Void Chill

Scientists invented a fake disease. AI told people it was real: Nature.com

Me: you will not earn what you desire by banging the cabinet door.

My cat: This is a test of wills, is it not? We shall see if your ability to put up with my incessant banging outlasts my eternal lust for snackie treats. Years of conditioning have hardened me for this purpose. bang bang bang

Me: ksst!

My cat, throwing herself to the ground like she's been shot: Oh! Oh I have been assailed in my own home! Have mercy, have pity! Surely in the cruel darkness of your heart there is some mote of goodness that might stay your hand! Do not strike me, I pray you!

Me: ok

So ok look. The point is not the flared leg by itself. These cannot be yoga pants. These are, and you have to understand this if you are too young to have worn them, BLUE JEANS. And this was the last years before all jeans were 70% spandex.

They were denim, and they weren't bell bottoms. They hung loose from the knee in a way that would make a wizard envious. We all walked around like we were wearing hakama. And they dragged on the ground. That was important. Ragged cuffs. If your jeans weren't so long that they had ratty cuffs, they were embarrassingly short.

And the thing about denim is that it's a twill weave and it's cotton. So not only does it hold a lot of water, it wicks. Walking around in these suckers on a wet day could get you wet to the knees even if you never stepped in a puddle.

Then you'd go inside and take off your shoes and try to avoid letting your freezing, wet, filthy pant legs touch your skin.

Allow me to play devil’s advocate!

Fenris in DA2:

Has a background that is totally unrelated to anything else that is going on in Kirkwall, making him a poor foil for Anders’ rebellion against the Chantry system.

Fenris in DA:I:

Has a natural entry-point into the story as a hunter of slavers and magister assholes.

Also provides a very good foil to Dorian, insofar as Dorian’s pride in Tevinter culture is couched in his own unexamined privilege. 

Could easily be given a personal quest that ties in to Calpurnia’s backstory, further bringing him into the main story.  For extra heartache there could also be a red lyrium tattoo scare.

Fits in with the Inquisition’s crew of experienced warriors who want to eradicate injustice. We see a lot of determination and sadness and loss in the Inquisition personal quests, but not so much anger.  Maybe some anger would be good for them.

Sera in DA:I:

Is out of place amongst the older and more experienced party members.

Has a personal storyline that only ties in to the greater plot to the extent that it reminds the player that commoners exist.

An aged-up Sera in DA2: 

Fears magic because she witnessed blood magic firsthand in the Denerim alienage, and provides some context for why regular people are so afraid of mages in the first place.

Vocally believes in the Chant of Light, putting a more human face on the doctrine that Anders speaks out against.

Has an epic rivalry with Merrill, because let’s be real, in what universe is Sera okay with some Dalish blood mage feeling free to drag a dangerous mirror into the center of the alienage because her elfy elf research is more important than the safety of those around her.

Fenris and Vivienne finding surprising common ground in their shared beliefs on the Circle and on magic. Fenris slowly coming to befriend a mage. Vivienne teaching Fenris to read.

Sera leaving tips that in turn leave cloth and food and herbs on Anders’ doorstep - he’s wrong about everything, about mages and the Maker and that demon in his head, but he’s always helping people and never asks for anything in return and that has to count for something.

Fenris and Krem going at each other in the courtyard with their ridiculously oversized weapons, chugging Aggregio Pavali straight out of the bottle (hopefully not sticking the bottle up their nose *cough*), talking in Tevene - Dorian is not invited.

Sera always talking with someone new every time you visit her, putting real faces on the people of Kirkwall, laborers and servants and refugees who can’t afford to leave, who just want the chaos to end.

Red lyrium Fenris during In Hushed Whispers.