Now that I've introduced my cannon DA characters.
I want to talk about why I picked their romances, and how it makes sense for each of them.
Now obviously, the number one reason is I love each of these characters and their individual journeys. But I also love to explore something different with each.
1) Alistair ( found family)
Oh, Alistair. The one who started it all. He had me form " I deliver unpleasant news and witty one liners"
He was also how my Sister convinced me to play Dragon Age in the first place.
I pair him with Rhea because, while their individual circumstances are different; their story is the same.
They are both outcasts from their respective societies due to the nature of their births.
Rhea was outcast for being born castless.
Alistair was outcast for being born a royal barsted.
But they both find purpose and family with the Wardens and with each other. They both have a fundamental understanding of each other's experiences. Because while they are different, they are the same.
He doesn't judge her for being castless, she doesn't judge him for being a prince.
Alistair and Rhea also fall into a trope i can't help but love. The Prince who falls for the Commoner.
2) Anders ( the tragic rebel)
I know their relationship is toxic.
But i have 2 reasons why I romance Anders.
The first is, probably my most controversial one: I don't like the other options.
Isabela is too selfish - and that led to the Qunari's attempt takeover.
Fenris has too much truma around mages to have a good relationship with a Mage Hawke (which is my main class in DA2)
And Merrill is too infantilised by the story to make that a comfortable option.
Anders fits the tragedy of Hawkes life.
Every act ends with Hawke losing someone they love:
Escape lothering, lose a sibling
Come back rich form the deep roads
Becomes champion loses their mother
So it makes sense that Theodora Hawke sees the love of her life comit a terrible crime...but still does everything she can to keep him safe.
Because she lost too much, and can't lose more.
Both Theodora and Anders bond together over how they are both carers at heart. Theodora is not only the caretaker of her family, but of her friends and then of Kirkwall.
Anders is a healer by nature. Risking his very freedom to heal the sick of Darktown.
They both also believe in Mage freedom. While Anders experienced the Worse of the Templars, and was conscripted into the Wardens. Theodora saw everything her father and mother did to keep their freedom
It's natural that these two would be drawn to each other...
3: Solas ( the bitter-sweet)
So. When DAI was coming out. I had every intention of romancing Iron Bull.
Because, in the marketing, there was little to no information about Solas.
All i knew was that he was a Mage, a romance option, and Voiced by Gareth David-Loyd.
But then that elf chuckled and said "was that a serious question?"
I sat there, controller in hand, and had a full " oh no...i like him" moment. And all my Bull riding plans went out the window.
I love his romance for Ailsa because it starts with mutual respect and curiosity for both.
For Ailsa its "who is this guy and how does he know so much about the mark?"
For Solas its" how did she survive and come to bare it?"
From there, it grows to love. then to heartbreak, and then, bitter-sweet. Ailsa saved Thedas, but her lover is gone. Along with all the answers he promised.
Meanwhile Solas, doesn't think himself deserving of love. Not after what Mythal did to him. He also doesn't want to Ailsa to see him as the Dread Wolf - the monster of her mythologies. He loves her too much to let her see that side of him.
But neither of them can put their feelings for each other aside. And in the end, Ailsa sees that side anyway and still chooses to be at his side.
Their story is bitter sweet. But is ultimately about love and forgiveness.
4) Lucanis ( easy chemistry)
I knew I was going to romance this guy, when I listened to his episode of the Audio Drama " Vows and Vengeance " ( a weekly audio drama more about introducing the new companions than anything else)
Lucanis episode was so fun, and he wasn't who I'd expected the character to be like after the promos were released. I had expected a broody sad boi assassin. Instead, I got a quite sweetheart who cooks, drinks way too much coffee, is funny, and reads romance novels. ( and isn't afraid to geek out about them with Bellara)
Since Katari is also a mess, and knows what it's like to have an unwanted person in your head....
She can empathise with him. On top of they, they have an easy and chill chemistry together. A nice change of pace form
A prince, a rebel and a god.
And comparing him to the other romances ( i watched on youtube) .his scene comes across as more genuine. Less about the spice times and more about two partners being there for each other.
Before that scene, Rook had lost two of her new friends, helped killed a god, set one free, got sucked into a prison, forced to face all her regrets, found out her mentor had been dead the whole time, is rescued by her friends, only to be told a god has taken over a city, and another god is marching to stop him....oh and they have maybe a day to Marshall her allies to stop both gods.
Meanwhile, Lucanis.. who's has just opened himself up to a romanced with Rook, thinks he lost her forever
Is just greatful to get Katari back.
In that scene, she's finally able to process everything, and Lucanis is able to help her though it. Especially after She helped him with not only Spite but proces his own truma over what happened to him.
It just a wonderful moment.
There is another reason, a more personal one that I won't go into. But It remains to say that Lucanis is special to me.
All of these characters are.
And now you read this long winded post, i wish you all a pleasant day/night
