#niamh amell

[thesummerstorms]

Niamh Amell, despite being proclaimed the Hero of Fereldan, doesn't consider herself truly Fereldan.

She was born in the Free Marches and only sent away because so many of her siblings were mages, so she isn't of Fereldan descent. She grew up locked away in a tower, never once even stepping foot into her supposed new homeland before being forcibly conscripted to die in a war she never chose.

Niamh got involved in the Civil War because people were dying, and she's good, even when she isn't kind. She largely tried to leave policy behind her that she thought would benefit the people she saw hurting. She even has the ear of the Fereldan Queen.

But Fereldan as an entity means very little to her. She has no "Fereldan Pride", and it angered a fair few people who put her on a pedestal before Zevran and Leiliana coached her on how better to hide it.

And even her seconds recruited later in the war... Well, Therasenn in Dalish. No human nation means much more to her other than a knowledge of where her people need to be more or less cautious.

Cattilara Tabris is the only one who considers herself Fereldan and she would stab every bann or arl other than Shianni (and maaayybeee Nathaniel Howe) in less than a heart beat. She hates a good deal about her country and resents the suppressionand violence woven into its history. But she actually does consider herself "Fereldan" nonetheless.

(Sometimes Nathaniel Howe looks at his superiors and his coworkers and the political shit storms they inadvertently cause and wonders if the Maker is testing him specifically. 'The Wardens are apolitical ' sounds fine in theory, but the sheer number of fires he's had to put out as the most "socially acceptable" of the Fereldan Wardens' leadership would prove otherwise.)

[shannaraisles]

The Warden's Witch, Part 2 - for @euryalex

The second part of @euryalex's requestioned crossover with Wyll Ravengard and their Tav, Tara, transplanted into Dragon Age to see what might happen. They have reached Redcliffe, and a reunion awaits ...

The Warden’s Witch, Part 2

“What a cheerful place this is.”

Wyll glanced at his companion, fighting to keep the amused expression from his face, as much for his own sake as for the sake of the villagers around them. Tara was not exactly forgiving when it came to misunderstandings regarding his amusement at her often sardonic pronouncements, something he had gleaned was likely due to the circumstances of her childhood. As it was, he would rather not have her glowering at everyone they met because she thought he was laughing at her, especially not in a village that looked to be on its last legs. 

“You can hardly blame them for their lack of friendliness,” he said, careful to walk at her shoulder. They’d had enough of random accusations of apostasy for a lifetime; he’d been passing her off as a Grey Warden just to save the arguments, but even that could invite some violence since the losses at Ostagar. 

“I thought you were the one who said a fraught situation brings out the best in people.”

“In my defence, I did also state that poor circumstances also bring out the worst in people,” he said, letting her see his smile as he spoke. This should be safe enough to show amusement with. “As it did when you fell in the lake.”

“I did not fall in the lake,” she snapped at him, cheeks colouring in either embarrassment or annoyance. Possibly both. “That oaf of a Qunari knocked me into the lake before I had a chance to dodge.”

“It did save your life, though.”

“You said you weren’t going to mention that again.”

He could feel her glowering at him, unable to smother his smile now it was out. She was an absolute delight to tease, so unused to company that was not her apparently awful mother and sister that she rose to the bait every time and could not be induced to laugh at herself unless there was some reward in it for her. He did think he was making some progress on that front, however. She was smiling right now, after all. 

“I don’t believe I -” he began, cut off by an unexpected but wholly heartening yell from the doors to the Chantry.

“WYLL!”

He spun about at the sound of his name, just able to register the accelerating form of a fully armoured Alistair Theirin heading straight for him, and brace himself, before they collided in a crash of dented breastplates and palpable relief. Hands clasped arms, shoulders, gripping tight, temple to temple without a care for how unmanly such a display of emotion might be. The last time they had seen one another had been just days before the Ferelden army took on the rising Blight in the Korcari Wilds. Not to shed a tear for themselves, and for those who were no longer here to share their joy, would be a disservice to all. 

“Where were you? You’re alive! How did you get out of that mess? Did Loghain’s men get you?”

Alistair’s questions fell thick and fast, no breath left between one and the next in which to answer ... and indeed, Wyll did not feel particularly up to answering some of those questions. Though he knew his bargain had been kept, and Alistair had, indeed, survived the horrors of Ostagar, he could not help the shame of knowing that he had abandoned his brothers in the days before they were near wholly wiped out. 

“What’s this about Loghain?” he asked, latching onto what he thought might be the safest part of Alistair’s eager curiosity. “We heard that Highever was attacked and the teyrn’s family murdered, but nothing about Teyrn Mac Tir.”

“He abandoned the king and the Wardens on the battlefield, even though we’d lit the beacon to summon him,” Alistair burst out, too enthused at seeing a fellow Warden to moderate his tone at all. “Because of him, the king ... all the Wardens ... Duncan is dead, because of him! But he’s telling everyone that the Grey Wardens were the reason for the massacre!”

“That does explain that little interaction on the road a few days ago,” Tara commented, drawing Wyll’s attention away from his overly-excited brother-in-arms for a moment. 

“True,” he agreed, looking back to Alistair to find the young man eyeing Tara warily. “Ah. Alistair, meet Tara. She’s ... the reason I’m still alive.”

“She looks a bit, you know, witchy,” the younger man said, lowering his voice but not enough to avoid her hearing that. “Where did you meet?”

Wyll hesitated, and instantly regretted it as Tara spoke up. He could hear her unamused raised eyebrow as she considered Alistair.

“I swooped down upon him in the Wilds and carried him off,” she said, her tone more of a taunt than a tease. “Isn’t that what witches do?”

