#companion!vesper

[cityandking]

trevelyan siblings inquisition au. companion!vepser & inquisitor!rosie trevelyan. 1.5k.

in the world where rosaline trevelyan emerges from the breach alive, hand glowing and newly contemplating a faith she thought she had left behind, vesper stumbles into haven at sunset near a week later, haggard and half-starved and leading a quartet of faltering apprentices.

rosie is gone when she gets there, ridden east to the hinterlands with her newfound companions, and so it is something of an unpleasant surprise when the mage apostate claims to be of the house trevelyan. there is much discussion among the inner circle (which is, at that point, only the advisors) about what to do with her, and the children, until the herald returns, and vesper politely offers to spend the night in the dungeon, because there is at least a roof for their heads and a thin stew for their bellies.

(one of the apprentices eats until she is sick, and vesper holds her hair through the night, keeps watch. old habits, you know.)

(one of them, sickly and frail already, dies in the night. all vesper can muster is hollow exhaustion.)

there are questions aplenty in the morning: who is she (vesper trevelyan, youngest daughter of bann raymond trevelyan of ostwick and lady valérie hirondelle of val chevin); where is she from (the circle at ostwick); why is she here (for the conclave); how is she alive (they were late on account of the apprentice’s illness and saw the explosion from afar); why have they come to haven (they saw smoke and sought shelter).

in the end, leliana finds her harmless enough, and she and the children are given meager quarters and a guard (for their protection or for that of the town is unclear) and allowed to wait for rosie’s final judgement.

(a sentence would be far kinder than waiting for the word of a sister she has not spoken to in some fifteen years, but that choice, like so many others, is not hers to make.)

she is lucky; rosie returns within the day with the good word of a chantry mother and a trio of companions vesper cannot in her wildest dreams imagine her sister willingly befriending. they all disappear into the chantry, and it is hours before her elder sister emerges.

it is one thing to be told chance has turned your sister into the last hope of the world; it is another to see it for yourself. as far as vesper can tell, all she looks is older.

it is not a pleasant reunion.

rosie is unfailingly cold, sharp-edged as ever. it has been a long, long time but vesper remembers her sister’s anger and the subtle cruelty of it. this, at least, is not the willful hurt of their youth. there is something more desperate about it, and vesper understands desperation like a native tongue, one they now share. in the end she is allowed to stay so long as she makes herself useful, so she does.

it is something of a comfort to be a hedgewitch rather than a rebel apostate, to put her skills to work as a healer, to craft complex wards to keep scouts and soldiers safe. the spymaster watches her work at first, and eventually wariness warms to quiet friendship. she takes a swift liking to the dwarf and his stories, and a shy liking to the commander. she learns a great deal from the elven apostate, about magic and the fade and living beyond a circle. she watches from afar as her sister collects followers and faithful as though she were andraste herself, and is oddly grateful to be near her through this.

when the time comes for rosie to choose a side and close the breach, her sister looks her in the eyes and elects to work with the mages in Redcliffe, and asks if vesper will come with. it is, vesper thinks, the first time they have truly seen each other in some twenty years.

(there is a long, forgotten year that follows, and vesper survives through burning anger long enough to send her sister back to try again. it is a good thing to forget those horrors. it is a better thing to be sure they never happened at all.)

a handful of mages march back with them, a vanguard to lend their aid in sealing the breach, and it is odd to be among them again, like wearing old clothes that no longer fit. she avoids their glances, walks quietly with the seeker instead and tries not to think too much of the knowing glances leveled at her.

“the herald did a good thing here,” cassandra says quietly as they bed down for the night, bone-weary. “perhaps you should speak to her of it.”

“my sister has never valued my judgement,” vesper tells her, bluntness born of surprise, but she seeks out her sister anyways. she finds her staring deep into the fire, and does not say anything as she sits, only offers silent invitation.

the trevelyan children have always been particularly good at reading each other. how else would they know where to hit where it most hurts?

(���you were so real,” rosie says when the fire is almost embers. vesper glances in her direction to see her staring at the burnished glow. the light turns her hair copper. “it was like a dream, but you were so real. you called me posie.”

it is an old, old nickname, and hearing it here, now— something catches in versper’s throat. but she has never been one to make a scene; she swallows it away.

“you all died, so I could come back.”

“you can end it,” vesper says quietly. rosie looks up.

“I know,” she says, and there is new-forged iron in her voice. it is strange to hear such decisiveness from her, from roxie’s shadow. perhaps they have both grown more than vesper has realized. “I will. will you stay?”

vesper had not even thought to leave. “yes.”

“good.” and she is quiet again. vesper finds herself smiling at the fading fire. a little care and attention, she thinks inexplicably, and it will roar back to life. there is something comforting in that.)

there are things to see to when they return, and vesper is relieved to escape the scrutiny of the mages and rosie’s companions alike. she watches from the chantry as her sister seals the hole in the sky.

the festivities are a nice change of pace. the attack is more of the same.

it is harder than she cares to admit to follow the commander, half wanting to linger in wait for her sister and knowing that this sacrifice will mean nothing if they do not flee.

the worst of it comes when her companions stumble out of the snow and smoke without her.

(there is magic, she wants to say, but the words stick in her throat, forbidden. there are magics of blood and binding she can do to find her, to find out if—

rosie stumbles out of the wind and snow hours after sunset and vesper’s relief leaves her shaking, and there is something awful about it, about caring so much and wanting it so little.

she is there when rosie wakes, and neither speak of it. there is far too much between them, around them, weighing upon them. there is far too much, and far too little time. some things must wait.)

skyhold is a comfort. there is something humming through the stone, some old magic that is almost familiar, and it is the most at home she has felt perhaps since she was a girl. leliana allows her a workstation to call her own off the gardens, and rosie brings her along now and again on her travels and it is— there is something free about it. something of worth. something far more fulfilling than she has ever imagined might exist.

rosie’s companions are a strange sort, and it takes her a long time to realize she counts among them, and that realization, more than anything, has her seeking out her sister, asking why.

“I don’t think we’ll ever fix it,” rosie says, and vesper does not need to ask what it is; there is bad blood aplenty between them, burnt bridges and thick walls. but there is trick with burning—fields must be scorched clean so life may grow fresh. “but maybe we can make it a little better. the whole world is changing, sister. I think maybe we can try to be better people with it.”

rosie, vesper discovers, is a leader she is proud to follow.

