#thinking of what this means to my rook though…. how viago and the other crows have shunned her after what happened

[dellamortte]

“there’s no need to doubt yourself. and if you do, i’ll be here to convince you”

do you want me to cry huh?????? do you want me to CRY??????? BECAUSE I’M GONNA WTFFF LUCANIS

[felassan]

Some thoughts on this article from Game Informer [source]. ^^

Teia and Viago as the 'face' of the Crows/the Crow 'agents', pretty please..? 🥺 👉👈 And I hope maybe Strife and Irelin can be the same but for the Veil Jumpers..? :D

Customizing qunari Rook's horn type and material reminds me of Taash's gem-horn design

Which faction do you think has the coolest casual threads? in my mind's eye [wild speculation] it's a toss up between Mourn Watch and Antivan Crows :D

What do sword and shield warriors 'hip-fire' with?

What is a "night blade" :D

Faction selection/backstory (while not playable) determining who Rook was before, how they met Varric, and why they travel with him reminds me of the different origins in DA:O and how each possible HoF crossed paths with and was recruited by Duncan in a different way.. 🥺

Factions and groups in the world working together to save it.. it felt like there were hints of this in Tevinter Nights. In that book, we saw different groups and factions from across Thedas working with the Inquisition, with varying degrees of cooperation, on being concerned about Solas. Yet other groups were also interested in keeping tabs on him. now we see the same kinda thing in DA:TV with different groups being involved in saving the world from the Evil Gods.

"'You help them, they help you now" but first they all have serious problems you need to solve' has echoes of how in DA:O, the HoF solved a problem for each major group (Dalish elves/werewolves, Circle Tower/templars, Orzammar etc) before they would obey the Grey Warden treaties and agree to help fight the darkspawn for the final battle

Do you think that some of the voices in the Thedas Calls teaser trailer were some of the 'faces' of the factions? For example, the Antivan Crow woman speaker as the face of the Crows, and the Nicholas Boulton-sounding Warden man speaker as the face of the Grey Wardens?

Each spec being tied to a faction explains the faction symbols being on the specializations, as here. From this, we can see that the faction each spec is tied to is as follows:

Mage: Death Caller - Mourn Watch Evoker - Shadow Dragons Spellblade - Antivan Crows Rogue: Duelist - Antivan Crows Veil Ranger - Veil Jumper Saboteur - Lords of Fortune Warrior: Champion - Grey Wardens Reaper - Mourn Watch Slayer - Lords of Fortune

The Mirror of Transformation returns. Do you think that means Rook will also be able to go to the Black Emporium, like Hawke in DAII and Inquisitor in DA:I? Will Xenon the Antiquarian also return? ^^ Maybe not though, since it's said the Mirror is in The Lighthouse

I'm not sure about "If you find yourself unhappy with your lineage or your class, you can change them using the Mirror of Transformation". It was previously reported that "You can change your character’s physical appearance at any time during the game, but not their class or backstory" [source] [prev post mentioning it]. I guess one article is incorrect, but am not sure which. or maybe this aspect of the game changed in development. ^^ UPDATE: please see here re: an update/clarification from Game Informer on this. it reads:

"Editor's Note: This article previously stated players can change their physical appearance, class, lineage, and identity using the Mirror of Transformation. That is incorrect as class, lineage, and identity are locked after you first select those. The article has been updated to reflect that, and Game Informer apologizes for any confusion this mistake may have caused."

What do you think is the problem[s] faced by each faction that we have to solve? :D We got some hints about this already. For example, for the Crows, something "is amiss" in Antiva and they're trying to uncover the source. The Qunari have also invaded Antiva. For the Wardens, they just recently discovered one of Ghil's underground monster labs and learned there are 11 more (Tevinter Nights), and ominous tremors of unknown cause have been creating disturbances in the Anderfels lately. The Lords of Fortune have lost dominion over the coasts of Rivain and dragons are laying waste to their ships. The Shadow Dragons probably have the Venatori, who are still around and up to mad shit, to contend with. Arlathan Forest is currently all timewarped, reality-fragmented, awash with darkspawn and corruption etc. For the Mourn Watch.. maybe the Veil rips and weakening has caused more premature possessions of corpses and demons possessing corpses and wreaking havoc in the Necropolis, or the Nevarran politics stuff? In TN Dorian also mentions learning from a Mortalitasi mage that there are things "past the Veil of our world, neither demon nor spirit". maybe they're having problems with those things?

[source]

[arealcrow]

an hour found

2.8k words, dragon age: the veilguard, rookanis

Rhava and Lucanis share the last slice of torte, and something more. or : Rookanis first kiss set after the romance lock in.

