Pre-Load Madness

Dragon Age:  Inquisition is just a mere 2 days from release.  To prepare for this exciting event I pre-loaded for about 10 hours yesterday and am happy to report that I should be ready to play the minute...I get home from work (not at release--real life, what a downer).  While browsing my newsfeed on Facebook I was teased into believing that I might be able to play for 6 hours before launch using something called EA Access.  I excitedly clicked the link only to find out this is for XBox One players only and is some sort of subscription based service.  No thanks!  You can keep your console and it's playable demo mode.

I'm really looking forward to this new installment of one of my favorite series from one of my favorite game makers (BioWare--not EA.  We all know EA is slowly trying to make amends for being horrible).  But now there are other questions that I have to consider before I start my new adventure in Thedas.  Here they are--maybe you're thinking about them too.

1.) What race am I going to roll for my first inquisitor?
I automatically want to roll a Qunari since they're a new playable race in the Dragon Age series.  I can't say I'm wild about them as a race though.  They always struck me as a little religious zealot-like and way too strict.  Yes, they look cool with their blue skin, giant horns, and bulging muscles, but they're completely crazy.  Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit.

Maybe a human?  Too bland!  I had to play a human in DA2 and had no choice in the matter.  A dwarf?  I think having a dwarf as the inquisitor seems weird.  Would dwarves really want to get involved in all this magicy nonsense?  Am I racist against dwarves?  A real mental conundrum.  How about an elf?  I could totally see an elf as the inquisitor.  And no, I'm not just picking an elf because they're pretty!  One of my favorite characters that I played through Dragon Age:  Origins and Awakening was an elf mage.  So I'm leaning towards elf....

2.) Now that I haven't made up my mind about a race--what class am I going to roll?
Just so you get a total picture of my mental craziness regarding games my class choice is very much tied to my race choices.  I know, that seems a little roleplay-esque.  If I pick a qunari I could see rolling a warrior (is mage an option for qunari?--I got the impression from DA2 that the qunari really hate magic and will go to great lengths to control their mages).  I don't really see a qunari as a rogue.  If I do roll a dwarf my only choices are rogue and warrior and I tend to lean towards rogue for a dwarf.  Short and stabby!  With an elf I will almost always go mage--this may stem from lore, I like to think of elves as having a special connection with magic.  For humans I like either warrior or mage (not rogue--that is for dwarves).  That's really complicated, I know.  Am I nuts, or do other people make decisions this way?  Don't say it!

3.) What NPC am I most excited to see return from the previous games?
A few members of your team in DA:  I are returning characters from the previous games.  Cassandra Pentaghast, the interrogator from DA2 is back to bring some Chantry zealotry to your squad.  She's one tough cookie and could make an interesting tank-like addition to a squad.  Varric Tethras, my favorite wise-cracking sexy dwarf, is also back with his lady-friend/crossbow Bianca.  I like keeping him in my party for comic relief and levity, but I'm not super fond of archers as a class--they're sort of ranged, but they're sort of rogues--it's confusing.  Leliana, the beautiful bard/nun/Chantry spy, is back for some singing and loving of the Maker.  I liked the DLC Leliana's Song and am looking forward to her return.

Morrigan is looking less witchy and way more emo.

There are quite a few returners, but the character I am most looking forward to seeing is Morrigan.  Yes, that horrible witch who hates anything resembling actual decent behavior.  After her sudden disappearance in Origins you have to wonder what she's been up to.  Birthing some demon spawn?  Colluding with her dragon mother/demon abomination, Flemeth?  Plotting more ways to disapprove of your actions?  We'll see.

I haven't been this excited about a game since Mass Effect 3 and am planning on diving right into Dragon Age :  Inquisitions the first opportunity I get.  Start pre-loading folks so you can be ready to play on Monday!