#dalish appreciation week

[bunabi]

I finished Veilguard btw so here's my long thoughts (be warned I've been writing notes during my entire playthrough so this is very long) for folks who want it:

My favorite parts of DAV:

Best level design in any DA so far. The platforming grew on me, and I think the levels were well-thought out and mostly fun to navigate. Arlathan Forest was exhausting but other areas felt nicely balanced with branching paths, hidden rooms, etc. Exploration in smaller contained maps done right imo.

Mage combat is really satisfying at higher levels. Pure ranged combat is totally impossible unless you have Davrin and Taash popping taunts back to back, but dropping a massive AOE while fighting close-range feels good too.

Being able to auto-equip and compare new gear is great.

Same with the codex entries. Not having to hunt down whatever note I just picked up is a huge improvement.

Upgrading equipment via duplicates incentivized treasure chest hunting, which I would have otherwise skipped lol. It really helped me slow down and take time exploring areas, and I appreciated that.

The final act didn't make the previous 70+ hours feel better, my fault for spoiling most of it for myself, but it was neat. Cool set pieces, cool fights. I was worried Elgar'nan was gonna have the same moveset as the Regrets, but his final battle was great.

Oh, I forgot Felassan! His notes were a tragic delight. Such a good man. Funny too. They didn't need to kill Varric to make Solas less sympathetic...I think Felassan's betrayal(s) serve that purpose well already.

Rook & Their Faction:

Without rehashing what I've said over the past few weeks: this is my least favorite protagonist.

Being a funny and sarcastic and irreverent hero in a DA game is not new. Not having a choice in the matter is. The Inquisitor was pretty fixed in their tone too (cant even choose a personality for them in CC) but even they had better aggressive options available.

Folks say not to judge Rook's depth by a Lord of Fortune playthrough but since factions are asymmetrical on purpose here are my impressions:

The Lords of Fortune didn't contribute to my run in any meaningful way other than getting Emmrich hot which is not unique, as it turns out, to any particular background. In fact, learning Natalene was a galley slave as an aside detracted from my experience. Being a former galley slave, former Circle mage (again: Rivain doesn't have Circles), semi-Dalish city elf with DIY vallaslin is unreal. Especially as characters continuously imply Rook is a young 20-something. The fact this wasn't immediately caught and course-corrected shows -- to me -- how hectic and spread-thin DAV's development really was. :(

Story & Antagonists:

Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain have cackling witch disease. No motivations outside of power. That was a little disappointing. Was also hoping they'd at least comment on Rook/Davrin/Bellara's vallaslin but they're too busy plotting world domination to really notice. Love their designs though. I'd love to hear a deep dive on how they animated Ghil's tentacles.

Veilguard feels like an immediate follow-up to Trespasser, not the ten year timeskip it says it is. I wonder if that's a symptom of adapting the live service story (content that was likely meant to stretch, similar to Anthem and Destiny, over a decade) for single-player.

I miss the politically-motivated meddling. Every villain is allied with the Evanuris. We needed some that aren't. The Right and Left Hand of the Black Divine, corrupt brothers of the Imperial Chantry, the agents of the Archon, a Minrathous street gang, some Rivaini pirates, anything, anyone.

It's crazy how all elven resistance seemed to evaporate with the dissolution of the Dread Wolf Army. As much as I'd hate seeing them duped and betrayed by Solas…I prefer that to just pretending everything's fine now. I could easily see alienage elves and slaves take Cyrian's path, desperate for change no matter the source, especially since oppression is all they've known and there's no end to it in sight. Especially with their gods confirmed as the source of the blight. All downhill from here I fear.

The Butcher. Would. That voice and that frame....it purred I fear. But even he was not immune to cackling witch disease. Wish he stuck around longer for personal reasons. My South is under siege and I aint talking about Ferelden.

Combat:

I found myself switching builds a lot, which was nice and kept things fresh. That being said: DAV needed loadouts for skills and equipment and a menu showing active passive skills + enchantments. A QOL update for this stuff would have been amazing. I want to try an archer run, but I dread (🐺) fussing with skill tree nodes again.

After fighting Mythal (my first full dragon fight) I was disappointed how all dragons share her same attack patterns. They didn't have to reinvent the wheel or anything -- this was the case with dragon battles in DAI and I thought it was fine -- but Mythal of all enemies should have been unique.

High-level demons are limited to Rage and Pride. High-level darkspawn are limited to Ogres. I miss those little scrungly lookin' despair demons and nasty ass hurlock emissaries. After 60 hours I did get a little tired of the same handful of mobs over and over.

Companions & NPCs:

The Veilguardians feel like my kids. Except Emmrich who's absolutely convinced he's in an age-gap relationship with my older lady Rook. It's not that they're uniquely dependent or rudderless, it's that their struggles are solved with nurturing pep talks. Reaffirm their worth, give them a hug, and all that inner turmoil is cancelled. Rich coming from the 'I should have been able to influence my companions more in DAI' girl, but Rook's impact on the Veilguard, the way their doubts vanish completely via some life coaching, feels off.

Speculation: I think the companions were originally planned to be NPCs. Their written banter in some of the notes, their verbal banter throughout the Lighthouse, they feel like they're meant to stay in the hub and act as quest-givers in the live service game. Especially with how Rook is excluded. That's fine btw it just helps explains some things. (Just remembered something else: when you talk to quest NPCs out in the world and the camera focuses in on the conversation, you can't see your companions. They chime in with disembodied voices, always hidden out of frame. That also gives me the feeling they were added later. Not confirmed btw just my hunch!)

Torn about Taash. I love them for breaking the 'agreeable companion' monotony but hate the ~animalistic race~ tropes they were saddled with. I've had issues with Weekes' handling of race and culture in the past. I'm disappointed to see it continue a decade later. I'll leave it there. Sten cannot smell ovulating coochie!

I tried to kill Lucanis during the final assault. Had full faction strength but I didn't complete his personal quest. It didn't work. Sorry Zevran!

Shathann's VA was acting her ass off. Great performance. Absolute bars from Taash's VA during their scenes too.

I dreaded (🐺) opening the Lighthouse map to see who wanted to talk. I usually love chopping it up and getting to know my party; that's my favorite part of any DA game. But so many conversations were just spent restating the obvious (Bellara is worried about The Gods and her brother, Harding is worried about her powers and Solas, Davrin is worried about the griffons and Gloom Howler, you know like in case you forgot). Running person-to-person-to-person and feeling no sense of accomplishment or progress for it seriously drained me.

The Inquisitor… I assumed vowing to stop Solas would block my Lavellan from pining and questioning herself after a decade apart and two very clear rejections. She kept asking whether he could still be reasoned with even in the midst of the final operation. I'm disappointed how little that choice mattered in the end. The second-hand embarrassment was crazyyy.

Romance:

Now this part is a little unique. Sorry for what I'm about to say about Emmrich. If it helps: I found him the most fun of all the companions. He's handsome, thoughtful, and has a fascinating past. But I ended up being dissatisfied by the end, and not just because of being soft-locked into a May-December fling, cringe commentary from Rook, and feeling like I was straight-up harassing Emmrich in early flirting dialogue.

The main issue: I don't care for the Mourn Watch. I like the Mourn Watch characters, but the organization makes me crazy. We hear so little about how they function in the context of an Andrastian nation like Nevarra. Summoning the dead in a world that still believes souls join the Maker's side in the Fade is huge. I wanted to really dig into discussions on the afterlife but in the end I'm supposed to go 'waow cool skeletons' and forget that religion is such an important facet of Thedas. I was so bummed!

I made him a Lich because he didn't seem to care either way. Reuniting him with Manfred is morally good, turning him into an eternal protector of the Necropolis is morally good. Emmrich is happy with whatever, so I gave him whatever, and I said 'whatever' when it was all over. My god is that man cute, but the romance overall just didn't do it for me.

Should've known when I saw his rotunda lol Bioware you sly dogs you got me again!

Personal final thoughts:

Well? I don't think I'm sad anymore, but I am left with complicated feelings. Obviously things are a little different for me being an EA Partner and getting an idea of just how much work has gone into making the game exist period. And I think because I can't blame it all on one person, shit all over it, and move on that these feelings are just kinda churning with nowhere to go.

Things could have been handled better. Didn't like the attempt to hide the world states until launch, or the dismissive comments from writers about it. Didn't like the AMA answers. And this isn't really my business but I'll say it anyway: I feel like the community council was thrown to the wolves, having to base their DA4 impressions around the sliver of content they were allowed to see, and having a much more hands-off role than implied.

I hope DAV is taken as an opportunity to refocus, double-down on what makes Dragon Age so beloved, and lean into those strengths unapologetically. Easier said than done -- as much as I loved Swen's speech about creating games free of marketing expectations and mimicking the latest trends that's often times impossible -- but I want to believe it can be done in this case.

