#i would say so blackwall. i would definitely say so. after all I was there

[deadrocks]

It had been so long since I'd played DAI last, and there have been so many years of thoughtful discussion since then, that I forgot how fundementally frustrating it is to talk to Mme V in Haven and not be able to counter any of what she says about how the Circles work.

[rookamell]

There's a Varric/Blackwall banter in Inquisition that is probably my favourite quote to come out of the dragon age series and also says so much about Varric and also about Hawke but reframed in the context of Veilguard also says so much about Rook and why those people complaining about Rook 'not being a main character' or Rook 'not having any right to be the leader' are so completely missing the point of Rook.

Blackwall: You can't really think Reeve Asa is a better knight than Honorine Chastain. Her record's flawless. Four hundred jousts, never unseated. No one's ever come close to it.

Varric: Oh, she's easily the most skilled, that's a fact. It's just that 'scrappy' is better than 'flawless'. I like heroes who try their damndest, even if they fail a lot. It's easy to be valiant when you always win and everything goes your way. There's nothing great in that.

In Inquisition, obviously Varric is talking about Hawke. Hawke, the tragically doomed hero who tried and failed to save Kirkwall, but who tried. Now explain to me why Varric would pick anyone other than Rook to be his second? To look after the team while he talks to Solas? Varric is, first and foremost, however much he tries to be something else or pretend he isn't, an idealist. An author. He lives and thinks in terms of stories, it helps him deal with and make sense of the world. So why would he go and try and recruit the type of hero he doesn't like? Yeah, Rook is a nobody. They're probbaly not the best at what they do and the only reason Varric notices them is because they get cast out of their organisation for going against orders to save people. They might not be the most skilled, but goddamn if they don't try. Rook is the definition of scrappy, the prologue and first couple of cutscenes basically hit you over the head with it multiple times. They're exactly the stuff heroes are made of, according to Varric. And sure, they need some help, but what good would a story be if the hero was perfect all the time?

God I love Rook. And I love Varric and the way he thinks. And you know what? You know what the game says?

He's fucking right.

[davrinsleftpectoral]

A Word with Friends: Davrin week edition 

*taps mic*

Hello! I’m your host for the week, DLP. I spent way too long looking at ridiculous words. I was angry at the English language for not having words for the specific thing I wanted. My sister @blackwall-my-tiny-husband said I annoyed her about it. I looked for a word for one afternoon and discussed it with her when she got home. But she ended up finding this one and I enjoy the way this one sounds when spoken out loud. I think it feels good in the mouth. Thank you @hedwigoprah for starting such a fun game and trusting me to pick a word this week lol.

Rules: Use the challenge word to write a sentence or scene and then tag a few friends. Happy writing! 

I included definitions from multiple sources. Anytime I see the word for the week, that is something I do, to really get a feel for the word, so I thought I’d share my research with the class.

This week's word is susurration 

Noun

the indistinct sound of people whispering

whispering, murmuring, or rustling. “The susurration of the river.”

In modern usage, we use the word to name a gentle sound characterised by a soft murmuring, persistent whispering, rustling, or even a barely audible buzzing.

I chose this word to be able to be paired with Davrin week, if you wanted. No pressure to use it that way of course, but Davrin is a pretty cool guy. Just saying.

Today’s Davrin prompts are 

Shepard/hunter, nature/nurture 

 

==

Davrin crested the hill ahead of Glandival and Cagan. They were coming along more slowly. At 10 and 4, their stamina naturally didn’t match his. He smiled at them fondly, thinking he should find a place for them to camp for the night. They’d been tracking the halla heard since shortly after sunrise and it was well into the afternoon. The children had kept true to their word, neither had complained about the journey. But he could see their fatigue showing.

Huffing and puffing they came to stand beside him. Cagan came in close and hugged his leg. Davrin reached down and patted his son’s pink haired little head affectionately. Glandival was looking out over the woods before them. She was a very observant child, even at just 10 years old. She wasn’t wild and restless like her mother. Instead, she sat back and took everything in, always watching and noticing things that even Davrin sometimes didn’t see. She did have her mother’s bright pink curly hair, something all their children had inherited, but that was just about the only trait they shared. 

Where Esha loved to explore the ruins and find artifacts, Glandival had no interest in them. She was drawn to the forest for entirely different reasons. Glandival was drawn to the animals. She shared a bond with Assan that was entirely different than his own. She also was exceptionally good with the halla, and loved learning how to track them and watch over them. Her natural shepherding instincts were something Davrin and Esha were happy to foster in her.

The susurration of the wind through the leaves was all he heard until Assan let out two cries. His signal that he’d spotted a herd. Davrin searched the skies again and spotted Assan in the air, circling an area not too far off. 

“I see Assan has found us a herd. I know you guys must be getting tired. Should we stop here for the evening? I’m sure we can catch up to them in the morning.” Davrin was curious what the pair would say.

“I can keep going,” Glandival said, lifting her chin, daring him to say she couldn’t. Davrin looked over to Cagan. He was younger, smaller than his sister. He wasn’t particularly interested in the halla, he just loved going with Davrin any chance he got, and had begged to come along. Cagan looked up at him with distress. Davrin could see that he was tired, but he didn’t want to say it. 

“Okay, if you say you can keep going, we will. Cagan, would you like to ride on my shoulders? That way you can help me spot the heard as we get close?” Davrin asked.

Cagan immediately perked up at the offer of a ride and the chance to be useful in their trek. Davrin lifted the boy up easily, and he squealed in delight at being up so high and close to Davrin. Davrin looked over at Glandival, smiling. He enjoyed the warmth blooming in his chest, something he seemed to feel near constantly when he was with his children. He had never expected to have them, but now with 4 and one more on the way, he was living a dream he didn’t know he’d wanted. 

“Let’s go see some halla.”

==

Tagging to start: @strugglinggranola @serensama @tkwritesdumbassassins @thedissonantverses @tacoteddy22 @thecraftybaroness @himluv @notyourmamasdeerbat @bubblecat-co @mythals-whore @operative-arrow @blackwall-my-tiny-husband @seaglassmelody @sidneysussex @biowaredisasterbisexual @woundedsoul12 @genjyoandgojyoandhakkai @jenn2d2 but anyone can jump in if they'd like! If you do it, tag me! I’d love to see what you do with this word.

@datvcompanionweeks thanks for a great prompt list!

And a bonus meme featuring my rook Esha and Davrin.

[hyperbali]

This seemed to go over well on r/dragonage, so I will also share it over here!

The question was:

Which DA Romances Do You Think Would Be Open To Having Kids?

DAO

Alistair - if he's got that Strong Theirin Bullshit going on, I think he's having a couple kids regardless of if it's with HoF or Anora. He's a great goofy dad but can't discipline worth a damn.

Leliana - Mmh... she would probably prefer to adopt rather than give birth, I think. Even then, she seems more like an auntie than a mother.

Morrigan - Did not ever foresee or want it for herself, but is a pretty decent mom by virtue of not wanting to be like Flemeth. Not a "cool" mom, but would let her kids have their independence.

Zevran - I can only ever see it being on accident, as beforehand he would have absolutely denied it - but once the possibility is in reach, he can't let the idea go. Ultimate Girl Dad.

DA2

Anders - Nope. Back in Awakening he liked his freedom without fetters too much, and over the course of 2 he gets too focused on becoming a martyr. Ain't ever gonna happen.

Fenris - Not something I think he actively wants, but is willing to take responsibility if it happens. He's the kind of stoic dad that it's hard to get an outward reaction from, but he's definitely protective of his kids.

Isabela - HAHA. That's adorable, kitten! (She probably just ends up kind of semi-adopting a galley kid, but in a way one would adopt a stray outdoor cat - leave it to its business.)

