22176 réponses à ce sujet

[shinynotshiny]

Actually, now that I wrote all that out, I think I like that idea more than what I thought previously... erm, even if it is actually worse for Dorian. I think that explains Cole's actual words -- "He would have said yes," -- as well as Dorian's reaction. Being forcefully reminded of what could have been is never fun, even if you are happy with what you have (i.e. the Inquisitor).

 

I took it to mean he had some sort of relationship with Rilienus (platonic, sexual, or casual) but didn't pursue anything because he had no hope of it going anywhere. I imagine it must have been unpleasant for Dorian to realize there had been hope after all.

[nightscrawl]

AHHH OMG I so want to have this option!

 

OK so, Danaduchy posted this audio of all of Dorian's epilog comments, including this total GEM:

D: It'll be hard enough to leave, but I certainly won't until I'm through with you.
IQ: Or I'm through with you.
D: Oh please. We both know that wont happen.

 

Does the type of relationship that you have matter? Like, if you have mostly serious dialog response, or humorous ones, or whatever.

[Forsythia77]

AHHH OMG I so want to have this option!

 

OK so, Danaduchy posted this audio of all of Dorian's epilog comments, including this total GEM:

D: It'll be hard enough to leave, but I certainly won't until I'm through with you.
IQ: Or I'm through with you.
D: Oh please. We both know that wont happen.

 

Does the type of relationship that you have matter? Like, if you have mostly serious dialog response, or humorous ones, or whatever.

I got that response in my playthrough with Maxwell.  But I just assumed it was Dorian's response?  My current IQ Holden is in a relationship with him now but I've not yet won the game.  I'll have to report my findings.

[nightscrawl]

I took it to mean he had some sort of relationship with Rilienus (platonic, sexual, or casual) but didn't pursue anything because he had no hope of it going anywhere. I imagine it must have been unpleasant for Dorian to realize there had been hope after all.

 

Well this is what I meant by Cole sounding too casual in the remark. I really don't see how it would be a good thing, at all, to be reminded of this. Even if this is accurate as you understood it, they would still have no real future together because of how Tevinter is. Just because it was something that Rilienus wanted as well, I don't really see that as completely positive. Or I suppose I should say that I don't understand how, to Cole, this would be helping Dorian's hurt.

 

Of course, it really depends on multiple things, such as Dorian's age when this happened, what other events were going on his life re: his parents and those issues, and so forth. I mean, even sixteen-year-olds who fall in love today can think "I'll be with this person forever!" and be totally devastated in six months when they break up.

[shinynotshiny]

Well this is what I meant by Cole sounding too casual in the remark. I really don't see how it would be a good thing, at all, to be reminded of this. Even if this is accurate as you understood it, they would still have no real future together because of how Tevinter is. Just because it was something that Rilienus wanted as well, I don't really see that as completely positive. Or I suppose I should say that I don't understand how, to Cole, this would be helping Dorian's hurt.

 

Of course, it really depends on multiple things, such as Dorian's age when this happened, what other events were going on his life re: his parents and those issues, and so forth. I mean, even sixteen-year-olds who fall in love today can think "I'll be with this person forever!" and be totally devastated in six months when they break up.

 

I'm confused. I didn't consider it a positive thing or Cole trying to ease the hurt.

 

Dorian: That little trick, Cole, when you dip into someone's mind and take a drink? Do you choose what you're looking for, or is it random?

Cole: It has to be hurt, or a way to help the hurt. That's what calls me.

Cole: Rilienus, skin tan like fine whiskey, cheekbones shaded, lips curl when he smiles. He would have said yes.

Dorian: I'll... thank you not to do that again, please.

 

It has to be hurt, or a way to help the hurt. I figure he was just demonstrating his "little trick" to Dorian.

 

About Dorian having no hope with Rilienus. There was hope of having some sort of relationship (if that's what the dialogue is referring to). It could have meant something even if it was in secrecy. I also like to imagine Dorian has hope of Tevinter society changing during his lifetime. That's my take on it, anyway.

[Arlee]

Oh yes, I completely agree that this is plausible as well.

