spoiler "Being a Warden is NOT a Punishment..."

[SpellAndShield]

Every form of refuge has its price. The wardens don't wait to rot away from the taint, they go to the deep roads and die in a glorious battle. Job has its upside too, you get to watch that b**** Isolde die at the hands of a blood mage, you get to be a hero, you get the respect (or at the very least fear) of all, you get to have sex with most of the party while Alistair remains a virgin, you get kisses from pretty maidens, etc. Could be a lot worse, you could be stuck as a casteless, you could be made tranquil, you could be rotting in a Denerim dungeon, you could be slowly carved up and eaten by darkspawn, etc.

 

Is the glass half full, half empty or just the wrong size glass?

 

I guess all I am saying is that it is not a reward and closer to a punishment.

[Coous]

I think of it as a sacrifice for the greater good. You willing give up a normal life and lifespan to be the vanguard of humanity(figurative humanity) and defend it from a possible real threat.

Think of it in the sense of Thermopylae for the Spartans that were the considered "vanguard" that held off or defended long enough for the majority more of City States to join against the Persians.Knowing full well that they will die,but they're going to give them hell the whole time. So maybe not the best analogy for it but you get the picture. As it turns out like Ser Jory who wimps out at the last second wasting of what could of been another man to stem the tide of the blight(although he sucks anyways) some are not willing to make that sacrifice. Although I think Daventh makes that pretty clear shortly before the ritual.

[Aenyalu]

I think of it as a sacrifice for the greater good. You willing give up a normal life and lifespan to be the vanguard of humanity(figurative humanity) and defend it from a possible real threat.

 

IMHO you can only make a real decision if you know exactly what is in for you beforehand and if you actually have a real choice. "You can die here and now or become a Grey Warden" is not a real choice IMO, as it leaves you in the same position as Loghain was, when he was to be recruited.

Jory obviously didn't know about the consequences, and my PC wasn't told either. Alistair even admitted at some point, that the Grey Wardens basically lure people into membership by betraying them or at least not telling them the truth. I for one had the strong urge to just kill Duncan when the Joining took place...and even more so, after I was told the consequences of being a Grey Warden by Alistair.

Basically you are voluntered to be canonfodder, and I have a hard time to see that as an honor.

[SpellAndShield]

I think of it as a sacrifice for the greater good. You willing give up a normal life and lifespan to be the vanguard of humanity(figurative humanity) and defend it from a possible real threat.

 

IMHO you can only make a real decision if you know exactly what is in for you beforehand and if you actually have a real choice. "You can die here and now or become a Grey Warden" is not a real choice IMO, as it leaves you in the same position as Loghain was, when he was to be recruited.

Jory obviously didn't know about the consequences, and my PC wasn't told either. Alistair even admitted at some point, that the Grey Wardens basically lure people into membership by betraying them or at least not telling them the truth. I for one had the strong urge to just kill Duncan when the Joining took place...and even more so, after I was told the consequences of being a Grey Warden by Alistair.

Basically you are voluntered to be canonfodder, and I have a hard time to see that as an honor.

 

Well said. Shady operation....

[RustyBlade]

That's why they call it "Grey" :rolleyes: :tongue:

[SpellAndShield]

That's why they call it "Grey" :rolleyes: :tongue:

 

Sounds like the DA product itself...

 

Here we have a great game (hidden: tons of bugs, dialogues missing, etc.)

 

With the toolcrap you have the power (toolcrap dies...very early)...

 

Not a perfect analogy but I am angry right now.

[RustyBlade]

Just don't let your grapes of wrath ferment on the vine or you'll wind up with some nasty whine :whistling:

[DarkeWolf]

Eh, it kinda depends on the warden. I mean... Duncan is pretty fair, and judiciary about his recruiting, and his use of the Conscription. Hell, if he wanted to, he could have concripted every knight in redcliff or highever.

 

As for it not being a punishment, but also not being a reward. It all just depends on your view. In the case of many young people that join the armed forces.... Some think of it as the best time of their life, and have absolutely no regrets about joining.

Others hate it with a passion, and can't wait to get out.

 

Death happens. Indeed it does. Meh... who wants to grow old, decrepid, and confused when your mind goes. Give me the sword and the chalice of blood. I'll go out in a blaze of glory and have people talking about me for generations to come. Dying good looking, looking good, and famous. Whats not to like about that?

[Coous]

I think of it as a sacrifice for the greater good. You willing give up a normal life and lifespan to be the vanguard of humanity(figurative humanity) and defend it from a possible real threat.

 

IMHO you can only make a real decision if you know exactly what is in for you beforehand and if you actually have a real choice. "You can die here and now or become a Grey Warden" is not a real choice IMO, as it leaves you in the same position as Loghain was, when he was to be recruited.

Jory obviously didn't know about the consequences, and my PC wasn't told either. Alistair even admitted at some point, that the Grey Wardens basically lure people into membership by betraying them or at least not telling them the truth. I for one had the strong urge to just kill Duncan when the Joining took place...and even more so, after I was told the consequences of being a Grey Warden by Alistair.

Basically you are voluntered to be canonfodder, and I have a hard time to see that as an honor.

 

Yet you know the order is well respected vanguard against the darkspawn and even knights find fighting them tough so you're taking a risk in willingly to join and fight for them. Now the joining you aren't really told about which I'll agree not being told for everything you're in for,but you know you're taking a risk of self sacrifice to fight these creatures to begin with and especially if you're joining during a blight,

[danscott84]

There is something here in the story that we are all forgetting, that the reason for people yearning to join the wardens no matter the consequences is that they defend the entire populace from the darkspawn who are evil creatures (chantry lore) hellbent on detroying everything and everyone in their path. (Don't include Awakening because it's a surprise to even the GW's that they are even talking in the new factions)

 

Plus (chantry lore again) the blights threaten to detroy everything and everyone again, but not just once, but at least seven times (seven old gods that can become archdemons). That in and of itself is cause for many to join no matter what the consequences to save the ones they hold dearest to them. Daveth even states this right before Duncan arrives to start the joining.