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theluckywizard · 26 days

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An Embellishment of Lore (tag game)

I think as Fanfic writers, we often add lore to our stories. It is natural for us to build upon the pillars set for us. But what about the foundations, gravel and grit? What was a piece of Lore you added to Dragon Age that wasn't pre-existing?

Thank you for the tag @moonlightheretic 🥰

I think I added the most original lore for my ~6,500 word companion/standalone fic Thirst which is a Cullen POV fic that digs into the experiences Cullen has between DA:2 Act 3 and the intervening time between Meredith's fall and joining the Inquisition. In particular, I had a Samson who was reinstated on Cullen's own recommendation and then wrote in a schism of the Kirkwall Order when lyrium supply was heavily impacted by templar-mage warring where Samson takes a huge number away to Corypheus. It also explains Cullen's scar! I also dug into Meredith's madness and how she'd been taking an insane dose of lyrium at that point (red lyrium idol/sword notwithstanding). I know Templar HCs are a hot potato in fandom, but I found it fascinating to dig into. The bureaucracy of it all, the feeling of being unable to make changes to institutions even as corruption becomes more obvious. I will caveat "original" with "I'm sure others have had these ideas before in the scheme of the last decade of fic writing" so I won't claim to be breaking ground with them, but I really had an incredible time thinking about how things might have been for Cullen as he rises in the ranks and is responsible for more and more of that particular nightmare. In canon, I believe Samson took the templars after Cullen had left for the Inquisition, but I felt this way it created a lot more tension and drama between.

Excerpt under the cut 👇

Cullen and Samson shortly before Samson leaves:

Later that evening Cullen winds down shaving at his dressing table, squinting at himself in the small, tarnished mirror that had come with his Order-issued kit a decade before. He pauses in the weak candlelight to trace a finger over the circles under his eyes, the lines that have been there for years. But Cullen has been subjecting himself to the same rationing as those in his ranks and this week’s thirst and sleeplessness wears heavily across his face. Twenty seven years old looks more like forty today. He scrapes the blade over the stretched skin under his nose as he mulls over the tense atmosphere in the mess earlier. Something is shifting. It’s just a feeling at the moment but it’s time to gather hard evidence.

A shadowy figure appears behind him in the mirror so quietly, so suddenly that the blade slips, slicing across his lip.

He whips around with a curse, backing into his table so violently that everything on top of it rattles. Samson takes up too much space in this modest room.

“Maker’s breath— What are you doing here?” he demands, clutching his mouth while blood drips through his fingers, his eyes fixing upon his sword across the room.

“Aw, no need for the curses, golden boy. Just here for a little chat.”

His eyes are rimmed with a greasy red like someone had thrown a fistful of lye at his face and he stands tall in a way that prickles at Cullen’s skin. He quickly parses that Samson wouldn’t be rationing this week, not that it would have stopped the man from finding the substance elsewhere. Man to man it wouldn’t be a contest with Samson’s blood singing and Cullen suffering in near abstention.

Samson reaches into his pocket and shakes out a rumpled handkerchief and hands it to Cullen. Cullen can feel the depth of the cut and is in no position to refuse it. He takes it and presses it to his lip.

“How did you get past the guards?”

Samson crosses his arms and then steps over to lean against his door frame. “You can get anything for the right price. Thought I taught you that.”

Lyrium. Of course.

“The men are thirsty,” he continues. “You could’ve gone to the Carta months ago.”

“I’m not smuggling it,” says Cullen. “The Order must be above reproach.”

Samson snorts. “Above reproach? Try leashed like a pack of starving dogs. The Chantry’s old game playing out to the logical end.”

Cullen has no answer for him.

Samson chuckles, searching the ceiling, his lips curling into an unsettling smile. “Remember the days sneaking hits behind the armory? Or remember— remember that one time in Lowtown with that one bird Cinnamon—”

Cullen would prefer to forget. “What are you doing here, Samson?”

“Easy does it. Easy. I’m here to make an offer.”

“You?”

“Cut the leash. Get out from the Chantry’s thumb once and for all.”

Cullen gapes at him from under the handkerchief. “Quit lyrium?”

Samson laughs, a rich, knowing thing deep in his throat. “Nah. There’s no going back. I’ve been there. Only forward.”

“Forward? To where?” demands Cullen. He feels the room clenching down upon him, the air growing thin. “We’re needed here.”

Kirkwall flagged without a viscount, without its Champion, Garrett Hawke who had vanished with his sister Bethany when the violence had grown too thick. It fell to him and Guard Captain Vallen to hold it all together.

“Something greater, kid. We deserve better. Me and you and all the rest. We could be great.”

“I don’t— speak plainly, Samson.”

“Aren’t you tired of being a lapdog?” Samson gestures at Cullen’s face. “I can see how tired you are. If you ask me you’re fighting the wrong battle.”

“I have a responsibility to the Order. How I feel doesn’t matter,” says Cullen with shallow breaths, paralyzed against his dressing table. He swallows a dry mouthful of nothing, feeling it all caving in on him. “Whatever you’re up to— I could use you here. I know some part of you cares. There are some things greater than our own need.”

“You’re something else, kid, you know that?”

“You’ve mentioned it before.”

“Whatever happens now is on you,” says Samson. “Always been a bit too fanciful. Going to bite you in the arse some day.”

And then he is gone.

Read Thirst here!

Tagging @crackinglamb, @samseabxrn, @the-rebel-archivist, @leggywillow, @melisusthewee, @hekaerges, @oxygenforthewicked, @warpedlegacy, @monocytogenes, @nirikeehan, @delicatefade AND YOU IF YOU ARE READING THIS 🥰

#cullen rutherford #raleigh samson #meredith stannard #dragon age 2 #The Gallows #Kirkwall Order #Dragon Age Templars #Cullen & Samson #A friendship gone awry #A mentor gone mad #dragon age fan fiction

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plethoraworldatlas · 3 months

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The White Tower 4th Age

The White Tower has stood for thousands of years, and even after great tribulations Tar Valon stands the center of the Aes Sedai, determined to guide the world through this new Age. Yet, it is a Tower and Aes Sedai divided not unlike the foul schism, whose factionalism still stains the Hall. The Tower of the Third Age stood against the Dark One, Watched over the Seals of his prison, and waited to guide the Dragon Reborn to fulfill the Prophecies and lead the forces of the Light to victory at the Last Battle; The Dark One has been sealed away outside of the Pattern once more, in a prison where they cannot touch the world, a prison without Seals to watch over. The Dragon was Reborn and has lived, fought, and died to deliver the world unto this new Age. The unbreakable Tower at the end of the third age was fractured by the foul Schism, and even the Tower itself damaged by the horrid raid by the Seanchan. It was by the Light and the wisdom and power of the young Amyrlin Egwene Al'Vere Sedai and her fellow sisters that the Tower stood strong at Tarmon Gai'don, stood in the face of great causalities and fought the Dark One until they were resealed.

