But action C makes Kivan so much more badass.
It would also make him a Fallen Ranger, because he does not know Marduf and has no proof of his crimes. In both Tazok's and Viconia's case Kivan has the proof of the crimes the two had commited, hence he is willing to desecrate a body in the first case, and shoot Viconia should the player hesitate in the second (she deserves death, but a quick one). See, if I were doing it in NWN2, I would have put the camera on Kivan, shown him frown momentarily (without any extra texts), and then moved it back to Marduf and PC. This way he is present, PC knows that she is observed, but Kivan does not have to speak - and making Kivan to be present and relevant without him breaking into too many monologues, 'cause he is as he noted cast as a 'silent' type character. I don't have a good way to do this in IE, so I did use the paranthesis in this particular case. I am sorry that you did not find it a good solution, but that's the rationale. Anyway, I really don't want to turn it into an argument, I can't see how anything can be right or wrong here. In general I agree with you that mucho text is no good, and, as I said, am trying to express what's important to me with different means wherever possible. I just don't think that IE action list or cutscening always offers necessary means to convey fine emotional and drammatic touches.