#abyss mage lake

[ambulancie]

In honour of regaining motivation to edit my kaebedo wip, I'd like to reccomend my favourite kaebedo fic I have ever read.

It is called Abyss Mage Lake by pussybedo on ao3, and it is criminally underrated.

Read the tags carefully (it contains a few other ships), but seriously, it is such a banger, and features evryone's favourite event-specific npc, susbedo/fakebedo/dorian. I lobe him.

For your reading pleasure:

[rockingbytheseaside]

✦ Honey and Violetgrass

Pantalone with an innocent reader, who is an adventurer but strong in their own regard. Still gets spoiled by him. 

Tw: none, pure silly fluff. 

The richest man of Teyvat requires no introduction. He is a man of affluent taste, be it the most exquisite fashion to most daily commodities - his gaze sojourns only on the highest of qualities. He is the 9th of the Fatui Harbingers, after all, hence being the face of business and the Snezhnayan economy itself. Therefore, it is natural for the public to assume that his inclination in people is as wealthy as his spacious manor, correct? He is young, he is powerful and his looks are as influential as his status. If The Regrator has a significant other, surely they must be a dream partner, basked in expensive perfumes and working as a high-class model? 

So imagine the people’s bewilderment when Pantalone’s darling, who casually bursts into his office, is some adventurer…? A person of common status, with bruises adorning their knuckles from climbing and fighting the wildlife. And yet the moment you waltz into his office, whatever important business matter was at hand is now completely forgotten by the Harbinger. In fact, Pantalone’s whole exhibition of demeanor switches in an instant. 

“Oh, honey bunny! My little gem, you're finally back!” - Pantalone stood up from his desk, completely disregarding his Fatui subordinates who remained seated. With a concerned expression, he rushed to you and cupped your cheeks. “How was your expedition? You’re back later than usual… I was worried about you.” 

“Sorry! Just had a little mishap, but I am back.” - you replied with the brightest of smiles, your face beaming despite the scratches and messy hair locks. “Ah, I’m sorry, Pantalone. Did I interrupt a business meeting?” 

The Regrator froze and ceased his check-up. He remembered that some of his business associates were still in the office. He glanced at them, then glanced back at you. 

“Oh, sweetie, nonsense!” - The Harbinger let out a haughty laugh and clasped his hands together. All it took was a single stern look towards his subordinates to convey: ‘This meeting is over. Leave.’ 

The poor associates were left to their confusion, as they were silently dismissed. Now all alone in his office, your dear Harbinger helped you brush the dust of your clothes, gently sliding your coat out of your smaller form. “Where were you anyway, dear?”   

“So I was on my way to find something… But I stumbled upon a Pyro Abyss mage!” 

“Oh!” - Pantalone’s face contorted into concern behind his glasses.

“But don’t worry, because the abyss mage was stuck on a rock in the middle of a lake. They couldn’t attack me, so instead I helped the abyss mage cross the lake without drowning.” 

“Oh,” - Now the man smiled, relieved at your kind gesture towards the most boorish creatures. 

“But the abyss mage got so scared when I carried him out of the lake that a massive Lawachurl heard us and came to attack!” 

“Oh!” - that look of panic was back. 

“Turns out there was a small camp of hilichurls nearby… So I tried to convince them I meant no harm. I guess they saw what I did, and didn’t attack me.” 

“Oh…” 

“Instead I asked them to take me to the top of a cliff and help me gather some local herbs! And they surprisingly understood because that’s what we did!” 

Silence. In the past few minutes that you conveyed your story, the 9th’s face changed into an array of emotional rollercoasters. The man adjusted his glasses, and wrapped his arms around you: 

“Dear, my honey, my little heart. You know I love you but please don’t make me have a heart attack…! You must exercise caution when you’re out there exploring the wild. And on high terrain cliffs?! Just what was so important that you had to ask some… brutish hilichurls to help you?” 

You smiled at him - that bright and sunny little smile that erased any of his trouble and melted the Harbinger’s heart. You pulled out of his warm embrace, reaching somewhere in your bag to bring something carefully wrapped in cloth. You held it close and unwrapped it before Pantalone. 

“Fresh Violetgrass, Pantalone. I know they are your favorite, but you hate store-bought ones. They’re hard to acquire since they only grow on high-rise cliffs in Jueyun Karst… So it took me a while to hike and find them. Sorry to make you wait.” 

You clarified delicately, standing there with your vibrant batch of Violentgrass, as if afraid that Pantalone might scold you for such a reckless expedition. But how could he be mad at you? How could he do anything but melt and be flustered at your adorable disposition? His little dear, so bravely hiking all the way to Liyue just to get his favorite flora as a gift? 

“O-oh, dear my. All this, just to bring it to me?” - The Regrator gasped, his arms instantly reaching to embrace you as if you were his favorite plush, smothering you with tight squeezes. “My honey bunny, you shouldn’t! These flowers look precious in full bloom; as precious as you.” 

“Ah! Pantalone, you’ll squish me… And the flowers.”  

Thus, the lovely Violetgrass flowers were now rightfully placed in a vase back home. Their purple petals emit a fragrant aroma throughout the bedroom where you and Pantalone now rest. That’s how your relationship with The Regrator was; the richest man of Teyvat who could easily buy the entire world with a single glance, was actually the one swooning over your innocent yet loving gestures. Maybe it was your sincerity, or perhaps your adventurous nature. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop the Harbinger from sitting all day and daydreaming of your experienced arms carrying him bridal style. Even if he was technically taller than you, you possessed some lovely muscles from your years of adventuring. And they certainly enticed him further. 

Most amusingly, you’d know he’s having those silly little thoughts whenever he sat silently with an endearing grin on his face. You stepped out of the bathroom, refreshed and dressed in comfortable loungewear. So you decided to ask him: “Hm? What’re you thinking about?”

“Nothing important, my dear.” - he chuckled, beckoning you to hop into bed with him for some well-earned cuddles. “Just thinking about how your arms would look gorgeous while carrying me. And I’ll instead spoil you with anything you want in the world as a reward.” 

You bury yourself against his lean chest and mumble with a smile “You want me to carry you like a princess?” 

“Anyway you deem fit - and you’ll have me at your feet, my sweet. Say, how should I reward you for your gift today? Should we go on a shopping spree? I’ll commission the best tailors of Snezhnaya to sew all the garments you dream of. Oh, or perhaps I should spoil you with newly bought cosmetics?” 

Pantalone mused to himself, all while caressing your hair. You shook your head: “No, no. You know I don’t like when you spoil me too much. I feel guilty when you spend money on me. Besides, I’ve got everything I want.”

“Don’t be too humble, my dear. If you asked me to bathe you in a honeyed milk bath and drape you with silk, you know I’d drop every Mora to do so in an instance.” - he kissed the top of your head and whispered in your ear. “Unless you wish me to bathe with you in such sweet waters, instead.” 

Pantalone expected a reaction, but instead, you quickly asked him: “Put your glasses away for a moment, please.” 

He obliged, “...Yes? -Ah!” 

Your response was slapping him with a pillow across his face. At least you were considerate with his glasses. 

“Preposterous. Can't a man feel proud at the prospect of spoiling his beloved with luxuries?”

“Pantaloons, I warn you.” - you said threateningly, though your act of bravery looked more endearing as you clutched the pillows for another attack. 

Pantalone furrowed his eyebrow “Don't start me with those nicknames, honey.”

You grinned “... Pantyhose.”

“Dear.”

“Mr… Panties.”

“That's it, you come here!” 

Not heeding his warning, the man enveloped you in ticklish embraces so you wouldn't escape. Your giggles of help and mercy were left unheard as you were pinned to the soft batch of pillows. His lips sought your own to silence those ridiculous nicknames that kept testing his patience. And undoubtedly, your kisses tasted sweeter than honey and violetgrass. 

A small illustration for this fic is here! I don't know how else to portray 'reader' without it looking awkward, so instead I drew the Traveler in it. Hope no one minds!

[sleepyorchidmonster]

Genshin event where the House of the Hearth kids come to visit Mondstadt to host a few shows (or investigate Dragonspine).

Except Klee is utterly MESMERISED by Lyney and Lynette's magic tricks and vows to become their apprentice. She dons the Veluriyam Mirage "Blossoming Starlight" skin, says she's both a mage AND magician, and sets off to find the twins.

Lyney and Lynette say that they are happy to teach her, but "Magicians can't just reveal all their secrets, so, as your first test (and challenge), why don't you surprise your teachers and dear Uncle Kaeya over there?"

Klee happily agrees and proceeds to make all the fish in Cider Lake *dissapear*. She's about to do the same to "the rest" of the Stormbearer Mountains before the others stop her.

They all eat fish that night. And the other days too.

Meanwhile, Freminet has befriended Albedo. They're mostly just quietly working on their own projects (a mechanical toy for Klee and a painting of the HoH siblings, respectively) in Albedo's workshop back in Dragonspine, though they also swap a few stories about their families, and a couple of tips on mechanics and arts (they're avoiding topics such as the Fatui and Khemia like the plague).

We also get Ragbros in the event! Since Kaeya is babysitting Klee and Diluc is stalking the HoH kids (we get an extra cutscene of Lyney and Diluc having an "amicable discussion" on a rqndom roof that boiled down to "hurt this city and I KILL you" "harm my siblings and I KILL you" "acceptable").

And if things suddenly go south on Dragonspine due to Abyssal influence and we have to brave the mountain to save Albedo and Freminet (they're FINE it's just a few rifthounds and lectors), well that's just par of the course.

[zweetpea]

Freedom or Anarchy? Part 1 of 2 (hopefully)

You guys wanted this you better read it cw: there’s some swears, and allusion to sleep drugs

The air was so crisp, the so grass vibrant, the sun was warm on your skin as you took in the scenery before you. The crystal blue of Starfell lake was gorgeous, and the fish were flipping about in the water; even the squirrels and Crains seemed at peace. Despite this lovely picture you were panicking.

“Heh, POV got sucked into your favorite video game and you don’t know if you’ll ever get home.” you shrug. “Guess I’ll die!” You walk over to a tree and pull on a branch. “I suppose that I should try to defend myself.”

