#And Kal. My lovely little dwarf.

[egopocalypse]

Would anyone be interested if I started posting some of my D&D pieces here? I will gladly give context as needed

[changenameno]

Little Tease (One-shot)

(Complete)

Summary: A few days ago, your new bed had arrived. Technically to solve the space problem you and Henry had. And it did, the bed was huge. But the new mattress that came with it was a bit too hard, that’s why you felt incredibly stiff and desperately needed to move your body a bit. “Accidentally” teasing Henry with your moans while you stretch…

 

Paring: Henry Cavill x Fem. Reader

Warnings: MDNI, 18+, mild back pain, yoga poses? , teasing, daddy kink, degrading words, cursing, P in V

Word Count: 2.4K

 

A/N: Wanted to write for the man himself and came up with this smutty scenario. As always any mistakes are my own. Reblogs and comments are much appreciated! Thank you and enjoy!❤️✨

 

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When you had woken up, about an hour ago, you had felt like you must have been sleeping on a stone slab. Your back ached rather badly as you carefully turned onto you left side to look at Henry, who was still blissfully asleep, unaware of his surroundings.

His face was completely relaxed, little warm puffs of air leaving his slightly opened mouth.

Even though the new bed was huge, you both lay quite close. Having sought out each other’s body.

 

 

Before, in the old bed you were more or less lying on top of each other, as Henry’s powerfully, broad body had taken up most of the space. And as much as you loved being close to each other, you had slept like crap, waking up every time one of you moved. So he’d ordered a new bed to solve the space issue, unfortunately now a new issue had arisen, at least for you. The stupid mattress was surly created in the Mines of Moria, because not only were you convinced it was made of stone but you also imagined the mattress was just as expensive as some of the dwarf’s gem stones were.

 

 

A little disgruntled, you huffed, jealous that your boyfriend was still sound asleep. Although admittedly you were glad that he could rest a little more, because you loved seeing him this peaceful and relaxed, as his very busy schedule seldom allowed him to sleep in. So he more than deserved all the sleep he could get.

 

 

That’s why, after a few more minutes of lovingly gazing at his face, you quietly got up and tiptoed out of your bedroom, gently closing the door behind you.

 

 

When you went down to the kitchen, you noticed that your back instantly felt better standing up. Though you knew you should at least stretch a little to actually feel better.

As soon as you turned the tap on, to fill a glass of water, Kal showed up, tail wagging lazily.

 

 

He trotted over to were you were leaning against the counter, tail wagging more enthusiastically when you started patting his head, greeting him, “Good morning, boy. Sleep well?” Grinning down at him, as he started licking your hand, “Aww I bet your doggy bed is more comfy than my mattress, huh?,” adding jokingly, “Maybe I need to borrow it sometime.”

 

 

At that he woofed softly, as if he was scandalized at the mere thought, making you giggle, “No I’m just joking, love. Would never dream of stealing your bed.”

 

You quickly gulped down your water, throat parched. Then you prepared Kal’s food, which he happily slobbered up the second you set it down. You knew his first walk of the day wasn’t due for another two hours, so you left the kitchen to retrieve a gym mat so you could actually start stretching.

 

 

Once you had found the mat, you returned to the living room, spreading it out on the floor. The simple act of kneeling down, had you hissing, pain shooting up your spine. “Arrgh, crap…”

 

 

You carefully manoeuvred your body into a laying down position that immediately felt much better. Sighing in relieve, you stretched your limbs out. “Oooh, yeah, that’s the stuff.”

Your muscles seemed to relax somewhat, so once you felt like moving, you wrapped your arms around your knees, pulling them in, until your back was rounded and you could rock back and forth. Another moan escaped you as the tension slowly left your aching body.

 

 

Too concentrated on your exercise you didn’t notice, when curious, blue eyes started watching you.

 

 

You had turned around on your stomach, lightly pushing up into a cobra pose, a soft exhale leaving your parted lips, “Hmm.”

 

 

Henry’s eyes widened, staring hungrily at your sparely clad body, beautifully stretched out before him. You only wore a pair of panties and one of his oversized workout shirts. Apparently you hadn’t noticed him yet, because another whimper broke free, going straight to his cock, as it stirred within his sweatpants. You had moved into the child pose, exposing even more of your skin to the silent spector.

 

 

His shirt had ridden up your back, naked thighs now on full display, white panties barely covering your sweet rump and the even sweeter, little cunt below. His throbbing cock strained the grey fabric of his pants, as you continued to move between the cat and cow pose.

 

 

When he stepped closer, he loudly plonked down on the couch behind you, purposefully noisy to let you know he was there. He didn’t see the sly smirk tugging your lips upwards, as a wicked idea crossed your mind.

 

 

You moved into the cow pose, intentionally bowing your back as much as you could, then you let out, an unreasonably loud and drawn out moan. Knowing exactly what it would do to Henry, you even went as far as spreading your legs a little wider to give him a better view.

 

 

He stopped blinking, laser focused on your pulsing core. Though as nothing else seemed to happen, you upped the ante. Getting into the downward dog positon, whimpering, loudly.

 

 

Henry had had enough of your teasing, growling impatiently, as he jumped off the couch. He got behind you, his thick thighs caging you in, then he pressed his considerable bulge directly against your wet centre. When he grasped you by your hips, you gasped.

 

 

Making him chuckle darkly, “Don’t act so surprised you little tease. You were the one moaning like a seasoned whore for daddy, weren’t you, darling?”

 

 

Oh Lord, he was in one of those moods. You were definitely so, so screwed. Internally you were very pleased that your little show, had turned Henry on so much, his dom side was showing.

 

 

Your happy mewl, turned into a whimper, when he squeezed you tighter, his long fingers digging into your stomach. “Cat got your tongue? I asked you a question. And I expect an answer. Now.”

 

 

Heat began pooling in your belly in response to his domineering presence behind you. ���Yeah. I- I moaned, I’m so s-sorry, daddy.”

 

 

A hand began stroking up your spine, dangerously slow as he mocked,” Hmm, are you now? I had the impression, you quite enjoyed riling me up, flaunting your body in daddy’s face.”

 

 

Just as you were about to apologise again, he thrusted his hips forward, groaning when he rubbed his firm bulge over your fluttering pussy. Your panties were so slick by now, your wetness had seeped through the thin fabric and onto his pants, where a little wet spot had formed.

 

 

Henry’s eyes flickered down, noticing your neediness right away.

“Always so eager for my cock, aren’t you?”

 

 

He circled his hips, then rutted against your swollen clit with intent. It made you speechless for a moment too long, because he nearly threw you onto the couch, as you had failed to answer yet again. The abruptness of it all making you shriek. Panting at the exhilaration of being so powerless when faced with his brutal strength, you eagerly stared up at him.

 

 

Henry’s hairy chest was bared as he had only slept in his sweat pants. Towering over you, as you lay beneath him on the couch. He had his arms crossed, making his biceps look even more brawny than usually. Intense blue eyes glaring down at you.

 

 

Shivering under his attentive gaze, you opened your legs for him, swiftly pulling his workout shirt off your body, flinging it behind the couch. His dilated pupils zoned in on your bared breasts, Adams apple bobbing within his throat. You bit your lip enticingly as you breathed, “What are you waiting for-... daddy?”

 

 

It had the desired effect, as he took hold of your thighs, spreading them even wider apart, for him to stand in-between, then he growled deeply, “Behave.”

 

 

He pulled his sweats down, fat cock immediately standing at attention. You breathed shakily, as you saw a pearl of precum making its way down his length, unconsciously licking your lips.

 

 

Henry smirked, one hand wrapped around the thick base, slowly moving up. He groaned softly, while watching your helpless form.

 

 

You wanted to touch yourself, but you also wanted to be good for him and he hadn’t given you permission to do so yet, so you restrained yourself. You could do it. You could be his good girl. You just had to ignore the immense heat between your thighs for a little while longer.

 

 

He grinned, “That’s right, keep your eyes on me, such a good girl.” Henry thoroughly enjoyed you watching him pump his cock. For you it was torture. You needed him to touch you.

 

 

You whimpered pathetically, to signal him to do something, anything. And you were in luck, he was merciful today, stepping closer he yanked your panties off. Diving down and capturing your lips in a searing kiss. Way to quickly he’d pulled back, blue eyes locking with yours as you felt a finger gliding down your body, tickling over your nipple for a moment then continuing his journey downwards.

 

 

At last he reached your mound, finger stroking through your pulsing petals. Your breath hitched, letting him know just how needy you really were. Henry’s thumb circled your clit, then his index finger dipped into your dripping centre. You moaned, eyes falling closed as your neglected core began to positively vibrate at the stimulation.

 

 

As soon as the sensation came, it was gone again, making you mewl frustratingly, eyes shooting open again.

 

 

“Ah, ah, ah,” he tutted, “I said eyes on me, didn’t I, darling?”

 

 

He leaned closer, then something hot and heavy slapped your clit, making you tremble and cry out. You tried closing your legs, but he had grabbed one them, easily lifting it up and over his shoulder. Then he whispered into your ear, “You have real difficulty listening to daddy today, hmm?”

 

 

His nails dug into the supple flesh of your other thigh, hooking it over his shoulder as well, “Answer me.”

 

“S-sorry, yes I have difficulty li-listening,” you whimpered, gasping when you felt him nudge against your hole.

 

 

“That’s what I thought. Whatever shall I do with you?” His eyes sparked with mirth, he clearly loved teasing you like that.

 

 

You pouted, “Don’t be mean daddy. Please- please I need you, inside.”

 

 

Henry mocked, cooing, “Aww, is daddy mean to his little darling?”

 

 

Before you could even think of replying, he began pushing inside. Starting to lean his weight onto you, pressing you deeper into the couch cushion with every unbearably, wide inch of his cock sliding into your weeping pussy.

 

 

God he was just so fucking big. Every time was like the first time with him. Stretching you beyond what you thought was possible.

 

 

Your mouth opened, as he drew a deep moan from you. He chuckled though a bit pressed, curly hairline damp with the restrained it took, not to slam inside you completely. Panting, “Tight. Fuck, love. You’re always so tight for me.”

 

 

His nose pressed below your ear, as he grunted at the burning heat enveloping him, clenching around him. Henry worked his cock into you, bit by bit was swallowed by your quivering tightness. Both of you grunting and moaning.

 

 

As he finally bottomed out, it felt like his hot poker, had settled directly beneath your navel, making it hard to breathe normally. Though he noticed right away, switching your positions so quickly, your head swam.

 

 

Henry had sat down on the couch, with you now sitting upright in his lap, straddling his thighs. In the new position it was indeed easier to breath, though you felt just as stuffed as before. Your warm slick began running down, pooling between your legs, as he carefully pushed up into you, somehow slipping even deeper.

 

 

Your hands griped his shoulders, making him pause for a moment, letting both of catch your breath. Your body slowly relaxed, accommodating his length, and more importantly his width.

 

 

“That’s it, taking all of me, darling.”

 

 

Your pussy clenched around him, as he placed his hands onto your hips and began lifting up, retreating. Then without warning, he slammed back inside. Shocking your entire system so much, the loudest mewl broke free from your lips.

 

 

Henry didn’t let up, immediately starting to bounce you up and down on his cock. Attacking your neck, boobs and any other available patch of skin he could reach with his mouth. Sucking, nipping, biting and kissing.

 

 

“Ah-fuck… He-Henry so good.”

 

 

He muttered between his grunts, “Yeah? You feel…-fuck you feel so good darling.”

 

 

Already the pressure inside kept building, as Henry picked up the speed. Core burning deliciously with every thrust upwards, cock pounding into you without abandon.

 

 

His big hands slid down to your ass, shifting his hips he rammed into your special spot, “Ah, ah- gonna- gonna come,” you moaned.

 

 

The pressure inside soaring higher and higher then it tipped over, as Henry brushed that very spot just right.

 

 

Black spots filling your vision, body shaking, cunt twitching violently as you came. Henry groaned, thrusting a final time upwards, before he spilled into you, filling you to the brim with his hot, white semen. “Fu-fuck…”

 

 

You blinked up at him owlishly, completely robbed of your day’s energy. He smiled down on you, gently running a thumb over your cheek, “You alright, down there, love?”

 

 

“Hmm.”

 

 

His chest shook lightly as he chuckled, “Fucked the words right out of you, huh?”

 

 

You snuggled into him, replying truthfully, “You sure did.”

 

 

Henry hugged you closer, amused by your thorough exhaustion, “Hey, are you falling asleep on me?”

 

You grumbled as he shook you gently, “Stop moving, ‘m sleepy…”

 

 

“So you want to stay like this then?” You nodded, ignoring his playful tone, because you really wanted to stay like this.

 

 

“Okay, rest. Love you, my darling.”

 

Before you drifted off, you mumbled back, “Love you, too.”

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[kaija-rayne-author]

DA 4 Veilguard predictions

Okay so I wanted to get a whole ass post about what I think is likely to happen in DA 4 done before the reveals but I haven’t had the time between work and life.

There are MASSIVE spoilers for every Dragon Age game, book, comic, and most internet theories in this post. Proceed with caution.

Also I swear like the truckers I grew up around. So CW on language.

First and foremost, I’m going to warn you all that I’m a die-hard Solavellan. If you don’t like that? Don’t bother reading this. And for gods’ sake don’t bother arguing with me about it. Depending on my mood, I’ll either first roast your face off and then eat it with bbq sauce or if I’m feeling generous, I’ll just block your ass. You like what you like about games. I’ll like what I like. I don’t shit in your porridge, I ask you to not do it to me. As I’m writing this, I’m 47 years old and I’ve been gaming since I was 9. Which means I’ve been gaming longer than a lot of you have been alive. Stop yucking on people’s yum. There’s far too little joy in this world. Go find your own.

