#mass effect andromeda headcanons

[seigephoenix]

The Bloody Crown

Art is by the amazingly talented: @drawinglinestoconstellations who did an absolutely amazing job with Cerise.

Title: The Bloody Crown Summary: A rewritten sequel to The Serpent in which Cerise finds herself pulled even deeper into Andromeda's secrets.

Cerise Ryder thought life would settle down now that the Archon was dead. The threat of the kett still loomed but figured they had plenty of time. Her time in the Meridian vault was branded on her soul, painfully so. Her brother decides to run headlong into chaos, causing her to run after him with her father. Bad blood between family, Kadara upheaval, and relationship woes all throw themselves at Cerise. Boiling down to one question for her: Is she willing to give her life to save a galaxy that would rather spit on her than say her name?

Trigger Warnings/Content Warnings: Major Character Death, a shitload of mental trauma (physical and psychological), graphic violence, borderline torture, family dynamics (both healthy and unhealthy), my own headcanons are incorporated heavily about the Jardaan and what they were, as well as my own headcanons about the kett, eventual smut (like seriously, it's the second to last chapter before it gets to that point), and learning more about Cerise and the family she chose. I will also have warn about chapters that contain character death for those who wish to avoid that particular trigger.

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty One Chapter Twenty Two Chapter Twenty Three Chapter Twenty Four Chapter Twenty Five Chapter Twenty Six Chapter Twenty Seven Chapter Twenty Eight Chapter Twenty Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty One Chapter Thirty Two Chapter Thirty Three Chapter Thirty Four

[queen-art0]

I like the idea of my insert being a petite uwu

I don't really know how tall they are, I've been researching everywhere but I'm not 100% sure, the one I had the most difficulty with was javik, I've seen that he's almost shepard's height(?), but I think it's illogical that he has a small height… either that… or I don't want to accept that javik is smaller 😅

[yourfaveisintersex]

Suvi Anwar from Mass Effect: Andromeda is intersex, and her variation is Müllerian Agenesis (MRKH)!

[danaduchy]

The Tempest drifted peacefully through the quiet expanse of the Heleus Cluster, a serene lull after weeks of navigating hostile planets, meeting alien species, and narrowly avoiding catastrophe.

Scott Ryder tossed a poker card into the center pile with a casual flick of his wrist. Across the table, Sara, his twin sister, studied her hand with a knowing glint in her eye. She always had that look when trouble was about to unfold. Beside them, Gil Brodie leaned back, a bottle of brandy resting between his arm and the table. The crew had earned a little relaxation time.

Scott, sensing danger, shifted in his seat. “I don’t have a thing for bad boys, okay? Can we just drop it?”

Sara suppressed a laugh, her mischievous grin widening. “Oh, come on, Scott. You're no fun when you're in denial.”

Gil perked up, clearly entertained. "Wait, wait—what's this about bad boys? Scott, you’ve been holding out on me?" He eyed Scott with amused curiosity, savoring the sibling banter as a much-needed break from the usual chaos.

Scott grimaced. "Sara, don't—"

But Sara leaned forward with theatrical flair, clearly relishing the moment. "Oh, Gil, you don’t know the half of it. I thought you two were tight," she teased, dragging out the suspense just long enough for Scott to fidget uncomfortably.

"Sara!" Scott’s voice had a pleading edge now.

But Sara had already taken center stage. "Alright, so get this. Back when we were teenagers, Scott had this crush on one of Dad's trainees. A real bad boy type—reckless, full of attitude." She was practically glowing as she told the story.

Gil was all in now, sitting up with a look of pure joy. "Please tell me this gets better."

"Oh, it does," Sara said, her voice dripping with amusement. "So, one day, Dad comes home early from a training session, right? And guess who he finds? His butt-naked son fooling around on the couch with his trainee.” Sara's eyes sparkled with wicked amusement as she dragged out every detail."

“SARA!!!” Scott practically shouted, his face burning crimson, a look of utter mortification washing over him.

