#ivenci is a mage??

[sunshinecatmom]

This will be a very Crow post. Elonna was rapping stuff up in Treviso. Having a nice cup of coffee with her bf and Spite. The main thing I like about this playthrough is that Jacobus has a redemption arc. Jacobus faced Ivenci. Jacobus decided that just killing Ivenci would be a mercy. They would suffer more if they held a trial. Which they did. Jacobus is now a official a crow and has his own house. Then Elonna went to talk to Neve. The Threads took out most of the Venatori when they took out Aelia. Neve sadly lost her apartment. Her home is now the Lighthouse for now. Then Elonna went back to Treviso to check on Tia and Viago. Then Elonna had a meal with her mom. Which ended well.

[lesbiansforboromir]

Governor Rayan Ivenci most dragon age character ever written, they're a government official, they live in fantasy Venice but sound like Scar from the Lion King, they hold the completely reasonable opinion that a city being run by a shadowy self-governing collection of hired killers who regularly murder each other is bad, all their coworkers are assassins who make fun of them for having this opinion while wearing bird outfits and living in a casino, somehow Ivenci is still the villain here, they're nonbinary and spend what precious little personal time they have on some immaculate gender affirming eyeliner, they're bald, they all but tell you that they're working with the Antaam but it stiil takes until the end of the game for the '''top tier''' Crow leadership to figure it out, they're a goddamn mage and you only find that out during the final boss fight where you're standing in front of a middle government office worker and their health bar appears and they throw a fucking fireball at you!!! I'm literally always thinking about them.

[eta-volantis]

There has been quite a lot of conversations (and discourse but we're ignoring that) around whether Neve/Lucanis ship was well done/well implemented/etc. and I think my conclusion is yes. It is, in fact, a good ship. The problem isn't them.

What I suspect happened is that Neve/Lucanis ship was the intention, but what came later than city choice is the romance blocker. As we have now found, the previous intention is that both Lucanis and Neve is meant to have hardened romance routes through existing (and fully rendered and voiced) game files. I can't remember the source, but there was also dev talks around city choice being a late addition and from the fact that Lucanis hardened romance has cutscenes I'd say the blocker came even later. I'd be surprised if they rendered and voiced them and have them in game if the block was the original intention. And what I also suspect is that when Neve/Lucanis ship was written, Rook and Neve like every other companion/NPC ship were very much on equal grounds of reconciliation if the relationship were to continued to be pursued. Neither are better for him, they were simply different people that can forge a relationship with him in different ways.

When the city choice and blocker was introduced, it causes a lot of problems with existing content that was not written with that in mind. Which is a lot, actually, Neve/Lucanis ship included. Quite a few things were probably rewritten and added, but many things were also missed because as much as people keep saying there are not enough choices, the effect around just what we have on the game narrative is vast in practice. Especially with Rook having 6 possible backgrounds that all affect in game dialogues quite massively, not even including racial and mage additional dialogues. It's why it feels so jarring on Shadow Dragons Rook choosing Minrathous and why parts of his route feels inconsistent. (Hearing Ivenci talk at Shadow Dragons Rook who saved Minrathous at the final Treviso quests almost actually made me laugh tbh guilt-tripping someone loyal and dedicated to their home by telling them how loyal and dedicated they themself are to their home and how dare Rook isn't loyal to Treviso is... something.) I think they had ideas and intentions around the blocker and it's not just something they added because [insert ridiculous reasons here]. Essentially, the emotional turmoil and conflict with Rook that comes out of that is actually an interesting idea to explore but because dev hell and time, it is likely left as it is, which is unfinished in terms of the dev's vision and what they want to do with it.

The Neve/Lucanis ship isn't bad and/or preferred. It's everything around it being changed without going through the rest with a fine tooth comb to iron out kinks like Shadow Dragons Rook having their background entirely ignored so many times when the city choice comes up despite the place they saved is their home and not just some random place that causes the issues. The writers didn't prefer Neve/Lucanis because when it was originally written, it is likely that Rook and Neve were on equal grounds. Stuff like this just goes to show how difficult choice based RPGs are to make imo, any changes that you think are small and little things that you may think are negligible can end up affecting things that are narratively important or player experience. And with EA constantly trying to gut Bioware and firing people mid-production while the studio is developing 2 new games for their biggest IPs, it's a miracle the game is as good as it is.

[sky-scribbles]

I am absolutely fascinated by Ivenci being a mage.

Veilguard doesn't talk about the Circles at all, and yes it's annoying and we can talk about that all day but... they still existed. If Leliana dissolved the Circles, then until ten years ago, mages were still imprisoned. If Leliana isn't Divine, the mages are still imprisoned.

If we follow that to its logical conclusion, one of two things is true:

If the Circles were dissolved, then Ivenci was either an apostate for most of their life, or they were a Circle mage who was only freed ten years ago. Perhaps they fought in the mage rebellion. Somehow, they - a mage, in a country were mages were distrusted and feared - fought and worked their way to becoming governor of Treviso, in just a decade.

