#i've been getting a few DA followers since i started being insane on main

[icharchivist]

Do you have like a mental fix-it AU where Solas and your Inquisitor get back together or are you happy with the tragedy that is canon?

oh dear

the thing is that the Solas romance isn't over yet because we left this specific plotthread on a cliffhanger in DAI. The announcement that Solas is a Major Character in Veilguard (which was named after him to start with before the name was switched to Veilguard), and the confirmation that the Inquisitor will have a relevent part to play (and the devs all being Solavellan fans), and of course the fact da4's protag is hired by the inquisition AND will have a deep connection with Solas mean we're all kinda waiting to see where it's going.

so the thing is that... it's not over. It's not the end of their story. And it's very difficult to know what type of ending i can be wishing for when an answer will release in about 23 days yaknow?

Like. DAI is built around this idea: Solas tried to fix his mistake, didn't foresee something going wrong and the way it put the inquisitor in the middle of this mess, then joined the Inquisition by half-lying about his intentions to help save the world from what went wrong while trying to fix his mistake.

After a major questline, no matter your disposition with Solas, Solas makes clear he doesn't know what he should do: should he give up, or should he try to keep saving the world? From the mistake he has made in the past that people don't even remember, but that is currently causing all sort of troubles people just accept without realizing it's all linked?

You can either reply that you don't want to focus on it and/or that you would give up and he'd disapprove so bad he'd be convinced otherwise, or you tell him you'd try to fix things and it encourages him to continue his quest.

In the Romance we also know for a fact that he thought about giving up, but after he tells his beloved about the Vallaslin, he's reminded just how much of the struggle the elves still accept as this world is falling apart, and he just... can't give up on them, can't give up on you. So he breaks up. So he focus on his plan, determined to fix things.

To me, Solas' determination to fix things is essential to his character and also on the romance. The tragedy of having to choose between his sworn duty as the one who has led the world to a catastrophic apocalypse and is now slowly but surely leading the world through another if he doesn't do anything to stop it-- and the woman he loves. Knowing also that whatever he picks, he is immortal, and she isn't (because of his mistakes, btw!) (also why Hand of Sorrow by Within Temptation is in my Solavellan playlist)

And DAI left on Solas deciding to commit to his plan, and push his beloved away because "The path i walk is one of death - i cannot let you see what i will become."

To me it's essential to the pathos of the story that Solas is convinced he has to be the one to fix it, and i think his determination to do it alone is such an important character trait that i wouldn't override it right away.

But the DAI romance ends on the Inquisitor promising she'll save Solas from himself and will redeem him, and that "our love will endure", to which Solas replies "i wish it could", implying he doesn't believe it -- yet the epilogue states that while Solas has been slowly building up his plan, he has been visiting his beloved in her dreams, always at a distance, always disappearing when she reaches out.

So to me this is where i've left their plot for years. We didn't know details of the Veilguard until a few months ago, except for books and comics showing Solas is doing more and more dangerous, criminal things, to get his way, while also regretting he can't properly face the Inquisitor about it. We know also that he has been expressing a lot of regrets about how things should, could have gone.

(Not to mention, and it's important, that the whole way his first plan went wrong in DAI doomed the woman he loves to being worshipped (derogatory) and therefore scrutinized and crumbling under the pressure of expectation, and also gave her a power that slowly killed her and that by the end of DAI, led to her losing her arm. As a Dalish also, just being involved in this first plan lead to you learning so much about the Elves' past that you can never go back to the life you used to have. Basically he is aware he ruined your life before you even met him -- and that there is nothing that can be fixed about it.)

So, for years, personally, i've just been imagining follow ups to this. For years i mostly imagined their meetings in dreams-- wandering into her past, sometimes learning more about her, sometimes her being aware she can't reach him by running at him so she tries to shape her dreams to have him talk to her.

Of course one of the easiest fix it would be for him to give up on his plan and/or on his immortality (however it would be possible), but to me both of those are rather unsatisfying especially considering what's at stake. Just going "screw it" and give up everything would be a shame.

Especially since personally, while i don't like the idea of the death and gloom that Solas is bringing as his only path ahead, i do think taking out the Veil sooner than later is for the best, because if left in the current situation, we're screwed.

(and to be more "personal hc" about it, it wouldn't fit my girl either. She has always been so set in making things right, how can she, in good conscience, just tell him to give up?)

My personal wish is to find an alternative. Another path forward. I want her to convince him that there is another way if only he wouldn't believe he is the only one who can fix it. To give them a chance to work together for a better result. That things must be different enough from the way back that there is another way. But as of now i didn't have anything precise in head.

The saddest possible best ending would be if Solas would have won and everyone died, but the implication that in the Fade spirit can reincarnate though they won't remember anything about the past, maybe they could meet in another life. But it's not my idea of a best fix it ending.

Of course, Veilguard's plot ended up just setting my brain aflame. Now Solas is not in any situations where he can do it alone anymore. Now there is a new threat to the Veil that Solas hasn't prepared for. Now things may totally be different.

