#and hoping morrigan doesn't ask for another kid!!

[mushroomnoodles]

Hey I just found your blog a few days ago and I’m in love with your art style! I was curious if Simon ever spoke to golbaby in his belly when he was alone

tw/cw for sfw and non-kink mpreg

simon didn't really directly talk TO his kid much. mostly just said some things aloud he wouldn't normally say.

the exception came when simon's pregnancy was looking to near its end, as he was reaching the standard gestation period's end (9 months). pb, while she had made some progress in figuring out how to prevent morrigan from wrecking shit once they were born, was not confident that she could stop a world-end event just yet. so just like when she turned to asking for help from dark magic when marceline almost died, she turned from science and sought out someone who could buy her some time, and maybe sort of less than honestly put a seal on golbaby that held it in its stasis form. just until she could figure out how to science her way out of the world ending!

simon really hopes this whole seal thing isn't hurting golbaby. he had a lot of time to read parenting books and he felt really, really bad that he let this happen to them, and he read that talking to your baby in the womb would help improve your connection.

golbaby wasnt happy and neither was simon, and eventually the seal on them broke. on another post you'll see simon asking if pb will know where they were; this is because he doesn't actually want pb to find them LMAO

[ms-katonic-of-tamriel]

Prodigal Dragonborn AU

Thinking of a timeslip AU where due to Misadventure, Lucien from PD ends up in some other timeline where time went another way, and he and Miraak didn't meet.

Started out as a Gol Hah Dov AU, and that would be interesting, Lucien seeing a timeline where Miraak has not only hooked up with someone else, but met Lucien, even got on with him, but never showered any of that obsessive devotion on him that Lucien First Acolyte of the Cult of Miraak got without even trying. Not to mention Chry reacting to a Lucien that has Slept With His Husband In The Other Timeline, and GHD Lucien losing his mind and panicking.

However, I couldn't actually write that as GHD is very much not my fic... but I could do one without the GHD elements, and a straight up AU of PD where Melinda fell to Miraak who successfully escaped Apocrypha. And because this Miraak is, to put it mildly, very much still a Dark Lord Dragonborn, he sets out to conquer the world, and two years or so after escaping, has killed Ulfric and taken over Windhelm and the Stormcloaks, legalised Talos worship after acknowledging Talos as an honoured and respected precursor Dragonborn worthy of worship, and is now High King of most of an independent Skyrim.

However, there is a resistance movement. A Certain Someone did not take too kindly to his partner getting killed, and raced back to Whiterun to raise the alarm. And so Whiterun is still independent under Jarl Balgruuf, but it's also home to the resistance militia known as the Merry Men, who wear jester outfits to hide their real faces and carry out guerrilla attacks on Miraak's cultists wherever they find them. No prizes for guessing who they're led by.

The only reason Whiterun has held out against three dragons, Bend Will and the massed ranks of the Cult of Miraak and Stormcloaks is down to Cicero having hit up Madanach, and seeing as the Reach's Jarl bent the knee to Miraak, the Forsworn responded with aid and a magical shield to keep Bend Will at bay. The jester masks are likewise proof against mind control magic.

Anyway PD Lucien finds himself in the midst of all of this, dressed in his First Acolyte robes, probably fell through an Eye of Magnus-caused anomaly. He doesn't fully realise anything's changed - but his resonant sphere isn't resonating, and he can't feel Miraak in his head any more although the bond is still there. Weird and suspicious, but fixable potentially so back to Winterhold he goes. He gets back to Winterhold hoping for tea, a nice cuddle with his husband and the attentions of his cat. Walks into the longhouse... no cat. No Morrigan or Argis or kids. Just Jarl Korir and court, who see the robes and mask, assume he's part of the cult and do at least make him welcome, wanting to know if he's with the High King.

Lucien is looking around at a longhouse still heated and lit with naked flames rather than the steampipes and electric lights he's used to, and is almost afraid to ask what happened to the College. Turns out the Saarthal dig never happened, Miraak nixed the expedition on arriving in Winterhold with his troops, partly to ingratiate himself with Korir and partly for some reason Miraak never did fully explain... as if he knew what they might find there. Anyway, Aren still leads the College, which has accepted the regime change quite easily. Attitudes to magic have undergone a dramatic shift what with a True Nord Dragonborn High King Who Legalised Talos Worship wielding it as capably as any College member.

Lucien just stares mutely at the falling-apart bridge that Miraak never bothered fixing... and with no siege at the College, never needed to destroy either, and resolves to go to Windhelm.

He's let in, cultists looking at the robes then wanting the mask removed, and on looking at his face, look very confused and wonder when he left the city, weren't you at the palace with Our Lord?

"Clearly not, you should take me back there, he's probably missed me!" Lucien says cheerfully. Inwardly he's panicking, because they recognised him?? King Miraak knows Lucien Flavius??

Apparently so. King Miraak is masked and robed, no one ever sees his real face. But he starts on seeing Lucien, especially the robes, because why is Lucien wearing robes like his.

"You are a guest at my court, Lucien, but do not presume more than that. Even Archmagister Viidost doesn't have robes like this... wait, did she enchant these???"

