#Iron Bull: threads

[immortalmuses]

My beloved @fatescarred has once again nourished me with AmariBull Goodness!!

Amariel is a patient woman… until she is not. When the dust has settled. When, more or less, all is said and done, there is a bit of information that reaches the former Inquisitor's ears. She tries to stamp down the smile that begins to bloom across her face afterwards but even her sister can tell something was up and promptly shoos her away with a subtle wave of her hand. It starts as a brisk walk, taking her time to check in with others if need be, all the while toying with half a dragon’s tooth hanging from her neck. But soon she hears the rumble of a hearty laugh along the air and her heart skips. Feet gradually take her into a run and the sight of familiar horns brings forth a burst of laughter alongside joyful tears. She meets his gaze and leaps into the arms of her beloved with little hesitation, knowing that he would always catch her, knowing that he would never let her down.

ㅤㅤㅤEver since Solas's latest stunt with the veil, shit's gotten pretty rough in the South of Thedas. The Iron Bull won't pretend it otherwise. He's seen his fair share of war, even fought them on multiple fronts. The Qunari thought the worst of his memories were made back when the Inquisition faced down Corypheus's armies.

ㅤㅤㅤBut this? Blight tumors festering all over Thedas like cancer? The endless invasion of darkspawn swarming cities and regions alike? Fucking Blighted Dragons? What is it with Elven Gods and ruining a perfectly good time, eh? Bull's meant to be retired.

ㅤㅤㅤWhich was exactly why, as soon as he saw abatement in the darkspawn slamming themselves against the outer walls of Skyhold, Iron Bull packed up his Chargers and struck out for the North. He's still got enough of a hand in the spy network to keep tabs on where the action's at, and he knew Amariel was headed for Minrathous. All Bull could hope for is that he gets there before she pulls another sacrifice play like the big damn hero she is…

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ(It's a long trip)

ㅤㅤㅤNow, Bull stands a head taller than most of the celebrants outside the Divine's manor, peering through the crowd for a plume of familiar hair. It's a fool thing to do, Amari could be anywhere in the city at this point—

ㅤㅤㅤBut then he hears it, her laughter, and The Iron Bull knows.

ㅤㅤㅤ“KADAN!!—” He shouts, voice gone hoarse from the smoke of burning cities, from too many hours breathing road dirt, from sheer fucking relief because; She's alive. She's alive, She's Alive, Thank the Damned Qun, She's Alive!

ㅤㅤㅤBull's arms catch Amariel mid-flight, his embrace closing around her smaller frame and holding her suspended against his chest, horned brow dropping to rest against her own and pressing their faces close enough to share breath. He wants to take in all of her, look at every body part and reassure himself that Lavellan is safe and unhurt. But Bull can't look away from her face, the curve of her mouth, her eyes.

ㅤㅤㅤ"Nobody gets this lucky a third time, Kadan." The Iron Bull rasps, crushing Amariel impossibly closer. And maybe his cheeks are as wet as hers... maybe the fingertips touching Amari's cheek tremble. There's no one left in Thedas to write a better love story than the one they've lived. "... From now on, we go together, or not at all."

[immortalmuses]

ㅤㅤㅤImpending cataclysmic war with a would-be God and his army of Demons aside, The Iron Bull considers most of the Inquisition's field work to be pretty pleasant stuff. Nice views, some darkspawn ass kicking, maybe even a Dragon to slay. Plus, Bull has spent the better part of entire days winding Dorian Pavus into a snit like an angry cat (he's really quite pretty when he's outraged).

ㅤㅤㅤSo most of the time, the Qunari is pleased to be on an outing with the team. That is, until things go sideways like they did today. This recent battle was a bit of a shit show, in The Iron Bull's professional™ opinion.

ㅤㅤㅤNone of them came away unscathed, but it seems like Dorian really caught the worst of it, if the grimace of pain tightening the mage's features is any indication. That bothers Bull in a way he’d prefer not to examine too closely, except to acknowledge that it should have been him taking that body shot instead of the Vint. What good is he on this team if not to be a Wall between his people and harm’s way?

ㅤㅤㅤTo add insult to (literal) injury, he and Pavus were also cut off by a rockslide, probably some debris blasted loose in all the chaos. The Iron Bull bodily lifted Dorian out of harm's way, at least, but it doesn't change the fact that they're well and truly isolated from the rest of the field team. Or the fact that he currently has an armful of very displeased Vint.

ㅤㅤㅤ"Mmm." Propping Dorian in the bend of one massive arm, Bull lofts his good eyebrow, amusement coloring his tone as he replies, "…Yeah, I get that. You've been 'making it clear' for weeks that you're in all of South Thedas unwillingly, Dorian. I'm sure the rockslide hasn't changed your mind."

