Does Royland have better lines than Duncan?

DaveTheArakin

I mean absolutely no disrespect to Robin Atkin Downes, he is an awesome voice actor with a versatile voice. But I can't help but feeling that Royland have better lines than Duncan. Let's compare when you choose them as Sentinel and after the council meeting is over.

Royland: "No matter what, I will stand beside you, my lord. Where your Sentinel belongs."

Duncan: "And don't worry, Lord Ethan. I will stand beside you, where your Sentinel belongs."

I don't know about you guys, but Duncan has this "Oh and by the way" tone to his lines when he said that. Royland's line felt more emotional and honest, when he said that.

And also in the final episode where the Snetinel saves Rodrik/Asher, there is yet another difference in their lines.

Duncan: "You must survive, Rodrik/Asher. For the House. For all of us that fought on this day!"

Royland: "You must survive, Asher/Rodrik. For the House. For all of us."

Royland said that to his lord, in an almost resigned and fatherly way. It made his line more emotional. While Duncan's tone felt more intense.

Maybe I am just favoring Royland, because I like his character and having him as my Sentinel more than Duncan, but I still feel that Brian George put a lot of hearts into his lines, which makes me more attached to Royland.

I am just making my opinions known and feel free to discuss about it.

Draagedeh

Also if Rodrik stays behind to defend Asher, Royland almost breaks down, whereas Duncan doesn't seem to care that much

TheRightfulKing

Also, the way Royland says ''Yes, my lord'' if you choose to leave Rodrik behind is more heartbreaking than the way Duncan says it.

EDIT: Got ninja'd by Draagedeh. :P

TaleTellFan

I believe Royland says something like "take as many of them as you can with you" whereas Duncan says nothing, but I might be wrong

DaveTheArakin

Good point!

DillonDex

I've always found Royland more likeable than Duncan. His raw passion for the Forresters... his blunt honesty. Yeah, he's a rough, pretty flawed guy too, but that just makes him all the more relatable and interesting. At least for me. The second I found out we had to appoint a second-in-command like figure, I knew immediately who it had to be. And now, having finished the entire game, I'm so glad I made the decision.

Not only does Royland--I feel--fit in much better, as the right-hand-man to a lord, tough, loyal, decisive, a great warrior... he, as you say, also has far superior lines and more often than not, voice acting compared to Duncan. The way he speaks to Ethan is so much more warm and sincere after being awarded the title of Sentinel--you really get the sense he's now fully devoted to the house. Whereas with Duncan, it's more like, "Awesome. By the way, I'll have your back, Ethan." That's how it came across to me anyway.

But let's cut to specific examples:

I prefer Royland's reaction to Arthur's death than Duncan's, as Sentinel. Royland's is filled with far more emotion.

• "How, after all we've been through, can the gods continue TO SHIT ON OUR HOUSE! What have we ever done to them? OBEY THE STARKS? Follow the rules of law?"
• While Duncan's is more of a meek, "I just don't understand what it is we've done to deserve such hate."

Before the Stay Down / Stand Up sequence in Episode 3 happens, where Rodrik is walking through the courtyard with his Sentinel, if you choose to stay silent. This is both of their responses:

• Royland puts a hand on Rodrik's shoulder. "It tears me apart too, my lord." He says sadly.
• Duncan, however, just says, "I know it's hard to hear." In a quite standard tone.

Also, if Rodrik stays behind, not only is Royland's, "Yes... my lord." So much more emotional than Duncan's version, but, Royland also shouts: "TAKE AS MANY OF THEM AS YOU CAN WITH YOU!" As he runs away, while Duncan doesn't say another word. He's just gone.

But there's also little touches in the final episode. When Rodrik is considering going to the Whitehill Encampment, his Sentinel will question the plan, and if Rodrik says. "This plan will work." This is both of their responses:

• Royland smiles. "Now that's the boy I trained!"
• Duncan nods. "Then I can only say good luck."

So in the end, that's how I feel. Royland just shows a lot more upfront passion and heart than Duncan, character and voice acting wise. Not that I have anything against Duncan, or his voice actor. Duncan's a cool character, and his actor--like most in the game--does a great job. Especially in the traitor scene. So well acted on his part. But to me, Royland will always fit better in the role of the Sentinel, and his superior lines and voice acting are big reasons why.

DaveTheArakin

I was extremely happy that I got Royland's "Now that's the boy I trained!" on my first playthrough of Episode 6. It was one of those few good heartwarming moments in an otherwise brutal episode.

Overall, you really feel like you are developing a stronger and more personal bond with Royland across the episodes than with Duncan. I made a lot of choices that I regret in the game, but choosing Royland as my Sentinel was one of the choices that I never regret.