426 réponses à ce sujet

[MOTpoetryION]

Well i guess ill be the last to post and cap the thread at 100 replies

[Freckles04]

I like Alistair because he seems to be one of the most real characters I've run into in a video game. He's flawed. Really flawed. More so than it seems at first, I think.

When you first meet him, he's snarky and funny, and willing to take charge as he takes your crew into the Wilds (I love his pep talk with Ser Jory, the blubbering idiot). Then his whole adopted family is wiped out and we start seeing the depth of his character.

Here is a man who was never wanted, by anyone (or so he believes). His father sends him to Redcliffe, where he was treated like a second-class citizen. Then he's shipped off to the Chantry to make the Arl's wife happy. No one liked him at the Chantry. The Arl stops coming to visit. He is utterly abandoned, left to deal with the choices made for him. And then Duncan comes along and actually cares about what Alistair wants. He sees Al's unhappy, and rescues him. I don't think I can overstate how important this action is to Al, that Duncan actually wants him to join the Grey Wardens so badly that he invokes the Right of Conscription. For the first time in his life, Al *belongs* somewhere. He has a family. Which, in his Fade nightmare, you can see that's the thing he most desires. And when that's torn away from him, it nearly destroys him. Yet, he continues on, encouraging the new recruit, joking around, and willing to see the good things in the world and save them.

Alistair is not weak, although at first glance, it may seem like he is. If he were truly weak, he would be the one you'd have to convince to go on when talking with Flemeth after Ostagar. Instead of surrendering, he pushes on, pushes through the despair and sadness in order to do his duty and live up to being a Grey Warden, as Duncan would have wanted. His flaws become greatly apparent at the Landsmeet, though. He's idealistic. He doesn't see the "grey" in the Grey Wardens, only the good. Although intellectually he knows that the Wardens "do what is necessary", in his mind, necessary = good. Which isn't always the case, but that's what he wants to believe. He can't step away from his desire for vengeance or his emotions surrounding Loghain, despite it being in the best interest of Ferelden. And he has a bit of a martyr complex, particularly if you haven't hardened him (and you're in a romance). He feels he has to sacrifice your love in order to do his duty.

There have been a lot of calls on the forum to change the ending of the game, or add a "happier" ending for the female players, etc., but I'm thankful that the game is as it is. This character has truly made the game. His depth of personality and the consequences experienced by the player with regards to choices made about Alistair really do take Dragon Age a step above the rest of the RPGs out there.

[Rivie]

The voice. The quirky sense of humor. Plus he's adorable to boot. I have to respect how he feels about his duty, too. Sometimes he does let emotion override it, it's true (case in point: Loghain), but even when he dumped my pc after he got the throne, I had to admit that he was doing what was best at the time.



The country needed a ruler, one they could get behind 100%. That's why the PC put him there in the first place, as Maric's son. Putting a non-noble pc on the throne with him would cause a lot of problems. You've seen how the majority look down on elves. Yes, something does need to be done about that, but in that way and at this time, it would do more harm than it would good. There is a time and place for things, and unfortunately now is not that time.



It's not that he doesn't love you enough, it's that he's putting the country before what you and he want. That's what Wynne meant, I think, when she says love is selfish. It looks out for itself. When my PC takes the option to go through with the ritual so that her and Al can live, that is the selfish side of love. If my PC insists that she be put first and who cares about the general political unrest in the country and the chaos it could cause to have her on the throne, in my opinion that's also the selfish side of love. One of the major themes of the game, to me, is "some things are bigger than you" and this situation and this choice personify that a great deal.



Now that I've soap box'd and moralized and bored everyone to tears. Well. He also does remind me of my boyfriend, with the crazy jokes.

[Recidiva]

Rivie wrote...

The voice. The quirky sense of humor. Plus he's adorable to boot. I have to respect how he feels about his duty, too. Sometimes he does let emotion override it, it's true (case in point: Loghain), but even when he dumped my pc after he got the throne, I had to admit that he was doing what was best at the time.

The country needed a ruler, one they could get behind 100%. That's why the PC put him there in the first place, as Maric's son. Putting a non-noble pc on the throne with him would cause a lot of problems. You've seen how the majority look down on elves. Yes, something does need to be done about that, but in that way and at this time, it would do more harm than it would good. There is a time and place for things, and unfortunately now is not that time.

