#the actual Herald went to go get the Mages

[skinwalkingxana]

That prompt list was indeed JUICY.

So, if you reblogged it to have some...

7. “You not giving a flying fuck about me is all I’m seeing right now.” 

For whomever fit best. :)

YESSS I'm always accepting prompts! Thank you for sending this in, have some Post-Therinfal arguments with Cullen and my MCiT Marisol! (Hope this is ok! ^_^) Here's the link to the promptlist this is from

“You not giving a flying fuck about me is all I’m seeing right now.” Despite the pain in her throat, Marisol’s voice carried enough that it echoed off the mountains around them. They were some ways away from the encampment, but there was no doubt their argument could be heard by the others now, even with how deep into the tree line they were. Cullen wanted to have this fight? Fine. She hoped everyone could hear them.

“This has nothing to do with y-!” Cullen started, his hand falling to the hilt of his sword at his side, but Marisol interrupted him before he could finish. “Doesn’t it? Otherwise you wouldn’t have pulled me aside to have this argument!” Marisol jutted her chin up, making sure he knew she wasn’t going to back down. “I told all of you back in Haven what was happening with the Templars and Mages! I even told Josephine not to bother with gathering the nobles- ” “You could have told us sooner! “ It was Cullen’s turn to interrupt her now, his eyes practically glowing from how intense his eyes bore into her. “ We could have marched to Therinfall weeks ago and saved them all before they began taking Red Lyrium! Could have saved Lord-Seeker Lucius before Envy took over!” Marisol wanted to vomit at the mention of Envy, but her blood was boiling so hot in her veins she felt she could have taken on ten of it and kept going. She wanted to punch Cullen. There was no way he could be this blind, not after everything he just saw! “Envy was already masquerading as the Lord-Seeker way back in Val Royeaux! That damage was already done long before I got here!” “You could have told us before we sent you! You knew what Envy was doing there! We could have-“ “Could have what? Exposed an Envy demon in the middle of a large populated market? Run up to whatever Templars we could find and tell them they were following a demon around? You were one of them, tell me how you think that would have gone down?” Her words finally landed, albeit more roughly than she had intended. He turned his face so quickly away from her, one would think Marisol actually had punched him. Their angry huffs blossomed into vapor as it warmed the air in front of them, though his had begun to slow as whatever fight Cullen had left drained out of him. His shoulders had begun to sag, but she was still fuming. Marisol shoulder checked him as she attempted to pass, not caring that he was larger and in heavier armor than her. Instead of moving out of her way, he reached a hand out and caught her by roughly by her wrist. “Wait I-“ “Cullen, I swear to my God and yours if you don’t let go of me right now, one of us isn’t walking out of these woods alive.” It was an empty threat, both of them knew it, but he at least had the decency to let her go.

[notebooks-and-laptops]

Cassandra Pentaghast is a really interesting character and for me a big part of that is how she absolutely does not want to be the inquisitor. In Dragon Age 2 we see her desperately trying to find Hawke (and it's implied the Warden) to lead the inquisition and she's SO eager to put this new possibly-not-even-Andrastian-not-even-human in charge at the beginning of inquisition that she will gaslight gatekeep girlboss her way into doing so. Once you reach skyhold she even bows out on wartable meetings. She has 0 interest in Any Of That actually and will go to bizzare lengths to take herself out of the picture.

But she's...one of the more obvious choices. She's already a folk hero who symbolises heroics for the chantry. She is powerful, and commands respect and attention from those around her even if she's not a 'people person'. She was the right hand of the divine and worked well within that role as far as we are told. She is not a templar, she is a Seeker, but one not involved with What Went On With Cole and Gang In Assunder so much so she's as neutral as the chantry probably wants to get when it comes to the mage vs. templar conflict.

But she wants to nope out SO BAD. She is DESPERATE not to be in charge. She hates it. Doesn't want it. She doesn't want to be Divine either, and I think that builds a lot on all this.

IDK man i think it's such an interesting part of her character and the way that she interacts with the Herald.

[omilkandhoneyteao]

I need to add on to the Viktor thing cause that’s literally my man and the direction they went with him is something I can’t grasp

ARCANE SEASON 2 SPOILERS

I’m sorry but the machine herald wasn’t even machine, it was magic!!! He’s not the Magic Herald, he’s the machine herald and yet they didn’t include any of that??

Correct me if I’m wrong because I don’t play League but isn’t the Machine Herald’s whole thing still being a man but wanting to IMPROVE humanity by taking away their weaker parts by exchanging them for machinery? And yet, in arcane, he doesn’t give a fuck and is just turning in to the people he “helped” in to mindless husks? Also when he got blown to bits by Jayce, I really thought he was gonna replace himself with mechanical parts but NO THEY JUST MADE HIM EVEN MORE MAGIC???

Like it’s so weird that they also kinda tried to make it seem like it was Viktor’s fault for becoming what he became when like

That man just wanted to get better??? Like the scenes with Jayce were sweet but the whole “you were trying to perfect yourself” NO SIR HE WANTED TO STOP AN ILLNESS THAT WAS CAUSING A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH??? Like idk if people realize this but Viktor was GRIEVING like he found out he was dying which is a gigantic pill to swallow and clearly he wasn’t in his right state of mine and then when he finally accepted his fate, his already short life span was cut SHORTER by the explosion and even then, I feel like it was the scene with the hexcore that took away HIS choice of 1) wanting to just die and 2) destroying the hexcore!

I also fully believe that while Viktor was doing bad things, I think the Arcane was a corrupt form of magic (we’ve seen that there IS good magic like Mel’s) and it was corrupting Viktor in a way that made him think what he was doing was the ONLY way and that he HAD to do because again, he wasn’t in a clear state of mind so I fully believe that he was aware of what he was doing but he truly believed this was the ONLY way (like I’ve mentioned earlier it’s so similar to Wanda with the Darkhold and how it was corrupting her when she was at her most vulnerable by showing her what she wanted and that by doing all those bad things, it’s the only way she could get her wish)

Another thing I hated was them revealing that the Mage wasn’t Ryze (IT SHOULD’VE BEEN HE WOULD’VE MESHED SO WELL WITH THE STORY) but Viktor and that he just kept going back in time so Jayce could stop him which is so ???

Like I’m sorry but that’s literally so dumb because it just makes the world of Arcane seem even smaller! Like the way season 2 has been trying to make connections that didn’t need to be there makes it seem like Piltover and Zaun as a whole have a population of 30!

Like it would’ve been so much sweeter (lowkey power of friendship type ship but I’ll leave it at that) if Jayce and Viktor CHOSE to be partners and brothers and friends and whatever it is you see them as and that it wasn’t forced because of “fate” but because of THEIR choice! Like it lowkey just takes away the characters autonomy cause it’s like “well yeah you actually didn’t pick this person it was predestined!!!”

It’s just so disheartening because Viktor is such a good character and to just take away all the good things they could’ve done with him is just upsetting.

[olisephaa]

Arcane act 3 spoilers under the cut. Just ramblings to get my thoughts out until my friends catch up

Im somewhat conflicted abt the ending. The character development, especially of jinx was really well done imo. In season 1, her personality felt very unstable (obviously) and I didn't know how they would make her an actual character but they really did. She feels solid, fully rounded. The sisters together was so nice. Though the death at the end? Kinda unnecessary imo. Don't like the trope of "villain" redeem themselves through heroic act that leads to death.

With viktor, I'm SO GLAD he didn't stay that kind of machine herald. I would've flipped my shit if that became canon. He had been so different from his original personality and felt so stripped of agency in season 2, that I would've been super mad. The organic metal type deal was a fun idea, but man, the hexclaw not really being one at all?? Just like, a third arm that probably only lol players connect to the hexclaw? Kinda whack. The cool saviour design is nice and all, but it didn't really feel like Viktor doing it at all. And him implied to go through hundreds of time lines where he saves Jayce, what, like suddenly coming to his senses and becoming a mage?? How does that make sense? He can't retain his memory all the time if he's truly reliving these events (bc then he wouldn't make some mistakes in the first place) so.. What, he blips in like Ekko into a parallel universe? Idk it felt weird that it's Viktor who's the mysterious mage from season 1

Related but on a more positive note, I'm insane about Jayce being the one to remind Viktor of his humanity. The one constant Viktor can't rationalise away. The doomed yaoi fighting each other turning to embracing in the astral plane to save the world? Incredible. Jayce would love Viktor if he was a worm, as long as he was still Viktor. I genuinely expected him to drop an "I love you" or something on the nose like that, but ig their whole thing is "partners". Also the floating around a fixed point together, the parallel to their very first success with hextech mirroring their last, in the end with them finally reaching each other? We love to see it. Even if it's barely explained

The Caitlyn and Mel vs Ambessa fight was so cool. I couldn't stop myself from making jokes tho like "the botlane duo vs the Toplane otp" bc. With Mel having shields and having been hinted at that she'll be a champion too, it'd be cool if she's a support mage. I'd love another one for my arsenal. I don't quite get her whole storyline with the black rose and the blood or whatever, but that one is left mystical enough that I can appreciate what we got.

Sevika being on the council at the end was Super cool (ZAUN RIGHTS) but also leaves me with way more questions. She's the only Zaunite on the council, and as we can tell still not trusted by a lot of them. I don't know how that would work out, but ig it's a good first step?

NO FR WHERE THE FUCK DID VIKTOR AND JAYCE GO?????

