770 réponses à ce sujet

[magickingdom]

Alistair, I also like puppies. I love the pure innocence they bring. Nice and refreshing in today's world.

[Namirsolo]

Oh I forgot "I would storm the gates of the Dark City itself with you at my side. Do not doubt it." It's much more poetic than "look, you're like this rose."



Haha, seriously though, I don't dislike Alistair. Zevran is just much more interesting.

[MorningBird]

Namirsolo wrote...

Oh I forgot "I would storm the gates of the Dark City itself with you at my side. Do not doubt it." It's much more poetic than "look, you're like this rose."

Haha, seriously though, I don't dislike Alistair. Zevran is just much more interesting.

This is pretty much how I feel as well.

I think Alistair makes for a good friend to the PC, but Zevran's romance was a better match for my city elf.  However, if I could somehow manage an all rogue threesome with Lilianna I would be forever happy.

I managed to get her to 'consider' the idea last I talked to her.  Hopefully she's not just giving me false hopes.

[shownofear]

umm,surely if u want some exciting look for a girl,Leliane meaning..

Modifié par shownofear, 24 décembre 2009 - 12:09 .

[Original182]

For some women, it's just not their cup of tea.

[Skellimancer]

andybuiadh wrote...

Skellimancer wrote...

Sten

Cell1e wrote...

andybuiadh wrote...

Cell1e wrote...

Ohh I find Sten strangely attractive too! Shame there is no romance there. Stens a manly man!

I get the impression from Sten (and from his "flirty" chat with Morrigan) that Sten would destroy most women. ../../../images/forum/emoticons/lol.png

OMG ../../../images/forum/emoticons/surprised.png You
could be right! Scratch that thought about Sten! Oh and I just
remembered he likes women to BE women and I guess that means at home in
the kitchen..too old fashioned! ../../../images/forum/emoticons/lol.png

No one mentioned marriage!

[ejoslin]

MorningBird wrote...

Namirsolo wrote...

Oh I forgot "I would storm the gates of the Dark City itself with you at my side. Do not doubt it." It's much more poetic than "look, you're like this rose."

Haha, seriously though, I don't dislike Alistair. Zevran is just much more interesting.

This is pretty much how I feel as well.

I think Alistair makes for a good friend to the PC, but Zevran's romance was a better match for my city elf.  However, if I could somehow manage an all rogue threesome with Lilianna I would be forever happy.

I managed to get her to 'consider' the idea last I talked to her.  Hopefully she's not just giving me false hopes.

Zevran is the best match for anyone EXCEPT common dwarf.  Common dwarf, I have to admit, would most likely be delighted as Alistair's mistress.  Every time I've ended up being able to offer Lel that threesome, Zevran gets all upset and makes my PC break up with her.  I suppose if you get Lel hardened and to 100 love first so you can sleep with her, THEN get Zev when he's more casual, you have a better chance, though you may have to settle for a foursome in that circumstance.

And yes, Alistair may be willing to die for you when push comes to shove, but Zevran, no matter what, wants to live for you.  Oh, ladies, BEST "royal" ending is if you never romance Alistair at all and become his queen and advisor (before running off to rebuild the gray wardens with Zevran of course and work on making that Cousland/assassin heir to the throne).  You're still the princess-consort, but at least you're referred to as "savior and ruler" and Ali lets you call all the shots. 

[fchopin]

MorningBird wrote...

Namirsolo wrote...

Oh I forgot "I would storm the gates of the Dark City itself with you at my side. Do not doubt it." It's much more poetic than "look, you're like this rose."

Haha, seriously though, I don't dislike Alistair. Zevran is just much more interesting.

This is pretty much how I feel as well.

I think Alistair makes for a good friend to the PC, but Zevran's romance was a better match for my city elf.  However, if I could somehow manage an all rogue threesome with Lilianna I would be forever happy.

I managed to get her to 'consider' the idea last I talked to her.  Hopefully she's not just giving me false hopes.

I got as far with her but alas she changed her mind.

[shownofear]

..maybe not a cup of tea but a goblett with delicious mosque taste..mm
  referring to what original 182 said

Modifié par shownofear, 24 décembre 2009 - 12:35 .

