#veilguard shall be no different

[too-many-lavellans]

Rook thoughts, commence

[dalishious]

Reading Three Trees to Midnight tonight struck me with a realization that the Vir Tanadhal is SO culturally comparatively Mi'kmaq...

We've heard two different versions of the Vir Tanadhal, and both are applicable.

Version one, spoken aloud by Ilen in Dragon Age: Origins -

"The first is the Vir Assan—the Way of the Arrow: to reach for our goal, unrelenting. The second is the Vir Bor'assan—the Way of the Bow: to bend, but not to break. The last is the Vir Adahlen—the Way of the Wood: we are as ancient as the forests, each tree a part of the greater land."

Version two, first introduced in World of Thedas vol. 1 -

"Vir Assan, the Way of the Arrow: Be swift and silent, Andruil taught. Strike true; do not waver. And let not your prey suffer. Vir Bor’assan, the Way of the Bow: As the sapling bends, so must you. In yielding, find resilience; in pliancy, find strength. Vir Adahlen, the Way of the Wood: Receive the gifts of the hunt with mindfulness. Respect the sacrifice of my children. Know that your passing shall nourish them in turn."

This is literally just recycled concepts like M'sit No'kmaq, Wejisqalia'ti'k, Netukulimk, and Etuaptmumk!

M'sit No'kmaq means all my relations. It is the understanding that all living beings are related to one another. Even things that would not by western views be considered living; everything with a shadow has a spirit, and all spirits should be respected as you respect family. Just like the Dalish talking about being part of a greater whole.

Wejisqalia'ti'k means from this earth we sprouted. It is the understanding that we are a part of Mi'kma'ki; we are a part of our homeland, just as much as the land, the sea, and the sky. Just like the Dalish talking about being as ancient as the forests, and nourishing Andruil's children in death.

Netukulimk means seeking a good living. It is the understanding of how to maintain a sustainable relationship between the People and the Earth. When you gather or hunt or fish, you do not take more than what you need, and you always offer thanks for what the Creator has provided, honouring what you have harvested. Just like the Dalish talking about respecting the sacrifice of Andruil's children, and being mindful of the hunt's gifts.

Etuaptmumk means two-eyed seeing. It is contemporarily used to describe the relationship between combining western views and Indigenous views, but in general refers to the way in which people must seek understanding from each other, to grow but not assimilate. Just like the Dalish talking about finding strength in pliancy, but resilience in yielding; to bend, but not break.

Whenever I get around to writing the second edition of my great big Indigenous Coding in the Elves of Dragon Age essay—at some point after the release of The Veilguard in case there are new comparisons—I will definitely be including this.

[lafaiette]

Inspired by some posts going around, saying Rook should be able to flirt with Lavellan to make Solas super jealous 😂 (but also to help him stop being stupid and finally go back to her!)

There are nuanced spoilers from Veilguard, and my own idea regarding Rook and Solas' connection, since we still don't know how it works exactly.

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

"I have an idea."

Neve raised her eyes from the notes scattered on her desk, giving Rook a flat, unimpressed look. She knew, by know, that their ideas weren't always the best.

Sometimes, she feared the things their brain came up with.

"What kind of idea?" she asked, hoping it would be different this time, that they would surprise her, that this wouldn't be like that time they had sneaked upon Lucanis and almost got stabbed.

"I'm going to flirt with Lady Lavellan."

"Oh, goodness." Neve took a deep breath. So much for her hopes. "Well, you're going to die, I guess."

"Not for real!" Rook had the audacity to grin at her. "As a joke! Just to unnerve our Dread Wolf a little bit."

"Why would you do that?" Neve shook her head in disbelief. "Do you even hear yourself? If what Lace said is right, he could kill you in your sleep."

"Nah, he won't. We're almost friends at this point - and besides, he wouldn't risk ruining our mission."

"He would for Lady Lavellan."

"Come on!" Rook's grin came back, happy and excited. "I'm curious to see how he'd react! He's always so serious and grim, you know? But Varric said he was a completely different person when he was with the Inquisitor, and the rumours I heard..."

"He's in contact with you, is he not?" She tilted her head, studying their face. "Isn't he listening to this conversation right now?"

"Our connection is severed most of the time. There are moments when I can feel him being present, but they don't last long, and I always have to update him on our plans." Rook scratched their neck. "I have no idea how much he's able to glimpse from that prison he's stuck in, to be honest. It doesn't look like a great place to be in."

"It was a prison made specially for mad elven mages." Neve sighed, going back to the more pressing topic. "Seriously, Rook, this is a terrible idea."

"Hey, he deserves it! Haven't you seen how kind and gracious Lady Lavellan is? If anything, I'm going to help them get back together! Trust me, this will help them. I'm basically doing them a favour!"

"You're going to scare that poor woman." Neve glared at them, almost disappointed. "I won't let you be a creep."

"Oh, Neve, who do you take me for?" Rook was at the door, ready to leave, ready to start their diabolical plan. "I will be the perfect gentleman, just like Emmrich."

