#I miss you orzammar
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new-austin · 16 days ago
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i miss rolling up to my neighborhood in origins and Alistair saying "Let me guess? This is where the poor people live" yessir, and right there is my childhood home
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catebees · 3 months ago
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I feel like I'm double dipping since I got my request drawn last time, but I'd LOVE to see Rica look in your style. <3
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That guy doesn't deserve you Rica, run away with me
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mythical-mithaps · 5 months ago
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I gotta fix my Tumblr feed I'm getting repressed trauma thrown at me today-
you wouldn't last a day in the asylum where they raised me
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dragonagepolls · 5 months ago
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Thanks to @bees-bees-fear and @gilraina for pointing out that I missed some important options
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dreadfutures · 2 months ago
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what do you mean lace Harding completely forgot that literally the templars went rogue and waged a WAR and HUNTED FOR SPORT apostate mages in the Hinterlands. Since when did Harding come to trust Templars so much. Why the hell would she after Inquisition, no matter if you sided with the mages or not, trust Templars so much, trust them as an INSTITUTION. and in TEVINTER. that's beyond naivete that's just being handed the idiotball and forgetting 10 years of history.
Why the hell would you canonize *Sera* as being part of the Inquisition when she was probably the least recruited person lmao.
What the hell happened to that conversation Lace has with the Inquisitor, you're not a title you're a person and she got to know you as a person and see who you truly are. But now she didn't know you at all, she only knew the "little people" making it sound like the Inquisitor was a jackass who never spoke to her when she *literally* could have been in a relationship with them.
What happened to not explicitly contradicting people's personal worldstates.
I am loving every moment of the game except anytime Lace talks about the past. 💀😭🥲
Who IS this girl. What the fuck. "Why aren't there more books about Titans" girl if we all know what titans are in this game that MEANS it's because you were there and you know Orzammar was quelling any mention. :(
in The Missing, Lace was the one who called Solas a friend and wanted to convince him, Varric was the one jaded and set on just Stopping him. I don't like the switcheroo.
And can Rook, with whom I have NEVER chosen a purple option, stop making digs and jokes and quips impromptu in conversations where it feels so inappropriate to do so. :(
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biancadavri · 1 year ago
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Do you get it? The way Orzammar ended up loathing Oghren because he was everything his home demanded him to be? Listen to me he's too violent and hot-blooded and reaches for the nearest weapon far too quickly to be allowed to live peacefully in a city still standing because of him and people like him listen. He's a hero and he's no use to anyone like this. Is it really a surpise that he's left behind by his family? And really, it's kind of sad watching him try everything in his power to get them back. He leaves and it's better this way for everyone and he doesn't even miss Orzammar (he does) and he settles into a different life until he doesn't and listen. Do you understand? He's so resentful. He's still clinging onto it all he knows he is and he can't do anything to stop I am gripping you by your shoulders right now do you get it? He joins the wardens he's no longer a dwarf he's a Grey Warden and he wants you to side with the Architect because maybe, maybe that'll help keeping the darkspawn away from Orzammar. Do you get what I'm saying. He doesn't want anything to do with Orzammar anymore. He wants his home to be safe so bad. Can I put whatever the hell was going on in that writers room on a petri dish.
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immawraffle · 2 years ago
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Things that are easy to miss in Dragon Age: Origins, I guess:
If you talk to the soldier guarding the tower of Ishal, he tells you they found tunnels under it, so they should already know it’s compromised.
If you exhaust all dialogue with the head templar of the Lothering chantry, he’ll tell you about the right of annulment being sent for (at least if you’re a mage).
If you reject Leliana and talk to the barkeep, he tells you a bit more about her.
Honorable mention to the people who completely miss Leliana bc they never go in the tavern.
The Orzammar Palace Dragon.
The full Blackstone Irregular and Favours for Certain Interested Parties quest lines, which I missed my first couple play-throughs.
You can extend the quick bar by dragging it.
Feel free to add your own to the list.
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mumms-the-word · 2 months ago
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So I’ve played a bit more Veilguard and y’all
Y’ALL
Y’AAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL
Spoilers below the cut (which I may turn into a lore post later idk)
UM SOUTHERN THEDAS IS DYING?
I have everything spoiler tagged and hidden, idk if people are talking about this but EXCUSE ME??
