100552 réponses à ce sujet

[AresKeith]

Because I seem to only be lurking when we're not talking about controversial subjects, I'll first say that I do really enjoy Sera, and since starting a qunari character I'm starting to share her appreciation on that front.  

 

Ahem.

 

That being said, I don't think what misoretu is saying is that unreasonable, when we were told that "fully gay" romanceable characters were preferable to the bi/pan/player/hawkesexuality we saw in DA2.  I was skeptical, because I loved all four of the romance options, and I didn't think that they were lacking in any way because they didn't make definitive statements about what kind of genitals they preferred.  So now, when we see Dorian's personal quest being at least partially related to his sexuality, and then we look at Sera, and how she avoids ANY discussion of her sexuality with a love interest, and how she is so hated by companions, and how easy it is to kick her out, compared to others...yeah.  I understand the issue.

 

To be fair, with Dorian's personal quest it also has to do with how Tevinter handles marriages among the high class. While Sera doesn't have to deal with that in her life 

 

And she doesn't seem all that hated by companions

[The Loyal Nub]

And she doesn't seem all that hated by companions

 

I've read that she gets along well with Bull and Krem. I haven't experienced this but I do know that Dorian seems to be genuinely amused by her and it's not entirely unfriendly their banter. Cassandra tolerates her like she's some kid. Viv and Solas are really not a good mix though.

[AresKeith]

I've read that she gets along well with Bull and Krem. I haven't experienced this but I do know that Dorian seems to be genuinely amused by her and it's not entirely unfriendly their banter. Cassandra tolerates her like she's some kid. Viv and Solas are really not a good mix though.

 

I've seen her get along with Varric and Blackwall too in their banter, and like you said Cassandra tolerates her

[LightningPoodle]

If that was really the case, more obvious explanation is that at some point someone concluded it would give them a lot of flak if only gay men had their own character.

 

No. They have stated that at GaymerX. When they write characters, sometimes the way they intended to write them just doesn't work. So they change them to fit a different criteria. Sometimes this includes whether they are LGBT or not. Sometimes it's simply down to how that character acts, such as Dorian and his charm, or Cassandra and her stalwart beliefs.

 

If what you have suggested was really the case, why didn't they make sure there was an equal number for both males and females? Because that is not how they sort this stuff out.

[syllogi]

To be fair, with Dorian's personal quest it also has to do with how Tevinter handles marriages among the high class. While Sera doesn't have to deal with that in her life 

 

And she doesn't seem all that hated by companions

 

But this was a *perfect* opportunity to talk, even a little, about how city elves view homosexuality.  Or, if she's with a dalish elf, we could have gotten more info from the Inquisitor on how her clan would feel about her being with Sera, since we didn't get much information from Merrill on the topic.

 

I don't think saying that Sera doesn't "label" herself is enough of an excuse to totally dance around the many ways she could have talked about how her sexuality affects her life, even if it's small ways.  

 

When you're heterosexual, representation is so complete it becomes invisible.  I mean, tv shows made for toddlers reinforce and value heterosexual romantic love.  It may not seem like a big deal to have *one* lesbian character who isn't waving a pride flag, but that's the only one.  And when I'm constantly told that the only "good" way to be a "good lesbian" is to not be a "stereotype", it kind of feels like showing any kind of hint of my sexuality is seen as gross and insulting, and "too much" for straight people.  So when I see what is supposed to be representation in a game, and it appears to be held to that standard of "not TOO much lady gay, unless she's turning down a boy or talking about sexy ladies!", it gets old.  

 

And yeah, there are characters who don't hate Sera, but I don't think any other companion gets as much negativity from asking about them.

[Fiery Phoenix]

That being said, I don't think what misoretu is saying is that unreasonable, when we were told that "fully gay" romanceable characters were preferable to the bi/pan/player/hawkesexuality we saw in DA2.  I was skeptical, because I loved all four of the romance options, and I didn't think that they were lacking in any way because they didn't make definitive statements about what kind of genitals they preferred.  So now, when we see Dorian's personal quest being at least partially related to his sexuality, and then we look at Sera, and how she avoids ANY discussion of her sexuality with a love interest, and how she is so hated by companions, and how easy it is to kick her out, compared to others...yeah.  I understand the issue.

