#rivani

[zoezenii]

messy sketches of my head canon of how these three look in act 3/postgame. but I did forget their matching romance red cloth around their wrists, so don’t look 😓

very tempted to redraw on digital...

[asparagusplaysthesims]

Dragon Age Modern AU - Isabela

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Makeup: Eye shadow, Eyeliner, Blush, Lipstick Everyday: Dress, Boots, Earrings, Necklace Formal: Dress, Tights, Boots, Earrings Active: Top, Shorts, Sneakers Sleep: Lingerie Set Party: Corset, Acc. Top, Skirt, Tights, Boots, Necklace Swim: Top, Wrap, Sandals, Sunglasses Hot Weather: Dress, Sandals, Rings (TSR) Cold Weather: Dress, Acc. Top, Boots, Hat, Scarf

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[too-many-lavellans]

Ooohoohoo~ Thank you @damallarky for taking an interest in the likkle chess set we're assembling! (*/ω＼*)

We'd be more than happy to share the rough outlines of what we're hoping to make with all of them.

Listed from (our ideas of) oldest to youngest;

El'hari:

Tentative Age: early-mid 40s

Faction: Veil Jumper

Class/Specialization: Orb & Dagger Mage (Spellblade)

Romance: Davrin

Juls' will finally be getting an old dalish boy of their very own! We do want him to be a lil younger than Andros, though not by much. Think this will pair nicely with some of the information we've seen through the Veil Jumper background. We're unlikely to get it through the game-proper, but we LOVE the idea of Darvin n him calling eachother "Hahren" & "Dalen" respectively, teasingly. X3c Rather even-tempered and something of a cool customer otherwise, and someone who puts his people first. Be it his clan, the Dalish/elves at large or any given group he's charged with. Another fun and possible tension point with regards to another piece of faction based backstory. This will depend on how long the Veil Jumpers have been active, but maybe he thought he could do more for his people with the Veil Jumpers than by taking up the mantle as Keeper to his Clan. Essentially named "Eclipse", deriving from the elven words "Elgara" (Sun) and "Harillen" (Opposition).

Isska:

Tentative Age: mid-late 30s

Faction: Grey Warden

Class/Specialization: Two handed heavy weapon Warrior (Slayer)

Romance: Lace Harding

We'll essentially be attempting a Beta Von, Male Qunari redemption arc with him. He has a mind for more delicate interests but was pigeon-holed into being a heavy front-liner by the Tamassrans. His name is derived from the qunari words "Iss" ( which denotes an item to be of Veteran/Experienced level) and "Katari" (One who brings death) Making him a Tal' Vashoth, that left the Qun proper. Haven't figured out the specifics on how he joined the wardens yet.

Segwin:

Tentative Age: mid 30s

Faction: Mourn Watcher

Class/Specialization: Staff-wielding Mage (Death Caller)

Romance: Taash

Rather formal in both the way he speaks as well as the up-keeping of his person. Bit of an eccentric when it comes to discussions surrounding his field of interest; various biological and anatomical study via dissection and the like. An Excitable Mortician is what I mean to say and Big fan of Professor Volkarin (sat in on some of his lectures and what have you).

Ath'ema:

Tentative Age: mid-late 20s

Faction: Lord of Fortune

Class/Specialization: Bow & Arrow Rogue (Saboteur)

Romance: Lucanis Dellamorte

Fuckboy 1. Heavy on the teasing. Injured and loss use of this right eye during a mishap with one of his inventions/traps early in his career/journey as a saboteur. Ath'ema's name is derived from the elven words "Athim" (Humility) and "Emma" (to become). Be humble, it's ironic.

Sulehn:

Tentative Age: mid-late 20s

Faction: Lord of Fortune

Class/Specialization: Dual Blade Rogue (Duelist)

Romance: Bellara Lutare

Fuckyboy 2. Absolute Chad jock type. Myre's doing a "Shep n Von Redux" with these actual twin brothers of him n Ath'ema. Sulehn's name is derived from the elven word "Sulahn'nehn" (to sing, or rejoice) Both Sulehn and Ath'ema are absolutely decked out in tattoos and various piercings.

Iero:

Tentative Age: early-mid 20s

Faction: Antivan Crow

Class/Specialization: Sword & Shield Warrior (Reaper)

Romance: Neve Gallus

Short and a rather Hothead butch. A very "Ready, Fire, Aim" type character. Juls will be attempting a sort of Beta Venui Revival with this one (aka an aggressive tiny elf warrior with perhaps a dash of snark ).

