History Fridge / DragonAgeInquisition

* The reasons behind Hawke's disappearance parallel the entirety of ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. Cassandra was convinced there was some dark secret behind Hawke's disappearance, when really they were just trying to split the Divine's forces and give Kirkwall a better chance to survive an expected Exalted March. No conspiracies, no dark magic, no ill intent. Just like the cause of the Mage Rebellion in the first place: Everyone thought that someone must have masterminded the whole thing, but it was mostly caused by people being people (with a little extra helping of crazy from the red lyrium idol).

** Also, similar to the Orlais example above, it makes sense why this TakeAThirdOption is possibly the worst choice despite being the hardest thing to get: Vivienne is not only entrenched in the status quo, but she's also someone ''no one'' would ever think of electing as Divine (given her status as a mage), meaning she'll have less initial support than Cassandra or Leliana among the Grand Clerics (who will form the Grand Consensus, the body in which every grand cleric will cast their votes for their chosen new Divine). Vivienne refuses to side with the rebel mages, but the templars will refuse to side with her, thus making her the weakest candidate by the end of it. Even if she manages to end up as a Divine, her power is shaky at best, especially at the light of Duke Bastien's death. And unlike Cassandra and Leliana, Vivienne has little to no involvement with Justinia personally despite her admiration to her. Both Cassandra and Leliana took orders from Justinia personally and thus have a lot of exposure enough for the Grand Clerics to consider them as potential successors of the late Divine despite breaking from the usual tradition. Both Cassandra and Leliana done something big for the service of the Chantry, with Cassandra being the Hero of Orlais due of saving Justinia's predecessor, which prevented the collapse of the Chantry and serves faithfully as Beatrix III and later Justinia's Right Hand. Leliana, meanwhile, has extra points for being a veteran of the Fifth Blight, and a member the group that find the Temple of the Sacred Ashes of Andraste. Sometimes the least likely option is least likely for a ''reason''.

** Also, similar to the Orlais example above, it makes sense why this TakeAThirdOption is possibly the worst choice despite being the hardest thing to get: Vivienne is not only entrenched in the status quo, but she's also someone ''no one'' would ever think of electing as Divine (given her status as a mage), meaning she'll have less initial support than Cassandra or Leliana among the Grand Clerics (who will form the Grand Consensus, the body in which every grand cleric will cast their votes for their chosen new Divine). Vivienne refuses to side with the rebel mages, but the templars will refuse to side with her, thus making her the weakest candidate by the end of it. Even if she manages to end up as a Divine, her power is shaky at best, especially at the light of Duke Bastien's death. And unlike Cassandra and Leliana, Vivienne has little to no involvement with Justinia personally despite her admiration to her. Both Cassandra and Leliana took orders from Justinia personally and thus have a lot of exposure enough for the Grand Clerics to consider them as potential successors of the late Divine despite breaking from the usual tradition, and Leliana has extra points for being a veteran of the Fifth Blight, and a member the group that find the Temple of the Sacred Ashes of Andraste. Sometimes the least likely option is least likely for a ''reason''.

** Also, similar to the Orlais example above, it makes sense why this TakeAThirdOption is possibly the worst choice despite being the hardest thing to get: Vivienne is not only entrenched in the status quo, but she's also someone ''no one'' would ever think of electing as Divine (given her status as a mage), meaning she'll have less initial support than Cassandra or Leliana among the Grand Clerics (who will form the Grand Consensus, the body in which every grand cleric will cast their votes for their chosen new Divine). Vivienne refuses to side with the rebel mages, but the templars will refuse to side with her, thus making her the weakest candidate by the end of it. Even if she manages to end up as a Divine, her power is shaky at best, especially at the light of Duke Bastien's death. And unlike Cassandra and Leliana, Vivienne has little to no involvement with Justinia personally despite her admiration to her. Both Cassandra and Leliana took orders from Justinia personally and thus have a lot of exposure enough for the Grand Clerics to consider them as potential successors of the late Divine despite breaking from the usual tradition. Sometimes the least likely option is least likely for a ''reason''.

