#for rook-veilguardian

[catebees]

How about taash and maybe maevaris?

Still not sure what pronouns to use for Taash, but I can safely say, 😍😍😍

You can find Mae here!

[wanderingibon]

regrets

[loveydoveypiperwright]

I'm obsessed with this Manfred moment

[ilovelumity3000]

Rook: Im The Veilguardian, Guardian of the Veil Varric: FEN'HAREL QUIVERS BEFORE HIM! Rook (to Solas): Fuck off!

[bunabi]

Actually I'll talk about it now to clear my mind before bedtime:

I think I've played enough now to say definitively that I don't like Rook. I wish I could choose not to have Natalene smirk and quip so much. I wish the tone options made a difference.

I wish whenever I chose an 'I distrust Solas' option Rook didn't fire off what sounds and feels like a tumblr post. I wish Those Lore Drops weren't delivered via murals and then peer reviewed in the Veilguardian group chat.

And maybe more than any of those things: I wish Rivain was more than a coast and an arenaaaaa. 🫂

[svartalfhild]

Omg 7 pls

7. visiting them at their place of work

Not sure what qualifies as "place of work" that's different from their normal meeting places, since they're both Mourn Watchers and Veilguardians, but I shall do my best to keep to the spirit of workplace.

The eluvians were just so damn useful. Rook and her friends could be in different parts of Thedas in a matter of hours or even minutes, and that made the task before them far easier than it otherwise would be. It also meant home wasn't far for any members of the team.

Today's featured convenience, however, was that Rook was able to bring Lucanis' fresh cooking to the Grand Necropolis. Emmrich had gone there early in the morning to address some trouble with a spirit he was evidently well acquainted with, and she thought she'd bring him some lunch. Maybe there was something she could help with, too. Or maybe she was just nervous about leaving him alone outside the Lighthouse for too long after overhearing Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain's plans to torture and experiment on him. Sure Manfred was with him, but as much as she loved Manfred and believed in him, she didn't think he'd be a match for anyone that might come for Emmrich.

So here she was, stepping through the mirror to the Grand Necropolis with a basket in hand, hoping to find him busy at work with what had sounded like some sort of bequeathal dispute and ready for a little break. The Necropolis was home, and she was always happy to return, but it still didn't feel the same as when she'd left over a year ago. Maybe it never would. Maybe the scars that she and the place had left on each other would never fade, and she'd never be entirely welcome here again. Maybe that's why the Lighthouse felt more like home now.

Still, she knew these halls and its people, and she refused to behave like a stranger here. She walked confidently through the passageways and grand chambers, outwardly ignoring the staring and whispering of apprentices and masters alike, even as she started to wonder if perhaps her hair was mussed or her waistcoat was missing a button. Yes, in case you missed it, Ingellvar was back and she didn't have time to stop and chat about what she was doing with Professor Volkarin or to indulge impudent questions about her past. She had important business that was none of yours.

After passing a throng of gossiping apprentices just outside the library who clearly hadn't learned how easily their voices carried here yet, Rook found Emmrich nestled amidst law books and legal scrolls at a table in the reading room.

"Emmrich?" He looked up at the sound of her voice, and the expression of irritation and concentration etched into his features instantly melted away to be replaced with joy.

"Hello, dearest! What brings you to the library?"

"You," Rook answered with a bright smile. "Your business sounded tedious, so I thought you might like a bite to eat." She indicated the basket, and Emmrich's eyes shone with adoration.

"Oh, how thoughtful. Truth be told, I was beginning to feel a bit listless and irritable. An interlude for refreshment would be most welcome."

"Walk with me," Rook requested cheerfully, holding out her hand. Emmrich closed his notebook, tucked it in his coat, and took her hand as he rose from his chair.

"Manfred? Keep an eye on these documents, would you?" he called out, and Manfred appeared from behind a bookcase with an obliging hiss, hobbling over to the table. Rook gave him a loving little pat on the side of his skull, which earned her a happy hiss.

"We'll be back soon," she promised before guiding Emmrich out of the library and towards the gardens, where they could have themselves a little picnic.

"There's Ingellvar again. And Professor Volkarin is with her. Maker, are they holding hands? The nobles'll be all aflutter if they hear about this," one of the apprentices whispered as they passed.