Gil Brodie, who had been watching this exchange with a mix of amusement and disbelief, burst out laughing. He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head, clearly loving every second of Scott’s misery. “Wait, wait—naked? Ryder, you’ve been holding out on me. I didn’t think you had it in you! This just keeps getting better,” Gil said, still chuckling as he placed his cards down on the table.

Scott, utterly defeated, buried his face in his hands. He peeked through his fingers, hoping for some mercy, but instead caught sight of Sara’s delighted expression, knowing full well she was reveling in this. There was no way he was getting out of this one.

“Oh, come on, Scott. You’ve got to admit, it’s hilarious now,” Sara teased, her laughter finally dying down. “Dad’s face was priceless! And that guy—you remember how he tried to hide behind the couch like it was going to save him from Dad’s wrath?” She wiped a tear from her eye, still catching her breath.

Gil nearly choked on his drink, laughing. "Oh, man! I can just picture Alec’s face. He must’ve been furious!"

"Dad was livid. He gave Scott the lecture of a lifetime."

Scott folded his arms, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, you know how Dad was. All about discipline and responsibility."

Sara leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice for dramatic effect. "The best part? The guy—let's just say he wasn’t exactly on the right side of Alliance regulations. A little too much ‘independence,’ if you catch my drift. Dad threatened to have him reassigned to the Arcturus Station janitorial team."

Gil let out a belly laugh, slapping the table. "That is priceless. Scott Ryder, rebel without a cause!"

"Can we please never speak of this again?" Scott mumbled, his face buried in his hands. But even he couldn’t suppress a smile. The embarrassment, while genuine, was also tinged with the warmth of nostalgia. For all their differences, moments like this made Scott realize just how much he missed the simpler days—before the Andromeda Initiative, before they had to carry the weight of entire civilizations on their shoulders. "You two are the worst."

Sara chuckled, her gaze softening. "You love us for it."

He couldn’t argue with that. “Alright, fine. Laugh it up. But you’re going to lose those chips, Brodie.” He gestured toward the poker table, trying to redirect the conversation back to the game.

Sara chuckled softly as she picked up her cards, still grinning at her brother. “You’re a good sport, Scott. Just try not to blush too hard when I bring this story up again in front of Cora and Liam.”

“You wouldn’t,” Scott said, his eyes narrowing.

“Oh, I absolutely would.”

Scott groaned, but this time it was mixed with a genuine smile. Moments like these—filled with laughter and teasing—made the chaos of their lives a little easier to bear. It reminded him that even in the strange and often dangerous worlds they found themselves exploring, family and friends were the constants that kept him grounded.

“Don’t expect any more stories like that, though. I’ve learned my lesson,” Scott replied.

“I don’t know, Ryder. I’ve seen you and Reyes. I’m pretty sure there’s still a chance for more stories,” Gil smirked.

Scott shot him a mock glare, but there was a lightness to his expression—a sense that, even with all the challenges they faced in Andromeda, some things, like sibling rivalry and teasing friends, would never change.

Sara leaned back, savoring the atmosphere. "So, Scott," she said, her grin widening, "you think Gil’s right? Any chance for more entertaining stories with a certain smuggler in your life?"

Scott groaned but smiled despite himself. "Reyes isn’t a smuggler, okay? He’s a… businessman. And let’s just say I’ve learned to be a little more discreet these days."

"Discreet?" Gil raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Right. I’m sure that’s how it is."

Sara chuckled, setting her cards down for a moment. "Oh please, Scott. You’ve got that same look you used to get in high school whenever you had a crush. I mean, come on—don’t pretend you’re not into the whole ‘mysterious rogue’ thing."

Scott shook his head, trying to suppress the grin that tugged at his lips. "First of all, I don’t have a type. Second, Reyes is… complicated."

"Complicated," Gil echoed, chuckling. "That’s just code for ‘trouble.’"

Sara leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as she smirked at her brother. "So, Reyes Vidal, huh? I’ve heard stories. I’m guessing things between you two aren’t exactly… boring?"