Rhava thinks that the spaces Veilguard have made their own across the Lighthouse reflect them well. Aside from his own room, anyway. It's hard for him to get comfortable in there. Which is why, he supposes, he finds the dining hall so welcoming on a sleepless 'night'. The lit fire casts the room in a warm light that permeates the timeless Fade to give the permanent impression of evening. The smell of coffee only adds to that, calling to Rhava to have a cup and a treat for dessert.

The smell of coffee- still fresh- means that….

"I should have guessed you'd still be up," Rhava smiles as he pokes his head just past the pantry door, sounding more pleased than reproachful.

He probably should have knocked, but Lucanis doesn't seem surprised at his appearance. The man is one of the most renowned assassins in the Crows, so Rhava suspects his approach was heard. Or perhaps Spite had sensed him coming.

By way of a greeting, Lucanis tilts his head at Rhava. He is leaned against a wall, cradling an ornate, purple cup in his hands. The first flickers of a smile crease at the edges of his eyes, softening his severe features. Rhava can feel a tingle in his palms at the sight. Just a hint of fondness from Lucanis and he's buzzing with electricity, ready to strike like a storm cloud. He'd feel pathetic if he had feeling left to spare past his yearning.

"Yes, you probably should have," Lucanis says- and there's the smile that Rhava had been hoping for. There for a brilliant flash and then gone as Lucanis' eyebrows furrow. Rhava doesn't try to hide the way his eyes flick from his mouth back up to those concerned brown eyes.

"Why are you still up, Rook? Is something wrong?"

Rhava hums and looks around the pantry, stalling as he searches for an answer he does not want to give. His gaze lingers over the slightly worrying collection of cups Lucanis has amassed. He counts… seven? And the one Lucanis was holding made eight. Eight marks the final kill, his brain not-so-helpfully supplies. That's not what Lucanis had asked him about.

"Nothing wrong. I mean, other than," he shrugs a shoulder, "you know… everything that's happening. My gods rampaging and the blight and invasion and cults and… when I sleep it's either wolf packs stalking me through All-Father sent nightmares, or it's the Dread Wolf himself feeding me lies."

His gaze is fixed on the stone floor now. He can't bring himself to meet the unbearable softness that he knows will be waiting for him if he looks up at Lucanis. It's a comfort that feels unearned, but one desperately yearned for. He hadn't spoken to any of the Veilguard of the how the howling in his dreams had driven him to sleepless nights. He was supposed to support them through their trials, he couldn't show them that he was faltering in his own. What kind of leader would he be?

Yet here he was, driven by that small rebellious part of him that told him if anyone would understand voices in his head, it was Lucanis.

"Ah, I see. No rest even when you sleep," Lucanis says.

It's a simple thing, but Rhava is surprised at how much he does feel seen. When he looks up, gentle brown eyes meet his, filled with a depth of understanding that brings him comfort.

"You know," Lucanis suggests, "Viago might have something that can induce a dreamless slumber."

"Oh, yes, he does," a sly smile spreads across Rhava's lips, "I try not to get too dependent on Nightcap, though. I think I've already started developing a resistance."

Lucanis matches his expression with a small, wry smile of his own, "Nightcap, of course. Who am I to recommend poisons to a de Riva?"

Rhava winks at him, and can't help the way his grin widens as he launches into the worst segue he can think of, "So, now that we've established my familiarity and potential resistance to poisons… would you want to share dessert? There's just one slice left of the torte you made."

Lucanis huffs out a laugh, taking Rhava's words for the joke they are.

"I saved it for you."

He's too sweet, Rhava hardly knows what to do with him. Actually, Rhava had plenty of ideas of what he'd like to do with Lucanis, but he thinks they should probably go on a real date first.

"Well… I think it would taste better if you ate it with me. Joy shared is doubled, after all."

"Hmm, if you insist," Lucanis' words are filled with mirth- he's already pushing himself up from the wall.

"I do insist," Rhava gives an overly dramatic nod, and is gone from the pantry doorway a second later.

Lucanis emerges to find him quickly busying himself in the small kitchen. He places two forks onto the platter holding the final slice of torte and then fixes himself a cup of coffee- two sugars, and just a little cream. The mug he chooses is a sturdy one of Dalish design, made of earth toned clay that match the torte. Rhava's cup goes onto the platter as well, which he balances like a tray on one hand. His free hand he offers to Lucanis- who takes it with no questioning other than the eyebrow he raises.

Rhava only offers a smile in a return, and then pulls Lucanis to follow him over to the red couch nestled in the corner of the dining hall. He sets the platter down on the coffee table, and flops down onto the couch like he owns it.

"Sit," Rhava requests, patting the spot next to him.

When Lucanis hesitates, he pats the couch again, once more with fervor.

