#be nice to Ancano

[whitegoldtower]

Bethesda: *creates a very two dimensional villain who is apparently just evil for the sake of being evil, but also gives him weird tension with the LDB*

My delusional arse, as a writer: this man is an affection-starved, closeted gay man who has convinced himself that the only way he can be respected is by wearing the Thalmor uniform and the only way he can protect himself is by seeking power.

He probably only joined the Thalmor because he wanted to be seen as intimidating and not to be messed with (i.e, he wanted people to leave him the fuck alone), and because it would give him an excuse, a ‘beard’ if you like - because the Thalmor are very particular about reproduction, it makes sense he’d use it as a cover.

Even the Thalmor don’t like him (probably because they suspect him, or at the very least feel like something’s ‘off’) because they sent his colleague to Markarth with backup, and yet sent him to Winterhold alone. He’s also not at Elenwen’s party.

He gets nastier and nastier the more inhospitable people are towards him (take his bedroom at the college, for example), and his behaviour with the eye is textbook behaviour of someone at the end of their tether.

The sad part is that the poor bastard likely hates his job and wants to leave the Thalmor, but knows that the only way one leaves the Thalmor is in a box. So he resigns himself to his fate and decides that if he’s going to go out, he’s going to go out with a bang, and he’s going to be comically camp whilst doing it because this is his last act.

… Give me a week and I could fix him. I feel like the entire time he was just inwardly screaming to be loved and wanted, he needed someone who would fight to know him, and resist his attempts to evade vulnerability.

[makalyta]

I offer you Ancano + soft daffodils and rosemary + alternative College of Winterhold plot idea: instead of just avoiding Ancano because the people in the College tell you not to trust him, you try to get closer to him to understand what he's actually in Winterhold for. After your discovery in Saarthal, you start talking to him. You become friends after a tiny quest where you have to evesdrop some conversations, he teaches you a new spell and he softens his tones towards you. He then tells you he's been roaming around the College because he knows the Archmage is up to something. You decide to help him by retrieving the Staff of Magnus, and get to know Savos' dark backstory in the process, which really gives Ancano's theories credit. And then you return to the altmer and give him the staff, just to discover he had gaslighted you the whole time: he wanted to use the Eye of Magnus for his own desires from the beginning. You can't do anything but kill him in order to save Skyrim, and his death leaves you wondering if you really were just a pawn to him, or if he felt remotely guilty for exploiting your friendship. You are never going to trust a Thalmor officer again.

[bforblitz]

Look I know Ancano is a fascist but like. I can fix him. I’ll rewrite him and give him two boyfriends. Let me just *grabs him and runs away*

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

Savos Aren: You know, it wouldn't kill you to be nice to Ancano once in a while.

Mirabelle Ervine: We don't know that.

[morpheus-somnium]

College of Winterhold [modern au]

[masterlist]

Informations

Location: Winterhold, Old Town

Headmaster: Savos Arven

Headcanons

The whole school is held together by magic (which is somewhat like how a system administrator keeps electricity in check at a workplace, you know, like Nedry in Jurassic Park).

A little magic outage and poof! The old town falls apart.

Most students live in the dormitory section, not because they can't afford to rent (okay, they also might be a little bit broke), but because local rentals are expensive since the local landlords can't stand them (due to the magic outages).

However, the professors and staff have quite nice houses nearby. 🏠

The university mainly focuses on magic and magical STEM, but there are also history and literature majors.

The college has its own merch, which is worn by many students. (Mostly hoodies and jackets)

The students wear robes mixed with modern clothing. They are going to wear Converse shoes and Jordan’s with those blue robes.

Because the school’s acronym is CoW, their mascot is a cow 🐄

Most students are broke because it's hard to find magic-related jobs nearby. However, they can work as teaching assistants in elementary and high schools, sell various potions and poisons at the market, or work at local fast-food restaurants.

But of course, there’s another approach for the persistent ones, as one of the professors can get them jobs at the black market—

Also, all the new dr*gs come from here? I mean, of course not all, but the bored alchemy students are capable of anything. By the way, quite a few staff members also use those dr*gs. (cough cough Enthir cough cough)

The “Midden” wasn’t just closed because it’s dangerous, but also because many people were dared to go down there and spend who knows how much time there. Various urban legends have been circulating about it since. Some students met their deaths there (even the teachers say this during classes, though legally speaking, nothing like this has happened in the last ~100 years), and some are still lurking there (like Gollum).

The building is similar to the one in the game, only larger (to be honest, everything is larger than in the game. Whether we’re talking about buildings, cities, or distances, everything is always larger than in the game).

There’s a cafeteria and several classrooms. The dormitory rooms are larger, single occupancy, and equipped with a table, a wardrobe, a cabinet, and a bookshelf. Every hallway has a bathroom section, a small common kitchen, and a small alchemy lab.

Ancano was sent here by the embassy. He’s always stiffly dressed in a suit, so the students bully him for it. Sometimes, though, he helps teaching or organizing documents (he acts like he’s offended when asked, but on the inside he’s happy that he has something to do).

The students and professors, if they don’t visit home for holidays, make sure that the people of Skyrim have a nice, snowy Yule.

How do you recognize a CoW student?