[Antikristine]

ejoslin wrote...
Funny how Zevran ends up being the one who sticks around no matter what and Alistair is the one who flakes out unless you play your cards very right and are willing to accept sharing him in most cases . . .  Because you're right.  Both of those romances took turns that I completely didn't expect.

I very much agree with this, and most of your views on Zevran vs. Alistair, ejoslin.

I definitely prefer the emotional maturity that Zevran presents. He needs to come to terms with what he actually feels, and doesn't promise you anything as long as he is in doubt. But once he realizes his true feelings, he is yours until the end of the world. That said, I personally don't approve of his promiscuity, but I definitely understand how it has become part of his survivability. On the face of it, he seems like the guy you could have a one night stand with, but he turns out to be among the most stable guys if you're out for a lasting relationship.

To me, Alistair represents puppy love. He has the boyish charm and because of that he gets away with much of what people call whining. He can't stop to tell you what he feels, but at the end of the day, it seems that it is not so much what he actually feels, as what he BELIEVES he feels. This is reflected in how easily he lets you go after Landsmeet if you're not a noble. 

Through my three playthroughs I've actually experienced three very different versions of Alistair. In my first playthrough as a human noble, he was quite endearing, and didn't dump me although he did worry about our future and ability to produce an heir. The epilogue also suggested true love when I accepted Morrigan's ritual.
However, as an elven mage in my second playthrough, I pissed Alistair off royally and was never able to get a good approval rating with him, and he remained an immature and whiney boy who wanted Wynne to mend his clothes.

I found what I believe is the most interesting version of Alistair in my third playthrough. After first having chosen Alistair over Leliana, Alistair asked me to choose between him and Zevran. I chose Zevran, but ended up with +2 approval from Alistair after telling him I chose someone else. I chose "I'm sorry it had to come to this" and "Thank you for understanding", and Alistair went from +96 Love to +98 Friendly.  When dumping Leliana, I got -15 disapproval from her and I expected the same from Alistair, so the fact that he didn't seem to mind my choosing someone else over him, was to me a clear sign that his love never did run deep at all.

As I've written somewhere else, Alistair is like Romeo, he is in love with being in love, and adores that new sensation. It doesn't really matter who he is in love with, as long as he can nurture this feeling. And this is very different from Zevran who is experienced both when it comes to love and lust. When he finally sorts out his feelings, he will not let you down. 

I prefer stability in love, and this is what Zevran seems to provide, even though he doesn't seem likely to do it in the beginning. And this is why I never would have fallen for a guy like him in real life, because I would never have spent enough time to get to know his real self. 

[DragonRageGT]

Just a thought about Sten... girls would need armor and something to bite... and an injury kit for aftwards... guess you've heard that too, right?

[Creature 1]

RageGT wrote...

Just a thought about Sten... girls would need armor and something to bite... and an injury kit for aftwards... guess you've heard that too, right?

. . . Some people are into that? 

[ejoslin]

Antikristine wrote...

ejoslin wrote...
Funny how Zevran ends up being the one who sticks around no matter what and Alistair is the one who flakes out unless you play your cards very right and are willing to accept sharing him in most cases . . .  Because you're right.  Both of those romances took turns that I completely didn't expect.

I very much agree with this, and most of your views on Zevran vs. Alistair, ejoslin.

I definitely prefer the emotional maturity that Zevran presents. He needs to come to terms with what he actually feels, and doesn't promise you anything as long as he is in doubt. But once he realizes his true feelings, he is yours until the end of the world. That said, I personally don't approve of his promiscuity, but I definitely understand how it has become part of his survivability. On the face of it, he seems like the guy you could have a one night stand with, but he turns out to be among the most stable guys if you're out for a lasting relationship.

To me, Alistair represents puppy love. He has the boyish charm and because of that he gets away with much of what people call whining. He can't stop to tell you what he feels, but at the end of the day, it seems that it is not so much what he actually feels, as what he BELIEVES he feels. This is reflected in how easily he lets you go after Landsmeet if you're not a noble. 

Through my three playthroughs I've actually experienced three very different versions of Alistair. In my first playthrough as a human noble, he was quite endearing, and didn't dump me although he did worry about our future and ability to produce an heir. The epilogue also suggested true love when I accepted Morrigan's ritual.
However, as an elven mage in my second playthrough, I pissed Alistair off royally and was never able to get a good approval rating with him, and he remained an immature and whiney boy who wanted Wynne to mend his clothes.

