As Kallian Tabris struggles to grow into the role she’s thrust into, the support of only a few close companions might be the difference between stopping the Blight or the end of the world.
“And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and lowering.”
Hi anon, I am really glad that you asked this question and that you’re putting so much thought into how you handle Oghren. I have had many a conversation about our drunken friend, and they mostly revolve around why they heck he has to be like that.
Oghren has some really wonderful qualities, with the most important being his undying loyalty. Oghren is loyal to a fault, even when he gets absolutely nothing out of being loyal. Like you said, he remains committed to Branka and believes in her to the very end. He disapproves if you kill her, and she has done little but manipulate those who care for her and make his life hell. Oghren also loves deeply. He cares about Branka, he cares about Felsi and the kids, he cares about the Warden and Co. Underneath all of that misogyny and inappropriate humor, Oghren is a good man.
I think what is so problematic about him that we do not get to see him grow away from those hateful feelings toward women. We don’t get to see him attempt to overcome his addiction (in fact, all of his gifts are booze related – IMO the warden is being an enabler and a very bad friend by giving him those things). To me, it seems as if Oghren was written with the express purpose of being the inappropriate drunk guy who everyone makes excuses for. He was written to be funny, and to antagonize the others slightly. His treatment of Morrigan and Zevran both really made me uncomfortable.
Oghren makes a lot of unnecessary remarks about both Zevran’s and Alistair’s sexuality and he makes lewd comments about Morrigan. It paints him as homophobic and misogynistic. Those are not necessary for Oghren to still be who he is. He can still make dirty jokes. He can still be gross. He can still have a substance abuse problem. He can still be loyal and loving. He might even start out with some resentment toward women. However, he should grow from it and attempt to be better because the Oghren that is underneath all of that mess would want to be better.
So to answer your question: yes, absolutely! I think that Oghren is so redeemable if he is written properly and by someone like you who seems to want to give him the story and the arc he deserves. I really hope I get to read what you write about him some day friend!
The moment I realized Oghren really had potential that was squandered was when he said, looking back at Branka, that she was “cracked like a glass floor.” He meant that about her before she ever left Orzammar. Which meant he *knew* her, he’d observed troubling things, and yet he was also incredibly devoted to her. All of which speaks to a depth that unfortunately the game veered away from completely, but it really is there if you look. @crisontumblr ‘s writing had some great friend moments with Ogren and her berserker Tabris if you’re looking for some good Ogren content.
Thank you so much @farseerdri! This is for Unraveled, and it is perfect and I love it and you should commission this artist whenever you can because just look at how amazing this is.
The Maker's Workshop 