Reavers

[Gorwe]

...why does pretty much EVERYONE consider them evil? Few facts:

1. They do not consort with daemons
1.a They are actually immune to possession
2. They only drink magical blood as an initiation ritual
2.a Gray Warden Joining is at least 2x more dangerous
3. Kolgrim's cult didn't hurt anyone(maybe few stray adventurers)
3.a Templars and the Chantry hurt 100000 people(at the very least)
4. It's normal in some parts of the world(at least implied: Par-Vollen)
4.a Blood Magic is forbidden, perhaps even in Tevinter
5. Reavers are more fierce and combatitive(perhaps even less than Zerks), not more evil
5.a Mages(both varieties), Templars and even normal people(Arl Howe?) are more evil

...why? I just don't understand. Is it because of a trash can that got soiled? /shrug

edit: Even though I might dislike the Templar(at large), the Knight Commander Greagoir is a very sensible and reasonable man. Only respect for him. It's the fools like Cullen I disrespect greatly.

[LilG]

The Reavers powers are considered a form of Blood magic,so according to the Templars its evil & since blood magic is learnt from demons,its possible that there's some kind of bargaining involved. Demons always ask for something in return for things.

Where does it say they're immune to possession? didn't see anything about it on the wiki.

The Cult of Andraste could have been killing people for centuries without anyone knowing, Haven is a remote place.

Templars/the chantry hunt people but where does that figure come from?

In Tevinter, Blood Magic isn't forbidden theyre just more open about it & they practice it in secret.

Howe was just power hungry, an evil trait but he followed Loghain to further his own power/gains,he was a decent villain It was satisfying to take him down.

Andraste's Ashes are considered sacred so pouring blood on them would upset those who worship her & the religion surrounding Andraste is pretty widespread in the game.

[Undead Rufus]

Originally posted by LilG:

Andraste's Ashes are considered sacred so pouring blood on them would upset those who worship her & the religion surrounding Andraste is pretty widespread in the game.

Andraste is venerated as the bride of the Maker, not worshiped. She's invoked basically like the Virgin Mary in Catholicism, but with a few messianic attributes thrown in for good measure.

[K00lex]

Originally posted by Gorwe:

Reavers...why does pretty much EVERYONE consider them evil?

Human sacrifice is a big no-no in many culture, in game and real world.
Did you miss the Bloody Altar in the house at the beginning of Haven?

Also, consider that it involves blood magic-related rituals and syphoning life force and/or soul of others.

Originally posted by Gorwe:

3. Kolgrim's cult didn't hurt anyone(maybe few stray adventurers)

Dragon Cults have existed since the First Blight and not just in Frostback Mountains, but most of Thedas, so much more victims.

Originally posted by LilG:

Originally posted by Gorwe:

3.a Templars and the Chantry hurt 100000 people(at the very least)

Templars/the chantry hunt people but where does that figure come from?

Most likely, in reference to several Exalted Marches, even before the founding of the Chantry.

Originally posted by Gorwe:

Is it because of a trash can that got soiled?

Well, when it's a sacred holy relic, devout folks will defend it adamantly. Andraste's faitful disciples have sacrificed their life and soul to protect the Urn in the Test of the Faith/The Gauntlet.

[Gorwe]

Originally posted by K00lex:

Originally posted by Gorwe:

Reavers...why does pretty much EVERYONE consider them evil?

Human sacrifice is a big no-no in many culture, in game and real world.
Did you miss the Bloody Altar in the house at the beginning of Haven?

Also, consider that it involves blood magic-related rituals and syphoning life force and/or soul of others.

Originally posted by Gorwe:

3. Kolgrim's cult didn't hurt anyone(maybe few stray adventurers)

Dragon Cults have existed since the First Blight and not just in Frostback Mountains, but most of Thedas, so much more victims.

Originally posted by LilG:

Templars/the chantry hunt people but where does that figure come from?

Most likely, in reference to several Exalted Marches, even before the founding of the Chantry.

Originally posted by Gorwe:

Is it because of a trash can that got soiled?

Well, when it's a sacred holy relic, devout folks will defend it adamantly. Andraste's faitful disciples have sacrificed their life and soul to protect the Urn in the Test of the Faith/The Gauntlet.

It all depends whether it is a willing sacrifice or not. I can tell you that in some cultures(even real life ones!) the act of ritual sacrifice is one of the highest honors a person can get. To quote Indy: "KALI MA!" (in all seriousness...Kali's not evil -> in fact, bloodthirsty and combatitive as she is, she is supposed to help Vishnu in defeating Ravana and such)

Yes, it is their sacred artifact, but these are simply different religions is what I'm trying to say. That Reavers and their rituals are not inherently better than Chantry's ways.

[K00lex]

Originally posted by Gorwe:

Yes, it is their sacred artifact, but these are simply different religions is what I'm trying to say. That Reavers and their rituals are not inherently better than Chantry's ways.

I understand your point and agree, since I am not a fan of religious persecutions, crusades, jihads, genocidal purges, Exalted Marches, etc...
Well, considering that the game or Thedas is still in Dragon Age and the Inquisition is over, maybe encountering and dealing with various factions of Dragon Cults in the next game. Or, at least, with graphic novels (The Silent Grove isn't enough) and books...