With just two months until the Netflix animated adaptation of Dragon’s Dogma releases, Capcom has been heavily promoting the game on PC and console. It is still unknown how much the show will faithfully follow the game, with the main protagonist given the name Ethan and already having their own unique pawn. For those that dive headfirst into Dragon's Dogma, they will need to balance out intense monster fights with intimate role-playing among the populace of Gransys.

Related: How to Choose Your Class in Dragon's Dogma (Vocation Guide)

Affinity is a helpful mechanic that can lower shop prices, unlock quests, and open up new quest solutions. It also can have an effect on the story, leading to close bonds and even marriage to a lucky NPC. In fact, unlike most games romance is required in Dragon’s Dogma. You will need to balance your affinity scores or your Arisen may windup in a surprising relationship.

Affinity Mechanics in Dragon’s Dogma

Quina and Arisen before dragon attack Dragons Dogma

Raising Affinity

Affinity can be raised by giving an NPC gifts, like food, flowers, and idols. Each character in the game has favored items that will boost extra affinity, which can often be gauged by their comments when receiving the item. The Magick Archer’s augment Allure will further improve this value. The ultimate gift is the Arisen’s Bond, which will maximize affinity. It can be gained from combining a Noonflower and the Love-In-The-Rough jewel. You will also receive a free Arisen’s Bond from the Dragonforged during the side story quest The Dragon’s Tounge from Selene.

Additionally, affinity will rise when completing Escort Quests from Notice Boards. In these quests you will travel with the NPC to a location, protecting them from monsters and bandits. In many cases, a character will need a minimum affinity before they offer a quest. Some NPCs have no Escort Quests, mainly town guards who cannot leave their posts.

Additionally, any negative affinity values will rise over time to a neutral state.

Lowering Affinity

Most hostile actions will lower affinity by a degree. This can include drawing your weapon in town, picking up and throwing characters, and most especially committing crimes. Theft, murder, and destruction will quickly lower affinity of any witnesses. NPCs with very low affinity will not just recoil from the Arisen but may flee outright.

Barroch on Bitterblack Isle will also sell Liquid Effluvium for 1,250 gold per bottle. Gifting this item will lower the recipient’s affinity. Be warned, that too many Liquid Effluviums will tank affinity enough for characters to panic and run away.

Beloved Romance

Players will need to lock in their top romance options before taking on the main story quest Deny Salvation. Upon reaching the Greatwall Encampment, the NPC with the highest affinity will be assigned as Beloved. In case two NPCs tie exactly, it will be the one that the Arisen spoke to last. Beloved can be of either gender and any age, which can result in possibly being betrothed to children or the elderly. If the Beloved was gifted the Arisen’s Bond, it will be recoverable inside the Greatwall Keep. The Beloved NPC will move to Cassardis and play a role in later quests like A Warm Welcome and The Great Hereafter. How the Arisen treats their Beloved can also unlock an alternate bad ending.

Specific Beloved Requirements in Dragon's Dogma

Traveling Merchant Madeleine in Dragons Dogma

Nearly every character in Dragon’s Dogma can become Beloved, even random pedestrians. A few exceptions include your main pawn and any hirable pawns, the Dragonforged, Edmund Dragonsbane, and characters introduced in Dark Arisen like Olra and Barroch. It may be common to wind up with merchants you frequently interact with like Caxton and Asalam. However, certain storyline characters have more convoluted requirements to become wed to.

Quina

Your childhood friend from Cassardis will be an early option for Beloved. Her affinity can be quickly raised by gifting her Noonflowers. However, she only stays inside the village for a short time. Once the side quest Lost and Found is gained, Quina will move to the Witchwood. After the quest is over she will then move to the Wilted Forest. You will want to max out her affinity before taking on the side quest A Parting Gift, which will cause her to leave Gransys entirely. Also, note that failing either mentioned quest may result in Quina disappearing prematurely.

