Romance Quest

The Ideal Romance

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It Is Impossible

Cassandra stops the PC in the main hall of Skyhold and gestures them to follow. They step out onto a balcony.

Cassandra: I was hoping we could speak privately.

PC: Are we not?

Cassandra: Right. Of course we are.

Cassandra: The flirting. With me. I’ve… noticed it. Unless it is my imagination, which is entirely possible…

Dialogue options:

End Romance: I meant nothing by it. (This ends any possibility of romance with Cassandra) [1]
General: It’s not your imagination. [2]
General: Should I stop? [3]

1 - End Romance: I meant nothing by it. PC: Flirting? Casandra: The remarks, when you look at me and… PC: I honestly meant nothing by it. Cassandra: When you look at me and I completely misread the situation. Carry on, Inquisitor. She walks away. Scene ends.

2 - General: It’s not your imagination. PC: No, it’s not your imagination. [4]

3 - General: Should I stop? PC: If it makes you uncomfortable, I can stop. [4]

4 - Choice dependent dialogue:

Female PC [5]
Male PC [6]

5 - Female PC Cassandra: Inquisitor, I hope you understand I cannot return your… affection.

Dialogue options:

General: I do understand. [7]
General: I can’t persuade you? [8]
General: Tell me why. [9]

7 - General: I do understand. PC: You don’t have to say any more, Cassandra. Cassandra: I think perhaps I do. [10]

8 - General: I can’t persuade you? PC: Are you sure? I can be pretty persuasive. Cassandra: Be that as it may, I think not. [10]

9 - General: Tell me why. PC: Why not? I need to hear it. [10]

10 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: You are the Herald of Andraste, and my leader… and a woman. I take it as compliment, truly. I hope we can remain friends. Cassandra walks away. Scene ends.

6 - Male PC Cassandra: You cannot court me, if that’s your intention. It is impossible.

Dialogue options:

General: I’m not “courting” you. [11]
Flirt: “Courting” is so formal. [12]
Flirt: Why is it impossible? [13]

11 - General: I’m not “courting” you. PC: What are you talking about? Cassandra: Courtship. Surely you’ve heard of it. PC: I’ve heard of it. I’m not courting you. Cassandra: Exactly. [14]

12 - Flirt: “Courting” is so formal. PC: Did you just say I can’t court you? Cassandra: Yes, what of it? PC: It’s just a bit… formal. Cassandra: And that is a bad thing? I cannot be properly courted? [14]

13 - Flirt: Why is it impossible? PC: Why is it impossible, exactly? Cassandra: That should be obvious. PC: Well, it isn’t obvious to me. Cassandra: You intend to properly court me? You, of all people? [14]

14 - Scene continues.

PC: Is that what you want?

Cassandra: No.

She walks away, and the PC stands there looking confused and starts to leave. Cassandra storms back out.

Cassandra: I take it back. That is what I want. I want a man who… sweeps me off my feet, who gives me flowers and reads me poetry by candlelight. I want the ideal. You are the Inquisitor and the Herald of Andraste. You cannot be that man.

Dialogue options:

Investigate: I’m surprised. [15]
Flirt: I’d like to try. (This begins the romance with Cassandra) [16]
Flirt: Yes, I can. (This begins the romance with Cassandra) [17]
End Relationship: You’re right. (This ends any possibility of romance with Cassandra) [18]
End Relationship: This is why you’re alone. (This ends any possibility of romance with Cassandra) [19]

15 - Investigate: I’m surprised. PC: I didn’t expect you to feel this way. Cassandra: I know what you see. I am a warrior. I am blunt and difficult and self-righteous. But my heart lies beneath all that. It yearns for these things I cannot have. If you cannot see that, then desist. What enamors you is but the surface.

Dialogue options:

I do see that. [17]
End Relationship: You’re right. [18]
End Relationship: This is why you’re alone. [19]

16 - Flirt: I’d like to try. PC: You won’t even give me a chance to try? Cassandra: The world hinges on our actions. We face death at every turn, Inquisitor. PC: That doesn’t change how I feel. Cassandra: It changes everything. She leaves. Scene ends.

17 - Flirt: Yes, I can./I do see that. PC: I can be that man, Cassandra. Cassandra: The world hinges on our actions. We face death at every turn, Inquisitor. PC: That doesn’t change how I feel. Cassandra: It changes everything. She leaves. Scene ends.

18 - End Relationship: You’re right. PC: Perhaps you’re right. Cassandra: I’m flattered, Inquisitor, I truly am. But… let it end here. She leaves. Scene ends.

19 - End Relationship: This is why you’re alone. PC: This explains a lot about you. Cassandra: Does it, now? PC: It seems an excellent way to ensure you never have to be with anyone. Cassandra: I think too much of myself to settle for less. I appreciate the attention, Inquisitor, but you have more important matters to attend to. As do I. She leaves. Scene ends.

Courting

Cassandra: I… cannot stop thinking of our earlier discussion. You don’t… actually intend to go through with courting me, do you?

