#he's also a noble and housed people that needed help during the rebellion regardless of which side they were on so assume connections there

[leesielex]

Who defended his actions? I don't think anyone said his actions are defensible. I simply said, no matter what his actions would have been seen as a dishonor and betrayal to someone, his blood family, his true house and people or the family he was raised a part of by their side.

We also tend to paint the Starks as the clear heroes and anything against them is seen as a villainous act. And that's also just not true. The Starks are just as gray as any character and all of the Starks still left are all facing what most characters have, a darker crossroads where they will have to rise above or become the villians, just like Daenerys, just as Theon did.

Again, you act like Balon had a choice at this point. Of course Ned did the kind and honorable thing and gave Balon the choice of die or surrender, keep his title, and take his son as his ward/hostage, or they all die and are executed. Yes, he was forcibly removed when the alternative is death and the end of his line. If they were lucky if Balon refused his terms they still would have killed all adults and either still taken Theon to raise under Ned to eventually become Lord of Pyke, or the youngest kids (Theon and Asha for example) would have been sent to the wall and the silent sisters because at that point there is no point in Theon remaining with the Stark's to ensure anything as then they would have given the Iron Island to someone loyal to Robert. The only way Theon isn't taken as Hostage is if his father is removed from power and Theon is left in the Iron Islands as ruler with a regent that is Loyal to Robert.

And I'm not villanizing Ned for his actions, they are the actions and punishments that are used during this time. But it's disingenuous to act like Theon was not forcibly removed, that he was just glad to be stripped away from his family, that Balon had a choice other than death of himself and his entire line.

I will agree that Theon went above and beyond what his father even wanted. That he wasn't supposed to take Winterfell and the Iron born argued against him doing so. He wanted to prove to his father he was loyal to him, that he was worthy to be his heir, and that he was not loyal to the Stark's.

I also agree that Balon rebelling was a foolish endeavor. I didn't need to remember, no one has ever argued otherwise. Balon is an arogant fool. A true Iron Born and Robb did not understand the culture. I see it for what it is, a culture wanted to keep their ways, regardless of the morality changing for most of the kingdom to no longer reap and raid, they wanted to stick to their old ways. It isn't noble because it isn't moral to do any of that, but again, even in modern days, we see how people believe they are right in their rebellion and opposition and violence due to their culture and religion. Balon would never accept an alliance with the North due to his pride. They had crushed his previous rebellion, killed his sons, and taken his last son hostage.

Real quick, I wasn't speaking of when Theon was an adult capable of making his own decisions if his father rebelled, but do you really think they would have given Theon a choice on which side to fight? They certainly wouldn't have ever left him alone to escape to his father nor would they have let him choose his father. But I honestly disagree they would have ever let Theon have that choice. It's too risky and literally defeats the entire purpose of his being held hostage. It would also make Ned look weak to his men for not keeping his word with the entire purpose of taking Theon as a hostage to ensure peace.

The Iron Born speak of the Iron Price vs the Gold price. They don't take gifts, they don't buy things, and they don't need your help, they take what they want and destroy what they don't. The Greyjoys have long had a history of warring with the North and Balon was never going to ally with them no matter how much he would have benefited from it. He is not a smart man, he is a prideful man set in his ways, set in their culture, and their Drowned God. We see this in the way he degrades Theon for even bringing him the offer of alliance from Robb Stark. And his father's degradation of him is what fuels Theon to take Winterfell to prove to his father he was worthy, he was a Greyjoy, he was Iron born, to prove he was a worthy heir. Theon had to destroy the Starks and take the North or Asha would be the heir. Balon makes it pretty clear that it's no skin off his back to lose Theon even if it means a woman will be his heir because at least she has proven she lives the old ways and is true Iron Born. It is this that pushes Theon to decide, where he realizes he loses the Starks or he loses the Greyjoys/Iron born.

Discussing the nuances of the society, culture, history, choices, circumstances does NOT mean any of us DEFEND Theon or Balon or any one else. We are simply pointing out that it wasn't so simple as Theon is just evil and should have been loyal to the Starks. I personally don't even think Theon deserves redemption and the best I can hope for him is an honorable death like he had in the show. (Literally the only halfway decent character arc in the show) That doesn't mean I can't see that his character is much more complex as his betrayal of the Starks.

In your opinion, did Theon Greyjoy owe the Starks loyalty during the War of the Five Kings? By “the Starks”, I mean both Robb Stark (on a personal level, as a friend and “foster brother”), as well as House Stark and the North as an institution and region, in it’s own right?

Ok, any answer to this risk to be simplistic.

I'll answer a question about Theon with a quote from Jaime:

So many vows... they make you swear and swear. Defend the king. Obey the king. Keep his secrets from him. Do his bidding. Your life for his of him. But obey your father. Love your sister. Protect the innocent. Defend the weak. Respect the gods. Obey the laws. It's too much. No matter what you do, you're forsaking one vow or the other."

From the North poin of view? Theon owes the Stark. Lord Eddard decided on a just and merciful punishment for their rebellion to the crown (here I talked about why imo Ned made the best choice then). They also never took advantage of their position of power over Theon, allowing him to grow up enjoying all the privileges that were reserved for their legitimate children.

If we look at the situation from Theon's point of view, we can see one of the great problems of feudal nobility. Who does Theon have to be loyal to?

As a son he owes loyalty to Balon and to the Greyjoys. As Greyjoy he owes allegiance to the Iron Islands. As a Northman he owes allegiance to the Lord of Winterfell. Later he will owe loyalty to the King in the North. But then his father also declares himself king, so what is more important? Furthermore, Theon is a subject of the Seven Kingdoms, before the North declares independence, so he should also refuse to rebel against the Iron Throne because he owes his loyalty to King Joff. But the Starks are also the people who raised him. But it's also the people who separated him from his family. But it was not Robb who made this decision so he is not responsible for it, etc etc…

My conclusion is that it "doesn't matter" that much what choice Theon took then. This is one of the most interesting parts of this conflict I think. No matter what he does, Theon still have to betray.

Only when he'ill complete his growth as a character, he will be able to make a conscious choice that will allow him not to betray himself in the first place. But don't ask me what it will be because I have no idea.

(This post was edited, because in the first version I made a brain fart)

[charmingnoble]

I can tell already that not everyone is happy to be back, fortunately I am not one of those people. Fortunately for me, at least. How is everyone doing? What have I missed? I know this place, it hasn’t been boring just because I’m not around. You can call me Ross, I’m a Meeks, and I’m a Dominant. Where’s the welcome party?

@tgaimportant​

[iturbide]

Hfjdhjf can I please have more information?? I think the reason I managed to float by so spoiler free was half because up until recently I never was super interested in Three Houses, and my knowledge was limited to what I was told about the routes. WHICH WAS APPARENTLY VERY LIMITED. V E R Y.

friend of course you can have more information

legit though I am so impressed that you’ve managed to stay spoiler free regardless of the context, I am massively spoiled for fandoms I’m not even in and yet you’re managing to come at it fresh like I did when I started my Golden Deer playthrough.

also this came in and frankly your wish is my command

But okay.  So.

