#sylani lavellan

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if only you knew how confounding you are, how impossibly infuriating.

things i could look at forever: this. please don't report or claim as your own.

[lizzybeeee]

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The lovely Sylani Lavellan!

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in the after hour; inquisitor x blackwall ficlet

needed to write my beloved Sylani Lavellan and Blackwall together again, so here's a little ficlet after the events of the Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts :) a lot of guilt, some romance, some tension. the good stuff! also on ao3

It is strange that the night goes on after history has been made. Just some hours ago, Blackwall watched the Inquisitor prevent a coup and end a civil war in Orlais. She stood there, facing down the nobility, terrifying and bold. With her resolve and quiet fury, the night should have stopped in its tracks. The moons should have shone high and bright for as long as she wished for it. If she could order about an Empress, surely she could command nature itself. 

Yet, the clocks are ticking and the stars are gleaming and the moons hurry away behind the clouds. 

In the quarters assigned to the Inquisition, servants move around near invisible. There is weariness in the air, the smell of rich sweet wine. Cullen has long left for his room. Leliana is upholding Josephine by her arm. Poor Lady Ambassador is in no state at all, sputtering between amazement and frustration at all the work that is to be done tomorrow, and the day after, and more. The Inquisition has yet again meddled in all things political, exercising its will. 

“You don't need to do anything right now, Josie,” Leliana reassures her, guiding her away.

Dorian is quietly sipping a small mug of hot wine by one of the fireplaces, Vivienne beside him, joined in a quiet conversation. 

Inquisitor sits alone by another fireplace, her chin resting in her hands. Warm light flickers over her, highlighting the tiredness that set into her bones and skin. Her black hair is flowing down her shoulders, an elaborate updo undone, tiny red gems still flickering, woven in. 

“My Lady?” he asks, approaching, and she moves to make space on a cushioned bench. The folds and skirts of her dress whisper softly against the plush of the seat. Her lips turn into a warm smile of welcome, all for him, a rare sight for any other. 

“I can't decide if going to sleep is worth it anymore. It's almost sunrise.”

“You've done the impossible today. I think it has earned you a sleep in, at the very least.”

Sylani smiles and lets out a small sigh. 

“The impossible, huh.”

She gives the room a quick glance before leaning closer. Blackwall cannot help but admire the shine of her big eyes as she looks at him. His heart fills with quiet joy and yearning. If only the Winter Palace did not have eyes in every wall and corner, if only those walls did not listen. He would have kissed her. He would have made a beautiful mess of her red lips. Some part of him still wants to do it, caring little for those eyes in the walls.

“Speaking of the impossible… You've never told me. About the Silverite Wings of Valor.”

Blackwall feels a whiplash of warmth against his cheeks and coldness creeping up his spine. A sensation all too familiar. 

“I can only imagine the story behind that,” she adds. Staring up at him, admiration and awe in perfect mixture. She wants to know, she wants to drop the walls he built around himself, to get to the core of him. She wants to share in his bravery, to be proud of him.

If only she knew how close she was to making it happen. But sometimes even the most appetising fruit has a rotten core.

Blackwall takes her hands in his, her delicate calloused fingers looking so beautiful against his crude scarred palm. 

“A tale for another time, my Lady. It is not prudent to celebrate my victories when yours take precedent.”

He brings her hand to his lips, hating himself with every fibre of his being. Another lie. Another stone upon his consciousness, threatening to cause a landslide should it all come to light. When. 

Sylani’s free palm rests against his cheek. It's warm, divine and holy. He kisses it where the anchor rests, judging him by Andraste’s mercy. 

“Will you join me?” she whispers, her lips barely moving. “In my rooms?”

Oh the sweet tantalising dream. To have her in the heart of the Empire he used to kill for. To have her, loving and making love to her. To protect her from anything that would disturb her sleep. To be the man she deserves. 

To simply be with her. 

“Are we to become the talk of the Winter Palace, my Lady? That is one certain way to make it happen,” he chuckles.

Sylani returns a soft laugh. 

“I think they have enough to discuss after tonight. But very well. Come watch the sunrise with me, at least?”

She is not letting go of his hand, curling hers over his fingers. There is strength in her and resolve. The steel he has in his sword, but not in his spine.

“That I can do, my Lady.”

He presses his lips to her hand once again, eyes closed.

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having a DAI craving, so I reinstalled it on my pc and remade my inquisitor Sylani and I love her so much and I'm so excited to do this journey with her again 😭❤️

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all they need; inquisitor x blackwall

a little ficlet I wanted to write after reaching the first romance scene again in DAI 🥺 also on ao3

It felt like all the pieces had fallen into their right place.

