#Ser Jory

[shewolfofvilnius]

Making Ser Jory's kid Rook is the best OC I've ever made

(If you've seen me post relentlessly about her on bluesky or reddit no you haven't)

If you've EVER played Dragon Age: Origins, one of the most memorable moments takes place early in the game. Your character has just traveled to Ostagar, where you'll formally join the Grey Wardens. You meet two recruits, one is the rogueish cutpurse Daveth, while the other is the former knight Ser Jory, formerly of Redcliffe and now of Highever (remember that bit.)

Jory is responsible for the first major tone shift of the entire franchise, when the previously affable Duncan, billed in all six origins as an at least moderately heroic type, pulls out his blade and kills Ser Jory when the knight refuses to drink Darkspawn blood (seems sensible), having either been misinformed or otherwise woefully naive about what being a Warden means.

The entire thing is grim - and your player character can even tell Alistair and Duncan how fucked up that was after the fact. Most importantly for THIS story, however, is something that Jory mentions twice including right before he dies: He has a wife back in Highever, who is due to have a baby.

Highever. The same Highever that gets raided and sacked during the Human Noble origin by Arl Howe's forces. The same Highever that sees every family member of literally anyone even vaguely connected to Teyrn Cousland either killed or worse.

But presumably, there were at least some survivors, folks who were able to flee. Even in canon world states where they don't join the Wardens, both the younger Cousland sibling and their mother Eleanor cut a pretty wide swathe of damage through the castle before being overwhelmed. The carnage almost assuredly let people flee, we see it in the human noble origin!

Maybe, just maybe, one of those people...was Jory's wife Helena. Who winds up fleeing Highever aboard a cargo ship headed for Tevinter. A cargo ship that winds up getting run aground and attacked near the battlefields Ventus by the Qunari, right as Helena is due to give birth. Worth noting: Thie last part of that is not even fanciful headcanon, it's Shadow Dragon Rook's canonical biography. They mention it to Tarquin before the Act 1 Choice.

and by the time of game events, a certain Legatus Mercar is ready to talk with Maevaris, Dorian, and the Shadow Dragons and has begun expressing equalist sentiments, at least privately? How would they know what Legatus Mercar thinks privately? Well, in a Shadow Dragon run, for one thing because his child is standing right next to them.

Having Rook be Rory and Helena's kid, though, opens up so much storytelling potential. Like the time Rook refuses to go along with the commanding First Warden (also from Rivain like Duncan)'s orders and nearly draws her own weapon on him:

Seem familiar?

Now imagine a bit later, when Morrigan meets her and immediately realizes there's something haunting familiar about this woman leading the attack against the gods. She even reflexively questions Rook's intelligence for a moment.

Later still, at Weisshaupt, when Rook - in this case now already armed with the knowledge that there was a Warden at Ostagar who she looks uncannily like - finds the chalice, finds records from the Fifth Blight while they're escaping to the dragon trap through the library.

drama.

It's been such a fantastic story so far and I'm only at Act 2. There's even an inversion of Flemeth's "sadly irrelevant in the larger scheme of things" line with Morrigan as she reveals the Mythal fragment in the Crossroads. Framed with a shot of a building that has a vague resemblence to the Tower of Ishal in the background with more swamp-like elements in the Crossroads.

At the same time, growing up as a girl in Tevinter has meant multiple stark differences between her and her father. She's a Shadow Dragon, so clearly she's invested in the liberation of slaves and servants. She's interested in equality, and although human, has likely experienced at least two forms of prejudice herself (being a non-Mage in Tevinter, and yes, being a she from a Tevinter military family when we know the Tevinter military has a long history of excluding or diminishing women). While her biological father is noted for having rather...sheltered and inhibited beliefs on the capabilities and stations of elves, dwarves, and yes, women - there's none of that with her.

...to the point that in her world state, she's CLEARLY in love with an elf. And while Jory ran off to chase glory and danger with the Wardens leaving Helena behind, when trouble comes for Bellara, she squares up and stands to protect her - even when that trouble is Bellara's own brother (and the ancient elven wannabe-god manipulating him)

but ultimately, the apple didn't fall entirely away from the tree.