It's not that he doesn't love you enough, it's that he's putting the country before what you and he want. That's what Wynne meant, I think, when she says love is selfish. It looks out for itself. When my PC takes the option to go through with the ritual so that her and Al can live, that is the selfish side of love. If my PC insists that she be put first and who cares about the general political unrest in the country and the chaos it could cause to have her on the throne, in my opinion that's also the selfish side of love. One of the major themes of the game, to me, is "some things are bigger than you" and this situation and this choice personify that a great deal.

Now that I've soap box'd and moralized and bored everyone to tears. Well. He also does remind me of my boyfriend, with the crazy jokes.

It's funny how I go the different way.  I don't see how he could love someone and leave them on the basis of their race or social class.  Or how he couldn't have seen any of this coming and given a LOT more of a warning.  Like...let me know ahead of time we couldn't have kids and that might matter down the road.   I also don't see how we couldn't adopt.  He was an orphan himself, I find a poetic symmetry in that.  I can talk him into...sleeping...with...Morrigan...because he loves me, but I can't...get him to adopt?  Even secretly?  It's not like he or I actually believe in "royal blood" being some magic elixir.   I just think I could have convinced a real person who was in love to see those possibilities if given the chance.  It's entirely counterintuitive to think you could be that much in love and not find a way to make it work. 

My end conclusion is:  He's just not that smart and not really that much in love.  Not enough to ask my opinion or fight for it.  So it's not a partnership.  It was an infatuation and he gave up on it.  And it wasn't for Ferelden's sake, it was because he lacked the will to fight or forge a new way.

[Herakleia]

My first character never saw Alistair as that comvincing a romance candidate. He was introduced as part of the Grey Warden outfit, and my character always saw the Wardens as rather dodgy. Duncan's cold blooded murder shocked her, and Alistair was Duncan's second. This made him tainted goods in her eyes.

[spirit-dog]

hmm.. as a major Alistair fangirl I'd actually first say the whole package. He's smarter then he acts half the time, he's funny, cute, sincere, great looking, tenderly romantic. I really love the geeky action figure thing he has as well as his sarcastic sense of humor. The amount of emotional depth he shows is also quite pleasent. Overall he reminds me of the Bjork song "Venus as a Boy".

[mujeresliebres]

You don't even know how much it pains me not to have Alistair in my party at the moment. I'm a mage so I need a rogue, and I think Oghren and Shale deserve to explore the Deep Roads. But seriously he's cute with an excellently sarcastic sense of humor.



Not to mention I felt giddy (literally giddy) when I was flirting with him. My bf thought I was crazy; I kept going omg he's so hot!



If he's dying too much, you've done something wrong. Maybe check his tactics?



Also every so often when I click on him, he will go "Yeeeeeees?" I crack up every time. It the most endearing thing I've ever had in a video game. Mmmm Alistair.

[skotie]

Personally I think a lot of the girls like his character for the same reason a lot guys liked him (aside from physical attractions qualities for the women), his real downfall is the whole landsmeet scenario. Up to that part he has stuck by your side, seemed the most normal person of your group and was always good for a laugh, plus he is a fellow Grey Warden. Honestly I still like the guy even for him leaving at the landmeet, I would do the same if I was him and decided to let Loghain live, but I would probably still try to fight the Arch Demon with some help from Eamon, not the PC.



The question I ask you is how many guys liked him before the landsmeet happened? There are really only a few faults he has and his are certainly the lesser of evils compared to the rest of your group.

[errant_knight]

skotie wrote...

Personally I think a lot of the girls like his character for the same reason a lot guys liked him (aside from physical attractions qualities for the women), his real downfall is the whole landsmeet scenario. Up to that part he has stuck by your side, seemed the most normal person of your group and was always good for a laugh, plus he is a fellow Grey Warden. Honestly I still like the guy even for him leaving at the landmeet, I would do the same if I was him and decided to let Loghain live, but I would probably still try to fight the Arch Demon with some help from Eamon, not the PC.

The question I ask you is how many guys liked him before the landsmeet happened? There are really only a few faults he has and his are certainly the lesser of evils compared to the rest of your group.

