#illarook

[fiadoesart]

Yeah uhm soooo…. I did a two day lock in and I finished it

I’m actually super proud of this. I’ll absolutely print and frame it. I love my boys so much.

Kept the dress a bight rough but i like it a lot.

[the-rebel-archivist]

Now on AO3

a kiss to gain something, for amadis/illario? 👀

This one really spiraled out of control and I could not stop myself, some pre-game trysting of my favourite messy couple who are definitely not in love do not @ them. It did not escape my notice that the Rook background event that separates them from their faction happens approximately at the same time as Lucanis is presumed dead

Amadis de Riva / Illario Dellamorte | 1778 words

If Amadis were a good little Crow she would have been packing. She would have been obeying her Talon’s direct order to take her things and get out of Treviso ‘with immediate effect.’ She would have followed along like the perfect soldier she was supposed to have been.

Good little Crows don’t find themselves in a rented tavern room next to a man that same Talon has told them to stay away from who refuses to tell them his name. Good little Crows fall in line and obey no matter how little information they’re given. No, Viago had made it clear to her how much she was not, in fact, a good little Crow after her actions against the Antaam and so any attempt to be one hardly seemed to matter.

The sullen face of a once-good little Crow stared back at her from a dingy mirror as she ever so carefully traced her lipstick over her lips and tightened the tie on her robe.

Illario was distracted tonight. Even when his clever hands were on her body his mind was somewhere else entirely, traveling the peaks and valleys of her flesh by rote and muscle memory, guided less by passion than by experience and yet seemingly just as bent on losing himself in her as she was into him. Did he know what had happened? Did he know it was her who had ruined the Talons’ plans and her who would be so unceremoniously exiled? 

Worse yet, where did his allegiances truly lie? It was a desperate thing to suspect a Crow of treason and yet not improbable, especially when he had cultivated a mystery around himself the way he did. It was becoming tiresome that he still refused to name his House. Trust was already an expensive commodity in Antiva and could not support further suspicion.

“Something on your mind?” she prodded gently, taking a seat beside him on the bed, curling one bare leg beneath her and laying the other across his lap. He accepted it with an aimless drift of his fingertips across her calf, but looked away for a moment too long before responding.

“It’s nothing,” he said with his liar’s smile, his expression shifting into the softened mask of a lover that had been absent a second prior. The finesse of it always amazed her; she mentally noted it with professional appreciation. If she had had a closer relationship with the truth herself she might almost have called it natural.

“Contracts don’t usually spook you.”

“It’s not a contract.”

“Ahh so it is something,” she said with a dangerous smile, leaning closer to him until her shoulder bumped gently into his, rocking the two of them ever so slightly off balance until she settled against him. “House business, then?”

He huffed a harsh breath from his nose and the top corner of his lip curled cruelly, faster than he could catch up to the expression to crush it into an intimate unconcern, a smile free of conflict. He hadn’t managed his eyes though, not completely, not well enough for her scrutiny, not enough for her to be able to mistake the desire for reassurance, for justification, of some act he was reticent to speak of.

“Something like that.”

Some instinct within her cried danger, growing louder and spilling into her guts as she searched for answers that she knew she wouldn’t receive in those eyes that seemed nearly black in the dim light. He continued to play the lover but she knew better, she knew him like she knew her own limb, they had never needed names for that. 

Who or what she couldn’t tell, whether herself, her country, or someone wholly unconnected to either, but she knew beyond any doubt that some betrayal was an inevitability, and knew just as strongly that whatever happened she would guarantee that she would not be anywhere near the fallout of it.

Still, their game played on. He had one more chance to end it, whether or not he knew it. One chance for the honesty she had no true expectation of.

“And am I still not allowed to know which House?” she asked, looking up at him through her long, dark eyelashes and allowing an errant curl to fall in front of her face. “Still worried that we may be mortal enemies?”

Illario’s smile turned wickedly sharp as he took the offered bait and smoothed the hair from her face, cupping her cheek and lifting her chin toward him.

“If I’m not already your mortal enemy I will be very disappointed,” he said, the warmth of his breath prickling on her skin.

You are, she thought as she closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his, pulling him close against her and holding tightly to him. You can match me, you may be my weakness, but you will not be my undoing.

She banked the smell of him within her memory, the sincerity of the sweat on his skin overlaid with the artificiality of his chosen cologne. There was no small chance that this was their end now, and it would be for the best. But for a moment, for just one single moment, she could pretend that this was all there was, that they were happy, and that neither would ever feel the sting of the other’s betrayal. All a fiction, certainly, but she couldn’t resist the indulgence of it even still. 