MY WARDENS AND HAWKES ARE IN DANGER
Okay but like let’s think about this for real (I'm going off memory from replaying the "meet the inquisitor" scene like 3-4 times so forgive any missed details; also I disbanded the Inquisition in this game so idk if that has an effect yet)
Inquisitor and Morrigan said that the south is under siege from a legion, an army, a swarm of darkspawn the likes of which Thedas has never seen. Thanks Ghilan’nain for creating new horrors. That sounds bad but then it gets worse
Denerim, a city that has canonically withstood the Fifth Blight and was the showdown site for a battle against a darkspawn army and an archdemon, is lost. We lost the capital of Ferelden.
Everyone is fleeing to Redcliffe, which is decently defensible but not impenetrable. Redcliffe has already suffered waves of undead and (theoretically) a super dark pseudo-future full of demons and red Templars and such. It stood up pretty well against both, but it’s not great if it’s Ferelden’s last stand against the darkspawn.
What about the Hinterlands? Amaranthine? Gwaren? Inquisitor writes that Ostagar and the Korcari Wilds are seeing surges of darkspawn again--that's where the darkspawn poured forth during the Fifth Blight. That's not good!
Orzammar is helping, but I can’t imagine they’re not also suffering. Are the darkspawn flooding the Deep Roads? Orzammar can’t defend against them forever if it’s worse than we think. Are the Legion of the Dead overwhelmed?
Kirkwall has fallen. A city that has withstood, within the last 25 years, a refugee crisis from the Fifth Blight, a violent qunari invasion, the explosion of their Chantry and the ensuing mage-templar chaos that nearly brought the city to its knees, and the Breach, which opened up dozens of Fade rifts in the city that Varric was still dealing with after the Breach was actually closed. It's gone, it's unlivable, so much so that the Acting Viscount had to evacuate her city and her army to freaking Starkhaven, which is usually their mortal enemy (Prince Sebastian Vael tends to want to annex or control Kirkwall smh)
(Also Aveline is Acting Viscount? that makes sense and also I love that for her, but man what a time to be in charge)
Ostwick, the home city for Trevelyans, is threatened by the rogue Antaam, so I can only imagine that Wycome, where a surviving Clan Lavellan would be, is also threatened by the Antaam (Wycome is closer to Antiva and Rivain anyway). And the rest of the Free Marches is apparently experiencing "the worst" of the darkspawn threat. How many cities other than Kirkwall have fallen? Like Ferelden, what's happening in the spaces between?
In Orlais, the darkspawn have apparently cut a line directly through the country. Both Halamshiral and Val Royeaux are barely holding out, which is partly surprising and partly not. Halamshiral and Val Royeaux are luxurious cities, not defensible fortresses. That said, they have the benefit of the Orlesian monarchy's standing army and the Divine's templar (or templar-equivalent) army, so perhaps that's why they're both still standing.
But I imagine the Exalted Plains, the Dales, the desert landscapes of the Western Approach (which already had lingering darkspawn threats)....those must be suffering. Are the Dales themselves blights, the greenery dying? Is the newly-healing land of the Plains now facing death and destruction again?
I mean, yes, the threat of the gods in the north is also very bad but I am stuck on this idea of trying to figure out how our beloved characters from the last three games are dealing with this! This is their turf!
We know the Inquisitor is running around trying to help but what about everyone else? Like, can you imagine...
How is Alistair doing, facing a blight that has been described as "worse than any blight the world has ever seen"? Either he's a warden and he's sick of dealing with this, or he's the king and he's facing the total annihilation of his kingdom again, only this time the odds are infinitely worse. Is his Warden wife fighting alongside him, or is his Queen helping him keep everything together?
What about Zevran? Is he staying in Antiva, causing chaos among the Antaam who have taken over various cities there, or does his Warden romance convince him to go down south to try and help? And Leliana? if she's Divine, she's likely manning the chantry's armed forces, but if not, where is she operating? Is she with her lover, the Warden, or if she's alone, is she back in the game of fielding information to all the necessary forces who need them? She's not the Inquisition spymaster anymore, but that doesn't mean she's not active
Aveline is fleeing to Starkhaven, where Sebastian is, and Varric is with us in the lighthouse. Isabela is with the Lords of Fortune. What about the rest? Did Merrill flee with Aveline? Is Hawke with them? Or is Hawke with Anders, or Fenris, fighting wherever they need to be? (Assuming, of course, they're not left in the Fade). What about Bethany or Carver, if they're alive? If they're Wardens, surely they're in the thick of it, fighting darkspawn. If they're not, have they gone with Aveline to Starkhaven?
