#della magia ed altri terrori||headcanon

[fitztrevelyan]

the upside of writing a muse like Mistral after so many years of Cullen is that I can finally get off my chest all the shit about blood magic. I mean, the ritual that saved Mistral’s life when she was a baby? definitely blood magic, but as it was a Rivaini seeress performing it, she wouldn’t label it as such. So when Mistral goes back to Llomerynn, she learns abt these rituals and she is well aware that back home the chantry would forbid such magic, but she is taught to look at it with an open mind, to respect and trust it, to pray to the spirits and give them thanx. So she isn’t surprised or worried abt the Avvar costumes, bc in Llomerynn the seeresses become willingly possessed quite often and with no dangerous consequences.

[chantcftrials]

Ok, night terrors are some real shit to Cullen but the worst part is abt feeling terrible every time he wakes up those sleeping with him while he’s having an episode.

He would tell u he’s sorry like a thousand times and feel awful bc, whether you are his LI or simply someone sharing quarters with him, he would never mean for anyone to see him in such a sorry state, AND he would also feel a terrible person bc you’d be worried about him whereas the only one thing he’d probably wish is to stay alone and owe like ZERO (0) explanations. 

[chantcftrials]

Soooo.... I was thinking that a person’s hair and the way they deal with it has a LOT to do with their mood, emotions and that, HENCE enjoy this little, idle headcanon abt Cullen’s hair :

His curls have always drawn jokes since he was a recruit; although discouraged, a little hazing isn’t uncommon among soldiers and - you know - probably his curls make him look a lot younger than he actually is, but as long as he was in a good state of mind he didn’t care much.  

Later, though, he used to keep his hair p short as a knighted Templar, both for a matter of practicality and decorum (although I often suspect that, after Kinloch, it was in part a sort of self-disfigurement). But, yeah, he didn’t need to style it much. 

When he joins the Inquisition,things are p frantic, so no much time for grooming and he starts letting his hair grow a little.

Now you have to consider that, despite his demeanour, Cullen has several issues of self-confidence and, hadn’t it been for Cassandra’s support, probably he wouldn’t have thought of being able to lead an army. So I’m guessing, this kind of “obsession” for styling his hair can be related to an unconscious need for not just being reliable and competent, but also for looking as such. 

Waste of time, you might say, bc after 2 hours of training or 2 minutes on the Storm Coast all those curls would just reappear as rebel as before. True, but what can i say? he’s a mule and you won’t change his mind.

Finally, after Trespasser, aging and overcoming a bad addiction have bolstered his self-confidence; gradually he replaces all the work of styling with a basic morning routine and regular haircuts (abt 1ce a week). He also grows a beard. A curly one.  

[fitztrevelyan]

About Blackthorn||always accepting!

@tranquilbroken​ asked:

Does Blackthorn like attention? How does she handle kids and young adults who just want to pet the pretty wolf 👀

No, usually she doesn’t like receiving attention, she is used to people attacking her on sight just because she’s a wolf so she tries to keep a little far from human settlements even though Mistral is there. It’s more convenient that way as it would take a lot to explain why a wolf isn’t a threat/avoid potentially dangerous situations to both Mistral’s and Bt’s life. 

When Mistral is forced to settle in a place for longer than a few days, as it happened with the Inquisition, then Bt will show up. She isn’t particularly keen on wandering around among a bunch of armed humans, she knows she can make people nervous but as long as Mistral is with her she knows nothing too bad is going to happen.

Once people get used to her presence, some might grow on her enough for her to let them come near and very very few will be allowed to touch her. After all, she’s a Wolf, NOT a DOG. 

When it comes to human pups, she is much more flexible, especially if they are very little. It is seldom however that she’ll stay in the same place with kids/young humans, they have very little sense of personal boundaries, and though Blackthorn knows that is fair for a pup to be curious she also knows that the humans wouldn't like her to flash her fangs as a warning as she would do with a wolf pup. So she keeps at a reasonable distance. If a human pup becomes part of her pack, however,  she'll act like a true wolf: fiercely protective and very much prone to playing with them (no matter how much they’ll pull her ears/tail).

[chantcftrials]

Remember that if Cullen calls your muse by their last name (provided that they have one) that’s a huge demonstration of camaraderie. They have become a fellow-in-arms. It’s a reminiscence of his templar’s habits. He uses first names when the conversation turns serious if he thinks the person he’s talking to would benefit from a more personal approach; Though when the conversation assumes a lighter, playful tone he will use last names. (this is applicable even to his LI)

If he uses courtesy forms of address before the name such as sir, my lord/lady, etc, he’s just being formal or sarcastic.

