#also: the envy demon shows him Hawke in a jail cell defeated and bitter | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

persephoneggsy · 2 years

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Woke up with the inexplicable urge to talk about Inquisitor Sebastian Vael

Specifically I was thinking about the “Champions of the Just” quest and how he would interact with the envy demon. Like, Sebastian must look like a prime rib steak compared to the Lord Seeker — not only is he the Herald of Andraste, but he’s also the rightful Prince of Starkhaven. He has power and influence in spades and the envy demon wants that.

When it pulls Sebastian into his mindscape, instead of taking on the forms of his advisors, it takes on the form of his brothers and Hawke, and makes him watch Hawke slowly slit their throats with a smile.

When it forces Sebastian to watch its hypothetical future where it takes his place and starts a tyrannical campaign of conquest across Thedas, abusing his authority, it actually does terrify Sebastian, because that lust for power is something he was always afraid he had and would lose himself to if he took the throne. It was one of his many reasons he told himself he shouldn’t take it.

And of course, Sebastian knows this a demon. He knows it’s trying to mess with his head and make him weak. But the envy demon is relentless, picking at parts of his brain he thought long-resolved, reminding him of how “bitterly jealous” he was of his brothers. How he wanted what they had, and now he has it and more, why shouldn’t he use it? Why shouldn’t he prove he was more than the family’s black sheep, the disappointment? Why not prove to everyone that he’s not the docile, sweet, nice, boring little choir boy.

But, with a bit of help from Cole, Sebastian realizes he doesn’t want that.

Cole: You wanted to be more, but only because they thought you were less. You don’t want it if it means making other people less, too.

He doesn’t want power for power’s sake. If he must have it, he will use it for good; first by saving the people of Thedas from the Breach and this so-called “Elder One”, and then by improving the lives of those under his rule at Starkhaven.

I like to think Sebastian was unsure about being the Herald. He’s faithful, but to claim to be sent by Andraste herself, when he barely remembers a thing of what happened at the Conclave? And despite his claim to the throne, he was always more of a follower — he followed Elthina, and then Hawke, for years in Kirkwall. He wasn’t even sure he deserved the role of Prince, much less of a holy Herald.

Ironically, the envy demon actually helps him with that. Seeing the worst case scenario, knowing what will likely happen to those he cares about if he goes down such a path, knowing that there’s a much bigger threat that needs to be dealt with; it strengthens his resolve, and after all is said and done, he’s much more comfortable with being the Herald, and later, the Inquisitor.

Also fun little tidbit: if you choose the faithful dialogue option with the Templars towards the end, Varric slightly approves. For the purposes of this AU I thought it was really cute, given his past rocky history with Sebastian. Now seeing him step into the Herald role, it’s like Choir Boy is becoming a Choir Man lol.

#inquisitor sebastian vael #sebastian vael #dragon age #headcanon #also: the envy demon shows him Hawke in a jail cell defeated and bitter #it think it’ll break Sebastian to see the woman he loves like that #instead Seb goes ‘I think the fuck NOT’ and fights 10x harder to get out #don’t push the Hawke button

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