Merrill - Kind of taken aback by the idea, but secretly grows on it. I think she'd probably end up more of a mother figure to refugee elves, though.

DAI

Blackwall - Much as it's cute to think of him as a dad, I think what he did with the mercenary company is going to haunt him too much, even if he goes back to being Thom. He's content with the Inquisitor alone.

Cassandra - So long as she's not Divine, she would be willing to consider it - but would only want just one. Hard disciplinarian, but secretly a softie on some occasions.

Cullen - He's gonna end up having to build an entire farm community just to house all the impending kids and dogs. This man wants a BIG FAMILY.

Dorian - The thought of it is instantly repellant to him just on the basis of it having been expected of him for so long. He'd also be quietly terrified of ending up like his own father, hurting his own child while thinking he's doing his best for them... so no, definitely not happening.

Iron Bull - Hadn't ever really thought about it... ever, but if he's Tal-Vashoth, his heart melts when he sees any of his own babies for the first time. Any kid's got him wrapped around their little finger, and a whole host of aunts and uncles in the Chargers.

Josephine - She wants at least two, but preferably three - it simply wouldn't do for any of her children to grow up lonely. Hilariously, she's one of the strictest parents.

Sera - She sort of just wants to keep the Inquisitor all to herself for as long as she can, but if her wife really, really wanted it, she'd shrug and say why not? An alright mom, especially when they're still little, but I think she'd get really frustrated when they hit their teens.

Solas - He would like to say he doesn't wish it were possible, sometimes. He would like to say that.

DAV

Bellara - She would go nuts tracking down every single child-rearing research material she could and generally get herself anxious about it, but she'd turn out to be one of the best moms of the bunch.

Davrin - Willing to adopt after a while, especially once Assan starts getting older and leaving for longer periods of time as he gains his independence. That kiddo is definitely growing up with the best boy bird-cat-dog protector. Bit of a gruff dad, but he means well and can ease up with help.

Emmrich - Either way you shake it, probably not. Either he's content with Manfred and wouldn't want to chance leaving a young child behind when he eventually passes, or he just can't because he's a lich. For the latter, though, I think he'd be a great dadly mentor for the ages.

Harding - The ultimate in mommy cottagecore. TELL me you can't see her hiking through a forest with a bundled baby on her back, a kidlet skipping at her side, singing together as they head back home for the day. Adorable.

Lucanis - Incredibly unnerved by how much pressure is on him by being The Last Man Standing of the Dellamortes and what that means for their legacy, as well as being terrified over the possibility of what Spite could do to a child... but man, the thought haunts him. He wants to feel part of a close family again so bad. He would cry the first time he held his baby.

Neve - Probably not interested in having any of her own, but definitely ends up being kind of the boss-slash-denmother of a bunch of urchins in Docktown. She (lightly) bullies them into eating and sleeping, and they're her eyes from the shadows.

Taash - Their hang-ups over their mom are way too intense for that. Helping other Qunari and/or Tal-Vashoth adjust to a non-Qun life is about as far as that idea is gonna get.

[seaglassmelody]

A Word With Friends

Haha I'm a day earlier this week!!

Thanks so much to @davrinsleftpectoral for hosting this week! Thanks as always to @hedwigoprah for the game and thank you @blackwall-my-tiny-husband for the tag :D

Tagging @thedissonantverses, @chaosherald, @thecraftybaroness, @antivan-sprig, @therivercrow, @basedonconjecture, and anyone else who wants to do it! If you've done it already, let me know I wanna see!!

This week's word is: Susurration

Definition (noun): The indistinct sound of people whispering/whispering, murmuring, or rustling

Little post-Veilguard walk in the woods under the cut! Wanted to focus on the idea of continuing adventures together, and had to include Davrin for Davrin week <3

----

The forest was peaceful, for once. No surging magic, no falling rocks, no marauding constructs.

Sabriel stood, listening to the susurration of the wind through the trees, carrying the faint voices of the spirits that still roamed Arlathan. She hoped to meet more of them, to see how their perspectives differed from those in the Necropolis.

She had taken the initiative in Dock Town to speak to spirits - Eulogy had been quite generous in their help with contacting the ones that were friendlier to the living. But the ones in Arlathan seemed more skittish, distant.

"Rook? Are you even paying attention?" Davrin's voice came from atop the ridge.

Right. She was actually here to check on the griffons with him. After days of meandering the hallways of Villa Dellamorte, Lucanis had practically kicked her out.

"You need something more active to do." He had said. "If the Necropolis won't have you, I'm sure Davrin or Bellara would be happy to take you on a hike."

Honestly. She was trying to be on hand in case he needed help catching up on work for the Crows, but clearly her presence had been unwelcome.

"Rook!" Davrin was getting a little impatient.

"Coming!" She hurried up the ridge, her lungs burning by the time she reached the top. "Sorry…there's…spirits nearby…"

Davrin shook his head, stalling so she could catch her breath. "It's like dealing with Antoine all over again."

"Well…I would say my mysterious whispers aren't likely to influence my mind, but that wouldn't quite be the truth would it?" Sabriel laughed self-deprecatingly. "Don't worry, I won't let them distract me from our real objective. I have to see how big Stormwing's gotten!"

Davrin smiled, pleased. "Crookytail was the biggest last time, but I think he might get overtaken soon."

Assan crowed dissent, making Davrin laugh.

"Crookytail was bigger than you and you know it."

Sabriel patted Assan on the side. "No one can beat our Assan for speed, though." The griffon squawked triumphantly.

Davrin smiled. "Don't get a big head now, boy."

Assan flicked his tail and took off into the air, flying ahead of them as if to prove just how fast he was.

Sabriel sighed wistfully. "Just think. One day you'll be able to go up there with him."

Davrin nudged their arm as he picked up his pace to lead the way to Eldrin's. "I might be able to persuade him to take you too."

"Oh, I'm sure that would make Spite terribly jealous."

"Well then maybe Lucanis should get off his ass and let Spite take you flying."

Sabriel choked on a startled laugh. "I'll tell him you said so."

"Oh you better not-"

The lighthearted conversation echoed through the trees as they approached Eldrin's cabin, where they greeted by a chorus of discordant squawking and begging for treats.

[divorcedwife]

it's not what i wanted to talk about originally but im thinking about grey wardens and relationships cause i actually didn't consider some things until yesterday

until i thought about it for jena, i honestly didn't consider much that a grey warden would not be allowed to tell a not-grey warden partner about the side effects (infertility + early death) of the joining. at least not the real reason why. right? like the joining is secret, and the effects are only explained after it's already done

i didn't consider it before because in da:o, things are really really dire and unusual and it's clear from the start the warden might not live, so concerns about the future feel like a luxury we don't have. i mostly went with alistair anyway, and i don't remember if it's something that's ever discussed with other companions, but i wouldn't find it odd that the warden's friends would know. we break so many wardens rules anyway (like no politics), it's really really dire out there

and in da2, the grey warden hawke can date is someone who has left the order and doesn't care about upholding their rules, and left the wardens on bad terms. and he has so much going on anyway that the side effects are not even in the top 5 of his afflictions at any time... like it doesn't matter too much if anders will die of the calling in fifteen years when he's putting on his black coat and giving away his wordly possessions and talking more ominously by the hour. hawke seems to know quite a lot about wardens regardless, so it's all fine

in dai, the inquisitor knows nothing about warden secrets, and blackwall doesn't explain much, but... well... revelations happen. lol

but if you play as a warden rook and date a companion..... you can't tell them, right? things are bad, but definitely not dire and lonely like in dao. warden rook and davrin have plently of warden people they can talk to about warden issues, they don't need to break order rules to do that. i guess warden rook has been excluded from the order a bit, i guess some people could say that their rook has gone anders mode and will share all the secrets, but not me personally. jena isn't explaining anything to any of them, her heart is with the wardens forever

so i guess it's lucky that i went for lucanis, who already knows all warden secrets cause he killed one... and exclusively uses that knowledge to taunt davrin about his upcoming horrible death. i thought that moment was really funny cause since i was a warden and standing within earshot, it felt really cruel and inconsiderate and unprompted (i didn't say anything mean to warrant this?? im collateral damage....), and since i thought the characters were lacking in negative traits, i was always happy to see something petty like this. now i do wish these little acts of being unconsiderate weren't all directed at rook, but it's something i suppose

[rookinthecrownest]

Discussion about romances + expectations under the cut (I'd put it as like..mildly critical, but also coming from a place of understanding?). As usual, will tag as such so you don't have to engage/read on if you don't wish to. I always invite open discussion, just keep it respectful (as I will endeavour to do so myself).