As you say that three pyro slimes appear and chase you down the hill towards Venti’s Statue. “Hehehe, Why are you running? Why are you running?” You walk up to the statue and touch it, but nothing happens. “Wow! Honestly, I thought as a bard you would understand the mentality of “I F’ed my way into this mess, and I’ll F my way out”. Not gonna give me a vision, a shitty knock off of your power, a sword?” As you sat yelling at a lifeless statue (a/n: WTF WERE YOU THINKING? THAT IT WOULD TALK BACK?!) you heard something coming towards you. You looked to the sky and saw Dvalin flying straight toward you. “Oh shit…” You say as storm terror land next to you and rawrs in your face. “Haha, I’m in danger.” He brings his face towards you and you begin to shake  in fear. “Mr. Stark I don’t feel so good.” You whisper to yourself as tears of fear and regret stream down your face. 

Dvalin inches closer and you close your eyes only to feel something cold and wet on your face. You open your eyes only to close them again as Dvalin licks you. “Ew! Slobber!” He whimpered. You hold your hand out to pet the poor baby. “Oh it’s okay. Just let me clean up first.” You wipe off your face and go back to Dvalin. You go to pet him and a beautiful light shines from your fingers and flows through his fur. 

“Dvalin!” Someone called to him and he picked you with his tail and curled it around you so you’d be hidden and sage as he took to the sky. 

“Wait! Wasn’t that Venti? Don’t you like him?” He took to the sky and bounced you around unintentionally. 

After about 20 minutes you were finally released and found yourself in stormterrors lair. “What have you brought back?” A distorted voice echoed as a cryo abyss mage entered. 

“She is the special. She can heal me.” Dvalin responded. (A/n: do you guys remember that? Dvalin spoke) 

“You fool! Only the abyss Order can save you!” 

As the two fight you try to sneak away but you step on a twig and they look at you. Dvalin quickly pulls you by your hoodie back to his side. “I agreed to help you because the Archons abandoned me as they’ve abandoned you. I still will but it doesn’t seem like you all have found a way to cure me. I need to be at full strength to fight for you.” 

“Dvalin? I thought you liked Venti.” 

“Venti, is that what the barn calls himself now? I used to, I know that he cares for me but he didn’t ever try to help me. I have suffered for 500 years and he now shows his face. Khaenri’ah was destroyed simply because they chose to forsake the Archons. Why should we care for them?” 

You looked down, not knowing what to say. “How am I supposed to help?” You finally said.

“You can heal me.” 

“But if I do, you’ll hurt the innocent people of Mondstadt. Listen, the Tsarista is plotting a rebellion against Celestia. Celestia’s the real villain here.”

“Even so the Archons still chose to destroy Khaenri’ah.” 

“Then take it up with them, please. Those people have nothing to do with it. I’ll help you in anyway I can but please for their sake don’t hurt them. If not for them then for me.” 

“If it’s what the adored one desires then I shall deliver it unto you.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You asked suspiciously. 

“Funny. Now heal him if you REALLY can!” The abyss mage, snarked from the corner. You climbed on top of Dvalin and put your hands on his horn. White light erupted and Dvalin’s head fell to the ground as he’d passed out. You fell off and the abyss mage ran out of the room screaming about how the day of reckoning was upon them or something. You fell asleep nuzzled into Dvalin’s side and dreamt of lots of yummy food. 

When you woke up you found a pyro abyss mage, and hydro abyss mage cooking some kind of fowl meat. Over a makeshift campfire. The pyro abyss mage brings it over to your and the hydro abyss mage hands you the food and some water. “Is this clean?” You ask the two and they nod.  You take the food and water and start to eat. “Thanks.” You say after you’re finished. 

“Dvalin. Do you want to head out somewhere?” 

“Where would you like to go, Adored one?” 

“Would you hate me if I said Dragonspine?” 

“If that’s what you wish.” He picks you up and flies you over there. 

You direct him to a cave in the side of the mountain. 

“Honey! I’m home!” You say as you saunter into the cave. “Albedo? I guess he’s not here.” You say as you turn to leave. 

“Incredible. Stormterror sitting right outside of my Laboratory.” He only roars at the blonde. 

“Sir Albedo?” You inquire as you step out of his lab. You pet Dvalin to put him at ease.

“Hello, may I help you?”

“Sorry I don’t mean to snoop in your lab, I was just wondering if you were here. I have a bit of a conundrum.” 

“You wish to go home.” 

“How did you-” 

“How did I know?” He cuts you off. “I’ll explain in due time. Please step into my laboratory, I’ll get you some tea. Word of advice though, it can get kinda cold out here so you might want to send Stormterror away before he gets cold.” 

Dvalin growled. “I’ll be fine. You can come get me later tonight okay?” He nodded and flew off. It was about noon so you figured that you had a while before the twins would steal the harp and try to take down Dvalin. 

“How did you manage to tame him?” Albedo asked, as you sat on a stool near a campfire. 

“I healed him somehow.” 

“So Gold’s stories were true.” 

“Rhinedottir knows about this?” 

“Yes, she’s the one who told me. Someone would come down from Celestia and they’d tame the beasts of Teyvat as well as the members of the Abyss Order.” He hands you the Tea and you drink it. 

“I still don’t understand how you knew I’m not from here.” 

“I just told you Gold told me you’re from Celestia. Unless of course, you aren’t.” 

“Dvalin referred to me as the Adored One. Do you know what that means?” 

“Adored throughout Teyvat and the realm above. You are the honored one no?” 

“I don’t… what…?” You started to get lightheaded. “Albedo?” You sloshed as you fell off your seat. 

“I’m sorry Adored One, but I have to put Klee first. Now that you’ve heeled Stormterror you’re a threat to the people of Mondstadt. I’m going to hand you over to the knights for terrorism and endangering the public.” 

[magoshighlandsroar]

Bestiary Entry 13: Black-Depth Whales

Last night, although I failed to document it then, Lieutenant Duffy offered to take me on a whaling trip, a thankfully short jaunt. I don't think I can any more sleeping in hammocks for this expedition. I will document my finding once I return. I am unsure how to start this entry, I suppose I should start with the details of the trip, hopefully by focusing my thoughts on them I can calm the rest of my mind, maybe, maybe. Perhaps if I believe hard enough it will make it true. Normally whaling trips can take weeks and even months at a time to find even a single whale. However the Lieutenant informed me that a pod of the famous Black-Depth Whales would be passing unusually close to the surface as they passed the Isle on a part of their migration route. This would allow us to hunt them with an uncommon speed and alacrity. The trip started fine, the whaling clippers that make up the bulk of the Privateer's whaling fleet are fast and smooth ships, low to the water, with long swooping fins to keep them steady in open ocean. Oh and lest I forget, festooned with weaponry. These elegant ships are complimented by a fewer number of bulky, more traditional whalers that can carry supplies for longer trips into deeper waters to hunt a greater number of prey. We left the Galleon just after dawn and it took us four, maybe five hours to find the pod, another two hours of tracking them, then perhaps as little as forty minutes to pick a target. I will not recount the taking of the whale, it would not serve any purpose in this journal, that alone is reason enough to exclude it. But along with my own personal biases, and the fact I was shoved to the back of the ship to make clear space on the deck for the sailors to do their work meant I saw little, and what I did see was rapid, fleeting and without context. Any recollection would be factually inaccurate at best and total nonsense at worst. The whale, once hounded and hauled aboard was still impressive with it's impossibly huge black sides and flippers that dwarfed even the great Lieutenant, majestic beyond measure despite it's state. Grand banking sides scarred and battered, layered with the signs of age, battle and victory, time on time and time again. I stood and beheld it's majesty as the carnifexes of the crew went to their bloody, sudden work, silencing it's long forlorn cries that echoed across the waves like the sound of a Banshee that haunts a Giant's graveyard. I stood and I watched and stared into it's great black orb eye, I watched as it looked to me, as it took in each detail of me, of y clothing, of my face, of the pity, and the shame, and the fear I felt for and of it. And I watched, as that great black pearl eye lost it's life, I watched as the shine of wisdom and ages of knowing slipped away like a stone sinking into a grand abyssal lake. And I watched and I saw, something dark replace it. I saw it replaced by something black and dark and cold and so, so hollow, something that I lack the words to truly describe. I am a made and archivist of the Grand Imperial University Of Magic, I am no stranger to the eldritch and impossible, and yet... And yet it has always come to me cloaked in robes so close to my own but dappled in shifting patterns and they have always spoken in tongues my mind can comprehend even if their words roiled and bubbled with an impossible sing-songing. But this, this was something else, something raw and unfiltered. Forgive my ravings, I will do my best to focus on the details relevant to this study from now on. The Black-Depth whales are by no means the largest creature to call the depths home, they're not even the largest whales that I can think of in this moment. No, what makes them notable is their jet-black colourations and the fact they seem to live only in the deepest depths of the ocean. What else makes them notable is the oil rendered from their great bodies. The stinking white liquid to which all mages, artificers and makers of war owe a great debt.

Black-Depth Whale Oil glows in the presence of magical currents, along with it's ability to store a great amount of magical energy and it's use as a base for a great many powerful reagents, this makes it an invaluable resource to mages of all stripes. From mystic paints from which the greatest rituals and magic circles are writ, to the powering of those grand automations that mad-mad artificers spend their whole lives forging, to the finding and refining of that wonderous metal adamantine, or shining mithril. Thusly, the difficult hunting of these magnificent creatures, and the ever present demand for this oil makes it prized by one and all, and for quite the price too. I think this is why the Privateers so jealously guard these waters. I think these water, so teeming with magic and so seldom sailed are the breeding grounds for those poor, brilliant beasts. Controlling these waters gives the Privateers practical monopoly on that stinking, liquid silver. And that would make them very rich, very rich indeed. Although when I think of that great, blank black eye. When I think on how it still saw me, long after the cries were ceased and the bloody work of butchery begun. I think they have bitten off more than thy can chew, and it will extract a price from them, a price that no gold will assuage.

[hoboblaidd]

The Veil in the Grand Necropolis was a delicate, refined thing. If one could reach out and touch it, their fingertips might pass through as the surface of a still lake. The Fade so permeated the Necropolis that reality was as porous as it was mere suggestion. Rooms shimmered and shuffled, and a winding staircase gave way to a bottomless abyss. 

The Dread Wolf could slip through, but he was not welcome here.

Solas did not practice their magic, and indeed, what little he had seen he had found distasteful and abusive to the spirits caught up in it. He may not have sympathy for the dead, but his heart belonged to the spirits that reanimated them. Slipping into the Necropolis had been easy. Navigating it…that was another matter entirely. After a frustrating time going in circles, he begrudgingly realized he needed permission to walk these corridors if he was to reach the emissary of House Danarius in time. Solas could feel the pull of a blood magic ritual beginning to take shape. 

