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[Nocte ad Mortem]

I find it fascinating, that if there is an LI I get attached to, I am more apt to create a PC for a character I wouldn't normally romance (either for rp reasons, or personal taste/prefences). Maybe I am weird like that, but it makes it easier (for me) to do these other romances, when I know I can always go back to a favorite. Whereas, I am left more indifferent, and sometimes not even interested in trying, when I don't have options that seems to work for me.

It's funny that you say that, because I've actually been feeling kind of the same. I'm really interested in Solas and Dorian, like I said, but since it's seeming like there's a good chance they're both in, I've been looking more favorably at some other options. Like, maybe I could see how the Qunari models look in CC and maybe make a Qunari warrior to romance Iron Bull, after all, depending on how his arc goes. Romancing Vivienne with a female character would be so different from anything I've tried before and maybe I could give that a shot if she's available, since her personality has been growing on me. Without my "favorites" being an option, though, I just can't really get as invested. I don't know, maybe it's petty and I'm just bitter that the available guys aren't the ones I wanted, but knowing I have a couple options I really like definitely makes me more open to trying new things on later runs.  

[Phate Phoenix]

Regarding the Cullen question (I think it was Kyrie who asked....?? ): he was never really an option for my female PC's. Originally it was Dorian and Solas who caught my attention (especially the war room concept art, that had both of them in it). Since I like to play male PC's as well, Dorian will still get some action. I had also hoped for Cass being bi, but am relegated to making a male for her as well. Even though I like playing both female and male, I am female and enjoy being able to play as such.

I find it fascinating, that if there is an LI I get attached to, I am more apt to create a PC for a character I wouldn't normally romance (either for rp reasons, or personal taste/prefences). Maybe I am weird like that, but it makes it easier (for me) to do these other romances, when I know I can always go back to a favorite. Whereas, I am left more indifferent, and sometimes not even interested in trying, when I don't have options that seems to work for me.

 

It's funny that you say that, because I've actually been feeling kind of the same. I'm really interested in Solas and Dorian, like I said, but since it's seeming like there's a good chance they're both in, I've been looking more favorably at some other options. Like, maybe I could see how the Qunari models look in CC and maybe make a Qunari warrior to romance Iron Bull, after all, depending on how his arc goes. Romancing Vivienne with a female character would be so different from anything I've tried before and maybe I could give that a shot if she's available, since her personality has been growing on me. Without my "favorites" being an option, though, I just can't really get as invested. I don't know, maybe it's petty and I'm just bitter that the available guys aren't the ones I wanted, but knowing I have a couple options I really like definitely makes me more open to trying new things on later runs.  

 

I never thought about it like that, but it's very true! Had Cullen not been an option, would I be so calm about no confirmation about Solas? I mean, my canon Mass Effect series run ended up nearly forever alone (Joker why~~~), but I wanted the Achievement in ME3 so I rebounded on Samantha.   But, yeah, I guess not having that preferred option made me basically say, "Why bother?" about the romances.

 

That's interesting. I didn't know that about myself. 

[JadePrince]

I'm honestly pretty interested in a Dorian romance as well! Got a Male Quizzy already in mind for him, and one for Cassandra.

 

It's actually kind of cool because it just goes to show/back up the statistics that BioWare has that it's not just the LGBT community that enjoys the LGBT content. And honestly, BioWare helped my own personal growth in that regard as well.

 

I'm a heterosexual female and while I dearly adore the few gay and lesbian friends I've made, I don't think I really had an *appreciation* for their content - or the extreme lack thereof outside of BioWare games - until I started playing around with RPing non-heterosexual characters. Which I never really thought about doing until DA2, honestly. I feel bad about it now in hindsight, but I just never thought about trying it... or trying a POC protagonist either. I've been tragically too narrow-minded in either RPing a version of myself (heterosexual white woman) or RPing a male version of myself (heterosexual and white, again) in both DA and ME.

 

But DA2 sort of brought out a different mindset in me... not really sure why or what specifically caused a change. But one of my absolute FAVORITE Hawkes is a male rogue archer who romanced Anders. Never thought, years ago, I'd see myself saying that, but there it is. Personal growth as a conscious individual, aided by a BioWare game.

 

From that experience, I'm branching out my playthroughs now. Really looking forward to experiencing Dorian's romance arc... and finally being proactive and stepping out of my "white" mindset, too, because I've got a really badass idea for a female POC that I wanna roll out at some point, too, maybe even have her romance Sera.