Listen to the thing about Helena that Jory says hooked him in:

and who is Rook smitten with?

You know good and damn well Rook melts into a puddle every single time Bellara looks at her. Her vallaslin is literally designed to accentuate her eyes. Rook might be Mercar's daughter, but in at least one specific way, she is definitely Jory's kid.

Anyway, I just think my OC's neat and felt like yapping about her on here.

[championsandheroes]

Ser Jory, I have to insist that you read the character creation text before you open your mouth again.

Over at Patreon, society6, and redbubble we’ve decided to forgive ser Jory, but only because he had no issue with us being an elf.

[vigilskept]

anyway regarding the ser jory allegations, another piece of evidence has presented itself.

BANN you say? surely any fereldan ought to know that highever has a TEYRN, jory. are we perhaps fumbling our words while “recounting a tale”? perhaps getting tripped up over our own cover story? 🤨🤨🤨

[bumblewarden]

default weapons on jory and daveth above. disarmed below. poor fool would not take the hint

[lavalampelfchild]

To Answer the Call (Wardens at Ostagar), Ch. 8

Summary: The time has come for the Joining, and the recruits gather with Duncan and the other Wardens to undergo the mysterious ritual.  No one can predict what will happen, only that it will change their lives irrevocably...

AO3: Here.

A/N: As a heads-up to any tumblr-readers I have here; I renamed the ao3 version of this fic because I’m going to be breaking up my huge DAO narrative into individual stories that deal with each arc of the narrative.  All of these mini-stories will go in one single series, which is going to be what keeps the title To Answer the Call.  I am also going to start posting just previews here on tumblr, while linking to the ao3 version of the story because these chapters are getting longer, and I don’t have scripts that help me format everything quicker… xD Apologies for any inconvenience!

-----

Preview: 

They didn’t have long to rest.  As soon as everyone was able to stand on their own, Duncan herded them to a secluded corner of the camp and bade them wait.  Richu and Grigor had gone to the healing tents to fetch Velyn.  Alistair and Rondall were left to stay with the recruits and guard the Joining site.  

The night was dark enough, at least, that no curious onlookers from the king’s camp would see them.

Always find a silver lining, Alistair thought darkly.

The unease was palpable. The recruits were wary and tense. Ser Jory was the only one moving, pacing back and forth, face tight, gait stiff.

“This damned Joining,” he muttered. “The more I hear of it, the less I like it.”

Beside him, Daveth groaned, “Enough with your blubbering, ser knight.  It’s already happening, isn’t it?  Might as well shut up.”

Ser Jory made a frustrated noise.  “Of course you’d say that, you don’t—”  He broke off and exhaled carefully, hands twitching at his side.  His face was a twisted scowl of pain and frustration.  Alistair exchanged a wary look with Rondall.

“Look, Ser Jory,” he began in what he hoped was a sufficiently calm voice. “It’s going to be—”

“Have I not earned my place?” Ser Jory demanded, barreling through Alistair’s attempt at reassurance. “These damned tests, I—What is the purpose of lying to us about it all?”

“You’re going to be fine, Ser Jory—” Alistair tried again.  Daveth’s sharp scoff cut him off.

“Who gives a damn?” he sneered.  His eyes were hard, gaze locked firmly on Ser Jory.  “Maybe it’s tradition.  Or maybe they’re just trying to annoy you.  Damned easy thing to do, isn’t it?”

That got Ser Jory’s hackles up.  “Lying to us is tradition, then?”  His voice was rising.  Alistair shot another look Rondall’s way.  Could use a little help here.

Rondall stepped forward, “Alright, that’s enough—”

“All these secrets, all these tests, and what purpose do they serve!?  There is no honor in it—”

“Honor?”  Daveth marched forward to meet Ser Jory in challenge. “What would you know of honor?  The way you’re griping about it.”

