#( Sera )

[notherpuppet]

“You could end up like Lucifer”

[simpforsolas]

So I've seen a some discussion of people both criticizing and defending the DATV companions for being nice to each other. And I think the arguments from both sides are being a little bit misconstrued, which is honestly understandable. I think that often when something bothers us in fiction, it's hard to put into words exactly what it is. So as we try our best to express ourselves, it may not end up getting to the point of what the issue actually is (this is also why it can be tough for writers to properly address criticism - the readers providing the criticism might not be accurately diagnosing the root of the problem, so their attempts to fix it are shallow and don't actually address the issue).

Now I obviously don't speak for everyone, but I do think that a good amount of the people saying they want the DATV crew to be meaner don't actually mean they literally just want people to be rude and insulting each other for no reason. I think it boils down to three things that the new crew was missing:

Inability to really feel how the companion's backstories form their unique worldview

Lack of conflict between companions

Limited relationship dynamics between Rook and the companions

Inability to feel how companion's backstories form their worldview

In previous Dragon Age games, the characters frequently discussed and argued topics of philosophy, faith, politics, and beliefs. They came from all different backgrounds. You had Morrigan, a hedge mage raised to believe in self-preservation, teaming up with an Andrastian circle mage and former templar. Their beliefs and worldviews are, at their core, at odds with each other. The game doesn't necessarily try to make you believe one way or another, it simply drops you into the world and allows you to interact with these character, see their interactions with each other, and draw your own conclusions. In Dragon Age Inquistion, you have Cole, a spirit of compassion, teaming up with Vivienne, who believes the circle teachings that spirits are demons and want to possess people, and Sera, who represents the perspective of the common people that are afraid of all things magical or fade-related. You have Solas, a staunch individualist who believes in freedom for all, Cassandra, a faithful Andrastian who follows her own inner compass even when at odds with the institution of the Chantry, and Iron Bull, a Ben-Hassrath agent who believes in the Qun not because he's a philosopher and has decided that's what works best, but because that's how he was raised and so far, the Qun has worked for him. So in previous Dragon Age titles, you have people whose worldviews and beliefs are fundamentally at odds with each other, and whose actions and dialogues are a direct result of those beliefs. Veilguard really downplayed the importance of religion in Thedas, which isn't necessarily a problem in and of itself. In DA2, the only companion with strong religious beliefs is Sebastian. However, you had Anders who believed strongly in mage liberation, Fenris, who believed strongly in the dangers of magic, and Isabela, whose lack of belief and lack of respect for religion/beliefs led to one of the game's biggest conflicts. Discussion of religion and philosophy was always a huge part of the Dragon Age games, so when they almost entirely removed that element and didn't replace it with other types of belief that could lead to meaningful differences of opinion, we were just left with nothing of substance to really talk about. This isn't saying that the companions don't have things they believe in, but it's just not the same as characters from previous games. In general, their backgrounds don't form a unique worldview that results in differences of opinions and interesting conflict. Which brings my to my next point:

Lack of conflict between companions

There's a huge spectrum between "everyone is friends and always gets along" and "everyone hates each other and is happy when their ally is sold into slavery." In fact, fans often get really into fictional relationships that have quite a bit of conflict. Speaking for myself, I love relationships where two people may fight or disagree, but they truly care for one another and would willingly put themselves in harm's way to protect one another. So I think when a lot of people say the companions get along too well, they don't necessarily mean that they want them to all hate each other (maybe some do). They mean that they just want there to be interesting interpersonal conflicts. (I personally would love for a companion pair to argue a lot, but when it comes down to it, they actually really care about each other) Why do we want this? Well first, conflict just makes things more interesting. But I think that it also ties into point 1. In this game, the companions simply don't seem passionate enough about what they believe to argue for it, or, if they are, there's not anyone who challenges their beliefs and forces them to defend their position. I would say that Emmrich is very passionate about his love for spirits and necromancy, two things which are seen as weird and dangerous by most people in Thedas. However, there's almost no chance for him to passionately argue for his worldview because no one challenges it. There is that one scene with Taash finding his passion for working with the dead creepy, but as soon as the issue comes up, it's resolved. Compare that to Solas, where a big part of his characterization is love for spirits and frustration with fear and ignorance leading people to discriminate against what they don't understand. Having to face opposition to his beliefs, both in the world and within the inquisitor's inner circle (and sometimes the inquisitor themself), gives the writers the opportunities to emphasize core parts of his characterization.

On a final note for this section, it's just more interesting when different pairs of companions have unique relationships with each other. Solas and Cole's wholesome, mostly conflict-free friendship is made sweeter because you can compare it to Solas and Sera's relationship. It makes the relationships more meaningful when you can contrast it to how those same people click or don't click with other companions.

