𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞: 𝐈𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧​​ 𝟐/∞

https://karen-102.szhdyy.com.cn/x/qdhTOLZ

dragon age character study fic recs

I'm back with another fic rec list, this time focusing on character studies! There were so many more than five that I flagged as interesting 👀 when I was putting this together, so there's definitely a chance that this theme makes a repeat in the future.

Check these awesome fics out! And leave a comment + kudos to let the author know you did💜

Vote in this poll to help me choose a theme for next week's rec list (:

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New Tricks by Penknife (@penknife)

Dorian Pavus & Cullen Rutherford, Josephine Montilyet & Cullen Rutherford & Leliana | G | 1968 words | No Archive Warnings Apply Author's Summary: Five times Cullen found that he didn't have to do everything the hard way. Mer's Rec: If you're into Cullen & Dorian friendship, or really any Cullen friendship, this fic will be right up your alley. Penknife does an excellent job of contrasting Dorian as a beleaguered academic (beloved) with Cullen's quieter intelligence. They also highlight Cullen as a strategist and commander, not just the "send the troops" guy, and the advisor interactions resonate with coworker friend energy, which I loved. I always adore fics that explore Cullen's habits and traits leftover from so many years as a Templar and this story seamlessly weaves in those details, which brings a real depth to both Cullen and his interactions.

Names Are Cloaks by EllanaSan

Female Adaar & Josephine Montilyet | G | 2963 words | No Archive Warnings Apply Author's Summary: They can’t have that, she supposes, the Herald of Andraste being called names behind her back… The only way the situation could have been worse is if she had been an elf. She could tell the ambassador that there are people in this very camp disrespecting her at every turn but she is far too used to it to care. They call her oxwoman. They call her witch. They call her chosen or your worship. They call her Tal-Vashoth. Names are weapons. For the bearer to hold and to wield. Names are cloaks. For the bearer to wrap themselves in and discard when outgrown. Mer's Rec: With Bioware's scant lore about Qunari and the Qun, I was impressed by how this story immersed me in Adaar's history. Tidbits from canon interwoven with fascinating-slash-heartbreaking details about the Qun, Vashoth, and Saarebas, plus her introspective musings on the past and her identity make this Adaar stand out from the cookie-cutter protagonist in the best way. I want to know more about her! From Josephine's dialogue and mannerisms to the uncertainty, fear, and alienation the Herald can experience in Haven, everything about this story feels like it could be straight out of the DAI canon.

I have outlived the night by lilith_morgana (@senseandaccountability)

Loghain Mac Tir, Minor/Background Relationships | T | 2106 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Author's Summary: He's five, he's eighteen, nineteen, twenty, forty-six, and fifty-five, he's fifty-six, fifty-seven and ready to die. Instead, he lives. Mer's Rec: The emotion in this fic is so palpable, so visceral, and it slaps you in the face the way careful consideration of complicated characters should. With repeated contrasts between Loghain in his youth versus his later years, the author takes us on a journey from hot-headed kid to weary veteran, and it just makes your heart ache😭 It features strong exposition on Loghain's motives, feelings, and regrets during the Fifth Blight, which I love to see since it's fairly absent from the game itself. Their portrayal of Loghain in Inquisition also felt fresh and different, including a conversation with Cullen, which is a dynamic I hadn't considered before and found incredibly interesting to read. And of course it ends on a bittersweet note, as it always does with Loghain.

To Yield Is Not Weak by disasterhawke

Alistair/Anora Mac Tir | M | 4018 words | Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Author's Summary: She may not like her new husband, but Anora Theirin is not about to let the world treat him like it has treated her. She will do whatever it takes to earn his trust. This is not quite what he expects. An Anora character study that explores her arranged marriage to her husband's bastard brother. Mer's Rec: this 👏 was 👏 everything I wanted out of an Alistair/Anora fic! While I think antagonism between those two has a place, this fic explored their relationship through the lens of teaching and working together, rather than animosity. It works SO well and there was a definite give-and-take, with Anora running the show immediately post-coronation, but gradually softening her harsher edges and highlighting Alistair's strengths while they grow as rulers. Anora's internal monologue, not only about Alistair, but also Cailan and Loghain, does a fantastic job showing the humanity she usually has to hide, without diminishing her competence in the least.

when the bough breaks by gummies (orphaned)

