galasriniel817

[galasriniel817]

hi, veilguard peeps, can we take a moment to talk about rook mercar? because rook mercar is possibly one of the most batshit rooks in the game and they deserve to be recognized as such.

but not only that, mercar's backstory shades the shadow dragons and venatori conflicts in very interesting ways so let's talk about them.

so first, the nessus job.

i don't blame you for forgetting (or not knowing, i know the shadow dragons aren't everyone's cup of tea) so here's your quick refresher from the shadow dragon background blurb found in the character creator:

Breaker of Bonds

“Rook risked everything to liberate the enslaved people of Tevinter, even knowing it would anger the ruling elite. The foundling Rook was adopted into a military family and joined the Shadow Dragons to fight from the shadows for change in Minrathous. While guarding a visiting dignitary who was investigating a slavery ring in the nearby city of Nessus, Rook concluded that the mission would fail without throwing caution to the wind. Alone, s/he(/they) sneaked the dignitary deep into Venatori-controlled zones and brought him back, along with the rescued slaves. These actions brought Rook to the Venatori's attention, and the Shadow Dragons decided to keep Rook out of sight.”

that is the nessus job.

except this doesn't quite square with what the game has to say about it.

the background:

first, here's the viper's letter about the job:

so right away, note how weird it is that the viper's writing mercar's letter. i say this is weird because, with the other factions, the person writing rook's letter is someone they're familiar with, usually in a position of leadership. antoine and evka are the notable leadership exceptions here, having actually been involved in thorne's backstory actions.

here's the rub: mercar doesn't know the viper. they've heard of him, certainly, but when that little popup telling you that you've worked with these faction agents before appears, mercar doesn't have the option to act like they know the viper.

the lines mercar gets are:

it's an honor to stand beside a legend

i know he likes to make an entrance

i know he gets things done

now, i will grant you that some of the responses to mercar's comment indicate tarquin is familiar with both rook and ashur (his response to the honor line is 'well, that'll go straight to his head' while the entrance line earns the viper's comment 'no one watches the rooftops' and tarquin's exasperated 'sure, that's what he says') but the point is, for a character mercar is "supposed" to be very familiar with, neve still tells them about the name ashur. like, seriously, it's the same dialogue tag every rook gets.

which is weird because veilguard is actually pretty good at keeping track of rook's faction and seamlessly changing up the conversation while still getting across the relevant information.

but it doesn't stop there, oh no.

during mercar's unpacking scene, we get these default shadow dragon lines:

now, these right here ping for the following reasons:

varric isn't the "visiting dignitary" that rook was guarding, given that rook had to get to nessus before meeting varric

the fact that rook's backstory happens dao style, where all events are true but only one has duncan varric available to pluck rook out of the immediate consequences

minrathous slaves, specifically, are mentioned as being freed here, even though we're supposed to be in nessus. now i'm not saying that minrathous citizens can't be enslaved and sent elsewhere, i'm just pointing out the phrasing here

the magisters who were financially benefiting from the nessus ring (aka venatori and their backers) knew enough about rook to put a name and a face on them. the structure of the sentence here is that everyone knows who is "too much trouble" to keep around and that is fucking wild kids. no, seriously, that is wild. there is so much wild here, put a pin in it.

no, seriously, this matters and matches the backstory blurb that the job "brought Rook to the Venatori's attention." put a fucking pin in it.

whatever rook's feelings, they always take pride in freeing those slaves- impulsive rook just dislikes that it comes at the cost of putting the shadow dragons in danger (put a pin in it), righteous rook thinks that the shadows should have used the crackdown to start a full out war with the venatori and their magister backers mind you while finally stoic rook just hopes that the shadow dragons weathered the storm safely.

okay, so ready for more batshit mercar?

the next solas conversation is the one where rook tells solas why they're going to stop the gods and here's what mercar has to say about that operation:

i just want y'all to marinate in that little gem of a line for a sec.

