#his relationship with vivienne will improve i swear

[sky-scribbles]

Party banter with Inquisitor Essek

(Because this ridiculous crossover has taken over my life. A brief explanation, as much as explanation is possible: a mis-cast spell has yote a post-campaign Essek through a planar rift and into Thedas, and he happened to land in the Temple of Sacred Ashes. These banters go up to the destruction of Haven, which is why Cole isn’t here - but he will be in later instalments!)

Cassandra: Leliana has found no information about you. Not a thing. Essek: Considering that most mages are met with disgust and imprisonment, it would be... imprudent of me to advertise my presence. Cassandra: Living in secrecy is one thing. Leaving no mark on the world at all is another. Essek: And you would prefer, I think, for all my secrets to be at your disposal.  Cassandra: Are you surprised that I suspect you have something to hide? Essek: Is hostile intent the only possible reason for secrecy, Seeker?

Solas: It would appear that your mark is affecting you physically, Herald. Essek: My hand was not green before, no. Solas: Aside from the obvious. While I tended to you after the conclave, you did not always seem to be asleep. At times, you lapsed into true unconsciousness. At other times, you seemed to trance, half-sleeping. Essek: Ah. Yes. I suppose... the connection to the Fade has altered the way I sleep. I find I can enter these trances at will, as a substitute for sleep. Solas: That is fascinating. The ancient elves could enter an endless dream called uthenera. Perhaps this is a related phenomenon. Essek: So one would assume.

Essek: So, Sera. I was going through  my research notes - Sera: [Sniggering] Essek: And I found that they had been expertly illustrated. Sera: That's what your weird rifty timey magic shite needs. All the butts. Essek: They certainly add interest. Although... that drawing of me closing a rift full of demon butts? You should have shaped my cloak so that it looked like a dick. Sera: [laughs] Like a dick! You're all right, Herald Weirdyhand. Essek: And you are quite the jester.

Varric: How is it you can just walk around pitch-black caves without a problem? Don’t tell me you're part-dwarf and it's stone-sense. Essek: Ah, no. I would assume it is yet another change from the mark. Varric: So this thing lets you fix the sky, and it's a free torch? Who knew that being Andraste's chosen came with a multi-purpose toolkit? Essek: There is no evidence for my being chosen by anything other than political convenience.  Varric: You’re not crazy about the whole Herald business, are you? Essek: About people deciding that I am the mouthpiece of an unproven god who does not speak to anyone, and yet whose name and teachings people use as an excuse for war and conquest, without investigating the truth behind those teachings? No. I am not.

Blackwall: So what does an apostate do, if he's on his own for... I don't know, how many years? Essek: Arcane research, mostly. Why, what does a Grey Warden do when he's on his own for however many years? Blackwall: Kill darkspawn. Recruit for the Wardens. Kill more darkspawn. Essek: And your fellow Wardens do not accompany you? Blackwall: You don't need more than one person to say 'how do you feel about fighting darkspawn for the rest of your life?' Essek: Did you... ever find yourself becoming lonely, in your solitude? Blackwall: I... sometimes, I suppose. Never gave much thought to it. Easier that way. Essek: Mm. I know the feeling.

Dorian: So you think Alexius’s perception of time was fundamentally flawed? Essek: I do. Time is not a straight line, through which one can jump ahead, skip back and rub bits out. Dorian: How would you have done it differently? Aside from the whole ‘conjure a world infested with red lyrium and catastrophe’ part. Essek: Imagine time as a branching thing. Every choice we make causes potential timelines to fade into non-existence. Essek: But their potential remains, waiting to be tapped. Alexius should have attempted to manifest a timeline in which I was never here, rather than removing me from this one. Dorian: Well, don’t tell everybody how to make it work. Wouldn’t want them to get ideas. Though perhaps you’d like to compare notes, later? Essek: I... would like that. 

Vivienne: You carry yourself remarkably well, Herald. Almost like nobility. Essek: Only 'almost'? I shall have to try harder. Vivienne: And despite your youth, you deflect personal inquiries with the deftness of a seasoned player of the Game. Quite remarkable, from a hedge mage. Essek: I'm mildly curious: 'hedge mage'? Vivienne: A self-taught mage, dear. One who has gone without the instruction of a Circle, or even a Dalish clan. If you ever require tuition, I am at your disposal. Essek: I’m sure you are. But I am not especially interested in whatever you think you have to teach.

Sera: You’re proper weird, you are. You go all swanny around the noble piss-bags, all smiles and pretty words like Lady Josie, but you put teeth in it, like Vivvy. Essek: Like Vivienne? I should hope not. Sera: And then you screw the nobs over like Josie does, ‘cept she makes them love her for it and you make them scared. Leliana kind of scared. Essek: When people don’t know you, or what to make of you, they fear you. It makes them... malleable. It’s something I’ve learned to use. As has Leliana, it would seem.

