Character Deep Dive #25: Thom Rainier, aka Blackwall

In celebration of Dragon Age Day 2021, we are coming at you with our first ever minisode. In these shorter episodes, we'll take a deep dive into all the main characters. We're starting off strong with everyone's favorite dwarf, Varric Tethras. Maybe Varric is your favorite character. Maybe you want to romance him *so* badly. Or maybe, he's just meh to you. Either way, join us as we talk about this prolific writer, spymaster, and talented rogue. Become a patron by joining our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/dragonagelorecast?fan_landing=true If you enjoyed this podcast, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. We'll even read your review out on the show! Join the Robots Radio discord server here, and interact with us! https://discord.gg/AW5Wc4kgZb You can find us on Twitter at @DALorecast, and you can dm us or email us side character suggestions (dalorecast@gmail.com). Sources: The World of Thedas Encyclopedia, vol. 1: 131 The World of Thedas Encyclopedia, vol. 2: 135, 159, 160 Mary Kirby. "Let's talk about Varric's chest hair!" The BioWare Forum. Accessed November 19, 2021. "You never told us about the DA3 spoilers you got from David Gaider" . Tumblr. Accessed November 19, 2021. Mary Kirby. https://twitter.com/BioMaryKirby/status/989969540678217729 . Twitter. Accessed November 19, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Dec 202138min

In this week's episode, Austin and Shelby talk about both Par Vollen and Seheron--two different areas of land that are both controlled by the Qunari. When you hear about Par Vollen and Seheron, you might be wondering where these two countries are even located. These are two obscure, rarely-mentioned countries of Thedas. Throughout this episode, we dig into the history and development behind these two countries, or at least as much as we know so far. We'll also dig into the background of the Qunari to give you some much-needed context. Become a patron by joining our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/dragonagelorecast?fan_landing=true If you enjoyed this podcast, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. We'll even read your review out on the show! Join the Robots Radio discord server here, and interact with us! https://discord.gg/AW5Wc4kgZb You can find us on Twitter at @DALorecast, and you can dm us or email us side character suggestions (dalorecast@gmail.com). Sources: Codex: The Pyramids of Par Vollen Qunari: Ben-Hassrath Viddasala The Risk of Saarebas The Qunari The Qunari: Saarebas Dragon Age Wiki pages: Antaam Arigena Ariqun The World of Thedas Encyclopedia, Vol. 1: 83, 84 The World of Thedas Encyclopedia, Vol. 2: 94 Tevinter Nights: Three Trees to Midnight Dragon Age 2 Dialogue with the Arishok Dragon Age 2: The Complete Official Guide, page 248 Mary Kirby. ""Question about the antaam."" . BioWare Social Network. Retrieved November 19, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Dec 20211h 4min

In this week's episode, Austin and Shelby continue their discussion of the Dwarven Empire, at least what's left of it. This week's episode focuses on the other two remaining great thaigs of Thedas, Kal-Sharok and Kal'Hirol. If you haven't dug deep into the codex and played Dragon Age Awakening, you might not be familiar with Kal-Sharok or Kal'Hirol. But these two thaigs, especially Kal-Sharok, have an interesting history that leads us to some major speculations and unanswered questions. Join us this week as we dig into dwarven history, lost and recovered thaigs, and of course, a side character. Become a patron by joining our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/dragonagelorecast?fan_landing=true If you enjoyed this podcast, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. We'll even read your review out on the show! Join the Robots Radio discord server here, and interact with us! https://discord.gg/AW5Wc4kgZb You can find us on Twitter at @DALorecast, and you can dm us or email us side character suggestions (dalorecast@gmail.com). Sources: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pages: 18, 19-20, 32, 33 37, 52 Codex: Trading with Kal-Sharok Dragon Age Wiki: Sigrun Valammar Quests: Dwarven Slaves in Venatori Hands An Offer of Help on Their Terms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Nov 20211h 2min

