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senseandaccountability · 3 months ago

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the narrative that could have been

Having mulled over the game for a couple of days I have realised that the main problem for me is that Veilguard is good based on the premises they ultimately choose, but not based on the set up and promise of what was there before. I know this isn’t a unique take by any means and yes it’s all about the Evanuris and the Veil and Solas.

Replaying really emphasises how incredibly little the game convinces me of its original main quest - to prevent Solas from doing his ritual. This is a problem as a long-term player because for three games we’ve had build up for a great crescendo tackling the overarching themes of the (restrictions and oppression of) magic, of tears in the Veil, of religious tyranny and oppression based on myths about the Black City and the temptations of flawed humans, we’ve seen and deconstructed the elves quite a bit, we got started on the dwarves and in DAI your Inquisitor can openly ask Solas if it wouldn’t be better if the Veil came down because then spirits wouldn’t be separated from the living and risk becoming demons. Cole, whose function is to reflect the plot, talks endlessly about the old songs wanting to be sung again, about how it hurts to be cut off from part of yourself, how the templars feel it, how the mages feel it, how the elves and the dwarves feel it. The Veil as a prerequisite for life has been deconstructed, the Fade demystified, the gods have mostly fallen. The Veil as an actual wound inflicted on this earth has been presented as a theory and not been convincingly rejected by the narrative.

The game actually gives no explanation whatsoever as to why the Veil coming down would be worse than what Rook causes in the beginning and what the escaped gods then do to the entire Thedas. The entire south falls to the Blight because Elgar’nan and Ghilan'nain are let loose. The Wardens are more or less wiped out. There’s enormous political turmoil. The game gives us Solas saying “thousands” would die when he brought the Veil down, but that he had a host of spirits there to help. (Yes, I know, his sole function in this game is to Trick and Deceive so who is to say if he’s lying, HUH, but even so, THE ENTIRE SOUTH FALLS TO THE BLIGHT IN ROOK’S VERSION OF THINGS.)

The game puts emphasis on Solas's questionable methods and past horrors but it doesn't ever explain why his goals are despicable here and now. It doesn't convince us that tearing down the Veil with lots of safety measures in place and after considerations is a bad result, all things considered - save for Varric’s initial yelling about demons. (We even learned in DAI that the Veil itself creates demons because it restricts the passage of spirits, come on.) Because three games have suggested it's not, not ultimately. Trespasser especially nuances this, just as it nuances Solas’s view of this current world state. Right after his long nap he would have nuked it all, I’m sure, but the whole point of character arcs is that things happen in them and what happened to him is that he was shown layers and angles he had not considered and adjusted his mindset and ultimately his plan accordingly. That is where DAV should have picked it up. That's where the build up was headed. But, now he must serve the narrative solely as the God of Treachery and Lies which means that previous build up is washed away for the most part. (In no way do I think he is OOC in DAV, I just want to point that out so nobody thinks I’m a sappy fangirl or whatever. I think he is perfectly in tune with his inner Dread Wolf, but that is also all he gets to be, because of the narrative, and I’m always much more interested in when roles and personas clash.) Again. The main problem is that the narrative cannot explain why bringing down the Veil would be the worse option than the shit we see unfold on screen. Instead it gets a bit lost in the past. And I have Issues with that, as well. Like, the dumbing down of the war against the Evanuris. The war that started because the leaders of the rebellion - who previously had to carry out terrible orders so the Evanuris, the upper crust of the Elvhenan, could play gods - decided that the Evanuris was a threat to them all. And the game gives us what, a depiction of how the rebellion ended up crossing lines, too? No shit.

Like, I am fully on board with the individual theme of regret on Solas’s part and he ought to be wrecked with guilt but I wish the game could be less all over the place with what sort of things he ought to be wrecked with guilt over. Saying fuck you to the Evanuris is the best and brightest of his character, I suppose I just don't want it dragged down to the same level as him breaking the Titans. I suppose I would have wished for a narrative that also worked on a systemic level when depicting things like, you know, war and revolutions and subjugation. But we don't have that, because DAV is only about personal choices. The Lighthouse crew flippantly writing the hierarchical and violent power struggle off as being about love and betrayal is on my shitlist forever.

No, Taash et al, it was not about pussy, it was about feeling compelled by superiors to commit heinous war crimes and being lied to about the actual purposes of your damn war in the first place. The elves shouting at Elgar’nan and Mythal in this painting aren’t driven by love and sex they have been lied to by their ruling class. It was never about freedom or ending the wars, it was always about Elgar’nan jerking off to ultimate godhood. The writing even suggests betrayal here is to be understood as Netflix drama betrayal, maybe some juicy porny plot but it’s ABOUT THE BETRAYAL OF THE ELVES BY THEIR OWN KIN. ((ETA: I would have wanted my Dalish mage to be allowed to be furious, NOT WITH SOLAS, but with the fucking Evanuris for betraying her people and being so fucking vile that the only option that remained was to create a world where she's a second-class citizen. I would have wanted the game to recognize that not all causes are equal and that Elgar'nan's cause for godhood was objectively more vile than Solas's cause for freedom because as it stands now, there are some really iffy vibes of "both sides are equally bad" and other things authorities tend to say when comparing destructive regimes with uprisings.)) I’m sorry, this shit hits me on a personal and political rage level.

