My name is Steve Saylor, and this is my quest log for Dragon Age: The Veilguard
WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD. If you want to play the game and come back to listen or read this later, please do. Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you’re ready.
Hello, this is journal entry number three for my playthrough of Dragon Age The Veilguard. In this play session, I completed the mission at D”Meta’s Crossing and the mission of the Singing Blade at the ritual site.
D’Meta’s Crossing
Arriving at D’Meta’s Crossing revealed a creepy and lifeless village. Ballara mentioned it should be teeming with life, but instead, only death remained. Exploring the town, we found two Veil Jumpers, one alive but dying, relaying that the gods were using the Blight to create sacrifices.
An amazing bit of level design
I didn’t mention this in the audio, but I wanted to highlight this really really cool level design moment. When you’re in D’Meta’s Crossing you have to climb up a high bit of wooden debris to move forward. Up until this point you are seeing a creepy empty looking town. You’re not sure what’s going on, but you know something dark is happening. But as soon as you climb above the wooden debris and drop back down you immediately see the blight covering everything. What I love about this was that it was a cool cinematic gameplay moment where you’re taken aback with the blight and then also the music changes immediately which adds a more horrific look, feel, and sound to the level. Whomever made this moment in this level, I have to give the game dev props because it was a really cool unexpected surprise.
The mayor, corrupted by greed and visions of gold from the gods, sacrificed the entire town. My character, Rook, faced the decision to let him go or leave him to the Blight. I chose to let him go, despite Ballara's disapproval. Shortly after, a dragon appeared but disappeared mysteriously, leaving more questions than answers.
Encounter with Morrigan
Returning to the village, Morrigan appeared, bringing her magic and knowledge. I recognized her from the Inquisition lore but had limited understanding of her background. She suggested seeking Solas's dagger, a key artifact used in the ritual, to keep it out of the gods' hands.
The Singing Blade
The mission took us to the ritual site, where we encountered various enemies and puzzles. We tracked down the dagger, but Harding, after grabbing it, was seemingly possessed by its magic. In a dramatic moment, Harding used newfound magic to turn enemies to stone, marking a significant development in her character. This combat encounter introduced the use of combo opportunities, which proved pivotal in defeating tougher enemies.
Gameplay Mechanics
Combat and Accessibility
Combat remains challenging and action-oriented, with an emphasis on timing and strategy. Accessibility features like sound effects help me anticipate and dodge attacks, which is particularly useful in chaotic encounters. Discovering combo opportunities with party members added a satisfying layer to combat mechanics.
Character Development
Harding's possession by the dagger hints at untapped magical potential. Her connection to the stone—a trait reminiscent of dwarven lore—might develop into a critical plot point. I’m curious to see how her character evolves with these new abilities.
Reflections and Impressions
Storyline Progression
The linear storytelling so far is a welcome change from the open-world nature of previous Dragon Age titles. It keeps the narrative focused and less overwhelming. The lore, while extensive, hasn’t been too difficult to follow, thanks to concise mission summaries.
Romance and Relationships
I’ve started flirting with Harding, though I’m taking it slow to explore potential romantic dynamics with other characters. Dialogue choices have allowed me to balance humor, sarcasm, and empathy, adding depth to my interactions.
Conclusion
The Singing Blade quest is complete, and I’m eager to see what’s next. Harding's transformation and the implications of the dagger’s magic are intriguing. So far, the game’s balance of lore, story, and action has kept me engaged. I’ll continue documenting my journey and sharing updates as I progress.
Thank you for reading, and I will see you in the next one. Take care.
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