Permission, and a guide. He could feel the abundance of spirits dancing through the Necropolis. He sought the nearest one that felt sentient, and was pleased to find @bloomsawake - a wisp of Hope.

Solas approached not in supplication, but with the familiarity of kin. “I greet you,” he said, bowing his head slightly at the little wisp. “I seek a Tevinter blood mage who is hiding in these halls. I mean no harm to the spirits that reside here, nor to those mortals who treat you fairly. I ask for free passage, and,” Solas added with a slight smile, “hope that you might guide me.”

[emberfcrged]

andres trevelyan, dragon age verse

statistics.

FULL NAME Andres Maxwell Trevelyan.

NICKNAMES Dre, Trevelyan

RACE Human.

GENDER & PRONOUNS Cisgender male, he/him/his.

SEXUALITY Bisexual.

NATIONALITY Ostiwicker.

RELIGION Andrastian.

POSITIVE TRAITS Noble, Courageous, Disciplined, Humble

NEGATIVE TRAITS Impatient, Paranoid, Rigid, Headstrong

AFFILIATION Herald of Andraste, Inquisitor

skills & abilities.

CLASS Warrior.

SPECIALIZATION Templar.

WEAPON Greatsword.

biography via the keep

As the youngest child of the Trevelyan noble house, Andres grew up in the Free Marcher city of Ostwick and have enjoyed a life of privilege. With close family ties to the Chantry, and many relatives among the priesthood and the templars, Andres was always expected to follow a similar path in service of the Maker.

In 9:41 Dragon, several members of House Trevelyan attended a Chantry conclave seeking to put an end to the Mage-Templar War. Included among the delegation was the youngest child of Bann Trevelyan, who was sent to assist their relatives or, if a mage, formed a part of the Mage delegation.

additional headcanon

Andres was betrothed to Marcello Freyette, the second son of an Orlesian Marquis, an engagement borne out of political allyship and, later, love. Marcello was also present at the Conclave and, unfortunately, was one of the many killed. This devastated Andres greatly, though in the time passed since he's had little time to grieve -- the title of the Herald of Andraste, the Inquisitor, does not afford him that privilege. First, he must save the world, and then...

decisions under cut

EXPLORING THEDAS reached the inner sanctum, investigated the dwarven ruins, rescued troops from the avaar, helped refugees, did not gain cultists' allegiance, fairbanks revealed to be a noble, fairbanks defeated the freemen, closed the lake's rift in crestwood, imshael was slain, captured suledin keep, claimed griffon wing keep

OPERATIONS inquisition forces deployed regularly, sutherland's company wasn't formed, jecin and celeste married for love, contacted johi

THE WRATH OF HEAVEN inquisitor accepts being chosen by andraste

CHAMPION OF THE JUST inquisitor went to therinfal redoubt, templars leashed, ser barris is alive

IN YOUR HEART SHALL BURN player declared for order

HERE LIES THE ABYSS grey wardens rebuilt, warden contact left in fade

WICKED EYES AND WICKED HEARTS celene rules, reconciled with briala, empress celene lived, grand duchess florianne killed

WHAT PRIDE HAD WROUGHT morrigan drinks from the well, respected temple tradition & allied with guardians

DOOM UPON ALL THE WORLD leliana is divine

JUDGEMENTS AT SKYHOLD inquisitor was a recruiting judge

companions & advisors

DORIAN romanced, planned to return to tevinter, reconciled with his father.

BLACKWALL recruited and stayed, left prison as rainier

IRON BULL recruited, saved the chargers, tal-vashoth

CASSANDRA rebuilt seekers, discovered book of secrets

SERA recruited, killed harmond

COLE recruited and stayed, more human

SOLAS freed his friend

VARRIC tracked the red lyrium source

VIVIENNE gave snowy wyvern heart

CULLEN encouraged not to use lyrium

JOSEPHINE did favors for du paraquettes

LELIANA steeled

TRESPASSER disbanded inquisition, stop solas at all costs

SHIPPING in my canon gameplay, andres ends up with dorian but truthfully i can see him with anyone. he's a big romantic, and sharing his faith will most likely bridge that gap quicker than others, though he's not opposed to those who do not believe or have different beliefs. please keep in mind that andres, through my personal headcanon for him, is very much grieving the death of his fiancé, so that will be an obstacle to overcome.

CLOSED SHIPS: Dorian

TEMPLARS VS MAGES as a trevelyan, andres' ties to the templar order run deep and go back generations. at the beginning of the game he is less sympathetic to the mage's plight hence why he chooses to approach the templars to enlist. however, seeing as they are just as capable of being corrupted, he begins to soften his stance hence why he leashes them by the end of champon of the just. also, if he is romancing a mage, that helps him balance his opinions better as well.

ANDRASTIANISM andres grew up a devout andrastian, and i don't believe that changes by the end of the game. he does struggle with the notion of being the 'herald of andraste', however, torn between feeling like a fraud and wondering if he actually could have been chosen for this -- which then makes him question pretty much everything. however, by the end he's faith is reaffirmed, believing that although he may not have been a prophet chosen by the maker, he was set on this path toward victory for a reason.

[anemoi-i]

You Conjure Such A Beautiful World - 2

Diluven | 1.3k Words | Rated T | Canon Divergent/Different First Meeting | No Reposts

The first time Diluc crosses paths with Venti after his return to Mondstadt.

Part 1 | Part 2 (final / you're here.)

If you like my work, consider becoming a member.

Credits: Title Banner: Me. | Divider Credit

The Archon of Mondstadt was always around. Always watching.

He was the one Diluc saw playing his lyre in the square, the one who’s actions he could not read (and the reason now is clear as the waters of Cider Lake) and the one that acted as a mere human in a nation that he himself presides over. There were clergy in the square that prayed to him faithfully. There were Church services dedicated to him, the very same ones he’s attended as a child with his father. He’s heard pleas from Adventurers at his Statues of the Seven for safe passage in their explorations. The shocking reality of the situation had Diluc locked up inside his own Winery and dare he admit it, afraid to approach the Archon about all of his concerns and feelings.

Being targeted by the Fatui Harbingers was less of a fright.

His feelings about everything are conflicting and confusing. He’d much rather stay at the Winery to sort them out lest he say anything offensive. Even his staff are conflicted, as he has not requested any services, instead insisting he wished to remain in solitude and that he would request anything should he need it. This was fine, as he would also take the time to ensure there were no viable threats to Mondstadt.

He loves Mondstadt like no other and loves all who dwell in it… and takes special care to those that protect Mondstadt under the cover of night.

He’s reminded of that night and the Archon’s words. They were oddly specific, but now…

Of course he would know who goes out of their way to protect his lands and would know his identity.

I shouldn’t be surprised.

Interrupting his throughts, his eagle flies into his study with a caw and a rolled up paper that drops in his hands. This was a nightly occurrence. In a better attempt to scour the lands of Mondstadt, he sent his eagle out to search for any threats. Members of his Intelligence Network were always available, always watching—ironically enough, just like Barbatos. If a member came across his eagle, they would call out to it and leave a note.

There were two codes. Attn: It’s Sunny. That was reserved for no threats. A peaceful outcome. The best outcome.

Then there was the other code.

Attn: It’s Snowing.

Cape Oath.

Diluc burned the letter as per usual and left quietly. Good. Whether it be the Fatui, foolish Treasure Hoarders or Abyss Mages, his claymore was ready and held tightly in his hand. Handling this little issue would do wonders to clear his mind. Diluc makes his trip as quickly as possible and of course, unseen. He’d take a couple of short rests until he made his way to Cape Oath.

It was silent when he arrived, but ominous. Diluc knew something was amiss, especially since the winds blew harshly. A Mondstadter always knew when something was wrong by feeling the winds, even if they weren’t devout to Barbatos or magically adept. The winds never blew harshly. The winds were always calm. Mondstadt was the prime location for a retreat because of this well known fact. His hair blows violently, it’s hard to walk, but Diluc makes his way towards the edge of Cape Oath.

Only to see a Fatuus fall to the ground, groaning.

In fact, there are many of them wriething in pain, clutching their sides. He can’t say he cares, for he would have been harsher in his attacks.

But he flinches once he realizes who exactly is responsible for this.

He is before Barbatos, who holds his divine lyre in his hands. It gradually disappears and strangely enough, turns back into the faux Anemo Vision he wore on his waist. His eyes are filled with contempt. There were sayings that the winds reflected Barbatos’ mood—calm when pleased, violent when angered or melancholy, but seeing it in person is different from the books.

“Oh,” he says, nonchalant. “Hello, Master Diluc.”

He bows to no man, but this is his Archon displaying his power. It would be foolish not to.

“Barbatos.”

“I don’t ask for anyone to submit to me.” he responded. “So, there is no need to stand on ceremony.”

Barbatos looked around. He flicked his wrist and the members of the Fatui on the ground were binded with Anemo.

“I’d called the Ordo Favonius, but…”

That was your first mistake, My Lord.

“…Dealing with them myself was more… enjoyable, I guess? Der Frühling, my trusty lyre. It was a long while since it tasted blood.”

Diluc shivered as he stood.

“I would not have minded taking care of the problem for you.”

“I’m aware of that,” Barbatos smiled. “The very lovely member of your Intelligence Network was nice enough to give me your calling codes. But, we’ll talk more later.”

He gestured behind him. Several members of the Ordo Favonius arrived on scene to access the situation. They were thanked for their hard work and the Fatui taken away. In those moments, Barbatos credited Diluc with the apprehension of them and it bewildered him.

“It’s been a while since I fought. I’m a bit rusty.”

He said he was the weakest. I knew that was a load of nonsense when he said it.

The winds calm. The moon peaks through the clouds and gives off a glow that surrounds Barbatos, making him look as the divine being he is. Then he ascended slightly, extending his hand towards Diluc and beckoned him to approach.

“I wouldn’t be such a cruel Archon as to make you walk back so deep into the midnight hours.”

Without question, Diluc takes his hand. It happens in seconds. They’re back at the Dawn Winery and entering quietly.

“We have not seen each other since we helped Dvalin. I’m that scary, that you would avoid me?”

“I—I wasn’t avoiding—”

“You are a man of many skills, Diluc Ragnvindr. Lying isn’t one of them.”

“My apologies,” he conceded. “I was troubled.”

“Now that is the truth. Good.”

