#horror of Hormak spoilers | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nirikeehan · 2 years

Note

Hello! For DADWC Prompt: Bad things happen Bingo: "Take My Hand!" with Thalia & Dorian (bffs). <3

THANK YOU CATHY!! I've been hyped for this one for ages and I am finally getting around to it.

For @dadrunkwriting and @badthingshappenbingo

Series: Dragon Age: Inquisition

WC: 1798

This one ended up getting away from me so I'm cutting it for length down to its relevant part. It's also occurring in the same story as this. For context, Thalia and Dorian are in the snowy mountains of Emprise du Lion, having just found a site they think houses old elven ruins and might be home to horrific abominations (and possibly an operation instigated by Solas?). Slight spoilers for the Tevinter Nights short story "The Horror of Hormak."

I also didn't proofread most of this. A true DWC experience.

---

“Maybe we should turn back,” Thalia said. A land bridge stretched out before them, allowing unfettered access to the ruins, but their circumstances suddenly felt a great deal more dangerous. “I can send a raven to Cullen, and then—”

“I’m sure he could scrounge up a few strapping lads wishing they were still employed by the Inquisition,” Dorian interjected drily, “but by the time they get here and tromp on up the mountain, what do you think would be left? Assuming there’s anything to find, of course. Just because the place is where we thought it was doesn’t mean there’s a nefarious operation happening below ground. But if we leave now, and there is someone here, we’ll lose the element of surprise for sure.”

Thalia let out a slow breath, trying to ignore her sense of dread. “You’re right.” She chuckled, nervously adjusting the scarf around her neck. “It just occurred to me, if this was a combat mission like the old days…”

“We’re two people short of a full party,” Dorian finished, with a smirk. “It is a little strange without Varric’s witticisms and Rainier’s constant brooding.”

The comment brought a wry smirk to Thalia’s face. The four of them had been a dream team, once; her favorite agents to bring on a field mission. “I’m sure Varric is very busy these days, being viscount of Kirkwall. Couldn’t possibly tear himself away.”

“Rainier would be here in a heartbeat, though,” Dorian commented casually.

Thalia swallowed hard. “We’ve not time to reminisce,” she replied, and shifted to her Inquisitor tone. “Shall we call this strictly a scouting mission? We don’t have much manpower, and I don’t want us to get in over our heads. But if there’s something to find…” She cast a foreboding glance at their destination, “you’re right; it’s important we find it.”

Dorian cocked an eyebrow as she spoke, but did not comment on her abrupt change of subject. “As you wish, Your Worship,” he said, with an exaggerated bow.

“Oh, shut up.” Thalia dug her pole into the snow and started across the land bridge.

Standing among the ruins did nothing to tame them. The cracked stone walls surrounded them, and the silence, once peaceful, now held an ominous note. Thalia yearned for a gust of wind, just to make the place feel less like a tomb.

“Our research indicated this was an elven temple,” Dorian said quietly. They had assumed a defensive stance, backs facing each other, without thinking. “I’m not sure I believe that.”

“Why not?”

Dorian gestured with a ski pole toward a pile of rubble poking out of a snow pile. “Because it has the layout of a fortress, does it not?”

Thalia looked where he was pointing, and then around them. “Maybe. I’m not sure. There’s not enough left for me to tell, really.” She paused. “And I suppose you could say the Temple of Mythal served a dual purpose, couldn’t you?”

“True.”

Squinting, Thalia tried to picture what he meant. She supposed she could see it: if the crumbled walls they passed after leaving the landbridge was the entrance, they could be standing in the remains of some sort of courtyard. Or even an inner bailey. Did ancient elven even architecture have baileys?

I bet Solas could have told me, Thalia thought, feeling a little queasy.

Beside her, Dorian paced, leaving deeper and deeper impressions of his footprints in the snow. “The question is, if it is a fortress — what was it meant to protect?”

“I don’t know.” Beyond the walls lay nothing but solid rock face. “There ought to be a door around here somewhere, shouldn’t there?”

“Precisely what I was thinking. Perhaps the stronghold is built into the mountain itself. It’s all a matter of finding it.”

They began to walk the perimeter, scouring the mountainside for any sign of gaps, archways, or manmade carvings. Nothing revealed itself. The sheer rock wall extended up and up, ending in white-tipped peaks, and that was it. There was heavy snow all along the tips, Thalia noted, easily feet upon feet of it; the same sort of snow that obscured much of the site. “If there is an entrance somewhere, do you think perhaps the recent storm covered it up?”

“Unlikely,” said Dorian. He stood a few yards away on a raised stone platform, his back to her. His voice sounded stilted and strange.

Thalia frowned. “Dorian?”

He glanced over his shoulder. He had paled considerably. “You should see this.”

“What is it?” Thalia frowned and hurried toward him, but he held out a palm to stay her.

“Careful. No sudden moves, but…” He turned from her, looking over the far lip of the platform. “I think I’ve found our entrance.”

Tenderly, Thalia picked her way up the small, crumbling steps to join him. The platform was made of an intricate pattern of ornately carved, octagonal-shaped slabs, fitting together in a pleasing geometric design. As she approached Dorian, she saw that a few feet from where Dorian stood, the stonework became cracked and uneven. Beyond that dropped off into only air.

“Good Andraste,” Thalia whispered.

The black chasm was wide, and fell down, into total darkness; even the bright sunlight overhead could not penetrate its depths.

Thalia demanded, “What the hell happened here?”

“I could not tell you,” Dorian said, “but I’m not sure it’s wise to get any closer.”

That was apparent at a glance. Unlike Ramesh’s description of the mine at Hormak, there was no stair nor ladder, not even a likely location where they could set up a winch. This hole in the earth could not be man-made; instead, something terrible had caused a great collapse. But when? And why?

Somewhere deep in the hole, something rumbled.

It was faint at first. Thalia could have excused it as a distant groan of thunder — if it didn’t sound like it was coming from below them. Then, it grew louder, and louder still. The stone beneath their feet began to vibrate.

“Whatever it is, I think we’ve worn out our welcome,” Dorian announced, and turned around to face her.

Over his shoulder, a giant tentacle rose up out of the depths.

Thalia had enough time to scream “Dorian!” before it attacked. The lumbering mass swung down violently at the ground near their feet. Some of the stones fell away into the abyss; the reverberation knocked both Thalia and Dorian backward. Thalia fell flat on her back, tried to to her feet, but the platform beneath her had shifted — tilted — downward.

She let out an involuntary shriek as she slid toward the edge above the pit. One arm was all but useless: her prosthetic, in a crisis, became little more than dead weight. She clawed with her good hand, trying to lodge her fingers into a crack or crevice. Her legs flailed; her heels dug into the surface below her but would not gain a foothold. She hit a loose stone on her way down, which catapulted her into the air face first—

And she halted.

She was suspended over the edge, looking down into the yawning chasm, but she had stuck fast. Thalia looked behind her; her boot had lodged between two rocks; her scarf had come loose and wrapped itself around the branch of a spindly tree that clung to the lip of the pit’s overhang. Maybe if I can reach a branch myself, I can climb back up…

Frantic, she looked around, but she ws alone. “Dorian?” she called. “Dorian?”

“Oh, I’m right bloody here,” came a petulant voice from below.

A few feet directly beneath her, Dorian clung to an exposed tree root, which was the only thing that kept him from falling. The tentacle had disappeared, but the rumbling still emitted from deep in the pit.

Dorian huffed. “So much for a scouting mission, eh?”

Thalia angled herself toward him and stretched out her arm. “Here, take my hand!”

“Are you joking?” Dorian shot back. “You’ve only got one of them. How on earth are you even holding on?”

“My foot’s anchored — don’t worry, just take it!” She wiggled her fingers, as if to prove how trustworthy they were.

“This was not how I planned to die,” Dorian grumbled, shimmying up the root to get in reach of her hand. “I wanted to be an old man, warm in bed, with a handsome someone’s mouth around my—”

“Dorian.” Straining, Thalia got in range of his outstretched limb and clamped her hand around his wrist. With all her might, she pulled. “Maker, you’re heavy!”

“It’s not polite to make fun of one’s physical attributes in his final moments, my dear.”

Gritting her teeth, Thalia tried to rear back and hook her other arm around the tree trunk to give her more leverage. She felt her prosthetic arm protest and buckle from the weight. If it detaches, I’m gonna lose him…

With the additional force, Dorian slammed his hand onto the crumbling rock and hoisted himself back onto the platform. He grabbed at the tree and scrambled into it. Once safely nestled in the sturdy branches, he reached down and helped Thalia untangle her scarf and dislodge her foot from the rock crevice. It pulsed with pain and she was certain would be bruised black and blue, but it had saved them both.

