnate. Compare him to the short-sighted, weak-willed, unimaginative Alistair, who, given the opportunity, would have cast away a brave and formidable woman, one whom he had professed to love, simply because she might not be able to get pregnant.
After recovering from the initial shock that, even after being explicitly asked what physical changes accompanied becoming a Grey Warden, Alistair was only now sharing his suspicions that the Joining rendered one near-infertile, I began to wonder where he had gotten his information. Duncan was an unlikely source, having only replied "You'll see," when similarly questioned. Additionally, Alistair would have had only six months to become acquainted with the two dozen (at most) members of the small Fereldan Grey Warden faction prior to the battle at Ostagar, none of whom had been women, which would have precluded his ability to observe the nature of Grey Warden fecundity first-hand. If Alistair had encountered any writings detailing the reproductive workings between Grey Wardens during our past year's sojourn, he had certainly failed to share them for inclusion in the codex. All of this flicked through my incredulous brain while Alistair gamely attempted to cut me loose, and for the first time I thought: Morrigan and Anora were right. He's an idiot.
Understanding that remaining with Alistair required me to wrest away any choice he had in the matter was not made any less galling with the realization that any decision he might have made would have been ill-informed. (Securing any other politically or economically advantageous marriage* was no guarantee the union would produce an heir and, if we're going to lend credence to anecdotal evidence and disregard sample bias, you'd think if I were able to snatch Arl Eamon from the jaws of death by procuring Andraste's ashes, I'd damn well be able to track down some other magical thingummy-jig allowing two Wardens to procreate.) I comforted myself with the fact that there were worse things than becoming queen and accepted that, ultimately, the charming, but innately feckless, Theirin boys needed strong, loyal women at their sides for the good of Ferelden, as well as themselves. This Warden warrior-queen may have been the nonpareil of 9:31 Dragon, but she's still waiting for her Turian.
Regardless, I loved being able to experience all the different dialogue and plot permutations in order to achieve my optimal play-through. Recruiting Zevran once was sufficient to discover that I actually relish slitting his throat after he fails to assassinate me during our first encounter. After besting Loghain myself, I prefer to allow Alistair to execute him: I deny Loghain death at the hand of the one living person he regards as an equal, I bring the still-grieving Alistair some measure of closure, and I eliminate any possibility of a union between Alistair and the grasping Anora. Her performance at the Landsmeet banishes any pity I might have felt in deposing her and I imagine our final conversation in the tower going something like this:
Warden: Anora.
Anora: (stiffly) Your Highness.
Warden: (to the guards) Leave us. I will call for you shortly. (turns back to Anora) I will not take much of what time you have left, but I must ask: you once told me that Ferelden needed a strong queen. She has one now. Will you yet not swear fealty to your rightful king?
Anora: Would you swear fealty to the man who murdered your father?
Warden: No. But the man who murdered my father did not unite a beloved country wracked by civil war, nor did he fight his way across Ferelden, hunted by Regent's men and darkspawn alike, to amass an army, defeat the Blight, and save his people.
Anora: Neither did Alistair. No man did. (clock chimes. Anora calmly stares ahead, unseeing.)
Warden: We all do what we must. I shall leave you to prepare yourself. (Warden and Anora rise together. Warden reaches the door, then turns, facing Anora, their figures mirror images.) The university. It is a worthy idea. Perhaps I will lay down my sword and dagger some time longer. I have had enough of death.
While I have detailed my own issues with the original ending of ME3, I did not feel the incendiary outrage I witnessed amongst long-standing BioWare fans. I now understand why: they knew what BioWare was capable of. Dragon Age: Origins demonstrates the proper construction of a dénouement and the effectiveness of employing epilogues. With 6 origin stories and several different endings, Dragon Age: Origins was and continues to be a testament to BioWare's ability to create a cohesive, engaging story while maintaining player agency via a mind-boggling number of plot states. Dragon Age: Origins set the precedent for storytelling and though my preferences lean towards the futuristic, I am filled with nothing but admiration for the team that was able to accomplish such a monumental task. And yes, I shall be pre-ordering Dragon Age: Inquisition (despite the fact, or perhaps because I chose to forego DAII). The jury's still out on the next Mass Effect game, however.
One thing quite different from my Mass Effect experience was my (largely) mute Warden (I found it hilarious that, when she did speak, her default phrase was, "We must not exhaust our supplies!" I mean, if ever there were a time to exhaust one's supplies, you'd think it would be during combat, as opposed to, say, strolling about Denerim). This may have been intended to increase player immersion (as well as been cost-effective), but I prefer a voiced protagonist, so I would say my lines aloud rather than simply click on my choices. Because I was a Fereldan noble, it seemed logical to attempt to speak with a British accent. (Note the use of the word "attempt".)
Not long afterwards, BioWare announced a contest for one lucky fan to voice a character in the up-coming DA:I. Nevermind that I had never taken an acting class in my life. Nevermind that my British accent, like Mrs. Doubtfire's, may most charitably be described as muddled. I had to try.
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*Just for fun, let's look at Alistair's options, shall we?
Marrying outside of Ferelden:
In order to be acceptable to the Landsmeet, his potential wife would have to possess similar values. This immediately excludes Tevinter. Because magic is still regarded with suspicion in Ferelden, a mage wife, much less one from a country which espouses slavery, would be out of the question. A wife from Rivain, being non-Andrastian, also would cast suspicion upon the throne, let alone a wife from Par Vollen or the Qunari-controlled Seheron. Choosing a wife from among the warring plutocrats of Antiva would risk incurring the wrath of rival houses and the inevitable attentions of the Antivan Crows.