Viidost is summoned and denies ever having seen these in her life, in fact Mr. Flavius is upstairs having tea and studying some Dwemer volumes acquired off Calcelmo in Markarth right now, he's been there for hours. And then Miraak looks closely at Lucien and realises the vennesetiid do not behave normally around him At All, and that he's from a different timeline, and suddenly Miraak has All The Questions.

"Keep Mr Flavius occupied and ensure he does not come to find me for the next few hours. I have a... visitor to entertain."

The resulting conversation is enlightening for both. Won't write it all out, but the main plot beats are this:

King Miraak is not the tyrant he seems. He's actually been quite the enlightened ruler, with schools of Jhunal opening in his territory and the study of magic becoming a little more respectable among Nords.

The Bards College regularly send students on placement to Windhelm to learn history from King Miraak.

The Butcher of Windhelm got caught within weeks of Miraak taking over Windhelm, and the Grey Quarter's been renovated. Argonians and Dunmer are allowed in the city, as are the Khajiit subject to skooma and stolen goods searches.

The Jarls serving him are actually mostly loyal. Laila Law-Giver was restored to Riften after Season Unending's events, and Maven was Bend Willed into submission. That led to Mercer Frey's execution and the return of the Skeleton Key, and Karliah is now a loyal agent of Miraak's. The Guild operates along similar lines to Ankh-Morpork's now. ;)

With Cidhna Mine no longer a prison in Markarth, the Reach is rather more peaceful and the Forsworn are haemorrhaging recruits. Miraak's yet to fight them full on, but he's got plans.

Miraak smashed the Dawnguard questline, brutally slaughtering Harkon personally. He's got Auriel's Bow mounted on his wall but rarely uses it. Serana lives at his court and is one of his closest friends and advisors. Isran is Miraak's right hand in the Rift. (Karliah's the left.)

Alliance agreement signed with Morrowind, who recognised the Free Kingdom of Skyrim and have an Embassy in Eastmarch.

This timeline's Lucien arrived at Windhelm not long before PD Lucien, hoping King Miraak might assist with an expedition to Solstheim to investigate Dumzbthar. This timeline's Lucien is a lot more naive and sheltered and innocent, and fascinated to meet a timeline traveller! Still less a version of him! Goodness, you must tell me all about it.

PD Lucien gives an edited version to his counterpart... but he tells Miraak the truth, seeing the man's not all evil, and even attempts to flirt with him, reasoning it's not cheating to get close to his timeline's equivalent of his husband, is it? It doesn't quite go according to plan but while sex doesn't happen (Lucien is secretly OK with that), an emotional tie does form.

Plot Twist! This timeline's Lucien was working for the Merry Men, hoping to lure Miraak out to Dumzbthar in person where Cicero is lying in wait, waiting for revenge.

Alas for PD Lucien having warned Miraak about what's down there, and that Melinda's partner was an Imperial redhead named Cicero who was an ex-assassin who owned a jester's outfit. Miraak instantly sees the Merry Men connection.

Plot Twist number two - Miraak never died so he still has a lot of Daedric corruption going on. The reason he never removes the mask is that he's got sickly pale grey skin with mottled black blood vessels and completely dark eyes with blue irises the only relief. His tongue and gums are black as well as his blood. Hardly anyone's seen it but he'd not survive long if his real face was ever seen. Miraak rips the mask off to show PD Lucien this after he tries to chat him up, but when Lucien reacts with genuine sadness and kindness instead of revulsion, that's when the emotional barriers give way. A strong friendship forms, and Miraak tells PD Lucien his husband is lucky to have him. Miraak's sense of honour places PD Lucien off limits romantically and sexually, for which Lucien is frankly relieved. But Miraak, after receiving a positive reaction from one Lucien, starts looking thoughtfully at the other one.

Not entirely sure how it'd all work out, especially as I don't normally write the Forsworn as antagonists, nor Cicero, who, let's face it, isn't surviving this.

I'm thinking PD Lucien somehow managing to persuade the other Lucien to switch sides and share his intel on the Merry Men. Dumzbthar trip happens, Cicero joins the party not realising Miraak knows who he is, turns traitor around the Oblivion Gate and PD Lucien gets in the way of the knives just as the portal opens behind Cicero and the last thing he sees before passing out is two Miraaks, one of whom is slaughtering Cicero while the other is healing him and telling him to hold on.

PD Lucien wakes up and suddenly realises the bond is there, and he can feel Saviik, and then realises GRIGIO is purring on his chest, and opens his eyes to see his perfectly healthy husband holding his hand, tears in his eyes.

Took Dumzbthar the longest time to get a lock on the resonant sphere's plane of existence, but Saviik had faith Lucien in any universe would wind up at Dumzbthar eventually and so it has proved. This timeline's Lucien managed to get the facility under control, and now King Miraak has a mighty Dwemer army plus the Liisunvaar at his disposal.

"Doesn't that bother you? I mean, isn't that bad? Aren't you afraid what he might do with it?"

Saviik laughs, wiping tears away. "Niid, lokaali. My first impression of him was you moving to save his life, and him saving yours with his healing magic. You are clearly convinced he's not beyond redemption, and he clearly treasures you. Also we have spoken. He speaks very highly of you and sees you as a true friend, and reassured me he has not taken advantage of you. In return, I have told him the Reachfolk have his daughter and grandson living peacefully among them, and also pointed him Matriarch Keirine's way. If he goes in peace to her, and promises to spare her people, she might help him be healed."

