#✦ MUSE: LUCANIS DELLAMORTE ✦

[perditus]

“ Crows? Family. We won’t talk to them” Spite agrees easily, moments before suddenly launching through the eluvian without a care. They land on the other side with a small thud, crouching slightly as they peer out into Treviso. Ahead of them they see the plank leading into the Crow’s hideout, remembering it from the times Lucnais had been around. 

They promised not to make a scene. Rook was humoring them, so they would as well. 

So, the demon suddenly sprints forward through the window, darting around a few startled Crows as they avoid making any form of eye contact. Talking would ‘draw attention’ so they don’t - they just dash their way through the small hideout and out into Treviso. If they don't acknowledge the sudden chaos their entrance had caused surely a scene was not made?

It was Rook's turn to tilt his head, a small mimic of Spite's own action. Whatever it was that Spite meant, he seemed pretty proud of it. He would need to keep an eye on him while they were in Treviso, so he didn't put Lucanis into any unwarranted danger doing whatever it is he plans to do. He was sure he'd eventually understand what he was talking about.

He follows after Spite, gesturing to one of the tall mirrors that were activated off to the side.

"This one leads to Treviso, Spite. Try not to draw any attention when we go through okay? The other Crows are on the other side and I don't feel like explaining why you're running around instead of Lucanis."

[tkwritesdumbassassins]

With Davrin being a monster hunter, Taash a dragon hunter, and Lucanis the biggest wyvern nerd on this side of the Fade, man, I could only imagine the academic debates those three would have when it came to beasties.

Although, would be kind of sweet if companions gave/made gifts for the others. Or just...what kind of dynamics would they have?

Like... Walking into Lucanis' room one day, and seeing a Wyvern sculpture that Davrin had whittled out of wood on his nightstand.

Or Rook walking into Davrin's, and you find him sitting in a chair reading an old bestiary Taash let him borrow while Assan is gnawing on a bone (given by Lucanis because I'm on a roll here.)

Bellara asking Neve about her BEST cases, and nerding out while also discussing proper bow techniques with Harding. (Trust me. It's a thing. I've a bruise to prove it suvavphav0uua. Pop your elbow out! You'll thank me.)

Someone (coughLucaniscough) starts a Book Club and sometimes someone brings Varric's (worst to Varric's mind) books. He occasionally eavesdrops.

Neve introduces chocolate-covered espresso beans

Of course, Harding offers Orlesian dance lessons just like she did with the Inqusition. Farrrr too many have left feet it seems.

Emmerich has a spooky hour time, and tells the best ghost stories. Varric may or not be inspired.

Assan needing to be stopped from nibbling on Manfred's legs on more than one occasion. And occasionally soaked because he keeps falling into the aquarium

[nemo-of-house-hamartia]

I am going to take a sick leave today, because I AM UNWELL.

[3gremlins]

i saw a post about spirits being twisted against their purpose into demons and had another thought about why spite/lucanis work where other spirit bonds don't. since spite is determination twisted that would make it more unique than one of the more straightforward realms - i feel like spite might retain some amount of will even in demon form and want to stay more independent OUT OF SPITE. like the nature of that sort of "demon" would make it more likely to form a bond/not fully possess its host. like i'm not doing that b/c i know you want me to do it and therefore- so that would give them the unique opportunity to meet in the middle where other more binary spirits might not be able to. For example, justice and vengeance are both very strong, all consuming ideals that perpetually push you forward- whereas spite and determination make you stubborn/more likely to stop what you're doing.

idk just a passing thought i had about the nature of spirits/demons and why lucanis/spite work where anders/justice ultimately failed as far as we know. (i do wish/hope we get more investigation into the nature of spirits and hopefully it doesn't get collapsed into the resolution of veilguard with the evanuris and such. like there's more meaty weirdness w/the fade and demons beyond the ancient elf stuff. maybe they'll eventually also get into the forbidden ones lore if we ever get another da game in teh future. I was reading around the fandom wiki and there's been a forbidden one in every single dragon age game so maybe? plus the secret ending implies it a little. hard to say what's "we needed another thing to fight, here's this lore breadcrumb for world building" and what's "we for sure have a plan" tho)

[perditus]

“ We’ll work it out somehow” Lucanis chuckles, settling down in the chair while Spite eventually begins to fade away, satisfied with the conversation. Now that there’s nothing left to interest him for the time being though he scurries off into the back of the Crow’s mind quiet again. 