In this episode, Austin and Shelby begin a two-episode arc on the Dwarven Empire, or at least what's left of it. They discuss Orzammar, and a few outlying thaigs, including Amgarrak, Aeducan, Ortan, and Bownammar. They also take a look at how the Empire got to where it is today--once a massive, immeasurably powerful kingdom spanning almost more of Thedas than the Tevinter Imperium. You might be wondering if the Dwarven Empire can even be called an Empire still, or you might be wondering how sustainable is life under the surface. We'll answer these questions and more throughout this episode. Become a patron by joining our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/dragonagelorecast?fan_landing=true If you enjoyed this podcast, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. We'll even read your review out on the show! Join the Robots Radio discord server here, and interact with us! https://discord.gg/AW5Wc4kgZb You can find us on Twitter at @DALorecast, and you can dm us or email us side character suggestions (dalorecast@gmail.com). Sources: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pages: 18, 19-20, 32, 33 37, 52 Codex: Orzammar History: Chapter One Orzammar History: Chapter Two Lyrium Dragon Age Wiki: Dagna Aeducan Thaig Bownammar Ortan Thaig Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Nov 20211h

In this episode, Austin and Shelby take a look at Nevarra. Nevarra is the home of companion Cassandra Pentaghast, and we dig into this obscure country. You may be wondering...What's a death mage? What's a Mortalitasi? Why is Nevarran culture so different from the rest of the nations in Thedas? We dive into these questions and more as we look at Nevarra, one of Thedas's most unique countries. Sources: The World of Thedas, vol.1, pages 26, 41, 56. The World of Thedas, vol.2, pages 40, 50, 53, Dragon Age Wiki, Tessa Forsythia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Nov 20211h 6min

In this second episode, Shelby and Austin finish their dive into the Free Marches. We review their history and culture, while taking a deep dive into Starkhaven, and some of the other minor city-states in the Free Marches. You might be wondering what the other city-states in the Free Marches even are, and how much do we really know about them? And really, can they really be that different from Kirkwall? We answer these questions and more in this episode. In this second part, we look at the city-states of Starkhaven, Tantervale, and Wycome. If you enjoyed this podcast, give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. We'll even read your review out on the show! If you loved this podcast, you can subscribe to our Patreon! https://patreon.com/dragonagelorecast?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=creatorshare Sources: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 13, 25, 70, 71, 118, 127, 156-157 Last Flight, chapter 7, 8 Codex: The Free Marches The Enigma Of Kirkwall History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 Messages Left at the Outpost King Maric’s Helm Vestments of Sacrifice You can find us on Twitter at @DALorecast. Email us side character suggestions at dalorecast@gmail.com. Learn more about the Robots Radio Rocket Club and become a member of the Discord server! https://discord.gg/AW5Wc4kgZb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Nov 202153min

In this first episode, Shelby and Austin take a two-part look into the Free Marches. We'll look at their history, their culture, and what makes them unique from the rest of Thedas. You might be thinking--isn't the Free Marches just Ferelden-lite? Or maybe you think all of the Free Marches is just like Kirkwall. Ever wondered why Kirkwall has such a high percentage of blood mages? We'll look at these similarities to Ferelden and Kirkwall, while also explaining how each city in the Free Marches is unique and answering all your questions along the way. In this first part, we focus Kirkwall and Ostwick. Make sure to subscribe to our podcast, and give us a review that we'll read out on the show. Sources: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pages 13, 25, 70, 71, 118, 127, 156-157 Last Flight by Liane Merciel, chapter 7, 8 Codex: The Free Marches The Enigma Of Kirkwall History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3 Messages Left at the Outpost King Maric’s Helm Vestments of Sacrifice Speculations on Kirkwall You can find us on Twitter at @DALorecast. Email us side character suggestions at dalorecast@gmail.com. Learn more about the Robots Radio Rocket Club and become a member of the Discord server! https://discord.gg/AW5Wc4kgZb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 Okt 20211h 3min

In this episode, Austin and Shelby continue the Countries of Thedas series by taking a deep dive into the smaller countries of Antiva and Rivain.  Have you ever wondered how the Antivan Crows got their start? Or maybe how Antiva even came to have a group of assassins so renowned? Do you have questions about Rivain in its entirety? We attempt to answer these questions and more. Along the way we explore history, culture, and religion of both Antiva and Rivain. Sources Codex: Queen Asha of Antiva Codex: The Llomerryn Accords Bioware wiki Dragon age wiki World of Thedas vol. 1 World of Thedas vol. 2 Tevinter Nights" Eight Little Talons Last Flight by Liane Merciel You can find us on Twitter at @DALorecast. Email us side character suggestions at dalorecast@gmail.com. Learn more about the Robots Radio Rocket Club and become a member of the Discord server! https://discord.gg/AW5Wc4kgZb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 Okt 20211h 7min