I found what I believe is the most interesting version of Alistair in my third playthrough. After first having chosen Alistair over Leliana, Alistair asked me to choose between him and Zevran. I chose Zevran, but ended up with +2 approval from Alistair after telling him I chose someone else. I chose "I'm sorry it had to come to this" and "Thank you for understanding", and Alistair went from +96 Love to +98 Friendly.  When dumping Leliana, I got -15 disapproval from her and I expected the same from Alistair, so the fact that he didn't seem to mind my choosing someone else over him, was to me a clear sign that his love never did run deep at all.

As I've written somewhere else, Alistair is like Romeo, he is in love with being in love, and adores that new sensation. It doesn't really matter who he is in love with, as long as he can nurture this feeling. And this is very different from Zevran who is experienced both when it comes to love and lust. When he finally sorts out his feelings, he will not let you down. 

I prefer stability in love, and this is what Zevran seems to provide, even though he doesn't seem likely to do it in the beginning. And this is why I never would have fallen for a guy like him in real life, because I would never have spent enough time to get to know his real self. 

I like being agreed with   But the Zevran romance, the first time I played it through, just surprised me so much at its depth.  I felt so betrayed by Alistair, I had an honest emotional reaction which I've never had while playing a video game before.  I didn't see it coming, that he honestly would not stick with a character who had picked him up at his lowest, lead his people because he was unwilling to do so, made the tough choices, and who fell in love with him because of his promises.  I did not see the weakness of his character behind the pretty words.  He was the perfect man until, well, it was time for him to step up and be a man.  Hardened he's better, but still not strong enough to take on the world for his love.

I've done three noble endings (two play throughs).  One where the PC married him at 100 love, one where she dumped him at the landsmeet so he was at 100 friendly (as you point out, he doesn't mind being dumped after he falls in love, and in fact appreciates it depending on the reason), and one where she never romanced him.  The one where she never romanced him he seems to respect her the most when it comes to her ability to rule.  She is referred to as the savior and ruler and Alistair gives her free rein (pun intended).

My dwarf commoner play through I didn't harden him, and I should have.  I probably will play that one again with him hardened, just to see if the ending dialog with her sister changes when they're both concubines to the kings of their respective regions (it probably won't).  Howevever, Bhelen not only ensures that ALL her children, not just her sons, are elevated (as children get their caste from their same-sex parents), but he takes on the entire social system for her.  And Orzammar was better for it.  

[Lady Catastrophe]

Alistair,because he's a sweetheart.That is all.

[EnchantedEyes1]

ejoslin wrote...

Antikristine wrote...

ejoslin wrote...
Funny how Zevran ends up being the one who sticks around no matter what and Alistair is the one who flakes out unless you play your cards very right and are willing to accept sharing him in most cases . . .  Because you're right.  Both of those romances took turns that I completely didn't expect.

I very much agree with this, and most of your views on Zevran vs. Alistair, ejoslin.

I definitely prefer the emotional maturity that Zevran presents. He needs to come to terms with what he actually feels, and doesn't promise you anything as long as he is in doubt. But once he realizes his true feelings, he is yours until the end of the world. That said, I personally don't approve of his promiscuity, but I definitely understand how it has become part of his survivability. On the face of it, he seems like the guy you could have a one night stand with, but he turns out to be among the most stable guys if you're out for a lasting relationship.

To me, Alistair represents puppy love. He has the boyish charm and because of that he gets away with much of what people call whining. He can't stop to tell you what he feels, but at the end of the day, it seems that it is not so much what he actually feels, as what he BELIEVES he feels. This is reflected in how easily he lets you go after Landsmeet if you're not a noble. 

Through my three playthroughs I've actually experienced three very different versions of Alistair. In my first playthrough as a human noble, he was quite endearing, and didn't dump me although he did worry about our future and ability to produce an heir. The epilogue also suggested true love when I accepted Morrigan's ritual.
However, as an elven mage in my second playthrough, I pissed Alistair off royally and was never able to get a good approval rating with him, and he remained an immature and whiney boy who wanted Wynne to mend his clothes.