If the Circles still exist, then Ivenci is an apostate. They either escaped a Circle or have managed to stay free from one their entire life. They worked their way up to governor without anyone finding out that they were a mage, ever.

And either option is so interesting! Does it impact their decision to sell Treviso to the Antaam? Do they think it's better to ally with the Antaam, who hate and fear mages even more than the Chantry, than risk them taking over by force - and risk themselves being chained? Do they hate the Crows because they remember the Templars, an order who were just as untouchable, who held a similar indiscriminate power over other people's lives?

Is there a terror driving them? Whatever it takes to stay free. Whatever it takes. Is there a fury? The Crows call themselves patriots, they say they fight for the freedom of all Antivans - but where were they, when I was locked in a Circle? 'Treviso will be free' - but for whom?

tl;dr Rayan Ivenci I want to study you like a bug

[lunastarlight593]

Gonna talk about my Cannon Rook and Dragon age a lot on here so I’m introducing Anna “Taron” de Riva!!! I love her so much and the questions are from @pinkhallaclub

1)Where in the Thedas is your Rook from?

Anna is born and raise in Tevinter, specifically from Minrathous until she was 13-15 years old

2)What is your character’s alignment?

Chaotic neutral or true neutral. Anna will do whatever she believes is right, even if it seems wrong to others and will be really reckless/won’t think before doing. At least at the beginning of the game

3)Race and subclass?

A human mage

4)If your Rook was companion, where would they be found?

She would be found in Minrathous on a contract, kinda. The “contract” is actually one she failed a year or two ago, before the game story takes place of course, and her mentor was killed by the man/contract she was supposed to kill and has finally found him again after that failure

5)What emotion did they usually pick?

Mostly the sarcasm/sassy ones and the stoic/serious ones

6)What companion are you platonically close with?

I would say Anna is close to Davrin and Bellara the most. After spending time with Davrin, she sees him as a genuine chill guy and not as bad as she thought for a Warden. And sees Bellara as a younger sister, like having Bellara ramble to her about anything

7)Romantically close with?

Lucanis :)

8)Who are they suspicious of?

Neve only cause she doesn’t trust any mages from Minrathous

9)Does your Rook get along with their chosen Faction?

Yes but after the fucking up the Talons operation, its now a “meh”, but slowly getting along again

10)Are they proficient in playing any instruments?

Yes, Anna plays a elven bass, specifically her father’s bassve

11)Weapon of choice?

Dagger and elemental orb, does use a staff from time to time tho. Uses thunder magic but knows a few neurotic spells

12)What is their orientation?

Bisexual

13)What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

I mean to her it’s a necessary cause she is a Crow but if it’s not for her job, she still will depend on the situation

14)What hobbies does your Rook have?

Anna plays music and dances, training either her fighting skills or magic, reads but not as much, gambling in card games and making bets with her fellow Crows, cooking, making poisons and alchemy, and origami

15)What NPCs do they like? Which one's do they dislike?

Anna loves Antoine and Evka and is she is honestly surprised to get along well with the Wardens. Has a love/hate relationship with Viago, sees her as a brother but after sending her away, Anna is piss with him still but their relationship gets better later on in the story. Love Teia but who doesn’t love Teia. Kinda hates Illario but not really at the same time. Really hates the First Warden and Governor Ivenci but yet again she hates politicians/military

16)Do they have a favorite creature in the Thedas?

Likes snakes, halla, and birds

17)Do they enjoy life as an adventurer?

She does, especially when Anna is traveling with Varric to find Solas cause it’s not her typical contract

18)What would your Rook be doing if they weren't recruited by Varric?

Honestly, she would probably be either kick out by crows or might even be kill by them. Or she would still be finding that failed “contract”

19)How do you think they'll meet their end?

Either old age or on a contract

20)Would they side with Solas or fight him?

Anna would fight him for sure

21)What is your Rook's favorite ability?

Void Blade and Tempest

22)What languages is your character fluent in?

Common tongue and Tevinter, some Antivan, and a bit of elvish. But she knows every curse word lol

23)What do they do after an absolute crisis?

She will keep acting her usual self, until Anna is by herself and she will just yell and scream and cry

24)Does your character believe in the afterlife?

Not really

25)What specialization best represents your Rook?

Spellblade cause it was specialise with the Crows but it also works for her story too

26)What animal best represents your Rook?

A cat or maybe a falcon

27)What was their life like before the events of Veilguard?

Lived in Minrathous for 13-15 years, jump on a boat and landed in Trevio, robbed people including Viago, was brought in to the crows by Viago, Viago and someone else(don’t know his name yet)train Anna, loses her other mentor due to her mistakes on a contract, meets Lucanis and gets along with him, Anna gets captured by the Venatori while finding the contract, and gets magic at the age of 32 because of the Venatori

28)Is your character the de facto leader of the party? Or do they consider someone else to be the leader?

Took charge as soon as when Varric ask her to, but Anna is starting to regret it/thinks she is a awful leader after the dragon attack and Weisshaupt

29)If you could choose a different faction for your Rook, which one would they have joined and why?

