Approval

Varric Approval Scenes

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Low Approval

We Need To Talk

Varric: Inquisitor, we really need to have a talk about your methods. The way you run this place, you get results. I can’t argue with that. But the way you do it? You leave a lot of innocent people ground into the dirt behind you.

Dialogue options:

General: I don’t mean to. [1]
General: We’re fighting a war! [2]
General: How can I change? [3]
General: You’ve said your piece. [4]

1 - General: I don’t mean to. PC: I’ve never meant to hurt anyone. Varric: But you didn’t think they mattered. [5]

2 - General: We’re fighting a war! PC: We’re fighting an enemy who can tear open the sky! Some sacrifices have to be made. Varric: There’s always a war! Or a cause! Or an injustice! You think I haven’t heard this rant before? [5]

3 - General: How can I change? PC: All right, Varric. What should I do to fix this. Varric: Uh… maybe try killing fewer people? Just a thought. [5]

4 - General: You’ve said your piece. PC: You’ve said what you wanted to say. Are we done here? Varric: No, that was just the warm up. [5]

5 - Scene continues.

Varric: This “all that matters is the goal, and fuck the consequences” thing of yours? I’ve seen where that road leads. Anders was the last guy I knew who thought like that, and he was an abomination. What’s your excuse? The word has enough problems, Inquisitor. It doesn’t need another monster. Try not to become one.

Warm Approval

The Chosen One

The PC approaches Varric, who is sitting at the table doing paperwork.

Dialogue options:

General: I can come back later. [1]
General: Fighting a losing battle? [2]
General: Take a break. [3]

1 - General: I can come back later. PC: Is this a bad time? I can come back. Varric: No, it’s all right. Bills are really not that engrossing.

2 - General: Fighting a losing battle? PC: Battling the demons of paperwork? That’s a fight nobody walks away from clean. Varric: You have no idea the number of times I’ve almost been killed by bills of lading.

3 - General: Take a break. PC: Put that stuff aside. Take a break. Varric: Best advice I’ve ever heard.

4 - Scene continues.

Varric walks towards the PC.

Varric: I’ve been meaning to come talk to you, anyhow. I never officially joined the Inquisitor. I don’t know how to do this… disciplehood thing. I’m a businessman. Never really followed a chosen one before.

Dialogue options:

General: I’m just like you. [5] +Varric slightly approves
General: Just be my friend. [6] +Varric approves
General: Make it up as you go. [7] +Varric slightly approves
General (PC denies being chosen): I’m not the chosen one. [8] +Varric slightly approves
General: Just do what I do. [9] -Varric slightly disapproves

5 - General: I’m just like you. PC: I’m a person like any other. You don’t have to treat me differently. Varric: (Sighs.) Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m overthinking things. [10]

6 - General: Just be my friend. PC: I don’t need a disciple. I need a friend. Varric: If you knew how intimidating you are, you wouldn’t make it sound so simple. [10]

7 - General: Make it up as you go. PC: I don’t even know how to deal with all this. Just make something up. It’ll be fine. Varric: Oh, so we’re saving the world through bullshit now? All right. I can manage that. [10]

8 - General: I’m not the chosen one. PC: Don’t do that. I’m not the chosen one. Varric: You are, though. Only maybe you didn’t choose to be. [10]

9 - General: Just do what I do. PC: There’s nothing to it. Just follow my lead. Varric: It’s not really that easy. The Inquisition isn’t simply another army. [10]

10 - Scene continues.

Varric: You just don’t know what you are to the people out there. The Herald of Andraste is a symbol bigger than any of us.

Dialogue options:

General: What am I to them? [11]
General: What am I to you? [12]
General: I can’t be bigger than myself. [13]

11 - General: What am I to them? PC: So what exactly am I to the people out there? Varric: The sky tears open. Demons everywhere. To ordinary folks, these are the end times. The only hope they have is you.

Varric (PC denies being chosen): Maybe you don’t think that’s a sign of some higher power looking out for the world, but they do. [14] Varric: You’re the sign that somebody might hear their prayers, that maybe they’re not abandoned, after all. [14]

12 - General: What am I to you? PC: What am I to you, then? Varric: None of this shit makes any sense to me. Is this the end of the world? Did Andraste send you through the Breach? I have no idea. [14]

13 - General: I can’t be bigger than myself. PC: There’s no way I can be bigger than myself, Varric. Varric: Sure you can. You don’t see yourself like they do. The sky tears open. Demons everywhere. To ordinary folks, these are the end times. The only hope they have is you.

14 - Scene continues.

Varric: You heard the crowd singing after Haven was attacked.

