#Leliana my beloved what have they done to you?

[marmie-noir]

I'm fucking sorry but I did a close up of the DAV versus DAI art styles and what the absolute hell were they thinking?

What the hell is wrong with Cullen's head? Leliana's proportions are so bad, and wtf is Josie's nose change? I would have loved to have DAV hair in DAI but like... how could they look at these two images and pic DAV style? I know it comes down opinion but this is horrible in my opinion. I badly want to see the DAV companions in DAI style to see how they would look because I'm betting it would be less 'pixar' and more DA, or at least what fans were used to before DAV.

Inquisition to Veilguard Art Style Change

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

I love the romances in datv (Neve my Beloved) but I can't get over all the talk about how it'd have the most romantic romances in the series. They aren't bad but most romantic? I wish I didnt go into it with that expectation lol

Oof. Yeah.

My opinion on Veilguard is complicated, but when it comes to the romances...? I feel that, anon. I feel that so damn hard.

The romances are one of my favorite things about a Dragon Age game because it's a choice that can, when done well, completely change your experience playthrough to playthrough, y'know?

And for me there are a handful of romances where if I don't choose them, if I do an alternate playthrough...? I miss them so goddamn much. I miss them enough that I actively struggle to even finish alternate playthroughs. That's how much they've impacted me.

I'll always hold Alistair up as like.... the romance for me. Honestly, I think DAO set the S-tier of romances with him, Leliana, Morrigan, and Zevran as far as writing goes and how interwoven their romances are with the HoF's arc and the plot... they're not just fluff that's tacked on, it's not just, "oh, if you romance them, you get one unique scene toward the end of the game, and some different dialogue!"

I could go on, and on, and on about Alistair and his romance with my Tabris. Hell, even outside of the romance, just their dynamic in the game. Their friendship! I could write essays about the little nuances and how beautiful and tragic his romance can be, and the branching paths, hhhhnnngggggg you can have so many different endings with him!

In DAO, you have many opportunities to flirt. You can give them gifts, and special gifts give you cutscenes where you actually talk about the gift you're giving them. You can set the pace of the relationship. You have different paths you can take and you can discover cute things, like okay.... for Alistair, there's the conversation where he gives you the rose. If you go out with only him in your party, and trigger that, you can get special extra dialogue because you two are alone.

Like... they thought about that. They thought about the player taking just Alistair around somewhere. Why would they? Why would you?

Unless you're roleplaying walking around Redcliffe together to gather supplies to bring back to camp and accidentally talk to him, triggering the scene on the docks.

It's little things like that, special things, that make every playthrough with a different romance feel unique. It feels like the writers put so much thought and care into every situation you'd be in, they thought about how the romance would not only affect your playthrough, but how it'd affect the character you're romancing beyond just... ending the game with a partner.

Hell, it makes you want to replay the game because if this romance was this good, what are the others like? Y'know?

Which is WHY when I heard them make the very bold claim that Veilguard would be the most romantic, I had doubts... because they're competing with Alistair. They're competing with Morrigan, Leliana, and Zevran. Not to mention literally everyone else in DA2 and DAI...... except maybe Sebastian.

If there's one thing I can say about Veilguard's romances, it's that at least they're better than Sebastian's... which is not a high bar because Sebastian's DLC, can only be romanced by a lady Hawke, and from what I've heard/seen of the romance, they don't even get a kiss...

Look, if Veilguard wasn't a Dragon Age game, I'd say the romances are fine, good even... for what they are. Because they do have good moments! They're just lacking, and in some cases, feel unfinished... like there are scenes missing.

I romanced Davrin on my first playthrough, Lucanis on my second. My third playthrough with Carver as Rook is undecided, though I'm thinking either Neve or Bellara.

With Davrin I played an elven Grey Warden, and that really enhanced his romance with me because 1. surprise, surprise, CJ really likes the Grey Wardens and when the opportunity for another Grey Wardens in love story to happen, she picked it, and 2. It felt like Nesryn and him had actual chemistry when talking about warden things, which led into feeling they had chemistry outside of that.

With Lucanis, I played a Lord of Fortune because I thought it'd be kind of funny for this himbo of a man, the literal embodiment of sunshine, to be a pirate who then falls in love with an Antivan Crow. And I have..... feelings. About Lucanis' romance. Especially as someone who also is an Andersmancer. It's good, but also not. It healed parts of me, only to then do more damage when I realized that Lucanis feels like the AO3 version of Anders who is chill and controlled and Justice is also in love with you, actually........ and that brings up conflicted feelings within me.

Looking back at these two now, I prefer Davrin's romance. But the problem with Veilguard's approach to romance, in my opinion, is not just the lack of content. It's not just the feeling that some of the companions have better chemistry with each other than they do with Rook. It's not just the weird pacing of it all.

God, how do I word this.... when I play Tabris, Alistair is crucial to her arc. Absolutely crucial. Remove the slow burn of their romance, or remove their friendship, and she's a completely different person.

When I play Ed Hawke, romancing Anders is interwoven into his arc. The playthrough wouldn't be the same if they remained friends. The impact of the ending would hit entirely different. Then, when I play Aris Hawke, romancing Isabela adds such a different flavor to the story. It's like night and day. And they're both great, that's the thing!

I think Cullen and Josephine are my favorite romances in DAI because they're not traveling companions, they're your advisors. It's different, and it adds layers to their romances. I'm in war table meetings with them. We're leading this operation together, and I find those dynamics so interesting.

In my opinion, the romances do not add anything crucial to Rook's story. At the end of my second playthrough, I wondered if I should bother trying the others out... which is not great!

Though, honestly, a criticism I have of Rook is in both playthroughs I did, they felt like the same character with different skins despite me picking different choices. Different faction, different dialogue.

Carver's run is going a little different but I think that's just my brain filling in those blanks, which.... yeah. I feel like any depth Rook and the romances had was concocted in my mind because the game didn't give me much to chew on.

So even though I did two romances that feel different, Rook remains the same in the end, and like.... that's not something I can say about HoF, Hawke, or the Inquisitor.

There's always going to be headcanon and personal writing when it comes to DA, that's how fandom works, y'know? But unlike the previous games, this actively feels unfinished, and like it expects me to finish it for them.

Yes, you get cute, flirty banter with them, and you get the scene where they go to your room... and from what I've heard Emmrich actually gets a bonus scene so like good for him.

I mean that genuinely, too. Seriously, good for him to be the standout of having an extra, romance specific scene. I haven't seen anyone mention any of the other companions getting one.

But do I feel like the romances impacted Rook to the same level of depth? No, unfortunately. And it sucks! Because I do enjoy the companions! And the bits we do get of the romances, I like!

But do not try to tell me they're the most romantic in the series because they're not, I'm so sorry. I want them to be! I want them to feel fleshed out and interwoven with Rook's arc within the actual game, and not through headcanon! I see the potential, I see the intrigue of certain Rooks with certain companions!

I could go on and on about this, and I will if anyone else asks, but yeah, anon.... I feel you.

Also, I'd like to hear other opinions on this since I've only done two of the romances, so maybe there is more depth to be found that I just don't know about. Maybe I haven't found my golden combo yet.

Plus, I just like reading about other people's experiences with DA romances, I find it super interesting.

[elkattacks]

I had a great time playing Veilguard. Tldr- had fun, do have criticisms, still had fun.

**Spoilers Ahead**

I just had a good time? The gameplay was fun, I loved all the companions, the game is gorgeous, I've taken so many screenshots! I gasped out loud at so many lore reveals! I cried too many times- I adore a game that I can get emotional over and boy did this deliver. I played 107 hours my first run, to 100% the map. I gave it a week to percolate/process and I'm on my 2nd playthrough now.

I love Solas, he's my favorite character. He was my gateway drug to total Dragon Age fandom. My desolation at the end of Inquisition led me to seek out fan-spaces and see others obsess and analyze too. I have just loved seeing how smart and artistic everyone is! The theories, the theories!! So for that aspect of things I am just so so happy with how much Solas content we got! I, honestly, wasn't expecting much and what we got I'm going to be analyzing for *years*. I love how bitchy he is, how deceptive, how complicated.. I love that we can arrange a soft ending. A true redemption- not let off light for the mistakes of the past, but a true chance to do some good going forward.

Every major story beat was really well done. Visceral. Scary. Sometimes so scary I had the "single tear of horror" while playing. I was genuinely afraid for my beloved companions and what would happen.

I loved how absolutely terrifying Elgarnan and Ghilan'nain were. Elgarnan's voice, threats, his verbal jabs at Solas especially. Chills.

I'll do more good stuff.. but my biggest criticisms come down to- lack of past choices mattering and the real dulled down versions of the world we got. I feel like everyone has this same critisism, and they're right.