So, this is just a partial post (albeit, in true to me fashion, an incredibly LONG one XD). It will cover stuff I think we might see revealed in things this weekend at either SGF or Xbox whatever (I have no idea why they’d bother with the Xbox thing since they hold such a small share of the gaming market these days but whatever.) We’re seeing something between Friday and Monday. Hopefully, enough to give hope to the masses.

Depending on how much time I have before I have to serve dinner I might add some more of my theories.

It’s a bit silly of me to be so obsessed about this game because my computer definitely won’t be able to handle it, and because I’m a disabled, neurodivergent author with a family to support… well… the likelihood of me being able to buy both a computer able to handle it and the game itself any time in the near future isn’t good. So, I won’t be able to play it. I am going to add my links and a go fund me to the bottom of this post (which has taken me hours to research and write so if you would like to donate to the cause I would be so deeply appreciative. Dragon Age is one of my AuDHD special interests, and it’s killing part of my soul to know I can’t participate when it comes out. I promise I’ll write all sorts of interesting stuff about it!)

But I can’t help myself. Letting my research-oriented, lore-obsessed brain noodle about Dragon Age is one of my very favourite special interests. So, without further ado… here goes!

CLASSES

I think we have a good chance of seeing some of these as playable classes.

Knight-Templar ❌

Lord of Fortune ✅

Antivan Crow ✅

Mortalitasi (Nevarran necromancer) ✅

Grey Warden ✅

Shadow Dragon ✅

Shaper/Carta/Kal-Sharok/Sha-Brytol Dwarf ❌

Veil Jumper ✅

Fen’harel Fanatic (not his usual people, the fanatical ones detailed in Tevinter Nights) ❌

Companions

A lot of these ideas come from the supplementary material that I’ve read at least three times each. I’m obsessed. What can I say?

Qunari: ✅ Tal-Vashoth Sarrebas, maybe Qwydion? ❌

Rivani Lord of Fortune: ✅ ‘Hollix’ maybe? That would be fun, plus they are canonically non-binary! Please please please? With sugar on top? ❌

Tevinter Mage/Magister: ✅ Maevaris Tilani ❌ would be so cool, but I’d be equally as happy to see Neve Gallus. ✅ Honestly, they both have benefits for me. Mae is trans and Neve has a prosthetic leg. Alternatively, I liked Myrion ❌ well enough that he’d be a cool companion too. And he’s canonically bisexual from what I read between the lines.

Grey Warden: ✅ Please let it be Antoine! ❌ (Antoine absolutely has ADHD and I would love to see more of that rep in a AAA game.) Evke ❌ could be fun too.

Templar Knight-Commander: Rana Savras ❌

Spirit Companion: I really hope it’s not Audric. 1. He’s not really a spirit, he’s a higher undead, which is a Zombie by any other term. And all the poor guy wants is to organize his library. I’ll be quite disappointed with the writers if they go this route.

So, we’ve had Faith/Wynn, Justice/Anders, and Compassion/Cole. There are two other widely known benevolent spirits in Dragon Age canon. Valor and Hope. Given what I think is gonna happen in DA4, my money is on a Hope spirit. ❓

Antivan Crow: ✅ Illario Dellamorte. ❌ (I really really hope it’s not Lucanis Dellamorte. 💩 He’s so damned annoying and gods that is NOT how an assassin operates. Here's my professional editorial opinion of why Lucanis is an absolutely terrible character.

Veil Jumper/Dalish/City Elf: ✅ Strife. ❌ Please please please? He’d be so awesome as a companion character. He’s not young! I want an older companion character. (And it would let them get away with the white hair on a darker skinned character without it being racist as fuck.) I just really hope he looks better than he did in the comics. The art style in those was just fucking terrible.

I am hoping that we can somehow romance Lace Harding. ✅ But I just don’t see how she could fit in with the reported likely classes and things I’ve personally considered.

That gives me 8 even though reports say we only get 7. But did you notice in this picture that there are 8? So either we’re gonna get a ‘secret’ companion like Loghain Mac Tir. (Three guesses who that will be and the first two don’t count.) Or they have a surprise for us. Or the art is off.

I could also see Kieren ❌ as a companion. (Morrigan’s son) He’d be just about old enough if we get the time jump reports are saying we will. He was roughly 12 in DAI. + 2 for Trespasser puts him at 14. Ten years minimum between Trespasser and DA4 puts him at 24. So, it’s possible. I could also see Vaea as a companion. But I’m not exactly sure how she would fit with classes.

Potential Advisors

Some of these I’ve got as potential companions as well because I could see them fitting either.

Dorian Pavus for Tevinter Magisters (I think this is very likely given Tevinter Nights.)

Maevaris Tilani (Same as above.)

Charter (I think we’ll see Charter stepping into Leliana’s place as Spymaster given what we saw in Trespasser and Tevinter Nights.)

Myrna/Audric (Mortalitasi)

Ramesh (Grey Wardens)

Genetivi (Scholar) (given what happened in Tevinter Nights I have a feeling we’ll be seeing him again under a new name)

Viago De Riva (Antivan Crows)

Andarateia Cantori (Antivan Crows) I’d love to see Zevran again but considering what he was up to in DAI I think it’s unlikely. Although something did happen in Tevinter Nights that might make it possible.

Lavellan: With how the story in DAI ended and what we saw in the end scene of Trespasser, I think they’ll be important in some way.

Fenris: (Wandering Warrior)

Cameos we might see:

Fenris

Isabela

Arishok Sten

Antaam Rassan

Kieren (Morrigan’s son)

Zevran

Vaea

Sebastian Vael

Viago De Riva

Andarateia Cantori

Lavellan

People I don’t think we’ll see or if we do it won’t be for long.

Cassandra (thank gods)

Morrigan

Leliana (sads)

Most of the cast of DAI and the previous games.

Bosses we’re likely to fight.

Solas. He’ll be a mini-boss and maybe one you can talk out of a fight.

FleMythal

Elgar’nan ✅️

Ghilan'nain ✅️

Andruil. She and Ghilan’nain often go together.

Critters/bad guys we’re likely to see.

Bone creatures from the necropolis.

Changed darkspawn/humans from Ghilan'nain’s labs. ✅️

Tentacley sea creatures from Minrathous and other ‘experimented upon by mages’ monsters.

Werewolves may make a comeback.

Antaam.

Venatori. ✅

Fen’harel Fanatics (these are different from Fen’harel agents).

Whatever or whoever the people across the sea are.

Carta dwarves

Titans

Sha-Brytol dwarves

Antaam Rassan

Antaam

Things I think we’re likely to see.

We’re going to see trans/non-binary rep. ✅ I deeply believe this is happening. I will be so sad if I’m wrong.

Sad as I am to say it. Varric is gonna die. The writing has been on the wall in drippy red marker since they fired his writer. I hate this, personally. I grew up listening to Brian Bloom (Varric’s VA) and he’s just one of my absolute favourites. But I don’t think Varric is gonna make it.

The how? I think, narratively, they’ll do it in a way that hurts Solas a very great deal. In DAI, Varric is one of the few people that Solas listens to. Apologizes to and actually talks to with a sense of respect in his tone that he rarely does with anyone else. Given events in the comic The Missing where Solas saves Varric several times… yeah. ✅️

If I were writing it? It would be an angsty as fuck scene where either something Solas does accidentally kills Varric in a friendly fire isn’t friendly sort of situation or that Solas can’t get there in time to save one of the few people he actually probably considers a friend.

So, the pain of Varric’s death will be what in the writing/editing trade we call a pinch-point for Solas’s character arc. How the player decides what happens will likely be one of those crucial choices matters points that will turn Solas down a darker path or possibly toward a redemption arc.

Flemythal isn’t dead. I’ve talked before about how she is not the happy fluffy bunny version of a mother goddess. Sure, she might be a mother goddess. But she’s the type that reminds us that mother nature is often more red in tooth and claw than nurturing.

And the lady is bent. Bent on revenge. Bent on using people to get her revenge. Just… if she ever was the good and kind person that Solas remembers? She definitely isn’t anymore.

I have a feeling given one of the stories in Tevinter Nights that FleMythal has infected Solas (vs sharing her power in a simple power up to help him save people move) with the dragon soul. Which could have been part of Mythal's soul even before the dragon had it, if some theories are correct. There’s been a lot of imagery and description of a dreadwolf like creature that is half lupine, half dragon. So, something is going on there.

And honestly, I think that’s going to be Solas’s breaking point with mommy dearest. (Please, please don’t let them have been lovers, that will squick me out so fucking bad.)

“Betrayal is always worse.” Is one of Solas’s really heartfelt lines in DAI. If I’m right, and FleMythal somehow manipulated that dragon soul she got from Kieren (talk about fucked up action right there) so that it’s gonna change Solas into a half dragon half wolf demon thing… welp.

I think FleMythal will find that Solas has a bit more backbone than he ever had in the past. He’s not alone now. He knows he’s not alone. He’s got friends. He’s got someone who deeply loves him in a romanced Solavellan playthrough. I don’t think Solas is going to be very happy with his dearest ‘best of them’ Mythal.

Best of them? Yeah. It doesn’t mean she was actually good.

So Mythal isn’t dead. I think she’s likely to be one of if not the BBEG along with whoever that voice was at the end of the teaser. My money is on Troy Baker ❌️for the VA and I’m really curious if I’m right. I’m thinking that’s probably Elgar’nan. God of Vengeance. Perhaps Mythal and Elgar’nan patch up whatever divine argument they’ve been having via celestial couples therapy or something. Who knows.

I think we’re going to see a split path depending on the choices of the player for Solas. Depending on our choices, he could go really dark, or he could have a redemption arc. Patrick Weekes tweeted to me that ‘there’s a possibility of a happy ending for Solavellan’ so I still have hope. I trust Weekes to write a satisfying conclusion to the Solavellan Romance. (I just don’t trust Bioware as far as I can throw them.) Weekes was the lead writer on this game, so I think it’s a good possibility that that’s how it’s going to be structured.

I think the game will very possibly be a multi-act structure like DAI. The first act is possibly going to be like the Hinterlands leading up to Coryphyfish blowing the hell out of Haven. I think the veil coming down is going to either be what starts off the game ✅ (like the explosion of the conclave in DAI) or will be the final ending situation of Act 1. Again. Player choices will likely affect this to some extent.

But y’all? That veil is coming down. ✅ And yes. I’m aware of that silly new name for the game. I don’t like it. (That ‘the’ was a mistake. Veilguard by itself would’ve been much better linguistically.) But if you’ve been following my ramblings about Dragon Age for a while, y’all will know I have issues with their linguistic usage and editing already.

Dumped Drunk and Dalishious did a fantastic piece on her blog about the veil. It’s here if you haven’t read it. Firstly, the veil was never meant to exist in THEDAS in the first place. If you deep dive the lore (and trust me, I really have. A LOT.) It’s obvious that the veil has been the cause of more problems than it has fixed. It’s been slowly killing magic in THEDAS since its creation. It has to come down. It’s also as holey a granny’s doilies anyway. Solas taking it down in a controlled fashion is very likely going to prevent far more deaths than if it keeps just falling apart piecemeal like it’s been doing forever. It’s unfixable and it really really needs to go. ✅

So once that veil drops… I don’t think it’s going to be as horrific as everyone has been bellyaching about forever. Solas’s often misquoted and wildly overblown lines from Trespasser (seriously do y’all even know what the word genocide means? You make me doubt.) are very likely a red herring at best. People are being willingly misled. ✅ I can’t really blame y’all.

Weekes is an absolute Master at playing people’s expectations and assumptions off of their preconceived notions, then throwing a bomb of ‘oops you were all wrong and it was right in front of you the entire time’. They’ve even said they really love to write things like that. I want to write as well as Weekes does when I grow up.

Humans existed before the veil. Why wouldn’t they afterward? Given some of the lore, Qunari also existed before the veil. Why wouldn’t they continue to? Will there be chaos? Yup. ✅ But change is often painful. And if anything needs change it’s the world of THEDAS. (Both for story reasons and for gameplay reasons.)

One of the changes I think we’re likely to see is the implosion of the Chantry. (I am absolutely hoping for this. I’m not a fan of organized religion on a grand scale like that and the Chantry has soooooo damned many skeletons in its closets and atrocities under its belt that I will absolutely celebrate when it burns to the ground.)

Which will happen if it comes out that Solas put up the veil in the first place and took it down too. The Chantry either outright claims or strongly insinuates that the maker put up the veil. It’s the cornerstone of their entire faith. Also, in the story Genetivi Dies in the End in Tevinter Nights, Genetivi is absolutely wrecked by the discovery that everything he’s ever written as a travelling Chantry Scholar has been a lie. The Chantry is going down.

So, there’s gonna be some chaos there. And that’s not going to be Solas’s fault because that veil is coming down anyway.

And can you imagine the absolutely hilarious chaos that’s gonna happen when word leaks that an elven god-mage was the one who is technically the ‘maker’ by Chantry doctrine? With all the horrific racism and sheer awfulness the Chantry has done to elves over the centuries? I’m popping popcorn.

I think we’re gonna see Felassan again. ✅️ Cause that elf isn’t dead. And no, Solas didn’t kill him. Please trust me, I’ve combed through all the lore, I’ve read The Masked Empire where it supposedly happened several times, and there is not a shred of actual proof that Solas was the one who did the deed. It’s a Weekes misdirection again. They've got the nickname Tricksy Weekes for a reason.