 

Thank you for sharing this! It honestly gives me so much hope. (*tearbending!*) The media likes to claim that straight people can't enjoy a story with queer romance, that they couldn't relate to it, but I think that's doing straight folks a disservice, implying that they aren't capable of looking at a gay/lesbian love story and finding anything in it that they can understand. What Bioware is doing IS important, because it's helping folks like you expand your horizons and realize that there is still something to be enjoyed about stories that don't match up perfectly to your own life experiences, that even if you aren't gay, you can love a gay love story.  

[coldwetn0se]

Forum confession time. I was one of the first to post a picture of Nosferatu, when first discussing Solas.

I had seen the war room concept, and had loved what I saw (the smirk, the caveman chic outfit, and yes...the hair). When they finally released the first out of focus, from a distance, back-of-his-head screenshot (the one in what looks like Deep Roads), and I finally saw the other piece of concept art with the female dwarf inquisitor, Nosferatu is what came instantly to my mind. (Understand, I grew up watching the Sunday monster movies, during the 70's, and that was a favorite of mine, so.....*shrug* that is what sprang to mind). I also think I became very "married" to that first concept art, that it felt almost shocking to see that they had chosen to make him sans hair. However, that did not lessen the idea of him being a cool character, and since I admittedly am drawn to elven companions, I knew I still hoped he was an LI.

Now his appearance seems very fitting to his character (or the little that we know). And, his face is quite distinctive, which is a big draw to me. I am trying to temper my excitement for his "potential" LI status, but can't help but like the odds.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

Thank you for sharing this! It honestly gives me so much hope. (*tearbending!*) The media likes to claim that straight people can't enjoy a story with queer romance, that they couldn't relate to it, but I think that's doing straight folks a disservice, implying that they aren't capable of looking at a gay/lesbian love story and finding anything in it that they can understand. What Bioware is doing IS important, because it's helping folks like you expand your horizons and realize that there is still something to be enjoyed about stories that don't match up perfectly to your own life experiences, that even if you aren't gay, you can love a gay love story.

Agreed, hearing posts like Dragon's means a lot. It also meant a lot seeing the poll with like 2,700+ votes that placed Dorian as the third favorite male, just after Solas and Cullen. The community gives me a lot of hope that these options are well received on the whole and that they will become even more so with time. It's really encouraging to hear. 

[DragonRacer]

Thank you for sharing this! It honestly gives me so much hope. (*tearbending!*) The media likes to claim that straight people can't enjoy a story with queer romance, that they couldn't relate to it, but I think that's doing straight folks a disservice, implying that they aren't capable of looking at a gay/lesbian love story and finding anything in it that they can understand. What Bioware is doing IS important, because it's helping folks like you expand your horizons and realize that there is still something to be enjoyed about stories that don't match up perfectly to your own life experiences, that even if you aren't gay, you can love a gay love story.

 

Agreed, hearing posts like Dragon's means a lot. It also meant a lot seeing the poll with like 2,700+ votes that placed Dorian as the third favorite male, just after Solas and Cullen. The community gives me a lot of hope that these options are well received on the whole and that they will become even more so with time. It's really encouraging to hear. 

 

I felt it was important to share. I was a bit hesitant at first because I truly do feel ashamed of my younger self and the "icky" factor my brain had about it, and nobody likes admitting something that paints them in a negative light. Having both white and heterosexual privilege and growing up in "the South" of the United States, meant I was raised... around a lot of racism and gay hate, sadly. I never felt hatred towards anybody, but I did feel... uneasy, for the longest time. But I grew a LOT as a person... and so did my parents, when I brought my gay friends home and my black friends home and they ended up loving them just as much as they loved their only child. A lot of good perception-changing and stereotype-destroying occurred and we are all better people for it now.

 

But accepting isn't always necessarily the same as actively enjoying, so it's really nice to find myself having grown more and actively *enjoying* the LGBT content, nearly as much as I enjoy content geared at my particular preference!

 

When it all comes down to it... we are all people, and we are created of love. Or at least should be. And love is what should be important. We should all be able to recognize it in each other and even if something may not be a physical preference for yourself, you should still see and respect the LOVE in it, and love ought not to be separated into "fashionable" and "non-fashionable", "accepted" and "unaccepted". Love shouldn't have to hide, and it shouldn't be a cause of denial of basic human rights.

