Dragon age rebirthed
Edna instead of Solana fits with the old Scottish surname of Amell. So in this fic I am creating Cullen comes with Amell and Duncan under orders from Gregior with a few men, since I wanted a reason Uldred had enough Mages to over run over the tower.
Any link? 
EDIT: this is not about Cullen but it's really beautiful...
http://elemei.tumblr...71981468/end-me
"I'm Addicted to You"? Ewww.
I get the impression he has a lot of new fans, and I think he'd still have that same broad DA:I-based appeal he has now if they'd locked down some things more than they did. I think it would be mainly people who already liked him from DA:O/DA2 who would be disappointed. Like, the main things that were left sort of open that I can think of off the top of my head are his age and the extent of his remnant feelings for the mage Warden. I don't think people who didn't notice or like him before would care much either way about either (except, obviously, for ridiculous edge cases, like his being 22 or 60 and still loving the Warden even if you were together).
LOL Yeah, the addicted to you thing reminds me of some of the addiction discussion I've seen bopping around tumblr. Then again... valentines are often creepy. 
On Cullen, I think you're right that a lot of tiny details like his age and the like aren't things a lot of people stress over unless you'd already developed a headcanon for it.
As for on topic, I've been thinking a lot lately about all the different points of view each of us come in regards to Cullen and not just a little bit but some of us have completely different views/beliefs that I would not of normally considered or agreed with. That being said it's a good thing because so much has been left "open" about his character it has allowed such variation in views/beliefs to develop and evolve. Anyway, the whole point of my ramblings was... I dunno how to say it correctly but what if they had "pigeoned holed" his character more? do you think he'd still have the following he does? I know there would be a possibility of me still liking Cullen but possibly not enjoying his story or romance as much because I wasn't given that flexibility to head cannon certain aspects.
Does that make sense? I think I need to shut up now lol
But I think for the broader issue, his character is left as open as any character will be in an RPG. That's Bioware's thing, to let you fill in the details of your interactions with these characters on stuff that's not plot-critical. So I guess I just don't really expect that they would've nailed down every little thing. They simply don't have the word budget for it, let alone the inclination.
Do I wish they were more specific on some things? Sure. I mean, I can't lie, I'd love for those specific things to be defined the way I want 'em (just being honest). But even if they're not, will I be circling the writer's pit with my torch and pitchfork? As we've maintained for years already, of course not. I mean, I already don't like that the plot seems to brush some things under the carpet that made him interesting to me. But that doesn't mean I don't think he's interesting any more. [[edited to add: thinking some more, I do think they've already nailed down much more than I expected... and honestly, it makes me a little sad that there's less to speculate about like we used to. :shrug: but that's natural if you want to see more of your sideline character.]]
Now if his character went in a totally different direction that made me no longer enjoy him as a character, sure, I'd abandon 'ship. Like if we found out he'd knowingly aided and abetted with the rapes and whatnot at the Gallows. But that's not because they nailed down his character. It's because they turned him into a character I don't like.
Not yet since I has to wait for iPad 2 too get here damn wish it had not broken shakes fistAny link?
EDIT: this is not about Cullen but it's really beautiful...
http://elemei.tumblr...71981468/end-me
Spoiler
Also that tumblr comic is adorable.Any link?
EDIT: this is not about Cullen but it's really beautiful...
http://elemei.tumblr...71981468/end-me
Spoiler
EDIT: this is not about Cullen but it's really beautiful...
http://elemei.tumblr...71981468/end-me
*Snip*
Spoiler
lol at Fenris' feet on Anders' head. 
and..then, inevitably, a rather complicated sense of melancholy nostalgia.