My dream ending is the Veil comes down without all the massive death that comes with it and the two of them can meet again together. Even if she doesn't regain immortality, even if they're doomed just on that, now they did their part, they did their duty, they can rest now that the world is safe, they can be more selfish.

But before that i want them to reconnect, and work together for it. I want Solas to learn to stop pushing people away.

As for my Lavellan in particular, she loves history, is fascinated by the Fade and magic -- and is serious on her duty to save the world as well. I built her to mirror a bit of Solas, but in a specific way where, where Solas learnt he had to isolate himself from the Inquisition, she learnt that she is happier and more efficient now that she learnt to rely on others, and she doesn't want to leave Solas alone in this isolationist misery she knows so well. And she wouldn't be satisfied if Solas would need to give up everything he stands for, while also dooming the world once more, only for this to happen. She wants it to be done right.

Anyway i'm babbling but. man.

I guess the conclusion is that i don't specifically have a happy fix it because i don't have anything to fix right now -- their story isn't over, and as long as it isn't, it's a work in progress. I cannot fix what isn't broken, only unfinished. I just can imagine the end of what's ahead of me and hope they'll be happy in the end.

Maybe AFTER Veilguard i'll need a Fix it--

[eldrith]

HIYAA! It’s me, the new tumblr acc person who asked u abt the text thing on ur own intro post, and i was wanting to ask for some tips on writing?

Ok so hold on let me compliment u first cuz u are actually so amazing!!! i’ve been following ur stuff for a while now (not rlly, since like summer 24 but shh) and honestly ur writing is so stunning and beaand breathtaking and legit made me pull up the dictionary like every two seconds (mostly cuz eng isnt my first language), like if shakespear himself was reborn to this time and age i’m convived he was born as u, cuz ur talent is INSANE?? like AAAAAAAAAAAA

anyway now that i got that out of my system (not rlly, i could write an entire essay on how beautiful and amazing ur writing is) i was hoping to ask for tips on writing? like general stuff yk? also i heard that its good to have a few drafts ready for when u start posting so it wont take long to get content out?

ughh srry for the ramble im stressing😭 also i kinda giggled when u said my blog will def be cute cuz the aesthetic it has rn………. 😀 its far from cute lol😭 i still think its pretty :3

hi cutie! sorry it took me a moment to answer this i've been so busy!!

first of STOP IT bc youre so sweet (& if you've been following me since summer '24 then you've been here the whole time bc i made this account in july!!! <3) the dictionary part ahahaha i get it!!! you're so kind to say such things i appreciate you & im so happy you like my writing!!

dw about rambling i literally don’t stop taking ever. & i believe you that ur blog is SO cute!!!!

i would be happy to share some tips ! i obviously am not the best source bc im not a professional writer and to each their own – but here's a (very long im sorry) list of what i recommend:

in terms of tumblr,

having a 'backlog' of fics in your arsenal is a great thing. i think even a plethora of diferent wips can be a great thing too (there's 11 unfinished wips in my folder rn that may not see the light of day), even if you're a slow writer (like me). that being said, it doesn't have to be that way — sometimes i post things right after finishing them just bc i want to share it!!!

along that vein, i know a lot of my moots here have schedules or structuring to posts. alerting their followers or posting teasers before (i do like to do this often), or scheduling fics to be posted on a certain day/time. i think this is wonderful; though i haven't been able to keep myself to such a routine, and literally just let things rip whenever.

time zone reblogging is a good way to ensure any readers around da globe see your fic! you can figure out some of the main time zones and schedule reblogs of your fics for those times. i sometimes do this too!

create your post draft w/ title/headers/warnings & tags etc beforehand bc it is SUCH a drag to do when you’re about to post a fic!!!

again, people are for the most part very kind here; don't feel like you have to be churning out fics just to keep people's attention. your writing will be wonderful & they will (they WILL. or else i will Get Them) be grateful that you chose to share it!!

in terms of general writing, i actually have so many thoughts on writing and preferences, but i dont want to be insane on main so here's just a few things off the dome—

love your story!! i think people's best works are when they become deeply invested with their own plot/characters. it's why i chose to leave certain characters, because i was no longer loving/enjoying my stories.

withhold information from your readers. i am a huge believer in the theory of omission. this seems to be a bit controversial on here; but i personally am in support of Hemingway's iceberg theory. overwhelming readers with information is boring. let them use their imagination to keep them & yourself from getting burnt out, & allow them to see what they'd like to within those gaps.

write first & edit later. this is something that took me a while to get into the habit of bc i always feel the need to fix things immediately. but it helps the writing process to get out your thoughts and structure first, then fine-comb it after. it saves energy & time!!!

especially in longer fics, avoid logical fallacy — ie., arguments that do not have adequate support. if your characters are fighting and it is for a reason that is not believable (same with a larger scale, like war), then it isn't as realistic nor entertaining to read!!! (i could elaborate but i could write so much on all of this HAH)

