Originally Posted by Bann Duncan
I think the issue at the heart of talking about rewrites vs artistic integrity (and I say this as someone who always prefers author’s intent) is that the creepy Halsin companion of the game was not the original vision for the character. It was fanservice to horny fan requests.

I don’t know what the solution now is, because writing by committee and “listening to fans” usually backfires (the current state of Halsin is a testament to this) but the problem was created by the fans to begin with…

What’s looking to be the next “Act 3 Halsin” is the amount of people who are convinced that Minthara is actually a good guy and therefore she should be recruitable on a good path, even though if anything she is even more evil than an Absolute follower, lol.

Listen to the fans when it comes to gameplay balance, tech issues, etc–do not let them write the game!

Sorry but not everyone wanted Halsin just to be a fling besides Astarion or other companions - there are enough people who saw a (attractive too, yes) kind, mature and wise leader, someone to rely on and who would "fix us" and not we have to "fix him".

Of course people have been thirsty about him too, he is attractive, but this doesn't mean everyone just wanted him for sex only. Fans fell in love with him from how he was in act 1. So he got a bigger role due to the fans but to say it is the fans fault he is the way he is right now is just wrong. If Larian truly reads everything they know that.

Even him being poly wouldn't be that issue for me, but the ending totally is and him being so extreme horny and with this swinger mentality it just doesn't fit to my impression from him. Of course with 350 years you can expect him to have had his share of lovers, but it is one thing telling Tav about his stirring heart and then go on and want to have sex with the drow twins. And even worse if you don't even romance him.

So for 70 years during shadow curse he was fine with no sex and now I guess he needs to catch up? Fine, but telling Tav he/she is the only one for him isn't really fitting except for those who separate love and sex from each other.

Fine if people love him like he is - but I bet most of these romance Astarion or Shadowheart primary and have him be the casual fling next to them. It is a totally different experience compared to have him being the primary romance and only wanting him.

But you know what? I don't care anymore. I moved on but I feel sorry because he could have been a great romance and I feel like they ruined him.