Kellum:

Tentative Age: early 20s

Faction: Shadow Dragon

Class/Specialization: Orb & Dagger Mage (Evoker)

Romance: Emmrich Volkarin

Well meaning, in that he doesn't really think things through… or rather as far as he should be. Gonna make him a bit of a "problem-child" in that regard for Von (who we're gonna say is his personal overseer within the Shadow Dragon faction). A sensitive lad otherwise.

And that's what we got so far, again relatively rough and broad stuff that will be honed in and fined tuned when we dive into the game ourselves through the expected multiple playthroughs we'll need to get through all these romances (and then some).>:3c

Happy they've caught your interest all the same, and hope you'll enjoy them some more when we've gotten em locked down!

[poetryofyouth]

So. I have finished Veilguard after 67.5 hours.

[fllagellant]

Taash I dont think im the guy to tell you if you should embrace Qunari or Rivani culture we can talk about the transgender thing but I think you gotta decide the line in that regard

[solcarow]

4!

4. do you have any characters you wished interacted more?

we got that 2 second interaction with 63hsy & jophiel in the epilogues and it drives me fucking bonkers . yuri i think . i dont have enough brainpower to flesh them out but they live in my noggin . someone take over for me as president of the jophsooyoung fanclub

but serious answer i think we shouldve seen more sangah and joonghyuk theyd make a funny duo

wait i think i remember reading something i liked w those 2 aha found it

^ this dynamics great

WAIT NO MORE IMPORTANTLY ——— PERSEPHONE AND LEE SOOKYUNG . that’s self explanatory . go milves .

[depvotee]

I love my discord profile, like, RIP to Lucanis Dellamorte he would've loved Ethel Cain's scream on Ptolemaea

[echoes-sounds]

Wips and sketches of things I may never finish

[becaexists]

Thinking about my lovely middle aged queer tiefling warlock who's Patron is a childhood friend and is the godfather of said Patron's daughter I wish I got to play him more T-T

[savoredsins]

veilguard got me remembering how solas fumbled the rivani baddie and the polycule smh

[authorellenmint]

If Varric had comments after you recruit companions:

Varric: So we have an abomination now? Word of advice, keep him away from explosives…and chantries.

Varric: A griffin? Really? Is there any other long thought dead shit we’re bringing back to life? And it’s not even named feathers. Rook: Why feathers? Varric: Long story.

Varric: A giggly, sunshine elf who’s got a good chance of blowing us all up. Where have I heard that one before?

Varric: For Rivani to give us a Qunari says a lot about Taash, or all that sun and nature has burned Isabela’s mind.

Varric: Rook, did I run into a walking skeleton chewing on one of those creepy wolf statues? Rook: That’s Manfred. He’s Emmerich’s friend? Varric: And here I just assumed I’d finally gone mad.

[upallnightallday]

I will never ever get over the fact that Isabela has to fight the final battle in that outfit.

Like I love this game. It has flaws in writing and some things feel rushed, but overall it is very good game.

The biggest issue I have with the Lords of the Fortune outfits. I couldn't use the on Taash gets if you choose their Rivani side because what the hell.

[wickedapostate]

Rook Faction Ask Meme

A collection of questions based off each of the faction options, meant to help expand on Rook's background.

Antivan Crows

How were they recruited to the Crows?

What was their first kill/job like? When was it?

What kind of jobs are their specialty?

How do they feel about house De Riva?

How do they feel about the other houses?

What memories of training have stuck with them the most?

Do they want to become a Talon someday?

Do they prefer working in Antiva of elsewhere?

Grey Wardens

Did they choose to join, forced to by circumstances, or conscripted?

How have they adjusted to the nightmares of the Wardens?

Do they have any plans for things to do right before leaving for their calling?

Where do they come from originally?

What do they think of The Hero of Ferelden?

Have they been to the deep roads?

How did they feel about the wardens before being recruited? What about now?

Do they want to care for a griffin?

Lords of Fortune

What made them decide to take up a life of adventure?

What is their favorite tale of battle to tell?

How far have they traveled?

Do they follow Rivani tradition or a different faith?

Are there any notable figures they've wanted to steal from?

How much are they in it for themself vs to help others?

What's the best haul they've gotten from a job?

When they're sailing, what job do they do aboard?