With both loss of life and loss of purpose, the Ajahs and the Tower itself must find its new place in a wider world. This will not be easy, for its troubles are even more numerous than that; The very nature of the Ajahs and Tower Law are being called into question, in what some call a disastrous continuation of factionalism, while others call it a way to ensure the Tower remains standing and purposeful. The skyrocketing rise in the number of those seeking to join the ranks of Aes Sedai, while remaining a boon, has stressed the finances and balance between Ajahs to a great extent. The rise of new an rediscovered Weaves has joined technological advances, reshaping the Tower. With the advent of Continent wide Newspapers and accurate reporting has come public scrutiny the Tower has never faced before; It came at a terrible time, for a secret kept by the Hall was revealed by the Lion and Sun Newspaper's finest investigative reporters has shaken trust in the Tower amongst the commoners, as well as shaking the trust in the Hall amongst the regular sisters.

Perhaps most of all, the White Tower and Aes Sedai are no longer the sole grand organization of channelers seeking to influence the world around them; Alliance with the Aiel Wise Ones and Atha'an Miere Windfinders creates ties among them as they train select apprentices amongst each other uet does not mean they follow the same directions, Everloyal Dreadlords and Warlord Channelers calling themselves Sorcerers seek to create fiefdoms of their own on the fringes of the world, the Ayyad do not take kindly to the sanctions place upon them for their role in fighting unknowingly alongside the Shadow nor do their factions stand meekly as their homeland is occupied and cut amongst the growing imperialist powers, the Freed as well shall not tolerate new chains from foreigners, and the Seanchan threaten all female channelers with the leash. Yet none are as troublesome as the rise of the Black Tower, their future equal, the Asha'man to their Aes Sedai; History says that male and female channelers are stronger together, and that it is in these two great organizations destinies to one day reunite. That day is far off, as three thousand years of culture and history is not so quick to be forgotten or left behind for good or ill. The White Tower stands still, and it is only a question of what path it shall try to go down, and whether the new world will follow.

The White Tower and Tar Valon

The Tower has rebuilt fully after the Seanchan Raid and the Schism; The Stained Glass windows requested by Amyrlin Egwene Al' Vere Sedai have been placed in the sites where the largest holes caused by the Seanchan Raid, a reminder of the Tower's strength that night and of the enduring danger posed by their enemies and infighting.

Prominently displayed within Tower Grounds, a memorial statue of the lost Amyrlin Egwene Al' Vere Sedai stands, Stole on her shoulders, Sleepweaver necklace on her neck, the White Rod Sa'angreal pointed skyward directed at the Fields of Merrilor where she died in one hand, and the other hand holding three cracked Seals of the Dark Ones Prison, the others broken at her feet. An inscription on the statue reads "She Comes! She Comes! Egwene Al' Vere Sedai, Watcher of the Seals, the Flame of Tar Valon, the Amyrlin Seat! She who mended the unbreaking Tower when broken, she who watched over the Seals until the Dragon Reborn remade the Drak One's Prison anew, she who became the Flame of Tar Valon to heal the fractures in the world! Light illuminate her and may she rest sheltered and saved in the Palm of the Creator until Reborn again at the hour of the world's greatest need!". Her dresses seams share the colors of her stole, yet the dress itself is Green like her chosen Ajah, and while clearly a expensive material, it is styled after the Dress of a village Wisdom. The statue was crafted as a gift by Ogier and human master sculptors, from colored stone imbued with the Power by Aiel Wise Ones.

The Tower Guard has built new Garrisons nearby the White Tower itself, always manned in case of emergency. Though the Guard's number has waned slightly, it's forces remain strong. New additions to Tower Law have made it easier to raise a Tower Army under the command of the Tower Guard, though this has not been done yet. Only one force of such a Tower Army is currently mustered and stands at the ready; The Rushing Boars Company, formerly the Younglings, are formed out of those who trained as Warders yet took no Aes Sedai. The Rushing Boars are also responsible for maintaining the White Tower's small number of Dragons purchased from Andor.

Work removing the Cuendillar chains on the Harbors are finally coming to an end. Northharbor is open once more, while Southharbor merely has to find a way to dispose of the unbreakable and unbending mile long chain. At the moment, North harbor is using a metal net in place of the old chain to close the harbor off; There are talks amongst the Ter'angreal specialists, however, to attempt creating a new defense with an object of the power.

The isle of Tar Valon isn't the only place being rebuilt; For the first time since the times of Hawkwing, Tar Valon directly claims and rules territories outside of the island itself. Though far smaller than even the territory the commanded even during the Compact of the Ten Nations, Tar Valon is a true nation once more. Sharing a border with Cairhien to the Southeast and claiming the lands until Dragonmount to the Southwest, the nation of Tar Valon is almost triangular, its northernmost point being the meeting of the River Antaeo and the River Erinin. Still administered by Aes Sedai, the formations of a unified commoner government under Aes Sedai oversight has begun to form, bringing greater lives to the people living in this new nation, yet one's threatened by everything that threatens the power and stability of the White Tower.

The Rise in Initiates

Currently, there are over 1,440 Aes Sedai, 6,500 Accepted, and nearly 28,000 Novices of all ages under Amyrlin Egwene's reforms. The current rate of Novices progressing to becoming Accepted is ~22%, and Accepted become Aes Sedai is ~22% as well. The Novice family structure, however, is expected to increase that rate. The first Novice families have become Aes Sedai and remain strongly tied together, even past Ajah, bringing hope that as time passes the factionalism can fade as well

The Ajahs of the Fourth Age

The very nature of the Ajahs has been called into question; The Ajahs in a way all revolved around how they chose to fight the Dark One, yet now many require great change. The Ajahs were first formed as factions in the early Tower centered around common goals, with Tower Law forming around them; For the first time since the founding of the Tower, new Ajahs are trying to form. First, the divide between the Red Ajah sisters who take no Warders and those who take Asha'man as Warders was too great to overcome; In a failed plot to Exile all Asha'man bonded Reds, the Crimson Ajah was formed. The Crimson bond Asha'man to work with them as equals for the better of the world through greater feats of channeling; The Reds work with the Black Tower to hunt down criminal channelers and prevent abuse of any kind of power everywhere.

In an agreement to prevent fighting amongst the Hall, both only get two Sitters for themselves and one to share; Other Ajahs still consider this a fraud, and treat the five Sitters as if they were all one Ajah.

The White was next, but more logical; They were the smallest Ajah, even with an influx of new members, and needed to do more for the world. The White remains about philosophy, but has embraced the Press and information; The Ivory has dedicated itself to the more standard mathematics and logistical sciences. They follow the same two Sitters and one shared system, mostly without trouble.

The Sitters of the Hall are as follows;

For the Red Ajah; Raechin Connoral, Viria Connoral

For the Crimson; Barasine, Janine Pavlara

For Red and Crimson: Teslyn Baradon

For the Green; Farnah Sadaou, Rubinde Acedone, Faiselle Darone

For the Gray; Varilin Zanaire, Yukiri Haruna, Andaya Forae

For the Brown; Bennae Nalsad(replaced Saerin after her death of old age), Janya Frende, Takima Deraighdin

For the Yellow; Magla Daronos, Salita Toranes, Samitsu Tamagowa (replaced Romanda Cassin after her death)

For the White; Seaine Herimon, Ferane Neheran

For White and Ivory; Berana Shemon

For Ivory; Saroiya Farseen, Aledrin Malenry

For the Blue; Lelaine Akashi, Lyrelle Arienwin, Beidalin

The Current roles and actions of the Ajahs

The Red works with the Black Tower to guard the world against Abuses of the Power and Tyrants of all kinds.

