ARGHHH why are the romances in modern games traps?

[Senkoau]

Me "I shalll go around the party and talk to people."
Shadowheart: "Want to share a bottle of wine?"
Me: "Sure."
Shadowheart: "Meet me after the party."
Me, warily: "Not keen on sharing with others?"
Shadowheart: "Not tonight."

I walk off hoping that wasn't a romance trigger as I was just trying to enjoy a party.

Karlach: "So it seems you and shadowheart are getting familiar."
Me: "OH ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!" reloads so I can avoid yet another trap romance you spring by just being a polite human being..

Seriously why are all the modern games (not just Larion) writing romances you fall into by accident when just being normally sociable as opposed to actually pursuing them? It was like this in the pathfinder games and now here I've had to turn down Gale, Astarion, Karlach, Lazael and Shadowheart in Act ONE. I'd say Wyll's the only not to try and get into my pants but given the way these romances are set up as traps for all I know he thinks we're dating steadily.

I am trying to not die a horrible death, I am not interested in romance. Even if I was what happened to romances you actually have to work for, complete the NPC's personal storyline, give them gifts, actually put more effort into winning them over than keeping them jumping into bed with you?

[Orion Invictus]

Are you doing a bit, or did you really not understand that an invitation for a drink in private is flirtatious?

[Senkoau]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Are you doing a bit, or did you really not understand that an invitation for a drink in private is flirtatious?

Honestly not at first, it was at a massive celebratory party, I had my suspicions as soon as she said not with others but given Astarions whining about not being able to have sex and she's a shar worshiper I hoped it was just being uncomfortable around all the happy people she knew she'd have left to die rather than romance. It wasn't till Karlach started in on the getting closer that I was sure and reloaded.

[SnuffSaid]

Originally posted by Senkoau:

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Are you doing a bit, or did you really not understand that an invitation for a drink in private is flirtatious?

Honestly not at first, it was at a massive celebratory party, I had my suspicions as soon as she said not with others but given Astarions whining about not being able to have sex and she's a shar worshiper I hoped it was just being uncomfortable around all the happy people she knew she'd have left to die rather than romance. It wasn't till Karlach started in on the getting closer that I was sure and reloaded.

Halsin's was by far the strangest one at that party. I said something along the lines of "why don't you stop sulking and celebrate with everybody else", he declined, but then the next day I had a line to apologise for "coming on too strong".

Wut?

[hermit0wl]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Are you doing a bit, or did you really not understand that an invitation for a drink in private is flirtatious?

Honestly, would've been great if there was an option to share a drink with her platonically (and similar for the others)

[McGoodGreen]

The camp party is honestly really weird. I was able to get Karlach and Shadowheart to both try and court me that same night. But in order for those options to open up...I first had to break up with Astarion, who wanted to go another round in the bedroom. So after letting him down, the options opened up for both others....

Narrator said as I went to bed "many come to court you tonight, but you can only choose one" and then you get to take your pick...

But all of the romance triggers play out very...un-intuitively, and counter logical at points. especially if you flirted and slept around already.

The glass of wine invitation isn't purely romantic or sexual. You still get options during the scene to make things very platonic and chill.

The whole romance/personal party plots are not very cleanly mapped out, they tried to go for a buncha freedom but failed to account for all the possibilities (a tough order for sure)

[Senkoau]

Originally posted by hermit0wl:

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Are you doing a bit, or did you really not understand that an invitation for a drink in private is flirtatious?

Honestly, would've been great if there was an option to share a drink with her platonically (and similar for the others)

It's what I thought I was getting. As I said I feel I can't be a normal person in these games without finding myself dating half the cast. On that note I also wish to retract my statement about Wyll. I spoke to him and the dialogue promptly veered into . . .