In terms of how she compares with Dorian, I took that purely as a matter of 'different characters, different strokes'. Dorian strikes me as a more convoluted personality who is deeply attached to his culture (in more ways than one), whereas Sera is practically the polar opposite in that regard. Sera is also younger and probably hasn't been exposed to the real world in the same way that Dorian has.

 

Truthfully, I would have liked more discussion regarding Sera's sexuality with a love interest, but I honestly don't think it's super weird that there isn't any. Not because BioWare was being lazy about it; more like because, as Sera's character stands right now, that lack of complexity and personal conflict seems in line with the kind of personality she exhibits throughout the game.

 

I don't know if I'm making sense, really. I get what you are saying. I guess I just look at it differently.

[Serza]

Hmm, in aid of my Nightmare playthrough, can any experienced Mage clarify what do Lyrium potions actually do in Inquisition? They don't seem to do that much, practically.

 

I mean, what does it mean, that my Magic is suddenly 20 higher? Damage? Rate of fire? More mana?

[The Loyal Nub]

When you're heterosexual, representation is so complete it becomes invisible.  I mean, tv shows made for toddlers reinforce and value heterosexual romantic love.  It may not seem like a big deal to have *one* lesbian character who isn't waving a pride flag, but that's the only one.  And when I'm constantly told that the only "good" way to be a "good lesbian" is to not be a "stereotype", it kind of feels like showing any kind of hint of my sexuality is seen as gross and insulting, and "too much" for straight people.  So when I see what is supposed to be representation in a game, and it appears to be held to that standard of "not TOO much lady gay, unless she's turning down a boy or talking about sexy ladies!", it gets old.  

 

 

 

Very valid point. I hope you get a chance to address the issue at some point with a BioWare writer or two because I think it deserves a response from them and something that is in-depth, sincere, and not glib.

[LightningPoodle]

Hmm, in aid of my Nightmare playthrough, can any experienced Mage clarify what do Lyrium potions actually do in Inquisition? They don't seem to do that much, practically.

 

I mean, what does it mean, that my Magic is suddenly 20 higher? Damage? Rate of fire? More mana?

 

I believe it increases your mana regeneration which means you can use more spells more often.

[WildOrchid]

To be fair, with Dorian's personal quest it also has to do with how Tevinter handles marriages among the high class. While Sera doesn't have to deal with that in her life 

 

And she doesn't seem all that hated by companions

 

She doesn't get along well with Viv and of course, Solas. The rest, their banter can show that. She even gets along well with Cole... more like sibling teasing than anything.

[LightningPoodle]

She doesn't get along well with Viv and of course, Solas. The rest, their banter can show that. She even gets along well with Cole... more like sibling teasing than anything.

 

She gets along with Vivienne to an extent. It's more of a petty squabble with Vivienne trying to come across as more mature.

[I WANT YOU TO FUCK ME JERY]

I'm kinda disappointed Varric and Sera didn't end up being quite the bromance I was envisioning before release. They seemed so compatible doe.

[The Elder King]

Hmm, in aid of my Nightmare playthrough, can any experienced Mage clarify what do Lyrium potions actually do in Inquisition? They don't seem to do that much, practically.
 
I mean, what does it mean, that my Magic is suddenly 20 higher? Damage? Rate of fire? More mana?

It should increase the Magic stat, Which in DAI increases Attack for mages and another thing.
What I saw when I Used it is that my mages make more damage, though I don't recall if I unlocked some upgrades.

[hong]

Sera is also younger and probably hasn't been exposed to the real world in the same way that Dorian has.

Sera was an orphan living in the poorest, shittiest part of Denerim.

that lack of complexity and personal conflict seems in line with the kind of personality she exhibits throughout the game.

It's been mentioned before, but what Sera fears in the Fade is "the Nothing". For more in-depth analysis of this, read back in the thread. That's complexity of a kind you wouldn't expect if she was doing things purely for the lulz. Conversely, when Solas tries to give her advice on how to manage her Red Jenny comrades, she gets confused: she may think of herself as revolutionary, but she hasn't fully thought through the implications of what that means. Again, that's more complexity than you would get from someone who was a one-line character.

[YourFunnyUncle]

In terms of how she compares with Dorian, I took that purely as a matter of 'different characters, different strokes'. Dorian strikes me as a more convoluted personality who is deeply attached to his culture (in more ways than one), whereas Sera is practically the polar opposite in that regard. Sera is also younger and probably hasn't been exposed to the real world in the same way that Dorian has.