The actual facts about the 'murder'.

It was someone Felassan worked for.

Someone he knew.

Someone who he knew wouldn't listen to his reasoning. (Solas has been shown to actually listen to his friends and let them change his mind.)

Someone who could very likely have been female because Felassan likens the murderer to Brialla.

It was someone who could fade-walk or move in the fade.

Mythal can do that.

A Somniari/Dreamer can also fade-walk.

Probably most of the still extant Elvhenan can do it (which there were quite a few of in Mythal’s temple).

And we know from DA2 that at least one modern born Somniari/Dreamer exists in the world.

Point being, there’s no actual ‘Solas killed Felassan’ spelled out anywhere. No, not even in Cole's lines in Trespasser. Those lines only indicate that Solas knows about Felassan’s ‘death’ and that he’s sad about it. Cole talks in riddles and references to modern TV shows all the time. I have no idea why people take him even remotely literally.

I have a few theories about this.

IF Felassan’s spirit actually was killed in the fade (possible) his body wasn’t. His body would’ve been just lying there in the woods breathing like any other Somniari. Possibly made tranquil (which we know can be reversed).

What if Solas lost his original body in putting up the Veil?

What if he had a deal with Felassan or maybe came to Felassan to help him get back to his body after the attack and Felassan decided he was done and wanted to move on?

They're said to be friends. Never said to be employer/employee.

If Solas was awake and in the fade and sensed an attack on Felassan, he'd certainly have gone to help.

What if he gave his body to Solas?

Felassan's 'death' chronologically lines up to when Solas 'woke up'.

Felassan has purple eyes. So does Solas.

Felassan has fade-green magic. So does Solas.

Felassan is incredibly powerful. Stares at Solas.

Felassan knows far more about Fen'harel than even a scholar would.

Felassan knew far more about Eluvians, ancient Elvhenan, and The Forgotten Ones (Imshael is a Forgotten One) than anyone would reasonably expect any elf to know.

Felassan let Imshael see into his head about what was coming in the future. Which Imshael almost got off on. Imshael loves destruction and chaos.

I can make a list as long as my arm on similarities there. So, either Solas didn’t kill Felassan and the old? Felassan will be in the game once the veil falls, or it will be revealed that Solas has actually been wearing a (voluntary because a soul cannot take a body involuntarily) Felassan suit the entire time.

Probably blew some minds there, huh?

So given that Weekes has said that if Felassan was a popular enough character they would consider bringing him back… I think it’s likely we’ll see something to do with him again.

Also? The sheer hilarity factor of elves who do not want magic (Fenris anyone?) getting magic returned to them is going to be sweet.

I think we’ll see blood magic as a much bigger mechanic than in previous games. (And I hope they did some work on it to make it make more sense this time.) The game is going to have a lot of Tevinter content. Blood magic is a big deal there. Ergo… it’s likely.

Given some of the things that happened in Tevinter Nights, which honestly really feels like a teaser book to DA4 (I really hate the Veilguard name) I think it’s likely that we’ll see the Templars again. They’ve been in every game and book so far. I doubt they’d get rid of the useless bastards in this one.

Given some of the things in Tevinter Nights, I think it’s possible we’ll see just as many puzzles as we did in DAI, if not more. I’m hoping for more. I do love puzzles in these kinds of games.

I believe it’s highly possible that whoever drank from the Well is going to be completely fucked. Especially, if they follow a ‘kill Solas’ route. Remember who the well binds you to in Trespasser? Bingo.

I think it’s very likely that someone close to the main character is going to be a dual agent of Fen’harel. And it will not be someone we expect. We’re all gonna be side eyeing the mages after the last three games. But what if it’s a warrior or rogue who hides their magic? There was at least one character that completely hid their magic in Tevinter Nights.

We’re going to see more of the Evanuris and The Nameless/Forgotten ones. I base that on Imshael being in DAI and in Masked Empire and some of the dialogue between Felassan and Imshael.

Titans. We’re going to see the titans waking up and being royally pissed off. This is going to cause so much chaos for the dwarves. Who will also regain magic and a kinda creepy hive-mind thing, too. Again. That’s not going to be Solas’s fault.

We’ll have at least one Gala event. Very possibly in Minrathous or Vyrantium. Hopefully with better clothing.

Finally, for things I think likely… The Grand Necropolis in Nevarra is gonna burn. People seem to forget that Solas doesn’t just fight for the freedom of the Elves. He fights for the freedom of spirits too.

In case you haven’t read it… the Nevarrans imprison spirits in the corpses of their dead using mages called the Mortalitasi. I really don’t think that is going to sit well with Solas. In fact, I know it doesn’t. It’s spelled out in Tevinter Nights.

I think it’s probably going to be a quest line for the main character to go and save the necropolis or let it burn to free the spirits. This, of course, will be one of the choices that matter and likely another pinch point on whether Solas goes dark or gets a redemption arc. It will also deeply affect Nevarran politics and the way the country is run. The Mortalitasi basically rule the monarchs of Nevarra sooooo. It’s gonna cause chaos there too.

We’ll obviously see a lot of chaos with the Qunari. Their culture is splintering already. The Antaam have decided to go off the rails and attack anything and everything. Maybe the Ben-Hassrath will be able to rein that in. Maybe not. I don’t have very many predictions on the Qunari to be honest. They’re at war with Tevinter at the end of Tevinter Nights so that war will figure heavily in the game, most likely. But how that’s going to play out I haven’t a clue.

Some mechanics I think we might see.

Fade-touched weaponry that can stop mages.

Elemental interactions. (IE: Magic lightning x water = lots of zap)

Magically treated arrows. ✅️

More magical bombs and poison effects. (I might be just wishfully dreaming there because one of the things I miss from DAO is the poisons and traps mechanics. They felt like an afterthought in DA2 and DAI. I want to be able to make cool traps and set up ambushes again.) But there was that story with Dorian in Tevinter Nights where several of those things were used, so maybe? It would be cool.

I think it’s likely that we’ll see the Despair Demon from Tevinter Nights. And I’m still so mad that they fired the writer of that story. It’s one of my favourites.

Some things that are very possible? But I’m not sure of and could just be wishful thinking.

I think we might see Abelas again. (Abelas romance? Pretty please? ❌😭) His story does have one of those endings that kills him so it’s possibly just wishful thinking. But they brought Leliana back for DAI, so I don’t see why they couldn’t with Abelas too. And also, I have a voice kink and love his VA Matthew Gravelle.

We might see non-linear storytelling. I kind of hope we do because I love non-linear storytelling. Perhaps one storyline will be Arlathan (through dreams or time travel perhaps?) and the fall of it so we finally get some answers to all of this lore. (Please let us get some answers!)

We may see some problems from a rather irrational faction of people who say they’re working for Solas but are using methods he would never approve of. They may be sort of like the Venatori in the last game. Though I do think it’s likely we might have to fight a few more of the Venatori too. ✅ They’re still out there having really messed up rituals and stuff to destroy things.

I think it’s possible given a few clues in the lore and in Tevinter Nights that we’re either going to see not just a double blight (regular darkspawn and red lyrium darkspawn) but a triple blight with the green/yellow lyrium found in Ghilan'nain’s labs. Remember that Ramesh only destroyed one of them. There are eleven more. I think that’s going to very possibly be a big part of this game.

Settings/Levels/Areas I think likely.

So, we already know that the game will be taking place in the north of THEDAS. That’s a no brainer after the map reveal in the teaser.

But where exactly will they take us?

In Tevinter, I think it’s very possible we’ll see Minrathous ✅ and Vyrantium. We may see the Black Divine’s/Archon’s palace.

We’ll see Arlathan Forest. ✅ That I’m almost certain of. We’ll probably also see ancient Arlathan somehow. (Dreams or barely used time-travel mechanic from DAI?)

We’re going to be spending a lot of time in the deep roads and even farther below the deep roads. And dear developers please let me have some answers to all this lore.

We may spend some time inside a Titan again.

Pre-veil drop, we may spend some time in the fade. I actually hope that with the veil dropping we get to rescue whoever got left behind in DAI. That would make my heart so happy.

We’re likely to see the crossroads at least a little bit.

Antiva! Gods I’m looking forward to seeing Antiva.

Anderfels/Weisshaupt. We have no idea at the end of DAI or Tevinter Nights or Last Flight what the hell is going on up there, so I think we’ll have to find out in the game. Also… more chaos that is most definitely not Solas’s fault.

Rivain?

I think we’ll see the Golden City. And the Black City. Which is likely the same place.

And I don’t think it’s up in the sky. I think it’s deep underground below the deep roads.

Ships! I think we’re going to see some more ships. That’s based on a story in Tevinter nights and some of the splash art. But gods I really want more ships. Especially in a place like Minrathous or Antiva for fuck’s sake!

I think we might see some underwater levels for various reasons. And I hope we do.

These next things are honestly my hopes and dreams that would make me so happy, but I have little to back them up with as far as lore or books/comics and supplementary materials.

Polyamory options. PLEASE give me polyam romance options. BG3 did it. It’s 2024 and only 30% of dating people are monogamous. Get with the times! ❌️

I want CC body sliders so bad. ✅ Give me the ability to make a fat player character please! Not just because a lot of gamers tend to be on the heavier side but honestly? Because a fat adventurer is going to be able to go farther than any skinny twig. Real strong men/women/enbies do not look like gym bunnies and models. They have a good layer of fat over that muscle for stability. Guess what fat is? It’s energy storage. A fat adventurer is going to be able to survive longer than a twig. I could go on… but come on Bioware. Be brave. Let me have a fat adventurer. ✅️

Decent. Fucking. Hair. ✅ Please let the CC have decent hair options. LONG hair options! Let me have my long haired elfy prince dude!

Isabela cameo. She’s one of my favourite DA2 characters and some of the early splash art makes me hopeful we’ll see her again. ✅️

I’m hoping for DAO origin style stories for the Main Player Character. But ideally? We’d have something like BG3 where we could play one of a number of origin stories or make our own blank slate character. ❌ Given the gossip going around the gaming community I’m thinking this is unlikely, but damn do I want it.

Useful. Mounts. Please let us have actually useful mounts. And GRIFFONS. ✅ Give me flying mounts you cowards!

Prosthetic using characters. ✅ Bioware has the worst track record when it comes to ableism, but gods please. They’ve got it set up perfectly with Inky losing their arm. There’s a prosthetic leg user in Tevinter Nights. PLEASE LET ME HAVE PROSTHETIC USING CHARACTERS.

Better Crafting Options. The crafting was okay in DAI. Especially if you mod it in so you can buy the stuff to do so easier (I really hate killing dragons but it’s the best crafting material!). But it also often felt more like an afterthought?

Better. Clothes. Seriously. Give me some razzle dazzle with the clothing. ESPECIALLY since we’re going to Tevinter where how you dress is absolutely important!

I know this is sniffing the genie smoke here, but could we have actually attractive armour options? With BRIGHT colours? Research shows that a lot of historical armour was 1. Gorgeous and well fitting. 2. Brightly painted! Let me have bright colours! (And please not the yellow plaid. Ugh.)

I hope for more gardening options in whatever base we end up using. I loved the gardening options in DAI, but they weren’t big enough for my plant loving heart.

I really want to see Solas in flying Wolfie form. We see him like that in Tevinter Nights. So, I really hope we get to see him like that in game.

Finally… and I know I’m high on my own hopes here… I really hope we get the gifting options back. Completely unattached to approval is fine. I just want to be able to find the perfect gift for my companions like I do in real life with my friends. It brings me so much joy.

Things they’re likely to fuck up.

Sadly, I think there’s some things Bioware is very likely to fuck up. This could just be me being too pessimistic, but they’ve screwed these things up throughout the entire series and to my knowledge they didn’t hire any diversity consultants in the making of DA4 sooooo…

Ableism. Bioware has a terrible record when it comes to ableism. ✅ (the demon design is going to cause visual strain and possibly bad effects for epileptic gamers).

White-washing. The North of THEDAS is like the South of Earth. If they make most of the people there have light skin I will probably boycott the fuck out of Bioware for the rest of my life. ✅️

No fat character ability in CC.

Really fucked up hair options. Seriously Bioware. It’s bad.

And I think they’re going to be in trouble when it comes to the Lords of Fortune. Look. I love the idea of the class and I even love how a lot of them are described in the books. But it’s absolutely glomming onto the stereotype of the Romani, and I don’t think that’s going to go over well at all. It won’t for me with my Romani heritage, and it really shouldn’t for anyone. Cause you know what that stereotypical usage is? It’s Racism. Bioware also doesn’t have the best track record regarding racism either.

As more thoughts come to me I’ll either append stuff to this post or do others (probably the latter.)

And here are my links if you want to toss me a buck or two as a tip. I'm recovering from a pulmonary embolism (do not recommend) and every penny helps because I'm the sole income for my family.

And if you're in Canada like me you can use Interac. Kaija.rayne.author@gmail.com.

As always, thanks for reading my rambles!

[wardencallings]

I was inspired by Harding's unsent letter to her mother to write one I think she'd pen after getting together with Rook and just before the fight with Ghilan'nain. Enjoy!

Ma,

It’s almost time. We have only weeks until Ghilan’nain and Elgar’nan perform their ritual and try to end the world. I won’t lie to you, I’m scared. Rook says we’re ready, and we have so many allies now, but Ma, it still seems impossible. Although, I would’ve said the same about a dwarf having magic, and look at me now. Moving rocks with my mind and lyrium in my blood!

