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inky-writing · 2 months ago

Text

Carlisle Cullen x Reader

Warnings: my bad writing, stalker Carlisle, revelationnnns

Word count: 3, 113

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Book II, Chapter 6: Whispered Truths

Y/N's pov

The house was quiet.

Charlie was on patrol, Bella was at Jacob's, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Y/N had the house to herself. She sat cross-legged on her bedroom floor, her grimoire open in front of her, the amulet resting on her chest. The air around her pulsed, electric, as she focused on her breathing.

She'd been practicing simple spells, ones that Callista had assured her were safe: telekinesis, minor elemental control, protection wards. Today, however, she felt like challenging herself. She was determined.

She reached out her hand, concentrating on the candle that sat on her bedside table. The flame flickered as though in response to her energy. She took slow breaths, willing it to move, to curve to her will.

The flame stretched out, reaching towards her palm, and for the briefest instant, she felt its heat dancing tantalizingly just above the surface of her skin.

And in just a moment, it was gone.

Y/N groaned, rubbing her temples. "So close."

Then, a cold chill ran down her spine.

Her body tensed in reaction. Gradually, she turned her head to the opposite corner of her room.

There was a shadow.

It was not firm, it danced, weaving as if it were held suspended between worlds.

Her breath caught in her throat. She blinked.

And it was gone.

Her heart was pounding. She could still feel something lingering in the air, a presence just out of reach.

Maybe she was pushing herself too hard. Maybe she was imagining it.

Or maybe not.

Later That Afternoon in Port Angeles

The streets were alive with activity, filled with people who were waiting to escape their houses for a bit of weekend shopping. Y/N strolled along the sidewalk, her hands buried deep within the pockets of her leather jacket, the chill of February biting into the skin of her cheeks.

She had had an overwhelming urge to get out of her house. With what had happened before, the tension wound up inside her belly couldn't seem to unwind.

And then, she felt it again.

She was being watched.

It had been occurring with such frequency of late that it could no longer be dismissed as coincidence. It wasn't like when her magic was manifesting last year, no. She was clearly being stalked.

Her fist closed on the bag she carried. She dodged into an alley between two shops. Her back against the wall, she closed her eyes.

Focus.

The world around her slowed. The noises on the street became a dull hum. Her breath left her in controlled, even sighs.

She extended her magic as unseen tendrils, probing and searching—

And then she felt it.

There.

Her eyes opened. She whispered the words beneath her breath, hardly making any noise at all, as the magic poured out of her like a disturbance in the air.

The world seemed to pause around her. The distant hum of conversation, the gentle caress of the wind, it all paused.

Y/N stepped out of the alley, her gaze sweeping slowly across the motionless individuals in the street.

And then she spotted him.

His golden eyes were trained on her, his entire body rigid, frozen in position like the rest of the world.

Her stomach twisted.

Carlisle?

Carlisle's pov

This had been an error.

Carlisle had promised himself that he would stay away, content to observe from a distance. But as soon as he spotted Y/N strolling through the streets of Port Angeles, he couldn't help it.

She was an irresistible force drawing him towards her.

And then, abruptly, he froze.

The world around him had paused, but he could sense her strongly. The twist of her body, the lock of her gaze onto his with a combination of shock and recognition.

Panic built in his chest.

She did this.

But how?

Minutes passed, or maybe seconds, he couldn't tell, but then the invisible hold on him eased. The world jolted back into motion, people moved again, none the wiser that anything had changed.

But Y/N was walking up to him.

Carlisle drew a sharp breath as she stepped closer. "Y/N."

She didn't move. "You were spying on me."

He hesitated, searching for the right words to say. "I—"

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice lower now. There wasn't fear in her voice, but something else was there.

Carlisle swallowed. "I don't know."

And for the first time in over three hundred years, he was speaking the truth.

Y/N's pov

The tension was palpable between them as they walked silently towards a secluded café off the main road. Y/N didn't know why she'd offered to talk, but she couldn't allow Carlisle to simply walk away after what had occurred.

She had stopped time. And he had noticed.

The cafe was warm, dimly lit, and almost empty, except for an old couple who were having tea by the window. They sat at a table in the back, away from curious stares. Y/N dropped her bag, holding the table edge as she locked gazes with Carlisle's burning golden stare.

"Okay," she began, folding her arms. "Spill."

Carlisle let out a breath, dragging a hand through his hair as he leaned forward slightly. "I don't fully comprehend it myself, but I felt a tug drawing me back to Forks in december. Something I couldn't dismiss." His eyes gentled. "And when I got here… the tug only intensified. I believe it was you."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she made herself stay steady. "You can't just say that," she said slowly. "You have a wife."

Something crossed his face, guilt? Frustration? She couldn't say.

"I know," he confessed. "And yet, that doesn't change what I'm feeling."

She scoffed, shaking her head. "Carlisle..."

"How did you do that earlier?" he interrupted, clearly switching subjects.

Y/N blinked. "Did what?"

"You froze everything. Time itself stopped." His eyebrows creased. "But I was still conscious of it."

Her whole body stiffened.

No. That was impossible.

Mortals weren't meant to be conscious when she cast that spell.

"Say that again?" she breathed, examining his face intently.

"I was conscious of it," Carlisle said again. "Everything around me froze, but I could still move, well, I couldn't physically, but my mind… I was still present."

She stared at him, attempting to understand what he was telling her.

That was not possible.