EDIT: this is not about Cullen but it's really beautiful...
http://elemei.tumblr...71981468/end-me
Spoiler
Guest_Faerunner_*
As for on topic, I've been thinking a lot lately about all the different points of view each of us come in regards to Cullen and not just a little bit but some of us have completely different views/beliefs that I would not of normally considered or agreed with. That being said it's a good thing because so much has been left "open" about his character it has allowed such variation in views/beliefs to develop and evolve. Anyway, the whole point of my ramblings was... I dunno how to say it correctly but what if they had "pigeoned holed" his character more? do you think he'd still have the following he does? I know there would be a possibility of me still liking Cullen but possibly not enjoying his story or romance as much because I wasn't given that flexibility to head cannon certain aspects.
Does that make sense? I think I need to shut up now lol
As others have said, I think you can say that of all BioWare LIs. BioWare gives us enough details of their personalities, interests, and motivations to draw us in, but leaves it open for us to "seal the deal," so to speak. To interpret why they like our characters, what our characters bring to the table, and what their relationship is like outside of cutscenes and/or after the game.
Case and point: If you play a female mage Warden, he's in love with her no matter what. He never says specifically why he likes her, and I doubt we all headcanon the same characters with the same characteristics, so we can fill in the blanks for ourselves what we think draws him. I've come up with like a dozen Suranas with different backgrounds, personalities, and motivations (one is a blithe spirit like Tangled's Rapunzel, one is more altruistic and defiant like Esmeralda, one is impish and deviant, one is cold and direct, one is dark and mysterious, etc), and Cullen gets nervous around them all. My mind has to come up with different things about her that I think would make him go from an stalwart young man to a nervous wreck in the time it takes for her to say "Hello."
If Cullen was less open though... I'm not sure. The Chantry is a point of contention among many fans, and mage oppression. I think if he was a little more overtly devout like Cassandra, he would alienate players and/or protagonists who aren't fond of that. If he was more anti-mage like his fellow Templars... oh, who am I fooling? He's had a dedicated Female Mage fandom since DAO and DA2, even though he was so anti-mage following his torture (which was understandable) that he called for the massacre of all mages, worked for Meredith for the better part of a decade because she was so harsh and unrelenting of mages, and tells Hawke at one point "mages aren't people like you and I." That didn't deter people that wanted to romance him with a mage one iota. 
But I think it definitely helps that he is so open-minded. He's religious, but follows the spirit of the faith more than the letter or institution, so he doesn't alienate protagonists that are atheist, agnostic, or anti-Chantry. He's remarkably open-minded about mages, so he doesn't alienage pro-mage protagonists. He seems to be very fair and open-minded toward elves, so he doesn't alienate pro-elf protagonists. Etc.
But I think it definitely helps that he is so open-minded. He's religious, but follows the spirit of the faith more than the letter or institution, so he doesn't alienate protagonists that are atheist, agnostic, or anti-Chantry. He's remarkably open-minded about mages, so he doesn't alienage pro-mage protagonists. He seems to be very fair and open-minded toward elves, so he doesn't alienate pro-elf protagonists. Etc.
You know, and this is sort of why I feel so frustrated about how exclusive they made him as a love interest, not just for women, but for only elven and human women. I mean someone in my position has an option between a very aggressive lover who leaves no room for roleplay (Bull) and a former slave-owner who is as open-minded about elves as he can be (Dorian). Dwarven and qunari women have Blackwall (and I'll not say more about him so as not to spoil, but we all know the issue there) and, again, Bull.
Cullen is the character who has the most even disposition, the least prejudice, the calmest romance. It sucks that he's so exclusive. I can almost forgive them for Solas (although I still think he should be bi... but elf-only, I can forgive that). I can't forgive the extreme gating for Cullen.
But at the same time at least he is an option for some of us... I'm grateful for that, very grateful. There are a lot of people here who waited years to romance him.
And as someone who's been writing fanfic for about ten years now, I'm used to having to rely on headcanons *shrugs* Tis my bread and butter! I don't think I ever wrote a canon couple, tbh. Doomed to disappointment EDIT: Lies, I have written Hawke x Fenris!
And speaking of fanfic, I posted my 5K fic a few days ago (somewhere out in the ether, y'all will never find it ) and find myself constantly editing it. Am I the only one who does this??