“I know more of the matter than you, clearly—”

“Clearly!  Clearly, you’re talking out your arse.  You’d cut and run at the smallest thing, not even thought about why they might be having us go through all this—”

“To sacrifice us without our knowledge—”

“Because you wouldn’t be here if they’d told you what you’d be doing, and someone has to stop this damned Blight!  You saw those darkspawn out there, same as I!  You want to talk about honor?  What about that pretty wife of yours you keep going on about?  Isn’t it the honorable thing to want to protect her? Wouldn’t you die if it meant keeping her safe?”

Ser Jory’s face was ashen. “Of course, I—”

“Maybe you’ll die,” Daveth snarled through gritted teeth. “Maybe we’ll all die.  If nobody stops the darkspawn, then we’ll all die for sure.”

“They still should have told us.  My wife—” Ser Jory’s eyes were bright, wet with tears, the pupils dark and small.  Fearful.  “If I’d have known, I—I wouldn’t have left—”

“That’s enough!”

End Preview.

-----

[shewolfofvilnius]

it is SURREAL to see your Reddit post having become just as popular on Tumblr and no one told me. Also Jordana says hi!

And yes. After my most recent playthrough I def think Jory is lying. I do NOT think he’s lying about Helena or the baby (his tone changes the same way Blackwall’s does in his early tomance lines) but something is absolutely rotten.

I got into it in the comments and wound up agreeing with the person who suggested Jory was a merc about to be strung up. Duncan saved him and offered him a place but Jory didn’t get the whole ‘for life’ bit

Also I went back one more time for Jordanan’s compilation bid and caught one last think I hadn’t noticed before: Jory has a fear of darkspawn. Has since he was a kid when his parents used them and their stories as a threat. Poor guy.

Anyway thanks to everyone here who has also cared about my daft little idea or that my Rook is his daughter. (I hc that Helena fled, wound up on a boat to Tevinter, and the Qunari ran the ship aground right as Helena went into labor. The baby survived (found by the later-Legatus Mercar when he was a junior officer) but Helena did not.

(i edited the OP to say ‘Hi Tumblr’)

kind of obsessed with this Reddit theory

[theotherpacman]

got s1 is really a very faithful adaptation of agot, with only minor divergences. sometimes I really love the little details in the book that the show doesn't have room for, but sometimes I like the decisions the show made differently.

things I appreciate about the book:

the fact that jon is 14 makes his naivete regarding the wall hit so much harder. he's just a little boy and he's willing to sign his whole life away bc he believes he can be a part of something noble... neither his father nor his uncle nor anyone else tells him that to take the black is a grim sentence steeped in shame

ned hearing that bran's direwolf saved his life and being like "holy shit I killed one of them... what the fuck did I do"

sandor just whole ass traumadumping on 11-year-old sansa completely unprompted and then when he realizes he's just made himself vulnerable for literally no reason he goes "if you tell anyone about this I'll fucking kill you"

mormont thinks jon will be disappointed that bran is now a cripple but jon is so ecstatic bran's alive that he picks up tyrion lannister and spins him around (tyrion is startled by this) and then proceeds to cheerfully make friends with a guy who hates his guts bc jon kicked his absolute ass in training

tyrion and bronn starting to become friends on the way to the vale <3

THAT SINGER BITCH i love him

"whatever you may believe of me, lady stark, I promise you this -- I never bet against my family" screaming crying throwing up

jon going to maester aemon and convincing him to let sam take his vows!!!! using the metaphor of the maester's chain to make his point about how just bc sam is different that doesn't mean he's useless!!!!!!!