ㅤㅤㅤThe Qunari softens his verbal jab (something he likely wouldn't do under different circumstances, but he's not thinking about that) by gently guiding the mage to a stable looking boulder and easing him into a sitting position. Crouching down to stay eye level, Bull ignores the creaking of his trick ankle and asks kindly, "-- How're you feelin'? Took a pretty good hit from that Bloodmage before you kicked its ass."

The sound that leaves him is more vulnerable than he cares for. Still, Dorian supposes when one's bleeding through one's clothes, one's body doesn't prioritize any whispering of pride. So, he jostles back clumsily, Iron Bull's arm keeping him from tumbling like a toddler to the very jagged earth. Of course, he riles. Of course thee bloody cave has just caved in. He'd been wounded in their fight, a blasted Venatori striking at his hip, and bleeding and drained and with pebbles in his boots, he's now, stood panting, stuck with Bull.

Maker, no. Oh, don't abandon him here with this towering lummox...! What if he pelts him with a thousand embarrassingly mad come-ons? He can't endure it. Wincing -- and because his life's a comedy, obviously -- Dorian stumbles again into his chest.

Goodness, this lancing pain-- "First, let's make this clear: I'm not here willingly, but rather, I've been volunteered by the Inquisitor's lack of any proper excavation experience. Remind me to pen a lesson into their schedule." / @immortalmuses, for Iron Bull.

[unknownmusing]

Adoribull Fanfic: 'When a Thread of Fate Brings Two People Together'

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Plot Summary:

A story of how a Mage and Qunari who are both of different races slowly over time as they spent having adventures together begin to develop something more between them.

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Prologue - 'The Beginning of a Thread of Fate Weaving between Two Different Races to Join Them Together' (Part 1 of ?)

Location - Un-named river some distance from Redcliffe Village - Hinterlands, Ferelden - Late Evening

In an area surrounded by meadow grass and wildflowers, while a river winds it way through mountainous region a few feet away, Dorian Pavus flicks through the tome he picked up on his travels using the light from the crackling camp-fire to illuminate the pages so he can read them - some of the writing is faded over time with other parts missing paragraphs but the diagrams helped understand the spells being mentioned.

So absorbed in his reading of the tome he doesn't hear his second companion travelling with him approaching the camp, until a thud of something heavy lands close-by making him lift his head to see some kind of wild boar lays there - though looking more mutated and hybrid-looking - then flicks his gaze up to his large companion who's reached for a large carving knife to sharpen it with a whetstone.

"Don't worry, I know which cuts to get that won't make us ill." Iron Bull - a Beast of the the Qunari - states to Dorian who's wondering if should decline in eating but his stomach betrays him by choosing to grumble indicating he's hungry.

This makes the large Qunari chuckle at him, standing up to pick up the wild boar's body to take it over to the branch of tree to begin skinning it - removing the fur; other parts which are inedible and finally cutting it so effeciently and effortlessly that Dorian forgets for a moment Iron Bull has murdered various people in similar ways as he watches the sight of the minotaur working away.

The slope of the large muscles shifting, every soft way the hands slide over the dead boar's body testing to see which way to cut and turning it to check the other side of it that gulping slightly, Dorian shuts the tome to place in his travelling pack and getting up heads down to river needing some space.

His mind begins to flood with so many images, he quickly places a clenched fist in his mouth to silence any sounds - this was frankly embarassing, he's acting like a young randy male seeing a female they like but don't want to admit - when he reaches the beach-area nearby the river curve so that Iron Bull can't pick them up, his other resting over his abdomen close to his groin.

"Control yourself, Dorian…..Control yourself…..you hate his Race…..remember….." He mutters under his breath, only for sudden image of him and the beast embraced in such a way his clenched fist moves away from his mouth to grip his shoulder and other cup himself between his thighs arching slightly when unexpected heat floods through him at it.

He moans breathlessly to his shame, horror and embarassment knowing that the Qunari would pick it up with their acute hearing only to sink down onto the sandy ground lying back to begin to rub himself through his breeches, thighs quivering intensely and mind flooding with so many images, whispers and sensation of being embraced he can't help but let out mewling breathless gasps, pants and whimpers.

What is happening to him?

Why was heat flooding throughout his system like his body had realised he was compatible with the Qunari when records stated it wasn't possible for a Beast of the Qunari to be compatible with a Human and other species and only their own.

Was it because of when they met that fateful rainfall night the touch from the Qunari had left an imprint and somehow they both become compatible?

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 PART 1 - 'How the Thread First Formed Between Two'

Location - Tevinter Imperium - Nothern Thedas, Minrathous - Approaching Late Evening 

2 Years Earlier

Rain is falling down heavily on the streets of Tevintar Imperium in Northern Thedas, Minrathous, drowning out the sounds of scuffle going on between four people – the fourth trying to make dash for it, an alleyway between two large buildings briefly becoming illuminated by an eerie light which fades away when they are knocked over before can get out of the alleyway where curses in native Tevene begin to fill it.

