Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Story & Character Discussion Halsin Romance, Expectations and Obligatory Poly

So, I thought I'd share my view here on the Halsin romance, not that I think it will actually make a difference. Seems unlikely Larian will do anything about it.

But, basically, I don't mind the poly option. I think it's great that it's available for those who want it and when you use Halsin as a second lover, it sort of works better. He basically says he wants to share in your heart etc, and if you do bring him to that dryad in the circus and chose Halsin instead of your other lover, Halsin will actually comment on it saying that he thought you'd bestowed the honor upon someone else. He doesn't keep calling you "his heart" and "love" every other sentence either, which he does if he's your only lover.

My only problem with his romance is that it's like two different people in one. He's super romantic, handing Tav lines about how his his heart doesn't stirr lightly, how his fog's been lifted, how he wants to be with Tav and have more than just friendship. If you tell him the feeling is mutual he tells Tav his stomach is in knots "like a lovelorn ninety-year-old". He's flirty from the beginning, sure, but also only as a response to Tav being flirty first. And then he comes and tells Tav he wants more and when they agree, Halsin's like "oh, by the way, my heart roams free, and you have to deal with that if you want me." Like, couldn't he have mentioned that a long time ago?

To me Halsin comes off as manipulative here. He makes you fall in love with him only to then break your heart and give you an ultimatum. Accept an open relationship or leave. And since you've already been manipulated into loving him, it's hard to say no even though it doesn't feel right. He should have been open with his "free roaming attitude" from the start, at least then the player has a choice if they want to accept his advances or not.

Then if Tav says fine and they go do the deed, Halsin keeps being romantic, calling them "my heart" etc. His dialogue is often very much leaning into "I love you" territory here, which is also clear if you break up with him. Halsin is written as if he truly LOVES Tav, and that he's also a bit unfamiliar with this feeling (being nervous and all that despite a life of "many lover"). And if you ask him how he sees your relationship, he admits to being unfamiliar with the term, but he also says "You are all I want, but I will not hoard you to myself." So what's all the talk about roaming free? Why can't Tav answer that Halsin's all they want too? If he only wants Tav and they only want him, why can't they mutually come to an agreement here that they can be monogamous and see where it takes them?
(If Tav is in a relationship with someone else too, Halsin does say the same thing, that he only wants you, but is happy for you to share your heart with others.)

So, basically, Halsin apparently doesn't want anyone else than Tav, he just doesn't want to restrict them. But then that should also be Tav's choice, they should be able to tell him they only want him. He's one massive contradiction that says one thing and acts in another way, and I don't think you can have a character that does both these things at the same time. Both versions can exist in the game, but not at the same time. This should clearly be Tav's choice. Do they want Halsin as a partner (for however long it will last), or do they just want him for some late night pleasures. I mean it can start as an open arrangement (and probably should considering Halsin's view on relationships), but that doesn't mean it can't evolve into something else should Tav want it.

Also, there should definitely be a choice to follow him by the end. And preferably a more fleshed out relationship that doesn't revolve only around that one scene in the woods. I mean, let people have some decent conversations to get to know one another. More one-on-one scenes like with origin companions.

And about his claim he's had many lovers, I've seen some complaints about that, but I mean, the dude's 350 years old so... Let's say he's had one lover every 10 years since he was 20, that alone is then 33 serious lovers/relationships, so clearly he's going to have had plenty if he's been swapping things around more frequently than in my example. Many lovers for a man of 350 years doesn't necessarily have to mean he's sleeping around. And considering how long his lifespan is, I get that he doesn't want to tie himself to one single person for the rest of his life, but "roaming free" doesn't have to mean sleeping with everything that moves and/or having multiple lovers at the same time, it can also mean, "I like to swap things around every other decade or so."