Ok i could be wrong but how the hell can Sten become an Arishok is that not a bit strange. I thought that when you get your title in the Qunari way of life you stay that way untill you die. Your place in the Qun is permanent their is no promotions. So how can Sten became an Arishok, you must be born for that title.
If i am wrong about this or you agree then let me know right here and what your thoughts are about this topic. 203.45.127.20 (talk) 04:17, October 11, 2012 (UTC)Darkside
Qunari can be promoted, obviously. Though the concept wasn't introduced until Felicia Day got involved, so feel free to smack it with the retcon stamp----Isolationistmagi 04:33, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
- Doesn't this being a retcon imply that there was a confirmed source indicating that qunari cannot be promoted before just assuming it was so based on a lack of confirmation? Tommyspa (talk) 04:40, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
- Yeah, retcon isn't the right word. I just get very sketchy about Felicia Day related Qunari lore, because most of it seems included exclusively for the sake of Felicia Day, without any real regards to what was concrete or implied lore. ----Isolationistmagi 05:24, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
There are several theories, such as that Qunari who excel at their tasks are promoted due to the lack of experience a child Arishok wold posses. In Qunari culture they would rather not speak than be less than perfect so is it all that unbelievable that they'd promote a Sten to Arishok-hood. We've seen evidence of Qunari demoting people (Tallis) and then reinstating them so to speak; so if Sten after the Blight was reevaluated then the Tassmarans might have found him acceptable for "promotion" but would have considered it rather as a transfer.
The games lore is always expanding so previous assumptions may become invalid with the introduction of new lore...so there you go.
71.175.242.90 (talk) 04:44, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
There can only be one Arishok, and he is the absolute leader of the Qunari armies, it wouldn't make sense to be born as one. As far as I know, Sten is one of the (if not THE) highest rank a military Qunari could have, so it makes sense that they choose their best Sten to become the new Arishok.--R0B45 (talk) 10:21, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
- Agree, plus the last Arishok is ethier killed or defeated and failed, which is good reason for him to die or demoted, and now as Sten return to his men with his sword and with the world saved by his aid, that's very good reason to choose him as the new Arishok, and if you look from the other side, that's the way Bioware do it, look at Mass effect Series, Kaiden Spectre, Anderson human Admiral, Tali Qurian Admiral, Wrex krogan leader, and all was companions in your party, so same theory here, your party members is going to die or disappear or become big leaders or great evil, or will join your party again in later parts of the game, that's Bioware way.
- Arishok doesn't fail if he manages to retrieve the Tome of Koslun. The events of the comic books are not canon, so don't try making them fit with every possible outcome. In this version of the story, Arishok is killed and Sten replaces him. Otherwise, Sten is still a sten. Henio0 (talk) 16:19, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
- Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Arishok never actually gets the tome. Either you don't give it to him in Demands of the Qun or you do give the tome and Isabela to him. However, in the latter case Varric tells you afterwards that Isabela escaped the Qunari with the tome. Admittedly this is just a rumour but if true that would mean that the DA2 Arishok fails in all possible scenarios and hence is always replaced by someone (not nescessarily Sten as it's possible for him to be left at Lothering and hence perish). -- Gissur the Sailor (talk) 22:11, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
I always thought that there was more than one Arishok as the blight end roughly at the same time the Qunari arrived at Kirkwall meaning that Sten wouldn't have been able to report to him, I pictured Arishoks as the highest military rank, but there being a council who take orders from the priesthood and then work out the best way to achieve that goal, if that makes sense. and one more question would it be possible for a convert to become an Arishok?--Halisme (talk) 14:48, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
Perhaps. The qunari certainity don't let resources go to waste. Sten approves alot if you recruit the secret companion, rather than execute him, the same with Zevran. If a viddathari (convert) is deemed suitable by the Ben-harresth (ladies who decide what you do in the Qun) then they will put you in that role. Plus it makes sense to promote soliders, who have experiance than putting a unexperianced Qunari in that position. Plus you have got to remember the Thedas knowlegde of the Qun isn't that great so things may be proved wrong.Phoenix96 (talk) 15:10, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
- According to DA:O's lore, there are no "unexperienced" Qunari. I assume they would have another Qunari being prepared for the role since birth, and possibly a few others. We have to accept that making Sten an Arishok is fan service. Henio0 (talk) 16:24, October 11, 2012 (UTC)
Qunari are typically assigned their roles at age 12. I don't think it has been directly said, but it seems that their role can change but only within their section of the body of the Qunari. For example a Sten (commander) could become the Arishok but could not become the Ariqun and definitely not the Arigena (as that role is always filled by a female). The most important thing to the Qunari is efficiency. It would likely be seen as inefficient to have a spare waiting around for the current Arishok to die and take his place. After his return to Par Vollen, Sten likely would have been reevaluated and with the former Arishok's death, the role of Arishok would need to be filled by someone who possessed the required traits. If a Sten would better serve the body as the Arishok (when one is needed) rather than remaining a Sten, then they would make him the Arishok. It would be wasteful to do otherwise. Arishok is the highest military rank a Qunari could have. The Arishok commands the Antaam (Qunari army). Sten was a Sten of the Beresaad (the vanguard of the Antaam). Other roles within the Antaam include Kithshok, Karasten, Karasaad, Karashok, Ashaad, Arvaraad and Sarebaas (any unit with an Arvaraad and Saarebas would be a Karataam). What I'm more confused about is why Sten was going back to Par Vollen instead of Kirkwall. Even if he didn't know the Arishok was in Kirkwall before leaving Ferelden in 9:31 Dragon, what was he doing between then and when the former Arishok was killed in 9:34 Dragon? It seems possible, if not likely that during that time he went back to Seheron and took the role of Kithshok but he still should have had to report back to the Arishok at some point. Perhaps the Qun demanded something else from Sten while the Arishok had his own demands to satisfy. --Vampire Damian (talk) 16:10, October 11, 2012 (UTC)