#also i still love davrin and wanna romance him as a different rook

[royal-elfroots]

Well guys, I'm locked in.

I really thought it was gonna be Davrin, and he did make things complicated because he's so... Davrin.

But it just always felt like something deeper was there with Lucanis. Like my Rook and Lucanis just had this unspoken understanding.

And as soon as Rook got into Lucanis' head, literally opening his closed doors and breaking his walls, there was no going back. It had to be Lucanis.

And I LOVE LOVE hearing the companions talk about it. So no regrets here.

Still gotta finish the game though, I think I'm a bit over 60% done. LET'S GOOO

[postcardsfromheapside]

Word vomit time:

So I had a Davrinkisser, a rogue Crow, but I wasn't connecting with her at all. The playthrough felt like a slog, and I had barely just made it past rescuing Lucanis. I hated it so much I rebooted my canon Rook, a Veil Ranger, just to have something to enjoy.

Anyway, say hi to Miri Thorne, my new Davrinkisser, a Warden warrior and my first same-faction romance.

First: I don't know how to phrase the difference between rogue and warrior on underdog except, "wow". Even at extremely low levels at the beginning of the journey, warrior already feels like I'm doing a lot of damage, and that's frustrating, because I feel like there should be a trade off (as a rogue I felt light and quick but squish and didn't pack a punch till later). Is there? What am I missing? I *loved* playing Veil Ranger on a lower difficulty, but I was also concentrating mostly on story. I've been very careful to level up my Veil Ranger on this reboot and conscious about what skills I pick and it's still been very hard with some bosses - notably right now, The Formless Asshole. What advantages am I missing with Rogue?

Second, part of the reason I originally picked Crow was everyone posting about the relationship with Viago, and...I just didn't see it. I actually thought there was going to be more than the letter and a few comments from Teia. It pissed me off because people were comparing him with Strife and predictably looking at Strife unfavorably.

Anyway, as far as "daddy" stuff a couple comments I've noticed while on my Nevekisser run:

(say hello, Lia)

Everyone treats Mourn Watch baby like they were raised in the Necropolis, but twice now there have been dialogue bits from Lia where she's mentioned seemingly being out on the streets of Nevarra until her magic manifested, at which point the Mortalitasi took her back in.

It's funny to see the fanart of Vorgoth playing daddy, but I kinda wanna hear about the scrappy orphan who grew up most probably being treated oddly even by their fellow Nevarrans for how they were found, and how that might have shaped them into the disruptive Rook they turn into.

I have no way to end this, except a funny shot I pulled from my recordings of canon Rook Ashallen looking at Davrin like heeyyyy, and Lucanis in the background like "girl are you fucking kidding me"

[missginger82]

I'm so torn bc of my romance choice.. I was so determined from the beginning 😫

I was absolutely certain my mage would woo this dark, cynical crow, would sooth his darkness with kisses and love and gentleness, but right now, I feel meh towards him ���

Don't get me wrong, I adore the interactions with him. He's very gentle and thoughtful - completely different than I thought! But it's also just friendly? There is no spark, no chemistry, just worry, and I wanna care for him and hide him from all the evil..

But Davrin on the other hand?! Wow, he came as a surprise! I love that my Rook can take the piss out of him, joke with him, but also be serious and a voice of reason in the daddy-questions. They flirt, even its just a 'normal' conversation, the chemistry between them is outstanding!

So now I'm torn, bc I feel that Lucanis is just a friend, whom I sacrificed my town for and it makes me sad that Neve hates me for it, just bc I hoped the chemistry between him and my Rook gets better 😔

I don't know what to do? Still have hope that the interactions with Lucanis gets better or just let the chemistry with Davrin flourish?

[seaglassmelody]

I’m trying to turn my frustration with bad Veilguard takes into positivity. But man is it hard when I just wanna argue. But here’s an attempt.

Today I’m thinking about the romances and how they’re executed.

(Under the cut because this got way longer than I intended)

I’m going to couch this in the context of the fact that I am currently replaying the entire series. I just started Inquisition this weekend after playing DAO and DA2.

I cannot comment on the DAI romances because I’m still in Haven, but in my opinion the DAO and DA2 romances are incredibly heavy-handed. They often boil down to “I have trauma-dumped on you and you do not find me violently repulsive so I will shove my tongue down your throat now”.