TYRION FIGHTING IN THE BATTLE AGAINST ROBB'S MEN!!!!! THE SHOW DID HIM SO FUCKING DIRTY i get that they didn't have as big a budget back then but come on man ToT

"when the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. when the seas go dry and the mountains blow in the wind like leaves. when your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. then he will return, and not before." LET THE BARRENNESS BE PART OF THE CURSE why did they cut that

when tywin says "because you are my son" tyrion fucking Hates him for that bc he knows that if jaime were he tywin wouldn't spare him a second glance, he's only Tywin's Son now that jaime is prisoner and might die at the hands of the starks

things I appreciate about the show:

arya shooting a bullseye from behind bran. queen

jaime being a dick to everyone all the time for no reason. just going around starting shit. also that scene outside robert's bedroom where he talks to jory. jaime in general

ROS!!!!! MY GIRL ROS MY ABSOLUTE QUEEN ROS

"she's our guest." "she's our prisoner." "do you find the two to be mutually exclusive in your experience, my lord?" lmaooooo get his ass maester luwin

"sometimes possession,,,,, is an abstract concept"

THE DRINKING GAME!!!! first of all it gives us more insight into shae as a person who is so different from tyrion's established worldviews, secondly tyrion is always going around saying offensive shit and he thinks nothing of it bc a) people say offensive shit to him all the time and that's one of the ways he deals with it and b) he's usually right BUT when he makes all those assumptions about shae he's totally wrong and she stands up for herself, but my favorite part of that scene is that tyrion is hesitant to share this traumatic story from his past but he's just made bronn and shae confront their traumas so now he has to share too. and I think that's beautiful

all of varys and petyr's bitchy conversations when they're alone in the throne room

this only covers the first book/season I might make more of these as I keep reading

[pinayelf]

duncan: sorry ser jory im gonna have to kill u no one can know warden business

davrin: hey taash guess what lol i drank darkspawn slushie and its how i can sense archdemon

[lizzybeeee]

Duncan is like the Miss Marple of Dragon Age - the moment he arrives at the Circle, Orzammar, Castle Cousland, the Brecilian Forest and Ostagar the world seems to go "Well, shit, I guess it's murder, death, and betrayal time."

[milesmentis]

After more than a year, Chapter 5 is out in the world!!!

Our heroes face their first real challenge as a group and begin to learn more about each other in the process.

Thank you to @anderstrevelyan, @bluewren, @mxkelsifer, and @mxanigel for tagging me in WIP Wednesdays over the last few months: you guys kept me motivated. And of course, my beloved, for trusting me with her OC and being my editor and ass kicker 🥰

It took 8 months to write and doubled my word count, but there's finally a new chapter of "From the Wreckage" out in the world!

Enjoy!

[shewolfofvilnius]

Presenting my four ‘canon’ Dragon Age OCs - all rendered in Veilguard at their canon ages!

The Hero of Ferelden, Elissa Tabris. Born 9:09 Dragon, aged 44. From Denerim. Champion of the Fifth Blight, slayer of Urthemiel. Her later-stage blighting has led to somewhat premature aging, but her determination and ferocity have not dulled even after 23 years. She had begun making plans with Zevran for her calling - he had suggested he kill her, but she refused to let her husband do that.

The Champion of Kirkwall, Amelia Hawke. Born 9:07 Dragon. Presumed dead 9:41 Dragon. Considers herself to be from ‘the Free Marches’ and ‘originally from Ferelden’ but deflects further questions. Occasionally develops a blank stare if the Dalish are mentioned out of guilt for her role in ending an entire clan at the need of a friend. That pales in comparison to the crime she’s really wanted for, being an accomplice to the destruction of Kirkwall’s chantry and the mass of death that follows. The guilt drove a wedge between her and her love Merrill.

Is ���lost’ in the Fade a few years later after electing to stay behind - on the onetime suggestion of Asha’bellanar - and to force Loghain to continue his redemption tour.

Both of Hawke’s siblings survive, with Carver a longstanding member of the Grey Wardens while Bethany went on to marry Prince Sebastian Vael and became Senior Enchanter of the Starkhaven College of Enchanters

The Inquisitor, Vilkė Lavellan Rainier. Born approx 9:05 Dragon. Age 48. Resisted fiercely early attempts to label her the ‘Herald of Andraste’. Her advisor, the disgraced former second in command of the Kirkwall Templars Cullen, got her entire clan killed near Wycome shortly after being named Herald, for which she never forgave him. Fell in love with the wildman of the woods, the man claiming to be Warden Blackwall. She believed when he said his feelings for her were the truth, and the pair remain together as of 9:53. Loat interest in matters of the Inquisition after discovering the fate of Ameridan, and after Solas’ betrayal for which she swore vengeance.

