#ataashi

[thatapostateboy]

a ramble about my current planned Rook (and other Veilguard OCs) below the cut

(some spoilers for information released by Bioware thus far)

Evanura / Eva / Rook - elf, rogue, Shadow Dragon, romancing Davrin

city elf, taken from Denerim as a child during the Blight, along with her mother, and sold as a slave in Minrathous

spent years as a slave to a magister with only her ‘brother’ Ash as true company

she would take comfort in humming/singing songs from the Alienage, retelling the stories that her mother taught her to Ash. One day their master caught her singing, and she thought that she would be punished, but he became enamoured with her voice and would have her perform for him and guests

he saw potential in the young elf, and arranged for her to be trained to be used as a bodyguard and spy, in the ways of an Orlesian bard

after years of being enslaved; killing and spying on rival magisters just to survive, she had finally gained his trust enough to get his guard down was able to kill her master

in their attempt to escape, she and Ash were caught, and Ash took the full blame, stating that he had killed their master to protect her

she planned to help him escape prison before execution, but he was conscripted into the Grey Wardens

she used her newfound freedom to fight back against the corruption in Minrathous, eventually joining the Shadow Dragons

she looks for her mother everywhere she goes, not knowing what happened to her once they reached Minrathous

does not want to save the world, desperate to leave it to someone more qualified, until Varric convinces her otherwise

she and Solas are going to annoy tf out of each other, until they finally reach an understanding of two people who know what it is like to fight against a corrupt power system and be willing to do whatever they can to help people; peak unwilling dad/grumpy adopted daughter dynamic

aggressive/sarcastic toned to begin with but rediscovers her softness

is bad with animals, but manages to charm Assan almost instantly

thinks Davrin is honestly the most beautiful man she has ever seen, but she knows it probably will not be wise getting involved with a Grey Warden

huge fan of Lavellan (will use this to annoy Solas), has complicated feelings about the Hero of Ferelden (Tabris was a true hero, but damn, why couldn’t she have returned a few weeks earlier and saved more of their people?)

doesn't think the Champion of Kirkwall is a real person until she actually meets her

Ataashi / Ash - qunari, warrior, Grey Warden, undecided romance (possibly Harding or Lucanis)

remembers very little of his early childhood, believes he was taken from his father unwillingly (was in fact sold to slavers to pay off a gambling debt)

grew up as a slave in a Magister’s household, his naturally tall and strong form even from a young age making him an intimidating presence beside his master

despite being bigger than her, Eva became his older sister, protecting him from anyone’s ire, teaching him the stories and songs of her people, singing him to sleep with as many lullabies as she could remember

and when she was able to kill their master and give them a chance at freedom, he didn’t hesitate to take the blame and allow her to run

he was ready to face his death, knowing his sister was free, but fate stepped in when a passing Grey Warden had heard of his arrest and recruited him

he passed his Joining and found a new purpose among the Wardens, ready to stand and fight alongside his new found family, especially his friend Davrin

one day hopes to be worthy enough to have a griffon of his own

ndecided what route to take with romance as yet, will see who vibes with this wholesome himbo, possibly Harding or Lucanis

Beric / Bear / - dwarf, warrior, Lords of Fortune, romancing Emmrich

Not fully fleshed out his backstory yet, but some headcanons;

'Old gay dwarf seeking riches in local area'

Has been adventuring since he was big enough to swing a hammer

Has travelled most of the known world, and seen things beyond belief

Enjoys a good fight, a good drink and a good bed partner

Didn't expect to fall in love with a necromancing mage, but here we are - years later when they are settled and married, Emmrich will joke that Bear heard the 'rich' at the end of his name and fell instantly in love

[vampiremommyinquisition]

Dragons is not a slaves

[misculenica]

Something that I always thought about is how sad it is that the Qunari probably docked/cut off the Ataashi's horns/cresting (as well as enslaved/tortured her)

[grimweaver]

It's like a Free Willy moment! Go, Ataashi!

[ladyinthebluebox]

y'all saying that Taash is the dragon from Trespasser or that there is a connection between the two... don't your arms hurt from all that reaching? XD

[imageingrunge]

ISABELAAAAA

[doriansbutt]

so taash’s name is from ataashi, right? they named the cool ass dragon lady after the dragon in trespasser?

