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#iron bull/male lavellan/dorian pavus

midisdying · 1 year

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Me every time I play DA: Inquisition:

I'm going to romance someone else this time!

Dorian:exists

Me: Godfuckingdamn it

#dragon age inquistor #dragon age inquisition #dorian pavus #cullen rutherford #dorian romance #iron bull #dragon age iron bull #dragon age dorian #lgbtq #male inquisitor #lavellan #male lavellan #dragon age incorrect quotes

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bisexual-ashe · 2 years

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flirting with everyone in dragon age ended up making me sad because like.. from the start i knew my inquisitor (haleir) was going to romance iron bull right

but he was also flirting with both dorian and cassandra,, and both ended up with feelings for him and then i felt so awful having to reject them LMDFKLSDJSL like guys no im sorry this twink ass elf is just a flirt hes not actually interested hes riding the bull i swear-

#gonna do more playthroughs #to give dorian and cassandra the love they deserve #but yes haleir is apparently a kinky bastard #do not trust his sweet innocent face #he is NOT innocent-#anyway #i love this game LMAO #dragon age #cassandra pentaghast #male lavellan #haleir lavellan #jumps ocs #elf inquisitor #dorian pavus #iron bull #dragon age inquisition #poor cass and dorian got friendzoned #iron bull x inquisitor

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wanderingmirror · 2 years

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Spirit Of Empathy

Dragon Age: Inquisition

The Spirit of Empathy was a soul no one could really find. It was elusive and easily slipped away from those trying to find it. But many have claimed to have witnessed its work as it tried to ease the pain of those that crossed its path. But after too many attempts to capture and control it, the Spirit of Empathy vanished entirely, and the Spirits of Compassion took its place. Cole was one such Spirit, and like the others, could sense the Spirit of Empathy when a soul was in need of Compassion.

Discovering the fact that the Inquisitor was a Spirit of some type came as both a shock and a surprise to those who knew him. Though no one could figure out what type of Spirit he was, they still tried to keep the knowledge of that discovery away from him for fear of him disappearing. It had been left to Solas and Vivienne to discover what he was. The old library in Skyhold held many books containing past research on Spirits, the Spirit of Empathy among them, and it was found that you could identify a Spirit's nature by the habits they show.

From watching and conversing with the Inquisitor, it was found that he was either a Spirit of Compassion, or the long-vanished Spirit of Empathy. Cole was asked to look into his pains to see which. But the Spirit was not willing to hurt the Inquisitor simply to answer to the curiosity of the others. The Inquisitor was getting suspicious of their secretiveness. When the Inquisitor left Skyhold with Solas, Cole, and Cassandra, his inner circle decided to finally branch the question.

It was Cassandra who brought it up.

____

"Inquisitor, have you ever met the Spirit of Empathy?" She asked. Cole flinched a bit and looked at him in worry. Solas was stoic as he too glanced at the other elf. The Inquisitor was silent for a long time, making Cassandra wonder if he had heard her. But when he simply smiled at her and nodded, it seemed to ease her. "I did once. The Spirit had helped my clan when I was younger. But other than that, I haven't seen or heard of it since." He said, voice carefully neutral.

Cole slowly nodded as if agreeing with him. Cassandra frowned. "What do you remember of its appearance?" She asked. The Inquisitor's hand, which had been stoking the fire, froze. He did not look at her for a few minutes, obviously deep in thought. "I was still young, so my memory of back then is fuzzy. Sorry." He apologized with a sad smile. He pulled back and stretched. It was late in the night, the moon bright above them.

He bid them good night and went to sleep leaning against the tree he sat beside. Cole looked at him with worry barely hidden in his eyes. "What worries you, Cole?" Cassandra asked, seeing his fidgeting. "He has a lot of pain. Not all of it is his own. But he refuses to express it. Burns and twists, louder than a war cry, but quieter than mice." The blonde Spirit said softly to not wake the brunette.

The Inquisitor curled up in his sleep. When morning came, Vivienne and the other mages of Skyhold arrived in a rush as they approached the castle. "I have finally figured out a way to test our theory!" Vivienne said as they entered the gates. The Inquisitor looked at them with worry. "Theory? What are you talking about, Lady Vivienne?" He asked cocking his head. Vivienne held out a hand and closed her eyes, saying something under her breath. Her spell formed a circle around him, and he yelped.

"Viv? What-," He was interrupted when the spell broke a charm on his hip. The others noticed it falling to the ground, Cullen picked it up. "What is this?" He asked the brunette. The Inquisitor was silent as he tried to take it back. But the barrier zapped him. Cullen took it to Vivienne, and she examined it closely. "It's a spell charm for blocking mental spells." She said as she looked at the Dalish brunette. The Inquisitor was starting to shake suddenly.

____

{Warning for mental breakdowns?}

He could hear them again, hear the whispers. The cries for help, for mercy, for freedom. The broken cries of pain and suffering. Of anger and rage, fury and hatred. It overwhelmed him and he lifted his hands to his ears. But that did no good, they were no quieter than before. They began to get louder, even. The voices, he could hardly tell them apart from each other.

They called for Justice, but he wasn't the Spirit they needed.

They called for Compassion, but he wasn't the one for that either.

They called for so many different things that he couldn't help them with. So many emotions cried out, but he couldn't help them. He began to quietly beg for silence. But as the voices continued, he got louder and louder. Begging, pleading, and shouting for them to shut up. But the voices only drowned his own out into nothing but a drop of water in a sea. Tears fell from his eyes, and he fell to his knees. Curling up and trying to get them to be silent.

He began to hyperventilate, his vision going in and out of focus. His chest hurt, the places around his ears hurt, his head hurt. He couldn't hear the mages around him demanding he be put under a control spell. He couldn't hear Cole begging someone to help the brunette. He didn't see Varric running over to him in confusion, nor the fear and pain etched on Blackwall's face as he blocked anyone from getting closer to him.

All he could hear was the many voices of those he couldn't help. Those who had already died, who were dying, injured, or in pain. They were louder than those around him. He felt liquid starting to stain his hair, felt it run down his scalp as his nails dug into his skin. His consciousness began to vanish, and the edge of his vision blacken. He slammed his eyes shut and screamed in pain. In fear.

But even that was lost to the roar of the many others. When the charm he had made was placed back on the chain of his pants the voices slowly stopped and went silent. He sighed as he untensed and passed out. Falling limply to the left and into someone's arms. He would have to thank them when he woke up.

____

When the Inquisitor passed out into Morrigan's arms, she was concerned for the blood matting his hair. She could hear his screams from the courtyard, hear his cries for silence. When she had gotten to the entrance of the castle, she had seen the crowd of mages and those of his inner circle just standing there doing nothing as he sobbed for help. Yet, no one helped him.

Solas was yelling at Vivienne, Varric trying to console Cole, Iron Bull arguing with Cullen, Cassandra was just staring at the Inquisitor in shocked silence. Blackwall was at least keeping the mages demanding the Dalish elf be contained away. Dorian was still in Teventor and Sera was nowhere to be seen. Morrigan ran down the stairs and snatched the charm she spotted in Cullen's hand, fixing it and getting past Blackwall without much force.

She winced at the pain she could see etched on the brunette's face as she reattached the charm to its original place. Slowly the Inquisitor settled down and his hands left his ears to rest on either side of his body. He fell limp and she pulled him into her arms to allow him to rest. She used healing magic to heal the crescent shaped wounds he had made around his ears. When someone got close to them, she glared at them. Her glare only easing when she saw it was Solas.

The older elf sat beside the Inquisitor and inspected the charm, frowning when he discovered something about it that seemed to bother him. "What is it?" She asked as she fixed how the Inquisitor was laying. "This charm blocks off mental magic. And it seems it blocks the constant flow of outside pain from reaching him. I suppose this means that after trying to help people for so long, it never fully stopped being so loud." He said softly.