Looks like a nerd

Probably wears glasses (either “real glasses” because their eyesight is horrible, or safety glasses from a class)

Wears comfy College of Winterhold hoodies

Always has a laptop nearby

Ink-stained hand

Scars from using destruction magic, or from a classmate that played with sharp objects using telekinesis

Wears a soulgem necklace

Smells like weed herbs

Has a bottle of tea filled with charred skeever hide and eye of sabre cat, for the good prosperties 💯💯

[twistytwine]

I’m ngl as much as I love the characters of the college of Winterhold I kind of wish Savos Aren was the villain and Ancano wasn’t. Like Savos Aren’s backstory feels perfect for a tragic antagonist and Ancano to me doesn’t,,,have much depth to him? I like headcanons of the Thalmor finding him annoying af and marking him as an outcast, but unfortunately none of that is confirmed canon. Ancano just feels evil because he’s Thalmor, not because of anything else deeper than that. Would be nice if he were still a racist dick but was genuinely trying to make the college better while Savos (whatever his motives would be) was the villain of the questline

[thana-topsy]

35

Ancano X Savos Aren? 👀

EXCELLENT suggestion. Thank you for this one.

---

Ancano x Savos Aren "A kiss to gain something." (1077 words)

“I’m sorry, but the answer is still no.” 

Ancano lifted a brow as he took a sip of wine, gazing half-lidded over the brim of his cup. He dabbed his lips on the back of his glove and offered a delicate shrug in response. “I understand, Arch-Mage. My apologies for… haranguing you.”

They sat opposite each other in Savos Aren’s quarters, a bottle of Firebrand wine between them (Ancano’s gift), barely touched. Aren wore a look of pinched suspicion, which Ancano supposed was fair. He hadn’t really made an attempt at being pleasant thus far, but supposed after two months living at this wretched college that he might as well make an attempt to forge a connection. At least superficially. 

More than connection, however, he wanted access to Saarthal.

“You have to understand it from my perspective,” Aren continued, gazing curiously into his own wine cup. It’s not poisoned, Ancano wanted to say. “We already walk a delicate tightrope with the locals. Allowing a Thalmor agent to enter a revered Nordic crypt—especially considering the history of said crypt—it would shine unwanted attention on the College. We are neutral in this conflict, and many might see it as–”

“I might remind you that the Thalmor are also neutral in this conflict, Arch-Mage. Our presence in Skyrim, as with any other country under the Empire’s rule, is simply to enforce order and aid in upholding the agreements of the Concordat. I might also add that I am not a Justiciar. I am not here to root out Talos worship, though it is my duty to report it.” He paused, taking another sip of wine, letting his words linger. “But it is not my main concern. My role here is to act as an advisor and ambassador to you, Arch-Mage. And staying abreast of the College’s curriculum, including all relevant expeditions, is my concern.”

At long last, Aren took a sip of his own wine. He made a pleased noise, then picked up the bottle to inspect the label. “Quite nice.”

Ancano nodded, tilting his cup in Aren’s direction in silent cheers.

Aren sat back in his chair with a sigh, pushing the hood from his head. His long, black hair was streaked gray and pulled back into a low tail. His features were severe, even for a dark elf: high cheekbones and hollow cheeks, his deep red eyes slitted like a fox. The point of his beard only served to make his face appear far too long and narrow. Ancano always found the dark elves to have an unnatural, uncanny appearance to them—Daedra-cursed through and through—and rarely did he find himself in such close quarters with one. He couldn’t help but stare. 

“You were a student at this college once, correct?” Ancano asked. 

“Yes,” Aren answered, his nervousness returning. 

“What was your area of study?” 

He seemed to relax marginally. “Oh, well, I had a variety of projects in my time. This was close to a century ago, mind you, but–”

And he was off, jabbering away about various lines of research and artifact recovery. No wonder he’d initiated the Saarthal expedition. Savos Aren seemed particularly fascinated with what basically amounted to grave robbing. Ancano smiled into his wine. 

“What’s so funny?” Aren asked. 

“Funny? No no, you mistake me. I simply find your… enthusiasm to be charming.” 

An indigo flush crept up Aren’s neck and darkened his cheeks. He took a sip of his own wine and averted his fox-like eyes. 

Ancano made a mental note of the reaction. “Please continue,” he urged. “And let me–” He reached forward to lift the wine bottle, motioning for Aren to hold out his cup to be refilled. 

“Thank you.”

“Of course, Arch-Mage.” 

He listened patiently as the Dunmer continued to ramble, Aren's shoulders becoming looser, his gesticulations more enthusiastic. Ancano continued to fill Aren’s wine cup when it ran low.

“And I just feel it; a mage’s intuition, if you will. There’s a missing piece to the puzzle in Saarthal. Why would our ancient brethren risk it all otherwise? The Nords dug too deep, I say. They found something that they shouldn’t have. Something worth fighting for. I just know it.”

Ancano’s entire body blazed with victory, satisfaction curling in the pit of his stomach. He hid his excitement behind a placid smile. “You’ve dared to do what many have not. And for that, I commend you. I have no doubt your efforts will prove to be most fruitful.”

“I appreciate you saying so,” said Aren. “And thank you for the wine. It’s been most delicious.”

“Of course.” Ancano rose to his feet, rolling his shoulders and stretching his neck. “I believe I must retire for the evening. It’s grown late.” 