Diluc took a deep breath and  sat down.

“I am the source of your troubles,” Barbatos sighed, sitting next to him. “Sorry.”

“I could never fault you. Even when I felt abandoned, I could never truly blame anyone but myself. It was my choice to go on the path I did, no one else’s.”

“Still,” Barbatos responded. “I have many sins to bear and I am not short on those hateful prayers from those that felt abandoned by me and felt as if I did not care.”

“I…” Diluc didn’t know what to say.

“I don’t desire to rule over anyone, but as you mortals say, it is a “double-edged sword.” The reason why Mondstadt is peaceful is because of the people. Because of you. It was never my efforts.”

Diluc snapped, “With all due given respect, Barbatos, that’s a load of bullshit. It’s unbecoming of you to dismiss your contributions so easily.”

Barbatos gasped. Diluc took this as initiative to continue. In fact, he stood.

“Do you want to know why Mondstadt still stands, Lord Barbatos? It is the people’s faith in you. That desire you have for Mondstadt to prosper without a ruler was embedded into the people’s minds and it is that wish that drives us to protect your city without fail. If you did not provide, they would be no faith in you! There would be no recognition!”

Remaining silent, Barbatos looked at him, wishing him to continue.

“Those hateful “prayers” you spoke of earlier are from those that want their wishes handed to them on a silver platter and are not worth your time. Even now, look at yourself. You are afraid even to give yourself credit for stopping the Fatui. That is where your weakness lies. It was never your strength, but your heart.”

“You and I share a weakness, then.”

Realizing what he said, Diluc’s passionate  resolve breaks.

Barbatos continued, “I guess that makes us more alike?”

“…You wanted me to say this. This was your plan, wasn’t it?”

A smile forms on the Archon’s face.

“If this was years prior, you would have never had the strength to say what you did now. You were lost, as I told you during our unofficial meeting. You thought everything was your fault, your burden to carry and you still hold yourself in contempt.”

“I don’t understand you, Barbatos,” Diluc sighed with frustration. “Why are you doing this?”

“Do you want to understand me?”

“Yes! Celestia above, I want to understand you! I know each and every person in Mondstadt! I know everyone’s routines, I know who is a threat and who is not! But you—You I can’t have a handle on! Ever since that first night, I wanted to speak with you. You did eventually come again but it wasn’t satisfying at all! You acted as if we did not meet. Tell me, do you play these games with everyone?!”

“Oh, Diluc,” Barbatos stood up and approached him. Grasping his hands, he shook his head. “I’m here. I have always been here even when I have made it seem like I am not. I am a very contradictory Archon. That is no game. It simply has to be. I can’t explain my actions for this is how I am.”

“I gather the many years of having to refer to yourself as a different entity has finally confused you.”

“Perhaps,” Barbatos laughed. “This is what I get for choosing to watch over Mondstadt in my own way.”

Diluc notices that he’s still holding his hands. He pulls them away softly and crosses his arms.

“Remember when we first met? You talked about yourself so confidently then. You already knew of my feats, and you told me, ‘You love your home  and protect your home and in turn, the Archon who watches over your home loves you.’  You meant that, right?”

“Yes. Of course I did.”

“That night, you moved me to tears. I still have those flowers you gave me. They’re dried out, but I still have them.”

Barbatos fiddled with his hands timidly.

“I bet that was the first night you allowed yourself to be genuine,” Diluc continued. “ You gave yourself credit. Even though you left me with more questions than answers, you were genuine. That part of you is something I will unravel.”

He kneeled, grasping Barbatos’ hand again.

“If lying truly isn’t my strong suit as you said, then it is certainly not yours either. That makes us even more alike. You wouldn’t speak of your feats in such a way if you did not want any recognition.”

“Diluc,” Barbatos replied breathlessly. “What is it that you want, exactly?”

“I told you. To unravel you. I will decipher your secrets behind the many façades you put on and reveal your true self.”

Barbatos averted his eyes, as if wondering what exactly he got himself into. He finally looked at Diluc with fire in his eyes.

“I take it as a challenge,” he replied softly. “I want to see what you can do.”

Diluc couldn’t utter a response quickly enough before Barbatos disappeared in a flurry of feathers. He stood again, now in the empty room and captured one of those feathers in his hands.

Fine.

If it were a challenge he wanted, it would be a challenge he would get.

[strdstd]

[ @dutybcrne ⸻ ★ ]

Like a cornered rattler suddenly being revealed by an overturning of a rock, they’d struck. Fangs sunk deep into his heart another haunting sensation. Memories coursing through him like venom. He knew what to do for a snake bite, Graey taught him that. But never before had he faced one as severe as this.

The dirt caught under his nails, the grass stains on his clothes, the people he saw every single day. Seeming inconsequential and fleeting. Not worth remembering. Until he returned in that Memory Bubble. The rich scents, voices that never failed to put him at ease, warm spring sunlight hitting his face. The rushing water, the well-worn dirt paths, the wide fields.

His family.

They were alive. Walking and talking. No blazing fires, no smoke. It was just... like an ordinary day. He was alive here, too. Blue eyes as bright as a lake sparkling with sunlight, flowing hair dark as a night sky, body lined with hard-earned muscle. Roughened hands that could strum a guitar and handle a revolver with equal ease, as well as arms that could hold his little girl with a gentleness previously unknown to him.

It all had to be a bad dream. That'd be the only way he could explain the panic surging through him as he sped across the burning land, the grief crashing into him, the fury that could rival the flames around him. Yet, as metal replaced flesh, it sank in. This was real. There was no going back. And if this was what he needed to do to get his home the vengeance it deserved? So be it. Let the anger fuel him. So what if he lost some of his humanity in the process?

But... in Mondstadt...

The closest he'd felt to a second home. So much for initially intending to cause some trouble- Finding quite the match in the city's Cavalry Captain, finding him only to be an authority he had to oppose. Gleefully taking on any and all little "trials", whether it be taking down Ruin Guards in a few shots, to ambushing Abyss Mages without his Vision. To think they'd wind up camping out in the Mondstadt wilderness together, being just the beginning of a bond that'd expand his horizons like no other. Open him up to the reality that he was worth loving, worth living beyond his vengeance plans, living for himself after so long. Finding in Kaeya, a true friend after traveling the galaxy alone. Realizing how badly he missed bantering with someone around a campfire, celebrating won fights together.

For someone that'd closed himself off from relationships and viewed himself as nothing more than a monster thriving off thrill of the hunt, there was an undeniable yank on what were once his heartstrings. Even if he'd spent weeks vehemently denying it, while he clearly had all the signs he was in deep. In deep enough to throw al caution to the wind and dauntlessly journey into the depths of the Chasm. Because, to hell with it, he loved that man and wasn't about to let what he loved be lost again.

As if falling in love and ending up with the one he loved in the end wasn't enough, thoughts of marriage of all things weaseled its way into his head. Marriage being yet another concept he'd brushed off, laughing whenever either parent joked about him finally getting hitched. It seeming even farther away than him getting into a relationship. After all, there was too much else occupying his focus back then. From bounty hunts, farm work, and later on having his daughter in his life.

Again, that was, until Kaeya. Until the Express offered to make the trip to Penacony. The most he could offer being a plain-looking ring crafted out of a leftover bullet. If he could cry, he would've downright sobbed at Kaeya accepting his proposal.

A phantom jolt hit his chest. Oh. Right. He was Kaeya's husband now, for Lan's sake. Arms wound around him, pulling back to finally meet Kaeya's gaze, both eyes of his own visible. He couldn't just hide away from him. Not now.

"...Hell, I would've thought you were too good for me back then. Thinkin' you were somethin' out of a damn dream." A hand wandered up to hold the bullet earring between two fingers. "But not... someone I'd actually end up with."

That much was true.

That, and how foolish he was. For daring to think Kaeya wouldn't extend the same acceptance towards Boothill's own past actions. The same acceptance Boothill unabashedly showed Kaeya.

He looked away, to collect his thoughts, eyes closing with a heavy sigh. Sure, Sawyer oftentimes showed the same tenacity and loyalty to those he deemed worthy of it, would give the clothes off his back to those who needed it. But... the Sawyer from back then still hadn't experienced the suffering Boothill had, hadn't lost his home and felt the agony morph into anger, a burning desire to avenge. So of course he wouldn't have understood Kaeya's plight when it'd came to him joining the Abyss. The desperation to do anything that would change the circumstances, even if it meant losing humanity. When Boothill understood that perfectly.

"You're talkin' sense here." Voice was low, eyes opening before turning his attention back to Kaeya. It could've been so easy to lose himself in that urge for revenge, to sink fully into the deadly hunter facade he put up when dealing with the IPC, let it take him over. Fully rid himself of the scraps of humanity he clung to. A true monster wouldn't feel remorse, and not a day went by when he didn't agonize over what his dads, siblings, daughter would think if they saw what he'd become. That had to prove Kaeya's words right. "Maybe a little too much sense." A slight chuckle left him.

"I think... seein' 'em all again. Seein' myself. In that Memory Bubble, alive, it really hit me hard. Made me remember things I forgot."

A smile managed to form, gaze softening as both hands came to rest against Kaeya's face. "Maybe the man I am now ain't as bad as I thought. You've got my trust like no one else, and it means a lot to know I've got yours. And you best believe I have the same thoughts about you; what you've done and who you are won't change the way I feel about you. Got that, darlin'?"

[captivemuses]

diluc's eyes narrow with flagrant malice toward the harbinger who focused a little too much attention on the cavalry captain in front of him at the bar and not enough attention on leaving it entirely.

What's that Diluc? Kaeya is telling him a story about how Klee blew up an Abyss Mage and Childe's enjoying listening to the story and watching his boyfriends beautiful face as he recounted the story about what Klee and the Traveler got up to by the lake. Diluc couldn't see it either, but Childe's free hand was actually resting on Kaeya's thigh, thumb gently rubbing circles on it while the other hand still held Childe's third beer. At least he was still being a paying customer while he took his time staying at Angels Share, right?

[viatrixtravels-a]

"Hello Traveler! I've only heard good things about you! Are you really as good as everyone says?"

-@kitsune-saiguu

"Hm? ...Oh. The rumors. Wellーー"

She smiled sheepishly in return while scratching the back of her head. "I'm sure there's some truth to some of them, but people love to exaggerate."

Lumine was confident in her own strength and abilities - and never would she back down from a fight, epsecially when her friends are in danger - but she was rarely alone when having to take them on. Yet it usually ends with her taking most of the credit.