"He is a gentleman, while you're acting like a mischievous nug!"

Rook left with a booming laugh; Neve stared at the door, trying to squash her morbid curiosity under a sense of professionalism and dignity.

But a part of her was looking forward to the consequences of Rook's insane prank.

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

"Lady Lavellan." Rook smiled at the elven woman, Solas' presence like a burning itch in their brain, right behind their eyes. "You look stunning this morning."

They even bowed to her.

Davrin and Harding stared at them as if they had gone mad. Lady Lavellan blinked, eyes wide, then replied, as prim as ever:

"Thank you?"

"Should you need anything, please don't hesitate to call upon me. It shall be my honour to serve a wonderful, beautiful person such as yourself."

Davrin made a weird sound, a noise between a snort and a choking gasp. Harding covered her mouth with a hand.

Lady Lavellan's shock only grew - but her background as an important political figure was indeed evident, for she didn't let it colour her next words nor her reaction.

"Thank you, Rook. You're very kind."

She even smiled a little, even though she still looked a bit perplexed.

Rook grinned at her, then left. The burning, the presence inside their head, felt like a roaring inferno now.

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

"Here, my lady - I heard you like these particular berries. I made sure to buy some from you while I was in Treviso."

Rook filled her plate with sweet, red berries, and Lady Lavellan's face did light up, her eyes filled with wonder and joy.

"Oh, thank you! It's been so long since I ate these!"

"Only the best for you." Rook bowed their head at her, then turned to pass a jug of water to Lucanis, who was sitting next to them and had heard their exhange with the Inquisitor.

The Antivan Crow was looking at them, studying them, his lips slightly curled upward.

"Yes?" Rook grinned at him.

"Spite says you're going to die soon, my friend."

"Oh, Neve said the same thing!"

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

"Oh, Rook, here you are! Lady Lavellan and I were discussing some matters related to the Mourn Watch. Would you like to join us?"

"Of course, Emmrich." Rook accepted the cup of tea Manfred was diligently handing them, thanking him with a nod of their head. "I'd love to spend more time with you and our beautiful guest."

Emmrich almost choked on his tea. Lady Lavellan kindly offered him her handkerchief.

"Has someone ever painted you, my Lady?" Rook sipped the hot beverage without a care in the world, even raising their little finger. "I can't believe no one has. Such a gorgeous, dazzling smile should be preserved for eternity."

"Well, uh... Solas painted the frescoes in the rotunda at Skyhold. And..." She looked down, into her cup, suddenly quiet and timid. "He made some charcoal portraits of me."

Rook felt bad, guilt squeezing their heart. They hurried to improve the mood.

"Charcoal portraits are well and good, but your beauty and kindness should be painted on gilded vaults. Or perhaps sculpted, to fill the world with your grace!"

She snorted, the prelude to a giggle. When she left to check on Varric, Emmrich sighed and stared and stared, until Rook had to speak up.

"What?"

"My friend, why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"That you have a death wish. We could have talked about this sooner."

"I don't have a death wish!"

"I know these are hard, frightening times, but you must let death come to you, not the other way around. You have your whole life ahead of you!"

"Emmrich, really..."

"Why don't we start some therapy sessions? We do it all the time in the Mourn Watch - it's a very taxing job on the soul, after all."

"Therapy sess-"

"Manfred, my boy, be a dear and fetch me some ink and paper. Now, Rook, lie down and tell me when your suicidal intentions have first started..."

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

"Rook."

"Taash. Bellara."

"Oh, Rook." Bellara sniffed, pushing back tears. "It's been an honour."

"Wait, what? Are you two leaving?"

"No?" Taash frowned. "You are."

"And quite soon, I fear. The Dread Wolf isn't the merciful type." Bellara nodded sagely.

"Hey, hey, I'm not leaving! Solas and I are getting along swimmingly!"

"The only swimming you'll do will be in a neverending nightmare, my friend." Taash said, patting their shoulder. "Well. It's been fun."

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

"Goodnight, my Lady."

Rook kissed Lady Lavellan's right hand - no, not really. They didn't even touch it with their lips, not wanting to creep her out, and they knew the Dread Wolf would really smite them if they even dared think about touching her.

"Oh, uh... goodnight."

"Your beauty and brilliance eclipse the stars." Rook continued. "I can see now why both Ferelden and Orlais adored you so."

She watched them for a second, confused and embarrassed, then realization shone on her face, and a bright smile appeared on it.

In that moment, Rook knew she knew the real reasons behind their silly behaviour. She even looked happy, as if Rook had done something good.

"Goodnight, Rook." Her smile was amused, now. "Say hi to Solas for me, please."

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

Rook fell asleep, excitement and apprehension creating a churning cocktail in their stomach. Perhaps Emmrich was right; perhaps they really had a death wish. No sane person would ever tease the ancient elven god of rebellion by flirting with his beloved vhenan.