PD Lucien goes home with Saviik to live happily ever after. King Miraak sees him off with the other Lucien at his side, who not-so-secretly hero-worshipped the dashing First Acolyte who was smart and brave and heroic and all the things he's not.

King Miraak is a bit surprised to hear this, telling him he, Lucien of this timeline, is the reason Miraak now has a submarine and automaton army, and that while PD Lucien's stories may have inspired, who is going to help him bring steam power and electricity to his domain once it has peace, hmm?

"What... you don't mean me, do you?" Lucien gasps, going pink, and Miraak nods.

"Yes, Court Scientist Lucien, of course I do."

Lucien is delighted, accepts, wait, he's not going to use the machines to level Whiterun, is he?

No, in fact it turns out with a lot of the Merry Man leadership dead on Solstheim, the militia band falls apart. Balgruuf is a pragmatist at heart and a secret Talos worshipper to boot and agrees to talks now he doesn't have a psychotic motley-clad widower in his court to worry about.

As for the Forsworn, it turns out Madanach is ill and dying and the Forsworn are on their knees. Keirine is the one to agree to a surrender in return for their lives and help for her brother.

One Dwemer oxygen tank for his breathing, and Miraak is able to craft a Shout to sort his mind out. Madanach is, if not pleased at realising he's got to talk terms with Igmund, at least grateful for his life back, even if this is going to require regular shipments of cylinders for the breathing apparatus and regular restoration treatments off Miraak personally to really fix his lungs. How much is this going to cost... all you want is a few hours to talk to Morrigan? Sold.

Keirine's fascinated by the Daedric corruption, but is unsure how to fix. She's never seen anything like it. Still, there are many kinds of Daedric corruption, and a ritual to fix another kind might work on this too. Off to Morthal's summoning circle for a reworked version of the vampirism cure, and Miraak's unstained once more.

Lucien was along for the ride, for science of course, and is delighted Miraak's cured, but also a little sad.

"I suppose you'll be going unmasked more often. Everyone is going to want a piece of you now. Goodness, you're probably going to get suitors! I... oh."

Crestfallen Lucien, who's barely been away from the High King's side since the other Lucien went home... only when Miraak returned to Windhelm and Lucien stayed at Dumzbthar to research more, and they wrote constantly even then. Lucien had seen the stains, and like his counterpart, reacted with sympathy... and a cuddle. Miraak had immediately given him Hugging Privileges and Lucien had enjoyed being in the Inner Circle very much, even if it was blindingly obvious First Acolyte Lucien was definitely the handsomer, smarter and more accomplished of the two of them.

"He is that way because of my influence," Miraak had told him once, smiling at him. "Shall we see what I influence you towards?"

So far, other than long, lengthy discussions about Dwemer engineering, the Dragon Cult, and anything else Lucien had questions about, he wasn't sure exactly what that had entailed. But Miraak had seemed to enjoy keeping him close by and taking him with him when travelling. Mostly to mind the Dwemer machines but Lucien had sometimes wondered.

Regardless, Miraak had seemed to want to spend most of his free time with Lucien, and Lucien had loved the attention... except if Miraak got married, Lucien supposed the new queen might not want the Court Scientist showing up to talk her husband's ear off until the early hours of the morning.

He needn't have worried. Miraak saw all too clearly and asked gently if the idea of Miraak getting married to another and having no time left for Lucien bothered him. Lucien nodded sadly, and then Miraak smiled, leaned down and kissed him, fingers caressing his cheek.

"I already have an heir, and don't need marriage to cement alliances with three dragons at my disposal. In fact, the only power I would ally with that is not already in touch is the Empire to the south. Do you think they would listen if word reached them one of their young nobles was going to be my consort? Do you think your family have enough court influence to persuade the Emperor to be reasonable?"

"I'll ask," Lucien breathes, pink and tearful and oh goodness, the High King just kissed him and proposed. Which is all a bit too much, a LOT too much... but of course he wants to, he's spent months staring at the First Acolyte version of himself getting cosy with the High King and the two of them seeming quite happy together, with Lucien wishing he was even a tenth that cool. Apparently the High King seems to think he's halfway there already.

"This isn't just because the First Acolyte got away, is it" Lucien has to ask. Miraak shakes his head.

"No. He was never mine to have. I was always intrigued by him but I knew he was pledged to another version of me, and knew he'd be thinking of that other man the whole time. I enjoyed his company and friendship but never took him to bed. You though. You're not pledged to anyone. You could be mine. I have been thinking that even while he was still here, but was never sure if you felt the same. Until now."

Lucien isn't sure what to say to that, so settles for a hug instead, accepts the proposal on condition they take things slowly in the bedroom, to which Miraak actually agrees.

Peace talks happen. His mother's instrumental in the whole deal. A treaty and trade agreement eventually result, and peace comes to Tamriel at last. And of course, Lucien gets legally united with Miraak, and physically reunited with his cat.

[heniareth]

OC as PC part 3- Party Barks (one-off remarks made by one character)

Tagged by the absolutely lovely @wild-houseplant and it's been a ton of fun XD I'm so excited to share this.

