Dorian discussion and appreciation thread
#17251
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 07:00
But as it is...he's either a super high-functioning alcoholic, or he drinks a ton in his downtime.
#17252
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 07:16
He never seems drunk when you're talking to him or on the field. I'd like to think if it was an issue where it was interferring with Dorian's role in the Inquisition, it would have been addressed properly.
I get it he mostly does it in his "spare time".
Also, he has a banter with Bull (if neither are romanced by the pc) about being drunk and... well, I've got an impression that's how they ended up in the bed for the first time, no? I remember reading it somewhere (haven't heard it myself for obvious reasons). So if it's true, I wouldn't say it has no impact on his life.
- Yuyana aime ceci
#17253
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 07:18
Alcoholism, in my experience, is one of those things which you notice more when you (or someone close) has been through it. I tend towards the opinion that Dorian is more an alcohol addict than an alcoholic, but if he's not careful, that path is definitely one he could find himself upon.
That being said, I think it's clear there's room for people to interpret. It seems that those who have seen alcoholism in their own or their family's lives are more inclined to see Dorian as an active alcoholic, and those who have not seen it so closely see it more as a crutch/addiction/&c. Seeing as the same writer wrote both Fenris and Dorian, it's interesting to note that this is something shared between the two characters (and just as discussed). There's also just as much evidence that, say, Krem or Iron Bull is alcoholic/alcohol addicted (note that Iron Bull was the only one who was unconscious from drink at the end of the Wicked Grace game and you frequently see Krem with a drink).
Still, I also do tend to agree with the argument that the consumption of 'more' alcohol is normalized in a world like Thedas, where I will presume the water quality and supply is a bit sketchy. At least Skyhold has that nice source of water in the jail.
But we really know who has the worst drinking problem in Thedas. Yup. Krem.
No, Krem, you are NOT supposed to drink beer THROUGH YOUR NOSE. *sigh*

- CizzyChaos, Hazegurl, Wanderlust14 et 1 autre aiment ceci
#17254
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 07:25
And no one nowadays ever tumbles into bed with each other after drinking? I don't see that as a basis for alcoholism, "IF" that's what's being implied. I just see it as a mistake (or not) that either becomes something beneficial, or harmful - depending on head canons.I get it he mostly does it in his "spare time".
Also, he has a banter with Bull (if neither are romanced by the pc) about being drunk and... well, I've got an impression that's how they ended up in the bed for the first time, no? I remember reading it somewhere (haven't heard it myself for obvious reasons). So if it's true, I wouldn't say it has no impact on his life.
And you never see Dorian drunk. Only hear of it. Sera was trashed under the table during Wicked Grace while Dorian strolled out without stumbling or slurring his words.
I'm not saying he doesn't lean on it or doesn't have a problem with it, but I don't see him as an alcoholic.
#17255
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 08:52
*bangs head onto desk*
Seriously, y'all. I don't believe Dorian is an alcoholic. You are reading way too much into this stuff.
I'm with you.
- Freedheart aime ceci
#17256
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 08:53
Sure getting drunk and ending up in bed with someone doesn't equal alcoholic, but it is another case of Dorian's drinking being mentioned in game.
As for not being able to confront Dorian about it. I think it makes sense not to have that option. It's not like he can go to an AA meeting or something and I'm sure that back then as long as you're able to carry out your daily duties it isn't considered much of an issue.
**I also want to point out that a person does not have to be a falling down drunken stereotype to be an alcoholic. That's how the high functioning types slip by.
Edit: That vid makes me realize I need to click on Josie more often. lol!
#17257
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 09:04
*bangs head onto desk*
Seriously, y'all. I don't believe Dorian is an alcoholic. You are reading way too much into this stuff.
SECONDED!
People, half my family has or has had a drinking problem, and I can assure you, I know what it looks like. A person can appreciate good wine without being an alcoholic. Many youth don't understand that these days, but look at anyone with the money and taste for it and they'll probably tell you they enjoy a glass of good wine now and then. Once taken into consideration that he is in fact the son of a wealthy lord from Tevinter, and the fact that it is reasonably acceptable for a person to drink themselves into a stupor after a particularly terrible day, none of the canon references to his drinking make him sound like an alcoholic. I would go so far as to say Fenris had more of an apparent drinking problem than Dorian, and I would only just barely if at all call him on it. After all, most fantasy universes, just like medieval times, drank wine rather than water most of the time.
- JohnstonMR aime ceci
#17258
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 09:35
I think this is really up to the person's head canon. It really can be argued both ways, there are lines that show there is reason for concern, but not enough is shown to confirm there is a problem. Who knows what it is since it is left vague (probably on purpose)? Personally, I lean towards his level of drinking is problematic and could become an addiction, since some of what is said by him and others to him is rather concerning, but I don't think he is an alcoholic yet. I do think people who argue that he isn't have their good points and people who argue that he is also have their good points.