Morrigan nodded and Solas let go of the charm. Cole ran over and gently placed his hand on the brunette's back. "Can someone tell me why this happened?" Morrigan asked as she looked around. When Solas filled her in on what they had discovered, she sighed angrily. She didn't want to start yelling as soon as she got the Inquisitor to rest. And right now, it looked like he needed it.

"I suppose we will have to talk about this when he isn't within hearing range. I don't want to wake him up when he just fell asleep." She motioned for Blackwall to help her take the brunette to his quarters. The grey warden gently picked the male up and started to carry him to his quarters while some of the chargers acted as a wall, keeping the mages wanting him contained away.

As soon as the group was out of earshot, Morrigan turned sharply to face them. "What in the hell is your problem?! Why in everything holy did you decide that you could just do something like that?! Especially to him of all people?!" She snapped and the others all flinched at the rage in her eyes. Solas was silent behind her, having the same protective anger that she did. No one spoke as the human mage spit fire at them.

A few of those who had wanted him contained lost the wind to their sails and curled into themselves like kicked dogs. But a few others still thought it best that the Inquisitor should be contained. They immediately were ordered to either shut up or leave. As the Inquisitor would not harm anyone who had not harmed him first. Though, Morrigan thought bitterly, they had rightly earned after causing the brunette so much mental harm.

She sighed and turned towards Cole, only to find that he and Varric both had vanished during her tirade. Morgan wondered if that was because Cole wanted to be close to the other Spirit. She then looked at Solas and he nodded, leaving her to deal with the others.

____

When the Inquisitor woke up, it was to a splitting headache and raw throat. He groaned and sat up slowly. Finding Cole sitting beside the bed with his back leaned against it. Varric was sitting at his desk while writing. "V-Varric?" He asked softly. The dwarf looked over at him and smiled softly. "Hey, Kid, how are you holding up?" He asked as he stood and walked over. The Inquisitor lifted a hand to rub at his head.

"Feels like I was hit in the head by a rock. What happened?" He asked and Varric's eyes widened for a moment before they returned to normal. "What do you remember, exactly?" He asked and the Inquisitor thought back to before he had blacked out. The memory of earlier that day returned to him and he began to once again hyperventilate. Varric walked over and gently grabbed his arm to ground him.

"Easy, Kid. You're safe here. I doubt Chuckles and Morrigan are going to let them anywhere near you after the shit they put you through." He said as the Inquisitor tried to steady his breathing before it got worse. Luckily, he was able to do so before he passed out again. Hearing that Solas and Morrigan would come to his defense also eased the stress he felt. "You aren't scared of me?" He asked softly and Varric just chuckled.

"The way I see it, is that now we have two Spirits who know their way around better than we do. And now Cole has someone he can confide in when he feels he can't trust me or Solas." He said and that got a small smile out of the other. "Who fixed my charm?" the brunette asked. "That would be Morrigan. I'm sure if Chuckles hadn't been yelling at Vivienne, he would have but. As I said, he was busy yelling at her for breaking it."

The Inquisitor couldn't help but laugh at the image of Solas losing his temper over him. He felt a sense of happiness knowing the other male would help him. "I'll have to thank them." He says softly and Varric nodded before letting go of the brunette's arm. "Yeah, and you may want to thank Blackwall and the Chargers for getting you to your quarters too. I think the Chargers were about to shed blood when I saw their faces." He commented and the other male laughed softly.

"I'll remember to thank them for that. And thank you for helping Cole stay calm. I doubt it would have done anyone any good if both of us were breaking down like that." He said and Varric nodded again with a smile. "No problem." He patted the male's back as he moved to gather his things and head downstairs. "You may want to head down when you're ready. Morrigan and Solas have been worried ever since you passed out." He said as he left. The Inquisitor nodded and waved him goodbye.

The Inquisitor looked down at the still sleeping Cole, moving a bit to get the smaller male into the bed. Dorian wouldn't be back for another four days, so he doubted the other male would mind. That and the Inquisitor mostly saw Cole as something similar to a little brother. He needed the place right now more than the Teventor mage did. The Inquisitor sighed softly as he pulled the smaller Spirit to his chest and wrapped an arm around him.

Falling back to sleep with the calm sound of the wind through the windows and Cole's gentle breathing.

#dragon age inquisition #ocs #angst #varric tethras #dai #dread wolf #inquisitor lavellan #male inquisitor #dorian pavus #iron bull #vivienne de fer #cassandra pentaghast #morrigan dragon age #dorian x lavellan #dorian x inquisitor #bull's chargers #skyhold #original au #Spirit!Inquisitor AU

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broodwolf221 · 4 months

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dadwc prompts and info

general info:

no character death

i prefer romantic or platonic

pls specify prompt list ur using

ot3/poly prompts welcome

general prompts:

rare/unusual words (mine, but feel rb/use it yourself!)

sentences

micro story (please send the word/phrase)

medieval/fantasy sentences

deep conversations

people who aren't used to kindness

quote prompts:

as said by cassandra pentaghast

as said by dorian pavus

as said by solas

as said by merrill

fluff/romance/smut prompts:

fluff

50 types of kisses

sleeping

cuddles and snuggles

smutfic (please send word/phrase)

angst/whump prompts:

what are you hiding from me?

eerie loneliness

heavy content (mine, but feel free to rb/use it yourself!)

patching up wounds

other prompts:

oc codex

fantasy setting

characters:

da2 - anders(justice) | fenris | merrill

dao - leliana | morrigan

arlathan - mythal | andruil | ghilan'nain

relationships (ot3+ are welcome!):

anders x fenris

cassandra x (varric | sera | leliana | solas)

dorian x (feydis | bull | solas)

morrigan x (halcor | leliana)

sera x (delwyn | dagna | cassandra)

cullen x (dimitra | solas | dorian)

ghilan'nain x (andruil* | solas*)

*messy/complicated ships, might end up in dead dove territory

major ocs:

nessa lavellan (f!rogue, solas)

velari lavellan (f!mage, solas)

atros shiral (m!rogue; city elf!inquisitor, solas)

delwyn lavellan (f!rogue, sera)

valyris lavellan (f!mage, solas)

developing ocs:

feydis lavellan (m!mage, ? maybe dorian)

yene adaar (f!mage, solas)

dimitra (non-inky, f!mage(/templar), cullen)

halcor brosca (m!rogue warden, morrigan then nathaniel)

less developed ocs:

yene adaar (female; mage; solas) yene is a driven vashoth who doesn't want anything to do with any of this, thank you very much. spends the early game looking for a way out but eventually realizes that because of the anchor, she's stuck here, at which point she starts making friends. planned solasmance bc i'm... immensely predictable. also he grows on her. this weird little elf guy who's obsessed with the fade and she's like. hm. i am charmed by the way u wax poetic about ur special interests.

halcor brosca (male; rogue; morrigan, then nathaniel) my canon warden, and someone i haven't written in many years but have been thinking about again recently. very rough around the edges, blunt, practical. has a terrible habit of diving headfirst into danger. he's enamored of magic and trust(ed?) morrigan 100% on everything magical - he also performed the ritual with her, so kieran is his son, although he never met him. afterwards during awakening canon he ended up with nathaniel - a surprise, especially since he didn't even know he was into men as well, but late nights talking around the fire slowly became more.

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mebigbang · 10 months

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Mirror Image

Rating: Not RatedArchive Warning: No Archive Warnings ApplyCategory:M/MFandoms:Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: InquisitionCharacters:John Shepard, The Iron Bull (Dragon Age, )Dorian Pavus, Varric Tethras, Male Hawke (Dragon Age), Cassandra Pentaghast, Josephine Montilyet, Leliana (Dragon Age), Solas (Dragon Age), Male Lavellan (Dragon Age)Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe –…

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#CROSSOVER #KOSHO #MSHEP #TH3MORRIGAN

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daitranscripts · 1 year

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Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Pt. 6

Introductions to the Empress

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Masterpost First: Gaining an Invitation Previous: Enter the Winter Palace

Gaspard heads off as the Court Herald approaches and bows to the PC before guiding them to the ballroom floor.