And our DAI friends. Cullen is in Ferelden--has he joined forces at Redcliffe, if he's not romancing the Inquisitor? Is his family okay? Dorian is in Minrathous, we can safely assume Josephine is in Antiva City. I can only assume Josephine is trying her best to keep Antiva City safe through her connections and influence, but how long until events there force her to leave too?
Cassandra is from Nevarra so she may be home, or she's Divine, or she's traveling. If she isn't with her romanced Inquisitor and she isn't the Divine, surely she's out there fighting. Against what? Venatori in Nevarra? Or will her allegiances to Orlais bring her down there to aid a Divine Leliana? Sera is still in Orlais too, presumably, as a Jenny that helps the Divine. Are they both facing the darkspawn threat?
If Blackwall is a Warden, is he even still alive? If he's not a Warden, I can imagine he's back in the Free Marches, fighting darkspawn until his dying breath. Iron Bull and his Chargers, too, if they're all alive from DAI. Whether he's in Orlais, Ferelden, the Free Marches, or passing near Tevinter to be with Dorian, he and his team must be constantly dealing with the blight and the gods acting crazy. Unless, of course, he or Blackwall are with the Inquisitor, fighting right there on the front lines.
Vivienne has probably rallied mages in whatever Circle she's established to help, but help how? Joining the forces of the Divine, or leading a campaign of her own? If Cole is human, is he finding little ways of helping, or has he been human so long that he's forgotten how? If he's a spirit, he's back beyond the Veil. Does the chaos in the south now draw him back? How can a spirit of Compassion, whether human or spirit, deal with what is happening all across Thedas?
I have so many thoughts. And I will probably write fic about it. It all just keeps churning in my head. I love it. It's horrifying. The game may have moved on very quickly from it but boy oh boy am I thinking about my Wardens and Hawkes and Inquisitors and going "What are you going to do?? The world is dying!!"
If I learn more I'll turn this into a lore post that isn't hidden by a cut, but for now I have some mural memories to live through (time to cry about Solas again) and then it's side quest city babyyyy so idk when I'll have an update again lol
if you made it this far, well done :') appreciate you
thank for joining me in this chaos!
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ghostwise · 2 months ago
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4 An accidental brush of lips followed by a pause and going back for another, on purpose. ohoho Yes Please
The full moons shine on Ferelden as they do on Antiva, keeping their eternal watch. Two owls call back and forth through the branches, their voices beckoning memories of old superstition in Zevran’s mind. It makes him think of home, but lately home has competition. Hamal grins down at him from the branches above, laden in silver glow.
“Scared yet?” he asks.
Zevran had boasted earlier, recounting tales of climbing Chantry towers and palace rooftops, boldly ascending across their cobbled exteriors, high enough to touch clouds. Hamal had countered these with a simple dare: to climb to the top of one of the centuries-old spruce trees in the area, if he could brave it.
Fortunately he’d offered to go first.
Bravery doesn’t even come into the picture. Zevran finds it quite easy to follow him.
“Not even a little,” he replies with a smile, and he pulls himself higher. His arms are burning. But it’s soothed when Hamal smiles appreciatively at him.
The Warden returns to his climb, seeking footholds among the evergreen. He makes it look easy. He’s grown up on such tree climbing, giving Ashalle her share of panic over the years.
And Zevran likes seeing him like this: singularly focused, relaxed, and having fun. With Orzammar less than a day's journey away, Hamal rarely gets to enjoy himself lately. It’s so captivating—he’s so captivating—Zevran barely notices when they’ve reached the half-point, already over the treeline.
He only notices when they reach a difficult point in the climb, where the next branch is just a bit out of reach for him, and the trunk has grown narrower, giving less room to maneuver. The ground, for a moment, tilts, but this he is used to; he pushes past it, calming his breathing.
His fingers grasp the coarse texture of the bark, missing the mark again, and he lets out a little puff of air, frustrated—
Hamal leans down to help him up at the exact moment he drives forward, and they collide in a graceless press of faces. The soft touch of Hamal mouth drags across Zevran’s lower lip and jaw. Clumsy. At this height, it frightens him.
They are both agile enough that falling is a distant risk. But what if.
