138846 réponses à ce sujet

[Fadburger]

Thanks y'all. Maybe I'll put him with a bookish, soft-spoken brunette lady. Perhaps a faithful Andrastian mage who actually enjoyed her time in the Circle... so many different ways to play this romance. I look forward to it!

 

Yeah my first and "canon" Cullen romance is a fair, black haired Trevelyan with green eyes. She is a mage, which I always think is the more interesting background for a Cullen romance because of his opinions in the past and general Templar upbringing, it makes for good character development. My redheaded Lavellan rogue was cute and all but I definitely picture him with my Trevelyan for sure.

[CuriousArtemis]

I created Auren first, outside of him being a Cullen romancer. So I already had him in mind... but for what it's worth, he's medium tone skin color, dark brown hair, green eyes. Serious demeanor and a warrior like Cullen, so they relate to one another on that level. (His class is rogue, but I mean, he understand combat.) He's quick-tempered and aggressive, which I think balances out Cullen's wishy-washy tendencies, but also Cullen is very soft-spoken. 

 

Personally I think whatever character you want to play... go with that. Picture her in your head and think about who she is, what she's like, what makes her happy, etc. For me, the looks always come eventually. I usually go into CC with at least an idea as to hair color and style.

 

Although for my Solas mancer I just made a cutie patootie elf without thinking about him too, too much. He turned out really great, too. It just depends. 

[Tishina]

Alright, this is probably the silliest question in the world, but what hair/skin/eye color do you like to give your Cullenmancing Inquisitors? I'm determined to go for him in my next playthrough but I'm still wrapping my head around who this Inquisitor is, what her values are, what kind of personality she has, etc. It usually helps if I can visualize what she looks like and go from there, but this time there's no inspiration. Bah!

So what kind of appearance do you think makes a nice contrast or complement to Cullen? XD

They're very different, and I created them before deciding who they'd romance. My laid-back Dalish mage Volya who romanced Cullen? She started out with white hair, then once she heard enough silly human stories about the dalish, she dyed it green to mess with them. Dark blue eyes, dunno what to call the hair style.

 

My dwarf Vetra, I used a mod to get her a french braid, a utility to give her black hair that stays black better, and blue eyes (dunno why, I actually like brown and green eyes better normally, but I like the blues I get from the CC. And in Vetra's case, I wanted to match her tattoos to her eyes and that was easiest with blue.

[R2s Muse]

Alright, this is probably the silliest question in the world, but what hair/skin/eye color do you like to give your Cullenmancing Inquisitors? I'm determined to go for him in my next playthrough but I'm still wrapping my head around who this Inquisitor is, what her values are, what kind of personality she has, etc. It usually helps if I can visualize what she looks like and go from there, but this time there's no inspiration. Bah!

So what kind of appearance do you think makes a nice contrast or complement to Cullen? XD

Interesting question. Like everyone else, I'd say just think about who you want your character to be inside, then iterate to find a look that fits. At least... iterate is about my *own* level of skill with the chargen. LOL

 

My own approach was pretty pathetic... I created my Inquisitor to look like my Hawke from DA2 since I can't let go of my Cullen x Hawke OTP. I then made my daiHawke look like her, too, and headcanoned that Cullen has a 'type.'

 

 

[Fadburger]

Yeah ultimately make one that you think is cute...if you think she's a cutie then Cullen will too lol

[Ghost Gal]

Woo! Just got back from vacation by the beach! Fun times!

 

R2 has a point that you miss the chantry scene if you wait that long. But it came to mind because you mentioned wanting to break up with Solas after the Winter Palace. If you're playing on PC, you can test it and then just restore to before the breakup if it doesn't work. I broke up with Solas, went straight to Cullen's office, and tested to see if I could ask to speak to him on the battlement.  And you can do most other things with him before that - I kind of like the Perseverance quest before the romance anyway, it's a little touching (and maybe sad?) how surprised he is that you could still be interested after seeing that. But yes, it does cram a lot in very quickly (wouldn't actually be my first choice,) I just wanted to point out the option.