 

/tangent

 

Sorry, folks. Got a little bit on a pedestal and went way off-topic... but I'd kind of like to think Solas may have that sort of mindset as well. "It's more complicated than that" and all.

[Cat Lance]

Agreed, hearing posts like Dragon's means a lot. It also meant a lot seeing the poll with like 2,700+ votes that placed Dorian as the third favorite male, just after Solas and Cullen. The community gives me a lot of hope that these options are well received on the whole and that they will become even more so with time. It's really encouraging to hear. 

HOLY CRAP.

 

You mentioned that survey and I thought gee, it's been a few days since I checked it out.

https://www.surveymo...eegWF76d5eBo%3d

Solas is leading at 15.3% Guys, the closest to him is Cullen at 13.2%!

Welp.

 

 

*edit:

 

 

Sorry, folks. Got a little bit on a pedestal and went way off-topic... but I'd kind of like to think Solas may have that sort of mindset as well. "It's more complicated than that" and all. 

 

@Dragonrace, Thank you so much for sharing that. Literally brought tears to my eyes. We appreciate every single person willing to look past how they were raised, willing to see past our skin and a trait of birth, to truly see US, as people, means more than I have words for.

 

It's been a long road from when I was growing up and some areas/people are moving along slower than others, but it's the folk like you who make all the difference for the younglings growing up now.

Thank you.

[Phate Phoenix]

HOLY CRAP.
 
You mentioned that survey and I thought gee, it's been a few days since I checked it out.
https://www.surveymo...nweegWF76d5eBo=
Solas is leading at 15.3% Guys, the closest to him is Cullen at 13.2%!
Welp.

 

[RynJ]

So much agreed, DragonRacer.  It's not easy nor is it in our nature to put ourselves in unfamiliar shoes, even in something as seemingly meaningless as a video game. But I found it so gratifying the first time I did it. Dragon Age was the first game that ever LET me do it so it was an awesome experience to try rolling a character not my gender and watch a romance unfold with him and a male LI. I felt a bit detached at first, but by the time I was done with the playthrough, I knew it would be my canon! It makes you realize you're not so far away, I think.

[Cat Lance]

So much agreed, DragonRacer.  It's not easy nor is it in our nature to put ourselves in unfamiliar shoes, even in something as seemingly meaningless as a video game. But I found it so gratifying the first time I did it. Dragon Age was the first game that ever LET me do it so it was an awesome experience to try rolling a character not my gender and watch a romance unfold with him and a male LI. I felt a bit detached at first, but by the time I was done with the playthrough, I knew it would be my canon! It makes you realize you're not so far away, I think.

GUYS Stop making me cry! 

 

(Really, you all are so free to keep expressing these amazing sentiments. Just, thank you guys)

[JadePrince]

So much agreed, DragonRacer.  It's not easy nor is it in our nature to put ourselves in unfamiliar shoes, even in something as seemingly meaningless as a video game. But I found it so gratifying the first time I did it. Dragon Age was the first game that ever LET me do it so it was an awesome experience to try rolling a character not my gender and watch a romance unfold with him and a male LI. I felt a bit detached at first, but by the time I was done with the playthrough, I knew it would be my canon! It makes you realize you're not so far away, I think.

 I have a feeling I'm gonna run out of likes for the first time ever. ;_;

[Nocte ad Mortem]

It's really awesome to hear these accounts and know Bioware is helping people see things differently. I honestly kind of hope this is one of the times some devs will stumble into this thread and see this conversation, because I'm sure it would mean something to them that their work is really touching some people at this level. It's actually an amazing thing.

 

It also does seem like something Solas would relate to. 

[Phate Phoenix]

Blast it, Solas thread! Stealing all my likes! 

 

This is such a cool conversation. Ya'll never stop being awesome.

[AmuHav]

 

 

[DragonRacer]

Forum confession time. I was one of the first to post a picture of Nosferatu, when first discussing Solas.

I had seen the war room concept, and had loved what I saw (the smirk, the caveman chic outfit, and yes...the hair). When they finally released the first out of focus, from a distance, back-of-his-head screenshot (the one in what looks like Deep Roads), and I finally saw the other piece of concept art with the female dwarf inquisitor, Nosferatu is what came instantly to my mind. (Understand, I grew up watching the Sunday monster movies, during the 70's, and that was a favorite of mine, so.....*shrug* that is what sprang to mind). I also think I became very "married" to that first concept art, that it felt almost shocking to see that they had chosen to make him sans hair. However, that did not lessen the idea of him being a cool character, and since I admittedly am drawn to elven companions, I knew I still hoped he was an LI.