The Crimson bond Asha'man to work with them as equals for the better of the world through greater acts of channeling and linking.

The Green, finding its performance during the Seanchan Raids and during the Last Battle wanting, have reformed and seek to fight the Everloyal Darkfriends and remaining monsters of the former Blight Frontier, as well as be prepared for whatever great calamity threatens the Fourth Age

The Gray has both found success in adapting Traveling and Skimming for trade and diplomacy, but has faced difficulties maintaining diplomatic peace during a rapidly changing world, especially in the face of republicanism compared to their familiarity when dealing with feudal nobility. They have joined Aiel Wise Ones to diplomatically protect the Dragons Peace, but have gotten entangled with radical movements that seek to expand the scope of the Dragon's Peace, radicals both for and against the rise of imperialism, and more factions. Though it is taboo to mention, a number of Grey's are believed to have gone renegade and joined with the Sorcerers to stake out new channler ruled realms of their own, or seek to puppet Mardhol affairs to their own benefit.

The Brown have embraced the New Age, opening schools big and small to spread the knowledge they have collected; though they have trouble with the Academies, they have slowly been able to act as intermediaries between them, as well as expanding all of their libraries. They have also embraced the return of creating Ter'angreal. They have drawn the ire of much of the Tower, though, for their new reputation of leaking information, by accident or "accident", to journalists.

The Yellow have decided to not just embrace the newly discovered Healing Weaves, but further study new methods of Healing, under the watchful gaze of the Small Hall of Experimental Ethics, which while mainly chaired by Yellow Aes Sedai has seats for other Ajah representatives as well; Their distaste for Herbs and non-channeling forms of healing and medicine have been abandoned, though older sisters still consider them inferior, younger sisters study them all to expand their abilities. The Yellow have been opening Healing Hospitals around Mardhol; They do not operate where the Kinswoman do, however, as part of a strife that has regularly made headlines. The Yellow Ajah has also had trouble with the Queen of Malkier, their most famous and powerful Sister, as both are famously headstrong and independent; Their current feuding is born from Malkieri and Blight Frontier Wisdom Circles, organizations that many sisters accuse of being Wilder training groups.

The White remains about philosophy, but has embraced the Press and information; They maintain directly and indirectly multiple Newspapers and journals, including one of the largest newspapers in Mardhol, The White Flame

The Ivory has dedicated itself to the more standard mathematics and logistical sciences. It has joined in the administrative work required to maintain the Dragon's Peace, as well as prevent famines and shortages. They have also taken an interest in maintaining trade and roads

The Blue have been searching for direction, with many sisters trying to push the world and Ajah in different ways following different ideas of justice. The Sitters of the Blue have settled the Ajah down somewhat into trying to formulate great courts and fair legal systems amongst the Dragon's Peace nations

The Amyrlin Conspiracy

Cadsuane Melaidhrin Sedai was chosen to become Amyrlin after Egwene Sedai due to lack of good options and as a compromise amongst the Ajahs; All knew she was the oldest Aes Sedai and would not hold her position for very long, and she had been heard to say she lived only so long to make it to the Last Battle, and even though she was close to the oldest age an Oathrod sworn channeler was ever known to be able to live to, she refused to follow the path Egwene Sedai had tried to establish for Aes Sedai to unswear the Oaths and join the Kinswoman to live longer and retire, stating that no Amyrlin should ever retire as none had before.

The Hall had expected her to live at least half a decade longer, giving them time to decide who should become the next Amyrlin; However it was not to be, as she died roughly two years into her rule. She was discovered dead by her Keeper Merise Haindehl and multiple members of the then Hall. After deliberating amongst themselves when the full Hall was secretly gathered in her chambers, they knew they were nowhere near close to deciding an new Amyrlin, with no proposed Amyrlin getting backing from more than two Sitters. It was then the Hall decided to take drastic action; The Hall would continue on as if Cadsuane Sedai still lived and ruled as Amyrlin, with the Hall running all the affairs of the Tower on their own until they chose a new Amyrlin.

It was not the first time the Hall was the true power of the Tower, but never before in Tower history had such a plot taken place. For nearly thirty years the Hall ruled, trying and failing to choose a replacement, pretending Cadsuane Sedai had taken to a reclusive nature and used illusion Weaves to keep up the Conspiracy. It was the length of the conspiracy, and the suspicion of other sisters that led to the events that would ultimately brake the biggest news story in the young history of Mardhol reporting; The Lion and Sun, a newspaper from the Sun Empire ruled by Empress Elayne Trakand Sedai, broke the story not just to the world, but to the average Aes Sedai.

Since then, the Tower has dealt with scrutiny like never before; Now the deliberations are regular news stories, Aes Sedai are furious with the actions of the Hall and their own Sitters, and the facade of Aes Sedai infallibility has broken in the minds of most people. Keeper Merise being exiled as an attempted fall woman backfired terribly as reports made the Hall out to be panicked and weak by said actions.

The Tower must find a way to win back trust and influence, but it can't do that until it decides on a new Amyrlin at last. That is, Most Aes Sedai believe a new Amyrlin is needed; Despite the flaws of the time the Hall ruled secretly, and the treachery, some believe it may be time to phase away the position, if for nothing else then to move on from the backlash.

Each Ajah, besides the Blue which has withdraw all of its candidates and pledges to support any just candidate, still propose new Amyrlin. The practical and political have become intertwined, and any woman raised to the Amyrlin Seat will bring her and her Ajah's own wonders and woes.

Commentary: Alright, first big post! Thought I would have to delay it because Tumblr went down for like 4 hours. As you can see, this project was very inspired by the ways factions in hoi4/ck2 mods get set up; The Tower has tons going for it, but has a lot of big problems that just might get them into trouble or a major conflict soon. The same goes for the Ajahs, and should any actually take hold of the Amyrlin Seat, that multiples the chances to do great things as well as accidentally or purposefully cause horrible disasters.

I know a lot of people see the Reds as fully changing course, but it never made that much sense to me; I mean, if nothing else, this is the series of problems that have to be solved repeatedly, of recurring antagonists that keep coming back in slightly different forms and sometimes never really get destroyed and instead only get so changed and displaced and beaten down as to become irrelevant going forward. I don't think the Red Ajah that has held the culture it had for 3000 years would change so radically and so fundamentally and so FULLY in less than a few months (really weird to think but yeah, the entire series takes place over like 2 years, so at most a few months changed everything for the Tower). I also don't think the White Tower as a whole would be so keen to let go of the sheer power and influence it has amassed alone as the "only" channeler organization in Mardhol to work with the Black as full equals; Definitely someday in the future, like maybe as part of one of those routine every thousand years or so shake up part every Age has, which basically act as multiple mid-game crises.

