A love interest that is interesting and not just some quest goal.

Personally I would love a love interest that does something. He/she could travel to the local inn's to follow the hero. She could inform him about the village he is in, raise his reputation in the village, heal the hero, give the hero a place to sleep and maybe deal out some side-quest from that village. One thing I didn't like about <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> was that after you get your love interest she/he just doesn't matter any more. A bit like the love interest in overlord but even more involved in the game.

Also it give you a familiar face in the village and connect you more to the game. (other games: "Well I am never going to see that guy again"). If you keep seeing a couple of the same people once in a while at different places.(travelling merchants, circus, companions) you feel connected to them.

Not in the mood for cheese?
That excuse has more holes than a slice this fine Gorgombert!