“Maybe we should gag him for good measure. This….fucking mage as a mouth on him doesn’t he.”

“Just remember his….the Magister Pavus I mean wants him alive.”

“Heh, yeah good coin being paid for escorting this….”

Dorian Pavus – son of Halward Pavus and Aquinea Thalrassian – finds him struggling in vain to get away from the larger of the Hired Thugs pinning him down onto the alleyway ground mostly grinding to his vain his face into it, discussing with the other two thugs debating on what do with him.

It is a handful of days since he run away from his home and for good intentions and reasons, he never wanted to set foot there again. Surrounded by something which had started to become the equivalent of a gilded cage which he begins to wonder would ever be able to get out of.

“Heh, seems our Mage here is being a little too quiet.” One of the Hired Thugs notes, squatting down in front of him to reach out to grab hold of the back of his head by his hair wrenching it upwards to force him to look at harsh, unforgiving cold eyes. “What you thinking about? Way to escape?”

Glaring back, Dorian refuses to answer resulting a hand immediately slapping him across the face so hard it leaves his ears ringing and splitting his lower lip in the process allowing blood to trickle down the side of his lip and chin closely followed by a hand grabbing hold of his chin to dig their nails harshly into his cheeks when they say their next words.

“You know I always hated Vint’s like this, Pompous, arrogant and vain. Only thinking about themselves.”

Brought up onto his feet, Dorian wonders if can summon a quick spell – one that will get rid of the Hired Thugs - when a gruff, deep voice interrupts it sends prickles up and down him in a such a way it felt like when one meets their Soulmate for the first time and their coloured Soul Threads connect.

“And does that count for yourself as well."

A very large, tall figure stands there at the entrance to the alleyway wearing a faded hooded cloak looking straight at the Hired Thugs surrounding him.

"So......Did you miss me?" Is the first words from the large hooded figure - who after the brief glimpse Dorian had seen of their face when they were fighting is a Qunari who looks oddly familiar and bringing back a memory of night at a Masked Party, an embrace in large arms and so much unexpected overstimulation it was feat he managed to get up to leave in the morning - as he leans against the alley brick-wall with his arms crossed over his chest and staff back in its holder on his back.

Sighing heavily with one hand up coming to pinch the bridge of his nose he wonders how he answer the Qunari - the hulk of a beast who he had a one night stand with, before escaping from the guest bedchamber lest fear of scandal of being discovered bedding a Qunari - whose name he doesn't know, who is busy going through the Hired Thugs until finds one still alive.

"I...Don't have a clue what you mean by 'Did I miss you?' because 1. I don't know who you are and 2. What are you doing?" Dorian replies, watching the Qunari turn their hooded gaze to him before gets up, just after bounding their prisoner in tight ropes so the singled-out Hired Thug cannot escape, walking up to where he stands.

A hand slams beside his head onto the alley brickwall allowing for the hooded cloak to slip off slightly revealing one ash-grey hand covered in snaking ink-black tattoos at the sametime the Qunari presses closer to him it forces him to turn his face to one side to not look at them.

"You have to understand....you felt the sensation didn't you?" The Qunari asks him, referring of course to the feel of a Soul-Thread connecting him to their's making Dorian, blush so heavily it's no doubt showing on his face even in the dim moonlight alongside the promixity of them against his body.

"Vishante kaffas!! I have no idea what your talking about!!!? Now if you'll excuse me....I like to get on....mmfffff!!!?" Dorian begins to say, only for lips to smash into his before he can even protest or cast a spell sending a throbbing wave of something through the forming Soul Thread making him slump against their large body, feeling one hand slide around to embrace him and the other come up to cradle the back of his head.

His fingers twitch heavily, hands spasming before manages to wrench free stumbling down the alleyway to compose himself.

Dorian brings up to his slightly swollen lips a shaking hand - the Qunari had just kissed him!!!? Without even a warning, just did it to him.

Angry at the forcefulness of it he forms a lightening ball in one hand, turning fully around to face the Qunari standing there watching him to send it hurtling towards them choosing not to hang around to check if worked or not. 

His mind beginning to flood with a memory of a masked party, the mysterious large Qunari and everything else that had happened that fateful night as he keeps on running and running through the weaving alleyways and down empty streets passing by houses, shops and market stalls until out of one of the many large city gate's into the wildness of a land unknown to him. 

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Notes:

This chapter deals with introducing the characters called Verikas - an elf who doesn't want to be an Inquisitor - and his friend Ku'rac who is a Qunari who in next chapter will soon meet Dorian and Iron Bull

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Part 2 – The Beginning (1 of ?)