"Siiiiit," he insists, "I don't bite."

"We both know that's not true," Lucanis jokes as he settles down next Rhava.

Rhava giggles, smothering the noise and his smitten expression behind a hand. Once he settles himself, he leans forward and takes the cake platter from the coffee table. He glances at the sliver of space between them, and rather than widen that gap, he scoots close enough to press the sides of their thighs together so he can balance the platter between them.

"I've got something to chew on, so you're safe for now," Rhava says, picking up a fork. Lucanis takes the other fork, and sets his own coffee cup on the platter.

"I'll have to keep making you treats, then. To ensure my safety."

That sounds nice. Too nice.

"Be careful making offers like that. While I may be easily bribed, my appetite is ravenous," Rhava warns, and maybe he's talking about more than food.

"I can adjust the grocery list accordingly. Just let me know if you have any special requests."

Lucanis is smiling like they're sharing a secret. Rhava wants to be frustrated with him.

If he requested some hard-to-find, stupidly expensive vintage? If he asked for out of season assan'adhal bark? Or asked him to make the paella recipe he grew up eating with his clan?

He's sure Lucanis would do his best to make it happen.

Rhava knows how much money Lucanis' contracts rake in- he knows the man could easily pay to fill any kind of appetite Rhava presented him with. And judging by the special dessert that had been prepared for him- which Emmrich had subtly informed him was a labor intensive confection- Lucanis was just as rich in devotion and motivation. The sum of it all is enough to make Rhava speechless. He tries to hide his mollified expression behind a sip of coffee, but Lucanis is giving him a curious look that tells him he's not successful in his deception. Whatever he's thinking about the exchange, he keeps it to himself.

A comfortable silence falls between them. The only sounds in the dining hall are the crackling fire, the quiet sipping of coffee, and the scraping of forks as they leisurely snack on the final torte slice. If the conversation had died like that with anyone else, Rhava would be scrambling to save face and fill the dead air. He doesn't feel that urge here, confident that Lucanis either understands the reason for his silence or otherwise is content with his lack of understanding. It leaves space in the quiet that stretches between them for Rhava to gather himself again.

It doesn't take too long for his mind to start wandering to all of the unresolved questions between them- all of the little moments that have led to this casual closeness. So far he's been content to let things unfold at the pace Lucanis was comfortable with. His freedom was fresh, and they were both under so much pressure. It was nice to just enjoy the time they had together. But still… some questions begged to be asked.

Rhava is audacious in the way he breaks anything, especially silences.

"Soooo," a playful grin slowly brightens his face as he teases, "I was the key to your mind prison, huh?"

Lucanis makes a noise halfway between a laugh and groan, "Rook-"

"Lucanis," Rhava cuts him off, sounding half fond and half exasperated, "Call me Rhava. Please."

"Of course, forgive me," he amends, looking genuinely apologetic.

"It's fine," Rhava knocks his knees against Lucanis', making their cups wobble precariously, "I just.. like hearing you say it… is all."

"I see," Lucanis digests that information before continuing, "Rhava, if I trust my thoughts to anyone, it's you."

Rhava isn't sure if it's Lucanis obliging his request or the actual words he's saying that causes warmth to bloom across his face. He wants to crack a joke and say that Lucanis has questionable taste, to break the tension thrumming through him. He can't find the words. The way Lucanis is looking at him is so warm and painfully earnest, it scares Rhava. Lucanis trusts him so much. All of the care Lucanis could give- was he worthy? Could he hold a love that soft without some dreadful consequence? Lucanis deserved better than to be hurt by some stupid mistake he'd inevitably make.

"Rhava?" Lucanis asks, after after the pause in conversation stretches on a few seconds too long.

Rhava's eyes dart to his lips, the way they move as Lucanis speaks his name. He has to ask now- before he can talk himself out of it.

"If I kiss you right now, are you going to pull away again?"

There's an expected expression of surprise, but then he watches as Lucanis' mouth twitches and he realizes quickly that he's being smirked at. When he draws his heavy gaze up, there's a heat in the way Lucanis is looking at him that matches the rapidly sparking fire in his own wide eyes. He's sure he's gone pink all the way to the tips of his pointed ears with how aflame he feels.

"Only one way to find out," Lucanis says, voice now quiet and low- taking on the same breathy quality Rhava has only heard once before. The last time they were this close. He feels like he's going to pass out.

As if he knows Rhava needs the grounding, Lucanis tucks an errant strand of hair behind his ear. Following the motion, he gently tangles his fingers in Rhava's hair, cupping the back of his head. He has that same confidence he'd displayed when he'd backed him up against a wall, and shows no signs of leaving him high and dry this time. Then again, Rhava hadn't expected him to pull away last time.