"Just the other day, she ran out of stamina mid-air and fell straight into a lake!"

"Paimon..."

"Or that time when she wanted to surprise attack a Hilichurl camp by plunging down from above...but didn't see the explosive barrels next to them."

"I mean, I did defeat them in the process!"

"And don't get Paimon started on all the times she's gotten herself either frozen or caught in a water bubble by Abyss Mages!"

"Enough...!!"

@kitsune-saiguu

[ultramagicalternate]

ULTRAMagic Alternate Location Encyclopedia

Here is a list of the locations in ULTRAMagic Alternate. Click a link for a relevant post. You can read more from that point onwards.

These are in order of appearance and there are spoilers all throughout this list.

I will also make an exception for existing locations that are mentioned if they are in the vicinity of a pre-established location. Or they may be locations that I don't see the main cast getting to anytime soon. These will be in italics.

Master Post

ULTRAMagic Prelude:

The Unlight

The Iron City

The Singing Storm Tower

The Dream Realm

The Great Stone Lake

Fire World

The Valley of Eons

The Roaring Mountains

Blood-Wraith's Temple

The Sun & Moon Forest

The Northern Living Ocean

The Forest of Old

Tree Person Village

Cyclone World

Market District

Tusk's Laboratory

Earth World

The Metal Oasis

Aqua World

The Orange Mega Falls

Basalt Monolith Forrest

Crimson Mega Abyss

The Dark Grand Desert

The Dark Grand City

ULTRAMagic Interlude:

The Magician's Labyrinth

The Trench Unlight

(Bonus Chapters)

Northern Iron City

Rinne Hall

The Great Flower Plains

The Ancient Cave

The City of the Abyss

ULTRAMagic Guild construction site

The Silver-Eye Moon

ULTRAMagic Interlude: Shadowland

Dead Man's Pass

Shadowland

Castle Haugen

Feuerland

The Dashing Ram

Claudius' Mansion

Andelin's Mansion

The Realm of Chaos

Delphine's Realm

Delphine's Palace

Gummi's House

Andelin's Realm

The Lost Mountains

The Fear's Reality Error

Redstar Station

Inferno (Universe-23)

New Paradiso City (Universe-23)

Pari Family Land (Universe-23)

Stolon's Mansion (Universe-23)

The Great Sienna Plains

New Paradiso Mall (Universe-23)

Critical Chance Arcade (Universe-23)

ULTRAMagic Chaos

Obsidian Chaos Gate

The Droom Outskirts

Droomopolis

The Arbiter Monastery

Thundee

Thundee Academy of Mages

Limbo

Purgatory

Kleitos' Realm

The Northwind Archive

Kleitos' Castle

Grand Torrent Canyon

Wulfric's Realm

Karnage's Fortress

Driskoll's Realm

Greenwater Village

Allan Household

Driskoll's Fort

Wulfric's Fortress

General Anara's Fortress

Reverse Dream Falls

Somnium

Dilan's Pizzeria

The Time Labyrinth

ULTRAMagic Interval

Time Watcher Realm

Time Watcher Sanctuary

Zal-Rint's Quarters

Sam's House

Antonio's House

Red River City

M.A.I.G. Headquarters

Reynard's living quarters

Bethany's Crypt

Bran's Laboratory

River Thrill Park

The Sturluson House

Red River Academy of Magic

M.A.I.G. Anomaly Containment

Solomon Grant Elementary School

The ULTRAMagic Guild?

Ertheval

Ertheval Grand Central Station

Milan's Mansion

ULTRAMagic Eon 1

The ULTRAMagic Guild

Castle Ter Avest

ShadowIron Mine Network

Challenger's Mine

Red Stone Mine

Downstream Mine

Firesnow Valley

Fallwater Basin

Happa-Patea

[dungeon-marrs]

BBEG end game

I know it’s ambitious, but I want Zuggtmoy to be my home game’s BBEG. BQ is just a baby level 1 half-orc barbarian, and I’ve done my fair share of prepping basement rat quests and fun, friendly NPCs...now it’s time for evil. The main gist of things is that Zugg wants to spread her hold and power to the Material Plane, and she’s utilizing the war happening between the Empire and the Dynasty in Wildemount as a way to harvest corpses and spread her spores. There will be a slight twist though, as I’m throwing in a red herring - Juiblex - due to their historic rivalry. The below potentially unintelligible writings/internet gatherings are plot hooks/encounters that could easily be tied to either of these demon lords. 

Fevergulf Lake, Xhorhas: Eyes of the Lake [Wildemount Guide quest], sub Zugg for the long-forgotten god

Dreemoth Ravine, Xhorhas: Bones of Frigid Doom [Wildemount Guide quest], have the death knight have ties with Zug. Vorugal resurrected as ancient white dracolich

Charis, Xhorhas: small community of vegetarian farmers, forest guardians + druids - corrupted by Zug. Before corruption, they were hoping to cleanse the Lotusden Greenwood of the evils in the shadows 

Grimgolir, Dunrock Mountains: young black dracolich that has a breath weapon causing a cloud of disease-spreading spores. Thought to be called to battle by the Kryn Dynasty, really a puppet of Zug. Not meant to be fought, just witnessed.

[Jungle Location]: leaf cutter ants feed off of fungus they cultivate in their warrens, a group of giant ants have been corrupted by the fungus. Corrupt giant ant society (based on leaf cutter ants, creating fungus), one queen, ant hill is as organized and complex as any town the PC would expect to encounter. Bulldog ant stats (+1 strength), maze of tunnels, large encounter

[Mountain Location]: PC comes upon large nest with one single egg, flapping wings are heard and a large adult vrock swoops down to defend it’s offspring (Zugg can summon 1d4 vrocks/day)

[Bog/Swamp Location]: vathugus and hezrous demons stalk the bogs. Chasmes and rutterkin can also be encountered frequently. 

     - Vathugu Tanar’ri demon: solitary creature found in wetlands/swamp corrupted with fungi

     - Hezrous demon: solitary creature resembling a toad found in wetlands/swamp corrupted with fungi

     - Chasme: cross between human + fly. Reproduce via eggs + lay up to 10 eggs/year. Nest deep in swamp, near a destroyed teleportation circle to the Abyss. Arcana check to discern where the portal once lead

      - Rutterkin: malformed tanar’ri, wandered through rift in the planes. High DC check to find the rift somewhere in the area 

[Many Locations]: devout fungi-worshipers, comprised mostly of misguided druids, clerics + maddened academics such as wizards 

     - group of human cultists, maddened by the fungus eating their minds. not difficult, but impactful as the humans have already started tearing each other apart when the PC arrives

     - Parth, elite Death Cultist: leader of a small team of The Knights of Death

     - Circle of Spores Druid: lone half-elf found in the wilderness, crazed look in their eyes. They speak in a made-up language that the PC can’t decipher 

     - Cleric of Corruption: found alone at an overgrown, ancient altar to Zugg (high DC religion check to understand cracked and ruined symbols)

     - Dark Mage: an outcast that could befriend the PC, will eventually realize the dark power the mage holds is slowly consuming their free will 

[Underdark Location]: ruined underdark temple to Zug, myconids lead by a sorcerer/druidic priest with fungal-infested companion. PC is told this is where to find more information about Zug 

     - Ogre druidic priest with fungal-infested panther companion

     - Myconid workers and myconid guards have created a small settlement within the ruined temple

     - Multiple traps and puzzles throughout the temple, as well as encounters with molds and slimes

     - Underdark tunnels lined with phosphorescent fungi + filled with mushroom eating duergar in acid trip berserker frenzy 

Additionally, here’s some Zugg themed loot I saw a few people on Reddit (?) I think (sorry people of Reddit) talking about utilizing: 

     - A quiver that regrows arrows from hard mushroom-like wood and “thorn”

     - A bag of puffshrooms that act like a grenade exploding into a stink cloud

     - Ring of barkskin 

     - Shield that you can use a reaction when hit to spray a cloud of spores out, blinds the target and spreads Zug’s spores 

     - Scarab inscribed with “TZGY” 

     - A bow made of a sentient mycinoid, shoots better in darkness, speaks undercommon

     - Boots that give you advantage on stealth by growing little mushrooms each step, activate or deactivate as desired 

Hope you have enjoyed your time here. Bye bye. 

- Aspiring DM Margot Marrs 

[dandelion-wings]

Even through his glove, Diluc's hand is unnaturally hot. Kaeya glances sideways as they walk out of the manor and start back down the path to the lakeshore. His Vision, that eye of Celestia, glows bright, pulsing red at his hip.

He could pull away at any time and run. Or try to, at least. Diluc's grip is almost painfully tight, and he knows these woods well. If Kaeya runs and is caught again, Diluc won't trust him to keep their bargain. Which means he won't let him go with the Abyss Mage. He'll tell the knights the truth, and let the mage-knight do whatever she thinks is best instead.

As they approach the lake, Kaeya hears the sound of distant battle. Diluc hears it too; he stops, pulling Kaeya to a halt, and listens intently.

"They aren't facing any mages," he says aloud. "It must have rounded up some hilichurls from Dragonspine to serve as distractions for its plans. And they aren't the only ones." He lets go of Kaeya's hand to draw his claymore.

Kaeya scrambles instinctively sideways, away from the bared blade and the fire running down it. Hilichurls come rushing towards Diluc waving clubs and shields of ice, a single mitachurl bounding after. Not nearly the force the knights are facing--he can hear the hollow hooting of a lawachurl from the lakeside--and sorely wanting against Pyro. Kaeya winces at the thought of their fate before Diluc even makes his first swing. But enough for a brief distraction.

Enough for him to go scrambling for the underbrush, out of their sight and Diluc's alike. He might pity the hilichurls, but they'll attack him as gladly as they will the Mondstadters. More importantly, he can see the gleam of a Cryo shield nearby.

*"Here you are, little Alberich!"* the Abyss Mage crows. *"It's time to take you back where you belong."*

Back to his father. Kaeya holds out his hand, and the Abyss Mage draws closer.

"Kaeya!"

When Kaeya looks over his shoulder, Diluc isn't charging furiously up on him as he'd half-expected. He's casting about as he fends off the mitachurl, and there's worry in his voice and in his eye.

*"Heehee, don't worry about him! We'll let you come back and deal with his temerity in person, once we've restored you to your proper place. We'll let you deal with all Mondstadt."*

All Mondstadt. The people here are his people's enemies. Yet-

Diluc fells the mitachurl and swings about, still not seeing them. Very possibly the Mage's doing. "Kaeya! It's safe now. You can come out."