Location - The Fade also known as The Beyond - Location of Realm Unknown 

It is an quiet, eerie stillness of without sound which makes Verikas flutter his eyes open, faintly seeing the blurred large figure of his close friend Ku’rac – a Qunari who had become exiled from his people due to disagreements with them – lying close-by then his vision fully clears to reveal he is in the Fade.

Around wispy emerald mist raises in different areas, structures of crumbled elvish ruins float in the air way above - some facing upside down and others dissembling - then hears a pained groan coming from Ku'rac making him get up, stumbling slightly forwards swaying due to experiencing the Fade for the first time trying to remember what happened but all he is getting is fractured memories of group of people talking; a cloaked hooded figure wearing a mask with liliac vines on it and then a explosion of raw, untimed magical energy originating from somewhere.

"Ku'rac....Ku'rac...." Verikas reaching his friend calls out, trying to rouse the Qunari who gives pained groan with both his hands twitching - unclenching and clenching - until flutters his eyes open, gaze soon focusing on him with Ku'rac allowing him to help him to sit up

"Verikas, what.....the Maker just happened?!! Last thing I remember was watching you from the balcony about to state you don't want to be an Inquisitor then nothing afterwards!!" Ku'rac asks him so many questions he cannot give his friend any of the answers to, because even himself doesn't know them.

"I....have faint memory but will have to discuss it later. We need to get out of here." Verikas replies, his keen hearing picking up that they are not alone with him helping Ku'rac to stand up, followed by noticing a bright light in the distance.

Both agree that they should head towards it to investigate what it could be, quickly making their way across crumbling platforms; clambering up floating islands above them and coping with walking upside down or even sideways until finally reach a flight of stone-carved steps.

"Verika, spiders!!!?" Ku'rac calls out to him, pointing to mass of them skittering across over to where they are located he begins to run up the stairs only to trip over a step when a sudden and unexpected sharp, lightening-like pain radiates from his hand through every nerve ending he finds himself giving out a bloodcurdling scream.

His legs give out on him with Ku'rac sweeping in to grab hold to cradle in his large arms, running up the stone-carved steps where the light of the figure waiting seems to enamate outwards that Verikas doesn't remember what happens next.

Just the words 'You'll will live. The both of you' closely followed by blackness.

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[stxriesfromasharchive]

Open Starters

"Love is all starlight and gentle blushes. Passion leaves your fingers sore from clawing the sheets."

He takes a large gulp from the tankard full of foamy beer, nearly finishing half while leaving bits of liquid traces in his mustache.

[vtriol]

with all their talents and experience, the heat of the forbidden oasis (or rather, the direction they supposed it was) made the trudging through sand all the more miserable. they had made it all this way, hadn't they? surely they were entitled to a complaint or two.

“ think we should get a palanquin or something for next time, boss? ” says @hissrath, ever the one to encourage some banter. to their misery, the inquisitor laughs and replies, “ and get cullen down here to help with it. i could make it happen. ”

the mention of the commander only incenses the mage further, their face turning red from a combination of the sun heat, embarrassment, and anger. spite is an excellent motivator, and thana's pace overtakes the insufferable qunari and his inquisitor. “ i am orlesian, i have been 'marching' in these Maker-cursed sands since i could stand on my own two legs! ” they say over their shoulder, and turn forward just in time to catch the steep, sandy dune at its peak before tumbling over.

thana was never one for discretion. in that, playing into the mysterious mage-warden was easy enough, and the whispers were manageable. but Maker, did the teasing not drive cullen up a wall like it does them? perhaps not, with the speed the inquisition seemed to find out.

“ if cullen ever coddles me like that, i'd set all of skyhold on fire. and if i let him, strike me down. ” thana swears, then sees the ever-increasing expanse of sand in front of them and swears again. “ no ancient temple is worth this trek, and i hold my right to whinge however i wish. doubly so if i have to fight any of those damn venatori. ”

[xxstxriesfromashxx]

The Countess & The Qunari

@adeadlysong liked for a random CANON GREMLIN and got IRON BULL

"Oh, Maker! These are absolutely delicious, Countess!" Iron Bull, the tall and bulky Qunari warrior exclaims as he all but scarfs down the pastry (which looked absolutely tiny in his large hands) offered to him by the Inquisition's new guest. His wrinkled and scarred face lit up as he savored the taste of his next bite, the sounds he couldn't help but make causing some onlookers to stare curiously and a bit strangely without the context.

"I've never had something so sweet yet so full of flavor before!" He was not much of a pastry or dessert guy - meat of any kind was much more preferred, something chalk full of protein and usually either roasted to a crisp or slathered in juices.