I also can’t help but mourn a game where the Trickster God fulfilled his trope’s duty and shook the stagnation apart with his actions - for good or ill, the way trickster gods are wont to do - and where Rook was tricked into helping and then, a more complex game about its consequences could have unfolded. The Evanuris could still have been the bad guys, if they wanted big villains frothing at the mouth. There could still have been numerous unplanned consequences, like all of Solas's plans have. Maybe other ancients awake as well. Maybe ancient evils who aren’t elves, who knows. Point is - the Veil should have come down, at least in some form, at least in some outcome. THAT is what they've been building up to. In this game that never was, Rook could be an actual interesting character where we could mold her as either accepting of this trickster role (which fits perfectly for a blank slate with no ties) or set to overturn it and enforce status quo, with some vanilla option in the middle. Maybe the Veil doesn’t come down until the very end of the game, ancient magic takes time after all, maybe a lot has happened by then. But ultimately, Rook’s choice in the end should not have been about siding against Solas because he’s lying to you or because he did horrible things in the past or siding with him because you want him redeemed. The narrative should have provided those options either way. The narrative should have been brave enough to suggest that hey, maybe Solas isn't wrong at all - his methods maybe, but his goal, no. If they truly wanted mirrors between Rook and Solas, Rook should have tackled the issue of actively bringing down the Veil herself, not because it's a roses and sunshine-outcome but because it might very well be the lesser of two evils. Gods, that would have been interesting. It should have been a choice about what sort of world Rook and the Veilguard wants to see in the future. It should have been about the people, the world, not how angry Rook is that an ancient elf has tricked her.

That would have been the game I wanted to play. This story doesn't really give anything new to the world of Thedas, which a world without the Veil would have. It accomplishes closure for our favourite trickster god and bless them for that, but as for the plot and the world-building it ends on a meh because the narrative isn't about the people unless they're brought up as being endangered. This is why I can feel satisfaction regarding the thematic conclusion to certain character arcs, the trickster becomes the healer with the bloodiest hands, the wolf submits willingly to his trap and so on and so forth, and I can have fun with the characters and their arcs but also really mourn the game that was there, in subtext and build up over three previous games and in several tie-ins.

#salty on main #datv #datv spoilers #solas dragon age #datv critical

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hyperions-light · 3 months ago

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The Poison Fruit Ripens

#defendingtheending here we go

First of all mega super ultra spoilers for the ending teaser that Steam says like… 6% ? Of players have seen? So you’ve been warned. No cuts baby, it’s Miyazaki style

Okay, so it’s the Executors, and they’re probably coming across the sea in the next game (if EA doesn’t nuke BW), from what I can gather. I mean, this is fine from a lore perspective. All we knew about those people before is that 1) they are mysterious 2) they are from over there, across the ocean

And now they’re maybe connected to the revealed Qunari lore, which I am ! So excited to have! We already knew that the Qunari fled across the ocean for unspecified reasons, and that going back there was Not A Thing. But now we know that they left because of the (probably metaphorical?) Devouring Storm, which could be connected to the Executors. What are the odds that there are two separate Huge Bad Things Over There that both want to destroy Thedas? Probably is just one big thing— also the title Executor implies they are doing the bidding of someone else, so whatever the Qunari were talking about could be it. (They also talked about being agents of someone else’s will in the Inquisition War Table quest).

So the cinematic shows a bunch of our prominent villains from the previous games being influenced in some way by the Executors. Which I think people are upset about, but I think it’s fine because:

- They did not really specify the manner of influence. I would be annoyed if they retconned Loghain’s decision to leave Cailan on the battlefield because it makes him interesting, but they didn’t say that. They just said they influenced his decisions. They could have done that by stoking his paranoia about Orlais, or by planting Arl Howe to influence him after the battle. He did a lot of OOC stuff while he was King Regent, and this could be a chance to explain what didn’t make sense for his previously established character and was just put in there to make him seem Very Evil.

- They also were around some people doing a blood magic ritual… there weren’t enough of them to be the Magisters, technically, but that is usually what it looks like when we see them in DA art so I’m going to assume that’s them for now. I mean that’s wild if that’s what it is bc that was such a long time ago? Thee guys have really been playing the long game I guess

- The other person they directly influenced seems to be Bartrand, which is really easy because who the fuck gave him that damn map? We NEVER found out who pointed Bartrand to the Thaig! Someone did it, and they probably did it on purpose! It may as well be these guys

- the rest of the villains don’t get guys whispering to them, so I have to assume they mean to imply that they just set up the circumstances that would lead to these people gaining power. I mean someone sent the Carta to the Vimmark mountains, right? And there was like some weird demon there, too.

-So basically they’re just implying that these people have been manipulating events to make sure that shit in Thedas is hitting the fan all at once, which does kind of explain the frankly improbable number of world-ending events that have happened during the Dragon Age. I mean, three Blights, two Magisters, two Evanuris, Antaam invasion, major mage rebellion, Templar schism, and the death of the Southern Divine? It’s only been like 50 years!!! Before the Dragon Age there had only been four Blights since the Ancient Age! Shit does not normally happen this fast in Thedas

I think the phrase itself is pretty direct (also giving Southern Reach vibes). All this chaos they helped sew is reaching its culmination, and now they’re getting ready to cash in the chips. They’re coming to Thedas at the moment that all the great powers are at their weakest, when there’s basically no one to oppose them. Tevinter? Fucked. Qunari? No military anymore. Antiva? Haha! lol, even. Fereldan? Basically gone. Orlais? In shambles. Free Marches? Decimated. Anderfels? There’s like 100 Wardens left in a swamp. Nevarra? I actually don’t know, maybe the lichlords can do something. Maybe Rivain could field some token resistance if they didn’t get hit by the Antaam too badly, but that’s kind of it IMO. This is THE time to come in and conquer(?) the land, or whatever they’re trying to do. Kill everybody?? Turn them into Darkspawn? Who knows!

