Suggestion for Dragon Age: The Veilguard - Character creation

Spoiler Warning

Why I'm Making This Suggestion:

Currently, this is my third playthrough. I managed to get the perfect ending and the secret ending on my first run without even knowing about them or looking for it. I know that this game always offers multiple ending, but my first playthrough I always just go with what I would choose. I guess I am a nice person! All this to say: the game is extremely easy. But for me, the story makes it worthwhile. Having played from the beginning, I am always pleased to see characters from the history we forged throughout the years.

My character this time around: Female elf warrior reaper. Here are the guidelines I gave myself to guide my answers/choices: she wants to protect her people, so even though she despises the ancient tyrannical elven mages that claimed to be gods, she will do anything to defeat them. I didn’t think that those simple guidelines would create such a break in the immersion of the story, and so early on. When I met the veil jumpers, no choices about already knowing the gods.

The current system doesn’t always reflect these kinds of nuances.

I also find that some side stories are missing a satisfying ending. For me, there are a few moments where I noticed that my choices mattered. Like with Mythal. She will aid you in the fight against the dragon if you manage to get her trust. Also, Hossberg Wetlands. At the end of the blue flower quest, we have an idea about its future. And it’s a nice one—do not get me wrong. BUT! What does Bellara do with the archive spirit if we decide to keep it? What is up with that person in stasis in Arlathan Forest? What happens to Dwarves, now that we might be able to fix their dreams?

And yes, I understand this is only my third playthrough and I might discover more about the story, but as of now, excuse me while I ask myself these rhetorical questions.

I am also aware that some secrets must be kept to leave room for a fifth game.

I would like to suggest enhancing the character creation process by adding more specific choices related to race, upbringing, beliefs, knowledge, and cultural views.

These choices would create a richer, more nuanced character creation system that aligns better with the lore of the Dragon Age universe and offers players more flexibility in shaping their characters' identities. You guys already made fantastic choices about gender, but it feels like you stopped there.

You can even make this as involved as you'd like. These choices could influence dialogue options, NPC interactions, and even story outcomes. From simple options like an elf knowing about the gods to more complex choices, where an elf supports the old gods and either goes against them for survival or completely agrees with them to forge a new world.

Here are some suggested categories and examples. You know your lore better than I do, so I understand that I might have missed some options. But they are endless!

Race and Character-Specific Choices:

Religion:

Elves: Do you venerate the elven gods as benevolent deities, or do you recognize them as tyrants who abused their power? Do you change your mind about the gods after learning what they did to the Titans?
Dwarves: Were you noble or casteless? Do you feel pride or resentment about your caste? What are your thoughts on the Paragons? Are you part of a specific Paragon’s family?
Qunari: Were you a follower of the Qun, or have you rejected it?
All: Do you believe in the Maker and follow the Chantry’s teachings? Do you follow the Imperial Chantry? Are you atheist and reject traditional gods entirely? Does learning that it was all true (elven gods) baffle you?

Upbringing:

Elves: Did you grow up in a forest with your clan, or in an urban setting among an alienage?
Dwarves: Are you still adjusting to life on the surface? (This could open fun dialogue options.) Do you have the stone sense?
Qunari: Are you a fire-breather? What are your thoughts on fire-breathers? If you followed the Qun, what was your assignment?

Lore Knowledge:

Religion: Did you know that the old gods were tyrant mages, or do you still venerate them? Or do you know nothing about them? Do you accept the Maker’s teachings, or are you skeptical? Do you believe that everybody is correct: The Qun, the old gods of Tevinter, the old elven gods, the Maker?
History: How much do you know about the world’s history? Do you have insights into the Qun, ancient elven history, or the Grey Wardens?

Cultural Views:

Views on Mages: Do you adhere to southern, northern, or Qunari views on mages? Could a Tranquil become a rogue or a warrior? Are you for or against tranquility? Do you believe mages are superior? Do you fear magic?
Views on Politics: Are you a mole for the Venatori? Were you once a slave and admire Solas for freeing you? What are your thoughts on the caste system? The Qun?
Views on Race: Are you willing to protect your people at all costs, or do you not care about others or your own people?

Faction-Specific Choices:

The Crows: Were you an assassin, or were you more of a bureaucrat? Did you enjoy the life of a Crow, or was it just a job?
Mourn Watch: Did you grow up resenting your parents for abandoning you, or have you come to accept it? Were you abandoned like some recruits, or did they have a bad feeling about you?
Grey Wardens: Did you want to join the Wardens, or were you forced into it due to a criminal past? Are you fully committed to the Warden’s vow, or are you cynical, doing it for survival? If you were a criminal, do you see it as a chance to redeem yourself or as punishment?
All: Do you resent your faction throwing you out, or not?

Archetype-Based Packages: To minimize the number of dialogue lines and responses needed for all these choices, I suggest creating archetype-based backgrounds, similar to what was done in Dragon Age: Origins. Each archetype would bundle a few core character choices together to reflect typical character traits. For example:

The Apologetic Assassin: A character who kills because it’s their job but feels guilty and constantly apologizes for their actions.
The Reluctant Warden: A character who didn’t choose the life of a Grey Warden but feels trapped by the oath and their past.
The Bitter Mourn Watcher: A character raised by the Mourn Watch who resents not knowing their parents but uses their upbringing as a source of strength.
The Protector Elf: A character who wants to safeguard their heritage at all costs.

This approach would help keep the writing manageable while still allowing for personalized role-playing choices that feel meaningful.

This would also allow for more complete endings to some aspects. For example, a veil jumper would be way more interested in the archive spirit than the actual story allows, and by the end of Bellara’s storyline, we could find out more about what it had to offer. The same could be said about Emmrich’s quest line and finding out something about our past for a Mourn Watcher.

Conclusion:

Adding these new options to character creation would allow for more diverse role-playing experiences, offering more personal connections with the world and other characters. It would also provide more meaningful interactions and potential story outcomes that align with the player’s choices, enhancing immersion and replayability.