Your letter has kept my spirits up. I read it all the time, and I’m always wondering if I’m making you proud out here. I’m really trying, Ma. I’ve been helping the dwarves of Kal-Sharok learn more about the Stone. Neve and I have been tending to the people in Dock Town in Mintrathous, and I’m even helping Davrin train Assan so that the griffon can become a great Warden someday. 

I’ve been keeping Taash company since their mom died. It’s made me think about you a lot. I hope you’re safe in Ferelden. Rook let me read the letters from the Inquisitor about the south and Maker, Ma, I can’t believe things have gotten so bad since I left. Do you know if the farm is okay? What about our neighbors? Have you heard from any of my friends? I’m just grateful that the Inquisitor got you to safety. I owe her so much. Hopefully saving the world will be enough to repay her.

I keep thinking about my time in the Inquisition. I think it was easier being one of the little people who existed in the background of the Inquisitor’s inner circle. I liked it there. I felt like I was a part of something, but I wasn’t in charge of anything but scouting and sometimes Leliana's ravens. Now, I have all these responsibilities, and I’m always close to the action. Almost too close. Speaking of close…

There’s something I have to tell you before whatever comes next. I’m seeing someone. I definitely wasn’t expecting it, and I don’t think he was either, but Rook and I are together. It just happened. For months I thought he was just being nice. It wouldn’t be the first time I misread someone’s kindness as something more. How embarrassing would it have been to assume there were feelings involved and be wrong? Things would’ve been so awkward! Then I started having nightmares and he offered to stay by my side and then I kissed him and almost killed him and he still wanted to be with me! 

I don’t know what will happen when we take on the gods, and honestly, I don’t really want to guess. All I know is Rook promised me that he’ll be by my side no matter what. He takes care of me, Ma. It’s almost like he knows what I need before I need it. Just the other day he showed up with a pot of my favorite stew, just the way you make it. He’d remembered me telling him about it weeks ago and asked Lucanis for help putting it together. And I caught him a couple of days ago waiting for me in my room, whispering to my plants about how much he likes me. I’d told him that talking to them makes them grow stronger, and telling them happy things keeps them healthy, so he chose to talk about me! 

I promise when this is over I’ll introduce you to him. Just maybe avoid showing him the baby portraits of me? And please don’t tell him that story about me falling off my horse? Or actually, don’t tell him any of your stories. He thinks I’m cool, Ma. Let’s not ruin that yet.

Love,

Lace

[elluvians]

I was going to make a post about my wishes for DA but in my mind it's still just going AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA :D So here, have this incoherent mess instead <3

I just want to see Grey Wardens again! And since it's pretty much confirmed we're going to Weisshaupt I also hope we're going to Kal-Sharok since you know, darkspawn and blight and Deep Roads 🥺 Or at the very least let us have NPCs or a companion that's not a surface dwarf.

The Executors! Give me The Executors! I want to see them and talk to them and, probably my biggest wish (and most likely not going to happen) have one as our companion!

I really, really hope we'll get to see Viago and Teia (I actually kinda hope she's the one talking in the Dreadwolf trailer from December). I don't necessarily want them to be companions but advisors maybe? Or just a part of a questline? I loved them in Tevinter Nights and Eight Little Talons was one of my favourite stories!

Old Gods/Forgotten Ones/Evanuris/Risen Gods - I need to know if they're one and the same, if they're connected somehow or if there's just A LOT of really pissed off gods waiting to come to Thedas. The Risen Gods also appeared in the Dreadwolf trailer in December, male voice is speaking about them while Rivain is shown in the background - "Glory to the Risen Gods! They come to deliver this world" [@ around 0:12 HERE] WHICH ONES IS HE SPEAKING ABOUT? I need answers! Not to mention the last voice in the trailer. Is that one of the Evanuris? Is it Dumat? I saw someone saying they have a theory it might be him and I kinda like this theory? 👀 Is he an Old God? Forgotten One? The MAKER? Ok i gotta stop cause I'm going insane here dnieuwhfiewifuiu

As for characters from Inquisition (or even previous games), I don't mind seeing some of them, just not as companions. I actually hope we're gonna see Dorian. Tevinter is going to be in the game in some capacity and we still need some ties to the Inquisition. Our characters need to know what's going on and Inquisition pretty much uncovered Solas' plot so it makes sense some characters who knew what happened then will be there to advise or help our new hero. And speaking about Dorian and Tevinter I really hope we'll finally see Maevaris Tilani. I would love for either her or Dorian to be some kind of advisor as well! Varric is most likely going to be present. I would love to see and hear what Merrill has to say about the whole Veil thing and Solas!

Like I said this is a mess but there's just so much love and happiness in me right now! These games are so important to me and the wait is almost over. We're finally going to see the new game very soon and my excitement is through the roof! I will most likely make more posts after the trailer and gameplay so I apologize in advance for the person I'm about to become (that is a lie, I'm not sorry at all) 😌

[howyouducan]

Link to questionnaire

What was the first Dragon Age game you played? Origins!

Which Dragon Age game is your favorite so far? Origins also

Do you usually play as a warrior, mage, or rogue? I've been switching it up. Knife rogue, then warrior, then mage, in that order

Which class are you planning to try first this time around? Already tried them all, lol

Which subclass? Archer!

What does your worldstate look like going into DAV? Queen Anora, HoF still alive, Queen Celene+Briala, Wardens not banished, Divine Leliana, Inquisition disbanded, Inquisitor wants to save Solas

Do you typically use a preset character and name or spend hours in the character creator coming up with a custom one? I don't understand the question. The character creator IS the game. The rest of it is extra content

Do you have your Rook(s) planned out to any degree? If so, would you share some details or ideas you have? My first male protag, Jack, will be an Elven archer rogue in the Lords of Fortune faction. He will have brown hair, black eyes, be short and fat, prefer purple+gold clothes, and choose the middle dipshit answer on every dialogue wheel

Which character from the previous games or other media are you most hoping will make an appearance in DAV? Cole? Zevran or Anders also but I have less hope for that. I love Cole

What faction are you most excited to learn more about? Veil Jumpers and the Shadow Dragons

Which romance, if any, do you plan to pursue first? I legit have no idea. I am asexual and pick that stuff in accordance to who my character fucks with the most (not literally... well, maybe later)

Which location are you most excited/hoping to explore in-game? Kal-Shirok. Please, please, PLEASE. I LOVE dwarf stuff. PLEASE let Kal-Shirok be in the game!!

What's one thing you'd really like to see in this next game? The return of customizable armor

What's one thing you're hoping we DON'T see in this next game? The return of BioWare's centrism, however I like Trick Weekes and I trust him the most out of the other older writers.

What's one thing you've seen confirmed so far that you're a fan of? Basically fuckin everything. But especially the character creator

What's one thing you've seen confirmed so far that you're NOT a fan of? I actually have no solid complaints yet, and I am a known complainer. I think people who keep complaining about the trailer are little diaper babies

Do you have any unpopular opinions about DAV so far? I'm glad that the Inquisitor is not the main protag, but am also glad they're returning

What's one crack theory you subscribe to (yours or someone else's)? I like the Evil Daughter anagram of The Veilguard, referring to Andruil

Are you interested in all the lore and speculation or do you focus more on the games and stories themselves? I like listening to the lore but my main focus is the games and stories

Which aspect of fandom are you most looking forward to? (e.g. reading/writing fic, the bounty of gorgeous art, getting to know new people, etc.) Getting new people into the fanbase. Hopefully it'll stop congealing

Are you planning to replay any of the previous games, watch Dragon Age: Absolution, or read any of the books/comics/short stories, or are there other games you want to play in the meantime? Lolololol I'm already playing through both Origins and Inquisition. We'll see if I finish them before DAV. If I do, I'll probably restart the games

[autopotion]

Ok here are my companion predictions for DATV:

Two humans, a Grey Warden and an Antivan Crow. The Warden has pretty much all but been confirmed (Davrin) and the Crow is almost certainly Lucanis or Illario. Judging from the voice clip Davrin probably hails from Ferelden or the Free Marches. Possibly Tevinter but I'm thinking Ferelden

Female dwarf rogue, also pretty much confirmed (Bellara). Sadly I don't think my dwarf mage companion theory is true. That being said, considering the new mechanical details, I do wonder if companions are going to break the typical m/r/w tradition and have more hybrid classes? In which case... Give her a little magic, Blease. I'd love it if she was from Kal-Sharok too, but idk how likely that is.

Mortalitasi skeleton. Considering how much art we've seen of these glowing skeletons I will be extremely surprised if we don't get one.

Lady Qunari/Tal-Vashoth. Same as skeleton, we are for sure getting a Lady Qunari, but that's all I can definitively say about her. Would not be surprised if she's Tal-Vashoth to finish the pattern, since Sten was Qunari and Iron Bull could be Qunari or Tal-Vashoth.

The remaining two companions I'm less certain of. Options:

Veil Jumper. I think someone has to be, right, but anything about this Veil Jumper is pure speculation. I personally feel like elf would make sense, maybe a Dalish elf... We haven't had a Dalish elf companion since Merrill!

We know that each companion represents a different faction, and I haven't accounted for two of the likeliest factions yet: Lords of Fortune and Shadow Dragons. I'm convinced a Lord of Fortune will be present in some capacity, but whether they're a companion or an option for the PC remains to be seen. I suppose Lady Qunari could belong to one of those factions, which would be cool.

Keeping with the typical DA trend, I don't think there will be a ton of crossover between potential PC origin factions and companion factions, meaning I'm not sold on Antivan Crow as an origin. We'll see though. (Just please don't be a GW again...)

This one is a stretch, but I would love an Executor companion. I'm just picturing that shadowy group concept art with a hooded figure holding a rifle... That would be so cool IMO. And it would make DATV the DA game with the most fantasy diversity among companions!

On that note I'm going back to sleep.

[oh-for-fic-sake]

Your Perfect

Masterlist

Summary: Alphas were strong and fierce, the ultimate protective dominant companion. Omegas were sweet loyal and fertile submissive. Alphas were huge. Omegas were tiny. Or so they say, but there were always exceptions to the rule.

Warnings: A/B/O, slight Angst, Fluff, mentions Of Breeding, Mentions Of Heat Cycles, RPF

A/M: so wanted to do a different take on the typical A/B/O a little role reversal~ I hope you all enjoy!

Taglist: in reblogs

You froze on the spot scenting the air. They were here. Your omega. It probably wasn't the best first impression onset, freezing in the middle of the gangway head up alert scenting, searching with both your nose and eyes the many small males walking past.

With a deep inhale you began the hunt. Instincts pulling at you frantically as the spiced delectable scent moved. Your omega had caught a whiff of you on the air and was trying to avoid you. They where panicked weaving about the crowd trying to escape the alpha that was on their trail. With a little luck your size would throw them if they did look around for you as they tried escaping.

To look at you wouldn't have been thought to be alpha, a thick supple woman all of five foot four. Normally female alphas were tall Amazonian muscular goddesses! But you, broke the mould. Like a hammer to a landmine.

You chased the scent ducking and diving around the many busy bodies, abandoning where you were meant to be in favour of locating your mate. It didn't take long to track them as in a frantic rush they lead you out of the throngs of people to the more quiet area of set, the trailers.

They were trying to run to their nest, it was their safety. A beta security guard tried to stop you, but with a snap of your jaws and viscous snarl they stumbled back. Noting the bright red ring outlining your pupil separating the black from your colourful iris. The sure sign of an alpha chaseing their mate.

Once you growled enough making the beta submit you looked forward again and continued, stalking towards your omega. The scent was muffled so they'd reached their nest, not that it would do any good, he was yours and you'd find him.

You slowly stepped down the row of trailers nose in the air sniffing around each one mentally crossing off each one. Then froze. There. The dark grey on your left, with the twitching blind. You walked passed slowly scouting for any danger, needing to inspect your new territory but kept an eye on your omegas nest.

Then once finished your walk round you came to a stop. You could feel it, anxiety and panic radiating from the nest. It made you falter and whine low in your throat. He was scared? Terrified you could smell shame on the air! In that moment all you wanted to do was scoop him up and hold him, make him see there was nothing to be ashamed or afraid of, you'd never hurt him. Only love and protect him.

You stepped up to the door and knocked slowly, your stomach twisting as you heard the footsteps inside and deep fearful pants, laboured breaths loud enough to be heard through the door.

"Omega. Its okay, I wont- I'm in control I wont hurt you" you started speaking low and calmly despite being torn up inside, you wanted to comfort him, stop him from becoming overwhelmed. You heard a small whimper from the other side and another wave of acidic fear hit you making you scrunch your nose in distaste.

"I promise I wouldn't have followed if I wasn't sure, please. Open the door? I just want to see you, I wont do anything if you don't want me too...Please" you pleaded pressing a hand to the cool metal of the bus. You wanted to see him but you wont break in, even if it was probably for the best. Many omegas panic until they meet their alphas properly, face to face. And with the both of you working onset there was only soo much you could take before hunting him down properly like all the horror stories that make the headlines.

"I can sense this is hard for you- your embarrassed you shouldn't be, I wont judge you... I wont many males are omega and its perfectly fine" There was a small shuffle and a deep shaky breath before the door handle was clicked and the door was inched open.

"Y-you promise?" Was the weak reply that tugged on your heart strings. Your need to comfort him when he sounded so upset and defeated. Lonely and scared.  You tipped your head to the side peering through the crack in the door. You understood, much like a female alpha was an anomaly male omegas were too, mostly bullied growing up because of being omega. There were less accepted the female alpha. A female alpha could be sexualized as 'dominatix' and 'domme'. Omega males were victims of slurrs such as 'sissy boy' 'nancy boy'.

