#Rook Ingellvar

[iedistis]

Those dim, early morning dreams

[cybershock24601]

My most unhinged and for the drama post canon Rookanis scenario is where Rook accidentally gets pregnant post the first night she and Luccanis spend together because they're both virgins, Rook's not on any contraceptive, and the final battle is happening pretty much right after so remembering to take the fantasy morning after pill kinda gets lost in the shuffle and it basically results in Lucanis speedrunning ditching the Crows to become the Ultimate Househusband.

The way I typically imagine post canon Rookanis going down is Rook moving in with Lucanis and her relationship with Caterina slowly worsening over months and years because while Caterina probably starts pretty neutral on Rook, she just does not vibe with Rook's personality and considering she's a paranoid old woman, does not like the influence this outsider has on her grandson or the sort of support Rook has unintentionally built up amongst the Crows during the whole, let's kill these evil elven gods fiasco. Sure Caterina named Lucanis First Talon but its pretty clear a lot of the power is supposed to remain in her guiding hand and Rook is an unknown and chaotic variable fucking with her plans.

Rook on the other hand goes in ready to do her best to build a good relationship with Caterina for Lucanis' sake but starts souring on Caterina the more she learns about Lucanis and Illario's childhoods and is like, no wonder shit went so sideways, which combined with Caterina's increasingly passive aggressive behavior, Rook is only being civil because she is not willing to cause more problems in Lucanis' already fucked up family but its not like Rook is taking Caterina's jabs without getting in a few of her own.

On top of that, despite Caterina's personal dislike of Rook, she's also pushing for Lucanis and Rook to marry and start pumping out great grandbabies to repopulate House Dellamorte. While Rook is more then willing to marry Lucanis, the more Rook learns about how Caterina raised Lucanis and Illario and just about the Crows in general, she starts getting a lot of reservations about raising any child of hers in such a fucked up environment. Meanwhile Lucanis is aggressively Not Thinking About It because while he can justify the treatment he received growing up, thinking about raising his children the way he was would probably break his brain a little because its a little hard to ignore how fucked up and traumatic your own childhood is when you have to confront how much that would fuck up and traumatize someone else.

So instead of these issues growing worse and worse over the years until they completely bubble over, Rook and Lucanis have to pretty immediately confront the realities of raising a family in the Crows and by the time the kid is 6 months old Rook has enough of a grasp of what this kids future will look like in the Crows and Lucanis has had to confront continuing the cycle of abuse he was born into and they just mutually come to the decision that they need to GTFO now.

Also maybe throw in a rival Talon trying to smother this future First Talon before they have chance to grow for a little extra drama and to force Lucanis to confront the same choice Caterina did on whether the seat of First Talon is worth sacrificing his family and the answer is obviously a resounding No.

And this is all without accounting for Spite and how he would react to Rook being pregnant because I'm sure that's probably an insane concept for a spirit or how Spite would deal with this new tiny person that's half-Lucanis and half-Rook. Not to mention whatever inevitable over dramatic reaction Illario has to becoming an uncle while trying to patch up his relationship with Lucanis after the whole 'attempting to have Lucanis killed to take the position of First Talon' thing. Lots of room for comedy here to balance out how fucked up the rest of this story is.

Anyways all this ends with Lucanis and Rook traveling around for a few years to keep the Crows off their tail because I doubt Lucanis would be able to easily leave without some reprisal before they eventually quietly settle down in the Necropolis. Which serves as great security because I like the idea of magical semi sentient locations and I don't think the Necropolis would let any Crow assassins reach its Crypt Baby or Crypt Grandbaby

[nostalgiaclown]

The floral arrangement is so cute and I got all sappy imagining Rook taking the time to arrange them just so, the emotions Emmrich might be going through watching them carefully do so... oh...

[yudol-skorbi]

you might see this guys around

[mementomortalitasi]

I have a head-cannon that in Nevarra the dead are too sacred to use for dissections or teaching cadavers, so they'll use the living (hey, they heal!) and that is where Rook's extensive scars come from. A bit of a grunt job for a penniless orphan before joining the Watch, and now he'll tell you all about the shape of his spleen.

The patterns are a throwback to anatomy lessons for Emmrich!

[largemandrill]

I think it’d be real funny if you romance Emmerich as a mournwatcher and during his quest Hezenkoss started yelling at him for being unethical because he’s “dating a student”. Spirit desecration is fine but age gaps are just plain gross.