The rest are shorter thoughts, more random

Also SWAIN'S RAVEN CAMEO AT THE END local Swain Main overjoyed

I can't believe Vi and Cait fucked in a prison cell, hours (?) after Vi went through Another traumatic event. Godspeed lesbians

Orianna real!!!! I don't get How Singed did it but the cameo was nice

I do love this new jinx. The characterisation is so nice. The Arcane champs deserved a more rounded character take and I think by and large they got it (we ignore Viktor's weird corruption arc)

Anyway. I hope the viktor VGU won't make Arcane machine herald the base canon bc he sucks. Would make a cool skin tho.

[thedizzydinosaur]

@konmaao3

"Rayla, what the actual hell have you done."

It took callum longer than he'd like to clamber up the side of the icy building his best friend/girlfriend/biggest headache was currently sitting on the roof of.

Rayla was perched on the apex of the roof, a mug of mulled wine in one hand and a shit eating grin on her face. The latter was never a good sign.

In the square below them, in the center of a growing crowd of shouting people, an immense bonfire was raging. A bonfire that was not supposed to be there.

"It's cold. So I lit a fire." Rayla explained simply, patting the bit of roof next to her, inviting him to sit next to her. "Turns out those stupid gossip magazines make for brilliant kindling."

Callum grumbled to himself, and plopped down next to her.

The two of them were in the middle of a sneaky winter's get-away to delbar, to get away from their responsibilities for a week or two, and so they could attend one of the many story teller's festivals that went on at this time of year.

But, thanks to some eagle eyed sod with a camera, the papers, tabloids and gossip magazines on both sides of the border now knew they were here, and Rayla was pissed.

And drunk.

And apparently had decided that arson was a brilliant form of protest.

"You realise that no one at the daily herald is gonna be happy that you set the yule deer outside their offices on fire, right?" Callum swiped the mug from her hand to take a sip.

"Thought you said they get set on fire anyway." Rayla protested, pouteding in an adorable way that usually won him over

"In the new year, rayla, it's considered bad luck to burn it beforehand."

"Oh."

They sat together and watched the as the straw and timber deer finally collapsed under its own wight into the fire, sending embers and shouts skywards.

"I mean, I'm not saying that they don't deserve some bad luck for some of the shit they write, but I think, juuust think, that we should head back to the hotel and pretend we were never here." Callum handed rayla back her mug.

"Unless you wanna tell the guards that are turning up in force what you did?"

Rayla drained her mug in one go, shrugged, and bolted off in the direction of where they were staying.

Callum rolled his eyes at her retreating back, summoned his mage wings and took off after her.

[elvhenprince]

da:i timeline: the herald and the inquisitor

for my canon of sulevin being the inquisitor and revanni adaar being the one with the anchor

pre:da-i

the valos-kar mercenaries and clan lavellan have a deal: clan lavellan provides gear repairs, healing, potions, valos-kar helps them get materials and stuff that's hard for them to access otherwise.

revanni initiated this at first- she'd heard rumours of strange dalish magic, and wanted to see if magical HRT was possible with them (it was), bc no way in hell a circle was going to do anything for a random qunari

keeper deshanna oversaw the transitioning procedures and rituals, his son, sulevin, assists. in the check-ups afterwards sulevin mostly handled those because dad thinks his son could do with foreign friends (they do become good friends)

the conclave

the animals went silent, no nature noises- sulevin, attuned to listen for warning signs, immediately notified the mercs about it. revanni offered to go into the conclave to warn them, while sulevin led the valos-kar mercenaries out of there. that's why revanni was the one with the anchor, and how the rest survived but did not see corypheus at first

da:i start

after revanni has solas and varric join her and cass, and before making the decision between the mountain pass or the valley- sulevin joins the party. he's concerned over the new anchor, and revanni does very quick introductions before htey move on.

revanni immediately defers to sulevin's judgement on the first big decision to be made. they went through the mountain pass bc sulevin has magic to help in travelling even faster.

> Big Rift sealed

revanni taken in for healing, sulevin uses this time to catch up on what he missed. he's annoyed that he isn't allowed in to check on her personally, but he gets it. cassandra questions him a bit, but decides to trust him because he did go to great lenghts to help.

to properly catch up, he talks to varric and solas.

revanni wakes - and for the most part things arent too dissimilar from game canon, except sulevin leads most of the time. revanni just says "hey he's trained to keep an entire clan of elves alive, i trust his decision making"

the breach sealed

sulevin and revanni stayed behind to face corypheus: while corypheus is distracted with revanni, sulevin launches the trebuchet.

sulevin and revanni both tumble into the cave system, and theyre both pretty injured but manage to make it out together.

by the time they reach skyhold, sulevin has more than proven his leadership qualities. so while revanni still is the herald and mostly the one on the field (though sulevin does join for the big important things, like recruiting templars/mages), sulevin leads the actual organisation.

[salemcantupdate]

hi returning the favor of sending me an ask for the dragon age oc ask game ^-^

for your warden: 13 16

for your hawke: 17 6

for your inqy: 4 10

Ok so I tried answering this once and everything got deleted, time to try again. Anyways, I’ve already answered 13, 6, and 4, but I’ll add them and try to add bonus info for the specific character requested! Now then let’s get to it.

13. What are Warden’ thoughts on the Grey Warden Order?

Surana at first likes the wardens a fare amount, but things get harder as he becomes more official and learns of other sects. The fact that it is traditional for each group of wardens to only have 1 mage? The fact that many of the warden higher ups were angered by his decision to spare the Architect? What he learns during that time? And now he seeks a cure. It's complicated, but at the end of the day they are his people, and he is a warden before he is a mage, a warden before he is an elf. [Additional Information:] He loves the Wardens, but in many ways they disappoint him. The fact that Wardens who receive their callings are so quickly sent away, the fact that if a Warden is injured they’re sent on their Calling early, the lack of research, how blood magic is so finicky, that mages are rarely remembered in the history books for their importance in each Blight, the fact that they don’t put more Ghouls through the Joining. He is upset that the Grey Wardens can’t openly stand with mages. But really he just feels that he is pulled in so many different directions. The elves, the mages, the Crown, and the Wardens. He is tired.

16. Does my Warden get sentimental about armor/weapons?

Yeah! Kind of, but he’s more attached to jewelry that he has received. The Ring of Study from the Circle, the Warden’s Oath pendant, the necklace ‘Reflection’ from “Jowan” in the Urn of Sacred Ashes quest, the earring Zevran gifts him, and the ring that Morrigan gifts him in Witch Hunt. But he did also grow a fondness for Wade’s armor and his specific craftsmanship, especially since he wore that same armor since he got it through all of the DLC’s.

6. What is my Hawke’s attitude towards the Qun?

Hawke considers them inhuman monsters, rather racist about it all tbh, but he hates them. [Additional Information:] He had a strong distaste from the beginning of the game, back in Lothering. All due to the Qunari that killed Bethany’s friend and her family (yes, Sten). His opinion worsened as he spent more time with Anders, who obviously hated how they treated mages. But, during Act 1 and early Act 2, Hawke knew better than to actively anger the Qunari and actually grew a begrudging respect with the Arishok. This went down the drain with the attack on the city. Either way Hawke does the duel with pleasure, after all I got Red Hawke who lives up to his Killer nickname.

17: What was my Hawke like as a child?

He was a very quiet kid, especially since he was basically raised to be constantly scared of the possibility of gaining magic or his father getting caught somehow. When he didn’t gain magic and Beth and Carver was born, he was instead taught and damn near trained to watch the twins like a hawk (haha) for any signs of magic to ensure that he could get them to safety if things went wrong. Essentially, he was being trained to act as a Templar for the family since he was little. He was forced to be an adult from a very young age and essentially parent-ified, more often than not the twins would go to him to settle disputes between them rather than going to Leandra or Malcolm. Another thing, Hawke actually trained Carver how to fight!

4. What is my Inqy’s view on Andrastianism?

Cadash goes through an arc. At first they're overall pretty neutral, it's just the human religion, but as they become the Herald they start to believe it, kind of. But yeah they end up having a way more complicated relationship, which makes sense! They are the Herald after all. [Additional Information:] Cadash actually did consider Andrastianism early on in their career in the Carta, they were feeling guilty as shit and they found some comfort in a Chantry Sister. This didn’t really work out though so they’ve long since shrugged that off by the point of Inquisition, but when they’re suddenly made the head of a Chantry organization is does lead to a bit of an internal crisis. Especially since the Chantry teaches that the Maker didn’t create the dwarves. Why would they be His chosen? They never fully convert I don’t think, and they aren’t really sure if He exists, and even if they aren’t really the Herald they feel a strong kinship with Andrade. But they do end up just accepting the comfort that faith sometimes provides.

10. Is my Inqy good at horse riding?

HA, no, they’re a dwarf. Too short and too heavy at the same time. Plus they’re lowkey scared of horses, freaky buggers. They do however end up getting and riding a nugalope, which they much prefer, they’re just more comfortable for their dwarfy self. They’re still not great at it though.

[britcision]

Okay it’s time for the primer for the Four Heralds AU cuz I’ve got so much to post and some of it only involves the heralds tangentially so other people might read it.

SO!

