Tribute to Branwen

[EiriktheScald]

I am guessing here, but it could be you picked up a quick romance timer, like 15 minutes, or half an hour. Yes, it does influence your game - before it's half-gone, the romance is over.

 

Do not despair, though.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Oh what self-inflicted wound! I chose 1 hour. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to install the quick timer. Of course I couldn't foresee how much I actually enjoy this mod.

 

[Edit] I looked at the romance guide. I interpreted LT19 at the end of the sequence that she needed time to resolve the conflict within her heart. I was expecting that at some point she would talk to the PC and either end the relationship or take it to a higher level. This is fine. What bothers me is that while there will be future talks with the PC, there is no PC initiated dialogue -- just a simple one-liner "... need time alone... decision won't be changed" Without the former dialogues -- my favorite is the wrestling match while the rest of the party rolls their eyes -- it just feels like she is still keeping her distance. I think the other dialogues you mention will loose their impact, if the romance has ended.

[cmorgan]

Well, the longest option available (and default behavior) is one hour -- so you might be like me, and take time to explore every inch of every area personally, and rest. That kind of immersive gameplay style will still run out the romance materials before the Big City (I know, because I always do!). I do not believe that the Banter Accellerator (Jason Compton's Banter Accellerator) has an effect on romances, but if you hvae that installed you want to uninstall it anyways - it will blast through the banter faster than Branwen through the Undead.

[Kulyok]

1 hour is the longest, right. Hmm... maybe it's time to ask cmorgan for a 1.5 hour/2 hour timer? It could be a good idea.

 

 

*SPOILER*

 

[Edit] I looked at the romance guide. I interpreted LT19 at the end of the sequence that she needed time to resolve the conflict within her heart. I was expecting that at some point she would talk to the PC and either end the relationship or take it to a higher level. This is fine. What bothers me is that while there will be future talks with the PC, there is no PC initiated dialogue -- just a simple one-liner "... need time alone... decision won't be changed" Without the former dialogues -- my favorite is the wrestling match while the rest of the party rolls their eyes -- it just feels like she is still keeping her distance. I think the other dialogues you mention will loose their impact, if the romance has ended.

 

You will have another lovetalk explaining everything, then, although it will not be soon.

 

I think other lovetalks I mentioned are fine in both contexts: Branwen still loves you, she just won't let it out of her heart anymore... much. But sometimes she still does. She is a woman, after all.

[EiriktheScald]

I think other lovetalks I mentioned are fine in both contexts: Branwen still loves you, she just won't let it out of her heart anymore... much. But sometimes she still does. She is a woman, after all.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

[Edit] I found myself repeatedly initiating conversation -- out of insecurity, I suppose. How should LT19 be received by the PC? It seems so final! In this phase of the relationship, it would be nice to still have a few more choices for PC intiated talk; if it can be done. The PC might share his reaction to her sudden reserve, for instance, or go out of his way to ease the tension between them.

[cmorgan]

I'll check with Domi on the "extended time" component -- we may be the few and the proud, EiriktheScald, but it wouldn't be much work to slow things down for us. The problem here is that you will want to swap out other party members more regularly if we add time to this component. Otherwise, ALL banters will be exhausted before Durlag's tower. It can be disconcerting to go from lots of party talk to being in a party of strong silent types...

[Domi]

There is really no problem with having an extra option for 1.5 or 2 hours in the subcomponent, if it is something that is actually needed, it just adds the copy-paste-replace routine in six subcomponents and extra work every time we need to update a romantic script. Just watch out that the total number of mod components remained under 99, otherwise we need to change the reserved on PIDs installation.

 

While we're on the subject, I noticed that there is still 10 sec testing timer on at least Alora to shoot out the first dialogue with PC. If you might check over the Ph1 scripts to re-set 'em to more reasonable 1800, that would be great.

 

How should LT19 be received by the PC? It seems so final!

 

To me it feels very similar to how some romances "end" in BG2-SoA, to be sort of revived at the Tree of Life, only there are more talks at the important plot points that hint that the feelings are still there.

[EiriktheScald]

I'll check with Domi on the "extended time" component -- we may be the few and the proud, EiriktheScald, but it wouldn't be much work to slow things down for us. The problem here is that you will want to swap out other party members more regularly if we add time to this component. Otherwise, ALL banters will be exhausted before Durlag's tower. It can be disconcerting to go from lots of party talk to being in a party of strong silent types...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Funny thing is, I skipped alot of side quests. I think where I ate up the time was Nashkel. I see what you mean though. After cleaning up the mines, I went back to the carnival, dropped off Garrick and went back to the mines to retreive Xan. I then dropped K&J to go rescue Dynaheir; picking them up afterwards. The romance was pretty much over by the time I reached the Bandit camp.

[EiriktheScald]

How should LT19 be received by the PC? It seems so final!

 

To me it feels very similar to how some romances "end" in BG2-SoA, to be sort of revived at the Tree of Life, only there are more talks at the important plot points that hint that the feelings are still there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

"Woe is me, for my lady Branwen is becoming a vapid, delicate ghost of a maiden! When should I expect you to swoon and faint, madam?"

 

I would like to hear the writer's perspective on LT19.

