#ashkaari
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A hypothetical god tier for Ashkaari Koslun from Dragon Age: the Muse of Blood.
A Muse of Blood is among those who are masters of paths, drive, and passion. They are motivated by others to be a master of connection. (x)
The Muse of Blood aims to inspire others and has a strong sense of responsibility. (x)
They are the Outlier Promised, defined by inspiration and connection. (x)
Their opposite and inverse is the Lord of Breath.
They share their personality with no one, as a master classpect.
The Muse of Blood would quest on a planet similar to the Land of the Mutable and Blood, reigned over by Hera (Goddess of Marriage Vows) or Prometheus (Deliverer of Civilization). They would rise to ascension on the wings of mosquitoes. (x)(x)(x)
Art by MathiaArkoniel.
#ashkaari koslun#muse of blood#the qun#dragon age#classpecting#character classpecting#homestuck#my post
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me: the people do not need you to write about da2
also me: oh i get it. i should write about origins
#constantly thinking about the ''sten' is enough./but it is not your name./it is who i am' dialogue they have together#also at one point that seheron convo they have where sten is like 'i knew one of your countrymen once' and they roll with it's bc she was#from Antiva but i always wind up reading it as 'to sten they are alike because they were both crows'#anyway man i love sten this fic is fun bc zevran is having all these little moments w the companions sandwiched between warden talks#don't talk to me about how that's not the definition of Ashkaari i know it's not. sten is being poetic. he has a poet's soul.#anna's fic notes#this zevwarden fic is taking a WHILE but im really enjoying working on it
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rediscovered this illustration I did long ago for a zine, depicting The Soul Canto from the Qun:
A traveler asked the Ashkaari: "What was your vision of our purpose?"
The Great Ashkaari replied: "I will tell you a story."
A vast granite statue stands on an island, holding back the sea.
The heavens crown its brow. It sees to the edge of the world.
The sea drowns its feet with every tide.
The heavens turn overhead, light and dark. The tide rises to devour the earth, and falls back.
The sun and the stars fall to the sea one by one in their turn, only to rise again.
The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless.
Struggle is an illusion. There is nothing to struggle against.
#dragon age#dragon age: inquisition#da:i#the qun#the soul canto#qunari#fanart#arting#illustration#fun to revisit old pieces i overlooked#or forgot about#it's cooler to me now
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DA Qunlat
I separated all of Dragon Age's known Qunlat into Nouns, idioms ect
Nouns
Titles/Types of people
Arigena: One of the Triumvirate; female, leader of the workers. She is responsible for ensuring her people's physical needs are met and public health.
Arishok: One of the Triumvirate; male, leader of the army. He is responsible for defending his people and expanding Qunari territory. The Arishok is sometimes mistaken for a king by outsiders.
Arvaarad: "One who holds back evil;" a Qunari who watches over the saarebas (Qunari mages) and hunts Tal-Vashoth.
Ashaad: "Scout.’
Ashkaari: "One who seeks," or "one who thinks;" scientists, philosophers, or those who have found enlightenment. Ashkaari Koslun uses this title.
Athlok:Laborer. The mind, the earth.
Aqun-Athlok: One who is "born as one gender but lives like another."
Bas: Literally, "thing;" foreign to the Qun; purposeless. Often used as a neutral term to describe non-Qunari people, in the same manner as "foreigner" or "stranger". Also used after a weapon name to denote it is intended for mages. (Example: Saartoh-Bas Kos Katoh)
Basalit-an: A non-Qunari worthy of respect.
Basra: Rude term for non-Qunari people.
Basra Vashedan: Used to refer to non-Qunari ideas, and sometimes, people; "foreigner trash."
Bas-taar: Keeper of bas. A role within the Antaam.
Basvaarad: Literally, a keeper for a mage who is a "bas." This usually refers to templars, but not necessarily; Hawke was considered a basvaraad "worthy of following" by a Qunari saarebas. Essentially, a non-Qunari who assumes the role of an arvaarad.
Ben-Hassrath:"Heart of the many," part of the priesthood who serve as spies, reeducators, and the defenders of Qunari unity. They are the enforcers of the Qun's law, and infamously severe to those who transgress against it.
Beresaad: Literally means "those who reach ahead." The vanguard of the antaam, sent abroad to interact with the outside world. Though they are soldiers first and foremost, they also function as the Qunari's diplomats, surveyors, foreign trade administrators, and investigate foreign lands and cultures on the Arishok's behalf.
Besrathari: A recruiter and trainer of the Ben-Hassrath.
Hissrad:"Keeper of Illusions;" liar. Iron Bull's name/title while he was stationed in Seheron.
Imekari: Child.
Imesaar-bas: Used to describe a child that was tempted and corrupted by demons.
Isskari:A title/rank in the Ben-Hassrath; Duties include the retrieval of magical artifacts.
Kaaras: Navigator.
Kabethari: "Simple person." Term used for those living in recently conquered lands and captives who haven't yet been indoctrinated into the Qun.
Kadan: Literally, "where the heart lies;" friend. An all-purpose word for a "person one cares about," including colleagues, friends and loved ones. Also means "the center of the chest."
