#dragon age thoughts
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thinking about how "fenris" as the character's name was actually a condescending nickname given to him by danarius after losing his memories in the lyrium experiements. how it could have forever marked him as danarius's "little wolf." as a pet. as property.
but since he has no memories of his old life, the name "leto," revealed to be 'his name' by a sister he has no memories of, means nothing to him.
so what does he have?
about a decade of hawke and co. calling him fenris. they know him as fenris their friend, their comrade in arms, possibly their lover (in the case of hawke and/or isabela). he is not the little wolf of his cruel master anymore, but just
Fenris.
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Anders Identity Angst
"I am nameless but for a place I've left."
"I am a Mage, resisting."
"I am free, running."
"I am a Warden, fighting."
"I am a refuge, protecting." (saving Justice)
"I am a healer, hiding."
"I am hope, planning."
"I am the key to a door that must be opened, one that can never close again."
New side blog for a little Dragon Age content, thanks to a new spark in an older hyperfocus~
Starting it off with some thoughts about Anders and his identity...there might be essay posts in the future. For now...this will do.
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One of the things I hate about Loghain in DAI is that wardens, mainly ORLESIAN wardens, do a major fuck up and end up helping kill the devine and all... And he doesn't even have one "I told you so" moment.
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Dragon Age Thoughts: the nature of the original Vallaslin and Fenris is a Spirit, a coalescence of my theories
This in a culmination of two other theories I have had and some other information I have recently processed.
My first theory can be read here. To summarized it, the Vallaslin are ‘blood writing’. The Dalish use their own blood to make it but lyrium is the blood of the titans and I think that was the original ‘blood’ referred to. That they are lyrium and with the multiple uses of the word ‘chains’ by Flemeth to Fenris in DA2 and with Solas made me believe they are not just markings or a source of power, but are meant to tie to the marked to one of the Evanuris.
I postulated that Fenris’s markings are an original Vallaslin and were to bind him to an Elvhen god. If it was to one that was locked away when they became unbound Fenris might become in their thrall, but my favorite for this is Fen'Harel. That his markings are so unique supports this because Solas would have removed the markings for himself first and most easily. That ‘Fenris’ means ‘little wolf’ could be a joke on his markings being for ‘the Dread Wolf’ from Danarius.
See here in the Mural of Fen’Harel removing the original Vallaslin they are blue like lyrium, like Fenris’s markings.
My other theory can be read here. This is probably the most upsetting thery I have in DA fandom. To summarize I think that the original Leto died in Danarius’s experiment and that the Markings actually bound a Spirit into mortal form in the same way that the Spirit that became Cole formed. The markings don’t actually give Fenris his unique powers. That was another lie from Danarius. He has his powers because he is like Cole.
In the Romance scene with Fenris he is overwelped with a return of his memories but then forgets them again. I think that was the same ability Cole has being exercised in a panic.
To add on to this, I think Danarius’s previous experiment may have failed for the following reasons:
1. The mortal subject was unwilling or flinched (not flinching is a enduring part of the Dalish rite)
2. The Spirit pulled was twisted from it’s purpose or went mad crossing the veil
Another source of information that makes me think the original Vallaslin was a way to make spirits/demons corporeal is Abelas. Even his name means ‘sorrow’ like a spirit/demon.
There is talk of him changing names in a codex:
‘I shed my name the day I began her service. I shed my new one again, now that she rests. I will only be known by the sorrow that cuts my heart’
Solas also says he hopes Abelas will find a new name.
The name of a Spirit is tied to it’s essence and/or purpose. I think his name changing is a changing of his nature.
Also here is the concept art of Abelas/ the Sentinels of the Temple:
The Vallaslin are blue, like lyrium, like Fenris’s markings.
I think that Fenris will be in DA dreadwolf and that his nature will be revealed to him. How he handles it and what Solas does with the information I think will be determined by our choices in the previous games.
I’m going to go be melancholy about this one for a bit.