 

Oh, sorry. I misspoke my intention again. I don't want to "break up with Solas after the Winter Palace," what I meant was I cannot see any Dalish PC of mine choosing Cullen over Solas until after she saw Solas' hidden love of court intrigue and murder at the Winter Palace. They don't necessarily have to go out before that point (and this could work if she went to the Winter Palace first, before she could conceivably hook up with anyone), but by the same token I can't see her choosing Cullen over him until after that point. The main reason I don't want to do it is because I imagine being closer to Solas and/or not dating anyone means she misses out on the ballroom dance with Cullen, which is such a cute scene that it's hard to pass up. (The ex-Templar who doesn't like to dance braving the effort to make his beloved happy.  )

 

Life would be easier for me if I could make a Dalish female character who could conceivably fall for and flirt with Cullen from the very beginning so she experiences all the cute, fluffy romantic scenes all playthrough... but my subconscious doesn't like to make things easy. 

 

Oh well. I think I'll take a break from DAI for a while, so it's kinda moot now.

[Cerulione]

I created Auren first, outside of him being a Cullen romancer. So I already had him in mind... but for what it's worth, he's medium tone skin color, dark brown hair, green eyes. Serious demeanor and a warrior like Cullen, so they relate to one another on that level. (His class is rogue, but I mean, he understand combat.) He's quick-tempered and aggressive, which I think balances out Cullen's wishy-washy tendencies, but also Cullen is very soft-spoken. 

 

Personally I think whatever character you want to play... go with that. Picture her in your head and think about who she is, what she's like, what makes her happy, etc. For me, the looks always come eventually. I usually go into CC with at least an idea as to hair color and style.

 

Although for my Solas mancer I just made a cutie patootie elf without thinking about him too, too much. He turned out really great, too. It just depends. 

 

I'm still lamenting to this day that in most RPGs there is a distinct difference between "rogue" and "warrior" style of fighting where Warriors are mostly those who wield heavy weapons and rely on force. I mean if you do a couple of years of at least two different asian martial arts you'll realize very quickly that somehow, actually there are way of fighting with swords etc that rely on agility & speed and can also be very quickly adapted to brute force and back to agility & speed in a few seconds delay.

 

But then, well-trained warriors are also supposed to be able to both use archery AND swords and lance and shorter swords/longer daggers and do horseback archery and combat and sword fighting from sitting position when you're drinking a cup of tea and your host decided to kill you from your back (no I'm not kidding there are Aikido & Kenjutsu moves on this matter...).

 

Whew at least SKyrim got it right there, I can have a warrior with bow & arrow & switch quickly to swords.

[Cerulione]

Woo! Just got back from vacation by the beach! Fun times!

 

 

Oh, sorry. I misspoke my intention again. I don't want to "break up with Solas after the Winter Palace," what I meant was I cannot see any Dalish PC of mine choosing Cullen over Solas until after she saw Solas' hidden love of court intrigue and murder at the Winter Palace. They don't necessarily have to go out before that point (and this could work if she went to the Winter Palace first, before she could conceivably hook up with anyone), but by the same token I can't see her choosing Cullen over him until after that point. The main reason I don't want to do it is because I imagine being closer to Solas and/or not dating anyone means she misses out on the ballroom dance with Cullen, which is such a cute scene that it's hard to pass up. (The ex-Templar who doesn't like to dance braving the effort to make his beloved happy.  )

 

Life would be easier for me if I could make a Dalish female character who could conceivably fall for and flirt with Cullen from the very beginning so she experiences all the cute, fluffy romantic scenes all playthrough... but my subconscious doesn't like to make things easy. 

 

Oh well. I think I'll take a break from DAI for a while, so it's kinda moot now.

 

Sorry for double post but I can't quote you without it being shown as Arty's post. BSN there's some coding problem!

 

Hmm tumblr seems to be spilling with hate on those stories & headcannons on Lavellans who went to Cullen after Solas break-up, but seriously, why not if that's what you want. That can also work very well as a story especially you'll spend lots of time with Cullen later on with him staying on the Inquisition & Solas just go Good Bye My Love.

