tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8089234714060648358.post8893687758326646456..comments2024-03-16T16:50:51.684-07:00Comments on Dumped, Drunk and Dalish: From Alistair to Cullen: Fairytale Romances and Dragon AgeAngela D. Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11669645527339566514noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8089234714060648358.post-59744175097338431942021-01-25T13:29:35.448-08:002021-01-25T13:29:35.448-08:00I had NO idea about the depressing angles of Alist...I had NO idea about the depressing angles of Alistair/Cullen/etc romances until others mentioned them - I didn't even know there was a heartbreaking scene with Cullen in trespasser (?!) Then again, Bioware strikes again... AGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09893785605099950778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8089234714060648358.post-88787993450129778582019-04-17T20:55:05.539-07:002019-04-17T20:55:05.539-07:00I always loved Cassandra’s character, I like how s...I always loved Cassandra’s character, I like how she learns to let herself be MORE. She’s a warrior, a warrior for the good guys and always a fighter for the good fight. But she became exactly who she wanted to be for so long I think she let it sink in too deeply. She seldom gave herself room to be friend, or a lover even, she never looks beneath herself to see if maybe there could be more for her. <br /><br />Atop the fact Cassandra is an extension of why I love Bioware’s world building, considering I grew up in a religious family however me being an atheist. I’ve always respected the church’s beliefs even though severely disagree with them in numerous things(well,duh but I have a point). I like how Bioware doesn’t make the religious evil or innately corrupted fanatics. The idea of god can make people the most selfless and eager to do good, however it can also be perverted and twisted into hypocrisy and horror. <br /><br />Since I’m an atheist, by extension I play all my RPG protagonists in that way, because It’s my means of inserting myself into the world. But also curious to how characters would react to it and treat me. Though Cassandra did greatly disapprove more and more I was frank on the fact that even with me being a Daliah Huntress with a Vallaslin on my face. That Vallaslin was my means of respecting my family and my culture(just like I pray at family gatherings just to respect my heritage and the people who raised me), so I don’t believe in any gods or Maker. But I was honestly touched at the Tresspasser DLC how she called me her friend.<br /><br />I lost friends and many relatives were bitter over that particular life choice, But it just made me feel good to be told that- I have such a deep respect for Cassandra and her Arc made her more open minded as well as emotionally aware. I garnered a deep respect for Cassandra’s faith after learning more about her, because it wasn’t a justification to her. It was her motive, HER REASON, to do good in a world that doesn’t make sense to her most of the time. Violethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01368751696545043947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8089234714060648358.post-67179977111281704442017-12-21T00:25:48.618-08:002017-12-21T00:25:48.618-08:00Thank you for this wonderful and thoughtful reply!...Thank you for this wonderful and thoughtful reply! So much good stuff to discuss here... <br /><br />I definitely share your preference to play elves (and "elfy elves") -- it just always felt right to me, and closest to the story I was interested in exploring. I do play different characters and personalities in various playthroughs, but elves are my default setting. (Probably my least favorite, in DAI at least, was human noble -- it was a much less interesting story to me because it removed the Inquisitor's huge journey from pauper to ruler if elven.)<br /><br />I love that you connect with Alistair through his half-elvenness. That's something I think too many people miss. He's definitely a very funny and charming character -- for me, he was too vulnerable and immature ultimately to be canon for me in DAO, although I love seeing him again in DAI. There's a maturity and weariness to him in DAI (if he returns as a warden) that I really liked. <br /><br />Meanwhile, I adored Zevran and found him a beautifully written character. The fact that he's suffered so much yet is still capable of joy and hope always delights me. <br /><br />On DAI -- you just described everything that makes that story so wonderful and rich for me when playing as an elven Inky. Although I do think Bull is capable of being far more empathetic about her situation, race and beliefs than might be immediately apparent.<br /><br />But yeah, Solas is a rich and fascinating romance and I love the way the elven identity really resonates throughout the entire story of DAI if you romance him. For me, the true story of DAI can only really be experienced fully in a romance with Solas, because he himself is so tied to the main story (and holds so many of its secrets). <br /><br />What's interesting is that I find a lot of subtle parallels between Zevran's romance, Bull's, and Solas's. None of them expects or seeks to fall in love, and both Zev and Bull have actually been indoctrinated with the idea that sex is something wholly divorced from emotion, and that romantic love is not possible or even allowable. Meanwhile, Solas, in his own way, is actively fighting his feelings even as he loses that battle (and I think falls in love with Thedas at the same time). <br /><br />As far as DA2, I still really enjoyed the game, but I agree that being forced to play a human was an odd sensation for me. My favorite romances there were Anders and Isabela, although I liked Fenris's (and still wish my FemHawke could have dated the Arishok, dammit -- Kirkwall would have been a much happier place). <br /><br />I adore Merrill, but she's so fragile! Still... I secretly hope we'll see Merrill again in DA4. (I just adore the idea of a conversation between Merrill and Solas. It would make me ridiculously happy.)Angela D. Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669645527339566514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8089234714060648358.post-18163507536617832892017-12-20T23:56:25.603-08:002017-12-20T23:56:25.603-08:00Thanks so much! That's amazing about Alistair ...Thanks so much! That's amazing about Alistair -- I would definitely have been incredibly shocked by that too. My Warden talked him into the Dark Ritual, so he lived (even if I was convinced their romance wouldn't last, LOL). <br /><br />I definitely felt that Dorian, Fenris, Blackwall and Zev were not fairytales, so did try to address them in my follow-up post to this one. I especially loved Dorian's and Zev's out of your list -- they're beautifully written characters who are more complex than they seem.<br /><br />I'll be posting more thoughts on some of the DA2 romances in the future, as well as eventually analyzing everyone's romances in DAI, too (or as many as I can)!Angela D. Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669645527339566514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8089234714060648358.post-21373308554646760062017-12-10T17:53:59.043-08:002017-12-10T17:53:59.043-08:00When I play Dragon Age, I always play "elfy&q...When I play Dragon Age, I always play "elfy" elves, and none of them want a fairy tale prince or princess. Far from it, they'd prefer the elven servant scrubbing the courtyard steps. But since that's never an option, they just want someone who understands and sympathizes with what they're going through.<br /><br />My "canon" Warden is a Tabris who quickly fell for Alistair, partly because he's so sweet and funny, partly because he was the first human she ever met who didn't look down on her for being elven, but mostly because his background resonated with her. Growing up, he was forced to sleep in the stables like an animal just as she had to sleep in a crumbling shack in a ghetto. He was treated like an unwanted burden by his noble family, just as she was treated like vermin by Vaughan's family. She also suspected his mother was an elf (I only later learned Alistair's mother was Fiona; HA! Who was right?!), so she saw him as a half-elf who needed to be accepted<br /><br />My "co-canon" (almost canon but not quite) Warden Surana fell for Zevran because he was another elf taken young and raised in a multi-racial gilded cage (she, the Circle, he, the Crows) where love and sentimentality are forbidden at best, weaknesses to be used against you at worst (since Templars separate mages who fall in love, and Crows kill love birds). They're two elves tasting freedom for the first time and allowing themselves to fall in love (and try to reconnect with their people) together.<br /><br />Solas... need I say more? An "Elfy" Lavellan is separated from her Clan, named the Herald of a human god, named the head of a religious organization whose religion has been used to justify centuries of subjugation and genocide of her people, and is surrounded by Chantry fanatics who expect her to instantly drop her previous beliefs and join the adamant faithful. (This INCLUDES Sera, Varric, and even Bull--who might not be Andrastian himself, but expects you to play the role since that's your job, in his Ben'Hassrath mind.) Only Solas comes close to understanding what she's going through, being a fellow "heathen" "apostate" elf whose interests lie outside Chantry dogma; in ancient elven history and obscure magics. And in the end, he's one of only two love interests to explicitly accept and respect your Dalish culture/beliefs (Cullen being the other, since he lets you recite Dalish vows at your Trespasser wedding). <br /><br />To me, there's no comparison. <br /><br />(P.S. If DA2 LET US play as an elf, then Merrill. Sometimes Fenris. But mostly Merrill.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8089234714060648358.post-73905524374894152822017-12-10T08:48:22.930-08:002017-12-10T08:48:22.930-08:00Ooh, can't wait for your next one! I never tho...Ooh, can't wait for your next one! I never thought about the romances in these terms, but it explains a lot. I love the characters on the fairytale list, but I never really got hyped about their romance arcs—with the exception of Alistair, except my Alistair surprised the crap out of me by diving to kill the Archdemon at the last second, leaving my Warden utterly shellshocked and heartbroken. I was completely ready to give my life for him, but he refused to let me, and died for me instead. That was an incredible gaming experience. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Dorian, Fenris, Blackwall, and Zevran, the four Dragon Age romances that make my heart flutter wildly in my chest, and which are all conspicuously absent from the fairytale list...!!Elanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07537895384183766919noreply@blogger.com