[chantcftrials]

Cullen is definitely a tea drinker; any moment is good for a cuppa; he also likes to dunk some pastries in it (Josie’s treats likely, a very simple Antivan recipe that she gave to Skyhold’s cook when they had very little supplies but also needed to keep up a facade with their guests. Apparently Cullen’s favourite, it’s basically just butter, sugar and little else; “Fereldan taste is... so simple” lady Ambassador words). He also tried hot chocolate though, Tevinter dark chocolate with spices in it (thank you, Dorian). He r. loves it.

[chantcftrials]

I don’t think that during the Inquisition Cullen is that much into, you know, the faith thing, especially in the first period, but he keeps on praying and visiting the chapel because it actually helps him stay focused. So yeah, I guess both prayers and regular physical training are a form of meditation that helps him overcome the PTSD effects.

[chantcftrials]

From  CHARACTER SOLIDIFYING   meme 

What does your character want most? What do they need really badly, compulsively?

This is interesting because, for an addict, it’s always hard telling between what they want and what they need. The line between need and will is often blurred and I think this is the reason why - in game - Cullen needs someone who can encourage him to remain true to himself and pursue his goal of giving up taking Lyrium. I guess that’s what made me love his character in the first place: he’s clearly driven by his desire for redemption but he’s also very insecure about himself and his ability to succeed. Cullen will forsake himself if kept on Lyrium, it’s one of his possible epilogues.His biggest fear (unlike Bull who’s scared of madness) is not losing his mind - and as a consequence, himself - but rather being worthless or unworthy of forgiveness and redemption.

At first (and occasionally I still do it tbqh) I used to ignore the Inquisitor’s choice. I thought that no one with Cullen’s willpower would allow anyone to interfere with something as important as their own life. But after a while, I realized that his character actually needs other people to achieve a true rebirth. The guy who’s spent a lifetime alone struggling against memories and ghosts needs to open up to people and realize he’s not gonna make it out all by himself. This is also what will make of him an excellent listener for those Templars willing to retire from the military career.

That said, here’s what Cullen wants and needs:

What does your character want most?

Being free from his addiction and from those who have forced it on him; being free from his fears and from his past; becoming someone he can look at in the mirror.

What do they need really badly, compulsively?

Keeping everything under control, being as correct as possible (even making minor mistakes gets on his nerves), and recurrent naps to make up for his lack of sleep.

[chantcftrials]

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

Ok, let’s say there are 2 dominant traits of Cullen’s personality: the pragmatic side and his nerd side.

Accordingly to the first one,  he’s prone to learning everything that involves manual skills such as carpentry or smithery. That’s partly due to a family legacy (he grew up on a small farm and his father had to make a lot of works to fix up things and Cullen liked to help him), partly to the discipline he’s received as a soldier, since the recruits must be completely self-sufficient in any circumstances, which includes dealing with the barracks’ maintenance.  Either way, what was meant to be a duty acquired also a sentimental value and later became an interest.

So, even if he hasn’t much spare time, it isn’t uncommon to see him in the smithy, talking to the chief smith or, even more often, to Master Dennett.

Cullen likes everything about Dennett’s work, his father bred horses as well, although he could afford to have only two. Working in the stables is one of the happiest memories that Cullen holds of his childhood. During the Inquisition, he takes care of his horse personally, no matter how frantic his schedule, he never misses to feed him, groom him, clean his stall and so on.

Although sword and shield training is part of his job, he actually enjoys it, especially because the physical activity keeps his mind busy and clear from negative trips.

As for the latter aspect of Cullen’s personality, yes, he’s a huge nerd. I mean, the guy reads anything. His relationship with reading has changed over the years.He’s basically always been a curious person, just maybe in his youth, he tended to think he could find all the answers in books.For instance, back in Kinloch, he often borrowed (so to speak) tomes about magic to get to understand something about his charges, those he was supposed to “protect” since he wasn’t allowed to fraternize with them and also because the order never truly taught them what they should deal with except it was dangerous and potentially deadly. Later on, reading became a form of protection from people. In Kirkwall, it was seldom to catch him off duty without a book to shield him from unwelcome conversations. 

His favorite subjects are History and the development of the siege engines through the modern age. Also, he has a true obsession for the Alamarrian history and culture. He doesn’t dislike common prose although he prefers poetry over novels.He keeps a journal to keep track of his memories over the years, but he wouldn’t call himself a writer or an intellectual.

[fitztrevelyan]

One more idle hc no one asked for

Though she cannot actually commune with the spirits, it’s not uncommon seeing Mistral singing or playing flute for the spirits when out in the wilderness, especially during storms or late at night.

[chantcftrials]

I was thinking of the B.ware’s epilogues for Cullen and I thought, gimme only one good reason why Cullen shouldn’t create a sanctuary for the ex-Templars if he’s romanced?

This is not the only thing that Bware has fucked up abt Cullen’s character tbh, but it’s 1 of the most disturbing imo.  It doesn’t make sense, not a bit. He’s been through too much to just be like let’s fall in love and forget.