*"Switch us back,"* Kaeya tells the Mage. *"You exchanged us in the first place, didn't you? Did you need me, or him, because we share a name? It's the only way it makes sense. I don't know if you needed him or if this was about my father, but you need to switch us back."*

The Mage startles back just as its shield starts to melt away so it can take Kaeya's hand. It bobs up into the air again and bursts into cackling laughter.

"What you don't know about magic could fill a thousand tomes, little Alberich. Don't tell a Mage how to balance its spells! I'll take you and keep you, and these Celestians can wail about their loss all they like."*

"Kaeya! Are you hurt?" Diluc is starting to sound frantic. Of course he is; he can't get his Kaeya back without Kaeya here to exchange. His worries shouldn't matter.

*"Switch us back,"* Kaeya says again. He takes a step back and drops his hand. *"I made him a deal, and I intend to keep it. Swear to me that you'll switch us back and return their Kaeya to them, or I won't go."*

The Mage bobs in silence for a beat, then another. When it speaks again there's no laughter in its voice at all. Only a deep, hissing malice.

*"Even this far back, you're already a traitor. It seems I'll have to reunite you with your father even sooner than I promised."*

It lifts its leyline branch high, and Kaeya barely dodges out of the way in time as a bolt of ice comes flying towards him. It passes so close to his ear that he can hear it humming in the air and crashes into the tree right behind where he'd stood.

The sound of the shattering ice breaks whatever baffle the Mage had placed over the two of them. Kaeya hears Diluc shout his name again and come crashing through the underbrush towards them.

*"What do you mean?"* he shouts at the Mage, shock giving way to bewildered fear as he scrambles out of the way of another bolt of ice. *"I'm an Alberich! I swear on Irmin's name, I'm not a traitor!"*

*"You think your name will protect you?" The Abyss Mage is laughing again, shriller and nastier than its giggling of before. *"You've always been a lying little wretch- Ack!"*

Abruptly, before it can loose a third bolt, it lets the spell go and blinks away as Diluc tries to come crashing down upon it with his blazing sword. Landing awkwardly, Diluc scrambles to his feet and glances around for the Mage. It blinks back on Kaeya’s other side and raises its wand again.

This time the icicle comes from above. Kaeya ducks sideways. When it hits the ground and shatters, cold mist surges out of it, wrapping around Kaeya’s limbs and seeming to sink into his bones. He sees the Mage raise its wand again and knows another icicle is coming, but he can't coordinate his chilled limbs in time to dodge.

As the ice descends, Diluc hurls himself into the mist and pulls Kaeya close, deflecting the second icicle with his own body and then hauling him just clear, with the same dragging movements, of the third. The only sound he makes as the first icicle hits his shoulder is a low, harsh *"hah"*, but as they step free of the mist, he throws flame from his sword. For the second time today Kaeya sees the Mage rushed by the flaming bird.

This time, it doesn't teleport straight away to the Abyss. Instead it blinks clear of the bird just in time--almost too slow, reappearing with its shield half-melted--and sends a flurry of ice-bolts towards them. It's laughing that shrill nasty laugh.

Wind whips up, furious and fierce, blowing the bolts awry as the blonde knight comes sprinting up through the trees. Lightning lances down, and the Mage's half-melted shield is suddenly riddled with cracks. Diluc shoves Kaeya at the blonde knight and sprint towards it, blade upraised and flaming.

One strike shatters the shield. It hits the ground flailing, laughter cut off in a high-pitched yelp. Diluc steps down hard on one of its stick-thin arms. Taking a captive, Kaeya thinks, and then he raises his burning sword high.

The blonde knight puts a hand over Kaeya's eyes, as if he hasn't seen a similar fate befall his parents' foes before. He hears Diluc snarl, "Let this be a warning to all your ilk," and then a dull thud and brief fiery crackle.

When the blonde knight lets go of him, Diluc is walking over, the last traces of oily black smoke curling into the air behind him. He drops to his knees in front of Kaeya, eyes fixed in all their terrifying focus on him and him alone.

"Are you all right?"

"You aren't a traitor," Diluc tells him, low and fierce. "You were the one betrayed. Stranding a child among people he believes enemies is nothing less. You cannot commit treason against those who have already abandoned you."

Kaeya nods, though he's not sure it's true. He still feels cold all over, and he can't stop shaking. Tears burn hot in his eye, and with excruciating shame he feels one slipping free to trail down his cheek.

"It called me a traitor," Kaeya tells Diluc, barely managing a whisper. "And a liar, and-I don't have the word in Mond. And I think my father...."

Another tear spills over. Before Kaeya can wipe his eye, Diluc is looming closer--no, folding in, arms wrapping around Kaeya, pulling him close in a hug. He's furnace-hot, the heat of him easing away the last of the misty chill. When Kaeya presses his face into Diluc's shoulder, the scent of smoke is almost overwhelming.

"I am your Kaeya, aren't I?" he whispers into Diluc's ear.

Diluc goes stiff, his arms iron bars across Kaeya's back, his chin digging into Kaeya's shoulder.

"If we were different people, you would have needed the Mage to switch us back. You had it caught, and you could have forced it to. Instead, you killed it."

Diluc's stiffness has turned into stillness--no longer pinning him in place, but waiting, listening, tense not with surprise but with anticipation.

"Earlier, you almost said something about my father. The Mage said some things too. Is he dead?"

"I don't know. He disappeared after he brought you to Mondstadt."

"Then he's dead." Kaeya's father would never abandon him. "Everyone thinks they know me because they do know me. They know the me after my father brought me here."

Diluc lets out a long breath. "I knew you would work it out eventually. But I wasn't going to convince you if Jean and Lisa hadn't. You had to convince yourself."

Kaeya still has so many questions, but he's not sure he wants Diluc's answers. Not knowing his father's fate is bad enough. Why his father brought him here, how he ended up a Knight of Favonius, what he is to these people--none of it matters anyway, he tells himself, and wriggles out of Diluc's grip.

"What happens now?" he asks, careful not to let his voice waver. "Without the Mage, you can't fix this."

"The Dawn Winery remains open to you," Diluc starts to say, rising to his feet.

"Excuse me, cuties," the mage-knight cuts in. "Don't forget about *me*. I got a good look at that Mage's spell-style before it sent its minions our way. Now that it's dead, unwinding its work should be simple."

"Good," the blonde knight says, smiling with relief. "I knew we could count on you. Where would be the best place to do this?"

Stuck at the hospital with only my phone and rn the sickfic WIP isn't appealing, so why not start a new phone WIP? >> This concept originates from a longer idea @theabysscomeshome and I had once (wherein this episode feeds into a relationship shift), but rn I'm just focusing on baby Kaeya.

---

"This must be confusing for you," says the red-haired man crouching in front of Kaeya. It's the first sensible thing Kaeya has heard anyone say since he woke up under this terrible open sky.

He doesn't say that, of course. He only nods. Giving anything away to these people would be a bad idea.

It's a good thing, in a way, that he'd woken to see the woman standing behind him before anything else. Her, and the sky above her, and the symbol of the Ordo Favonius--their ancient enemies, the crusading scourge that followed the first disasters of the Cataclysm--emblazoned upon her armor. She had seemed to take both his scream and his frantic grab for the sword beside him in stride, though she had wrestled the weapon away. She'd claimed to *know* him.

Kaeya knows no Knight of Favonius, but as long as he goes along with her claim, she seems disinclined to kill him. So he can't do anything that will prove her wrong.

"I thought that he would be more comfortable here at the Dawn Winery," she's telling the red-haired man now. "He's been very shy, and I think being around so many armed knights is frightening for him."

"He was afraid of knights when he first came here," the man agrees. Which means he thinks he knows Kaeya, too. "We'll look after him until your alchemists come up with a solution."

"Thank you. I know he'll be happier with you."

Kaeya stiffens when she puts a hand on his shoulder, but all she does is squeeze. When he looks up, she's smiling at him.

"We will work tirelessly to repair this," she tells him. "For now, simply enjoy your time here at the Winery."

Then she turns and walks away, leaving Kaeya here in this softly-lit room with the man looming over him even crouched to his height. It's still better than being surrounded by Favonian knights.

"Has Jean explained the situation to you?" the man asks.

She'd told him that she knew him as an adult, that he was a captain under her, and that some Abyss Mage had ensorcelled him in a fight. She'd told him that he was her best friend. Kaeya doesn't believe any of it, of course. But *she* does.

His own best theory, right now, is that the Abyss Mage switched them somehow. Why, he doesn't know. How his name can match her friend's, and furthermore how he can look enough like the man she knows for her to believe it, he doesn't know either. But Mages are capricious; that one snatched him from where he slept at his father's side while he slept and substituted him for this Mondstadtian Kaeya seems more likely than becoming a Knight of Favonius. Or, worse, the *friend* of one of those butchers.

Kaeya just nods again.

"Then I won't try to pretend that I'm Father. Not that there would be any point in that. I am Diluc. I'm simply fifteen years older than I was when you arrived."

He seems to expect some kind of answer, so Kaeya nods a third time.

The man nods back. Then he stands, abruptly, to his full height. It takes all of Kaeya's efforts not to flinch. If the knight thought he would be happier here, then surely the person she thinks he is wouldn't.

Passing Kaeya, the man--Diluc--opens the door. "Let's go find Adelinde. She can get your room set up and feed you. I'm sure you're hungry."

That's the second sensible thing Kaeya has heard anyone say today, so he follows.

[azure-wings]

Whoever made the in the mountain quest really just wanted people to suffer

[dalishious]

Everything About the Elven Pantheon

IMPORTANT NOTE: This post is in the context of Dalish knowledge, practices, beliefs and legends, not anything to do with the Evanuris revelations in Trespasser.

Creation

Though the Dalish refer to the Elven Pantheon as the Creators, unlike Andrastian belief of the Maker, the Creators did not create the world; the world created them. The Dalish recognize the sun, land, sea and moon as the origin of creation.

Before anything else, there was the Sun and the Earth. Out of where the Sun touched the Earth, Elgar’nan was born, the first of the Creators. Elgar’nan walked the land, and for her son, the Earth grew all he needed. Green to live on, animals to eat. And the Sun gave light and warmth.