We needed more of our last-game choices to mean anything in this game. Even just more codexs would be great. There were so many bittersweet parts of this game were I thought "ah, if only they could have.." but alas. And I somewhat get it.. at a certain level writing out the many many possible ways someone's worldstate could be is potentially *a lot* but more could have been done. Even just picking some common worldstates/not every tiny little rare choice? I mean, they already did this- Leliana can die in Origins but will absolutely still show up in Inquisition. Fine, her death isnt a popular choice, moving on.

And then the dulled world- the background/lineage of the character didn't really seem to matter, even in Tevinter, where we've always been told it really *matters* there. Tevinter, without teeth. The Crows, but much nicer. And I have to chalk it up to an over correction? No, we absolutely don't need racism around every corner, no, but sometimes it should matter with certain characters or maps even. There's some dialoge and codexs about these things but being an elf in Minrathous never felt dangerous the way I imagined it might?

Going back to the good though.. end game. Oh my god. The entire, what, four hours from the point of no return was so good. I was absolutely floored by the companion death. I chose Harding, I had no idea. But it was a death done well- cinematic, centered, it mattered to the plot, heroic and mourned. I also lost Bellara to the Elgarnan kidnapping, I'd finally decided to romace her and losing her at this point was such a kick in the face.

Then the betrayal.. the betrayal I'd been waiting all game for and knew was coming. I knew it and I was still shocked. Oh Solas, why? It still hurt so much. The whole regret fade sequence leading right up to the Varric reveal.. oh my heart.. I was absolutely sobbing by that point. 2 kleenex was optimistic.

The final sequence when you're fighting through Minrathous and Solas joins you and ugh.. my hands were shaking I was so drawn in. The dread wolf form.. wow, truly dreadful! Scary fights.. and then Elgarnan in all his seething, blighted self-centerd glory. How Bellara can take his throne.. and cast him down. Beautiful.

And then there's even more! My team of four women (which, I laughed about) manage to finally *finally* change Solas's mind. The way he curls in on himself when Mythal releases him. Ugh. And his hope and love when Lavellan appears. They get to be together, finally 😭 a soft hopeful ending for Solas is so much more than I thought we'd get! For a long time I really thought they were going to make us kill him and I just.. I'm not sure I could have done it.

I also somehow got the "secret" after credits ending. Gotta be the Devouring Storm that the Qunari talk about, right? The Executors? I think that's what's implied at least. We'll have to see if they ever make a new Dragon Age game.

So, I think we got a fun game with a lot of great story points. I feel bittersweet about what could have been but it's not going to stop me from having fun and recommending the game to others.

[cityandking]

5, 6, 12, 21, 28 for mari, lira + vesper!

thanks tabby!! // rook questionnaire

5: What emotion did they usually pick?

MARI — pre-dragon attacks she was mostly purple/humorous. seeing the ruin of minrathous and starting to get a sense of the scale of the fight and the potential loss and horror hardened her, and she started trending more stoic and angry/firm. though she remained mostly purple/blue in one-on-one situations as she got closer to the team—and her fallback is still always the humorous option

LIRA — ik origins doesn't have an emotion wheel but she was pretty stoic/diplomatic except in a few specific situations where she was a bitch (like dealing with Howe and also sometimes inter-party conflict). really committed to getting shit done with or without making friends. maxed out persuasion and cunning early on and went from there

VESPER — mostly blue with a touch of purple. really gracious and polite with moments of dry humor. meant that when she went red/angry it was more of a Thing.

6: What companion are you platonically close with?

MARI — answered!

LIRA — zevran, despite her best attempts

VESPER — bull and dorian

12: What is their orientation?

MARI — pan

LIRA — bound by duty (bi)

VESPER — bi + demi

21: What is your Rook's favorite ability?

MARI — voidblade is soooooo satisftying but I also do just really love an arcane bomb

LIRA — damn. I don't remember any of the origins abilities. stealth?

VESPER — ring of doubt + fade step my beloved (and then u blow everyone up with fire)

28: Is your character the de facto leader of the party? Or do they consider someone else to be the leader?

MARI — unfortunately it seems like yeah she is??? she has no idea how she got here. she's pretty sure harding should be in charge except that she just got halfway to exploded so it's understandable that she doesn't want to take the reins right away and then she's pretty sure that neve should be in charge except that neve seems to be proficient in Dodging That Conversation and then suddenly she's out there recruiting people and talking to factions??? she goes along with it as varric's second for ages but she genuinely she doesn't know how she got here (until the prison of regret at which point. yeah.)

LIRA — yes, but she lowkey resents alistair for fobbing his responsibility as the senior (relatively) warden off on her right at the start. that's mostly just on principle tho; by the time they collect zevran she's settled into the role. she was always going to be the one leading

VESPER — she may be the inquisitor but she considers the organization itself to be leliana's and josephine's until... honestly maybe until around the time of trespasser. she does plenty of leading, to be sure, but in her opinion it was never really her organization and she knows the role she plays is at least partly figurehead. she's a little more self-assured in the field and around the inner circle, though when they're going into a bad fight she'll definitely defer to someone else's judgement (usually one of the warriors)

[rook-apologist]

Some thoughts on Veilguard's final act...

(Going to try and keep this as spoiler free as I can, but as a warning I will be talking about some of the games final moments.) Just got done reading PC Gamer's article about the games final "Suicide Mission" written by Jody Macgregor. (Link attached) I'm glad someone finally put into words just how tense and impactful your decisions were in these final moments in terms of how it deals with the fate of your companions. An argument can be made that this is one of the most inter-conflict free parties ever assembled in a BioWare game, with the overall vibe amongst the group being less doom and gloom "Dark Fantasy" and more "chill/easygoing" summer camp vibes. As a comparison, and putting aside Lucanis and Davrin's brief verbal spats, you never really get moments like in Mass Effect when Tali confronts Legion over the fate of the Geth or Leliana and Wynne attacking you over the Urn of Sacred ashes in DA:O. Everyone in the Veilguard seems to be of one mind early on in the game that they all have to work together to save the world, which is the main source of a lot of peoples critiques for this game. I personally believe that this is one of The Veilguard's biggest story telling strengths, and makes you carefully consider your decisions in the 5 hour emotional roller coaster that is the final act. The personal quests that you embark on to help your companions go into battle against Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain do a great job at fleshing out what who that character is as a person, and what kind of relationships they have in this universe. This ranges from talking about their parents back home, to moments of love and self-discovery. You as Rook begin to learn what their individual strengths and weaknesses are as you grow closer to all of them, and also watch as they grow closer to each other. And the game either rewards or absolutely punishes you for how well you know them. In his article, Jody Macgregor calls it a "high-pressure friendship exam" and I don't think there is a better way to describe it. With the fear of companion loss, especially following a HEAVY Virmire-like decision, you have to willingly send these people who you have spent the past 90 hours getting to know and love into the jaws of death. And their very survival depends on how well you have built them up and how much you understand what their strengths are. It really makes you miss some of those early game "chill/easygoing" vibes where your favorite companion is shaking their head at Rook for cracking jokes about hand-statues. Because if you make enough wrong choices, you could be seeing that companion die horrifically in battle with that memory stuck in your head.

[robo-dino-puppies]

ok I finally finished Inquisition and… well I'll try to be brief(er... just kidding, I'm incapable of being brief) - I was interested in the story buuuuuut it was by far the least ~*fun*~ of all three for me to play, mostly because I was playing an elf and and due to dialogue choices (or lack thereof) it ended up feeling frustrating compared to previous games. knowing what I know now about the story, I really wish I'd gone with a human instead. however I enjoyed Jaws of Hakkon and Trespasser quite a bit more than the base game and I'm interested in seeing what happens next!

attempting (hah) not to spend fifty paragraphs on it I'll just say that it was A Trial to try to play an elf the way I wanted to, which I expected to be able to do because I had a great time with it in Origins? it seemed like most companions reacted to me saying "hey, you know I have my own beliefs, right?" (if the game even gave me the chance to do so) with "that's cute. ANYWAY-" and I ended up spending much of the game full of resentment on behalf of my poor doomed Lavellan.

I remember a convo I had with Leliana in Origins where I was able to challenge her on her preconceptions about elves, and I'm pretty sure there were times when characters challenged me about my biases against humans, and I just thought that was very cool! but I'm struggling to think of any times where that happened in Inquisition… it felt like it was written very shallowly with the ability to play a non-Andrastian/non-human, and that was… uh. frustrating.

my Lavellan basically knew her life as not-the-Herald was over when the camp started singing after Haven, and it never really got much better for her from there. I liked the cast of characters, but they felt more like... work friends? vs the previous two games' dysfunctional families (beloved). and the fact that Lavellan was reluctant about her role/an outsider made romances feel a bit squicky to me, because so few of the characters seemed to recognize that! I thought Josephine was adorable, but then during the balcony cutscene she called me "your worship" after I chose a flirt - despite me taking every opportunity to say I wasn't sure I was divinely chosen etc. - and I was like "welp I guess we're done with that." (I don't fault her for it because she's the ambassador and it makes sense in-character, and I still think she's adorable! but it just... felt bad.)

it's possible the dialogue options I wanted were there, I guess, just hidden behind paraphrasing? but I hhhhhate playing dialogue wheel roulette SO MUCH - I don't find it fun when it makes you sound like a real idiot or an asshole. I didn't actually want to disrespect my companions' personal beliefs (Lavellan was open-minded! she just didn't like the Chantry as an organization), and some of the "aggressive"-sounding options seemed like they would be too rude, so I avoided them unless I was really pissed off. but given how wildly the spoken line can vary from the paraphrase, maybe I should have chosen more?

