#or give better quality of life to those in the alienages

[thewardenisonthecase]

honestly, maybe it's a hot take or whatever, but I think that tearing down the veil and *potentially* bringing back the immortality to the elves would not have helped them a lot

[squishy--squish]

For the DA asks 9, 14, and 21?

Thank you for the ask! Been too busy to answer it, but I have been thinking about it! For context, my protags are Raven Tabris, Lilith Hawke, and Mirevas Lavellan. (They're color-coded mainly cause it's fun.)

9- what is their love language?

Raven's is mainly inspired by Origin's game mechanics but- gift giving! Giving things another may need- or even just want, if one could afford or make it- strikes me as a big thing in the alienage, and I doubt she ever grew out of that. She's not much for outwardly expressing herself- especially not during the Blight- but she'll tuck away even frivolous things if she believes one of her companions may like it. Though the silver and gold bars are just... basic gifts Zevran especially likes, she gives them to him when she starts to fall for him/feel guilty that he probably only stays around because he can't afford to go anywhere else. This way, she gives him a backup. An avenue for freedom, should he feel the need to take it.

Lilith's meanwhile is physical touch! She's not one for sentimental words not wrapped in layers of irony or hidden in a joke, but she's very touchy-feely with those she cares about. Whether that be family, friends, or a lover- if she likes someone, she'll touch them as much as they're comfortable with. A hand on theirs, an arm slung around their shoulder, leaning against their side- you name it, she's probably done it. She has to learn to be careful with Fenris, to know the signs that his markings are flaring up again so she doesn't make it worse. At first she doesn't always get it right, but she's used to that. She learns and improves.

Mirevas is all for quality time! Though she gets less and less to spare as Inquisitor, she still makes time for those she cares for. Words don't need to be exchanged, or even glances exchanged. All that matters is that they're together. Even when she can't have that, she views the expeditions under the same lands. Trudging through landscapes, fighting dangers and closing rifts, taking notes on the ever-growing book slung at her side... It's all the better for the steps beside her, for the bits of banter she listens to them exchange, occasionally throwing in her own comment here and there. Thus why she almost always brings Solas when she can- she appreciates his insight and how he encourages her near-endless curiosity. When things are overwhelming, she gravitates to his study. Knowing he'll be there and won't push her on anything she doesn't want to speak of, especially when she doesn't wish to speak at all.

Which only makes it worse when he's gone. The wolf in her dreams is a cold comfort, but a comfort nonetheless. He still found a way to spend time with her in a sense.

14- who are they closest to from their family?

For Raven, if we're counting the dead... I'd say Adaia, her mother, who instilled in her principles and the stubborn streak she carries with her to this day. She still carries the Fang of Fen'Harel- Adaia's sword- with her over two decades after the Blight. The tale she told some children in the Alienage the day of her wedding was based on her roguish mother- how she stole from the rich to give to the poor... and left out how it cost her her life when she took her daughter along. The guilt has waned over time, but she still hopes her mother's spirit rests well. (She loves her living family members fiercely, I just forced myself to pick one.)

For Lilith, it's definitely Bethany. Even before they were the only Hawkes remaining- Gamlen's alive but he doesn't count- she was always protective of her little sister. That protective streak was instilled into her at a young age, where she didn't really grasp the nuance as to why, but she knew that people would want to hurt her baby sister for who she was. It only stuck around and grew into a full-on complex as she grew older, trying to fill the void left behind by Father's passing. She doesn't even know about Bethany's resentment over it until Bethany becomes a Warden and allows herself to express the uglier parts of herself she'd shunted away to be more pleasant and deserving of her family being in hiding for her sake. There's a point after her time in Inquisition- where Lilith is trapped in Weisshaupt, pregnant and dealing with whatever mess unraveled there- where the two of them reconcile properly. Where Lilith is the one who needs protecting for a change. One of many fic ideas I may get to writing one day...

For Mirevas... that's a tough one, but I'll say Renehn, her father. Her father is always a jovial sort, encouraging her inquisitive (ha) nature from a young age. Both she and her mother had plenty to learn about their people. And knowledge should be shared, not locked tight and guarded jealously. Her whole clan is missed dearly, a family in its own right, when she's away as Inquisitor... But she especially misses her parents. How he taught her to hunt, how he'd tease and call her da'fen, how he'd understand her need for quiet at times. When she returns to the clan, he helps her adjust to life without depending on her left arm after he lost his leg in the Wycome mess. When she leaves, he wishes her well.

21- what is their biggest regret?

I'm going to be briefer here cause I'm running out of steam but- Raven... She'll act tough, brush it off, pretend it doesn't bother her, but her biggest regret is not being fast enough to stop what happened to Shianni in Vaughan's estate. Logically she knows the blame rests on those who actually did such a heinous, monstrous thing to her cousin... But emotionally it rests quite heavily on her shoulders.

Lilith... I could gesture to so much about Dragon Age 2's story here. As I said, her protection complex extends out to Kirkwall as she carves out a place for herself within it, so any major catastrophe feels to her like her fault. Like she didn't do enough somehow. For a specific moment though... I've gotta say what happens to Leandra. A real fuckin' punch to the gut for her.

Mirevas' is... complicated, but it's her decision to let Solas remove the vallaslin. At the time of such a reveal, the horror overrides all logic. Yet another thing the Dalish got wrong, old shackles repurposed into the culture of her people. At the time she doesn't regret it, but such regret only grows over time. The vallaslin was the one core thing connecting her to her people's identity, an aspect of her the humans and their Maker couldn't take away from her. And yet she'd gotten rid of it of her own volition, at the hands of her people's most reviled so-called Creator. It's a small, bitter regret, but it's the only one she doesn't manage to discard on her decade-long quest.

[icy-warden]

I am so so so late, so idk if you're even interested in doing these anymore, but if you are, I'd have some questions from the Romance Asks for Zevran and Vergil :D

3. When they are having a fight, what is it about and how do they deal with it? 

13. How do they react at being away from each other?

25. Share any headcanons about their relationship. 

Please feel free to choose whichever catch your attention (or just leave them if none do) ^^

Month and something later I answer! Thank you for your patience 💙

3. When they are having a fight, what is it about and how do they deal with it? 

Vergil and Zevran rarely have a fight, but when they do it’s the epic kind (one that easily might lead to breaking up and once it did). 

