I really REALLY hope we can get bigger vallaslin like Neria in MP, I would love that!
me too
I just looked her card up to see because I'd forgotten what she looked like. Her Vallaslin is gorgeous. I would love to have something like that, and it even continues on to her arms. Eeep I love it
I'm hoping we can get tattoos on our body now. I'd love to give my necromancer a sleeve tattoo or a vallaslin that goes down to her arms like Neria. I'm really hoping there are piercings in the CC this time
Slightly OT, but I wonder if there is a specific person for each Dalish clan that performs the blood writing....like a blood writer or something? Would it be like a position passed down every generation? That would be pretty sweet.
I really can't wait to see all the Vallaslin, I really hope they have Sylaise and Ghilan'nain vallaslin again. Either of them would definitely fit my Dalish, especially Sylaise, but i'm also really looking forward to seeing the new ones. 
Edit: Oh and since we are all using dollmakers and such, I found this one http://www.azaleasdo...f-the-deck.html which is pretty cool. Not super detailed, and there aren't any elf ears, but it's interesting. I used it to make my main four female quizzies XD
Slightly OT, but I wonder if there is a specific person for each Dalish clan that performs the blood writing....like a blood writer or something? Would it be like a position passed down every generation? That would be pretty sweet.
I really can't wait to see all the Vallaslin, I really hope they have Sylaise and Ghilan'nain vallaslin again. Either of them would definitely fit my Dalish, especially Sylaise, but i'm also really looking forward to seeing the new ones.
That's a good question. I don't know, maybe the Keeper does it?
Maybe when you play the game you'll find you love Dorian or Bull (or both!). Or you'll find Solas so compelling you think he's worth rolling a Lady Lavellan for.
I think not...
Maybe i love Dorian (i can tell you 1000% i won't love Bull of reasons), but i think it's not okay to force someone into a gender they don't like to play just to romance a character...
It's a damn game, DA 2 was so awesome with everyone being Bi :/ I loved it so much..
That's a good question. I don't know, maybe the Keeper does it?
Maybe, I wonder if they ever said anything about it. Now I want to read up on Vallaslin XD
Edit: Just read on the wiki, it is indeed the Keeper
Slightly OT, but I wonder if there is a specific person for each Dalish clan that performs the blood writing....like a blood writer or something? Would it be like a position passed down every generation? That would be pretty sweet.
I really can't wait to see all the Vallaslin, I really hope they have Sylaise and Ghilan'nain vallaslin again. Either of them would definitely fit my Dalish, especially Sylaise, but i'm also really looking forward to seeing the new ones.
Edit: Oh and since we are all using dollmakers and such, I found this one http://www.azaleasdo...f-the-deck.html which is pretty cool. Not super detailed, and there aren't any elf ears, but it's interesting.
It's the Keeper who does the blood writing.
When the children of our people came of age, they earn the privilege of wearing the vallaslin, the blood writing. It sets us apart from the shemlen, and from the elves who have thrown their lot in with them. It reminds us that we will never again surrender our traditions and beliefs.The ritual deserves great reverence. The one who is to gain the vallaslin must prepare by meditating on the gods and the ways of our people, and by purifying the body and the skin. When the time comes, the keeper of the clan applies the blood writing. This is done in complete silence. Cries of pain are signs of weakness. If one cannot tolerate the pain of the blood writing, they are not ready to undertake the responsibilities of an adult. The keeper may stop the ritual if they decide that the one gaining the vallaslin is not ready. There is no shame in this, for all children are different, and our ancestors once took centuries to come of age.--As told by Gisharel, keeper of the Ralaferin clan of the Dalish elves.
Maybe i love Dorian (i can tell you 1000% i won't love Bull of reasons), but i think it's not okay to force someone into a gender they don't like to play just to romance a character...
I get what you are saying with that. I tend to prefer games where I can play as a female, but it didn't take me long to realize that when I can play as my own gender that I then find it fun to go back and play as a male character, or a different race than the one I prefer for my main character. My canon for Origins was a female Dalish elf, but my favorite playthrough was a male Brosca who never learned to keep his fingers out of other people's pockets. Never in a million years would I have thought I would enjoy the game as a male dwarf, but it certainly opened my mind and broadened my worldview. 
