So I'm wondering what you're opinion of Anders is tbh bc sometimes you defend him but other times you dislike him
I don’t hate Anders, he’s my friend. But I headcanon that Hawke did not approve his actions one bit and punished him heavily for his actions but because they were friends, she did not kill him. So short answer: I like Anders but I hate his actions. because NEWSFLASH! You can like a person but disapprove heavily of their actions.
A bunch of people defend him by saying “Oh yeah he killed people but everyone in the party killed people!” And while that’s technically true, No one besides Anders killed -innocent- people. Yeah we’ve killed slavers, serial killers, destructive blood mages, bandits, Templars that wanted Bethany, Anders, or Merrill’s head etc. But nobody else killed people that didn’t pose a direct threat. And that tbh is my biggest problem with his actions.
While officially the Chantry was in charge of the Templars on paper, in truth they functioned pretty independently from the Chantry. The Chantry was also a place of refuge and worship and I’m positive people that weren’t affiliated with the Templars whatsoever (like monks and sisters or idk the average civilian that went to pay their respects or to pray) were killed because of Anders. Anders deliberately killed innocents.
A lot of people argue that Isabela also caused the deaths of innocent people. I agree somewhat but not to the same extent. Anders willingly and deliberately caused people to die by his hand. The people that died because of Isabela (namely the Viscount) died not because Isabela shoved a dirk in his throat, but because she was negligent. While I still hold Isabela accountable for her actions, being stupid and selfish and being malicious and violent are different things and one deserves more scorn over the other.
To be honest I wouldn’t be as angry with his actions if he decided to destroy the Templar HQ instead of the Chantry. Meredith’s HQ and the Templar building but instead he chose the Chantry which was only loosely affiliated with the Templars.
Another big tick was his reasoning “Violence is going to happen anyway might as well start it.” Because what kind of fucking attitude is that Anders? Like You’re my best friend and I love you but I’m going to slap the emo right out of you. Through my first playthrough I was always diplomatic during serious situations and proved by example that not all mages were dangerous and they CAN be trusted to live independently. If the Red Lyrium didn’t poison Meredith's mind, I think she could’ve been reasoned with, and even with her corrupted mind, she did show some signs of tolerance and maybe a chance to work together. She allowed me to remain free and even trusted me with a job. She’s not totally unreasonable and I think maybe I could talk some sense to her. The Grand Cleric also seemed reasonable and might also support me to persuade Meredith to lessen her control.
But all that went out the window when Anders literally killed any chance of peace. That made me incredibly angry because not only did he kill innocent people, he ruined any chance of talking this through, AND he put the very people he tried to free in mortal danger.
And people also argue “Well what kind of life is the Circle? Some mages would rather be dead than live imprisoned”. Yes well who in Xibalba is Anders to decide that? Yes I agree a good many of the mages would rather die than go back to the Circle but he cannot speak for all mages. And he condemned all mages to death.
In my first playthrough I had half a mind to kill him because I was so angry, everyone else either wanted him brought to justice or were indifferent. Merrill was the only one to say we should spare him and Anders should thank Andraste that Merrill was there. Merrill talked about second chances and she knew more than anyone that people make awful mistakes and should be given second chances. Luckily for Anders, Hawke and Merrill were intimate so she took her advice, also based on their strong friendship, she couldn’t kill her friend. Although she could definitely punch him in the nose.
So in other words I did not kill Anders. I took the high road and let him repent for his misdoings. After I calmed down a bit I realize Anders did have adequate reasoning for being angry, however I still did not support it.
Varric said everyone separated ways at the end, and in my personal headcanon, Hawke wanted distance from Anders. She was filled with fury and disappointment and even though she still said they were friends, she did not want to see him for some time. Maybe in a few years, Hawke will calm down and welcome Anders with open arms, but not soon. She will come to Anders aid if he’s in trouble, but she isn’t ready to forgive yet.