“So,” Thalia said with false cheer, once they had caught their breaths, “shall we hazard a guess as to what the hell that was?”

As if in reply, the grotesque tentacle rose up once again out of the depths. It was a sickly grey in the light, covered in pseudopods and something else — what looked like it could be the outline of bones, eyes, and other orifices — but it was here and gone so quick it was difficult to tell. It swiped at them, missed, hit the remnants of the stone platform, causing the remains of the structure to crumble and fall. The noise from the collapse, joined with a tremendous bellow from below, shook the rocks, the tree, and the very air around them.

And then above them all, high on the mountaintop, the snow began to slide.

Dorian threw his arms around Thalia to shield her. The roar was deafening, and the avalanche whipped shards of snow and ice at their faces and clothes, but they were lucky — hanging above the pit in the tree, they were clear from its path. The snow fell directly into the chasm, and kept falling and falling. When at last the air cleared, there was no sign of the pit, the tentacle, or even of the ruins.

“Unless we send that raven to Cullen, and he can hire some strapping lads skilled at digging,” Dorian said blithely, “I fear we may never know.”

#thalia trevelyan #dorian pavus #thalia & dorian fake dating shenanigans #x-files vibes #and lovecraftian horror #fics #dragon age drunk writing circle #bad things happen bingo

12 notes · View notes

jackdawyt · 3 years

Video

youtube

So, Tevinter Nights released a year ago, and you bet I’m still talking about this magnificent book that’s setting up the future Dragon Age title. For those who haven’t read the book, heavy spoilers are ahead as I rundown each story and the major characters mentioned and introduced in Tevinter Nights.

For those of you who’ve already read the book, well, hopefully I’ve noted and discovered things that, perhaps, you may have missed or forgotten about regarding certain characters in this novel. For the sake of this video’s length, there is an emphasis on major characters, by that, I mean the ones who took centre stage in these stories - appearing most relevant for potential future ties.

With that said, In the book’s chronological order, let’s delve into the many characters that were revealed and mentioned in Tevinter Nights.

“Three Trees to Midnight” by Patrick Weekes

Myrion:

Myrion is a Tevinter mage; not a Magister, from the city Ventus that was recently destroyed during the Qunari Antaam’s invasion in Dragon Age: Deception.

“Myrion of Ventus didn’t know much about Qunari. Until last week, they had been an annoyance, something young soldiers went off to fight while everyone else grumbled about the taxes they paid to defend the Imperium from the savage ox-men.” (Three Trees to Midnight).

Myrion comes from a slave family, and only became an official Tevinter citizen when he started showing signs of magic, as of which, the owner of the factory where he worked adopted him into his family.

“I’m not a magister!” Myrion glared, his eyebrows about the only thing Strife could make out in the darkness, then sighed and shook his head. “Magisters come from important families! My family were slaves. I only became a citizen because after my magic came, the owner of the factory where we worked adopted me into his family.” He swallowed. “I’m nobody. You know the glowing lamps in the streets of Ventus? I light those with magic. That’s my job.” (Three Trees to Midnight).

During the Antaam invasion, Myrion was captured by the Qunari and was sent to chop wood for the Qun in the outskirts of the Arlathan forest - while chained to an elven male.

Strife:

Strife is a tall Starkhaven elf with silvery hair and a strong build. He’s at-least fifty years old and has no vallaslin.

“Then chain me to a man, not this knife-ear,” Myrion said, glaring at the silver-haired elf.” (Three Trees to Midnight).

Strife left the Starkhaven alienage after hitting a guard who was beating elven children, he was living in the woods when the Dalish found him and let him join their clan.

“Hard to believe, I know. I hit a guard who was beating elven children, and he came back with more guards, and I ended up living in the woods. The Dalish found me and let me join up with them. I’ve picked up what I can from them, but . . .” (Three Trees to Midnight).

Strife ended up chained to Myrion, after butting heads, the two prisoners worked together and escaped the Qun’s grasp, they fled into the Arlathan forest and were able to make their way to a Dalish clan with the help of Irelin - Strife’s shapeshifting elf companion.

Irelin:

Irelin is a Dalish shape-shifting mage who saved Strife and Myrion from Qunari imprisonment, and even worse, a potential Qunari lobotomy. Before the Qun were defeated, Strife told her to warn the clans that the Qunari plan on moving into Rivain, she returned later having told the clans, and saved Strife and Myrion. The group then decided to head to their Dalish clan.

“The halla looked at Myrion, his breath heaving and his leg throbbing from the shackle, and then at Strife. Then, with a shimmering sparkle of magic, the halla slid into the form of a young elven woman.” (Three Trees To Midnight).

Saarbrak/The Huntmaster:

The Huntmaster is a Qunari tracker in charge of chasing down and punishing would-be runaway slaves. After he killed one of the Qunari Antaam leader’s known as Bas-taar, the Huntmaster revealed to Myrion and Strife that he's actually Saarbrak of the Ben-Hassrath. He was sent to confirm the rumours about the Antaam in Ventus not acting in accordance with the Qun. After confirming these rumours to be true, he took command of the remaining Qunari, and let Strife, Myrion and Irelin go.

“Now weaponless, the Huntmaster raised his hands, and then, as though they stood at a fancy ball, he placed a hand across his waist and bowed politely, his stoic expression melting into a polite smile beneath the face paint. “I am Saarbrak, of the Ben-Hassrath.” (Three Trees To Midnight).

The Dragon Age Day short story “Ruins of Reality” furthered Three Trees to Midnight’s plot. Set in the Arlathan Forest, Strife witnessed an illusion of himself as powerful magic cursed the forest. Him and Irelin braved the dark magics at play and retrieved a figurine of the elven goddess Ghilan'nain, for whatever purpose.

“Strife was looking at it now. On the other side, so was his double. Both transfixed by a statue of elven goddess Ghilan'nain holding a crystal halla figurine, exactly as the journal described.... Irelin swooped in and snagged the figurine with her talons, tearing it from Ghilan'nain's grip.” (Ruins of Reality).

The short story’s artwork revealed Strife wearing a mysterious cloak with floating triangles that bear similar to the Executor’s logo - “a downward-pointed triangle with two wavy lines drawn through it.”

So, are Strife and Irelin working for the Executors? Or is something else at play here? Hold on to that thought for the future.

"Down Among the Dead Men” by Sylvia Feketekuty

Guardsman Audric Felhausen:

Audric Felhausen was a Nevarran guardsman before he was killed on duty by Lord Penric Karn's possessed corpse, however, he was brought back to life, caught between two spirits: anger and curiosity. A conflicted Audric awoke inside Nevarra’s Grand Necropolis as the Mortalitasi’s Mourn Watcher’s questioned Audric’s attack and began an inquest into the matter.

“Audric would always remember the moment a withered hand grasped him by the shoulder, and a corpse in jangling gold crunched its teeth into his neck.” (Down Among the Dead Men).

With the help of Mourn Watcher Myrna, one of elite guardians of the Grand Necropolis, Audric decided to confront the Pride Demon who possessed Lord Karn’s corpse. He later discovered that the ‘real’ Audric died during this attack, and he is, indeed, caught between two spirits.

“Guardsman Audric Felhausen died of his wounds after Lord Karn’s funeral.” Myrna sounded apologetic. “His body arose the next morning, and went to his old post. Your captain was at a loss. As you were intestate, she sent you to us to ease your passage.” “I’m not dead,” Audric said as he grabbed at the blade in his chest. “I’m myself. I’m not a spirit, I’m . . . I’m me! (Down Among the Dead Men).

In order to find a balance between anger and curiosity - and to resolve his conflicted nature - Audric faced and challenged the Pride Demon that possessed Lord Penric Karn’s corpse.

“You brought me here to watch me,” he said, quietly bitter. “The Mourn Watch assists both the dead and the living. We wish to help you resolve what you are.” (Down Among the Dead Men).

After Myrna helped Audric defeat the demon, he felt a sad relief, like he had fulfilled his purpose. Myrna offered him a choice - Audric could rest in peace with his death, or work under the auspices of a Watcher. With much excitement, Audric was given the position to be in charge of the Necropolis’s library.

“What position were you thinking?” “I thought it was obvious.” Audric felt a slow excitement as he heard Myrna say: “We have a great need for someone to take charge of the library.” (Down Among the Dead Men).

Mourn Watcher Myrna:

Myrna is a young Mourn Watcher mage with pulled-back hair, she is a guardian and keeper of the Grand Necropolis. It has always been the Mourn Watcher’s responsibility to assists both the dead and the living, and that is why she helped Audric uncover his true nature.

“The younger mage, a woman with pulled-back hair and a severe gaze, sipped her own tea and regarded the guardsman silently.” (…) “Within the Mortalitasi was a group of select mages invited into an old fraternity called the Mourn Watch. The Watchers served as elite guardians, keepers of the Grand Necropolis and its sacred repository of the dead.” (Down Among the Dead Men).