Cadsuane is a character I understand the draw of and have come to respect more over re-reads and reinterpretations, but I never got her as the new Amyrlin; Besides the fact that one of her first Pov passages ends with her outright saying she's so close to death that the only thing keeping her from dying in her sleep is her dedication to making it to thr Last Battle and doing what is needed of her, she just felt very placeholdery. That got me realizing that so many major Aes Sedai died over the series, that there are very few big names that have lots of information about them, and thus when Cadsuane inevitably died, there isn't really anyone named and fleshed out that would actually make a good choice and a logical choice for Amyrlin. Maybe, maybe, Silviana or other major Sitters, but I doubt her for big reasons; One, though more "successful" than most other Mistresses of Novices in Lore her take on the job is basically just a more extreme version of the usual method, which is already just outdated Drill Sergeant-esque corporal punishment with some treats thrown in, which is proven to be an awful short and long-term method so her main claim to fame will most certainly come back to cause problems in the Tower later (since some of the factionalism the Tower suffers originated way back to disputes between Novices, and between older sisters who held massive power over younger Aes Sedai for decades when they were Novices and Accepted, etc). Her time as Keeper was fine, her standing up and risking Stilling and death for Egwene was noble and the right thing from her; But still, politically her ties to Elaida basically counts her out of any big position that she isn't appointed to or offered, I even with the Schism done, I doubt the Hall would even consider her.

The White also split simply because their calling was already super vague and broad; Like, Blue gets the shake for being "justice" despite having no overarching unified idea of what form of justice they're after, but White is literally philosophy and mathematics majors the political party.

Anyways that's all the commentary I can think of right now. Thanks for reading, feel free to interact and ask questions and wait until next week for a more in depth breakdown of an Ajah. Maybe I should do a poll for which one(s).

#wheel of time fourth age #wot book spoilers #wot #wot on prime #wheel of time

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exhausted-archivist · 1 year

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Thedosian Calendars and Holidays

Thedas has twelve 30-day months and five holidays, or annums. which start at the beginning of the month. Their day lengths are contradictory if not unclear as one instance mentions 24-hour days while all the clocks we've seen in Orlais work in 8-hour increments. Though it should be noted that clocks are dwarven in invention and manufacturing according to lore.

While the Chantry calendar shares some similarities to the Gregorian calendar, due to the placement and functions the holidays in regards to what they mean to the common people; it falls more in line with some versions of medieval calendars, though not entirely. For the common folk in Thedas these universal holidays mark the change of the seasons: letting them know what weather to expect, when harvests must be finished, when to plant, and other seasonal work and activities.

Additionally, it is important to know that Thedas appears to be in the southern hemisphere. It is never explicitly stated in lore or by any of the devs, but the context clues of things such as Tevinter being to the "north" and Orlais and Ferelden making up "southern Thedas" are the most prominent pieces of evidence. Though I will note that sometimes the devs/writers have gotten this mixed up and have referenced things like "birds flown south for the winter".

Thedosian Calendars - General

Of all calendars in Thedas, we know only of three: Chantry, Elven, and Tevinter. For other prominent cultures, we know nothing about the Avvar, Chasind, Dwarven, and Qunari calendars. They are not mentioned in lore, but are likely systems they would have.

Thedas, in its entirety, has converted to the Chantry calendar after the Second Blight. It became the universal calendar, and it's season marking holidays became the five universal holidays - though this doesn't mean they are the only holidays in Thedas. It is also unclear as of now whether the sharing of names and holidays are all the Tevinter and Chantry calendars share. We do not know if that extends to format, twelve 30-day months, or other factors.

The elven calendar fell into disuse after the fall of Arlathan when Tevinter outlawed its uses and enslaved the elven people. Now, not much is known about how the ancient elves of Arlathan kept track of the passing of time. Only a few notable events have lasted through the centuries to be recorded by modern scholars.

While the Tevinter Imperium did follow the Orlesian Chantry Calendar at some in their history, after the schisms between the two Andrastian cults they chose to return to their original calendar that dated back to the foundation of the Imperium. It is from this calendar that the Chantry took inspiration. It is suggested that elves had some influence on the creation of the Tevinter calendar (though this is only mentioned in the Traveler's Guide in the Origins Collector's Edition Game Guide). The Tevinter calendar is where the high names of the months come from.

The Orlesian Chantry calendar adopted several things from the Tevinter calendar, including the adoption of some holidays dedicated to the worship of the Old Gods that overlapped with their own holidays, and in turn gave them new meaning. Additionally, it is the Tevinter calendar that we inherited the high names and from the Chantry calendar the low names of the months.

Months and Days of the Week

Months

Each month has two names:

a high name - used by scholars and courts

a low name - used primarily by common folk

Most codex and dates shown in Dragon Age use the low name even when it is written in the voice of a scholar or noble, so I have listed them below in Low/High name format.

Wintermarch / Verimensis

Guardian / Pluitanis

Drakonis / Nubulis

Cloudreach / Eluviesta

Bloomingtide / Molioris

Justinian / Ferventis

Solace / Solis

August / Matrinalis

Kingsway / Parvulis

Harvestmere / Frumentum

Firstfall / Umbralis

Haring / Cassus

If the Chantry calendar and by extension Tevinter calendar were to follow the same solar equivalent dates as the real world, the months would land as follows in accordance to the southern hemisphere:

Spring/Vernal Equinox: September 21-23 -> Guardian / Pluitanis 1st

Summer Solstice: December 21-23 -> Bloomingtide / Molioris 1st

Autumnal/Fall Equinox: March 21-23 -> August / Matrinalis 1st

Winter Solstice: June 21-23 -> Firstfall / Umbralis 1st

My only note about this is that Tevinter seems to be predominately a tropical climate that begins to encroach closer to the equator. In the real world, this would usually result in them using a lunar (or lunar-solar) calendar as their seasonal changes would be relatively minimal. Solar calendars are more typical in temperate regions as there are more seasonal changes and they're impacted more by the the decrease/increase of sunlight.

That said, Tevinter seems to follow a more solar calendar that made it an easy port for the rest of Thedas. The likely reason for this might have simply been to keep things simple, as it would make it a little easier to track.

Days

As stated before, the length of a day seems to be 24-hours, though the clocks seem to work in 8 hour increments. Additionally, from what we can tell, Thedas has the same days of the week that we do. Except, there has yet to be any mention of Monday or Wednesday.

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Holidays, Celebrations, Ceremonies, and Festivals

It is noted that there are more holidays in the world than the ones listed in universal holidays. The following holidays/festivals/feasts listed are predominately human and surface, there isn't much on Orzammar and their holidays or celebrations nor the Dalish.

Universal Holidays

These are the holidays implemented by the Orlesian Chantry. These are the holidays called annums. With the exception of First Day, they typically mark the changes of the seasons. All of them fall at the beginning of the month.

With that in mind, based on how they line up with the solstices and equinox they seem to be roughly floating holidays that may range from the 1st to 3rd of the month.

Something to note though, is that the holidays were once mentioned to fall outside of any month. Which would align them more towards the special days you would see in a lunar calendar or some forms of historical calendars. However, this arrangement of the holidays hasn't been mentioned since the (Collector's Edition Prima Guide for Dragon Age Origins in the Traveler's Guide).

First Day, celebrated on the first day of Wintermarch / Verimensis

A traditional start of the year that involves the practice of visiting neighbors and family as well as gathering in town to commemorate the year past.

In remote areas this holiday was once the annual check to ensure everyone was alive.

In some areas, such as Serault in Orlais, it is customary to eat chicken on First Day.

