I can't see anyone saying "Well the race thing is for super story reasons but the female thing was just because he's straight". Imagine the backlash.
Well, Gaider has just said on tumblr that Cassandra is straight simply because she's been conceived as one. So I assume that it's the same with Solas.
If you manage to ****** him off as a Dalish elf you can get the "thug" dialogue as well. It's a little harder to make him dislike you as a Dalish, since you get a few extra chances to raise his approval while you're still at Haven, but it's possible. Remember he doesn't really consider the Dalish to be "his people".
The race-gate makes sense to me more than the female-gate does. A non-elf has an even more difficult time finding common cultural ground with him. They're unfamiliar, and possibly even farther than what they "should be" (according to Solas) than the Dalish. I haven't seen a major reason why it should be female-only, other than that's just how he is and I can't see anyone saying "Well the race thing is for super story reasons but the female thing was just because he's straight". Imagine the backlash.
Lol, there was already anger about there being gender restrictions. And anger that there wasn't too. Just can't please the masses.
My Lavellan wouldn't turn down having a baby with Solas "for super story sense reasons"... but I'm wondering...
Spoiler
Yep, would hate this so much.
I'm fine with a God baby choice (thought I'm not sure where everyone thinks one is going to come from?). But telling a female inquisitor she is going to lose her lover if she doesn't immediately want to have children with him is kinda gross to me.
Oh. Poor Kieran, they did such a poor job on his character, and he totally should have had black hair.
Completely agree. They should have modeled the child after Morrigan, for immersion sake, that way no matter if Alistair performed the dark ritual, or the HoF, at least the little guy looks like ONE of his parents.
Also, where are all the other children?! There are NONE in this game, and it freaks me out...
Maybe it has nothing to do with race at all. The Inquisitor seems to be something more. It could be that he'll only romance a female Lavellan because she is closer to being Elvhen, like his people. Wait, that still is a race thing. Hahaha.
We assume there were no actual Gods, especially because of things Solas says. But they very well could be essentially Gods no matter what title Solas wants to give it. I don't like that whole power balance in relationships thing. He sees Lavellan as his equal (that's how it seemed to me) and that might be why it can only be her.
I think I had a point? Bah!
Yep, would hate this so much.
I'm fine with a God baby choice (thought I'm not sure where everyone thinks one is going to come from?). But telling a female inquisitor she is going to lose her lover if she doesn't immediately want to have children with him is kinda gross to me.
I don't think we saw Solas' full personality, but I don't think he'd do that (Or the writers) it would be like enslaving his lover.
Edit: Not that I'd mind too much to be enslaved by Solas. 
He's not a hardcore racist who will bash down and deny others, but he definitely has sour opinions about races and religions.
He does. It's racism borne of some serious elitism. That massive shade he threw Varric during Cole's personal quest "This is not a fairy tale...CHILD OF THE STONE(emphasis mine because of his 'tude)". When I first played through that scene, I was like 'Dam dude. Reign it in. Varric has valid opinions too.'
Completely agree. They should have modeled the child after Morrigan, for immersion sake, that way no matter if Alistair performed the dark ritual, or the HoF, at least the little guy looks like ONE of his parents.
Also, where are all the other children?! There are NONE in this game, and it freaks me out...
The concept art is black hair, I was shocked they changed it to brown in the game.
Well, Gaider has just said on tumblr that Cassandra is straight simply because she's been conceived as one. So I assume that it's the same with Solas.
I do like how he put it. They don't need to defend a character as being straight any more than they need to defend a character as being gay. At the moment there's nothing to suggest that Solas is somehow beyond the confines of having gender preferences. The game suggests more readily that they aren't truly gods, so it isn't like he's coming from an outside perspective on gender and sex.
As I said the last time this came up, I think there are merits to both kinds of bioware romances. [Set sexualities, and then playersexual.] I don't have the answer as to what is the better call. For DA:I though, they chose to have it be set. We can't really speculate too much further than that.
I don't think we saw Solas' full personality, but I don't think he'd do that (Or the writers) it would be like enslaving his lover.
Yeah, I don't think it's a likely option. Unless, it's somehow the only possible way to save the Gods or something. I'm not sure how that could possibly be the case though, so I think we're safe from that!
He does. It's racism borne of some serious elitism. That massive shade he threw Varric during Cole's personal quest "This is not a fairy tale...CHILD OF THE STONE(emphasis mine because of his 'tude)". When I first played through that scene, I was like 'Dam dude. Reign it in. Varric has valid opinions too.'
I think that scene is different, he was insulting, and really, what does a dwarf know about the fade? They don't' dream remember.