As the title suggests, there are four heralds of Andraste:

Tavi Adaar - a qunari mage woman, she/her pronouns, bisexual, mostly blind (late stage retinitis pigmentosa), 23

Corin Cadash - a nonbinary dwarf warrior and blacksmith, they/them pronouns, sex positive asexual, ADHD and arthritic as hell, 42

Lluciano Lavellan - an elf rogue, he/him pronouns, femboy, omnisexual twink, seizures both of the motor and absence variety, AuDHD cranked up to eleven, 25

Séamus Trevelyan - a human warrior, trans man, he/him pronouns, gay as hell, chronic insomnia and hard of hearing (binaural, moderately severe), 37

Only Séamus was actually supposed to be at the Conclave, but Lavellan is our game protagonist and victim of most major plot events

(A different group from Adaar’s mercenary troupe were supposed to be sent, but got waylaid on the road so Adaar’s group subbed in since they had the shortest travel time

Lavellan was actually specifically told to stay as far away from the Conclave as possible with his scouting, walked over a single hill, and said “hmm where was I not supposed to go again oh well can’t be important” and went to check out the Conclave

(He was hiding from the other actual Lavellan spy when he came across Justinia and Corypheus)

And Cadash is a menace to society, entirely stealth free, chronic pain bitch who is about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but an unforeseen flu ravaged the local branch of the Carta and since dwarves very rarely get sick, none of them knew what to do about it

Corin, being a blacksmith, at least had a semilogical reason to be carting a large load of lyrium, and no one who talked to them for five minutes would believe they were capable of being a spy, which was close enough at the last minute

Trevelyan is the oldest son of the Trevelyan family in the Free Marches, who hoped he would eventually become a templar right up until this whole “rebellion” thing made it a bit unsexy

He’s a knight instead, and actually prefers living and training with the knights to being at home so he did get himself one whole non-nepotism promotion

Most of his friends and all of his subordinates went to the Conclave with him to keep the peace and be a bit more impartial. Oops.)

This whole thing mainly started with me looking at Cole and going “you know what would be funny and extremely counterproductive? An Inquisitor with ADHD hanging out with Cole”

So now we have four beautiful, disabled, queer heralds because why stop at one?

(Tavi has also been fucking around with time magic, mostly around Slow spells, and it got weird with what Corypheus was doing and accidentally replicated the anchor they were all playing Keep Away with

Lluciano got hit in the face with at least one, he didn’t used to have the green face tattoos but so many Dalish do that no one has asked and he hasn’t noticed yet

None of them are at full power, but they’re not quite even quarters and can combine when focusing on the same rift to speed things up

Corypheus only needs one)

The full herald rundown will be linked here when it exists!

Fic (by me) and art (by @ekwolfwood) will be added in reblogs

Lluciano and Corin are staring in most of it so far, by dint of Luci being the main character and Corin being A Problem On Purpose slightly harder than the other heralds

[fereldanwench]

I'm not entirely sure how much of DAI I'll end up replaying--I'm definitely not doing all the side quests, but I do kinda wanna do the DLCs since I totally slept on The Descent and haven't played the other ones since their release. But until I finish the game or get bored with it, I wanted to do slightly more structured rambling about Valerie in Thedas.

First things first: Yes, Goro also exists in this AU. How? Not sure yet, haha. Story-wise, I immediately envisioned him being a bodyguard for a Tevinter magister, but I'm still musing a lot on the specifics. Pretty-picture-wise, I might attempt to create him in DAI's CC. But that's a big might. I don't have a lot of confidence I could do him justice. I think looking into porting some of DAI's assets to Cyberpunk would probably be the "easier" method, but that's not something I'm interested in pursuing just yet.

Valerie's in-game build is a human archer. I was torn between archer and mage--In her canon, she's guns and netrunning, but more on the guns side so I went with archer. (Also, I just like playing as an archer. Old-time mutuals might remember that's what my canon Inquisitor was, too.)

Her face tattoos were an effort to find something to sort of mimic her cyberware, and of all the options, these were the closest. I was originally going to try it with scars instead, but I lost my first attempt at making her because the scars can crash the Enhanced Character Creation mod, and I didn't want to tempt fate again.

Although I'm obviously playing her as the Inquisitor in this, I don't actually want her to be a big damn hero in Thedas. I kind of like the idea of her being from a disgraced merchant family from the Free Marches who ends up doing fantasy merc work that eventually brings her to Tevinter.

I'm still very much trying to suss out where she'd be politically and religiously. She's been denying that she's the Herald of Andraste, which feels right to me, but I can't decide if she'd believe in the Maker or not. I generally tend to assume the average Southern Thedosian probably doesn't challenge that belief too much, but she might not be average in that regard. To be decided.

I don't have Cole or Dorian yet, but Valerie's quick first impressions of the advisors and companions so far: Leliana: The single most terrifying person Valerie has ever met (potentially across all universes, lmao) Josephine: The only responsible, reasonable adult in the room Cullen: Just because he's a good fighter doesn't mean she can't tell he's a total dork Cassandra: Brash and headstrong, but in a way Valerie very much likes; not too keen on the Herald shit, though Varric: Affable and clever, but senses a whiny streak that might get on her nerves Solas: Arrogant and condescending, has to begrudgingly accept his expertise Blackwall: His beard is so big because it's full of secrets, and those secrets are not about the Grey Wardens Sera: A little over-the-top, but in an endearing way (for the moment) Vivienne: Pompous and powerful, definitely not someone to piss off Iron Bull: Almost suspiciously honest, but she admires the bond between him and the Chargers

[melvinthedepressedrobot]

rambling about characters from my convoluted Dragon Age personal canon bc @bluerose5 asked the other day and I forgottttt (part 1 of idk how many because I HAVE A LOT, but for now u get the Big Three and a couple side characters)

okay so, first up, we have Breick Tabris AKA The Only Gay In The Alienage

A quiet, generally even-tempered young man with a strong sense of justice, never really wanted to be a leader but took it in stride because it was the right thing to do. Took him a while to warm up to the humans in the party, but he opened up a lot more after they picked up Zev and ended up very close with him in particular. Went through with the ritual with Morrigan at Zevran's insistance (and, ah, assistance) and stuck around as Warden Commander for a while before eventually leaving with Zev to search for a cure, leaving a mage they picked up at the tower, Camryn Amell, in charge.

More than anything, Camryn wants peace and bloody quiet, and if she has to set a hoard of darkspawn on fire to get it, so be it. Left in the mage tower after Jowan buggered off, she joined with Wynne after the party helped solve the abomination infestation, and underwent the joining ritual after the Blight. She comes off as abrasive, but she's a good'un, and keeps the Fereldan wardens well in line. Whilst Loghain was recruited into the wardens, she was actually the warden that met up with the Inquisitor through Hawke.

Despite being "cousins something-something-removed", Delilah "Lilah" Hawke seems to have little in common with Camryn - she's bright, loud and impulsive, and can't sit still for more than a minute. She finds making friends easily (and enemies even easier) and loves fiercely - be that her family, friends, or the eventual relationship she forges with Isabela - and, paired with her complete inability to mind her own business, this made the path to becoming the Champion of Kirkwall was a relatively straightforward one. The deaths of her mother and sister, and Carver contracting the taint and having to join the wardens, however, left her with a lot of guilt and Lilah ultimately sacrificed herself in the fade for her cousin and the Inquisitor.

Born into the Lavellan clan, Ala was taken from her family at a young age by slavers, ending up in Antiva after a narrow escape, where she spent some years on the streets, joining a group of thieves but fleeing the city after a job gone wrong and being caught trying to steal supplies by Breick and Zev on the road. They initially planned to find someone to look after her, but found themselves unable to give her up when the time came, particularly after being the ones to name her when she confided in them about her discomfort in being seen as a boy. Under their care, she opened up from a scared, near-silent child fighting to survive into a brave, adventurous girl who could talk for Antiva.

She did eventually reconnect with her clan, and, at 16, went to the conclave on behalf of both her families - using Lavellan as a surname to keep her connection to the Hero of Ferelden secret - and then tripped and fell into being named the Herald of Andraste and made the leader of the Inqusition.

She struggled a bit, as any teenager would, with this responsibility, and the whole Herald thing did almost go to her head, but, really, with the HoF for a dad, it wasn't surprising that she came through in the end. Leliana was, of course, the first the figure out who her dads were, and stepped up to guide her friends' daughter, and Ala also ended up with a very close, sisterly bond with Josie, as well as the nickame "Little Bird" from Varric. And she absolutely ended her adventure decking Solas in the face for lying to her face and breaking her sister's heart.

aaaand last up for tonight, Ala's biological sister, Heulwen. When Breick and Zevran couldn't make it right away to check on their daughter after the conclave, Heulwen volunteered to go and find out what had happened, opting to join the Inquisition and be by her sister's side. Being more patient and observant, she balances out Ala well, and though Ala didn't really remember Heulwen from her early youth, they did grow very close and protective of one another. Which is, of course, why Ala was so pissed when Solas - who Heulwen had fallen hard for, finding him charming and his knowledge (particularly of elven history) fascinating - up and disappeared on them and turned out to be behind the whole mess in the first place.

I did have a whole idea about her having had a kid that is 95% certainly Solas' by the point of Trespasser, but I can never quite decide on that being canon or not.

[the-darkness-does-not-bargain]

Scenes in the Storm Coast: Introducing The Iron Bull

Here he is, everyone’s favorite horned boyfriend!  AO3

The letter finds you at the base of the Frostbacks, one day into your journey back to Haven.  After the salon, it was decided that you would spend the night at the inn attached to the bathhouse and start fresh in the morning.  It was midday when you reached the border town guarding the road back through the snowy peaks, and you were all surprised to be greeted there by a messenger hawk bearing an unknown insignia.