Zevran is Vergil’s first relationship (ever) where he’s emotionally invested and for Zevran, Vergil is the first person he trusts again after the heartbreak (and tragedy that happened with Rinna).

Misunderstandings happen, especially when both of them have a difficulty with speaking about their feelings and expectations. It’s complicated, learning to open up, heal and trust the other person. 

First serious fight happens after Taliesin's death - Zevran goes through grief and tries to sort out his feelings towards all that happened and what it means for his future life. Killing Taliesin, the second person once close to him, is like breaking off with the past for good - two people with whom he shared his past, the best and the worst of times, are dead. By his hand. It’s a lot to take in, and the situation with Vergil isn’t easy either. 

In Denerim, Vergil goes through a few stressful and difficult things in a very short time - the Queen’s rescue mission goes wrong and his imprisonment at Fort Drakon isn’t pleasant. After he’s released he has but a short time to recover and take onto another task - investigate what happens in the Alienage. It’s in between those two missions where he has a moment to breathe, think. Also, he wants to talk with Zevran, maybe even touch the subject he started noticing lately - how he likes to spend time in his company and how at ease he feels around him. But Zevran is avoiding him and when he confronts him about it, it blows up out of proportion. Vergil wasn’t aware of the wrong buttons he pushed, unaware of the hurt and confusion Zevran’s going through. At first Vergil thinks he himself is hurt because of the rejection of something as simple as sharing a bed, but deep down he feels it’s because he wasn’t trustworthy enough for Zevran to share his thoughts (and pain).

Both aren’t in a good place mentally and they don’t speak of it until the night in Redcliffe.

13. How do they react at being away from each other?

Vergil makes himself even more busy. He likes being updated on Zevran’s wellbeing as much regularly as it’s possible. He’s aware it’s not always possible or safe and he tries to be patient about it. That’s why he worked on perfecting the blood vials he exchanges with Zevran - it helps him with keeping eye on Zevran’s health when he’s away and localise him if needed. He always makes sure to prepare some kind of a gift he can give Zevran when they’re together again.

Zevran can shift into ‘mission mode’ when he’s working and focus on what he’s doing. But he misses Vergil nevertheless and isn’t shy about it in his letters to him. He doesn't exaggerate when he tells him he thinks about Vergil often, especially in rare times when he can take a break. Zevran works hard to finish his many missions successfully and keep his promise of coming back to him.

25. Share any headcanons about their relationship.

A few things I can thing about atm:

- both like fine things and indulge in purchasing them (alcohol, clothes, weapons, etc.)

- Vergil likes to to surprise Zevran with gifts that are rare/quality/pricey (or three of those)

- there’s a rule of “you’re allowed to fool around with other people if you wish as long as they’re not a serious thing”

- Zevran cooks better than Vergil, but Vergil bakes better than Zevran

- they still train together whenever it’s possible and thanks to those trainings both have experience with dealing with people of their specialisations

- when Zevran is in a mood to be a little shit, he misplaces Vergil’s things, leaving one of his many, many knives instead

- thanks to Zevran, Vergil starts to build up his immunity to popular poisons - it’s a long and hard road but helps to warn him when something is wrong and buys him the time to take an antidote 

- both like when the other plays with their hair

[Romance asks]

[heniareth]

This literally made me go !!!!!!!!!

More than okay to tag me ^^ I love these kinds of worldbuilding intricacies. Putting a cut in halfway through so it doesn't get too long, and warnings because I'll be discussing poverty and mentioning pregnancy in this text.

I'm personally working off of Dragon Age Origins and very specifically the Tabris origin. Money comes up in this origin three times: 1) when Tabris gets a wedding present of 15 silvers, 2) when Tabris can offer 3 silvers to a family to travel to Highever or 10 silvers to stay in Denerim (which involves the renting of a new home and the possibility of opening a shop per this wiki entry), 3) when Vaughan Kendells offers Tabris 40 sovereigns if they leave him alive. Building up on the fact that 10 silver covers rent with something to spare to start a business and 3 silver covers a journey of 162 miles or 2 days of travel, we can conclude that 40 sovereigns is more money than Tabris would ever expect to see in their life. To put some math into this (one gold coin (sovereign) is worth one hundred silver and ten thousand copper):

40 sovereigns × 100 = 40.000 silver

10 silver is roughly rent and opening/sustainment of a small business for a month.

With 40 sovereigns, aka. 40.000 silver, you'd be able to pay rent and maintain your business for 4.000 months, without counting the income generated through said business. 4.000 months are (4.000 ÷ 12 = 333.33) 300 years and four months. This is an absolutely insane amount of money and I'm thinking of going back to that chapter and correcting Astala's reaction to the offer. You, your children and your grandchildren would be set for literal life (at the level of life quality the city elves "enjoy". If you want better housing and food the number of years you could live off of 40 sovereigns gets reduced).

So, basically, take the shittiest apartment where you live and see how much rent costs a month. Then put on top of that what you'd pay in electricity and materials to start a small business (say it's weaving, for which you need yarn and a loom). That's the equivalent to 10 silverpieces. This puts the wedding gift Tabris receives in a whole other light: fifteen silver would cover roughly two months of rent for a whole family. It's the perfect gift for a couple who's starting out, who might at some point be expecting children and have one partner not be able to work, and it blows my mind to imagine how long Dilwyn and Gethon (the giftgivers) would have to be saving to be able to personally give Tabris this gift. They're not from the Alienage as far as I understand, so they had enough money to get there, give the gift, and go back. That's an insane amount of money for an elderly couple to give. Holy cow. Back to the topic at hand.

