And Then... There Were Two
Apparently this is a thing for me. Soapboxing for characters I feel are grossly misunderstood.Ā
Who is next you ask? That would be Anders.Ā
Sigh.Ā
Terrorist?
This is a hot button issue for most people who have played all of the Dragon Age games. For some, itās as simple as slapping the labelĀ āterroristā on his forehead, branding him a murderer and moving along.Ā
For others? Itās nowhere near so simple. See I met Anders in DAOA (Dragon Age Origins: Awakening). He was sassy, self deprecating, flirtatious and so very wounded. He was a reluctant mage. Not that he didnāt want his powers, but he didnāt want the circle. Or anything to do with it. Which, TBH, who can blame him?
He had tried to escape numerous times, and was being taken to be made Tranquil when the Blight happened and he escaped. Now here is the crux for me.Ā
While we have no actual proof he killed the Templars he was with, we donāt actually know what happened there. IMO They tried to kill him on the road, and he fought back. (again, my opinion, it fits with how everyone tellsĀ ātheirā sides).Ā
Next, you can conscript him or let him get taken by the Templars who show up after you save the keep. I have never given him back to the Templars. Ever. Even before I played 2 the first time, I wouldnāt do it. Now, if you keep him - he obv survives the joining, and he becomes your sassy go to healer companion. I LOVE him in DAOA. Heās funny and super helpful magey wise and if you give him THE cat.. yes the one and only Ser Pounce-a-Lot, he becomes your friend for life.Ā
You eventually meet Justice in the decaying body of the Warden Kristoff. This is where things take a turn, correct? After the end of DAOA, and before the beginning of DA2, Anders and Justice come to an understanding, a willing host for a spirit friend.Ā
However, said willing host was angry (rightfully so), and Justice changed once inside Anders.Ā
Onto DA2. You meet him in the literal slums of Kirkwall, healing poor folks for a pittance. He admits to only coming to Kirkwall to help his friend (you only find out said friend was actually a lover if you play a male Hawke romancing Anders), a mage, keep from being made Tranquil. But, alas, you are all too late to save the poor Karl. Which is where you find out about Justice/Vengeance.Ā
This is really where the divergence in how people view Anders gets skewed.Ā
Whatās the differenceā¦?
An abomination, the demon is 100% in control. Even if itĀ āseemsā to be the person, (as seen with Wilmod) itās the Demon wearing person clothing.Ā
A host? A host still retains their mental faculties, and even though Justice is now more Vengeance, he isnāt a demon by any means. Just a stronger spirit whoĀ āsteps inā when Anders loses his cool. Wynne was a host. Different kind of spirit, but same concept at the beginning.Ā