(she is right; it is not fixed, and some days they find their old soft spots and dig in until the whole keep simmers with that old, cruel bitterness. but some days are not all days, and slowly, slowly, they fill the space between them with something akin to friendship.)

(helene shows up at skyhold six weeks after they declare rosaline trevelyan inquisitor, and that is a whole new dynamic to this particular disaster, but this generation of trevelyans are nothing if not unpredictable.

besides. vesper’s a fan of anything that will leave father rolling in his grave. some battles are worth the sweat and blood, and she has missed having a family.)

[wiltking]

mini playlist of the songs i listened to the most while writing MtMtM, for those who like that sort of thing

[chronurgy]

Vesper and Astarion

Vesper and astarion's relationship has always been an interesting one for me, because I've always known exactly how Vesper sees him but I've waffled a bit on how exactly astarion sees them. I think I've finally settled now.

Vesper looks down on astarion, and has from pretty much the beginning of their acquaintance. They consider him an easily led dupe and lend him very little thought beyond that. He's useful and that's all there is to it. They convince him not to ascend not out of any real feeling for him or the other spawn, but because they have no interest in raising up a new power in their city which they (at the time this all happens) fully plan to rule. As far as they're concerned, they're acting to preventing a possible future problem.

Astarion, I think, never really quite knows what to make of Vesper. Originally I had thought he tried to seduce them and they turned him down flat but in the end I like this idea much better (and it fits closer to game canon). Vesper is a monster, the sort absolutely willing to kill and use people for their own ends. A dangerous and powerful sort, and just the kind of person that he's looking to use for protection early on in the game. But I don't think that astarion ever quite figures that out because they're such a different sort of monster than the ones he's used to. Vesper is something like an ambush predator - they see no reason to be casually cruel and generally remain unfailingly polite, even helpful, right up until they decide to strike (they see no reason to tip their hand before they're ready). So that results in long stretches of traditionally "good" behavior interspersed with acts of incredible violence. Astarion, especially early on, reads this pattern of behavior as Vesper having "potential" but not taking it far enough to be worthwhile (mechanically, the gain/loss pattern keeps his approval middling).

As the game enters act two and early act three, I think he can feel some of their disdain, detect that something isn't right there. Something about their act two conversation about controlling the brain sits oddly with him and the feeling comes back with more force after the bhaalspawn reveal. I don't know that he's ever able to put a pin in exactly what about those conversations feels odd to him but I think he does cobble together some understanding of the fact that Vesper is putting on a show (much like he is) and that he doesn't want to get a peek under their mask (what he's picking up on is the very dismissive way they speak to him, especially during the conversation about controlling the brain where they're agreeing with all his points but have no intention of sharing that power with him). But they're powerful and he needs powerful allies, so he shrugs it off until after the cazador and brain situations are resolved and then is happy enough to leave when circumstances pull them apart. I don't believe either of them makes any effort to keep in touch after the events of the game.

These two are interesting to me because I don't think there's ever a world where they really get along or ever become friends. Their whole deals are just completely incompatible. Vesper tends towards a very subtle sort of power where astarion is used to people who flex their power much, much more openly. It makes total sense that he wouldn't see them for what they are, but that only further drives Vesper's dismissal of him. His attempts to manipulate them worsen things even further, because as far as they're concerned it's simply another display of how dismally out of his league he is here. And it makes total sense that astarion would react the way he does because of his history and Vesper's personality is such that they would always react with contempt. It's two people who are aiming completely past one another. I do think it showcases Vesper's cruelty and habit of treating people they see as "lesser" or not properly "their" people like things or problems to be solved. They're so, so willing to use people after so long leading the temple of Bhaal and that becomes very apparent here.

[minsarasarahair]

I hate it when Vesper Noir say he’s dumb in self-deprecating way because that’s like his best asset as vtuber. His model look smart so when he became a dork, its the funniest thing. He’s cute that way! The reason why he leave a strong impression is because of his gap moe! Yes, Katsura Koutarou is my favorite character in Gintama. That’s why I love Vesper. I’m a simple person. I see a smart guy that turns out a pathetic dumb dork, I will definitely like it. 

[thecagedbard]

Vesper's Companion Greetings

ᴠᴇʀʏ ʟᴏᴡ (¬_¬")

(Act 1, she would keep her neutral greetings because she's still scared) (After Act 2) Now what do you want? Haven't you said enough already? I hardly think we have anything to discuss but go on... Well if it isn't the cause of new nightmares.

ʟᴏᴡ (¬､¬)

What could it possibly be this time? What can I do you for--do for you? Haven't we already talked enough? Wait...listen...that was the sound of my interest in this conversation leaving.

ɴᴇᴜᴛʀᴀʟ ❛ ֊ ❛ Oh, Hi. What is that look for? Hello...friend...nervous laugh

ʜɪɢʜ •ᴗ•

You needed something, sweetheart? What can I help with? If you keep coming over here the others will begin thinking I'm using my fey charms on you.

ᴇxᴄᴇᴘᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Stop me if you've heard this one....you're not here for a joke, are you? Hello, sweetheart, how can I be of service? Don't look at me like that, I'll think you're after more than a conversation. Well...aren't you a sight for tired eyes?

𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖉 ♡

Well, if it isn't the brightest star in my sky. Is something wrong my love? Did you need me or were we just going to gaze lovingly into each other's eyes? I'm certainly willing to... I think I've finally come up with my own poem for you...but we can save that for later.

[writerthreads]

Fantasy names ideas (with meanings!)

By Writerthreads on Instagram

I always have trouble coming up with names for side characters, so hopefully this can help you as much as it helped me! The names in brackets are additional ones that are similar.