“ Perhaps they will forgive you if you end the gods. Or is the bar higher than that?” It’s quieter without the demon now, Lucanis a little more relaxed as he tries the dish he had prepared. Of course it tasted well to him, a recipe he had perfected over the years in his spare time between contacts. “ What kind of trouble did you cause? You do not seem like the type to be exiled from a city if I might be honest”

Rook gave the Crow a thank-you, letting out a little laugh as he shook his head. "I think you just gave Spite to take over when it comes to contracts?" He mused. "Of course he could decide not to help you with the contracts, out of spite." Which was even more amusing to think of.

Blowing on his first bite, he popped it in his mouth with a little hum.

"They seemed well the last I saw them. To be honest, I was told to lay low a little while ago and got out of the city for a while." That was when he found Varric. Or rather Varric found him. "I was considered a little bit of a trouble maker."

[ambrosia-vinca]

As funny as Spite is when he's being a chaotic gremlin who wants to eat candles and is jealous of Curiosity's feet, I'd like to see his dangerous side being explored more, along with the dangers of possession.

Possession is a big deal. We see it in Anders, whose anger and past trauma twists Justice into Vengeance, and their emotions being intertwined creates an endless feedback loop of misery and obsession until Anders can't stop himself from doing something drastic, very similarly to Solas. They have different goals/ideals, but they have similar (near) unstoppable drive to fulfill their perceived purpose no matter what the people around them say, a purpose that sends them hurtling along a road paved with destruction. Anders at the end of DA2 is very similar to a pure spirit/demon in the sense that his purpose is pretty much all that he is, consumed with the need to liberate mages and avenge them against chantry and templar oppression (also a similar flavor to Mythal in a way. Benevolence (help people) -> Retribution (avenge people))

Spite as an emotion can have a positive effect for a person (succeeding/persevering out of spite), but it's not a positive emotion. Spite as a demon is a creature of pettiness/anger/resentment, a cousin or brother to Vengeance pretty much. Spite physically hurts Lucanis (only once that we actually see in the actual game and I would have liked it to be a more recurrent/tangible problem) when he doesn't get his way. He attacks Illario and would have killed him if he had his way. He doesn't process emotions as mortals do, so outside of anger/resentment etc, he doesn't really get genuine affection or love or any positive emotion that isn't motivated by hurting people and/or not doing what they want, because again, he's a being of raw emotion with a specific realm of purpose.

So what about Lucanis and Spite? Does them being intertwined change Lucanis' personality in any way? Enhance his anger? Make him more determined than he already is, but also less able to forgive? Does Spite change because of Lucanis in any way? Does it make his emotions or thought processes more complex? Is the particular way they were bound together, different from Anders' willing possession, make them more separate entities, considering Anders basically absorbed Justice until they were fused together? Does spending time outside of the Fade let Spite learn like it did for Cole, even if their situations were different, without changing his core nature?

The “learning” part is kind of alluded to in the hardened Lucanis path where he wants to find a way to part with Spite once he's done with his contract, and Rook can mention that Spite might have evolved because he's a demon who's “learned to work alongside people” (or something to that effect). I would have liked a bit more of that topic in both paths for Lucanis. Spite likes Rook when they're being vengeful or making dark jokes, because they're acting in a way that pleases his nature, and he does ends up trusting them/being fond of them in his own way. Is he also partly influenced by Lucanis' emotions and fondness for Rook (whether friendship or romance, without truly being able to feel or understand these emotions for himself)?

