Like I said in the other thread, I am overall very happy with this update, with two concerns (which I'm sure will be addressed.) The most important thing here that I want to express is gratitude that Larian listened to us and worked so quickly to fix the scene. This did a lot in easing the hurt feelings i had after seeing this scene for the first time. it is far more than most game companies would have done.
That said, I do have some lingering concerns about the new updates to the scene, again, as I said in the other thread. Firstly, the way the player can talk to him is way too harsh, and I don't like that Halsin ends up apologizing for his own feelings about his own captivity. It is painfully in character for him, perhaps, but it makes me feel uncomfortable all the same. I think a better way for the player to address their concerns to Halsin would be in the form of questions: "that sounds traumatic. Do you need to talk about it?" "That sounds traumatic. Are you sure it isn't bothering you?" instead of what sounds like commands for Halsin to react differently.
Second... that line a Lolth Drow can give. It IS an amazing evil character dialogue, but I worry about it because Halsin responds so... almost like he doesn't realize the player just threatened to sell him back into slavery? Maybe it's meant to be a joke, but even THAT is horrible in a different way. I really hope this line is treated as the purely evil thing it is, with the appropriate consequences; Halsin should immediately break up with the player if romanced, and take a heavy loss of approval regardless (possibly with any other nearby companions disproving as well.) It definitely should not jump to the conversation node where Halsin thanks the player four counseling him. (I feel like that might have just been an oversight, but the idea of Halsin being threatened with being returned to sexual slavery and then going "thanks for letting me confide in you <3" is absurd). Basically- please give this line the weight it deserves, treat it like it is. Threatening a former sex slave with being returned to his captors, even if they are long dead, is such a purely evil thing and the companions need to act to the player the same way they would other such evil deeds.
But overall, I am so happy to see some things in this scene, which were what my own headcanons had been, more or less (along with a lot of Stockholm Syndrome). This man has been so stressed out by his Archdruidic duties that thinking of his days of slavery became a fantasy, not because he actually enjoyed any of it, but because the idea of not being responsible for anything was comforting. It sounds repulsive, but it is known to happen in real with people who have lost their freedom and agency, such as prisoners. So that explanation worked well enough for me. Then him talking to the player... god, Larian. Please let me take care of this cinnamon roll MORE. Let me hug him, wrap a blanket around his shoulders, and give him a steaming cup of soup. He needs and deserves it, and he has been without for over a hundred years. You can't do this to me. Let me CARE THE ELF please