[vaguely-concerned]

I understand and agree with a lot of the frustrations about the shortcomings of Inquisition as a story. but sometimes when I hear people complain about the chosen one narrative in it I do want to just be like... you know it's a deconstruction of the concept more than anything, right. the inquisitor isn't actually chosen by anything except stumbling into the wrong (right?) room at the right (wrong?) time because they like, heard a noise or whatever. or if you think they are chosen, as many do in-universe, that's something you have to take on faith, the maker-or-whoever moves in mysterious ways indeed-style. the Inquisitor isn't actually a Destined Chosen One, they're a Just Some Guy in a fancy hat, self-delusions of grandeur to taste as you'd prefer.

a running thread that goes through all of the personal quests of the companions is the concept of a comforting lie vs. an uncomfortable truth, upholding old corrupt structures vs. disrupting them, and the role of faith in navigating that. (blackwall the warden vs. thom rainier the liar and murderer. hissrad vs. the iron bull, or is that the other way around? cassandra and the seekers -- do we tell the truth about what we find, even if it means dismantling the old order of the world? and so on.) and your inquisitor IS at the same time a comforting lie (a necessary one, in dark times? the game seems to ask) and an uncomfortable truth (we are the result of random fickle chance, no protective hand is held over the universe, it's on us to make a better world because the maker sure as hell won't lift a divine finger to help anyone, should he against all odds exist). faith wielded for political power... where's the point that it crosses the line into ugliness? is it before it even begins? what's the alternative? will anyone listen to the truth, if you tell it?

interesting how you also get a mix of companion agency in this -- you have characters like dorian who ALWAYS choose one side of the comforting lie vs. uncomfortable truth dichotomy. he will always make up his own mind to go back to tevinter and try to dismantle the corruption of the old system no matter what you say, or how you try to influence him. meanwhile iron bull is on the complete opposite side of the spectrum -- so psychologically trapped and mangled, caught in an impossible spiritual catch-22, that his sense of identity is left entirely to you and your mercy. you cannot change dorian in any way that matters; you can be his friend or not, support him or not, but he is whole no matter what. you are given incredible and potentially destructive-to-him power over bull's soul. it's really cool (and heartbreaking) to think about.

this is a game about how history will eat you even while you're still alive, and shape you into whatever image it pleases to serve it, and for all your incredible power right now you are powerless in the face of the gravitational force of time -- of more than time, of History. you won't recognize yourself in what History will make of you, because you belong to it now. you don't belong to yourself anymore and you never will again. the further you were from what it needs from you to begin with, the more you will find yourself distorted in its funhouse mirror. (why hello there inquisitor ameridan, same hat!)

and to me this is so much the core of what Dragon Age is about right from the Origins days -- how and by whom history gets written, the inherent unreliable narration of it all. I hope you like stories, Inquisitor. You are one now.

I do think it's probably still the weakest of the games narratively, and it's hampered by its structure and bloated systems. but I also find it disingenous to say that there's nothing deeper or actually interesting going on with it, thematically. if you're willing to engage with it there is Some Real Shit going on under the high fantasy-tinted surface.

[hattedhedgehog]

Here's the small-scale colour sampler for my newest Dragon Age tarot embroidery: The Iron Bull! As usual this is just a test for how the threads look together and not the final stitches I'll be using. I've actually wanted to do this one for a while, but then Solas' card took priority with the upcoming game. It's hard to believe this will be my 5th one!

I adore this card; it's so cool that after the Demands of the Qun mission, it appears the most tragic card out of the outcomes, but ends up being the best one in the long run. (You'd better have chosen the outcome that got you this card btw...)

My other Dragon Age embroideries: (X)

- [If you want to get Dragon Age: The Veilguard on PC and also support me making crafts like this, you can use promo code HATTEDHEDGEHOG at checkout through the EA app or Dragon Age site, and I receive part of the proceeds! Applicable to ANY Dragon Age title too, not just The Veilguard.]

[angstandhappiness]

LMAO ADORABLE

@drown-the-bitten Oughghgh Chinese family moments are stored in the making of food....

[immortalmuses]

@mystiic sent a lovely valentines ask!!:

Of course Amariel would spoil her Bull on this day for lovers; hot cocoa with extra marshmallows in the morning, perhaps some dragon watching, hunting or sparring in the afternoon and maybe a few drinks ( and a different kind of sparring ) late in the evening. She would savor him and the day wholeheartedly.

ㅤㅤㅤThe Iron Bull hasn't had many actual relationship in his life, for obvious (Hissrad-related) reasons. But even among the few partners with which he's spent more than a handful of pleasurable evenings, none of them had ever made a habit of... well... doting on him.

ㅤㅤㅤThe Qunari has a reputation as a giver -- in all things -- and he's proud of that. He is. But Amari, in her small gestures and her loving touches, has shown him what it's like to be pampered for his own sake. And he...