Karasaad: Mid-rank infantry soldier. In Dragon Age II – a melee Qunari warrior.
Karashok: Infantry private. One appears in Sten's dream, the latter states the former was decapitated by darkspawn. In Dragon Age II - a melee Qunari warrior. In Trespasser - a foot soldier.
Karasten: Infantry commander; corporal.
Karataam: An infantry platoon. Ketojan was separated from his during the events of "Shepherding Wolves."
Katari: "One who brings death."
Kathaban: Leader of the Qunari naval forces; the admiral.
Kith: A small military unit, comparable to a squad or company.
Kithshok: Leaders of the Qunari army of Seheron; a general; They also are in charge of negotiating trade between the Qunari and foreign traders at ports.
Kossith: The name for the Qunari before the founding of the Qun.
Qunari: People of the Qun. A religious description, not race specific.
Qunoran vehl: A mentor, one who is an example to others. A Qunari can only be declared "Qunoran vehl" by the Arishok, and only after their death.
Rasaan: "Emissary," or "chosen heir;'" the Ariqun's successor, and as such, acts as their representative abroad. Also serves as the spiritual adviser to the Arishok, and accompanies him on expeditions.
Saarbrak: A role within the Ben-Hassrath.
Saarebas: "Dangerous thing;" the Qunari word and title for their mages. A "bas saarebas" denotes a non-Qunari mage.
Saarath: A title/rank among the Saarebas.
Sataari: "First guy on the ground." A type of shock trooper in the Beresaad.
Salasari: Triumvirate.
Sataareth: Literally "that which upholds;" an enforcer, defender, or foundation.
Salit: Meaning unknown; a prominent rank within the Ben-Hassrath.
Shokrakar: Rebel.
Sten: Infantry platoon commander.
Taam-kasari: "The one with the battleaxe." A type of shock trooper in the Beresaad.
Taarbas: A title/rank of Qunari, apparently clerical in nature; duties include cataloging inventory, and locating the weapons of Qunari fallen.
Taardathras: A title/rank of Qunari; duties include animal husbandry. Current examples are female and raise/extract venom from dragons.
Taarlok: A title/rank of Qunari.
Tal-Vashoth: "True Grey Ones." Former members of the Qunari who have departed or been exiled from their people and home. Many are violent rebels and turn against the Qunari, and are a menace in the north where they raid human and Qunari settlements alike. Others simply want to live their own life.
Tamassran: "Those who speak." A priestess who is charged with educating the young, interviewing captives, and assigning Qunari their roles within society. Exclusively a role for women.
Vasaad: A title/rank of Qunari.
Vashoth: "Grey Ones;" those of the qunari race that were born outside the Qun. It also refers to those who have rejected the Qun but not turned against it. The term tends to be used interchangeably with Tal-Vashoth, but the Vashoth are not rebels.
Vidathiss: A rank within the priesthood; a re-educator for captured and conquered peoples.
Viddasala: "One who converts purpose." A high-ranking member of the Ben-Hassrath. Leader of the "Dangerous Purpose" branch of the Ben-Hassrath triumvirate, which handles the conversion of foreigners, the reeducation of Qunari dissidents, and the collection and quarantine of magic.
Viddathari: A convert to the Qun.
Viddath-bas: Person turned into a mindless laborer with qamek.
Nature
Aban:The sea.confirmation needed
Asaara: Wind.
Asaaranda: Thunderstorm.
Athlok: Laborer. The mind, the earth.
Issala: Dust.
Kasaanda: "Sundew;" a carnivorous plant.
Kos: "A type of energy associated with nature;" refers to nature damage from a mage's staff.
Meraad: Tide.
Sataa: The world.
Tic: Cold; refers to cold damage from a mage's staff.
Vat: Fire; refers to fire damage from a mage's staff.
Animal
Asaarash: A special breed of horses from Rivain that are used by the Antaam.
Ataashi: Dragon; literally "glorious one(s)", "great thing".
Dathras: Cattle; a root word for many qunlat animal names.
Dathrasi: A type of animal. Used as a derogatory term against indulgent individuals, comparable to the pig. The Arishok calls all the nobles in the viscount's throne room this before Hawke enters the hall.
Qalaba: A type of cow that the Qunari breed known for its stupidity.
Body/Self
Antaam: Literally "body;" a name for the Qunari army. Also means "cuirass."
Asala: Soul.
Athlok: Laborer. The mind, the earth.
Defransdim: Male genitals.
Concept
Anaan: Victory
Aqun: Balance.
Ataash: Glory.
Basra Vashedan: Used to refer to non-Qunari ideas, and sometimes, people; "foreigner trash."
Herah: Time.
Hissera: Hope.
Hissra: "Illusion"; Also used to refer to deities.
Issqun: Mastery.
Kata: The end, death.
Kost: Peace.
Qun: The central philosophy of the Qunari peoples.
Shok: "War" or "struggle."
Weapons/Equipment
Adaar: A ship-mounted cannon; literally "fire thrower." Also means "Weapon" as Iron Bull puts it while talking about his name to a Qunari Inquisitor
Antaam: Literally "body;" a name for the Qunari army. Also means "cuirass."