Dimitri is honestly fascinating and a tragic, deeply flawed character in his own right.  But understanding his break requires backstory.  His mom died when he was still pretty young due to a plague that swept through Faerghus, and when he was around ten his father re-married an Imperial woman named Patricia von Arundel (who is also Edelgard’s mother, hence the step-siblings thing).  Edelgard, as it happens, had come to the Kingdom with her mother and uncle, Volkhart von Arundel, in order to escape the chaos caused by the Insurrection of the Seven, where the Imperial nobles seized power from the Emperor (Edelgard’s father), and the two became friends: she taught him to dance during the three-ish years she was in the Kingdom, and just before she left Dimitri gifted her a dagger, symbolic in the Kingdom of a hope for someone to cut their own path forward.

Two years later, Dimitri’s life basically becomes hell.  While he and his family are traveling through the neighboring lands of Duscur, their caravan is attacked: his father Lambert and his bodyguard Glenn are both brutally murdered, his step-mother goes missing, and he is the sole survivor.  He witnessed the people responsible, but although he tried to tell people what happened, the people of Duscur were blamed for the attack, and the genocide soon followed.  The whole incident came to be known as the Tragedy of Duscur, and it left Dimitri with massive trauma that went completely unaddressed: he suffers from survivor’s guilt and PTSD, he completely lost all sense of taste, he’s had a constant headache since the incident...oh, and also he sees hallucinations of the people who died.  So there’s that.

Now, because Dimitri was only 14 at the time and he couldn’t take the Faerghus throne until he reached his majority at 18, his uncle Rufus stepped in as regent in the meantime.  Rufus is pretty fucking terrible!  In fact, he sent Dimitri at age 16 to go put down a rebellion in Western Faerghus -- and again, Dimitri is a traumatized teenager who’s been getting no help or support.  The people around him, notably Gilbert and Felix’s father Rodrigue, are trying to foster him into the next King of Faerghus rather than tending to his very real mental and emotional needs following the events of Duscur, so Dimitri has been silently bottling up all of his problems for the better part of two years.  He...kind of snaps during that rebellion, and it ends up as a brutal slaughter; Felix bears witness to it, and ever after he treats Dimitri like a wild animal, calling him a beast and a boar.

This is all just piling on the trauma, as you probably noticed.  He manages to hold it together and keep up a calm exterior, though he’s deeply afraid of the darkness within him, and does his utmost to bury it and keep it under control.  At age 17 he comes to Garreg Mach, and over the course of the school year things just get progressively worse: he starts slipping and growing more violent over the course of repeated encounters with the Flame Emperor, since he recognizes the masked mages from the attack on his family’s caravan in Duscur and believes that the Flame Emperor must have been responsible for the Tragedy.  But he pretty much snaps during the revelation at the Holy Tomb, where Edelgard is unmasked as the Flame Emperor -- in the Blue Lions route, he literally crushes an Imperial soldier’s skull with his bare hands in his attempts to get at Edelgard.  It’s shocking, especially since up to that point the super strength that came from his Crest was played for laughs more than anything else.

He continues slipping in the weeks leading up to the attack on Garreg Mach, publicly alluding to his hallucinations and how they whisper to him and vowing to take Edelgard’s head himself.  CF is the only route where he actually stays pretty sane, so we’re going to focus on non-CF routes: in the battle for the monastery, Edelgard’s forces end up victorious, and he’s forced back to Faerghus, expecting to take the throne and rally a counterstrike against her...only to arrive and be accused of regicide when it’s revealed that his uncle Rufus has been viciously murdered.  Cornelia (who is, in fact, a Twisted agent) takes power in the Kingdom and basically hands it off to Edelgard as the ‘Dukedom of Faerghus,’ then orders Dimitri be imprisoned and later executed; but before he can be killed, his vassal Dedue manages to break him out of prison, though the escape attempt apparently costs him his life (he can be saved by other Duscur survivors depending on the results of an earlier paralogue, though -- the important point is that Dimitri thinks Dedue is dead).  After that, Dimitri spends the next four-ish years wandering alone in the Faerghus forests, the isolation exacerbating his already poor mental health until he’s openly conversing with his hallucinations; he also starts attacking Imperial forces he comes across in Faerghus and basically ripping them apart, leading to a lot of rumors about a wild beast on the loose.  Also, somewhere in this five year span he loses an eye.  No, we have no idea how.  Fandom burns for answers.

Now, Dimitri’s fate varies significantly depending on playthrough here.  In Silver Snow and Verdant Wind, he’s literally consumed by his rage and guilt and his desire for vengeance on behalf of those taken from him, and he ends up dying in pursuit of it.  In Azure Moon, he’s lost any real ability to tell reality from hallucination, and believes even Byleth is nothing more than a figment; he continues his single-minded pursuit of Edelgard, committing atrocities of his own and admitting to being nothing but a base murderer, the beast Felix accused him of being so long ago.  But eventually, through the intervention of Byleth and his classmates, he starts to come around a little more -- though it takes Rodrigue’s death and his final words, encouraging him to live for himself rather than those who have already gone, to really wake him up and get him moving forward.  The game takes the turn a little fast, but it’s still really touching to see Dimitri coming back from the edge and recognizing the importance of his own desires.  The campaign continues, they retake Fhirdiad, there’s a parley with Edelgard where she refuses to back down and continues to insist that war is the only option, things get crazy with the final boss like holy shit, but in the end after Edelgard’s been defeated, Dimitri offers his hand to her...and her final act is to throw the dagger he gifted her when they were children at him, and he instinctively kills her in retaliation.

Look, Dimitri doesn’t come out of this smelling like roses.  He killed a lot of people in very, very violent ways.  But he recognizes that what he did, even if he wasn’t mentally sound at the time, was pretty atrocious and spends the rest of his life seeking peace with as little bloodshed as possible.

But okay I have gone on for a long time about Dimitri so if you’re still here, congratulations let’s talk about my favorite Lord.

Claude is a mystery wrapped in an enigma.  That’s literally how he’s presented in the game, and it’s great.  He’s sociable, amiable, friendly, mischievous, and has a reputation as a schemer.  He jokes about his own reputation a lot, especially when he’s called out, but he’s wickedly smart, especially where tactics, information gathering, puzzles, and secrets are concerned.  We literally go through the whole first half of the game getting only the tiniest hints about him personally and what his aspirations are -- we don’t even know where he came from, he legit just showed up out of the blue when Duke Riegan named Claude as his heir -- and meanwhile he’s out there trying to unravel the mystery behind Crests, the Church, and the Flame Emperor -- and while he doesn’t manage to succeed before the timeskip hits, he manages to uncover an alarming amount of information.  Also, despite his reputation as an untrustworthy trickster, he cares deeply about the people around him and does his best to keep them safe, even if it means resorting to underhanded (but ultimately non-lethal) methods.

