Yay, an excuse to bump the thread. Dorian is going to be in the upcoming Magekiller #4. Here is a thread about it with links to the preview. Please discuss it IN THAT THREAD so we don't have split conversations.
For anyone not reading the comics, but who is still interested in knowing what all takes place, I will post a summary after the issue is released, in March.
Here is some Inquisitor x Dorian with a child.
Spoiler
I love this Coco's works.
You know what bugs me? That Lavellan x Dorian and Trevelyan x Dorian are so popular. Excuse me artist and players, but the real Dorian romance experience is Cadash x Dorian.
Tall beauty x Tiny beast. GET INTO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
before anyone gets upset, yes, u can romance Dorian with any race you choose, have at it, ofc, but I think dwarf x Dorian is the ULTIMATE experience, it's so gash darn cute and romantic! *sails off to sunset reading Cadash x Dorian fanfics*
I would love to play a Cadash/Dorian or Adaar/Dorian playthrough but the animations bug the hell out of me.
You know what bugs me? That Lavellan x Dorian and Trevelyan x Dorian are so popular. Excuse me artist and players, but the real Dorian romance experience is Cadash x Dorian.
Tall beauty x Tiny beast. GET INTO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
before anyone gets upset, yes, u can romance Dorian with any race you choose, have at it, ofc, but I think dwarf x Dorian is the ULTIMATE experience, it's so gash darn cute and romantic! *sails off to sunset reading Cadash x Dorian fanfics*
Lolll that's one of the great things about the Dorian romance, IMO; he is about the person, so even though he does have a type, that's ultimately not what is important.
Quite a while ago -- last year -- in this thread there was a discussion about why you (the player) picked whatever race to romance Dorian. The varying responses were interesting.
"Selfish, I suppose. Not to want to spend my entire life screaming on the inside."
The best quote from Dorian. He was my first Inquisition romance, but I think his friendship arc is even better. I only wish there had been more content. Maybe it's because there's so many companions but it seems like Dorian gets a bit overshadowed. His personal quest was interesting but I would have liked to know more about the blood magic ritual itself... while the quest seemed to focus more on the family drama between him and his father. But could blood magic truly alter someones personality like that and how could it be done? Also, I'm definitely hoping that Dorian will return as companion or adviser in DA4. Maybe that game will give Dorian a bigger role since it's going to focus on Tevinter. Also hopeful that blood magic will return. Both as a specialization and major story element. It's interesting that Dorian seems to dislike it so much... is it for religious reasons or because he fears it will always lead to corruption?
Personally I wish Dorian's friendship aspect was cut down a bit and more content was put into the romance. It sorta sucks that you essentially get everything Dorian has to offer as a friend as you do as his lover, especially when it comes to Trespasser. It's kinda a kick in the face, really.
I mean, you said it, '' his friendship arc is better. ''
Personally I wish Dorian's friendship aspect was cut down a bit and more content was put into the romance. It sorta sucks that you essentially get everything Dorian has to offer as a friend as you do as his lover, especially when it comes to Trespasser. It's kinda a kick in the face, really.
I mean, you said it, '' his friendship arc is better. ''
I think it's a matter of perspective, to be honest. I like his friendship arc, too, but I don't think you get the same vulnerability without the romance. The fact that you can be such close friends with him only adds to the romance for me, as I think they would be friends regardless. With the romance there is just that little bit extra, which he also needs. I quite like the idea that he falls in love with his best friend.
I think it's a matter of perspective, to be honest. I like his friendship arc, too, but I don't think you get the same vulnerability without the romance. The fact that you can be such close friends with him only adds to the romance for me, as I think they would be friends regardless. With the romance there is just that little bit extra, which he also needs. I quite like the idea that he falls in love with his best friend.
Vulnerability? Uh, sure, the romance scene is very touching, yes. Other than that, I do not agree. The romance makes Dorian look extremely insensitive towards my feelings, like sure he might be putting up a facade, sure being a relationship is something new to him.. but that's not the vulnerability I want from my partner. He strings me along and he is the STAR of the relationship, it's always him, never me or us. It's funny he says that he is but an adornment in my arms, but in the relationship, I feel like the adornment.
I am romancing him with a new inquisitor of mine, and I realized that after the sex scene, it's mostly all downhill after that. How the romance start, it's brilliant and sweet, and I do agree that '' falling in love with your best friend '' but after the start, it REALLY grates on my nerves how the initial passion dies and he becomes way too cocky and snarky and takes me for granted. Maybe it's a facade and he is truly deadly afraid of losing me and all that is just a show BUT I do not enjoy it.