Scott hesitated, running a hand through his hair as he considered how much to share. It wasn’t like he hadn’t gotten used to the teasing by now. His twin sister always seemed to have a knack for dragging his personal life into the spotlight. He glanced over at Gil, whose expectant grin told him there was no escaping this conversation.

"Well," Scott started, sighing, "he’s definitely not boring. He’s… smart, unpredictable, and way too good at getting under my skin."

"Oh, definitely trouble," Gil said with a knowing laugh. "And yet, you seem to enjoy it."

Scott shook his head but couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. "Yeah, well. I didn’t exactly plan on getting involved with someone like him, but… here we are. Somehow, he always finds a way to keep things interesting."

Sara, sensing her brother's internal struggle, softened her teasing a little. "You always were drawn to the ones who could challenge you. You know, Dad would probably roll his eyes, but he’d understand. After all, he had a thing for strong personalities too."

The mention of their father brought a brief silence to the table. For all their laughter and teasing, Alec Ryder’s absence was always there, a shadow hanging over their every step in this new galaxy. Scott glanced at Sara, and for a moment, they shared an unspoken understanding. They both missed him, even if they dealt with that loss in different ways.

Gil broke the silence with a lighthearted chuckle. "Well, as long as Reyes doesn’t drag us all into more chaos than we’re already dealing with, I think we’ll be fine."

"Hey, the guy’s helped out more than a few times," Scott defended. "And he’s got connections, which—let’s face it—we could use out here in the middle of nowhere."

Sara raised her hands in mock surrender. "I’m not judging. If Reyes is good for you and helps keep things interesting, I say go for it. Just… try not to let him walk all over you."

Scott smirked. "Don’t worry. I’m not that easy."

"Good," Sara said, satisfied. She grabbed the bottle of liquor from the side of the table and poured another round for all of them. "Here’s to more chaos, then. I mean, let’s face it—we’re in a brand new galaxy with no rulebook, and we’re making this up as we go. So why not throw a little romance into the mix?"

Gil raised his glass, grinning as he added, "To chaos, unpredictable smugglers, and more embarrassing stories."

Scott chuckled and raised his glass as well. "To surviving all of it with our dignity intact. Well, most of it."

They clinked their glasses together, and for a brief moment, it was just the three of them. The banter, the camaraderie, the teasing—it all felt like a small reminder of home, even lightyears away from everything they once knew.

As they resumed their game, the cards shuffled, and the chips clinked across the table, Scott found himself grateful for this strange, makeshift family. No matter what challenges the Andromeda galaxy threw at them, whether it was hostile aliens, unknown planets, or complicated relationships, he knew one thing for sure—moments like this, with his sister and friends by his side, would make it all worth it.

And as for Reyes? Well, that was a different kind of adventure altogether. One that Scott wasn’t quite ready to explain in detail—at least, not tonight.

"Your move, Ryder," Sara teased, bringing his focus back to the poker table. "Don’t think we’re letting you off the hook that easily."

Scott smirked, tossing his cards onto the table. "I’m all in."

Gil raised an eyebrow, but Sara’s playful grin only widened. "Oh, you’re going to regret that, little brother."

Maybe this new galaxy wasn’t so bad after all.

[clairedelune-13]

Veilguard is that friend you just absolutely can’t stand and you really want to push them onto a train track right as the train is coming.

But they have a car and you don’t, so goddamn it, they’re still useful.

How is Veilguard “useful”?

Inspiration for constructing better stories.

I love taking flawed media like Dragon Age 2, Andromeda, Veilguard and Inquisition and going to town with headcanon.

Not trying to say 2 and Inquisition is as disappointing as DAtV and Andromeda.

They’re absolutely not, but with 2, I still had to headcanon a lot of things, especially when it came to Anders and Hawke and post-game events.

Same with my two Inquisitors backstories.

For me, the fun comes in filling in the gaps of empty space.

Like playing pretend as a kid when all you had was nothing but your imagination and no toys.

No, I’m not saying I don’t have toys.

My inspiration is music. Those are my toys.

Picking the right songs, putting them in the right order to help make a better story for my OCs. I can’t draw for shit, so music is my savior.