This is a part three to this part two and this part one in which Astala is a companion instead of the Warden. Background information on the changes made to her backstory to keep things canon compliant can be found in part one. More under the cut!

Warden name: Astala Tabris

Part 1: Quest Dialogues:

Recruitments:

Encountering Morrigan:

None. Astala is not in the party at this point in the game.

Encountering Dog:

None. Astala is not in the party at this point in the game.

Recruiting Leliana:

"Well, at least our spiritual needs will be taken care of on this journey. Welcome, Leliana."

Recruiting Sten:

"Ah, finally, somebody with real military experience!"

Recruiting Wynne:

"Thank the Maker! No more lingering wounds and near-death experiences. I'm so happy you want to join the team, Wynne."

Recruiting Oghren:

"Given everything they've told us about those caves, having a guide is really the best thing we could've hoped for. And he volunteers!"

Recruiting Zevran:

"I sure hope that decision doesn't stab us in the back later. At any rate, it'll be nice to have another elf to talk to."

Recruiting Shale:

"Welcome, Shale. I am so glad that we don't have to fight you."

Quest Interactions:

Redcliffe:

Attempting to leave Redcliffe before the undead are killed:

"Hey, aren't we forgetting something? All those people in the village, perhaps? You're just gonna leave them there to die?"

Meeting Owen the blacksmith:

"Maker... I don't know if I'd be half as coherent as he if I'd lost my daughter."

Encountering Jowan:

"Maker's Breath! How has this guy survived down here?"

Nature of the Beast:

Speaking to the Grand Oak:

"The beauty of his poetry... / I have to say, I like this tree!"

Interacting with the Life Gem:

"Don't look at me. I may be an elf, but I know absolutely nothing about magic. Nor about the ancient elves. I don't even speak elvish. Ask somebody else."

Deciding to attack the Lady of the Forest (without Zathrian there):

"Listen, I know we don't have a lot of time if we want to save the hunters, but... it feels like we're overlooking something."

Deciding to attack the Lady of the Forest (with Zathrian there):

"Alright, seems like we're doing this."

Killing Zathrian after killing the Lady of the Forest:

"(angrily) What are you doing? Why did you do that? The problem had already been solved, why did you do that?"

Forcing Zathrian to break the curse:

"Welp, here we go."

Deciding to attack the Dalish elves:

"(outraged) You're- what!? You can't do that! You can't just wipe out a whole clan! There are sick people and children there, you've eaten their food and listened to their stories! What is wrong with you!?"

Broken Circle:

Speaking with Greagoir:

"The people of Ferelden? How exactly do you want to protect us if you can't even hold a bloody tower?"

And:

"You left kids in there!?"

Speaking with Wynne:

"You have been holding fort for such a long time. My most genuine respect."

Speaking with Cullen:

"How is it that we only see templars under the spell of demons and such?"

Wynne answers if she is in the party: "You have seen mages as well. Only that they have been transformed into abominations."

Astala: "... Oh."

Urn of Sacred Ashes:

Interacting with the Urn of Sacred Ashes:

"(quietly) Hail to the Maker Most High. Hail to Andraste, Prophet and liberator, Light of the world."

Speaking to Genitivi after the ashes are recovered:

"Take care of who you tell this to. You should make sure there are no dragons if you want pilgrims to come here though."

Paragon of Her Kind:

Speaking with Vartag Gavorn (Bhelen representative)

"So... we are supposed to go down into the hellhole out of which the darkspawn come to find someone who you haven't seen in two years? Am I understanding that right?"

Speaking with Steward Bandelor (Harrowmont representative)

"Y'know, the more missions you have for us, the more I think you just want to get rid of us. Sending us into the Deep Roads is a bit too convenient, isn't it?"

Anvil of the Void (advocate for keeping/destroying the Anvil, pick 1 she does not argue in favor or agains)

"I'm not sure what to say... I don't want people getting enslaved and transformed against their will. But... if Orzammar falls... the darkspawn will swallow everything in the end. I don't know. I'm sorry."

Anvil of the Void (agree with keeping/destroying the Anvil, pick 1 she does not argue in favor or agains)

"I never want to take a world-rattling dedision like this ever again. Let's finish this and get out of here."

Landsmeet:

Being asked to duel Loghain:

"The shem who set slavers loose among my people? Consider it done."

Part 2: Ambient:

Lothering:

In sight of the bridge in the middle of the village:

"Poor child. Has he lost his family? Can we do something?"

Near the Chantry board outside of the Chantry:

"I once asked a Chanter if they ever got a sore throat. He said: 'Let my cries touch their hearts / Let mine be the last sacrifice.' So I guess they do."

Inside the Chantry, near the statue of Andraste:

"Look. At least the flame still burns."

Approaching the area transition:

"Sure hope these people can get out of here before the horde arrives..."

Redcliffe:

At the cliff’s edge near the mill:

"Look at the view up here! Do you think you could see Edgehall on a clear day?"

Stepping out of the Chantry:

"What a depressing situation... Well, maybe we can do some good here, hm?"

Leaving the secret passage:

"Brrr! That was just dark, damp and nasty."