[Domi]

You can always PM or e-mail Kulyok or she might drop by again soon

[cmorgan]

EiriktheScald - sorry to talk past you (rudely) on the thread, but just letting the discussion know that I'm adding the 1.5 hr/ 2 hr timer onto the worklog. I have also put on to check the Phase1 scripts for 10 second timers, and move them to 1800.

And back to the general discussion!

I am afraid that my personal favorite romantic interest is Dynaheir, who has direct conflicts with Branwen over romance, so I cannot comment on how much Branwen content there is available. I have had good success at avoiding "long silences", though, by adding an NPC in and questing with them until they have had a good bit to say, and then leaving them off forever. Khalid, for example, I send off on a secret Harper's mission after Cloakwood (i.e. send him into a house in FAI and close the door, never to reenter) as I want more variety in party but cannot stand loosing a friend in combat for such a nefarious reason.

[Domi]

Poor Khalid does deserve a little bit of time off before his gruesome death in BG2....

[EiriktheScald]

EiriktheScald - sorry to talk past you (rudely) on the thread, but just letting the discussion know that I'm adding the 1.5 hr/ 2 hr timer onto the worklog. I have also put on to check the Phase1 scripts for 10 second timers, and move them to 1800.

No harm done. It's interesting listening to you discuss the coding involved.

 

And back to the general discussion!

I am afraid that my personal favorite romantic interest is Dynaheir, who has direct conflicts with Branwen over romance, so I cannot comment on how much Branwen content there is available. I have had good success at avoiding "long silences", though, by adding an NPC in and questing with them until they have had a good bit to say, and then leaving them off forever. Khalid, for example, I send off on a secret Harper's mission after Cloakwood (i.e. send him into a house in FAI and close the door, never to reenter) as I want more variety in party but cannot stand loosing a friend in combat for such a nefarious reason.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Dynaheir and Minsc joined my party briefly and I did get to witness the two ladies parley. As for romance, it seemed to me she tip-toed around the subject. I like the direct approach of Branwen. It's a double edge sword though, which is why I have difficulty accepting her abrupt cutoff.

[EiriktheScald]

You can always PM or e-mail Kulyok or she might drop by again soon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

She has very graciously replied to my posts, and already alluded to the answer. But I'm interested in her views concerning Branwen's dilemma, and reasoning for LT19. Given that at one point the PC managed to ease her doubts and earn her trust.

[Kulyok]

"Woe is me, for my lady Branwen is becoming a vapid, delicate ghost of a maiden! When should I expect you to swoon and faint, madam?"

 

Love this one, too. Actually, it was Domi who asked me to maintain consistent character voices, and "Jester" was one of them. (If you remember that Drizzt talk, it's Domi's. And a few others, too: my favourite is "Prayer", you've yet to see it).

 

 

As for Lovetalk 19 -

 

Well. It's always a difficult choice to make, isn't it? A country, a god, or a life philosophy - versus a real love. Quite a few Bioware characters make the second choice - Chaotic Neutral Anomen, Viconia, Jaheira. But sometimes, even when love is real, a character can make the first choice, and it's artistic decision. It's in their character, in the very core, the way I saw it. For Branwen, Tempus was the one.

 

And maybe, this is also what real love is: instead of tormenting the loved one and yourself, let him go and wish him well.

 

``Bliss was so near, so altogether

attainable!... But now my lot

is firmly cast. ...I beseech you, go;

I know your heart: it has a feeling

for honour, a straightforward pride.''

[EiriktheScald]

Well said! *wiping tear*

 

"Woe is me, for my lady Branwen is becoming a vapid, delicate ghost of a maiden! When should I expect you to swoon and faint, madam?"

 

Love this one, too. Actually, it was Domi who asked me to maintain consistent character voices, and "Jester" was one of them. (If you remember that Drizzt talk, it's Domi's. And a few others, too: my favourite is "Prayer", you've yet to see it).

 

A light-hearted remark; the sugar taken with medicine.

 

As for Lovetalk 19 -

 

Well. It's always a difficult choice to make, isn't it? A country, a god, or a life philosophy - versus a real love. Quite a few Bioware characters make the second choice - Chaotic Neutral Anomen, Viconia, Jaheira. But sometimes, even when love is real, a character can make the first choice, and it's artistic decision. It's in their character, in the very core, the way I saw it. For Branwen, Tempus was the one.

 

Ah yes, the very qualities -- honor, valor and devotion -- the PC admires most about Branwen, keeps them apart.

 

And maybe, this is also what real love is: instead of tormenting the loved one and yourself, let him go and wish him well.

 

The parting is sweet sorrow!

 

    ``Bliss was so near, so altogether

     attainable!... But now my lot

     is firmly cast. ...I beseech you, go;

     I know your heart: it has a feeling

     for honour, a straightforward pride.''

 

'Tis better to have loved...

 

[Edit] *Inspired by a few of the earlier talks with Branwen*

 

If I sing ballads and inspire heroes,

But have not love,

I am only a loud drum

Or a clanging cymbal

 

If I have a zeal to harness the tides of battle,

Equaled by daring of soul and spirit

But show not love,

I am nothing.

 

If on the battlefield I sacrifice,

And give my body to be burned upon the pyre,

But receive not love,

I gain nothing.

 

[Edit] Forgive my musings, but I am enjoying this discourse about my favorite lady in all the sword coast.