(let's just say my Opinions on the Chantry - which I've seen no further evidence to revise - were cemented in Origins when the dude in Orzammar asked me, an obviously Dalish elf, to help him build a chantry and convert dwarves. I am a perennial and compulsive quest-completer, but I purposefully abandoned that quest with great prejudice. which is literally the first time I've ever done that in any game. so.)

then there were a bunch of gameplay/technical things that were small when looked at individually but when piled together with that lingering feeling of resentment just made the experience feel like a chore.

OH and as much as I personally love Morrigan, Lavellan was getting reallllll annoyed at having her human-splain Dalish culture in the temple. my face was basically a permanent >:[ for that whole section. (I don't care if the Dalish are "wrong" about their history - my character still would have at least known who Mythal was. and not asked about it. like an idiot.) partially for this reason I did not hesitate to have Lavellan do a cannonball into the well, good idea or not lmao.

also. I didn't even get a puppy this time. Cullen got a puppy. why didn't I get a puppy?! couldn't even let me summon a wolf like in Origins? uncool.

I think Cassandra (and her [disgusted noise]s) and Dorian were my favorites. (Dorian was the other person I flirted with, which obviously didn't work out for me for a different reason than Josephine lmao, but I appreciated that it let me say "no hard feelings/we can keep flirting" and then the game actually carried through with continuing to give me flirt options. perhaps I felt like Lavellan could bond a bit with him being an outsider too, and I loved the end slides in Trespasser that said they communicated all the time through a crystal awwww that's cute.)

all that said I had fun playing Jaws of Hakkon and Trespasser. I was very interested in all the spirit stuff with the Avvar, VINDICATIONNNNN learning that Ameridan was both an elf and a mage, and of course learning more about Solas/what is actually going on with the history of the elves. (The Descent started out interesting and I was excited because dwarves! more dwarves yay! gimme the dwarf lore!!! but I felt like it just sort of fizzled out at the end? and it felt weird to just say "ok cool see ya never probably" to Valta and just... not follow up on anything? also I hated the final boss even on super easy baby mode. T_T)

I angrily disbanded the Inquisition and gave a big middle finger (singular since I only have one left *pffff*) to Orlais/Ferelden/the Chantry, which was somewhat satisfying.

it probably would have been a less depressing experience if I had played as an at-least-marginally-Andrastian human… but. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ oh well. and even though I knew there was Something Up with Solas I didn't know exactly what so it was fun finding that out along with my character. (I made a lot of decisions that he agreed with so we were good friends - or I thought we were - and I felt like the final confrontation was quite impactful, and it was satisfying to say "watch out because I'm coming to stop you.") I do think having my Warden and Inquisitor both be Dalish makes for an interesting perspective on the elf stuff.

[veilkeeper]

Ren Amell Combat Dialogue

so you know how in DA2 companions have all this combat dialogue? ages and ages ago I wrote out what I think my DA OC's would say if they were a companion. here's that for Ren, my beloved warden and total bitch <3

Added to the party: Naturally. Taken out of the party: Your funeral.

(more under the cut)

Combat Starting:

Well, there goes my plan for a nice afternoon stroll.

I'd rather not be bothered with this. Any chance you'll walk away? No?

I have better things to do.

(Sighs) Fine, let's get this over with.

During a fight:

Are you afraid of blood magic? You should be.

Get out of the way please!

I've got you!

Can't hide from me!

Bloodied? Good, I can use that.

(Using "Blood Sacrifice") Sorry! Need to borrow that.

Kills an enemy:

You should've walked away!

Surely you saw this coming?

Too easy.

After a fight:

I think there's blood in my hair.

Did anyone die? Anyone worthwhile, I mean.

Now, where were we?

No effect:

No luck. Try again?

I don't think this is working.

Anyone have a better idea?

About to KO:

Anyone have some spare blood?

I could use a hand here!

Backup would be appreciated!

Recovering from KO:

Well, that's embarrassing.

Sorry, I was... taking a nap.

Ow.

Low on mana:

Getting tired, here!

There's only so much I can do!

Someone else KO'd:

(If the Warden falls) Well, that's trouble.

(If the Warden falls when romanced) (panicked) I thought the 'no dying' rule was obvious, get up!

(If Alistair falls) Oh, you're in for it now.

(If Dog falls) Okay, who hit the dog?

(If Leliana falls) It's a sin to hit a Sister, you know.

(If Morrigan falls) Shit! Hang on, Morrigan!

(If Oghren falls) Low blow! Get it?

(If Shale falls) How did they kill the golem!?

(If Sten falls) Sten! Shit!

(If Wynne falls) Oh no, the old woman fell.

(If Zevran falls) There goes our mighty Crow.

(If Anders falls) You didn't escape just to die now, did you? Get up!

(If Justice falls) Come on, Justice, you're not done yet!

(If Nathaniel falls) Nathaniel, not you!

(If Sigrun falls) No Callings on my watch, Sigrun!

(If Velanna falls) She's going to be mad when she wakes up.

[danceswithdarkspawn]

Im curious, what originally inspired you to create your OC Ariel for Dragon Age?

Hi there and thanks for the ask.

Before I begin, I'd like to say that there is a subset of fandom (not just in Dragon Age, but generally) that would not consider Ariel an OC of any kind. A character that exists or is named in some way in the story, as all Dragon Age player-characters are, are not what they would consider original. Similarly, some might argue that player-characters tend to be self-inserts, and to some degree that may be true (Dragon Age is an RPG, after all) but that isn't always the case.

I think both of these arguments have merit. I do, however, consider player-characters as OCs because the interpretations of said characters vary by individual. Particularly with the Warden and Inquisitor, we were given a rough starting point (and even then, some forego that entirely) while the rest is ambiguous enough to be left to the player's imagination.

Ariel was originally thought up following a complete playthrough of Origins, in which I immediately went on to Inquisition. She started out as a simple idea: I wanted the Warden at Skyhold following Here Lies the Abyss, with the Wardens recruited into the Inquisition, and having been a victim of Corypheus' false Calling herself.

I was missing my Warden in Inquisition and didn't like that they were handwaved away and exploring "the lands beyond Thedas." The letter the HoF sends to Skyhold was generic (can't really fault Bioware for that) and didn't sound like her. The way I played this Warden in Origins was such that she would have been horrified at what the Order had done, and be aware enough that she could use the Inquisition's resources to her benefit.

TLDR: I had a "What If" idea and ran with it.

I suppose this technically answers the question, but there's a bit more and this is getting a bit long so more under the cut.

She was also initially meant to be somewhat secondary to another problem I had with Inquisition, which was that Leliana went through a lot and I didn't feel like it was properly explored. You could argue this is understandable given her position and history, that she'd be more walled off and guarded. This is why Griffonheart is from her POV. (Griffonheart my beloved absolute trashfire.) But specifically, this was a romanced Leliana and I wanted to explore the conflicts of that as well.

However, given the absolute mess that is Leliana's canon writing, I sometimes feel like it would have been better if Bioware had introduced another character in Leliana's place. But alas, the stage was set from Leliana's Song and DA2's Exiled Prince.

Anyway, from there Ariel became more in-depth with her inner conflicts and struggles. I started thinking about what she would be like given how I set her up for Griffonheart (which was started before Broken Bird). For example, her brother, Eran, initially existed only to justify Ariel's existence, because I wanted a very specific world state that is not possible due to gameplay/story limitations of Origins. I thought about the City Elf origin, how that might change with siblings both recruited by Duncan, and all the little things about a Tabris playthrough that I felt could be expanded on.

I started thinking about her life in the alienage, made mountains out of molehills of the alienage's arranged marriages (internalized homophobia), racism/classism between elves and humans, and how a running theme (in my opinion) across the Origin's companions is loss and mourning.

Eventually, I ended up with a flawed and traumatized elf.

[hornkerling]

Just some Hester screen grabs, including the save I made around a particular character conversation because I was not expecting to be quite so directly attacked at 3am.

Hester is probably going to romance Harding and their scenes have the romantic lighting and gorgeous interludes in the conservatory to back that up, but, gotta say: both Rook and Harding looking up (and up) at Taash makes me consider other options and long for poly routes in the game.