Aren got to his feet as well. “Ah, I’ve rambled on for so long. My apologies.”

“No need to apologize. I inquired, after all.”

Aren’s gaze was slightly unfocused—dulled from the wine and lulled by the companionable conversation—yet his gaze lingered on Ancano’s face for a moment too long. “If–” he began, then seemed to second guess himself. 

Ancano relaxed his posture, crossing his hands patiently in front of his waist, waiting. 

“I might accompany you to Saarthal, if you’d still like. Though the excavation has only just begun, I can show you our progress. If–” He gestured to Ancano’s robes. “–only if you promise to wear something a little less… flashy.” 

Ancano laughed, and to his own surprise it was a more genuine laugh than he intended. He cleared his throat and regained his composure. “I believe that’s a fair request.” 

Final play. Are you so sure of yourself? 

Yes, he answered his own query. 

Ancano was young by Altmeri standards, but he had grown up among politicians and kinsmen, breast-fed on the social dalliances of subterfuge and subtle manipulation. He knew the signs. He knew the game. 

Aren smiled a little too genuinely, and Ancano offered a slight bow in return, crossing his hands behind his back. 

“I would be honored, Arch-Mage.” Then, stepping forward, he leaned into Aren’s space, tilting his head to place a soft kiss against the dark elf’s cheek. 

Aren sucked in a breath, but otherwise remained stock still as Ancano’s lips lingered. 

Then, Acano stepped away with another bow, passing the gesture off as Altmeri formalities. “I eagerly await your invitation.”

“Very good,” Aren said distantly. 

Ancano’s smile felt razor-sharp on his lips. “And I’ll make sure to dress for the occasion.”

[glitchbitchwritingblog]

Precious: Yandere Ancano x NonDB!Fem!Apprentice Mage! Reader

Yandere Ancano x Non-DB! Fem!Apprentice Mage! Reader Part One

 From the moment he laid eyes on you,you were trapped. There was no way to escape or run away,your fate had been sealed. He watched you in your classes and during your break times,he rarely didn't know where you were. During his time observing you,Ancano noticed that you weren't very good at taking care of yourself. You often forgot to eat and sleep,there were even occasions where you fainted during class due to exhaustion.

Obviously you don't know how to take care of yourself so he has to take care of you himself. You'll thank him one day and until then he can easily handle you.

It was easy setting up a secret place not even his superiors knew about. He made sure everything was perfect for the both of you. You had your own room of course,he knew you'd need your own space and would be quite fussy in the beginning. He had made sure your bed was made of the best materials money could buy,your sheets were of good linen and your pillows and comforters stuffed with feathers. Your second blanket,as you often slept with two on the rare occasion you did sleep in your dorm room,was made of a soft blue velvet and would keep you nice and snug. On the floor of the room were two soft black rugs made from the pelt of two cave bears,the floor itself made of gray stone. The walls were made of cobblestone and beautiful tapestries depicting love stories decorated the walls. A fireplace kept the room warm,two chairs and a table facing it,and a bookshelf full of many different books sat against the wall to the left of it. All that needed to be done to it was to put some candles in it.

The night Ancano finally captured you,you had agreed to aid him in testing a tea he had made. He had told you he was trying to make the perfect tea for his father back in the Summerset Isles. He'd taste it himself but he had been trying for so long all the flavors tasted the same. You were so sweet as you drank the tea,complimenting him on its subtle notes of Jasmine,and you became even cuter when you fell asleep in his chair,completely left to his mercy.

[ego-osbourne]

The Dez Illusion / Salt in the Wound Voice Claims

THE VOICE CLAIMS ARE FINISHED FINALLY

This has been in the works for a loooong time. The hardest part was finding these DAMNED VOICES. By FAR the hardest voice to find was Rakell’s, but his game out very nicely!

Here’s some general notes I have for everyone, if you wanna read.

Erandur (Keith Szarabajka) - (TDI / SITW) No issues with his original VA. Gruff but very sweet and comforting.

Serana (Laura Bailey) - (TDI / SITW) Again, no issues with her original VA. Blunt and sassy, very capable of dry humor.

Miraak (Peter Jessop) - (TDI / SITW) I couldn’t not use his original voice, it’s just so dramatic and grumpy.

Sanguine (William Salyers) - (TDI / SITW) Originally went looking for a more smooth-talking, charming voice, but nothing I found could quite keep the same level of mischief that his og voice had. So, while I think the perfect voice is out there somewhere, og voice is still wonderful.

Ancano (Alexander Brandon) - (TDI / SITW) Love his og voice, it’s so pompous and entitled. In a perfect world I would be able to find something like this with a sailor/pirate accent, but this is pretty close.

Ego (Dan Avidan) - (TDI / SITW) When first starting this project, a bunch of buddies told me that Dan Avidan fit their voice, and it just kinda stuck lol. I think Dan’s voice works especially well in SITW, the only thing I could ask more from it is if it matched Erandur’s accent a little. But, it still adds a lovely charm and goofiness that Ego definitely needs!

Rakell (Grahame Fox) - (TDI / SITW) Like I said, my buddies and I went through a LOT of grief trying to find the right voice for him. He probably went through the most changes, from Stoic (HTTYD) to Sir Gideon Ofnir (Elden Ring). Eygon ended up being the perfect fit, with as low and growls as he was.