She and Thom retreated to a homestead just on the periphery of Avvar holdings, where Thom is primarily a dutiful house-husband and father to their two kids (a boy, 6 and girl, 4) when not out offering redemption to another lost soul. She drank from the Well of Sorrows in 9:41 but the voices requested to leave in 9:48 and found their way to Morrigan. She takes up the mantle of Inquisitor one last time upon the declaration of the Sixth Blight. Took a renewed interest in ancient elven artifacts in her 40s and cofounded the Veil Jumpers alongside Merrill.

The Champion of the Fade, the Godslayer, Hero of the Sixth Blight - Jordana ‘Rook’ Mercar. Born 9:30 Dragon, age 23. As an infant was found by Charon Mercar of the Tevinter military abandoned on battlefields near Ventus. He and his wife took her in and raised her as their own. She was denied entry into a prestigious military cadet program by virtue of the Tevinter military’s sexist, and later spent her first night in jail after defending some elves from an attack when she was 15.

Varric discovered Rook after receiving word from the high ranking diplomat - a cousin of King Bhelen Awducan - of what had happened in the liveration of a alave ring near Nessus, a dwarven trading partner. Rook was trained up to be Rook’s second in command.

She was involved with the deaths of the final two archdemons as well as the ‘god’ Elgar’nan, while her actions tricked Solas - the former Fen’Harel - into binding himself to the veil.

The greatest highlight of Rook’s life came in the midst of her worst, as she met the Veil Jumper Bellara Lutare. The pair took it slow (too slow for eventual Lady of Honor at their wedding Neve Galkus). Though Jordana has a rich life of her own, she sees herself first and foremost as Bellara’s knight-protector.

Rook and Bellara marry one year to the day of Elgar’nan’s death. The marriage largely follows Dalish customs sans mention of the Evanuris, with Rook proving her worth to Bel’s ‘clan’ the Veil Jumpers, per elven tradition, having singlehandedly contributed more to elven knowledge of their lost culture than any human in preserved history. (And it turns out their gods had ijt coming)

Is the biological daughter of Ser Jory from Dragon Age Origins and his wife Helena, the latter having fled Highever for Tevinter when Arl Howe’s men raided. Helena died shortly after giving birth in a Qunari attack. Rook learns the truth of her father from records salvaged before the fall of Weisshaupt and both Morrigan and the Hero of Ferelden’s testimony. They are later as a group able to track Helena’s journey.

[the-dragon-folk]

in my head lives a 22 years post the start of origins team that’s late 20s/early 30s something Connor Guerrin baby sitting a small pack of twenty-somethings, consisting of at least Ser Jory’s cringefail warrior daughter (obviously), obligatory secretive mage Kieran, and idk maybe Oghren’s kid’s in there and it reads your save file and names em after your warden

[bumblewarden]

(brosca voice) Epic fail!

[targtowerxstark]

A woman’s touch- Cregan Stark X Wife Reader.

(Fluff Drabble)

Summary: Cregan is helping train the young lads of Winterfell. While doing so he gets a cut on his arm from fighting. He returns to his shared chambers and his wife takes care of him. Which leads them to have an intimate conversation about his other scars.

———————-————————————-———-———Cregan Stark stood in the training yard, surrounded by the eager young lads of Winterfell. The air was crisp, with the scent of pine and snow lingering in the atmosphere. He exchanged a glance with his guard, Ser Jory, a loyal man with a quick wit.

"Shall we show them how it's done, Ser Jory?" Cregan challenged, a playful smirk on his lips.

"Only if you can keep up, my lord," Ser Jory replied, drawing his sword with a flourish.

The boys gathered around, eyes wide with anticipation. Cregan and Ser Jory circled each other, swords clashing in a dance of skill and experience. Cregan feinted to the left, then swiftly struck to the right, catching Ser Jory off guard. As Cregan looked at the young boys as he lowered his guard, Ser Jory took advantage, landing a quick strike that left a thin cut along Cregan's forearm. With a swift movement, he disarmed his guard, sending Ser Jory’s sword clattering to the ground.