#dragon age fenris#dragon age cole#dragon age solas#dragon age abelas#fenris#solas#da2#dai#dragon age meta#dragon age thoughts#dragon age elves#this theory about fenris is one of the most upsetting ideas i've had in this fandom#i don't want it to be true but it fits so well#dragon age dreadwolf theory#i'd love for someone to refute the fenris part because freaking gods it is painful#DA:D#DA4
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Why does Sten look like he's taking his children to the principal's office
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So when it comes to the elf-blooded in Dragon Age, I know I'm definitely not alone in the boat of not liking the fact that they by default just look like their non-elven parent.
Especially when we have Feynriel who, yes, he has human ears, but he looks very much like an elf that his defining human trait is his ears. Why can we have it be like that? It makes more sense genetically than having no phenotypical similarities wirh their elven parent. Yet Alistiar? Slim Couldry? Michel De Chevin? Nope, you wouldn't be able to tell.
Another thing I wish would be expanded more that we saw with Feynriel is how the mixed heritage affects the abilities of the elf-blooded. Feynriel was not only a mage, but specifically, a Dreamer, which is so rare that he's the first in two ages, or two hundred years, to wield such a unique magic. Alistair, also elf-blooded, is the only templar to be able to use his anti-magic abilities without the use of lyrium. It would be so interesting if being elf-blooded allows the child access to rare abilities that would otherwise be nonexistent. But no. Slim Couldry and Michel De Chevin don't really have any unique abilities. At least, none I've been able to observe in the games.
So my headcanon for the elf-blooded basically rectifies my annoyance with the canon in that there are traits from the elven parent down to the elf-blooded, whether that be phenotyical, magical, or both. And if the elf-blooded child decides to have a child with another non-elven, the traits are still passed down (not just made human or dwarf or qunari as it is in canon). Perhaps as the generations go on, the traits become more and more recessive, but they're still there, just waiting for the right circumstances.
Side note, this is why I headcanon Sandal as an elf-blooded dwarf: a) while he looks like a dwarf, he seemingly is unable to grow a beard(unless Bodahn decides to help shave him); b) he's incredibly intuned to enchantment and even described as a savant, and as Hawke, you can even joke Sandal is the first dwarven mage(i know, reaching here); c) he somehow froze an ogre WITHOUT enchantment(maybe he can cast spells in a very specific circumstance?); and finally d) his strange prophecy that seems to predict the Breach and Solas's plan. Whoops actually one more point, in Trespasser, specifically in the Fade, you can find his journal next to a Qunari impaled with several stakes. How the fuck did it get there? How did he get there? And of fucking course it's next to another dead body, why not!
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I was trying to find a DAI quote and instead came upon a bunch of weird Cullen hate and the amount of ableism wrapped up in some comments about him is oof
Nevermind the only half-understood social justice terms people throw around (and the fact mage related prejudice cannot and *should not* be compared to real world prejudice because it suffers from the same issues as mutant/metahuman type prejudices do), but there's literally a companion that supports race-based slavery and shit like that, and anyone with half a head for lore knows that Cullen's advisory positions don't actually make any sense because they also have him supporting grand-duke-let's-invade-Ferelden-again for Emperor, so his being fervently anti-mage during them shouldn't be the extent of proof he never changed.
Anyway, I, too, chose to support the mages in Kirkwall my first DA2 playthroughs, but eventually I did try out the Templars to see what that was like, and it feels like way more people probably need to do that.
And people really need to pay attention to the things Cole says/writes because I don't really know how people can get through those and not feel the least bit of sympathy for Cullen, honestly. Like the marked you, not made you bit and the sexual assault one broke my heart.
#dragon age thoughts#like his VA is scum#but can people really sit there with all the other missteps the writers made#and claim cullen not having a very clear and very loud redemption arc instead of subtle moments#isn't exactly the sort of decision the dai writers always made?
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I love dragon age inquisition. It was the first dragon age game I played and it will always hold a special place in my heart. But something that never sat right with me after playing through all 3 games, is that Cullen is the one trying quit Lyrium and lead the inquisition. And Samson is the one who joined Corephyus.