Varric: You doing all right, Smiles? Essek: 'Smiles'? An intriguing choice. Varric: Same reasoning as Iron Lady and Sparkler. Meet as many messes as I have, and you get good at spotting masks. Essek: Indeed? Varric: You fell out of the sky, got attacked by a shit ton of demons and put in charge of an army, and never once stopped smiling. Kind of impressive, actually. Essek: Thank you. Varric: Also, creepy as shit. 

Solas: I'm curious about your name, Herald. Essek: My name? It's Essek. Sera: [laughs] Solas: I meant that it isn't elven, though your family name sounds very like it. Solas: ‘Thelyss’. I wonder if it is is a result of syllables from the name 'Lethallas' being lost and altered over the years. It means, 'a gift to one's kin.' Essek: Ha. Solas: You don't find that likely? Essek: Me being a gift to my kin? Highly unlikely.

Iron Bull: So, boss, what do you make of my guys? Essek: They clearly have an array of talents. Iron Bull: Oh, come on. I didn't ask for what the Herald thought of his new recruits, I asked what you make of my guys. Essek: Very well. They are... unusual. Enthusiastic. I think that some would underestimate them, some would be thrown off-balance by them, and many would do both. Iron Bull: Ha. Yeah, we like to keep people guessing.  Essek: I like them. They are... lively.

Sera: I don’t get it. You can screw over noble shite-faces without being scary. And you’re not scary! I know you and you’re not scary, so why be scary? Essek: Well, I don’t find you scary either, Sera. But I’m sure our enemies do, when they’re on the wrong end of your arrows. Sera: That’s different things, though. I learned arrows because arrows mean nobs are dead and I’m not. Essek: Exactly. Like you, I have had to fight for survival in my own ways. And unlike you, for a long time, I was without friends. Sera: So... you learned how to do scary because you’re scared? Essek: I would say more... aware of potential dangers. Sera: So, scared.

Solas: As for your first name, the final syllable is not even a sound that occurs in elven. Is it Qunlat? One of your parents is Qunari, I assume? Essek: Ah. Yes, of course. Solas: So it is Qunlat? Iron Bull: Nah, that’s not Qunlat, whatever it is. Almost sounds like it, though. Kinda like ‘isskari’. Name for Ben-Hassrath who get hold of weird magic crap. Essek: Oddly appropriate. But since I'm not in contact with my family, the truth shall have to remain a mystery.

Blackwall: Are you all right, Herald? Essek: Fine, thank you. I simply have somewhat sensitive eyes and skin, and it is a very bright day. Blackwall: If you need to stop, I could... I don’t know. Hold a shield over your head? Essek: I appreciate it, but no, thank you. It is tolerable. Blackwall: Didn’t meant to offend. Essek: It is all right. I - [sighs] I apologise. That would help, if you could. Years of solitude have made me... reliant on my own self-reliance, I suppose.  Blackwall: I know what you mean. Shield parasol it is, then.

Sera: Don’t need to be scared, right? Anyone gives you shit, I give ‘em arrows. Or just pies. Or worms in their shoes. Essek: [chuckles] Thank you, Sera. Please do. Sera: Did think you were scary at first, you know.  Essek: What changed your mind? Sera: Scary wouldn’t grin when I drew butts on things.  Essek: ... Are you at all fond of cupcakes, Sera?

[little-laboratory]

Mod Sarah is a genius

I know that this may not be fluff, but I would like the cheer up Mod Sarah from  @dragonagecompanionsreact by proving her genius! \o/

A few days ago she answered a “persona ask” and attributed majors arcanas to each character. Not everyone knows persona nor the reading of the arcanas. Mod Sarah was so spot on it’s crazy!!

So here are the definitions of the arcanas that she mentioned with both their reading (Normal position / reversed position). The definitions and picture come from my personal deck of tarot card. 

Cassandra: Justice → Represents proper Balance.

Normal position: Justice, harmony, equity, virtue, honor, virginity, just reward, good intentions, well-meaning actions, advice, self-satisfaction.

Reversed position: Vacillation, false accusation, fanatism, severity in judgment, abuse.

Iron bull: The Devil → Represents the subordinated mind

Normal position: Subordination, decay, bondage (I am not making this up! It’s in my booklet!! X”D), malevolence, weird experience, seeming inability to realize one’s goals, violence, shock, fatality, selfishment, temptation to evil, self-destruction, lack of principles.

Reversed position: Release from bondage, respite, recognition of one’s needs by another person, overcoming insurmountable handicaps.

Black Wall: The Tower → Represents the spirit facing destruction. (woooow, just WOW)

Normal position: Change in a complete and sudden manner, abandonment of past relationships, unexpected events, termination, adversity, downfall, disruption, loss of stability, loss of money, loss of love and affection, terrible change, annoyance.

Reversed position: Continued oppression, living in a rut, entrapped in an unhappy situation.

Sera: The Fool → Represents the spirit

Normal position: Folly, mania, extravagance, delirium, frenzy, insecurity, frivolity, passion, enthusiasm.