[oopsallmabari]

absolution is my favorite of the dragon age installations purely because we FINALLY GET TO BE NICE TO A DRAGON FOR ONCE! FOR ONCE!

[katari-adaari]

Happy (tail end) of pride! Here are my OCS sexualities and stuuf

Surana Amell - Hero of Ferelden: Bisexual

Amaris Hawke - Champion of Kirkwall: Demisexual, Biromantic

Katari Adaar - Inquisitor: Asexual demiromantic

Kallara Tabris: Lesbian

Kieran Tabris: Agender Asexual aromantic

Kiera/Yenna Trevelyan - omnisexual

Asala - Asexual Lesbian

Ataashi - Lesbian

Duran Aeducan - Bisexual

[returnofismasm]

Given how much of the immediate backstory to Dragon Age: Inquisition was found in Asunder and the Masked Empire, I think some people might be wondering if any of the short stories, anthologies, or comics are also "homework" for The Veilguard. Obviously, the game's not out yet, so I can't be 100% sure, but here's my best recommendations based on what we know about the characters (done in alphabetical order because why not).

Bellara: She's new! The Veil-jumpers are in a single issue of the Missing, but she's not any of the ones named there. They investigate magical disturbances around Arlathan forest, and that's kind of all we know.

Davrin: Also new! The reason he seems to have a juvenile griffon (or at least, why there's a griffon at all!) is covered in the events of the novel The Last Flight, but it's hard to say how much any of those specifics are relevant to Davrin.

Emmrich: Emmrich (and Manfred!) is in Down Among the Dead Men in Tevinter Nights, and another, The Eternal Flame released during a Dragon Age Day and archived on the wiki. We learn he's a senior member of the Mourn Watchers, somewhat eccentric, and capable of talking to the dead. Also he's got a last name, Volkarin, so that's neat. All of that seems pretty easy to catch people up on in-game. (Down Among the Dead Men is really good though).

Harding: Harding is in the Missing, accompanying Varric on his hunt for Solas. Her buddy-cop-comedy-ing it with Varric is apparent from the trailer. Her apparent magic powers are completely new though!

Lucanis: He and Neve probably have the most backstory in Tevinter Nights of the bunch. Lucanis's story is found in the Wigmaker Job and he's mentioned in Eight Little Talons, both in Tevinter Nights. A Dragon Age Day short story called the Wake seems to have implied that he died, so mayhaps he faked his death? To hopefully set some people at ease, even though he's advertised as "The Magekiller," the mages he's killing are Venatori, so it's all good. I doubt he'd have beef with Neve or Emmrich or a mage PC JUST because they're mages. Also he's got a last name, Dellamorte.

Neve: Neve has a last name too! It's Gallus. Neve is the viewpoint character of the Streets of Minrathous, where she stops a Venatori plot to unleash a giant sealed demon underneath Minrathous. Her story is very Noir-vibes in a fantasy setting. She's also in the Missing for an issue, where she meets Varric and Harding and they work together to help escaped slaves avoid recapture by the Venatori. The giant sealed demon business did feel very "preview of a boss battle" but who can say if it actually is.

Taash: Like with Bellara, Taash herself is new, but the Lords of Fortune have featured elsewhere. They're in a number of stories in Tevinter Nights, as well as in Dragon Age: Absolution. The group doesn't seem to have a formal role, they seem to be sort of "adventurers for hire." Side note though, Ataashi is Qunlat for dragon, so I wonder if that's where Taash got her name.

[felassan]

DA:TV info compilation

there's a lot of lil bits of info floating around. this post is just a compilation of various bits in one place.

The young griffon's name is Assan. [source] "assan" is elven for "arrow". as a certified -Assan-enjoyer, that makes me happy :> we'll see more of Assan in the weeks ahead. Edit: I forgot to add that Assan is a he. :)

The Gameplay Reveal tomorrow is going to be 20 minutes long now, not 15. [source]

down the line they will be showing the character creator a lot. CC is not being shown tomorrow. [source]

Michael Gamble confirmed being able to play Rook as an elf [source] and a Qunari [source]. here's an image of human Rook. Scylla Costa confirmed you can play as a dwarven Rook [source].

