Approval

Cassandra Approval Scenes

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Guilty Pleasures

Swords & Shields

The PC walks up to Cassandra, who is sitting unaware, reading a book.

PC: Good book?

She jumps up and tries to hide the book.

Casandra: (Shouts in surprise.) I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Dialogue options:

General: Are you embarrassed? [1]
General: Of course you don’t. [2]
General: What are you hiding? [3]

1 - General: Are you embarrassed? PC: Wait… are you blushing? Cassandra: What would I have to blush about? PC: You tell me. [4]

2 - General: Of course you don’t. PC: Yes, because I suddenly went blind. Cassandra: Oh, that? Just… reports. From Commander Cullen. PC: You’re an excellent liar. [4]

3 - General: What are you hiding? PC: No? What are you hiding, exactly? Cassandra: I’m not hiding anything! Exactly. PC: I think you are. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: It’s of no interest to you, I’m certain.

The PC shakes their head.

Cassandra: It’s a book.

PC: I can see that.

Cassandra: It’s… one of Varric’s tales. Swords & Shields. The latest chapter.

Dialogue options:

General: You don’t need to hide it. [5] +Cassandra slightly approves
General: So you’ve read them all? [6]
General: Why waste your time? [7] -Cassandra slightly disapproves

5 - General: You don’t need to hide it. PC: So you like to read—what’s wrong with that? Cassandra: It’s frivolous. There are more important things for me to do. [8]

6 - General: So you’ve read them all? PC: “The latest chapter,” meaning… you’ve read them all? Cassandra: Not… since this all began. We’ve been busy. [8]

7 - General: Why waste your time? PC: I wouldn’t have expected you to waste time on that. Cassandra: What does that mean? It’s… a minor diversion. [8]

8 - Scene continues.

Sided templars, Cole in Skyhold Cole: She’s read this one three times. Cassandra: You! I told you to stop spying! Cole: You read it out loud to me. I don’t like the captain, either. Cassandra: I never did that!

Sided mages, Dorian in Skyhold Dorian: That’s just her favorite. Cassandra: Nobody asked you, Tevinter. Dorian: I couldn’t finish the last one you lent me. I actually feel dumber for having tried.

Cole/Dorian not recruited PC: Why don’t I believe you?

Cassandra: It’s literature! Smutty… literature. Whatever you do, don’t tell Varric.

Dialogue options:

General: He’d be pleased. [9]
General: Wouldn’t dream of it. [10]
General: Seriously? [11]
Flirt: I should read it. [12]

9 - General: He’d be pleased. PC: Why not? I think Varric would be pleased to have another fan. Cassandra: “Pleased.” Yes, that’s one word for it. [13]

10 - General: Wouldn’t dream of it. PC: Me? No! I would never. [13]

11 - General: Seriously? PC: I can’t believe this… Cassandra: I only started reading them when I began looking for Hawke. As research. [13]

12 - Flirt: I should read it. PC: Maybe I should read that book. Cassandra: You? No! PC: Why not me? Cassandra: You’re the Inquisitor. PC: (Laughs.) Oh, I see. [13]

13 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: (Sighs.) They’re terrible. And magnificent. And this one ends in a cliffhanger. I know Varric is working on the next, he must be!

Cassandra (if flirted with prior, high approval): You! You could ask him to finish it, command him to…

Cassandra: Pretend you don’t know this about me.

She returns to where she was sitting and the PC walks away.

Cassandra Wants a Book

The PC finds Varric in the main hall.

PC: Cassandra is waiting for the next issue of Swords & Shields.

Varric: I must have heard that wrong. It sounded like you just said that Cassandra read my books.

Dialogue options:

General: You sound surprised. [1]
General: She’s a big fan. [2] +Varric slightly approves
General: I did say that. [3]

1 - General: You sound surprised. PC: What’s so surprising about that? Varric: You have met Cassandra, haven’t you? [4]

2 - General: She’s a big fan. PC: She’s a pretty big fan, in fact. Varric: Are we talking about the same Cassandra? Tall, grumpy Seeker? Likes stabbing things? [4]

3 - General: I did say that. PC: That’s exactly what I just said. Varric: Maybe I’m just going crazy. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Varric: Wait, did you say the romance serial? She’ll be waiting a while, then. I haven’t finished it and wasn’t planning to. That book is easily the worst I’ve ever written. The last issue barely sold enough to pay for the ink.