Unless—

No.

She breathed out, rubbing her fingers over her temples. "You're not human."

He gave a gentle laugh. "Neither are you."

She glared at him, and he smiled faintly, reclining.

"I think it's time we stop pretending," he ventured cautiously. "You already suspect, don't you?"

Y/N's fingers clenched subtly against the table. She'd had suspicions, naturally. The Cullens were always too perfect, too graceful, too inhuman.

She expelled a slow breath. "Say it."

Carlisle met her eyes. "I'm a vampire."

A shudder ran down her spine, but otherwise, she didn't move. She had read about them in her grimoire, but actually encountering one face to face, someone she had come to care about, was another thing entirely.

There was a long silence between them.

And then he inclined his head slightly. "And you?"

Y/N hesitated, but after all this, what was the use of lying?

She let out a breath. "I'm a witch."

Carlisle's pov

The weight of their words hung between them, unspoken truths settling into the air like dust refusing to be brushed away. A vampire and a witch. It should have been impossible, improbable, but here they were, two beings of different worlds, bound by something he couldn’t explain.

Y/N, for her part, looked exhausted. Her fingers traced the rim of her untouched cup of tea, her brows drawn together in thought. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady but firm.

“You still shouldn’t be here.”

Carlisle tensed, but she continued before he could respond.

“You have a wife, Carlisle. A wife. And yet, you’re sitting here telling me you felt pulled back to Forks because of me?” Her gaze hardened. “That’s not something you should be feeling.”

He exhaled slowly, leaning forward, resting his arms on the table. “I know.”

“Then why...”

“Because I can’t help it!”

His words cut through the air, raw and honest, and for a moment, Y/N just stared at him, as if searching for a lie in his expression. He wasn’t sure what she found, but eventually, she looked away, shaking her head.

“This doesn’t make sense,” she muttered, more to herself than to him.

Carlisle hesitated before speaking again. “In my world… there’s something called a mate bond.”

Y/N’s gaze flickered back to his.

He continued, choosing his words carefully. “For vampires, finding a mate is rare. It’s… different from human love. It’s a pull, an undeniable connection. You’re drawn to that person in every way. Their scent, their presence, their very existence becomes intertwined with yours. It’s unbreakable, unwavering.”

She frowned. “Like soulmates?”

“In a way, yes.” He studied her reaction carefully. “Alice and Jasper. Rosalie and Emmett. You’ve seen them. It’s more than just love. It’s like destiny. Fate.”

Y/N’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she leaned back slightly. “And Esme is your mate?”

That question should have been easy to answer. It always had been.

“Yes,” he said automatically, but even as he said it, doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind.

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “You don’t sound so sure.”

Carlisle let out a breath, rubbing his temple. “I was sure.”

“Was?”

He met her gaze, something vulnerable flickering in his eyes. “Something is wrong. I don’t know how to explain it, but… for the past year, my thoughts have felt clouded. I don’t remember things I should. I can’t hold onto certain thoughts for long. Especially when it comes to—” He hesitated, voice lowering, “—you.”

Y/N stiffened slightly but didn’t interrupt.

Carlisle ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “I don’t have proof, but I think Esme… somehow lied? Manipulated me and the others?”

Y/N inhaled sharply, but Carlisle pushed on. “I don’t know how, or why, but something is wrong with the way I feel, the way I think. And now that I’m away from her, I can finally think about it. Like something is clearing.” His amber eyes locked onto hers.

The words felt foreign in his mouth, as if saying them aloud would make them more real.

"I don’t believe my connection to her is real."

Y/N hadn’t moved. She was still watching him, her fingers loosely curled around the cup of tea she hadn’t touched. There was something unreadable in her expression, hesitation, disbelief, maybe even fear.

Carlisle felt it too.

Because now that the words were out in the open, there was no taking them back.

Now that he had acknowledged the truth, he couldn’t ignore the inevitable answer staring him in the face.

Y/N was his mate.

The realization hit him with a force he hadn’t been prepared for. It sent a shockwave through his entire being, like the pieces of a puzzle snapping into place after being scattered for too long.

This was why he had felt the pull, why he had been drawn back to Forks despite every rational reason telling him to stay away.

This was why the thought of her lingered, why her presence soothed something in him he hadn’t even realized was restless.

Esme wasn’t his mate.

Y/N was.

He sucked in a breath, staring at her as if truly seeing her for the first time.

She didn’t know. Of course, she didn’t. How could she? She had no idea what it meant to be a vampire’s mate, to be the center of someone’s existence. And now, knowing that she was his, it changed everything.

“I think…” He exhaled, steadying himself. “I think it means you are my mate.”

Y/N flinched, her expression snapping from curiosity to something much sharper. “No.”

Carlisle blinked. “What?”

“No,” she repeated, shaking her head, eyes wide with disbelief. “That’s not possible. You—you love Esme. You’ve been together for decades. That’s...” She let out a breathless laugh, like this was some kind of sick joke. “You can’t just suddenly decide I’m your mate.”

Carlisle frowned. “It doesn’t work like that.”

“Then how does it work?”

He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “It’s never a choice, Y/N. It’s something that is simply known. A vampire doesn’t choose their mate. We feel it, in our very being. It is a bond that cannot be broken, cannot be denied.” His golden eyes searched hers. “That is why this is so impossible. Because all this time, I believed it was Esme. But now, I see the truth.”