Dialogue options:

General: Maybe not. (This ends any possibility of romance with Cassandra)[1]
General: Of course I do. [2]
General: Why so incredulous? [3]

1 - General: Maybe not. PC; Well, perhaps it isn’t the best idea after all. Cassandra: Ah. That is a relief, I think. Let us return to the task at hand, with no further distractions. Scene ends.

2 - General: Of course I do. PC: I said I would, and I will. Cassandra: I believe you, yet… PC: You don’t sound like you believe me. [4]

3 - General: Why so incredulous? PC: Is it so unbelievable that I want to? Cassandra: I… suppose not. You just have so much else to occupy your energies… PC: You let me worry about my energies. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: It wasn’t a challenge, my lord. You needn’t do it simply because I suggested you could not.

Dialogue options:

General: I care for you. PC: It’s very simple. I care for you. +Cassandra approves ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: I like a challenge. PC: (Chuckles.) I happen to like a challenge. ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: I won’t if you don’t want it. PC: It won’t happen if you tell me you don’t want it to.

Cassandra: (Sighs.) You enjoy making things complicated, don’t you?

The Bookseller

The PC travels to Redcliffe Village and finds a dwarven bookseller by the docks.

If the PC speaks to the bookseller before The Ideal Romance:

Bookseller: I’ll never get over that sky. (Shudders.)
Bookseller: Sod it. I can’t see a thing with that bright ting up in the sky.
Bookseller: Everything on the surface smells so… wet.

The PC speaks to the bookseller while looking for a poetry book.

Bookseller (dwarf PC): You must be the Inquisitor. ‘Bout time these surfacers wised up and put a dwarf in charge. Bookseller (non-dwarf PC): You must be the surfacer they call the Inquisitor. That right?

Bookseller: Wish I could sell you some books. Wish I could sell anyone some books, sod it all.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Dwarves sell books? [2]
General: What happened to your books? [3]
General: Some other time. [4]

2 - Investigate: Dwarves sell books? PC: You’re… a bookseller? Bookseller: Normally, yes. No need to look at me so funny. Thought I’d come here and try my luck selling books and scholarly crap to all the mages crowded hereabouts.

Bookseller (templars allied): Naturally they’ve all up and vanished like a fart in a cavern. Bookseller (mages allied): Not that these robes have two coppers to rub together. Should’ve thought of that.

Bookseller: I’d go home if I had any of my stock. [back to 1]

3 - General: What happened to your books? PC: So what happened, exactly? Bookseller: Surfacers happened! It took all my coin for bribes just to find out the damned templars ambushed my wagon before it got here. Thought I was bringing supplies to the robes. So it’s out here, but who knows where? PC: Any… books of poetry in your wagon? Bookseller: Sure. Mages love that stuff. Fat lot of good it does me now. [5]

4 - General: Some other time. PC: Maybe next time, then. Bookseller: If there is a next time. Might have to take up… fishing, I don’t know. [5]

5 - Scene ends.

If the PC speaks to the bookseller again before finding the caravan:

Bookseller: Blasted surfacers. No mages, no wagon, no way home.
Bookseller: What am I supposed to do now? I can’t even afford a fishing boat.

If the PC found the poetry book before speaking to the bookseller: Bookseller: Bloody surfacers. Where the blazes are my goods? PC: So that ambushed caravan was yours? The bandits were dealt with. If you want to recover what’s left, now’s the time. Bookseller: You’re shittin’ me. The bastards got what was coming to them? The Inquisition’s all right in my books. Don’t care what anyone else says about you.

If the PC found the poetry book after speaking to the bookseller: PC: I found your missing caravan along the road. The bandits were dealt with. If you want to recover what’s left, now’s the time. Bookseller: You’re shittin’ me. The bastards got what was coming to them? The Inquisition’s all right in my books. Don’t care what anyone else says about you.

If the PC speaks to the bookseller again after returning from the ambushed caravan:

Bookseller: A fine surface day to you, Inquisitor!
Bookseller: Figures that these mages would all run off just as I get here.

A Bouquet of Flowers

The PC travels to the markets of Val Royeaux and speaks to an elf there.

Gardener: By the Maker, it’s the Inquisitor himself! Would you care for a bouquet of flowers, Your Worship? The roses have been exceptional this season.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: You sell flowers? [2]
General: [Get flowers for Cassandra.] [3]
General: No, thanks. [4]

2 - Investigate: You sell flowers? PC: You sell flowers, I take it? Gardener: Oh, I don’t sell them as much as I grow them—all for the halls of the Winter Palace.

Gardener (Celene died): I once received an honor from Empress Celene herself. Alas, the poor dear. Gardener (Celene alive): Empress Celene does so love the pink daisies. They’re quite difficult to cultivate.

Gardener: But I don’t think they’d begrudge a few flowers for the Herald of Andraste. It can be our little secret. [back to 1]

3 - General: [Get flowers for Cassandra.] PC: I was looking for some flowers, in fact. Gardener: Indeed? For what occasion, if I may ask? PC: For… a lady friend. Gardener: Oh! No simple wildflowers for you, then. I have just the thing. I’ll send them to Skyhold, in fact—rare beauties your lady will adore!

