Originally Posted by Ioue
First time post. I didn't join the EA stage, but really ended up liking Halsin and rest of the company (sans Minthara but that will change now!). So, just wanted to join the discussion and add my love for the big, big druid :3

I really liked the epilogue for Halsin. I thought it reaffirmed who he is as a person. His polyamory, I realize, could be distracting and almost joke-y. I don't encounter polyamory a lot in other media, and last example that I can think of is from Netflix's "You" S3(?), which in hindsight, was not a good representation of polyamory if you have watched it. Really appreciate that he ask for consent and acknowledge how the other party feels. Gale's response made me laugh and it was sweet from both characters XD
I like the epilogue focused who he is at his core, overall: a kind, generous, big-hearted person. He wants everyone to be happy and healthy. I thought that was very sweet even though that can be a tall order depending on where and with who.

So, about the duck: I'm Korean, and I always grew up with the fact that the symbol of ducks usually indicate marriage and family (Mandarin ducks to be precise, which is related to wood ducks -- which is a migratory bird like Halsin said ;3 ). I'm pretty sure the writer did not intend for this as Halsin still gives a well-carved duck as a friend or if turned illithid (like my Tav did in Halsin-only playthrough). There's a whole cultural meaning behind ducks, and I believe China and Japan share similar symbolism as well (not familiar with how it is in SE Asia and other parts of Asia). Of course, there needs to be a pair to actually indicate the intention of marriage/deep lasting relationship, but the whole epilogue fits with what I was going for as a closure for my first Tav. So, to me, it was as same as asking my now-illithid Tav for marriage if only when she's ready. Because ... she now eats brains for a living.

There are some parts of Halsin I found underdeveloped... which I'm sure I'm not the only one. I didn't particularly liked the bit where he was a prisoner for 3 years was handled, tbh. I couldn't get that dialogue outside of the twins' room, and having that talk in that room felt too weird. First playthrough, did not expect that detail to be shared, in that context, and not in a good way. Compared to Astarion's consistent backstory, it felt out of place. Even with all that, I like Halsin. He felt like an adult chaperoning my party, hahaha, next to my Tav, who acted like a big sis to everyone. Add Jaheira the Auntie. Hahahaha, that image in my mind made me laugh through Act 3.
Hello and welcome!
Oh, what an interesting duck simbolism! Thank you for sharing!
About Halsin being drow slaive... believe me, there are many people who find this dialogue very questionable (people write feedbacks about it on Larian Discord channel) and would like it to be removed. Instead, Laian expanded it for a bit in patch 5 which, imo, made it more awkward. You are right, Astarion's story is well-written, Halsin's dialogue was really out of place. Well, yes, there are people who defend this story, but if you look at it critically and logically, imo, again, too questionable.