Minthara has all the upbringing and none of the social restraints. She's interested in what any of her family still living in the city would be, displaying power and status. And that's pretty much what she's doing in the dialogue leading to the camp scene: claiming the best prize in the revelry for herself because you proved your power is worthy to her.
Exactly.
In her eyes, you proved your worth when you led the Goblins and helped her decimate the Grove (as it was the Absolute's will).
That admiration for power applies to Minthara
in every sense. This was only the catalyst for her actions that night.
I get the point you both were trying to make btw. You think she made the decision to sleep with you under the Absolute’s influence, and the nature becomes dubious if you consider the player might be more knowledgeable. To me, it was clear she just took what she wanted, and
that should be all that matters. When the Absolute was silent that night, she could have done literally anything else. She could even push you away (like Halsin did) so she could think about why the Absolute abandoned her, to ruminate her choices, etc. but she didn’t.
I think labeling this as “exploitation” says more about
you as a person than anything else. Have you considered it might not be the right term? How about simply making a
reckless decision? Now
that I can agree with. I too once had a traumatic experience and sought someone’s company for comfort that exact night. The person I indulged myself with was very respectful and I’m still friends with him now. I have no regrets, and nor does Minthara, so why make it an issue?
Anyway, off-topic, but now that I've watched that wonderful interview with Emma Gregory, I find myself wondering if the pregnancy storyline was ever truly explored. She just said it was weird when she got asked and laughed it off lol. She could be being vague on purpose, but I think it's safe to say that storyline was cut very early and they never ended up developing a full-fledged companion quest for her (which is a shame). Fingers crossed they decide to add one for her in the future! Maybe with a better storyline that won't strike the VA as weird.