Iren (Richard Schiff) - (pre-TDI) What a wonderfully soothing voice, made specially to lull you into a false sense of security, but bleeding with wisdom.

Velehk Sain (Josh Keaton) - (TDI / SITW) A good commanding voice, though aired with a type of softness that he can’t seem to loose, like he’s trained his voice to be authoritative but it doesn’t always hit the mark. When it’s soft, it sounds the most natural. My only wishes are that his voice was a tad bit higher and had a pirate inflection.

Caspian (Johnny Depp) - (SITW) Wild, loud, and slurred, Captain Jack just worked so very well for Caspian.

Kyrahk (Scott Porter) - (SITW) The perfect level of arrogance, perfect vocabulary, perfect speed. His voice only throws me off because I wish it sounded a bit older or lower.

Molag Bal (Graham McTavish) - (TDI / SITW) Ironic that a vampire would voice the father of all vampires. Perfect all around, being dark, broody, and ever-intimidating, and sounds damn good when annoyed!

Mehrunes Dagon (Christopher Judge) - (TDI / SITW) Low, wise, blunt, and intimidating, very perfect for Dagon. I only wish he had a better yelling voice. While Kratos’ yells are short and change his tone, I always imagined Dagon’s yells as long and rumbly.

Hermaeus Mora (Dee Bradley Baker) - (TDI / SITW) This voice is the stuff of nightmares. Glorious.

Sheogorath (Wes Johnson) - (TDI / SITW) HE’S SHEOGORATH BABY!!

Vaermina (Ellen McLain) - (TDI) Proper and highly sassy, cruel and cold, but always sounding lovely. My only wish was to get rid of the robotic effect a little—not fully.

[supervillain-smut]

Malborn, Ancano, Etienne Rarnis, Erik the Slayer, Marcurio, Erandur, and Gelebor being called "good boy"? Interesting mix of submissive and dominant personalities, heheheh.

Apologies, I don't write for Erik the Slayer, but I do write for the rest of this list! Thanks for the ask! 18+ only ahead!

Ancano: Stops everything he was doing. "I beg your finest pardon? I am not your subordinate, and even if I was--" Yeah... I wouldn't do that.

Erandur: Blushes all the way to the tips of his ears, but doesn't say anything or stop. Not quite sure how to feel about it, but it's not exactly negative. It's nice to know he's pleasing you, he supposes.

Etienne: Only spurs him on further. "Only the best for you, my love." You've unknowingly created a monster; now he doesn't think you're satisfied or he's done a good job unless you say it, and will beg you to tell him what a good boy he is.

Gelebor: Feels too awkward about it to mention anything, but his internal monologue is something like this: 'Good boy? Well, whether I'm good or not is up for debate, but I'm certainly no boy. Probably meant it to be endearing. I think.'

Malborn: Good lord like he wasn't loud enough, you've managed to unlock both a new kind of sound and a new level of volume from him. Could probably make him cum in his pants if you do it right; stand over him while he's sitting, cup his face and force him to look at you, hit him with the 'good boy' and bam. Hard as a rock.

Marcurio: "Well yes, I already know that, but say it again just for good measure." Tries to keep up that cocky bravado while completely weak in the knees and harder than he was before. Pair it with a small tug of his hair and whether he likes it or not, he's going to moan.

[wellthebardsdead]

Marigold: *standing quietly by his guards and father amongst a gathering of the thalmor across all classes from the lowest new recruits hailing from the farmlands and slums, to the royal family themselves. His hair bound back in a tight strict braid, his robes dark and equally restrictive, and his expression solemn but beautiful behind his fan as he tries to keep cool in Alinors summer heat* …hm? *glances over at a group of new recruits excitedly taking the dance floor with a striking, fast and powerful dance, something the older generation would scoff at and his father would gladly break his legs all over again for even daring to think about attempting*

Lord Varla: Hmph. Look at them. Leaping about like territorial mudskippers. I’ve seen peacocks behave with more restraint, aren’t you glad I chose Ancano to be your betrothed rather than handing you over to these, rabid hounds.

Marigold: yes father. *blinks catching the eye of a very unusual Mer. Dark hair making him stand out from all others in the room, with eyes like emeralds and a charming smile to contrast his sharp and calculating movements. The dance like a battle between all of them, and he was winning effortlessly* hm. *looks up at his father* may I go get some refreshments father? It’s so warm tonight.

Lord Varla: as you wish. And- do avoid engaging with the rabble if you can. The only mer your age you should be engaging with is Caryalind.

Marigold: yes father. *quietly walks off to the refreshments as the song ends and with it the dance, his eyes locked firmly onto the emerald eyed mer with the short dark hair as he goes by, before losing sight of him as the crowd disburses once more, some pairing up for a slower dance, others running off to grab a bite to eat or snuggle up to their betters* Ah- *tries to see past the crowd, younger and more arrogant Mer not knowing who he is or his status simply pushing him this way and that to get past him* ow- hey! That h-hurts! Ugh you insolent ba- *blinks as he feels someone’s hand take his in an unfamiliarly, gentle, grasp* wha- *gasps as the crowd parts and he’s pulled safely from the chaos into the arms of the Mer who’d captured his attention*

Taliesin: *swiftly lets him go remembering his place* A-Ah, a-are you alright my lord?

