An Unfamiliar Sense
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Practice
Harding: I’m heading out to practice my new magic. I could use some moral support. I really have to get better at using my new abilities. Don’t want to drop a rock on someone’s head.
Rook meets up with Harding in Arlathan Forest.
Harding: This should be perfect! It’s wide open. Lots of rocks. And away from people. I don’t want to try anything where I could hit someone.
Rook: Oh, this sounds exciting!
Harding: I know!
Rook: Do you… actually think you might hurt someone?
Harding: Not on purpose! If I can actually work my magic safely, maybe I can convince you it isn’t bad.
Rook: Maybe if I see more of this stone magic, it’ll seem less weird.
Harding: This is all new to me too, you know.
Harding: Come on.
They continue walking.
| Rook was optimistic/baffled about the magic | Rook was wary about the magic |
|---|---|
| Rook: Being able to move the terrain’s going to be really useful for a scout.Harding: Getting up high. For good vantage!Rook: Let’s try it out! For practice. | Rook: Your new abilities are a bit worrisome, but I’m sure they’ll be useful. You could use them to get places you can’t reach. Things like that?Harding: Good point! I should try it out, don’t you think? |
They get to a wall.
Harding: All right. See this rock? I’m going to move it.
She tries to use her magic, but nothing happens.
Harding: Awkward.
Dialogue options:
1 - Affable: Use words.
Rook: Maybe if you used words?
Harding: What? Tell the rock what to do?
Rook: Sort of.
Harding: It’s not a dog.
Rook: Yeah, but just try it.
She tries again.
Harding: Fly!
Rook: (Stifled giggles)
Harding: You are the worst. The worst!
2 - Sarcastic: Do you need privacy?
Harding: Why are you just standing there?
Rook: Do you want me to turn around? Give you two some privacy?
She tries again.
Harding: But I did it before. When we were fighting darkspawn.
Rook: We were in danger. Maybe that helped?
3 - Stoic: Keep trying.
Rook: Don’t give up. You’re still new at this.
Harding: I can do this. I can do this.
Rook: You can do this.
She tries again.
Harding: But I did it before. When we were fighting darkspawn.
Rook: We were in danger. Maybe that helped?
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Harding: So a mental cue. Some kind of emotional trigger?
Dialogue options:
Rook: Maybe you could think about how your abilities protect us.
Harding: Instinct. Protection. Shield myself. Shield others. If I had this magic before, I could’ve…
She tries again, and the rock moves.
Harding: I could’ve protected the people who matter. (Sighs)
Dialogue options:
- Flirt: Wanna talk? [6]
- Affable: Don’t blame yourself. [7]
- Sarcastic: Look at what you did! [8]
- Stoic: You can’t save everyone. [9]
6 - Flirt: Wanna talk?
Rook: I’m here for you if you want to vent.
Harding: And make us both miserable? Let’s not. I just want to enjoy the moment. Being around you makes me feel lighter, somehow.
Dialogue options:
- Affable: Your hair is so pretty. [10]
- Sarcastic: Let’s do this more often. [11]
- Stoic: I doubt it’s me. [12]
10 - Affable: Your hair is so pretty.
Rook: Your hair is so bright in the sunlight. Sorry. It’s just… really pretty.
Harding: Oh. Th-thanks.
11 - Sarcastic: Let’s do this more often.
Rook: We should do this more often.
Harding: Just you and me? People might talk.
Rook: About what? That we like doing stuff together? Ooh, scandalous.
Harding: Right. Right, of course, why would they talk?
Rook: Did you mean something else?
Harding: No? No. Of course not. I mean…
12 - Stoic: I doubt it’s me.
Rook: Not sure I have anything to do with it. But hey, it’s good to be useful.
Harding: I hope so.
Rook: Oh?
Dwarf Rook Non-Dwarf Rook Harding: Uh, just talking. About… dwarf stuff. You know. Harding: Uh, I mean… you know, getting stuff off high shelves. Rook: Right…
14 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Rook: Are you blushing?
Harding: No! I mean, yeah! You try moving rocks with your mind. I… I mean, I should go practice more, shouldn’t I? I should.
Scene ends.
7 - Affable: Don’t blame yourself.
Rook: You can’t blame yourself for everything. It’ll destroy you.
Harding: Some thoughts just come. They leave their mark, even when you push them away. I just have to concentrate on the people I can help.
Scene ends.
8 - Sarcastic: Look at what you did!
Rook: Okay, but you did move the rocks, though.
Harding: Wow, you’re usually way better at distraction.
Rook: Thanks! Wait…
Harding: I could focus on the people I can help now, instead of the ones I couldn’t.
Scene ends.
9 - Stoic: You can’t save everyone.
Rook: You can’t be everywhere. Even with these abilities.
Harding: I should give up and not even try?