 

That's not a story I'm playing personally since I'm really big on this OTP thing on a pairing being together in all parallel worlds & all universe (if you ever read CLAMP's Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles & Kobato you know what I mean...) & even if when reborn... I like the idea of a fantasy character's pairing of being soulmates to one another even in another life, another universe, another parallel worlds involving dimensional and time travel and whatnot when they meet again it's the one pairing that'll always happen. That's why I can't even imagine changing pairing in different universe, let alone in the same game :3

 

But let's face it, there are amazing fic out there that manage to bring the subject of Lavellan going to Cullen after breaking with Solas (R2s I'm looking at you & Del) and TBH, why not. It doesn't have to make Cullen a sponge either. How many times this kind of thing actually happen IRL? More than often.

[R2s Muse]

 
But let's face it, there are amazing fic out there that manage to bring the subject of Lavellan going to Cullen after breaking with Solas (R2s I'm looking at you & Del) and TBH, why not. It doesn't have to make Cullen a sponge either. How many times this kind of thing actually happen IRL? More than often.

(and thanks, ceru!   )
 
When I play Del now, this eventuality screams out at me almost like it was purposefully written into the story. I mean, look at that face? Yeah. He love me.
 

 

I guess I also personally think "true love" is a lot about timing, not destiny. I love stories where LI #1 was true love but in the real world, just wasn't meant to be (too angsty/too ethereal/too painful/too godlike), so our hero ends up with LI #2 who may not burn as brightly as #1 but burns for much longer. This isn't something I've ever written before, which is why I'm itching to explore it with my Del/Solas/Cullen story.

 

If I ever finish Fool's Errand first.   :shakes fist at stupid templar shield fighting scene that won't come together:

[R2s Muse]

...and now that I'm getting nostalgic for that story... some 100 word fic!

 

Almost Everything by R2s Muse

 

His warm arms protect her against the chill wind whipping mournfully across her balcony. Eyes closed, she allows herself this moment and relaxes back against his broad shoulders.

 

She deserves this, Lavellan reminds herself. The sky no longer rent by demons. Corypheus defeated. She has everything she wants.

 

He nuzzles her neck, and she smiles. She reaches up and slides her fingers through rough human stubble and into thick wavy hair.

 

Her eyes fly open, momentarily surprised until she remembers.

 

Solas is gone.

 

She turns and desperately kisses Cullen before he can notice her lapse.

 

Almost everything she wants.

 

 

[Tishina]

(and thanks, ceru!   )
 
When I play Del now, this eventuality screams out at me almost like it was purposefully written into the story. I mean, look at that face? Yeah. He love me.
 

 

I guess I also personally think "true love" is a lot about timing, not destiny. I love stories where LI #1 was true love but in the real world, just wasn't meant to be (too angsty/too ethereal/too painful/too godlike), so our hero ends up with LI #2 who may not burn as brightly as #1 but burns for much longer. This isn't something I've ever written before which is why I'm itching to explore it with my Del/Solas/Cullen story.

 

If I ever finish Fool's Errand first.   :shakes fist at stupid templar shield fighting scene that won't come together:

I agree. I'm one of those people who think most people can fall in love and be happy with a variety of people. And like it or not, some people can be in love with one person, and feel love for another (though hopefully most try to let that go.) And unrequited love is a thing for a reason.

 

I find one thing particularly intriguing about the negative reactions to a Cullen rebound romance: the very loud assertion that Cullen "deserves" better. First, people don't always get what they deserve. But why the assumption that it's automatically inferior? Yes, if Cullen is just a substitute or your IQ is using him to prove they're still lovable, then yes (though keep in mind that if someone wants to play it that way, I think he's written in a way that it is consistent, and because someone RPs their IQ one way doesn't mean anything about the person's own character.)

 

In my own mind, he's the kind of romance who's going to be most appreciated by someone who has had their heart broken and learned from it because his best traits to me are things that will let them feel they can trust him and be honest with him. I made my Dalish Cullenmancer a couple of years older than him and someone who almost bonded (they used that term in DAO, but I haven't heard it since) in her late teens before realizing he had problems she couldn't live with. Calm, quirky sense of humor, and observant. Didn't even find him all that attractive initially (he's pretty far from the norm for a male elf) but that changed rapidly as she saw how he managed people and got a sense of how badly he'd been hurt in the past and still was trying to put things right.