Just as the first slivers of anxiety start to sink their claws in, Lucanis pulls him in for a kiss.

It's everything Rhava had hoped it would be, and more. It's sweet. He's intrigued. Lucanis' lips brush against his with tentative intention. Rhava is bolder in how he meets the invitation, surging forward with all of the hunger and curiosity he can communicate in the short time he's given. He thinks any amount of time spent pressed against Lucanis would be too short- that this is a taste he could get lost in exploring.

He's only just begun to lose himself in the feeling when Lucanis starts to pull away. That won't do. He wasn't done yet.

Rhava follows Lucanis' retreat, leaning forward to capture his lips in another kiss. Lucanis lets him, curling his fingers to lightly grip Rhava's hair. He can feel the pleased upturn of Lucanis' mouth against his, a smile he's happy to devour. It's all the encouragement he needs to get even closer. Without a second thought, he moves to straddle Lucanis' lap- and is rewarded with the clatter and splash of the forgotten cake platter, forks, and half-empty cups of coffee being unceremoniously dumped onto the floor.

Rhava can't bring himself to care, not when he has Lucanis right where he wants him. If Lucanis has any protests about the mess then he doesn't voice them, just places a steadying open palm on his thigh. The spot of contact fans the flames burning through Rhava, a steady growing fire looking for more to engulf. One of his hands tangles in dark, feathery hair- a mirror of Lucanis' own hand in his hair- while the other finds a grip on the fine fabric of his vest. Both soft sensations under his fingertips, but nothing compared to the silken feel of their kiss.

A crackling, electric magic fills the air around them, and Rhava doesn't have to open his eyes to sense Spite's luminous wings wrapping around him. The demon's presence is smoothed out in the Fade, but he still manifests with a frenetic energy Rhava can feel raising the hairs on the back of his neck. It shouldn't be a surprise when two wingtips ghost against his back, sending a pleasant shock up his spine. He gasps at the sensation, and Lucanis pulls away enough to give him a concerned look. Before he can question what happened, or accuse Spite of any malicious intent, he's taken aback by the sound of Rhava's breathy laughter.

"Sorry," Rhava says, "I got… absorbed in the moment, forgot we have another participant."

"Don't encourage him," Lucanis sighs.

Rhava hums thoughtfully and presses his forehead against Lucanis'. This time when Spite's wings brush against him in an embrace, he doesn't startle. The demon holds him closer as Lucanis slowly loosens his grip and removes his hand from his hair. Rhava can feel the moment ending, like a candle at the end of it's wick, but he's still lingering in the glow.

"That was nice," Rhava murmurs.

"It was nice," Lucanis replies, just as quiet. He brushes his thumb along the line of Rhava's jaw before finally letting his hand fall away.

"It's late," he says, and has to steel himself against the way Rhava's shoulders fall in disappointment to continue, "You should get some rest. I'll clean up here."

"Fenedhis lasa," Rhava swears under his breath, "The mess.. I'm sorry…"

"It's fine," Lucanis pulls away enough to press a kiss to his cheek, "That was worth it."

There's a beat of silence as Rhava revels in the easy affection Lucanis always seems ready to give to him. Love served on a silver platter.

"You should get some rest," Lucanis repeats himself.

"So should you," he shoots back.

"I'll go to sleep if you do."

Rhava manages to hold back a laugh- Lucanis drives a hard bargain.

"Contract accepted."

Between Crows, that's better than a pinky promise.

It's only with that reassurance that Lucanis will also rest that Rhava is able to pull himself away from his paramour. He doesn't want to keep Lucanis up any later than he already has. Well.. he does want to, but he shouldn't. So he lays one final, fleeting kiss on Lucanis' forehead before he fully disentangles himself from his lap.

Despite knowing they both need sleep sooner rather than later, he pauses in the doorway, lingering in the dregs of the moment. He's sure he looks as besotted as he feels; he's not trying to hide it.

"Good night, Lucanis," he says, "Thank you."

"Sleep well, Rhava."

Rhava takes the fond look that Lucanis gives him and the way he says his name, and holds it fresh in his memory as he makes his way back to his room. He hopes that maybe- if he turns the kiss they'd shared over in his mind enough- he will have better dreams tonight.

~*~

"Tastes like. Dessert," Spite says, after the door swings shut behind Rhava.

Lucanis nods slowly, ignoring the mess at his feet and sinking further down into the couch. He closes his eyes and sinks into the new memory of a kiss- his first with Rhava- hoping to etch every detail of the experience into the back of his eyelids. He's used to using his trained mind to commit bloody plans to memory, trying to relish in the afterglow of a kiss is a welcome change. The taste is still fresh on his lips. Coffee and chocolate and hazelnut and cream and apricot and sugar and something else distinctly Rhava.