Aquaam: Glove or light vambrace.
Asabas: Light or reinforced hat.
Asalaa: Helmet.
Baqoun: Meaning unknown; used to assault Minrathous's walls during the Storm Age. Based on context, it's most likely a type of cannon or projectile siege weapon.
Beres-taar: Shield.
Gaatlok: A black, non-magical explosive powder unique to the Qunari. It's not as powerful as magic, but can be used by anyone. There is no literal translation, the word derives from "death," "earth," and "glory."
Mertam: Light boot.
Nehrappan: Belt.
Notas: Gauntlet or vambrace.
Saartoh-bas: Mage's staff. Additional adjectives indicate the type of damage it deals. (Example: Saartoh-Bas Tic Eva deals cold.)
Saartoh Nehrappan: A leather-wrapped rod attached to a harness. In modern parlance: "a strap on."
Sataam: Boot or greave.
Taam-kas: Greataxe, or battle axe.
Taar: Prefix used to describe heavy armor. Derived from the word for "death".
Taaras: Light mail or doublet.
Qamek: Substance used by the reeducators to turn those who refuse to convert into mindless laborers, functionally lobotomizing those subjected to it. It's automatically used on captured mages, who are viewed as being beyond salvation. In Dragon Age: Those Who Speak, it resembles a flaming orb.
Saar-qamek: Poison that causes madness.
Valo-kas: Greatsword.
Vitaar: "Poison Armor." A warpaint used by the Qunari that is toxic to other races and has a metal-like quality once applied to the skin.
Places
Darvaarad: A location under the supervision of the Ben-Hassrath that quarantines magical artifacts.
Uukluk: Mentioned by Sten when arriving at Soldier's Peak, where upon he is unimpressed with what he considers drab and a castle like every other. "This is where the Wardens trained and lived? I imagined it would be like a tiered uukluk, with battle rings and many levels."
Viddathlok: A temple of healing and recovery; Ben-Hassrath also take unruly captives here for re-education.
Other
Asala-taar: "Soul sickness;" a Qunari combat ailment that seems analogous to a combat stress reaction, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. It is an epidemic in Seheron, where statistically two soldiers contract it for every one casualty. Sufferers are usually removed from combat and reassigned among the priesthood and workers.
Maraas: "Nothing" or "alone."
Maraas-Lok: A kind of strong Qunari alcohol; possibly also the verb "to drink."
Mashev: Either the name for a kind of gruel or a command to eat
Ralshokra: Said to be a military challenge where the higher ranks are fought for and defended to the death. The term originated in Orlais during the Storm Age, first used in a popular children's story intended to demonize the invading qunari race. In reality, the Qunari have never engaged in this barbaric practice.
Taamsala: Amulet. By itself, used to describe a generic amulet, but usually succeeded by a designation of skill level such as "eva," "iss," or "katoh."
Vashedan: Crap (literally "refuse" or "trash."); A common profanity.
Adjective
Eva: "Basic," or "beginner." Used after an item name to denote it is intended for neophyte users, or is of cheap quality. (Example: Valo-Kas Eva)
Gatt:. Meaning unknown, a nickname given by Iron Bull to a Ben-Hassrath agent. The terms derives from gaatlok, and refers to his temper.
Iss: "Experienced." Used after an item name to denote it is intended for veteran users, or is of moderate quality. (Example: Valo-Kas Iss)
Katoh: "Ending" or "achievement." Used after an item name to denote it is intended for master users, or is of masterwork quality. (Example: Valo-Kas Katoh). The Iron Bull uses this as a "watchword" (safeword) when romancing the Inquisitor.
Maraas: "Nothing" or "alone."
Raas: "Nothing;" used as a hyphenated adjective. (Example: Imekari-raas would mean "Child Nothing.")
Saam: Something;" used as a hyphenated adjective. (Example: Imekari-saam would mean "Child Something.")
Saar: "Dangerous." Most commonly associated with saarebas. Also used as a prefix to describe light or cloth armor.
Taashath: Calm.
Tal: "True," see Tal-Vashoth.
Vashedan: Crap (literally "refuse" or "trash."); A common profanity.
Verb
Ash: "To seek."
Astaarit: (It) "rises."
Ebost: "Return" in "Return to dust!" Can also be translated as "You all are."
Issqun: Mastery.
Itwasit: (It) "Falls."
Maraas-Lok: A kind of strong Qunari alcohol; possibly also the verb "to drink."
Sata-kas: Maul.
Tallis: "To solve."
Pre/Suffix
Aad: Translation unknown; used as a suffix in many Qunari military ranks.
Ari: Exact meaning unknown; used as a prefix to denote singular or leadership, and as a suffix to denote a group.
Kas: Suffix denoting a weapon intended for melee. (Example: Valo-Kas Eva). Derived from the word for "soldier."
Nehraa: "For," as in "For the Qunari!"
Ect
Ebadim: "They all are."
Ebasaam: "We all are."
Esaam: "Can be found in" or "exists in the location of."