“How did it find us?”  You ask as Camila wrangles the bird and unties the letter from its leg.

Beatrice shrugs.  “I know it’s possible to use a spell to guide messenger birds to their recipients.  It’s not commonly taught, but any mage can learn.”

“Hardly necessary within the Circles, I would imagine,” Mother Superion comments, uncaring or unaware of how Beatrice’s hands tighten on her reins in response.  “What does it say, Camila?”

Camila opens it, scans the first lines, and frowns.  “It’s addressed to you,” she says to you, drawing a scowl to your lips.

“Let me guess, it’s actually addressed to the Herald of Andraste,” you grumble, scowling harder when she grimaces sympathetically.  “Just read it, Cam.”

She takes a deep breath, and then begins to recite.  “Herald of Andraste.  That’s quite a title you’ve come up with, not unlike my own.  I am The Iron Bull, and I lead the Bull’s Chargers mercenary company (see how it ties in?).  I’ve got an opportunity for you that you won’t want to miss.”

“Does anyone know who this guy is?”  You ask, getting mostly head shakes in return.

Mother Superion hums in thought.  “The company name has cropped up sporadically in reports, mostly out of Orlais and Nevarra.  They seem to be legitimate by all accounts, but I know little else.”

Camila continues.  “Tevinter mercs have been spotted creeping around the Storm Coast, poking their noses in local affairs.  It’s never a good sign when Vints are crawling around, take it from me.  I offer this information free of charge, as a gesture of good will.  If you’d like to see what the Bull’s Chargers can do for the Inquisition, come out to the coast and watch us work.  If you’re unsure, just ask around Val Royeaux.  We’ve got references.  We’re tough, professional, and we don’t break contracts.  Come see us in action, and I’ll pay for your drinks if you leave disappointed.”  She pauses.  “That’s it.  The rest is just a map of the coastline, with an X marked down on one of the beaches.”

“Not much to go on.  He must be confident he’s going to get his way,” Beatrice comments, frowning.

“To the Void with that,” Lilith says with a huff.  “References or no, we can’t trust mercenaries in a conflict like this.  This isn’t some petty contract, the fate of the world is at stake!”

“Perhaps that’s why they get involved,” Camila speculates.  “If they help the Inquisition close the Breach… what could be a better reference than that?”

Lilith just shakes her head.  “Absolutely not.  No sellsword would willingly stick their neck out for a job this dangerous without a clear end.  They’d be fools to do so.”

“Lilith has a point,” Beatrice says, looking over at you.  “Which means if they are reaching out to us sincerely, then there must be something besides money and reputation that they want.”  She shrugs.  “That could be helpful, or very dangerous.”

You bite your lip, drumming your fingers along the rim of your saddle and looking out at the road in front of you, the one that will take you back to Haven if you let it.  “If we went to see them,” you venture cautiously.  “How much would that slow us down?”

Mother Superion hums again.  “If we take the most direct route to the coast?  It will add a week and a day onto our journey by horseback.  If we keep a brisk pace, we might reduce that to six days, but no less.”

Okay, not ideal…  You’re anxious to get back to Haven and regroup with the others, but something about this offer is tickling your intuition.  Because, yeah, it’s super weird that some random mercenaries would go to the trouble of sending you a direct message (with magic, no less) offering their services with no expectations (that they’ve stated, anyway).  It’s weirder still that they would go so far as to give up sensitive information for free to entice you.

“This guy talks about another group of mercs from Tevinter, is that something we should be worried about?”

Lilith frowns.  “Tevinter has been too busy dealing with the Qunari.  I have trouble believing they would send any men southward, especially to the Storm Coast of all places.”  She grimaces, as though tasting something bitter.  “But… if they have, then it’s worth investigating.  This Bull character isn’t wrong to be concerned.  If he’s telling the truth, that is.”

You look toward Mother Superion again.  “Apart from time, what would it really cost us to hear them out?”

She runs a pensive hand along her horse’s mane.  “We didn’t pack for an extended trip, but that’s a small issue.  Dora and the others will know to expect delays as soon as my scout reaches Haven.  Beyond that, nothing, unless we agree to hire them.”

You turn the decision over in your mind for a minute more.  “Then… I guess I don’t see the harm in at least hearing their offer.”  You’re not stoked about another six to eight days of riding, but you’re beginning to suspect that trips like this are going to be your new normal.  Good thing you still like camping.

Everyone agrees, if somewhat reluctantly, and you change course to head for the Storm Coast.  You follow the same road through most of the mountains, only veering north when you cross the peaks and can see Ferelden below you.  Once you finish the descent and reach flat ground again, Mother Superion bids you all to move faster, taking up a trot with Lilith and Camila close behind.

“Keep your body loose,” Beatrice advises you when she sees the stricken look on your face.  “And think of the trot like a drumbeat.  It will always follow the same pattern, 1-2-1-2.  Rotate your hips forward on the first beat, in time with the horse’s stride, and then back on the second beat.”  She demonstrates the movement on top of Drakon, raising and lowering her hips in a smooth, practiced fashion.  You are caught in place watching her, mesmerized by the grace of her body and the ease of motion that speaks to strong legs hidden under her robes.  You already know she’s strong, of course, but that doesn’t make seeing it any less affecting.

She makes you repeat the movement several times before she’s satisfied enough to order Drakon into an easy trot.  You hesitantly nudge Mud Pie to do the same, and he complies after a moment of chuffing protest.  It’s fucking nerve-wracking and you’re sure that you’re about to fall off, but you force your hips up and down as she showed you, and eventually you find the rhythm.  It’s still hard, and exhausting, but you don’t fall or even falter as the two of you catch up to the others.  Your thighs burn something fierce by the time you stop to camp, but the ache lessens bit by bit with each day that passes.

The Storm Coast is, for lack of a better term, wet.  Damp as shit.  Fucking soaked.  You suppose you should have guessed from the name, but it really doesn't do the place justice.  When you cross the boundary of the Hinterlands, it’s like someone threw a lever on the weather.  Pounding rainstorms hound you ceaselessly through the first full day of riding, and your party is forced to hide out in a creepy, spider-infested cavern just to get a fire going for the night.  The deluge continues into the next day, and it doesn’t let up an inch until you reach the beaches where the letter directed you to go.

At first, you see no sign of mercenaries, Tevinter or otherwise, only miles and miles of packed sand, jagged rocks, and crashing waves.  The majesty of the ocean is diminished somewhat by the inescapable dreariness of your surroundings, and while you are still thrilled to see it, you do wish the sun would poke through the clouds to brighten things up a little.

It isn’t until you’ve spent nearly an hour scouring the coastline that you finally see the fighting.  Two groups of warriors are beating each other bloody while the sea churns and threatens to sweep them all away.  As you watch from horseback, you can identify the different combatants by their choice of gear.  One group is dressed in unusual, oddly pointy armor that seems foreign to you.  They must be the Tevinter company.  The other group is less uniformly equipped, but they bear the same insignia as your letter, and charge into the fight with the biggest man you’ve ever seen as their vanguard.

If you’re being honest, “big” doesn’t describe him properly.  Massive would be more fitting, or gargantuan.  He must be seven feet tall at least, with shoulders as wide as a druffalo’s and a pair of enormous horns to match.  He wears almost no armor, his torso completely bare of protection, but he seems wholly unbothered by it.  He hefts a battleaxe in the air like it weighs nothing and effortlessly cleaves a man apart with it, spraying blood across the wet sand.  He lets out a booming laugh before kicking another foe in the chest so hard you can almost see their rib cage collapse.

“Should we… intervene?” Beatrice asks, watching the battle with an uncertain frown.

Mother Superion shrugs.  “He wanted us to watch his company work.  Let’s watch them.”

So you wait, observing from a safe distance as the fight progresses to a quick and definitive conclusion.  The horned man and his soldiers crush their opponents with little to no effort, and are already in the process of cleaning up by the time you dismount your horses and walk over to them.

“Chargers, stand down!”  The huge guy rests his axe on the ground and calls to one of the other mercenaries, a short man kicking the corpse of a Tevinter sellsword off to one side.  “Krem!  How’d we do?”

“Five or six wounded, chief,” the man calls back.  “No dead.”

“That’s what I like to hear!  Let the throatcutters finish up, and then break out the casks.”  With this booming command, the guy turns and looks down at your approach with a curious expression.  “So, you’re with the Inquisition, huh?  Glad you could make it.”  He tilts his horns to one side, indicating a lopsided circle of driftwood logs some twenty yards away.  “Have a seat.  Drinks are coming.”

You follow him at a distance, your eyes continually roaming over his form, taking in the bare chest, the muscles, the sheer mass of him.  You think his bicep is legitimately, no joke, bigger than your head, and he stands so tall that you might as well be a toddler next to him.  He also speaks in such a calm, confident manner that it makes you reasonably sure of his identity.  Really, with the horns and the everything about him, there’s only one person he could be.  “I guess you’re Iron Bull, then.”

He smirks, looking almost playful, even going so far as to wink at you as he sits down.  “Yeah, it’s usually the horns that tip people off.  After that, if they live long enough for conversation, that’s when they act surprised.”

His humor draws a grin from you easily.  He’s… charming.  Maybe that shouldn’t be such a surprise, but it’s definitely not the word you had in mind when he deprived a man of his lower half just a few minutes ago.  Speaking of…

“So you wanted us to see you in action,” you broach.  “And you certainly came prepared.”  You take a seat of your own on the log across from him, and to your slight surprise, Mother Superion plants herself next to you, resting both hands on her cane and watching the man with that signature, piercing stare you know all too well.