 

Everyone reads him differently, of course, and that's the fun of it.

[CuriousArtemis]

I'm with you, Ceru; these crazy people above me can talk about "reality" and "that's not how it really works" all they want *huff* but we both know it's all about that OTP, that One True Pairing...

 

It's why I get stuck in a rut and find it difficult to play my games with different characters who go for different people. I have to not recruit Fenris in order to not romance him. And I've never been successful in not romancing Kaidan in ME series. It's like, in my heart of hearts, Shepard and Kaidan just go together. I even tried to play F!Shepard to romance Liara and I couldn't get past the first mission in ME1. It's not like I don't care for that pairing or didn't want to play a female Shepard; I did. It just... IT WAS WRONG I tell ya lol (Somehow I was able to think of male Hawke and female Hawke as very different people though, which is why I was able to have a couple runs with female Hawke x Isabela, but then again, I love DA2 and played it probably 20+ times...)

 

And I definitely could never do those "sleep with one character and run to another" playthroughs. Nuh-uh, my characters are always true to their loves and their loves are true to them. Even with Solas, which sort of "forces" you to break up, I prefer to see it (for my own playthrough) as Solas still being deeply in love with my Lavellan and in return my Lavellan never stops loving Solas. 

 

I guess I'm not looking for painful reality in my gaming experience. I just... I want things to work out for my character lol Real life is hard enough. My baby-on-the-screen shouldn't have to suffer, too!

[CuriousArtemis]

In my own mind, he's the kind of romance who's going to be most appreciated by someone who has had their heart broken and learned from it because his best traits to me are things that will let them feel they can trust him and be honest with him. I made my Dalish Cullenmancer a couple of years older than him and someone who almost bonded (they used that term in DAO, but I haven't heard it since) in her late teens before realizing he had problems she couldn't live with. Calm, quirky sense of humor, and observant. Didn't even find him all that attractive initially (he's pretty far from the norm for a male elf) but that changed rapidly as she saw how he managed people and got a sense of how badly he'd been hurt in the past and still was trying to put things right.

 

Now this is interesting because my Cullenmancer also had a lover in his youth; however, the lover was killed/murdered by humans, leaving Auren with some trust issues regarding encounters and relationships with humans. 

 

I wonder how many other Cullenmancers are dealing with trust issues when they meet their gentle future former templar husband?

[R2s Muse]

I'm with you, Ceru; these crazy people above me can talk about "reality" and "that's not how it really works" all they want *huff* but we both know it's all about that OTP, that One True Pairing...

 

It's why I get stuck in a rut and find it difficult to play my games with different characters who go for different people. I have to not recruit Fenris in order to not romance him. And I've never been successful in not romancing Kaidan in ME series. It's like, in my heart of hearts, Shepard and Kaidan just go together. I even tried to play F!Shepard to romance Liara and I couldn't get past the first mission in ME1. It's not like I don't care for that pairing or didn't want to play a female Shepard; I did. It just... IT WAS WRONG I tell ya lol (Somehow I was able to think of male Hawke and female Hawke as very different people though, which is why I was able to have a couple runs with female Hawke x Isabela, but then again, I love DA2 and played it probably 20+ times...)

 

And I definitely could never do those "sleep with one character and run to another" playthroughs. Nuh-uh, my characters are always true to their loves and their loves are true to them. Even with Solas, which sort of "forces" you to break up, I prefer to see it (for my own playthrough) as Solas still being deeply in love with my Lavellan and in return my Lavellan never stops loving Solas. 

 

I guess I'm not looking for painful reality in my gaming experience. I just... I want things to work out for my character lol Real life is hard enough. My baby-on-the-screen shouldn't have to suffer, too!

LOL Don't get me wrong; I'm not talking about unhappy endings necessarily. In fact, I find the notion that you can find love again to be rather happy!  So, instead of wallowing in grief after the OTP fails, you get to live on and love another day. So... kind of the opposite of painful.

[R2s Muse]

Now this is interesting because my Cullenmancer also had a lover in his youth; however, the lover was killed/murdered by humans, leaving Auren with some trust issues regarding encounters and relationships with humans. 