Anyway both Sabine & my antibiotics are complete and I'm overcoming my moodiness and getting back to work on commissions! I've cured the Blight in more ways than one! 😄

[cityelfweek]

City Elf Appreciation Week

~ 5th of August - 11th of August ~

Here are some optional prompts for next week! Please feel free to do whatever you like with them. Remember to tag @cityelfweek or use the tag #cityelfweek24!

Day 1 - Vhenadahl

- A pillar of many alienage communities. Firewood in others.

Day 2 - Folklore and History

- Show the folklore that city elves have created over time. Superstitions, stories, heroes, villains... anything!

Day 3 - Community

- Close-knit family, or claustrophobic little box?

Day 4 - Customs and Traditions

- Andrastian? Dalish? Somewhere in between, or something all new?

Day 5 - Alienage

- The only home many city elves ever know.

Day 6 - OC

- A day to celebrate original city elf characters!

Day 7 - Free Day

- All things city elf!

[original post][divider credit]

[senseandaccountability]

What's your verdict of Dragon Age the Veilguard now two months down the road? How do you think fandom has reacted to it, compared to the other new titles that you can remember (I know you're a long-time fan)?

(Two months + a fair amount of weeks at this point, sorry for the delay, anon.) This is going to be salty, I’m afraid and a bit like beating on a dead horse but you did ask, thank you for that and sorry about being whiny.

My first impression was that it’s a 6/10 game. I think now upon replaying it two times, the score is even lower. It’s a very mid game that’s also clearly a salvaged product from a long and erratic production cycle. It has some good lore, some good writing, but it’s hidden almost entirely in optional side quests, subtext and the tiny margins of the text. 

Overall its way too much of a high stakes/low tension kind of game for me. It’s fun and it never truly grabs me except for the bits that are about previous characters. I don’t care about Rook. I like them well enough for a protag, I can fill them with headcanon to make them real but I would easily sacrifice them at the end without a second thought. There’s no pull, no tension, nothing to hold on to. I've tried to write fic about Rook but I just don't know anything about this person apart from the fact that they're very young and likes to say the word team a lot. Maybe Rook works in HR.

For all its high stakes, the game also repeatedly fails to show me these stakes. It keeps telling me how important it is, how busy we are and during the Siege of Weisshaupt and Blood of Arlathan, I really do feel it, momentarily. Those quests have weight to them, and they are tied in with the overall narrative of the series. We know the wardens, we know the Dalish. They matter. 

“Sometimes it takes the wrong sort to put it right,” the game says and doesn’t even dare to show me a single shred of moral ambiguity in Rook. Call me annoying but I don’t necessarily want to feel like a hero. I don’t need to feel morally righteous about my player character. I want the narrative to be complex and challenge me and hold compassion for the world it’s telling me about, dare me to change my mind about its characters and their various plights. What if the hero is wrong? What if the world is too complex to be reduced to simple choices? What if the trusted mentor lies and the liar tells the truth? What then? Somewhere in the far distance DAV wants to offer some complexity but hey we have EVIL ANCIENT GODS TO FIGHT YO! I actually hate the tone. I said early on that it’s one of my main gripes and I stand by it.  It’s chipper and full of HR-department tidiness and in general it just doesn’t move me because it’s just telling, not showing me the emotions. THIS IS THE EMOTION CALLED DOUBT, the game screams in my face. LET'S HAVE A TALK WITH THE TEAM TO PUT IT RIGHT. Immediately after finishing DAV, I went and played Disco Elysium and the contrast was quite honestly heartbreaking. Because the tone in that funny, sarcastic and over the top writing? It’s compassionate. It wants to be truthful about what it’s like to be a human living in a broken, inhuman world. It cares. Veilguard more often feels like an action movie revenge plot where you get to punch some EVIL ANCIENT GODS in the face because they want to drown the world in demons, man, let’s just leave it at that lol omg you can even PUNCH Solas lol whatever thanks bye.  

I also just find the text flat. It doesn’t have the transtextuality I’ve come to appreciate in the other DA games, it doesn’t play much with differences in dialogue for the different characters - like making one stand out as being anachronistic or having a different way of expressing themselves or being very unlike the others in some fundamental ways, it doesn't challenge and/or characterize through banter in the way the other DA games have done and it doesn’t give us companions that seek meaningful conflict or are difficult to understand. Veilguard is the only DA game where I haven’t felt any kind of strong emotional reaction while interacting with the companions, and while you could argue that this is a good thing because teamwork and professionalism or whatever, I’d say that for a text, this is a factor that makes it flat. No great piece of writing has only likable characters capable of self-reflection because no actual human being is only likable or not likable to everyone and by god are actual humans not always capable of self-reflection. In fact, some humans shy away from it for entire lifetimes.

The story of DAV is consistent in its themes, yes. It’s just that it’s also without nuance and - again - without stakes. The companion quests raise big moral dilemmas but the answers are so bland they might as well just be ignored. The outcome changes nothing, doesn’t affect the characters. There’s no price to be paid for becoming first talon, no punishment for being a lich, it’s just another wardrobe choice. Should I wear blue or black, perhaps become an immortal creature? No matter darling, you are always adorable. I think most of all the state of the game is a testament of a really fucking tragic industry that doesn’t care enough about storytelling and authenticity or its workers. I think it’s clear that the writers were trying very hard but I also think it’s clear that it wasn't the narrative the powers that be decided to focus on.  The DA fandom at large, quite frankly, has always just made me exhausted and miserable. I think a lot of the criticisms of DAV have been unhinged. I think a lot of the defences of the game have been so deranged that it makes me wheeze as I read them out loud to my husband. I’ve seen plenty of people dragging up some 17 year old noob’s post from the depths of reddit just to do some edgy take about how stupid people are for disliking the game and it’s just been so many bad faith takes. Overall, I’m truly sorry to say, I have no desire to play this game anymore nor do I feel very tempted to play the other DA games. I’m happy to see that my mutuals are having fun - I wish I felt anything stronger than oh well about the new characters, but I don’t. Maybe I will not be this actively bored in the future and pick it up again, but for now, no. I'll try to finish my fanfic and then probably be done for good with this fandom.

[mythalism]

i think, anecdotally, canadians love to use land acknowledgments and Diversity(tm) a bit more than americans do, and have a degree of always pointing at the us and being like "well at least WE didn't do anything that fucked up! we're so much more enlightened and respectful 😌". and so any acknowledgment that racism exists, or that necessary societal change is often only brought by unpleasant disruption, or specifically that indigenous people live in terrible conditions because of colonization, is bracketed with this type of "but it's very complicated, and who's to say if there's a solution? we're thinking about it really hard, and holding space, and listening and learning, and maybe we will get to fixing it in like 50 years if people ask nicely" rhetoric. and there's a degree of apprehension that "land back" is a call for ethnic cleansing of settlers (somehow, despite this being both physically not possible and not actually anyone's demand) and that any movement towards that will be bad and overly radical.

which maps directly onto how bioware writes elves specifically haha. they'll sympathetically show how they're oppressed and living under the boot of a catholic church-esque entity, but then... ahhh noo, actually they had a very problematic pre-colonization culture, and they're too impractically fixated on the past and that prevents them from moving forward, and the church employees are sometimes trying their best and making amends, and the demands of the elven leadership are just too out there and violent... so really, it's very complicated. maybe it could be better to keep the status quo and only have Incremental Change, forever.

(they sort of didn't do this in the masked empire, but as always they had to throw in a bit about how Rude And Mean the dalish are. plus the ridiculously evil chevalier lore of each one randomly executing a few elves as a rite of passage, and then never mentioning that aspect again bc i guess it wasn't relevant to michel's story. as well as the insanely underwritten premise of what briala and celene's relationship actually was. there's ~toxic lesbians~, and then there's "extremely rich and powerful white noblewoman calls her younger servant class gf ugly for being dark skinned, lies to her for years, has her family and then entire community killed, then tries to seduce her back when she gets angry and leaves" lmao. i think weekes was going for a tragic morally grey starcrossed lovers to enemies vibe, but to me it was more of a horrific one-sided exploitation that the author did not seem to realize they were writing.)

and in veilguard i suppose they tried to avoid the entire issue by mostly removing those aspects of the setting, so you no longer even have the somewhat well-observed depictions of oppression combined with Justin Trudeau Moments, it's just kind of empty.

anyway thank you for appreciating my very long ted talk! i left tumblr after the whole "popular bloggers mass reporting pro-palestine people for terrorism" thing (i can get that treatment for free irl, don't need that extra stress from the Fandom Webbed Site haha). i've just been drifting back to look at dragon age posts bc i was curious about veilguard. i didn't expect much from bioware but it was surprising that they just went even further into tone-deaf bizarre race allegories rather than reading 1 (one) nonfiction book in the years since dai, or hiring anybody from a different background who could weigh in. :')

wow this is seriously so fascinating and insightful and truly does give me a better understanding of both canada and bioware LMFAO so thank you so much for sharing seriously. you are welcome in my inbox for more ted talks anytime and now im just gonna leave this here to marinate on it further and hope other people read it because its fantastic. xoxo

[brekkie-e]

Okay, so the more I sit with it- the more I can see the appeal of the Solavellan "happy ending." The mythological implications. The opportunity for both of them to be free of the pain that their title has caused them. Solas gets to return to the Fade in the only scenario that means he can find meaning and happiness there like he once had.