done screaming yet? it's cool, take another minute. no one's doing it like mercar.

okay, so finally a fuller picture of mercar's backstory comes into focus, if you ignore the weird bits. like the fact that the shadows made a plan with varric to rescue a friend, which does not appear to be the original nessus job, mind you.

mercar met varric, something went screwy, and mercar and varric decided the only way they had a chance was to start an armed rebellion in the city of nessus. the slavery ring is busted, said rebellion is (apparently) put down, the venatori and the magisters know who to blame for it all, and mercar hightails it out of the country with varric. simple and straightforward, right?

wrong, we have so much to work through.

the fallout:

like why the fuck are ashur, mae, and dorian squatting in dock town, exactly? tarquin lives there but those three surely have a high town shadow dragon cell they can go bug, right? and why is ashur the only one of the three making any cell decisions? i mean, points to mae for being a decent house guest, i guess, but what exactly is going on here? why are the venatori breathing down the shop's neck, to the point that they knew its location well enough to deliberately target it in the save treviso route?

remember those pins? it's time to pull them.

i repeat: this is real fucking bad for the shadow dragons. unlike the rest of the origins, the shadows are a covert operation. they don't want anyone knowing who their members are, who their backers are, any of it. the people in power being able to identify shadow dragons is how you lose shadow dragons: to arrests, targeted killings, beatings, destruction of their livelihoods, etc. ya know, like the viper mentions in his letter.

the fact that the first warden can not only link rook's face and name to the shadow dragons but to very specific crimes, crimes for which rook can absolutely be arrested, should set off all the alarm bells. as dorian says, the man is more politician than warden and as charter's letter from marnas pell states, "Assume every noble Tevinter family not with Shadow Dragons has Venatori pulling strings." this is extremely bad.

after nessus, the venatori had rook's identity as mercar and what did they do? they started looking into every single person mercar had known contact with, every path they took, their home, their family, the bar they stopped in for breakfast that one time. that's how resistance cells die, by the way. including, potentially, mercar's. this is why the shadows were more than happy to see mercar out of the way for a while where they couldn't cause any more trouble; so long as they're not around, they can't compromise more of the various cells' activities and members. it's the safest move for literally everyone involved.

because the damage has been done:

mae's related to varric via marriage, by the way, if the full picture hasn't come into focus yet.

mercar and varric were id'ed in that rebellion, the venatori were pissed at the lost revenue streams and suddenly mae's knocked out of the magisterium?

yeah.

my guess is that there is no high town cell anymore because of the nessus job. for all that mae worked to ensure that dorian was out of the line of fire and squeaky clean, the shadows and their backers couldn't stop the venatori crackdown after nessus, as mentioned by ashur's letter. ashur and mae are here specifically because there is no other cell to go to.

this is why tarquin is snippy, by the by. mercar and the highbloods are drawing attention to him and endangering all of his people just by being there.

hang on, it gets worse.

because the venatori are obsessed with the viper and proving that he's the divine (he is the divine, for the record, there are too many ambient dialogues, codices, and missions pointing in that direction). and to that obsession, i say, what the fuck? how did they come to that conclusion, exactly? what trail did the divine leave behind that first got the venatori on his tail?

well, he's related to and has close ties with mae's family. secondly, the divine is known for being quietly supportive of slave liberation. but the real reason, i think, is the original nessus job.

because again, why were the shadows in nessus originally? why was mercar in nessus to meet varric in the first place? who was the "visiting dignitary" that mercar was guarding?

yeah, i think the dignitary was the divine. and i think he was there in his official capacity. it would handily explain the discrepancy that ashur knows mercar but mercar doesn't know ashur. while the divine might not have a lot of actual power, the power of the press and drawing attention to issues and plights should never be discounted. especially when it's a plausible excuse to get several minrathous shadows in place to shut down the nessus slaver ring.