Royal Herald: And now, presenting: Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons. And accompanying him…

Herald (Qunari PC): Lord/Lady Inquisitor Adaar! Herald (Dalish PC): Lord/Lady Inquisitor Lavellan! Herald (dwarf PC): Lord/Lady Inquisitor Cadash! Herald (dwarf PC, ???): Lord/Lady Inquisitor Cadash! …Or possibly Inquisitor Gavron, Helmi, Aeducan, or Paragon Fancypants. [I do not know what triggers this.] Herald (human mage PC): Lord/Lady Inquisitor Trevelyan, of the Ostwick Circle of Magi! Herald (human non-mage PC): Lord/Lady Inquisitor Trevelyan, son/daughter of Bann Trevelyan of Ostwick!

The PC continues down the steps and across the floor as the rest of the Inquisition party is announced.

Herald (allied mages): Vanquisher of the rebel mages of Ferelden, crusher of the vile apostates of the Mage Underground! Herald (allied templars): Shepherd and leash of the wayward Order of Templars, purger of the heretics from the ranks of the faithful!

Party Comments:

Vivienne: Remember to smile. This is all for show, my dear.

Sera: He is so full of it! That’s not how it went.

Varric: This guy writes better fiction than I do.

Herald: Champion of the Blessed Andraste herself!

Gaspard chuckles.

Gaspard: Did you see their faces? Priceless.

Herald: Accompanying the Inquisitor:

Party Introductions:

Herald: Seeker Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena– Cassandra: Get on with it! Herald: … Pentaghast. Fourteenth cousin to the King of Nevarra, nine times removed. Hero of Orlais, Right Hand of the Divine.

Herald: Madame Vivienne, First Enchanter of the Circle of Magi, Enchanter of the Imperial Court, mistress of the Duke of Ghislain.

Herald: Renowned author Varric Tethras. Head of noble house Tethras, deshyr of Kirkwall to the Dwarves Merchants Guild.

Herald: Lord Dorian Pavus, member of the Circle of Vyrantium, son of Lord Magister Halward Pavus of Asariel.

Herald: Warden Blackwall of Val Chevin, constable of the Grey. Bearer of the Silverite Wings of Valor.

Herald: The Iron Bull, leader of the famed mercenary company Bull’s Chargers. As the name might imply.

Herald (male PC): The Lord Inquisitor’s elven servant, Solas. Herald (female PC): The Lady Inquisitor’s elven serving man, Solas.

Herald: Her Ladyship Mai Bhalsych of Korse. Sera: (Snickers.)

(Cole has no introduction.)

Herald: Ser Cullen Stanton Rutherford of Honnleath. Commander of the forces of the Inquisition. Former Knight-Commander of Kirkwall.

Herald: Lady Leliana, Nightingale of the Imperial Court. Herald (recruited in DA: O): Veteran of the Fifth Blight. Herald (romanced Warden, Warden rules with Alistair): Mistress to the Queen of Ferelden. Herald (romanced Warden, Warden rules with Anora): Mistress to the Prince Consort of Ferelden. Herald: Seneschal of the Inquisition and Left Hand of the Divine.

Herald: And Lady Josephine Cherette Montilyet of Antiva City. Ambassador of the Inquisition.

The PC joins Gaspard on the steps below Celene.

Gaspard: Cousin. My dear sister.

Celene: Grand Duke. We are always honoured when your presence graces our court.

Gaspard: Don’t waste my time with pleasantries, Celene. We have business to conclude.

Celene: We will meet for the negotiations after we have seen to our other guests.

Gaspard: Inquisitor.

Gaspard bows and leaves.

Celene: Lord/Lady Inquisitor, we welcome you to the Winter Palace. Allow us to present our cousin, the Grand Duchess of Lydes, without whom this gathering would never have been possible.

Florianne curtsies.

Florianne: What an unexpected pleasure. I was not aware the Inquisition would be part of our festivities. We will certainly speak later, Inquisitor.

She turns and leaves.

Celene: You arrival at court is like a cool wind on a summer’s day.

Dialogue options:

General: It’s an honor. [1] +10 Court Approval (Vivienne in party)

General: The weather may turn foul. [2] +5 Court Approval

General: An assassin is here. [3] - 15 Court approval - Vivienne greatly disapproves

1 - General: It’s an honor. PC: I am delighted to be here, Your Majesty. Celene: We have heard much of your exploits, Inquisitor. They have made grand tales for long evenings. [4]

2 - General: The weather may turn foul. PC: Let’s hope the breeze does not herald an oncoming storm. Celene: Even the wisest mistake fair winds for foul. We are at the mercy of the skies, Inquisitor. [4]

3 - General: An assassin is here. PC: Someone here is working for Tevinter. Celene: To the uninitiated, the court is full of intrigues which might seem sinister, Inquisitor. But they are of little note. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Celene: How do you find Halamshiral?

Dialogue options:

General: It’s lovely. [5]

General: I can’t do it credit. [6]

General: Call off the ball! [7]

5 - General: It’s lovely. PC: I’ve never seen anything to equal the Winter Palace. Celene: We hope you will find time to take in some of its beauties. Feel free to enjoy the pleasures of the ballroom, Inquisitor. We look forward to watching you dance. [8]

6 - General: I can’t do it credit. PC: I have no words to suffice. Halamshiral has many beauties, and I couldn’t do them justice. Celene: Your modesty does you credit, and speaks well for the Inquisition. Feel free to enjoy the pleasures of the ballroom, Inquisitor. We look forward to watching you dance. [8]

7 - General: Call off the ball! PC: You’re in danger. End the ball. Send everyone away. Celene: Inquisitor, we suspect that our court has overwhelmed you. You may benefit from a glass of wine and some time to recover. No doubt you will find something in the ball room to entertain you. [8]

8 - Scene continues.

The PC bows and leaves up the stairs. Leliana approaches them.

Leliana: Inquisitor. A word, when you have a moment.

She leaves.

Next: Speak with Leliana

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dragon age dialogue #dragon age transcripts #dai transcripts #dai dialogue #wicked eyes and wicked hearts #wewh #long post

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dapolyshipping · 2 years

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One Week Left For Nominations!

236 tags have been approved, featuring 122 unique characters.

STATS

Ship Type Mixed Gender 62% Male Only 29% Female Only 8%

Gender Stats Per Total Characters Male 53% Female 38% Nonbinary 9%

Top 5 Nominated Characters (and top normated males) Anders 23.73% The Iron Bull 17.80% Fenris 16.10% Dorian Pavus 15.68% Cullen Rutherford, Zevran Arainai 15.25%

Top 5 Female Characters Female Hawke 10.59% Isabela 10.17% Leliana 7.63% Josephine Montilyet 7.20% Merrill. Morrigan 5.08%

Nonbinary Hawke, Cadash, and Lavellan are the most nominated Nonbinary characters!

For Reminders & Help, click the read more!

REMINDERS

To Nominate Ships for the Exchange:

Visit the tag set.

Click the Nominate button.

Enter your ships one line at a time.

Hit the Submit button.

Check the tags that need corrections.

NEED MORE HELP OR HAVE QUESTIONS?

CONTACT

ask | submit | twitter | discord | email: [email protected]

#admin: announcement #dapolyex2022

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arlathanxchange · 1 year

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Nominations Update

There are currently 296 approved tags!

Four Tags Need Corrections:

Lavellan & Lavellan Clan (Dragon Age):

We require a gender for Lavellan. Please add Male, Female, or Nonbinary to your nomination, i.e. Male Lavellan & Lavellan Clan (Dragon Age).

Nonbinary Surana & Anders

This was already nominated as Anders & Nonbinary Surana! If this was your tag, you should be able to delete it and nominate another tag!

Cassandra Pentaghast/Varric Tethras The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus

Both these tags are missing an elf and are therefore not eligible for the exchange. If these were your tags, please add an elf to the nominations or delete them to add different tags.

To Make Corrections:

Go to the 2023 Tag Set.

Click the My Nominations button on the top right of the page under the menu bar.

