#if it changes depending on romance/inquisition world state etc.

[lafaiette]

Better picture of the Inquisitor's throne painting in Solas' meditation room 😭

[misculenica]

DA: Dreadwolf Thoughts & Trespasser Choice - and speculation of quests/choices

I've had a lot of spacing out time on my hands since I've been sick the past week (feeling better, dw)

I've been thinking a lot about that final choice with Solas in the Trespasser dlc; attempt to redeem solas, or, attempt to stop solas.

And that's a real headscratcher, isn't it? Because... That's the last interaction you have with the lord of eggs. Like... Why would this even be a choice to make, beyond dialogue/emotional fluffing for some kind of 'conclusion' that isn't even a conclusion to the narrative? It's a beginning, if anything. But Inky isn't going to be involved at all anymore, given the next protagonist in DW will be new.

So why the choice, and why is it framed like a serious game-changer choice? (not a dialogue wheel, a this or this kind of choice, like conscripting or allying with the mages/templars)

So I did some more thinking, and got somewhere ;)

Your (Inky's) choice to try and redeem solas or to try to stop/kill him will impact the narrative of Dreadwolf, and how missions will play out.

Inky (and what remains of the most trusted members of the inquisition - as stated in the comics; varric, charter and harding -correct me if I'm wrong); will be working towards an alternative to bringing down the veil or will be taking a more 'anything you can do i can do better' kind of role with solas, if redeem was chosen.

If stop was chosen, it will be much more 'kill any of his agents/bring them in', basically a lot more aggressively trying to stop him because he's getting close to doing it.

I can explain, but I will need to go back to Trespasser.

For clarification, what tipped me off to this idea was the specific dialogue from the dlc:

Now that's some interesting wording, huh?

"Try to convince Solas to change his plan"

And here's the varying dialogue for approval/romance etc

High Approval:

Romance:

"Solas, our love (is the) way (to) endure/unto death" (literal translation; "solas, our love (is the) way unto death/(to) endurance" (bless my solasmancer heart, the literal translation is kind of a nod to solas' greatest fear and how lavellan is trying to comfort him by saying essentially how he won't die alone because she's with him to the end/loves him beyond the constraints of life, and then this poor miserable bastard responds the only way he knows how)

(fuck you patrick thank you *cries* this is the most goodbye i've ever felt)

Low Approval:

You don't choose anything... Solas just kinda... Snatches your arm and tells you to piss off in the most Solas way possible.

Romance/High Approval

Now, allow me to rant about this dialogue.

The implication of the redeem lines are more telling than the 'stop him' ones, partially because it's very "you're being an idiot so your ass is grass"

But let me address the high approval lines:

"You don't need to destroy this world. I'll prove it to you."

I feel like this implies a lot for what comes next. But what could you mean by that? We're going to try and convince him there's an alternative. And my mind's racing for what that could mean for the plot of Dreadwolf, and what alternative could the Inquisition be seeking.

Here's what I'm thinking;

Dreadwolf's overarching narrative will be the same; prevent Solas from doing his thing.

However!

Based on this final choice with Solas, the language of the quests could change/what you're told about the Inquisitor will change.

For example; you're going out on the same quests, but the quests could be worded differently, or priorities change. Like... Sabotage/kill an agent of Fen'Harel but lose information vs steal information from an agent but let them go, or, beat agents to x objective vs neutralize agents seeking objective x

I think the game will allow us to go rogue on these decisions, however. I think Inky will be at the top of the order, giving orders down, but we as the player can choose to do what we want (naturally), depending on how we or our character feel about things. But the Inky's orders will be different based on that redeem or stop at the Trespasser choice. However, the missions/quests -for the most part- will be the same, only wording/language/priorities will change.

But I do feel like if you choose 'redeem' and go down a path of 'we need to be compassionate/understanding/prove Solas wrong - the game will very much punish us for it - it'll definitely get a lot of innocents killed.

If you choose to 'stop' him, you'll probably be given more aggressive/no nonsense objectives, and it'll probably bring the heat down on you more, but I feel like the game will encourage you to do this - innocents will die, too, but you'll get to blame Solas more.

Overall, bioware games tend to hammer home that 1. regardless of your choices, bad things will happen, 2. 'the ends justify the means' always leads to a persons downfall/blowing up in their face - leads to something far worse, 3. the road to evil is pathed with good intentions.

But I think the game will play into you as the player, and Rook, choosing to act with their own agency, even though they'll be working by the Inquisition's will - and this will impact Solas, and the rest of the plot and it's themes. Like imagine Solas bringing up the fact that a rebellious Rook acts with their own moral compass instead of doing what the 'hero' wants.

Which way will the droplet fall?

Unpredictability seems to be a thing for Solas and his plans, and it'd be interesting to see it brought up in Dreadwolf - especially as a theme and narrative device.

You can make plans, try your best, but ultimately, you have no idea what a person can/will do, nor how events will turn out (especially when you're attempted an act of god) - yes I'm comparing Dragon Age to Jurassic Park, and we better get a dragon roaring epically with a banner falling in front of it after it randomly saves us from darkspawn {I'm kidding, but damn that'd be cool) "Don't worry... That's the good kind of rumble!" - Bellara

Solas: You cannot stop me.

Rook: No... But they can ;) -->

I'm still going to stick with my theory that we're going to have to obtain the alliance with some powerful being to combat Solas, and I'll be damned if I don't get to pet a dragon in the next game.

[sewerpigeonart]

literally no one asked but that’s never stopped me before; my inhibitions are low bc i’ve been awake since 4am and idk if any of this is even going to make sense when anyone reads it but i want to talk about my 𝑓 𝑒𝑒 𝑙 𝑖 𝑛 𝑔 𝑠

having to choose between hawke and alistair in the fade is literally like the most stressful video game decision i have had to make—and actually, considering i’ve done alternate playthroughs where i choose each of them, i still technically haven’t “chosen” because it’s. so. hard.

if Loghain or Stroud are the warden, they’re obviously the expendable option because loghain has no rights and stroud simply isn’t a character the player was given the opportunity to emotionally invest in.  unless you make a specific party decision in da2, you never even meet him. but when it’s between alistair and hawke, now the emotional stakes are astronomical, because not only is it hard for me to pick on an emotional level, even when thinking in terms of narrative for each of these characters it’s hard to decide which is the better option.

we’re invested in both these characters; we traveled with alistair through origins and either romanced him or became his best friend through our wardens, our wardens with whom i think most players have also developed an emotional attachment to because they’re our own characters.  and hawke was our character in da2, and you could sort of “mold” him into one of three general personalities, he’s still a pretty strong character on his own, regardless of if he’s snarky or angry or benevolent.  and sort of opposite the case with alistair, we know that hawke’s friends are attached to him.

so now it’s down to the wire and you gotta pick one. there’s no other way out. it sucks. and i think on one hand i can actually appreciate that because it means the games did a good job of making me care about not only both of these characters themselves, but their impact on the characters around him.  when i think of sacrificing hawke, my mind at once goes to varric, the living hawke sibling, and the love interest.  with alistair, my mind goes to my warden, who in terms of the game itself isn’t a strongly defined character because like most custom protagonists a lot of the emotional investment comes from our own imaginations and projections. but in that regard it’s like the relationship to alistair is more personal to the player themselves, in my opinion.  when choosing who to sacrifice, i think about who is going to hurt.  i literally burst into tears when i played the hawke route and varric comes up to you in adamant and says, “where’s hawke?” like i fuckin lost it man lmao, and when you talk to him later and he tells you the story and they play hawke’s theme sadly in the background?????? im like im going to pass away now but ANYWAY

so not only do i think about the emotional consequences on hawke and alistair’s companions (and myself), i struggle to choose which option is better narratively. because i feel that both of them have a very strong reason to stay behind. for hawke it’s obvious: with corypheus, it’s personal—way more personal than it even is with the inquisitor who is meant to defeat him. it’s literally in hawke’s bloodline. not only did his father cage the magister, but hawke is assuming the responsibility of “releasing” corypheus upon the world. of course he would give up everything remain in the fade and deal this huge blow to corypheus. it’s more than playing hero, it’s about vengeance for him, and you could even say it’s about protecting his family, if his sibling is a warden and if you romanced anders, protecting him too.