She exhaled sharply, fingers tightening around the cup in front of her. “So, what? She just lied to you? For how long?”

Carlisle swallowed, his throat tight. “I don’t know. But I do know that my thoughts… my feelings… have been manipulated for a very long time.”

Y/N stared at him, her breathing uneven. “And you think she’s the one who did it?”

“Yes.” His voice was steady, but the weight of the admission sent another wave of unease crashing over him.

Because if Esme had lied about their bond, if she had manipulated him into believing something so fundamental, then what else had she done?

And, more importantly… why?

Y/N ran a hand through her hair, looking away. “This is insane.”

Carlisle couldn’t argue with that.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The sounds of the café carried on around them, muffled conversations, the clinking of cups, the quiet hum of the espresso machine—but in their little bubble of reality, none of it mattered.

Finally, Y/N broke the silence. “Even if this is true… even if I am your mate… what does that mean?”

Carlisle met her gaze, his chest tightening. “It means that, whether you accept it or not, you are the person I am meant to be with.”

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came.

He continued, his voice softer now. “It means that you are the one who is meant for me. That I am bound to you in a way that defies logic or time. And now that I know the truth, I can never see you as anything else.”

Y/N looked at him like she wanted to run. Like she didn’t know whether to believe him or call him a liar.

And maybe, in a way, he wished she would run.

Because now that he had found his mate, he wasn’t sure he could ever let her go.

Later that night - Y/N’s pov

Y/N sat cross-legged on her bed, the dim glow of her bedside lamp casting soft shadows on the walls. The house was silent, save for the distant hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards. Charlie was working late again, and Bella had long since retreated to her room.

She exhaled shakily, staring at the grimoire resting in her lap.

The weight of Carlisle’s words still pressed against her chest, suffocating and impossible to ignore.

"You are my mate."

She swallowed hard, shaking her head as if that could dislodge the thought from her mind. No. It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense.

She needed answers.

With careful hands, she pulled the ancient book from its protective cloth, running her fingers over the worn leather cover before flipping it open. The pages smelled of old parchment and herbs, filled with handwritten spells, rituals, and knowledge passed down through generations.

Soulmates. Mates. Bonds.

Nothing.

She flipped faster, skimming through pages on elemental magic, potion brewing, and ancestral connections. She frowned, frustration bubbling under her skin.

Then...

A low hiss.

Y/N froze.

Her cat, curled at the foot of the bed, had its fur bristling, back arched, and eyes glowing eerily in the lamplight. Its gaze was locked on the corner of the room, where the shadows stretched longer than they should have.

Something was there.

The air in the room grew heavy, thick with an energy she didn’t understand. A slow chill crawled up her spine.

She turned her head.

A shadow, darker than the rest, lingered just beyond the edge of the light.

Her breath hitched.

The pages of the grimoire began to turn on their own.

Wind, unseen but very much present, flipped through the book rapidly, the fragile sheets ruffling under some invisible force. Her pulse pounded in her ears as the movement slowed, finally stopping on a page near the middle.

Heart hammering, Y/N forced herself to look down.

The title at the top sent a shiver down her spine.

"Soulmates and the Unbreakable Bond."

Her fingers trembled as she traced the inked letters, her cat still growling low in its throat beside her.

The shadow had not moved.

Y/N swallowed, ignoring the way her hands shook as she read the first lines.

"For witches, the concept of soulmates transcends time, space, and even lifetimes. A soulmate is not merely a romantic partner but a tether—one soul split across two bodies, drawn together by an unseen force that cannot be denied. Their fates are interwoven, their destinies entwined. To deny the bond is to deny one's own essence."

Her breathing grew unsteady.

"When a witch meets their true soulmate, a connection is forged beyond comprehension. Some experience visions of past lives. Others feel their power strengthen in the presence of their other half. Many describe an unexplainable pull, as if drawn by invisible strings to the one they are meant to find."

A pull.

The very thing Carlisle had spoken of.

The thing she had felt when she had thought of him that night, that invisible thread tugging in her chest.

No. No, this was insane.

Her lips parted, but before she could even think to close the book, a sharp gust of wind blew through the room, snuffing out her lamp and plunging everything into darkness.

The shadow moved.

Y/N sucked in a breath...

And then the candle on her desk flickered to life, a single green flame dancing in the suffocating blackness.

The room was still. Silent.

The shadow was gone.

But the grimoire remained open.

And the words on the page burned themselves into her mind.

She was tied to Carlisle Cullen.

Next chapter >>>

Notes: here it is!!! I'm so sorry it took so long, I was so busy and tired that i took every chance I got to SLEEP... anyway it's here :)

Tag list: @inky-bonnie @irelanrose @i-cant-pick-an-aesthetic09 @wandererthemadhatter

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creepy-crowleys · 5 days ago

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(("Where is everybody?"

They died.

For anybody just coming in and catching up, Solomon Island is where the first arc of The Secret World takes place - the first place the Player Character is assigned after gaining their powers and being recruited by their faction.

Crowley's Mission Log • Dawning of an Endless Night (Arc Tag) Kingsmouth • Savage Coast • Blue Mountain

Shortly before the player is sent there, an unnatural fog swept through the island and compelled a significant number of its inhabitants to walk into the sea. Days later, many of them, accompanied by fish monsters and marine life-encrusted undead, returned, as did most everyone else buried on the island.

Kingsmouth's population was more or less decimated.