“Well ...” Alistair flushed, rubbing a hand awkwardly against his shoulder, a little shame-faced at being called out on his mild bigotry. “I’ve only met one that actually swoops. The other one is just mean all day long.”

“How did you get out of there?” Wyll asked suddenly, his curiosity daring to risk Alistair’s attention coming back to his own escape. “The darkspawn advance has the country to the south entirely blockaded against any kind of travel.”

“We had help.”

As Alistair said this, his brows drew together, betraying that he wasn’t wholly pleased with the help he had got. But ... Wait. Did he say ‘we’? Did someone else survive that bloodbath? He followed his fellow Grey Warden’s gesture back toward the Chantry, and found himself looking at a pair of young women bearing staves. One was oddly familiar, though Wyll was sure he had never seen her before; the other was entirely unfamiliar, but he was also struck by a strange sense of familiarity. Had Gazarath given him something more than just his brother’s life?

“We?” he queried, watching as the two women began to make their way across the barricaded square at Alistair’s wild gesticulation.

“Oh, that’s right, you never met Cecilia.” Alistair offered a vague shrug. “She’s the newest Warden.” His eyes told Wyll the rest of that secret unspoken - that Daveth and Jory had not survived the Joining. Perhaps that had been a blessing in disguise for them. “The other one is ...”

“Morrigan.”

Wyll’s head snapped about faster than was entirely comfortable, finding Tara staring down the Chasind-like woman now coming to a halt not far from them. Her dark eyes were fixed on the strangely yellow gaze of the other woman, both of them seeming to take stock of the other as they ignored their companions.

“Tara. How delightful to find you hale and well. And here Mother was so certain you had died on us.”

“I’m sure her heart was breaking,” was Tara’s less-than-friendly response to the less-than-cordial greeting. “How did you crawl out from under her wings?”

“I was ordered to leave,” the other woman - Morrigan - said, and she did not seem impressed by this herself. “Perhaps if you had not rushed off with the first handsome fellow you found, you might have been ordered out of the Wilds in my place.”

“I am not the only one who found a handsome fellow to rush off with, it seems,” Tara responded, and for a long moment, the two women stared at one another, unspoken words flashing back and forth between them. 

Alistair and Wyll exchanged a look, neither one apparently sure quite what to make of this. Cecilia, on the other hand, took the opportunity to offer Wyll her hand.

“It’s good to meet another Warden,” she said, her smile strained. “We have a lot to talk about, but ... this village is under attack at night. Will you stay and help us defend them tonight?”

He blinked, tilting his head thoughtfully. It was tempting; he and Tara had done little but run from fights since leaving the Wilds. It would feel good to stand shoulder to shoulder with a brother and fight once more.

“If my lady agrees, then I would be honoured to do so - “

“Of course I agree,” Tara interrupted, turning away from her silent conversation with Morrigan. “These people will fall over in a stiff breeze. I will not abandon them as others I have known might.”

“We have already begun organising the defence of the village, sister dearest,” Morrigan said, stepping to her shoulder. “Do give your assistance. You were ever talented with storms.”

Whatever had been unsaid between them seemed to have cleared the air somewhat, but there was a tension there Wyll wasn’t sure he wanted to look into. Both women crackled with magical energy; only an idiot would step directly into that path without knowing at least what had caused it. Tara’s lips twitched at the other woman’s comment, and he realised she was trying not to smile. Not as much an enemy as I first thought, then, he mused, mentally kicking himself as he realised who this must be.

“An honour to meet you, Morrigan,” he said, offering her a courtly bow. “Your sister speaks highly of you.”

“Oh, what a pretty liar you have here, Tara,” the woman responded, laughing in apparently glee at his bow. “Do try not to break him.”

Tara offered her sister a sharp glance. 

“I’ll wager two bags of lyrium sand you break yours first,” she countered, and again, Morrigan offered up that slightly unsettling laugh of hers. 

“I look forward to seeing you win.”

As the two witches stepped away, leaving the three Wardens standing together in the midst of a gaggle of somewhat confused and relieved villagers, Wyll heard Alistair’s muttered comment on the very cusp of hearing. 

“What did I say? Swooping is bad.”

[choccy-zefirka]

We previously had a whole Discourse Session about x reader fic on this blog, but I just saw this in visual form on my dashboard (Blorbo hugging/kissing a greyed-out silhouette instead of the artist's OC), and I am back to thinking how being expected to insert my OC into the author-prepared slot is not my thing (and makes me a bit sad, actually) because... all my OCs fall for their love interest, even if it's the same person, for different reasons.

Isk and Wyll are childhood friends who keep being torn apart by circumstances but inevitably find each other. Mariposa and Wyll are gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast; he is the radiant guiding light that inspires her to rise above her Dark Urge. Wilhelm is a classic sad dad, so his partners Wyll and Karlach help him find joy and whimsy in life again. Or, for example, Alyrr stirs Halsin's heart because she is kind to him, while Cinder falls for Halsin because he is kind to *her*; same goes for Niamh and Zevlor vs Dee and Zevlor.

Likewise, in other fandoms, Azelma Cadash and Blackwall initially despise each other because she thinks he's a boring straight-laced fuddy duddy, and he thinks she's a spoiled princess luxuriating in her father's crime spoils and wearing a Stop Being Poor T-shirt, but as their friendship progresses, each discovers that the other is a more nuanced person than their first impressions might suggest. While Naali Adaar teams up with him as Protector of the Small, and Adiba Adaar turns his head with her incredible Nerd Powers (Nana Lavellan is somewhere at the intersection of that, because she is both a nerd and a professional babysitter in her clan). Thraer Aeducan bonds with Morrigan like a golden retriever excitedly following her around; and Revas Mahariel sits across the room from her like they are a cat and she is also a cat, slowly getting accustomed to each other. Nella Amell gets to Zevran with her sweetness and faith in people, and Zevran gets to Brianna Cousland with his roguish charms, even as she appears to have hidden herself behind a wall of ice and grief.

