spoiler Discussion- Your take on the Grey Wardens? One of their members?

[DarkeWolf]

Ok, so I've seen some very different views on the Wardens as a whole, and thought it might be cool to have a discussion about them. Please keep in mind that everybody's opinions are their own, and that not all of them will be the same. Please be respectful of others views, and lets not let any arguments break out :)

 

So ok, in your mind, how do you see the Grey Wardens? Have you got any comments about some of their members in particular, or as a whole? What are your thoughts on some of their actions?

[Retribution]

How are they evil?

[tinylewtgriffon]

There was someone going on about hating Duncan, big thread about it. More or less, I'm with the wardens, it's just too bad about the 30 years thing

[Tikkidew]

*sigh* I made a really nice post and when I clicked "Add Reply" it timed out. :wallbash:

 

So I'll have to write another one later. But for now, all I have to say about the Wardens is that Duncan is the True EPIC BEARD MAN!! lol

 

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/5062/c71article1101587imagel.jpg

[DarkeWolf]

How are they evil?

I'm not saying that they are, just bringing it up as a topic of discussion ;)

Tho if you ask that to Loghain he'll say that the Wardens and the Orlesians are the source of all bad things in the universe.

Tho admittedly, some of the things that have been told of them doing has been pretty bad. Burning an entire village to keep back the darkspawn?

 

Ugh, that always REALLY sucks when that happens Tikidew :( I"m real sorry to hear about that :(

Guys, this gal can come up with some good perspectives, so I'm waiting to see the new write-up when you get it posted ;)

 

I think, that they are the very very few that realize JUST how BAD a threat the DS and the Blights really are. In the second book, almost each and every one the wardens that were there made mention of their Oath to end the Blights. Most of the people in Ferelden have forgotten just how much of a threat these beings pose. And thus don't understand why the wardens will take any means necessary to put one down.

 

I see their cause as extremely just and even noble. Some of the people involved in that cause.... maybe not so much. But these are folks taht have sacrificed their way of life, their futures, and willing to give up their very lives to this cause. That says quite a bit.

And when it all comes down to it, they're the ones that have to make those choices. It's like Genevieve said in the book. "We're wardens. We have to make the hard choices that other's don't. We have to do the hard things that other's don't".

[brokenergy]

Wardens do what they must, even that means turning to blood magic. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the good of the people, even if they forget about it. They are the unsung heroes of Thedas, doing what they must because they have no other choice.

[Tikkidew]

I agree, they do whatever it takes. Regardless of the moral implications their choices and actions may have on the inhabitants of Thedas. They were once a great order that has declined over the years, now considered a relic of another time. Most of the people in Thedas have either forgotten or don't realize how terrible a Blight is. None but the Grey Wardens (with the exception of Flemeth) can sense a Blight. This is long before anyone realizes anything is happening. The sacrifice they have to make in order to maintain their vigilance as they await the next blight is pretty steep. Considering a Blight could literally destroy the world, losing so many recruits along the way is a small price to pay. Though, people like Loghain easily forget this noble and needed sacrifice. Those who have not forgotten the Wardens past deeds know how important they are. They're legends in their own time, which makes it even tougher for them to accomplish their mission.

 

The Wardens are not perfect either. Sophia Dryden used her command of the Wardens to rebel against Arland the King of Fereldan 200 years before the current Blight. This was a disgrace for the Wardens as they are supposed to remain politically neutral. It did not help either that before becoming a Warden commander Sophia Dryden had rivaled Arland for the seat on the Throne. One could easily jump to the conclusion that she was only out for personal gratification.

 

Warden's also have no qualms against the use of Blood Magic. Ironically, it is Blood Magic that created the very first Darkspawn which caused the original Blight. I believe it's an unspoken but universal truth the Wardens need the Darkspawn as much as they want to be rid of them. If there were no Darkspawn, there would be no Grey Wardens.

 

My original post was better, but oh well....

[DarkeWolf]

One disagreement. Flemeth isnt a Warden. ;)

 

Interesting point about them becoming what they are thru the use of bloodmagic. Yes, tis true. The Joining ritual and the formulae for the DS blood/lyrium mixture was created in.....Tevinter! Those whose ancestors started the whole problem in the first place, lol.

[Tikkidew]

One disagreement. Flemeth isnt a Warden. ;)

 

No, I know that. lol. I was saying Besides the Grey Wardens, she's the only other that can sense a Blight coming. :P

 

I've amended that line in my previous post. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Mlai]

One could easily jump to the conclusion that she was only out for personal gratification.

Not "jump to conclusion"... it's exactly what she did.

She lost the tug-of-war for the throne. Punished with "exile" into the order of the GWs. Then plotted to use the military might of the GWs to take the throne. Yes, Arland was a tyrant so she had convenient moral justification... but when you read her diary, you know she's doing everything as much for her own pride/ambition as for the people.

 

Also, yes GWs do everything it takes to stop the Blight. But does that mean Sophia Dryden is allowed to do "everything it takes" to win a political coup? Including blood magic to influence nobles, encouraging Avernus to research demon summoning, and risking the future of the GW order? You have a good excuse for doing those things in DAO; she has none. Her abuse of GW power is what ultimately caused Fereldan to be so vulnerable during the Dragon Age Blight.

 

And as Avernus pointed out, "At the time, it all seemed so important, but now..." Ultimately, every moral fiber she sacrificed amounted to nothing in the grand scheme of things.... except weakening the GW order in Fereldan.