ESPECIALLY Anders and Fenris. Zevran doesn’t even wait to trauma dump on you, though I understand the difference between having sex with him initially and building up the romance (after he’s trauma-dumped on you).

I’m not COMPLAINING about this fact- the games are shorter, older, and iterating on the roleplaying systems that get us to Veilguard. But you can see the age that these games have, and the change in cultural attitudes (honestly, the amount of “but I’m a man??” In the m/m romance with Zevran…)

Versus in Veilguard, I love that a lot of the “flirt” options come out as subtle, personal statements that aren’t coming on too strong and express a deeper interest in the person as an individual. It makes things build slower and more purposefully.

But I also love that there’s a range! Lace’s flirting is sweet and a little awkward. Davrin’s is more obvious but still more natural than Hawke and Fenris’s flat-out “you’re very hot” conversations. Lucanis’s flirting is very much rooted in showing him that you aren’t scared OF him but FOR him, which is important to him!

And the biggest thing- romance or not, I love that a lot of the companion quests are just “hey go to this place and hang out with me.��� Rook actually gets to build friendships, see characters outside of crisis situations, and have some moments of peace in between saving the world. That breathing room between plot points is very valuable to me- it’s fertile ground for fanfic and character building! And you don’t have to find a way to cram it in between crises because the game shows you it exists.

I guess for some people this approach doesn’t work (I can’t really imagine why not, but maybe that’s the aroace talking) but for me it’s incredible. The team is a TEAM and the romances feel like actual adults navigating relationships.

For a more contentious point, I really cannot get on board with the idea that the romances are “lacking” compared to the older games. DAO is basically throwing gifts at companions, a romance confirming conversation, minimum one sex scene, and then some endgame dialogue. Even then, by the time I got to Zevran’s “uhoh I guess I love you” convo I did feel like it was earned. But you don’t get a lot of individual romance time and you REALLY gotta dig into those dialogue trees to get places. It’s not very natural-feeling.

Now DA2? It HAS to be nostalgia goggles. I LOVED Fenris’s romance when I first played the game (Fenris was the reason I started playing DA at all) and replaying it was honestly a letdown?? He’s so angry through the entire game It’s very difficult to make sense of why he would love Hawke so much if they’re a mage supporter. The scene where he leaves after they sleep together in Act 2 was sad, but it was impossible to react in the way I wanted (which was understanding sympathy, of course a personal relationship is overwhelming when you’re suddenly getting over amnesia!). Getting back together immediately after killing Danarius feels rushed.

At this point I’m just rambling but I can’t help but feel that people are using 10-15 years of fanfic and daydreams to fill in gaps for the older games and when they’ve only sat with 1 playthrough of Veilguard for 2 months and spent most of that time angry about it, I can’t help but feel they’re missing the beauty of the execution of natural-feeling adult relationships.

[invinciblerodent]

Y'know, puttering around with my recordings, I think I really am going to give Davrin's romance with Ver a pretty serious twisting around. Rewrite some things a bit, change things around, keep most of the "slow burn" of it intact- but also add in the "friends with benefits" elements that I feel match what he says in the check-in scene after the point of no return better.

I think I have a post from like, months before release, when all we knew about the character was "charming Warden (who may or may not have been the Storm Coast team's commander in '41)", about how I sort of expected his to be the romance that starts off more casual (with the expiration date all Wardens have, it's not surprising that someone who's been one for at least ten years would be hesitant to enter any genuine emotional entanglements, platonic or romantic), and then for him to find himself falling for Rook unexpectedly (and kind of against his will) anyway.

And from some of that late dialogue, I still think that that may have been the exact intention, initially, but maybe they didn't want to create too big a disparity between the different romance paths, or like they didn't want for it to come off like they weren't taking him as seriously as the rest, so the path sort of ended up getting a bit... I don't wanna say "subdued", but I can't think of a better word lol. Brought to match the pacing of the others and the overall story more, that's more like what I mean.

.... Anyway, I kinda think I wanna have them sleep together for the first time either after his personal quest (no more distractions, clearly established romantic interest in- and some commitment to one another, but with still an opportunity to angst about everything else) or preferably, that night after drinking with Lucanis.

I'm leaning towards the latter thought, specifically because it'd be clearly a very, very bad idea.