This is how I feel anyway. I prefer him being my friend for my canon inquisitor (even though I forgot to talk to him during Trespasser and I didn't get the message crystal!! Nooooo ;; )
I didn't like the first sex scene because you had to immediately decide if you want this to be a casual thing or something more. Other than that I think the romance was good... but it's been long since I played it. One of my favorite scenes was when he was talking about returning to Tevinter and my Inquisitor said "I understand if you have to leave" (or something like that) and Dorian said: "there you go, breaking my heart." That was really touching. I didn't ever get to play Trespasser with this character because for some reason I deleted him, so I don't know what would have happened to the romance then. Have to play it again sometime, I suppose.
I didn't like the first sex scene because you had to immediately decide if you want this to be a casual thing or something more. Other than that I think the romance was good... but it's been long since I played it. One of my favorite scenes was when he was talking about returning to Tevinter and my Inquisitor said "I understand if you have to leave" (or something like that) and Dorian said: "there you go, breaking my heart." That was really touching. I didn't ever get to play Trespasser with this character because for some reason I deleted him, so I don't know what would have happened to the romance then. Have to play it again sometime, I suppose.
Well, to be fair, before you get to the sex scene, you've confronted his father and stuck by him, you've gone out of your way to help him get his birthright.. Like, that was a good place for both to wonder where this is going.
But what HAPPENS after the scene is what bothers me. You are given this image that Dorian is this person who is deathly afraid of getting his heart broken, and due to this is ever loyal to you and would never leave your side. But what essentially happens is this (Trespasser romance spoilers inc)
Yes, I am being a bit unfair and I am being dramatic BUT this is how I personally felt during the romance. I give give give give give and Dorian takes takes takes takes takes. It was unfair.
Personally, I would have been incredibly disappointed if he didn't come back to Tevinter. My inqui didn't wanted to be "that guy" preventing him from his duty, or well, the duty he has chosen for himself: trying to fix the whole Tevinter mess. (Btw, good luck with that, Dorian! 
)
Don't get me wrong, my inqui ask him to stay and all that but he knewn that this would be temporary as long as the Empire wasn't "fix".
In trespasser, my inqui was a bit sad but he was proud and hopeful as well.
And, they love each other enough for that separation to be possible without breaking the love story. 
I think you're right when you say that Dorian is the star of the relationship but it's something that was obvious to me at the second I've met him: he's such a rock-star...
Idk, the entire romance arc seems so natural and logic to me and I agree with Nightscrawl: I've really seen his vulnerability, his hopes,...
Different strokes for different folks, I suppose 
I think it is possible to take Dorian the wrong way the first time you play the romance; I did but then I was still smarting over Solas so I think I was ultra sensitive. When I wanted to talk about the future and he seemed to mock me if I said I wanted us to stay together, I did find it hurtful, plus slightly confusing as it came close after him saying how distraught he had felt about losing me in the Fade. Eventually (with a lot of urging from people on this post) I realised that when he was being snarky that it was really just covering his own insecurity. Dorian actually saved the game for me because I was so depressed after my first play through with the Solas romance that I might not have played again but for the fact that Dorian had seemed such a good friend to me that I had to go back and experienced the romance with him. He did not disappoint and whilst I have tried other romances, Dorian is the only one that really connects with me.
I have no problem with the way the romance developed in Trespasser other than the comment when he says "don't pout", which I did think was rather unnecessary, making the Inquisitor out to be some sulky schoolboy when he was reacting to being told the love of his life is leaving. My Lavellan could perfectly understand why if nothing else Dorian would want to hunt down his father's killers (the Dalish really understand the revenge thing). However, you'd think that considering my lad was a deadly assassin, he'd welcome his assistance.
The daft part is suggesting we only occasionally pop up in Minrathous if we disbanded the Inquisition, because there was really nothing to keep us in the south and we indicate with the knife at the end that we anticipate the search for Solas is going to take us to Tevinter, plus the Qun are launching attacks on the mainland, which is bound to involve Qarinus and thus Dorian. There is no way I'd be content to stay in the south if Dorian was fighting for his life against the Qunari. So until the next instalment proves me wrong, I take it that he's actually there much of the time but working from the shadows, so people don't realise he is there as much as he is.
Yay, an excuse to bump the thread. Dorian is going to be in the upcoming Magekiller #4. Here is a thread about it with links to the preview. Please discuss it IN THAT THREAD so we don't have split conversations.
For anyone not reading the comics, but who is still interested in knowing what all takes place, I will post a summary after the issue is released, in March.
For those who don't want to purchase the Magekiller comics, I have written a bit about Dorian's cameo here, pics included.