Anna would either join the Shadow Dragons or Lords of Fortune. For the Shadow Dragons: if she had stayed in Minrathous longer, Anna would have found out about them and joined. For Lords of Fortune: would have probably ended up there instead, Anna didn’t know where the boat would have taken her when she snuck on

30)What's your favorite thing about your Rook?

Anna’s sassness and her relationships with the characters(and looks cause god damn she is fine)

[antiqua-lugar]

Rook: I've been an orphan, an Antivan Crow, and now part of a team fighting elven gods.

so the first time I played this game and got this convo about multi culturalism with taash I was playing as a dwarven shadow dragon and was satisfied with the options, but now that I am playing Just Some Crow From Antiva it's kind of weird that the game doesn't give me the option to NOT relate to Taash. No, they don't know how Taash feels being split between two cultures and being a special one in one of those. They were born and raised in Antiva and kept on being Antivans. Being in a team fighting elven gods isn't even remotely comparable to any of that.

Being a Mage in an Andrastian country MIGHT have been but the game is allergic to depicting the Southern Mage Experience so

Like you can't even say "Well being raised as a Crow might be isolating" because every Crow in this game it's just a 100% certified Antivan patriot. There is An Attempt with Ivenci at saying that if the Crows really cared about Antiva they would stop existing, but.

[kaiarablackfire]

I thought I was free of my shit ass Crow, but no. They're back. Turns out, starting up a mage run isn't the answer to freeing my brain, cause after playing rogue for so long, mage kinda feels bad. I'm not biased, your biased. So here, more Quinn. And because I have 0 chill, we're getting sad boi hours this time. (Below the cut for spoilers.)

After the Antaam incident, Quinn knew just how bad things were not by being all but kicked out of Antiva, but by the silent simmering too quiet rage from Viago. He didn’t yell, or glower or call them names. He was stern, and quiet as he told them they were to leave, to go with Varric on his fool’s mission. And the thing that hurt Quinn the most, more than Viago’s anger, more than the hurt and worry they could see in his eyes that they knew he would never voice, was being denied their name. Rook worked well as an alias, and they were grateful to Varric for the nickname, but it still stung every time they heard it in place of the name their brother had given them, knowing that he had also taken it away. (Of course Viago wasn't actually taking their name from them. They were to hide. To be safe. Not that Quinn took it that way. Nor would it have made the hurt any less.)

No one among the Veilguard knew just how the name Rook added to the salt in Quinn’s heart every time they spoke it, the Crow masking it easier and easier as they heard the name more and more. Only Spite, always far too aware, knew something wasn’t quite right with ‘Rook’. Though Quinn hid their pain well enough that not even the demon could really understand. Shame? Regret? Spite didn’t know, only that it was wrong. Early on, Lucanis ignored the demon’s incoherent ranting, but later, once they came to an understanding, Lucanis started paying more attention and agreed that something about the nickname didn’t sit quite right with the other Crow. But without time to really dig in, and with Quinn deflecting anything approaching their own personal problems, he would have to wait to needle the group’s leader on their twitch at the name.

It wasn’t until after taking down Ivenci, when Viago looked Quinn in the eye and told them. “You’re a damn fine Crow, Quinn.” Giving them their name back. The stiffness of their muscles, the clench of their jaw, the signs that they were holding back something. Spite’s voice in Lucanis’ ear only confirmed his suspicions. “Belonging and pride. Truth and relief. A shame forgiven, a loss reclaimed. Not a Rook, never a Rook.”

Quinn held themselves in. They just got their name back, they weren't about to give Viago a reason to take it again by showing the depth of the vulnerability that the name alone ripped open in their heart, nor the twist of the figurative knife that was the accompanying complement, one without a snide aside attached. Viago was proud of them, pure and simple. It wasn’t until they were back at the Lighthouse, in their room alone, that they let the emotion out.

On the lounge that they used for a bed, Quinn sobbed into the stupid cape they wore out on missions, the one that matched Viago’s, the one that they insisted they wore only to annoy their Talon, the one that they would never admit was the only thing holding them together after returning home following a year in exile. Their brother’s cape that they were punished harshly for clinging to when they were a kid. Once again Quinn was clinging to the familiar fabric, though no stinging pain accompanied their grip. They still maintained the presence of mind to be silent in their tears, just huddled on the stupid couch, silently sobbing into the cape like it was a blanket.

It was all too much to force back down when they heard the door open behind them. So they did the only thing they could think of, they emulated their brother, affecting an annoyed tone at being disturbed and without turning around spat out a single word. “What.” The hesitation in the steps they recognized as Lucanis’ ripped at their heart anew and they nearly broke again, but the image of Viago’s disapproving stare in their mind held them still.

And while Lucanis nearly turned and left, Spite would not allow it. “They hurt. Fix them.” The demon was forceful and demanding and it was the clear concern in his demands that kept Lucanis moving forward. “Rook…” The tensing of Quinn’s shoulders and the angry growl from Spite made him reconsider. His voice was quiet, hesitant as he tried again, using the name he heard Viago use, the one that clearly affected them so strongly. “Quinn?” The choked sob that was his only response had Lucanis’ steps hurried as he approached the couch.