“The Chargers are always prepared,” he says, shrugging as if it’s a trivial matter.  “We don’t limit ourselves to one kind of contract.  Demons, dragons, talking trees, Vints, you name it, we’ll kill it.  For the right price.”

“Have you had a lot of experience fighting demons before the Breach?” Lilith cuts in, refusing to sit and instead taking her signature posture of crossed arms and straight shoulders behind you.

He hums, his grin fading by a degree.  “Maybe not, but we’re getting more and more by the day.  That’s part of why I reached out to you directly.”  The short soldier, Krem, appears at his side.  “Ah, this is my lieutenant, Cremisius Aclassi.”

Krem nods his head respectfully at you.  “Good to meet you all.”  To Iron Bull, he says, “Throatcutters are done, chief.”

Iron Bull frowns, his thick eyebrows furrowing.  “Already?  Have ‘em check again.  I don’t want any of those Tevinter bastards getting away.  No offense, Krem.”

Krem just smirks, a roguish and handsome expression.  “None taken.  Least a bastard knows who his mother was.  Puts him one up on you Qunari, right?”

Qunari.  Honestly, you feel a little stupid for not realizing it immediately.  Who else is there that would be 7 feet tall and walking around with horns like a dragon’s?  In your defense, you’ve never actually seen a Qunari before now, but you still should have made the connection sooner.  Everyone else assuredly has.

Krem walks off, leaving Iron Bull to turn his attention back to you.  “So, you’ve seen us fight.  We’re expensive, but worth it.  And I’m sure the Inquisition can afford us.”

Can they?  Honestly, you’re not sure, and you glance over at Mother Superion as subtly as you can.  She obliges you.

“How expensive are we talking?” She asks seamlessly.

Iron Bull smirks.  “It wouldn’t cost you anything personally, unless you’re buying the drinks.  But your ambassador, Josephine?  We’d go through her and get the payments set up.  The gold will take care of itself from there.”

Mother Superion’s eyes narrow.  “How do you know Josephine’s name?  She has only just begun her work with us.”

Now, Iron Bull drops the smirk, choosing instead to plant his enormous hands on his knees, both visible and empty.  “Yeah, I suppose that’s something else we should discuss.  Might be useful, might piss you off.  Ever heard of the Ben-Hassrath?”

“The Ben—”

“You’re a spy?” Mother Superion questions sharply, her hands gripping her cane, a dangerous expression on her face.

“Easy, Sister,” he placates, leaning back.  “I’d appreciate it if you waited until after I’m finished before trying to gut me.”  He scratches at the stubble on his chin.  “Yeah, for all intents and purposes, I’m a spy.  We’ll lay that out on the table right now.  It’s pretty simple.  The Ben-Hassrath are concerned about the Breach.  Magic out of control like that could cause trouble everywhere. I’ve been ordered to join the Inquisition, get close to the people in charge, and send reports on what’s happening. But I also get reports from Ben-Hassrath agents all over Orlais. You sign me on, I’ll share them with your people.”

“Why would you admit that?” Beatrice asks, standing behind you with her arms crossed, just like Lilith.  She’s so close to you that you would hit her thighs if you lean back more than a few inches.  You wonder why.  Is she worried she’ll have to pull you out of the way if this guy leaps at you or something?

Whatever the reason, you do feel more secure with her there, so you’ll take it.

Iron Bull shrugs, as if it costs him nothing to answer.  “Because whatever happened at the Conclave is bad for everyone.  The Breach needs to be dealt with.  So before I’m anything, I’m on your side.”

“And what would you report back to your masters in Par Vollen?” Mother Superion asks, failing or perhaps choosing not to hide the scorn in her voice.

He just looks amused, maybe even impressed by her willingness to snark at him.  “Enough to keep my superiors happy, but nothing that will compromise your operations.  Seheron just needs to know whether they need to mount an invasion to stop the world from ending.”  He says it in a joking way, but the visible tension in your companions ramps up another notch.  “You let me send word of what you’re doing, and it will put minds at ease.”

“And what would you tell us?” You ask.  “What do these Ben-Harrath or whatever know that our people couldn’t find?”

He chuckles.  “Enemy movements, suspicious activity, intriguing gossip.  Alone, it’s not much, but if your sharp-tongued spymaster here is any good, it will be more than enough,” he says, and you can practically see the way his mouth curls around the word “sharp-tongued”.  Um…  Mother Superion raises a single eyebrow at him, and you can’t help how your eyes dart between that and his unyielding smirk.  A quick glance upward reveals Beatrice with a similarly discomfited expression.

Okay, moving on.

“So you’d run all your reports past Mother Superion?” You ask for clarification.  “And send nothing she doesn’t approve?  Because, I gotta be honest, if this is some kind of trick, then everybody here is gonna eat you alive.”  You jut your thumb behind you to indicate your crew, who you can only hope are projecting above-average levels of Don’t Fuck With Us energy.

He just grins hard, showing a full set of white teeth.  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

You look at Mother Superion, and then at Beatrice and Lilith above you.  Mother Superion gives a quick but certain nod while the other two, though visibly uneasy, voice no protest.

“Okay,” you tell him.  “We’ll bring you on, and see how this goes.”  You are reminded, suddenly and jarringly, of how you said almost the exact same thing when you hesitantly agreed to join the Inquisition.  It’s been less than a month, but the distance between that moment and now may exceed the whole of Thedas.

“Excellent!”  He exclaims before getting to his feet, and turning to his men.  “Krem!  Tell the boys to finish their drinks on the road.  The Chargers just got hired!”

In the distance, Krem looks aggrieved.  “What about the casks, chief?  We just opened them.  With axes.”

Iron Bull grunts.  “Well, find some way to seal them up again.  You’re Tevinter, right?  Try blood magic.”  He spares a final glance back at you as you and Mother Superion stand.  “We’ll see you back in Haven.  Tell the barkeep to stock up before we get there.”

You make your way back to your horses silently.  Only once you’re all astride and making your way off the beach does Camila speak up.  “He was impressive, wasn’t he?  I’ve never met a Qunari before.  I didn’t realize they were that big.”

Lilith scoffs loudly.  “He’s just another hulking brute with an axe.  He’s nothing special.”

“I wouldn’t go that far, Lilith,” Mother Superion disagrees.  “The Qunari don’t tolerate incompetence, and that man is Ben-Hassrath for a reason.”  She looks at you from atop Aster, her silver-gray mare.  “I don’t doubt that he and his company will be useful to us,” she says.  “But we should not let our guards down.  He may keep his word, but a snake is a snake, whether it’s honest about its fangs or not.”

“The Qunari despise mages,” Beatrice comments worriedly.  “Their word for mage means ‘dangerous thing’.  When any of their kind show skill with magic, they chain them up and keep them enslaved for their entire lives.”

You shrug.  “So they’re just like the Chantry, then.”  Okay, maybe that came out sharper than you intended, given the glare that Mother Superion sends you and the soft, shocked intake of breath you hear from Beatrice.

“Regardless,” the Mother says quellingly, “If he’s serious about working with us, then he’ll understand our intentions to negotiate with the rebels in Redcliffe.  We should not let that affect our course of action.  We’ll discuss things further when we get back to Haven.  For now, let’s pick up the pace.”

She nudges her horse into a trot, and you all do the same, letting the beach disappear behind you as rain starts falling again.

[varricscrossbowbianca]

In Hushed Whispers oneshot

I thought I could write a little oneshot about what happened when Dorian and the Herald of Andraste got send into the future, since there isn’t really much of a reaction from the Herald (in my opinion). The dark future there is so awful, it was weird that there was barely any reaction to it. I haven’t written anything in...forever so excuse my clumsy writing. Just did this for fun heh. (story is under the cut). My inky here is Maeve Lavellan, a dalish and a mage.

