Pocket Plane Group

BG2 Completed Mods => de'Arnise Romance => Topic started by: jcompton on January 06, 2008, 06:43:08 PM

Title: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: jcompton on January 06, 2008, 06:43:08 PM
So, with the release of de'Arnise Romance, there are now three mods which give Nalia some form of structured story romance.

There was Arnel's Nalia, then Auren Aseph's NPC/NPC girl/girlness, and now this mod.

Am I forgetting something, or is three romance mods for one Bioware NPC a dubious distinction currently enjoyed by Nalia alone?

Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: gertjanvh on January 06, 2008, 06:49:00 PM
I always thought of her as my own little princess, caring for her, giving her flowers, providing for her eventual offspring.. and incidentally taking over her family home.
No seriously, I adore her naieve innocent way of looking at her surroundings, reminds me of myself :)
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Elfen Lied on January 06, 2008, 06:59:52 PM
"... I find your "steal from the rich and give to the stupid" politics charmingly naïve,..." Edwin.

I do like this character, but I've never really found her to be much use. there are better theives than her, and I find Edwin to be a better mage. But I enjoy her quest/s better than Edwin's.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: the bigg on January 06, 2008, 07:02:52 PM
Imoen: Imoen Romance / Chloe / Kelsey (and I recall a fourth serious romance as well). Also, don't forget that Nalia and Imoen are the stars of Square/Triange/Octagon, and we also have Natlia Romans  :)
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: jcompton on January 06, 2008, 07:36:04 PM
Imoen: Imoen Romance / Chloe / Kelsey (and I recall a fourth serious romance as well).

Oh, duh. I can't believe I forgot Chloe.

Nalia would, I suppose, still be the first with two competing PC romances...

For the fourth, you may be thinking of the Quitch romance, but that hasn't been published. But you're right that Imoen was at three far, far earlier.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: the bigg on January 06, 2008, 07:43:00 PM
For the fourth, you may be thinking of the Quitch romance, but that hasn't been published.
Nah, that Quitch thing was a non-romantic relationship ("friendship track" in day to day modder lingo, if we can compare Quitch's dialogues with what is made by your usual NPC author). Maybe somebody was planning for Imoen to be the receiver of their mod NPC's romantic affection, or maybe I just double-remembered Chloe.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Daulmakan on January 06, 2008, 09:00:35 PM
Imoen: Imoen Romance / Chloe / Kelsey (and I recall a fourth serious romance as well). Also, don't forget that Nalia and Imoen are the stars of Square/Triange/Octagon, and we also have Natlia Romans
Gavin for BG2 will also romance Imoen.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: jcompton on January 06, 2008, 09:04:33 PM
I am expressly not counting unreleased mods. Although presumably that will become the next most likely tiebreaker, yes.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: theacefes on January 07, 2008, 12:40:43 AM
She's just a popular gal. ;)
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Porthas on January 10, 2008, 11:23:32 PM
It's actually a bit weird she wasn't a romance from the get-go.  She's set up for the classic "save the lass and her family from the evil monsters" scenario.  I swear that's a scenario. Really. Um, yeah. Seriously, you actually do more for this lady than any other NPC chick that can enter the party.  You listen to her plea for help - without really knowing what you're getting into.  You travel a good distance.  You liberate a frickin' castle and save some of her friends and a family member.  This puts you in the position of being terribly heroic, self-sacrificing, brave, and proven as committed to her interests.  If your PC is a good looking guy (check the Charisma baby) then there are a lot of reasons she would possibly consider you as a worthy mate/partner/whatever.  So, it's almost odd that she doesn't even really give your character a kiss on the cheek for what you've done.  So maybe this is why she's such a sex symbol.

I've thought about this waaaayyyyy too much.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Daulmakan on January 10, 2008, 11:43:42 PM
Perhaps because she wasn't an elven priestess?
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: shiroryu on January 11, 2008, 12:02:18 AM
It's more a case of filling the hole( or rather the gaping void) in the Bioware romancescape. Nature( and modders) abhor a vacuum. Who is the NPC( who as Porthas points out, you save more than anyone else) that is crying for a romance? For male BG2ers fed up of nibbling overlong ears? Talk about painfully obvious.