Circle of Magi - Kinloch Hold:

Entering Calenhad Docks:

"Ah yes, I'd missed being near water. It's not the Amaranthine Ocean, but it's nice nonetheless."

At Lake Calenhad Docks, Tower visible in the distance:

"It looks so quiet... You'd think you'd notice if they were having trouble."

After speaking to Greagoir, but before the door to enter the tower:

"We used to tell each other scary stories about demons and stuff at the alienage. Guess we're about to find out what the real thing is like, huh?"

Before speaking to Owain:

"(whispers) Quiet! There's someone here."

Entering Irving’s Study (no hostiles):

"Books, scrolls, tablets... I had a friend in Denerim who'd have a field day in here."

Entering level 3 (Great Hall):

"Maker's Breath, this place is huge!"

Entering level 4 of the Tower and seeing the destruction and corruption inside:

"Oh... Oh, this is horrible."

Level 4, seeing Cullen up ahead, trapped in the spirit prison:

"Huh... Did he make that barrier? Why have they left him alive?"

In the Fade:

"Using my dead mother to imprison me is cheap, demon. You're gonna be sorry for that."

Death of Shah Wyrd:

"Why do we keep messing with weird stuff?"

Found 4/6 Watchguard of the Reaching Codices:

"This is... odd."

Found 6/6 Watchguard of the Reaching Codices:

"Okay, we found them all! What happens now?"

Brecilian Forest:

Inside the Dalish camp:

"(in quiet awe) I... never thought I'd see one of these camps."

By the halla pen:

"Are those halla? Oh, they are beautiful!"

Upon entering the West Brecilian Forest:

"This is easily the most forest-y forest I've seen in my life."

East Brecilian, passing through the ruined arch:

"Crumbling walls, archways leading nowhere... I wonder what this place might've looked like when people lived here."

East Brecilian, approaching the ruins:

"There's something ahead. Best be careful."

Ruins, when the party gets near the blocked passage in the main hall:

"Huh. We're not welcome here, I see."

First floor of the ruins:

"Andraste's flaming toes! Look at this place!"

Approaching the dragon:

"... Was that something skittering around?"

Hearing growling at the lowest floor:

"Good news! I think we found them."

Orzammar:

Frostback Mountain Pass, entering the surface camp:

"Snow as far as the eye can see. Y'know, I'd rather not camp here."

Entering the Hall of Heroes, at the bottom of the steps:

"Warden, what do you think? Will they make a statue in your honor someday?"

After entering Orzammar, just after the guards fight:

"Charming."

Before the exit that leads into the Deep Roads:

"I've got a bad feeling about this..."

Outside Tapster’s Tavern:

"Ooooh, let's try some dwarven ale! I wanna see how strong it is."

Inside Tapster’s Tavern:

"Now would you look at that! This looks exactly like the place I worked at."

Inside the Proving arena:

"I know we have important stuff to do, but this sounds fun, doesn't it?"

Upon arriving in Dust Town:

"Wow. Compared to this, the Alienage is the Denerim palace."

Upon entering the Diamond Quarter:

"The dust the wind carries over from Dust Town doesn't seem to bother them, I see."

Diamond Quarter, outside the Palace:

"Yup. A big-ass building for the very important lords and ladies."

Diamond Quarter, overlooking Orzammar:

"I wonder... How much would falling into lava hurt?"

The Deep Roads:

Upon arriving in the Deep Roads:

"Here we are. Doesn't seem so bad, does it?"

Anywhere inside Ortan Thaig: 

"I take back what I said. It's bad."

Upon reaching Branka’s camp:

"Finally, we found them! Where are they?"

Upon arriving at the Dead Trenches:

"It stinks. It stinks of darkspawn and I don't like it."

Dead Trenches, entering the shrine to the Legion of the Dead:

"They should make statues for them as well. Maker, I wish I knew a dwarven prayer."

Deep Roads, before meeting Hespith (start hearing her poem):

"Did... did you hear that? I don't like that."

Deep Roads, after Hespith runs off:

"(whispers) Maker keep us, Maker protect us."

Deep Roads, before the broodmother:

"I don't want to go in there."

Deep Roads, after the broodmother:

"Let's leave this place. Please."

After meeting Branka, in the middle of her monologue:

"She talks and talks. The only thing I hear is the broodmother that she helped create."

Anvil of the Void:

"Even here it smells of darkspawn. Or maybe it's us."

Denerim:

Upon entering Denerim Market Square, near the big market tent:

"There was a fruit vendor here that always let me take a piece of fruit home. I don't see him anywhere. I hope he's doing well."

Outside the Wonders of Thedas:

"I snuck in once on a dare. It kind of disappoints."

In the back of the Wonders of Thedas:

"Oh look, there is something interesting here!"

Entering the Gnawed Noble Tavern:

"(sarcastic) Ah, yes. I've missed walking into a place and knowing immediately that I'm not welcome."

Arl Eamon’s estate, near the fountain in the courtyard:

"Seriously, what is it with important people and big buildings?"

In the Alienage, just inside the gates:

"(whistful) Home! It's been so long..."

In the Alienage, approaching the vhenadahl:

"It's still standing! What a relief. And it's looking healthy, too!"

