Steerpike, that sounds like Morrigan - she who hates all things good-hearted and kind. Watch for her disapproval every time you save someone's kitten or puppy and don't get me started on her disdain for all things love-related. She's hard-core and I adore her! Her conversations with Alistair are classic.

Pokey, I don't remember what level we were doing Morrigan's favor, but I was definitely glad to have Shale and Wynne along for the ride.

I haven't played in a couple of days, but it's back to the final onslaught tonight.

My female city elf doesn't kiss and tell. But you can definitely figure it out if you read the whole thread. [Image Can Not Be Found]

According to the guide, Morrigan is strictly into men. I've not read of anyone wooing Wynne - male or female - but then how many would admit to cuddling with someone everyone else sees as the grandmother-type?

My cutscenes always showed the changes in armor and weaponry, including Morrigan (360 as well). I kitted Morrigan out in some sort of light armor that added to her defense and didn't impede her ability to cast. She suffered a slight hit to fatigue, but nothing that wasn't manageable. I don't think Morrigan is necessarily a feminist… she's just not into giving up her freedom for some man. They sometimes serve a specific purpose; however, it's always on her terms and she definitely doesn't want one fawning over her.

Steerpike, I think what Meho suggests may be your problem with your party suddenly finding things more interesting to do without you – you're having them hold somewhere. The only times my guys weren't stuck to me like glue is if I outran them, which I tried not to do as that was a sure-fire way to get my butt handed to me.

*edit: Oh and I never, ever used Morrigan's shapeshift powers. The fact that her default was a giant-ass spider kept me from even upgrading that skill/talent tree.

In the words of Pharoah (Yul Brynner): “Let it be written, let it be done.”

We've killed the archdemon and successfully beaten back the blight. It's the best game ending ever. Spoilers ahead! If you haven't finished, don't read them! You have been warned!

Juggernaut armor and the Keening blade w/enchantments! are your friends.

If you've done the Lothering quests and met the Dwarven peddler and his son:

My “Sophie's Choice” moments:

I want a ballista of my very own.

I spent approximately 67 hours wandering through Ferelden and loved every minute of it! Just before the credits rolled: I got a run-down of how things continued on in Ferelden with the Dalish, Dwarves and some others I met along the way. That was very cool to tie up loose ends. Interesting note: after I finished, I wanted to check my final hour count and the game told me that there was some extra content for having completed the game so it took me back to my camp just before the final assault on Denerim.

My decisions in a nutshell:

*edit: Forget that last paragraph (to echo Spike, we need strike-through). The game was just telling me that I could still play my DLC even though I've finished. Since there's only the two – which I've completed – there's nothing left for me to do. I'm bereft.

ROFL, Steerpike!

Ahem. There was many a time that I wanted more than four in my party. I really wished to be able to travel with them all in a massive "hell's riding with me" gang. You should be able to meet a couple of prospective party members in Lothering.

Pokey, if your coercion is high enough, you can talk that elf in the Brecilian Forest back from the edge. I got her to see the error of her ways without combat. I think I received an amulet for my trouble from her. The Revenants in the "places of power" (I think that's what they're called) are totally worth fighting for the loot they'll give (the strength requirement is high, but somehow my game allowed me to outfit Alistair with it).

Meho, yes, I am playing online so my game could well be patched although I don't remember getting any messages of updates available during any of my play sessions. Live is pretty "in your face" when it comes to patching games you play connected to Live. I was tempted to upgrade Morrigan's shapeshifter skill set just to be able to get the swarm, but her Cone of Cold coupled with Fire blast/ball worked so well I didn't need anything else.

Speaking of Fireball: In the final onslaught, I had Alistair, Leliana and Wynne with me. Wynne was still my principal healer, but I'd also specced her with Petrify and Fireball. (if you look at previous postings, you'll see that fireball could be a problem if I wasn't careful. Friendly fire is not really friendly at all. It's still fire!) We walked into one room where there had to be 20 or more genlocks waiting for us. Everyone held back while Wynne let loose with a massive fireball that promptly fried and dropped half of them. Five more dropped from residual damage as we walked through the door. That left 4 for Alistair and I to actually take down in one hit. Awesome battle.

I cannot let go of this game. Or it won't let go of me. Last night, I played the human noble origin: Arl Howe's treachery knows no bounds. I now feel particularly vindicated in how my original game played out. I played up until Duncan sent us out into the Korcari Wilds. While in Ostagar, I found two quests and people that I hadn't previously come across in my original play-through. Somehow I had completely missed those areas of the camp.