Please read the criticism here again, because most of the people here don't disagree with what you said.

What most do disagree with is the manipulative way that polygamy (and to some extent RA) is being represented. And that requires having seen all of Halsin's content in a broader context.

The issue with Halsin is that in a healthy relationship (and this is extremely valued in polygamy) is respect, open communication, compromise, and ONGOING discussion of the relationship so that to accommodate each other's needs and feelings

These are the things that are not only sorely lacking, but there is a pretended of this being here, which mean Halsin goes from a lovely and respectful character, for whom trust and loyalty is important, to a manipulative nice guy, who never cared about Tav but simply saw them as I means to something we else.

The next part is Halsin extremely problematic representation of trauma as a SA assault victim, that is so bad that is triggering to actual SA victims - something that Astarion was so praised for handling right and with respect.

I don't think any of this was intentional by the writer, but I do think it is a massive issue.


Halsin requests that we respect his nature as it is: perfect. I have zero issue with this at all.

I do dislike the ultimatum he is proposing in the form of withholding affection that he has been maturing for two acts.

What I would love to see is this scenario:

Tav is monogamous, but has no issue with Halsin pursuing others as well. In turn Halsin respects that Tav is monogamous and will not low key pressure them into his life style - like saying "you are all I want, but let others know the joy of being with you".(From this line it is clear that it was assumed that everyone would have another romance no matter what, but in this case it comes off really toxic).

The way he more or less mocks Tav for asking what his perspective on their relationship is, and how he circumvents the question is absolutely gaslighting. It's handled poorly.

What I would like to see is that through a quest in act three he grows in terms of his view on commitment. (The hints are already there "I can scarcely imagine life without you now", "you are all I want* and "I will stay at your side")

I would like him being open to a relationship with shared goals, dreams, and joined efforts towards ideals that they share. And support each other through these things. I don't want/need forever after, but I would like to see the acknowledgement that he is willing to invest in Tav emotionally and not just physically - and that is the implication at present.

This unwillingness to compromise, commitment and find balance, goes directly against his established character.

I am not poly myself, but have had poly partners, but I am RA with long-term healthy relationships. This representation makes us seem callous, unfeeling, manipulative and uncompromising - and nothing could be further from the truth when it is practiced with respect.

(Adding this part, because I know this can be a bit tricky to understand.

I am dem-sexual with a low sexdrive. For me to experience sexual attraction the circumstances need to be very specific. This is my personal prefference, but also a very rare one. Now, my partner doesn't have this preference and has a much higher sexdrive. So, based on me knowing there are parts of our relationship, where I cannot meet my partners needs, I told them that I would be fine with them pursuing this with someone else. With that comes discussions and setting of boundaries (these are personal, so no details, but an example could be: Do not bring home a temporary partner to meet a shared child. Do not introduce a new partner to a child before it has been discussed and the other partner has had a chance to meet them first) - that type of thing.

It is not for everyone, but this shows a type of compromise that can be implemented in a healthy way on both sides.

Halsin is, as it stands, not a representation of poly, but a non-committed fling at best - at worse a gaslighter who uses witholding of affection to get the rigid terms he wants without discussion. And this is vile.)