Morrigan, Flemeth | G | 1124 words | No Archive Warnings Apply Author's Summary: In her hands, the mouse is kept still. The only movement Morrigan feels from it is the beating of its tiny heart. With her eyes closed, it almost seems that she is holding in her hands its heart alone. Tiny, vulnerable, and so stutteringly fast. It must be afraid, Morrigan muses. Something twinges in her chest. Empathy. She cannot help the flare of protectiveness inside her. For now, the mouse is hers. Plucked from the world from whence it came, tucked away and safe. She wonders if this is how Mother feels of her. Mer's Rec: What struck me most about this fic was the author's grasp of character voices. Flemeth is just as cunning and calculating as she comes across in game, but I was beyond impressed by their young!Morrigan. I could see and hear so clearly how Morrigan would get from the childlike hope she has in this story to the harsher, bitter Morrigan we meet in game. I don't even know how they did that, but it was incredible to read, even as this slice of Morrigan's childhood and her abuse at Flemeth's hands was breaking my heart.

Don't forget to get your fic and art recs lined up for tomorrow's Fan Work Friday!

attention all bg3 players who have also played any dragon age game!! (which is probably everyone, let’s be real)

im conducting an experiment, so if everyone could please reblog with their romance choices for both games

regards

The List randomizer is really creating the most unfair choices for us!!

(generak post here / tag for all round one polls here)

Choose which one of these two romances will get to the next roun!

BioWare on Twitter: "Here’s to long days with good friends. #DayofFriendship #DragonAge https://t.co/xwrZxu7y9m" / X

A bardcore version of "Work Bitch" is playing in the background

˗ˏˋ ☆ ˎˊ˗ Choose Your Fighter ˗ˏˋ ☆ ˎˊ˗

painted an old flame... prints | patreon

All done uwu ! this only took me 2 years to draw

the most enjoyable part of DAI is watching the advisors cuntily arrive at the war table like it’s a rupaul’s drag race season entrance. cullen did a sheet mask beforehand, josephine’s eyeliner is as sharp as the tip of that quill, & leliana’s been waiting three games for her moment to truly serve. morrigan guest stars - thirty, flirty, & no longer homeschooled

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞: 𝐈𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧​​ 𝟑/∞

« I can give no more to the Templar Order, nor it to me. The Maker has shown me a new path; I must take it. »

Cullen's story is truly impressive! The path he took from a young templar traumatized by the terrible events in the Ferelden Circle to the Commander of the Inquisition army. I'm inspired by his example.

For the symbolism, I chose the Kinloch Hold, surrounded by water and shrouded in flames. It's destroyed just like Cullen's sword, symbolizing his state of mind. Lyrium flows behind him, a problem he has yet to face. And I really like the “lion” aesthetic in his armor, it’s a wonderful image that shows us his inner strength. And just look at these wonderful cat eyebrows! ^_^

wip wthursday

tagged by @hollytree33 and @greypetrel this week, thank you friends! <3 I wasn't originally going to have anything new that I could share, then I was possessed by "Divine Cassandra with Cullen as her Right Hand + sooooooo much knight/lady devotion" and I threw this out in my notes app as I was falling asleep

tagging forward (for this week or next, I know I'm a day late!) to: @midmorninggrey | @dungeons-and-dragon-age | @shivunin | @dragonologist-phd | & @ammoniteflesh

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He looked radiant in the red and silver of the Knight’s Divine armor. Neither it nor the sword at his hip were ceremonial and he knew how to use both, as Divine Victoria is well aware.

His new vows fell from his lips confidently, assured, taking the place of the shattered purpose leftover from his years with the Templar Order. Before the assembled clerics, nobles, the remnants of the Inquisition, he swore himself into her service: by Andraste’s grace, by the Maker’s will, up to and including the cost of his life.

He dropped to one knee before her and bowed his head so that she could place the wreath of prophet’s laurel around his neck. She offered him one gloved hand and only narrowly kept her composure at the whisper of heat through the fabric where his lips brushed against her knuckles.

“Rise, Ser Cullen Rutherford, Knight-Commander of the Divine Order!” Thank the Maker her voice did not shake. She was better at that, these days. “May the Maker guide your duty, your purpose, and your path.”

His eyes did not leave hers as he stood. They both knew, of course, that is was not the Maker who would guide his path, just as it was not the Maker who brought him here. Not really.

It was her.

It was always her.

the Inquisitor sends the Commander off with her blessing

Yes, I understand that the video game man isn't real, but what I am asking, is why isn't he real?