 

I wonder how many other Cullenmancers are dealing with trust issues when they meet their gentle future former templar husband?

LOL Whelp, I have about 130k words  currently devoted to the notion, and a whole fic entitled Trust. So... yeah.

 

I think a lot of Cullen's issues center around broken trust. In mages. In the templars. In Meredith. In the Chantry (now that apparently he's the anti lyrium poster child). So it seems a natural theme to explore for such a character. 

[R2s Muse]

I agree. I'm one of those people who think most people can fall in love and be happy with a variety of people. And like it or not, some people can be in love with one person, and feel love for another (though hopefully most try to let that go.) And unrequited love is a thing for a reason.

 

I find one thing particularly intriguing about the negative reactions to a Cullen rebound romance: the very loud assertion that Cullen "deserves" better. First, people don't always get what they deserve. But why the assumption that it's automatically inferior? Yes, if Cullen is just a substitute or your IQ is using him to prove they're still lovable, then yes (though keep in mind that if someone wants to play it that way, I think he's written in a way that it is consistent, and because someone RPs their IQ one way doesn't mean anything about the person's own character.)

Indeed, it is curious. A 'rebound' doesn't necessarily mean it's always a negative and destructive relationship. Frankly, I married my last rebound, if we're being black and white about the definition. There are many paths and catalysts that bring people together romantically. Like Claire and Jamie in Outlander. Or Peggy and Sousa in the Marvel CU.

 

Oooorrr... it can be a classic rebound and be unhealthy. And folks are allowed to write that as well. Because they're just stories.

[CuriousArtemis]

LOL Don't get me wrong; I'm not talking about unhappy endings necessarily. In fact, I find the notion that you can find love again to be rather happy!  So, instead of wallowing in grief after the OTP fails, you get to live on and love another day. So... kind of the opposite of painful.

 

No, no, you're right, that's true. It's happy, but... it means the first one didn't work out, which is pretty unhappy...

 

LOL Whelp, I have about 130k words  currently devoted to the notion, and a whole fic entitled Trust. So... yeah.

 

I think a lot of Cullen's issues center around broken trust. In mages. In the templars. In Meredith. In the Chantry (now that apparently he's the anti lyrium poster child). So it seems a natural theme to explore for such a character. 

 

BWAHAHA I didn't know Okay so yeah that's three Cullenmancers so far... oh wait is the 130K fic the Hawke x Cullen one? Who was her first love? Sebastian? 

 

Agree that Cullen has trust issues OR RATHER he should. That was all sort of brushed under the rug in DAI so that he could become "the perfect boyfriend." Still, it's why I don't feel comfortable romancing him OR Fenris with a mage. I feel like it would be asking too much of them? For my own personal playthroughs of course. I get why a mage romance is a very popular one for both those guys. For one thing, it does force them to grow outside their comfort box.

 

Indeed, it is curious. A 'rebound' doesn't necessarily mean it's always a negative and destructive relationship. Frankly, I married my last rebound, if we're being black and white about the definition. There are many paths and catalysts that bring people together romantically. Like Claire and Jamie in Outlander. Or Peggy and Sousa in the Marvel CU.

 

Oooorrr... it can be a classic rebound and be unhealthy. And folks are allowed to write that as well. Because they're just stories.

 

Just stories, though it always seems like someone at some point will attack you for liking what you like... smh... like there isn't enough hate in this world? 

 

Perhaps I'm fine with the idea of "starting" with a character on the rebound, but I don't enjoy "playing through" the rebound? Because then you have to experience the sad stuff with your character lol BUT if we're talking MCU, remember that I love Stucky and Clintasha... super besties who became lovers. Though don't get me wrong... I'd be perfectly fine with Natasha breaking up with Mr. Green and Clint's entire stupid farm family exploding in a ball of fire. REBOUND TIME!!!!!!

[R2s Muse]

No, no, you're right, that's true. It's happy, but... it means the first one didn't work out, which is pretty unhappy...

True. I guess I'd call it more bittersweet. I keep being reminded recently of the end of Romancing the Stone, where romance writer Joan's editor has just finished reading her new novel based on her adventure, in tears.

Gloria: Joanie, you are now a WORLD-CLASS hopeless romantic.