Male Fantasy Names

Aldric – (Germanic) old ruler / wise ruler

Caelum – (Latin) sky / heaven

Druvan(/Dhruv) – (Sanskrit) steady / immovable

Fenris – (Norse) named after the mythical wolf Fenrir

Kaelen(/Kaelan) – (Celtic) warrior / mighty

Leofric – (Old English) beloved ruler

Maelor – (Welsh) prince / lord

Rurik – (Slavic) famous ruler

Torin – (Gaelic) chief / thunder

Zarion – (Hebrew) full of sadness

Baldric(/Balrik) – (Old Norse) mighty warrior

Garron – (Irish) strength / protection

Ithran – (Arabic) crowned / majestic

Jorah – (Hebrew) autumn rain / early rain

Oberon – (Germanic / French) noble bear, associated with royalty

Female Fantasy Names

Ariella – (Hebrew) lioness of God

Brienne – (Celtic) noble / strong

Elysande – (French) noble / gracious

Isolde – (Germanic / Celtic) ice ruler / beauty

Lyra – (Latin) derived from the constellation Lyra, lyre

Mirabel – (Latin) wonder

Seraphine – (Hebrew) burning one / angelic being

Taliyah – (Arabic) blooming / rising

Yvaine – (Old French) evening star

Althea – (Greek) healer / wholesome

Calantha – (Greek) beautiful flower

Elira – (Albanian) free spirit / liberated

Selene – (Greek) moon goddess / light of the moon

Eleanor – (Greek / French) shining light

Gender-Neutral Fantasy Names

Aeris – (Latin) air / ethereal

Elynor(/Aenor) – (Greek) light / shining

Lior – (Hebrew) my light

Orin – (Celtic) pale / fair

Rune – (Old Norse) secret / mystery

Selwyn – (Old English) good friend / companion

Vesper – (Latin) evening / evening star

Aenor – (Germanic) strength / honor

Ilan – (Hebrew) tree / oak

Soren – (Scandinavian) stern / severe

Next up, country name ideas?

[prankprincess123]

Spoilery Jot-Note Thoughts on Last Night's Critical Role:

(In no particular order because I'm still struggling to process everything, and mostly revolving around the twins because OW!!!)

The simultaneous PAIN and hilarity of Vex and Bozos just laying prone and wailing on eachother

Pelor's blessing is freaking amazing

Vesper - who I've seen a lot of posts expressing concern about her almost being forgotten by her parents at times because they're focused on/busy with the younger kids - being the only one specified by name in Vex's last thoughts

Vex DYING for a freaking FIFTH TIME!!?!

!!!!!!"...save him..."!!!!!!

The whole table going absolutely silent when Ozo went after Vex, and then the two clerics panicked whispering to eachother as soon as it became clear she was gonna die

"Please, not today!"

Pike, you are an actual angel. I love you

PERCY'S REACTION!!!!!!!!

Man went full smoke demon to avenge his wife despite not having an active pact anymore

I genuinely lost track of how many shots he took, and am pretty sure it wasn't exactly game legal but I don't care

The fact that both Laura's in-game husband and real-life husband immediately rushed to rip that psyco apart to avenge/protect her

Literally ripping him apart in Grog's case

Trinket! I was so panicked that he was gonna die! And then he was just having the time of his life riding Skrag

Disappointed that we didn't get a Trinket reaction to Vex's death though. We should have both story wise and game mechanics - cause the moment a ranger goes down - whether dead or just incapacitated - their companion goes into a protective rage and is supposed to get a reaction attack - and Trinket would

Keyleth just breaking my heart on repeat

"Do I see my boyfriend?!"

Girl is trying so hard to be strong and be a leader like everyone expects, but she just really needs a chance to breakdown

Vex's constant reassurances to Keyleth both this ep and the last two. Yes! Just give your sister-in-law all the hugs!

VAX!!!!!!

Keyleth frantically pulling Vax's breaking orb INTO her body to try and save him!!!!

HE'S BACK

Making sure to make immediate eye contact with both his most important girls as soon as he's able so they know he's alright and he's himself

'I head over to join the family reunion'

Percy! I know you're letting the twins have their moment, but you just watched your wife die and haven't seen your brother-in-law in 30y. You're allowed to express relief that they're both alive and breathing! Joining the hug or saying something will not hurt

Keyleth's just dissociation as soon as Vax is back. Girl, you're allowed to feel the feels. You can be happy and relieved and heartbroken and ready to murder the Matron all at once. I have alexithymia so I get not being able to identify or process all the feels, and I get not wanting to be hurt again, but you're allowed to hold onto him.

4-sided Dive a few days ago talking about how MN were all a couple bad days away from going villain, but after this I think Keyleth might be on the verge of murdering the Matron if she takes him back permanently.

As SOON as they know they have more than 5min with Vax, Vex instantly and very excitedly starting to babble about the kids, and everyone else chiming in

Vax's laughing glee at hearing about Vax'ildan Frederick, and utter baffled shock at the name Wilhand'ildan. Because yes, your family absolutely decided to both honor and tease you when naming 2/3 of your nephews.

They better get to keep him, or I'm gonna be a wreck.

I'm still screaming about everything

[birdofdawning]

Helena leans over to change the radio station. "Honestly, I would have hoped that the glib pleastries of Masters of Ceremonies would have improved since my time, but I am afraid this is not the case. I'm sure I heard half those inane blatherings at the Pavillion in the '90s and they were old hat then."

Myka checks her wing mirror. "I think you're being too hard on Rockin' Eddie and Rockin' KDBW, " she says. "He's trying his best to keep Muskogee 'boogeying' thru breakfast'. He's been very clear about this. And anyway, it's not as easy as it seems, being a radio announcer. Especially when you're on air alone, without someone else in the studio to talk to."

"Why, it seems perfectly simple to me," sniffs Helena, "You just open your mouth and say the first silly thing that comes to mind."

"No, there’s actually a lot of preparation and practice involved."

Helena gives Myka a shrewd glance. "You seem to know a lot about the subject. Is this another one of your abandoned careers?"

"I don't have 'abandoned careers'," says Myka, frowning, "Stop saying that. But yeah, I hosted a late night show on college radio for a couple of years."

At this Helena sits up straight. "No! Really? Well!" She eyes her companion anew. "You are a dark horse Miss Bering. And so you too, I imagine, would utter those strange animal cries and then exalt your listeners to 'get down to the rhythm while they get up to the java'?"

"No, of course not," says Myka, "It was a late night show. People were going to bed."

Helena, who has been bored and irritable since they left the airport four hours ago — not that she would have admitted this, even to herself — finds that she is now quite cheered up. "And did you also play 'the greatest hits of the '70s, '80s, and beyond'?" She gasps. "Did you play 'Killing in the Name Of'?"