Some speculation about what could be done to repel invasion:

- shit ton of blood magic

- fix titans, wake them up??? But idk if they’d be into it

- adaari, but idk if there are that many

- people with dragon blood, like the Theirins, are maybe super special and can do things?

- pirates, baby!!! Woooooo!

- I guess Mythal could know something? She can see the future a bit

- dragon army! Dragon army!!

#dragon age #datv spoilers #veilguard #dragon age: the veilguard spoilers #veilguard spoilers #dragon age: the veilguard #dragon age the veilguard

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lavellansvh3nan · 1 month ago

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A Letter From Inquisitor Lavellan to Dorian Pavus

//OOC//: Hello again! These letters won’t leave my brain so I’m churning them out while the muse is there. Enjoy!

My friend,

I can practically see you brooding, you know. Which is your right and your past-time, by my count.

I won’t sit here and try to make excuses for my choices, there are no good ones anyway. I want you to know that no matter what, I never meant to hurt you. But that doesn’t make you less angry with me.

Perhaps I’ve caught you in a more benevolent mood, willing to hear me out. If Bull is near you when you read this letter, remind him that he owes me one. Or more likely you’ll crumple up this letter, probably set it on fire, and only spare a thought for me when you’re telling embellished stories around a gorgeous dining table. Either way, you are owed an explanation.

I remember when you told me of your intentions to try and change Tevinter. I was so proud of you, because I knew if anyone could make change in their home, it was you. The idea of watching my friend leave, knowing that it would be unlikely we’d see each other more than a handful of times among the years, was difficult to swallow. Especially after all you did to bring me back to life when Solas left.

You can say his name, you know. He isn’t going to appear around a corner and lunge at you. I’ve made him promise not to.

What you did for me in the months following his departure is a debt I’ll never be able to repay. I’ve known the love of a mother, a father, a lover, and a friend, but perhaps yours exceeds all of them. For yours is a loyalty, a steadfastness, a patience, that only comes with knowing someone completely and choosing to be with them in their dark moments.

Bathing me when I was covered in paint. Filling the endless silence of my despair with your constant prattle, being with me every single day I didn’t know what to do or how to move forward, it is a love I had never experienced or will ever experience again. It is unique to you.

When I finally came back to myself all those months later, realized you’d put your plans on hold for me, I was appalled. I assured you I would be fine and you finally went on your way. To start the life I knew you deserved. And look at all you’ve done! Minrathos and the Shadow Dragons would be nothing without your leadership.

I’ve spent the last eight years wondering what I would ever do if the chance came to see Solas again. In those first years, I was angry. And then I was lost, for a long time, though I think you were the only one who truly saw it.

Being the Inquisitor gave me purpose. I knew Thedas needed me. I wanted to help in whatever way I could, especially considering we’d inadvertently unleashed Solas on the world. And then there was the waiting, wondering when he’d strike. If he really intended to take us all down with him.

Over the years, I’ve spoken to so many about whether or not I believe Solas capable of tearing down the Veil. You, Bull, half the Inquisition, really. Most everyone agreed that Solas needed to be stopped by any means necessary. That he was a monster.

What was your poetic phrase? “A madman with the moral superiority of a guilty noble.”

Varric was the only one who believed Solas could be swayed. Told me that really, all Solas wanted was a reason not to go through with his plan. After what happened when Solas took my arm, I didn’t want to believe him. It was too painful to hope.

But then the reports came in, bit by bit from Varric. Noted from Solas, personal journals. Like he was leaving clues for us to find. As if his pride refused to relent but Solas, my vhenan, wanted us to stop him.

It wasn’t until I spoke with Rook, actually, that I knew for certain that if I saw him again, when I saw him again, things weren’t through between us.

Call it soulmates. Call it a connection through space and time. Or, call me a fool, as you already have. All are probably correct. But I’ve know since the moment I met Solas that something tied me to him. When I saw him again, I didn’t see the Dread Wolf. I saw my vhenan, beaten and broken and tired. Drowning in his regrets, a slave to what he thought was his journey to redemption. And in that moment, I swore Varric was standing there right beside me, telling me that the one thing that would sway Solas was love. And he was right.

Especially after his final encounter with Mythal (That is another letter entirely. One I know you’re dying to read, so if nothing else, allow me to indulge you in my next response)

To be perfectly clear— I do not love him more than you. I could love no one more than you. No matter where I go, I’ll be with you. Just as you told me when you returned to Tevinter. But it is different. Just as you have Iron Bull, and we both know logic has no place in your relationship with him.

*the last sentence is a crossed out line, still legible, as though Lavellan is teasing Dorian*

Now, this isn’t goodbye. This isn’t even see you later. Solas has assured me I can enter and leave the Fade whenever I choose. Thanks to Rook, there are plenty of Eluvians available for me to come and visit. If you’ll have me. I understand you plan to pout, to hate me for a few weeks, as is your right. Don’t brood too long, however. I know you’re chomping at the bit to know all that’s transpired.