The prison was darker than usual. They could barely see their feet, and the ground felt shakier, almost crumbly, as if they were standing on sand.

Beneath them, endless darkness, a pit of shadows and oblivion.

"Solas...?"

Then they felt an overwhelming pressure, their head splitting in half, ash in their mouth. Rook groaned, gritting their teeth, and squeezing their eyes shut.

"Oi, cut it out!"

"Your beauty and brilliance eclipse the stars." Solas' cold voice echoed, reaching Rook from all directions; but they couldn't see him, couldn't find him, and the pressure on their head only increased.

"You should be sculpted, to fill the world with your grace."

"It's true! She's quite graceful!"

A growl, then suddenly the pillar of earth and sand on which Rook was standing trembled, and for a moment they truly feared Solas was about to cast them down.

They saw him, then: standing just a few paces away, fire in his eyes, his teeth gritted into a snarl, fists clenched. Poor fellow.

"You disgusting little...!"

He took a deep breath, but Rook could see the vein throbbing on his forehead. When next he spoke, Solas sounded only slightly calmer.

"Leave Lady Lavellan alone. She has no time for your inane words. You are embarrassing her."

"Are you sure? Because I think I saw the prettiest of blushes when I..."

The pillar trembled again, and Rook had to hold onto it to avoid falling down. When they raised their eyes, Solas was gone, and they heard his voice coming from behind.

Very close. Extremely close, so much they thought he was finally standing on their same level.

But they also felt something else, a huge presence, as tall as a mountain, where there should have been only a bald elf. They didn't turn, their instinct telling them they would see too many eyes, and fangs, too.

"Leave her alone." Solas' voice said, sounding the same as before, but also not, an undercurrent of fury and pain hidden beneath every word. "This will be my last warning."

"Fine, fine! I was just joking, and she knows that!"

A moment of silence, then: "... What?"

Rook laughed, the pressure behind their eyelids finally subduing.

"You're still deep in it, huh? Don't worry, she feels the same. Every time we talk about you, she gets this soft look on her face. Oh, and she says hi, by the way."

The huge presence also vanished, and when next Rook blinked, Solas was standing before them again. He looked surprised, but also curious, eager to hear more, hope and sorrow written all over his pale face.

"What, you really thought I was trying to hit on her? She's a great person, but she's not really my type. And I know she has eyes for you only... even though I can't understand why. No offense."

Solas looked away, sorrow winning over hope.

"I often wonder the same."

"Try not to be an ass once you're finally out of here, yes?" Rook grinned at him, feeling their consciousness return in the waking world. "She's been waiting for you."

This time, only hope shone on Solas' face, chasing away the shadows of pain.

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

Time later, at the apex of their fight against the Evanuris, Solas found himself finally free, walking the corridors and rooms of the Lighthouse as he had done millennia ago, ready to stand against his mortal enemies one more time.

Things were a bit strained between him and Rook's companions. There wasn't - there couldn't be - the same sort of camaraderie he had had with his companions of the Inquisition.

He apologized to Varric, of course. He could barely look him in the eye, so vast was his shame - but the kind dwarf waved off his apologies, an easy smile on his face. And Solas knew he had been forgiven, even though he could scarcely believe it.

And then there was Lavellan, his vhenan. She smiled at him whenever they met in the Lighthouse, or at dinner, eating at the same long table with everyone else.

At first, he tried to be distant, not wanting to hurt her, not sure she actually wanted to have anything to do with him, despite Rook's reassurances.

But then he couldn't stay away from her any longer. He kept looking at her, saw her stealing glances, too, and he finally decided to listen to his heart.

"Good morning." He greeted her one day, when he bumped into her while heading to a quick breakfast.

"Good morning." she replied in kind, her smile soft and luminous like a wisp of the Fade.

"I..." Solas cleared his throat, moving closer to her. He looked at everything but her - her prosthetic arm, the ground, the view from the windows - then he finally found the courage to lock eyes with her.

"You look beautiful, vhenan."

Her smile widened, and an adorable blush coloured her cheeks. Behind her, Scout Harding and Davrin let out a soft "aww".

"Thank you."

"There... There is a balcony overlooking the Fade behind those doors. Would you..." He cleared his throat again, feeling his own cheeks burn. "Would you like to have breakfast there? Together?"

"I'd love to."

Solas returned the smile, a great weight lifted from his shoulders. He offered her his arm, and she took it, letting him guide her.

They were so busy smiling, lost in each other, they didn't see Rook watching them from the railing just above their heads.

"Hah!" Rook shook their head, a fond grin on their face. "Knew it would work."

[lucianhuntress]

Emmrich x Reader: 58. “Don't get used to it.”

This was super extra special bonus that I came up with in the morning late in the night. No actual Veilguard spoilers in it. Just inspired by the Mourn Watch Rook.

The hallways of the Necropolis hum eerily, reminding of the lingering presence of spirits even when they mischievously stay out of sight. Sometimes the temperature drops uncomfortably as you walk through the stoney corridors to the professor's study.