[fanfoolishness]

Number 10 with your Ingellvar x Lucanis is calling out to my angst fueled mind, please!

You write so beautifully btw 🥰 and your rooks are GORGEOUS

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy this one, it really got rather out of hand!

Prompt: a kiss out of desperation. Liesl Ingellvar isn’t sure what’s real, but Lucanis is there for her. Set very shortly post-game so full spoilers for the ending. Angst and hurt/comfort and feels, 1429 words of them! Enjoy :)

———

What’s Real

Gray mist swirled around her, settling clammy dew on her cheeks and hands. Beads of it slid down to gather at her chin. She wiped it away, unsettled.

Stone rose up out of the mist, half-recognized, messy sketches of the Grand Necropolis yawning before her. But this was not the Grand Necropolis she knew; though it was ever changing, ever mutable, it still always felt familiar in the sweet-musty scent of the grave, the preternatural stillness, the sense of vastness far beyond mortal ken. This place she was in now felt like a tarnished reflection, a pale imitation of what she knew. She traversed the wending trails in cautious confusion, feeling hemmed in. Constrained.

”This isn’t home,” Liesl muttered to herself. “It’s the Fade.”

But if it was the Fade, why did she feel so uneasy? She had long ago mastered herself and her dreams, and hungry spirits held no dominion over her: she knew who she was, and what she was about. There was nothing to fear here.

Except she knew better.

Varric’s voice came behind her, kind and caring, proud and warm. “Hey there, kid.”

”You’re gone now,” she whispered, blinking back sudden tears. “I let you go. I understand everything.”

”You sure about that?”

The fear choked her, made it hard to breathe. She couldn’t be back in Solas’ prison. She’d fought her way through. She’d been called home. But she couldn’t remember how she had escaped — if she had escaped — and cold dread staggered her heart. With a great effort she turned to face him.

Varric chuckled, shaking his head. He stood before her with an easy smile, Bianca on his back, hands on his hips. The mist billowed around him as his smile drooped. “I’m sorry, Rook. We messed up. We tried though, didn’t we? Wish I could write it all down.” He sounded so tired.

Then Varric shifted in the fog, his shape smaller, slighter. Familiar red hair blazed through the mist. Harding gave her a sad look.

“You’re here,” she said. “Gosh, I wish you weren’t. It’s not a nice place to be.”

”Harding, I’m sorry —“

Harding waved a gloved hand at her, shrugging. “You made a choice, and so did I. I knew that this was part of the deal! I think you did, too.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s so chilly here. No one told me it was going to be so cold.”

Liesl dashed away tears with the back of her hand. She wouldn’t cry. This wasn’t real. Was it?

Harding sighed. “I just wish my Ma was going to be all right. With all this, you know?”

“I’ll tell her how brave you were,” Liesl said fiercely.

Harding gave her a sad smile. “But how are you going to do that, Rook, when you’re trapped here?”

No. She had to get out. Had to escape. She turned and ran the other direction, nearly running into another figure.

It was Solas. Not the brash young warrior of the Crossroads, nor the wise tactician speaking into her mind. He was Wisdom made Pride, his eyes cold and sharp and calculating. The Dread Wolf drew nearer and even through the mist, she could see the bruises mottling his face, the mouthful of blood staining his teeth.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” Solas said, raising the lyrium dagger. Before she could arm herself or reach for her magic the dagger was beneath her chin, pressing against her pulse. “But the Veil falls now. It must.” He gave her a rueful smile. “I regret you will not see what will become.”

The dagger nicked her throat, and the world went blue, then white.

—

“Rook! Liesl! Wake up!” Hands on her shoulders, a voice in the dark, a shower of violet feathers. She blinked, shaking, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. Lucanis was beside her, candles flickering behind him, Spite’s wings gone once more. She knew this place. It was Varric’s room… no. It was the Lighthouse infirmary.

She scrambled up to a sitting position and stared at Lucanis for a long and terrible moment, her chest heaving. Was this real? Was this the prison? Would Lucanis vanish, just another trick? She clapped a hand to her throat, but there was no wound.

Her head throbbed. She buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed. The cot sank and shifted as Lucanis sat down beside her.