It really isn't that we are being forced to do anything, though. We have the option to make a particular character to see another part of the story we otherwise wouldn't, and that's true for any romance arc. It's also true of the main story, depending on the race we play and the choices we make.
I get what you are saying with that. I tend to prefer games where I can play as a female, but it didn't take me long to realize that when I can play as my own gender that I then find it fun to go back and play as a male character, or a different race than the one I prefer for my main character. My canon for Origins was a female Dalish elf, but my favorite playthrough was a male Brosca who never learned to keep his fingers out of other people's pockets. Never in a million years would I have thought I would enjoy the game as a male dwarf, but it certainly opened my mind and broadened my worldview.
It really isn't that we are being forced to do anything, though. We have the option to make a particular character to see another part of the story we otherwise wouldn't, and that's true for any romance arc. It's also true of the main story, depending on the race we play and the choices we make.
+1
I recently finished playing the game Dishonored, you play as two different male assassins. I never played as a guy beforehand but I ended up loving it because the story was so well written and I never thought I'd love playing a guy so much. I'm looking forward to rolling a male inquisitor to romance Dorian. Different perspectives are nice and can open up a story more.
I really liked the way no-one in TME comes of as sympathetic. It gave a real Song of Ice and Fire vibe to the book.
Ok, now I really need to go and read TME. I bought it alongside Asunder back in July as part of my DAI prep. Finished Asunder but I keep not starting TME. It'll give me something to do while I sit on a bus tomorrow I guess 
I really REALLY hope we can get bigger vallaslin like Neria in MP, I would love that!
Her vallaslin is really nice. I'd love to have something on the body as well. Gah, I wish they'd show us more of the CC. I can't wait to get to dive on in and spend an obsessive amount of hours in it 
Making Solas dancing gifs, Solas themed poetry, and parodying lyrics to suit our Dalish needs?
You are my kind of people, Solas thread.
Making Solas dancing gifs is way more fun then all the work I am supposed to be doing...I can't seem to stop...
I'm not even a little bit sorry....
Ok, I really better go and be a boring adult and work...
*sad shuffle out*
I think I'll romance Solas on my second playthrough instead of my first. I got more attached to the idea of my planned inquisitor than I am to the idea of romancing Solas. He can romance IB instead
I am thinking of making a warrior female elf inquisitor my second play through, I want to see how that changes the story line and of course to romance Solas.
My first play through will still be a rogue fem human inquisitor, but I will probably remain solo as far as romance goes. I have never not romanced anyone in a DA game, so I wanna see how that works out.
I am still really interested in romance rejection this time around and how Bioware handled that. Anyone else curious or do we know anything about that yet?
/emerges after wading through the junk of previous pages
Wow... just... wow, this thread had a number done on it.
I guess uh... happy almost 600 pages? : >
I should probably go black-out soon since Solas has been confirmed. The only other things I can do is go around in circles as to why he's gender/ race-gate and ponder why he doesn't wear boots with toe coverings. May still draw the occasional banter pics.
It sure has been a whirlwind weekend. Glad all of you who are still here are trying to keep things on a positive and on-topic note!
I get what you are saying with that. I tend to prefer games where I can play as a female, but it didn't take me long to realize that when I can play as my own gender that I then find it fun to go back and play as a male character, or a different race than the one I prefer for my main character. My canon for Origins was a female Dalish elf, but my favorite playthrough was a male Brosca who never learned to keep his fingers out of other people's pockets. Never in a million years would I have thought I would enjoy the game as a male dwarf, but it certainly opened my mind and broadened my worldview.
It really isn't that we are being forced to do anything, though. We have the option to make a particular character to see another part of the story we otherwise wouldn't, and that's true for any romance arc. It's also true of the main story, depending on the race we play and the choices we make.
I really don't think I could've said that half as eloquently as you, Uirebhiril (I hope I spelt that correctly).
This isn't necessarily true. I mean how many people will play elven females? I think that Solas was made available to elf women for balance reasons. Why he isn't also available to elf men, I'm not sure, other than the writers wanted him to be straight.