Professor Emmrich usually treats his pupils equally and you aren't supposed to be any different. However, your enthusiasm in the studies of necromancy has piqued his interest; not only are you excited to learn —you have also shown skill in the simple rituals and ceremonies you have done so far. Obviously you are nowhere near his level, but with his guidance you may reach the pinnacle of spiritual magics one day.

Normally he wouldn't even be so invested in additional tutoring, but the light glimmering in your eyes like a dozen gleeful spirits makes his heart flutter. Spirits enjoy your presence and apparently so does he. 

“Tea?” He asks, musing to himself as he eyes you across the small table while you unpack your bag; a book of reanimation, a quill and a bottle of ink. You are always ready to take notes and he is happy to delve deeper into the theories of magic with you.

He notices how you have filled the margins of your spell book and he knows the act is condemnable; so many books in the library are often found full of illegible scribbles. Instead he finds it cute; another little detail about you and he really shouldn't keep adding any more reasons to find you endearing. It is hardly appropriate to favor one student anyway, much less to actually have feelings for.

“Yes… please. Professor.” you smile at him warmly, causing his heart to flutter. Manfred saunters over to you with a tray and pours tea into a very fancily decorated cup. You inhale the soft scents of the tea, before taking a sip.

“Oh dear. I see Manfred used the finest tea I have,” Emmrich says in a disappointed manner while somehow managing to sound cheerful at the same time. His eternal cheerfulness is something that keeps impressing you even if you are knee deep in femurs, ribs and spines while chanting a spell and holding a candle.

“I-I’m sure I've never had anything like this before.” You stutter slightly as you stare at the cup wide-eyed. “It’s so good, professor!”

“It certainly has such a deep and robust flavor that I rarely dare to drink it myself.” Emmrich sighs and taps his thighs gently, as if to end the tea serving. “Don't get used to it— I think I have to hide the remaining leaves.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, muttering something to himself.

You let out a delighted chuckle, feeling the warmth of the tea spreading across your body. Emmrich studies your expression with bemusement. “I shall treasure this cupful then.”

[contreparry]

happy friday! I would love to see what you do with "(Reverence) Macabre beauty of bones".

I really debated over filling this prompt today or waiting until next Friday when Veilguard is out and we've met all the characters. But the temptation was too great, so I decided to write Emmrich Volkarin for @dadrunkwriting!

He loved his work. There was always something new to discover when you worked with the Fade, spirits, and the dead, and Emmrich had ever been a lover of learning. There was always something to learn when you speak with the dead- or the spirits who inhabit the dead.

Death never frightened him, and neither did the unknown. Instead, he was enthralled by the lure of knowledge and the temptation of being able to solve a good mystery. He delighted in hosting the dead- and the spirits within- for tea. Perhaps it would be better to say it was a sort of tea, for they did not embibe food and drink, but it was always at tea-time and he provided refreshments for his guests both living and dead. He loved to pepper the dead with questions, and answer their questions in turn. He collected data- though it was not nearly as clean and clinical as numbers in a ledger, at least not for him. Perhaps for others it was different, but Emmrich loved his work.

It did not make the work easy, especially when it was tragic. Emmrich held up the skull (white, picked clean, empty sockets staring back at him pleadingly) and sighed heavily.

"I am afraid," Emmrich informed the investigator. "That there is little I can divine from his skull." There was little he could do with a skull, a femur, and a patella. He could tell it was from the same person, a poor soul who had been unearthed from underneath the paving stones of a courtyard of a nobleman's estate, but beyond that... Emmrich could tell that his living guest was most displeased by this turn of events. She clicked her tongue impatiently and glowered at him, the bones, and poor Manfred who came in with the tea tray.

"Can't you just..." the investigator waved her hand at the bones. "Ask?"

"A spirit must come willingly to inhabit the deceased. If they do not wish it, I will not force the matter," Emmrich said firmly. That never led to anything good, at least in his considerable experience with the dead. He looked down at the skull. It was beautiful, it its own way, a reminder of their fragile mortality. Someday this shall be you.

"But let him remain here for some time, and I shall see what can be learned from this," Emmrich promised, which seemed to make this investigator happy. She almost smiled, and she deigned to take tea with them. She didn't linger overlong- too much work to do, for this was a murder case no matter how old- but Emmrich was glad for the living company before he returned his attentions to the dead.