* The CentralTheme of ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' seems to be "wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time". Cassandra, the Seeker of Truth who led the investigation into the disappearances of Hawke and the Warden, had the two people who potentially ''knew'' where both of them were the entire time ''right before her'' and failed to figure it out. Varric knows exactly where Hawke is and can contact the Champion at any time, while Leliana (if she was romanced by the Warden) knows about his/her quest and can contact him/her. As ''Inquisition'' reveals, Cassandra is a great warrior with a strong sense of duty, but interrogations are really not her forte.
* The Siege of Adamant proves to be one of the biggest blows to Corypheus, but the reason is massively important. After Haven, the Siege of Adamant is the biggest scale battle between the Inquisition and anyone associated with Corypheus and his allies. Considering how the last time went, it shows just how stagnant Corypheus really is and sets up his defeat.

** Blackwall speaks in a very distinct accent that doesn't quite sound like anyone else in the game. When you find he's actually Orlesian, it suddenly makes sense. His voice sounds ''exactly'' like a French person putting on a British accent.

** Not to mention that the Orlesian Wardens, as revealed to the recovered memories, have involvement over the death of Divine Justinia by participating at the ritual conducted by Corypheus. Even if they are manipulated by the BigBad via the false Calling, the mere fact of their involvement will truly destroy their reputation continent-wide if the truth comes to light. The Grey Wardens and the Chantry already have sour relations due to their clashing policies, mainly in regards to the mages, but this single act will put Chantry on the warpath against the Grey Wardens.

* Flemeth claims that her plan for Morrigan never involved stealing her body, and such a thing in fact would be impossible. Morrigan is confused and bewildered, but says she thinks she's telling the truth. Thing is, this fits with what little we know of souls in this 'verse. Demons and spirits both need permission to possess a mage; Flemeth implies even Mythal was the same. The Archdemon is able to reincarnate because most blighted creatures don't have souls, but when it tries to jump into a Grey Warden, it can't wrest control of the body. Yavana from the comics seemed perfectly game for Flemeth to take her body, describing the ritual as "a gift."

* At Adamant, Cole's gravestone in the Fade reads "Despair." Elsewhere in the game, the player can learn that Cole is a Spirit of Compassion, and compassion spirits are susceptible to being corrupted into Despair Demons. Why? Because compassion fatigue is a real phenomenon. It can be very painful and wearying caring about others and seeing them suffer and die unnecessarily. Experiencing it enough can lead to burnout and PTSD at best, past the DespairEventHorizon at worst. Cole's greatest fear in the game is becoming a demon, but one way to drive him there would be to drive him past the DespairEventHorizon.

* You might ask yourself why Iron Bull sent Krem on his behalf to tell the Inquisition that the Chargers were interested in working with them. Because Bull's savvy enough to know that Krem is the only one with a professional demeanor to approach complete strangers and conduct business without creating a situational mess. And given the south's discrimination against the Qunari and their preference to deploy humans and elves as spies to operate there, Bull is also smart enough not to incite unnecessary mess that would make his entry to the Inquisition difficult.

* You might ask yourself why Iron Bull sent Krem on his behalf to tell the Inquisition that the Chargers were interested in working with them. Because Bull's savvy enough to know that Krem is the only one with a professional demeanor to approach complete strangers and conduct business without creating a situational mess.

** It might be the fact that Ferelden, while being Andrastrian, is quite at odds with the Chantry as a whole, not just if Alistair (who is noted to be critical towards the Chantry) happens to be the king. The Chantry is an ''Orlesian'' creation, founded by an expansionist Orlesian emperor, and most of its higher ups hailed there, and anything Orlesian will cast suspicion and contempt to the dog lords. Adding the in-universe whitewashing to Andraste, an Alamarri barbarian hailed in present day Denerim, them turning a blind eye when the Orlesian invaded Ferelden during the Blessed Age, and the Conclave happened at the Ferelden territory and probably without the monarch(s) permission to have the peace talks held there, it would really make sense that the Fereldan monarchs taking in the mages will be seen as a subtle ''fuck you'' to the Chantry's leadership and its recent failures to deescalate the Mage-Templar War. Made even more insulting considering that Orlais is currently embroiled in a civil war, rendering the Chantry and the Empire completely powerless.