Itwa-adim: "They all fall."
Itwa-ost:"You all fall."
Itwasaam: "We all fall."
Rethadim: "They all protect."
Rethost: "You all protect."
Rethsaam: "We all protect."
Say: With.
Idioms
Asit tal-eb: "The way things are meant to be." or "It is to be." A driving principle of the Qunari philosophy.
Ataash varin kata: "In the end lies glory."
Ataas shokra: "Glorious struggle". used as a greeting by a Tal-Vashoth leader to Tallis.
Ebasit: "It is."
Ebasit kata itwa-ost.: "It is ended. You all have fallen."
Ebatot tal-eb noms. Asit hera iss-nal tal-eb. As-eb vashe-qalab!: We were told there would be cake. Midweek was when it was to be. This is akin to qalaba excrement! (More colloquially: "This is bullshit!")
Ebost: "Return" in "Return to dust!" Can also be translated as "You all are."
Hass ebala-varaad nehraa: "For those I watch, of which I am one."
Maraas imekari: "A child bleating without meaning."
Maraas kata: "Nothing is ended."
Meravas katara: A combination of "so shall it be" and "(you) die."
Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aqun.: The tide rises, the tide falls, the sea is unchanged.
Na'thek: Meaning unknown but based on context possibly "As you wish."
Noms daar vat:Said by an Antivan Crow pretending to be Qunari. She loosely translates it as "The sweet bread is burning."
Panahedan: "Goodbye." Literally, "take refuge in safety."
Shanedan: Literally, "I'll hear you." A respectful greeting.
Shanedan, pashaara. Ebost antir vantaam vasheb-sa karatoh: I hear you. Enough. You're tired of the excrement your superior has been giving you. (More colloquially: "Give it a rest, why don't you?")
Shok ebasit hissra. Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aqun. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun: "Struggle is an illusion. The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless. There is nothing to struggle against. Victory is in the Qun." Extract from the Qun from Qunari Prayers for the Dead. Sten can be overheard reciting these lines while caged in Lothering.
Taarsidath-an halsaam: "I will bring myself sexual pleasure later, while thinking about this with great respect."
Vashedan: Crap (literally "refuse" or "trash."); A common profanity.
Commands/Threats
Ashkost kata!: You are seeking death!
Ashkost say hissra!: Seek peace with your gods!
Ebost: "Return" in "Return to dust!" Can also be translated as "You all are."
Ebost Asala, Tal Vashoth!: likely an insult or threat. Roughly means "Your soul is dust, Tal Vashoth!"
Ebost issala!: Return to dust!
Fazha thrin: Meaning unknown but based on context possibly "Leave us."
Katara: (You) die, as in "Die, thing!"
Katara, bas!: Die, thing!
Mashev: Either the name for a kind of gruel or a command to eat
Parshaara: "Enough."
Sten, shok basra vashedan taam!: Said by an Antivan Crow pretending to be Qunari. Possibly a call to arms.
Teth a: A call for attention, or warning.
Vinek kathas: An order to attack or kill. Another possible meaning is "Seize them."
Battle Cries
Anaan esaam Qun!: Victory in the Qun!
Ataash Qunari!: Glory to the Qunari!
Nehraa Beresaad! For the vanguard!
Nehraa kadan!: For my brothers!
Nehraa Koslun!: For the sake of the prophet!
Nehraa Qun!: For the Qun!
Specific Sentences
Arishokost. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun: "Peace, Arishok. There's nothing to struggle against. Victory is in the Qun." Spoken by Fenris upon Hawke's first meeting with the Arishok.
Arishokost ebra sala. Seerkata tost eb na shoh: The Arishok will see to it. That, or everyone dies.
Asit zabuk-toh maraas eblok. Kappan maraas tal-eb: It's because of the priests' hats that I never go to the temples. It has to be fur caps or nothing.
Bas ebadim qalaba, ebsaam asit tal-eb: These foreigners are cattle. Our way is better and inevitable.
Bazvaarad? Ebasit vash-issra sataa: Foreigners controlling mages? This place is a fecal illusion.
Defransdim vasebra nehraa issala shok: I'm now struggling with discomfort among my small friends. (In response to the assault by the previously mentioned foot?)
Ebadim astaar, Qunari itwa-toh. Asit tal-eb: They will rise, and the Qunari will cause them to fall. That's how it will be.
Ebadim beresaad hissra-toh ataash. Vashedan katoh-qalaba: Those beresaad think they are so special. Foolish glory animals.
Ebadim vashedan Tal-Vashoth, ebra-hissal eva-lok defransdim: Those excremental Tal-Vashoth can go do something explicit with my intimate friends. (Philliam surmises that tone of phrase indicates this means genitals.)
Ebasit Ben-Hassrath maraas-toh, tal-eb iss mer-toh ari-van: The Ben-Hassrath will make you disappear if you don't shut up.
Ebra Karasaad vashetoh saar-qalaba kata: The soldier above me has excrement for tactics and will die like a cow.
Ebsaam ver-toh kata, ir-vah vashtoh notas-taar: We're going to lose people in combat if we don't get better gloves than this excrement.