Knowing what exactly can be afforded with those silver pieces and sovereigns, I extrapolate the pricing for other things, partially based on common sense and partially based on what I would like things to be like for my story. Produce and other foodstuffs would cost coppers. Meat would be a bit higher in price but probably not get up to a silver (I'm thinking double digits coppers here depending on bulk and quality of the meat). Normal work clothes would definitely be double digits copper also (or maybe more? I know too little about late medieval/early rennaissance cost of clothesmaking).

In my story, I wanted to show that money was tight even for the Tabris family. If all for members of the family work, that's around 8 silverpieces they have to make a month just to cover rent (I'm discounting 2 silverpieces from the original 10 because the Tabris family is neither opening nor maintaining a small business). Therefore I established that Astala earns around 100 copper or 1 silver a month working night shifts at a tavern. She's also a dockhand and earns about 150 copper or 1,5 silver there. That's 2,5 silver earned just to cover rent. If the rest of the family (Cyrion, Shianni and Soris) earns about as much, that means that at the end of the month they'll have a grand total of 1200 copper or 12 silver at their disposal for rent, food, clothes, medicine and heating if it's winter. It's not much, but they survive. This also means that, with the addition of Nelaros/Nesiara and Valora (the people who are supposed to marry into the family at the start of the origin), provided their earnings were similar to that of the other members of the family, the money at their disposal would go up to 1700 copper or 17 silver a month, which would be a lot more for them. Marriage wouldn't only be a sign of adulthood in the Alienage, but also a very necessary step to secure the family's finances. Cyrion will be too old to work at some point. They need more people to support the family once his wages fall away.

Long story short bc I'm rambling and getting excited about money in fictional cultures and demographics: based on these three instances in which money comes up in the Tabris origin, I've decided that in the Alienage, coppers is what you use for everyday life: food and utilities, maybe clothes, medicine depending on how rare it is. Silver is what you use for rent and big monthly expenses. Gold coins or sovereigns are absolutely unheard of and would be the equivalent to being handed a bar of gold. I imagine 40 sovereigns was expendable enough for Vaughan, but not too little (especially since Tabris gets stripped off the money after leaving the arl's estate; Vaughan likely promised them more than he normaly would have because he knew that he could just send his guard after them to get the money back). So if we're talking social tiers, it's the nobility who deals in sovereigns, the knights, successful merchants and craftsmen (middle class) who deal in silver and the lower class who deal in copper. All of this is kept general and vague since economics are not my forte, especially when dealing with real life. I have no idea what things cost. But for now those have been solid enough guidelines to satisfy the detail gremlin in me.

Hope this was interesting to read ^^ It sure was fun to write it all out and I will save this for when I invariably deal with Astala freaking out because Everything Costs So Much Money. She'll be in charge of keeping a dozen people well-fed and cared for, not to mention the cost of armor and weapons and medicine and ingredients for poultices, poisons, and potions. Everybody else will be pointing at things going "this is pretty! :D" and Astala will be sweating and counting the coins in her pouch. I love her

So this is super out of nowhere, but what do y’all think about DA currencies potentially being transferred into irl money? I’ve been super curious about it tbh, but it seems kind of a weird thing to convert, especially since a lot of irl countries have some serious individual pricing discrepancies. I generally settle on equating silvers to bucks, historical availability and relevance be damned XD

Do u have any rules of thumb when it comes to such things?

@bumblerhizal-art @wild-houseplant @icy-warden @siriskulksnerding @heniareth

Hopefully it’s ok to tag y’all :D

[hollowistheworld]

I’ve done this before but I’ve tweaked some things and reformatted it so if you’re interested in learning an unreasonable amount about my Inquisitor, then read on. (source)

PART ONE: Basic Personality/Life Before the Conclave

Appearance/Personality/Basic Facts

Name: Laurina Lavellan

Age: 29 at the time of the Conclave

Race: Dalish elf

Gender/preferred pronouns: Female, she/her

Class (warrior/rogue/mage): Mage

Preferred weapon/spell type: Fire and storm

Specialization: Rift mage

Romance: Solas

Give a detailed description of your Inquisitor.

Laurina is five feet tall, blonde, with light brown skin and amber eyes. She has a side cut plus braid. She has a scar across her left cheek from a hunting accident when she was a teenager (she and her friends accidentally stumbled across a bear and pissed it off). She has the full Mythal vallaslin in green, chosen due to Laurina’s own strict moral code and her dedication to justice.

OPINIONS. Give your Inquisitor’s stance on:

The Chantry: Can’t stand it. She thinks they’re all full of themselves, and they use their god as an excuse for their racism and mistreatment of others. Don’t let her get started on her feelings about exalted marches. She believes that the Chantry is corrupted and egotistical; too much so to ever recover, regardless of what the other members of the Inquisition have to say about it.

Tevinter: Its single redeeming quality is that it is now where Dorian lives. If it wasn’t so important to him, she’d view it the same way she views the Chantry – just let it burn. As it is, she doesn’t really believe that Dorian can change things, but he hopes, for his sake, that he can.

Fereldan: Laurina appreciates that Fereldans are so much more straightforward than Orlesians. Even if they have something negative to say, they say it, rather than hiding it in a compliment. She likes King Alistair well enough, from the few interactions they’ve had, and she’s gotten, overall, fewer nasty elf related insults in Fereldan than she has in Orlais. Besides, Laurina’s a dog person, so Fereldan can’t be all that bad.

Orlais: Beautiful country, shitty people. Laurina hates the Game, even though she’s decent at playing, when she tries. She feels like she hears things like ‘knife-ear’ and ‘rabbit’ from Orlesians more than from anyone else, and they’re less likely to acknowledge that those are insults. The nasty ‘elven savage’ comments at Halamshiral turned her against the country even more. She doesn’t like their food, their decorating style, and she especially doesn’t like how prevalent the Chantry is there.

Mages/Magic: She thinks the Circle is stupid and hypocritical. Magic is as useful as any other skill, and if anyone abuses it, it’s the fault of the abuser, not of magic itself. She also has a deep academic interest in learning how magic works.

