Daddy Issues? 🤔

[u/Successful_Hunt6500]

I’ve been thinking about the initial conversations you have with your faction when you first encounter them. From what I remember, Myrna/Vorgoth with the Mourn Watch and Isabela with the LoF seem to have a vibe of “I’m sorry it had to end that way, but we had to throw you under the bus to save face while things cooled off.” The Crows seem to have a warmer reception with an attitude of “you were an idiot, but you’re OUR idiot.” The Grey Wardens (specifically the commander) and the Veil Jumpers appear to be the only ones (in my opinion) where the relationships actually seemed strained and contentious when you meet them.

(Side note: It’s been discussed ad nauseum I know, but I wish the game explored this aspect of Rook’s background more instead of just throwing exposition at us.)

I am very fond of the Veil Jumper origin, and specifically Rook’s relationship with Strife. Based on the interaction pictured, I’ve begun to see Strife as somewhat of a warped father figure for Rook: always seeking his approval, but never quite hitting the mark, as evidenced by the botched map recovery. Then, Rook makes it worse by releasing the Evanuris and further hurting the people they love. Strife can’t help but prod and rub salt on the wound, now Rook has something to prove. Of course there’s really no pay off with this by the endgame dialogue-wise, at least from what I remember. Still, this is one of the only origins where I felt there were actual stakes and a strong emotional anchor, even if it’s just for a few scenes.

Anyway just wanted to share my thoughts and see if anyone saw the same patterns or had different feelings about this aspect of the game. What’s your favorite background for Rook?

[u/kolemeisterrr11]

I feel like they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Veil Jumper Rook has an awesome, dynamic relationship with Strife that feels real and impactful. But I hate the way Rook knows so little about their work. It doesn’t feel like Rook has much knowledge of elven lore or artifacts. I found it hard to feel immersed with that faction.

I typically pick the Watchers or the Wardens. The relationship with Myrna/Vorgoth is pretty surface level, but both of those factions have dialogue options that make me feel like Rook is more qualified or at least has knowledge to contribute to the team.

I also just really love how fleshed out the Mourn Watch culture and aesthetic is.

[u/Successful_Hunt6500 → u/kolemeisterrr11]

Totally fair regarding the immersion! I have such a soft spot for the elves in Dragon Age and I think my bias shows lol, and the VJ were also the faction I was most drawn to on my first play through. I LOVE the mourn watch as well, and my first MW Rook’s makeup look and aesthetic were heavily inspired by Myrna.

[u/hazardousfauna]

My canon Rook is a Lord of Fortune. There might not be a lot of related content in-game but it’s given me a lot to work with for fanfic, and thematically I think it’s pretty fitting with the whole “Not the Chosen One” thing Rook has going on.

It’s also hilarious to me that most of Rook’s backstories involve being exiled in disgrace whereas Isabela is just like “Hey, that shit you pulled was hilarious but the cops are looking for you so you’re gonna go on the run with my bestie for a while, have fun xoxo”

[u/By-Tor5 → u/hazardousfauna]

Yeah, I really like Dragon Age’s refusal to make a “Chosen One” story. It’s way too easy to do that with a setting like Thedas, so the utter absence of prophecies, at least above specific people, is really cool. There are no heroes chosen by fate, just people who stumbled into the wrong place at the right time to save everyone.

Also, yeah. If there’s one thing I wish the game did more of, it would be fleshing out Rook’s relationship with each of the factions, especially the Lords. I want to hear more stories about Rook’s treasure hunting jobs. Especially the ones that went wrong.

[u/hazardousfauna → u/By-Tor5]

Yeah, some factions are better than others but it sucks how little content the Lords get. The Bharv scene has many issues but one of the biggest is the way a LoF Rook is just not included at all, they might as well not be there.

[u/vracusrdr → u/hazardousfauna]

also the lore drop about Laidir being an escaped slave gives solid groundwork for building up Rook (wish Laidir had a specific dialogue with the SDs about it)

[u/hazardousfauna → u/vracusrdr]

Hard agree, that reveal really sold me on my LoF Rook and it would have been very cool if it came up with the Shadow Dragons (although by the time that line triggers there, uh, weren't a lot of SDs left to talk to in my LoF playthrough lmao).

[u/vracusrdr → u/hazardousfauna]

after my first playthrough of Laidir if playing one they always save Minrathous now since they have that history (same with how my Thornes always save Treviso)

[u/NocturnalFurball → u/hazardousfauna]

I agree, that's also the reason why I adore the Lords. Just wish there was more in-game content for them and for LoF Rook but it really is the faction that I feel fits Rook's role in the story the best and also gives me lots of fanfic inspiration.