Mourn Watch

Do they have any theories on how they ended up left in the crypts?

What were their caregivers like? Do they wish they had different ones?

How comfortable are they with spirits?

Do they have a favorite type of spirit to interact with?

Have they put anyone close to them to rest?

What job do they perform for the Watch?Griffin?

Do they get involved in the inner politics of the Watch or try to avoid them?

Before their incident, had they ever left Nevarra before?

Shadow Dragons

What has made them so determined to fight oppression?

How do they feel about their adopted family?

What do they think of blood magic?

Did they receive any martial training?

Have they stayed in touch with anyone they've helped rescue?

What does Tevinter look like ideally to them?

What do they make of Magisters like Dorian who are trying to improve Tevinter?

Do they think of their birth family much?

Veil Jumpers

What sparked their interest in the veil?

What do they think of the elven gods?

What's their strangest experience in the fade so far?

What role do they play while at camp?

What did they leave behind when they joined?

[queenmuzz]

The Testament of Rook

Note: Spoilers for Act 3

Archivist’s Note:  This document was recovered from  an unknown location, and after examinations, it has been declared authentic, and is to be kept in the Minrathous Archon’s Vaults, for use in historical research.

I, Zea Ingellvar, a Crypt Gaurd of the Mourn Watch, being of sound mind and body and…well..  Lets just get down to business, you all know it’s me writing this.

To Neve, to whom I still believe that I do not deserve your friendship, after I failed you and your city:  That hood you bought me when you and Bellara dragged me to the Dock Town market.  I loved it, it was light, flexible,  but still kept the sun out of my eyes.  My eyes might not have the same sense of colour theory as you, but I thought it really went well with the colour of your eyes.

Also: Please take whatever money I have, and treat yourself and Lucanis to that fish dinner.  I swear I wasn’t avoiding having it with you because of my diet.  I’ve been told the people in the coasts of Nevarra eat fish on occasion, and use the bones to fertilize their rocky fields.  Thus, the spirits of the fish are pleased.  I’m pretty sure a whole fish would be worth me trying out once.  Any other money remaing, please distribute to any orphans in Minrathous.  

I wish you two happiness that trancends the grave.

AN: written in a script often used by Tevinter mages: So like you, to be concerned about the little ones.  Damn it all.

To Lucanis, a man who taught me that I should not be hasty to judge others, whose fighting spirit is worth far more than an entire army:  I give you my set of coffee cups.  Whenever you drink from them, may you have good memories of the times we share.  Let them be sweet, and not bitter. Ppl ppppp poop pink n

PS.  Don’t you dare set them in a display cupboard and never use them like your grandmother does with her finest China.  I WILL haunt you. 

PPS. You better treat Neve right, or I will SUPER haunt you.

 AN: a style mainly written by the Antivan Crows 

Your threats do not not frighten me, friend, but you do not worry, both things will be loved and cheris- WHERE IS SHE- Spite, she is no longer with us. BRING ROOK BACK.AN: We are unable to ascribe the source of the text that interrupts the crow text, but it is written in the same ink, thus confirming it was written at the same time.

To Bellara, to whom I will never regret spending any time in your book club with, no matter how animated you got about a particular subject:  I give you my collection of Nevarran romance novels.  I really wanted to get around to sharing with you, I had a good feeling you’d like them.  I know we as a people in Nevarra are known to have an obsession with death, which seems counterintuitive when it comes to romance.  But when death is treated as an old friend, and not as an enemy, or a predator to be feared, love can transcend even the grave.

AN: Tevinter script

We’ll make sure to bring her back, Zea.  She would love to read them.

To Taash, whom has the body of warrior, but the soul of a dragon:  I was thinking back to what you said about Rivani memorial customs, and taking something from the body to wear as a keepsake.  Perhaps you’d like one of my teeth?  

NOPENOPENOPENOPENOPE 

(AN: We believe both this interjection and the one below are from the Dragonslayer Taash, before she became celebrated in Rivain for her exploits)

I kid… I kid.  No doubt you are ranting at this very moment about how ‘weird’ it would be.  I don’t blame you.  As a consession, I give you my greathammer, Lamentation’s Rest.  It may not serve you well when facing a dragon, but it is very effective against the undead and demons.  Against the latter, it is enchanted to deal great harm to them, to the former… Well, my record for launching a skull is 132 feet.  Let’s see you beat that.