This is going to be a bit of a ramble, so I apologize if my thoughts are not clearly laid out like they should be.

I think I've found the reason why I (and maybe others), feel that the romances in Veilguard feel a bit... idk, hollow, at times (not BAD!!! just feeling like there could be MORE). And that's because of the trap of expectations. I may also be speaking completely for myself here.

Anyway, let's rewind to 2014.

Be me, 10 years ago. You're not really a gamer, but indulge in action RPG's casually.

See a commercial for this hot new game coming out called Dragon Age: Inquisition. Be intrigued by the character designs, but know nothing about the world. Come to find out it's part of a trilogy. So naturally, you buy the first two games and play through them before playing the third.

Be amazed, and completely hooked on the characters, the lore, the world, the darker elements and themes. It becomes your favourite game series of all time.

But you had no idea that you could romance any of the companions going into the experience. And man, does it fundamentally rewire your brain chemistry to fall in love with cRPG and get ridiculously attached to your Warden/Hawke/Inquisitor.

So, you romance Alistair first because he's funny as hell, and has a really interesting story/character arc. Then you romance Zevran, and love that too - he's charming and suave and awkward and funny. Then you go onto DA2 and romance Fenris and Anders, and each of those romances pack their own emotional gut punches. Then it's finally time for DAI, and predictably, you go for Solas (a veritable slow burn that spans TWO games), Cullen, and partially (I never finished those playthroughs lol) Blackwall and Dorian.

I had no idea you could romance companions going into these games. It was a pleasant surprise! It always felt like an important part of the story, while not overshadowing the main plot. There was enough material in the codexes, the cutscenes, and party banter to make each romance feel complete and whole and awesome and nuanced.

And then, like some of you I suspect, I read an article that touted Veilguard as "The Most Romantic Bioware Game Yet", and I thought - "Wow, if they're saying this then the romances must be something else", given the quality of the previous romances you've experienced in these games!

But you get to the game - and while you're having fun, it definitely leans more into the ARPG style where romances feel a bit more pushed to the side in order to tell a certain story than the traditional Bioware/Larian RPG experience you've come to love.

Which is fine! Again, once I stopped thinking of Veilguard as a classic Bioware CRPG, and more like GOW/The Witcher, I found I was able to appreciate it a lot more for what it is. Things have to Happen A Certain Way for the narrative to work, and that's not a bad thing. DA2 was similar - it was a harrowing, personal tragedy about the Hawke family and their struggle to survive in Kirkwall.

Just like DA2, there are aspects of Veilguard that make me glad things happened the way they did. I'm not mad that Rook has so much dialogue without a ton of player input and you can't 'be evil' - because the game doesn't make sense if you can. At its core, Veilguard's narrative is centered around Regret, after all - you can't have an evil protagonist running around because Solas' Regret prison would never work (evil people don't generally tend to regret their actions...)!

Now, if you're expecting a long-winded, fully researched academic breakdown of every romance I'm sorry but that ain't happening tonight lol. This is not based in any fact, this is all opinion.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but sometimes it feels like the romances in this game (and I say this with the biggest grain of salt as I've only done Emmrich and Lucanis' - and am going through Neve's now), are just missing....something, to take them from good to great.

I loved Emmrich's romance. I thought it was very well done. I think a lot of people would agree it's one of the stronger ones in the game - doubly so if you play as a Mourn Watch Rook (you get a TON of MW specific lines going this route, it's great). His side romance with Strife if you don't get together is very cute, I enjoyed it. But as superbly well done as it was, somehow, I wouldn't even put it in my top 4 Bioware romances.

With Lucanis' romance - whatever my hangups may be about how it was handled, certain parts of his romance were done excellently (even better than some of the previous Bioware romances, I'd say). You can read more about my thoughts on his romance here which is why I'm not going into detail about it. Unlike Emmrich's, I would put it in my top 4 because I fell in love with the character that much (both in the game but really, I've loved him since Tevinter Nights), and I've grown very attached to my first Rook and him as a pairing. I've seen others share a similar sentiment on here (and I hate to say it but I agree) - sometimes it feels like I fell in love with Rookanis despite the way it was handled, not because of it. I can't say that for many other romances. While it's been fun to think up a lot of HC/write fics/make art about those abandoned concept sketches and parts where I felt the game could have showed us more of their dynamic, I can't help but feel like his (and other) romances would have immensely benefited from even 1 or 2 extra small scenes to flesh it out a bit more if they weren't going to let us freely talk to our companions.

The issue with the romances might also have something to do with the pacing of the game itself. I think Act 2 is where the pacing goes a bit awry, before picking back up in Act 3 (which is great, I love it).

Sometimes I also felt that there was a little too much reliance on codex entries and party banter to tell the story of the romance rather than showing it explicitly through cutscenes. I think that's what makes the romances feel a bit truncated at times, compared to the previous entries? Some of the romance-specific party banter was so good, it probably deserved its own cutscene. But it's also highly dependent on the party you have, and it's easy to miss/not trigger. I remember absolutely living for the cutscenes in the first three entries and I can't explain why I feel like, subjectively speaking, Veilguard just has less romance content (this may not be objective reality - I haven't compared the amount of romance specific content head to head with other games).

I also couldn't tell you why I feel DA2 doesn't suffer the same problems as DATV in terms of romance interaction - because you can't freely talk to your companions in that game either. Yet somehow, it always felt like I was getting enough of them to not notice that. I do miss being able to chat my LI's ear off and ask them questions about their life/their views/etc. like I could in DAO and DAI. I think it's a shame we can't because the companions in DATV are SO interesting. I want to ask them all a billion questions about their lives/stories/etc even if they're not my love interest. The party banter in this game is immaculate but being able to talk to them individually about this stuff would've been SO nice. I feel that I've missed out on SO MUCH of these characters just because I didn't have two of them in my party at the same time!

Anyway, I need to wrap this up.

In closing, perhaps, if I hadn't read that article about how it was going to be Bioware's most romantic game ... maybe I wouldn't feel this way? I think it sent my expectations through the stratosphere, and that's no one's fault but my own. Not Bioware, not EA, mine.

I know that this game's development cycle was a unique sort of hell that the other games didn't suffer. To go from Joplin -> Morrison -> Veilguard. To have so many of the original staff leave the team when Joplin got scrapped. To have to pivot from Live Service and then back to single person RPG. More lay-offs. It's a miracle this game got made. I'm happy I can sit around thinking about it. And I hope its successful enough that we get DA5 so we can all sit around dissecting that in 5-10 yrs time.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy the Veilguard romances for what they are. I'm enjoying them more I play and discover additional banter/codex/etc that I missed the first time around. Like any Bioware romance, there are spots where they hit their stride, and spots where they falter a bit. When they hit their stride they knock it out of the fucking park. But when they falter, you can really feel it. Romance is hard to write! And you'll never fully please everyone.