Hamal startles first. He trembles violently upon the branch above. He is hanging on by his legs, one hand braced against another part of the tree, and he grabs Zevran by his leather cuirass to secure him.
By the Maker, he is strong enough to just carry him up the tree himself. Zevran laughs at this thought, the brief jolt of adrenaline giving way to euphoria.
“Careful!” Hamal hisses.
“I’m fine!” Zevran says. “Ah, but how thrilling this is. Just air and branches between us and certain death!”
Giggling now in dizzy mirth, looks up at Hamal. “Did I worry you, my Warden?”
Hamal stares at him, silent for a moment. He grips the branches in his right hand, squeezing, then leans down, pressing a measured kiss against his lips.
It is the most delicate thing Zevran has ever received. A kiss balanced on moonlight and spruce.
It lasts a mere moment, but it feels like longer. A soft, brassy whistle hoots out from the forest, soon answered by its pair. When Hamal pulls back, Zevran sighs and leans his face against the tree trunk.
“Shall we go back down now?” Hamal asks him.
Zevran nods. “I am ready if you are.”
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writerfromshikahr · 30 days ago
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I head-canon that Viago would have pulled every string and called in every favour across Antiva to ensure my Rook had the most stunning Dwarven-style wedding dress imaginable. He knows how important the details are and wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfection for her big day.
The dress would be a masterpiece, blending traditional Dwarven craftsmanship with Antivan flair. Intricate geometric patterns would be embroidered in shimmering gold and deep crimson thread, symbolizing strength and unity. The fabric would flow like liquid, designed to flatter her stocky, powerful frame while allowing her to feel like the radiant queen she is. Teia would have mentioned to Lucanis that Viago had spared no expense on his soon-to-be wife’s gown. The finest dressmakers in Antiva had crafted it, each stitch a masterpiece, while the jewels adorning the fabric had been sourced from Orzammar—a thoughtful nod to her Dwarven heritage.
And her jewellery? Viago wouldn’t miss that detail. She would wear finely wrought Antivan jewels, each piece set with polished stones from the Deep Roads. The ensemble would honour her heritage while dazzling everyone who saw her, a perfect reflection of her strength and grace.
It was stunning. She was stunning.
Lucanis would watch Aloisia walk slowly toward him, her every step deliberate and graceful. Viago would escort her with the utmost care, his hand steady on her arm as the delicate train of her dress trailed behind her like a river of light. He would be utterly captivated, unable to take his eyes off her. For a moment, it would seem as though he’d forgotten how to breathe.
Beside him, Davrin, his best man, would lean over with a smirk and whisper, “You might want to take a breathe Crow, fainting isn’t exactly romantic.”
And when Aloisia reaches him at the altar, Viago would gently place her hand in Lucanis’s, his expression unreadable but his voice firm with meaning.
“Take care of her, Dellamorte,” he would say before stepping back, leaving them to face their future together.
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sapphim · 3 months ago
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Since everyone's been so nice about the other snippet I posted 👉👈 here are the good bits from sth else with the warden squad I wrote last year (since I might never get around to sprucing up the long and boring bits). Right after Lothering before anyone involved knows how to get along with each other so they're all kind of just standing around being assholes 🩷
"Not to catastrophize," Alistair says, to nobody in particular, "but when they find their way back and inform us with deep regret that they have no idea where we are or where we're going and we all die in the woods after wandering in circles for weeks, I'm going to say 'I told you so'."
"That's not going to happen."
Alistair twists around to gawk at Sten. The Qunari soldier has been standing at the outskirts of the group, stone-faced and completely unmoving—as far as Alistair can tell—since they paused their slow march through the woods.
"I think that's the first thing I've heard you say all day," he says incredulously. "Humor me. Why won't it?"
"Because in this scenario you've crafted in your mind, you'll be too dead to say 'I told you so'."
"They'll be my dying words," Alistair insists. "As I lay dying in the underbrush I'll croak, 'I told you this is exactly how it would happen, Sten,' and then I'll perish on the spot. See if I don't."
"I look forward to it," Sten says. "At least then you'll be quiet."
"It'll be a touching moment," Alistair says, settling back down into his seat at the base of a tree and staring up into the canopy, "and you'll miss me when I'm gone. You'll see."
"If it will make you feel any better," Zevran pipes up from his seat on low branch a short distance away, "if the end does come—which I very much doubt, mind, given what a capable group you have assembled here—I can swear that I will ensure you a swift and dignified death."