In the abandoned orphanage (Alienage):

"Oh no. No, no, no, what did they do here!?"

Inside the Pearl:

"Strange... I had several neighbours who worked here. Where are they?"

Bonus! After having heard (“Dwarven crafts! Fiiiine dwarven crafts!” for the fourth time):

"You gotta give it to him, the man's got endurance."

Haven/Ruined Temple:

Upon entering Haven:

"(sneezes) Of course Genitivi had to be in the coldest place in all of Ferelden."

In Haven, hearing the singing coming from the Chantry:

"I don't recognise that hymn."

In the entry to the Ruined Temple:

"(with fake cheerfulness) Oh wonderful! Ice! Let's go freeze to death!"

Ruined Temple, in the library:

"You can't even read them! They're frozen shut."

Ruined Temple, near the statue of Maferath:

"Never liked the guy. Who even betrays their wife because their ego got a bit bruised? I wonder why Andraste married him in the first place."

Ruined Temple, near the statue of Hessarian:

"See, this guy I can respect. He sw the horror of his own actions. It was too late, but it was a step in the right direction!"

The Gauntlet, upon seeing the Guardian:

"Another cultist? No... he looks kinda different."

The Gauntlet, after defeating their mirror image:

"So, if I managed to beat myself up... am I weak or am I strong?"

The Gauntlet, at the Puzzle Bridge:

"I'd advise against standing on the tiles, but if you absolutely have to, tie a rope around your waist. That way we can pull you up if you fall."

Upon reaching the Ashes:

"This is it? Is that... her? It- Those are her actual remains!"

Bonus! Upon seeing the high dragon: 

"I know I was complaining of the cold, but I'd take that a million times over being roasted alive."

Honnleath:

Upon entering the village:

"See those poor sods hanging? How did they end up there?"

Inside Wilhelm’s dungeon:

"I would like a word with this mage. I can't even imagine how he thought having a dungeon was a good idea when he had a child running around!"

Soldier’s Peak:

Upon reaching Soldier’s Peak:

"We seem to have a tendency to end up in places with snow. Why haven't we bought winter clothes and stuff yet?"

 After encountering Sophia Dryden:

"Ugh! I hope you're not thinking about taking that armor with you, Warden."

Encountering Avernus: 

"I don't like this guy."

Final Battle:

At the Denerim gates:

"This is it. Good luck, all of you! It's been an honor."

Encountering the ogres:

"Maker's fucking Breath!"

Reaching the Alienage:

"Not my family you bastards!"

Upon reaching the Archdemon:

"Maker keep and protect us! I'm right behind you, Warden."

Bonus:

Approaching the starmetal:

"Metal from a star? ... Would you need a star's heat to work with it?"

Encountering Old Tegrin (first time):

"I hope he has some healing potions."

When the dog pees on something (activating Mabari Dominance):

"Uh... Warden? Your dog is doing... something."

---

This was a ton of fun, like the other two XD Again, thank you so much @wild-houseplant for tagging me. I'll go ahead and tag you right back, as well as @scribbledquillz @yukichouji @the-iron-lion @arainayeet and @siriskulksnerding (if you'd like to do this for Vanessa ^^). And if anybody who has seen this wants in on the fun, you are hereby officially invited! As always, no pressure and take all the time you need. Cheers!

[bumblewarden]

!!!!!!!!!! The doodles!!! Are too cute!!!! omg omg The blorbos and babies are all living happily together, and nothing will ever ruin their peace😊 (*stares daggers at the advancing plot*)

But i must hold in until i can properly enthuse about the reunited family. For now, i must respond vaguely in order (<- said while vibrating)

Novhen does in fact indulge in that little protagonist habit of looting everything he can fit into his pockets. Near everything. Okay, i have to admit, i use looting as a bit of a roleplay moment. As notoriously sticky as his fingers may be, he's generally not going to steal from refugees or other impovershed people. He knows what it's like

Also, i am now realizing that i have been neglecting to read Ilanlas's dialogue in a Dalish/Welsh accent 😔 This must be corrected. Oh boy, i am going to have a time flipping through so many different accents lol. There's so many English accents i can't actually tell apart, Brooklyn, Welsh, and because you associated so many country songs with Khêd in that one post, i've been imagining him with a bit of a southern drawl but idk how correct that is

Re: Ilanlas wondering which god the Maker could most likely be besides the one tatted on his face. Novhen is going to respond "Doesn't have to be Elgar'nan. Could be Sylaise for all I know. You're the expert." (Wow, for all the gaps in his knowledge, this city elf still knows a lot more than Ilanlas might expect about the Creators, but i'm sure that's irrelevant :3 )

When Cassandra comes barging in (uninvited might i add), do you think Feign Death would work there XDXDXD No? Oh well, it was worth a shot XD

And i mean, Morrigan learned Sleep in my playthrough. No reason she can't learn it here! I imagine having Sleep cast on you almost nightly for two whole months will continue to fuck with your sleep schedule after that for a while, but he'll surviiiive

If Khêd ever takes an opportunity to rant through his list of "Things I never want to fight again" Novhen is butting in to add "What about the Children?" That's what's at the top of his list. He'd rather fighter another archdemon than even one more of those Children, he'll claim. *This claim should not be taken at face value (lol Awakening banter idea?)

