Originally Posted by celestielf
I think they just wanted to have poly options (but not ones that would make romance scenes with the origin characters conflict with each other). Since Astarion and SH are both really popular, they decided to make them open to it. I agree that it seems kind of OOC for SH (at least without a little more development of the idea) and even Astarion (he actually doesn't enjoy the foursome even if his quest line is resolved, and is insecure that the PC may be going for Halsin because they are taking a break from physical intimacy).


And that's the thing isn't it? laugh They needed poly options because of variety? and instead of developing it they went with picking two popular characters and slapping that option even if it makes no sense.

I sound like a parrot repeating myself but Larian keeps making these mistakes with their stories. They establish certain things (romance and non romance) and after they are finished with it they decide to add new stuff because they thought it was funny or because it would be cool to have that option without even thinking if that addition will fit/make sense.

To go back to the DA:O example. Yo have two similar companions Lelian and Zevran, both assassins/spies that use/used their bodies to get to their targets but one (Leliana) left that behind. While Zevran is open and talks about sexualy experimenting, Leliana is opposed to it unless you make certain decisions within the game and harden her and only after that she goes back to a more open outlook at life and sex. While in BG3 those things just pop up out of nowhere. (again contradicting previously established story)

So my hope is that Larian (at least with this, I have other complaints with the BG3 story that are not romance related) with the release of their patches/definitive edition do change how companions behave. If you pursue a romance with Shadowheart and go the route of rejecting Shar/and her fully committing then there should be a hard lock against her flirting/being interested in others but if you go with accepting Shar/or changing her mind in regards to open relationship then you should have an option to do that.

Same with Astarion, If you pursue an open relationship after finishing his story there should be a hard lock against opening it (him just saying no and then you as a player decide what you want to do - break up or not) because like you said he obviously is uncomfortable with it.

(I was surprised by Kalarach tho on my first playthrough. Where despite her unfinished state she does take a stance against certain things that don't fit here character)

Either way it seems that the whole player sexual companions is yet again causing issues (for me) when it comes to the writing and making companions just puppets dancing to the tune of the player without having any agency.