Kadanshok defransdim vashedan!: You will struggle with your wounded intimate friends! (Seems dockside in nature. More colloquially, "I shall use my foot to assault you in the genitals.")
Sataareth kadan hass-toh issala ebasit: It is my purpose to do what I must for those I consider important.
Var-toh katashok, ebadim maraas issala toh: They will struggle, and we will turn them into nothing.
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cannot stop thinking about bull as a baby ashkaari because he's canonically such a precious child so kind and sly and charismatic and i believe he was so easily loved by everyone and he already was big sturdy baby towering over other imekari i'm- 😭😭😭
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Rules: Make a 24-hour poll with the names of your WIPs and then for whichever wins, write one sentence for every vote it gets.
Yoinked from @faejilly and as the Kids Say Nowadays, ok bet.
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Sten SPOTIFY WRAPPED Writing Challenge song 13
to have a little more heaven with you
Many bas misunderstand the point of the Qun, in likening it to their own experiences. What could drive an entire culture to attempt to change the world but fervent, dedicated religion, worship of some higher power, belief that, at the end of one's life, there is some sort of holy reward for a life lived in dedicated service?
The bas exalt their Maker, their prophet Andraste, their gods and their Ancestors, and while Sten finds zealous veneration of any being that cannot be seen–or is long dead and lost to legend–a fool's errand, he leaves them to their delusions.
The Qun is not a religion. The Qunari worship no gods, man or myth, and while there are priestesses, their duties are to guide the people through Koslun's teachings. Perhaps the bas liken Koslun to their Andraste, but they are wrong there as well. Koslun was a flesh-and-blood Kossith, mortal as any other, and the Qun do not worship him any more than they worship any other Ashkaari.
Sten has never understood the desire to worship, to exalt or venerate, to prostrate himself before another being, real or imagined or the overblown legacy of an ancient corpse.
But the Warden has had a habit of inspiring many things in him that he would never have considered possible before.
Surana feels almost fragile beneath him, but Sten is not fooled. Magic hums through the bird-fine bones beneath supple flesh, muscles honed by stubborn dedication to a cause he never asked to champion. There is steel in his spine (though it arches so sweetly), in his eyes (his gaze so intent, it's almost like a touch), in the glint of his teeth when an enemy thinks they have the meek elven saarebas cornered and learn too late their mistake.
Dangerous thing.
Perhaps Sten was fooled, when he allowed the stuttering, sunburnt waif to draw him from his self-inflicted imprisonment, when he followed him into battle that first time, when he saw the glimmer of a spell firing off, when he carefully noted every possible potential weakness for future reference in the event their tenuous alliance fell apart and he was required to subdue the creature.
Slim. Breakable. Weak. Unsure. Thrust into the role of leader by circumstance and sure to buckle under the weight sooner rather than later. Surana was not trained for this. It didn't fit.
His shoulders are broader now than they were then. Sten pushes them back into the bedroll, feels the muscle ripple beneath his hands. Surana only goes with the motion because he wants to. If it were only physical strength at play, the elf's hard-earned physique would still not offer much of a challenge when Sten is still head and shoulders taller and easily twice as broad, but the Warden's strength is not only in the physical. There is tempest within his lanky frame that Sten has tasted firsthand.
A spindly hand smooths up along his broad chest, graceful fingers tracing the fractal pattern of a scar that trails up over his collarbone to the base of his throat. He remembers well the sensation of lightning coursing through his body, the jolt and burn that left him flat on his back and dazed. He remembers how quickly the elf went from meek and stammering to grim and determined to do what had to be done, standing victorious over the man who dared challenge his skill as a leader.
He feels that phantom spark prickle along his skin, skittering in the wake of nimble fingers, and he shudders. A reminder that, however much Surana allows, however willingly he bends, if pressed he could bring Sten to his knees effortlessly.
He thinks, in these moments, he understands what it means to worship.
#pidge replies#pidge writes#dragon age#dragon age origins#dao#sten#surana#prompt fic#sten/warden#sten/surana#hhhjhjhhhhhfhfjf?????#idk man i did my best#could have gotten hornier but i feel like that would be sketchy bc im sitting in a dr office waiting room#I AM FINE I AM ACCOMPANYING A FRIEND#he is also fine#but anyway uh#here ya go
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WIP Wednesday/Whenever
Tagged by @theluckywizard, thank you!
Tagging @lilbittymonster, @fogsblue, @pikapeppa, @mogwaei, @serial-chillr and @fiadhaisteach. No pressure!
I've been taking a bit of a rest for my Muse, but I have been working on the next Mirabull fic. So have a bit of post-Demands of the Qun.
---
“What happened?” she asked softly.
“There was a change in the guard rotation. It seemed...off.” He sighed. “Pair of hired killers. Not even real assassins. Just a formality to drive the point home.”
“That you’re Tal-Vashoth?”