Just know, I’ll never be far from you.

With love, always,

Elliana

#lavellan #solavellan #dragon age inquisition #dragon age veilguard #dragon age dorian #dorian pavus #letters from inquisitor Lavellan to Dorian Pavus #inquisitor lavellan #dragon age #their friendship is everything to me #dorian x iron bull #solas x female lavellan #solas dragon age #solas x inquisitor

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0alix0 · 2 months ago

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i've noticed people repeating over and over again that da4 protagonist should've been inquisitor

and i understand the reason for this way of thinking. inquisitor is more connected to the situation that is happening in thedas than some rando from the street. inquisitor has much more influence on the world than some rando from the street. Solas was Inquisitor's antagonist/narrative foil/friend/lover/enemy and THEY are the one who should have a final choice about him and not some rando from the street!

But dragon age series has always been putting a new protag into each game! it's a tradition at this point and it shouldn't change. It's not mass effect. bw tried to make it more like mass effect and look how that turned out lol

Hoverer

Inquisitor still should've played a much bigger role in the whole thing. Inquisitor should have had their own screen time without Rook at all. Inquisitor should have had a dialogue wheel so they wouldn't sound so OOC every damn time. Inquisitor should be able to fight and defend themselves. Inquisitor should've been a deuteragonist

"But what about Rook?" you might ask. "They'd be stick like a sore thumb without a proper villain to fight!"

and my answer: skill issue.

so! here's a list of possible antagonists for Rook:

Archon of Tevinter

Black Divine

Qunari Triumvirate (new Arishok, Arigena, Ariqun).

Tal-Vashot rebels

Crows (as an organization)

Calpernia

see? skill issue

#veilguard critical #bioware critical #dragon age #dav

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scvcnofswords · 28 days ago

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anyone else having major issues with their drafts or just me

#it won't autosave but it also won't let me edit anything #[ out of thedas: ooc ]

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secret-smut-sideblog · 1 year ago

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(sooo thought I should probably masterlist these so here you go, have fuuun) nsfw in red, pg-13 in ourple

I'm mostly on ao3!

Dragon Age fics

We Were Meant for Spring (on ao3) - fenris/anders/f!hawke evil love triangle, ongoing

It Happened Quiet - (a short slutty lucanis x f! rook drabble)

Please Be Rude (on ao3) - what started as a short and indulgent introduction to my rook and lucanis' dynamic. written pre-release so forgive ooc or contradictions. finished

The Bear and The Dove (lavellan x blackwall, ANGST, slowburn, smut, completed (?) series)

The Wolf - Waking in a prison, Lavellan finds herself the captive, then leader, of a force trying to close a rift in the sky. Recruiting a gruff dark stranger in her journey...

The Raven - After her estranged clan contacts her, Vella loses her composure when the Chancellor spews hate at her. But her guard dog is all too happy to bite...

The Lamb - The rift set to be closed once and for all, Vella hopes to spend one last night in his arms. The world set to crash down around them, she must finally sleep...

The Sparrow - In her purgatory of snow, Vella tries to reach somewhere shaped like home. Her love and her cause lost to her, a voice guides her forward...

The Hound - Finally reaching Skyhold, Vella reaches her breaking point after Blackwall pulls and pushes her away again. Anger flaring hot into him when he comes to darken her balcony...

The Swan - Following the anger Vella had burned into him, and her silent forgiveness, Blackwall seeks her out to ask for something shaped like atonement. And to maybe, selfishly, hope for something more...

The Spider - Fallen through a rift, then back into the world, Vella finds herself wracked with grief. Her love there to catch her, and unravel some long held grief of his own...

The Halla - Reunited with a Dalish clan, Vella hopes to help any way she can. And, returned to the soft of his bed, hopes her love will let her help him as well...

The Dove - Using the full force of her foresight and the strife within decisions made, Celene's Grand Ball proves to be bloodstained and venomous. Leaving Vella exhausted to old and new injuries, tenderly caught by his soft love...

The Mockingbird - Chasing after the trail of her runaway love, Vella is forced to see his crimes firsthand...

The Phoenix - The trial to judge her lost love upon her, she must make two heavy choices with new eyes that will change everything...

The Fox - Still on the tender outskirts of her love, Blackwall struggles with regaining her full favor as they must venture to a monumental decision in the Arbor Wilds...

The Rabbit - The battle for all of Thedas nearly drawn to their door, Vella and her bear share an urgent night of passion before it all falls around them...

Monster Fucker fics

Bones of Ribbon - Headlights had been a consistent bother in her new home. On a rainy night, she had enough. Assuming an inconsiderate neighbor, she discovered something far different on the street below...

Tongues and Teeth - When her monster comes to her again, Merricat learns more about them. And as they are comforted in her, are drawn ever closer...

You've Seen The Butcher - Fate conspires to put Merricat in the path of Blackwood's hunger. To feed their need and their desire, and the intertwining of both, she opens herself to them...

Oneshots

Devourer - (astarion x f! reader) Your beloved vampire has gotten very comfortable with you. But you wonder of he's been holding back some of his more supernatural tendencies...

Bloodlust - (astarion x f! tav) Tav invites her bloodthirsty friend out for some late night reconnaissance, both of their cravings being fed...

Lay on Hands - (astarion x f! tav) In the early hours of the morning someone cant keep their hands to themselves...