And speaking of fanfic, I posted my 5K fic a few days ago (somewhere out in the ether, y'all will never find it
*cough*cough* not so hidden when I got an alert about it... 
On editing after publishing, never. I do all my editing in advance, unless I run into an egregious grammar error or typo.
Guest_Faerunner_*
You know, and this is sort of why I feel so frustrated about how exclusive they made him as a love interest, not just for women, but for only elven and human women. I mean someone in my position has an option between a very aggressive lover who leaves no room for roleplay (Bull) and a former slave-owner who is as open-minded about elves as he can be (Dorian). Dwarven and qunari women have Blackwall (and I'll not say more about him so as not to spoil, but we all know the issue there) and, again, Bull.
Cullen is the character who has the most even disposition, the least prejudice, the calmest romance. It sucks that he's so exclusive. I can almost forgive them for Solas (although I still think he should be bi... but elf-only, I can forgive that). I can't forgive the extreme gating for Cullen.
But at the same time at least he is an option for some of us... I'm grateful for that, very grateful. There are a lot of people here who waited years to romance him.
Yeah... I was just thinking that the other day, actually.
I love playing dwarves and Qunari, believe it or not (I know I tend to get excited about elves), but the limited romance options are a sizeable deterrent. Female characters, like you said, have Beardy McFeathers (and I loath facial hair!), the aggressive BDSM lover Bull, the anti-mage, anti-elf, anti-intellectual Sera; and Josephine. Goody.
Like you said, Cullen has the most even disposition, the least prejudice, and the calmest romance. (Except for maybe Josephine.) I can easily see him attracting and possibly seeing him attracted to dwarves or Qunari, especially since he's so fair and open-minded in all other areas, but alas. I can sort of understand the limited opens due to time and budget constraints... But then why on earth didn't BioWare make him an option in the first place? They knew people have been jonesing for a Cullen romance since DAO, and they planned to bring him back from the beginning. And they made him handsomer and removed his anti-mage mania from the first two games! What more do they think we want?? Did they honestly not expect the fanbase to explode in frustration? Did they honestly think Blackwall would be more popular romance than Cullen?
Meanwhile, I've got a broken-hearted Qunari whom I had to put out of her misery and construct a whole new elven character to romance Cullen, and a new Qunari with a new personality to fall for Josephine since that's pretty much her best option after Cullen.
And as someone who's been writing fanfic for about ten years now, I'm used to having to rely on headcanons *shrugs*
And speaking of fanfic, I posted my 5K fic a few days ago (somewhere out in the ether, y'all will never find it
Nah, I edit my fanfics many times after posting them. It drives my readers crazy.
*cough*cough* not so hidden when I got an alert about it...
On editing after publishing, never. I do all my editing in advance, unless I run into an egregious grammar error or typo.
What?! Is it because I added it to the Cullen Celebration Group?! Ackkkk
And oh, you're very good and very organized. You probably hold on to your fic until you've fully edited and added the cherry on top! I guess I am too impatient for that 
I post it up as soon as I'm done. I'm so excited to see what people will think of it... then immediately regret the decision when I see how hastily it was written.
Yeah... I was just thinking that the other day, actually.
I love playing dwarves and Qunari, believe it or not (I know I tend to get excited about elves), but the limited romance options are a sizeable deterrent. Female characters, like you said, have Beardy McFeathers (and I loath facial hair!), the aggressive BDSM lover Bull, the anti-mage, anti-elf, anti-intellectual Sera; and Josephine. Goody.
Like you said, Cullen has the most even disposition, the least prejudice, and the calmest romance. (Except for maybe Josephine.) I can easily see him attracting and possibly seeing him attracted to dwarves or Qunari, especially since he's so fair and open-minded in all other areas, but alas. I can sort of understand the limited opens due to time and budget constraints... But then why on earth didn't BioWare make him an option in the first place? They knew people have been jonesing for a Cullen romance since DAO, and they planned to bring him back from the beginning. And they made him handsomer and removed his anti-mage mania from the first two games! What more do they think we want?? Did they honestly not expect the fanbase to explode in frustration? Did they honestly think Blackwall would be more popular romance than Cullen?
