Saarebas (episode)

"Fen'Harel, thank thee for thy wondrous tools!"

"Saarebas" is the title of the sixth and final episode of a web series set in the universe of Dragon Age, Dragon Age: Redemption.

Plot
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Sundermount
The episode opens with Josmael arriving atop Sundermount, an elven ruin, a place of power for the elven people of the Elvenhan, according to Josmael. As he prepares himself for Saarebas's arrival, Nyree sneak up on him, allerting him of the rest of the party's presence. Neither Cairn nor Tallis seem to be bearing any ill will toward the Dalish. As they join him in waiting for the Tal-Vashoth, they observe Mythal's altar, the same Merrill used to release Flemeth from the amulet she gave to Hawke.

To pass the time while they wait, Tallis and Cairn discuss their deal which is to duel for the Saarebas once they aprehend him. The Chantry wants the Saarebas alive, and so do Qunari. However, Cairn addmits that he left the Templar Order and if he wins the duel, he will kill the mage, not turn him in. He then suggests to the elf that she should also become a renagade and stop following The Qun just like he abbandoned the Chantry. She responds that this would make her a Tal-Vashoth. Cairn then points out that perhaps Tallis already is one, as she has disobeyed Qunari order multiple times.

They agree that they are both renegades in their respective cultures. Cairn them moves in to kiss Tallis who does not object and kisses him back. The kiss is witnessed by Nyree and Josmael. The reaver suggests that they should also kiss, but Josmael refuses, wanting to stay loyal to Fina. Nyree regardless pushes him to the ground, intending to kiss him, stating he needs practice before he kisses his betrothed. She is interrupted by Tallis who alerts them of Saarebas's arrival.

Tallis then suggests that Josmael and her will sneak behind the mage to rescue Fina before proceeding to attack the enemy. When asked why, she admits she is not fully a kabethari and she doesn't mind whether the mission is executed exactly the way the Qunari want it to.

Saarebas places Mask of Fen'Harel on Mythal's altar which causes a tear in the Veil, and a portal to the Fade begins to open. The party decides the time for action is nigh. They sneak up on the Saarebas's group to move Fina out of danger first, but, with no small suprise, Fina alerts the Qunari of their presence. She explains herself to Josmael, stating that she never felt special living with her clan, and that only significant thing she would ever accomplish would be getting married to Josmael. She then encourages her betrothed to join the mage as well. She was promised by the Saarebas that her blood hold great power, as does Josmael's.

As they talk, Nyree, Tallis, and Cairn fight the two mercenaries remaining at Saarebas's side. Saarebas also uses magic to awaken the dead who occupy Tallis while Nyree and Cairn fight the rogues. Nyree then declares she will take care of them herself so that Cairn could strike at the mage. But then, one of the walking dead attacks him as well. Meanwhile, Fina tempts Josmael with the same words she has fallen to: A little blood for a lot of power. As she tries to stabb him for his blood, Josamel resists and they struggle. Saarebas brings them closer with magic, causing Josmael to unwillingly stabb Fina instead. She falls to the altar, and her blood flows towards the Mask, seeting the ritual in motion. }}

Trivia

 * Mythal's altar was based on the one appearing in Dragon Age II, but it appears that BioWare has provided Greg Aranowitz, the Production Designer for the series, with an outdated model of the altar. The one in the final release of the game has much less wall around it, but earlier in the development the walls were still there, and thus the altar is surrounded by walls in this episode.
 * Originally, Saarebas's head was meant to be cut off and taken as trophy by Tallis. The scene was even recorded, but then it was changed to fit more Tallis's character. Some remnants of the head being taken remain, though. For example, as Tallis walks away from Nyree and Josmael, she fixes her belt, where the head was mounted, but was digitally removed in postproduction.
 * The walking dead initially were meant to play a much bigger part in the story, but ultimately it was changed due to several reasons, including the actors' allergy to latex.

External link

 * Dragon Age: Redemption Episode 3 - Josmael