About kidnapping the romantic interest: I agree from a story point of view, but from a gameplay point of view it would be such a major annoyance. I am not sure, if I am in the minority hear, the LI is the secondary character, the one who never leaves the group. They are the one who has all the necessary things we need but that would clutter my poor little STR 8 inventory too much. While I tend to build my groups without building up one character as the big hero, the LI and my Avatar work best together because they are simply always there, they also split the perma buffs between them. The emotional and practical turmoil of the Cazador battle is kind of enough for me in this regard, because when Astarion was taken away, it wasn't just the LI, it was also the best friend, partner in crime and battle companion who was gone - and the one I'd usually send over the whole platform to get someone out of a trap.
From a purely game play perspective I am also disappointed that Act 3 doesn't continue the fun item sets from Act 1 and 2 that you can base a whole play style on. I really like those and I think that Act 3 only continues to the +Heat style of them.
No, my LI doesn't get special treatment, they stay in camp,when I don't need them, like everybody else.