"Absolutely not," Alistair growls.
"My apologies," Zevran says mildly, as he has found himself doing not infrequently over the last few days since his initial ill-fated encounter with the wardens. "The offer was meant with no ill intent."
"Do not stab me."
"What's that?" Micah asks, pointing upward. Alistair and Rafael crane their heads to look at the rustling tree branch she's indicated.
"That, my dear, is another squirrel," Zevran says.
"Squirrel," she repeats under her breath.
"Don't have squirrels in Orzammar?" Alistair says, conversationally.
"We've got nugs," Micah says. "And moles. Mice. Deepstalkers. No squirrels."
"I guess everywhere has mice," Rafael muses.
"The one thing that unites us despite all our differences," Alistair agrees. "Mice in the larder. Hey, Sten, do Qunari have–"
"They're returning," Sten interrupts, nodding curtly in the direction of more rustling brush, where glimpses of Leliana's pale skin and vivid red hair can be caught through the trees.
The mabari crashes out of the underbrush first, panting and wiggling with an excess of excitement. A few moments later, the rest of the wayward scouts rejoin the waiting party.
"We have determined the proper course to reach our destination, and located a camp site for the night," Morrigan announces. "No need to thank us."
"And we saw the fattest squirrel I've ever seen in my life," Leliana adds cheerfully. The dog barks in agreement.
Morrigan sighs. "Yes. And—more importantly—a sight which has never before been witnessed by man nor beast. A fat squirrel. Again, no need to–"
"Could you tell if something is possessed by a spirit?" she asks.
The young mage twists the cuffs of his sleeves between his fingers, chewing on his lip. "I– I should be able to," he says. "Yes. I– Yes, I can do that."
"Spoken with remarkable confidence," Morrigan says dryly, earning her a reproachful glare from Alistair.
"Not all that many haunted trees in the middle of the lake, I'd think," he says.
"There was a cat, once," Rafael says, "that got possessed by a demon and went on a rampage through the tower. It killed three templars before they brought it down."
"Ah, 'tis a heartwarming tale that would bring a smile to anyone's face, would it not?"
The mabari huffs and snorts in response.
"Aw, I bet a nasty demon cat would be no match for you," Alistair says, crouching to scratch the pleased mabari vigorously behind the ears. "Isn't that right, Barkspawn? Because you're a good boy! Yes you are!"
"We weren't allowed to have cats in the tower after that," Rafael mutters in conclusion.
"Not allowed," Morrigan repeats derisively. "'Tis a wonder that anything would be allowed to begin with."
"For the mice," Rafael says glumly.
Alistair extricates himself with some effort from the wet, sloppy kisses the mabari is determined to plant all over his face. "Did you get demon mice after that?" he asks, with the gleeful tone of someone who has only just considered the possibility of demon mice and finds it funnier than they probably should.
As they fall into line behind the Dalish elf, Micah muses aloud to no one in particular, "So, I'm not entirely sure what a cat is."
Eydis snorts derisively. "It's a surface animal with four legs and a tail. I've been here as long as you have. How do you not know that?"
"Excuse me?" Micah snaps. "You just described every surface animal. They all have four legs and a tail. Or they're birds."
"It's got fur."
"They've all got fur. You're just describing the dog."
The dog in question barks.
"Smaller than the dog. And with a fluffy tail."
"That's squirrels."
"Bigger than squirrels," Eydis huffs. "They were all over the human settlements. Pay more attention next time, brand."
"Watch it, salroka," Micah growls.
"Perhaps I could draw some pictures tonight," Leliana says appeasingly.
"Perhaps you should write a song in memory of the princess, in case I finally kill her tonight."
"Don't be so sensitive," Eydis chastises.
"I've been lead to understand that we are all strictly forbidden from killing each other here," Zevran interrupts cheerfully, "or is that just me?"
"Do not stab me," Alistair repeats.
"I swear on my life," Zevran says, "I will make no attempt to harm you unless I am paid a great deal more coin and I have reason to understand that forsaking your company would be to my overall benefit. Neither of which I forsee happening in the middle of a haunted forest. Perhaps that may set your mind at ease?"
"That doesn't set my mind at ease! Why would that make me feel better?"
"Because I am being extremely honest right now," Zevran says. "Unless you would prefer I lie?"
"I would not."
