shimylli

[shimylli]

Why do something productive when you could analyze Dragon Age’s elven design elements?

[shimylli]

I've given it a lot of thought about making a post like this, because I didn't want to just add to the already extended discourse on the subject, but I keep reading opinions and I just can't stay out of it.

Before I continue I want to make clear that I've done high approval solas playthroughs and I do believe that a befriended solas cares deeply for the inquisitor. He respects and values them, and you could even argue that they forge a kind of sibling bond or a mentor/apprentice one. So for him to betray that, it's really a tragedy in the end—the inquisitor hurts deeply for their lost friend/mentor.

That said, and I am truly, honestly, not saying this as a solasmancer, but from a storytelling point of view, the story of a romanced solas is still far more impactful.

Please let me make my case before you draw conclusions.

I am not saying it's more valid, or that you should do it, or that it should be the canon. Just, simply, that it is a more powerful story narratively, and that acting like the high approval run somehow has an equal narrative value is completely unbased. It's a meaningful story, yes, but it does not have the same impact. (To be clear, I'm not speaking in comparison to other romances here since that's based on taste and preferences, just the case of befriended vs romanced solas specifically.)

From a creative writing point of view, the romance employs:

backstory relevance: fen'harel is an important part of lavellan's culture and upbringing. and yes, arguably, that's true for any lavellan, but in the case of a romanced one, there's the beautiful narrative device of—

tragic irony: she grew up specifically being cautioned about the dread wolf's treachery, hearing blessings like "may the dreadwolf never catch your scent" etc. and what does she do? she goes and falls in love with him.The dread wolf literally takes her. A befriended lavellan might love him, but will give him nothing so vital as her heart for it to be considered "a taking". And as for other inquisitors, well, they don't even know who Fen'harel is.

unique perspective: (edit because of comments on this post) solas reveals much more of himself to a romanced inquisitor than a high approval one. "it's not right", "it's been so long since I trusted someone", "it will be kinder in the long run", "you saw more than most", and to top that, the ultimate reveal of solas telling her he can remove her vallaslin, which is his way of showing her who he truly is.

denied catharsis: one of the most essential rules of storytelling is that after you've reached the climax of the hero's journey and you've dragged them through all their struggles, you should provide a form of catharsis. that doesn't happen in the case of the romanced lavellan. she ends up alone. I'm not even saying heartbroken, because losing a friend can cause equal pain, but a solas romanced lavellan ends. up. alone. After all that she went through, after having her personhood erased and being forced into a religion that is not hers, after losing her arm and potentially her clan, she ends the journey of the inquisition standing completely alone overlooking an empire that will never thank her. and added to that, we have—

continued torment: her lover still visits her in dreams and she can't even tell if he's real or her imagination.

Yes, high approval playthroughs are enjoyable and meaningful and as much a valid canon as any. And yes, it's really unfortunate that they limited such a beautiful romance to a specific race and gender in the game. But please, please, stop trying to argue that the friendship narrative is as powerful a storytelling as the romance. And stop treating solavellans like silly fangirls who can't see past their faves. I admit that there are those who are trying to force the romance as the only valid option, but I'm not talking about those, every fandom has its radicals.

This is not an argument of whether romantic is better than platonic or vice versa. And it's not an argument of whether solas cares more for a romanced inquisitor versus a befriended one. He cares deeply in both cases. It's about the fact that, narratively speaking, the romance delivers a far greater impact to the character and the story than the high approval run.

[shimylli]

What if we return to the ruins of Skyhold in Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the DAI main theme plays in minor key, what then?

[shimylli]

Comissions OPEN

Hello everybody !

As I was working on my next DA fanart, my graphic tablet sadly broke. I don't have the money at the moment to repare it yet so I decided to open some comissions, if you are willing to help me !

If you are interested in a project in the style showed in the exemple above, please feel free to send me an e-mail to shimylli.art@gmail.com with all the informations below :

• Description : How many characters you would like, which position, their appearance, their attitude, everything useful. The more informations, the better !

• Refences : As many pictures you can provide, from your characters to environment, image, moodboard to be inspired from

• Art Style : Wich of the artstyle above you would like in your illustration.

• PayPal Adress : So I can send you a payment request

Well and any other information you think useful :)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer to you as precisely as possible.

Art Style description and Prices

Full Body Character in FullBody on a white Background. Here the exemple is a simplified version but I will do something with more details ( unless you don't want me to ). Price : 90€

Illustration Character + Background in color. Price 150€ ( add 50€ by extra character )

Tarot Style Inspired from Dragon Age's Tarot Art Style. Price 150€ ( add 50€ by extra character )

Contact : shimylli.art@gmail.com

I will write you back to let you know about the status of your request. If it is validated or missing informations.

I thank every person that will send a request, it will be so helpful for me to keep on working on art 🖤

[shimylli]

Comissions OPEN

Hello everybody !

As I was working on my next DA fanart, my graphic tablet sadly broke. I don't have the money at the moment to repare it yet so I decided to open some comissions, if you are willing to help me !

If you are interested in a project in the style showed in the exemple above, please feel free to send me an e-mail to shimylli.art@gmail.com with all the informations below :

• Description : How many characters you would like, which position, their appearance, their attitude, everything useful. The more informations, the better !

• Refences : As many pictures you can provide, from your characters to environment, image, moodboard to be inspired from

• Art Style : Wich of the artstyle above you would like in your illustration.

• PayPal Adress : So I can send you a payment request

Well and any other information you think useful :)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer to you as precisely as possible.

Art Style description and Prices

Full Body Character in FullBody on a white Background. Here the exemple is a simplified version but I will do something with more details ( unless you don't want me to ). Price : 90€

Illustration Character + Background in color. Price 150€ ( add 50€ by extra character )

Tarot Style Inspired from Dragon Age's Tarot Art Style. Price 150€ ( add 50€ by extra character )

Contact : shimylli.art@gmail.com

I will write you back to let you know about the status of your request. If it is validated or missing informations.

I thank every person that will send a request, it will be so helpful for me to keep on working on art 🖤

[shimylli]

Face Practice

[shimylli]

Don’t fall in love Dreadwolf

Practice practice practice

[shimylli]

Cel Shading style inspired by Nipuni’s artwork

I am still torned between the idea of having those two running away from their duty and knowing how it would be too out of character for them to do so.

[shimylli]

I have not drawn with a tablet for long so I just went on one of my old drawings to try it.

I guess Solavellan Hell is back for me.

[shimylli]

The first thing I did after the DATV gameplay trailer is binge read the Masked Empire. I am so excited ! Lot of drawings are coming but here a little Felassan/Briala

[shimylli]

Celestine, The Living Saint

Armor design inspired by Gurjeet Singh

Blackround Color Inspired by Shilin

[shimylli]

Before the beginning of the lockdown and then after, we went walking in the middle of forests of Alsace. It was really beautiful and inspiring, and i tried to keep each landscapes in my memory.

[shimylli]

Love comes Home « Why do we wake ourselves from Paradise ? » I really needed to draw something catarthic and distressing. Take care of yourself and your mental health.

[shimylli]

Some old Dragon Age Inquisition’s fanart that i finally made in speedpaint. Hope you like it !

[shimylli]

May the Dread Wolf never hear your steps

 « I like the stories where the villain was the man beside you the whole time. » Varric Tethras - Dragon Age Inquisition

[shimylli]

Wintertime Coffee

[shimylli]

Find you

« I will find you here inside the dark I will break through No matter where you are I will find you »

- Ruelle, Find you