“Yeah. Tal-Va-fucking-shoth.” He was watching her intently and she took care not to fumble the cloth against his skin. This was the closest they’d been since that day and his scrutiny cut like ice. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’ve always warned you that I couldn’t say what the future held, Bull. They would have died if they didn’t retreat, and that’s what I sought to prevent by letting it play out. If you’d known, you would have tried to do things differently, and you might have died too.” She shook her head gently, pulling the cloth away to exchange it for a clean one. “It wasn’t worth the risk.”
“But you’re fine with me becoming the thing I fought against for nearly ten years. I killed hundreds of them in Seheron. Bandits, murderers, bastards who turned their back on the Qun. And now I’m one of them.”
“Are you?” she asked sharply. He blinked and met her eye again. “I spent years at your side while you pretended to be Tal-Vashoth. It didn’t change you at your core. Neither will this.”
“That was just a role. This…”
“Every moment in life is a role, Bull. You taught me that. Did becoming Inquisitor make me a power hungry zealot when I wasn’t looking? I’m still me. And you are still you.” She pressed another cloth to his side, this one covered in soothing elfroot tincture. She had him hold it there while she retrieved sticky bandages to cover it with. “You didn’t turn your back on the Qun, they turned their back on you.”
“Without the Qun to live by…”
“You’ll what, suddenly turn into an uncontrolled monster? Bullshit. You’re a good man. Always have been. I see no reason why you won’t continue to be.” She looked at him squarely now that she was done patching him up. “Think of it this way. Your purpose now is yours. Whatever you want it to be. Which was what you were already doing from the moment you were reassigned in Orlais over ten years ago. You said it yourself, you’d gotten used to them being ‘over there’. Far away. Nothing’s changed. Nothing but the title they call you. And what they call you doesn’t matter. So you aren’t Hissrad anymore, okay fine. You’re still the Iron Bull. You’re still Ashkaari. You’re still the Captain of the Chargers and my lover and friend. You’re still you.”
His expression softened and he almost smiled. He reached out and threaded the gray streak through his fingers. “Thanks, Chestnut. I won’t lie, it’ll take getting used to. But...this is where I want to be. No regrets. Know that.”
“I do know that.” She leaned into his touch, cupping her hand over his to bring it to her cheek. “And I’ll be here with you, every step of the way.”
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WIP - Ashkaari + Uzerin
#da art#dragon age#dragon age inquisition#kossith#elvhen oc#male lavellan#art#artwork#m/m romance#boys kissing#digital arwork#digital illustration#my ocs#oc art#dragon age oc
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Hi there, I just read your rewriting the Qunari meta and it reminded me of a question I had in my head about them and I'd love to hear your opinion on it. Do you think calling the Qun, as it exists in canon, a religion is accurate? If not what could it be classified as? A culture? A belief system but not a religion? A governing system? A combination of some of these things? I'm not sure myself. Also thanks for all the stuff you've written about the games, it's really interesting and well thought out!
That's a tough question!
For one, I think there's a huge amount of overlap between religion, culture, belief system, and governing system. I mean, a culture is essentially the beliefs, values, symbols, language, and artifacts of a group of people. So the overlap between culture and beliefs should be apparent, and values and beliefs certainly play a role in how a group governs.
Secondly, something like religion is somewhat ambiguous in definition. While I think lots of people think of religion as simple as "worshiping a god or god or the supernatural" there's a lot more to it than that and tends to include a set of beliefs (not necessarily about, or just about a god/the divine) and practices. I personally like Encylopedia Britannica's definition of "human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence." So I definitely believe that there is an argument to be made for the Qun counting as a religion.
I think commonly I've seen the Qun thought of as a philosophy, which isn't wrong, the Qun certainly is a system of thought, but again philosophy I would argue is similarly connected to culture, religion, and governance.
Personally, I see it as a religion. I think people might not consider it one because its seen as lacking any sort of god or gods, but I don't have the same feeling. The Qun to me seems to have a lot of spiritual involvement. Koslun, the founder of the Qun, is often spoken about in a way that reminds me of how one might write about the word of god or a prophet and feels to be written in much the way one might write religious texts (I mean, the Tome of Koslun is in fact, a sacred text):
The Soul Canto
A traveler asked the Ashkaari: "What was your vision of our purpose?"
The Great Ashkaari replied: "I will tell you a story.
A vast granite statue stands on an island, holding back the sea.
The heavens crown its brow. It sees to the edge of the world.
The sea drowns its feet with every tide.
The heavens turn overhead, light and dark. The tide rises to devour the earth, and falls back.
The sun and the stars fall to the sea one by one in their turn, only to rise again.
The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless.
Struggle is an illusion. There is nothing to struggle against.
The deception flows deeper. The statue resists the ebb and flow of the sea,
And is whittled away with each wave.
It protests the setting sun, and its face is burned looking upon it. It does not know itself.
Stubbornly, it resists wisdom and is transformed.
If you love purpose, fall into the tide. Let it carry you.
Do not fear the dark. The sun and the stars will return to guide you.
You have seen the greatest kings build monuments to their glory
Only to have them crumble and fade.
How much greater is the world than their glory?
The purpose of the world renews itself with each season. Each change only marks
A part of the greater whole.
The sea and the sky themselves:
Nothing special. Only pieces.
This feels very much like a religious text, in my opinion.