"That minx!" another gasped.

"Shut up, Drika! You're an apprentice! It's not going to happen for you!" a third hissed.

"I think we should all shut up. She's an elf; she can probably hear us," a fourth added flatly. Smart kid. Rook didn't even deign to look their way as she and Emmrich walked by. If he had heard them, he gave no indication either.

In the gardens, they found a lovely little empty plot nestled between some bushes, affording them a little privacy, and they sat down.

"I brought cheese sandwiches that I made with the bread Lucanis baked this morning and that Ferelden cheddar Harding was recommending. You can add butter or apple jam if you'd like; I've got some of each in here. There's also some stuffed peppers Lucanis wants us to try if you're feeling adventurous. To drink, I have-" Rook paused to squint at the elaborate Antivan calligraphy on the label of the bottle she'd pulled from the basket. "Well, it's an Antivan red Lucanis said pairs well with the stuffed peppers. It's probably worth more than my life. Oh! And Taash said the bananas we got from Rivain are finally ripe, so I brought a few of them too!"

"It all sounds delightful, my dear. Most especially because I get to enjoy it with you," Emmrich responded with a fond smile. Rook blushed and busied herself with setting out the food, unsure what to say. They enjoyed their sandwiches and wine for a few minutes before Emmrich spoke again, his tone much more serious. "Rook, may I ask you a question of a personal nature?"

"Certainly."

"Does it bother you? All the gossip. About you. About what you did. About us." Oh, that was very serious and personal indeed.

"I'm...used to commentary about my origins and my...monochrome appearance. I've been strange all my life. Very few people have their facts straight on what I did during the war and why, so I pay no heed to the uninformed takes bouncing around these walls. As for us, well, I don't particularly mind. The other Watchers can say whatever they like. It won't change how I feel about you, and we're both mages, so we're not illegal in the eyes of the Chantry or anything. There's no danger in people finding out, just...a lot of people being a bit rude. They'll probably get bored with it eventually and move on." Rook felt like she was rambling as she spoke, like she'd been sitting on these thoughts for a while and they'd all come spilling out at the first chance. She hadn't realized she'd been gesturing until she finished and noticed the uneaten half of her sandwich flopping in her hand.

"I see," Emmrich said softly, his eyes filled with sympathy.

"Why do you ask?" Rook inquired with an attempt at a more casual air before taking another bite of her sandwich.

"You squeezed my hand rather tightly when we walked by those whispering apprentices," he informed her, and she blushed again, this time in embarrassment.

"Oh. Sorry."

"It's perfectly natural to care what others think and to be hurt by ill considered words, you know." Emmrich gently placed his hand over hers, and she suddenly felt very weak. "You don't have to be an unshakable rock at every moment. I worry that you will shatter if you try." The threat of tears began to subtly burn behind her eyes at this. He had seen right through her.

"I might shatter if I don't," she replied, her voice wavering ever so slightly. "I can't afford to-" No, she couldn't say that. It would make her feel too exposed. "Varric always tells me that I'll have an easier time if I don't dwell on what others think and what I could have done better." At this, the sympathy in Emmrich's expression deepened and his fingers curled around hers.

"I see. We needn't discuss it further. I didn't intend to upset you."

"It's alright." She hadn't expected him to let it go so easily, but she wasn't going to question it.

"You show so much care for others. I only wish to show you the same in return."

"I know." Emmrich lifted her hand and tenderly kissed her knuckles, making her heart flutter.

"Shall we try some of those stuffed peppers?" he suggested gently, and she nodded, quickly finishing her sandwich before picking up a pepper. It was delicious, but of course she expected nothing less from Lucanis. They were crunchy, creamy, herbal, and spicier than she was accustomed to, but she didn't hate it. Emmrich muttered "oh dear" after his first bite but happily continued eating and slowly turned a bit red. They agreed that the peppers were fantastic albeit slightly painful. The bananas luckily turned out to be helpful in their recovery.

"I'll pass our review on to the chef," Rook chuckled as she began to pack everything back in the basket.

"Please do. And thank you ever so much for this lovely little picnic. It was a wonderful diversion," Emmrich responded warmly.

"You're welcome."