I shouldn't have to add this, but... thar be spoilers ahead.
I think it is possible to take Dorian the wrong way the first time you play the romance; I did but then I was still smarting over Solas so I think I was ultra sensitive. When I wanted to talk about the future and he seemed to mock me if I said I wanted us to stay together, I did find it hurtful, plus slightly confusing as it came close after him saying how distraught he had felt about losing me in the Fade. Eventually (with a lot of urging from people on this post) I realised that when he was being snarky that it was really just covering his own insecurity. Dorian actually saved the game for me because I was so depressed after my first play through with the Solas romance that I might not have played again but for the fact that Dorian had seemed such a good friend to me that I had to go back and experienced the romance with him. He did not disappoint and whilst I have tried other romances, Dorian is the only one that really connects with me.
I have no problem with the way the romance developed in Trespasser other than the comment when he says "don't pout", which I did think was rather unnecessary, making the Inquisitor out to be some sulky schoolboy when he was reacting to being told the love of his life is leaving. My Lavellan could perfectly understand why if nothing else Dorian would want to hunt down his father's killers (the Dalish really understand the revenge thing). However, you'd think that considering my lad was a deadly assassin, he'd welcome his assistance.
The daft part is suggesting we only occasionally pop up in Minrathous if we disbanded the Inquisition, because there was really nothing to keep us in the south and we indicate with the knife at the end that we anticipate the search for Solas is going to take us to Tevinter, plus the Qun are launching attacks on the mainland, which is bound to involve Qarinus and thus Dorian. There is no way I'd be content to stay in the south if Dorian was fighting for his life against the Qunari. So until the next instalment proves me wrong, I take it that he's actually there much of the time but working from the shadows, so people don't realise he is there as much as he is.
You can try to downplay his snark with insecurity, but even if that is so, it still doesn't fix the other problems I have with the romance. And say it is insecurity, this is a relationship, we are both adults, I'm not going to wait around for Dorian to feel secure with himself so that he can openly express his love and passion for me, and communicate with me about tough situations without resorting to snark and victimizing himself.
And when it comes to the whole Tevinter thing, it's insane for Dorian to leave me out of it. I'm thinking the whole thing boils down to selfishness. If I die because I followed him to Tevinter, and he survived, he'd have his heart broken, and he can't deal with that. But if I stay away and let him do his thing, and he ends up ****** it up and dying, at least he doesn't have to be the broken-hearted widow. It's pretty sick if you think about it.
I'm definitely a guy who needs the uttermost love and passion from my significant other, and we both take equally and give equally. Otherwise, it's not a relationship, it's the one stringing the other along. I hate that.
While I might be taking the Dorian romance all wrong, it's still my opinion and how I experience the romance going through it. I actually deleted my Dorian romance game because I just couldn't continue with it lol.
Well, I am kind of glad this thread has been revived, mainly because of impeccable timing.
One of the things I do for fun are editorials about video games, in particular a series about discussing character arcs and character growth.
I just recently posted an article I wrote about Dorian, and it mostly discusses how his own pride is the main driving force of his character, right down to how it controls his convictions and beliefs, which parallels his own father in a few ways too.
Here is the article if you want to check it out, let me know what you guys think though.
You can try to downplay his snark with insecurity, but even if that is so, it still doesn't fix the other problems I have with the romance. And say it is insecurity, this is a relationship, we are both adults, I'm not going to wait around for Dorian to feel secure with himself so that he can openly express his love and passion for me, and communicate with me about tough situations without resorting to snark and victimizing himself.
And when it comes to the whole Tevinter thing, it's insane for Dorian to leave me out of it. I'm thinking the whole thing boils down to selfishness. If I die because I followed him to Tevinter, and he survived, he'd have his heart broken, and he can't deal with that. But if I stay away and let him do his thing, and he ends up ****** it up and dying, at least he doesn't have to be the broken-hearted widow. It's pretty sick if you think about it.
I'm definitely a guy who needs the uttermost love and passion from my significant other, and we both take equally and give equally. Otherwise, it's not a relationship, it's the one stringing the other along. I hate that.
While I might be taking the Dorian romance all wrong, it's still my opinion and how I experience the romance going through it. I actually deleted my Dorian romance game because I just couldn't continue with it lol.
I have same problem with Dorian, i think: he take offense if I answer him: "just for fun" at the first night, but he will just left at the end? I dont like it (I dont deleted, and dont finished yet).
Well, I am kind of glad this thread has been revived, mainly because of impeccable timing.
