#jordana mercar

[shewolfofvilnius]

i wrote a fun little general one-shot where Tabris meets Rook (along with Davrin and Bellara) and reunites with Morrigan. Post-Veilguard.

[shewolfofvilnius]

it is SURREAL to see your Reddit post having become just as popular on Tumblr and no one told me. Also Jordana says hi!

And yes. After my most recent playthrough I def think Jory is lying. I do NOT think he’s lying about Helena or the baby (his tone changes the same way Blackwall’s does in his early tomance lines) but something is absolutely rotten.

I got into it in the comments and wound up agreeing with the person who suggested Jory was a merc about to be strung up. Duncan saved him and offered him a place but Jory didn’t get the whole ‘for life’ bit

Also I went back one more time for Jordanan’s compilation bid and caught one last think I hadn’t noticed before: Jory has a fear of darkspawn. Has since he was a kid when his parents used them and their stories as a threat. Poor guy.

Anyway thanks to everyone here who has also cared about my daft little idea or that my Rook is his daughter. (I hc that Helena fled, wound up on a boat to Tevinter, and the Qunari ran the ship aground right as Helena went into labor. The baby survived (found by the later-Legatus Mercar when he was a junior officer) but Helena did not.

(i edited the OP to say ‘Hi Tumblr’)

kind of obsessed with this Reddit theory

[shewolfofvilnius]

Jordana Mercar ("Rook") x Bellara Romance Headcanons and Notes

Rook has feelings for Bellara almost immediately, but between the whole 'end of the world' thing, the crisis with Bellara's brother Cyrian, and the fact that Rook is technically Bellara's boss, she's hesitant.

Rook also assumes that Bellara doesn't reciprocate at first, either because she's just not interested - or because Rook is a human from Tevinter, a group not always exactly known as a friend to elves.

It takes Bellara a little longer to start to develop feelings for Rook, but when she does, it's sincere. Bellara however assumes that Rook just likes her as a good friend who likes spending time with her and who delights in pointing out Bel's positive qualities.

Neve, who practically considers Bellara a sister and Rook her best friend, is the first of the squad to clue in to the growing attraction between the pair, and tries desperately to encourage both. She and Lucanis lie to Rook slightly at first to see where Jordana's head is regarding romance (They'd actually hit it off almost immediately but kept it secret for a time) - while the serials she brings Bellara are increasingly romantic in nature, and frequently center on things like warrior princesses and heroic lady knights - and even a scandalous story about a Tevinter soldier who fell in love with a Dalish keeper. All of these serials feature happy endings, even the couple Neve had to have re-written herself. (Remember too: The scene directly preceding the romance softlock directly involves Neve, and is referenced in the softlock scene.)

Taash and Harding both figure it out soon thereafter as well, Taash picking up on the massive hormone and pheromone changes in both Rook and Bel and other markers, and Harding bc she knows Rook the longest/best even if Rook's closer to Neve (and Varric told her most of his secrets, one of which was Rook's 'tells'). They get involved in trying to set Rook and Bellara up too, and wind up hitting it off themselves (the opposite of the other two)

SIDEBAR: Neve and Taash talking about Rook and Bellara is how they get into the convo about Taash and gender stuff that Rook interrupts.

They both realize they're genuinely in love at the same moment. Rook is trying to comfort Bellara, who is horrified both that she might have to kill Cyrian - and that she might fall victim to the same manipulation he did. Bellara is snapped out of it by laughter when Rook notes the strict 'no turning evil' policy, and playfully teases her. It occurs to Bellara that Rook might just love her, for herself. Might just care about her just as much as Cyrian - but in a different way. She notices that there's something else in the look Rook gives her.

Seeing Bellara brokenhearted and down on herself hurts Rook in a way that she had never anticipated. Bel was amazing, how could she not see that? And yeah, Cyrian appeared to be heading down a dark road, but that was a choice. And dammit, Bellara's friends weren't going to let her go down that road.

Rook thought for a moment. She loved seeing Bellara's eyes light up when she was 'rambling' about whatever she was passionately invested in that moment. Loved seeing the joy in her spirit at a new discovery. The surprise adventurous spirit, that each new ruin to explore was a new challenge, and that there was ALWAYS a new way to approach an old problem.