[atomically99]

not to expose one of my other special interests, but specialshipping dragon age inquisition au while i am (im)patiently waiting for veilguard news

as is per all my aus i create in my head (i have a lot), yellow is of course the inquisitor. i see her as a rift mage lavellan. lavellan bc yellow being integrally connected to nature like the dalish are is important to her character. i see her as a mage for spirit healing and the fact she has legit powers in canon (telekinesis and such) and rift mage to represent her connection w pokemon as a connection to the fade/spirits.

red is definitely warrior. i see his character as a similar role to cullen. cullen is a seasoned templar who is a solid leader and trains troops (one can see green (m) in this role but this is a special au and not a feeling one lol). red is the de facto leader of the dex holders and that carries over. cullen and red’s physical trauma (lyrium addiction/withdrawal and paralysis of wrists and ankles) has a similar carry over.

in my mind, each gen would have one of each class (mage, rogue, or warrior)

i do think that the kanto quartet should serve as the inky and advisors but while i think blue could be good in leliana’s spymaster role, i don’t think green makes for a very good josephine. josephine is a diplomat who does all of the talking for the inquisition. i do think green would do good at this especially considering he is a public figure both as a dex holder and a gym leader. i think the personality difference is keeping me from really seeing it

i can see blue and silver as rogues. with blue as an artificer (traps and gadgets) and silver as an assassin. i could also see-story wise-them as apostates who fled the circle (led by pryce) and were on the run before the mage rebellion.

gold is def warrior and crystal i do see as a mage. i’m stealing this from dragon age 2 but crys would make a solid force mage. gold would likely be a champion.

i have kinda more abt the other gens but the one ill say is the lowkey equivalent of interpol for rakutsu would be the qun. he was raised in interpol and goes undercover for their interests. it has a similar energy

okay back to specialshipping, can you imagine the angst from this au?? in your heart shall burn??? adamant???? trespasser?????? there’s so much to choose from.

considering clan lavellan and kirkwall are both in the free marches, there could be a whole moment pre-inquisition where they meet. he could save her from a tal-vashoth attack. she could heal him after he deals with abominations or demons. and they meet again after the conclave, under stressful circumstances

is this clear and concise and makes sense? no, but i’ve been lore binging dragon age so i had to do it. if any of you spe and da fans have thoughts or just hate this, hit me up i wanna talle about dragon age

[ryniadora]

So I finished Veilguard.

As a game, about a 6/10. As a DA game, about a 3/10.

First and foremost, it runs like absolute dogshit. Now this may be on me because it warned me not to install in on my HDD but I thought it'd be fine ... nope. Constant popin, having to wait minutes at at time for quest objectives to spawn, quests breaking because certain NPCs didn't spawn/I accidentally moved over the trigger too fast ... oh and every now and again when I load a save my character returns to default. I could handle the long loading screens but UGHHH.

I love Lucanis with my entire chest but the romance feels so unearned because you can never just talk to him, get to know him outside of heavily scripted scenes. Well-written as they are, it's just not enough and it makes the entire thing feel ... not real? He makes you a dessert (cute af by the way 10/10) and then ... everyone starts saying you're a thing??? And I'm like ARE WE??? Then suddenly he busts into your room and is all lovey dovey and adorable and it's just ?????????

Looking forward to writing it though.

Gameplay is meh, but I expected that. Played on baby mode and basically stomped everything, had to actively stop DPSing to hear all the dialogue sometimes xD Mage was frustrating as you'd get stunlocked all the time, though that may be a skill issue.

Main story was OK. Very much too focused on certain people who shall not be named, but it was okie. Please let the inquisitor hug egg, he needs a hug.

Companions were very disappointing. I went in expecting to love Davrin, but found him very boring. Bellara was too "look at me, I'm SO QWERKY". I never liked Harding much so was meh. Neve I expected to like but went cold on relatively quickly. Taash pissed me off from the get-go, and I got bored of their shit real fast.

Emmerich, though. I went into the thing fully expecting to LOATHE him, but he turned out not to be a snarky rat man but a very nice, sweet college professor and I was actually very tempted to romance him. May well do so on a second playthrough.

Side stories varied in quality wildly, and a lot of it felt like it was written with entirely different games in mind.

Definitely not enough Dorian, and too much Isabela.

But the most egregious crime is that nothing matters. Nothing we did in the previous games mattered except "what was your inquisitor's relationship to Solas?". It even let me pick who she romanced but it didn't matter, even when Dorian teased her about it in one throwaway line there were no names mentioned, not even a mention of her GOING HOME TO HER HUSBAND DORIAN PLS. I feel that choice is there just to ferret out the Solavellans ...

Where is Hawke? Where is the Hero of Ferelden during this crisis? You can't even choose who the Divine is, and it seems to default to it being Divine Victoria based on some Harding dialogue.

Fenris was lurking around Tevinter being a menace, where the fuck was he? I was holding on to hope I'd see my husband =(

Also I was proud of myself for only getting one person killed through the whole thing (sorry Harding I couldn't risk Assan's neck, he is best boy) on my first try. I feel like it's possible to get everyone through? Maybe? Difficult to say.

Overall I had a good time but it didn't feel like what we'd been waiting 10 years for. They threw out most of the established world building and just kind of winged it.

[writingway-in-writinghell]

So I know that there have been edits around drawing the parallel that Veilguard = Evanuris, but have we actually evaluated that on a narrative level yet?

We have six companions.

Together with Rook, that is 7 people.

Just like the 7 banished Evanuris.