Pulling Strings - (astarion x f! tav) Tav has caught on that her favorite vampire doesn't enjoy touching or being touched by others. But she has a suggestion to possibly help that piques his interest...

Satiated - (astarion x f! dark urge) With Astarion starving in the Underdark his bloodthirsty friend sees his hunger, knows it quite well. And with a promised death in their future, seeks to help him sate himself...

Cold Comfort - (astarion x f! dark urge) Finally reaching Moonrise Towers, she finds her urge overtaking her, taking an innocent life. Astarion seeks to keep her company through the long night...

Heavy Metal Lover - (karlach x f! tav) With her touch newly returned, Karlach is hungry for contact. Seeking out Tav for a little hand to hand combat that quickly turns heated...

What Lies Between - (gale x f! tav) After a magical misfire, Tav and Gale are trapped tight between stone. Weeks of sexual tension between sorcerer and wizard come to a head...

Possession - (gale x f! tav) With natural challenge and charge between them and a misstep at connection, an unexpected competitor appears in camp. Things must come to a burning head between sorcerer and wizard...

Night Wandering - (gale x f! tav) After Tav's little magic lesson from her favorite wizard and the heat momentarily shared between them, she's feeling pent up. If only his tent wasn't directly next to hers...

Black Out Days - (gale x f! tav) Tav's pain rising to an unbearable level, she indulges in some found herbs to find relief. But her sanctuary is laced with some heated side effects...

Supine Bound - (gale x f! tav) With Tav believing she's crossed a boundary of intimacy twice with Gale, she invites the wizard to get some retribution...

Warm Company (halsin x f! tav) With her crush on the vampire tearing her heart, a large kind druid seeks to make her feel wanted...

You Know Me Too Well (gortash x f! dark urge) After the coronation, she can't get the familiarity he showed her out of her mind. She needs answers, and the Archduke is more than happy to indulge her...

Eyes on Fire (gortash x f! dark urge) The visage of the Archduke won't leave her, and itching for blood, his favorite assassin is about to pay the Lord a very welcome visit...

North Star (kar'niss x f! tav) Finding a drider in the darkness, Tav offers for him to join her party. The safety and clarity he receives in her presence and her surprising admiration spurn his many legs to move much nearer...

Miniseries

When The Night Is Over - (1/2) Tav was no stranger to vampiric hunger and found her new companion in the throes of it. He held tightly to his mask, but her offer to guide him could crumble it...

Even If It Bleeds - (2/2) When a hunter threatens one of her own, Tav urges Astarion to take matters into his own hands. Further encouraging him to seek out his own needs, his own desire...

Pillow Talk (1/2) Tav innocently offered to help Astarion with his morning routine. But things get very close, and Astarion is shocked how her sweet face belies the sinful mouth she has...

Lover, Please Stay (2/2) Tav keeping him at arms length, Astarion makes a plan to woo her back into his good graces. But his hunger, for her and her blood, proves distracting...

Warm Water (gale x f! tav) 1/3 With one of Tav's love languages being physical affection, Gale tries to keep his touch hungry skin from her. The sirens call of her arms could overwhelm him, but he's far from the only one heeding her soft song...

Warm Honey (gale / halsin x f! tav) 2/3 Both druid and wizard seeking out her warmth, Gale makes a plan to win her affections. Yet both scent and sound could conspire to be his undoing...

Warm Blood (gale / astarion x f! tav) 3/3 With a sanguine competitor now circling with the large druid, Gale can no longer put off his advances...

Girl Talk - (1/4) One late night Astarion turned their conversation to a more sensual topic and was delighted to discover Tav lacked experience with men. Naturally he was more than happy to lend a hand...

It Will Come Back - (2/4) Their shared night has been tormenting him, after staking his claim he found himself needing to be near her. And after a night of drinking, seeing her with someone else, he had to have her again...

Heat Signature - (karlach x tav, 3/4) After nearly freezing to death Tav needs Karlach near. Very near, it seems...

Unpunishable - (4/4) After Karlach spent the night with Tav, Astarion is feeling very normal about it. So normal that he needs her in his tent all night. Just to feed, he swears...

The Tav in question... (for reference)

Child Of Dawn series

(gale x f! tav, slow burn, completed)

Nightcall

Non Believer

Dream Girl Evil

Let Me Follow

To Build A Home

Bedroom Hymns

Listen Before I Go

Many Hands

Faith Consuming Hope

A Hole In the Earth

Keep the Rain

What The Water Gave Me

the girlypop... (aurum, my tav)

Gale and Aurum, Bad Ending (pain!)

Prayer Factory - (gale x f! tav, named) Aurum steels herself to face her old demons at the temple, with her love at her side. But the adrenaline of confrontation leaves her coiled, and a wizard very eager to take her wrath...

Gold Satin Dreamer - (gale x f! tav, named) Inviting his radiant wife to give a presentation at Blackstaff, Gale notices the longing gaze of his less than friendly colleague...

Hard Times - (gale x f! tav, named) After a venomous spat with Gale, Aurum finds herself in the prison of her dreams again. But with several pairs of hands cradling her, she doesn't have to weather it alone. And, perhaps, find her own vindication in the aftermath...

Nose to the Grindstone - (gale x f! tav, named) Aurum and Gale fucking in the dirt. They were left alone at camp, it's not their fault. Smh.

Exhale Inhale - (gale x f! tav, named) After Aurum took a hard hit in battle, Gale blames himself for a break in his concentration. Requesting they practice something a little rough for him to hone his skills...