It already would have been anyway because of Solas' betrayal plus Harding presumably dying (plus learning the truth of Varric's death plus "a few weeks blurring into 45 minutes") but to say the day Elgar'nan kidnapped Bellara was the worst of her life is an understatement.

That said, it was also the day/weeks that Rook, that Jordana, resolved herself. If she got Bellara back, Maker willing if she got Bellara back (however weird it is to pray to the Maker now), she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Bellara. Be it a day, a century, exploring ruins, you name it.

She promises as long as there is breath in her lungs and the beat of her heart, she is going to kill Elgar'nan for this - and any remaining willingness to reason with Solas went out the window after learning weeks had passed. Weeks with Bel in Elgar'nan's clutches. Having become her worst fear, having become to Elgar'nan far worse than even what Cyrian was to Anaris.

Rook notices the extensive degree to which Bellara is blighted, and is already making plans for them both to join the Grey Wardens. She'll do anything to keep Bellara alive, and to be with her for as long as Bel will have her. Davrin, Antoine, and Evka are already onboard, and Rook herself had ordered the Ostagar Joining Chalice and "as much stuff as you can carry" hauled out as they fled Weisshaupt.

Both Rook and Bellara know that their time together may be limited to a matter of hours. Bellara assumes that Rook wouldn't even so much as look at her blighted like this, but is joyful to receive such a warm hug (and had noticed earlier the care at which Rook had cradled her after recovering Bel from Elgar'nan).

Here, when Bellara sees Rook drinking in every single moment that she's alive and with Bel, she pushes back that Elgar'nan and the Blight still sing to her, loosens his control that much more.

That first night back at the Lighthouse is majestic. Never in her existence has Bellara felt more truly cared for. They didn't even 'do anything'; Rook was still nursing broken ribs and a hurt shoulder, and Bellara emotionally wasn't ready. But the kiss. She'll never, ever forget the kiss. Will never forget the warmth and tenderness of laying by her love's side.

She made SO much progress writing her serial the next day.

The music room had never let anyone other than Jordana and Emmrich into it - the latter because he had been her music teacher at the piano. On the day after, Bellara was shocked when it's doors opened for the first time for her.

Three weeks later is the first. Only one detail from that night - "Some things are better left to the imagination" - makes it into Bellara's serials: Rook is ticklish just above the small of her back.

Although Bellara has noticeable blight scars, and Rook and Bellara keep in touch with the Grey Wardens, Bellara's blighting seems to have disappeared save only for the scarring. Bellara's worry that Rook won't love her changed appearance were quelled the same night they kissed for the very first time - Rook loves Bellara. Bellara loves Rook No matter what. Even when they're withered and grey and laughing at each other watching the sun set. Or dying together in a trapped ruin. Or with the Wardens if it comes to that.

Bellara means it truly when she calls Rook her eternal waking dream. In a billion years, she never could have fathomed meeting someone who would cherish her - even for the things others considered faults - so utterly and truly. Rook is both her anchor and yet also a mythic dream figure. Surely someone so kind and loving can't be real. But she is.

Jordana wonders if she was ever truly alive before meeting Bellara. She settles on "not really".

Bellara meets Rook's father six weeks after Elgar'nan is destroyed, and right as the new Magisterium is debating who will be named the new Imperator (commander of the military). Legatus Mercar is one of the lead candidates.

Bel and Rook's mutual insecurities kick in when the Legatus' opponent tries to use Jordana and Bellara's relationship against the Elder Mercar - with the aid of Jordana's mother and the Legatus' now soon-to-be-ex-wife.

Bellara understands where Rook 'gets it from' ("I AM adopted, Bellara, I told you this." / "I know. He's still your dad, though.") when the Legatus sings the praises of his daughter, the "Slayer of Lusacan", and the love of his daughter’s life on the floor of the Magisterium. And suggests that if Minrathous can't handle being saved by a soporati woman and her elf girlfriend that just perhaps the city should be left to burn.