"I swear, wont you let me in? We can just talk, or snuggle if you like-whatever you want to do nothing more" you added trying to hide the desperation in your voice. You held your breath as your omega sniffled quietly and whined once more. You could scent the desperation on him too, he wanted to seek you out but was frightened, unsure of himself.

After a few moments a large hand appeared  pressing the door open and holding a hand out to you palm up finally giving into his need for reassurance. You let out a sigh of relief and quickly help his hand shuddering as the contact sent goosbumps up your arm. You took a moment to admire the way his hand locked with yours so perfectly, despite dwarfing yours. With a gentle tug you were being pulled into his nest slowly.

You entered the bus eyes eagerly seeking out your omega. You paused seeing him. At first you didn't even click who he was you just revelled in his presence. The feeling of finally being here with your mate, having him before you after a lifetime of guessing just who fate had instore for you. You were surprised people had joked your mate would be tiny if you were the alpha! But they were wrong. He was huge both wide and tall, muscular and.

"Perfect... Your perfect" you uttered as he blushed ducking his head down trying to hide it. His other hand twiddling with his shirt nervously. You climbed the steps letting the door close behind you finally standing on the same level as your stunning mate.

"You... you mean it? I-I know I'm not...a typical omega my size and strength it of an alpha and its weird, you can refuse me if you want-" he began his anxiety rising with each word the pungent scent making the air thick and unpleasant. You hushed him quickly speaking over him.

"Didn't I just say your perfect Henry... your perfect just the way you are" you said still marvelling at your omega. You didn't really care who he was. You were far to enamoured with the realisation that he was your omega. He was like you, unique and wonderful. Exactly how he was meant to be... apart from those hormones mixed in with the scent of suppressant's. You leant forward sniffing and frowned momentarily.

"Hormones? You've been trying to hide?" You were right. He hung his head feeling deflated before nodding to you ashamed.

"I... Sorry its... People that find out are... They ridicule me I hate it" he said slowly it made your heart clench. It angered you. Just like everything else in life if you didn't fit the social norms you were pressured to change it. He had been taking hormonal supplements to try and force himself to be alpha. Tried to cover up his true presentation to fit in. You understood he was large and muscular and a perfect embodiment of the 'perfect male' handsome strong features, the deep voice and charming confident personality. Yet he was an omega. Its probably why he felt the need to push himself so much. He was over compensating.

"Don't worry about them I'm here now" you uttered moving pressing a hand to his cheek making him look at you. He gapsed when he locked eyes feeling the bond begin to form already just with the simplest of gestures.

"Do you trust me?" You asked slowly still trying to be mindful of how skittish he seemed. He nodded unable to deny the feeling of trust and warmth. You felt like home and calm in a way he never felt before.

"Good boy... i promise to look after you my sweet omega" you cooed letting a low rumble of your purr into your words easing his fears. You could taste him on your tongue the air around you becoming more relaxed and welcoming the anxiety lifting making you breath a sigh of relief. He whined before dipping his head to you pressing his forehead to your shoulder prompting you to encircle him with a bear hug. He shuddered before sniffling returning the hug whimpering as sobs wracked his body uttering 'alpha' over and over holding you tighter with each call.

You blinked away your own tears you swayed while him. It was overwhelming for him. You dread to think what hell he has been through just because he is omega, especially in the business she was in. But you ere proud, so very proud of him to navigate his career and become so successful despite being an omega? He hadn't let it hold him back like many others who hid in fear of being found out. You rubbed his back and tipped your head pressing kisses to his neck that bared to you.

"Your alright.... your alright I've got you now, I've got you omega come one lets go lay down hmm? We can go and snuggle for a while if you'd like?" you hummed  to him pressing kiss after kiss along the side of his throat. As much as you wanted to mark him you resisted, the last thing you need to do while he is in this fragile state is breed him. Mate him and tie him to you for god knows how long. Plus the suppressants would make it doubly hard, your body would tighten and lock around him despite him not being able to truly breed you. It could cause problems for the both of you. It would be best to wait until next months cycle hit and he let him fall into heat.

"Y-yeah, with Kal too?" He uttered still sniffing you, drawing deep breaths in trying to drown in your scent. You grinned against his neck nuzzling him rubbing your own scent onto his skin.

"Of course with Kal too love" you replied with a grin pulling back a little to eye the akita who was tilting his fluffy head at you trying to understand what was happening.

"Come on off to bed" you said prodding his tummy playfully giggling as he squirmed chuckling and grinning whislt pawing at his eyes trying to wipe away his lingering tears.

"O-okay... we wont?" You shook your head as he trailed off cheeks glowing from the mere mention of mating.

"As much as I would love to claim and mate you, we will wait until your heat, et those suppressants and hormone supplements out of your system~" you reassured him whist ushering him deeper into the bus towards the bedroom area. He chuckled nervously before turning calling Kal to the bedroom as he eagerly scrabbled onto it, wanting nothing more then to curl up and cuddle with you.

You released a deep breath watching as he and the bear got comfy. Your omegas huge blue eyes watching you as you settled down yourself and pulled him to rest his head on your chest. One hand twisted in His hair, the other letting Kal sniff you before stroking him. You grinned closing your eyes finally feeling at peace. After a long lonely life wondering you'd found your boys. And your home.

[crowsent]

a fuckton of things i want in da4

a few words censored bc tumblr will swallow this in the void if i dont. long ass fuck list ahead

a romanceable dwarf

more romanceable elves/qunari

more elf/qunari/dwarf companions

consistent writing for once

more nb representation

good hair. please just give me good hair options. give me long hair. give me luxurious flowing locks. give me braids. give me good fucking hair options

let me shittalk the chantry

dalish elf npcs that impact the plot in unique ways

dalish elf companions that are proud of being dalish

if it is set in tevinter maybe uh. maybe address the issue of systemic oppression (and slavery) of elves???????

a return of the friendship/rivalry system in da2 but improved. maybe instead of a friendship rivalry sliding scale its friendship/rivalry/animosity sliding scale. bc rivalry is more like. two people pushing each other to be better than they were before. friendly competition. hes an idiot but hes my idiot kind of deal. animosity would be just regular disapproval. i liked the crisis cutscenes in dai so high animosity would be the same as low approval and might make the companion leave still, but theres more variety with high approval. high approval “friendship” would be the “were best friends and we share many opinions and agree on almost everything” while high approval “rivalry” being “we disagree on almost everything but goddamn it youre my friend and ill follow you into the fade if i have to” so you can have a high approval with someone instead of being a kissass

actions and choices having consequences again

multiple endings again (epilogue slideshows dont count)

dialogue wheels with descriptions that match what you actually say

characters from rivain, antiva, anderfels, etc

gifts. bring back the gifts. i want to give my companions gifts

maybe. maybe a focus of non-andrastian religion for once?

let me shittalk the chantry

i know its a stretch, but maybe. diverse skin colours. please?

nd characters that are written respectfully and treated w dignity

please bring back the talent wheel from dao and da2

more bi romance options

more wlw romance options

more mlm romance options

ace romance options

nb romance options

background romances

let me shittalk the chantry

far fetched but maybe a polycule?

i lowkey LOVED the fast-paced feel of da2s combat so maybe bring that back in some form? maybe improved to mesh with the tactics of dai to give players absolute freedom of playstyle whether they want to be like me and rush into every encounter or play more strategically

companions with unique companion abilities

would be nice to explore cities

would be nice if the open world were a little smaller so it doesnt feel empty all the gd time

more mage spells. mages felt like just another class of fighter to me in dai. they dont really have any awe-inducing wow factor like in dao or even da2. if the narrative wants me to believe that mages are powerful and dangerous and that it takes multiple templars to hunt down an apostate, maybe show that? give me strong mages

remove the jump ability. its pointless

a narrative that addresses the oppression that the chantry and templars perpetuated please

bring back the attributes

make the choices in dai matter. mages governing themselves? i wanna see that

let me shittalk the chantry

please bring back the healing magic for fucks sakes

multi-class system between rogues and warriors?

multiple specialisations that feel like specialisations and not just skill tree+

player-only skill trees

hardening

companion quests that affect their abilities and further dialogue

actual morally grey choices instead of this stupid mage freedom vs templar oppression narrative that is in no way morally grey but is presented as such and thus leaves the conflicts and narratives set up by dao and da2 to be fucking meaningless

bring back the tactics

would be nice to have an origins-esque prologue again. maybe one that would determine future events in game just to give your character better narrative cohesion with the plot

an approval/disapproval system but for companions with other companions. bringing certain companions together may bring them closer or make them pissed off with each other which affects banter maybe quests maybe combat

give me a fucking mabari bioware. give me back my fucking mabari

day/night cycle

a nightmare mode where you have to finish the main quest on a time limit. it is absurd that dai expects me to believe that i have all this time to do wartable missions that can take literal real life DAYS to finish and still thwart corypheus’ plans in time. bullshit

that said. no more wartable missions. waiting for a countdown to finish isnt very fun

let me shittalk the chantry

kal-sharok. ive been hearing about it since dao let me fucking see kal-sharok

dwarven politics

politics in general. my fav dao quest was the succession crisis plotline in orzammar/the landsmeet and wewh in dai

npcs i can talk to. even with generic dialogue like in dao. makes the world more alive

using the environment to your advantage. far fetched but i would love to be able to pull down boulders if were in the mountains or freeze water to get to places as a mage

home base customisation but the customisation choices you make actually. mean something. and do something. or at the very least give more companion dialogue/banter/approval change

laconic and ergonomic codexes. like. sorted by what kind of codex it is, etc etc but then you just get a brief summary of the codex and the option to read more about it so i dont spend eternity scrolling through cards looking for a specific codex entry. cool aesthetic dont get me wrong but real irritating to deal with. also. maybe. the pc making comments about the codex if you do read more about it? like a dalish elf saying “they got it all wrong” when reading a codex about dalish elves written by a human??? that would a) give character to the pc b) incentivise people to actually read the codex to see what was so wrong about it c) summarise the codex for people who want to learn the lore but dont want to spent the entire game reading text

maybe have the merchants in your home base close to crafting stations so you dont have to take a fucking hike if you miscounted the amount of elfroot you need?

let me shittalk the chantry

avvar companion maybe??? interesting lore right there

bring back stat requirements for weapons and remove the class restriction for most shit. obviously a dagger would be better for a rogue than a longsword and a mage would do better with a staff than a sword and shield but its not about efficiency. its about the roleplay. its about the options. give me the option to make a mage with wildly inappropriate stat distribution

bring back sustained mode abilities

traps. bring back traps. bring back the option to stealth into an area, trap the fuck out of it, and go from there

have the three available classes in kind of a rock paper scissors scenario. warriors do real well against rogues who do real well against mages who do real well against warriors. so you can plan your party depending on who/what youll face AND how much their approval will change during the quest you take them on

let me shittalk the chantry

actually resolve the plot points introduced in dai

a more threatening villain. the inquisitor thwarted every attempt made by corypheus in dai. he was not threatening at all

queer characters. background, companions, etc. queer characters

mounts were meh in dai. maybe. make them faster? or less cumbersome? or have your companions on mounts too so theres still banter?

i liked the armour tinting. let me have armour tinting from the beginning

i would really like mages to move and attack at the same time bc lowkey standing in one spot is uhhhhhhh kinda boring

let me check companions friendship/rivalry levels

would be nice if the narrative acknowledged that elves suffered greatly at the hands of the chantry and stopped victim-blaming them

more taverns. specifically like tapsters in dao where theres a dwarf just reciting something in a language i cant understand and if you look its a ballad/poet about dwarven culture and that was a real nice touch let me have that

dalish elf clan. dalish elf clan that does not get murdered please and thank you

meaningful quests. more cinematic dialogue

make found gear / quest reward gear more valuable than crafted gear

game modifiers like in dai were real nice. i want more

let me shittalk the chantry

quests that can be resolved in multiple ways. like connors fate in dao. and for those ways to impact further quests

companions with varying moral alignments

companions that are mutually exclusive (like alistair and loghain) but are both good companions so itd really make you think

a pc that IS NOT a “chosen one” vanilla da2 is my fav dragon age game for one reason and one reason only and that is because hawke is just some random refugee who escaped lothering. no chosen one magic at all. just an ordinary person who is a real good fighter. and that appealed to me more than this “you are the only one who can do it” narrative

let me meet more elvhen gods

if the setting is in tevinter, GIVE ME FUCKING ARCHITECTURE. give me the high spires, the archways, the buttresses, give me statues lining city gates and magic infused into the buildings. tevinter is a land ruled by MAGES give me magical architecture. give me floating buildings. give me fire floating as orbs above the streets like lamps. GIVE ME ARCHITECTURE

SHALE

let me shittalk the chantry

PIERCINGS GIVE ME FUCKING PIERCINGS BIOWARE

more main quests, longer main quests

if it is set in tevinter maybe. maybe address the fact that tevinter has been at war with the qunari for a while? on and off war is still war. and maybe give us the option to influence the outcome of that war?

more voice options. instead of just american voice or british voice, do the thing in dao again where there are multiple voices of different tones to further cement the pcs personality

more armour designs

biased but uh. can. can taliesen jaffe va a character?