One of the things I do for fun are editorials about video games, in particular a series about discussing character arcs and character growth.
I just recently posted an article I wrote about Dorian, and it mostly discusses how his own pride is the main driving force of his character, right down to how it controls his convictions and beliefs, which parallels his own father in a few ways too.
Here is the article if you want to check it out, let me know what you guys think though.
As you said, I do not believe that Dorian's sexuality defines any of his traits. But that doesn't change the fact that those traits DO exist in him, and are stereotypical traits of a gay man in our world. And above that, even if his story about how his father disapproving his sexuality was only the tip of the iceberg, only a small piece of something big, it's still the same old story that is thrown around the LGBT media: being gay is shameful and wrong.
So you got a bunch of really irritating gay stereotypes on a gay character, so it's NO WONDER people criticize him. Well, I criticize him, I rarely see any criticism on his sexuality or how his story was told, only from more hardcore Dragon Age fans who are in it for more than just to bang the companions.
I'd also like to notice that I think Dorian's fans are the ones reducing him to nothing but a gay best friend and a source of smut. I RARELY see anyone talk about his involvement with Tevinter, or his story outside of the disapproval of his sexuality. It's all just oh look at this gay character, doing gay things and being a gay best friend and looking fabulous. And when the '' FANS '' don't really have anything else to say about a character except that they are hot, snarky and gay, you know you've created a character whose story wasn't necessarily written the best way possible.
I'm happy that in this forum, at least, people talk about Dorian outside of HEHE GAYYY SO CUUTEEE AND HAWT!!!
But yeah, I don't think Dorian was the best possible solution for the FIRST gay character. I can, at least, hope that whatever BW does next with it's gay male companion, is the exact opposite of what Dorian is. After that, I can most definitely enjoy Dorian a bit more, knowing that BW knows how to write a gay man without falling into stereotypes, even if it was only a coincidence, accident or whatnot.
As you said, I do not believe that Dorian's sexuality defines any of his traits. But that doesn't change the fact that those traits DO exist in him, and are stereotypical traits of a gay man in our world. And above that, even if his story about how his father disapproving his sexuality was only the tip of the iceberg, only a small piece of something big, it's still the same old story that is thrown around the LGBT media: being gay is shameful and wrong.
So you got a bunch of really irritating gay stereotypes on a gay character, so it's NO WONDER people criticize him. Well, I criticize him, I rarely see any criticism on his sexuality or how his story was told, only from more hardcore Dragon Age fans who are in it for more than just to bang the companions.
I'd also like to notice that I think Dorian's fans are the ones reducing him to nothing but a gay best friend and a source of smut. I RARELY see anyone talk about his involvement with Tevinter, or his story outside of the disapproval of his sexuality. It's all just oh look at this gay character, doing gay things and being a gay best friend and looking fabulous. And when the '' FANS '' don't really have anything else to say about a character except that they are hot, snarky and gay, you know you've created a character whose story wasn't necessarily written the best way possible.
I'm happy that in this forum, at least, people talk about Dorian outside of HEHE GAYYY SO CUUTEEE AND HAWT!!!
But yeah, I don't think Dorian was the best possible solution for the FIRST gay character. I can, at least, hope that whatever BW does next with it's gay male companion, is the exact opposite of what Dorian is. After that, I can most definitely enjoy Dorian a bit more, knowing that BW knows how to write a gay man without falling into stereotypes, even if it was only a coincidence, accident or whatnot.
Id honestly lay the blame in the end on the fans for that one, when the story itself was complex and had layers to it if you actually pay attention.
The big problem is a lot of people don't go beyond the first layer, it was the same issue with characters in a lot of games, actually. They look at the surface that becomes the focus.
I think of it this way, Dorian would be the same character if he wasn't gay. Considering his pride and disdain for how Tevinter operates, and his own insecurities due to not knowing how to change it, coupled with his family meddling in his life, his sexuality is tangential. It is a surface judgement that makes it essential.
That is really all you need as a litmus test in the end to basically say that perception is wrong, if you ask me.
Also, Dorian wasn't the first gay character in games to be part of a players party. People always forget Mokoto....so id argue massive improvement at least since 2006 at least. Of course it could always be better, and I bet it will in the future.
I wonder what will happen to David Gaider's characters like Morrigan and Dorian now that he has left Bioware? I guess other writers can take over, but it won't be exactly the same. Especially for Dorian... there is so much more to learn about him. I hope that despite DG leaving Dorian will return. It will be interesting to see him in Tevinter and hopefully in a more active role than in Inquisition.