What I mean about the Relinus specifically is that it appears from the original line that Dorian never approached him, or that it was just a super crush or something. BUT, I will say that I could be reading that completely incorrectly and that Cole has reminded Dorian of a past encounter that he actually wishes had turned into more, but was unable to because of the precepts of Tevinter society.

 

Actually, now that I wrote all that out, I think I like that idea more than what I thought previously... erm, even if it is actually worse for Dorian. I think that explains Cole's actual words -- "He would have said yes," -- as well as Dorian's reaction. Being forcefully reminded of what could have been is never fun, even if you are happy with what you have (i.e. the Inquisitor).

 

Also, I dunno... I think that Cole's tone is a little too casual in this instance to be talking about something he knew would really hurt. Cole isn't too adept socially, but he's not oblivious, I mean, empathy is practically his job description.

 

That said, this banter isn't connected to the romance in any way and you get it regardless, so that is something to consider as well.

 

Who the hell knows, really. I think there are many way to take this one line.

 

True, but we do get a few instances where Cole says something expecting it to help and it doesn't. He doesn't always understand how people think about things so reactions surprise him occasionally.

 

AHHH OMG I so want to have this option!

 

OK so, Danaduchy posted this audio of all of Dorian's epilog comments, including this total GEM:

D: It'll be hard enough to leave, but I certainly won't until I'm through with you.
IQ: Or I'm through with you.
D: Oh please. We both know that wont happen.

 

Does the type of relationship that you have matter? Like, if you have mostly serious dialog response, or humorous ones, or whatever.

 

I think I got that one on my first one, it's been awhile though ><

 

I'm confused. I didn't consider it a positive thing or Cole trying to ease the hurt.

 

Dorian: That little trick, Cole, when you dip into someone's mind and take a drink? Do you choose what you're looking for, or is it random?

Cole: It has to be hurt, or a way to help the hurt. That's what calls me.

Cole: Rilienus, skin tan like fine whiskey, cheekbones shaded, lips curl when he smiles. He would have said yes.

Dorian: I'll... thank you not to do that again, please.

 

It has to be hurt, or a way to help the hurt. I figure he was just demonstrating his "little trick" to Dorian.

 

About Dorian having no hope with Rilienus. There was hope of having some sort of relationship (if that's what the dialogue is referring to). It could have meant something even if it was in secrecy. I also like to imagine Dorian has hope of Tevinter society changing during his lifetime. That's my take on it, anyway.

 

This is how I interpret this exchange; Dorian cared about Rilienus and wanted something with him. If you take the meaning nothing ever happened between them then Dorian's hurt would be his sadness over thinking what might have been and assuming it wouldn't have been possible. Or it could be there was something between them but Dorian didn't push for more because he assumed it wasn't possible. In either case Cole could think telling Dorian he would have said yes would make Dorian feel better to know he was wanted (Cole can be a bit naive). Both possibilities seem likely to me.

[nightscrawl]

This is how I interpret this exchange; Dorian cared about Rilienus and wanted something with him. If you take the meaning nothing ever happened between them then Dorian's hurt would be his sadness over thinking what might have been and assuming it wouldn't have been possible. Or it could be there was something between them but Dorian didn't push for more because he assumed it wasn't possible. In either case Cole could think telling Dorian he would have said yes would make Dorian feel better to know he was wanted (Cole can be a bit naive). Both possibilities seem likely to me.

Ooh, that's pretty good. Sigh. Poor Dorian.

 

 

[edit]

I asked Danaduchy about triggering that line and she said: "I haven’t tried to trigger this in-game, but it most likely depends on “Let’s keep it fun“ dialogue during the romance scene."

 

Does that jive with anyone's experience? If so I'm uh... not ever picking that.

 

Also, I find it amusing that even if you have a contentious relationship with Dorian (non-romance) that he still appears like he wants to stay and be around you. BAWWWW oh sweetie! *hugs*

[shinynotshiny]

This is how I interpret this exchange; Dorian cared about Rilienus and wanted something with him. If you take the meaning nothing ever happened between them then Dorian's hurt would be his sadness over thinking what might have been and assuming it wouldn't have been possible. Or it could be there was something between them but Dorian didn't push for more because he assumed it wasn't possible. In either case Cole could think telling Dorian he would have said yes would make Dorian feel better to know he was wanted (Cole can be a bit naive). Both possibilities seem likely to me.