Once we hit the timeskip, we find out more of the secrets that he’s been hiding.  For context, Fodlan’s neighbor to the east is Almyra, and relations between the two nations have been...tense, to say the least: a few hundred years ago Almyra invaded Fodlan and a bad time was had by all.  In order to prevent it from happening again, the Alliance built a fortress called Fodlan’s Locket in the pass connecting the two nations (the pass being called Fodlan’s Throat).  Presently, the Alliance is headed by a communal council of nobles from the major families, who meet at regular round tables in order to debate business that affects their territories and pass legislature; the round table is headed by Duke Riegan, who had two children, a son set to inherit the title and a daughter who went mysteriously missing years ago.  Unfortunately, House Riegan and House Gloucester have never been on the best of terms, and when Duke Riegan’s heir was attacked and killed on the road while traveling to visit Duke Gloucester, there were a lot of rumors that Lorenz’s dad might have been involved, though nothing was ever proven in that regard.  It left Duke Riegan in a tough spot, though, since he was getting on in years and suddenly had no heir...at which point, Claude ‘miraculously’ steps in with his Crest and is named heir to House Riegan.

Turns out?  Duke Riegan’s daughter didn’t go missing: she eloped with an Almyran.  And that Almyran, as it turns out, became king of Almyra.  So Claude’s an Almyran prince.  Turns out, he didn’t exactly have a great time growing up, though: Almyrans view the people of Fodlan as cowardly and weak, so they viewed Claude’s mom as such...and Claude himself, too, since he was half-Fodlan.  No matter how much he argued or fought, it never seemed to matter.  He got bullied a lot, and started picking up tactics and poison mixing as ways to defend himself...but more than anything, he hated how small-minded Almyrans were when it came to him and his mother.  Then Duke Riegan’s heir died, and his grandfather reached out to his daughter, hoping to have Claude tested for a Crest -- which, as it happens, he bore.  Claude was so excited, believing that things in Fodlan would be different, better...

...and instead, he found that things in Fodlan were exactly like they were in Almyra.  People hated him for half his heritage -- just this time, it was for his ‘savage’ Almyran half instead of his ‘cowardly’ Fodlan half.  It was hilarious, in a sad way, how alike the people of Fodlan and Almyra were when it came to hating things they didn’t know...and that was how he decided on his goal.  What Claude wants to do is destroy the borders between people and forge understanding between them.  He found through hard experience that people always fear the outsider -- but if you break down the walls, there’s no ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ anymore.  There’s just people.  What he wants to do is unify the Alliance, then Fodlan, then perhaps even the world...not through force or subjugation, but by bringing them together, uniting them through what they share in common and helping them understand and find value in their differences.  His aspiration is to ensure that no one has to suffer like he did growing up.

And so, once things are all settled in Fodlan (and he’s assured that he managed to achieve his goal in small scale with his friends in the Alliance), he leaves Byleth in charge, forgoes leadership in the Alliance, and heads back to Almyra to continue working toward that aspiration.  He becomes the king of Almyra so that he can start working toward that larger goal from the other side of the border, intending to open roads toward peaceful diplomacy and trade with Fodlan.  He knows their bonds are strong, even when they’re apart, and he knows that they’ll all be reunited someday.  Also Claude is the only Lord who has the possibility to live in all routes (barring Silver Snow but he’s only listed as ‘missing’ not ‘dead’ so I hold out hope) which I think says a heck of a lot about how great he is.  He’s just so good and so kind and cares so much about people and he makes my heart warm and yes I’m done yelling about how much I love Claude for a moment.

So hopefully that fills you in a little on the other Lords at least in part please enjoy my novel-length ramble.

[chubbyooo]

Blurred Lines: Cursed Past Chapter 76 - Birth of a Revolution

hey all my block is bad at the mo but here’s a chapter I finally got round to

Risha discusses her plans for Dubrillion with Ash and Gacen

Ash sat on the grass not quite sure what to do, Gacen had been in there for a while and by the sounds of things he was rather occupied. She couldn’t say she could really relate to whatever animalistic lust came over them but knew it was best to give them some space. She smiled still, it could’ve gone a lot worse, they seemed to have reconnected positively, it felt kinda good but not as good as she’d hoped. She thought it might make her lack of direction go away but nope it was still there, there was word from Guss that Risha was planning something so maybe she could help with that. She sighed, nothing ever really filled that lack of direction feeling but Havoc Squad had been the best example of something that gave her direction but even then she was fighting for a corrupt government. 

She looked around the jungle and the base set up, Risha certainly had been busy and productive, there were little droids building all over the jungle. She chuckled and she’d also been rich enough, Ash turned to see Guss sitting down next to her he was poking at the ground seeming like he wanted to say something “so how long do you reckon we’re gonna have to wait?” someone had to break the silence

Guss looked to her flustered “oh um maybe a while they hopefully will be done soon” Ash nodded knowing Gacen it could be a while “so uh you were travelling with Gacen?” Ash could sense the jealousy even if it wasn’t warranted

Ash looked away “yeah I mean I helped him out of prison and then I thought it best someone look after him” she sighed “and I really didn’t have anything else to do” Guss nodded rubbing his chin

He turned to her “well I’m glad he’s back he was probably missing his Jedi Best Friend” Ash just nodded ignoring the obvious implication

Ash folded her arms “yeah I’m sure he missed his sidekick he told me about it when i was piloting the ship” Guss’ eyes widened 

He responded in a huff “I’m not a sidekic… he lets you pilot the ship” Ash let herself grin a little bit  

Ash nodded “well yes I’m copilot after all and we’re equals so there wouldn’t be any reason not to” Guss breathed out heavily frowning

Guss sulked “well yes I suppose so… I’m glad he managed to find Risha as a result of me that was quite well placed of me” Ash had to admit messing with him was a little fun

Ash responded “yeah it’s a good thing I found that footage of you I’m happy to have helped” Guss frowned a little more before looking away

He mumbled “no one likes a show off” and then continued “I managed to get all these droids here by the way, well before M4-SK was here” he paused “not too shabby if you ask me” Ash nodded just ignoring him now

From behind they heard a voice “that was pretty good of you buddy” Ash turned to see Gacen above them, he jumped down off the ridge “alright we’re all done so you guys can come in” Ash sighed not wanting to know what that entailed 

Ash asked “so how did it go? Is everything good?” Gacen had a noticeable smile which cause Ash to let out a very genuine smile 

Gacen raised his eyebrow “woah what is this are you genuinely smiling” he teased as Ash’s signature frown returned “anyway yeah it went awesome you were right no awkwardness but not only that, Risha has some plans of her own if you wanna get involved” It was either this or boring smuggler jobs so Ash nodded

Gacen led them towards the house and as he did Guss jogged up to him “so um about Ash how serious is uh this um friendship” Ash lagged behind but couldn’t help but roll her eyes

Gacen shook his head “Guss don’t do this to yourself you’re both equally good I’m allowed more than one friend, I could never replace you” Guss looked both satisfied and unsatisfied at the same time

He nodded “right right yes equally good friends right” he slinked back “cool cool cool cool” as he passed Ash he mumbled “irreplaceable” Ash had to stifle a laugh due to how little she cared about this weird rivalry Guss had created for himself

Gacen led them into the base and to a large war room where Risha stood waiting for them at a holotable, Ash had to admit as soon as she saw a war room she got a little rush of excitement this could be good. 