A classic Damsel-in-Distress scenario to me( which, actually, I hated Bioware for - which independent woman, and Nalia is certainly one, likes being saved continually?). Mini-rant: I wish Bioware had allowed Nalia the chance to even the score - the PC being kidnapped( obviosuly via foul means like poisoning) and had Nalia burst in ;D slinging spells and arrows.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: berelinde on January 11, 2008, 05:13:54 AM
It's actually a bit weird she wasn't a romance from the get-go.  She's set up for the classic "save the lass and her family from the evil monsters" scenario.  I swear that's a scenario. Really. Um, yeah. Seriously, you actually do more for this lady than any other NPC chick that can enter the party.  You listen to her plea for help - without really knowing what you're getting into.  You travel a good distance.  You liberate a frickin' castle and save some of her friends and a family member.  This puts you in the position of being terribly heroic, self-sacrificing, brave, and proven as committed to her interests.  If your PC is a good looking guy (check the Charisma baby) then there are a lot of reasons she would possibly consider you as a worthy mate/partner/whatever.  So, it's almost odd that she doesn't even really give your character a kiss on the cheek for what you've done.  So maybe this is why she's such a sex symbol.

I've thought about this waaaayyyyy too much.

Before reading the by-line, I thought this might have been written by cmorgan!
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Dark Raven on January 11, 2008, 07:48:40 AM
She is? Since when? Her looks, her voice, certainly don't do it for me.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: gertjanvh on January 11, 2008, 10:10:34 AM
Her voice (and Imoen's) and the only original ones I really like in the game.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: cmorgan on January 11, 2008, 02:59:58 PM
It's actually a bit weird she wasn't a romance from the get-go.  She's set up for the classic "save the lass and her family from the

Before reading the by-line, I thought this might have been written by cmorgan!

Hey, another person with good taste and class! Cool!  8)
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Porthas on January 11, 2008, 10:57:24 PM
It's actually a bit weird she wasn't a romance from the get-go.  She's set up for the classic "save the lass and her family from the

Before reading the by-line, I thought this might have been written by cmorgan!

Hey, another person with good taste and class! Cool!  8)

 ;D
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Arátoeldar on January 13, 2008, 03:42:57 AM
Her voice (and Imoen's) and the only original ones I really like in the game.

So you must have also loved Viconia. Grey DeLisle also did the voices for Skie (BG1), Alora (Jedi Academy), and Brianna aka Handmaiden (KotOR:TSL).

How can you not love Mazzy. Who was voiced by Jennifer Hale. She did the voices for   Fall-from-Grace (P:T), Dynaheir (BG1), Bastila Shan (KotOR series0, and the female Jaden Korr (Jedi Academy).
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: gertjanvh on January 13, 2008, 08:20:17 AM
See I must be dumb, I didn't know she voiced both.
But, Viconia has a sort of "rasping" quality to her, with very overpronounced intonations, and she also does something with how she pronounces the 'r'.
Nalia sounds much more natural overall, which sounds much better to me.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Porthas on January 16, 2008, 01:28:35 PM
Oh, as an aside regarding looks... does anyone else besides me think she looks a lot like Drew Barrymore?

She is? Since when? Her looks, her voice, certainly don't do it for me.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: jcompton on January 16, 2008, 01:29:57 PM
Yes, rather.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: shiroryu on January 17, 2008, 12:13:52 AM
Oh, as an aside regarding looks... does anyone else besides me think she looks a lot like Drew Barrymore?

She is? Since when? Her looks, her voice, certainly don't do it for me.

Amazing how I didn't pick up on it until somebody here in the forums pointed it out earlier on.  ::)

If you want a real sex-symbol Nalia, maybe a Charlie's Angels-style makeover is in order.  ;D
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Belladonna on January 17, 2008, 09:28:28 AM
I suppose this is a boy + girl mod?
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: jcompton on January 17, 2008, 09:42:53 AM
Yes, it is for male PCs.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Zeevico on March 10, 2008, 03:02:52 AM
Anyone ever get reminded of Drew Barrymore in Ever After by Nalia? Seriously, the similarities in their characters and looks are, well...I always thought obvious, at least.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Gnick O Thyme on March 10, 2008, 08:13:44 AM
Oh, as an aside regarding looks... does anyone else besides me think she looks a lot like Drew Barrymore?