 

Oh Cole

[Arlee]

[edit]

I asked Danaduchy about triggering that line and she said: "I haven’t tried to trigger this in-game, but it most likely depends on “Let’s keep it fun“ dialogue during the romance scene."

 

Does that jive with anyone's experience? If so I'm uh... not ever picking that.

 

Hmmm... if that is what it hinges on then I am remembering wrong and he didn't say that because I haven't picked that option.

 

In other things I am almost done with (literally) All The Things! and then will be able to do the Arbor Wilds and Doom upon the World right after it. The reason for this is, I want to test out what happens with Dorian if in the discussion after Arbor Wilds if you don't take the romance option and instead tell him he is making a difference by being at Skyhold. The romance options still don't sit quite right with me and I love that non-romance option but I wasn't sure if it would mess things up. So I am leaving this for the last things to do in game so I can quickly go back and have minimal things I need to redo if it doesn't work

[Gervaise]

Okay, I'm going to weigh in here.   Does anyone know what you get in the epilogue if Dorian is in a relationship with Bull?   Only I watched the sequence through on You Tube as far as the party where he tells the Quizzy that he's sticking around after all and Quizzy asks if that has anything to do with Bull and Dorian says it might, clearly implying it does.   

 

Now if that dialogue above about sticking around "until I'm through with you" goes with a "fun" relationship, then in a way I'm beginning to feel a bit cheated on the dialogue front because I like to think that my relationship with Dorian is closer than with Bull and certainly more than just "fun" and yet it seems it is easier to get him to stay with that sort of relationship than if you give him the one thing he claims he always wanted and couldn't have in Tevinter.

 

I'm not criticising Dorian here but the writer - why is the true romance the one that gets the short straw on the dialogue?    Why does that person have to beg him to stay and resort to emotional blackmail? (I know Dorian was only joking but that is what it felt like to me)   Why in the post epilogue dialogue do we get put back on a will I or won't I basis? Even if they did want to leave it open that Dorian could be brought back in the next game, without the Inquisitor, couldn't they have just stopped in the post epilogue dialogue with his comments on the new Divine?  

 

Rant ended, I'm also curious, does Dorian only hook up with Bull if he is now Tal-Vashoth or does he still do so if he is a fully paid up member of the Qun?    You see whilst Bull doesn't think it worth hating Vints on an individual basis, I doubt Dorian's countrymen would view it in same light.    So if word had got back about that liaison, as I'm sure it would, then I would say the reason he couldn't go back to Tevinter is because he'd be lynched on sight.

[Gervaise]

Arlee: I've got a suitable save in my old romance run, so I think I'll give it a whirl with the non romance option and see what happens.

[shinynotshiny]

Okay, I'm going to weigh in here.   Does anyone know what you get in the epilogue if Dorian is in a relationship with Bull?   Only I watched the sequence through on You Tube as far as the party where he tells the Quizzy that he's sticking around after all and Quizzy asks if that has anything to do with Bull and Dorian says it might, clearly implying it does.   

 

Now if that dialogue above about sticking around "until I'm through with you" goes with a "fun" relationship, then in a way I'm beginning to feel a bit cheated on the dialogue front because I like to think that my relationship with Dorian is closer than with Bull and certainly more than just "fun" and yet it seems it is easier to get him to stay with that sort of relationship than if you give him the one thing he claims he always wanted and couldn't have in Tevinter.

 

I'm not criticising Dorian here but the writer - why is the true romance the one that gets the short straw on the dialogue?    Why does that person have to beg him to stay and resort to emotional blackmail? (I know Dorian was only joking but that is what it felt like to me)   Why in the post epilogue dialogue do we get put back on a will I or won't I basis? Even if they did want to leave it open that Dorian could be brought back in the next game, without the Inquisitor, couldn't they have just stopped in the post epilogue dialogue with his comments on the new Divine?  

