Why does Josephine love the Inquisitor? What reasons for it do you think there are?
That is a hard question to answer. One, because love in and of itself is something that is nigh-impossible to describe. Two, because the Inquisitor can be played in various ways.
Does it really matter?
Vastly. Otherwise, I have no bloody idea what the story is that I'm even playing.
I don't know what kind of person Josephine would fall in love with, because she has no requirements beyond doing her personal quest. And this problem was rampant in Mass Effect, I admit, but it feels a lot more stark here, because I have no idea what position she holds about the Dalish or mages or practically anything beyond a few snippets of international politics, and I ultimately don't get much sense of what she's like as a person, or what the relationship between her and the Inquisitor really is. When she expresses shock about how quickly things were moving when you start the romance, I completely agreed with her, because I didn't even know what had brought us to this point.
Overall, Josephine's romance feels extremely... passive, and not in a good way.
Allegra posted this on Twitter/Instagram earlier today.
http://instagram.com/p/zGNh7nBqhd/
Allegra posted this on Twitter/Instagram earlier today.
http://instagram.com/p/zGNh7nBqhd/
I have I said how awesome Allegra is lately? I feel like I haven't done that in a while. 
Vastly. Otherwise, I have no bloody idea what the story is that I'm even playing.
I don't know what kind of person Josephine would fall in love with, because she has no requirements beyond doing her personal quest. And this problem was rampant in Mass Effect, I admit, but it feels a lot more stark here, because I have no idea what position she holds about the Dalish or mages or practically anything beyond a few snippets of international politics, and I ultimately don't get much sense of what she's like as a person, or what the relationship between her and the Inquisitor really is. When she expresses shock about how quickly things were moving when you start the romance, I completely agreed with her, because I didn't even know what had brought us to this point.
So BioWare didn't write a character with your personal politics in mind? So what? I got to know Josephine pretty well without romancing her. If you were unable to, why does that matter to anyone else?
Overall, Josephine's romance feels extremely... passive, and not in a good way.
Then don't romance her.
So BioWare didn't write a character with your personal politics in mind? So what? I got to know Josephine pretty well without romancing her. If you were unable to, why does that matter to anyone else?
Because Josephine's adviser status means that you have fewer conversations with her and can't draw out as much info as you can for the companion romances.
Then don't romance her.
I don't have much choice. I'm trying to see how other people make it work and then seeing if I can transpose it onto my own playthrough.
Allegra posted this on Twitter/Instagram earlier today.
http://instagram.com/p/zGNh7nBqhd/
Aw, thanks Allegra. 
Because Josephine's adviser status means that you have fewer conversations with her and can't draw out as much info as you can for the companion romances.
Not true. The advisers got the same size budget as the companions did. Thus they have the same amount of content.
Because Josephine's adviser status means that you have fewer conversations with her and can't draw out as much info as you can for the companion romances.
I had plenty of conversations with her. Pretty much on par with Leliana, Blackwall, and Cullen. Less than Cassandra. More than Cole. I still got to know her pretty well.
I don't have much choice. I'm trying to see how other people make it work and then seeing if I can transpose it onto my own playthrough.
You don't have much choice? 
Do you understand what the word "choice" means?
Vastly. Otherwise, I have no bloody idea what the story is that I'm even playing.
I don't know what kind of person Josephine would fall in love with, because she has no requirements beyond doing her personal quest. And this problem was rampant in Mass Effect, I admit, but it feels a lot more stark here, because I have no idea what position she holds about the Dalish or mages or practically anything beyond a few snippets of international politics, and I ultimately don't get much sense of what she's like as a person, or what the relationship between her and the Inquisitor really is. When she expresses shock about how quickly things were moving when you start the romance, I completely agreed with her, because I didn't even know what had brought us to this point.
Overall, Josephine's romance feels extremely... passive, and not in a good way.
Josephine is tricky to figure because interaction with her is a little different than with companions, but we can get a few insights:
Josephine is a workaholic. She is constantly busy solving problems others bring to her. The first flirt attempts go over her head. It's probable that she is used to meaningless flirting and flattery as part of the game, so she can't spot the real thing when she sees it.
Her personal quest is not tied to her romance, but that is true for all the other options too, so let's take it from a romance perspective:
Josephine is someone who is always working to solve problems. Come her personal quest, she has a very big problem that the Inquisitor helps her with, one way or another.