There is more going for it than I think a lot of people saw at first glance. Myself included.

The thing that still holds me back on it, though, is it feels like it works best for a Lavellan who's clan is dead and presumably removed her Vallaslin. That character is the candidate for this to be her perfect ending. She gains something from this. Where going into this scene- she has no family left and no home to speak of- she leaves with a metaphorical husband and the promise that the Fade will be their domain forever. There's some work that has to go into it first, but the two of them will make a home there.

Lavellan's who have a clan, though? Who chose to keep their Vallaslin out of love for their family/culture? They abandon their family for him. They could have been the First, and they abandon that role as well. He doesn’t even read like he wants her to reach out to him in that moment, and she throws all of it away without receiving a scrap from him.

The whole thing feels like yet another blow to me. It feels like your character is constantly being asked to sacrifice the part of herself that loves her people for Solas. Which is even more frustrating because he gives none of himself to her in return for her sacrifices. There are reasons for that, yes. I have read Weekes' explanations for why Lavellan needs to reach out to him, and I get it. I get the bigger mythological symbolism, and I appreciate it. However, just looking at it in the context of these two characters. In the context of this series as a whole- it gets under my skin a little.

Clan Lavellan is the third clan you can see whiped out in the series. It's not even acknowledged in the game. The fact that the narrative wants so badly for you to reject your characters Dalish heritage, and rewards you the most if you do so is just really disappointing. This game in some ways tries to do better than its previous counterparts with its baked in save the Dalish quest. But the whole thing is messy. There's so much to unpack with how they are still handling the elves in this game.

The thing is "ideal" routes are not new to Dragon Age, or Bioware at large for that matter. So I'm not exactly surprised that this is coming up. I am just a little disappointed that there isn't more in the story to engage with that minimizes some of the "delulu girl throws her life away for the quintessential 'if he wanted to he would (derogatory)' guy while her friends and family look on in horror" energy that it has. Because I think that comes in mostly from execution more than anything. And there are certain play throughs where it looks worse than others. "Certain" being mine and I don't like it 🤣.

[dragonagefanevents]

Dragon Age Fan Event Listings

The beauty of fan events is that they are run by fans.

Including you.

▸What are the types of fan events? - #education

▸Start a new event! - #how tos (volunteer to write for us!)

▸Ask Box - send us advice, or ask for it!

▸Blog Tag List

Below is a list of all Dragon Age fan-run events we can find. The links should bring you to the most recent iteration of the event. Where possible, the time period the event covers is listed next to the event.

Want to get an event listed? Check out the link and submit. Look here for multi-fandom events, or more events in general.

Event Masterlist - #compendium

Bangs

25k Big Bang (July - November)

10k Big Bang (March - April)

Dragon Age Reverse Bang

Exchanges

Arlathan Exchange (April - June)

DA Polyshipping (August - November)

Handers Exchange (March - May)

Templartations Exchange (March - May)

Black Emporium Rare Pair Exchange (June - September)

Platonic Ideal Gen Fic Exchange (December - February)

Smutquisition (January - March)

Theme Weeks/Months

Anders Week (Feb 3 - 9)

14 Days of Circle Mages (Feb)

DATV Companion Weeks (Multiple)

Kink Memes

Dragon Age Kink Meme (Dreamwidth) | DAO | DA2 | DAI

Zines

Dragon Age Flower Zine (Processing Period)

Wanderers Zine (Creation Period)

Dragon Age OC Zine (Mod Apps Open)

Alistair Zine (Creation Period)

Faith: A Leliana Fanzine (Interest Check)

Grave Gold: A Mortalitasi Zine (Interest Check)

Special Events

Dragon Age Drunk Writing Circle

Dragon Age Annual (2025 Digital Orders Open)

Dragon Age Create-A-Thon

Reddit Weekly Dragon Age Writing Prompts

Unofficial Dragon Age Day (Dec 4)

Solavellan Day (April 11)

Thedas Weekend Tag Games (Ongoing)

Past Events

Retired Bangs

DragonAgeBB (last: 2015; formerly on LJ and elsewhere)

Retired Exchanges

Demands of the Qun (Qunari)

A Paragon of Their Kind (DA Dwarves)

Solas Lovers

Hightown Funk (Varric/Hawke)

Retired Theme Weeks/Months

Autumn of Anders (Anders Appreciation Event)

Dalish Week

30 Days of Dorian (Dorian Appreciation Event)

Dragon Age Fan Week (2013)

City Elf Week (2024)

Cullen Appreciation Week (2019)

Cullen Week (2021)

14 Days of DA Lovers

Fenris Appreciation Month (2017)

Krem Week 2024

Leliana Week (2024)

Rylen Appreciation Week (2018)

Sera Appreciation Week (2019)

Sera Appreciation Week (2024)

Sub!Solas Week (2016)

Tranquil Week

Zevwarden Week

Past Zines

Adoribull Fairytales

Age of Romance Zine (Incomplete)

ApprovesGreatly (Incomplete)

Andoralis Zine

Arcana: A Dragon Age Zine

Arlathvhen Zine (Incomplete)

Beyond the Veil Zine (Zine)

Bring Down the Sky Bioware Fanzine

Dragon Age 2 10th Anniversary Zine (Zine)

Dragon Age Codex Zine & Myths and Legends Zine

Fortitudo Dorian Artbook

Good for Each Other (Adoribull Zine)

In Peace, Vigilance Zine

Insufficient Skill Fanzine

Legend Mark Zine

Lotus and Root OC Zine

Love Across Thedas Zine (Zine)

Na Via Lerno Victoria (Fenris Zine)

Patron of the Arts Zine

Rebel Hearts Handers Zine (Zine)

Road to the Imperium Zine

Solasmancy Zine

Sunlight (Anders Zine)

The Coming Storm Zine (Ukrainian Zine)

The Dragon Age Zine (Russian Zine)

The Keeper's Codex Fairy Tale Zine

The Unsung Dragon Age Zine

The Zevran Zine (incomplete)

Thedosian Archives (incomplete)

to be happy (FenHawke Zine)

Wicked Eyes: A Dragon Age Finery Zine

Year of the Mabari (Incomplete)

Other Past Events

Dragon Age Calendar 2018

Dragon Age Calendar 2021

For Fans by Fans - Fan Forge

[xaphii]

~ Negative DATV Rant Incoming (with swearing and spoilers) ~

The dichotomy of wanting to love Veilguard because of the crumbs it gives us but also wanting to bully a corporation (bioware and/or ea) into pulling a cyberpunk and releasing a 2.0 update fixing all the JARRINGLY massive issues (slave erasure, solas' cult or lack thereof, the act 1 dialogue, the DALISH, etc) is a very real and unpleasant feeling.

Especially cos the art book shows us that SOMEONE had the right idea.

And I love the lighthouse but it makes no fucking sense, should've put them on the boat. Better base, and it would make more sense to have all their fucking mates turning up all the time. "oh but their moving around to all the places in minutes wouldn't make any sense" IN DAI YOU TAKE A 2 WEEK RIDE TO CRESSWOOD TO HAVE YOUR BUTT GRABBED AND BE BROKEN UP WITH AND THEN YOU GO BACK ALL WITHIN 5 MINUTES WE CAN WITHHOLD OUR DISBELIEF

And Lucanis' romance? Like don't get me wrong I really like it, I have non of the problems others have been having but that gondola scene is everything and we were robbed.

And TF you mean I can't talk to my companions unless specifically prompted? Finished Lucanis' romance in my first playthrough as fast as I could and then couldn't speak to him for 5-10 business days.

And also no fail states? What? I want to see the consequences of my actions for ONCE bioware why would you take this from me.

And no character deaths? (And no health bars in combat but thats a whole other issue) No potential to kill your characters through choices in their personal quests? No real and meaningful consequences for circumstances in which many people could die? There are in fact consequences (not within personal quests which I would've liked but I concede) for your actions I withdraw this statement.

I would've loved companion quest fail saves.

What would Hezenkoss do if Emmrich failed? Show me a sketch of a romanced!Emmrich and Rook entombed together just as Hezenkoss promises in the fight. Show me a sketch of a mindless berserker Taash captured by the Antaam? Show me a full abomination Lucanis or Lucanis fully controlled by Zara? Show me Neve being pupetted by Aelia? I want to see the consequences of failing.