"The Horror of Hormak" by John Epler

Grey Warden Ramesh:

Ramesh is a Senior Grey Warden who’s been with the order for over twenty-three years – with his older age, his calling is almost upon him.

“Twenty-three years Ramesh had been a Warden. His Calling was nearly upon him—and if he’d been alone, if only he had felt the palpable sense of dread that filled the woods, he might have thought it was that. It reached every Warden differently. But Lesha had only been a Warden.” (The Horror of Hormak).

Along with a small rescue party, Ramesh led an exhibition into the Nevarran forest to search and find Senior Warden Jovis and his recently missing group. Jovis, in particular, meant everything to Ramesh at one point, however, the Wardens are called to a higher purpose as death walks with every Warden. Grief is often buried beneath their duty, and it’s easier to do that then care for another with love and friendship.

“Jovis had meant everything to Ramesh once, but he’d pulled away. Death walked with every Warden, and you learned to bury grief beneath duty. Easier to do that, it seemed, before grief ’s edge had been honed by love and friendship.” (The Horror of Hormak).

The Warden’s discovered an entrance to the Deep Roads with the name ‘Hormak’ encased in a Dwarven rune. As they explored the thaig, they unearthed entirely elven ruins filled with twisted, mutilated creatures and a massive pool with a viscous gray fluid. The same symbol of the horns of a halla were repeated on each column.

“This, however, was exclusively, entirely elven—there were no dwarven works interspersed throughout, not even any sign of the darkspawn that filled so much of the underground. And this chamber was nearly pristine.” (The Horror of Hormak).

Ramesh approached one of the mutilated monsters, it was an enormous centipede that had hundreds of legs and a humanoid face, he recognised its face as a bloated and broken Warden Jovis attached to this diabolical creature.

“Before him, twisted and broken, was Warden Jovis. It was him from the waist up, but bloated, grotesque, and his flesh flowed into that of the massive creature.” (The Horror of Hormak).

Jovis was able to recognise and communicate with Ramesh, even in this state, he told him that ‘they’ made the Warden’s drink from the gray pool, explaining his twisted nature. He added that they can't let "her" have it again and the pool chamber must be destroyed. Jovis lost control as the creature regained itself and took over.

“Ram . . . esh?” The voice came slowly, as if across a great gulf of memory, and possessed of an almost insectile buzz that tore at Ramesh’s tattered nerves.” (…) “Can’t let this out. Got to . . . bury it. Bury me.” The words came even more slowly, each one being forced through whatever will battled Jovis’s for control of the creature. “She cannot have it. Not again. Locked for a reason.” (The Horror of Hormak).

Grey Warden Lesha from Ramesh’s search party sacrificed herself so Ramesh could leave and warn the rest of the Wardens about the horrors witnessed at Hormak. Ramesh reluctantly escaped, remembering that this mountain he’d brought down, encased with all of its nightmares, was not the only one to which the aravels brought their prey. There had been, before the images repeated, eleven others. His task was clear, warn the rest of the Wardens.

“The rain started to fall—a soft drizzle, the water mixing with the tears that streamed freely down Ramesh’s face. Tears of mourning, of grief. For Lesha. For Jovis. For the rest of the Wardens, whatever doom had taken them.” (The Horror of Hormak).

"Callback" by Lukas Kristjanson

Donal Sutherland & Company:

Last seen in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Donal Sutherland, now a landed knight known as Ser Donal of the Hinters returned to Skyhold with his company to investigate the recent inquiries made by the caretakers about restoring the rotunda’s fresco. Donal’s company included the elven mage mercenary Voth and the human rogue Shayd.

“The three of them had arrived at first light: Ser Donal of the Hinters, Crosscut Brother, namesake of Sutherland’s company; Ser Shayd, Lady of Evesol, bard of secret distinction; and Ser Voth Dale’An, free mage by special commendation.” (Callback).

Upon arrival, the group discovered that Skyhold’s caretakers had been brutally murdered, some dismembered. The culprit of which emerged from the plasters of Solas’s painted mural – a regret demon in the shape of a wolf and dragon.

“What in the—!” yelled Shayd, waking to find a dismembered foot in her lap.” (…) “Regret raised itself unnaturally, its body simply re-forming into a standing position, like a shadow rising without a wall. It looked at Sutherland, but there was no smile this time. It snarled a toothy growl, a sound that—like its shape—was somehow between wolf and dragon. Regret touched the wall, and more plaster from the fresco joined its mass. The wound in its chest remained, but it filled and discolored with new material.” (Callback).

The demon revealed that it was the regret of a god. The unfinished, final panel of Solas’s fresco revealed an outline of a beast that stood over both dragon and sword. This mural was drafted by Solas to represent his exchange between himself and Mythal after Corypheus was defeated.

“But here, unfinished, was the outline of a beast that stood over both dragon and sword. This was not the battle, or the victory. This was after. And the beast was not a dragon. The outline alone might have allowed that assumption, but now, filling with black and red, it was something other. The creature was reptilian, but also canine. The snout was blunted and toothy, but edges came to a point in houndlike ears. As the mass of plaster filled the shape, it began to rise, revealing scales and tail, and paws with talons. It looked like two figures painted on either side of a pane of glass, then viewed together, their forms confused. A wolf that had absorbed a dragon, and now stood crooked over all.” (Callback).

As Sutherland faced the demon alone, he regretted acting alone and using his friends, as the demon drew closer to Sutherland’s regrets, the rest of the company plus Dagna, Rat, Harritt, Morris, Cabot, and Elan Ve'mal attacked the demon and sent it back to the Fade.

“And then it hit walls made of flames and runes and a half-filled cart. Dagna and the others blocked its escape. They were the little people, who supposedly didn’t matter. But inspiration had once made them the heart of Skyhold. And now they were again. Regret stood no chance. The doubt it fed on had evaporated. It flailed and gasped, and its legs crumbled beneath it.” (Callback).

Their victory was regarded by Divine Victoria herself.

“By order of the Most Holy, Her Divine Victoria, you who have served are to be commended. And though the Herald guides you no more, and legion and name are retired, know that you served good and true. Change comes, both to and because of the Inquisition. And we are blessed with the ability to accept and move on, to leave dread and regret behind.” (Callback).

"Luck in the Gardens" by Sylvia Feketekuty

Hollix:

Hollix is one of the many nicknames of a mysterious Lord of Fortune, a new-faction introduced in Tevinter Nights. The Lords of Fortune are a renowned guild of treasure hunters and dungeoneers based out of Rivain.

“One of the famed Rivaini Lords of Fortune. A guild of treasure hunters and dungeoneers, they specialized in pulling gems from the eyes of statues and, for added cost, protecting the softer people who hired them to do so.” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

Hollix, in particular, is a master of disguise and can pass as, pretty much, anyone when needed with their extensive use of make-up, accents and plenty of outfits.

“I’ve been called many things—a liar, a knave, a scoundrel—even a hero, once or twice. I don’t like being called lucky, though. That comes and goes, and it’s best not to be superstitious about it. “Oh ho! A Lord of Fortune, shunning luck?” Very funny, you wits.” (Luck in the Gardens).

While in Minrathous, Tevinter’s capital city, Hollix was hired by Dorian Pavus, last seen in Dragon Age: Inquisition and Maevaris Tilani who was introduced in Dragon Age: The Silent Grove. The two hired Hollix to hunt down a wicked, tentacled monster that lurked in the city’s gardens. The creature was known as the Cekorax because it beheaded all of its victims.

“Dorian produced a map. It was a wonderful piece of work: crisp letters, bright inks, and a master’s eye for details. “There’s been nine people killed so far, here, here, and here. Each was found decapitated. The criers and balladeers have charmingly dubbed our killer the Cekorax, which is a rather suspect kludging of the old Tevene word for ‘headsman.” (Luck in the Gardens).

A young girl by the name of Mizzy witnessed some of the monster’s attacks. With her help, Hollix, Maev, Dorian and Mizzy headed to the monster’s lair in the sewers of Minrathous.

We digested the picture in silence. “So you didn’t see anything?” I eventually asked. “Not much,” she answered. “But I know how the monster got in the house.” (Luck in the Gardens).

The group lured the Cekorax to the city’s garden as the monster peeled open at the top to reveal a ring of dozens of eyeless heads. It spoke in the voices of its many victims.

“There was a ring of heads. Dozens, not just nine. Their eyes were plucked out, their flesh otherwise whole and healthy. Squeezing tendrils ran inside, caressed the cheeks. A crown of the blind, lovingly carried inside that atrocity. When the Cekorax spoke, their silent mouths formed the dripping words. “Come inside and see.” (Luck in the Gardens).