If anything, a (healthy) relationship should encourage him to pursue a project that would help him mend the fracture between his past and present self by helping people who suffered the same struggles he suffered. 

[chantcftrials]

So I woke up to this sentimental mood this morning, bear with me u guys.

I was thinking abt Cullen crying when he finally realizes that he can’t stay any longer with the Templars. It’s a conclusion he comes to through a long process started way before Meredith's death, evolving over two years as he serves as knight commander. He struggles to find a reason not to give up but then, I picture him talking to the recruits, young men and women who remind him of his young self. They ask him questions about the meaning and the purpose of the order, their oaths, the sacrifices that they are supposed to make and suddenly he wrestles to find an answer.

That is the moment. He realizes he’s no longer the person who can lead them, support them. He can relate to the feelings of the recruits, he respects their choice, but his faith in the Order, as it is now, is broken. He knows he must leave, find out who he truly is regardless of his role as a Templar, and if he can still believe in something. It hurts because, man, it’s like 15 years of his life and devotion?? So yes, I am sure the night he understands he’s done with the Order, he silently cries on his bed as he stares at the ceiling and it’s painful but also a relief because he’s free of finally taking control over his life.

[fitztrevelyan]

Of magic and mutations

And speaking of this post, here’s another hc about Mistral and BT

When they arrive on the continent, their connection is very weakened but over time, the magic that created their bond in the first place will work similarly to mutations in terms of speed, strength, and fast healing.

if examined, Missy and BT will show signs of internal mutations very resembling those of the Black Sun cursed.

They are not immune to magic

They are more resistant to toxins than others but not as resistant as a witcher. 

Meditating and studying the signs will allow Mistral to cast Aard and Igni as they are intrinsically connected to/ exploit elemental magic. It'll take quite some time and hard work with poor results in the first place. As for the rest of the signs, she’ll never learn to use them at the highest levels. In particular, she’ll never be able to cast Axii and Yrden.

[fitztrevelyan]

Just screaming v loudly at @fvk-destiny So I was thinking about how Mistral finds Lambert to be much more fitting as a mentor than anyone else at Kaer Morhen. They have a lot in common in terms of worldview and general attitude toward a lot of things tbh, but in particular, rn I'm focusing on the relationship between mentor-mentee. 

they're like, okay I am gonna teach you but I'm not gonna be mother hen, I'm gonna learn but don't even try to treat me like a child, I'm not your daughter. They're not bound by destiny. In my hc, they end up choosing each other bc they are kinda akin.

The breaking point between them is about the mutations. Mistral acknowledges the risks but also is very much fascinated by the idea of becoming a fullfledged witcher. She won't be actually interested in it so long as Blackthorn will live though. She fears that the mutation might interfere with the bond that she and Bt share. But if BT dies at some point, Mistral will want to undergo the mutations and she'll actively seek out help to do so.

[chantcftrials]

Cullen isn’t straight. Fight me.

[fitztrevelyan]

Bold your muse’s fears, italicize their aversion:

blood/viscera ✧ needles ✧ dentist ✧ hospitals ✧ pain ✧ injury ✧ medication ✧ surgery ✧ vomiting ✧ fainting/falling unconscious ✧ feet ✧ clowns ✧ mannequins/the uncanny ✧ heights ✧ high speeds ✧ rollercoasters ✧ spiders ✧ snakes ✧ amphibians/toads ✧ reptiles ✧ birds ✧ rodents/rats ✧ insects ✧ bees & wasps ✧ clusters of small holes/trypophobia ✧ thunder & lightning ✧ natural disasters ✧ water ✧ the sea ✧ fishes/sea creatures ✧ shellfish ✧ cephalopods/chthonic imagery ✧ small spaces/claustrophobia ✧ darkness ✧ the night ✧ being alone ✧ open spaces/agoraphobia ✧ getting lost ✧ travel/long distances ✧ (Blackthorn getting old) aging/elderly ✧ (Blackthorn’s) death ✧ religion/religious symbols ✧ eternal damnation/hell ✧ god(s) ✧ ghosts/spirits ✧ the occult/witches ✧ graves/graveyards ✧ bad luck/superstition ✧ illness/hypochondria ✧ crowds ✧ strangers ✧ choking ✧ food ✧ failure ✧ imperfection ✧ germs/germophobia ✧ disorder/disorganisation ✧ embarrassment ✧ public speaking ✧ social situations ✧ eye contact ✧ pregnancy/childbirth ✧ children/babies ✧ love ✧ relationships ✧ sex ✧ being touched ✧ men ✧ women ✧ dogs ✧ sleep ✧ nightmares ✧ mirrors ✧ small things/animals ✧ loud noises ✧ foul/strong odours ✧ losing control ✧ the unknown ✧ fear itself ✧ emotions

Tagged by: stolen

Tagging: you, you and YOU.