*screeching into the void*
Ok, so. I'm replaying Origins for probably the 20th time. When I started the game I thought: "Let's do something I could never bring myself to do in this game". So 1) Playing on nightmare, 2) Starting as a dwarf (Brosca), 3) Trying out strength-based rogue, 4) Not flirting with anyone at all, 5) Making the heroic sacrifice and finally giving a chance to an orlesian warden-comnander. Yeah, for how much i've played this game, i have not tried a lot of things...
It was kinda hard at first: I could not identify with the lady-dwarf for some reason (filthy elf lover that I am). Rogue in heavy armor seamed counter-intuitive. Like, I almost abandoned the run.
But it grew on me. Brosca's story as a stranger in Ferelden is actually amasing, and return to Orzammar 10/10 would help sister again.
And, fun times, strength based rouge is valid (lol what?). Open all the things, be unkillable juggernaut of a dwarf with good damage, and peace out into invisibility when in trouble. I approve +100.
"Not flirting with anyone" part turned out to be the hardest. Picked the kinda-rude answers to any vaguely flirty line. Felt bad on multiple occasions. Sorry Zev, sorry Leliana, in another world someone loves you very much. Sorry Alistair, apparently I only have the option to be tender/close or be a sarcastic prick to you. Sarcastic prick it is. Not taking risks.
(Thank you, Sten, for being so easy to talk to, since you are unromansible. Here I can stop being guarded all the time lest i violate the rules of this run.
And so, Ferelden united, this fine warden, laser-focused on her sacred task, comes back to Redcliffe with an army and a queen. Friendzone all around. Sisters and bros got her back. Riordan says the thing. "Sure, I'll kill the demon-lizard, I promise, big human dudes, i got this".
Dont wanna talk to Morrigan. At all. She's a good friend, but I want to see the heroic sacrifice this time.
So i go talk to Alistair instead - probably wanting to extend the time before Morrigan leaves the party and everything goes downhill.
Imagine. Riordan just told Alistair and Brosca that someone 100% gotta die to slay the archdeamon. Brosca walks into his room - can't sleep, wanna talk?...
And Alistair is fricking holding a rose.
I genuenly did not know that this softie gifts it to the warden even if you never triggered "Did women ever tell you you're handsome" and "Lamp post" dialogues. Did I, the player, actually f* up an answer somewhere along the line, even trying to balance between "friend" and "sarcastic ass"? Maybe. Or could be a glitch.
Brosca tries to joke. Alistair is all adorable and genuine. I, the player, have long forgotten how this scene goes, because, well, not an Alistair-girl. Brosca, a castless gangster with 0% social grace and 0% experience with men telling her nice things, probably gets a blue screen of death. Tries to, as gently as she can, say Buddy, no (you know, like a liar).
I have never picked that option in a bagillion playthrougs. Because the rose thing either was expected, or did not trigger due to different romance or, well, male warden.
And he's still being adorable, like, "well, i had to say it".
Alistair. Buddy. Buddy pal. She literally said 5 minutes ago she's ready to die heroically. Why you gotta confuse the girl? And me?
Perfect timing, Alistair. Superb.
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