They killed the monster together as Dorian recalled what the Mortalitasi said about beasts of this nature, that it may be past the Veil of the world, neither demon nor spirit.

“I was at a party with one of those necromancers from down south a while ago. Five cups in, she went on about things ‘past the Veil of our world,’ neither demon nor spirit. Perhaps it wasn’t the tipsy nonsense I assumed it to be.” (Luck in the Gardens).

Hollix extended an invitation to Mizzy, if she ever wanted to join the Lords of Fortune, she’d be more then welcome. Bidding their farewell to Dorian and Maev, Hollix set sail for Rivain.

“I had told Mizzy, she might learn something from the Lords of Fortune in Rivain. “I’ve got loads of aunts and uncles and cousins south of here,” she had said reproachfully. “I’ve got to take care of them now that I’m a rich lady. But when I grow up,” she’d concluded, “maybe I’ll visit. Don’t forget me!” Then she hugged me for a moment, and ran into the crowds and was gone.” (Luck in the Gardens).

"Hunger" by Brianne Battye

Grey Warden Evka Ivo:

Warden Evka is a dwarf born and raised in Orzammar, she is a profound member of House Ivo, one of Orzammar’s many noble houses. She’s been living on the surface as a Grey Warden for three years.

“Warden Evka Ivo had grown up in Orzammar. The dwarven city was what it was: stone floors, stone walls, stone ceilings. It never changed much. Her three years with the Grey Wardens had brought her to the surface and she’d found a lot to love about life aboveground.” (Hunger).

Following orders directly from Fortress Weisshaupt to escort new Grey Warden recruits to the Warden headquarters, Evka and a newly-joined elf Warden called Antoine stop in a supposedly cursed village called Eichweill in the Anderfels. Some of the town-folk had suddenly began disappearing.

“After a hasty recruitment in Orlais, Evka was charged with taking the new recruit to a quiet outpost. They weren’t halfway there when the messenger caught them. The summons called available Wardens to Weisshaupt Fortress, the center of their order, located in the heart of the Anderfels.” (…) “Because Eichweill’s cursed,” Mina said. “That’s what people say. And we’re either too far out or too Maker-damned for folks to bother with our bad luck. Or they show up and die, too.” (Hunger).

The two Wardens agreed to help the villagers uncover the truth. They discovered that a wayward son of a noble who was kicked out of the town for poisoning a Chantry brother, starved in the woods, which attracted a demon of Hunger. The noble’s son was turned into a werewolf and had started infecting the towns-folk. Evka and Antoine defeated the werewolf and saved the town.

Grey Warden Antoine:

Antoine is an elf from Orlais who was recently recruited as a Grey Warden. It was Antoine’s belief in the Order’s heroism that compelled him to help the villagers of Eichweill.

“Antoine held his bow loosely in one hand. This was it. His other hand hung by his side, fingers twitching. Ready. The last and only time he’d fought darkspawn, it hadn’t gone well. He’d barely survived and lay near death for days before the Grey Wardens rescued him. He hadn’t been a Grey Warden then, but he was now. And Grey Wardens stopped the monsters first.” (Hunger).

While unearthing the town’s mystery, Antoine was bitten before the werewolf was slain. However, they killed the werewolf soon after his affliction. Antoine and Evka believed that with the werewolf defeated, the curse of the bite was also dead.

“He grinned. He hadn’t died—they hadn’t died. They had beaten a werewolf and Antoine was still breathing. And Evka was standing very close to him. “We should . . .” “Make sure it’s dead?” Antoine touched his shoulder where Renke had bitten him. Ending the night as a werewolf was not how it was supposed to work.” (Hunger).

Having saved lives and resolving the curse, the Wardens headed for Fortress Weisshaupt, this time with no side-tracking or detours.

“What now?” he asked. “Weisshaupt Fortress?” she said. “The part of being a Warden where we report where we’re supposed to and get told what to do without being sidetracked.” “Bien sûr—on y va! No detours!” His grin said he didn’t believe the last part. She wasn’t sure she did either.” (Hunger).

In the hushed whispers of the village, the hunger demon endured - ready to pray on its next victim.

Small, banished. Powerless. But if it waited, it would sense the knot that twisted its victim. The weakness that followed. The opening. The longing. And just before the blackness fell, when they would do almost anything, it would whisper . . . Are you hungry? (Hunger).

The Dragon Age Day short story “The Next One” revealed Evka’s recruitment to the Grey Wardens.

Evka was rescued by Warden Lawrence, she was attacked by a blighted creature with two mouths while in the Deep Roads. Lawrence’s perseverance to save Evka was so insistent that he attracted a spirit of Perseverance to keep him fighting despite his fatal wounds. Evka ordered the spirit to release him, and to tell him that she'd save the next one for him.

“The ghouls were dead. “Who are you?” Evka asked, grip tight on the hammer. “A spirit,” it said through Warden Lawrence’s mouth. “I could hear him.” Drawn to the dying, then. After all he’d done... “Release him,” Evka snapped. She wouldn’t leave him like this.” (The Next One).

"Murder by Death Mages" by Caitlin Sullivan Kelly

Sidony:

Last seen in Dragon Age: Inquisition’s multiplayer component, Sidony is a Mortalitasi mage from Nevarra. She voluntarily became an agent of the Inquisition when she witnessed the Breach first-hand, her sole purpose was to research and study Thedas’s biggest magical mystery of the age for her own advancement - nothing and no one will stand in her way of reaching her full potential as a mage.

“And what better way is there to achieve a great understanding of magic, and thus grow more powerful, than to observe the biggest magical mystery of the age?” (WoT. V2).

After Corypheus was defeated, Cassandra Pentaghast instructed Sidony to return to Nevarra City to investigate claims of a Mortalitasi plot that involved assassinating a member of Nevarra’s already unstable line of succession.

“They could not easily overlook claims that a Mortalitasi—one of the influential and highly respected mages charged with tending Nevarra’s dead—was planning to assassinate a member of Nevarra’s already unstable line of succession. Especially when those claims came straight from another Mortalitasi, one that Sidony once knew.” (Murder by Death Mages).

Reluctantly, considering her hatred for her home country, Sidony agreed to this assignment and headed to Nevarra City. She was handpicked by Cassandra because of her intimate knowledge of the Mortalitasi.

“None of the other Nevarrans have your intimate knowledge of the Mortalitasi,” Pentaghast reminded her.” (Murder by Death Mages).

Upon arrival, Sydony attempted to make contact with her previous mentor, Lord Henrik, the one responsible for warning the Inquisition regarding this plot in the first place. However, Sydony found his lifeless body in a city alleyway.

“The more she looked at them, the more they twisted and contorted until all she could see was the vacant face of Henrik’s lifeless body.” (Murder by Death Mages).

With her former mentor dead, Sidony contacted Antonia, a Mortalitasi mage who Sidony met as a child. Antonia told her to head to a party hosted by Nicolas Reinhardt, a minor family, but one of the oldest in Nevarra. Nicolas, in particular, enjoyed shouting accusations that the death mages were ruling the kingdom through manipulation.

“House Reinhardt: a minor family, but one of the oldest in Nevarra.” (…) A man drunk enough—or stupid enough—to shout accusations that the death mages were ruling the kingdom through manipulation was a man who might let slip rumors about a Mortalitasi assassin’s plan to remove a noble from play . . . if he wasn’t a target himself.” (Murder by Death Mages).

At the party, Sydony made acquaintances with Cyrros, a very dapper elf who’s accepted among many members of the Nevarran elite considering he knows everyone’s dirty secrets and scandals. After more nobles were killed, Cyrros and Sidony decided to work together to find the assassin.

“An elf in such finery, mocking and touching a member of old Nevarran nobility, and no one batting an eye—this was someone welcomed with open arms and stacks of gold in circles fueled by secrets and scandal.” (Murder by Death Mages).

Lady Reinhardt, Nicolas Reinhardt’s wife was killed as both Cyrros and Sidony stood over her deceased body. Nicolas walked in to see the two over his dead wife and believed they had killed her. He shouted at Cyrros and claimed that he hired him to kill his rivals and blame the Mortalitasi for their deaths, not to employ a death mage and kill his wife.

“What would you have me believe?” Reinhardt roared. “I hired you to kill my rivals and take the Mortalitasi down with them, and now I find my wife slain by the assassin I employed—and one of the damn death mages herself!” (Murder by Death Mages).

After Cyrros explained that someone must’ve killed Nicholas’s wife before they arrived, Sydony, frustrated at Nicholas’s attempt to blame the Mortalitasi for these deaths, killed Nicholas and Cyrros.