Myka shakes her head. "What is it with you and that song? And no, as I said it was a late night show, so it was relaxing music. And my show was mostly classical and old jazz. Some baroque and early stuff. Some choral." She changes lanes to let another car pass. "College radio is more, uh, eclectic than stations like KDBW Muskogee. People play all kinds of stuff."

"And did you have a sobriquet? Like Rockin' Eddie?"

Myka pauses. "Uh, yeah."

Helena waits.

Myka clears her throat. "I was, um... Velvet."

"Velvet."

"Yeah. The show was 'Vespers with Velvet'"

Helena considers this. "Surely it should have been 'Compline with Velvet'? If it was a late night show?"

"I know!" Myka grips the stearing wheel tighter. "I told them that! But they said they liked the alliteration. And so I had to introduce 'Vespers with Velvet' every Sunday night knowing it was wrong!" She shakes her head at the old frustration.

"But why 'Velvet' to begin with?" asks Helena. "Please don't misunderstand me, I think you have a lovely speaking voice. But I wouldn’t call it velvety."

"Oh, I didn’t speak like this," says Myka. And then her voice drops half an octave. "I spoke like this."

Every hair on the back of Helena's neck stands up. A wave of anticipation passes down from her scalp, running through her body to settle heavily in her centre.

She leans back in her chair and ever-so casually crosses her legs.

"Forgive me," she says, "My mind was momentarily elsewhere. Could you repeat that, please?"

[eidingate]

FFXIVWrite2024 #11 - Surrogate

Early ARR Characters: Tataru, WoL Eidin Words: 868

"This has happened before. Hasn't it?" 

The sun was dipping toward the horizon, casting Vesper Bay in a cloak of red and orange as the savage midday heat burned itself down to embers. Eidin dangled one foot off the edge of the rock, lounging in the evening light with a feigned composure she did not feel. Compared to her companion, she was all limbs sprawled over the sparse patches of grass that had managed to find a hold on the rockface. 

Tataru took a slow sip of her wine before answering. She had provided the cups from the Waking Sands kitchen, snatching them up with the kind of confidence that only the receptionist who was responsible for stocking the shelves could harbor. She'd nestled into a little nook on top of the rocky outcropping where they had retreated together, and it struck Eidin that the dainty little receptionist could make any stone appear to be a throne. 

"It has. Not for a long time. Not since – well, we really haven't seen full Primals like that since the Calamity." 

If Eidin had learned anything in her time in Eorzea, it was that everything came back to the Calamity. She had been far from these shores when Dalamud fell, but even she remembered when the sky burned red. The blood currant wine lingered on her tongue, heady and cloying, a gift from a woman in the Shroud in return for a few favors. "And how did you deal with it then?" 

Tataru gazed down at her cup, her eyes clouded with a memory that Eidin's Echo did not deign to share. "We had… heroes. The Warriors of Light. I wish I could remember their names."

Eidin returned her gaze to the sea, where the sun's fiery reflection was cut through with fishing trawlers. "Heroes. With the Echo?"

"Yes. Like you."

Something in Eidin bristled at the comparison, and her hand tightened around the cup. It was a little too small for her hand, but on the balance, it was probably a little too big for Tataru's. "Why was I never told? All that talk about what made the Echo so special. Yet nothing about this? About tempering, and what it means?"

"It wasn't for any malicious reason," Tataru said quickly. "I promise, we weren't hiding it from you. Minfilia always planned to tell you, but…" she sighed, setting her cup down to turn to face Eidin fully. "She won't say it because this is an old argument, but Minfilia never wanted the Echo to be used in this way. She's always believed in its power to reach across languages, to open hearts, to be used for diplomacy. She always wanted that to be its first and primary use. And as long as Primals never fully manifested…" 

She sighed, and reached for the bottle between them, falling back on her skills as a hostess to cover the tension of this moment, and topped up Eidin's cup. "She didn't want you to feel pressured. If you knew you might one day be the only one who could face such a creature and escape with your will intact, would you not feel obligated to take on that role?" 

Eidin sipped at her drink, feeling the wine swill uncomfortably in her stomach. Tataru's face was open, earnest. She trusted that Tataru believed what she said. And as Minfilia's friend, of course she was inclined to see the more noble intentions behind her actions. 

But the excitement that had radiated off of the Scions when she had been recruited, the glances they had thrown each other, the haste with which they had brought her into the fold, all of that was finally crystalizing before her. This had always been her purpose, for them. "So for want of your lost heroes, the Scions sought a surrogate. Someone who could stand in for them, now that they've gone."

Tataru froze, nearly spilling her wine down her tunic. Her mouth opened and closed a moment, as if trying to find which part of that statement to react to, before finally landing on, "you're a hero too, Eidin."

Eidin set the cup down, carefully setting it in a dip in the rough stone, because Tataru had been very kind in offering it and the inclination to throw it into the sea was too strong. "I didn't save them, Tataru. I didn't save anyone." 

The sun skimmed the edge of the water, red as the flame of Ifrit's gaze. The angry wine-soaked bile that rose in Eidin's throat was not for the fear that she'd felt at her capture, or the days she spent recovering with burns and smoke-filled lungs. It was that Minfilia and Thancred, in their wisdom, had let her spend those days thinking that at least she had saved those people from Ifrit's fire. At least the men who'd sat tied up shoulder-to-shoulder with her could go home to their families. 

None of it true. Everyone she thought she had saved was doomed from the moment they beheld the Primal. Once again, nothing she did resulted in a single life saved.

She stood, the edge of the cliff dizzyingly close. Tataru looked so much tinier below her. "Don't cast me in the role of your dead heroes."

[cityandking]

hello yes i am back for round two: 1, 4, 10, 15, 19 for vesper, narayani, + rasa xoxox

chu ily 💖 // inquisitor as companion asks

1. If not for the Conclave, what would drive your character to join the Inquisition?

VESPER — the reason she gives in her recruitment quest is that she wants this chaos to end. she hopes the inquisition will offer a chance for her students to be safe (if they survive her recruitment) and for her to give her skills to a good cause—there have been few of those, lately, and she respects the challenge the inquisition has taken upon itself NARAYANI — narayani joins the inquisition because the last order she received from her keeper before the clan was wiped out was to seek out this new inquisition and find out what the deal was. without her clan to return back to and with no idea where else to swear her services, a force dedicated to ending the war is something she can give her blade to (even if it's sprung out of the ruin of the chantry (derogatory)) RASA — rasa is disastrously curious about the world and stubbornly determined to make it better, and where else to do that but with the inquisition? he respects the cause and the dedication, and he's a soldier through and through. he wants to fight for a cause that righteous.