Also on the companions, the ONLY romance break off I've experienced so far is Lucanis if you don't pick Treviso like?? First off it's a kinda dumb reason, I sent at the very least 3 perfectly capable people with you why is it specifically my fault but also I get it can be difficult to resolve those feelings so I'm not totally against it but no one else? No consequences for picking certain dialogues in the Emmrich quest? I want to have picked a dialogue 5 hours ago and then find out that because i picked it emmrich goes lich mode no matter what, I want to have to go "oh ffs and reload 5 hours just to stop pookie giving up on his skeleton son, I want to have the option to break up with Emmrich post lich bit. I want to have prior diologues impact future choices? Like in that other game oh what was it called DRAGON AGE INQUISITION?! No break up from Harding if you're an elf? Or encouragement to go anger mode? I retract this too, companion quest lines do have early dialogues that have far reaching dialogue consequences but other than Neve and Lucanis you can't really lock yourself out of an ending choice even if you made specific decisions early on, I also somewhat dislike the purple circle popping up telling me "because you said x character is now y" but I appreciate it is useful for some players so maybe just an option to turn it off?

Anyway, sorry for rambling, I'm overall having a blast, but you can have a blast and also critique.

These thoughts may have flaws, this is just an off my chest ramble, if you disagree/think I'm wrong I encourage correction 🙂

[maabelasdaruth]

The more I consider my rewrite of knowing everything about Solas, the more poignant the lack of knowledge hits in the original romance. Especially as the only Dalish elf among humans. She's only ever known her clan, looking to Solas as her person, someone of her culture who even with his hang ups about the Dalish is the elven apostate who saved her left after the temple. He's so clever, and mirrors her own admiration. He's calling her Lethallan, a single familiar face among a sea of other, especially compared to Sera, a city elf whose introduction is the "too elfy" comment.

Flash forward to whenever her clan dies to humans (elf is the only background with multiple death conditions at multiple decision points as far as I remember) She has been the lone Dalish among humans for weeks or months but now she is alone. A spy who was suddenly made a representative for the Dalish of Clan Lavellan, but there is no more clan Lavellan. It's the prominency of HER NAME that brought the attention towards them. They are scattered and lost. She is alone, the Keeper is likely dead, and she was the first of clan Lavellan, she's who would be next in line as Keeper, but even if there were surviors, she cannot leave. In truth she lost that life the moment she became Herald. She is no Keeper. She is the Inquisitor. Her clan is scattered or slaughtered, and she is a worlds away.

So suddenly Solas, her vhenan, is the last thing she's able to cling to of her culture. The idea of her completely trusting and loving him. Giving all of herself to him with no idea he's the thing she's been warned about all her life. The power of secrets and the inequality of information and power in their dynamic is intoxicating. By building a character who has to do the same calculations Solas does in every word they speak, the dynamic changes. The original Lavellan is following the story beats, falling in love and having their heart broken and learning the truth behind their lovers actions only years later. Whereas, my spirit possessed Lavellan is falling in love with him because HE'S REAL NOW and that's intoxicating but, she's already obsessed with him before they met (full decade now). In a very real way, he is the thing binding her to the world. As much as I love so many of the other characters I am posting on a blog dedicated to Solas, quite literally titled my sorrow is eternal -> ma abelas dar uth, because I'm also a drama queen. So this new character rewrites so much of the original story dynamic which makes it an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT STORY in a very fun way that helps me appreciate the original more because like:

Lavellan now knows the events of inquisition and Veilguard when they go as a spy to the Temple of Sacred Ashes. So they're walking into their potential death with the intention to prevent the horror of what the Inquisitor could become. Especially because despite what Veilguard did in only having one world state, the decision of who became Divine changed that world profoundly. And the Inquisitor set the tone for that and mage/Templar freedom. It can't be anyone else because she/I am prideful enough to believe it should be me. But those big world reasons are equally important to meeting Solas as the person who he will feel the whole world change when you meet because that's what becoming the person who could be real to him costs. Also she's not sure if it's to change his mind or let him change hers. I'm not so decided that the veil should stay up, especially all it cost to keep in place in Veilguard. The elven condition across the world is so often suffering and the Dales the Dalish were named after tried to isolate from humans in order to regain their own immorality, why wouldn't she take that change. I understand the game needs you to be dedicated to order but I am a creature of chaos and dream. Let me make the dreams real and bring the magic back and let everything sing again like Sandal was on about back in Dragon age 2!

Also the Dalish teach that spirits want to destroy the world in their jealousy which is discussed in early Solas questionings and as much as Solas tried to protest that it's not true, that's exactly his plan just over grief and regret rather than jealousy. How fun would it be if spirit Lavellan would help with that! Two spirits destroying the current world in order to bring about the next, bound by Pride and Obsession/Desire. Even if I could fix him, wouldn't it be fun to be worse together! He wouldn't let you help him in Trespasser but that's original Lavellan whose world he's destroying, what if you clawed your way into the world with Titan and elf blood, placed yourself on the path to the title of Inquisitor and confronted him in Crestwood.

What would it look like for his failed confession to be interrupted by her/my own?!

"I can love all of you, Solas and Fen'Harel. Can you love me in my totality, as Lavellan and MYSELF?"

[sulky-valkyrie]

fenris/anders/nate: post-da2, nate is sent by the warden to find anders, and finally finds fenders. bonus points for unrequited emotions and belligerent (temporarily) unresolved sexual tension between all three of them.

Happy Friday, Vee! For @dadrunkwriting and a sequel to this.

Velanna and Sigrun had helped them out of the city through the cunning tactic of covering Anders with a cloak big enough for the Arishok and just walking through the gates.  Velanna glared haughtily at anyone who tried to question them and snapped, “Warden business,” and, shockingly, it worked.  The Templars were in shambles at best, and the guard had their hands full trying to organize putting out all the fires in the city, so stopping two obvious foreigners, even with one of the Champion’s known associates, was the least of their worries.

They camped just inside a cave, and Anders woke Fenris when the light of dawn was barely peeking through the entrance.  “We should go.”

Fenris glanced at Velanna, sitting ramrod straight and frowning.  “Where?”

“Away.”  He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.  “Just… away.”

“Aedan will –” Velanna started.

“No.”  Anders shook his head as the blue faded from his eyes.  “I – we appreciate it, but no.”

She shrugged sourly and watched them finish packing.  “He'll be pissed.”

“That's on him.”  Anders pulled his bag over his shoulder.  “Tell Sigrun I'm sorry.”

They set out.  Fenris kept a wary eye on the surroundings as they walked.  Whatever initiative Anders had displayed at camp faded away almost immediately once they were back on the road, and Anders seemed in a daze as soon as he'd picked a direction.  Whether it was because he was still surprised he’d lived through it, or because the loss of so many lives, however necessary, still pained him, Fenris couldn’t tell.  

A week passed, then two.  Every sundown, Fenris led him off the path as he hunted for a more secure spot to camp, and every dawn, Anders woke him with tea and hardtack, then they set off again.  If pressed, he’d make conversation, but otherwise, he simply walked, lost in thought, or regret, or both.  It was unnerving for Anders to be so quiet for so long, but he’d been a man of action and snap decisions most of his life; Fenris could shoulder that burden for the time being while he drifted.

It was sometime in the third week that the instincts of a life spent as a fugitive made the back of his neck tingle.  He suggested they take a short break, and, with a slight frown of confusion, Anders agreed.  As he stopped to pull out a waterskin, Fenris went down to the river's edge, then shimmied his way up a tree, careful not to rustle the branches.  Once he reached the top, he peered through the leaves, scanning the way behind them for anything out of the ordinary.

There.  A lone traveler.  Not particularly unordinary, really, unless one considered the way they moved.  Everything about their pace was purposeful, but cautious.  Fenris had seen it enough to know that this person was a hunter, and most likely hunting them.  He slid down the tree as quickly as he dared, then headed back to Anders.

"We're being followed."

"I know," Anders sighed.  "Wardens again.  Well, one Warden, at least."

Fenris pursed his lips in aggravation.  "How long have you known?"

“Two days.”

“Two days?” he asked in annoyance.  “When were you going to tell me?”

Anders shrugged dully.  

Fenris tried again.  Sigrun and Velanna hadn't meant them harm, but could the same be said if the rest?   “Should we wait?” 

“May as well; they’ll catch up regardless, and we’ll be less tired.”  Anders moved to the side of the path, waved a hand to cast a spell that reshaped the ground up into a large faintly chair-like lump, then sat down.  It had been a surprise the first time Fenris had seen him use Dalish magic, but now it was part of their new normal of trekking through the wilds of the Marches.  Merrill had always taken care of such things like leaching the water from the ground and smoothing it out or occasionally encouraging a tree to move a bit to the left.  She was better at it than Anders; he had yet to move a tree, and his dirt furniture was a bit lumpy, but it still made their campsites far more comfortable than they would be otherwise.  He pulled his sword off his back, settled in next to him, and wrapped an arm around his waist.    