Dorian and Maeve Lavellan suddenly found themselves in a dark room with water up to their knees. Crates and furniture were slowly moving around. ,,Where are we?`‘, asked Maeve, looking around, trying to find a source of light. Dorian lit up an old torch high up on the wall. „This is Redcliffe castle. We haven’t left. However…‘‘, Dorian started, also looking around the room. In one of the corners of the room he saw red crystals coming through the wall. „...I don’t remember red lyrium being here. We’re not in the present, that’s for sure.‘‘, he continued. Maeve also saw the red lyrium now and started to get concerned. She heard about it from Varric and what happened in Kirkwall. It’s almost like the red lyrium was singing some kind of song, as if it called to them. Dorian noticed Maeve staring at the lyrium and warned her „Don’t get too close. This stuff is highly dangerous.‘‘ Maeve nodded in understanding. „So what now?‘‘, she asked him. If they weren’t in the present then either they were sometime in the past or the future. Would it make sense to be in the past? Dorian said there was no red lyrium here before, so possibly it was...the future? „Well, I’d say we’re going to explore how much has changed. This is so exciting, time travel. Alexius really did it.‘‘, Dorian said a little bit too excited for Maeve’s taste. She was terrified. She had never heard of time travel or the possibility of it. And yet they actually traveled in time. Dorian noticed Maeve’s fear and took her by the hand. „I am here Maeve, we’ll figure this out together.‘‘ And so they carefully went out the door in front of them, making sure no surprises were waiting for them on the other side. When they opened the door, the water from the room they were just in, flowed out, into the small hall they just entered. It was a bit brighter than in the last room but the overall atmosphere was unsettling since the castle itself seemed to be quiet except for the red lyrium singing its song. Big and broken stairs let up to more rooms and Dorian and Maeve decided to move into that direction since the doors to their left seemed to be blocked by the amounts of red lyrium and fallen rocks. It was as if the castle was barely holding itself together and the lyrium took over. „If we are here, then where are Cassandra, Varric and the others who came with us? Did they also travel in time like we did?‘‘, Maeve asked, not being able to hide her worry in her voice. Dorian thought for a moment before replying „They might’ve...but there is also the possibility that they went through whatever happened while we got send right into the future.‘‘ That didn’t make Maeve feel any better. If anything, by the looks of the castle she was even more worried now about her friends. They kept moving and opened a door to  a room which seemed to be full of prison cells. Even here the red lyrium came from every direction through the walls, giving off a high-pitched noise. „Who is there?“, a voice said, coming from one of the cells. Maeve was startled by the sudden voice and Dorian motioned her to look where it came from. It sounded familiar but at the same time the voice sounded distorted, corrupted even. When they found who the voice belonged to they were shocked. Cassandra Pentaghast was sitting in her cell, cowering almost. She was whispering some prayer to herself while rocking herself forward and backwards. „Cassandra...is that you?‘, Maeve asked carefully. She had never seen Cassandra like this, she couldn’t even believe to see Cassandra in such a vulnerable state. Her friend was always so confident, strong and full of hope. What happened to her? Cassandra finally seemed to notice them and slowly stood up. As she faced them, Maeve had an idea of what has happened. Her friend’s eyes were sickly red and even her skin seemed to be full of small red crystals. Red lyrium. Cassandra’s face had sunken in and her eyes looked so tired, as if she hadn’t slept for ages. Her muscles seemed to be gone completely, she was almost a shadow of herself. Dorian looked from Cassandra to Maeve. He could see that Maeve had slowly started crying and she couldn’t move or look away. „It is me. And you two? Are you real? Is it really you?“, Cassandra finally answered, her voice sounding partly distorted. Maeve nodded. Dorian worked on the prison door and was quickly able to open it, Cassandra slowly moving out of it, still being partially on guard. „Where were you? One moment we were all standing in the hall and then you two just...disappeared.‘‘, Cassandra continued saying. „We traveled through time. Whatever Alexius had planned, it seemed like it didn’t go exactly the way he wanted. I take it, while we just got here, you went through...can you tell us what happened? And how far we are in the future?‘‘, Dorian replied. Cassandra thought for a moment, her sadness reflecting onto her expression. She looked at Maeve and said „You were gone. Without you, we couldn’t seal any of the rifts, more and more demons came through. There were wars after wars until nothing was left. Alexius put us all into these cells, waiting for us to rot down here. I’m not sure how it started but red lyrium started to grow in the castle and it started to take over everything...even us. All of this...in just a matter of a year. Without your powers, Maeve, we were helpless. Alexius is too powerful. We- we lost good people. I am sorry you even have to see me in this state‘‘, Cassandra said. Maeve already hated this future. She realized how much of their success depended on her, on her...mark. She never liked the role she played in all of this, of having this much responsibility. And to hear that her friends have suffered so greatly while she was gone made her even more heartbroken. „Do you know who else is here in the castle?‘‘, Dorian asked Cassandra, breaking the brief silence. He hasn’t known Maeve for that long, however he could tell that she had a sensitive spirit, easy to startle and to panic. „I think Varric and Blackwall are here somewhere as well...I know they captured Leliana, Josephine and Cullen as well but I can’t say if our advisors if- if...I don’t know where they could be.‘‘, Cassandra answered, her voice almost failing her. Hearing this, Maeve started crying, trying to keep it silent, a lump in her throat building, since she didn’t want the others to know how much this already upset her. All of these people were so courageous and clever. How could something terrible have happened to them? What did happen to her advisors? Maeve wasn’t sure if she actually wanted the answer to that question. Dorian looked over to Maeve and tried to comfort her „We will find Alexius and find a way to get back to where we were before. I promise you that, Maeve. We will find the others and we will make this right.‘‘, he squeezed her hand gently, letting her know he won’t leave her. Cassandra also tried to give some reassuring words to Maeve „Now that you are here, we might have a chance to put an end to this. Alexius will have to pay for what he’s done. I will make sure of that myself.‘‘ Maeve’s tears still fell for she knew how challenging this future will be for her. However, she also felt grateful that she had such amazing people by her side. Maybe they were able to be strong for each other. Together they ventured on, exploring the castle and hoping they could find their friends and put an end to this terrifying future.

[andrastehope]

important thing to remember about aeden and the chantry - he doesn’t actually care??

yes he went to the chantry to learn, but that’s cause his family’s big thing is the chantry and unless you’re a mage and sent to the circle (which is kinda chantry involved in a way if you think about it), you were expected to keep that family tradition going. you really don’t have a choice if your parents decide to send you to private school. this does not, however, mean he believes in it all if anything. he has no qualms saying such either. cassandra asks if he believes in the maker? instant nope. people ask if he thinks he really is the herald of andraste? he will say he’s not (unless it is better strategically to say yes under certain circumstances and he has probably been advised to do such)

if everything didn’t go the way it did, he probably would’ve become a templar. it was the better of the two options or either being a chantry boy for the rest of his life or at least getting to go through all the warrior training. of course by the time in game it comes down to choosing a specialty, he won’t pick templar. not only because he can actually kind of get away from being stuck in all that bs but he also respects all that cullen’s done to get himself away from that and it would feel a bit wrong supporting his quitting to just go do it himself.

[the-panda-writes]

The Siren of the Inquisition

Chapter 8

Masterlist

The days that led to the Herald; along with the allied mages; to closing the Breach, Ashe continued on as a barmaid and part time songstress. She would mainly sing the shanties that she knew when she was requested. 

While she was working, Aiduin had showed up and called her over.

“Well, hello stranger.” Ashe said, her southern slang coming through by accident. “What can I get you?” She said, pulling out a small notepad. 

“I’ll just have whatever Flissa is serving,” he said. 

“Well… I actually made tonight's dinner…” Ashe told him, embarrassingly. “I wanted to make my mother’s infamous chili. Always warmed me up on a cold night.” 

“Well, I will definitely try that. It sounds delightful!” Aiduin proclaimed.

“Coming right up then!” Ashe ran to the back to grab his serving.

Aiduin sits there just listening to the hustle and bustle of the tavern when he overhears something.

“... give to have that woman.” One man said behind him. Wondering whom they were talking about, he decides to listen in.

“Yea, I agree with you.” the other, whom was with the first, had said in agreement. “Amazing body, can cook, and she sings!” 

“I wonder what else she can do with that mouth of hers..” They both chuckle.

Aiduin was about to step in when Ashe came back with his meal. “Is there anything else I can get for you, Herald?” she asks kindly.

“Nothing else, thank you; but I would like to have a word with you.” he asks, but before she could answer, the pair of men called her over.

“Barmaid! Another ale!” 

“I’m sorry. I’ll be right back!” Ashe says, gesturing for him to stay put as she goes to get the ale the men demanded. She comes back minutes later with their ale, giving them pleasantries and rushes out of there quickly before the two could put in two words in. “Hey! I’m back. You wanted to talk to me about something.” 

“Yes, but I want to talk to you about one concern though.” Aiduin told her, worried about what those two men said about her. “Don’t look, but I overheard those two men behind me talk obscenely about you. Here,” he takes out a small dagger, hilted in a leather holster, and hands it to her. “Keep this on you at all times. I know you have your magic to defend yourself, but men like them always have a trick up their sleeves.”

“I know, Herald. My father taught me how to defend myself, but I appreciate your concern.” Ashe says, taking the dagger and strapping it on. “Now, was there something else you wanted to talk to me-” 

“SOMEONE HELP!” A woman running into the tavern hysterically. “Please! My son!” 

Ashe is the first to run to her. “Tell me what happened, quickly!”

“My son was playing with some of the other children when they went to step out onto the frozen lake! I kept an eye on him, just to be sure and the ice broke from under him!” 

Ashe had heard enough as she ran to the frozen lake, the mother and the Herald of Andraste hot on her heels.

As they came up to the lake, a small crowd had formed. “Has the boy resurfaced? Has anyone seen him?”

They all say no. Without thinking, she takes off her shoes and glasses and jumps into the hole that was not far from the lake's inlet.

Aiduin is shocked by what he just witnessed. He orders one of the guards to bring warm blankets and a healer.

-----------------------------------------

Cullen POV

Cullen was just observing the recruits when he saw one running to the supply shed as quickly as he could.

“What is going on?” He demanded. 

“Sir! A young boy has fallen through the frozen lake! A woman has gone in to find him! I was ordered by the Herald himself to bring blankets and a healer!” The recruit told him and he went to get the blankets.

“You go grab the first healer or mage you see, I will bring the blankets to the Herald! GO!” Cullen orders and he rushes to the lakeside. “Herald!”

“Commander! Thank you.” Aiduin says as Cullen hands him the blankets. 

“What is the situation? Who is in there?” Cullen asks in a haste.

“The mother came into the tavern calling for help. Ashe and I ran back here to help and by the time I got to the lakeside, she had already jumped into the frozen lake.” Aiduin explained to him.

“Who jumped into the lake?”

“Ashe!” Aiduin shouts as the woman they speak of breaks through the water with the small boy in her arms.

