Nonek

I don't think anyone has ever said or suggested that every single party member will be romantically attracted to the main character. All I'm saying is that adversity can bring people closer and its not unrealistic to suggest this won't necessarily lead to a natural Romance Are you sure that there is no healing magic in the PoE world, if so then yes one would have to be cautious around inordinate sexual behaviour And it's also perfectly natural to not be attracted to somebody whom you are travelling with. Re-read what I said Bruce, very little is the exact wording, healthcare is extremely limited and there is very little heal healing magic from what Mr Sawyer says. I very much doubt that such afflictions as Syphillis can be detected at all, even after death.

The characters might well not be attracted to the protagonist however, or they might just see him as a friend or simply an employer. It's totally unrealistic to believe that everybody will automatically be attracted to the protagonist, or that they have an emotional connection, they may risk their life and travel together but be professional and reserved in their attitude. This automatic attraction is a sign of the distasteful pandering and blatant ego stroking that needs to be eradicated from rpgs, especially if npc's are to have some dignity and self worth. @Bruce: There is very little magical healing in Poe, so STD's will probably be lethal in the long term, especially stealth killers like syphillis.

It seems natural to me that different species that have evolved apart from mankind for millions of years are quite different physically, not just the small racial variations we see in humanity in our world. Helps differentiate them to me.

I'm personally fine with strumpets, camp followers, bawdy houses and such as a natural part of the world, stress relief for both genders if you will. However I wouldn't define these as romance, just another transaction, perhaps with a resulting infection.

Except for all of the poorly executed romances in other crpg's.

Increased childbirth was also popular because of extremely high infant mortality rates which existed until quite recently in our own world, and no doubt given the world of Poe's healthcare situation still exists.

Didn't Mr Sawyer mention a mildly narcotic substance being smoked by mercenaries in one of his updates, I think it began with an "f." It would be nice to see the various cultural aspects and peculiarities of both Glenfathan and Dyrwoodan civilisations, personally I thought that this was one of the high points of King of Dragon Pass, the Orlanthi were brought to life with a wholly different culture and approach to situations. Refreshing.

Personally I don't really care what service other people use. I usually prefer GOG however as there are no achievements, the downloader is much faster, there are no pop ups asking me inane questions or advertising, I am never denied access to the products i've bought, the extras are easier to access, no multiplayer of course, and its fanbase is not quite so fanatical about GOG as Steam users are about that obese person whom they worship. I like the straightforward nature of GOG, one purchases a product and that is that, there is not so much artificial frippery to navigate.

"A home is not complete without a dog slumbering by your feet." Can't quite remember whom that should be attributed to, but i've always agreed with it. My English Mastiff Canthus is the loyalist, gentlest creature ever to grace our green and pleasant land, and despite weighing in at fifteen stones now still sees himself as a lap dog.

There are downsides to the game but i'd say they're very subjective, the WOW art design realy stands out in comparison to the first games semi realistic depiction, but stylisation has its upsides. I would say that they need two more character models, a muscular female (Cory Everson style) and a more athletic and slimmed down male. The humour is very "European" and was throughout all of the Divinity games, some may not care for this, others may like it. Like Bioware's sub par Joss Whedon lines it's all a matter of taste, personally I prefer more raucous or complicated witticism's. The turn based combat is one of the greatest strengths of the game, but if one prefers RTwP then that's a pity, because the combat system allows so much to be attempted and successfully executed that it really does delight. Environmental interaction is probably the most welcome return for myself, this feature has been abandoned for so long and any hint of it been hounded away by those whom want just a "core" experience, that its inclusion here is almost remarkable. Hopefully more games will push the boundary and make the leap back to when games were advancing rather than degenerating. It adds so much content and life. The lack of a day/night cycle and npc schedules is a feature that I miss, but hopefully it may be added at some point as Larian seems to be intent on expanding and adding to the game. Unfortunately the late game feels a little rushed, a bit more by the numbers than the glorious repast of opportunity we are faced with when exploring in Cyseal. The writing is functional and about on par with Bioware, though not quite as nonsensical, and the narrative generally works but doesn't really feature as a main point of the game. What Obsidian could do with this engine and their dialogue tools is a thought that has me salivating. I'm probably missing a lot of points but all told this is what stands out for me Sorophx, your own views are equally as valid however. I would say however that Larian have humiliated many of the recent AAA games i've played from far more experienced and large publishers and developers, hopefully this will spur others into including more features, fun, and content into their games rather than following the trend of degeneration. Edit: It's not the BEST GAME EVAH! It's a very good game in my opinion, and a herald of better times for our chosen genre hopefully.