I want to dance with you.
Can't you tell why I really followed you out here.
I wish you were there, but I'll respect your need for peace.
You're impossible.
Leave

So apparently my options are "Come my ebony hunk of man meat let us do the tango you do so poorly." or just to walk away to avoid winding up in a romance. Not that I'd call these things romances given how the process is basically "Hello", "Yes I'll have seconds, pass the ham." "Wait we're married? How? When?" There's no effort, no romance, half the time not even any indication "Hello" apparently translates into "Ravish me until the morning light, I am yours now and forever" or something along those lines.

EDIT
Your right you can turn her down if you go for the drink, she doesn't like it though.

[hermit0wl]

Originally posted by Senkoau:

Originally posted by hermit0wl:

Honestly, would've been great if there was an option to share a drink with her platonically (and similar for the others)

It's what I thought I was getting. As I said I feel I can't be a normal person in these games without finding myself dating half the cast. On that note I also wish to retract my statement about Wyll. I spoke to him and the dialogue promptly veered into . . .

I want to dance with you.
Can't you tell why I really followed you out here.
I wish you were there, but I'll respect your need for peace.
You're impossible.
Leave

So apparently my options are "Come my ebony hunk of man meat let us do the tango you do so poorly." or just to walk away to avoid winding up in a romance. Not that I'd call these things romances given how the process is basically "Hello", "Yes I'll have seconds, pass the ham." "Wait we're married? How? When?" There's no effort, no romance, half the time not even any indication "Hello" apparently translates into "Ravish me until the morning light, I am yours now and forever" or something along those lines.

The "I wish you were there" option is pretty neutral-friendly, I think. Not 100% sure though.
To be fair, getting involved with someone in Act 1 is only the beginning stage of a relationship, it doesn't get "serious" until later, and only if you want

[Senkoau]

Originally posted by hermit0wl:

Originally posted by Senkoau:

It's what I thought I was getting. As I said I feel I can't be a normal person in these games without finding myself dating half the cast. On that note I also wish to retract my statement about Wyll. I spoke to him and the dialogue promptly veered into . . .

I want to dance with you.
Can't you tell why I really followed you out here.
I wish you were there, but I'll respect your need for peace.
You're impossible.
Leave

So apparently my options are "Come my ebony hunk of man meat let us do the tango you do so poorly." or just to walk away to avoid winding up in a romance. Not that I'd call these things romances given how the process is basically "Hello", "Yes I'll have seconds, pass the ham." "Wait we're married? How? When?" There's no effort, no romance, half the time not even any indication "Hello" apparently translates into "Ravish me until the morning light, I am yours now and forever" or something along those lines.

The "I wish you were there" option is pretty neutral-friendly, I think. Not 100% sure though.
To be fair, getting involved with someone in Act 1 is only the beginning stage of a relationship, it doesn't get "serious" until later, and only if you want

Maybe, I just don't want a relationship with any of them so I'm trying to cut these paths off early. I still get annoyed by wrath of the righteous where I found myself suddenly having to choose between sleeping with Laan or Daeran or ripping their hearts with a rejection when I didn't even realize I was romancing the two of them since one I was making snarky comments at and the other I was just being a normal person.

[hermit0wl]

Originally posted by Senkoau:

Originally posted by hermit0wl:

The "I wish you were there" option is pretty neutral-friendly, I think. Not 100% sure though.
To be fair, getting involved with someone in Act 1 is only the beginning stage of a relationship, it doesn't get "serious" until later, and only if you want

Maybe, I just don't want a relationship with any of them so I'm trying to cut these paths off early. I still get annoyed by wrath of the righteous where I found myself suddenly having to choose between sleeping with Laan or Daeran or ripping their hearts with a rejection when I didn't even realize I was romancing the two of them since one I was making snarky comments at and the other I was just being a normal person.

Yeah, I guess you just have to rip off the bandaid and reject everyone :)
Choosing one to get involved with makes the rest of them chill out a little more naturally, I think (though not completely)

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Senkoau:

Originally posted by hermit0wl:

Honestly, would've been great if there was an option to share a drink with her platonically (and similar for the others)

It's what I thought I was getting. As I said I feel I can't be a normal person in these games without finding myself dating half the cast. On that note I also wish to retract my statement about Wyll. I spoke to him and the dialogue promptly veered into . . .