And also, religion absolutely can influence if not outright be the basis of government and social rules. (Speaking from a personal note, as a Muslim, there's plenty of passages in the Quran talking about how to handle legal/social issues and instructions on how society should function.)
So I suppose, TL:DR, I see the Qun as a religion, which also serves as basis for Qunari culture and governance.
I hade some more rambling paragraphs just more about my feelings about how the Qunari are written, but I feel like I've made that clear already and I don't want to go off on a tangent lmao.
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i know that apparently everyone names their qunari ashkaari but i wanna because i think itd be cute if she was called ash 🥺 sigh ,, ill think abt it
maybe that was her name but she just goes by ash
but she is tal vashoth so like would she even want a qunari name ? kind of doubt it, much to think about
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Codex entry: Saarath
This letter was clearly written a few lines at a time over the course of multiple days, as the ink at the start has already faded slightly:
"Elf-who-is-Tallis,
It is no longer my role to instruct others in the Qun, but I will share what I can with you if it brings you peace.
You are not alone in your struggles to achieve mastery of yourself and your purpose. Many viddathari come to the Qun filled with fear and anger. These feelings build walls brick by brick within the self. They prevent you from seeing the others around you, from seeing the world as it is, and they convince you that you are alone and in darkness, that you must fend for yourselves. The walls are real. But the darkness and the solitude, the world that they create within the self: that is all illusion. You must work to tear down the walls if you wish to see the truth, and the truth is this: no one is alone. It was the wisdom revealed to Koslun in the desert long ago. What looks like darkness is only the space between stars."
This portion of the letter is slightly newer, and the handwriting, which was exceptionally tidy at first, has become somewhat looser, as if written in a hurry:
"And it is not just viddathari who struggle with these illusions. The world changes the self, and we must balance mastery upon its turning tides. Once I was an ashkaari, and I spent my days examining the philosophy of the Qun and trying to seek the enlightenment that Koslun found. But my dreams of demons took me down a new path."
Here, the writing is filled with crossed-out passages, and the script becomes shaky. Some of the ink is still wet:
"And now with the song liquid—crossed out. And now I study the dam which holds back magic at its source. We will—crossed out Things change, little Tallis. The world changes. Find purpose in people around you, and your role will be clear. Remember when—crossed out. It will be hard to find wisdom in the noise. The noise is an illusion. Like the darkness. But the walls are real. Remember that. Tear down the walls first, and you will see the truth.
Saarath"
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Writer's Game: First Sentences
Tagged by @galfrey! (like 2 weeks ago)
Rules: post the first sentence of your last ten fics. If you haven't written ten fics, share as many first-sentences as you have.
Varric stamped his feet in the cold, trying to convince his toes that they weren’t freezing even though his breath fogged in the evening air. ("Holiday Cheer", a gift fic for @imayooshi)
"Well, if it isn't my big sister ... the heartbreaker!" ("My life story's been one long Eulogy", a Twin!Hawke au collection where I chuck various drabbles featuring Marion and his sister Gil)
"And what, exactly, do we have here?" ("Dragon's Den", a kinky romp I wrote for a friend where Daren gets spanked)
Heulwen breathed in the cool night air before opening her eyes at last to gaze at the sky. ("From the Wreckage", my active WIP which I PROMISE will update soon)
A gentle stillness lay over the campsite now that most of the travelers had retired early to their tents. ("Interlude: Rest for the Wicked", Daren and Zevran hook up :) )
Daren made his way through the makeshift hospital set up by the army in the palace courtyard. ("Queen and Consort", Cousland/Anora developing relationship)
The invitation to the Wintersend Ball had caused quite a stir in Ferelden, since Empress Celene had not extended such an invitation since the passing of King Cailan. ("Jealous", the royal throuple + court intrigue + ballroom dance)
Natia eyed the newcomers with casual interest: they were an odd looking bunch and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. ("Dawn Lotus", Daren visits The Pearl)
“Sten?” ("Ashkaari", Daren gets a nickname ... :)) )
Alistair approached the edge of the treeline where Daren was chopping firewood for the night, just far enough away from camp for a bit of privacy. ("Three times Daren Cousland punched Alistair (and one time he didn't)", four short ficlets following the ups and downs of Daren and Alistair's friendship)
I'm tagging whoever sees it! <3
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i know it's impossible for a number of reasons but i want the meeting parents trop with the inquisitor and bull's tama and the iron bull meeting his tama again in general.
she seems so cool from a few mentions here and there in the canon material, and allaros would definitely say she knows how to raise a good person. lavellan's got an immense amount of respect for this woman just from what he learned from bull, and bull seems to be such a loving son.
and she seems so caring as well, understanding her children and putting their well-being in front of demands of the qun, ever so secretly. regarding that one banter about how she would study every stone in dwarven ruins, she's got a lively, fluid intelligence of someone who seeks for knowledge. she's very smart, smart enough to understand what would happen to little ashkaari. i bet at least the half of bull's ability to read people is from his tama. i bet his curiosity is also from her. children learn to fall in love with the world with help from their parents, and bull's tama definitely taught him well.
and the iron bull would be, like, at least two heads taller than her, that's a fact. and he's all about respect as well.
allaros would listen to their conversations and her stories from a daycare. he would wonder what she thinks of all that kadan stuff. he would compare it to his relationships with the keeper, and that would be bittersweet and different, just different.
that would be such a happy day.
