The writing of slavery - DAV investigative journalism
An interesting take my dear. And as a proper DA investigative journalist, I obviously went there equipped with two save games (saved Minrathous vs not saved it), as well as flycam to properly investigate that first claim. My findings are below the keep reading. (Long post)
I will focus on the first two points that commenter made in conversation with me.
The only indication are the shared haircuts and outfits. Though not even the hairstyles are universally the same to mark these npcs as part of the same group.
Furthermore, the way they are standing there and interacting, appears more like a normal and relaxed conversation. Not a group of slaves that was just loaded off in Tevinter. I don't think that individuals who just arrived in the land where they will be reduced to property will exude such calm.
Additionally, there is absolutely no commentary from any of the companions or other npcs on it. Not even a line of "oh dear, another shipment" to actually confirm that those are slaves. If one wants to highlight the mundanity of it in Tevinter, the line that took me five seconds to write would have been perfect. It shows weariness, absolutely no surprise anymore and just the "another tuesday" vibe that would be prevalent among the citizens of Minrathous.
But no, we get nothing. Not even from the companion who is part of the abolitionist movement, which finally leads me to the core issue with Veilguard's writing of slavery.
The "mundanity" of slavery
It would have been a great direction to take this in with Dock Town. No surprise or anything about slavery, no NPC outrage about it but acceptance, familiarity and weariness. It is just a daily occurence that you stop to notice as a normal citizen and their ambient dialogue would reflect it. "Ah well, another shipment" etc. Make the NPCs react to that like they would react to a bottle falling off the table: "Oops, ah well." Show the apathy, which would clearly highlight the issue of this society. But don't leave it uncommented.
Additionally, turn this apathy into a slow awakening of the people who open their eyes to the issue as you progress in the Shadow Dragon questline and strenghten the faction, making them gain more control of Dock Town and liberate more slaves. More propaganda against the status-quo, slowly changed minds (there should be scepticism before bc every movement like that failed before).
The awakening would have to be very slow though and not widespread. Only some questioning NPCs. This is deeply ingrained after all.
2. The abolitionist movement that never liberates a single slave
It's almost sad to write that out but the Shadows never liberate a single slave on screen. We are told that they are an abolitionist movement, yet we never partake in any of the operations that stands at the center of their movement. I have no idea why that writing choice was made as it is quite frankly illogical but oh well.
Lots would have been gained if we had at least a quest or two in high town with Tarquin and Neve to free slaves. Or if we go with my earlier model, a questline in Dock Town to claw it away from the Magisters to free the slaves there.
The operations should increase in size as the faction grows more powerful. What starts with some targeted operations should end in a liberation of the harbour or the slave market (I would turn the thread market into a running slave market).
Conclusion: Even without the inclusion of High Town, the issues of Tevinter, especially the slavery, could have been portrayed a lot better. A clear commentary on the mundanity of slavery in that society could have and should have been made, instead of believing that a lack of commentary constitutes it.
Additionally, I cannot stress enough that the fact that the abolitionist movement has no actually abolitionist mission doesn't just hurt the worldbuilding of Tevinter but also the faction directly, due to us never seeing what they are actually doing.
I need coffee...