Templars: She’s had very few interactions with them, but none of those have been good. She can admit that their abilities are useful tools, however. If they weren’t so tied to the Chantry, she would have a lot more respect for them. As it stands, a few Templars can be useful soldiers with a unique skillset. More than that and they become a threat, and all too often fall victim to their own sense of self-righteousness.

The Mage/Templar War: Something had to give. She supports the war in theory, but not in practice, as it doesn’t actually seem to be accomplishing anything other than a massive pile of bodies. The people actually fighting don’t have any power to do anything, and Laurina doesn’t appreciate people who claim to have a cause just as an excuse to use violence.

The Dalish and City Elves: Laurina does have a little bit of a Dalish superiority complex, as she is naturally a somewhat arrogant person, but she doesn’t look down on city elves. One of her best friends was originally from an alienage, and Laurina has seen enough alienages to know that city elves have it rough enough without other elves turning against them.

Dwarves: Before joining the Inquisition, Laurina could count the number of dwarves she’s spoken to on her fingers, and all of them were surface dwarves; merchants. Laurina finds the dwarven practice of worshipping ancestors to be strange, but they’ve never tried to convert her or anything, so she doesn’t much care. She likes dwarves, as a general rule.

Qunari/Tal-Vashoth (do they even know the difference?): The first time Laurina saw a Qunari it was when she and two of her friends snuck into Kirkwall for that exact purpose. They scared the shit out of her and she insisted she was never going to risk pissing one of them off. She knew the difference between Qunari and Tal-Vashoth in theory, but until meeting Bull she didn’t really realize what a huge difference it was. She doesn’t like the Qun, and likes it less the more she hears about it. She doesn’t trust Qunari as far as she can throw them. She comes to have a lot of respect for Tal-Vashoth – turning your back on everything you know isn’t easy, especially when the people you’re turning on are so intense.

Humans: Laurina pretty much always starts off defensive with humans. Better safe than sorry, and for every nice human Laurina’s ever met she’s met two more who would be only too happy to run her through. With only a handful of exceptions, Laurina can never fully drop her guard around humans, even after she’s known them for a while.

What is their favorite place to travel to?

The Emerald Graves. It’s beautiful and full of history (and it’s relatively easy to avoid humans there).

Their least favorite?

The Western Approach. Everything is trying to eat her, the sand is hot and hurts her feet, it’s too bright, it goes on forever… She is not a fan.

Describe what your Inquisitor is like before the game’s events–preferably, choose three words that describe best. Then explain why those adjectives are appropriate descriptors.

Curious: Laurina liked to investigate things – strange noises, new areas, etc. She jumped between topics at the drop of a hat while learning.

Simplistic: Had a very black and white world view and an ‘us versus them’ mentality.

Quick-witted: One liners, sharp sense of humor, quick to respond to insults or jibes.

Does your Inquisitor change over the course of the game’s events? If so, how? What events affected their character arc the most?

Starting at the Conclave, Laurina changed entirely. Her two closest friends, who she felt personally responsible for, were killed in the explosion. All three of the above traits changed as time went on. She begins to struggle with depression. She becomes a more patient learner, and starts to look before she leaps. She learns to make nice with her enemies – like at Halamshiral – and to trust people she usually wouldn’t, like Cassandra and Bull. Constantly needing to hold her tongue dulls her sense of humor a bit, or at least makes it less noticeable, as does her more pessimistic world view. She is also very changed by the destruction of Haven; after that she accepts that she has to grow up and protect these people who have trusted her with their lives, even though she never wanted them to.

Use three words to describe your Inquisitor at the end of the game, and explain why they are appropriate. (If there are any that are still the same from the beginning of the game, explain why they are still appropriate DESPITE the game’s events.)

Weary: All her friends have gone back to their lives. Solas is gone (and is her new enemy). She’s lost her arm, along with the mark that made her so special. Already inclined towards depressive tendencies, Laurina is tired.

Intelligent: Over the years as Inquisitor, Laurina really learned how to listen, even to viewpoints she was opposed to, and she greatly benefitted from it.

Determined: Laurina has lost a lot of things. Her resolve to stop Solas without losing him too couldn’t possibly be stronger.

Life Before the Conclave

What is their combat skill level before the events of the game? Are they already skilled fighters, or can they barely hold their weapon of choice properly?

Laurina was gifted, but had mostly used her skills for hunting or warding off small groups of enemies. Learning to fight large groups of demons and organized enemies took some practice.

How well do they improve after becoming the Herald/Inquisitor?

Laurina became better at fighting with a team – her friends Lunalla and Trystan had fought with her for so long that none of them really had to think about it. Learning to adapt to a team that didn’t know her as well took a while. Her abilities against large groups improved, and she learned new tricks from various people who came through Skyhold, companions and otherwise.

Does the Inquisitor have family they left behind? Friends?

Her closest friends died at the Conclave. Laurina misses them immeasurably. Laurina considers Keeper Deshanna to be practically her mother, but despite being incredibly homesick for her and the rest of the clan, Laurina feels too ashamed of losing Lunalla and Trystan and becoming a Chantry icon to feel as though she’d be welcomed back home, or still belong there.

How do they feel about being separated from them?

She is homesick and lonely, and her independent, defensive nature keeps her from talking about it with most of her new friends. She lashes out frequently as a result.

What is the most important/influential moment of their life before the Conclave?

A hunting party was attacked – and most of them killed – by a group of Templars when Laurina was sixteen. Nothing drives home the idea that you can only trust your own people quite like something like that.

Why were they sent to the Conclave?

Laurina was bright, but hot-headed and prideful. The Keeper thought she was both qualified and would benefit from the experience.

PART TWO: Main Plot Reactions/Choices

The Wrath of Heaven/The Threat Remains

How does the Inquisitor react to the Anchor and the idea of closing the Breach–do they want to do the right thing, are they only along because they are a prisoner, or something else?

To the anchor – a resounding response of ‘what the fuck is that’. She is defensive, scared, and angry when she first wakes up, but knows that 1) a hole in the sky isn’t good for anyone, and 2) no one’s going to save her if she doesn’t save herself.