Click the Edit button on the top right of the page under the menu bar.

Click the X to the right of the tag, and reenter the corrected tag in the text box that appears.

Click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.

REMINDER

Nominations Close: Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 12pm ET

QUESTIONS?

how to nominate tutorial | ask | discord | email: [email protected]

Tumblr’s asks are famously unreliable. If you don’t see a response within 72 hours please feel free to resend the ask or send an email.

#admin: announcement

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foxnonny · 5 years

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NOT A STRAIGHT LINE BUT A TRIANGLE HAS UPDATED

That fun romp where Dorian and Iron Bull accidentally wind up dating the same elf in a polyamorous comedy of errors is back!!

Check it out HERE

Remind yourself what happened because it’s been nine months HERE

Thank you everyone so so so much for waiting on this and encouraging and supporting the fic, I love you all <3

#not a straight line but a triangle #adoribullavellan #iron bull/male lavellan/dorian pavus #dai fic #foxnonny fic #UGH FINALLY

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otakutrashwrites · 3 years

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Vhenan'ara

The Inquisitor started his morning just like any other at Skyhold: walking the grounds to see if anyone needed anything from him. Almost always, someone did. Today, it was The Iron Bull that approached him.

“Inquisitor, do you have a moment?” Bull inquired.

“What can I do for you, Bull?” I replied, always trying to be kind and courteous, even though I was hoping no one would need anything today, at least no so soon in the day.

“I recently heard about a dragon that lives on the Storm Coast and I wanted to see if you would like to come kill it with me!” The excitement was clear in Bull’s voice. Always ready and willing to hunt dragons.

“I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know I’m always down to go dragon hunting, so of course I would. Anyone in particular you would like us to bring along?”

Bull thought for a moment, fingers stroking an imaginary beard.

“We could bring along Dorian and Varric, if not for their skills, but for the witty banter that always seems to happen whenever the two of them are together!”

The thought of Dorian coming to the Storm Coast and being in the absolute downpour made me laugh. He would most likely complain the entire time, but I found the thought of it quite endearing. We had slowly become closer over the weeks, sharing chaste kisses in secret, but I wanted more, wanted us to BE more, but it felt like he was holding back. For what reason, I had nary a clue.

“Sounds like a good time! Why don’t you head to the tavern while I chase those two down and see if they will be willing to come with us? I will meet you there later, hopefully with them, to discuss a good time to leave,” I said.

“Don’t blame me if I’m drunk by the time you get there!” Bull replied, before turning with a slight wave. “See you then, Inquisitor.”

I’ll go find Varric first. He’ll be quite a bit easier to convince than Dorian.

I walked into the main hall in search of Varric, hoping he’d be exactly where he usually is, and I was lucky enough to be correct.

“Inquisitor! What brings you to talk to little ‘ole me?” Varric asked with that cheeky grin he almost always has plastered on his face.

“I actually came to see if you would like to accompany The Iron Bull and I on a dragon hunting excursion on the Storm Coast? Could provide some interesting tales for a new book,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows at him, hoping it would be enough to convince him to come along.

“You and Bull, huh? Anyone else going to be joining us? Sparkles, maybe? I’ve seen the way you look at him,” Varric replied with a smirk.

I rubbed my hand on the back of my neck, looking down as I felt a warmth on my cheeks. I’m blushing. Dammit, I hope Varric doesn’t see, because he’ll never let me live it down if he knows he’s right. Luckily, he didn’t say anything about it.

“I was actually going to head up to the library to talk to him after finding you. If you plan on coming along, you can join Bull in the tavern. I will meet you two there, hopefully with Dorian.”

With a wave to Varric, I headed upstairs to the library, praying to the Creators that Dorian would be in his usual spot, but also hoping he wouldn’t be. Every time I saw him, my heart would beat a little faster, and I had to keep myself from stumbling over my own words.

As if the Creators heard my prayer, Dorian was exactly where he usually is.

“Ah, Inquisitor, to what do I owe this fine pleasure of seeing you this morning?” Dorian asked, a wide smile on his face.

Evanuris, that man’s voice is like honey, sweet to my ears. I could wake up to that every morning and be the happiest man to ever live. I shook my head, snapping me out of my own thoughts, causing Dorian to give me a quizzical look. I could eat him up.

“I came to see if you would like to join Bull, Varric, and I on a mission to the Storm Coast? Bull heard about a dragon out there and wanted to go on a hunt.”

A flash of disdain crossed Dorian’s face before returning to his usual smile.

“Did everyone else say no? Surely I could not have been your first choice to go somewhere so...dreary.”

“Bull requested both you and Varric to tag along, actually. The mission was his idea, so I left the decision of companions up to him. If you don’t want to go, I can ask Bull if he has anyone else in-”

“No!” Dorian cut me off. “Ah, I mean, that won’t be necessary, I will join you.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Very well. Would you like to accompany me to the tavern, then? Bull and Varric should already be waiting for us there.”

Varric sat across from The Iron Bull in the tavern.

“Do you really think this will work?” Bull asked.

“I’ve seen the way those two look at each other when they think the other isn’t looking. My romance novels might not be my best works, but I know that shit when I see it,” he replied.

“Yeah, but the Storm Coast? Dorian might be too busy complaining to even think about flirting with the Inquisitor.”

“It’s not about them flirting, it’s about the danger of the mission getting the adrenaline pumping so they’ll just fuck and get rid of all that damned sexual tension!”

Glossary

Vhenan’ara - heart’s desire

Evanuris - leaders. What the elves/elvhen called their elven pantheon/gods.

#dorian pavus x male lavellan #male inquisitor #male lavellan #dorian pavus #varric tethras #the iron bull #dragon age #dragon age inquisition

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mako-makes · 3 years

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It’s Saturday, which means a fic update: Chapter 16!

They share a single brain cell and Dorian has it 80% of the time. Human Bull is still so hard to draw, but I still love him.

#dragon age #digital illustration #digital art #clip studio paint #dragon age inquisition #dragon age fanart #inquisitor lavellan #dragon age oc #adoribull #dorian pavus #dragon age dorian #iron bull #male lavellan #dragon age fic

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localnoodleman · 3 years

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CH 11 of my M!Lavellan/Cullen fic is up!

LINK

I tripped and fell and this is over 16,000 words now. I'm working on ch 12 and 13 now, but updates are pretty consistent because I cannot for the life of me stop writing these nerds.

Summary: An AU in which Cullen Rutherford finds himself falling in love with Aelis Lavellan, the Herald of Andraste, from the moment they meet on the battlefield. The only problem? The Herald is a mage. And a man.

This is a slow-burn fic, but it's heating up! I'm playing the game as I write this to keep it as canon-compliant as possible while still making it interesting and new.

I'm very proud of this little thing.

#dragon age inquisition #dragon age #cullen rutherford #bisexual cullen rutherford #fan fiction #dragon age 4 #dai #male inquisitor #ao3 #lavellan x cullen #solas #dorian pavus #iron bull

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skyeknight-hyperfixations · 3 years

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Esaldir's smile as told from Dorian and The Iron Bull's perspective

Dorian’s POV

“Not today.”

Dorian’s heart did a little flip, watching one side of his mouth quirk up ever so slightly in a half smile. It shouldn’t be, it really didn’t have a right to, but that smile did things to his insides, butterflies were fluttering crazing in the pit of his gut.

Kaffas, Dorian thought. He was done for.

The Iron Bull’s POV

“Are we gonna do this or not?”

Bull’s nostrils flared, watching the small elf smile up at him, looking cocky, confident even, and that damn head tilt. The Iron Bull had bedded plenty, taking what he wants, no strings attached. In and out, how it usually went.

But staring at the blond, the former Qunari spy knew at that very moment, once he got in, there was no getting out.

#Dragon Age: Inquisition #Esaldir Lavellan #Dorian Pavus #The Iron Bull #Male Lavellan

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dapolyshipping · 2 years

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Pinch Hits

We have two pinch hits up for grabs!