 

Rant ended, I'm also curious, does Dorian only hook up with Bull if he is now Tal-Vashoth or does he still do so if he is a fully paid up member of the Qun?    You see whilst Bull doesn't think it worth hating Vints on an individual basis, I doubt Dorian's countrymen would view it in same light.    So if word had got back about that liaison, as I'm sure it would, then I would say the reason he couldn't go back to Tevinter is because he'd be lynched on sight.

 

Yes, he says something along the lines of, "It might. You know how it goes." As far as I know, he has a relationship with Bull regardless of Bull's quest. I sacrificed the chargers in my second playthrough (I knooooow kill me) and they still get together. What bothered me in that situation is that Bull clearly says he intends to go back to the Qun.

[Arlee]

I'm not criticising Dorian here but the writer - why is the true romance the one that gets the short straw on the dialogue?    Why does that person have to beg him to stay and resort to emotional blackmail? (I know Dorian was only joking but that is what it felt like to me)   Why in the post epilogue dialogue do we get put back on a will I or won't I basis? Even if they did want to leave it open that Dorian could be brought back in the next game, without the Inquisitor, couldn't they have just stopped in the post epilogue dialogue with his comments on the new Divine? 

 

I don't know anything about Dorian and Bull options because I've never done that, but this is something I can expand on. The romance options in the dialogue after Arbor Wilds bothered me a ton for similar reasons. So much so I actually was complaining about it to my husband and he had a totally different interpretation to that dialogue which I never had considered before but seems like it fits perfectly.

 

For Dorian the conversation isn't really about him feeling like he needs to go home to do things, it's about him wanting to be reassured about the relationship and everything but he can't just ask that (because he never does that unless pushed). So he goes through this whole thing about how maybe he should go home to see how you would react. This is why if you pick the option telling him you need him here he approves. It's weird to me, but it also feels like it fits.

 

Arlee: I've got a suitable save in my old romance run, so I think I'll give it a whirl with the non romance option and see what happens.

 

ooh, let me know what happens... for science!

[nightscrawl]

I'm not criticising Dorian here but the writer - why is the true romance the one that gets the short straw on the dialogue?

I don't feel that the "true" romance gets the short straw. IMO it's a matter of preference. I like the amusing lines, sure. But, come on, "There's no you in Tevinter"? How is that not totally melt-worthy?

 

Also, Dorian is not generally sappy. He has it in him, sure. But he generally has to be provoked into sap, as we see during the more serious dialogs. Actually, it seems to me that he has to be provoked into most of his overt displays; whether that is during an emotional moment after is father, during banter with the Inquisitor -- "Would you like me to answer in some other fashion?" "If you're capable" --, or after Adamant. In fact, the epilog dialog (party and post-party) really seem like he is the most comfortable being open.

 

 

[edit]

Also, I do want to add that if those lines are for the "let's keep it fun" option, that the Inquisitor's tone, as well as Dorian wanting to stay, could imply a deepening of feelings on both sides. If you look at it that way, that actually might be a more gradual progression of a romance for Dorian in that he's used to the sex, but not the feelings. So this would be the sex, then the feelings come slowly along afterward. As opposed to the "true" romance where the Inquisitor makes it clear that he "want[s] more than just fun," which Dorian has no experience with.

[Junebug]

You all have probably seen some of these pieces but the artist posted another really sensual piece of Dorian/Trevelyan

 

IT GETS MORE AND MORE NSFW!!!

 

Spoiler

(rebloggable)

 

(rebloggable)

 

(rebloggable)

 

(rebloggable)

 

You can go through the artist's art tag for more

[Gervaise]

The short straw I was referring to was in the post epilogue dialogue, not the party:  The "there's no you in Tevinter" is great.

 

I understand why you have to say you need him; it's just the fact that you wouldn't normally choose it because it looks like you're manipulating him.   Lots of people got caught out by that because they thought the more loving and understanding thing would be to be one of the other two prompts and then got punished for it.    It is the prompt that is the problem really, not Dorian's response or the reason for it.