Do they take the mountain pass with the scouts to the Temple or do they charge with the soldiers?

Soldiers. The mountain pass puts her alone with people she doesn’t know, with herself as her main defender. She isn’t invested in this cause and she’s hurting – she’d rather the nameless soldiers risk their lives for now.

How does the Inquisitor react to being called the Herald of Andraste?

She protests being called the Herald of Andraste whenever she can. She hates it, and she hates that people are foisting it on her when it is so very not a part of her personal identity. (Your Worship is even worse).

Do they believe it themselves?

Definitely not.

How does the Inquisitor react to Chancellor Roderick’s presence and the threat of the Chantry?

Fuck the Chantry. Fuck what they think. Fuck everyone who thinks she did this to herself and her friends (though at this point no one knows about her friends who died). If she hadn’t been so frazzled and defensive, Roderick probably would have gotten punched.

Does the Inquisitor decide to approach the mages or the Templars?

Mages. Laurina doesn’t much like Templars, and the threat of both the time magic and the Tevinters needed to be addressed.

In Hushed Whispers

How does the Inquisitor feel about mages and about recruiting them?

Laurina is very pro-mage and believes people should absolutely not be punished for how they’re born. The more people argue with her about it, the more stubborn she gets. The Dalish have had plenty of problems because of the fears of others, so she doesn’t think that fear excuses anything.

How does the Inquisitor react to the idea of allying with Tevinter to gain the mages’ support?

She’s stunned at Fiona having done something so idiotic. She sympathizes a little, but mostly she thinks Fiona was being incredibly naïve by believing that Alexius would treat them well.

How do they react to being thrown a year into the future? Do they believe they can get back? Are they focused on their goal, gathering information? Or are they just freaking out?

Honestly it’s a miracle they got out because she and Dorian kept having to remind themselves that this was not the time to be discussing how all this works.

Did they ally with the mages or conscript them? Why?

Ally. Laurina believes loyalty can never be earned at the end of a leash.

What is the Inquisitor’s relationship with Fiona?

Laurina respects how difficult of a choice she was faced with, but still believes she was naïve to how brutal the real world can be. They don’t have much of a relationship, but Laurina checks in regularly to make sure the mages aren’t being treated badly.

In Your Heart Shall Burn

Does the Inquisitor help Harrit and save all possible citizens of Haven? Why?

Yes. When the first blast from the dragon came a switch flipped in her brain and she realized, like it or not, all of these people were her responsibility.

How does the Inquisitor feel about being a distraction for Corypheus while Haven flees? Are they resigned to their fate? Resentful? Determined to defeat the enemy/survive?

She is happy to do it; glad to know that whatever happens she’ll have done all she could. Still struggling with everything that’s happened to her, a part of her is almost relieved that she might be going to her death.

Does the encounter with Corypheus change their opinion of being Herald? Does it make them believe they are the Herald, lose faith, or affirm to their previous belief?

Laurina’s opinion doesn’t change. She knows she’s not sent by the Maker. It upsets her that everyone thinks so, and a part of her feels like it’s taking something away from her; saying it’s divine providence rather than her own abilities keeping her alive.

How do they react to Solas telling them the orb is elvhen?

She prepares herself – she knows that Solas is right and they’ll eventually be blamed.

How do they feel about being chosen for Inquisitor?

Laurina never really wanted this, but after Haven she’s determined to protect these people, and she knows that she can do that best as the Inquisitor. Besides, Laurina is a natural leader, and dislikes taking orders from others; she would have had difficulty if someone else had been made Inquisitor. She also is pleased about being an elf in such an influential role.

What do they say are the principle foundations for the Inquisition?

“An elf will lead us all.”

From the Ashes

How does the Inquisitor react to Hawke’s presence?

She knows the story of the Champion of Kirkwall very well, and it more than a little amused to meet the woman behind it. (Not least of all because Varric definitely made Hawke sound a lot calmer and more in control than she really is). Once she realizes just how much effort Varric put into pretending he didn’t know where Hawke was, she’s actually kind of amused.

Does the Inquisitor side with Varric or Cassandra during their fight?

Varric, though she tells them both off for fighting like this. It’s been long enough to render the fight irrelevant. Laurina believes Varric’s right when he says that Hawke would probably have been killed if she’d been at the Conclave, and she understands and empathizes with putting one’s friends above all else. She warns Varric not to lie to her again, but she doesn’t hold it against him. She expects Varric to have more loyalty to Hawke, he’s known her longer.

How well do they get along with Hawke? Do they agree with Hawke’s decisions?

She likes Hawke. Hawke’s funny and real, and the two of them have more than one conversation about the burden of responsibility.

Here Lies the Abyss

Who is the Warden contact?

Stroud.

How does the Inquisitor get along with them?

She respects him, but doesn’t feel any particular emotion towards him, one way or the other. If anything, she thinks he’s a little too righteous, and could stand to talk about ‘sacred duty’ a little less.

How do they react to finding out the Wardens are being used by Corypheus?

At this point nothing can surprise her anymore. Why wouldn’t that be just one more thing to have go wrong?

How does the Inquisitor react to being in the Fade?

She’s almost excited about it as Solas is. Bull and Cole are there too though, so she spends a fair amount of her energy trying to keep them calm.

Do they ever believe the spirit is actually of Divine Justinia?

Believe is probably too strong of a word, but she does consider it to be a possibility.

How do they react to the revelation regarding the Wardens’ involvement in the Conclave attack?

She isn’t particularly surprised. They already knew the Wardens were being controlled by Corypheus, so the revelation that he used them to attack the Conclave doesn’t catch her off guard.

Do they agree with Hawke or the Warden more?

Neither. She doesn’t think this is the time or the place, and that the whole situation is too complicated to be settled with a fist fight in the fade.

How do they respond to Hawke’s and the Warden’s fight?

“By the Creators, shut up already.”

How do they react to learning it was the Divine behind them in the Fade, not Andraste?

She’s pleased to have real memories back that leave no room for doubt that she wasn’t saved by divine intervention, and she hopes it may help her convince others that the Maker didn’t send or save her.