Due: Both pinch hits have a tentative due date of the day before Work Reveals Saturday, November 12, 2022 or sooner.

Reminders: You do not have to be signed-up to the exchange to claim a pinch hit, but you must be willing to produce one fic of at least 1000 words or one fanart with at least clean lineart for ONE of the ships listed below. You should have an AO3 account, or be willing to sign-up for one.

To Claim: Contact the mods via one of the methods listed on our pinned post.

You can find details below the cut. Please be sure to read the requests carefully before you claim.

Pinch Hit #1: Settiai

ALL REQUESTS: Fanart or Fanfic; Any Ratings

AutoAO3 Request | Letter

SHIPS:

▸ Request 1: Female Amell/Cullen Rutherford/Female Surana, Female Aeducan/Female Brosca/Gorim Saelac/Gorim Saelac's Wife, Female Mahariel/Female Surana/Female Tabris (Dragon Age) ▸ Request 2: Cremisius "Krem" Aclassi/Cole/Maryden Halewell, Cremisius "Krem" Aclassi/The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus, The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford ▸ Request 3: Alistair/Female Amell/Cullen Rutherford, Alistair/Cullen Rutherford/Female Surana, Jowan/Lily/Female Surana (Dragon Age) ▸ Request 4: Ameridan/Female Lavellan/Solas, Anders/Male Hawke/Karl Thekla, Donnic Hendyr/Aveline Vallen/Wesley Vallen ▸ Request 5: Anders/Fenris/Female Hawke (Dragon Age), Anders/Fenris/Male Hawke (Dragon Age), Anders/Female Hawke/Sebastian Vael ▸ Request 6: Bhelen Aeducan/Female Aeducan/Rica Brosca, Alistair/Anora Mac Tir/Cailan Theirin, Anders/Bethany Hawke/Carver Hawke ▸ Request 7: Anders/Nathaniel Howe/Sigrun/Velanna, Nathaniel Howe/Sigrun/Velanna, Anders/Nathaniel Howe/Sebastian Vael ▸ Request 8: Anders/Female Hawke/Karl Thekla, Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford/Female Trevelyan, Female Cadash/The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus ▸ Request 9: Alistair/Female Cousland/Anora Mac Tir, Alistair/Female Cousland/Leliana (Dragon Age), Alistair/Female Cousland/Nathaniel Howe ▸ Request 10: Female Adaar/Blackwall/Josephine Montilyet, Blackwall/Cullen Rutherford/Female Trevelyan, Female Lavellan/Cullen Rutherford/Solas

Pinch Hit #2: enigmalea

ALL REQUESTS: Fanart or Fanfic; Any Ratings

AutoAO3 Request | Letter

SHIPS:

▸ Request 1: Anders/Cullen Rutherford/Solas, Anders/Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford, Anders/Dorian Pavus/Solas ▸ Request 2: Anders/The Iron Bull/Cullen Rutherford, Anders/The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus, Anders/The Iron Bull/Solas ▸ Request 3: Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford/Solas, The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford, The Iron Bull/Cullen Rutherford/Solas ▸ Request 4: Cillian/Female Lavellan/Solas, Renn/Solas/Valta (Dragon Age), Female Lavellan/Cullen Rutherford/Solas ▸ Request 5: Anders/Male Hawke/Cullen Rutherford, Anders/Arishok/Male Hawke, Anders/Male Hawke/Karl Thekla ▸ Request 6: Male Aeducan/Anders/Zevran Arainai, Male Aeducan/Anders/Zevran Arainai/Nathaniel Howe ▸ Request 7: Female Hawke/Varric Tethras/Sebastian Vael, Brother Ferdinand Genitivi/Laudine/Philliam Trevelyan, Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford/Rylen ▸ Request 8: Male Lavellan/Nonbinary Lavellan/Solas, Dorian Pavus/Cassandra Pentaghast/Male Trevelyan, Alistair/Female Cousland/Morrigan (Dragon Age) ▸ Request 9: Anders/Male Hawke/The Iron Bull, Anders/Male Hawke/The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus, Anders/Male Hawke/The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus/Cullen Rutherford

#admin: pinch hitter #dapolyex2022

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cakelanguage · 3 years

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At long last, I bring an update for my “Dorian as a young boy” fic! This fic is the most intimidating to write because I want to do justice to the characters, but that makes me less excited to write which isn’t fantastic lol

I hope you enjoy this update!

First//Previous//Next

You can also read it on AO3 ----

For his time here, Dorian was supposed to be under the watchful eye of the Iron Bull and his Chargers. Despite this, the Iron Bull had given him a long look before slapping him on the back.

“Listen, Dorian,” the Iron Bull said, “I’m going to be making sure you don’t get into trouble, but I’m not going to prevent you from a bit of exploring.” He paused. “Actually, stay away from the advisors if you can, I doubt they’ve gotten over your eavesdropping.”

“In my defense, I needed to get them to understand,” Dorian replied.

Bull shook his head, a grin fighting to spread. “Don’t think they’ll care about that so much as it was a kid they don’t know they can trust yet.”

Well, Dorian supposed that was wise to consider before he upset the wrong person.

“Fine,” Dorian conceded, “I guess I’ll try to find this ‘chuckles’ Varric mentioned.”

“Solas? you’ll find him near the houses to the right of the Chantry. We don’t have a lot of elves around here so he should be pretty easy to find.”

He nodded. “Right, well I’ll be seeing you-”

“Wait, before you go bothering him, a word of advice,” the Iron Bull poked him in the center of his forehead, ignoring Dorian’s disgruntled huff. “Solas doesn’t like Tevinter. Actually, that’s an understatement; he hates Tevinter and their view on the slavery of the elves. Be prepared for him to question you.”

“About slavery?”

“Check if you have any ingrained prejudices, problematic thinking, that sort of thing.”

“Oh, so an interrogation?” Dorian’s face fell. “Lovely.”

The Iron Bull shrugged. “He’ll either like you or he won’t, it’s not more complicated than that.”

Dorian reluctantly nodded. “Well, thank you for warning me, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Just be back when the sun starts to set, alright?”

“Yes I hear you, can I go now?” He knew he was being impatient but he couldn’t bring himself to disguise the frustration in his voice.

Bull crossed his arms and gave him a sharp smile. “Stay out of trouble, Dorian.”

That was Dorian’s idea but he nodded along anyway. “See you by sunset.”

Trudging through the snow to the collection of homely cottages he started gathering the questions he wanted to ask Solas. What stories did he have from the Fade? Was he part of a clan? Why did he join the Inquisition?

Except he couldn’t see the elf anywhere amongst the cottages. There was just a woman carrying out linens to be washed, and a slightly cross looking man. The others had been so sure that Solas would be here but it was just Dorian’s luck that the elf had vanished.

“Have you seen an elf around here?” Dorian asked.

The man shrugged. “Solas sometimes takes a stroll to the pond outside of Haven,” the man informed, leaning back against his door. “Keeps to himself mostly, but if you get him started he’ll talk your ear off.”

“Speaking from experience?”

“I’m a healer, mostly I just tend to whoever comes back from a mission and make potions and elixirs for the Herald’s party.” A grin adds youth to his face. “It’s nice to have something to break up the monotony.”

“Well, I guess I’ll try the pond.”

“Good luck, you’ll know him when you see him,”: the healer sniggered and Dorian was reminded of Sera’s laughter at pointing out the other elf’s hair situation.

The walk to the pond was quiet and he easily dodged busy men and women whose faces were drawn and shoulders heavy. Dorian tried not to make eye contact with any of them lest he wanted to enter a conversation with him. He just needed to find Solas and then go about the rest of his day.

Just like the healer had said, he spotted Solas walking along the edge of the pond. His shoulders were broad and led to a tapered waist and Dorian couldn’t help but admire the elf’s silhouette.

He trotted up beside the elf with a hint of trepidation. “Solas?” Dorian called out as he reached him.

The man turned his attention towards him with a curious expression. “How can I help you?” Solas asked calmly.