- Hazegurl et Yuyana aiment ceci
#17259
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 09:47
Change of topic:
I've been avoiding venturing into Dorian (or any DAI) fanfic, knowing that there are, shall we say, questionable iterations and OOC Dorians out there. Are there any recommendations for a good IC Dorian, or am I going to have to write my own again?
Also, srsly cute Dorian comic here:





(by tumblr user siriusdraws)
- TurtleTape, BlastedLands, Maferath et 14 autres aiment ceci
#17261
Posté 12 janvier 2015 - 10:47
I'm on two playthroughs atm, and my elven warrior was supposed to romancing the Iron Bull. But then came the "side with the mages" quest, and Dorian.
It's really hard for me to choose IB when I see those screens.
I guess I'll roll another alt for the IB romance. I think my warrior will approve. ![]()
#17262
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 12:10
Change of topic:
I've been avoiding venturing into Dorian (or any DAI) fanfic, knowing that there are, shall we say, questionable iterations and OOC Dorians out there. Are there any recommendations for a good IC Dorian, or am I going to have to write my own again?
Also, srsly cute Dorian comic here:
(by tumblr user siriusdraws)
This is made more hysterical because the elf looks like my warrior, and I could see that being how they find out they like each other.
That is ridiculously adorable. ![]()
- tklivory et Freedheart aiment ceci
#17263
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 01:01
Well, unsurprisingly, I officially can't bring myself to leave Dorian at Skyhold even when I'm not romancing him. It's all his fault that I'm never going to see any of Solas's content.
(Also, I've definitely been converted to Team Rift Mage for those odd times I can convince myself not to be a rogue. I'm having a lot more fun this time than I did with Knight Enchanter on my first mage.)
- JohnstonMR, tklivory, FrostDragon et 1 autre aiment ceci
#17264
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 01:20
Well, unsurprisingly, I officially can't bring myself to leave Dorian at Skyhold even when I'm not romancing him. It's all his fault that I'm never going to see any of Solas's content.
(Also, I've definitely be converted to Team Rift Mage for those odd times I can convince myself not to be a rogue. I'm having a lot more fun this time than I did with Knight Enchanter on my first mage.)
You aren't missing that much with Solas out on the field. I tend to bring both him and Dorian along and he just basically acts like a jerk to Dorian the whole time.
Dorian: "Hey guys, look this is veilfire. In Tevinter we-"
Solas: "No. It's ELVEN." ![]()
Dorian: ![]()
_____________________________________
Dorian: "Hey Solas. You are awesome and talented. Hey you even use a Tevinter techniq-"
Solas: "NO. IT'S ELVEN." ![]()
Dorian: ![]()
_________________________________________
Dorian: "Hey Solas, have I offended you?"
Solas: "Why do *you* care?' ![]()
Dorian: I just....you are awesome and talented! I respect your abilities! ![]()
Solas: "My abilities as a mage." ![]()
Dorian: ![]()
________________________________________
Dorian: "Can we be friends? Pretty please?"
Solas: "No." ![]()
Dorian: ![]()
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#17265
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 01:21
Well, unsurprisingly, I officially can't bring myself to leave Dorian at Skyhold even when I'm not romancing him. It's all his fault that I'm never going to see any of Solas's content.
(Also, I've definitely be converted to Team Rift Mage for those odd times I can convince myself not to be a rogue. I'm having a lot more fun this time than I did with Knight Enchanter on my first mage.)
If I ever do a solo playthrough, it'll be Knight Enchanter. I did find it boring, though. Heck, my KE character basically solo-killed the dragons in Emprise du Lion. Next mage I play will be Team Rift Mage as well, since even when i'm not romancing him I have trouble leaving Dorian behind.
But damn, it's hard to not play as one of my precious rogues. I love DW so much, and in the higher levels, with the right crafted weapons, they are stupidly OP in DAI.
#17266
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 01:23
You aren't missing that much with Solas out on the field. I tend to bring both him and Dorian along and he just basically acts like a jerk to Dorian the whole time.
Dorian: "Hey guys, look this is veilfire. In Tevinter we-"
Solas: "No. It's ELVEN."
Dorian:
_____________________________________
Dorian: "Hey Solas. You are awesome and talented. Hey you even use a Tevinter techniq-"
Solas: "NO. IT'S ELVEN."
Dorian:
_________________________________________
Dorian: "Hey Solas, have I offended you?"
Solas: "Why do *you* care?'
Dorian: I just....you are awesome and talented! I respect your abilities!
Solas: "My abilities as a mage."
Dorian:
________________________________________
Dorian: "Can we be friends? Pretty please?"
Solas: "No."
Dorian:
Yeah, but some of their banter is amazing. I love their technical discussions about magic. It really highlights Dorian's sophistication as a mage, which adds a lovely layer to both their characters. And later in the game, they do come to a lovely cease-fire between the two of them.
#17267
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 01:58
C'mon Dorian stopped begging eventually.