I think it makes sense for the game not to have the jealousy. Hawke was Hawke, everyone wanted Hawke, heck, I'd jump Hawke if I could. The Inquisitor is the Herald of Andraste, Cullen, Josie, Cass, Blackwall all firmly believe the Quizzy was chosen and "unattainable." Least that's how I interpreted it as. Iron Bull and Solas I can't see as the jealous types. Sera I can see that a little, but she refused to get in between if you're already in a romance. Dorian is used to hiding so I don't see him getting jealous.
Now the little talking to relationships is weird.
I can see them being jealous (still playing inside their race/orientation gating), but only once someone started a romance with an Inquisitor. The reasoning being 'now that I realize she is atteinable, I wish I had ...' Still very different to Hawke... more in the line of HoF i guess ?
I think that scene is different, he was insulting, and really, what does a dwarf know about the fade? They don't' dream remember.
Context is key, especially in that situation. It wasn't nice what he said to Varric. But it had to do with Cole's personal quest. Solas has a hard time keeping his anger in check when it has to do with spirits. Varric was involving himself in something that could have (could still) dire consequences for Cole.
Birdy, man we are on the same wavelength today!
My official theory as to why Solas is race-gated: In the codex entries about Arlathan it says contact with humans, quicklings, is what caused the quickening in the ancient elves and resulted in their loss of immortality. So maybe him being intimately involved with a non-elf inquisitor can interrupt his whole immortality mojo. Now with that being said, Solas being at the friggin' center of a human based army surrounded by humans can kind of blow this theory out of the water, but it's the only story-related guess that I could find.
My unofficial theory: Only an elf can do the oomox.
Just wanted to post it but you beat me to it. I think they're watching us...
They are watching us. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
JK, but seriously. They really are watching us. >_>
Oh. Poor Kieran, they did such a poor job on his character, and he totally should have had black hair.
I thought Kieran's hair was black? Or is my monitor's brightness not turned up enough?
They are watching us. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
JK, but seriously. They really are watching us. >_>
I thought Kieran's hair was black? Or is my monitor's brightness not turned up enough?
Maybe? It's most definitely brown in my game.
Solas definitely has his flaws. There are times when he can't resist falling into a kind of smug arrogance. It almost seems to be an innate quality to elves. Even as guilty and filled with regret as Solas is, he still can't help but scapegoat other groups or point the finger at the elf tier below him. I get the feeling that in order for elves as a whole to move forward, they'll have to break themselves of this constant cycle of blaming the tier below them.
As for why Solas could be race gated...at this point, its anyone's guess. It could be they just thought Fen'Harel would never find interest in a non-elf. It could be that future plans involve rebuilding an empire, and a non-elf would not make sense to be intimately apart of that. His actions could restore elven immortality. Or, it could simply be that they wanted to write the romance with a heavy focus on elven lore and customs without taking the time and effort to stop and explain them for non-elves.
My official theory as to why Solas is race-gated: In the codex entries about Arlathan it says contact with humans, quicklings, is what caused the quickening in the ancient elves and resulted in their loss of immortality. So maybe him being intimately involved with a non-elf inquisitor can interrupt his whole immortality mojo. Now with that being said, Solas being at the friggin' center of a human based army surrounded by humans can kind of blow this theory out of the water, but it's the only story-related guess that I could find.
My unofficial theory: Only an elf can do the oomox.
I think you're onto something. Perhaps being in an intimate setting with a non-elf would quicken the quickening to the point where Solas would be in danger, while simply being around (but not touching) humans is only slightly harmful.
Maybe? It's most definitely brown in my game.
Hmm..it's a very very dark red on my TV....almost black with red highlights.
Solas definitely has his flaws. There are times when he can't resist falling into a kind of smug arrogance. It almost seems to be an innate quality to elves. Even as guilty and filled with regret as Solas is, he still can't help but scapegoat other groups or point the finger at the elf tier below him. I get the feeling that in order for elves as a whole to move forward, they'll have to break themselves of this constant cycle of blaming the tier below them.
As for why Solas could be race gated...at this point, its anyone's guess. It could be they just thought Fen'Harel would never find interest in a non-elf. It could be that future plans involve rebuilding an empire, and a non-elf would not make sense to be intimately apart of that. His actions could restore elven immortality. Or, it could simply be that they wanted to write the romance with a heavy focus on elven lore and customs without taking the time and effort to stop and explain them for non-elves.
I don't know about that. He seems perfectly willing to say the ancient elves and the gods screwed up royally with their infighting and such. Like in his banter with Dorian, he slams the ancient elves and tells Dorian that raising them up in his head is pointless.
As for why he's race-gated, he's only really concerned with elf issues. He approves of helping the commoners of every race but he's still very much elf-focused. I don't need much more reason than that.