Charon Mercar (Rook's father) is named Imperator, but is stunned to learn that Rook plans to join the largely-Dalish Veil Jumpers as a senior advisor. Between her experience killing Elgar'nan, setting up Ghilan'nain's death, and tricking Fen'Harel, Rook has very specific experience - and both Rook and Bel just want to go off and explore ruins and artefacts together.

Rook admits privately that "Tevinter helped destroy so much of who the elves were AFTER the Evanuris were locked away. Maybe it's time some of us help them see what can be recovered - and what's worth recovering."

Bellara and Rook get married in a slightly modified Dalish ceremony one year to the day after that first kiss in the Lighthouse. Although Sylaise is no longer asked to watch over their aravels and the other Evanuris are dropped, the main beats of the ceremony remain the same.

Although Bel is no longer formally member of a clan, Rook has to go through the ritual of 'proving herself' to the Veil Jumpers instead, with Irelin (Bellara's ex) being the final arbiter. ("No, the slaying of the Ancient Gods does not count, Rook. We know Bellara's heart, now you must show us yours.")

On the first three attempts, Rook is rejected. She found an improbably lost relic by herself and got it operational, she delivered several baby halla, and - after learning from the Inquisitor that Templar magic could sometimes heal tears in the Veil, offered to have an entire squadron of Imperial Templars mend some of the Veil's damage in Arlathan created by Tevinter so many years ago.

When that didn't work ("no one here wants to see a hundred tevinter templars in full armour in Arlathan Forest, rook"), Jordana changed tactics as she noted Bellara's now visible tears at Irelin's continued refusals. Rook had had enough, catching the entire camp off-guard. "Irelin, let's be clear about this. If Bellara tells me to jump into a volcano, I will. If she tells me to leave, I'll be out the door. Until that day, she is the woman I love, and her word is law. I've done all I can to respect all your traditions AND to try to help, but Irelin, I killed Elgar'nan when he tried to hurt Bellara. You're making her cry right now, what do you think is headed your way if you keep up with this petty crap?" Irelin withdrew her objection.

Bellara later tells Rook that her standing up to Irelin so forcefully definitely, definitely resulted in a "Powerful - but this time not even remotely contained - tingle."

[shewolfofvilnius]

Jordana 'Rook' Mercar x Bellara Lutare I will always find you / My Eternal Dream

"and they lived happily ever after, "even if ever after might not be as long as it used to be"

[shewolfofvilnius]

Presenting my four ‘canon’ Dragon Age OCs - all rendered in Veilguard at their canon ages!

The Hero of Ferelden, Elissa Tabris. Born 9:09 Dragon, aged 44. From Denerim. Champion of the Fifth Blight, slayer of Urthemiel. Her later-stage blighting has led to somewhat premature aging, but her determination and ferocity have not dulled even after 23 years. She had begun making plans with Zevran for her calling - he had suggested he kill her, but she refused to let her husband do that.

The Champion of Kirkwall, Amelia Hawke. Born 9:07 Dragon. Presumed dead 9:41 Dragon. Considers herself to be from ‘the Free Marches’ and ‘originally from Ferelden’ but deflects further questions. Occasionally develops a blank stare if the Dalish are mentioned out of guilt for her role in ending an entire clan at the need of a friend. That pales in comparison to the crime she’s really wanted for, being an accomplice to the destruction of Kirkwall’s chantry and the mass of death that follows. The guilt drove a wedge between her and her love Merrill.

Is ‘lost’ in the Fade a few years later after electing to stay behind - on the onetime suggestion of Asha’bellanar - and to force Loghain to continue his redemption tour.

Both of Hawke’s siblings survive, with Carver a longstanding member of the Grey Wardens while Bethany went on to marry Prince Sebastian Vael and became Senior Enchanter of the Starkhaven College of Enchanters

The Inquisitor, Vilkė Lavellan Rainier. Born approx 9:05 Dragon. Age 48. Resisted fiercely early attempts to label her the ‘Herald of Andraste’. Her advisor, the disgraced former second in command of the Kirkwall Templars Cullen, got her entire clan killed near Wycome shortly after being named Herald, for which she never forgave him. Fell in love with the wildman of the woods, the man claiming to be Warden Blackwall. She believed when he said his feelings for her were the truth, and the pair remain together as of 9:53. Loat interest in matters of the Inquisition after discovering the fate of Ameridan, and after Solas’ betrayal for which she swore vengeance.