The sun was low in the sky when a lone figure appeared through the patchy tree cover.  In the pink light of the sunset, the colors of his armor looked more red and purple than blue and grey, but he was unmistakably a Warden.  And one that Fenris had met before.  He squeezed Anders’ hand.  “It’s Nathaniel.”

“Shit.”  Anders’ voice was heavy.  “Of course it is.”

Fenris frowned.  Their last parting had been bittersweet, but amicable.  Hadn’t it?  “Did something happen?  Before he left last time?”  

He shook his head.  “Not a chance Vel or Siggy reported back that quickly.  So either Aedan knew I’d leave anyway or Nate’s deserted too.  Don’t know which is worse.  For him or us.”

“We shall have to find out.”

°°°☆☆☆°°°

Nathaniel joined them wordlessly a few hours later.  Anders seemed more at ease with him around, a fact that Fenris was both grateful for and irked by.  Was it because he was simply a fellow Warden?  He didn’t think so, but it was hard to gauge.  Anders had been too little like himself since Meredith’s call for Annulment to compare his response to Nathaniel compared to Sigrun and Velanna.

It didn’t make sense.  No matter how intense or torrid their affair before Anders had fled to Kirkwall, it had lasted less than a year.  Fenris had to know him better by now, had to be more adept at comforting and caring for him.  

But he’d never known just the man now, had he?  Anders had been possessed for years by the time they’d had a civil conversation.  What parts of Anders had he lost that only Nate knew of?  What hopes and dreams had been pushed aside by Justice?  For that matter, what parts of Justice had been scattered in the maelstrom of Anders’ fears?  Did Nathaniel know those as well?

The more Anders relaxed, the more Fenris couldn’t.  He watched them both, watched the way Nathaniel stared and opened his mouth to say something, then turned away, watched Anders’ eyes droop, either in guilt or relief.  Was he glad Nathaniel had nothing to say or preparing for the moment he would?  

Much like Fenris himself, Nathaniel chose his words carefully, and, if he wasn’t sure of the correct ones, often chose silence over imprecise conversation.  Any other time, Fenris would’ve been glad for it, but after days and days of Anders’ own unnatural quietude, of being trapped with little company but his own thoughts, he hated it.  

He missed his mage’s inane chatter.  He missed the regretful sighs into his hair as the sunlight filtered through broken windows of this mansion, waking them both and signaling a new day and new challenges.  He missed holding him.

Did Anders miss him at all?  He’d been ready to die for his cause, to lose everything to give mages everywhere anything.  Had he been so wrapped up in his martyrdom he’d already sacrificed their love before he’d even lit the fuse?  Was Fenris simply a burden to him now?  A loose end of string on a tapestry that he’d thought he’d burned?

Was that why he was so lost?  Was that why Nathaniel made him smile that soft shy smile that Fenris hadn’t seen in weeks?  

He picked up his sword and paced around the camp, ignoring their curious looks.  He had nowhere to escape to, but simply sitting there watching them have those unspoken Warden conversations hurt too much.  He’d lost him, and he’d accept defeat gracefully, if begrudgingly.

The moons crossed half the sky before Nate finally put his thoughts together.

“It shouldn’t have been you.”

[opal-apparition]

Chapter 8 - Captain Rutherford - Is Up!

A Matter of Pride - OpalApparition - Dragon Age: Inquisition [Archive of Our Own]

Chapter Summary:

A day in the life of Captain of the Guard Cullen Rutherford.

Excerpt from Chapter 8:

The morning had stretched toward noon by the time Cullen and Bull left the office, their discussion having covered every detail of the trade route disruptions. As they approached the Viscount's study to inform him, the sound of voices carried through the corridors—one precise and cold, the other carrying an edge of barely contained frustration.

"—cannot simply ignore these decisions indefinitely." The Viscount's voice held that particular strain of patience that suggested it was wearing decidedly thin. "Whether we find this situation agreeable or not—"

"Oh, shall we discuss what we find agreeable?" Lady Lavellan's laugh carried no warmth. "Since you raised the subject, I find none of this agreeable. Not the flowers, not the guest list, not how you’ve declined the presence of clan musicians, and certainly not your continued attempts to drag me deeper into the pageantry of this affair—"

Cullen halted at a discrete distance from the study door, Bull following suit. Through the gap, they could see Lady Lavellan standing near the window, a bundle of papers crushed in her grip.

"My lady, not only will I drag you, I will tie you to the altar if you continue to act like a stubborn farm animal. And no. Absolutely not. I will not have Dalish music at my wedding," Solas said, his voice sharp with finality.

"Your wedding?" Ellana turned from the window. "Strange, I thought I was required to be there as well. Oh, unless—pray tell, have you found a more suitable bride to condemn to this fate? That I would find most agreeable, and heartily give my congratulations."

"If only I could substitute you with any other living woman. I am no less enamoured by the prospect of binding myself to you seeing that is no doubt the beginnings of a long life of aggravations, my lady, though might at least do me the courtesy of not disturbing my papers while you argue."

"Does it bother you?" She touched another stack, watching his jaw tighten. "Having things out of their proper place? Touching your things?"

"What bothers me is your persistent need to disrupt everything you touch."

"Perhaps if you weren't persistent about being a stick in the mud, I wouldn't feel compelled to test your limits."

"Your opinions on my limits were neither requested nor required." Solas's tone could have frozen flame. "We could’ve already been finished by now. Yet here you are, disrupting my morning for no other reason but spite. What will it take for you to realize that society demands certain appearances be maintained by the both of us. They are important.."

"Then by all means, maintain them alone, if they are so important to you. I'm sure you'll choose flowers that properly reflect your exacting standards. No wildflowers, of course, too provincial." She turned from the window, her composure cracking just enough to reveal genuine anger beneath. "After all, isn't that what you've wanted? To reshape everything Dalish into your notion of proper society?"

Bull shot Cullen a look that managed to convey both surprise and appreciation. Cullen could only offer a slight shrug in response. He'd learned weeks ago that Lady Lavellan's ability to transform seemingly trivial domestic discussions into pointed political commentary was as impressive as it was inconvenient.

"What I want," Solas replied, each word precisely weighted, "is irrelevant. As, it seems, are the basic courtesies of completing necessary arrangements for an event neither of us can avoid."

"It is fitting." Ellana's smile held no warmth. "Our first point of agreement: the mutual understanding that this is an obligation to be endured rather than a union to be celebrated. Or that I have any care for your desires. With that in mind, then, perhaps calla lilies?"

“... those are for funerals and mourning.”

“Precisely.”

Read the rest on AO3! :)

[heylavellan]

Happy Friday! In order of your recent Rylen-pilling, how about "can i kiss you?" "you have no idea how long i've waited to hear you ask that." for him and Krem? If you're interested in them as a ship.

im afraid i was temporarily possessed by this ship and physically left my body. longest thing i've written for @dadrunkwriting !

between letters and the lines

rating: t

words: 2273

notes: somewhat epistolary, krem gets hurt and rylen realises he loves him because of anxiety!

Dear Captain Rylen,

Just arrived in the Emerald Graves. The Chargers and I have finished explored the exterior of the manor and scared half of them shitless. Can't convince a good portion of them to enter, so pass the attached brief on to the Commander for the Inquisitor's consideration.

Few of your men holding the camps aren't holding up well, so I've sent them to deliver this missive. Could use some R&R for a few weeks, think the ogres scared 'em shitless. Camps will need to be reinforced and resupplied.

An additional report is attached for the Iron Bull. I'd appreciate it if you passed it along.

Kind regards,

Lieutenant Aclassi

---

Lieutenant Aclassi,

The Commander appreciated the concise report. Problem resolved. Recommendations enacted. A few of the men you sent back have been removed from the line of duty and wished to offer their thanks.

Attached is a copy of intel from your chief and Lady Nightingale. The Lady Inquisitor has been expressing interest in quelling the fighting at the Exalted Plains. I imagine Lady Nightingale's scouts could use reinforcements before following up on the rising usurper in Perendale.

Captain Rylen

---

To Captain Rylen,

The Exalted Plains forward camp has been established and has suitable defenses courtesy of our sapper. Suffice to say the local Dalish and the Orlesians are reluctant to approach our camp now. Suggested supply routes and potential campsites are attached. I'm sure Lady Nightingale's scouts will provide more information. Hopefully the Orlesian recruits can make up for my lack of information. Additional copies enclosed for the Commander and the Chief.

Skinner appreciated the whetstone you sent by the way. And Grim liked the book. I think he wants the next installment. If I knew we were sending gifts, I would have sent something earlier. Found some communications from Starkhaven intended for you in Perendale, your siblings are probably expecting a response. Best not to piss them off.

Advice from some scouts we encountered suggests we advance out toward the Western Approach. Waiting for orders before we depart.

The boys are convinced I'm hiding some of our correspondence. Apparently I've been too serious lately and I consult our latest information too frequently. Put their minds to rest, yeah?