I don't know what to say about "the gay character" subject... It's like Solas said that some people look at him and only see pair of pointed ears. I don't think the pointed ears are what makes Solas an interesting character and same could be said for Dorian. He's a mage from Tevinter - now a Magister - and he wants to reform Tevinter and seems to strongly dislike blood magic. How did his experiences in the Inquisition change his outlook on life? Does he still think slavery is acceptable? Has he or will he become more tempted to use blood magic? These are the questions I want answers to. Also it seems like he has plenty of enemies waiting back at Tevinter (the ones who killed his father, etc) so I can see lots of potential in his story.
Id honestly lay the blame in the end on the fans for that one, when the story itself was complex and had layers to it if you actually pay attention.
The big problem is a lot of people don't go beyond the first layer, it was the same issue with characters in a lot of games, actually. They look at the surface that becomes the focus.
I think of it this way, Dorian would be the same character if he wasn't gay. Considering his pride and disdain for how Tevinter operates, and his own insecurities due to not knowing how to change it, coupled with his family meddling in his life, his sexuality is tangential. It is a surface judgement that makes it essential.
That is really all you need as a litmus test in the end to basically say that perception is wrong, if you ask me.
Also, Dorian wasn't the first gay character in games like that. People always forget Mokoto....so id argue massive improvement at least since 2006 at least. Of course it could always be better, and I bet it will in the future.
Sure the blame is on the fans, but I also think that people have no reason to cling onto the whole reforming Tevinter thing until DA4 comes along. The '' my father doesn't approve of my sexuality '' hits bigger to most than whatever is in the background. And I kind of find it annoying, but I sometimes just wonder did BW give me enough reason to care about Dorian going to reform Tevinter. Especially if you romance him, the whole reforming Tevinter becomes a great obstacle for the relationship. DA4 will decide how many fucks I'm gonna give about it. Right now, it's just a possibility for a possibly good story, depending on how BW goes with it. We'll see.
You can't say that Dorian would be the same if he wasn't gay, just like I can't say he would be different if he wasn't gay. The story would be rewritten, and we don't know how that'd go. I think I'm going to stand neutral on this stance, and won't argue it further. Maybe, maybe not, who knows?
Dorian was the first gay companion in Dragon Age, was he not? And being the first in the DA series, I wasn't truly impressed on how his sexuality was handled. That's all I'm going to say about it.
Sure the blame is on the fans, but I also think that people have no reason to cling onto the whole reforming Tevinter thing until DA4 comes along. The '' my father doesn't approve of my sexuality '' hits bigger to most than whatever is in the background. And I kind of find it annoying, but I sometimes just wonder did BW give me enough reason to care about Dorian going to reform Tevinter. Especially if you romance him, the whole reforming Tevinter becomes a great obstacle for the relationship. DA4 will decide how many fucks I'm gonna give about it. Right now, it's just a possibility for a possibly good story, depending on how BW goes with it. We'll see.
You can't say that Dorian would be the same if he wasn't gay, just like I can't say he would be different if he wasn't gay. The story would be rewritten, and we don't know how that'd go. I think I'm going to stand neutral on this stance, and won't argue it further. Maybe, maybe not, who knows?
Dorian was the first gay companion in Dragon Age, was he not? And being the first in the DA series, I wasn't truly impressed on how his sexuality was handled. That's all I'm going to say about it.
Well yes, although Juhani also counts in that milieu I guess if were counting BioWare characters only.
While I don't like what if scenarios, I'm confident enough to actually safely say it would be the same story arc, because again the focus is on Dorian's flaws and how they reflect upon Tevinter culture in the end. It's less of a what if, and more of a certainly by how the writing went in the end.
I'd also like to notice that I think Dorian's fans are the ones reducing him to nothing but a gay best friend and a source of smut. I RARELY see anyone talk about his involvement with Tevinter, or his story outside of the disapproval of his sexuality. It's all just oh look at this gay character, doing gay things and being a gay best friend and looking fabulous. And when the '' FANS '' don't really have anything else to say about a character except that they are hot, snarky and gay, you know you've created a character whose story wasn't necessarily written the best way possible.
I'm happy that in this forum, at least, people talk about Dorian outside of HEHE GAYYY SO CUUTEEE AND HAWT!!!
It's nice that you gave this forum and thread its credit, but you really should not let some Tumblr users be the defining force for your views on Dorian fans. The good, thoughtful ones are out there too, and some are even on Tumblr.
As is the opposite though who argue tokenism as a detriment to the character.
The problem is there is little critical analysis of video games in a nutshell, in my estimation. I do articles like this all the time to try and change it but its getting little play in the end.
Perhaps a book....
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(( ''