** It might be the fact that Ferelden, while being Andrastrian, is quite at odds with the Chantry as a whole, not just if Alistair (who is noted to be critical towards the Chantry) happens to be the king. The Chantry is an ''Orlesian'' creation, founded by an expansionist Orlesian emperor, and most of its higher ups hailed there, and anything Orlesian will cast suspicion and contempt to the dog lords. Adding the in-universe whitewashing to Andraste, an Alamarri barbarian hailed in present day Denerim, and the Conclave happened at the Ferelden territory and probably without the monarch(s) permission to have the peace talks held there, it would really make sense that the Fereldan monarchs taking in the mages will be seen as a subtle ''fuck you'' to the Chantry's leadership and its recent failures to deescalate the Mage-Templar War. Made even more insulting considering that Orlais is currently embroiled in a civil war, rendering the Chantry and the Empire completely powerless.

** The fact the Cleansing Runes don't deal extra damage to Wardens is actually consistent with the lore as Grey Wardens are essentially high-functioning ghouls whose Blight hasn't progressed to the point where it's debilitating yet and most Wardens go on their [[TheLastDance Calling]] before they get to that point. Red Templars are infested with Red Lyrium crystals to the point it's starting to consume their bodies so they're likely on par with actual Darkspawn when it comes to their Blight infection, Grey Wardens are nowhere near that level so they would only be affected by the "regular" damage of a weapon. If a Grey Warden is at the "ghoul" level of their Calling they possibly be affected by the Cleansing Rune, but in the events of the game [[spoiler: the Grey Wardens only ''think'' they're facing an early Calling thanks to the Fear Demon]].

* Unlike the first two games in which the full health bar shows to be red in color, the full health bar in Inquisition is green and the lost HP is highlighted with red. In this series, the color red is associated with the BigBad who uses red lyrium to amplify their power. Their opposition is associated with green (it helps that this is the primary color of the third game), whose Anchor can close and open rifts and their organization is the only one who can oppose the BigBad.

** It might be the fact that Ferelden, while being Andrastrian, is quite at odds with the Chantry. The Chantry is an ''Orlesian'' creation, founded by an expansionist Orlesian emperor, and most of its higher ups hailed there, and anything Orlesian will cast suspicion and contempt to the dog lords. Adding the in-universe whitewashing to Andraste, an Alamarri barbarian hailed in present day Denerim, and the Conclave happened at the Ferelden territory and probably without the monarch(s) permission to have the peace talks held there, it would really make sense that the Fereldan monarchs taking in the mages will be seen as a subtle ''fuck you'' to the Chantry's leadership and its recent failures to deescalate the Mage-Templar War. Made even more insulting considering that Orlais is currently embroiled in a civil war, rendering the Chantry and the Empire completely powerless.

* The most difficult outcome of the Orlais questline (forcing Celene, Briala, and Gaspard into a truce) turns out to be the worst in the long run (unless you hate everyone involved and Orlais in general). This makes sense; you're leaving three people raised in a DecadentCourt who hate each other in charge of an empire, united only by blackmail and a shared resentment of the Inquisition for forcing them into that situation. It was doomed from the start. Alternately, reconciling Celene and Briala makes them both a little less ruthless, with Celene supporting the Inquisition not only due to pragmatism but also out of genuine gratitude. Making Gaspard a puppet under Briala also works out well enough, since Gaspard, who despises the Game, knows he can't beat someone as cunning as Briala in The Game and Briala knows that the Inquisition's support is a key factor in maintaining her unofficial power in Orlais.

** Also, similar to the Orlais example above, it makes sense why this TakeAThirdOption is possibly the worst choice despite being the hardest thing to get: Vivienne is not only entrenched in the status quo, but she's also someone ''no one'' would ever think of electing as Divine (given her status as a mage), meaning she'll have less initial support than Cassandra or Leliana among the Grand Clerics (who will form the Grand Consensus, the body in which every grand cleric will cast their votes for their chosen new Divine). Vivienne refuses to side with the mages, but the templars will refuse to side with her, thus making her the weakest candidate by the end of it. Even if she manages to end up as a Divine, her power is shaky at best, especially at the light of Duke Bastien's death. And unlike Cassandra and Leliana, Vivienne has little to no involvement with Justinia personally despite her admiration to her. Both Cassandra and Leliana took orders from Justinia personally and thus have a lot of exposure enough for the Grand Clerics to consider them as potential successors of the late Divine despite breaking from the usual tradition. Sometimes the least likely option is least likely for a ''reason''.