“Oh, Rook, Rook, Rook.” He murmured her name like a prayer, voice raw and cracking, and then his arms were around her. He pulled her in close, holding her tightly, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He was warm and solid.

She took a deep breath. He smelled of stale coffee and sweat, elfroot, a hint of injury. Injury. She — she remembered —

“We did it,” she mumbled. “Didn’t we?”

“We did,” Lucanis said softly, lifting his head. He brushed away the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes with the pad of his thumb. “We won. But you were hurt. Do you remember?”

The battle with Elgar’nan, a blow to the head, running on sheer willpower. Pleading with Solas with her head pounding, Lucanis holding her steady as the dizziness worsened. A flash of light as the Veil mended and stabilized. The others, some injured, but all alive. It was coming back to her in bits and pieces.

“I remember,” she said. “But I — I thought I —” She shivered, bowing her head. “I thought he’d trapped me again in the Fade. That he was going to tear the Veil down. I saw Solas — and Harding — Varric —“

She raised her head, looking over at the cot that still held Varric’s folded jacket, the shattered remnants of Bianca. He was still gone. It had only been a dream, not an echo, not a spirit, not a trap.

“I’m sorry. They’re gone. But you’re awake now,” Lucanis said. “You’re safe.”

But the fear still lingered. She pulled back from him and he reluctantly released her from the embrace. She turned her gaze from Varric’s bed — no, it had never been his bed — and stared into Lucanis’ worried face, seeing him more clearly now.

A large bruise stained one cheek. There was a bloodied split in his swollen lip. The shadows beneath his reddened eyes were deep and dark, and his hair was tangled, nearly snarled. Clearly he had not left her side since Minrathous or attended to his own injuries.

“Are you all right?” Liesl asked, resting her hand on his chest, against his rumpled waistcoat.

“Told him to rest. Heal. I would guard you. Wouldn’t listen!” Spite growled, a violet aura flickering around Lucanis’ body for an instant.

“He’s stubborn, that’s for sure,” Liesl agreed, almost smiling. Spite laughed.

Lucanis shook his head, the flicker of Spite dissipating once more. “I am fine,” he said. She touched the bruise on his cheek and he winced slightly. “Mostly fine. It’s of little concern. We were all more worried about you. Emmrich and Bellara did what they could, but there were many injured, and supplies were low. This?” He gestured to his face. “Is nothing.”

She nodded, her head aching with the motion, and grimaced. He brushed the hair back from her forehead, peering concernedly at her eyes.

“Rook, you should not be up yet. You must rest,” Lucanis said.

But if she rested, the Fade awaited her. Harding, Varric, they might be there again, the fears and griefs she’d barely had a chance to name before she’d had to return to the fight. She couldn’t face them, not yet.

Not alone.

“Tell me I’m here,” she breathed, desperate to believe him. “Please, Lucanis. Tell me I’m here.”

His dark eyes were too bright, glittering in the candlelight. “Oh, Liesl.” He stroked her hair, her cheek, and drew her into a shaky kiss. “You are here with me, I promise. I love you.”

She kissed him back, sinking against him until they lay entangled on the narrow cot, pressed tightly against each other. She could feel his hands, the rise of his chest, the jut of his hips, the way his legs fit in with hers. The way he fit with her.

“I believe you, Lucanis. I love you.” And she did, in a way that felt realer than real, a rich and deep love unbound by Fade or dream. She could feel him against her, smell the familiar scent of his hair and skin, hear his breathing. She knew he spoke the truth. She breathed deeply, safe in his arms.

I’m here. I’m here.

We’re here.

[manyfrance]

I am ready to romance the Old Man 💀💀💀

DAtV ft. a chaos gremlin of a mourn watch warrior

[sehaniine]

found a new brush in my library and started drawing my mourn watcher rook, emmeline

[nevarranecromancer]

Sabine Ingellvar • Mourn Watch • Warrior • Emmrich romancer

[augusts-sketchbook]

so! fun update, veilguard/Rook broke my brain and its all I draw now, so veilguard art spam incoming before i disappear into a dragon age void again<3

art rambles/lore/bonus non spoilery screenshots under cut:

My Rook goes by Oscar and uses he/they pronouns, he is my special lil guy and I love him enough to do four different runs with him, so his faction/class varies!