A few slightly more spoilery rambles:

The purple/jokey options are, frankly, a bit of a disapointment. (Exception to this: Rook's drawl of "no..." when Emmerich described himself as a "terribly maudlin child." I cackled.)

I felt similarly with the sarcastic options for Ryder in Andromeda, but am having an easier time of it here because Rook seems to have fallen into a very familial relationship with Varric, and my headcanon is that this kid Varric picked up on the road has somehow become his kid (who he tries not to swear in front of, which is the only way I can reconcile "Solas's timing stinks" and "oh crap" in those opening cutcenes). Hester adores everying he represents and is always trying for cool wordplay and charisma and...it's only sometimes landing. And for situations where they feel more confident, like their place (despite everything) in the grey wardens, they default more to strong options. But seriously - let me be caustic, I beg you...

Speaking of grey wardens: I'm glad I picked this for the first origin because the small details they are managing to fit in are quite enjoyable and are also leading to a rather fun adverserial (complimentary) relationship with Davrin, where they have experienced many of the same frustrations and even have similar coping skills, but admitting that would be TERRIBLE for some reason (mostly because Hester is not sure what to make of Davrin's griffon parenting choices).

The Grey Warden origin and Hester's general acceptance of their own eventual blighted death/the ritual elements of Warden life mean they are very at ease in the Necropolis and with Emmerich generally. They're developing a fun friendship and I will absolutely find someone to romance him. (Also, fuck you, Emmerich. You get 10 students in your classes and you're complaining about teaching loads? ...I appreciate whoever wrote that bit.)

ISABELA MY BELOVED.

I have to write so many Merribela and Liadan/Isabela/Fenris Ot3 fics involving Isabela and the Lords of Fortune Now. (Also Isabela/Josephine. I have thoughts). Also, damn right you send cultural artefacts back where they came from, Isabela. You'd better.

Morrigan is also a much more fun cameo here than in Inquisition ("I understand now why he never appreciated it when I explained..." I am dead). Very curious about her skincare routine, though. Isabela's, too.

Lucanis is a delight and, so far, less messy than I imagined. I enjoy the cooking, and am curious about demons in non-mages. His distress at necromancy as undoing good work is fantastic, and I love delivery overall.

Neve hates me forever, at least a little bit. The Treviso/Minrathous choice was a gut-punch and I do wish it had come just a little later - it felt really evil to have to make this choice before I'd even met everyone. Possibly the point. But I'm still not sure how I feel there. Also, I wish Viper was Fenris. Well, maybe not in this playthrough since he'd be in for an even more terrible time than usual, but...c'mon, game.

I want to know all about Bellara and Emmerich's correspondence.

All of Harding's letters are wonderful aaaah

Harding's relationship with Varric makes me happy, and the conversation that she and Hester had about Leliana just gifting nugs everywhere was very well done. I really hope we get to explore more about the Titans/dwarven history, and that Harding's abilities aren't just convenient traversal hacks. I have hope! The letter from Dagna was also great, and Harding in general appears to trigger some truly useless sapphic lines from Rook and I am here for it.

Also! The link between Solas's dagger and Varric's red lyrium idol is intriguing - hope the game sticks the landing, wherever it goes there.

Taash is great and their plotline with their mother has me rather frightened. I knew from about the time their mother misgendered Hester the general direction, but I was not expecting the Neve, Taash, Rook conversation as early as it came up. I had some great options there, though.

...I have had to completely turn off any wider internet commentary on the game because it is getting fucking toxic around gender stuff in a way that I am not surprised by but that is hitting me in all sorts of dark places right now.

I'm only just about to go to Weisshaupt, main plot wise, so nothing has been concluded and the writers may completely drop the ball, but...that conversation meant a lot. ("No one likes being a woman, right?" Taash, dearest...) I probably will have more coherent words on it later.

[imdoingaokay]

So I read your hero of ferelden being inquisitor post (which was amazing!) and so I raise you this: after they take care of corypheus or after trespasser, they end up disappearing/dying again due to their job being done (or something similar.) how would the origins companions react?

I literally sat back in my chair and did the most guttural, evil laugh I’ve ever done. Angst incoming!

Btw, yes I am back from the dead, I am so happy! I have another, fluffier ask coming in soon... like, in a few minutes soon.

Solas spoke quietly to the Warden-Inquisitor, but was surprised when he took away the anchor, his former friend slowly began to disappear. He didn’t mean to kill his friend. But he knew that something was wrong. 

So he fled.

It took a staggering walk for the Warden to get back to the Winter Palace, but when they did, they weakly fell into the arms of their companions. One explanation later, their inquisitor faded from existence.

The Hero of Ferelden had died once more, leaving their friends and loved ones alone all over again.

Alistair (Platonic): If he’s a warden, and still alive, he’s upset, but not surprised. He feels angry, his friend disappeared again after sacrificing themselves for the greater good just like last time. His friend wasn’t supposed to be dead, not again, not after coming back. He remembers back at Denerim when he wept the day his friend died. Luckily, he’s older now, so he doesn’t cry. Instead, he merely mourns in silence. If Alistair is sacrificed instead of Hawke in The Fade, he’s sort of relieved to see his friend in whatever afterlife there is. The two feel less alone with one another. 

Now, if he’s king, it doesn’t change much. He’s angry, furious even. The Inquisition will have whatever troops they need, Ferelden owes the Inquisition and its Inquisitor. If the Inquisition disbands, The King sends his regards with a small sum of gold. That way, the Inquisition (or what’s left of it) can begin once more with a bit more gold in their coffers.

But whatever the Inquisition may need, they need only ask. The Inquisition was the last thing the Warden was a part of, that counts for something.

Alistair (Romanced): Alistair is probably not at The Winter Palace, having sent Teagan in his place for Ferelden. Or he’s being kept busy in Weisshaupt. So when he gets word of his beloved departing again… all hell breaks loose. Warden or King, hardened or not, Alistair cries for the first time in ages. He does it away from view, however, returning to his lover’s room alone. He clings to their clothes, pillows, their sword, anything. Whatever carries a hint of his warden, he’s willing to settle for anything. 

If he’s the warden The Inquisitor left in the fade, he’s relieved to see his love again. It’s a bittersweet reunion, but the two are so happy to be together, that they don’t mind the sadness.

There are rumors of a pocket in the fade that is reminiscent of an old camp, where two grey wardens rest. Demons and spirits stay away from the pair, making it a safe place for someone to rest. The pair will gladly tell stories of their time in the blight and will warm the heart of anyone who passes by as they recall their sickeningly sweet love story. 

Of course, if he’s alive… there’s always a chance of children. Now, two years is a long time, and crazy enough, with a bit of luck and 10 or so years of being apart, two people, taint or not, might just make a baby… or two. He’ll dote on them endlessly, and refuse to leave their side. He might even attempt to leave the Grey Wardens so he can provide a fitting life for his children, perhaps seeking out someone who can take care of them when he eventually succumbs to the calling.

If King, it would be better if he had children. Because then, at least, he wouldn’t have to worry about his legacy any longer. He had a child, an heir. So now he doesn’t have to remarry. And he doesn’t want to move on. Not from his Warden, not from the woman he loved.

Leliana (Platonic): Leliana is furious, at Solas and herself, and what makes it worse is the fact that the Warden-Inquisitor died in her arms. They muttered out apologies to their friend, claiming that they did not know or that they didn’t wish to worry her. Depending on whether or not she was hardened, she thinks differently of the time she spent with her friend. 

If softened, she’s more thankful rather than angry. The Maker works in mysterious ways, and while their time together was brief once again, Leliana is grateful for the proper goodbye she was able to get.

Now, if she remains hardened, she’s furious. If the Inquisition was supposed to “save” Solas, it isn’t anymore. Leliana is gonna hunt down Solas, and she’s gonna make it hurt.

Leliana (Romanced): Solas might want to pray to whatever gods he wants, but Leliana plans on hunting him like a dog. It may not have been his fault, perhaps it was because The Warden was done in Thedas after Corypheus was defeated. But as far as she is concerned, her lover was murdered by Solas. Screw “saving” Solas, he’s going to die. Divine or not, Solas might want to start counting his days.

And for the next few years of her life, she will busy herself with Solas and the impending doom that is to come. But, there are also the few moments in between the battles and espionage and the dreadfully long after (if there is one) where Leliana pauses. She stops for only a moment, nearly freezing in her tracks at the gravity of her situation slowly presses into her.

Whenever it happens, Leliana will find herself in her room at the end of the day, crying for her lost love.

There is something in me that says that I don’t think Leliana would have kids with her warden, but on the chance she does, she is beside herself. Like the others, she immediately rushes to find them and weeps at the sight of them, she holds them so tightly that she forgets that they’re still young and can’t be squeezed too hard. After deciding to hunt after Solas, she sends them away to be raised in Orlais, where they will be raised by nannies and surrounded by nugs, anything to keep them away from the fighting.