"Nobody is killing anybody," Leliana says.
"Only a fool would do the work of his enemy for him," Sten says.
"Oh! That's very wise, Sten."
"It is not. It's common sense."
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rennybu · 2 years ago
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DUST TOWN OR BUST !!!!!
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BROSCA DOODLES
These broscas belong to @eliphasgraham @rennybu @evilvarric666 and meeee :))
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therookerydatv · 1 month ago
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Major Spoiler warning for the ending of Veilguard
But...I think they really had a missed opportunity, in killing off Harding or Davrin at the penultimate mission, they really should've kept them both alive(With Hardingwhich you send her to lead the second team, because Titan Magic, somehow Harding reacting negatively to the creation of the Red Lyrium Blade would shock Ghilinain long enough for her let go of Lucanis and then he attacks, and then Harding seemingly is injured and lost(she is captured just like your second party member choice. This causes her to be Blighted being a mini boss you fight and then free, she is not blighted but was instead responding in pure rage to anything and everything and then she and say Neve help you out against Elgarnan in the last leg, because Elgarnan guess tries to will the Blight back and is failing at it.
So then when confronting Solas, and redeeming him, he says he will go to soothe the Titans pain. Here Lace can offer herself up to go and soothe it, in completing her personal quest with either rage or calm, she says she can best understand their pain and needs to be the one to go and do this. Thus fulfilling her Destiny in typical Chantry fashion, chants a bit of the chant to herself.
Solas being long lived is made to promise her to find a way to bring the Veil down safely if it needs to come down one day, and she'll work on soothing the Titans.
There, that's my ending.
In fact, even if you choose Davrin, so long as you have him as a Hero of The Veilguard Status, then he lives, and Harding gets captured because Ghilinain registers her as the bigger threat.
Like, who else but Harding, the voice of the Titans, not a Deep road Dwarf, but a Surfacer, one entirely disconnected from the mainstream culture of Orzammar Dwarves and Surfacer Castes and Merchants. She was a homely farm girl growing up as the one dwarf in a human village, and she joined up because she wanted to protect her home. Plus with all the elf root she grows, she wants to soothe pain, and if need be taken out the thing or person causing the pain. So either in rage or calm, she still goes to soothe the Titans. The only thing that would change is her tone towards Solas.
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kreept12 · 2 months ago
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Thoughts about the dwarves in DATV
Warnings : Spoilers for Lace Harding's quests
I just finished Harding's quests for the second time, and although I really liked them, I can't shake the feeling that the quest and lore feel disconnected from what we know about dwarves in the Dragon Age universe.
I really appreciate that Harding has to come to terms with the pain and anger over what happened to the Titans. However, I wish they had emphasized how much the dwarves are still struggling because of what happened to the Titans.
The death of the Titans led to the birth of the dwarves (which I'm still not entirely sure how, by the way), and the dwarves built a vast underground empire that thrived long ago. It all fell apart due to the darkspawn, who emerged from the Blight. This division left only Orzammar and Kal-Sharok, with Kal-Sharok being a recent addition. Orzammar's strict caste system, as presented in Origins, only serves to divide them further, especially in their relationships with surface dwellers. In Origins, we also learn that dwarves have a low fertility rate, contributing to their population decline, which is exacerbated by the internal divisions. To make matters worse, they are constantly under attack by the darkspawn—not just during the Blights like the rest of Thedas, but every day, dwarves die in the Deep Roads to prevent the darkspawn from reaching their cities. The dwarves are slowly dying out, much like their ancestors, the Titans. And this is all because of the Blight that Solas caused. Yet, none of this is ever addressed.
The first time I played, I didn’t connect with Harding’s anger much; the Titans felt distant, more like a concept than a reality. We never had clear information about the Titans' connection with the dwarves, and I felt like their fate was treated as something ancient that was done and over with, like the elves moving on after the creation of the Veil. But it still has an impact. Harding, or even Dwarf Rook, can’t speak to the fear of knowing your ancestors were exterminated, treated with such cruelty, and completely forgotten—and the terror that it might happen to you too. That the cycle could repeat. What will be left of the dwarves once they are all gone? Will their art, their fallen empire, and their culture be exploited, just as the dwarves mined the Titans' corpses? Shouldn't this fear fuel the already strict and conservative views of some of the counselors in Orzammar? If Harding's knowledge is discovered, the consequences could be huge!