The sight of their leader, always ready with a joke, or a kind word, who always knew what to say or do, was always so strong, curled up on the couch, eyes red from their tears, clinging to their cape (Viago’s cape) like a lifeline, looking so small and vulnerable… Lucanis felt his heart break. As Quinn realized what he must see and tried to pull themself together, the desperate need to hide that weakness lest it be turned on them, Lucanis felt the low simmer of rage, though it was quickly stamped out, knowing full well the lessons that would have lead to the instinct. And Spite was in his ear, demanding they “Fix. Them.” and he knew, Maker did he know, how delicate this situation was.

So, it was with all the care of someone approaching a cornered animal, that he slowly sat on the couch near Quinn, and simply held out a hand. And Quinn, poor kind Quinn, who clearly had not had their heart truly hardened by the training of the Crows, looked in the eyes of the man their brother had warned them away from all those years ago, the man they had, despite their best efforts, fallen in love with, and all that training, all those fears and suspicions and expectations melted away. The cape was forgotten in favour of burying their face in Lucanis’ chest, his form now muffling the pained sobs ripping their way from Quinn’s throat. And while they’d clearly have to talk about this later, for now, Lucanis simply wrapped his arms around Quinn and let them cry.

[plushchimera]

you know because I love complaining actually and talking to myself in the shower is not enough, I'm gonna complain some more.

To reiterate, I did have fun. I also think it's a good game to stream if you are into seeing the reactions of a person playing. Ngl during the last 3rd of the game I was, involuntarily, making a lot of frustrated noises, and I was def making some weird faces as well.

I feel bad that I audibly laughed when Lucanis' - the Demon of Vyrantium, mage killer - genius move against that venatori commander was to play tug of war with her staff and to get launched away by magic explosion so that Teia can do the actual killing.

Lucanis is the funniest person on this side of Thedas. I mean it. "It's only fair, the crows don't work for free" will be living in my mind rent free forever, as well as every party banter with Taash, and much more. As a character he is delightful, i love him.

It's frustrating to see things that could've been. I wish faction\personal quest villains with potential to have some nuance weren't immediately reduced to screaming, cartoonish bad guys.

I liked it with Emmrich's quest tho. Hezenkoss, the disgruntled academic fueled by petty vengeance on people who kicked her out for unethical methods of research. Her entire mad scientist drip. I liked that. That was fun and appropriately whimsical, like almost everything related to Emmrich and Mourn Watch tbh. I wish Mourn Watch quests were more like that instead of "go there kill things".

I wish the shady, morally questionable things the wardens did (and likely still do) in the name of stopping the blight\saving the world were given more attention.

The whole Treviso ark to me felt like so much build up with no pay off. Love that Ivenci, the politician, apparently had a lot of combat experience too, saw the guy who as far they aware took down at least two dragons and thought "yeah I can fight them".

But then we didn't even get to fight the Dragon King himself? Instead it was yet another fucking dragon combat (was he sitting on the dragon? did i miss it?) that resulted in bizarre jump cut where it looks like he tripped and fell.

There's no conclusion to my incoherent ramblings really. I said to a friend before I was close to finishing the game that it feels like dragon age made by disney (derogatory) and I stand by it.

[ltleflrt]

4, 15, and 21 for the Rook questions?

4: If your Rook was a companion, where would they be found?

He's an extremely dedicated Warden, and would be out in the field hunting darkspawn. (And hiding from the First Warden's ire; out of sight, out of mind.) If we have to go by the game areas, he'd be found in a temporary location outside of the Hossberg Wetlands, and recruiting him would involve a quest to find a cave that darkspawn keep crawling out of, and finding a safe place to collapse the ceiling to seal it. He wouldn't feel right leaving the area to help you until this is done.

15: What NPCs do they like? Which one’s do they dislike?

Ellar's best friend from the Veilguard Crew is Harding. Their senses of humor compliment each other, because he can say silly off the wall stuff, and she'll play along. And because they're both gingers with a stupid amount of freckles, they like to punk people by saying they're siblings, and seeing how long they can keep the act up before someone finally realizes they're being fucked with.

In some ways, his connection with Davrin is probably deepest due to their shared sense of responsibility and willingness to die for their cause. But there's also a little bit of friction between them because they both want to fall onto the same swords, and in the heat of battle there's not really time to rock-paper-scissors that shit to see who wins the right to self-sacrifice.

He tends to seek out Emmrich a lot to ask him questions about magic, since necromancy isn't really a focus in the Hossberg Circle. Outside of their romance, Ellar has a lot of respect for Emmrich's academic knowledge, and they spend a lot of evenings just talking magic theory.

Outside of the crew, Ellar is really into Dorian. Older mage. Hot. Charming smile. Okay, it's a crush, please do not judge him for his thirst for competent older men.

He gets along with the whole crew as friends though. He's the kind of guy who gets along with just about anyone, because it's better to make friends than enemies, and he can usually gently tease someone into at least tolerating him. If people don't respond to him positively, he generally just feels neutral toward them. However, he's only human, so if someone is an outright dick, he'll dislike them. So he fucking hates Governor Ivenci and would happily dropkick them into a pool of blight.