It helps me enjoy Veilguard and Andromeda, despite my many many many many complaints.

[lampshadething]

Some ME:A sketches of my Ryder pcs and their twins!

[silurisanguine]

Reyes and Aeryn

I forgot I made this, a photo-manip of my Ryder and Reyes Vidal, showing off their respective tattoos.

Reyes's call-sign Anubis is tattooed on his forearm, though his Alliance number is partly self branded away, to hide his identity. Aeryn's Ma'at tattoo hides the scar from surgery she had to have done on her spine after surgery to swop out her biotic implant for Sam had complications. She had it tattooed to act as a protective totem and cover over a stupid mistake. I may draw this properly at some point

[midday-headcanons]

Mass Effect HCs: Krogan Textiles and Cultural Things

The designs of their clothing, particularly for females, is interestingly ornate for being such a brutalist people in both culture and architecture.

The use of buckles, patterns, and flowing embroideries suggests that some part of their society still values art and design despite how war-like they are. I wonder if each tribe/clan has a different style of patterns? I know it’s universal in game for ease of production, but it does make you wonder.

If their markings, armor, and culture vary by clan, what else does? Is there a specific dialect of the Krogan language that Urdnot’s have that Jorgal’s don’t? It’s a big planet and they’re a very scattered people. It would make sense that at least some parts of their society would be different.

Urdnot is a progressive clan that blends with other fallen clans, such as when the women and children of clan Nakmor were added to the clan after the males were killed, but they also collect peoples from different species as well (Ereba the Blue Rose of Illum and technically Commander Shepard). 

Do their names vary in style, too? I know Bakara mentioned naming starts with getting drunk on some kind of juice and belching until it sounds like a word, but they don’t only grab names that way in game. Some of their names sound almost alien to them, like how Inamorda sounds like Mordin (a Salarian name) and Grunt is just a title. 

I think I’ll do more digging into this and come up with more things

[pirunika]

thinking of the effects of Reaper War when/if its known in Andromeda.......i imagine itd be between wtffff u guys GO BACK YOU LL BRING THEM HERE vs ....WE KNOW 😫 WHAT ITS LIKE UR WELCOME FOREVERRR by the Angara w ofc outliers,, w the Initiative going between wanting to find a way to go back no matter what asap (i imagine turians n humans) vs starting anew (asari, salarian and most krogan - they dont have much back anyways)

[marie-ao3]

If anyone had this idea ! Same brain wave !! 🌊

But I think it’d be funny if humans were the only species to have the uncanny valley effect. Imagine a you’re a turian with a human and they stop and point at another human and they say “that’s not a person.” Out of nowhere, is that not freakyyyy 😭😭😂

[mahiiimahiiii]

Head cannons before I fly

Ryder likes grimes

And in ME3 Shepard cries in her room to mitski.

[bluerose5]

do you have any headcanons for reyes before the initiative?

An ask about Reyes?! I'm getting spoiled today. In answer to your question though, I do have this old post where I rambled on about some headcanons at the time. I think I agree with most of the points that I made back then, especially about Reyes coming from a place where he felt like he faded into the background, even when his skillset proved valuable. I've always liked the idea that he eventually ended up working for the Shadow Broker or another big player in the Trilogy and just got in over his head and needed a way out (because he always leaves himself a way out). He doesn't seem the type to jump galaxies for a simple career change, but he would if that new galaxy proved to be a useful escape route/new opportunity.

Now, if we're talking conspiracy-level headcanons for pre-initiative Reyes, I would even entertain the idea from the Andromeda fandom's early days when people brought up the possibility of him being the Benefactor. In Andromeda, there are several places outside of Kadara that show the Collective's reach beyond their base planet (first example that comes to mind is that Collective satellite monitoring one of the planets). Reyes is clearly resourceful and perfectly okay with hiding behind a ruse to achieve his goals, and the fact that he can be shot but not killed, should you choose to go that route for High Noon, suggests that Bioware had something else in store for him for the future before expansions got canned. Tying in my other ideas to this one, I wouldn't be surprised if he retrieved info about the Reapers, etc. from the Shadow Broker's databases while working as one of his agents before cutting ties and investing in the Initiative. It would also make sense why, for an exile/outlaw, he's still invested in the Initiative's success.