Alisa Shepard is a neurotic perfectionist, Natalie Shepard is an enthusiastic, confident space adventurer; Garrus loves each of them. And in my newest obsession, Cyberpunk, my current rough and tough but secretly artistic street kid V is going to employ different tactics when convincing Takemura to ditch Arasaka through the power of love (shhh, let me have my headcanon) compared to a hyper-stressed, disillusioned corpo V and a happy-go-lucky nomad V I also have planned. And so on and so on and so on.

Can all these different love stories truly be expressed through x reader fics? Even if x reader is mostly focused on smut, I am not sure how much maneuvering you can do while leaving it generic. Again, going back to my own OCs, Arryn Lavellan, a hot-headed 20-something Dalish First, is a virgin who pretends to be sexually experienced to win Respect Points, and then learns the lesson that he did not have to do that; while Elgara Lavellan, a Circle mage and ex-Tranquil, is also a virgin due to her life circumstances, and her lesson is that there's no shame in having a "first time" after 40. Cinder the Tav is a half-Orc, half-Tiefling, used to being fetishized by intimate partners because of her appearance, so she gets her mind blown when Halsin worships her body as a great gift of nature. Laulu the Tav is a half-Orc, half-Halfling, a humble farm girl with dreams of someone who will love her for her, not her glamorous elf bard persona (courtesy of Disguise Self), so she gets *her* mind blown when Gale takes her, the real her, on a journey through the stars. But Amaya, a full Halfling this time, is a vengeful paladin who used to be married to an evil wizard that entrapped her in illusions of love and bliss in order to manipulate her to do his bidding, so she opts for the humble tryst in the woods, blowing *Gale's* mind this time as he realizes that he can be wanted for more than his magic. So for all of them, even smut will flow differently.

Some anons I got argued that inserting your OC into a love story focused on a canon character is too self-centered; you have to give other people a chance to imagine *their* OCs in this blank spot! And I guess it works for some people (a lot of people, in fact), but I would rather write stories and make art about specific OCs and read stories and admire art with *your* specific OCs and all the endless ways they can kiss that Blorbo.

[heroesandscoundrels]

My Dragon Age Protagonists (WIP)

Wardens

Aderyn Tabris

Bora Aeducan

Edith Aeducan

Ferran Aeducan

Ffion Mahariel

Harlan Cousland

Ilani Mahariel

Luka Aeducan

Niamh Cousland

Nova Amell

Róise Cousland

Rónán Cousland

Tamar Surana

Orlesians

Julien Caron

Inquisitors

Drystan Lavellan

Eirlys Lavellan

Kairi Adaar

Peregrine Trevelyan

[catella-ars]

~Choose a Companion!~

Niamh MacNeil Human Templar (Vanguard) A little lost after the destruction of her Circle, she has now pledged herself to protect mages and others put at risk by the civil war, rifts, etc. Skills: Combat, Clarity Equipment: Avenger, Charm of Still Waters, Modified Templar Plate Companion Ability: Knows everything there is to know about Andrastian practices, Chantry history, Templar training, Mage Circles, and related issues, and can help you navigate both locations and conversation.

Saarebas Meraad Qunari Mage (Storm) A little lost after the death of her arvaraad and subsequent inability to contact the rest of her people, she has since pledged herself to seeing all there is to see in the world (and sometimes follow Niamh around.) Skills: Coercion, Vitality Equipment: Stormbreak, Belt of the Elements, Cretahl Vitaar Companion Ability: She’s a 7′7″ Qunari mage with tattoos, scars, and broken horns. There are very few mortals immune to her intimidation.

Valron Tabris Elf Ranger (Double Daggers) The Warden-Commander of Ferelden, known to go on weird rumor-chasing adventures while leaving Alistair in charge. This man has a child? Skills: Coercion, Combat Equipment: Duncan’s Sword, Fang, Morrigan’s Ring Companion Ability: Having gone on so many quests and wild goose chases, he is very good at helping you decide what leads to pursue and in what order.

Laurel Amell Human Mage (Spirit) A powerful Warden mage who left Ferelden with his boyfriend after the Fifth Blight and might have never looked back. Skills: Herbalism, Clarity Equipment: Enchanter’s Staff, Ring of Ages, Zevran’s Earring Companion Ability: Very good and quick with healing. You are never gonna die with him around.

[wcrldcnfire]

The Wardens

I have two ‘World States’ for the Wardens among my muses, and the characters in one of them all tie together. 

To start with, Kiara Amell is my Default Warden-Commander. She had Alistair perform the ritual. I’ll make a full list of all of her choices later, but her interactions are seperate from the second group.

The second group is based off a fanfic I never finished and it’s ‘The Mage, the Pickpocket, and the Whore’. Aeden Cousland and one of his “personal guards” Beatrice join the Grey Wardens, picking up Niamh Surana on their journey to Ostagar. Daveth survives the Joining in this AU, and those four, along Alistair, all survive the battle and traverse Fereldan to stop the Blight.

Aeden, being a noble, is the one officially recognized as ‘The Hero of Fereldan’, while Beatrice, Daveth, and Niamh are kind of... Forgotten about because their backgrounds aren’t as good for stories. 

The AU actually had all of the Origins surviving, and in it Kiara was a circle mage that can be recruited alongside Wynne if Jowan is spared. [If people are ever interested, I might also add Brosca, Aeducan, and Tabris, but not at the moment.]

