Sorry, @Blue, I have a habit of doing a sweeping reply to a few things at once. The Harleep thing was not directed at you! I'm aware that someone else is wanting to have the discussion with me (not you) on Harleep. I'm just hoping to get across that I will not engage in that, as there are particular RP/arguments being used that are too violent and very triggering to my personal trauma.

Originally Posted by BlueScaliesxx98
just had another look some videos, as i havent updated my own game yet to see it on my own durge. but: agree on the biting kiss, i think tavs reaction is good there, not too much, especially with the look when he does bite. for the kneeling kiss i am torn, i think it is a bit over the top, especially adding the flirty eyes and barely a reaction to AA pushing tav away. the neck kiss is alright imo.

I agree with you here as well. I play hardened/stoic characters. So the smile to me is goofy. And almost looks like a wince. Perhaps another compromise would be just to get rid of the full out grin. Though I know other AA fans may strongly love it. And deciding what face to put their is admittedly very difficult.

Originally Posted by BlueScaliesxx98
Originally Posted by Natasy
He's still powerful. And some of his handling is rough. I like that they still included that because it still registers without giving off fear/terror/non-consent, or like Tav wants him to stop. I wouldn't agree that the patch 6 faces aren't and weren't meant to be fear, however. Since I think the audio select chose from the fear "bank" of expressions. correct me if I'm wrong!

i am not sure what you mean by "audio select chose from the fear "bank" of expressions". our interpretation of the patch 6 expressions is different, it seems. i dont think its fear per se, you do. thats okay though. i think it comes down to how you interpret his behaviour as a whole. i dont know if you are open to the suggestion, but it *could* be interpreted as abusive. again, abuse comes in different ways, and this could be one. in which case patch 6 would be a more fitting expression, though still over the top. i am not saying this is noncon at all. there is still consent present. but you have to admit there is such a dynamic of a fun toxic relationship where you cant live with each other but also not without each other. doesnt mean tav doesnt do the same things to astarion sometimes maybe behind closed doors. understandable if you dont want to play this way, but the option would be nice (again, with patch 6 slightly tweaked to be less intense)

again, if this is not for you, feel free to ignore. i feel we are slowly inching towards mutual understanding and i dont want to fight.

All good! From what I've heard from one of the body/face actors, facial expressions were modeled by actors, then four were selected for each emotion to be stored and used for various scenes throughout the game. So there is a "bank" of expressions for the AI selector to draw from, based off of audio present in the game. Which is how Tav gets their expressions.

I actually appreciate that you are able to not read it as fear. And I can also appreciate it just being seen as surprise/shock in the moment. I wish I could see the patch 6 faces that way. To me the shock and surprise is better communicated with 7. I don't personally see AA as an ab*ser. My read on him is just an evil, powerful, domineering vampire lord, being commanding with his love interest. Which I very much like. I have no problem with others wanting to RP whatever they wish, even ab*se. But I do think the patch 6 faces are too careless, and too harmful. I hope I'm actually addressing your point and not just rambling here!