There are also logistical issues, such as the availability of an appropriately aged, unmarried female who would be willing to marry Alistair. Given the ruling dynasty of Pentaghasts is dying out, this eliminates Nevarra as a possibility, at least, until a new dynasty takes over. While the King of the Anderfels holds power equivalent to a Fereldan Teryn or Orlesian baron, it is unknown whether he has any daughters or sisters. Besides, with the Wardens largely governing the Anderfels outside of the capital and Alistair already being a Grey Warden, it would be difficult to see what further political or economic advantage could be gained through marriage. Other options include a noblewoman from the Free Marches, and of course, Empress Celene. Of the latter two, forming an alliance with one of the three most powerful families in the Free Marches appears the most viable and attractive option, as it might result in improved agricultural trade, something the Blighted lands of Ferelden would sorely need. Unfortunately, neither Prince Goran Vael of Starkhaven nor Viscount Marlowe Dumar of Kirkwall have marriageable relatives, while little is known of the Teryn of Ostwick. The benefit of an alliance with Orlais is less clear-cut, to say the least. As evidenced by Loghain's ability to gather allies to his cause, residual distrust of Orlais in the Landsmeet is not something to be underestimated, particularly now that the Blight is no longer a pressing issue. Given the 27-year-old Celene's lukewarm response to Cailan's proposal and rumours of her unhappiness at having her chevaliers turned away at the border by Loghain, it is unclear whether she would now consider such a union, particularly to a country weakened by the Blight.
Marrying a Fereldan:
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| Map of Ferelden, courtesy of BioWare Corp. |
Choosing a wife from amongst the nobles of Ferelden would resolve any issues regarding her acceptability to the Landsmeet. In terms of political standing, a close relative of one of the two Teryns would be ideal: Anora (Teyrnir Gwaren) or a female Cousland Warden (Teyrnir Highever, with power and influence second only to the king). That Anora would make an excellent queen is not in doubt; her fertility is. This alone would preclude her as a viable candidate as consort. Even if her ability to reproduce were intact, she seems disinclined to produce an heir, which is certainly the case if she is declared queen. As for the Warden, it is unclear if she is infertile (the modern medical definition of infertility being inability to get pregnant after one year of unprotected intercourse), how the Taint will affect her fertility over time, and if any effects are reversible. In her favour would be her unmatched strength as a political ally, having the endorsement of the Landsmeet and the ability to command the support of the kingdom of Orzammar, the Dalish elves, and the Circle of Magi. As the Hero of Ferelden, she also would have the potential for being as beloved by the public as Queen Anora (and possibly even more by the city elves), which would be key to restoring and maintaining the country's political stability.
Next in influence and political standing would be the rulers of the five arlings. After excluding the arl-less Denerim (I executed the sadistic Vaughan Kendells for his crimes against the elves) and the Warden Commander-led Amaranthine, Redcliffe, South Reach and West Hills remain, of which only two ruling families have marriageable daughters. At 15, Arl Bryland's entitled, cruel, and unthinking daughter, Habren, would likely jump at the chance to become consort, but even her own father would be hard-pressed to say she would make a good queen. Given Bryland's concern regarding Habren's spending, South Reach's economic status is uncertain, but its military complement is likely intact, as Bryland was not at Ostagar. Devastated by the Blight, the arling of West Hills is in a poor position both militarily and economically. Nevertheless, if Alistair prizes potential fecundity above all, Arl Wulff does have at least two daughters. It is unknown, however, how many are marriageable.
In Ferelden's 400-year history, it is yet to be revealed if a king or queen has ever chosen a spouse among the notoriously pugnacious bannorns. This would be a perilous undertaking, as choosing a wife from the Bannorn could enflame rivalries and lead to civil war. Furthermore, Alistair would run the risk of alienating the higher-ranked arls. Of the known eight bannorns, those loyal to the Grey Wardens include Bann Alfstanna from Waking Sea, Arl Eamon's brother, Bann Teagan of Rainesfere, and Bann Sighard of Dragon's Peak. Those of unknown loyalty include Bann Reginalda of White River (Sighard implies they are like-minded, but there is no confirmation of this at the Landsmeet), Bann Franderel of West Hill, and the Bann of Winter's Breath; Bann Loren's loyalty is known to be fluid. Little else is known about these banns. Choosing a wife among those who supported Arl Howe or Loghaine, including Bann Ceorlic of the Southern Bannorn and Bann Esmerelle of The City of Amaranthine, would be unthinkable. The only clearly marriageable prospect appears, therefore, to be Alfstanna herself. If a popular and influential figure in the Bannorn, a marriage to the Bann of Waking Sea might prove advantageous, particularly if none of the prospects in the arlings prove suitable.
So, where does that leave Alistair?
Ignoring any personal qualities she might possess other than potential fecundity (proven pre-marital fecundity generally being frowned upon), marriage to a close relative of the Teryn of Ostwick in the Free Marches, providing a suitable one even exists, seems the most achievable and advantageous for Fereldan trade-relations and economic growth while remaining a non-contentious choice politically. Failing that, Alistair would be best advised to turn his sights back to his own country. While Anora would have been able to deftly negotiate trade agreements with Ferelden's neighbours, it is less clear what a female Warden (even one as persuasive as mine), any of the Arls' daughters, or Bann Alfstanna would be able to accomplish economically if made queen; however, I would like to think Anora is not the only smart, capable, and determined noblewoman in Ferelden.