Now his appearance seems very fitting to his character (or the little that we know). And, his face is quite distinctive, which is a big draw to me. I am trying to temper my excitement for his "potential" LI status, but can't help but like the odds.

 

Confessions everywhere!

 

I accidentally started the Nicholas Cage meme thing (which I've actually admitted here before... a few times now, I think). Did not realize you started the Nosferatu one!

 

I never meant the Nick Cage thing as a negative, though. But everyone ran with it and made it all not cool and stuff; it even tweaked David Gaider a bit, he Tweeted about it, and I sent a PM personally apologizing for starting that forum meme (he and I are totally cool about it now, no hard feelings, haha). I never meant for that to happen but the thing grew legs and multiple heads and ran wild. P

[ParagonPunk]

So much agreed, DragonRacer.  It's not easy nor is it in our nature to put ourselves in unfamiliar shoes, even in something as seemingly meaningless as a video game. But I found it so gratifying the first time I did it. Dragon Age was the first game that ever LET me do it so it was an awesome experience to try rolling a character not my gender and watch a romance unfold with him and a male LI. I felt a bit detached at first, but by the time I was done with the playthrough, I knew it would be my canon! It makes you realize you're not so far away, I think.

 

I remember playing Dragon age for the first time (it was DA2) as a female Hawke and finding out you could romance Isabela. It was a confusing time for me regarding sexuality and after playing through the game it sort of helped me find myself. Heck, Isabela and Aveline as characters helped me become more comfortable in my skin. Isabela's openness about attraction to both genders and Aveline's eventual respect for that was so much to me. When people belittle games or romances it makes me both angry and sad that they would disregard something so important to who I am, and something they could learn from.

 

And seeing such a diverse fanbase in Bioware games is always awesome. So thanks, Bioware. 

Feels good getting that off my chest. Also, darn Solas thread, stealing all my likes.

[JadePrince]

It's really awesome to hear these accounts and know Bioware is helping people see things differently. I honestly kind of hope this is one of the times some devs will stumble into this thread and see this conversation, because I'm sure it would mean something to them that their work is really touching some people at this level. It's actually an amazing thing.

 

It also does seem like something Solas would relate to. 

 Agreed! Allan, you around? Seems like a nice bit of conversation to share with other devs (esp the writers) if you have the chance. I imagine it'd be nice to hear that their insistence on being inclusive in their games has a demonstrable, positive effect not just for LGBT fans, but also for straight folks.

 

I'm a pretty skeptical person. I don't believe that there's a lot of point in fighting to "change hearts and minds" (a big, recurring rhetoric in the LGBT community, as the only true way to convince society to afford you equal rights). But it gives me all sorts of soft, squishy feelings when I see that things like queer romance content in games actually IS making a difference for people, actually IS helping to "change hearts and minds". ;_; So yeah. Wow. Keep up the awesome sharing, everyone!

 

(Thank you, Solas and your fans for being such a welcoming thread to hang out in!!!)

[Dracarys]

I'd forgotten about the survey! Fitting that Solas quietly, and with little fanfare, took the lead. 

 

And Dragon, that was a really lovely series of posts. Having come from a fairly isolated little town in the Northern US, my experiences growing up weren't quite the same, but definitely similar. Very white small town, homogeneity strongly encouraged. "Gay" was (and still is, going by some of the crap I see on facebook) bandied about as a pejorative for random things and people one disliked. I know now that those attitudes made coming out an awful struggle for some really great people who were quietly struggling with their sexuality back in high school. Fortunately, I got out and joined the wider world.  I'm so glad I did, and yeah, like you, my uneasiness at the unfamiliar became acceptance became support became actively enjoying LGBT romance. I'm so excited for the options everyone is getting in this game! I seriously can't WAIT to create Inquisitors for Sera and Dorian. These games really do help make the connection personal, and hearing people's stories and feelings on these boards does too. Love is love, full stop. 

 

As always, Solas thread = the best thread. 

[Solas]

i was won over by the bald elfy mcsmirk

 

also i hearby declare allan the darling of the solas thread

[Karach_Blade]

Well, since it's confession time in the thread, I figure I would add my two coppers. Bless me, Creators, for I have sinned...

 

Wait, wrong confession. 

