Quote Originally Posted by Lurina View Post
There's no real way to say this softly, so I'll be blunt: I don't agree that it gives any food for thought at all. Venat's brief statement - immediately refuted by Y'shtola - that she did something unkind does not offset the universal positivity in which she is framed by the characters, quest log dialogue, the aforementioned minion dialogue, and the range of responses given to the player character, all of which are unabashed in positivity towards her at all occasions. Regardless of whether they end up on our side or not, this is not a treatment that any other NPC who is intended to read as morally complicated (eg: Lolorito, Ysayle, Estinien, Regula, Yotsuyu, Emet, Elidibus) gets.
Ysayle is actually a great example, as she has a similar presentation to Venat. She commits morally ambiguous acts for a good reason and despite the ambiguity that game doesn’t focus on her moral failings, and instead all parties, even those violently opposed to her, give her praise.

And that statement want “refuted” at all, Y’shtola simply observes a reason for her actions. Hell Hydaelyn immediately follows Y’shtolas statement with the “there was no kindness nor justice in the bloodshed I wrought” line. So no, the narrative never errs from including that point.

Quote Originally Posted by Lurina View Post
This is so self-evident to me that I don't think there is any point in discussing the subject if we can't agree. We might as well have played different games.
I find myself feeling similarly. I think some people just don’t like Venat. And I think some people like Venat. It seems like that’s all this truly comes down to.