Dialogue options:

General: I’m still me, though. [15]
General: Please don’t sing. [16] +Varric slightly approves
General: This is giving me a headache. [17] -Varric slightly disapproves

15 - General: I’m still me, though. PC: Whatever I am to Thedas, I’m still just an ordinary person. Varric: So, just a regular person. Like anybody else. Right. [18]

16 - General: Please don’t sing. PC: Please tell me you aren’t going to burst into song now. Varric: Don’t worry, I’m not that cruel. [18]

17 - General: This is giving me a headache. PC: This is all making my head hurt. Varric: Hey, you’re the one who asked! [18]

18 - Scene continues.

Varric: I should probably get back to work, unless… You up for a game of Wicked Grace?

Let’s Discuss the Inquisition

PC: What are your thoughts on the Inquisition?

All Inquisition powers max Varric: If there’s anybody out there who hasn’t joined the Inquisition, they’re hiding under a rock. Did you want to take over Ferelden? I think we might be able to conquer it just by looking east.

Connections maxed Varric: We know everyone there is to know. Meanwhile, Josephine has an entire team writing your polite refusals to dinner parties.

Secrets maxed Varric: You might want to keep an eye on Leliana. At this point, I think her secrets have secrets. Someone needs to get her out of the fortress for a while. Take a walk or something. She’s starting to twitch.

Forces maxed Varric: We know everyone there is to know. Meanwhile, Josephine has an entire team writing your polite refusals to dinner parties.

All Inquisition powers mid Varric: We’ve got a pretty well balanced organization. I’m a fan of diversification and all, but do we have the strength to handle major issues when they come up?

Connections mid Varric: Josephine is ordering more Inquisition stationary. I think the new batch is covered in gold leaf and smug superiority.

Secrets mid Varric: Leliana is sending out so many message birds, we’re starting to attract large cats.

Forces mid Varric: Whatever you do, don’t ask Cullen to tell you about the troops. You’ll be there all day.

Highest rank is connections Varric: If you see Josephine running around in a panic, she’s fine. I think she enjoys it, actually.

Highest rank is secrets Varric: I have no idea what Leliana is up to. That’s a good sign, actually. If you find out, don’t tell me. I think she’d have to kill us both.

Highest rank is forces Varric: Cullen’s been working overtime getting the troops into shape. Reminds me of an old friend of mine.

No powers leveled/all low Varric: We have a lot of work to do. I we want to be taken seriously, we’ll need… well, everything.

1 - Dialogue options:

General: Tell me about Cullen. [2]
General: Let’s discuss Josephine. [3]
General: How is Leliana doing? [4]
General: Understood. [5]

2 - General: Tell me about Cullen. PC: What do you think of our general?

Highest rank is forces Varric: He’s been insufferably smug lately. You might want to tell him to watch his back. I think Leliana might shiv him. [back to 1]

Forces maxed Varric: Find him a war or something. If he spends any more time in the yard drilling, Josephine will have him killed. [back to 1]

Lowest rank is forces Varric: He needs more to do, honestly. Right now, he spends all day cleaning his armor with a lost-puppy look on his face. [back to 1]

Forces mid Varric: He seems to be doing a decent job. He’s starting to remind me of my friend Aveline, actually. [back to 1]

No powers leveled/all low Varric: I met Cullen back in Kirkwall. He’s the only sane templar to come out of there. [back to 1]

3 - General: Let’s discuss Josephine. PC: How do you think Josephine is handling the job of ambassador?

Highest rank is connections Varric: If this Inquisition thing doesn’t work out, I may hire her to deal with the Merchants Guild. She’d own them before breakfast. [back to 1]

Connections maxed Varric: I’m starting to get the feeling that this is all a warm-up before she takes over Antiva in a bloodless coup. [back to 1]

Lowest rank is connections Varric: You might want to find some tasks for her before she rearranges the war room again. [back to 1]

Connections mid Varric: She’d fit in perfectly with the Merchants Guild. Too bad she’s so tall. [back to 1]

No powers leveled/all low Varric: She’s a brilliant planner. Lots of potential. I don’t know how experienced she is, but she’ll go far. [back to 1]

4 - General: How is Leliana doing? PC: What do you think of Leliana’s work?

Highest rank is secrets Varric: She scares me… mostly in a good way. At least I’m reasonably sure she’s on our side. [back to 1]

Secrets maxed Varric: Do you want to know what the Arishok had for breakfast this morning? I think she can tell you. [back to 1]

Lowest rank is secrets Varric: She’s pretty bored right now, and that’s dangerous. Never leave your spies idle. [back to 1]

Secrets mid Varric: She’s good at what she does. If she quits the Chantry, she could make a killing for the Carta. [back to 1]

No powers leveled/all low Varric: She was a bard. Intrigue comes naturally to her. That should tell you pretty much everything you need to know. [back to 1]

5 - General: Understood. PC: Good to know. Varric: Back to work, then.