21: What is your Rook’s favorite ability?

Chain lightning baby! And then he stabs the fuck out of everyone while they're still seized up.

Thanks for asking! Have some Ellar being a brat.

[crossdressingdeath]

Rook: You gutless traitor! You weren't powerless against the Butcher, you were working with him! Governor Ivenci: I don't expect you to understand this, but sometimes governance means not showing your entire hand. Rook: You sold the Crows out to the Antaam. Governor Ivenci: I kept Treviso safe! Protected! Unlike you Crows, I had to think ahead! You know what the Antaam did elsewhere in Antiva. And in every other city they occupied. You and your troupe of fools would have gladly provoked the Antaam to slaughter! I gave them the Crows, so they would not take the rest of the city. I gave them an inch, so they would not take a mile. Rook: The Antaam took their mile. And anything else they damned well pleased. And they'll keep doing it. Because you'll keep letting them. You didn't prevent a slaughter. You just postponed it. Governor Ivenci: If you hadn't killed the Butcher— Rook: Someone else would have. He decided he wasn't their pawn, anymore. The gods would have killed him. And then you would be ruled by someone much, much worse. Governor Ivenci: You should have been a politician, Rook. Instead of wasting your talents with that gang of circus rejects. But this city is mine.

There is a delicious parallel to Solas here, sort of tucked away just under the surface, and I think a lot of people get so caught up in the question of whether the Crows are good or bad and whether Ivenci is right or wrong to want them gone that they miss it. But if you look beyond that it really is like... setting the Crows aside for a moment, Ivenci's claim here is that this was a necessary evil and they did what they had to to protect the city and the Crows just don't understand, they're the ones making everything worse by "antagonizing" the Antaam (by... destroying their stores of poison gas so they can't gas the city? Ivenci's logic is rocky at best but we'll go with it for now), Ivenci was protecting Treviso by handing it to the Antaam without a fight! It does remind me of Solas claiming that he has to destroy modern Thedas but don't worry, he's totally considered the downsides and has plans to minimize the damage, don't ask how much consideration he's put in or what his plans are. And of course as would happen if Solas succeeded, we see that Ivenci's ever so well thought out plan instantly fell apart once it was carried out. They gave the city to the Antaam to "protect" it from what the Antaam do to cities they occupy, and then the Antaam did that stuff anyway! Because they're occupying the city! They don't do what they do to other cities because they had to take them by force, they do what they do because that's what they do when they're occupying a city. I think I've said this before but Treviso is insanely lucky that they got the Butcher and not someone like the Dragon King or Bas-taar (for those who didn't read TN he was in charge of Ventus after it fell to the Antaam and immediately destroyed all its mages' minds with qamek, an act which actually won Tevinter a lot of support in their war against the Qunari because of just how brutal it was), because Ivenci giving the Antaam the city did not change their behaviour one bit; it was just that the Butcher likes Treviso a lot. And even then it's still not good (seriously, stop to listen to the ambient dialogue when Teia's leading you to the Diamond for the first time, it's pretty rough), it's just not catastrophically bad (yet; Rook is correct when they say that someone else would've eventually taken over from the Butcher and made things way worse). Like Rook says, they postponed the slaughter; they didn't actually prevent it, and they've been spending the whole game trying to sabotage the only people in the city who are trying to prevent it. The Butcher does more to protect Treviso than Ivenci does when he lets the gods take him so that he can tell Rook where the ritual is taking place.

And of course as with Solas playing humble until you beat him, at the end we see what Ivenci's really angling for underneath their insistence that the Crows are bad and they're protecting their city as best they can by sabotaging Antiva's military. "The city is mine", they say; that's not the response of someone who thinks they're doing something painful but necessary! I know I've said this before, but Ivenci's main issue with the way Antiva is run ultimately seems to be that the Crows have more power than them (if it was just the Crows having power they'd also go after the merchant princes, since that's what the Crows basically are in terms of politics as far as I can tell; they have power because they're rich and it's a plutocracy, them also being the ruling class's favourite murderers for hire just helps). Just like how Solas being better than the Evanuris doesn't inherently make him an amazing person, Ivenci not liking that the Crows have power doesn't make them a better person to have it.

[vorashvan-a]

actually i need to backtrack a little from my prior post/the discussion in my tags re: geopolitical issues.

we have several hot-button issues that affect all of Thedas whether or not anyone likes it. elven-human tensions. the god-knows-how-long qunari-tevinter war. the mage-templar conflict. ASIDE from the actual events of games ie blights, rifts, etc.

we're updated by the Inquisitor on the state of affairs down south through correspondence. fine, letters from the front, okay. but... we're not seeing that come through on our screens. on our end. geopolitical issues affect everyone. while orlais, ferelden, the imperium, rivain, antiva, etc. etc. may not be BESTIES they still NEED one another whether it's through trade, farming, production, diplomacy, etc. they're all tied together.