[terrorsmade]

this is kq's fault !!

⋞thread⋟ ( azalea gothel. ) ⋞all my flowers grew back as thorns⋟ ( azalea gothel. )  ⋞headcanon⋟ ( azalea gothel. ) ⋞aesthetic⋟ ( azalea gothel. ) ⋞the isle of the lost⋟ ( verse. ) ⋞auradon⋟ ( verse. ) ⋞thread⋟ ( pelessaria b'sayle. ) ⋞the milky way was so been-there-done-that⋟ ( pelessaria b'sayle. )  ⋞headcanon⋟ ( pelessaria b'sayle. ) ⋞aesthetic⋟ ( peebee. ) ⋞mass effect andromeda⋟ ( verse. )

[danaduchy]

The farewell party was winding down. The chatter that had once filled the small, dimly lit bar was quieter now, the once lively conversations now subdued. Glasses clinked less frequently, and laughter, though still present, seemed softer. Ryder could feel the weight of the night settling in, an unspoken heaviness lingering in the air.

Leaning against the bar, he took a long, thoughtful sip of his beer. Darren was still beside him, fiddling with his phone, though his earlier playful energy had given way to a reflective silence. Ryder could feel his friend's presence, steady as always, but tonight there was an edge of something new—something neither of them was fully prepared for.

"Still taking pictures?" Ryder asked, his voice light but with a knowing edge.

Darren, caught off guard, glanced over, his eyes briefly flicking up from his phone. "Just making sure I’ve got enough evidence to remind you how much cooler I am when you’re off playing space cowboy."

Ryder chuckled, shaking his head. "Space cowboy? That’s a new one."

"Hey, when you’re jetting off to a whole new galaxy, I think you’ve earned the title." Darren’s grin was sharp, but the sadness lurking behind his eyes was unmistakable.

They both knew what was coming, though neither wanted to say it out loud. For years, they’d been through everything together—nights like this one, long talks over drinks, keeping each other grounded through rough patches, always assuming the other would be there in the morning. But tonight was different. After this, there’d be no more mornings.

"So," Darren said suddenly, breaking the silence, "do you think you’ll miss it?"

Ryder raised an eyebrow, not quite sure what Darren was getting at. "Miss what?"

"All this," Darren gestured around the bar, at the friends, the noise, the life they’d built here. "Home. Us."

Ryder paused. He hadn’t really thought about it in those terms. For months now, he’d been so focused on preparing for the Andromeda mission, on the adventure ahead, that he hadn’t let himself dwell on what he was leaving behind. But now, with the weight of Darren’s question hanging between them, he realized how much he’d miss it all.

"I guess I will," Ryder said quietly, his gaze drifting over the familiar faces, the laughter, the comfortable chaos of it all. "More than I thought."

Darren nodded, his expression unreadable as he toyed with his beer bottle. "Yeah, I figured."

There was a pause, and then Darren’s voice softened. "I never told you, but I was planning to go with you."

Ryder’s head snapped up, surprise flickering across his face. "Wait—what?"

"I applied," Darren said, his tone nonchalant but laced with disappointment. "Thought I’d join you out there, in Andromeda. But… didn’t make the cut."

Ryder stared at him, a mix of shock and guilt churning in his chest. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

Darren shrugged, still not meeting his gaze. "Wanted it to be a surprise, I guess. Figured it’d be more fun if you didn’t see it coming." He took a breath, his eyes finally lifting to meet Ryder’s. "But, you know, doctor’s orders. Genetic markers, stasis risks. All that technical stuff. They weren’t gonna take the chance."

Ryder felt a pang of guilt hit him. All this time, while he’d been preparing for his new life, Darren had been dealing with his own disappointment, alone. And Ryder hadn’t even known.

"I’m sorry," Ryder said softly. "I didn’t know you were even thinking about applying."

"It’s not your fault," Darren replied quickly. "It’s just how it worked out. No big deal."