In my two playthroughs as a dwarf Grey Warden, I was kind of sad about how little we could discuss our shared lineage with Harding. The group discussion when you discover Solas' regret about the Titans is the closest you get to voicing your own anger. You can even express sadness that you were "fighting against my own dreams." But you can never talk about what being a dwarf feels like for Rook—whether you’re from Orzammar or a surface dwarf. I understand that the faction choice assigns you a premade backstory, but this doesn’t really apply to the Grey Warden, since all we know is that you trained at Weisshaupt, with no details about your life before joining the Wardens. Heck, we can't even choose the casteless tattoo in character creation.
Dragon Age has been starving dwarf enthusiasts since Origins, and although I'm glad we got all this ancient lore about the origins of the dwarves, I can't shake the feeling that something is missing. I was so excited the first time I played Harding’s quest and discovered Kal-Sharok (whose existence really surprised me, as I completely forgot about that side quest in Inquisition). It was fascinating to see how their culture diverged from Orzammar, but we only get glimpses. Hopefully, we'll get more current-day information about dwarven civilization in the next game (especially with what happened in the South during Veilguard).
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slecnaztemnot · 5 months ago
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Representatives of factions in Veilguard
Apart from our companions, it seems that each faction in the Veilguard will be represented by a pair (or more?) of main NPCs. Some of them already appeared in the trailer!
Antivan Crows
Viago de Riva and Andarateia Cantori (Teia)
Fifth and Seventh Talon of the Antivan Crows, respectively. We met them both in Tevinter Nights and in the comics (Deception, The Missing). Viago is bastard son of Antivan King and master poisoner. Teia is an elven thief and seductress. Her raise in ranks was considered controversial, since she had no connections and is not of noble blood.
They are dating (kinda sorta?)
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Grey Wardens
Evka Ivo and Antoine
Evka is a formerly Orzammar dwarf who was saved by a Grey warden and joined their ranks. Antoine is an elf from Orlais, who was tainted and saved by Joining. We met them in Tevinter Nights, protecting a village from a very non-Darkspawn threat, in short stories on Bioware website and in comics The Missing.
Shot from the trailer:
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They got engaged in the short story, its seriously cute!
Veil Jumpers
Irelin and Strife
Irelin is a Dalish elf from clan Morlyn. She is a shapeshifter mage. Strife is a former city elf from Starkhaven who joined Dalish as adult. He is a capable archer (and older, at least 50-60). We meet them in Tevinter Nights, short story on Bioware website and in comics The Missing.
They were both confirmed to appear in GameInformer article, which I sadly can't link due to GI being shut down. Irelin also appears in the shot of the trailer.
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Images from comics
Mourn Watch
From now on, this is speculation, nothing confirmed in trailer or other media. For Mourn Watch, I think the representative NPCs will be:
Audric Felhausen and Myrna
Audric is a formerly city watch member who now works for Mourn watch and guards/catalogues library. We learn something interesting about him in Tevinter Nights! Myrna is a mage who we meet in the same story he appears in.
Possibly in this shot next to door, as spotted by a friendly redditor!
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Lords of Fortune
Again, no confirmation. We meet one Lord of Fortune in Absolution, though Bioware said the cartoon is its own thing and not connected to Veilguard.
In Tevinter Nights, we meet two possible candidates:
Hollix, nonbinary Lord of Fortune, who is expert at disguise. We might have already met them, but we wouldn't be able to tell! Probably human, but its unclear?
Bharv is a dwarf and experienced Lord of Fortune from Rivain.
No pics here either!
Shadow Dragons
This group is most enigmatic, as its completely new to us! It was never mentioned in any of the Dragon Age media before Veilguard. We do meet Neve in Tevinter Nights, though she isn't a member there yet (or she doesn't mention it).
Of course, one has to wonder if we weren't shown any NPC members bcs they will be some of the returning companions. Options include:
Dorian, our beloved companion from DA:I, who returned to Tevinter to fight injustice. He has the advantage of being always alive (unlike other companions, like Iron Bull).
Maevaris Tilani is a character from comics and also appeared in Tevinter Nights (and was mentioned in War Table mission). She is a Tevinter Magister, trans woman and also kin to Varric through marriage. She kicks ass and I sincerely hope we meet her!