In the privacy of her bed chambers, she felt Blackwall's ravenous lips and no less demanding hands, his heartbeat mad and loud, matching her own. He kissed her insatiably, like any moment it could end forever, and neither wanted it to end.

How long have they danced around each other, glances thrown like a hook into water, attempting to find out if there is anything to catch. Flirtations, admirations, hopes.

And despite the barrier that was erected between them by her title of the Inquisitor and his duties as a Warden, they broke through it.

And now she feels her fingers scrambling for purchase against the balustrade, her whole body pressed against Blackwall, his mouth slowing into gentleness. Her mind is swimming in hazy pleasure, her body not belonging to her, everything drifting.

“My Lady,” Blackwall whispers. “Forgive my passion. You are quite irresistible.”

She smiles at him, seeking his elusive gaze. She does not know magic, but it feels as if time itself has stopped for them by the sheer force of magic present in the moment.

She grounds herself by touching the fronts of his tabard, rough surface under her calloused fingertips. But there is warmth there, seeping through from his body, only a few layers separating her from it. From him.

“No need to apologise,” she reassures. “That is what I like about you. Among other things.”

Blackwall cups her cheek, watching her for a moment. His eyes are warm and genuine, his palm is careful.

An intimate spark passes between them, a single moment of sobriety and decisions. What do they do next? What is allowed and what do they want, does it align? He could go, but she won't let him, and he wouldn't.

“Stay,” she whispers, and this is all they need.

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stay with me; inquisitor x blackwall ficlet

i think we all deserve some sleepy times with Blackwall and Inquisitor. brought to you by me being sleepy! also on ao3

Countless meetings in the war room, the weariness of travel, the midnight tinkering by the weapon table - all of it had to take a toll on the poor Inquisitor sooner or later. And Blackwall knows it has finally reached her when he finds his Lady fast asleep in a narrow alcove in one of Skyhold's many halls.

The moonlight softly shines on her face, casting shadows of the tall birches right outside. In her sleep, she is peaceful and untroubled.

Gently and with care, Blackwall kneels beside the Inquisitor and touches her hand.

She flinches, moves and blinks herself awake. What follows is a gentle smile that makes his heart ache with love.

"I must have..." she stammers, looking around. Her cheeks flush, her black hair fluffs in sleepy mess above her long pointed ears.

"Let me take you to your chambers, my Lady," Blackwall offers.

The Inquisitor concedes, her nimble fingers drowning in his palms, and allows him to guide her up the stairs.

Blackwall can tell by the drift of the moons that the hour is quite late. The stars twinkle in the dark sky, and so do the sparks inside the fireplace. It pains him to see how unlived the room looks. No scattered clothing, no signs of personal belongings and random trinkets. As if all of the Inquisitor's time and personality has been scattered across the war room and the whole of Orlesian map.

As she undresses, Blackwall stokes the fire. The warmth of it comforts him, makes him just as drowsy. He throws a few logs into the hungry flame, inviting it to be this night's protector.

"Blackwall?" the Inquisitor calls for him, and he turns. His eyes find his Lady beneath the heap of blankets for the winter's rest. Her eyes, sleepy and hopeful. "Stay with me?"

He approaches her and sits beside her. He has spent enough time with her in this very bed to render this question useless, yet every time she asks.

And every time, just like now, he says, "Of course I shall, my Lady."

The Inquisitor sleeps well that night. A long time, way past the farmers' rising, past the rooster's calls and even past the sunrise. Her head against Blackwall's chest, his arms around her frame. Nothing to disturb her rest, only the quiet gentle kisses that he presses against her forehead and awaits, awaits, awaits...

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Sylani: 20, 4

Cherish: 25, 27, 29

thank you so much for the ask :D

20. What do they like that nobody else does?

Sylani - in some twisted way, she likes the Game. But she doesn't like it that *she* likes it. Petty noble squabbles, and especially human ones, are not exactly entertaining and often come with consequences. But there's some strange enjoyment in playing the Game? Stick it to Orlesians, yadda yadda. Having control and the ability to fuck things up. Again, she doesn't like that she likes it, buuut!

4. Do they look good in red?

Sylani - YES! It's one of her favourite colours in fact :D She has red lipstick, she often has red accents or red main in her outfits and even her armour.

25. Safety or possibility?

Cherish - possibility. She will go head into danger if there's a chance of More.

27. Forgiveness or vengeance (or…)?

Replied here.

29. What recurring dreams do they have?

Oh I like this one, I haven't really thought about it. I think she has a lot of strange dreams of her past but doesn't know it is that. A lot of nightmares about choices go wrong, the same kind of nightmare in different flavours.

OC Asks that reveal stuff

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forever thank you to Sumalee Montano for giving my favourite Inquisitor oc her voice 😭❤️

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OOOOh 🔥 , 🔪 and 💚 for both Cherish and Sylani !!

dude thank you for the ask!!