I found what I believe is the most interesting version of Alistair in my third playthrough. After first having chosen Alistair over Leliana, Alistair asked me to choose between him and Zevran. I chose Zevran, but ended up with +2 approval from Alistair after telling him I chose someone else. I chose "I'm sorry it had to come to this" and "Thank you for understanding", and Alistair went from +96 Love to +98 Friendly.  When dumping Leliana, I got -15 disapproval from her and I expected the same from Alistair, so the fact that he didn't seem to mind my choosing someone else over him, was to me a clear sign that his love never did run deep at all.

As I've written somewhere else, Alistair is like Romeo, he is in love with being in love, and adores that new sensation. It doesn't really matter who he is in love with, as long as he can nurture this feeling. And this is very different from Zevran who is experienced both when it comes to love and lust. When he finally sorts out his feelings, he will not let you down. 

I prefer stability in love, and this is what Zevran seems to provide, even though he doesn't seem likely to do it in the beginning. And this is why I never would have fallen for a guy like him in real life, because I would never have spent enough time to get to know his real self. 

I like being agreed with   But the Zevran romance, the first time I played it through, just surprised me so much at its depth.  I felt so betrayed by Alistair, I had an honest emotional reaction which I've never had while playing a video game before.  I didn't see it coming, that he honestly would not stick with a character who had picked him up at his lowest, lead his people because he was unwilling to do so, made the tough choices, and who fell in love with him because of his promises.  I did not see the weakness of his character behind the pretty words.  He was the perfect man until, well, it was time for him to step up and be a man.  Hardened he's better, but still not strong enough to take on the world for his love.

I've done three noble endings (two play throughs).  One where the PC married him at 100 love, one where she dumped him at the landsmeet so he was at 100 friendly (as you point out, he doesn't mind being dumped after he falls in love, and in fact appreciates it depending on the reason), and one where she never romanced him.  The one where she never romanced him he seems to respect her the most when it comes to her ability to rule.  She is referred to as the savior and ruler and Alistair gives her free rein (pun intended).

My dwarf commoner play through I didn't harden him, and I should have.  I probably will play that one again with him hardened, just to see if the ending dialog with her sister changes when they're both concubines to the kings of their respective regions (it probably won't).  Howevever, Bhelen not only ensures that ALL her children, not just her sons, are elevated (as children get their caste from their same-sex parents), but he takes on the entire social system for her.  And Orzammar was better for it.  

I would just like to say that you both encapsulated my feelings and experiences with Alistair and Zevran perfectly. Both are very enjoyable characters which have elicited real emotion from me that I never expected. While I really like Alistair's "my love" Zevran's "I'm yours" just slays me

[PuffyTail]

RageGT wrote...

Ladies, please!

How can you deny this fellow when he makes such a lovely plea?

Ogren wants to be shared! - special message to the ladies out there!

Oghren was actually surprisingly sweet when you got his friendship high enough.  He became one of the most touching characters to have conversations with.

[Brass_Buckles]

frostajulie wrote...

Brass_Buckles wrote...


Why precisely would someone else need to lead because your character is on her period? 

Well it was half said in jest, Alistair afterall needs me to do all the leading while I can see how Zev would let me share the burden.  However, the other half was serious, mainly because When I rp my character takes on a lot of my traits.  When I am on the rag I like to be alone, I snap and hurt peoples feelings and I don't mean to.  I don't know about you but have you noticed how much micromanaging goes on in this game.  I couldn't take it if I had to do that for real I'd be all like "You got all these talents and skills and you F*** want me to hold your hand and walk you through every fight?! swing your sword, cast your spells, stab somebody dammit! Leave me ALONE!"

As for sexist, well I don't really give a flying crap about political correctness, it is what it is.

Eh, whatever floats your boat.  Where I'm from, though, just because your period comes along doesn't mean you can get out of your responsibilities.  But some people get hit harder than others.

[ejoslin]

EnchantedEyes1 wrote...

I would just like to say that you both encapsulated my feelings and experiences with Alistair and Zevran perfectly. Both are very enjoyable characters which have elicited real emotion from me that I never expected. While I really like Alistair's "my love" Zevran's "I'm yours" just slays me

I keep meaning to do another "king's lover" ending, as his chancellor, but given a choice between being the one on the side, ruling a people who treat my people as garbage, or rebuilding the gray wardens with someone who won't even consider being a member (good thing, I'd hate it if Zevran died during the joining), but who considers being with the PC the only thing that matters in his life . . . I just can't bring myself to do it!  I'm sure I'll get bored with the Zevran romance, but until then, Ali just doesn't get the girl he doesn't want THAT badly in the end.  Who wants to have to talk a guy into staying with her?  A PC that is, though it's so out of character for my PCs.