Morrigan (Platonic): She left her friend once at Denerim, and when she left Skyhold, she expected her friend to stay. The two had talked for ages about their experience with death, and coming back to life. So when the warden disappeared again, she finds herself resolving to bring them back again. She tries and fails miserably to reach out into the fade and bring back the person she thought of as a true friend. She researches every possible way to bring them back, but she is always unsuccessful. 

She can’t focus on Solas, she is the only one who feels as though it isn’t his fault. She focuses solely on her friend and her attempts to get them back. She doesn’t give up, but eventually, she slows down, and a year or two later comes to a realization that her friend had given her closure. During the time the pair spent together, Morrigan forgave herself for leaving her friend's side at Denerim. And what was better, the warden forgave her too. In a strange way, the warden came back as most spirits do, they needed closure on something. Her friend didn’t just come back for her, obviously, but the relationships they had made, tethered them to the mortal plane for a bit longer. For a few years, they lived out the life of a hero, one that succeeded. Perhaps it was a happy ending after all.

Morrigan (Romanced): Same as above, but so much more frantic. She doesn’t know why they didn’t tell her. She doesn’t know why she didn’t know. She was supposed to be an expert on these types of things! And then there’s Kieran, who’s completely distraught. He asks her where his father is, and tells her that he misses him. This drives her even harder than before, as she stays up, late into the night to find something that will bring him back.

It takes a long while, but she is successful in bringing… someone back. It’s a vicious fade demon that took the form of her lover. Morrigan nearly loses her son before banishing the demon. But before he disappears, Morrigan sees her lover one last time. It’s a bittersweet moment, as the corruption of the fade demon disappears, but Morrigan feels her lover’s hands on her cheek before he turns his attention to Kieran. They say something to the boy, bringing a smile to his face, and the next thing the pair know, the warden is gone.

Morrigan feels guilty for the demon but is comforted when the following nights roll around and Kieran reports seeing his father in his dreams. In a place not unlike the fade. The only difference is, that Kieran knows he’s safe… probably because he has his father there to protect him.

Zevran (Platonic): He was at The Winter Palace with them. He was the first person the Inquisitor saw when they passed through the last eluvian. He was there to comfort them, telling them of their plans once they were done with The Exalted Council. But when they’re gone, he stills.

He was with them for obligation, then, maybe for treasure. But in the end, he stayed with his friend because he cared for them a great deal. His time with them was short, but he would always appreciate it. And he would also appreciate the fact that The Warden never killed him.

He joins the Inquisition, or whatever is left of it. He works alongside Leliana if she’s there. If The Inquisitor decided Solas could be saved, he admires his late friend’s kindness, but Zevran knows that if he sees Solas… Zevran may not give him the same sympathy.

Zevran (Romanced): He’s there, still. Cradling his lover like before, telling them of their plans once more, but instead of keeping his cool, he can’t help but feel his tears begin to fall. 

Maker, help him if, in the time that The Warden returned, they had children because his first worry will be their safety. He’d think that if his warden disappeared, perhaps his children would fade away too. If they’re still there, he’s so happy to know his beloved Warden left him with something to remember them by. 

As for his plans with Solas, Zevran may infiltrate Solas’ group. And he does a pretty damn good job, sending whatever information he can to the Inquisition. He doesn’t get close to Solas himself, deciding that Solas will most likely recognize him as the Inquisitor’s husband/partner. But he gets close to others and takes whatever information he has from them. And he’ll probably stay there, as long as he isn’t caught. But if he has kids, it’s a short-lived escapade. He finds himself too worried for his own good and quickly goes home, with nobody knowing the wiser.

[scarletinkthelibrarian]

Not the best idea

Little drabble I thought up after chatting in the Zevranholics Discord server. Set in an AU where Zevran was at the Conclave and became the Inquisitor, he and the Warden (in this case, my Manwë Surana) were separated before that because she had to recover after finding the Cure for the Taint.

This is what happens when a very madly in love, very protective shapeshifter mage doesn't receive the message that her husband is okay after the biggest explosion in history fast enough.

Ravens coming and going from Haven weren't anything new: they were, after all, the principal message carriers used by the newly reformed Inquisition, especially if you were the former Left Hand of the Divine and current Spymaster.

It was certainly not common, though, for a raven to suddenly glow up three foot from the ground and shift into an elvhen woman clad in dark robes, the hood falling down to unveil black, windswept hair barely covering the pointy ears - one of which was adorned by a circular, golden earring - and a pair of frowning, bloodshot green eyes that were staring at the doors of the Chantry like the owner desired to set it aflame.

Which she could have probably done, considering the volcanic aurum staff brimming with mana she was carrying with her as she marched toward the building, people backing away in fear as she did so - and one dwarf, a certain Varric Tethras, raising an eyebrow with interest as he witnessed it all.

The Templar guards who tried to stop her got swept away by the same conjured wind that slammed the doors open, while the light of the setting sun cast a long shadow inside the chantry as Manwë Surana stood on the entrance.

And staring back at her from the very end of main nave, just coming out of what everyone knew to be the war table room, were a suddenly ghostly pale Commander, a shocked Ambassador, an amused Spymaster, an aggressively protective Seeker... And a ridiculously lovestruck Inquisitor.

"Now this is an entrance worthy of you, mi amor." Zevran Airanai commented, putting his first real smile since he had woken up chained and with that strange magic taking residence in his hand.

"... So glad you're safe, you handsome idiota." The mage elf replied, tension abandoning her body and face as she took in the appearance of her beloved husband and breathed in relief: he was okay, he was safe, Leliana was here, nothing bad could have happened.

And then everything went black and she fainted on the spot: thinking about it later, maybe flying all the way to Haven while still recovering after being cured from ten years of Taint wasn't the best idea she ever had.

[itsfacedelune]

IN THE GARDEN

Maya had woken up early to enjoy her morning, before heading back to the Council Chamber. Since becoming Inquisitor, she didn't really have time to take a break. Every day, it was necessary to go to various places of Thedas, to collect the maximum of information on Corypheus. Sometimes she and her companions went away for several days and only rested for a few hours.

As soon as they got back to Skyhold, they had to deal with all the problems of the fortress: Reporting to Josephine, training with Iron Bull and Cassandra, dealing with Leliana's depression, checking that Cole hadn't done anything stupid, check that Sera hadn't set the inn on fire and that Dorian and the Reverent Mother hadn't gutted each other. Maya was exhausted.

So this quiet morning at Skyhold was a blessing. She decided to share it with her lover Solas, she wondered if the elf would walk with her in the Fade. As they had done several times already, since their first kiss. But when she arrived in the Rotunda room, where Solas had set up his office, she did not find him. She wondered where could he be, because the elf was not in the habit of leaving his quarters and leaving his studies in plain sight. Especially with Dorian and Sera hanging around the halls, taking every opportunity to steal his stuff and tease him.

She waited a little while on the armchair by the desk, trying to put some order in his disorder, but no one came.

- “ If you're looking for your beloved egg, he is in the garden! " 

Maya looked upstairs. Leaning on the balcony, with an unobstructed view of Solas' office, Dorian smoked his pipe, shrouded in fog. The smell of euphoric elven herbs descended to the young woman's nostrils.

- “ He couldn’t stand the smell of my cigar so he left… What a killjoy that one is! He'd better have a smoke too, it would relax him a bit! ”

The Inquisitor burst out laughing, then walked towards the gardens of Skyhold. It was in a small courtyard, surrounded and protected by the ramparts, with everything he needed to recharge his batteries. Large trees, flowers and various medicinal plants, and at the back a small kiosk where his companions, especially men, came to play chess.

Maya searched for Solas for a little while, before finding him in a remote corner. Under a tree, the elf was sitting and had his eyes closed. He seemed deep in meditation and focused. He had probably gone for a walk in the Fade and she didn't want to disturb him by waking him up. The Inquisitor made a sad face and was about to go back to Skyhold, when Solas called out to her:

- “ Vhenan? … “

She loved it when the elf called her that. She felt a shiver run down her neck and turned to her lover, who had opened his eyes. He looked at her with his intense blue-gray gaze.

- " I… I can come back later if you're busy…"

- " I'm never busy when it’s about you."

He motioned for her to come over and sit in the grass with him. The young woman ran. She didn't dare stick to Solas, she was too shy and impressed. Even though they had been together for a few weeks already, they hadn't really had the opportunity to be alone and hadn't exchanged a kiss for several days. Maya was starting to miss that, and Solas too.

Seeing that the young human dared not approach him, Solas grabbed her by the waist and tipped her against him. He sank into the grass, with Maya on top. She was surprised by this gesture but ended up displaying a big smile at the elf. He caressed her cheek tenderly:

- “ Ma Vhenan, I missed you. Will you stay with me for a bit ? “

Maya nodded approvingly, blushing, Solas was amused by the situation. She was so strong and unfazed when it came to fighting, but in this moment, she seemed so vulnerable.

