Throughout all three Dragon Age games, there are a number of establishments mentioned and available to visit, from the Gnawed Noble Tavern of Denerim to the Herald's Rest at Skyhold, and many in between. But most notable, most memorable, and perhaps most central to any of the games is the Hanged Man of Kirkwall in the Free Marches.
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| Hanged Man Entrance, Source: DA Wiki |
This hub of varied people and quests is particularly dear to my heart as Dragon Age 2 was the first video game I played to completion. It was also the first BioWare game I played on my own. My first Hawke was a purely sarcastic dual wielding rogue who fell hard for Anders and his cause. It was a dark fairy tale of betrayal and swagger where no chest was safe and no secrets were left untold. While I have played Dragon Age: Inquisition more, Dragon Age 2 remains my favorite game; not just of the franchise, but overall my favorite video game. I have replayed it about two dozen times and still feel like I haven't done or seen everything. There is a lot to love about our lucky hero and their friends, as well as their usual drinking spot.
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| Hanged Man Interior, Source: DA Wiki |
According to the Dragon Age Wiki, there is an Easter Egg buried in the Hanged Man if your Hawke
"If you order 30 (doesn't have to be in same visit) drinks at the bar, whenever you enter the bar after that, the patrons will all shout "HAWKE!" This is a reference to the television series Cheers, in which all the patrons would shout "NORM!" whenever he would enter the pub."
"Additionally, Isabela comments, when passing the tavern, that 'sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.' This is a reference to Cheers's theme song."
I'll be honest, my Hawkes were usually too preoccupied to drink and approached the barkeep for rumors rather than than spirits, so I don't know how accurate the Wiki is on this detail. But I have heard that many players have not been able to trigger this call out and reference. Even Dragon Age lore aficionado Ghil Dirthalen on YouTube, who expressed her frustrations in her pop culture focused video.
The Hanged Man reminds me of the places I visited and drank at when I could afford to go out and drink. In my early twenties I usually avoided my dorm or apartment as a place of study to take in the energy and discord of many a bar or coffee shop. I would spend how ever many hours my laptop battery had propped up at a stool or tucked away in a corner booth, tapping away and taking in the rising noise and chaos or the long, low lulls between busy periods of time. There were times when I recognized faces or moods of patrons coming and going, and there were times I heard familiar stories or jests told among strangers. Happy Hours were the best and worst, best for drinks and worst for concentration on school work. If you've been reading from the beginning, you probably know that I am not a $1 beer mage and instead enjoy the finer brews on tap. But there were times I took what the house was peddling for pennies in the midst of impulsive inspiration while furiously clacking out the week's creative writing assignment during the height of a Happy Hour. After all, I had to learn someway that I do not like the swill on tab. Friends both new and old would meet up with me as they could and move along when they had to through evenings of lights and spirits.
There have been many regular drinking establishments in my life, like the classic Irish pub, O'Gara's and the even more Irish pub, The Local, of the Midwest, US; as well as stranger but still reassuringly familiar scenes at places like the classic sports bar Punter's on the Eastcoast and the more glittery, machizmo styled Bimbos Cantina on the West. Wherever I find a bar stool and a Happy Hour, I find familiarity and the spirit of Hawke, their companions, and even a few of Varric's stories. The cacophony of excitement that fills the mind and the mug can be deafening and enlightening.
Occasionally, like on those nights I remembered to pack my power cord, I stayed long enough to enticed myself into ordering a small plate from a Happy Hour menu. I would usually order a hummus plate with vegetables or (in my pre-vegan days) a plate of mozzarella sticks, or some unique bite to eat. At Punter's, I enjoyed a slice of pizza through a window in the wall. And the deal on tacos at Bimbo's alone was worth the visit. Back in Kirkwall, the Hanged Man affectionately serves something I am interested in making in my Skyhold's kitchen some day. It is said to be a delicious, hearty delight capable of curing any hangover: Pig Oat Mash. The recipe for this dish can be found in the World of Thedas Volume 2 book, which describes it as best served with brandy-spiked-cider. Pig Oat Mash appears easy to make, so expect a veganized version, dear reader, in the future for your enjoyment.
Bars and pubs have the power to connect and crisscross lives, open minds, and weave stories in unique ways. In conclusion, and in the spirit of the Hanged Man - Thedas' favorite shit hole - when you next walk by a pub, bar, or cafe with an interesting energy and a solid, empty stool catches you eye, see about taking a seat. Have a care to listen to what and who is around you, have a look at the Happy Hour menu, and don't be afraid to try the swill on tap.
Like what you are reading? Great! Come back for a new entry on Thursday, August 9. And have a look at my previous entries for other recipes and Dragon Age-related trivia and oddities!
Have any friendly suggestions or cool ideas? What me to veganize your favorite recipe? Please feel free to comment below. You can also email me at foodsofthedas@gmail.com, message me at AGSamuels on Reddit, or tweet me at @FoodsofThedas on Twitter.
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Walk always in the Maker's light.
Sources:
Dragon Age Wiki: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age_Wiki
Dragon Age Wiki, Hanged Man:
Ghil Dirthalen: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUWYiR2a5iD0cZktuODPoVw
Ghil Dirthalen, Easter Eggs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOWyR3qu5I0&index=1&list=PL-YksST7-PynRgSO5jWIpDV1NglcmyFcJ
World of Thedas Volume 2: BioWare, Dark Horse Books, 2015.
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