so. orlais and ferelden fall to the blight. there is... literally nothing being said about it aside from the Inquisitor telling us this. we've seen nations irl unite over less—you're telling me that there's no coverage? no aid being sent out? there are one hundred percent allies between these countries even if tenuous and fraught with conflict. the downfall of one, let alone two, is a massive implication on the economies (and migration!) of everyone around them.

they should all be seeing an influx of refugees (like in daii, the constant flow of Fereldans coming to Kirkwall). they should be crippled by lack of trade and resources (even the slave trade ie tevinter, illegal is it is in ferelden, was lucrative underground). we don't hear anything from the newspaper stands. nothing from the nobles. even ivenci in Treviso?????

then—we have several interactions with the dalish and the elves, but there's no mention whatsoever about the tensions between elves and humans. the cruel history between them, of elves being enslaved in several places—minrathous certainly being one—and generally being treated as lesser. The fact that NONE of this is completely past them at all but it is NOT acknowledged despite the fact that there SHOULD be some semblance of prejudice, bias, etc. what have you simply because of that complicated history and the issues it raises throughout multiple generations. it is not simply a southern issue! it is also a northern issue!

the only instance i have outright seen of this is during bellara's episode of vows & vengeance when she spits something along the lines of shemlen dogs towards the Templars chasing her in tevinter.

IM SHAKING VEILGUARD BY THE SHOULDERS!!!!!!

[lesbiansforboromir]

I can't stop thinking about it actually why is Ivenci a mage, HOW is Ivenci a mage, how is Ivenci a COMBAT mage to the degree of fighting their own final boss encounter, like what level of destructive skill did their day to day experience of negotiating trade tax and dock fees with the Merchant Princes and running government clerk offices demand from them- did they have to thwart their own assassination attempts??? I can only assume that's why! AND WHERE THE FUCK DID THEY EVEN COME FROM IN THE FIRST PLACE, Antiva has a circle! Zevran mentions it like twice, there's centuries old history about it with the Seekers, did their parents successfully conceal their magical talent all their life and the boss fight is the first time anyone knew about it? How secretive can one be about training to throw firey death missiles in a city? Are they from the Circle, did they flee in the rebellion, did they come to Treviso as a refugee to escape the war? Or did they escape the circle long before that? Or are they not even from Antiva, their accent would imply as much! Did they escape the Kirkwall Gallows and flee north??? But their name is Antivan! BIOWARE, I'M GOING TO BOIL OVER, HOW DOES THIS MAGE HAVE A JOB AS A PUBLIC SERVANT, A GOVERNOR OF AN ENTIRE CITY, YOU HAVE TO TELL ME OR I'LL CRY

[arcann]

wait governor ivenci is a mage???? a mage governor???? in antiva????

the lore is just pissed on and thrown out the window

[wyvernscales]

Act 2 DATV thoughts. Spoilers:

Anaris is kinda…

I wasn’t really expecting a literal bloodbath

BELOVED XENON 💕

Dragon Age lOVES a good haunted house mystery

So wait, going into the fade fade is just normal now?

Hezzenkoss is kinda kunty

Are we finally getting into the Last Flight stuff?

Isseya????????

Anyone notice how Ghil doesn’t have eyes???

Elgar Zaddyyyy

Final forbidden one down

These circles are related to the executors I just knowww it

Manfred was naughty :(

The way I feel about refusing death is the way a Christian might describe a sin

ISSEYA???????

Not Bellara writing friendfiction

Nice little family dinner that went about as well as any of my family gatherings tbh

The Harding storyline is. Hmm. “The dwarves lost everything and the elves have it all” Which is. A hell of a take. Given the fact that I have another quest where Venatori are about to sacrifice an entire Dalish clan for their blood. 

I have nothing specific to say here. I just liked Lucanis’ fade quest

Damas’ va is plays someone else in the series, I just can’t remember who

ITS ISSEYAAAAAAAAAA

Yk, I’m kinda getting the Neve love now

The bird shit on the roofs of Antiva is a nice touch

GILF WIN!

God I love the way Assan is animated

Bossy Neve at the venatori party is kinda….

I still don’t get why the Venatori are openly working with the Evanuris tho. It would be one thing if they all thought they were actually working with the Old Gods, but they just say Elgar’nan. Yeah, they’re powerful, but so is Tevinter supremacy and racism.

Also I brought Taash to the gathering bc it was funny, and no one said anything about it???

I do like how the Venatori fangirl over rook

This game Better not turn me into a Solas girlie

You Have Earned the Dread Wolf’s Respect

Well. There’s nothing really funny to say about the dragon king finale. Yeah. Yk I’ve had some complaints about the voice direction, but. Yeah.

Now. The Davrin choice is actually a tough one.

Also does Solas know what’s going on with Harding??? Bc tbh I don’t really know what’s going on with her.

DELIGHTFUL SON BOY MANFRED 💕

For a guy supposedly terrified of death, Emmrich has no problem rolling with the Veilguard

NO MANFREDDDDD

MANFRED HAS BECOME A REAL BOY!!!!!!

So my Rook has stated that she both is and isn’t Dalish at various points so….

Oh Em x Strife sounds cute

The Butcher is kinda..

Oh God he’s so hot.