Joan Wilder: No, hopeful. Hopeful romantic.

So I guess that's me! The hopeful romantic. LOL
 

BWAHAHA I didn't know Okay so yeah that's three Cullenmancers so far... oh wait is the 130K fic the Hawke x Cullen one? Who was her first love? Sebastian?

LOL "the Hawke x Cullen one" is like all of mine. But, I mean the current one, Fool's Errand. It features a Cullen who was incarcerated by the templars for three years after being scapegoated for what happened in Kirkwall. He then starts to spy on Hawke for the Chantry... and accidentally falls in love with her. So, yeah, trust issues GALORE. In this case, her first love was Anders. So, she's got some baggage as well. My poor broken characters.  Admittedly, my story entitled Trust (which I wrote for one of our thread celebrations about a first kiss) was about these characters, and became chapter 10 or something.
 

Agree that Cullen has trust issues OR RATHER he should. That was all sort of brushed under the rug in DAI so that he could become "the perfect boyfriend." Still, it's why I don't feel comfortable romancing him OR Fenris with a mage. I feel like it would be asking too much of them? For my own personal playthroughs of course. I get why a mage romance is a very popular one for both those guys. For one thing, it does force them to grow outside their comfort box.

 
Yes, I'm also still disappointed that they threw aside Cullen's actual issue (mages and trust of authority) to give him the tissue-thin 'lyrium addiction is bad' issue. (cue R2's Soapbox #34)

 

For myself, I can see Cullen being with a mage and it perhaps being cathartic for him, because he finds he can trust that person implicitly and so starts to see past his prejudices. But I'm not terribly keen on what I've heard about the mage-only lines in DA:I. So I'm also not terribly interested in doing a mage playthrough, but probably should FOR SCIENCE. And see if it's as annoying as I've inferred.
 

Perhaps I'm fine with the idea of "starting" with a character on the rebound, but I don't enjoy "playing through" the rebound? Because then you have to experience the sad stuff with your character lol BUT if we're talking MCU, remember that I love Stucky and Clintasha... super besties who became lovers. Though don't get me wrong... I'd be perfectly fine with Natasha breaking up with Mr. Green and Clint's entire stupid farm family exploding in a ball of fire. REBOUND TIME!!!!!!

LOL No, I get you. For me, it has to be written just right, so that I don't feel like it's a tragedy that LI #1 didn't work out. I think that's sort of why I want to see if I can write one, since I'm interested in the challenge of getting it just right. Like... OH! you'll actually get this reference!!

 

I always think back to Tanya Huff's Wizard of the Grove series. How in the first book, Crystal's mom fell in love with the spirit of the Grove of whatever it was they created for her, and then she 'ended up' with that other human dude who was in love with her. Because the first dude wasn't really someone she could build a life with, but the second guy was, since he was, like, human and all. He also seemed to be someone she might have fallen for anyway, had the timing and circumstances been right. Then, the author did it again in the sequel, The Last Wizard, altho sort of the opposite, where Crystal spends the book with that one human dude, doing veeerry humany things, but in the end, ends up with Death. wistful sigh. 

 

So that is my challenge to myself. LOL No pressure. Ahem.     

[d4eaming]

I adore Cullen and really want to see his romance, but I cannot identify with a female protag, so ^{I got a mod I hope that is okay}

 

I also found some fab mods for Cullen himself.

 

Spoiler

 

My Dorianmancer rogue really enjoyed his talky time with Cullen. Especially cutscenes where there was good closeups of him. I loved talking to him every chance I got in DA2 and always wondered what happened with him between the Circle in Ferelden and his coming to Kirkwall. All my Hawkes got along with his fantastically, and it was really cool to get to learn more about him once DAI came out. I really hoped for a fully supported bi romance for him, but c'est la vie, you know?

 

 

His name is Mathai, and he will be a rift mage once that opens up. I was wanting to go for an olive skinned, slightly older character than I usually make, and I'd put him in his late 20s/early 30s. It makes sense to have a more serious-minded character, I think it'd mesh more with Cullen than my others, who have tended toward snarky or naive. Plus, a templar/mage dynamic is always interesting to explore. I see it based more on a mutual respect that turns toward affection (my Dorian romances tend toward puppy love or instant attraction, and then learning more about each other after that). I think it'd make more sense to start at a level of friendship and respect that then moves toward something more, and at a slower pace. Maybe exploring it in fanfiction would help me, too, as I know this route isn't ideal for various reasons.

