#aughgghh too much lore for my small brain

[melviships]

Screw it- Mayhem time.

Cw: discussion of death, depression, and violence, addiction, canon typical Kirkwall and Chantry-driven oppression

Mayhem Hawke is a shadow rogue who from an early age developed a lyrium addiction after stealing many potions in the hopes of aiding his younger sister Bethany, a mage. Life in Lothering had always been hard, but being related to an apostate put the Hawke family under heavy scrutiny, more so when Bethany's magical abilities manifested. Mayhem saw fit to do what needed to be dome in order to protect them: theft, assassination, draft dodging, anything that would allow them some freedom to live as they chose.

Lothering eventually fell and they were forced to flee to the Free Marches, landing them in Kirkwall in the hopes of their nobility on their mother's side granting them entrance and allowing them to move into their estate.

Instead they learned that their uncle, Gamlen, had squashed that hope by gambling away their fortunes and selling the estate. This forced them to work with a mercenary company, the Red Iron, which they honestly preened at the idea.

Mayhem worked with them for a year before a bad turn of events caused them to seek out a healer and being familiar with Kirkwall and the whispers on the putrid air of Darktown led them right to Anders.

And they immediately recognized their shared plight and became obsessed with one another. Two depressed guys constantly fighting against the powers that be, to the detriment of others ? They were practically made for each other.

The visits became regular and Hawke was advised to seek better, safer work.

They left the Red Iron, but the criminal aspect of his life... was impossible to let go. Not when mages and elves were being actively oppressed. Some laws were made to be broken, and Mayhem hated being told what was best for him.

The rest of Hawke's story is told wonderfully by their new best friend and kissmate Varric. It still makes sure to include their less than stellar track record and their magnetism when it comes to tragedy; yet it is made clear that care and affection kept everyone together.