House of the Rising Sun - (halsin x f! tav, named) After Gale received the Annuls of Karsus, and the subsequent break of Aurum's heart, she cannot shake the lingering betrayal. Driving her to the strong shoulder and warm arms of another...

AA Break Up Series

(ascended astarion x f! tav, drama and smut, completed)

We The Drowned

Take Me Back To Eden (shadowheart × f! tav)

Like Real People Do (halsin x f! tav)

I Should Hate You

Chokehold

What Kind Of Man (gale x f! tav)

Seven Devils

All I Wanted

The Moon Will Sing

Strawberry Wine (gale x f! tav)

As It Was

Astarion x Dark Urge

(astarion x f! durge, tenderness and smut, completed)

Dark Signs

Bite The Hand

Prey Drive

A Dangerous Thing

My Love Is A Dagger

Bloodcall

Little Miss Murder herself (my durge)

Distance

(astarion x f! plus fized tav, tenderness and smut, completed NOTE: these are old as hell lol)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

First Light (Prologue)

The Drow (indulgent prologue chapter)

My Portrait of Tav (I do be drawing..)

Tav Headcanons (being indulgent)

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extravagantliar · 2 months ago

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what if i was lazy and my swerve was medically varric wasn't an idiot and pulled the fucking knife, and he's in minrathous the entire time and solas and rook are on a grief scavenger hunt

#.bullshit ( ooc )#i do have half of the lyrium dad verse written but world of thedas v1 and v2 like to conflict on things #but elisa #but what we live in this house #datv spoilers #the knife is yeeted on the way out #elisa what my rvt brain says shhhhhh i saw too many stabbings

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lynnerdo · 4 months ago

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* Deadly Encounter *

Lucanis Dellamorte x BloodMage!Reader

Slow burn, angst, aggression, enemies to lovers, death threats, OOC!Lucanis, blood and injury, slow romance, threats of violence.

Current chapter - Ale First chapter - Arlathan On A03

***

The next few days passed like a blur of calm and recovery. Emmrich’s tea turned out to be some of the best you’d ever had, filling you with warmth and comfort after the harrowing ordeal you had gone through. The weather outside was pleasantly mild, as it always was here in the Fade. Whoever had taken up cooking duties that week was nothing short of a miracle-worker, crafting delicious meals that seemed to help speed your recovery even more.

You spent most of your time reading, diving into research about the Evanuris. Rook managed to persuade Solas to give more information regarding the two gods that roamed Thedas for now. The library within the lighthouse was filled with ancient tomes, magical texts, and maps that would help you prepare. It was nice to have this quiet, to be able to think without the looming threat of danger hanging over your head.

As the day drifted toward evening, your stomach rumbled, reminding you that it had been a while since your last meal. Knowing there was probably some lovely meal prepared already, you decided to make your way to the kitchen and grab something to tide you over. Your ankle had healed, so walking wasn't painful anymore. Your body still felt faint, but nothing you couldn't manage.

You pushed open the dining area door, your mind elsewhere, focused on the scrolls you had been reading. But as soon as you stepped inside, your heart nearly stopped.

Lucanis.

Standing at the hearth, his back turned to you, he looked like he was contemplating something—but the thing that really took you off guard was that he was half-naked. His torso was bare, the glow from the fire casting sharp shadows across the defined muscles of his back and shoulders. He seemed completely unaware of your presence, his attention focused on stirring the pot in front of him.

You froze mid-step, staring at him in shock. The unexpected sight of him like this, so casual, so unlike the gruff and guarded man you had known, left you momentarily speechless. You softly shifted your step and walked towards the kitchen area.

Lucanis turned slightly, sensing someone behind him, and his eyes locked onto yours. He froze as well, his expression flickering with surprise, almost like he hadn’t expected anyone to walk in on him. It had been later than usual, and most people were already in their own chambers. For a few seconds, the two of you just stood there, staring at each other in mutual shock.

He was the first to break the silence. “You… alright?” His voice was low and slightly gruff, but there was an edge of awkwardness to it that you hadn’t heard before.

You blinked, trying to snap yourself out of it. “Yeah, uh—just hungry.”

Lucanis nodded slowly, still eyeing you with that strange mix of surprise and wariness. He glanced down at himself, as if realizing for the first time that he was half-naked in front of you, but he made no immediate move to cover up. He walked over to you. “There’s some stew. If you want it.”

You swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of how close the two of you were in the small kitchen. “Thanks,” you said, moving over to the counter to grab a bowl. Your hands felt slightly shaky as you served yourself, the tension in the room thick and palpable.

As you worked in silence, Lucanis returned to the hearth, though you could feel his eyes flicker toward you every now and then. The air between you crackled with unspoken words, but neither of you seemed willing to break the uneasy silence that had settled over the room.

You sat down at the large wooden table, your thoughts racing. The sound of the fire crackling and the clink of bowls were the only sounds in the room. You weren’t sure what had shocked you more—the fact that you’d walked in on him half-dressed, or the fact that, for once, he didn’t seem quite so… guarded.

Eventually, Lucanis cleared his throat, breaking the silence again. “Sorry,” he muttered, his gaze flicking back to the fire. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

You offered a small, awkward smile, trying to shake off the strange tension. “It’s fine. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be in here.”