alternatively with alistair: all through origins alistair is characterized as believing himself expendable. “i wish i had died instead of duncan, i’ll kill the archdemon so you don’t have to,” etc. and yes he is young and insecure in origins, and it’s clear when we see him again in inquisition or even the cameo in da2, we can see him more confident, more assured, capable of making his own decisions. but—and i acknowledge this is largely headcanon, but this whole post is explaining why it’s hard for me to choose—i think especially with the romanced hero of fereldan still alive, in that pivotal moment in the fade i would assume alistair would be thinking of her, sorry to leave her and knowing she’ll be hurt but confident she could be the capable hands the wardens would need to recover, even if she is sort of in the shadows by that time, i project that the HoF would assume a sense of duty in helping them recover, even from the background somehow if she insists on kind of staying in “hiding.”

i think characterwise, alistair is always going to have some degree of innate self-sacrifice, that when it comes down to it, he’ll be the one to take the blow. so it would make sense that in the fade, he’d say “no, hawke, you go,” maybe no longer from a place of lower self-esteem like in origins, but i think in his mind, especially since he’s literally been a fugitive from the wardens, he makes the decision in a fairly rational state of mind. he acknowledges the wardens have messed up, and maybe this sacrifice can even be the start to redeeming their honor because he cares such a great deal about them. even hawke changes his tone in the final moments, saying yeah the wardens fucked up but they’re not beyond saving. so even then i think alistair would take comfort in knowing whether it be hawke or the HoF or the Inquisitor or whoever, the wardens will be left in good hands.

i know a lot of the alistair stuff is more headcanon than anything, but going off my own world history with the games and my own role play ideas and stuff, these are the associations in my head and how i interpret the cost of his sacrifice alongside hawke’s.  and i’ve even tried jotting some fic ideas exploring so many different post-fade concepts depending on which was left behind to see if i could construct some mental narrative to help me “commit” to sacrificing one of them, and in honesty, i think in the end i would go with hawke, because even though it’s more of an immediately impactful death (VARRIC IM SO FUCKGIN SORRY), it is personal, and i think that motivation is beyond alistair’s more “honorable” motivation. i think alistair could be convinced to help the wardens before hawke could be convinced to step back and let someone else take care of corypheus “for him,” for lack of a better term.

HOWEVER. it may be wishful thinking in order to cope, but i would be willing to bet that in da4, we find out whoever was left in the fade is not dead after all, because if it is hawke you leave behind, or even with alistair, these are both two protagonists that would have rather unceremonious deaths. narratively, that’s kind of lame writing if we were to forgo the closure of their actual deaths. even in the choice tree it says the person will “most likely” die; in the cut scene as the inquisitor and the non-sacrificed character run toward the rift, you see in the background the other character fight the monster and hit the ground under an attack, but we don’t see an explicit “death.”  they are then, understandably, assumed dead.  but there’s no actual confirmation. and i don’t know the writing team personally, who am i to say they’re indisputably above this, but i would like to have enough faith in them to expect they would not commit to such an unsatisfying ending for that character’s story. even with a more “expendable” character like stroud, i think there’s too many questions left behind. 

the introduction of walking physically in the fade and surviving is a huge revelation in-game. it’s reiterated that that literally hasn’t happened since the first magisters entered the black city.  that’s ENORMOUS. and if they’re only going to explore that twice—or more like one and a half times because we get the vague opening cut scene of escaping the fade, then the adamant sequence—it again feels very inconsistent and sloppy. dorian even says that essentially once people realize it is possible to survive the fade physically, they are going to try it, however unwise and irresponsible.  i think the da4 teasers alone (i haven’t followed da4 updates very closely tbh bc i haven’t been able to play trespasser yet bc i only have a ps3 and i’m trying so hard not to get too spoiled beyond the main inquisition ending asjkfd) imply our experiences with the “real” fade are so far from over.  and thus, i feel “comfortable” leaving hawke in the fade because i would like to believe he’s going to come back. i mean, he’s hawke right? and if hawke’s character can come back, that would then further suggest if you left the warden in the fade, they would have to come back too for whatever the da4 narrative might be.

ok sorry this is rly long and disorganized im bad at communicating ideas effectively but i have been thinking about this lately way more than i care to admit lmao

[fenharel-archived]

25 Dragon Age Questions       

tagged by @lelibela ♥♥♥ tagging: @denerim @flmeth @blckwall @clanventrues @thalasians @cireael @rkyloren @noonvraith @aloths and anyone who wants to talk a bit about da!!!! 01) Favourite game of the series? Inquisition. I’m just here to smooch Solas, ok.

02) How did you discover Dragon Age? It’s all @flmeth’s fault!!!!!! She once made a post about it here. :’/ (♥)

03) How many times you’ve played the games? TOO MANY TIMES. And that’s saying something, as someone who usually only plays a game once or twice lmao (I like trying out new things, ok!). I just checked and I apparently have 798 hours in Inquisition alone. Including DAO & DA2 I would estimate around 1400 hours, hm... wtf@me

04) Favourite race to play as? Elves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

05) Favourite class? Mage!!!!!!!! Rogues are cool too though I just really can’t do warriors tbh.

06) Do you play through the games differently or do you make the same decisions each time? Depends! I have several characters in each game who make slightly different choices and I stick to them if I re-play them, or I just do something that I don’t ~consider canon~ just because I’m curious. So I’ve tried out most choices by now! Except for DA2, I always do the same in DA2.

07) Go-to adventuring group? DAO: Zevran, Morrigan, Alistair DA2: Anders, Varric, Fenris DAI: Solas, Dorian, Cole is my fave during main quests, but I really don’t have a solid “Go-to group” in DAI tbh. There is so much banter I don’t want to miss, you know! The companion that is always in my group is Solas lmao. :^)

08) Which of your characters did you put the most thought into? Oh boy idk. All of them? Feels weird picking only one. I mean I re-played Alvar the most so I guess her maybe? Idk

09) Favourite romance? *drum roll* SOLAS.

10) Have you read any of the comics/books? The books, yeah! Not all of them yet but I’m on it.

11) If you read them, which was your favourite book? So far the Masked Empire

12) Favourite DLCs? Trespasser. I would even say it’s my fave DLC throughout any game series? The emotional turmoil this one gives me is INSANE. The STORY. The SOUNDTRACK. THE ENDING.... @ everyone who follows me and still hasn’t played DAI & all it’s DLC’s in the Egg romance yet: It enhances your experience SO MUCh. It’s so GOOD. Trust me on this one.

13) Things that annoy you. I can’t smooch Solas casually. What the hell.

14) Orlais or Ferelden? Orlais..... is prettier?

15) Templars or mages? Mages.

16) If you have multiple characters, are they in different/parallel universes or in the same one? It’s both for me! I have a big universe in my head where all of them have their roles and this is also the one I consider the most important, but I also have separate world states for each. It’s just easier sometimes depending on which OC I play.

17) What did you name your pets? (mabari, summoned animals, mounts, etc) Nymeria’s dog: Fang, Cari’s dog: Fluffy, Eleanor’s dog: Sinner. Oh, Cari is also able to summon a Skeleton buddy, I called him Klaus.

18) Have you installed any mods? Yyeeahhhh...

19) Did your Warden want to become a Grey Warden? Nymeria didn’t, but Cari thought it sounds interesting, at least the getting out of the tower part.

20) Hawke’s personality? Eleanor is mostly purple. But she uses blue and red ofc as well, depending on the occasion. (& Lynne is not a Hawke, but she used mostly red, with blues sometimes when she talked to her friends)

21) Did you make matching armor for your companions in Inquisition? Like making them all look the same? No.

