Can't romance a commoner?

[Miss Vela]

I've tried romancing Evrard and in the epilogue, she went to his bakery all the time but decided not to marry him. I've tried "romancing" Alice, being cruel, flogging her for bumping into me, dancing with her at the ball, yelling at her in my tower during the parade, forcing her to take the pillow from Arisse. I didn't choose anyone to marry at the end and in the epilogue it mentioned that Elodie had lots of lovers and always tossed them away, with no mention of Alice.

I'm completely stumped on how to get this achievement. Help?

[Mireia]

You're on the right track for both of them.

For that ending with Evrard, you need a higher commoner approval level. Try to avoid decisions or skill check failures that lower commoner approval, and try for an outcome for the Shanjian conflict that makes you more popular. That should help.

For Alice... I believe there's at least one more incredibly cruel action you have to take near the end of the game for her to...um, "accept your suit." The two options I know of have to do with the aftermath of defeating the Shanjians at sea - either kill as many people as possible or kill off one particular person in a grotesque fashion. There should be a small scene with Alice after your decision. If you get that scene, you should be good to go. ...At least that's how I think you do it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Miss Vela]

Thank you for the tips. I'll try for Evrard again, since I'm not sure what the extra cruel action would be - Sinking the fleet and then sacrificing your cousin to the kraken? That's the only thing I can think of.

[Khim_Play]

Originally posted by NBalchemist:

I'm not sure what the extra cruel action would be - Sinking the fleet and then sacrificing your cousin to the kraken? That's the only thing I can think of.

Yes, this will work. You still need to give Alice a gift (Brin's flowers, Banion's figure of a dancing girl, or even Arisse's cushion) or dance with Alice at the gala.

Another, less cruel option (although still cruel, of course) is "Ransom the rich, execute the poor" and "Execute them all" options when tasked with question of Shanjian prisoners. Other requirements (i.e. gift or dance) are still in effect.

As for Evrard you need to have BOTH commoner_approval and noble_approval high enough! above -20 if you picked up the "Make him eat one first" choice when presented cookies, or positive approvals if you've chosen "Eat a cookie" option. And that's not all: there are complex set of conditions which could ruin your chances with Evrard if you've not picked up the "Make him eat one first" choice:
1. You shouldn't sink the fleet with magic
2. You shouldn't use alleged alliance with Talasse to drive Ixionites away
2a. But if you "Named Talarist the heir" for the duchy of Elath - then it's Ok.
3. You shouldn't with with the earthquake
4. You cruelty should be less than 5.
Ugh. I hope I've remembered all the conditions for Evrard marriage, but it's still possible that I've missed something.

Just "Make him eat one first", damn it! For that option to be there you need to have >=70 in "Poison" knowledge, though.

[tinytino12]

HOW DO YOU MAKE THOSE BLACK SPOTS?
I WANT TO KNOW

[Khim_Play]

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