“Aeren- The Herald told me you’re a mage.”

“I am.”

“And I was wondering if you could tell me about the Breach.”

“I can.”

The short answers had Dorian’s enthusiasm wilting. “What if I said please?”

Solas’ lips quirked upwards at that. “I’d say you have manners, at least when it comes to asking questions.” He examined him and Dorian fought the urge to squirm under the accessing gaze. “But you have not introduced yourself as of yet.”

He felt his cheeks pink. “Dorian of House Pavus, how do you do?” Dorian introduced with a bob of his head.

The quirk to the man’s lips disappeared. “You’re the one from Tevinter that everyone is up in arms about.”

“Surely not everyone.” Please let it not be everyone.

“Those of Tevinter rarely travel south of the Free Marches if they can help it, it is no surprise that people would be wary especially given that Tevinter mages have managed to ensnare the Rebel mages into indentured servitude.”

“Not officially, just yet.” It’s a weak protest and he knows it all too well.

Solas tilts his head in acknowledgment. “No, but Tevinter’s idea of indentured servitude is only a hair’s breadth away from slavery.” There’s a bitter tilt to his mouth now. “But I’m sure you’re aware of that.”

The silence stretches between them and for once Dorian is in no rush to fill the silence. Solas’ words echo heavily in his chest, an unfortunately familiar ache settling beneath his sternum.

Guilt.

Felix had told him many times that Dorian had a guilt complex that encompassed the stretch of Tevinter; convinced that he had somehow failed or neglected to do more to help in some way. Carrying the weight of his country’s wrongdoings on his shoulders like a mantle of culpability.

But maybe he could be doing more in some way. Been more outspoken, started the foundations of a revolution to put an end to slavery, aided in an exodus of elves to flee his homeland. Something. But he’s also still just a child no matter how much he wants to proclaim otherwise.

Despite his magical prowess, he has no power when it comes to his people just yet.

“Do not mistake my words as an attack on your character, da’len,” Solas said, letting his gaze refocus on Dorian. “I’m simply lamenting a world that was.” Solas’ voice is considerably softer, if not melancholic than it was moments prior.

Dorian gave him a shallow nod of acknowledgment. “For what it’s worth,” Dorian said, turning his gaze back to the pond. “I’m sorry for what my people have done to yours.”

Solas gave him a mirthless laugh. “Elves have hurt their own plenty all on our own.” Dorian wants to ask him what he means by that but the elf continued with nary a pause. “And although an apology can’t fix all that has been done by your people, I can say that you have a good heart, Dorian of House Pavus.”

He flushed at the comment and shook his head. “I’m just saying what’s right.”

“It’s sometimes easier to agree with a wrong than it is to stand up for a right.” Solas looked once more at the Breach before turning around. “I think it’d be best if I answered your questions at another time. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to be alone now.”

Dorian nodded, thanking his lucky stars for an excuse to leave the situation. “Of course, another time then.”

Another small smile was given to him before Solas continued his methodical stroll around the parameter. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Solas, but he’d seen something in the man’s eyes - a longing and melancholia that he’d only seen in the oldest of elves at his own home. What that longing was for he did not know.

For a moment he just stood there, taking in the sight of the snowy peaks and frozen surface of the pond. It was oddly peaceful, even with the Breach tinting everything an odd green that might’ve reminded him of a particularly early spring if he hadn’t been shivering as the bitter cold seeped through his clothes.

Distantly he could hear the soldiers training, the clang of their swords and grunts of exertion. He could hear the crackle of energy from the Breach from where he was standing, but he half thought that he was imagining the noise. It sounded just like the rifts from inside the Chantry, ripping the fabric of reality to pour forth demons.

But what bothered him the most is that he couldn’t hear the birds. Not a sweet song settled on the wind or the flap of wings fluttering amongst the trees. It was as if they had no sound like the Breach had swallowed them whole.

He turned away from the pond, quickly burying his train of thought with a renewed energy to find something to preoccupy himself with. He considered finding Aeren, but he knew the Herald would be pressed for time by his advisors and his other commitments to have time for Dorian’s brand of pestering.

Varric was a good choice as well but he still hadn’t apologized for giving him the slip and though he wouldn’t mean it, he should still apologize. And he wasn’t quite ready for that - being forgiven so easily when it’d been a breach of trust. The others were still strangers and he wasn’t sure where he stood with the group all things considered.

So really he only had one option left: The Iron Bull.

Dorian turned to look at the qunari that appeared to be lazily taking in his surroundings while talking to a man dressed in armor. One of his company perhaps, Dorian mused as he tentatively made his way over. It would probably help him get over his bloody paranoia about the qunari which he was determined to get over as soon as possible.

The Iron Bull noticed him first and tossed him a lazy wave. “Back already, Dorian?” The Iron Bull asked.

He threw up his hands in exasperation before letting them fold petulantly against his chest. “Solas wasn’t available for talking at the moment, predisposed to his own thoughts for the time being and I figured Aeren has things to do besides entertaining me.”

“I’m surprised I was your next choice.”

You weren’t, Dorian bit his tongue to hold back his comments. “Well,” Dorian paused to sort his thoughts as quickly as he could. “You didn’t seem to be preoccupied so I figured I’d just stay with you.”

The other man snorted and nudged his elbow against the Iron Bull’s side. “You gonna introduce me to the tiny ‘vint?” he asked, turning fully to look at Dorian.

It’s then that Dorian noticed the details of the man. The earthy, brown-gold complexion, sharp cheekbones, and strong jaw. The stitching of his clothes were the same ones in his own leathers. A stitching technique that Dorian knew was only used in one place as Maevaris was adamant he knew the nuances of fashion.

“You’re from Tevinter,” Dorian gasped. He never expected to see another of his people in Fereldan, let alone one who appeared to be part of a company led by a qunari.

The man nodded with a grimace. “I was,” he conceded. “But Tevinter is no home to me.”

Dorian’s shoulders drooped. “Oh." He couldn't hide how he felt like the wind was knocked from his sails nor the disappointment edging at the single word.

He shouldn’t have hoped. It was foolish. People didn’t like Tevinter, not most people that is. Tevinter wasn’t kind. It wasn’t full of happiness or pleasantry for the lower class. It was a constant game of masks and prejudice. He didn't blame anyone for fleeing its borders nor who resented the place.

Dorian never looked at his home through a rose-wine filter, but it was still his home. And he wished he had someone who understood a longing for that.

Not for the first time, he wished Felix was here.

“None of that,” the man nudged him with the back of his wrist. “Tevinter showed my family no kindness, but that doesn’t mean you can’t miss it.” The man shrugged and gave him a cursory look. "What gave me away? Most people don't notice if I don't mention it."

Dorian's cheeks heated at the question and he focused back on the man's armor. "The stitching in your leather," he said with a gesture, "I've only seen it in Tevinter."

The Iron Bull let out a low whistle. "Very observant of you," he praised offhandedly.

Dorian shuffled darting his eyes between the two before gesturing to his clothes. "Mine have the same stitching."

The man laughed and picked at a piece of his leather. "You'd think you were a tailor's son with that kind of observation," the statement was rhetorical as he kept talking. "The name's Krem."

No last name or title, just a name, and Dorian wasn't even sure if it was Krem's full name or not. "Dorian of House Pavus," he introduced.

"Didn't think pedigree 'Vints ventured this far south."

"Not usually," Dorian conceded, "But Felix asked for my help and I couldn’t let him down.”

“Felix is the other ‘Vint helping us in Redcliffe,” the Iron Bull explained.

Krem nodded his head with a smile. “Certainly loyal to this Felix.”

“Felix is my brother,” Dorian explained with a smile of his own. He didn’t explain himself further than that.

“What are your plans for the rest of the day?” the Iron Bull asked.

Dorian shrugged and kicked a bit of snow with his boot. “Whatever you’re doing I suppose.”

The grin that spread across the qunari’s face was positively excited. “Wanna meet my crew?”