The island's indigenous community fared better, to some degree. Though many of them had fallen out of practice and allowed ward's their people had once maintained to fall into disrepair, they had enough protection to largely avoid the effects of the fog and deter some of the swarming invaders and predators. They still lost a lot of people to the chaos, but they managed.

The academy should have been safe, with its own, better-maintained wards. It fell to bad luck and panic. Hayden Montag, the current headmaster, had unleashed a curse as a child that had the misfortune of tracking him down at the worst possible moment as an adult, damaging the school's wards, agitating the spirits entombing in its foundations, and driving its familiars - already unstable with so many students and staff fleeing or being killed - berserk. This all had the terrible timing of occurring during the school's Halloween party.

Carter, a student, Montag and Annabel Usher, staff, are the only survivors when the player arrives. One mission involves tracking down other staff members who attempted to flee. None of them got off the island.

Presumably there were some staff and students that weren't at the party and lived off-island, but with the quarantine in effect for years after, they've never returned and likely moved on with their lives. We wish them the best of luck out there, doing other things.

Danny was a local teen when things went down, and came in as part of the whole 'not really anywhere else to go' thing. Callista, 'Callie,' is a runaway that was once part of the same project that scouted out Anima, kicked out for not measuring up. Crowley arranged for her to have a place there after she went through the project documents and Callie's file ended up on her desk.

And then there are the three rescued meta-human kids from @dog-tagged/@lastcompact/et al.'s verse. Without families to go back to or safe options for learning their abilities without drawing attention over there, the remaining academy staff and now-alumni have been working with them in Crowley's world. If nothing else, the academy is resistant to being blown up or burned down.

So that's more or less where we're at. The quarantine is down now, but movement on and off the island is still managed kind of cautiously and a lot of the world has just forgotten about the little nowhere community. But people from this world could, in theory, start moving in again. Maybe. I'd just have to come up with some. :'P))

#.FROM THE HANDLER #((Just a little kind of bare-bones recap of why the island Crowley's living on is... kind of empty.))

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exhausted-archivist · 1 year ago

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Cassandra Pentaghast Timeline

A summarized and organized timeline of Cassandra's life. Summarizing the major points of Dawn of the Seeker; such as naming characters and such key events.

Warning in advance about some spoilers for Absolution as I quote a couple lines in the notes section.

9:04 Dragon

Cassandra is born in a carriage halfway between Cumberland and Val Chevin. She was raised in her family estate in Nevarra City until 9:10 Dragon.

9:10 Dragon

Lord Matthias and Lady Tigana, Cassandra and Anthony's parents, are executed by King Markus Pentaghast for taking the wrong side during the second attempt to overthrow the king. Cassandra and Anthony were spared from execution thanks to their uncle, their father's brother, Vestalus who was a senior member of the Mortalitasi who vouched for them and took them as his wards.

Cassandra and Anthony were moved to the Grand Necropolis in Nevarra.

9:12 Dragon

Vestalus was promoted to prelate of the Mortalitasi and overseer of the Grand Necropolis. This left Cassandra and Anthony by themselves more often, leaving them in isolation save for Nomi in the Chantry where Cassandra devoted her time.

Anthony and Cassandra started training in swordsmanship with asperations to becoming dragon hunters.

9:16 Dragon

Cassandra, at the age of 12*, witnesses her brother Anthony; a renowned dragon hunter, get beheaded at the hands of blood mages.

Cassandra begs to join the Templar Order when faced with a lack of justice for Anthony. Her uncle instead sends her to the Seekers of Truth.

She begins her training at the Seeker fortress of Montsimmard as an apprentice to Seeker Byron, a senior member. He focused on her religious education rather than her martial education.

9:19 Dragon

At the age of 15, Cassandra is the youngest Seeker to go through her vigil since the Storm Age. Her vigil takes place in a remote castle located within the Blasted Hills of Northern Orlais and lasts for two weeks.

9:22 Dragon

The following are the events of Dawn of the Seeker that take place. This is the briefest of summaries.

Cassandra and a group of Seekers attack a group of blood mages who abducted Avexis, an elven mage from the White Spire who has the ability to control beasts. The blood mages use a ritual to extend that power to controlling dragons. Byron, Cassandra's mentor and father figure, reveals to Cassandra a conspiracy within the Chantry as he is leaving the fortress with Cassandra and Avexis.

The three are attacked by blood mages, in wich Byrion dies and Avexis is kidnapped again. Cassandra is branded a traitor. Regalyan, a friend of Byrion and the contact they were to take Avexis to, is captured by Cassandra under the suspicion he is a blood mage. The pair is then captured by Templars and eventually make their escape. Cassandra's goal is to clear her name and discover proof of the conspiracy.

The conspiracy is that Knight-Commander Martel and Grand Cleric of Orlais, Callista, are working with the blood mages who intend to attack the 10 year gathering at the Grand Cathedral. Grand Cleric Callista and Knight-Commander Martel intend to unleash dragons on the Divine and gathered Grand Clerics during the ceremony so that Callista may become Divine as the last remaining Grand Cleric.

The conspiracy is thwarted by Cassandra, Regalyan, the Circle Mages, and additional Seekers. Cassandra kills two dragons and a high dragon. Saving the Divine.

As a reward for their actions, Cassandra is made the Right hand of the Divine and declared Hero of Orlais.