Yes. Edit: But it was nice, raucous and funny toxic invective, rather than the usual, cutesy, lol so random stuff that passes for wit.

Yep. Although, sadly, they were very polite to the promancers when giving them the 'bad news'. If I was a dev, the announcement would have been far more... colorful. Like this: LOL (edit: saw this one in another romance thread here and just had to steal it) Whatever happened to Cultist? Chaps gifs always added a little levity.

I once played a rather inquisitorial Paladin (William DeBaskerville, order of the Roses Name) whom firmly believed that he bore a Holy Avenger, in point of fact it was a +1 sword with the usual light enchantment bound to it, and despite the GM informing me repeatedly that it was not, my character kept on believing in its potency. Thanks to various short term enchantments bestowed by our Wizard and the Paladin himself it served admirably and became in time a relic of William's chapel, having smote and slain innumerable banes of diabolical origins. William valued that blade to an enormous degree, praying upon it, binding holy prayer scriptures around its hilt, having his name carved across the quillons, and cleaning it with hideously expensive holy oil and scraps of cloth supposedly torn from the Martyr's robe. Hopefully Poe will allow such customisation for weapons we feel attached to.

Isabella can't even dress herself appropriately for the climate (when she comes from a much warmer climate) or combat (when she faces a melee every ten feet) and that is just one of the reasons why I dislike her, apart from being an unmotivated, incompetent slave. This is simply factual. Aveline I dsilike despite the fact she wears (artistically hideous Bioware designed) full armour because she's incompetent at her job, abandons it on a whim and needs the Protagonist to hold her hand during a date, like she's a blushing maid. The game tells you repeatedly that she's strong, but only shows you another unmotivated, incompetent slave. Much the same can be said for all of the other characters, but it was you who raised Isabella as the type of romance to be aiming for, I was merely suggesting that you try far better written characters Bruce, as you're hurting your own cause. If you're trying to insinuate that I obsess over clothing, no I observe poor design and writing as any critical mind should. Edit: Sarevok's spiky armour impractical, Varrik's bare chest idiotic, most of the women of Mass Effect pandering, Flemeth going from a crazy old woman to an obvious abomination Milf, NWN everything hideous and a clear step down from its predecessors, Jedi not wearing armour silly with no good reason, basically all of the art design of Bioware has been tremendously gaudy and ugly lately. I could go on.

An incompetent idiot slave challenges gender roles? Come now Bruce that's just wishful thinking, she is just a badly written and poorly concieved character appealing only to the lowest common denominator. If you wish for a character whom challenges a gender role then look at Lady Grace, the owner of the Brothel for Slaking Intellectual Lusts, she challenges not just gender roles but her very nature as a Succubus. The argument that Isabella is challenging gender roles by being too stupid to wear clothing appropriate to the climate (or wearing armour in a city that has combat every ten feet and is mainly inhabited by bandits) is silly in the extreme. One does not have to dress illogically to act sexually aggressive, or be so obsessed by sex that it's ones only salient point of conversation. It's good that people criticise such poorly made characters as all of the cast in DA2, as hopefully Bioware will hire some talented writers to make substantive and complicated characters, rather than these one note caricatures. Edit: If you want a liberated, free and powerful female role model look at Kreia, whom does not have to bother with gender, sex or any other transitory nonsense. She doesn't feel the need to spout cutesy inanities every second, or take part in cringeworthy "banter," as she pursues a philosophy and a goal that is far more important, moral and substantive. And she does it while spitting on the use of open force and vulgar displays of aggression, that is a truly liberated woman, whom rejects societal and religious roles to pursue her truth. Isabella is just a slave whom comes and goes at the bidding of others, and can do nothing herself, not even dress appropriately for the weather, when she comes from much warmer climes. She's a joke.