They can be interacted with as individuals or as a group-canon, where interactions with one of the group is canon among them all. They’re generally all Wardens, though not as famous as the Hero of Fereldan.

[pathcrier]

This ask game has alot of good questions!! But 💖 and 😊 for all the ocs in your tags!

THIS IS VERY LONG IM SORRY HAHA

💖 Has your OC ever been in love, be it romantic or platonic or otherwise? Who with and did they ever express their feelings or keep it private? How long did these feelings persist / do they still feel this way?

Dahlia Shepard: romantically, she had been in love exactly three times. First time was with a girl back during Alliance training, Catalina. She was head over heels but never really told her, just because she felt it wouldn't work out in the end and let her doubts overcome her. Lasted for nearly a year, and no, she's completely over her (and actually attended her wedding and felt nothing but happiness for her.) Second was Aria T'loak, back when she was undercover on Omega. They had worked closely for months (trying to catch a cerberus cell leader) and had been seeing each other- but Dahlia presumed it was just a casual fling and would be over once she was finished. Dahlia knew once she was back in Alliance space, it wouldn't work out, and left it at that. Took a bit longer for her to get over this time, but she eventually did after focusing solely on her military career. Finally the woman she would easily rescue a galaxy for, Liara. For the first time, Dahlia allowed herself to be selfish and to want to be in a longstanding relationship. For the first time she sees herself willing to sacrifice everything for the one she loves, she is beyond head over heels for Liara. She platonically falls in love with every one of her friends, even if she's the worst at showing it. She loves these people more than life itself.

Nicola Amell: growing up in the Circle, with templars looming over your shoulders every second of the day- she never really bothered to invest any time in crushes, never giving them the chance to grow into something more. She devoted all her time to her studies and squashed any crush at the start. She didn't actually let herself fall in love until she felt her life was on the line, until she met Leliana. It was the first time she ever truly loved another person in a romantic sense, and she was going to live in every moment as if it were her last. Even by the time of the events of Trespasser, Nicola still takes the time and effort to send love letters and gifts to the now Divine Victoria. No amount of blights, ancient tevinters, nor elvish gods will ever keep the Warden Commander from her love.

Delaney Hawke: well, being a half elf mage apostate constantly living on the run for a majority of her life- she never really had time to actively meet people long enough to develop an emotional connection. Most of her crushes were as short lived as their homes. 

Until moving to Kirkwall, that was. Having a crazy band of misfits that constantly follow you around, it's hard not to form attachments. Platonic or romantic. And when she fell for Isabela, she fell hard. I'm talking about head in the clouds, only able to think of one name. She's never experienced a crush like that and it freaked her out. Instead of telling Isabela about her feelings, she ran to Varric. Almost immediately. Delaney unsure of how to handle love in a romantic way, and Isabela shutting love out- it took quite some time for those two to establish themselves in a relationship. But even in those standstills, Delaney had almost expected her heart to move on, but it did the exact opposite- caused her love to grow stronger. Even now in Inquisition time, it took all of Delaney's strength to leave the comfort of Isabela's ship to go aid Varric. Not wanting to be separated for long, but not wanting to leave her best friend high and dry (who she loves very very much.

Gryff Hawke: like his twin sister, Delaney, he never had the time (nor desire really) to search for any love. At the time, the love of his 3 siblings and his parents was enough for him. He was happy and content. He knew he didn't need a relationship to be happy and content, so he never actively searched for one. Hell, even in Kirkwall, he was too busy keeping him and his sister out of Meredith's grasp and keeping the qunari at bay. But he did quite literally stumble into thoughts of a certain glowing elf, and never realized just how far he had fallen for him. Despite their differences they saw on magic, Gryff knew Fenris was the one he wanted to be with. For the first time ever, Gryff was actively seeking out affection for another person romantically. He will never admit it, but it was the best feeling he ever had. His love language is traipsing across thedas taking out slavers with his badass boyfriend.

Kiri Lavellan: Kiri LOVES being in love, adores the feelings of warmth and security a partner brings. She has had a few partners of course, but none ever lasted too long, especially amongst her Dalish clan, where everyone knows everyone's business. That being said though, she doesn't jump right into anything. When she loves someone it's very slowly and then all at once, pouring her heart and soul into her partners. Which was fairly difficult when it came to Sera, given her stance on the dalish, magic, and dalish magic. That didn't deter her though, she was understanding and patient and more than happy to move at Sera's pace. Despite their difficulties and differences, there's never been a stronger bond between pairings- Sera was so devoted to her inky, even as far as post Exalted Council, following Kiri back to her clan and being introduced to Kiri's friends and family.

Niamh Valyn: here's another one who just claims she never has time for a relationship. Not saying she will actively deter them, she just- doesn't expect anyone to want to put up with extensive time apart due to her place with the Rangers. She's fallen in love platonically more than romantically, and she's not going to complain. She loves her friends very dearly, they're her whole world, even if they're miles apart. But when it comes to romance, she finds it to be more difficult to keep a relationship going, finds it more emotionally taxing at times and just hasn't really put any thought into seeking someone out. She's content with where she is, if someone comes along who willingly wants to deal with distance- she will happily accept. 

Ezra Marlowe (because I forgot to tag her and she's my baby): twice. She's fallen in love twice, and the first time damn near killed her. She let herself love so wholly and blindly, she never anticipated being hurt (quite literally.)

After that she felt very scared of any romantic advances, even if she was the one to initiate- she'd eventually run off if her overwhelming fear of being hurt overcame her.

After a while, the second time- it was a very slow, unsure path she took. But this man, the love of her life, Bashir, had proven just how much Ezra means to him. Through patience and care and understanding. Ezra once again allowed herself to love wholeheartedly, and for once, she's not scared.

