A Letter to Taash

[DaisyRay]

I feel bad for my initial reaction to Taash, personally. This is my third and final post on them.

Upon my second playthrough and watching others play out their Taash stuff, I realize I was wrong about them. Taash is probably the character that brings out the most emotion of all the characters. Their story is not the most fun or action packed, but when it comes to deep and meaningful missions, I think BioWare did a good job.

The language they used is still too modern, I'll agree, but the message is so sad and one I can relate to.

Because of Taash's abilities and their mother being from the Qun, they have never really had a normal life. As normal as one can have in the DA world. They never had actual friends either until they met the Lords of Fortune, and even then their mother controlled so much of what they did. Their mother is the root cause of all of Taash's problems, but also the only person who has ever truly loved Taash. There are so many people in the world who go through these problems of trying to live up to the expectations of their parents. Even to the point that they lose who they are.

However, in Taash's case, they never got to know who they were in the first place. So much what they did was for their mother. This is why they never learned to manage their anger problems, never managed to find love. None of that happened until after they got from beneath the claws of their mother. I've said it before, the more time I spend with Taash's character, the more I like them.

I even had my Qunari flirt with them a little and seeing the softer side of Taash is so amazing. This character has so many different levels and I never really thought about it that much because I was so stuck on the abysmal writing that does very little to help what they're trying to portray.

I wish they had done a better job with the writing so people could focus and see what I and many others see. Taash just needed time away from their mother to figure out who they were. No one should have that kind of relationship with their parent, especially an adult. So I'm glad we were given the chance to help Taash and I absolutely have a new view of them and their situation.

Old Taash Posting: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1845910/discussions/0/4630357120384086205/

[DaisyRay]

I also loved watching this specific streamer's reaction and discussion to this as well. He completely gets it and he is a straight man who is married to a beautiful woman. It was amazing to see and listen to.

1.
https://www.youtube.com/live/KT7RmHK6XTg?si=DNRdzpO0Ky3eioTh&t=495

2.
https://www.youtube.com/live/KT7RmHK6XTg?si=3SULGs8vIVoSp0t8&t=1094

[DaisyRay]

Originally posted by Skitzo Sam:

Taash is a PoS. The way she spoke to her mother after dropping the bombshell that she is non-binary was terrible and typical of the woke generation. Basically saying "i am this and you WILL change your thoughts and beliefs to align with mine" Hate to break it to you Taash but just because you believe in something doesnt mean everyone else HAS to and HAS to do it as and when YOU want. F**king wokes.

I agree that Taash could have handled it better, but that again goes back to their mother. Their mother is so controlling of Taash, unwilling to ever listen to what Taash wants. Making decisions for Taash, even as an adult. Taash's mother was awful, so Taash has never really learned how control their anger or properly express themselves. Now having space from their mother, Taash feels like they can finally speak up for themselves.

[Montgomery Rex]

Originally posted by Skitzo Sam:

Originally posted by Moriarty Flex:

“I hate this fictional character because they were angsty and rude”

*proceeds to throw a fit and insult strangers in real life*

Checks out for this board.

Im sorry did my OPINION upset you? Tough s**t welcome to real life

Not in the slightest. I can’t be offended by someone I can’t take seriously. I’m just pointing out your blatant hypocrisy Mr. Delicate.

[DaisyRay]

Originally posted by Skitzo Sam:

Originally posted by DaisyRay:

I agree that Taash could have handled it better, but that again goes back to their mother. Their mother is so controlling of Taash, unwilling to ever listen to what Taash wants. Making decisions for Taash, even as an adult. Taash's mother was awful, so Taash has never really learned how control their anger or properly express themselves. Now having space from their mother, Taash feels like they can finally speak up for themselves.

To be fair i think her mother handled it how any normal, rational thinking parent would. Its not as if she was mocking her or anything she was clearly trying to understand but Taash behaved poorly and was just down right rude. This scene alone turned me from liking Taash to wanting to remove her from my team.

I have a different view on it.

For me, it's like this. Say you have a dog, he's innocent and you're the only person he has that could be considered a parent/owner. Every time you go to feed the dog, you attack it. The dog comes to expect this now because it happens so much. Then the one time you decide to not attack the dog, it bites you. Not because it wanted to bite you, but because it expected your attack.

