Aller au contenu

Photo

Alistair Vs. Zevran as a romance partner


  • Veuillez vous connecter pour répondre
534 réponses à ce sujet

#76
SusanStoHelit

SusanStoHelit
  • Members
  • 1 790 messages
You're right on that score Sabriana - the approval loss. I think it's because Alistair is much more insecure than Zevran.

#77
ejoslin

ejoslin
  • Members
  • 11 745 messages

Sabriana wrote...

About the Zevran betrayal. I don't think it's so hard to understand. He just turned his back on the Crows, a very powerful organization, hoping that the PC will help him. Read the codex on the Crows, it'll give an idea how powerful and far-reaching an organization it really is

Now, if the PC makes him doubt that he is safe with her, perhaps because she's very nasty, ignores him, etc. he feels his life is in danger. He needs to make a decision, and when Taliesin comes along he chooses the safer option.

Uncertain future and death vs. known future and his old organization, is how he sees it. He swore an oath under the impression that he would get shelter and protection from the PC, and when that is in doubt for him, he has to choose the way that is best for him. As a matter of fact, there is a coversation line where he implies that he thought the PC made a promise to him as well. An "unspoken promise", when he took the oath.

It really is not hard to get him to the point where he at least will step aside in the Taliesin fight, but not leave the PC. And the PC really doesn't have to walk on eggshells, just be reasonably courteous.

I have a play-through at the moment where my PC inadvertently go this approval to 100, and all his gifts are securely locked up in the camp's chest.

Strangely enough, this PC tried to keep Zevran at a lower rate, because she also had something going with Alistair, and was torn.

She was quite shocked when Zevran suddenly called her on the carpet and made her choose. I  (and she) had no idea he had gone up so high already. When she went to break up with Alistair, he was at 100 friendly, so there was no initial approval loss when she told Zevran that he is her chosen.

She did the break-up talk, using the "I wish it hadn't come to that" line, and the "I'm glad your okay with it" line, and ended up with 100 friendly. No approval loss at all.

Compared to Zevran being torn to pieces when broken up with, that's a great difference.
Don't get me wrong, I like Alistair. But as a mate, it's Zevran all the way. Yes, he is shorter than she is, but it's not enough to matter to her (or me).

One thing that struck me is that the PC gets big approval losses when deciding to go against Alistair's wishes. Mine usually look at -5 and more, even being nice and persuasive. On the other hand, when she told Zevran that she would not consider saving the anvil, she got  -1. The approval losses to Zevran are minimal compared to Alistair's. Except in the break  up department. Zevran takes it really, really hard, whereas Alistair seems to be able to shrug it off without any losses.


Sabriana, I think the spoken vs unspoken promise is in reference to their love and relationship, not what happened initially.  You get it if you break up with him after he's in love, and instead of using the persuade check, ask him about his oath to  serve.  The oath was a spoken promise, the warden staying with him is the unspoken one -- they have a genuine commitment there, even if they didn't get engaged at that point (the engagement is just a *squee* bit I think, not actually relevant).  I think that place is the only one where Zevran actually uses the word "love."  At least in English.

But you also have a very good point about the whole approval loss thing.  If the Warden were just a casual fling, there is no way Zevran would always give such big approval drops when breaking up with him.  And what he says is SO much nicer (providing, of course, the breakup is done in a decent fashion).  When he says that he hoped they could still be friends, because some friendships are worth pursuing no matter what, you know there is genuine caring there (contrast that to, ummm, "That Zev is a lucky bastard" which is a horrible guilt trip, though I will give him points for honesty).

And about the Anvil -- you don't have to take an approval loss at all, and you don't have to force Oghren to kill his wife, AND you don't have to make golems.  I cannot believe how many people are shocked at Oghren's 10 point approval loss for making him kill Branka, the woman he's been trying to find for two years.  You can talk Branka into destroying the anvil herself.  You still take the -15 approval loss from Wynne, which surprises me.  You'd think that she would give some sort of approval for handling it that way.

Edit: I have excessively quoted your post because I like it THAT much!  


.

Modifié par ejoslin, 29 janvier 2010 - 12:39 .