As this game asks the question of how you deal with authority when authority won’t listen to you, I find it ironic that at least one of your companions IS authority: Lucanis. The Crows more or less rule Antiva, or they claim they do that in their, shall I say, pride?

How much of this game, how many of our companions are created as foils to the False Gods? How will the different endings reflect back on Rook? Is he truly so different from Solas, or from Elgarnan? It’s up to the player. Fuck.

[ignylinn]

Right, so I was going to write smth about Veilguard after I finished it. But I'm 23 hours in, my eyes are blurry and I need to pause, but I'm still mentally there, so.

Spoilers ahead.

As my friend said, this game should have been titled Guilt-Tripping in the Fade. Unlike other games, I have no clear answer as to why our guys are the ones to lead the fight here. It was clear in Origins. DA2 showed the whole path for Hawke and how he got himself into that situation in the third act. It was pretty obvious in DAI.

Here? It looks like

a) Varric is very caught up in his life narrative, and

b) Literally everyone feels responsible or guilty, and the main drive here is correcting their mistakes (regardless of their responsibility)

c) Well, there is also Solas inhabiting Rook's mind, but that's a nice bonus.

Sometimes it feels weird, like when you have to choose between saving one of the two cities. Like... I'm literally just one person, nothing special. Minrathous is stuffed with really powerful mages, why would I make any difference.

Anyway, this slight weirdness is my only complaint so far.

Now to good things in no particular order.

I'm playing a mage, I really love that they gave mages a second set of weapons. I'm having a blast with melee mage.

Factions are cool! I was choosing between Mourn Watch and Shadow Dragons (chose the second), but all of them are cool. I did not quite get the feeling of Lords of Fortune yet, though. I think I might do a Crow on my second playthrough.

Locations are also fantastic. Also, I like that they you need visit all of them often, cause new quests are added now and then. Treviso is my favorite though. Minrathous is a bit underwhelming, but we shall see.

Companions. I love voice acting here. Almost cried several times, especially with Harding. I do not yet have any favorites. I mean, they are all extremely likable in their unique ways

I think I especially like Davrin's story. Like, there is little sad backstory, he is just a struggling single dad, and I feel like the three of us have a nice queer platonic family by now. Or I am the uncle.

Taash really feels extremely young compared to everyone else, they are just trying to find their way in life and does not yet understand complexities of it (in my playthrough Taash is still thinking on their gender identity, but the wiki uses "they", so). Meanwhile, everyone else is significantly older and already seen all the shit.

Also, initially I thought I would not like Bellara, cause she is annoying in the way that does not vibe with me at all - but no, she also grew on me. I suspect she is in relationship with Neve. I mean, Neve flirts with anything female looking, but they def have something special.

I am romancing Lucanis, cause just... have you seen him? Have you talked to him?

Harding really makes me cry half the time, and I suspect her story will be tragic.

I will see how the others' stories will go, and I'm tired.

Finally, Solas. I played Solavellan once in DAI, just to see how it goes, but he never grew on me. Here, however. Rook's talk with Solas in the Fade? That's just... wow. The tension is palpable, and their relationship is so so so intense. I would definitely read some fanfiction about this.

Oh, oh, and I also like how they solved problem with Orlais and Ferelden - well, there is Inquisition, they are dealing with the issue in the South.

Also, you can pet all the pets. Unfortunately, I could not pet one cat because it was chilling between two other cats, and I could not catch the necessary position to pet this parrticular cat.

This is a very grave bug and needs to be patched ASAP.

Unfortunatel, I play through a cloud service, so for the love of me I have zero idea where the photos from photomode were saved :( just a regular screenshot.

[theinfinitesilver]

disorganized yet spoiler-free thoughts on veilguard after the first eight hours

pros:

pettable cats

orb/dagger mage is way more fun than i thought it might be

am obsessed with antivan crows now (please help, i hate purple)

you get the ability to change appearance and even character's name right after first quest

transmog system is always a bonus in any game imo

game looks pretty decent. i can see how some people would have mixed opinions on art style but i don't think it's that bad

cons:

tries to set my cpu on fire in a way that only ark has ever done before

combat is WAY different from previous games and thus jarring to get used to

i hope whoever decided the F key should be jump and spacebar something else steps on a lego (yes i know i can change it)

character creator is impressively detailed but also extremely frustrating to get exactly what you want, at least in my experience

no weapon/armor preview before buying/equipping/transmogging - there will be an inventory icon for it but you can't see it on your character until you own it and equip it

early game pacing is weird. it would benefit greatly from an "origin" segment like the first game imo

also:

i am glad i chose to read the book tevinter nights while i was supposed to be doing things at work because i am more familiar with some side characters and past events. it's nice to see someone and be like hey i know who that is. perhaps i should read some more supplemental material while i am supposed to be doing things at work

anyway i am enjoying it so far, we shall see how it goes

[fatale-distraction]

31 Days of Dragon Age

Days 6-8

I’m so behind again T0T

Oct 06 - Favorite Origins NPC

Mother fuckin ENCHANTMENT

How can anyone not love Sandal? He’s a sweetie pie, he’s helpful, he loves his work, and he’s so damn mysterious!! I’m gonna have some serious words if he isn’t even mentioned in Veilguard!!!