Rook: Didn’t say that. I just meant that no one’s safe forever, even with magic.
Harding: Either way, I think I’ll need more practice with this, don’t you?
Scene ends.
Rook: You’re thinking too hard about it. Maybe think less and feel more. Have fun. Go with what feels good.
Harding: Feels good. Right. Connection. Joy. Fun. You know, we would sometimes go to the shore of Lake Calenhad, in summer. My friends and I would collect stones, and see who could build the best rock fort. I bet my fort would be the best now.
She tries again, and the rock moves.
Harding: (Laughs) It worked! It worked! That was a great idea, Rook!
Dialogue options:
- Flirt: It’s nice to see you happy. [6]
- Affable: It was you. [7]
- Sarcastic: You’re welcome. [8]
- Stoic: But can you do it again? [9]
6 - Flirt: It’s nice to see you happy.
Rook: I haven’t seen you look this happy in a while, Harding.
Harding: I know. Life, right? Let’s not talk about it.
Dialogue options:
- Affable: Your hair is so pretty. [10]
- Sarcastic: Let’s do this more often. [11]
- Stoic: I doubt it’s me. [12]
10 - Affable: Your hair is so pretty.
Rook: Your hair is so bright in the sunlight. Sorry. It’s just… really pretty.
Harding: Oh. Th-thanks.
11 - Sarcastic: Let’s do this more often.
Rook: We should do this more often.
Harding: Just you and me? People might talk.
Rook: About what? That we like doing stuff together? Ooh, scandalous.
Harding: Right. Right, of course, why would they talk?
Rook: Did you mean something else?
Harding: No? No. Of course not. I mean…
12 - Stoic: I doubt it’s me.
Rook: Not sure I have anything to do with it. But hey, it’s good to be useful.
Harding: I hope so.
Rook: Oh?
Dwarf Rook Non-Dwarf Rook Harding: Uh, just talking. About… dwarf stuff. You know. Harding: Uh, I mean… you know, getting stuff off high shelves. Rook: Right…
14 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Rook: Are you blushing?
Harding: No! I mean, yeah! You try moving rocks with your mind. I… I mean, I should go practice more, shouldn’t I? I should.
Scene ends.
7 - Affable: It was you.
Rook: I provided encouragement. Everything else was you.
Harding: But the encouragement was the thing. Well, I did it once. What’s important is whether I can do it again.
Scene ends.
8 - Sarcastic: You’re welcome.
Rook: Happy to help. Assuming I helped.
Scene ends.
9 - Stoic: But can you do it again?
Rook: You’ll need to repeat that.
Harding: I hope I can. At least I know my emotions are the key.
Scene ends.
So Many Rocks
Rook and Harding continue forward, finding another impassable ledge.
Rook: I wonder what’s up there. Think you could find us a route?
Harding: Maybe! I’ll take a look.
Rook: I bet you could move this to give us something to climb on.
Harding lowers the next rock.
Rook: Well done! Let’s find another rock for you to practice on.
| Told Harding to relax and have fun | Told Harding to think of protection |
|---|---|
| Harding: Bliss in one-ness. Our voice a chorus.Bugged Dialogue:Harding: We raised mountains in our ecstasy. | Harding: The multitudes called out. Finding solace in each other.Bugged Dialogue:Harding: Separate but joined. Entwined. Unentwined. |
Rook: What?
Bugged Dialogue:
Harding: What?
Rook: That thing you were saying.
Harding: I don’t know. I was saying something, wasn’t I? It just came to me.
They continue.
Rook: Think you could clear a path for us?
Harding raises some rocks in place of a bridge.
Rook: Look at that. You’re getting good.
They find more rocks.
Rook: Want to try another one?
Harding: Why not?
She lowers it.
Harding: There you go!
Rook: Practice is really helping, huh?
Harding: I might even be ready for a bigger challenge now.
They keep going.
Rook: Over here!
Harding: So many rocks. And they feel different. That one’s granite. That one’s slate. I think that might be quartz. I wonder if the rock’s composition affects my magic. Sorry. Just thinking out loud. Let’s get back to it. Practicing, I mean.
They move another rock.
Rook: Let’s find a couple more.
Rook: This one!
Harding moves another.
Rook: It’s no trouble for you now!
Harding: I know! This is great!
Harding raises enough rocks for them to reach the upper platform.
Rook: Good work! You got the hang of this stone thing.
Harding: I’m definitely getting there!
Rook: At least you’re learning to control the abilities. That’s a good sign.
Harding: I know you were a bit worried, but I really think it’ll be fine…
Rook: Look, the abilities are still strange, but at least you’re learning to control them.
Harding: Oh, absolutely!
Veil Jumper: (Screaming)
Rook: What was that?
Harding: Someone’s in trouble!
Rook: Over here, Harding! We need to move quick!