Wintersend, celebrated at the beginning of Guardian / Pluitanis (Potential Spring / Vernal Equinox)

Previously called "Urthalis" and dedicated to the Old God of Beauty, Urthemiel.

Currently a holiday that is the celebration of the Maker.

It stands for the end of winter in many areas.

In the Tevinter, coincides with tourneys and contests at the Proving Grounds in Minrathous.

In the south, the holiday became the day for trade and theater.

In some areas, it is also the day for arranging marriages.

Some places, like Orlais, hold Wintersend Balls during the season.

Summerday, celebrated at the beginning of Bloomingtide / Molioris (Summer Solstice)

Previously called "Andoralis" it was a holiday dedicated to the Old God of Unity, Andoral.

Universally celebrated as the beginning of Summer.

For Andrastians, there is the practice where children ready to come of age don white tunics and gowns before joining a procession that crosses the settlement to the local Chantry. They are then taught the responsibilities of adulthood.

In Orlais, this is a particularly holy holiday.

In some places, this festival is described as particularly showy. To where it would be considered an appropriate level of extravagance to welcome a monarch or ruler.

All Souls Day, celebrated at the beginning of August / Matrinalis. (Potential Autumnal / Fall Equinox)

Previously it was called "Funalis" and was a holiday dedicated to the Old God of Silence, Dumat.

The Chantry uses the holiday to commemorate the death of Andraste, they will light public fires and put on plays that depict her death.

This holiday is also spent in other areas as a day in remembrance of the dead.

In the northern areas of Thedas, people will dress as spirits and parade through the streets after midnight.

Satinalia, celebrated at the beginning of Firstfall / Umbralis (Winter Solstice)

This holiday was originally dedicated to the Old God of Chaos, Zazikel. It now is more attributed to the second moon of Thedas, Satina.

Customary celebration includes wearing masks, naming the town fool as ruler for a day, and wild celebrations. In more pious areas, it is simply a large feast and the giving of gifts.

Antiva celebrates this for a week or more, followed by a week of fasting.

Feastday is part of the Satinalia celebration, incorporating the gifts and pranks practices of the holiday. It is unclear if this term is just for Ferelden.

Ferelden celebrates by serving a specific dish, Fluffy Mackerel Pudding, during the holiday.

Regional Holidays, Events, and Festivals

Allsmeet (Rivain)

An event that happens twice a year where the village seers travel to Dairsmuid to meet in council, gorge trade agreements, and pledge loyalty to the Rivaini queen publicly. These are also times where people will attempt to settle old feuds, but there are feasts, gift-giving ceremonies, musical contests, and other such activities. It lasts a few days.

Andraste's Day

An undefined holiday. One for Andrastians but unclear if it is universal to all Andrastian cults, regional to those following the Orlesian Chantry, or regional to Ferelden.

It is a holiday in which family will come to visit.

Anniversary of Archon Hessarian's Death (Tevinter)

A religious holiday, usually accompanied by an additional feast day for Visitations.

Visitations is a feast celebration of Andraste appearing in the dreams of mages when she crossed into the fade. Celebrated in Tevinter.

Arlathvhen (Dalish)

Its name means "for love of the people".

A celebration of the old ways while lore keepers exchange stories and knowledge, but the gathered Dalish also recount and discuss the sad lessons of the destruction of Arlathan and the Dales.

Barnack Festival (Orzammar)

An undefined festival mentioned by Oghren.

Celebratory Proving (Orzammar)

A type of proving held to celebrate an event.

Victors of these provings are rewarded with ceremonial items.

Commission Day (Orzammar)

A celebration for when one receives their military placement, or commission.

Unclear if this celebration is for all nobility of families of import or if it is restricted to the royal family.

Commission Proving (Orzammar)

A proving done during the commission celebration. It is in honor of an individual gaining a leadership position.

It is not clear if this proving and celebration is just for the royal family.

Coronation of the Divine (Chantry)

It is mentioned that when the first Divine was chosen, the festivities lasted a full year.

It is unclear if such celebrations happen every year in honor of the first Divine.

If it were an annual holiday, it is unclear if it would be only an Orlesian Chantry event or if it is also something that was celebrated in the Tevinter Imperium. Though considering the relationships between the two sects, it is possible that they adopted it in the Imperium but in celebration of their first Divine.

If chosen as Divine, Cassandra mentions that "They would love to bury me in ceremony for my coronation". Suggesting that there is at least some level of grandness that extends past a straight forward ceremony for crowning the Divine.

Drinking Festival (General)

Undefined if this is an Antivan specific festival, a universal one, or a joke. It is mentioned by Zevran.

Memorial Proving (Orzammar)

A type of proving done during celebration and honor of an individual receiving their military role.

Groundbreaking Festival (Universal)

Held much like events in real life, where they celebrate a building - such as a fort, castle, ect. - being built.

Grand Tourney (Free Marches/Nevarra)

A yearly event described as part circus, part tournament, and part festival. It allows contests, feats of strength, food, performers, and merriment. It travels around the Free Marches, and occasionally outside of it.

It is an event that many are aware of and Orlesian nobles are particularly inclined and encouraged by their families to participate in.

According to the Dragon Age Tabletop RPG (ttrpg), Orzammar sent warrior representatives to the Grand Tourney one year. It is unknown if they continued to do so or if this is held up in current lore.

Harvest Festival (Universal)

Undefined, but mentioned that Honnleath celebrates such an event.

Vinter, a Ferelden town mentioned in the ttrpg, celebrates the year's harvest and bounty in an annual event that lasts for several days. This is a major event of merriment and trade, but also open to the Dalish as well.

Hunt Ball (Nevarra)

Balls held in the winter, a lingering custom from when Nevarra used to have annual dragon hunts.

Memorial Proving (Orzammar)

A type of proving done to honor the memory of a dwarf of high stature.

Naming Day (Universal)

Separate from birthdays, there is little information on these parties outside that they occur.

Mentioned by both dwarves in Orzammar as well as found in a box of invitations on the surface.

Solstice Celebrations (Universal)

Avvar have alters dedicated to their favored hold-dieties, they house sacred relic that aligns with the rising sun on the Winter Solstice.

Honnleath celebrates the winter solstice.

Undefined as to which, but stated that the Chantry hold them, at one point for six consecutive years in Cumberland. This seems to be separate from the four holidays that mark the change of the seasons.

In some areas they celebrate the solstices with dinner parties. Aveline throws one. It isn't clear if this is simply a Fereldan practice or universal.

Summer Festival (Orlais)

A general festival that differs by region.

Celene mentions how youths participate in tests of skill though in heavily padded tunics and blunted blades.

Winterfest (Unknown)

An undescribed event/holiday mentioned by Dorian. He says he was "hoping for a lively Winterfest gift."

Possibly a regional holiday in Tevinter.

Feasts

Feast of Ascension (Orlais)

Undefined if it is a common celebration, nor what exactly the purpose is.

Feast of Urthemiel (Tevinter, Ancient)

A feast that spanned a total of twelve days, it was the grandest celebration of the year during its time. Celebrated at the height of the Imperium when they worshiped the Old Gods.

Unclear if this feast was part of the Urthalis (now known as Wintersend).