I feel like Taash wanted their mother's approval but is so used to their mother invalidating their wants, needs, and feelings, that they were too scared to give their mother the chance to possibly do it again. I do think their mother loves them, obviously, but she is an inadequate mother. Even she says this about herself, so she knows.

[ISI]

Originally posted by Moriarty Flex:

Originally posted by Skitzo Sam:

Im sorry did my OPINION upset you? Tough s**t welcome to real life

Not in the slightest. I’m just pointing out your blatant hypocrisy Mr. Delicate.

to be fair there is no insult here, and he did not directly insult anyone. a mindset maybe but no one was insulted.

[Montgomery Rex]

Originally posted by DaisyRay:

Originally posted by Skitzo Sam:

To be fair i think her mother handled it how any normal, rational thinking parent would. Its not as if she was mocking her or anything she was clearly trying to understand but Taash behaved poorly and was just down right rude. This scene alone turned me from liking Taash to wanting to remove her from my team.

I have a different view on it.

For me, it's like this. Say you have a dog, he's innocent and you're the only person he has that could be considered a parent/owner. Every time you go to feed the dog, you attack it. The dog comes to expect this now because it happens so much. Then the one time you decide to not attack the dog, it bites you. Not because it wanted to bite you, but because it expected your attack.

I feel like Taash wanted their mother's approval but is so used to their mother invalidating their wants, needs, and feelings, that they were too scared to give their mother the chance to possibly do it again. I do think their mother loves them, obviously, but she is an inadequate mother. Even she says this about herself, so she knows.

I appreciate you putting in the time and effort to understand something/someone more that you didn’t initially approve of. Whether you ended up changing your outlook or not is less important than the fact that you actually gave it a fair shot.

Way more than most here would do.

“I saw a YouTube video taken out of context. UNYIELDING RAAAAGGGGE”

[renboy]

My main issue with Taash was that their dialogs are fitting a young teen - but the character itself is supposed to have the same maturity of other companions, with full romantic paths.

I would have been OK if from the get go Taash was described as a rebelious teen, but they're supposed to be an adult.

I understand all the personal issues the character has, but from the start nearly every single dialog line from this character is cringy, toxic and not fitting the game's setting and mood.

By far the worst character on the rooster - and it's sad because I think their story could have been really endearing and moving if all the angst and cringe were removed - and that would have also served the NB community far better.

[Xazomn]

For me is not that i hate Taash as character. Must say that most parts i enjoyed it even, but I would loved to see a more mature written way with more depth. Don't even mind telling about the struggle and go deeper into their thoughts or feelings while finding out how they feel or the conversations with mother but in a mature way that fits into a mature game. Nice to see a teen struggle to grow up, but this isn't a teen game. But it is what it is and somehow i need to skip things in this game i find blant written for enjoy this game

[Burba]

I think the main problem Taash has is being unlikable. If the player starts off not liking your character they are unlikely to put in the effort to understand them and their story.

[kaffeend]

I think Taash's story had a lot of potential which was let down by the writers' lack of imagination, coupled with their obvious lack of talent. Sounds harsh when I put it that way, but I don't see how else I can say it.

[Montgomery Rex]

Originally posted by R-Boni:

Taash is not even a character. Just a pretentious, and even bitter, mouthpiece of the writer's personal ideologies and identity.

Everything about her is identity, whining, struggle, mommy's issues. Even when she acts out of line or when you just want to tell her to shut up and get a hold of herself, you can't, because you are not supposed to do that. That's why some people say that this character feels like a "lecture".

And then, it gets cringe because of how out of place and out of nowhere the super forced conversation topics she brings comes and goes. Do I need to point it out that Taash discovered that she is non-binary based on an off-screen conversation? I wonder how people have the balls to call this good character development.

A lazily written and a blight of a character. Definitely contributed to the murder of this once-beloved franchise.

So you’re telling me you ignored all the instances of them getting to know and getting along with the rest of the companions and the plentiful talk about their interest in dragons? None of which had to do with their identity. Why pay attention to the good qualities of characters when you can cling onto to handful of bad traits to fuel your anger, right?

Not even saying you have to like them. Many of you just seem to view the character in black and white.

[Montgomery Rex]

Originally posted by Spriggan:

Originally posted by DaisyRay:

I feel bad for my initial reaction to Taash, personally. This is my third and final post on them.