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Fenris, our beloved companion from DA2! He is a former elven slave and recently appeared in comics as someone who helps others escape slavery, which aligns with Shadow Dragons missions. He can die in DA2, but only in a very specific case - so I wonder if Bioware will pull Leliana with him and just say his lyrium tattoos saved him from death.
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What do you think? Any opinions? Who are you most excited to meet?
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bloodycyrano · 3 months ago
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Gifts I think the DAO companions would appreciate, outside of giftable in game items! (Pt1, I think this will be a long post if not sectioned)
Sten-
Incense and expensive tea, possibly imported. He talks about how he hates the smell of Ferelden, and misses home; Tea and incense being the most notable scents that stick out to him.
Cookies, or a good recipe for cookies. Everyone in the Fandom has had the dialog where Sten reveals that he enjoys cookies, and that in his homeland, there is no such thing. I think he would greatly enjoy a recipe to be able to bring such a thing back with him- Even if he may not be able to make them himself at home. My memory is fuzzy on qunari custom, but I don't think he'd be particularly allowed to bake.
A wardog of his own- I don't think he'd be permitted to keep it, upon return to the qun. But he has immense respect for Barkspawn, and I think if he were here in 2024, he'd be a great dog dad. I think he'd probably give it to his closest companion upon his return, but he would keep a detailed sketch of it with him always. He'd probably give it a specific title in his native tongue.
This is sort of a separate headcannon, but I think in a modern AU, he'd really like pumpkin spice lattes.- It's always the ones you would never expect.
Shayle-
Obviously, we know they like crystals. They like being pretty, and *sparkling*. So it's not too farfetched to assume they would appreciate gold ore or other shining metals fitted to some of their stone bits- Sort of like.. Magically grafted on with heat? Morrigan could weld them, or I'm sure Sandal could potentially do it.
I think, while they couldn't really read themselves, I think if you brought them books and such, they would enjoy hearing you read it to them. Especially if you manage to find some old records of their own lineage after the orzammar quest line.
I think they would also enjoy being given I big, stone bowl to keep shiny trinkets in- Like a crow, almost. Crystals, cute pebbles, coins, keys, etc. Pretty things for them to look at.
Leliana-
She would love it if you wrote her a poem, regardless of what it was about. I think she'd just be so happy you thought of her and wrote something lovely- I honestly think she'd love it even more if it wasn't the best quality. After all, that would mean you were inspired by her to write something of which you had no prior experience and still tried your best. She'd think it was cute.
I think she'd like it if you gave her one of your own personal favorite books or fables, with little notes on your commentary and theories. She'd love that, honestly.
A ceramic nug. No explanation needed, she loves Nugs. I've got animals I love, too. And if someone gave me a ceramic or plush critter of my choice, I'd be over the moon.
A little on the weird side, I think she'd like a type of porcelain harlequin doll. I can't think of the specific type, but they don't make them the same way anymore.. they're usually from overseas in Germany or Russia or France, you know? The ones that are really glossy and have beautiful line work in the paint? I feel like you found one in the denerim marketplace, imported from Orlais, and it would remind her of another experience she had there or even just of her time as a bard. After all, they weren't *all* unpleasant memories.
Alistair-
A golem doll. Like a little poppet. I don't think it's rare dialogue, but the other day is the first time I noticed it since I first played the game rented from a family video over a decade ago, so.. Yeah. Point is, Alistair mentions in front of "Wonders of Thedas", that Arl Eamon (I think) once bought him a little golem doll as a child, and how he adored it and wondered if there would be one like it at the wonders of thedas.
A griffon figurine. He's a Grey Warden, I think he'd like it. The wardens have always been his real home, and it's truly where he belongs. I think a memento of that is something he'd hold dear.
A book of poems about honoring fallen soldiers. I feel like it may bring him to tears, and perhaps make him confront some extra grief after ostagar, but perhaps it could also bring a sort of comfort. Maybe he isn't the most religious, maybe he has a bit of trauma from the chantry.. But I think he still prays, if only for the ones he's lost.
Again, I think he'd like a war dog. I'll never let him take Barkspawn, but he'd love a pupper of his own. If you gave it to him as a puppy to raise and train all his own, he'd probably be overjoyed.- Off topic, but I headcannon that all companions to the wardens have an extended lifespan, and live and die with their humanoid counterparts if they don't die in battle, kind of like the animal companions do with the avatars in ATLA. Far fetched, and backed by absolutely no real lore as far as I know, but I like to think it's true.
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