Another moment of silence stretched between you before Lucanis gave a slight nod and turned his focus back to the fire. As he warmed up, you couldn’t help but feel that there was something more simmering beneath the surface. Something that neither of you were ready to talk about yet.

But for now, you ate in silence, both of you pretending like nothing had changed—even though something undeniably had.

Lucanis shifted where he stood, clearly uncomfortable with the silence that had descended between you. He took another look at you, glancing your way, then looked back at the fire. After a long pause, he cleared his throat.

"So," he began, his voice slightly hesitant, "uh… how’s your leg?" his voice softer and more melodic than before.

You glanced up from your bowl, surprised that he was trying to make small talk. Lucanis wasn’t exactly known for his conversational skills, at least not with you. Still, there was something almost… endearing about the awkwardness in his tone.

“It’s getting better,” you replied, flexing your leg a little beneath the table. “Still bruised, but Emmrich did a good job with the healing.”

Lucanis nodded, his brows furrowing as if he was carefully considering his next words. "Good. That’s good." He looked away again, then seemed to realise he couldn’t just leave it there. “You, uh… you’re doing okay otherwise? I mean, with… everything?”

You couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow. He was trying so hard, but it was obvious he had no idea how to handle casual conversation. There was a part of you that found it almost cute, in a way you never thought possible with him.

“Everything?” you asked, slightly amused. “You mean the exploding bandits, or the general chaos that comes with this group?”

“Both,” he grumbled, running a hand through his hair. “I’m just asking.”

You stifled a small smile and focused on your food for a moment, unsure how to respond to his sudden interest in your well-being. Then, out of nowhere, a thought crossed your mind—a way to break the tension and push him a bit, just to see what he’d do.

“Do you have anything… alcoholic around here?” you asked casually, lifting your eyes to meet his.

Lucanis paused, his eyes narrowing in mock offense. “Alcohol? Now why the hell would you need that?”

“Because,” you said, shrugging as you set your spoon down, “you’re being genuinely nice, and it’s weird. Thought a drink might help me make sense of it.” You weren't lying. Lucanis being anything but aggressive toward you felt weird. His face was weird, his body language was weird. And you wanted to calm your nerves that went with that. Emmrich's recent words ghosting in your mind also didn't help you calm down.

He gave a low, incredulous snort, crossing his arms over his chest. “Nice? I’ve always been nice.”

You raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, and he scowled playfully. “What? You don’t believe me?”

“Oh, absolutely not.”

Lucanis gave an exaggerated huff, pretending to be offended. “Unbelievable. Here I am, asking about your health, trying to have a normal conversation, and you accuse me of lying.”

You let out a small laugh, and it felt good to break the tension. “I’m just saying, Lucanis. You usually only talk to me when you’re barking orders or—well, when you’re not being this... nice.”

He shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he finally sat down across from you. “Maybe I’m just trying to change that.”

The words hung between you for a moment, and though his tone was light, there was something a little more serious in his eyes when he said it. You couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but either way, it left you feeling a little off-balance.

“Change it, huh?” you said, raising your eyebrows as if challenging him.

He leaned back in his chair, still holding your gaze, though his expression had softened slightly. “Yeah. Maybe I am.”

You smiled again, a real one this time, feeling a strange warmth rise in your chest. Maybe things were shifting between you, in ways you hadn’t quite expected.

“Well,” you said, “I’d still take that drink, if you’ve got one.”

Lucanis chuckled, shaking his head as he stood up. “I’ll see what I can find.”

As he rummaged through a nearby cupboard, you couldn’t help but notice how the awkward tension had started to melt away. The way he was trying—really trying—to make an effort didn’t go unnoticed. Maybe he wasn’t quite as heartless as you’d once thought.

Moments later, he returned with a bottle and two mugs, setting them down in front of you. “Only ale,” he said, as if apologizing for the lack of a more refined selection. “But it’ll do.”

You took the mug he handed you, raising it in a small toast. “It’ll do.”

He clinked his mug against yours, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the two of you shared a brief moment of peace, the tension between you no longer a sharp edge, but something softer. Something warmer.

It was soul-soothing, sitting there with Lucanis, the warmth of the ale settling deep in your bones. The two of you had started out with small talk—nothing too serious, mostly about the mission, the state of things were back when in the Inquisition, and the occasional jibe at Rook’s constant state of exhaustion. But the tension had evaporated, replaced by an unexpected sense of comfort.

You couldn’t remember the last time you’d felt this at ease around him. Never, really. Normally, you were always on guard, waiting for the next jab or judgmental glance. But now, sitting by the fire with the warmth of the drink loosening both your tongues, you could almost pretend that Lucanis wasn’t the same man who had once treated you with such distrust. It felt as if he was happy with the change as well, his face less angular and angry, more soft features popping up, and his eyes no longer searching yours in defiance or disgust.

He leaned back in his chair, swirling the mug in his hand, a half-smile playing on his lips as he told you about a skirmish he’d been in years ago. Something about the way he spoke, his voice a little slurred from the ale, made the story funnier than it probably should have been.

“…and then the idiot actually tried to duel me with a stick. A stick, can you believe it?” he said, chuckling as he took another swig.

You snorted, shaking your head. “Did you at least let him get a swing in for effort?”

“I might’ve let him land one—barely,” Lucanis said, shrugging with a mock-serious expression. “But that’s where I draw the line. Idiocy doesn’t deserve encouragement.”