The Chargers, with all their lack of manners and crude humor, were probably up there with Aeren and Varric as far as his favorite people he’d met so far. They took no shit and were unashamedly loud, boisterous in their tavern songs and stories. Dorian found himself listening intently too afraid he’d miss what would happen next to pay attention to Rocky sneaking bits from his plate.

“I think we were still finding feathers in our things after a week,” Krem finished with a laugh and a swig from his tankard.

Dalish shook her head, a sparkling of mischief dancing across her features. “Never really figured out how the feathers got into our supplies in the first place,” she mused.

“But it definitely worked in distracting those men in the woods near that one guy’s house,” Rocky said, tearing through his third roll.

The others nodded and Dorian couldn’t help but laugh at their attempt at serious faces. This was perhaps the most fun he’d had in a long while - since before Felix had gotten sick and things had started to unravel and chip around him.

And not once had he flinched away from the Iron Bull.

While he still wanted to ask Solas all the questions he could think of before he was inevitably ushered away, meeting the Bull’s Chargers was just as nice. And provided a wonderful distraction from the nerves that lit up his mind as he thought about the mission tomorrow.

Heading back to Redcliffe was both undeniably tense and laid back in a way Dorian wasn't expecting. For the first quarter of the journey, they traveled with a hoard of the Inquisition's soldiers. They were disciplined and traveled with a one-track mind as they eventually all passed their group. He wondered if all the soldiers had experience before this or if Cullen had managed to train them to be that way.

"They're going on ahead of us?" Dorian asked as the last soldier passed them.

Aeren nodded as he twirled one of his axes around. "They have to sneak into the castle after all," Aeren said. "Besides traveling with such a big group would only cause us trouble. Imagine what the Templars and Rebel mages would do if they saw such a gathering."

Dorian hadn't even thought about the warring groups that were still avidly fighting around the Hinterlands. "Makes sense."

"Course it does, the advisors came up with that one." Aeren grinned, tilting his head like some overgrown Mabari pup.

Varric snorted beside him. "You sure are proud about those advisors of yours having used their common knowledge."

"Varric, we all know that I'm not the brains in any of this." He pressed his lips together like he was holding back a laugh. "I'm just the man with the glowing hand."

Cassandra let out a disgruntled huff. “You could try to pick up on some of our tactics,” she said.

“And deprive you all of your advisings?” Aeren put a hand to his chest. “I wouldn’t dare.”

A large, meaty hand clapped Aeren on the back. “Don’t worry, you’ll pick up on things the more you work with them,” Bull reassured.

“There is one bit of advice I can offer,” Aeren turned his attention back to Dorian, “You’re going to have to remain hidden at least a little when we get there.” He pointed at Dorian’s robes and made a slouching motion. “Maybe fashion some of that drapey fabric to make a hood or something.”

Dorian tugged at his robes self-consciously. “I can, but…” And then it occurred to him: Alexius would recognize him instantly without something to shadow his face. The man had known Dorian for years and could easily pick him out in a crowd even if he wasn’t currently “peacock-ing” as his mentor liked to put it.

He shrugged his bag to one shoulder and pulled some of the extra fabric to the side and then maneuvered it to drape over the top of his head. With the hood as situated as it would get without taking off his bag, he repositioned his pack to its usual position.

“Now you look like chuckles,” Varric laughed.

Tilting his head and squinting for a moment at Dorian, Aeren too let out a snort. “I see it.”

Dorian frowned and crossed his arms. “‘Chuckles’ and I still haven’t really talked,” he said tartly. His conversation with Solas had yet to leave him alone.

Aeren gave him a wolfish grin. “Please call him chuckles to his face when I’m with you, I want to see that dread enter his eyes.”

“I thought you liked Solas,” the Iron Bull admitted, raising a scarred brow.

The Herald shrugged. “He’s a knowledgeable man and I’ve never met an elf that has such tales about our culture.” Aeren’s eyes had a far-off look to them before that gleam of mischief returned. “But that repressed look of disdainful horror that he gets if you say something stupid is more precious than all the Silverite in the Frostback Basin.”

The comment made them all laugh, not even Casandra was immune to Aeren’s statement even if she was desperately suppressing it to a simple quirk of her lips.

He could fulfill Aeren's one wish. "When we get back, set up a meeting with Solas and I'll make it happen," Dorian reassured.

"You're one of the good ones, Dorian," Aeren said with a smile.

If only he felt like one of the good ones.

Redcliffe was just as unnerving as it had been when he'd been here last, but now there was a quiet anxiety that permeated the air. The people stared at their small group, turning away to talk to each other in hushed words when they passed by.

It made the hairs on Dorian's neck stand on end and he gravitated closer towards Varric. He didn't know if the others had picked up on the stifling atmosphere, but Dorian felt like the air was getting thicker the closer they got to the castle.

The dwarf nudged him with his elbow. "Don't pay them any mind," Varric said. The frown Dorian made was only visible to Varric because of their height difference. "Pretty sure these folks just want something to talk about that isn't about the Rebel Mages and the Templars fighting on their doorstep."

It was by no means the first time Dorian was being watched with whispered slander falling from his "audience's" mouths, but this was different. Perhaps it was because Dorian knew that he was walking towards Alexius, who’d been not only his teacher but a pseudo-father to him as well. But he had to do this, especially since Alexius had allied himself with these Venatori.

Despite knowing that, it didn’t provide much comfort to his conscience.

Aeren didn’t seem to mind the stares at all, his gate sure and his face placid. “A warm welcome for us once again,” he said amiably. “With such hospitality, I really should’ve brought Alexius a fruit basket.”

“Herald, will you focus?” Cassandra huffed.

“I am focused,” Aeren turned to look at them as he kept walking. “But if I go in with a dour look everything will seem suspicious.”

The Iron Bull grinned and made a thoughtful hum. “He was jovial when we spoke with Alexius before, and to maintain the cover that the Inquisition is agreeing to ally themselves with Alexius’ goals, a pleasant demeanour seems to be the best idea,” Bull said.

The Herald gestured his hand at Bull. “Thank you, Bull, glad you realized what I’m doing.”

Dorian bobbed his head from side-to-side. “So keep up appearances?” Dorian mused aloud. “Yes, Alexius probably won’t even notice at first since people in Tevinter wear masks like that almost every day.”

Cassandra still didn’t look convinced. “It would still do some good to act a little more serious as we’re acting as diplomats and not just hearing an offer,” she said as they approached the hill that led to the castle entrance.

“You’re plenty serious for the rest of us, Seeker,” Varric remarked as they approached the guards at the door.

“For good reason.”

The guards squared their shoulders and gave them a once over. “State your business,” he said.

Aeren stepped forward with his arms spread. “Surely Alexius is expecting us, is he not?” Aeren asked.

The answer wasn’t sufficient as the guards didn’t move. “Is that your business?”

With a huff, Aeren nodded his head. “Yes, our business is to talk with Alexius about his offer.”

With synchronicity, the guards grabbed the door handles and pulled the heavy doors open. A guard stood waiting for them in the now open doorway.

“Follow me, I’ll take you to Alexius,” the guard said, pivoting on the spot as she began leading them down a series of corridors.

The architecture in Redcliffe Castle was beautiful in its simplicity. Whereas the majestic buildings in Tevinter had vaulted ceilings inscribed with detailed paintings of myths and their heritage, Redcliffe Castle seemed to have preserved much of its decorum to the church.

The castle wasn’t ugly, but there was a utilitarianism to its overall design. The walls were thick and the ceiling was high, and the sparse torches cast an ominous glow about the hallway making their shadows look like looming figures trailing behind them.

The castle was somehow more of an unnerving setting than those he’d been in when he’d studied with the Mortalitasi for a time.

They walked past a multitude of doors and side hallways and Dorian’s mental map of the place was practically nonexistent. Just how far was the throne room from the entrance?

His question became obsolete as they took a final set of stairs up to another grand set of double doors that were opened on their arrival to let them into the throne room.