- “ Is everything alright ? “

- “ Yes... It's just that... You impress me a lot Solas, and I lose my means in front of you... “ She replied, avoiding Solas' eyes.

- “ Mmh? The Inquisitor impressed by an apostate? The reverse would be more logical! “ Solas teased her.

Maya laughed while the elf contemplated her beautiful face.

- “ My Love… You are the most extraordinary person I have met in my entire life. When I'm around you, I feel so vulnerable and stronger than ever. Why do you think I isolate myself in the garden to meditate in the Fade? You make me lose my mind ! “ Solas replied.

Then, the elf kissed her tenderly and embraced her. He nuzzled his head in the crook of the young woman's neck, she could feel his warm breath. Maya breathed in his scent, closing her eyes. Solas enjoyed Maya's arms surrounding him.

They disappeared into the grass, entwined one against the other, not wanting to leave each other, in the little corner of the garden.

[thewastelandwriter]

Dragon Age Inquisition: Companions Favorite Starbucks Drinks

A/N: Hello, I’m back with my favorite series! This was fun for me to make, so I hope you enjoy! You don’t know how badly I wanted to give Solas the “Emperors Cloud and Mist” tea. The description fits him so well. “This gently smoky, softly sweet green tea—cultivated at 3,500 feet and shrouded in ethereal clouds and mist—is tasty no matter what language you say it in.” Beautiful! But alas, the man who loves to sleep hates tea. Wack. (P.S. I also plan on doing one for DAO and DA2! I’ll update this and my Masterlist once it’s done! In the mean time, if you play Apex Legends or Fallout 4 I have made one for them as well! :))

Cassandra: Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade

Our blend of hibiscus, lemongrass and apple, handshaken with ice, lemonade and, of course, passion.

Dorian: Earl Grey Tea

We take a strong black tea base and add the essence of bergamot, a citrus fruit with subtle lemon and floral lavender notes, to create this aromatically awesome tea flavor.

Iron Bull: Dragon Drink

This tropical-inspired pick-me-up—crafted with a refreshing combination of sweet mango and dragonfruit flavors—is handshaken with creamy coconutmilk, ice and a scoop of real diced dragonfruit.

Solas: Caramel Cloud Macchiato

Our Cloud Macchiato is light and airy with layers of fluffy foam, cascading espresso, vanilla-flavored syrup and a drizzle of caramel. It's a whole new way to love your macchiato.

Sera: Honey Almond Milk Flat White

This iced flat white—intentionally made with almondmilk and Starbucks Blonde® Espresso Roast poured over ice with a hint of honey—creates a perfect amount of cool, creamy, nutty sweetness.

Blackwall: Chocolate Cream Cold Brew

Starbucks® Cold Brew sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with a silky, chocolaty cream cold foam.

Vivianne: Iced London Fog Tea Latte

Bright, citrusy spark of bergamot blends with subtle hints of lavender and mixes with vanilla syrup, milk and ice to create this delicious reinvention of a classic Earl Grey tea.

Varric: Cinnamon Dolce Latte

We add freshly steamed milk and cinnamon dolce-flavored syrup to our classic espresso, topped with sweetened whipped cream and a cinnamon dolce topping to bring you specialness in a treat.

Cole: White Chocolate Mocha

Our signature espresso meets white chocolate sauce and steamed milk, and then is finished off with sweetened whipped cream to create this supreme white chocolate delight.

Bonus: Advisors

Josephine: Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino

Buttery caramel syrup is blended with milk and ice, then topped with a layer of dark caramel sauce, whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a crunchy caramel-sugar topping—oh-so-beautifully delicious.

Cullen: Chai Tea Latte

Black tea infused with cinnamon, clove and other warming spices is combined with steamed milk and topped with foam for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. An iconic chai cup.

Leliana: Royal English Black Tea

Each sip of this beloved morning black tea unfolds to reveal the complexity of the high-grown full leaves. An elegant, time-honored classic that brings a royal nod to every cup.

[contreparry]

Hi Contre, happy Friday: A false execution, but the love interest believes it’s real :(

Absolutely! Here's some Zevran/Warden for @dadrunkwriting!

He was too late.

He heard the news a week ago, right as he emerged from another delve into the Deep Roads. He was exhausted and battered and ready to sink into a warm bath before writing up an extensive report on the movement (or lack thereof) of Darkspawn in the roads, but the message waiting for him could not be ignored. Notorious leader of the Antivan Crows captured, awaiting execution in Antiva City-

Bran Surana left Amaranthine that very day. He might not have enough authority to pull Zevran from out underneath the swordsman's blade, but he had other strengths: sneakiness, firepower, determination. He could rescue him. He would rescue him.

His heart demanded nothing less.

But Bran was slow. Too slow. Every trial and tribulation that could have struck did: storms at sea and information scant. Leliana was unable to be contacted, busy with her own matters back in Orlais. Alistair did what he could, but even he couldn't convince the Antivan authorities to let Zevran go. Not even his own meagre rank and power held sway in Antiva, not when there were greater interests that wanted Zevran Arainai dead and hushed up for good. Nothing more dangerous than an assassin who was more than a knife. And as Bran ran into the main square in Antiva City, saw the body kneeling at the chopping block, dressed in black and head hooded, saw the blade swing down, shining silver like starlight in the hot summer sun-

"Away, ser," Nathaniel Howe whispered as he dragged him back, away from the square and back into the cool shadows of the alleyway. "There's nothing to be done. You can't bring back the dead."

Dead. His Zevran, dead. He saw him two months ago. Zevran dragged him out of his office and into his- their- bed, laughing against his skin as he showered him with kisses.

("I must visit you more often, my dearest Warden, or I fear you will never use your bedchambers.")

Maybe it would be better to burn down the entire city, Bran thought as Nathaniel (good, steady Nathaniel, who begrudgingly went along on this mad quest because someone had to keep him in line) hustled him away from the milling crowd and that bloodstained platform. A place that refused to acknowledge its own culpability, a place that was so wrong and rotten- surely it shouldn't remain. One final job, to avenge the one man he had always hoped to keep by his side-

Bran had never been in love before, not before Zevran waltzed into his life. And now that he was gone, he now understood exactly what sort of rage and sorrow would convince a man to tear the world asunder. And he knew exactly where to start, right at that smug, smiling noble standing up above them all on his private balcony, the one who signaled the swordsman to do his deed, the one who organized the whole event-

It was as his hand crept up to his staff that a strong hand wrapped around his wrist and pulled him aside, further into shadows and away from Nathaniel, away from the people, away from the carnage. Perhaps it was shock or longing, but Bran could have sworn that that hand was familiar. He glanced down, looked at the hand, looked at that amber skin, looked at the ring that had been on the executioner's hand- a familiar ring. A very, very familiar ring, a thick gold band with a small garnet embedded in the center-

("I don't know much about jewels. I thought you might like this one," Bran had told Zevran once, desperate to hide his anxiety and awkwardness with a shrug and dismissal. But Zevran smiled and held his hand up to the light.

"Your instincts have never led you wrong, Bran. This is lovely," Zevran replied, and Bran's heart was soothed.)

"Your dedication is, as always, heartwarming, mi amore. But couldn't you show a little faith in your beloved?" the man- no, Zevran, teased as he pulled off the executioner's mask- alive. Thank the Creators, the Maker, whoever it was who ensured that a miracle happened and his heart had returned to him unharmed- mostly unharmed. There was an exhaustion in Zevran's expression, and the tender way he carried himself suggested that there were wounds under his loose clothing that were just healing.

He would be careful in a moment. Right then Bran grabbed hold of Zevran, held him close, buried his face against Zevran's neck as he grasped at his back, at his shoulders, tangled his fingers into Zevran's sweat soaked hair-

"Idiot," Bran croaked as he pulled away from Zevran to take in his face, to make sure that this wasn't some sort of sick joke. "As if I wouldn't go after you."

Zevran chuckled, brought his hand under Bran's chin, tilted it up so he was staring into Zevran's eyes, merrily dancing as he gazed into Bran's soul.

"And I am glad you did."

[naomifj97]

A lamppost in winter

“—A lamppost in winter, figures…

—And…have you?

—Have I what?

—Have you ever licked a lamppost in winter?

—You didn’t just ask me that.”

Or: Alistair tries to mock Oriana.

I couldn't not. I HAD to do it. So, this is my take on our beloved Alistair's lampposts in winter. Shamelessly and unapologetic Alistair x The Warden oneshot, featuring awkward flirting and slowly falling in love with your fellow companion. Around 2k, long but worth it ;)

Follows my own headcanons stablished on previous fics, Wild and Newbie. Keep reading under cut! Enjoy!