In another scene, Josephine goes on and on about things that frustrate her in her work while the Inquisitor listens. There is a flirt option there *It went by so quickly I didn't notice the time*. This is important for her. Usually she is the one listening to others and looking for solutions. In this case the roles are reversed. She has found someone she can go to when the pressures of her work get to her. That is an important thing to have.
Same thing with the Otranto situation. She starts to look for a way to break the engagement, but the Inquisitor steps in to solve the problem. She's angry at first because she is worried, but then we can confirm that she will always have someone to turn to if trouble rears it's head. She doesn't have to shoulder the burden alone. She has someone who can take some of the load off her shoulders.
A seemingly innocuous comment by her sister at the Winter Palace: she still plays with her doll collection when she thinks no one is looking. (Josephine's reaction leads me to think this is true.) She organizes tea parties for her fellow advisors. At the end game party Leliana comments that Josephine has been craving the little cakes from a shop in Val Royaux. All this points at Josephine having had to grow up fast, yet still craving her carefree childhood.
That explains why some parts of her romance seem so silly. The 'foot popping' thing comes to mind. She probably knows it's silly, but she feels she can do it because the Inquisitor is there if trouble arises. She can allow herself to be a little silly and carefree because she has an 'anchor' (because her family crest is a ship. Also Corypheus refers to the Inquisitor's mark as 'the anchor'. Symbolism!).
So, long story short: what Josephine likes and wants is simply someone she can turn to when it becomes too much.
Josephine is tricky to figure because interaction with her is a little different than with companions, but we can get a few insights:
Josephine is a workaholic. She is constantly busy solving problems others bring to her. The first flirt attempts go over her head. It's probable that she is used to meaningless flirting and flattery as part of the game, so she can't spot the real thing when she sees it.
Her personal quest is not tied to her romance, but that is true for all the other options too, so let's take it from a romance perspective:
Josephine is someone who is always working to solve problems. Come her personal quest, she has a very big problem that the Inquisitor helps her with, one way or another.
In another scene, Josephine goes on and on about things that frustrate her in her work while the Inquisitor listens. There is a flirt option there *It went by so quickly I didn't notice the time*. This is important for her. Usually she is the one listening to others and looking for solutions. In this case the roles are reversed. She has found someone she can go to when the pressures of her work get to her. That is an important thing to have.
Same thing with the Otranto situation. She starts to look for a way to break the engagement, but the Inquisitor steps in to solve the problem. She's angry at first because she is worried, but then we can confirm that she will always have someone to turn to if trouble rears it's head. She doesn't have to shoulder the burden alone. She has someone who can take some of the load off her shoulders.
A seemingly innocuous comment by her sister at the Winter Palace: she still plays with her doll collection when she thinks no one is looking. (Josephine's reaction leads me to think this is true.) She organizes tea parties for her fellow advisors. At the end game party Leliana comments that Josephine has been craving the little cakes from a shop in Val Royaux. All this points at Josephine having had to grow up fast, yet still craving her carefree childhood.
That explains why some parts of her romance seem so silly. The 'foot popping' thing comes to mind. She probably knows it's silly, but she feels she can do it because the Inquisitor is there if trouble arises. She can allow herself to be a little silly and carefree because she has an 'anchor' (because her family crest is a ship. Also Corypheus refers to the Inquisitor's mark as 'the anchor'. Symbolism!).
So, long story short: what Josephine likes and wants is simply someone she can turn to when it becomes too much.
Very well done post, Basement Cat.
Josephine is tricky to figure because interaction with her is a little different than with companions, but we can get a few insights:
Josephine is a workaholic. She is constantly busy solving problems others bring to her. The first flirt attempts go over her head. It's probable that she is used to meaningless flirting and flattery as part of the game, so she can't spot the real thing when she sees it.
Her personal quest is not tied to her romance, but that is true for all the other options too, so let's take it from a romance perspective:
Josephine is someone who is always working to solve problems. Come her personal quest, she has a very big problem that the Inquisitor helps her with, one way or another.
In another scene, Josephine goes on and on about things that frustrate her in her work while the Inquisitor listens. There is a flirt option there *It went by so quickly I didn't notice the time*. This is important for her. Usually she is the one listening to others and looking for solutions. In this case the roles are reversed. She has found someone she can go to when the pressures of her work get to her. That is an important thing to have.