22) If your character(s) could go back in time to change one thing, what would they change? Nymeria wouldn’t have made Shianni the Bann of the Alienage, since they killed her for it. Cari wouldn’t change a thing, she believes everything happens for a reason and that she wouldn’t be the person she is today if she would change something. Eleanor would go back and try to save her mother & sister, she would also stop Carver of joining her into the Deep Roads expedition, so that he wouldn’t have to be a Grey Warden now. Lynne would like to have given the DA2 clique a chance earlier, they are bffs now but it took her so long to get her armour off. Alvar keeps thinking about Crestwood and what she could have done or said differently. Falon regrets something that happend with him and his ex boyfriend. He would like to fix that.

23) Do you have any headcanons about your character(s) that go against canon? So many, it’s more fun that way! I have three living Grey Wardens in DAO for example, instead of two, since both Cari & Nymeria get recruited. Or I also have Lynne, who is another member of the Kirkwall crew, without being a Hawke, etc.

24) Who did you leave in the Fade? In my current “canon” it’s Hawke :/. But since switching Cari to the Warden it should be Stroud. So that might change. If I’ll ever be able to let go of the angst. Also if Hawke doesn’t come back in DA4 I’ll do it in an instant.

25) Favourite mount? asjkdhkjsdhs “Pride of Arlathan” but honestly only because of it’s name. I don’t use mounts at all lmao.

[impossible-rat-babies]

DA 20 questions!

I was tagged by @acepavus! Thank you darling!

I’m gonna tag: @apostatetabris, @dirthara-mama, @wicked-eyes-and-wicked-hearts, @star--nymph, @red-wardens, @vvakarians, @trans-aloth, and anyone else who wants to do this! Sorry if I’ve double tagged you all!

--

01) Favourite game of the series?

I gotta go with Inquisition. I love all the maps and the characters I’ve gotten to make through the games. It’s a beautiful game.

02) How did you discover Dragon Age?

I saw art of Dorian around and figured out he was from dragon age and that he was gay and I was instantly hooked on wanting to play the game. I hadn’t ever seen a video game before with a gay man in it and I was desperate for LGBT content and validation. Dorian has been immensely important to me in helping me realize my identity.

03) How many times you’ve played the games?

I’ve played origins all the way through four times I think. I’ve played da2 three times, twice with my main Hawke and then another Hawke. I’ve played inquisition at least six times with Darva and I’m playing Dimitri for the fourth time. I’ve played that one the most by far.

04) Favourite race to play as?

Elves! I love the elves of dragon age so much

05) Favourite class?

Dual wielding rogue by far along with archers. Rogues are one my favorite classes ever. I do have a soft spot for mages and warriors thought

06) Do you play through the games differently or do you make the same decisions each time?

I try to make little sorts of different choices. I’ve both allied/conscripted the templars and mages before on different little games and I’ve both banished and kept the grey wardens. I’ve never put Gaspard on the throne himself, but I’ve done all the other ways Halamshiral can end up. I’ve only ever not drank from the well once and the was because I was playing a human. I try to mix it up a little each play through for variety sake. Plus I love Calperia’s story so much more than Sampson, so I do side with the templars on occasion. But I am a mage loving gay.

07) Go-to adventuring group?

My Origins go to gang for Eth is Shale, Wyne and Alistair and Slivayn is usually Wyne, Shale, and Zevran. DA2 is a whole grab bag of people, but I usually have one mage, one warrior and a rogue + my mage Hawke.  My crew for inquisition depends on who I’m playing. Darva mainly roles with Cassandra, Vivienne and Dorian while Dimitri runs with Iron Bull, Sera and Solas.

08) Which of your characters did you put the most thought into?

Dimitri and Darva are at a big ole tie with Eth coming in second place. Dimitri is my ever evolving kiddo mainly bc I play a TTRPG with him as my PC, but Darva is like that comfort character where I truly see myself in. Eth is my precious little complicated warden child who I revisit on occasion because I forget how much I do enjoy origins.

09) Favourite romance?

Oooo it’s a hard tie between Bull and Dorian. Dorian was really like that gateway--along with dragon age in general--into me making gay characters explicitly and having them represent me. He made me feel okay with who I am and seeing that blatant love between men was something I had never seen. It was kinda the same with Bull, but he was also like that shattering of men having to preform to a certain degree of manliness to be seen as valid. Bull is manly af, but he loves the color pink. Masculinity doesn’t have to be as society defines it.

10) Have you read any of the comics/books?

I have read the Magekiller comic, but that was about it. I wanna read the books, but having the energy to do it. Does reading the TTRPG book count? Or the World of Thedas books? lolol

11) If you read them, which was your favourite book?

I haven’t read any of the main book tbh

12) Favourite DLCs?

I loved the Return to Ostagar DLC. That one was full of a great atmosphere and just generally quite sad. I liked Mark of the Assassin best out of the DA2 DLCs because it was humorous as well as having good drama going on. A very fun time even though it was a bit of a pain. Trespasser is probably my favorite DLC for Inquisition mainly because of the run through the elvhen ruins at the end of the DLC to get to Solas. It’s throwing everything you have because this is the end at the enemy and I love that.

13) Things that annoy you.

Ehhh most of my annoyance come from the lack of mlm romance options in the game and the treatment of characters like Sera and Sandal who are coded as neutroatypical. But, most of my qualms come from fandom and the rampant homophobia, transphobia, racism and white-washing everyone does. Ya shitty fandom.

14) Orlais or Ferelden?

Ferelden, personally.

15) Templars or mages?

Mages as always.

16) If you have multiple characters, are they in different/parallel universes or in the same one?

I have multiple characters across two world states, my canon one being Eth Tabris, my dual wielding rogue warden who romanced Alistair, Bryn Hawke, my force/blood mage, who romanced Fenris and Darva Lavellan, my dual wielding rogue who romanced Dorian. I also have other Lavellan's that go along with Darva like Fisk and Livonah. Then I have an alternative world state with Slivayn Mahariel, an archer rogue who romanced Zevran, then Farlan Hawke, my two handed warrior who romanced Anders, and then Dimitri Enallasani, my mage elf who romanced Bull. Dimitri only has Daniel as his other sort of important character.

17) What did you name your pets? (mabari, summoned animals, mounts, etc)

Eth named her Mabari, Witt, after her brother who was sent to the Circle when she was 16. I cannot remember for the life of my what Bryn named his Mabari, rip. Darva ends up with a Mabari in Kirkwall just named Da’len. Slivayn named his Mabari Tamlen after his clanmate and lover. I can’t remember what Farlan named his Mabari, RIP. Dimitri has an Anderfels Hart he raises later on named Ghilan after his Keeper’s old Hart and he has a great horned owl named Falon who he rescued.

18) Have you installed any mods?

Nope! I play all my games on console, so no mods for me. I do want to get a good gaming computer after I graduate from college so I can indulge in some mods for Dimitri and Darva and learn fly cam. I would really like to have Dimitri’s vallaslin in the game and more dalish outfits for my kiddos. Alas, I am stuck with what I have for now.

19) Did your Warden want to become a Grey Warden?

Wanting to become a Grey Warden wasn’t something Eth thought about wanting or not wanting. She was ready to die for having saved Shianni and that would have been enough. She kept her safe and that was her duty. Duncan thought she was worth the risk and she accepted that if this was going to be her new duty, it was going to be her new duty.

Slivayn didn’t want to be a Warden at all. Duncan had to conscript him and even then he hated Duncan for a long, long time. He didn’t get to see if he could save Tamlen at all so he was intensely grieving and he was torn from the only home he had ever known. Ostagar was his first experience with humans who weren’t out to kill him and his family.

20) Hawke’s personality?

Bryn is firmly in the Purple Hawke camp, but strays into Blue on occasion. Farlan is a firm divide between Red and Purple.