Valmiro

Another resident of Cassardis you can give gifts to early; he is fond of Devilwort. You will want to complete the side quest Dying of Curiosity which involves rescuing Valmiro. However, you will need to max his affinity before completing Farewell, Valmiro. As with other characters, failure of incompletion of these quests may cause Valmiro to vanish unexpectedly.

Reynard

Reynard is a traveling merchant that wanders across Gransys. If you can track him down you may supply him with Reminishroom to boost his affinity. He has a set movement route moving in a circle from Cassardis, the Encampment, Gran Soren, Greatwall Encampment, and Rest Camp at Devilfire Grove. He will also be in specific locations during some main story quests to act as a mission vendor. Note that he can be killed during his journey, particularly at the start of the game if you do not rescue him from a gang of goblins. If he becomes Beloved his special quest Search Party will be canceled.

Madeleine

Madeleine is another traveling merchant, though unlike Reynard has aspirations of setting up a permanent shop. She gains a large affinity boost from Magick Medals. She starts in Cassardis, but will move first to the Encampment and then Gran Soren as the story progresses. You must complete the quest Chasing Shadows for her to establish her own shop. Failure to do so will cause her to remain at the Union Inn for a time and eventually abandon Gransys. Last, completing her quest Bad Business will also cause her to leave, but with a high-affinity bonus.

Aelinore

Aelinore is the new Duchess of Gran Soren and Edmund’s latest wife. She likes both Windmill Flowers and White Orchids. She is first met during the main quest Come to Court, where speaking to her several times will automatically gift her the Jester’s Cap worn during the quest. Successfully doing this will unlock another quest, Arousing Suspicion. During this Edmund will attempt to murder Aelinore, which you can prevent or let playout. If Aelinore does die, the Arisen will need to escape prison by some means. However, if she lives you will gain another quest Duchess in Distress to escort her to safety. Because Aelinore is so connected to the main plot, consider handing her Liquid Effluviums if you want someone else as Beloved.

Mercedes

Mercedes is an important character in the main storyline, first found in the Encampment. Her affinity can be rushed to Beloved status by giving her Cloudwine. Upon reaching Gran Soren, she will stay in the Duke’s Demesne. Your last opportunity to adjust her affinity is the quest Pride Before the Fall. For the best outcome, remain a neutral observer during her duel with Julien. After the fight, she will award you her Silver Rapier and depart Gransys. She can be spoken to briefly to hand her gifts a final time.

Julien

Julien has one of the more peculiar Beloved requirements involving several quests. He is normally found in the Duke’s Demesne and will gladly accept Festival Pie. You will want to complete Chasing Shadows to track his whereabouts. Also, make sure to have at least one Wakestone when accepting the quest Pride Before the Fall. During his fight with Mercedes, interrupt and kill Julien but revive him with the Wakestone before the mission concludes. This will cause Julien to be captured and sent to the Gran Soren Dungeon. Head there to receive his Wizard’s Vizard and a special escort quest A Delicate Matter. Unlike other characters, doing all of this will keep him in Gransys, while failure will cause him to depart.

Selene

Selene is a Witchwood pawn that can become Beloved through a series of quests. She is fond of Toadstool Sitter as a gift. First, Lost and Found must be completed promptly while Quina is searching the Witchwood. If this quest is successful, Selene will offer two more subsequent quests Witch’s Brew and Witch Hunt. Completing the latter will greatly increase Selene’s affinity and move her to Cassardis. The quest contains an encounter with a powerful magic resistant golem, so make sure you are prepared with a team of strong physical fighters and archers. The quest is also the only opportunity to raise the affinity of Selene’s master, Sofiah. Like her pawn, she also adores Toadstool Sitters.

These are just some of the potential spouses in the game. You can seek out anyone, including bandit leaders, traders, lost pawns, and simple townsfolk. And if you dislike your choice, there is always New Game+ to makes life changes for your Arisen.

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Dragon’s Dogma and Dark Arisen are available for Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Switch.