It'd be far too fast, far too early, I got that scene like right after the Cauldron, so deep in the thick of his personal quest- plus, the mutual interest was barely expressed like one day prior to it, and there was alcohol involved. Which all kind of makes it perfect, because it's an awful time to toss that complication in there.

But, it gives me an opportunity to have the both of them keep thinking that it being just a casual, physical thing is what the other wants (despite the "well, I could see us heading somewhere, someday" of it), and to have their feelings developing sort of in the background of it-- and then!!!!! that forest kiss can also take a role more like another complicating factor, with the "heart of a halla" line being a bit more ambiguous.

Like, casually kissing your booty call/situationship/FWB you've been secretly falling for, it's a bit more touchy-feely than the previously established [they were not established] guidelines [there are no guidelines] suggest is appropriate [none of this is appropriate], but it feels right, and that alone makes it feel weird and confusing, ykwim?

But, then the whole "Most of my life, I've gone it alone. With you... I never want to go back." thing makes more sense being where it is, after his personal quest, to me at least. Because that sounds like a confession, and with being free from worries and the griffons safe (with Eldrin, in that game), there's a great time to have a long-ish, actually serious conversation about what this is and where it's going.

.... That would also mean that some of the bed scene dialogue doesn't make as much sense ("Is this all just for show"? "Just like I imagined"? Girl you know exactly if it's for show and what his hands feel like, you've been getting dicked down semi-regularly for weeks), but I can work with some tweaks to that lol. The final parts of it, about planning the future and getting soppy still make perfect sense, it's just those lines in the leadup that need some minor tweaking.

Idk, I really liked the in-game experience I had, and I love me a good slow burn, but I can't deny that it's more my style when "slow burn" doesn't also mean ".... so sex is a thing that happens only at the very end, when all feelings are resolved". I like it adding more uncertainty and confusion into the mix, and giving a sort of "oh, this is different now" feel to that first time once the feelings are also resolved.

(The date though, I wanna keep where and how it is exactly, because he mentions he got the tip for the picnic from Evka and Antoine, and I find it really cute to imagine him just sort of looking at them after speaking with Valya like.... "... they probably have the right idea of it, don't they. While we're here, let... let me just go ask. How to, uh. Do this whole. Romance thing, I guess. Make it sound, idk, casual. And chill. We're... chill." Never mind that Evka and Antoine are literally one of the most romantic couples any of them know, but yknow, nbd.)

(And then it goes all the way sideways? Love it. Love the "hey so this tea I thought would be a fun, cute thing for us to try made her trip absolute balls for a while, so maybe this outing is not a great opportunity to like, talk. Seriously. About how I may or may not be falling a little bit in love with her. And by 'little bit', I mean 'up to the very tips of my ears'. Nbd, just gonna... postpone, spilling my guts out for her perusal, I guess." of it all. A+, no notes.)

[dangoesque]

Thoughts on Veilguard, now that I've finished. Read at your own risk

Fuck Solas. I think he is a good character, but I just wanna punch him half (or whole) of the time. My canon will be the "good one" probably, but it was SATISFYING besting this mf

I enjoyed the game, but it has flaws for sure

I liked the characters, but I can't say I'm super in love with anyone, if that makes sense? I like them a lot, but I don't get the hype like I did with Alistair, Morrigan, Cassandra, Advisors, the whole da2 gang.

In part, I think it's because I felt their personal quests were lacking. 3 missions and that's it? Tbh I don't remember how long the others were, but I also don't remember feeling "eh" about them either. These felt superficial and short. Like, they had potential but then it's over.

Like can you imagine extending the dilemma with Bellara's brother who I already forgot the name of

Or the pursuit of Illario taking longer

I think I was just ok with Davrin's and Taash and even they could have content extended.

Not to mention Harding. Good buildup and bam that's it thanks for coming byee

While I liked the game, I'm struggling with thoughts of replaying it. I honestly did the 3 endings just by replaying the final cutscene or so, so nothing you actually do affects it. What's the point? To explore romance options? They're not pulling me in.

Another factor is Rook's personality. I had to restart because I was struggling with my first Rook's idea and how their personality in game is. I love my Rook, but I think replayability is cut by a lot, by not allowing you to shape their personality more.

I feel like the choices are less of personality choice and what their reply is. Because "red" option is still going to sound kinda cheeky/playful.