Marigold: *face flushing a rose gold, some of his curls broken free from his braid and framing his face as his eyes widen and almost sparkle in awe up at him* I-I, y-yes- Yes. *clears his throat and fixes himself before offering his hand to him* and to whom do I owe thanks for saving me?

Taliesin: *mind so focused on his gaze he didn’t even realise he’d spoken* hm? *looks at his hand before panicking* oh! Ah- *takes his hand to kiss it* I’m-

???: LAN-

Taliesin: *jumps hearing part of his name screamed by the familiar voice of his superior* s-sir I was-

Marigold: *steps forward as the justiciar approaches* it’s alright captain, he saved me from some of your more unruly subordinates. *smiles at taliesin* it was nice meeting you, Lan. *walks off quietly*

*several years later*

Taliesin: YOURE MARIGOLD VARLA?! THE MARIGOLD VARLA?! THE BETROTHED TO ANCANO MARIGOLD VARLA?! AND YOU DIDNT THINK ABOUT TELLING ME!?!

Marigold: it didn’t seem important I expected to be dead by now.

[sheirukitriesfandom]

Ye Big Olde Savos Aren Headcanon Masterpost

(Super long post under the cut)

Short biography

General information:

- Savos is an only child.

- He was born in 4E 5, making him 194 years old by Skyrim time (Elven ages are ugh, but according to the UESP, 200 is old for a dunmer…)

- Savos was born under the apprentice, thus making the month of his birth Sun’s Height.

- He is bisexual.

- He was born in Winterhold and grew up among the city’s large dunmer population.

- Knows Winterhold-dialect Dunmeris, Tamrielic, Nordic, and a tiny bit of Dovahzul.

- His parents owned a tailor shop.  

- He's a second generation immigrant to Skyrim. His parents came to Winterhold shortly after the fall of Baar Dau (I imagine there was a short period of growing volcanic activity before Red Mountain blew up for good), fearing further consequences of the impact. His grandparents lived in Morrowind until their death.

- He has been to Morrowind on several occasions (and he has met Neloth). He has also been to Cyrodiil.

- Savos is not very religious; he was raised to believe in the reclamations, but over the years it has become a matter of “Whichever deity is willing to listen”. However, he does practice ancestor worship in a sense; he regularly leaves a little offering for the dead of the Great Collapse (which included his parents) on the shore below Winterhold. 

- Also, due to the nord/dunmer cultural mixture of his hometown, exclamations like “Shor’s bones!” are just as much a part of his vocabulary as “Azura curse you!”.

Appearance:

- He is fairly short for a dunmer (1,68 metres); he’s just a tiny bit taller than Mirabelle.

- Savos has a Lichtenberg scar (a souvenir from Morokei) running from just below his clavicle all the way to his hips. He’s extremely self-conscious about that and will lash out at anyone questioning his explanation of “magical accident”.

- He has a barely noticeable bald patch (a scar) from when he got hit by an icicle when he was a student.

- He doesn't care much about anyone's looks, including his own. He's clean and knows when to look presentable, but he cares more about being comfy than looking good. Has exactly one outfit for special occasions.

- He's in average shape for his age and lack of physical activity. 

 Social:

- Savos does not like dealing with people in positions of authority. Serious talks with Jarl Korir, for example, are his personal nightmare.

- Although Savos is an introvert through and through, he is not necessarily shy.

- He is not a good public speaker. Even when he was still a teacher he could not capture the crowd. However, those students who still listened would get clear and easily understandable explanations and instructions.

- Savos’ “Love language” is spending time together.

- Savos enjoys giving physical affection but is terrible at receiving it. It’s not that he doesn’t like it (he’s probably quite touch starved), but he has trouble accepting that someone could care for him.

- For that reason, he’s usually the big spoon - even if his partner is taller than him.

- Savos does not like smalltalk a lot. 

- However, if someone captures his interest he has no problem chatting until the early hours of the morning.

- Despite some different opinions about his leadership, Savos still gets along with everyone in the faculty.

- He does not trust Ancano and finds him annoying at times, but the previous headcanon includes him as well.

- Savos is a fairly sensitive guy and it’s easy to tell whether he’s happy, sad or angry. However, he’s often dishonest as to why.

- Savos is one of those people who’ll always promise to do something “later” and then forget about it. Mirabelle often has to remind him of his duties - much to her annoyance.

- Savos is not the type to make enemies (at least on purpose). If he has nothing nice to say to someone, he won’t say anything.

- Although it rarely happens, Savos can hold a grudge (and for a long time, too).

- He and Viarmo are close friends (and spent a night together once)

- Mirabelle Ervine was his student and he is still very close with her.

- Savos is good friends with Tolfdir and the two sometimes go fishing together.

- He's oblivious to Kraldar's "interest" in him and views him as a good friend.

- In fact, Savos is incredibly dense when it comes to flirting.

- Although Savos doesn’t engage with the students all that much, he still feels a sense of pride whenever he hears about their accomplishments.

- He also loves J'zargo’s shenanigans.

- There are some days where he’ll lock himself in his chambers and not open the door to anybody. The rest of the faculty knows to leave him alone on “one of those days”.

- Savos tolerates some crookery as long as it serves the college. For example, although he isn’t happy about Enthir’s business ventures, he realizes that having someone who can procure anything away from the normal supply lines is indeed quite beneficial.