"Yes, like dessert," Lucanis breathes out, still craving more.

[lorde--of--the--rings]

An Explanation (Rook x Lucanis)

content warnings: none, spoilers for Lucanis relationship arc.

Rook gives Lucanis the space he needs, and he gives her an explanation.

“If you looked at both of our hands,” He spoke aloud, somehow, “you would think we had lived the same life.”

"I feel,"

Rook heard his voice before she knew he had entered the room. A bit of a surprise, maybe-- it's not often that a Shadow Dragon (or a rogue) is snuck up on. But there he was, the Demon of Vyrantium-- he was born and bred for sneaking.

As she turned to face him from her spot by the fire, he finished,

"I feel as though I owe you an explanation,"

"Lucanis"

His hands flew up and his eyes closed, "Don't. I mean, sorry. Let me finish." He was standing just by the threshold to the pantry. the light from the fire tricking shadows across his tired face, his silhouette dancing against the bare wall behind him.

More than ever, he looked tired, sad-- even for a man who was in a constant state of brooding.

Rook had sat by the fireplace in the hours since their almost-kiss. She knew he needed space, it was something he needed often-- a part of Lucanis which might make him seem cold or inaccessible to others, but instead made Rook remember another version of herself, the one learning how to “be” after she was liberated from the slavers she was born under.

It was hard, she knew, ever letting someone in-- knowing that level of pure vulnerability, of being the property of another human being. The knife of fear, like a part of your own body-- a limb you had never known, a muscle constantly pulling you toward solitude.

Yet, even if it wasn't for that, for what both of them had endured, his ability to be alone, to stand alone, was enviable-- powerful even. But it meant loneliness too, for someone like her-- someone in love with a man who ran away from first-kisses, deadpanned at flirtation, who was withdrawn on his warmest days, and invisible on the rest. She had learned to be patient long ago, before the war with Solas, and even before she met Varric.

And she would be again, for him.

“Ok, at least come sit by the fire. It’s my dying wish as your jilted lover.” Esha giggled, tossing a spare cushion at the crow-- whose eyes sparkled magenta-fire the moment it hit his chest. Her curls swept off her narrow shoulders as she laughed, heaving from the intensity. He felt he couldn’t breathe.

“As you command.” He said, betraying an obvious sense of relief at her good humor.

Anyone else might have left, given him the “cold-shoulder.” Teia was gifted in such things-- sensing even the slightest rejection she could ignore Viago for days. Hell, she would even draw Caterina into it-- who was always on a woman’s side, a justifiable code of ethic she had instilled into her Grandsons at a young age. Then, suddenly, and without a hint as to why, Teia and Caterina’s silence would break-- and Viago, whether deservingly or not, was back in their good graces again.

Lucanis was always afraid of that-- the power that could be held over you, when you loved another person. He had grown accustomed to it-- the sense that he had something to atone for, and what it was he didn’t know-- couldn’t know. And in his not-knowing, he was all the more guilty. It was like that growing up around girls in Treviso.

But Rook was different. More patient than any other woman he had ever known, it was what drew Spite to her so much at first. In those early days at the Lighthouse, she was all he would talk about-- squawking to let Lucanis talk to her. But he didn’t, couldn’t, shouldn’t. How could he? The feeling of warmth he almost immediately felt toward this person, he had assumed, was due to the fact that she had rescued him. He was not weak enough for love at first sight, but there was something about Esha Mercar that made all of it-- his walls, his bitterness, even the clenching of his jaw he had suffered from since childhood, all of it, muted, loosened, melted, shifted, even the mention of her was enough.

Of anything he had faced, the power of her was the most terrifying.

The fire showed in his eyes as he sat in silence, weighing these memories and flickers of feelings-- so slippery they were gone as fast as they came.

And so the two sat, Assan squawking outside-- in chase of some wisp-- or maybe playing with one of their comrades-in-arms. Either way, the world was on the other side of a heavy oak door.

Esha was first to break the silence, “I know you told me to let you finish, but, I’m not sure that I need you to.” This got a smile from the Crow, who was certainly used to many things-- a bouquet of roses that, when smelled, would reveal a set of poisoned Tevinter throwing knives; the look in the eyes of a contract when death dawned on them, the sound of an abomination being born as it echoed against hard coral. He had seen the world, earned a rather intimidating title, faced demonic possession, and now fought Gods-- and still, Rook could surprise him.

“You’ve outwitted me? Go on.” He smiled rather coyly, leaning back to rest his palms against the rough carpet. How old the thing was, who knew-- they were in a thrice-damned ancient elf’s magical fade-lighthouse. Mierda, what has my life come to.