High Approval

Wicked Grace

The PC approaches Varric in the main hall.

Varric: There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. You’re just in time. We almost had to start without you.

Dialogue options:

General: Start what? PC: What exactly were you starting with me, now?
General: Yes, that would be bad. PC: What exactly were you starting with me, now?
General: What are you talking about? PC: I have no idea what you’re talking about, Varric.

Varric gestures, and he and the PC walk off.

Varric (female PC): I found her, Ruffles! Deal her in! Varric (male PC): Look who showed up, everybody! Deal him in, would you, Ruffles?

They walk up to a table full of companions.

Josephine: I do hope I recall the rules. It’s been ages since I’ve played a game of Wicked Grace.

Varric: Grab a seat. We’re ready to start.

They sit.

Varric: Grab a seat. We’re ready to start.

If Iron Bull is recruited Iron Bull: We playing cards or what?

If Guilty Pleasures is completed Cassandra: Are three drakes better than a pair of swords? I can never remember. Varric: Seeker, remember how I said, “Don’t show anyone your hand”? That rule includes announcing it to the table.

If Cole is recruited Cole: There’s a crown on his head, but a sword, too. His head didn’t want either. Varric: Don’t talk to the face cards, kid.

Cullen: You seem to have enough people. I have a thousand things to do. Dorian (if recruited): Losing money can be both relaxing and habit forming. Give it a try. Iron Bull (if Dorian isn’t recruited): Aw, man up and play, Cullen. The girls are watching. Varric: Curly, if any man in history ever needed a hobby, it’s you.

Josephine: Dealer starts. Ooh… I… believe… I’ll start at… three coppers! Do you think that’s too daring? Maybe I’ll make it one… No! Boldness! Three it is!

Iron Bull: Seriously? Who starts at three coppers? Silver, or go home.

If Blackwall is recruited Blackwall: Sounds good. I’m in. Blackwall (involved with Josephine): Don’t talk to the lady that way.

Dorian: Bolder the better, right. I’m in.

Varric: Me, too. Well? Are you in?

Dialogue options:

General: I’ll play. [1]
General: Go easy on me. [2]
General: I’ll see that bet. [3]
General: I don’t think so. [4]

1 - General: I’ll play. PC: Of course. Deal me in, Josephine. Josephine: Oh, wonderful! I’m glad you’re joining us! Varric: Ante up, Inquisitor.

2 - General: Go easy on me. PC: Just remember I’m still new to this game. Varric: Don’t worry, you’ll pick it up in no time. Cole: So shiny… Dorian: Just remember, if you run out of coin, you can still bet your clothing. Blackwall: What? You didn’t tell me that. Cassandra: Is it my turn? Is this when I place a bet?

3 - General: I’ll see that bet. PC: I’m in, and raising another silver. Cullen: You haven’t even looked at your cards! Varric: Our illustrious leader is betting we’re bluffing. Blackwall: You are bluffing.

4 - General: I don’t think so. PC: Not this time, Varric. Varric: Oh. Well, uh… get back to… whatever it is you do, then. We’ve got a game to play. Scene ends.

5 - Scene continues.

Cullen: The poor recruit ran out into the dining hall in nothing but his knickers. And this… profound silence fell over the hall as seventy mages and thirty templars all turned to stare at once. Then a slow round of applause began. And spread until every soul was on their feet. A standing ovation.

Josephine: What did he do?

Cullen: Saluted. Turned on his heel. And marched out like he was in full armor.

Blackwall: (Laughs.)

Cassandra: He did not!

Dorian: Good man.

Iron Bull: You’re shitting us!

Varric: That’s how you know it’s true. I could never put that in a book. Too unlikely.

Dialogue options:

General: Now you tell one, Varric! [6]
General: We need more drinks! [7]
General: Deal again, Josephine. [8]
General: I’ve got a story! [9]

6 - General: Now you tell one, Varric! PC: I think it’s our professional storyteller’s turn to tell one. Varric: I think I can manage that. Did I ever tell you about the time we broke into Chateau Haine? It started, as most capers do, with a trap… The scene fades. Varric: And then Hawke looks up and says, “Looks like the duke… has fallen from grace.” Cullen: (Laughs.) Josephine: That’s how Duke Prosper died? You know, that’s almost perfect for him.