Meanwhile, I've got a broken-hearted Qunari whom I had to put out of her misery and construct a whole new elven character to romance Cullen, and a new Qunari with a new personality to fall for Josephine since that's pretty much her best option after Cullen.
Nah, I edit my fanfics many times after posting them. It drives my readers crazy.
Poor readers
Hey, I love Blackwall and think he's massively hot; I'm sad my character can't romance him, but I will be the first to say that he's not a widely appealing LI. Bull is the same way. Dorian is the a little more widely appealing, looks-wise, though he is very... fabulous lol Which appeals to certain tastes and not others.
Anyway, I don't want to break down the characters. Some I like, some I don't. And it's the exact opposite for the player next to me. It's all down to taste. But that's why I agree with you in that I feel Cullen should've been the least gated male LI... not Bull!!! That is such a bizarre choice. Of course deep down I believe they did it for personality... because they have that very stereotyped belief that a bisexual person will be the most "open" and vice versa. So a free spirit like Bull... of course he's bisexual! And of course he is attracted to any race! *rolls eyes*
Personally I feel the non-gated romances should've been Cassandra and Cullen. Both story-important characters, both attractive ("OMG SHE LOOKS LIKE A MAN" loser comments notwithstanding), both easy, no-drama romances, etc. Then if you want to go down the less traveled path, there are folks like Bull or Blackwall or Solas.
My broken hearted Qunrai cried a little once she learned she had no Love options other than blackfail, I mean Blackwall and Bull, who I have no interest in the forcing of the BDSM aspects of the romance.
Yeah, adding the BDSM angle to the ONLY un-gated male LI was such a poor choice IMO. Like, oh, you're not into Dorian? Or you're not into Blackwall? Have some bondage.
And speaking of fanfic, I posted my 5K fic a few days ago (somewhere out in the ether, y'all will never find it
I re-edit after I've spent a good two hours editing. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to editing. haha so not at all.
Edit: Of course I only fix typos/grammar post publishing of a chapter. Any plot issues become concrete with publishing for me, so thus the extensive editing before hand.
And I find it creepy, that after two flirts he comes to your room, although, Blackwall does the same thing but after five or so flirts and it helps that he goes on missions with my Inquisitor a lot. I have only brought Bull with me once lol.Yeah, adding the BDSM angle to the ONLY un-gated male LI was such a poor choice IMO. Like, oh, you're not into Dorian? Or you're not into Blackwall? Have some bondage.
What?! Is it because I added it to the Cullen Celebration Group?! Ackkkk
And oh, you're very good and very organized. You probably hold on to your fic until you've fully edited and added the cherry on top! I guess I am too impatient for that
LOL Um... I guess make that TWO alerts. I know where both versions are... muahahaha.
I guess it's because I didn't have a beta when I started writing fanfic. I wrote Knight's Bloom almost whole cloth before I published any of it. I was so paranoid that I didn't have a beta that I slavishly edited it myself many, many times, all 120,000+ words of it, multiple times. Now that I have meanie... I still slavishly edit even before I let her see it, so she doesn't red pen me. I personally can't stand reading things that have errors, so I just can't put it out there til I'm ready.
edit for ToP: huh, guess I'll post some fanart inspired by Knight's Bloom! wooot!
Hawke and Cullen Dragon Age 2
by Inveleth
Guest_Faerunner_*
Hey, I love Blackwall and think he's massively hot; I'm sad my character can't romance him, but I will be the first to say that he's not a widely appealing LI. Bull is the same way. Dorian is the a little more widely appealing, looks-wise, though he is very... fabulous lol Which appeals to certain tastes and not others.
