Shale

And the villagers had no idea they were being watched? Creepy

Every relationship with Shale is a strange one. Keep in mind that she (YES A SHE) is a golem, and sees things in her own hilarious way. Which makes quite an interesting character to interact with, but even more fun is listening to her interacting with Alistair (or the others).

She actually has an interesting viewpoint of all of them, and she does inquire about it, during those dialogues.

But, I think in the end Shale has a soft spot for her comrades, even if she doesn’t really understand them and why their choices are. Especially for Alistair, who seems like following orders, and she voices those concerns in most of the dialogues I think. But the point is, that she has their back, with witty remarks.

Dialogues:

(If the Warden is in a romance with Alistair)
Shale: It has become very close with the other Grey Warden.
Alistair: Uh...yes, I suppose I have at that.
Shale: I find this difficult to comprehend. It is whiny and weak and constantly laughing.
Alistair: Then I guess a romance between you and I is completely out of the question?
Shale: And the attempts at humor. I cannot understand how it is endured.
Alistair: Well maybe you should ask her why she likes me so much instead of bothering me with it.
Shale: It has a loud mouth. Why its head has not been crushed already is hard to imagine.
Alistair: Or maybe you just happen to figure she likes me a lot more than she likes you.
Shale: Don't be foolish.
Alistair: Yes, I thought so. Just watch your step or I'm totally telling.
Shale: I'm going to stand over here now.
-------
Shale: I find it very odd.
Alistair: "It" meaning me? Am I an "it," now, too? I feel honored.
Shale: For one who professes to be a warrior, I find it remarkably weak-willed and indecisive.
Alistair: Er... thank you?
Shale: It also likes to hide its many weaknesses behind a veil of jocularity.
Alistair: For a statue, you know a lot of big words.
Shale: Is there a reason it enjoys following others so much? Especially when it is in a position to lead?
Alistair: Have you ever been responsible for someone else's life? Or a lot of other lives? Or an entire nation?
Shale: Of course not.
Alistair: Then... shut... up.
Shale: I will remember this moment when the birds come.
-------
Shale: I am told that it lost a large number of comrades in the battle with the darkspawn.
Alistair: Me? I guess I did, yes. I didn't know all of them that well, however. Mostly just Duncan.
Shale: I am unfamiliar with this name.
Alistair: It's... it's not important. You don't need to know who he was.
Shale: I cannot remember if I ever had anyone important to me. All I remember is being given orders.
Alistair: I would gladly be following Duncan's orders right now, if I could.
Shale: It enjoys following others? I find that odd.
Alistair: You wouldn't understand. Don't worry. I don't expect you to.
-------
Alistair: So, Shale... when you were standing there all that time? Did you... sleep?
Shale: I have no need to sleep. My body does not tire or do -- ugh -- other flesh-related functions.
Alistair: But don't you get bored? Wouldn't you want to dream, at least?
Shale: I do not dream. This is what it does when it sleeps? It paws its nose and mumbles incoherently.
Alistair: Yes, of course. I thought we all -- huh... you watch me?
Shale: I watch all closely when they are still at night. There is little else to do.
Alistair: For... hours and hours?
Shale: I count the breaths. it helps to overcome the overwhelming urge to crush their faces while they sleep.
Alistair: Well. I won't be doing much of that anymore.
-------
Alistair: So tell me something... do you feel pain? When you get hit in combat?
Shale: This is when it squeals loudly and spurts blood about? This is when it feels pain?
Alistair: Uh... maybe? I've seen you take some bad hits. Don't you feel anything?
Shale: Anger. Rage, even. Perhaps a little distress. Is this pain?
Alistair: I'm not sure. I don't think I'd call it distress, exactly. It's more... (screaming)
Shale: For me, it is more... (pained growl)
Alistair: That sounds more like a bowel movement. I mean that sharp, stabbing... (screams) Like that?
Shale: No. Nothing like that.
Alistair: No? Huh. Good to know.
-------
Alistair: So do you ever want to go back?
Shale: To Honnleath? Perhaps it should stare at a patch of grass for thirty years and then tell me how much it misses it.
Alistair: Point taken. Still, if you can't remember anything else ever... it would be scary to leave, I'd think.
Shale: Fortunately, I am not as comfortable with the mundane and familiar as some.
Alistair: Ooh, ow. Ow! Sort of an adventurer, I see. Brave new world, that sort of thing?
Shale: And instead, I should be content to remain in that village, standing still out of fear of the unknown? What life is that? I know what I am, now. I know how I was made. I can move forward. It who has had so much more should do half as well.
Alistair: Um. Thanks for that. I feel... really good, now.
Shale: A pleasure. Next time, we shall speak of its grammar and personal hygiene.
-------
Shale: So it has become king after all, yes?
Alistair: It looks that way.
Shale: Is this not a good thing? This is a position of importance, no? Did it not want to be king?
Alistair: Not really, no. We don't always get what we want, however, do we? (If hardened, "I didn't. But I do, now.")
Shale: If I were king, I would order that all birds be shot out of the sky. I would arm everyone with bows and put them on constant vigil.
Alistair: Well, let's be glad you're not king, then.
Shale: I suspect it thinks that would be a pointless endeavor. But it would be wrong.
Alistair: Ummm, right... just as an aside? This bird fixation? Creepy.
-------
Alistair: So this... "bird thing" of yours.
Shale: I do not have a "bird thing." I have an extremely justified rage of the flying vermin that plague this world.
Alistair: But there are some birds that are useful. Like the ones you eat!
Shale: I approve of the ritual slaying of the foul beasts, but--it eats one? Disgusting.
Alistair: They're really quite tasty. you just need to rip off the feathers, first. I like the skin, myself.
Shale: I... think I am going to be sick...
Alistair: Ooh! Golem vomit! This I have to see!