I feel like Lucanis' possession is simultaneously presented as a big deal but also doesn't end up having much of an effect in the grand scheme of things. Spite was introduced as a threat and treated as one in the scene with Illario, but he's written as a very lukewarm demon otherwise and he doesn't feel very dangerous at all. I would have liked more from him, more details, more possible negative consequences, more actual danger to Lucanis' wellbeing if Spite gets his way.

Is there a possibility in an alternate universe where Lucanis could have gone down a darker path similar to Anders', considering he wasn't in the best mental state when Rook gets him out of the Ossuary (an understatement)? Maybe if Rook lets Treviso get blighted? Could Lucanis' caring nature lose against Spite because of the despair and resentment he feels in that route? Spite would feed off his anger and also fan its flames, creating the same kind of endless negative loop that Anders was stuck in, until Lucanis was changed as a person. Angrier. Pettier with any perceived slights. More Vengeful even towards less deserving targets.

Again, we kind of get that in the sense that we can't choose what to do with Illario at the end of his quest but he just... gets imprisoned. (which is the choice I made in my first playthrough with unhardened Lucanis anyway because I just can't see in what world what Illario did would be forgivable with just a slap on the wrist. Maybe I'm also a demon of Spite, who knows)

It's a very lukewarm vengeance at best because in the canon hardened path, even if we get *told* Lucanis is more depressed and less trusting, he doesn't actually change much as a person and retains his love for his family and his caring nature, so it doesn't seem like Spite has influenced him in any way.

So yeah. Maybe in an AU. Or maybe I just like angst a lot, don't look at me I'm just bouncing ideas off the tumblr wall!

[perditus]

Spite (thank you @ofdraiocht for finding me that datamined info on spite) anyways headcanons

→ The main reason for Spite and Lucanis's unique affinity is because Spite has been with Lucanis for a lot longer than a year. Before the Ossuary, Spite was a Spirit of Passion that started following Lucanis around after his parents were killed and Catarina began training him. Lucanis's willpower and desire to survive is what drove the Passion to follow him around - and he kept doing so even into adulthood.

→ One of the few times Passion drifted away was during the Wigmaker job due to Ambrose Forfex's presence and the blood magic. He eventually drifted back to Lucanis after and just... continued following him. Never interfered, just watched.

→ When Lucanis was captured by Zara, Passion was also trapped and twisted into what eventually became... Spite. Because he had been following Lucanis for well over a decade, he was the demon chosen to be combined with Lucanis. And... it worked. Now he was a Demon instead of a Spirit though, twisted against his nature and lashing out at everyone and Lucanis as well.

→ Spite does remember being a Spirit eventually, when he and Lucanis start finding that middle ground and cooperating better. It's a part of why he starts becoming more docile, in theory he could change back into the spirit he was before. Theoretically. The main problem is the blood magic that traps him in Lucanis which is most likely preventing that...but his nature is able to shift into something a little more pleasant than pure Spite at the minimum.

→ If it had been just a random demon with no affiliation to Lucanis whatsoever, Lucanis most likely would have died or lost entirely to the demon.

[housedellamorte]

i love that there's a growing portion of the community that have collectively decided that Iris by Goo Goo Dolls is so Lucanis-coded.

[acciokaidanalenko]

Prompts: @fictober-event prompt #2: "It's been a long time" + @flufftober prompt #3: Favorite Scent Fandom: Dragon Age, Dragon Age: The Veilguard Rating: General Relationship: Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte, Julianna De Riva/Lucanis Dellamorte Warnings: Spoilers for Lucanis romance & storyline Summary:  With Rook's help, Lucanis has finally found a way to coexist harmoniously with Spite. Now the two Crows just need to find a way to face their feelings for one another...

AO3 link: here. Preview below the cut.