Warm regards,

Lt. Krem Aclassi

---

Dear Lieutenant Aclassi,

I apologise if the Chargers find my letters unsatisfactory. When they have to write as many as I do, I will accept their criticisms.

Advance to the Western Approach. Scouts and troops won't arrive for a month or so yet, the Inquisitor has been wrapping up business in the Graves and Plains. Consult the attached map with rough terrain and notable locations. The Iron Bull has provided an old Ben Hassrath report for what you might expect out there. I've taken the liberty to mark a few locations which I suspect will harbour some of the more dangerous wildlife.

Current orders are to establish a camp site suitable for the Inquisitor and his aides. I suspect we will also require locations to keep a couple hundred men, so any up to date information would be valuable.

My family berated me for taking so long to respond. They wished to extend their thanks to you for ensuring their communications reached me.

Please take care out there.

Rylen

---

Captain Rylen,

Attached are maps of the area. Cannot advance without reinforcements. Urgent request for medical supplies, especially treatment for burns. Retreated for the time being. Water supply is extremely poor.

Written by Rocky on behalf of Krem

---

Krem,

As Captain, I should instruct you to push forward now that you are resupplied.

As Rylen, I don't want to ask that of the Chargers. You've been taking jobs for months and haven't taken proper R&R. I don't know the entirety of your situation.

Attached are instructions from your Chief. Indulge my concerns for you and ignore any orders which put you in excessive danger.

I am to lead a contingent to the Western Approach. I hope to see you.

Yours,

Rylen

---

Krem carefully examined the orders from the Iron Bull. Or rather, it was a letter. One he wasn't going to let the boys see.

Apparently, Rylen had become fixated on the Chargers and was greatly impressed by Krem. The successes of their troop seemed to astound Rylen, especially when compared to the ragtag men recruited to the Inquisition.

Bull had his own opinion on the matter, one he described as infatuation.

It wasn't that Krem was disturbed by this. A fair share of men had been infatuated with him through the wild tales told about their company. The problem was that Krem had begun to feel the same.

Back when they were last in Skyhold, Rylen took efforts to join the Chargers, getting to know the best mercenaries under the banner of the Inquisition. Even if he was quiet and concise, the men got along with him. They liked having him around. And most nights Krem ended up helping him back to his bunk before disappearing back to his own.

Bull had instructed them to wait for reinforcements and to take it easy. He said a few scouts should be there to assist them in a few days, with the rest of the troops joining them in a week or so.

Krem withdrew the communications from Rylen and reread them, looking for any sign of the infatuation Bull described. It was a welcome distraction from the shattered leg Stitches treated to the best of his ability.

With a sigh, he passed on the orders to the men and made Dalish their temporary quartermaster. He sent out a few patrols and had Grim start a stew. Another week. He could last that long.

---

Dear Krem,

I can't explain why I'm so worried about you and your Chargers. I didn't feel like this for the templars under my command back in Starkhaven. I don't feel like this for most of my men.

I'm confused and I know the lyrium leaves my memory addled. So please let me see you when I arrive to make sure you're okay with my own eyes. And let me treat you to a drink?

Rylen

---

The Chargers camp was dismal. It looked so incorrect, deprived of the life it should contain. It sat uncomfortably in the pit of Rylen's stomach, how truly empty it felt. This wasn't who the Chargers were.

The qunari beside him was also unusually quiet. Especially around his men, the Iron Bull shouldn't be this quiet. "I'll check in with the boys. You mind checking on Krem?" he asked, his hulking form already making his way to various tents.

Grim gestured him to Krem's tent and handed him a bowlful of stew and a spoon. "For me?" he asked. The man grunted in disapproval. It must be for Krem then.

He pulled aside the canvas doors and entered into the dimly lit tent. A figure slept quietly on a thick bedroll. Since the man's face had been haunting his dreams, he recognised him as Krem. Unfortunately, he looked incredibly wrong. His dark skin was too pale, colour drained from his face. A crooked leg poked out from beneath the blankets.

Rylen's body moved before he comprehended the scene before him. On his knees, beside Krem, he cupped his cheek and gently shook him awake. His skin was too warm, probably running a fever.

"Go away, Grim" Krem grumbled, squeezing his eyes shut. "You don't need to mother me." Even if the sick man was saying that, he leaned into Rylen's touch.

In any other situation, he might have snorted at him and derided him a bit. But this wasn't any other soldier under his command. "Lieutenant, I'm afraid Grim was quite insistent I fed you," he rumbled.

Krem's eyes shot open, quickly making eye contact with Rylen. At least he was still in there. "Come on big guy. My turn to mother you," Rylen joked, sliding an arm underneath Krem to help him sit up.

"Want me to start calling you mother?" he teased in response, however feeble his voice was.

It brought a smile to his usually stoic face. "Whatever it takes to get our best guys back into action. You look like shit," Rylen retorted.

"Some varghests fucked up our guys. We're luck we all got out," Krem explained, letting Rylen start feeding him.

It was strange to be in the position of nursing someone back to health. As knight-captain of the Templars, he usually passed it off to the medics they had on hand. Then again, he hadn't cared this deeply about an individual since he had been at home and helping his own family.

To prevent himself from overanalyzing his feelings he forced himself to continue speaking. "Bet you're never gonna do that again," he commented, probably too hopefully.

"Not without the Chief at least. He'd have been enough I think. Fights like at least ten guys," Krem supplied, rather unhelpfully for his running mind. He needed to be a put together captain. Not whatever worrywart he'd become.

Rylen squeezed Krem's shoulder and hoped that his worries weren't written all over his face. "It's incredibly hard to be cross with you," he groaned. The cheeky smirk he received in return was a signal that he was well and truly fucked, because he wanted nothing more than to kiss Krem in that moment.

Kiss the man who had most of the life drained out of him, who was holding back incredible amounts of pain to joke with him, who was his subordinate and certainly someone he shouldn't have feelings for.

Rylen pressed those feelings down and instead focused on helping Krem get some food down. The Chargers quickly found out, however, that Rylen was sharing a tent with Krem instead of Bull. But they wouldn't know if Rylen held Krem's hand as he drifted off, or if he brushed hair stuck to Krem's forehead from the sweat. That was between the two of them.

---

Krem's head hadn't felt so clear in days. He was grateful the Inquisitor had finally arrived, alongside one of his acquaintances who was an expert spirit healer. They had to rebreak his leg to ensure it would set properly. But the bone knitted itself back together under the guidance of the healer, and he was able to start hobbling around now that the worst of the injuries were dealt with.

Still hurt like shit, though. His recovery meant that the Inquisition finally departed on its conquest of the Western Approach. Once they received word, he would figure out where the Inquisition wanted him. Since Bull was around, he was leading the healthier guys on excursions, building back up their confidence to return to the Approach.

Rylen hadn't left his side, though. It was something that truly puzzled him. Surely seeing him at his worst would drive anyone away. And yet...

They were sitting together in the centre of their camp, chatting with the remaining scouts and tending to their fire. Or rather, Krem was talking and Rylen was firetending.

During the lulls in the conversation, Krem took time to admire Rylen. His facial tattoos were beautiful, and he carried himself with strength and honour. Every time Rylen caught him staring, he quickly picked the conversation back up where it was left.

Every half hour or so, Rylen reminded Krem that he needed to get up and go on a short walk to prevent his leg from atrophying. Each time, he took Krem by the arm and escorted him a short ways out of the camp, before helping him back.

After the scout told them they made a cute couple, Rylen hastily informed them that the two were not together. That was the final straw for Krem. On their next small walk, Krem stopped him in the forest, just out of sight of the camp.

"Someone got quite defensive when asked if we were together," he joked. Joking was always easier than just stating the truth out loud.

Apparently Rylen never got that message. "It's because you confuse me. I've never wanted a man like I want you before," he confessed. Krem's mouth flew agape, his mind churning to process what he just said. Rylen gave him no reprieve. "I can't stop worrying about you, even though you're one of our most capable men. I've never felt as distressed as when I found you hurt. And I don't know if you want me back."

Even at the best of times, Krem rarely assumed anyone wanted him. He was a stranger to the south, seen as an enemy. He was from Tevinter, and few people looked past that outside of the Chargers. Few people defended him like Bull. So he hadn't hoped that the increasing attention from Rylen was anything more. It usually was too much to hope for.

But his hands pulled Rylen closer by the waist, the one clinging to his arm choosing to hang onto his shoulder. "Can I kiss you?" tumbled out of Krem's mouth. He felt light-headed, just barely in control.

A soft smile crossed Rylen's face, something Krem immediately regretted not being able to bring to his face before. Like this Rylen looked calm. "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you ask that," he murmured.

Their faces moved closer together, foreheads touching. "And?" Krem breathed. He needed an answer.

"If you don't I might demote you," Rylen hummed in response.

Krem surged forward into his lips, releasing the tension between the two of them. They clung close together, knowing that there was a moment of solace, at least for the two of them.