I know there's the option of making Anora queen, but she was so bad to the elves while she ran it before Cailin was killed, and even moreso afterwards. There are food shortages in the alienage while she builds universities for the humans.  So she only got to be solo queen once for me!

[SimToth1212]

Lasseda wrote...

I wish there were romance options with Teagan and Sten. I find them MUCH more appealing than Alistair or Zevran, to be honest lol

I TOTALLY agree. Esspecially Teagan. ...Or even Ser Perth! *swoon*

But back to the original post, I keep trying to have a romance with Alistair but he just gets too corny for me. Zevran feels real and he always has my back.

[Brass_Buckles]

Vegielamb wrote...

A woman can only view a man one of two ways: as a boy or as a man. Alister is a boy, and women do not respect boys, because they know they're immature. If married to one, a woman will turn into a nag because women don't trust boys to be men.

I'm going with Zev nearly every time because he's more honest and mature. Most of the "bragging" that comes of out Zev is actually subtle self-depreciation. Zev knows he isn't a good person and isn't even that good of an assassin. He maybe playful, but when he realizes you're serious he sobers up and turns out to be amazingly mature, responsible, and *gasp* humble.

I disagree.  Alistair is a bit childish, but he's still a man.  He is young and inexperienced with the world (and with being a man), but he proves time and again that he's good-hearted (just look at what gives you approval points with him) and, if you don't opt to spare Loghain, especially if he's hardened, he steps up to the plate as king or Grey Warden.  I think I said it before: he's afraid of *being* in love, while Zevran is afraid of *falling* in love.  Alistair is best while he is falling in love, and Zevran is best when he's actually in love.  This explains why Alistair is happy when you end it--'cause he's really not sure where to go from there, it's probably a relief--though I've personally never had him gain relationship points for ending a relationship with him.  With Zevran, you have to be playing a certain type of character to consider being with him and to stick it out long enough for him to fall in love, but he's surprisingly loyal even if you don't flirt with him; all you have to do is get him to like you and he'll follow you around like War Dog.

As I said before, in the real world I would not go near Zevran--hit men don't make good boyfriends, and tend to land themselves in jail a lot.  For good reasons!  But for game purposes, while I do lean more toward Alistair, I like Zevran pretty well too, even if he's not as attractive--and it's not even the long hair that gets me, it's that face, and his expressions.  Long hair can look great on a more masculine guy, and no I am not saying that because he's bisexual.  Zevran's face is a bit too, hrm, delicate maybe?   I guess I'm not really a major fangirl of either (though for my first playthrough, until the ending, I would have been an Alistair fangirl for sure), but I appreciate both for their personalities and my own interpretations of their actions and dialogue.  Because let's face it, everyone can interpret their behavior in a different way (and sometimes it comes across differently in different playthroughs due to your characters' personalities).  That's why there are people who consider Alistair to be a hateful liar (I'm thinking of a certain bard named Robert here), and people who consider Zevran to be an irredeemable, crass creep, along with people who hate both of them or, like me, are okay with both of them.

Modifié par Brass_Buckles, 24 décembre 2009 - 05:01 .

[ejoslin]

Brass_Buckles wrote...

Vegielamb wrote...

A woman can only view a man one of two ways: as a boy or as a man. Alister is a boy, and women do not respect boys, because they know they're immature. If married to one, a woman will turn into a nag because women don't trust boys to be men.

I'm going with Zev nearly every time because he's more honest and mature. Most of the "bragging" that comes of out Zev is actually subtle self-depreciation. Zev knows he isn't a good person and isn't even that good of an assassin. He maybe playful, but when he realizes you're serious he sobers up and turns out to be amazingly mature, responsible, and *gasp* humble.