So here's a long-winded argument as to why I think they should have been reversed. I love the game nonetheless, but the ball was fumbled here (in my opinion. If you disagree that's perfectly fine). Before I start I want to say I love both Cullen and Samson. I also discuss the infamous "quit or don't quit lyrium" scene quite a bit, and I want to say that no matter what it's still problematic.
Now, there are two major things we have to address before I can get into this:
Cullen's fear of mages would make him really not want to trust Corephyus, and additionally, having first hand experience with Darkspawn would make him even less likely. HOWEVER! This would only really be relevant if darkspawn were integral to Inquisition. Which they're not (for some reason).
Samson is a nobody, who either winds up rejoining the Templars or remains on the streets in Dragon Age 2.
Now the address:
Cullen's fear of mages might work fully in reverse, making him see the Templar order as the only way to control Mages and if he can restore them to glory with red lyrium that Corephyus claims to control, then it makes him even more likely to think Corephyus is the only option.
Samson being on the street AND having dealt with Hawke and Varric make him even more likely to meet Casandra. Why? Because Varric could make an off-handed comment about Samson being the more likely choice to rehabilitate templars because he already has first hand experience from lyrium withdrawal and he's sympathetic to mages. As opposed to Cullen who spends the whole game being relatively hostile and only really switches sides at the very end of the game when he sees how extreme Meredith has become. Especially with a Mage Hawke being canon because Varric would have seen first hand how Cullen views mages, not to mention how templars view mages with Merril and Anders.
Samson makes a more logical choice for the Inquisition's resident ex-templar.
He's mage sympathetic
while he would still argue for getting the Templars to seal the breach (due to wanting to save them from their fate), he would be more understanding of why the Inquisitor chooses Mages, and probably provide a more compelling argument other than "the templars are good because I always wanted to join them"
he's already in the first few stages of lyrium withdrawal
it would create a weird friendship between Varric and Samson if Varric was the one to convince Casandra to take him (Samson thinking Varric saved him)
Samson has the motive of atoning for his crimes of selling mages into slavery to help them escape Kirkwall/feed his lyrium addiction by finding a way to safely absolve the templar order so mages never have to go through that again
the whole "quit or don't quit" scene would be profoundly more impactful because you could string in Samson's time on the street as extra motivation to why he thinks he can't quit but loathes the feeling of despair taking lyrium brings.
we even see in the game that Samson is only helping Corephyus to give the Templars a "proper death". If faced with an alternative, he would probably gladly take it (so long as there was hope, something he's starved for, which is how Corephyus took advantage of him in the first place)
there could even be a whole quest where they take Templars from Corephyus's army and attempt to turn them from Red Lyrium! Whether this fails or not it would still be profoundly impactful, with a fail making Samson lose all hope and triggering his "quit or don't quit" scene, or a success giving Samson that needed encouragement that quitting lyrium is the right thing
Not to mention Samson reacting to the Titan Blood reveal would be seriously hilarious (but Cullen doesn't even get that post Descent DLC).
I say safely absolve because rather than just leaving them to become mindless husks, he could offer his own home remedies for improving lyrium withdrawal quality of life, using himself as an example and a test subject for any treatments before the men. He would still have the overworking aspect we get with Cullen, because he would feel as if he has to prove his worth to the Inquisition. And his connections in undergrounds and Tevinter could help Lelianna (and other wartable missions), not to mention have him sympathize better with Dorian, making their friendship stronger, since he would have to know somewhat about Tevinter and their customs, and one could even make an interaction of the two of them discussing former Kirkwall mages whereabouts in Tevinter, with Dorian pulling strings to search after them.
Cullen being a villain would have worked, playing into a tragic villain arc and being supported by his backstory.