 

In all seriousness, to have LGBT romances in Dragon Age has a very important meaning for me. I am transgender (female to male) and due to my home situation, I cannot transition. Needless to say, having to be stuck with the wrong pronouns and name wreaks havoc with my depression. Being able to play as myself - a gay male - with the ability to romance another male in my DA and Mass Effect playthroughs has been one of the major reasons why I've managed to stay sane. That's why I will still play DA: I even if Solas winds up not being an LI. 

[Nocte ad Mortem]

As for my early feelings towards Solas, I don't think I ever said anything really rude. I wasn't into the bald thing early on, I admit that, and I did say Solas wasn't attractive to me. I try not to be a jerk about it and just say things like, "the character is really interesting to me, but I'm not interested in them as a romance option". I'm sure I said that about Solas several times after we first saw him and that I hoped his final version would have hair. Solas as a character has always been quite interesting to me, but it took a while for me to realize he'd make a great LI, too. 

 

As I saw more pictures, I realized his look is actually quite striking. It wasn't what I expected, but he actually has a beautiful face with very distinctive features, interesting, sharp angles paired with full lips and intense eyes. Plus, I'm drawn to guys with sleeker builds and he's looking great in that respect. Now I'm just in love with his overall concept, both appearance and personality. 

 

If only I would have known early on when I was distracted by the bald that it would be more complicated than that. 

[ParagonPunk]

Well, since it's confession time in the thread, I figure I would add my two coppers. Bless me, Creators, for I have sinned...

 

Wait, wrong confession. 

 

In all seriousness, to have LGBT romances in Dragon Age has a very important meaning for me. I am transgender (female to male) and due to my home situation, I cannot transition. Needless to say, having to be stuck with the wrong pronouns and name wreaks havoc with my depression. Being able to play as myself - a gay male - with the ability to romance another male in my DA and Mass Effect playthroughs has been one of the major reasons why I've managed to stay sane. That's why I will still play DA: I even if Solas winds up not being an LI. 

 

I have no likes so I'd just like to say how awesome you are. 

People don't realize how much video games can help others, and I'd like to send my best wishes to you. 

 

Man. I don't usually get emotional, but this thread. Ya'll are just amazing.

[mindoirs]

Early on when we first got that magazine screenshot I was initially upset because he was bald. I was pretty upset. All that I liked was that he had really nice looking thighs.

And then not long after his appearance started growing on me. Maybe it's my huge love for elves and the fact that I've romanced only the elves so far, but it did. And soon enough I didn't mind that he was bald; I found it interesting because it was different and it was very...Solas! Now I love his appearance along with his personality, which is quite close to mine. I've loved the companions so far but there hasn't been one that I feel like I've connected with and can say, "wow! they're so much like me." Until now. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Phate Phoenix]

As for my early feelings towards Solas, I don't think I ever said anything really rude. I wasn't into the bald thing early on, I admit that, and I did say Solas wasn't attractive to me. I try not to be a jerk about it and just say things like, "the character is really interesting to me, but I'm not interested in them as a romance option". I'm sure I said that about Solas several times after we first saw him and that I hoped his final version would have hair. Solas as a character has always been quite interesting to me, but it took a while for me to realize he'd make a great LI, too. 
 
As I saw more pictures, I realized his look is actually quite striking. It wasn't what I expected, but he actually has a beautiful face with very distinctive features, interesting, sharp angles paired with full lips and intense eyes. Plus, I'm drawn to guys with sleeker builds and he's looking great in that respect. Now I'm just in love with his overall concept, both appearance and personality. 
 
If only I would have known early on when I was distracted by the bald that it would be more complicated than that. 

 

[RebbyWriter]

Wierd. I was just thinking about how Bioware has changed my perspective on something.

 

I've always been cool with the gays. In fact, I'm so supportive of them people ask me/mistake me for being a lesbian all the time (also, I have short hair. I assume that doesn't help)

 

My whole problem was seeing people who sleep around as bad people, in general. Yes. I was a sl*t shamer.

 

Played DA:O with the idea in mind that I was romancing Alistair then, out of nowhere, who is this elf who keeps hitting on me? Wait, but you sleep with everyone! I...I can't! Must....resist...The Zev.

Next morning, wake up in the tent like...What did I just do?

 

But Zevran was such a cool character and I ultimately had to put my judgements of people like him aside. I did eventually get to romancing other people but..It was so difficult!

 

 

Onto the subject of Solas...If I have to opportunity to romance him, it will be hard not to experience that in every playthrough. I will have to avoid to talking to him in some cases. Also a difficult concept!