21) Did you make matching armor for your companions in Inquisition?

Yes, omg yes. My quizzies have their own color palettes I work off of. Darva alternates between Bear Fur + Plush Fustian Velvet + Infused Vyrantium Samite + Blue Vitriol and Great Bear Fur + Darkened Samite + Silk Brocade + Blue Vitriol. Dimitri’s changes from Snoufleur Skin + Drakestone + Darkened Samite + Higher Weave to Great Bear Fur + Darkened Samite + Dragon Scale. aka, Darva wears a lot of deep browns, blues and greens and Dimitri is a lot of reds, blacks and oranges.

22) If your character(s) could go back in time to change one thing, what would they change?

Eth wishes she would have done more to keep Shianni safe along with the rest of the Alienage. Her biggest regret is that she allowed what happened to happen.

Bryn wishes he could’ve saved his family. He covers up a lot of his grief with humor and deflection, but he hurts a lot for what he did. Part of him wishes he had done better with his mother, but he wouldn't admit it.

Darva wishes he could’ve saved his father; he knows he was only fourteen and that he would have gotten himself killed, but at times he thought that a better fate than having to deal with his mother and her all encompassing, smothering grief. 

Dimitri wishes he could’ve saved his clan. He goes over what happened as much as he can, trying to piece together what he could've done to save his family. It’s his life’s biggest regret.

23) Do you have any headcanons about your character(s) that go against canon?

Oooo could Darva being trans be one? Idk, that's a headcanon that doesn’t much go again canon. Biggest one for him would be him leaving the clan at 18 and traveling around Thedas. 

Dimitri’s whole origins and magical usage is a big middle finger at the canon for the dalish inquisitor considering he is sort of his own sect of elves who are drastically different than their southern counterparts.

24) Who did you leave in the Fade?

Ooo Darva leaves Alistair in the Fade because I can’t bear to leave Bryn behind, rip. But Dimitri ends up leaving Loghain in the Fade. I can’t give up my Hawkes.....

25) Favourite mount?

Me personally? I love the Pride of Arlathan mount. Darva mainly uses that mount and it’s his favorite. Dimitri loves his horse, the Amaranthine Charger. But, later on he gets his Anderfels Hart--which is a sandy colored breed of Hart that is larger and tougher than others of it’s breed. They bond with only one rider in their lifetime and will stand their ground, full of as much conviction as the elves who originally bred them.

[musingmycelium]

da 20 questions

i was tagged by @goblin-deity thanks dear <3 and i’ll tag @lyrium-lovesong @raymurata @pegaeae @veridium-bye and @crystal-grace <3 no obligations of course <3

01) Favourite game of the series?

ooooghghghghghgh Origins is my Favorite, the Story........

02) How did you discover Dragon Age?

i recieved a copy of inquisition as a gift, became immediately immursed but i didn’t dig more into the series for a good half a year or so? at which point i discovered the other two games and went Oh Fuck

03) How many times you’ve played the games? 

oh, uHHHHHHH, Far Too Many. i’ve sunk over 1k hours into dai alone, origins and da2 probably have about 1k combined?

04) Favourite race to play as?

i’m always a slut for elves 

05) Favourite class?

me, a staff wielding bisexual: i’m Mage, all the way. though i don’t mind rogue if i mix things up [which is like, i think i have three or four rogue play throughs out of all of them?] i NEVER play warrior bc i’m a bottom i’m not about that life

06) Do you play through the games differently or do you make the same decisions each time?

i play in character! so i’ve got some Wildly different world states depending on which playthrough/oc i’m on

07) Go-to adventuring group?

for my Canon world states i’ve got origins gang: sten, zevran, morrigan. da2 gang: fenris/aveline, anders/merrill, varric. dai gang: dorian, bull, solas/sera  i sense a theme...... 

08) Which of your characters did you put the most thought into?

oh god, ellanis and noure are my most fleshed out origins kids, wren and galahad are less fleshed out, sorta, but i Love them, idrilla and da’ean are pretty fleshed out as well -though linayel and mithra are also fairly fleshed out i just never write about them 

09) Favourite romance?

ZEVRAN -god i love him so much hhhhhHHHHHHHH he’s got Everything, everytime i play ellanis and he goes ‘the grey wardens die here’ i’m Fucking Lost Already man. hhhhhoooohhghghghghghgh i’d go on but i’m running on cough syrup and midol so it would be even less coherent than ususal

10) Have you read any of the comics/books?

lmao i own all the books but i haven’t been able to finish them because My God are they poorly written. LIKE good Characters, good characters, shit prose.

11) If you read them, which was your favourite book?

the one i’m furthest along in rn is stolen throne so i’ll go with that one

12) Favourite DLCs?

jaws of hakon -holy shit as an archaeologist grad student i cannot tell you how much i Fucking Loved the lore dump in site form that was jaws of hakon JUST OH MY GOD it was AMAZING the first time you talk to professor what’shisface with the hot accent and he starts talking about chronologies via buckles i was fucking lost in nerd heaven

13) Things that annoy you.

homophobia and transphobia and racism. the games are Rife with bad correlations between real people and grey morality and poor handling of sensitive contents, though i don’t know if it was all done for ‘woke’ points or if some came from legitimate good intentions, most of my problems lie in those areas. fandom also hits a lot of my annoyances but that’s what block is for

14) Orlais or Ferelden?

antiva bitch

15) Templars or mages?

mages

16) If you have multiple characters, are they in different/parallel universes or in the same one?

same one! ellanis is my canon hof but noure is a part of his backstory and they meet during the blight [ellanis frees noure from a sentence of tranquility and conscripts them, uh, temporarily] noure leaves the group after like a week?ish and goes to nevarra. wren and galahad are twins, wren being the older one and the main rabble-rouser hawke. da’ean is the only quizzy but idrilla, linayel, mithra and a handful of other lavellan ocs all exist within the clan -idrilla and linayel and a few others come to skyhold after clan lavellan handles the unrest in wycome with da’ean’s help [my canon there is a bit wonky as of yet as i’m still working out the kinks]  

17) What did you name your pets? (mabari, summoned animals, mounts, etc)

this is the part i suck at, i think ellanis named the mabari something after the flower that saved him? but i don’t remember tbh, and that’s the only one i cna think of rn too lkjlkjlkjklj

18) Have you installed any mods?

oh yes. ohhh yes i have an extense amount of mods on all three games, mostly cosmetic ones but a few gameplay ones

19) Did your Warden want to become a Grey Warden?

ellanis didn’t no, he thought warden’s were a bit of reality mixed with myth. when duncan shows up he’s more skeptical and curious than anything else, and his joining is less than enthusiastic but he makes the most of it for a good five years, before he fucks off to do his own research in antiva in seclusion -he just leaves, with an encripted note for nate making him warden-commander of ferelden while he’s gone and tells him not to tell anyone where he’s gone. only nate and velanna know where he is in the wardens

20) Hawke’s personality?

wren is a purple hawke! she knows what she wants and she is not afraid to go after it, although she does care deeply and shows her affections loudly. she’s a fucking chaotic stupid mess and i love her.

galahad is blue throughout. a natural big brother, super loving and patient and caring. he’s always looking to help, though when things go wrong he tends to blame himself only, he’s more together than wren though. 

21) Did you make matching armor for your companions in Inquisition?

