The palpable chemistry between the Warden and Alistair isn’t limited by your Grey Warden’s gender, so it’s a little upsetting that his ‘platonic’ friendship has far more intimate elements more in-line with something romantic. There’s an undeniable mutual affection bubbling underneath the hushed words you exchange with Alistair, yet you can’t date him if you’re a guy.
Dragon Age: Origins’ queer representation leaves a lot to be desired, from its transphobic ‘surprises’ at the brothel to its stereotypical depiction of bisexuals as promiscuous killers. LGBTQ+ stories were still teething in the triple-A space back in the late ‘00s, after all. However, BioWare nearly struck gold with a charming queer romance between the Warden and Alistair.
He has a tough exterior – the Templar Knight turned Grey Warden who stands defiant in the face of the Darkspawn – and he leads the rookies (or rather rookie, given that everyone else dies) into battle like a hardened veteran of the field despite his own induction being relatively recent. It’s all a facade, and one that breaks down beside the dimly-lit flicker of the campfire under the moonlight. The two of you expose your vulnerabilities to one another, confiding your deepest secrets.
