Wow, I can't believe I read through this entire thread
j/k
Going back (long ago, in a post far, far away...) to what I believe to be the original topic of this thread:
Hi, all. Having advanced the game nearly to the end of SoA, I fell into bed at Saturday 6 a.m. I was wakended Sunday late afternoon by a call from my girl-friend. Three hours later finished, I sat there brooding, and ...
ENLIGHTENMENT
... asked a question which I will gladly pass onward to the wise(wo)men in this forum:
Did you find the Soula romance satisfying? (Nope not the question but preparing ground)
My answer: Well, errrr,.... perhaps I found something missing...
Yes.
I've always loved Solaufein since the first time I played the mod a year ago (I used to post as Celandra Silvermoon), and I've always been attracted to his dark, brooding and poetic soul. There really *is* something sensual about a man who can (GASP!) think thoughts deeper than where the next mug of ale is coming from or what pickup line to use on that "pretty little Calimshite lass that just walked into the Copper Coronet..."
BUT (yes, there's always a but) I *did* wish there was a little more tenderness involved in the romance, not necessarily raunchy hell-raising sex (although I'm not shy to admit, I don't mind that at all ---
Viva Tsujatha!), but perhaps a few quiet interludes between Solaufein and PC. I know a lot of mods come with flirt packs now, so perhaps this might be the solution for those who find Solaufein lacking in "affection".
Aside from his poetry (which is what makes him who he is, and that must never be changed!), some of the scenes my imagination cooked up in between battles, were things like a small private smile exchanged at random, a gentle touch on the shoulder, a meaningful look. Simple things like that. Player-initiated, as well as NPC-initiated random flirts.
They don't have to be as complex as the ones Anomen does (I just can't see Solaufein adjusting my armor straps).... but it would be something very Sola-like to find a book lying open on my bedroll, a single flower lying on it's pages, to mark a specific passage of poetry he thought I might like to read. No words necessarily exchanged, just little thoughtful gestures that all the hopeless romantics like me would love to see.
So, here´s the question:
WHERE
IS
THE
CONFLICT!!!
It wouldn't suit Solaufein to become overbearingly jealous and possessive. It just *isn't* him. But I *could* imagine him with a hurt look in his eyes if I decided to check out the wonders of the Ust Natha lust chambers (probably a bad example, maybe Lady Galvena's Feasthall or something... fill in the blanks), or if I flashed Anomen a salacious grin. I wouldn't expect him to challenge Anomen to a duel or anything, but I *would* find it odd that he would not, at some point, express *some* hurt or dissappointment (especially if the romance has progressed to a more serious stage). Anyone who loves anyone would react that way, in certain situations.
As far as the conflict goes, I think his soul-searching regarding his part in Phaere's death and his "place" on the surface is enough for the PC to deal with, it gives a basis for some very deep conversations which are already in place in the current version of the mod. *This* aspect is very gratifying in itself, because intelligent conversations *are* sexy. But as I already mentioned, I wouldn't mind punctuating our philosophical discussions with a little kiss or a gentle touch on the cheek from time to time.
pc:
Can I really trust and fall in love so simply with a drow, a race which you experienced as living nightmares, emotional aliens? Soula seems really to be different, but can I really and in general love someone, knowing my dark soul could possibly take over and destroy everything, especially him? Would it not be better to keep distance in order to protect the one I could, I do, love deep in my heart, in order that he may be kept save from me?
Soula:
Can I really *trust* the pc, having experienced so painfully how Paere was turned against me? She is blood of Baahl, a power in a mortal soul, death only a step afar to equal Lolth, darkness lurking, murder not only of live, but also murder of souls. Can I dare to show my affection, my true feelings, or, be it even love which I believed has died forever with Paere? If I can do this, do I not distract her then from fighting the evil essence within her, bothering her with my feelings? She needs every support she can get, but perhaps showing her my feelings, daring to waken her feelings, will weaken her and turn the evil instinct unforgivably against her. I should know, I witnessed it with Paere...
It could be simplified, but that's about the jist of what I would like to see.
- "Now let´s dance" ? (omy I thought, Soula finally shows some fire...).
Dancing is romantic
- "Now let´s walk into the woods" (mygodnowwearedoingit... nope, a godess is interfering, if not interapturing...).
Even MORE romantic! (Damn goddess!)
- "shut up and kiss me"
Hell yeah!
(that´s good! but where is the part where you actually get to this point in a relationship, where you can be this tender and close? "let´s dance" is a good point to start from, but there´s still something missing!)
Yeah.. the tender, sweet kisses.
Without some sort of conflict, IMO a romance seems a bit bland. Right now, Soula seems to me a bit too emotionally distant in that sense.
No fighting. I'm tired of fighting all the time. I just want some good lubbinz from my favorite drow!
@Wes: Sorry this post is so long, but I just HAD to put my $0.02 in. I love this mod, it was the first one I ever installed after I found out there WAS such as thing as a mod! And here I am a year later, still playing it....You must have done *something* right