 

Hope this doesn't come across badly, I haven't been around here in a long time, but I remember people being pretty open to these alternative routes.

[R2s Muse]

omg! Not Cullen. Not even a templar, but seekers are often templars and... :stretches connections between the dots:

 

but OMG! 

 

Dawn of the Seeker Cassandra!

 

 

http://enigmaticagen...a-huge-weakness

[CuriousArtemis]

Then, the author did it again in the sequel, The Last Wizard, altho sort of the opposite, where Crystal spends the book with that one human dude, doing veeerry humany things, but in the end, ends up with Death. wistful sigh. 

 

*SCREAMS* I forgot we had talked about this! Yes I read and re-read that part of the book where Death is watching her from afar and feeling so heartsick over her... I mean, a million times a million times I read it. My heart ached for him. And Huff managed to write it so it wasn't "creepy stalker guy staring at her from afar." No, it was very sweet and sad. SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH.

 

I adore Cullen and really want to see his romance, but I cannot identify with a female protag, so ^{I got a mod I hope that is okay}

 

OH HONEY.

 

GUYS. Should I tell her (eidt: sorry, him/her/them ) or should you.

 

(p.s. d4eaming, not sure if you're saying you wish there were a bi mod or that you wish it were better... because yes, there is one. I'm using it! You need linky?)

[R2s Muse]

I adore Cullen and really want to see his romance, but I cannot identify with a female protag, so ^{I got a mod I hope that is okay}

 

I also found some fab mods for Cullen himself.

 

Spoiler

 

My Dorianmancer rogue really enjoyed his talky time with Cullen. Especially cutscenes where there was good closeups of him. I loved talking to him every chance I got in DA2 and always wondered what happened with him between the Circle in Ferelden and his coming to Kirkwall. All my Hawkes got along with his fantastically, and it was really cool to get to learn more about him once DAI came out. I really hoped for a fully supported bi romance for him, but c'est la vie, you know?

 

 

His name is Mathai, and he will be a rift mage once that opens up. I was wanting to go for an olive skinned, slightly older character than I usually make, and I'd put him in his late 20s/early 30s. It makes sense to have a more serious-minded character, I think it'd mesh more with Cullen than my others, who have tended toward snarky or naive. Plus, a templar/mage dynamic is always interesting to explore. I see it based more on a mutual respect that turns toward affection (my Dorian romances tend toward puppy love or instant attraction, and then learning more about each other after that). I think it'd make more sense to start at a level of friendship and respect that then moves toward something more, and at a slower pace. Maybe exploring it in fanfiction would help me, too, as I know this route isn't ideal for various reasons.

 

Hope this doesn't come across badly, I haven't been around here in a long time, but I remember people being pretty open to these alternative routes.

Awesome! Some folks around here have had some success with bi Cullen mods. More Cullen for everyone.

[CuriousArtemis]

This is for you, d4eaming (my Auren and Cullen, FYI):

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[d4eaming]

*SCREAMS* I forgot we had talked about this! Yes I read and re-read that part of the book where Death is watching her from afar and feeling so heartsick over her... I mean, a million times a million times I read it. My heart ached for him. And Huff managed to write it so it wasn't "creepy stalker guy staring at her from afar." No, it was very sweet and sad. SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH.

 

 

OH HONEY.

 

GUYS. Should I tell her (eidt: sorry, him/her/them ) or should you.

 

(p.s. d4eaming, not sure if you're saying you wish there were a bi mod or that you wish it were better... because yes, there is one. I'm using it! You need linky?)