- I like the idea of him being the nephew of Fathis Aren, the court mage in Bravil during the oblivion crisis. Given Fathis’ area of expertise and the possibility of their lifetimes overlapping, it’s not unlikely.

- Savos is not good at comforting others. He’ll let them pour their heart out to him, he’ll listen, but he doesn’t really know how to react afterwards. However, no matter how poorly he may express it, his sympathy is usually earnest.

- He is, however, very good at keeping secrets.

Skills & Knowledge:

- After the battle with Morokei Savos obsessively researched the dragon cult and its priests. Over time he’s come to understand (but not speak!) a tiny bit of Dovahzul.

- Since his conjuration magic was anything but useful against Morokei, Savos picked up restoration magic as soon as he returned to the college.

- Savos toyed with necromancy when he was an apprentice, intrigued by the promise of immortality. After what he did in Labyrinthian, he’s never used a spell of that sort again.

- Savos is extremely skilled with wards and even (re-)discovered different types of wards by combining restoration and conjuration (think of something like ESO’s barrier and bound ward spells).

- He is a good healer and possesses a decent knowledge of anatomy.

- While Savos is not a physical fighter, he still knows how to keep someone from knocking his teeth out (thanks to Hafnar).

- Savos is an average alchemist.

- He can talk backwards, much to the annoyance of Ancano or anyone else he decides to mess with. He also has a talent for deciphering drunken gibberish.

- Savos’ interest in magic, particularly conjuration, was caused and fostered by his uncle and Savos always looked forward to his visits. 

- He is a quick learner but not very studious, which made him an average student. It was his skill with wards that caught the previous archmage’s attention.

- Although he grew up in a tailor shop, he can't sew at all.

- He's a terrible cook.

- Laments that he doesn’t know telekinesis but never actually sits down to learn it.

Attitude, Hopes And Fears:

- Savos is scared of lightning

- Savos tends to be pretty laid back when it comes to pranks and mischief as long as it doesn’t hurt students or staff.

- Savos is quite conflicted about his position as archmage. On the one hand, he’s proud of his station and wants to use it to improve the college, but on the other hand, he’s fully aware that he wouldn’t have gotten the title if Atmah and his other friends were still alive. Not to mention that they died under his leadership.

- Savos is both an optimist and a hopeless idealist. While this combination lets him believe that he can eventually lead the college into a better future, it also often blinds him to reality.

- In his youth, Savos dreamt of travelling the world in search for ancient knowledge - a dream shared by his friend Atmah. After Labyrinthian he buried any aspirations of adventure.

- Ever since Labyrinthian, Savos has trouble with nightmares. He often stays up late.

- He’s tried several methods to help him sleep, such as stuffing his pillow with lavender - a scent which clings to his hair.

- The easiest way to piss him off is to bring up politics.

- Savos rarely gets seriously angry but if he does, he tends to act irrationally.

- Overall Savos is not a brave man. Standing up to Ancano when he took control of the eye was perhaps the bravest things he’s ever done. It was also the most reckless he’s been since Labyrinthian

- He is crippled by a fear of repeating his mistakes.

- He’s well aware of some of his flaws (his lack of social skills, too lax attitude) but denies others, particularly those related to his past failings. 

- In Savos' opinion, a three-headed man-eating horker could apply for a place at the college—so long as it has the aptitude and keeps the man-eating in check, he'll be okay with that.

- He's got an ego the size of a peanut and it's easy to make him doubt himself.

Taste and Favourite things:

- Despite having tried many different beverages from many different parts of Tamriel, his favourite alcoholic drink is still a good mead.

- Savos has a sweet tooth which he doesn’t get to indulge all that often save for the honey he puts in his tea.

- Ever since his first trip to Morrowind, Savos has had a fascination with bugs and as a child, he always wanted a Nix-hound. He got a Nix-hound plushie instead.

- In fact, Savos likes many creepy crawlies others tend to find disgusting. Spiders, worms, bugs, scorpions — he thinks they're fascinating.

- His biggest hobby is gardening, which later led to an interest in alchemy.

- He used to be interested in archaeology (more Atmah’s hobby than his own, still…), but the expedition to Labyrinthian put a damper on that.

- His favourite food are honey nut treats, though his dad’s fish soup is the one he misses the most.

- His favourite colour is pine green, followed by the deep dark blue of the ocean.

- Savos enjoys going for a walk along the shore every once in a while.

- He is an avid reader with a preference for nonfiction, travel logs in particular. They're good for dreaming oneself away from bleak old Winterhold…

Random Headcanons:

- He’s a blanket thief.

- Savos has two standard sleeping positions: rolled halfway off the bed and blanket burrito.

- Savos is a cheerful drunk overall. However, he also becomes quite reckless if inebriated.

- Despite having lived in Winterhold all his life, he is not at all good at dealing with the cold.

- Savos is a clean but not very orderly person and the chances of finding anything in his quarters without asking is slim.

- He is an absolute night owl and has the bad habit of sleeping in his favourite chair rather than his bed. 

- Savos is not good with children. He likes them all right; he just doesn’t know what to do with them.

- However, he does stand by his opinions. In fact, he can be quite stubborn.

- Savos still has that plush nix hound mentioned above. It’s in… well-loved condition.