I want to dance with you.
Can't you tell why I really followed you out here.
I wish you were there, but I'll respect your need for peace.
You're impossible.
Leave

So apparently my options are "Come my ebony hunk of man meat let us do the tango you do so poorly." or just to walk away to avoid winding up in a romance. Not that I'd call these things romances given how the process is basically "Hello", "Yes I'll have seconds, pass the ham." "Wait we're married? How? When?" There's no effort, no romance, half the time not even any indication "Hello" apparently translates into "Ravish me until the morning light, I am yours now and forever" or something along those lines.

EDIT
Your right you can turn her down if you go for the drink, she doesn't like it though.

Fully agree, we need more platonic options. With that said, I don't think the way she phrased it was confusing at all.

[Taifun_Vash]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Fully agree, we need more platonic options. With that said, I don't think the way she phrased it was confusing at all.

It would be better if it started out as a platonic option first and then you could start a romance from there. But as i said in another thread, you and them have a tadpole in you head, so for them time is running, you don't know when it will run out, so that they act a bit faster isn't that strange.

[Senkoau]

Originally posted by Taifun_Vash:

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Fully agree, we need more platonic options. With that said, I don't think the way she phrased it was confusing at all.

It would be better if it started out as a platonic option first and then you could start a romance from there. But as i said in another thread, you and them have a tadpole in you head, so for them time is running, you don't know when it will run out, so that they act a bit faster isn't that strange.

I guess, its just be clearer like Karlach or Lazael "I want to ride you all night long" if your going to rush into this thing then make it clear don't just invite me to have a drink at a party.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Taifun_Vash:

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Fully agree, we need more platonic options. With that said, I don't think the way she phrased it was confusing at all.

It would be better if it started out as a platonic option first and then you could start a romance from there. But as i said in another thread, you and them have a tadpole in you head, so for them time is running, you don't know when it will run out, so that they act a bit faster isn't that strange.

Sure, that could work.

Originally posted by Senkoau:

Originally posted by Taifun_Vash:

It would be better if it started out as a platonic option first and then you could start a romance from there. But as i said in another thread, you and them have a tadpole in you head, so for them time is running, you don't know when it will run out, so that they act a bit faster isn't that strange.

I guess, its just be clearer like Karlach or Lazael "I want to ride you all night long" if your going to rush into this thing then make it clear don't just invite me to have a drink at a party.

She's not really rushing, though. Shadowheart's romance is probably the slowest of them all. You get one kiss at the party, that's it, and only IF you show interest in her.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Senkoau:

Originally posted by Taifun_Vash:

It would be better if it started out as a platonic option first and then you could start a romance from there. But as i said in another thread, you and them have a tadpole in you head, so for them time is running, you don't know when it will run out, so that they act a bit faster isn't that strange.

I guess, its just be clearer like Karlach or Lazael "I want to ride you all night long" if your going to rush into this thing then make it clear don't just invite me to have a drink at a party.

Hah! Shadowheart romance is the most challenging one.

Most do not even get that scene before getting to Act 2, unless they actively aim and act for it.

[Taifun_Vash]

Originally posted by Senkoau:

Originally posted by Taifun_Vash:

It would be better if it started out as a platonic option first and then you could start a romance from there. But as i said in another thread, you and them have a tadpole in you head, so for them time is running, you don't know when it will run out, so that they act a bit faster isn't that strange.

I guess, its just be clearer like Karlach or Lazael "I want to ride you all night long" if your going to rush into this thing then make it clear don't just invite me to have a drink at a party.

That happens to be in character with them, but Shadowheart isn't inviting you to have a drink at party with her, she is inviting you to have a romantic night with her. She is subtle about it, which is in character with her.