Risha looked sternly at Ash she wondered if she was still mad at Ash for taking Gacen away on that mission “good to see you again Ash how have you been” she had never heard anything said sterner in her life

Ash looked away awkwardly “uh hi um Risha I uh well I want to apolag-” Risha cut her off

She waved it off “relax Ash, you may have taken Gacen from me and gotten him captured separating us for 8 years” she paused for a scary amount of time “but you brought him back so I forgive you” Ash gave an awkward smile nodding

Gacen chuckled “dude she’s messing with you” Risha face turned into a smirk as she gestured to the Holotable, upon it was the planet of Dubrillion spinning as they gathered around it

Risha began “As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now I am trying to retake Dubrillion from this man” a stern Bald man appeared on the table his face long and old, Ash had seen his face once before on a Holo that a terrible scientist had talked to. “This is King Actavarus III of Dubrillion the current ruler of Dubrillion, a Tyrant and more than that a coward” Ash had gotten that impression from him he seemed like the worst type of noble

Gacen chimed in “also a massive Asshole” Risha nodded agreeing with Gacen’s comment

Risha sighed “he is the sort of ruler that when he sees a revolution brewing he will destroy cities to stop it” she paused “that’s not a metaphor he actually did that, to get at me” Ash could see the hurt in her face as she talked “he and the other nobles surrendered the planet during the eternal empires reign almost immediately but now that has been dissolved it remains unaligned” Ash nodded considering the options

Ash spoke up “it seems if we were to take on this we’d need allies, ones that are powerful and could outsmart such cowardly tactics” Risha nodded sliding a crest across the table to her

Risha continued “absolutely correct but I think we have just gained the first one, if you will be one of the commanders Ash?” Ash looked at the crest of a crown sitting above a factory; she felt an immense sense of pride as she held it.

She let herself smile again “of course I will Risha I’ve looked into what Actavarus has been doing and if anywhere needs liberating it’s Dubrillion” Risha nodded with a smile

Gacen joked “oh wow two times in one day she’s doing it she’s having emotions” Ash got the knife from her belt and gestured with it to shut Gacen up

Risha shook her head “anyway I can’t form any sort of open rebellion as he will sacrifice the people for control and I can’t allow that” she brought up a set of plans that each looked complex “so instead I will need operatives to do theses jobs for me, these are a number of plans I have come up with to minimize civilian casualties but allow us the control and foothold we would need” Ash looked at the many plans on the screen Risha certainly had a lot of time on her hands many of these had contingencies and everything but she did worry considering she wasn’t a military mind. Risha continued “but for now we have limited options so we will merely be doing scouting and recruitment” she looked to Gacen “Gacen will be handling recruitment of allies due to his certain charms” Gacen looked very full of himself for a second, Risha turned back to Ash “and I wanted you to handle early missions, first you and Guss should head to Dubrillion to check on the scientists inventions” the face of that terrible scientist appeared on the screen

Ash frowned “are you sure Guss would be the best choice for this mission he may slow me down” Risha frowned at her

Guss responded “I don’t mind working with her but she does have a point I may slow her down a bit” wow talk about low confidence

She folded her arms “you’re a lot more resourceful than you may look” she paused “but more importantly I don’t want anyone going in without backup we’re stretched thin enough as it is we need to stick together” Ash conceded that was a very good point

Gacen smiled “she’s right though I’m sure by the end of the trip you guys will be best mates” they both looked at each other not convinced

Risha continued “nonetheless Armande is the one thing I can’t really predict, he has a habit for trying to make inventions and getting something that has an other more dangerous function and as a result it’s pretty hard to predict” Ash nodded that at least explained the terrible truth serum

Ash looked at the plans “right so have a look around his base find out what dangerous inventions he has here and report back” Risha nodded Ash was very surprised they were getting on so well

Risha frowned “and if anything goes wrong do NOT mention me or anything about these plans we need this looking like a break in, if you get caught keep the act up until you can escape got it’ she was very firm making it abundantly clear how hush hush this had to be

Ash nodded “Understood you can count on me” Ash was surprised she honestly couldn’t wait to go, her first proper mission in years she better ace it

Risha smiled turning to Gacen “In the meantime we have to decide what allies we may want to and if any faction would take us” she pressed a button on the table and a red togrutas face appeared on the screen “first of all I’d like to get some of my most trusted allies so Gacen I need you to find Master Sumalee” Gacen let out and audible groan

Gacen sighed “whaaat we have to work with the by the rules Jedi cmonnnnn what can she offer us” Ash could think of so many things

Risha put her hands on her hips “you think Sumalee is by the book? She’s one of the better jedi and regardless we could use her strategic mind on this matter and you know she owes me” Gacen conceded nodding “now you better play nice and get her for me” Gacen nodded

He frowned “fine I may not like her but you have a point” he paused “and to be honest you probably have so much more of an idea of how to take a planet” he was only half joking but Risha did still smile

Risha continued “Intel suggests she’s on a planet called Wayland I have some possible coordinates but it may take a bit of searching so take M4-SK with you” she gestured to the corner where Ash hadn’t even noticed M4-SK leaning against the wall

They stood up and walked towards them “A new part eh Pard” they paused as their voice became a lot higher pitched “sounds perfect I’ll start workin on my character when we have some time Master Zandar” Gacen looked at them a bit bewildered

He responded “I um guess just be a protocol droid for this one” M4-SK nodded as Gacen frowned at them

M4-SK responded “ah yes sounds perfect next time you see me I will be a protocol droid” with that they walked out of the chamber

Gacen frowned “isn’t it already a protocol droid?” Risha just shook her head

“Just go with it it’s a lot easier than arguing” Guss nodded they clearly were used to it

Ash still was curious about a few things “so in terms of a bigger ally what were you thinking?” Risha brought up what looked like pros and cons lists

Risha gestured to them “Well there are two options either we go with the Republic or the Alliance, the Republic is a little more of a sure thing but also liable to corruption. Whereas the Alliance tends to be volatile so I’m looking for further input hopefully from Sumalee and you two” Ash pretty much had the same opinion of both it was a rather good assessment

Gacen chuckled “don’t ask me I have no idea who’s running what or the morales of any of them” Ash could back that up he really had no idea what was going on.

Risha frowned “really? Well I guess I’ll have to talk to Sumalee and Ash then but I’m leaning towards the Alliance” Ash nodded in agreement, the republic had burned her too many times. Risha shook her head “anyway for now those are the plans I’d advise we leave soon but feel free to at least take a break before we spring into action” Ash nodded she was raring to go but Gacen probably wasn’t

Gacen shook his head “I think I’ll stay a couple days and make sure to get a perma comm set up with you before I go” Risha smiled as she chucked a commlink at him

She chuckled “already done, you best keep that on” Gacen quickly put it on

Gacen smiled “perfect I like the way you think babe” Ash scoffed as they began to flirt and left to plan the mission

A day or two had passed since the briefing and Ash had been bogged down preparing for the mission but finally she was ready as they prepared the small vessel Risha and Guss had escaped in for a trip to Dubrillion. She smiled, they were all ready, she was gonna get everything she needed, come back and plan a revolution, she hadn’t felt this excited in weeks. 