You both laughed, and it felt easy, natural. The fire crackled low in the hearth, the warmth of it adding to the cozy atmosphere. Your mug was nearly empty when Lucanis suddenly leaned forward, a glint in his eye.

“Alright,” he said, setting his mug down with a thud. “I’m going to show you something.”

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued and a little wary. Also, he was way too close but the alcohol really helped with calming your nerves. “Oh? What’s that?”

Without answering, he pulled a small knife from his belt and held it up between his fingers. “A trick I learned ages ago,” he said, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Your stomach lurched slightly, both from curiosity and the very real concern that whatever this trick was, it might end with someone losing a finger—most likely him, given the state of the ale. “Lucanis, are you sure this is a good idea? You’ve had a few drinks…”

He waved off your concern, a little too confidently. “Relax, I’ve done this a hundred times.”

You watched as he balanced the knife on the tip of his finger, concentrating hard, the alcohol clearly slowing his reflexes. For a moment, it actually seemed like he was going to pull it off—but then, just as the knife started to wobble, he lost his grip, sending it spinning dangerously through the air.

“Shit!” he cursed, lunging to grab it.

The knife clattered to the ground harmlessly, and you couldn’t help it—you burst into laughter, the absurdity of the moment catching you off guard. Lucanis, too, started laughing, shaking his head in disbelief at himself.

“Alright, maybe not my best idea,” he admitted, still chuckling.

“Definitely not,” you teased, wiping a tear from the corner of your eye. “But you get points for trying.”

He slumped back into his chair, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Yeah, well. You’re a tough one to impress.” Whatever he implied there, sent a shiver down your spine.

“I’m impressed you didn’t stab yourself,” you shot back, still grinning.

He laughed again, the sound rough but genuine, and you realised just how close the two of you were sitting now. Sometime during the night, the space between you had disappeared, and your knees were nearly brushing against each other. Neither of you seemed to notice—or if you did, neither of you was making any effort to move.

For a moment, there was silence. A comfortable, almost intimate silence. You looked into your empty mug, and then back at Lucanis. He was still smiling, but there was something softer in his expression now, something that hadn’t been there before.

You weren’t sure what it was—maybe the alcohol, maybe the late hour—but there was a part of you that was glad for this, for the strange and unexpected closeness. Maybe things between you had always been strained, but right now, with the firelight flickering and the warmth of the ale in your veins, you could almost imagine that the two of you could get along—maybe even more than that, if you let yourself think about it. Emmrich might've... been right.

Lucanis cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “We should probably head back. Before we end up doing something even stupider.”

You smiled, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, probably.” But neither of you moved right away, the fire crackling quietly between you as the moment lingered just a little longer.

You stood up first, your body still warm from the ale and the lingering heat of the fire. Lucanis’ eyes followed you, a look of something close to reverence flickering in their depths, but also guilt. It was like he wanted to say something, something more, but the words seemed stuck in his throat.

You looked down at him for a moment, your heart beating a little faster as he shifted in his seat. For a second, it looked like he was going to reach out—his hand twitching ever so slightly. You could feel the weight of the moment between you, something unspoken hanging in the air. But instead of taking his hand, you simply said, “I’m going to go.”

Too soon for that. Whatever that was.

Lucanis froze, his hand falling back to his side. He nodded, the tension between you thickening for a heartbeat before you turned to leave. You took a few steps toward the door, feeling the weight of his gaze on your back.

Before you could take another step, though, you heard him get up. His boots scraped against the floor, and you felt his presence behind you.

“Wait,” Lucanis said, his voice softer than usual, almost hesitant. You stopped, but didn’t turn around, your hand resting on the doorframe. He cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing. “I… I wanted to apologize.”

You didn’t say anything at first, but slowly turned to face him, raising an eyebrow in surprise. Lucanis wasn’t one to apologize easily, or at all, really.

“For what?” you asked, your voice neutral, though curiosity edged into your tone.

He looked down at his feet for a moment, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “For everything,” he muttered, as if he wasn’t sure where to start. “For the way I’ve treated you… since the beginning. I haven’t been fair. To you.”

His words hung in the air, almost surprising himself with the admission. Lucanis looked back up at you, his expression conflicted, as if torn between wanting to say more and holding himself back.

“You’re no longer a danger to me. Or anyone else here. I see that now,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of his guilt clear in every word.

You didn’t reply immediately, watching him with guarded eyes. It wasn’t that you didn’t appreciate the apology—you did. But after everything, the weight of the past couldn’t just be erased with a few words. There was still too much between you, too much hurt and mistrust, even if it was fading.

“Thanks for saying that,” you finally replied, your voice measured. “But it’s going to take more than words, Lucanis.”

He nodded, the truth of your words sinking in. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. “I know.”

You didn’t know whether to believe him or not, but for tonight, you decided to let it go. You gave him a small, tight-lipped smile before turning back toward the door.

"Maybe over another bottle of ale," you huffed jokingly, breaking the tension. He smiled in response, "gladly." His eyes were softer now, darting down to your smile slightly.

“Good night, Lucanis.”

“Good night,” he echoed, watching as you left the room.

As you walked away, the heaviness of the moment still lingered in the air, a tension that had been loosened but not completely broken. It was going to take time for the walls between you to fully come down, and for now, that was enough.

#dragon age #lucanis x oc #lucanis dellamorte #da4 lucanis #dragon age lucanis #dragon age the veilguard #datv #dragon age veilguard

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