Fuck. I want him so bad.

Bbg I was not paying attention to anything he was saying

Still would let him butcher this puss—

Support NonBinary wrongs today!

Have we just forgotten that qamek is like. Literally brain melting.

Is there any particular reason Ivenci is a mage btw? Antiva has circles.

The Solas convo with the inquisitor is so juicy bc I’m playing as my Lavellan’s daughter. It’s such a mom-coded convo to begin with but,

The Antivan decor is soooo cunty

I love how all the companions bother Hezzenkoss’ skull in the Lighthouse

Well. That can’t be good. Astronomically speaking.

Not me and Taash getting into a fight before the final battle. NOT ROOK CRYING :(((((

All the fucking blight boils on the Ghil fight JESUS

I mean yeah, that bald bitch was obviously up to something

But OUGH I’m so SICKKK. What if your mom’s ex tried to trap you in a prison of his own regret. Bc there was no other way. Even though he loves your mother. And you by proxy. I’m SICK.

Oh I realllly like what they did here

Varric Haters of the World REJOICE! (I can appreciate the emotional weight of the scene tho too I guess)

[lightofonesoul]

Isàdë

1: Minrathous

2: Shadow Dragons

3: Elf mage

4: Somewhere in Thedas😂 she likes to travel and with her magic safe ppl

5: Anger and justice.

6: Taash and Davrin♥♥

7: Neve💕

8: Many ppl? She is a bit suspicious XD

9: Yes! She loves her mission

10: Nope

11: Staff

12: Lesbian

13: She does it only if it's necessary and to protect some innocent or revenge but she doesn't enjoy it

14: Readings, study magic

15: She is like Evka, Antoine and Teia/ Dislike Solas a bit (sorry l love him but not my oc XD) and Ivenci

16: Dragons

17: Oh yes, she is like adventures and solves cases with Neve and travels

18: Travels and safe ppl as Shadow Dragon

20: aspettare finire gioco

21: Elemental magic

22: English, Deuth and some more she knows many languages ​​and some words due to her travels

23: Isolates herself and fights with her magic to try to calm down

24: Yes

25: Spellblade

26: Hawk

27: Travels and with magic safe ppl

28: In the beginning, she didn't want to because she is unsure but then she sees she can make it so she accepts it

29: Veil jumper

30: Her determination, pure heart, and the fact that she helps the innocent.

Rook Questionnaire

inspired by @cassieuncaged's BG3 Character Development Questions but for Rook instead!

1: Where in the Thedas is your Rook from?

2: What is your character's alignment?

3: Race and subclass?

4: If your Rook was a companion, where would they be found?

5: What emotion did they usually pick?

6: What companion are you platonically close with?

7: Romantically close with?

8: Who are they suspicious of?

9: Does your Rook get along with their chosen Faction?

10: Are they proficient in playing any instruments?

11: Weapon of choice?

12: What is their orientation?

13: What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

14: What hobbies does your Rook have?

15: What NPCs do they like? Which one's do they dislike?

16: Do they have a favorite creature in the Thedas?

17: Do they enjoy life as an adventurer?

18: What would your Rook be doing if they weren't recruited by Varric?

19: How do you think they'll meet their end?

20: Would they side with Solas or fight him?

21: What is your Rook's favorite ability?

22: What languages is your character fluent in?

23: What do they do after an absolute crisis?

24: Does your character believe in the afterlife?

25: What specialization best represents your Rook?

26: What animal best represents your Rook?

27: What was their life like before the events of Veilguard?

28: Is your character the de facto leader of the party? Or do they consider someone else to be the leader?

29: If you could choose a different faction for your Rook, which one would they have joined and why?

30: What's your favorite thing about your Rook?

[lizzybeeee]

I'll add that this games refusal to address what happened in previous games, specifically regarding the mages/templars, made Ivenci's decision to 'betray' Treviso to the Antaam...the only real choice to prevent outright slaughter? Or at the very least an understandable, if bitter, choice to make?

I'm not even going to get into why there was apparently no Exalted March to free Antiva/Rivain since they are nations who follow the Orlesian Chantry - you know, that Chantry that the devs avoid talking about like the plague? The Chantry that would have absolutely declared an Exalted March against the Antaam - like they did to the Qun when they invaded Rivain in the Storm Age???? The double blight that nuked southern thedas hadn't started when this all happened - there absolutely should have been some response!!!

We can compare the situation to Kirkwall in DA2 - which had the stranded Qunari (not even all the Antaam!) fighting the City of Kirkwall - which included the Kirkwall City Guard, the local Templar Order, the Circle of Magi, and Hawke.

Kirkwall had the City Guard, which acted like a militia - having the numbers to patrol all areas of Kirkwall, from Hightown to Lowtown. Also going on patrols on the Wounded Coast and lands on the outskirts of the city itself. We already know that Antiva has no military - they were reliant on the threat of the Antivan Crows to serve as a repellent from invasion. They are skilled, no doubt, but lack the numbers of a proper armed forces - especially when faced with the Antaam.