4. What would their romance route look like? Would they be romancable?

VESPER — vesper is romanceable by an inquisitor of any race or gender. if the inquisitor has flirted with her at least twice at haven, after reaching skyhold and reaching 35+ approval, they have the option to outright state their feelings, at which point vesper will express fondness for them but say she isn't sure about a relationship, and she requests some time to think about it. (much of this is new to me. in the circle, it was... I need a little time.) at that point, the inquisitor can drop her romance, or agree to wait. there will be other idle flirt options, but the romance is not locked in. should an inquisitor choose to give her time but then lock in a romance with another companion, vesper’s romance route will end. she will comment on this but is not upset; she may even express some measure of approval depending on who the romanced companion is. after Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, vesper’s personal quest will trigger. upon its completion, a romanced vesper will speak with the inquisitor, asking if they still mean what they said. (depending on how vesper’s personal quest goes, this conversation varies; should the inquisitor lose enough approval during her quest then she will tell them it just won’t work and end the romance). if the inquisitor confirms their feelings for her, she'll return those sentiments and kiss the inquisitor. from then on, an inquisitor can visit her for a kiss and some unique dialogue. NARAYANI — narayani can be romanced by an inquisitor of any race or gender, though non-human inquisitors will receive a slightly higher approval bump for initial flirt options. she cannot be romanced by a faithful inquisitor. narayani will play along with flirt options (her flirt banter is sharp and prickly, but will grant slight approval), but has a high approval threshold to trigger her actual romance. when an inquisitor reaches that approval threshold, she will say that she isn't interested in a relationship. an inquisitor can then either agree to leave it there—there will be more flirt options, but a romance cannot be locked in—or press her on why not. pressing her (I have feelings for you. clearly you feel at least a little similarly. why not see where this leads?) will soft lock the romance. the inquisitor can still flirt with other members of the inquisition, and if the inquisitor locks in one of those romances, narayani will express approval (a far better match. I wish you joy.) if the inquisitor continues to pursue narayani's romance, after her personal quest, narayani will explain that she cannot give the sort of devotion she gave to her clan to anyone else and she is not prepared to lose a lover like she lost her people. this will trigger her romance quest, which may result in narayani ending the relationship, the inquisitor ending the relationship, or the inquisitor convincing her to trust them. narayani will make a comment about how much she has enjoyed being wanted and sleep with the inquisitor, which hard-locks the romance. RASA — rasa can be romanced by any male inquisitor. rasa is openly flattered by the attention and happy to reciprocate. after a set number of flirt options have been picked (and after the inquisition reaches Skyhold), he'll ask the inquisitor about their intentions. he's happy to pursue a relationship, but he's not interested in a one-time fling—he'd rather stay friends than have a casual thing. the inquisitor can either assure him that they're committed, or break it off. this soft-locks the inquisition but does not end other companion romance routes; the romance is not locked until after rasa's companion quest. [note: if the inquisitor locks in another romance rasa will be hurt (rasa disapproves) but let the relationship go.] once the inquisitor has loosely locked themselves into rasa’s romance, he will come to the inquisitor with frantic news to instigate a personal quest. depending on the outcome of the quest, his romance will either be fully locked in or ended, and the inquisitor may be free to pursue another romance.

10. If Inquisition operated like DA:O, what would their gift items be? What would their approval and disapproval Feast Day items be?

VESPER — vesper's gift items would be a collection of ancient artifacts (planasene, alamarri or elvhen) and small tokens (carved horses, figurines, etc.) which would show up on the shelves in her workroom when she's been gifted them. her feast day gifts would be a rare treatise on ancient magic (+50) and a genealogy of marcher noble families (-50) NARAYANI — rani's gifts would be a collection of dalish and elvhen items—gloves, jewelry, crafts, trinkets, etc. her feast day items would be an ancient elvhen dagger with historical and personal value (+50) and an embossed, gilded, bound copy of the chant of light (unabridged) (-50) RASA — rasa's gifts would be maps of other areas and a couple pieces of jewelry. his feast day items would be a dalish shield from his clan (+50) and an Ugly Hat (-50)

15. Without the influence of their decisions for the Inquisition, which of the companions do they get along with? Which ones do they bicker with?

VESPER — without being inquisitor, vesper is still close with varric, dorian, bull, and solas. it takes her a little longer to warm up to cole (without the experience of therinfal, she's a little warier of him and his spirit/demon/mind-reading thing, but she still ends up fond and protective) and cassandra (without needing to work so closely together early in the inquisition, vesper finds cassandra’s faith off-putting and it takes some time for them to realize they have the same sense of humor and belief that the chantry needs reform). she bickers much more with vivienne (their opinions on the circles differ too wildly, and not needing viv’s help or approval to muddle through the politics of being inquisitor, vepser would be less guarded around viv). on the flip side, she'd be a little closer with sera (all the fun, none of the interpersonal management). NARAYANI — narayani is even more combative and prone to bickering when she's not the inquisitor because she doesn't need to play nice with anyone. on the flip side, not being treated as the inquisitor brings her closer to a couple companions, chiefly varric and blackwall (not being the object of worship or faith is great for both those relationships). she's pricklier with cassandra, sera and vivienne and more prone to challenging solas; she's about the same with dorian (initially standoffish but warms to him), bull and cole. RASA — rasa, who is a golden cheerful sunshine boy, gets along with everyone. if anything he's more likely to get along with everyone without the burden of being inquisitor; no need to deal with the optics of cole being a spirit/person/demon and alienating solas/varric/vivienne and that sort of thing. even solas is easier to befriend without the anchor between them; they can just be buddies (this is, I think, somewhat confusing to solas).

19. Once Corypheus is beaten, what do they do during the party? Do they stay with the Inquisition, or go somewhere else? What could the Inquisitor do to convince them to stay?

