My final thoughts about The Stolen Throne and The Calling before I play DA2. Aaaahh I have so much to say. I think this is the last we see of these guys so I'm gonna say this now before I forget.
I wasn't a big fan of Duncan when I played the main Origin storyline; I felt kinda betrayed that he hid things about being a Grey Warden so when he died, I only felt sad for Alistair losing a father figure.
But when I played Awakening I sort of understood where he was coming from, especially when my Warden was in his shoes and had to recruit grey wardens.
I didn't hate him anymore, these people's lives were already shit, or they were lost, and being a grey warden gave them purpose or even saved their lives.
For example, Being a grey warden for a mage is better than being tranquil in my opinion.
Anyhow I say this to say I understood where he was coming from. And The Calling made me love Duncan and understand him even more.
On the other hand, Fiona was cute and funny at first I really liked her friendship with Duncan, they were really cute it felt natural to me idk
What I didn't like was her relationship with Maric. I feel like it came out of nowhere; at least in The Stolen Throne, Marc's relationship with Rowan and Katriel felt more natural and was explored more, and even if I didn't like Katriel's ending, I understood where it all came from, and why it ended up that way.
Rowan's ending on the other hand I really loved even if it makes me sad lol
Rowan didn't feel feminine enough and she hated the idea of herself being feminine. Because to her, femininity was a weakness, and masculinity meant strength. And you need to be strong in war.
At the end of The Stolen Throne, she discovers that classic femininity has its strength. She can be the comforting queen to her king, she can give Maric forgiveness and be his rock in hard times.
Ferelden didn't need another warrior it needed a queen.
I love this even if it made me sad how this meant Rowan had to shut her desires to be what Ferelden needed.
But the trio of the Stolen Throne changed and strained their friendship to become what Ferelden needed to win the war.
Maric became hardened, and I feel that part of him resents Loghain for making him this way. For choosing Ferelden over their friendship for becoming cold. But he is also the person who asked this of Loghain and Rowan.
Loghain swore himself to Maric, to the King of Ferelden. He promised Maric that he would only do what Ferelden needed, even if it cost Maric's life. This is what Maric asked of him and he did.
This, of course, created a wall between Loghain and his friends and even his morals.
And later on in Origins, he does what he thinks is the best for his nation, even at the cost of Cailan's life.
Because in his eyes Cailan's attempt to unite the nations against the Blight. Joining forces with Orlais is a threat to Fereldan's independence. He couldn't let Cailan undo the work that so many of Loghain's family and friends sacrificed so much for and even perished to achieve.
At first I couldn't understand why would Loghain let Cailan get hurt, especially when Maric kept insisting that he would be the one to protect him, and despite Calian being the son of the woman he loved.
But I understand now, Loghain may have loved Rowan, but he loved Fereldan more. This is why he was able to give her up in the end. This is why he didn't hesitate to let her son die for the sake of Fereldan.
I completely get how Loghain became the man we meet in Origins. I couldn't see the book Loghain and Origins Loghain as the same at the beginning. But now the culmination of the events that led to the man he becomes is pretty clear.
Agghhh I'm pretty emotional about these guys, I hope DA2 gives me new guys to also get emotionally attached to fast!