[bumblerhizal-art]

City Elf Appreciation Week

Day 3: Community

Keeping your head down is the best way to achieve the next-best thing to safety in the Kirkwall alienage. Some neighbors are better at it than others, and sometimes, an elf will need a little extra help to keep attention off her.

(AKA. Assorted members of the Kirkwall alienage do their best to not put their resident Dalish neighbor in harm's way. 845 words.)

i've been a bit busy these past few weeks, but i can finally write again and have churned out a late quick little kirkwall-centric piece for @cityelfweek 's community prompt! i've a small handful of other projects bubbling in the doc, so hopefully i'll manage 2 or 3 more before the event is run ^_^

[thejabberwokk]

City Elf Appreciation Week- Day 4- Customs and Traditions

Day 4 -  Customs and Tradition for @cityelfweek

- Andrastian? Dalish? Somewhere in between, or something all new?

I... had a silly idea for a codex for Fenris for this one......

Record what I say. There are no gods. Forgotten, elder, elvhen, andrastian. Spirits, demons, wraiths, yes. But gods, never. Gods are capricious. Too mortal. Too willfully selfish and evil to be anything other than the creation of those hungry from power, or those suffering from their hunger. Men make gods. I rip their hearts out. Steal the life out of them that was stolen from others. I believe in my own abilities. My own will. Stop laughing, Hawke. It is not funny. Don’t you dare show that to Varric. *Then end has a hastily drawn figure holding a stylized heart and a grumpy face* Crumpled note found on a Venatori spy, interrogated by the Inquisition.

[rexinasuperomnes]

Krem Week Day Three: Casual/Formal

Rating: T Warnings: No warnings apply Relationships: The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus, Cremisius Aclassi/Maryden, Cremisius Aclassi/Maryden/Maevaris Tilani if you squint Characters: Cremisius Aclass, The Iron Bull, Maryden, Maevaris Tilani, the Chargers Additional tags: Adoribull wedding, ten years later (9:51), Krem and Maryden are married Word Count: 1097

There were only two reasons Krem would ever return to Tevinter. The first was his father asking him to. He had made sure that his father always knew how to contact him if he ever needed to, but he knew his father would only ask if it was truly necessary. The second was the Chief. Bull knew what it meant for Krem to cross the border, and he had only asked it of him once before - when they had gotten word that Dorian was in danger. The other times that Bull had taken jobs in Tevinter, Krem had stayed behind, managing other jobs or keeping up with their other contacts.

This was different. This wasn’t a job, although some of the Chargers were on guard duty around the villa. When Bull told him and a few of the others, Krem obviously agreed to be there. Of course he would be his Best Man.

Dorian had done most of the planning and organizing, although Bull had used his Ben-Hassrath experience to keep everything out of the rumor mills of Minrathous. Luckily, because the villa was in the middle of nowhere, almost in Nevarra, they would have plenty of warning if anyone unwanted approached.

In the rooms set aside for Bull and his wedding party, Krem fidgeted with his dress armor. Dorian had insisted on being in charge of their outfits, but at least he had them outfitted in armor instead of whatever passed for high fashion up north. The longest standing members of the Chargers stood in the room, helping each other get dressed and passing a bottle (or several) around. Bull’s dress jacket hung open in the front as Sera helped him paint on special vitaar that incorporated the Pavus crest. 

Krem looked in the mirror. The cloth padding was much higher quality than he was used to. It was still strong and durable, but with all the sweating and fighting, it would be unreasonably expensive to maintain. The metal was dawnstone, of course. All of their armor was, despite Dorian’s distaste for the color. Bull hadn’t even asked for it - Dorian just knew it would make him happy, the ponce. Krem scoffed. Who’d have ever believed he’d be attending a magister’s gay wedding to a Vashoth merc?

A familiar hand reached for his shoulder. He smiled at his wife, who was fixing one of the buckles that had gotten twisted. “Thanks, love.” Maryden kissed his cheek. Holding his arms out to his sides, Krem asked, “Everything in order, ma’am?”

Frowning at him, but eyes glittering with amusement, she walked around him slowly, examining his get-up. “Perfect as usual, Captain Aclassi.” She stood behind him and leaned in. “I look forward to helping you get out of it later.” He laughed.

“Ahem.” The chatter in the room died off as an intimidating blond woman in an elaborate blue dress opened the door. Were those dragon scales on her arms? “The bridegroom sent me to make sure you were all on track.” No one was surprised when Dorian asked Magister Tilani to be his Matron of Honor.

Krem almost felt like he should salute. “We’re all good, ma’am. Just finishing up.”

Maevaris looked him up and down and smirked. “You clean up well, Cremisius. It’s a shame you’re already spoken for.” She winked at Maryden. Dalish laughed nervously as Krem blushed.

“Uh, thank you. You, uh, you look nice, too.”

“Of course I do, darling. But I appreciate your attempt at flattery.” She took a bottle from one of the side tables and sipped at it without reacting at all to Rocky’s special brew. The dwarf looked like he might pass out or propose on the spot when she hummed and raised her eyebrows, impressed.

“I do apologize, Maryden, but I must ask you to come with me. The other musicians have arrived and need a little more … direction.” Maevaris reached her hand out to Maryden, who took it. As Magister Tilani smiled at his wife, the minstrel blushed. Krem blinked and looked to the Chief, who just shrugged and smirked.

After the maelstrom that was Maevaris departed with his wife, Krem felt dazed. The energy of the room deflated a bit. He looked at Bull, who had turned back to his own mirror on the vanity Dorian had placed in here for them to use. Bull started to fasten the buttons, but missing two fingers plus having broken the others a few times since then, he was having trouble. Or maybe it was the shaking from nerves. Either way, Krem took over for him.

“You got this, Chief.” Shaking off his own concerns about whatever the fuck Mae had planned for his wife, he focused on his duties as Best Man. “It’s been a long time coming.”

“Yeah.” Neither of them said anything else as Krem finished buttoning the jacket. He helped adjust the shoulders, fasten the cufflinks, and straighten the dragon’s tooth necklace.

As he stepped back to check that everything was in place, Bull held out his fist, revealing a pin with two Qunari horns above a shield, the symbol of the Chargers. “Here, Krem. This is for you.”

Krem took it and turned it over in his hands. “Thanks, Chief.” He pinned it onto the leather strap on his left shoulder.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about stepping back a little. Most mercenaries don’t live to be my age, and now that I’m getting married, it might be easier if I split some of the responsibilities up.” Bull scratched one of his horns and looked away. Krem just blinked. “I’d still go on jobs, just maybe closer ones. And less dangerous ones. The rest of the Chargers would follow you anywhere, you know, and I know Maryden doesn’t mind traveling.”

“Chief-”

“Look, you don’t have to say anything now, if you want to think about it.”

“Sir-”

“It’s a big responsibility and there’s gonna be a lot of emotion today-”

“Bull!” Krem shouted. The room quieted as Bull stared at his lieutenant. “Bull, I’d be honored. And if anyone deserves a happy retirement, it’s you, you big, horned idiot.” Krem slapped his arm.

Bull nodded, still a little nervous. “Thanks, Krem. And you know, we’ll do a formal handover later, but I wanted to give you something today, and-”

“Hey, chief. You’re rambling. Just breathe. We’ll work it out later, but right now, you’ve got to focus on marrying that foppish, pompous ass a few doors down.”

Bull grinned. “He does have a nice ass.”

Krem groaned. “I know, Chief. You’ve told us.”

[pretty-haunted]

Ahhhh!!! My life has been chaos for the last few weeks and I completely forgot that all of the pieces for the event were releasing!!!

I was so excited to participate in this, and was lucky enough to be paired with two very talented creatives.

GO READ THIS FIC!!! Missjlh wrote a wonderful story with high stakes, strong characterization, Solas/Dalish clan interactions, and a fantastic main character in Iris Lavellan. I adore her. 💜

The piece that Ranaspel did is SO beautiful! There are so many details and I highly suggest zooming in to appreciate all of the intricate work. The coloring is gorgeous and the overall composition is so cool!

I am very grateful to have my work posted side by side with these wonderful people. 💜💜💜

Blume

Written by: Missjlh Illustrated by: Ranaspel and Lora Pora

Rating: Mature Content Warnings: Mind Control, Canon-Typical Violence, Fantasy and Fictional Setting Racism Fandom(s): Dragon Age Inquisition, Dragon Age: The Veilguard Major Pairing(s)/Character(s): Female Lavellan/Solas, Female Lavellan & Original Male Character, Solas & Original Male Character

On the desolate plains of the Anderfels, a newly-reunited Solas and Iris travel to visit clan Borehlan, where Lavellan’s late sister-in-law had been born, intending to warn them of looming danger and evacuate them to a safer region of Thedas. There, they encounter scorn and find an unexpected ally in a former lover of Iris'.