VESPER — vesper is sitting at one of the tables during the party; she will stay with the inquisition so long as she has reached friendly approval. she expresses an interest in eventually visiting her family and maybe traveling more widely now that she can, but she's pleased with the work the inquisition has done and intends to continue. if the inquisitor has not befriended her, she expresses the desire to leave and see her family immediately (this will be news to the inquisitor if they have not completed her personal quest). NARAYANI — during the party, narayani is lurking in the shadows near the doors of the great hall. she will only stay with the inquisition if the inquisitor is not faithful and the inquisitor encouraged her to give her dedication to the inquisition during her personal quest, or if she was romanced. otherwise, she will leave to pursue her own business. the "business" will vary based on her personal quest and romance options—she will either say she wants to pursue the lost history of the dalish (if the inquisitor romanced solas, had their vallaslin removed and told her the truth about it, or if she was encouraged to follow her own path), to track down those who might remember her clan (if she was encouraged to hold on to her clan's memories), or (if the inquisitor did not romance either narayani or solas), to track down solas. [there is reference to this in trespasser, but only obliquely] RASA — rasa can be found near bull or dorian during the party, and he will stay no matter what. he's given his blade and shield to the inquisition and has no plans to go anywhere else. not anytime soon, at least.

[ravendruid]

A Trip to Byroden

This fic surged from a conversation with my friend @crispysnake where they asked me if I ever thought about Keyleth visiting Byroden. I was immediately inspired to write this piece, so I hope you all enjoy it.

“Lady Vex’ahlia,” The voice comes from one of the young maids, who popped her head in the gap between the double doors of the library. Vex’ahlia lifts her gaze from the storybook she was reading with Vesper, who also looks up from her lap. “Lady Keyleth is here. She wishes to see you.”

Keyleth? Vex wasn’t expecting the woman anytime soon. She nods her approval and the maid bows before closing the door behind her. Before Vex’ahlia has time to ask Vesper to sit on the couch by her side, the little girl jumps up from her lap and runs, screaming, “Aunt Keyleth!”

Keyleth’s staff, the Vestige of Divergence created by Melora, clatters onto the wooden boards at her side as her arms are suddenly full of a cheery Vesper. Her mane of white hair fills the crook of Keyleth’s neck, and the smell of lemon-verbena warms her from the inside.

“Keyleth, darling,” Vex’ahlia rises from her seat and approaches the woman who gets on her feet with the child at her hip. The sight brings a pang of sorrow to Vex’s heart. She knows her brother always wanted children, but she never dared ask his girlfriend if she felt the same. No matter what Keyleth’s feelings are towards having kids, Vex can only imagine how hard it must be for Keyleth to get that choice taken away from her before she could figure it out. “I wasn’t expecting you,” She adds, giving her sister a side hug. 

“I’m sorry to come unannounced,” Keyleth apologizes. Vex’ahlia realizes the maid used her informal title, and taking a second look at her former companion of adventures, Vex notices the woman is not wearing her traditional diplomatic Voice of the Tempest garbs, but a plain white, cotton shirt under a leather corset and a green skirt. The only things that would reveal to the world that Keyleth is more than a regular mid-twenty-year-old woman (sweet Pelor, Keyleth still looks the same as when they met almost a decade ago) are the high pair of antlers atop her head from her circlet, the crooked staff (still forgotten on the floor), and the mantlet of autumnal leaves across her shoulders (the shortest, most practical form of Keyleth’s large Mantle of the Tempest).

Continue reading on AO3.

[chronurgy]

Vesper and Wyll

It's sad, really. The two of them end up in such a different place than the one they started in. It had started so well, with Vesper convincing Wyll not to kill Karlach. And he loves them for it.

From Vesper's point of view, they're close at first. They're friendly and get along well. But slowly that starts to change. Wyll is, after all, a slayer of monsters, and once Vesper murders Alfira (and succeeds in hiding that), once they start to realize that they are something aberrant, something has to give between them. Vesper comes to know what they are and they know Wyll would not suffer a monster such as them to live and terrorize the innocent populace. By the middle of act two, they are fully aware that should he ever come to understand just how dangerous and unrepentant they truly are, he would feel compelled to stand against them.

Wyll, in the other hand, thinks of them as friends for much longer than Vesper, though by the middle of act three the dissonance has started to build (and will eventually break). He is very fond of them - they get along well and they stopped him form making what he thinks might have been one of the worst mistakes of his life (killing karlach, an innocent). And because of this (and because he so badly wants to see the best in them for it) he misreads them. He sees them help the tiefling refugees and thinks they do it because it's right and just, not because it's what they want to do (tieflings were nice to them, goblins weren't). He sees them research ketheric and dig up all this history on him and reads that as empathy, not their obsessive curiosity. He is able to write off other, smaller incidents (with the goblins at moonrise, with their enemies in battle) as poor in the moment reactions. He is even able to explain away the alliance with Gortash - it's for the good of the city, to give them the best chance of successfully controlling the brain, like they said (this is where he is mentally and emotionally in the fic Would You Give the Devil This Dance?). He's struggling with his homecoming, with his fear for his father, and with his understanding of Vesper, the person he calls both leader and friend.

And then it breaks.

It's the steel watch foundry that does it. It's one of the last things they do, after they rescue his father, after Vesper defies bhaal. They should be all better now, he thinks. They're free of Bhaal, after all. It's as they battle their way through the foundry that he starts to understand that they're not. Wyll is horrified by what he sees there. It's disgusting, it's immoral, it's horrible beyond belief. But Vesper is fascinated by it, more intrigued by what was accomplished than revolted by what it took (and though he doesn't know it, intrigued by the notes and diagrams written in a hard they recognize as their own). It's once they reach the neurociter and Vesper declares it beautiful instead of terrible, then has them leave the foundry without destroying it that Wyll can no longer deny what they truly are. Not when there is no one to blame for this but themself. It is then he knows for sure that once the elder brain is dealt with they will no longer be companions.

In the end, with Gortash dead and the brain destroyed, their parting is awkward and swift. Wyll chooses to go to Avernus with karlach and sees little of Vesper after that. Toward them he feels something between disgust and a duty to watch them for an evidence of wrongdoing.

