spoiler Question regarding Circle in Awakening

[DarkSpiral]

There really isn't a continuity issue, here. Awakening occurs a very small amount of time after the end of the main game. And you never really see the Circle in the expansion anyway. So, not only has there not been enough time to restructure the way the Circle is run, you don't get to see (one way or the other) the process occurring.

 

Besides, the Templar lady (can't recall her name) is correct when she points out that the authority of the crown isn't really applicable in the matter. One of the devs at the Bioware board pointed out, in response to the same question as the OP, that the Chantry is not in fact beholden to the crown of Ferelden. Alistair/Anora/whoever could demand the Chantry leave the Circle, but they won't because they don't (technically) have any authority over the Revered Mothers or the Templars. If the Divine declares that no such thing will happen, then the Circle is stuck where it is.

 

And that is where politics comes into play. The crown doesn't really want to piss the Chantry off, the Chantry wouldn't really want to piss off the Ferelden monarchy, so neither side woudl deliver an ultimatum. Not at first, anyway.

 

And, to be honest, none of that has any real bearing on Ander's situation. He did run away from the Circle, and has been doing so for many years. A paltry six months of in-the-process reforms is just not going to change the fact he has a long history of evading Circle and Chantry authority. He's made enemies, in other words. And not just within the Templars.

[brokenergy]

You're correct Spiral and that's what I was trying to tell. It's way too early at Awakening to see the full consequences of your actions, DA2 is actually going to show the full extent of your consequences.

[Thandal]

Yes, both Anders (the apostate) and Wynne, (the career Circle Mage) seem really upset by the concept of Magi actually throwing off the Chantry. Anders exact quote is: "That's madness! I hate Chantry oversight as much as the next mage, but they can't just decide to leave. This is a recipe for disaster!" And Wynne thinks the alternate to Chantry control is "Genocide."

 

So things are both "not yet very different..." and "looking explosive..." at the point in (Thedas') time when DA:A is set, and therefore early in DA2 as well.