So, I’ve spent the last few years working on a psychology major in college, and after playing this game several times I’ve kinda seen something with 3 companions specifically: Lohse, Sebille, and The Red Prince. I’ve noticed that each of them carries some type of trauma that they carry through even to the romance scenes.

For the Red Prince I’ve noticed telltale signs of a lonely childhood, gilded cage syndrome, and thorough indoctrination into a cult. For the first two his attitude throughout the game screams of someone who is scared of genuine attachment because of pain, as your character is the first one to treat him like a person and not as a prince. This leads him to be pulled out of his comfort zone, he’s scared of what will happen and he’s scared of becoming too attached. As for the cult part, his blind devotion to finding Sadah (however you spell that trick bitch’s name) who doesn’t even seem to care about him, only his ability to give her a dragon baby.

Lohse and Sebille are the opposite sides of the same coin. Their trauma comes from control of their lives being ripped away from them, Lohse by Ahdramalik, and Sebille by the master. Sebille presents herself as quite reserved initially, and during her romance she can very easily be described as dominant towards your character. Lohse on the other hand is the opposite, presenting herself as open, bubbly, and kind and her romance scene can be described as submissive towards the player. Sebille has always been clawing for control over her life, either from the mother tree, or the master, and to her the idea of surrendering control for even a moment is terrifying. Lohse however has always gone with the flow, such is her personality, so when she got used to not being in control she just went with it, and when she is able to place her trust in the player and love them she is willing to let them take control.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. I may very well be wrong.