Same thing with the Otranto situation. She starts to look for a way to break the engagement, but the Inquisitor steps in to solve the problem. She's angry at first because she is worried, but then we can confirm that she will always have someone to turn to if trouble rears it's head. She doesn't have to shoulder the burden alone. She has someone who can take some of the load off her shoulders.
A seemingly innocuous comment by her sister at the Winter Palace: she still plays with her doll collection when she thinks no one is looking. (Josephine's reaction leads me to think this is true.) She organizes tea parties for her fellow advisors. At the end game party Leliana comments that Josephine has been craving the little cakes from a shop in Val Royaux. All this points at Josephine having had to grow up fast, yet still craving her carefree childhood.
That explains why some parts of her romance seem so silly. The 'foot popping' thing comes to mind. She probably knows it's silly, but she feels she can do it because the Inquisitor is there if trouble arises. She can allow herself to be a little silly and carefree because she has an 'anchor' (because her family crest is a ship. Also Corypheus refers to the Inquisitor's mark as 'the anchor'. Symbolism!).
So, long story short: what Josephine likes and wants is simply someone she can turn to when it becomes too much.
Thanks. That does help... and will likely anchor my ideas about my elven playthrough. My qunari will probably go for Sera.
Excellent analysation.Josephine is tricky to figure because interaction with her is a little different than with companions, but we can get a few insights:
Josephine is a workaholic. She is constantly busy solving problems others bring to her. The first flirt attempts go over her head. It's probable that she is used to meaningless flirting and flattery as part of the game, so she can't spot the real thing when she sees it.
Her personal quest is not tied to her romance, but that is true for all the other options too, so let's take it from a romance perspective:
Josephine is someone who is always working to solve problems. Come her personal quest, she has a very big problem that the Inquisitor helps her with, one way or another.
In another scene, Josephine goes on and on about things that frustrate her in her work while the Inquisitor listens. There is a flirt option there *It went by so quickly I didn't notice the time*. This is important for her. Usually she is the one listening to others and looking for solutions. In this case the roles are reversed. She has found someone she can go to when the pressures of her work get to her. That is an important thing to have.
Same thing with the Otranto situation. She starts to look for a way to break the engagement, but the Inquisitor steps in to solve the problem. She's angry at first because she is worried, but then we can confirm that she will always have someone to turn to if trouble rears it's head. She doesn't have to shoulder the burden alone. She has someone who can take some of the load off her shoulders.
A seemingly innocuous comment by her sister at the Winter Palace: she still plays with her doll collection when she thinks no one is looking. (Josephine's reaction leads me to think this is true.) She organizes tea parties for her fellow advisors. At the end game party Leliana comments that Josephine has been craving the little cakes from a shop in Val Royaux. All this points at Josephine having had to grow up fast, yet still craving her carefree childhood.
That explains why some parts of her romance seem so silly. The 'foot popping' thing comes to mind. She probably knows it's silly, but she feels she can do it because the Inquisitor is there if trouble arises. She can allow herself to be a little silly and carefree because she has an 'anchor' (because her family crest is a ship. Also Corypheus refers to the Inquisitor's mark as 'the anchor'. Symbolism!).
So, long story short: what Josephine likes and wants is simply someone she can turn to when it becomes too much.
Now I like her even more. That might sound sarcastic, but I'm serious.
Josephine is tricky to figure because interaction with her is a little different than with companions, but we can get a few insights:
Josephine is a workaholic. She is constantly busy solving problems others bring to her. The first flirt attempts go over her head. It's probable that she is used to meaningless flirting and flattery as part of the game, so she can't spot the real thing when she sees it.
Her personal quest is not tied to her romance, but that is true for all the other options too, so let's take it from a romance perspective:
Josephine is someone who is always working to solve problems. Come her personal quest, she has a very big problem that the Inquisitor helps her with, one way or another.
In another scene, Josephine goes on and on about things that frustrate her in her work while the Inquisitor listens. There is a flirt option there *It went by so quickly I didn't notice the time*. This is important for her. Usually she is the one listening to others and looking for solutions. In this case the roles are reversed. She has found someone she can go to when the pressures of her work get to her. That is an important thing to have.
Same thing with the Otranto situation. She starts to look for a way to break the engagement, but the Inquisitor steps in to solve the problem. She's angry at first because she is worried, but then we can confirm that she will always have someone to turn to if trouble rears it's head. She doesn't have to shoulder the burden alone. She has someone who can take some of the load off her shoulders.
