You know what? Leaving aside party gender balance issues, DA continuity might just have been better off if Fenris and Sera switched places.
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.
Fits right in with Hawke’s ragged crew of outcasts, but is not afraid to challenge a pro-mage Hawke.
Yes but let me expand on this:
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.
Sera and Isabela hooking up if neither of them are romanced.
I am in love with these ideas and am suddenly mourning something that could never be.
Solas offering to attempt removing Fenris’s markings and Fenris flipping him the fuck off, but then spending time actually considering what that would mean….
reckless & terribly gay 