i already said qunari companions but specifically saarebas companions

blood magic

FINISHING MOVE ANIMATIONS

please do not let it be as long as inquisition. inquisition was a SLOG in later playthroughs

body sliders. what if i want a tall but lanky qunari? what if i want a buff as shit elf? body sliders

more eye options

let me call out companions

btw bioware. if you really wanted cullen to be a good guy. maybe handle his fucking redemption arc a little better instead of retconning all the terrible and creepy shit hes done in the past k thx

can female walk/run animations not have. so much swaying hips? no one moves like that

personality dialogue that affects future dialogue like in da2 but meshed with the wider range of emotions introduced by dai

keep the race/s*x lock on romance candidates like in dai. keep the fact that some characters can only be romanced by certain races or s*xes

nb and genderqueer options for the pc

cutscenes of companions interacting

ngl i lowkey liked the random encounters of dao so maybe bring that back

my fav quest in dao is the landsmeet / orzammar succession crisis questline but you know whats my second favourite? the rescue mission if the warden gets captured and you have to play as your party members. give me that again

more creepy/dark shit. dai was too lighthearted for me esp after da2 and dao

let me shittalk the chantry

broodmothers. in hd.

red lyrium broodmothers. in hd

companions with different backgrounds. different faiths. different statuses. different families. etc

maybe make the pcs appearance make an impact on the story? like how bull says he likes redheads, but even if you are a redhead, he says nothing about it????? maybe keep track of which slider the player picks so that can affect the story?

i love my inquisitors but maybe. dont. bring the inquisitor in as anything more than an advisor/npc in this game? let me fall in love with a new pc???

if theres gonna be a homebase like skyhold where youre not in armor. maybe give us better clothing?

a kind of gear skin mechanic similar to ac:odyssey where you can change how the gear looks but keep the stats. so you can equip that higher level armour and keep the look and aesthetic of your old armour and you unlock the skins/looks of the armours you discover/make so you can be both powerful AND aesthetic

i enjoyed the nobility/underworld/arcane/etc knowledge in dai unlocking more dialogue options so maybe keep/expand on that but make it more accessible by side missions or companions or something that isnt the abysmal perk system in dai

let me shittalk the chantry

customisable walking animations. does the pc walk straightbacked? slouched? with a swagger? please

since there will undoubtedly be an obligatory fade sequence, maybe have an option for nightmare demons that ARENT spiders. thank you

slap on subtitles and conlang some languages. i want to hear elvish. i want to hear tevene. give me the languages

more dragons. esp if they look vastly different

more bard songs

i am completely biased here, but i would like to hear laura bailey as a va for a character. preferably a voice option for the pc

hey maybe have the true ending actually included in the base game and not in a dlc (tresppasser cough cough)

better val royeaux

please remove the had to do it to em idle animation tis distracting

on that note, more idle animations. maybe some unique to companions?

very trivial but. unique stair climbing/descending animation

bring back talking to companions on the road. maybe with some dialogue that can only be said on the road???

if banter is interrupted, make like rdr2 and pick up where the banter left off

more vallaslin designs please?

if theres another formal scene like dai maybe. give us. decent clothing. or better yet, decen clothing OPTIONS. i wanna decide how i look in a ball full of haughty orlesians

mage vs templar conflict resolved and addressed please. it is NOT resolved in dai. what we got was sequel bait and a slideshow. resolve it please

let me shittalk the chantry

a pro-mage anti-circle circle mage companion like anders

religious person who doesnt victim-blame elves in the codex or in game or anywhere please

characters more like leliana who question the chantry and acknowledge its corruption and greed

unapologetically sapphic companion

idc if its tevinter i dont want to fucking see queer people being disrespected

a true tal-vashoth companion, one who escaped from the qun

have quest decisions affect whether or not a companion will turn hostile to you or not

if IF solas will be redeemed, please do the redemption arc right

more horn options for qunari

an apostate mage who doesnt use me for their personal agenda whilst hiding something from me (morrigan, anders, solas) thanks

i really dig the whole “leader of an army” thing dai was trying to go for. but you didnt actually. lead. anything. would be nice to have that option. command soldiers. send them places that affect further quests. would even use the wartable for its intended purpose. planning wars. battles. like. you get sent word that there are bandits harassing villagers. you can set up an ambush with your soldiers or confront them headon, and theres a new mini-location on the map like the manor you meet vivienne in where you can go deal with the bandits and depending on your choices, there are actually soldiers with you in a field, or traps in a narrow pass, or even in a city. id rather the wartable shit dont return but if they have to, at least this way youre not just waiting real life time for a bunch of text to appear

i am real fucking excited for the possibility that da4 companions can just fucking die on you. good shit. give me that angst

missions that certain companions would refuse to go with you to. you know. so you actually have to use other members of your party instead of the same 3 (three) people all the goddamn time

disabled characters (i want a character who suffers from the same chronic bad leg disease as i do is that too much to ask)

kinda touched on by the da2 combat point but let me do close combat damage with the staff

no multiplayer. and if there is a multiplayer, dont tie it with achievements

let me fucking explore weisshaupt

(i dont think solas will be the endgame villain of da and i dont think da4 will be the last da game but still) again. for emphasis. resolve the plot points dai brought up

full-body scars and tattoo options

companions and npcs changing their opinions about things over time. eg: a pro-circle mage wanting instead for circles to be abolished after a specific side mission or a main quest decision etc

keep the multiple companion quests. and maybe change what kinds of companion quests are available further down depending on choices made in previous companion quests

please for fucks sake give us more characters of colour

let me shittalk the chantry

[lairofdragonagelore]

DLC: Leliana's Song

This DLC has little to offer. Its main goal is to show the existence of Dorothea, the future Divine that will be killed by Corypheus in DAI, and the existence of two minor characters: Sketch [appearing later in DA2 and DAI] and Tug, whose past and tattoo inspires a lot of questions.

Dorothea is a character that always made me wonder who she truly was [read more details here], since to activate the Orb of Destruction you needed a lot of power that a simple human can't have. The fact that she is not elven [which could have made us guess of an evanuris in disguise a la Mythal] nor mage means that the only powerful thing she may have is a spirit.

However, going further into my personal speculation, considering she is related to the Chantry and during the DLC she is presented as “a second chance” and “Faith” for Leliana, it's more natural to think that she accepted a spirit of Faith at some point in her life. These spirits are powerful ones [The World of Thedas books], so it's the only thing that makes sense for me to explain why Corypheus picked her to activate the Orb and then, later, we saw her in the Fade as an entity of light.

We already saw one of these spirits in Wynne and the Templar Evangeline [Book: Asunder], they possess people to help them reach superior goals, and can prevent the death of them.

Sadly, this DLC doesn't give enough hints to consider this speculation as something “proved”.

As Extra details offered by the DLC, we have two companions:

Sketch: a lovely apostate elf, who is a member of the secretive group of Mages' Collective [which means, we may have done some quests for him without even knowing it during our game in DAO]

And Tug. An extremely mysterious dwarf. We don't know why he left his home, we don't know to what Thaig he belongs to [his face tattoo is not the typical one of a casteless, so it's hard to say he comes from Orzammar. It's not a Dead Legion tattoo either, so this strange detail may us suspect he came from another Thaig. Considering all what we learnt in Orzammar [read related post] we know there exists another isolated Thaig called Kal Sharok which isolation made it evolve in its own terms. It's suspected that those dwarves are different physically since they survived in the presence of the Taint, but it's hard to be sure. Tug clearly has no taint, and he is not that different than our regular dwarf. As a minor detail, he has a thing for fine fabric, apparently. Specially silk.

The items he wears when we meet him made us suspect something:

His warrior ring is elven, and his weapon is the most curious item in the whole DLC. He covered a phase engraved in it with a disc. When he dies, and his torturer removed the disc to sell it, we see that under it the inscription of “The Stone lives beneath Orlais” is written.

He may be a foreshadowing char of some lost Thaig in Orlais, or, considering how much we saw of underground Orlais in the book The Masked Empire, his relationship with dwarves is not so close as it is with elves.

In short: we can't say nothing about Tug, but he is a mysterious char that feels like a foreshadowing associated with a Thaig under Orlais.

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore ]

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

Superman & Lois - Ep. 102 “Heritage”

In which the Sad Dad vibes and teen angst continues!

Spoilers!

Lois gets the opening and closing narration this week! And generally has more to do, which is nice.

The fam has officially moved to Smallville, so the boys are gearing up to start school...or are they???

Well, Jon is. Jordan is told he has to stay home until he can get his nascent powers under control because they don’t want him to accidentally flash frying a classmate. Which he almost did. Last week. 

Clark calls Jordan’s accidental heat vision an ‘ocular release of energy.’

This decision, of course, leads to some FAMILY DRAMA. Jordan feels like a freak! Jonathan is upset that they’ve had to move! Clark feels like he’s failing as a parent!

Oh and also the guy in the Master Chief suit is on the hunt for Kryptonite. Which is, you know. Troubling.

SO it’s off to school for Jonathan and off to the Fortress for Jordan!

Lois, upon Jonathan asking why Jordan gets to go flying with dad: “At least we have the radio!”

One plus side about the show being ‘grounded’ and ‘prestige-y’: the high school drama is of a more believable variety. Still tedious, but at least it’s not dated 90s tropes.

...Well, okay. Not entirely true. Sarah Cushing’s personality thus far is ‘nice girl who’s dating a jerk’ and yes, the line “What do you see in that guy?” is said aloud. So.

Win some, lose some.

MEANWHILE, AT THE FORTRESS:

Love the actor they got for Jor-El. He’s perfect, in that he feels like an homage to Brando, Crowe, but is also his own distinct version. I dig it. 

But there’s no giant key made of dwarf star matter because this is GROUNDED and REALISTIC and none of that SILLY CW NONSENSE, WE GOT HBO MAX MONEY. 

Back to the Lois vs. Edge plot:

For all the folks wondering how Lois working at the Planet was going to continue, what with the show being set in Smallville...

WELL.

Edge now owns the Planet, so he re-writes a negative article she’s written about him, which leads to her quitting, and going to write for the Smallville Gazette.

Which is operated by Chrissy Beppo.

Who is...named after the super monkey? 

Does this mean we’ll eventually meet other Smallville residents named after super pets? Like Marsha Whizzy, or maybe Kenneth Comet.

Seems a weird choice when ‘Bibbo’ is right there.

ANYWAYS.

Best line of the episode: “You know what babe? You do your Superman stuff, and I will do my Lois Lane stuff.”

MEANWHILE, THE SAD DAD VIBES INTENSIFY as Grandpa Jor-El reveals: Jordan...will never be like you, Kal-El. His human DNA is too limiting.

Which is a very interesting plot point (that was sorta mentioned/explored in Future State!)

So, about the boys: I still find them...mostly annoying. But I appreciate the dynamic they’re establishing: Jordan has always required more time and attention due to his anxiety disorder, and Jonathan has always had to look after him and compensate--this carries over into the new status quo where Jordan has the super powers and Jonathan further feels that his brother is getting time and attention and he needs to make sacrifices and changes for him/the family. 

This leads to a really lovely moment between the brothers at the end of the episode that I genuinely enjoyed, so. I’m hoping that there will be more of that and less of ‘drama with Sarah’.

(Also if you think that sounds a little like another pair of Super siblings...it does! And also hold that thought.)

The OTHER big twist is that Master Chief AKA Captain Luthor comes from a world with an EVIL SUPERMAN.

To be clear, the set-up is very obviously, ‘Our Clark will prove Captain Luthor wrong re: thinking he’ll turn evil,’ so I’m not seriously suggesting we’re in for a full-on Injustice situation. I just find it funny, how quickly they pulled out the ol’ evil Supes.

(The one we saw in Elseworlds doesn’t count since that wasn’t Clark.)

And maybe this one isn’t either! I admit complete ignorance as to the comics stuff they’re pulling from; I guess it’s somehow connected to Project 7734 (Which is ‘hell’ upside down, as any fifth grader with a calculator will tell you) a counter-Kryptonian force put together by Sam Lane, I think? 

IDK. Like I said, comics blind spot.

The episode ends with Grandpa Lane looking a bit spooked at the ominous 7734 keychain Captain Luthor gave him, and Captain Luthor still on the hunt for Kryptonite! DUN DUN DUUNNNNNN.  

And now, time for a segment I’ll call: Gettin’ Super Salty w/Stranger wherein I will stash all of my frustration regarding the fact that this spin-off doesn’t really want to be a spin-off.

Okay, so first up! As mentioned, the Fortress design has been changed because the silly Supergirl version does not vibe with the new serious aesthetic.

Their loss! More Legion Rings, baby Sun Eaters, and impractical front door keys for Supergirl!

The sunstone AI details the last days of Krypton, and only one (1) pod is shown escaping the destruction.

Thanks, I hate it.

I do appreciate that Jor-El at least kinda appears to be wearing clothes that match the look of Supergirl’s Krypton. I wasn’t paying close attention to the buildings in the hologram, no clue if they match the architecture we’ve seen thus far.

Like, I get it. There’s no time to pause the plot and be like, ‘hey, just FYI, I’m not the sole survivor of Krypton, my cousin escaped as well’ but also AAAARRRRRGHHHHHH. 

You’re using the versions of the characters introduced in Supergirl, the least you can do is namedrop her once. ONCE. That’s all I’m asking. XD

They missed their opportunity, actually; when the boys were like, ‘We have so many questions!’ All you had to do was slip in, ‘Are we related to Supergirl?’ Bam. Done. Never need to go back to it, you’ve acknowledged it, continue on with your solo Sad Dad adventures!

(Except I guess that wouldn’t work, since so much of this is built on Clark being the Lone Protector of the earth. If you allude to other heroes being around, your whole character motivation/struggle makes less sense.)

I get it but I don’t have to like it. XD

They shoulda just set this on another Earth!

Circling back to the sibling dynamic: I hate how now I really want Kara to someday appear on this show and hang out with the boys and be like, ‘ah, yes, I know the feeling, my sister and I were the same.’