After the ceremony, Divine Beatrix III speaks with Cassandra about how the attack on the Gathering was only the beginning. Insisting that the Chantry must prepare for the coming storm before placing the holy writ into her hands. The writ that grants the Right and Left Hands of the Divine the authority to restore the Inquisition.

9:34 Dragon

Divine Beatrix III dies and Divine Justinia V is elected. Upon election, Divine Justinia V made a bit to retain Cassandra as her right hand. Pitching to Cassandra the multiple aspects of reform of the Chantry she wanted to do. Which Cassandra met with intrigue and accepted the role once more.

Leliana sent Cassandra a letter that speaks of her observations and how she welcomes the opportunity to work with Cassandra.

9:39 Dragon

Cassandra writes a letter to the now Lord Seeker Lucius, declaring she will not be joining the Seekers and will continue to work with the Divine.

There is an error with this as the Mage-Templar War didn't start until late autumn or winter of 9:40 Dragon. Seeker Lucius doesn't take over for Seeker Lambert until after the events of Asunder where Lambert is killed by Cole at the end of the book a few months later. Leaving the date of this letter to be 9:40 or 9:41.

9:40 Dragon

Cassandra interrogates Varric following the outbreak of the Mage-Templar War.

9:41 Dragon

Cassandra brings Varric and Cullen to Haven with Leliana, they both miss the chance to join the Divine at the beginning of the Conclave as they were delayed.

The Breach opens up and Cassandra leads soldiers into the valley to look for survivors. Her soldiers find the player character (PC Herald/Inquisitor) and the events of Inquisition begin.

Cassandra advocates with Leliana to approach the rebel mages for support with closing the Breach. If the player goes to Redcliffe and sees the situation, Cassandra's opinion will change to supporting the Templars.

Cassandra is investigating the disappearance of her fellow Seekers, her theory is they are prisoners of Corypheus.

Evidence is found that Samson/Calpernia sold the Seekers to the Order of Fiery Promise after finding out that the Seekers are resistant to red lyrium.

When Cassandra investigates the castle of Caer Oswin after tracking the Seekers there, she discovers that her apprentice Daniel, has been implanted with a demon and fed red lyrium. At this point, she discovers that it was Lord Seeker Lucius wh sold the Seekers to the Promisers and has been operating there the whole time. Cassandra then confronts Lucius and kills him in battle.

Procuring the Book of Secrets from the Lord Seeker, Cassandra learns the truth about the vigil. That Seekers were made tranquil and that it was only reversed once they were touched by a Spirit of Faith. This is what granted them their abilities and restored their minds. A fact she learns all Lord/Lady Seekers have known up until this point, and that Lord Seeker Lambert actively hid from the Divine.

Cassandra considers finding the scattered Seekers, reading the Book of Secrets with them, so there are no more secrets between them and establishing a new charter. She also wishes if there is a way to refine the process of reversing Tranquility on mages without the dangers that come with them being overcome by their emotions. The PC character will determine whether she actually does reform the Seekers and investigate the rite further.

If Divine:

Cassandra is said to enact reforms for a new Templar Order and Circle of Magi. She rebuilds the Seekers of truth and rededicates them to protecting the innocent, if the player encourages her. Her attempts of reform are controversial despite her popularity though are generally seen as successful efforts to stabilize peace.

If Not Divine:

She takes the position of advisor on the Divine's council, giving advice on important matters to Divine Victoria. Depending on if the Divine is Leliana or Vivienne dictates how long she stays. If the Divine is Leliana, she stays and works well with her as Cassandra holds respect for Leliana. If Vivienne is Divine, Cassandra eventually leaves disgusted, feeling that Vivienne is perverting the Chant of Light's intent.

9:42-9:44 Dragon

If Cassandra is Divine, she is working on efforts to clean up red lyrium and stating that it is going well.

If Cassandra is not Divine, and she is encouraged to rebuild the Seekers; a month before she returns to Orlais for Trespasser she is in the Hunterhorn Mountains tracking down Seeker Emery and finding leads on other Seekers in Rivian.

If Cassandra is not Divine and wasn't encouraged to rebuild the Seekers; she is in the port of Antiva City and completing a survey and establishes that there are no further signs of Fade energy or demons since the Inquisitor closed a rift there in the Spring. She confirms the Inquisition mages deem the Veil stable in the region. Cassandra also confirms that at this point, all rifts have finally been sealed.

Unclear

At some point, Cassandra aided a reaver named Nyree in defeating her first dragon. By doing so Nyree completed her Rite of Passage.

At some point prior to Cassandra's interrogation of Varric, the Seekers investigated the Vimmark Mountains that housed Corypheus and were turned away by the Grey Wardens and were told that everyone who had been in the prison were dead. Unclear if Cassandra was part of this investigation.

At some point in 9:41 during the Inquisition, Cassandra orders Sidony to return to Nevarra City and stop a Mortalitasi plot that is seeking to assassinate a member of the very unstable line of succession.

It is unclear when this occurred, as Absolution happens after Trespasser and that is about all that is established.** Cassandra and Leliana dispatch Fairbanks and Hira to steal an artifact from the Tevinter Imperium, the Circulum Infinitus.

Notes:

* Cassandra tells Sera that she was trained as a Seeker since she was 6. This is in conflict with a letter from Cassandra's uncle to the Seekers stating she was "even at the tender age of twelve, is too old to begin training with the Seekers". This is reinforced though dialogue the PC can have with her where she establishes she was training with the Seekers at a far older age than most recruits, and was able to do so because of her status.