 I can't blame him for being willing to walk, although I wish they'd had him go off and die trying to fight the blight alone. It seems more in character. If he stays, he's one of only 3 grey wardens--one of them betrayed everything he believes in and murdered the king, the other betrayed him personally. Rather than thinking 'how could he go', I think 'how could he stay.' After everything he's gone through in his life, the betrayal of the PC would just be one too many to take.

[Ravauviel]

This argument's been done to death and all it comes down to is a throughly subjective understanding of his persona and dynamic with your PC. All I will say is that as far as my PC was concerned Alistair was the love of her life, so much so that in the end she willingly sacrificed herself for him (and for the good of Fereldan).

[Ravauviel]

Freckles04 wrote...

I like Alistair because he seems to be one of the most real characters I've run into in a video game. He's flawed. Really flawed. More so than it seems at first, I think.

When you first meet him, he's snarky and funny, and willing to take charge as he takes your crew into the Wilds (I love his pep talk with Ser Jory, the blubbering idiot). Then his whole adopted family is wiped out and we start seeing the depth of his character.

Here is a man who was never wanted, by anyone (or so he believes). His father sends him to Redcliffe, where he was treated like a second-class citizen. Then he's shipped off to the Chantry to make the Arl's wife happy. No one liked him at the Chantry. The Arl stops coming to visit. He is utterly abandoned, left to deal with the choices made for him. And then Duncan comes along and actually cares about what Alistair wants. He sees Al's unhappy, and rescues him. I don't think I can overstate how important this action is to Al, that Duncan actually wants him to join the Grey Wardens so badly that he invokes the Right of Conscription. For the first time in his life, Al *belongs* somewhere. He has a family. Which, in his Fade nightmare, you can see that's the thing he most desires. And when that's torn away from him, it nearly destroys him. Yet, he continues on, encouraging the new recruit, joking around, and willing to see the good things in the world and save them.

Alistair is not weak, although at first glance, it may seem like he is. If he were truly weak, he would be the one you'd have to convince to go on when talking with Flemeth after Ostagar. Instead of surrendering, he pushes on, pushes through the despair and sadness in order to do his duty and live up to being a Grey Warden, as Duncan would have wanted. His flaws become greatly apparent at the Landsmeet, though. He's idealistic. He doesn't see the "grey" in the Grey Wardens, only the good. Although intellectually he knows that the Wardens "do what is necessary", in his mind, necessary = good. Which isn't always the case, but that's what he wants to believe. He can't step away from his desire for vengeance or his emotions surrounding Loghain, despite it being in the best interest of Ferelden. And he has a bit of a martyr complex, particularly if you haven't hardened him (and you're in a romance). He feels he has to sacrifice your love in order to do his duty.

There have been a lot of calls on the forum to change the ending of the game, or add a "happier" ending for the female players, etc., but I'm thankful that the game is as it is. This character has truly made the game. His depth of personality and the consequences experienced by the player with regards to choices made about Alistair really do take Dragon Age a step above the rest of the RPGs out there.

Major Kudos! Could not have said it better myself!

[Freckles04]

errant_knight wrote...

I can't blame him for being willing to walk, although I wish they'd had him go off and die trying to fight the blight alone. It seems more in character. If he stays, he's one of only 3 grey wardens--one of them betrayed everything he believes in and murdered the king, the other betrayed him personally. Rather than thinking 'how could he go', I think 'how could he stay.' After everything he's gone through in his life, the betrayal of the PC would just be one too many to take.

This.

A lot of people have complained about his reaction at the Landsmeet, how it's out of character, but I don't think it is. Here is a man who has never belonged anywhere, and that's all he really wanted out of life: to have a place, to feel like he was wanted. He found that with the Grey Wardens, briefly, then it was ripped away. Following that, he makes a place for himself with the PC, belonging in that group. When the PC betrays him by sparing Duncan's murderer, Alistair realizes he has nothing. He has no place, no family, and the purpose he'd occupied himself with suddenly has no meaning. That's why I'm not surprised he turns his back on the Blight and the Wardens. Yes, it would have been nice to see him step up anyway, but that would require an ability to step back from his emotions that Alistair really doesn't have. He is a deeply flawed man, and that is very apparent in his reaction at the Landsmeet.

[amethyst_rose2009]

mujeresliebres wrote...

You don't even know how much it pains me not to have Alistair in my party at the moment. I'm a mage so I need a rogue, and I think Oghren and Shale deserve to explore the Deep Roads. But seriously he's cute with an excellently sarcastic sense of humor.