We will have the ability to change our companions' armor. [source]

Emmrich was compared to Vincent Price. [source]

the game is not Xbox exclusive. it's also coming out on PS5 and PC. [source]

Taash the dragon hunter's name is indeed related to the Qunlat word that means dragon: "ataashi". [source]

"Hopefully we put out information about romance options soon" [source].

Taash's pronouns are she/her [source].

Trick Weekes is the writer of Taash [source].

Mary Kirby is the writer of Varric and Lucanis. [source]

Derek Wilks did lots of cinematic designer work on Emmrich. [source]

John Epler is the writer of Bellara. [source]

these four images : one, two, three, four were all taken in-game (they are in-game-screenshots, not concept art pieces) [source].

[shinceltyblewup]

Or no wait. Could just be from 'ataash' which is glory.

Ohh dude I just realized Taash's name is assumedly derived from the Qunlat word for dragons 'ataashi'..hmm

[vigilskeep]

oh if “ataashi”, meaning the glorious ones, is what the qunari call dragons, i wonder if that’s where taash’s name comes from. it might just mean “glory”? iirc there’s a lord of fortune specialisation ability called for gold and glory so that being the word she wants to live up to would check out

[dragonage-polls]

This is as many Dragons as I can put in one poll and only includes da:i dragons but oh well!

[bloedewir]

Incorrect and nonexistent Dragon Age: The Veilguard dialogues

Just trying to fit Inquisitor in DA4 party activities for my amusement. It is no less than an act of desperation. (May contain some headcanons).

***

Rook: I need to ask, Inquisitor. Can I trust Him?

Inquisitor: I don't know.

Rook: But..

Inquisitor: I am not you. And you are not me. Decision is yours to make.

Rook: I see.. But do you trust Him?

Inquisitor: ...

Inquisitor: I do, yes. With all my heart.

Rook: Ah!

Inquisitor: It's broken.

Rook: Ah..

***

Harding: Hey, Lavellan, I..

Inquisitor: It's "Inquisitor", Lace. Or any other impersonal word. For your taste.

Harding: Oh.

Inquisitor: I know that look, no need to apologize. It's just.. Do you still remember Ameridan?

Harding: I see.. Yes, I do remember him. I remember all of them, to be clear. Even if the world has forgotten, I remember. Inquisitor.

Inquisitor: That's why I always loved you, scout Harding.

***

Emmrich: I was told you are familiar to necromancy art, Inquisitor. Is it correct, if I may ask?

Inquisitor: Yes. And you are from Mourn Watch? Seeker Pentaghast was telling me about mortalitasi but I still don't know the details.

Emmrich: Ask then and I will be glad to fill in the gaps, so to speak.

Inquisitor: I heard about binding spirits. Is it true?

Emmrich: In some ways, yes.

Inquisitor: Against their will?

Emmrich: It would be irresponsible, if not to say cruel. No, dear Inquisitor. We bind those spirits who are willing to cross the Veil and want to stay.

Inquisitor: Hm. If so.. I guess, you would find common ground. Probably He is regretting being bound with Rook instead of you.

Emmrich: Flattering as it is yet it's for the best. Two academic minds connected by an unstudied kind of magic? A recipe for disaster, mark my words.

Inquisitor: Apparently so.

Emmrich: Although... I would like to discuss some quite capturing matters I have in mind. You think master Solas would agree if I make that kind of suggestion?

Inquisitor: I'm not the person you should ask.

Emmrich: Oh. Yes, I should've thought.. I apologize, Inquisitor.

***

Lucanis: Verdict?

Inquisitor: Benissimo.

Lucanis: Speak antivan?

Inquisitor: Just a few words. Picked that up from ambassador Montilyet.

Lucanis: Accent is terrible.

Inquisitor: Si, lo so.

Lucanis: A mockery?

Inquisitor: Perish the thought, Crow.

Lucanis: Drink your coffee, Inquisitor. Preferably in silence.

Inquisitor: Si.