“No,” she said, more serious than before, the humor leaving her in a way that felt breathless, like she was going cold from top to bottom, “no, I just, I think I know how you feel.”

“What? Terrified?” Spite lunged out of him, he coughed harshly from the shock of it. “I'm not terrified. He lies. You know this.”

“Well, I am terrified, Lucanis. I’m terrified.”

She had turned to face him now, putting her hands into his lap, her eyes now wet with tears. “What could be so terrifying,” cara a voice whispered, but it wasn’t Spite. Not this time. It was his own voice, echoing harshly in his mind.

He was an accomplished assassin of the world’s deadliest mages, heir to the most powerful seat in Antiva, and this shadow dragon-- a former Tevinter slave, with eyes like amber against pine bark, with brown hair that flowed richly past her shoulders, a woman with an uncharacteristic Fereldan accent, this woman, his boss, wielded words sharper than any knife he had ever known.

“This. You, Lucanis. Sorry, Spite.” Rook giggled, her shoulders shaking gently, brushing tears from mascara-stained cheeks. His eyes flashed purple, but Spite didn’t answer. Looking down, he noticed, with a certain degree of cutting dread, the closeness between her small hands and his own-- they had moved to hers without him knowing, feeling, or approving.

“Just earlier, you joked that I don’t know when I’m walking close to the edge. I do, ok. Now, with you, there’s so much more to lose.” Back in his own body now, Lucanis takes her hands in his own. Wordlessly, he observes them, passing her small palms between his own slightly larger ones.

“If you looked at both of our hands,” He spoke aloud, somehow, “you would think we had lived the same life.” He paused to show her, their four palms face up in the shrinking space between them.

He was right, Esha realized. Remarkably, their hands bore the same collection of calluses-- years of wielding daggers, training with bows, climbing up walls and across roof-tops. Years of hiding, of surviving, of loneliness and solitude, all things loved and lost, written in the palms of these two people in the same dark room, on one side of a big oak door, somewhere in the fade, floating.

“When I tell you I understand,” Rook said, running her smooth fingertips along his, “do you get it now?”

His palms close around hers, forming two fists of entwined fingers, “Yes, cara, I do.”

[housederiva]

Answers to the ask game from this post below the cut! Thank you to everybody who sent a number, these were really fun!

@malyris

3 - most and least favorite banter

My least favorite is when you play as a shadow dragon and how Lucanis and others only mentions how hard of the loss of Minrathous is for Neve even though Rook is also from/has family there. My favorite is if you take Harding down into the Ossuary as a crow and she says ‘do we really need another assassin? We already have you and you’re great!’ I think the way she delivers that line is really fun

16 - What animal would my Rook be?

She would be a rook (of the bird variety) that is the name I’ve had Viago give her in her backstory, though Varric change the meaning to the chess piece. She has no other first name but Rook

35 - Is your powerful tingle properly contained?

Wouldn’t you like to know whether boy

@crabs-with-sticks

30 - favorite/funniest/most cursed screenshot?

@infamousbeans

29 - can Rook handle their ginger wart tea?

She’s the second best poisoner in House de Riva, There’s no other answer than yes

@miscneilleaneous

15 - least and most favorite boss fight

Fighting the two blighted dragons when they turned into a hack and slash version of the Hades Super Giant hydra fight, it was repetitive, I wasn’t I wasn’t having fun :( my favorite is fighting Zara after walking through the corridor of sacrifice slaves, it was the only moment in the game where slavery and (forgive me neve) the cruelty of blood magic didn’t pull any punches and was brought the forefront of the player’s attention

@things-are-about-to-get-dicey

4 - most and least favorite voice line delivery

I really like when you’re skipping stones with Neve and she has an aha moment and Rook says ‘wait, that worked?’ My least favorite is when Rook says that line about Lucanis becoming the first Talon where they raise the glass in the opera house, it doesn’t fit the tone of what he’s feeling. Also my favorite line is whatever Taash says at any given moment

23 - would Rook and the Inquisitor be on good terms? Would they like or not be able to stand each other?

Hmmm I think they would see a lot of similarities in each other regardless of the differences in their background. They are both elves thrust into a situation they do not want to be in. Both are held to a standard they can’t possibly reach. In another life may be the inquisitor would’ve been her magic teacher

33 - did you pick different companions throughout the game or stick with the same ones? Was it for tactical reasons or because you (or rook) liked them most?