Roux Lux: now here is someone who falls in love with the world anytime the sun sets or rises. She loves virtually everyone she meets. She falls head over heels for all her friends, in the most platonic way possible. She gives everyone the same special treatment, affection, and adoration as she does with a romantic partner. Though, Beetle may receive extra special treatment for being her amour. When she was ready to tell Beetle how she felt about him, she did so in the cutest puppet show..which she spent days hand crafting her props and painting new marionettes 😭

😊 What can make your OC smile even when they’re feeling down? What cheers them up and makes everything feel better for them? Is your OC generally a happy person and do they enjoy making others smile? What about your OC makes others happy?

Dahlia Shepard: it's hard for her to always feel happy when there's an impending invasion on their doorsteps, but one surefire way to cheer her up is a quick call to her son, Otikk, a little salarian boy. He is such a lively, happy go lucky boy, and always eager to cheer his mama up. Dahlia comes off very brash and intimidating, but she very much loves pulling her friends out of the dark- whether through inspiring words, or distracting them with their favorite hobbies.

Nicola Amell: even with the blight raging, she always looked for the little things to cheer her up. To be honest, just having her closest friends at her back was more than enough. Knowing that she will always have people to pick her back up if she falls was the greatest comfort and a thought that always lingered when she felt low. Making other people happy is what being a hero is all about in her mind. When others around her feel safe and are smiling, that fills her with so much pride and joy.

Delaney Hawke: ah yes, the one who finds any reason to crack a joke- ill timed or not. To be honest whenever she's in a low spot, just curling up in bed with her mabari, Junji, is enough. Though sometimes having Isabela sprawled across next to her, having her tell tales of her life at sea, watching her put on an exaggerated reenactment of exciting fights is just what she needs too. Or sitting around a table with everyone, letting Varric make up stories on the spot, everyone happily buzzed…. Never fails to bring a smile to her face. She's generally very chipper and easy going, so everyone assumes by the amount of quips and playful teasing. Deep below, she's miserable, and full of guilt and self doubt. She doesn't like letting her friends know that, so she puts up this front and goes to any extent to make sure no one else feels how she does.

Gryff Hawke: raging ball of anger who has a hard time letting himself be happy- especially trying to keep himself and his twin alive and out of the Gallows. It's hard to feel happy when everything you do backfires and bites you in the ass, even when you know you did everything you could. Even with this rowdy band of misfits at your back, sometimes it just feels like you're drowning. But sometimes there's a hand to pull you up, bring life and air into your lungs. Having Fenris curled up beside him, quietly and slowly reading through a particularly difficult chapter, pausing to ask you what a word says- it reminds Gryff that there are things worth smiling about, and oftentimes they're the ones to pull you out of the dark.

Kiri Lavellan: being dragged into a humans holy war and being propped up as their god's herald- it takes a lot out of you, and Kiri always fears she is about to get uprooted from her dalish heritage at any moment. So in the quiet rests, she finds herself reciting stories in private that the keeper once told her. Anything that reminds her of her roots, where she comes from. She tries very hard to keep a brave face, a beaming smile, one that would inspire hope amongst her men. She wants others to believe she can do this, that she's not scared, anything to instill security in those around her.

Niamh Valyn: when she's feeling lost or homesick, no matter where she is, she carries a leather-bound journal filled with bedtime stories her mother and father read to her as a child. Cuddled up with her wolf companion, Zarola, and her pipe- it's like all her worries just melt away. Even if she looks stoic and imposing like a stormy mountain, she's a very happy person. She's content with where she is, and easily makes those close to her at ease with her playfulness and cheekiness.

Ezra Marlowe: to her, all her happiness she keeps is heavily guarded and protected, not willing to let it go, risking getting hurt. She has no issues pushing people away and hurting them to protect herself. But that being said, those who truly know her, they know she can be enjoyable to have around...in an annoying sibling kind of way. Always looking to push buttons for a laugh. But on her darkest days, she finds the most comfort in the arms of Bashir. He's one of the fre who can easily calm her nerves, bring her back to reality and truly make her feel safe.

Roux Lux: a walking ray of sunshine, this one. Wherever she goes, she leaves a trail of smiles and mirth in her wake. She love love loves creating smiles and making people laugh and feel good. Its why she joined the circus to begin with, her puppet shows have brought nothing but joyful squeals and it's the greatest feeling in the world to the changeling. She's always in the happiest of moods, rarely is she seen without a smile. Yet on those rare days when she feels small and insignificant- curling up in Beetle's lap and listening to him hum soft appraisal to her is all she needs to bounce back to her original self.

[allisondraste]

Body Language Meme

I was tagged by @goblin-deity and @phoenixsoul13 to do this meme thingy!  Thank you both!!  Since I was tagged twice, I’ll do two of my OCs!  I taggg, anyone who sees this and wants to do it! (I know... I cheat)

LUCIA AMELL

DEFENSIVENESS

arms cross on chest / crossing legs / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / karate chops / stiffening of shoulders / tense posture / curling of lip / baring of teeth

REFLECTIVE

hand-to-face gestures / head tilted / stroking chin / peering over glasses / taking glasses off — cleaning / putting earpiece of glasses in mouth / pipe smoker gestures / putting hand to bridge of nose / pursed lips / knitted brows

SUSPICION

arms crossed / sideways glance / touching or rubbing nose / rubbing eyes / hands resting on weapon / brows raising / lips pressing into a thin line /strict, unwavering eye contact / wrinkling of nose / narrowed eyes

CONFIDENCE

hands behind back / hands on lapels of coat / steepled hands/ baring teeth in a grin / rolling shoulders / tipping head back but maintaining eye contact / chest puffed up / shoulders back / arms folded just above navel / wide eyes / standing akimbo