“She thrust her arm forward, tearing away her bonds, flinging the siphoning spell and hitting him square in the chest. The skin on his extremities turned dark purple, then black, as the curse drained the very life from his body.” (Murder by Death Mages).

Sidony returned to the Grand Necropolis to attend Lord Henrik’s funeral, she spoke with Antonia who revealed that she was the one who killed Henrik and Reinhardt's wife in an attempt to give the Mortalitasi control over the Nevarran elite. She used Sydony to expose the corruption of the elite, so the Mortalitasi could rule without question.

“So many people tell me they’re ready for change, for the kingdom to be taken in a new direction, without the uncertainty of the old royal blood and their constant struggles for control. With the line of succession in such disarray, maybe it’s time for the Mortalitasi to intervene . . .” (Murder by Death Mages).

Sidony killed Antonia for murdering Lord Henrik, and later returned to Cassandra Pentaghast having dealt with this Mortalitasi assassination plot.

“And in the time it would take for someone to discover the Mortalitasi’s body, Sidony would be too far from Nevarra City to hear their screams. They had met in an alley, and in an alley, they would part.” (Murder by Death Mages).

"The Streets of Minrathous" by Brianne Battye

Neve Gallus:

Neve Gallus is a human private investigator set up in the streets of Tevinter’s capital city, Minrathous. She is a mage and has a single dwarven-crafted prosthetic leg.

“My one leg may be dwarven-crafted metal below the knee, but that doesn’t keep me out of a chase.” (…) “I channeled a bit of magic, ready for whatever he planned to do, then let it fade back.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

Neve accepted a contract by a man called Otho Calla who wanted her to tail and pursue his nephew, Quentin Calla, to see if he was secretly working with the Venatori. She witnessed Qunetin assassinated in an alleyway by a figure in white and beige robes with a full-face mask of polished bronze. The figure escaped the scene by using blood magic and reflecting one of Neve’s spells onto herself.

“A figure in white and beige robes approached from the shadows.” (…) “The figure that stepped into the light wore a full-face mask of polished bronze.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

Before Quentin perished, he told Neve that It was ‘almost the hour’. Neve returned to Otho Calla and informed him of his nephew’s death.

“It’s almost the Hour,” Quentin said. The words sounded forced, as if they pained him more than the knife. His hand sank back. (The Streets of Minrathous).

She reported the crime to Knight-Templar Rana Sava and the rest of the Templars who shared that Quentin Calla wasn’t the only one who was ominously murdered last night, Lady Varantus was also killed, uncoincidentally another person with connections to the Venatori. Both Calla and Varantus had brutal neck marks as if necklaces were forcibly removed from their bodies.

“No,” Rana agreed. “A person in a bronze mask was seen in the street. The timing works out.” (…) “A thin line of bruising arced across the exposed skin, suggesting a fine chain once sat there—one that had been forcibly removed. I bet Quentin Calla had the same marks.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

To inquire about the necklace’s stolen, Neve met up with a con artist she’d turned in the year prior. His name was Elek Tavor – the two met in a tavern called the Lamplighter. Elek confirmed that Quentin Calla was looking for quiet ways to leave the city, perhaps connected to the antislavery movement, or even for himself - he knew something bad was about to happen and made plans to leave.

“I don’t know who Calla thought he was meeting at the docks,” Elek continued, “but I know why. He turned up a few times, asking about false papers, places to buy horses or hire a boat with no one noticing. That sort of thing.” (…) “The way he’d toyed at the chain around his neck . . . he’d known something was coming.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

Neve left the tavern, and was ushered by a strange, robed Tevinter man with bloodshot eyes who inquired about Calla and Varantus’s deaths, explaining that another was killed last week - someone by the name of Paxus. He shared further that the assassin was called Aelia, and she took round clay discs that were encased in necklaces from their bodies. He then gave Neve one of the discs so she could inspect it for herself.

“The man shook his head. “Paxus was killed last week. No one noticed that one. Well, almost no one.” “This Paxus. Venatori?” I asked.” (…) “Do you want to know what Aelia took?” He’d changed tacks again, this time emphasizing the new direction by shoving a round clay disc into my hands, although he kept hold of the chain attached to it. “Aelia’s the one who killed them?” (The Streets of Minrathous).

As Neve continued her investigation and reported her findings with the Templars, she was attacked by the Venatori cultist Aelia in-between narrow streets of the city’s lower market. Aelia drained power from Neve to unfold the necklace’s enchantment, and fled the scene with parts of the necklace having almost killed Neve.

“Our lives for the glory of Tevinter reborn.” “You’re Venatori,” I said. “Why—?” “Minrathous has forgotten its way,” Aelia said. “It falls to us to put it right. To make it rise.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

With the help of Flavian Bataris, Neve uncovered that the Venatori planned on unleashing a demon that dwelled below the city. The eight necklaces were blood-bound between members of the Venatori, they would be used to free the demon from its prison, restoring Minrathous to the Tevinter Corypheus promised. However, Calla, Varantus and Paxus refused to give their necklaces, thus explaining their deaths.

“Not like this,” Flavian said. “I’m not even sure demon’s the right word. It’s something only a god could summon.” At the look on my face, he added: “If not a god, Corypheus was close enough.” (...) “And the plan was as well. Until Aelia took over. The Venatori still want the Tevinter Corypheus promised, whether he’s around for it or not. All she needed were the seals.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

Neve faced Aelia and her Venatori alone in the city’s catacombs until Knight-Templar Rana Sava and the rest of the Templars joined the fight. They stopped the summoning ritual and Aelia was incarcerated. Minrathous, for the moment, was safe from the evil clutches of the Venatori.

“Minrathous is broken,” Aelia spat at me. “I know,” I said. “But you aren’t the one to fix it.” I left Aelia to the templars. I wanted sleep more than anything, but there was one more stop I had to make.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

Neve returned to Otho Calla and told him that his nephew had left the Venatori, so he could treasure Quentin’s memory. She then walked away back into the streets of Minrathous.

“For what it’s worth, you weren’t wrong to give Quentin a second chance,” I said. “He’d left the Venatori. There’s nothing ‘unsavory’ in his last days either.” (…) “I don’t know,” I said and walked away.” (The Streets of Minrathous).

"The Wigmaker Job" by Courtney Woods

Lucanis Dellamorte:

Master Assassin of the Antivan Crows, Lucanis Dellamorte is the favourite grandson of Caterina Dellamorte - the First Talon. As of which, Lucanis is the heir to the First Talon of the Crows considering he’s Caterina’s favourite. But we’ll talk more about that later on, when we get to the story - Eight Little Talons.

“For years, he’d hated her. But his time as a Master Assassin had since taught Lucanis that Caterina’s cruelty was her way of making sure that he was prepared for this life—that he survived.” (The Wigmaker Job).

Lucanis is lean with dark hair and umber eyes, he’s focused and intense. The kind of man you couldn’t look away from—until he looked at you.

“Both men were lean with dark hair and umber eyes.” (…) “While Lucanis stared ahead, focused and intense. He was the kind of man you couldn’t look away from—until he looked at you.” (The Wigmaker Job).

Along with his cousin Illario Dellamorte, the two Crows were on their way to the Tevinter city, Vyrantium, both contracted to assassinate Ambrose Forfex, Tevinter’s premiere wigmaker and high-ranking Venatori blood mage.

“Ambrose threw down the matted mess. “Lucanis Dellamorte, I presume?” “Sì,” Lucanis answered, knowing even a single syllable of a foreign language would disgust the Wigmaker. It had the desired effect—Ambrose recoiled as if he’d stepped in urine. “Is this your handiwork?” “Sì.” (The Wigmaker Job).

Disgusted with Ambrose’s method of feeding slaves red lyruim to create wigs, Lucanis and Illario executed Ambrose, freed the slaves, and destroyed an elven artefact that allowed spirits of vengeance that once lingered to return to the Fade.

“It was Ambrose’s turn to laugh. “I thought a Crow could stomach anything—for the right price.” Lucanis leveled the Wigmaker with a pointed look. “Not red lyrium.” (The Wigmaker Job).

After fulfilling this contract, and stacking up to around 40 deaths, Lucanis was known by the rest of the Venatori as ‘the demon.’

“Lucanis Dellamorte is responsible.” Crispin licked his lips. “We won’t be able to keep this one from the public.” He and Felicia exchanged a nervous glance. “They’re already calling him ‘the Demon.” (The Wigmaker Job).

The two cousins spoke about Lucanis becoming the First Talon, however, Lucanis didn’t believe that, and instead wanted Illario to become the First Talon.

“Even if it kills you,” Illario whispered. “Death is my calling,” Lucanis stated, matter-of-fact. “Just as yours is to become First Talon.” (The Wigmaker Job).