But a small part of me wishes I'd gone in blind, and checked my own expectations a bit.

Maybe you agree, maybe you don't. Tell me about it. What was your experience with the romances? Did you also read that article and get your expectations up?

I hope this makes sense.

Kind regards good fandom folks,

Keep the discussion respectful. And please don't use this post as an excuse to just blatantly hate on the game.

-Rookie

[greypetrel]

hiii grey! For Aisling 🥰 What physical trait(s) is your OC insecure about? Who hates your OC? Why?

Hi Lucky, thank you so much!! ✨✨✨

Tis the ask game

What physical trait(s) is your OC insecure about?

Her ears. She feels like they're too big and protruding, she doesn't like them all that much. Her height. She's short (150/4'11), and she used to be SO self conscious about it as a teen. She kinda accepted it more, in time (good for horse-riding), until she reached Haven and she felt like it was a problem once more. They struggled to find clothes of her size, she could fit children shirts, but not children breeches. Too much butt, she has muscular legs fit for an equestrian. She went around looking like a child in her mom's clothes for some days until someone could fix some breeches. Oh, and in the first times of Haven and Skyhold, she was so self conscious about not being able to walk in shoes or wear socks. She can manage with very loose felt boots, but getting used to heels for the Ball was a nightmare. She has a hard time with them, it's a sensory nightmare. The shoes she wore at Halamshiral got "accidentally" lost in the Royal Quarter.

Who hates your OC? Why?

Hate is a strong word, gh.

She alienated a lot of Orlesian aristocracy after the Arbor Wilds and up to Trespasser (she chose to disband the Inquisition anyway, if she had kept it up under the Divine's own rule it would have been a HIGHLY unpopular choice for the new Divine).

In terms of hate I can think of... Maybe Gaspard? She forfeitted a three-way-entente because she didn't trust him, turned him down when he offered his help (and asked for her hand :D ), publicly shamed him. Florianne too, for the same reason. She didn't kill Florianne, she just sent her to become the worst farm-helper EVER.

She's not universally liked, lots of people consider her flimsy, too airy-headed and childish, too touchy, Vivienne would have a lot to say about her (rightfully), Blackwall too. But in terms of loathing I can only think of the De Chalons siblings.

(in a companion scenario: any Inquisitor who'll sacrifice Hawke, the Chargers and the elves in the Temple of Mythal. She'll make herself hateful in that scenario, and definitely on purpose.)

[mythals-whore]

5, 6, 20, and 22 for the salty asks!

hahaha thank you for the ask! Time to get some things off my chest lmfao

5. Has fandom ever ruined a pairing for you?

um...Ruined? I wouldn't say so. But there are certain sections of the fandom where I definitely limit my engagement. Solavellan is the easy one (I'm not anti-solavellan but there is a very toxic sect of them that I'm holding a crucifix to, personally)

But since these are SALTY asks and we're going for controversy (?) My confession is that I did a second run of Veilguard where I romanced Lucanis and I actually don't mind the romance! i thought it was sweet! But um...some of the Rookanis girlies (gender-neutral) have kind of ruined the hype of it for me. Which has a lot to do with the fact that there's so much overflow of Rookanis to the Davrin tag AND a lot to do with the fact that so many Rookanis shippers don't even seem to like his romance? They just think he's hot. And also they just um...need some perspective, I fear. (if I see more complaints about his 'cut content' I'm going to scream and cry).

6. Has fandom ever made you enjoy a pairing you previously hated

Umm I don't think I've ever hated a ship? What I can say is that I was personally very Blackwall-averse (idk he just was overly chivalrous in a way that felt suspicious to me) but I've seen people talk about his romance and watched a playthrough on youtube and I'm less averse?

20. What is the purest ship in the fandom?

You know what, I don't know if this counts but Evka and Antoine. I just love them & they are perfect (:

Alternatively, I'll go Laash? I just think those two fit together really well, People pleaser Harding who needs to be told it's okay to be angry and Taash needs someone to remind them there's good in the world. Taash would stand up for Harding when she needs it, and I think people pleaser Harding really needs someone where there's no pretense or minced words. I just think they're really well matched!

22. Popular character you hate?

OKAY SO this is a difficult question, because I don't hate a lot of characters? Even ones I dislike personality-wise I usually think are well written. I've seen a lot of Anders hate today (which I agree with) but since I'm airing my grievances, I'll go Solas (These two are actually so similar but that's for a different post). SORRY TO THE SOLAVELLANS!

I do think a lot of my hate for him is born of the toxic side of his fandom particularly, but ALSO he's just so pretentious the first time you talk to him in DAI. He just comes at you like He Knows Best and it's like...yeah with the added context that he IS Fen'harel, he does actually know what he's talking about but it always annoyed me that he's like "I know everything and no one ever listens *dramatic sigh*" like yeah...maybe it's because you're kind of a dick about it??? I am less inclined to listen to people who are assholes, personally.

Also sorry, but he does this thing where he's mad because you ruined his plans but like...my brother in christ you did not tell me the plan?? Could rant so much about the first VG dream sequence where he's like "freeing the gods was all YOUR fault ))):" like...Solas, my guy, you KNEW Varric and his guys were after you and you just left them little notes like Hey, please stop <3 Did you...never think to mention that if they fucked with your ritual there might be some blighted gods let loose /:

Hey Alexa, play Dumb & Poetic by Sabrina Carpenter (You're so sad there's no communication, but baby you put us in this situation <- me to Solas in VG)

That being said, I think he's well written and in general I don't have a problem with people who like him (although if you try to tell me he's always right I will start to lose my mind)

[foxes-that-run]

British GQ - One Direction

This One Direction interview got us death threats

One Direction are the biggest pop stars on the planet and the faces of a 100m commercial empire. They are also the focus of millions of teenage girls' fevered fantasies, a fact we learnt first-hand when we began to receive death threats from fans after our interview below was published. Here re-read one of the most controversial cover stories GQ has ever had...

(x) "It's definitely less than 100... Harry He's been up all night to get lucky" Jonathan Heaf. 24 August 2013

"Two people"

[..]

The rules of The Interview were crystal clear long before my arrival in Fake Disco Narnia: two 15-minute slots, with the five band members split into two separate groups - Liam and Niall, followed by Louis, Zayn and Harry. An application for a proper, grown-up chat with each of the boys was vetoed by their scrupulously efficient PR man: "No time." As I know the dangers of interviewing band members together - their cubbish jovial inter-band mumbling always cloaking any sort of straight answer - I suggest I interview each of the members for six minutes alone. No ball. Which makes any journalist wonder whether the talent has something to hide or, in fact, nothing to give. Aside from the time restrictions, there were two other cast-iron "no-go areas": "In terms of parameters for the interview, Taylor Swift is off limits for Harry. And Zayn will not discuss the story from earlier this year alleging he had cheated."

[...]

It comes as no surprise that Styles is, of course, fiercely protected by the 1D team. And as I'm waiting to meet the three remaining members, I get the distinct impression that the whole group-interview scenario is more for Styles' benefit than anyone else. Of course, the gods have a punchy way to deliver happenstance. And this morning, for GQ at least, it comes in the form of a road-traffic accident inside the Blackwall Tunnel, the main traffic artery from inner London to the O2. This means that although Harry made it through, the other two, Louis and Zayn, are held up. Harry is, at least for a glimmer, all by himself, alone.

GQ: Does this job get any easier?