 

Anyway, have just played through and that "until I'm through with you" isn't just a post-epilogue comment; I got it actually at the party.   I dithered about which option to take and it played automatically.   However, it followed on from "I've decided to return to Tevinter".    Then he says that it probably won't be for a little while and then the rest follows.   So you don't get a better result for not choosing the romance dialogue after the Arbor Wilds and the only option which does result in him at least saying he's sticking around "for now" because "there's no you in Tevinter" is the "I need you" one.  

 

I hope that makes you feel better about choosing it.    I swear the writer was deliberately trying to catch people out.   It's a bit like that Leliana one, where you have to intervene to spare the spy right at the beginning back at Haven or you are set on the steeled path no matter what you do after that.    Things like this really annoy me because it isn't obvious, plus it would have been nice if Dorian could have decided for himself to stay "because it's the right thing to do" or like he does with a friend "because good friends are hard to come by", so "there's no you in Tevinter" is spontaneous and not because you've pushed him for it.   

 

I guess DG just wanted us to have to really work at keeping him.     I confess I cheated on the Dorian romance because having been so badly burnt by Solas and having got wind from these boards that it wasn't straight forward with Dorian, I checked on the Wiki to make sure I didn't mess up.   I really couldn't take another heart break.      I swear Cassandra was so much easier to figure out but then I suppose that's why it didn't move me like Dorian did, because I had to work for it with him and put up with the mocking and the wondering if it was going to work out all right.      Still, playing through again, I got to see the post battle sequence when Dorian is so overjoyed we both made it and the look on both our faces; at least they got the animation spot on.

[Melbella]

AHHH OMG I so want to have this option!
 
OK so, Danaduchy posted this audio of all of Dorian's epilog comments, including this total GEM:
D: It'll be hard enough to leave, but I certainly won't until I'm through with you.
IQ: Or I'm through with you.
D: Oh please. We both know that wont happen.
 
Does the type of relationship that you have matter? Like, if you have mostly serious dialog response, or humorous ones, or whatever.

 
 

Ooh, that's pretty good. Sigh. Poor Dorian.
 
 
[edit]
I asked Danaduchy about triggering that line and she said: "I haven’t tried to trigger this in-game, but it most likely depends on “Let’s keep it fun“ dialogue during the romance scene."
 
Does that jive with anyone's experience? If so I'm uh... not ever picking that.
 
Also, I find it amusing that even if you have a contentious relationship with Dorian (non-romance) that he still appears like he wants to stay and be around you. BAWWWW oh sweetie! *hugs*

 
 

The short straw I was referring to was in the post epilogue dialogue, not the party:  The "there's no you in Tevinter" is great.
 
I understand why you have to say you need him; it's just the fact that you wouldn't normally choose it because it looks like you're manipulating him.   Lots of people got caught out by that because they thought the more loving and understanding thing would be to be one of the other two prompts and then got punished for it.    It is the prompt that is the problem really, not Dorian's response or the reason for it.
 
Anyway, have just played through and that "until I'm through with you" isn't just a post-epilogue comment; I got it actually at the party.   I dithered about which option to take and it played automatically.   However, it followed on from "I've decided to return to Tevinter".    Then he says that it probably won't be for a little while and then the rest follows.   So you don't get a better result for not choosing the romance dialogue after the Arbor Wilds and the only option which does result in him at least saying he's sticking around "for now" because "there's no you in Tevinter" is the "I need you" one.  
 
I hope that makes you feel better about choosing it.    I swear the writer was deliberately trying to catch people out.   It's a bit like that Leliana one, where you have to intervene to spare the spy right at the beginning back at Haven or you are set on the steeled path no matter what you do after that.    Things like this really annoy me because it isn't obvious, plus it would have been nice if Dorian could have decided for himself to stay "because it's the right thing to do" or like he does with a friend "because good friends are hard to come by", so "there's no you in Tevinter" is spontaneous and not because you've pushed him for it.   
 