....yes.......  my inquisition is a fashion disaster, everyone has a palatte but i do complimentary colors for my parties and lis Of Course

22) If your character(s) could go back in time to change one thing, what would they change?

yes, ellanis would go back and kill the shems before they could crash the wedding -to prevent shianni from ever having to live through what she did. he would still have probably been conscripted by duncan soooo not too big a change for him but, for shianni it would be huge. 

ellanis has another but it’s tied up with noure’s: noure would go back and ambush the templars before being captured and then run for their life. without ever having lived in the circle i don’t, know exactly how noure would come out -probably happier, less jagged, less terrified and paranoid. but probably not by much if they had to live their life constantly looking over their shoulder. they may have ended up in nevarra this way too, but they wouldn’t have ever made it to kirkwall and they never would have met anders or karl, they may have never fallen out of love with ellanis via distance/assumed death, it would be far different than what happened.

wren and galahad both would go back and save bethany. doesn’t matter how, or what the cost to themselves would have been that’s their little sister and they would do anything to save her if they could.

da’ean’s is much the same. his biggest regret, the thing which haunts him the most is ashalle’s [not dao ashalle lmao] death. he was supposed to protect her and after what happens in that field and that month, da’ean blames himself for how his sister died. though he isn’t the one to blame, and later [far, far later] he is able to come to terms with what happened. though he never Truly shakes the guilt.

linayel would probably try to save his mother’s sight. he would tell her to stay with him by the fire, or would try and find a cure faster for her. the illness wasn’t his fault and he knows it wasn’t but given the chance he would save her sight if he could.  

23) Do you have any headcanons about your character(s) that go against canon?

lmao canon? never heard of her, a shitton of what i write is either me taking canon and making it Good/Useable or me shitting on it and saying this is My Castle Now

24) Who did you leave in the Fade?

this choiice always pissed me off, or it did after i knew who they were. when i first played i had no idea who hawke was or who the grey warden contact was [stroud for my first couple of play throughs] at all. so i would flip flop between them without care really. 

now, in my canon alistair stays behind while hawke physically drags da’ean out because he was going to stay and fight or find a different way out. i still think its shit and a naratively piss-poor meta punch though

25) Favourite mount?

i’m a dirty gatherer so i don’t actually use any mount. the only time i Have used a mount was the royal 16 for screenshot purposes, which i lost when my harddrive crashed a couple months ago D:

[nilesdaughter]

Dragon Age Questionnaire

Tagged by the ever-lovely @lakambaeni​! I’m sorry it always takes me forever to get to your tags.

Tagging: @battlefox​, @tyishi​, @aurianavaloria​, and any other DA fans that follow me! But, as always, there’s no obligation to fill the tag :)

01) Favourite game of the series? I think DAI is my favorite in the series, because it was the one that really pulled me into the fandom.

02) How did you discover Dragon Age? As is usual for my entrance to fandom, it started with blogs I follow starting to share content about the game. (This was a little bit before DAI dropped.) It seemed cool, and @likhoradka​ had made a quick Handers comic that amused me, but I didn’t really get into it until @battlefox​ lent me a copy of DA2 so that I could see what all the hype was about.

03) How many times you’ve played the games? I’ve played all three games through to completion once; with DAO, I played most of the DLCs that were concurrent to the base game, but I only played the vanilla games for DA2 and DAI. HOWEVER, I have started several additional playthroughs, to the point where I have a small army of characters.

04) Favourite race to play as? Elves! Though, to be fair, this is a bias I generally have in fantasy settings.

05) Favourite class? Mages, because, again, the bias followed me from the fantasy setting in general.

06) Do you play through the games differently or do you make the same decisions each time? I try to play to each character, but I still usually end up making the same decisions (so far).

07) Go-to adventuring group?

DAO: Alistair/Dog, Leliana, Zevran

DA2: Varric, Fenris, Anders

DAI: Since this is the one that I have the most characters in, this is more varied depending on the playthrough, but my PERSONAL favorite combination is Varric, Dorian, and Iron Bull.

08) Which of your characters did you put the most thought into? Definitely Enansal, even though she’s just a glorified self-insert. I just write about her the most.

09) Favourite romance? Probably Cullen, but that’s because I’ve done that one twice.

10) Have you read any of the comics/books? I haven’t got a chance to, yet! I did buy myself a copy of “Asunder,” but I haven’t had time to actually read it.

11) If you read them, which was your favourite book? TBD ;)

12) Favourite DLCs? I mean, I do love “The Stone Prisoner,” because it gives you Shale, and I love them so much.

13) Things that annoy you. Mooostly the fandom. This is why I keep to myself and my little corner amongst the lovely people behind @dadrunkwriting and @asiansofthedas.

14) Orlais or Ferelden? Ferelden, because it’s always given me Celtic vibes and therefore reminds of Ireland :)

15) Templars or mages? Mages.

16) If you have multiple characters, are they in different/parallel universes or in the same one? I personally have them existing in parallel universes. However, I like the idea that all of the DAO characters end up joining the Wardens at some point or another. I also do have two separate Tabris playthroughs that have become my “Tabris twins” headcanon.

17) What did you name your pets? (mabari, summoned animals, mounts, etc)

Veleda’s mabari is Rowan. Since my first playthrough with Sylvia was with the vanilla game, she didn’t have her mabari, so I still haven’t thought of a name. Enansal and Cullen name their mabari Buster. Most of my other playthroughs have named mabari, though, but I have way too many to name them all haha I also never named any mounts, probably because I didn’t know that they could be named!

18) Have you installed any mods? I wish I could, but I definitely don’t have the space or know-how to install them.

19) Did your Warden want to become a Grey Warden? Veleda definitely did not. She was actually more than happy to stay in the Circle, because she definitely started out as a huge Loyalist, and was upset that she was basically forced into leaving with Duncan. She was eventually glad for the opportunity to live in the “outside world” though.

20) Hawke’s personality? Sylvia ended up being true blue lol

21) Did you make matching armor for your companions in Inquisition? No. I usually prioritized stats (and sometimes individual colors).

22) If your character(s) could go back in time to change one thing, what would they change?

Veleda: She wouldn’t have betrayed Jowan. Being away from the Circle made her realize that she should have put more value in his friendship.

Sylvia: Even if it ultimately spared his life, she always regrets NOT taking Carver to the Deep Roads with her, because she hates the time that they spent apart.

Elera: She never would have left her Clan prior to the events of DAI.

Enansal: She wishes she never had gotten involved with Aaric.

23) Do you have any headcanons about your character(s) that go against canon? Not particularly? I’d say my biggest canon-breaking content is my Tabris twins and my Kremquisitor playthrough.

24) Are any of your character(s) based on someone? Aisling Tabris, Sylvia Hawke, and Enansal Lavellan are all self-inserts, technically >_> Nan is the one that is most like me, though. Ash is my go-to persona when I make new characters, and Sylvia is really only a self-insert in the sense that all of her dialogue choices were based on what *I* would do in that situation.

25) Who did you leave in the Fade? Stroud, because holy frick, I could not break Varric’s heart like that.

26) Favourite mount? N/A

[erydiel-art]

(ENDED)CASTING CALL FOR: Voice Actors/Music Artists!!! Multiple Roles Available!

DEADLINE MARCH 31ST, 2018!!!

Hello everyone! I’m Erydiel, and I need your help! This is a long post, so beware!

I am currently working on my own anime called “Changing Fate.” To not give away too many spoilers, the anime is in a modern setting with fantasy-like elements, and involves romance, action, angst, etc. You can think of something like Naruto/Bleach, but closer to a Sailor Moon-type style. It’s a little weird of an explanation, but I hope that I’ve grabbed your attention! If you’re interested, read more below!

Now, here’s the deal: this project of mine is a one-man team. I make the story, the script, and do all of the artwork and putting everything together. Since I’m the only person doing this, it takes time to finish all of it. At this point, I will most likely release 1 episode at a time, OR finish all of the episodes and release them once a week. I’m still not sure what to decide yet, which is why I’m doing a casting call now.

Right now, this casting call is for both voice actors and music artists! To prepare you on what you’re getting into, Changing Fate will have:

- 15 episodes of various lengths

- 2 OVAs

- a trailer for the anime

- an anime intro/outro song

- a character reveal trailer

All episodes will be released on Youtube (and Vimeo, possibly). Now, I am a college student on a very limited budget, so I cannot pay you for your hard work. However, you will receive credit on every episode/video that’s released that you’re on, and you can absolutely add this series to your resume. (I’m sure that employers would love to see that you’ve worked on a long-term project, right? I know I would!) I WILL attempt at making a kickstarter to raise funds, so if it is at all successful I will be able to pay you then depending on the work you’ve done. Of course, this is something that will be discussed when we get closer to that time.

