#ver is more of a trinkets-person; almost hoarder-adjacent in her clinging to objects

[invinciblerodent]

A (comparatively) short selection of the most prized volumes in Marcus' library:

Philosophiae Naturalis Vol. 7: The Fantastic Fungi Of The Arlathan Forest, by Enchanter Ines Arancia of Amaranthine (it has very pretty pictures. some are even of mushrooms.)

Andraste’s Jewelry Box: A Brief History of the Glorious Nation of Orlais, from Kordilius Drakon I to Etienne II, by Sister Petrine (it will put you to sleep- regardless of whether you're reading it, or getting smacked with it. For its promise of briefness, it's meticulous, and exhaustive.)

Compendium of the Marauding Magus: Studies on Artifacts of the Ancient Elvhen across the Fair'st Lands of Thedas and Their Contemp'rary Applications, by Sister Gaelya of Cumberland (he already had a copy before Bellara gave him one. Her note is borderline incomprehensible, but upon closer inspection, it appears to be a series of page numbers all connected with arrows.)(He now uses it as a bookmark.)

Encyclopedia Maleficarum: Advanc'd Hexes, Curses, and Conjurations Most Foul, author unknown (very hard to get, very expensive, banned in most places. don't let Emmrich see it- he won't be scandalized, he'll just be very jealous.)

Eldritch Devices: From Devastating Bewitchments to Magical Parlor Tricks, To Awe and Dazzle, by First Enchanter Gustave Thibault Beaumarchais of Montsimmard (it's more slight of hand and flourishes than actually impressive magic)

Introduction to Salumancy: The Beginner Battlemage’s Step-by-Step Guide to Mending Minor Injuries and Setting Broken Bones Through Arcane Arts, by Senior Enchanter Wynne of Ferelden (a very important volume to any aspiring healer, OR anyone who's ever had to take a magic first aid class.)

Almanac of the Thaumaturge Errant - A Travelogue (Books 1-4, the complete edition), by Seer Phenydae of Dairsmuid (very old. It still refers to the city of Ventus as Qarinus, but it's an enchanting account of an unlikely adventure that -in retrospect- can be described as positively Tethrasian.)

Discussions with the Deceased: A Dissertation on Safe Passage of Wayward Spirits, by Speaker Viuus Anaxas (somewhat outdated by now, but still a foundational work. The author unfortunately deceased some years ago, and despite the Mortalitasi's best efforts, he seems woefully unwilling to resume his work.)

Silk and Silverite 2: Lustrous Cotton (this one is just dirty.)

Salacious Entrigues, Vol. 3: The Magister’s Temptation, by Lord Gallanter Pismire (this one is VERY dirty. it doesn't often find its way back to his room.)

The Mortal Corpse, by Maecius Agrippa (a cheesy, yet tattered attempt at a pulp horror about a necromancer who masked his machinations by cleverly reanimating his victims, but the events described are eerily accurate to a series of unsolved murders that happened in Carastes some twenty years ago. it's best not to question it. there was a concerning spark in Neve's eye when she saw it, and it likely will not make it back to Nevarra City.)

An untitled, unsigned, unbound manuscript of what appears to be a weird little speculative fiction-cum-whodunit story set in an alternative version of Nevarra City that's shrouded in near-permanent dusk for some reason, and everyone there scowls and snarls their every second word. (It's more corrections and crossed out words than writing, and he'll blush beet red if questioned about it. It will not be finished.)

And the most important one, one that I like to think all my Rooks have:

All This Shit Is Weird: The Inquisitor Trevelyan Story, by Varric Tethras.

This copy bears two signatures on the inside cover: one in sharp, spiky letters and a quick hand ("For however far you'll go. - V."), and one beneath, done later in a shaky, slightly uncertain one that still nevertheless carries the echoes of a well-practiced, sweeping script. ("And for the people who'll go with you. - R.")