"Will you permit me to do something similarly diverting for you in the future?"

"If you'd like. I'm always happy to spend time with you, Emmrich."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Only after he'd returned to the library and she was on her way back to the mirror did she realize that he'd just finessed his way into getting her to let him take care of her. Dammit.

[little-goose]

“But the solavellan ending only feels satisfying if you think about them as a story not as people?”

Yeah????????? My sweet honey bunches of oats, did you miss the whole part of DAI where your inquisitor has to grapple with the fact that only a few people will know them as a person and not as an almost mythologized figure? That those myths are being actively written and warped while they’re still alive? That their whole “you’re not the chosen one, but you make choices that have weight, and you can’t ever control how the entire audience listening to your story will perceive it through the lens of their own reality”?

The parallels of the maker and andraste and rebuilding the golden city and how all of the different mythologies in Thedas are just one big messy soap opera that everyone perceives differently is a kinda part of the point

It’s supposed to be bittersweet or tragic because you as the player know them better than Rook and the Veilguardians of the Galaxy do

It’s not perfect and it’s not happy but it is still a satisfying ending imo

[magebutts]

ok one more finale hot take

if they were all veilguardians, none of the companions should have died. harding had titan magic and she didnt even use it against a god who had rook and lucanis both in her grasp??? assan will dive after davrin, but a warden and a griffon cant help bring her guard down safely??? their turlum was found and its only use is killing the last griffon warden?

dumb narrative choice idgaf about "sacrifices must be made" that whole subplot conflict should have stayed about solas lying to himself to feel better about sacrificing villages and cities and loyal soldiers and friends because that was better than the truth, that he shouldnt have ever stopped caring and stopped trying to save everyone. that he never should have let himself be okay with losing people. that was the whole point of rook.

[mulberrystar]

alastor "rook" ingellvar: personal canon

basic information: mournwatcher rogue elf, romanced emmrich, trans man (he/him), bisexual, 38 y/o (more below tag)

loves coffee!! it's a bit expensive in the necropolis, but it's a necessity to him.

however after being around emmrich for so long, alastor's taken a liking to tea as well. specifically black breakfast teas. he just really loves caffeine.

always sleepy. loves taking naps. will spend all day lounging in bed sometimes.

loves to cuddle in his sleep. he attaches to emmrich like a koala when they share a bed.

has researched elven culture & history from a young age. originally stemmed from the fact that alastor wasn't raised by elves and wanted to learn about their own culture, and became a life-long interest.

loves blades and daggers! alastor has a personal collection and takes care of them well.

after veilguard, he moves back to the necropolis with emmrich. this time they share a dormitory together.

his job in the necropolis was to guard precious crypts and tombs that are targets for robbers, and was typically on the late shift. they offered him a higher desk job but he insisted on keeping his old position - alastor's only request was that he'd get the earlier shift.

emmrich and alastor take vacations every six months, and regularly visit treviso and minrathous. it's easy considering they still have access to the eluvians.

emmrich taught him how to bake, and now they bake something every week - whether it be bread, cake, or cookies.

still keeps in touch with the other veilguardians, as well as the inquisitor and dorian.

[catebees]

For the character requests, how about cullen or Dorian?

He's just a bit sleepy tired... You can find Dorian here!

[catebees]

For character requests, how about Dorian but after he inherits the Magister title?

Magister Pavus your hand in marriage?

[loveydoveypiperwright]

Send him in 😎😎😎

[ravioliage]

I can see Lucanis telling Caterina about the Veilguardians, and Rook trying desperately to get him to shut the fuck up about Emmrich and Lichdom so that she won't get any ideas.

Lucanis won't be a great First Talon for a minute but considering how hilarious Illario would be, I don't think there was much choice. Caterina knows she won't be alive for much longer.

Unless Caterina decides to become a lich or something. Which is a possibility knowing her.

[loveydoveypiperwright]

Jee Young Han is killing it as Bellara. I swear, that girl can be so funny

[loveydoveypiperwright]

(Squawk!) (Hiss!)

[loveydoveypiperwright]

Breaking my silence to post this video of Harding being adorable

Thought I'd romance Bellara or Taash. Wrong. Harding is sooooo cuuuute AAAAHHHH