Upon my second playthrough and watching others play out their Taash stuff, I realize I was wrong about them. Taash is probably the character that brings out the most emotion of all the characters. Their story is not the most fun or action packed, but when it comes to deep and meaningful missions, I think BioWare did a good job.

The language they used is still too modern, I'll agree, but the message is so sad and one I can relate to.

Because of Taash's abilities and their mother being from the Qun, they have never really had a normal life. As normal as one can have in the DA world. They never had actual friends either until they met the Lords of Fortune, and even then their mother controlled so much of what they did. Their mother is the root cause of all of Taash's problems, but also the only person who has ever truly loved Taash. There are so many people in the world who go through these problems of trying to live up to the expectations of their parents. Even to the point that they lose who they are.

However, in Taash's case, they never got to know who they were in the first place. So much what they did was for their mother. This is why they never learned to manage their anger problems, never managed to find love. None of that happened until after they got from beneath the claws of their mother. I've said it before, the more time I spend with Taash's character, the more I like them.

I even had my Qunari flirt with them a little and seeing the softer side of Taash is so amazing. This character has so many different levels and I never really thought about it that much because I was so stuck on the abysmal writing that does very little to help what they're trying to portray.

I wish they had done a better job with the writing so people could focus and see what I and many others see. Taash just needed time away from their mother to figure out who they were. No one should have that kind of relationship with their parent, especially an adult. So I'm glad we were given the chance to help Taash and I absolutely have a new view of them and their situation.

wait.. are we talking about the same taash that pretend to be refer with what she prefer to be called, bust still doesn't care about what others whant and don't want to be called? like the necromancer... she continue to call him "death mage" and stuff.. and when he teel to her he doesn't like, she respond with "what? that's what you are".. honestly, this is so sad.. ppl who pretend, don't respect other

You forgot to mention the second half of that scene where Taash’ hypocrisy is addressed and they learned to be respectful and understand Emmrichs admiration for the dead. And they never called him death mage again after that one cutscene. The rage bait doesn’t work on people who’ve actually played the game and witnessed what you’re trying to take out of context.

[ravenroc]

They should have allowed us to disagree, boot or kill. Any companion like we used to in real RPG's. That character/self insert is the worse companion ever created in a video game. Maybe that is what they were aiming for?

[tshrimp]

Originally posted by R-Boni:

Taash is not even a character. Just a pretentious, and even bitter, mouthpiece of the writer's personal ideologies and identity.

Everything about her is identity, whining, struggle, mommy's issues. Even when she acts out of line or when you just want to tell her to shut up and get a hold of herself, you can't, because you are not supposed to do that. That's why some people say that this character feels like a "lecture".

And then, it gets cringe because of how out of place and out of nowhere the super forced conversation topics she brings comes and goes. Do I need to point it out that Taash discovered that she is non-binary based on an off-screen conversation? I wonder how people have the balls to call this good character development.

A lazily written and a blight of a character (if we are going to call her a character). Definitely contributed to the murder of this once-beloved franchise.

Just for that, give me 10 pushups. JKJK. You are spot on.

[Montgomery Rex]

Originally posted by R-Boni:

Originally posted by Moriarty Flex:

So you’re telling me you ignored all the instances of them getting to know and getting along with the rest of the companions and the plentiful talk about their interest in dragons? None of which had to do with their identity. Why pay attention to the good qualities of characters when you can cling onto to handful of bad traits to fuel your anger, right?

Not even saying you have to like them. Many of you just seem to view the character in black and white.

Maybe because she is written in black and white, the protagonist's dialogue options prove that. And don't blame me if her presentation sucks and the majority of her content is her whining, commentary about gender, and getting mad with mommy's issues.

You said it yourself that I don't have to like this character. But since you judged me, I'm going to judge you. You like Taash not because of what she is; but because of what she represents. Because even her finding out that she is non-binary was made in an extremely lazy way; no build-up, no discovery. She just finds out out of the blue in a conversation that had nothing to do with the topic (we were supposed to investigate the dragons and the evanuris, but then the dialogues takes a sharp turn; lazy, and even bitter writing).

I disagree about them being black and white.

I was just pointing out the missing context from what you said.

I also don’t understand how saying it seems like people aren’t fully understanding something is “judgmental”. The only one making any major assumptions here is you about me. I never gave my standpoint on the character in my replies to you.