ㅤㅤㅤ( By the Qun, The Iron Bull is downright addicted to it. )

ㅤㅤㅤ"Forget Adventuring, Kadan..." He murmurs into slope of Amariel's throat, his voice made sluggish and indolent from a combination of good drink and better orgasms, "If we could spend the rest of time glutting ourselves on each others' company, that'd be fine by me..."

[felassan]

Taash's art piece is just so beautiful! With how windy it looks (her hair blowing around), the blue-green background, and the wave-like pattern in the background, it gives the impression of the rushing sea. (and with the rushing sea, it has a sense of adventure!). The ocean background makes sense - she is affiliated with the Lords of Fortune, a group with a cephalopod logo and who are based out of Rivain, a nation almost completely surrounded by the sea. Their vibe/aesthetic has been described as incorporating a pirate-y element, they have ships, and they were said to hold dominion over the coasts of Rivain. We've also seen in-game shots now of a Rivaini shore that we will visit, complete with bright blue-green sea. the eye-like pattern in the sea in the top right and some of the 'triangles' in the sea remind me of dragons and sea-serpents.

With Taash's design, the 'protruding' parts of her armor, like around her shoulders (two, three) look like they could be dragon-scales. Trophies from dragon hunts? :) In Thedas, armor can be made from dragonscale. I wonder, is the jade-looking horn (the same color as the sea) a covering for that horn, or a straight-up replacement horn? We can see here that it has polished planes and cut edges in the manner of a cut gem. Gold coins fall around her, fitting for someone affiliated with a piratey, treasure-hunting faction. The red threads, rope-like in appearance, remind me of that aspect of some Qunari armor/clothing. In this piece they sort of flow around her in places, but we can see here for example that they're an element of her clothing. I wonder if she's Qunari, Tal-Vashoth or Vashoth. Being associated with a group originating in Rivain, maybe she's from Kont-aar or its surrounds, a coastal city in northern Rivain that is the only peaceful Qunari settlement on the mainland continent? Her gold jewelry and items are beautiful. Jewelry seems to be a notable part of clothing in Rivain, and among the Lords of Fortune, those that survive for more than a few years wear their treasures, charms and other items. It seems like Taash is a successful Lord of Fortune(/adjacent), someone who has found/won many treasures and accomplished great feats. The gold dragon at her collarbone is a cool touch.

Maybe it was Taash who wrote this Codex, and the title is alliterative, "Taash Talks"? The writer comes across like a dragon enthusiast and it references being near the shore/sea. Iron Bull once said "So, when you face a dragon, does it get your heart pumping? Do you breathe a little faster, feel the blood racing?" (in the DA:TV trailer, Varric says that they will need someone "with fire in their blood" to face dragons). And from this blurb, something has been unsettling the dragons in Rivain, in a way that dovetails in the Lord of Fortunes being concerned with it:

Upon eastern shores and sunkissed sands, the Lords of Fortune no longer hold dominion over the coasts of Rivain – not when dragons are growing bolder and laying wastes to their ships.

[source]

[landofadonises]

The Encounters - Locker Room; June 26th, 2017

Brad was finishing up his 4-hour long workout session, like any other day (every day of the week), when some shorty with some toned muscles and a tight ass walked up to him and asked, "Hey, big guy, you need any help gettin' washed up? Watched you the whole time out there, you damn muscle hog. I know for a fact you can't reach behind that huge back of yours."

Brad was never one to refuse a bit of attention from a thirsty twink, so he agreed. "Just be careful, lil' man. You don't want me gettin' riled up." As they started walking toward a stall, Brad then mentioned, "You're only helpin' me with the bod', bro. I was plannin' on jackin' it since I'm all packed and juiced from my sesh, and you ain't gettin' that." The twink smirked. "Whatever you say, big guy."

Why Brad ever thought he had control of the situation is beyond any listener that hears this from the gym desk agent that had to escort a completely-spent Brad out from the completely clogged and coated shower. Things started smoothly enough, the two of them playing a bit of dress-down, the twink feeling like he was working at a car wash more than helping a massive beefcake wash all his nooks and crannies. His hands started traveling, though, and surely enough, a particular grazing of Brad's inner thigh made him snap to attention but already reeling from the sensation. "B-bro... you gotta be c-careful... for fuckin' real! These are compression so my horse cock ain't floppin' out of my shorts while I'm pumpin' iron! E....e-expensive, man!"

The twink grinned fiendishly as each word Brad muttered was accompanied by a thread of fabric snapping, ripping, as his enormous meat-rod surged forward to life, causing the twink to run in fear of being pierced on that impaler and not having the chance to tell the tale. He scurried away from the guttural, bass-y moans and thudding occurring in the stall as the virile bull went into a frenzy.