Limited relationship dynamics with Rook

The final issue I want to talk about is how all this ties into Rook. In previous games, you could learn a lot about a character's beliefs by seeing what they approved and didn't approve of. Anders approves of supporting mages, Fenris doesn't. Leliana approves of compassion for strangers, Morrigan doesn't because why should she help people who can't help themselves, and also it's a waste of time. Cole greatly approves of helping people, Solas slightly approves of you asking questions, Cassandra approves of expressing belief in the Maker, and so forth and so on. Then depending on the choices you make, your approval actually makes a difference in how these companions view you as their leader. But in Veilguard... well either the companions don't have strong feelings about things, or Rook isn't allowed to make decisions that oppose the beliefs they do have. Because of this, there's basically no conflict between Rook and the team. From my understanding, worst relationship you can get with the team is "distant boss whose employees don't invite them to their work parties," but that's not the same as Cassandra hating you so much she gets drunk or getting specific rival scenes like in DA2 where companions react entirely differently because Hawke consistently acted in opposition to their beliefs.

Final thoughts

So when people criticize the companions not getting along, I think it's less to do with the fact that people want them to hate each other, and more to do with the fact that we want companions who have a strong worldview shaped by their backstory, and for that worldview being challenged to lead to interesting conflict. Whether that challenge comes from other companions, the world, or Rook themself, I don't care - I just want interesting and meaningful conflict that is arises because the companions are strong characters who believe in something.

[stinkyturd]

BEST GIRL BEST GIRL 🥰

"Someone little always hates someone big. And unless you don't eat, sleep, or piss, you're never far from someone little."

[lelianasbong]

that "which LI would want kids?" thread on reddit is fiiiilled with people saying Absolutely Not for sera.... lol, lmao even. tell me you didn't listen to her without saying you didn't listen to her. does "mums make cookies, i could pass that on" mean nothing to you

[ir-abelas-vhenan]

I would have happily surrendered my left arm to an elven god if Sera had been able to join the party as an NPC for just one mission. Which one you ask? Venatori rave time.

Maybe she's still not fond of the dalish, but big guys taking the little ones prisoner won't do. Maybe Harding just needed her help, and you KNOW she's ride or die like that, the opportunity to put another elven god in his place is just the cherry on top.

Cut to the fade, Solas is in his element, giving Elgarn'an an absolute earful, one thousand percent in his bag. He's so glad to finally be shit-talking his garbage older brother figure again that he doesn't think to check who came with Rook.

And then, from the darkness, a voice that still haunts him on the few nights he lets his dreams wander beyond his control emerges.

"Suck bees, Elgarn'inny!"

Elgarn'an, meanwhile, has to suddenly face the realization that oh holy fuck there's TWO OF THEM.

[savaralyn2]

Ryoko Kui - RPG Elves

[idolomantises]

Interruption

[Tapas / Patreon]

[stealingpotatoes]

inquisitor inq'isita part 5: @highladyofdusk and I discovering the magic of friendship and the emotion of rage

(commission info // tip jar!)

[araminakilla]

A neat detail about Sir Pentious' angelic design is that he now has yellow eyes with red pupils, just like Charlie and her father Lucifer!

I know for sure those eyes will haunt Sera for a loooong time.

[xxjustshakeitupxx]

Y'all, we all basically know Alastor is gonna betray the Hotel Crew and the ANGST that comes with that will be awful, BUT IT'LL BE SO MUCH WORSE WHEN HUSK AND NIFFTY WILL BE FORCED TO BETRAY THE OTHERS TOO

[briccko]

Everyone is here!!!

[lullambii]

I’ve never been a big fan of Sera, but she reminded me that sometimes we need a little distraction, hope, and fun when everything feels stressful and gloomy.

[redladydeath]

New information revealed by the Hazbin Playbill

Charlie went to college

Charlie won multiple musical theater awards in college

Alastor broadcasts every day at noon (or whenever he feels like it)

Angel Dust is a singer

Angel Dust made his first onscreen appearance in one of Valentino’s films (so in or after the 1970s)

Vaggie is trained in sychronized dance

Sir Pentious has made weapons for Carmine Industries and Voxtek

Sir Pentious created the Egg Bois with the help of someone (probably Baxter)

Lucifer performs alongside the other Deadly Sins (“perform” might be metaphorical though)

Carmilla discovered new ways to use Angelic technology to improve Hell’s weaponry

Carmilla is the host of the board of Pentagram City Overlords

Rosie does favors in exchange for people’s souls

Sera works directly under the Speaker of God

Sera is in charge of Heaven’s hierachy and laws

Emily is in charge of ensuring all citizens of Heaven are entertained and comfortable 

Mimzy owns a club called “Ragtime”

Mimzy once appeared in a radio special with Alastor called “Singa for ya Dinna!”

Vox acts in and directs his media projects

Valentino frequently goes on shooting sprees in the Entertainment District

Valentino describes the Entertainment District as ruled by himself, “Velvette, and I guess Vox”

Velvette has over 100 million subscribers

Velvette is the head of development for Love Potion (in collaboration with Valentino)

Velvette can do spells/magic

Saint Peter is the head singer in Heaven’s royal choir and founded the Angelic drama club

Saint Peter can play the harp and French horn

Zestial is the oldest living Overlord in power

Zestial is effectively retired

Zestial helps Carmilla with her business due to their friendship

[weenwem]

Sera 🏹

Why change the past when you can own this day?

[monstersandgirls-webcomic]

Actually what did Sera mean by "I've been praticing [kissing]"? I'm currently imagining she was praticing on a printed out picture, trying so hard not to get embrassed making eye contact with picture Lili

In my head she was using a Lili plushie.