So, are you still interested? Wonderful! Here are the requirements in order to apply:

VOICE ACTORS:

1) Must have a good microphone, and/or be able to remove any background noise/static/etc. from the file before sending it to me.

2) Send files in either a .mp3 or .WAV file format

3) Be able to work with me in making sure that voice files are correct, and if needed re-do a line if the tone of a scene needs to change.

4) You will also need to be okay with scenes that either include or imply: torture, blood, death, pain, etc. Torture scenes will only be for 1 episode or so, but the situation is implied multiple times in the anime. DO NOT apply if you are NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THIS. I do not want to accidentally hurt you. I may not know you personally, but I always try to make sure that everyone is okay before moving forward.

MUSIC ARTISTS:

1) Be able to create several tracks (if needed) to fit various scenes in the anime.

2) If you can sing, or know someone who can sing, and be able to get them to sing the intro/outro song for you in the music file.

3) Send the files in a .mp3 or .WAV file

4) Be okay with certain scenes as stated in the Voice Actors Section above.

5) If you can do an intro/outro song but can’t create certain tracks, etc. (and vice versa) that’s OKAY. I don’t expect for only 1 person to do everything: I know different artists can create different genres of songs/tracks, so I’ll be expecting to hire more than 1 person. Just be you when applying!

6) Be okay and patient enough to be able to make any tweaks or changes to a song/track if needed. This may happen multiple times.

FOR BOTH:

1) When applying, send all applications to erydielart@gmail.com

2) The email subject heading should have either VA or MA, the character or track/song you wish to do, and what lines (for VAs only)

EXAMPLE:

Voice Actors:

VA (Accalia) Lines 1-5 Sample

or

VA (Accalia + more) Line Sample (Use this if applying for more than 1 character)

Music Artists:

MA (intro song) Sample

What I will be looking for in the emails:

Voice Actors: What character(s) you wish to apply for, plus the files that have the sample lines. EACH line (given below) MUST HAVE it’s own file, and named! For example, if you are doing Accalia’s sample lines, you would do: Accalia-Line 1 for the 1st sample, Accalia-Line 2 for the second sample, etc. Please make sure that you do this when sending emails!

Music Artists: Tell me what you wish to do: intro song, outro song, or background music. Then, I want you to include either a demo reel or examples of your work that either fit or are similar to the music that you wish to do for Changing Fate.

——–

Okay, now that all of that is done, time for the fun part! Voice Actors, this section is for you! Here are the Characters that you can apply for:

MAIN CAST:

Accalia Enelya (Ah-Kay-Lee-Ah Ee-Nel-Yah)

Gender: Female

Race: Nashoba (werewolf)

Accalia is one of THE main characters of the show. She will be one of the main focus in the anime, which also means she will have many, many lines. She is Tsundere to most people, but is heartwarming/acts normal to those that are the closest to her. She is a fierce protector who does not like Humans for the most part, but also knows that she is just a tool for their protection.

Lines:

1) “Humans…they disgust me.”

2) “Hey, get back here you scum!”

3) “It’s time to change.” (The line that’s spoken before a transformation scene occurs)

4) “I’m sorry…but I can’t. Not now, not ever.”

5) a file of a *sound of disgust* or a sound of “disapproval” (Similar to Cassandra from Dragon Age Inquisition)

Natsuki Arai (Naht-Su-Kee Ah-Rye)

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Natsuki is a soft-hearted man who is the love interest of Accalia. His voice is softer/feminine than most males, but NOT too feminine. You can clearly tell that he is a male, especially if his voice is raised in anger (which is quite rare). He is a gentleman at heart and tends to be the peacemaker in arguments.

Lines:

1) “Hello, my Lady.”

2) “I assure you that this must be wrong. Can we not resolve this another way?”

3) “Accalia, please, let me help you! You don’t have to do this alone!”

4) “All of this pain that you went through…I’m so sorry, my Love.”

5) a file or track of a *gasp* sound.

Paula Kisurugi (Paul-Ah Kiss-oo-ru-gee)

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Paula is Accalia’s best friend and closest ally. They have known each other for years, and will depend on each other if everyone else is against them. Paula is known to be a klutz, but she makes up for it with her sarcastic remarks and jokes. She will defend anyone who she is close with, although Accalia is most likely to protect her first.

Lines:

1) “Hey, get back here you jerk!”

2) “You know we gotta get them together, right?”

3) “Lia, you know you can trust me, right?”

4) *crying* “I can’t believe this…why did you have to suffer so much?!”

5) a file or clip of giggling or laughter. Be creative and feel free to send more than 1 file of this!

Cain Kazuhaya (Kayn Kah-zu-ha-yah)

Gender: Male

Race: Natissa (Vampire)

Cain is similar to Accalia in being Tsundere, but it’s not as strong. Instead, he’s almost like the classical annoying Jock that gets on everyone’s nerves. However, despite that persona he is a protector of his friends above all else, and is especially kind to Accalia because he owes her for saving his life long ago. He is also the love interest of Paula.

Lines:

1) “Yo.”

2) “Heh, hey Shortie. Did ya lose on the bet already?”

3) “Hey, back off!”

4) “They’re going to pay for this.”

5) a sound file of anger or yelling (like a battle-cry for a fight)

Damerick Bennett (Dah-Mer-Ick Ben-nett)

Gender: Male

Race: Nashoba

Damerick is known to be a Jack-of-all-Trades and makes constant jokes to make others laugh and be happy. He is an old friend of Accalia and Cain, and looks out for them often in times of need. Like Cain, he also is close with Accalia due to saving his life long ago, and wishes to pay her back for her sacrifice. If you ever feel down and need a pick-me-up, Damerick is the guy to go to.

Lines:

1) “Yo!”

2) “Dude, you gotta be kidding me!”

3) “Looks like it’s time to dance, yeah?”

4) “I don’t understand…why do we have to suffer like this?”

5) a sound file of a “WOO!!” or a yell of joy. Take your pick and be creative!

OTHER ROLES:

Sasha Anderson (Sah-sha An-der-son)

Gender: Female

Race: Human

Lines:

1) “Hey, what’s up?”

2) “…Really?”

Hampton Yamazaki (Hamp-ton Yah-Ma-Za-Kee)

Gender: Male

Race: Natissa

Lines:

1) “Huh?”

2) “…I don’t think we should be doing this…?”

DeAndre Parker (Dee-Ahn-Dre Par-ker)

Gender: Male

Race: Human

Lines:

1) “So…what do we do now?”

2) “Uh…what?”

Tran (Tr-Ann)

Gender: Female

Race: Human

*Vietnamese accent preferred, if able*

Lines:

1) “Hi.”

2) “…Thank you.”

Jordan Roan (Jor-dan Row-Ann)

Gender: Male

Race: Nashoba

Lines:

1) “Are we going to do this or not?”

2) “…Really?”

Various Female/Male Random voices/roles

*There are no lines here, just let me know if you can provide a voice for these smaller roles! They are of different ages, from children to old.

GODS/GODDESSES:

Zaman (Zah-Mahn)

Gender: Male

God of Time & Knowledge

Lines:

1) “Hello, my children.”

2) “My child, I’m afraid that it will only get worse from here.”

Xantara (Xan-Tear-Rah)

Gender: Female

Goddess of Earth

Lines: 

1) “I have failed you, my children. I…am sorry.”

2) “Do you think it was mere chance that you two are together? You two are together by fate!”

Araceli (Ah-Rah-Cel-Lee)

Gender: Female

Goddess of the Heavens

Lines:

1) “My child, do not look so down upon yourself. Your soul is too pure for such a sad look.”