The already mentioned everyone southern-thedas-apocalypse makes me worried more then leaving a bitter taste. Like I understand, it's a cop-out to deal with thousands of choices and you care so much. But it's also been 20 years (I think?) since Origins, so personally I do expect it to be totally different from then. It just makes me wonder if they'll ever do another game in the South, so we can deal with whatever is happening

Well of Sorrows. Personally, I had Morrigan do it so it didn't affect me, but I agree it's something that should've mattered.

Kieran is a mess maybe, my brain can't work all this out sometimes

At first, I was salty Varric was IN THE FADE and not one mention of Hawke. But then I learned.

Romancing Isabela having no option on VG. Listen, my pirate would NEVER not wear Hawke's favor. NEVER I'LL DIE ON THIS HILL.

Merril 100% AWOL. With all the eluvians. She could've become a Veil Jumper.

Lack of elven reaction to your gods being evil. And the immediate acceptance??? No one just thought Rook was crazy??? Except First Warden and he doesn't even go here.

Ok so 10 years, probably the word spreaded about the Dread Wolf. Maybe that makes kinda sense.

BUT WHAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE is no word of the followers Solas gained by the end of trespasser.

I'll still replay from the Harding vs Davrin choice. I chose Harding because I wanted to see the romance ending for Davrin. 100% disappointed about all the ending slides, felt like eh. But I think my canon will have Davrin leading the other team. Nim (my Rook) would've chosen the person she trusts the mostest to lead the other team to victory.

I am preparing to be disappointed with the fade shenanigans that ensue bc I have.. expectations and I don't think they'll happen.

I'm just afraid if Assan dies too.

[blueskittelz]

Let's talk Veilguard

It's been a while since I nerded about something on here, so lets get started!

I started a lot of games last year, and honestly it got overwhelming. I had to move on multiple occasions, and life had just been busy. 2024 was a rough year, but I really appreciate it because it gave me a lot of growth.

Now, I was replaying Dragon Age prior before Dreadwolf--to Veilguards release.

I fell into the same choices of course. Female Cousland who was a simp for Alistair. I actually DID change one choice, which was to make Bhelin the king instead of Harrowmont. It felt weird.

Then I was a sassy mage female Hawke, who fell for Fenris. As always. I did try and change my romance, but... the dynamic of Fenris hating mages but falling in love with a mage, who is sassy on top of that is, MWAUH, chefs kiss. I last minute rejected Anders, and there was definitely red flags from him, considering he got pissy afterwards. Understandably so, but.... The fact that you reject him, set a boundary, and he bitches at you. Like yah dude, be upset about getting rejected, but be respectful when boundaries are set bro.

THEN I was a male inquisition because I love Dorian.

FINALLY, we are getting to the point of this post, I played Veilguard, of course. I was once again, a male sassy mage. I WAS gunna romance Lucanis, but found he wasn't exactly like Fenris. My wires got crossed, because I had the impression that Lucanis would be a mage hater, since he is a mage hunter. But that was not it at all. I then became a Davrin simp, with Assan. BUT ALAS, I done fucked up, because my "Inquisitor" was my female Inquisitor, who was gunna woo Cullen. But I made the max amount of Rook's and didn't wanna restart the intro as much as I did.

The story was admittedly, pretty rough, at the beginning. It felt the story was made by chatgbt, and it would have been nice, if Dragon keep wasn't tossed out the window. Although there are some things I do appreciate in this game. It's not the greatest Dragon Age, but I would replay again, as there are different consequences in certain places.

Like my next playthrough, I'll be a different class, with different factions, and I'll be romancing Neve.

Anyways, I was satisfied with the ending with mine.

Could Veilguard been better? Yeah, honestly. We got what we got, but in the end, I did enjoy my gameplay in the end.

Spoilers below

I got everyone to the veilguard status, and maxed out the factions. I chose Harding to be captain of the second team, and was shocked that she still died. I got a little anxious with my choices after, considering I felt bad for Taash, since they had a little thing going on with her, and they JUST lost their mom too.

Then I found it fitting that Bellara got blighted. She was an absolute queen. I thought very little of her, but after that I was like, "YAAAS queen."

And then when it came to Solas, I actually respected him RIGHT at the end. He actually had a great character growth right there. That whole thing of it being revealed that Solas used blood magic to take advantage of Rook was actually... good. Because without Varric, Rook really would have been lost without him. Hardings sacrifice was also very fitting for her too. As much as I'd like for her to have a happy ending with Taash, I feel satisfied.