Oct 07 - Favorite Origins scene/dialogue

Didn’t even need to think about this one.

Morrigan: You seem so deep in thought, my dear Sten. Thinking of me, perhaps? The two of us, together at last?

Sten: Yes.

Morrigan: I... what did you say?

Sten: You will need armor, I think. And a helmet. And something to bite down on. How strong are human teeth?

Morrigan: How strong are my teeth?

Sten: Qunari teeth can bite through leather, wood, even metal given time. Which reminds me, I may try to nuzzle.

Morrigan: Nuzzle?

Sten: If that happens, you'll need an iron pry bar. Heat it in a fire, first, or it may not get my attention.

Morrigan: Perhaps it would be better if we did not proceed.

Sten: Are you certain? If it will satisfy your curiosity...

Morrigan: Yes. Yes, I think it is best.

The pry bar comment will never cease to crack me the fuck up.

Oct 08 - Favorite Origins lore/codex entry

Correspondence Interruptus

“A collection of embarrassing personal communications between the spoiled wealthy and their objects of obsession.

*****

My darling Reginald,

I burn for you and because of you. Please use the enclosed tincture if our love is to endure.

—Sarie

*****

To Wareth Lowstone,

Age, race, height. I care not for the differences others perceive. But matching your helmet to my tunic for the amusement of standing in line with your new "Silent Sisters" invite attention to where none was desired. I will not suffer your company again.

—Alison Highover

(Scribbled below)

Gonna miss knocking heads with those girls.

*****

A delicate matter,

While I am overwhelmed at the prospect of having you, an unwelcome guest requires that you excuse yourself by the postern of my estate to avoid a mark upon our reputations.

—"M"

*****

Miss Ambrose,

A long, slow grind, the motion careful, aided by generous application of oils. Size is no concern with my equipment, and I am always mindful when stuffing, not risking a burst before every order is fulfilled. My meat goes hand in hand with satisfaction.

Your interest astounds, but it is not my to question a customer's choice in nighttime reading. Three pound sausage again next week? No cheek, of course.

Yours,

—Biller's Butchers

*****

Darling,

When next we meet, I would find it agreeable for you to leave your hat on. And mayhap your boots as well. And trousers. Shirt too. And I shall facilitate said clothed status by locking my door and posting a guard. Duly warned?

—"X"

*****

My elfroot,

The herbalist suggested powdered bronto horn. I was very discrete.

—Your sunflower

*****

Donogan,

On pain of death, you are

Now warned! My father found

The letters you previously

Sent, and is watching as I write

To tell you our relations are

Over! We must remain chaste.

—Patricia

*****

You are filthy! A beast! Such depravity I have never been forced to suffer! How words are so laden when they leave your lips they are beyond decent imagining!

Madam, I love you.

—Ser Augold

*****

My dearest Virginia Trueroyal,

Regarding: Bodice ripped

Enclosed are seven silver and my most heartfelt apologies for said bodice. I would blame the cold ocean spray, the loss of my favorite shirt, the bucking of the stallion, or perhaps the strain of maintaining all such elements while sitting for a portrait, but I was certainly not myself. I hope you will forgive me and not take it upon yourself to find your own determined way in this world.

Yours,

—Ser Rival Grouseman

*****

Dear Ser Jon,

Your ministrations, while well intentioned, hold no promise. Do not despair, for it is not you, it is of me. I require and interval to acquaint myself with the personage you awakened. I'm certain we can maintain an amiable accord and the engagements with our mutual associations will not be awkward.

—"Mari"

*****

To one's paramour,

When last we embraced, one noticed the redolence of another's company, but one was unmindful.

—His Most Eminent Ser Fether Hapsmith Osvald III

*****

My love,

I long to dance you beneath the moonlight, our hearts beating like the paired wings of a dove, in concert with the glory of the Maker and the beauty of the world that we must shepherd in his absence. Join me in a purity that will last the ages, when the brothers mark the Chant of Light anew.

With all my soul,

—Erec Denolven

(Scribbled below in a delicate hand)

Otter's pocket! He's earned it tonight!”