Harry: I don't think it's easy at all. The fear of it has turned into adrenaline. Definitely the first few shows you're scared as that's when all the mistakes happen. And then once you get your bearings and you know what you're doing you can enjoy it more. Every show is different so you can't entirely relax, although sometimes I do wonder what I'll be having for tea that night. I try to remain focused.

GQ: What do you make of the rumours about you and Nick Grimshaw?

Harry: What rumours would they be?

GQ: That you're an item.

Harry: Oh, really? I didn't even know. We're not dating, no. We're just friends.

GQ: So you're not bisexual?

Harry: Bisexual? Me? I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'm not.

GQ: Do these rumours feel at all intrusive?

Harry: Some of them are funny. Some of them are ridiculous. Some of them are annoying. I don't want to be one of those people that complains about the rumours. I never like it when a celebrity goes on Twitter and says, "This isn't true!" It is what it is, I tend not to do that. The only time it gets really annoying is that if you get into a relationship and you get into a place where you really like someone and then things are being written in the papers that affect them and how they see you. Then it can get annoying.

GQ: Do you worry about going off the rails?

Harry: No. I'm not a big drinker, really I'm not. I don't go home and open a beer or have a glass of wine to relax, I'm just not that sort of person. I'll drink if I go out with friends and if I've got the day off, yeah, I'll go out. I don't like alcohol enough.

GQ: Are you getting more used to being this famous?

Harry: I don't think you can ever get used to being this famous. I've learnt how to keep things separate or at a distance.

I've nothing to hide. But seeing this as work, like a job, means I can take a step back. It's me right now in front of you and in the papers but it's not all of me. If you give yourself entirely to the business, you'd end up going mad. And I'm not mad. Not yet.

GQ: Do you know how many people you've slept with?

Harry: I know the number of people I've slept with, yes.

GQ: What is that number?

Harry: I'm definitely not telling you!

GQ: Can you give me a rough, ballpark figure?

Harry: No!

GQ: Say "yes" or "no". Less than 100?

Harry: No!

GQ: So higher than 100?

Harry: No, it's definitely less than 100...

GQ: Lower than 50?

Harry: Yes, lower than 50.

GQ: Lower than 30?

Harry: I'm not doing this! You're cornering me!

GQ: Come on you're a rock star. OK, less than ten.

Harry: Yes. Two people. I've only ever had sex with two people.

GQ: I don't believe you.

Harry: Well, that's my answer. Read from it what you will!

At this point, Zayn and Louis walk in. Which is a pity, as Harry is just getting into his stride. He's confident and can handle himself well. He's charming, funny and you can see why the girls (and boys) swoon. If One Direction have ambitions to broaden their audience they are going to have to learn to reveal a little more of themselves - or be allowed to. With the other two in the room the talk reverts back to "band issues".

[anti-eluvians]

Reading Solas' DAI companion banter after Veilguard is like carrying too much laundry and putting things away one by one. At the end it all makes sense but DAMN it feels nice to have everything tidy.

Blackwall: You haven't said much to me since... well, you know.

Solas: There is little to say. I assumed we were alike. We'd seen war, knew its terrible costs, but understood that it was necessary. But there was nothing necessary in what you did. You did not survive death and destruction. You sowed them. To feed your own desires.

Blackwall: I know that. I see it every time I look in a mirror. I try to make up for it.

Solas: By wearing another's skin. You ran away rather than face what you had done. You wasted your time.

----------------------

Cassandra: Solas, if you do not mind me asking, what do you believe in?

Solas: Cause and effect. Wisdom as its own reward, and the inherent right of all free willed people to exist.

Cassandra: That is not what I meant.

Solas: I know. I believe the elven gods existed, as did the old gods of Tevinter. But I do not think any of them were gods, unless you expand the definition of the word to the point of absurdity. I appreciate the idea of your Maker, a god that does not need to prove his power. I wish more such gods felt the same.

Cassandra: You have seen much sadness in your journeys, Solas. Following the Maker might offer some hope.

Solas: I have people, Seeker. The greatest triumphs and tragedies this world has known can all be traced to people.

----------------------

Cassandra: Solas, the dragon Corypheus commands - could it truly be an Archdemon?

Solas: One assumes that if it were, we would be facing a Blight.

Cassandra: So what is it, then? A corrupted dragon, simply another darkspawn?

Solas: It is connected to Corypheus. Such a relation goes beyond mere control - it is a bond.

Cassandra: It makes you wonder if that's all the Archdemons themselves are: pets to beings who no longer exist.

Solas: I would not go as far as that. This dragon is a replica, spawned from a creature who aspires to greatness. No more.

----------------------

Solas: How are you feeling, Cassandra, after the revelations about your Seekers?

Cassandra: How do you expect I might feel? Most of my life was dedicated to the Order. I did so much I believed was good in their name.

Solas: Now that you know them corrupt, you must determine which parts of yourself to discard and which to keep.

Cassandra: I assume you have advice?

Solas: I would hardly presume. In our travels, I have been impressed by your honesty and your faith. It is a difficult path, Seeker, but if anyone can walk it honorably, you can.

----------------------

Cole: You're different, Solas. Sharper. You're in both places.

Solas: I visit the Fade regularly. Perhaps you are sensing traces of it.

Solas: You are a spirit who crossed the Veil and took human form.

Cole: Spirit or demon.

Solas: The two are not so dissimilar, Cole.

Solas: While the world may exert a pull in one direction or another, the choice is ultimately yours.

----------------------

Cole: It's brighter here. Glittering. Glaring. Glinting. I can't...

Solas: It's a mild tremor in the Veil. Nothing to worry about. Focus on what is here, in this world.

Cole: But... what is here?

Solas: Feel the ground, the breath in your lungs, fabric rustling against your skin.

Cole: (Breathes.) Thank you.

Solas: It's nothing. It can be overwhelming for anyone.

----------------------

Cole: You don't need to envy me, Solas. You can find happiness in your own way.

Solas: I apologize for disturbing you, Cole. I am not a spirit, and sometimes it is hard to remember such simple truths.

Cole: They are not gone so long as you remember them.

Solas: I know.

Cole: But you could let them go.

Solas: I know that as well.

Cole: You didn't do it to be right. You did it to save them.

Inquisitor: Solas, what is Cole talking about?

Solas: A mistake. One of many made by a much younger elf who was certain he knew everything.

Cole: You weren't wrong, though.

Solas: Thank you, Cole.

----------------------

Dorian: I can't believe you entered the Fade. Physically.

Solas: You think that is an achievement of which to be proud?

Dorian: It's the second time that's been done in all of history. That's not nothing, Solas.

Solas: In all of human history.

Dorian: The Fade is still a mystery to us humans, yes. Probably always will be.

Solas: Perhaps it's best it remain that way.

----------------------

Dorian: Let me get this straight, Solas.

Dorian: You're an apostate - neither Dalish nor city elf - who lived alone in the woods studying spirits.

Solas: Is that a problem for you?

Dorian: No, no. You're a special and unique snowflake. Live the dream.

----------------------

Iron Bull: Alright, Solas, been thinking. You wanna know how this place would be if the Qunari took charge?

Iron Bull: Orlais, Ferelden, all of it would be healthier under the Qun.

Iron Bull: But the war to make that happen? That'd be ugly. A lot of good people would die.

Iron Bull: So I'm not hoping it happens. There! You happy?

Solas: Happy? No. Quite the opposite.

Iron Bull: Oh, come on. I said I didn't want us to invade you!

Solas: No. You said this world would be brighter if all thinking individuals were stripped of individuality.

Solas: You only lack the will to get more blood on your hands.

----------------------

Solas: You fought the Tal-Vashoth for a long time, Iron Bull, did you not?

Iron Bull: Every day.

