@dillydallydewgong replied to your photoset “safetytank: TME in a nutshell”
Anyone else think Briala’s reason for blackmail was pretty weak? Idk it just seemed a bit out of character and like “Ah! This clown almost killed me! Briala must have set me up!” Idk doesn’t quite track. I know it’s because game mechanics take precedent over writing but nah. That was bad
The fact it takes place in Florianne’s room, makes me feel like it is meant to be a red-herring, most likely planted by Florianne or Celene. Because ultimately that scene is too staged to be taken at face value (at least that's my personal opinion and I hope Bioware wouldn't be so transparent).
First of all, you have an "agent of Briala's" who just happens to get attacked as the Inquisitor is passing by. She screams out and the Harlequin takes their time going for her, long enough for the Inquisitor to swoop in and save her. While Harlequin are supposed to be quick, efficient killers and often assassins, which is what makes them so darn hard to kill in-game (god I hate them in DA2 on hard modes), and the agent is a barely trained servant? No struggle and no damage before the Inquisitor got there, sounds fake. Especially since she instantly thinks it Briala is trying to kill her, when there are plenty of enemies at play that night.
What more, they are usually hired by nobility, not rebel leader elves. In fact, the only other time you see Harlequins is when they are defending Florianne during her reveal.
Honestly, if Briala wanted to have one in her ranks killed, I feel like she'd have another one of her agents do it and spin it as a betrayer among their ranks. Because who are you going to believe the double crosser who tells you your leader slept with the enemy, or the leader who pointed out the double crosser.
Ultimately, it gives the Inquisitor a reason to not trust Briala and a way to blackmail her among the public; even though it isn't really that strong of evidence nor a terrible offense compared to the nobles you're dealing with at the same time. But to me it seems like an intentional setup, than Bioware trying to even the field with a "truth".