#dragon age#dragon age inquisition#iron bull#iron bull x inquisitor#oc: allaros lavellan#my post#im totally normal and ok
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Qunari Lore DA:D?
There are a lot of things that make up Qunari lore, mainly that their original names were not Qunari, nor where they Kossith. From my (amateur) research I have seen that Kossith is simply a description of the race, not what race they were.
I may also add that a QUNARI is someone that follows the Qun.
--"Vashoth", which means "grey ones"; likewise those who abandon the Qun willingly are known as "Tal-Vashoth", "true grey ones".--
Let us begin with where they came from...
The "Kossith" brought their people to main land, they first landed in Kokari Wilds during the first blight -395 Ancient (800 TE).
Apparently most were killed off (and tainted??) which MAYBE created those large horned darkspawn?
Kossith worshipped animals as gods at some point, before becoming "Qunari" Ashkaari was sort of profit, led them into the Qun life. Bull does mention in the game that the Kossith may not look much like them perhaps a more primal version? Less evolved. A dev from the game also mentioned that Kossith might not even have been their name at all, its more like a term to describe them as "large horned creatures."
So seeing as that may be the case, the large horned darkspawn probably look much like the "kossith" and over time Qunari probably cross bred. They look more humanoid.
Then we have the Rivaini, many of them have converted to the Qun. To add to this, some elves (from what I have read) may have join the Qun as well due to the fact that they were treated poorly by the humans? or perhaps they had no choice? would they have been killed if theyd not joined?
Then we go back to the OLDEN DAYS. Before the Qun, in Par Vollen the original people living there were called the Fex. Although we have little information let alone what they even freaking look like, I am assuming they at some point were crossbred with the first Kossith. I am saying this because of the comment that Bull made in the game about how the first Kossith looked nothing like they do now, perhaps more ogre like? the Fex where apparently ruled over "Large Horned Creatures" were these the first "Qunari" that came to the Kokari Wilds? and migrated? That being said were they more like an authority or more like gods to them?
This will be important for DAD (I Hope). Will we come across the Fex?or just ruins? (most likley like DAI where we were only left with ruins of the ancient people) I would think that the Fex were primitive, seeing these horned giants may have melded into some sort of prophecy they had drawn up? But if there were the case they would have been worshiped no doubt and we all know how ruthless some "over lords" can be. Most likely either wiping them out, or breeding with them to create what we see now.
It is also said that Qunari have dragons blood within them, were the Fex scaled creatures? Were they children of dragons? or simply humanoids?
Over the years of being melded in with the FEX/QUNARI, I would imagine that breeding practices took place, creating a line of "hornless ones". Not only this, but the religions were most likely jumbled together to create something similar to what the elves have/had.
We will have to see.
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WIP Whenever
Tagged by @serial-chillr, thank you! 😘
Tagging @mogwaei, @ir0n-angel, @bdafic, @fadedsweater and anyone who has something they want to share. No pressure.
I've been juggling fics again. Eh, you know how it is, procrastinate on Project A with Project B and vice versa. Hard to believe I've been working on this Bullmance for several months already. Have some Mira and Bull. This is after she's told him that she's from our world and he's worked through his hangups about it. Takes place around 9:32 Dragon, so he's still very much a part of the Qun and they aren't quite 'together' yet.
---
“Are all Ben-Hassrath as good as you?”
“Some, yeah. Being Hissrad means slipping into a role.” She realized he meant the rank, not just necessarily himself. There were more like him out there. “And it has to be seamless or it doesn't work. Which means at least some of it has to be real. The rest is just...I dunno. Detached. What was it you said? Compartmentalized.”
“A role,” she mused. “Like an actor.” He made an affirmative sound, watching her drop the information into place. “Where does Hissrad end and Iron Bull begin?”
How much of Ashkaari is still alive under all that brainwashing? she thought, hoping he couldn't tell how horrified she was. The Qun was a surveillance state, where even one's thoughts were held up for scrutiny. She could understand why some might find the rigidity better than what they'd lived before. Being told what to do and when to do it, in exchange for food and shelter and security, was a price many would willingly pay as opposed to the alternative of misery. But it was still slavery.
He was still looking at her, a wry half smile curling up one side of his mouth, his eye alight with some inner amusement, like she'd hit the nail squarely on the head. The horror of the nature of his upbringing receded a little, blended into the amalgam that was Bull.
“They're just faces, Chestnut. Everyone's got some.”
“And you want to teach me how to do this?”
“You want to hide that you're from another world? This is how we'll do it. It won't be as seamless, and I'm not expecting you to convert, if that's what you're asking. But it'll serve you well. Keep you alert and alive when I can't be your shield. You still interested?”
Mira smoothed out her expression as best she could, knowing he probably could still see through it. She nodded once.
He grinned wide.
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