Veil Jumper: Please, someone! Is anyone out there?
Harding: Someone’s in trouble. We need to go!
They hurry to the source of the shouting.
Veil Jumper: I… I can’t move!
Harding: Hold on!
Veil Jumper: (Agonized groan)
Harding: This way!
They search for a way to the man.
- Harding: Up over there! I bet that’s where he is!
- Harding: The cry came from over there. We just have to get past here!
- Harding: Ugh! There’s no way up from here. Let’s look around!
Rook: How about if you moved this rock?
Harding raises a rock and they climb up the nearby structure.
Rook: There he is! Let’s hurry!
Rook and Harding run up to a Veil Jumper in pain sitting nearby.
Veil Jumper: (Groans)
Rook: Easy.
Veil Jumper: Maker. I thought I was dead for sure.
Dialogue options:
1 - Affable: Are you all right?
Rook: How are you feeling? How’s the leg?
Veil Jumper: Broken, I think. But I’m alive, and I’m grateful for that.
2 - Sarcastic: Not while Harding’s here.
Rook: Harding wouldn’t let that happen.
3 - Stoic: You got lucky.
Rook: You got lucky. Really lucky.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Veil Jumper: The rocks. How did you do that?
Harding: I…
She looks into the distance.
(Eerie sound)
Rook: Harding?
Harding: Do you hear that?
Rook: Hear… what?
The Oracle: Sister. I feel you. Touched by the ancients, as I was. Find me. Look to those closest to the Stone and find me…
Rook: Harding? What’s wrong? What are you hearing?
Harding: I’m… I’m sorry. Let’s just get our friend to safety. And then we’ll talk.
They help the Veil Jumper up.
Harding: (Grunts) Okay…
Touched by the Ancients
Rook and Harding return to the Lighthouse.
Rook: You’ve been quiet.
Harding: I know. Just thinking. But I said we’d talk, didn’t I? I… I heard a voice. After we saved that man. It told me I was touched by the ancients and that I should seek it out. Seek her out.
Dialogue options:
- Affable: Answers, perhaps? [1]
- Sarcastic: Now you know how it feels! [2]
- Stoic: That’s suspicious. [3]
1 - Affable: Answers, perhaps?
Rook: Do you think this voice has answers about your magic?
Harding: She must!
2 - Sarcastic: Now you know how it feels!
Rook: A-ha! Now you know what it’s like to have a voice in your head!
Harding: You know, I don’t care for it.
3 - Stoic: That’s suspicious.
Rook: Voices. I don’t like that at all.
Harding: I know what it must look like, but something tells me the voice wants to help.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Harding: What if she’s like me? Maybe that’s why only I heard her. She said to look to those closest to the Stone to locate her.
| Dwarf Rook | Non-Dwarf Rook |
|---|---|
| Rook: Other dwarves. Not surfacers, like us, but ones who still live in the Deep Roads. | Rook: Meaning…?Harding: The Children of the Stone. Dwarves. Not surfacers like me, but the ones from the Deep Roads. |
| Default DA:I Worldstate | Custom DA:I Worldstate |
|---|---|
| Harding: Maybe there are other people down there with magic. | Harding: Almost ten years ago, a Shaper from Orzammar bonded with a Titan.Rook: Titans. Ancients. You think it’s related?Harding: It would make sense, wouldn’t it? Valta, that was the Shaper’s name. Maybe there are more like her down there. |
Dialogue options:
- Flirt: Will you let me come along? [5]
- Affable: Let’s hope. [6]
- Sarcastic: Being unique is good. [7]
- Stoic: Don’t forget our priorities. [8]
5 - Flirt: Will you let me come along?
Rook: You going to drag me down to the Deep Roads?
Harding: I will absolutely drag you with me wherever I look for answers. I’ll check with my contacts in Orzammar. The minute they give me a lead, we’ll go.
Rook: It’s a date!
Harding: A date?
Rook: I mean, a pre-arranged time and place for a specific activity.
Rook: Unless you wanted it to be a date-date.
Harding: I… shouldn’t get ahead of myself. Who knows if my contacts will have anything to say?
Rook: Right, right. Let me know.
Harding: (Giggles)
6 - Affable: Let’s hope.
Rook: I’d like for you to get the answers you’re looking for.
Harding: Me, too.
7 - Sarcastic: Being unique is good.
Rook: Or you could be the only dwarf in the world with magic. Which must feel nice.
Harding: A little! But I don’t know everything about it yet, and I probably should.
8 - Stoic: Don’t forget our priorities.
Rook: And our other problem? The gods?
Harding: Learning about my magic can only help our fight. I’m sure of it.
Rook: As long as you’re sure.
9 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Harding: I know some people in Orzammar. I’ll reach out. If I hear anything, you’ll be the first to know.
Deleted Dialogue