Illario Dellamorte:

Like his cousin, Illario is a Master Assassin of the Antivan Crows, as well as one of Caterina Dellamorte’s grandsons. He’s lean with dark hair and umber eyes, however, Illario is all smiles. He’s got a calculated handsomeness from his smooth skin to his perfect, white teeth. And, according to Lucanis, Illario has a silver tongue. Illario would love to be the First Talon, he believes it’s his calling however, that is not his call to make. Only Caterina Dellamorte can decide who takes her place.

“Both men were lean with dark hair and umber eyes. Illario was all smiles. His was a calculated handsomeness. From his smooth skin to his perfect, white teeth, everything was contrived to be enticing. As they walked through the crowd, he basked in the appreciative glances he received.” (…) “My talents lie elsewhere,” Lucanis said, gesturing toward the arsenal around him. “You’re the one with the silver tongue.” (The Wigmaker Job).

Magister Zara Renata:

Venatori Maleficar Zara Renata is a Magister of the Imperium who seeks the death of Lucanis Dellamorte along with her Venatori agents, Crispin Kavlo and the sister of Livius Erimond, Felicia Erimond. They plan to exploit everyone of Lucanis’s flaws until ‘the demon’ is defeated.

“Freeing Ambrose’s slaves already tells us this Crow has a heart. He will reveal other flaws. And we will exploit every last one of them.” (The Wigmaker Job).

"Genitivi Dies in the End" by Lukas Kristjanson

Brother Genitivi:

Last witnessed in Dragon Age: Origins, however, his literature has spread throughout Thedas in all games, infamous Chantry scholar brother Ferdinand Genitivi gathered legendary scholars Philliam, a Bard and Sister Laudine together to write a manuscript about their experience finding the true history of the elven pantheon. Each writer used a pseudonym to protect themselves from the Qunari Antaam.

“You want me to find the true history of the elven pantheon, in a piece of a library that doesn’t exist, beneath the Imperium, deeper than the Deep Roads?” Philliam tossed the scroll back to his publisher. “I don’t do fiction.” His host started to laugh, and then didn’t.” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

Philliam, a Bard!:

Philliam Bernard Aloicious Trevelyan, more commonly known as Philliam a Bard is a Free Marcher known for plenty of literature spread throughout Thedas. However, Brother Genitivi thinks Philliam is a thief considering he reduced his five hundred-and thirty-six-page book to a twenty-page collection of cautionary-yet-enticing executions.

“Philliam knew the name before he felt the sting. Five hundred and thirty-six pages of leather-bound Ferelden heraldic history—not including epigraphs and appendices—slapped across his face. It was a book he’d reduced to a twenty-page collection of cautionary-yet-enticing executions. “Thief!” yelled Brother Ferdinand Genitivi, honoured Chantry scholar and respected historian, on the eve of the longest—and last—month of their lives.” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

Sister Laudine:

Formerly a sister of the Chantry, Laudine is a young writer in her late twenties with long blonde hair. She has published many works, particularly about Orlais which have been officially denounced by the Chantry.

“Formerly Sister Laudine, ex of the Chantry, documenter of all things sensual and denied in otherwise falsely prim Orlais.” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

The three scholars ventured on an expedition that took them to the Silent Plains with the help of a hired Lord of Fortune.

Mateo:

Mateo is a Lord of Fortune, he’s a broad-shouldered man covered with many trinkets that he’s discovered throughout his years. He has a genuine appreciation for history, because of which he was hired for Genitivi’s expedition as a driver and delver.

“Their hired driver and delver was a broad-shouldered man called Mateo, one of the famed Rivaini Lords of Fortune.” (…) “The Lords wore their expertise, and the sash around Mateo’s waist was heavy with ancient coins and other trinkets from beneath the plains. He had a genuine appreciation for history, but didn’t claim to know the works of his current charges. Which, all things considered, probably made him the best fit for the expedition.” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

Rasaan:

Tamassran Rasaan was last seen in Dragon Age: Those Who Speak, as a female priest of the Qun, Rasaan’s role has been to determine what is done with captives of the Qun, she will interpret the Qun with regards to how it applies to those outside of it. Rasaan has served directly under the Ariqun and was long ago chosen as the Ariqun’s eventual successor by the rest of the priesthood.

Recently, Rasaan has taken great interest in Fen’Harel and his scheme, as of which, she led the Qunari Antaam unofficially In Tevinter to search for Fen’Harel’s true name. This has been an unsanctioned operation considering the Arishok is the only member of the Qun who leads the Antaam.

“Fen Harel,” she lectured, “is a name given by enemies. Its translation, ‘Dread Wolf,’ isn’t true.” She turned, considering one of the tomes now piled on the slab. “The name given when he lied to us—and to your Inquisition—was chosen by a self-styled martyr. ‘Solas’ is also not true.” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

Therefore, Rasaan revealed to Brother Genitivi that “her” Antaam are in Tevinter unofficially.

“Rasaan stopped him with a raised index finger. “I know your work,” she said. She knelt again, her eyes dead-straight with his. “My Antaam are in Tevinter as officially as you are. Does that change your tone?” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

Rasaan uncovered that Fen’Harel’s true name isn’t Solas, but actually Pride. With this true name, she could track the best and worst of him, find flaws, exploit weaknesses and know what he had failed to be. Rasaan believed that there is no greater advantage than to know an enemy’s true name.

“With this “true name.” You could track a person back through the best and worst of themselves. Find flaws. Exploit weaknesses. Know what they had failed to be.” (Genitivi Dies in the End).

And so, Rasaan’s quest continues to uncover Fen’Harel’s scheme while hunting Genetivi, Laudine and Philliam a Bard!

"Herold Had the Plan" by Ryan Cormier

Bharv:

Bharv is a Dwarven Lord of Fortune. He has spent decades of his life as a treasure hunter, consequently, he has a lot of long scars over his body, and a crooked back. Be that as it may, Bharv enjoys the life of a Lord of Fortune, it has provided all the thrills he’s ever craved.

“The dwarf clawed back up to the dry riverbank and looked around.” (…) “The Lords of Fortune provided all the thrills he craved, but decades in their service left him with long scars and a crooked back.” (…) “Still, despite the pain, he’d always slept better as a Lord of Fortune than as a creeping thief in his younger years. Through decades of treasure hunting.” (Herold Had the Plan).

After a botched robbery job at the Grand Tourney went sideways, Bharv and his elven Lord of Fortune companion, Elim, fled into Starkhaven’s forest. Herold, Bharv’s partner, was killed during the escape. However, they were able to successfully retrieve their target – a powerful and ancient amulet.

“They’d recovered the amulet from the lockbox at the Grand Tourney like sneaking the sugarcake from a child’s lunch. No one spotted them. No one at the tournament even sneered in their direction.” (...) “Bharv shrugged. He was told it was ancient and powerful. That was all he needed to know.” (Herold Had the Plan).

The two Lord of Fortune’s located Panzstott, their hired guard from Tantervale. The Tournament knights caught up and surrounded the group, they claimed that one of them had stolen the Celebrant – the legendary greatsword granted to the winner of the Grand Tourney. Panzstott had stolen the blade on behalf of Lady Lucie, in exchange, Lucie would help find Panzstott’s sister who was headed to the Anderfels to become a Grey Warden.

“We only want the sword.” It was a man’s voice calling. “Though we will take your thieving lives all the same.” (…) “Never.” Even Panzstott’s voice was different. “It’s what Lady Lucie wants. It’s not yours. You got your thing, I got mine. All square.” (…) “Lady Lucie, yes. She’s sure my sister might be found. Says so all the time.” (…) “Lady Lucie says she can find anyone. Her husband is also a warden.” (Herold Had the Plan).

After a rambunctious fight, Panzstotts was killed, Bharv and Elim were fatally wounded, the knights retrieved the Celebrant and Lady Lucie was imprisoned. Bharv only survived death because he wore the mysterious amulet that restored his wounds, however, Elim was killed.

“Collect the sword,” the captain said. “Bind the widow’s hands.” “The thieves, Captain?” The captain clucked disgustedly as he considered the question. “Leave them to die.” (Herold Had the Plan).

Having picked himself up, Bharv made his way to the nearest village downriver, to the place where Herold used to get drunk. He handed a very familiar elven squire the amulet and finished the job.

Vaea:

Introduced in Dragon Age: Knight Errant, Vaea is a Ferelden elven rogue who serves Ser Aaron as his elven squire. Bharv’s partner, Herold had contacted Vaea specifically to take the amulet to Northern Tevinter. Accompanied by Ser Aaron, the two toasted to Herold’s memory with Bharv before setting out on their next adventure.

“Vaea nodded. “He contacted me and said a job of his had turned into a charity run. Asked me to bring the amulet back north with me, to Tevinter. The chaos there has left many in desperate need, a lot of families torn up. He said you’d understand.” (Herold Had the Plan).