His original and most canon run though is Warden Thorne, a Spellblade mage. I had him romance Lucanis each time bc i'm a sucker and so are they<3

Dont wanna lore dump too much but i'm alway happy to answers asks about my Rook/Rookanis/Veilguard in general! Please tell me i'm not alone in not being able to move on from this game, I dont want it to be over sobs

Bonus screenshots:

[aymayzing]

Posting this little smirk in honor of thinking about Sotiris hours

[vesperingellvar]

So grateful for the modding community. My Mourn Watcher Reaper is looking fierce with all this gear.

[lavender-tea-fling]

Here we go again, lads.

Summary: In all his 27 years of life, Rook never expected to get a happy ending — especially not after the fight against Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain.

They said forever, and Emmrich had meant it just as much as Rook had.

Or: Manfred mistakenly gives Rook a letter from Myrna meant for Emmrich regarding a certain request. He realizes that an old promise is finally coming true.

Rating: Teen & Up

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Primary Relationship: Emmrich x Rook

Characters: Rook Ingellvar, Emmrich Volkarin, Manfred, Myrna & Vorgoth, Other Cameos

Main Tags: Established Relationship, Trans Male Rook, Fluff (SO MUCH FLUFF), Miscommunication (not between Emmrich & Rook, I promise), Post-Canon

[sveleri]

you asked for one name but I'm about to bury you under an entire pile of lore (sorry)

My Mourn Watcher Rook Idumea was already a nicknamer before they met Varric! It's not an all-the-time thing because MW Rook canonically code-switches at the drop of a hat (thank you for my life Sylvia Feketekuty), but when Varric started calling them Rook they retaliated in kind and it was all downhill from there for the rest of the Veilguard.

This collection is definitely still a work in progress but so far we have, in order of meeting:

Varric is Quill when he's in storytelling mode or Growls when he's complaining. Rook has also called him Boss a couple times, but only when they wanted to watch him cringe himself out of existence.

Harding is occasionally Scout and, even more rarely, Lace. Rook isn't intimidated by her like Varric is, but she already uses her last name as a sort of business nickname and they respect that.

Neve is Sunshine/Sunbeam when she's being particularly pessimistic and Sly when she's in detective mode.

Bellara has so many. Bell/Bells and Chime/Chimes are their go-to's, but she's also Bubbles when she's excited about a discovery or project, Sunshine when she's cheerful, and Rainbow when she's looking for the silver lining of a bad situation.

Lucanis is Shadow. When they want to ruffle his feathers (heh) they'll call him Bird or basically any black bird that isn't a crow, and when he's clearly on his thirtieth cup of coffee with no sleep in at least two days he's Jitters.

Spite is Spite. Any good Watcher will tell you that it's very important to respect a spirit's chosen name! (But Rook sometimes calls him Birdie when nobody else is around shshshhhh don't worry about it)

Davrin is Hunter when they're getting along and Hero when they're arguing. He's pretty sure, at least. (They switch from time to time just to keep him on his toes)

Assan is Moppet, especially when he's in trouble.

Emmrich doesn't get nicknamed for the most part (he was very firmly sorted in the dad zone approximately five seconds after they met), but if he's being too fancy they'll call him Jangles.

Manfred is Manfred. No one but Neve gets to call him Fred.

Taash is Dragon or, when Rook feels like courting death, Sparky.

Bonus: Solas is Savior :)

Idumea uses nicknames as both a sign of affection among friends and a mark of disrespect toward enemies. If that doesn't entirely make sense... it isn't supposed to! It's a semi-subconscious social tactic to keep everyone who gets close slightly off-balance as an emotional defense—never being entirely certain of what they're going to be called means there's always a ball in Idumea's court. (I could expound on how this springs from their own experience growing up with several different names but I'm trying to keep this short(ish) haha) It's a sign that they're being deadly serious when Idumea exclusively uses given names.

Which is why they don't have any special terms of endearment for Lucanis! They'll use flowery terms like 'light of my life' or 'oh my darling and the delight of my eyes', but only when they're teasing. In moments of genuine vulnerability they speak from one heart to another without any playful barriers in the way.

Does your Rook have a nickname/endearment they call their LI?

Shal calls Neve Da Eir meaning snowflake, 'cause she is one of a kind.

[mooreaux]

How it feels when u walk in on companion conversations~

Bonus panels of Sibi going for it under the cut!