the divine being guarded by a now known shadow dragon (the viper likely made an appearance, ashur is known to pop up when slave rebellions start) combined with his anti-slavery views and ties to anti-slavery politicians turned the venatori's eye on ashur's night job.

remember, the shadow dragons are officially labeled as insurgents; if the venatori can tie the divine and all his people to them? that would be a death knell for any political support for liberation. the checkmate for the anti-slavery cause for the next age.

tldr: mercar exposed their ties to the shadows (and possibly the divine's) by starting an armed rebellion with varric to free slaves and shut down a slaver hub. in response, the venatori sniped several cells using mercar and varric's likely contacts, which led to ashur, mae, and dorian squatting in the dock town shadow dragon cell instead of some high town cell.

lucky the gods show up to cause trouble, huh?

god i love this game.

[galasriniel817]

I genuinely giggle about Lucanis getting so used to a Mage Rook lighting all the candles instantly with a flick of their hand that when they’re gone he gets all grumpy because what do you mean I have to light all these stupid fucking candles by hand one by one why do we even HAVE THIS MANY CANDLES

[galasriniel817]

Big fan of that theory that Lace (if chosen at Tearstone) was actually swallowed up and encased in The Stone. Because of course whatever remains of the Titans would risk it all and muster all their remaining power to save their child. To save her from the Evanuris, to save her from their blight.

Especially the child that managed to figure out the truth of what happened in the past and see them for who they really were. The child who loved them dearly, who embraced their pain and righteous anger as her own, and who sought to find a future for the Dwarves that honored their history.

I want to believe that The Stone took her deep into the mountains - into the Titan's own remains - to protect and heal her. That one day soon she will rise to rejoin the world and people she treasures.

[galasriniel817]

my current obsession

Lucanis “I know exactly how to feel” Dellamorte 💜

[galasriniel817]

You unlit candle.

[galasriniel817]

NOTICE: As more and more fanfic writers are using generative AI for their works (you uncreative dweebs), I hereby swear on everything I hold dear that I have not and will NEVER use generative AI in ANY of my written work. Everything I post will be organically and creatively my own.

[galasriniel817]

With more and more Ao3 authors restricting their works to the archive (due to AI scraping), they're going to be losing guest interaction. And probably generally feeling down because. You know. AI is stealing their hard work.

So! Now is a great time to stop by your favorite authors/stories and drop them some comments! They really appreciate it!

[galasriniel817]

I've always thought that Jacobus developed a little boyish crush on Rook for not only saving him but also saving Treviso and giving him the opportunity to avenge his cousin, and I think that little headcanon is especially funny in world states where Rook ends up romancing Lucanis. Imagine you are 15 years old and crushing hard on the super cool person that's done so much for you and been super nice to you the whole time and is now dating the guy who's your boss. I doubt Jacobus ever seriously thought Rook would return his affections but its gotta be pretty embarrassing to not be able to keep yourself from blushing whenever your boss' partner even smiles at you and everyone seems to know you're down bad.

Up to you if your Rook realizes Jacobus has gotten a little baby crush on them but Teia thinks its cute and funny, Viago doesn't really care, Lucanis' opinion is influenced by whether he himself is romancing Rook but I doubt he would see Jacobus as a threat and probably sympathizes with the kid because he gets it, Rook is really hot and endearingly charming especially when they swoop in and save you without a second thought. Meanwhile, Spite is throwing a bit of a hissy fit because that is Their (meaning his and Lucanis') Rook and why does the tiny person think he's entitled to Rook's affections, they belong to Spite and Lucanis.

[galasriniel817]

Kiss prompt #40? If it hasn't been done. Please.

Kiss 40: An impulsive kiss

Lucanis has a close call with a Dragon and Rook nearly rips his leathers making sure he's not dead.

[galasriniel817]

[galasriniel817]

Bellara and Lucanis both cook for the Veilguard BUT I can say with 100% certainty that they cannot cook for the Veilguard at the same time because deep down in my soul I know Bellara is the most chaotic person you've ever seen holding a kitchen knife and Lucanis Cannot Handle It.