No Bruce i'm objective, you're presenting the biased viewpoint for romance and Stun against, I merely provide an ocassional ridiculous jape or make a point. I thought the relationships with Ravel and Kreia were extremely well done, thematically potent and well integrated, i'd be for such content. I'd be against objectively poorly made characters such as Isabella, and by putting her forward you harm your own cause. Edit: Think about your cause and your argument, then present with pertinent and favourable evidence, preferably garnered from first hand experience of the subject.

Biased is the word you're looking for Bruce. Try a better fact based defense and better inspiration old boy, my problems with the character arise from her portrayal and should be clearly evident to any unbiased view, they can't be refuted. Edit: If I were you i'd put forward Jahiera, Ravel, Kreia and a few others of similarly sterling quality, Isabella is a preposterous character aimed squarely at the lowest common denominator.

When I play let's pretend with the kids I don't need a computer. But seriously putting forward Isabella as a good romance option is really harming your cause promancers, she's an incompetent, idiot, unmotivated slave who can't even dress herself appropriately for combat or climate, and comes and goes for years at a time at anothers bidding. And she can only be "fixed" by the protagonists phallus, tongue or whatever, which is rather demeaning in and of itself. A blow up doll would have a better personality and writing, and you'd be spared the cringeworthy Bioware "humour" as well as the over emotional idiocy. I'd choose a better proponent personally, as i'm yet to see an argument for the feature that is not silly or ridiculous, such as the idiotic deep interactions only arise from romances.

I would include such general descriptions of the implements use in the item descriptions, available on right clicking or however poe handles it. Poinard: A slim strong dagger made for slipping through the cracks or weakpoints (visor, armpit, groin, back of knee) in plate armour or punching through mail and lighter materials, does little damage but has a high possibility of achieving a critical hit, and ignores a lot of armour. Pollax: Multipurpose can opener, meat tenderiser and butchers cleaver, effective whatever the opponent. Etcetera.

Was Annah one of Ravel's daughters? Should the Wall be torn down and should the Force be slain?

If I remember correctly (been a few decades since school) Iceland was for a quite long time free and independent, however this ended after the Sturlunga (Spelling) age, named after Snorri Sturlusson the great Saga chronicler. That was a period of chaos, kinslaying, robbery and general lawlessness that made the freemen decide to operate under a crown and its laws. Norway I think. Any reader of Tolkien should know the Anglo Saxon and Old Norse versions of the Futhark by heart.

Interestingly enough Icelandic seems to have hardly changed from Old Norse, strange.

I envy you Mr Woldan, haven't been to Iceland since the mid 80's, and with the wifes preference for Mediterranean and Carribean vacations (consisting of nothing but drinking and frying by a pool) I doubt i'll be returning any time soon. I think I recognise a few of those shots, especially the black beach with the volcanic columns out to sea, I believe they were heavily used in the Gerard Butler film, "Beowulf and Grendel." A truly stunning landscape, much appreciated.

Well after commiting far too many hours of my free time to this game i've come to one conclusion, Larian have absolutely embarassed most of the AAA crpg developers and publishers! Feature rich, fun, in depth and reactive to ones playstyle, compared to some of the latest rpg's i've played such as DA2, this is of a totally different and far superior class. I would say that it is only the lack of a day/night cycle, npc schedules, and narrative excellence that hold it back from taking Ultima VII's crown, though in terms of combat it has it beaten hands down.

Well with the reluctance to use any form of comparison due to Souls and their manipulation not existing in real life, then I shall simply state that I personally see no problem with the potentates of the Dyrwood and Vaillian republics retaining the services of Animancers for beneficial purposes, it seems eminently logical. It may not be popular due to widespread mistrust of the profession, but these are from what we have been shown semi feudal lords whom presumably do not have to rely on popularity. So long as they do not employ or condone Animancers whom practice the more negative side of the craft, then they will probably not have to fear revolt or the mob. Obviously extraordinary examples still remain viable, as well as works conducted in secret. And in the countryside one expects that an Animancer may well be hung, burned or beaten if revealing his identity. Edit: I was merely clarifying your last sentence stating repeatedly that Souls and their manipulation were real in Poe, not asking to discuss the nature of reality. This seems obvious.