Hivernal Feast (Orlais)

Originating in the highlands of Orlais during the early days of the nation. Groups would go out and hunt Hivernals, on a successful hunt they would return and feast before salting the dragon meat and using the rest for potions, armor, and other supplies to help them last the winter. It is a feast still celebrated in some areas of Orlais.

Noble Feast (Orzammar)

A feast had during a celebration, typically one honoring an individual for their military accomplishments or a service done for Orzammar.

Also used to honor the mercy and/or martial skill of a commander.

General Ceremonies

Uthenera Ceremony (Arlathan)

Where an elder's long life and all their contributions to the elven people was celebrated before they moved on to the next step of waking slumber.

Harvest Ball (General)

A ball held during the harvest season.

Unclear how common or well spread these balls are, but they are mentioned as occurring in places such as Ostwick.

Wedding Ceremony (General)

Can be especially lavish for rulers, nobility, or people of import.

Typically overseen by Chantry Mothers in southern Thedas.

Unnamed Holidays, Ceremonies, Feasts, and Festivals

A religious holiday in the Imperium with a ceremony to mark the day a spell is cast to renew the Eternal Flame that is lit and continuously burns in every chantry in the Imperium.

A holiday in the Imperium that celebrates the death of Joyous II, Orlesian Chantry Divine. It is unclear if this holiday is still celebrated.

At Adamant Fortress the residents would have a celebration which included a feast on the day of the first snow fall. Traditions include the residents putting up wreaths, dancing, and other events.

There is a festival that includes a turkey. But there is little information outside of the line mentioning "festival turkey".

In some Dalish clans, there is a special ceremony for when a Keeper anoints a mage as their first.

Miscellaneous and Trivia

There is a practice of giving gifts on the solstice mentioned by Luka.

People have both a Wintersend gift list as well as Satinalia gift list. It is unclear if the Wintersend gift list is a regional/cultural specific practice, a universal one, or if it was simply confused with Satinalia.

Birthdays while separate from Name days are both celebrated universally.

The Qun does not have holidays or annual festivals. They will have celebrations but usually in response to a death in service to the Qun by an individual who did a great deed. They have a celebration that allows for unabashed revelry; this includes drinking, public chanting, and even meditations are abandoned.

The term "holiday", "on holiday", and "family holiday" are used by those in Thedas as opposed to vacation or the like.

Fluffy Mackerel Pudding, while a Fereldan traditional dish, is a recipe from the 1974 Weight Watchers.

Sources:

BioWare Blog Weight Watchers: Fluffy Mackerel Pudding

Dragon Age Origins Dragon Age 2 Dragon Age Inquisition Dragon Age Inquisition Multiplayer Dragon Age The Last Court Dragon Age Tabletop Dragon Age Tabletop Blood in Ferelden Dragon Age Origins Official Prima Guide Dragon Age Masked Empire Dragon Age Asunder Dragon Age Tevinter Nights World of Thedas Vol 1 World of Thedas Vol 2

Origins Codex: Archdemon Codex: Feast Day Fish A Note from the Honnleath Village Council

Dragon Age 2 Codex: Chest of Unanswered Invitations Codex: Notes on the Avvar Sky Cult Codex: Thedas Calendar

Inquisition Codex: Mad Emperor Reville War Table Mission: A Favor Returned War Table Mission: Rescue the Spy

The Last Court Your Bailiff is Attacked

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#dragon age #da worldbuilding #dragon age meta #writing reference #da writing reference #writing reference: calendar #writing reference: holidays #reference: holidays #reference: calendar #world building wednesday #long post #my meta #chantry #orzammar #dalish #ferelden #orlais #antiva

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felassan · 1 year

Text

Let's talk about the new short story, As We Fly!

The title is a nice reference to the phrase "As the crow flies", an idiom for the most direct route between two points. Or Crow, as the case may be. :) and our hero Crows do 'fly' in this short, on a cool zipline thing.

The accompanying art piece is a zoomed out version of the concept art piece that debuted here which is cool, as we can now see more of that scene! I love the architecture of the city and the drama of the whole scene :>

The big takeaway from this short is that the Antaam have now made good on the hints in Tevinter Nights, and have invaded Antiva. O: they have taken and are occupying Treviso, a coastal city in northern Antiva (which is an important city for the Crows, whom historically originate as a faction in the surrounding areas). so then, the Llomerryn Accords have been broken? Σ(°ロ°) that feels like a big plotbeat and major development to tell us in a short story on the website?? anyways, all nations but Tevinter signed that treaty. during the Qunari Wars, the Qunari invaded Thedas, and entrenched themselves in Antiva and Rivain for like a century. they first took Treviso in 6:35 Steel and now they're back again.

this means that this short must be set after the Crow stories in Tevinter Nights e.g. Eight Little Talons, as in Tevinter Nights we were told that:

the invasion passes Ventus (which fell in the comic Deception) and moves into Rivain

in Tevinter, the Antaam have crushed the Tevinter opposition in the east and that it was possible that everything east of Vyrantium would be under their control inside a year, and northern Antiva as well

it seemed to be a certainty that they were going to invade Antiva

a Dalish elf dispatched a messenger to warn the clans in/beyond Rivain of all this

the invading Qunari tried to make a deal with one of the Crows, saying that if he did such and such then the invasion of Antiva would be peaceful and they wouldn't be required to convert

the Talons met in a sort of Talon summit to discuss the threat and come up with a plan for Antiva's defense - to plot a course of action and discuss their country's security as, without an army, Antiva’s only line of defense is the Crows. Antiva was vulnerable, with more than half her Talons dead

[non-Solas Tevinter Nights happenings summary link]

I wonder if they arrived by land or by sea? in the first story in Tevinter Nights, when the escapees are fleeing to Arlathan Forest, it mentions their ships, and "before the Qunari land there" implies by sea. So which of the other coastal northern cities, or eastern cities, have also been taken? Brynnlaw? Ayesleigh? Afsaana? in this map red shows known taken cities (Qarinus is Ventus), purple highlights Kont-aar, which is the only Qunari settlement on the continent, pink is a guess at the Qunari forces moving into Rivain (Kont-aar as a staging ground?) and the black dotted line approximately blocks off everything east of Vyrantium, including northern Antiva.

I wonder what this could mean for the plotbeats of DA:D?? choosing a side in Tevinter vs Qunari in an arc focused on that, assisting the Crows fighting the invasion, or the war as more of a backdrop to other stuff like the mage/Templar war in the Hinterlands in DA:I? I really want to learn more about the possible schism in the Qun, and I hope the Hero of Ferelden never meets Stenishok on the battlefield :'(

(Could the invasion of eastern Tevinter be part of why Dragon Age: Absolution is set in Nessum, a city in the west? If you don't want battle with the Qunari to be the focus or backdrop of your storyline, you'd need to pick a city out of the path of the invasion.)