He didn't have to be "gender-gated", though. It's perfectly valid for him to be straight but I wish he'd been available to more players. I still feel for those who wanted to romance him with a guy and his romance is already so limited as it is. It makes me worry that we won't get much of anything regarding a continuation of the romance in the future because such a small percentage of players probably played it, super fans on the BSN and Tumblr, etc aside. I imagine even if they ever wanted to make him available to more players, they probably ran out of time to do it. That's probably why he has less scenes than the other too.
My official theory as to why Solas is race-gated: In the codex entries about Arlathan it says contact with humans, quicklings, is what caused the quickening in the ancient elves and resulted in their loss of immortality. So maybe him being intimately involved with a non-elf inquisitor can interrupt his whole immortality mojo. Now with that being said, Solas being at the friggin' center of a human based army surrounded by humans can kind of blow this theory out of the water, but it's the only story-related guess that I could find.
My unofficial theory: Only an elf can do the oomox.
OH! Oh oh oh! And that's why he leaves!!! He knows he can't be around the Inquisition much longer without putting his immortality at risk.
And then in DLC we find out that Lavellan is now Elvhen because of the anchor. He reveals to her his true identity. Being with her won't cause the quickening. And they live happily ever after!
Right?!
T_T
I think you're onto something. Perhaps being in an intimate setting with a non-elf would quicken the quickening to the point where Solas would be in danger, while simply being around (but not touching) humans is only slightly harmful.
Hrmm I still don't believe this "quickening because there were humans" at all...
Why would humans cause aging/mortality but dwarfs (and/or animals) not?
And they had contact with dwarfs some time before humans came from Par Vollen if I remember right.
I think a likely reason for Solas's gating is because the developers wanted to write the romance and found a way to do so within the time limit. Solas being interested in elves makes the most sense considering the future of the elven race is a big concern of his and he is an important figure in elven lore and history. They could probably only add one extra romance scene for him and by tailoring it to elves were able to create the very meaningful vallaslin scene. I'm sure his unfamiliarity with other races and racist undertones play a part, but if he was really hardcore racist he wouldn't care about the people in the Inquisitions, the refugees, peasants, people of Crestwood, the slaves in Tevinter of all races, etc. so I don't know. He probably isn't at a point where he'd be comfortable with a non-elf, though, and I doubt it will come up in the future. Because the elf only thing was said to make super story sense before they even specified that he was available to females only I'm inclined to believe the gender gating is simply because he's straight.
If you're still feeling blue about the way Solas treated you, don't feel too bad, he'll be back. He's just using the Dennis System:
Demonstrate Value- Solas presents himself as fade expert, shows you how to use mark. Keeps it from killing you.
Engage Physically- Self explanatory. Doing so in the fade is also a nice cheap alternative to dating.
Nurturing Dependence- You go to him for interesting lore bits, and or his magical skills.
Neglect Emotionally- Hahahahaha, lololol.... You know this one all too well.
Inspire Hope- Hmm, Solas might've skipped a step actually, lol. I dunno, maybe someone who actually played through his romance can share.
Separate Entirely- Solas' end game exit.
The Dennis System. Solas is a playa.
That explains why we see him w/ so many different women in this thread. 
He's not a hardcore racist who will bash down and deny others, but he definitely has sour opinions about races and religions.
This is formed by his experience though.. What he sees is that races who were once great and powerful (and that is all of them in Thedas) have become weak and diminished. Fewer humans are born with magic and where once their mages were treated fairly (and often revered) they are now treated as little better than slaves and cattle, dwarves are dying out because their connection to the Fade has been cut off.. huge portions of their empires have been taken over by Darkspawn, and they lock themselves in their two remaining cities and underutilize the majority of their population due to the caste system, kossith are now following a ridiculous religion that leaves no room for personal opinions or individuality.
And the elves have been reduced to living hand to mouth, being treated even worse than Circle Mages are treated (and Maker/Creators help you if you are Circle Mage and an Elf) in tents and city slums. He is racist because people have devolved due to his actions rather than evolving to be better and they are not the people he knew. .. It is more blame the victims because blaming himself would make him suicidal than it is racism because he hates everyone but elves.. Thedas is dying which is not what he intended. He was trying to save it by locking the gods away etc so he hates others just as he hates himself.
Thus I see it as more misdirected self hatred than hatred or bitterness towards others. And it is misdirected because while he locked away the Gods, freed the slaves of Elvhenan, and placed the Veil he is blaming himself for the things that happened after that - things that are not his fault. The Elves, the Humans, the Dwarves, and the Kossith made their own choices at that point and it is they who should own him.. But then it is rather expected that an ancient elven "god" should have a "God Complex" that tells him that everything that has gone wrong ever is his fault even when it isn't.
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