USE THE FIVE SENSES. all of them. they are your friend for creating imagery and i use them all the time. this also helps to avoid white room syndrome.

speaking of imagery: make use of both literal and figurative.

literal — obvious & realistic description of anything. ex; describing how black the wings of a raven are. simple& makes a huge difference in world building. figurative — my favorite; words and descriptions that imply certain ideas & need to be interpreted. describing how shadows slither around corners; implying distrust or paranoia, thoughts of serpents, etc. (this is where you have to have faith in your readers — perhaps i put too much faith in them sometimes lmao.)

my favorite way to ensure a cohesive work is to always anchor a motif. i always write with a clear recurring element in my works (could be some device, reference of some sort, words/verbal formula) which appears habitually. in every piece ive written there is at least one motif & usually more (i could cite examples but im not going to rn). it’s my favorite way of conveying emotion & importance. it help sets mood — and ties your whole fic together.

George Orwell has written a lot about never using the passive where you can use the active... this is obviously a preference; i have read countless astounding fics here that write in the passive, but i personally find myself more engaged in active tense. you’re IN the story, not being told of it.

DO NOT USE AI BOTS TO HELP GENERATE YOUR WRITING. ai is incredibly harmful to art; i understand folks who have english not as their native language attempt to use bots to 'polish' their writing, although it is so incredibly obvious when it is used — because computers use patterns. AI CANNOT CREATE, it can only replicate. it can only steal. they use repetitive words, phrases, and structures; all chat GPT fics read, in one way or another, the same; and have a non-human touch which is ingenuine. writers are beautiful and unique because they are different, because we all have a different relationship with english and writing. i often wonder if my translations come out incorrectly because my mother tongue is not english (however i've spoken it basically all my life, so i acknowledge it is different); though i think the charm in authors is their choice in expression. i hope people are confident with themselves, no matter their perceived skill level. i hope they know a robot will take away their intrinsic skill and natural talent. i hope they know it is incredibly obvious when chat bots are used to generate writing. and i see it in this fandom all the fucking time.

writers on writing; ie., some sources that help me:

ray bradbury on: I’ve kept everything I’ve ever cared about since childhood.' or: why personal experience is integral to writing fiction. (1963)

anaïs nin on how the excess of emotion is essential to writing.

ten rules of writing by nietzsche.

vonnegut/kafka: uncertainty is the crucible of creativity. or: the shapes of stories.

writing morally grey characters (character depth)

donna tartt on the writing process: an interview (must watch!!! shes my god)

okay i am DONE yapping. i hope some of this helps & if u have any comments or questions or anything im happy to hear what u think!!

[moralityandcinicism]

I hate to uncover myself here like that, but I got some thoughts that may contribute a bit to whole DA genre and how studying in small, gated community or breathing aesthetic makes main characters go insane.

I'm not rich by no means, but I would say I'm comfortable middle class. I can sail, I can ski, I can ride horses and, as a 22yo, I've already been to 20 various countries (not even attempting to count how many cities). Additionally, I'm not American, so student loans don't really affect me. The point being, I never had to worry about working regular student jobs or earning money in any way. I didn't even have chores at home. I was always told all I have to focus on is studying and nothing more.

I was raised by a professor of arts from a big university and by family who discusses philosophy and literature at the dinner table and speaks languages. I already knew half of my current professors before I even knew where I'm going to high school, and at 16yo I was having dinner with a professor from Harvard convincing me to apply there. I got into classics master's program and since it's very hard major with not many job perspectives here, I'm studying in a very small group of fairly odd or pretentious people (there are less than 10 of us in my year).

Thanks to contacts and nepotism, I already got a few jobs in my area of study. I already partaken in publications and all. I've been to foreign exchange programs, and I'm already planning what I have to do to get a PhD. Your typical DA bitch.

I know I will probably stay at uni for the rest of my life, following my parents' steps, but as an extrovert, I realised how much I miss contact with people from the outside. Especially since most of the work I do in my room with nothing but Google Docs in front of me.

Now, with war, crisis, inflation, and my rich holiday plans, I decided to try some more stable and student appropriate jobs. I became a barista to earn extra money and some practical experience. I also started going to the gym in my neighbourhood.

It has been an amazing experience so far to "ungate" myself and break free from the kind of golden cage I was living in. A few days ago, it struck me that for the first time ever, I feel like like a real person. Like a real young adult, who has to work for things and who exists in the real word and not one of concepts and aesthetics full of detached intellectuals and big words. It's such a weird feeling, but in a good way. Like, I'm no longer expecting everyone to know who Jacques Derrida is or speak more than 3 languages. I like to think I'm more in touch with reality and in touch with myself.

So, yeah, in conclusion, I deeply believe everyone should try that, and living gated, elitist, academiac life can actually rot your brain in every way.

If Henry Winter worked customer service job for a week, we would have a much happier ending to The Secret History lmao.