However, the Sun grew jealous of Elgar’nan being able to walk the land and take in everything his mother provided to him. So the Sun, in a fit of spite, set the Earth on fire and burned everything to ashes. The Earth cried in pain, her tears pooling together to create oceans and lakes, and in the cracks on her skin from the sun’s wrath, rivers. And from the deepest part of her sorrow, the Abyss (AKA the Void) was created.

Elgar’nan flew into the sky and wrestled the Sun, ending in him throwing his father into the Abyss.

Without the Sun, the Earth grew dark, the only light remaining being pieces of the Sun’s lifeblood left behind from the battle; the creation of the stars. From the Abyss, the Sun boiled the waters of the earth. Elgar’nan tried to regrow what the Sun had destroyed, but nothing would. The Earth tried to convince Elgar’nan to let the Sun go, but in his vengeance, he refused, and the Earth continued to die.

Then the Sea gave birth to Mythal, the second of the Creators. Mythal calmed Elgar’nan with a touch on his brow, and convinced Elgar’nan to make a deal with the Sun: if the Sun promised to be gentle to the Earth and return to her each night, he would release his father. The Sun was remorseful, and agreed. Thus, the cycle of night and day.

Elgar’nan and Mythal brought to back to life everything the Sun had destroyed. Once again the Earth was filled with life. The remains of the Sun’s heat in the Abyss left hot springs with sacred healing waters. And the Sun kept his promise; every night he returned to the Earth, and in his place, Mythal used a bit of his light to create the Moon.

Elgar’nan

Titles:

All-Father

Eldest of the Sun

He Who Overthrew His Father

Sun's-Death

Taker of Vengeance

Represents:

Vengeance

Fatherhood

Sun

Symbols:

Sun

Thorns/spines

Fire

Notes:

Along with Mythal, Elgar’nan heads the pantheon.

As the Taker of Vengeance, the Dalish invoke Elgar’nan’s name when seeking retribution. They also ask for his forgiveness in transgressions done out of too much pride.

It’s said the reason that the dwarves fear the sun is because of Elgar’nan’s fire.

Before the Exalted March of the Dales, Elgar’nan had the largest temple in Halamshiral.

Some Dalish clans believe Elgar’nan is the god that will restore their glory.

The sacred hot springs in the Dales—the Pools of the Sun—hold the remains of the sun’s heat from when Elgar’nan buried his father beneath the earth. The waters have healing properties. Unfortunately, the Orlesians claimed these sacred waters as their own, and built Andrastian statues all over the territory.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“All-Father, may you forgive our part in this tragedy. Would our sons and daughters have died if not for our pride?”

“Elgar’nan guide me, enemies come!”

Mythal

Titles:

All-Mother

Great Protector

The Protector

She Who Watches

Represents:

Justice

Motherhood

Protection

Moon

Love

Symbols:

Dragon

Moon

Tree

Beam scale

Notes:

Along with Elgar’nan, Mythal heads the pantheon.

Dalish Keepers carry staves cut from a Dahl’amythal; Tree of Mythal. The staves are cut when a mage becomes First, for the day they take the current Keeper’s role.

Mythal is considered to be the wisest of all the Gods.

Dalish elves invoke Mythal’s name when declaring a debt, seeking justice, seeking love, and seeking protection for themselves or others.

The Dalish also consider it dangerous to neglect praying at Mythal’s shrines. Pleasing Mythal means she will offer you protection and guidance, but angering her is to risk getting struck from the earth, as if you never existed.

Known Legends:

(See Creation above)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“I will pray that Mythal watches over your path.”

“Mythal, All-Mother, protector of the People, watch over us, for the path we tread is perilous. Save us from the darkness, as you did before, and we will sing your name to the heavens.”

“If Mythal smiles on you, then you need fear nothing at all.”

“Let fly your voice to Mythal, deliverer of justice, protector of sun and earth alike.”

“Go with Mythal’s blessing.”

“May Mythal protect you in your quest.”

Falon’Din

Titles:

Lethanavir; Friend to the Dead

Guide of the Dead; The Guide

The Merciful One

Dirthamen’s Shadow

Represents:

Death

Fortune (as in the future)

Symbols:

Owl

Notes:

In most legends, Falon’Din was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Falon’Din is known as the overseer of funerals and guide of the dead.

In the times of Elvhenan, Falon’Din guided elves entering Uthenera on their journey of enlightenment. When an elf died, he carried them to the Beyond (AKA the Fade).

Falon’Din and Dirthamen are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

The ancient elves referred to him as “master-scryer”.

Dalish elves invoke Falon’Din’s name on their deathbed, when departing on quests or entering battles they do not expect to survive, when asking to be spared from death, and when praying for a deceased loved one’s safe passage to the Beyond.

The owl is sometimes depicted as Falon’Din’s companion, messenger and servant, helping him guide the People through the Veil. Other times, Falon’Din is depicted as a great owl himself.

Known Legends:

One day, Falon’Din and Dirthamen found a sickly deer lying beneath a tree. Falon’Din asked, “Why do you sit so still, little sister?” They invited the dear to play with them, but the deer explained that she is too old, and wanted to go to her rest but was too weak to travel herself. Pitying the deer, Falon’Din took her in his arms and carried her across the Veil. With her spirit released from her body, she was once again free to wander without weakness in the Beyond. Rejoiced to see this, Falon’Din vowed to remain and carry all the dead to their place in the Beyond. (For Dirthamen’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

When Falon’Din searched for someone to serve him, he refused to chain the wind, as swift as it was, and could not task this of the People, as they could not live where he walked. The owl volunteered, saying “I am not cowed by darkness. Let me serve you who also has no fear of night.”

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“O Falon'Din, Lethanavir—Friend to the Dead, Guide my feet, calm my soul, Lead me to my rest.”

“Falon'Din, Friend of the Dead, may you guide our sons and daughters safely into the Beyond.”

“May your ashes be gathered by Falon'Din, And carried safely.”

“Falon’Din guide your steps.”

“Falon'Din be your guide.”

“Falon'Din, spare me.”

Dirthamen

Titles:

Keeper of Secrets

Falon’Din’s Reflection

Represents:

Secrets

Knowledge

Symbols:

Raven(s)

Bear

Varterral

Notes:

In most legends, Dirthamen was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Dirthamen gave the People the gift of knowledge, and taught them the value of loyalty and faith in family.

Dirthamen and Falon’Din are linked and said to be inseparable, known for their great love for each other, though the nature of their relationship varies. Most legends call them brothers, while others refer to them as “twin souls,” but no family relation… though details may lack, basically they’re drift compatible.

Dalish elves pray to Dirthamen when seeking knowledge, to reveal desired secrets.

Known Legends:

One day, Falon’Din and Dirthamen found a sickly deer lying beneath a tree. Falon’Din asked, “Why do you sit so still, little sister?” They invited the dear to play with them, but the deer explained that she is too old, and wanted to go to her rest but was too weak to travel herself. Pitying the deer, Falon’Din took her in his arms and carried her across the Veil. Dirthamen tried to follow, but got lost in the shifting paths of the Beyond, separated from Falon’Din for the first time. He wandered aimlessly, until attracting the attention of two ravens by the name of Fear and Deceit. Fear told Dirthamen that he would soon fade, lost forever, and Deceit told him that Falon’Din abandoned him because he no longer loved him. But Dirthamen subdued the ravens, and bound them to his service. He ordered the ravens to fly him to Falon’Din, where the two were reunited. Falon’Din vowed to remain and carry all the dead to their place in the Beyond, as he did for the deer, and Dirthamen vowed to stay with him, as they could not bear to be apart again. (For Falon’Din’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Dirthamen gave one secret for each animal to keep, but one by one they all gave their secrets away. The foxes traded their secrets for wings from Andruil. The hares shouted theirs to the trees. The birds sold theirs for coin. But the bears hibernated with their secrets. When Dirthamen found out, he took the wings from the foxes, voices from the hares, and wealth from the birds. But the bears he honoured for their steadfastness, making them beloved above all other animals by Dirthamen.

In the days before Arlathan, a city beloved and counselled by Dirthamen was attacked by a high dragon. For three days and three nights the people shut themselves in and prayed for Dirthamen's protection. On the fourth day, Dirthamen shaped a giant, agile spider-like beast from the rock and trees of the mountain's forest. The first varterral drove away the dragon, and from that day on, guarded the city and its people.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Andruil

Titles:

The Huntress

Lady of Fortune (as in luck)

Lady of the Hunt

Sister of the Moon

Mother of Hares

Represents:

Hunting

Survival

Luck

Symbols:

Hare

Owl

Notes:

In some legends, Andruil is the daughter of Elgar’nan and Mythal. In others, she was born of the Earth.

Where Sylaise is known as docile, Andruil is known as wild.

Andruil watches over the animals of the Earth, and taught the People to respect all of nature; to never misuse the Earth’s gifts.

Her greatest teaching to the People was the Vir Tandahal; the Way of the Three Trees. There are different versions of the Vir Tanadahl (see below).

Dalish elves pray to Andruil for guidance on where to hunt, where to raise their halla, and where to settle and build. They also invoke her name when looking for good luck.

Andruil brings messages to the People by an owl, and the Dalish teach their children to watch for the owl’s messages.

Enchanted belts called Andruil’s Blessing are given to honoured allies of a clan.

In the time of the Dales independence, at least one forest was dedicated to Andruil, where a sanctuary for her worshippers was built. The sanctuary is now a haunted tour location for Orlesian nobles.

Vir Tandahal:

Vir Assan: the Way of the Arrow – 1. “Be swift and silent; strike true, do not waver, and let not your prey suffer.” 2. “Fly straight and do not waver.”

Vir Bor'assan: the Way of the Bow – 1. “As the sapling bends, so must you. In yielding, find resilience; in pliancy, find strength.” 2. “Bend but never break.”

Vir Adahlen: the Way of the Wood / the Way of the Forest – 1. “Receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness. Respect the sacrifice of my children. Know that your passing shall nourish them in turn.” 2. “Together we are stronger than the one.”

The Vir Tanadahl applies to more than just hunting, but is a way of life for those who follow it. The mantra’s metaphors teach resiliency, respect and unity as much as they do a code of conduct for hunting.

Known Legends:

Fen’Harel was one day hunting for halla without the blessing of Andruil. As punishment, she tied him to a tree and declared he would need to server her in bed for a year and a day. However, Fen’Harel was also sought after by the Forgotten One Anaris, who found Andruil’s camp and sought to battle Andruil over claim on Fen’Harel. However, Fen’Harel tricked his way out of the situation by manipulating both opponents to lose focus on him, so he could escape. (For Fen’Harel’s part of this tale, see his legends.)