Dialogue options:

General: It can’t be that bad. [5] +Varric slightly approves
General: Cassandra seems to like it. [6] +Varric approves
General: I need it as a gift. [7]
General: No wonder she was embarrassed. [8] -Varric slightly disapproves

5 - General: It can’t be that bad. PC: I’m sure it’s not a s terrible as you think. Varric: There are a number of critics who’d be happy to argue with you. [9]

6 - General: Cassandra seems to like it. PC: Well, Cassandra seems to be hooked on it. Varric: And I honestly thought a hole in the sky was the weirdest thing that could happen. [9]

7 - General: I need it as a gift. PC: I was hoping to give it to Cassandra as a gift. Varric: Oh come on, that’s just cruel. Even the Seeker doesn’t deserve that. [9]

8 - General: No wonder she was embarrassed. PC: If it’s terrible smut, I guess that explains why Cassandra tried to hide it from me. Varric: “Smut?” (Laughs.) Is that what she called it? It’s fluff at best. I can’t compete in the smut market. That’s cutthroat. [9]

9 - Scene continues.

Varric: So… you want me to finish writing the latest issue of my worst serial. For Cassandra. That’s such a terrible idea, I have to do it. On one condition: I get to be there when you give her the book.

Dialogue options:

General: Fine. [10]
General: I don’t think so. [11]

10 - General: Fine. PC: You’ve got a deal. Varric: I’ll get to work, then. You know, the fact the book is terrible just makes it worthwhile, somehow. Scene ends.

11 - General: I don’t think so. PC: I don’t think that’s a good idea. Varric: Then you’d better find something else to give the Seeker. Scene ends.

If the PC asks again after rejecting Varric’s offer: Varric: I’ll only finish the book for you if I get to be there when you deliver it.

Don’t Tell Me

The PC walks up with Varric in tow.

Cassandra: What have you done now?

Varric (after PC meets Hawke): I get it, Seeker. You’re still sore after our spat. Cassandra: I am not a child, Varric. Do not suggest I’m without reason.

Varric (PC has not met Hawke yet): Do I really deserve that? Cassandra: No today, but it is still early.

Varric holds out the book.

Varric: A peace offering: the next chapter of Swords & Shields. I hear you’re a fan.

Cassandra turns to the PC.

Cassandra: This is your doing.

Dialogue options:

General: I hoped you’d like it. PC: I was hoping you’d be happy about it. ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: None other! PC: Oh, yes. Do you really think I’d miss this? ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: Stop pretending. PC: Stop acting like you don’t want to read it, Cassandra.

Varric: Well, if you’re not interested, you’re not interested. Still needs editing, anyhow.

Varric starts to leave.

Cassandra: Wait!

He stops.

Varric: You’re probably wondering what happens to the knight-captain after the last chapter.

Cassandra: Nothing should happen to her. She was falsely accused!

Varric: Well, it turns out the guardsman—

Cassandra snatches the book from him.

Cassandra: Don’t tell me!

Varric: This is the part where you thank the Inquisitor. I don’t normally give sneak peaks, after all.

Cassandra: I… thank you.

Dialogue options:

General: Thank Varric. [1]
General: No, thank you. [2]
General: That wasn’t hard, was it? [3]
Flirt (romanced): Anything for you. [4]

1 - General: Thank Varric. PC: Varric’s the one you should be thanking. Varric: I am but a humble servant to my loyal readers.

2 - General: No, thank you. PC: This was everything I’d hoped. Varric: I know how you feel. [5]

3 - General: That wasn’t hard, was it? PC: See? That wasn’t so difficult. [5]

4 - Flirt: Anything for you. PC: Consider it a small token of my affection. The exchange glances. Varric: Maker’s breath, get a room. [5]

5 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: I wonder if I have time to read the first part?

Varric: Don’t forget to tell all your friends! If you have any. (Sighs.) Completely worth it.

+ Cassandra greatly approves

So You’re a Romantic

The PC talks to Cassandra again.

PC: So, that book you were reading…

Cassandra: Ugh. Yes? What of it?