Will she and Solas succeed and save clan Borehlan from the danger that threatens them?

More from Missjlh: ao3 | @teamdilf More from Ranaspel: ao3 | @ranaspkillnarieth More from Lora Pora: bsky

Full art by Ranaspel:

Full art by Lora Pora:

[dragonagefanevents]

Starting a Theme/Appreciation Event

A theme week (aka “appreciation week”) invites fans to celebrate a specific topic over a dedicated period of time, which may or may not be a week. Fandom creatives will either highlight existing works that fit the theme of the event or make new art and fic for this purpose. Read more about themed events here.

Themed events are usually run through a dedicated tumblr sideblog. The organizer may come up with prompts for each day of the event and release them ahead of time, but the prompts are usually optional. The organizer commits to monitoring either the event hashtag, or the blog mentions, and reblogging works that are posted by other tumblr users related to the theme.

The organizer must plan the event in advance and make sure there is widespread awareness among their target pool of participants. This usually requires posting prompts early, making a simple graphic or banner, and advertising the upcoming event through friends and fandom groups.

Here is a framework to help build a new Themed Event!

1. Choose your Theme

Theme weeks come in a wide variety of subjects! They may be focused on a single character or relationship, or they may celebrate a broad topic, trope, or franchise entry.

Examples of subjects include:

A specific character ("Dorian" "Cullen" "Morrigan")

An interpretation of a character's sexuality ("Ace Cole" "Sub Solas" "WLW Cassandra")

A type of player character ("Mahariel" "Mage Hawke" "Templar Inquisitor")

A genre ("Romance" "Whump" "Fluff")

A culture or background ("Dalish" "City Elf" "Circle Mage" "Antivan" "Elvhenan" "Templar" "Tranquil")

A ship ("Zevwarden" "Solavellan" "Handers")

❓❓What if the subject already has an event that surrounds it❓❓

Whether there is already a Solavellan-centric exchange, or a Dorian Appreciation Month, we encourage fans to make more. It is nice to try to schedule around other events and avoid overlap, but sometimes this can't be helped. We here at @dragonagefanevents say the more fan events, the merrier! We aren’t in competition with each other: we are catering to our niche interests, schedules, and communities within this fandom. How you portray your advertising and comport yourself may invite criticism, but as always, how you comport yourself is up to you.

2. Choose your Timeline

The majority of theme weeks take place over the course of a week, or a month. Things to consider as you choose your timeline:

How long will you commit to monitoring & reblogging submissions?

How many prompts will you come up with?

How active is the targeted niche of fandom?

How much hype can you build beforehand?

How long are you capable of maintaining the hype?

You may wish to make a poll to figure out what timeline works best for your target participant pool!

3. Choose your Prompts

Most themed weeks/months put out prompts. These are short and vague, to allow the most interpretation and inspiration, and sometimes they are one word.

While prompts are optional, it is recommended that you do have prompts available. Many people will want to create something new for your event and appreciate guidelines or touchstones. It is really fun to see what so many different people will make based on the same prompt.

Appreciation weeks/months without prompts often see lower participation. People often feel uncomfortable promoting old work for a new, current fandom event, and there is an expectation that these events are for prompts! People want to make new things. Many events also do not promote old works! Therefore it can be difficult to advertise your event without prompts to go off of.

Consider: there is a whole genre of tumblr blogs out there (fyeah blogs, or characterappreciation blogs) dedicated to simply reblogging any content about that theme/character/ship/etc. What separates those blogs from a themed event is the prompts and the act of new creation.

Here are some example prompt lists:

▸ Sera Week 2024 ▸ 14 Days of DA Lovers ▸ Dalish Week 2022 ▸ 30 Days of Dorian

4. Put together a Brand

A brand is something that is easily recognized and quickly conveys a concept. Artistic, colorful, labor-intensive? Not necessarily.

Some easy ways to build a brand:

a consistent name that's easy to remember

a hashtag that is logically connected to the name

a consistent visual scheme that can be quickly associated with your name

▸ A Good Name

A good name is short, to the point, and says what you are: "30DaysofDorian" "SubSolasWeek" "SeraAppreciationWeek" - these all do the trick.

If you plan on running your event repeatedly, these kinds of names are enough. If it's just a one-off, consider adding the year to your name, such as "RylenAppreciationWeek2024." Think about it. If you are looking to organize an event these days, chances are fandom in 2015 ran one with that name once and there's a blog camping out on that name forevermore, inactive and dead. Do your fellow fans a favor and make it clear what year you are running the event so that if it's ever abandoned, they can pick up the torch with clarity.

▸ Graphics

1-3 colors; choose 1-2 fonts, in bold and normal font weight; choose, at most, 1 detailed image/screencap/motif. If you go overboard visually, it is easy to become cluttered.

It's nice to make a banner, either for your own blog header, or to also be used by people posting their works. Keep in mind the basic principles of graphic design, which you can always look up; the most basic rules related to typography are summarized in the image below (source).

In your banner it should be clear: The Theme and The Timeframe

Your prompts should be available as plaintext in a post, but in order to actually catch people's attention as they scroll, it is best practice to make a simple graphic that contains your prompts. If you have a week of prompts, 7 prompts can easily fit on one graphic. If you have a whole month, it's recommended to split into more than one. The concern is that cramming 30 prompts into one graphic on tumblr will render them very small to people just scrolling by; if you break them up into two or three images, then (depending on some savvy organization in the post body itself) the prompts will all be visible at once at a good size.

Make sure your font is legible! It may be tempting to use a fancy swirly archaic font, but your goal is swift legibility for people scrolling by, and these decorative fonts never succeed.

If you are laying text over an image, it's a good idea to fade the background image out a bit. This can be done by changing the opacity, or by laying a semitransparent layer of color (or black or white) on top of the image, below your text. Contrast between your font and the background is important for legibility.

5. Begin Advertising

With your blog, name, hashtag, prompts, timeline, and graphics ready to go, it is time to start building hype. While it's fun for some people to make things on the fly in response to those prompts during that timeframe, you will get the best participation if you give people a chance to start creating things ahead of time. For a theme week, at least a month head start is usually adequate for interested parties. For a theme month with 30 days of prompts, at least two months leeway (minimum) will make sure you get participation. More time of course lets people make more, and more involved, work for your appreciation event.

▸ Make your blog known.

Start reblogging fan content related to your theme! For example, a Dorian theme event might go through and reblog fanart, gif sets, fanfiction and fan meta about Dorian. As you reblog from people in fandom, they will see your blog name and come take a look.

▸ Share the date and prompts.

Make a post with a clear title stating what the event is, your eye-catching but clean graphic, and the written version of those prompts + a description of the event. You may want to paraphrase an explanation from this post to educate new fans who may not know about theme weeks/months and creation events.

When you tag your posts, make sure you use very relevant tags. Tag spamming is frowned upon (tagging every single dragon age character, for example, when your event is focused on vivienne only, is annoying when you pop up in the main tag for those other characters). Only the first handful of tags on your post will catalogue it in the main tag on tumblr for discovery. Choose wisely! #dragon age #dragon age (origins, 2, or inquisition) #character name are always good places to start, as well as #dragon age fanfiction #dragon age fanart

Reblog your posts often! Self-reblogs are encouraged and widely tolerated in order to get word out there. Everyone understands. If you post once and never reblog it, you are failing to put your information in front of the eyes who may not have been awake when you posted it, or those who have a particularly cluttered dashboard. Self-reblog!! It's allowed!

▸ Make your rules clear.

You may want to combine this with your prompt post, or you may wish to keep them separate. Either way, be very clear about what content warnings you require (some events will not reblog NSFW, some will as long as it's tagged), whether you allow old works to be -re-advertised or not, and any other restrictions or requirements you fancy. Make sure that you are clear about what period of time you will be monitoring mentions/tags for new works to reblog, and when you will stop.

6. Run your Event

When the day arrives, make a kickoff post! What you include in this post is up to you. Generally hosts will reiterate the directions of how to mention/tag the works in order to catch your attention, and either link to or include the prompts themselves.

From then on, for the duration of the event, make sure to check the blog mentions, as well as the general tumblr tag you encouraged people to use for the event. Reblog the new works as consistently as you can.

7. Wrap Up

Congratulations! The final day has ended and your event is complete. You will want to thank participants. You will want to link to easy ways to peruse the new works - usually something like "check out https://myappreciationblog.tumblr.com/tagged/appreciationweek2024 " or something similar. If you opened an AO3 collection for themed works, make sure to link that. Basically, if anyone is late to the party, make it easier for them to enjoy the buffet you helped organize.

Pat yourself on the back for an event well-run. You may choose to run more in the future, keep the blog as a simple appreciation space, or retire from running events for a while. Whether your event was exploding with new works or resulted in only a handful, it doesn't matter. You made a little space on tumblr to appreciate this theme, and it didn't exist before. :) And that's what this is all about.