- Savos was the type of kid who'd always try to get out of doing chores. He spent most of his childhood playing in the streets with the other kids of the crafter's quarter. He remembers that time fondly.

- He had a very good relationship with his parents that continued into adulthood, despite their disappointment about him joining the college rather than taking over the tailor shop. 

Savos Dadcanons

- Okay so first off I can’t see Savos planning to have kids. The college is no place to raise a child (neither is Winterhold, for that matter) so if he became a father, it would be by accident. As such, I think he’d be happy but also very, very worried.

- However, when he gets to hold his kid for the first time he just turns into a joyous puddle on the floor (like, not literally, but his knees would be very weak and he’d shed few tears).

- He doesn’t really know what to do with children and that really becomes apparent when he has to handle the baby. But damn he’d try. He has probably read every book on childcare the arcanaeum has to offer, though granted there may not be too many of those.

- He’s overall not one for random silliness (I can’t see him making faces at the child or making babytalk, for example) but he’d smile and laugh a lot more around his kid.

- Also cuddles. At first Savos is a little scared of handling the child bc it’s so small and vulnerable, but eventually he’d enjoy holding the them.

- He’d try to teach his kid as much as he possibly could, though not through books and dry teaching. He’d definitely show his kid the garden or venture out into Winterhold at night to watch the stars. In a modern AU he’d absolutely be the dad building a baking soda volcano who’d then be almost as excited as the kid when the volcano explodes.

- There aren’t many children in Winterhold so Savos would be concerned that his child can’t make many -if any- friends. At some point he considered summoning a friend for them before realising that that’s a horrible idea.

- He’d continue his own dad’s bedtime story tradition.

- Savos would be a bit of a worrywart though; he’s lost so many students already so he’d definitely try and shelter his kid a bit. He’d teach them wards as soon as possible.

- He’d absolutely encourage some mischief.

- In fact, I don’t think he’d be a strict parent at all. It’d fall to his SO or Mirabelle to teach the child some boundaries. 

- As a healer, he is entirely unfazed by anatomy and awkward puberty topics. For example, he can give his child The Talk just fine, they just shouldn’t ask him how things feel\taste\etc. He’s a very private man and would get flustered at having to reveal things about his love life.

- He’d always stay a bit insecure about his parenting skills though, even when the child is all grown up. Is he a good dad? Did he raise a responsible adult? Did he prepare his child for all that’s out there? Late at night, he’d wonder.

- At any rate, Savos is by no means #1 dad, but he’d grow into it and he’d always be there for his child, even in case of potentially massive fuck ups.

Savos Adult Headcanons:

The NSFW alphabet

[incorrectskyrimquotes]

having Thoughts ab Celesta learning the "new" elements (Ice, Lightning, and Fire) from Onmund/Brelyna/J'zargo and her teaching them about the "old" elements from her time (Earth, Air, and Water)

I've decided this mod is canon but only in the past. Magic warped over time bc it just does that

But AUGH Okay just. They have to watch the giant scary orb thing overnight while the rest of the college figures out what to do with it, and no one trusts Ancano not to try something in the middle of the night.

Celesta answers the questions the other three have the best she can, but she had no idea the atmorans had the eye of magnus. She had no idea her own people had it.

Eventually the conversation turns to Celesta's old magic, and how different it is. Celesta explains that, in her time, magic was a part of your soul that you were casting out into the world. She hopes that people have found a more coherent way to do it.

Nope! It's still that. And part of the reason she's having so much trouble with the new elements is because she doesn't know which parts of herself she needs to connect with.

J'zargo actually gets it. He wanders over to her, it's not like the orb will leave if they stop closely watching it for a few minutes. He produces a small flame. "Imagine somewhere warm." He tells her. For him, it's the desert. For most people, it's just imagining a nice campfire or something.

And it keeps going like that! Onmund helps her with Ice, Brelyna with Lightning. And Celesta helps them too with her elements. And AUGH THEY JUST HAVE A NICE MOMENT WHERE THEY EACH SHARE MEMORIES AND FEELINGS. WAH.

[star-lit-mist]

Favorite Skyrim elves and why?

If you had to live in Skyrim, what do you think you’d be eating?

Irl topic—

Do you think sorcery should be illegal?

It is, where I’m from.

I’d say my favorite Skyrim elves would be:

-Sondas Drenim, you can meet him in Darkwater crossing, he’s the sweet dark elf miner who cares about his fellow miners and he also babysits a little girl

-Ondolmar, the Thalmor justiciar in Markarth

-Ancano, Thalmor advisor at the college in Winterhold (even tho I wanna kick his ass so bad every time I see him breathing)

-Faendal, Wood elf in riverwood

-Runil, Altmer in Falkreath, former Thalmor

-Teldryn Sero, dark elf mercenary you can hire in Raven rock, I like his comments he makes about the different places you’d visit

-Neloth, master wizard of house Telvanni, I just really like when he says “now where did I put it… OH YEAH-“ crazy bag of bones

-Gelebor, I just wanna hold him aight?!?, he’s so nice- and always so happy to see you when you return- ughh the things I’d do to this mer- I mean what?-

Now if I had to live in Skyrim, I’d probably be eating a lot of soups and growing my own food, I like the farming lifestyle that comes with the Hearthfire DLC, plus I like gardening

And as for Sorcery, I really have no preference as long as it’s not like destroying my community, where I live I don’t think many people even care, a close friend of mine is even a descendent of an old Coven.