#78
SurelyForth

SurelyForth
  • Members
  • 6 817 messages
The one time I've had Zevran turn on me, I did chat him up at camp a bit and I was definitely polite. I just didn't take him to dungeons because my PC was a DW rogue and had Leliana specced to fill out the party. I do the same thing with Sten most playthroughs and I am his Kadan by the end every time. As for being afraid of the Crows, I definitely didn't sell him out or turn him over, and he should really have known better to turn on me anyway- he had seen first hand and repeatedly the carnage I was leaving in my wake. Oh well, like I said, it's a characterization thing.

Alistair will (sometimes) let you out of the relationship with no disapproval because he knows he might have to break up with the PC himself. Zevran doesn't have to worry about those external issues, just his own confusion about his feelings. This is the point where I think their romantic motivations, break-ups and all, can't really be judged by comparing them to each other. Alistair will always be at a disadvantage due to both his inexperience AND the plot hoops he has to jump through that Zev doesn't. Leliana and Morrigan are hard to compare for similar reasons.

All preferences aside, I have a dwarf noble who is going to run to Zevran as soon as she finds out that Alistair is Maric's son. She's had her fill of political machinations (and if she hasn't, going home to Orzammar will be enough to push her over the edge).

Modifié par SurelyForth, 29 janvier 2010 - 01:34 .


#79
ejoslin

ejoslin
  • Members
  • 11 745 messages
Hmmm, trying dumping Alistair at different times, all being decent. At 76 adore, no sex, no sister, Arl Eamon hasn't told him he's putting him up as the heir -2. Since Alistair is still actively pursuing the PC at this point, his being heir is irrelevant I would think. If that were an issue, he wouldn't be pursuing her. I'll find some saves with lower approval ratings to see if anything changes. No approval loss at 63 care, same situation as before. In fact, at 63 care, he hasn't even asked to kiss her yet, so the courtship is definitely ongoing. Which actually implies a selfishness on Alistair's part -- if breaking up with him because there's no future gives minimal or no approval loss, why he is pursuing the relationship to begin with?



Zevran, no matter where, gives big losses no matter what. If you're as nice as possible, you may end up with about -13.

#80
Freckles04

Freckles04
  • Members
  • 809 messages
Zevran: It took me a long time to warm up to the elf. About four playthroughs, in fact. The combination of his looks (which don't appeal to me) and his cavalier approach to killing (which went against my goody-two-shoes characters' views) conspired to turn me off. But when I spent the time to get to know him on one playthrough, I came to see what a valuable friend he is. Even if you don't romance him, his friendship is deep, loyal, and true, and that redeems him greatly. For the record, I have only romanced him once as a rebound after Alistair dumped my city elf, and I never had the earring offered a second time. So I think one of these days I will have to romance him again. Maybe. ;)

Alistair: Yes, I am an Alistair fangirl. I admit it. I apologize. (/channel Lothering Bandit Leader) I like Zev, but I adore Al. He's smart, funny, self-deprecating, self-aware, good-looking, good-sounding, capable, strong...  He's a knight in shining armor (literally) and a prince, and I'm not ashamed to admit that those two things appeal to me greatly. He's vulnerable, shy, gentle, unsure of himself. He'll stand up for himself (eventually, and when it counts) but generally he's laid-back and easygoing. I love how you get the sense that the PC can help him, and that help affects the world around them (e.g., if you harden him and put him on the throne, he's a much better ruler). Oh, he has flaws, bigtime flaws. He can't step back from his emotions, particularly at the Landsmeet if you go the Loghain-redemption route. He's too quick to give up on his happiness and/or his relationship with the PC. But those things absolutely fit with the character and just make him more appealing.

So, Zevran vs. Alistair =  for me, Alistair.

But I value Zevran's friendship greatly.

#81
Sabriana

Sabriana
  • Members
  • 4 381 messages
Same here. The highest disapproval with Alistair-dumping was a -3.