What would the Nightmare Demon have said to rattle the Inquisitor?

“The Inquisitor. So proud, so sure of herself. How do you expect to lead all these people, to protect them, when you couldn’t even protect your friends?”

What is on the Inquisitor’s tombstone (what is their greatest fear)?

Failure.

Who does the Inquisitor leave behind in the Fade? Why do they choose to do so?

Stroud. She likes Hawke better, she can’t stand the thought of making Varric lose his best friend, and it seems to be more Stroud’s duty than Hawke’s. Really though, she tries not to think about it too much.

Does the Inquisitor decide to exile the Wardens or have them fight alongside the Inquisition? What is their reasoning behind the decision?

Fight alongside. She can’t see any good reason for exiling them. In the long run, she’s certain that would do more harm than good.

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts

What is their opinion on attending the ball in the first place? Do they think it’s a waste of time, a necessary duty, or something exciting?

Laurina doesn’t care for Orlesians, politics, or large gatherings, but grits her teeth and does her best. She knows it’s a necessary evil.

Do the companions/advisors believe the Inquisitor will do well at the palace, or is there a fear they’ll be kicked out within five minutes?

By this point most of them know her well enough to know that she can play the part quite well, if she so chooses. Most of them just hope she won’t be the receiver of too many insults.

How does the Inquisitor actually fare? Are they the belle of the ball, or do they barely scrape by?

Very well. It takes most of her self-restraint, but she bites her tongue when she needs to and plays the game with the best of them. She makes quite the impression on the court.

Does the Inquisitor gather blackmail information for Leliana? Gather caprice coins and stone halla? Find the Red Jenny caches?

Yes to all, especially the blackmail information. Laurina likes having something over all of these snobby nobles.

Does the Inquisitor fight Grand Duchess Florianne, or expose her?

Expose her. She figures it will strengthen her own position in the Game.

Who does the Inquisitor support for Orlesian rule?

She wants Briala to have the power. After much deliberation over which one will be easier to control, Laurina finally decides to reconcile Briala and Celene and put them in power. 

What Pride Had Wrought

How does the Inquisitor get along with Morrigan?

She thinks she’s arrogant and condescending. With enough time the two of them could have become friends – they certainly have enough in common – but circumstances don’t allow for that.

Does the Inquisitor take the Pilgrim’s Path, or fight their way through?

The Pilgrim’s Path.

Does the Inquisitor ally with Abelas and the elven sentinels?

Yes.

Does the Inquisitor weaken Samson’s armor before fighting him?

Yes.

Who drinks from the Well of Sorrows? What is the reasoning behind the choice?

Laurina. This is a part of her history, and she will not allow Morrigan to take it in her place.

The Final Piece

If the Inquisitor drank from the Well, how do they react to finding out they are now a servant of Flemeth/Mythal?

Confused. This revelation is the first moment of beginning to shake Laurina’s devotion to her peoples’ religion.

Doom Upon All the World

How does the Inquisitor feel about facing Corypheus for the last time? Do they feel confident? Do they believe they will survive the encounter? How do they cope with the possibility of failure?

She will not fail. She won’t even consider the possibility of it. She can’t. She has to do this. She has to stop him, whatever it takes. She doesn’t let herself wonder whether or not she’ll survive.

Who becomes the next Divine? Is the Inquisitor in support of the decision?

Leliana. Laurina is fully in support of this, especially when compared to the possibility of Vivienne or Cassandra.

How do they react to Solas’ disappearance?

She’s heartbroken and confused. She doesn’t understand why he would leave the way he did, even after things ended between them. She has a tough time dealing with the lack of closure.

What does the Inquisitor decide to do after Corypheus is defeated? How do they focus the Inquisition?

She slowly starts turning forts and such back over to the country they belong to. She would rather the Inquisition stay mostly neutral, only stepping in if something else on Corypheus’ scale occurs.

PART THREE: Side quests/War Table

Sit In Judgment

How does the Inquisitor generally judge prisoners?

If she can recruit them, she usually does. She is not forgiving though, very few people are pardoned. If they aren’t useful, they’re probably dead.

What are the specific judgments passed to prisoners in-game?

Gereon Alexius

Research Magic

Grand Duchess Florianne

Recruitment

Magister Livius Erimond:

Execution

Ser Ruth

Exile to Deep Roads

Captain Thom Rainer

Pardon

Samson

Give to Dagna

Chief Movran the Under

Arm and Exile to Tevinter

Mayor Gregory Dedrick

Give to Grey Wardens

Crassius Servis

Recruited (Informant)

Mistress Poulin

Put to Work

War Table

Does your Inquisitor generally use Force, Secrets, or Connections to complete War Table Operations? Why?

Force, unless Leliana or Josephine having compelling reasons to do otherwise. Laurina prefers the straightforward nature of Cullen’s approach.

What does the Inquisitor usually spend Inquisition Perks on?

More knowledge. Things that help her recruit more people, get more effective results from research, etc.

Fetch/Gathering Quests

Does the Inquisitor take time to collect the shards? Do they complete the Temple of Pride? Why or why not?

Yes. Laurina is not the type to leave any stone uncovered, and she wants to know why the Venatori are so interested.

Does the Inquisitor complete the Astrariums? Why or why not?

Yes. Again, she leaves no stone unturned. Besides, she figures out pretty quickly that there’s usually good stuff in those caves. And she likes studying the constellations.

Does the Inquisitor take time to complete side quests/recruit agents? Why or why not?

Yes. Laurina is pleased to have as much help as possible, whenever possible. And she likes proving that the Inquisition cares about more than just the big picture.

PART FOUR: Relationships/Companion Quests

General

Who does the Inquisitor prefer to have in their party? Why?

Solas, Cole, and Bull (once he is declared Tal-Vashoth). After Solas breaks up with her – and eventually leaves - Dorian takes his place in her party. She has the best relationship with them, and enjoys their company out in the field, as well as trusting them to have her back.

Which advisor is the Inquisitor closest to, if any?