I certainly hope nobody is insinuating that Radka's old comrade and dear guest is stealing from the Divine's palace! Why, she might just have to whip up a storm of outrage in response! Nobody passing by will notice anything else and certainly not notice anyone slipping in or out of that room full of valuables two doors down the hall on the right with the marble statues on either side!

Also, the image of Khêd interrupting his own translation to remind Sulri that they can't tell anyone that Novhen is probably still alive XD

Warden Interrogator: Are you two having a side conversation? I would strongly prefer if you just interpret directly.

Khêd: It's obvious you don't have a ton of experience in this line of work, but some things take a little more effort to interpret. Let me conduct my business.

At least the Dark Wolf isn't confirmed to be working against the Wardens yet! In fact, his crimes in Denerim had a very pro-Warden slant to them if you're to believe this isn't some vulture claiming someone else's laurels. All we know is he's in the area fleeing royal justice (lol). It's all very suspicious, but he's not confirmed against them yet

Also, since Zev is away in Antiva for the duration of Awakening, i imagine there's going to be at least one night where Novhen knocks at Astala's doors and asks if they can have a sleepover. He's rarely ever had to sleep alone before: only when his tentmate had first watch (and even then, they'll be back before he wakes up) or in extenuating circumstances like his recovery from the archdemon. Maker knows that by the cramped standards of the alienage, these fancy noble beds could probably fit an army in them

And the kids!!!! I'm back to them! They're so cute!!!!!!

I love all the emotions in the first picture! I can really feel Kieran's apprehension! With his newfound loneliness, he could very well be feeling an unsureness that he's never quite had to grapple with at this scale before, and now he's supposed to be making all these important introductions! It's all a bit nerve-wracking, and it'd be nice to have some support

Novhen: It's alright, Kieran. They don't bite. *leans over to Astala* They don't bite, right?

Also, Carlo as the friendliest makes the most sense. A street rat has a bit more need for charisma than a Crow

Morrigan is absolutely returning Perinella's gaze. You stare, you get stared at. Thus is born a beautiful mentorship!

And Virel in the bushes XD XD XD XD XD Novhen totally has him spotted, but he's not going to expose him at quite this moment if it will cause more distance than it will cross. (If Virel is a street cat, then Novhen has a pouch of catnip in his pocket and is ready to pspsps him over at the first sign it might work XD)

At least in the real world, if you're nonverbal, that's often a very convenient excuse for people to ignore you in conversation while still allowing you in the space, so Carlo could probably pretty well attend these meetings and get everyone to believe he's a firm supporter without ever being forced to actually help or harm the movement if he doesn't want to! Ask not what you can do for ableism but what ableism can do for you! (source: am selectively mute)

And that drawing of Novhen with Virel and Perinella at the market is sososososoooooo cute!!!! I am going to die; look at them!!! I imagine Perinella there just spotted a delicious-looking treat, and Novhen's trying to figure out the math of how many plums he'll need to buy to apologize for spoiling her appetite! And yes, Virel can get something too since he was so nice as to help carry groceries

EDIT: I just remembered that Novhen had a speech delay and was nonverbal himself until around 3! That in addition to he generally prefers to not talk much in his personal time if he can get away with + it does hurt a little to speak too much on account of the scars inside his throat, he's more than willing to accommodate for a nonverbal nephew

Very slightly off-topic but do Carlo and Sulri have any overlapping time at Vigil's Keep? I would assume so, but maybe there's some very unfortunate timing in the works that i don't know about? Even if he doesn't yet know the sign languages she uses, i imagine once he does (or if what he already knows is similar enough) that it'll be a huge relief to her to finally have someone around whose default communication is visual lol. Does Tía Sulri play favorites? Will she play favorites once given auntie privileges?

Novhen would be far too excited by tío to be upset by Nobén. I know i did that expression meme once where he was reacting to his name being mispronounced but i think i really overstated how much it'd peeve him off (Expressions are hard :c ). He's used to it being mispronounced, particularly by humans. And it's entirely possible that (mostly for the older three) he might struggle with the pronunciations of their names, so it's only fair they get away with struggling with his. Although if they ever complain a little about struggling with the "vh", Novhen might get in a little joke bout "Is it really that hard? Carlo's never gotten it wrong"

Ooo for a quick nickname detour, Carlo and Virel are harder to organically chop, so they'll probably have to get the -ris treatment. Vir -> Virris is easy enough (Little Way?), but Carlo's "rl" may cause issues. I'm thinking Novhen would eventually settle on Colris? Carris? Idk, that nickname's going through quite a few steps I did not write down, and one of them sounds a little like cholera. That might need to go back to the workshop. Perinella to Peri is easy peasy though! The last three are also pretty intuitive to shorten Rinona -> Rin or Nona, Astolfo -> Asto, and Eidela -> Eida. Thoughts? Because Astala and the kids themselves are absolutely permitted to steer his direction in-universe as well (or if you have any preloaded headcanons on nicknames)

(Also, when i was checking if Astolfo had any other real life nicknames to reference, i saw one of the proposed etymologies included a word for wolf which is a funny coincidence! Or was it intentionally wolf for the unrelated reasons of Zevran being "singing wolf"?)