Yep, that's the best part!
Anyone ever get reminded of Drew Barrymore in Ever After by Nalia? Seriously, the similarities in their characters and looks are, well...I always thought obvious, at least.
You catch on quick, don'tchya? ;)

Seriously though, I think people like a romance with her because it makes her a bit more interesting.  She's such a rip-off of Imoen stat-wise, and this gives her something different.  She's also the only romance I know of who'll go for dwarves!

I don't like her original "limosine liberal" personality.  I'm hoping for some insight on this personality in the romance.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: jcompton on March 10, 2008, 11:20:23 AM
I don't like her original "limosine liberal" personality.  I'm hoping for some insight on this personality in the romance.

I'm curious what your take will be. I made a conscious effort not to "rehabilitate" her character as such and to preserve as many of the odd angles of her character as possible. If players are paying attention, there should be some places where they're wondering, "Wait, did Nalia just say something terribly offensive and pass it off as a compliment?" If she didn't, I don't think it would be very true to the character.

But as in real life, for those we love, we tend to overlook such flaws... at least most of the time.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: shiroryu on March 10, 2008, 12:45:10 PM
While I did find Nalia quite uptight in the mod as well as vanilla Bioware, I realize that she was never meant to be the Romantic Ideal. Brought up in sheltered conditions, having parents who, though good at heart, differed somewhat in their views on money and classes, and having an aunt who simply hates the poor - I think Nalia's done pretty well. Also, she's young, so she hasn't yet had time to grow up, to see the grays among the blacks & whites. ( Which is why it's a bit rich to have CHARNAME spouting platitudes - he/she is only 20 as well, and Bhaalblood doesn't automatically confer the wisdom of experience! )

Consequently, while some of her dialogue grates on our sensibilities( judgemental, haughty etc. etc.) it stems from a genuine ideology, warped as it is by conflicted upbringing. Even Bioware NPCs comment on her naivete, so Bioware knew where they were going with this one - it was just that the leap from naive in SoA to serious in ToB was too abrupt to do her complex character much justice. I'm very much interested in how JC will handle that shift( nudge nudge).  ;)




Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Gnick O Thyme on March 19, 2008, 09:58:04 AM
I don't like her original "limosine liberal" personality.  I'm hoping for some insight on this personality in the romance.

I'm curious what your take will be. I made a conscious effort not to "rehabilitate" her character as such and to preserve as many of the odd angles of her character as possible. If players are paying attention, there should be some places where they're wondering, "Wait, did Nalia just say something terribly offensive and pass it off as a compliment?" If she didn't, I don't think it would be very true to the character.

But as in real life, for those we love, we tend to overlook such flaws... at least most of the time.
If her annoying personality traits are still there when I romance her, I'll love the romance.  I don't like it when people try to change things around.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: strayshift on July 25, 2008, 03:02:50 PM
She also gets to say 'B*stard' - made me laugh...  ;D
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Blizzard Beast on October 26, 2008, 08:06:26 AM
I quite like her actually. Though her original portrait is pretty godawful with those beads and things flying everywhere. No wonder I put in the JPS alt portrait.

One thing I have to say about this mod, though, is that soundtrack to her LTs. Sorry, but I really can't abide it. Acoustic guitars a la romcom don't really fit with the game as a whole.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: jcompton on October 27, 2008, 07:54:44 AM
Replacing the track is pretty trivial, fortunately. I concede its lack of authenticity, as I do with the Kelsey track, but for whatever reason those two pieces just seemed right to me. They're more distinctive than some mediocre noodling-at-the-orchestra-strings-patch synth work, which I like.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: Neirfane on December 17, 2008, 09:59:19 PM
my first time through the game i liked her. since i was a fighter from bg1 it all worked out. but when i played the mod the first time i was disapointed she didn't opt for the marriage of conveniance.
Title: Re: Why is Nalia such a sex symbol?
Post by: ddv on December 31, 2008, 06:35:54 PM
I'm very much interested in how JC will handle that shift( nudge nudge).  ;)


It looks like a difficult task to explain the sudden changes in Nalia's personality seen at the start of ToB, and what influence the romance may have had on that shift. It must be very tempting not to ignore it entirely as a piece of personality development confined to a Nalia the PC isn't romancing.  Also very interested to see how that will be handled.