4 - General: No, thanks. PC: Sorry, I’m a bit busy at the moment. Gardener: Of course. Au revoir, Your Worship.

5 - Scene ends.

If the PC speaks to her again:

Gardener: Lovely day, isn’t it? So bright and sunny.
Gardener: Strange how the flowers still grow even with that thing in the sky.
Gardener: You’re always a welcome sight, Inquisitor.

I’d Like to Talk. Privately.

Available after the PC finds the poetry book, flowers, and candles for Cassandra.

(Pursue a romance with Cassandra)

PC: I’d like to speak with you—in private.

Cassandra: Oh? How private?

PC: There’s a grove just outside of Skyhold. Meet me there.

Cassandra: If… you’re certain…

PC: I am. Trust me.

They meet in the evening, Cassandra following a trail of candles into the trees.

PC: “On aching branch do blossoms grow, the window a hallowed breath.”

The PC approaches, book in hand.

PC: “It carries the scent of honeysuckle, sweet at the lover’s kiss.”

Cassandra shoves them, but they continue.

PC: “It brings the promise of more tomorrows, of sighs and whispered bliss.”

The PC kneels.

Cassandra: You can’t be serious.

Dialogue options:

General: This is what you wanted. PC: As I recall, your list was very specific. ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: No room for fun? PC: We don’t need to be serious every single minute, do we? ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: I am absolutely serious. PC: I can, and I am.

Cassandra: And that’s the poem you chose?

Dialogue options:

General: You don’t like it? PC: What’s wrong with it? ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: You’re so picky. PC: Oh, so the list is more detailed than I thought. ㅤㅤ ㅤ
General: Can you do better? PC: You have a better one in mind?

Cassandra takes the book

Cassandra: “Carmenum di Amatus.” I thought this one was banned.

She begins to walk away, pausing to lean on a nearby tree.

Cassandra: “His lips on mine speak words not voiced, a prayer. Which travels down my spine like flames that shatter night. His eyes reflect the heaven’s stars, the Maker’s light.”

Cassandra: “My body opens, filled and blessed, my spirit there.”

The PC approaches her from behind.

PC: “Not merely housed in flesh, but brought to life.” Shall we read another?

They kiss passionately, falling to the ground, and the scene fades to black. It fades back in to them laying naked, looking at the stars.

Cassandra: They will say one of two things about me. That I stood at the Inquisitor’s side, his protector and his lover. That it was meant to be.

Cassandra (Qunari PC): Or they will say I was led astray by the wiles of a Qunari madman. Cassandra (dwarf PC): Or they will say I was led astray by the wiles of an dwarven madman. Cassandra (Dalish PC): Or they will say I was led astray by the wiles of an elven madman. Cassandra (human PC): Or they will say I was led from the path of faith by the wiles of a madman.

Dialogue options:

General: Which do you believe? [1]
General: Way to kill the mood. [2]
General: You’re still afraid. [3]

1 - General: Which do you believe? PC: I don’t care what “they” say. What do you believe?

Cassandra (Andrastian PC): I believe you are a faithful man. Cassandra (non-Andrastian PC): I believe you are a man who does not share my faith.

Cassandra (PC denied being chosen): I believe you are the Herald of Andraste, even if you do not. Cassandra (PC claims being chosen): I believe you are part of the Maker’s plan.

Cassandra: Beyond that, I believe only that you are capable of anything, and it frightens me. [4]

2 - General: Way to kill the mood. PC: Is this is your idea of pillow talk? Cassandra: If you wanted sweetness and light, you picked the wrong woman. PC: (Chuckles.) Point taken. Cassandra: I’ve feared you since the moment I laid eyes upon you. I have never known anything like it. [4]

3 - General: You’re still afraid. PC: You’re still not sure about me. Cassandra: I’ve feared you since the moment I laid eyes upon you. I have never known anything like it. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: I’ve been with only one other man in my life. A mage, with whom I adventured when I was still very young. He died at the Conclave. I will not let Corypheus win. I will not let him take you from me.

Dialogue options:

General: You may have no choice. [5]
General: I love you. [6]
General: I believe it. [7]
End Romance: No, stop… (This will end the romance with Cassandra) [8]

5 - General: You may have no choice. PC: You can’t control what will happen, Cassandra. Cassandra: Perhaps, but that will not prevent me from trying. They kiss again as Cassandra climbs on top of the PC. [9]

6 - General: I love you. PC: I love you. Cassandra: Here, tonight… I believe you. They kiss again as Cassandra climbs on top of the PC. [9]

7 - General: I believe it. PC: The way you say that, I believe it. Cassandra: Good. They kiss again as Cassandra climbs on top of the PC. [9]

8 - End Romance: No, stop… PC: Cassandra, we can’t… Cassandra: No, don’t say it. I knew you would break my heart. I knew it, and I wanted this anyway. Let us pretend a while longer. Let tomorrow be tomorrow. [9]

9 - Scene ends.