Cullen was deeply traumatized by mages in DA1, which is never resolved or fully addressed in 2 or 3. It is swept under the rug, with him still holding that trauma in DA2. He sees mages as super dangerous, and needing to be controlled or they will turn to blood magic no matter what. Thus, Corephyus could easily play into that, sympathizing with his fears, recounting the Tevinter Magistrates ascent to the Black City as a tragedy, and presenting the rift in the sky as the result of evil mages. Thereby manipulating Cullen into thinking that Corephyus understood his fears, supported them and would help work to achieve his goals
Cullen has seen first hand what a red lyrium addiction does to people, but he's also naive. He could think that in moderation, like all blue lyrium, red lyrium effects could be mitigated. And that Red Lyrium could make templars even stronger, thus better to control mages
Cullen's disgust for Samson the mage-sympathizer could also contribute to him thinking he's doing the right thing. Because Samson is just doing what he always does: worming his way into safety and showing even the "most dangerous" people (in Cullen's eyes) compassion. Especially if the inquisitor sides with the Mages
A Templar siding Inquisitor could even have Cullen in their ranks, most likely through a side mission, because seeing an inquisitor care about Templars more than mages would align his world views more with theirs (especially since Corephyus is a mage)
Cullen is complicit. We see this in how he ignores Meredith's condition during DA2. So long as he believes in a cause he isn't going to abandon it, or question it. So, if he sees Templars turning to monsters from Red Lyrium and Corephyus gives some bullshit reason as to why, he wouldn't question it, until its too late. At which point, you could even say he gives himself over willingly to the inquisition, rather than fighting them at the end of the game
You could even have Samson's questline revolving actually confronting Cullen, with the two of them arguing over Samson's time on the streets and disgrace of the Templar order while Samson insists Cullen can be saved, despite how far he's fallen. Culminating in a "I haven't fallen, I'm saving the world" retort from Cullen who believes he is in the right. Making his eventual capture and judgement that much more impactful, when he finally admits that maybe he was wrong. Samson would 100% have a different reaction during Cullen's trial than Cullen during his, feeling pity and compassion for the disgraced templar, rather than anger and betrayal. Samson might even see himself in Cullen, leading to him suggesting or volunteering to take full responsibility for Cullen, rather than Cullen's begrudging acceptance of responsibility over Samson.
No hate to the writers of Dragon Age or anyone who likes the story as is. This was just a fun little analysis I had to work out of my system.
#dragon age inquisition#dragon age inquistion spoilers#dragon age spoilers#raleigh samson#cullen rutherford#dragon age thoughts
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i really hope da:d has some better queer romance options for male elves in particular cause like the options in dai weren't great- like you've got "man from tevinter who literally defends enslaving people like you back to you and you can't really challenge him on it much" and "hope you're into bdsm" guy and that's it? why couldn't there have been one just soft and nice masc romance for male lavellans? or even one where your partner isn't super rude about your religion/culture in some way.
Like dorian and bull's romances are lovely in their own ways and esp if you just go "LALALALA" and head canon away some of the issues, but it sucks that you have to. They really needed one more to balance it out, like it's great for the people that are into it that they included a bdsm relationship and all, i just wish they'd had another one for m!elves since there's extra baggage with dorian on that point.
Honestly if they'd just made solas bisexual that would still have been a slightly better option too ( he is also -understandably-rude about the dalish, but at least you get lots of lore out of him and i think his romance would work the same regardless of inquisitor gender). Or Blackwall- like he's got strong hot bisexual lumberjack vibes already.
tbh really the only romance option for m!lavellans in general that i thought was just kinda nice and easy going was josie's , but i hate that you can't really bring her with you places and get party banter w/her. Cassandra is super religious and also kinda rude about it which is really off putting if you're not playing an andrastian.
i know it was more for time constraints that they made just about everybody in dragon age 2 bisexual so it's more inadvertently queer than on purpose, but it still feels comfier? in a lot of ways. Like yeah, queer people do run in groups, this makes sense and feels normal to me.
I am glad they've at least moved away from lines calling out masc queer relationships where the player's like "oh is it weird to be with a dude?" or the character calls attention to it in an unnaturally awkward way at least?