[hikolu]

Qunari in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

So there is the controversy going around that the qunari look "too human"

I've also heard that there is a degree of what we've seen is just what people have made in the character creator, so it's been their choice to make em smooth and humany.

However I take issue with the "this is such a downgrade compared to previous versions" previously we've almost exclusively seen members of the Antaam the fighting force. In da2 it's literally a dreadnoughts worth of Sten and all the tal vashoth in the area are defectors from that force, so we don't see any variation because... In Inquisition The Iron Bull explains that the tamassrans(sp?) choose who breeds with who and we know that in the Qun you have defined rolls so it makes sense that all the Sten and the Arishok are built like that.

Also in Shinobi's Twitter thread with gameplay we see more "traditionally" built Qunari, who are most likely Sten or similar members of the Antaam. While the Inquisitor and Rook are not part of the Qun, with the Inquisitor explicitly being born outside of it. Being born outside means that it was not the tamassrans making the decision on who their parents are, but an interpersonal decision between their parents.

Tl:Dr we've only ever seen one type of Qunari in the games really, so stop bitching that there is variation to them

[sherlokiness]

Isn't RLJ a false marriage? Won't jon still be a bastard then?

Elia and Rhaegar had healthy children, legit kids so won't Ned respect that marriage like any northern one? Also elia's marriage was not under any coercion or dubious consent like Lyanna's supposed one was. And valyrian polygamy was outlawed for years, so ned should never see it as a real marriage.

(thanks for ur earlier answer by the way)

Hi, anon. Thanks for the ask! It was no biggie.

I would like you to read the comment from Ygrain in this thread. The biggest proof of RLJ marriage is the presence of the Kingsguard at the ToJ. I'll post a shorter version of it down below.

"I looked for you on the Trident,” Ned said to them.

“We were not there,” Ser Gerold answered.

“Woe to the Usurper if we had been,” said Ser Oswell.

The KG consider Robert a usurper.

When King's Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, and I wondered where you were.”

“Far away,” Ser Gerold said, “or Aerys would yet sit the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in seven hells.”

So the KG knew that Aerys is dead and denounces Jaime as a KG. We could also infer that they weren't with Aerys when Jaime killed his king.

“I came down on Storm's End to lift the siege,” Ned told them, and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them.”

Ned tells them the remaining Targ forces have bent the knees and was surprised they weren't there.

“Our knees do not bend easily,” said Ser Arthur Dayne.

To which Arthur replied that their knees do not bend easily yet when Ned approached earlier, Oswell Whent was on his knee. Taken together, it's a clue that they have already bent the knee to someone.

“Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him.”

Why aren't the KG with Viserys the supposed king if they're really so honorable? Their duties would demand them to get him to safety.

“Ser Willem is a good man and true,” said Ser Oswell.

They've ignored the insult of Viserys being called a prince and admits he doesn't have a KG.

“But not of the Kingsguard,” Ser Gerold pointed out. “The Kingsguard does not flee.”

So Willem is a good man and it's okay to be with the prince but not them because they're the KG. And what is the primary duty of the KG? To protect and defend the King.

“Then or now,” said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm.

So the KG does not flee and they would have defended the king then(Aerys) and that's what they're doing now(Jon).

“We swore a vow,” explained old Ser Gerold.

Below are the exact points from the thread:

The Lord Commander is citing the Kingsguard’s vow as the reason that they must stay. He has decided that all three would remain, and we must presume that the reason is to protect the king. Several things contribute to this conclusion:

The White Bull, as Ser Gerold is known, is quite the stickler when it comes to the comport of Kingsguard duties.

Ser Gerold does not have a friendship with Rhaegar that would favor this decision.

Ser Gerold has already stated that he would slay Jaime to protect Aerys.

Ser Gerold’s decision to keep Arthur and Oswell with him only protects the king (the primary purpose of the Kingsguard) if the king is present at the tower.

Ned knows that these men were honoring their Kingsguard vow. There is no other vow that Ned is ever aware of. He thinks of these three as the epitome of honor and skill. A shining example for the world.

Also, all the jokes about bastards and princes GRRM does with Joffrey and Jon won't work if they're both bastards.

[findroleplay]

˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ₊˚ˑ༄ؘ Hello hello! 21+ mun (they/them) looking for STRICTLY 18+ roleplay partners and roleplays. I would prefer to write over discord in a server I create, since I can be a bit picky about it. I'm particularly looking for either fandom OR fandomless roleplays. I write lit to advanced lit (novella but only on occasion), and write in third person ONLY. I will not write in first, sorry!

Some fandoms I would be interested in would include…

House of the Dragon // Game of Thrones // Hazbin Hotel // Legend of Zelda (Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom specifically) // Dragon Age

For each one, I have some things I'm specifically looking for, and I'll listen them below.