Not to mention I felt giddy (literally giddy) when I was flirting with him. My bf thought I was crazy; I kept going omg he's so hot!

If he's dying too much, you've done something wrong. Maybe check his tactics?

Also every so often when I click on him, he will go "Yeeeeeees?" I crack up every time. It the most endearing thing I've ever had in a video game. Mmmm Alistair.

Yeah, I know what you mean about the Deep Roads.  You just have to have Shale and Oghren with you in the Deep Roads. Which of course only leaves one slot open.  I can't stand not having Alistair in my group, so I usually take Alistair then when we've completed the Deep Roads quest, I leave Shale and grab Zev and go unlock all the chests.  Yes, it's twice the work, but I just can't leave Ali behind.  Besides he's almost always the last one standing, so without him my party is actually pretty weak (my pc is an elven mage).

And don't get me started on the Fade.  Complete torture to have to go it alone for so long without Ali.

[Freckles04]

Ravauviel wrote...

Major Kudos! Could not have said it better myself!

Thanks. 

Alistair is handsome, funny, and with a voice to die for, but there's so much beyond that. It's really easy to write him off quickly as a whiner, but I think people do themselves a disservice by not really thinking about his reactions nor putting themselves in his shoes. He is one of the most real characters I've ever "met" in a game. Let me tell you, if I lost all of my co-workers in some horrible accident, I wouldn't be able to just pick up and move on like he does, particularly not with the humour and grace he shows. And if I lost my family...? Forget it.

[Freckles04]

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...

And don't get me started on the Fade.  Complete torture to have to go it alone for so long without Ali.

I love his dialogue when you finally do find him.

"Hey, I was just thinking about you! Isn't that a mahvelous coincidence?"

[amethyst_rose2009]

Freckles04 wrote...

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...

And don't get me started on the Fade.  Complete torture to have to go it alone for so long without Ali.

I love his dialogue when you finally do find him.

"Hey, I was just thinking about you! Isn't that a mahvelous coincidence?"

Yeah, that always puts a smile on my face.  And when he does that silly thing with his hands over his head when he starts to disappear again, it is just so very cute.  Deep down he's just a little boy at heart and I think it's adorable.

[Freckles04]

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...

[Yeah, that always puts a smile on my face.  And when he does that silly thing with his hands over his head when he starts to disappear again, it is just so very cute.  Deep down he's just a little boy at heart and I think it's adorable.

I like what he says if you fail at your persuade check when you tell him to think about how he got there...

"I don't feel like thinking right now. I was never very good at it, anyway."

Poor guy sells himself short all the time. <3

[Patriciachr34]

First, there is the boyish charm combined with the the accent that is a total turn-on for me.



Second, I always tank Alistair, give him the best armor so he can take a beating while the rest of us deal damage. When properly spec'ed, he does his part quite nicely.



Finally, and this is from the perspective of a younger sibling, it sucks to have your heritage thrown in your face. My older brother was only a year ahead of me in school and was a terrible student. I, on the other hand, was a straight "A" student. I was constantly, and I mean constantly living down my brother's reputation simply because we were related. I was denied scholarships because, "It would be a waste of good money."; and denied the opportunity to test for advanced classes. I had to fight for every opportunity I eventually received (small towns can really suck!) So, in this respect, I can TOTALLY relate to my hero not wanting the pc to know he's the son of a king.

[amethyst_rose2009]

Freckles04 wrote...

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...

[Yeah, that always puts a smile on my face.  And when he does that silly thing with his hands over his head when he starts to disappear again, it is just so very cute.  Deep down he's just a little boy at heart and I think it's adorable.

I like what he says if you fail at your persuade check when you tell him to think about how he got there...

"I don't feel like thinking right now. I was never very good at it, anyway."

Poor guy sells himself short all the time. <3

Awww, poor Ali.  I've never gotten that line before.  I always put tons of points into coercion and cunning (which is probably why my mage falls in battle all the time, hmm).  I think he is actually very intelligent, but extremely insecure due to his childhood and never feeling accepted.  And Morrigan (the wicked witch of the wilds that she is) doesn't help his self-esteem any with her nasty comments.  I mean the brain of a dead calf comment made my pc want to run her through before we even stepped foot in Lothering!