** The Interview establishes this (emphasis by me)

"Despite its relative proximity to Dreadwolf, though, Absolution intentionally doesn’t try to use its time establishing any real sort of canon for players to latch onto. Some characters from the prior games show up for a spell, and events are broadly mentioned, but Epler (who also serves as Dreadwolf’s creative director) admitted that it was important to avoid setting a definitive canon." He acknowledged it as a “tricky balancing act,” in part because BioWare making its own canon runs the risk of conflicting with the canon players make on their own, and the studio’s word being potentially declared definitive gospel is the last thing anyone wanted. Similarly, there was a desire to make sure Absolution stood on its own, explicit ties to the games or no. “There’s all these elements that make up Thedas and what’s going on,” said Epler. “We were fine with leaving space for these stories to exist and feed into a larger world as a whole.”

Up until the Dragon Age cookbook, there was no establishment of the BioWare canon or the game default. Which are at times two separate things, but do overlap in areas. But the difference between the two is for another conversation.

Additionally some lines in Absolution are about all we have in regards to the fact it definitely happens after Trespasser.

"Before the Inquisition ended, we learned the Tevinter Chantry was in possession of an artefact. The Circulum Infinitus." ep1. , 7:50ish

"Rezaren is dead. I have the Circulum. It's over, if you want it to be. You were right, Hira. Tevinter is an evil place, and I know what it feels like for that hate and that fear to infect you, but... you can't let it. Help me take the Circulum to what's left of the Inqusition and we can try again, free from everything." ep.6, 21:40ish

Source:

World of Thedas Vol. 1 p. 143 World of Thedas Vol. 2 p. 220-223 Dragon Age: Inquisition Dialogue Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker Dragon Age: Redemption Interview with Absolution showrunner Mairighread Scott and EP John Epler by io9

Codex:

Cassandra Pentaghast Cassandra and the Last Few Years

#dragon age #dragon age lore #cassandra #cassandra pentaghast #dragon age dawn of the seeker #dragon age redemption #dragon age inquisition #world of thedas #dragon age absolution #dawn of the seeker #da:dots #da:r #dai #absolution #absolution spoilers

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ofwrxth · 7 months ago

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+ ISABELLA OLYMPIA, OUTREACH OFFICES

"Okay...good news or bad news?" Ophelia says, taking a seat on the floor opposite Bella in their joint office, hands resting on her thighs as she sighs. "Actually, don't answer – we'll do bad news first." It's best to rip the bandaid off. "Callista Calder reached out for a meeting to discuss her sponsorship for the educational programs." Fee grimaces a bit. "Which I think means she's leaning to pull out. Something about not wanting to seem like she sponsoring Ascend scholars. And that sponsoring education opportunities makes it seem like that's what she's doing." Even if it's not. And they went over it numerous times before she'd signed off. That sponsoring education programs simply means helping provide better access to educational resources and instructors in The Wards. Not ensuring entry to the Ascend program. "I think that her family got to her. They were always against her working with us." Fee exhales. "So...that's not great. Maybe it's not the case but...gut feeling, you know?

"But." She brightens at her sister, shifting from feet tucked beneath her to a cross-legged position. "I did get an interesting Star Link from Nadia Belcourt." A pause and a hopeful smile. "She wants to discuss potential opportunities for the Alexandrian Society on Equinox. Not exactly The Wards but...maybe if she can see what we're trying to do...it's just crazy that most people in The Wards don't even know about the society? Or about our history. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of red tape but...that's still something, right?" They'd known going into this that establishing Outreach wasn't going to be a moonwalk. If anything, it's felt like they've been in the gravity well lately. But any news is good news at this point, and she thinks there's some real promise. "So I was thinking we could work on a proposal to present. And Felix knows her, right? Maybe he could give some insight?" @rviner

#ophelia.#ophelia and isabella 001.#heheh

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naddpod-arc-tournament · 2 years ago

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Fairy Rings

Episodes: The Great Fairy Secret, The Lord Scythe, Ill Luck Henry, Cain vs. Callista, The Girl with the Silver Hair, Cerenysus

While the Endo-Friendos wrap things up with the Lord Scythe, the Third Mates journey through the rings of winter, spring, summer, and autumn, searching for Irina. An enemy becomes an ally, and ally is revealed as a villain. Everything is on the line in a final showdown.

Highlights:

From google form submission: “Zirk drinks piss to impress teens it only kinda works”

The 69 lives of Henry Hogfish– "I would be a better man, if I could do it again"

The Third Mates completely beef it in the fight with Callista. Seriously, embarrassing.

Cain talks about his backstory and Fia tries to sneak a berry

Surprise return of the Hexbuds! Mom fight, death ward, trisection, atonement

"God, you were my fucking dream, for so fucking long. But these people are my reality. And it is by your actions that one of them has died, and you tried to kill more of them. And I will miss you so much. But I cannot support this. Mr. Henry… kill her."

Hexbloods

Episodes: Hexblood, The Would Be King, Killshot, The Prophet Gideon, Cindersworn, The Petty King of Outerborough

Oops all monks! We meet our new new heroes the Hexbuds: illeist kensei Jabari Hightower, motivational speaker Corbeau “The Crow” Babineaux, and plant enthusiast Tarragon Snakeroot. The three warriors come out of retirement, get embroiled in the ongoing power struggle for the Petty Kingship of Outerborough, and learn some truths about their mom.