🔥 FIRE - do they have any self destructive tendencies? what habits do they have that hinder them from becoming their best self?

Cherish - YES. That was actually a huge part of her development where she had some incredibly dark months which was all self-destruction. A lot of anger, a lot of giving in to impulses, a lot of doubt, a lot of mistrust and a lot of more physical self-destruction. Luckily, she got help and she can manage that very well and is in a happier place mentally and physically!

As for Sylani, I would say her reservedness *is* her self destructive tendencies. It prevents her from speaking out when it's necessary or going for chances. It's rare that she can break out of that shell and she's painfully aware of it. Which also leads to her occasionally being easily manipulated.

🔪 KNIFE - how do they react to injury / misfortune befalling their loved ones (significant other, family, friends)? do they put themselves at blame?

Cherish would immediately go for the source of that injury and try to fix/kill that first (unless it's Crow. if it's Crow, she's by his side instantly).

Sylani is a much more cool-headed in such situations, she wouldn't blame herself but she'd be sharply focused on helping first, ruminating miserably later. But in her heart, she's very definitely hurting for whoever got injured.

💚 GREEN HEART - what things make your oc feel comforted? hugs, kisses, food?

Both Sylani and Cherish enjoy some good and hearty comfort food and some kisses and cuddles for sure. Both are also comforted by being able to do their hobbies without distraction (both are tinkerers!). Additionally for Cherish it's going on hikes, she feels very comforted when she's able to disconnect and just hike all over her favourite locations.

OC Emoji Asks

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no time lost; inquisitor x blackwall;

I'm having feels for these two again, so I prompted myself from this prompt list. i feel so many feels. also on ao3

9. "i cannot bare to be apart from you anymore."

Blackwall has forgotten all about what intimacy is like.

The fire of lust that warms his skin, the cloud of pleasure, covering his mind. But most importantly, a lover’s gaze, unashamed and yearning for him.

He basks in the warmth of the aftermath. Inquisitor, bare in his arms and only for him to see, rests. He would greedily hide her from the moon, so that only his eyes may see the beauty of her body.

Blackwall loves those moments, the very edge between nightfall and dawn. Nothing but the sound of crackling fire in the hearth, not even a stray snowflake from the flurry outside disturbs them. The castle sleeps, but he and the Inquisitor are awake still.

Sylani blinks slowly, her head cradled against his shoulder. He feels her long hair, falling down her shoulders, a rare sight - and all the more precious. Her hand rests against his chest, and her calloused fingertips brush against his skin, above his slowly thumping heartbeat.

His fingertips brush against her breasts, softness caught under his rough hands. Her body shivers, pressing closer, seeking refuge and trusting him.

How could he deserve such tenderness of touch? How could he deserve her?

Blackwall moves his hand, taking Sylani’s, bringing it against his lips. Her fingers, her knuckles, her palm, and then her wrist. He feels her heartbeat rise, and kisses the throb of the pulse.

“I never want this night to end,” she whispers, caressing his cheek. He leans into the touch, savouring the warmth of her palm against it. Sylani never shies away from the bristle of his beard, nor from the tired crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes as he looks at her.

“Neither do I. None of it.”

He takes her in his arms and guides her down to the bed. Ever careful not to crush her, but utterly unable to stop the current of thoughts that she brings upon him. All want aside, a tide of affection washes over him as he presses her against the bed.

“I cannot bear to be apart from you anymore,” he mouths against her neck. And he means it, every word, every syllable, and he knows he must impress it against her skin to make the meaning known.

“You don’t have to be,” she whispers in-between the quiet sighs. Blackwall feels the circle of her arms around him, her fingers in his hair. And he feels the truth of her words, too. Her embrace makes it known where he must remain - in her arms. No matter what.

“My Lady,” he kisses her ear, the earlobe, then the delicate pointed angle.

Sylani smiles, and he kisses her smile, too. Irresistible, he finds her.

The night continues, but the time slows down. Perhaps, it is the magic of the castle, or the more delicate magic of love and love making. But Blackwall loses count of minutes, of hours, submerged in the Inquisitor’s affection. 

And there is no time lost.

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some gouache aesthetic minis for my Sylani Lavellan and for me to remember how gouache works 😅

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Desire, nightmare, and/or wound, for Sylani please!! (from the not-so-nice asks)

ough thank you!

desire: What's one thing your OC wants more than anything in the world? Are they open with that desire? Why or why not? What would they do to fulfill it?

I think Sylani has two big desires: 1. to be left alone 2. be directly responded to by Mythal.

I would say post-DAI she got both her wishes actually :D

nightmare: What does your OC have nightmares about? How do they deal with their nightmares? Do they tell people, or keep it to themself?