Backing off, she broke away from him, her resolve steeled. The weight of their secrets and their untruths had simply become too heavy; there was no other option than this. Perhaps it had always led here. Perhaps Viago had had the right of it when he warned her away, though the thought of validating that stung more than Illario’s deflections. 

He followed after her with his hands, resting an arm around her waist; for him too, it seemed, it was easier to bury himself in whatever this was than to face whatever had him so preoccupied.

“I’m leaving Treviso,” she said flatly, reclaiming her leg from across his lap and setting it on the floor. She might have shrugged out of his grasp completely had he not tightened his grip on her as she spoke. “I don’t know when or if I’ll be back.”

“Why?” he asked, straightening up with what seemed to be genuine surprise. “Where? I may be traveling soon, I could meet you.”

Not this time, she thought, more wistfully than she had imagined she would when she’d run over the ways this conversation might have gone beforehand. She had not thought that he would look at her like she was the sun and had banished him into shadow. He ought to have been grasping, scheming, he ought to have been his usual conniving self. Not this earnestness that nearly threw her off course. She could recover though, she must now.

“A contract,” she lied. “And no, I will not tell you where. You’ll enjoy yourself well enough wherever you are without me,” she teased with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. She didn’t mind; though he had on occasion followed after her for a post-contract holiday they had never been anything near to what might have been called exclusive.

“Will you tell me if I am very, very nice?” Illario purred into her ear, pulling her closer to him and nuzzling his nose into her neck.

Amadis tilted her head back, leaning shoulder to shoulder, a hair’s breadth from his lips. “You have never been very, very nice a day in your life,” she said in a low voice, kissing him once more, biting gently at his lower lip before separating again. “And I would hate for you to start now.”

He laughed and the vibration through his chest rippled through her own.

“I could also be terribly-” he began, voice smooth as velvet, nipping at the tip of her ear. “Incredibly-” he continued as he slipped a hand into her robe and worked it slowly downward. “Not nice at all,” he finished, his fingers teasing the top of her hip bone. 

Another day perhaps he might have tempted her to let go and meld into him. A small, easily crushed notion in the back of her mind wished it might have been that day. It was not. It could not be.

“There is nothing you can do to convince me, mio caro,” Amadis said with a wicked little smile, lifting his hand away and placing it on his leg. She ran her fingers over his as she let go, giving them a single squeeze. They were slightly cold to the touch; his circulation was slowing. “Not when you have secrets of your own.”

“We all have secrets, we’re assassins,” he said, seemingly more sharply than he’d intended. The slightly frantic expression in her eyes told her it was taking effect; his taut control over his tone and himself had loosened. Bit by bit his mask was falling and it seemed all he could do to force neutrality on his features. Just one moment more, that was all she needed.

“You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine,” she pushed , one final chance after the last one. One more moment to seal his own fate and by extension theirs.

“Then I suppose we’ll both remain a mystery,” he said firmly and she put the possibility of the antidote she carried out of her mind. 

One hard blink, then another, and then the muscles in his neck started to go slack. Blearily he attempted to push her away but only succeeded in falling into her shoulder, his movements sluggish and slow as though he were moving through water.

“You did this,” he accused through slurred words as she laid him down softly onto the bed. She was gentle, smoothing the hair from his face and lifting his legs off the floor. 

“I don’t know what it is you’re planning, but I don’t want to be anywhere near it and I’m afraid I can’t risk you following me. You’ll be alright in a few hours.” Picking up a handkerchief from the nightstand, she wiped her lipstick away thoroughly and precisely, as she had been taught by the expert poisoners of House de Riva. “Dream of me,” she said quietly, her voice a low rumble, and pressed a last, untainted kiss to his brow.

“I’ll dream of your blood on my knife.”

“But at least you’ll still be thinking of me,” she told him as his eyes fluttered closed and he faded away into unconsciousness.

Perhaps there was something of a good little Crow in her after all.

[elvhendis]

Illario x Rook fanart?? it's more likely than you think

[deputyrook]

Absolutely obsessed with how illario tells a lucanis romancing Rook that they chose the wrong dellamorte

SAME oh my god. It’s the fact that it’s a romance specific line that really gets me- it could easily apply to Rooks that aren’t romancing Lucanis, if he had meant “you chose the wrong Dellamorte to assist with your cause, because I’m the better assassin.”