That’s it, that’s all the crossover content I need. I realize Melissa is moving on to bigger and better things but MAYBE SOMEDAY. XD (Or maybe I’ll just write a fic, who knows.)

I can’t remember if I brought this up already but it is hilarious to me that anyone still thinks of Superman as a reporter--most modern takes treat it as an afterthought and here, it’s dispensed in the first episode.

It has not been brought up since.

Like, much is made about Lois leaving Metropolis, and what that’ll mean for her career, but no one in Smallville is like, ‘Clark, wow! Farming? That’s quite a career change!’

(I assume he’ll be farming, since they mentioned starting the farm up again.)  

...You think anyone will drag the writers for tossing aside Clark’s ‘true calling?’ 

Who am I kidding? Supergirl fandom is not watching this show, they’re just harassing the people running the social media accounts. 

SO OVERALL: The good remains good! The meh remains meh! I appreciate that this version of Clark and Lois exist as we inch ever closer to the release of the Snyder Cut! But also the behind-the-scenes stuff continues to hang over everything like a terrible cloud! Here’s hoping those problems are addressed!

[bennyspengwing]

One Fine Day

A/N: This is my first attempt at fan fiction in 5 years, it is also my first Henry Fic. I hope you like it.

Six months earlier *

  It was November in Budapest.  There was a bit of a chill in the air, I was visiting Henry as he was finishing up some work on the Witcher. I had gone back to the room to try and knock off the chill. Kal was cuddling with me on the couch as I was reading a book. His head soon turned its attention to the door, it meant someone or something was coming. He never missed a lick. Sure enough, it was Henry coming in, still in full Geralt gear from head to toe.

“Hmmm” I said looking at him as he towered over me. His 6’1 frame taking up my entire purview.

“Hey, that’s my line” he laughed cracking that million dollar grin that knocks me over every time and dropping a gentle kiss upon my forehead. He had put on a bit of bulk for this role, and I was not complaining in the least bit. It was especially endearing to his backside. I felt sorry for the girls in the wardrobe department. It seemed like those pants could barely contain that sweet ass.

“I think I have a coin or two to toss if you wanna shake that thing my way a little more, what say you Witcher” I insinuate with my eyes looking him up and down.

“Fuck” he growled, his eyes burning holes through me. “You are going to be the death of me some day Isabella” He leaned in for a deeper kiss. The frustration was obvious, he had to steady himself because he had to be back on set soon, and I had only kicked the hornets nest. He only used my whole name when I was in trouble. He turned on his heel and made a run for the door. I guess he had to get out while he still could or the wardrobe department was going to have some major malfunctions to repair. Not long after he left my phone buzzed, it was Joey.

Joey: What did you do to henry?

Bella: Im innocent…

Joey: *rolls eyes so hard he sees his brain* horses arse you are

Joey: I thought for a minute he was actually gonna stab someone with that sword!

Bella: Uh oh…

I tossed my phone beside me and gave Kal a disparaging look, “I’m in so much trouble buddy” I said giving him loving head rubs. He just gave a grunt.

Current day*

I’m sitting in front of the mirror thinking back on that night in Budapest. That was the night that Henry had proposed. I thought he was going to be so furious at the pent up frustration I had caused him, and after he came home that evening and us going out for a nice dinner, it ended with him declaring his true feelings. Him telling me how looking at me curled up happily with Kal on the sofa and just being there had showed him how much love he felt, and he just knew right then and there. I have been trying to plan as much as possible while he finished up filming and we decided to get married between his projects so we would have some time together.

Ever the perfect English gentleman he spent last night at his parents house, and I am a nervous wreck. My best friend flew in from the United States to be a bridesmaid along with Gal, and Amy, and being every on the forefront of things, I had Joey on my side because we were really close friends. I took a quick walk around to check everything out and make sure it was to my standards. I was a perfectionist. I almost broke down in tears at the sight of the cake. At the top were a little couple made to look like the two of us, and there was even a little copy of Kal holding watch beside his master, bowtie and all.

The time had come to walk down the aisle. The music was playing and I stood waiting for the doors to open to the bright future before me.

As the doors open I exhale, and I take a small step and look to my destination at the end of the aisle which seems to be stretching forever. Green eyes meet blue. He’s dressed in a black velvet tuxedo. My eyes water, and he chokes back his own tears. My big bear trying to hold back. He’s wearing the tuxedo that I told him he looked like a slice of cake in once on our wedding day, one point to you sir. I finally make the long walk and face him. I pass my flowers off and he takes my hands, his dwarfing my long thin pale ones. “You look like a princess” he grinned. One of those huge goofy grins he has when talking about his nerdy stuff.

“I guess that makes you my prince” I smiled.

After we exchanged vows and we faced the crowd for the first time as man and wife the happiness that exuded from him could not have shone brighter. For our first dance it was “Flightless Bird, American Mouth.” We floated across the dance floor like we were on air.

He loved the cake, he even gave Kal a tiny little bite because he was such a good boy. The night came to a close with us taking pictures, and this is where Henry would find his moment. He had met with the photographer and all the guys had gotten together to wear superhero t-shirts under their tuxedos. When she said go, they all ripped their shirts open, Henry was wearing a Superman one. The moment was priceless. Joey was the Flash. A perfectly timed moment to capture forever the moment that Lois Lane really got to marry Superman.

[bossuary]

Having just finished Tevinter Nights, I have un fucktonne of questions and theories. But, below are a few of the subjects/problems that I can’t stop thinking about.  I’m curious how other people interpret them, or if I’ve missed some critical details, because it seems like there’s some retconning going on.

so, spoiler warnings apply, since i’m about to discuss the Big Doings below the cut.

The most immediately relevant items come from the final story, right? BUT, because of the nature of the characters, I sort of assumed that much of “The Dread Wolf Take You” is a study in unreliable narrators. Can any of the tales be believed after Charter exposes the Bard? Do we move forward assuming the puzzle pieces we’re trying to fit together are the correct ones, or tread carefully on the word of a known liar?

Nothing about the Assassin’s Tale fits the facts we know: 

Meredith’s corpse didn’t actually stay in the middle of the square in uptown Kirkwall. Her remains were taken away to The Black Emporium. (iirc, Varric mentions this in one of the recent comics)

Pieces of her sword (Certainty) were re-forged for Samson to use in service of Corypheus, a sword which eventually passes to the Inquisition.

A shard of the idol continues to exist outside of Meredith’s remains, or her re-forged blade. Depending on worldstates, the shard is either a weapon rune--forged by Sandal and given to Hawke--or it was given to Varric (who then gave it to Bianca to study, I think). 

In the comics, and in a few of the short stories, the fiasco of Fen’Harel’s agent losing the red lyrium “item” is cleverly handled from a lore-continuity perspective. It’s only ever referred to as a “weapon,” which could mean a lot of things, and allows for greater freedom in describing it in later media. Until the Assassin’s Tale, I firmly believed they were talking about Certainty. Now we’re supposed to believe it’s been the magically re-formed Primeval Idol this whole time, freshly revealed (by the equally untrustworthy Mortalitasi) as a go-go-Gadget ritual blade.

So, are the Tales a cheeky narrative lie, or is it all lore retcon? If it’s a retcon... -What ritual could the blade have originally served? -Might it actually be a key, as lots of people have theorized? -Is there really a potion that can melt lyrium? -Does Solas actually have the idol now, or was his entire story a lie to cover the truth that he still hasn’t found it?

Also, uh. . .Can Solas just. . .kill people while they sleep/dream, even dwarves? I mean, he has demonstrated the ability to create a “dreamlike” state for a dwarf Inquisitor. But, this power seems OP, even for him, and narrative reach. Possibly it’s further evidence that nothing in “The Dread Wolf Take You” can be trusted. 1. If the plans for the Fade are already underway, what does this mean for people like Evangeline, Anders, Grandin, and Sigrid, who’re possessed by spirits/demons? It’s possible they’ll be forcibly separated. Those (like Evangeline) who’re only alive because of their spirit, will likely die. Without Justice, Anders might finally succumb to the taint. 

There are probably thousands of people across Rivain and Seheron, and among the Avvar and the Dalish, who’re contentedly hosting spirits. Would these spirits allow their mortal hosts to be harmed by Solas? Or could there be resistance to his plan from the Fade side of things?

Lots of the stories in Tevinter Nights include the theme of outliers breaking ranks from within a seemingly monolithic society: the Ben Hassrath don’t support the Antaam in their campaign, the Venatori and their supporters operate in defiance of Tevinter, the Crows had one of their Talons disrupt a centuries-old pact.

Going forward in the next game, we might see a spirit faction that, for any number of reasons, acts against The Dread Wolf’s plan to sunder the Veil.

2. Why does everyone in this book describe the red lyrium idol as having only two figures, when every depiction of it that we’ve seen clearly shows three? The crowned figure is (if Solas is to be believed) comforting one person, but no mention of the other poor soul, an even more skeletal figure who seems to be missing their left forearm, and is stuck on the other side of the large ring. No love for that dingus, I guess. Very curious.

And no mention of the serpentine shape that surrounds all three of them.

3. The sea is going to be a big part of the next stage of this story. 

-Mythal’s origin has her emerging from the sea. -In “Luck in the Gardens, the 8 Venatori who were tasked with keeping the “formless” monster in its sealed prison each wore a clay amulet depicting a thin four-winged dragon rising above a sea. -“The Horror of Hormak” describes the viscous gray transformation fluid (and the monsters it creates) as stinking of brine. -The Mortalitasi’s Tale includes a reference to The Dread Wolf screaming about the Sea of Dreams. -The Executors appear to be stepping into the action, finally. They are known as ‘those across the sea.’ -Among the murals discovered during Trespasser, there are some that include imagery of flowing water: The Death of a Titan, and  Lifting the Vallaslin -Before ascending to godhood, Ghilain’nain killed all of her creations. . .except the giant monsters in the deepest waters. Lore says “Pride stopped her hand,” which could mean that she spared them because she was too proud of how perfectly-made they were. Or, that an aspect of Pride (as a demon or spirit), convinced her to let them live.

4. I’ve always thought that the painted murals of Trespasser and those completed at Skyhold are actually of a different sort, in a very specific way. Much of the ornamentation, symbology, and iconography that’s used in the various frescoes in Trespasser. . .isn’t found in Skyhold’s frescoes.   My feeling, based on these differences in style, and the uneven quality of the paintings in the Vir’Dirthara, is that the murals in Trespasser have been painted-over. 

-Thanks to Gatsi, we know that the mosaics we worked so hard to complete for the Inquisition were all re-carved by several hands over the ages, making it difficult to get an accurate interpretation from them.

-During “The Horror of Hormak,” Ramesh and Lesha encounter mosaics depicting elven kings and queens, and their subjects. But the mosaics shift and change the longer they stare at them. The scenes transform from a glittering parade of nobility offering succor to their subjects. . .to a death-march of tyrants forcing magical torments on their slaves. 

-In “Genitivi Dies in the End,” our industrious well-traveled Brother is humbled when he discovers an elven tome that depicts the continent of Thedas in superior and, crushingly, more correct detail to anything he’s ever seen. Which means that either the continent has changed dramatically, or all the maps that exist in modernity are based upon a flawed (altered) source.

There’s an established trope of people from all parts of Thedas altering relics in order to change history’s interpretation of them. So, why would the frescoes/murals be any different? I believe that either Solas, or someone loyal to Solas, altered the murals in order to obscure the truth behind them. 

If we believe Philliam, a Bard! (though, again, an unreliable narrator), the Qunari Rasaan disbelieves all of the names attributed to Solas, either by his enemies or himself. As Philliam posits, to know Solas’ true name would be know the best and worst of him, his flaws and weaknesses, and what he’d “failed to be.”

Essentially, I think we’re being misled at every turn. And this leads me to. . .

5. None of the stories in Tevinter Nights expands on the role of dwarves in past and future conflicts. We get lots of new and juicy stuff on Tevinter, Nevarra, mages, elves, the Crows, the Lords of Fortune, even the Qunari. Noticeably and glaringly absent is any mention of dwarves, titans, and how they fit into the unfolding lore.

One of the largest and most influential groups of dwarves in all of Thedas (The Ambassadoria) lives right in the heart of Minrathous. Above ground. Vulnerable to the invading Qunari and Fen’Harel’s agents.

Dwarves are as tellingly absent in this set of stories as dragons were in all the Evanuris revelations.

The one place where those two things intersect. . .is out in the Hissing Wastes, near the Sunstop mountains (which has always sounded to me like the same naming convention as Skyhold).  

Out there, we come across a dwarven thaig, the only thaig to have been built above ground, that pre-dates the first Blight. It’s called Kal Repartha, which means ‘a place where we may meet in peace.’ Paragon Fairel and his sons appear to have built the thaig as a way to escape some huge conflict in the Deep Roads. 

Statues of Mythal’s dragon form are arranged in places of honor outside Fairel’s tomb. As if in protection. 

Fairel was a rune-smith, one of the greatest who ever lived. Mythal might have worked with Fairel toward some common goal, relying on his skills to make devastating weapons, runic keys for hidden places, or repositories of knowledge best kept secret. She might have protected Fairel as a respected friend and ally.

Reaching a little deeper, Mythal may have helped separate the ancient dwarves from the hivemind control of the titans, freeing them to create their own vibrant society, far from the “witless, soulless” existence they lived as drone-like workers. 