She turned to Guss as he packed the ship “ok are you ready? Got all the stealth equipment and the fake credentials” Guss nodded as he carried a box to the ship

He smiled “I checked them all with Risha before I left the base and I think that everything is correct and in order” Ash smiled Guss had proved surprisingly capable when being bossed around he certainly didn’t question authority like someone

Ash nodded “sounds good get everything prepped” she glanced past him to see Gacen standing waiting to say goodbye “I gotta say my goodbyes I assume you already have?” he nodded as Ash strode over to Gacen

Gacen smiled a her “look at you two days and already going off on another mission” Ash chuckled he had a point

She looked away “I uh was never one to stay in a place too long, I completed my mission with you now it’s on to the next one and all that” she paused “but I’m not going anywhere I’ll be back in a couple days ready for your arrival with Sumalee” Ash assumed Gacen felt weird since they hadn’t been apart for two years and to be fair it was a little weird

Gacen held his neck “yeah I know but I haven’t been away from you since escaping just uh guess I’m just a sentimental fool” Ash nodded he was definitely that

She responded “well don’t worry I”m sure Risha can look after you and believe me when I get back we are having a checkup, you can handle this mate I believe in you” Gacen nodded he knew the nature of their friendship at this point

Gacen smiled “thanks for getting me here, I never could’ve done this without you” he chuckled “there I go getting sentimental again I think i get that from my mom” Ash laughed before she remembered something she’d been meaning to ask him. She was about to speak up but she paused looking at him for a second, he looked happy, maybe she could give him a few days before asking about his family.

She looked to the ship “Well I best not keep Guss waiting don’t want him to crash the ship” Gacen laughed clearly relating “I’ll see ya soon have fun with your wife” Gacen nodded waving goodbye to her as she walked onto the ship. Here we go she thought another adventure let’s hope this ones a good one...

[hotheadhero]

On House Bergliez, Empire politics, Caspar, and Julian

As I promised before going on hiatus/vacation, here are my headcanons for House Bergliez and their role in Empire politics. The title should make it pretty clear why there’s a cut, though there are some non-spoilery HCs buried in here. A few non-spoiler paragraphs at the end aren’t super well-integrated, but there are other HCs in here that are, so I’ll just keep the former in their original place.

For my own reference, most of the Empire’s nobility is sourced from Wilhelm’s (crestless) allies and those granted crests by the Four Saints. None of the Ten Elites’ crests are present in the Empire (except Lamine via Jeritza, but he’s an adoptee and doesn’t count). The Insurrection of the Seven occurred in 1171 and involved Aegir, Vestra, Arundel, and Gerth, as well as three unnamed houses. Hevring, Bergliez, Varley, Hrym, Nuvelle, Ochs, and Bartels are not explicitly named as involved in the Insurrection, but given their size/strength, the first three being the unnamed conspirators is likelier than the last three. While the four smaller houses had their own possible motives to join (in particular Nuvelle: money > Crests and Bartels: gimme Crest --> ministry title(?)), Hrym was prematurely destroyed in 1167 as punishment for their failed rebellion (which consequently got Alliance house Ordelia mixed up in TWSITD); and Nuvelle and Ochs were likely too worried about (and lost much to) the eventual Dagda and Brigid War of 1175. Gerth is explicitly “distant” from other houses more involved with the Insurrection--as the diplomacy house with ties outside the Empire, it stood to gain/lose the least no matter how the Insurrection turned out; and they may have been trying to avoid war with Dagda and Brigid in the first place. Given that the explicit identity of the last three houses involved in the Insurrection is not stated, provided it’s Bergliez, Hevring, and Varley, all three counts are likely to have hidden their involvement from their children as well. Caspar makes no explicit reference to his father being involved in said Insurrection--in fact, CF Ch12, he says something like “some of us” while (joined by Bernadetta, though that could simply be reflex “look at the speaker”?) looking straight at Ferdinand.

Bergliez, with its control over both the non-Imperial Guard army and the Empire’s breadbasket, has a closer tie to commonfolk than the other noble families in the Empire. Both activities require all members to work together and trust each other; hence, Count Bergliez (tentative name Gilead -- doesn’t exactly further the Roman agenda, but it sounds badass) has a close bond with his men (though that doesn’t spare his enemies any; he probably is quite the demon on the battlefield—think Hector) and Caspar gets along with others regardless of station. Both have to learn how to judge people as a result of said teamwork requirements.

Compared to Vestra, the other prominent crestless noble house, the fact that Bergliez has the richest land in the Empire (all the wheat ~ 75% of the Empire’s food), virtually all of the army, and none of the extremely close ties to Hresvelg, puts it in a less precarious position than Vestra if it had been Count Bergliez to betray the Empire instead of Vestra. (For my own reference, from DMs with Hubert-mun, Vestra’s betrayal hurts more because even though Marquis Vestra was “just following orders”, they betrayed the family that trusted them for decades… instantly giving all the other nobles a free pass to question whether they too would be betrayed by the same.) For Count Bergliez in particular, he never liked Marquis Vestra from the start (may have considered him a sycophant/too underhanded? Idk for sure yet) and said betrayal was fuel for the fire.

Count Bergliez’s straightforward nature makes him contentious with the other nobles because while he readily calls them out on corruption he sees and doesn’t like, he’s also at least militarily very efficient, and also capable of seeing the heart of things when others might not. (Not to say that Bergliez is incapable of duplicity himself. I wouldn’t be surprised if, as the closest named territory, he was the one who encouraged Hrym to revolt.)

Mainly because it’s “Lying Aegir” leading them + who had the biggest hand in greenlighting the Hresvelg child experimentation, and also because as the house with the bulk of the standing army, why shouldn’t he be in charge?, Bergliez is the last to join the Insurrection. His initial plan was to use whatever confusion ensued from Hrym’s rebellion/bid to join the Alliance to overthrow the Hresvelgs himself and install Julian (Caspar’s older brother, and the Bergliez heir thanks to Grandfather Bergliez stepping down) as Emperor. (More on this when I get ahold of my Gods and Legions book by Michael Curtis Ford again.) Given how quickly and/or magically and/or with unity the Empire put down the Hrym revolt, though, Bergliez decided to bite the bullet and join with Duke Aegir, tabling his plans for after they take out their common enemy. (“I can use the confusion of the Insurrection to take over,” he figured.)

(Hevring may possibly have known about Bergliez’s plans, but didn’t tell Aegir due to having their own designs on the Empire--though this is not necessarily malicious = anti-Hresvelg; Hevring could simply have joined because they wanted the even power distribution. If so, Hevring was effectively like “I told you so” when Bergliez finally joins. Bergliez doesn’t want to hear it.)

With Bergliez’s physical military might backing them now, the Insurrection had the other half of the “big stick” they would need if the initial “soft coup” goes south. (The first half is the magical might provided by Vestra, Hevring, Essar, etc.)