(I'm going to assume that Antiva has some form of city guard - but the lack of mention/presence implies their numbers are comparatively small to Kirkwall?)

Kirkwall also had the Templar Order - a religious military of highly trained warriors with ample amounts of resources at their disposal. Templars are some of the most highly trained and educated warriors in all of Thedas - as Antiva follows the Orlesian Chantry (despite what this game wants you to believe) if the Order were around they would have access to the abilities granted to them by lyrium. We already know that there is a large chantry in Treviso - but we can't have templars in this game so it's essentially a shiny set-piece for all of two minutes.

Kirkwall also had the Circle of Magi, Mages, who could potentially called to action in the worst case scenario - eg. Orsino and Circle Mages assist during the Arishok's attack in DA2. We know that there is a Circle of Magi in Antiva City from dialogue between Zevran and Wynne. The game has already ruled them out as being a possible aid though - they're either all dead or being confined to the Circle, supposedly.

The mages and templars cannot be referenced in this game, because to reference them would require the writers to address previous decisions in game regarding the mage/templar war at its outcome -> not to mention the current Divine of the Chantry. So, the writers have written themselves into hole - leaving the sole fighting force available to be the Crows against the might of the Antaam.

The Antaam have access to portable fire canons, gaatlock, and qamek from what we see in-game. Who had already proved their willingness to slaughter whoever came into their path if it meant they gained territory - because the Antaam have been reduced to nothing but brutish thugs in this game.

Governor Ivenci - "You know what the Antaam did elsewhere in Antiva. And in every other city they occupied. You and your troupe of fools would have gladly provoked the Antaam to slaughter! I gave them the Crows so that they would not take the rest of the city. I gave them an inch, so they would not take a mile." Antivan Crow Rook - "You're still a traitor who gave up on the fight - and gave up on us. You didn't prevent a slaughter. You just postponed it."

Why are you saying that like it's a bad thing, Rook?! WTF?!!

(One of the most brain-dead fucking responses from a protagonist I've played in a long time lmao)

"You just postponed it". What a wild choice to have Rook criticize this decision. No nuance. No reflection or acknowledgement that they were in a shit situation that had no happy resolution. It's not as if Treviso was on the cusp of victory - there's no evidence of that. There's no guarantee that even if they managed to win Treviso that the Antaam would not simply sent more troops.

All of Antiva - all of Treviso - was in a situation that was far worse than the attack on Kirkwall. Unlike Kirkwall, who had an entire militia of guardsmen and a small army of templars, they had nothing. Because your shitty assassins guild made everyone complacent to the point where Antiva had no standing army -> Ivenci was not wrong about a stronger civil government allowing them to be stronger, rather than solely relying on "a bunch of circus criminals". The writers refusing to talk about the Mages or Templars just makes Ivenci's decision seem all the more reasonable.

And yet I'm still supposed to consider them the villain?

"I did what I did to help this city. To save it. To keep my people from being slaughtered like cattle by the Antaam!" - Governor Ivenci

Ivenci 'doing an Orsino' with the last resort qamek at the end of the game was intended to drive in the fact that they're a 'villain'...apparently. Someone willing to do whatever it takes to come out on top, to survive - to keep Treviso alive another day. The game treats Ivenci as this delusional individual, one so focused on their goal that they've lost sight of what's important.

Ironically, BioWare potentially had a good story and character here - one that challenged the Crows and spat straight facts about how their guild led to complacency. An individual put in an impossible situation because this game refused to give them any other options - no templars, no mages, no exalted march or chantry aid. If the Crows, if Rook, was allowed to be the tiniest bit reflective and have some nuance (acknowledge the Crows are absolute trash, canonically - just like Ivenci), then this could have been compelling. But instead they have them double down on being almost cartoonishly evil with their qamek plan. Because the Crows are the 'good guys' who never gave up on their city, unlike Ivenci...apparently.

Ivenci - "You must be so proud. Leaving this city in the grip of murderers." Rook - "You say you did all this for Treviso, Ivenci. To protect it. But you never really believed in it. Ivenci - "What would you know about the city I love?"

That's right, Rook. Let's get out magic pixie dust and hold hands - let's fucking believe that we can do it. Forgive me for not disagreeing with Ivenci's perspective that putting all our hope/faith in a guild of hired thugs/human traffickers/murderers against the might of an army like the Antaam was a recipe for disaster. I'm sure if Ivenci just believed in the Crows a little more it would be all sunshine and rainbows - the Antaam would have just surrendered lmao.

I'm sure if I had never played a previous Dragon Age game I could possibly agree with this - but unfortunately for BioWare, I have, and it makes this stupidity stand out all the more.

the funniest thing about how badly veilguard fucked up the crows - trying to turn it into some anti-hero, good guy faction that cares so much about antiva - is that as a contrast they had to write governor ivenci to be the most flat, comic villain ever like all of the game's villains cuz we cant have nuance but thats another post to make sure you the player know that Crows Good, Government Bad

but like!! they still had a point!!! you tried to make them sooo unlikeable and yet!!!

bitches hate to see a They/Them call out the guild of literal human trafficking, child abusing murderers that have control over the the country 😞