They always guard the camp in pairs.

As their little party grows, so does the place, therefore it’s easier to have all flanks covered if there’s four eyes watching instead of just two.

Alistair and Oriana usually pair up, take the first turn of the night. They work well together, are comfortable with each other’s presence. Maybe it has to do with almost dying in a tower together and being the only ones left from an ancient order. Or maybe it’s just because they’re, as Morrigan likes to point out, two halves of the same idiot.

It is no secret that Alistair is at his most comfortable when he’s with her. He likes Leliana, and doesn’t mind being paired up with Sten, but Oriana is just something else. The tiny elf follows his lead on stupid jokes, asks him incessantly about the Grey Wardens, listens to his moments of grief with patience and understanding, never judging, never pushing.

Early on their sudden friendship, Alistair found out it’s easy to talk to Oriana, even about things he has not quite tell anyone else. He’s sure she knows, understands, more than she lets in.

He has talked about how he felt when Duncan conscripted him, how he’s felt in the Grey Wardens. And he’s talked to her about his childhood. Something now he’s probably about to regret, he realizes, as she looks at him and smirks like the cat that swallowed the pigeon.

—So… If you were raised in the Chantry does it mean you’ve never…?

Oriana leaves her question inconclusive, out in the chilling air of the camp, but it makes him nervous nevertheless.

He raises his eyebrows, feigning ignorance.

—Never… Never what? Had a good pair of shoes?

She pouts.

—Oh, c’mon, you know what I mean.

Of course he does. He just doesn’t know how to answer.

—I’m not sure I do. Have I never seen a basilisk? Ate jellied ham? Have I never licked a lamppost in winter?

That’s it. That’s all he needs. Oriana straight out bursts in laughter, so loud she could have woken up the whole camp. Alistair may have felt ashamed if he didn’t like her laughter so much. The feeling of pride for making her smile is way wider than the second-hand embarrassment because, seriously, a lamppost in winter? Maker, what was he thinking?

But Oriana always picks up the glove on his clownery, so, still trying to hold back her laughter, between giggles, she replies:

—Okay, now you’re making fun of me.

He pretends to be offended.

—Make fun of you, dear lady? Perish the thought!

She rolls her eyes with noticeable affection.

—No, of course not. How could I’ve thought so? Is not like you’ve ever made fun of my sleep-talking or my eating habits…

To be fair, he has only done that once. But if she insists…

—I wouldn’t if you didn’t wolf down food like a starving dragon… —Alistair replies, with a small, sarcastic jingle in his voice he knows makes Oriana go a bit mad. Probably because it’s a lot like her own and makes up for good competition.

And, effective as usual, she crosses her arms over her chest and sticks her tongue out in his direction like a seven-year-old kid.

—I told you, I’m a growing girl! —she protests, pouting.

Alistair tries very hard not to memorize how her frown wrinkles and her eyes sparkle, or how the light coming from the fire caresses her features in a way he might or might not be dying to do too.

—Yeah, I’m sure is just that… —he mocks, and Oriana grunts, punching him “amicably” in the shoulder. He shrieks, chuckling, trying to get out of the way of those small but surprisingly strong fists of her —. No, no, don’t hit me! I bruise easily.

His pleas, tinted by that joyful tone that delates he’s actually enjoying the exchange, make Oriana yield with a soft huffing by the corner of her lips.

—Chicken —she smirks, trying very hard to conceal she’s enjoying the chat too and failing miserably. They stay in silence for a few minutes, during which they search for signs of disturbance, but the night is quiet as a pod at the early hours of a spring morning. All that can be heard are Barkspawn’s snores by the entrance of their campsite. And so, in the middle of the quietness, Alistair hears Oriana giggling once again—. A lamppost in winter, figures…

He’s never gonna live that down, he knows it. As much as he knows it’ll be more than worthy.

He peeks a look at her, and finds the elf softly shaking her head in incredulity, her pink lips adorned with a huge smile, tense from holding back her laugh. What was meant to be a small peek becomes a whole staring, and Alistair finds himself wondering if anyone, ever, has kissed those lips, that crook in her neck right over her shoulder, if she has ever…

He knows is not polite to ask. Specially not to a lady. But curiosity is killing him, and she has asked first, after all, and she’s Oriana, so this won’t be weird at all. Suddenly, he just has to ask.

—And…have you?

She is a bit startled; jumps in her place and looks at him blinking, with sincere confusion in her eyes. She must have been too entranced in her thoughts, because the question is honest:

—Have I what?

—Have you ever licked a lamppost in winter?

He drags the “l’s” and the “p’s”, trying to make the question sound more foolish, less serious, than it already is. He even rises his eyebrows for dramatic effect. And Oriana stares at him, mouth agape and huge eyes, obviously taken by surprise.

—You didn’t just ask me that!

And, obviously, very amused, because her tone is somewhere between joking and incredulity. She doesn’t seem offended, however, and Alistair is about to pinch her again (he’ll stop doing it when it ceases being funny), but she starts cackling, shaking the shoulders and almost bending her body.

—Maker, you’re gonna be the end of me —she protests, drying tears from her eyes. Then, she looks at him and Alistair is sure his heart is about to jump on his chest—. Well, I have…tasted certain parts, but if what you want to know is if I have actually licked the whole thing… Then, the answer is no. I haven’t exactly really licked a lamppost in winter.

Great. Now he’s even more curious than he was before. But she doesn’t add any details, so Alistair goes on with a language they both understand very well, a language that has built their complicity during those past weeks.

—So you didn’t lost half of your tongue in the process, I assume. Good, good. I heard is quite painful.

Oriana titles her head and smirks.

—I heard it is. If you don’t do it right, that so, you know? —she says, winking at him, and he almost has a heart attack. A little one.

—Well, not exactly. Living in the Chantry is…not exactly a life for rambunctious boys —he chuckles, nervously, and starts fidgeting with his gauntleted fingers; suddenly, and despite the chilling night in the forest, his armor feels too warm—. I myself never have the pleasure. Not that I haven’t thought about it, of course, but…you know.

He’s aware that he has enlarged the “u” in pleasure too much to be casual and the “know” for Oriana to let it be. Maybe he’s liking the conversation despite the utter embarrassment he’s going to feel tomorrow morning.

—You never had the opportunity? —she wonders, but before he can reply, she raises her hands and stops him—. Oh, no, no, wait, I know this one. You’re gonna tell me you lack the proper parts.

Coming from another, that would have hurt. Maybe it would have made him feel unsure of his lack of experience. But with her is just another silly joke, and she has just admitted she’s also an inexperienced person (less than him, yes, but still inexperienced), so he knows she’s not trying to hurt him. And the fact that she gives him a small, playful nudge in the leg with her hip also distracts him a bit of the joke, too.

He later realizes that she has said it in a peculiar way, one that proves she listens to his self-deprecating jokes and knows he sometimes insults himself before anyone else can, so others have no opportunity to do it.

But for now, he feigns injury, placing a hand in his chest as she has run one of her daggers through his heart with her words.

—Ha, ha, that’s funny. Such cruelty from such a beautiful woman. I’m hurt. If you hear sobbing later, that’s me crying myself to sleep.

Something changes in that moment.

Alistair notices because, for the first time since he knows her, he’s sure he’s taken Oriana by surprise. She stares at him, bewildered, the traces of laugh and joking disappearing from her face, substituted by a sudden shyness.

—You think I’m beautiful? —she whispers, disbelieved, and blushing a bit around the cheeks.

Alistair knows they’re no longer joking. He could never joke about that, anyway, because yes, Oriana is beautiful and he can’t believe she just hasn’t realized. She has beautiful hair, and pretty eyes, and a wonderful voice, and attractive lips, and walks like she always knows exactly where she’s going, and stops in her tracks to help anybody in need who crosses her way, and is braver than a lion, and her smile is better than sunshine, and she is a fire that could light up the whole Ferelden.

Maybe is that certainty what pushes him to reply with such confidence and straightforwardness, something he doesn’t usually do:

—Of course you are, and you know it. You are ravishing, resourceful, and all those things you’d probably hurt me for not saying.

She blushes harder, her joyful mood enraptured by an unusual bashfulness, as she giggles softly to herself and places a stray strand of her braided hair behind her pointy ear. She’s serious when she replies:

—I’m not planning on hurting you.

He is, too.

—Nor I you.

Now they’re both blushing messes, and Alistair is very thankful Morrigan is fast asleep in her tent and not seeing any of this, because he’s sure he’s staring at her fellow Grey Warden like an infatuated idiot and Morrigan would never, ever, let him live for it.

They stay there, still, just watching each other, for a time Alistair is not able to precise. Then, at some point, Oriana clears her throat and bounces on her feet, breaking the spell.