7 - General: We need more drinks! PC: I think we need another round of drinks! Cullen: I’ll get them. He stands. Cullen: Don’t start without me!

8 - General: Deal again, Josephine. PC: Deal us another hand, Josephine. Josephine: Oh, of course! Cards, sorry! Varric took the last hand. Is everyone ready to ante up?

9 - General: I’ve got a story! PC: I’ve got one for you.

Qunari PC PC: So, my kith was hired for a simple caravan escort in southern Nevarra. Twelve days of walking alongside donkeys, and men who smelled like donkeys, across flat nothingness… The scene fades. PC: Shokrakar turned to the donkey and said, “We’ll let this go if you will.” And walked away.

Dalish PC PC: The clan decided to camp near this ruined fortress. Right on the edge of the Tirashan. Dark as the bottom of a well. The Keeper swore up and down it was safe, but some of the hunters started hearing noises in the middle of the night… The scene fades. PC: They ran out of there, fast as you think, bare arses shining in the moonlight. The whole way back to their village.

Dwarf PC PC: There was this time the Carta sent me to do some collections. Just pick up the protection money and bring it back by any means necessary. What they forgot to tell me was the first business on that list was this old seamstress… The scene fades. PC: She never paid a rusty copper of protection again. And if you mentioned her name to the Dasher, his ears turned purple.

Human mage PC PC: It was the night of my Harrowing. I was standing in the middle of a room full of templars and senior enchanters. As the knight-commander read me the Chant, I got the nagging feeling something was missing… The scene fades. PC: They put me in the Ostwick Circle history book, which the first enchanter kept under lock and key, and never spoke of it again.

Human non-mage PC PC: Firstly, my aunt is known across the Free Marches for her love of Antivan opera. So, of course when a performance of “The Murder of Queen Madrigal” opened, she made us all attend… The scene fades. PC: My aunt refused to speak to me for three months.

Varric: Not bad! You don’t mind if I steal that one, do you? Dorian: Well done! Blackwall: You ought to tell stories more often. Cole: I liked the part with the rabbit. There should be more rabbits in stories. Cassandra: (Laughs.) Josephine: That was scandalous. It would ruin the Inquisition if anyone found out. Tell it again!

10 - Scene continues.\

Josephine: And the dealer takes everything! I win again.

Cullen: Deal again. I’ve figured out your tells, Lady Ambassador.

Josephine: Commander! Everyone knows a lady has no tells.

Cullen: Then let’s see if your good fortune lasts one more hand.

Dialogue options:

General: Deal me in, too. PC: I want another chance to win my dignity back. Deal me in.
General: I want to watch this. PC: I’m not losing any more coin to Josephine, but I have got to see this.

The scene fades. Cullen appears to have lost his clothes.

Cullen: Don’t say a word, dwarf.

Varric: I tried to warn you, Curly.

Josephine (romanced by PC): You won the whole pot! I knew you could do it, my love! Josephine: Never bet against an Antivan, Commander.

Cassandra: I’m leaving. I don’t want to witness our commander’s walk of shame back to the barracks.

Dorian: Well, I do!

Cole: It comes off. I didn’t know it came off…

The companions start to leave. Cullen runs out after everyone else has gone, leaving Varric and the PC.

Varric: I’m glad you decided to join us tonight. It’s too easy to mistake you for the Inquisitor.

Dialogue options:

General: This was fun. [11]
General: What does that mean? [12]
General: I am the Inquisitor. [13]

11 - General: This was fun. PC: I enjoyed this. Varric: See? That’s what I mean. [14]

12 - General: What does that mean? PC: You’re mistaking me for me? How much did you have to drink? [14]

13 - General: I am the Inquisitor. PC: But I am the Inquisitor. [14]

14 - Scene continues.

Varric: It’s easy to forget you’re not just an icon or symbol, like those statues of Andraste holding bowls of fire. At least it is for me. You up for another game when this is all over, Inquisitor?

Dialogue options:

General: Of course. [15]
General: That seems dangerous. [16]
General: I don’t think so. [17]

15 - General: Of course. PC: I wouldn’t miss it. Varric: Good! It’ll take me a while to talk Cullen into it. Maybe I’ll work the “revenge” angle. [18]

16 - General: That seems dangerous. PC: Every time I play, I increase the odds of winding up like Cullen. Varric: You’re never more alive than when you’re about to lose your pants, my friend. [18]

17 - General: I don’t think so. PC: I’m not sure I’m a card player, Varric. Sorry. Varric: Well, in that case, I’ll have to teach you to play Paragon. [18]

18 - Scene continues.

Varric and the PC leave.

If Sera is recruited Sera: Whozat? Did I win?