Dorian: "Solas, what the heck are you wearing?" ![]()
Solas: "Clothes." ![]()
Dorian: "That outfit looks tired as hell." ![]()
Solas: ![]()
Dorian: "I'm just sayin' ya look like a hobo, is this an elf thing?" ![]()
Solas: ![]()
- sandalisthemaker et Wanderlust14 aiment ceci
#17268
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 02:17
I do feel kinda sorry for Solas sometimes, especially when Dorian and Vivienne team up against him. Damn snobs.
There is some charm about his "wild and untamed" looks.
- Hazegurl, FrostDragon et Wanderlust14 aiment ceci
#17269
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 02:43
Change of topic:
I've been avoiding venturing into Dorian (or any DAI) fanfic, knowing that there are, shall we say, questionable iterations and OOC Dorians out there. Are there any recommendations for a good IC Dorian, or am I going to have to write my own again?
Also, srsly cute Dorian comic here:
There are actually some pretty good ones that stay in character pretty well on AO3 that I've read. Also that comic= Unbelievably adorable ![]()
Yeah, but some of their banter is amazing. I love their technical discussions about magic. It really highlights Dorian's sophistication as a mage, which adds a lovely layer to both their characters. And later in the game, they do come to a lovely cease-fire between the two of them.
I do agree, I love their technical talk about magic, especially when I'm playing a mage and head-canon jumping in on their conversations. Sera would freak out sooo much if an inquisitor could comment on those conversations.
#17270
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 02:44
On my second playthrough, I had Dorian in the party without Solas and we came across an unlit veil fire torch for the first time. Since Dorian was the only mage in the party, he was naturally the one to light the torch. Typically on my first playthrough I would let Solas light them because the Veil is his thing and I just figured he'd be the most likely candidate to light the torches etc.
But without Solas there, when Dorian lit the torch he legit got excited and said something to the effect of, "How fascinating!" And once we found the elven writing he started talking about it. I forgot his exact words, but he said something like, "This looks like a Tevinter attacking rune! It could be very useful!" Or something like that.
It literally made me smile because I knew, *I just knew* that if Solas had been there, he would have **** all over Dorian's little moment with a 'No you idiot, it's Elven," comment.
So my Inquisitor just thought to himself, "No sweety, It's elven, but I'm gonna let you have your little moment here."
- HurraFTP et Allaiya aiment ceci
#17271
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 02:54
I only drink on a very rare basis. Once a year I might have some sort of weak, fruity malt type of beverage and that's it. So with this post I'm not coming from a personal defense POV.
I dislike people throwing around the term "alcoholism," or in fact any kind of diagnosis, in relation to these characters because we actually have very little interaction with them, especially when you consider that these games take place over the course of months or years. If we consider that an average DA2 play might be ~60 hours and an average DAI play might be ~100 hours, and the smallish amount of time within those hours we actually spend with those characters, we have MUCH more interaction with our family, friends, and co-workers. In reality, it might be the same amount of combined time as interacting with the regular cashier at your grocery store over the space of a year.
On these forums we like to think that we know these characters; I don't exclude myself from this. But we really don't.
With Fenris it is particularly ridiculous -- as ridiculous as people claiming Alistair was "obsessed with cheese" -- to call him an alcoholic when it is only referenced three times over the course of seven years of game time.
With Dorian I'll grant that there are considerably more references, and I don't doubt that he enjoys his libations. I don't know if David Gaider intended for Dorian to be viewed in this way vis-a-vis his drinking, or is more indicative of a casual view of alcohol that he (DG) might have, and in fact that many people have, or a general statement on Tevinter excess.
Alcoholism is a very serious disease and destroys people's lives. I think it is a disservice to use that term when we don't have an accurate picture of these character's lives. A few lines here and there DO NOT qualify as "an accurate picture."
- JohnstonMR et FrostDragon aiment ceci
#17272
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 02:55
I do feel kinda sorry for Solas sometimes, especially when Dorian and Vivienne team up against him. Damn snobs.
There is some charm about his "wild and untamed" looks.
I know, poor Solas. lol!
Vivienne: "Solas, My dear, you look like an unwashed hobo so I bought something to help you." ![]()
Solas: ![]()
Vivienne: "Twenty bars of scented soap. Do you know what that is?" ![]()
Dorian: "You may have to spell it out for him, Vivienne." ![]()
Vivienne: "SOAP dear. You use it with WATER." ![]()
Solas: ![]()
-----------------------------------------
@Night, in that case then we should never analyze anything about these characters at all based on the limited content we have of them. All we can go on is what we have and I don't think it's right to say "Don't talk about it" because you disagree.
#17273
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 02:59
Yeah, but some of their banter is amazing. I love their technical discussions about magic. It really highlights Dorian's sophistication as a mage, which adds a lovely layer to both their characters. And later in the game, they do come to a lovely cease-fire between the two of them.
That is actually the best part of their interaction IMO. I love seeing Dorian exhibit his intelligence and curiosity. It's a huge attraction for me in real life and for my Inquisitor as well.
![]()
#17274
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 03:12
- d4eaming et Hazegurl aiment ceci
#17275
Posté 13 janvier 2015 - 03:18
This is why we don't let Dorian have espresso:
Is he eating his little soul patch?!?!?!





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