(As an interesting aside, Fairel wrote about dragons, proving that dragons, dwarves, and the Evanuris existed at the same time)

It just seems like the root of this unfolding elven lore is the Titans themselves, the life they created in the dwarves and the tangible world, the innate power of their blood, and the knowledge that was stolen from them. Why don’t dwarves feature more heavily in the anthology?

That’s it. That’s my tinfoil haberdashery at the moment. Thoughts? Corrections?

[pharaohrpman]

“Zenny for your thoughts?”

Memories of the night sky over desert sands flow through his mind.  Another place, another time, another life entirely fades away, replaced by the light of the single candle on the table between them.  Here, an upscale restaurant on the fiftieth floor of some gentrified tower in a heavily whitewashed borough of Monsteropolis.  Now, many years since he has seen the desert stars; a lifetime since he wandered through ancient stone halls choked with the dust of centuries.  The sun is falling below the horizon, the room taking on a deep red glow quickly fading to pinpricks of candlelight surrounding them.

He smirks.

“Please, my thoughts are worth at least a dime.”

She laughs, a husky guffaw tinged with hints of an eastern European upbringing.  Long golden curls frame her face in the flickering light, large blue pearl earrings reflecting his giant amber eyes.

“Fine then, a dime.  How are you?  I mean, really?”

She tilts her head to her shoulder and places a hand in his.  His large olive fingers dwarf hers.

“I told you, Kal, I am fine.  The bank is good work.  I have a home to myself, and free time to study and expand my mind as I like.  You’ve done so much for me, and I can never thank you enough.”

He thinks, and continues.

“Most of my work these days is helping the elderly access their accounts on their phones.  The so-called Smart Phone Generation!  I mean, they were practically born with smart phones in their hands!  I should not have to do this for them!”

He chuckles, and she smiles sympathetically.

“But I enjoy it.  It...calls to me.  The rows of numbers, percentages, columns of symbols and decimals and esoteric words and mathematics.  It’s like discerning meaning from an otherworldly language called into being by masters of the financial arts.  It’s the heiroglyphs of the future!”

He breathes out and squeezes her hand gently.

“Besides, they accept me there.  I have an office with a window, and I can decorate as I like.  And I am even allowed to keep my ponytail!”

She blinks, and frowns.

“That’s all sounding wonderful,” she says slowly, “but I am still feeling concerned.  You’ve filled bookcases in your office with picture frames without pictures.”

His mood quickly changes.  Nostalgia and energy are replaced by shame.

“How-”

“I know Ringo visits,” she says.  “He talks to me.”

“It’s...it’s just, I don’t know what to fill them with.  I don’t really have pictures of my friends, I-I guess.  And everyone else...”

He trails off.  He hasn’t felt close to his family for a long time.  Ring visits sometimes, unwanted and without warning, but that’s how he’s always been.  Flamboyant and extroverted, placing himself in the center of everyone’s life.  And as for friends...

“I can tell when you’re worried,” he continues.  “You start using participles and gerunds excessively.”

“Yes, I am worried, Phay.  I love you and I want you to be happy and fulfilled.  But...there is more to it than that.  The reason I wanted dinner with you tonight.”

He blinks.

“I have heard something.  It is not public yet, so the news won’t report it until tomorrow at least.  But I think you should know.”

He leans forward, worried.

“What is it?”

She pulls her hand back and laces her fingers together, fidgeting as she speaks.

“We found out that...you-know-who...tried to kill himself last night.”

He leans back quickly, exhaling heavily as he hits the back of the chair.

“We don’t know how, or why,” she says, “but you know how he is.  He could charm the rats from the sewers and make them dance if he wanted to.  The guards found him unconscious.  He’s on suicide watch now.”

“He wasn’t before?!”

“Yes, but...!  Ah, I’m so sorry Phay.  I shouldn’t have said anything.”

He is silent a while as the weight of everything presses on him.  The desert stars fill his mind again, but now they are cold, painful needles of light in a suffocating darkness and black winds howl from the claustrophobic halls of the dead.  He feels the spirits rising from their tombs...

The gate opens in a series of rapid clicks.  He turns sharply, the cape flapping ostentatiously around him.  He opens his palm, and a small sun begins to glow...

Hours pass.  They eat, and talk, and laugh and sigh as nostalgia washes over them again.  She wisely avoids discussing family, but afterwards he can’t remember what their conversation was about.

He stands facing her on the landing strip by the fiftieth floor exit as her limo waits.  They hug tightly and he’s afraid to let go.

“It was so nice to seeing you again, Phay.  I miss you so much!  Would you promise to come visit me and your father sometime?  We’ll be in the city until the end of the month.”

She reaches up and cups his large brown face in her delicate hand.  He places his hand over hers.

“Yes, I promise.”

She smiles giddily.

“He’ll be so excited!  It will be like a family reuniting!”

“Reunion,” he smirks.

“Yes yes, that thing!  Now, give me another hug.”

She pouts theatrically and he complies.

“You take care of yourself, little brother.”

“You too, big sis.”

Her limo rises from the platform and he waves to her until his arm is tired.  The sky is black and starless, an infinite void behind the lights of the towering metropolis.

[shannaraisles]

Care To Wager?

A Dragon Age commission fic for @radflannel​ and @reaperskillerthighs​, featuring Dorian and Varric.

***

"What do you think of this? ‘With a flare never before seen in the royal court of Ferelden, the mage crossed the floor to the throne. Sparkling lights danced at his fingertips; women swooned as he passed; and every man there wished he had even a fraction of the mustachioed masculinity he exuded with every step.’"

"It's dreadful. The Orlesians will love it."

Varric chuckled, setting his quill down as he twisted to look over at his companion. Dorian lounged in their bed, ankles crossed, one hand behind his head, his own book held aloft in the other as he read. Clothing was apparently optional for today. The Tevinter mage glanced down from his reading, raising a brow in sardonic amusement.

"My dearest dwarf, I do realize I am quite the arresting sight, but I was under the impression that you needed to write today," he said, his smile almost winsome. "I am even proofreading this appalling dross that keeps you supplied in paper."

"Don't let Cassandra hear you say that," Varric warned laughingly. "Every word of that dross keeps her sweet."

"You should never have let her introduce the sisters in the Chantry to this syrupy nonsense they call romance," was Dorian's stated opinion. "Though I must confess, it is rather delightful to know that the holiest of holies down here in the south is all but addicted to a serial bodice ripper written by a dwarf she cannot stand."

"I'll have you know Cassandra and I have settled our differences for the most part," Varric retorted, his low voice gruff with amusement. "She doesn't order any Exalted Marches on Kirkwall, and I don't write anything subversive about the Chantry. It works for both of us."

"And yet you persist in trying to capture my glorious personage on parchment as a means to tell the world that your contraption lost out to a terrifying magister." Dorian's chuckle was warm with pleasure. "If I didn't know better, I'd imagine you were even proud of taming a Tevinter trickster."

"Sparkler, you and I both know there's nothing tricksy about you," the dwarf countered, rising from his desk to make his way back to the bed. "You're all front."

"I would venture to suggest you rather like my front," Dorian said, lowering his book with a grin as Varric climbed onto the bed with him. "You certainly have a way with it."

"I don't really have a choice these days, do I?" Varric chuckled, stretching out on the rumpled bedclothes with a comfortable groan. "Not since you showed me what my chain was really for."

Dorian laughed, laying the book aside to roll over and drape an affectionate arm about his diminutive lover's waist. The only thing that could possibly make this time even more wonderful would be the presence of the third member of their loving trio. Sadly, Odinel's mission to seek out Solas had not allowed him to take even a day to join his lovers on this rare reunion.

"I refuse to believe that you did not know that," he said cheerfully. "Honestly, amatus, wearing it so openly and still refusing to acknowledge what it said so succinctly about you? I was shocked."

"I doubt that," Varric countered, propping his head on his hand as his thick fingers stroked up and down Dorian's arm. He liked these quiet moments, though they were too few and too far between these days. "How long before you go back this time?"

Dorian sighed, his smile fading as he contemplated the many burdens waiting for him back in Minrathous. The Lucerni were slowly becoming a coherent political faction, with Maevaris' help, but with that coherence came a greater danger of assassination. The more others listened, the more the corrupt would seek to silence them. The Magisterium was not a place for the faint of heart, nor for the slow of mind. Indeed, he likely would not be able to leave again for quite some time.

"A few more days," he said finally. "Maevaris can hold down the fort a little longer without me, especially since Cullen's volunteer templars took up their positions in the various households we are holding together."

"You know the Merchants' Guild have been pushing for a representative in Tevinter for a while now," Varric began, but Dorian shook his head swiftly.

"It is too dangerous," he said bluntly. "Between the inevitable scandal of our association and the stranglehold Kal-Sharok insists on maintaining for our supply of lyrium, you would be utterly surrounded by enemies on all sides. I will not have it."

"You think I like knowing you're in that same position, miles away from me and Bianca?" Varric asked rather pointedly.

"The difference, my dearest dwarf, is that I am a mage, and a person of influence within the Magisterium," Dorian reminded him. "In Minrathous, you would be seen as a means to weaken me, at best. I have no great desire to place you in such a position. At least here you have your guards and the love of your people to protect you."

"I don't like it," Varric muttered, unhappy to be shut down so sufficiently and with such clarity of mind.

A warm hand curled to his cheek, drawing him into a tender kiss.

"Stay here, amatus," Dorian whispered to him. "Stay safe. I can face anything knowing that you are here, waiting for me to brighten your days with my sunny personality."

Varric snorted with laughter, letting himself be kissed once again.

"You know, Sparkler ... you have a real way with words," he mused. "Care to wager on whose personality is sunniest?"

"You know me." Dorian grinned, nuzzling close as Varric's arms enfolded him. "I rather think I will win that bet."

[loreweaver-universe]

On a more positive note--Worldbuilding details for the still-unnamed setting of The Talons of Time!

Specifically, names.

There are largely three groups of naming conventions among the various races in this world.  Humans and elves; dwarves and orcs; and kobolds, goblins, and fairies.

Elves tend to have names like “Whispergrass” or “Starskimmer”--ephemeral combinations of natural things with concepts or sounds or sensations.  They’re also the oldest civilization on the planet, and were established for millennia by the time humanity began to coalesce into its own society.  While the elves tried to let the humans develop on their own, the young race copied a few things from their older siblings, most notably (for this discussion) the “ThingThing” naming convention.  Humans tend to go for more solid foundations for their names, though--for example, the “Ironforge” family plays a major role in ToT.

Kobolds aren’t a very common race in this world; they need very specific environmental conditions to breed properly, and there are very few places that have the combination of temperature and humidity necessary to foster an egg to maturation.  There are magical means to maintain these conditions, but they are relatively difficult and expensive, so most kobolds return to their tropical island home to have children.  As a result, there’s such a low population that instead of surnames or family names or clan names they just tend to say “I’m Name from Place.”  Two kobolds with the same name meeting each other is good fortune, they believe.

Goblins, by contrast, are as common as humans or elves; they live everywhere, and their natural curiosity lends themselves well to research or magic, but it also means they get everywhere, too, so the little toadlings are often regarded as a nuisance.  This has snowballed over the course of several centuries, resulting in most goblins either being wanderers or living in a few huge, close-knit communities in the biggest cities, in sections where nobody will bother them.  As a result, goblins don’t even bother with the clarifications kobolds give; they know who they are, and everyone around them knows who they are, and anybody who doesn’t know doesn’t matter, so they don’t use surnames or clan names.

Fairies name their kids on the spur of the moment, based on whatever they’re feeling or thinking about at the time.  This means that they’ve had to invent a thousand different variations on “love” and “joy” so that you don’t meet five Amoras in a row in between the occasional Jubilation.

Fairies are dorks, guys.  Don’t ever let them pretend this particular Amora is that much of an outlier.

Dwarven “surnames” are much more complex affairs.  Name of the Male Parent’s Clan of the Male Parent’s Mine and the Female Parent’s Clan of the Female Parent’s Mine.  The more insular dwarven communities tack on a few extra steps, too, when they need to pass a wet winter with nothing to do.  While elves tend to marry out--they’re so much longer-lived than humans or orcs, they reason, that any elf that marries one will traditionally take their new spouse’s surname until that spouse’s death--dwarves marry people in.  If a nondwarf marries a dwarf, they become part of that clan and take the names and histories involved.

Orcs have a slightly simpler system, though not very.  An orc is named Name teth Family Name, though occasionally you’ll meet one that goes by Name teth Family Name kal Strange Badass Extra Name.  Orcs have a tradition known as kal’teth; any orc that earns a scar in a particularly badass way may be honored by witnesses to the deed (with permission from a tribe elder) by tattooing over the scar once it’s been healed with something related to how they got it.  They then get to append “kal Badass Name” to the end of their name.  This can stack up a couple times, and the name is granted to the children of the orc that earned it as well, though now that I’m detailing this I realize there needs to be some way to differentiate “my kal’teth” from “my mom’s kal’teth”, so Danya is now officially kel Bloodfist, not kal Bloodfist.

Her mom’s got a set of claw scars across half her face from where a bear slashed at her as she was ripping out its heart with her bare hands.  This has been tattooed over, incorporating the slashes into the design, and now she’s “kal Bloodfist.”

Non-orcs can be granted a kal’teth as well, if their deeds prove sufficiently badass that the orcs around them feel compelled to honor it; they’re rare, but not unheard of.  Jim Ironforge, actually, is James Ironforge kal Silkstrike, and he’s got a spider tattooed over the scar on his shoulder from where a giant spider’s fang scraped him while he was gutting it.

ANYWAYS THAT’S HOW NAMES WORK IN THIS WORLD HOPE THAT WAS INTERESTING