♡ House of the Dragon — CCxCC mostly, however I am open to OCs if they're well developed and make sense. I'd like someone to write against my Rhaenyra, no matter the pairing, relationship, etc. (Preference of a Daemon, Laenor, another Targaryen, Aegon, or Alicent. However any CC welcome!)

♡ Game of Thrones — CCxCC mostly, too, however same as above. OCs welcome if well developed. I'd like to write a few characters, however I focus heavily on the Starks, particularly Sansa, and Daenerys. I'm willing to write against anyone. (No preference, but romance lean ideally.)

♡ Hazbin Hotel — CCxCC mostly, as I'm not fond of OCs for this. I can write a few characters: Charlie, Alastor, Angel Dust, Lucifer, Adam, Lute, Vaggie, and otherwise. Open to all manner of things here. No preference of who to write against, but I've been in the mood to try these characters out or write them again.

♡ BotW / TotK (Legend of Zelda) — CCxCC, not open to OCs for this. Particularly looking to write Zelda, Sidon, or Ganon against a Link. I can also write Link, but that's just not my preference. Open to other options but these are my priority. Also open to do something poly related between the four, but only with some decent development and plotting.

♡ Dragon Age — OCxCC only. OCxOC could work but I'm very selective here. I'd like to write some of my OCs against some canons, but I'm more than willing to write a canon for you in return. Preferences of Alistair, Leliana, or Zevran from Origins, Fenris or Merrill from DA2, and/or Solas, Iron Bull, Blackwall, or Josephine from DAI. (Open to Cole, Cullen, other Hawke's, and a few others.)

As for fandomless, I have a plethora of OCs I'd love to throw at people. For this, I typically like…

♡ Fantasy, pirates, magic systems, solarpunk, apocalyptic (zombies or not) themes, dead dove themes, god/sacrifice, mythological creature/human, found family, medieval themes, historical fiction, war, aliens, modern fantasy, and more. (This is generalized, and can be discussed further.)

˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ₊˚ˑ༄ؘ Some things I'd really really love to include consist of — romance, angst, dead dove themes (we can discuss in private what that looks like), whump/caretaker, reunions, and so on. I'm a big fan of drama, and angst. I'll write multiple threads if I really vibe with someone, especially if we share a few fandoms. I generally shift and headcanon canons with their own identities, so please bear that in mind and be open to queer identities. I'd like to add some smut to this, from anywhere to a 50/50 to 80/20 plot to smut ratio, but that can be discussed. Do not bring me subby/bottoms, I will not only write top/doms. Kinks will be discussed privately. (Open to all manners of ships, mxm, mxf, fxf, anyxnb, poly, etc!)

&&&& I like to make friends with my roleplay partners. I do not ghost/block without good reason, and I refuse to engage with drama. If I have a problem, I voice it. Thanks for reading! If this sounds like it works for you, give a like and I'll reach out!

-

[uchidachi]

Dragon Age Fanfic Self-rec thread!

Dear fellow writers, the Veilguard draws near. The fans are awakening from uthenera, and they are hungry. For fic. To help them, I’m starting this post to collect everyone’s recommendations of their own fic to read!

Keep it short & sweet! Title (with link!), rating, ao3 archive warnings (if applicable), pairing (if applicable) & 1 sentence summary only. If you want to include more than one rec, put the rest under a readmore. The idea is to have a reblog chain of many different authors, so this might become a long post.

Don’t know what to recommend? Here’s a list of possible categories to use, if you want:

Author’s favorite

An ode to my OTP

Meet the OC

Rare Pairings

A gift fic I’m proud of

A bit of fluff

Absolute angst

That time I tried something different

Canon? What canon?

In Another Universe

An overlooked gem

Good for a new DA fan

Have fun, and happy reccing!

I’ll start off the chain:

A gift fic I’m proud of: The Maker’s Forgiveness, Teen & up, Florianne de Chalons/Female Trevelyan. Grand Duchess Florianne tries to seduce and manipulate Trevelyan, only to find out that the Inquisitor is not as naive as she assumed.

Rare Pairings: Blessed Are the Lovers, General Audiences, Cullen Rutherford/Sebastian Vael. Cullen has been secretly in love with Sebastian for years, but can’t hide his feelings after seeing him at a friend’s wedding.

Absolute angst: This Is What Would Happen, Mature, Major Character Death, Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus. Bull’s POV through to Trespasser as he remains Ben-Hassrath and falls in love with Dorian after sacrificing the Chargers.

That time I tried something different: Same as the Day Before, General Audiences, Avexis & Minaeve. Genfic in present tense where Avexis finds herself stuck in a time loop, receiving news of the Tranquil cure over and over again.

An overlooked gem: Rescue Mission, Teen & up. Merrill & the rest of the DA2 crew go to rescue Fenris after Hawke sells him back to Danarius.