I disagree.  Alistair is a bit childish, but he's still a man.  He is young and inexperienced with the world (and with being a man), but he proves time and again that he's good-hearted (just look at what gives you approval points with him) and, if you don't opt to spare Loghain, especially if he's hardened, he steps up to the plate as king or Grey Warden.  I think I said it before: he's afraid of *being* in love, while Zevran is afraid of *falling* in love.  Alistair is best while he is falling in love, and Zevran is best when he's actually in love.  This explains why Alistair is happy when you end it--'cause he's really not sure where to go from there, it's probably a relief--though I've personally never had him gain relationship points for ending a relationship with him.  With Zevran, you have to be playing a certain type of character to consider being with him and to stick it out long enough for him to fall in love, but he's surprisingly loyal even if you don't flirt with him; all you have to do is get him to like you and he'll follow you around like War Dog.

As I said before, in the real world I would not go near Zevran--hit men don't make good boyfriends, and tend to land themselves in jail a lot.  For good reasons!  But for game purposes, while I do lean more toward Alistair, I like Zevran pretty well too, even if he's not as attractive--and it's not even the long hair that gets me, it's that face, and his expressions.  Long hair can look great on a more masculine guy, and no I am not saying that because he's bisexual.  Zevran's face is a bit too, hrm, delicate maybe?   I guess I'm not really a major fangirl of either (though for my first playthrough, until the ending, I would have been an Alistair fangirl for sure), but I appreciate both for their personalities and my own interpretations of their actions and dialogue.  Because let's face it, everyone can interpret their behavior in a different way (and sometimes it comes across differently in different playthroughs due to your characters' personalities).  That's why there are people who consider Alistair to be a hateful liar (I'm thinking of a certain bard named Robert here), and people who consider Zevran to be an irredeemable, crass creep, along with people who hate both of them or, like me, are okay with both of them.

Alistair steps up as king? Alistair is a puppet king!  He needs a strong person behind him there, and that will be Anora, Eamon, or the PC.  If Anora isn't in the picture, as chancellor you're basically ruling.  You're on the throne so much that people are used to you being there.  If Anora IS in the picture, you're not needed as Chancellor, so you go on your way.  If neither you nor Anora are in the picture, Eamon leaves Redcliff to his brother so he can "advise" the king.  Granted, Alistair tempers Anora's ruthlessness and they are a decent ruling couple because of his basic goodness.

No one argues whether Alistair has good intentions -- he does.  He's kind, giving, generous to a fault.  He also doesn't see the world as it really is, and his idealism clouds his judgement.  He's also a pretty bad judge of character and shapes people around his beliefs quite often.  Also, when you finally revive Eamon, it is very clear that he knows about the relationship between Alistair and the PC -- there's no hiding it really.  The only person who seems to be censuring Alistair about it is Alistair. 

Alistair, as wonderful as he is (and he IS), is not strong.  He can be made more selfish (and should be), but the basic weakness about him does not go away.  He just quits caring so much about pleasing everyone.

[bobsmyuncle]

I don't see Alistair necessarily being as shallow as Romeo, to me it's more that he values duty more than you, where with Zevran you come first, always. When you have the duty talk with Alistair (it's the last romance convo, IIRC), saying things like "as long as we love each other that's all that matters" and suchlike will net you disapproval, but while recognizing that you may have to give up the relationship gets approval. I suppose I see him as being defeatist rather than shallow.



I still prefer him to Zevran. I like Zevran a lot and I'd love to be drinking buddies with him but I would not remotely hit that. I take my love life too seriously, I guess, to want to be someone's FWB which is where you start out with him. I've got him set aside for my Tabris game, though.



Also, why isn't Leliana in the running, here? She may be a little nutty and I find her fashion obsession a bit off-putting, but she's a nice girl. She's not just in it for the sex and she won't dump you out of a sense of duty. Just because she's a lady everyone's overlooking her. Poor Lel.

[Original182]

OP doesn't swing that way. It's her thread, so her rules.

Edit: There's such a thing as too obsessed with fashion to a woman? 

Modifié par Original182, 24 décembre 2009 - 06:00 .

[ejoslin]

bobsmyuncle wrote...

I don't see Alistair necessarily being as shallow as Romeo, to me it's more that he values duty more than you, where with Zevran you come first, always. When you have the duty talk with Alistair (it's the last romance convo, IIRC), saying things like "as long as we love each other that's all that matters" and suchlike will net you disapproval, but while recognizing that you may have to give up the relationship gets approval. I suppose I see him as being defeatist rather than shallow.