PC: So under that taciturn shell beats a true romantic heart.

Cassandra: Why must it be an accusation? Romance is not the sole province of dithering ladies in frilly dresses. It is passion. It is being swept away by the pursuit of an ideal. What is not to like about that?

Dialogue options:

General: Nothing at all. [1] +Cassandra slightly approves
General: It’s just unexpected. [2]
General: You’re wasting time. [3] -Cassandra disapproves
Flirt: I like that you like it. [4] +Cassandra slightly approves

1 - General: Nothing at all. PC: Oh, I quite agree with you. Then why are you laughing? PC: I wasn’t!

2 - General: It’s just unexpected. It’s just a little… unexpected. I don’t need anyone picturing me mooning over stolen kisses. Is that what you’re doing? Mooning? (Sighs.) I will never hear the end of this, will I?

3 - General: You’re wasting time. PC: Haven’t you got better things to do? Cassandra: You do now know me as well as you think. PC: Evidently.

4 - Flirt: I like that you like it. PC: Don’t get me wrong. I like this side of you. Cassandra: I don’t swoon. PC: I meant the passion. Cassandra: Ah. Well, that’s… not so bad, then.

5 - Scene ends.

Approval Quest

Unfinished Business

Cassandra: Something is troubling me, Inquisitor. Leliana is receiving reports of mages becoming possessed, templars going rogue… No one is dealing with these matters. I was hoping we might, before they get worse.

Dialogue options:

General: Of course. [1]
General: It’s not our job. [2] -Cassandra slightly disapproves
General: We have a lot to do. [3] -Cassandra disapproves

1 - General: Of course. PC: We can certainly look into it. I will mark these incidents on the map as I learn of them, Inquisitor. And I would be pleased to accompany you if and when you investigate. Scene ends.

2 - General: It’s not our job. PC: That isn’t the Inquisition’s job, Cassandra. [4]

3 - General: We have a lot to do. PC: We already have a lot to deal with, Cassandra. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: The Inquisition will undoubtedly encounter some of these things at any rate. I merely suggest that we are the ones equipped to deal with them. I will mark these incidents on the map as I learn of them. Do as you will, Inquisitor.

—

When the party finds a rogue templar:

Cassandra: There! One of the rogue templars!
Cassandra: One of the Templar targets!
Cassandra: A rogue templar!
PC (Cassandra not in party): It’s one of the templars Cassandra is after!

When the party finds a rogue mage:

Cassandra: There! A rogue mage!
Cassandra: This is one of the mages I spoke of!
Cassandra: We have to stop this mage!
PC (Cassandra not in party): It’s one of the mages Cassandra is after!

When the mage/templar is defeated:

Cassandra: Sad that it came to this, but at least it is done.
Cassandra: It’s over. Thank you for bringing us here.
PC (Cassandra not in party):Cassandra will be relieved.
PC (Cassandra not in party):One less problem for Cassandra to worry about.

Low Approval

Cutscene: A Toast to You

The PC finds Cassandra lying on the ground with a bottle in hand

Cassandra: Ah. Here comes the hero of our age.

Cassandra (sided mages): Mighty tamer of the dreaded mage rebellion! Cassandra (sided templars): Mighty tamer of the Order of Templars!

If WEWH completed Cassandra (Celene rules/public truce): Savior of Empress Celene! Champion of all Orlais! Cassandra (Gaspard rules alone): Friend to Emperor Gaspard! Champion of all Orlais! Cassandra (Gaspard and Briala rule): Puppetmaster of the new emperor! Champion of all Orlais!

Cassandra: Once lowly prisoner, now the fabled Herald of Andraste! A toast to you, my [lord/lady].

Dialogue options:

Angry: A pathetic display. [1] -Cassandra greatly disapproves
Surprised: You’re drunk! [2]
Confused: You’re angry at me? [3]
Stoic: What’s wrong now? [4] -Cassandra disapproves

1 - Angry: A pathetic display. PC: Sitting in a dark corner. Drinking. Cassandra: Yes! What of it! PC: It’s pathetic.

2 - Surprised: You’re drunk! PC: You’re drunk? That’s a new one. Cassandra: Yes, we’re all changing, aren’t we? Everything’s changing. PC: And that makes you… unhappy?