I guess DG just wanted us to have to really work at keeping him.     I confess I cheated on the Dorian romance because having been so badly burnt by Solas and having got wind from these boards that it wasn't straight forward with Dorian, I checked on the Wiki to make sure I didn't mess up.   I really couldn't take another heart break.      I swear Cassandra was so much easier to figure out but then I suppose that's why it didn't move me like Dorian did, because I had to work for it with him and put up with the mocking and the wondering if it was going to work out all right.      Still, playing through again, I got to see the post battle sequence when Dorian is so overjoyed we both made it and the look on both our faces; at least they got the animation spot on.

 

I got the lines in the top quote also, about whomever being through with the other, as the last lines of dialogue at the party. In the post Arbor Wilds convo I didn't pick the "I need you" option. Instead, my quizzy offered to go back to Tevinter with Dorian, and then said he understood why he had to go. (and yes, he got the "you're breaking my heart" response.) Not sure the exact sequence, but those were what came up. Dorian of course chose to stay anyway, "for now," as the above lines indicate. I most definitely did NOT pick the "let's keep it fun" option in the romance scene, so that is not what triggers it. My guess would be quizzy being ok with him going home at some point and not picking the "I need you" option?

 

Edit: My new quizzie, Marcus Trevelyan, just learned that he and Dorian are likely super duper distant cousins.  I think this means my Cass romance just got put on hold.

[Joe25]

I sometimes feel like this is my Inquisitor when Dorian is not looking.

[Joe25]

You all have probably seen some of these pieces but the artist posted another really sensual piece of Dorian/Trevelyan

 

IT GETS MORE AND MORE NSFW!!!

 

Spoiler

(rebloggable)

 

(rebloggable)

 

(rebloggable)

 

(rebloggable)

 

You can go through the artist's art tag for more

[Arlee]

The short straw I was referring to was in the post epilogue dialogue, not the party:  The "there's no you in Tevinter" is great.

 

I understand why you have to say you need him; it's just the fact that you wouldn't normally choose it because it looks like you're manipulating him.   Lots of people got caught out by that because they thought the more loving and understanding thing would be to be one of the other two prompts and then got punished for it.    It is the prompt that is the problem really, not Dorian's response or the reason for it.

 

Anyway, have just played through and that "until I'm through with you" isn't just a post-epilogue comment; I got it actually at the party.   I dithered about which option to take and it played automatically.   However, it followed on from "I've decided to return to Tevinter".    Then he says that it probably won't be for a little while and then the rest follows.   So you don't get a better result for not choosing the romance dialogue after the Arbor Wilds and the only option which does result in him at least saying he's sticking around "for now" because "there's no you in Tevinter" is the "I need you" one.  

 

I hope that makes you feel better about choosing it.    I swear the writer was deliberately trying to catch people out.   It's a bit like that Leliana one, where you have to intervene to spare the spy right at the beginning back at Haven or you are set on the steeled path no matter what you do after that.    Things like this really annoy me because it isn't obvious, plus it would have been nice if Dorian could have decided for himself to stay "because it's the right thing to do" or like he does with a friend "because good friends are hard to come by", so "there's no you in Tevinter" is spontaneous and not because you've pushed him for it.   

 

I guess DG just wanted us to have to really work at keeping him.     I confess I cheated on the Dorian romance because having been so badly burnt by Solas and having got wind from these boards that it wasn't straight forward with Dorian, I checked on the Wiki to make sure I didn't mess up.   I really couldn't take another heart break.      I swear Cassandra was so much easier to figure out but then I suppose that's why it didn't move me like Dorian did, because I had to work for it with him and put up with the mocking and the wondering if it was going to work out all right.      Still, playing through again, I got to see the post battle sequence when Dorian is so overjoyed we both made it and the look on both our faces; at least they got the animation spot on.

 

Ah... poop I had hoped that would work since I always pick it on my female characters and Dorian always stays... soooo frustrating Thanks for trying though, and yea that whole convo is hugely frustrating.

[CarrionFowl]

Good day to you all!