“My lady! Are you alright?” Cullen says, draping the blanket over her. 

Ashe bears him no mind as she shakes the boy's shoulders to get him to respond. “Are you okay, sweetheart? Can you hear me?” 

Placing two fingers on the boy's neck and tilting her head near his mouth, she shouts “I don’t have a pulse and he’s not breathing!” She places both hands on the boy’s chest and she starts to push down on him.

“What is going on here?” Cullen hears Dorian as he is running to assist. 

“I have no idea what she’s doing…” Cullen says as he just watches her.

-----------------------------------------

Ashe POV

Ashe can barely register her surroundings. All that she is focused on is saving this child’s life. When the adrenaline is starting to wear off a bit, she can hear Dorian.

“Dorian! Are you good at lightning spells?” Ashe questions as she finishes up chest compressions. “... 29, 30!” 

“Yes? Why do you need to use magic?” He asks, seeing her bring her mouth up to the child’s and giving small breaths to him. 

“Because I need you to send a small pulse of electricity through him to jumpstart his heart!” She explains to him, continuing compressions.

“If I were to do that, it could kill him either way!” Dorian shouts. 

“We have to try! I am not letting this boy die!” Ashe yells at him, looking at him dead in the eye. “Get charged up! After I give him two rescue breaths, put one hand on his sternum and the other on his lateral abdomen, just below his chest!” 

Dorian nods and charges his hands with electricity. 

“On my signal! 28, 29, 30!” Ashe gives the boy two rescue breaths and shouts, “CLEAR! NOW!”

Dorian then sends a small pulse of electricity through the small boy and the child jerks awake!

The boy is coughing up the water as Ashe turns him on his side as the mother rushes to her son, cradling his head on her lap. She says something in a language that Ashe could only tell is Antivan, thanking her for saving her son.

“He’ll be fine…” Ashe says, taking the other blanket from Cullen and wrapping it around the boy. “He just needs to rest and get warmed up.” 

“Thank you! May Andraste bless you and your children!” the Antivan woman says to her and Ashe just nods. 

The mother and son rush away as the crowd disperses, leaving just Cullen, the Herald and Dorian surrounding Ashe. They all just stare at her, thinking how a woman like her knew how to save this child’s life. 

Cullen kneels down to her, placing a comforting hand on her back. “You are amazing.” he says, barely a whisper.

Ashe just chuckles as she tries to reach for her shoes and glasses. Aiduin rushes to get them for her as both Dorian and Cullen go to stand up. Cullen offers her his hand and she grabs it, only to be unable to get up.

“Um…. Cullen…” Ashe says, hiding her face, embarrassed.

“Yes, my lady?” 

“Could you…” Ashe says, grabbing his cloak. “Could you carry me? My legs aren’t working because of all the excitement.” 

Dorian just chuckles as Cullen smiles. “As you wish, my lady.” Cullen helps her up (with Dorian’s help, and lifts up in his arms, making sure she’s wrapped up in the blanket. 

“Thank you…” Ashe says quietly, placing her head on his chest and dozing off.

[lifetimeoftired]

My dear, I’ve been going through everyone who reblogged the ask game and see that you’ve answered everything in the tags. But would you perhaps do us the honor of making a proper post with all your answers? They deserve to be in more than just the tags <3

This gives me the same emotions as that one time my manager caught me drawing devil horns and a tale on a portrait of a co-worker none of us liked, told me that I should be better than this and when I blurted out 'do you wanna finish the tail?' he went 'yes :)' and finished drawing the tail. Which is to say; embarrassed at being caught but blindingly delighted to oblige the situation.

Also I'm going to go even more in-depth with permission granted.

The characters are as follows:

Warden-Commander Zaion'Jyn of Clan Dantalyse. Hero of Ferelden(/the Fifth Blight), Arl of Amaranthine, The Dark Wolf (his alter ego on the streets when he needs to cause problems on purpose illegally), Storm Wolf (to the Avvar clans), The Magi of Broken Chains (to the tiventer slavers, freed slaves, and the Fog warriors), Chosen of Mythal (to the dalish)

Champion Sadria Hawke. Scion of house Amell. Princess of Starkhaven. The Dark Marcher. Darling of Fool's Gold.

Inquisitor Thalla. (Formerly) Lady in Waiting to Comtesse de Bayard. Hunter to Clan Lavellan. Herald of Andraste. Lady of Bows.

your Warden/Hawke/Inquisitor's opinion on Orlais?

Zaion despises Orlsias. Their mistreatment of his people, being the birth place of the chantry, the Grand Game and all the self serving nobility while they sit in the house his people built- their sins are so highly stacked against them. In his ongoing grudge match with human civilization, the only country he hates more is Tiventer.

Sadria has that innate disdain of Orlsias that's ingrained in all Fereldeners.

Thalla actually was born and raised in Orlsias. Her grandparents were from the same alienage that Celene burned down, so her feelings on her country of birth can be described, at best, 'Complicated to Hatred'.

2. are they skilled in The Grand Game?

Zaion is a skilled manipulator and a trickster to his core. He's pretty damn good at the Game. However when he does bother to compete, he hates the person he becomes and mostly uses it as a way to kill nobles in his way or to leverage better deals for Amaranthine or Ferelden.

Sadria? Fuck no. Despite being a good lair, she's shit with people.

Thalla could be if she wasn't desperately trying to stop being in politics.

3. opinion on blood magic?

Zaion: There's three kinds of blood mages; The Stupid, the Desperate, and the Arrogant. Of them, the last one is the most annoying to deal with.

Sadria: I wouldn't care of they would stop blowing up my city :(

Thalla: bad evil bad!! Let's not!!!

4. attitude towards Andrastianism? / 5. attitude towards the Chantry / 6. attitude towards the Qun?

All a resounding disgust to exhausted groaning.

Although, Zaion doesn't judge people for their faith, he even finds parts of the Qun admirable. His main issue with organized religion is how it must mistreat it's own people in order to stay in power. Sadria just doesn't want to deal with religious fanaticism and Thalla just wants to be left alone.

7. if they had to choose one person most important to them, who would that be?

Zaion's most important person is absolutely Alistair- until he learns of both his own son (who's my Rook at this moment in time, subject to change depending on how the game goes) and Alistair's son Kieran. Both boys become his biggest priority with full support from Alistair.

Despite not caring for fanatacism, Sadria fell in love with Sebastian and he subsequently became her most important person. Especially after they got married.

Thalla is an odd case because she rarely gets close to people at all. Shockingly enough however, during the events of Inquisition, she was closest to Cole, nearly adopting the boy as her own (much as he actually freaked her out at first). But he's the only person who can get past her walls and helps her open up to others and her helping him learning how to talk to people is what really broke her out of her shell. After the events, she spent a lot of time with Alistair and eventually the two fell in love and she married him (they met when she fell out of a tree and knocked him out on accident :3)

8. who do they hate the most, and do they have an arch-nemesis?

Zaion: Loghain- he'll never forgive him but he's dead at least. Currently he also considers Solas an enemy because that fucker is trying to undo all his hard work saving this stupid fucking world and not today satan wolf!!

Sadria: Quentin, the mage that killed her mom.

Thalla: Celene. Leaving Briala in charge of Gaspard was the most satisfying thing she's ever done

9. what is their love language? 

Zaion: Sure he's a hero and does a lot for everyone anyway, but he'll pay close attention and goes the extra mile for the people he cares about. He'll also be more inclined to let go of some of his paranoia and tight control around them.

Sadria: Hiding so much of herself beyond a laugh and a quick retort, if you actually get to see that vulnerable side and hear her sincere feelings, that means she likes you.

Thalla: As someone who spends most of her time actively trying to avoid being noticed or being roped into problems, if she slows down and actually hears you out and tries to help- even if it's just a simple comforting word- you're her friend.

10. are they good horse riders?

Zaion / Thalla: Yes

Sadria: Would prefer not to. She can, but her own feet are safer.

11. what are their religious beliefs, if any?

Zaion: Fully believes in the elven gods and hopes they're still waiting for their people. (A faith that's getting shakier after all that BS Solas said, but he's holding out hope)

Sadria: Andrastian but doesn't consider herself particularly faithful. She prays when she needs it, but by this point she sends up a quick 'thanks asshole' when something else goes wrong.

Thalla: Atheist by this point because even if there was a god they sound like selfish dickbags and she wants no part of their nonsense. She does however follow the Dalish Way of Three Trees as best she can, and held The Way of Shadow deep in her heart in case she ever got the chance to pay back Celene.

12. attitude towards Mabari?

Zaion / Sadria: Undying love and affection. They would die and kill for their dog.

Thalla: Hasn't been around mabari much but isn't a fan of dogs after a shitty noble refused to stop his dogs from harassing her back in Orlsias.

13. their thoughts on the Grey Warden order?

Zaion: He had respect for the Order previously due to hearing tales of the Wardens growing up, but as a bitter adult he's a little more realistic on the nature of people themselves. Still, after becoming a Warden he has the utmost faith in and loyalty to the mission. He may no longer be a Warden (complicated events in my canon led to him taking the power of the Well himself), but he still holds his former comrades in arms in high regard.

Sadria / Thalla: Believed in the wardens as heroes and got a little crushed when they were forced to confront they were only people. Sadria was especially hurt when Bethany turned on her, becoming so bitter when she was forced to join the Wardens. Thalla was beginning to trust in Blackwall, and the sheer mind-numbingly horror show that was Adamant has lost faith that there's any real good in any institution- including the Inquisition.