My two companions were whose map was in plus Lucanis or Harding. Those two would’ve been the base 2 if we have a three party system again. it’s because it made narrative sense for the story I wanted to leach out for Rook

35 - see above weather boy

@brightaxe

5 - most and least favorite part of the crossroads

My favorite part is the fade market and where echo is and my least favorite part is the entry point right after the Lighthouse cause I’m just running past that tree to see if there’s a dialogue trigger and then fast traveling to another waypoint to get a companion conversation trigger where the Eluvian I wanna go is

7 - most and least favorite armor

My favorite armor would be Harding’s starting equipment and the jacketless N7 armor with a color mod on it to make it more crow themed. My least favorite is half of the Lord of Fortune armors and most definitely whatever Isabela has on

14 - most and least favorite factions

My favorite is the Crows and my least favorite is shadow dragons. This is predominantly because shadow dragon rook has the least amount of content out of any of the origins. The Crows are my favorite because of my obsession with Viago and how Rook feels like they actually existed in the space before the intro started

@rose-s-587

2 - most in least favorite locations

My favorite would have to be the Treviso Market and my least favorite is the meditation room in the lighthouse, despite the things we can put on the end tables it doesn’t feel like the room is Rook’s compared to what the companions have

4 - please see aboooooove

18 - is your rook more diplomatics, humorous, or harsh? And mix of all three?

Purple Rook is something I hold so dear and close to my chest but depending on the situation she will lean into the other two

20 - Is Rook best friends with any of the companions? If yes, who?

My first answer is that it would be Harding because they’ve spent a year together roughly beforehand but with the story I’m writing it makes it easier for my Rook and Lucanis to have a friendship before they have anything else

[fear-and-lothering]

My secccond playthrough of Veilguard hc's have spiraled into the AU territory so hard For my rook so I wanted to talk about her so bad

Stufff about her beloooow/au thoughts

My De Riva rook is a twin (Since just my girl nyxie but in DA and sibling drama will follow her into every universe) They were orphaned *by* the crows, city elf mother killed when they were pretty young . Nelwin developed magic as an early bloomer which got him quickly snatched up and shuffled to the circle. (My personal head canon is they don't run a lot of mages through the training anyways cause risk of winding up with an abomination from the conditions , huge liability there) While she was left to the crows and brought up by them. Was not really a choice and no where else to go. As a fledgling showed promise, a perfectionist, and tried to hard, got her the ire of some of her peers being a show off but brought in to House De Riva/Protégé to Viago.

Nyxie unlike her brother developed magical skill as a very late bloomer after she'd gone through all the initial training. (Like late teen) Of course making it through the hardest parts of training/showing she's not a massive liability with magic hired an discreet tutor for her and trained her to be a spell blade (Leaving her as an apostate as well). (Thinking when she showed magic, was on one of her early solo jobs as a fledgling, tracking some 'wanna be noble' who'd been pissing people off to kill. Thought she was so thorough and when she went in for the kill got ambushed and a knife driven in her shoulder. Faltered when she was thrown off of her plan and *hurt*. Panicked and dropped her knives and grabbed the guy by the collar white knuckled before blasting the guy with lighting. Complete mess confused, hurt, and covered in her blood and the other guys hesitates going back to the house but eventually slinks back ) She misses her brother dearly and of course with the crows power can pull strings to 'sometimes' let her see him/write letters to him, because it means they also control her access to that one family member and also 'we know where he is if you do get outa line'

-- Where it veers into au is with the regret prison , she's been writing her brother letters while traveling but after the botched ritual/releasing the gods she stops sending them she's so stressed and keeps writing 'if I don't make it out' then crumpling them up and hiding them, not wanting to worry him. Leading to the remaining Veilguard finding her stack of unsent letters and making sure it gets out to her next of kin, just as Davrin made sure all the wardens families were notified. Likely a group effort with Davrin, Neve, and Lucanis figuring out the 'arrangement' nyxie had for her brother. He's a mage though, and maybe with their 'blood connection' as twins, as solas was connected to rook he's connected to her and can see snippets/flashes of where she is in the fade. Trying to reach out to her in his dreams but she's just thinking it's another manifestation of the prison. Nyxie is so nervous and repressed she wouldn't of faced her regrets without being goaded a lil. Kind of a 'I'll eat my own fingers before I deal with how i feel) So the team pulls strings to 'borrow' him from the circle and to the lighthouse to help them track her down/find a spot to pull her from

--

(Nel *hates* viago and that Nyxie is a crow. Just loves his sister but a bitter resentment over what's done with her. Since Nyxie is 'got a lot of repressed trauma' from being brought up a crow/their mother, but she refuses to really deal with it, and the crows are the people she's actively been around most of her family so attachment to them in spite of that. ) I can just imagine the tension in the room when the veilguard gang trying to get Nyxie out of the fade, and Nel and Viago in the same room. Buuut once they get Nyxie out happy elf twin reunion before the two start bickering and cat bapping each other In this lil au I def think nel and Davrin hit it off bitching about the crows, and stuff (leading to a hilarious 'davrin did you fuck my brother' moment out of nyxie Even thinking Nel staying on board to help, since def leaning towards his magic being spirit healing as his speciality. (And pulling some strings with emmrich to join the mourn watch and get him out of antiva/antivan circle. But also 'he's facinated by it' and 'if he's out of antiva that's one less things the crows can use to hold over Nyxie's head)