INSECURITY & ANXIETY

chewing pen or pencil / rubbing thumb over opposite thumb / biting fingernails / biting lips / hands in pockets / elbow bent / closed gestures / clearing throat  / “whew” sound / picking or pinching flesh / fidgeting in chair / hand covering mouth whilst speaking / poor eye contact / tugging at pants whilst seated / jingling money in pockets / tugging at ear / perspiring hands / playing with hair / swaying / playing with pointer/marker/cane / smacking lips / sighing /rocking on balls of feet / flexing or cracking fingers sporadically

ANGER & FRUSTRATION

short breaths / “tsk” sounds / tightly-clenched hands / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / rubbing hand through hair / rubbing back of neck / snarling / revealing teeth / grimacing / sharp-eye glowers / notable tension in brow / shoulders back, head up – defensive posturing / clenching of jaw / grinding teeth / nostrils flaring / heavy exhales

NIAMH LAVELLAN

DEFENSIVENESS.

arms cross on chest / crossing legs / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / karate chops / stiffening of shoulders / tense posture / curling of lip / baring of teeth

REFLECTIVE.

hand-to-face gestures / head tilted / stroking chin / peering over glasses / taking glasses off — cleaning / putting earpiece of glasses in mouth / pipe smoker gestures / putting hand to bridge of nose / pursed lips / knitted brows

SUSPICION.

arms crossed / sideways glance / touching or rubbing nose / rubbing eyes / hands resting on weapon / brows raising / lips pressing into a thin line /strict, unwavering eye contact / wrinkling of nose / narrowed eyes

CONFIDENCE.

hands behind back / hands on lapels of coat / steepled hands/ baring teeth in a grin / rolling shoulders / tipping head back but maintaining eye contact / chest puffed up / shoulders back / arms folded just above navel / wide eyes / standing akimbo

INSECURITY & ANXIETY.

chewing pen or pencil / rubbing thumb over opposite thumb / biting fingernails / biting lips / hands in pockets / elbow bent / closed gestures / clearing throat  / “whew” sound / picking or pinching flesh / fidgeting in chair / hand covering mouth whilst speaking / poor eye contact / tugging at pants whilst seated / jingling money in pockets / tugging at ear / perspiring hands / playing with hair / swaying / playing with pointer/marker/cane / smacking lips / sighing /rocking on balls of feet / flexing or cracking fingers sporadically

ANGER & FRUSTRATION.

short breaths / “tsk” sounds / tightly-clenched hands / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / rubbing hand through hair / rubbing back of neck / snarling / revealing teeth / grimacing / sharp-eye glowers / notable tension in brow / shoulders back, head up – defensive posturing / clenching of jaw / grinding teeth / nostrils flaring / heavy exhales

[thesummerstorms]

No game engine is gonna reflect the weird complexity of my imagined world state though.

Evanna Evandre Trevelyan, my gentle, overly cautious but angry pro-mage scholar of an Inquistor is the third of four children born to a man who's had five wives and loved none of them.

She has complicated political ties Antiva and Orlais through her step-mothers, Ansburg through her maternal family, and Antiva again through a paternal cousin.

Her living stepmothers are generally sympathetic. The youngest is terrified and hoping Evandre will hide her younger half-brother. Her father, however, despises her. So does her older sister. Her oldest brother is weak and doesn't care about Evandre one way or the other.

She was raised in the Ostwick Circle, then sent away to Markham when her presence in Ostwick became a barrier for her half-sister Catareen's Templar training. She preferred Markham, given its link to a major university, but was sent back just before the mage rebellion broke out. Markham is where, through the University, she became part of the Mages' Collective.

Niamh Amell, Warden Commander of Fereldan, and her husband, Zevran Aranai, showed up to take command of the Orlesian wardens, enabling Alistair to be left in the fade and Hawke to escape.

(Alistair's choice to stay is actually the final moment of his and Niamh's reconciliation, post dark ritual.)

Anora Mac Tir is Queen of Fereldan, with two daughters by Fergus Cousland, who she has an affectionate political marriage with. One of them is secretly a mage.

Cecily Cousland survived Arle Howe, badly injured and disfigured, and has become Anora's unofficial liason with the Wardens due to her under-the-table marriage to Nathaniel Howe. Their marriage purposefully childless, with the idea that Amaranthine will pass back to the younger of Cecily's nieces, and thereby the crown, after both their deaths.

Nathaniel Howe is in charge of the keep in Amaranthine because politics, but Therasenn Mahariel is Niamh's true second, and the one running things for most of Amell's wardens. Nathaniel's oversees the day to day, but listens to her orders.

Therasenn's remained single/considers herself a widow since Tamlen's death. If she had been in the fade, she would've insisted on taking Alistair's place as she sees herself as stuck in a holding pattern. It sets off some bad mental health moments that don't pass until Hawke connects her with Merrill.

Cattilara Tabris is put forward by Amell as the genuine liaison from the Wardens to the Inquisiton and is eventually in charge of overseeing a Blackwall who is sentenced to join the Wardens properly. She's dating Herah "Echo" Adaar. She oversees the Orlesian wardens in the day to day, whereas Therasenn has command of the Fereldan ones, and Amell outranks them both.

Herah "Echo" Adaar is literally just a merc who signed up with the inquisition to make things stop exploding and gradually gets promoted to help integrate the Inquisiton's other "non-standard" fighting forces and keep the Chantry-esque folks noses out of it.