[circuseyesofgod-if]

Im very intrigued by the turned-siren companion. I have a couple of questions about it, more specifically on communication! Hopefully not all of them are spoilery ahshajs

Assuming Vesper understands speech, can it hear and understand more or less clearly when someones talking to it outside of its containment? Is it generally responsive to talking to it or would it just ignore the attempts?

Does it know any sign language? Would it be possible to teach it one if not (and if it wants to)? Not necessarily in the scope of the game, but as a possibility in general.

How expressive is Vesper? Like facial expression, body language, eye movement etc.

Vesper does hear and (mostly) understands when someone is talking to it. the way it responds and understands things is pretty messed up due to the "failed experiment" aspect of its character. like i said in another ask, Vesper is very hot and cold, so you'll never know if it'll actually be responsive! inside it are two wolves : the messed up siren experiment, and whatever it was before that.

it doesn't know any sign language, and even if it would be taught to Vesper, its hands wouldn't allow it to make the correct motions. maybe just very basic and simple things to sign! otherwise, its fingers don't really allow for more.

Vesper can be expressive, explosively so when not in the right state of mind. it has retained some expressions from before the "experiment", like moving eyes quickly when nervous or widening eyes when surprised. and when it ignores or doesn't understand someone, Vesper's eyes completely gloss over. i'd say its eyes are the most expressive part of it!

[vespers-pkmn-rescue]

Vesper's Online Guide to Pokemon Care: Sandshrew

Alright, I said I would cover it, so I think it's about time. Since we've been taking care of one lately, here's some tips for properly caring for Sandshrew, one of the cutest little ground types I have the pleasure of working with! Sandshrew Sandshrew are adorable little Pokemon who can be loyal and fierce companions if cared for properly. But, they can also be kind of tricky to care for, especially if you’re not used to caring for Ground-types.

Sandshrew have tough, dry hides that help protect their softer white underbellies, and can curl up into a ball to protect themselves from attackers, or from great heights. It makes them bounce! Like a basketball! However, these hides can become wrinkly if exposed to too much water, and like most Ground-types, Sandshrew are used to dry, arid climates. Don’t let your Sandshrew get too wet, and keep an eye out for cold, humid nights. Whatever you do, if your Sandshrew gets dirty, don’t try to bathe it in water. Not only is it bad for their hides, but Sandshrews really don’t like water. Instead, give your Sandshrew a sand bath! They’ll roll around in the stuff, which will help collect and remove the dirt and moisture from their hides. If they get too wet, make sure to have a reliable, hot source of warmth nearby for them to dry themselves out. Wild Sandshrew use the geothermal heat from volcanoes, but a space heater, fireplace, or a hot enough Fire-type Pokemon should suffice just fine. Keep in mind that when threatened, Sandshrew may throw sand and dirt at its attackers. Be prepared to have to clean up every now and then if your Sandshrew gets fussy. Keep a broom at close hand. Remember also that Sandshrew are small pokemon that can be kind of defensive, so try not to spook them if you don't want sand thrown at you. Just be patient and gentle with them! When they sleep, Sandshrew usually burrow into the desert sands. If you keep your Sandshrew outside of its Pokeball during resting periods, make sure to have a pretty large sand pit or something for them to burrow in. It helps them feel safe, secure, and comfortable, as well as keeping them dry. Lots of Ground types in general burrow, so you want to have a deep enough source of dirt or sand for them to engage in those natural behaviors. There's a possibility they may try to tuck away into your shirts or jackets if they trust you enough (just ask @dustytodusty-pkmn ) . If they do try to burrow into your clothes or blankets while you're asleep, your Sandshrew really trusts you, and you can bond with your Sandshrew by allowing them to do so. Also, make sure to take good care of your Sandshrew's claws. They're extremely durable, and usually used for removing rocks, but they're not indestructible. Keep an eye on their claws, and make sure to have something they can scratch to keep their claws sharp and pristine. If it starts scratching up your furniture, its claws likely aren't getting the proper care they need. Their primary diet is bugs and berries, and they tend to especially like it when the berries have been cut up into smaller pieces (Sandslash often use their claws to slash up berries or cut berries from trees for Sandshrew in the wild). Generally speaking, you may not want to raise Bug-Type pokemon alongside Sandshrew unless your Sandshrew is especially well-trained. If your Sandshrew digs a nest in your yard, it's best to just leave it. Sandshrew in the wild spend much of their lives underground in burrows and nests, and having a place to hide away underground is often a comfort for them. if you don't want them digging in your yard, provide them a deep sand pit to dig and clean off in. Sandshrew are ambush predators, so it's highly likely your Sandshrew may leap out at you from its burrow or another hiding space unexpectedly. They may also do this if they feel their burrow is threatened, so tread with caution when walking around it! When properly cared for, Sandshrew are extremely loyal and caring, and bond easily with their trainer. They can be playful and even cuddly, as long as you take proper care of them!

[salemelas]

OC Masterpost

hihi! having to redo this because my previous one got borked, and posting it publicly so that i can link it easier without redirect issues (^^ゞ y'know how tumblr is, etc etc.

warning: this post is very long and has multiple images! (and speaking of those images, this site was used to create the tokens seen below.)

◈ Elder Scrolls

Rildras Moon-and-Star

Male, he/him

Dunmer

The Nerevarine and Nerevar reborn

Father of Vedyra, grandfather of Vedathyr, son of Nedrala and Azura

Former lover of Dagoth Ur

May be a demiprince, but hates the daedra (and admittedly also the aedra) with all his heart

Sword warrior and destruction caster

Retired to a life of being a mushroom farmer after raising his daughter to adulthood

#oc moon and star (tag is attached to post)

Dagoth Vedyra

Female, she/her

Dunmer

Scion of House Dagoth and Founder of the House Dagoth Reforged

Daughter of Rildras and Dagoth Ur, mother of Vedathyr and Strides-Through-Ashes, granddaughter of Nedrala and Azura

Arcanist

Scholar with a focus on the dwemer, especially their disappearance

#oc vedyra (tag is attached to post)

Dagoth Vedathyr

Male, he/him

Dunmer

Heir to House Dagoth

The Last Dragonborn

Member (not the leader!) of the Companions, werewolf

Dual-handed warrior

Son of Vedyra, grandson of Rildras and Dagoth ur, great-grandson of Nedrala and Azura