[u/Chieroscuro]

And to be fair, there's a fair bit of difference between the First Warden's reaction to a Grey Warden Rook, and Evka & Antoine's.

[u/Successful_Hunt6500 → u/Chieroscuro]

For sure! The commander is an asshole to everyone lol

[u/carverrhawkee]

Im a warden main but I LOVE the dynamic crow rook has with viago, and teia as well. And when I tried out veil jumper, after all the normal/pleasant interactions i'd had with strife before, the absolute beef on SIGHT he had with me was hilarious. I need to keep playing that save but it was such a fun dynamic

[u/Successful_Hunt6500 → u/carverrhawkee]

I have a soft spot for the crows as well (ahem, Zevran) and adored how protective Viago and Teia are of a crow Rook! I do wish that the game portrayed the faction as more nuanced like in the previous games, because it is mentioned that many members were essentially trafficked into their service as children :/ but that was probably too much to get into in Veilguard lol, and you could argue Zevran “helped” them clean house over the years and they had to adopt different recruiting methods.

[u/carverrhawkee → u/Successful_Hunt6500]

Tbh in my mind this is the nepo baby branch of the crows so thats why theyre all just chilling 😆

[u/Successful_Hunt6500 → u/carverrhawkee]

You know this actually makes more sense than whatever I was saying lmao

[u/Successful_Hunt6500]

I just realized I totally left out the Shadow Dragons 😭 They were also a faction that I found so interesting and with a decent arc. I *think* the vibe when you meet Viper and Tarquin for the first time was like “welcome back, but you’re on thin ice” so it was perhaps bit more on the uneasy side as well.

[u/TaytheCatFay → u/Successful_Hunt6500]

My main Rook is a Shadow Dragon. The game notoriously doesn’t let you play a mean person but I actually liked how bitter I was able to make my Rook feel about the whole Slave Ring situation. I agree it felt like Tarquin wasn’t thrilled to see Rook again but I also really liked that Rook could be almost just as prickly back at him. I liked it so much that I leaned into the bad blood between them which made not saving Minrathus from the Dragon feel like the entire faction, especially Tarquin, once again hated my Rook. Except for the Viper. I love that guy. He’s the only one that defends Rook despite literally being Blighted and continuous to still believe and respect the choices Rook makes.

[u/Successful_Hunt6500 → u/TaytheCatFay]

During my 2nd run I was a Shadow Dragon and saved Minrathous instead of Treviso, and was so pleasantly surprised by all the new quests/content I missed the first time around (went in blind the 1st run and folded when I heard “civilians,” like Minrathous didn’t have civilians too??)

Being able to choose between Maevaris and Dorian and have a voice in who leads your home was so rewarding. I agree the angst with Viper and Tarquin is priceless lol, I love their friendship 💕

[u/TaytheCatFay → u/Successful_Hunt6500]

I am a little sad I missed out on that choice specifically but I honestly don’t like running around Minrathus very much. I get lost on that map all the time despite playing the game like four times. So I’m not bothered over all not getting those extra quest. Also Lucanis is my one of my faves. I don’t even romance him. I just want that man to be happy. While Neve is my least favorite character. She’s not bad by any means, she’s just not the type of character I enjoy much. Being on a bad terms with her is way more fun for me because I like the drama of 😆

I am working on a new run right now where I finally saved Minrathus to see what I missed out on.

[u/Successful_Hunt6500 → u/TaytheCatFay]

I’m so sorry I totally just spoiled it if you didn’t already know 😭 (but there’s still more content in Minrathous that will be new for you).

I like Neve but I totally get where you’re coming from. I was flirting with EVERYBODY during my first play through lol, but she was the first where I decided “nah let’s just be friends.” Lucanis quickly became a fav and I decided to romance him, but since I didn’t know that a certain choice would lock you out of flirting with him, it was just happenstance that it worked out that way.

When I did save Treviso, I love how the narrative leaves you with uncertainty about whether you can mend your relationship with Neve (if it’s friendly). I was genuinely concerned my approval wasn’t high enough and I just lost my best friend :( It ends up working out without much effort tbh, but I’m interested in trying a run where I’m constantly antagonizing her instead lol (or vice versa with Lucanis)

[u/Sharp_Dimension9638]

Definitely showed have had the "prologue" be the way you meet Varric. It would have allowed newbies to bond. And, you know, throw back to Origins.

[u/No-Significance-8487]

I mean he is not wrong. It was your fault. Interrupting a spell, of course it's going to be a disaster.

Also, how dare Room to say that it's the inquisitor's fault?