I'm new to Dragon Age (have been playing Origins the past month though, and have been doing light reading on the lore/other games) but find the story and its characters very compelling. The setting and plot is also beautifully simple that I find it to be icing on the cake. I know you won't deal with canons, which I know some people don't like touching, so I would propose using OCs, granted they don't copy too much of the canon roles. I see little point in steering away from canons people know, only to make carbon copies which may only differ by tiny details. I also don't like cliches very much (ex: macho warrior who is insensitive, downtrodden elf who is moody with trust issues, etc). I enjoyed layered characters and playing as many roles who come and go when it comes to helping stop the Blight. 

I consider myself advanced and capable of anywhere from four to ten paragraphs (just take a look at my post history if you want to see my style) and I do enjoy romance, if it happens naturally. I'm not sure why some people turn their nose up at romance when feelings of adoration, longing, and even lust are part of every day life. You seem fine with it though, I just don't want my roles getting involved with yours if you're not totally happy with it. Also another concern is that Dragon Age is also part "slice of life" in my mind, with the travel, setting up camp and such. I like that stuff, I find it builds interactions and allows characters to not just react to another mission or side quest. Personally, I see the pace being slow with room for side quests, not just action and danger around ever turn.

If you're interested in talking more, I'm happy to do so though I am a bit backed up in PMs (I tend to forget I have some to reply to) so here might be a good way to talk before we figure out if an OOC is worth making...but if you need to PM to keep this clutter free, I understand too.