"Impressive, my lord!" one of the lads exclaimed.

Cregan chuckled, but Wincing slightly, he shook his head, "A fine lesson for the boys, but I believe I shall need a moment to tend to my wounds."

With a nod to the lads, Cregan made his way to the shared chambers he had with his wife. He opened the door to find her nestled in bed, a raven from her brother resting beside her.

"Y/n," he called softly, a smile breaking through his fatigue.

She looked up, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Cregan, my love. How was the training? Did the boys impress you?"

"They showed promise," he replied, moving closer.” But winter is coming they must train harder, Though I fear I may have overestimated my own abilities today." He rolled up his sleeve, revealing the cut on his forearm.

Her expression shifted from curiosity to concern. "Oh, my love," she said, sitting up and reaching out to inspect the wound. "You must be more careful."

"It is but a scratch," he reassured her, though the warmth of her touch sent a shiver through him. "The lads needed to see that even seasoned men can falter. Winter is coming, and they must be prepared." He spoke as she climbed out of the bed to get a water basin and fabric from a nearby table.

As she cleaned the cut with gentle hands, he continued, "You should have seen the way they rallied. They are eager to learn."

"And you, my lord, are eager to teach," she teased lightly, her fingers brushing against his skin.

Cregan chuckled, “Aye, but I have my scars to show for it.” He gestured to the one on his jaw. “This one? A wilding thought he could challenge me.”

"And the one on your stomach?" she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

"Ah, that was a deserter from the wall," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "He thought he could escape the North's justice."

"And the one on your hand?" she pressed, her gaze unwavering.

"That one," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips, "was from my uncle. It reminds me of my triumph against him”.

Y/n shook her head, a mixture of awe and concern in her eyes. "You have faced much, Cregan. But you are here now, and that is what matters."

He took her hand, intertwining their fingers. "And I shall always return to you, my love."

As the evening drew near, they settled into bed, the flickering candlelight casting a warm glow around the room. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting the history of their house, and the scent of burning wood filled the air.

Y/n cuddled into his side, her head resting against his shoulder as they gazed out the window. Snowflakes began to fall gently, blanketing the world in white.

"Look at the snow," she murmured, her eyes reflecting the falling flakes. "It is beautiful."

"Much like you," he replied softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Together, they watched the winter wonderland unfold outside, wrapped in each other's warmth, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together.

[arte072]

asoiaf fandom: arya has never shown any desire to rule winterfell!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

arya: "my favorite thing to do in the world was watch my dad rule Winterfell! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰"

Back at Winterfell, they had eaten in the Great Hall almost half the time. Her father used to say that a lord needed to eat with his men, if he hoped to keep them. "Know the men who follow you," she heard him tell Robb once, "and let them know you. Don't ask your men to die for a stranger." At Winterfell, he always had an extra seat set at his own table, and every day a different man would be asked to join him. One night it would be Vayon Poole, and the talk would be coppers and bread stores and servants. The next time it would be Mikken, and her father would listen to him go on about armor and swords and how hot a forge should be and the best way to temper steel. Another day it might be Hullen with his endless horse talk, or Septon Chayle from the library, or Jory, or Ser Rodrik, or even Old Nan with her stories. Arya had loved nothing better than to sit at her father's table and listen to them talk. She had loved listening to the men on the benches too; to freeriders tough as leather, courtly knights and bold young squires, grizzled old men-at-arms. She used to throw snowballs at them and help them steal pies from the kitchen. Their wives gave her scones and she invented names for their babies and played monsters-and-maidens and hide-the-treasure and come-into-my-castle with their children. Fat Tom used to call her "Arya Underfoot," because he said that was where she always was. She'd liked that a lot better than "Arya Horseface."

[housederiva]

Before you vote please keep in mind that a blorbo isn't necessarily your favorite romance option The two with the highest percentages move on to the next round!

-> Master Post