—I… didn’t know, actually. The beautiful thing. Thanks —she clumsily mutters, scratching the back of her neck and Alistair could have squeaked because shit, she’s cute when she’s bashful and he did not expect it. But then Oriana smiles, a smile so pure and sweet Alistair is about to fall on his ass and has to make an effort to listen to what she’s saying—: I don’t want to make you cry to sleep, you know.

She’s being serious. She has said it like a confession.

Her words sent a chill over Alistair’s spine that makes him go a bit crazy.

—Don’t worry. I think I’ll survive —he answers, in a soft, confident murmur, and she smiles.

—You are a real gentleman.

—I was taught to be one, you know. Chantry chaste upbringing and so —he jokes, again, and then he’s the one clearing his throat this time—. Let us be off, before your risqué talk make my ears blush.

Oriana narrows her eyes at him with a hint of mischief he knows very well already.

—They’re already blushing.

—I hate you.

—You do not.

No, he doesn’t. In fact, he’s quite sure he’s doing exactly the opposite of hating her right now.

He wonders if he should give her the rose that night. That single rose he picked up in Lothering just because it reminded him of her.

But no. Their watch is ending, and they’ve made enough progresses for that day.

He has done enough progresses.

They still have a Blight to stop, and many nights of watches and small talks ahead of them.

Oriana has returned to her watching of the entrance, and Alistair, despite his duty to watch on the other direction, can’t help but stare at her.

“Lampposts in winter”, he thinks.

They certainly make up for good conversations.

A/N: They are idiots, Your Honor.

I mixed several answers and posibilities the game offers in this exchange because, honestly, they all are gold and it's way funnier this way. Pretty sure this is one of my favourite conversations in the whole game, can't help but cackle each time I remember it.

Anyway, hope you liked it! Excuse typos and grammar mistakes, English is not my first language and I actually do this kind of stuff not to get rusty (and because I'm in full Dragon Age brainrot and it's all I can think about, that too).

[lavalampelfchild]

Asunder Halfway Rant

Status report: I’m halfway through Dragon Age: Asunder, and I’m just so angry right now.  I’m keeping the tagging to a minimum because I don’t want this to get on someone’s radar while they’re just looking for positive things to interact with relating to Asunder, but I’m just... so angry, and I need to vent.  

First things first: this is a personal rant, not an objective analysis.  It is also not based on a full reading of the book; this is an “impressions halfway through” kind of bag.  And I completely understand people feeling differently or not agreeing with me at all, and that is 100% okay.  Onward.

So far, Evangeline is my least favorite character in the entire story, and Rhys is honestly just continuously climbing down that ladder to be closer and closer to her on my list.

It’s not necessarily what is happening that I have a problem with.  It’s the framing, and the fact that Rhys and Evangeline have no chemistry and yet keep pushing themselves into each other’s corner.  This despite the fact that Evangeline has done nothing but disdain her charges, behave in an authoritarian and controlling way, threaten to kill Rhys a few times, and maintain a patronizing and infantilizing belief that mages don’t know how good they have it because they have food, resources, and a roof over their heads. 

A good start narratively for a character arc.  But so far, nothing that Evangeline has done that was wrong has been called out or challenged in a meaningful way.  The only time she’s allowed herself to be challenged has been when Rhys did a thing and called her out in an ultimately rather light way.  And then he immediately softens toward her because she grudgingly admitted that he was maybe sorta kinda right.

And again... that’s fine in a bubble.  But I have sat through 12 chapters of Evangeline doing and being the exact same thing with regards to her mage charges.  She is rigid and unyielding, but the narrative wants me to look at that and see it as her being “proud” or “noble.”  And how do I know that?  Because the narration tells me several times!  Through Rhys’s narration, through Leliana’s awkward statements, even through Cole’s narration, we are reminded that Evangeline is “pretty okay for a templar,” when nothing of the sort has been shown to us through Evangeline’s actions.

There’s a time for telling.  Certainly.  But with something like this?  With character arcs and development?  You need at least as much, if not more, showing to get the full extent of that arc across.  The reader needs to feel and experience that this thing - whatever it is - is true, and I have felt and experienced nothing of the sort with Evangeline. 

And by the time we get to Cole’s backstory, in chapter 12, it already feels entirely too late for Evangeline to have a genuine moment of realization and change.  She has thus far stubbornly refused to listen with any significance to any challenge to a decision she has made by one of her charges.  The narrative has refused to allow those challenges to mean anything to her, which just reinforces her place in the story as a glorified jailer who inexplicably flirts with Rhys a few times.  Every time something significant she does is challenged, Evangeline and the narrative both (Rhys too, honestly) just move right past it by the next scene, as though it really is, to borrow a beloved phrase from DAO, nothing more than a fart in the middens.

And, I will admit, some of this is very personal.  Adrian is being ignored and pushed aside by Rhys for no real discernible reason.  When she gets shoved to the ground and verbally castigated by Evangeline in chapter 7, Rhys actually thanks Evangeline for defusing the situation.  Wynne does too.  And then, in his narration, he comments that Adrian will likely be “impossible” to deal with come the next day.  Like she’s a damn child.  

Never mind the tavern-goer who expressly went up to the mages who’d been minding their own business, and started shit with them.  And never mind that stopping Adrian from using her magic did not require Evangeline to shove her down and yell at her, even as some form of intervention was necessary.  Never mind any of that.  Evangeline is clearly a woman who has her priorities in order.

Is it a wonder Adrian got mad and upset?  Her friend saw her justified anger and hurt as an elaborate tantrum, and then proceeded to thank her authoritarian chaperone for shoving her down and cruelly shouting at her before telling her to shut up.  

Nice job, Rhys.

And then comes chapter 12, and Wynne is being weirdly patronizing and cruel to Adrian.  And Adrian’s not even being all that provocative either.  The questions she asks are pretty understandable, and even with the ones that are leading, accusatory, or biased, Wynne’s downright cruel treatment of her is not warranted at all.

Was there a point to this? Gone is her genuine compassion and kindness, and now she just fucking hates everything, I suppose. Good, that is such fun to read. I’m sorry to say, a few pages of banter between Shale and Wynne about how they did the Blight together isn’t gonna save this one. Wynne is still a cold, arrogant, pompous piece of shit who patronizes others like a pro.

If you’d wanted to bring the cynical side of her forward, or focus on her being tired and more pragmatic, then do that. Don’t just eliminate a significant part of her character wholesale and then lean on the “it’s been 10 years, she’s different now” copout. Because it is a copout. People do change over a good number of years, and it can be a drastic change. But when you’re writing a novel, and you keep all that significant change offscreen, it feels like a cheat. It feels lazy and unearned and like you wanted only to pull the rug out from under the readers’ feet.

What was the point in having her talk so cruelly down to Adrian when Adrian was just asking her questions? Sure, they may have been pointed, biased, or leading, but Adrian is a much younger woman than Wynne is, we have been told time and time again that Wynne does have a good measure of patience, and honestly, these questions are hardly worse than some of the things a Warden can ask or say to Wynne in DAO. So why the douchecanoe treatment now?

So, yeah.  I sympathize with Adrian.  She’s so far gotten one POV segment, which immediately had her walk back her anger toward Rhys, because he can do no wrong, I suppose, and then she gets snubbed by Wynne for some damn reason.  And before that, she was repeatedly ignored or pushed around or disdained, and when she got angry about it, Rhys wrote her off as just getting a little pissy.  I’m surprised he didn’t make a fucking “time of the month” joke.  He seems that callous and tone-deaf sometimes.

She’s been a character who has had imperfect and aggressive but relatable reactions to things like perceived rejection.  She’s hurt by it, she’s angry by it, she lashes out because of it, and she gets written off for it.  Yeah, I’m angry on her behalf.  What does the cardboard cutout Evangeline have that’s half as interesting as what Adrian’s showing?

And by the way, I do know where Adrian’s character ends up going.  And I’m very afraid that it’s going to be as half-assed as the rest of her arc.  Let’s not follow the mage who’s become bitter and lonely and upset at being apparently ignored and rejected by her only real friend.  Let’s follow the self-righteous templar who’s never made to be held accountable for her actions, and the perfect sarcastic Gaider Guy who has all the perfect views on everything and never needs to be seriously challenged.

That sounds better than that obnoxious realistic person.

This is only a halfway response to Asunder, keep in mind.  I don’t know what will change moving forward, but I have my doubts that all the times Evangeline threatened to kill someone, or actually tried to kill someone (and was only stopped because of external forces and not her own decision or growing realization that she could be wrong, which doesn’t really exist as of now) without giving a shit what other people thought are going to be addressed.  And I certainly have my doubts about the likelihood of addressing Rhys’s decision to lie to both Adrian and Wynne about Evangeline’s true motives.

If they are addressed, however, I will walk these predictions back.  But as of right now, I don’t have a lot of faith in that.  And getting through just about anything with these characters is like pulling teeth.