The lilting melody of a traditional Antivan lullaby could be heard as Rook entered the Lighthouse’s library on her way back to her room. It was faint, but as she stopped and strained to listen, she noticed the tempo of the familiar tune had been slowed, giving it a more melancholy tone. She had unlocked several of the secrets of the Dread Wolf’s sanctum, and the layout seemed to change as each new companion joined their cause. One of the first discoveries she’d made in this strange place had been the music room, but in all this time she’d never heard anyone using it until now. Her curiosity piqued, she altered her course. She moved silently across the marbled floor, the door of the passageway opening on its own as she approached. A second door opened onto the music room and Rook lingered in the entryway.  The light that filtered in through the windows along the wall was reminiscent of dusk, though it was always bright as midday in this place. Long shadows stretched across the room, seeming to draw her gaze to the piano at its center, where she was surprised to find Lucanis seated on the bench. His practiced hands played across the keys effortlessly.  There was no music sheet in front of him, he played the melody from memory. An open bottle of Antivan wine sat on the table to his left, a glass with the remnants of the red liquid resting near the edge. She smiled softly and crossed her arms as she leaned against the frame of the door. This was the most peaceful she’d seen her fellow Crow since she’d freed him from the Ossuary. She knew he grappled with more demons than Spite as they’d been uncovering Illario’s betrayals. But even they had finally found a way to work towards a common goal and had stopped fighting against one another. “Why don’t you join me, Rook?” he asked suddenly, his fingers still dancing delicately across the keys.  She jumped at the sound of his voice, clearing her throat as she pushed herself away from the wall and began to cross the room. How foolish of her to think he wouldn’t have noticed someone had entered the room.

[faultyconscience]

I think the funniest thing about lucanis saying “don’t flirt with my colleague” (in a very flirty way I might add) is u don’t even have to have done any romance options with him lmfao

[perditus]

Succumbing to sleep was tempting now that he had been given a reprieve from the torture. To look up to an open door was a luxury he had not enjoyed in some time. Adding on that he was somewhat alone for once…tempting might have been an understatement. It’s the faint thrumming of power within him that reminds the man to steel his resolve, Spite idling in the background in complete silence. Lucanis was almost certain the demon was hoping he would finally sleep if left alone. That was surely the reason. 

It’s a sudden shift in the demon’s energy that causes Lucanis to flinch, hand raising to the side of his head as he feels a spike of anger. The light knocking against his mental wall shifts into a brief slam, Lucanis’s eyes closing briefly as he forces the demon back. Failing against Lucanis’s willpower, Spite instead manifests, back to Lucanis as he stares hard at the open door. Another demon’s presence triggers him immediately, much too close to what belongs to HIM. 

Lucanis open’s his eyes just in time to see Lark entering the room, suddenly understanding what had gotten Spite so riled up. Even though he’s no mage he keeps a firm grip on Spite, preventing the demon from doing more than just standing there angrily. There’s a bit of strain on his face, but he does nod at Lark politely when she speaks.  

Their history was on his mind, but so was Spite. 

“ If you fail, Treviso falls as well. I’m the best suited for this type of contract, your interests align with mine. I could return to Treviso but that would not solve our problems ”  He keeps his gaze on her, ignoring Spite as best as he can under the circumstances. Spite keeps glaring, staring at her hard as he senses Hizenfrae within the other. 

“ He is mine. Keep your distance” Spite snarls, though it's not clear if he’s speaking to Lark or Hizenfrae. Possibly both. He stands there without moving, as though trying to prevent them from getting any closer to Lucanis. Not for the latter’s sake of course. 

“ If anything, I believe it’s you who owes an explanation. There’s a reason Spite is as worked up as he is right now ”

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑳𝑬𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑫 𝑶𝑭 𝑭𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑭𝑨𝑳𝑳𝑺 𝑬𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑬𝑫 𝑶𝑭𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑵𝑬. Larkspur Oakthorn was making her way through the newly discovered lighthouse. It was coming together nicely now that the Caretaker was returning it to a place of use. It was strange, dwelling in the fade. With a nonsensical nature, Lark did find peace in the way the sun painted everything in shades of gold. A pinkish hue billowing in and out of gold that gave heed to the coming twilight, and let, twilight would never come. Lark missed the quiet shift from day into night and the changing of the seasons. It was probably why she found it hard to sleep. She wasn't the only one, she knew. Yet, it felt like she was utterly alone as she made her way to the dining hall. Her thoughts trapezed through her mind. The recounting of how she has gotten there, and what had recently unfolded. 