Lucanis: You well aware I built a reputation on killing people, yes?

Inquisitor: As am I, in a way.

Lucanis: Hm. I think, we'll get along.

***

Taash: I know you hunted dragons.

Inquisitor: Few years ago, yes.

Taash: And you killed avvar dragon.

Inquisitor: I did.

Taash: And Ataashi.

Inquisitor: That one I released.

Taash: What for?

Inquisitor: No glory in victory above trapped enemy. A friend of mine told me so someday.

Taash: Some wisdom I hear in those words. Who was that friend?

Inquisitor: Tal-vashot.

Taash: As I thought. My kin knows much shit about good battles.

Inquisitor: He also loves to yell "Taarsidath-an halsaam!" after every dragon fight. Can't say it's fitting me.

Taash: Ha! I already like that bastard.

Inquisitor: You and me both.

***

Neve: Good morning, Your Grace. Or it's evening? Hard to tell.

Inquisitor: I have no titles anymore. You know it, I'm sure.

Neve: Don't be. You're still quite popular, especially among the venatori. Titles you possesses in Tevinter? Many.

Inquisitor: Heard a few. "Southern mud" or, my favorite, "Dog's slag".

Neve: Surprised those rumors have reached your elitist ears, Your Grace.

Inquisitor: Do we have a problem, detective Gallus?

Neve: Not sure yet. I'm just interested, where was your glorious Inquisition when people needed it? And by "people" I don't mean those false orlesians and their fancy soirees.

Inquisitor: I was a bit busy trying to patch a hole in the sky. I'm so sorry my actions offended a few grocers in Minrathous yet I can't imagine how they would've helped me to defeat Corypheus.

Neve: Profit isn't the only..

Inquisitor: Not to mention I have no interest in dealing with Tevinter Imperium. Or helping. It must be "saved" by those who love the place and I don't. My interruption is hypocrisy in that matter.

Neve: Well, that was a more honest answer than I expected. Accepted, Inquisitor.

Inquisitor: Case closed?

Neve: Not entirely, but I can call it a progress.

***

Inquisitor: I bring some "normal" food. Left it in kitchen.

Davrin: Assan is not a kitten, lethallan.

Inquisitor: I've noticed. There's no harm in feeding your friend with some treats instead of ripped enemies' limbs.

Davrin: Maybe.. but do not spoil him! Griffon isn't a halla to be treated so gently.

Inquisitor: I never took care of hallas. And probably never will.

Davrin: About that.. I'm sorry you were cast out.

Inquisitor: Arlathvhen spoke their word. If they've decided I'm harellan, let it be.

Davrin: Clan isn't everything, you know. I'm handling, as you see, so you can too. And.. for all that matters, I still think you're lethallan.

Davrin: I.. Thank you. Lethallin.

***

Bellara: No, no, I understand. I really do, but.. please, tell me I'm not the only one who sees a potential here?! A tragic love story between a rebellious god and his..

Varric: Don't go there, Bunny. It's.. complicated.

Rook: But the profit? I can bet nobles would discuss your book a whole season. Maybe two? There will be enough gold to build another Lighthouse to the east.. or west? I can provide you a few spicy details, huh?

Varric: You can? Pfft.. nug shit, Rookie. Chuckles would rather drink a pint of tea than tell you anything about it.

Rook: Well, maybe it's only a guesses but..

Varric: AH! Inquisitorialness! Finally decide to join us?

Inquisitor: Don't interrupt your conversation on my account. I just went down to drink.

Lucanis: I made coffee a few minutes ago. Interested?

Inquisitor: Much appreciated.

Varric: So, and.. Ha. Can you imagine, I just lost my thought! Let's talk about anything else?

Inquisitor: If you need an assistance, you just discussed how to take the most painful memories of mine and transform it into vulgar porn novel to entertain nobles.

Varric: Oh. You heard.

Inquisitor: I lost the arm, Varric. Not my ears.

Bellara: Varric didn't agree anyway.

Rook: He didn't agree either.

***

I know none of it will be canon but

[ammoniteflesh]

Maryam fucked up and evil moments: Trespasser edition

hee hee hoo hoo (Maryam descent into overt villainy compilation)