Owing to Bergliez’s designs for the throne, Caspar, Randolph/Fleche, and all the other Bergliez children represent (very many--recall Caspar has 7 younger siblings) mere obstructions or rivals to be eliminated. Yet no matter how corrupt the influence provided by his job, his noble coworkers, and Julian (who may well be like a lazier Michalis), Bergliez can’t bring himself to outright kill his children. The best he can do is minimize contact and keep them ill- or uninformed of Empire politics. Hence, when he’s not being told fables/hero stories/etc., Caspar gets an extremely sanitized version of his father’s war stories and is able to maintain his ideal of his father as a great hero to be emulated. He also remembers his father stroking his hair sometimes as a kid, and clings to that—during the day, he gets very little non-harsh love from his father otherwise (as already mentioned in a previous ask - cue mingled desire + uncertainty on handling compliments and affection). Caspar’s decision to strike out for Garreg Mach on his own, while injurious to Gilead as a father, is actually a huge blessing because it makes keeping him out of the loop so much easier. Even with what little information he gets (e.g. knowing little about Randolph and Fleche other than their names and familial relations to him—come to think of it, does he ever say Fleche’s name?) + his general disdain for politics, Caspar asks too many probing questions—when he has his moments, at least.

While it’s unlikely Bergliez encouraged his wife and children back in Gronder/Merceus to visit because of the above, both halves of the family did see the other half occasionally. Thus, Caspar did get to see his 7 younger siblings grow up, in a fashion.

During Caspar and Julian’s tutelage in Enbarr, Bergliez was an extremely harsh taskmaster to both of them, using threats and ultimatums ranging all the way up to death as motivation to work hard. Undecided whether this includes “I’ll kill you myself” or only goes as far as “mess up like this and you will die on the battlefield; it’s a harsh place”. This influences Caspar’s death line... though I have another good one should he die with a close friend nearby. >:3c

While Caspar generally dislikes reading, he definitely knows how to and has probably read a decent bit. He’s no scholar, though, and his reading list is mostly comprised of hero stories (at least a few of which were romantic, to help explain his romantic streak) and picture books. (I’ll... figure out where Caspar gets his romantic streak from later. For how oblivious he is when he’s the object of affection (thus, he definitely needs the other person to spell it out for him - see ShamSpar for the most concrete example), it’s clear he has one.)

I still maintain that Bergliezes as a rule find it very difficult to grow full beards. Very few have done so successfully. It’s the family curse XDD

[thousandeyesand-one]

Cersei Lannister with the wits & cunning of Tywin Lannister..

Recently I read an anti's perspective of this scene where cersei is very cunning with her fear mongering. Apparently cersei wasn't lying in this scene about daenerys, she wasn't inaccurate about who the Mad King's Daughter is & every last bit of info she dropped on her. So here's a breakdown of this scene & the amount of "truths & lies" it contains.

This statement coming from cersei is really something considering she has steered the War of the Five Kings which has destroyed the realm, wiped out several noble families & caused innocent lives the count of which is still unknown.

Open Rebellion which happened because of how cersei ended the future of a great house who were actually the crown's greatest ally. Olenna was playing a last move against cersei for justice for her family that is the only reason she allied with daenerys.

•House Tyrell aren't Targaryen Loyalists really! during the rebellion they sided with the Targaryens as long as they were the winning side as soon as Rhaegar died & Lannister's sacked KL they lifted the seige on Storm's end, similarly in the War of the Five Kings they sided with the Crown right after renly died. So, a family who has stayed Loyal to nobody but themselves in the past will have an easy case built against them by cersei. Their past isn't very convincing on their loyalties for Tyrell's bannermen to stay loyal to their Lord Paramount in a state where they side with a foreign army against the crown. Cersei isn't lying here but definitely hand picking selective facts to back her case up.

•Mindless unsullied soldiers or more correctly Loyal unsullied soldiers. When daenerys gave them their freedom back & the right to choose whether they fight for her or not & they chose to fight for her they stopped being mindless. When Kraznys Mo Nakloz shows daenerys the ranks of unsullied more than half of them were of dothraki stock, some from lys & Qarth. They seem to have no allegiance to anyone but their commander unlike the golden company consisting of sell swords from around the world & a number of exiled westerosi men whose only allegiance is to gold not any commander. They aren't mindless atleast not the unsullied with daenerys. But yeah I guess Unsullied in general have that reputation of being mechanical to consequences of war. Again cersei isn't lying here but these are hand picked facts she needed to back her case.

"Unsullied are brave soldiers ... But not warriors. Not knights"

                                                       -Ser Barristan Selmy

While the unsullied are helpless to their own nature to the way that they were created to be as soldiers not warriors or knights. Yet there are those like Ser Gregor Clegane, who was knighted for his sadistic brutality on Princess Elia & her children. Also known for being pretty brainless with his brutality of innocent & women, children & in burning of villages. Rmember the way Lannister men tortured people in harrenhal without question?! If the unsullied are mindless then so is the Lannister army, the Northern army & every other army who fights & follows their commander's orders as in that's what armies do. As of now in the show mountain is just as brainless as any foot soldier in the army of the dead. There is nothing that the Dothraki does that the Lannister men haven't done in a time of war. Dothraki way is the barbaric way, that's the only way they know unlike the Lannisters. So again, cersei hand picked the facts to back her case.

Also I love how they cut to Jaime when cersei says the following..

•Ned Stark's service & loyalty was also rewarded in a particular fashion of unfair brutality by cersei for the sake of her children. Olenna is doing the same in fact her motivations are the same that of cersei's. Cersei was protecting her family Olenna is avenging hers.

•Mad King is cersei's strongest champion in this discussion, she strengthened her own position by using mad king to exploit daenerys & her reputation before she builds one in the eyes of westerosi lords. Cersei knows as much about Aerys & Daenerys as much as the next person in that room. But Ser Barristan Selmy not only served Aerys but also had seen Rhaella, Rhaegar & Daenerys. Other than varys he might be the only person who saw the Last of House Targaryen pretty closely. He thought Daenerys was like Rhaegar who was widely believed to be nothing like the Mad King.

"Prince Viserys was only a boy, it would have been years before he was fit to rule, and ... forgive me, my queen, but you asked for truth ... even as a child, your brother Viserys oft seemed to be his father's son, in ways that Rhaegar never did."

                    -Ser Barristan Selmy ASOS (Daenerys IV)

"I think you are Rhaegar Targaryen's sister," Ser Jorah said with a rueful half smile.

"Aye," said Arstan Whitebeard, "and a Queen as well."

                                                     -ASOS (Daenerys IV)

While Jorah & Whitebeard knew daenerys that well to make that comparison of her to Rhaegar. Tyrion on the other hand knows both cersei & Daenerys well enough. He chose to serve daenerys over his own sister & did her bidding one on one to cersei. Neither does he want daenerys to launch a dynasty nor does he wants to see cersei win. He wants to build a new world with daenerys with the help of the power she holds because according to him, her mind & heart are ultimately in the right place when it comes to the overall picture!

"Cersei is as gentle as King Maegor, as selfless as Aegon the Unworthy, as wise as Mad Aerys. She never forgets a slight, real or imagined. She takes caution for cowardice and dissent for defiance. And she is greedy. Greedy for power, for honor, for love."