"An Old Crow's Old Tricks" by Arone Le Bray

Lessef/”Old Nan”:

Lessef is an old member of the Antivan Crows. She has a kind and wrinkled face, and her eyes are of someone who has lived a long life.

“Kind and wrinkled in the corners. They were the eyes of someone who has lived a long life.” (…) “Lessef of the Antivan Crows has fulfilled the contract.” (An Old Crow's Old Tricks).

In the middle of the Tevinter Imperium; over the Nocen Sea, Lessef made herself known as “Old Nan”, a trading merchant who was known for selling fine wares. However, her actual intention was to fulfil an assassination contract on the Tevinter centuri who recently murdered Dalish children for control of resources in the area. Tevinter solider Chencel had chased down and killed a twelve-year-old Dalish boy under the order of Magister Bicklius, the Oranavra clan purchased Lessef to kill the remaining centuri, as of which, Lessef tricked and suffocated Chencel with a scarf made of halla leather.

“Chencel remembered. On their way to set up camp here, the centuri had encountered some Dalish children from an aravel. Her centurion, Magister Bicklius, ordered the whole group wiped out so that the centuri would have no competition for resources in the area. Chencel had to catch the child who started to run, so that he would not warn the rest. “His mother called him Sil. He was twelve. You held him under the water.” Chencel still struggled, but the older woman’s grip was too strong. “Did he fight back? While his breath left him, and you held his shoulders to keep him still, did he thrash? Kick? Try to scratch or bite?” The soldier’s arms started to go limp. “Did you know that the Oranavra clan also sold their goods? They even made enough to purchase a contract from the Antivan Crows.” (An Old Crow's Old Tricks).

As the Tevinter centuri discovered an Antivan Crow was in the midst, Lessef assassinated Magister Bicklius. She evaded the rest of the army by having Tainsley, her seven-foot, elf-blooded human servant, dress up and pretend to be a Qunari.

“Reaching his full seven-foot height, he stretched his arms and legs, kneading the muscles with his aged hands to start the blood flowing again.” (…) “He knew he might look like a monstrous apparition, seven feet tall and wrapped in wiry, taut muscles, but he still felt every bit of his seventy-six years weighing him down.” (An Old Crow's Old Tricks).

The Tevinter soldiers retreated as Lessef and Tainsley celebrated by eating cookies, revelling in their victory having redeemed the Oranavra clan.

“Onward, to cookies!” (…) “Thanks to his mistress, his uncle’s clan would at least have their halla statue back.” (An Old Crow's Old Tricks).

"Eight Little Talons" by Courtney Woods

Caterina Dellamorte:

First Talon of the Antivan Crows, Caterina Dellamorte leads the Antivan Crows. She has silver-white hair swept up into a bun and an impressive collection of rubies hanging from her ears and neck.

“Her silver-white hair swept up into a bun to divert attention to the impressive collection of rubies hanging from her ears and neck.” (Eight Little Talons).

Her two grandchildren are Lucanis and Illario Dellamorte, however, Lucanis is her favourite – she intends on promoting him to First Talon when it’s his time.

Caterina Dellamorte called for a summit and invited each of the eight Antivan Crow Talons together in one location to discuss the impending Qunari threat. The summit was held in a villa on an island at the centre of the lake called the Verdant Isle.

“To that end, First Talon Caterina Dellamorte insisted her colleagues put aside their differences and attend a summit to concoct a plan of action.” (…) “The summit would be held in a villa on an island at the center of the lake called the Verdant Isle.” (Eight Little Talons).

Dante Balazar:

Second Talon Dante Balazar was eliminated and betrayed by Emil Kortez, the fourth Talon.

“That you were right. Dante was poisoned—with the Quiet Night.” (Eight Little Talons).

Lera Valisti:

Third Talon Lera Valisti was also eliminated by Emil Kortez.

“We know Lera died before dinner, but after her argument with Dante in the garden.” (Eight Little Talons).

Emil Kortez:

Fourth Talon Emil Kortez decided to betray the Antivan Crows. He stuck up a ‘peaceful’ deal with the Qun, Kortez agreed to eliminate all the other seven Talons with the assumption that the Qunari would honour their deal and occupy a peaceful conquest of Antiva and its people. As a trade-off, the Kortez family would be the only house leading the Antivan Crows.

With this machination in play, Kortez killed the second, third and eighth Talon before Viago, Teia and the rest of the Talons unmasked Kortez’s conniving plot, and then defeated their brethren.

“Emil squared his shoulders. “The Qunari are many things—brutal, rigid, merciless warriors—but they are also honorable.” (…) “Under one Talon, we might actually get something done.” (…) “Following Teia’s lead, Viago, Bolivar, and Caterina all raised their blades. The steel glinted in the fire’s light.” (Eight Little Talons).

Viago De Riva:

Last seen in Dragon Age: Deception, Fifth Talon Viago De Riva helped thwart Emil Kortez’s scheme. Viago and Andarateia have since headed to Antiva City to inform the royals of Antiva in preparation for the Qunari war. The Crows also plan to recruit more Talons for their ranks, as they just lost four leaders thanks to Kortez’s scheme.

“To brief His Royal Fatherliness?” She balanced the stick on the tip of her boot. He reached for it. “Why are you asking?” With a kick, she flung the stick onto her other foot. “To see if you had a place to stay.” (Eight Little Talons).

Bolivar Nero:

Sixth Talon Bolivar Nero helped the rest of the Talons against Emil, after killing him, Bolivar was the first to leave the scene. Viago believed it was for the best, Bolivar didn’t have much to offer the war effort.

“Bolivar refused to speak to anyone. He simply grabbed a bottle of wine and barricaded himself in his room until the boats arrived. Viago thought it was for the best. Bolivar didn’t have much to offer the war effort.” (Eight Little Talons).

Andarateia Cantori:

Last seen in Dragon Age: Deception, Seventh Talon Andarateia Cantori, otherwise known as Teia helped uncover Emil’s scheme alongside Viago. She’s since headed to Antiva City with Viago to warn the Antivan nobles and recruit more Talons.

“Is that an invitation?” “Is that a yes?” He reached out again. This time, she let him have the walking stick, but held on to the end. Viago drew her close, until they were a breath apart. “It’s a definite maybe,” he murmured. Teia beamed up at him. “My favorite answer.” (Eight Little Talons).

Giuli Arainai:

Eighth Talon, Giuli Arainai was eliminated by Emil Kortez.

“Dead,” Bolivar spat. “Like Dante and Giuli and Lera—and us if we don’t leave this cursed place.” (Eight Little Talons).

Since Kortez’s agreement was foiled, the Qunari are heading to Antiva with a full invasion in mind after their ‘peaceful’ contract went sour. Should the Qunari decide to attack, the assassins must present a unified force.

The Dragon Age Day short story “The Wake” furthered Eight Little Talon’s plot.

Illario Dellamorte, Viago De Riva and Teia Cantori mourned the loss of Lucanis Dellamorte, the heir to the First Talon.

For reasons unknown, Lucanis has mysteriously died, perhaps the Venatori Maleficar Zara Renata discovered his flaws and murdered him, or perhaps Lucanis is pretending to be dead. Regardless, it seems the next heir to the First Talon is Illario Dellamorte, if Lucanis is truly died.

“He was my cousin, but we were more like brothers, really. Always getting himself into every sort of trouble. And I was always right behind him, you know? Always.” Illario’s voice suddenly grew thick with emotion. “Now there’s nobody for me to follow.” (The Wake).

"Half Up Front" by John Epler

Vadis:

Vadis is a former Tevinter Altus, she left her life of nobility behind to peruse a romantic relationship with Irian Cestes, her father’s elven servant. Vadis has since built a reputation as a crafty thief.

“Altus, not magister. I’d never been a magister—my father filled that seat for our family. And I’d left the nobility behind, so even altus was past tense. “My one rule is no names. You don’t know a damned thing about me.” She arched an eyebrow. “The disgraced daughter of Magister Mareno Vadis. Lover of an elven servant.” (Half Up Front).

In Minrathous, Vadis was hired by a mysterious elven lady to find and steal a relic called “Dumat’s Folly” - supposedly it was a piece of the Black City itself.

“Then you know the significance of Dumat’s Folly.” She gestured at the rubbing I held in front of me. So that’s what it was. “Supposed to be a piece of the Black City itself. A ‘reminder of man’s hubris, and of the unique and glorious divinity of the Maker.’” I snorted. “Seems like a bunch of nug shit to me.” (Half Up Front).