Mahvirehn Lavellan was sent as a spy by his keeper and is now the Inquisition's formal liaison with the Dalish, a role which puts a target on his back from the beginning, especially as he's also a Keeper in training. That's fine though, because Dorian will absolutely explode anyone who tries to kill his boyfriend, and doesn't mind using the "big bad scary Tevinter mage" rep to keep it from getting there.

Rowan Hawke escaped Kirkwall, showed up in the Inquisition, and might possibly be dating the Inquisitor, Evandre Trevelyan. (If so, Varric is thrilled! But I haven't decided.)

Carver Hawke did not, in fact, go to Weishaupt. He's actually the one who finally managed to make contact with his cousin, Niamh Amell, and he's present at the battle for the Keep.

Later, he gets put in charge, and is pissed at Therasenn for making it about his name rather than his abilities and for forfeiting the role despite her experience levels. She mantains that she needs more flexibility than the role would entail. Appealing to Niamh makes it worse, not better.

Therasenn and Merril get an off screen reunion and cry about it because they both miss home. Merrill doesn't become an Inquisition agent, but Therasenn forwards bits of her letters as war table operations sometimes.

Rowan Hawke might go back to help throw Sebastian Vael out of Kirkwall, idk. But she's largely decided against living there. (Unless she romances Evandre, in which case Varric offering Evandre a title and estate in Kirkwall becomes a lot more of a calculated gesture lol.)

[freddycoconut]

[corvidaedream]

@alterac hello welcome to my tedtalk

my favorite son is malcolm cousland. hes never had to do anything dangerous in his whole darn life. he didn’t even climb trees as a kid. he does practice swordfighting, but he’s terrible in battle at first because he doesn’t know how to handle an opponent who is actually trying to kill him. he collected insects as a hobby until all his dead bugs got lost in the attack on highever. morrigan scares him shitless, but after she leaves, he never stops thinking about the fact that he’s got a little son out there somewhere. he eventually meets kieran at skyhold and cries a lot.

cordelia aeducan named her dog trian after her brother as a weird combination of memorial and sick joke. she’s intensely jealous of alistair’s position to take the throne, when she lost her own right to orzammar’s, but she only ever brings it up as a joke. her first week on the surface, she discovered sunburns and didn’t take off her helmet during the day for a very long time afterwards. she still feels some resentment towards the sun. her favorite thing in the entire world is slicing a darkspawn to pieces with her sword.

flora brosca spends most of her time during the blight trying to heal from her time in the carta, relieved to be doing something noble and good for once. she has severe moral difficulties killing wolves that attack the party because they’re pretty much dogs. she listens to leliana recite the chant over and over again, trying to feel less afraid because she’s so close to death, but never allowed to be reassured that she was going to go back to the stone when she died, but maybe the maker will take her in.

eoin mahariel has had a tough time getting past his bf getting eaten by a creepy mirror, but he’s trying. he and leliana hit it off right away bc of their love of storytelling, swapping folklore and history but also gently correcting each other about details. he’s not particularly concerned by individual shemlin, and he’s definitely okay w very, very pretty, angry human witches.

niamh tabris is a gangly, freckley bundle of rage. she won’t take her wedding dress off for months, until she gets an infection from the dirty fabric being stuck to a wound, and zevran coaxes her into something cleaner he found on a dead guy. she will kill anyone given so much as half a reason. she spends every coin she can on pretty shiny things for morrigan, but is sickened by the idea of asking alistair to take part in the ritual and takes the final hit to the archdemon herself.

jolene surana has been in the tower too long to remember anything before that. she prefers practical application of magic to study, and ends up dabbling in blood magic when she feels its necessary. she’s average sized by human standards, but self conscious about being a little wider than elves usually are. she’s happiest sitting by the fire, laughing, sandwiched safely between leliana and alistair. she WILL fight arl eamon with her bare hands.

leon amell is a quiet guy who has mixed feelings about the circle and then isn’t really sure what to when he’s out of it. he initially can’t make food or fight very well or make friends on his own or figure out how buying things works. he falls in love painfully easily, mostly with people who will never reciprocate. one time he hit himself in the achilles tendon with his own staff during a battle.

[morganaseren]

Hello would it be alright to ask you about your OC Niamh?

1. Where did you get the inspiration to create your character?

2. How did you come up with the name Niamh and Saoirse?

3. Do you do any prep work when writing each chapter? (Listen to music, read other works to get inspired?

And I also just want to drop by and thank you for your stories.

It’s always okay to ask about my OCs! :D

1.) Where did you get the inspiration to create your character?

Niamh was honestly born out of my love for anything remotely magical in RPGs. When I first started the DA series, the first (and only as of now) origin I played with was the Cousland background, so it definitely has a special place in my heart. Canonically, you obviously can’t have a mage Cousland because any mage—regardless of noble blood—loses all titles and claims to their family’s estate the moment their magic manifests, which is why you have the Amell origin.

While I loved Saoirse, the idea of a mage Cousland was never far from my mind. I mean, it’s an intriguing concept since you’re dealing with someone who shares in the same devastating knowledge that they’re the sole survivors of their family and then is consequently made the very last of it after The Warden dies. 

That’s the inspiration, but the more interesting challenge was whether or not I could feasibly work with the idea without breaking too much of in-game canon. Lol. See, the Cousland family name goes back to the Towers Age, which is six centuries before the events of Origins, and from what I read of the game wiki, there was never a mage documented within the bloodline.

What isn’t explored as thoroughly is the history of Niamh’s maternal side of the family—the Mac Eanraigs. Save for the fact that her late mother Eleanor came from an impressive line of raiders, there’s not a whole lot known about them. Compared to the Couslands, their lineage isn’t as deeply documented, so it’s entirely plausible that magic could exist somewhere within it and may have even skipped a generation or two before it reappeared in Niamh.