Anyway, I don't want to break down the characters. Some I like, some I don't. And it's the exact opposite for the player next to me. It's all down to taste. But that's why I agree with you in that I feel Cullen should've been the least gated male LI... not Bull!!! That is such a bizarre choice. Of course deep down I believe they did it for personality... because they have that very stereotyped belief that a bisexual person will be the most "open" and vice versa. So a free spirit like Bull... of course he's bisexual! And of course he is attracted to any race! *rolls eyes*
Personally I feel the non-gated romances should've been Cassandra and Cullen. Both story-important characters, both attractive ("OMG SHE LOOKS LIKE A MAN" loser comments notwithstanding), both easy, no-drama romances, etc. Then if you want to go down the less traveled path, there are folks like Bull or Blackwall or Solas.
Sorry, didn't mean to put them down. I just exited a game with a Qunari heartbroken for Cullen (who came shortly after a Dwarf heartbroken for Solas), so I'm a little frustrated for her, Qunari players, and Dwarf players.
I get the feeling Bull is very well-liked among the devs, and they assumed he would be more popular than he was. I kept up with all pre-release announcements, interviews, PAX screenings, dev forum comments, etc. I got the distinct impression that Bull and Sera were their favorite companions, as they sang their praises the highest and expressed excitement for players to "meet them," so to speak. When the race selection was announced, Bull was originally going to be race-gated due to animation difficulties, but Epler liked the character so much that he and the animation team worked overtime for weeks to make him available for everyone.
I think the intention for him was to subvert the "Qunari are all stoic and chaste like Sten" stereotype, so they made him hard-drinking and hard-playing and pansexual, but in doing so accidentally fed into the "bisexuals are promiscuous" stereotype. But then, they have another bisexual characters who is not that way to balance him out (Josephine), so... it's hard to find that balance. And to be fair (and I'm a bisexual who hates the "bisexuals are all promiscuous" stereotype too) there's so much more awareness of sexualities of every kind that there are more stereotypes running around, so it's really hard not to fall into at least one, or else limit your characters or create a new stereotype in trying to avoid another. (For example, in the "Unfortunate romance stereotypes/tropes" forum way back, a lot of people pointed out how BioWare seems to keep making more traditionally considered "masculine/aggressive" women like Jack from ME, Morrigan, Aveline, and Cassandra firmly straight to avoid the 'butch lesbian' stereotype, but in doing so create another stereotype; that only traditionally considered 'feminine'/Femme women can like other women, and thus create their own "only lipstick lesbians exist" stereotype.)
However, it also hasn't escaped my notice that the more tight-laced warrior characters are straight (like Alistair, Aveline, Cassandra, Cullen, Blackwall), whereas the more rogueish characters who deviate more from society's norms (like Leliana, Zevran, Isabela, Iron Bull, etc) tend to be more... and that's not okay.
*sigh*
To be honest, I feel like BioWare missed the mark on romances in general this time around. Without putting any characters down (and I'm sorry to offend everyone, I just have strong opinions this morning)... I don't know, they just seemed to go against the way the tide was flowing. I mean, Cassandra has had a very strong lesbian and bi woman base since her first appearance in DA2. She's firmly straight. Cullen has had a large following since DAO. They weren't originally going to make him a romance option, then made him available only to human and elven women. The two romances they added only after they were given more time and given the most restrictions on, Cullen and Solas, wound up rating the highest on romance popularity polls. The only female romance options for men are Andrastian human noblewomen Cassandra and Josephine. If you wanted someone less overtly Andrastian and/or non-human like the dwarven Harding or the elven Sera? Too bad. If you're a dude who likes other dudes, you get the former slave-owner Dorian (though I love Dorian) or the firmly dominant BDSM-pushing Bull. Goody. Want someone more mild? TOO BAD!
I better stop. This is getting way too ranty.
Will this be for ps4? I mean it will be helpful
I guess it will come out for ps4 eventually, but some PC players will be able to beta test it first.
I really hope that this Patch 5 will eventually include consoles.
Guys I had my hallway convo with Cullen in Kinloch Hold last night in DAO, he looks adorable with the head morph that makes him look a bit more like DA:I. So much better than the original! Although I think Improved Atmosphere is causing Jowan's head to disappear, I can't seem to get that fixed.
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