But Ryder could see the hurt in his eyes, could feel the weight of what Darren wasn’t saying. He wondered what it had been like for Darren, applying in secret, hoping to share the adventure, only to be told he couldn’t come along. It must have stung.

"I wish you were coming," Ryder said, meaning it more than he’d expected. "It would’ve been better with you there."

Darren smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Yeah, well, someone’s gotta stay behind and hold down the fort."

They both laughed softly, but the sadness lingered between them. Darren raised his bottle, and Ryder followed suit, their beers clinking together in a quiet toast.

"To new beginnings," Darren said, though his voice was laced with irony.

"To old friends," Ryder replied, and this time the words felt heavier, more final.

They both drank, the silence between them now filled with a mutual understanding. This was goodbye, and there was nothing left to do but accept it. Darren would stay behind, and Ryder would go on without him, leaving behind everything.

"Hey, Ryder," Darren said after a long pause, his voice quieter than before. "You ever think about what’s out there? I mean, beyond the Andromeda Initiative’s whole 'new galaxy, new start' slogan. Do you wonder what it's really like?"

Ryder let the question hang in the air for a moment, considering it. "All the time," he admitted. "I keep thinking about the unknown, how different things might be. But I guess that's the point, isn't it? Finding out."

Darren gave a short laugh, shaking his head. "Of course you’d say that. Always the explorer, always chasing the next big thing."

Ryder smiled, though there was a certain melancholy to it. "And you’re always the one keeping my feet on the ground."

"Yeah, well," Darren shrugged, "it’s not like I had much of a choice. Someone had to make sure you didn’t blow yourself up every time you got a crazy idea."

"You know," Ryder began, "I never told you this, but I don’t think I could’ve made it this far without you."

Darren looked at him, caught off guard by the admission. "What are you talking about? You’ve always been the one leading the charge. I just followed."

Ryder shook his head. "Nah. You were always there. Every time things went to hell, every time I doubted myself… you were there. Even if it didn’t seem like much, it meant something. It kept me going."

Darren’s expression softened, his usual bravado dropping away for a moment. "Well, damn. You’re really trying to make this a tearjerker, aren’t you?"

Ryder chuckled, but the emotion lingered. Eventually, Darren pushed off the bar, looking around at the dwindling crowd. "Guess I should head out," he said, his voice light, but his eyes betraying the emotion he wasn’t ready to show. "Early morning tomorrow."

Ryder nodded, though he knew Darren’s goodbye was more than just to the night. "Yeah. Me too."

For a moment, they just stood there, the noise of the bar fading into the background. Then, Darren reached out, pulling Ryder into a quick, rough hug. It was brief, but there was something in it—something unspoken, something final.

"Take care of yourself out there, space cowboy," Darren muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "Don’t go getting yourself killed before you’ve even seen a single alien sunrise, alright?"

"Yeah, promise," Ryder replied, his voice just as rough.

And with that, Darren was gone, disappearing into the night, leaving Ryder standing alone in the bar, his beer now forgotten on the counter. He looked around one last time at the place that had been home for so long, at the friends he was about to leave behind.

In a few days, he’d be gone, hurtling toward a new galaxy, a new life. But tonight, as he watched Darren’s figure disappear, Ryder couldn’t help but feel the weight of what he was leaving behind. The years, the friendships, the memories.

And yet, as he raised his bottle one last time in a quiet toast to the empty space beside him, Ryder knew one thing for sure: Darren would always be with him, no matter how far away he went.

[clairedelune-13]

New Reyes headcanon: He’s actually speaking Spanish 95% of the game. Ryder only hears English cuz of their translator. And when Reyes DOES speak English, while pretty decent, he fumbles over certain phrases cuz he’s not used to it.

[onedismay]

when your eyes meet in the hallway and she smiles 👉👈

[Nakmor Morda from Mass Effect Andromeda: Nexus Uprising]

One of my favorite scenes from the book! I hadn't seen Morda's in-game model yet at that point and got attached to my headcanon of her appearance, so that's what I drew. Armor & tattoos are from the game though.