[mareenavee]

Vantage Point

For @throughtrialbyfire!

Happy Birthday, Bishop! This one's chaotic, and especially for you. (:

The Prompt:

…how do you feel about tossing ancano, enthir, and cicero stuck in an inn together, waiting out a bad storm - snow, rain/thunder, whichever you feel drawn to. >:3

Without further ado...

Vantage Point

It had been a great long while since Ancano had encountered thundersnow. That was a phenomenon more suited to the north side of the rock that called itself Solstheim. The weather in Skyrim was, while disagreeable, generally less chaotic than all that. It was, in its own way, predictable. Cold. Quiet—especially here in Winterhold. He could think—really check in with himself if the posting he was being assigned to was worth the effort.

The College of Winterhold needed supervision, apparently. That’s what Elenwen had said, and so he’d been plucked from his cozy, low-effort office job in Cyrodiil and pushed into a position of leadership without the chance to speak for himself on the matter.

Long, long ago, he had resigned himself to obscurity. It was safer that way, despite what his dreams had been when he’d been younger and more foolish. He’d lost too many friends and family in the Great War, and even more in the skirmishes happening here in Skyrim against the brutish Stormcloaks. Any position of power brought one into the awareness of forces he’d rather wash his hands clean of—but one did not have such freedom within the structure of the Aldmeri Dominion.

One did exactly as one was ordered to. Second-guessing those higher up in the ranks than you was simply not done—not if one valued one’s life. His own life, Ancano determined, was just about the only thing of value in this Godsforsaken place, but even this was not his to bargain with. He glanced around the room at the two other patrons, eating their dinner in relative peace, unbothered by the storm outside.

How nice, he thought, to be allowed to make the choice of what to do with one’s existence. -> Read the rest on AO3!

[whitegoldtower]

Creating a new OC because I came up with a concept I really enjoyed.

Since I am sometimes completely non-verbal, myself (and most of the time not speaking very much at all), creating non-verbal characters is comforting for me. Sometimes talking is just too much noise for me to be able to handle vibrating around my skull, y’know?

I’m creating an Altmer vampire with incredibly sensitive hearing. He does not speak because it is much more comfortable for him to remain silent. It’s not out of trauma, not out of injury, merely comfort. There’s no tragic backstory or revelatory reason as to why he doesn’t speak. He simply prefers not to.

He is extremely calm and placid for a vampire. He doesn’t enjoy hurting others. He doesn’t like when people scream - mainly, he consumes potions of blood that he has brewed himself. He hunts deer, rabbits and wolves for his sustenance, and leads a pretty simple life. His special interest is flora, and he usually communicates with others via the language of flowers. This is how he talks. Well. That and a combination of sending pretty handwritten letters for when the message is too complicated. As for when others speak to him, he usually politely requests that they keep their voices to a low level and avoid shouting. If he’s going somewhere busy, he tucks little pieces of tundra cotton in his ears and resorts to lip-reading.

As a result, his fangs are hardly ever on display.

His name is Gwydion, and he’s friendly with Hert and Hern. He visits them for firewood supplies occasionally, and instead of trading in money, he trades in blood potions from each of his hunts, usually accompanied by fresh flowers.

Despite his cool and sometimes distant exterior, he can actually be rather playful. His pranks are always completely harmless; usually little things like putting flower petals in someone’s hair whilst they’re sleeping, or throwing a snowball at someone whilst concealed by an invisibility spell to make the person who got snowballed think it was someone behind them instead.

He once started a snowball fight between two very bored Thalmor sentinels standing guard in the embassy, and confused a Bosmer huntress who woke up with blue mountain flowers in her hair. In the Winking Skeever, he pranked a bard by putting a few extra coins in his pouch over the course of a few days.

He travels all over the map very much like Mai’q the Liar, choosing to spend his immortality having innocent fun.

When in Winterhold, he decides to spread a little love at the College. In my canon, he causes Severin and Ancano to actually start speaking to one another via leaving flowers in both of their rooms, confusing them enough that they bond over the odd little experience. (Spoiler; Severin and Ancano end up getting married)

He begins studying there to refresh his memory of alchemy, illusion and alteration magics, and gets himself a cosy little room in the subterrarium beneath the hall of attainment. Savos Aren has heard enough about the Altmer to not consider him a threat, and allows him to stay, given that his main area of research concerns attempting to invent a new way for vampires to feed without causing harm.

He likes his little living quarters in the college; they’re dark, warm and provide enough space for him to cultivate many different kinds of night-blooming flowers as well as ones that bloom during dawn and dusk.

Gwydion, himself, however, takes quite the liking to Brelyna.

He likes to leave flowers in front of her door, tucked into her door handle, and - if she leaves her door open - he will leave them on her desk.

She is initially very confused as to where the flowers keep coming from, but presses them between book pages because they are very pretty and they do smell nice. She just wants to know who keeps giving them to her.

After all, Gwydion is extremely elusive and tends to disappear if he thinks he’s being watched.

Brelyna only figures out it’s him because when he walks past her in the library, the scent of the flowers follows him. She keeps trying to get a good look at his face but he’s a little too skittish for the time being.

(Not my gif. Dunno who made it but it’s v pretty)