Highlights:

Improvised sneak mission, featuring Jabari’s extreme overkill and the side flap maneuver

Intro chaos continues. Acrostics, songs, “Hey there, centaurs–”

Entering the grove and meeting Glada the frost giant

“It’s not about speechin’, it’s about listening, and talking– and you know, when you speak, people listen, but when you stop listening, that’s when they really start to understand, you know what I mean?” “No."

“Can I put my croc on his chest, so he can’t sit up?” “……Your croc?”

"We are the Cindersworn. We do not turn undead, we burn undead."

#naddpod #not another dnd podcast #naddpod spoilers #eldermourne #emily axford #jake hurwitz #caldwell tanner #brian murphy #lou wilson #fia boginya #henry hogfish #zirk vervain #endo friendos #hexbloods

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seluniite-archived · 2 years ago

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EIRA'S NPCS

RELATION: Father. ( ALIVE ) NAME: Edmur Korlys. AGE: Fifty-five. RESIDENCE: Lower City, Baldur's Gate. OCCUPATION: Fisherman.

RELATION: Mother. ( ALIVE ) NAME: Callista Korlys. AGE: Fifty-three. RESIDENCE: Lower City, Baldur's Gate. OCCUPATION: Midwife.

RELATION: Brother. ( ALIVE ) NAME: Garrick Korlys. AGE: Thirty-two. RESIDENCE: Lower City, Baldur's Gate. OCCUPATION: Guild member. Fisherman.

RELATION: First love. ( DECEASED ) - - - appears as her dream guardian. NAME: Kasimiar Illystin. AGE: Eighty-two. RESIDENCE: Southern Ward, Waterdeep. OCCUPATION: City Guard of Waterdeep.

#( *gently holds them in my arms* )#( finally did this )#✧ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 ( headcanon ).

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measureformeasure · 1 year ago

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@lesbiancassius' march reads

books (once again, so busy...)

Salvage the Bones, Jesmyn Ward - a beautiful, hardy book I've been meaning to read for years. I read this as an ebook but I wish I'd had it in my hand.

short fiction & poetry

Waste My Life, Hera Lindsay Bird - I love Bird's voice so very much.

life is great it’s like being given a rare and historically significant flute and using it to beat a harmless old man to death with

Jealousy, Hera Lindsay Bird

Leisure, Hannah, Does Not Agree with You (2), Hannah Gamble - loosely after Catullus.

articles

Interrogating the Shakespeare System, Madeline Sayet - on @goosemixtapes's suggestion - a good read for reckoning with the place of Shakespeare in education and theatre now.

Classical studies needs structural change, an interview with Dr. Dan-el Padilla Peralta

Playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Jamil Jan Kochai

Bridges, Callista Pitman - beautiful.

tbr

The Great White Bard, Farah Karim-Cooper

Towards a Poor Theatre, Jerzy Grotowski (I own the most hilariously water-damaged copy of this book that I got for free on the side of the road.)

Scorched, Wajdi Mouawad

There is Violence and There is Righteous Violence and There is Death, or the Born-Again Crow, Caleigh Crow

#june.txt #june reads

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aalisalbrecht · 7 months ago

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INFORMATION & STATISTICS FOR AALIS ALBRECHT

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." — Henry Ward Beecher

ORIGINS & FAMILY:

Full Name: Aalis Katherine Albrecht

Nickname(s)/Alias(es): Kat, Allie

Date of Birth: October 13th, 1140

Age: 45 (884)

Gender + Pronouns: Female, She/Her

Place of birth: 12th century France

Parents: Avice (†) & Gwenllian (†)

Siblings: Eldric, Thaddeus, Beatrice, Margaret, Cecilia, Edmund & Gideon (Older siblings; †)

Children: Callista Albrecht, Zachary Crawford (Son-in-Law)

Grandchildren: Marina Crawford

Relationship with family (close? estranged?): Mixed; Aalis and her daughter Callista share a deeply affectionate yet complex bond, strengthened by their unconventional family dynamic. Despite a rocky start and Callista's troubled past, Aalis's unwavering support and pride in Callista's growth foster a relationship marked by mutual respect and understanding, even when tested by their differences. Aalis has a warm, nurturing bond with her granddaughter Marina, offering guidance, love, and support. She takes pride in Marina’s achievements and enjoys their affectionate, playful interactions. Their relationship is marked by shared joy and Aalis’s commitment to being a positive influence in Marina’s life. Aalis’s relationship with her son-in-law Zachary is polite but distant; she respects him for supporting Callista and being a good father to her granddaughter, though her protective nature makes her cautious and reserved.

Pets: None

PHYSICAL:

Height: 5′ 10″ (175 cm)

Build: Slender and graceful

Species: Hunter

Distinguishing Facial Features: A defined, symmetrical face with high cheekbones and a strong jawline

Hair Color: Dark Red

Usual Hair Style: Sleek, straight, kept shoulder-length with occasional curls

Eye Color: Green, Blue, Grey, depending on lighting and time of day

Complexion (freckles, acne, skin tone, birthmarks, scars): Fair to medium complexion

Disabilities (physical or mental, including mental illnesses): Occasional Anxiety, PTSD, Mild Chronic Pain

What do they consider their best feature?: Her striking red hair, it adds to her bold and commanding presence

Worst they’ve ever been injured (what, how did it happen)?: During one of her battles as a hunter, Aalis suffered a severe cut that resulted in a deep, disfiguring scar from a werewolf, which she keeps hidden under her tailored clothing.