In this play-through it was zero, and in the  previous one he even gave me a +2 (HN Rogue)

He can't possibly know anything about their future yet. She's human noble, with a superior blood-line. I've done Redcliffe castle and village, but Eamon is still in a coma. So no "he needs to be king" yet.
Did I point out that she is a HN Warrior?

@ Ejoslin

About the silent promise, I didn't word that clearly. Yes, the game talks about a broken promise after the break-up, you are certainly right.

What I meant was that Zevran took a chance throwing in his lot with the Warden, and saw it as her promise to help him and to shield him from the Crows when she accepted his oath. I think he was plenty clear on that one. So, when the time comes and things come to a head, he takes the safer path to possibly save his life by siding with Taliesin. But only if he is made to feel that he cannot possibly trust the Warden, and that throwing in his lot with her was a mistake that could easily cost him his life. Gah! I sound confusing even to myself. I'm trying to explain how I see his turning a non-caring, abusive Warden as him trying to safe his life.

Yeah, I know there is a way to complete the Anvil without any approval loss from anybody (thanks to guess who ;)), and Wynne is never with me down there anyway. I just brought that up as an example how small the approval losses from Zevran are if things are explained to him, compared to other companions and their usually higher approval losses.

Edited to add:

Lol @ Freckles. With me, it's the othe way around. Alistair is a good friend, but Zevran is the one and only romance for her.

Modifié par Sabriana, 29 janvier 2010 - 02:17 .


#82
Jayelet

Jayelet
  • Members
  • 122 messages
While at first I liked them both, and Alistair Zevran, for different reasons.

Today sincerely ... I keep Zevran.

I have taken the romance of Alistair several times but always when it appears as if something is Zevran my characters would break in their relationship with Alistair.

I think Zevran only opposes the destruction of the anvil by seeing the help that could provide the WG golen. But if forced to see things from a personal point realizes his mistake. That at any other point always hurts if you support slavery, let alone children.

Alistair, good or bad, no, but I feel good that someone does not support the killing alone that goes with his religious ideas, it honestly scares me more than the killing cold. Hardened or not, it remains a critical closed. If you do something that he does not like, tantrum when singing that sounds very childish to me.

For all my characters ... Loghain dies, they are not willing to forgive people who do not care elves (most are elves), but not do so as an act of revenge, while Alistair if he does an act of revenge.

-------------------------------------



I've known many men like Alistair honey at first and then you have to change their diapers every day, no thanks.

I prefer someone who knows what it is worth every thing in life.

My vote certainly and that of my characters is to Zevran.

#83
SurelyForth

SurelyForth
  • Members
  • 6 817 messages
The approval loss is quantified by an in-game system- it will drop you to a lower approval ranking or reset you to 0. If you break up with Alistair when he's at 100 (I've had this happen at Love and Adore, although not consistently) the "nicest" options result in a standard -26 drop or a straight on switch to 100 Friendly. And if he's not losing approval at early levels, or if the loss is minimal (which is what you're saying, right?) I think that's...how it should be. He knows the score in the relationship and is aware of the outlying factors, but it means enough to him to pursue it. If you reject him politely, or on the grounds that it has no chance of going anywhere, he can't fault you because he knows it, too. The alternative would bethat the PC would have to initiate everything.

Even with a HN, he's aware of the conception issue. While marriage would be an option, having an heir would be unlikely and, especially to unhardened Alistair, he feels providing an heir is an important part of his duty as king .

And if he didn't pursue the relationship at all...well, what would the point be? He'd always just be your fellow Grey Warden/the hot prince who follows you around. BioWare included two romance options where the PC would have to decide for themselves whether or not the risk would be worth the reward, due to game plotting, and two that are pretty much straightforward and don't involve any heartbreak besides what the PC initiates. Part of the Alistair relationship IS the complications from his birthright/being a Grey Warden/his inexperience. It's a different beast than the relationship with Zev, and thus, very hard to compare.

Modifié par SurelyForth, 29 janvier 2010 - 02:41 .