 

Now that I've spent the last four (!) days reading through the entire topic (and yes, I am that comitted to Dorian^^), I've decided to give a shout out as well^^

 

Personally I have to say that I really adore the Dorian romance, its actually the reason I rolled a male Quizzy in the first place^^ Of course, my first attempt at making a rugged, but handsome quizzy were so hilariously over the top that I couldn't even finish the intro-quest (poor guy got deleted for being too pretty *lol*), but my second attempt I'm quite comfortable with. I've also almost completed the game with Dorian as my LI (tonight I'll likely game through to the end, I just have to go and kill that last dragon before that^^) and I find myself liking his romance arc a lot more than Cullen's.

 

Cullen sort of... happened...

 

Dorian is a really complex and quite funny character, I just love dragging him everywhere I go, having random laughs when he starts complaining about something^^ Or bantering with Varric (unfortunately I don't take Varric along very often since I'm the party rogue and I need two warriors sucking up the damage^^) 

 

Personally I love his comments in the Temple of Mythal. He almost had me convinced not to use the Well myself simply because of that 'I don't want to risk losing you to a Well'- comment. In the end, I still took the Well myself, just to spite Morrigan (and because I let her use it on my very first playthrough^^) and I just AWWW'ed when you hear him threaten to kill the Inquisitor himself^^

 

I also took the option of 'I understand...' when Dorian talks about going back to Tevinter, because I kind of role-played a considerate chap as my quizzy. Sure, the guy is madly in love with said Tevinter mage, but it just seemed incredibly selfish asking him to stay, at least for me. Plus, that doesn't necessarily mean the relationship ends, just a 'The door is always open, Dorian'- kind of thing. Again, personal opinion (or head-canon, really) and I'll see how the epilogue plays out for me. I'll probably have worse feels than I did with Cullen *gg* 

 

Apologies in advance if my post seems a bit incoherent, but today seems not to be MY day when it comes to proper spelling^^ Well that and I'm only nursing my second coffee after a very short night *lol* I just kind of wanted to jump into the thread here, because I like Dorian as a character and I'm happy to have found a place to fawn all over him^^

 

Regards, CarrionFowl

[Arlee]

Good day to you all!

 

Now that I've spent the last four (!) days reading through the entire topic (and yes, I am that comitted to Dorian^^), I've decided to give a shout out as well^^

 

That's some dedication there! Apologies for all the times we've repeated ourselves throughout the thread lol! And welcome

[Nymeria Stark]

It seems it's confirmed Dorian was born in 9:11 so that means he is 30. Someone found the beginning of Dorian's WoT2 entry:

 

Spoiler

Great Expectations

 

Dorian Pavus was born in 9:11 Dragon to Magister Halward and Lady Aquirtea Thalrassian, both from wealthy and influential families with lineages stretching back for generations– all the way to the Dreamers who preceded the first magisters. House Pavus, in fact, is one of the preeminent political forces in eastern Tevinter, its estate outside the city of Qarinus having been the site of several important historical events, not the least of which was the start of the so-called Rebellion of Three Dragons in 3:44 Towers. Thus, it was with high hopes that the pair greeted their new son, he who would one day take over his father’s seat in the Magisterium and marry a young woman to whom he had been betrothed since birth.

 

**

 

[By] all accounts, Dorian was not interested in any of this. Having shown magical ability from a very young age, he was apprenticed at the Circle of Magi in Carastes, one of the most prestigious academies in the eastern lmperium. There, the trouble began. “You were right to send your son to us, Magister Halward,“ wrote a senior enchanter at Carastes. “Even at the tender age of nine, he is already evincing talents greater than boys three or four years older. This means he will one day make a fine magister, one of which you and your dear wife shall be very proud. For the moment, however, it also means he is a young lad with much older boys who are quite jealous of him. There have been incidents, I fear. My initial suspicion was that Dorian was being bullied by the older boys, but it appears the reverse is true. Your son has become a terror in the halls, lording his superior magic over the other boys, who he believes…

 

[Start of first preview page] …are jealous of his prowess. After yesterday’s duel in the courtyard (with a full audience), I have one badly injured student and a sullen yet unrepentant Dorian locked in solitary—both sons of prominent magisters. I trust you can see my predicament.”