YOU’RE ON.

To Lace Harding, one of the first people I ever was able to call a ‘friend’:  My bequeathment is simple.  A rock.  To be more specific, it is Nevvaran fine grade granite, the type we use to construct our monuments of.  When I first left the Necropolis, I brought it with me, as if to carry a little bit of home.  It kept me grounded those first few nights when I lay awake at night, terrified I would fall into a sky I had never seen before.  You are a Child of the Stone, and just like this rock, you helped keep me steady in a world I had never experienced before.  

Also, it hurts like hell if you get hit by it, so if you were to say…throw it at an archdemon or a god, I daresay it could do some damage.  I’m going to chuck this rock so hard at Solas’s head, they’ll be able to hear the echo of its impact all the way in Ferelden.  (AN:  The remaining additions, except when noted,  can be attributed to Lace Harding, former member of the Inquisition) 

I wish the two of you joy unending, seeing the two of you smiling at each other could cause a stone to weep.

To Darvin and Assam: I know you both have little need for excess items. A warden’s life almost never includes stability.  Still, I’ve seen how talented you are with your wood carving, so I hope my set of knives and whetstone will serve you well.  If we managed to defeat the Blight once and for all, perhaps you’ll need another profession after this, and ‘Darvin the Defeater of the Blight, and Master Woodworker’ sounds incredibly amazing.  Just remember, Make my figurine the biggest. 

Assam, I give you my hopes.  One day, I want the skies of Arlathan to echo with the sounds of you and your siblings' descendents' cries.  That no poacher will dare to enter your forests, out of fear of your majesty.  

Oh Zea… you knew at the end…  you already knew.

To Varric Tethras:  The man who gave me a new purpose in life, when I was lost and without a guide. I’m glad I met you.  I give you the three volumes of my diaries of our travels together.  The fourth one is reserved for another.   I’m not saying they’re worthy of publishing or anything, but they might help with your references, or if you want to set a story in Neverra. 

?????  ????  AN:  This entry is confusing, as when the earliest it could have been written, Varric Tethras was deceased.  No explanation for this is given, but scholars insist that it is a genuine part of the document.

AN:  From here on, both the font and writing style changes dramatically.  Historians have debated the authenticity of this section, but cross referencing letters written before and after this document, the theory is that she has shifted her style reserved for the Mortaliasi, specifically the Mourn Watch. It is considered a more intimate form of speaking to fellow necromancers.  To Manfred, a loyal friend and companion:  There are tales of heroes who have done nigh impossible feats to save even one person, and you did that to save many.  You are a spirit of curiosity, and yet you have become more.  Never was I so glad as the day you came back to us, your spirit alight with veilfire, and how happy you were to return.  Alas, I am no spirit like you, and no amount of necromancy can bring me back.  I can only  hope you will understand in time, and accept my apology.  

I bequeath to you my brooch.  Let the love and care of the man who first gave it to me be passed onto you, that you may both be a support for each other.

Where. Is Rook?

AN: Author unknown of this above line, as it is written in a childlike scrawl, and there is no record of any children in Rook’s entourage.

A separate page is included.  There is some water damage to it, possibly by rain, but most of the words are legible.

FOR EMMRICH VOLKARIN’S EYES ONLY

My Dearest Emmrich:

I’m so sorry about that argu

Of course I would open my big fat mouth and

I know nothing I will say will take the pain away.  No apology, no self-deprecatory joke will bring relief.  I know this, I’ve seen it happen many a time as loved ones interred their dead.  It is a wound that only time may close, and even then, there will be scars.

So instead of dwelling on how and why I am no longer with you, let me bequeath you this:  Who I was and what you mean to me..  You know the basics, of me being an infant foundling left on top of a pile of bones.  It was the bedrock of who I was. That from the very start, I was unwanted.  Unneeded. To be discarded when convenient.   When the magic talent I was certain would manifest eventually never came, I fell deeper into despair.  I would never be a proper necromancer.  At best I could be a weapon, a bulwark to protect the living and the dead.  And Maker, how I tried to find my place in the Mourn Watch, tried to earn the respect of my peers.  Only to be cast out when I could not even do that.  Yes, Varric and the others helped in their own ways, but I still felt like I was not worthy of anything. And then, I met you.  You, a man of exquisite talents and grace.  A man who saw the world of the living and dead as I did,  a man of incredible empathy and intelligence.  You did not look down upon me, nor did you even pity.  Instead, your words were of admiration and respect.  You were like a mirror being shown to one who had never encountered one before.  You saw me as I could not even see myself.  That I was worthy of your love and affection.  And slowly, you chipped away at the self loathing that had accumulated, and made me realize the truth.  That I was not only worthy in your eyes, but in the eyes of everyone else.  The only regret  is that I had not met you sooner.  Perhaps if I had gone to the memorial gardens to enjoy the ambience more often instead of viewing it as another chore to tend the graves, we may have encountered each other, and had more precious moments to spend together.