2) “…I see. I have not thought of that before. You surprise me, my child.”

Asar (Ah-Sar)

Gender: Male

God of the Underworld

Aznil (Az-Nill)

Gender: Female

Race: Demon

Lines:

1) “Just give up already, Nashoba. We WILL rule over this world!“

2) “You don’t know what it is truly like to suffer. So, I will show you what it’s like myself!”

Aaaand that’s everything! Quite a long post, but it was necessary. If you all have any questions about this, please send in an ask! I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns.

Also, if you have no interest in this, please still reblog this! I need to get this reblogged everywhere so that others can see. Thank you SO MUCH if you do!!

DEADLINE IS MARCH 31ST, 2018

So please apply before it’s too late!

~Erydiel

[moderngirlinthedas]

Why are there so many MGIT fics that have their MGITs paired with Solas? He's an emotionally abusive racist with a superiority complex, yet so many in the fandom find him attractive. He barely registers Dalish as elves so he wouldn't find human MGITs attractive or even consider them real people. So why do so many of you want to pair off with him? It wouldn't be a healthy relationship, even if you end up as an elf. Can you shed some light?

First, I want to say that I’m extremely sorry for how long it took me to answer this.

I had so many directions I wanted to take when answering your question, Anon (far too many, really). I started and stopped many times in a separate word doc, trying to address this in as complete a manner as I could.

But I had too much to say, real life responsibilities got in the way, and suddenly it had been so long that my brain went yikes and shoved it in the back of my thoughts, ever present but easier to skip over.

So I’m going to give this a new shot and hope that my tardiness hasn’t soured you on the whole Asking process because I do love answering questions and opening topics for discussion.

[Disclaimer: The following is an expression of my own opinion, based on my experiences and perception. I will try to present it in an unbiased manner, but I am human and entirely fallible.] 

There are so many MGIT stories with Solas in the main pairing because, to put it simply, he is a fascinating character. (Note: I say fascinating, not morally infallible or intrinsically superior to the other characters).

He is an intelligent, compassionate character who offers a refreshing perspective toward mages, the Fade, and spirits. From the very beginning, he proves to be a font of knowledge for the Inquisitor. He appreciates inquisitiveness and self-examination in a way that is scarcely seen elsewhere.

And yet.

For all his open-mindedness, he can be exceedingly narrow in his views once he has reached a conclusion (i.e. the Dalish, other elves, etc.). He has made mistakes. Catastrophic ones. He believes the ends justify the means in his quest to “correct” his past mistakes. Worse still, he has the knowledge and power to deliver.

And this, all of this just makes him so fascinating. To see what could drive an intelligent, compassionate person to such terrible lengths, to see the limits of such compassion when “the Greater Good” is at stake.

His character is interesting and flawed, repentant even as he manipulates and schemes. A hero and a villain in turns.

But perhaps I’m getting sidetracked. This isn’t about proving why Solas is interesting or dissecting his flaws. That would be another post entirely. This is about why so many of the MGIT writers and their Modern Characters are interested in Solas.

So, let’s take a look at who Solas is:

someone who is from another time

someone who possesses and withholds knowledge about the world, magic, and etc.

someone who struggles with the relative ignorance of the people around him (ex: magic, spirits, ancient Elven society, etc.)

someone who struggles with feeling more “real” than the people around him

someone who attains a position of power/rank in the Inquisition as a valued source of knowledge

someone who uses hidden knowledge to alter events

Now, who else does this sound like?

The Modern Character in Thedas.

Think about it: this trope, particularly when anchored in the Inquisition timeline, tends to feature these key elements:

the Modern Character is from another world/time

the Modern Character has played the Dragon Age games and withholds knowledge about in-game events (and other characters)

the Modern Character struggles with the relative ignorance of the people around her (ex: racism, sexism, unsanitary practices, primitive technology) 

the Modern Character struggles with feeling more “real” than the people around her, in the sense that she is often painfully aware that Dragon Age and the people therein are constructs of a game or potentially figments of her imagination in a coma-induced dream

the Modern Character attains a position of power/rank in the Inquisition, usually as the Inquisitor herself or as a valued adviser

the Modern Character uses their foreknowledge to alter events

Barring some exceptions, Foreknowledge and how one uses it, is one of the biggest themes in the Modern Character in Thedas trope.

Using foreknowledge to alter events, however good the intentions, is a form of manipulation. Every choice is but a ripple in a greater wave. Inaction is a choice in itself, so even if the Modern Character refrains from actively altering events, they can still be held accountable for “allowing” events to proceed unimpeded.

These are real struggles that both the Modern Character and Solas face as people who possess world-changing knowledge and the ability to spark change.

“When you can do the things that I can, but you don’t…and then the bad things happen, they happen because of you.” -Peter Parker

Does this ability always yield altruistic superheroes like Peter Parker here? No. With great power comes great responsibility, not necessarily good choices or a moral compass.

So why is this important?

Because with so much power, forced to hide their origins in a new world that fears and often hates the different, the magical, how alone would the Modern Character feel?

Who else could understand what it’s like to bear that kind of burden? Who else might be willing to even entertain the idea of another world/reality, much less accept someone so different?

Solas.

The Modern Character is playing chess on a whole other board than the rest of Thedas, but so is Solas.

It’s not the same, of course. But it’s enough. Enough to help the Modern Character not feel so alone.

And if that’s not enough, consider this: if you were stuck in another world, desperate to find a way home, who might just have the means to help you?

Phew. That was long-winded.

Now for your questions about attraction!

“He barely registers Dalish as elves so he wouldn’t find human MGITs attractive or even consider them real people. So why do so many of you want to pair off with him?”

It is my understanding that one of the main reasons (if not the only reason) Solas is both gender and race-gated in the game is due to time constraints. His romance was written in the span of a weekend, late in the development of the game. It is easier and less time consuming to write and animate a romance for one specific gender/race (i.e. female/elf), especially for a last minute addition.

There aren’t any moments during in-game dialogue wherein which Solas displays a genuine romantic or sexual preference for a particular gender or race. The flirt options simply aren’t there when the player isn’t a female elf.

This is important to note because this is not the case for the other characters’ romances. Both Dorian and Sera express a genuine romantic/sexual preference for one gender. You have the option to flirt with both Dorian and Cassandra as a female. They both turn you down. You have the option to flirt with both Sera and Cullen as a male. They both turn you down. Cullen, who is also race-gated, will turn down a female-dwarf.

So, in the absence of in-game dialogue that denotes an actual preference, it isn’t unreasonable to think he might not have one.

And thus, it is entirely possible that Solas would find a human from another world romantically and/or sexually attractive.

On the Subject of Realness:

Solas’s perception of “realness” is relative to the people of Thedas. 

[And here we get a little meta]

He considers the people in the present canon to be less real, due to the fact that his actions in his original timeline (the canon’s past) had, in part, caused the current worldstate, which he views as not only a mistake, but a mistake he’s going to rectify.

The people of Thedas, in the present canon, are less real to him because he likely has plans to revert the world back to a previous state, thus erasing the people in the current timeline (much like the Inquisitor does with the Red Lyrium future in the “In Hushed Whispers” quest).

So! Since the Modern Character isn’t a native to Thedas, that perception of “unrealness” doesn’t really apply to them. In fact, in some ways, Solas might even perceive them as more real, if not just as real as himself.

“It wouldn’t be a healthy relationship, even if you end up as an elf.”

How healthy or unhealthy a relationship is depends entirely upon the characters themselves and the way they’re written/portrayed. There’s nothing intrinsically unhealthy about the pairing of the Modern Character and Solas.

Now, if Solas or the Modern Character are depicted as emotionally and/or physically abusive to the other, then you’d be right, it wouldn’t be a healthy relationship.

Not because of who they are, but because of their behavior.