#84
Sisimka

Sisimka
  • Members
  • 935 messages
I enjoy the romance with both characters equally, though it depends on the role I'm playing. Alistair is just so sweet, but after that first playthrough when you realise that by making him king there is no future with him, it kinda takes the shine off the poor boy. I have never played a character that actually wanted to be queen - Al has the right of this, who would willingly sign up for such a job - but I can see how it appeals. It's the fairy tale ending and there is nothing wrong with that.



I had always flirted with Zev, it's almost impossible not to, he makes a girl feel good about herself, which at some points of the game is sorely needed! It's always been difficult to break it off with him when Al gets jealous, so I ended up creating a character just for Zevran and taking the romance through to the end. It's a wonderful story and though I've always found Zevran to be one of the most fascinating companions (He is always my best friend at the end and I always have him by my side in the epilogue - er,when I'm not dead), his romance is ultimately more satisfying. It has the potential for a truly happy ending.



I recently played through as a male character and enjoyed the Landsmeet and ending dialogue with Al as a good friend rather than lover/ex-lover, so I have rolled another female PC and I plan to romance Al, turn him into a man, then break up with him *before* the Landsmeet in favour of a deepening relationship with Zev. I'll get to be best friends with Al at the end of the game and ride off into the sunset with my man (er, elf.)



RL I think I'd still prefer Al though, as much as I adore Zev, he has a little too much baggage.

#85
ejoslin

ejoslin
  • Members
  • 11 745 messages

SurelyForth wrote...

The one time I've had Zevran turn on me, I did chat him up at camp a bit and I was definitely polite. I just didn't take him to dungeons because my PC was a DW rogue and had Leliana specced to fill out the party. I do the same thing with Sten most playthroughs and I am his Kadan by the end every time. As for being afraid of the Crows, I definitely didn't sell him out or turn him over, and he should really have known better to turn on me anyway- he had seen first hand and repeatedly the carnage I was leaving in my wake. Oh well, like I said, it's a characterization thing.
.


With Zevran, you need +33 for him to not turn on you (perhaps lower if he's interested, I'm not sure).  The gloves give you between +10 and +12, and the boots give you +16.  If you talk to him after giving him those gifts, he asks what your future is, lovers or friends -- if you are decent (don't tell him you want him as a servant, for instance) -- that should bring you up, if not to +33, REALLY close.  One or two more conversations will bring it up high enough.

@Sabriana I misunderstood you (sorry).  You're right, when he pledged himself to the Warden, he was clear that he was doing it to get away from the crows.  That was the Warden's side of the agreement -- get him away from the crows, not let him live.  He was asking for a new chance at life away from the Crows.  He would have preferred it had the Warden just killed him outright -- but since she's showing him mercy, there is ONE thing he wants.  However, if the Warden gives him no reason to trust her, and especially since no matter what the relationship, he has very strong feelings for Taliesen, it makes perfect sense for him to side with him. 

And my Anvil comments were my lazy way of addressing someone else saying that the Anvil is a no brainer.  It really is far more complex than it seems on the surface as Orzammar is dying.

And Jayelet, you are absolutely right that Zevran is talked down on the Anvil very easily.  There IS a lot in favor of keeping the Anvil as it really could save Orzammar. Someone comments in the city (I don't remember who, but I THINK it's Zevran) that in 100 years probably only the surface dwarves will remain of the race.  They're dying, they can't reproduce quickly enough to replace the people they're losing in their war.  Plus with 1 golem = 50 dwarves, there would be far less death going that route.  The real danger with the anvil is the ability for it to be exploited.

And yes, Zevran, when dealing with elves, with slavery, and with anyone vulnerable will make his disapproval known VERY clearly and you will get larger approval drops going against him.  In fact, it's worth siding with Cullen just to hear what Zevran has to say, both about killing innocents and how he views the people he killed as an assassin.  And as far as Zevran's view of being an assassin, he obviously regrets it when innocents get killed, and every single one of my characters agrees with him when he says, "Some people need assassinating."  Howe does.  Most think Loghain does, but some will offer him the chance at redemption.  Vaughn does.  Jarvia does.  Uldred does.  

Modifié par ejoslin, 29 janvier 2010 - 03:10 .


