Why do we think there is this thread made to discuss obligatory poly with this character, who does not desire to include a walled garden romancer in his life, but there was not a mirror of this thread made to discuss community feedback about obligatory monogamy, in regards to all the others who do not agree to let their hearts be free?

It is not abuse that after our character says they agree with Halsin and that your hearts remain free, that he proceeds through the romance with the understanding that we are in agreement. I hope that in future playthroughs, careful attention is granted to the RP choices the game is making available that the player gets the chance to choose between, having complete agency.

The romance requires the player to flag agreement, and there is a way to challenge him -- by withholding the player character's affection from him, saying it is not meant to be because your character does not agree and does not align with him. There is not a way to challenge him and proceed in much the same way that we cannot challenge Gale to allow poly when he doesn't want it and proceed. Gale's ultimatum for monogamy with a monogamous partner is not a topic of community conversation, is not being labeled toxic, abuse, creepy: why might that be?

Having a boundary around entering into intimate trust and care with someone who fundamentally disagrees with how Halsin romances is not an example of abuse on his part. He is not an abuser for having an on/off romance switch in the game's design. The way that poly looks in this one character is not meant to represent all poly. I have to gush: when he is eager for player character's visit, the joy and anticipation in his voice is so sweet and fulfilling.

To address something I see coming up pretty often, a person's demeanor and affect do not "say" subconsciously anything about how they conduct themselves in sex or intimacy.

Stereotyping and expecting one type of romance, and receiving another, does not mean that the character or the writers were being manipulative, except perhaps in the way of writers subverting expectations, which is part of the manipulations we agree to be entertained with when we play a story. And maybe Halsin is lying and his internal monologue is as manipulative as is being presumed. Does Halsin have to say in Act 1 more flags for players to not turn down other romances for him? A common complaint here has been getting to Act 3, spending so much time in the game, before seeing what his romance will be like. A new cutscene where he plainly speaks about everything in his romance track, having a wild heart that isn't moved easily yet doesn't enter walled gardens, would maybe be a little odd in Act 1, but I'm sure the writers could figure it out. And maybe then we'd get another cutscene! Which would be so so wonderful and I do hope for it. Though, I would much rather the cutscene, if we only get one and if we get one at all, be for the romance track. But if this is really needed in Act 1 to make sure every player who has a chance to recruit Halsin understands up front that he will have a certain romance style, and to not close the door on other romances and miss out on content, I'll be interested to see how it's handled.

Not everyone looking at this character assigns him the stereotypes and expectations that lead to this interpretation of him as manipulative; being stoic, loyal, kind, devoted, and careful are not qualities synonymous with a specific romance style. Lots of devoted, loyal, dependable people require obligatory poly in real life, like lots of changeable, flighty, insecure people require obligatory monogamy in real life. In this case, the issue is less with the representation of poly or a character who gives off dependable and loyal vibes, and more the automatic expectation that there will be the kind of commitment expected.

We don't have to be in constant negotiations about the boundaries of the relationship in the game because the relationship flag to start the romance RPs agreement. We agree. In this romance, the RP choice available is to agree to the style of poly and to have no conflict. That is not toxic or abusive, the opposite, it is two people saying, "Yes?" "Yes!" And I hope that no further dev time for this character is given to create the long conversations and negotiations that happen irl to help navigate envy, jealousy, and individual needs about cohabitation, time together, etc.

Just exactly the same way that I hope longer discussions negotiating with Gale, Wyll, or Lae'zel for concessions and compromises to their monogamy is not how their dev time gets devoted. It just would not serve the characters, in my opinion.

The representation of poly where two characters agree to let their hearts be free is fine, it is not abuse and it is not toxic.

I hope Larian absolutely leans into the meme angle and gives us an Act 3/postgame hot spring episode in the future dev for this character. My wish and dream: imagine the gifs. Imagine him sitting in a hot spring, like a contented capybara/bear - free of stress, thriving, meditating. Player character giving him a shoulder rub while talking about whatever Halsin is growing into in this state, his ambitions and feelings about himself and his family and his memories. I love this dude sooo much I really hope he keeps being paid attention to by the studio.