Needless to say, I took the idea and ran with it. :P

2.) How did you come up with the name Niamh and Saoirse?

Niamh’s and Saoirse’s names came about during my research of their mother Eleanor.

Eleanor’s father was Bann Fearchar Mac Eanraig of the Storm Coast, who was an infamous raider known as the Storm Giant. His name didn’t seem to be of English descent at first glance, and further research revealed that Fearchar as a name has seen usage in both Scottish and Irish history because they both have a shared root within their native languages. They’re part of the Goidelic family of languages that include Scottish Gaelic and Gaelic Irish (or just Irish), which came from when the Celts settled in both Scotland and Ireland.

I just happen to view Niamh’s maternal side of the family as being of more Irish descent (even though I know there isn’t an exact equivalent to it in Thedas) due to her name, which I’ve always found to be beautiful since it means “bright” or “radiant.” Saoirse’s name means “freedom” for those curious. ;)

3.) Do you do any prep work when writing each chapter? (Listen to music, read other works to get inspired?)

Oh, I’m constantly listening to music every time I write. There’s a reason why I include hyperlinks to songs (among other things) in every chapter.

I try to write a little bit each day, and whatever doesn’t fit in OtSttCA gets used as an idea for something else, which is how and why I have as many AUs as I do for Niamh and Leliana. :P

Unfortunately, because I spend a lot of my time writing, I don’t get the chance to read as leisurely as I would like, so there’s probably only a handful of fics that I follow at any given time. Typically, if I find myself invested in another author’s work, I make time to leave a kudos and a comment to show my appreciation. As a writer, I always find it amazing to see the type of individual worlds we spawn even as we work from the same source material. :)

Thanks for the questions! I’m glad you’re enjoying my work!

[catella-ars]

What is up I have dozens of OCs and none of them are straight

Clove - gay Laurel - pan Yarrow - trans pan Niamh - ace demiromantic Valron - trans bi Noel - double demi all the way Grizel - bi

[wcrldcnfire]

{ this is me trying to think of some nicknames varric would give. since, as i mentioned, i’m rubbish at nicknames on a personal level and its one of the biggest parts of varric i can’t jive with too well. so. idk, opinions would be cool before i try to think of some for other people’s muses., my fave muses first, then the ‘canon’, then the rest below the cut.

Mairwen: Magpie Lorelei: Cupcake Malcolm: Sunbeam Faustus: Vicious Damian Hawke: Giggles Ophelia Hawke: Shadows Eloris Lavellan: Lucky

Adrienne:  Seleny / Seleny Doll [Meant to be Thedas equivalent to ‘China Doll’ or ‘Dresdan Doll’ aka regional Porcelain Doll] Altair: Wolf Amelia: Dispel Amita: Scout Basir: Killer Charlotte: Bubbles Jarlath: Statue Rana: Bouncer Samael: Rake Soroth: Cheater [Used to be something else.] Vanessa: Hunter

Aeden: Squire Asaszli Adaar: Ballista Beatrice: Blades Elle: Frosty Felicitas: Fugitive Iovita: Bodyguard Kiara Amell: Warden Naenia: Seasons Niamh Surana: Dalish Priya: Whirlwind

[thornyhearts]

i'm currently working on some stuff, but please feel free to send memes. the muses that i want to get some action / more action on are h*elga h*ufflepuff [ recently added ], c*ullen r*utherford [ recently added, need to knock the dust off of him ], d*raco m*alfoy [ he’s still being tested ], r*ichie k*irsch [ tester ], o*tis d*riftwood [ trying to wake his grouchy ass up, may put him on a sideblog if i can get him to cooperate ], niamh cousland [ non-warden origins noble ], and ariana amell [ warden mage ]. i also have two ladies on sideblogs that i’d love to get some good action going on. rose / the dread pirate roberts: @ofpiracy and lilah rutherford: @licnflower

[allisondraste]

3, 19 & 23 for whoever you’d like!

Eeep!  Thank you, friend!!  Since you’ve given me license to talk about whoever I like, I’m going to answer for both of my main ships ;D

3. Most common argument?

Lucia and Alistair: 

They don’t really argue much.  They’re more likely to have some serious conversations, but they only have arguments over big things.  It’s usually over something drastic that Lucia has suggested as a “logical” solution to a problem (i.e. sacrificing Isolde to save Connor).  They have some really big ones, but they are few and far in between.

Niamh and Solas:

For Niamh, anytime Solas opens his mouth to say something about elves or her culture, she is primed and ready to fight, and it usually results in an argument from her perspective.  Solas usually just listens to her as she rants, but sometimes she strikes a nerve and he argues back.  They argue frequently when they first meet, but the arguments slow down as their relationship develops. 

19. Who tells their family/friends about the relationship first.

Lucia and Alistair: 

Alistair is proud of her, and takes any opportunity he can to mention that they are together.  Lucia thinks that his eagerness to announce their relationship to the world will go away with time, but she is wrong.  Even after they’re married, he’s like “Have you met my wife? She’s the best.” Niamh and Solas:

Solas, actually.  While people know about them being an item, Niamh is embarrassed and confused by her feelings for him at first, so she denies it when asked.  Solas is very sure that he cares for her and admits to it readily (at least until after Crestwood). 

23.  Who comes up with cheesy pick up lines?

Lucia and Alistair:

Alistair, it goes without saying. Haha!

Niamh and Solas: 

They’re both pretty smooth and direct when it comes to flirting.  I wouldn’t call either of them cheesy.  Solas is more likely to say something complimentary that makes her blush and Niamh is more likely to say witty and snarky that makes him swoon. However, sometimes Solas will be a little, uh, dramatic in his flirting and she is quick to point that out.