But that’s not what he meant. Illario is specifically referring to Rook choosing the wrong Dellamorte as a romantic partner.

The jealousy he must feel, to be thinking of Rook and Lucanis’ relationship in the middle of their fight is CRAZY. I’m so curious whether he wants Rook because they don’t respond to his flirting, or whether he wants them because Lucanis has them- either way, I don’t see an explanation for this line that doesn’t come down to Illario wanting Rook for himself, and that being part of his frustration at being the “lesser” Dellamorte

[okthisway]

favourite Illario scenes that hurt me so 😔💔

[hyperions-light]

Oh, love their dynamic here! Feels very IC for Illario, and love that perspective on how Adelaide sees him!

Thanks for sharing/tagging!

Sharing.....Smednesday????

I have so many games to fill but even though I JUST got tagged by @operative-arrow I'm filling this now because I'M FINALLY OUT OF ILLARIO'S APARTMENT I was starting to feel like I was running in circles.

I need to figure out what a normal number of tags for a game is. Well, normal for me at least. :p Tagging @ofcrowsanddragons @basedonconjecture @mythals-whore @hyperions-light four is good, right? I just used the first ones tumblr suggested XD

Anyways, have some more of the Illarook AU below the cut.

She stood up and stretched. “We can still have sex obviously, but if you're not interested I'll just grab a corner and pass out,” she said in a lighter tone again as she walked past Illario.  He put an arm around her waist and spun her closer so she was pressed up against him.  “Who am I to turn down a beautiful woman in my own home?”  The threat of vulnerability was successfully avoided with Illario comfortably back in the role of seducer. Adelaide knew the adoration in his gaze had to be fake, but it would be nice to pretend to be wanted for a little while. “Flatterer,” Adelaide laughed and kissed him.

[elliemehl]

Valentine’s Day sketchbook session was omg 💕

sketchlog 2 - my Rooks with their special ones, this was a fun excercise because I drew simple mannequins out of poses I found on p!nterest and then sketched these on top.

[theredtrails]

I'm slowly but surely making my way through the last YCH comms I still have in progress but I really wanted to thank you for commissionning me 💗 I was a bit overwhelmed by the number of requests but I think they all turned out great 😌

FYI I'll let the form open for the rest of March and probably introduce new poses next month, so keep your eyes peeled if it's something you'd be interested in!

✨YCH commission form✨ if you want one, ideally from Dragon Age/Mass Effect/BG3 but I'm open to suggestions ☺️

I also offer regular commissions here if you have something else in mind!

[viagostalons]

imagining if Illario was a companion for a moment, alongside Lucanis, and Rook takes him out of the toxic Crow environment.

Illario comes to the Lighthouse and I feel as though the Lighthouse gives what you want as far as rooms go (we won’t talk about rook’s room) and it adapts over time to that person. We obviously don’t know what Illario is like in his private space, but I imagine he’s fairly used to luxury; but we could also maybe assume the lighthouse is attuned to the person on a deeper level and gives them what they need to be successful.

Illario’s room, in my mind, is quiet and dark, lit by some spare candles. Maybe it has a place to read and relax. It is nothing like what he has in Treviso, a total divorce from the Crow lifestyle. To the point, where maybe he doesn’t even like it at first, maybe it bothers him. Rook can usually find him outside looking at the Fade or in the little music room.

Having Illario at the Lighthouse, the other VG companions start to hang out with him; furthermore, they see how Lucanis interacts with him and how he speaks to him; maybe they’ve even heard how Lucanis speaks about Illario and they have expectations that Illario doesn’t pull his weight and isn’t capable.

however, they find the assessment about Illario is wrong.

they come to realize Illario is not only capable but he’s also very good at what he does; he is meticulous and highly skilled.

I think the first time Emmrich personally hears Lucanis give a backhanded compliment, he shuts the whole situation down. He is ready to help Lucanis unpack what he just said, while also bolstering Illario’s confidence.

Rook takes Illario out and the companions offer compliments to Illario

“Great job, Illario!” “Well struck, Illario!” “Excellent hit!” Etc etc etc

I think at first, he’d resist and not believe them but over time, I think hearing genuine, kind praise would fix him

and if Rook could romance him??? Oh, I imagine it would start as Illario being charming but disingenuous. In his mind, why would Rook choose him when his great cousin the Demon of Vyrantium is already here and knowing Rook. Or any of the other companions. OR he’s assuming that Rook is also being disingenuous; obviously, Rook picked him, he’s known for his charm and body, to the point he’s weaponized his charm and good looks.

but Rook keeps coming back; Rook flirts with him and not just surface level flirting. Rook sees him; the first person to ever see him. The first person to peel back his layers and look inside. Rook calls Illario out for only giving surface level compliments and maybe for trying to speed run a relationship because that’s all Illario has ever known. Rook forces him to slow down, figure out what he wants. Rook never forces him to do anything he doesn’t want to. They take their time. Rook really romances him.