AN: Both the words ‘regret’ and ‘memorial gardens’ were circled in red ink by who we assume is Professor Volkarin.

When you stated your desire to become a lich, I would never stand in your way, as who was I to tell you otherwise?  But secretly, in my deepest thoughts, I desired you to remain mortal, not because I preferred flesh to bone, but because I knew that you would lose something essential to you.  When you gave up your dream to bring Manfred back, and I saw the delight and joy in your eyes, I loved you even more. There, I said it. I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

Like I said, I cannot take the pain away, nor your fear of death, but I say one thing now:  That no matter how long it takes, I will remain on the threshold, waiting for your arrival so that I can  I can only pray that gives you peace.

Yours in eternity, Zea 

AN:  Below is what was a blank space, now filled with formulae, diagrams, arcane sigils written in red ink.  The words ‘Prison’  ‘The Fade’  ‘Regret’ are repeated several times.   Several passages are smeared, either accidentally, or on purpose.  Water damage before the ink has dried is substantial in certain places

The last few lines are written messily.  ‘The Fade is thin in the Memorial Gardens….perhaps…” it trails off into incomprehensibility.

Only the very final line is legible.

I WILL find you, my dearest.

[1queasycrow]

TLDR Taash’s culture arc was good actually and the choices were more nuanced than you might think.

DRAGON AGE THE VEILGUARD SPOILERS AHEAD

So, full disclosure I have not seen any of the Taash arc discourse first hand, only heard it through other posts. What I gather is that people find Taash’s arc to be lacking nuance and that is fair, culture and heritage is a deeply personal topic with A LOT of nuance. However, this depiction feels very accurate to my own personal experience. Let me explain.

A little backstory, don’t worry it’s short: I was born in China but raised in Canada, racially/ethnically I am 100% Chinese, culturally I was raised by white parents. I have no connection to my racial background save what I look like.

I have seen biracial people say that it’s difficult not being “x” enough for one side and not being “y” enough for the other which does sound familiar but that isn’t really the situation Taash or I finds ourselves in.

Taash has little to no connection to their racial background as a Qunari. So not integrating it into their new Rivani identity makes more sense than one might think. I have very little interest in integrating Chinese culture into my identity for a variety of reasons not least of which is how out of place I feel when surrounded by other East Asians.

So I do not begrudge people for wishing for more nuance in a very delicate topic but I do think that the situation Taash is in, is not perhaps, the one many people think it is.

[hanktalkin]

If I were to re-write the Taash story line

easy point, do away with those codex entries entirely

speed up the crisis a bit, have this be something Taash has been struggling with for a while but only something they're willing to bring up when you're closer and have proved yourself ideologically different from Shathann. Basically I don't want Neve to be the who brings them into the fold, but I want to keep the conversion where the Inquisitor confirms what they're feeling isn't unique because I think that's my favorite part

create an in-universe Rivaini word for nonbinary. Hell, the Rivani see spirit possession as easy as going to the market, I bet they're used to using a multiple they for a singular person, maybe they have a particular word for two people sharing a body. It doesn't reflect what Taash is feeling, but it's close enough, close enough to appropriate, and people Get their pronouns just from that. Depending on your route, they debate between using the Rivaini word or aqun-athlok (which is for binary trans people, so it's not quite right either)

either way, during the coming out dinner, Shathann is confused (if Taash is aqun-athlok, she thinks they're trying to come out as a man, if they use the Rivani word she's just straight up unfamiliar) and it blows up

I'd add one more bit about Shathann coming to terms with this in between the dinner scene and her disappearance. Maybe a codex entry of her asking (invasive but well meaning) questions. (She is a scholar after all)

yank the whole "doing a Bharv" bit. Just have Isabela mess up their pronouns, say sorry, move on, and have Taash comment that there's still a way to go with the Lords but they're glad they still have them