Mercenary much to his pleasure, legendary figure of history much to his displeasure

#oc vedathyr (tag is attached to post)

Nedrala

Female, she/her

Dunmer

Ashlander exile from the Urshilaku Tribe

Former consort and chosen of Azura

Potter by trade

Mother of Rildras, grandmother of Vedyra, great-grandmother of Vedathyr

No tag yet

Strides-Through-Ashes | Dagoth Nehota

Female

Argonian, she/her

Found by Vedyra as an abandoned egg

Shadowscale aspirant, assassin

Adopted daughter of Vedyra, biological parents unknown

Member of House Dagoth

No tag yet

Dagoth Tsabi

Female, she/her

Khajiit

Found by one of Vedyra's scouts as the sole survivor of an ambushed khajiiti caravan

Vedyra's apprentice for dwemer studies

Illusion and restoration caster

Scholar with a focus on dwemer technology

No tag yet

Dagoth Nenyael

Female, she/her

Altmer

Joined House Dagoth after being abandoned as a teenager by her family in Morrowind following a tryst with a dunmer boy that resulted in a pregnancy

Mother of a yet-to-be-named son

Vedyra's apprentice for arcane studies

Arcanist

Scholar with a focus on Apocrypha and Hermaeus Mora

No tag yet

Dagoth Dralyn

Male, he/him

Dunmer

Was once a of House Redoran, but was exiled for sympathizing with Vedyra's desire to rebuild House Dagoth; was subsequently welcomed into the House Dagoth Reforged with open arms

Restoration caster

Dabbles in a little bit of every trade that he can get his hands on

No tag yet

Lyrius | Wades-Through-Deep-Waters

Male, he/him

Altmer

Hero of Kvatch

Listener of the Dark Brotherhood

Was adopted by two argonian fishermen after his parents died in a shipwreck off the coast of the Black Marsh

Has worshiped Sithis since he was very young, as that his adopted parents worshiped Sithis

Dual dagger fighter

Accidental daedric prince

Lover of Lucien Lachance

#oc lyrius (tag is attached to post)

Kanbael

Male, he/him

Dunmer

Vestige

Champion of Vivec

Nightblade, dual-hand wielder nonetheless

Devout believer in the Tribunal

Part of the Thieves Guild

No tag yet

◈ Dungeons & Dragons

Vesper Dysgeyma

Nonbinary, they/he

Tiefling (Mammon)

Demigod of Umbra, god of the dead and dusk

College of Spirits bard

Lawful neutral

Joined the party to help them kill a despot king seeking immortality, stayed for the food

#oc vesper (tag is attached to post)

◈ Dragon Age

Talasan Mahariel

Male, he/him

Dalish elf

Hero of Ferelden (main)

Lover of Zevran

Father of Kieran and the glorious Barkspawn

Two handed weapon warrior

Brokered for peace between the Dalish and the werewolves

Sided with the mages

Sided with Prince Bhelen and Paradon Caridin

Saved Connor with the Circle of Magi's help

#oc talasan mahariel (tag is attached to post)

Andromache Surana

Female, she/her

Circle elf

Hero of Ferelden

Lover of Leliana

Spirit healer and blood mage

Brokered for peace between the Dalish and the werewolves

Sided with the mages

Sided with Prince Bhelen and Paragon Caridin

Sacrificed Isolde to save Connor

#oc andromache surana (tag is attached to post)

◈ Baldur's Gate 3

Vharis Zhendiae

Male, he/him

Drow

Dark Urge

Paladin of Vengeance

Lover of Astarion

Rejected the Urge

Twin brother of Luminara (my boyfriend's Dark Urge, who is not listed here for the reason of not being my OC)

#oc vharis zhendiae (tag is attached to post)

Red

Nonbinary, they/them

High elf

Dark Urge

Assassin rogue

Lover of Karlach

Rejected the Urge

No tag yet

Not yet added:

Dragon Age: Garrett Hawke; Inquisitor Athevera Lavellan; Inquisitor Ilrian Lavellan, Rook

Mass Effect: Ariane Shepard

Baldur's Gate 3: Azran, Serene

[eldritch-spouse]

Pinnie, we know that Vorticia cannot be trusted with small animals, but what about the other Icons? Would the ones our pets not be safe with let us find someone to take care of our pets?

I'm guessing Kalymir is probably in the "not safe for pets" category while Zizz and Rinx are "safe." Vesper could be safe too. Idk if my cats would be up to Cero's standards, and Livius might get upset if they don't like him as much as they like me...

TW: Passing mentions of animal cruelty.

Generally speaking, surface animals do not like demons. It's a lot more likely that your animals will simply not want contact with the demonlords, or become scared shitless of them, as any living creature with two brain cells ought to be. Warming up to them will likely take a lot of time and patience, which most of them aren't willing to put in.

Kalymir isn't safe. Not because he desires to hurt animals- He doesn't really. He's got pets of his own back in the fortress. But purely because animals in the surface are so weak. A playful tussle like he has with his fire lizards back home would kill whatever pooch you have. He can't even pat the thing without it whimpering at him. It's frustrating.

Livius isn't safe only because of his crushing jealousy. He's not above killing your pets because you give them more time and affection than you do him. And he's entirely sociopathic about it too. Unapologetic. Sure, he can feign regret, but he certainly doesn't feel it.

Vorticia is definitely not safe, as you know.

Zizz is a little safer, in the sense that he does like animals well enough, but he's not good at taking care of their needs. He will also just possibly fall asleep and potentially crush them accidentally. The pet is not allowed in the bedroom, where all his plushies and pillows are. If one of them got ruined, he would want the animal out immediately.

Rinx is another one that's not good at taking care of animals in general, not just on the basic needs part, he's also always bumbling around too much to actually bond with them. It would end up being the imps' pet. He does like small rare breeds however.

Vesper isn't too keen on the idea of having animals around his dwellings, where people are constantly having sex. Lust is the ring where you will see the least amount of animals in the entirety of Hell. He has no pets and honestly doesn't feel a desire to bond with yours. He's "safe" in the sense that he ignores it mostly.

Cero is also one of the safer ones. He'll quickly tell you he thinks you have bland tastes in domesticated companions, but he can eventually warm up to them, after they're well-groomed and treated to real food. He'd do well with a lap cat.