I got the mod already >_> and the posts on it say it works in Trespasser too (which I don't have yet). Any pronoun is fine, I'm female, but identify in a kind of wonky way, I consider myself trans, I'd rather go as agender I guess, though I feel more masculine-identified. I'm just me, heh. English really needs gender neutral pronouns other than they/them. Yeah, anyway XD

 

I only just started my mage, he's not very impressed with his situation, and is pretty grumpy at the moment, so I've only had the first flirt option so far. Romance or not, that really campy, awkward grin he gives to Cullen after telling him he'd be fine listening to him talk forever always makes me giggle. I can just imagine him thinking "are you/aren't you? I need to find out!" He's not realized enough yet for me to have a full grasp on his personality though, so I can't think of anything to write for him yet.

 

This is for you, d4eaming (my Auren and Cullen, FYI):

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Dang, that is one pretty elf! I thought mine were were nice, but you've got that traditional, almost ethereal beauty going on with him.

 

My Dorian boys:

Spoiler

My first archer. Sorry it's so small.

My knight enchanter, and the one in my single fanfic I wrote. He's probably the closest to "pretty" that mine get. I think he's adorable, and I have a fic idea about that big scar he's got on his face.

 

Warrior.

 

Sorry, I like showing off my elves.

 

The one I posted in my first post just looks like he'd mesh better with Cullen than these guys, though I think the warrior might make a second choice. Imagine breaking up with Dorian and then chasing Cullen. I don't think my elf could deal with that kind of drama in his life in addition to trying to stop the world from ending lol

 

I did all of Cullen's scenes in my finished playthrough, and even as just a friend to him, I find them powerful, and in ways, very relateable (as I do with Dorian as well). That struggling with inner demons, fighting against a self-destructive force, and trying to rise above what would have been so easy to give in to. Watching Cullen struggle against his lyrium addiction always made me wish my Inq could, if not actually hug him, at least offer some kind of physical connection, a hand to the shoulder, or grasping his arm in a show of solidarity. Cullen doesn't seem the type though, almost like he'd feel it was a weakness to accept that kind of affection even as a friend. It'll be nice to see if any of that changes in a romance. I'm not going to expect huge differences, but if there's a romance option to comfort him, it will be really nice. Cullen needs lots of hugs after all the bull he's been through, starting right back at the Ferelden circle and what happened to him there. Even before playing a circle mage, meeting him in there and hearing what happened to him...

[Tishina]

I adore Cullen and really want to see his romance, but I cannot identify with a female protag, so ^{I got a mod I hope that is okay}

 

I also found some fab mods for Cullen himself.

*snip*

Hope this doesn't come across badly, I haven't been around here in a long time, but I remember people being pretty open to these alternative routes.

I don't think you're going to find many objectors here. I'm using a mod for my Cadash to romance him (because I like dwarves much better than dalish, but the romances for my dwarf were a complete and total miss for me.)

 

True. I guess I'd call it more bittersweet. I keep being reminded recently of the end of Romancing the Stone, where romance writer Joan's editor has just finished reading her new novel based on her adventure, in tears.

Gloria: Joanie, you are now a WORLD-CLASS hopeless romantic.

Joan Wilder: No, hopeful. Hopeful romantic.

So I guess that's me! The hopeful romantic. LOL
 

*snip*

Yes, I'm also still disappointed that they threw aside Cullen's actual issue (mages and trust of authority) to give him the tissue-thin 'lyrium addiction is bad' issue. (cue R2's Soapbox #34)

 

For myself, I can see Cullen being with a mage and it perhaps being cathartic for him, because he finds he can trust that person implicitly and so starts to see past his prejudices. But I'm not terribly keen on what I've heard about the mage-only lines in DA:I. So I'm also not terribly interested in doing a mage playthrough, but probably should FOR SCIENCE. And see if it's as annoying as I've inferred.
 

LOL No, I get you. For me, it has to be written just right, so that I don't feel like it's a tragedy that LI #1 didn't work out. I think that's sort of why I want to see if I can write one, since I'm interested in the challenge of getting it just right. Like... OH! you'll actually get this reference!!

*snip*

I think it's easier to RP the romance with a Dalish mage. Volya asked him once, then took him at his word and never chose any of the mage lines again. A Dalish mage also wouldn't have the baggage about circles and Templars that a Circle mage would (unless you write them in for some reason,) and could be quietly confident in her control which I think he'd find reassuring, especially considering how much he's questioning the Chantry.

 

Oh, and one of the few romance movies I love is Romancing the Stone...