Cullen, although the two of them don’t really become friends until after Corypheus’ defeat. They play a lot of chess together.

Who does the Inquisitor most often turn to for advice?

Solas or Cole. Laurina trusts them to give her the best advice they possibly can, and to offer opinions that make her think, but that she won’t instantly disagree with.

Who is the one the Inquisitor hangs out with the most in their free time?

Solas (before things end between them) and Dorian. It depends on what sort of company she wants. She also spends a lot of time with Blackwall before learning the truth about his past.

Who would be the one the Inquisitor tells their deepest, darkest secrets to?

Solas.

Are there any companions the Inquisitor wishes they were closer to? If so, which ones?

No. Laurina either likes someone or she doesn’t. If they aren’t close, they aren’t close.

Leliana:

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Leliana?

She was wary of her – a spymaster should always be kept an eye on.

Does the impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

She grows to like Leliana, but never forgets that she is, first and foremost, a spy.

What does Leliana think of the Inquisitor?

She likes that Laurina isn’t afraid to make the tough calls. The two of them aren’t the sort to trust others, but they do grow to like and respect each other a great deal.

Does the Inquisitor help Leliana find the Divine’s last message for her in Val Royeaux?

Yes.

Do they “soften” Leliana or confirm her “hardened” nature?

Confirm her ‘hardened’ nature.

Does the Inquisitor support the idea of Leliana being Divine?

Yes.

Cullen

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Cullen?

He’s a Templar and a human. Laurina doesn’t care for him, or trust him.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

Yes. They become friends, and Laurina comes to both respect his views and to enjoy his company.

What does Cullen think of the Inquisitor?

He agrees with Cassandra that she was what was needed when they needed it, but he doesn’t much care for her either. He does come to enjoy her presence more and more though, and they eventually become good friends.

Does the Inquisitor play the chess game with Cullen? Do they let him win, play fair, or cheat?

She plays fair (and is fully aware that he lets her win. She knows she’s not good enough to beat him).

Do they continue to play with him after the scene?

Yes, especially after Corypheus is defeated.

Does the Inquisitor convince Cullen to stay off lyrium, or tell him to start taking it again?

To stay off. She respects what he’s doing, and doesn’t want to lose him to addiction.

Does the Inquisitor assist Cullen in finding Samson’s base?

Yes.

Josephine

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Josephine?

Too nice. Laurina thinks she’s either up to something or naive.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

Laurina comes to respect Josephine. She doesn’t understand how or why her methods work, but she recognizes that they do.

What does Josephine think of the Inquisitor?

At first she thinks she’s too brash. The two eventually become friends though.

Does the Inquisitor talk to Josephine about her work to help her relieve stress?

Yes.

Do they enjoy it? Does it continue to occur?

Yes. Laurina knows she wouldn’t be able to do Josephine’s job, and wants to be able to help a little. And few things are better for morale than gossiping about the nobility.

Does the Inquisitor help Josephine reinstate her family’s trade in Orlais?

Yes.

If yes, do they kill the agent from the House of Repose?

No. She doesn’t see the point, it wouldn’t do anything, and she’s a little afraid it will turn the House of Repose on the Inquisition.

Do they decide to take Josephine’s route of nullifying the contract, or Leliana’s?

Laurina thinks Leliana’s way sounds too easy and doubts it would work, so she takes Josephine’s route.

Cassandra

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Cassandra?

Absolutely dismal. Laurina hates Cassandra at first, for a lot of reasons.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

Slowly but surely Laurina comes to respect Cassandra, and the two of them become friends, as long as they don’t talk about religion or politics.

What does Cassandra think of the Inquisitor?

She thinks Laurina is stubborn and arrogant, as well as quick to anger. Her opinion doesn’t change, exactly, but she does come to see Laurina as a friend, and those character traits no longer define Cassandra’s entire view of Laurina.

Does the Inquisitor find out about Cassandra’s “guilty pleasure?” If so, do they convince Varric to make the next chapter of Swords and Shields for her?

Yes and yes, and she considers it to be one of the all-time funniest things to ever happen to her.

Does the Inquisitor help Cassandra track down hunt down criminals left unchecked by the Seekers’ absence?

Yes.

Does the Inquisitor go with Cassandra to Caer Oswin to find the missing Seekers?

Yes.

If so, does the Inquisitor support Cassandra’s idea to rebuild the Seekers, or do they discourage her from doing so?

She encourages her. Laurina hopes Cassandra will be able to take a step towards changing how the Chantry operates out in the world.

Does the Inquisitor support the idea of Cassandra being Divine?

She likes the idea of Cassandra more than the idea of Vivienne, but not nearly as much as she likes the idea of Leliana being Divine. Cassandra isn’t quite revolutionary enough for her.

Varric

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Varric?

Anyone who talks about their crossbow like it’s a person can’t be all bad.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

Laurina grows to like Varric, both for his sense of humor and for his disinterest in playing politics.

What does Varric think of the Inquisitor?

He reserves judgement for a long time. He can tell that Laurina is wound tight, and isn’t sure what she’s like when she’s relaxed for a long time.

If Varric could give the Inquisitor a nickname, what would it be?

Goldilocks. They know each other for months before he realizes she doesn’t know what he’s referencing.

Does the Inquisitor find and destroy the Red Lyrium sources across Thedas after learning about them from Varric?

Yes. Definitely not something Laurina wants lying around out there.

Does the Inquisitor help Varric and Bianca find the thaig inside Valammar?

Yes.

Does the Inquisitor blame Bianca for what happened?

Yes. She thinks Bianca could have - and should have - been smarter about it, and should have been more careful and more honest with them about what had happened.

Solas

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Solas?

‘Oh, thank the Creators, another elf.’

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

She falls in love with Solas without really realizing it, going from being relieved to see him, to enjoying his company, to valuing his company above all others.

What does Solas think of the Inquisitor?

He is surprised but how easily she can keep up with him when they talk about magic and the Fade, and how willing she is to accept new ideas.

Does the Inquisitor initiate a romance with Solas?