#86
Sabriana

Sabriana
  • Members
  • 4 381 messages
My PCs break up with Alistair after Zevran pulls out the ultimatum, never before. I really don't care what kind of in-game-system keeps track of what, my experience is that Alistair is far more accepting of breaking the love-relationship in favor of friendship than Zevran is. I've not even delved into the game engine. I'm playing strictly from feelings.

Alistair taking it so well means to my PCs that he feels he's in over his head, way to soon. That's ok, he was a virgin, sheltered, inexperienced with love and life, and under the thumb of the Chantry (which I hate with a passion, btw). All that is now happening must seem pretty overwhelming to him. I mean no spite, nor belittling. Seeing him as descibed below, I can certainly understand his motivations.

Zevran will stay friends with the PC, but the break-up hits him far harder. I understand that you favor Alistair, but please, there is no need to defend him. I do not dislike him, on the contrary, he's a dear friend of my PCs.

However, on a game-playing, and role-playing basis, Zevran is far more devoted, and far more loyal to the PC. In the end, she is the most important part of his life - nothing can reach how important she is to him. This is the way my PC experienced it, and this is the way I saw and felt it. Hence my preference for Zevran. I don't doubt that those who favor Alistair feel equally loyal for their own reasons, and I completely understand that as well.

This is not a race for points, or a competition, this is just a debate where the Zevran/Alistair camps explain why they prefer the romance. There is no way that anyone will change my preference for Zevran, and I neither excpect, nor will I attempt, to change anyone's mind.

I tried the Alistair romance, and ended up feeling very disappointed. I'm sure there are plenty of people who experienced exactly the opposite. And here we are, explaining why that is so.

I go from game experiences, the way I see the dialogues, and the way their behavior affects me. Alistair is, to me, a very young and sheltered man, very inexperienced, and sweetly awkward and shy, who wants to fall in love.

Zevran is the mature, abused man, who's heavily in denial, goes for the shock value to deflect, and tries very hard not to fall in love.

Both are worthy to try at least once, and to be sure, my PCs make it a point to sleep with Alistair, simply because they are fond of him/think they love him, and want it to be a sweet and memorable experience for Alistair.

#87
ejoslin

ejoslin
  • Members
  • 11 745 messages
Hmmm, one further thought on the approval loss with Alistair. You dont' get it, or if you do, it's minimal, no matter what his affection level is, if you break it off because you don't see the two of you having a future. This, to me at least, reinforces that Alistair is not looking at the relationship as long term, but rather living in the present and enjoying the feelings of first love. When forced to look at it as long term, it's not that HE will break it off before falling in love and all that, but he's a bit relieved that it is ended.

Zevran, again, won't lay a hand on the PC until he knows she is at least considering being with him beyond the blight. He asks straight out, gives a huge approval jump if the warden gives a commitment, and a smaller approval jump if she at least is willing to consider it. At this point the Warden can also turn off the romance forever or remain completely non-committal (which brings her to warm, but leaves the option for starting the romance open).

But the fact that Zevran wants a future commitment and Alistair does not pretty much is the opposite of what both relationships appear to be on the surface.

Edit: corrected some typos

Modifié par ejoslin, 29 janvier 2010 - 03:47 .


#88
AnniLau

AnniLau
  • Members
  • 1 478 messages
Zev definitely has good qualities, but I gravitate towards sweet, goofy, smart ass guys...add Steve Valentine's voice to that and it's pretty much game over.

#89
Addai

Addai
  • Members
  • 25 848 messages

Sisimka wrote...

I enjoy the romance with both characters equally, though it depends on the role I'm playing. Alistair is just so sweet, but after that first playthrough when you realise that by making him king there is no future with him, it kinda takes the shine off the poor boy. I have never played a character that actually wanted to be queen - Al has the right of this, who would willingly sign up for such a job - but I can see how it appeals. It's the fairy tale ending and there is nothing wrong with that.

I don't think there is a happy ending for a Grey Warden, even and especially one who is with a Crow.  The happy ending is a question mark about what sort of tragic, violent death you're both going to meet.  Naturally, we hope, after at least 30 or so happy years and maybe a beautiful, clever child or two.