A lead back to her past. Treviso, where she had come face to face with Viago and Teia again. To the place she had once called home but it no longer felt like it. Not after her disobedience cost the Crows a great deal. She could hear Viago's scolding in the back of her mind for her to stop and think. She was a woman of action, and it showed in the moment she freed those prisoners. She wasn't sorry nor did she regret her actions. There would be no apology from her lips. She was more than just a weapon of the Crows; she was more than just a plaything to a deranged man who found himself in power. 

She would save this world and after that…she would leave the Crows for good. Debt be damned. Resolve shimmered in her sapphire hues as she stepped into the pantry. Her true quarry, and an unexpected one. Lucanis Dellamorte was alive. A thorn in her side on a good day, and a rival she had come to save. Yet, he didn't need saving. She knew she would have to have a talk with him. Perhaps now was the best time to get any awkwardness out of the way. 

She moved with an elegance that came from years of intense training. Her hair, which she often wore pulled back, was free and cascaded down her sides and her back in coppery ginger waves. She pulled her thick shawl over her shoulders as she approached him. 

❝ 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬. ❞ She spoke in a way of greeting. She crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes finding his. 

❝ 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐮𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨. ❞ 

Her words were direct, but she knew if she didn't get passed this awkwardness she was feeling, she'd never sleep. 

closed starter with @perditus

[turboweenie]

If I was a more dedicated artist I'd be repainting Pierre-Paul Prud'hon's most famous piece with Lucanis and Zara and Illario and Spite right now

[driofaire]

THE LORD OF FORTUNE, MARIBEL "ROOK" LADAIR TAGS.

THE LORD OF FORTUNE — THREADS. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — ANSWERED. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — VISAGE. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — HEADCANONS. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — AESTHETIC. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — MUSINGS. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — FRIENDS & FOES. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — MUSIC. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — DELIGHTS. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — VERSE : PROLOGUE. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — VERSE : ACT I. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — VERSE : ACT II. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — VERSE : ACT III. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — BOND : LACE HARDING. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — BOND : BELLARA LUTARE. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — BOND : LUCANIS DELLAMORTE. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — BOND : DAVRIN. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — BOND : EMMRICH. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — BOND : TAASH. THE LORD OF FORTUNE — BOND : SOLAS.

[tkwritesdumbassassins]

Calling it now, there WILL be a fight or chase or whatever with an angry wyvern, and Lucanis is spitting fun facts the entire time.

"Actually, wyverns can't fly. More like gliding and they also can't -"

*angry roaring from behind*

"Fascinating stuff. Less talking, more running!"

[perditus]

“ It is amazing you could taste the coffee with the sugar diluting the flavor” To his credit he’s polite, even if he abhorred the thought. Lucanis takes a moment to savor the coffee in his hand as he sips, chuckling a bit as he pulls the cup away.

“ I assume it was the bitterness that you were not fond of? Perhaps you would like to try a lighter roast some day? ” Darker roasts were his preference as their flavors were often richer, but a few lighter blends had been okay. He taps his finger against the porcelain, considering.

“ Truthfully, the first time I tried coffee I did not like it. But I was a child, stealing a sip while my Father looked away ”

"y'know, i had to train myself to like coffee," rook states, a cup in hand as they savor the scent. "didn't like it at first but needed it to stay awake for long hours when i was training. eventually, i managed to cut out the four spoons of sugar by getting rid of one spoon at a time ... over far too many weeks." rook didn't ever imagine when they were young that they'd be able to have the luxury of drinking coffee, never mind with the option of sugar, but that was before they joined the crows. the archer lets out an absent-minded sigh before they bring the cup to their lips—just a dash of milk, no sugar in sight. "now it's a comfort." @perditus

[dreadedwxlf]

tag dump // lucanis dellamorte