14. who are they closest to from their family?

Zaion: All of his blood family died years ago and of his chosen family he remains closest to Alistair. Though after he meets his son, the two form a fast and rather close bond.

Sadria: Was closest to Bethany but, well, she's mad at her now after joining the wardens. After joining the inquisition though, she meets her cousin Amell and the two have been getting to know each other.

Thalla: Her grandparents, and her parents who were visiting them, died in the fire and she struggles with getting close to anyone now. Even in the inquisition.

15. preferred weapon of choice?

#15: Zaion: Duel wields two blades; the Calenhad blade and Starfang, in tandem with his battle magic as befitting Dirth'ena Enasalin. A True Arcane warrior.

Sadria: Bow and arrow. For a short bow, she uses The Houndmaster's Short Bow. If she needs a more powerful long ranged weapon, she uses The Hawke's Key- but she rarely needs it.

Thalla: Also an archer, she predominantly used the Superior Dalish Hunting bow, but after finding the bane of red crossing she thought it fitting.

16. do they get sentimental about their weapons or armour?

Zaion is very sentimental about the warden armor- in his canon he made the iconic blue and grey to confront Loghain at the landsmeet. Just petty enough to outsmart and out dress him at his supposed moment of triumph (he also helped the others find stylish outfits, plent of unused concept art that was pretty lit is what he used for their outfits because like hell was he going to be the only well dressed one here). Even better that it's become the official warden outfits in the years since. As for the blades, he's unbearably attached to them. Even if he goes without the armor, he can never let Calenhad out of his sight after Alistair trusted him enough to hold Cailan's sword and wield it with respect. Starfang is of course a one of kind, made for his hands alone. He takes that very seriously.

Sadria has a complicated relationship with the champion armor. To her, it is a source of pride. She saved the city and protected her home, rescued her loved ones and earned the respect of the Arishok to the point he would willingly fight her one on one out of that respect. It is also her burden. A symbol of her failures and that legends never live up to reality... As for The Houndmaster and the Key, the first she wields for the memory of Tallis- a love that burned so bright yet so brief and will always remain her biggest what-if. The latter in her father's name. For his burdens and how she understands him now better than she ever did when he was alive.

Thalla was by far the most reluctant to don her armor. Her? A herald to a religion she hates for people that want her dead in a world with plenty of other people far more willing to bear this burden? She was basically dragged kicking and screaming into it. Yet, by the time she's finally able to leave the armor behind, there's a strange sorrow to it. The respect she had as a world leader will be gone, her friends will part ways, and she must stop an ancient evil without those who put their faith in her. It's harder than she wants to admit to put it all away- but she must and take the relief of it's weight as it comes. As for her bow, upon learning the story of Red Crossing, elves and humans, a love story, and the tragedy of intolerance, it feels heavy. It feels like it belongs in her hands.

17. what were they like as a child?

Zaion: Happy go lucky, a pure kind of innocence to even his most silly and rebellious actions as a teen. A smile like the sun and compassionate to a fault. Most wouldn't recognize him as the same person honestly.

Sadria: A much more serious child, though she always had a wild streak in her. She took the importance of caring for her family with a smile, but it was with the seriousness only a child can give with their first responsibility.

Thalla: A much more curious child. Always trying to learn more and sticking her nose into places it didn't belong.

18. do they have any irrational fears?

No. All their fears are completely justified after the events of the games. Though Zaion's claustrophobia is definitely on the more extreme side.

19. are they afraid of death?

Not anymore.

20. where would they like to be buried?

Zaion: Would love nothing more than to be buried in the family crypt with his old clan. Unfortunately, due to his decision to get involved in the outside world, he's made himself a bit of an outcast in his clan. He's allowed to visit, but it's clear it's not his home anymore and he's no longer privy to their rituals. Instead, he'll take being buried in the Amaranthine woods where he's made a home.

Sadria: Wants to be buried next to her husband, Sebastian.

Thalla: Hopes to be able to be buried in traditional Dalish fashion. Somewhere in the woods with a tree growing atop her.

21. what is their biggest regret?

Zaion: He has so many, but it will be not getting to watch his son grow up.

Sadria: Not spending more time with her family when she had the chance.

Thalla: Not going with her parents to visit her grandparents on that fateful day.

22. have they ever been to Tevinter?

Zaion: A few times. He likes to free slaves and kill magisters to vent his frustrations and for a little adventure when he's been couped up in Amaranthine too long.

Sadria / Thalla: Never and are happy enough not to. (Though Thalla will grudgingly go to stop Solas in the new game I'd assume)

23. do they have, or want to have, children?

Zaion: Would love nothing more than to be a father, but he's never had time for a real relationship. He has his whole Thing with Zevran, but he refuses to call it romantic due to trauma and as such. He has a bad habit of picking up strays batman-style. Meeting his bio son was a bit healing for him really.

Sadria: She's nervous about the idea, unsure if she'd make a good mother, but she's open to the idea. Especially since, being married to a noble house she'll be expected to.

Thalla: No kids and no current plans on getting any.

24. what languages can they speak?

Zaion: Speaks Common, Elvish, several dialects of the Avvar language, Tivene, Qunlat, Orlsian, and Antivan. Common, Elvish and the Avvar were learned prior to becoming the arl of Amaranthine and the rest he's picked up for trade route reasons, excluding Tivene. Which he learned to speak to the slaves and so he could mock magisters while freeing them.

Sadria: Common, some broken single dialect of the Avvar clans.

Thalla: Fluently speaks both Common and Orlsian (though she's done a good job of hiding her accent). Knows some Elvish after years of living with the Dalish.

25. what did they plan for their life to look like before the events of the game happened?

Zaion: His main goal in life was becoming what was known as a 'Lore Hunter' like his family before him. His clan is extremely isolationist, only occasionally trading with the Avvar clans nearby, so they do not bring attention to themselves by getting involved. With the except of their Lore Hunters; Well trained individuals who leave the clan to seek out lost knowledge on the People and return with it for preservation and study. Eventually to get weary of the dangers of the world and return to settle down and get married with kids.

Sadria: She was content being nothing more than a simple game hunter for Lothering and looking out for her family. Maybe get some kisses here and there from cute folks around.

Thalla: Her original plan in life was following her parents footsteps and working as a servant in waiting to the noble family her parents worked for. After their deaths and the horrifying realization that their lives were fodder, a game, and there would be no justice in Orlsias for the loss of her family. she fled and found her way to a traveling clan. Learning the ways of the Hunter she was at peace to pretend her past life never existed.

26. do they get a happy ending?

THEY MIGHT IF THEDAS WOULD STOP BLOWING ITSELF UP (Merril Voice:) BY THE DREAD W O L F

[djinnhatescold]

I haven't loved an OC as much as Marco in a long time.

As the youngest of three children of Bann Trevelyan of Ostwick, Marco was expected to become a brother in the Chantry or a templar. The young man procrastinated his decision but was expected to make his choice after traveling to the conclave to assist his relatives on both sides of the Mage-Templar War. He never told his family, but he always had doubts in his mind about the Maker, the Chantry, and the role of Templars.  He saw what blind faith could do and the vile deeds carried out in the name of the Chantry and saw that his life was reaching a crisis point. He wasn’t sure if he was going to submit to his family’s wishes or run away and cut himself off from them forever.  

The events at the Temple of Sacred Ashes thrust him into the role of the leader of the Inquisition. He vehemently denied being the actual Herald of Andraste in his heart while remaining neutral on the outside. His faith continued to be tested, but the destruction of Haven and pilgrimage to Skyhold felt like a turning point – that maybe there was a pattern and a plan to everything after all. He began to embrace the titles bestowed upon him by the faithful and by the final showdown with Corypheus he was fully convinced of his place as the Maker’s chosen.

Marco is a kindhearted, thoughtful soul. He is not one for rash decisions, preferring to look at a problem from multiple angles. He holds his friends in the highest regard, even when (especially when in some cases) they disagree about things. He is a learned man, and enjoys reading about history and the arcane.

He considers Sera and Cole the younger siblings he never had. 

Varric is his closest and greatest friend.

His intense crush on Dorian quickly blossomed into a mutually loving relationship. Dorian is the perfect soundboard for his hopes, fears, and joys. We all know how Dorian’s parents feel/felt about his sexuality, and Marco’s parents aren’t super stoked about his bisexuality either. He takes the high road, never bringing it up on its own, just living life. He knows it drives his parents crazy that they have to be civil about it when they talk about him on account of his status as the Inquisitor. Maybe one day they’ll see it as normal and fine instead of just pretending in polite company.

The revelations learned in the sub-Deep Roads expedition along with Shaper Valta’s self-imposed exile left a deep and lasting impression on him. Unnerved by the idea of titans and the apparent truth behind lyrium, he spends much time together with Dorian discussing the implications. He feels some responsibility for Valta’s disappearance and the loss of an entrance to the Wellspring (not to mention Renn’s missing remains), and is seeking a way to get a message to her for confirmation that she is OK now that her journal pages have stopped showing up around Skyhold.

The loss of Stroud in the Fade weighs heavily on him. Likewise he is disappointed in the fate of the Grey Wardens. He grew up reading stories of heroic and adventurous Wardens, and when the Hero of Ferelden stopped the fifth blight he was over the moon. In all likelihood he would have ended up joining the order after the conclave if he went through with his plans to estrange himself from his family, so Warden-Commander Clarel’s actions hit especially hard.