I wish I hadn't read the last 3 pages.
On a whim I pirated the DLC for Dragon Age II just to see if it improved anything. I decided to try a female mage just to see if it improved the game experience at all. The class itself is fine, but you've got to deal with the brother this time. Carver is perhaps the least likeable game character I've ever encountered. This is not hyperbole. I honestly can't think of anyone who's such a complete douche to you all the time in a game. I mean, there are annoying mascot characters like Tails, goddamn bats, stupid hostages which don't think to run from the forces that want them dead, and cheesy genki heroes. My level of loathing towards them doesn't even compare to Carver. The fact that you can see him die is glorious, the fact that Hawke has to pretend to mourn over him is just frustrating.
I made the serious mistake of assuming with a little cajoling and a bit of time, that he might stop being such an asshole. It doesn't happen.