Truthfully, I would have liked more discussion regarding Sera's sexuality with a love interest, but I honestly don't think it's super weird that there isn't any. Not because BioWare was being lazy about it; more like because, as Sera's character stands right now, that lack of complexity and personal conflict seems in line with the kind of personality she exhibits throughout the game.

I don't know if I'm making sense, really. I get what you are saying. I guess I just look at it differently.

I think you're a straight man like me, right? I do think that we have to try extra hard when it comes to understanding what it's like to experience a work of fiction as someone from a minority. For us, Sera is just another cool character, but to a lesbian she's going to be more important. We may bear no malice to gay people but we can't truly know what it's like to live their lives, so we need to try to listen to their experiences and opinions.

Of course not all lesbians are going to feel the same about a subject, as Orchid demonstrates here, but we need to be careful not to talk down to people and give the impression that we're devaluing their experiences when the subject at hand is more relevant to their lives than ours.

[WildOrchid]

I'm kinda disappointed Varric and Sera didn't end up being quite the bromance I was envisioning before release. They seemed so compatible doe.

 

It's Sera/IB instead.

[LightningPoodle]

Goodnight everyone.

 

 

Edit: Wait! Apprentice is on. Haha, you've got me for another hour guys!

[I WANT YOU TO FUCK ME JERY]

It's Sera/IB instead.

Sera/Blackwall was gud too.

Varric wasn't really complete buddy/buddy with anyone this game like he was with, say, Isabela, from what I can remember...hm. Just Cole.

[veeia]

I actually love Sera and Solas's banter so far. Neither one comes out looking that great, but there's this painful gap between them...sort of a recognition that they're both outcasts, but their particular brand of outcast makes it so they can't be outcasts together.

It's sad to me that neither one of them can move past that revelation. Solas is actually a pretty funny dude, he and Sera would have made fun friends if they had more time together.

[LightningPoodle]

 

@ anyone who mistreats Sera.

[Fiery Phoenix]

It's been mentioned before, but what Sera fears in the Fade is "the Nothing". For more in-depth analysis of this, read back in the thread. That's complexity of a kind you wouldn't expect if she was doing things purely for the lulz. Conversely, when Solas tries to give her advice on how to manage her Red Jenny comrades, she gets confused: she may think of herself as revolutionary, but she hasn't fully thought through the implications of what that means. Again, that's more complexity than you would get from someone who was a one-line character.

Can you tell me when that conversation with Solas occurs? Is it banter or a specific moment?

 

Sounds interesting.

 

I think you're a straight man like me, right? I do think that we have to try extra hard when it comes to understanding what it's like to experience a work of fiction as someone from a minority. For us, Sera is just another cool character, but to a lesbian she's going to be more important. We may bear no malice to gay people but we can't truly know what it's like to live their lives, so we need to try to listen to their experiences and opinions.

Of course not all lesbians are going to feel the same about a subject, as Orchid demonstrates here, but we need to be careful not to talk down to people and give the impression that we're devaluing their experiences when the subject at hand is more relevant to their lives than ours.

Indeed, you're right.

 

Sorry if it sounded like I was talking down Misoretu earlier. I'm sure this is a complicated issue at large.

 

I mentioned not too long ago that I hope her arc gets expanded upon and possibly clears some of the confusion and inconsistencies that have been noted since the game released. I'm actually crossing my fingers for a chance to get that sort of treatment in an expansion, because there are still some things with Sera that don't really make much sense to me (although admittedly not all of them have to do with her sexuality or representation).

[WildOrchid]

Sera/Blackwall was gud too.

Varric wasn't really complete buddy/buddy with anyone this game like he was with, say, Isabela, from what I can remember...hm. Just Cole.

 

Yeah poor Varric got a lil bitter... i miss the fun, loving dwarf he was... Understandable, stuff happened... :/

Kinda miss his rs with Isabela. And Hawke.

 

The way he treats Cole reminds me of Merrill.

[veeia]

Varric and Cole are sweet together. I loved how he is if you take both of them in the Fade with you.

[Milan92]

 

The way he treats Cole reminds me of Merrill.

 

Yeah, he's very protective of young people. 

 

I really liked Cole's quest which involved Varric and Solas. They are my second team!bro.

[LightningPoodle]

Varric and Cole are sweet together. I loved how he is if you take both of them in the Fade with you.

 

I have to try that. Maybe next play through. Which would be my second play through. Right after I finish Emprise.