Solas is also probably benefitting indirectly from the chaos of the invasion of the north. in TN, an agent of Fen'Harel hired two thieves to try and make it look like a Tevinter altus struck at and blew up a peaceful Qunari settlement (Kont-aar). this would have caused chaos as the Ben-Hassrath wouldn't have been able to sit out the Qunari invasion of the south anymore and Rivain and even other countries/groups might have gotten drawn in. Gatt said that if this scenario occurred the Qunari would have settled for nothing less than the total destruction of Tevinter. (reminiscent of Corypheus causing chaos during DA:I in order to take advantage of the confusion and weakened nations) if things are more chaotic in general, it's easier to carry out your plan. and the Ben-Hassrath will now be busy trying to blunt the strike of the Antaam (per Gatt), leaving them less free to act against the true threat as they see it, Solas. that's another point in Solas' favor as the Ben-Hassrath have more knowledge on his movements than anyone else, and they oppose him as they believe he threatens their people.

Treviso also has history - it was captured and liberated several times during the Qunari Wars and the New Exalted Marches. parts of Antiva still bear the scars of when the Qunari invaded northern Antiva 200 years ago. I wonder if the magical horn/voice-projection devices ("echoed across tiled rooftops via magical projection, devices left by long-retreated empires") were left by prior Qunari invasions or another empire, perhaps the Tevinter Empire when it was at its height, when it spread across most of Thedas? that would make the magical aspect of those devices make more sense.

I loved Neri, Noa and their sibling relationship, it would be fun to meet them in DA:D. it's always nice to see older characters in the spotlight, being badass while they do it, grey hair, walking stick/cane and all. the older Crow motif reminded me of Lessef in An Old Crow's Old Tricks. ig Crows are so cool they basically don't retire. It'd be good to have an older (older than middle aged) combat companion in DA:D!

I'll say that if you're an assassin, telegraphing that you're an assassin on your clothes isn't very stealthy, but the Crows are sometimes dramatic and showy, "performers" after all. and who are they descended from? one of the monks from Treviso? with the zipline, traps, rooftops and black ink markings, this short felt quite 'Assassin's Creed gameplay' and reminded me of Shadowmarks from Skyrim's Thieves Guild. could some of this sort of thing be gameplay features in DA:D? Joplin was about spies, stealth and heisty stuff after all.

I fell for the siblings' fakeout for a minute when reading and was legit like

since "They looked suddenly helpless, as though not just the Antaam but every one of their years had caught up to them." was a raw line. there is no surer enemy than Time right?

"Or out of time, like your city. And soon, the world. [...] And soon, stronger"?? what are the Antaam's "strange weapons"? explosives of some kind? gaatlok? in Trespasser, during Dragon's Breath Qunari were mining and processing lyrium to give to their Saarebas to strengthen them, to "save the South". are the Crow siblings simply unfamiliar personally with Qunari explosives, or is there something more going on here?

the "brutality", the "war lords", "controlled, not calm", commanding through fear - like it says in TN, there's no Ben-Hassrath present to judge or regulate the Antaam, and no workers and priests present to be a moderating influence. the Ben-Hassrath who investigated in TN were disappointed in the Antaam and believed that they were not acting in accordance with the Qun.

"And Kaathrata the Lash was left raised where Crows could peck at his eyes. // Come the morning, so would the birds." another metal line 👌

Ammazzacaffè, Treviso

"Did you hear—?"

"Did you see—?"

is it a bird? is it a plane? no it's a Crow caw caw

Trevisans as the denonym for Treviso is cute.

And lastly, who put out the contract, and who picked it up? Perhaps Lucanis and/or Illario?

#dragon age: dreadwolf #dragon age 4 #the dread wolf rises #da4 #dragon age #bioware #long post #longpost #glynn mahariel #solas #gpoy #dragon age: absolution #dragon age: absolution spoilers #mj meta

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bucknastysbabe · 1 year

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Untold

Boom bap skapoom ddededede lemme just drop this bad boy off at the park and run away. Reread fire and blood and wanted to experiment with that fake biography style which I’m not very good at but it was fun SKIDIBOP mmdada BOOM

Rating: General

Tags: Period typical assholery, lots of death, angsty, turNCLOAKS?!, Aegon is on Douchebag Hours until he got fucked the fuck up, targ princess reader, incest, Cregan said hol up we don’t play like that in The Fookin North

“House Rowan has been taken by Lord Ormund and Prince Daeron,” said the kinslayer. The maester with him wrote of Aegon’s hitched noise and lidded eyes opening with a snap.

The haggard Aegon stared at his brother, face puffy and eyes glazed from the milk of the poppy. He rarely was awake in his recovery. Prince Aemond figured their youngest sister’s safety would raise the twisted king’s spirits. Aegon had mumbled, “Get her to the…Keep.” He soon after returned to the world of sleep— exhausted from the mere act of eating.

In True Telling, Munkun writes that the arrival of princess would guarantee to distract Aegon more if he ever got well. Not to mention her priceless dragon Merigar, waiting in the Dragonpit. Her Rowan in-laws declared themselves Black until Daeron routed Lord Thaddeus. The Prince regent Aemond was very keen to get the young woman back in the walls of King’s Landing.

The princess later was watched by all, silent tears streaming down pale cheeks as her husband was put to the sword. She was merely 7 and 10 and married for a scarce year. No child was born of the union, much to the happiness of the greens. Especially the ailing Aegon, who had requested for her to stay by his side. The tale of the ‘little princess’ and King Aegon was of a bleak nature, like many others during the Dance.

From a young age she had always been known to bear love for her eldest brother. Even when the rest of their siblings avoided the wayward Prince like the red plague. She followed Aegon around, a pale specter at his heels. That love had long grown strained and non-existent before the Dance. Prince Aegon had settled into his debaucherous ways— drunken binges and periods spent off in Flea Bottom.

Aegon did not engage with her as much, likely discarded the princess for hedonism. Her personal journal stated she received nothing but apathy and slurred condescension when they interacted. Bitterness filled the younger’s heart and after she sought refuge either on her smoky dragon Merigar or a court favorite. Whispers circled around the keep about Aegon not being the only sibling to have a healthy, lustful appetite.

The jester Mushroom wrote that the young princess, fueled by Aegon’s rejection, turned to carnal desires to draw his attention. He claimed she had a retainer of comely knights, daring whoever could climb to her chambers could seize her maidenhead. Grand Maester Munkun disparages that, illustrating the girl was fond of the male gaze but remained chaste. All accounts at the time do mention the public schism between Aegon and his once favorite sibling.

When the striking girl was publicly engaged to the handsome Braxton Rowan in late 127 AC, approval rounded the court. It was a happy time for all, the birth of Prince Maelor had occurred a month beforehand. King Viserys, largely crippled, hastened the wedding on fears of expiring too soon.

Prince Aegon was not of a jovial spirit on the day of the betrothal. He slouched in the throne room with a sullen pout, leaving immediately afterward. The Prince by all reports proceeded to get irrationally intoxicated and escorted from supper by twins Cargyll of the Kingsguard. Ser Criston Cole wrote in concern to Septon Eustace on the occasion.

“I fear for our princess after Aegon’s behavior. You must pray that she will be looked after by the Maiden. He was wrought with jealousy, slamming cups and yelling like a child in the midst of a tantrum. The prince must be kept away lest he seek to claim her before the wedding.”

No other mention was made of the two interacting until the night before the ceremony. Lord Thaddeus Rowan and his retainer had arrived that morning. Comely Prince Daeron had made an appearance with Lord Ormund and his she-dragon Tessarion close behind.