Aeren strutted forward with his shoulders squared sparing their guard a look. “Announce us,” he said.

Another guard approached them. “The invitation was for Master Lavellan only,” he clarified as if they’d brought a whole group by mistake. “The rest of you must wait here.”

But Aeren didn’t pause. “They have to accompany me.” He sent the man a lazy grin. “I tend to fall into mischief as it were, and you wouldn’t deprive me of my attaché, would you?”

The man looked like he swallowed a lemon as he looked at their little group, finally nodding his head and turning back around to face Alexius, walking further into the room.

Anxiety clawed at Dorian’s stomach as he felt more mages follow up behind them to flank the group. He hoped that the soldiers got in okay and they’d have back up soon.

Dorian took a cursory peak from behind the Iron Bull to take it in his mentor and Felix. Felix looked about the same, but he was leaning himself against the stone pillar behind him that came off as relaxed as opposed to weak.

Alexius on the other hand looked terrible. Purpled bruises highlighted the folds underneath his eyes and there was a tightness to his mouth that almost had his lips pressed into a white line on his face. He could even spot a smattering of gray that now decorated the patch of hair underneath his bottom lip.

He shook his head and focused back on the conversation at hand.

“-I’m sure we can work out some arrangement that is equitable to all parties,” Alexius said.

A woman all but marched up to their group, a frown hardening her features, her attention directed solely at Alexius.

“Are we mages to have no voice in deciding our fate?” a heavily accented voice asked.

Alexius gave her a patronizing smile that Dorian hated. “Fiona, you would not have turned your followers over to my care if you did not trust me with their lives.”

Aeren gestured to the woman. “If the Grand Enchanter wants to be part of these talks, then I welcome her as a guest of the Inquisition,” he explained with that same easygoing smile.

The woman in question seemed surprised at his answer but nodded her head. “Thank you,” she replied.

“Well I wouldn’t stop you from having a say in your own lives, you mages aren’t bargaining chips.”

Except they were, at least to Alexius.

His mentor turned away from them to make his way back to the throne where he lounged confidently back into. “The Inquisition needs mages to close the Breach, and I have them,” Alexius explained. “So, what shall you offer in exchange?”

Dorian had seen plenty of these sorts of exchanges from his countrymen, his parents included, but this was the first time he’d seen Alexius handle a situation like this. He stated what the Inquisition wanted and then asked them to offer whatever they thought would be enough for the mages. Not only did Alexius have the power here to simply deny them the mages until he got exactly what he wanted, but it’d also tell Grand Enchanter Fiona how much the Inquisition valued her people.

“Actually, I hoped you could tell me about these ‘Venatori’ I’m hearing so much about,” Aeren countered, brushing aside Alexius’ question.

Alexius stiffened in his chair momentarily before he seemed to force himself to relax. “Now, where could you have heard that name?” He mused, tapping his fingers against the arm of the throne.

Felix stepped forward. “I told him,” he claimed proudly. For a moment, Felix was once more larger than life and Dorian was calmed by his interjection.

The other man sent Felix a disapproving glare. “Felix, what have you done?” He asked reproachfully. Felix didn’t falter under his stare instead looking all the more determined.

The standoff was broken by Aeren clearing his throat. “Your son is concerned that you’re involved in something terrible,” he said.

Alexius’ lips curled back into a snarl. “So speaks the thief.” A disdainful smile settled his features. “Do you think you can turn my own son against me?”

He already is against you, Dorian thought as his mentor pushed himself up from the throne with the energy of a predator.

“You walk into my stronghold with your stolen mark—a gift you don’t even understand—and think you’re in control?”

The Herald didn’t react to the Magister’s words. “And you walk into Fereldan with the iniquitous goal of practically enslaving an already ailing group of mages that had nowhere safe to turn,” Aeren argued.

“You’re nothing but a mistake,” Alexius hissed.

A scowl of his own finally graced Aeren’s face. “If I’m a mistake, what exactly was the Breach supposed to accomplish?”

“It was to be a triumphant moment for the Elder One, for the world.”

Fanaticism tinges his words but also a wariness like Alexius couldn’t pick whether to be awed or worried about what could have been.

Felix shook his head and took another step towards his father. “Father, listen to yourself!” Felix urged. “Do you know what you sound like?”

Dorian’s heart clenched at the searching look Felix gave Alexius as if he could no longer see his father when he looked at the man. It was time to step in. He took a steadying breath before stepping out from behind the Iron Bull.

“He sounds exactly like the villainous cliché everyone expects us to be,” Dorian replied.

Alexius’ head whipped around to stare at him, his eyes narrowing imperceptibly. “Dorian,” Alexius acknowledged. He looked less surprised than Dorian thought he’d be. “I gave you a chance to be a part of this. You turned me down.”

“As if this is the right choice to make at all,” Dorian snipped. The matter-of-fact way that Alexius explained his offer like it wasn’t the ravings of a desperate father when he’d first approached Dorian about using time magic in a real application.

The man shook his head. “The Elder One has power you would not believe. He will raise the Imperium from its own ashes.”

He wasn’t sure who Alexius was trying to convince, Dorian or himself.

“That’s who you serve?” Aeren cut-in. “The one who killed the Divine? Is he a mage?”

Alexius’ steps echoed through the hall as he took another few steps closer. “Soon he will become a god.” He raised his arms, gazing at all of them with bright eyes. “He will make the world bow to mages once more. We will rule from the Boeric Ocean to the Frozen Seas.”

For a moment Dorian wondered if perhaps Alexius had officially lost it or come into some sort of mind-altering spell. His mentor hadn’t mentioned wanting Tevinter to change or for mages to rule.

“You can’t involve my people in this!” Fiona yelled.

Dorian shook his head and took a small step forward. “Alexius, this is exactly what you and I talked about never wanting to happen!” Dorian reminded and gave his mentor a pleading look. Alexius turned away from him, but Dorian wasn’t deterred. “Why would you support this?”

“Stop it, Father,” Felix commanded. “Give up the Venatori. Let the southern mages fight the Breach,” he took a steadying breath, “and let’s go home.”

Alexius turns back around at that denial on his tongue before he can recenter himself. “No! It’s the only way, Felix.” He grabbed hold of one of Felix’s hands with two of his own. “He can save you.”

Felix gave him an incredulous look and took his hand back from his father’s grasp. “Save me?”

Alexius turned away again from prying eyes to stare into the fire. “There is a way.” He sounded relieved in a way that Dorian had only heard the cusp of when Alexius had first mentioned time magic. “The Elder One promised. If I undo the mistake at the Temple…”

“I’m going to die,” Felix stated, his face a resigned acceptance. “You need to accept that.”

The blunt response has a nail piercing Dorian’s heart because of course, he knows that Felix is dying but sometimes he just wants to push that reality away.

His son’s words fell on deaf ears as Alexius raised a hand towards their group. “Seize them, Venatori! The Elder One demands this man’s life.”

But then choking gasps and the wet sound of blades piercing flesh echo throughout the hall and Dorian knows that the Inquisition’s soldiers have arrived. They’re safe now. It’s over.

Aeren stepped up to stand beside Dorian, that cocky smile more serious than it usually is but no less smug. “Your men are dead, Alexius,” Aeren informed him.

An angry flush brightens Alexius’ face. “You…” the animosity in the hissed word is more obvious than Dorian has ever heard, “are a mistake! You never should have existed.”

A dark green static began to emanate from Alexius’ hand and an amulet rose from his palm to hang within the center of the aura of magic. The crackling of magic flickers ominously as they stare at what’s unfolding.

It took Dorian only a moment to realize what exactly was going on: time magic. He doesn’t even think when he casts a spell to knock the amulet from Alexius’ hand, trying to stop the man from casting. “No!” Dorian yelled.

As he predicted, the spell fizzled out when Alexius dropped the amulet. What he didn't expect was a swirling rift to open up in front of him and Aeren. He turned panicked eyes to Felix, who looked just as panicked.

He heard a cry of his name before darkness overtook him as he and Aeren were sucked into the rift.