Together, Irian and Vadis infiltrated the Archon’s palace, they discovered a centre case where “Dumat’s Folly” had been, however, until recently, the glass display was empty. They found large footprints and a blood trail that led down a tunnel with Qunari Ben-Hassrath instructions regarding the relic. They pressed on through the tunnel and found a fake model of “Dumat’s Folly” believing that the Qunari had the real relic.

“The center case where Dumat’s Folly had, until recently, sat was empty. The glass in its display case was missing.” (…) “It’s orders—well, instructions. Ben-Hassrath. Locations and names are in code, but it’s telling them to get the item and return home. Not to be seen either.” (…) “I nodded. “The Qunari have the real one.” (Half Up Front).

The pair headed to the Qunari’s new Darvaarad, a ship headed to Rivain. Vadis uncovered the real “Dumat’s Folly” on deck, when suddenly her patron, the mysterious elven lady revealed herself. She approached from the shadows and claimed to be an agent of Fen'Harel.

“I opened the crate. Dumat’s Folly. I smiled. All right. I reached into my satchel and pulled out the rune that my client had given me. I wanted to make sure the artifact was the real thing before I took it back—not that I had any reason to believe otherwise, but I’d promised my client I’d verify first. I moved the rune toward the object and it started to vibrate, to glow.” (Half Up Front).

She declared that she acted freely for the Dread Wolf, to bring back what was once theirs, and what must be theirs again. She wore a simple robe embroidered with an unknown symbol. Her plan was to trick and frame Vadis into stealing a powerful and dangerous artefact that was integral to Fen'Harel's plans.

"The agent replies that she acts "freely. For the Dread Wolf. To bring back what was once ours—what must be ours again.” (…) “One of our agents spoke of Dumat’s Folly. Suggested it was an artifact of great power and danger, integral to Fen’Harel’s plans.” (…) “She’d traded her thick winter clothing for a simple robe, embroidered with an unknown symbol." (Half Up Front).

This relic was in-actuality a magical bomb, that was supposed to be used by Vadis, destroying the Qunari’s Darvaarad. This would’ve created a calamity feud between the Qunari Ben-Hassrath and Tevinter kinsman, if each party had discovered that an Altus thief attacked Qunari lands using this bomb, it would cause immediate chaos for all of Thedas.

“It is an ingenious device. Not a piece of the Black City, like the true Dumat’s Folly, but taken from the same time. It draws magic into itself.” “A Tevinter altus, striking at a Qunari settlement that had yet to enter hostilities? Ben- Hassrath wouldn’t be able to sit the war out anymore. Utter and complete chaos.” I felt nauseous. What I’d almost done, almost been responsible for. (Half Up Front).

Fortunately, this wasn’t the case, the Agent of Fen’Harel committed suicide to avoid future interrogations. Vadis used magic and forced the Darvaarad out to the sea where it exploded, with few casualties. One of the Qunari Ben-Hassrath agent’s took Vadis and Irian to a tavern in Kont-aar.

“I thought I could see the dreadnought, the burning deck a distant speck on the horizon. A moment passed. Another. And suddenly, a flash of light, a second sun on the horizon.” (Half Up Front).

Gatt:

Last seen in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Gatt is an elven agent of the Qunari Ben-Hassrath, he shared the Qun’s knowledge on the agent of Fen’Harel’s scheme with Vadis and Irian. He then asked that if they wanted revenge against the Dread Wolf, they should seek a dwarf in Kirkwall, because he will want to hear what they’ve got to say about the agents of Fen’Harel, even more than that, he’ll have work for the two of them.

“You cannot stay with us. Nor, I imagine, would you want to. But we have other allies. A dwarf in Kirkwall. He will want to hear what you have to say about the enemy. And more than that, he will have work for you. Something more than survival—a chance to strike back. A chance to matter.” (Half Up Front).

Vadis and Irian decided to head to Kirkwall, but first, took a stop to see Val Royeaux together for the first time.

“We’ll go to Kirkwall. Eventually.” I looked at Irian again and my smile widened. “But first, any chance we can go to Val Royeaux? (Half Up Front).

"Dread Wolf Take You" by Patrick Weekes

Charter:

Last seen in Dragon Age: Inquisition, Charter is an elven agent of the Inquisition who worked very closely within Leliana’s spy network.

In Hunter Fell, Nevarra at a tavern called “The Teahouse” (the same name as my private Discord server that you can join if you become a channel member). Charter invited the best spies in Thedas for a roundhouse meeting to discuss the Dread Wolf and his scheme.

A Carta Assassin, Orlesian Bard, Mortalitasi Mage, and an Executor Agent presented themselves at Charter’s summit. The Tevinter Siccari and the Qunari Ben-Hassrath both declined their attendance at this meeting.

“The lamps were dim and the walls bare of both windows and any painting where a peephole might have been concealed, but a fireplace against the wall crackled merrily, and seated around the fire in comfortable overstuffed chairs were four figures.” (…) “As did the Ben- Hassrath.” She grimaced. “The latter is especially disappointing. They had more knowledge of Solas’s movements than anyone else.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).

As each faction-representative shared their slightly fabricated perspectives on the Dread Wolf and his red lyrium idol, the group grew tired of each other’s white lies and false truths, they began to argue until their truths were finally revealed. By which point, the Orlesian Bard had already killed the Executor before they could share their insights. The Bard then froze the Mortalitasi Mage and the Carta Assassin, he took off his mask and revealed himself as Solas.

“That’s a good story,” the Assassin said, cutting into the silence, “but I’d rather hear the truth.” (…) “The Assassin and the Mortalitasi were still where they stood, their skin and clothes suddenly the gray of dead, dull stone.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).

Solas:

In a desperate attempt to understand what the Inquisition and a few other high-profile factions knew, Solas disguised himself as an Orlesian bard. He understands that the powers against him in Thedas are not fools, and there are many who oppose him.

“I wished to know what you all knew,” he said, gesturing at the table. “There are many of you, and you are not fools. As for me coming in person . . . the Inquisition was involved.” He returned to his seat. “Why did you come?” (The Dread Wolf Take You).

When he revealed himself, Solas looked tired and sad. He said that telling the Inquisitor what he intended to do in Trespasser was a moment of weakness. He admitted that he’s prideful, hot-headed and foolish. He then told Charter to tell the Inquisitor that he’s sorry.

“He sighed. “It was a moment of weakness. I told myself that it was because you all deserved to know, to live a few years in peace before my ritual was complete. Before this world ended.” (…) “I am prideful, hotheaded, and foolish, and I am doing what I must. When you report back to the Inquisitor . . .” His voice faltered. “Say that I am sorry.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).

The Dread Wolf:

Whether a separate being from Solas, or his own shapeshifting form, the Dread Wolf appeared in the Fade with wings of fire that resolved themselves into a horde of lesser demons. He’s lupine in appearance, but the size of a high dragon, with shaggy spiked hide and six burning eyes like a pride demon. The Fade is his natural home, and the spirits there serve him willingly.

“It was no elf, no mortal mage. It was a beast unlike any I had ever seen. Lupine in appearance, but the size of a high dragon, with shaggy spiked hide and six burning eyes like a pride demon, and it came to us on wings of fire that resolved themselves into a horde of lesser demons as the Dread Wolf landed before us.” (…) “But whatever fear the name Dread Wolf carries, he has earned. While we might visit the Fade, it is his natural home, and the spirits there serve him gladly.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).

The red lyrium idol belongs to him and he wants it back. The Dread Wolf declared that if anyone ever binds a spirit, then your life is his. This is particularly difficult for the Mortalitasi considering their entire culture is dependent on binding displaced spirits to corpses.

“YOU USE MY IDOL CARELESSLY TO VANDALIZE THE SEA OF DREAMS. NOW FEEL THE PAIN OF WHAT YOU HAVE CREATED.” (…) “FROM THIS MOMENT, SHOULD YOU EVER BIND A SPIRIT, THEN YOUR LIFE IS MINE.” (The Dread Wolf Take You).

From this moment, the Dread Wolf has a ritual in the Fade, binding spirits and using blood magic undoes his work, therefore, he has abolished these types of magic and will eliminate anyone who dares use them in the future.

"And as clear as the Dread Wolf’s anger at what we had done— the Mortalitasi binding spirits he considered his own, the Tevinter mage using forbidden blood magic— was the feeling that we had disrupted his own work." (The Dread Wolf Take You).

For now, his ritual and future plans are largely unknown, in any regard, the Dread Wolf has risen and is preparing his scheme to destroy the Veil and reclaim the elvhen kingdom.

With that, there’s all the major characters mentioned and introduced in Tevinter Nights that I feel are paving the way forward, and may potentially have some involvement in the future Dragon Age game. Let me know your thoughts, which characters did you like the most, who would you like to see in the next game, who appealed to you and has the most plot potential?

34 notes · View notes