Novhen will also likely start making an effort to learn Antivan (or whichever languages the older children prefer in addition to Trade. I assume all Crow recruits are taught in Antivan, and if Carlo's preferred spoken language were something more alienage, that might be harder to find a way to learn. Not impossible, but certainly harder. Zevran probably speaks both at least. Language preference is a complicated beast that i am trying very hard to not go into a full essay explaining likelihoods for right here lol.) which he'll be very grateful for once they have to evacuate Amaranthine. It seems only fair that he speak to his new niece and nephews in their preferred language/s, but Trade will have to do in the mean time

Shortly after the first birth, after confirming everyone is healthy and getting the initial coos in:

Novhen: Wolf's maw, I'm so glad I can finally drink again.

Astala: Oh, didn't you hear :) I'm not supposed to drink while breastfeeding either :)

But Astala please be careful with that lettuce! What if you or the baby get hurt! No, don't bench press your rogues either!! That'll be even worse for you XD XD XD

But ohhh i forgot about that one Zevran line entirely ToT He's got so many big feelings that he couldn't allow himself to feel for so long. That paired with everything about poor Cyrai, he is definitely not a small amount of stressed. I'm sure the Cure eases some of his worries, but it cannot be easy

In Novhen's canon, Adaia had a difficult time giving birth. (Novhen, the rotten bugger, insisted on coming out feet first.) If kept, would Astala have ever told Zevran that piece of family history? The breech birth is a little amusing in a fucked up sort of way and probably could've come up as a fun little piece of trivia before there was ever a pregnancy. But even though there's not a strong genetic correlation (assuming Thedas has that knowledge) (besides apparently an increased risk for twins which i just found out!), it could still cause more anxiety once she becomes pregnant

Also that Morrigan is SO dead on "Hm yes I think I did make the right decision handling the pregnancy on my own actually. The innumerable blisters were worth avoiding this" XDXDxD

And oh no!!!!! Rinona!!!!!! Thank whichever deity that claims it first (Urthemiel probably) that Kieran was there! Novhen doesn't have his cane there, so at least it was probably a pretty good day painwise at least it was before he got jumpscared. She looked like she was having so much fun too 😢

He'll let Astala get her lectures in, but he's also going to establish his own terms before any blanket ban can become permanent

Novhen: Now, we're not saying sneaking above my line of sight is off-limits. I don't want some bad bones to get in the way of your learning. But we can't do it like that. What if instead, you toss a tiny pebble my way to announce yourself?

Astala: Are you encouraging them to stone you?

Novhen: I'm encouraging them not to break my back.

(RIP Astala, why is every single rogue she meets like this)

I imagine Novhen and Astala's tales of their old alienage games of hide and seek enrapture their young audience quite well. It probably inspired some of this, now that i think about it 😅 Those kids are gonna be so proud once one of them gets a whole train searching for them just like Novhen got when he was a kid XD

A cousin really is just a sibling with extra steps lol. Still, Kieran's so fancy and worldly 😮 He met the Empress Celene, you know. He's definitely curious and polite, you're right, but if you talk to a Kieran who never held the old god soul, you can see a bit of his good humor in there too 😊 I wonder if Rinona's little whirlwind might be a little overwhelming for Kieran some days lol

I think Kieran might be mostly successful at refusing to get wrapped around someone's finger… until that someone is his cousin who's a whole decade younger than him and so very sweet XD He'll put up a fight, but he's got his da's soft heart

While it might someday become important for his cousins to know about Kieran's relationship to the archdemon, that's going to stay a secret for as long as possible. If Kieran, Carlo, Perinella, and/or Carlo get wrapped up in some companion-type business with the Dreadwolf protag, it might be good to come clean then. And if Astala hasn't already told Zevran what she learned while studying the tome Morrigan left them in Witch Hunt, he's going to be told once they move in together. Novhen figures he has enough right to know if he's going to also be taking up a fairly permanent guardian role ("Uncle Zevran"… bet he never thought that one would happen)

And to close out: you've heard of stealing your boyfriend's clothes! Now it's time for stealing your brother-in-law's clothes! Zevran may be devoted family and a skilled assassin, but he is, first and foremost, an excellent shirt softener 😌

Twins AU (Round 2)

Since our original post exchange got a tad bit long, @bumblerhizal I’m starting a new one here ^^ First, a few things on the doodles: I’m still cackling XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD Especially about Amell (Pavle) going all “woe is me! 😩😩😩” over the dirt on his favorite robe while these two Alienage kids with probably multiple patches and mends on their clothes just look at each other like “can you believe this guy” XD XD XD XD XD XD XD It’s sooooooooo good and I am now imagining Pavle coming face to face with Sigrun’s particular brand of cheerful dead inside XD XD XD The official Grey Warden merch is amazing and our guys are great models. I really want that on a shirt now (and I could, now that I think of it. Ooooooh it’s tempting). I love Valendrian’s grey hair counter. The expression is on point XD XD XD The Plum of Peace should be a Feastday gift. And it’s very good to see reference for Radka, Pavle and Mr Andras (Who looks so kind!!!!!) Mousevhen is absolutely adorable. I want to give him all the pickled beets in the world

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