                                                -Tyrion Lannister ADWD

Tyrion never refers daenerys in anyway ever as unworthy, mad or cruel, ever! Neither in the books nor on the show. All he says is "Daenerys is not her father" Cersei is wrong with her comparison of mad king & daenerys.

•I agree daenerys has made mistakes in the past, done things that when given a second thought to, come of as cruel. But to remember the fact that she was brought up on the road in exile with an abusive Half-mad brother, whose decent into madness she saw & lived with. Both Jon & Daenerys are Targaryens, both very similar people at the core of their personalities; Innocent & introvert, pure & kind the only reason why Jon is such a flawless beloved character is because he was raised by Ned Stark unlike daenerys who was raised by Viserys & his own twisted perspective of the world & people. Yes She crucified 163 masters of meereen, most of whom had a hand behind the crucifixion of little children at every mile on a post for 163 miles. All those children were brutally tortured so daenerys learns a so called lesson masters wanted to teach her. Maybe not all those masters were behind the said brutality but daenerys is a women in a hurry to establish power in meereen not to enjoy the fruits of power but for the betterment of the mereenese, the slaves & the children. Regardless of the consequences her intentions were never evil.

•About feeding the masters to her dragons. This doesn't happen in the books neither does Ser Barristan dies. So purely from a Show viewer perspective cersei humiliated Ser Barristan Selmy out of his servitude in the Kingsguard, the sworn brotherhood like the Night's Watch whose oath frees one upon their death.

A little history on Selmy; he was sworn into the brotherhood of Kingsguard during the reign of Jaehaerys II who was weak but a fine king Selmy was happy to serve him yet he died quickly after which Aerys II ascended to the throne who wasn't mad initially but soon acquired the said madness & Selmy grew to respect his oath over the king he serves. He fought for Rhaegar at the trident because he believed he would be a better king than his father unfortunately he died too. Leaving Selmy in a clutch of his oath & honor, upon being pardoned by Robert Baratheon he decided to serve him because he was a great knight but even he turned out to be a Bad King. Let's not even talk about Joffery! After being free of the oath that bound him to the Crown he went looking for someone he would follow & serve out of sheer will. Ser Barristan Selmy made daenerys feel closer to her family than Viserys ever could in all the time that she was with him. On the show Selmy dies fighting the harpies in a betrayal, for daenerys this was her losing her family all over again. Arya fed Frey's sons to Walder Frey only on the show by far, sansa fed ramsay to his hounds again only on the show by far & Daenerys fed the men whose betrayal costed her Selmy after finding about jorah's betrayal.

In all honesty she only fed one man to her dragons with an intention to terrify the others into divulging the truth. Yet again cersei hand picked the facts to back her case up.

sure.

A Solution? More like an attempt & a failed one at that!

Cersei is outright lying here, playing with incomplete selective truths. Neither did she depict the past accurately nor the future. Hypocrisy is written all over this scene, This is fear mongering 101.

[alittlestarling]

Rosalind as a Companion

Because I have too many feelings about her these days, I’ve completed the whole Inquisitor-as-a-Companion meme for Roz. I may or may not be working on an outline for a whole story sort of around this >>;

1. If not for the Conclave, what would drive your character to join the Inquisition? Rosalind wouldn’t necessarily join the Inquisition of her free will. The game never states as much, but I’ve had this headcanon that the rebellion at Ostwick wasn’t quite so peaceful. Rosalind, along with a handful of others, escaped just before the Circle fell when things were rocky and precarious on what the future had for mages. She was on the run for a time with others but they were separated before the Conclave. Rosalind would be found not far from the mage hideaway in the Witchwood and given the option to be recruited (which I’ll go into with the next question).

2. How would they meet the Inquisitor? In the Witchwood just after the Inquisitor cleared out the violent rebels. Rosalind wasn’t with them; rather, she was trying to reach the camp so talk them out of fighting with everyone coming through the area. The Inquisitor is given the choice to recruit her since she has information about the rebel mages (or has an idea of how to connect easily with them) in Redcliffe.

3. What would some of their cutscenes look like? Most notably there would be a couple cutscenes where Roz is helping with the refugees, both in Haven and when they’re settling in at Skyhold. The Skyhold scene involves Rosalind probably being followed around by some of the children they’ve picked up (like a little row of ducklings) which is so flipping adorable and one of my favorite headcanons.

4. What would their romance route look like? Would they be romancable? For sure! Roz would be romancable by male or female Inquisitors of any race. Approval is earned through helping others (high approval when they’re mages), agreeing that the Circle needs to be changed and by engaging her in conversation about the world around her. When her approval is high enough, her personal quest is unlocked. A cutscene triggers and she comes to see the Inquisitor with a letter in her hands and asks for a favor. Rumors of someone she mentored have reached her and she needs someone to look into it. Scouts are sent through the War Table and a mission opens up (which Roz requests to be part of). Reunited with her mentee opens up the option to romance her. Despite her rather shy approach to the subject, she’s straight-forward in her desire to explore a romance if brought up. There would definitely be lots of smooching in the garden for kiss scenes. She would also be the first to admit that she could have never expected something like this since romance and love was strictly forbidden in the circle.

5. If they romanced someone as Inquisitor, would they still fall for that person as a companion? How would that play out? How would they react to that person being romanced by the “new” Inquisitor? I mean, if it were up to me, YES. In a universe where Iron Bull wasn’t set as a romance for Dorian on the side, I could see the pair of them pairing off if they’re in the same party often. There would be some ambient dialogue at the beginning, especially in regards to mage rights where they butt heads but eventually it would spiral into conversations with blatant discussion of wants and needs. Their romance would only trigger after Demands of the Qun and only if the Inquisitor saved the Chargers.

If the new Inquisitor romanced Iron Bull, there wouldn’t be any bad blood or anything. More it would keep things a little distant between Bull and Roz, more professional and maybe friendly without being too close.

6. Write some of their party banter (in reaction to major events, scenery dialogue, or just shitting around. Askers can specify for which character/event, or leave it up to the writer).

Bringing Roz to the Storm Coast by the water would trigger this dialogue:

Roz: Maker, can we...can we not go climbing along the rocks? Inquisitor: Is something wrong? Roz: No, I mean - (sigh) I just don’t want to fall in. Inquisitor: Afraid of getting wet? Roz: No. I just...well, I can’t swm, actually.

(If Cole is in the Party)

Cole: Splashing, gasping, weighed down, you fear a dark death beneath the waves. But on solid ground you know better than to worry. Roz: I know you’re meant to be helpful, Cole, but that most certainly was not comforting.

7. What would be on their tombstone in the fade (what is their greatest fear)? Made Tranquil

8. What kind of Inquisitor would drive them to leave the Inquisition/confront them about their actions (what gets their approval low? what does that scene look like)? Low approval would definitely come from actions like making Erimond Tranquil, suppressing mages and generally making choices that cause more bloodshed rather than compromise. Roz wouldn’t make a big deal out of leaving, simply pack her things and go. She might write a letter in the end as a gesture of thanks either way for saving her life but now she’s searching for a greater purpose, which she obviously knew she wouldn’t find there.