Iron Bull: I'd kill some of them, they'd kill some of my guys, and then I'd kill them some more.

Solas: No man can kill so many people without breaking inside. To survive... those you fight must become monsters.

Iron Bull: The ones that kill innocent people, yeah. The rest... I don't know.

Solas: The mind does marvelous things to protect itself.

----------------------

Solas: What color is the sky, Sera?

Sera: Hang on.

Solas: It is an earnest question. What color is the sky when you look at it?

Sera: You know, blue mostly. Except for the Breachy bits.

Solas: And when you looked past the Breach? As perhaps you were drawn to do?

Sera: Greenish? Then clear a long ways, and kind of... felt like falling.

Sera: Ugh! Makes my head hurt. You make my head hurt.

Solas: We are not so far apart, you and I.

Sera: We will be.

----------------------

Solas: Tell me, Enchanter. Do you even bother to explore the Fade in your dreams?

Vivienne: I prefer to explore the world I actually live in.

Solas: Pity. You could be much more powerful if you ventured outside your narrow preconceptions.

Vivienne: Ah, the temptation to leave the path. You sound like a pride demon.

Solas: Enchanter, any pride demon you met would just walk away, shaking its head and laughing uncontrollably.

Vivienne: Oh darling, more than one already has.

----------------------

Vivienne: So, apostate. If the Circle is such a failure, what would be your solution? Would you have your fellow mages live among the people, unguarded, unwatched?

Solas: Yes.

Vivienne: And when they became possessed, or use their power to harm?

Solas: I would kill them. Magic is more elegant than a blade or a bow, but a murderer remains a murderer.

Vivienne: So you alone would pass judgment, repay murder with murder, or do we open this up to mobs and vigilantes? If you're going to dispense judgment upon violent mages yourself, you'll need eternal life and omniscience. If only there were individuals dedicated to finding and eliminating such criminals. Perhaps they might help?

Solas: I am certain they would. Until black and white distinctions perverted their simple minds.

----------------------

Vivienne: You disapprove of Corypheus using the magic of the blight, Solas?

Solas: Every intelligent creature should.

Vivienne: Yet you raise no objection to the Grey Wardens using blood magic?

Solas: Blood magic is no worse than any other. Properly used. But the blight...

Solas: The blight corrupts everything it touches. Those who believe themselves capable of using it safely are mad.

Vivienne: I understand that Grey Wardens are connected in some way to the blight.

Solas: Then that explains why we saw no old men at Adamant.

----------------------

Almost everything he and Varric say, especially:

Solas: You truly are content to sit in the sun, never wondering what you could've been, never fighting back.

Varric: Ha, you've got it all wrong, Chuckles. This is fighting back.

Solas: How does passively accepting your fate constitute a fight?

Varric: In that story of yours—-the fisherman watching the stars, dying alone. You thought he gave up, right?

Solas: Yes.

Varric: But he went on living. He lost everyone, but he still got up every morning. He made a life, even if it was alone.

Varric: That's the world. Everything you build, it tears down. Everything you've got, it takes. And it's gone forever.

Varric: The only choices you get are to lie down and die or keep going. He kept going. That's as close to beating the world as anyone gets.

Solas: Well said. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Bonus round: Executors and Those Across the Sea

Cole: You are quiet, Solas.

Solas: Unless I have something to say, yes.

Cole: No, inside. I don't hear your hurt as much. Your song is softer, subtler, not silent but still.

Solas: How small the pain of one man seems when weighed against the endless depths of memory, of feeling, of existence. That ocean carries everyone. And those of us who learn to see its currents move through life with their fewer ripples.

Cole: There is pain though, still within you.

Solas: And I never said that there was not.

[spacetrashpile]

For the DA worldstate questions! Any protags u want

3, 7, 14, 17!

ask me questions about my DA worldstate protags!

i already answered 3+7 here, but 14+17! i think i'm just gonna answer for everyone again, lol.

14. who are they closest to from their family?

Rhiannon: Unfortunately there's not a real answer for her? Rhiannon didn't have any siblings or family outside of her parents, and she hasn't seen her parents since she was 4. I established she was from the alienage in Denerim but if her parents are still there by the time she comes back before Landsmeet, she doesn't seek them out. I don't think either side would know what to do if she'd tried.

Katerina: The problem is that if we're trying to talk in the present tense then there really isn't an answer. I think prior to Bethany's death the answer would've been Bethany, and then after she died, Katerina and Carver got a lot closer, and he's probably the real answer, but then he died, so Katerina and Leandra got closer, and then she died too. And in the wake of that, all she's got left is Gamlen, and later Charade, but I really don't think Katerina ever has a relationship with Charade, and unfortunately with Gamlen... well Katerina chose to tell him what happened to Leandra and then he said that he wished they'd been born "normal" like Carver, and there's really no coming back from that for them.

Conall: The answer probably would've been Brigid, his sister, before she dies at the Conclave, but even then, I don't think they were wildly close. It takes until post-game for Conall to start being close to any of his family again. So I think the answer is probably his nephew Alistair, honestly? Conall rebuilds his relationship with his half sister Erin post-game, but there's a pretty sizeable age gap between them (14 years) and there's always a distinct weirdness about their relationship now that Brigid is gone. But getting closer with Erin means being able to have a relationship with her kids, and I think Conall's probably closer with his niece Flora pre-Veilguard, but then Varric manages to pick up another Trevelyan for this whole Solas thing and the entirety of Veilguard gives Conall and Alistair like, a very close bond. Conall sees a lot of his younger self in Alistair, for better or for worse.

Brigid: Again, pre Conclave the answer is almost certainly Conall, but post-game, I think Erin, with Alistair as a close second. Her parents choosing to not support her or the Inquisition because of how the Chantry treated her is really a gap she can never bridge with them again, but her and Erin get a lot closer after Brigid becomes Inquisitor because like, yeah she's got the whole saving the world job, but being Inquisitor at least post-game allows her a lot more mobility to actually see her than being a Chantry sister did. This also allows her more time to get to know her niblings, and then, again, the Rook thing really helps her get close to Alistair.

Alistair: I think it's definitely their sister, Flora. He cares about her so much, she's half the reason he went from Antiva City to Treviso to join the Crows rather than just joining the Crows in Antiva City after leaving the Circle, because he wanted to be closer to her. However, Brigid-Inquisitor timeline Alistair would definitely say Blackwall is a close second, because I elect to ignore the thing about Blackwall dying during Trespasser if you romance him and make him a Warden, so I think when that timeline's Alistair decides to become a Warden rather than join the Crows that he and Blackwall end out spending a lot of time together and bonding.

17. what were they like as a child?

Rhiannon: Rhiannon was a very skittish child. I think she was scared of most people, and of herself to an extent after uncovering her magic. I think this contributed to her being a very lonely child, and even after she grew out of the anxiety a bit, she never quite grew out of the strangeness, so it was very hard for her to make friends.

Katerina: Extremely bullheaded and stubborn. She set her sights on something and she went for it, and I think she started to grow out of this a bit as she got older but it definitely never entirely went away. I think Katerina and Bethany also did a thing that me and my sister did when we were really little where Bethany would talk through Katerina for a while by whispering whatever it is she wanted to say to Katerina and they’d then repeat it. IDK I just think this is cute.

Conall: Knee-jerk reaction here: weird. Not even because of the mage thing or the transgender thing I think Conall just had a total lack of a filter as a kid and it meant he got really weird with it most of the time. Not particularly outgoing or particularly shy, but extremely honest in a way most people don’t really like. He grew out of this but only a little bit.