I still prefer him to Zevran. I like Zevran a lot and I'd love to be drinking buddies with him but I would not remotely hit that. I take my love life too seriously, I guess, to want to be someone's FWB which is where you start out with him. I've got him set aside for my Tabris game, though.

Also, why isn't Leliana in the running, here? She may be a little nutty and I find her fashion obsession a bit off-putting, but she's a nice girl. She's not just in it for the sex and she won't dump you out of a sense of duty. Just because she's a lady everyone's overlooking her. Poor Lel.

Hardened Alistair does not disapprove.  He agrees that what you two have is most important.  Doesn't matter once push comes to shove unless you're willing to talk him into staying with you, though.  His initial reaction is still, buh bye!  He is fine with being dumped at that point, though either hardened or not.

And with Zev you don't have to start out as FWB.  He will do the inviting if he adores you and you haven't asked him to your tent. If he does the inviting, that means he adores you and he makes you choose.

Leliana isn't in the running for me because, well, the same reason many guys won't romance Zev.  I actually made a male character to romance Leliana and Morrigan for the achievements.  Leliana did nothing but confuse me, for real.  On my female characters, there comes some point, even though I have made it clear we're just friends, where she falls in love anyway, so I quit talking to her after doing her personal quest.

Modifié par ejoslin, 24 décembre 2009 - 06:06 .

[Taittinger]

Antikristine wrote...

ejoslin wrote...
Funny how Zevran ends up being the one who sticks around no matter what and Alistair is the one who flakes out unless you play your cards very right and are willing to accept sharing him in most cases . . .  Because you're right.  Both of those romances took turns that I completely didn't expect.

I very much agree with this, and most of your views on Zevran vs. Alistair, ejoslin.

I definitely prefer the emotional maturity that Zevran presents. He needs to come to terms with what he actually feels, and doesn't promise you anything as long as he is in doubt. But once he realizes his true feelings, he is yours until the end of the world. That said, I personally don't approve of his promiscuity, but I definitely understand how it has become part of his survivability. On the face of it, he seems like the guy you could have a one night stand with, but he turns out to be among the most stable guys if you're out for a lasting relationship.

To me, Alistair represents puppy love. He has the boyish charm and because of that he gets away with much of what people call whining. He can't stop to tell you what he feels, but at the end of the day, it seems that it is not so much what he actually feels, as what he BELIEVES he feels. This is reflected in how easily he lets you go after Landsmeet if you're not a noble. 

Through my three playthroughs I've actually experienced three very different versions of Alistair. In my first playthrough as a human noble, he was quite endearing, and didn't dump me although he did worry about our future and ability to produce an heir. The epilogue also suggested true love when I accepted Morrigan's ritual.
However, as an elven mage in my second playthrough, I pissed Alistair off royally and was never able to get a good approval rating with him, and he remained an immature and whiney boy who wanted Wynne to mend his clothes.

I found what I believe is the most interesting version of Alistair in my third playthrough. After first having chosen Alistair over Leliana, Alistair asked me to choose between him and Zevran. I chose Zevran, but ended up with +2 approval from Alistair after telling him I chose someone else. I chose "I'm sorry it had to come to this" and "Thank you for understanding", and Alistair went from +96 Love to +98 Friendly.  When dumping Leliana, I got -15 disapproval from her and I expected the same from Alistair, so the fact that he didn't seem to mind my choosing someone else over him, was to me a clear sign that his love never did run deep at all.

As I've written somewhere else, Alistair is like Romeo, he is in love with being in love, and adores that new sensation. It doesn't really matter who he is in love with, as long as he can nurture this feeling. And this is very different from Zevran who is experienced both when it comes to love and lust. When he finally sorts out his feelings, he will not let you down. 

I prefer stability in love, and this is what Zevran seems to provide, even though he doesn't seem likely to do it in the beginning. And this is why I never would have fallen for a guy like him in real life, because I would never have spent enough time to get to know his real self. 

This post has really made me glad I started a noble warrior to mess with the romances. My mage is head over heals in love with Alistar, but my noble is a bit more "meh I can tank this myself" and is being a bit rougher on Ali. I haven't decided if I can make it through to Zevran without taking Ali to my tent, but we shall see.

Tait