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain was blinded by a vengeful hunter after she cursed him, Andruil turned Ghilan’nain into the first halla, so she could find her way home and then lead her sisters to bring the hunter to justice. (For Ghilan’nain’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Andruil guide your path.”

“Andruil bless your hunt.”

“Andruil, grant me your power!”

Sylaise

Titles:

The Hearthkeeper

Represents:

Hearth

Home

Foraging

Domestic arts

Symbols:

Herbs

Fire

Notes:

In most legends, Sylaise was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

Sylaise taught the People how to use fire, how to heal with herbs and magic, how to deliver babies, and textile arts such as spinning and weaving.

Where Andruil is known as wild, she is known as docile.

She is seen as a protector of children.

The Dalish pray to Sylaise to spare the sick and watch over the innocent. They invoke her name every time a fire is kindled, and thank her when it is quenched. They also invoke her name in marriage vows, asking to protect the home.

While most Dalish elves follow Andruil’s Vir Tandahal, there are those who instead choose to follow Sylaise’s Vir Atish’an; the Way of Peace. Not much is known about these teachings, other than that it is the way followed by healers.

Dalish elves sprinkle tree-moss over their aravels as offerings to Sylaise.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Sylaise enaste var aravel.” (“Sylaise favour/bless our home.”)

June

Titles:

Master of Crafts

Represents:

Crafts / Craftsmanship

Building

Symbols:

Bent branches

Anvil

Notes:

In most legends, June was created by Elgar’nan and Mythal.

June used Sylaise’s lessons to teach the People how to fashion weapons for hunting Andruil’s gifts. He taught them how to fashion coverings of furs and ironbark to stay warm.

Dalish elves dedicate most of their crafts to June.

In the days of the independent Dales, the High Keepers of June were all smiths.

Of all the Creators, June is the least understood.

Known Legends:

N/A

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

N/A

Ghilan’nain

Titles:

Mother of the Halla

Represents:

Guidance

Navigation

Halla

Symbols:

Halla

Notes:

Ghilan’nain was once a follower of Andruil, who rose Ghilan’nain to godhood for her devotion to animals.

As an elf, she is described as having snow-white hair.

In times of great need, Ghilan’nain will send a golden halla to the Dalish, to guide them safely. This halla is known as Hanal’ghilan; the Pathfinder.

Known Legends:

Ghilan’nain was one of the People, and favoured by Andruil for her devotion to the Vir Tanadahl. When Ghilan’nain came across a hunter who killed a hawk without making an offering to Andruil, she demanded he do so. When the hunter refused, Ghilan’nain called upon Andruil’s wrath to curse the hunter with the inability to ever kill another living creature. The curse worked, and the hunter was mocked by his peers for his inability to hunt. Seeking vengeance, he lured Ghilan’nain away from her sisters with promises that he learned his lesson and wanted her to teach him how to make a proper offering. Of course, the moment they were alone, he attacked Ghilan’nain, bound her, blinded her, and wounded her. But he was unable to kill her due to the curse, so he left her to die in the woods. Ghilan’nain prayed to Andruil for help, and Andruil sent her hares to chew through the bindings to free Ghilan’nain. However, she was still left wounded and blinded. Andruil transformed her into the first halla, so that she could find her way back to her sisters, and then lead them to the hunter to enact justice. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Ghilan’nain used her power to create fantastical beasts, the likes of which were hunted by Andruil. After a year of killing, Andruil approached Ghilan’nain with an offer: destroy her creatures, and she would be made a goddess. Ghilan’nain agreed, with a few exceptions: She destroyed her creatures of the air except those she presented to Andruil as a gift. She destroyed her creatures of the sea except those deep in the ocean, for they were too perfect. She destroyed her creatures of the earth, except for the halla, as she cherished them too much.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“Ghilan’nain guide my hand.”

Fen’Harel

Titles:

Dread Wolf

The Great Wolf

The Great Deceiver

Lord of Tricksters

Represents:

Tricks / Tricksters

Nightmares

Misfortune

Deception

Symbols:

Wolf

Notes:

Fen’Harel is kin to both the Creators and the Forgotten Ones.

It is said that Fen’Harel kept to himself, away from the People. After the fall of Arlathan and the sealing away of the Creators and Forgotten Ones, he alone now freely roams the Fade on the hunt for dreams.

Dalish set statues of Fen'Harel outside their camps to frighten harmful spirits, and leave offerings at shrines to him like any other god. They also invoke Fen’Harel’s name when avoiding tragedy, as thanks for turning a blind eye to them.

Fen’Harel fears crossing the ire of hounds.

Known Legends:

In the days of Arlathan, a village came together and prayed for Fen’Harel to slay a great beast that tormented them. Fen’Harel appeared, assessed that the beast would kill him in a fight, and instead shot an arrow into the sky. The villagers asked how he would save them, to which he said, “When did I say that I would save you?” and left. That night, the beast killed the warriors, then the women, then the elders. But when the beast went for the children, the arrow Fen’Harel shot into the sky came back down into its mouth and killed the beast. While the children wept for the loss of their families, they still made an offering to Fen’Harel in thanks, because he did what the villagers asked of him.

There was once an elven king who lost one of his two daughters to a snake bite. At the funeral, a young noble man caught sight of an elven lady so beautiful that it broke his heart not to know who she was. Customs forbade him from talking during the funeral. The noble prayed to all the Creators that he would see this elven lady again, until finally he prayed to Fen’Harel; the only one to answer. Fen’Harel told the noble if he wanted to see this lady again, he simply needed to kill the king’s other daughter.

When the Creator Andruil and Forgotten One Anaris battled over who would punish Fen’Harel for wrongs he’d done against each of them, Fen’Harel tricked his way to freedom. During the fight, Fen’Harel called out to Anaris that there was a weakness in Andruil’s armour. Anaris took advantage of this and severely wounded Andruil, seemingly winning the battle. Fen’Harel said that since Anaris only won because of him, he should get his freedom. This distracted Anaris long enough for the Andruil to rise up again and attack the Anaris from behind. The two were so badly injured that they fell unconscious, allowing Fen’Harel to chew through his ropes to escape. (For Andruil’s part of this tale, see her legends.)

Fen’Harel is the one responsible for locking away the gods from the People. In one version of the legend, he tricked the Creators and the Forgotten Ones to retreat to the Beyond and the Void by proposing a truce. In another version of the legend, he lied about the location of a great weapon to win the war, luring them into each location respectfully. Whatever the method, the end of the tale is the same: Fen’Harel sealed away the Creators in the Beyond and their respective realms, never again to interact with the mortal world.

An elderly Keeper of a clan in the Silent Plains had a coursing hound companion. When the Keeper slept, Fen’Harel thought to steal the Keeper’s dreams, but the hound protected his master, and chased Fen’Harel away. The hound caught Fen’Harel by the tail, and the two went around in circles before Fen’Harel eventually chewed off his own tail in order to escape. He has ever since feared hounds.

Known Dalish Prayers/Sayings:

“He Who Hunts Alone, the Dread Wolf. He will come for us in the end, but today he turned a blind eye, and for that, we are thankful.”

“May the Dread Wolf never hear your footsteps.”

“May the Dread Wolf never catch your scent.”

“May Fen’Harel chase your spirit across the Beyond forever!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf hunt you for the rest of your days!” (A curse)

“May the Dread Wolf take you.” (A curse)

-----

SOURCES:

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire

Dragon Age: Redemption

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 1

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas vol. 2

Dragon Age: RPG Book

Codex entry: The Dalish Elves (DA:O)

Codex entry: Elgar'nan: God of Vengeance (DA:O)

Codex entry: Mythal: the Great Protector (DA:O)

Codex entry: Andruil: Goddess of the Hunt (DA:O)

Codex entry: Falon'Din: Friend of the Dead, the Guide (DA:O)

Codex entry: Dirthamen: Keeper of Secrets (DA:O)

Codex entry: June: God of the Craft (DA:O)

Codex entry: Sylaise: the Hearthkeeper (DA:O)

Codex entry: Fen'Harel: The Dread Wolf (DA:O)

Codex entry: Ghilan'nain: Mother of the Halla (DA:O)

Codex entry: Arlathan: Part Two (DA:O)

Codex entry: Bear (DA:O)

Codex entry: Varterral (DA:2)

Codex entry: Vir Atish'an (DA:2)

Codex entry: Andruil's Messenger (DA:I)

Codex entry: Song to Falon'Din (DA:I)

Codex entry: Twins in Shadow (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 1 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Torn Notebook in the Deep Roads, Section 2 (DA:I)

Codex entry: Judicael's Crossing (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Silentir (DA:I)

Codex entry: Constellation: Tenebrium (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Letter from the Hero of Ferelden (DA:I)

Codex entry: A Ghoulish Delight (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Ascension of Ghilan'nain (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Mystery of June (DA:I)

Codex entry: The Rebel God (DA:I)

Codex entry: Vallasdahlen (DA:I)

Landmark: Pools of the Sun (DA:I)

Landmark: The Guide of Falon'Din (DA:I)

Landmark: Offering to the Dread Wolf (DA:I)

Item description: Mythal's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Andruil's Blessing (DA:O)

Item description: Robes of the High Keeper (DA:I)

Item description: Elgar'nan Enaste (DA:I)

Item description: Evanura (DA:I)

Text appearing over statues at the Dalish camp in the Brecilian Forest (DA:O)

Dialogue with Tamlen in The Lost Mysteries of the Ancients (DA:O)

Dialogue with Lanaya in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Zathrian in Nature of the Beast (DA:O)

Dialogue with Maren and Velanna in Awakening (DA:O)

Dialogue with Marethari in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Marethari in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Long Way Home (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Mirror Image (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in Memento of the Dalish (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill about Hawke’s mabari (DA:2)

Dialogue with Merrill in battle (DA:2)

Dialogue with Ineria in A New Path (DA:2)

Dialogue with the elderly widower in the Flowers for Senna (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan and Morrigan in What Pride Had Wrought (DA:I)

Dialogue with Keeper Hawen after gaining Dalish approval (DA:I)

Dialogue with Lavellan in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Vivienne in Trespasser (DA:I)

Dialogue with Ithiren in The Golden Halla (DA:I)

War Table mission: Contact Clan Lavellan (DA:I)

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