3 - Confused: You’re angry at me? PC: You’re angry at me? Is that what this is about? Cassandra: Naturally. Isn’t everything about you? PC: What have you got to be angry about?

4 - Stoic: What’s wrong now? PC: Oh, what is it now? Cassandra: It is now what it always is. PC: That makes no sense.

5 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: You!

She stands and points at the PC while staggering.

Cassandra (post-The Ideal Romance): How could I think you loved me? You, of all men? Cassandra (romanced, not completed The Ideal Romance): “I can be that man.” Did you even believe the words as you said them?

Cassandra: Coddling the mages, encouraging them as if they didn’t almost cost us everything. Cassandra: Coddling the templars, as if they weren’t complicit in their own corruption.

Cassandra (completed WEWH with high court approval): You played the damned “Game” Orlesians love so much, mincing around like the rest of them.

Cassandra: I have watched you, even exalted you as you straddled the world. And I am the one who raised you up.

Dialogue options:

General: We don’t need you. [6] -Cassandra greatly disapproves
General (PC did not claim to be chosen): I didn’t ask for this. [7]
General (PC claimed chosen): The Maker chose me, not you. [8] -Cassandra disapproves
General: I’m doing my best. [9] +Cassandra slightly approves
General: Yes, you did. [10]

6 - General: We don’t need you. PC: Then go. The Inquisition doesn’t need you. Cassandra: How clear you make it. [11]

7 - General: I didn’t ask for this. PC: You speak as though I asked for any of this. Cassandra: Clearly you are innocent of all that followed. [11]

8 - General: The Maker chose me, not you. PC: You didn’t raise me up—the Maker did. Cassandra: Praise the Maker and His infinite wisdom. [11] Cassandra (non-Andrastian PC): Says the nonbeliever. [11]

9 - General: I’m doing my best. PC: I’m doing the best I can, Cassandra. “What needs to be done,” remember? Cassandra: I do remember. [11]

10 - General: Yes, you did. PC: “Wherever you lead us,” remember? Cassandra: I do remember. [11]

11 - Scene continues.

She throws the bottle.

Cassandra: I have been such a fool. Cassandra: Corypheus still lives. My work is not yet done.

Cassandra: Leave me be, Inquisitor. Go, do what you must.

Speaking again after, if previously romanced. Cassandra: I trust that we will return to business, Inquisitor? I think that would be best.

High Approval

Cutscene: Wherever It Takes Us

The PC finds Cassandra in the war room.

PC: Planning troop movements now?

Cassandra: I’m trying to imagine what it will look like when we’re done. All of this once belong to the Tevinter Imperium. Andraste changed that, as did the Blights. As for what will come next… I cannot guess the Maker’s plan.

The PC joins her at the war table.

Dialogue options:

General: We make things better. [1]
General: You can’t guess? [2]
General: There is no plan. [3]

1 - General: We make things better. PC: We make the world a better place. Cassandra: Because everyone agrees on what “better” means. [4]

2 - General: You can’t guess? PC: You don’t have any ideas of your own? [4]

3 - General: There is no plan. PC: Maybe there is no plan. We get the world we make, nothing more. Cassandra: Then how do we determine the right choices to make? [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: I know I want a world where people trust the Chantry and that trust is respected. I want to respect tradition but not fear change. I want to right past wrongs but not avenge them. And I have no idea if my wanting these things makes any of them right.

Dialogue options:

General: You’re too idealistic. [5]
General: I don’t want the same things. [6]
General: Those are admirable goals. [7]

5 - General: You’re too idealistic. PC: You don’t think those things are a bit idealistic? Cassandra: Once I might have. Today I live in a time when anything seems possible. PC: Anything doesn’t mean everything—or even something good. Cassandra: That will not stop me from trying. [8]

6 - General: I don’t want the same things. PC: You know I don’t want the same things as you. Cassandra: I would be surprised if you did. Perhaps I will never get what I want. The Maker might have other plans for you and me. That will not stop me from trying to determine the correct path. [8]

7 - General: Those are admirable goals. PC: Even if they’re not right, they’re certainly admirable. Cassandra: Some would disagree. They would call it heresy. PC: That didn’t sound like the ravings of a heretic, Cassandra. Cassandra: Perhaps not, but it takes precious little effort to paint even an act of compassion as damaging. [8]

8 - Scene continues.