Brigid: I think Brigid was a very quiet child. She was definitely one of those kids who kept to herself and her books and didn’t really make a lot of friends, but I don’t think she was strictly lonely? Unlike Rhiannon I don’t think Brigid struggled to make friends, I just don’t think she really wanted any. This is also definitely a part of why her and Conall were so close as kids.

Alistair: Alistair was a very shy kid, I think, but this is definitely something he grew out of once he ended up in the Circle. They and Flora were also definitely joined at the hip from basically moment one, too (perks of having a sibling who’s barely younger than you so you have no memory of a time they weren’t in your life).

[animezinglife]

3, 12, 25 and 35 for Mira/Cullen!

3. What do others think of them?

I'll stick with canon opinions shared on Cullen, and with Mira, it really depends on how close someone is with her. Obviously, we all know how people view the Inquisitor as well, but Mira is one of those people who simultaneously has a quiet presence and a warm one to those who are close to her. She's thoughtful, perceptive, and isn't the type who feels the need to fill the silence. She's very intelligent. This combination doesn't always humanize her with people, especially with her title as Inquisitor.

Those who do give her a chance and get to know her generally find her kind and soothing. That said, some took her quietness and contemplative nature as aloofness. Some just hated her because they thought she was a "goody two-shoes" type.

Her peers at the Circle fell into one of those three categories, especially since she kept to herself. How her family (mostly her mother and eldest sister) treated her when she began to show an inclination towards magic crushed her, and she became rather guarded over time and relatively uninterested in letting anyone get close to her.

She was already working to heal from those old wounds prior to the Inquisition, but the relationships she built there were ultimately what helped her overcome and heal.

She went from being a "boring loner" or "goody two-shoes" in the Circle to loosening up quite a bit, and people's opinions reflect that. Sera would've thought Mira and Cullen were a match made in Hell if she hadn't gotten to know them both a bit better. 😂

Both are more entertaining, endearing, and Mira's definitely more fun than Sera anticipated her being.

People really like them together. The Inner Circle thinks they’re an adorable who bring out the best in each other.

It warms Cassandra’s little hopeless romantic heart (even though she’s dead last at finding out something was going on between them). Dorian wants the details. Blackwall and Bull are 100% giving Cullen flack behind the scenes. They keep it respectful enough, but there’s definitely a crude joke or two at Cullen’s expense.

Varric was running will-they-or-won’t-they bets on them (starting after that chess match) knowing darn well Cassandra would somehow miss the whole thing at first. A few noticed Dorian slipping him the Thedas equivalent of a $20 after Cassandra started complaining about the two of them running off together to Ferelden for “business” when there was still so much to do there. Dorian thought Cassandra’s romance reader mind would piece it together. Varric bet against her and mutters to Dorian, “Wait for it.”

Josephine loves every minute of it. She’s a romantic too and is genuinely happy for both of them in the most wholesome way possible. Sure, she wants a little gossip, but it’s never at their expense.

Sera questions how it even happened in the first place.

Yet nobody supports them together more than Cole.

12. Who is a better caregiver?

I don’t know that one’s better than the other. They’re both very in tune with each other, loving, and attentive.

25. Would they ever be jealous of each other?

Answered here!

35. What is a point of gossip other people might say about them?

They get some really nasty comments and gossip from the people who are die-hard loyalists to one side or the other in the mage vs. templar war. I do think both Mira and Cullen manage to avoid most of this, but neither is naïve enough to be particularly shocked by it if it ever does reach their ears. Mostly asking how one could be with the other in an extremely dehumanizing way. The game steers clear of that, but it would happen. Those people would exist in their world.

There’s some gossip about Cullen trying to sleep his way to the top (obviously uttered by people who’ve literally never spoken to the man and aren’t particularly competent in how their hierarchy works in the Inquisition). Some ridiculous rumor starts about Mira getting “special treatment” in the Circle due to her noble background (which might have some truth to it, but it was not that way among her peers) and that she was sleeping with templars to win their favor.

She’d never been with anyone before Cullen, but no gossiping buffoon’s ever cared for fact. She’s a private person anyway.

Nor would they care that Cullen trips all over himself when asked to talk to a woman he's interested in privately.

Character HC Asks

[moontheoretist]

Someone just told me I can't criticise Cullen's redemption arc for being too short and not addressing properly the issue with his hatred of the mages, because I need to take into account the context of the time period the medium was made... I'm sorry but did good and not cut in half redemption arcs that fully adress character's journey to become a better person were invented after 2014? Or am I missing something?

Rant below.

And they were literally responding to me saying that Cullen's arc was not fully done in DAI. Which is an obvious statement of an obvious fact that Cullen's arc is cut in half and that DAI is just a start of redemption journey. My critique was of people assuming that it was a full arc and game treating it as if it was a full arc when it simply wasn't. They keep insisting "they couldn't know due to the time period". Like WTF.

2011 - 2014 is not ancient times! Even if they didn't mean that and instead the historical period DAI is set in, it's a bullshit argument! DAI is not historical fiction! And even if it was, critique can be made still!

And told me to "appreciate media as a result of cultural attitudes of its time" which is such a white cis hetero privileged argument I swear. Oh, yes I should definitely appreciate all the media for their racism and sexism and excuse it because "they're just a product of its time" when the only thing it showcases is the bias of the author at worst and author's desire to explore fucked up things at best. No, thank you.

We knew how to write a full redemption arc in 2014 and even long before that! And when I kept repeating my point that the arc was too short and should be longer, that I'm not saying it out of hate but out of love, they literally tried to blame me for "twisting their words" so I can be right. I didn't twist shit. It was them who didn't want to say what they truly mean by what they said to "avoid spoilers" (as it was a convo under a video of someone who never played DAI) with their "context of the time period" point. Not to mention that this point doesn't apply in this situation. I didn't say that, but even if it was applying here it would NOT be an excuse to act as if what is happening in the game and what Cullen says to your mage in DAI was ok. It just reminded me about all those people who say "grandpa doesn't know better, it was different times when he was younger". Like the fuck, it's not an excuse, and it's stupid argument, because people knew bad stuff were bad regardless of the time period. Those that didn't were in the dark about it because they didn't want to engage with different narratives than the ones that suited them the most, and then when they aged they just kept those opinions and refused to budge, even when they were wrong both at the time of their youth and when they were older. Times change, but some stuff are always the same. People not being able to accept that criticism exists and isn't harmful or malicious is just one of them.

And it all started because I dared to say that Blackwall's redemption arc is better. I didn't say it because it's better written (i.e. it has more content inside the game rather than outside it) or was longer. I said it, because the ultimate goal of a redeption arc is to make the character become a better person and Blackwall when we meet him is already way on his way to become a better person. He didn't just start his arc. He worked his ass for years to be where he was during DAI. Meanwhile Cullen is just starting his arc or at the very least in the middle of it if we count from the moment he was traumatized. DAO was his traumatic experience. DA2 was him doubling down on his hatred to cope with his trauma, so at the end he could switch sides. DAI is when he finally properly starts his redemption journey and actively tries to become better. He stumbles and does bad shit during it because it's a start. But it's still not an excuse to what he says and tries to push for in DAI. It just means that his journey will be long and hard. Treating DAI as a full redemption arc is foolish and tells me more than I need to know.

[aquadraco20]

So after finishing the Veilguard I went back and did a second playthrough of Inquisition with mods in an attempt to romance every character. I'd like to share my thoughts.

Inquisition in general, and compared to Veilguard:

Inquisition, compared to Veilguard, just feels more dense. Theres always something to do. I played on easy (keeper) so I could focus on the story. Combat in Veilguard is more impressive and fun. Later in the game i had a youtube video playing while i did side quests because they became a bit boring. Traversal is also more fun in veilguard, but I also walked most of the time so I could hear banter between the companions. Banter didnt happen often, even with a mod to increase the frequency, and sometimes it was interrupted which was incredibly frustrating.