APPEARANCE:

Favorite outfit: A classic black pencil skirt, a fitted black blazer, and stilettos

Glasses? Contacts?: None; If needed, she will use minimal, stylish reading glasses

Personal Hygiene: Impeccably clean and meticulous

Tattoos? Piercings?: Single ear piercings in both ears; a discreet, meaningful tattoo hidden on her upper arm of a symbol of protection

What does their voice sound like?: Her voice is authoritative and smooth with a commanding yet approachable tone

Accent?: Subtle and none specific

Unique mannerisms/physical habits: She has a habit of adjusting her clothing and/or straightening her posture when stressed

Left handed or right?: Right

Do they work out/exercise?: Regularly through yoga and strength training

BELIEFS & INTELLECT:

Known Languages: English, French, German, Latin, a little Spanish

Zodiac: Libra

Gifts/talents: Exceptional architectural skills, A keen strategic mind, Art and design, Has a knack for solving complex problems

Religious stance: Agnostic

Political stance: Libertarian-leaning but pragmatic

Pet peeves: Insubordination, Lack of punctuality, Disorganization

Optimist or pessimist: Realistically optimistic

Extrovert or introvert: Introvert

INTIMACY & RELATIONSHIPS:

Relationship status: Single

Sexual orientation: Demisexual

Ideal mate/qualities they look for in a mate: Looks for integrity, intelligence, resilience, and emotional depth. They should respect her independence and have a strong sense of self

Ever been in love?: Yes

What’s their love language?: Quality Time and Acts of Service

Most important person in their life?: Her daughter, Callista and granddaughter, Marina

VOCATION:

Level of education: Various Degrees and Certifications throughout her lifetimes

Profession: Architect

Past occupations: Midwife, Estate Manager, Military Strategist, Various Jobs throughout her lifetimes

Passions: Architecture, Art/Historical Preservation, Mentoring

Which is more important – money or doing something they love?: Doing something she loves

SECRETS:

Phobias: Has a fear of losing loved ones and being unable to protect those she cares about

Life goals: To leave a lasting legacy through her architectural contributions, To ensure her family is well taken care of

Greatest fears: Experiencing the loss of her family again, Failing to protect those she loves

Most embarrassing thing ever to happen to him/her: Aalis’s most embarrassing moment occurred during a high-profile architectural conference where she was a keynote speaker. As she was passionately discussing her latest project, her well-prepared presentation unexpectedly malfunctioned. The screen displayed an early, incomplete draft of her designs, revealing personal notes and sketches that were meant to be private. The room fell silent, and she felt a wave of heat rush to her face. Despite her attempt to remain composed, she stumbled over her words and struggled to regain her professional demeanor. The incident, though ultimately forgiven, haunted her because it exposed her meticulous planning and hidden vulnerabilities, things she usually kept under strict control

Something they’ve never told anyone: She once had a brief, intense romantic relationship in a past life that she has kept private due to the complex emotions it stirs

PREFERENCES:

Hobbies: Collecting rare books and antiques, Exploring historical sites, Indulging in fine wine-tasting

Favorite color: Deep red

Favorite smell: The aroma of aged red wine

Favorite food: Bouillabaisse

Favorite book: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Favorite movie: Inception

Favorite song: Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber

Coffee or tea?: Coffee, particularly mixed with hot cocoa for a rich, indulgent flavor

Favorite type of weather: Crisp autumn days

Most used word or phrase?: “Precision is key”

EXTRAS:

MBTI: INTJ (The Architect) - INTJs are known for their strategic thinking and high standards, which align with Aalis's role as a main architect. Her dedication to building the city and her analytical approach to both her work and personal life fit the INTJ profile. They are also known for their independence and preference for keeping their emotions in check, which resonates with Aalis’s guarded nature and commitment to her profession

Alignment: Lawful Neutral - Aalis follows a strict personal code related to her work and life, reflecting a lawful alignment. Her role as an architect and her dedication to her adopted family show her commitment to structure and order. While she does care deeply for those close to her, her decisions are primarily guided by her principles and responsibilities

Enneagram: Type 1 (The Reformer) - Type 1s are principled, purposeful, and self-controlled, which aligns with Aalis's meticulous nature as an architect and her dedication to her work and family. Her desire to uphold high standards and her fear of making mistakes reflect the core traits of a Type 1

Celtic Tree: Oak - The Oak tree symbolizes strength, endurance, and resilience; qualities that align with Aalis's long life and her ability to rebuild and adapt through many lifetimes. It also represents wisdom and stability, mirroring her established role in the city and her dedication to her family

Temperament: Melancholic - Melancholic individuals are often thoughtful, detail-oriented, and serious, which fits Aalis’s professional and personal demeanor. Her tendency to keep her emotions hidden and her dedication to her work also align with the melancholic temperament

Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw - Ravenclaw values intelligence, creativity, and knowledge, which match Aalis’s career as an architect and her role as a lecturer. Her strategic thinking and appreciation for structure and detail align well with the traits of Ravenclaw House

Element: Earth - Earth represents stability, practicality, and reliability; all qualities that resonate with Aalis’s role in architecture and her dedication to building and nurturing her family. Her grounded nature and her connection to the physical world through her work and life also align with this element

#nktmisc #stats #statistics

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