I think her nightmares are of a more generic kind, relating to events of the past few days, enhanced by stress and exhaustion. But after Trespasser, her nightmares are more present-time driven, and also made worse by the fact that she drank from the Well of Sorrows!

wound: How does your OC handle being wounded? Are their wounds mostly physical? Mental? Emotional? What's the worst wound your OC has ever experienced?

Sylani is quite resilient when it comes to physical harm, she can endure pain for long stretches of time, not that it doesn't affect her, of course. And losing her arm during Trespasser really messed her up for a long while because she's an archer and an artificer, but that got sorted out later. That would totally also count as the worst wound!

Mental-wise, she's incredibly sensitive and it's very easy to hurt her that way, words are a weapon. She definitely hurt a fair bit in her years as the Inquisitor, but from youth she learnt to keep a sort of a poker "cold queen" face, so you wouldn't realize just how bothered she is by what you say. It definitely contributes to her image as someone indifferent, because she just closes up like a clam.

Not-So-Nice Asks

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i found the best. skyrim. mod. EVER. (found it here)

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Armor, alternate, and one of your choice for Sylani please!! (From the character design ask game)

oh thank you, this is fun :)

armor: What kind of armor does your OC wear? Is it well kept? Bonus: where does it come from? Is there a story behind it?

Oh I actually have a picture of her in my fav armour, here.

As a rogue with a bow, she has comfortable gloves to do her archer stuff, her leather armour is flexible, chainmail part to protect also - and in her fav colours of blue and red! No story to accompany it tho.

alternate: What would your OC's alternate universe look be? If they're a fantasy character, what's their modern look? If they're sci-fi, what's their fantasy look? What AU would you want to see your OC in, and how would they dress themself? Bonus: Prompt an AU!

Oh gosh that is a good question because I have a thousand picrews and doll dress ups made of her lmao. But usually her style doesn't change very much from AU to AU. She combines heavy fabrics with light and translucent ones, always. It's always something with a high neck, often rather flowy, so skirts, dresses or silky shirts. She favours accessories, always a pair of red droplet earrings. So any variation of that for any AU :)

stature: What's your OC's body type? How tall are they? Do they wear clothing to accentuate their look or do they try to mask it?

I'll do this one for my choice :) Sylani is rather fit, obviously, with toned arms :) She's tall (to me hehe), think 170cm (5.7). Her clothes totally makes her seem taller, and she wears her hair in a pony tail or a tall bun, so there's that. And her face is also rather narrow, which contributes!

OC Asks: Character Design Edition ask

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🍂🌾💫

for Sylani please!!!

thank you thank you! :)

🍂 Does your OC enjoy hugs? What do they do as a show of affection for: their friends, their family, their significant other(s) or for strangers? Over all what are they like with recieving affection from others?

Sylani does enjoy hugs, but from specific people only, that she permits in her vicinity! Definitely from her Dalish friends and family, very certainly from Blackwall and a few other members of the Inquisition. She doesn't really initiate hugs because she never knows when it would be appropriate to do so!

🌾 Describe your OC through the eyes of someone absolutely head-over-heels in love with them

HOO BOI, Blackwall's time to shine.

He is besotted with her, okay. He finds her cold composure very alluring and beautiful, he's always delight to find that under that shy and reserved mask is a rather passionate and loving person. He finds her very smart and cunning, too, maybe without her realizing it. Someone who unfortunately gets used on occasion due to not knowing the rules of the Game but also someone who learns from these mistakes.

Someone with a very kind and forgiving heart. Ough.

💫What is your favourite fact about this character and why?

I have a million of those but one of my favourites is that Sylani likes to make her own lipsticks :) Her lips are always that rich deep dark red, and she has her own recipe for a lip balm to make it so.

Soft OC asks

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🥀 for sylani

many thanks for the ask <3 this was made for me lol

🥀 How would your OC decorate a notebook or journal? What kind of things are written in there? Could you give an example of a nice entry?

Sylani would have a very extensive journal :) A lot of writing about her day, her thoughts, some quotes she maybe found in a book, and a fair bit of it written in Dalish. A lot of little ephemera gathered from around, like flower petals or tree leaves, some wax drips.

An example of her entry from a pleasantly rainy day:

"It is not often that we get to stay up in Skyhold, but the rain has been persisting. We are delaying until the roads are safer to travel. But I would not complain! It gives me time to contemplate and pray, and Blackwall managed to steal a handful of cherry pastries from the kitchens, but when he says steal, I imagine he bribed the cooks with his flattery.

It's nice to hear the rain again, I've really missed it. Nothing is as good as rain on the tent at home or the way it plays on leaves, but it is nice enough on the window glass. And it looks beautiful."

Soft OC asks