The graphics are not terrible, but they're not great either. I liked how you could kiss almost all of your romances at any time, and just talk to your companions.

Romances:

I tried to romance every character in the game with a female elf. Yes, I installed a mod for Cassandra and Dorian just to see their romance in one playthrough. No, I do not want to erase either characters written sexuality.

That said, I could not get Sera, Josephine, or Cassandra's romance to fully trigger, even after completing their personal quests. Maybe I did the winter palace too early, maybe I missed a flirt option, I'm not sure. The Bi modded characters would freeze my model in place after romance scenes, requiring me to fast travel, and Blackwall danced with me at the winter palace regardless of who I asked to dance. Leliana has a required scene to progress Josephine's romance, but Leliana never acknowledged the romance.

Vivienne:

Not actually a romance, but it's cool how she was in an explicitly non-monogamous relationship.

Sera:

Like I said I couldnt progress the romance, but i have to mention that Sera has internalized racism, and it's really frustrating that she does not overcome this, and if you challenge her on it, she greatly disapproves if you're not in a relationship, and might even break up with you if you are, or threaten to leave the inquisition.

Dorian:

A total sweetie, I absolutely love his character and his romance. So good.

Solas:

Shockingly, I feel like his romance was a bit underwritten? I feel like he never had anything to say, you kiss him twice and he breaks up with you. He was very close (possibly romantic) with an explicitly stated non-binary (it/its) spirit. So that's neat. You also could not kiss him at any time (unless this was bugged?).

Cassandra:

A cutie. Wish her romance worked. Definitely some chemistry with Varric, I wish that was explored more.

Cole:

Not a romance. Really struggled with the human/spirit decision this time. Decided to go with human again. Wish he had more to say. After the Well of Sorrows quest he has a really sweet conversation regarding (original) Cole. He's a sweet boy.

Varric:

Also not a romance, didn't have him with me as much. Did have a really nice banter with Dorian about Hawke going to Weisshapt. Dorian- you wouldnt like Weisshapt. Varric- Hawke would be there. Varrichawke ❤❤❤

Cullen:

I absolutely loved his romance. It's so sweet and sincere, but also unexpectedly spicy. His smirk gets me every time. After Inquisition you canonically get married and have dogs. Shame about his voice actor. Yeah, he hates mages, but I feel like he's grown from Origins. He doesn't get so upset with siding with the mages that it locks you out of the romance, and he works amicably with Morrigan, who Vivienne disapproves of. Morrigan, who dabbles in forbidden, unknown magic gets to be at the war table and discuss major decisions.

Iron Bull:

I can see the appeal, much the same as Taash, but Bull's romance is just not my cup of tea. Also there's not much to it as far as romance goes. It starts sexual (which is fine!), and then you can just give him the necklace and then you're committed. I kind of wish his romance wasn't monogamous, as he frequently talks about his exploits in the bar.

Blackwall:

He was my canon romance in my first playthrough. And after playing through a second time.... he sucks!!! Spoilers--- 🔴So originally he was a general, and he wanted money so he took an assassination job. Except he had his men carry out the assassination. He told them, kill this guy and his entourage. He didnt realize it, but his entourage when they found the target was his family, including his kids. He became wracked with guilt and became an alcoholic, started a bar fight because the bar maid was getting held up by some hecklers. A warden saw this and was trying to recruit him until he was killed. Blackwall (Rainier) took the warden's name and made a new life under it. 🔴

His personal quest is atoning for the assassination, but he continues to use someone else's name. Someone more honorable than he, someone he idolizes, but someone he continues to pretend to be. And if you challenge him on this, he disapproves. He does not want to change, he does not want to be addressed by his real name.

All in all, Cullen has stolen my heart and the rose tinted glasses on Blackwall have come off. I'm really critical of Sera.

Feel free to disagree with me and share your thoughts if you like!

[divorcedwife]

Im especially interested in your opinion of the companions! Did you like any, how would you rank them, how did they compare to other games.

I did enjoy veilguard myself cause admittedly im a combat enjoyer (boo me now) and the combat was great to me. But what is usually good in dragon age/bioware even if everything else sucks are characters and their stories and interactions and that was so bad in veilguard imo.

Still I liked Davrin and Emmrich and Bellara myself, rest were very mixed, and these three also suffered from bad dialogue and Bellara also from some overt cutesiness.

hehe noooooo i wouldn't boo you! this game really made me realize that i prefer video games as a form of interactive storytelling rather than purely for gameplay, but i mean, i feel like im the weirdo here if anything. video games are games first... as much as i like the combat (especially when it's in big open fields, with opportunities for cover ; god is it satisfying to slowly take down a mob of enemies through clever dodging and hiding, i wayyyy prefer that to spamming the flashy special moves), it feels empty to me if i dont feel connected to the world. ideally, i'd love to play games where i enjoy both, but if i have to pick, i'll prefer a game that i find unfun to play but where i like the writing

i think it's a pretty weak cast, yeah. individually, but also as a group, they lack chemistry to me. most of them get along just fine, but not in a way that's particularly fun or exciting. their relationships aren't interesting to me because they're very samey, both in that most people are friendly and also that they start out friendly and end up friendly. dai isn't a game i love, but for all its flaws, it definitely had fascinating character interactions to me. blackwall's friendship with sera is so different to his friendship with cassandra or with solas, and he's initially wary of cole but grows to like him after a while. and these people all have their opinion of blackwall changed forever by revelations. that's what's lacking to me in companion relationships! growth... change... i did enjoy davrin and lucanis's bickering at least. i also did like how emmrich talked to companions, his therapy talk was actually charming every time i liked emmrich and davrin the most! my only problem with davrin is how often he felt shackled to assan, like the writers felt the need to remind us that he has a cute griffon every three seconds in case we were losing interest. but as a character, i found him really cool. i like how level headed he is, i love how he can't tell when lucanis is messing with him on purpose, those feel like great warden traits. emmrich, i really liked that he had the flaws to match his qualities - i love it when he complains about needing to teach TEN students (gasp!), or when davrin asks him if he knows how to wash dishes and he responds like someone who hasn't washed a dish in ten years, and so on. that's definitely what i found lacking in most companions - actual flaws! it's mind boggling to me how much of the lucanis banter i heard was spent clarifying how unproblematic he is. like he doesn't kill children, doesn't kill people who acted in self defense, doesn't kill innocents. what??? he doesn't even have flaws from growing up rich in a mansion... or being the ultimate nepo baby.................... that made most of the companions feel pretty shallow to me, like they were born right before the game began and had lived nothing

lucanis has enough little things about him i like that i would still say i liked him, but he's not getting honours from me. i like his design (it's very satisfyin to draw somehow), i liked spite, i liked the idea that he's trapped in the ossuary in his mind, i loved going to the mansion and seeing how barren and sad it is there. but i think his romance is my least favorite of any i've done in any dragon age games, and i would say that he was a worse boyfriend to have than the one who tried to kill me and also than the one who turned out to be an axe murderer in disguise, cause at least these two liked talking to my characters! lol

i'd put neve next but if im being honest with myself, i disliked more about her than i liked. i liked her bitter cynic pessimist traits, but i found her somewhat inconsistent on that and generally too friendly. the remaining characters, i didn't find anything compelling about them, i dont remember any moment that i liked with them :-( i really wish i did! i gave everyone as fair a shot as i could, i didn't start out this game looking for things to hate, but they really didn't do anything for me. i think bellara suffered from the fact that i dont really like all the technology in this game, i prefer low magic sad unwashed fantasy. at least she was very beautiful so she does get point for that