 

http://mechanical-je...of-thedas-entry

[phaonica]

The short straw I was referring to was in the post epilogue dialogue, not the party:  The "there's no you in Tevinter" is great.

 

I understand why you have to say you need him; it's just the fact that you wouldn't normally choose it because it looks like you're manipulating him.   Lots of people got caught out by that because they thought the more loving and understanding thing would be to be one of the other two prompts and then got punished for it.    It is the prompt that is the problem really, not Dorian's response or the reason for it.

 

Anyway, have just played through and that "until I'm through with you" isn't just a post-epilogue comment; I got it actually at the party.   I dithered about which option to take and it played automatically.   However, it followed on from "I've decided to return to Tevinter".    Then he says that it probably won't be for a little while and then the rest follows.   So you don't get a better result for not choosing the romance dialogue after the Arbor Wilds and the only option which does result in him at least saying he's sticking around "for now" because "there's no you in Tevinter" is the "I need you" one.  

 

I hope that makes you feel better about choosing it.    I swear the writer was deliberately trying to catch people out.   It's a bit like that Leliana one, where you have to intervene to spare the spy right at the beginning back at Haven or you are set on the steeled path no matter what you do after that.    Things like this really annoy me because it isn't obvious, plus it would have been nice if Dorian could have decided for himself to stay "because it's the right thing to do" or like he does with a friend "because good friends are hard to come by", so "there's no you in Tevinter" is spontaneous and not because you've pushed him for it.   

 

I guess DG just wanted us to have to really work at keeping him.     I confess I cheated on the Dorian romance because having been so badly burnt by Solas and having got wind from these boards that it wasn't straight forward with Dorian, I checked on the Wiki to make sure I didn't mess up.   I really couldn't take another heart break.      I swear Cassandra was so much easier to figure out but then I suppose that's why it didn't move me like Dorian did, because I had to work for it with him and put up with the mocking and the wondering if it was going to work out all right.      Still, playing through again, I got to see the post battle sequence when Dorian is so overjoyed we both made it and the look on both our faces; at least they got the animation spot on.

 

Is the option to tell Dorian that you'd rather he stayed with you really considered manipulative? I remember thinking that I shouldn't pick that option because it seemed selfish, but decided to pick it anyway because it was true.

[Reznore57]

 

It seems it's confirmed Dorian was born in 9:11 so that means he is 30. Someone found the beginning of Dorian's WoT2 entry:

 

Spoiler

Great Expectations

 

Dorian Pavus was born in 9:11 Dragon to Magister Halward and Lady Aquirtea Thalrassian, both from wealthy and influential families with lineages stretching back for generations– all the way to the Dreamers who preceded the first magisters. House Pavus, in fact, is one of the preeminent political forces in eastern Tevinter, its estate outside the city of Qarinus having been the site of several important historical events, not the least of which was the start of the so-called Rebellion of Three Dragons in 3:44 Towers. Thus, it was with high hopes that the pair greeted their new son, he who would one day take over his father’s seat in the Magisterium and marry a young woman to whom he had been betrothed since birth.

 

**

 

[By] all accounts, Dorian was not interested in any of this. Having shown magical ability from a very young age, he was apprenticed at the Circle of Magi in Carastes, one of the most prestigious academies in the eastern lmperium. There, the trouble began. “You were right to send your son to us, Magister Halward,“ wrote a senior enchanter at Carastes. “Even at the tender age of nine, he is already evincing talents greater than boys three or four years older. This means he will one day make a fine magister, one of which you and your dear wife shall be very proud. For the moment, however, it also means he is a young lad with much older boys who are quite jealous of him. There have been incidents, I fear. My initial suspicion was that Dorian was being bullied by the older boys, but it appears the reverse is true. Your son has become a terror in the halls, lording his superior magic over the other boys, who he believes…

 

[Start of first preview page] …are jealous of his prowess. After yesterday’s duel in the courtyard (with a full audience), I have one badly injured student and a sullen yet unrepentant Dorian locked in solitary—both sons of prominent magisters. I trust you can see my predicament.”

 

http://mechanical-je...of-thedas-entry

 

 

Well he looked like he was in his 30's so no big surprise there.