Which happens in both dragon age 2 and dragon age: origins and there's just a weird awkward treatment of male bisexual characters in both (esp with anders and zevran, but fenris has a line too). So they definitely seem to be getting a little better? And there's a some queer relationships in the da: absolution show so maybe that bodes better for da:d (they definitely seem to have a better diversity of queer folks on the writing staff now at least instead of just the one white cis gay dude who's kind of misogynistic so maybe)
#dragon age rant#dragon age thoughts#dai#da:d#dragon age dreadwolf speculation#dragon age dreadwolf#text post#long post#queer#q
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No thoughts just silver fox Zevran Arainai in da4 graphics
#dragon age thoughts#or not thoughts#dragon age#or something#BIOWARE PLEASE#PLEASE BIOWARE#I HAVE ONE WISH
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finally playing da2 and I gotta say it is a crime that they introduce Varric like that and yet don’t let you romance him
#dragon age thoughts#lethalhoopla nonsense#*shaking bioware furiously* LEMME LOVE THIS GODDAMN DWARF#for the record i am playing da2 last bc i did inquisition first and rounded back lmao#i already love varric but holy shit i love him MORE now#the real dragon age war crime is leaving varric unsmooched :(#(and also yknow. the warcrimes)
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the more we hear varric in the promotional materials, the more i get a feeling that bioware is going to kill him off in da:d to raise emotional stakes...
#bioware planned him to have a dramatic death in the scrapped da2 dlc right?#what if they decided to reuse this idea...#dragon age thoughts#varric tethras
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This will be a part of my ‘nothing new under the sun- tagged NNUTS (lol) series where I ponder things that have likely been discussed 8,597 times in the past.
Ok so… canonically Wynne is approximately 47 in DAO and Cassandra is 39/40 at the end of DAI…you mean to tell me that the poor lady that’s character design made her look like she was easily pushing 70, the one they called frail and brittle and on her last legs is only 8 years(ish) older than Cassandra in their respective setting?(sidenote: Cass is a dang smoke show I will not look that good at 39 lol).
But yeah, I’ve been thinking about this a lot.
#snowy thoughts#NNUTS#Dragon age#dragon age wynne#dragon age cassandra#cassandra pentaghast#dragon age thoughts#dragon age origins#dragon age inquisition
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Dragon Age thoughts: Companions look different than how they appear in DA2
Running with the Premise that Varric lied about aspects of the DA2 companions like identifying features to protect them.
Here are some alt character ideas:
Anders: “Blondie’ isn’t really blond. Also, perhaps he has some sort of physical side effect from the merge with justice
Fenris: Has jet black hair and the lyrium markings are not white, they are blue like the concept art
Merrill: her skin tone is darker like in DAO and her hair is braided with colorful beads and flowers instead of a simple short cut
Isabela: Like Merrill she has features more like in DAO. One of her boots is actually a disguised prosthetic leg. The no pants thing was only around the tavern were she lived.
The Hawkes he lies as much as he think he can get away with what with Hawke’s statue in the city.
Aveline and Sebastian would not be on the run so would look mostly the same.
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Sometimes I sit with the urge to just write endless essays about dragon age and my thoughts on characters and theories but I don’t think anyone wants to be subjected to that
Like some of the parallels between characters are immaculate and I adore them
#dragon age#dragon age inquisition#dragon age 2#dragon age thoughts#it is constantly on my mind#endless brainrot
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the change between cullen in Origins and 2 and cullen in Inquisition is staggering. Obviously seeing your boss turn into a pile of red garbage will make you reconsider things, but he was a skeezy weirdo who didn't let his moral hangups stop him from killing apprentices in a fit of paranoia.
Depending on the Warden, Leliana has to work with the person who took time out of being trapped behind a shield to sexually harass her best friend/possible girlfriend, and like, how must that feel?
I'm a fan of DAI Cullen, but I wish they'd shown some of that "oh shit i have been terrible i must atone" stuff instead of focusing entirely on the least objectionable part of him, his chantry-mandated lyrium addiction.
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