She and Thom retreated to a homestead just on the periphery of Avvar holdings, where Thom is primarily a dutiful house-husband and father to their two kids (a boy, 6 and girl, 4) when not out offering redemption to another lost soul. She drank from the Well of Sorrows in 9:41 but the voices requested to leave in 9:48 and found their way to Morrigan. She takes up the mantle of Inquisitor one last time upon the declaration of the Sixth Blight. Took a renewed interest in ancient elven artifacts in her 40s and cofounded the Veil Jumpers alongside Merrill.

The Champion of the Fade, the Godslayer, Hero of the Sixth Blight - Jordana ‘Rook’ Mercar. Born 9:30 Dragon, age 23. As an infant was found by Charon Mercar of the Tevinter military abandoned on battlefields near Ventus. He and his wife took her in and raised her as their own. She was denied entry into a prestigious military cadet program by virtue of the Tevinter military’s sexist, and later spent her first night in jail after defending some elves from an attack when she was 15.

Varric discovered Rook after receiving word from the high ranking diplomat - a cousin of King Bhelen Awducan - of what had happened in the liveration of a alave ring near Nessus, a dwarven trading partner. Rook was trained up to be Rook’s second in command.

She was involved with the deaths of the final two archdemons as well as the ‘god’ Elgar’nan, while her actions tricked Solas - the former Fen’Harel - into binding himself to the veil.

The greatest highlight of Rook’s life came in the midst of her worst, as she met the Veil Jumper Bellara Lutare. The pair took it slow (too slow for eventual Lady of Honor at their wedding Neve Galkus). Though Jordana has a rich life of her own, she sees herself first and foremost as Bellara’s knight-protector.

Rook and Bellara marry one year to the day of Elgar’nan’s death. The marriage largely follows Dalish customs sans mention of the Evanuris, with Rook proving her worth to Bel’s ‘clan’ the Veil Jumpers, per elven tradition, having singlehandedly contributed more to elven knowledge of their lost culture than any human in preserved history. (And it turns out their gods had ijt coming)

Is the biological daughter of Ser Jory from Dragon Age Origins and his wife Helena, the latter having fled Highever for Tevinter when Arl Howe’s men raided. Helena died shortly after giving birth in a Qunari attack. Rook learns the truth of her father from records salvaged before the fall of Weisshaupt and both Morrigan and the Hero of Ferelden’s testimony. They are later as a group able to track Helena’s journey.

[shewolfofvilnius]

honestly i think i enjoy making Rooks more than I actually enjoy playing Dragon Age Veilguard.

So far I've made three actual Rooks (well, mostly) plus puttered around in character creation to toy with a 4th.

The top is Isseya Thorne, Grey Warden, elven mage, my first Rook and the only one I've beaten the game with. She's based on a little girl that Warden Tabris (see #4) meets in both the City Elf Origin AND in the Broken Circle quest in the Ferelden Circle.

Second is my current I'm actually playing with, Jordana Mercar, a human with the Shadow Dragons. If there's something vaguely familiar looking about her: She's the biological daughter of Ser Jory, the cowardly recruit from Ostagar. His pregnant wife, Helena, lived in Highever, which is where the Couslands are deposed in the human noble origin. I decided that Helena fled on the last ship out, for Tevinter, but died giving birth to Jordana.

Third is Hawke. Literally just the default female Hawke, Marian (the one I used the first time I played DA2, my favorite game).

Lastly, I was noodling around in the creator and decided to make an aged-to-present version of the Hero of Ferelden, Warden Elissa Tabris. I half-assed her a special title card in Photoshop, but deliberately tried to make her 'Hero of Ferelden 23 years later. If you zoom in close, you'll see noticeable greys plus dark scarring that's the sign she's nearing her Calling.

Since I already have Rooks, Hawke, AND a Hero of Ferelden, I'm also including my Inquisitor from Rook #1's run, my canon Inquisitor Vilkė.