OTOH, you can have a happy ending with Alistair even if you aren't queen.  At least, if you and your character are willing either to put Anora on the throne or make yourself a mistress.  I've said it else-thread, but the most romantic ending any of my characters had with him was Dalish warden who set him up with Anora and went off to restore the Wardens (with Zevran as friend in tow!).  The epilogue said that at some point Alistair leaves the throne to join his love full-time and never leaves her side.  I'll take it.

#90
Woman Warden 118

Woman Warden 118
  • Members
  • 57 messages
im a sucker for Allistair, i cant resist his witty one-liners :]

#91
Jayelet

Jayelet
  • Members
  • 122 messages
Not going to write, because I have nothing against Alistair and only the fruit of my observation of their conversations.



Alistair is good ...

When Alistair Caila knows is dead, you know long before the character is going to be the successor, that goal does not prevent head on romance, although he knows that if there is a virtuous woman may not join it. Escape from reality to have to face the future with her lover, says she always has to think, but at bottom he does not think, why do not want to face reality.

We supply all the power of decision, but judging you every second. A clear case is Isolde, if you accept to pay the price for their mistakes. Already have tantrums in the camp, without the people think about all the people who died for the merciful stupid Isolde. For that only cares if you killed with a blood magic ritual, not that you killed.

Alistair not want to be king, not so good that people do not want so much power, which is really afraid to make decisions, having to decide who lives and who dies at a given moment, but if you leave you the responsibility to do so, always under his critical remark. That to me makes him a coward.

He keeps the romance with your PC like a great secret, which basically ashamed of that romance.



Not my characters have been abused and always end up being friends. But no thanks romances.



Addai67



If my characters who have completed the romance with Alistair, leave them alone too long with Zevran ... I think Alistair would find when he arrived with a lover who no longer has ... bad luck


#92
_- Songlian -

_- Songlian -
  • Members
  • 551 messages
Zevran, hands down. I love the way his romance is played from start to finish. I do like Alistair too, but  more as a companion. Even when I do romance him, I find it *very* hard not to flirt with Zevran. I have to skip most of his dialogue and stick to presents in order not to get sidetracked. Must be that Godawful poem he recites.  Image IPB

#93
ejoslin

ejoslin
  • Members
  • 11 745 messages

- Songlian - wrote...

Zevran, hands down. I love the way his romance is played from start to finish. I do like Alistair too, but  more as a companion. Even when I do romance him, I find it *very* hard not to flirt with Zevran. I have to skip most of his dialogue and stick to presents in order not to get sidetracked. Must be that Godawful poem he recites.  Image IPB


If he forces you to choose between him and someone else, you CAN avoid that poem.  But he's only trying to make you laugh, anyway.

#94
Addai

Addai
  • Members
  • 25 848 messages

Jayelet wrote...
Addai67

If my characters who have completed the romance with Alistair, leave them alone too long with Zevran ... I think Alistair would find when he arrived with a lover who no longer has ... bad luck

Even if you yourself put him on the throne?  That's harsh.  But of course, reality is harsh, even in story realms.  I'm of the mind that Alistair will eventually dally himself.  Just because it seems to be in his blood, and it is hard for any man in power with women throwing themselves at him not to give in here and there.  Though one thing Alistair has going for him there is that you know he can keep it in his knickers.

Modifié par Addai67, 29 janvier 2010 - 04:21 .


#95
_- Songlian -

_- Songlian -
  • Members
  • 551 messages

ejoslin wrote...

- Songlian - wrote...

Zevran, hands down. I love the way his romance is played from start to finish. I do like Alistair too, but  more as a companion. Even when I do romance him, I find it *very* hard not to flirt with Zevran. I have to skip most of his dialogue and stick to presents in order not to get sidetracked. Must be that Godawful poem he recites.  Image IPB


If he forces you to choose between him and someone else, you CAN avoid that poem.  But he's only trying to make you laugh, anyway.


Yeah, I know, but I usually get a decrease in approval if I do that. I'm not sure if it's related to me refusing to hear that "masterpiece" of a poem or to something entirely different that escapes me now. Probably the last.