SORRY GOT LIL SCATTERED AT THE END BEEN TYPING THIS IN BITS FOR LIKE TWO WEEKS AND JUST GETTING THOSE IDEAS OUT

[mediumsizedwildcat]

For the Rook questionnaire, 25 and 45 for all four of your Rooks!

Very interesting questions and something I've wondered and thought about before! Thank you for asking! <3

Unfortunately, my answers will probably be very basic xD but i also don't know that many characters off the top of my head, so... Forgive me for being basic? xD

If you want to ask more questions from the Rook questionnaire (it's spoiler free), my ask box is open and I welcome any and all questions about them! (my rooks)

This is a looong post, so I'm putting a read more cut here :3

25. How does Rook like to spend their free time?

a. Luke definitely likes to read, though he hasn't allowed himself much free time. With the Shadow Dragons he was mostly working, only brushing up on some things so he wouldn't stand out too much. Of course he had to hone his skills, too. In a way, the Veilguard actually show him how to relax. Now he watches Davrin carve and might even take up drawing in the future, who knows? He also sews so he doesn't forget how to fix his armors and clothes.

b. Before the Veilguard, Stellan never really had free time. They're too used to being the target, so they've been doing stuff that looked intimidating, like sharpening weapons or training. In the Lighthouse, they're trying to learn about the things the others like. They're learning how to make coffee for Lucanis, trying to figure out how to get through to him that Spite is a person, too, reading the books the Lighthouse's bookclub is up to, learning the finer arts of cooking... They're also writing down what transpired so far and sometimes just sit and stare at the walls, thinking everything that's happened so far through.

c. Nalaya absolutely loves entertaining Manfred. He helps him with his chores, asks him for tea, tries to get a closer look at everything in and around Manfred. She enjoys dragon talk, too, or listening to Emmrich's seemingly endless wisdom. Training with Davrin and Lucanis, philosophical conversations with the Caretaker, you name it. Only reading gives him a headache, so he leaves that up to the professor. And when Nalaya's really lucky, he can find Emmrich in a position where he can just slot in and get some cuddles.

d. Robin has spent the last few years fighting darkspawn and is secretly terrified by their new forms, so he's using Davrin's carvings and some rough drawings he made himself to study them. Antoine is right, the Blight is changed, and it scares the shit out of Robin. However, when he's not studying one of his new fears, he likes to explore. The Lighthouse, the save parts of the Crossroads, and of course Solas. Which means going through drawers and every conversation he's had with the man. He keeps busy with work and tries his best to help people, so there isn't much free time for him, anyway.

45. Who was Rook’s closest friend before joining the Veilguard?

a. Luke didn't have that many friends. Of course he knows fellow Shadow Dragons and could cooperate with them, but what does “close” even mean? He did like to get on Tarquin's nerves and Tarquin let him get away with it the most, but does that make them close friends? Probably not. Luke may also be a bit too paranoid to have close friends, always looking where he could help the most people and how. Unfortunately, the answer is Tarquin, and Luke wouldn't like this question.

b. Stellan's closest friend... Well, as an Antivan Crow, Stellan didn't make friends with most others. There's a sort of friendship going on with Viago, but Stellan has a hard time trusting people. They weren't born into a house and became a Talon's favourite, so friendship tends to mean a dagger in their back. No, thank you. Even with Viago it is a very tentative relationship, though it might count as the “closest” friendship he's had. They work hard, alone, and don't mess up contracts. (Being able to leave was a blessing in disguise.)

c. Nalaya's closest friends before the Veilguard were wisps. There are many of them in the Necropolis and Nalaya trusted them with a lot of things. He even went on a date with a wisp once! They were both children then, but wisps tend to be more understanding than mortal people, in his experience. If hard pressed about his closest mortal friends, he'd have to say VORGOTH and Myrna. Really, he prefers the company of fadefolk.

d. Robin's closest friends are hands down Anotine and Evka. When he joined the Wardens he was in a bad place, mentally and physically, and he fought every Darkspawn he could see. While he wasn't the friendliest (Evka had to knock him out a few times) Antoine and Evka never gave up on him. He wouldn't be the man he is today without them, and he's not afraid to admit that anymore. They taught him kindness and compassion and blighted or not, he wouldn't have it any other way.