She walks over to the window and leans on the bannister.

Cassandra: Tell me, what guides you? You make decisions that shake the world, yet always seem so assured. I wish I had your confidence.

9 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: You admire me? [10]
General: I obey my conscience. [11]
General: I make it up as I go. [12]
General: I do what must be done. [13]
Flirt (male PC): You guide me. [14]

10 - Investigate: You admire me? PC: You almost sound like you admire me. Cassandra: I absolutely do. I may not always agree with your decisions, but how many could do what you have done? You were a prisoner, accused and reviled, yet you’ve emerged from every trial victorious. The Maker’s grace does not make you immortal. You live or die by your own hand. That is worthy of admiration. [back to 9]

11 - General: I obey my conscience. PC: I’m guided by what my conscience tells me. Cassandra: Your conscience must speak more clearly than mine. PC: I doubt it, but I do my best. [15]

12 - General: I make it up as I go. PC: I’m not that assured—I just make it up as I go. Cassandra: (Chuckles.) Let all your followers take heart. PC: What can I say? It’s worked so far. [15]

13 - General: I do what must be done. PC: I do what must be done. What other choice is there? Cassandra: The demands of the moment. PC: Exactly. [15]

14 - Flirt: You guide me. PC: If I’m guided by anything, it’s you. Cassandra: Oh, excellent: the blind leading the blind. PC: I don’t think you’re blind.

Post-The Ideal Romance Cassandra: I… don’t want to be your prophet. PC: What do you want? They kiss. Scene ends.

Romanced, not completed The Ideal Romance Cassandra: You’re persistent. PC: I thought you liked my confidence? [17]

Not-romanced Cassandra: Clearly you haven’t been paying attention. PC: Haven’t I? [17]

15 - Scene continues

The PC joins her at the window.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Female PC [16]
Male PC [17]

16 - Female PC Cassandra: Think of it: like Andraste long ago, once again the fate of Thedas will be determined by a woman. It makes me proud to know you.

Dialogue options:

General: I hope we’re friends. [18]
General: Thank you. [19]
General: I won’t determine anything. [20]
General: Just because I’m a woman? [21]

18 - General: I hope we’re friends. PC: I hope we can call each other friends. Cassandra: I hope so too. [27] ㅤㅤ ㅤ 19 - General: Thank you. PC: I appreciate that. [27] ㅤㅤ ㅤ 20 - General: I won’t determine anything. PC: I’ve no intention of determining anyone’s fate, Cassandra. Cassandra: Nor did Andraste, in the beginning. [27] ㅤㅤ ㅤ 21 - General: Just because I’m a woman? PC: How is my being a woman relevant? Cassandra: Because you will join a small group of formidable women who have changed history. You will inspire others for ages to come. Surely you know this? [27]

17 - Male PC Cassandra: When we first met, it someone told me I would be pleased to have you lead me, I would have throttled them. But I am. The Maker chose well.

Dialogue options:

General: I hope we’re friends. [22]
General: Thank you. [23]
General: I don’t deserve that. [24]
General (PC denied being chosen): The Maker didn’t choose me. [25]
General (non-Andrastian PC): There is no Maker. [26]

22 - General: I hope we’re friends. PC: I hope we can call each other friends. Cassandra: I hope so too. [27] ㅤㅤ ㅤ 23 - General: Thank you. PC: I appreciate that. [27] ㅤㅤ ㅤ 24 - General: I don’t deserve that. PC: I don’t know if I deserve that. Who knows where I could lead us? Cassandra: We’ll have to see, won’t we? [27] ㅤㅤ ㅤ 25 - General: The Maker didn’t choose me. PC: I don’t believe I was chosen, remember? Cassandra: Oh, I’m well aware. [27] ㅤㅤ ㅤ 26 - General: There is no Maker. PC: Why bring the Maker into this? Cassandra: (Chuckles.) Then whatever, or whoever, brought you here. [27]

27 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: We still have a long road to travel, Inquisitor. Wherever it takes us, I’m glad you’re here.