Astarion is a feminine...eh?
Asterion is a rouge who survives by being sneaky and cunning. He has an aristocratic background, so joshing around with you over a few brewskies is not his style. Sorry. Dude has been tortured for 200 years and might be a bit emo for it. So he does not flash his hairy chest and beat the ground while grunting to appear masculine enough. He also digs killing and drinks the blood of his enemies. But yes...total wussy man. I recommend Captain Chronos Vampire Hunter for a great old movie about a total badarse who is not a beefcake near bursting out of his shirt when flexing. Or any number of "manly" characters who are total monsters when handling a sword with finesse, yet can also solve problems with their guile rather than headbutting them like a rabid elk in heat.
Gale is a classic academic, and I assume from the lore that is what wizards are. Studious, cocky, and well-spoken. The reason Gale can string more than three words together when forming sentences is because he spent his life studying to be the greatest wizard in the world. He also doesn't need to hide his intelligence behind grunts and over-oiled biceps because if you frack with him, he will electrocute you until your skin melts off while still reading his book. No, he is not Wolverine or the Hulk. He doesn't have to be.
Wyll is about as "bro" as you can get. He likes to talk about battles and being a hero and banging a hawt demon. He has all the the smarm you could want, and even refers to himself int he 3rd person (uggg). He has a neck tho, so maybe he is not masculine enough either. Welp ---there is always WWE 2K22.
Yes --- they all hit on you at the tiefling bonfire and it is creepy. I agree 100%. But it is the easiest way asset-wise to assure that the player can romance whoever the hell they want in the game. Blame Larian for being cheap about it, sure. Blame them for not spending more time developing actual connections between you and the companions, sure. But claiming the game is"woke"? It is such a nothing word at this point.
not the fact that Astarion was tortured for 200 years. perhaps torture was used as punishment for serious misconduct. but that all 200 years he worked as a seducer, yes.
what I love about romance with Gale is that he won't bother without the player's initiative. it must be achieved. unlike Will, who talks about his connection with Mizzora, and at a party he suddenly calls to bed. even if the tav is a man. this is strange and not pleasant (sorry)
and yes. I think Liz is too aggressive and assertive. I ceased to be afraid of her, only on the 4th passage of the game. but usually she doesn't want my tavs xD
