That's not the understanding I got, he very much does not want to reform the caste system because it allows him to rule. That's why in the epilogue he stages a fake assassination to give himself a reason to dissolve the assembly and gain sole power. What he wants is to use the Castless as canon fodder against the darkspawn.GandALF wrote:Bhelen wants to reform the caste system but is completely self-interested, so he can't be relied on to aid the Grey Wardens.
Again this isn't what I got from Harrowmont, I actually read him as being a traditionalist, but perfectly willing to compromise if necessary. After all "I prefer to be known as a just and compassionate king. 'Strong' too often comes to mean 'tyrannical'."Harrowmont is much more honourable but because of that he is also a conservative traditionalist who will keep the unfair caste system in place as he doesn't believe he has the right to overturn ancient traditions, but him being a stickler for the rules means he can be relied on to help the Grey Wardens.
But then the epilogue whatever you choose pretty well ignores how the characters actually acted during the game. Harrowmont acts like a petty tyrant and Bhelen acts as though he were incredibly gracious and noble. Reminder that it was the latter person that killed one brother and framed the other for his murder.
The epilogue also makes Bhelen out to be more competent than he actually is, but then apparently a lot of people were surprised when the slimy little weasel betrayed you in the DN origin story.
Ignoring the epilogue Harrowmont is the way to go. Considering the epilogue. They both suck and I wish there was a third option. But the Epilogue is fucking stupid, and contradicts stuff in other games.