Illario is known for his flirtation skills and the way he can charm anyone. But I doubt he’s ever actually had someone want him beyond a one night stand. He’s probably allergic to real feelings and Rook pursuing him so much is probably alarming and confusing. I imagine his romance is actually just as slow as Lucanis’ because it’s a genuine romance. But by the end of VG, Illario is fiercely loyal to Rook; not quite a guard dog and more of a feral wolf, ready to tear out anyone’s throat who so much as looks at Rook funny.

making him a companion might have also healed his trauma with Lucanis. His cousin learns his behavior is wrong and Illario has a chance to air out his grievances in a healthy way. They deserve to be close, especially out from under Caterina’s influence. They could really be something; by the end, they are unstoppable and a great team. I imagine taking them both along by the end is a riot. Illario is very funny and charming but he’s also Lucanis’ brother. The sibling antics would be in full swing. And finally, they can discuss First Talon openly and honestly. Lucanis might even bequeath his cousin the seat in the end.

tldr; Illario could be fixed if he’d been recruitable in VG as a romanceable companion

[treviso-nights]

mmmmmm and now i'm thinking about the fact that illario's boss fight takes place in an opera house, so even then, in his final challenge for power and control, his efforts are seen as a performance just as his entire career is seen as a performance—a performance and public demonstration of violence, ability, and inherited legacy. he has never been allowed to stop performing, to lose, to fall to his knees, and so when he finally does, caterina is there to tell him to stand up and what that must do to illario when he meets rook's eyes and sees only understanding and pity there??? to want to give up and stop for once in his life only to be told to keep performing in front of the one person he doesn't need to dance for???? devastating

[raraaviszine]

RARA AVIS - Crow Rare Pair Zine - Interest Check

RARA AVIS is a pay-what-you-can digital fanzine celebrating the complex relationships of the Antivan Crows. This project focuses on lesser-explored relationships (rare pairs) that demonstrate how love, loyalty and ambition intersect in the deadly world of assassination and intrigue inhabited by our favourite faction.

👉 Complete the Interest Check Now! 👈

Interest Check Closes March 15th!

What is a Crow Rare Pair?

For the purposes of the interest check, a Crow Rarepair is any Crow-focused pairing in the Dragon Age universe that has fewer than 300 completed works on AO3. (Sorry, Rookanis and Zevwarden – we love you dearly, just not for this project.) Poly relationships and QPRs are welcome! 

Interest Check

Before we get started, we’re looking to find out whether we have enough rare birds to fill our aviary. Please participate in our interest check, and we’d love it if you shared or reblogged it as well!  For more information, please send us an ask or email us at raraavisdazine@gmail.com

Thank you!

[zwitter-iconic]

Illarook is such an interesting dynamic to me, especially post-game because you have someone who has been completely idolized vs someone who has been completely villainized. What happens when those two are two sides of the same coin? How does the bitterness between them dictate that relationship?

Illario has endless room for growth as someone who is considered the villain, he can be redeemed.

If Rook lets their darker parts show they'll let everyone down. They'll ruin what people perceive they are. They will be demonized.

How does that manifest between the two? Illario sees only the best of Rook and Rook sees only the worst of him. Yet they are, uniquely, able to understand the converse.

Illario recognizes the angry, hateful parts of Rook. The resentment of being the Hero.

Rook recognizes the deep care and love Illario has for his family, and his fear of loss that led him to nearly destroying them.

[nyx-de-riva]

So, I commissioned one of my amazing friends, @commanderohan, to draw Illario & Nyx. And he did such an incredible job that I wanted to share with everyone.

I only have a slight obsession with Illario/Nyx, folks. It's okay! (Fun fact: Nyx has long hair in his good timeline with Illario because he has more confidence)

[elvhendis]

He insisted.

[vampcaprisun]

i made the veilguard boys (plus illario) and their rooks with this picrew! everyone come look at my babies aren’t they so cute together

[okthisway]

Illario: This… this was doomed from the start.