#96
ejoslin

ejoslin
  • Members
  • 11 745 messages
Hmmm, when I tell him, "I can't talk about this right now," while I don't get the 12 points of approval I normally do (heh, when I call him a saint among men -- one of the best responses to him that there is), it's still positive.

#97
Jayelet

Jayelet
  • Members
  • 122 messages
My characters do not king, he really does that is heir to the throne.

But their alternatives. You have to choose between a queen who has betrayed you and once or choose to Alistair. Although the power you have bequeathed to you Loghain, something that no one seems to realize.

Maric If your father was able to prop up Loghain from being a simple commoner to be a noble lineage maxima. "Alistair can not even allowed to marry the woman he loves that is not noble?. Since then something dramatic happened to the genes of this illustrious King.



A muchisimo my characters have a hard time keeping their hands off Zevran, even when they are in romance with Alistair. Better not leave them much time, the disaster is assured.

#98
SurelyForth

SurelyForth
  • Members
  • 6 817 messages

Hmmm, one further thought on the approval loss with Alistair. You dont' get it, or if you do, it's minimal, no matter what his affection level is, if you break it off because you don't see the two of you having a future. This, to me at least, reinforces that Alistair is not looking at the relationship as long term, but rather living in the present and enjoying the feelings of first love. When forced to look at it as long term, it's not that HE will break it off before falling in love and all that, but he's a bit relieved that it is ended.

See, from my perspective (and I've stated it before) he doesn't disapprove because he's not thinking long-term, he doesn't disapprove because it is a totally valid point, and he knows it. You can't have children, you might not be able to marry (if he becomes king) and your lives are dramatically shortened and constantly threatened because of you tainted blood. For someone raised to be traditionally minded, all three of those things make the prospects of long-term happiness exceedingly dim. He's willing to make it work up to a point (and beyond, if hardened) but if YOU can't do it, he understands.

If you ask him during the Landsmeet dumping: "Whoever said we had a future?" He'll admit that the relationship has just started, and that maybe it only happened because of the circumstances, but it's clear that he WAS hopeful that you could have a future. It's the same (and even sadder)  if he's unhardened and dumps you anyway.  

Modifié par SurelyForth, 29 janvier 2010 - 05:06 .


#99
Sandtigress

Sandtigress
  • Members
  • 3 967 messages

SurelyForth wrote...

Hmmm, one further thought on the approval loss with Alistair. You dont' get it, or if you do, it's minimal, no matter what his affection level is, if you break it off because you don't see the two of you having a future. This, to me at least, reinforces that Alistair is not looking at the relationship as long term, but rather living in the present and enjoying the feelings of first love. When forced to look at it as long term, it's not that HE will break it off before falling in love and all that, but he's a bit relieved that it is ended.

See, from my perspective (and I've stated it before) he doesn't disapprove because he's not thinking long-term, he doesn't disapprove because it is a totally valid point, and he knows it. You can't have children, you might not be able to marry (if he becomes king) and your lives are dramatically shortened and constantly threatened because of you tainted blood. For someone raised to be traditionally minded, all three of those things make the prospects of long-term happiness exceedingly dim. He's willing to make it work up to a point (and beyond, if hardened) but if YOU can't do it, he understands.

If you ask him during the Landsmeet dumping: "Whoever said we had a future?" He'll admit that the relationship has just started, and that maybe it only happened because of the circumstances, but it's clear that he WAS hopeful that you could have a future. It's the same (and even sadder)  if he's unhardened and dumps you anyway.  


I agree with this.  He's broken-hearted when he breaks up with PC after Landsmeet - he wanted it to work but with his honor and sense of duty knows that it can't (unless you push him and he's hardened).  If you tell unhardened Alistair that he'll be a good king, which my PC did since she understands that he's making a hard decision for the betterment of his country, he tells her that he'd give it all up to have what he really wanted, which is a life with her.  That just doesn't sound like a man who's living just in the moment.

#100
Sialater

Sialater
  • Members
  • 12 600 messages
No, unhardened, he's the Duty Bound Knight. Irritatingly duty focused to the detriment of his own happiness.