Numbers aren't everything--if Cullen turns out to be gated, and originally Iron Bull was gated, it might mean that those playing elven women would be left without an option. In that case, it's not so much about straight women having more options as it is making sure a certain race/gender combination still gets the same options as others have. I'm kind of hoping it's a reason like that, rather than just gay guys and lesbian ladies being left out again. If Dorian were, for instance, gated to humans only, would you not have hoped that another LI would be made available for those who weren't playing humans?
What I'm saying is just because there are more people to choose from, doesn't mean that necessarily makes more options for a given group. For female characters on the whole, that might be true, but not for characters of certain specific race/class combinations, at least until Iron Bull was made available to all. Maybe if Epler hadn't worked so hard on Iron Bull, Solas would be the ONLY option available if one wanted to play a straight elf woman, if that makes sense. So even though there would be an extra option for straight female characters (who don't necessarily get played by straight female players), no one was actually getting any extra options. If that makes sense. I'm tired and should already be in bed.
The only other reason beyond others being race-gated against elves that I can think of to have added Solas as a romance at all is simply for roleplaying purposes. It seems to me he most likely wasn't originally planned to be a romance at all, until the other races were added in. Since some people would want to play an elf/elf romance as a Dalish, and for some story reason or another Solas isn't into non-elves, they decided to make him available. By that time, Sera had already most likely been pegged down as a lesbian romance option. As to why they'd write Solas as straight rather than bi... I really don't know, unless Blackwall is available and bisexual. I still won't be too surprised if VIvienne is the final romance, but I'm kind of expecting Blackwall.
The extreme restriction may also mean that Solas's romance content is minimal compared to other characters', even if it's interesting. I hope that's not the case, but if it is... hopefully that will ease the sting some?
Long story short, I don't think the LGBT community was intentionally slighted, not with Solas being as heavily restricted as he is. Considering how many people are likely to play elf ladies, he almost may as well not have been an option at all. I'm stiill sad for you - I really wish the romances had been more balanced. But, again, I'm hoping it turns out that they still are.
Didn't someone state on Twitter, Mark Darrah I believe, said the Solas romance is story-related or super story sensitive? I don't think his romance arc was thrown in last minute. But you never know. Good points in your response though.
Found it:
Apparently referencing a Blog that hasn't gone up While we are waiting... Solas IS a romance option Elf only Yes it makes SUPER story sense.
Didn't someone state on Twitter, Mark Darrah I believe, said the Solas romance is story-related or super story sensitive? I don't think his romance arc was thrown in last minute. But you never know. Good points in your response though.
But does that refer to making sense to Solas as part of his story, or sense to the main story we'll be playing through? Don't get too wild with speculation if we aren't sure.
Guest_Cat Blade_*
OMG...
I want him to be bi. Really.
My heart's broken, it hurts ;_;
Thought of canceling my pre order because i am sad and angry as heck. He was the only one i wanted to romance
and it could have been so good...
*cries*
Didn't someone state on Twitter, Mark Darrah I believe, said the Solas romance is story-related or super story sensitive? I don't think his romance arc was thrown in last minute. But you never know. Good points in your response though.
Found it:
Apparently referencing a Blog that hasn't gone up While we are waiting... Solas IS a romance option Elf only Yes it makes SUPER story sense.
For some reason I interpreted the "SUPER story sense" part to mean that once we played we wouldn't feel like they just decided on his gender/race gating arbitrarily, not that it was necessarily intertwined in a major part of the story. Can't wait to see what he means
But does that refer to making sense to Solas as part of his story, or sense to the main story we'll be playing through? Don't get too wild with speculation if we aren't sure.
Basically what I was trying to say lol.
People seemed to just interpret it one way and go off on one. To me it meant that his gating was related to his personal story...nothing to do with the main storyline...*shrug*
It'll be ok. Just romance him as a female! I'm romancing Dorian as a male.
Same thing! Him and Cassandra, in fact (not with the same Inquisitor). This is actually the first time a game has made me want to roll as a man and playthrough the game with them! All of my poor male!Wardens end up in Uncompleted Game Land.
Soooo off topic a little. I can't seem to find that link to that doll make people were using to make their awesome elf characters. Could someone shoot me a link pretty please?
Thanks!
I'm hoping for some beautiful Dalish tattoo options.
I was hoping for no tattoos as an option. 