Reversed position: Negligence, absence, bad decision, indecision, apathy.

Cole: The Star → Represents the spirit of hope and faith

Normal position: Faith, inspiration, bright prospects, mixing of the past and present, fulfillment, pleasure, promising opportunity.

Reversed position: Unfulfilled hopes, disappointment, lack of opportunity, stubbornness. (feel the lower approval Cole!!)

Varric: The Sun → Represents the peace of mind

Normal position: Satisfaction, accomplishment, contentment, success, favorable relationship, love, joy, devotion, unselfish sentiment, engagement, favorable omen, a good friend, high spirit, warmth, sincerity, achievement in the arts ( his books!).

Reversed position: Unhappiness, loneliness, cancelled plans, clouded future, lack of friendship.

Solas: The Moon → Represents the spirit of inspiration (this is harsh to Solas but sooooo on spot)

Normal position: Deception, twilight, obscurity, trickery, caution, warning, bad influence, ulterior motives, selfishness, slyness, false promise, disgrace, slander, liable, being taken advantage of, failure to avoid the dangers which surround, danger.

Reversed position: A minor deception recognized before damage is done, trifling mistake, overcoming bad temptations, taking advantage of someone.

Vivienne: The Empress → Represents fertility as a result from intuition

Normal position: Feminine progress, action, fertility, material wealth, mother, sister, wife, marriage, children, feminine influence, wealth, punishment, profusion, capable of motivating others, a leader business woman, level headed, practical, decisive, intuitive.

Reversed position: Vacillation, inaction, lack of concentration, anxiety, frittering away of resources, infertility, infidelity, loss of material possessions.

Dorian: The magician → Represents will power (don’t doubt yourself Sarah! You got this one spot on! Better than the emperor ;)

Normal position: Skill, diplomacy, self-confidence, flexibility, domination, strategy.

Reversed position: Weakness of will, ineptitude, insecurity, delay, willpower applied to evil ends, indecision.

Lelianna: Death → Represents the spirit of transformation (so many people think this is a bad card, you’re right, It ain’t ;)

Normal position: Unexpected change, loss, failure, the ending of familiar situation or friendship, loss of income or financial security, illness, possibly even death.

Reversed position: Stigmatism, immortality, slow changes, partial change, avoidance of serious accident, inertia.

Cullen: The Chariot → Represents the triumph of the mind (God damn you’re good *w*)

Normal position: Adversity, possibly already overcome, conflicting influence, tur moil, vengeance, success, escape, fleeing from reality, perplexity, need for supervision (like remember him asking Cassandra to boot him out if he has unfit for duty? Tada)

Reversed position: Unhappiness, defeat, failure, conquered, overwhelmed. (lyriiiiiiiummm)

Josephine: Temperance → Represents self-control of the mind.

Normal position: Moderation, patience, accommodation, harmony, management, compatibility, fusion, good influence, consolidation, mother image (again, not making this up xD), father image, worldly image, exuding confidence and complicity, fortunate omen.

Reversed position: Discord, conflict, hostility, impatience sterility, frustration.

Krem: Strength → Represents the eternal spirit, able to overcome obstacles. (YES!!)

Normal position: strength, courage, conviction, energy, determination, defiance, action, fortitude, innate ability, zeal, fervor, attainment at considerable peril, conquest, heroism, virility (HA!) resolution, physical abilities

Reversed position: Weakness, pettiness, sickness, tyranny, lack of faith, impotency

Harding: The Hanged man → Represents the spirit of renunciation and sacrifice. (why not? : ) )

Normal position: Life in suspension, transition, apathy and dullness, boredom, abandonment, sacrifice, repentance, readjustment, regeneration, improvement, surrender.

Reversed position: Lack of sacrifice, failure to give of one’s self, preoccupation with the ego, false prophecy, useless sacrifice.

Dagna: The Hermit → Represents the guiding spirit.

Normal position: Counsel, knowledge, solicitude, prudence, caution, resignation, withdrawal, misguided, failure to face facts, possessor of secrets.

Reversed position: Imprudence, incorrect advice, immaturity, rashness, confusion.

Jim: Judgment → Represents the spirit of cosmic conscience (not making it up!! I swear!! This is hilarious!)

Normal position: Atonement, judgment, the possibility that present conduct toward other people is unfair and unkind, rejuvenation, promotion, the desire for immortality (ya don’t say Jimmy boy XD), the possibility exists that someone is taking unfair advantage of you and will be sorry in the future (watch out! Don’t mess with him!), legal judgment in one’s favor.

Reversed position: Delay, aversion, incapacity to understand the facts, indecision, divorce, theft, alienation of affection.

SEE! She how brilliant she is!! With her associations I could do a dissertation by pulling apart these definitions. But I think I might bore a lot of people x””)

So cheer up Mod Sarah. You’re a great person with a beautiful mind. Hang in there \o/