[theonekrafter]

not to drag you into da mode but do you have any thoughts about veilgaurd? excited for what’s to come? tentative? any companions making your heart skip a beat. would love to hear any thoughts if you’re willing to share!! in a secondary unrelated note that just occurred to me as I was typing this up: did you ever write a fic about jesus and andrastate interacting or was this a fever dream of mine? much love <3

oh gosh yeah veilguard has me thinking Thoughts for sure, so i guess i can share them here.

am i excited? yeah! am i sort of worried that it will have the effects of the bioware layoffs all over it? absolutely. right now im mostly tentatively excited and hopeful that it will add fun new lore and interesting characters to learn about.

i don't really see any of the companions as appealing to me right now, besides varric who is my og, but that's mostly because ill need to play some to get a feel of who they are. emmrich seems cool though! i love an old guy who loves magic.

tbh the most Interesting aspect of the new game is the way it will show how the old game companions have changed, or give us new angles to understand them from. i think everyone is Constantly talking about solas, but i do want to understand what the hell his plan was.

i want to see the full interactions he and varric have so i can write appropriately angsty fic about solas and different members of the inner circle talking. the game trailer implied a higher level of closeness between varric and solas than i expected, which adds a new layer of suffering to solas's choice to abandon the inquisition.

like. those are his friends. he wasnt JUST close to the inquisitor, the rest of the inner circle had considered him to be a FRIEND.

idkkk. we shall see. i will say that the stuff ive seen with harding has been insane, especially related to the stone and her possible dwarf powers/magic that may be reawakening due to the fall of the veil. i wanna see how much is changing in general because of how destabilized the veil is.

did you ever write a fic about jesus and andrastate interacting or was this a fever dream of mine?

LMAO ok so i did not write one, but i definitely convinced one of my friends in my discord server to write one and post it. then i made some fanart for it as seen here (warning, the art is very old and kind of bad)

basically in my server we were like "jesus and andraste would have a lot in common huh." and it may or may not have turned into a crack ship. i adore it. andus forever.

ty for the ask!

[bunbundubdub]

I'm kinda new, kinda not

Hello people of the internet, My name is Honey and as the title says, I'm kinda new here, kinda not. I used to write imagines and the like for different fandoms, though after a while due to different reasons I had to delete my blog. But the muse of senseless writing has struck again, and after a long while, I decided to give tumblr another chance as a creator. And so this blog was born. As for what I write for, here is a short list of fandoms I will write for, be it imagines, scenarios or short stories, there is hardly anything I won't try my hand at. I will write for (this list will expand): - Shall we date Obey me! - Mystic Messenger - Persona 5 - Mortal Kombat - Baldurs Gate 3 - Stardew Valley - Dragon Age Inquisition (and probably Veilguard once it's out) As for things I will write about: - Imagines and scenarios (details are welcome, though I prefer to keep the specifics about the Reader Character ambigous) - Short stories (I will write about most subjects and most genres, what I won't write about you will find down below) Things I will NOT write about - The obvious things like incest, pedophilia and the like - Drug use if it's not an important plot point and just glamorized - Illnesses I have no knowledge about if I cannot contact the person who asked about it (I would rather decline writing for it than offending someone) - Specific kinks, though I will probably have to decide on a case to case basis - Match Ups (I used to do them on my previous blog and with how much work it is and how little engagement you get for it, it's not something I will write any time soon again I think that's about it, I would love for you guys to send me some requests!

[da2supremacy]

To expand on this I feel like a lot of Dragon Age Discourse really stems from fundamentally misunderstanding what you're even engaging with.

Dragon Age Origins was a typical for the time fantasy RPG about saving a kingdom from a supernatural foe. It was riding off the back of Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 and bordered on being a tongue in cheek parody of the fantasy narratives that were out at the time. Swooping is bad is one of the famous memes from this game. Anyone saying it was this epic dark fantasy is looking at the game through a lens of nostalgia. It wasn't even particularly amazing for a game of it's time. The technology was way behind even then.

Dragon Age 2 was a tragedy with unflattering protagonists. That narrative was laser focused on exposing and discussing the socioeconomic disparities created in the world building. No one in that game was meant to portray a correct or even good person and tbh I think they actually did a pretty good job all things considered. Yeah some of those narrative elements could have been handled more delicately and they're still working with late 90s era style world building with all the colonialism and racism that entails. But also remember that game came out in 2010 and a lot of what you guys in your early/mid 20s enjoy as par for the course just was not even a THING back then. Dragon Age 2 did more to further my pubescent concept of the cycle of poverty than anything I was learning from other sources.

Dragon Age Inquisition actually was an epic fantasy with an actual chosen one narrative that was played straight on the surface and deconstructed under the hood. While I still have my fair share of gripes about it, I think some of the things I initially disliked about it were actually features of the game's narrative rather than victims of the game's unfocused scope. The tone of this game is by lighter and more hopeful than the other two, with a greater focus on doing big great things. (but enough angst fodder than I can make Lavellan miserable too)

Veilguard, from the impression I've had so far, might be an actual delve into dark fantasy with a touch of cosmic horror. I'll reserve judgement.

But this is all to say that the narrative tone of each of these games is and was and shall be vastly different and that is on purpose and not because Bioware can't tell their own story.

All of the world building that we know is through codexes that are written by in character entities that have biases. They're unreliable narrators. There are some changes of direction and a handful of retcons that I have had mixed feelings about but for the most part you can't really trust anything that a previous game had to say (or the current one) and that's a feature, not a bug.

The reason Anders' narrative is less flattering is because David Gaider was the lead writer back then it was written to be a tragedy. Lucanis' will probably be more forgiving because it is most likely not.