A seemingly innocuous comment by her sister at the Winter Palace: she still plays with her doll collection when she thinks no one is looking. (Josephine's reaction leads me to think this is true.) She organizes tea parties for her fellow advisors. At the end game party Leliana comments that Josephine has been craving the little cakes from a shop in Val Royaux. All this points at Josephine having had to grow up fast, yet still craving her carefree childhood.
That explains why some parts of her romance seem so silly. The 'foot popping' thing comes to mind. She probably knows it's silly, but she feels she can do it because the Inquisitor is there if trouble arises. She can allow herself to be a little silly and carefree because she has an 'anchor' (because her family crest is a ship. Also Corypheus refers to the Inquisitor's mark as 'the anchor'. Symbolism!).
So, long story short: what Josephine likes and wants is simply someone she can turn to when it becomes too much.
Don't forget about her ruining your life instead of killing you
Don't forget about her ruining your life instead of killing you
Shhh! That's not something to say in polite company!
I'm off to bed, but I'll be back! I have more Josephine-related ramblings!
I know she has a comment at the war table about being curious about 'what lies beyond the edges of the map'. And the old family motto... And the bard thing...
She be a dreamer, that one.
I love that write up Basement Cat And that Video from Allegra gave me a huge smile on my face after dealing with so many people at work. Thank you.
I do hope that a DLC gives us party banter the references the Josephine Romance sometime personally, speaking of the DLC stuff and stuff. I wouldn't say no to a few more conversations too.
Now the real challenge, when I get to my Qunari should I romance someone different? Probably not but the idea will still bounce around my skull.
Oh dang it. Can't sleep. Brainstorm raging. Wall of text incoming! Spoilers abound!
We know Josephine is a master of the Game. She is a skilled diplomat. She hates resorting to violence. She's also a terrific Wicked Grace player (significant, bear with me).
How did Josephine become a diplomat? Well, it goes back to an incident in her youth. She had a very rose-tinted view of the Bard life and thought she would enjoy it. Cue the incident where she accidentally killed another bard in a panic. There are many factors that would justify her actions, but she refuses to accept these justifications and insists it was a waste. That is interesting. Why is she so insistent on this? Here is my theory:
In this case, Josephine panicked and reacted without thinking. The consequences (the man dying) marked her, but there is something else going on here. She hates that emotion overwhelmed her and that she lost control of herself and the situation. That is what bothered her the most. Combine this with her family's declining fortunes and you have a very good recipe for someone who wants to have a firm grasp of herself and the situation.
Her skill as a diplomat comes from this: she has trained herself to shut down her emotions when she works because she knows that disaster may result if she becomes overwhelmed again. Yet she is all too aware of the power of emotions and uses other people's to manipulate them (note how she handles Marquis Durellion at the beginning of the game.)
Does that mean she is cold and unemotional? Not at all. It means she has learned to compartmentalize her emotions and she has an 'on-off' switch for them. That is why she is oblivious to the Inquisitor's advances: the switch is in the 'off' position then. This person is either a colleague or her boss. Emotion has no business being there, so it's not there. This ability is also what makes her such a formidable card player. Josephine is a think first, feel second type.
Contrast to Leliana who is a feel first, think second type (her decision with the traitor agent at the start of the game. It's a knee jerk reaction.)
This on-off switch also explains her reaction to the duel. At first she tells the Inquisitor that it's not their place to interfere. The switch is mostly on 'off' at that point (she is worried about the Inquisitor) and she is completely right: The Inquisitor has made no commitment to her, so they really have no business getting involved into her private affairs. When the 'I love you' comes out though, the switch flips to 'on' all the way and all is right in the world.
Josephine's interaction with her sister Yvette at the Winter Palace is interesting in this regard. Yvette is her little sister and Josephine acts rather irritable towards her. This is quite a contrast to her usual composed demeanor. That's because she has been putting up with Yvette's nonsense for a long time, so the switch moves faster from off to on with her.
Also, Josephine has learned over her career that sometimes people just cannot be made to agree and they can only be controlled to an extent. The only person she has absolute control over is herself, and that one time she lost even that.
So Josephine's revulsion for violence doesn't come from naivete or idealism: Violence is an ugly reminder of how she lost control of herself. That's why she hates it.