So, to sum up–because I have rambled so much here, wow–

Why are there so many Modern Character/Solas stories?

because Solas is a fascinating, flawed character

because Solas’s experience makes him relatable to the Modern Character

because Solas could make a good ally for an Otherworlder

because arbitrary game mechanics shouldn’t dictate a character’s love life

because “realness” is relative

because the pairing of Solas and a human isn’t inherently unhealthy

And the bonus: Because the Solas romance was extremely popular among Dragon Age gamers, and many of those gamers set out to write a story

And there we have it. The end of a long-winded spiel from me. 

I hope I kept things relatively objective. I appreciate dissecting characters’ motives and exploring their flaws, even when I love them.

You can love or hate Solas (or something in between) and still note his flaws…as well as recognize his more redeeming qualities.

And always remember: to love a character is not to condone all their actions.

[shannaraisles]

Andrastian Weddings

There is so little for us to go on here. What little we do know comes from the City Elf origin in Origins, one companion quest in DA 2, and a few mentions in Inquisition. There is also a very small tidbit from the Dragon Age Wiki page on Sexuality and Marriage. Now, what I was looking for was something a little more concrete to use as a baseline for any weddings I may need to write, and what is available in canon asks more questions than it answers. This is based on Andrastian marriages in southern Thedas, with the occasional note on Tevinter.

I have to thank @ashitarimai , @acheesecakewrites, @elevanetheirin, and @scahill42 for pointing me in the right direction to get this straight. You're all awesome!

Betrothals

It would appear that arranged marriages are an accepted part of Andrastian society. The elven alienages arrange marriages long distance, probably to keep their small communities from falling victim to the dangers of in-breeding (the City Elf origin in Origins). Likewise, the nobility in Orlais and Antiva are mentioned as arranging marriages through the services of a matchmaker (often another noble), seemingly regardless of the wishes of those actually involved. Dorian also mentions that marriages are arranged in Tevinter.

The evidence - We have a romanced Josephine's arranged marriage in Inquisition, which the Inquisitor can challenge in their own special way. We also have a War Table mission, in which an arranged marriage can be either prevented (Cullen's option), or approved (Josephine and Leliana's options). In the second case, the Inquisitor can visit the marriage taking place in Val Royeaux and bless the proceedings. And again, we have Dorian's testimony on the clinical way the nobility in Tevinter arrange marriages for the sole purpose of begetting mage offspring, entirely disregarding the couple's interests.

A dowry also seems to be an accepted tradition of Andrastian society. We know that elven alienages pay a dowry to the alienage who is losing a member, to compensate them for the loss. We know that in Ferelden, the human custom is to give a dowry to the mother of the intended (male or female), thanks to Aveline's quest, The Long Road, in DA 2. Also thanks to Aveline, we are aware that people do marry for love, even to templars.

So what do we know?

We know that arranged marriages are considered a normal part of Andrastian society. We know that on occasion the betrothed pair are not entirely willing - sometimes society allows for the betrothal to be called off in the name of love, more often it calls for the marriage to take place regardless. It would appear that the practice of arranging marriages for political and social gain is the province of the nobility - arranging marriages among the alienages would seem to be a prudent distribution of resources.

The Ceremony

It stands to reason that the ceremony will be slightly different, dependent on culture and status. Andrastian elves will focus on their communities; the human nobility likely would focus on pious lectures about the Maker and Andraste. This is not so very different from the cultural aspects of Earth weddings in the Catholic Church (don't hate me, this is just my opinion!).

The evidence - We have the interrupted wedding in the City Elf origin from the first game. In this, we're shown that an Andrastian wedding is performed by a Revered Mother, and does not have to be in a Chantry. We have a very small snippet of dialogue that begins the ceremony, in which Valendrian greets the members of the alienage and encourages them to celebrate their traditions and community (much as a Catholic priest often begins a wedding service with a short treatise on marriage and its purpose in the church's eyes), after which the Revered Mother gets right to it. If it can be assumed that her words are the beginning of the ceremony itself.

"Now let us begin. In the name of the Maker, who brought us this world, and in whose name we say the Chant of Light, I -- "

The wedding is interrupted, so we get nothing more there. However, we do learn in this origin story that your prospective groom is wearing a wedding ring (I've never played as a male city elf, so I don't know if this is also shown from that perspective). Therefore we can reasonably assume that an exchange of rings may be an accepted part of the ceremony.

We also know that the groom, at least, speaks vows, thanks to the Trespasser DLC, in which a romanced Cullen gets the opportunity to marry his Inquisitor. However, all the Inquisitor does is pretty much stand there looking pretty. (A Dalish Inquisitor will speak their own vows in Elvhen, but since that's not Andrastian, sadly, it doesn't help here.) So we have Cullen's vows, which the wiki states is only "one known version" of Andrastian vows and may even have been his personal take on the whole thing, anyway.

"I swear unto the Maker and the Holy Andraste to love this woman the rest of my days."

We also know that Summerday in the Thedosian calendar is associated with weddings, thanks to the Dragon Age Wiki. However, clearly this is only a preferred date (like May or June on Earth), and not mandated, or the whole of Thedas would stop once a year to get married.

A side note on the ceremony itself comes from the two weddings we get to see for ourselves in Inquisitions - those present are the couple themselves and the Revered Mother. It would appear that no witnesses are required for the ceremony to be valid, though the matchmaker may attend to make sure it all goes through properly.

So what do we know?

We know that, in order to celebrate a wedding ceremony in Andrastian society, you need a Revered Mother, at least one ring, and vows. We know that it is a coming together of community in alienages (and presumably in the lower classes of human society). We also know that, in noble circles, the matchmaker will likely attend the ceremony, but no witnesses are necessary. And it would appear that marriages are often performed outside, away from the Chantry buildings themselves.

Traditions

Again, not so very much to go on here. Flowers do not seem to be a part of the traditional Andrastian wedding, nor do there seem to be any other traditions we would associate with weddings ourselves.

For example, the clothes. It would seem fair to assume that the lower classes, both elven and human, would wear their best to their wedding, rather than spend money they don't have on clothing they'll never wear again (City Elf origin). Even without a Queen Victoria to set the fashion, however, it would appear that the Orlesian nobility, at least, prefer a bride to wear white (Inquisition). This is, however, a fashion, and does not necessarily pertain to any other country or culture within Andrastian society. Clothing is formal, certainly, but unless you're rich and in Orlais, virginal white may not be the accepted route to go.

In the case of the rings, we know that Nelaros' wedding ring is a simple gold band. We don't know which finger they would wear the ring upon, or even if both parties wear a ring at all. However, seeing as wealth would play a part in the extravagance, I think it is probably safe to say that the simple golden band is a baseline worn by the lower classes, and heavily embellished according to personal preference by the nobility.

Without flowers or witnesses, we have no need to discuss whether they throw the bouquet or the garter.

It is reasonably safe to assume that they hold some kind of celebration (unless they've eloped). The City Elf origin suggests that the gathering is a celebration of community centered on the newly married couples, likely with food and dancing. While there are no hints offered about a celebration in noble circles, again, I think it is safe to assume that they would hold a feast or ball to celebrate the marriage.

Afterward

Do they practice a bedding ceremony? Does the noble couple change into going away outfits and leave the celebration early to go on honeymoon? Come to think of it, do they have honeymoons?

The answer to that last question is yes. We know Aveline goes on a three week honeymoon to Orlais with Donnic after their wedding. If the captain of the guard in Kirkwall can do it, I think it's safe to assume that the nobility certainly enjoy traveling honeymoons. Elves in alienages and the lowest classes of humans probably don't, though they might manage a day off from their duties to honeymoon at home, as it were. The upper middle classes (merchants, etc) probably also take honeymoons, though of a shorter duration and closer to home. It would all be dependent on wealth and status, I assume.

So that's my reading of the Andrastian wedding. Feel free to call me out on mistakes!

TL;DR - get a couple (willing or unwilling), dress them nice, get a Revered Mother to do her stuff, and you have a marriage. :)