Edit: Ooops, maybe the line was "the mind of a brainless calf" or something like that.  Anyway it was just wrong and ......ewww.

Modifié par amethyst_rose2009, 30 décembre 2009 - 08:06 .

[Patriciachr34]

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...

Freckles04 wrote...

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...

[Yeah, that always puts a smile on my face.  And when he does that silly thing with his hands over his head when he starts to disappear again, it is just so very cute.  Deep down he's just a little boy at heart and I think it's adorable.

I like what he says if you fail at your persuade check when you tell him to think about how he got there...

"I don't feel like thinking right now. I was never very good at it, anyway."

Poor guy sells himself short all the time. <3

Awww, poor Ali.  I've never gotten that line before.  I always put tons of points into coercion and cunning (which is probably why my mage falls in battle all the time, hmm).  I think he is actually very intelligent, but extremely insecure due to his childhood and never feeling accepted.  And Morrigan (the wicked witch of the wilds that she is) doesn't help his self-esteem any with her nasty comments.  I mean the brain of a dead calf comment made my pc want to run her through before we even stepped foot in Lothering!

Edit: Ooops, maybe the line was "the mind of a brainless calf" or something like that.  Anyway it was just wrong and ......ewww.

Yeah, I really do not like to put Morrigan in my party since she is soo ascerbic.  However, I get my revenge by getting her to 100% friendly and making her feel bad for betraying her one true friend by sleeping with Alistair.  Priceless!

[Ilvra]

bobsmyuncle wrote...

Herr Uhl wrote...

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...
Again with the beard.  I think we ladies should start a thread called "Why do men love Duncan's beard so much?

Beard envy, perhaps

Yes, I cannot grow a decent beard. Damn my genes.

And nothing says father figure as much as a full beard.

A full beard is awe inspiring but I wouldn't want to kiss one. It's like rubbing a brillo pad on your face. Maybe guys should think twice before growing those things.
Duncan, forgive me, for I have blasphemed the Beard

I'm not kissing the beard, I'm kissing the man. If I want to kiss the man, a beard is no obstacle.   I don' t, however, tend to be attracted to the type of man who doesn't keep his beard clean and well-groomed.

[Freckles04]

Ilvra wrote...

I'm not kissing the beard, I'm kissing the man. If I want to kiss the man, a beard is no obstacle.   I don' t, however, tend to be attracted to the type of man who doesn't keep his beard clean and well-groomed.

And Duncan's beard is so nice and shiny and silky-looking...

MUCH better than Arl Eamon's and First Enchanter Irving's.

But I'll take Alistair's stubble over Duncan's beard any day.

[amethyst_rose2009]

Freckles04 wrote...

Ilvra wrote...

I'm not kissing the beard, I'm kissing the man. If I want to kiss the man, a beard is no obstacle.   I don' t, however, tend to be attracted to the type of man who doesn't keep his beard clean and well-groomed.

And Duncan's beard is so nice and shiny and silky-looking...

MUCH better than Arl Eamon's and First Enchanter Irving's.

But I'll take Alistair's stubble over Duncan's beard any day.

Teagan's got a pretty nice beard too, but yeah, Alistair's stubble is so much better. Beards are fuzzy and stuff gets in them, ewww.  I think i saw something crawling in Irving's beard. 

Modifié par amethyst_rose2009, 30 décembre 2009 - 08:58 .

[Ilvra]

amethyst_rose2009 wrote...

Freckles04 wrote...

Ilvra wrote...

I'm not kissing the beard, I'm kissing the man. If I want to kiss the man, a beard is no obstacle.   I don' t, however, tend to be attracted to the type of man who doesn't keep his beard clean and well-groomed.

And Duncan's beard is so nice and shiny and silky-looking...

MUCH better than Arl Eamon's and First Enchanter Irving's.

But I'll take Alistair's stubble over Duncan's beard any day.

Teagan's got a pretty nice beard too, but yeah, Alistair's stubble is so much better. Beards are fuzzy and stuff gets in them, ewww.  I think i saw something crawling in Irving's beard. 

Oh, yeah. Alistair's stubble made my noble fem PC want to touch.  OK, that's a half-truth. Every part of Alistair made my noble fem PC want to touch.

Gorim's beard is nice, too.  But DO NOT get me started on Oghren's.  I can just imagine the smell.