Ok, now I really need to go and read TME. I bought it alongside Asunder back in July as part of my DAI prep. Finished Asunder but I keep not starting TME. It'll give me something to do while I sit on a bus tomorrow I guess
Yay! I think it's the best part of DA's EU.
Didn't someone state on Twitter, Mark Darrah I believe, said the Solas romance is story-related or super story sensitive? I don't think his romance arc was thrown in last minute. But you never know. Good points in your response though.
Solas couldn't have been one of the original six LIs or he'd be available to humans; unless they were willing to scrap content to replace it with race gates. Elf as a playable race wasn't an option until the last year of development. This does mean that his and whichever other LI was added late had less development time but that's all it means.
Oh, and I finally got my hands on a copy of The Masked Empire, so that I can finally keep up with all this talk of ancient elves and Felassan without spoiling the book!
the masked empire has just arrived in my hands!!! it smell of new paper and the cover is still shiny! *_* (yep. I almost have a fetish for books and paper.)
HeyYyYy, I'm reading it now, too! It's like we're all reading together. 
I'll probably get back to it once I've woken up more and get some coffee... Apparently it kicks in at chapter five, so I'm going to make a push to get there before I drown in the staleness of Orlais...
Glad to see the thread is back in good spirits!
Thought I'd share with y'all that I had a dream about Solas last night. I actually have a bad cold, and I dreamed that he sat with me and we talked about all sorts of things. He was the biggest nerd whom got excited about Shakespeare and history and I loved every minute of it. XD
Yes! Smiles and hearts for everyone! 
(Apparently I've taken up the role of cheerleader, heh...)
Hah, that's so cute, though! I was dreaming about what looked suspiciously like elven ruins before I woke up...
Aww, that's so sweet. I had a dream a few nights ago that I was talking to Solas on Steam and my husband got jealous so I had to unfriend him
Didn't get a chance to see what games he had in his library, too bad.
Edit: Alone in the Dark, Banished, Portal? ...Goat Simulator?
[SNORT]
Great. Now I can't get the image of Solas with big, flashing text over his head spelling out "F*** THE POLICE!!!" out of my mind.
Thanks.
I'm hoping we can get tattoos on our body now. I'd love to give my necromancer a sleeve tattoo or a vallaslin that goes down to her arms like Neria. I'm really hoping there are piercings in the CC this time
YES, THIS. When the saw the MP Dalish I was just like, oh please. OH PLEASE. ohplsohplsohpls.
I was excited for the new tattoos already! BRING ON THE CC.
I think not...
Maybe i love Dorian (i can tell you 1000% i won't love Bull of reasons), but i think it's not okay to force someone into a gender they don't like to play just to romance a character...
It's a damn game, DA 2 was so awesome with everyone being Bi :/ I loved it so much..
I'm sorry that you're sad. I know it stings and that nothing anyone can say will make it any less disappointing... but I hope this doesn't spoil the game for you. Like has been pointed out, we don't know these characters yet! Maybe you won't even want to romance Solas? Maybe you'll find him so interesting that you don't even notice! Maybe you'll love Dorian so hard that you won't even care about anyone else. (I always have the same LI in DA:O and DA2, so it's possible!) And don't give up hope yet. There's still one more LI out there. It could very well be Blackwall!
/emerges after wading through the junk of previous pages
Wow... just... wow, this thread had a number done on it.
I guess uh... happy almost 600 pages? : >
I should probably go black-out soon since Solas has been confirmed. The only other things I can do is go around in circles as to why he's gender/ race-gate and ponder why he doesn't wear boots with toe coverings. May still draw the occasional banter pics.
It sure has been a whirlwind weekend. Glad all of you who are still here are trying to keep things on a positive and on-topic note!
Hmm, yes... Yes it did... 
But awww. We'll miss you if you go!
But yes! Positive! No derailing! I am anxious for things to return to normal and I will be the most OBNOXIOUS BALL OF CHEER AND SUNSHINE until we can all forget about how terrible things got and what disgusting s*** people said...
AndDdDdD I still remember and am upset all over again just by thinking about it. MUST APPLY MORE SUNSHINE.
(Spoiler'd for a swear because of my silent rage, hahah.)
Guest_Cat Blade_*
I was hoping for no tattoos as an option.
it's not? O.o
Nope. If you play as an Elf, you have to have Vallaslin.
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