[galasriniel817]

Thinking about Rook and Lucanis having a fight and Spite simultaneously yelling at Lucanis to shut up because Rook’s right (they aren’t) this man truly cannot win

[galasriniel817]

Ohhhhh just read this in my WOT1 about how Antiva celebrates Satinalia

Hhhhhhh fighting the urge to draw rookanis in masked parade fits

[galasriniel817]

Do you think that Spite had to learn what love was when Lucanis fell for Rook?

Did he feel that fluttering in Lucanis’ chest when Rook comes around, and he didn’t understand what it was? Did he demand answers and Lucanis ignored him out of embarrassment?

Does he ask why Lucanis’ face feels hot when Rook’s hand smoothed over his shoulder blades, telling him a job well done after a harrowing battle?

Did he ask why Lucanis feels joy when making them their favorite drink or dish, and why the feeling surges when he sees Rook’s face light up at the sight of it all presented?

Does he realize that Lucanis is calmer and more relaxed when Rook is close?

Slowly, does he figure out that’s what love is?

Does he think he loves Rook too?

[galasriniel817]

I know I’ve said that Cullen shouldn’t have been the Commander of the Inquisition’s Forces because he really wasn’t ready, but at the same time…

Who else would Cassandra have picked?

Cullen was probably one of the last high-ranking templars who saw the faults of the Chantry but wasn’t neglecting his duty. He protected any mages that chose to remain at the Gallows, but his focus and orders to the templars under him were to help the city rebuild.

He maintained order. Stability.

He had stood up to his corrupt commanding officer (later than he should have, but still he did no matter which side Hawke supported) and sought to undo her mistakes to the best of his ability.

And when Cassandra offered the position to him, a position within an organization that sought to bring about change and stop the fighting (remember, they had no notion of the coming events with the Herald and Corypheus) he took it.

And decided to leave the Order, in its entirety, behind. He wanted to serve not as a templar— loyal and slave to the Chantry, his own spiritual beliefs aside—but as his own man.

It’s why Cassandra supported it. She saw it for what it was: his desire to serve out of genuine willingness, not blind obedience or ulterior motives. She also mentions that she knew Cullen could break free of lyrium when she met with him. There’s something to that statement that is multilayered.

Any other templar? Might’ve been serving in order to secure his lyrium fix. A templar completely alienated against the Chantry and/or mages? Would’ve been dangerous.

But it makes sense that it was a templar and not just a regular military soldier. A templar would understand the workings of the Chantry and the Circle while being able to train and lead soldiers with more effectiveness because templars are meant to be the most adept warriors in Thedas.

This isn’t even speaking to his own military-related training and career as well as the action he’d seen between the revolt at Kinloch and becoming knight-captain in Kirkwall and leading men and women in that volatile city both before and after Meredith.

There’s probably more to this, but while I do understand that having to face that role while undergoing that process might’ve been a risky move, if anyone could do it, he could.

The man withstood mental torture and demonic temptation with nothing but sheer will. Cassandra wouldn’t have know that part, but she saw that will in how he took a stand against Meredith, putting himself between her and Hawke and then worked himself to the bone to help the city he had a hand in casting into utter chaos find stability. In pulling the templars together in order to do so.

Should he have been able to focus solely on his rehab and recovery? Perhaps. But he’s a man who needs a purpose beyond himself. To strip him of that, of the ability to serve something greater than himself, to serve the Maker, to serve the people, to serve in order to focus solely on himself probably would’ve been more detrimental than helpful.

Cullen might not have been “perfect”, but he was the best pick because of that imperfection.

[galasriniel817]

He is Bisexual Panic™️

Forever laughing about Lucanis saying „at least I know I’m doing it“ because this man has no idea what he is doing

[galasriniel817]

A pause from my usual Dragon Age fixation to share my current situation.