Yes.

What is it like? Why are they attracted to each other?

It starts off as an intellectual relationship, born of a mutual enjoyment of talking about theoretical magic and the Fade. They value each other’s perspectives. Things just unfolded from there.

How does the Inquisitor react to Solas breaking up with them?

She’s heartbroken and confused, and lashes out angrily to keep herself from crying in front of him.

Does the Inquisitor help Solas find and activate elvhen artifacts to strengthen the Veil?

Yes.

Does the Inquisitor help Solas rescue his friend in the Exalted Plains?

Yes.

Does the Inquisitor choose to destroy the summoning stones or fight the Pride Demon?

Destroy the summoning stones. She trusts Solas’ assessment of the situation.

Does the Inquisitor let Solas kill the mages or do they stop him?

She allows him to kill the mages. Laurina is not a merciful person.

How would the Inquisitor react to finding out Solas is Fen’harel?

She’s stunned, and any remaining faith she has in the religion she grew up believing in is completely shattered. Her worldview has been completely dismantled.

Does the Inquisitor choose to look for Solas after he disappears? Why or why not?

She tells Leliana to keep an eye out, but doesn’t actively search. She knows she won’t find Solas if he doesn’t want to be found.

Sera

Is Sera recruited?

Yes.

If she is, does she ever leave the Inquisition, and why?

No, although it comes close a few times.

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Sera?

She’s pleased to see another elf, and likes Sera’s cause.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

Yes. It doesn’t take long at all for Laurina and Sera to start butting heads over almost everything. The two of them never become friends.

What does Sera think of the Inquisitor?

She thinks she’s ‘too elfy’ and thinks too much of herself.

Does the Inquisitor complete the Red Jenny War Table missions?

Yes. Laurina doesn’t like Sera, but she likes the idea of the Red Jennys.

Does the Inquisitor agree to send a presence to Verchiel for Sera?

Yes.

How does the Inquisitor deal with Lord Harmond?

Force him to work for the Inquisition. Laurina is a very opportunistic person.

Vivienne

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Vivienne?

She’s impressed by both her abilities and her ruthlessness.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

No. She remains impressed by those two things, but never grows any fonder of Vivienne.

What does Vivienne think of the Inquisitor?

That she doesn’t respect the way the world works.

Does the Inquisitor help Vivienne look for the three tomes for the Circle of Magi?

Yes.

Does the Inquisitor agree to find Vivienne the heart of a Snowy Wyvern?

Yes.

Do they actually give Vivienne the heart, or do they give her the heart of a regular wyvern?

Laurina gives her the right heart. She’s a woman of her word.

Does the Inquisitor support the idea of Vivienne being Divine?

No. Laurina does not agree with Vivienne on much of anything, and does not want her running the Chantry.

Blackwall

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Blackwall?

She likes him, though his being a Grey Warden pulls up some painful memories for her.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

Laurina comes to like Blackwall’s company, and his willingness to leave her be when she needs peace and quiet.

What does Blackwall think of the Inquisitor?

He respects how strong she’s stayed through what she’s been through, and wants to help her, both with her duties as Inquisitor and with some of her more personal difficulties, such as her survivor’s guilt.

Does the Inquisitor help Blackwall find Grey Warden information across Thedas?

Yes.

How does the Inquisitor react to finding out Rainier’s true identity?

She feels hurt and betrayed.

Do they leave them in Val Royeaux or bring them back to Skyhold for judgment?

She brings him back and pardons him, although she’s uncertain if that’s the right decision.

Dorian

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Dorian?

She was wary of trusting a Tevinter.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

When stuck together in the future the two of them became friends very quickly, and Dorian soon became one of her favorite people in the Inquisition.

What does Dorian think of the Inquisitor?

He enjoys her company and respects her intelligence.

Does the Inquisitor help Dorian find and track down Venatori?

Yes.

Does the Inquisitor learn that Dorian’s father wishes to speak with him?

Yes.

Do they tell Dorian about the letter or not?

Yes. He’s her friend, she’s not going to deceive him.

Do they urge Dorian to reconcile with his father, or do they let Dorian leave without reconciliation?

Leave without reconciliation. Laurina’s view of family doesn’t include bloodlines, so she doesn’t understand why anyone would encourage him to reconcile with his father after what he did.

Cole

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Cole?

She doesn’t understand what he is – she can tell he’s not human – but he seems to want to help, so she lets him.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? If not, why?

Cole quickly becomes one of Laurina’s favorite people, and she trusts him more than anyone else she’s ever met. She always knows where she stands with Cole, and she appreciates that.

What does Cole think of the Inquisitor?

That she also wants to help, even when they have different methods.

When Cole helps people, does the Inquisitor encourage their spirit-like methods (such as making people forget him and mercy killings), or convince him there are different ways to help?

A little of both. She understands that mercy killings are sometimes necessary, but also wants to help teach him more human ways of helping people.

Does the Inquisitor urge Cole to forgive the Templar and embrace his spirit nature, or learn to grow by confronting the Templar and becoming more human?

To confront him and become more human. She believes it will be better for him, in the long run. And Varric’s right – he came here to be a person.

Iron Bull

What is the Inquisitor’s first impression of Iron Bull?

She doesn’t like the idea of hiring a Qunari. She only agrees because of how upfront he is about being a spy, and because she needs all the help she can get. She is also not very invested in the Inquisition yet, and doesn’t much care if they end up screwed over.

Does this impression change over time? If yes, how so? if not, why?

After Bull is declared Tal-Vashoth they become close, and discover they actually have a lot in common.

What does Iron Bull think of the Inquisitor?

He thinks she’s good people, and a good person to have on his side. He appreciates how much she helps ground him after he is declared Tal-Vashoth.

Is the Inquisition approached by the Ben-Hassrath to secure a formal alliance?

Yes.

During the attack of the dreadnaught, does the Inquisitor sacrifice the dreadnaught and the alliance, or Bull’s Chargers?

She sacrifices the dreadnaught. She didn’t really want an alliance anyway, she doesn’t trust the Qun.