Ultimately, Josephine has no relationship with the Inquisitor or the Inquisitor's actions. She's there, doing the same thing no matter what you do unless you romance her... and if you do romance her, it feels forced and fake to me, because the romance doesn't seem to be happening for any reason. Are you the kind of person that she actually likes? It doesn't matter!
Honestly, one can say the same thing about all of the relationships in the game. The prerequisites for romance are merely being the right gender or, in some cases race, and flirting like mad. It matters not whether your PC is a massive d-bag who hates Andraste and all her friends, they can still romance Cassandra as long as they're male. You can play an elf female who conscripts mages and punches Solas in the face, but he'll overlook all of that if she's got lady bits and pointy ears.
That's far more unrealistic than the most dubious PC who romances a diplomat, one versed in seeing the good and bad in pretty much all choices/beliefs. Especially when the PC is kind and respectful to said diplomat 99.9% of the time, and aids her whenever possible. Remember what the spymaster said about Josie, also.
That said, I personally think Bioware should focus more on personality gating when it comes to romance in the future to make it a more realistic challenge. It makes more sense to me that personalities and beliefs need to be aligned, rather than body parts, to ensure that the PC can successfully romance their intended.
Why does Josephine love the Inquisitor? What reasons for it do you think there are?
I'm not sure why some of the responses you got to this question were so dismissive/defensive. It's a valid question and fun to consider. Aside from the basics of helping her and the family she cherishes, we can headcanon the crap out of this. Why does Josie adore my quiz? Ooooh, I could go on and on and oooon
So the Inquisitor apparently has STD...Or perhaps FTD...Fade Transmitted Delights...
Lady Montilyet's special glow...LOL...Gives a whole new meaning to the term "Fade-Touched"
Fade-Touched Montilyet :- Enemies lose their hostility + increased discounts for trading + increased persuasion options.
This banter between the 2 Orlesians imply two things
So the Inquisitor apparently has STD...Or perhaps FTD...Fade Transmitted Delights...
No, your Inquisitor does, prolly got it after sleeping with that old Orleasian broad during Josie's personal quest.
This banter between the 2 Orlesians imply two things
- There is sexual intercourse that takes place between Inquisitor and Josie, otherwise the topic of...transmission would not be brought up...For example, Sebastian and Hawke was a chaste relationship and nothing that could ever relate to sexual intercourse is mentioned...
Some random said my Hawke uses the Arishok's skull as a gravy boat. Banter's 100% true, obviously. But if you're set on thinking Josie & your PC got busy, so be it.
The only people who know what goes on in my quiz's bedroom are Josephine and the Inquisitor....and, perhaps, Lord Trifles Minutiae 
So the Inquisitor apparently has STD...Or perhaps FTD...Fade Transmitted Delights...
Lady Montilyet's special glow...LOL...Gives a whole new meaning to the term "Fade-Touched"
Fade-Touched Montilyet :- Enemies lose their hostility + increased discounts for trading + increased persuasion options.
This banter between the 2 Orlesians imply two things
- There is sexual intercourse that takes place between Inquisitor and Josie, otherwise the topic of...transmission would not be brought up...For example, Sebastian and Hawke was a chaste relationship and nothing that could ever relate to sexual intercourse is mentioned...
- The romance between Inquisitor and Josie helped the Montilyet Family rise again in Orlais and become notable once again, more so than an Inquisitor and Josie friendship....The invitation by the Dowager for example shows this....
I wouldn't say it implies the first. As Josephine herself points out, there have been rumors about the Inquisitor being involved with many people even though we know that isn't true. A lot of people love gossip so not surprised they jump to conclusions about the nature of a relationship. As for the second, that is backed up by actual evidence so is more likely true.
I've never actually heard any of that in my playthroughs. Ugh.
I guess I should take more trips to Val Royeaux then. Although I do love the implication that you help her family out more if you romance her. Just seems like a happy ending in a video game series that doesn't always have them for romances.
Also pfff "Unearthly Glow". I'm holding out for the DLC where you can step in those conversations.
Allegra posted this on Twitter/Instagram earlier today.
http://instagram.com/p/zGNh7nBqhd/
This is so awesome :3
I wouldn't say it implies the first. As Josephine herself points out, there have been rumors about the Inquisitor being involved with many people even though we know that isn't true. A lot of people love gossip so not surprised they jump to conclusions about the nature of a relationship.
Seconded, those nobles never even set foot in my castle let alone sneaked into my chambers and observed my private life.
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