9. Where in Skyhold would they be found? (e.g. Cole is in the tavern rafters, Leliana in the top of the tower, Varric in the throne room, etc.) Initially she could be found in Skyhold’s gardens where she tries to help things grow (she may be less than great at healing but herbalism is a strength of hers). If the Inquisitor builds a Mage tower, she moves up there and works with the NPCs in that building, making her desk up on that second floor.

10. If Inquisition operated like DA:O, what would their gift items be? Rose scented perfume, a locket that looks pretty close to one she had back in the circle and probably a few different books.

11. How would they grow as a person? How would they compare at the end of the Inquisition as a companion to who they were as the Inquisitor? Without the pressures of command, I think Roz would be more open on her opinions, regardless of who it made angry. She’d have a much stronger stance on reforming the Circles and finding a way to keep the power-hungry from looking over their charges. She grows a little more powerful and stronger in her voice either way, but as a companion she just uses it more to help causes near to her heart without worrying that she’s going to offend some third party or that the organization will fall apart under the weight of her choices. Her biases remain intact, to be honest, and she doesn’t have to harden herself as much to make the hard choices.

12. Do they believe the Herald of Andraste is really the Herald of Andraste? Roz would be skeptical about the whole deal, honestly. The idea of being around a holy figure is a little overwhelming, even though she has roots in her faith that she holds tight to. Instead she views them as more of just an important figure rather than a religious symbol.

13. If the Herald didn’t have them tag along to prep the trebuchets, what would they do during the battle for Haven? (bonus: would they join in on the impromptu Dawn Will Come choir practice in the camp?) Evacuating the houses and encampment of the people who have joined up. Then ultimately holding off enemies as they went up the path. She would sing - a soft soprano that is barely noticeable but there all the same.

14. What nickname does Varric give them? Rosebud.

15. Without the influence of their decisions for the Inquisition, which of the companions do they get along with? Which ones do they bicker with? I LOVE thinking about this. Roz would definitely get along best with Dorian and Vivienne - despite Viv’s desire to reinstate the Circle, there’s a healthy respect between the pair of them, though Roz very specifically does not talk about her use of Blood Magic around her for good reason. It’s one of the few secrets she keeps close to her chest. Bull and the Chargers are also high on the list of people she gets on with. Pretty sure she flirts easily with Blackwall before the revelation of who he is but she tries to still be a friend since she understands the weight of a secret like his.

She’s pretty neutral comes it comes to Sera, Cole and Cassandra. She gets along with them fine but they’re not people she actively seeks out (though eventually she and Cassandra enjoy romance novels together for fun when they have downtime). Josephine is also someone Roz would be cordial to but doesn’t seek her out often.

Solas, Cullen and Leliana are people she pretty much avoids for varying reasons. She and Solas don’t see eye-to-eye; Leliana kind of terrifies her; and Cullen she avoids for the obvious reasons that he was a Templar she doesn’t trust them at all.

16. What would the Fear Demon say to them in the Fade to try and discourage them? “Do you think they’d readily accept you when they knew what you’ve done? Maleficarum in the Inquisition, a stain on their organization. They’ll hold you down and turn you Tranquil the first chance they get.” It’s unnerving and probably the first time anyone in their group has heard her called a Blood Mage (the closest secret she holds) but Roz snaps back (shakily) that it’ll have to try harder than that old line.

17. Where do they hang out in the Winter Palace? What’s their thoughts on the nobles/The Game? On one of the balconies or in the gardens; somewhere she has room to move and isn’t up to her eyeballs in nobles pestering her or whispering theatrically about another Mage in the Inquisition. Since she came from a noble family, people expect her to have a firm grasp of the Game and how to react to things; surprise surprise though, Roz left for the Circle at the tender age of six and so this is like throwing a minnow to the sharks. She’s visibly uncomfortable and is happier to go off investigating rather than standing around and being stared at.

18. What’s their reaction to a dragon showing up? Profuse swearing, honestly. “Are you sure you want to fight that thing? Let me make sure we have healing potions on hand.”

19. Once Corypheus is beaten, what do they do during the party? Do they stay with the Inquisition, or go somewhere else? What could the Inquisitor do to convince them to stay? Roz is probably at one of the tables (near Bull since she probably comments on that if they were romanced). She’s excited and talks about going out to enjoy the night sky without that mess of green there. “Nightmare fuel’s gone and now we can just enjoy the quiet that comes with a victory, yeah?” If romanced by the Inquisitor, she expresses hope to continue working in the garden. “If you want me to stay, that is.” There’s relief in her voice when the Inquisitor agrees. If romanced into being with Bull, she talks about seeing more of the world around them. “The Chargers seem to get around and I figure they could use a mage.” There’s a few winks shared over the obvious white lie of it.

Unromanced, Roz can be convinced to stay and tend to the garden if she wants or encouraged to go exploring in the world. “You have a choice now, freedom to do what you want. Don’t you want to venture forth and see what’s out there?” A chuckle from her. “Perhaps I could, Inquisitor. It’s because of you I can do that. Thank you.”

20. How do they react to learning abominations can retain their consciousness and identity, and even live peacefully with their spirits/demons, as seen in Stone-Bear Hold? Roz would be endlessly intrigued at how things are run at the hold versus what she knows of magic in the Circle. Wary, perhaps, and a little sad for those who she knew that had to be made Tranquil rather than let them live.

21. What do they think of the discoveries made in the Deep Roads? Do they make any comments on anything? Amazement, honestly, especially when they reach the central chamber where the Titan is located. Beyond that, though, she probably has a few things to say about being underground and hoping they’re not down there for too long (“I need fresh air sooner or later.”).

22. If you have another Inquisitor, how would those two get along, specifically? She and Ellana would probably get on well! Roz would probably try to take Ellana under her wing and there would be a lot of discussion about the differing forms of magic that they practice.

23. In trespasser, what “gift” would they give the Inquisitor, if any? A few balms to help with the pain of the anchor. Even if she’s been off in the world, being around the Inquisitor again would make it very clear that they’re in pain. These would be new concoctions that she created with them in mind. Also lots of tea.

24. What are their plans for after the Exalted Council? Will the Inquisition staying in tact or being disbanded make a difference? Roz tells the Inquisitor of her plans to settle somewhere, perhaps make brews and potions for those who need it. A quiet life, she tells them, one she’s certain she deserves. If she’s with Bull, it’s a place big enough for them and the Chargers; a romanced Inquisitor would be invited along. “I know it wouldn’t be as big as a castle, but perhaps you deserve a little peace and quiet instead.” She’d stay with the Inquisitor, either way.

25. In the alternate reality, if they were corrupted with lyrium, how do they act? What’s their attitude about the end of the world/their inevitable death? After seeing the Inquisitor and Dorian vanish, Roz would have done any and everything to change the reality they wind up in, including making deals with demons and spirits. She doesn’t matter, she tells her companions, but the Herald needed to come back to them to save the world. There’s a high chance that she was an abomination living in a shell; Rosalind Trevelyan wasn’t there any longer, simply a host. But the deal they struck would have kept it in check somehow so there was no reason to stay alive with the world falling apart. Long before the demon took control, Roz was willing to die and that’s exactly what she would have done in the face of it all.