Queen Alicent was said to be overwhelmed with tears, joyous at all of her children together. Eustace somberly notes that it would be the last time she would have the sight. King Viserys was resting in his solar during the reunion, Maester Orwyle tending to the King before the festivities.

Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon remained on Dragonstone with their offspring, an obvious slight.

The young lord Braxton Rowan was handsome in the colors of Goldengrove, strapping and tall with blue eyes and thick brown locks. The little princess was smitten, blushing when the heir dropped to a knee and kissed her hand. Lord Thaddeus proudly boasted that he had never seen his eldest son so lovestruck. Most could see why, the princess was silver and slim. She had taken after her mothers side— willowy and statuesque in appearance. Her and Prince Aemond were similar in that way.

Supper in the keep happened to be a less joyful event. Prince Aegon had joined in the toast to the soon-to-be wed couple. He drawled, “To my lovely sister and her betrothed, I hope she may find joy in an otherwise banal man and his meager lands.” The princess burst into tears, Lord Thaddeus and his sons had to be restrained. Prince Aemond shoved his brother back into his chair with a sharp look. In a fit Queen Alicent excused her drunken son, fretfully apologizing to the angered Rowan clan. Peace was restored in quick succession after.

Accounts are hazy on the occurence at the hour of the Wolf. Two things were consistent in Grand Maester Munkun’s and Septon Eustace’s books. Mushroom will be excluded as his tale was outlandish and inconsistent. One, that Aegon and the little princess did get caught in the godswood by Ser Criston Cole. Two being she had raked her nails bloody across his cheek, stating to Cole that she made a mistake.

Aegon wept during the wedding, disappearing after her red and black Targaryen maiden’s cloak was replaced with the gold and silver of Rowan. The princess smiled and shined for all to see in the meantime. She was cheerful and danced through the night, laughing even during the ribald bedding ceremony. The Targaryen recounted the consummation as a ‘passionate affair’. Off she went to Goldengrove, where Lord Braxton doted on his new wife. Plans were in progress to build a place for the handsome Merigar.

Most were sure the princess was for Rhaenyra; there are multiple records of her openly voicing that her elder brother was unfit for the Iron throne. Eustace with his known dislike for the half-year queen left the Princess out of the Rowan’s claim for the Blacks. When Daeron met with her, she cried and beseeched the Daring to spare her husband and good-father.

Upon her return to King’s Landing, Prince Aemond kept a tight leash on his sister, disallowing her to leave the keep. She was miserable. The girl cried in Aegon’s chambers or the godswood. Mushroom had even tried to lift her spirits, claiming the princess threatened to feed the jester to her dragon. Aemond complained of her dour mood to the Dowager Queen.

While Helaena descended into madness, the other grew hateful. She hissed and threatened to strangle Aegon in his poppy-aided sleep if she had to stay by his side any longer. Merigar felt his rider’s misery, killing two dragon-keepers in a fit of rage. She scrawled down in her diary, “I crave death. I hate him so and yet.”

During the fall of King’s Landing, the princess was given a good deal by Rhaenyra. Ride for the blacks and she would be pardoned on behalf of her ‘green blood’. The little princess swore fealty immediately. Upon hearing the news at Harrenhal, Aemond, already angered by the loss of King’s Landing denounced his blood with a snarl. Queen Alicent did not speak to her youngest daughter for the entire period of Rhaenyra’s rule.

The widow expressed doubts in her journal, fearing she was unable to actually kill any of her blood. She never got the chance to do that. The series of deaths during the half-year rocked the girl. She spent more time with her dragon than with humans after Daeron was reported to have perished at Tumbleton. In her cups, she lamented to many, “I fear I may never smile again.” True Telling mentions that the embittered woman kept quite true to her word.

Rhaenyra felt the growing dread in her half-sister and became uneasy. She was paranoid of turncloaks, especially after Addam Velaryon was questioned. Rhaenyra sent her dragonback on a fool’s errand to the Reach for aid at Highgarden. Dangerously she would be passing where the green army lie in disarray. Merigar and his princess flew North instead.

Sightings of the smoke colored dragon came as far as Last Hearth. Aemond and Daemon held their last battle, Rhaenyra too overcome with the unrest in King’s Landing to do anything about her sister’s disappearance. The princess grew gaunt and grey in the North, the life sapped from her bones. She supped with the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch before returning to King’s Landing.

Lord Commander Brune wrote in his memoirs, “She was exceptionally kind and forged of steel under her thin skin. I was baffled when she climbed on that black beast of hers and called down, “Valar Morghulis.” It was one of the stranger days on my watch.”

No one truly learned why the princess came out of isolation. She stopped writing in her journal after visiting the Wall. Orwyle theorized that she was growing mad, Mushroom shared a bawdy idea, Eustace and Munkun simply think the Valyrian was tired and missed home.

Home was much different now back under the reign of Aegon the Elder, rendered shattered and volatile. He was still mourning the loss of the golden Sunfyre. The city watch and small folk grew frenzied and nervous when the shadow of Merigar flew over the city. Multiple riots had to be put down around Flea Bottom. Construction on the Dragonpit was halted for atleast a fortnight.

She landed her mount in the outer yard of the Red Keep, falling off in exhaustion and obvious starvation. The princess slept for two days. King Aegon fretted over her health, having grown regretful and somber in regards to his sad life. Remarkably, Dowager Queen Alicent was found by her side. Upon awakening the princess dryly remarked, “I think I shall stay now.” The green queen wept and wrenched her hands.

The princess kept out of the rampant politics ensuing the rest of Aegon II’s reign. She remained without an opinion, oft apologizing to Lord Corlys. The king and his sister reconciled— likely from isolation and shared misery. They drank and reminisced on better times late into the night. She helped her brother plan his marriage to the Baratheon girl.

In the Testimony of Mushroom, there is a tale that may have an element of truth to it. The king and his sister were inseparable the last months of his reign. She was noted to stay in his bed at night, Alicent trying her hardest to keep that under lock and key. Mushroom claimed that Aegon the Elder had been regularly viewing his sister pleasure herself with a variety of wooden toys imported from Lys, him unable to copulate due to his broken body.

While the extent may not be that lewd, Septon Eustace did make a vague mention in his notes about Aegon hinting at instead marrying his sister, now nine and ten years of age. Nothing ever came to fruition as the king was poisoned in his litter. Immediately the ever present princess was questioned and thrown into Maegor’s holdfast.

She denied having involvement, stating blankly that her brother was the last person in her life that mattered. The interrogations could not find any proof and she fell into a catatonic state. The lack of involvement on the princess’ behalf is what sealed her fate. At the hour of the Wolf, Cregan Stark declared her a traitor to Rhaenyra and her heirs for choosing to become ‘a concubine for the thrice-damned drunken cur’.

She was executed by the Lord of Winterfell himself. Her last words are the subject of question. The teenaged girl sighed, “If only.” Merigar thrashed and broke from his chains concurrently during that fatal swing of Ice, escaping into the skies. The proud dragon was never to be seen again. Thus ended the ever shifting life of the little princess.

#hotd fanfic #aegon ii targaryen #aegon targaryen x reader #house of the dragon #aegon ii x reader #angst

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